Sunflower Studio

BLOGGER'S CHALLENGE #23 - SAME STAMP, DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW

    This week's Blogger's Challenge was to make two cards using the same stamp(s) but with a different point of view.  Since I hadn't stamped in a little while I really needed to kill two birds with one stone.  So, I used my Cat's Pajamas stamps for this challenge AND to complete a few cards using Alma's Sketch #4.
    Normally, I would try to make two cards with two totally different themes for a challenge like this.  Most of my TCP stamps, however, are from the new Clearly Swanky Holiday sets.  For that reason, both of these are Christmas cards - well, sorta.  These would be perfect for my dad though....BAH HUMBUG, DAD!!

BAH HUMBUG - CARD ONE
This card really follows the sketch literally.  The way cool and hip Winter Garden patterned paper is by Christine Adolf for Creative Imaginations.  I thought it was so perfect for Alma's stamps...the whole Cat's Pajamas line has that swanky feel to them that I love.    The 'graph' looking paper is actually the backside of the star burst paper.  Candy Cane Kitty (E-7479 wood mounted) is from the clear Kitty Christmas set (N-7475).  The Bah Humbug sentiment (C-7484 wood mounted) is included in the clear Poochie Christmas set (N-7476).  The ribbon that matches the paper so perfectly is from Cosmo Cricket.

BAH HUMBUG - CARD TWO
This turned into one of those 'life of it's own' cards.  I think what happened was that I had all of these things in mind to try - the color blocked wrapping paper from The Container Store, the off kilter frame, a shaker card, the stamped background - probably shouldn't have been done all on the same card.  Oh well...you live and learn, right?  This card uses the same stamps listed above.  The ribbon is from Making Memories and the gold cord from SU!  I hand drew the starburst around the sentiment and painted it in with Twinkling H2Os and cut it out.  It's very cartoonish, huh?  And, as I'm sure you'll notice, it very, very loosely follows the sketch.

As I'm almost always one of the last to post in the BC group...make sure that you go and check out what the other gals have already done.  I'm looking forward to it myself!

CHRISTMAS 2007 - WISHLIST AND RECEIPT BOOK

    Yeah!  Finally some stamping and crafting done today.  I think it's been since the 20th that I actually stamped anything.  I caught a funky cold from somewhere (probably the germ factory they call an elementary school)  and was pretty much out of it from Thanksgiving until Monday.  What's up with that?  Do you think that as we get older these things affect us more acutely?  I never get sick so this really stunk.  Anyway...it's on it's last legs (and, yes, it DID have a life of it's own and had taken up residence here!) so I hope to be back to 100% before the end of the weekend.  There's no other way to get around it...I have seven little boys coming over on Sunday to celebrate the big 7th birthday of my little guy.  Yippeeee!
    So the holidays are right here upon us and that freaks me out every year....What do my family members want?  What do they need?  Where do I go to get it?  What if they're sold out?  OMG - the house has to be cleaned before Kyle's birthday?  And then again before Bill's work holiday party?  It's all very overwhelming sometimes.  In 2005 when I was lucky enough to be a part of the Splitcoast Dirty Dozen design team, I made a little book that held all of my family gift wishlists and the receipts that I collected while shopping.  It really came in handy.  I didn't make one last year but I felt that I really needed this to get started on my shopping this year.  And...here it is...my Christmas 2007 Wishlist & Receipt Book!
    This time - unlike 2 years ago - I had my Bind It All to assist me...hee hee.  (It's one of the gifts that Bill is getting me this year!  I took it out of the box and then put the box in my Xmas pile to be wrapped.  Wish I had the Janome Sew Mini too - that's at my mom's house getting wrapped up...*snicker".)
    You can check out my original book in this post at Splitcoast.  (You might need to be a member of the Splitcoast Fan club to see it since that's the gallery that it was included in.) I'll include the pdf file for the 'wishlist' pages also.  It's in color but you can just print it in black & white on your own printer.  Download xmas_wishlist_book_page.pdf

