Crazy for bows!

 Hello my friends!!  It's Saturday, and that means it's time for another Crazy 4 Challenges challenge.  The challenge this week is to use bows.  Well I've got that covered.  It just so happens that Flourishes just released a charming new stamp set, called That's a Wrap, that has a large bow stamp along with some embellishment and sentiment images!  Perfect!!

 

I stamped my bow onto Cryogen White cardstock twice, colored each with the W1 Copic, cut them out and layered them.  I wanted the bow to be a warm neutral color.  I then colored the holly and tag and added them.  I should also add that I burnished the backs of each image to give them depth.  I have a tutorial HERE.  

The box is just a standard box.  I made it 3" x 3", and decorated the sides with It's Christmas Time dp (Maja Design) that I purchased from The Funky Junkie.  I think this is my favorite Christmas dp this year.  Going along with the rustic feel of this box, I added a bit of Gesso to the paper and box.

Here's a close up of the top. 

 

Here are the links to the Copics I used.

Well, this is my last week as a guest designer with the Crazy 4 Challenges group.  They're a warm and talented bunch, and it's been an honor to accept their challenges for the month of September.  Thanks gals for letting me play along.

Thanks for visiting my friends!!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps:  That's a Wrap (Flourishes)

Paper:  It's Christmas Time (Maja Design), Kraft (Flourishes), Cryogen White

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Accessories:  Copics, Gesso, Scor-Buddy

Crazy 4 Challenges, Spellbinders Action Team, and a Hiking Trip...whew

 

I have a lot to share today, so bear with me.  :)

Boy this week flew by.  I've been busy playing catch-up since my son was visiting.  He flew in to go hiking in the Sierra Nevadas with my husband, a dear friend and I.  I'll share a bit about it in a sec.  First, the reason for this post.  I have the honor of joining the Crazy 4 Challenges gals again this week, and today they've shared a sketch!!  One I had a fabulous time working with too.  It fit beautifully with the images I wanted to use.

Waltzingmouse Stamps just released it's new September stamp sets, and they are fabulous.  But, then again, when are they not!  Seriously!!  So I combined two sets:  The Count and Splat That

I stamped The Count with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink onto Vintage Cream cs, and diecut him with a Spellbinders Oval die.  While leaving the image in the die, I sponged some Black Soot (Ranger Distress) around the edges, then added some blood spatter from the Splat That set.  Lastly, I embossed the sentiment along the bottom with Versamark and Black Embossing Powder.

Here's a close up of the beautifully fonted sentiment.  Claire things of everything.  

SPELLBINDERS ACTION TEAM

I also want to take a moment to share something I've been up to lately.

A couple of months ago I joined the Spellbinders Action Team and have been demoing the Grand Calibur and Spellbinders dies at two local Michaels' Stores.  Some locals have asked that I include the dates, I'll be demoing, on my blog so I thought I'd take a moment to include this month's today.  I'll be in the Visalia, CA Michaels store today from 1-3 pm, and the Hanford, CA Michaels next week (the 28th), from 1-3 pm also.  I'm demoing cute little Halloween treat bags, along with some other fun projects, so if you're in the area, I'd love it if you dropped by!

SEQUOIA HIGH SEIRRA CAMP

Now for a few of my camping photos.  We went to a place called Sequoia High Sierra Camp.  It's a hard mile hike in, but so worth it once you get there.  They provide canvas tents, beds with duvets and wool blankets, and gourmet meals, with dinner being 5 courses.  YUM!!  And Burr and Susanne (the owners), are just the sweetest, most down-to-earth people!!  

So, we hiked in, rested, ate dinner, slept, then got up early to hike 3 miles one way to Look Out Peak (In an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, the hike to Lookout Peak was named one of the top 5 "Hikes to Prettiest Views" in the entire state of California! It rated as #4. Click here to read the article.).  It's gorgeous.  It's not easy, but so worth it.  It was my friend and I's second time there, but my husband and son's first, and they truly enjoyed the experience.  You feel like you're out there all alone because you don't run into a single soul during the hike.  It's astounding!!

