Happy Birthday Michelle!!

It's Michelle's Birthday today...and the Dream Team wants to wish her the grandest of birthdays!! Check out all the girls blogs to see what Birthday card they came up with to honor her today!! If you have a moment, head on over to the Stamper's Dream Blog and wish Michelle a happy birthday!!

Michelle LOVES Northwoods stamps, and she's big on watercoloring. So I thought I would watercolor this beautiful Closed Wing Swallowtail Butterfly/Sunflower image. This time I used my Watercolor Crayons (SU!). I adore the Octagon Nestabilities Shape, so I framed the image with it. I then sewed Ledger dp (Making Memories), to Kraft cs (Prism), and used Neenah Natural White as my card Base.

I love flourishes, and I thought these Wood Flourishes by Kaisercraft added just the right country feel. Finally, I did what I almost always do....I ink distressed. I just can't help myself sometimes. This time I used Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress Ink)

That's it. To see what the rest of the team has come up with, click on the following names: Becca, Cammie, Charmaine, Denise, Kim, Laurie

Because He Lives...

My mom was a singer. Whether it be in a quartet, the church choir, or while cleaning, she could often be heard either humming or singing a favorite hymn.

One of my fondest memories is of gathering around the piano and harmonizing with her. She had many favorites, but when I saw this image, Lily Cross (Northwoods), it reminded me of a song sung by the Gaithers called "Because He Lives". You can here the tune and read the words if you click HERE.

As a kid, I just sang the words and harmonized, not really thinking about the meaning. But now, as an adult, I can understand why my mom loved this song so much. Times are hard right now for so many, and the message this song brings is one of hope, because He lives.

I stamped the Lily Cross (Northwoods) twice, with Black Onyx (Versafine), onto Suede Brown Dark cs, and embossed with Detailed Clear ep. I then painted the flowers with bleach, let them dry and added a touch of Adirondack Butterscotch, Lemonade, and Lettuce reinkers. I then coated them with Diamond Glaze (Judikins), and popped them up with dimensional tape.

I made my sentiment with the JustRite Harmony Rectangular Stamp Set, and the 50 pt Trompe Script and 25 pt Brayton Fonts. I used Black Onyx (Versafine) and Detailed Clear ep for this as well.


Supplies: Stamps - Lily Cross (Northwoods), Harmony Rectangle Stamper, Trompe Script and Brayton (JustRite) Paper - Silver Strand Glazed CS (Fiskars), Dark Brown Suede and Butter Cream (Prismatics) Ink - Black Onyx (Versafine) Butterscotch, Lemonade, Lettuce (Adirondack Dye Reinkers) Accessories - Bleach, Black and Bronze Rhinestones (Kaisercraft), Sewing Machine, Heat Tool, Dimensional tape, Ribbon, Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Corner Rounder Punch, Spellbinders diecuts

That's about it. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I hope your having a blessed week and that you're stamping away!!
Happy Stamping!!
Tosh

2 Cards 2 Challenges

Good Wednesday Morning!! I made a card for SCS's Sketch Challenge and Color Challenge today.

The first one is for SCS's Sketch found HERE.
I stamped this charming Merry Chrismoose (Isn't he the cutest?) with Tuxedo Black (Memento) onto Neenah Natural White and colored him with my copics.

The Tinsel Town Trees (Pink Paislee) were rock and rolled with Always Artichoke (SU) and Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress Ink)

I added a touch of sparkle, just for fun, with my Quickie Glue Pen and Lily White Sugar Coating (Doodlebug)....it's on sale too....Woo-Hoo!! Check out all of Michelle's Doodlebug products for a great sale.

I used my Spellbinders Tag Trio for the sentiment!

The rest here is pretty self explanatory.


Supplies:
Stamps - Merry Chrismoose (Stampendous), Tinsel Town (Pink Paislee)
Paper - K&Company, Suede Brown Medium (Prismatics), Neenah Natural White
Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress Ink)
Accessories - Copics, Nestabilities, Corner Tag Punch (SU), Glitter, Dimensional Tape, Quickie Glue pen, Cuttlebug, Ribbon and Fibers



I made this second card for SCS's Color Challenge. We had to use the colors Sahara Sand, Black, and Very Vanilla. I didn't use SCS cs, so I got as close to the colors as I could.

