Tuesday, April 28, 2009

MFT Idol Week 7 Serenity Now Set

Well, I made it into the TOP FIVE of the MFT Idol Competion!! I have to admit I was surprised I made it through the last round but here I am and I'm pretty happy with the project I made for this weeks challenge, Frame It! WE could make anything as long as we incorporated some sort of frame into it! After the last couple of challenges I was really excited to make a 'project' and I'd been itching to use some of the Annie La Pointe images that KelliJo sent me! Let it be said that this project would not have been possible without KelliJo's generous loan of her ALP stamps!! THANK YOU KELLIJO!!! Although the Serenity Now set is mine I really needed the Plants to go with it! I didn't think they were really a 'must have until' now!!



Anyway...are you ready for some pictures? My idea started with a simple picture for the new bathroom that we'll be putting in our basement right away and it somehow blossomed into this set! I think it would make a great gift for a friend, teacher, office colleague...or anyone that likes tea I suppose!



All of the images that you see are stamped on white cardstock and colored with Copics, including the yellow backgrounds! The colors were inspired by the My Mind's Eye Penny Lane dp that is used here.


This is a close up of the framed pictures and Post-It Note Holder with matching pen! The black accents were inspired by the black frame.




I got this Go-Mug from the Dollar Store...so much fun to make personalized gifts with these! The Tea Box is a 5X7 piece of dp, scored at 2" on all 4 sides. Those are my FAVORITE teas....Calm and Zen by Tazo...YUM!!!


I guess that's it! I hope you like it enough to come and vote for me over in the MFT Forum ! Voting starts tonight at 10pm EST and goes until tomorrow night at 10pm EST! And just so you know, you CAN vote for more than one entry by clicking on whicever ones you want to select and then you can hit the Vote Now button!


There's a good chance I might not make it through the next round but I gotta say...it's been an AWESOME ride!! How amazing to make it this far with these AMAZING women!! I can honestly say I have stretched my creativity to limits I didn't even know I had and I've been so inspired by what the other contestants have done! I think we've taken paper, glue, and poly to a whole new level....even if I do say so myself!! Lol!!


Thanks again to KelliJo for lending me those Annie LaPointe stamps....you ROCK girlfriend!! What a very cool and generous thing to do for someone!! Big Hugs! I'll be shipping them back to you right away quick...after I snag a few images of course!!

Thanks for stoppin' by for some Stamps 'n' Coffee....and don't forget to vote!!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Namaste! MFT, OCC, SFYTT Challenge!

So! I decided to get another card done today before I head out of town for my daughters Ballet Competition! I've been wanting to play with the Serenity Now set since I got it a few weeks ago and decided to seize the day! I also checked out the HTDT thread and saw that Michele gave a great tutorial on watercoloring this week for the WUW Challenge! On the 20th of every month, MFT has as a Celebrate MFT Challenge where you just make a card with one of your fave MFT sets and although I didn't find the time to play that day...I still wanted to celebrate!! And if that wasn't enough inspiration to get me goin'...I decided play in today's OCC challenge again and use another one of my fave color combos! Oh but WAIT!!! There's one more challenge here...Jen Del Muro's Sketch For You To Try! What a great sketch (again) this week!!





My sister's co-worker is returning soon from getting her Certified Yoga training in California (I think)! I thought she could get all the gals at the office to sign this and give it to her as a little 'welcome back' card!!

Thanks to Silke, Jen, and Michele and Joanne over at MFT for all their inspiration today...you practically created this card fr me!! Lol!!
I'd love to hear what you think so please, if you have the time, leave a comment!! Thanks for stoppin' in for some Stamps 'n' Coffee!!

Supplies
Stamps ~ MFT-Serenity Now
Paper ~ K & Co DP, kiwi, teal, watercolor paper
Ink ~ Staz-On
Accessories ~ WW crayons, markers, twill, dew drops, punches

OCC Challenge ~ My Favorite Color Combo

Happy Saturday everyone! It's time for another challenge from the OCC ladies and this week Silke is asking us to make a card using our FAVORITE color combination! When I saw this challenge I thought 'well that'll be an easy one'...sure...if you only have one or two favorite color combos!! I have many, many different favorites so I just had to let this one sort of happen! I had been playing with the Sweet Slumber dp so I'm guessing that is how I ended up choosing this combo that I love! I've always loved red and yelow together, but I particularly adore these shades! (So Saffron, Riding Hood Red)



I started out by choosing the stamps I wanted to play with...Thoughts and Prayers is one of my fave newer set but hasn't seen near enough ink. I opted to color the image and decided that yellow and red flowers were what I wanted and the winning color combo was born! I really wanted more ribbon on here but had a tough time placing it so ended up with just a little So Saffron under the main circle panel! I think the rest is pretty self-explanitory so I won't bore you with any more details! I would like to share with you some of my other
FAVORITE COLOR COMBOS:
~black and red with a splash of a brighter color like red or pink or teal
~pink and brown
~blues and greens
~brown and blue
~bright pinks, greens, and turquoise
~orange and pink
...just to name a few...

