November 16, 2013

Hero Arts Scramble #73

We had a fun Scramble over at the Hero Arts Flickr Group, hosted by Kanan.  It was her first time and she gave us quite the challenge!  She was awesome and the cards in the group were amazing!

Here's my finished card.  How lucky was I that one of the choices Kanan gave us was Vintage!
I've been hoarding these flowers from the Funkie Junkie Boutique for several years.  I didn't have time to make my own, but I have, using crinoline, dies, inks, and a center embellishment.  HERE is one I've made in the past.

Thanks for visiting my blog and I would love to hear your comments!

Supplies
Paper - Wassau Fiesta White cardstock, Crate Paper, Basic Grey
Stamps - Hero Arts Merry Background S5631, Holiday Sayings CL343
Inks - Hero Arts Mid-Tone Shadow Field Greens, Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Dies - MFT Fishtail Flags
Other - Crinoline Flower from Funkie Junkie Boutique
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November 14, 2013

A Vintage Christmas

This week, I am playing in two challenges I haven't entered before, but I am such a huge fan of all the design team members!  I really challenged myself to incorporate the elements of both. EDITED - I JUST MISSED THE DEADLINE FOR THE JUGS CHALLENGE!  Awwwwww

First up is Always Playing with Paper's Merry Monday Challenge # 83 (Stripes, Red, Chocolate with Stars or Hearts)
The elements of this challenge spoke to the vintage side of me!  Just look at the beautiful inspiration photo.  Head over to Lesley's blog and check out the awesome cards from their design team!
The next is Just Us Girls Challenge #214 - Technique (Words  Background)
I love this challenge so much, I didn't even feel I needed a sentiment on my card.  I simply adore any and all backgrounds as a platform to build my elements upon and I used a vintagey embossing folder from Tim Holtz.  Using Core'dinations paper, and sanding it down, brought out the distressed look I was going for.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog - I would love to hear your comments.

Supplies
Paper - Basic Grey, Core'dinations, Reflections, Crate Paper, corrugated paper
Inks - Tim Holtz Distress Ink Walnut Stain
Dies - Die-namics Double Scallop Border
Other -Darice Chocolate Hemp Twine, star and snowflakes from Funky Junky Boutique, Webster's Pages glass pebbles, MM brad maker


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November 13, 2013

Inspiration Comes in All Shapes and Sizes and Friends

Over this past weekend I was showing my husband some cards made by a dear friend of mine, Virgina Lu of Yes Virginia, and how she incorporated paint color chips into her gorgeous designs.  He was amazed, to say the least!

While I was up in my studio, cardmaking, he went to the hardware store to run and errand and came back with a COLORFUL surprise for me.  He picked up a handful of the paint chips! (I know, he's a keeper in SO many ways!)

Virginia has always been my favorite muse and when my mojo has left the building, she has told me she doesn't mind if I use her creations as inspiration.  She's generous, compassionate, and a huge source of support to me when I have needed her.  Everyone should have a friend like her! You can see a few of Virginia's paint chip cards HERE and HERE.

My mind blanked.  I broke out into a cold sweat - was I going to disappoint?????  YEP, I guess I need more practice with the creative aspect of these sweet little colorful gems, but I couldn't resist the play on colorblocking and decided to go ahead and post my creation.  I still have plenty more chips to play with the next time!

Here's my card and I'm going to enter this into the Hero Arts Holiday Challenge.  I chose the theme, A Few of My Favorite Things in that I used my favorite technique of wet embossing, especially in gold!

Thanks so much for looking and, as always, I love to hear your comments!

