Angel Christmas Ornament

I have a Christmas ornament to share with you today.  I used the small version of Butterfly Kiss by The Stampsmith.  I found these cute charms recently and I hand crimped additional extender rings to them and attached them to the Shapabilities diecut by Spellbinders. I used three diecuts, one rotated green layer sandwiched between two cream layers.  I added some pearl embellies to go with the pearl charms and tied a matching green ribbon to the top for hanging.

I know I've been really absent over the past year.  My health has not been good and I haven't been up to crafting, but I hope to be on here more in the coming months, let's hope a new year brings good health!  :)

Thanks for stoppin' by!
 

TSC46: Inspired By A Song

  

We have a bit of a different theme for you this month over at The Stampsmith Challenge blog.  This month, we're asking you to create something from being "Inspired By A Song."  Our theme was suggested by our Guest Designer this month, Maria Green.  Welcome aboard, Maria!

I used a photostamped image from the Mon Amour stamp sheet by The Stampsmith, a few different frames, mirrored cardstock and a couple of pewter wedding embellishments in the small mirrors.  I stamped/heat embossed all three frames and cut them out inside and out with scissors...yes, this took a while...then I added the mirrors in behind.

Can you guess what my song inspiration was? If you guessed 'Mirrors by Justin Timberlake', you're right!  :)  This is such a beautiful song, I'm not sure I've done it justice in my card, but this is the design that I had in my head, so I went with it. 

I hope you decide to play along in the fun!  I look forward to seeing what song inspires you.  Best of luck in the draw!  :)

Cheers,

TSC45: World Traveller

It's challenge time again over at The Stampsmith Challenge.  The theme this month is 'World Traveller' and was suggested by our Guest Designer, Paula Tidman.  This is Paula's final month with us, but we've loved having her on board with us. Please pop on over to her blog, as well and show her some love! Now, get out your stamps that pertain to travelling and get creative! 

For my World Traveller collage, I used the post mark, Paris map and Bon Voyage sentiment stamps from the Paris stamp set and the Eiffel Detail stamp all by The Stampsmith.

Please remember to use at least one stamp by The Stampsmith in your creation in order to be eligible for the draw.  One lucky winner will receive a gift certificate in the value of $21.00 to be used at The Stampsmith store!  I can't wait to see what you all come up with.  Best of luck in the draw!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

TSC44: Shabby or Vintage Grunge Challenge

'Shabby Chic or Vintage Grunge' is the new challenge theme for July. Both are very popular styles and perfect for showcasing your Stampsmith favourites. We'd love for you to play along and share your projects with us this month. So, choose your preferred style 'Shabby or Grunge' and join The Stampsmith Challenge with a chance to win $21 of gorgeous stamps of your choice from The Stampsmith.

The beautiful, Audrey is accepting an award in this fabulous photostamp and the sentiment stamp on the side, "You Go, Girl!" comes from the Say It Like It Is stamp set, both by The Stampsmith.

 Alexandria, 11 years old, with her teacher, Mr. MacDonald.

My oldest daughter, Alexandria just received an academic achievement award at school and this is the card I made for her, as well as being my Design Team sample for this month.  On the front of the card there's a little folder that opens up when you remove the paper clip embellishment. On the inside of the little folder it reads, "Academic Achievement Award - Grade 5 Science."  I'm so proud of Alex and all her hard work this year.  Wow, it's hard to believe we're into Summer vacation for the kids already...where did the school year go?

I look forward to seeing all your shabby or vintage grunge creations! :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

TSC43: Altered Cigar Box

 

For the challenge this month over at The Stampsmith Challenge site, our new Guest Designer, Paula Tidman has challenged us to create some art using the theme 'Alter it - Boxes, Bags or Books.'  My features an image of the lovely, Lucy.   I just love this image...she looks stunning and not at all silly like your normally remember her!

Here's a bit of an angle to better show you the gorgeous lacey pattered paper and hardware on the box.

Yes, I know this next image is upside down...I just wanted to show you a view of the back of the cigar box, so you can see the pretty sheer, gathered ribbon that's around the three sides over top of the lacey patterned paper.

I hope you decide to play along in the fun!  I can't wait to see all the different altered art!  Just remember to use at least one stamped image by The Stampsmith in order to be eligible for the draw.  :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

Happy Birthday, Angela!

