Chicks with Inkpads

Important Bulletin - The Chicks Have Moved!

2009-04-14T19:27:00.003-04:00

Due t0 Cathy's complete inability to sort out her computer's deep and traumatic response to Blogger these days, we have been forced to relocate! Please click on the following link to be re-directed to our new address:

http://www.chickswithinkpads.wordpress.com/

We have been busily importing all our previous posts and info to the new blog site and we hope you'll bear with us as we work out any inconsistencies that might crop up in the short term! Also, please remember to change your bookmarks, favourites, and/or subscriptions to our new address so that you won't miss out on anything!

See you in the new neighbourhood - we think you'll like it there!

The Chicks Inspiration Challenge: Week 4!

2009-04-14T13:01:00.011-04:00

Here it is! Our week 4 inspiration pic! Doesn't it make you crave hot sunny days on the beach? I know it did for a couple of our guest designers - check out their samples below:

Donna MacDonald

Cathy Lewis

Margaret DeWitt

Janet Rossi

Emily Wundrock

Debbie Pamment

All right, now let's see yours! Simply link up your card using the Mr. Linky form below by midnight next Sunday and you might get the chance to be one of our guest designers too! If you are uploading to a public gallery, please enter CHIC4 in the keywords so that we can find you. Come and play under our Um Um Um Umberellas!

Chicks Challenge Week 3 Results!

2009-04-14T12:51:00.006-04:00

Another week and another selection of beautiful card samples submitted to our inspiration challenge! Here's a little reminder of what the week 3 inspiration pic looked like:

And here are all the gorgeous cards that were linked up as a result:

Sue Berkley

Karine

Debbie Pamment

Margaret De Witt

Thanks ladies for sharing your cards with us! Once again, you are all invited to be Guest Designers for next weeks Challenge. If you would like to participate, simply email Cathy at inkycathy@gmail.com to get the inspiration photo a week in advance.....

The rest of you will have to wait, but don't worry - the week 4 challenge is coming right up!

SCS - Colour Challenge #214, 2 Sketches 4 You Challenge

2009-04-14T10:03:00.001-04:00

I decided to make two cards for today's SCS Colour Challenge. The colours were Pink Pirouette, So Saffron and Bordering Blue.

For the above card, I used a Sunshine Designs stamp that I purchased when Cathy had The Ink Spot. You can pretty much do anything with this stamp. I stamped Black Stazon onto watercolour paper and used the challenge colours to watercolour it. I added stickles in coordinating colours around the rim and on the bottom portion of the cup. I layered that onto So Saffron (textured) and then onto a bigger Bordering Blue panel and tied 5/8" Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon. I used a Hero Arts sentiment. My card base is Gina K. 120 lb. card stock. I layered that with Pink Pirouette that I ran through the Script Cuttlebug. For my second card, I used the 2 Sketches 4 You Sketch Challenge. Bordering Blue as my card base. I stamped Seeing Spots in the challenge colours on a piece of Whisper White card stock and layered that on a Pink Pirouette panel then tied some Saffron ribbon from the retired Ribbon Originals (Sherbet). I punched out the thank you sentiment with the 1 1/4" punch and layered that on the Saffron 1 3/8" circle. I punched out the centre flower (stamped in Bordering Blue) with the 3/4" punch. I also punched out the scallop in Pink Pirouette. I punched a small hole through all layers and adhered a pink rhinestone brad in the centre. I used a rub-on from the Chit Chat package on the bottom right and that finished it off. I hadn't used the Seeing Spots set in a very long time so I'm glad I could make my own patterned paper out of it. Thanks for lookin'.

Corrosive Challenge #7

2009-04-14T09:30:00.000-04:00

Did Christmas come early?

Nah! I just decided to do a Christmas card for Janet's Corrosive Challenge. Here's the image:I used the beautiful deer from The Magic of Christmas set (Rupa Shevde) by Gina K. Designs. I stamped it on watercolour paper in Timber Brown Stazon and used various shades of brown from S-U with my aquapainter. I cut it and layered it with my oval nesties. My card base is Blush Blossom and has a Kiwi Kiss panel on top of that. I layered some patterned paper with Chocolate Chip. I added some Old Olive brads and ribbon on the patterned paper panel. I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set on the bottom right of the card. I hope you like it!

SCS - Sketch Challenge #195

2009-04-14T08:19:00.002-04:00

Thank goodness I have lots of friends (or at least I think I do!!) - I've been making a lot of friendship cards lately. I actually have been giving a lot of my cards away to friends and my MIL was recently visiting for Easter and she went home with a bunch (boy was I happy - I've been a stamping machine lately and I'm glad she can make use of them). Here is my submission for sketch challenge 195 over at Splitcoast:

The card base is Whisper White. I used Blossoms Abound for my main image (it was collecting lots of dust in the cupboard) in Pale Plum and Perfect Plum. I used two kinds of stickles to make the grapes really pop (it is so glittery IRL - I love it). I used patterened paper for my other panels and layered them with card stock (kiwi kiss and perfect plum). I used the Oval All set for my sentiment and layered it with the Oval Scallop punch. I also added a little prima flower and rhinestone brad (there was a little gap in the DSP and I thought it needed a little something). Again, a pretty simple card, but I'm happy with it. Thanks for having a look!

SC193 - Glad we're friends

2009-04-14T08:13:00.004-04:00

I was just catching up on a couple of older sketch challenges on SCS. This is my submission for challenge #193:

I realized I've been using this stamp a lot lately, but it is so lovely and can really be used for any occasion. My card base is Whisper White and I layered some DSP over that. I cut a strip of Chocolate Chip for the left side panel. My three horizontal panels are Kiwi Kiss and I've wrapped some Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon around them. I coloured the flower with Blender Pens using Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red & Kiwi Kiss inks. I layered that on a Pink Pirouette panel. I used the Best Yet set for my sentiment and punched it out with a 1 3/8" circle punch. I layered that with Chocolate Chip scallop circle punch. I finished the card off with a few dew drops. A pretty simple card, but it took me forever!

Three Clovers Thursday Color Challenge #8 and Clean and Simple Sketch Challenge

2009-04-13T17:15:00.004-04:00

The color combo for the Three Clovers Thursday Color Challenge #8 is: Rose Red, So Saffron, Always Artichoke and this is the sketch for the Clean & Simple Challenge from last week:

The card base is Whisper White and I layered a piece of Saffron patterned paper on Always Artichoke. I stamped the flower from Echoes of Kindness with Black Stazon on watercolour paper and coloured it with Rose Red and Always Artichoke. The sentiment is a rub-on from S-U. I layered the main panel with Always Artichoke and So Saffron. I tied a Rose-y red satin ribbon with a little buckle around the patterned paper panel. This really is a clean & simple card - my favourite kind!

Mojo Monday Week 82

2009-04-13T16:54:00.003-04:00

What a fantastic layout!

As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew I wanted to use this DSP from Stampin' Up. It matches perfectly with the Dreams du Jour stamp set, and the Love You stamp was the right size for the square image. I toyed around with how I was going to layer it, but wanted to give it a little punch with black. I coloured the flower with Blender Pens using Baja Breeze ink. I cut out the square and mounted it on Baja Breeze and Basic Black. The square panel behing it is Whisper White and Baja Breeze. The card base is Baja Breeze too. I used the Eyelet Border punch on both layers. I used the sentiment from the Always set and punched it with the large oval punch. I sponged around it with Baja Breeze and used another layer in Black to tie in the black again. I used the beautiful Whisper White Satin ribbon to finish it off. Thanks for having a look.

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #63

2009-04-13T16:43:00.005-04:00

Cathy is right - I have been blurfing a lot lately! I really love doing the Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge and this is my second attempt at this one. I didn't like my first try at all, so am not going to post it. I think I did a better job with this one:

I haven't used this beautiful pear from Stampers' Anonymous for a long time. I decided to pull out my pastels too, which have also been collecting dust. I stamped the pear in Versamark and rubbed various colours of pastels over it. I sponged So Saffron around the edges. I added a the "hello" sentiment. I layered it with Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip panels. My card base is also Chocolate Chip and I used a Kiwi patterned paper over that. I wrapped some chocolate satin ribbon over a Saffron panel. I added a flower from the Flower Fusion kit and used a polka dot brad from the Dollar store.

Feeling a Breath of Spring...

2009-04-13T11:20:00.004-04:00

Donna has been "blurfing" her little heart out, discovering all kinds of wonderful challenges for us to play. I really like this challege from Our Creative Corner. I knew immediately that I wanted to so something with a soft spring feel to match the sunny day outside my window today!

I've had this stamp from Club Scrap for a few years and I thought it would fit my vision perfectly!

It's been a while since I indulged my love of Asian images and I really enjoyed making this card. The image is stamped with Black Dye Ink, but I used a red marker to pick out the Japanese characters. I coloured the whole lightly with art pencils and used a bit of gamsol to blend just the background. Although you can't really see it in the picture, I used several shades of Art Institute Glitter to highlight the bird, the flowers, and the top edge of the largest leaves. It really added a pretty shimmer to the card!

I cut the circle with my nesties then embossed it with my favourite Cuttlebug floral embossing folder for texture. A prima flower, a pearlized brad and a sentiment panel and it was done! I particularly like this colour combo - you might see it again (and again) from me!

Just in Time for Easter!

2009-04-13T11:05:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone! I am still experiencing problems with my computer, so at the moment I can only post if I visit Donna and use hers! So until I find another solution, my posts might be a little sporadic! Today's card is in response to Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. The sketch looks like this:

But I had to flip it and fiddle it a bit in order use these images for a fun Easter card!

I used a branch from a Pink Paislee Clear Stamp Set "Autumn" and the eggs and bunny are from the SU set, "An egg-cellent Easter." I initially stamped the branch with dye inks but it didn't look so hot and I ended up filling it in and adding some shading with my Copic markers. I masked the branch and stamped the egg three times, also colouring these with Copics. The lines are drawn with a gold gel pen and then I added some dimension with brads and ribbon. I felt like the white background was a bit flat so I stippled it with some pale blue dye ink.

The rest of the card us just some layering with cardstock and some fun flocked sky paper from Heidi Grace. I didn't have room for the embellishment as placed in the sample, so I trimmed out the bunny, coloured with Copics and slipped it behind the main panel up top I thought it turned out pretty cute!

SCS - Sketch Challenge #199

2009-04-13T09:28:00.004-04:00

Here is the birthday card I'll give my sister tomorrow. I think this Golden Oldies set from Stampin' Up is so adorable! I am sure I'll get lots of use out of it. I used an old sketch challenge from SCS for my layout. I stamped the old lady (sorry Sharon!) on watercolour paper with Black Stazon. I used aquapainters and various inks (bashful blue, baja blue, kiwi kiss, gray, brown, blush) to colour her. I layered her on Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss panels. I added flower photo corners on two sides. The card base is Whisper White and I layered a flower patterned paper on Baja Breeze to the left side of the card. The sentiment is from Verses Rubber Stamps and is called "Old". I layerd that on Baja Breeze. The lady is popped up with dimensionals. Thanks for having a look!

Chicks Inspiration Challenge: Week 3!

2009-04-07T08:00:00.015-04:00

Here it is! Week 3 of The Chicks' Inspiration Challenge! As with last week, there are no rules! Just look at the picture and make any project it leads you to! You have until Sunday, April 11th at midnight EST to link up using the Mr. Linky form at the bottom of this post. If you need help with any part of this process, simply click on the lable "Tutorials" in the right sidebar for step by step instructions. If you are uploading to a public gallery like Splitcoast Stampers, please enter CHIC3 in the keywords so that we can see all your lovely samples in one place!

Start by checking out the samples our guest designers made this week!