If you would like to showcase your favorite combination of colors, head on over to Our Creative Corner to get all the info, including the Stamp Sets that Julie Betemps from Little Paper Shop will be giving away to the lucky winner this week! You'll also get to see what gorgeous creations all the other OCC girls came up with!
Thanks for stoppin' by for a little Stamps 'n' Coffee! I always love to hear your comments if you have the time! Have a great weekend!

Friday, April 24, 2009

Hanna Friday Challenge and Tutorial - Tissue Box

Ilina is hosting a great challenge over in the Hanna Stamps Forum to make a 3D project!! YAY!! I love making this kind of stuff....boxes, bags...anything that turns a flat piece of paper into something else!! However, I have to admit I had a hard time decicding on WHAT to make...something new and different!! Well, this isn't exactly new but I haven't made one in about 3 years and I have no idea where I learned how to make it originally so I had to start from scratch! It's a pretty easy box to make, but I'm going to show you how anyway just to save you any guess work! Here are some pictures of the finished project!



I thought these would be great for the kids' backpacks when they're suffering from Spring colds and allergies...it would certainly make them smile anyway!





And now for my debut tutorial... albeit a brief one!

~Start with a 6-1/2 X 9-1/2 piece of cardstock or sturdy DP

~Score lengthwise at 1" and 5-1/2"

~Turn paper a quarter turn and score at 2-1/2, 3-1/2, 6, and 7

Here is a diagram:




~Use a bone folder to crease all your score lines

~Cut out the pieces shown in red on the diagram

~Fold up your box to create the tissue holder and adhere flaps

~Now you may want to trim a little off your cover flap...or not, depending on what you want to put there, embellish and stamps as desired

~Attach a small piece of velcro (and that, my Friends, is what we call CLOSURE...for any Friends fans out there...lol...I couldn't resist)

Here is a photo of the open box:


If you have any further questions please feel free to ask! I hope you enjoy making this...I know I did! And a huge THANK YOU to those who leave comments...you know I appreciate you!!
Supplies:
Stamps~ Dress Up Sophie, Train Riley
Paper~ Sweet Slumber dp, Neenah Solar Crest white cs
Ink~ Momento
Accesories~ Ribbon, corner rounder, copics

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

My MFT Idol OOPS!

Well, as I promised in my last post, here is my 'OOPS' from the MFT Idol contest! I decided at the last minute to make a 'window' with crystal effects! I thought if I was careful it wouldn't smudge the ink...apparently I wasn't careful enough...and then all these little black dots started showing up...whaddupwiddat?!?! Not only that...all the CE was making the card warp...I forgot to take into consideration that this was only ONE LAYER of cardstock!! lol!! While making my 2nd card, I decided that the bricks on the first one were a little 'too much', but now that I look at it again I like them!! I don't know...what do you guys think? I am, however, very glad that I added the topiary in the 2nd one, definitely made it more dynamic! So there you go! A very hard lesson in what happens when you second guess yourself! You really can't see it in the photo but the bricks are scored just like in the 2nd one and there really is 'glass' on the window!!


I am very happy to announce that I made it into the Top Five of the Idol Contest but it's bittersweet as Kerry 'went home' tonight!! LOVE that girl... her talent is awe-inspiring!! It has been amazing staying in the running with the likes of all the other Idols!! What an incredible group of talented ladies! So a huge THANK-YOU to all those who have been voting for me...I'm so very, very grateful!! Also, THANK-YOU to Kim and the rest of the MFT Team for hosting the contest! I understand the kind of time and dedication it takes to keep up with something like this and may I also add that the MFT FORUM totally ROCKS!! Love, love, love all the different challenges and tutorials!!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Well here it is!! My submission for WEEK 6 of the MFT Idol Contest! vote for me This week we had to make a ONE LAYER card!!! GASP!!! Oh sure, you might think that would make it easier...HA!! Trying to make a one layer card that is Idol worthy is probably the hardest challenge YET! lol!


