I got sidetracked...

I was just about to post my card tonight WHEN I decided to do a lil' surfing! Of course, I often head in the same direction, that's my predictable nature. So off to Nichole Heady's blog I go and lo and behold the cutest darn thing I have EVER seen. I mean, who doesn't want a cute little purse like that? So what do I do??? It's close to midnight, I haul EVERYTHING out and I make one of those cuties. And of course I have to Papertrey-it by using my sweet ladies. Who in their right mind hauls out their stuff when they are getting ready for bed? Only Nichole has that power over me! She truly is the master of this craft.
Now I haven't even gotten to the best part, ...brace yourself...this is made from an oval scallop punch! Yes...an oval scallop punch. Nichole has an awesome step by step tutorial to show you just how it was made. They are SOOO easy to create.
Make sure you go and see her website today and don't forget, she will have 20 of those Marvy MUST HAVES available for pre order starting midnight tonight!!! GO GO GO!!!!! Was that some good enabling or what? Seriously it was for the love of stamping. Thank goodness I already own a few. I think this is going to be an $$$ night *smile*




My Cute Lil' Purse Recipe

Paper: Kraft
Ink: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Noir (Palette), Whisper White
Stamp Set(s): Little Lady (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Oval Scallop Punch (Marvy), Polyshrink, Jump Rings, Crop-a-dile (We R Memory Keepers), Polka Dot Silk Ribbon (American Crafts), Pebble Brads (Making Memories)

Note: I added Primas as a lil' gift. I plan to add this cutie to my blog candy draw! Don't forget to enter it by June 2nd! I will be using the random generator to draw a number.

Well...I have another card to share. It's my Pink Cat Studio card but I think I will upload it later since it is getting late. Hope you enjoyed my story.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

My lady has arrived!

SHE IS HERE, SHE IS HERE...can you hear me screaming that? *smile*
I was so excited to receive not one but two stamp packages in the mail today; one from Papertrey Ink and the other from Pink Cat Studio. I had the pleasure of stamping with both too! But of course, I have been waiting two weeks for my lady so I had to share her card first.
My lady is for the Sketch Challenge over at SCS. What a great layout too! So simple to work with.
My beauty was stamped first using the bashful blue craft pad and then she was given a splash of red using the real red craft ink. I then lined up those crisp clear stamps and using my new Palette ink pad gave her some spots. As you may well have guessed, the spots were a little repetitive today. I say if you are going to go to town you might as well go overboard. You will also notice the shadowed sentiment, first stamped in whisper white and then offset and stamped in black (palette).



My Lady Card Recipe

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Dasher DP (Basic Grey)
Ink: Black (Palette), Real Red Craft, Bashful Blue Craft, Whisper White
Stamp Set(s): Little Lady (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Pebble Brad (MM), Polka Dot Ribbon (Misc)

My snail mail has been super slow these past two weeks and I was awaiting something (which should be here by now!) to add to my blog candy so if I don't get it by noon tomorrow I am posting the goods without it! So make sure you check back again.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Well I'll be colour challenged!

Today's colour was just one of those "meh" colour challenges for me. But what got me laughing was that I actually had the DP to match. So of course like a good lil' girl I played along even tho I wasn't digging the colours *pout*. And the truth of the matter is...the more you do things you don't like, the more you just get over it. Oh and yes that is another DOG you see on my card. Just wait...my papertrey ink order will be here ANY HOUR NOW and all you will see in the day to follow are ladybugs!



Francois' TerRuffic Day Card Recipe

Paper: Cool Carribean, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, Whisper White
Ink: Creamy Caramel, Basic Black ,Garden Green, Bordering Blue
Stamp Set(s): Ruff Day, Linen Background
Accessories: Cuttlebug (Provocraft) , Traffic Jam Embossing Folder (ProvoCraft), Buttons (My Mind's Eye ), Chocolate Chip Stampin Write Marker, Coluzzle, Watercolour crayons, Dauber Aquapainter, Gamsol, Glue Dots

You are SOOO lucky I didn't just write that recipe in French. My mind was telling me to type French after I wrote Francois.
Stay tuned for the blog candy...it is creeping up faster by the hour. You may even see a post about it tomorrow *wink*

Have a stamperific day.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Those are some BLUE Frosted Flowers...

This has to be a quick post!!!! Isn't that what I always say?
Today's card is for the TLC on SCS. It's always fun to try a new technique and to be honest I have never tried this wet watercolouring technique. One thing I did notice is that to get the most effective "look" you have to spray and then stamp immediately. You will get the most bleeding that way. In my case, by the time I stamped the third one the paper was already drying. Ah, it's a live and learn thing. I am happy with how it turned out.



Frosted Flowers Card Recipe

Paper: Sahara Sand, Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Poolhouse Paisley DP (Chatterbox)
Ink: Basic Black, Blue Frost Spectrum Pad
Stamp Set(s): Petal Prints
Accessories: Always Ribbon (Heidi Swapp), Spritzer, Water Spray

Remember, blog candy is just around the corner. I am closing in on 50000 thanks to all of you!
Well I know it is a long weekend in the US so I hope you are enjoying your time off and getting to that stamping *wink*

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Lovin' the pup!

As you can tell from my recent posts I have gone a little cutesy on you! I must say it is not like me to do that but I am having fun playing with some new images.

Today's SCS challenge is the Featured Stamper Challenge. I really like this challenge because it means you get to peruse through someone's gallery. With such a huge number of galleries it is hard to see every one of them. I was especially pleased that KED's was chosen. She has a beautiful style.

