RSC December 2010 sketch challenge

Beeswax is hosting the monthly sketch challenge over at Rubberstampchat this month.  This is my entry, using all Beeswax stamps.

Check out the blog candy.

Erika, over at Taylored Concepts has a really large prize up for grabs.  And I do mean large.  You really got to see this one.

GC83 Polar Animals

I'm on a roll here.  This is another of the Christmas cards I did this year.  Image is also from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  Sentiment is from Impression Obsession.  I stamped directly on the ribbon and it worked really well.  My second submission in one day for Gingersnap Creations.

GC81 Snow People

This is one of the Christmas cards I made this year and I knew it would be perfect for the theme of Snow People at Gingersnap Creations.  This little guy, from Sparkle N Sprinkle, appears to be having a good time stringing up his Christmas lights.

Stampsmith Challenge #4

The challenge for the second half of Nov is to make a gratitude card using at least one Stampsmith image.  I used this sweet image of the girls along with a glitter lace background (one of my favorite background techniques) and a thank you sentiment from Papertrey Ink.  You can see the details for the challenge here.

GC77 Haute Couture

I haven't had time to participate in any Gingersnap creations challenges lately, so I was glad to make this card for Haute Couture.  The woman stamp is from Rubbernecker and the sentiment is an old See-Dees stamp.

Lisa Vollrath at Ten Two Studios is having a Christmas countdown

For a daily dose of free printable images, visit the Ten Two Studio's Christmas countdown here starting on Dec 1st.

Shades of Red

I made this same card for Stamper's Quest, but in shades of blue.  It can be seen here.  I thought it was such a lovely sketch that I made it in a couple different colors.  This card has just been mailed off to one of my swapping buddies at Inky fun Stampers.  Stamps are by About Art Accents.

For the Birds

I made this ATC for a swap titled For the Birds.  I love bird stamps and have quite a collection.  The bird stamp is from Inkadinkado and I've embossed it with PK Glitz embossing powder and colored with a glaze pen.  Flowers are Prima, I used a rub on for the sun and I've used flocking powder to simulate grass in the lower left hand corner.

GC71 Inchies and Holiday Blizzard

Wow, it's been over a month since I posted here.  Sorry about the long absence.  I've been busy with projects for Stamper's Quest.  The holiday blizzard posts have begun, so please check them out here.  I also had the kids home for fall cycle break.

But I had time to create today and I made a birthday Inchie card.  The technique I used is from the Technique Junkies Oct newsletter.  I'm entering it in the Gingersnap Creations inchie challenge.  Stamps are from Rubbernecker and Inkadinkado.  The sentiment is Papertrey Ink.

Autumn Leaves

It was miserably hot here in St. Louis all summer--and in many places throughout the country I know.  I'm so glad that September ushered in some delightful fall temperatures.  I made this ATC for a swap and although the leaves aren't turning here yet, they will be soon.

GC66 Spicy Supply-Paint

Gingersnap Creations challenge ending this Sunday was to use paint.  This card, which is a belated birthday card for my aunt, uses a TJ tech called Acrylic Emboss.  Basically, you spread 2-3 colors of acrylic paint on your cardstock.  Once this dries, emboss the piece with a Cuttlebug folder.  Then highlight the raised areas with permanent ink.  All stamps are Firecracker Designs by Pamela.

GC65 Famous Paintings or Painters

I made this ATC for the Gingersnap Creations famous painters challenge.  The stamp is from Cherry Pie Art stamps and I did the ATC up in a Warhol type style.  The famous painter is, of course, Leonardo da Vinci.

Games People Play

I made a set of these ATC's for a swap over at Collage Stuff.  The theme was Games People Play.    Well, I used to enjoy playing Mille Bournes as a kid, so when I saw this collage sheet over at Altered Pages, I couldn't resist it.  Using some background images from the Mille Bournes sheet along with the cute little girl from a Collage Stuff sheet, I collaged these ATC's on the face of a real playing card.  I even used a bingo chip, so I think I have the game theme covered.

