Follow Your Bliss…

Well, it wasn’t all that easy for me, though. My creative muse has taken a bit of a blow this week, due to the loss of my 19.5 year old kitty, Wheezer. My sweet little old man had a sudden neurological failure in the wee hours of Saturday morning. He was no longer able to stand up, so it was time for his trip to the Rainbow Bridge. I rescued him when he was a tiny kitten, only 8 weeks old. That little guy shared many ups and downs with me over the past 19+ years. Goodbye, my little Wheezer Geezer. I will miss your crazy “meowling” for a long time…

In addition to my somber mood, the weather today is dark and rainy. I think that influenced the overall design of my card this week.  Our challenge was “1,2,3″, which is 1 stamp, 2 embellishments, and (no more than) 3 layers. Even though it was a bit of a struggle for me, I’m overall pleased with the final result.

This Basic Grey Indian Summer paper is just stunning. The colors are so warm, and rich. I used a stamp from one of my very favorite Inka stamp sets”Flower Sentiments”, which is an excellent complement to this paper pack. Don’t forget that all Inka is 40% off in the store! Stock up while you can! I inked the image with VersaMagic ink in red brick, and then dabbed jumbo java all around the outer edge for a little depth. I sponged all around the edge of the focal panel with Ranger vintage photo ink, and added some cinnamon Stickles for a little bit of sparkle. Some luscious May Arts satin ribbon, and an aged copper Making Memories brad finish off the design.

Lindsey has NEW My Mind’s Eye, and Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps in the store! Browse through all the fun new things HERE!

Thanks for visiting me today!

For more 1-2-3 inspiration be sure to check out the blogs of all of the Jacksonbelle Rockstars:

Tobi Crawford ~ Tobi’s Place

Stephanie Hargis ~ Steph’s Stampin’ Stuff

Jimmi Mayo ~ Stamping & Shopping

Bethany Paull ~ It’s Not All Black & White

Michelle Philippi ~ Inside My Own Private Idaho

Carly Robertson ~ Paper in Bloom

Shemaine Smith ~ Scraptastic

Lynda Benden: Stamp Act

Jill Dunn: Ink Genious

Lindsey Botkin: Embellished

Heather Lee-Reppen: The Best in Life

Keri Lee Sereika:  Pink Lemonade

Have you heard the news?! It’s true. I’m back! Sorta. HAHA!!

Well, let’s put it this way…*I* am most certainly back. My *muse*, however, might still be on vacation. With that in mind, I beg you…be kind as she finds her way back to me, okay? YAY!!

A lot of things have happened in the past few months. The most major of those things being that I’ve been laid off from the bank. Don’t panic, it’s gonna be okay.  I know that things happen in our lives for a reason. I dunno what the reason is yet, so I’m just walking on this path for awhile to see where it leads.

I spoke with Lindsey last week, and she invited me to join her team of fabulous designers! I’m very excited, and also a little nervous to get back up on this horse. I hope that you will welcome me back into your creative lives, and find inspiration here once again. So, with that, I present to you my debut design for Jacksonbelle Embellishments!

I really enjoyed working with this sketch. Having been out of the loop for so long, I was very thankful to have a layout provided to me!  This design features patterned paper from October Afternoon (Fruit Stand & Patio Umbrella). I just love the fresh color palette on these papers! The cardbase is Intense Teal, by Prism.

As I was searching through my very neglected stamping supplies, I came across this Stampendous butterfly stamp. I thought it would work nicely with the floral pattern of the Fruit Stand paper.  The image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Cryogen White cardstock, and colored with Copic markers (BG11, BG13, BG09). I trimmed it out, and added Stardust Stickles to the flowers on the wings. Ahhhhhh…Stickles. Hello, you beautiful, sparkly bottle of happiness! Oh, how I’ve missed you…

The butterfly is mounted on dimensionals to the black, scalloped oval (Spellbinders). The “Hi” sentiment is a rub-on from Basic Grey, and the small flower bling in the center of the butterfly is by Hero Arts. A bit of wire for the butterfly antennae, and some May Arts ribbon complete the design.