I chose to case this card. I changed the direction of the oval, the colour scheme, ribbon and sentiment layout from the original card. I kept the basic layout the same. This card took me approximately 20 minutes to make.




Ruff Day Pup

Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Play All Day DP (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Basic Black, Bordering Blue
Stamp Set(s): Ruff Day
Accessories:1 3/8th Circle Punch, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, Oval Scallop Punch, Oval Punch, Polka Dot Ribbon (Misc), Chocolate Chip Stampin Write Marker, White Gel Pen, Gamsol, Watercolour Wonder Crayons, Aquapainter

Again, if you haven't done a SCS challenge I encourage you! You don't have to submit. Just do it for yourself. After a few challenges you'll notice how much you are improving. Even a season stamper can improve.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Another challenge and some questions

Beate is featuring another Friday challenge and since I haven't been participating in my regular SCS challenges this week I figured I might as well attempt hers!



Bone Jour Beate! Card Recipe

Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Gazebo Stripe DP (Chatterbox)
Ink: Basic Black, Bordering Blue
Stamp Set(s): Ruff Day
Accessories: Buttons (Misc non-SU), Prismacolour Pencils, Gamsol, Paper Piercer, Corner Rounder, Aquapainter

Note: Card is 4.25x4.25 (following Beate's instructions)


Alli vs the Questions Part 5

1. Do you have a certain style that you favor over others/that you enjoy doing more?

I am always about trying something NEW! I would say there isn’t a particular style that I favour more than I just love trying everything. That being said, I know own the Bo Bunny flex ruler and I see a LOT of waves on my cards in the near future.

2. When you did the petals and paisley tin do you paint the tin first. Your edges look so smooth.

Yes I painted the tin. I didn’t paint the entire tin though. I just painted the areas I knew would be exposed as well as the edge. I used a sanding tool after that and perhaps that helped with that smooth look you were talking about.

3. I am wondering what inspires you? Do you read a lot of magazines or does it just come to you?

I didn’t start reading a lot of magazines until March. Now I am looking for inspiration in layout, colour, design, style and not simply from card or scrapbook magazines but also from products and fashion. Best example, go into your cupboard and pull out a soup tin. Follow the lines. Where the image is add it to your card in the same place, same thing goes with the sentiment. I literally look at EVERYTHING for inspiration (but as you read above I am especially drawn to colour). I also keep a journal by my bedside because I often come up with ideas in the middle of the night. Some days I create 5 of my ownn designs, some days none.

4. How do you find time to keep it updated and looking so great?

Time…time is of the essence. I have to admit I have spent many a night up until the cows come home. But more recently I have prioritized things and I am trying to start a project in the morning (30 minutes) and then complete it once the kids go to bed. When hubby has days off I get a nice 5-6 hour creative break and just go to town organizing my room, browsing through blogs, updating my blog and creating new things. I am a firm believer that if you schedule in a little time each day for crafting you will find it easier to accomplish as the months go on.

5. I'd like to see some blog tips. How do you like to photograph your creations? How long does it take you to make something usually?

I am really keen on answering all parts to this question but do the blog tips mean ways of maintaining a blog? Or do you mean card tips?

I like to photograph my cards using my daylight fluroscent lamps over top of a piece of white cardstock. I usually place a piece of white paper against the wall too. I revealed my photo tips a few months back on this post.

It can take me anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours to do a card. If it requires many steps it can take longer. On average I would say that I can stamp a card in 30-45 minutes, especially if there are rules to follow. I find I can create a card quicker with my own design in mind.

6. My question is where does all this inspiration come from and how do find the time to be so productive and creative? I love your blog and stop by often.

See above post. But remember, set a goal for what you want and work towards it. It may start by FORCING yourself to stamp 15 minutes each day no matter how tired you are and then you can just work with it from there.

7. My stamping goal is to learn to do the two step stamping. I can never line them up to look good. Any suggestions would be helpful.

I usually tell all stampers what you create is ART. No one told Picasso how to draw and even if they did he didn’t care. When I use two step stamps the outcome is not always “perfect” but it is art. If I am having a picky day and I want my images to line up perfectly I either grab my acrylic stamps OR I grab my stamp-a-ma-jig.

8. How many design teams are you currently on and how did you find out about them?

I wish I could answer that I am on LOTS of design teams but the truth is I am not on a single team (at the moment). My goal is to get published, work on a few projects and then work my way towards BIGGER things. And trust me, these things are all in the works. I am currently a guest instructor on the Scor-Pal website, a rubber reviewer for Rubber Stamping Fun and I will be designing some cards and putting tutorials together for a LSS in the near future. I would LOVE to work on a design team. Anyone want me? *lol* In the meantime I am designing for all of you and I am LOVING it. Papercrafts and teaching people are my passion.

That's all for today. Thanks again for all your questions. I still have many more to get to in the weeks to come. Hope you find time to stamp for at least 15 minutes today... the longer the better.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Cami Tutorial and Questions

As promised I am including a tutorial and question session in today's post. To view the full card in it's entirety, please see yesterday's post.
I am still a few thousand posts (ok 3000) away and just wanted to give you the heads up that I plan to celebrate 50000 in style so be sure to check back in the next week for some blog candy.

Cami Tutorial

Supplies

Step 1: Cutting the CS 4.25 x 5.5



Step 2: Scoring the "right" lines at 3.5 then 7
That should leave you with scored areas 3.5-3.5-4.25
Then cut various pieces of DP for each of the scored areas.



Step 3: Getting Punchy




Step 4: Colouring/Stamping



Step 5: Doodling

Step 6: Roll out the tape ribbon (7 Gypsies WOHOO!)



Step 7: Adhere all your layers, add your ribbon and VOILA! a beautiful cami card.