Bernie, just relaxing before dinner.  The view from these chairs is stunning.  You look out over the Kings Canyon.

My son, Justin, getting breakfast before our hike.  They provide fresh fruit, yogurt, a homemade granola, muffins, fresh squeezed orange juice, and delicious omelets made to your specifications.  They also provide all the fixings for a sack lunch for you to take on your hike.

The moon rising behind the trees.  The sky is so blue!

Just one of the many beautiful sunset photos we got.  It's truly something to behold each night.

This is the pavillion we dined for each meal (it's all open), and just hung around at playing cards and games when not hiking.  I liked the lighting at night.  Inside (in the back of the photo), there is a fireplace to warm up by.  It got to the low 30's in the evenings and 70's during the day.

 My son, husband and I at the top of Look Out Point.  That mound behind us is actually quite a ways away.

My friend Bernie and I took this same photo 2 years ago the last time we hiked up here.  It's over 8,500 ft up.

My son taking in the scenery.

The end

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Stamps:  The Count and Splat That (Waltzingmouse)

Paper:  Masquerade Party (Teresa Collins), Black and Vintage Cream (PTI)

Ink:  Versamark, Tuxedo Black (Memento), Red Brick (VersaMagic), Black Soot (Ranger Distress)

Accessories:  Oval die cut (Spellbinders), Brad (MME), Black Embossing Powder (Judikins), 3/8" Circle Punch (SU!), Sewing Machine  

Going All White

Is it Saturday already?  Wow!  Time sure flies.  Now if only Fall would catch up.  :)  I'm so ready for cooler weather, and I'm hoping working on Christmas cards will help.  It's time for another Crazy 4 Challenges card today, and the challenge is to make an "all white card".  There is absolutely no stamping here.  I used the new Fancy Ornaments and Fancy Foliage dies (Our Daily Bread Designs), along with a Poinsettia die (Spellbinders).  The bg was embossed with a Snowflake Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, and I added some Silver Bead Spray Stamen Clusters (Wild Orchid Crafts) to the poinsettia center.  The rhinestones are by Kaisercraft.

That about sums up my card for today.  I hope you're having a fantastic weekend and have been inspired to make an "all white card".  They're super fun.  And lets face it...it limits one decision about choosing colors to combine.  :)

Happy Stamping!

Crazy 4 Challenges Guest

I have something really fun to share with ya'll today.  I'm a guest designer for the Crazy 4 Challenges group this month, and it's a special honor.  I've been good friends with Frances and Joanne for over 6 years, and have been blessed to have been on a couple of design teams with Betty and Silke.  All are true blue, warm, and genuine ladies!!  So when Hoots (a nickname Frances earned quite a few years ago...) asked if I'd like to guest design, of course I said "YES"!!

Today we were to make a card with Flowers and Pearls.  Now, I only have one flower, and one pearl, so hopefully that still qualifies.  :)  I created my background using leaves from the Waltzingmouse set Funky Flowers.  I love neutral colors and am "WILLING" Fall to come soon.  We are roasting (still in the 100's) here in California!! The sentiment is also from the Funky Flowers set.

My card is very CAS, but sometimes I like just playing with colors and background design.

That's it from me today.  I'm busy getting ready for two releases.  I'll start posting Flourishes previews on Monday, and Waltzingmouse previews the next week.  I can't wait to show you what these companies have in store for ya'll. 

Thanks so much fro dropping by!  I hope you have a fantastic weekend!!
Happy Stamping!!

 

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Stamps:  Funky Flowers (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Paper:  Vintage Cream and Kraft (PTI)

Ink:  Wet Cement and Cup O' Joe (Hero Arts Mid-tone Shadow Ink), Soft Sand (Hero Arts Shadow Ink), Smokey Gray (Versafine)

Accessories:  Corner Rounder Punch, Flower (Prima), Border Punch (EK Success)