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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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