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...

Tiffany and Giraffe

This lamp image, from Sugar Creek Hollow, was a favorite as soon as I saw it. I knew I wanted to colour it similar to a Tiffany Lamp, and I knew I wanted to cover it with Crystal Effects in order to make it more glasslike. I actually have two layers on the lamp to give it more dimension. You can't tell in the photo because it's so subtle, but I have lightly sponged the "white" section with the blue and pink...just enough to take away the starkness of the white. I coloured two of the little flowers from my Pretties Kit with the matching ink and also coloured three of the centers so they would alternate. I apologize that I do not know where the "frame" around the lamp comes from. I got a set of them from a Devine Secret Sister - I do like them.

My second card works with two challenges - The Ways to Use It Challenge on SCS was to use orange on our card....I used Pumpkin Pie and
Only Orange. The sketch is from over at Our Creative Corner Sketch Challenge. I left any sentiment off of the card so that I could use it for either a birthday or even a congratulations for a baby. Three of the giraffes have been done with white embossing powder. The central giraffe was stamped onto Only Orange paper with Versa Mark and then embossed with clear embossing powder. I coloured in her spots with a white gel pen and tied the ribbon around her neck.

I hope you are having a good evening. Thanks for stopping by!

Cards and Butterflies

My daughter has asked why I'm always making square cards now.....well, you can put a bit more on them....duh! I have grown accustomed to them.
Saturday Spotlight's challenge this week is to find something from around your house to add to the card....but it can't be a craft item. I decided what DSP to use first and went from there. The playing card is so old - it's unbelieveable....it's yellowed so it went well with the paper. I put 4 layers of circles together before adding the little poker chips so they really stick up off the page. I figure I can give this to either of my two nephews, so it's all good. The sketch is Sweet Sunday Sketch #76 over at The Sweetest thing....


The second sketch is from I{heart}to Stamp -
SFYTT (Sketch for You to Try). I've used a butterfly from Sugar Creek Hollow which you can find in the freebies section!!!! I used my watercolour crayons for the Pretty in Pink on the inner wings - trying to get some dimension. This image does have printed antennae for this beauty, but I thought I'd try giving her wire ones.

I took the Grades 4-6 to the city today to see the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. I had a class with the 6's later in the day and the thing they were talking about most was how impolite and disrespectful some of the students from other schools were who were sitting around them. I'm sorry that they had to experience that, but I'm also happy that they are learning how to be good audience members themselves. They did enjoy the music too - which was geared for their ages and the conductor is awesome with a crowd of kids. The test will be when I take grades 1-3 in June. (I may be crazy on that count!)

Anyway - I hope you had a terrific Tuesday or are working on a wonderful Wednesday. Thanks for dropping by,

Stitched Angel

Well.....a number of old and new blogging friends have set me in motion for today's card.

I was visiting Dani's website - a fellow DT member for Sugar Creek Hollow and saw a cool looking sketch she had used. I used her link to the sketch - copied it - worked with it - and then discovered that it was a sketch by LuvLee for GKD Release Party Challenge #3!!!! I've been visiting Lee's blog ever since I started blogging. Woo Hoo!

Finally, while visiting Catt's Scratching Post, a former Little Sister from the Devine Secret Sisters on Splitcoast, I saw a card she created for The Corrosive Challenge Blog!! - it required the use of sewing on your card. Well, always looking for a new challenge - addict that I am - I headed to my stamp room.
So, this little angel is surrounded by friends. She is an adorable image by Tracy at Sugar Creek Hollow. You can find her under the New Releases Button. I printed her out onto white paper - which is why I was able to keep her wings white, and cover them with Dazzling Diamonds, while the rest of the card is Vanilla.
For the sketch, I punched out three little hearts, covered them with Tom Bow Glue and doused them with chunky red glitter. The Specialty DSP is "Sending Love Specialty" and has glitter already included on one side of each sheet!!!!!

Wherever you see stitching on Tracy's image - I have embroidered....which is why some of the stitches along the wings are so so close together. I used French Knots for the bottom of her dress and cross stitches in the middle. Her eyes and mouth are stitched too. If I could have curly cued her hair - I would have. I had so much fun making this card. So my thanks to Tracy, Dani, Lee and Chris!!!