Supplies
Paper -Hero Arts white layering, MME pp
Stamps - Hero Arts Hanging Ornaments CG221, Impression Obsession Background Distressed Diagonal
Inks - Versamark Watermark
Dies - Papertrey Ink One Liners Die Collection, Lil Inkers Stitched Mats Squares
Other - Paint chips, Darice sequins, Glimmer Mist, Ranger Ultrafine gold embossing powder, Wink of Stella Pen, Hero Arts white embossing powder
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November 08, 2013

Day Four in the Studio and Muse Challenge #42

Yes, I am back and I didn't wake up in a purple mood!  Instead, I wanted to challenge myself with one thing I've NEVER tried and another I agonize over.  The first is washi tape - that's right friends, this gal has never used a single piece on ANYTHING!  The next is my nemesis, my dreaded fear - a CAS card!  I get chills thinking about it!  But as a wise person once said, "Put your big girl panties on and kick some butt!" 

So, I set out to get some inspiration from a challenge I have yet to enter, (another first) over at the Muse Blog, Challenge #42.  The muse this week is Laurie Willison and her CAS style won me over!
Just a note about my holly leaves..... I made them myself.  I took pine green textured cardstock and with a foam brush, painted it with a thick layer of Glossy Accents.  I let the paper dry overnight.  Then I hand cut each leaf out free-handed and scored a "vein" down the middle.  I love the effect!

Here is the Muse inspiration photo from uber talented Laurie.  
As always, thanks for looking and I'd love to hear your comments.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Supplies
Paper - Hero Arts snow layering paper, Bazzill textured cardstock
Stamps - Hero Arts Holiday Sayings CL343
Inks - Versamark Watermark Inkpad
Other - Queen & Co washi tape, Darice sequins, Michael's silver wired twine, MM button, Ranger Ultrafine silver embossing powder

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November 06, 2013

RIC #47 Day Two in My Studio and a Farewell to Cath

Feeling awesome and loving getting inky again!  I don't care if my mojo is on vacation, it will come back soon!

It's been months since I've entered a challenge and I miss it so much!  My very favorite challenge blog, Runway Inspired Challenge, has a to-die-for inspiration photo. I know, right?????
I wanted to whip up something that wasn't a literal CASE, so I pulled out my favorite Hero Arts stamp, Leafy Vines, and masked off the colors using Distress Markers and a spritz of water.  I used another favorite of mine, Wausau Fiesta White paper.  It's a light, creamy paper with specks of different colors.  Very subtle but so much fun!

The MOST important element of this card is my sentiment.  I have just come through some serious health issues, which I never really discuss, but it is near and dear to my heart and speaks of how I am feeling due to the support of some wonderful and amazing friends.  Their positive support and the ability to laugh with me is the best medicine a girl could ask for!  THIS IS FOR YOU, MY SWEET PEAS!!!!!  I love you all!

I also want to add that I was so sad to hear about Cath Edvalson will be leaving Moxie Fab World.  I know I didn't often participate in the challenges, but I was a HUGE admirer of hers and was always inspired over there!  I will continue to follow you Cath, on Pinterest, where your vision of beauty is always awe-inspiring!  You will be missed by so many.  As important as this card is to me, I hope you think of the sentiment each day and let it remind you that EVERY day is a MOXIE FAB day!!!!


Thanks for looking and please leave me your comments, I love to read them!


Supplies
Paper - Wasusau Fiesta White cardstock
Stamps - Hero Arts Leafy Vines, Technique Tuesday Ordinary by Ali Edwards (SSS)
Inks - Tim Holtz Distress Markers Chipped Sapphire, Tumbled Glass, Dried Marigold
Other - Darice mixed sequins, MFT Fishtail Flags die
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November 05, 2013

Christmas Joy Tag for Ribbon Carousel Challenge RCC87

I know it's been months since I've blogged, but it's been a rough go for a while.  But don't think for a minute I haven't been ordering new Christmas goodies in the meantime!


So, today I went into my studio after seeing a new-to-me challenge blog to finish up a tag I started about a month ago and had SO much fun!  I can't believe how much holiday stuff I have - OH EM GEE!!  Seriously, there should be a reality show called, "Stamping Hoarders!"  (I can hear you all agreeing with me ladies!)

