Tuesday, November 22, 2011

All Puffed Up

Goodness! From the title it sounds like I might be talking about our neighborhood turkeys! We have anywhere from 8-20 turkeys roaming the neighborhood in the fall and winter. I think they are in hiding until Thanksgiving is over! November is quickly zooming by and 2012 will be here before you know it! 

Today I want to share a project I made using Really Reasonable Ribbon, some beautiful designer paper and a lovely Word Art sentiment by TLC Creations




I love wide ribbon! Sometimes I can't fit it into my design, and then have to choose a smaller width, but today's project incorporates one of my favorites: the 1.5 inch Black Gingham Ribbon:

Today I want to share a quick, little tutorial with you showing the way that I "puff up" my ribbon. I learned this from a friend awhile back, and I am sure there are other, and maybe even easier ways to do it, but this is how I do it!





First you will need a little handful of batting, some linen thread, and your ribbon of choice:

Tie off a section at the end, leaving room to fold under a layer of cardstock:
 Next, tie off a section with the thread and fill with a tiny bit of batting:
 Continue to tie and fill until you have as many "puffs" as you would like:
You can tack the openings shut with thread, or leave them open. One option for additional decoration is to add another contrasting ribbon or bow. Here I used Black Grosgrain with a white stitched edge:
Trim your thread ends, and cover the thread with pearls or another embellishment, or more contrasting ribbon all down the puffed piece. Fold the ends underneath a cardstock layer. All done!

Designer paper is the Mariposa Stack by DCWV.
Thanks for stopping by today!

Challenges for this card:
Create Me Pink Challenges - Use A Digi  
Creative Craft Challenges  - Free For All Week 
Going Grey With Scrap-Creations - Thank You
Paper and Such Design - No Colouring Stamp Stick & Go
Sassy Cheryl's - Anything Goes
The Stamping Boutique - Thanksgiving 
Use It Tuesdays - #20 Giving Thanks  (I hoard designer paper that has "pictures")


Sunday, November 20, 2011

New Challenges at Rubbernecker Stamps!




There is something new over at the Rubbernecker Blog
It's SISTERHOOD SUNDAYS!


Every Sunday, the Rubbernecker Stamps Design Team, Stampin' Sisterhood, will bring you fun new challenges and lots of inspiration to start your week! 
This week our challenge is an inspiration photo. 
I love to see what everyone comes up with from the same photo! We have cute, elegant, and CAS examples to share with you today! Here is what I made:
The first thing that caught my eye was the sparkle and reflection in the ornaments, and I wanted a design that was simple, but sparkly! I used Every Star Text from Rubbernecker Stamps, and stamped it with Encore Metallic Silver pigment ink. I then embossed it with Ranger's Silver Detail EP. The stars, and red and green background are all from the Christmas Glitter Matstack by DCWV.  The silver ribbon is Shimmer Satin Silver from Really Reasonable Ribbon~ Easy! 

Be sure to stop at the Rubbernecker Blog for some fun news about the prizes for the Sunday challenges, and to see what the rest of the Design Team made!  Thank you for stopping by today! Have a wonderful Sunday~!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Pixellated Challenge

Today at the SCS Free For All Challenge 91, Lydia asked us to create something that would represent pixellated squares. There are some really creative things in the F4A91 Gallery! I made this:

I used the Ink, Spray and Smash technique to make my background of squares. They are each 1" square. I suppose this is more like mosaic, since I have black border around each one, but they are colored squares :) 


I liked how the quote on the vellum fit so well with the "Be Yourself" block stamp from Rubber Stamp Tapestry. My ribbon is 1.5" Black Gingham from Really Reasonable Ribbon. This was a fun card to make!


What a cool challenge~!
Other challenges for this card:
Fun with Shapes & More - must include die cut/punch - use something three times (roses)
Inspire Me Fridays - always anything goes
CCEE Stampers -  2 Diecuts OR 2 Punches (two MS  punches)
I was excited to see that I won Top Three at The Kraft Journal for their Give Thanks challenge with THIS card!

