A New Challenge At The Paper Shelter - Inspired By!

Welcome back!  I haven't posted a card for a few days and, wow, has it felt strange.  But, I'm back today to announce the new challenge at The Paper Shelter and it's a good one.  This week, the DT is asking you to pay homage to a special creation that may have caught your eye from one of your fellow card makers.  Maybe it was the fabulous color palette, the clever layout, or the stunning use of embellishments; whatever the case may be, it speaks to you on some level, so why not create a card inspired by it.

My inspiration card was created by one of my favorite card makers out in Blogland,  Jami Bova a.k.a. Sgt. Stamper.  Jami's cards are always wonderful.  She certainly knows her way around a Copic Marker and she has a fun, whimsical style, that incorporates elegance and sophistication all at the same time.  Sounds like an impossible combination?  Not for Jami.  One peek at her blog and you'll see what I mean.  The card that caught my eye was this darling number she posted a while back.  I love the mostly white design for it's uber clean lines and the way it makes the brightly colored image sing against it's pristine backdrop.  Lovely, lovely, lovely!  Thank you, Jami, for sharing your talents and inspiring us daily with your wonderful work!

Now, it's YOUR turn!  Show us your inspired creations and be sure to post a link to the card that gets your artistic juices flowing within your post.  We can't wait to see what you come up with!  If you use a Paper Shelter image in your creation you might be randomly selected to win a $15.00 gift certificate to The Paper Shelter's Shop.  These digis are exquisitely designed and the images are so much fun you'll have a hard time narrowing your choices down, but $15.00 buys a lot in this shop, so if you win, you are certain to have a good time ;D

Please stop by The Paper Shelter Blog and check out the DT's amazing creations.  Who knows, maybe one of their cards will be your inspiration piece :D 

I'm hoping to pop back in tomorrow with something a bit different for me.  Cross your fingers ;D  In the meantime, stay crafty!

Blog Candy at Rachael's Handmade Designs!

Hey, all!  Just a quick post to let you know about some amazing blog candy on my friend Rachael's site.  She has put together an incredible assortment of card making tools including stamps, paper, ink, embellishments, even a couple of Copic Markers, and a whole lot more!  Everything you need to make a boatload of cards!

Her contest ends on May 31st, but you better get over and sign up soon.  Somebody has to win this fabulous prize, it might be YOU!  What are you still doing here?  Get your butt over to Rachael's Handmade Designs and sign up now ;D

I'll be back tomorrow with a brand new challenge at The Paper Shelter, so do come back ;D  Until then, stay crafty!  

A New Challenge at Kenny K!

Hey, all!  Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the fabulous birthday wishes!  Who knew I would meet so many wonderful friends in Blogland ;D

It's Sunday and with that comes a new challenge at Kenny K's Krafty Girlz!  The theme this month is Aquamarine!  Such a lovely color.  Incorporate it into your creation to amp up Spring, Easter, and Mother's Day cards!  The sponsor this week is Bearly Mine Designs and they are offering up 2 digital paper sets of the winner's choice.  Fantastic!  Kenny K is also offering the winner 5 digi images of their choice.  Put these two dynamite elements together and you have the makings of some terrific card creations!

Bearly Mine Designs

Kenny K Downloads

In addition to a new challenge, Kenny K is introducing 3 new Retro images and a set of Easter accessories to dress up your current Kenny K designs.  For my card, I chose Super Mom.  She is feisty as all get out and reminds me of my mom ;D  Head to the Kenny K Download site and check out the other images.  They are great!

Want to see more?  Get yer butt over to Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge Blog and check out what the DT has up their sleeve.  LOTS of eye-candy!

That's it for now.  Stay Crafty!

   

Happy Birthday To Me!

Hola, mis amigos!  Today is a special day for me.  44 years ago today, at exactly 4:19am I entered this world...kicking and screaming, and certainly unaware that my future was going to be filled to the brim with absurd amounts of paper, inks, and rubber stamps.  And the lovely woman responsible for my reality?  My wonderful mother.  Oh, dad played a part too, but mom did all the heavy lifting...literally.

