Mona Lisa Moments

Elegant Bok Choy?

Ellen's Inchie Challenge this month is Fruit and Vegetables.  I have several of the Lockhart Vegetable Couture images, so I took them on a recent vacation with me and had lots of fun!

Stamps:  Broccoli and Bok Choy Vegetable Couture (www.ellenhutson.com)

Accessories:  white matboard inchies, 5th Avenue Spiral Notebook Paper (Making Memories), gold brads (Creative Impressions), Gold Leafing Pen (Krylon), Copic Markers, Spica Glitter Pens

I know, I know - MORE whitespace.  It just makes me happy right now. Simple baby.

Happy Thursday all! 

Ichie Trio Giftset

Well, you are not going to believe this, but I have gone through an entire box of white matboard inchies!  The stamping surface is so perfect, they are totally addicting.

I am seriously addicted to whitespace on my designs these days.  Simplicity, beauty, elegance, clean designs.  Could it be the busyness of life that is leading me toward style?  Anyway, I won't get too deep on you here! 

With just one package of paper and inchies (around $11), you could easily create 3 gift sets of 6 cards each.

Other Supplies: 

Stamps - Nature Silhouettes and Silhouette Blooms II stamp sets (Kim Hughes Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms;  Ink - Shabby Shutters, Tattered Rose and Worn Lipstick Distress Ink (Ranger), Jet Black Archival Ink (Ranger);  Paper - Meadow cardstock (Memory Box) from www.ellenhutson.com

Hope you are inspired to make someone a gift today!

Rummage Bin Release - May

Lucky to be me indeed!  I am so stinkin' lucky to be able work with the CHF Artists.  Lesley Langdon, who illustrates The Rummage Bin has really outdone herself this month.  You can click on the title of the set to see the black and white images.

The first set I want to share with you is The Shoe Boutique:

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Boys will be Boys Collage

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DO YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN?!?!  How fabulous and unique are these images?  I just love how fresh Lesley's work is.  :-)

Head on over and take a look at the fabulous galleries that the CHF Creative Chicks have put together for your viewing pleasure. 

Boys will be Boys Collage 

The Shoe Boutique 

Happy Tuesday Stampers! 

 

CHF Creative Chicks - Designer Style Challenge

What a super fun challenge this week.  Alli suggested that we do a Designer Style challenge where we create with the style of another CHF Chick in mind.  I chose the fabulous Lesley Langdon!

Lesley has the most amazing ecclectic style.  She puts elements together in such a funky and whimsical way - I wasn't sure I could pull it off on my own, so I did look to one of her creations for layout inspiration and her gallery for a favorite color combo.  Miss Lesley also uses a lot of bright colors so I did my best, even though it's not my strength.  ;)  It's also perfect timing as I was able to sneak-peek a stamp set that Lesley designed and will be released on Tuesday - The Shoe Boutique.

The Inspiration

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My Take

Stamps:  The Shoe Boutique and The Art of Framing (The Rummage Bin), Polka Dot Backgrounder, Fine Finials Backgrounder; Paper:  Sultry Collection (Basic Grey), Simply Smooth (CHF); Ink: Jet Black and Library Green Archival ink (Ranger); Accessories: fragments (Tim Holtz), Swarovski Crystals, paper frills (Doodlebug), Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Head on over and check out Lesley's gallery and blog for some fun eye candy!

I am so interested to check out what the other girls have done.  Check out the chicks: 

Lisa, Julie, Sherrie, Lori, Kim, Dawn, Julia, Lesley, Kristine, Val, Michele and Alli.

A Sunday Smile

Ok stampers, you have been emailing me asking for updates of my dog - are you trying to give me a complex?  "We need to see pictures of The Diesel!"  Ahem, I do believe that this is a stamping blog!  ;)  *giggles*  Without further adieu...

So as you can see by his paws, at 3.5 months, he is just TINY!  Or, he is a monster.  He really is a big big dog all around.  Thick and solid, love it.