The Ribbon Carousel Blog is having a cool Holidays and Celebrations challenge that I thought my tag would be perfect for!  I hope to enter many more of  their challenges because, as many of you know, I'm a ribbonaholic!

Anyway, I'm a little rusty at taking photos, and tags ALWAYS are a challenge for me, but I took some close-ups so you can see the detail.
I used a standard Tim Holtz tag and covered it in this pretty pp.  I wanted a vintagey, retro look, so I distressed the edges with Black Soot distress ink.  I punched a hole in the top where the reinforcement is and added some chevron ribbon.  On the bottom, I found some cute pom poms and then tied twine around it.
The tree was stamped with Picket Fence distress paint on black cardstock with the Hero Arts Chalk Background and then cut out with this awesome die. To give it a sparkle, I used Stickles on the branches.  I popped it off the paper with 3-D foam strips.
I took a new sentiment die from Papertrey Ink (SWOON!) and cut out some coordinating pp.  I painted it with Rock Candy Stickles and then sprinkled with Rock Candy glitter.  I attached it to the tree.  When everything was dry, I sprayed the whole piece with Glimmer Mist for a retro shine!

Now I have a wonderful mess to clean up and I couldn't be happier!  My fingers are inky sticky and I'm already thinking of my next project!

Thanks so much for looking and as always, I'd love to hear your comments!



Supplies
Paper - Crate Paper Sleigh Ride (pp), Papertrey Ink black cardstock, Tim Holtz manilla tag
Stamps - Hero Arts Chalk Background CG623
Dies - La La Land Christmas Tree, Papertrey Ink One Liners Die Collection
Inks - Tim Holtz Distress Ink Black Soot, Distress Stain Picket Fence
Other - Crate Paper pom poms, The Twinery charcoal, May Arts chevron ribbon, Frosted Lace and Rock Candy Stickles, Rock Candy glitter, Glossy Accents, Glimmer Mist Dazzling Diamonds, 3-D foam strips

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July 25, 2013

Hero Hostess Summer Picnic Blog Hop!



What's more fun than a Summer picnic?  How about a Blog Hop with a Summer picnic theme!  Welcome to day four of this super fun hop!  I hope you've been following along this week because lots of fun things are going on.....check it out!

You should have arrived here from the fabulously talented Sally Sherfield's Created by Sally blog.  If you want to return to the beginning of the hop, HERE is where it's all happening!  Please report any broken links to blog@heroarts.com.

When I think of a Summer picnic, it evokes memories of my childhood spending Summers on the Connecticut shoreline at the beaches of Long Island Sound.  We would have clams, chowders, corn on the cob, lobster, and always fresh-caught fish by my uncle.  Living in New England my whole life has always afforded me the luxury of fresh seafood/shellfish whenever I had a craving!

And so, for my card, I chose to invite you all to my clambake, to celebrate these gems of the sea!
I knew I had the sea shells from the Hero Arts set Antique Engravings, so I stamped three of them on white cardstock in clear embossing ink and then used golden sand embossing powder.  I fussy cut them out and added a touch of Wink of Stella.  I can almost hear the ocean!

For the tag, I used the Hero Arts Tag Collage Set, stamped in Navy mid-tone shadow ink and bordered it with a teeny, tiny red gingham washi tape and then mounted it on kraft cardstock.

For the sentiment, I used an oldie but goody favorite set, Hip Hip Hurray, stamped in the same Navy ink and filled it in with a marker.  To give it some depth, I went over it in the Wink of Stella.

Hero Arts will be awarding prizes from randomly drawn comments. For a chance to win, simply comment on ANY of the stops along the hop on ANY day, including each day's starting post at the Hero Club Blog.  The more comments you leave, the better your chance of winning!

Next up on the hop is the sweet and creative Arlene McClung and her blog A Bit of This and That. Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you're enjoying all the eye candy my sister Hosti have created for you!