Subsequently, I didn't get as much done as I thought I would, but that's how it goes sometimes.
I hope you have a wonderful Monday -

Sugar Creek Hollow Preview Week Finale

Good Morning Friends....
Welcome to the final day of Sugar Creek Hollow's Preview Week. Throughout the week, members of the Design Team have been introduced and shared some of their projects with you. We were provided with a three piece digital stamp set by Tracy Vinson, the owner of the company, and challenged to come up with projects that included all three images. You HAVE to be sure to hop through everyone's blog to see the variety of beautiful cards which have been created by this talented group of women.

Digital stamping is new for me and I am thankful that Tracy has provided me with this opportunity to delve into this brand new world. I have had a lot of fun learning how to manipulate images and have come to appreciate the versatility that comes with
that manipulation.

The first card I have shown here, is actually the third card I created with this set. I couldn't seem to make only one card with this set. I used "My Digital Studio" paper to fill in some of the squares on the quilt block and then paper pieced the rest. Because Sugar Creek Hollow offers primitive and vintage designs, I have been learning about that style of "art". I believe I have a long way to go to master it, but I'm having a blast learning along the way.

For my second card, I paper pieced all of the quilt pieces and overlaid the quilt with a piece of velum that I printed one of the images onto. The flower is coloured in with marker and I applied microbeads to the centre.

It's wonderful being part of this design team. I am learning about digital stamps, vintage styles and I have the privilege of working with a group of Christian women who
are extremely talented and wonderfully supportive.

The other two team members being introduced today are

Nancy - Southern Yankee Crafter
and
Kelly - Sandcastle Stamper our March Guest Designer.

Be sure to hop on over to their sites to meet them.

I hope you have a stupendous Saturday - Thanks for dropping by

Snow and Collage

Good Morning:

I had fun creating this first card. The Ways to Use It Challenge last week was to create a collage card/project. I decided that I would go into my little drawer of bits and try to piece the card together that way.

What I have ended up with is a collage about myself - I guess. The ONLY thing that I had to stamp for this is the Philippians verse at the bottom...which of course represents my love for God and my knowledge that I can do all things because of the strength He gives me. The cups represent the mega amount of coffee/tea I tend to drink, the butterfly is for my love of them and if I could have included a dragonfly I would have. The tiny little bird is on top of the cello which , along with the treble clef stands for my love of music - listening/singing/dancing. The bird itself represents the fact that I will stop in my tracks just to listen to a birds' song. Buttons and ribbon match my history of sewing and crafts......and the Favorite Teddy - yeah well - I may be 51, but I find absolutely NO shame in cuddling a stuffed animal!

Okay - enough about me!
This cute little snowman was drawn by Tracy Vinson's niece. Tracy is the founder of Sugar Creek Hollow. The DT were given this cute little guy to work with a couple of weeks ago - He's now a freebie available at the Sugar Creek Hollow website. You should pop over there today to meet more members of the design team.

It's hard to see in the picture, but I cut each of his snowballs out and layered them with dimensionals - his middle section sticks out a bit further than the other two. I covered each snowball with Two way Glue and then added the Dazzling Diamonds. He has black seed beads for his mouth and eyes.

I hope you are working your way into a wonderful Wednesday!
Thanks for stopping by,

PS - ONE MORE FANTASTIC EXCITING PIECE OF NEWS I HEARD YESTERDAY - My Up-Up line in Stampin'Up! - Tamye Dunbar - won one of the Workshop(s) of a Lifetime - so sometime in the near future we'll be having an event with Shelli Gardner - WoooooHoooo! Tamye Rocks!!!

Catching up on Challenges...

Well, I spent the afternoon catching up on challenges that I missed last week because of being at teacher's convention. I haven't even looked at my Monday challenges for this week. I was lucky because, although I wasn't able to stamp in the hotel room, I was able to check challenges and blog hop. So I had an idea of what I was wanting to do when I got home.

Saturday's Inspiration challenge came from Erté. The art was so fabulous and as I was looking at the dresses that were featured - I immediately thought of Haute Couture. I love this dress!!!!! My inspiration is in the little thumbnail - I coloured the dress with Bashful Blue, covered it with Crystal Effects and then doused it with microbeads. The flash on the camera added the bit of pizzazz.

