Ill Tempered Ink

Gingersnapping with Words of Wisdom

2012-02-02T00:01:00.003-05:00

The GC Chestnut Theme Challenge for February is Words of Wisdom! I picked this proverb I love.

I have almost figured out my die-cut machine....yup, that hopeless! Anyway, I used this pretty scroll and really loved the look. The kids are colored with copic markers and I added some faux stitching around the edges as GC is focusing on faux techniques this month.

Garden Carried in the Pocket
Stamps: swingers and sentiment from Relish Reading plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scrap from my basket
Cardstock: Handsome Hunter, Old Olive and Very Vanilla (Stampin Up)
Ink: Handsome Hunter marker and ink (Stampin Up); Rich Cocoa (Memento); various copic markers
Other: Sizzix border die; circle cutter (Creative Memories)

To see more examples from the Rogue Crew, check out our post on Gingersnap Creations. To see all the awesome work from the Gingers, go to our Challenge post.

Gingersnap Creations Goes Rogue

2012-01-31T12:01:00.003-05:00

Yup, it's true! Rogue Redhead Designs is going to sponsor Gingersnap Creations all through the cool month of February! GC's theme is "Telling It Like It Is" and it will be focusing on faux techniques. Sounds like amazing fun, doesn't it?

Well, my fun lady from the Just Sayin' plate thinks so even if she doesn't look like it! She's stating her current mood du jour on this card. We've all had those days where it seems that nothing we try is going to work out no matter what.

To create this card, I've used Carole Burrage's Faux Torn Mosaic technique which I learned on the fabulous Splitcoast Stampers site. It was really fun although lots of inking. I went with more pink ink for the edges instead of nice browns - must be the rogue in me. I think it turned out fab!

Can't Win in Pink
Stamps: sentiment and Umbrella Woman from the Just Sayin' plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scrap from my basket - Anna Griffin I think?
Cardstock: Rose Red, Basic Black and Whisper White
Ink: Spun Sugar and Victorian Velvet (Ranger Distress Ink); Tuxedo Black (Memento); Jet Black (StazOn); variety of copic markers
Techniques: Faux Torn Mosaic (Splitcoast Stampers); paper piecing
Other: foam brush, sponge daubers and ModPodge

I am entering this card into the following awesome challenge:

Charisma Cardz Challenges - Pretty in Pink

I think this card is pink enough :)

Hope you are not having the kind of day my card suggests.

Marking Places

2012-01-30T08:00:00.003-05:00

I love tag bookmarks! They are so much fun to make, use and give as gifts. This one will stay with me as I seem to suddenly be reading so many books at once that I need extra bookmarks.

For this one, I used the same technique as in my Simply Aged cards except that I took it a step further by over-stamping the Netted background on my color panel.

Old Gent Bookmark
Stamps: border, flower, netted background and Old Gent from Just Sayin' plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Base: shipping tag (Staples - yea, really - way cheaper per tag than a craft store)
Ink: Wild Honey, Scattered Straw and Spiced Marmalade (Ranger Distress Ink); Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Embellishment: polka dot ribbon
Other: post-its for masking

I am entering this bookmark into the following challenges:

Come and Get It Challenges - Anything BUT a card

Drunken Stampers - Something New (stamp just released last Wednesday)

Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge - Polka Dots (dots definitely on my ribbon)

Hope you take time to mark your place today!

Aged Background for a Vintage Lad

2012-01-28T07:16:00.004-05:00

Can you go simple with vintage? Absolutely! Well, if you go Rogue, you can! I have found this look very effective over the years and love how this simple distressed background goes from light to darker edges. The card below and the others in the set were made all with 5 distress inks, one shade of Memento ink and a lot of white cardstock!

I also love how the focal image pops out of all that distress ink! It gives a bit of flair without being flashy.

The card below contains one of my oft-used expressions - Can't Win for Losin'. I was surprised to find this phrase actually has an entry in the Urban Dictionary. It seems to capture a certain mood and I just had to make it in rubber so I included it in my newest stamp plate - Just Sayin'. There are some perks to making your own stamps :)

Just sayin' is also in the Urban Dictionary...just sayin'

If you want to see how I made this card and got this effect or just check out the other cards in this set, surf on over to my tutorial on the RRD blog.

Warhol Mardi Gras

2012-01-27T06:45:00.001-05:00

Mardi Gras is so much fun that I couldn't wait to make my first card for it this year! This fun jester's hat seemed a great way to get into the spirit. It's not that far away - February 21!

I stamped the hat with black on the three Mardi Gras colors - purple, green and yellow - and created a quick and easy Warhol card. I added a little white colored pencil highlight to the hat just to give it a bit of definition.

Make it Mardi Gras
Stamps: sentiment and hat from Carnival Dreams (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scrap from my basket
Cardstock: Perfect Plum, Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana and Basic Black (Stampin Up)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Tools: Oval cutter (Creative Memories)
Technique: Warhol (Technique Junkies)

Hope you have a festive day!

Orange is the new Black

2012-01-26T19:47:00.004-05:00

So, I got the green out of my system only to become infatuated with orange. Sigh. I seem to be color compromised in 2012.

I am having some more fun with my Just Sayin' stamps today. The first card is paper pieced to give the little kits more interest. This cat reminds me of mine little furball - determined not to acknowledge that I exist.

I made this card nice and bright! From the depths of cooling green, I have heated up my color preference and gone all citrusy on this one! I am entering this one in the Hooked on Craft Challenges - Something Bright!

Three Little Kitties
Stamp: cat from Just Sayin' plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scraps from my basket
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Technique: paper piecing

For my second card, I wanted to do something bright but simple. I keep admiring all the cards with pennants so I decided to make one. Again, I used paper piecing for the flags to give them some pizzazz.

Happy Unbirthday
Stamps: pennant and sentiment from Just Sayin' plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scraps from the basket (think I am finally making a dent)
Cardstock: Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White
Ink: Pumpkin Pie (Stampin Up); Jet Black (StazOn)
Technique: paper piecing

Hope your day was light and bright!

Did Ya Hear?

2012-01-25T16:16:00.000-05:00

I'm having fun with my new stamps! Here's a quick card I made using the fab sketch over at Unscripted Sketches.

I'm using up my scraps this month and I came across this fun star paper. I went a little patriotic on my color theme with a hint of yellow. I had a lot of fun coloring these two characters and the flower!

Did Ya Hear?
Stamps: Melvin, Old Gent, flower and sentiment from Just Sayin' plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scraps from my basket
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy and Very Vanilla (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); various copic markers

If you haven't heard about the Rogue Redhead Designs new releases, pop on over to the RRD blog and find out more!

New Stamps at RRD...Just Sayin'

2012-01-25T06:00:00.002-05:00

It's so exciting! There are new stamps at RRD today! Just sayin'....

Rogue Redhead Designs is pleased to announce two new releases, Just Sayin' and Carnival Dreams, to brighten up your winter! Each is whimsical in its own way and sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Our Just Sayin' plate is a full-size unmounted rubber stamp plate with focal images, sentiments, decorative elements and a full-size background. Its quirky vintage charm lends itself to grace greetings to close friends and family. It's timeless humor is great for "any day" cards. Order this new full-size plate before February 25, 2012 and get it for the introductory price of $17.60, a 20% savings over its regular retail price of $22.00.

Here's a card that I made using the Umbrella Lady from the Just Sayin' set. The characters on this plate are so fun, they need very little embellishment.

Ourr second new release is a fabulous new mini featuring the art of New England artist K. Dunn called Carnival Dreams.

This newest addition to the Beautifully Dunn range comes just in time for Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day. It features beautiful-drawn free-flowing images of love and enchantment. Romance, mystery and a joyous spirit infuse this collection. Order this new mini collection before February 25, 2012 and get it for the introductory price of $6.00, a 20% savings over its regular retail price of $7.50.

For the card below, I used the Moonlight Lovers from the set. I love their free-flowing design! These stamps are great for making Valentine cards or having fun with a Mardi Gras theme.

Want both the new RRD releases? During our sale, get our January 2012 Release Bundle including both Just Sayin' and Carnival Dreams for the low price of $22.00! You have to hurry though. The sale only lasts until February 25, 2012.

To find out more and get info on more bargains and a couple of announcements, visit the Rogue Redhead Designs website. It's been updated and has a new look and new products! Don't miss out! These great prices won't last long!

To see more samples, visit the Rogue Redhead Designs blog today and throughout the week as we show off some more stylish samples.

Glorious Greens with Gingersnap Creations

2012-01-25T00:01:00.004-05:00

Guess this card is a good finish to my obsession with green this month. Over at Gingersnap Creations, they have a new color challenge - Glorious Greens!

I made two cards for this fab challenge, maybe because I've been drawn to greens lately! The first one, I made with the newly released Carnival Dreams mini plate from Rogue Redhead Designs. The lsyout was inspired by the Sweet Spot sketch where the mandate was not only to use the sketch but also to make a non-traditional valentine.

My Sweetie in Greens
Stamps: carnival couple from Carnival Dreams plate and sentiment from Candy Kisses plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: all scraps from my basket
Cardstock: Always Artichoke and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (StazOn)
Copics: B12, B14, E00, E02, E07, E09, E11, G20, G21, G82, G85, and G99
Embellishment: polka dot ribbon
Tools: tab punch (Stampin Up)

I will also be entering this card into the following challenges:

Do You Stack Up - Patterned Paper

Cupcake Craft Challenges - All You Need is Love

Of course, I just could not put my green papers and inks away, so it was on to Card #2!

I picked this happy snowman from Stampotique. He was painted on watercolor paper with distress inks. I really like the soft look of painted ink.

Happy Snowman
Stamp: Chilly (Stampotique)
Paper: Old Olive patterned paper (Stampin Up); watercolor paper
Cardstock: Old Olive and Always Artichoke (Stampin Up)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn); various distress inks (Ranger)
Tools: oval cutter (Creative Memories)

To see all the other green goodness for the Gingersnap Creations Color Challenge, check out the samples from the glorious Gingers! Go green and play along!

Hope your January is making you smile!

Sneak Peek in Black and White

2012-01-24T00:01:00.005-05:00

Sometimes it is good to see the world in black and white! Here's a fun little card with no color. It really doesn't need it. Between this sweet old couple and the yummy black and white paper, there was no need for color or a complicated design!

I picked the Old Couple from the soon-to-be-released Just Sayin' plate from Rogue Redhead Designs for a simple Unbirthday card.

Happy Unbirthday
Stamps: Old Couple and sentiment from the soon-to-be-released Just Sayin' plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Black Tie Optional - Rosette Silhouette (Imaginisce)
Cardstock: Whisper White and Basic Black (Stampin Up)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

CASual Fridays - Black and White only

Creative Stamp Friends - Old Fashioned or Antique (Vintage image)

Stamp with Fun - Cute Vintage (I think these two are super cute)

Want to see more from this stamp plate? Come back here or visit the Rogue Redhead Designs blog tomorrow!

Valentines, Candy Kisses and a Sneak Peek

2012-01-23T09:54:00.005-05:00

I decided it was time to get going on my Valentines for this year. I could not resist using this sweet couple from the soon-to-be-released Carnival Dreams mini plate from Rogue Redhead Designs.

I got the inspiration for this design from the fabulous sketch on Freshly Made Sketches!

To match the free-flowing design of the image, I used a marker watercolor technique I learned on Technique Junkies to color the image in. This great paper seemed like the perfect fit.

Candy Kisses
Stamps: sentiment from Candy Kisses plate and couple from soon-to-be-released Carnival Dreams mini plate (Rogue Redhead Designs) * out on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Paper: Candy Hearts (Bo Bunny Press) ; watercolor paper
Cardstock: Cameo Coral (Stampin Up)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Embellishment: white bow
Technique: marker watercolor (Technique Junkies)

I am also entering this card into the following fun challenges:

Just Us Girls - Red, Pink and White

Simply Create Too - Love is in the Air

Wishing you a day filled with excitement and love!

Yellow Bird without the Banana Tree

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

Okay, so my mom used to sing this old song, Yellow Bird, around the house and the lyrics kind of got stuck in my head for life! That's where this title comes from.

This week, I have moved onto my "B" pizza box which contains birds and bird-related quotes. It has lots of great bird images in it.

The birds and branch shown in this card are from Memory Box. I stamped them onto vellum and placed it over some lovely bright paper. The sentiment is from RRD's Bits and Pieces collection.

