Virtual Stamp Night - Let the Games Begin

Well, I spent Saturday Night on Splitcoast Stampers doing their Mini Virtual Stamp Night with the theme having to do with the upcoming Olympics. I hadn't done a VSN since spring of last year - it felt good to have the juices forced to create something in less than an hour for each challenge.

The first card, with the Maple Leaves, had to do with the parade at the Opening Ceremonies. We were to pick our favorite flag colours and create a card - well - I had to pick Canada just 'cause! To add a bit of zip though I created a small Olympic Inukshuk.
The second challenge was to "Chill Out" and to create something with a bit of ice or snow on it - using "flower soft" for snow or clear embossing powder. I don't have any flower soft - so I used the clear embossing powder on the little ice rink and then added liquid applique around the edges where Little Teddy has had to shovel off the snow. I cut her leg so that I could angle it into an arabesque - which she is executing without the aid of actual skates!

The Red Mittens which the Olympic Torch Runners are
wearing - and which have been available for purchase - was the theme of the third challenge. I remembered making this mitten for a workshop years ago, so dug out my sample and re-did it in red with a white embossed Maple Leaf. I tucked in a package of hot chocolate because the original project had been used as a "treat" bag of sorts.




Challenge #4 was to use the Chalkboard Technique - it's a two step technique in honor of the Olympic Biatholon. Here is a link to a fabulous tutorial by Beate Jahns. I had actually done this technique before so was able to jump right into it. I did FINALLY figure out how to use my corner punch properly! I am so used to holding my punches "upside down" that I was never succeeding in punching my corners - so I tried flipping the punch - saw the guidelines and viola - duh!!!!

Finally, our challenge was to keep in mind the "S" curves of the Slalom Course the the Olympics as well as using the Kissing Technique. I don't have any background stamps that are good for this technique anymore; so I used the variation which Beate suggests on her tutorial. I hadn't used glitter all evening, so I decided to add just a tiny bit in each of the panels.


Sunday will bring rest and paper cutting for my workshop on Tuesday.....and a few more puzzle pieces.

Hope your weekend has been wonderful - Thanks for dropping by

Transparent

Here is one of the final cards from last weekend's Virtual Stamp night. We had to make a transparent card....I'd never made one of those before. The card base is a transparency. I embossed the dragonflies onto a patterned piece of velum and then coloured them with markers; attaching it with gluedots in the corners. I suppose when I use this I'll have to keep the message paper the same size as the dragonflies in order to keep the transparent effect.

I may not make another posting until Sunday/Monday. I am organizing volunteers for a Young Authors Conference tomorrow and have to set things up tonight. Plus, tonight is the Nylons concert - Woooohoooo can't wait!

Have a great day - stay warm
Thanks for dropping by - JOAN

Summer Pumpkin Garden

Today's colour challenge was Kiwi Kiss (I think I'm going to have to buy another package of this paper!!!), Summer Sun and Pumpkin Pie. I used the Echoes of Kindness flowers to create the garden and then added grass with the Inspired by Nature grass. I would have added some blue for the sky, but didn't because it wasn't part of the challenge colours. I've also started leaving some of my cards without a sentiment so that I can add it at a later date.



Here is another VSN challenge card....only 4 more to show you after this one. The challenge was to show what you have an obsession about. Hmmm....how do you narrow that down??? I picked coffee (never thought I'd drink as much of it as my Dad did!). I also have an obsession right now with the Raspberry Tart paper. Two other stamping obsessions are my use of brads and dimensionals!!!!

Hope everyone is staying warm and dealing with any snow that may be falling in their area.....we are suppose to get more tomorrow.....sheeeeesh!!!! Thanks for stopping by - JOAN

Rubberbands Snap

Today's technique Challenge on Splitcoast was the Rubberband Technique. It was great fun!!! I suppose I should have put my leaves on a completely solid colour because they're melding into the rubberband background....I also think that next time I'll do this technique on glossy paper because the colours will be a bit bolder. Live and learn. I'm copying the instructions for this technique from Lynn's challenge because there was no tutorial link for it.

What you will need:
A wood or acrylic block
Embossing ink (embossing powder is optional)
Cardstock
Inks
Sponge or daubers

• First you wrap several rubber bands around your block, criss-crossing them in various directions.
• Next, take your rubber-banded block and ink up the rubber bands with your embossing ink (I used Versamark) and stamp onto your cardstock. I went in several different directions until I had filled the cardstock with the impressions.
• Now you can either let your embossing ink dry, or if you prefer, you can apply embossing powder and heat emboss.
• Lastly, apply your ink using your sponges or daubers to add color to the cardstock. The embossing ink, or embossed images will resist the ink, leaving your with a unique design.

My second card, using the same Lexicon of Leaves set, is from the VSN weekend - the challenge was to make a card that a man would/could make and send to someone. I coloured the leaf with versa mark pen with Night of Navy Ink. I do like these leaves and the oak leaf isn't too bad to cut away from it's original image.

I think I'm into leaves right now because it's snowing again here. Oh how I long for the buds to appear on the trees and
uncurl into greeness!!!!!

I'm off to watch a video on Strauss....got to make sure it's up to par for my music classes.

Thanks for stopping by,
JOAN

More VSN cards

I can only load five cards at a time so I'll be sharing VSN cards for a while! I made 12 yesterday in 12 hours - today I have a migraine - go figure!!!!

This first shell card was done with the melting crayon technique. Too cool - (I've given you the tutorial link) It was fun to do and easy to figure out in the time limit. I have a band of microbeads across the top, trying to be sand ...




This bee card is a case from one I got from my upline - Lori. There are holes punched along the side and the little bees are inside the card. The challenge was to make a card for someone you loved.




This is not a favorite of mine. We had to use only things that began with the letter L - for Love. So I used Lavender Lace and Lovely Lilac. I added a "lacey" border and used "letters" to make the message for the cup of "latte". I wish I had L embellishments.

This flower card was using the "Joy Fold". It's easy to do with Beate's Tutorial. I used one of the current Sale-a-Bration sets and used some Non-SU gems in the centre of the flowers.



For this challenge we had to find a stamp/set that was one of our first purchases. I've had this stamp for years and was glad to be able to bring it out for a spin. I added a strip of sticky strips with red beads along the bottom.

That's all I'll share today.
Thanks for stopping by - JOAN