Mom and I are tight.  We can crack each other up in a nanosecond, sharing a good, hearty guffaw until it escalates into fits of laughter with tears streaming down our faces.  Best of all, we share a crazy insane passion for paper crafting.  I started to draft the story of how we got into this obsessive hobby as part of this post, but as I progressed deeper into the our personal journey through stamping nirvana, the details started sounding all too familiar.  I did a bit of scouring through my older blog posts and sure enough, there's the story in black and white.  No need to tell it again.  If you're interested in knowing our humble beginnings, click here.  It's fairly entertaining ;D

The real reason for this post today is to share a fabulous art piece that mom created especially for me :)  The woman is super artsy, ridiculously crafty, and just plain talented.  The pictures do not even come close to capturing the awesomeness of mom's project, but let's see if I can assist in filling that gap with a bit descriptive prose.  The base begins with a small, but mighty painted canvas that serves as the stage for her artfully crafted vignette.  A layer of distressed grunge paper adorns the canvas and provides the first layer of vintage charm.  Corrugated cardboard is transformed from something normally discarded into a textural element, with a bit of strategic tearing and whitewashing, to highlight the raised ridges that take on the appearance of a picket fence.  Grunge paper/board images are brought to life with glorious inks and stamped designs to provide the nature inspired "cherry on the cake" so to speak.  A gift from the heart that I will cherish always.  I love you, mom :)

I probably will not post tomorrow...gonna take a little break to do some celebrating ;D  I will, however, see you on Sunday with a new challenge from Kenny K.  There are a few new images to introduce and, of course, they are fabulous!  See you then and be sure to stay crafty!          

It's all about paint at Bombshell Stamps!

Welcome!  This month's pin-up girl at Bombshell Stamps is Anita Marie and she is asking us to play with paint.  I've actually been playing with quite a bit of paint lately, so I was armed when she issued this challenge.  I used acrylic paint on my hearts and then topped them with a thick coat of Distress Crackle Paint in Rock Candy .

My image du jour is from the Lucky Bride set.  This is the second time I have used her on a card and I just love her!  I know she is supposed to be a bride, but I like using her as a Spanish senorita instead.  She's way fun to color, too!  That crazy cool background image with the skulls and crossbones is from Carmen's Veranda.  I snagged that awesome stamp at the rubber stamp convention a couple of weeks ago.  I couldn't wait to use it.  I think it's going to stay pretty inky, 'cuz I plan to use it a lot!  LOL!  Did you catch that cool skull charm in the middle of the heart?  Isn't it great?!  I have a fairly decent collection of skull beads now, so that came from my stash and for the life of me I can't remember where I picked it up.  I have a few more left, though, which is great.  Yay!

Head to the Bombshell Stamps Blog and check out what the DT put together for you.  Also, while you're out and about, tooling around in Blogland, swing by Anita Marie's blog.  She has awesome stuff to share with you and inspire you.

Okay, folks, that's it for today.  I have something special to share with you tomorrow, so do come back ;D  Until then, stay crafty!      

A New Challenge At The Paper Shelter - Flower Power

Hello again!  You've been seeing a lot of me lately ;D  Today I am bringing you the new challenge over at The Paper Shelter.  This week the TPS design team is asking you to incorporate Flower Power into your card making projects.  We all love flowers so this will be an easy challenge to participate in.  No excuses this week...lol!  If you use a Paper Shelter image in your design, you could be randomly selected to win a $15.00 gift certificate to The Paper Shelter Shop!  Lots of awesome digi images are waiting there for you to work your magic ;D  Go get 'em!

I used My Lovely Pet on my card.  As always, The Paper Shelter images are fun to color and a great way to practice using those Copic Markers all of us are so obsessed with.  Head to The Paper Shelter's challenge blog to check out all of the incredible creation the DT whipped up.  They are AMAZING!

