Two Posts and Three Challenges in One Day!

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....

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

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...

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!

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!

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

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!