Stampin' In Alaska

This week on Mo's Challenge Blog , the Design Team has challenged us to use a masculine theme with our Mo Manning image in our projects.  I decided to make a Clean and Simple design with Mo's " Lazy Mutts " image.  This actually comes with three pup images and they are all adorable! Here's my card: The pup was colored using Prismacolor pencils, blending stumps and baby oil.  I received a comment recently asking me to explain the combination.  Below is a photo of the products which I used.  Some people call this the "Gamsol Magic" technique.  I found that baby oil gave the same blending effect and was much cheaper and accessible to me.  If you are interested in trying this technique you can check out the tutorial HERE on Splitcoast Stampers. I have also added a few score lines to the image panel to provide some dimension.   This card also qualifies for the following: Mark's Finest Papers Challenge to use scorelines. Tuesday Alchemy ...

Well, while most of the US is experiencing an extra hot summer Alaska is rainy and cool.  We did get a few gorgeous days last week and I took full advantage! So, what a perfect theme that Sassy Dawn has given us this week over on the Sassy Cheryl Challenge Blog - Summertime .  Be sure to pop over and check out all of the great inspiration that the Design Team has provided this week! Here's what I came up with using Cheryl's " You are my Sunshine " image. This sweet image was colored with Copic Markers.  Just for Cheryl - If you look closely you'll see that I added polka dots to Sally's dress with dimension paint!  I also added a little sparkle with Stickles to the flouncy skirt.  This image also includes a sweet sentiment.  However, I added this sentiment from Paulette's new set " One Moment Can ".  You can find it over on the Create With TLC blog. Thanks for stopping by to take a closer look!  I hope you are having a fabulous Summer T...

Paulette is hostessing another of her fabulous Blog Hops at Create with TLC to introduce the new design team members. Mark your calendars because there will be lots of freebies along the hop.  Each DT member will give away a free image that they've used for the hop. Be sure to join in on the fun!

More exciting news today!  Michelle, owner of Can You Digi It?   invited me to join her design team.  It is a relatively new company and I'm excited to be joining the team. You can check out the talented design team members on my sidebar menu.  Hope you come back and visit often! Okay, on to the Sassy Cheryl Show Me post for this week!  Our super talented, Cheryl Agler hostesses a challenge each where she only asks that we post photos of whatever we have going on in our part of the world.  Easy peasy! The past week has been sunny and gorgeous in Anchorage.  DH and I packed a lunch and loaded up the pups for a day trip to Bonnie Lake about 80 miles north.  The lake is stocked with trout and we saw lots of people in canoes and kayaks.  There was also a trio of loons on the lake.  They never got close enough for a good photo.  Bummer! After a day at the lake, I came home and pulled out some digital images and my Copic ...

Hi!  I'm back tonight with some exciting news, Paulette at Create with TLC has asked me to join her Design Team!  Woo-Hoo!  I can't tell you how excited I am to join this team! If you haven't visited Paulette's store you have to check it out HERE .  She provides quality word art and tons of digital images.  Okay, on to the rest of my post!  This week's Sassy Cheryl Challenge is provided by Peggy and she has asked us to use "Red, White and Blue" with our Sassy Cheryl image. Lucky me, I won last week's Show Me challenge over on Cheryl's Blog!  Of course, I had to shop right away and picked up " Sassy Sally in her Inner Tube ".  I decided this was the perfect image to use for this week's challenge with our recent warm Alaska summer days! The main image was colored with Copic markers and the inner tube was paper pieced with paper from Jellibean Soup.  The base designer paper and "sun" used papers from the new Bas...

This week's challenge on the There She Goes blog is to use "Winged Things".  I have been itching to ink up this adorable little image from "In all the World" by TSG.  I think that the butterflies qualify for the challenge and I added a die cut butterfly from Amuse studio as well.  The image was colored with Copic Markers.  Stickles and gems were added to the flowers.  Stampin' Up! pearls were added to the die cut butterfly. The layout is from this week's sketch Card Positioning System Blog .  Such a versatile sketch with lots of possibilities! We are having fabulous summer weather here in Anchorage!  Sunny, clear skies and warm temperatures.  DH and I hope to take full advantage tomorrow with a day trip out of town to enjoy the Alaska scenery.... maybe hiking or fishing.  Hope you have plans for a great weekend!  Thanks for stopping by to take a closer look.

This week's Sweet Stop Sketch has a twist to use texture.  Here's the sketch we were asked to use: Here's what I came up with using Sweet 'n Sassy's Psalm 23 stamp: I used the following to include texture on my card:  distressing, machine stitching, dry embossing and buttons.  I really had fun putting this together and I'm pleased with the results.  I haven't dry embossed on designer then sponged for awhile.  I really like the effect (and texture) that it provides plus it's so easy! Thanks for stopping by to take a closer look!  Have a great evening.