Cathy Lewis

Donna MacDonald

Janet Rossi

Emily Wundrock

Shelley Weaver

Cat Spicer # 1

Cat Spicer # 2!

Thank you ladies for these gorgeous examples to get us started! Cat actually made 4 samples for us but I had some technical difficulties with two of them. (Sorry - Cat, send me your blog address and I'll link everybody up so they can see them)!

Chicks Challenge: Week 2 Top Five!

2009-04-07T07:55:00.009-04:00

Thanks to all of you who participated in last week's Chicks' Inspiration Challenge. We had five gorgous entries and once again we'd like to share all of them with you! We'd also like to invite all five to be our guest designers for the week 4 challenge. If you are one of the entries listed below, please email Cathy at inkycathy@gmail.com to let me know if you'd like to participate and I will get the week 4 challenge out to you right away!

Here's a little reminder of last week's challenge:

And all of our beautiful entries!

Debbie Pamment

Janet Rossi

Margaret De Witt

Emily Wundrock

Shelley Weaver

Thanks again for playing ladies - we are in awe of your talents!

Prairie Paper and Ink Sketch Challenge #56

2009-04-07T06:20:00.002-04:00

Happy Easter! This is a new challenge for me this week. I made this card for my boys to give to their Auntie Sharon for her birthday on Tuesday. I'll make another card for her using a different sketch challenge that I'll make and post later today. I stamped the cupcake from Crazy for Cupcakes in Black Stazon on watercolour paper. I paper pieced the cupcake wrapper with some DSP and coloured the icing with chocolate chip ink using an aqua painter. The candle was watercoloured with YoYo Yello and Regal Rose. I layered the main image with Chocolate Chip and rounded the corners on both panels. I added stickles for a little bling (after the card was put together). I used Gina K. 120 lb. card stock as my card base. I layered a Regal Rose panel that I ran through the Birthday Cuttlebug folder. I added some S-U DSP and wrapped Regal Rose 5/8" ribbon around the card. I added a few buttons. Thanks for having a look.

K Werner Color Challenge 46, Kerin Sylvester Sketch Challenge #8

2009-04-07T06:20:00.000-04:00

During my recent "blurfing", I came across a number of new challenges that I am really interested in participating in. Although this is absolutely wonderful, there are not enough hours in the day for me to create a card for every one of them unless I combine the challenges when possible. Most of the challenges I have flagged are sketch challenges, but I know I'll find other colour and inspiration challenges out there to help me along! I combined the K Werner Color Inspiration Challenge #49 with Kerin Sylvester's Sketch Challenge #8. I used Hero Arts Asian Frames for my main image and used blender pens to pick up ink and colour in the image. I layered it with Basic Black and Kiwi Kiss. I added Rose Red brads to the corners. I used various S-U DSP's and one non S-U patterned paper behind the main image. My card base is Basic Black and I layered it with Whisper White. I inked part of a sentiment with a black marker and punched it out with oval punches. I used Pacific Point around the sentiment. That's it! Thanks for having a look.

Truly Scrumptious Sketch Challenge #4

2009-04-07T06:17:00.002-04:00

Here is my submission for the Truly Scrumptious Sketch Challenge #4. This is another sketch that is quite out-of-the-box for me. I don't usually make square cards, but I've just purchased some envelopes that will fit these puppies, so I'm all set! I inked the Inspired by Nature flowers with my S-U markers in Barely Banana, So Saffron and More Mustard and used Close to Cocoa and Black on the top. I used Certainly Celery and Old Olive on the stem & leaves. I misted the stamp with a little water and stamped it on Whisper White card stock. I cut it out and layered it with my oval nesties. I used circle nesties for the two side panels in More Mustart & Old Olive. The card base is Basic Black and I used some DSP over that. I used some retired "Jersey" S-U ribbon across the centre. The sentiment is a rub-on from S-U. I used a few of Baba's buttons (are you sick of hearing that yet?) to finish it all off. Thanks for having a look.

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 12 (even though it's Thursday)

2009-04-07T06:15:00.000-04:00

I found a few more sketch challenges yesterday and created a few cards last night. You know this hobby is becoming an obsession when it's midnight and you know you have to go to bed in order to get up in time to get the kids off to school. Maybe I didn't want to go to bed to listen to my DH snore his head off! See, he's put a few pounds on over the past few months and this leads to what I call the "snore build-up". He starts off breathing normally, but within a minute, his breathing turns into a light snore and progresses until he's in full-blown snore mode. Now, I'm a really light sleeper - always have been - and I just can't ignore this. I have to LISTEN for the "snore build-up" and then I just get mad. He tells me he isn't sleeping, so how can he be snoring? Huh?? I decided last night that to save my sanity and maybe get some sleep, I'd just sleep in the spare room. Of course, because I wasn't in my own bed next to my warm hubby, I couldn't sleep! Why bother? I'd rather be stamping anyway!
Ok - onto the card. This sketch comes from the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge. It's a simple layout, but I think those can be the most challenging. I used Gina K. 120 lb. card stock for my base card and layered Blush Blossom over that. In retrospect, I think I should have used an embossing folder on that layer to give it a little more visual interest. The middle panel uses Sage Shadow and the patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye Tres Jolie line called "Beauty" Floral. The sentiment is from Verses Rubber Stamps and is called "Souls in this World". I used S-U markers in Close to Cocoa and Mellow Moss (I messed up - I thought I pulled out Sage Shadow!). I popped it with dimensionals. I added some of Baba's buttons and voila!

Paper Pretties Sketch Challenge 42

2009-04-07T06:13:00.004-04:00

Isn't this a cool sketch? It's definitely a little different for me. I came across this sketch from Paper Pretties when I was "blurfing" - that is the most disgusting name for blog surfing I have ever heard - anyway, I thought I'd try my hand at it. The card measures 5x5. I used Very Vanilla as my card base. I layered some lovely patterned paper on top (I can't recall who makes this paper - I want to say DCVW, but I'm not certain). My hydrangea is by Anna Griffin for All Night Media. I used my S-U markers in various colours and randomly inked it up. The leaves used Certainly Celery and Mellow Moss. I used my nesties to cut out the oval and scallop oval. I layered that over the Pale Plum and Perfect Plum strips. I tied some organdy ribbon I bought at the dollar store over the Perfect Plum pane. I added some pewter brads, also from the dollar store around the scallop. I am super pleased how this turned out. Thanks for taking a look!

Second Color Throwdown #37

2009-04-07T06:10:00.003-04:00

Here is my second submission for the Color Throwdown challenge to use cameo coral, sage shadow and pink pirouette. I thought I'd try a one-layer card, which I hardly ever do. I really liked how this one turned out! I used Gina K.'s Comfort and Peace set along with 120 lb. card stock. My only embellishment is pink pirouette 5/8" grosgrain ribbon. Thanks for having a look!

Corrosive Challenge #6

2009-04-07T06:09:00.001-04:00

This is my submission for Janet's Corrosive Challenge #6 - to make a card that had a Spring/Easter theme. I thought I'd use flowers as I don't have any in my garden yet but they scream spring to me. The sentiment was a rub-on. I used one of Baba's buttons (you'll see that a lot over the next little bit -I'm on a roll with them). I coloured the flowers in with markers. I added a couple of brads in the corners. A pretty simple card, but good for almost any occasion.

By the way, Cathy's computer is "on the blink" (as my Baba used to say). She wanted me to let you know that she hasn't forgotten about all of you (or me). She mentioned she has lost a little of her mojo, but I'm sure she will get her creative streak back very soon and Brian will be able to fix her computer (he is the go-to guy after all).

2 Sketches 4 You - Spring Theme

2009-04-07T06:05:00.004-04:00

Here is my submission for the 2 Sketches 4 You challenge this week. I really like these soft colours and guess what? I got to use more of Baba's buttons! She would be so proud of me for reusing something that she had collected for years! There are literally hundreds of various buttons and I'm going to try to add some here and there to my cards. The stamp comes from A Flower for All Seasons. I acquired this set at a Mega Meeting for the AmazinkCanadians group I belong to in South Western Ontario. I wouldn't have purchased this set myself, but I have used it quite a bit. The sentiment was from an S-U rub-on package. I used celery ribbon that came from the Sale-A-Bration ribbon bundle. I layered a few prima flowers on as well. Thanks for taking a peek.

Color Throwdown 37

2009-04-07T04:44:00.002-04:00

Here is my take on today's Color Throwdown 37. I used a sketch challenge 58 from SCS for a little layout help. This is a pretty neat colour combo. I had this great patterened paper from Prima Marketing Inc. from the Tea and Silk Collection called "Katsura". It is the perfect coral colour. I layered that on my Very Vanilla card base. I used the challenge colours in my flower from Soft Summer (S-U). I cut it out and popped it up on vanilla card stock that was embossed with the Damask Texturz plate. I layered that with Pink Pirouette and Sage Shadow panels. I used the Easter Wishes sentiment from the All Holidays set and punched it with my square S-U punches I used hand held punches so I could thread the pink gingham ribbon through. I finished it off with cream coloured self-adhesive circles.

Woo Hoo - One Hundred Posts!

2009-04-06T20:00:00.003-04:00

Cue the band and break out the pinatas - this is the Chicks' 100th post! (I know, I know, we're posting maniacs)!

Anyway, thanks for travelling along with us and our ramblings - we hope you're having as much fun as we are and will keep checking in on us from time to time.

For those of you who have been wondering if Cathy has dropped off the face of the Earth - the answer is no! Real life intruded temporarily (don't you hate that)! and she has been experiencing technical difficulties involving a little something called Javascript. Her IT guy a.k.a. her husband, is on the case and we hope to have her back online blogging happily very soon!

Take care, everybody!

Mojo Monday Week 81

2009-04-06T10:31:00.005-04:00

This is my submission for today's Mojo Monday challenge. I had the birds already coloured and the sentiment done so I just separated the birds and layered them with Tangerine Tango and Chocolate Chip. I found some cord buttons from my Baba's stash (long story but if you want to find out, read down in my posts a few entries, and you'll find out all about Baba). My card base is Gina K. 120 lb. white card stock. I layerd the Good Morning Sunshine DSP with Chocolate Chip. The birds were watercoloured. Have a terrific day everyone!

The Chicks' Stamp Swap!

2009-04-04T09:47:00.006-04:00

Join us for THE CHICKS STAMP SWAP!

Where: 75 Germorda Drive, Oakville, ON (6th Line & Leighland Ave.)

When: Saturday, May 23rd, 2009, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Rain date: May 24, 2009)

Is your collection of stamps and craft supplies out of control? Got stuff that seemed like a good idea at the time, but now... not so much? Trying to watch your pennies? Want new stuff anyway? Join the club! But don't fret, the Chicks have the perfect solution! Join us for our first ever Chicks Stamp Swap! It's a fantastic opportunity to clear out some of your unwanted stamps and crafting supplies in exchange for "Chicks' Cash" which you can redeem for brand new Stampin' Up Merchandise!

How it works: Contact Donna at smacdonald3@cogeco.ca to book a space at the sale. Prepare your merchandise by cleaning, packaging and pricing it ($1 increments only please). Customers will purchase items from you using "Chicks Cash" and at the end of the sale; you can redeem your "cash" at full face value for Stampin’ Up! merchandise! An order will be placed immediately following the sale. You may also redeem your "cash" for a Stampin’ Up! Gift Certificate, which can be redeemed through Donna for up to 3 months from the date of the event. We will contact you once the merchandise has arrived to arrange for pick-up or delivery. We will advertise the sale in various locations, including our blog, the local newspaper and various web-sites. You can help increase your sales (and therefore the amount of product you can redeem it for) by spreading the word about the sale to your family, friends and acquaintances! Don't have anything to sell? That's O.K! We need shoppers too! So mark your calendars - this is one event you don't want to miss!