Finally, I have a recipe I adapted from Cooking Light back in the Summer of 2009, that I think you will find quite delicious.  It's a Summer chowder I serve  quite often as a meal with some fresh bread and a cool drink.  Hope you enjoy!
Roasted Corn, Pepper, and Tomato Chowder

Serves 6

3               red bell peppers -- halved and seeded
3               ears  corn -- shucked
1 1/2         pounds  tomatoes -- halved, seeded, and peeled (about 4)
2               tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oil
4               cups  onion -- chopped (2 medium)
3               cans  fat-free chicken broth -- (14-ounce) less-sodium
1/4            teaspoon  salt
1/4            teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
1/4            cup  crumbled blue cheese -- (1 ounce)
2               tablespoons  chopped fresh chives

Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

Arrange bell peppers, skin side down, and corn in a single layer on a grill rack; grill 5 minutes, turning corn occasionally. Add tomatoes; grill an additional 5 minutes or until vegetables are slightly charred. Remove from heat; cool 10 minutes. Coarsely chop tomatoes and bell peppers; place in a medium bowl. Cut kernels from ears of corn; add to tomato mixture.

Heat oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add onion; cook 7 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomato mixture; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Increase heat to high, and stir in broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Cool 20 minutes.

In batches, place tomato mixture in a blender; process until smooth. Place pureed mixture in a large bowl. Wipe pan clean with paper towels. Strain tomato mixture into pan; discard solids. Place pan over medium heat; cook until thoroughly heated. Stir in salt and black pepper. Ladle into bowls; garnish with cheese and chives.

Source:
  "adapted from Cooking Light JUNE 2009"
                 
NOTES : Grilling the vegetables heightens their sweetness, and blue cheese provides a pungent counterpoint in this soup. Substitute crumbled goat cheese or feta, if you prefer.  You may also use canned, peeled tomatoes if you don't have fresh.



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May 11, 2013

Friends Always

This weekend is Mother's Day and I want to wish all of you a wonderful day!  My mom passed away in 1989 and this card is a tribute to some special friends who have been like a mother to me, (even though I'm older, LOL!)

 I decided I wanted to enter my card into two of my favorite challenges - Runway Inspired and CAS-usal Fridays.

For the Runway Inspired Challenge #35, their inspiration photo is of a gorgeous outfit from Miu Miu.  My eyes immediately went to the horizontal stripes of the dress with a pink polka dot collar and black zipper detail offset to the side.  I also felt that the model wearing a yellow dress in the background was a detail I wanted to incorporate.  To give some movement to my card, I wanted to draw your eye down to the bottom of my card with a few black pearls, emulating the dots on the handbag.  I was also struck by the simplicity of the wooden runway, so I used a wood grained embossing folder as the card base.
For the CAS-usal Fridays Challenge CFC100, their theme is one of their Top 10 challenges, Tic Tac Toe, (celebrating their 100th challenge and 2nd birthday.) I chose the top left, polka dots going diagonally down to black&white.  With Black Diamond Stickles, I think I brought the bling, baby!
I had fun fusing these two challenges together!  And to make it even more fun, I am including this card in a batch I am sending to my dear friend, Barb Engler, for a United Way campaign she will be participating in at work.  All the profits from the sale of the cards will be going to United Way!  
 
Thanks for stopping by and as always, I love to read your comments!

Supplies:
Paper - HA snow layering, PPI black cardstock, Bazzill
Stamps - HA Pinstripe BG and Untitled Postmark
Ink - Versafine Black Onyx
Other - Lil Inker Bow die, Spellbinders classic circle, Hero Arts black pearls, Black Diamond Stickles, Sizzix wood grained embossing folder, black velvet ribbon from my stash
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May 04, 2013

Here Comes The Sun!


Good afternoon!  Today, I am hosting the Hero Arts Flickr Group 90 Minute Scramble challenge.  The theme is "Here Comes the Sun."  This for all of you who could use a good dose of sunshine!

In our crazy world, we are experiencing a weather phenomenon that is bringing record-breaking snow to the South and 80 plus degrees to the North.  It’s like the Earth has flipped, LOL!