GC64 Color Challenge-Yellow, Orange and Red

Whew.  Just made it for this one.  The color combo is so pretty, I really didn't want to miss this challenge at Gingersnap Creations.  The background is distressed ink applied direct to paper, the lady stamp is from Rubbernecker and the sentiment is a Wendy Vecchi stamp.  I colored the image with Copic markers.

Something Vintage

I made this ATC for a swap.  I really like how it turned out, but with a them like vintage, it's hard to go wrong.  Background stamp is from Onyx Xpressions and image is from  Altered Pages.

GC63 Sunshine

I just recently received this scenic card back from RSM.  I submitted it for their Down the Rabbit Hole challenge.  Well, it didn't make the cut there, but I thought it was also appropriate for the Gingersnap Creations Sunshine challenge.  I still have to say that there is something about this rabbit stamp that I just love.

GC60 Shades of Blue and Free as a Bird

I'm entering this card into two challenges.  Gingersnap Creations shades of blue and Gauche Alchemy's Free as a Bird.  The background is a TJ technique, Glitter Marbling.  I then stamped that with a background stamp from CHF.  The main image panel uses three stamps from Tim Holtz.  I added some yarn to the edge for interest.

GC59 Fairies

Now I love fairies so I couldn't resist playing in this challenge at Gingersnap Creations.  We're just back from vacation.  We went to the east coast-Washington DC, Delaware and Williamsburg.  That's why I've been quiet.  Well, actually I'm always quiet...but I try to post at least once a week.

GC57 Chestnut Theme-Wings

I made these 4 by 4 fat book pages for a swap over at Collage Stuff.  I haven't done many 4 by 4 swaps, but did one a few months ago over at Artchix Studio.  The theme for the swap was birds and this also fits the Gingersnap Creations "Wings" challenge.  I made the background by covering watercolor paper with old book pages, then applying a light layer of gesso and finally spraying dye ink sprays over masks.  I'm really happy with how they turned out.  I used German scrap birds and perched them on a swirly die cut.  The little bird embellishment is made by layering a bird brad over a paper flower and German scrap stars.  The bottom border is ribbon tape.

GC56 Burgundy, Ivory and Black

I made this card for my sister in law's birthday and the color challenge on Gingersnap Creations.  I think this color combo is very elegant.  The background is polished stone, one of my favorite techniques, the flower stamp is from Flourishes, the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink and I'm not sure about the swirl.

GC54 Spicy Supply Challenge-Pencils

I made this ATC for a swap and also the Gingersnaps Creations challenge.  I don't use my pencils as much as I do my markers or H2Os.  But I like how they worked on this horse ATC.  Stamps are Firecracker Designs by Pamela, (horse and saying) and Impression Obsession (trees).  I used a little flowersoft in the corner to mimic grass.

GC55 Quotes

I made this ATC for a technique swap where I had to use vellum, but it also fits perfectly for the Gingersnap Creations Challenge which is quotes.  My husband is a big fan of Albert Einstein and I like this quote as well.

Cool Color Collage

This week Helga's blog challenge was to use warm or cool colors to make a collage.  I chose blue and purple, two cool colors, to make mine.  The background is ink pads applied direct to paper and the images and German scrap are from Artchix Studios.

Analogous Colors

This week Helga, from Artchix Studios, chose Analogous colors for the challenge on her blog.  These are three colors next to each other on the color wheel.  I chose red, violet and red violet for mine.  Although I love these colors, this challenge proved a little more difficult for me than monochromatic or complimentary.  But this is what I came up with--the background is sponged distress inks and the images and German Scrap are from Artchix Studios.  Last week I was the randomly drawn winner, so I won a gift certificate which I quickly spent on new goodies.

GC53 Chestnut Theme: Read

Reading is one of my favorite things to do (besides stamping of course).  So I couldn't resist this stamp from Stubby Stampers.  I made this ATC for the Gingersnap Creations challenge and a swap.  I can't hardly believe it, but I think this is my first attempt at paper piecing.  I think it turned out quite well, but perhaps I shouldn't have picked a stamp with such small areas for my first try.  Hope you like the card and don't forget to enjoy a good book.