See you tomorrow with a card featuring Bombshell Stamps.  Until then, stay crafty ;D

One More Terry Medaris Card

Hi, All!  Super super quick post tonight.  Even more super and quick than usual.  I'm noddng off and the sandman is tugging hard.  I have got to go to bed.  This image is by Terry Medaris and it's called Heart Color Wheel.  And with that quick statement, I bid you adieux ;D  

Mom's Second Terry Medaris Card

Hey, all!  Welcome back!  I hope each of you had a fun and fabulous weekend.  The weather in Albuquerque has been amazing.  Not too hot, not too warm, and just the right amount of breezy.  Makes you want to practically live outside when it's like this.  I want to say "thank you" to the lovely ladies who joined me Saturday in my class to make a couple of Spring themed cards.  I do so enjoy your company and appreciate your spending some of your time with me when I know you could have been out soaking up the sunshine ;D  You are the best!

Today I want to share the second card that mom created when we had our Terry Medaris Art fest ;D  We stayed up into the wee hours playing with these images during her visit and she just rocked them out!  She colored this little beauty with Copics and you can tell, the woman knows her way around an art marker.  Visit Terry Medaris' Art Stamps and check out all of Terry's images.  This one is called Cowgirl Frizz and she's a real looker ;D

That's it for now!  I have one last Terry Medaris card that I'll show you tomorrow, then on Wednesday it will be time to announce the new challenge at The Paper Shelter, plus I have a new Bombshell Stamps card to share, and I'll round out the week with a new Kenny K challenge on Sunday.  Whew!  I've been a busy bee...lol!  Until we meet again, stay crafty!  

A New Kenny K Challenge!

Hello!  It's Sunday and with that comes a new challenge at Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge blog.  This week, Team B is challenging you to a recipe contest...LOL!  No, it's not a cook-off, instead is a card recipe.

Use 3 DPs, 2 ribbons, and 1 image in your creation.  

AND...use a Kenny K image on your card and you could be randomly selected to win a lovely prize from our sponsor and your choice of 5 Kenny K digi images.  This week's sponsor is Fantastic Ribbons and they are offering the winner their choice of 4 rolls of ribbon.  If you're like me, you love ribbon and adding a few more fabulous trims to your collection is heaven!

Fantastic Ribbons

Kenny K Downloads

Visit Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge blog right away, because Team B has created some fabulous works of art to get you started. These ladies rock and their talent will blow you away!

Tomorrow, I have another Terry Medaris card to share, so please come back for a visit.  Until then, stay crafty ;D

 

Another Terry Medaris Card

Hello, everyone!  I am back today with another card I made as a sample for Terry Medaris Art Stamps.  This card features Nice Hat and is part of the Cowgirls & Cowboys line.  These images are fun and whimsical, and combine fabulously with Copics, but I'm sure the medium of your choice would work beautifully, too.  I loved coloring up this curvy filly.

I'm going to keep this post super short today as I am teaching a class at China Phoenix 2 this afternoon.  I'll be back tomorrow with a new challenge from Kenny K and I will be sharing a second card that mom made for Terry Medaris Art stamps.  Until then, stay crafty ;D

Mom's Terry Medaris Card

Hola!  Thanks for coming back!  Yesterday I shared the details of a Stamp-a-thon that mom and I had Friday night.  We stayed up until the wee hours Saturday morning making cards featuring Terry Medaris Art Stamps.  We were in a crazy crafter frenzy...the ink was flying, the Copics were being thoroughly abused, and there was paper shrapnel as far as the eye can see.  Yes, a good time was had by all.