Supplies:  Stamps - Santa Penguin from Memory Box Co., Rough Edges Alphabet and Little Numbers set (ret.) from Stampin' Up!; CS - Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Papertrey White; Ink - Black Versafine, White Stazon; Other - Sizzix File Folder #2 Die, Cuttlebug, chipboard, Bind-It-All w/1" white wire, various ribbon, Nestabilities Large Scalloped Oval dies, Twinkling H2Os, waterbrush, glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds, White Signo gel pen, small leaves from Jolee's by EK, SU! tab punch, silver cord, Daisy D's rub-on stitch tape, transparency sheet, glass marble beads, confetti snowflakes, all scrapbook papers by Scrapworks, snowflake brad.

    Now I can really get down to business....CHARRRRRGGGGGEEEE IT!

TA-DAH!

    I finally upgraded my Typepad account so that I could customize my blog a little more to my liking.  I love the service that I get with my Typepad blog.  Really, I have very few complaints.  But, being on the artsy/craftsy side, I felt limited by the preset page templates offered to the Basic level subscribers.  (You Blogspot peeps get some of those little creative upgrades with your FREE service.  I couldn't change services now that I've been blogging here for over a year though.)  For a teensy bit more moolah I can add my own blog header, change colors, fonts, and such whenever I want to. 
    SO, this little bit of change has taken me ALL day to create and configure.  Lots and lots of fine tuning had to be done.  This will do for now but I, of course, reserve the right to change at any time...it's a girl thing, right?!  I'd love to hear your thoughts or suggestions...leave me a comment if you have any ideas that I should try.

NOTE:  Ummmm, why YES, it did hit me at some point this afternoon - after looking at this header ALL DAY LONG - that sunflowers have brown centers and yellow petals.  DUH!!!  We'll just pretend that these ARE sunflowers for now...in my world at least...ha!

Digital Supplies:  torn cardboard piece, yellow button, green ribbon, felt leaves all from the Silly Boy Smarshmallows collection, brown brad from the Tropical Winter collection - all by Shabby Princess.  Susie's Hand font downloaded from the internet.
   

A WINTER SONG

Jami Sibley recently challenged all of the Splitcoast Dirty Dozen members - past & present - to make a card using one of the new Elzybells stamps, A Winter Song.  The other requirements were that you did NOT use any patterned paper (that's hard!), that you used Pretty In Pink on your card, and that you posted your card on November 20th.  Make sure that you go here and look at all of the amazing cards that the girls made using this one image as a focal point.  The creativity of that group will astound you!

Supplies:  Stamps - A Winter Song by Elzybells, Snowflake sm, Surprise & Delight, and Fancy Borders clear set by A Muse; CS - Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Kraft, watercolor; Ink:  Black Versafine, White Craft, various for watercoloring; Other - Twinkling H2Os, waterbrush, Martha Steward craft seam binding, Nestabilities Scalloped Square die, glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

BLOGGER'S CHALLENGE #21 - COLOR CHALLENGE

So sorry....I'm late this week in posting my Blogger's Challenge card.  Where does the time go?  This week's challenge was to make a card or project using Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Brocade Blue.

Not as easy as you would think!  This dang card took me all day today.  What I really needed to make was an anniversary card but when I came across this image I couldn't resist using it...it's another I don't think I've used before but it's been on my shelf for a while.  Ever heard of Stamps by Judith?  Well Judith is one of my all time favorite stamp makers.  All of her images are so whimsical.  I used to see her booth at stamp shows in the Chicago area but since I've moved back to MD I've been out of the loop.  Unfortunately, Judith's site hasn't always been the most interactive and I don't think that you could order from it either.  BUT, I just went and looked to get the link and she does have some new images and more interactive pages.  And you CAN order from there too.  Whooopeeee!  Click here to go and take a look.  You've gotta love 'Dorky Bird Dress-Up Fun'!