One thing you will notice is that I often stamp in steps. You might as well get all the punching done at the same time, all the stamping at the same time etc...

Alli vs the Questions 4

1. What are your favorite card layouts or strategies for working with small graphic elements?

My favourite card layouts are simple. I like only one of two elements. There is something to say about a card that has very few layers and embellishments. It just speaks! Hmmm I am not sure if I completely understand the question but let me answer this how I am reading it…I tend to use more when I have small graphic elements, like repeating or using as backgrounds. If I didn’t answer that question the way it was asked please feel free to ask me again.

2. I am wondering how you come up with so many ideas for one stamp...I am a struggling student and I need to get my money's worth!!

This is a FANTASTIC question. The truth of the matter is colour. When I see colour, especially colour combos from DP I just go to town. It inspires me to try something new with the same stamp/stamp set. You can change a card a lot by changing a few elements. My very first post of SCS shows how I used a single stamp set to come up with a variety of cards (my SCS gallery name is themilesmum). Perhaps I might suggest looking at the SCS challenges. The sketch challenge would be ideal for what you are talking about. You can look back at ALL the sketches and draw inspiration from them. The same can be said about the colour challenge. I hope this helps.

3. Thank you for sharing your blog, ideas and artwork. Where do you get your inspiration from and what non SU! sets are you currently using a lot of?

My inspiration comes from so much but it is colour that got me started. Once I started playing with colour it just came together for me. Of course that meant I had to have one of EVERYTHING in EVERY. Colour sets the mood for the card and the images tell the story. Each little embellishment has its place too. I place certain things on my cards for balance, direction etc. As for current sets, my fav, other than SU! are Papertrey Ink. I love them so much because they are fresh! I love their versatility too. I like how you can use the stamps from all the sets and they seem to just fit in. In addition, I am just loving the fun cutesy images from Stampendous. The Bees and the monkey (Changito).

4. I enjoy reading your blog, especially the entries about the chipboard. If you don't have a Cuttlebug to cut pieces from the chipboard, what else can you do with them?

Chipboard…hmmm…I like to do all sorts of things with chipboard. If you don’t have a Cuttlebug, you can still use the chipboard coasters to make boxes, books, add dimension on your card, create borders.

5. My question to you is: How do you get your inspiration? Do you case and then tweak it a bit? Do you copy from magazines (I've seen a lot of people looking at bedspreads and come up with card ideas which is awesome but I am not that creative!).

I promised I would share my journals with you and I will be doing that soon. I had planned to do that earlier but as always, there are more creations that I am just too anxious to share with you first. When I first started stamping my inspiration was from the SU! Idea Book and Catalogue. I simply started to case and went my own way. Then I felt I had to come up with things all on my own. When I was doing classes and workshops all the time I was starting to get really stressed out about it. So then I would case the layout and change my colours and stamp sets. When I first started sharing on my blog they were all my own designs. And although most still are, I participate in the SCS challenges quite a bit so those sketches and colour combos aren’t mine. The thing with the challenges is every person comes up with a unique card. So even tho the sketch is not mine per say I add my own special/unique twist. Nowadays I am inspired by everything. If I see a card that I like I try to figure out what attracts me to it. Sometimes I will print it off and circle the area that appeals to me. Ribbon loops is an example of something I saw somewhere else but have incorporated into many of my designs. Another example was scalloped circles. When I first saw them it was love at first sight. I wanted MORE! Sometimes it the DP, the ribbon, the ink…you know all that stuff that THOSE BLOGGERS (me included) enable when not even meaning to enable.

I am a good chatter at the best of times so I better stop here today. I will have more questions for you in the next few days.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!

Alli

Cami Card Preview

Cami cards are some of my favourite card layouts. They are super fun!!! I like how you can add more to your card (2+ sentiments, images, photos...) and who can resist those cute folds too and tab?
I created a tutorial (for those who haven't seen these yet) a while back using my scor-pal tool. I love how easy it was to line up my paper and score my lines (zip zip zip!) I also added a few little things to spice up my card. I just love the DP and colour combo. One of my most favourite to date. I will be sharing that tutorial with you tomorrow and as well as answering some more of your questions. But today I am going to post the final product.

The Card!!!



The Inside of the Card!!!



The Outside of the Card!!!



A Close Up ...



Friends Cami Card Recipe

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Magnolia DP (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Stamp Set(s): Friend to Friend, Paper Tray (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Polka Dot Ribbon (Misc), Slit Punch, 1/4 Circle Punch, 1/8th Hole Punch, Sticky Ribbon (7 Gypsies), Scalloped Circle Punch (Marvy) Circle Punch (Marvy), Stampin' Write markers: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Dimensions

Don't forget to stay tuned for tomorrow's step by step tutorial using scor-pal and other tools too. Also, if you have been holding off ordering this tool, the introductory price is only good until May 31st!

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Pretty Dutch Bella...

Bellas are still some of my fav stamps! I am especially happy that I can get Bellas close by since there is a LSS 3 hours north from where I live. Haha...you are probably laughing but I truly LIVE IN THE STICKS! The kind that has one grocery store, 2 gas stations, no traffic light. So I rely on stocking up when I am "out and about" (how's that for Canadiana?).
If you don't already know, Bellas come unmounted. What that means is you receive RUBBER only. No foam and no wood block. The rubber is grey. I have heard mixes reviews on unmounted stamps but I am happy with them. If you are more of a foam backing kinda stamper, you can either order backings for your stamps (and mount them on acrylic--clear--blocks) or just use a good tape to hold them down.