Even the kitties stayed up with us looking exhausted as they raised their weary heads (from their current sleep spots) to see if it was time to go to bed (to their usual sleep spots).  I think they even slept in the next day, but who can really tell.  They are cats, after all ;D

Today's card was created by none other than my talented mother.  She makes awesome cards and I am usually the lucky recipient.  Sometimes I have to share with my sister, but that's okay...I guess.  This time Terry Medaris was the lucky recipient.  Mom created a couple of stellar cards in an effort to help me make my deadline.  I don't know what I would have done without her.  This image is called Heart Color Wheel and mom did a fabulous job bringing it to life with the Copics.  She also added lots of glitter glue and some dimensional lacquer to strategic elements on the image.  These bright colors sit atop a very serene white background, which makes them pop.  The contrast is stunning!

I still have lots more stuff to share with you over the next few days.  There are 3 more Terry Medaris cards waiting to make their appearance on my blog and I whipped up a new Bombshell Stamps card tonight.  I'm not sure what I will share tomorrow, but come back and find out ;D  Until then, stay crafty!

Terry Medaris Art Stamps

Welcome!  Awhile back, my Blogland buddy, Cat Arenzana, contacted me to create some card samples for Terry Medaris Art Stamps.  Terry is a fabulous artist whose vibrant pencil work captures the essence of the Southwest in bold colors that make his images dance across the page.  They are a feast for the eyes.  My mom and I even had the pleasure of taking 3 of Terry's coloring workshops a few years back.  He is beyond talented.

When Cat contacted me, I was deeply flattered and a bit intimidated.  Who was I to create samples for Terry?  Well, being a glutton for punishment, I accepted the task.  I received 5 fabulous images of my choice to work with, but I already had several that I had purchased during that workshop I mentioned earlier.  Needless to say, I had more than enough options to have fun with.

As most of my regular visitors know, I am the Queen of Procrastination.  It's a real title...look it up on Wikipedia.  I would post a link, but not now, maybe later (see what I mean).  I kept putting these cards off, after all, mom was coming up for a visit to attend the rubber stamp convention with me,  and there was lots of stuff to do.  Besides, Terry was not going to have a booth at this year's convention, so I wasn't going to have to hand-deliver them to him, or so I thought.

A few days prior to the show, I received an email from him saying that he would be in attendance and to drop the cards by his booth.  What?!  I was deep in prep for mom's visit, so there was no way I was going to be able to work on these cards.  I thought all was lost, until we arrived home from having dinner Friday night and mom said, "Let's just make these cards.  I bet we can get them finished."  We started around 10:00pm and worked our crafty fingers to the bone until 4:30am Saturday morning.  Guess what?  We finished all 5!  Yay, mom!!  We even managed to have a good time while making them.  Lot's of laughing and giggling going on as the wee hours progressed.

I'll be featuring our cards over the next few days.  The card I have for you today is one I completed using the image, Just Relax.  These images combine perfectly with any coloring medium, but I chose to use my Copics.  What a surprise...LOL!  Tomorrow, I will show you one of mom's incredible cards, so please come back to take a peek.  Until then, stay crafty.        

A New Challenge at The Paper Shelter - Spring Fling!

Hello everybody!  It's Wednesday and time for a new challenge at The Paper Shelter.  This week's theme is Spring Fling.  Check out the images in The Paper Shelter Shop and create something wonderful with them.  The design team can't wait to see your creations!  If you use a Paper Shelter image on your card you could randomly be selected to win a $15.00 gift certificate to spend in the Paper Shelter Shop.

  

For my card I used the adorable Funny Easter Bunny.  He just cracks me up when I see him!  What a darling image! Now hop on over to The Paper Shelter Blog and check out the gorgeous creations the design team has whipped up for you and don't forget to join this week's challenge.  Someone has to win and it could be you!  I'll be back tomorrow with something new, so please check back.  Until then, stay crafty ;D

A New Kenny K Challenge!

Hello, crafty people!  It's great to see you again!  It's Sunday and time for a new Kenny K challenge over at Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge blog.  This week's theme is Ribbons, Buttons, and Bows.  Team A is asking that you use any combination of ribbons, buttons, and bows to dress up your card creations.    Include a Kenny K image and you could be randomly selected to win a $15 gift certificate to Michelle's Scrapbooking Store and your choice of 5 digi images from Kenny K's Download site. Great prizes!

