Sunday, May 31, 2009

CDS Sneak Peek - June SOM

This cute little guy and a variety of others can be yours free with a purchase of $50 or more during the month of June from Clear Dollar Stamps. He's so much fun to play with - I had a hard time choosing what I was going to do.

As I've said in my previous posts - every month the DT are given challenges. This month, one of our cards had to be a shaped card (could not be square or rectangle in shape). My first thought was "YIKES!!! - I can't do that". But I kept on thinking.... and thinking... and thinking. I had a different idea than this but I was talking with Kim one day and she gave me this idea (can I just say how great it is to have your best friend on the same design team). I thought how perfect and then the thinking began again as to how I was going to accomplish this. So out came my craft knife and different shades of green paper and I began randomly cutting curvy lines to make the grass look like it is being blown in the wind. I ended up layering 4 colors to achieve this look. My "rock" was some Basic Gray cardstock from SU that I ran through my Cuttlebug using the Pebbles embossing Folder which I then sponged, covered in Versamark and embossing powder to give it a wet look. The turtle has been popped up on dimensionals. All in all, I LOVE how this card turned out and am thinking a shaped card might be in the works every month (notice the might - I didn't say it would be).

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Just Shellin’ (June Stamp of the Month)
CS AND PAPERS: Basic Gray, Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Dark Green (unknown), Watercolor Paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark
MARKERS: Old Olive, Gable Green, Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Real Red (ALL SU)
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: SU Markers, Aquapainter, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Pebble Cuttlebug Folder, Craft Knife, Stamping Dimensionals
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring, Dry embossing


This second card was completely a result of the DP chosen. I love how it turned out! I'm really liking the Lime Rickey collection from Basic Grey. It's fun and youthful and so vibrant. I kept the card really simple and made a little tag with the "What shell I do without you?" sentiment. Like the flower on top of the turtle? It's just one of many things you can use with the turtle in this set. Way too cute I tell ya.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Just Shellin’ (June Stamp of the Month)
CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Lime Ricky DP (Basic Grey), Pink Paislee DP, Watercolor Paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
MARKERS: Garden Green, Green Galore, Handsome Hunter, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, Only Orange, Apricot Appeal, Summer Sun, More Mustard, Bravo Burgundy (ALL SU)
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: SU Markers, Waterbrush, Ribbon, Buttons, Embroidery Thread, Classic Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities, Stamping Dimensionals, Tag Shaped Nestabilities
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

Check out what the rest of the DT has come up with:


The other set being shown today is Pretty Perches. Check out what the girls have come up with.

Laurie Wilson
Linda Borneman
Katie Renz
Candy Fosta
Cassie Trask

Saturday, May 30, 2009

CDS Sneak Peek - Charlie Lean on Me

Charlie's back and he's better than ever. I just love this guy! I swear I'll eventually own all the Charlies. He's so much fun and easy to color. Each set is unique in its' own way. I love how this one is perfect for so many occasions - especially with the sentiments that come along with it.

Each month, as a design team, we're given challenges and I made this one into a two for one deal. Yeah!!! You have to love when you can combine things to make one amazing card. This is for both the Inspiration challenge (one of our choices was a bedding set that was neutral in color with beige and black) as well as the sketch challenge. I found this DP at my LSS and fell in love with it - I was determined to use it on one of my cards this month. This is the first time I've colored Charlie in anything other than brown tones but I really like how he turned out. I'm surprised by the simplicity in this card - I love it!

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Lean on Me Charlie
CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Basic Black, Chatterbox DP, Scenic Route DP, Watercolor paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
MARKERS: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Going Gray (ALL SU)
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Circle Nestabilities, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Kraft Color Ribbon, Stamping Dimensionals, SU Markers, Aquapainter, Detail Clear Embossing Powder, Button, Linen Thread
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring


Charlie is always one of the first sets I start with each month - he inspires me! I've had this "cowboy" DP for over a year and never had any use for it (I've got it in pink tones for girls too) - should I mention my DP addiction? As soon as I saw this stamp set, I knew I had to use this DP - I really like how it turned out. Vibrant yet so understated. Notice anything about this card??? No bling! I wanted to get it on there but the image speaks for itself and I wanted to keep the focus simple.


ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Lean on Me Charlie
CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Chocolate Chip, Adornit Creations (Wild West Collection) DP, SEI Poppy String Bikini DP, My Mind’s Eye Baby Boy Stripe (Wild Asparagus Collection), Watercolor Paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
MARKERS: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Going Gray, Basic Black, Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue, Bordering Blue, So Saffron, Barely Banana, More Mustard (ALL SU)
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: SU Reinkers, SU Markers, Waterbrush, Sponge, Detail Clear Embossing Powder, Large Rectangle Nestabilities, Large Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

Check out what the rest of the DT has come up with:



Friday, May 29, 2009

CDS Sneak Peek - Motorcycle Mania


I'm a girly girl in every sense of the word but when I saw Motorcycle Mania I thought - how fun!!!! It's a great set for anyone who has a motorcyclist in the family or a wannabe biker. I wanted to challenge myself with a masculine set - which I think I've done. The first card came together quite nicely. I'm just starting to use Tombow Markers... and can I say I NEED them all now! I'm slowly accumulating them from Clear Dollar Stamps. Sooner or later, they'll all be mine. Believe it or not - this card took quite a few turns. I had totally different paper picked out but when I finished coloring my image in a very vibrant blue - I realized the DP didn't match so I started searching for more DP. I eventually found this paper but then the color of blue I had used needed to be toned down a bit and out came my Not Quite Navy Marker (from SU). I really like how it came together - and what guy card would be complete without some sparkly silver brads and ribbon. Hehe - I just can't stay away from bling.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Motorcycle Mania
CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Basic Black, Bo Bunny DP, Crate Paper DP
INK: Versafine Onyx Black, Basic Black
MARKERS: TOMBOWS – 055,443,452,493,990,993,N65 SU – Sahara Sand, Going Gray, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Only Orange, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Not Quite Navy
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Tombow and SU Markers, Aquapainter, Detail Clear Embossing Powder, Sakura Silverstar Pen, Ribbon, Brads, Classic and Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities, Classic and Scalloped Long Rectangle Nestabilities
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

For my second card, I really did stick with the DP's I had chosen before coloring the motorcycle. I wanted to keep this card simple and focus on the image. I used my Silver Gel Pen to bring out a "chrome" look to the bike. This image was colored using my SU Markers (didn't have any Tombow's at the time). I like how the sentiment is popping out from underneath the main image. I finished the card off with a few simple brads.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Motorcycle Mania
CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Basic Black, Making Memories DP, 7 Gypsies DP, Watercolor paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
MARKERS: Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Going Gray (ALL SU)
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: SU Markers, Aquapainter, Sakura Silver Gel Pen, Brads, Classic Rectangle and Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities, Long Rectangle Nestabilities
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

Check out what the rest of the design team came out with for this set:



I'll have another post up shortly that highlights a CDS Favorite, CHARLIE.

Other sets being highlighted today:

Sassy Scallops: Laurie Wilson, Cassie Trask, Nancy Grant, Stacy Morgan, Sarah Taylor, Candy Fosta

CDS Sneak Peek - Peony

Can I just tell you how excited I am about this Peony set??? My best friend, Kim Teasdale is now illustrating for Clear Dollar Stamps!!! Yeah!!!! She's dreamed about this for so long and to see it become reality is so exciting to be a part of. Not only do I get to be on a design team with Kim, I get to create with her stamps now too!!! Should I tell you added pressure??? Just kidding!!!! All kidding aside - Congrats to you Kim for having your dream come true!


A few weeks ago, I took a class about using Tombow Markers and I'm hooked!!! Thanks Kim (did I mention she teaches classes as well??). I love how this card has shine to it. Kim taught me a clever trick - mix Ranger Gold embossing Powder with Ranger Gold Tinsel embossing powder and you will get an image that sparkles and shines! Too cool eh? I've used a variety of Tombow markers (available at CDS) to color the peony. I'm finding Tombows are so much easier to use than anything I've used in the past. Sooner or later, I'll have them all... I've used Wisteria Basic Grey DP to pull my colors from. I love how there is such a grace and elegance to this card.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Peony CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Purple Bazzill, Wisteria Basic Grey DP, Swiss Dot DP (unknown), Watercolor paper INK: Versafine Onyx Black MARKERS: TOMBOWS: 098, 133, 177, 623, 679, 772 SU Markers: So Saffron, More Mustard, Summer Sun ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Tombow Markers, SU Markers, Aquapainter, Half Back Pearls, Purple Organdy Ribbon, Classic and Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities, Classic and Scalloped Oval Nestabilities, Stamping Dimensionals, Ranger Gold Tinsel and Ranger Gold Embossing Powder COLORING MEDIUM: Markers SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