Dutch Bella Card Recipe

Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, Dutch Girl DP (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White
Stamp Set(s): Flowahbella (Stamping Bella), Green Thumb (Papertrey Ink), Paisley Background
Accessories: Primas, Vintage Brads, Scalloped Square Punch (Marvy), Ticket Corner, Watercolour Wonder Crayons, Aquapainters, Polka Dot Ribbon (Dots, Dashes and Checks)

Note: Technique is paper piecing.

I hope you are all having a fantastic day. I am on an out of town trip so hopefully I come back with some new goodies (not like I don't have enough coming via mail!).

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

My first tent topper card

I have been looking at Michelle Wooderson's tent topper cards for the past month. I am so glad I took the plunge because these cards are SUPER fun. Of course, since my bees are still new I had to use them for this card too.



Simple Joys of Daisy Bee Card Recipe

Paper: Basic Black, Yoyo Yellow, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Yoyo Yellow,
Stamp Set(s): Bee Daisy (Stampendous), Green Thumb (Papertrey Ink), Find Beauty Everyday (Ali Edwards Kit)
Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers: Yoyo Yellow and Basic Black, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Dots and Spots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Stickles, Polka Dot Ribbon (Misc), Rectangle Punch, Uniball Gel Pen, Aquapainter, Ticket Corner, Scalloped Circle Mega Punch (Marvy) Scalloped Circle Giga Punch (Marvy), Circle Punch (Marvy), Corner Rounder Punch

If you haven't tried these tent topper cards I encourage you to do so!!!

Because you love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Some bees a la Heady!

First of all THANK YOU to all who responded to my Karen Foster snap stamp dilemma and who also contacted the company. I found a few places to order just what I wanted *Big GRIN*...they are now on their way.

Now onto the card...
Nichole Heady comes up with the most brillant designs when it comes to cards, stamps, editorials...this woman just plain ROCKS! I admire her work (and of course her Papertrey Ink stamp sets *wink*)and have always wanted to try this card tutorial. The bees were calling my name again so I thought they would be perfect for the job. Besides, I knew you wanted to see some more bee designs. Wait until you see the Wooderson "bee" tent topper tomorrow!!! It's just BUZZIN' for fun.



The Bee Trio Card Recipe

Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Palette O Prints DP, Polka Dot DP (Lil Davis Designs)
Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red Craft, Regal Red Craft, Old Olive Craft, Summer Sun Craft, Bashful Blue Craft
Stamp Set(s): Bee Trio (Stampendous), All Year Cheer 1
Accessories: Scallop Scissors (Provo Craft), 1/8th Hole Punch, 1/4 Hole Punch, Primas, Pebble Brad (Making Memory), Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker, White Uniball Pen, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Dots and Spots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft)

Wow was this ever a fun design! Thanks Nichole!!!!

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

P.S. Still on the mend so another early post. Thanks for your well wishes. Enjoy!

Save SNAP STAMPS!!!!

If you haven't heard the latest, the Karen Foster snap stamps are in limited quantities or sold out. They plan to discontinue them. I have searched high and low for these stamps (I want to cry!!!) and have not been able to buy them. I missed the boat *insert whine*.
Ellen Hutson recently brought to light this post:

Snap Stamps - You can make a difference :D

You CAN make a difference by emailing Karen Foster at support@karenfosterdesign.com and letting them know how much you love the Snap stamps. Below is the email many are receiving in return - so let them know what you like about the stamps and what fonts you would like to see. Even make up some new ones if you'd like. Keep those emails flooding their inbox if you would like to see the Snap stamp manufacturing continue!!!

What size of stamps and font would you like the most? We are going to discuss this in our next company meeting.

Thank you!

Shauna Kerbs

Karen Foster Design

Customer Service

You can read more about what Ellen has to say on her blog too.

I e-mailed them and voiced my thoughts and hope that if you love them too that you will do the same.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

A Beate Challenge...

Beate posted a challenge a few days ago to create a card based on her fun and edgy layout using scallops, punches and ribbon. And of course she used her flower bee. Those bees all the buzz so I just had to pick me up a few too (Bee Trio and Bee Daisy). I ordered them a few weeks ago from an south island stamp store and they arrived mid week. Since I have been feeling REALLY under the weather in the past few days, I needed a little pick me up with these beauties. They have been staring at me from my shelf and I can hardly believe I haven't felt well enough to use them up until now (and let me tell you my card was a 30 minute card...didn't feel well enough to stay any longer).
So back to the challenge...like most challenges, I try and follow the rules as best I can. I just got a little creative in adding some extras *lol* as well as flipping the card, so if this disqualifies me I am ok with that. I just wanted to share a Beate inspired design. She is after all one of my stamping heroes *wink*.


A Night out for the Bees Card Recipe

Paper: Buckaroo Blue, Green Galore, Whisper White, Mod DP (Autumn Leaves)
Ink: Basic Black, Buckaroo Blue, Cranberry Crisp, More Mustard, Green Galore
Stamp Set(s): Bee Trio (Stampendous), Girls Night Out (A muse), Linen Background
Accessories: Primas, Neutrals Buttons, Polka Dot Ribbon (American Craft), Scallop Circle Punch (Marvy), Circle Punch (Marvy), Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker, Aquapainter

Thanks again for the inspiration Beate! I will certainly be looking for more of your challenges in the future.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

P.S. You'll probably notice I posted this REALLY early but I will be heading to bed once I get the kids settled for the night.