Some of my favorite puppy stories so far:

-he loves to grab the end of the toilet paper and run as far as he can without it breaking

-he has eaten a reinker bottle of Perfect Medium and then rolled around on the floor like he was in a death throw

-he thinks he is so clever that he can go down my son's treehouse slide by himself (and yes, he came up with this little trick all on his own)

-he has the worst gas I have ever smelt and seems to save it up until he is snuggled on my feet!

Hope you all enjoy a wonderful day.

A New Line - Front 'n Centers

A few of my friends have mentioned to me lately that I am terrible about sharing some of the stamp lines that I am working on with you folks.  I am always so excited about all of the other fun images being released, that I forget my own release dates!  Kim reminded me about this new Centers Collection being released this week.  Thanks Kim.  ;)

So here's the three-fold story on these stamps.  First, I like to be able to "finish" the inside of my cards.  How many people have gushed over your beautiful handmade cards, and then opened it and seemed disappointed to find it blank?  I know you all know what I am talking about.  BUT, finding coordinating stamps for the "front and center" was not an easy task.  I am sure you can see where this is going...

The next reason I wanted to create these large focal point size sentiments was to coordinate with our fantastic Backgrounder Line.  These stamps are so beautiful and really don't need more than some inspiring words finish a fabulous card.

Finally, we have some scrappers in our midst and they love to use a quote as a jumping off point or as a an embellishment on their pages.  They are happy campers too!

I have included some "fronts" within the set itself or you will find the coordinating front in Classic Essential Expressions or Script Essential Expressions.  Here's the full run down on the sets:

Script Essential Expressions

...coordinates with Motivational Centers

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The Friendship Centers set is one that has a "front" within in the set:

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...as does Birthday Centers:

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Okay, so I have several other ideas for getting maximum use out of these sets and am working on some projects to share.  :)  In the meantime, here are some of my favorites by the CHF Creative Chicks using these stamps.  Enjoy!

by Valerie Stangle

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by Alli Miles

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by Kristine Reynolds

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by Julia Stainton

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Scrapbook page by Lesley Langdon

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by Julie Campbell

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by Dawn Lusk

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Wishing you an awesome weekend!  Hope this post has given you some inspiration for your own creations :)  You can click HERE to purchase any of these sets.

                  

Kim Hughes Release Day!

Sooooooo, are you ready to see Kim's two stamp sets?!?!

Making the Grade

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The Landing Pad

Here are a couple of my favorites from "Making the Grade" by the CHF Creative Chicks:

by Kim Hughes

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by Lisa Silver

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by Julia Stainton

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by Valerie Stangle

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by Alli Miles

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by Lori Craig

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...one more by me!

Now what little girl (or big girl like ME) would not just love to wear this bracelet?!?! Ack! Love it.


Here's how I did it:

1. Sponge Brilliance Moonlight White ink over Grungeboard circle shapes and heat set.

2. Ink apples with Cactus Green, Blazing Red and Timber Brown StazOn and stamp.

3. Secure flower sequins to Grungeboard with eyelets.

4. Cover all circles with Glossy Accents (Ranger) and allow to dry overnight.

5. Pierce holes in circles with a sharp paper piercer and insert jump rings.

6. Add toggle closure.


Stamps: Making the Grade (Kim Hughes Collection); Ink: Cactus Green, Blazing Red and Timber Brown StazOn (Tsukineko), Moonlight White Brilliance (Tsukineko); Tools: paper piercer, Glossy Accents (Ranger); Accessories: Grungeboard Shapes (Tim Holtz), 7 Gypsies jump rings, toggle closure (I found mine at my local bead shop), eyelets (Making Memories), sequin flowers (Queen & Co.)

*I purchased the Grungeboard and jump rings from StarLitStudio

Hope ya'll have a great weekend!  I will share some of my Landing Pad favorites tomorrow.  :-)

Still Sneakin'...

Still sneakin' on Kim's "Making the Grade" set being released on Friday.  This teach thank you card is a little scrappier, but still QUICK!  You could whip up a set of four of these licky split.  :)

Stamps:  books and sentiment from the Making Grade Stamp set (Kim Hughes Collection); Paper: Noteworthy Spiral Notebook (Making Memories)  Ink/Paint:  Bordeaux Ancient Page (Clearsnap), Aqua Adirondack Paint Dabber (Ranger); Accessories: button (Making Memories), white waxed linen (7 Gypsies)

Stampy hugs friends!!!