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #61

2009-04-02T23:39:00.009-04:00

I thought this sketch was so cute, I decided to make two cards for this challenge. What can I say, I'm on a MAJOR card-making roll today. The card below was made with a Very Vanilla base. I layered on some patterned paper from Junkits' Grandparents Collectionz called "grandma's flowers". Most of it is hidden, but trust me, it's gorgeous paper! I layered two 1-1/2" slightly different coloured brown panels on the top and side. I absolutely love the Thoughts and Prayers tree/flower and thought the tree would go well with the paper. I added the sentiment from the new Great Friend set from S-U. I layered that with the same brown as on the side panel (non S-U; GASP!). I added some ink to the sides of the tree image to mirror the texture in the patterned paper. I layered a bunch of different flowers that I've had in my stash for ages & added a brad to secure them.

For my next card, I used Regal Rose as my card base. I added some S-U DSP on top of that. I added a Regal Rose panel and Certainly Celery panel (both 1-1/2" inches wide). I ran them both through the Texturz plate and adhered them. I stamped a sentiment from the retired Friendship Flowers set and layered it on Celery and Regal Rose. I used the ticket corner punch on the sentiment and Celery layers and added Celery brads on the Rose layer. I sponged around the sentiment as well to add a little depth. I layered a bunch of paper flowers together and secured them with a green rhinestone brad.

I'm heading to bed. I'm sure I won't post as many tomorrow. Night, night.

Second Shot at the Stamp TV Sketch Challenge #6

2009-04-02T22:56:00.004-04:00

Here's my second try at the Stamp TV Sketch Challenge #6. This time, I used a Gina K. stamp from Down on the Farm for my focal image. I watercoloured it and layered it on some circle punches. I added some doodling (again) with my signo white gel pen. I tried to blow on the end to get the ink to go down to the tip, but all I got was light-headed! After 15 minutes, I finally got enough to go around the scallop. Cathy told me she HATES red cards - well, honey, this one's for you! My card base is Riding Hood Red and my panels are chocolate chip and DSP from Stampin' Up. I used the sentiment from the new Great Friend set from S-U. I used two buttons from the collection I was given by my Baba. Here's the story - Baba was my grandmother on my dad's side and she lived to be 98 years old. She used to darn and crochet things all the time. She lived through some pretty hard times, especially the depression. She saved everything! I remember her saving bacon fat (I have to admit I do that once in awhile - roasting potatoes with it is amazing!), little ends of the soap that she'd put in the end of a nylon once she had enough to make another bar, plastic milk bags that she would reuse to freeze things in (they are pretty sturdy), and many other things. I have hundreds of buttons of various shapes and sizes. One night, I spent hours sorting through them into like-colours and put them in baggies. Often, I can't quite get the right fit for my cards, but today, I hit pay-dirt twice! I cut off the nubs on the underside to make them a little flatter. I ended up pinching my hand with the tool I used when I squeezed the handle. Nobody told me this craft was DANGEROUS! I love the way they look. Unfortunately, I stuck the top one down in a spot I wasn't quite happy with, and when I tried to pull it off, it ripped the paper. Well, back down it went! Despite my toil and labour, I think the card is kinda cute!

Stamp TV Sketch Challenge #6

2009-04-02T17:24:00.008-04:00

I think I'm going a little wonky - I felt almost COMPELLED to do another challenge today. Not only that, I knew I had more polka dot paper, so wanted to do The Cat's Pajamas Inspiration Challenge AGAIN! So, here is my submission for that challenge, coupled with the Stamp TV Sketch Challenge #6: My card base is Sage Shadow and the background panel is Chocolate Chip. My patterned paper (not sure who made it) went on the top part of the card and the bottom two panels are Tangerine Tango and Kiwi Kiss. I used the Trendy Tree stamp and layered it with various size circle punches. I added dots with chocolate chip and white signo gel markers. I popped the circle up. I initially had stamped the sentiment directly on the tangerine and kiwi panels, but it wasn't straight so I put it on vanilla CS and punched it with the word window punch and added some to each coloured panel. As my final touch, I added two of Baba's buttons with some vanilla satin ribbon tied through the holes. I think this is happy card - at least I'm happy with it!

The Cat's Pajamas (TCP) Inspiration Challenge, Weekend Sketch Challenge #74

2009-04-02T15:13:00.007-04:00

Another two for one deal! Ya gotta LOVE that! I know I do - there are so many different challenges out there. I'm feeling a little OCD coming on to try to get to as many of these as possible! I could easily spend ALL day and night surfing blogs, looking at galleries and making cards. I know I'm not alone out there! I decided to put together last week's Weekend Sketch Challenge #74 with Tuesday's The Cat's Pajamas Inspiration Challenge. I've had this horrible patterned paper for a few years (it came in a package with other horrible paper!) but I just knew one day it would come in handy for something. Ha! I was right - it fit great for the inspiration piece. My card base is Baja Breeze. Am I getting tired of this colour yet? NO! I layered by patterned paper with Basic Black and used my new Oval All stamp set with the coordinating oval scallop punch. I wanted another layer so pulled out my nesties for another scallop layer. I doodled on the Kiwi Kis scallop layer for a little more visual interest.

Ok, now I want you amazing stampers out there to try the Chicks' Inspirtion Challenge!

Belli Challenge for April Fools - A day late!

2009-04-02T09:01:00.004-04:00

A quick card I whipped up for the Belli Challenge. This challenge was to make a card with the theme of APRIL'S FOOL DAY. I was doing other stuff yesterday and didn't come across this blog until this morning. I'm always up for a challenge, so why not? I had the Regal Rose embossed piece laying around so all I had to do was find a stamp that fit (sort of) the challenge. The stamp and sentiment are from Gina K. I watercoloured piggy using various pink-hued inks. I've been hoarding my hardware (that sounds kinda rude, doesn't it?!) so that I'd break that out too. A few punches and some ribbon - done!

Color Dare 10, SC222

2009-04-01T10:13:00.005-04:00

Two, two, two for the price of one! As usual, I'm combining two challenges. This time, I'm combining the SCS Sketch Challenge 222 with Color Dare 10 to use Tangerine Tango, Taken with Teal and Kiwi Kiss. I stamped this Bella image yesterday but didn't colour it yet. When I saw the Sketch Challenge and the Color Challenge, I knew exactly what to do. This came together pretty easy and I'm happy with it. I added a few sticky jewels in a light kiwi colour to both sides of the main image. I gotta get to work, so have a wonderful day!

Colour Throwdown #36

2009-04-01T08:50:00.007-04:00

This is my submission for Color Throwdown #36. This one was a little tricky for me. I picked up the Stamper's Sampler Take Ten magazine yesterday (yes, Cathy, you can look through it today - come on over). Jen del Muro has a layout and sample on page 22 and I thought I'd try that on for size. I struggled with my patterned paper choices a little, but I'm really happy with how this looks. I used a variety of patterned papers (4 of them), two of which are from the S-U Hostess package. My butterfly comes from Savvy Stamps. I used Versa Magic pigment inks (Pixie Dust, Rocket Red Gold and Pearlescent Rust) and stamped it on Very Vanilla. I then clear embossed and cut her out. I popped her on Turquoise patterned paper as well as Regal Rose and Tangerine Tango. The sentiment comes from the retired Best Yet stamp set. I wish they would bring this set back - it's perfect to circle punch and layer. A few rhinestone brads and it's done. It just kills me that it can take me over an hour to make one card! I guess you can't rush art! I'd better think of someone special to give this to.

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge 2 and 2 Sketches 4 You Sketch Challenge

2009-03-31T23:29:00.008-04:00

Two challenges in one!

This is my submission for Dawn McVey's Week 2 Color Challenge as well a 2 Sketches 4 You sketch challenge this week.The patterned paper fit so nicely with the colour challenge that I wanted that to be my focus. For embellishments, I used a giant brad with a cute flower pattern (dollar store) as well as one of my Baba (grandmother)'s buttons. She saved EVERYTHING because she lived through the depression. I "inherited" these buttons from her and use them occasionally. If I ever want to use them up, I'd better put them on every card I make from now to eternity! She was a great lady and I miss her dearly.

Ok, now that I've uploaded another card, I really have to get to bed!

OCC Colour Challenge

2009-03-31T23:17:00.005-04:00

It's getting late, but I wasn't ready for bed, so I was looking through some of the blogs I have listed as "favourites" on my computer. I had forgotten about Our Creative Corner's colour challenge, so thought I'd give it a whirl. The colours this week are More Mustard, Bashful Blue and Not Quite Navy. I stamped Rubberbootabella with Black Stazon on watercolour paper and paper pieced the umbrella with S-U SAB DSP. I coloured her boots with Not Quite Navy, her skirt with Bashful Blue and her top with More Mustard. I used Blush Blossom on her skin and Close to Cocoa for her hair. I added a few self-sticking rhinestones and added the sentiment on the bottom. A pretty quick and easy card for 11:15 p.m. Gotta go get some ZZZZZ's.

Chicks Inspiration Challenge - Week 2!

2009-03-30T21:32:00.007-04:00

Here it is! Week 2 of The Chicks' Inspiration Challenge. Last week, we had five participants in our brand new challenge. It's a great start, but next week when all five of them are the guest designers, we're going to need some new players! So don't be shy, join us and play! As with last week, there are no rules! Just look at the picture and make any project it leads you to! You have until Sunday, April 5th at midnight EST to link up using the Mr. Linky form at the bottom of this post. If you need help with any part of this process, simply click on the lable "Tutorials" in the right sidebar for step by step instructions.

Start by checking out the samples our guest designers made this week!

Donna MacDonald

Cathy Lewis

Karen Motz

Dana White

Joy Atkinson

Laurel Halliwushka

Chicks Inspiration Challenge - Week 1 Top Five!

2009-03-30T21:05:00.008-04:00

O.K. I know only five people played the challenge in week one. But we loved all five entries and we are thrilled to invite all of you to be guest designers for our Week 3 challenge! If you would like to participate, please contact Cathy with your email address (inkycathy@gmail.com) and we will send you the week 3 challenge in advance so you can "get ready for your closeup!"

Without further ado, here are our "top five" for Week One:

Shelley Weaver

Janet R

Emily Wundrock

Margaret De Witt

Cat Spicer

Great job Ladies - Thanks for playing!

Mojo Monday Week 80

2009-03-30T09:11:00.005-04:00

I have to say, I do like starting my day off making a card, especially if it is for Mojo Monday! I'm trying to decide (still) if I like this stamp set or not (Best Kind of Friend). I think I do, but I don't often reach for it when I am making cards. I guess it was needing a little love today so why not? This is a great layout. The flowers are just starting to peek out in the garden, so I had that in my head too. I used Gina K. 120 lb. card stock for my card bae. The patterned paper is S-U (of course!). I used versa mark, then Riding Hood Red and clear embossed the flower pot. I used Regal Rose, Ruby Red and Old Olive to colour the flowers. Kiwi satin ribbon and a few rhinestones from the dollar store along with a couple of punches and c'est fini. Have a terrific day everybody!

Connor's Birthday Card

2009-03-27T09:06:00.005-04:00

Happy 17th Birthday, Connor! It was my nephew's birthday on Monday and this is the card we gave him. He has had a litte grass-cutting business for about 4 summers (he's very entrepreneurial!). He's a great kid and as quirky as he sometimes is, he's got a heart of gold. The sentiment inside says "and many mower". The card base is Sahara Sand and I stamped the Sanded background on it (see what I did there?). I watercoloured the image with various markers and layered it with Riding Hood Red and Basic Black. I've had some retired ribbon for a couple of years and since it matched, threw that on as well. The ticket corner punch was used and the card was finished off with a few black brads.