This week the ladies over on Mo's Digital Challenge blog has given us a fun theme "At The Park".  I have spied several recent cards using this sweet " Tom and Tilly " image.  It wasn't yet in my Mo Manning collection, but this was the perfect challenge for the purchase! What a better way to spend the evening but sitting on a park bench watching the sunset? Of course, at this time of year, sunsets in Alaska don't happen until about midnight.  However, we have gorgeous sunsets during the Winter months! This adorable couple was colored with Copic Markers.  The sunset sky was sponged with various Memento inks - Dandelion Yellow, Rose Red and Tangelo.  I kept the layout very clean and simple to focus on the main image.  The Cuttlebug dotted swiss emboss folder was used to partially emboss the base card.  The sentiment is an old wooden stamp from Michael's $1 bin.  I've used it a lot because I really like the font. Thanks for stopping by ...

Cheryl is taking some much deserved family time for a couple of weeks.  That gave us two week's to make our posts.  It's easy to play along.  Just snap a couple of photos of what you have going on in your area of the world.  It doesn't have to be crafty. DH and I needed a much needed rest this weekend.  So, we packed up the camper, 4-wheelers and dogs and drove north a little ways to one of our favorite camping spots. This was the view from our campsite: We rode about 7 miles up to a small lake where DH did some trout fishing in his new, fancy raft.  Of course, he had some help...... We came back to camp with three small trout which were perfect for my dinner.  DH loves to fish, but doesn't eat fish!  Aren't I lucky?!  :0 Be sure and check the Sassy Cheryl Blog for all of the players.  Lots of crafty, busy gals are posting so you never know what you'll find!

This week's challenge on the There She Goes Challenge Blog is to create using circles. I used a circle designer paper from the new Bo Bunny "Hello Sunshine" paper stack.  The main image was cut with Spellbinder circle nestibilities and is from TSG's " Puppy Love " set. I'm having so much fun with the adorable images and sweet sentiments included in this set.  The image was colored with Copic Markers.  The birthday sentiment is computer generated. The sketch for this card is another great one from the CPS blog challenge: Thanks for stopping by to take a closer look!  Hope you have a great weekend wherever you may be.

This is my submission for this week's challenge over on the Mo's Challenge Blog .  Our challenge was an easy one this week:  Anything Goes with a Mo Image!  I've been waiting for the perfect challenge to color up this sweet little image called " Bubbles Girl ".  Of course, I combined one of the pups from " Lazy Mutt " and it seemed the perfect pairing! The girl image was colored with Copic Markers.  The sleeping pup was colored with Prismacolor pencils and baby oil.  The background of the main panel was sponged with Memento Dandelion ink.  Stampin' Up Crystal Effects was added to the bubbles after coloring with Copic Markers.  The sentiment is a freebie from the Create With TLC blog . We are having a rainy day here in Anchorage.  A perfect night to color and play!  Hope you have a chance to be creative this week.  Thanks for stopping by to take a closer look!

I am cleaning out my craft room and have the following retired Stampin' Up! sets for sale: A Lifetime of Happiness (2002)   $4.00 Alpha Shadows (2002)  $2.00 Sassy Seasonals (1998) UM $2.00 So Many Scallops (hostess set)  $4.00 Itty bitty Backgrounds (1997) $2.00 Happy Winter (1994) $3.00 Bold Blossom Greetings (1997) UM $2.00 Bold Birthday (1995)  $2.00 It's a Date (2005)  $4.00 Brushstroke Hummingbird (2000) $3.00 Beautiful Butterflies (1997) well used/ partial set $3.00 Petal Prints (2004) $5.00 Looks Like Spring (2006) $7.00 Close to My Heart: A Little Something  $4.00 The Angel Company (all rarely used): Day Dreaming $2.00 Rub A Dub $5.00 Fish Story  $3.00 All Things of Nature $5.00 Fishing Lures  $3.00 Miscellaneous: Memory Box clear set "Flower Patch" $3.00 Inkadinkado clear set  "Garden Flowers"  $2.00 Inkadinkado clear set "Dog's Life" inchies $2.00 Gina K Designs "Nana's Needlework Sentiments...

Happy Saturday!  I hope everyone is having a great weekend.  It was a beautiful, sunny day here in Anchorage.  I actually hung out my laundry and washed a couple of windows. Of course, tonight I am in my craft room playing!  This sweet Thank You card uses the Sweet 'n Sassy digital image " Bluebird ".  I had so much fun coloring and assembling this card!  I really wanted the "cool colors" to pop on the white base.  All of the embossing was done with Cuttlebug and Sizzix emboss folders.  A couple of prima flowers were added with Stampin' Up!  rhinestones in the center.  The digital image was colored with Prismacolor pencils and baby oil.  Stickles were added to the flower centers of the image.  The sentiment is from an older Close to My Heart set "For Every Occasion".  I am using this week's My Favorite Things Sketch as well. Challenge for which I am submitting this card: My Favorite Things sketch Sweet '...

I'm back with a second post tonight!  I am taking advantage while the mojo is flowing. :) This week's sketch over on the Sweet Stop blog is really fun and versatile. I turned the sketch horizontally for my version.  Since Father's Day is just around the corner, I used the new Sweet 'n Sassy set " Timeless Classic " by Dina Kowal.  This set is full of images which are perfect for my uncle who is a collector of antique auto's. Here's what I came up with: The base cardstock is Stampin' Up! Basic Grey and the designer paper is Frances Meyer.  I used my new Paper Studio star embossing folder for the circle panel.  The circles were cut out using Spellbinder Nestibilities.  I colored the vintage car with Copic Marker Buttercup Yellow.  I added a few metal "screw" brads to finish off the masculine look! Here's a look at the entire set and I've included the store link above. Thanks for stopping by for a closer lo...

This is the first week of the month and that's Trend Watch Challenge on the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge Blog .  The above photo is our inspiration piece for this week. I chose to focus on the variety of patterns and used that in paper swatches vertically along the edge of my card. Here's what I came up with: The images and sentiment are both from Paper Smooches " Birthday Buddies " set.  It's such a fun set full of whimsical animal critters.  The tall, skinny card size is 6.5 x 3.25 in keeping with the stack of birthday buddies.  I did a double line of machine stitching to finish off the border of paper swatches.  The designer papers are from Jillibean Soup Blossom Soup mini pad. Thanks for stopping by for a closer look!  I always enjoy reading your comments.

Elaine has asked us to create something "weather-related" with our Mo Manning digital images.  I know that most of the lower 48 is having hot temperatures which are perfect for this sweet image.  Alaska, not so much, but it's early yet in our summer! This is what I came up with using " Lacie ".  Lacie and her ice cream cone were colored with Copic markers.  The tree was created with a Spellbinder Nestibilities scalloped circle die.  The grass was cut using my new Memory Box Grassland Border.  Of course, I added a little bling to Lacie's sun glasses and Stickles to her ice cream cone. Thanks for stopping by to take a closer look!

 DH replacing the siding on the house today.  Plants ready for the garden. It's time again for the Show Me Challenge over on the Sassy Cheryl blog.  We are still Spring Cleaning and working on projects at my house.  My DH has been very busy with home projects this Spring.  His tomato plants even have tomatoes already!  Our overnight temperatures are still in the 30s so the garden hasn't been planted.  Just some lettuce seed, garlic and onions.   The next project is painting the house.  Ugh!  I know he's not looking forward to that since he just finished painting the inside of the house.  We are also having a couple of large trees removed.  Whew, lots of stuff going on around here this Spring! Hope you get a chance to share this week.  It's easy and you could win a Sassy Cheryl digital image!  Have a great weekend!

I'm back with a second post for tonight.  Wow, the inspiration is rolling so I'm going with it! Okay, at first I thought the There She Goes challenge this week dealt with wine!  Um, no this week's trendsetter - Karen has challenge us to use Cork with our TSG images. I love using texture on my cards and cork is a really fun texture to use in many ways.  I have never stamped on cork, so I thought "I wonder what it would look like to stamp directly on the cork".  Well, I stamped the pup on the cork directly and colored with Copic Markers.  The little girl image was paper pieced and colored with Copic Markers as well.  Both images are from There She Goes " Puppy Love " set.  I love anything dog themed so this set is perfect! I distressed and inked the edges of the base panels then machine stitched.  I have to say that I'm pleased with the results!  This card really took on a life of it's own as my original idea was nothing like this....

This is the Paper Smooches Sparks inspiration photo for this week's Picture Perfect challenge.  Wow, lots of inspiration in this photo!  I was really drawn to the arrangement of the plates on the wall and the variety of colors.  I focused on this element AND threw in a little aqua color as well. Here's what I came up with:  I used Paper Smooches Chubby Chum Pals set for this card.  This crab is adorable and the mix 'n match accessories in the set are so much fun.  I added the mustache from the set and googlie eyes.  I used miscellaneous buttons to mimic the plates on the wall of our inspiration photo.  They kind of reminded me of bubbles in my little ocean scene!  The ocean wave die is from The Cat's Pajama's. This was so much fun!  And it's a great "belated" birthday card that I can add to my stash.  Thanks for stopping by to take a closer look.  I always enjoy reading your comments!