RSF...Rubber Stamping Fun

A few weeks ago, in fact the day I was the FS13 on SCS, I saw a banner for RSF (Rubber Stamping Fun). They were looking for people who were interested in reviewing some RUBBAH! And of course I was thinking "sign me up!". Within a few days of filling out the survey form, I received an e-mail from Adam (he is super funny) stating that I, along with about 140+ others had been chosen to receive some new rubbah. Early last week we were able to preview 22 new sets and got to choose one. Now I am anxiously awaiting my set...
If you haven't been to the RSF site I encourage you to take a peek. There are some very cute sets.
I will keep you posted and start sharing cards the day I receive the set. And THAT is a promise.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Christmas in May?

As you know, I recently ordered some stamps from A muse and Impress and figured I would try and get ahead on some of my seasonal cards because it never fails that September rolls around and then BAAM! December is at my feet. I am not sure why but Sept-Dec is always insanely busy.

So today, a short and sweet post (since the last few have been rather long)...
Here is Christmas in Pink...cause hey why not?!



Winter Pink Card Recipe

Paper: Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Basic Black, Palette O Prints DP
Ink: Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Basic Black
Stamp Set(s): Joy Love Peace (A muse), Embellish Tree (A muse), Japanese Flower (Impress)
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Polka Dot Ribbon (Misc), Raspberry Liquid Pearls (Ranger)

Thanks for putting up with my Christmas card in May. It was fun to make especially with that new DP from SU! I didn't know what to make of it at first but it is GORGEOUS in person.

For all my Canadian friends, have a super long weekend.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

It's tractor time!

Yesterday's SCS Challenge was to use little stamps. When I read the write up I knew EXACTLY what stamp I would be using. Tractor by A muse was perfect for the job!
I just love this little stamp! It is so darn cute. My 4.5 year old son LOVES John Deere tractors so I just had to make it a green, yellow and black tractor.

This is what the finished card looks like...



And if you feel like making it into a slider card then this is what you will get:



However, if you feel like having snap card then this is what you will get:




And when you open it this is what it will look like:



A close up will reveal this:



You'll notice there is a little white circle with a + sign on it. The little white circle with the - sign on it is hidden under the cuttlebugged panel at the top. I took this picture to show you the button because the finished product looks like this:



And if you have NO idea what the magnets are that I am talking about this is what they look like:



John Deere Card Recipe

Paper: Garden Green, Yoyo Yellow, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black, Garden Green
Stamp Set(s): Tractor (A muse) Birthday Wishes (A muse)
Accessories: Slit Punch, 1/2 inch circle punch, Polka Dot Ribbon (misc), Brad (Making Memories),Circle Punch 1 1/4 inch, Circle Punch 1 3/8 inch, Ticket Corner Punch, Magnetic Snaps (Basic Grey), Stampin' Write Markers: Yoyo Yellow, Garden Green, Cuttlebbug (ProvoCraft), Tiny Mosaic Embossing Folder (ProvoCraft)

Hopefully the pics make the project a little more straight forward. For a more detailed account on measurements (folds, cuts, scores) etc please refer to Dawn Griffith's blog. She is the one who provided the tutorial on how to make this card. I just added my own magnetic twist on her version.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Mini Tutorial, a card and more...

So what can you expect to read and see today? Well first of all the Fancy Pants tutorial I promised, a blurb about one of my new fav products Scor-Pal and a new card using some new rubbah!

Mini Tutorial: Faux Fancy Pants Decorative Border

Step 1: Punch your border using your slit punch from corner to corner.



Step 2: Separate the punched design from the rest of the cardstock.



Step 3: Using your 1/4 inch circle punch, punch holes along your scalloped strip. (See an example below incorporating this border...and even better stay tuned to see the card in the background!)




What's that in the background you ask? One of my new fav items; Scor-Pal. I, along with several other guest instructors got to play with this fantastic scoring tool and create some projects featured on Diana Crick's Scor-Pal website. Diana is taking pre-orders right now and will be shipping in the near future. I know I have talked about Scor-Pal briefly before but now you see where I fit into the picture. More projects are updated weekly so stay tunned for more BRILLIANT ideas and tutorials. I have to tell you, I use this fab-o scoring tool EVERY day. I leave it on my craft table and just lean over and zip zip...I am done. That is SO much more convenient then using my bone folder and a ruler OR the scoring blade on my fiskars rotary cutter. I really appreciate the deep score line too. If you don't have a tool like this it is a MUST have especially if you are into quick results. The other thing I like about it is that you have all the essential score lines marked for you (ex. 4 1/4, 5 1/2 etc).
I will share the project featured in those photos very soon.

Today's card was truly inspired by the DP. Isn't it always? Is that my trademark? *lol*



Branch In Vase Card Recipe:

Paper: Whisper White, Sage Shadow, Ruby Red, Crate Paper DP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Sage Shadow
Stamp Set(s): Birthday Wishes (A muse), Branch in Vase (Impress)
Accessories: 1/4 inch Circle Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Slit Punch, Round Tab Punch, Scallop Square Punch (Marvy), Dauber, Martha Stewart Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker, Stickles (too bad you can't see them!!!)

That's all for today!

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

So much fun...so little time...

I can't believe how fast the days are going by now that the sun is shinning! I just want to spend my days outside. I have even resorted to dragging a table outside my stamp I have so many things I want to share with you I just don't even know where to start. The questions, the projects, the cards...
For today, I am going to stick with a card and some answers to the questions you asked me a while back.
Today's SCS challenge was a sketch challenge using many angles. Since I am not that technical I just went with it...
I truly encourage you to get involved in the daily challenges. Seriously. I will keep telling you that because I am still in *SHOCK* about how it has helped me become a better stamper.