Stamps: Be Yourself by Rubber Stamp Tapestry
Paper: Basic Black, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, The Mariposa Stack DP by DCWV, Glossy White
Ink: Apricot Appeal, Summer Sun, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: MS punches, Wild Orchid paper roses, Colorbok Emotion Vellum Quotes, Sizzix EF, gingham ribbon (RRR)
Techniques: Ink, Spray, Smash

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Christmas the Clean and Simple Way!

Click HERE for the Rubbernecker Stamps Holiday Hop.
Click HERE for the Really Reasonable Ribbon November Monthly Club Hop.

Today begins a new challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon and I hope you will join us! For the next two weeks, we are focusing on Clean and Simple (CAS) Christmas cards. CAS is so hard for me to do, as I like a lot of layers! But I surely love the look of a lot of open space!

My card today is made with the Poinsettia Twist peg stamp set by Rubber Stamp Tapestry. I stamped my border, and then cut out the middle of the card with a Spellbinders die. After dry embossing the middle panel with a Cuttlebug embossing folder, I used Burgundy Pleated Satin Ribbon by Really Reasonable Ribbon and wrapped it around the panel. I added a flower and leaves (also dry embossed) and a jumbo brad for the flower center. I attached the stamped panel to the front, added my sentiment (Bless Your Heart by RST) and all done!


For a little added bling, I used Diamond Stickles and Liquid Pearls in the flower centers. The edges are all sponged with Encore Metallic Gold ink. Click on the photo for a close-up!

Come play along in the RRR Challenge! There are prizes to be had!

The November Fan Club Gallery is also open at noon today for all Splitcoast Fan Club members and two new Dirty Girls will be revealed! I can't show on my blog what I made for this month's gallery yet, but here is a sneak peek of one of my creations! Join the Fan Club and play along with us!
Thanks for stopping by today!
Other challenges for this card:
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Anything Christmas with Pearls (I used Liquid Pearls)
Heart Song Inspirations - Gold OR Glitter (I used gold ink and glitter glue)
Hooked on Crafts - Punches and /or Diecuts 
Stamps: Poinsettia Twist Peg Set & Bless Your Heart Block Stamp by Rubber Stamp Tapestry
Paper: Whisper White, Rose Red
Ink: VersaColor Raspberry, Neptune, Green Tea, Laurel Leaf, Encore Metallic Gold
Accessories: flower punch (Stampin' Up!), Burgundy Pleated Satin Ribbon (RRR), jumbo brad, Spellbinders die, Cuttlebug EF, Liquid Pearls, Diamond Stickles

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Holiday Hopping With Rubbernecker Stamps

This is my second post for today. If you are here for the Really Reasonable Ribbon November Blog Hop, CLICK HERE or scroll down one post (also a Rubbernecker card)!

Welcome to the Rubbernecker Stamps Holiday Hop! Thank you SO much for joining us. Our hop today will be filled with holiday fun to inspire you to start those holiday projects! 

If you arrived here from Joan's blog, you are in the right place! If not, start at the beginning at Bev's blog so you don't miss out on the Sisterhood's awesome projects AND be entered into a RANDOM drawing for your choice of ONE Rubbernecker Stamps SET!!  

Yes, you read right!!  A SET, not a single!!  Now, how AWESOME is that?!  Mr. Rubbernecker wants you to be able to choose, so you will LOVE what you get!!  We know that you are busy, so you will have until Thursday, November 17, to hop and comment.  Our winner will be announced on the RUBBERNECKER BLOG on Friday, November 18.

On to my card. I wanted to make a holiday card with stamps that you might not necessarily think of as holiday stamps. I chose Create A Garden Set 2 and made a little poinsettia planter with pine boughs:
Sweet and simple. I LOVE the DCWV Christmas Glitter Matstack! The colors in it are beautiful and perfect when you want to add some sparkle without mess! :)

The Stampin' Sisterhood at Rubbernecker Stamps also has a BIT of exciting news to share!  We will be starting some AWESOME Rubbernecker challenges next Sunday, November 20th and hope you will join us for SISTERHOOD  SUNDAYS!! Who knows?  You could win a prize on Sunday too!  Thanks again for stopping by~

On to Julia's blog, where you will love what she has made!