I stamped this gorgeous Northwoods image with Tuxedo Black (Memento) on to Neenah Natural White cs, colored it with my Warm Gray Copics, added Frosted Lace Stickles to the leaves, and cut out the image. I then ink distressed all the edges with Sahara Sand (SU).

The base behind the flowers is the Curved Rectangle Nestabilities diecut, the back panel is dry embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder, and the middle horizontal strip was cut with a Martha Stewart Border punch.

For a final touch, I punched the corners with my SU Corner Tag punch and added Pewter Pearls (Kaisercraft)

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope you're having a fabulous week. I won't be posting for a few days again because I'll be watching my oldest compete in college swimming. I'm looking forward to that!!

Happy Stamping!!!
Tosh


Supplies:
Stamps - Poinsettia (Northwoods)
Paper - Neenah Natural White, Bazzill, Black
Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Sahara Sand
Accessories - Frosted Lace Stickles, Pewter Pearls (Kaisercraft), Nestabilities, Martha Stewart Punch, Corner Tag Punch (SU), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Dimensional Tape

Thanksgiving Spotlight

Today, the Dirty Dozen Alumni on SCS were challenged to make a Fall themed project with a heart on it.

Here are the requirements:
Challenge Focus: Create a thankful card or gift, Thanksgiving table place card or treat holder, or Thanksgiving home decor item.

Required Element: At least one heart on your project.

Restricted Element: Nothing

Keyword: DCTH1108 (for SCS uploading)

I realize this is an odd looking card. There is a reason for the *uncolored* portion of this image. I decided to spotlight the fruit and vegetables in the center of this Cornucopia (Northwoods) in order to represent all of my blessings.

There are so many out there who have very little food, no shelter, estranged family members, poor health...the list could go on and on. Thus the spotlight. I thought the heart was a great idea that Sharon required. Mine is full of thankfulness, yet hurts for those who are suffering right now. I added the flower in the top corner to represent hope. To me flowers represent life and remind me that we are to bloom where we are planted. Sorry for all the symbolism, but that's how this card came about.

The heart and flower are a cuttlebug diecut.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you are having a blessed week!!

Supplies : Stamps - Donna's Cornucopia, Happy Thanksgiving (Northwoods), Sanded bg (Stampin' Up) Paper - Sunflowers Dark, Suede Brown Dark, Black (Prismatics), Neenah Natural White Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Walnut Stain (Ranger) Accessories - Copics, Nestabilities, piercing tool, brads, cuttlebug, dimensional tape

Fall with a view frame...

It's time for the Stamper's Dream Dream Team's second Dreamy Challenge. This month the theme is *Fall With A View*. We were all to create a card with a Fall theme, and it had to contain some type of window. It could be a punched window, a literal window, or any type of window.

We'd love to have you participate too.
All you have to do is make a card with a Fall theme and a window, and upload the link of your card in Michelle's Dreamy Challenge comments section. If you upload your card on splitcoaststampers, please use the key words SDDC2. For each card you upload you'll be entered into a drawing that Michelle will have on Wednesday of next week, to win the blog candy you can see below!!

Now for the details about my card....I decided to create a framed stained glass window. My frame was cut with the Nestabilities Labels II diecuts, and was matted with dimensional tape to give it depth.

I stamped this Northwoods Gourd and Pumpkin image with Black Onyx Versafine onto vellum cardstock and embossed it with Detail Black ep. I then colored the back of it with copics.

The corner treatments are cuttlebug diecuts, and the bg is embossed with the Forest Branches embossing folder (Cuttlebug). The Pewter Pearls are by Kaisercraft.

I ink distressed all the edges with Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress Ink), and the main panel is popped up with dimensionals also. I tried to get a side photo so you could see the depth of the image, but I failed miserably and gave up...so try and use your imagination...*grin*

To see what the other fantastic Dream Team members have created with this *Fall with a view* theme, click on their names below.

