Cardz 4 Galz - Your Favorite Flower and Why

Hello, Friends! Here in Florida we are delighted that our typical Autumn weather has arrived yesterday FINALLY! Lower humidity, cooler nights, and even cooler in the daytime! Even the weather man said, "It's been years since we have experienced our typical Fall in the Tampa Bay Area".
SIGH - Happiness is Autumn in Florida.

There's a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #59 is chosen by designer INA G - and the theme is:

  Your Favorite Flower and Why  

show us your Paper Crafting projects using any technique and medium, 

AS LONG AS IT USES YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER!

Challenge ends on NOVEMBER 8th.

Because Roses do not grow in Florida, I treasure them with their velvety petals and soft scents. They are available in so many colors, so today's card honors the pale orange roses available in other parts of the country.

The wood mount stamps in my craft room are enjoying themselves these days because I am paying attention and using them. It's been fun because I can stamp the images repeatedly and have a great final image by using my trusty OLD, OLD, OLD Stamp-o-Graph. Have you ever heard of it? It's a hinged platform like the Tonic Stamp Platform, with 2 open-ended sides. This image was repeatedly stamped 3 times to achieve a vibrant color:

In fact, everything on this card is at least several years old with the exception of the distressing done with Burnished Bronze Embellishment Mousse.



Oldies but Goodies:  the old Peddler's Pack stamp from 2002, and the pretty vellums from 2003, embellishments which are years old, and the MS daisy punch which is likely 8-10 years old.



Dry embossed and distressed, the frame is popped up. The dark brown Coordinations Paper has been dry embossed and sanded.

A few Autumn colored rhinestones adorn the card and cover a few boo-boos.



The vellum has a metallic pearlescent sheen (banners) with a computer generated sentiment "Come and meet my roses...":



Thanks for popping by today! I hope you enjoyed my Autumn colored roses!

And be sure to add your pretty flower project to the

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge.

Products Used:

• Images: Peddler's Pack Roses (bought in 2002 and still virginal) YIKES!, computer-generated sentiment
• Dies: Grand Nestabilities Large Labels, Sue Wilson Pierced Flags, Memory Box Chloe Stems
• Punches: MS Daisy Edge
• Embossing Folder: Craftwell Love Triangles, Craftwell Delicate Dots
• Inks: Memento Cantaloupe, Tea Dye Distress Ink, Old Paper Distress Ink
• Paper: Gold Pearl Vellum, White Pearl Vellum, Tan, Neenah Ivory, Coordinations Brown
• MISC: Copic Markers, Burnished Bronze Embellishment Mousse, Flowers, Grosgrain Ribbon, Jewels, Leaves

Challenges I would like to play in please:

1. Paradise of Stamps #59 Autumn 10/31
2. Sparkles Monthly Challenges #97 Autumn Colors 11/15
3. Sweet Stampers Challenges #12 Autumn 11/10
4. The Rubber Buggy #4 Autumn 11/1
5. Classic Design Team Open Challenge #17 Anything Goes for a DT 11/1
6. Crafty Addicts #41 Anything Goes with Autumn Colors 11/1
7. Crafty Creations #353 Anything Goes 11/7 
8. Crafty Gals Corner #146 Anything Goes 11/1
9. Inspiration Destination Challenge #136 Anything Goes  11/1 (sep post)
10. Simon Says (Oct 25) Anything Goes 11/1 (sep post)

Leaving you with TWO Smiles:

and from Linda's Peaceful Place:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-Wtoe3tcgI&feature=youtu.be

Florida Hugs,

Lovely Autumn Color theme at The Crazy Challenge!

Good Morning, sweet blogging friends!
I hope this finds you well and enjoying the season.

Today I am guest designing for a fun challenge blog called

THE CRAZY CHALLENGE. 

(thank you for giving me this opportunity, Crazies!)

This fortnight's challenge is COLOR THEME #260.
So get your Pretty Autumn Colors out and join in the fun!

I'm playing with a masking technique, using "Post-it Tape" with this collage stamp. Manufactured by Rubber Cottage and purchased in 2005, it has only seen ink one time before. How NEGLECTFUL of me! (Isn't it a cool image?)