Stamps: Create A Garden 2 by Rubbernecker Stamps
Paper: PTI White, DCWV Christmas Glitter Matstack, Merry Little Christmas (MME)
Ink: VersaColor Raspberry, Green Tea, Encore Metallic Gold, Copics
Accessories: dew drops. Spellbinders dies, snowflake trim (May Arts) Diamond Satin White (Really Reasonable Ribbon)

Hopping with Really Reasonable Ribbon!

Welcome to the November Blog Hop with Really Reasonable Ribbon! If you arrived here from True's blog, you are in the right place! If you just happened along, be sure to start at the beginning at the RRR Blog (I am the third stop, so you don't have far back to go!) so you don't miss out on the awesome projects, fun news, and a prize from Really Reasonable Ribbon!

This month we are showcasing the gorgeous silvers and golds in the November Monthly Ribbon Club Kit:
What I love about these gorgeous colors is how different they look, depending on what other colors you pair with them. Really more versatile than you might think! Bonnie is giving away a November Monthly Ribbon Club Kit to a random blog hopper, so be sure to leave some love at each blog all along the way to be eligible!
I chose the Checkerboard Satin Old Gold from this month's set for my card. I wrapped it like a package (must be thinking of the holidays!) and added a bow. My images are from the Fall Trilogy set by Rubbernecker Stamps. I stamped first in Encore Metallic Gold and then embossed with Ranger's Queen's Gold EP. The sentiment is on a Spellbinders Fancy Tag die - a little subtle look with the black against black. You can see the tag better if you click on the photo for a close-up!

If you are not a subscriber to the RRR Monthly Ribbon Club packages, you need to be! Lots of fun stuff every month! 

Be sure to check out the awesome giveaway Bonnie has on the RRR blog for a My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Suite!! CLICK HERE.

Now off to Joanna's blog, where she has something super fun to share! Thanks for stopping by today! 

If you are looking for the Rubbernecker Holiday Hop, it starts today at 9 AM CST. Hope to see you again~!

Stamps: Fall Trilogy Set by Rubbernecker Stamps
Paper: Basic Black, Pearls Metallic Gold by Core'dinations, DP by The Paper Studio
Ink: Encore Metallic Gold
Accessories and Tools: pearls (Recollections), Checkerboard Gold Satin ribbon (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Spellbinders dies, Queen's Gold EP (Ranger)

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Fall Splendor

I am still enjoying the beauty of our fall season. We have had some lovely colors this year and very moderate temperatures. The other day on my walk I was able to take a few pictures of the changing leaves. So today I wanted to share a fall card.
I decided to use (loosely) the Telescoping Image Technique that Holly showed on Splitcoast last week. It is a very cool look as she shows it. I wanted to also try veering off slightly and not have my images "match up" exactly. It is a variation!
My images are from the Fall Trilogy set by Rubbernecker Stamps. Robert Frost is my favorite poet and I love this quote from his poem "The Road Not Taken." I used to use Kaleidacolor pads all the time, and haven't in over a year, so pulled out my Late November (Stampin' Up!) pad I have had forever. And yep, there is still ink! :)
There are so many beautiful ribbons and trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon that I could have chosen for my card, but I decided to go with a little bit more rustic look. I chose Jute String in Natural to complement my stamped images. I love the texture and look of this Jute. It comes in sixteen different colors, so you are sure to find a color that suits your project!

For a close-up view, click on either photo. Thanks for stopping by today! Watch for Blog Hops from both Rubbernecker Stamps and Really Reasonable Ribbon right here on November 13!