Tuesday's Colour Challenge on SCS was Burgundy, Basic Grey and Crushed Curry. I'm not altogether happy with the way that I coloured these flowers...the shading isn't the best. I used a white gel pen to accent the centres before adding the rhinestones.

The next three cards are done with images from Sugar Creek Hollow. The images are available at the website under "New Releases". We're also having a Preliminary Preview this week and each day a couple of the Design Team are being introduced. Hop on over there to meet them, they're a fantastic group of women.

My first card uses this beautiful cross. It makes me think of a wrought iron fence and yet it's so soft and gentle also. I sponged gold ink around the outside of the white block and used gold cardstock to print the scripture verse. I broke down and purchased a set of Nestibilities on the weekend and tried it out for this piece. The pearls come for Stampin'Up!'s pretties kit.














Over at Our Creative Corner, they are challenging people to create a masculine Valentines card this week. When I created this card I had my husband in mind - I know the image is a bit "soft" and the sentiment is mushy - but it's heartfelt and I hope he likes it.

Finally, CCEE Stampers is having a heart challenge in preparation for Valentine's Day. The heart filligree and the "Forever" are separate images available at Sugar Creek Hollow. Somehow I also think this was a sketch challenge from a while ago - but I can't remember.

My husband is making supper right now - gotta love him!!!! - so once this is posted and supper is done I will be going around visiting my blog list.

I hope your Monday was wonderful and thanks for taking the time to stop by.

Bamboo Framed Strength

This scripture verse is one of my favorites and I've framed it with a digital frame from Sugar Creek Hollow. I love the intricacy of the pattern and it can have a variety of looks depending on whether or not you colour it.

I inserted the scripture with the computer, cut out the frame and added some square brads in the corner for a bit of bling and raised it with dimensionals.

I love this Nouveau Chic paper because Sage Shadow is one of my favorite colours and it's featured wonderfully in this paper. I used the Double Rectangle Punch along the bottom of one of the sheets to weave the Sage ribbon through.

Unfortunately there are a number of people in my life right now who could use this card...so I may just be using it as a template.

I also want to let you know that Sugar Creek Hollow will be posting a free image every Friday! Just look for the Freebies tab in the sidebar. Today's freebie is an elegant lacy butterfly! Also,on Monday there will be a preview of a set that the Design Team is currently working with. You'll be blown away be the creations...become a follower on Sugar Creek Hollow and you won't miss out on any of the exciting things that will be happening.

Thanks for dropping by - Have a wonderful Friday.

Sing to the Lord

I am so excited that I can start sharing some of the cards I've been creating on the Design Team with digital images from Sugar Creek Hollow.

Any time I see a music themed stamp I want to have it because I give out so many cards as thanks for parents who help at school....or my musical friends. I really liked this image also because of the tiny little flowers that are surrounding the violin.

Our Creative Corner is having a Music Card Challenge this week, so this one fits into that category just fine.

I'm sorry that the words are so small for you in the picture - I'm still learning about how to manipulate digital images. I am having an extreme amount of fun being on this Design Team!!!

Digital images are now available for purchase at the store. You may pre-buy prior to our Grand Opening. Simply click on "New Releases" to go enter the store on our website. I have a button to pop your over there along my sidebar.

Hope you have a wonderful Thursday!!!

Sugar Creek Hollow Preview

I am so excited to be able to share this card with you today!!! The Sugar Creek Hollow Design Team and I have been working hard behind the scene creating cards to share with you for the Grand Opening. We couldn't resist holding back!! We want to share with you just a preview of what is to come.

I love this little birdie image! When I was colouring her, I began with a base of Barely Banana and then started adding speckles with Crushed Curry, Summer Sun and So Saffron. I used a sponge dauber to gently create her background.

Want to earn this digi for FREE? Become a Sugar Creek Hollow Follower. Be the 150th or 200th follower and you will receive a FREE digi of your choice!!!
Deadline is February 7th at 10pm eastern time. The winner will be announced on
February 8th Preview Week!