I created this card using a fun, retro, photostamped image of two ladies at a hair salon from the Those Were the Days 1950's stamp set by The Stampsmith.  I made this card for my friend, Angela, who's celebrating her birthday today.   I'm happy to say, this was before our time...but cute, nonetheless.  Happy Birthday, Angela!  :)

I don't normally decorate the inside of my cards, but I wanted to use more of this fun paper and the coordinating journalling cards, so added a little more inside the card.

Here's the rest of the stamp set...funny, eh?

Thanks for stoppin' by!  :)
 

TSC42: Tic Tac Toe Challenge

We have a fun "Tic Tac Toe' challenge for you this month over at The Stampsmith Challenge blog.  I opted to use a picture frame to incorporate the metal into my project, but you're welcome to do a card or whatever strikes your fancy.

Here's the Tic Tac Toe board...simple choose a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row and work with those three elements.  I chose Metal-Manly-Distressed for my project. A metal frame stand, manly image and design and a distressed crackle finish on frame.  In case you can't read the quote, it reads:

A question that 

sometimes drives 

me hazy: am I or 

are the others crazy?

~ Albert Einstein

Remember each project that contains at least one stamped image by The Stampsmith will qualify for the random draw for a gift certificate to The Stampsmith Store valued at $21.00.  I'm excited to see what everyone comes up with for this challenge since they'll all be so different. 

Happy creating!  :)
 

TSC41: Black and White with a Splash of Colour Challenge

It's challenge time again over at The Stampsmith Challenge blog and this time we're challenging you to create something using "Black and White with a Splash of Colour." 

I used lime green as my splash of colour, but feel free to use any other colour that you like, or several other colours.  Just be sure the bulk of the card is black and white.  Use at least one image by The Stampsmith to be eligible for the draw for $21.00 towards The Stampsmith Store online.

Here's a close up of the gorgeous couple from the Mon Amour stamp sheet.

I hope you decide to play along in the fun.  I look forward to seeing what you all come up with!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

Victorian Easter Egg and Funny Eggs

I had fun making Easter Eggs with my girls the other day. I only ended up getting one done, but you can see their eggs at the bottom of my post.  We used the plastic eggs that you break open and fill with smaller chocolate eggs or Easter goodies.   We brushed them with Decoupage (sealer-glue-finish) and covered them with small pieces of tissue paper, reapplying more Decoupage, as needed.   I help them with the Heat Tool to make sure the egg was completely dry and then we each decorated them.

I chose to make a Victorian egg, using the sweet little angel girl, called Butterfly Kiss by The Stampsmith as the main focal image for my egg.  I stamped her onto to Copic paper and then crinkled the paper all up so that it would more easily form to the egg.   I stamped text onto tissue paper and then decoupaged it on.  The text stamp is called, Art, Life & Beauty by Hero Arts. I distressed the entire egg with Tea Dye Distress ink by Tim Holtz.  I free-handed the pearl flourish along the side, then applied a strip of pretty lace around the entire egg and bronze embellishments at the top and the bottom, finishing with a little polka dot bow at the top.  I used the small Butterfly Kiss stamp, but it also comes in a large version, as well.

Lace around the egg.

 

 Embellishment and bow on top of the egg.

 Embellishment on the bottom of the egg.

Here are the eggs below that my daughter's made.

 Bling Clouds, Stencilled Butterfly and Mohawk Funny Face by Alexandria Mutch, age 11.

Mohawk Funny Face and Watermelon by Natalia Mutch, age 9.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

TSC40: Spring Flowers & Colours Challenge

It's challenge time again over at The Stampsmith Challenge and this month we're challenging you to create something using Spring Flowers and Colours.  Simply upload your artwork to the blog linky and be entered into a draw for a free sheet of stamps by The Stampsmith! (a $21.00 value)  All projects using at least one image by The Stampsmith will be eligible. 

For my card, I used several stamps from the Paris sheet.  I love this sheet with so many great images.  Bottom left you'll see the Eiffel Tower, top middle you'll see Notre Dame, next to it, a Paris postmark and middle right you'll see a Paris map.

