Birthday Balloons

Oh I do love balloon images!  That's just one of the things I like about the new "Sketched Birthday" set - I love the drawings and how all the sentiments fit a framelit or a punch.  I'm also loving the Birthday Basics DSP - so much fun!

I got the sketch today from Freshly Made Sketches - although I didn't keep true to the sketch...sorry ladies.

There have been a lot of distractions today - so I must try to stay focused into the evening.  I hope your day has been fruitful.  Thanks for dropping by.

Joan

Truly Grateful

In between getting ready for my Christmas in August, I've MADE time to play with some of my new toys so I would have some new things to display at the workshop.

I've focused on fall for this one:  Truly Grateful caught my eye right away when I saw it in the Holiday Catalogue....that "wooden" chevron and the bundle of wheat are wonderful.  I took a piece of the burlap for the lower layer. The little cluster is made of leaves cut from the Sweater Weather DSP using the Autumn Acents and a piece of chevron ribbon.  The little button is one of the Designer Very Vintage buttons which I have dipped in Versamark, gold embossing powder and then heated.

I am enjoying the summer weather, but I love love love fall - all those leaves just asking to be shuffled through; but I don't want to rush things.

Hope your week has been off to a fabulous start - thanks for visiting.

Joan

Flower Shop Trio and Christmas Stack

Today's card features one of the flowers from the Flower Shop set - I love all the designs and it's great having the matching punch!  I've used the Dynamic Duos colours - Daffodil Delight and Strawberry Slush.  I added the bit of Strawberry Slush ribbon to help perk things up a bit.  I've noticed I haven't been doing much distressing lately - Hmmm.

This is a pretty clean and simple card that would be easy to do for card classes.

I am holding my Christmas in August Stack on Thursday.  Here are the cards we're going to be doing...

I have some of the new Christmas stuff now - so the October and November stacks will include some more of the products from the Holiday Catalogue.

I'm off to continue getting ready for Thursday.  Hope you have a terrific Tuesday.  Thanks for dropping by...Joan

Undefined & Feathers

I'll share the feathers with you first - This is the second technique I will be doing at the September Technique class.....and Inkspired Divas meeting.

I created an ombre pattern on glossy paper using sponge daubers and ink as the basis for the Joseph's Coat technique.  I really love this technique and first learned it when we had the spectrum pads.

I've used the new Pretty Print embossing folder and a trio of feathers from cardstock and DSP.  I learned how to make the feathers at Convention for one of our Make and Takes.

Secondly - Last night I decided to try my hand at "Undefined".  I received a small piece at Convention, but Tracey and I never made it to the area where we could carve our own stamp at convention....I purchased the Undefined kit so I now have the tools....

First I drew out my design with a pencil on a piece of paper - I drew the outline of the size block of rubber I was carving into so I knew my boundaries.

 

This was my inspiration - I painted this on our basement wall going into our "music themed" room - which is where I hold my workshops.

Next, I rubbed my drawing onto the piece of rubber - I took the pencil and "redrew" the areas that didn't transfer clearly.

Using both tools I carved away 

Before I cut the excess rubber away, I tried the stamp out to be sure there were no extra pieces that could accidentally get inked.

I mounted the rubber onto the foam piece and then inked up the rubber to stamp the image on the block.

Finally, I stamped the image on paper......

I haven't created a card with it yet - but that will come.  I have a number of things I still have to cross off my crafting to-do list.  But I'm happy with my first stamp!

Here's Stampin'Up!'s video on the product

If you'd like to get your hands on the kit.....you can get it at my on-line store by clicking the "Shop Now" link on the left sidebar.

Today has been fairly productive so far - Hope you are having successes in your day too.

Thanks for stopping by,

Joan

Thanks, You're the Best!

Hard to believe that summer is half over - it's the first Monday of the month - and Heidi has a great card sketch for us this week at MDS Monday, along with a video explaining how you can customize a punch shape.

For my thank you card, I am featuring the "Neon Notes" kit for the papers, embellishments and the sentiments.

Here is this week's sketch....

And here is Heidi's video on customizing the punch shape....

I'm looking forward to having more time to craft this week before we leave home again.  I've done a lot this summer, but I still wish it would slow down.

Hope you are having a wonderful beginning to your week.

Thanks for stopping by,

Joan

Happy Day

Oh, Happy Day - I did my first challenge for the summer....actually two.  I've combined the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches and the Friday Mashup!

I've used Gorgeous Grundge (from Convention) for the splatters and Happy Day.  I've also added some of the Brights Candy Dots - I like these so much the way they are, I'm not sure I'll ever turn them into brads; but it's nice to have the option.

I'm appreciating the simple sketch - it made the card quick to create.  I'm finding that since I haven't been home for a month, there are so many things that I WANT to do as well as HAVE to do, that I'm not quite sure where I need/want to start.  Guess I'll just take one day at a time!

The Friday Mashup is...

1. Create a project with "Polka Dots ".
2. Create a project using "the Word Happy".
3. Or Mash it Up and create a project "with Polka Dots & The Word Happy on it ".