I had many ideas in mind for this and even tried a few but finally settled on this one last night! Well...sort of! I actually settled on a version of this one last night but then this morning, vote for me I second guessed myself, tried to 'fix' it up a bit and completely RUINED it!! I had to start all over but I think I might like this one better! After the voting I'll photgraph and post the 'mistake' so you can all see how I completely blew it!! You see...that's the problem with one layer cards...NO ROOM FOR ERROR!!!!!!

So... I decided to go with Meet Me At The Cafe as I think this might be one of my all time fave MFT WTG's...this and Time For The Bubbly but I think we saw enough of that one in the first two rounds! I used my Scor-Pal to create the Brick Wall and then used chalks to color it! On my original I painted the bricks with an aquapainter and re-inker but it was very bold and kind of over took the card so I went for a softer look on card #2! vote for me I used Build A Bouquet to create the Topiary outside of the restaurant...an idea I had for the Masking Idol Challenge, it is also an addition to Card #2 that wasn't on Card #1! The ladies outfits are colored with SU! Markers as I do not yet have very many Copics and I wanted their outfits to be bright! I added my glitter pen to a few things to give it a little sparkle!vote for me The tag is fairly simple but I think it adds a lot! It is hanging from the ribbon.

I think that's just about it for the details but I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have!
The voting starts tonight at 10PM EST in the MFT Forum! Just look for the Week Six Poll and remember that you can choose more than one idol but you can only vote once!! (check off as many as you like)! I would love it if you would vote for me, of course, and I'll even consider sending out bribes!! ;)

Thanks for stopping in for a little Stamps 'n' Coffee! Oh ya...and vote for me!!

Monday, April 20, 2009

OCC Challenge ~ Recycling Rocks!!

I finally got a chance to play today and I really wanted to do Silke's OCC Challenge from Saturday! We were to use a recycled item on out card in honor of Earth Day (April 22)!

I chose to use a pop can. I used the Rockstar Stamp on the inside of a pop can and then cut it out! I could have used the punch but I wanted a border so ended up just using my scissors! Rockstar Hanna is totally glammed up with glitter from a gel pen...not sure if you can see it but it's even in her hair! I learned about the benefits of pop cans from a Technique Challenge a few weeks ago!!! And to think all this time I've been taking my cans to the depot when I could have been making embellishments with them!! *sigh*! lol

You can see what all the other fine ladies dug up from their recycling bins here

Thanks for taking the time to stop by for some Stamps 'n' Coffee!! Oh...and don't forget that tomorrow the MFT Idol Contestents (including me!) will be sharing their latest challenge cards!! It was to make a one layer card...YIKES!! Please stop by again to see what I came up with!!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

OCC April Sketch Challenge

Good Morning!! It's Saturday and you know what that means...time for another OCC Challenge!! This week Silke Ledlow gave us an awesome sketch challenge to work with which you can find over on the blog!!! And if that's not enough to get you playing along...Jessica Knutsen from There She Goes has so generously offered to give away one of her new Stamp sets for a prize this week! Tweeterpated is a really great, versatile set that can be used for Easter, Spring, or pretty much anytime of year! Thansk Jessica!

Here is my challenge card!



This is such a great sketch...I just love all the different elements! The long rectangle is perfect for any of those long characters or flourishy-flowery stamps! I decided to go with one of my much loved She's All That gals from Stampin' Up! I used a Sizzix flower die for my circle element and layered it on black to make it stand out! The paper is both sides of a sheet of My Mind's Eye dp paired with some Gable Green and Black! The image and sentiment are stamped with Versamark and embossed with black ep. Everything is on dimensionals so by the time I got the main panel I had to layer them THREE times to overlap the flower...this card is popped UP!!! Lol!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today and remember to head over to the OCC Blog to see all of the other AMAZING creations the team came up with!!

I hope everyone is enjoying a beautiful Easter weekend!!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Get Ready To Party Tonight!!

Look at Sophie gettin' all dolled up for a party...and guess what??? YOU are invited!! Kristi has some AWESOME new Hanna Sets and Rileys being released tonight over in the Hanna Forum!! The fun starts at 9pm EST and guess what else?!?! They'll be giving stuff away...there'll be challenges, prizes and fabulous chat goin' on so put your party dress on and head over there!!


I used the Mojo Monday Sketch #81 to make this sweet Sophie card...what a great sketch!!




Here's one I made using the new Granny Hanny set!! BAAAAD CHICKENS!! Granny Hanny is actually a sweetl little ol' lady just trying to protect her poor cats!!! Just LOOK at what those nasty chickens did to them?!?!




Here's the handsome doctor from the new Hospital Hanna Set...I thought this would be fun to give to an opthamologist!! I used my computer to make the 'eye chart'!!