Challenges for this card:
Crafting for all Seasons - texture
Jen's Digi Stamps - Autumn/Fall 
Heart Song Inspirations - Anything Goes
Kaboodle Doodles - Colors of Fall: Red, Orange, Yellow, Brown
Make it Monday with Kraft Outlet - must include Kraft cardstock - Give Thanks


Stamps: Fall Trilogy Set by Rubbernecker Stamps
Paper: Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Night of Navy, PTI White and Kraft
Ink: Late November Kaleidacolor (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories and Tools: Rectangle dies (Spellbinders), leaf brad (The Paper Studio), journaling tag (K & Co.), Sizzix embossing folder, Natural Jute String (Really Reasonable Ribbon), sewing machine,

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

It's Time To Eat Cake!

Happy Birthday to Timbo, the man behind the pen (Pig Pen?) at Hambo Stamps!
The Bacon Bits are surprising Tim with a little birthday fun today and we would love to have you join us in celebrating! If you arrived from Andrea's blog, you are in the right place. If you just happened by, be sure to start at Karin's blog for the whole story and to have a chance at winning the birthday prize! Hoppers must comment on every blog in the hop to have a chance at the prize. Comments should be made by Friday, November 11, at 10 PM to be in the random drawing for the birthday prize!
Mouse Chef has been working at the Food Network all month coming up with the perfect recipe for Tim's birthday cake. He had Paula, Rachel, Alton, Giada, and Sandra working in his kitchen,  taste-testing their recipes and looking for the perfect delectable delight. But alas, none of them came close to Mouse Chef's first student and buddy: Buddy Valastro!
Buddy remembers his roots and who taught him everything he knows: Mouse Chef! So he had the perfect cake for Timbo's celebration today:
Mouse Chef has added his own special little topping of cheese from Whole Foods, and some sparkly goodness for extra measure:
All of the Farm Animals have been gathered at the Farm in the barn (and if you don't think that was an adventure!) and they are ready to try the secret recipe! They are hiding behind the hay bales, waiting for Timbo to appear so they can sing his special birthday song and FINALLY get to EAT CAKE!

Now off to Talk to the Ham, where you can see what happens next at Timbo's Birthday Bash and send your own birthday greetings! If you get lost, here is the order of birthday fun:

Thanks for stopping by to help celebrate Tim's birthday! Don't forget to leave some "hogwash" in the comments section!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TIM! :)

Friday, November 4, 2011

Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful

I thought I had shared this card already, but in looking back over the last few months I didn't see it. In any case, I love the look of this card and it was so simple and quick to do. I am generally not a CAS stamper, but I wish I were a lot more often than once every 4-5 months! Haha!
Not much description is needed as you can see how it was made. What do you think? Thanks for stopping by today!
 
Stamps: Beautiful 582-04 and Weeds 497-16 by Rubbernecker Stamps
Paper: PTI White, Stampin' Up! Bella Rose DP
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: grosgrain ribbon, silver half pearls

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

A Circle of Crocheting

My card today features products from two favorite companies: Rubber Stamp Tapestry and Really Reasonable Ribbon. My images are from a brand new set from Rubber Stamp Tapestry called Dotted Heart Border. This would make a darling Valentine's Day card, as well as an everyday "affection" card, as I have made today. 

I used one of my favorite trims from Really Reasonable Ribbon, Amelia White Crochet Lace. A beautiful cotton lace that comes in 2 yard pieces, or a whole spool (my preference!), this lace could be easily dyed, or left the pure white color, as I did here.
 
Click on either picture for a clearer, close-up view. This little round card measure about 4.25" in diameter. Cute as a button size!

Thanks for taking a peek today!

Challenges for this card:
Stamps: Dotted Heart Border and Sisters by Rubber Stamp Tapestry
Paper: Glossy White, Kraft, Not Quite Navy, Authentique DP
Ink: VersaColor Neptune, Indigo, Laurel Leaf, Bark
Accessories: Recollections Pearls, Spellbinders dies, Amelia Crochet Lace (RRR), paper roses (Wild Orchid), MS branch punch, SU! large oval punch