(click on the image below to enlarge)

Assorted inks were used (hybrid, pigment and dye base):

I embossed the background, sentiment, and around the leaves and acorn with Copper Kettle Cosmic Semi-Transparent EP. Because it is semi-transparent, the color changes depending on the colors behind it. For example, see the green leaf below, distressed with Citrus Green, Indian Gold, and Orange Blush Embellishment Mousse? The Copper EP changed to a pinker hue when touching the Orange Blush Mousse.

The versatile Autumnal Oak Die set is great because the leaves and acorn are actually two pieces, allowing for an assortment of techniques. For the acorn:

On the inside, I used the negative portion of leaves from the same die set, distressing with a little hybrid ink and Indian Gold Mousse:

Don't forget to upload your lovely Autumn creations to THE CRAZY CHALLENGE!

Products Used:

• Inks: Lettuce Dye, Brilliance Orange Pearl, Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Distress Scattered Straw, Distress Crushed Olive, Nuvo Acorn Brown and Safari Green Hybrid Permanent inks.
• Embossing Powder: Copper Kettle Cosmic Semi-Transparent EP
• Images: Rubber Cottage Covered Bridge Collage RC-566I (retired) Purchased in 2005 and only used once (hanging head in shame), Wisps of Autumn Rubber Stamp set (first time used 2 years old), also available digitally here.
• Cardstock: Neenah Ivory, Green, Pale Gold, Orange
• Dies: Autumnal Oak Die set, Autumn Die Collection - Fallen Leaves, Tonic Ribbon and Bow Layering set.
• Embellishment Mousse: Citrus Green, Indian Gold, Orange Blush

Challenges I would like to play in please:

1. Crafty Catz Challenge #389 Anything Goes with Autumn Colors 10-26.
2. Moving Along With the Times #56 Autumn/Fall 10/25 (sep post)
3. The Crafty Addicts #41 Anything Goes Autumn Colors 10/31
4. Stamping Sensations (Oct 1) Autumn Glory 11/1
5. Dare2BArtzy (Oct 1) Fall Colors 11/1
6. A Bit More Time To Craft "Anything Goes" #54 11/1
7. World Wide Open DT Challenge  Anything for a DT Goes 11/15
8. A Perfect Time to Craft #10 Anything Goes 10/31 (sep post)
9. Crafting from the Heart #180  Anything Goes 10/31
10. Emerald City Crafts Challenges #4 Anything Goes 10/31

Stamping Hugs,

Somalia

My heartfelt prayers and condolences to my African friends in Somalia.

love,

Donna

Sparkle N Sprinkle October Release

Hello, Blogging Friends!

Welcome to the 

Sparkle N Sprinkle October Stamps Blog Hop

This month SNS is featuring five new specialty stamp sets suitable for:

* the men in your life, 
* the country-lovers and farmers you know, 
* those who enjoy fishing (great sentiments!) 
* and workers who wear scrubs or work in the Navy Nurse Corps.
* There is also a beautiful Autumn Nature set.

Enjoy!

Lovely as a Leaf -  Rubber Stamp Set and Digital Set
Fish Whisperer - Rubber Stamp Set and Digital Set (extra sentiment)
Farm Fresh #1 - Tractors - Rubber Stamp Set and Digital Set
Farm Fresh #2 - Cows - Rubber Stamp Set and Digital Set
Navy Nurse Corps - Digital Stamp Set
(sentiments may be suitable for any of your scrub-wearing friends!)

SNS digital stamps include JPG and PNG images, and often have additional sentiments and papers.

All the new digital and rubber stamp sets are 20% during their debut from October 15 - 20.

BUT THIS MONTH WE ARE CELEBRATING:

20% OFF ALL SNS RUBBER STAMP SETS IN THE STORE

PLUS20% OFF TONIC STAMP PLATFORM.

Just use the code STAMPING20 at checkout to receive your discount.

On October 18th, ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be selected from the comments left on the Designers' blogs listed above. Please leave a comment with each Designer in order to be eligible for the Grand Prize.  It's a Mystery as to which Designer will have the winning comment on her blog.

The Grand Prize Winner, who will be announced on the SNS Facebook page and the SNS Blog, will receive ALL of the new rubber stamp sets revealed this month.

