Daffodils

Well, this poor daffodil plant certainly has been distressed. I was trying a new technique - which was featured by Danielle Kennedy on the Flourishes Newsletter February 14. It was a distressing technique which I had trouble doing it because my SU markers would run whenever I added water. It was a good thing that I stamped the image 3 times before beginning. What I eventually ended up doing was distressing the stamped image before colouring it....I had even let it dry for a couple of days and the ink still ran. So - the technique tutorial by Danielle is here...her end result is beautiful!!!

Challenges for this Card.....
SCS Limited Supply Challenge - Ribbon and Trim
Our Creative Corner - Try a New Technique
Saturday Spotlight - "Messy" - distressed paper
SCS Clean & Simple - Wishing For Spring
Thanks for stopping by to visit.....

Tea and Posies

Good Morning - anyone ready for a cup of tea?
I like this cup and saucer from Sugar Creek Hollow. I printed it onto glossy paper (photo paper) so that I could use the crayon resist technique on it....that's how I created the swatches of white within the cup. To make the centres of the flowers I dabbed each of my silver brads into my Versa Mark pad, then dipped them into white embossing powder and heated them to solidify. I really like how this turned out.

Challenges for this card....
SCS Colour Challenge - Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Soft Suede
SCS Limited Supply Challenge - Ribbon and Trim
Saturday Spotlight Challenge- Making your creation "Messy" by distressing the paper - tearing - etc.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have time to settle with a cup of tea - especially with a friend.

Red Hat for Aunt

Whenever I looked at this Sugar Creek Hollow hat I thought of gardening and keeping the sun off your face.....until a couple of days ago - and I immediately wanted to turn it into a red hat for my Aunt Shauna. I don't know much about the organization, although I suppose I'm qualified to join now. I think she's get a kick out of it.

I've incorporated the Limited Supply Challenge for this week which was to use ribbon or trim....using a border punch was acceptable for trim. The ribbon I had left over from the little accordion book I made for my daughter last spring.

Hope all is well your way - thanks for dropping by...

First Digital Project

Yesterday I used a digital image for the first time ever. I happened across Designed2Delight digital stamps and found a challenge using digital images and decided to try it out. I'm sorry that the writing is fuzzy in my picture. I'm excited about doing challenges on Delightful Inspiration's blog - the images I've seen so far are very appealing. So....that was challenge #1.

The second challenge I've included in this card is Thursday's "Ways to Use It" challenge which was to use something new.....in this case - the digital image. I may post another card using some of the stamps I've purchased from companies other than SU.

Next, the "Limited Supply Challenge" using only pinks, reds, black and white and some sort of polka dots within the creation. The Razzleberry Lemonade DSP has a very subtle dotted sheet which I used for the two side strips.

Finally, the sketch is from Stamp Something - or rather - Sketch Something for this week.

I'm excited about today because I'm going to a Stampin' Extraveganza with my Upline. Tamye and Lori put on such wonderful events. We'll be stampin' a whole whack of projects that I'll be sharing with you later. I hope you also have a wonderful day. Thanks for dropping by.

Happy New Year!
Today's Limited Supply Challenge was to use the words from today's greeting. Happy - make the card in 15 minutes. Use something New that you received over the holiday, and have the card pertain to a Yearly event.

I used the sketch challenge from a couple of weeks ago and the Kaleidoscope DSP that I'm falling in love with. My New item is the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die - I love these little butterflies! I must say though, that the card took a wee bit longer than 15 minutes to make...but I'm still happy!

One of the reasons I love the Kaleidoscope paper is that it's so bold and bright. It fits perfectly with the day outside - Too bad it's too cold for butterflies - the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the snow is glistening - what a wonderful way to start the New Year.

Hope you're having a great day - JOAN

Caterpillars and Music

Yesterday's Inspiration Challenge came from Fitz & Floyd. I looked around and the plate that is shown caught my eye because of the colours.....

so I used Baha Breeze, Not Quite Navy and Mellow Moss. The Baha does not work well in this photo, but it does match the plate in person. Last week's Stamp Something challenge was to create a card around something you enjoy - and for me that would be music - listening, dancing to, sharing with kids - it's all good.