Kristina Werner Colour Inspiration #47

2009-03-27T08:32:00.005-04:00

As I often do, I combined challenges - it makes me feel like I've accomplished something major (I know, it's a little thing, but it helps me get through the day!). This time, I put together Kristina's Colour Inspiration Challenge from yesterday with the SCS Sketch Challenge #221. I had the chicks image from A Little Birdie Told Me on my craft table for about 2 months! Actually, I have about 10 of them sitting there because I was going to use them for a swap, but never did. This one was already coloured too - I only added grass under their little toes (do chicks have toes?). My card measures 5" x 5". The base is Gina K. 120 lb. card stock. I added panels using DSP. The "It's your birthday" sentiment comes from Gina K. too. I used a nestie punch to frame it and I finished it off with some Tangerine grosgrain that I've had forever and some orange brads. TGIF!

An Apple a Day...

2009-03-26T10:56:00.007-04:00

This is one of those cards that started out as a swirling mass of little inspiration sparks in the deep recesses of my brain combining all kinds of lovely details that I had collected over the past week in my travels through blogland. It began its slow journey with this sketch from the excellent 2sketches4you blog which posts a challenge every Monday. I loved the sketch and I really loved the samples the design team had come up with. In particular, a few of the ladies had used that Nesties lable shape I love so much, and one of them had added a gorgeous detail using eyelets and ribbon that I decided I had to try!

Then, as I was surfing around, I came across a simply fabulous tutorial at Paperfections on colouring fruit with Copic Markers. I was in love! But....I didn't own any images of fruit to try it on. So, hot on my (perceived) success at creating a hand drawn image of my dog, I spent a day coming up with some of my own drawn images of fruit. In particular, I was pleased with this image of a bushel of apples. And you know what they say about apples!

So I happily coloured my image using all the wonderful tips and tricks I had learned. And it looked pretty good, I thought. Then I thought of my friend Karen Motz over at Paper Playground and how she sometimes used Crystal Effects to glaze parts of her images and how much I like that. And I realized that I could make the apples....shiny! Even better! (I also borrowed the idea of a little bow made of two strands of twine from Karen's sample for this week's Chicks Challenge).

Finally, I traipsed down the street to my faithful blogging buddy Donna's house to steal some of her fabulous SU punches because my sentiments always look so boring and I love the layered look she always gets using these. Thanks, Donna!

And that, my friends, is the long tortuous road of begging, borrowing, and stealing that this card sent me on. It was a lot of fun!

It's a two challenge in one day!

2009-03-26T09:09:00.004-04:00

I thought I'd start off my day with the SCS Ways to Use It #211 challenge to use "Hot Metal". Because I am lay-out challenged as well, I incorporated Sketch Challenge #119. For the challenge, I put waxed paper in a cuttlebug folder with glossy card stock then ironed it. I brayered Almost Amethyst over top and ended up with a shabby circle-y look. Since we are approaching Easter and I am determined to send relatives cards this year, I decided to use the chickadee from An Egg-cellent Easter set. I watercoloured the chick and eggs with various inks. For my long Barely Banana side panel, I versamarked the egg numerous times and clear embossed it. I added a little ribbon and dew drops to finish it off. I think it's cute! I'm going to use this technique to create the 4th card in my "ir-resistable" class next month.

A Milestone and Mojo Monday!

2009-03-25T17:21:00.004-04:00

Today our little blog passed a major milestone:

10 000 Hits! ... and counting!

Thanks to all of you who keep coming back to see what we're up to, leave a kind word, and generally make us feel motivated to keep sharing all our tips, techniques, and artwork.

I haven't actually posted a new card in a few days because I have been focussing on getting our first Chicks Challenge organized. I was also feeling a bit like I had been "rushing" my cards in order to respond quickly to various challenges and I wasn't all that thrilled with some of my results. So this week I took a deep breath and decided to stop trying to be "first" and to focus more on "quality."

Which is why it has taken me until Wednesday to respond to Mojo Monday this week! Here's the sketch:

And here's my card!

I really liked this sketch and I had fun with this card. I have kind of a thing for dogs - one dog in particular: my crazy, goofy, lovable labradoodle, "Izzy." Whenever I see dog stamps anywhere, I am always hoping to find one that looks like her. But alas, I have yet to come across a labradoodle stamp! So I decided to take a shot at drawing my own and I surprised myself by coming up with a pretty good likeness! I scanned this into my computer so I can resize it and print it any time I feel the need for a labradoodle card. (I know, I'm a little weird, but basically harmless).

Anyway, I coloured Izzy with Copic Markers, layered her onto some cute My Mind's Eye paper, added a scalloped edge and a little ribbon....but I still didn't feel like the card was balanced. So I used a straight edge and a fine black marker to draw the border around the top half of the card and that seemed to do the trick!

The sentiment, "Woof," is hand written and inside the card I wrote: "Translation: Happy Birthday!"

Colour Throwdown #35

2009-03-25T08:52:00.008-04:00

Wow- this was a bit tough! I gave all of my old "in colours" to my niece a long time ago. I did keep the satin pomegranate ribbon 'cause I love it! I had to rumage through some of the old cards I made to salvage a scrap of pomegranate card stock. This is the best I could come up with. I was going to add primas and pearls, but you've got to know when enough is enough! I used the Fresh Cuts stamp set and popped the tangerine highlighted circle on top. Short post today - I've got to get to work!

The Very First Chicks Inspiration Challenge: Week 1!

2009-03-24T08:00:00.001-04:00

It's here, it's here! It's Tuesday morning and it's finally here - the very first Chicks Inspiration Challenge! And here is your very first inspiration photo!

Just look at the picture and let it lead you anywhere you want to go! Maybe the colour combination speaks to you, or maybe the positioning of certain items inspires you. You might get distracted by one tiny element that reminds you of your favourite embossing folder. It's all good! There are no rules! We'll even get you started with samples made by us and our hand picked guest designers. Just make a card with anything you like and link it up using Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post before midnight on Monday, March 29, 2009. If you are uploading to a public gallery such as Splitcoast Stampers, please include the code CHIC1 in your keywords so that we can see all the cards for the challenge in one place. And of course, feel free to mention our blog and the challenge by name in your description!

We'll be picking our favourites and announcing the top five next Tuesday along with a new challenge for you to try. If your card is selected for the top five, you will be invited to be a guest designer for the following week's challenge. Awesome!

If you're new to challenges, or unsure how to participate, simply click on the "tutorials" label on the right side of the blog. You'll find easy step by step instructions for everything you need to know to play!

Check out these samples to get started:

by Donna MacDonald

by Cathy Lewis

by Karen Motz

by Dana White

by Joy Atkinson

by Laurel Halliwushka

Thank you so much to all of our fabulous guest designers! Thanks for playing along!

Up for the Challenge - Part 3: Linking to the Challenge!

2009-03-23T19:06:00.003-04:00

Okay. So you've been busily making cards, photographing them beautifully using your very own home studio and all the right settings on your camera. You've discovered the wonderful world of Splitcoast Stampers and you've been uploading your artwork into your very own gallery online. There's only one more thing you need to know in order to participate in tomorrow's Chicks Inspiration Challenge: how to link your card to our blog!

It's super easy. First, hop over to Splitcoast Stampers and login using your name and password. Click on the "Gallery" option on the menu across the top of the page. Now you will see your personal options appear in the left margin. Click on "My Gallery" and you will see a screen like this:

but with your cards, of course! Select the card you want to link to the challenge and click on it. You will get a big screen, showing just that card, like this:

This is the screen you want! Now you will go to the address bar at the very top of the page and highlight the entire address showing in the bar by clicking and dragging your mouse over it. When the whole string is highlighted, press and hold the Ctrl button while pressing the letter "C" This will copy the address to your clipboard. Now jump over the Chicks with Inkpads blog and look for this little box at the very bottom of the Challenge Post:

Click on the empty box beside "Your name" and type in whatever name you would like to publish you card under. Tab to the "Your URL" field. Press and hold the "Ctrl" button while pressing the "v" key. This will paste the copied address string from the last step into the field. Click on "enter" and you're done! Your name will immediately appear in the list above the box and clicking on it will take you instantly to your card! Cool huh? I told you, you could do it!

Now come back tomorrow and quit all this messing around - we've got the real thing happening here!

Mojo Monday Week 79

2009-03-23T09:05:00.007-04:00

I'm glad to have gotten this done early today - I have a feeling it is going to be a busy day - I've got loads of "real" work to do and my Sale-A-Bration workshop on Sunday to prepare for. I made this card with the workshop in mind - I wanted to showcase a few SAB products (the Polka Dot Punches stamp set and Delcate Dots DSP in this case). I'm happy with the way it turned out. It was a little tricky matching up a colour with this Sahara Sand patterned paper, but the Blush Blossom looks nice, I think. This is my submission for today's Mojo Monday Challenge. My card base is Basic Black with the Blush Blossom panel over top. I used versamark and white embossing powder on the 5-petal flower and punched it using the coordinating punch. They were popped up on a white panel that was layered over black. I used the Eyelet border punch on my black panel under the patterned paper. I finished it with grosgrain ribbon. The sentiment comes from the Great Friend set (due out on April 1st).

I still have a little room in my SAB workshop for anyone local who wants to come! Send me an e-mail and I'll save you a seat!

Featured Stamper Challenge 111 - It a"Beate" time!

2009-03-22T12:27:00.005-04:00

Beate has the honour of being today's Featured Stamper on Splitcoast. She has an amazing gallery and has posted loads of great tutorials. This is the card I chose to case.We are supposed to change at least two things from the Featured Stamper card we are inspired by. I changed the colours of the card including the patterned paper, ribbon, etc. I omitted a smaller image Beate had on her card under the main image. I used a different border punch, but otherwise, I kept the layout the same. What an honour to be able to CASE such famous papercrafter!

WSC73 - Easter Wishes

2009-03-22T10:24:00.006-04:00

Here's my version of the Weekend Sketch Challenge (see sketch below in Cathy's post).

I don't often participte in the Weekend Sketch Challenge but I was in a bit of a stamping groove (at least I thought so), so I pulled out an Easter set (An Egg-cellent Easter) and used the egg. I used various ink and a blender pen to colour the egg in Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie and Regal Rose. I coloured the dots in with a Chocolate Chip marker. I used my square scallop punch with Pumpkin Pie to layer the images. The layer behind the scallops is Chocolate Chip and my card base is Pretty in Pink. The ribbon is from Fancy Pants. My sentiment is from the All Holidays set. A pretty basic card, but it's finished! Thanks for taking a look.

Tea for Three - Weekend Sketch Challenge 73

2009-03-22T10:19:00.004-04:00

This week's Weekend Sketch Challenge was hosted by Cambria Turnbow who provided us with this beautiful sketch to play with. And honestly, I LOVE scallops - I fully intended to follow the sketch faithfully and pull out all my scalloped nesties, punches, ric rac ribbons, etc.... But then I stumbled upon this stamp of three teacups - an old favourite of mine by Stampington & Co - and somehow, the whole thing morphed into the following card:

I really like this stamp and it seemed to fit the sketch somewhat, with it's three framed teacups. I stamped it with Black Memento Ink and coloured the images with my Copic markers. Scalloped edges seemed to fight with the image, so I layered straight black strips over the mat and mounted the whole thing on a lovely scrap of patterned paper from my stash (I'm not sure, but I think it's from Autumn Leaves Foofala). Next, I've been dying to do some hand stitching on a card, inspired by Mel over at Mel Stampz, of course! So I alternated colours and did a tidy little border all around.

