Friday, October 29, 2010

PaperCutz Challenge #65

Wow, another week come and gone!  I hate to admit it, but I'm getting old - time flies by so quickly!  This week at PaperCutz Challenge make a card, LO or craft project for Breast Cancer Awareness using any colors you'd like. We tend to think of pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness, but any message of hope or support is what's needed.  For Challenge 63 I made a Halloween card for awareness and this week I went with a more traditional approach.

I started with PP from HOTP and used the large Stampin' Up medallion with gold embossing powder to create the background.  I stamped this wonderful lady (I use her A LOT!) and embossed with black and cut her out. I did use a traditional pink ribbon and jazzed it up with some bling (creative imaginations).


I don't usually show the inside of my cards, but I think this one came out really well.  I repeated the background paper and embossed and cut out three more feathers with a little bling.  I distressed the edges of everything with Tea Dye Distress Ink.  When I look at this card I think of the song "I am woman" especially the "hear me roar" chorus.

So, for all my friends and readers, take the time to do self-exams and get mammograms per the guidelines.  Let's not forget men can be afflicted with this disease as well.  So, this week let's make sure we "save the girls and save the boys!

Friday, October 22, 2010

PaperCutz Challenge #64 and Firecracker Designs by Pamela

It is amazing how quickly time flies!  This is my last week as a guest designer for Firecracker Designs by Pamela (and, sadly, the last guest designer opportunity at all).  I chose to make my last Halloween card using the absolutely adorable image Duck O' Lantern to make a sweet card for a little one.  I colored him with Copics - I did do his whole body!   Of course, I don't have any little ones, so it is going to my 'littlest" (6') son!



PaperCutz Challenge # 64 was to make a Halloween card using diamonds, circles, stars or crescents.  Life being what it is sometimes, I combined my 2 design team "jobs" again this week.  The card is a 4 3/4" square which I covered with this cute purple candy corn paper (I've had it forever, so not sure where it came from) and I then cut a circle in the card using Nesties and my Big Shot; I cut a larger circle/scallop to mat the opening.  I then stamped the circle stamps (Studio G, I think) onto yellow circles and backed them with purple circles for a crescent embellie.  I also found in my stash 2 candy corn stickers that I popped on with foam tape for a little dimension.  As always, my camera doesn't really like purple, but that is the over all color and the ink is purple metallic by Memories.  I love their metallic ink line, I have 8 of the colors and use them a lot, they add a rich look to my projects.

So, I have all my Halloween cards in the mail and have started on my Thanksgiving ones!  I just use these holidays as an excuse to play!  I'm also working on a mini book of a day trip my husband and I took to the top of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire.


Just a reminder!  Firecracker Designs is having a close-out sale which is currently at 50% off through the end of October.  A new price will be posted November 1 with the last day of sales Dec. 15. 

Friday, October 15, 2010

PaperCutz Challenge #63 and Firecracker Designs by Pamela

Good morning everyone, it's Friday!  Here in Maine we are having a heck of a rainstorm which we really needed.  I know folks whose wells ran dry in August and this storm should finally take care of it.  My well is fine, but looking at the trees moving I may lose power!

This week I decided to combine both my design team duties into one project.  Now, you have to understand I have a slightly "off" sense of humor (it comes from either being in the Navy or raising all those kids) and as soon as I saw "Witchy Poo" I knew what I wanted to do.

PaperCutz Challenge this week is anything goes!  For Firecracker Designs by Pamela I have been doing Halloween projects for my guest designer month!





I chose the digi stamp Witchy Poo by Boni Boutelle-Jones.  October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I thought she made a wonderful spokeswoman!  (The bling is my idea - not Boni's!)  I colored her with Copics (I'm still practicing!) mounted her on a red cardstock mat and made a gatefold card using Happy Place by Sassafrass.  I like this paper because it comes with a decorative edge which you can see peeking out on the top of the card.  This card is going to my oldest sister, Laurie.

Pamela's store closing sale is continuing and her inventory is clearing out.  Make sure you stop by her store soon to nab some of her wonderful rubber stamps currently at 50% off.  Her digi designs are not part of the close out sale, but you can sure buy them as well!

Just a reminder - all women need to do breast self-exams and get mammograms as recommended by their doctor. 
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND DON'T FORGET TO SAVE THE GIRLS!

Friday, October 8, 2010

PaperCutz Challenge #62

This week, the challenge at PaperCutz is to make a project using Red, Black and White only with any theme.  I chose to make a wallet card.  I found this idea at the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog, designed by Virginia Nebel.

I started with Bazzill textured cardstock and double sided cardstock from Kaiser Crafts.  I used my Nesties (can't remember which Label #) for the closure, the black button brad is from HOTP and it closes with Velcro.                                                                                                                                                                     
There are 2 flaps inside and the top is open to slip in cash. On the right side of the picture above, I will mount a photo (when I decide who it is going to).

