Soot can be Beautiful

How do I explain my absence? I've been in the laundry room actually doing laundry -- LOL. This black and white card is from my technique archives when I was in the early stages of experimentation. The film strip background was perfect to showcase the images from the "black and white" era. Most of you probably won't recognize any of these "funny faces."

The technique is to lay enough soot on a piece of glossy card stock to make a "film" to stamp the image into. Gina K recently produced a tutorial with great detailing of this technique. Soot can be beautiful -- and Gina K can show you how!!

I've lost track of the stamp maker info for these -- they are on plastic pegs. If anyone recognizes them, please let me know. Either way, please take time to leave a comment so I know you were here -- and many thanks for your visit!

Peace

I always enjoy the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge and I have missed a couple of weeks so I am doing "make-up" by creating a second card for this week's challenge. The challenge details are here along with my first post. This card a product of some of the pieces I couldn't get on to my first card (below). From the beginning, I had wanted to use the dove as an important image for Peace and so when I created this second larger card, I was able to do just that. The Dove is a Sizzix die cut, tolled, and overlayed with another die cut (embossed). MS border punch and some more of my new favorite flowers (Primas) from my blogging friend Sue. Again, go visit here (Stampin' Sisters) and here (Sue's Rubber Stamping Adventures) for great examples of creativity. Two posts in one day -- a new first for me! Thanks for coming by. This one is being delivered to my sister in Christ, Ann.

Psalm 46:10

Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge verse: Psalm 29:11 "The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace." The Challenge: Make a card/layout/project using a peaceful image or a verse about peace. For extraordinary inspirational pieces submitted for the challenge, I encourage you to visit Stampin' Sisters in Christ. When I think of peace, I think of God and the DeNami stamp: Psalm 46:10 seemed just right for the centerpiece of this card. "Be still and know that I am God." (Now that is peace that passeth all understanding.) I was delighted to have just received in the mail some beautifully frosted prima flowers from my blogging friend Sue's blog candy to complete this card. Sue's Rubber Stamping Adventures is another great place to visit for fabulous card creations -- go take a look and tell her hello - she presents new blog candy every month -- not to mention great eye candy. Sent to Sandy B with sincere sympathy for her loss of Joe.

Stuff I used: Cuttlebug embossing folder, from stash: ribbon,

heart brad, sizzix die cuts, and those beautiful new Prima flowers

(blog candy) from my friend Sue

Table Scraps

Here's a little exercise when you just have a few minutes -- I did these while doing the laundry (well, sort of doing the laundry). The benefits are two-fold: easy little cards and your work table gets cleared off. Challenge yourself to use those little scraps, bits and pieces and "rejected" cut outs, punch outs and images leftover on your work table for quickies. You'll be surprised, what you can do with just what's on the table!

In this case, the heart "stems" were left over from a die-cut, and the hearts punch from scraps on the table.

Added: Cuttlebug panel, stamping on stems from Embossing Arts.

P.S. I added a wire spiral to dangle from the top of the heart and sent it on its way to wish my new Friend Chris a Happy Birthday.

-- keep going -- there's more!



On the table: left-over die cut parts of a Lion, the heart, flower, and circle seal.
Added: Cuttlebug background, and jagged sponged panel.

A Get Well and Thinking of You to my dear Aunt Dot (90 years old!)






and come take a look at the last one below....




On the table: Hearts, stars and card stock pieces from a die cut (that I decided looked just like candles).
Added: Cuttlebug panel, and two stamps (unknown), Diamond Glaze.

Birthday Wishes to JTB

Thought for the day: Those table scraps can turn into tasty morsels -- and the laundry might get done too!

Sunrise

I couldn't decide on the background for this -- and my son said that this blue background looked like the coolness of sunrise -- so I liked the idea of the beginning of the day to say "Wild For you!" The color bars were leftovers stitched and bradded atop a cuttlebug embossed panel with the sizzix Giraffe and Sun added with dimensionals. "Wild For You" is a Michael's $ stamp (another souvenir of Nashville). Background created with a Stampendous texture stamp. I am wild for your comments!

P.S. Hoping this will bring a smile to my friend Paula who collects giraffes -- she's just out of surgery and needs encouragement!

The Cross

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Blog presents Challenge # 28 Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Pamela's challenge is freedom to choose the project but with one caveat: actively create this project as an act of worship to God. For more about this challenge and to see the DT's beautiful contributions visit here. The verse I have used for this card is from Stampin' Up: "We pause to thank the Lord above for family and friends who give us love! " The cross is a reminder of the ultimate Love of God. With this card, I say Thanks to God for everything.

I lost my daylight for this photo -- I hope to replace it tomorrow with the coming of the sun! But -- I've got a date to meet my Canadian Stamping Buddies, Ann and Anne, at the 13th Annual Rubber Stamp Spring Fling!

Stuff I used: Sizzix, Stampin' Up, DCVW paper, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, stash stuff

Tea Time

Here's my rendition of the sketch over at KL StampinNScrapin Blog this week. Be sure to pop over and take a look at the DT's creativity. Also, Kelly has a great tutorial on making a beautiful card holder. Here's the sketch:I know you are going to be surprised that I don't have more to say -- I'm on my way out the door for a "tea time" with friends. Stamping convention tomorrow!

Stuff I used: DCWV Papers, Sizzix, Darcie Stamp, and stash.

Would you tell me please?

. . . which way I ought to go from here? Alice has quite an adventure ahead of her at Oh, Alice! the Alice In Wonderland Blog Challenge. Chapter Two this week is a sketch like this one "running in a sketchy circle":
My creation is with DCWV papers, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Stamps: All Night Media, Embossing Arts, Art Institute Glitter, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Sewing Machine, Computer generated verses, Memories ink pads, extra stash stuff.

The way I should go from here is down the rabbit hole and into my Laundry Room! Have a great day no matter where you want to get to.

Mary's Tapping in Joy

Mary is tapping her heels in joy with spring on its way.
This delightful Mo image is another freebie -- Today she is appearing on this card using Dawn's challenge sketch for a chance to win a lovely Mo image. Mary's skirt is toled for dimension and she is cut out and applied in the frame with foam dots. Visit Mo's to see more great images and for the DT creations and the challenge information go here.

Here's Dawn's Sketch:

Stuff I used: DCWV Sizzix, flowers (thank you Kristine), Art Institute Glitter, Michael's $ stamp, Inkadinkadoo stamp, various punches, quilling and brads from stash.

Thanks for visiting....