As you can see, it's easy to use vellum in your cards (and can make for a quick card!), so why not get some out, have some fun and join in with the RRD Vellum Rebel Challenge!

Sweet Girl

2012-01-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

Brr...it's chilly outside. This little girl seems warn enough though with her steaming mug of cocoa.

Is she wearing a green snowsuit? What can I say....I am still in a green mood. At least I am adding other colors now :)

I still had some of my favorite purple paper left over from my Mardi Gras card. The star paper is another favorite. It always brightens up a design.

My Sweetie
Stamps: girl (Sugar Nellie); sentiment from Candy Kisses (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scraps from my scrap basket
Cardstock: Whisper White and Basic Black (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); various copics
Tools: tab punch (Stampin Up)

Hope you are having a warm and cozy day!

Twelfth Night

2012-01-21T14:28:00.003-05:00

I've got a very mature tweenager at home so I had to step up my game for this year's birthday card! The Roguette's style is now half-goth and half rock chick with a sprinkling of her own creation, Victorian Punk. You just can't make any old card for a young woman like that!

I decided to make a card that featured more young women of bold fashion choices and got busy coloring this cool digi from Stamping Boutique. I positioned two next to each other on the paper and printed a third which I cut out and positioned in front of and between the other two.

I added in some fun paper and a card was born!

Well-Behaved Women
Stamps: Emo Alice digi (Stamping Boutique); sentiment (Viva Las Vegastamps)
Paper: scraps from my basket
Cardstock: Baja Breeze and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); various copics
Other: pop-up dots

Hope you have a day where your fun side shines out!

Til the Cow Comes Home

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

It was so good to break out all the fun stamps in my stash last week from my "A" pizza box with all its Animals and Architecture images.

This is the last of the cards I made from this batch of stamps. You can kind of see the cow and chicken stamp in the bottom right corner.

I wanted to make a really cheerful card and this stamp just leaped out at me. For cheerful paper, I turned to a stash of paper my awesome friend Laura sent me. Thanks again, Laura! It is gorgeous!

Don't Postpone Joy
Stamps: Skip and Romp (Penny Black); sentiment (Rubber Tree Rubber Stamps)
Paper: 6x6 from a friend :)
Cardstock: More Mustard and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); various copics

Wishing you a day where you a skip through life with a happy step!

Simple and Serene

2012-01-19T17:00:00.001-05:00

I went strictly out of my scrap basket for these two cards. The layout was inspired by a Sketch challenge on the Stampers Corner Yahoo group. I recently joined this fun and friendly group and I am sure glad I did. I love meeting new friends and running into people I already know in new places!

I went earth tones with the first. I've been yearning for flowers with the grayness of the winter. I turned to my Floriculture set and my copic markers.

I really love the delicate pattern on the background paper. Isn't it pretty?

Each Flower
Stamps: lily of the valley and sentiment from Floriculture (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scraps from my basket
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla (Stampin Up)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); G99, Y02, YR21, YR23, and YR24

I'll be entering this card into the Paper Crafting Journey - Floral challenge!

For my second card, I decided to go more water than earth. It's been wicked windy in our small burg so I've decided to pretend the sound of the whipping wind is more of a gentle ocean breeze...and that got me to thinking about sailboats sailing softly across serene seas.

I found this great plaid paper and while I know plaid does not go with sea, it did seem to fit here. I watercolored the image with some dye inks and a water brush...had to keep the water motif going :)

Sail Away
Stamps: sailboat and sentiment from Beach Babes (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scraps from the basket
Cardstock: Almost Amethyst and Sage Shadow (Stampin Up); watercolor paper
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn); Bashful Blue, Almost Amethyst, Not Quite Navy, Really Rust and Close to Cocoa (Stampin Up)

I am going to enter this card into the 4 Crafty Chicks - Summer in January challenge as I was thinking the EXACT same thing.

Hope you are having a fabulous day filled with natural beauty and fair skies!

A is for Animal and Architecture

2012-01-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, I mentioned that I was starting my personal campaign to use all my stamps more consistently. I started with my first pizza box full of wood-mounted stamps. With my pizza boxes, I store everything by theme as the stamps are (mostly) marked with name and manufacturer. My "A" box is for Animals and Architecture/Home stamps.

I've been meaning to use this stamp for a dog's age. Of course, I say that with most of my acquisitions. I was never quite sure what I would do with the image (which I loved) and then I finally I got an idea. I would just let the style of the stamp guide me and I came up with this design.

I colored the image with a vintage feel keeping most of the image in a sepia color palette and just pulling out a few details. I paper pieced both the dog and the ball, stamping them first on white cardstock before affixing them to the card.

Home Is
Stamps: Dog on Porch (Rubber Tree Rubber Stamps); Home Is (Verses)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Copics: R24, R27, R29, RV11, RV13, YR21, YR23, YR24

The beautiful sentiment reads "Home is where your story begins" and I thought it went perfectly with the pup.

Off to see what else is in that box!

Going Rogue with Stampotique

2012-01-18T00:01:00.002-05:00

Gingersnap Creations just released their latest Random Redhead Challenge and it's "Use Your Favorite Paper". Stampotique is the sponsor this month so I headed to my stash of their stamps first and picked out "Head" from the pile.

Now, my favorite paper is Eggplant Moroccan Floral from Daisy D's which is sadly gone now. I bought up a bunch of this stuff before they closed up shop.

The pattern on Head's shirt made me think about another piece of paper that I love but couldn't figure out what to do with it. This seemed like a good project.

So now I have purple and green paper...so I thought Mardi Gras. I added the jester hat from the soon-to-be-released Carnival Dreams mini from RRD and the Mardi Gras sentiment and it was all set!

Mardi Gras
Stamps: Head (Stampotique); crown and sentiment from Carnival Dreams (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Eggplant Moroccan Floral (Daisy D's); Casual Plaid Willow from Watercolor Collection (Making Memories)
Cardstock: Garden Green, Basic Black and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Copics: E00, E02, E11, G14, G16. G17, V04, V06, Y13, Y15 and Y19

To get in on this fab challenge, check out Gingersnap Creations and all the great samples from the Gingers!

This card is also entered into the following challenges:

Paperminutes - Anything Goes

The Pink Elephant - Favorite Colors

To check out more images from Carnival Dreams, go to Rogue Redhead Designs on January 25th and find out more about RRD's new releases.

Still on the Green Thing

2012-01-17T12:01:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know. I am stuck on green this week. No idea why but I am just going to ride it out. At least this one has some amber, mustard and yellow too. There's even a little blue, so getting a tad better.

I got this stamp over the summer....and then mounted it and put it away. Silly me. Isn't she cute?

I decided to ink her up for my niece's birthday which is coming up shortly. She's a twenty-something and I think she'll like this image.

Dream Girl
Stamps: Shopping Girl from Miss Anya Collection (The Greeting Farm); sentiment from soon-to-be-released Carnival Dreams (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scrap from my basket
Cardstock: More Mustard, Green Galore and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); various copic markers
Embellishments: amber rhinestones (Studio 18)

I am entering this little lady into the following challenges:

Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog: All That Glitters (the rhinestone bling)

Stampin' for the Weekend: Out with the Old (this stamp was bought months ago and the paper is all from the basket)

Hope you have a happy and sunny day!

Pink and Green Are Fit..

2012-01-17T00:01:00.004-05:00

for a queen. At least that's what my mom used to say! I thought I would try out the color combo myself. I think it fit these cute pups and this cheerful card quite well!

I created this card for the Do You Stack Up - Pink Challenge. Hope it is pink enough.

I don't usually do pink, but I did have some scraps that color in my scrap basket so I figured time to use it up. I am still using my "A" pizza box of wooden stamps for this week. This time I picked out this cute pup, a doorway and this awesome sentiment. The dogs and the flower embellishment are all popped up. No, aliens have not come and taken me away - yes, I used pink and pop dots all in the same card. I've done it before...well, only once before but it does count :)

Road to a Friend
Stamps: doorway (Art Impressions); Patch and sentiment (A Muse); flower from the soon-to-be-released Just Sayin' collection (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: pink scraps from my basket
Cardstock: Pink Passion and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); various copics
Embellishment: 1 rhinestone
Tools border punch

I was really pleased with the flower embellishment. Now, I am wondering how great it will look embossed. Hmmmm.....

Well, off to have more fun! Hope you have a day which blooms with happiness!

Just Sayin' CAS

2012-01-15T12:01:00.000-05:00

Okay, one more CAS card today while I am still on that train of thought. Of course, playing with all these stamps and scraps, my train of thought is bound to get derailed.

This time, I am trying out the Clean and Simple Stamping Sketch #173.

I am not scared of white space. I am not scared of white space. I am not scared of white space. Okay, mantra in place....create!

To make sure I didn't make yet another green card, the first color I used was orange - I knew I would not mix orange and green.

I liked the look of the outside so much, I used the sketch again (flipped horizontally) for the inside of the card.

Can't Win
Stamps: boy, cat and sentiments from soon-to-be-released Just Sayin' plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: orange striped paper from my scrap basket
Cardstock: Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Copics: B23, B24, B26, E00, E02, E07, E09, E11, YR02, YR04, and YR07

I will also be entering this card into the following fun challenges:

Mark's Finest Papers - Use a Border Punch

Crafty Creations Challenge - Something New - can't get much newer than not-yet-released

Now, to clean up the horrendous mess I've made. If you don't hear from me in the next few days, the mess on my crafting table may have decided to fight back!

CAS Green Horn with a Sneak Peek

2012-01-15T00:01:00.001-05:00

In the midst of this season of greys, whites and more greys, I keep craving green. It wasn't until I put my makes from the weekend in a big pile did I notice that I had used quite a bit of green! Maybe it's because no matter how often I try out CAS cards, I always feel like a beginner.

As usual with CAS cards, my go-to spot are the challenge blogs with sketches. My first card today comes from the Freshly Made Sketch below.

I thought I would ink up my soon-to-be-released Just Sayin' stamps from RRD. I am already in love with this quirky set which will be available on the Rogue Redhead Designs website on January 25th.

This woman just cracks me up!

What?
Stamps: woman and sentiment from soon-to-be-released Just Sayin' plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Old Olive patterned paper (Stampin Up)
Cardstock: Old Olive and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Old Olive (Stampin Up)
Copics: E00, E02, E09, E11, YG95, YG97, and YR23
Technique: paper piecing

I am also entering this card in the following awesome challenges:

Moving Along with the Times - Spots or Stripes (this time I did both)

Totally Papercrafts Friday Challenges - Spots and Stripes

When I made my next card, I didn't even realize until halfway through trying out this great sketch from Skipping Stones that I had gone all green again!

Here's the sketch I was working with:

And what I did with it:

Did Ya Hear?
Stamps: man and sentiment from soon-to-be-released Just Sayin' plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Kiwi Kiss patterned paper (Stampin Up)
Cardstock: Always Artichoke and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Always Artichoke (Stampin Up)
Copics: C0, E00, E02, E09, E11, E15, E19, E41, E34, E35, E37, YG91, YG95, and YG97
Embellishment: green ribbon

I am also entering this card in these fabulous challenges:

Simply Create Too - Layers, Layers, Layers (4 layers if you don't count the ribbon)

Aud Sentiments Challenge - Any Sentiment but Must Use Scraps (all the paper was from my scrap basket)

Well, green is an excellent color for relaxing so that's what I am off to do next! Have an excellent day!

Winged Man ATC

2012-01-14T20:00:00.000-05:00

I haven't made an ATC in an age but I do love these mini artworks! On Think Monday - Think ATC, the theme is "With Dots".

I am all over that! Here's my ATC with dots in the background - big huge dots from the RRD Snow Hugs plate. The background is actually made up of 3 separate backgrounds stamped with progressively darker Distress inks using the Technique Junkies Back to Back technique.

Winged Man
Stamps: Sandy Beach background from Beach Babes plate, Crazy Dot background from Snow Hugs plate, and Netted Background and sentiment from the upcoming Just Sayin' plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Collage Images: man from Vintage Gents (Alpha Stamps); wings from Wings (Enchanted Mercantile)
Cardstock: More Mustard and Very Vanilla (Stampin Up)
Ink: Antique Linen, Old Paper, and Brushed Cordoroy (Ranger Distress Ink); Jet Black (StazOn)

I love the way the man seems non-plussed by his excellent wings. In fact, he even gives a bewildered "What?" as in "What are you looking at?" I can almost see the shrug.