Complementary Color Twinchie

This week, the challenge on Helga's blog was to make a complementary color twinchie.  These are colors opposite one another on the color wheel.  I chose to do blue and orange.  I made my background with watercolor crayons, softened with water and used artchix collage images, German scrap and some little punchies to make my twinchie.  I'm enjoying these color themed challenges.

Monochromatic Twinchie-Helga's Blog Challenge

This week Helga (of Artchix Studios) challenged us to make a monochromatic twinchie.  At least one Artchix product had to be used.  I used 3 Artchix collage sheet images and a background stamp from Hearts in Touch and some embellishments from their April Bellie pack.  I chose to do green, just as Helga, did, though when I started out I was going to do pink...go figure.

GC52 Kraft

This is my last card as a guest artist on the Gingersnap Creations blog.  The challenge was to use kraft cardstock so I made this nature themed card.  The mushroom stamp is by Onyx Xpressions and the word "nature" is part of a large scrapbooking stamp about the great outdoors.  The dot background is a Papertrey Ink stamp.

GC51 Random Redhead Challenge-Botanical

This is the card I made as guest designer for the Gingersnap Creations Botanical challenge.  The stamp is from Magenta and I colored it with copics.  The background is direct to paper with pigment ink pads.

GC48 Random Redhead Challenge-Growth

This is my card for Gingersnap Creations growth challenge.  The stamp of the girl planting flowers is Beeswax, colored with copics.  All other stamps are Posh Impressions.  The background is a TJ technique called Glimmer Mist Watercolors.

GC50 Found Objects

Here is the card I created for Gingersnap Creations Found Objects challenge.  I found these bottle caps while walking my dog in the park.  First I flattened the bottle caps in my wizard.  Then  I punched out Altered Pages images, placed them in the flattened bottlecaps and then filled them with Glossy Accents.

Exciting news-GC guest artist for April

Gingersnap Creations invited me to be a guest designer for the month of April.  This means I will be playing along with their four monthly challenges.  The first has been posted and the theme is The Good Earth.  I have to admit I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with this theme, but decided to make a scenic card.  The stamp with the deer and animals is a favorite stamp of mine and I added other images to create the scene.

GC 46 Spicy Supply-Frosting

As soon as I saw this challenge at Gingersnap Creations, I knew exactly what I wanted to use--my embossing icing from The Stencil Collection.  I like to collect stencils as well as stamps and this heron stencil makes a very pretty Asian themed card.  I used the TJ technique, Faux Velvet on the background.

Artistic Outpost Celebration and GC 45

With spring break my blog has gotten rather neglected, but I wanted to make sure to post this card for the March Artistic Outpost contest and Gingersnap Creations celebration challenge.  With the winter we've had this year, I certainly think it's time to celebrate spring.  I used stamps from Artistic Outpost's Serenity collection.  It is nearly 70 degrees here today and tomorrow it's supposed to be 80.  Hooray spring!

GC43 Three Colors You Love

The color challenge this month at Gingersnap Creations is to use any three colors you love.  I chose purple, pink and black.  I also used white as a neutral.
We've had three lovely days of spring weather here in St. Louis.  Loving it!

Gingersnap Creations in 1 year old

Gingersnap Creations blog is a year old.  To celebrate their birthday, they are giving away a great prize package.  See it here.

Prima has a secret--and some wonderful blog candy

Prima is about to unveil a secret.  While we wait, they are offering a fantastic prize package to a lucky winner.  Check it out.

GC44 Birthday Greetings

Gingersnap Creations is celebrating their 1st birthday by hosting a birthday card challenge.  I had to make a card for my son's birthday anyway.  Actually, I'm late, but since their dad is out of town (again!), we are celebrating the twins' birthday a bit late this year.  Here's his card.