And the sketch is here...

I have also worked on putting together some of my Paper Pumpkins - I had a number of boxes that I had no time to play with.  The July kit included supplies to create little banners....I opted to change them into cards.  I've only created two right now - I still have supplies for more.

And I guess I've actually completed one more challenge since I found the My Paper Pumpkin Challenge Blog.  I'll be checking it out from now on too.

Off I go to begin the day - hope you have a marvelous one.

Thanks for stopping by.

Joan

5, 6 Pick Up Sticks

Welcome to this week's MDS Monday scrapbook sketch which was created by Rochelle with the additional challenge to use numbers within our sketch.  As soon as I read that part of the challenge I knew right away that I wanted to use these pictures.  However, because the pictures were so busy I decided to tweak the sketch a bit and not include all the blocks.  It was fun to create the digital sticks with a square punch!

Here is the original sketch....

Be sure to check out the projects that our design team has put together.  Lots of great ideas for incorporating numbers into the sketch.

Hope you have a great day creating - Thanks for dropping by.

Joan

The LIfe You Imagined

What a fabulous colour combination we have today at Sunday Stamps.  I don't use purple very often, and I certainly wouldn't go to Turquoise  as a combination - but I absolutely love this combo.  It can be worked into either a masculine or feminine card.  Today, I've opted for the masculine touch...I think.

The background was created with the coral form "By the Tide" and I stamped and fussy cut the shells.  Two of them have had the ink stamped off, but your can't really tell.  The greeting is from "Really Good Greetings".  They are all sort of whimsical - fun to use.

I used a bit of the new In Colour - Baked Brown Sugar stretch ruffle trim. 

Hope you have fun creating with this combo!  Check out the inspiring projects by the rest of the Design Team at the Sunday Stamps  Blog -  And don't forget to leave a link so we can check in to see what you've designed.

Thanks for stopping by!

Joan 

Just A Note...

Welcome to a card sketch week with MDS Monday - and I'm the sketch designer this week.  I was busy ending school and getting ready for my first leg of my holiday when I had to have this sketch planned - so I went back in my blog looking for ideas I could use.....my eye caught the card I used as a swap at the Stampin'Up! Convention in 2008 - and so I thought it was the perfect card to use since I've just come home from Convention this year.

I've tweaked the sketch a bit because the envelopes weren't square - and I've used the "Keep In Touch" Designer Kit - having been inspired by Tara a couple weeks ago.

Be sure to check out the design team's projects - there is definitely inspiration to be found there - feel free to use any shape for the sketch and be sure to link your project back to MDS Monday so we can take a peak.

Here's the sketch

 Here's my original card - I did keep that "Bugs and Kisses" set - so cute!

Have a great day - thanks for stopping by

Joan

Supply List 

Background

     Designer Series Paper/_Designer Kits/Keep in Touch - designer series paper/Keep in Touch - 4

Embellishments

    _Designer Kits/Keep In Touch - embellishments/Keep in Touch - envelope 9

    _Designer Kits/Keep In Touch - embellishments/Keep in Touch - envelope 8

    _Designer Kits/Keep In Touch - embellishments/Keep in Touch - envelope 1

    _Designer Kits/Keep In Touch - embellishments/Keep in Touch - pencil

Punches

    Basics/1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper/_Designer Kits/Keep in Touch - designer series paper/Keep in Touch - 6     

Be the Difference

Be the Difference is the theme for this year's convention.....it is fun to share convention with Tracey Stewart, one of my downline, who is attending for the first time. 

Waiting to get into General Session

Lots and Lots of excited people

I like this years' bag that holds some of the free goodies we get.  White and a hint of Silver to celebrate 25 years.

I took part in the attempt to make a Guiness World Record of having the most greeting cards sent from one location.....I snapped a picture of the counter just after I went through.....I'm glad I was early in line!

At Memento Hall I had a chance to try out the new In Colour Nail Polishes.  NEVER in my life have I coloured my nails all different colours.  First time for everything.

I ready for a new day - Hope you have adventures to look forward to.

Thanks for stopping by,

Joan

Ready for a Fantastic Convention.....

I know I've been absent quite a bit lately - only posting for the challenges that I'm on the design team for......I don't really like that.....I'd love to be posting every day.  However, I haven't been in my stamping room since the end of school - but I have not had idle hands.  I've been working in my art journal and doing an "index card a day" just to keep the creativity flowing.

Right now, I'm in Salt Lake City - gearing up for the opening of the 25th Anniversary Stampin'Up! Convention tomorrow.  I can't wait - it's going to be so exciting!

I returned from Ottawa  yesterday, Tuesday, - getting home at about 8:00pm and then I was in the air again this morning at 6:00am.  There were delays, so it was relaxing and now I'm getting ready for an early night so I can enjoy tomorrow to it's fullest.

Thought I would share a picture I took out the plane window this morning and a handful of the index cards that I've been working on the past little while - 

Stay creative - no matter what the medium!