I am also entering this ATC into the following challenges:

Bloggers Challenge - Wings and Things

Lexi's Creations - Anything Goes

Wishing you a fun weekend!

Going Very Vintage and Retro Vintage

2012-01-14T18:00:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday Morning Sketches, they have a great sketch AND a twist. The resulting card must be vintage in nature. I went two different ways with this one.

First, I went all traditional vintage with my Floriculture stamp set from RRD. I was inspired by the gorgeous Victorian Valentine my friend, Jean, made. She had inked around this same flower in soft, subtle hues. I decided to go slightly darker with mine.

I turned the sketch, shown below, 90 degrees for this first version.

For the ribbon element, I layered brown, olive and lace. The paper is from a Stampington magazine paper insert...see I am using up the stuff that is lying around my craft room.

For the two elements, I used a bit of hardware and a flower. The whole thing then came together.

Fleur
Stamps: lily of the valley and Fleur from Floriculture (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: magazine insert from Take Ten (Stampington)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Antique Linen, Old Paper, Wild Honey, Bundled Sage and Tye Dye (Ranger Distress Ink); Versamark marker
Copics: YR21, YR23, YR24 and YG23
Embellishments: brass hardware and brads; olive and chocolate ribbon; white lace; 2 prima flowers; mustard brad
Tools: heat tool
Other: clear embossing powder (Judikins)

I am also entering this card into the following fantastic challenges:

Sugar Creek Hollow - Embossing (Lily was embossed before Distress ink added)

Samuel Taylors Crafts - Distress - 4 bottles of distress reinker up for grabs with this fab challenge

Gingersnap Creations - Ribbon

After I finished this card, I decided to go a different kind of vintage - not quite so far back - and make a little tribute to the 70s. For me a integral part of the 70s were the "Sunday funnies" including Peanuts, that fabulous old comic strip. I think I read it every day in the newspaper as well as on the weekend.

I had also pledged to start using my huge collection of stamps so two of the stamps below come from pizza box A aka my Animals and Architecture/Home box. You can see Snoopy, Charlie Brown's infamous dog, peeking out at the top of the box. Aha! Idea!

Here's my Snoopified version of the same Tuesday Morning sketch - this time stretched square and flipped horizontally but the right way up this time. It is a little squished..ah well.

Write Soon, Snoopy
Stamps: Snoopy and a Note from Snoopy (Stampibilities); sentiment from Bits and Pieces plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: piece from 6x6 Oxford pad (BasicGrey)
Cardstock: Whisper White and Really Rust (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Copics: C3, C5, E07, E09, E40, W0, W1, W3, YR02
Embellishment: olive ribbon
Tools: corner rounder

I am also entering this card into these awesome challenges:

Moving Along with the Times - Spots or Stripes

Gingersnap Creations - Ribbon

I am very excited that I have now started my year-long journey to use each one of my boxes and binders full of stamps. I'll be sticking with the "A" box and my Rogue stamps (they are permanently on my desk) all this week.

Also, I am pleased to say that all the papers used today were in my scrap basket just begging to be used. I finally figured out I won't have space for any new fun stuff until I use up my old fun stuff, so I am putting my paperaholic tendencies on the back burner while I deal with the 12 drawers (yup, I said 12) of paper I already have.

Have a fabulous rest of your Saturday! Hope you get some crafty and creative time too!

Roguishly Frosty

2012-01-14T06:30:00.001-05:00

It's time for a brand-new Rebel Challenge on Rogue Redhead Designs. We are challenging you to get frosty and use some vellum on your creation!

Here's a couple of cards I created using the Beautifully Dunn range of stamps from RRD. I have this fantastic vellum that has random dots which made me think - SNOWFLAKES. The rest just fell into place. I used a technique called Vellum Sentiments from Technique Junkies.

This card has lots of lovely bright colors which I think captures the bright love between these two skaters.

and under the vellum:

Stamps: Skating couple and Skating Through Life sentiment from Snow Hugs plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

I've also entered this card in these other fabulous challenges:

Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog - Let's Think Hot (I used hot colors)

Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge - Let It Snow

Moving Along with the Times - Spots and/or Stripes (lots o' spots)

Once I had one done, I could not resist doing a second card with the same feel! Despite its cool colors, I think the warmth of this card shines through.

Under the vellum:

Stamps: Girl with Snowman from Candy Kisses plate and sentiment from Snow Hugs plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

I am entering this card into these other fun challenges too:

Dilly Beans - Frosty

Simply Create Too - Lots of Layers (there are 6 layers on this card)

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes with Blue

Here's a little look at the other samples I created for the Frosty Rebel Challenge.

Check them out on Rogue Redhead Designs and come play this fun Rebel Challenge!

Cool Kitty

2012-01-07T16:20:00.005-05:00

Here's another image I hadn't had a chance to use yet! It's fun just opening up a drawer here or a binder there and just randomly picking a stamp! Loving it. The background paper is another scrap.

I wanted to keep this card extra simple but not without some pizazz. I really loved the orange and blue combo. Who can resist a bright orange cat? Too cute.

Cool Kitty
Stamps: cat with bird (Angi-B); sentimetn from Bits & Pieces (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scrap of orange herringbone
Cardstock: Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); various copic markers

I have entered this card into the following challenges:

Sentimental Sundays - Anything Goes

CES Challenges - Anything Goes

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturdays - Winter Something

I am also starting something new. I know some of you follow all the different blogs I work on so you end up seeing the same stuff over and over. From now on, except for my DT responsibilities at Gingersnaps, I'll try to keep the overlap to a minimum. That, of course, will not stop me from putting teasers into my blog posts :)

Here's part of what I did on Rogue Redhead Designs today!

If you want to see what I made, you'll have to click through.

Hope your first Saturday of the New Year is brimming with crafty goodness!

Arctic Art

2012-01-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

Happy Thursday everyone! It is definitely chilly enough to bring on thoughts of arctic air. I'm kKeeping it simple in the cold today!

I dipped into my stash again and realized that I still had a scrap of this fun paper. Isn't it fab? Love all the great colors! It went well with this cutie of a bear!

Snow Hug Bear
Stamps: Sugarplums Polar Bear (C.C. Designs); Snow Hugs (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scrap from the basket
Cardstock:Whisper White and Not Quite Navy (Stampin Up)
Embellishment: small piece of blue ribbon

I will be entering this sweetie into the following challenges:

Sweet Stamps blog - Winter

Crazy Amigo Challenge - Winter

Here's to finding something sweet even in the midst of winter!

GC133: Use a Set or Line of Stamps

2012-01-04T00:01:00.004-05:00

Today, at Gingersnap Creations, we are asking you to use a set or a line of stamps in your creations!

I picked Jo Capper-Sandon's line of stamps from Stampotique Originals for my card. She has some really lovely stamps which makes sense because she is such a lovely person!

Quiet Place
Stamps: Quiet Place, Swirl Stalks and Medium Bee with Small Bee from Jo Capper-Sandon line (Stampotique Originals)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Antique Linen and Wild Honey (Ranger Distress Ink)
Tools: sequin waste; aqua brush *for applying color to bees)

Besides the Gingersnap Creations challenge, I have also entered this card into the following challenges.

Try It On Tuesday - All Your Own Work (ie no designer paper or embellishment)

The Pink Elephant Challenge - Anything Goes

Just for Fun: Anything Goes (no cute)

Hope you get to find your own quiet place today!

Warm Winter Wishes

2012-01-02T16:20:00.000-05:00

It's a dark and dreary day here (and slightly snowing) so I needed something bright! What better than these two cuties?

For all of January, I am using up all my scraps and diving into my multitude of stamp drawers, pizza boxes and binders to dig out images I have not used in a while or yet...it happens :)

Enjoy Life
Stamps: Mommy and Mimi Lulu in the Snow and sentiment (Stamping Bella)
Cardstock: Elegant Egglant and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Paper: scrap from the box (maybe Provocraft?); scrap of dark purple textured paper from I have no idea.
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); various copics

I'll be entering this card in the following challenges:

Make It Monday #70

Heart Song Inspirations - Anything Goes

House of Gilli - Anything Goes

Stamps & Fun = Creativity - Snow

Hope you take a moment today to just stop and enjoy life!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T17:34:00.001-05:00

Wowzers! How did it ever get to be 2012? It seems like just yesterday, we were waiting for Y2K. Of course, the more things change, the more they stay the same...this year we are waiting for that whole Mayan calendar coming to an end thing...sigh. Y2K worked out so I am trying not to worry :)

Instead of making resolutions this year, I'm just going to cut to the chase and make some actual changes. This year, I am making it a priority to break out all my stamps...yup, all 26 pizza boxes full and 17 binders worth. I am also going to use up all those collage images, designer papers and bits and pieces I've been holding on to for far too long.

My work hours outside my craft room have definitely increased in the last 12 months but I miss getting all inky, so time to rearrange the schedule again...starting today! There should always be time to play!

Here's a couple of cards, I've made to celebrate the new year! I bought a whole sheet of vintage New Year's images from Alpha Stamps a few years ago and haven't had the heart to cut into them but they are much better used than hoarded so today I did it! I kept the card simple to keep focus on these precious two.

I added a little lace, stained with distress ink, and some pale tan ribbon for a little glitz.

Collage image: Alpha Stamps.

I will be entering this one into the following challenge:

Come and Get It Challenges - Happy New Year

This one is using one of extra cool Stampotique stamps - Angel Boy. As I have pledged to use scraps all through January in keeping with Gingersnap Creations' Get Organized month, I thought he would look great on this background I made absolutely ages ago. I paper pieced his wings with a pretty little piece of flowered paper. Worked out great.

Stamps: Angel Boy (Stampotique); numbers (Ma Vinci's Reliquary)

For this one, I think these challenges would work nicely:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - New Year

Tip Top Tuesday - Anything Goes

To finish off, I pulled out this stamp I got a few months ago and some of my old sentiment and alphabet stamps. After I colored her with copic markers, I set her on a field of stars - another awesome scrap from the basket.

Stamps: girl with stars (Gorjuss); words (Impression Obsession); numbers (The Paper Store)

I'll be entering this one into these challenges:

Gingersnap Creations - Starry Night

Sarah Hurley Challenge - Colouring

Cute Card Thursday - Happy New Year

Totally Gorjuss - Something Happy

Come and Get It Challenges - Happy New Year

Wishing you all a spectacular start to a brand-new year!

More Marvelous Mail

2011-12-23T19:28:00.004-05:00

I've been loving all the fabulous Christmas cards I've been receiving! All are beautiful!

My sister made this beautiful and delicately colored Santa card! Very vintage and I love her design!

Stephanie Severin was kind enough to send me this awesome card she made with RRD stamps! I love how fun it is!

Thanks to my sweet friends and family for sharing their art with me this Christmas! Wishing you all a wonderful and fun-filled holiday!

Tim The Season

2011-12-22T12:01:00.000-05:00

No Christmas would be complete without me breaking out my Stampers Anonymous! So Stamp the Halls and Tim the Tree!

Today, I've got two very different cards, but both equally Tim. The first one is a single-layer, color collage using Distress Inks (What else?) with some great SA images.

Stamps: Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz line

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Oldie But a Goodie - Christmas Animal

Try It On Tuesday - Anything Goes

The second leans heavily on my PaperTemptress papers for its pop! The base is Skinny columns cardstock and the main image, an ATC-sized Tim Holtz Santa, has been stamped on Silver Lustre with StazOn with a sponged background of distress ink. To see more about this technique, check out my tutorial.

Stamp: Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz line;
Specialty cardstock from PaperTemptress

You can see all the fun texture from these pages on a bit of an angle. The shine just did not reproduce on my camera, but there is a beautiful shimmer to the image!

I'm submitting this card for consideration to:

Paper and Such - Last Minute CAS Christmas Card

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Last Christmas Card of the Year

Party Time Tuesdays - Use Ribbon

Wishing you another Holly Jolly Day during the countdown to Christmas!

Merry Moments

2011-12-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

Another couple of Christmas cards to spread some holiday cheer!

This little girl is so sweet in her holiday best! I had tons of fun coloring her!

