2008 March » Rainy Day Creations

Beate’s Tuesday Inspiration Challenge #6

Mar 252008

For her inspiration piece this week, Beate has chosen this skirt from Coldwater Creek.

I have been trying to learn to brayer. When I saw this beautiful skirt I knew another brayered card was soon going to be attemped.

And I finally used my Build a Brad Kit. Nothing fancy.. just a plain piece of Taken With Teal card stock. But I love it. How cool to be able to match any card stock or color perfectly by making your own accessory with it.

Beate I LOVED this week’s inspiration piece. You pick ’em good! I hope to be seeing a lot more of these colors in the next little bit as I’m headed off to Mexico for Spring Break. Will catch everyone on the other side! 🙂

Stamps: Essence of Love, Infinite Goodness
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Taken With Teal
Ink: Taken With Teal, Cool Caribbean, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Jet Black Stazon
Accessories: Build a Brad (Pewter), GG Ribbon

It's a Win Win

Mar 242008

It’s a little past midnight and I’ve just returned from random.org, and a couple of SAB sets have a home!

And the winners are:

#5 flossie
I love the so many scallops set, but would be thrilled with any of them they are all beautiful. Thanks for the opportunity to win. Love the scallops on your card.

#20 Allison
Hmm…I got the “So Many Scallops” with my SAB order…so I think the “Merci” one. What a neat card you created…a different layout to boot!

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I will email both of you so you can send me your addresses. I’ll get them mailed asap!

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Spring Break is coming and we are going to be sneaking away soon to do some serious playing down South of the border. Well most of us anyway. My oldest son has this thing called a job so he won’t be joining us. (Although he works at Google and I sometimes think playing is all they do there anyway! lol) So I will be busy getting everything packed and ready to go. I have one more card ready to post for Beate’s Inspiration Challenge tomorrow, and I already have some ideas in my head that I can hardly wait to try as soon as I get back. However one of the first orders of business will be to finish finding homes for the last of my SAB sets. So…

Hasta luego mis amigos!

Happy Easter

Mar 222008

Happy Easter weekend everyone! Aren’t these little guys just the cutest. They are from Royal Doulton’s Sweet Dreams.

A few weeks ago I went to my retired upline and friend Joella’s home for a fun day of paper crafting. She had purchased these cool shadow boxes by Provo Craft. After she cut out the Art Blanche decorative paper by EK Success (thanks for cutting it, Joella), I modge podged it to the lid.

Next she used her Cricut to cut out the letters. To mount some of the letters in the box I used rubber scraps that I had saved when trimming some stamps. One side is already sticky and I applied double sided adhesive to the other side. This rubber makes a sturdy dimensional. I added ribbons, primas, stickles, moss, a miniature fern and those darling little bunnies.

Hope that everyone gets to spend this Easter with those you love. Have a wonderful and joyous day.

(Click to enlarge.)

Smorgasbord

Mar 212008

Check this out! Silke Ledlow nominated me for this award! How cool is that! Isn’t it beautiful. *big grin*

Thank you, Silke! You made my day!

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Last week I went to this art class at my neighbor and artist extraordinaire Michelle’s home. I painted a blue tulip. It wasn’t very good and I decided after ONE lesson that I wasn’t going to continue. Then I read this post from Carol Lee:

# Carol Leeon 13 Mar 2008 at 6:14 am

…Give yourself more time to learn! Nobody gets it perfect the first time. I bet your first stamped card was not your best work either… Practice more, you’ll be amazed at how much you’ll improve!!

So after I read that I took a look at the very first card I ever stamped 2-1/2 years ago. It was a workshop and I LOVED this card. Okay it’s cute but I decided maybe Carol was right.

I was expecting my first attempt to look like Michelle’s current masterpieces.. Art that she has been able to paint only after years and years of study and practice. So the bottom line… I went to another class. This lesson was only about painting shapes like squares and cylinders and cones. Using yellow and red paint we had to blend them to create at least three values to show the light and shadow as well as the shape. Here is my cone.

Try as I might I could NOT get a point on the top. So I added a pompom to make it a hat! lol Poor Michelle. She is trying to be really patient with me. Sorry Michelle. I’ll try to behave next time. hehe

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I hadn’t been home long when I realized I had forgotten my DBIL’s birthday. So I made this card for him.

I tried to use a little of what I had just learned about lighting and shading. This is an SUO card.

Stamps: For Father, Twill, It’s Your Birthday
Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Watercolor, Prints DP (More Mustard)
Ink: Jet Black Stazon and Reinkers and Markers
Accessories: Old Olive Poly-Twill Ribbon, Brad, Aquapainters

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The birthday card is for “Patty’s Bad Day” hubby. Patty is my DSIL who fell on some ice a couple of weeks ago and shattered her leg, dislocated her ankle and had to have some major surgery to repair everything. Several people have asked how she is doing. Well she’s doing okay… she emailed some pictures. Oh my they are… well gruesome! Don’t worry. I haven’t posted any of those. But this one shows all of the pins and plates that she had to have put in her leg. She definitely is going to have fun going through airport security from now on! lol

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And finally the last dish on the Smorgasbord table. Deb Wood has tagged me! I haven’t been blogging very long but I think that means that I’m supposed to list 7 things about myself.. That in itself is easy enough but I think they are also supposed to be interesting. And therein lies the rub!