For the sentiment, I thought it would be fun to fold a little tea bag out of some pearlescent vellum. I added an eyelet and embroidery floss to the top to make it look more realistic, and tucked a little scrap of scalloped black cardstock inside to mimic tea. I stamped my sentiment on the outside and stuck it on! Here's a closeup of the tea bag:

To finish it off, I balanced the card with three self adhesive pearls from Hero Arts in the bottom left corner and then applied Crystal Effects to the three teacups for extra dimension and shine. It's not very faithful to the original sketch but I love how it turned out!

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #60

2009-03-22T09:58:00.009-04:00

I fell in love with this sketch from Taylored Expressions as soon as I saw it! I can envision quite a few possibilities with it. I dug around in my non S-U stamps for an image that I hoped would really show this great sketch off. My sister bought a wedding set of stamps from Inkadinkado that I don't think ever saw ink. That was it! I knew this beautiful dress needed some love. I stamped it in Black Stazon on watercolour paper and coloured it with various S-U inks using my aquapainter. There was a lot of empty space on the upper right side, so I dug through my big stash of primas and tried to find a couple of flowers to layer with coordinating colours. It took me about 2 hours to figure that out and in the end, I had to use reinkers to paint the rose flower in the middle. I was mucking around with these puppies that the petals were starting to come off! Of course, I didn't have a small pink rhinestone brad (well I did, but it was attached to another flower somewhere in the pile, so I had to search for that too). I cut out the dress with nesties and layered it on a Regal Rose panel, then a Barely Banana scalloped panel. My card base is Gina K. 120 lb. white and I added a panel of Barely Banana. On top of that is a Regal Rose panel and on top of that is a sheet of patterned paper from the Bella Bleu line. As accents, I used the scallop border punch on the patterned paper and added a little bit of fancy pants ribbon. I am happy with the way this one turned out!

K Werner Color Challenge 46

2009-03-22T09:39:00.011-04:00

I stalked Kristina's blog for about 6 hours waiting for her to post the color challenge this week and was so happy when it was finally posted. Unfortunately, when I went to make a card, I couldn't get one put together for the life of me. I had 3 other images stamped and partially or completely coloured, then couldn't figure out how to lay it all out. I abandoned it for a couple of days until yesterday, when Cathy came over and got me out of a bit of a slump I was in. This is what I finally came up with - nothing earth shattering by any means. I used an old Sketch Challenge on SCS (#208). I used "House on the Hill" stamp from Sunshine Designs. I inked it up with Black Stazon on watercolour paper and used the other colour inks and an aquapainter to fill it in. I added stickles to give it a little shine. My card base is Basic Black and I added a white panel with Itty Bitty Backgrounds in Pretty in Pink so it didn't look so plain. I layered my image panel with Bashful Blue and behind that is Regal Rose. I added a couple of Pretty in Pink buttons on the bottom and voila, c'est fini!

Up for the Challenge - Part 2: The Public Gallery

2009-03-21T10:08:00.019-04:00

Welcome back! Yesterday, we went through the steps you needed to take to photograph your card before uploading it to the internet. Today, I will be walking you through how to register for a public gallery and getting that card online.

If you already have your own blog, or are posting your work to a public gallery such as Splitcoast Stampers or Two Peas in a Bucket, you can skip this tutorial. There are lots of great free galleries out there online and any one of them will do the trick if you want to participate in the challenges. For the purposes of this tutorial, however, I will be using the "Big Mamma" of the stampers' sites: Split Coast Stampers. It's free, easy to use, has the largest gallery I've ever found and provides endless resources for its members. To get started, type the following URL into the address bar at the top of your web browser: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ (or just click on the link). You should be looking at the following screen:

This is the home page and it is the gateway to hours of stamping goodness! On the left sidebar, there are a number of "quick clicks" to help you get started. Click on "Become a Member" to register. This screen will come up next:

Click on the little box, accepting the terms and then click on the blue "register" button at the bottom of the screen.

On this screen, you are asked to type in a user name and password. It's a huge site with lots of members so you may have to try a few user names until you hit on one that's not already in use. You must also provide a working email address to complete this process. Don't worry, you won't receive tons of emails and there is an option later that will allow to decline receiving any emails at all. The random question at the bottom of the form is simply a security measure should you ever forget your password info. Give an answer that you are likely to remember!

This is the next screen, where you can decide whether you want to receive emails from other members or administrators and you will select your time zone from the drop down menu. When you're done, click on the "Confirm Registration" button on the bottom.

Congratulations! You are now a member of the Worlds' largest online stamping community! You can now feel free to explore the site. There are galleries of artwork categorized by members, sponsor companies, Stampin' Up stamp sets, techniques, and lots more.... There are a gazillion wonderful tutorials available in the "resources" section and, if you are so inclined, there is a message board that will allow you to "chat" with stampers from all over the world on every subject you can imagine! But for our purposes, today, the most important feature is that you are now the proud owner of your very own gallery which will allow you to share photos of your artwork online!

At the very top of this screen is a menu with items like "home" "gallery" resources" etc... Click on "Gallery."

This is your doorway to all of the wonderful galleries that Splitcoast offers. You can explore them later. Right now, we're going to upload your first card! On the left sidebar you will see an option labled "Upload a Card." Click on it now.

Here we go! This is a large screen and I had to split it into two pictures. Above is the top half of the screen. Your user name will automatically appear, as will the option to upload to "Member Galleries." There is a drop down tab that will allow you to upload your card into any number of defined categories and sometimes a more specific gallery will be the best fit. But for now, "member galleries" is perfect.

In the next box, you will be asked to tell Splitcoast where to find your photo. You can upload as many as five pictures at a time, but I usually do it one at a time. Click on the "browse" button to the right of the first blank field. Navigate your way to where you stored that precious picture of your photo yesterday and select it by clicking on it. Then you can name your card in the next field. Whatever you call it will be displayed as a caption under your photo in the gallery.

Next, you will come to a large blank box that asks you for a description of your photo. This is where you can get chatty and tell people how you made your card, why, what you had for breakfast... or nothing at all. It's up to you! When you're done, click on the "Upload/Submit" button at the bottom of the screen. Depending on your internet provider and the size of your file, this may take a few minutes. Be patient! Eventually, you will see this screen:

You're almost done - there a few more fields on this screen asking for more information about your card. You can skip all of them if you want to. But the more info you provide, the more people will be able to find your card in this vast sea of artwork. Adding keywords such as the manufacturer of the stamps you used, the technique, or the name of a challenge you're participating in makes your entry more "searchable." Enter as much, or as little info as you like, then click the "Process" button at the bottom of the screen when you're ready. Again, be patient!

Woo Hoo! You did it! You have successfully uploaded your first card into your very own gallery. You've gone public! You Rock! Soon thousands of people will see it (some of them may even leave very nice comments on it - if you enjoy that sort of thing, it's a great idea to go browse the gallery and leave some love for other people's efforts).

Have fun exploring the site and uploading lots of lovely cards today. Tomorrow, we'll learn how you can link yourself up to any of the wonderful challenges out there online such as...THE CHICKS INSPIRATION CHALLENGE!

Celebrating Sloth

2009-03-20T12:49:00.003-04:00

One last post for today (for me anyway). There's a great sketch over at Taylored Expressions for today's Cupcake Sketch Challenge and I wanted to play!

It's a pretty simple card. I whipped up a quick page of fun text using Microsoft Word and phrases like "living in yoga pants" and "potato chips are a vegetable" to provide a background for PMSabella. (Looks like me all the time)! She is coloured using pencil crayons and gamsol, then trimmed into an oval and matted. I layered the oval onto some glossy black cardstock for contrast, then onto a patterned paper which I turned into a scallop with the Fiskars Threading Water Border Punch. I love that thing! A ribbon, a flower and rhinestone and that's all folks!

Up for the Challenge - Part 1: The Photograph

2009-03-20T08:58:00.004-04:00

As promised, this post is the first of a series of tutorials to help even the first timer successfully participate in our upcoming Chick's Challenges! Today I am going to walk you through how I photograph my cards and get them ready to be uploaded.

First things first. Clear your schedule. Obviously this is far more important than your paying job, the needs of your family or cleaning your house. (Just kidding - this won't take long at all - but I'm still not gonna clean my house). You're going to need a card to photograph. You can use any card at all, but this is a great excuse to go make one!

The most important step in photographing your card is natural light. Find a surface in your house near a window where you get lots of lovely sunlight streaming in. This is where you want to set up your card. Using overhead lights or your camera's flash tends to make your card look washed out and the colours can turn kinda funny.

Next you need a backdrop. White or gray are the best colours for this. I made my own little photo studio by cutting a cereal box up. Just remove all the flaps on the top and bottom, and one of the largest sides to create a tri-fold screen. Here's a pic of mine ( Jumbo Corn Pops, I believe).

I also have a vey plain easel from the Dollar Store set up in mine. I find it helps keep the distortion down, but it's really not necessary. Set up your card inside your new photo studio so that the light shines on it.

Turn your digital camera on. Use the auto setting. Turn the flash off. If you have a macro setting, enable it. The macro setting is symbolized by a little flower icon. It allows you to get nice and close without overexposing the details or distorting the frame. Get as close as you can, keeping your card square in the viewfinder and snap! Take a couple if you like - they're digital and you can choose whichever one you like best and delete the rest!

Now you want to upload the pictures from your camera to your computer. Every camera comes with it's own software and they are all different. They are generally very user friendly and will walk you through the steps. Most will give you easy steps to crop your photos, size the photos, colour correct, etc... Go ahead and play until you like the look of it.

There are only two key things to remember at this point. One, re-size your image to no bigger than 8 x 12 inches. This will help to keep the file size manageable when you upload to the internet. Secondly, you need to save this file in JPEG format. Whatever software you are using to get those pictures off your camera will have an option for this. Usually, you just select "Save As" and then you are given two blank fields. One for the name of the file which you will type in, and one for the file type which is a drop down menu with all kinds of file extensions listed. Selecting JPEG will condense your file, again to keep the size manageable for uploading. You may also be given the options for file quality - go for maximum, it's your artwork after all and you want it to look good!

That's it. Give it a try. Play around until you feel comfortable. Tomorrow, we're going to go get you a free gallery to upload that picture to!

K Werner Color Challenge 46

2009-03-19T21:32:00.005-04:00

I did it, I did it! I finally got to a challenge before Donna! Ummm. Not that it's a competition or anything.! ( I win, I win, I win)...

Here is my seriously silly card:

Get it? With a chihauhau on top? See - I put a chihauhau on top of the cupcake....

Sorry - the lighting isn't the best in this photo, but the background paper from Pink Paislee has all the colours from the swatch (except black) and I thought it was kind of fun and festive. The banner and the cupcake were cut using my QK Silhouette. I added some pink and blue details to the banner with souffle pens.

The dogs are from Stamping Bella and they really deserved better than this, but I was in a silly mood. They are coloured with copics, cut apart and arranged around (and on top) of the cupcake!

O.K. Fun's over now. Nothing to see here, folks. Move along...

Big News from The Chicks!

2009-03-19T12:20:00.007-04:00

As you may have noticed, there's nothing we love better here at Chicks with Inkpads than a great card challenge to play. We've found lots of great challenges to love, but we've noticed that Tuesdays seem to be a slow news day out there on the blogs so......we've decided to start our own!

That's right, starting next Tuesday, you can play along with

Every Tuesday morning we'll be posting a new inspiration photo to get you started. Just look at the picture and let it lead you anywhere you want to go! Maybe the colour combination speaks to you, or maybe the positioning of certain items inspires you. You might get distracted by one tiny element that reminds you of your favourite embossing folder. It's all good! There are no rules! We'll even get you started with samples made by us and our hand picked guest designers. Just make a card with anything you like and link it up before midnight on the following Monday. We'll be picking our favourites and announcing the top five on Tuesdays along with a new challenge for you to try. If your card is selected for the top five, you will be invited to be a guest designer for the following week's challenge. You'll be famous!