Each month, the design team is issued challenges and for this month - we had a color challenge (using red and blue on a card together). I like the juxtaposition of the deep red with such a soft blue. I've had this DP forever and used it as my starting point. I find my inspiration quite often from the DP's I have (that's why I have way too many pizza boxes full of DP!!!). I used my SU Markers for this card and I find I love the look of the Tombows better. But I must say - they both showcase the peony so well.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Peony
CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Baja Breeze, My Mind’s Eye DP, Watercolor paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
MARKERS: Real Red, Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Summer Sun, More Mustard, Apricot Appeal, Really Rust (ALL SU)
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Labels 4 Nestabilities, SU Markers, Waterbrush, Buttons, Embroidery Thread, Blue Organza Ribbon, Stamping Dimensionals, Fleur de Lis EK Success Punch, Detail Clear Embossing Powder
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

Check out what the other CDS girls have come up with:


Other sets being highlighted today:

Patchpals and Messages:Laurie Wilson, Shawne Arnold, Linda Borneman, Katie Renz, Candy Fosta, Tori Wild, Cassie Trask, Stacy Morgan, Sarah Taylor
Card Directions: Lori McCroskey, Candy Fosta

Thursday, May 28, 2009

CDS Sneak Peek - Rosebud Princess


Who doesn't want to be a princess? Who didn't dream of it as a little girl??? I know I sure did! All I can say about Rosebud Princess available June 1st from Clear Dollar Stamps is TOO CUTE!!! I'm a girly girl at heart so it speaks to me. For my first card - I simply watercolored the Rosebud Carriage using my SU markers and an Aquapainter. I wanted to keep the focus on this element - so I used very little embellishments otherwise. The panels in the background have all been popped up using Stampin' Dimensionals. The sentiment "Time to Celebrate is a single stamp from CDS also being released this month. Not only is this set great for young girls - I thought the carriage would be great for a wedding shower card or even a wedding card.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Rosebud Princess, Time to Celebrate (single stamp)
CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Imaginesce DP (Fairest of them all Collection), Watercolor Paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black, Old Olive, Rose Red
MARKERS: Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Pretty in Pink, Cameo Coral, Rose Red (ALL SU)
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, SU Markers, Aquapainter, Stamping Dimensionals, Ribbon Tags Trio, Green Ribbon (Michaels)
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

My second card uses the mouse from this set as well as the princess sentiment. I wanted to keep the cards in similar tones, so that I could possibly give them away as a set. Once again, I've used my SU markers to watercolor (coming soon will be some samples using Tombow Markers). I used my Long Rectangle Nestabilities for the sentiment which I tucked in behind the ribbon.

ALL CDSTAMPS USED: Rosebud Princess
CS AND PAPERS: PTI White, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Imaginesce DP (Fairest of them all Collection), Watercolor Paper
INK: Versafine Onyx Black, Rose Red
MARKERS: Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Pretty in Pink, Cameo Coral, Rose Red, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Blush Blosoom (ALL SU)
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, SU Markers, Aquapainter, Stamping Dimensionals, Long Rectangle Nestabilities, Rectangle Nestabilities and Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities, Rose Ribbon, Half Back Pearls
COLORING MEDIUM: Markers
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Watercoloring

Check out what the design team has come up with:


This isn't the only set being shown today. There are so many wonderful sets this month to check out.

Colonial Carvings: Laurie Wilson, Nancy Grant, Stacy Morgan, Sarah Taylor, Candy Fosta
Happy 4th of July:Stacy Morgan
God Bless America:Nancy Grant, Stacy Morgan
June Rose:Laurie Wilson, Katie Renz, Stacy Morgan, Sarah Taylor, Candy Fosta
Rosebud Scrolls:Laurie Wilson, Kim Teasdale, Nancy Grant, Shawne Arnold

Don't forget about the June Guest designer position available. Check out Lori's blog, Clearly iStamp, for more details.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

FS120 Dance like no one's watching


Isn't she just so cute??? I love this Changita from Stampendous!!! We all know from a few posts back that I love these little monkeys. I've been so busy getting my CDS Sneak Peeks done that I haven't had time to make anything else once you combine work and life into the mix. I have a few days of down time now so I wanted to play.