I hope you decide to join in on the fun.  I look forward to seeing all your creations!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

TSC39: Colour and Sketch Challenge

It's challenge time again over at The Stampsmith Challenge blog! This month, we have a colour/sketch to inspire your creation. Use Cream/Red/Brown and flip the sketch like I did, if you like.  Just use you imagination!  :)

I used the photostamp, Family Tea by The Stampsmith.  It's sold as a single and is an adorable image.  It would be great in a scrapbook page, too...hey, I might just stick this whole card front on a page!

I hope you decide to play

Cheers!
 

TSC38: Recycle/Reuse Challenge

Happy New Year!!!!!!  It's hard to believe it's 2013 already...where did the past year go?   All the best to all of you for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

It's challenge time again over at The Stampsmith Challenge and this time around we're challenging you to Recycle/Reuse something in your project.   I decided to recycle this little wooden box from Michaels into a cute little altered clutch.   Now, I just need somewhere to take it!  Perhaps it will become a jewellry box instead...

Here's a 'Before' shot of the wooden box.   I removed the elastic closure and the knob before I applied the patterned paper.

Here's a view of the top so you can see Marilyn in her glory.  :)

Here's a view of the back so you can see the beautiful lace that adorns it.

I hope you decide to play along in the fun.   You don't have to alter something like I did, just use your imagination to recycle or reuse something onto a card, if you like.   The sky's the limit.   I look forward to seeing all your creations!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

Princess Kitty

I'm sharing a card today that uses the Princess photostamp by The Stampsmith. I had to crop the image, but kitty is perched on a pillow, just like a Princess! Isn't she cute?

Well, it's hard to believe, there's only a few days left until Christmas and I still have lots of wrapping to do.  I always procrastinate until the last minute, so I'd like to try to get it all done today.   I kinda wish I could wiggle my nose and it'd be all done, alas I don't think that's gonna happen, so off I go to wrap presents...

Wishing you all a safe and Merry Christmas! :)
 

TSC37: A Handmade Holiday - Framed Home Decor

It's challenge time again over at The Stampsmith Challenge and this time around we're challenging you to create something using 'A Handmade Holiday' theme.  This can be a Christmas Tree Ornament or a piece of home decor...the sky's the limit!  I look forward to seeing what you all come up with!

I decided to make a piece of Holiday home decor, using a three picture frames.  The large one is stained using a cherry finish and the other two are little chocolate ornate frames, which I used to frame my stamped images, Holly and Grace by The Stampsmith.

I embossed the poinsettia using ivory embossing powder onto wine cardstock and cut out all the layers, finishing the flower with a pearl brad for the centre.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

Teal Christmas Wishes

I'm sharing a Christmas card with you today using the beautiful Holly Christmas photostamp by The Stampsmith.  I opted to use teal, a non-traditional Christmas colour, even using it on my poinsettias, just for fun.

I sponged on black soot distress ink to highlight the embossed pieces.  I think it adds elegance to the project and I finished off the poinsettias with a little pearl embellie for the flower centers.
 
Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

Butterflies and a Kiss

For my card, I used a stunningly romantic stamp by The Stampsmith.  This photostamp is sold as a single and is called The Kiss.   I love using this stamp for special cards, this moment between the couple gives you a glimpse of their special day that I think so many can relate to.

For the background, I used a gorgeous patterned paper pad by Prima, called Rondelle.  The butterflies were punched out of the same Rondelle paper pad, using the Tim Holtz Mini Butterflies set.

I have a couple of Christmas cards to share with you, too.  I'll post them tomorrow.

Thanks for stopppin' by! :)
 

TSC36: Monochromatic Whites Challenge

It's challenge time again over at The Stampsmith Challenge and this time around we're challenging you to create something with 'Monochromatic Whites' in mind.  For my card, I used this sweet little girl from the Thank Heaven for Little Girls #1 stamp sheet by The Stampsmith. 

For the background, I brewed a pot of tea and used it to dye a coffee filter.  After I soaked it, I crumpled it up as best I could to give it an aged look and then used my heat tool to dry it out.  I then paired it with some pretty lace, a doily and a Prima flower to finish it off.

I hope you decide to play along in the fun for a chance to win a free stamp sheet from The Stampsmith!  I look forward to seeing all your creations!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)