And last, but certainly not least here is a peek at the other Riley being released!!! I think he might just have to be one of my new faves... him and all of the other ones!!! LOL!!



Well I guess that's it for right now but if you haven't seen enough...check out all the other Sneaky-peekies that the design team have come up with...these ladies always put me in absolute AWE of their work!

Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit with me and please know that your comments mean so much!!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Mojoprofinacetaminiaca! (Mojo Pills)

Here is another sneak peek for ya!! I just HAD to make an altered pill bottle with Mojo Caplets in it with Hospital Hanna! This set is so incredibly versatile for so many different things!! LOVE it!!!


I happened to have saved an empty Advil bottle knowing that one day it would come in handy...isn't it funny how we look at normal everyday things in a different way since becoming crafters!? The medical name I came up with for the Mojo Caplets is Mojoprofinacetaminiaca...it's kind of a combination of Ibuprofin(Advil), Acetaminophen(Tylenol), and Acetacylic Acid(aspirin)...and no I don't know how to pronounce it!!! Lol!!



The stamped pill bottle and pills both have Crystal Effects on them and the lid has a flower cut out from the dp, and some bling on it! I found this really difficult to take a picture of and just now realized that you can't see the lid...oh well...hopefully the desription is enough!
We're having our release party over in the Hanna Forum Monday at 9pm EST!! It's always fun-filled with challenges, prizes, and awesome chat so hopefully you can come and join us!! We also have a fantastic new Guest Designer this month! I was just over at her blog and saw a few of her Sneak Peeks and I though you might want to go have a look!

OCC Use Your Favorite Easter Stamp!

So I'm a tad late getting this up on my blog, but due to an exceptionally good time on Friday Night...I wasn't up for much of anything yesterday by the time I got home! I spent the night at my sisters where we had a Girls Night Out...and boy did we ever!! Our hubby's had the kids leaving us free and clear to paint the town red...woohoo!!!



Anyway...enough about me! This was made for the Challnge over at Our Creative Corner! Our hostess this month is the amazingly talented Silke Ledlow and she has us pulling out our favorite Easter stamps for this weeks challenge! Can you believe I do NOT own ANY Easter stamps!!! Whatupwiddat????? I couldn't believe it...who can resist all those cute bunnies and such?! I did, however, find this adorable little ducky while searching through my stash from a company called My Heart Stamps 4 U. I figured he would make a pretty darn cute Easter card!!

I used some My Minds Eye dp and added a few yellow flowers with bling to spruce it up a bit! The colors are Riding Hood Red, Cool Carribean (yes I still have some), and yellow! I pieced his umbrella and colored him with copics...he is also popped up dimensionals!

If you'd like to see the other FABULOUS creations the OCC team came up with, use the link above to head on over and check them out!
Thanks for stopping in for a visit and know that I always appreciate your comments!
I'll also be posting more on my blog later today so please pop by again!!

Friday, April 3, 2009

Hanna Sneak Peaks and Friday's Challenge!

Hanna Stamps has done it again!! Kristi has got some exciting new releases for us and we'll be having a party to celebrate on Monday at 9pm EST over in the Hanna Forum! In the meantime, the team has been working on a few Sneak Peeks for you. I made this card using the Hospital Hanna set, for Adela's Friday Hanna Challenge! C'mon over and play along!



The thermometer has Crystal Effects on it and is popped up! The hearts also have CE on them. I used my computer for the sentiment and the little hearts on the top strip are punched out and glued on...that was tricky...those are TINY!!! A fairly simple card...but effective!! Hubby is gonna have to do something EXTRA special to get this one!!


Supplies

Hospital Hanna

Cardstock - black, red, white

Accessories - Heart punch, Crystal Effects, dimensionals





And here is one more for now! This set is so adorable! I absolutely love the bellies on these Moms-to-be...although I have no desire to EVER not be able to see my feet again!! Lol!!




Ya know...I used to strongly dislike Cameo Coral and I've found that it has recently grown on me as you can see in this card! I used a Cuttlebug Embossing strip to make the little button strip and used up some of my well-hoarded primas!! I love the look on this Momma's face...she looks so serene and happy...even though she can't see her feet!! Lol!!

Supplies
Mommy To Be Hanna

Cardstock - Coral, summer sun, pumpkin

Accessories - Copics, primas, brads, button embossing strip

Thanks for stopping by to visit! Stay tued for more Hanna Sneak Peeks all weekend long! (although tomorrow might be a little slow as I am going out tonight!!! WOOHOO!!)