Supplies:  Stamps - Farm Animals by Stamps by Judith, sentiment from A Muse; CS - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Brocade Blue, and white from SU!; Ink - Black Versafine and various for watercoloring; Other - Copper brads, paper piercing tool, waterbrush, patterned paper from Basic Grey - Mellow Collection.

I haven't had an opportunity to check out the other BC girls yet but, as always, the list is over on the right.

ANOTHER BELLA BIRTHDAY

Here's another girlie birthday card and this is another Stamping Bella image (one that I don't personally own) from the swap (see this post for more info) that I was in.  Each time I use one of these I'm thinking that I'm just gonna have to break down and get all of these so-fun images!  They're definitely addicting.  This card is 5"x5".

Supplies:  Stamps - Girls at the Table (I couldn't find the real name) by Stamping Bella and 'sweet friend' sentiment from A Muse; CS - Baroque Burgundy (ret.), So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Regal Rose, and white from SU!; Ink - Black Versafine and various for watercoloring; Other - Twinkling H2Os, waterbrush, KI Memories ribbon, brads and buckle from Copper Hodgepodge Hardware kit by SU!, white Signo Gel Pen, fine black pen, scalloped scissors, patterned paper by Basic Grey - Stella Ruby collection.

ATC SWAPS WITH TAYLOR

Taylor's hosting another round of ATC swaps!  This time you could sign up under various stamp companies.  What a great way to force myself to use some new stamps!  I signed up for four groups:  The Cat's Pajamas (of course!), Stampendous, A Muse Artstamps, and Elzybells.  All of these are 2.5" x 3.5" in size.  (Remember that you can click on any of the photos to see the images larger.)  Here's what I came up with this time...

HAVE A COOL YULE! - THE CAT'S PAJAMAS
Supplies:  Stamps - See No Evil (F-7495) and Cool Yule (D-7478) - these can also be found in the Kitty Christmas and Polar Holiday Clearly Swanky sets by The Cat's Pajamas; CS - Bashful Blue, Ruby Red, White from SU!; Ink - Black Versafine, Bordering Blue, Versamark; Other - MM star button, silver cord, Black Detail EP, SU! Markers, patterned papers by Scrapworks - Season of Joy collection.

HOPE YOUR HOLIDAYS ARE BRIGHT! - STAMPENDOUS
Supplies:  Stamps - Max Wheels (C201) by Stampendous and Bright Holidays (9-8206C) by A Muse; CS - Kraft, White by SU!; Ink - Black Versafine, Versamark; Other - wire, red Martha Stewart Seam Binding, Stardust Glitter Pen, Liquid Applique, Twinkling H2Os, Black Detail EP, waterbrush, Nestabilities Scalloped Circle Die, Creative Memories Circle Template, sponge, patterned paper by Basic Grey - Fruitcake Collection.

HAPPY WINTER - A MUSE ARTSTAMPS
Supplies:  North Pole (7-7138F), Happy Winter (9-8277B), and Snowflake sm (3-2021B) by A Muse; CS - Buckaroo Blue, White by SU; Ink -  Black Versafine, White Craft, River Rock; Other - Dazzling Diamonds, Glue Pen, Waterbrush, SU! Markers, sponge, waterbrush, Nestabilities Scalloped Oval Die, Creative Memories Oval Template, patterned paper by Scrapworks - Season of Joy (dotted swirls).

HAPPY WINTER - ELZYBELLS
Supplies:  Ice Skater (D0052) by Elzybells, Happy Winter (9-8277B) and Skinny Oval bl sm (3-5012C) by A Muse; CS - Baroque Burgundy (ret.), Wild Wasabi, white by SU!; Ink - Black Versafine, Ice Blue Colorbox Chalk ink (pond), Versamark; Other - fine black marker, various SU! markers, white Signo Gel Pen, Twinkling H2Os, waterbrush, Nestabilities Scalloped Oval Die, Creative Memories Oval Template, Black Detail EP, SU! slot punch,  Dazzling Diamonds, glue pen, patterned paper and ribbon by KI Memories.  (note - This is the size of an ATC but does open at the bottom.  I had been wanting to try a miniature version of Michelle Wooderson's Tent Topper card design.) 