The Limited Supply Challenge on Friday was to create a card with bugs on it. I also incorporated the colour challenge from the Colour Throw Down - which was Tempting Turquoise, Elegant Eggplant and a green of your choice - I used Kiwi Kiss. I finally got my texturz plates to work properly in my Big Shot so used the swirly background on the small turquoise and eggplant pieces. The Big Shot was used to cut out the leaves; which were from the Birds and Bloom die set - I folded them in half and put them through the crimper for more texture. The branch is the Swirly Strip Die. I guess I actually used a lot of supplies for the limited supply challenge....oooops.

We're off to see "Annie" tonight in Edmonton. I'm not sure what my feelings are....I know I'll like the music, I know I'll like the staging. I just hardly ever like the little girl.....there's just something about Annie that I just can't...... I don't know what it is.....maybe the wig!!!

Anyway - thanks for stopping by. Hope your weekend was great - on to another week. JOAN

Orange Coffee

This challenge is from last week's Limited Supply Challenge. The limitations were any shades of orange and coffee. Well, I used Tangerine Tango and the new Haiku paper.
It feels as though it took me a week to get this card made. I had one little cup completely finished and when I got back to my desk do you think I could find it - nope. I think I made 6 cups in the process of finishing this card....I did not however drink that much coffee. (Although I am capable!!!!!)

Thanks for visiting - JOAN

ATC Lunch Notes

For yesterday's "Limited Supply Challenge" we were asked to make little ATC notes that could be put into our loved ones lunches as the school year begins - or business day begins I suppose. This card is just 3.5X2.5". I've made this size for technique samples before - but not for a note itself. It's sort of useful in it's small way!
Thursday's Way's to Use it Challenge was to add jewels to the projects - thus the square rhinestone brads!!!!

I've used two of the new In-Colours with this card. I finally decided to crack them open - wanted to use up this past years - but couldn't stand it any longer. The two I've used are Pink Pirouette and Pacific Point. I just love this blue!!!
I CAN'T WAIT until the 11th to order from the new catalogue.....and to finally order the Big Shot!!!! I'm doing scrapbook pages - and boy is that tool going to come in handy for titles!!!!

For our customer gals - stay tuned to your e-mail for a newsletter full of wild and crazy new stuff!!!!!

Have a great day - If you're heading to the Edmonton Folk Festival - Have a great time! JOAN

Thanks to two Dawns!

Right off the bat, I would like to thank Dawn Easton and Dawn Griffith for the inspiration for this card. Dawn E. used this Explosion Card fold for today's Limited Supply Challenge - to make a uniquely folded card. I thought Dawn's was so cool, that I had to try it. I was able to whip this card up quickly because Dawn G. had such an easy to follow tutorial on how to create it. The colours I used are Groovy Guava, Pumpkin Pie and Soft Sky. The central black flourishes are Cherished
Memories Rub-Ons. The outer swirls are embossed in black from Sweet Shapes.

When I find out what the retiring stamp sets are, I always take them out of my cupboard and set most of them aside for the annual garage sale. I am finding however, that there are a number that I keep going back to. I may be keeping more retired stamp sets this year than usual....we'll have to see what the new catalogue brings.....IT'S SO EXCITING!!!!!! I can't wait for Utah!!!

Oh, and Happy Day....the little brown truck delivered the new In Colours and some new sets......I'm getting itchy fingers.....I just LOVE the new blue!!!!!!!!!

Happy Stamping - JOAN

Sweet Summer

Okay....I've gone outside the SU box and used my first Stamping Bella on a card. I got some of them this past week and this one worked for me for today's limited supply challenge. We needed to make a summertime card with only three layers, limited embellishments and no designer paper. During the summer I love to sit on my deck with a cup of coffee and a book. I've actually taken two Bella stamps - the Late drinker does not have books next to her - Yipee for markers!

I'm also posting this card for this weeks' challenge over at Stamp Something....They're looking for Triple Plays - Three Colours, Three Layers and Three Embellishments.

One quick question to Bella users - I have the stamps, I have a block, how to I get the stamp to stay stuck on the block while I'm using it? (What a Newb!)

I promise not to bore you with all the family scrap pages I make, but I wanted to share these two. I'm using Stampin'Up!'s Simply Scrappin' Kits and am wonderfully pleased with how the colours actually go with the photos I have. I'm working on both son and daughter at the same time. I'm thankful for the scrapbook layouts that people have posted on their blogs.....it gives me a jumping off spot! I'm also going to delve into the past scrapbook sketch challenges on Splitcoast!