Don't have a blog? Not sure how to link up? Never tried posting a card before? Feeling a distinct lack of confidence? Don't worry! If you have a digital camera and an internet connection, anyone can play. I'll be posting tutorials on photographing your card, uploading to a public gallery, using Mr. Linky, and even getting started with your own blog between now and our first challenge on Tuesday.

So follow along with us and get ready to play! Tuesdays are looking a whole lot better to me now!

Butterflies for Sareeta!

2009-03-19T10:07:00.003-04:00

I made this card for my friend, Sareeta's, birthday yesterday. Sareeta is the kind of girl who treats you to lunch on her birthday so I wanted the card to be special!

I started with lots of rich warm colours 'cuz I know they are her favourites. I cut a scalloped square with my nesties, then created a diamond grid with my Scor Pal. I pierced a hole in each corner fully intending to stitch beautiful little french knots in each with a lovely saffron coloured embroidery floss, but after I had stitched about half the panel I had to admit that I was incapable of creating beautiful little french knots, so I backtracked!

The wavy border is handcut from Basic Grey's Urban Prairie papers and the little butterflies were stamped on the same with a stamp from Hero Arts "Together" set and trimmed out. I mounted them on foam adhesive and "fluffed" their wings for extra dimension.

Hope you had a great birthday, Sareeta!

Cathy's Colour Throwdown # 34

2009-03-19T09:54:00.003-04:00

I found this colour challenge a little, well, challenging! I love the blue and green - it is one of my favourite combos, but somehow the addition of the pale pink threw me a little! Anyway, here it is!

The card base is SU Not Quite Navy and I used a My Mind's Eye patterned paper to stand in for the Kiwi Kiss portion of the challenge. To make the scalloped borders, I used a square scalloped nestie and cut it in half. The stamped stitches are from an Autumn Leaves stamp set and I liked how they echoed the scallop border. The focal image is from Hero Arts, stamped in black and then highlighted with lots of crystal glitter - I know, it's hard to see the sparkle in the photo and it's my favourite part of the card! To finish it off, I added a pink ribbon and a text printed flower from Prima with a little clear Bella bauble in the centre.

Overall, it's a little different for me, but it's growing on me!

Colour Throwdown #34

2009-03-18T10:58:00.006-04:00

Why does it take over 2 hours to make a simple card? I just couldn't decide what stamps to use or how to arrange the colours. I had patterned paper out, attempted to use CB folders, cut out the butterfly (twice) in Kiwi Kiss, and all sorts of other combinations - arrrggghhh! Total frustration with this one, let me tell you. I was just about fed up and almost ditched the challenge for the day but I hauled out Inspired by Nature (ya think I needed a little inspiration, huh?) and used Kiwi Kiss for the grass. I restamped the butterfly in Not Quite Navy and cut her out. I had already done the sentiment (twice) at the beginning of this whole process, so I was determined to keep it and use it somewhere. I edged the main panel with Blush Blossom and also used that as my card base. I brought in more Not Quite Navy behind the main image as well. Well, that's it! It should have taken me 10 minutes. I guess that's the way it goes sometimes...

SCS - Sketch Challenge #220

2009-03-18T09:29:00.006-04:00

I wasn't going to play today but I just can't stay away! This is my submission for today's Sketch Challenge over at SCS. There were 5 panels behind the main image. I had this DSP in mind, but I wasn't sure I had enough of it. I'm down to one full sheet and a bunch of scraps. Lucky me - I had just enough paper that I thought coordinated enough to give it a go. I love Fifth Avenue Florals with this DSP. I went over my flowers with a blender pen and a little ink from the lid to give the flowers a little more depth. I love the Define Your Life stamp set so hauled it out this morning. I'm not sure how much stamping I'll get done today - my back is a wee bit sore after my physiotherapist put me through my paces yesterday. I swear he enjoys hurting me - he just laughs when I grunt in pain! Actually, he's great and he's helping, so that's the last of my complaining!

SCS Colour Challenge 209 - Only a Week late!

2009-03-17T18:33:00.005-04:00

Well, didn't I get a surprise when I went into SCS to post this card for today's sketch challenge. I started it early this morning, got busy with work, kids, physio, dinner, etc., then finished it off. It turns out this was LAST WEEK's colour challenge! I think Cathy and I even commented that we didn't like these colours! I think I'm losing my mind, and not slowly either! I guess my brains are on March break :) The really funny thing is that I had made a different card for this challenge earlier too!!! Oh well, I needed a card for my best friend's mom who just came out of the hospital today. My girlfriend flew to Nanaimo for the second time in a month to be with her mom. The shape of this card looks a little funny in the picutre, but it looks normal IRL. I used the SCS sketch #98. Oh, by the way, the colours for the challenge were Always Artichoke, Rose Red and Basic Black. I used Very Vanilla as my neutral colour. I used Soft Summer and Sincere Salutations stamp sets. Thanks for taking a look!

Brian, Don't Look!

2009-03-16T11:28:00.005-04:00

Not that I really think my DH is checking out my blog at work today - but just in case!

I made this card for today's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge - you can see the sketch and Donn's card in Donna's last post, below.

I just loved this sketch! I had additional inspiration from my hero, Mel McCarthy over at Mel Stampz. Her blog is so full of great tips, techniques, templates and truly original and lovely artwork that I will never be able to work through all the ideas she so generously shares. Love ya', Mel ; ) !!!

I downloaded a terrific text page from her site and used it as the background for my stamped image. The image, from Sunshine Designs, is coloured with Copic markers and the background is sponged with a combination of Weathered Wood Distress Ink and Adirondack Stonewashed Dye Ink. I did an oops when I removed my mask, so I stamped a tiny chickadee from Inkadinkado and popped it over top to cover it! The patterned papers are from the Basic Grey Granola line.

As it came together, I started to think that it was looking very clean and masculine, so I decided that I would tuck this card away to give to my hubby on our (gulp)! 20th anniversary in a few weeks. As it's for Brian, I restrained myself from adding glitter and fiddly bits I actually really like how this card came out. Honestly, I don't think it needs anything else!

Mojo Monday Week 78

2009-03-16T10:46:00.006-04:00

What an intresting sketch! This is definitely not one I would ever come up with myself. It's neat that the girls at Mojo Monday have great sketch ideas. My submission uses all Stampin' Up! products. The card base is Whisper White. I added a Kraft panel on top of that and then coordinating Parisian Breeze designer papers. The sentiment is from the Laughter & Love rub-on package. I added Organza Ribbon and embellishments from the Pretties Kit. Thanks for having a look!

SCS Featured Stamper Challenge #110

2009-03-15T18:45:00.004-04:00

This is my second card for the Featured Stamper Challenge on SCS today. My inspiration came from this card:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1201661?cat=500&ppuser=60960

I flipped the layout of the card because when I found this vellum quote, I knew I wanted to use it. I changed out the colours as well and used new DSP from S-U coming out in the Occasions catalotue (available April 1st). My pearls were all the same size and I layered the felt flowers from Flower Fusion. I'll give this card to my sister tomorrow as she starts a new job. Way to go Sharon! Thanks for taking a look!

SCS Featured Stamper Challenge #110

2009-03-15T18:35:00.005-04:00

Here is the first of two cards I made for today's SCS Featured Stamper Challenge. What a lovely gallery Stacy (Twinshappy) has. This is the card I chose to case first:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1215718?cat=500&ppuser=60960

I changed the colours and patterned paper. I used a vellum quote that I've had forever. I also removed the smaller bottom panel because my main panel was so big. I used dew drops in the corners to hide the mini glue dots that I used to adhere the vellum to the white CS. My card base is Chocolate Chip. The next panel is Ruby Red, then Whisper White. On top is DSP from S-U (So Saffron). Thanks for taking a look!

Weekend Sketch Challenge # 72

2009-03-14T16:39:00.003-04:00

I LOVED this sketch! The minute I saw it, over at Jen Balcer's blog, I knew I had to play. I just love that label shape. Of course, first I had to walk down to Donna's house to cut one using her Big Shot and the SU top note die. But we'll just consider that my daily exercise!

I stamped the lable with a teeny alphabet background stamp from Stamp Camp and then coloured around the edges a bit with my prisma pencils for contrast and to pull in the colours from the stamped flower (also from Stamp Camp). The background paper is an old sheet from Lasting Impressions that I have been hoarding for a few years ('cuz I don't know where to get it anymore and I really like these polka dots). I didn't have a lot of flowers in my stash, so I decided to cut a bunch using my QuicKutz Silhouette.

I played around with the positioning on this card a lot. I kept pulling it apart and trying again but I think I finally got it right! As a final touch, I added some clear dew drops to the centres of some of the flowers. I love the way you can change the colour of these little guys by colouring a small circle on the paper before you adhere them. Fun!

What's Up?

2009-03-14T12:16:00.005-04:00

Donna, obviously! My dear friend is an early riser and she has already posted in response to two challenges today, before I even finished the first!

So having said all that, here is my post for Taylor's Friday Cupcake Challenge:

It's my first time playing and I fully intended to use a cupcake image in honor of Taylor, but somehow these adorable little owls I just got from Stamping Bella were "hooting" my name! Nothing too revolotionary to report on the making of this one. I just coloured the little darlings with my copic markers, chalked the background and used lots of lovely patterned papers and scalloped edges etc... to layer it all up. I did however, get a stern "talking to" by my hubby for breaking a little branch off of the Catalpa tree out front. He seemed to think that one of the dead twigs all over the front lawn would have sufficed. Hmmph! Just goes to show what he knows about "art." Clearly, a twig in bud was called for. LOL!

WSC72 - Birthday Wishes for Laura

2009-03-14T12:06:00.008-04:00

This is my submission for the Weekend Sketch Challenge on Beate's blog. It's our friend and neighbour Laura's birthday and I'll give this to her. I think my paper flowers overpower the card a little, but I do like these colours together. I like the layout too - I can see using this quite a bit. My colours are So Saffron and Riding Hood Red with Vanilla as my stamped image panel. Cathy and I purchased these little dew drops at Stamping Bella the other day so I thought I'd use them too! I just love S-U's DSP this year. They have really prettied them up. I used the Best Kind of Friend stamp set and used versamark and Riding Hood Red ink and embossed the pot. I popped it up to add a little dimension. The card measures 5" x 5". Thanks for having a look!

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #59

2009-03-13T18:42:00.008-04:00

This is my submission for the Taylored Expressions challenge today. My photo has a bit of a blue-ish shadow on it from my dining room light. I like these Trendy Trees from S-U. I also love their DSP. Today's card uses Good Morning Sunshine. My card base colour is Kiwi Kiss. I layered Summer Sun using my Nesties. This colour looks so much brighter than what is in the DSP, but I double checked the colours that were in the DSP and it says Summer Sun, so who am I to argue? I picked up the Pacific Point in the DSP and layered a strip over the circle and DSP. I added a bit of Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon to bring in more of the Kiwi. Even using my SAMJ I couldn't lie up the tree stems very well! I finished the main panel off with a 1/2" library clip in Chocolate Chip. The main panel is also popped up a little to add a bit more dimension. My card measures 5" x 5". Thanks for taking a look.

Ways to Use It #209, Sketch Challenge #199

2009-03-12T17:26:00.004-04:00

Here is my submission for the Ways to Use it Challenge today to Go Green. We were to use anything we could reuse or recycle something or just to use the colour green. I was given a Scrapbook Calendar for Christmas from my boss (it was supposed to be a Secret Santa gift, but everyone told everyone else who the giver was - not fair - I held out but they figured it out by process of elimination). There was some background paper from yesterday and this cute leprecon (is that how you spell it?) and the sentiment with it from today. I just trimmed it out and mounted it using an old sketch challenge. There is no stamping on this card. I used green self-adhesive rhinestones on the right side. The quality of the photo isn't great - sorry 'bout that. Thanks for taking a look.

