It’s all you need…

Or so I’ve heard….

Onto this week’s iSpy Sketch!! A few of us have had the opportunity to be on a design team with the lovely lady we are featuring this week so I'm thrilled!!! This week we are featuring  Christine Okken ( ChristineCreations at SCS) and is inspired by this card.

 

I made this card with some lovely Pink Paislee products that I’ve been dabbling with. It’s nice to have a clean and simple card design up your sleeve and this is a great one!

 

Here is how to play:

• Create a paper crafting project (card, scrap book page or 3D item), based on the sketch provided.Post your creation on your blog or an online gallery (using a code ISSC44 and link it here with the inlinkz widget below.
• Please provide a direct link to your post - not the generic link to your blog.
• A new challenge will be posted every Friday at 12:01 AM EST, and you have until noon on the following Friday EST to submit your entry.
• You may enter as many times as you like, but please provide a newly designed project with a new link for each additional project.
• We will choose the top 2 creations to be featured in our "Top 2 Winners" post every Sunday where we will announce who we have picked :) The winners will receive their very own iSpy Sketches blog badge!
• Don't forget that you may combine our challenges with others and use supplies from any company that you wish :)
• Have fun and we look forward to "spying" your creations!

This week was a long one… I don’t know what it is, but TO ME it feels like the lead-up to December takes FOREVER, then once it hits – it’s gone. I JUST WANT IT TO BE CHRISTMAS ALREADY!!!! I keep bugging my hubby to put the lights up on the house and I wanna go get our tree but he’s one of those “Not until December” type of people. He’s poopy. I want to enjoy December and all it has to bring (Christmas concerts, our son’s birthday, visiting with friends, and of course, Christmas!!) and to me it just makes sense to start things in November so we have time to enjoy it all… I’m going to come up with a game plan tonight and pitch it to Ian tomorrow…

So as you’ve seen I’m in full Christmas-card-making mode and I couldn’t be happier. 1 – it’s fun to use all of the new stamps from the companies I work for and 2 – I love digging out my old and much-loved holiday supplies and putting them to good use! Today Technique Tuesday’s November Greenhouse Society stamp set goes on sale and it is perfect for making cards to send out over the next little while. I love it for masculine purposes. I have some male teachers/principals that I have to make cards for and I don’t want to give them anything cutesy and a set like this is perfect.
 
 
My card today uses my latest obsession: white embossing powder. Take it away before I use it on everything!!

 
This technique (along with the aforementioned white EP) is so easy and yet so striking… *I think… All you do is emboss, add some colour with watercolours of some sort, and add water of some sort. (there are SO many different ways of going about it..) I used Distress Markers and Tim Holtz’s large water brush to colour this image. *Side note: some people were asking when I was going to make another Copic video, but I was wondering if any of you are curious about Distress markers. I teach a lot about them at my LSS, but if you would like to see a video use them, just say so!! The papers are Pink Paislee and I forced my brain to think mathematically and do some fancy layering with my Spellbinders. This kind of card is the reason I’m glad I bought Large and Small classic circles.


November's Greenhouse Society stamp set starts shipping tomorrow. Not a Greenhouse Society member yet? The set is available for limited time for purchase by non-members through our Web site and at select retailers. Check with your favorite retailer to see if they carry Greenhouse Society stamp sets or to ask them to get them in.
Thanks for stopping by! Go check out the Technique Tuesday blog to see some more great inspiration!

Hey TSG fans!! We’re here with our newest release and today Torico is bringing us another SUPER cute Holiday set to love and adore, and this one has a twist…but you will have to wait until tomorrow to see WHAT the twist is!! Just take it from me, this set is so versatile, you will be turning to it again and again for all your holiday needs! With four ADORABLE scenes, and four fabulous sentiments, you are sure to fall in love.This card is my favourite from this week’s release. I wish I could save the best for last, but I guess I’m starting off with a bang! I hope you like it:



I made this while at Jessica’s house with Jessie and they were totally and absolutely my muses. SO many things on this card were inspired by them – I wish I could craft with them more often! Jessie let me borrow her new MFT snow hill dies to help create the background and I added some Shabby Blue Embossing Enamel to complete the look. Jessica inspired me to add rhinestones to the snowflake patterned paper in the background. She always thinks of little touches that really bump her cards up to the next level. That little snowflake rosette was made with a new Tim Holtz die… LOVE it… But of course the star of the show is the adorable image. This cute little bear (or BIG bear!) was so easy to colour, I can’t wait to pair him up with some other TSG images!
 
Holiday Cheer is a 4x6 set that includes a total of 8 stamps and will sell for $15.00.
Would you like to win the new Holiday Cheer stamp set? Here is what you need to do-visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post. 
You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, November 24th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Welcome to i heart papers' November design team challenge! This month, we're teaming up with some of the girls from the Technique Tuesday team for a combined hop featuring Technique Tuesday's stamps and i {heart} papers' products.  You can browse the TechniqueTuesday category of the ihp store here.
Here’s my project for today’s collaboration featuring stamps from this year’s December Daily stamp set by Ali Edwards:


I recently pinned a card a lot like this (sorry.. the original source isn’t working) and was dying to try out this design! All that was needed was a die cut (I used a Memory Box die), a little patterned paper and twine (North Pole by Doodlebug) and a simple sentiment. If I had to pick one thing I love about Technique Tuesday it’s their sentiments. I am a font junkie and I am always in love with the choices they make! As you can tell from the photo I made a few cards with this design. It was so easy to replicate so why not??



