Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Back to School Zoo

Today is the last little bit of summer for the kids, and our middle son - the one going into Junior High has his Orientation today, and then on Thursday it is school for everyone!  I'm not ready for summer to end - but I think we're all ready for a little more routine around here.

On that theme of back to school, we had a Birthday Party for our youngest son on Tuesday;  my sweet and feisty little boy is 8 years old now.  So for his party I made some fun back to school treat bags.


I know you've probably seen a lot of back pack treat bags, but they're just so cute, and it was perfect for the party.  I got the template from SCS HERE.  Fun to make too.  I used the very adorable TSG Set - Zoo-pendous.  stamping the cute giraffe image all over the backpack.  Yellow is our son's favourite color, so that's where we went  :)


Front and back view, don't you just love how the backpack straps and pulls look?  And then each backpack had a tiny tag with their name on it.  Seriously cute-ness!  Inside I fit a mini lego figure to build, a pack of gum and a mini chocolate bar.  The kids thought they were really fun too, and it was a great party to end summer with.  

Stamps:  TSG - Zoopendous;  Ink:  Memento Tangerine Tangelo;  Paper:  Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie;  Accessories:  Scor Pal, Scor Tape, Grosgrain Ribbon, Eyelets, Twine.  

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Freeze the Moment

Do you ever feel that way...you just wish you could take a moment and freeze it in time, or in your memory?  I feel that often these days with my kids....time moves quickly and there are moments that you wish you could last so much longer.  This is our last few days before school starts this week.  I have a new HS-er (Grade 10), a new JH-er (Grade 7)  and and Elementary Schooler (Grade 3) this year.  Time is zipping by!  Ok...in that theme, I have a fun challenge card for this weeks There She Goes Challenge:  


Jessica is challenging us to create a one layer card with POP by using dimensional to pop up all or part of your image. So here is what I did :)



I put together these two very cute TSG Sets - Freeze the Moment and Vroom and put them together to create something FUN!   Coloring is done with Prismacolor pencils and OMS.  I also popped up her little sunglasses (EEEK Cuteness! I kept saying that so much while I was making this card that my daughter said "mom you're a little weird!")  I did not mask this one, I just stamped them out as separate images and then trimmed and cut to sneak them into each other.  

I love the tone on tone color with the clouds popped up, and I used the die to also cut out one cloud silhouette/window style ( I DIG that part of the card!).  The ribbon is also my "road".  

I think it would work well for a teen first-time driver/new Drivers Licence too wouldn't it?  It was so fun to make!

So.....now comes your part...

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card that is one layer and has POP, 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 (Sept. 5). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store! 

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :) 

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 TSG122 so we can check out your beautiful work! 

Thursday, August 25, 2011

A Birthday Bash!


Happy 4th Birthday to Flourishes!  A company I love very much :)  

Welcome to day 3 of Flourishes Birthday Blog Hop Celebration! Just in case you missed it,  Flourishes  is now officially 4 YEARS OLD  and we are busy lighting the candles on our cake with three days full of creative inspiration and chances to win a bounty of blog candy! 

This worked well to be on the Birthday theme, because on Wednesday my Brother turned 40...a milestone for him and we celebrated with a party at a steak house here called The Keg.  YUM.   I wanted to make a special and masculine card for him.  


So I pulled out some beautiful Flourishes sets, A Guiding Light and Antique Map and created this nautical and manly card.  I stamped the lighthouse scene on Flourishes Classic White Cardstock and then went to town coloring it with Copics (list of colors at the bottom).  I also used the Antique Map stamp on Sahara Sand background layer using Pumice Stone Ranger ink - it works well for more of an aged look because the ink stays wet longer and you can sponge it more.  I also overstamped the compass from this set onto the main image.  Adding the sentiment from the Tag Lines set onto a 3/4 inch circle.  


The designer paper is Yacht Club from Websters, and I added some pretty fancy brads from Basic Grey - Manilla.   as well as some beautiful ribbons, Red Yacht and a beautiful blue creme stripe.  