Stamp: Rachel (Inka Stamps)

I am entering her into the following challenges:

Party Time Tuesdays - Use Ribbon

iCopic Weekly Challenge - Last Minute Holiday Projects

Catch the Bug Challenge - Baby It's Cold Outside

Once I finished my very red and green girl, I moved on to another vintage image but went with a totally different color scheme. I love brown and red and this reindeer paper was awesome!

Stamps: sentiment and sleigh (Cornish Heritage Farms)

I'm going to enter this card into these challenges:

Top Tip Tuesday - Anything Christmas

Hooked on Crafts - Christmas

Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes Christmas

Hope your approach to the holiday is getting less challenging by the minute! Merry stamping!

Loving Hearts

2011-12-21T20:45:00.001-05:00

I did get way behind on holiday cards this year, but I've been having a ton of fun playing with ideas and being inspired by all my wonderful friends!

I love the look of paper piecing and this Clean and Simple Sketch was just the right fit! Of course, I always love the Clean & Simple sketches so how could I possibly resist!

I decided to use both sides of this great double-sided paper and to show off both patterns in my paper piecing of these whimsical hearts.

Stamps: Hearts from Snow Hugs plate and sentiment from Candy Kisses (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Other fab challenges I am entering:

Paper and Such - Last Minute CAS Christmas Card

Shopping our Stash - Soft as a Snowflake or A Day of Daisies Image - I used snowflake paper

Christmas Card Challenges - Non-traditional Colors

Allsorts - Brown and Blue

The Rogue Redhead Designs 1st Anniversary Sale is drawing to a close! Be sure to check out all the great prices on individual plates and the fab bundle bargains before they are all gone! Everything in the store is on sale, but only until December 30, 2011!

Happy Hanukkah

2011-12-21T00:01:00.001-05:00

Here's a card I made for the Gingersnap Creations' Candelabras, Chandeliers and Candles Challenge! I created a modern menorah (check out the post) and added a card with a menorah too!

Here's the card! Isn't the silver paper fun? I outlined the menorah with a silver gel pen to add to the effect.

Stamps: girl (Stamping Bella); sentiment (Rubber Tree)

For the menorah, check out Gingersnap Creations challenge and see all the wonderful inspiration from the Gingers.

Blue Christmas

2011-12-20T12:01:00.000-05:00

Last week, I got an amazing tag and house ornament from Lynn Stevens. She is a sweet and lovely friend. Of course, I could never make as beautiful a creation as Lynn made for me but I did give it my best!

I was inspired by the thought of a "Blue Christmas". As I had received a tag from Lynn, I decided to try one myself. As regular readers know, I am somewhat tag challenged.

Stamp: vintage holly (Stampington)

Once, I had the tag ready to go, I needed a Christmas card to put it in!

Stamps: arch, butterfly, sentiment(Stampington)

I've entered the tag into the following challenges:

There She Goes Clear Stamps - Last Minute Gift Tags

Hooked on Craft Challenges - Christmas

Make My Monday - Seasonal Tag

and the card into these challenges:

Craft Your Passion - Things with Wings (butterflies on the card)

Lexi's Creations - Untraditional Christmas - No Red or Green

I do hope Lynn likes my attempt at a tag and I hope this post comes later than the mail :)

Heavenly Holiday

2011-12-20T00:01:00.002-05:00

Stamps R Us is having an angel challenge! I just had to get in on it!

There are so many beautiful angel images but I really love this one! Isn't she beautiful? I colored her with distress ink. I loved the soft effect.

Stamps: angel (Inkadinkado)

I am entering this card into Craft Your Passion's Things with Wings Challenge and Lexi's Creations' Untraditional Christmas - No Red or Green!

Hope you have a heavenly day!

Tiny Holiday Tweet

2011-12-19T13:35:00.004-05:00

Holiday mayhem is off and running in my house so while the cookies (gingerbread and sugar) are baking, I thought I would blog another card I made on the weekend.

Yup, I am getting to be a real sketch gal. I love looking at a sketch and trying to make it my own. For this card, I turned to Card Patterns' most recent sketch!

For this one, I actually ended up squashing it a little. I used a tip from papercrafting phenom, Stephanie Severin, to use a square punch to finish off my sentiment flag. I also added a loop of gold ribbon for a little flair. I used a quote from Dickens that I absolutely adore - "I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year".

Stamps: bird (Hero Arts); sentiment (Stampington)

I had a lot of fun with this one! Hope you are all having an awesome day!

Decorating the Tree

2011-12-19T07:36:00.006-05:00

Finally with all the shopping and wrapping behind me, I can get into the holiday mood! Now, to stop thinking about the cookies that need to be made, the holiday recipes to get ingredients for, the last minute decorations to hang and the shipping, oh no the shipping! Okay, not really that calm but still stamping :)

I couldn't resist the cute sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches, so I hauled out my Christmas stamps and got to work!

For this simple paper pieced card, I added a little decoration - copic marker. I outlined the main branch elements with a corresponding color copic marker to provide more definition.

Stamp: Swirl Tree from Impression Obsession.

Have a merry week!

Birthday Cupcakes

2011-12-13T20:37:00.004-05:00

Who doesn't like cake on their birthday? Especially cupcakes!

I went bold and bright with this one! Really bright!

Happy Birthday
Stamps: cupcakes from Candy Kisses plate and sentiment from Bits & Pieces plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scrap from my basket
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Pink Passion, Whisper White and Yoyo Yellow (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Mememnto); various copic markers
Tools: circle cutter (Creative Memories)
Technique: paper piecing

Like playing with grids? Get griddy with the new Rebel Challenge on RRD!

Have a bright and happy day!

Going Vintage and Griddy

2011-12-11T07:31:00.005-05:00

Here's another grid card I made for the new Get Griddy Rebel Challenge on RRD!

I went more vintage this time, inspired by the Do You Stack Up - Something Old Challenge. I started by stamping a collage pattern onto a piece of designer paper, using different colors for the different elements. I cut that mini masterboard up into a grid squares and added them to this yummy Bo Bunny paper.

Here it is:

Je t'Aime
Stamps: rose, fern, lily and sentiment from Floriculture plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: from Et cetera line (Bo Bunny); scrap of BasicGrey for collage background
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip (Stampin Up)
Ink: various Distress inks (Ranger)
Tools: oval cutter
Technique: Color Collage (Technique Junkies) - started that way then I cut it up :)

I'm also entering this card into the following challenge:

Crafty Creations - Card with a Sentiment

Hope you are all enjoying a fabulous weekend! I'm off to get inky!

Getting Griddy with RRD

2011-12-10T07:30:00.006-05:00

I'm WAY behind on my Christmas cards this year! Next year, I am playing all the Jingle Belles challenges so that I am set by Thanksgiving. To get some more cards underway, I decided to do a Christmas card for my main Rebel Challenge sample for our latest challenge - Get Griddy!

I took one of the loving couples from my RRD Snow Hugs set and a scrap of Christmas paper from at least 3 years ago. I love this paper which is why it keeps showing up. I think I bought 4 sheets :0)

I used the two main greens - a bright green from the background and a darker green from the trees - to color in my couple. I love repetition in my compositions so I made 2 the same and reversed the colors on one couple.

Voila! My grid was complete. I also used two half circles for my sentiment, also from Snow Hugs, to jazz it up a little bit.

Here's the final result:

Snow Hugs Grid
Stamps: snow couple and sentiment from Snow Hugs plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scrap from my bottomless basket
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke and Whisper White (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); various copic markers
Tools: circle cutter (Creative Memories)

I've also entered this card into following challenges:

Stamping for the Weekend - Christmas

Moving Along with the Times - Last Minute Christmas

Crafty Creations Challenges - Card with a Sentiment

To see my other griddy and totally less Christmasy creations, check out the RRD Challenge this month!

Loving this set? Get a bargain and go to Rogue Redhead Designs to purchase it individually or in a bundle with our Candy Kisses plate during our 1st Anniversary Sale! Want to put it on your holiday list - get our Dear Santa Wish List.

GC129: Starry Night

2011-12-07T00:01:00.002-05:00

Gingersnap Creations has a whole month of "Holiday Lights" planned for December and we're starting it off with the original holiday lights - stars!

Here's my submission for the "Starry Night" Chestnut Theme Challenge! I added some Pennywise Arts' microbeads for dimensinal frost on my windows.

Get My Drift
Stamps: snowpeople and sentiment from Candy Kisses plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Figgy Pudding line (BasicGrey)
Cardstock: Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Rich Cocoa and Tuxedo Black (Memento); various copic markers
Embellishments: Antique Silver Opaque Microbeads (Pennywise Arts )

Be sure to check out all the other great samples on Gingersnap Creations! Want not join in with your own take on Starry Night?

Am I Getting Rusty?

2011-12-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

I broke out some of my Really Rust Stampin' Up cardstock for a couple of challenges. I've been hoarding it because it is discontinued but I've decided to be almost an adult about it...I'll use a few pieces here and there. Sigh.

I still had my Relish Reading set out so I turned to them for the two challenges I made for today. My first inspiration was the fabulous sketch on Card Patterns.

Gingersnap Creations' Spicy Supply Challenge is Raffia right now, so I knew what I was going to use for fiber! Here's my take on the sketch:

Day Dreamer
Stamps: girl and sentiment from Relish Reading plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Et cetera paper line (Bo Bunny)
Cardstock: Real Rust and Chocolate Chip (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Brown (Memento)
Embellishment: Raffia
Tools: Oval cutter (Creative Memories)

For my second card, I applied the K.I.S.S. principle and went to Clean and Simple Stamping for some inspiration. No, my card is not white but it's still clean and simple!

Here's my vintage take on this sketch:

Miss You Lad
Stamps: boy and sentiment (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scrap of Prima paper; Et cetera collection (Bo Bunny)
Cardstock: Really Rust and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); various copic markers; Tye Dye Distress Ink (Ranger)
Tools: circle cutter (Creative Memories)

May your Monday be magnificent!

Mustard Makes

2011-12-04T16:05:00.000-05:00

More football on tv means more time for me to sneak away and craft! Don't get me wrong, I do like football. I just like stamping more!

I decided to get going on some of the amazing sketches I saw in the challengerama this week and I went Rogue!

The first one is from Freshly Made Sketches. Here's their great sketch this week (squeaked this one in under the wire):
Here's what I did with it:

Garden in Your Pocket
Stamps: books and quote from Relish Reading plate and cosmos bud from Floriculture (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: 6x6 Et cetera collection (Bo Bunny)
Cardstock: More Mustard and Chocolate Chip (Stampin Up)
Tools: circle cutter (Creative Memories)

I guess that one got me into a Reading mood as I used the same theme for the next sketch which came from Sweet Stop.

Here's my take on it:

Swing into Reading
Stamps: swingers, book and quote from Relish Reading plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: 6x6 Et cetera collection (Bo Bunny)
Cardstock: More Mustard (Stampin Up)
Embellishments: mustard 1/8" ribbon
Tools: oval cutter (Creative Memories); border punch (Martha Stewart ?)

Hope you had an awesome Sunday!

Unconventional Christmas

2011-12-04T05:33:00.004-05:00

Every year it becomes all too apparent that I am not great at making traditional Christmas cards. This year is no exception.

I fell in love with these double-sided Figgy Pudding papers from BasicGrey with their soft teals, vintage olives and fun designs.

I used an image from my RRD Milliner Misses set and a sentiment from RRD's Candy Kisses. I kept it simple and let both the papers and the image shine through without lots of embellishment. Just to add a little something, I sponged around the edges with Tea Dye Ranger Distress ink and added two small pieces of doily to jazz up the corners of the main image.

Stylish Season's Greetings
Stamps: hat trio from Milliner Misses and sentiment from Candy Kisses (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Figgy Pudding line (BasicGrey)
Cardstock: Mellow Moss and Chocolate Chip (Stampin Up)
Ink: Timber Brown (StazOn); Tea Dye Distress Ink (Ranger)
Embellishments: pieces of paper doily

Both the plates I used today are on sale together now in the Winter 2011 Bundle! To find out more and see the other bundles available during our 1st Anniversary Sale, go to the RRD Specials Page on our new website! To see more combo cards, check out the RRD blog!

So Square, Daddio

2011-12-03T20:40:00.005-05:00

Today is Simple Set Saturday on Rogue Redhead Designs and I've gonesquare with this post!