Thanks for dropping by.

Joan

Three Generations

Well - I'm sorry I'm a day late posting this  sketch - YIKES!  I completed it while in Ottawa (the beauty of having MDS on your laptop - you can work without packing all your supplies!).....so I created the page and apparently thought I was done - duh!  My apologies to the design team!  LOL

Anyway - this fun MDS Monday sketch is from Tara.  I've fiddled around with things a little bit - creating a fence under the smaller photos instead of matting.  And, since I didn't have three pictures from this "event", I decided to crop the images for the sides.  I am happy with this final result - although it took a lot of fiddling.

The photo was taken by Elliot's mother - he knows he can't leave the yard without holding someone's hand.  I can so see this photo being taken again and again as everyone ages.

Since it's now Tuesday, I'm on my way home from Ottawa and I'll be home for about 12 hours before I leave again for CONVENTION!!!!!! tomorrow.

Woo hooo - totally excited.  

Hope you have something exciting to look forward to this week.

Thanks for stopping by.

Joan

Triple Thanks So Much

Bonjour-Hello.......Happy Sunday Stamps.  You've got to excuse me today - I'm currently in Ottawa, and you hear just about as much French here as English.  

Hayley has a great sketch for us this week - I love the little string of banners.....and I love how our design team members have interpreted the sketch in a variety of ways....so be sure you check out the blog for inspiration.

I created this card before I left home for holidays - I used a piece that I had thought of using for another card, but set aside.  Ya gotta keep those little "bloopers" - because they end up being useful in the end.  I used watercolour paper for the base of the focal piece - which is how I created the aged/distressed edge.

I've been having a fantastic holiday - and one memorable highlight will be the evening I met two members of Design Teams while in Ottawa.  Hayley (from Sunday Stamps) and Tara (from MDS Monday) met me for dinner at the Baton Rouge and it was like we were getting together as old friends instead of meeting as cyber friends for the first time.  Good food, good laughs, good memories, new friends.  I had a outstanding time and I look forward to getting together with these ladies again in the future!!!

I hope you are having some memorable times this summer.

Thanks for stopping by here for a wee visit.

Joan

Sun, Sand & Sea

Welcome to a card sketch day at MDS Monday, brought to you by Beth.  I love this sketch because it's so versatile.  You could fill it with a variety of DSP designs, or add stamped images to fill the spaces.....like I did with the sea horses.  

I'm trying to use a variety of elements from the "Anchors Away"  Digital Kit so that I remember what is included in the kit.  I love these sea horses and the ready made banners.

Check out what the rest of the design team has come up with for this sketch.  And be sure to link your creation back to the Challenge Blog so we can take a peak at what you've made.

Right now I'm starting the second leg of my summer holiday - in Ottawa.   I hope your summer days are filled with fun - and not too much weather.  Thanks for stopping by -

Joan

Background

     Color = MIDNIGHT MUSE 17,69,93

Embellishments

    _Designer Kits/Anchors Away - embellishments/Anchors Away - sun sun sun

    _Designer Kits/Anchors Away - embellishments/Anchors Away - good life

    _Designer Kits/Anchors Away - embellishments/Anchors Away - sand sand sand

    _Designer Kits/Anchors Away - embellishments/Anchors Away - sea sea sea

    Baker's Twine/Baker's Twine - White

    Baker's Twine/Baker's Twine - White knot

Stamps

    _Designer Kits/Anchors Away/Anchors Away - seahorse, Color = NOT QUITE NAVY 52,103,120

Punches

    Basics/1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper/_Designer Kits/Anchors Away - Designer Series Paper/Anchors Away - 1

There was a little girl...

First off - I'd like to wish

HAPPY CANADA DAY

to all my Canadian friends and family.

Now...

Welcome to a sketch day at MDS Monday.  We have a great sketch from Holly today which enables us to use one of my favorite techniques.... Photo Filled Grouped Boxes.

I cropped the embellishment I used to create the curls around the edges of the boxes.  My curls do drive me nuts some days - but on those days when I have an especially prominent curl on my forehead, I think of my dad who would inevitably recite the nursery rhyme.

Be sure to visit the challenge blog to check out some inspirational pages from the rest of the Design Team......and don't forget to post a link of your creation to the blog so that we can take a peak!!!!!

I hope you have a wonderful day - and to all of the Canada Day Celebrators...

Have Fun

Stay Safe

Make Good Choices.

Thanks for visiting.

Joan

Really all about YOU

Hey, Hey, Hey - it's summer vacation!  I'm still busy getting ready to head on holiday - but I've got a card to share for our Sunday Stamps Challenge.  I decided to use Pacific Point as my blue....something I rarely reach for - I like it with this combination - helps things pop off the page a bit.  The layers of the cake have been popped up with dimensionals too - although it's hard to tell in the photo.

Check out what the rest of the Design Team has come up with......there is a wonderful variety to get you inspired.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend - and safe travels to anyone heading out on vacation.

Thanks for stopping by -

Joan