Now...do you want to help us celebrate?  
HOW CAN YOU WIN? THERE ARE  SO MANY WAYS!
  • Leave a comment on this post on the FLLC Blog
  • Leave a comment on the designers' posts that are on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s hops!
  • Play in our Flourishes Birthday Celebration Card Challenge!
  • Play in our Flourishes Favorite Card Challenge! 
HOW TO PLAY IN OUR FLOURISHES BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION CHALLENGE!
  • Simply make a birthday card using Flourishes stamps!
  • Entries need to be in by Thursday, September 1st by 5 PM EST
  • You must link your creation on this post using our inlinkz widget in order to qualify
  • You must have a link to our challenge in your blog or gallery post
  • Please DO NOT combine challenges, while we love challenge chasers, we want to give those that follow the rules a chance at a prize valued at more than $60.
  • If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword FLLCBDAY2
  • We’ll announce the winners next Friday, September 2nd on the FLLC Blog!
Speaking of candy, what do you win if you comment or play today? Take a peek!!! We’ll be giving 7 of these prize packs away! That’s right, SEVEN! 


Here's who is playing today in the Birthday Celebration!

Christine (you are here)
Julie (also has extra blog candy!)
Barbara
Danielle
Cindy

Recipe:  Stamps:  Flourishes - Tag Lines, A Guiding Light, Antique Map;  Ink;  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Pumice Stone;  Paper:  Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Sahara Sand, Flourishes Classic White, Webster's Yacht Club DP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Mega Deckled Rectangles, Circle Punch, Sewing Machine, Sponge, Ribbons, Basic Grey Brads, Dimensionals, Copic Markers (Flourishes Delphinium Collection, Warm Neutrals Collection, Fields Collection, R27, R29, Y00, Flesh Tones 1 Collection, E50, E53, B70

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Pumpkins on a Vine

Are you ready for fall yet anyone?  I feel like we are just getting summer around here....so I'm not as ready for the changing seasons quite yet...but this little set might get you in the mood!  It's Day 3 of There She Goes Previews with the last Blog Hop today!

Torico has illustrated some adorable little girls just in time for autumn! The images in this set were sized so that they can also be used with other stamp sets from Torico’s line for even more versatility. 

Pumpkins On A Vine is a 4x6 set that includes a total of 15 stamps and will sell for $15



She's just the cutest don't you think?  I just love her little pumpkin top hat :)  I've stacked some pumpkins around her little feet and then colored up the main image with Copics, cutting her out with a little bit of a white border to contrast from the rest of the design.  I've also cut apart the sentiment to give it the feeling of the dancing pumpkins in the design.  

I so love the little borders that come with this set, so I offset the rows of pumpkins for the background layer and colored them up as well.  This paper Basic Grey Indian Summer - from last year I think?  has the perfect shades in it.  Very warm and vibrant.  


Oh I just dig her stripedy sleeves and tights!  

Would you like a chance to win the Pumpkins On A Vine stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Pumpkins On A Vine Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Pumpkins On A Vine stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday Aug. 27th during the Release Party Chat. 

So...have some more fun on the hop.... you should have come from Ann's blog and now you're headed to the lovely Corinna's Blog....if you get lost along the way head back to TSG and you'll find the complete list.   Enjoy!  

Stamps:  TSG - Pumpkins on a Vine;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Cajun Craze, Rich Razzleberry, Flourishes Classic White, Basic Grey - Indian Summer DP;  Accessories:  Copic Markers, Orange Seam Binding, Wrinkled Burgundy Ribbon, Vintage Brads, Slit Punch, Dimensionals, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Piercer.  

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Fabulous - From the Heart



How about another gorgeous set today from There She Goes?  Today Torico is up with a very fun graphic flower print that you can use in so many different ways...


No stamp collection is complete without a great set of background images that you can use in a variety of different ways. This fabulous new set illustrated by Torico will have you reaching for it over and over again for all of your stamping needs! 

Fabulous is a 4x6 set that includes a total of 13 stamps and will sell for $15. 