Here's one of my cards for today:

Sweetie
Stamps: Bea from Milliner Misses collection and sentiment from Candy Kisses collection (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Preston from the Oh Baby Boy line (BasicGrey)
Cardstock: Not So Navy and Certainly Celery (Stampin Up)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Tools: oval cutter (Creative Memories)

To see the others, check out my post on RRD!

Less than a month left for the RRD 1st Anniversary Sale!

My First Beaded Card

2011-12-02T21:59:00.004-05:00

I am embellishment-challenged as everyone knows, but I had a ton of fun playing with my new microbeads from Pennywise Arts. December on Gingersnap Creations is dedicated to "Holiday Lights" so I had to break out one of my oldest go-to stamps for Christmas - my candle trio.

I colored the candles with copic markers. I used Glossy Accents to put sticky stuff over the candles and dotted the holly berry bits and then added my microbeads. Voila, instant extra pizzazz!

Holiday Fire
Stamp: Candle Trio (Rubber Stampede)
Paper: Samara (Daisy D's)
Cardstock: Real Red, More Mustard and Whisper White (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Mement0); various copics
Embellishments: Red Opaque Microbeads (Pennywise Arts)

I need a little more practice but I think it was a pretty good attempt for my first ever beaded card!

Hope you come over for some Holiday Light festive fun!

Technique Junkie RRD Blog Hop - Stop 12

2011-11-29T07:00:00.014-05:00

Welcome to Stop #12 on the joint Rogue Redhead and Technique Junkies Blog Hop! You've almost made it now! We are all having loads of fun with the new Technique Junkies' 3D and Fun Folds CD!

The Technique Junkies team has joined us to showcase the numerous great techniques on this new CD. As you may know, the Technique Junkies Newsletter has been publishing rubber stamping technique tutorials since 2002. The 3D and Fun Folds CD contains 70 step-by-step technique tutorials in PDF format – perfect dimensions, perfect directions and great pictures for every step. Visit www.techniquejunkies.com for more details about the CD and the Technique Junkie Newsletter.

A fantastic group of design team members from both Rogue Redhead Designs and the Technique Junkie Newsletter, have helped put together this fabulous Blog Hop to kick off the 3D and Fun Folds CD. Not only will the talented Technique Junkies team be hopping with the Rogue Crew today, they started hopping yesterday with Classy Cards N' Such and will be hopping again all the way through Friday one day each with PaperTemptress, Mark's Finest Papers, and Sweet n' Sassy Stamps. Check the The Technique Junkie Newsletter Blog for more details.

After visiting me, you can head off to see Pat Huntoon at The Technique Trail for your next stop.

For my project, I used the 4-Panel Card technique. I love how quick and easy this card went together and how, even with extra embellishment, it still folds flat for mailing!

For mine, I couldn't seem to stop playing and setting up different but simple scenes for each side of the card. I used some coordinating designer paper, some Rogue Redhead images and sentiments, a couple of copic markers and a little ribbon and, voila, I had a beautiful "thinking of you" card to send to a friend or family member.

Here are all the panels!

Stamps: little girl from Beach Babes, fern from Floriculture
and sentiment from Bits and Pieces.

Stamps: lily of the valley and sentiment from Floriculture

Stamps: swingers and sentiment from Relish Reading

Stamps: cosmos bud and sentiment from Floriculture

If you get lost along the way, here's the whole list of hop stops for your convenience.

1. The Technique Junkie Newsletter Blog

2. Rogue Redhead Designs Blog

3. Jackie Kalchert

4. Beverly G., Rogue Crew

5. Jean Franks Beck, Rogue Crew

6. Holly Brown

7. Jane Bosi

8. Laura Liddell, Rogue Crew

9. Joanne Wardle, Rogue Crew

10. Chris Dickinson

11. Stephanie Severin, Rogue Crew

12. Sharon Briss, Chief Rogue

13. Pat Huntoon

Have fun along the way!

On Saturday, December 3, Pat from the Technique Junkie Newsletter will announce the winners from each company. Be sure to hop along on each day! There will be FIVE WINNERS! On Monday, December 5th, Pat will announce ONE LUCKY WINNER with a GRAND PRIZE with a bundle of prizes from all of the participating businesses.

If you have been following along already you should have come from Stephanie Severin's blog.

If you are only starting here, please head back to the Technique Junkie Newsletter Blog and go from there.

You won't want to miss any stops along the way – in order to win you will need to comment on everyone’s blog AND Pat Huntoon's blog. There will be an additional chance to win by playing along in her Blog Hop!

Don't forget to check out Rogue Redhead's 1st Anniversary Sale! The whole RRD store is on sale with great deals on individual unmounted rubber stamp plates and fabulous bargains on our collection bundles.

Play our Rebel Challenges for a chance to win an RRD store voucher!

Couldn't Not Do Christmas

2011-11-27T15:45:00.000-05:00

I started today with the vow to make no more Christmas cards but alas I just could not resist!

I started out slow with a snowman card! The layout is from the fab CAS-ual Fridays blog with the sketch:

I was also inspired by the Less is More - A Bit of Bling Challenge. You can't see how they sparkle with this pic but there are 4 lovely green rhinestone-esque bits o' bling on this card.

Stamp: sentiment from Snow Hugs plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

For the next card, I got out the Christmas paper. I got my layout from Freshly Made Sketches, although I did mess with it a wee bit.

My color choice was inspired by the City Crafter Challenge - Pink Christmas.

I used several different copic markers all in the coral/salmon color range to various degrees.

Stamps: couple from Snow Hugs and sentiment from Candy Kisses (Rogue Redhead Designs)

I will also be entering this card in Simply Create Too's All About Christmas Challenge.

Okay, maybe I do still need some more Christmas cards.....hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend full of love, laughter and leftovers!

Simply Challenged

2011-11-27T15:20:00.000-05:00

Today, I wanted to do two things - not make Christmas cards and keep it simple simple simple.

I turned to a few of my fav challenge blogs for inspiration.

The first card is so NOT Christmas unless you are lucky enough to have Christmas on the beach.

I used my 3 favorite shades of distress ink - Antique Linen, Tea Dye and Vintage Photo - for the images and a bit of sponged edges. A little color was provided by colored pencils.

I used the Sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping for the layout.

Craft Your Days Away has a Buttons or Bows Challenge going on and Moving Along with the Times has a Ribbons and Bows Challenge. I went with the bow on this one. Here's the result:

Stamps: beach duo and sentiment from Beach Babes plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

For the next one, I turned to another great Sketch Challenge blog - The Sweet Stop. Here's the sketch:

I kept it VERY simple on this one. I took my color scheme from Crazy Amigos Purple on Purple Challenge. I used some of my favorite (and now irreplaceable) Daisy D's paper for the main panel. I just love its rich purple pattern!

Stamp: Love You from Snow Hugs plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

I double stamped the sentiment, once with light ink, and once with a darker shade to add a shadow effect.

Hope you've had some time to play this weekend!

Cupcakes and Candy Kisses

2011-11-26T08:09:00.004-05:00

The new challenge at Jingle Belles to create a card featuring your favorite holiday foods, drinks or candies inspired my card today!

Since the challenge is named Candy Kisses, I went straight to my RRD Candy Kisses plate! I love the cute cupcakes on this whimsical plate, especially the little cherries. Thinking about Christmas, I was also thinking about holly berries and thus an idea was born...a cupcake wreath!

I experimented on a scrap piece of paper to see exactly how many impressions of the cupcakes I would need to complete a circle. It worked nicely with six, which I colored with copic markers. I used a circle cutter to cut around the edge and make the red mat. I folded a 12" x 6" piece of green cardstock in half and used the circle cutter again, letting it overlap the fold slightly when making the base.

Stamps: cupcakes and sentiments from Candy Kisses plate (Rogue Redhead Designs).

I am also submitting this card for the:

Simply Create Too - All About Christmas Challenge

Hope you are having an excellent Saturday! I see some more stamping in my future today!

Jingle Belles' Candy Kisses

2011-11-25T06:30:00.000-05:00

Now that Thanksgiving is a mere memory of tender turkey and good times, I'm starting my Christmas cards. I have not come to grips with the dishes in my sink, so I'll play Scarlett O'Hara on that one...tomorrow is another day. I have just got to stamp today!

Of course, the ladies over at Jingle Belles, the amazing and wonderful Stephanie and Lauren, have been making great cards and providing inspiration throughout this year with their fantastic challenges and have finally come to their last dare of 2011! They take December off because they can and, if you played along, you'd have 48 fabulous individual Christmas cards already made too...okay 47 until you play today's excellent challenge. Playing along every week is definitely my New Year's Resolution for 2012.

Rogue Redhead Designs is sponsoring Jingle Belles' last challenge this week so if you are looking to get Christmas cards done AND have a chance to win some RRD stamps, this challenge is for you! All you have to do, using any stamps, is to create a card featuring your favorite holiday foods, drinks or candies!

I've been in a Milliner Misses mood all week, so I started with "Bea" from that set and some fab Christmas paper scraps from last year's Santa Season Frenzy last year and my 25 Days of Christmas the year before. Two of the Rogue Crew, Jean and Deb, have already made Dot into a cool Christmas chick so I decided to do the same for Bea, but how? I settled on adding a Christmas Candy to her hat and dressing her in Christmas colors! Here's how she came out!

Stamps: Bea from Milliner Misses plate and candy and sentiment from Candy Kisses plate (Rogue Redhead Designs).

Both plates I used are on sale individually or together in one great bundle until December 30, 2011!

So finish up your Holiday cards with this last 2011 Challenge at Jingle Belles or get started like me, but whatever you do - GO OVER TO JINGLE BELLES and check out their great art and inspiration. Going back over their 2011 Challenges gave me some amazing ideas!

And the Winners Are....

2011-11-22T07:01:00.003-05:00

Thanks for all the sweet comments on my 750th post.

Here are the randomly drawn winners of the blog candy. If you are one of the winners, you must contact me at illtemperedink@msn.com by November 30, 2011 to get your prize or I will draw another name.

Prize #1 Winner of the Relish Reading plate is Stamping Sue, comment #20

Prize #2 Winner of the Snow Hugs plate is Sarah, comment #32

Prize #3 Winner of the Floriculture plate is Shelby Parker, comment #23

Prize #4 Winner of the Bits & Pieces plate is Shelly Schmidt, comment #29.

Prize #5 Winner of the Beach Babes , plate is Lynn Stevens, comment #28.

Prize #6 Winner of the Candy Kisses, plate is BarbaraW, comment#12.

Prize #7 Winner of the Milliner Misses, plate is Cathy L. Calamas, comment #22.

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to everyone who entered and, of course, thanks to all the great people who have supported by papercrafting adventures throughout the years!

Fashionable Femmes

2011-11-20T14:48:00.005-05:00

Time to get on to post #751 right?

Here are a few cards I made this weekend to show how different the same elements can look with a different color scheme and designer papers.

I am going to enter these little ladies in the Simon Says Show Some Women Challenge and they are also perfect for Rogue Redhead's Dress Down Rebel Challenge (Use only ONE piece of designer paper).

Stamps: sentiment and "Dot" from Milliner Misses (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Have a fabulous weekend!

Don't forget to check out my blog candy giveaway for your chance to win! You only have until November 21st to enter!

Rogue Redhead Designs' 1st Anniversary Sale is still underway with fabulous bargains and fantastic bundles!

It's My 750th Post

2011-11-14T00:01:00.003-05:00

Wow! I cannot believe that this is my 750th post to my blog. That's a lot of posts!

Guess I've been pretty busy stamping these past few years!

In that time, I've met some incredible papercraft artists, stamped a whole bunch, saw some amazing creations made by my friends, cofounded a challenge blog (and now have another), started my own stamp company, learned (or think I learned) how to create some mixed media art, opened an Etsy store and HAD A TON OF FUN!!

To celebrate reaching this huge milestone and the concurrent 1st year anniversary of Rogue Redhead Designs, I'll be giving away some free stamp plates to randomly drawn winners from among the commenters on this post between now and November 21, 2011! See below for details.

Prize #1 will be the unmounted full-size plate, Relish Reading.

Prize #2 will be the unmounted full-size plate, Snow Hugs.

Prize #3 will be the unmounted half-size plate, Floriculture.

Prize #4 will be the unmounted half-size plate, Bits & Pieces.

Prize #5 will be the unmounted full-size plate, Beach Babes.

