Orange you glad I didn't win?

I entered a Stampin' Up monthly contest that I saw in May's Stampin' Success (SU!'s Demo Magazine) and since I didn't get the lucky call, I thought I'd post my card here! The contest was to use any shade of orange on a card using SU! products. Orange is my favorite color so of course I had to give it a shot! Hee! Here is my card:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Eastern Blooms set, Full of Life set
Ink: Only Orange, Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion Classic Inks
Paper: Whisper White, Only Orange cardstock
Accessories: Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Looking at it now, I probably should have used more orange! This is a case of another card I made a few months back but I love the look of the flowers like this!

Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

-tessa

Faux Mosaic Tile Frame

Hi! Hope you are all enjoying your weekend! I am using it to catch up a little! Today I wanted to post about a frame I made last week. I am planning to teach it at Scrapdoodles in July as a kids class! Here it is:



I like how it turned out! My hubby even thought it was real glass so at least it looks pretty realistic in real life! It's a fun project but I'm just afraid that the kids will be bored cutting out pieces of paper and gluing it down and waiting for things to dry... Hopefully all with go well!

OK! Keeping it short today!

-tessa

A Raspberry Suite Color Challenge!

When I first saw Dawn McVey's color picks for the latest Raspberry Suite Color Challenge, I didn't know what to do! I immediately thought of flowers because of her picture:



I do a lot with flowers so I decided to do something a little different... Here is my card:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Stamps: For the Bride set, En Francais background stamp
Ink: Always Artichoke Classic Ink, Versamark
Paper: Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Pink Passion, Whisper White cardstock
Accessories: Certainly Celery Poly-Twill ribbon (Sale-a-bration), Scallop Edge punch, White Embossing powder, Piercer tool and mat,distressing tool, Stamping Sponges, green ribbon by American Crafts, paper flowers by Prima and Doodlebug Designs

I've had this stamp set for a little while now and every time I use it, the card comes out a little funky. I think it was my color choices... they were a little drab. I love how it looks on the bright pink though! My friend Ashley always makes the cutest cards with her wedding cake stamps... I was trying to channel her a little and added the ribbon and flowers to the top. I also did some faux stitching around the focal piece and piercing around the background edges. I used En Francais to add a little something to the background as well- inked in Always Artichoke and stamped off before I stamped onto my card base.

Crazy! I have so many projects to share but not enough time to share them! I'll try to catch up this weekend with a few extra posts!

Hope you enjoy the day!

-tessa

Purple Lotus Card

Good Morning! Today I'm blogging with my coffee. Hopefully I can make it a habit! Did you all have a great weekend? I did!! I am a little bummed today though- it is stormy out... I'll have to keep the girls inside...

Anyways, I made this card last week- it's part of my Card Creations class at Scrapdoodles in Fredericksburg, VA. I'll be teaching it on June 13th at 1:30pm if you live nearby!

Here it is:



Goodies:

Stamps: American Crafts
Ink: Versamark; Pitch Black Adirondack Pigment ink; Currant, Wild Plum, Salmon, Sunshine Yellow, Lettuce Adirondack Dye inks
Paper: Bazzill Basics, Basic Grey
Accessories: Black Embossing Powder by American Crafts, jewels- unknown..., Water brush by EK Success

I'll be teaching how to make your own background papers with your stamps! Also, the super saturated watercolor technique makes watercoloring even easier!

If you'd like to sign up, please call Scrapdoodles at(540) 548-3788 or stop by the store!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-tessa

Bloomin' Beautiful in Saffron...

I've been busy making cards this weekend! Today I'm sharing my card for May's WICKED challenge for SU! demos on Splitcoast Stampers... we were challenged by Brenda(Qbee) to use So Saffron, Baja Breeze, and Riding Hood Red together... easy for me since I have the Sweet Slumber Specialty DSP! It is one of my favorite lines!