Please visit the rest of our lovely team by clicking on their links listed here:

Design Team Coordinator: Joseline http://stampinwithsimplicity.blogspot.com/

Kristina http://reflectionsofahappycrafter.blogspot.com/
Cheri http://thepaperfreak.blogspot.com/
Cassandra http://www.altered-for-him.blogspot.com/
Cassie http://fortheartofit.blogspot.com/
Joan (Me) http://j-jcreations.blogspot.com/
Stephanie http://stephaniesstampinspot.blogspot.com//
Marsha http://stampingdownsouth.blogspot.com/
Dani http://countyourbeautifulblessings.blogspot.com/
Suzi http://mrsweyremaster.blogspot.com/
Loretta http://lovetocreate.blogspot.com/
Donna http://myartisticrelease.blogspot.com/
Sarah http://creationsbysarah.blogspot.com/
Tracy http://primitivepaper.blogspot.com/

Guest Designers
Kelly http://sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/
Linda http://thefunkiejunkie.blogspot.com/

Have a Wonderful Saturday -

Hearts & Snow

Well, I'm a little surprised that my heat gun hasn't fried because I sure did use it a lot this morning.

My first card is for today's inspiration challenge from the Accents section of Nell Hill's. I picked the little "love" piece, which is in the thumbnail, because it reminded me of the faux metal technique which I really do enjoy. I incorporated Our Creative Corner's Colour Combo Challenge which was to use blue's and greens of any hue.....I used Night of Navy and Taken with Teal.
To create the reverse embossed hearts I smeared versa mark onto a small section of paper, applied embossing powder and melted it. I repeated this process two more
times so that I had a section of embossed gold that was 3 "layers" thick. The last time I heated the piece I made sure that the heart was ready with Versa Mark on it and I quickly pressed it into the melted embossed section. I then decided to add a contrasting heart in the middle. Here is a link to the fantastic step by step instructions for this technique by Beate Johns.

The adorable little snowman was drawn by Tracy Vinson's 8 year old neice. Tracy is the Owner and Designer of Sugar Creek Hollow Digital Images and Primitive Paper and asked the design team to use this image today. I knew right away that I wanted to cut up his sections and make him stick out from the paper. I guess I didn't really have to cut them all up - but it was more realistic in my mind. The middle section has actually been raised twice. I covered him with Dazzling Diamonds and added seed beads for his eyes and mouth. The colours are in answer to "Stamp Something's" colour combo of blue and white.

It's now time I got down to some other sort of work. I should clean the house a bit, and I need to start cutting paper for an upcoming Birthday Card Camp. My husband and I have a Christmas Dinner tonight for the Josephburg Choral Society......then the season will be over.

Have a great Saturday and thanks for dropping by,

More Pretty Chocolate Razzleberries.....

I must not be eating enough chocolate lately!!!!! And well, "raspberries" are my most favorite fruit....so I've got more cards with Tuesday's Colour Challenge.

On my first card I've used my first images from Sugar Creek Hollow. I just love the scroll work around the heart. My camera decided not to feature the words - their clear in person. I added a range of big and tiny bling and the outside of the heart just called for Dazzling Diamonds on this card. I used Rich Razzleberry and Pretty in Pink around the edges of the scallop. I was going to add a bow, but decided that the simplicity of the bling was enough.

When you get a chance you should pop over to the Sugar Creek Hollow and sign up as a follower so that you don't miss out on the Grand Opening and an opportunity to win a $50 gift certificate at the store. Wooo Hooo!!!!

The image on the second card comes from Delightful Inspiration - It's the second week of a
challenge where you get a free digital image each week by creating a card with the image from the site. I love almost anything served hot in a cup....coffee, tea, chocolate. I went a bit overboard with this card though. I paper pieced the cup, part of the saucer, and the little hearts on the saucer. Then I rolled up some chocolate chip paper, made a little slit in the image and stuck in the two "cinnamon sticks". Next, since I recently found some old liquid applique - I just HAD to make the whip cream look good enough to stick your finger in!!!!!

So, with all that done - I'm heading to bed. It was a long afternoon taking 300 kids to watch the Olympic torch pass through our city. They were excited though and showed good Olympic spirit. Also...I'm still on my roll of getting up early in the morning to do my Wii fit, stamping and posting each day - on top of working. I can TRULY say that my prayers are being answered....I pray that your days, too, are blessed with creativity, patience, endurance, and peace.

Thanks for stopping by,