Prize #6 will be the unmounted half-size plate, Candy Kisses.

Prize #7 will be the unmounted mini collection, Milliner Misses.

To qualify for an entry, just leave me a comment on this post with your top three picks among these prizes. You may not get your picks but it will definitely increase your chances of winning the one you have your eye on!

For an extra entry, add Rogue's badge to your blog.

Entries close on November 21st and I'll be picking the 7 randomly drawn winners from the qualifying comments on November 22nd.

Each randomly drawn winner will receive one of the above prizes. If you are one of the 7 randomly drawn winners, you must contact me by November 30, 2011 to get your prize or I will draw another name.

Good luck and pass the word along!

More Rebel Challenge Cards

2011-11-13T00:01:00.001-05:00

Here are some more cards I made for the new Rebel Challenge: Dress Down - Only One Piece of Designer Paper. Dot likes the fact that I made her the center of attention!

The ladies from Milliner Misses do look very nice against the pretty Prima papers found in the Romantique paper pack. Dot is looking lovely with her mustard outfit matching those fabulous yellow roses.

Here's Bea looking fine in her green ensemble!

Of course, the ladies were not to be undone! Meet Kitty, Mabel and Evangeline. And, yes, all my ladies are redheads today!

Hope you find time to play along with our latest Rebel Challenge! Remember: you don't need Rogue Redhead stamps to play, but you might just be able to win some if you do!

Rebel Challenge #5: Only One Piece of Designer Paper

2011-11-12T00:01:00.001-05:00

This time, I created as a special challenge for me so I would have to limit myself a wee bit. I am a paper fanatic! So this month's Rebel Challenge: Dress Down which dares you to Use Only One Piece of Designer Paper.

Using only one piece of designer paper does not mean your cards have to be dull. I only used one piece for the card below. Actually, it was only a single 6"x6" piece from a paper pad! I loved the soft color of the paper so paper piecing came to mind. I picked out these cute little mittens from my Candy Kisses plate. I love the little hearts on the cuffs! I finished off the card with a piece from a heart-shaped doily!

Mittens Galore
Stamp: mittens from Candy Kisses plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: single piece from Romantique paper pad (Prima)
Cardstock: Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Copic: BG11
Other: heart-shaped paper doily

To see some other samples and to check out the Rebel Challenge, got to the RRD blog!

Mailbox Magnet Magic

2011-11-10T07:40:00.000-05:00

I was so happy to discover this amazing package of art from the talented and lovely Laura Liddell. Laura is our UK host for Gingersnap Creations Art Exchanges and for the recent Magnet Exchange I played in both the US and the UK group!

Whoohoo! I got 5 tremendous magnets from my exchange partners - 3 from Laura and 2 from Sam Read! Laura also included some extra goodies - THANKS LAURA - that I can't wait to play with.

Here's Laura's awesome art:

and Samantha's magnificent magnets:

It's always fun to play these exchanges but I feel doubly blessed that I got to participate in both the UK exchange and the US one!

Focusing on Holiday Flowers

2011-11-09T00:01:00.001-05:00

It's getting so near the holidays that I better start on my Christmas cards. I was happy to find a gorgeous sketch on The Sweet Spot.

I also used Crafty Ann's Challenge to Focus on Flowers for this card. I paper pieced this poinsettia from Candy Kisses with some designer papers from the BasicGrey Oxford paper pack.

Poinsettia Greetings
Stamps: poinsettia and sentiment from Candy Kisses (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Naughty from the Jovial collection and burgundy and green papers from the Oxford collection 6x6 paper pack (BasicGrey)
Cardstock: More Mustard and Bravo Burgundy (Stampin Up)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Embellishments: burgundy ribbon; 3 gold brads
Tools: tab punch
Technique: paper piecing

Have a sensational day!

Don't forget to check out the HUGE ANNIVERSARY SALE at Rogue Redhead Designs with bundle bargains and great discounts on all our individual plates. Everything is on sale in honor of our 1st Anniversary until December 30, 2011!

Love You Teal the End of Time

2011-11-08T00:01:00.002-05:00

I just love this cute snow couple! They look so jolly and happy!

I decided to get in one last entry to Bah Humbug's Snowmen Challenge. I think this also counts as teal (looks like it to me) so I'll also be entering this card in the Do You Stack Up Challenge.

Cuddling Couple
Stamps: snow couple and sentiment from Candy Kisses plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Snowy Day (Got Moxxie)
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Rich Cooca(Memento)
Copics: BG10, BG45, BG49, E31, E33, R20, and Y19
Embellishment: 1/4" chocolate ribbon

Keep cuddly!

Piecing Cupcakes

2011-11-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

I love paper piecing! These cupcakes were really easy to piece and this background paper was so much fun!

I created this card for the Moving Along with the Times Food and Drink Challenge. It seemed a good fit and I've been dying to ink up these little cupcakes.

Sweet on You
Stamps: cupcakes and sentiment from Candy Kisses plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Naughty from Jovial collection (BasicGrey)
Cardstock; More Mustard, Bravo Burgundy and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Jet Black (Stazon)
Tools: Oval cutter (Creative Memories)

Have a sweet and sensational day!

Don't forget to check out the HUGE ANNIVERSARY SALE at Rogue Redhead Designs with bundle bargains and great discounts on all our individual plates. Everything is on sale in honor of our 1st Anniversary until December 30, 2011!

Dreaming of Snowmen

2011-11-07T12:00:00.001-05:00

Thankfully our October snow has drifted into memory but as the days get crisper, it has me dreaming about Winter Wonderlands filled with happy snowmen!

I colored this cute image from RRD's Candy Kisses with copic markers and paired it with some fun soft teal snowman paper. I also used a little teal marker for the snowman's body.

Season's Greetings
Stamps: girl hugging snowman and sentiment from Candy Kisses plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Shiver and Silent Night from Figgy Pudding collection (BasicGrey)
Cardstock: Kraft, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Copics: Bo1, E00. E02, E07, E11, RV02, W1, Y11, YG95, YG99, YR18, and YR23
Tools: circle and oval cutter (Creative Memories)

I have entered this card into the following challenges:

Do You Stack Up - Teal *very light teal paper but teal it is :)

Bah Humbug - Snowmen

Have a fantastic and fun day! Don't forget to check out out the HUGE ANNIVERSARY SALE at Rogue Redhead Designs with bundle bargains and great discounts on all our individual plates. Everything is on sale in honor of our 1st Anniversary until December 30, 2011!

Booking Time with My Stamps

2011-11-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

While I was watercoloring the other day, I painted one of my favorite images from the Relish Reading plate. I love this girl as she looks like she has some fire in her soul and doesn't take any guff from anyone. Hmmmm.....wonder who she reminds me of? Anyway....

I got this great sketch from Stamping for the Weekend and I was inspired by the Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge #CC347 - Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy and More Mustard.

Here's what I did with the sketch and the colors:

Cozy Chair
Stamps: girl and sentiment from Relish Reading (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Naughty from the Jovial line (BasicGrey)
Cardstock: More Mustard, Always Artichoke, and Bravo Burgundy (Stampin' Up); watercolor paper
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Always Artichoke, Old Olive, More Mustard, Bravo Burgundy, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Blush Blossom (Stampin' Up)
Embellishments: 2 artichoke brads; mustard ribbon
Tools: border punch (Martha Stewart)
Techniques: Out of the Box (Technique Junkies); watercoloring

It's getting a little cool outside so it's a great time to curl up with a good book or get out your stamps and ink them up! Have a great day!

Don't forget to check out the HUGE ANNIVERSARY SALE at Rogue Redhead Designs with bundle bargains and great discounts on all our individual plates. Everything is on sale in honor of our 1st Anniversary until December 30, 2011!

Snow Hugs

2011-11-06T16:00:00.001-05:00

So nice to be back stamping! For this card, I watercolored this image from the RRD Candy Kisses plate using Stampin' Up ink and an aquabrush. I generally follow the lines fairly loosely to really give that watercolor feel. To see more of my watercolored cards, check out my Simple Set Saturday post on the RRD blog.

I got the idea for using a snowman from a new-to-me challenge blog called Bah Humbug which has Snowmen as their challenge for this week.

I like using warm colors for winter projects. I think it makes it extra fun! I was so pleased to see that the Less is More Challenge blog had Red and Orange as their inspiration. I've already used these colors with another snowman I made last year - check here.

This year, I turned to my brand-new Candy Kisses plate for the sweet image and its companion plate, Snow Hugs, for the sentiment.

Snow Hugs
Stamps: girl hugging snowman from Candy Kisses and sentiment from Snow Hugs (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Cardstock: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White (Stampin Up); watercolor paper
Ink: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Real Rust, Blush Blossom, and More Mustard (Stampin Up)
Tools: aquabrush, corner rounder
Technique: watercoloring

Keep warm and snug today! Hopefully, you've cuddled up with some great stamps! Don't forget to check out the HUGE ANNIVERSARY SALE at Rogue Redhead Designs with bundle bargains and great discounts on all our individual plates. Everything is on sale in honor of our 1st Anniversary until December 30, 2011!

Clean and Simply Rogue

2011-11-06T12:58:00.006-05:00

After a grueling week, I needed to do something a little more calm and simple. I headed to a couple of CAS-style challenge blogs I like.

I started with a great sketch from Clean & Simple Stamping - Sketch #165.

Then, I took further inspiration from Less is More's color suggestion of Red and Orange.

Here's what I came up with:

Je T'Aime
Stamps: cosmos blossom and sentiment from Floriculture plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Moroccan Floral (Daisy D's)
Cardstock: Kraft, Bravo Burgundy (Stampin Up)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Other: Venetian Red Aquatone colored pencil (Derwent)
Technique: Paper Piecing

Have simply fabulous day and don't forget to check out the HUGE ANNIVERSARY SALE at Rogue Redhead Designs with bundle bargains and great discounts on all our individual plates. Everything is on sale in honor of our 1st Anniversary!

Simple Set Saturday: Happy Holidays

2011-11-05T06:00:00.003-04:00

It's the first Saturday of the month again which means it's Simple Set Saturday on Rogue Redhead!

I combined some simple watercoloring with a quick sketch to create my set this month. I was in a sort of festive mood so I pulled out my Candy Kisses set.

Stamp: Trees from Candy Kisses (Rogue Redhead Designs)

To see the rest of this holiday note card set, click on over to the Rogue Redhead Designs blog.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Clear It Out Challenge - Your Holiday

Raise the Bar - No Embellishments

Stampavie and More - Anything Goes

Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Hope you have a fantastic Saturday! Don't forget to check out all the great deals on the new Rogue Redhead Designs website.

It's also the last two days of the Rebel Challenge - Tag Lines - where you combine your favorite quote with a stunning tag! RRD stamps are NOT required, but if you play you just might win a voucher to get some!

Powering Up for the New Release

2011-11-01T12:36:00.006-04:00

I finally got power restored after the fun snow storm we had in New England. Internet is a different matter so I am posting from my office - don't tell my boss :)

I am so excited about the new releases and all the great deals over at our BRAND-NEW Rogue Redhead Designs website! Whoohoo!

I just had to share with you one more of the cards I have made with the new Milliner Misses mini plate. You will recognize the little lady - she's my logo! I've named her Dot in honor of my fantastic 1920s flapper of a grandmother!

I went a little crazy with techniques, though simple ones, on this card. I started with the idea of a TJ Triple Play card, then I added in a bit of warhol effect with some paper piecing. Basically, I did a triple technique with my Triple Play card.

I also went a little crazy with paper because - it's my PAPER ANNIVERSARY at Rogue Redhead Designs! Yup, one whole year of bringing you fun vintage and eclectic images!

Here it is:
Stamps: Dot and sentiment from Milliner Misses mini plate and sentiment from Candy Kisses half plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: old olive and navy scrapbook paper from my bin; Winter White (Stampin Up)
Specialty Paper: yellow, olive and red Ruche (PaperTemptress) - this paper is yummy and a must get! It stamps like a dream despite the amazing and fun texture.
Ink: copic markers; Tuxedo Black (Memento); Jet Black (StazOn)

And it opens to reveal a sentiment from Milliner Misses and a holiday greeting from Candy Kisses our other new release!

Here's a side view of the great texture from the Ruche paper!

For more samples of our new releases, check out the Rogue Redhead Designs blog!