Be sure to stop by the other DT gals’ blogs and see what they’ve done with this fun sketch!

If you’re uploading to SCS, it’s JBE063. Don’t forget…ALL Inkadinkado is on sale this week 25% off at Jacksonbelle!!!

Thanks for visiting! Hope to see you all again very soon. I’ve missed you all!! *HUGS*

Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for all of your kind posts yesterday! I’ve missed you, too.

You have until 11:59PM Central time tonight to enter the Spellbinders giveaway! Scroll down to read the details.

For those of you wondering, I will be at CHA in the Copic booth. Please stop by and say hi! I’d love to see you.

Have a great day!

Commenting on this post is welcome but does not enter you into the contest. This contest is sponsored directly by Spellbinders Paper Arts. Please read the post to find directions for entering the contest. If you have any questions, please e-mail ContestQuestions@spellbinders.us.

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to the final day of Spellbinders sneak peeks! I hope that you have enjoyed seeing all of the new goodies. I know I have!

Spellbinders is celebrating their 5 year anniversary by sharing 16 days of sneak peeks, with LOTS of drawings for dies!!  Today there will be a drawing for the die I am showing you and the previously revealed dies during the Spellbinders 5 Year Anniversary celebration! Each day an additional die is added to the daily giveaway list for a grand total of more than 16 dies on the 16^th day of reveals! WOO HOO!

You still have until January 20th, 11:59 pm CST to enter Linda Duke’s blog at: http://lindaduke.typepad.com/lindas_works_of_heart/

and until January 21st, 11:59 pm CST to enter mine.

Although the contest is almost over, you can still see all the amazing Die Templates that Spellbinders released over the past 2 weeks and you might even see some new projects.Here is a complete list of the Spellbinders Blog Frenzy participants:

Michelle Wooderson
http://michellewooderson.blogspot.com/

Holly Craft
http://todayscreations.blogspot.com/

Sherry Cheever
http://sherrycheever.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Heidi Blankenship
http://embellished-dreams.blogspot.com/

Becca Feeken
http://www.amazingpapergrace.com/

Jennifer Ellefson
http://createdfrompaper.blogspot.com/

Sharon Harnist
http://paperfections.typepad.com/

Jeni Calkins
http://studiojeni.blogspot.com/

Wendy Weixler
http://wickedlywonderfulcreations.blogspot.com/

Beth Pingry
http://bethping.blogspot.com/

Keri Lee Sereika
http://pinklemonade.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Sally Lynn MacDonald
http://inkyheart.typepad.com

Donya Schroeder
http://donyas.typepad.com/puckish/

Linda Duke
http://lindaduke.typepad.com/lindas_works_of_heart/

Jan. 20   ME!!

Winners will be announced on Spellbinders Blog: http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/blog Winner of the Grand Prize Drawing will be announced on Spellbinders Blog on January 30th. So be sure to check it out then!

So, I guess you want to see the new dies, right?? Well feast your eyes on these beauties:

DIE NAME:  SM Deckled Mega Rectangle

DIE SKU # S5-014

MSRP $24.99

Aren’t they fabulous?! I love the deckled edge, and how it gives that “torn” look. When I first saw them, I just knew I would be using my Copic airbrush system, in addition to some Distress ink and a sponge. The largest of the SM Deckled Mega Rectangle die template (SKU # S5-014)  measures 6 x 2 7/8 and the smallest measures 2 x 7/8.

My first project uses two different sizes of the dies:

I love the way the deckled edge takes the ink for sponging/distressing. If you are someone that doesn’t like the way your torn edges come out, this is the die set for you! Or, if you like the torn look, but it’s just a little “too messy” for you…this is the die set for you! Here’s a close-up:

These dies lend themselves perfectly for masculine designs, but are versatile enough to be used for feminine designs as well. This next project illustrates that, and is paired with the Copic airbrush system:

These dies allow you to create lovely layers, as well! Don’t you just love the look? I sure do. You can see that I left the die in place before airbrushing the sky. That process produces a clean white edge, as you can see in the photo. Here’s a close-up:

While I use the Wizard with my dies, it is equally easy to use Spellbinders dies with other die cutting machines, too! Check out these videos on the Spellbinders’ website: http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/videos

OK the projects are fine and dandy, but here’s what you are *really* after.