Gus the Fish Whisperer inspired my easel card:

I colored Gus with Copic Markers. This rendition of Gus is available as a colored image with the Digital Set. The digital set also comes with a black-and-white image, and two colored versions - one with the blue background and one without, plus an extra sentiment.

First I crimped some tan and blue cardstock, and die cut the grass. I also added additional weeds and grass around Gus's feet with Copic G07 and Copic Multi Marker in Olive.

To coordinate the card, I also cropped the cat tails and the fish hanging from Gus's line. After copying and pasting the fish several times, two panels were cut and distressed as "matching" designer paper. Placing the cropped images on my word processor allowed me to flip the cat tails horizontally and frame the PNG sentiment. The tiny fish was copy and pasted repeatedly to make the "printed papers" for the top and bottom of the easel card:





Even the sentiment alone makes for a great card:



Ivory colored cardstock was used to frame the layered panels and as the base of the easel:

OCTOBER'S VIDEO KIT CLUB

https://sparklensprinkle.net/products/lovely-leaf-october-video-kit-v10-17?rfsn=487273.8c3a2

Receive the Lovely as a Leaf stamp set, and create a gorgeous glitter bow with cording.

These products are included in your kit:

Please join us in our monthly Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge group on Facebook. The challenges run from the 1st of the month through the 25th. Please use one or more SNS images (rubber or digital) - and if you don't already have SNS stamps in your stash, SNS offers a few freebies here. No blog is necessary. A Winner and Top Three are posted on the last day of each month. The winner receives a $15 Gift Certificate to the on-line store. Come join the fun! We love seeing what you do with SNS products.

Blog Hop Order this month is:

Jess
Belinda
Diane
Eret
Shona
Donna
Chris

Products Used:

• Tonic Tim Holtz Stamp Platform
• Fish Whisperer Rubber Stamp Set
• Fish Whisperer Digital Stamp Set (has an extra sentiment in it)
• Poppy Red NUVO Hybrid Ink (for sentiment)
• Copic Markers, Copic Multi Markers, Distress Inks, White-Green-Blue-Tan cardstock
• Sue Wilson Double Pierced Ovals, Double Pierced Squares
• PoppyStamps Grassland Border

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. 613 Avenue Create #202 Anything Goes with Masculine Card 11/5
2. Aud Sentiments #190 "Use A Die Cut and A Sentiment 10/15 (sep post)
3. DREAM VALLEY CHALLENGES #165 ONE FOR THE BOYS 10/21 (sep post)
4. Sunny Day Crafting #56 "O is for Oval" 10/16
5. Always Fun Challenges #27 Lots of Layers (each ivory frame is also a layer) 10/16
6. Artistic Inspiration Challenges #187 Anything Goes Plus Use Cool Colors (I have used a lot of cool blue tones in this card) 10/16
7. Classic Design Team Open Challenge Anything for a DT Card Goes 11/1

Stamping Hugs,

The Consequences of Eating Too Much Candy - A House Mouse Halloween Tale

Hi! I have a just for fun card this afternoon.

It's about The Consequences of Eating Too Much Candy - A House Mouse Halloween Tale

The image is quite large - I was surprised at 4"x5".
I colored with Coppic Markers, Prismacolor Pencils, and distressed with inks.

The Pea Nut Gallery portion of my stamp room began rumbling and grumbling again due to neglect! So out came the House Mouse box to discover which of the images was crying the most for neglect.

It was this virginal Mud Pie Tale rubber stamp I've owned for 2 years? 3 years? 4 years? I cannot recall when it was purchased, but last summer, as I colored it, and thought it could be either BACK TO SCHOOL or HALLOWEEN - trying to educate the wee mice on the consequences of eating too many sweets.

I want to play in Retro Rubber's  "Boo!" Challenge.

But I'm not positive how old the stamp is - poor memory. It is well over a year old however.
Too Cute! It's actually versatile image.
(Psst! My favorite part is at the far left - all you can see is a curled tale of someone sneaking candy, more than likely!)

