Winter Blues {Sweet Stamps}

Hi, Blogging Friends! 

Today I'm showing the 2nd card as Sweet Stamps' January Guest Designer! I hope you will stop by and see their many pretty stamp designs, stencils, dies, and art supplies. 

The Sweet Stamps Blog challenge this week is WINTER BLUES. Please visit the Sweet Stamps Blog to see the beautiful inspiration the Sweeties have designed for you! 

The following Sweet Stamps products were used:

• Sweet Stamps Floral Wrap Rubber Stamp 4004
• Sweet Stamps Sending Happy Thoughts Rubber Stamp 9115
• Sweet Stamps Fuschia
• Sweet Cuts Fancy Leaf die cut
• Sweet Stamps Danube Blue Memento Ink
• Sweet Stamps Spun Sugar Distress Ink

Back in the Olden Days (some 20 years ago),

we frequently used a technique called CRACKED ICE.
(anyone ELSE recall that term?)

"Cracked Ice" is now known as "Cracked Glass". 

It was called Cracked Ice because the freezer was used as a tool to create the finish. When "cracked" it also was reminiscent of the "old fashioned" ice cubes that cracked when manually removed from the freezer.

My card has fewer cracks to let the pretty Fuschia image be seen. It is distressed with the same color ink the image was stamped in (Danube Blue Memento).

Love the delicate yet playful font in the Sending Happy Thoughts 9115 sentiment:

Have you noticed that the stamped Floral Wrap 4004 image is on the left at the top, but on the right on the bottom? (giggle)

Tip: How to reverse a rubber stamp image:

Also "back in the olden days", we used to ink a rubber stamp, stamp it onto a flat piece of rubber, and then stamp that flat rubber image onto paper in order to reverse the image. It never came out perfectly. 

Sooooo... this is how I did it:

Today's card uses Sweet Stamps Floral Wrap Rubber Stamp 4004. It is stamped with Danube Blue Memento Ink. The stamped image was scanned and saved to my hard drive. The image was manipulated by flipping it vertically to show it on the right side, instead of the left, and then printed. Because it was printed on X-Press It Copic paper, I was then able to color it just like any other image using Copic Markers.

One Last Look at those Cold Wintry Blues the rest of the country is contending with:

The Sweeties are looking forward to seeing your creations at their challenge, too!

Products Used:
Sweet Stamps Fuschia
Sweet Stamps Floral Wrap 4004
Sweet Stamps Sending Happy Thoughts 9115
Sweet Cuts Fancy Leaf die cut
Sweet Stamps Danube Blue Memento Ink
Sweet Stamps Spun Sugar Distress Ink

Scrapy Land Spellbinders Majestic Squares S4-383
Scrapy Land Spellbinders Scallop Squares Classic
Scrapy Land Copic Sketch Markers

Sparkle N Sprinkle Clear Detail embossing powder
Spellbinders Grand Labels One
Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One
Spellbinders Luscious Labels One
EKSuccess corner punch
Ink: Danube Blue Memento, VersaMark, Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue, Spun Sugar Distress
Copic Markers

Challenges this card is submitted to:

1. Die Cut Divas (Jan 1) - Anything Goes with Die Cuts - P1 M (please see list of die cuts above)
2. Artistic Inspirations #122 - Anything Goes with A Twist of New (new stamps, new Danube Blue Ink, New Reverse Technique)  1/18
3. Crafting from the Heart #42 - Anything Goes - 1/18

Stamping Hugs,

Something New {Sweet Stamps}

Welcome 2015!

"Midnight Magic"

Hi, Blogging Friends! A special hello to new followers Pamellia Johnson and Debs Artliff. 

For the month of January it is my pleasure to guest design for Sweet Stamps! It certainly was fun choosing from their many pretty stamp designs, as well as artsy stamps, stencils, several brands of die cuts, and so much more. I'm sure you'll be as pleased as I was with the quality of their broad selection of fine crafting products.

The Sweet Stamps Blog challenge this week is SOMETHING NEW - it can be anything that speaks to you about newness. For complete details, please visit the Sweet Stamps Blog and check out what beautiful inspiration the Sweeties have designed for you! 

Today's post, while themed "Something New," is all about Midnight Magic with the newly-hatched Swan Family from Sweet Stamps. Midnight is also the magical hour when the new day starts. The new Swan Family is taking their first swim with the babies in the New Year!

I wish for you special new awarenesses in 2015 which will bring creative magic in your soul! 