Billybootabella, SCS sketch challenge # 96

2009-03-12T16:14:00.005-04:00

Cathy and I decided to trek up to Thornhill to the Stamping Bella store. They have everything there! I decided on purchasing billybootabella and sweetybellas. I made this card for a colleague who is a little under the weather. I thought the sentiment (Hero Arts) said "be kind to you" and not "be kind be you". Oh well, I'll write something appropriate inside! I used the SCS sketch #96 for my layout (love those challenges). I paper-pieced the Bella Rose DSP (see what I did there? Clever, huh?) on the umbrella and her top. I watercoloured the rest and made her poncho pink pirouette as well as her boots. Her skirt is riding hood red. I used the build-a-brad kit with the DSP and used earth elements ruby red brads as well. I'm sure my Bella collection will grow with time! Thanks for taking a peek!

K Werner Color Challenge 45 - Cathy's Take

2009-03-12T10:07:00.006-04:00

You've already seen Donna's beautiful take on this weeks colour challenge on the K Werner Design Blog and now, here's mine!

I actually broke the rules of the challenge by adding just a teensy bit of red - I felt like my focal image needed a lift. I used a decorative blade on my Purple Cows Trimmer to cut my card base and give it a more nostalgic feel, then layered on some Basic Grey paper from the Ambrosia collection and a snippet of a Hambly overlay I had lying around. The focal image was stamped once on the red patterned paper, then again on white and trimmed out. I "fluffed" the petals a bit for dimension, then layered everything with some black and grey ribbon from American Craft and a few Hero Arts self adhesive pearls. Finally, I glued a tiny clock face to the centre of the flower and decided it was done!

Unfortunately, I won't be able to post a link over at K Werner Design this week ('cuz I broke the rules), but I had fun making the card anyway!

Kristina Werner Colour Inspiration #45

2009-03-12T09:19:00.005-04:00

Here is my submission for Kristina Werner's Colour Insiration challenge today. I've had a paper stack from DCWV for a few years and don't use it much, so I was thrilled when I could rifle through it. I started off with stripes and circles, but didn't like it, so went for the flower look instead. I also used an older SCS sketch challenge # 180 for layout assistance. I used the retired set Live Your Dreams - I've always liked this flower because you can use a lot of different techniques with it. I embossed it in black and used Basic Gray ink around the edge. I finishd the card off with a dragonfly charm I've had laying around for a long time too to pick up on the little dragonflies in the patterne paper. Oh ya, there are black brads in the corner of the patterned paper as well. Thanks for taking a peek!

Colour Throwdown #33

2009-03-11T20:23:00.008-04:00

I'm glad Cathy left me with a stamp set I thought I could use for this colour challenge (kidding, Cath!!). I had this stamp in mind even before she pilfered through my stuff ;). I needed a little help with my layout, so I decided to use the SCS sketch challenge #69. This is a new set from S-U that is available early (it's featured in the upcoming Occasions Catalogue to be released on April 1/09) called "An Egg-cellent Easter". I used markers and ink to watercolour the bunny and eggs. My choice of green was certainly celery. I used the coordinating grograin ribbon and celery brads. I'm not sure what happened when I was trying to space them out - I thought I had it right, but as I moved left, I realized they weren't going to be even on both sides - oh well! My aunt, who will receive this card, won't know the difference! My sentiment came from the All Holidays set. That has to be my favourite sentiment set because it covers off all major holidays & special occasions.

Two Posts and Three Challenges in One Day!

2009-03-11T15:53:00.009-04:00

I'm just so chuffed with myself that I don't think I'll be able to get my big fat head back through my studio door! This card was done in response to the Split Coast Stampers' Sketch Challenge today (I think it's # 219)

I used lots of little shortcuts for this one. Sometimes, when I don't know what I feel like making, I'll just stamp a bunch of images in black and colour them. Then I leave them lying around on my work table until they inspire me. Today, something about this giant Inkadinkado cupcake and the look on the Eat Cake Graphics little girl just came together for me. Especially when I checked out the sketch challenge over at Split Coast Stampers today!

All the images are coloured with Copic Marker and trimmed out. The die cut pink paper layer was cut from a K and Co. Die Cut Mat Pad. They're the perfect size for layering on a card and all the fun detail is already done for you! The sentiment is from a Hero Arts Birthday set. Lots of foam adhesive later, the card was done. Super fast and easy!

And, as a bonus, this card turned out to be a perfect entry for the week 1 challenge in the Birthday Blog Bash at Paper Garden. Be sure to check it out!

I Could Get Very Used to This....

2009-03-11T13:41:00.009-04:00

Before I post the card I just made, may I just take a moment to say that I am having a very good day?

Well, I am. I am finally over the flu that's had me down, I have finished digging out my home studio and I can finally get inside of it to play (and I can even find my stuff)! After six years in the scrapbooking/rubber stamping industry, I had gotten so used to trucking my bits and pieces back and forth to various stores to make samples and teach classes that my home studio became a dusty, disorganized and completely unusable disaster area. Then my husband and son started using it as a dumping ground and.... UGHHH!

But I have taken back my creative space and now I am feeling so inspired! Seriously, I could get very used to this unemployment gig! (Don't worry Brian, I swear I sent out a bunch of resumes this morning before I came into the studio!

So, without further ado, here is the card I made this morning in response to two challenges (see how efficient I am, now that my studio is clean)?

I combined this week's sketch from Laura at 2 Sketches 4 You, with this week's colour throwdown challenge to create this card.

I really had fun with it! The image just cracked me up when I found in Donna's studio this morning and I knew I had to use it. (Sorry Donna, from now on I promise to let you use your own new stamps first)! She is from an SU set called "Golden Oldies" and they are all equally fun. I stamped her with Memories Black Ink and coloured her with my Copic Markers. I followed the sketch pretty faithfully using SU Tempting Turquoise, Elegant Eggplant, and my fave green: Old Olive. I added a little texture to the Olive panel with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and added some detail with faux stitching around the edges. The sentiment was punched with an SU circle punch as was the scalloped frame. I used some turquoise rhinestones from Hero Arts for the 3 circle embellishments and she was done!

2 Sketches 4 You - Laura's Sketch 21

2009-03-09T21:13:00.007-04:00

I wanted to get to both Sketch Challenges today (Mojo Monday and 2 Sketches 4 You) - I did it! This is the best form of stress relief I know (as long as I don't struggle picking the stamps or paper to use)! You are all probably sick of seeing me use the same Parisian Breeze Specialty Designer Series Paper, but I just can't get enough of this stuff. I am certain I will stock up on these papers as well as the Baja Breeze card stock and ribbon. I used Gina K. 120 lb. white card stock as my base & Chocolate Chip as my panel behind the designer paper. I've had this sentiment stamp from Kolette Hall for a couple of years, but I've never used it. I usually sell anything I haven't used in a year or two (check out my stamp sets and re-inkers for sale in a recent post), but I really like this one. I know who I'm going to mail this card to tomorrow. I added brads around the circle as per the sketch and felt flowers from the Flower Fusion kit. I added a dollar store patterned brad in the centre. Thanks for taking a peek! Here's the sketch this card was based on:

And Now For Something Completely Different...

2009-03-09T10:14:00.005-04:00

When I look at Donna's cards, I suffer from a severe case of "elegance envy!" As you're about to see, when I look at the same sketch challenge, my brain tends to go off on a completely different tangent!

Here then, is my version of Mojo Monday - Week 77:

Actually, this is a variation on the card I made for my teenaged son's last birthday. Although he makes an effort to be appreciative of my artistic efforts, his sports-obsessed mind really doesn't care so I need to have a "hook" to get his attention! (This is why I need to blog - I just don't have a wide enough audience at home)!

The shark is an older stamp from Stamp Oasis and I heat embossed him in black on watercolour paper, then watercoloured him with Tombow Markers and a waterbrush. When he was dry, I trimmed him out and slathered him with waterfall blue and frosted lace stickles for lots of shine. Instead of the scalloped border called for in the sketch, I turned the scallop element inward to create "bite" marks out of my sentiment. I thought it was kind of fun!

Mojo Monday - Week 77!

2009-03-09T10:02:00.005-04:00

Well, it's Monday morning and Julee has posted another great sketch to help us kickstart another week living with our addiction to rubber and ink! Here is Donna's take on the sketch:

Another clean and elegant design from the lovely Donna, using our favourite SU set, Pocket Silhouettes, Designer Paper and Sheer Ribbon!

You can't "Resist" this class!

2009-03-08T21:27:00.006-04:00

I'll be demonstrating 4 different "resist" techniques in this class. Here are 3 of th 4 cards we'll make (the 4th will be a surprise since I don't have the sample made yet!). You'll love the look of these cards and you'll certainly impress whoever you give them to! Join me on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Space is limited to 10 participants, so contact me (smacdonald3@cogeco.ca) soon to secure your space at the table. Class is held in Oakville. Cost is $25.00 per person.

Retired Products for Sale

2009-03-08T21:20:00.002-04:00

I am making space in my craft room for new sets that will be available in the upcoming Spring Mini Occasions Catalogue from Stampin' Up! My loss is certainly your gain. The following items are for immediate sale:

BRAND NEW:
1) Organic Grace (retired Level 1 Hostess set) $15.00
2) Soft Sky Classic ink refill $3.00
3) Blue Bayou Classic ink refill $3.00
4) Wild Wasabi Classic ink refill $3.00
5) Groovy Guava Classic ink refill $3.00
6) River Rock Classic ink refill $3.00
7) Purely Pomegranate Classic ink refill $3.00

GENTLY USED STAMP SETS:
1) Print Pattern (background stamp) $12.50
2) Live Like You Mean It (retired Level 1 Hostess set) $15.00
3) Garden Silhouettes (retired Level 2 Hostess set) $18.00
4) Happy Harmony (2007 Sale-A-Bration set) $10.00
5) Natural Beauty (retired in 2007) $12.50
6) Artfully Asian (retired in 2008) $12.50

If you would like to see a photo of any of these items, please email me at smacdonald3@cogeco.ca and I'd be happy to send you one. Buyer pays exact shipping amount based on Canada Post charges (based on weight and size of package as well as location). Insurance is extra. Local pick-up is available (no charge, of course). Happy shopping!

Our First Class - The Sophisticated Crayon

2009-03-08T20:37:00.010-04:00

Cathy and I are pleased to announce our first Chicks With Ink Pads class! Our focus is on "The Sophisticated Crayon". You will make these cards using watercolour crayons with various other products and techniques for unique watercolour effects. You will be amazed at the simple elegance of these cards and you will become a watercolouring pro in minutes! Be sure to mark your calendar for Sunday, April 5, 2009. The class starts at 1:00 p.m. Cost is $25.00 per person. We will limit the class to 8 participants so be sure to register early! Please email either Cathy (inkycathy@gmail.com) or me (smacdonald3@cogeco.ca) to secure your space. Pre-payment is required, please. We will advise you of the class location (in Oakville) via email.

Hostess Picture frame gift

2009-03-06T22:46:00.005-05:00

So, I wanted to give the hostess of a recent workshop something a little special. At a Mega Meeting I attended in January, there was a demo who showed us a few picture frames made using the Long Board Chipboard and the Top Note die for the Big Shot. I decided to do something similar and used the Bella Bleu DSP that I just received. Since the hostess is getting married this year, I wanted to make something that would show off a wedding photo as well as the embellishments. The LOVE letters were stamped with the retired Headline Alphabets set using Silver Encore ink. Cathy and I embellished them with pearls from the Pretties Kit, silver eyelets, some clear beads and silver brads. We adhered them on with dimensionals onto ribbon (I hate to admit this was purchased at the Dollar store). I edged the chipboard with Brilliance Starlite Silver pigment ink. We were pretty happy with the way this turned out.