So I’m asking you to create a project that uses one or more of these elements:
The word SUNSHINE
An image (die, cut file, or stamp) of the SUN
An ALL YELLOW monochromatic project that conveys the feeling of a SUNNY day

Here are my cards I made for the challenge.
 My first project is a tag from one of the new Hero Arts stamp sets, Tag Collage.  I stamped it in Pale Tomato mid-tone shadow ink and then dry embossed it with a bird and vine folder.  The flower is one of my very favorites, Hero Arts Stencil Flower.  I used the emboss resist technique with clear powder and Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Dried Marigold, and Worn Lipstick distress inks. The bird is a wood cutout that was originally intended to be a score/bone folder - yeah right?  REALLY!  I covered it in a scrap of MME Miss Caroline paper and added a pretty pool pearl for the eye.  I think she's sweet!  My SUNNY element, as if the flower and bird aren't enough, is the Hero Arts sentiment stamp from Homey Patterns.  I've used this stamp often.  I thought Soft Pool shadow ink would match that paper and pearl perfectly.

To finish off my tag, I added a bow made out of seam tape I dyed with Squeezed Lemon distress ink and a pretty new-to-me die from My Favorite Things, Leaf-Filled Flourish I also distressed with the lemon ink. 
My next project is a CAS card.  I KNOW - I don't make these EVAH!  But hey, it's a challenge and this is the only sketch that came to mind.  It's from the Clean and Simple On-Line Card class. 

I simply dry embossed a white card with a SU lattice folder.  Next, I stamped the Hero Arts Radiant Banner in Butter mid-tone shadow ink on white cardstock, then die cut a circle from Spellbinders on the bottom part of the stamped image.  I turned the image on its side and attached it with foam squares to the card base.  I added some puffy, white clouds using my new Lil Inker die cut set and then used a Copic to shadow it in blue.

I finished off this quick card with a scrap from the same MME Miss Caroline paper pad, but this time I used another Hero Arts stamp from Heydey Sentiments set with Memento ink in Tangelo.  I used My Favorite Things Fishtail Flags die for the sentiment.  That's it!  Easy Peasy!

I hope you can join in on the fun!  Thanks SO much for visiting my blog and as always, I love to read your comments.
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March 20, 2013

Smile

This week, I'm playing along for the first time at Muse Challenge Blog.  Their challenge #9 is created by the extremely talented designer, Marion Vagg, in a gorgeous play on color, stripes, and design.  I would LOVE it if you could stop by their BLOG and vote for my card!  Voting starts at 12 noon EST on Saturday 3/23 and ends 12 noon EST on Sunday 3/24.  I'd really appreciate it!
 These aren't colors that I use often, so I had to dig through my inks and then remembered my Hero Arts shadow inks.  LOVE them!  For the stripe element, I used the new Papertrey Ink set Watercolor Wonder, a very abstract set of "smears" that look handmade.  SO cool.

I experimented with a variety of stamps for the design and remembered my cherished  Hero Arts stamp Fabulous Flourish.  I embossed it in white, keeping the card in landscape, so I could fit the entire stamp on top of the stripes. 

For the sentiment, I chose Hero Arts Made With Love stamp and masked off SMILE, from You Make Me Smile - one of my faves!  I embossed it too, in white.  To finish it off, I added some pearls for a little bling!
I'm also entering this in the Hero Arts Blog monthly challenge.

As always, I enjoy reading your comments.  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Paper - Hero Arts Layering Papers - Snow, Pool Mixed
Stamps - Hero Arts Fabulous Flourish, Papertrey Ink Watercolor Wonder
Ink - Hero Arts Soft Pool, Pool Mid-Tone, Cornflower Mid-Tone, Memento Blue Danube, VersaMark
Other - Hero Arts White Embossing Powder, Pool Mixed Accents




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March 12, 2013

Lawn Fawn Birthday Mini Hop



Stamp Fever is a charming little store in Orange, California. We carry all things related to the crafting hobbies of stamping, card-making and paper crafting.  We stock a variety of stamps, papers, inks and supplies. We can also provide special orders for items you find online. We offer weekly stamping classes along with demos and make ‘n takes throughout the month.