Our designers are sharing lots of inspiration using Technique Tuesday stamps and ihp products!
Technique Tuesday DT:

• Kris Chirhart
• Tobi Crawford (you are here)
• Laura O'Donnell
• Sharyn Tormanen
• Daniela Dobson
• Teri Anderson

the ihp design team:

• November's guest designer, Jen del Muro
• Stephanie Washburn
• Carolyn
• Deb
• Gretchen
• Judy
• Lori
• Taylor
• Tracy
• Kate

Hi there readers! Where has November gone? I literally cannot believe we're over half-way through the month. In a blink of an eye, I tell you.. On to this week's iSpy Sketch: 

ISSC42 is by Anya Schrier and is inspired by this card.

Hi there! It’s time for another sneak peek at Technique Tuesday’s monthly Greenhouse Society Stamp set! This month’s set is a lovely traditional image that is great for formal holiday cards. I picture giving the card I made to my principal or something.. It’s gorgeous.. Here’s the stamp set:


And here’s my card…


I went with some traditional-ish plaid papers (on second thought, maybe instead of giving this to my principal I’ll give it to one of my Scottish family members!!) and kept the Copic colouring quite understated. At first I was a little stumped as to how I would colour the image, but I just gave the needles a greenish hue and coloured the pinecones relatively simply.. To add a touch of “frost” I applied a little “Rock Candy” Distress Stickles to the tips of the pinecone scales and I spread the Stickles on the needles. If you’ve never used the stuff it’s great. I dries kind of like crystals..



Thanks for stopping by! I hope you like it! Check out the Technique Tuesday Blog for more inspiration!

Hi there! It's been slow here on my blog, but that by no means reflects my life! I just got back from a wonderful weekend of cardmaking with some dear friends and I was able to catch up on a lot of DT work as well as play along with some challenges that I love!

I made this card for the current Tuesday Trigger on the Moxie Fab World blog.

Oh My Goodness! I have slaved away on this project for you (that may be a slight hyperbole, but you got that…) and I hope you like it! All this week the Stampendous! team has been experimenting with Beacon’s Fast Finish adhesive and I have had a lot of fun experimenting.

Recently I’ve gotten into art journalling (you’ve seen a few of my projects here) and I am by no means an expert, but what I have to offer is my journey of experimentation.. Art journalling is truly a freeing and satisfying experience, and if you have a store near you that carries some of the products (or classes, even!) do it! Try it!! It’s fun!!

Step 1) Mist papers with Dylusions mists



Step 2) Start with a small pile of Shabby Blue Embossing Enamel and add some Beacon’s Fast Finish adhesive to it… Enough to make a paste.



Step 3) Mix with a paint brush.



Step 4) Pounce and/or spread the paste over the surface of the project. Because I was working with embossing powder I heated it all with a heat tool. It did bubble a little oddly because of the Fast Finish, but it melted.



Step 5) After all of the heat-embossing, apply a coat of Fast Finish to seal it all.



After all of that work on “the base” I stamped on top with Archival ink and added my journalling elements. So there! The "Dear Santa" was written on a card and on the inside I will write some "Christmas Wishes" for 2012.. Most of them NOT presents, I think. ;)


Stampendous! images used: Jumbo Santa, Jumbo Sparkle Joy

Then be sure to plan some time this weekend to check out a whole round of terrific projects using this great product along with some wonderful Stampendous! images and Essentials and some other gems from Beacon Adhesives. It will be a ton of fun, and we’ll be giving away some Fast Finish and Stampendous products for randomly chosen comments! Check out the Stampendous! blog!  and these hoppers:

Hi there! I am SO excited for this weekend. It’s a long weekend here in Canada (in honour of Remembrance Day) and I am taking off with my little guy to visit Jessica Knutsen and hang with Jessie Rone!! I love going to Jessica’s place, her family is a bunch of characters and I think my son is going to have a great time getting to know them! Before I packed up all my “gear” I made this cute little card for this week’s iSpy Sketch.



I used a bunch of Doodlebug products (I was going to apply for the DT, but who am I kidding: I’m way too freakin’ busy!!!) so I have a bunch of stuff hangin’ around. I love the bright colours and they just SCREAM Christmas, don’t they? Like, really… SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway. I used a cute little Stampendous! stamp (Birdie Kiddo) and coloured her up with Copics.