Here is my card:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Bloomin' Beautiful set
Ink: So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black Classic inks; Jet Black Staz On
Paper: So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red cardstock; watercolor paper; Sweet Slumber Specialty DSP
Accessories: Baja Breeze satin ribbon from Valet Ribbon Originals, Pewter Build a Brad, Aqua Painter, Piercing tool and mat, Stamping sponges, Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds, Crystal Effects

I watercolored the flowers first in So Saffron and added just a dot of Riding Hood Red to the centers... I love how it bled out! I also added just a touch of More Mustard to brighten them up a little. Next, I watercolored the bee in So Saffron and let it dry. Once it was dry, I colored in his legs and stripes with a Basic Gray marker. I also added a little Dazzling Diamonds glitter to both of these! For the vase, I picked the polkadot DSP and stamped the image on it. I filled the image with Crystal Effects so it would dry clear and shiny! What I really liked was that you could still see the texture of the DSP behind the Crystal Effects... how cool!
After that, I pieced my background together... I cut the striped DSP at an angle to give it a different look. I also inked and stitched around the smaller polkadot panel. Once I added the sentiment, ribbon, and watercolored images, I was done!

I love participating in these challenges! They are a lot of fun and usually challenge me to think outside the box...

Hope you are all having a great 3rd day off! We are a little nervous- we are putting an offer on what could be our first house today! Next, we'll have to play the waiting game! Yikes!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-tessa

An Early Fourth of July Card

Today I'm posting a card I'm teaching at Scrapdoodles in June. This card focuses on a quilted background technique I learned a few years ago. I love how it came together! Here it is:



If you live near Fredericksburg, VA, join me on June 13th at 1:30pm. We will be making 4 cards and the cost is $16.00. To sign up, please call Scrapdoodles at (540) 548-3788.

Who's excited to see how wins American Idol tonight? I can't wait! I am rooting for Chris but if Adam wins, I'll still be OK. They both have talent... I just like Chris' sound better!

Hope you all are having a fabulous day! Thanks for stopping by for a peek!

-tessa

Little Birds in a Row

This afternoon while Natalie was taking a snooze, I got to make a card for this week's Color Inspiration Challenge on Kristina Werner's blog! I love participating in her challenges! Here is what she challenged us with this time:



and, here is the card I made!



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Cheep Talk set, A Little Birthday Cheer set, Owl Together set
Ink: Baja Breeze, More Mustard, So Saffron Classic Inks; Versamark
Paper: Baja Breeze, So Saffron, More Mustard, Whisper White cardstock; Sahara Sand textured cardstock; Walk in the Park DSP
Accessories: Kraft taffeta ribbon, Paper Piercer and mat, Dimensionals, Signo White gel pen

I love these little birdies and have wanted to make a card with them all lined up like this since I got it back in January! I added a little hat on one because I wanted it to be a birthday card for my cousin Shirlie... she's having her 18th birthday tomorrow!! I added some faux stitching to each of my background panels and some Kraft colored taffeta ribbon as a little wire for the birds to sit on. The hardest part was the hand cutting!

Funny, Deb of Papertree Designs Blog commented today and said I should submit the flip flop card I made last week... it really would have worked! These must be some hot colors! Hee! If I hadn't had the afternoon to stamp, I probably would have!

Well, I better go... I've been multi tasking, watching American Idol and Dancing with the Stars while typing this up. I can't wait to see who wins both shows!! It seems like the competition is pretty close this year and that makes it a little more exciting to watch!

Hope you all have a great day tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by!

-tessa

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #6

I love participating in Dawn McVey's color challenge! Her color choices are always bright and cheerful and usually colors that I wouldn't normally put together. For this one, she used a light aqua, a bright corally pink, chocolate brown, and white. Here is her inspirational photo:



For me, stamping with mostly Stampin' Up supplies, it was hard to find just the right shades in my stash... I finally found some patterned paper by Chatterbox and kind of went from there! Here is the card I made:



Goodies:
Products by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Stamps: Polkadot background, Friends 24-7 set, Dreams DuJour set
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral Classic inks; Versamark
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White cardstock; patterned paper by Chatterbox, Seaside paper by Lasting Impressions
Accessories: Sander block, Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Clear embossing powder, piercing tool, Dimensionals by Stampin' Up! Scallop Edge punch by Fiskars; miniature halfback pearls- unknown...