Stamp Fever participates in the Southern California Shop Hop! Our design team goes all out to deck our store in theme related finery and we always have a charming Photo Op to add to the memories of your Shop Hop experience.
Stamp Fever is hosting a Lawn Fawn 3rd Birthday celebration! The party is on Saturday March 16 from 1-4. If you are in the area, please stop in for a visit and to share some birthday cake with Kelly and Mike, owners of Lawn Fawn. Kelly will share a special Make ‘n Take featuring one of Lawn Fawn’s newest sets “Summertime Charm”. 

There will be prize drawings at the party but we don’t want to exclude our blog readers. We will randomly choose one winner from those who comment at The Stamp Fever blog and one more random winner from comments on the Hop Participant blogs. To increase your chances of winning: Follow the Stamp Fever blog in a reader or by email subscription; sign up for our Newsletter; follow Stamp Fever on Facebook and leave us a comment there. Each winner will receive a Lawn Fawn Stamp set and coordinating Lawn Cuts Die set.


Comment to enter prize drawing until 10:00 pm PDT on Friday March 15. The random drawing will take place at the party. The two winners will be announced Sunday, March 17 on the Stamp Fever Blog.
Please feel free to HOP on over to the blogs of all the participating ladies listed below!  They have made some gorgeous cards!   I also want to add a special THANK YOU to Nancy Kreuger for the invitation to be part of this exciting celebration and setting up this hop!
  
Nicole- Unify Handmade 
Chari- MossyMade 
Britta- Britta Swiderski Creative 
Vera- Ling's Design Studio 
Lynnette- Netter's Notables 
Barb- ...Enjoying Life 
Lin- Sending Hugs 
Marcy- En Papillote Arts 
Kathy- Wading in Creativity 
Katie- Katie's Quarks 
Virginia- Yes, Virginia 
Melissa- Love My Scraps 
Deborah- Society of Stampaholics 
Nancy- Happy Heart Studio
Lawn Fawn Blog 
Stamp Fever Blog 
Annette- My Clever Creations
  
Here is my card for the blog hop.  It's Critters on the Savanna and in my opinion, the cutest set ever!  Thanks for stopping by!



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March 08, 2013

Crafting with Barb

When I saw this photo on Pinterest, I swooned! I used to decorate cakes and I know how much work this must have taken.  But as a card maker, I saw inspiration in color and design!  That's when I sent it over to my dear friend, Barb Engler, a most talented card maker in her own right! And I knew she was on vacation this week, so we hatched a plan to create together!

We decided to spend the afternoon on speaker phone (will learn to Skype VERY soon!) and craft together, using this beautiful photo as our inspiration.  We live half way across the country from each other, but it was like being in the same room.  We both bounced ideas off each other - even though our styles are so different.  I usually go more literal with an interpretation and she is more visual.  This time, for some reason, it was in reverse.

We are hoping to do this again very soon, because it is such a great way to get those creative juices flowing!
Pinterest

Here is my interpretation, but you should see Barb's!  Head on over to her blog, Enjoying Life, to see her AMAZING card!

Crafting with Barb 

I had a new Hero Arts stamp, Flowers and Stripes K5765, that was begging to be used.  I inked it up with the inspiration colors using distress stains Broken China, Shaded Lilac, and Squeezed Lemonade.  I then sprayed it with water.  I wanted a watercolor effect.  When dried, I stamped the Spring Memories stamp over it using Hero Arts mid-tone shadow ink Cornflower.

Finding colored paper that matched the photo was not as easy as I thought, but I found a piece of Core'dinations in the celery green for the image card blank. But I had to ink up a piece of Hero Arts snow layering paper in Tumbled Glass (thanks for the idea, Barb!) for the background piece.  It seemed to fit the bill!  I found the perfect embossing folder to emulate the circles in the photo and mounted my image on top of it with pop dots.