I took the 3 different sizes of main flower blooms and created some 3D flowers, coloring them up with Copic Markers.  I love how they turned out with the black centers and deep blues.  I added some pretty felt leaves with a sizzlet die and then some pretty rhinestones as accents for the flower trails, as well as lining the bottom scalloped border.  

On the background layer I lined up the border stamp and created some of my own patterned paper, coloring in some of the design with Copics as well. I really like the geometric feel to it!


Isn't it cool looking?  A very fun set!

Would you like a chance to win the Fabulous stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Fabulous Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Fabulous stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday Aug. 27th during the Release Party Chat. 


You should have come from Ann's Blog.....and now you can head to Corinna's Blog for more fun.  If you get lost along the way you can head back to the TSG Blog for the whole list.   Have fun!  


Stamps:  TSG - Fabulous;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Basic Blaci, Whisper White, Marina Mist, Flourishes Classic White, SU - Day and Night DP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Leaves Sizzlet Die, Copic Markers (B91, B93, B95, B97, YG23, YG25), Dimensionals, Black Rhinestones, Rectangle Nestabilities, Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities, Satin Finish Cotton Ribbon.  

Monday, August 22, 2011

It is a Beautiful Day


Hello there everyone....hopefully it is another beautiful day in your neck of the world.  We've been through several days of gorgeous weather.  A nice surprise for the last few weeks of summer vacation.  

This week finds us at the There She Goes August Blog Hop Challenge!  We're going to show you some great new sets from TSG in the next 3 days!

Today is a sweet little set that celebrates a beautiful new day by Di Caruba...
First there were fairy tales and then fairies and now she has added a touch of country cottage to her fabulous build a scene stamp line! Use alone or along with the other stamp sets designed by Di to create wonderful handmade creations. 

Beautiful Day is a 4x6 set that includes a total of 10 stamps and will sell for $15. 



I love the idea of opening the shutters on a brand new beautiful day.  We all need a new start now and then don't we?   I tried to capture that with this little girl, the window parts, and the window box.  Coloring is done with Prismacolor Pencils and OMS, to match this pretty Valise paper from Memory Box, it incorporates lots of pretty yet soft color with Kraft.  I've popped up the shutters with extra foam dimensionals to really give it the 3D feeling. 


Would you like a chance to win the Beautiful Day stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Beautiful Day Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Beautiful Day stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday Aug. 27th during the Release Party Chat. 

You should have come from the lovely Ann's Blog over here and now you can head to Corinna's place to see what she has in store.  If you get lost along the way you can head back to the TSG Blog for the complete list!  

Thanks for stopping by today!

Stamps:  TSG - Beautiful Day;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Whisper White, Flourishes Classic White, Kraft/Crumb Cake, Valise Memory Box DP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Scalloped Rectangles Nestabilities, Cotton Linene Ribbon, Buttonw, Twine, Prismacolor Pencils, OMS, Ribbon Banners Shapeabilities, Dimensionals.  

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Simply Hollyhocks Set


I have another pretty sample to show you from last weeks August Releases at Flourishes....and this one is a pretty little card set with the Hollyhock stamp...in a CAS style.   Today is the last day you can purchase the August Releases at a Discount.  So I hope you don't miss out!


I decided to do something really clean and fresh in some of the new SU colors, and since this gorgeous Hollyhock set is so detailed I decided to ink it in each of the paper colors' ink and see how it turned out.
  

I added an embossed sentiment onto cardstock vellum with a folded design so that you could still get the effect of the paper color underneath, then I just added a pretty border punch finish and some sparkly Metallic Velvet ribbon from the store.  I love this stuff, it glimmers beautifully!  So there you have it, very CAS...but yet so pretty too.  

Be sure to visit the Design Team to see their Fabulous Flourishes Friday Creations...


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Hello Sweet Pea!