On this flap I will add gift cards securing them with Zots.  I used a little less than 1/2 a sheet of the PP.  I kept the design/embellishments simple because I intend this for one of my sons.

Thank you Scrapbook and Cards and Virginia for a great project!

So, don't forget to make your own project and link it up on the PaperCutz Challenge blog for your chance to win the October prize!


Firecracker Designs by Pamela

Good morning!  I decided to make all Halloween projects for my month of digi guest designing with Firecracker Designs by Pamela.  I have to admit, I'm doing them to make my life easier (I'll have 4 of the 5 cards needed to send to my kids away at college).  But I also lovvvvve the images!  This week I chose this adorable image by Boni Boutelle-Jones for Firecracker.




I colored him with Copics, cut him out and popped him on the background.  The papers are Cloud 9 Designs.  I printed out the sentiment, tore it and used metallic chalk on the edges.  A little Stickles and black ribbon finished the front off.


Want to know why you need to "choose wisely..."?







As soon as I saw this image, the song from my childhood kept playing in my head:  Trick or Treat, smell my feet or give me something good to eat!  If you've never heard that, it will probably be stuck in YOUR head now! LOL  Maybe it was just a Boston thing?

Anyway, I thought it finished off the card.








Just a reminder:  Firecracker Designs is going out of business. :(
All rubber stamps are currently 50% off.  Don't miss out on a chance to have some of these beautiful stamps.  I just received my order and can't wait to play!  Digi stamps are not on sale, but are a low price.  Pamela is updating her inventory list everyday - get 'em before they're gone!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Mid Week Throwdown - Operation Write Home

This week's Mid Week Throwdown for Operation Write Home was to make cards for girls.  You have to excuse the picture, but it's the best I could do tonight.  The papers are from HOTP.

Also, don't forget the October Challenge - get your cards to the shippers before October 15 for a chance to win a prize!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Operation Write Home October Surprise Challenge

It was a busy weekend with World Cardmaking Day - hope you all had fun!

Operation Write Home is having a Surprise Challenge to encourage card donors to get their cards to the shippers early for the Winter holidays.  The deadline for all holiday cards is October 30; but, if your package reaches your shipper by October 15 you will be eligible to win Kimber McGray's new book!  Check OWH out for all the details.  Here is one of my cards going in my next box - hope you like it!



I started with a piece of shiny black card stock and stamped this Stampscapes tree with Versamark ink.  I then used Polished Pigments to color the tree.  I then used my white rain hairspray on the image to keep the color where it was supposed to be.  For some reason, my camera and/or computer don't like purple, but the card base is a purple shimmer, the focal mat and words are on pink shimmer and on the green piece I used an embossing folder on for texture.  The ribbon is purple from my stash and I used my new ribbon punch to anchor it.







If you can, please donate your handmade cards to this great cause.  It makes a difference in the troop's lives.  Tell them Penny sent you! LOL

Friday, October 1, 2010

PaperCutz Challenge #61

If you are looking for the Paper Wishes blog hop, click here!

If you are looking for Firecracker Designs digi stamp post, click here!

I've been very busy tonight posting, but that is terrific because I get to share in showing you some wonderful papercrafting sites!

This week the PaperCutz Challenge is to use 3 or more patterned papers with any design or theme.  I was very busy last month making cards for Operation Write Home.  I had pledged to make 100 during September as they celebrated their birthday bash.  Unfortunately, I was close but didn't quite make it, the rest will be going this month.  I have 2 cards to share with you that are ready to go:

 All the papers are from last year's DCWV Christmas stack.  The colors are very different for the holiday, but they are very cheerful.  One of the rules for OWH is no glitter, it is dangerous for the troops because it can be seen at night.  However, Stickles are allowed - thank goodness, I have to have my bling! LOL
This card actually has four papers:  the swirly bottom layer, the stripes with the snowflake, blue for the sentiment and a wider stripe pattern for the mat.  I added a large brad buddy from Paper Wishes and Stickled (I'm not sure that's a word) all the snowflakes, including the tips of the large brad.



This card uses 3 papers and features a tea bag folding medallion as the focal.  I love the look of tea bag folding on my cards and on my scrapbook pages.  I often make up quite a few while watching tv with my husband so they are ready to go.  One of the great things about using the paper stack is I can make several medallions from one design and know there are many other papers to coordinate with.  The ribbon is from my stash.  I've never used birds on Christmas cards before, but they are very sweet.



I hope you enjoy my cards and they help inspire you to design your own!  Please, play along with us and post your design on the PaperCutz blog - you could win and be put in the drawing for October's prize!