I love Mercy's work (mkstampin74) on SCS - she's the featured stamper today. How to choose???? Her work is gorgeous!!!! This is the card I chose to case:
Cuppyland

As per the rules - these are the things I've changed: image, ribbon and the ribbon treatment, DP, no piercing, and my half back pearls instead of brads.

Hope you like it!!!

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Changita Ballerina (Stampendous), Sentiment is Stamping Bella
Paper: PTI White, Chocolate Chip, American Crafts DP, Making Memories DP, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Gingham ribbon, Button, Embroidery Thread, Chocolate Half Back Pearls, Clear Detail Embossing Powder


Friday, May 15, 2009

CDSWCC19 Beak out


I've been so busy lately that I haven't had much time to post any cards. Sorry ladies!!!! Work has been busy and I've been trying to get all of my June Sneak Peek cards done. I'm so excited about them!!!! You'll love what Clear Dollar Stamps is coming out with. When I saw what this week's color challenge for CDS was - I knew I had to play along!

This week's colors are:
Old Olive
Tangerine Tango
So Saffron
White

Of course this ducky is the first thing that came to mind. The duck is from a set called Cute Critters and the sentiment is from the newly released set Christian Critters Too. What do you think? I actually made a Clean and Simple card. Check out all the white space! I wanted the sentiment to be what stands out on the card. I think I achieved the look I was going for. Hope you like it.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Cute Critters, Christian Critters Too
Paper: PTI White, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Scenic Route DP, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: SU Markers, Aquapainter, Ribbon, Nestabilities, Stamping Dimensionals

On a side note - make sure you check out Clear Dollar Stamps website. They are now carrying Basic Grey Bling - Rhinestones and Pearls in a variety of colors!!! We all know I love my bling so I have a feeling, I'll be placing an order in the next couple of days. To find them, you can either click on New Product in May on the sidebar or the Basic Grey section on their side bar.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

FS118 You Pick me up


Happy Mother's Day to all moms!!!!! I thought that this would be an appropriate card for Mother's Day. What can I say? I'm a little bit cheeky ;-) (So I've been told all my life!!!) I picked this Changito up at my local Stamp Store yesterday as I had ordered a bunch in. I must confess...... My name is Angela and I am a Changito addict. Hehehe.... I think they are just the cutest images and fun to color.

I made this card for today's Featured Stamper Challenge on SCS - dbdoodle. This is the card I chose to case called I don't Know. Things I changed include: image, DP, sentiments, ribbon, button shapes.

I hope you like it Mom! Love ya!!!!!!

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Changito Vacuum, You pick me up (both by Stampendous)
Paper: PTI White, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Cosmo Cricket DP, Basic Grey DP, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: SU Markers, Aquapainter, Buttons, Linen Thread, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Stamping Dimensionals, Clear Embossing Powder




Wednesday, May 6, 2009

SC227 Need Coffee....




Do you think that coffee might help me find my mojo??? It's gone missing and I need it back! Yikes!!! I've been in a bit of a stamping funk so I took some time to get other things done and find inspiration. Work has been busy and life has been getting in the way of my time for stamping and cardmaking. Hopefully, I'm back now!

I've always LOVED Changitos and when I saw this one, I knew I had to have it. I swear this is me in the morning some days but for me it's a Mocha I want. I really like that Stampendous is bring the Changitos out in Cling Rubber rather than just wood. (I'm running out of room for stamps). He's just so cute! I've combined him with a sentiment from Amuse that I don't use often enough. I thought this could be a fun card for so many things.

Sparkle and Bling List:
Stamps: Changito Coffee from Stampendous, Sentiment from Amuse
Paper: PTI White, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Offbeat Collection from Basic Grey, Making Memories Houndstooth DP, Watercolor paper
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Detail Clear Embossing Powder, SU Markers, Aquapainter, Stamping Dimensionals, Espresso Half Back Pearls, Nestabilities