**Edited to add: I can't believe I forgot the most important part! The background of this card was embossed--yes you read that right an embossed background was embossed. After I used the Cuttlebug embossing folder, I used a brayer (with the rubber attachment) and rolled it into VersaMark. Then I rolled it over my background. Next I poured clear embossing powder over the background and heated it using my heat tool. It is really neat to see the shine. This is a MUST try. I had some fun using some of the other Provo Craft Embossing Folders too.



Birthday Wishes Bird Card Recipe

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Bashful Blue, MOD DP (Autumn Leaves)
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Bashful Blue, VersaMark
Stamp Set(s): Bird on Egg (Savvy stamps), Birthday Wishes (A muse)
Accessories: Paper Frills (Doodlebug), Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Dots and Spots Embossing Folder (Provocraft), Heat Tool, Clear Embossing Powder, Scallop Punches (Marvy), Prismacolour Pencils, Gamsol, Dauber, Pebble Brads (Making Memories)

Now to the questions...Alli vs the Questions Round 4

1. What is the biggest mistake (or pet peeve) that you see other card creators make?
Wowza! This is an important question and you had me thinking hard! I personally think, this is only my 2 cents, that some card creators are just trying to be the next (you fill in the name) and expend so much energy to capture that designers style that they loose sight of their own creative path. Each person has such a unique style and it is not to say that we shouldn’t learn from others, but that we should stay true to ourselves.

2. What is your favorite stamp or stamp set?

I have a few, my classic favourite is Petal Prints and my new favs are Butterfly Kisses and Green Thumb…but LOOK OUT WALLET there is another Papertrey Ink release that will be screaming design.

3. I love your style, very clean and crisp. I'm curious about what your stamp space looks like and how you organize everything.

Most people that walk into my stamp space can tell that I am an organized person. In fact, some of them have asked me to come and organize their space. That being said, I am a MESSY crafter. My room looks like a tornado went through it after I have been stamping for a few hours. I took some pics of my stamp room earlier this year (February 11^th). It has actually changed a little bit since then as I acquired some more things *lol*

As you can see, I organize my stamps by size, my ink colours by family and type, paper colours by similar colours, and accessories that are like go in the same drawer. I label just about EVERYTHING! I have a few more plans to decorate my room and reorganize again this summer when I am finished teaching for the year. I will post more pics as the summer progresses and I promise to include some close ups. I might even share one of how messy my spaces gets after a day of crafting

4. On your Petal Prints window card, you gave the recipe, but could you give some of the directions. I would love to try this.

The window cards are fairly easy actually. Start by stamping your image using Staz-On and then let it sit. I always stamp on an acetate sheet that is about an inch wider than my open space. Since you have ink on your stamp I normally “stamp off” on a piece of scrap DP for the centre of the flower.

Next, punch a hole in your designer paper using a large punch (like the scalloped square Marvy punch). Once you have that hole, line it up with the edge of your card base and punch a hole using your square punch. I usually punch it through the DP hole so that I know the exact placement. If you want to add ribbon, I suggest tying it at this stage before you start to glue. You can also cut glue the center of your flower to the acetate sheet. Begin gluing the acetate sheet to your card base. I suggest gluing as closely to the edge as possible as you want to avoid getting a “tape” look through the window. Then glue the remaining layers. As for the spine, I will take some photos later today and post them for you. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to make.

5. My question is: What is your favorite card/project you have ever made?

Just one??? I will name a few...The silk scarves I stamped and gave to my mum and grandma a few years ago for Mother's Day. I liked them because I matched the tamped colours and images to their personalities. My most recent fav is my strawberry card. I love that one so much because it just came together for me.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Girl's Night Out...lady bug style!

Today's colour challenge was interesting to say the least. When I first read the combo tempting turquoise, rose red, apricot appeal and optional green galore I was worried about my creation. But I have to tell you I was pleasantly surprised by the final outcome.
You may note that I was up late considering I was one of the first people to post for today's challenge but I just HAD to order my new Papertrey Ink stamps!!! I think I am going to LOVE Little Lady...more lady bugs (teehee!).
I had an AWESOME mail day today and received my new A muse and Impress rubber stamps!!! I adore the sentiments A muse comes up with and the clean and modern images made by Impress. So for today's card I had to incorporate at least ONE of my new stamps...



Girl's Night Out Card Recipe

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red, Apricot Appeal, Green Galore, Whisper White, Magnolia DP (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red
Stamp Set(s): Bugs and Kisses, Girls Night Out (A muse)
Accessories:Stampin' Write Markers: Basic Black, Green Galore, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Frills (Doodlebug), Large and Small Circle Punch, 1/4 inch hole punch, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Spots and Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Scalloped Scissors (Provo Craft)

I have some more questions and answers to post...I should have those up either today or tomorrow.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Shane's Wish and Shane's Card...

You've heard about it from one blog to the other...on SCS, on YouTube to the local news...it's the story of a 7 year old boy who is fighting for his life...and his only wish is to receive cards. And lots of them too! So please, if you have a minute today, send a card to Shane. He needs our help.

You can send your cards to:

Shane Bernier
PO Box 484
Lancaster, Ontario
K0C 1N0
Canada

I was so pleased to see this tied into a SCS challenge on Tuesday. I had a hard time with my original design. Something just didn't mesh until today! So here it is...my challenge card and one step further in making Shane's wish come true.



Shane's Card Recipe

Paper: Cool Carribean, Taken with Teal, Morning Marigold, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Morning Marigold
Stamp Set:
Accessories: Primas, Vintage Brads, Scalloped Square Punch (Marvy), 1/4 inch Circle Punch, 1/2 inch Circle Punch, 1/16th Hole Punch, 1/8th Hole Punch, Ticket Corner, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Traffic Jam Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Velvet Ribbon

Have a wonderful day.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

I am back!!!!