Next I created the flower using another piece of Core'dinations and a My Favorite Things flower die called Prima Dona Petals.  I set it off to the side and in the center of the image as in the inspiration photo.  I finished it all off by mounting it on white cardstock.  All in all, I'm pleased with how it turned out.  Most importantly, I loved spending the day with Barb getting inky!

What we would like to do is invite everyone to join in the fun using our photo inspiration to create a card and then post it to the Flickr Hero Arts Group forum.  Barb has posted a thread where you can add your photos too, as well as posting in the Flickr photostream.  That way we can see all the creations in one post.  No need to tag your photo with anything other than your stamps.  We do ask that you use a Hero Arts stamp for your main image, and not just a sentiment or embellishment. And for extra fun, we are both having a little giveaway.  Create a card by March 15th, 11:00 PM CST, 11:59 PM EST and we will each draw a name randomly! 
We are REALLY looking forward to seeing what you create!  Have fun and Happy Spring!

As always, I enjoy reading your comments!  Thanks!


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March 03, 2013

Longing for Spring

Hi everyone!  A post has been LONG overdue, but I'm back in the saddle and with a new card and a cool challenge!

Just in time before I completely lose my mind from lack of sun up here in New England, Hero Arts has a new challenge for us!  It's full of fun and color and some great techniques.
I decided to use the color palette Hero Arts chose because it sang Spring to me and I am honestly burnt out on Christmas and Valentine's Day colors.  I also had a new Spellbinders die I wanted to try out and it was perfect for the design I had in mind. 
I used the Hero Arts stamp Scallop Flower because of its whimsical and organic nature, to go along with the Botanical Swirls die.  I couldn't resist dotting the flower centers with Ranger white Enamel Accents and then I fussy cut them out. I used Hero Arts Shadow Inks in Butter Bar, Soft Sky, and Soft Granite for the Made with Love sentiment.

I had some gorgeous sheer ribbon that was a gift from my friend Cheiron - it's perfect with all these soft colors and I used some gray and white twine to "tie" it all together!  I thought it needed a little feminine touch, so I used the Martha Stewart doily lace edge punch on the side.

I hope you get a chance to enter this fun challenge!  Happy Spring!

I'd love to hear your comments, as always!

Hugs,
Marcy

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January 29, 2013

Card Class Clean and Simple 2 - Day One


Well, I did it! I completed my first official card from the Clean and Simple 2 Card Class.  Day one was focused on craftsmanship - chock full of tips, techniques, and cardmaking awesomeness.  I do appreciate how clean and crisp the cards turn out.  I may even fully embrace this CAS style! 

I only did one card for now, because I'm a day behind and I want to catch up.  The sketch I used really appealed to me.  It was from Kristina Werner. (I was drawn to her video with her pretty purple nail polish!)

In my typical style, I went down a different color "road."  Hey, I'm a CAS newbie - I have to move into this genre SLOWWWWLY.  So I went with cocoa instead of white. :)

Here's a lookie!
Paper - Bazzill
Stamps - Hero Arts Glow Girl CL650
Ink - Stazon Timber Brown
Other - Hero Arts Stamp and Cut Arrow D1072, Studio Calico Huey's Chevron Mask, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Sunshine, Sakura Gelly Roll Pens Clear and Copper, Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Circle Small

Thanks so much for visiting my blog!  I'd love to hear your comments.

Hugs,
Marcy
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January 28, 2013

A Really Quick and Easy Breakfast

Good morning readers!  It's a cold, snowy day here in New England and I had some recipes I wanted to try.  One of them is this recipe for Crockpot Oatmeal with Apples.