The details on the BIG CONTEST!

Spellbinders 5 Year Anniversary Celebration

Sneak Peek Party Drawing Information 

Spellbinders will randomly pick one entry from each of the 16 Spellbinders Sneak Peek Blog reveals as stated in the “Rules”. This name will be drawn to receive the die being revealed and any other dies listed as a part of said blog give-away.  These entries must follow all rules stated below to be valid for the drawing.

Entrants visiting all 16 Spellbinders 5 Year Anniversary Celebration Sneak Peeks Blog reveals and correctly entering their information into the 16 separate drawings, as described below, will automatically be entered into a GRAND PRIZE give away of a full set of all 28 NEW RELEASE dies debuting at the Winter Craft and Hobby Association Show in Anaheim, California, on January 25-28, 2009!

Rules

Any participant wishing to be included in the daily drawing for the Spellbinders Birthday Celebration Sneak Peek die give away must adhere to all of the following rules:

Participant must click on the provided link on Reveal blog to enter each individual drawing on sneak peeks between January 5 and January 20, 2009.

1. 1. Participant must type in the subject line the name of the die being revealed.
   2. Participant must send their entry for this blog before 12:00 midnight Central Standard Time on January 21, 2009.
   3. Participant is only allowed to enter each of the 16 Spellbinders sneak peek blog give away drawings one time per sneak peek. Participant must use the same email address daily to be considered for grand prize entry, no exceptions. Please consider whether you will have access to the same e-mail address from January 5^th through the 20^th and plan accordingly.
   4. Spellbinders Design Team members and employees are not eligible for drawings.

Any participant wishing to be automatically entered into the drawing for the Spellbinders 5 Year Anniversary Celebration Sneak Peek Grand Prize drawing, must enter the drawing from all of the 16 blog reveals and follow all the above rules.

Please note:

*Spellbinders will only use email information to contact the winner.

*Spellbinders will not share this email address with any other parties.

*Spellbinders will not use this email information for advertisements or communications

other than to contact the winner.

*If you wish to be included in further communications from Spellbinders, please go to their homepage SpellbindersPaperArts.com and sign up for their newsletter.

To enter the Spellbinders 5 year anniversary drawing, click here.

(If you use an e-mail client that does not work with this pop-up box, you may copy and paste this address to send your entry to:  ContestDay16@spellbinders.us

For more Spellbinders product release information go to www.SpellbindersPaperArts.Com

If you have any questions regarding the contest, send an e-mail to: ContestQuestions@spellbinders.us

Thanks so much for visiting today!! I hope you have all had fun for the past several days, entering the contest. I wish you the best of luck!!!!

Hugs!

Supplies:

Kim Hughes “Bear Hugs” stamp set, Shady Tree Studio (CHF) Iris Blossom, Copic markers, Copic airbrush system, Stickles, Basic Grey Offbeat paper, Cosmo Cricket Happy Camper paper, Basic Grey Lily Kate paper, Ranger distress ink: vintage photo, walnut. aged copper brads, silver diamond brads (retired SU!), sakura black glaze pen (for bear eyes and nose), dimensionals, wide twill (sponged with distress ink), striped ribbon (michaels), flower bling (I think Hero Arts?)

Hello there!

I know many of you have asked where I have been lately. Well, truth is, the mojo just hasn’t been flowing. Why, you ask? As many of you know, I work in the banking industry. The past couple of weeks have been pretty crazy, and my work days have left me drained of creativity.

I’m happy to report, though, that I am back in the swing of things, and will be back to posting. You will find my posts sometimes here, and sometimes on Ellen Hutson’s blogs In Touch and The Classroom. I’ll be sure to let you know where you can find my work, OK?

So, with that, I am directing you to the In Touch blog this morning, to check out a cool technique using the brayer.

Be sure to check it out HERE and let me know what you think!