Hope the sun is shining where you are....it keeps popping behind clouds here - JOAN

Dragonflies for You

I finally got around to last Saturday's Inspiration Challenge....We were to find something from the Dreaming in Colour website to inspire us. As soon as I saw this cup I was hooked...I love it.









I decided to do the Ways to Use it Challenge which was to use Inchies. If you didn't have any, which I don't, then you could make little 1" pieces yourself. I've also incorporated today's Limited Supplies Challenge which was to use an alphabet set for the sentiment.

Yeah, well.....silly me for thinking I could stamp black letters on glossy paper without smudging....grrrr. And then I noticed later that there's a tiny little thumb print, which doesn't show up too much on the photo. Oh well, it's just me putting myself into my cards...LOL.

I've added just a hint of Dazzling Diamonds to small parts of the wings. It looks like sunlight hitting them in real life.

It's a beautiful day in Fort Saskatchewan today....wind has even died down a bit. I'm heading into a day of errands in Edmonton....looking for dinosaur bones and other such interesting stuff.

Thanks for dropping by.....Happy Stampin' - Joan
I've given you links to the galleries for the challenges in case you'd like to see all the fantastic creations by other people.

New Pumpkin Paper...

This card covers Wednesday's Sketch Challenge and today's Limited Supplies Challege....NO STAMPS!!! The UPS guy delivered the Pumpkin Pie Designer Paper yesterday, just in time to go with these little felt flowers that I haven't used in a while.

I'm also glad that I finally purchased a coluzzle so I can do all these cool circle challenges.

Excited about our Team Extravaganza tomorrow....an all day gig of stamping and learning new stuff.

Thanks for dropping by, I'll post the projects we do tomorrow when I get home.
Happy Stampin' - Joan

Cow Parade???

Today's inspiration challenge on Splitcoast was based on the Cow Parade figurines.
Oh my word, there are tons of differently decorated cows. We didn't have put a cow on our creation...which is a good thing because I don't have any cows....but we could pick a cow and use it for inspiration. I choose one called "Gotspots" shown in the thumbnail. It was a tough choice because I also liked the "Cowmedy and Tragedy","Tutancowman" and "Here comes the Sun". I decided this cow got the whole barnyard to participate....
This card has ended up with three challenges in it... Inspiration - (Gallery), Ways to use it - (Gallery) and the Limited Supply - (Gallery)

This was fun to do.....
Happy Stampin' - Joan

Finally Something New....

I'm slapping this on the blog quickly before I head over to Amy's for our technique workshop tonight. I created this over two days..... (no 20 minute card creations for me right now.)
This card encorporates a number of this weeks' challenges
1) Colour Challenge - Real Red, Glorious Green, and Night of Navy. Here's the gallery again.
2)Ways to Use it Challenge - Eyelets - There have been some very creative cards with eyelets this week - gallery here
3)Limited Supplies Challenge - Do It Yourself Designer Paper - gallery here

I'm disappointed with the way I coloured the hippo. She's a bit washed out because of the blender pen so her colour isn't very even, or vibrant....but I guess she just came out of the water to visit a friend with her balloons.

Have a marvelous weekend.....Happy Stampin' - Joan
I Can't wait for Diva's tomorrow!!!!!

Goofy Blue

Here is my second entry for Friday's Limited Supply Challenge.....I tried a new technique too which I found on Scrapnextras by Laura. She gave an awesome tutorial, Tuesday, on how to use the roller in a unique way. Go to her blog to see the fabulous cards she created once she finished demonstrating the technique. They're much more colourful than this....(however, I'm sticking to the blue for the Challenge).

Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton & St. Albert folks....we just may be doing this for our April Technique Workshop...Mark your calendars....April 11 & 12.
Happy Stampin' - Joan

Yellow Hello

Today's Limited Supply Challenge is to use white and only one other colour.....no other neutral....no shades of one colour....just ONE colour. So, I picked yellow 'cause it's a bit cloudy here today....
I took two of the flowers from the Pretties Kit and used a marker to make them yellow ( I had used a sponge dauber and the ink pad but the colour wasn't deep enough.) I also took the white craft pad and stamped some dots from "Itty Bitty Backgrounds" onto the larger set of petals, but they don't show up too much in the photo.
I used "A Beautiful Thing" to stamp onto the two white pieces and then a strip of rub-ons on the outer edge of yellow....which is actually the inside of the card. Holes are punched into the yellow message square so that the white shows through from underneath. I was going to use black to but a sentiment on, but decided to stay true to the challenge.
I think I'll make another card for this challenge later today...since yellow is not my favorite colour.... ballet blue is my favorite SU colour.
Happy Stampin' - Joan

A couple of Challenges....