Hello friends!  It's been a few days! :)  Actually it's been about 12 days or so since we've been home.  We spent the last few weeks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and it was breathtaking as always.  It is such a good time away for us as a family.  We hike, bike, sightsee, and spend uninterrupted time together, which is a rare occurrence these days.  So, we're grateful for it.  With the kids growing up, I know there will only be so many summer vacations more where we're all together.  I don't want to waste one :)

So...I'm back tonight with a card for this weeks TSG Challenge, a yummy color challenge from Tobi.  I used one of my favourite TSG images - Sweet Pea, coloring it up while we were away with my Copics.


I've added some dimension to some of the sweet pea petals, which always looks great on this set, and then went with a very dotted theme in the papers, embossing folder and gold pen accents. 

Here's a nice picture of the dimension...


And here's a better picture of how pretty the gold looks...its just pretty dots with a metallic gold pen.  But it's nice and shimmery.



The sketch is this months SFYTT, and I think the tilted panels look great with these pretty flowers. 


Here's the link for the TSG Challenge this week....please jump in and join us!  You could be chosen for the Trendsetting Spotlight on the TSG Blog or win TSG store dollars too!  

Hope to catch up with you in the next days....the project for the end of this week...getting ready for back to school with the three amigos :)  September 1st is back to school!

Stamps:  TSG Sweet Peas;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Basic Black, Groovy Guava, Flourishes Classic Ivory, 7 Gypsies Victoria DP;  Accessories:  Labels Two Nestabilities, Big Shot, Scalloped Eyelet Punch, Shimmery Ribbon, Ribbon Banners Die, Gems, Gold Pen, Copic Markers, Dotted Embossing Folder.  

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Playing in the Sprinkler


There's just something precious about silhouettes isn't there?  And with the amazing popularity of our Kids Play stamp set we thought we'd do something for Summer with some wonderful kids images in great silhouette style in this new set Sweet Days of Summer.  I just LOVE it!


This is my kids in the summer.  Having a riot being chased by the sprinkler, and as a bonus, one of their favourite things to do is to put it under the trampoline, put their swimsuits on and jump!  The water makes the trampoline even bouncier :)  

I paired the image that was stamped in Ranger Distress Stormy Sky ink with some fun older Webster's pages, cutting it out with the Lacey Circles Nestabilities, sponging it a little, then I've added a great big bow in Silk and accented it with some fun buttons and some twine.  The card is 5 1/2 inches x 5 1/2 in size.    This was a sketch from Iwona (Chupa) a few weeks ago.  So now you can head on out....you'll see lots of great stuff with the Design Team today too... AND a number of them will be showing off the fantastic new 123 Kit called Trendsetter.  

There's one last Mystery Blogger again today, and your comment on that Mystery Blogger could win you this set!   Hasn't this been a GREAT release?  

Tomorrow all the winners will be announced on the Winner Circle post at Noon Central on the Flourishes Blog.  So you still have time to enter the Daily Challenges or Pre-Release Challenge...

Vine Ripened Tomatoes


How about a yummy Color Challenge this noon hour - a little deep red, ivory (or another neutral), and some Olive Green?   This Daily Challenge at Flourishes is one other way to win this week from the New Releases for August.  Take a look at what I made!


Tomatoes are one of our family's favourite summer "fruits" or vegetables - depending on how you think of them.  Whatever they are they are yummy!  We enjoy them right off the vine, with BLT's, or made up into spaghetti sauce or salsa...and I can't wait till I see them turn from that green to tinges of red.  I planted them late this year, so I have a bit to wait for that to happen.

I thought it would be fun to do a flip card again, I'll show you some different views.   I really wish the pictures would have shown the coloring better, it's so much more realistic in real life.  


The coloring is done with Copics (a range of R01, R02, R14, R27, YG91, YG93, YG95, YG99, and Y00 on the tomatoes).  See the sentiment on the inside?   "La Bella Vita".  I think it translates to The Beautiful Life - yes google translate confirms that :)  

And now for the flip of the card....  The papers are the very lovely Basic Grey Origins...still some packs available in the store too!  


Inside I stamped the three Italian herbs that are in the set in Memento Ink - Bamboo Leaves.  


I love how these herbs look - basil, rosemary and thyme, and the sentiment - "Season everything with JOY".   Lovely isn't it?  