GC42 Spicy Supply Lace and/or Fibers

Ooh, I love both lace and fibers so I knew this would be a really fun challenge.  See the Gingersnap Creations Challenge here.  I made this ATC with images from Artchix Studios and some pretty, blue yarn from my stash.  It's nearly March and it's still cold here in St. Louis.

GC40 Numbers challenge

Use numbers anywhere on the card--this challenge from Gingersnap Creations is as easy as that.  I needed to make a birthday card for a good friend anyway, so decided to combine that with this challenge.  My friend loves French things so I thought the Eiffel Tower stamp (Sweet Pea stamps) worked perfectly. The number stamp is from Artistic Outpost.

This week Twinchies

This week Helga, from Artchix Studios, has challenged us to make twinchies.  For those that dont' know, twinchies are like inchies, but 2 inches by 2 inches.  View Helga's blog here.  I used the Snowflake Kisses collage sheet from Artchix studios, some German scrap and some ribbon, brads and stamps from my stash.  I found these easier to make than inchies.

More Inchies

This week Helga's blog challenge once was to make inchies, but she added a twist this time.  We're to only use 3 things to make the 5 inchies and one of these must be recycled.  Last week I used stamps designed for inchies, this week I decided to use a background stamp, emboss and punch my inchies out of that.  So, my 3 items are a background stamp from Stamp Camp, Artchix Studios collage sheet Fly Little Bird and a wrapper from a Dove chocolate.  Once I decided to use the little bird faces, these came together pretty quickly.  Fun challenge.

GC39 Color Challenge Metallics

I made this card for a swap and the Gingersnap Creations Metallic Color challenge.  It uses a Technique Junkies tech from the latest newsletter called Metallic Double Embossing.  I used my new Cuttlebug Asian embossing folders and a new stamp from Onyx Xpressions.  I love the rich look of the metal.  The stamping is subtle, but appears darker IRL than on the scan.

Fairy Card for Gina K challenge

Gina K challenged everyone to make a card using the fairy set that her daughter illustrated.  I love this stamp of the fairy sleeping on the mushroom.  I love fairy stamps in general.  This will be my younger daughter's birthday card.

Unable to resist the lure of inchies

Helga's blog challenge this week was to make 5 inchies--either one a day or all at once.  I worked on mine over the weekend, but am barely getting them posted on time due to general business.  My husband is out of town, in fact, he's out of the country.  He's in Singapore on business which leaves lots of extra duties for me.  But without further ado, here they are.  It's a challenge to work on something small, but apparently a lot of people were up for the challenge since there are a lot of entries this week.

Oops, somehow the birdies got scanned upside down.

By the Sea-embossing challenge

I made this ATC for a black and white themed swap and for Gingersnap Creations Embossing Challenge.  I really love how it turned out.  The collage image is from Collage Stuff, the word stamps are I Brake for Stamps and I think the shell is Inkadinkado.  I also used some rub ons and outline stickers for the corners.

Case a CAS challenge

What's a CAS, you ask?  Well, according to Gingersnap Creations, it's a clean and simple card.  This challenge came along just in time for me to make this monochromatic card for my sister-in-law using a Stampsmith stamp.  She likes old movies.

Gingersnap Creations Challenge-Time

In the spirit of a new year, the theme challenge at Gingersnap Creations this month is time.  This is also my card for the RSC January sketch challenge.  Image stamps are from I Brake for Stamps and the saying is Sunday International.  I thought the sketch rather challenging, but like the results.

Gingersnap Creations Challenge-Purple, Gold and Green

I made this card for Gingersnap Creations color challenge and a swap.  I used a lovely silhouette image from Hearts in Touch stamps, the sponsor for this challenge.  The background is watercolor mists sprayed over a plastic fern.

New Year's Resolutions

Well, it's snowing here again and the kids are off school.  My husband decided to take the day off work as well.  The whole country is under arctic cold blast.
I don't always like to make New Year's Resolutions since they are so hard to keep, but I have made a few this year.  This ATC illustrates one of them and is my entry into

 Gingersnap Creations Resolutions Challenge and the Artchix biweekly lottery.