To get in on the fabulous deals - every stamp plate is on sale - go to our new website -

www.rogueredheaddesigns.com

New Winter 2011 Releases at Rogue

2011-11-01T00:01:00.001-04:00

Can you believe it? Rogue Redhead Designs is already celebrating our first anniversary! Of course, we are doing it in high style with two new releases, some great bundles and bargains on every stamp plate in our new Rogue Redhead Designs store.

We are happy to announce the release of our newest plates, Candy Kisses and Milliner Misses!

Candy Kisses Half Plate

A fun companion plate to Snow Hugs and a new addition to the Beautifully Dunn range, this half plate brings its own charm to the snowy season. Featuring a mini background, decorative elements, fun images and sweet sentiments, Candy Kisses is sure to become a go-to plate for warm wishes during the cold months of Winter.

Regularly selling for $15.00, you can get Candy Kisses for $12.00 until December 30, 2011.

Here's a slideshow of some of the great samples the Rogue Crew has put together for this new plate!

Milliner Misses Mini Plate

This mini plate packs a lot of style into just a few images. Capture the distinctive fashion and panache of the twenties with these great elegant ladies and their fabulous hats. Perfect for gal pal cards and fashionable greetings of all kinds.

Regularly priced at $7.50, you can purchase Milliner Misses for $6.00 during our Anniversary Sale. Act fast, these prices only last until December 30, 2011.

Some more samples from our criminally creative Rogue Crew!

Like them both? Check out our Winter 2011 New Release bundle and get both plates for the low price of $16.88.

We have lots of fabulous deals and we've put together some great packages for you in celebration of our 1st Anniversary! Check out the website and order yours today!

Ravin' About Tags

2011-10-26T20:57:00.005-04:00

I got a couple of minutes to stamp and I had a ton of fun! While many of you know I am tag-challenged, I did try and make a simple one using some Distress Inks.

I started with a standard boring ole manilla shipping tag. Onto this I sponged my fav Distress Ink combo - Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade, Dried Marigold and a little Mustard Seed. Almost good enough to each ...well, except for the whole straw and flowers part.

After I got that going I pulled out my two Oxford Impressions Halloween plates - Trick or Treat and Wicked - and started playing!

Gingersnap Creations is having a Raven Challenge so I started with a raven image.

I figured I had to add some landscape so I added the tree and moon. Hmmm....upper right corner was a little bare so, being from New England (land o' Salem), I added a lovely witch and her companion bat.

Wicked Ways
Stamps: various from Trick or Treat and Wicked plates (Oxford Impressions)
Ink: Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold, Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade (Ranger Distress Ink); black archival ink
Other: mustard thin ribbon and white organza ribbon

I have also entered this tag into the following challenge:

Sentimental Sundays - Halloween (with a sentiment) * You can see my "Wicked" on the tag

Well, off to finish up my HUGE project for Rogue Redhead! You'll all get to find out what I am talking about next week! I am SOOO excited! It's our 1st Anniversary so we obviously have to party!

Magnet Magnificence

2011-10-25T15:28:00.003-04:00

Whoohoo! I got my magnets from the last Gingersnap Creations Art Exchange! The idea was to create a magnet with some encouraging words. Wowzers! The ones I got were incredible!

Huge thanks go out to Paula, Deb, Julie and Georgie!

This Exchange was really fun and I know that I will definitely be using these GORGEOUS magnets all the time!

The current art exchange is Holiday Ornaments and I bet it's going to be amazing! Still time to sign-up before participation closes on November 1, 2011.

Fall in Love with PaperTemptress

2011-10-22T03:01:00.001-04:00

Today is my final post as a design team member on PaperTemptress. I have enjoyed my time with Patricia and her great team so much!

Quilted Pumpkin
Stamp: pumpkin (Serendipity)
Cardstock: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Goldenrod Treasures, Tuscan Sun, Solar White Skinny Columns (PaperTemptress)
Ribbon: 5/16 Gold Decandent Dancer Ribbon
Copics:E07, E31, E33, E34, E55, R24, R27, R29, Y11, Y15, Y19, Y38, YG23, YG26, YR04, YR07, YR09, YR23, YR24
Tools: circle cutter (Creative Memories)

Don't forget to check out the PaperTemptress blog. While you are there you can see all the fabulous creations by my fellow team members! Making fabulous and gorgeous cards is beyond easy with Patricia's fabulous cardstock.

I have entered this card into the following challenges:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Autumn

City Crafter - Harvest Festival

Hope you have a beautiful Fall day!

One More Book Plate

2011-10-20T20:15:00.001-04:00

I created another antique book plate card with my Rogue Redhead stamps. It was fun to play a bit with color and design.

This one uses a lily of the valley and sentiment from Floriculture and a mini-background from the soon-to-be-released Candy Kisses plate.

Lily of the Valley Book Plate
Stamps: Lily of the Valley and sentiment from Floriculture and background from Candy Kisses (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scrap of purple textured patterned paper
Cardstock: Orchid Opulence, Glorious Green, and Very Vanilla (Stampin Up)
Ink: Orchid Opulence and Glorious Green (Stampin Up); Jet Black (StazOn); Antique Linen (Ranger Distress Ink); black brush marker (Marvy)

Have a fabulous Autumn day! I'm staying in with a nice book tomorrow!

Sweet Swingers Book Plate

2011-10-16T22:03:00.003-04:00

I just had to try out the Antique Book Plates tutorial from the new Technique Junkie Newsletter!

Relish Reading seemed the perfect choice for a technique rooted in books!

Of course, I had to go Rogue and not completely follow instructions. What else is new? So, I double matted my ATC sized bookplate and mounted it on a card. I seem to do that a lot with my ATCs lately....hmmm.

Sweet Swingers
Stamps: swingers, book and Almanac page background from the Relish Reading plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up)
Paper: scrap from my overflowing basket
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn); Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust and Blush Blossom (Stampin' Up); Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger); Marvy brush marker
Tools: aquabrush
Technique: Antique Book Plates (Technique Junkies)

To see the other book plate and to get a "sneak peak" at one of the new images due out next month at Rogue Redhead Designs, check out my recent post on the RRD blog!

Getting Dimensional

2011-10-12T14:05:00.003-04:00

I have one more sample for the Rebel Challenge: Tag Lines. The idea is to create a tag and include a quote. This time I wanted to have lots of dimension!

For this one, I capitalized on some great paper and used some that repeated a leaf pattern. I cut leaf elements from the paper and added them to the tag with pop dots. I added some twine to make it even more rustic. Isn't the paper yummy?

Botanical
Stamps: quote from Floriculture (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Birds in Paradise from the Botanical Collection (Graphic 45)

Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss (Stampin Up)

Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); Tea Dye Distress Ink (Ranger)
Tools: scallop and oval punch (Marvy)
Other: 3 Prima flowers, antique copper brad twine, pop dots and shipping tag

Why not join in? You don't have to use Rogue stamps to play but you might win some if you do!

Tag You're It

2011-10-10T00:01:00.002-04:00

Rogue Redhead is having another Rebel Challenge! This time the inspiration is to use a tag and a quote. The first one I did was all stamping so I made this one mostly paper.

The roses are actually slightly embossed because they come from a vintage greeting card. I think this one will end up as a bookmark!

Garden in the Pocket
Stamp: quote from Relish Reading (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Westbourne (7Gypsies); vintage greeting card
Cardstock: Certainly Celery (Stampin Up); shipping tag
Ink: Tea Dye Distress and Antique Linen (Ranger); Rich Cocoa (Memento)

Hope you come and play along! You don't need to use RRD stamps but, if you play, you might just win some! One randomly drawn winner will receive a $15.00 Voucher to the RRD store!

RC004: Tag Lines

2011-10-08T00:01:00.001-04:00

Once a month, Rogue Redhead Designs dares you to participate in their Rebel Challenge! For this challenge, running from today until November 6th, RRD is asking you to pair a fabulous quote with a tag!

You can go a number of ways with this challenge. Tags not being my forte, I started with straight stamping!

I started by sponging Antique Linen Distress ink all over my tag. Then, I stamped one of the borders from Beach Babes about 1/3 down my ginormous shipping tag. I masked the bottom third up to the top edge of the border and over-stamped the Sandy Beach background onto the top two-thirds of the tag with Tea Dye Distress Ink.

I selected the crab, starfish and shell and stamped those in Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I added a little caramel color to each image with a colored pencil. Finally, I stamped my quote, also from Beach Babes, onto the bottom third of the tag, added some ribbon and voila!

My quote is from a poem and reads "Little drops of water, / Little grains of sand, / Make the mighty ocean / And the pleasant land." It's also from Beach Babes.

Little Drops of Water
Stamps: border, starfish, crab, shell, background, and quote from Beach Babes (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Ink: Antique Linen, Tea Dye and Vintage Photo Distress Inks (Ranger)
Other: shipping tag, brass eyelet and brown ribbon

Why not come over to RRD and play along?

You don't have to use RRD stamps but if you play along, you may just win some! There's a $15.00 US Voucher up for grabs for one randomly drawn winner.

You can get in on Rebel Challenge #3 - Think Outside the ATC too! It closes on October 9th!

What's On Your Workdesk Wedneday

2011-10-05T00:01:00.002-04:00

I hardly ever participate in What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday, but this week I've actually got something on my desk!

Ack! Can you believe this mess? I'm usually all tidied up by Wednesday! Most of my insanely messy crafting takes place on the weekend.

I was busy making new samples for the upcoming Rebel Challenge on Saturday and having a ton of fun! Obviously cleaning did not come into the equation!

I do have one piece to show you today. My coffee-loving husband just enjoyed a birthday so I made him a simple card to celebrate.

A Birthday Cup
Stamp: mug (Flourishes)
Cardstock: Kraft and Chocolate Chip (Stampin Up); Burgundy (PaperTemptress)
Paper: scrap from my basket
Ink: Timber Brown (StazOn)
Technique: Paper piecing

If you are in the mood for a challenge you can still get in on the current Rebel Challenge - Think Outside the ATC! It closes on Sunday night.

Another Simple Set on RRD

2011-10-01T07:30:00.004-04:00

Happy Saturday! It's that time again ... Simple Set Saturday!

Take a wander over to Rogue Redhead Designs to see what I created this month!

Here's a sneak peek:

I'm using lots of fab paper and I broke out my copic markers! Check it out!

Spotty or Dotty?

2011-09-28T15:12:00.003-04:00

With an eye to both using the color scheme for the new Gingersnap Creations Color Challenge - Turquoise, Blue and use a spotlighting technique, I created this created this card.

It uses a Warhol motif but also uses a punch spotlight. I thought the combination was pretty cool.

Greetings Earthlings
Stamps: Eye Girl and Greetings Earthlings (Viva Las Vegastamps)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Taken with Teal, Brocade Blue and Lavendar Lace (Stampin Up)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Tools: circle punch
Technique: Warhol (Technique Junkies) and punched spotlight

If you love cool colors, why not join this cool challenge? Check out what my fellow Gingers have created using this same palette!

Vellum Window Cards

2011-09-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

I started out looking for a quick card design to make and after some trial and error, these easy vellum window cards were pretty fast to put together.

I checked out the Less is More Challenge and it was a Sketch this week.

While I still wanted the overall look clean and simple, I wanted to make something a little different and try something new. I decided to try a vellum window card. I have this awesome vellum which is actually patterned to add even more interest.

Of course, I used Rogue Redhead stamps to make it! I used an image and sentiment from the Floriculture plate on the front and added a sentiment from the Bits and Pieces plate on the inside.

Here's one of the cards, I made using this sketch:

I was able to duplicate the sketch on the inside too:

To see another version of this card and get some details on how I made it, check out my post on the RRD blog.

Vintage Visions

2011-09-26T00:01:00.001-04:00

I adore vintage images, vintage looking paper, vintage colors....you get the idea. So when I saw that the Sarah Hurley Challenge #50 was vintage, how could I resist?

Here's what I put together:

Stamp: boy from Beach Babes plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

If you like this card, come on by the RRD blog on Saturday and check out my Simple Set Saturday post! In the meantime, you can always check out the Simple Set Saturdays I've already posted.

Sunny Days are Here Again

2011-09-25T17:43:00.004-04:00

Okay, more like "not raining" days are here. I had to make a sunny card today to push away the gloom that has descended on my little corner of New England!