1. I lived for 5 years in London England where my 4th son was born.

2. My first job as a teenager was an usherette. Now you younger people probably don’t even know what that is! But when you went to the movies back in the 60’s, there would be a girl standing at the back with a flashlight who would help you find a seat if you wanted or needed it. Since I would have to stand there for the entire movie I ended up seeing some movies so many times I had them memorized.

3. Also when I was a teenager I played classical piano for ballet classes. It paid a whole lot better than babysitting!

4. I hiked to the top of Mount Vesuvius in Italy. There is a chairlift for tourists but it was broken the day we were there so we decided to hike it. I was 5 months pregnant at the time!

5. I married my childhood sweetheart… Literally. We met when we were 3 years old! I’m 23 days older than him and he likes to tease me about his “old lady” and how I “robbed the cradle” for those 23 days until his birthday.

6. I am a certified scuba diver. On my 50th birthday my DH took me diving in Tahiti. One of the dives was with sharks! Another was a deep dive where we sat on the ocean floor and huge 12′ manta rays kept swimming over us within touching distance.

7. I have a Harley. *Insert my family rolling their eyes here. It has been years since I rode it. Not sure I would even remember how!*

Now I think I’m supposed to tag someone. So what I would like to do is for anyone who has actually read to the bottom of this post (and who would like) to list 7 things about themselves. Let me know when you have done so. I would LOVE to read them!

Don’t you just love Fridays. Have a great one!

More SAB Blog Candy!

Mar 202008

Guess what? I still have six more 2008 SAB sets that are looking for someone to love them. Is that you? Just leave a comment here on this post and say which ONE from the four available sets you would choose if you are one of the winners. I will use random.org on Monday, March 24th to pick TWO winners.

Here’s what the winners will be choosing from:
So Many Scallops

Birthday Whimsy

Merci

Lots of Thoughts

(The winners will be the #1 and #2 pick from random.org. The #1 winner will have 1st choice. The #2 winner will then choose from the remaining sets available.)

Here’s a fun card I made using the 2008 SAB set “Merci”.

I have so been loving this new textured scalloped card stock from DCWV. Here I have paired it with my new backgrounder from Cornish Heritage Farms. I pierced the card stock and then used a white gel pen to connect the holes. I have always loved faux stitching and I think the pierced paper makes it look so real.

Stamps: Merci, Pretty Pattern Backgrounder (CHF)
Paper: Whisper White, Regal Rose, Scalloped Textured Card Stock (DCWV)
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Regal Rose, Pretty In Pink, Bordering Blue, Sage Shadow, White Gel Pen
Accessories: Ribbon (Making Memories), Rhinestone Brad, Paper Piercer, Corner Punch, Crimper

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This post is now closed for comments.

Merry Christmas 2

Mar 192008

So somewhere between St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, I’m making Christmas cards. It’s the 2008 Holiday Card Challenge group that I have joined over at Splitcoaststampers that has caused this strange behavior! Each month from January through November we are to make 10 cards. The challenge was changed a little this year from last. So instead of just Christmas cards it is now 10 “Holiday” cards per month. That way if someone doesn’t need 100+ Christmas cards they can mix it up to include Easter or 4th of July or whatever holiday they choose. But it needs to be 10 cards per month. Here are my March cards.

On the first card I completed I put a rhinestone brad to finish it off. But I decided I actually liked it better without the brad. The one card had to keep it as there was a nice hole there, but the others were spared! This is an SUO card meaning that all products used to make this card are Stampin’ Up! only.

I’m so happy that I joined this group. I now have 30 cards already done just waiting to go!

Stamps: Paint Prints, Floral Backgrounder, All-Year Cheer III
Paper: Handsome Hunter, Whisper White
Ink: Handsome Hunter, Bravo Burgundy, Apricot Appeal
Accessories: Satin Ribbon in Purely Pomegranate, Brads

* * * * * * * * * * * * BLOG CANDY ALERT * * * * * * * * * * * *
Oh and come back tomorrow. I still have several of the 2008 SAB sets to send out to someone. It could be you!!!

Beate's Tuesday Inspiration Challenge #5

Mar 182008

How cool is this picture! It is a painting by Ivan Reyes. It is also Beate’s inspiration piece this week.

As soon as I saw this piece a couple of different cards came to mind. Both are very different styles. I couldn’t decide which way to go with it so I did both. The first one has a retro feel to it and uses DCWV’s new textured scalloped card stock. Isn’t it fun. There are page pebbles of varying sizes placed over the multicolored circles.

The second card was created by coloring the stamps with markers and the spritzing them with water before stamping them. This gives the images the look of being watercolored. It is also an SUO card meaning only Stampin’ Up! products were used.

Beate, thanks for another great inspiration piece!