A Kid with Class

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Do you have teacher appreciate gifts to make by any chance?  Well, Kim has drawn a fabulous set called "Making the Grade" for you!   

How about stamping a set of these simple little note cards for a teacher to give to her students?

Stamps:  Making the Grade (Kim Hughes Collection); Ink: Pitch Black, Sunshine Yellow, Red Pepper and Sailboat Blue Adirondack Ink (Ranger), Copic Markers; Paper: Simply Smooth white (CHF)

Hello Chica - a little sneakie peekie

As I recall, Kim didn't believe me when I asked her to include this sentiment in a set that she was drawing.  ;)  It's something I say all the time and just seemed so perfect to go with our ever growing collection of birdies.

The branch, flowers and sentiment are part of the new set called The Landing Pad.  Oooh, and I added just a little pink colored pencil the the bird.

Stamps: The Landing Pad and Pretty Birds stamp sets (Kim Hughes Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms; Paper: Baby Pink Light (Prism), 5th Avenue Collection Spiral Notebook (Making Memories); Ink/Paint - Jet Black StazOn (Tsukineko), Baby Pink Liquid Pearls and Patina Stickles (Ranger);  Accessories: ribbon (Creative Impressions), flat back pearls (www.ellenhutson.com)

I have lots of fun designs cooked up for this new release so stay tuned!

Any Excuse to use Swarovskis

I dunno about you - but I seriously look for reasons to use these beautiful little crystals!  How about fish bubbles?

I wanted to dress up some felt die cuts by Dancy Pants with CHF's Polka Dot Backgrounder stamps and StazOn ink.  The Fish Net Backgrounder was stamped with Lemonade Adirondack ink behind the fishies.  The bling was adhered with my favorite glue for something this itty bitty - the Quickie Glue pen.

Stamps: Polka Dot and Fish Net Backgrounder stamps; Paper: Simply Smooth White (CHF), Cogsmo (Cosmo Cricket); Ink: Lemonade Adirondack (Ranger), Jet Black StazOn (Tsukineko); Accessories: White Opaque Gel Pen (Ranger), Swarovski Crystals (StarLitStudio), piercing tool and template (Making Memories)

You really do make me happy my friends, thanks for sharing the journey with me!

Glittered Silhouettes

We are spotlighting StazOn inks for the next two weeks at CHF - ways to use it, samples and a challenge.  ;)

The last time I stamped with Cotton White StazOn I noticed how juicy it was, almost like a pigment ink so I decided to take advantage of that "open" ink time by dusting the image with ultrafine glitter.  Now, because I stamped on a Maya Road Office Sheer, my first attempt resulted in glitter sticking all over the place.  Thankfully I picked up static bag from Emily recently, and off course it worked like a charm!  *mwah to the Bella for carrying great schtuff*

Lots to get ready for next week - Kim and Lesley both have two new sets releasing and they are YUMMY.  I really can't stop using one of the sets and I have to move on!  LOL

I find that I am enjoying creating really clean, crisp and simple designs these days.  Mebbe it's the busyness of life that has me finding simplicity in my downtime.  So, I wish you an uncluttered and relaxing weekend.

Finally, it's National Scrapbooking Day!!  There are some fun things planned at CHF in celebration of this day, including some seriously awesome scrappy by our Creative Chicks!  Head on over to the Scrap Chat Forum to join in on the creating, learn a little something or just enjoy some eye candy.

Stamps: Nature Silhouettes (Kim Hughes Collection), Birthday Centers (Mona Lisa Moments); Paper: Simply Smooth White (CHF), Core-dinations; Ink/Paper: Cotton White StazOn (Tsukineko), Jet Black Archival (Ranger); Accessories: ribbon (May Arts), Office Sheers (Maya Road), Peacock glitter (Art Institute), pin (Boxer Scrapbooks)

Grid on Acrylic

Kim Hughes sent me these fun acrylic pieces by Prima. *hugs Kim*

I stamped on the piece with White StazOn with the Grid Paper Backgrounder, allowed it to dry and then pounced Peach Bellini Paint Dabber over the surface.