I love the look of the Polkadot background stamp on white paper. I stamped it with Versamark and then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. I think it just addes a little something to the background. I built up the layers on this card and had a hard time finding something to add to the middle as a focal point. I started with a large flower stamp, then tried a larger butterfly but since my inks are just a tad off, I went with the sentiment in brown... I added the butterfly last, using a stamped off version of Cameo Coral... it toned it down a little and matched the background paper a little better!

I am finally done with the big projects I was working on so I should be posting more regularly now! I am planning to work on Kristina Werner's latest color challenge this afternoon... if you have time, you should play along, too!!

Thanks for looking!

-tessa

A Scrapbook Page and a Card...

Today I'm sharing a couple of things I made recently using my new QuicKutz gift set I got on National Scrapbooking Day down at Scrapdoodles. I got Flirt and so far I'm loving it!! Here is the page I made:



Aren't these strawberries cute!



Goodies:
Paper: Bazzill Basics cardstock; Bo Bunny patterned paper
Letter Stickers: Basic Gray, American Crafts, Making Memories
Diecuts: QuicKutz Flirt set
Accessories: White Signo gel pen, paper piercer, Scallop Edge punch, Fire Rhinestone Brads, Build-a-brad, halfback pearls by Stampin' Up!; ribbon by American Crafts; Crepe paper strips by Amy Butler; Stickles by Ranger

So, I haven't scrapped a page since November! It has been way too long I think... I am feeling a little rusty and this page took a few days until it looked done to me. Hopefully the next one will be a little easier on me!

I added real stitching to the top of this page for a little extra detail and texture. With so much going on near the bottom, it just felt a little bare up there!

I also made a card using my friend Kristen's Relax gift set... I love the shape dies in this one!



Goodies:
Paper: Bazzill Basics cardstock, Pink Paislee patterned paper
Letter Stickers: Making Memories
Scallop Edge punch: Fiskars
Diecuts: QuicKutz Relax set

I cut out my diecuts first- 3 pairs in flip flops in three coordinating cardstock. I inked around the edges of the bottom pieces for a little dimension and added the stripes next. Then, I added the top pieces, curling them so they looked a little three-dimensional... I made the sand by inking and sponging a piece of cream colored cardstock. I love how it turned out!!

I wanted to thank Lisa at Allissa Designs Blog for featuring my blog this week! What a nice surprise it was to see that! Thank you Lisa!

Well, I hope you all are taking it easy! I am still working on a larger project but I am near finished now and hopefully will be able to play with my stamps again soon! I have a few that are just burning a hole in my desk!!

Have a great day!

-tessa

Soft Suede Sillouettes Card

Today I'm sharing a card for my June cards class at Scrapdoodles in Fredericksburg, VA. I wanted to focus on some new techniques I've recently tried and love!! This card uses the Faux Suede technique- you can see it in the pink stamped with the flowers...



Goodies:

Stamps: American Crafts
Ink: Memento Black
Paper: Bazzill Basics cardstock; Cosmo Cricket, Basic Grey, and Pink Paislee patterned paper
Accessories: ribbon by American Crafts, Label Dry Embossing Folder by QuicKutz


Have you tried this technique before? It feels sooo weird after it is heat set! Kind of rubbery but soft... It did turn into a more suede-like feel after it really set for awhile.

If you're in the Fredericksburg area I hope you can join us! The class will be June 13th, 2009 at 1:30pm. It costs $16.00 and you can sign up by calling Scrapdoodles at (540) 548-3788

Have a great evening!

-tessa

Fawn Card

I think my favorite set out of this season's Stampin' Up! mini is the one I used today... Forest Friends! The little animals just make me smile! I really wanted to post a SUO (Stampin' Up! Only) card today so I didn't add any flocking to this little guy but boy did I want to! He only gets cuter with fuzz! Hee! Anyways, here is the card I did:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Forest Friends set, Upsy Daisy set
Ink: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Kiwi Kiss, Bashful Blue, Basic Gray classic inks
Paper: Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue cardstock; Maine Blueberry DSP (retired)
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Piercer, White Signo Gel pen, Stampin' Sponge, Aqua Painter, Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals


Although I love the little critters in this set, using them has been somewhat of a challenge because they are pretty small. I had to build a little home for the little deer so he wouldn't get lost on my card! I started by stamping the tree on white cardstock using my markers. Next, Painted in some grass blades around the tree and the bottom of the cardstock piece. After that, I inked up a corner of a piece of a Stampin' Sponge with Kiwi Kiss ink and sponged around the grass to give it some soft color. I added the blue sky the same way, only with Bashful Blue ink instead! I added the cut out deer with dimensionals so it looks like he's standing off to the side a little.