Products:

• Stampendous Cling Mud Pie Tale rubber stamp (not sure what year this was purchased 2015? see writing above)
• Punches: MS Zig Zag Embossed Edger, Jack O'Lantern Deep Edge,

Challenges I'd like to Play in please:

1. House Mouse and Friends Challenge Blog #251 Anything Halloween Goes! 10/14 (sep post)
2. Retro Rubber #73 "Boo!" 10/20 (sep post)
3. Love to Scrap Challenge Blog #102 "Frightfully Fun" (sep post) 10/31
4. Make My Monday #56 Animal Antics 10/15
5. Crafty Animals Anything Goes with an Animal 10/31
6. Crea Chicky's Challenge Blog #13 "Halloween" 10/26 (colored with Copic Markers and Distress Ink)
7. Alphabet Challenge "P is for Pumpkin" 10/27 (5 Jack-o-Lantern pumpkins)
8. Path of Positivity Challenge #52 Surround Yourself with Literature 11/5
9. Animal Friends Challenge #55 Halloween - Autumn 10/31 (sep post) C10
10. Victorine Stamps #13 Mood Board 10/27

Halloweenie Hugs,

Monochromatic Challenge at Cardz 4 Galz - Stampendous

Hello, Blogging Friends! It's great to see you again.
  In case I do not say it often enough - I am SO GRATEFUL for your friendship!

There's a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #58 is chosen by designer CHRIS - and the theme is:

  MONOCHROMATIC  

show us your Paper Crafting projects using any technique and medium, 

AS LONG AS IT USES A SINGLE COLOR FAMILY!

Challenge ends on OCTOBER 25th.

My color theme is Autumn Brown Tones.

Today's card is another "different-for-me" technique with the moistened paper being rolled, and lots of distressing.

The pearlized dark chocolate brown cardstock is dry embossed and further enriched with goldish specks. The holly flourish was also die cut using that cardstock. 

The pretty Stampendous Cling Snowy Postcard rubber stamp has been stamped on Neenah White Cardstock with Timber Brown Staz-On ink.

All the other papers are a neutral ivory color with distressing, including Nuvo Cosmic Brown Embellishment Mousse. 

The mousse was used on one of the die cuts in the lower left corner, part of the image for shimmer, and on one of the torn background panels to achieve more pearlized brown tones.

I used Merry Monday Christmas Card Club's sketch as part of my inspiration:

I like being able to frugally place the more expensive papers in the Stamp Platform and eek out every little bit. It doesn't matter what size the paper is. Because I am Staz-On ink challenged, I needed to restamp this image five times. I was so grateful to be able to finally use the Staz-On, however, because I wanted to color with distress inks:

A little vintage lace, and the vintage Season's Greetings for the post card.

Thanks for popping by today!

And be sure to add your pretty monochromatic project to the

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge.

Products Used::

• Stampendous Cling Snowy Postcard rubber stamp
• Dies: Tonic English Picnic, Cheery Lynn Holly Lace Flourish, Die Versions "Season's Greetings" Sweet Wordlets
• Nuvo Cosmic Brown Embellishment Mousse
• Tonic Stamp Platform
• Inks: Staz-On Timber Brown, Memento Rich Cocoa, Distress inks Tea Dye, Antique Linen, Aged Mahogany, Walnut Stain
• Paper: Neenah White, Pearlized Brown, Ivory
• Embossing Folder: Crafters Companion Elegant Snowfall, Craftwell Modern Stripes

Challenges Playing In:

1. The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #16 Anything Christmas Goes 10/15 (sep post) 15C
2. Christmas Cards All Year Round (Oct 1) Christmas in Monochromatic Browns 11/1 (bottom of post)
3. Classic DT Open Challenge (#17) Anything DT Goes 11/1 (sep post)
4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1471 Anything Goes 10-16 (sep post)
5. Monochrome Magic #5 Anything Monochrome 11/1
6. Kerst/Christmas Challenges  #10 Anything Christmas Goes 11/1 (sep album)
7. Winter Wonderland Challenge Blog (Sept 27) Anything Christmas Goes 10/27 (sep post 11-3)
8. Merry Monday Christmas Challenge #260 Sketch 10/15 (sep post)

Stamping Hugs,

It's Halloween at The Crazy Challenge! {Sparkle N Sprinkle}

Hello, scrapping friends! Wishing you all some special joys and delightful surprises - you know, those wonderfully beautiful moments we each have during the day, and all too often take for granted. With Gratitude, I find them exceedingly endearing.