So be sure to join in on the challenge with us...I know Stacy and Julie have samples from the Color Challenge for you too.  Be sure to use the code FLLC811A for Online Galleries, and link at the Flourishes Blog.  

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Italian Garden



So this is the gorgeous set that I got to Sneak Peek for you early last week with the Dare to Get Dirty Challenges...I hope it enticed you :)  The Design Team will show you so much more today!


Oh I love how this image makes you feel like going to Italy or cooking up an Italian Feast!  Isn't the combination of elements in this little scene gorgeous?  As you can see in the background layer I stamped the pot of basil image onto the textured Soft Suede layer and sponged the edges, warming it up even more.  


Then above on the main image I colored it up with Copic Markers and then added some sponging inside the Spellbinders template to also warm it up.  I added a big gingham bow.  



And here you can see the basil stamp detail over-stamped with the sentiment.  Isn't this the sweetest sentiment and font?  I accented it with red nailheads laid on the Basic Grey Kraft Designer Paper.  



One of us on the Design Team is the Mystery Blogger again today :)  Be sure to comment on all the DT member blogs for a better chance in entering to win this set!  

I'll be back at Noon Central time with the Daily Challenge sample for you and MORE from this gorgeous set!  So please drop back.  I think you'll "flip".  :)

Christine Okken (you are here) 
Tammy Hershberger
Sharon Doolittle 
Maki Jones


Stamps:  Flourishes Italian Garden;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Ranger Tea Stain Distress Ink;  Paper:  Riding Hood Red,  Soft Suede Textured, Flourishes Classic Ivory, Basic Grey Kraft Designer Paper, Old Olive;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Eighteen Nestabilities, , Eyelet Circles Nestabilities, Fair Isle Border Petites, Gingham Ribbon, Bow Easy, Glue Dots, Nailhead Stickers, Sponge, Dimensionals, Copic Markers.  

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Hollyhocks



If you want a flower that is going to make a statement, I think Hollyhocks qualify, they have the beautiful drama of large colorful blossom and gorgeous height that makes you take notice.  They are actually my Father-in-Law's favourite flower.  


This set is once again beautifully illustrated by Marcella.  I wanted to capture the beautiful nature of these bold flowers with a special fold, so I used a vertical Z fold, it really is a pretty showy kind of card because of the way you can tuck the main image into the top circle holder.  I've colored up the flowers in various shades of color that would match this Sweet Threads paper.  I so love this pack!


Here is the image untucked and you can see the pretty papers and the Parisian Motifs Medallion behind the main image.    I have two pretty ribbons on here...Pink Pleated Satin and Satin Finish Cotton .  Copic Collections I used were:  Spring Greens Collection, Lenten Rose Collection, Buttercup Collection, and BG00, BG01, mixed with BG72.  


I wish I would have photographed the sentiment better, it says...Sending Sunshine.  Pretty Pretty Pretty!  I know the team has gorgeous things to show you with this set.

Here's the IMPORTANT DETAILS on this Release Week:


1.  There is a Mystery Blogger on the Design Team today...if you comment on that blog you could be chosen to win this set today!  So don't miss any of the DT blogs for your best chances to win!
2.  Daily Challenge - Today there will be a Daily Challenge listed on the Flourishes Blog at noon Central.  It's another way to win!  So check back for the challenge and the DT members showing you their samples.
3.  Pre Release Challenge - Don't forget that you can enter to win the whole August Release by playing in the Shades of Sunset Pre-Release Challenge.
4.  Pre-Order - All of the August Releases are already available for Pre-Order if you know how much you love them already :)

Sharon Doolittle
Maki Jones

Stamps:  Flourishes - Hollyhocks;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery;  Basic Grey Sweet Threads DP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Eleven Nestabilities, Parisian Motifs Accents, Pleated Satin Ribbon, Victorian Embossing Folder,  Satin Finish Cotton Ribbon, Butterfly Pin, Dimensionals, Scor It,  1 3/8 inch Circle Punch.