Paper Piecing Prowess

Hey All,
This week's challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog is Paper Piecing!  This is so very much up my alley.  I've recently discovered this technique and have been using it on almost every card I made this past Christmas season.  I was quite excited that this was the challenge.  My best friend's birthday was this weekend and it was a milestone birthday at that (don't worry BFF I won't spill the beans).  I used this challenge to inspire the card I made for her!

 I paper-pieced her jacket, scarf and hat.  The image is from Stamping Bella and the papers are from a Bo-Bunny collection.  The sentiment stamps are from Autumn Leaves.

The colour scheme is absolutely my fave colour combo.  I kinda wish I could paint my whole house in these colours (although, admittedly, my kitchen, bedroom and powder room do consist of a similar palette).  I'll be sure to enter this contest a couple times (at least) since I LOVE LOVE this technique right now.  Here's hoping it brings some luck!
Thanks for dropping by!

Black/White+Splash of Colour...Take 2

Hello All!

Under the advice of Chrissy (who left a nice comment on my last post!) I decided to delve into the Holiday stash one more time and submit another card for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Black/White+Colour Splash.  I saw this on a Kristine Werner Holiday Card Series 2012 post.  I used strips of scrap paper instead of Washi tape and did what I could with the stuff I had: Spellbinders dies, Simon Says Stamp sentiment stamp and scraps of vellum, patterned paper, jewel and fibers.  Neat idea!  The monotone-ness (?) is something I don't often partake in but I like how it turned out!

Black/White+Colour Splash!

Hello Everyone,
I wasted no time in getting this together for this weeks Simon Says Stamp weekly Challenge.  This weeks challenge is Black/White + Splash of Colour.  Great idea!  I was putting away my Christmas stash for the year (or at least until I manage to whip up a Christmas Layout or 2 for this past holiday) when I was inspired by this challenge. 

The silhouette stamp is from Hero Arts and the snowflake stamps are from Martha Stewart.  I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder for the base of the card and a Simon Says Stamp Die/Stamp Set for the sentiment and banner.  The colourled background is made from Tim Holtz Distress Inks (dusty concord, faded jeans and festive berries).  You can't really tell from the picture, but I blended the inks using pearlized water so it actually has a really neat shimmer to it.
Since it fits the bill for the challenge at A Blog named Hero: New Year, New You.  I'm going to enter it in that challenge as well.  The 'new' is the buildings silhouette stamp, the Simon Says stamp Die/Stamp set and the Martha Stewart Snowflakes stamps.

Thanks for stopping by!
Liz

Bring on the New!

First of all...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
A little late...but for me, my new year starts tomorrow.  Yes, I have made some New Years Resolutions...I AM one of those people...and I have decided that those resolutions will all start tomorrow!  Kids back to school, holiday mode is over, routines are back in play and time to buckle down and get going on all the things I've got on my list...and I've got a bundle!  Everything from fitness goals to career goals to getting the home in order goals to just plain staying happy goals!  I'm pumped and ready.  The chips are eaten, the desserts are eaten, grocery shopping tomorrow to stock the fridge with healthy yum yums and be rid of all the holiday leftovers in the fridge that don't quite fit the New Year resolution.  I hope to start a new year with productivity, creativity, fitness-itivity (Yes I'm making it a word) and motivation to get it all going (and keep going!).  YAY!  Wish me luck!

For starters, here is my contribution to the latest Simon Says Stamp Challenge: New Something.

Santa was very generous this Christmas and a plethora of stamps and craft goodies were found under the tree.  Here was one of them.  My C2 loves loves loves penguins and this stamp is so her fave and absolutely adorable!  I totally see my three little girlies floating around on those hearts.  It's from Whiff of Joy and it's called Penguin Trio.  I ditched my Copics this time around and revisited my tried and true pencil crayons to colour in the trio of cuties.  I tried my hand at a window card and punched the window out using a Spellbinders Labels 1 Nestibilities Die set.  The round seal stamp is from a set by Whimsy Stamps called Circle Post Marks.  The chevrons are also a new item I got.  They are from a Simon Says Stamp Exclusive set called Very Special.

Hopefully this New Year will also bring about some Luck! 

Still on Track...barely...

Hey All,

So I've got this horrible cough lately.  The kind that strikes at 1am and is relentless in its execution until about 4am.  I feel like I'm about to cough up a lung!  I've resorted to spreading Vick Vapour Rub on the bottoms of my feet and putting thick socks over top (don't laugh...it works).  The Benadryl Cough Syrup provides a little relief...but only a little.  I spent most of the day today drifting in and out of sleep on the couch and listening to a service guy work on our gas fireplace going on about how odd and crazy it's installation was (hubby was working from home...I wasn't alone thank goodness!).  Hubby cast it off as builder's fault.  Nevertheless, the fireplace is fixed and I'm still semi-comatose.  At least I'm conscious enough to post this card I made for this weeks Simon Says Stamp challenge based on a sketch.  Here is the sketch:

And here is my take on said sketch.

I've had this stamp for quite a while.  Dare I say it was probably one of my first rubber stamps ever purchased...that was quite a while ago.  I bought it from the clearance bin at Michaels.  I loved the cherub hiding inside.  But alas it got tucked away in a drawer and forgotten until I stumbled across it and knew I had to let it have it's moment in the spotlight after all these years.  This card will go to my cousin's new baby girl who is getting baptized.  Hopefully it will also bring some good luck and win me some goodies.  Here's hoping!

Off to A Good Start and Being Thankful for it!

Hello All!
What are the chances!?  I'm back here twice in the same day!  I told you I've turned a new leaf!  So I'm back to my antics following the challenges over at Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog and this time it's in line with the American thanksgiving theme.  Here in the great white north, Thanksgiving happens in early October but nevertheless there is never a shortage of things to be thankful for.  Here is a card I made for the occasion.

HOLY COW Has it been that long?!

Hey All,

Yes, It seems the time has gone in a blink of an eye.  My last post was quite a few months ago!  But I've turned a new leaf (a few of them actually) and hopefully time will be found for doing the things I love most!...and sharing them with you!  For starters I've been asked to be a guest designer for a couple of local scrapbook stores. (YAY!).  Please check out my posts over there for some inspiration and maybe a few creative tips! and feel free to drop a line or two!
The Learning Factory

A little sneak peek to the project over at the Learning Factory.

The Scrapping Bug

A little sneak peek at the project over at The Scrapping Bug.