I found this on Pinterest, which is always "iffy" in my eyes.  Since it's a simple recipe with ingredients that are relatively inexpensive, I figured it wouldn't be a total loss if it failed.  Well, it WORKED!  My husband said it was the best oatmeal he ever ate and that it tasted like apple pie!  I have to agree.

It literally takes no more than five minutes to throw together.  Do it at night and you have a warm, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast in the morning.  It keeps for a week in the fridge.  Please give it a try!
photo courtesy of  Pinterest

                      Crock Pot Oatmeal with Apples

Serving Size  : 4-6, depending on your preference    

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  2             apples -- peeled and sliced
 1/3           cup  brown sugar
  1             teaspoon  cinnamon
  2             cups  oatmeal
  4             cups  water

In order, put sliced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon in the bottom of the crock pot. Pour oatmeal then water on top. Do NOT stir. Cover and cook (overnight) for 8 – 9 hours on low.  Serve with milk.

                                    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving: 243 Calories; 3g Fat (10.1% calories from fat); 7g Protein; 50g Carbohydrate; 6g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 14mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 2 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates.


ENJOY!!

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January 19, 2013

Hero Hostess Blog Hop - My Giveaway Winner!

And the randomly chosen winner is Buffy Esser!  I have sent you an e-mail Buffy!  Congratulations! Pin It

January 16, 2013

Day Three Hero Arts Hostess Blog Hop 2013 - And a Giveaway!

Welcome to day three of the Hero Arts Hostess Blog Hop, featuring stamps from the newest catalog release!  I am so excited and honored to have this opportunity to be participating in the Hop for the very first time, as I am one of the newest alumni!

You should have arrived here from the lovely and talented Sally Sherfield's Created by Sally blog.  If you want to return to the beginning of the hop, HERE is where it's all happening!  Please report any broken links to Tami.

I made four cards to showcase some of my favorite stamps from the new 2013 catalog.  I will spare you the details of how I created each card, but please feel free to e-mail me if you are interested!
Stamps: S5637 Tiny Ink Spots, F5728 Six Petal Flower, CL650 Glow Girl
Paper: Snow layering paper
Inks: Mid-Tone Shadow Inks Navy & Pale Tomato, Shadow Ink Butter Bar, Neon Pink &Yellow Dye Ink, 
Other: Lil Inker Square Die, Ranger Clear Embossing Powder, My Favorite Things Fishtail Flags die
Paper: Snow layering paper, Bazzill Licorice
Inks: Stazon Black, VersaMark Watermark 
Other: Zing Mustard Embossing Powder, Creative Impressions ribbon, Queen & Co. pearls
Stamps: CG509 Leafy Vines, CL476 With Sympathy
Paper: Tim Holtz Large Manilla Tag, Kaisercraft Sweet Nothings Collection, Bazzill Candy Bar
Inks: Stazon Brown, VersaMark Watermark, Tim Holtz Tattered Rose and Fired Brick Distress Ink 
Other: Ranger Clear Embossing Powder, May Arts ribbon,Sizzix Embosslits Beautiful Wings, My Favorite Things Bracket Die
Stamps: CG404 Heart Leaf Background, CL586 XO
Paper: Snow layering paper, Lagoon and Red Digital Color, Ellen Hutson Vellum
Inks: Stazon Blazing Red, VersaMark Watermark 
Other: Hero Arts White Embossing Powder, Ranger Clear Embossing Powder, Glossy Accents, Fancy Dies D1063 Renaissance Heart, Queen & Co. rhinestones


Hero Arts will be awarding prizes from randomly drawn comments. For a chance to win, simply comment on ANY of the stops along the hop on ANY day, including each day's starting post at the Hero Club Blog.  The more comments you leave, the better your chance of winning!

I also want to share my excitement by having my own little giveaway of some Hero Arts goodies!  Just leave a comment on this post & I'll randomly draw a winner on Saturday.

Next up on the hop is the sweet and creative Linda Wetterlin and her blog Scrappin,' Stampin,' & Singin'. Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you're enjoying all the eye candy my sister Hosti have created for you!


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