8 is enough challenge

Over at the Caardvarks they are having 10 days of challenges. This is my third entry...just can't keep up! So the challenge is to use 2 circles (buttons), 2 printed papers (Basic Grey Color Me Silly on background, and yellow print on the pinwheel), 2 ribbons (red tied in button and yellow rickrack on tag), and 2 stamps (both are on the tag from the M's $1 stamps). Whew, what a fun challenge.

Ok, so the pinwheel is made from tags and I got the idea from Kat's blog from a tutorial link at Stampin When I Can. It was a fun and easy technique. There are lots of great links to all sorts of blogs at Stampin When I Can. Take a look over there if you haven't seen Allison's blog yet.

No Color Tag

I was playing around with my no color idea and here's what I came up with. The tag is large...3 1/4" x 5". I stamped the whole background with black versafine ink. Then I put a little 3" x 3" card on the front of it. It's cuttlebug debossed with an embossed pog on top. I used brilliance moonlight white all over the pog and heat embossed with a sparkly E.P. called bridal veil. I had the rhinestone and lace in my stash. I thought this would be a nice gift bag tag since there is room in the small card to write a note.

Ok, so about the pog. Everytime I make something with a pog I get a "what's a pog" question. A pog is a small round chipboard piece with cartoon characters printed on it. They were used for a kid's game in the late 80's. I found a gallon ziploc full at a yardsale a while back and use them alot. Mine have the Flintstones on the back side that you can't see. The white side is shiny and smooth and perfect for embossing, stamping, using alcohol inks, etc. If you find some pogs, grab them. They are fun to play with and alot cheaper than the chipboard embellies at the store.

Shimmer Mist Recipe

I've been playing around with some ideas to make my own shimmery mist like the new ones on the market. I really want to have options on colors and can't see paying upwards of $8 per bottle for something I can make. Most of the tutorials I've seen for this use reinkers for the color part. I don't have those, so I improvised. First I tried watercolor paint, which does not work...too watery, not enough color. Then I remember these great shimmery Luna Lights paints that I picked up at Auntie Amy's convention last year. So, I took the little spray bottle in the picture and filled it about 3/4 with water, added 1/4 teaspoon of perfect pearls and about 1 tablespoon of Luna Lights paint. I shook it all up and got busy!

I put a plain manilla tag inside a shoe box and sprayed the shimmer mixture liberally on it. I then, dabbed up the excess water with a paper towel. I did this to both sides of the tag. I made 18 of these tags on both sides using just about the whole bottle of the shimmer mixture. You have to shake it up from time to time to keep the pearls mixed in. Next time, I will use less water and will probably use direct to paper with distress ink in a similar color first before adding the shimmer, so I won't need as much of the mist. Thanks for that tip, Isa.

I hope you'll have some time to play around with your own shimmery mist recipes. If you have success with this or some variation of it, please let me know. It's fun to play mad scientist once in a while.

Halloween in July?

I just couldn't resist combining two challenges today. Cindi over at the stamp shack posted a color challenge today that just screams Halloween to me...lime, purple, and black. Plus, I picked up this fun stamp at the thrift shop last week and it needed to see ink again.

The caardvarks day 5 challenge is to use five embellishments on a card front. So, here you see: a safety pin, twill tape, a brad, a ghost button, and googley eyes. I love the eyes. And to top it all off, I got these challenges combined on a small card. This little cutie measures only 3 1/4" x 4 1/2".

Color Challenge Monday ~ part 13

Since it is week #13, I thought I'd do something a bit weird. This week is the no-color challenge. Can you make a card devoid of color? I think I can, and I'm willing to give it a try. Now would be a fine time to consider using items that are clear, white, and black. I hope you will give this one a shot. If you pull something together for the challenge, don't forget to link it here in the comments section. Thanks!

Yellow Shoes

Here is my version of the color challenge for this week. I'm really stretching on the orange here, but the yellow and grey are definitely there. The shoe stamp is by the stamping bug. I have no idea who makes the word background stamp since it was unmounted and used when I got it. I used papers and ribbons from my stash and versafine smokey grey ink.

This card was inspired by my mom. I can remember a grey wool dress she wore with yellow heels and yellow purse when I was a kid. I thought she looked so sophisticated in that outfit. Do you remember that outfit mom?

Botanical Fun

It finally cooled off enough for my muse to return today. I made several cards, but this is the one that really worked. I made this for a challenge over at Caardvarks. They are hosting 10 days of challenges, and today is day 4. The challenge is to make a card with four squares on the front. This card is 4" x 9", and will fit in a business sized envelope. What fun to play with such a big card. I punched out the squares after alot of math to figure out the proper spacing. Then I inked up the white paper with distress inks and stamped this Laura Ashley leaf stamp all over the front. I stamped white squares in each punch out with moonlight brilliance ink. The various leaves were stamped over that with peeled paint distress ink. The large piece of twill tape is salvaged by my mom from packaging for a stack of washcloths. The little sentiment twist tie is by I Kandee. I just love that little touch. TFL

Too Hot To Craft

Is there such a thing as too hot to craft? Well, this week it has been. I hope it's cooler where you are. Have a great weekend.

A Little Perspective

I did a little experimenting today. This is a 5" x 7" canvas that I played around with collage on. It was fun to make and will serve as a gentle reminder of the beauty that surrounds me every day. I used alot of goodies from my treasure hunts here including the song from an old Blue Birds songbook. There is a poker chip, a rock, a button, feathers, and a few charms thrown in. I'm not thrilled with the way the ink smeared on the birds and may go back to amend that part a bit.

Just as I was about to download this picture I looked out the window and saw this from the deck. Sunset is my favorite time of day!

Color Challenge Monday ~ part 12

A huge thank you to all the heavy metal rockers! I love all the great cards you made this week. I have been a bit side-tracked and haven't finished my design yet. I'm looking on the sunny side, but feeling a little blue, so here's my color challenge. Let's try yellow, orange, and grey. A little silver thrown in would be ok, too. I think the sunny warm colors balanced with a bit of grey sound just right today. Here's to happier days ahead. I hear the mercury in retrograde thing is ending soon. I sure hope so.