Here is how to play:

• Create a paper crafting project (card, scrap book page or 3D item), based on the sketch provided.Post your creation on your blog or an online gallery (using a code ISSC41 and link it here with the inlinkz widget below.
• Please provide a direct link to your post - not the generic link to your blog.
• A new challenge will be posted every Friday at 12:01 AM EST, and you have until noon on the following Friday EST to submit your entry.
• You may enter as many times as you like, but please provide a newly designed project with a new link for each additional project.
• We will choose the top 2 creations to be featured in our "Top 2 Winners" post every Sunday where we will announce who we have picked :) The winners will receive their very own iSpy Sketches blog badge!
• Don't forget that you may combine our challenges with others and use supplies from any company that you wish :)
• Have fun and we look forward to "spying" your creations!

Hi there! Today I’m sharing a project as part of a Stampendous! and Beacon Adhesives blog collaboration.
• Perfect decoupage medium for almost any surface–wood, plastics, metal, cardboard, glass, ceramics, terra cotta, paper marche, & so much more.
• Dries fast to a tack-free, crystal clear, gloss finish. Never yellows or becomes brittle. No strong or unpleasant odor.

And I’ll tell you what I love about it: it’s liquid.. Like water.. Not like Mod Podge or similar products! It’s goes on thin and you’re not left with a gloopy mess. Colour me impressed for sure! Are you ready to see what I made?



The coolest bangle ever!!!!!!!!!! And it seriously took no time. I misted the wooden bangle with Dylusion mists, stamped with Staz-on Ink (using Cling Faith Characters) and set with two coats of fast finish. I’ve worn it for two days now and it’s stood up to water/wear-and-tear and it looks brand new.

Check out the blogs below and the Stampendous! Blog all week for projects made with Beacon Adhesives!
(We’ll draw random comments from random blogs to win your own Fast Finish and stamps, so you can try this great product.)

Today I’m sharing a project I’ve designed for a class at Clipper Street Scrapbooking Company. If you’re in the area just click on the link and it will bring you to the online sign-up area. If you don’t live in the area you have to options, 1) we do ship our kits-to-go (you’ll get the kit plus full instructions) or 2) enjoy the photos!!

 

 

I won’t divulge all of my trade secrets, but I will tell you that I only used a half of a 6x6 paper pad for this calendar! With a project like this (especially if you’re mass-producing) you want a happy balance between clean&simple and complex. Projects that take more than a few hours rarely keep my focus, so I made sure that this little flip album would be really quick!

Something that really helped to speed up the process was the SRM mini calendar stickers. (thanks Susan!!) I just adhered the stickers to a white piece of cardstock and cut them out. Bam.

And.. If you want, I made the calendar in two different sizes/orientations: here’s a peek at the portrait style:

 

 

Thanks for takin’ a look. I’d love you know what you think… I love this little project to bits!!

Hi! Did you have a good Hallowe’en? It poured here and all of the little kids (my son included) were just drenched, but it didn’t get in the way of their candy dreams, hahaha. And… I’ve caught that fall cold that’s going around and because I have asthma it goes straight to my lungs… FUN! But I bet you came here to see a card, didn’t you??!!

This week’s iSpy Sketch (ISSC40) is by Julie H. (Juble at SCS) and is inspired by this card. Here’s my creation:


It’s a very simple design and lately when I’m keeping it simple I like to do a fun technique. To create the main image panel I grabbed some watercolour paper and “smooshed” some distress inks direct-to-paper and misted it with Studio Calico’s “Shine”. (It’s a colour-less mist with a subtle glimmer/shimmer… it’s really pretty) Once that dried I stamped on top and added some stickles. This will be a really special card for a friend.
Supplies: Butterfly from There She Goes’ Spread your wings, and sentiment from There She Goes’ Puppy Love.

Here is how to play:

• Create a paper crafting project (card, scrap book page or 3D item), based on the sketch provided.Post your creation on your blog or an online gallery (using a code ISSC40 and link it here with the inlinkz widget below.
• Please provide a direct link to your post - not the generic link to your blog.
• A new challenge will be posted every Friday at 12:01 AM EST, and you have until noon on the following Friday EST to submit your entry.
• You may enter as many times as you like, but please provide a newly designed project with a new link for each additional project.
• We will choose the top 2 creations to be featured in our "Top 2 Winners" post every Sunday where we will announce who we have picked :) The winners will receive their very own iSpy Sketches blog badge!
• Don't forget that you may combine our challenges with others and use supplies from any company that you wish :)
• Have fun and we look forward to "spying" your creations!

Hi there! I hope wherever you are, you’re having a happy Hallowe’en. Here in Vancouver, BC it’s raining.. Actually, raining is a nice word for what’s happening outside – it’s more like a torrential downpour. Ah well! It’s not stopping the kids from knocking on my door every couple minutes!

 

I played along with this week’s TSG inspiration challenge: TSG179

One of my favourite fall drinks (my other fav: Salted Caramel Mocha… YUM!). Anyway.. Such a beautiful fall photo that inspired me to use the cutest set called Pumpkins on the Vine (and the sentiment from Fabulous).

 

She’s coloured with Copic markers and pastel chalk pencils. I used my Silhouette to cut out a bunch of the shapes (the cool label and clouds) and some pretty pearl lace finished it off!

To be eligible for the giveaway, create a card or project using the inspiration color challenge, and then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (November 5th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG179 so we can check out your beautiful work!