I used the following products from Sweet Stamps:

• Sweet Stamps Swan Family #3009I
• Sweet Stamps Sending Happy Thoughts Sentiment #9115F
• Sweet Stamps Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
• Sweet Stamps SweetCuts Die Elegant Leaves

I love using bold blue or navy with sweet, soft pastel pink. It was perfect for these little swimmers!

YES! it is FLAT for mailing!

TIP: There is a boo-boo on this card - I ran out of enough pink for the folded base, so the card is pieced together as shown below:

Here is the inside (using the positive stars die cut) and the Sweet Stamps sentiment:

Next I have my NOT-SO-FLAT easel card:

Isn't the Swan Family image beautiful?

I experienced another mishap while coloring with my Copics:

When opening this brand new Copic Marker, it splattered everywhere!
I was lucky that it did not splatter on the image!

TIP:

This happens when the pressure inside a Copic Marker is not equalized. To fix the problem, remove both ends of the cap at the same time. Let it breathe a moment, and then put the caps back on. This was the worst I've ever had happen. Usually, I open both ends of newly-acquired Copics, but I forgot this time.

Here it is colored, and without all the frou-frou. 

It's gorgeous like that, 

but I decided to add "stuff" to it (giggle).

What is a swan lake without roses, fauna, lacy backdrop and microfine glitter?

The microfine glitter is very fine - it lightly shows up on the floral spray. Instead of glitz, it actually provides a sweet texture.

Close Up of the sentiment:

This beautiful Umbria Italian Collection Sue Wilson die works a little differently than expected.

It comes in 3 pieces. The outermost and innermost dies completely cut on the outside.

But the middle piece does not have a cutting edge.

TIP:

A circular die cut is needed if you want to layer it as this sentiment is.

If using a Circle brand other than Spellbinders, please cut the circle first, and then place the Sue Wilson die inside and re-cut. It seems to me that the SB dies are slightly deeper in cut than other brands, and that is why I suggest that.

Here is how to do it if using the SB circles:

Close Up of the swan family in these colors:

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope my boo-boo's and tips have helped! :-)


Products Used:

I used these products from Sweet Stamps:

Sweet Stamps Swan Family #3009I
Sweet Stamps Sending Happy Thoughts Sentiment #9115F
Sweet Stamps Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
Sweet Stamps SweetCuts Die Elegant Leaves

EASEL CARD:
Spellbinders Grand Circles
Spellbinders Grand Decorative Circles
Spellbinders Grand Scallop Circles
Cardstock: Xpress-It White, SU Lost Lagoon Turquoise
Embossing Powder: Mediterranean Opaque by Sparkle N Sprinkle
Scrapy Land Sue Wilson Die – Umbria Italian Collection CED1504

Scrapy Land Copic Sketch Markers

Scrapy Land Chloe Stem Die by Memory Box

Sparkle N Sprinkle Micro Fine Velvet Glitter "Cloud Nine"

FLAT CARD:
Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One
Spellbinders Grand Labels One
Cardstock for the flat card: SU Pink, SU Blue, Xpress-It White
Scrapy Land Sue Wilson Die – Umbria Italian Collection CED1504
Scrapy Land Copic Sketch Markers

Scrapy Land Beloved Stars Die by Memory Box

Challenges my card is submitted to:

1. Creatalicious Challenges #70 - New Beginning P15 M
2. Monday Morning Challenge (My Creative Moments) - #2 New Somethings - (new stamp, 2 new die cuts, new turq cardstock)(new babies going for their first swim in the new year) 01/26
3. Dies R Us Challenges #17 - Anything Goes and Use Something New (Both Stamps are new- Sue Wilson, Tall Chloe Stem and Beloved Stars dies are all new)
4. Gem of a Challenge #135 - Something New 1/15 (new stamp, 2 new die cuts, new turq cardstock)(new babies going for their first swim in the new year)
5. Die Cut Divas (Jan 1) - Anything Goes with Die Cuts - P1 M (please see list of die cuts above)
6. Crafty Catz Challenges #260 Anything Goes - 1/7
7. QKR Stampede Challenge #120 Anything Goes - 1/8
8. Stempelsonne Challenge (Stamp Sun) - #131 Anything Goes With Stamp as main focus 1/8
9. Hiding in My Craftroom Challenge #181 Pinks (my first card displays my love of pink!) 1/9
10. Winter Wonderland (Jan 2) Does not Have to Be Christmas this time - Favorite Color Combination - Pink and Bold Blue is one of my favorite color combinations (first card) 1/8
11. Outlawz Coloring Challenge (Jan 2- Jan 8) Theme is BIRDS-Wings 1/8   CPC010215 
12. Artistic Inspirations #122 - Something New -  (Both Stamps are new- Sue Wilson, Tall Chloe Stem and Beloved Stars dies are all new) 1/18

Stamping Hugs,

Ragamuffin Bestie Celebrating St. Patrick's Day!