Today I am guest designing for a fun challenge blog calledTHE CRAZY CHALLENGE. (thank you for giving me this opportunity, Crazies!)

This fortnight's challenge is HALLOWEEN #259.
So get your creepiest stuff together and join in the fun!

All three cards are flat for mailing

and were inspired by  Sketch-Tanten, Card Mania, House of Cards:

Using the Sparkle N Sprinkle "Cackle On" rubber stamp set  and "Witching Hour" digital set, I opted to try inking my background, something I've never done before! (hanging head in embarrassment).

There are three card samples because I was making three duplicate cards. Then I couldn't contain myself and tried some different designs on each one. I like them all and don't know which looks best!

The first card has a plain orange "vest" which has been distressed with Memento Black Tuxedo ink:

The sentiment cracks me up - or should I say "cackles me up"?

The Ink Colors:

The second is the same card, but without a vest. I think it might be my favorite:
distressed with DI's Chipped Sapphire, Stormy Sky, Blue Print, Sea Wood and Memento Paris Dusk and Tuxedo Black. The stencil was done with Sea Wood DI.

Ms. Witchie-Poo was stamped in black VersaFine ink and for some reason the clear EP, did not take very well on the witch, so I colored her with a VersaMarker and reheat it. I should have put her back in my Tonic Stamp Positioner, and just restamped her VersaMark, but apparently my brain was not functioning at that moment. Of course the light catches all the blemishes (giggling). The sentiment embossed just fine.

The wonky frame is something I can't help myself with - I love them!

Don't forget to join in the Halloweenie fun at THE CRAZY CHALLENGE!

Even the simple interior would make a cute Halloweenie Card:

Don't forget to upload your Halloweenie creations to THE CRAZY CHALLENGE!

A little tidbit about the Tonic Stamp Platform:

Are you new to stamping, or sometimes a little clumsy, like me with my FUMBLE FINGERS, or just need a helping hand sometimes? This product may be just what you want. I am very much enjoying it. For more details and videos, please click here.

Products Used:

• Images: Sparkle N Sprinkle "Cackle On" and "Witching Hour" rubber stamp sets.
• Dies: Die-Versions "Fall Friends" border, SB Circles, Sue Wilson Double Pierced Circles, MS Spider Web border punch.
• Papers: black glitter paper, black, white, slime green, pumpkin orange
• Assorted Dye Base Inks, VersaMarker, VersaMark, clear embossing powder, stencil

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

• House of Cards (Oct 1) CAS Halloween and/or colors 11/1 (check tab month after?)
• Aud Sentiments #190 Usse a Die Cut Plus a Sentiment 10/17 sep post 10/18
• The Crafter's Cafe #182 "Use Die Cuts and/or Punches 10/14 (Die-Versions "Fall Friends" border, SB Circles, Sue Wilson Double Pierced Circles, MS Spider Web border punch)
• If you give a crafter a cookie #79 Inspiration Panel 10/18 (bottom of post)

• Delicious Doodles (Oct 1) "Halloween - Scary or Cute" 11/1
• Crafty Calendar Challenge (Oct 7) Halloween 11/4 (sep post day before)
• Dragonfly Dreams "Fully Loaded - Busy" (my third card) 11/5
• Sketch-Tanten Sept 15 #36 Sketch SHOWN IN POST 11/15 (sep post day after)

• Scrapy Land #75 Anything Goes Using SL Die (3rd card uses Die-Versions "Fall Friends" border, SB Circles, Sue Wilson Double Pierced Circles) 10/16 sep post
• Craftaholics R Us #39 "Halloween" 10/11
• Crafty Gals Corner #143 "Add a Bat" 10/11 (bat in sky and in border)
• Card Mania Challenge #97 Color Combo 11/1 (sep post 10/30)

On A Personal Note:

Please forgive my absence in commenting on Facebook and Blogs.

A rather difficult exacerbation and unexpected eye problem have flared up.

This, too, shall pass - just wanted to let you know I care, and will resume my visits as soon as possible.

My gift to us all today is:

Stamping Hugs,