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

Be Yourself Thanks

It's a Happy Monday today - last Monday of the school year and I'm celebrating with some cool papers on Rochelle's card sketch for MDS Monday.

I absolutely love the assortment of papers in the "Be Yourself" download.  I know it's not a new one - but sometimes I purchase downloads and then forget about them - or what they're called.  I guess I love the papers because they have a watercolour effect that I've been trying to achieve in other areas lately.

I've used the "Smitten" punch letters because they can be filled with paper too.    Here is the sketch - which I've not quite kept to....

Check out the MDS Monday blog for some more inspiration.....remember, the sketch doesn't HAVE to used for a card if you'd prefer creating a scrap page with it.

Have a Marvelous Monday - Thanks for stopping by!

Joan

Bubbles in Da House!

Welcome to a scrap sketch day at MDS Monday  - this week's sketch is created by Heidi; and boy did I have fun with this one!

I absolutely love blowing bubbles!  When I taught full time, I would sneak them out onto the playground on my supervision days, climb to a high spot and start blowing.  It was great seeing the children spot them, wonder where they came from, and then spend the rest of recess chasing after them - no matter what grade they were in.

So - it's not surprising that I'm MORE THAN WILLING to blow bubbles in the house for Elliot.  He has such a wonderful little sound of delight as they float down around him.  I think this was the second time I'd blown them for him - during a time when he was quite sick too.  I did the blowing and my darling daughter just kept snapping pictures on her i-phone and caught this one with his fingers just touching the bubble.

For Heidi's "any shape" pieces, I grabbed one of the bubbles and changed the shape of the photo box to a circle before duplicating it.  The background is a blurry photo of a bunch of  bubbles which I've decreased to opacity on.

I hope you have fun with this sketch - and you HAVE to check out the the MDS Monday Challenge Blog because there's an  awesome assortment of variations on the "any shape" to inspire you

.

Make sure you link your project back to the blog so we can check it out.  I love visiting the blogs to see everyone's work.

It's a busy week - I've got my list that I keep getting at least one thing crossed off and another one or two added - but I will persevere and everything will get done in the end.

Hope you have a Marvelous Monday.  

Thanks for visiting

Joan

I'll Take......Queens

Sunday Stamps hits New York.....I wish!  I'm not headed to New York, but Holly does have a great sketch for us this week!  The Design Team, once again,  has a great selection to inspire you!

I know I will be enjoying this new Soho Subway DSP through this year.  I love the sheet with the different New York sights...so I just cut out one of the "labels" and roughed up the edges to use in the sketch.  I would have used "Manhattan, but it was too big for this sketch - LOL.

I realized that the only ink I was going to have was the distressing around the little banners, so I pulled out the Clockworks set to add a bit of grunge in the background.  I can't wait to get the "Gorgeous Grunge" set at convention....I would have loved to use it on this card.

Here's the sketch.....

Have fun with it - be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team has created and link your project to the blog for all to enjoy.

Thanks for stopping by - have a wonderful Sunday.

Happy Father's Day.

Joan

Coffee and Friends

I got my box of new goodies this week and did a wee bit of playing yesterday.

I am loving this new Eastern Elegance DSP and the Beautifully Baroque embossing folder!

The background is created by masking the coffee cup and then I stamped ink off before putting it to the background.  Wasn't quite the effect I was looking for - but it's okay.

The sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches - I opted not to do a square card because of a lack of envelopes.

I've been extremely busy - which is why I haven't had as many posted as I'd like - and I'm not done with the busyness yet; there's still lots to do before the end of the month.  Including packing up my entire music room.  I got some new instruments this week and after unpacking to look at them, I have to repack them, along with everything else, to move across town.  Fun times!

 I have also been doing some other "artsy" stuff.  This is something I finished last night in my BIG found paper book.  (can you see the "inside" of one of the paper bags we got our Make and Takes in at Convention last year?  I can't wait to doodle on it.  Anyway - I've used reindeers and the aqua painter  for this page in my book - it's done on piece of watercolour paper.  I always include at least one page of watercolour paper in my found paper books! 

I would never profess to be an artist - but I do have fun pretending!  

Hope you find a bit of creating time in your day.  Thanks for stopping by!

Joan

You Did It!...

Happy card sketch day at MDS Monday and this week it is brought to us by Tara. 

While creating this, I changed my mind a couple of times as to what type of card I wanted to make...so I think I may be using this sketch again to create some of my other ideas.

Tara has also asked us to use "Faux Embossing" on our projects this week.

I took advantage of the 25% off print products during May (and it lasts until June 15!!!) and ordered some of the two other cards I've created since we've added the card sketch to our challenge.

I was totally excited to get them in the mail on Thursday!

Hope you have fun creating this week - don't forget to link your project to the challenge blog so we can enjoy it.

Thanks for stopping by,

Joan

A World to Discover

Hi everyone - it's my turn for the sketch challenge over at MDS Monday.  I've decided to challenge myself this week - to try to keep the background of my page as "clean" as possible.  I always want to fill every space with colour, texture, embellishments....so I decided to step outside my comfort zone and try my best to keep it simple.  The additional challenge this week was to add text to a shape.

HERE is the tutorial on how to add text to a shape.

          

And here is the sketch for this week.....  I hope you have fun with it - remember to link your creation back to the MDS Monday blog so we can see what you've designed!

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope your Monday is Marvelous!

Joan

Wishi Washi

Oh what a fabulous set of bright colours we have today at Sunday Stamps - Kathya is getting us ready for summer!

Today I used my new Gingham wheel to create the base of the card.  That's right - I have not matting - one layer (except for the salutation) - Pretty surprised with myself.  Anyway - when I rolled the first yellow strip at the top, I "accidentally" tore the image - not quite sure how, but I was able to duplicate it with the Sahara Sand and Melon Mambo stripes.  So, because it looked like washi tape that had been torn, I decided to add some of our new Gingham Garden Washi Tape to add a bit of difference.

I've used the  new Chalk Talk set for the greeting - I can't wait to get the framelits that match this set so I don't have to fussy cut the pieces anymore.  

Hope you play along with us this week - check out what the rest of the Design Team has come up with - not everyone create cards this week - so much fun!

Have a super Sunday!  Thanks for stopping by,

Joan