   

Stamps: Grid Paper Backgrounder, Dots and Circles Backgrounder (CHF); sentiment from Nature Silhouettes (Kim Hughes Collection)

Ink/Paint: Cotton White StazOn (Tsukineko); Jet Black Archival (Ranger); Peach Bellini Adirondack Paint Dabber (Ranger)

Paper: Natural Smooth (Prism); 5th Avenue Collection Spiral Notebook (Making Memories)

Accessories: Paper Frills (Doodlebug); acrylic flower (Prima); ribbon (May Arts); glue dots (Scrapbook Adhesives)

Thank goodness it's FRIDAY!!!!

April Favorites Gallery

So, the CHF Designers are killing me.  I have been creating a gallery here on my blog for my favorite CHF creations each month.  I just finished up the April gallery, and it has 171 photos!!!  Can you believe?!?!?!  These girls are GOOD.  Once again, I just have to say what a pleasure it is to work with this group of dedicated and caring girls.  Blessed I am, just blessed.  Here are a few of my favorite, favorite, favorites...

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Michele Boyer

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Kristine Reynolds

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Sherrie Siemens

    

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Val Stangle

   

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Alli Miles

 

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Dawn Lusk

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Julie Campbell

    

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Lesley Langdon

   

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Lori Craig

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Kim Hughes

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Becky Olsen

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Julia Stainton

 

Awesome right?  You can always see these galleries along the left hand bar of this blog.  Click HERE to view the April gallery.  *smiles*

May Stamp of the Month Sneak Peek

I have actually managed to get two cards done for the May SOTM.  Miracle of all miracles.  *giggles*  My time is so often taken up with my day job for CHF, that I still do my designing on the side - which like many of you often gets interrupted by LIFE!

We decided to do a patriotic themed pair of stamps to help you celebrate Memorial Day in May and then the 4th of July.  Designing with this SOTM of a piece of cake because we have a couple of sets that coordinate perfectly - Supah Star and

America

the Beautiful.  Love it when that happens.  :-)

A simple one layer card.  I stamped the star in Denim, colored with Strong Red Copic and added the dots with my new GLORIOUS white gel pen by Ranger.  Seriously, that pen rocks.  The Eagle was colored with Walnut, Cadmium Yellow and Cool Grey No. 1 Copics.

Stamps:  Supah Star (Kim Hughes Collection), May SOTM (Proud Eagle and Scripty Freedom), also by Kim Hughes; Paper:  Simply Smooth cardstock (CHF);  Ink:  Denim and Pitch Black Adirondack (Ranger), R46 Strong Red, Y15 Cadmium Yellow and R59 Walnut, C-0 Cool Gray No. 1; Accessories: ribbon (Creative Impressions)

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I have been dying to use the Basic Grey Boxer collection and Mr. Eagle gave me the perfect reason!

*Eagle is paper pieced and colored with Copic markers

*tan mat is stamped with Weave Backgrounder & Versamark

*star is colored with Copics

Stamps: Proud Eagle, Scripty Freedom (Kim Hughes Collection) May Stamp of the Month; Paper:

-Boxer 6x6 by Basic Grey, Stone Grey Arturo note cards; Ink: Jet Black Archival ink (Ranger)

-Copic Markers in B99 Agate for the star, C-0 Cool Grey No. 1, Versamark (Tsukineko); Tools: paper piercing tool; Accessories: Swarovski Crystals (StarLitStudio), chipboard star (American Crafts)

I wanted to mention again that I purchase all of my Copic products from Ellen Hutson, LLC.  She has really be instrumental in bringing this product into the mainstream of the paper crafting industry and provides inspiration and education with this product like no other.  Her customer service is also phenomenal.  I encourage you to take a peek through her store, she carries such a unique variety of exceptional products and tools. www.ellenhutson.com

Wishing you a fantastic Tuesday friends.  Lots to do here today, including some work on a new product line we are just about ready to roll out.  This is another on of those dreams that is coming to fruition for me - I can't wait to show you and hear what you think!