Michelle's Scrapbooking Store

Kenny K's Download Site

I used Club Kid on my card.  She is one cool character.  She may look tough on the outside, but she is secretly a frilly girl deep down inside.  Aren't we all...lol!  Stop by Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge Blog to see what Team A has created to inspire you.  These ladies are never short on talent and they always have some tricks up their sleeve for making fabulous cards.

That's it for now, folks.  I will be back tomorrow with something new ;D  Until then stay crafty!   

My Husband is an Entree-preneur

Hello, Blogland!  How is your weekend thus far?  It is warm and sunny in Albuquerque, so I am hoping it is the same for you at your end of the keyboard.  One step outside our front door and it is apparent that Old Man Winter is packing up and leaving town.  Good Riddance...lol!

With the warmer weather comes the Time Change which swoops in and steals an hour of sleep from us, but graciously replaces it with a glorious hour of additional daylight.  The price is steep, because I do love my zzzz's, but the reward is well worth it.

My husband grills year-round.  We are lucky to live in a mild climate, so grilling season is a never ending luxury which you might think is as good as it gets.  However, that additional hour of daylight buys us warm evenings to enjoy dinner on the patio and savor the smokey aromas of whatever meat-du-jour Kirk has sizzling on the grill.

Kirk is ridiculously adorable wielding a spatula, but besides that, he possesses some serious culinary chops (pun intended).  He's been finessing his gastronomic talents over the years, carefully researching and experimenting with the best methods for cooking all types and cuts of meats, and developing sauces and spice rubs that make their flavors sing.  He recently started his own business, Albukirky Seasonings, and currently markets and sells his most popular seasoning blend, a BBQ Spice Rub.  This rub enhances the flavors of anything lucky enough to collide with it including...chicken, pork, lamb and beef.  If meat is not your thing, it gives potatoes and vegetables a zesty kick.  If vegetables are not your thing and vodka is, I have added it to Bloody Mary's for a zing that makes the taste buds sizzle.  It's a workhorse of a blend!

I know what you're thinking..."but, Cheryl, how can I add this remarkable seasoning blend to my cooking arsenal?"  Easy!  My husband normally sells this delicious rub online at his store for $8.00 a bottle plus shipping and handling.  He is offering my blog followers a 10% discount this week if you use the discount code INKTRAP.  I don't normally shill products on my blog that aren't related to stamping, but I feel strongly that Kirk has worked his tookus off to create a top quality product that folks will enjoy.  Click the link below to get to his store and don't forget to use the discount code INKTRAP at checkout.  Visit his blog, Albukirky BBQ and Stuff, often for grilling and cooking tips, recipes, and culinary inspiration.

Albukirky Seasonings

Back to cardmaking tomorrow.  Mom and I stayed up to 4:30am this morning whipping up some fun cards that I will share with you next week.  There's a new Kenny K challenge tomorrow, so do come back for a visit ;D  Until then, stay crafty!  

       

A wedding card with attitude

Hey, everybody!  Guess what?!  My mom is in town visiting.  We're going to hit the rubber stamp convention, make some cards, eat loads of good food, and shop 'til we drop.  It's going to be a fabulous weekend!

Here's a quick peek at a non-traditional wedding card that a friend requested.  She assures me that the bride and groom have a good sense of humor.  I am hoping she is right.  I used a couple of colorful characters from Stampotique by the names of Bowtie and Perl.  See if you can guess which one is Bowtie...LOL!  The heart background is also by Stampotique.  I colored up everybody using my Copics and then added a thick application of dimensional lacquer to each heart on the center panel.  A simple sentiment in the corner finishes it off.  

I love these Stampotique characters.  They are perfect for adding an edgy touch to usually mundane cards.  