I've been busy working on a couple of projects that have deadlines coming up. One is my friend Mya's wedding invites which should be in the mail tomorrow! I can't wait to share them with you but I may wait until she sends them out as to not ruin the surprise for anyone... I am also working on class projects for Scrapdoodles this week! I'll share them for sure!

Hope you are all having a great Monday!!

-tessa

Last Mother's Day Gift Set... I Promise!

So, here is the last of the three sets I made for my 'moms' this year! This one is for my hubby's mom, Cindy. Here it is:

The Group Shot:


The Card:


The Box:


The Card Set:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Together Forever set, Lovely Letters alphabet, A Rose is a Rose set, Upsy Daisy
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip classic inks
Paper: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip cardstock; Bella Rose DSP
Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, Dazzling Diamonds, Half Back Pearls from the Pretties Kit, Whisper White organza ribbon, Dimensionals

I glittered the roses on the card box to add some glitz. I think the rest is just plain old stamping!

Hope you have a great day! I promise I'll post something other then my Mother's Day presents tomorrow! Hee!

-tessa

Another Mother's Day Gift

Today I'm sharing the gift I made for my mom. I did a set of monogram cards in a gift box and made her a card, too! Here it is:

The whole set:


The card:




The box:


The card set:


Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Petal Pizazz set, Together Forever set, Upsy Daisy set, Lovely Letters alphabet
Ink: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Creamy Caramel classic inks
Paper: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue, Really Rust cardstock; Maine Blueberry DSP (retired)
Accessories: Ice Rhinestone circle brads, Whisper White organza ribbon, Old Olive wide grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, Dimensionals

I really love these colors together and I think my mom will, too. She is a gardener so I think she'll get a kick out of the terra cotta pot card! It was fun to make, too!

I'm going to have to cut this short tonight... Zoey isn't feeling her best and seems to need her mommy... Thanks for stopping by though!

-tessa

Mother's Day Gift Sets...

With Mother's Day coming up this weekend, I am working on a few gifts for the mothers that I love! I decided to make them all a set of monogram cards in a matching box like I created last week. I am sharing one today for my step-mom Renee, or Nay-Nay as my girls call her! Here is the set:



Her card:


The Box:


The Card Set:


Goodies:
All products are by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Together Forever set, Simple Friendship set, Upsy Daisy set, Lovely Letters alphabet
Ink: Choclate Chip, Baja Breeze, and Soft Sky classic inks; Chocolate Chip craft ink
Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip cardstock; Glossy White cardstock; Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP
Accessories: Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals, Whisper White jumbo grommets

I wanted to keep the design simple since Mother's Day is fast approaching! I used the striped wipe technique to make the Upsy Daisy card. I thought I'd try stamping over it with craft ink and I like how it dried matte. It looks kind of neat against the glossy background!

Well, hope your day is going well! We are heading to Ikea for some much needed toy storage! Thanks for stopping by!

-tessa

Old Favorites...

Before I joined the stamping world, one of my favorite techniques was dry embossing! I thought I'd bring out some of my old templates and play...

Here for You Card



Goodies:

Stamps: Friends 24-7 set; Cute and Curly set by Stampin' Up!
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black classic inks
Paper: cardstock by Bazzill Basics, Stampin' Up!, DCWV, and Core-dinations; patterned paper by Heidi Grace Designs
Accessories: Ribbon, halfback pearls, Scallop Edge punch, Curly Label punch by Stampin' Up!; Eiffel Tower embossing template by Lasting Impressions

I actually debossed the Eiffel tower image... it's the backside of my original design but it was much crisper looking then the embossed side when sanded! I thought this paper by Heidi Grace Designs was a perfect compliment to it. I love the purples!

Hope you all have a great weekend and have time to craft on National Scrapbooking Day! Thanks for stopping by this afternoon!

-tessa