Wow, talk about scary! 2 whole days without Internet access. My husband and I went away to an island resort about 3.5 hours away from our home for a Catch and Relax weekend (Fishing and Spa treatment). We had to take a boat to the island and NORMALLY they have dial up connection but everywhere we went they were down. You want to know how dedicated I am?...DH and I set off for a trek into town (30 minutes on a deserted road) to upload all my saved posts (for you guys!) only to find out the Internet Cafe had no Internet this week because of a computer virus!!! So, I promise that when you check back tomorrow (Monday) there will be something new. I am off to unpack and do some laundry. I will be back soon.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

P.S. We both caught fish during our four hour fishing trip! It was so exciting. I let mine go though.

Warning: Naked Card...

you might want to close your eyes!

Today's Limited Supply Challenge on SCS was called Wide Open Spaces (yes I am singing that too Dixie Chicks Fans). We were challenged to leave the wide open space on the card free of embellishment and ink. With my track record you KNOW that was a challenge for me.

I received a super package in the mail today and I am NOT talking about hubby's $$$ universal remote. I am talking about my Ali Edwards' Kit of the Month (May 2007)! It is beautiful and I can hardly wait to use it especially with Mother's Day approaching. The theme behind it is to celebrate the beauty of the women in your life. I truly feel blessed to have a wonderful family and group of friends in my life and look forward to scrapbooking those who surround me with love and support each and every day.

Ok...back to the card (wow I sidetrack easily)...this truly is a 5 minute card. I grabbed some paper scraps, pierced my Chocolate Chip cardstock and then distressed it. Next I adhered it to my Magnolia DP (My Mind's Eye) and placed it on the base of my card. Then, I used the "Today" stamp from Ali's kit and inked it in Chocolate Chip Craft Ink and mounted it on Tempting Turquoise cardstock. As a final touch I added some pretty Primas and a coordinating brad from Bo Bunny. Voila...my naked card.

Note: Since I have had people ask me about ink recently, I wanted to say that I have swayed back and forth between classic ink and craft ink but am back on a craft kick. I just like the punchy colour you get when you use it. On the flip side I just wish it dried a little faster.
This card is 5 1/2 x 5 1/2.



Today is a New Day Card Recipe

Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Magnolia DP (My Mind's Eye)
Ink:Chocolate Chip Craft
Stamp Set(s): Ali Edwards Kit of the Month Stamp (May 2007)
Accessories:Primas, Brad (Bo Bunny), Paper Piercing Tool, Cutter Kit

Alli vs Questions Round 3

1. How do you come up with your color combos? (see post below)

2. On your petal pink card recipe, how did you recreate that Fancy Pants packaging along the spine of the card?

Oh! I am so glad you asked that question. I will have a tutorial for one of the projects featured on scor-pal this weekend which features that spine! Stay tuned.

3. What kind of adhesives do you use on your papercrafts? Seems I'm always on the lookout for the "perfect thing".

I am also still on the lookout for a good adhesive. I have card pops all the time!!! You know those little pieces of paper that flip up when you are trying to take a photo of your card *wink* Does someone want to send me the next best thing? Just joking! In all seriousness, I use Scotch Double Sided Adhesive Tape 665/1 6.3mm x 33m. It’s ok…but I bet there are better products out there. I am always willing to try something new. I do know however there was a GREAT thread about adhesive on Craft Critique in March.

4. I often wonder where do you get your inspiration? (refer to yesterdays post)

5. Where do you get all that cute ribbon?

I buy ribbon from SU!, M's, e-bay stores, Jody Morrow (ribbon share) and most recently Taylor VanBruggen (ribbon share).

6. My questions would be what is your favorite technique and can you do a
tutorial on it on your blog?

Hmmmm, my favourite technique…I really like highlighted embossing. I will be working on a project using that technique in the next month or so, so I will definitely take photos of it while I am working on it (so YES I will do a tutorial for it).

7. A question that I would have for you is, what is your typical day like and how does stamping fit in?

Wow, great question. My typical day starts at about 7:30 with my 3 and 4 year old tugging at the bed cover! I normally get up and fix them something to eat, grab my coffee and SURF. One of my fav things to do for the first hour (sometimes two heh) is to read my e-mails, respond to them, chat on MSN and browse through my fav blogs and sites. I am pretty good at multi tasking. Remember, I also teach online so sometimes that is not all stamp time. I have many parents and students to respond to as well. Then I try and find time throughout the day to sneak down to my room for a little 15 minute sanity breaks. Usually those breaks involve cleaning up the mess from the night before *lol*. I am a little bit of a night hawk and tend to leave my creativity to about 8-10PM, sometimes later and then post my new cards in the gallery and update my blog. The truth of the matter is I dedicate EACH day to stamping and I find the time no matter what. That is a true challenge but honestly my day would be incomplete without some stamping.

8. My question for you is this, of all Stampin' Up! sets from the past, which one
would you bring out of retirement if you could and why?

This is a tough question. There are so many. I have to stay patriotic and say O Canada! I became a demo the year after this stamp set retired and I have been trying to get my hands on it ever since *sigh* There is one image in that set that has a special place in my heart (the mountie). I am a mountie wife!

9. I love your site and was wondering how long and how hard it was to get your blog up and running? Once you have everything done, is it easy to create your posts? I so want to try to get a blog going but just don't know where to start.

Having literally NO experience with this type of program it took a little learning but I was up and running the very first day. Truth be told, before having a blog I think I only ever visited 3 regularly *lol* so I didn’t even really know what I wanted. In retrospect, I would like to have done some blog surfing first and then started. It would have helped me ground my ideas and vision for my blog. It has been a true learning process and I am so glad I did it. I have grown in leaps and bounds and I truly love blogging because it keeps me accountable for creativity.

