Use It!

It wasn't until I saw Sibohan's new blog challenge spot that I realized how long it has been since I've done anything serious in my studio. The new challenge spot that she and her co-founder, Sami, have designed is called "Use It Tuesday" and it's intention is to target those crafty supply hoarders. Their challenge is to "dig into your scrappy stash and play along." Well, that's where I become embarrassed -- as I am one of the best hoarders around and lately I've been doing more hoarding than creating. Won't you join me in creating something from your stash for their challenge?

Snowflake Kisses

It is a rarity for two of my favorite challenge spots to offer up a challenge that I can put into one card. This week it happened! Stampin' Sisters in Christ asks for weather and Penny Black says "Let it Snow" -- and soon it will -- or already has in some places! (awesome DT cards here and here.) Here in the Arizona desert all we can do is dream about snow so little Hedgie is in a snow globe. The snow globe (stamp by Embossing Arts) is stamped on acetate and the contents are raised for dimension.

Rain, shine, or snow, I hope your day is filled with winter wishes and snowflake kisses.

Other stuff: Martha Stewart border punch, sizzix, cuttlebug embossing folders, gems, phrase by my hand, glitter glue, ribbon, snowflakes from stash.

Pieced Bounty

Operation Write Home Mid-Week Throwdown: paper piecing. Visit OWH for details on how you can share your beautiful cards with our folks in the service. When I chose this image, I didn't consider all the little bits and pieces -- I think this will be a one-of-a-kind! When all those little bits were attached, I double embossed the image with clear embossing power -- it really brought out the brilliance of the colors, sealed all the bits, and gave it a more dimensional appearance. The frame is on foam mounts for more dimension.

Stuff I used: Stamps by StacyStamps, Hero Arts, Posh Impression, Costco;

McGill Punch, Sizzix die cut, papers and ribbon from stash.

Got Pumpkins? -- Make Pie!

Halloween may be over -- but it's still pumpkin "season" and this happy Gruffie knows just what to do -- enjoy pumpkin pie. Many of you will recognize this image as the Gruffie who is leaned up against a pile of pizza boxes eating a piece of pizza. The current House Mouse challenge is to make a Halloween card or use Halloween colors so I did both! Be sure to pop by the challenge blog spot to view some amazing and Spooktacular design team cards. Gruffie is dry embossed on the back and affixed with foam mounts for a full tummy!

Stuff I used: The Jack O'lantern is a stamp by Anita's, swirls and little pumpkins are Sizzix, copper glitter by Duncan. Other things: cuttlebug embossing folder, foam mounts, $ store flower, pumpkin seeds and papers from Stash.

Hmmmm, I think I'll go bake one of those Gruffie pies!

Celebrate

Penny Black's challenge is to use a triangle or zig-zag this week. I am celebrating today by inking this Penny Black stamp (dry embossed and foam mounted for dimension) for the first time. The tree (the qualifying triangle) is a Sizzix die cut and Cuttlebugged (is that a word?) The background (snow) is also Cuttlebugged (yup it's a word).

This card (top fold 41/4 x 5 1/2) is sort of an easel card to allow for the tall tree adorned with pearls from stash. The easel stopper and other adornments are foam mounted snowflake sequins also from stash. Stash is the biggest store in my town! The stars are twinkled with Art Institute Glitter and a bit of teenie tinsel stars. You can celebrate too by inking a brand new stamp today! Thanks for looking.

Danger

My grandson is growing up (13 already and is as tall as I am) and I know that he won't be "scared" for not one second with this card -- but I do hope he enjoys it! This was inspired by GinaK's latest StampTV tutorial on making a gatefold with a twist. The twist being that there are two outer components --the skull image attached to one side; danger, attached only to the other side allowing the card to open.

The best fun was creating the inside. The Mummy is attached by a black thread at just the point that will allow him to "spring" from his tomb when the card is opened! There's no danger in having fun!

Details: Stamps: Stampendous, Inkadinkado, Cuttlebug folder, Sizzix die cuts,

Stickers from Stash

Pink Ribbon

To relaunch my blog after a short hiatus, Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge this week was a good place to start. The challenge is to create a "mostly pink" card that also sports a pink ribbon -- this is in honor and prayer for those battling cancer. A gatefold was my choice for this and I am making one for each of my friends who are cancer survivors. Thanks "Sisters" for re-inspiring me.

Details: PSX Stamp, Diamond Glaze, Art Institute glitter, Cuttlebug embossing folder, gold EP, $ store flowers, ribbon - stash.

Swinging Back into Action

I'm swinging back into action. My dh and I have just returned from a great trip to Costa Rica. We saw an amazing array of flora and fauna and had a wonderful time walking and "swinging" in the rainforests. I'll be back in my laundry room soon not only to work in the studio, but I do actually have a suitcase full of clothes to wash!

Still Counting Blessings

House Mouse in and of itself is as much an addiction as stamping. This little guy (Mudpie) was still on my stamping table from a previous House Mouse challenge I called "Sweet Dreams" and he found his way into this colander of fresh fruit - still dreaming away -- but this time counting his blessings. He's colored with watercolor pencils and the grapes are enhanced with crystal lacquer and foam mounted for dimension. All the fruit and colander are sizzix die cuts -- the pear was cut from some tea stained paper I had made for another project. Lace edging by Fiskars border punch. Phrase from Stampendous. Assembled by yours truly, Martha Kay.

Leaves of Fall

I am counting my blessing on these leafs while I am away from my stamping studio. The leaves are sizzix die cut, stamped on and cuttlebug embossed and are attached by the stems only so that they can be moved about to read all those uplifting and encouraging words. Word stamps from PSX, Stampendous, etc. Underlying frame stamped with Too Much Fun Leaf background stamp. Simple but fun to receive yes?

Mardi Gras

While I am on vacation, here's another greeting card recycle project (shredded Christmas cards) inspired by Mardi Gras. The feathers were stamped on purple cardstock, cut out and dotted with glitter glue. Craft punch for swirls

Strum along with me....

I enjoyed making this Iris fold project by recycling business envelopes. The strings are gold cord and the tuning pegs (or whatever they are called) are glitter glue. Corner punched layers on an All Night Media stamped background. Another iris fold project can be found here.

Thanks for coming by today -- please lmk what you think.