Well, I'm going to scoot.  We've got a lot of havoc to wreak tomorrow, so I better get some rest ;D  I'll be back Sunday with a new challenge from Kenny K, so please stop by.  Until then, stay crafty! 

Sample 2 of 2 for my March 19th card class at CP2

Hello, all!  Today I have card #2 of the Spring cards I will be teaching at CP2 on March 19th.  Again, I used the Spring Sprung set by Tim Holtz for Stamper's Anonymous.  You may recall it was released last year, but not quite in time for Easter.  I think I was craving a Tim Holtz fix, since his new stuff is being released piece-mill.  Doesn't he know that us crafters are the sweetest people on Earth, but not the most patient.  In fact, patience is not even in my vocab when it comes to new tools and stamps.  I see it, I want it...NOW!  Like that nasty little girl in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, I think her name was Veruca Salt.  Well, that's me when I'm around anything paper crafty.  When my mom and I go shopping together for stamping treasures and there is only one of something left, I will snatch it up and buy it, because there is some sense of victory in the process.  Now don't go feeling sorry for her, she does the same thing to me.  I tell you, it's eat or be eaten in this crazy, wild world of rubber stamping.  Sure, we're all sweet and sugary on the outside, smiling and laughing, but make no mistake, if you dare come between me and the new TH Distress Stains or a pad of that crazy fabulous Kraft Resist Stash...I will cut you.  No, I won't, but I will be pretty peeved...lol!

Well, that's enough silliness for one day.  Tomorrow I have another card ready to go and I'll be using a few images from my Stampotique bag of tricks.  Come back tomorrow and check it out.  Until then, stay crafty!  

A New Challenge at The Paper Shelter - Lucky Charms

I'm back!  Just as I promised!  This is my second post for the day so be sure to scroll down to catch my first one.

It's Wednesday and that means that it is time for another challenge at The Paper Shelter.  This week's theme is Lucky Charms.  The design team is challenging you to create cards featuring a charm or two and/or give a wink and a nod to the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday.  Whichever theme you run with, you're sure to have a good time.  If you use a Paper Shelter image on your card, you could be randomly selected to win a $15.00 gift certificate to The Paper Shelter shop.  That's a lot of digis, folks!  So don't walk...RUN to your craft room and start those cards ;D

My card features Tucan.  I have wanted to color up this fellow for awhile, because he was just begging to get the Copic treatment.  I guess I was feeling a bit "green" when I was working up this design...lol!  Drop by The Paper Shelter blog to join the challenge and to see what Lucky Charm creations the DT has cooked up just for you.  Each week the DT shines and this week is no exception.  Prepare to be dazzled!

That's it for me ;D  I'll be back tomorrow with the second card sample for my next class at China Phoenix 2.  Until then, stay crafty!
 

Operation Write Home - Polka Dot Challenge

Hello, everyone!  Welcome back.  It seems I have been away from my blog for a few days again, but I assure you...I have been working my pudgy fingers to the bone and will have lots of things to share this week.  I have two posts to share with you today.   Dang!  I never thought I'd utter those words ;D

The Paper Shelter teamed up with Operation Write Home and is sponsoring this week's challenge on their blog.  And what is this week's theme?  None other than an homage to those fresh little pops of colorful joy known as...Polka Dots!  I love 'em, you love 'em, everybody loves 'em!  They just make me so happy;D

I created my Polka Dot card using In the 20's.  She's a lovely image and so much fun to color.  She seemed perfect for pairing with some vintage dotty text paper.  The Paper Shelter adds new images to their shop frequently so be sure to stop by often to check it out.  Also, swing by Operation Write Home's blog and get all the details regarding this fab new challenge.  Operation Write Home is a great organization.  I did a little poking around the Internet and found the following information about this amazing group..."they support our nations armed forces by sending blank, handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them".  This organization has been collecting and shipping cards to soldiers since 2007 and it is very close to hitting the one million mark.  Wow!  Please check them out, they are definitely worth a look!