Hope you all have a fabulous day! Thanks for your support! Hugs~

I have a couple cards that will be featured on Ellen’s CLASSroom blog this week! Both of them naturally using some of my standby favorites from Lockhart, Spellbinders, and Copic!

Here’s a couple sneak peeks. Stay tuned!

of a project I have over at Ellen’s CLASSroom blog! Featuring Copic, Spellbinders, Lockhart, and Memory Box!

Check it out —-> HERE!

I’m sitting here, stunned that it is September. Where has this year gone? When I think back to all that has happened, I realize, yes, many months have passed. But it all seems like a blur, for some reason. Do y’all feel that way, too?

I’m hoping things slow back down this Autumn, as I really love to enjoy the cool colorful days of September and October. My favorite time of year in the mountains, and this year I have Lady G to enjoy it even more!

Before we know it, the Holidays will be here, so I decided to make some Christmas cards with Karen Lockhart’s new releases.

I absolutely LOVE these Itty Bitty ornaments. Isn’t it just the sweetest image? I colored the ornaments with my Copic markers, then cut and embossed them with a circle Nestability die. I sponged around the edge with Ranger vintage photo ink, then added Ranger glossy accents to the ornaments. That really gave them such a “real” look, don’t you think?

I used my Spellbinders Label die to create both of the bracketed style panels from Basic Grey’s Figgy Pudding paper. I chose to play off that single center blue ornament and accent with Prism’s suede brown dark cardbase. Card measures 4 1/4″ square. The circle and the polka dot panels are both up on dimensionals. The velvet ribbon is retired SU!, and the sentiment is PaperTrey.

As I was digging through my stash for some bling, I found this clear snowflake. I purchased it well over a year ago from Michael’s in the dollar bin. It’s made by Darice. I added a little aqua AMuse bling in the center, to make it “pop” a little more and tie in with the colors.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you have a great day! HUGS!

I mentioned yesterday how much I loved Karen Lockhart’s newest release of images.

This particular image is my very favorite one! I am longing to color it, but my schedule is not allowing it at the moment. Instead, I thought it would be nice to show you that you really don’t have to color an image to make a lovely card. Check it out and see:

What I chose to do, was stamp the image in a coordinating color (Adirondack currant). Then, I only colored the candle with my Copic markers, and covered the hurricane with Ranger glossy accents.

While I was in Ft. Wayne last weekend, I had my first visit to an Archiver’s store! (thank goodness I don’t have one near where I live…I’d be broke!) I purchased many pretties, one of which was this yummy Heidi Grace paper. It has a spot varnish on the flowers with glitter, and the paper is shimmery as well. It’s gorgeous!

I had these Spellbinders curved rectangles dies out from a previous card, so I used them again with the SU! naturals ivory cardstock, as well as a matting of Prism suede brown dark. I sponged the ivory with Ranger distress antique linen, and embossed the brown layer with my Cuttlebug paisley embossing folder.

I finished the card off with some antique copper brads, and this stunning copper May Arts ribbon.

So, what’s the verdict? Can an un-colored image still look lovely? 

PS–Lindsey is having a gigantic sale in her store this weekend for Labor Day–15% off everything till Monday! Use the code LABOR08 at checkout!

Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you all a fabulous holiday weekend!!!

I just love Karen Lockhart’s new releases! How adorable is this stack of books, crystal ball, and various potion ingredients?!

The curved rectangles  Spellbinders Nestability reminds me of bat wings, so I thought it worked well with this image. The image is on virtual pearl cardstock (from cutcardstock.com) This cardstock has a purple shimmer to it, and really adds to the look on this card.

It’s colored with Copic markers, and then sponged with Adirondack pitch black ink around the edges, and Stickles are on the crystal ball and the pouch of magic dust. Bat brads from Making Memories are in the top corners, and it’s popped up on dimensionals.

The patterned paper used here is Cosmo Cricket’s Haunted line, which I LOVE! Some Halloween May Arts ribbon, and a white embossed PaperTrey sentiment finish off the design.

Thanks for stopping by! Check back tomorrow for another design!