So to continue answering your questions, once you have done the prelim work and know the sites you want to link to, have taken your pictures, determined your background colours and fonts and created your banner (and watermark!!! Don’t forget that..Beth and Cindy are AWESOME) then you are on your way. Uploading daily is a piece of cake. It can however be time consuming if you are writing a lot. Keep it simple and remember to have fun. I totally think you should go for it!!! Hey, I’ll even be the first to link you *smile*

10. What advice can you give to a new stamper/scrapbooker (like myself) to
stay inspired and creative?

Find time to stamp every day! Even 15 minutes can make a huge difference. Set goals for yourself. It can be as simple as creating 2 cards/2 layouts in a week. Just keep your goals achievable and you will succeed. I think far to often we set goals out of reach and get discouraged when we aren’t meeting them. If you set them up in increments you will achieve them a lot quicker. Part of the reason I became a card maker rather than an avid scrapbooker was because it was so much easier to complete a card in a day than a page *LOL*. Yes that is right. A card in a day. It used to take me FOREVER to create a card. Now I can create a card in as little as 5 minutes to 1 hour (depending on the steps). Another tip, create a “creativity” journal. this will help you gather your thoughts and find that creativity especially on days when the mojo hibernated. I will be sharing a few pages from mine this coming week so stay tuned.

That's it for the questions today. If you made it this far CONGRATS and THANKS! Also, just wanted to let you know that I WILL be around but may not be posting at my regular time. DH and I are taking off for a few days. This will be our first trip away from the kids since they were born. I called our destination and it seems the ONLY internet connection is at a local cafe and I am not sure how far that is from where we are staying. Trust me when I say this...it will be HARD to be without the Internet (and the kids of course) and I will try my best to post on Saturday. Just keep a lookout for me. I will be back.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

P.S. Not sure why my font went wonky *lol* I am soooooo technically challenged..

Enabling Post and some answers!

Have you been to Nichole's blog today??? She has uploaded the most BEAUTIFUL card, 1 of 5 projects she is going to share with us in the next 5 days leading up to Papertrey Ink's new release. Can you say SIGN ME UP? I can't wait to create with that ladybug. Now go go go and see it!!!

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

P.S. I want to answer to questions that have come up recently
1) Are you using craft ink or the classic pads for your color with the acrylics???

I use both actually and usually try to share that in my card recipes. However, that being said, I neglected to mention that I used craft ink for the strawberried only in yesterday's post.

2) I have a ? for you re:determining cost of a card that you will sell. I was approached to make ATC sized baby announcements for someone, she she will pay me to make them but I am not sure sure how I should price them....any suggestions?
Thanks! Always cover the cost of your materials. With ATCs (the traditional size anyways) you know you will get 9 to a sheet. Next determine how many layers you will have and how many you will make. If you are using ribbon or anything fancy that increases the price right away. And don't forget to add TIME to that too. Determine how long it will take you to make them. Most often we short change ourselves on the time it takes to put these things together. Our time is valuable so price it accordingly. I hope that helps.

Finding Inspiration...

Many of you asked me about where I find inspiration! Well today I am going to show you just what I am talking about.

I mentioned this before BUT this Chocolat magazine did me in! I am telling you that book is FULL of inspiration. I have been eyeing the front cover of the May/June edition and I am not sure why but I HAD to create something using the colour scheme, texture and mishmash of patterns. I must tell you, I have a hard time with orange at the best of times. I think it is because of my strawberry blonde hair...I was told LONG ago to avoid orange at all costs. I digress...so anyways, orange...well I found a way to incorporate it.

Chocolat May/June 2007 Edition



I was drawn to the designs on the bottom. The chair, the throw pillow, the vase and the satin material to the right of the lady!














And after all that exposure THIS is what I came up with:



Chocolat Cover Inspired Card Recipe

Paper: Cool Carribean, Whisper White, Old Olive, Basic Black, Petal & Paisleys DP
Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, VersaMark
Stamp Set(s): Flower Filled, Painted Posies, Green Thumb (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Ruby Red Stampin' Write Marker, Gel Pen, Scalloped Scissors, Misc Satin Ribbon, Flock, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat and Stick Powder, Heat Tool, Pearl Ex, Ticket Corner Punch, Corner Rounder, Stipple Brush, Brad, 1/16th Hole Punch

You'll notice I pulled the "chair" in the background using the Green Thumb set by Papertrey Ink by creating a black and white pattern. I recreated the vase using the Flower Filled set by SU! (the vase was inked with Pumpkin Pie and thumped with Ruby Red and then stamped with VersaMark and embossed with clear embossing powder). I was able to capture the "satin material" using this ribbon. I also used the Petal & Paisleys DP from SU! to match the "pillow". As a final touch, I simulated the texture on the vase (on the magazine) and added texture and colour to the flowers using flock and pearl ex and texture to the card base using the Cuttlebug and the Traffic Jam Embossing Folder by Provo Craft.

Yes, I know, A LOT of details. This card may not be for everybody but you know my style *wink*

I will be giving this card to my mum for Mother's Day! We scoured this magazine together last week and she has an edgy little studio that just SCREAMS this card. I can't wait for her to see it in person. As she reads my blog she is now getting a sneak peak (love you mum see you soon!)

As promised here is the inspiration piece for the bella card I featured a few days ago:


and here is the card again so you can inspect closely!



That's all for today! I hope you enjoyed "seeing" my inspiration. I look forward to seeing yours too.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli