Technique Challenge!

Happy Saturday all!

What a crazy week! I was all SORTS of messed up with the short week this week...but I'm really glad it's the weekend already! We had a parade tonight - and another one tomorrow...it feels good to be out marching again.







Lauren's challenge this week was to dry emboss on vellum. I like this technique alot, but my creativity was low the other day...but I did manage this:













I was pretty pleased with how it turned out. I stamped the flowers from Everyday Classics onto the vellum using the rock and roll technique (Summer Sunrise, Berry Sorbet, Raspberry Fizz) and then I embossed the lines from the back. I like the simplicity of this, and it didn't take long, but I think it's pretty neat looking.

Hope you get to play along this weekend...here's who else is playing along:

• Lauren Meader

• Alicia Weiman

• Dana Gustafson

• Pam

• Maria Levine

• Kristin

• Tamara Harder

• Mackenzie Bruckler

Here's a little peek at their creations:
















If you get to play along, be sure to use the keyword MTTCT01 when uploading your creation!! Looking forward to seeing what YOU do with the challenge!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Everyday Classics, Fancy Flourishes (both PTI)
Ink: Summer Sunrise, Berry Sorbet, Raspberry Fizz, New Leaf (all PTI), Brilliance Graphite Black
Paper: Select White, Vellum CS, Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise
Accessories: silver brads

Hot Stuff...

Hello All!

Wow - the week is just FLYING by since we had Monday off. So I'm also a day behind in what I wanted to post...oops!

Anyway - this post is twofold...Dustin Pike is releasing NEW images today -- talk about cute! Be sure to stop by his store and shop!! Also -- need more convincing??? The DT has been hard at work creating some GREAT stuff with these latest releases...go check them out!

• Becky in East Tennessee
• Charlotte De Zwart
• Cheri Howard
• Dominique Hornberger
• Ginny Christiansen
• Jason Casper
• Lana Clarke
• Leila Pierce
• Michelle Redman
• Paula Carr
• Peggy Marsh
• Poppet
• Ri
• Veronica Reed

This particular image happened to catch my eye, as he looked like a lot of fun to color...then I happened to be over at the Stampin' Out Alzheimers site (link to register on my sidebar) and saw a great challenge there, to use your copic markers...I didn't have the colors specified, so I improvised.















Stampin' Out Alzheimers is a 'pay to play' challenge site that will be open until May 31st ...TONS of great prizes for participating, so if you pay the suggested donation of $5, you have the chance to win some GREAT prizes (including some digis from Dustin!), and there are some FREEBIES there too!

I've made a few items for the challenges that I will be sharing here over the next few days.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Great Expectations (Verve)
Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Paper: Dark Chocolate (PTI), Whisper White, Cool Caribbean (SU!)
Accessories: White velvet ribbon (PTI), doodlebug bling (bon bon), Spellbinders Nestabilities (Labels 4 dies)

PTI Blog Hop Time!

WHEW!

It was close, but I was able to get this done, feed my family dinner, and get it posted in time :).

Yellow- I love it, but don't always get ti to 'work' for me...so this was certainly a challenge!

Are you all just not in LOVE with the new Fancy Flourishes, and Star Prints??? I know I am!!!

Here's my project:













I originally has something else in mind, but I can't put these stars down! The Lemon Tart layer has a background made from a repeated pattern of images from the Faux Ribbon set, stamped in Lemon Tart, for a tone on tone look.

The star was stamped in Versamark, and then I used white embossing powder (in this detail shot, you can see I can really use some detail white-- guess I'll be adding it to my next order!) Then I used my sakura stardust pen and scribbled in some spots, and wiped it off with a baby wipe...the effect?? lots of soft sparkle....













Hope you all had a relaxing weekend -- I know I'm DREADING work tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Star Prints, Fancy Flourishes, Faux Ribbon
Ink: SU! Basic Gray, Lemon Tart, Versamark
Paper: Lemon Tart, Kraft, Basic Gray(SU!)
Accessories: Dimensionals, white EP, sakura stardust pen

Thank you...