Sale-A-Bration Workshop Card

2009-03-06T22:42:00.002-05:00

This was another card I made for a recent workshop. I used the Botanical Blooms set. My colour combo was Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette and Kiwi Kiss. I used a little Bella Rose DSP on the Cocoa base and used the small and large oval punches as well as the Designer Label punch. This is a pretty basic card, but I think it is a good one for beginners. What do you think?

SCS- Sketch Challenge 217

2009-03-06T22:34:00.005-05:00

This is my submission for the Sketch Challenge 217 on Splitcoast this week. I also used this for a workshop card. This was my second favourite card that I showed. I wasn't totally thrilled with the offerings in the SAB catalogue, but this DSP wasn't too bad. Pocket Silhouettes is one of my favourite stamp sets, so this challenge wasn't too difficult, once I took a look at it. I used Whisper White, So Saffron and Chocolate Chip on this card. I used brads with the Word Window punch to secure my sentiment. I cut the white squares at 1 1/8" and then used the 1 3/4" punch with So Saffron. I think there are lots of stamp sets you can use with this sketch (just look at the SCS gallery and you'll agree!).

Workshop card - lovin' it!

2009-03-06T22:23:00.004-05:00

I made this card for a workshop the other night. I absolutely love the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set. I stamped the biggest flower with Kiwi Kiss slightly off the top right-hand corner of the Whisper White paper. I cut out one of the other flowers and used my blender pens to add some baja breeze and kiwi kiss colour to some of the petals and the centre of the flower. I cut this out and added it with dimensionals to the Kiwi Kiss panel. I got this idea from the Idea Book & Catalogue (page 9). I cut some Urban Garden DSP & added it to the bottom of the page. I also cut a strip of Kiwi Kiss and stamped the sentiment from the set on it in Basic Black. I used the Horizontal slot punch and fed some baja breeze grosgrain ribbon through it. I used some dimensionals on the whole panel before adhering it to the Baja Breeze card base. I REALLY liked how this card turned out. I might make a bunch of these for card sets that I'll give to family & friends as gifts. I guess I should stock up on these awesome papers before they retire!

Mojo Monday 76

2009-03-02T10:27:00.005-05:00

This is my submission for today's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge and contest. I'm loving these layouts and I really have fun stretching my imagination (the little I have) with these challenges. I used Gina K. 120 lb. paper - this holds up so well - as well as Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper (Bella Rose). My main image is from the new catalogue & it's called Thoughts and Prayers. I will be making another sympathy card later today using this set for my husband's aunt's family. His aunt passed away last Friday. It's so sad to see family members leave us. We've had a lot of that this year and it's pretty depressing. I'm so thankful for my family, friends and neighbours. The sentiment comes from the All Holidays set, which has so many uses. I finished the card off with some prima flowers I've had for ages as well as retired S-U organdy white ribbon and used the Mat Pak to add little element by the sentiment.

A New Chapter...

2009-03-02T09:39:00.002-05:00

Sorry I haven't been posting much over the last week - I got hit with the flu and spent a few days in bed trying to sleep my way through it! I'm up and about again, so I will get back to work now, coming up new creations to post for you all!

As a quick note to those of you who have gotten to know me through my work at local stamping and scrapbooking stores... Most of you will not be too surprised to learn that the store I have been working at recently has closed its doors. Although I am ready to pursue new challenges, I will be sad not to have the same daily contact with the customers I have grown to love.

You will always be able to keep up with me and reach me through this blog - there is a link to my email address if you click on my name on the top right sidebar. I am already busy at work designing local workshops with my blogging buddy, Donna and you will see announcements on this blog shortly with details of our upcoming events.

So. Some big changes for me personally this month - but I'm up for the challenge!

Kristina Werner colour challenge #43

2009-02-27T13:39:00.009-05:00

Relaxing Riley - doesn't he look content? I made this card for Kristina Werner's Colour Challenge #43. This week's colours were chocoloate chip, pumpkin pie, ruby red, old olive and brocade blue.

Usually I have trouble using more than 3 colours, but I had this striped patterned paper that has all of these colours and more! I used watercolour paper and all of the required colours on my main image. I had some lovely velvet ribbon that I added to tie in my olive and patterened paper panels. I used ruby red brads from Earth Elements. I also used the small and large oval punches as well as Designer label punch from S-U with my sentiment. The sentiment is from Memories in the Making (Leisure Arts Collection). There are a bunch of sayings on this hand-held unit. I wish I was Riley right now, except, the drink would be in my hand!

Truly Scrumptious sketch challenge blog...

2009-02-26T20:37:00.012-05:00

I came across another sketch challenge blog the other day called Truly Scrumptious . This is their first sketch challenge so I thought I'd participate. It has taken me until now to put the card together and upload it. I rarely make square cards, but I must say, I do like this layout. I used my new favourite Stampin' Up! Specialty Designer Series Paper (Parisian Breeze) and the coordinating colours of Baja Breeze and Close to Cocoa. Whisper White is my other neutral. I used Nestabilities for my punches (round and scallop). I used brads along with the felt flowers from Flower Fusion that matched. I finished it off with the Baja Breeze grosgrain ribbon. The stamp sets used were Dreams du Jour and Hugs & Wishes.

Watch for a couple of posts for cards using different ways to Watercolour. These cards (and more) will be one of the first classes that Cathy & I organize in the near future. More details to follow re signing up for the class. Hope this is a bit of a teaser for you!!

Happy Little Houses!

2009-02-25T14:00:00.006-05:00

It happens that Donna and I live in a neighbourhood where we are blessed with wonderful neighbours who have become one big extended family. We walk freely into each other's homes, can always find someone to share a bottle of wine, a hockey game, or a DVD; and at dinner time, we feed whoever happens to be in the building at the time without (much) complaint! Our neighbourhood isn't fancy. It doesn't aspire to be too much more than it is right now and we like it like that. It's how Donna and I met, along with several other terrific families and we are grateful every day for our cluster of "happy little houses."

So when I saw this stamp from Eat Cake Graphics, I just had to have it! I couldn't wait to ink it up, colour it with my Copic Markers and make this sunny little card to say, "Thanks - I wouldn't want to share this street with anybody else!"

Oh... and it just so happens to work right into this week's colour challenge on Split Coast Stampers!

Need Help with a Sentiment!

2009-02-24T15:35:00.004-05:00

I love, love, love these images from Eat Cake Graphics! I had a ball creating this magical garden scene, complete with flying hippo. I purchased this little girl because I could imagine so many great expressions coming out of her mouth....but now I can't think of any! So please, help a fellow card maker out - leave me a comment with your funniest ideas for what she might be saying because I want to make lots and lots of cards with her!

The card itself was quite simple - just lots of colouring with watercolour pencils and some blending with a blender pen. I finished the card off with lots of stickles 'cuz it's a magic garden!

Mojo Monday 75 - Butterflies are Free!

2009-02-24T14:10:00.006-05:00

Donna's right - Mojo Monday is a fabulous blog and I can't believe we're only just discovering it! The sketches are beautiful - so layered and rich with about a million possibilities!

So I'm a day late (and a dollar short) but here is my submission for this week's sketch challenge. I loved Donna's take on it - as usual, very sophisticated and soft. She's my hero! Unfortunately, sophisticated does not come naturally to me, so I went for pure whimsy. My image is one of many wonderful designs from Eat Cake Graphics and I spent some happy time on Saturday night colouring her in with my Copic Markers.

The patterned paper is from the Basic Grey Urban Lily collection and it worked beautifully, right down to the butterfly for this card. I followed the sketch pretty closely, using ribbon for one of the strips, a strip of paper punched with the Fiskars Threading Water punch for the scallop, and the aformentioned butterfly cut from Basic Grey paper for my embellishment. I just added a row of Kaiser rhinestones for some bling.

Happy Monday!

CC207 - Summer Kiwi Pies

2009-02-24T09:26:00.004-05:00

Today's colour challenge at SCS is Summer Sun, Kiwi Kiss and Pumpkin Pie. I've been looking at this patterned paper from We R Memory Keepers that I've had for a little while and voila, it matched perfectly with today's challenge! Gotta love it when that happens. I used a sketch challenge (# 196) from SCS and then just needed to choose a stamp set. The new Trendy Trees set from S-U hadn't seen any ink yet, so I thought I'd use that. The card base is Very Vanilla. My embellishments were Old Olive brads and a silver pen that I used to dot around the pumpkin pie paper. A simple card, but that's what I wanted to do. Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go!
Donna

Mojo Monday Week 75

2009-02-23T09:35:00.004-05:00

Here is my submission for the Mojo Monday Week 75 challenge. I used the Botanical Blooms Sale-A-Bration set. I used Gina K 120 lb. for my card base (man, this stuff is thick!) and some DSP. Chocolate chip was used as my layering panels. I inked the flowers with Cameo Coral and stamped off for the lighter images. I also used some dollar store rhinestones. I omitted the embellishment on the bottom left, which was optional. I tried something there, but it just didn't look right. Anyway, it's done, and I must get to my regular job! Have a good one!

Donna

SFYTT - I {heart} stamping!

2009-02-22T21:15:00.003-05:00

I found another sketch blog that I'm planning to follow. This one is from www.iheart2stamp.com. I especially love participating in sketch challenges because I have such a hard time with layouts. This takes all of the frustrated thinking out of the craft I love, so I am a happy camper! This card has no stamping on it - something I rarely ever manage. The sentiment is from the S-U Laughter and Love rub-on package. That is something else I rarely use, but I'm going to try that a little more. Anyway, I'm fairly pleased with the way this turned out - it's a little different for me. I used Basic Gray, Whisper White and Baja Breeze card stock. I also used the Urban Garden DSP for my main image and the panel behind it. I used the Dots cuttlebug folder on the white panel. The only other tool used was my Nesties for ovals. I am pretty sure that if I didn't need to sleep, I'd be making cards all night long!

Donna

FS107 - Casing Cupcakes

2009-02-22T13:26:00.006-05:00

This was my submission for today's Featured Stamper (SgtStamper) on SCS. We are to change at least two things from the original. I changed the cupcake image, patterned paper, ribbon and solid colour. I also used a S-U (Flourish) Texturz plate on the coral colour instead of a CB folder. I omitted the stitching that was around the layers and used only 3 half-pearls (instead of 6). I used a two-way glue pen and added stickles to the "icing". The cupcake only has one candle in the middle, so I stamped the image twice more and cut out the candles and adhered them to the cupcake. I really like this layout and the card is much brighter and shinier IRL (this isn't the best photo). Have a terrific day!

Donna

SC105 - Riley on the Road

2009-02-22T09:05:00.004-05:00

I was playing around last night after coming back from a hockey game and I pulled out this stamp I recently bought. Now, you know I'm a S-U demo, but I do occasionally "cheat" and use other stamps and other products. I hope to eventually catch up with all of the sketch challenges on SCS, so this my submission for SC105. I love these Riley stamps from Hanna Stamps. They are totally adorable. I see lots of use out of these (I only have two, so far), because my oldest son's nickname is "Moose". The patterned paper is from a scrapbook bundle from American Traditional Designs called "Road Trip". I thought it would be perfect to give Riley something to drive on. I stamped him with Timber Brown Stazon and used various inks with my aquapainter. I really like how this turned out. I used the "hello" part of "just saying hello" sentiment from SavvyStamps. I punched it using the tab punch. I used my Nestabilities to cut the circles. Brushed silver brads were the final touch.

Well, I'm off to another hockey game so I hope to play a little later for the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS. See ya!

Donna