IT'S A SALE AT THE CAT'S PAJAMAS! - FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

I didn't want you all to miss the sale that Alma is having at The Cat's Pajamas this coming weekend!  Here are the details...

Hungry for a great deal?
Fill up your shopping cart with some Cat's Pajamas goodness and get 25% off everything we've got!

Come and get it while you can, 'cause at Midnight, November 18th, this SALE will be like Turkey the day after Thanksgiving, so gone. 

Fine Print: This sale is for internet orders only. Mail orders will be returned. Shipping is based on order totals prior to discount. Only one discount given per order. Discounts cannot be combined. Sale begins 12:00 AM PST 11/16/07 and ends 12:00 AM PST 11/19/07.

Go now and pick out what you want so that you're ready when the sale starts on Friday!

BELLA BIRTHDAYS

I needed a few girlie birthday cards this week and decided to work with some Stamping Bella stamps.  I participated in a card swap back at the beginning of the year hosted by Christie Ortman.  Not only did I receive some really great cards but one of the requirements for the swap was to include a plain stamped image with each card.  And, everyone had to choose a different Bella so there were no doubles.  The girls that I chose for my b-day cards today didn't even turn out to be images that I personally have.  (I'm gonna have to get them though! - How could I resist?!)  Happy Birthday, Girls!

Cakeabella Supplies:  Stamps - Cakeabella by Stamping Bella, sentiment by A Muse; CS - Always Artichoke, River Rock, Pink Passion, white, patterned paper from Amy Butler Pad by K&Company; Ink - Black Versafine, various for watercoloring; Other - River Rock stitched ribbon by SU!, copper Hodgepodge Hardware brads from SU!, paper piercing tool, scalloped scissors, Crystal Effects on cake, waterbrush, Ticket Corner punch by SU!  (note - the little flag sentiment idea came from this card on the A Muse News blog by Jennifer Pebbles.)

Parisbella Supplies:  Stamps - Parisbella by Stamping Bella, sentiment by A Muse; CS - Soft Sky, Certainley Celery, white, textured brown by DCWV, patterned paper by Amy Butler for K&Company; Ink - Black Versafine, Dk. Brown Fluid Chalk ink by Colorbox, various for watercoloring; Other - Brown craft seam binding ribbon from Martha Stewart at Michael's, brads, paper piercing tool, scalloped scissors, Ticket Corner punch by SU!, waterbrush.  (note - the little flag sentiment idea came from this card on the A Muse News blog by Jennifer Pebbles.)

WE HAVE BLOG CANDY WINNERS!

   Thank you so much to everyone that left a comment on my 100,000 blog hit.  It was such a fun week and I enjoyed reading all of the things that you like about blogging.  And while a blog is a terrific place to share ideas and to look for inspiration, I loved that so many of you felt like blogging was a way to meet new people with common interests and to stay in touch with friends and family.  So many people also liked that blogging gives you insight into another stamper's thoughts - whether it be on creating a project or a little inkling of what's going on in their personal lives.  Nowadays, when it seems like the stamping community is losing it's publications, small specialty stores are closing, and scrapbooking is so dominant.  It's so great that we have transitioned into the blogging world.  Through our blogs, along with sites like Splitcoaststampers and Technique Junkies and too many Yahoo groups to count, we can continue to share our hobby.  As a stamper (and not a scrapbooker) I am sooo excited about that! 
   

Now to our winners...I went to Random.org and had the random number generator choose my five winners.  Congratulations to...

#122  Donna Baker - Serenity in Stamping
#170  Krista Larsson
#64  Samantha Welch - Living Creatively
#23  Rose Kerry
#110  Adelle Hyrkas

Thanks again for your comments and for visiting my blog!