As you all celebrate the start of Summer...take time to think of those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.





































And for those of you out there...still putting your lives before mine, my daughters, my family, God Bless You and keep you safe from harm, we are forever grateful for you and your families...

Photos by Andrew Bossi and Adam Skoczylas

My Time to Create COLOR Challenge!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

It's shaping up to be a busy one here, but filled with family, fun, and a parade and memorial day ceremony...so it's bound to be good! What are YOUR plans for the weekend? Parties, parades, gardening?? All the while - don't forget to think of those who died fighting for your right to do all those wonderful things...My friend Josh is a member of The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps (the President's fife and drum corps) and he posted that he was honored to spend the day yesterday visiting and decorating the graves in Arlington National Cemetary. I don't know if I've ever been more proud to call him my friend.

Ok - I know you aren't here to read about my thoughts on Memorial day...I will get on to business. Lauren has given us a SUPER fun color combo to play with this week...here it is:











Is that dress not the SWEETEST?? I have to ask Lauren where she found it, because I adore it, and would love to see one (if not both) of my girls in one!

I received my Papertrey goodies the other day, and figured I'd make my project with some of my new finds :).

I chose the colors, Raspberry Fizz, Melon Berry, Lemon Tart, Spring Moss, and Aqua Mist all from PTI.

















I started out with a white card base, and stamped the large flourish from the new Papertrey Ink stamp set called, Fancy Flourishes in Brilliance Graphite Black ink. I picked out 5 different star designs to use, and stamped one on each of the colors of CS, and punched them out with Stampin' Up!'s Large Star Punch. I arranged them on my card front, and adhered them with dimensionals.

I then went back and stamped the little star image from the Star Prints set, around the flourish. I think this would be cool for a tween girl's birthday, don't you?

The rest of the Design team was awfully busy too - be sure to stop by and show them some love!! Here's a peek at what they've been up to...

• Alicia Weiman
• Dana Gustafson
• Dawn Easton
• Jen Tapler
• Kendra
• Kristin
• Lauren Meader
• Lisa
• Mackenzie Bruckler
• Maria Levine
• Odette
• Pam
• Tamara Harder

Hope you get to play along -- don't forget to use Keyword MTCC02 when uploading, and be sure to link using the Mr. Linky widget on Lauren's post!

Dustin Pike Release Today!!

Hi all~

Sorry I've been MIA - I'm still catching up from being away, plus was out LATE last night at the recording studio. Our drum corps CD should be ready soon, I'm so excited! Dustin Pike has a new release today - lots of SUPER cute images. With my funky schedule, I was not able to do as much as I had hoped, but did get this little cutie colored and onto a card.

















This combines two of the new images available today at Dustin's store.

Something else new that you may notice...in my right hand column, there's a widget for Stampin' Out Alzheimers. Jen Tapler is working very closely with Paper Craft Planet to plan an incredible event -- so CLICK on that link, donate today, and come and play!!

Speaking of Jen -- you GO girl! She won the guest star stamper contest for this month over at Papertrey Ink! Check out this post on Nichole's blog...and if you scroll waaaay down...you also see a project from me :) I got an honorable mention for my rosary box. Yay me!

Well, it's entirely TOO LATE, and I'll be regretting this in the morning - but GO SHOP Dustin's store, SIGN UP for Stampin' Out Alzheimers, and go congratulate Jen on her win!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Blog Candy ALERT!!!

Hey all~

Just wanted to pop in real quick. Came home from NH last night. Had a GREAT time with Paulette, Lauren, Molly, and my Mom. Got re-adjusted to home life today - and saw that Dustin Pike announced his first ever blog candy event!













Be sure to stop by his blog and see all of the details. You have the opportunity to brighten someone's day, and possibly WIN some FREE GOODIES!

Good luck!