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Card 1
Stamps: Sentiment Circle of Friendship
Paper: Old Olive, Yoyo Yellow, Only Orange, Whisper White, DCWV Textured Scalloped Card Stock
Ink: Jet Black Stazon
Accessories: Page Pebbles, Ribbon from Michael’s $ Spot, Circle Punches

Card 2
Stamps: Easy Elegance (Retired), Lots of Thoughts
Paper: Old Olive, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black and Markers: Old Olive, Summer Sun, Only Orange
Accessories: Black GG Ribbon, Gold Cording, Small Oval Punch, Small Hole Punch, Brad

Peek A Boo I See You!

Mar 172008

Isn’t this sweet!! This past week Beate had a wonderful tutorial over on Splitcoaststampers for this darling little “Peek A Boo Treat Holder”. With Beate’s great instructions it was so quick and easy to make.

If you want to see more of these fun holders, check them out here. As for me, I’m off to eat the rest of those chocolate bunnies! *grin* Have a great day today and don’t forget to wear some GREEN!!

Stamps: Sentiment from Rubber Soul
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Barely Banana, DP from DCWV
Ink: Jet Black Stazon
Accessories: Double Stitched Ribbon (Soft Sky), Scalloped Punch, 1-3/8″ Circle Punch, Flower Punch, Scalloped Scissors, Stickles, Sweet Tasty and Adorable Chocolate Bunny 🙂

One month!

Mar 152008

Today is my blog’s one month birthday! Thanks to everyone who has stopped by. I’m having so much fun! I hope that you’ve had an occasional smile while you’ve been here!

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Before I get to my card today can I backtrack just a bit? Remember my tulip “painting” a couple of days ago… the one I painted at my friend and neighbor Michelle’s home? Well one of the other ladies (Nan) in the class took some pictures of Michelle’s beautiful work. I just wanted to share them with you. The top two are watercolors.

And this gorgeous tulip one is acrylics.

Oh and check out Nan’s sketch and subsequent painting!

All these gorgeous tulips… Here I am struggling trying to paint just ONE!!

But I decided I have an excuse. See that plate in the lower left hand corner of the picture? Those are coconut macaroons dipped in chocolate. Now seriously… who could concentrate with those intoxicating goodies right under their nose!!

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This evening my youngest son had his first high school track meet of the season. He ran the anchor on the 4 X 400 relay. His team came in first! Well if you’ve ever been to a track meet, they run the events in the same order every time. The 4 X 400 is the very LAST event. So the meet started at 4pm. Zach ran at around 7:30! But it was worth the wait to see him cross the finish line! *insert huge grin here*

So I didn’t get a chance to stamp anything tonight. However I still have a card to share that I made awhile ago. While browsing magazines and catalogs I will often see pictures that my brain will immediately twist into some sort of card design. (I think this may be some sort of sickness. Not sure.) Anyway I came across this chandelier in a Neiman-Marcus catalog.

And finally the card that came from it.

All stamped images are gold embossed. There is gold leaf around the Cool Carribean panel and also on the large oval behind the sentiment. The flowers are all cut out and popped up on dimensionals.

Stamps: Polka Dots & Paisley, Small Script

Paper: Cool Carribean, Cranberry Crisp, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark, Gold Leaf

Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Ribbon, Rhinestones, Oval Punches, Gold Cording

Have a GREAT WEEKEND!!!

A Winner, A Surprise and A Card (or two)

Mar 142008

A winner:

Random.Org has chosen comment #22 – Sandyh50 to receive one of my SAB sets!!

Sandy I have emailed you. Let me know which set you would like and your address. I’ll get it in the mail to you asap!!

A surprise:

I’ve decided to go ahead and give 2 sets away!! Number 2 on the Random.Org list is comment #82 – Kathy Hering!! Kathy as soon as Sandy lets me know which set she wants, I will email you with what is still available for you to choose from.

Congrats ladies!! Hope you have fun with your stamps.

A card:

Last month I received this darling card from my DDIL. Well it was from my son, too, but Kimberly made it. Isn’t it just the cutest!

She wanted me to be sure and mention that she got her inspiration from this adorable card by BeccaP on Splitcoaststampers. Kimberly has not been stamping long. I think she is just so talented. I plan to show off some more of her cards in the future. 🙂

The stamp set used here is called “Unfrogettable” from Stampin’ Up!.

One of my favorite blogs and stampers in the whole world is Sharon Johnson (notimetostamp). Every Friday Sharon has a “Stamp Simply” challenge on her blog. This week she has challenged us to use paper piercing. Well I have NEVER paper pierced before so decided to take some baby steps and give it a try.

Can you see it! lol The flower made from the scallop punch is something I saw over on Beate Johns’ blog. Beate posted a scrapbook page that her friend Cheryl Simmons had done. I thought it was so cute and clever.

Stamps: Sentiment from Rubber Soul

Paper: Whisper White, Cameo Coral, Textured Scalloped Card Stock from DCWV

Ink: Tempting Turquoise

Accessories: Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss Embossing Folder, Rhinestone Brad, Paper Piercer, Gingham Ribbon (Making Memories), Punches: Scalloped, Flower, Word Window

Oh and one last thing. I wanted to mention about my new signature over there on the sidebar under my picture. Fun stuff! You can have one too. It’s free and you can check it out over at My Live Signature.