Please sign up for

My Fabulous March Blog Candy!

Top o' the Mornin', me dear lads and lassies
LOL - corny I know.

for those using the translate button:
That's Irish for "Good Morning, dear blogging friends!"

A special welcome to new followers: 
Beatrice, Tina Teasdale, Steff, Chrissy

Hi! Is this adorable little Ragamuffin Bestie celebrating St. Patrick's Day or is she performing in a circus on a flying trapeze?

Maybe both?

Today she is swinging in an easel card.

Or MAYBE her "normal self" is to dress up and swing in the front yard!

TIP:

There is a lot of extra confetti around this little darling. I cropped part of Sherri Baldy's image (the little squiggly frills) and then pasted them all over the image and even in my sentiment below!

Playing with the My Besties images is enjoyable:
        It allows the little girl in me to come out and not be inhibited about how 
            gaudy, 
                or frilly, 
                     or silly, 
                          or wonderful 
                                my card can be. 

AND AND AND I am reminded to be "My own Bestie" 
             and 
                      to even DO my own best, without being concerned 
                                if it is "good enough" for anyone else. (Thank you, Sherri!)

MORE CONFETTI! -- The glittery line around the designer paper is actually Swan Wing Glitter Tinsel 

Because the tinsel still has lots of space between each piece of tinsel, I "mooshed" in some Luau Green Velvet Glitter. It changed the color from clear white to an iridescent two-glitter look!

The greeting is actually a freebie "coloring book page" found by googling "St. Patrick's Day Words Color Book Page".

It's very tiny now! LOL

The oval behind it is also covered with Luau Green Velvet Glitter.

Don't forget to Sign up for My Fabulous March Blog Candy! It is a gift certificate!

Wonderful Challenges to which this card is entered:

1. Scrapbook Stamp Society #36 - Anything Goes w/Distressing 3/16
2. Besties Challenge Blog (Mar 3) - Anything Goes 3/15
3. Artistic Inspirations Challenges - #82 Anything Goes w/green/St. Patrick's 3/16
4. Crafting from the Heart - #9 - Anything Goes with Favorite Colors (my favorite color combo is green and pink) 3/14
5. Crafters Cafe Challenge - #54 Use Flowers 3/18
6. Cuttin' and Stampin' Challenge -  St. Patrick's Day #14-10, (3/17)
7. Die Cuttin' Divas - #156 Luck of the Irish (3-17) (Dies Used are listed below, different sizes were used in each die set)
8. Digi Choosday Challenge - #10 "It's All About The Girl" (3/17)
9. Sweet Stamps - #160 "good luck" (3-16) (my sentiment does not specifically say "luck" but it wishes the best in every way for St. Patrick's Day) Used my new Sweet Cuts die!
10. My Besties UK Challenge - (Mar 10) "Flower Power" 3/16  Lots of Flowers!

Products Used:

My Besties Ragamuffin on Swing IMG256
Computer-Generated Sentiments
Sparkle N Sprinkle Luau Green Velvet Glitter GM2004
Sparkle N Sprinkle Swan Wing Glitter Tinsel GT3002
Sparkle N Sprinkle Diamond Dust Glitter G1116

MS Floral Crochet PAP Deed Edge Punch

Spellbinders Classic Ovals Large S4-110
Spellbinders Decorative Floral Ovals S4-356
Spellbinders Grand Ovals LF110
Spellbinders Grand Scallop Ovals LF11
Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms S5-086
Spellbinders Petite Scallop Oval S4-141
Sweet Cuts - Elegant Leaves SC023
White flowers from Lavish Laces
Copics E00, E70, E35, R02, G20, G21, G43, G07, G28, YG91 and others for shading

A little something from my front door - 

we have NEVER had petunias grow during the winter,

they can't stand the cold weather.

BUT THIS YEAR:

The sun was too bright yesterday.
It reflected off the white petunias.

So I took photos on either side.

I now know that petunais cannot handle hot weather at all, and enjoy above freezing temperatures, but definitely below 70F.

During our freezes, the begonias and petunias were covered with old tee-shirts and covered again with layers of sheets.

the other side is below.

This winter we pulled out all the landscaping in the front yard, and replanted (I'll bore you with some photos another time).

Happy St. Patrick's Day a few days early!

hugs,