Thursday, August 19, 2010

Lots and LOTS of new things!

Well, can you believe it's half past summer already!? The older I get, the faster the summers whiz by. I have been a "bad blogger" this summer. It's not that I haven't been creating...I have...honest! It's more that sitting at the computer for any length of time at all to edit pics and to post things is still a bit uncomfortable. (had a wee mishap earlier this summer) So, that's my sad story. However, I'm back to full speed now, so I'll be a better blogger. Now on to fun!

This week's challenge for the Impression Obsession designers is "simple stamping," using fewer embellishments than we usually do. Here are a couple of cards I made for this theme, using the challenge sketch over at Papertake Weekly. I used two stamps designed by the artistically gifted Melissa Gordon. Mitra Friant knows talent when she selects her stamp designers, that's for sure! This one is "Duck and Bunny," and you can find it right here.


This one is her Labrador Retriever, which you can find here. Isn't she just GORGEOUS! She just needed a little simple chalking.



Have a look at the full range of Melissa's stamp designs here. She renders the most beautiful pencil sketches of all kinds of beautiful critters! Take a little time to visit the blogs of the other Impression Impression designers too, for more ideas about simple stamping:


OH! And visit the IO blog right here to find out who won the four gift certificates from IO and Flower Soft!

Gingersnap Creation's random redhead challenge right now is to do something 3-d, the Theme Thursday challenge is all about children, and the Play Date Cafe wants us to use lovely blues and greens together. Here are a couple of one-dollar frames I altered for a local craft shop this week. The boy is a favourite picture of my son Michael from MANY years ago (yes he knows, lol), and that precious wee girl is Brea, the daughter of one of the store's customers.



Now, on to some other things. I finished a set of ten simple note cards with Kraft cardstock and Crafty Secrets goodness. I LOVE the wonderful vintage images! The Creatilicious challenge right now is vintage. Here are five cards from the set:

The City Crafter challenge is "Isn't she lovely?" She IS 'eh!?


The current Fab and Funky challenge is flower power! Crafty Secrets has DOZENS of gorgeous vintage floral images...have a look!



Now here are some Crafty Secrets Halloween cards just published in the current issue of one of my very favourite paper crafting magazines, Paper Creations; aren't these just the CUTEST images!? I just love the way Paper Creations photographed these cards. Their photography looks so much better than mine! (lol) I have lots more Crafty Secrets cards and projects coming up in three different magazines...watch this space :-)




Let's see, now here are some Christmas cards I just finished with Lynell Harlow's FABULOUS new stencils over at Dreamweaver. Creative Cottage challenge # 21 is Christmas, so I'm entering these three for that challenge. This next card also fits with the current City Crafter challenge...isn't she lovely. As soon as I saw this Hallelujah, I knew exactly what I wanted to pair it with...this stamp from Magenta. I used Melt Art clear ultra thick embossing enamel after I stamped the image with Ancient Page Chocolate Brown ink. I used just one layer of the EP because I wanted a mottled, textured look. I stencilled with gold glossy embossing paste, then sprinkled Green Metallic FX over the wet paste. What a beautiful sheen that gives the paste! Look at all the gorgeous Metallic FX colours available right here.


This is another newly released stencil...SOOO pretty! I used white matte embossing paste, then Green Metallic FX powder over that. I used LOTS of Tulip crystals for the berries...love that bling! :-) For the sentiment, I used the same paste, and sprinkled just the smallest bit of Gold Metallic FX over that, just for a little sheen.


This card uses gold glossy embossing paste all by itself...such beautiful results for such a simple card! These pretty beaded pins are available over at Dreamweaver too, just scroll down to the bottom of this page to see them! It meets the Charizma Cardz challenge this week, which is to use die cuts.


PHEW!! I have a few more things on my craft desk ready to put together, so I'll post those tomorrow. Thanks SO MUCH for visiting my blog. I'll come by yours too if I see your link.

I wish you a wonderful day, doing what you love best!

25 comments:

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

This is a lovely image, thanks for playing along with us at CCCB!

Ros said...

Wow! you've been busy... Love your card and your lovely image ... thanks so much for playing along at CCCB

Unknown said...

As an avid follower of your website and a great admirer of your work, I would be honoured if you would visit my website

Amy said...

wow..lots of sweet cards...adorable altered frames..those are beyond adorable.

Tracy said...

wow you have been busy and such fabulous projects your work is gorgeous. Thanks for joining us at The Creative Cottage, I hope you will join us again. Tracy x

Yogi said...

well that was a pile of things in one post. They all look wonderful. The animal images are really nice.
Love the hats on those witches.

Cindi (aka iring) said...

You've been busy this summer! Just catching up on your blog posts! I always love your beaded cards. In this post I think the Halloween cards are my favorites. Sorry to hear about your accident. I'm glad you're blogging again.

Anonymous said...

Wowzers! What a great group of projects - all amazing!

Cheryl said...

So beautiful,love all your gorgeous vintage images!!! Thanks for joining us at Creatalicious!!
xx

Suzanne C said...

WOW! While you hold out, you really hold out. Love all the fabulous cards! Glad you decided to play in the PDCC again. The picture frame is adorable!

Ruby said...

My goodness, you've been busy! What gorgeous creations. Your frames look lovely (must try that) and I love your vintage cards, fab! Thanks for playing along with us at the PDCC this week!

Shelly said...

Hello! What really lovely cards you create... I LOVE the vintage feel to your work! My fave is the Best Witches card... just fab! Thanks for joining us at The Creative Cottage! Shelly ;)

cnelson said...

Fabulous creations!! You've certainly been busy!! Thank you for joining us at CCCB!

ScrappyPam said...

What lovely projects! Those frames are adorable!

Unknown said...

WOW! All of your creation are wonderful.. Thanks for playing along with us at CCCB.

Emma H said...

Wow, you've been super busy! Thanks for playing along with Fab N Funky

Cuchy said...

Great and lovely projects. All of them.!

Vee said...

Fabulous card, and a lovely design. Thanks for playing with Charisma this week.
xx Vee

Teri said...

Loving the Christmas Card hun!
Thanks for sharing at The Creative Cottage this week.
Hugs,
Teri x

Conniecrafter said...

Oh Wow these are all fantastic, sorry to hear you had a mishap earlier, hope your healing well now, and can enjoy the rest of the summer!

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

HOLY COW--you have been super busy! I just love how each card and project are different--so many details and techniques used! I can't even pick my fav!! I LOVE all the bling you used--and I like that pup with the buttons--and that flower....LUSH! LOVE IT ALL:) Great job!! Talented:) Thanks so much for playing along and joining in the fun at the PDCC:)

dining room table said...

This is my first time to view your blog and I find it so amazing. From now on, I will be one of your often visitor of your blog.

andrea said...

stunning cards,thankyou for joining us at fab'n'funky
andrea

Unknown said...

Wow! These are all just fabulous, Deborah! Love the frame and your son is a cutie.. Thanks for playing with the Play Date Cafe!

Cheryl Haley said...

How beautiful - each card is so unique and fun! It's always a pleasure to visit your site.