Sorry I haven't posted anything for a couple of days....I've been sleeping, reading, eating.....and a bit of stamping. My usual recovery process once I have more than a weekend off of school.

This first card is for the Limited Supply Challenge from Friday. We were suppose to find something we've purchased and then wondered why we ever did. I suppose my item would be the fancy ribbon. I love most of it, but not all of it, and these wide pieces confuse me. The other part of the challenge was to create a floral card. So, with this wide orange ribbon I thought I'd make a Black Eyed Susan (which I enjoy in the fall), but I think it really is more like a sunflower...which I also love. I used mircrobeads to make the "seeds" in the centre.
The gallery for this challenge is here



Saturday's challenge was to find inspiration around your own home. When I asked my daughter, Allison, what she thought I should use, she immediately came up with the idea of the wall in her room. Last summer we re-did her room to be a bit more "grown up" (she's 16). She selected the comforter set...I've included the pillow in the photo. She wanted the design from the comforter put on her longest wall....so you see a bit of what was created.
The card I created has a bit more colour, and I'm sorry that the snips show where I linked the squares, but it's not too bad. The Gallery for this challenge is here

I'm hoping to do more stamping today.....Have to check out today's challenge first!!!
Happy Stamping - Joan

Limited Paper and Stamps

Friday's Limited Supply Challenge was to take 3-4 stamps, one neutral colour, 1-2 other colours and a piece of designer paper to make a card. Any tools or embellishments were allowed. The idea was to show how just a few stamps or colours could be used to create different images.

I selected the Cutie Pie paper with all the spots, two stamps from the "Ginormous Flowers" set and one sentiment from "Smarty Pants". The first card I created was the one with the "b" on it. I'm disappointed with how the glitter turned out on the sticky letter...not as vibrant as I would like. Note to self...you can see through the sticky letter if the glitter is not dark. The little green flowers have been embossed with clear powder over top of Craft ink.

For the card with all the spots, I used various punches to add the extra little dots below the designer paper. You can't see it very well, but I added a bead onto each of the spots on the big flower. Also, the little clear button in the corner has "Thank You" rubbed onto, and a tiny piece of blue gingham ribbon.

The third, 6x3, card has the flip side of the dotted paper. I cut out one of the big flowers, added a blue circle in the center and used the build a brad. The Corner rounder punch was used to create the scallop along the edge and then I punched each scallop to create the "eyelet".

It's dreary outside here today, so definitely a day to hunker down in the stamp room and try to create cards for upcoming workshops in April...We also have a Birthday Card Camp in May to prepare for.
Happy Stampin' - Joan

Finally, some challenges met....

It was an awfully busy weekend what with workshops and concerts so I didn't get a lot of challenge stamping done. But here are two....
The Friendship card is for the Featured Stamper Challenge. You have got to look at her gallery here on Splitcoast. She does fantastic work! The card I picked to case was one called Birthday Blossoms... which is shown first.




The two other challenges I went for were the "Limited Supplies" where this week we were not to use any tools at all. Scissors yes, punches no. The layout for the card is one set out on Beate's blog for her Weekend Sketch Challenge. This is another woman who does fantastic work inspiring others and helping us through tutorials. Check out her blog here

Life Is Beautiful...

Here is the card I, Joan, create for the "Limited Supply Challenge". I used the "Bloomin' Beautiful" stamp set which is available for sale TOMORROW! My colours are Sage Shadow, Brocade Blue, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White. With a Brocade marker I coloured only the flowers from the vase to create the background on the brocade paper (no background stamps were allowed). I stamped the flower image with StazOn since I was going to be using the blender pens to colour the flowers. I filled the centre of each flower with a dab from a white gel pen. I used the pastels to colour the flowers from the Pretties kit and used the marker to bring out their centres. Finally I took a saying from the Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons for on top of the Pretty in Pink Taffeta ribbon. Finally I used the Crafter's Tool kit to do the paper piercing in the left corner.

I am loving doing these challenges everyday again....I was obsessed about two years ago, some cards are still in my Splitcoast Gallery. It's fun and, like I say at school to my kids....it's gets the brain cells moving.