I was bopping around the challenge blogs and found this fab sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping:

Here's my take:

Stamps: Sun from Floriculture plate and Hi from Bits and Pieces (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Keep sunny thoughts inside even when it's raining outside!

Keeping Color Simple

2011-09-18T21:51:00.006-04:00

I had some time to play some challenges today and I had a lot of inspiration from which to work.

My first card incorporates a few different challenges. The layout is from Tuesday Morning Sketches #111 although I did modify it a wee bit. The color was inspired by the Monochromatic Challenge at Dutch Dare (DDCC130). The style was influenced by the Pink Elephant Challenge TPE116 - Vintage Theme. My little lad is definitely vintage!

Stamps: boy from Beach Babes and sentiment from Bits and Pieces (Rogue Redhead Designs)

The next card brought together some more challenges. This card uses the Clean and Simple Stamping Sketch #158. The colors come from the Stamping for the Weekend Tickled Pink Challenge. I added a couple hearts for the City Crafters "I Heart You" Challenge.

Stamps: linked hearts, hugs and kisses and Love You from Snow Hugs (Rogue Redhead Designs)

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! I am looking forward to more stamping time soon!

Rebel Challenge #3: Think Outside the ATC

2011-09-14T07:16:00.005-04:00

I've got one last piece to show you all for the "Think Outside the ATC" Rebel Challenge on Rogue Redhead Designs.

The idea for the challenge is to make an ATC (2.5" x 3.5") and let one of your elements protrude past the defined borders of your Artist Trading Card. I took this one step further and mounted my ATC onto a card - yup, you can do that.

Here's what I created:

Le Jardin
Stamps: cosmos blossom and sentiments from Floriculture plate and Sandy Beach Background from Beach Babes (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Silver Lustre and Heavenly White (PaperTemptress); basic black cardstock; old text pages
Ink: Chipped Sapphire, Milled Lavendar and Dusty Concord (Ranger Distress Inks); Memento

Find your inner rogue and play the latest Rebel Challenge! You don't need to use Rogue Redhead stamps to play, but you might win some if you do! One randomly drawn winner for the challenge will receive a $15.00US voucher to the Rogue Redhead Etsy Store!

Playing with Trisha's Stuff

2011-09-12T15:51:00.001-04:00

My friend and fellow Ginger, Trisha, had a brilliant idea for a creative collaboration. She sent out 10 packets of "her stuff" to 10 different artists to see what they would make with it. Such fun!

I decided to make a canvas, which I painted with Lumiere paints. I added a stamped tissue paper overlay...which ever so slightly distorted...bah. Anyway, I centered my piece around this quote - "Here's to good women. May we know them, may we be them , may we raise them!". I centered all my stamped images and collaged images around this theme.

In my "envie" as Trish put it, I got 2 collage images - a girl and a flower, 3 plastic stars, 3 tickets, a text page with french exercises, a bit of shiny paper, a delightful piece of designer paper, a piece of black lace and some bling. I tried to use everything and succeeded except for the bling.

Here's some phrases from the text page, the designer paper, lace, star now covered with the shiny bits and a ticket:

More designer paper, lace, and more phrases from the text page:

Here's the two collage pieces, flower and girl:

The total piece below:

It was a ton of fun to play with someone else's stash! A real kick in the butt to creativity! Thanks for letting me play Trisha! It was a blast! Check out Trisha's blog, Easily Amused, Hard to Offend to see what other people made with her stuff.

Another ATC for Rebel Challenge #3

2011-09-11T07:00:00.001-04:00

For this second ATC for the "Think Outside the ATC" Rebel Challenge on the RRD blog, I turned to pretty designer papers. I used gingham for this sweetie's dress and a beautifully soft designer paper for the background.

Miss You ATC
Stamps: little girl from Beach Babes plate and sentiment from Relish Reading plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: scraps from my basket
Cardstock: Whisper White and Basic Black (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Copics: E00, E02, E07, E09, E11, E19, E40, E41, E43
Tools: oval punches (Marvy)

Why not play along? One randomly drawn winner from the qualifying submissions will receive a $15.00US voucher to the Rogue Redhead Designs Etsy Store.

Find Your Inner Rogue with RC#3

2011-09-10T08:54:00.005-04:00

It's Rebel Challenge day on the Rogue Redhead Designs blog. Whoohoo!

The challenge I set today was to "Think Outside the ATC". Make an ATC and let one of your elements protrude past the defined borders of your Artist Trading Card.

Here's one of the ATCs I made using a distress ink background, paper piecing and some copic coloring:

Stamps: Reading Girl, Almanac Background and sentiment from Relish Reading plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)

To see the others and find out how to play along, visit the Rebel Challenge post on the RRD blog. One randomly drawn winner will receive a $15.00US voucher to the RRD Etsy Store.

Brown Bagging It

2011-09-07T15:30:00.000-04:00

I've been playing with some really cool cardstock called Brown Bag from PaperTemptress. It's brown bag on one side and colored on the other. Cool, right?

Because I can't leave well enough alone, I had to mess with it and I came up with an easy no-ink background.

Here's the card I made:

Anchors Away
Stamps: Anchor and sentiment from Beach Babes plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Blueberry Brown Bag and Kraft Treasures (Paper Temptress)
Ink: Timber Brown (StazOn)
Other: colored pencils, 3 antique bronze brads

To see how I made this simple no-ink background, check out my post on the PaperTemptress blog!

Wine Makes Mommy Clever

2011-09-07T00:01:00.001-04:00

Couldn't resist this image when I saw it on the Viva Las Vegastamps online store. It just spoke to me....in sort of a Great Aunt Zelda type voice...but anyway....

I made this card for the new Chestnut Theme Challenge on Gingersnap Creations - Gal Pals. The whole month is devoted to Friendship. How cool is that?

Okay, here's the card. I kept imagining names for these two great ladies - Cora and Mildred, Estelle and Beatrice, Babs and Stella. They were a ton of fun to color!

Wine, Women and Friendship
Stamps: Ladies with Wine and sentiment (Viva Las Vegastamps)
Paper: Spring in Bloom (Karen Foster) - yeah, I giggled a little when I saw the name of the paper considering my subject matter
Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Copics: B00, BG11, BG13, BG15, E00, E02, E11, E35, E37, E53, E55, G24, R32, R39, RV11, RV13, RV14, RV17, RV19, YR23, and YR24
Other: 4 black photo corners

Check out this new challenge and all the fabulous friend-inspired art by the Gingers! Get in on the fun!

Sweet Stop Sketch

2011-09-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

I am still getting back into "challenge mode" after my crazed Summer. I found an adorable sketch on The Sweet Spot that I wanted to try. Their DT did some amazing variations - just brilliant.

Mine is less than brilliant but I still like it. I put the sketch over on its side. Isn't it cute?

I am not over beach season yet. So here's another beach scene:

Beach Birds
Stamps: sentiment and seabirds from Beach Babes plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: untitled from the Christine Adolph line (Creative Imaginations)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Timber Brown (StazOn)
Other: 1/4" brown ribbon; 3 antique copper brads
Tools: circle cutter (Creative Memories)

Wishing you a day filled with the wonder of nature!

Keeping It As Simple As Possible

2011-09-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

It's been a zany Summer so when I was looking for challenges to play, I wanted to keep as simple as possible. No mess - no stress.

I found a few that worked with my current "mood-us" operandi. When I cook, I love 5 ingredient or less meals, so 3 colors or less suited me just fine today. I started off with the Black, White and Splash of Red color scheme from the Playdate Cafe. Then, I married it to the most recent sketch on the ever delightful Clean and Simple Stamping Sketch Challenges.

Here's what I came up with:

Let Us Read
Stamps: sentiment and swinging children from Relish Reading plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Cardstock: Heavenly White and Rosso Incandescent (PaperTemptress)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn)
Other: black 5/8" Splitz ribbon (PaperTemptress)
Tools: circle cutter (Creative Memories)

Further along in my quest for simple, I also spied a challenge from C.R.A.F.T. Challenges for another wicked simple sketch. It had a circle...I had the cutter already out. I did with their fab inspiration:

Playing on the Beach
Stamps: boy and girl, birds and sentiment from Beach Babes plate (Rogue Redhead Designs)
Paper: Brown, Pink and Green Polka Dots (K&C)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip (Stampin Up)
Ink: Timber Brown (StazOn)
Tools: Circle cutter (Creative Memories)

So if you are going around in circles, why not just put those circles on your cards and go simple!

For My History-Making Sister

2011-09-04T00:01:00.001-04:00

I made this card for my fabulous sister. She is desperate to be a Red Hat Lady, but she's still too young. I decided to use the Red Hat Society color scheme for this card just to "cheer her up" until she finally can get that membership.

I started with this fun image from Viva Las Vegastamps.

It was perfect for my sister! I cut out the window behind the woman with an exacto knife and a pair of small detail scissors.

After I had my "window", I colored her in with Copic markers.

I added a band of Red Hat themed paper and the sentiment. Inside the card, I added another square of the Red Hat paper matted in bright green and my message. I used another of my fav birthday stamps for the inside. It's from Verses and reads "Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show: the more you have the longer you live".

Well-Behaved
Stamps: Feather Hat Lady and Well-Behaved Women (Viva Las Vegastamps); inside sentiment - not visible (Verses)
Paper: scrap of Red Hat Society themed paper
Cardstock: Certainly Celery and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Copics: B00, B01, E00, Eo2, E11, R20, R24, R27, R29, V04, Vo6 and Y26
Tools: exacto knife and detail scissors

I hope my sister has finally gotten this card in the mail before she reads this post on my blog....hmmm.

Have a fabulous and fun day!

Going Rebel with TJ Techniques

2011-09-03T12:25:00.003-04:00

One Saturday a month, I create a Simple Set on the RRD blog. It's a fun exercise as I am always in need of card sets for gifts and correspondence. This week, I decided to also create something that would fit in with the August Rebel Challenge on RRD. It's Surf and Turf - Wet (Heat) and Dry (Cuttlebugesque) Embossing! Fun, right?

Well, where else to turn but my ever-handy Technique Junkies Newsletter. I pulled out two oldie but goodie techniques - Marker Wash and Cuttlebug Highlights and got to work.

Here's the set all together:

Stamps: images from Beach Babes and Relish Reading plates

To get a better look and see how I made these cards, check out my Simple Set Saturday post on the RRD blog! Don't forget to check out the challenge too - now extended to September 8th! One randomly-drawn winner will receive a $15.00US voucher for the Rogue Redhead store!

Shining a Light on Spotlighting

2011-09-01T06:52:00.004-04:00

This month on Gingersnap Creations, we are going to be celebrating International Women's Friendship Month and shining a spotlight on spotlighting techniques. I adore spotlighting so this month is going to be fabulous!

Here's my first spotlighting card. I got this delightful image from this month's GC sponsor, Viva Las Vegastamps. Aren't these girls adorable?

I started by using a simple circle punch to create a mask and picking the portion of the image that I was going to spotlight.

From there, I drew a soft line with pencil to delineate where I should color and colored in that portion with bright fun colors pulled from my designer papers. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif The rest of the image I used shades of yellows, also to tie in with my designer paper. At the end, I erased the pencil with my artist eraser and all was right with the world.

Pretty Little Ladies
Stamp: Two Little Girls (Viva Las Vegastamps)
Paper: Timeless (Imaginisce) and Holiday Argyle and Home for the Holidays (Deja Views)
Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate and Whisper White (Stampin Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Copics: E00. E02, E07, E09, E11, E35, R32, RV17, RV19, V04, V06, Y13, Y21, Y23, Y26, YG05, and YG07
Tools: circle punch and circle cutter (Creative Memories)

Hope you will have time to come join in all the fun this month!

Revisiting Art Exchanges

2011-08-31T22:15:00.003-04:00

It's the 5th Wednesday of the month which happens only "once in a blue moon" so it's also time for Gingersnap Creations' Blue Moon Challenge. These challenges are often a little different than the usual fare at GC and often ask participants to look back at some cool stuff on the GC blog or venture out into the blogosphere.

This week, we are taking a look back at some of the fun past art exchange themes. I picked the Soar ATC theme.

I used some Invoke Art stamps to put together this ATC. I stamped and masked some tag images and added a Parisian map background. After stamping, I painted the image with ink to give it a soft look.

Why not check out what the other Gingers have put together and pick a theme of your own to revisit!