Michelle, Charmaine, Denise, Cindy, Kim

Supplies:

Stamps - Gourds and Pumkins (Northwoods)
Paper - Kraft, Black, White (Prismatics), Vellum Cardstock
Ink - Black Onyx Versafine, Walnut Stain (Ranger)
Accessories - Copics, Detail Black ep, Cuttlebug corner diecuts, Pewter Pearls (Kaisercraft), Forest Branches (Cuttlebug embossing folder), Dimensional tape

Cat in the Hat

Howdy!! I hope everyone is having a fabulous week. I made this card today for SCS's Sketch challenge found HERE. I don't know what I was thinking by adding all the hardware, but what's done is done!!

This adorable *cat in the hat* image Cat Nap by Artful Stamper, was colored with copics, and the hat is flocked.

The little snowman in the picture is from the set Little Somethings (SU - 1998 - retired). For the corners, I cut out a section of the SnowDots embossing folder with a nestability square and ink distressed it with Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress Ink).

The flakes are Felt (SU) and were coated with Dazzling Diamonds (SU) after dipping them in my Glue Essentials pad. The bottom panel is pierced with an ornare template, and the subtle blue flakes on the white panels are Tinsel Town (Pink Paislee). The Merry Christmas sentiment is by Northwoods.

Finally, I added some brads and some Icons Rhinestone stickers.

Thanks for stopping by. Have an awesome week!
Happy Stamping!
Tosh

Supplies:
Stamps -Cat Nap (Artful Stamper), Pink Paislee, Little Somethings (SU)
Paper - Cosmo Cricket, Kaisercraft, Granola - Basicgrey
Ink - Tuxedo Black Memento, Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress Ink)
Accessories - Copics, Nestabilities, felt snowflakes, rhinestone stickers, piercing tool and template, corner rounder, cuttlebug, dimensional tape, dazzling diamonds, white flock

SCS Sketch...Ornament

I love Wednesday's, because I love participating in Rox's sketch challenge on SCS. You can see the sketch HERE. I stamped this Tree Ball image (Artful Stamper) three times onto the backside of Vanilla Cream Prismatics with Tuxedo Black (Memento), and colored them with copics. I Ink distressed the top image with Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress Ink) and framed it with Crabapple Dark. I then cut on the inside of the circle with an exacto knife.

After that, I cut out the trees, snowline and holly from one of the other colored images and popped them up on the main bg image for dimension. Finally, I added an acetate window to the back of the cut out piece, and the popped holly and trim. The snow piece is colored with my inkssentials opaque white pen, and all the snowflakes and holly are glittered up. I added some crystal laquer to the little baubles on the top and bottom of the ornament, and a few dew drops along the sides of the main panel.

Oh, I almost forgot, the beautiful Merry Christmas Script was stamped with Black Onyx Versafine and embossed with Detail Black ep (Judikins)...awesome stuff I tell you!! And the ribbon is Olive Twill (May Arts)

Ali update...Ali made it through some really tough tests with flying colors. They were excited to see that there is no new bleeding, but there is still swelling on her brain so they can't do a biopsy yet. Keep her and her family in your prayers as the decide the next plan of action with their awesome team of doctors. I keep this thread on SCS - HERE - updated daily.

Thank you so very much for stopping in!! I hope your week is off to a great start.
Tosh


Supplies:
Stamps - Tree Ball (Artful Stamper), Merry Christmas (Northwoods)
Paper - Winter Wonderland (Kaisercraft), Vanilla Cream, Crabapple Dark (Prismatics)
Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Black Onyx (Versafine), Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress Ink)
Accessories - Copics, exacto knife, dew drops, glitter, crystal lacquer, dimensional tape

An Old Country Christmas...

I love antiques!! And this Wreath, Sled and Birds scene by Northwoods reminded me of an old barn in the midwest with this charming sled leaning against it. I couldn't wait to make a card with it!!

The image was stamped with Tuxedo Black (memento) onto Neenah Natural white, and colored with copics. I added a touch of Crystal Glitter to the snow and holly leaves with my Quickie Glue pen, and topped off the card with a Detail Black embossed Script Merry Christmas (Northwoods).

The gorgeous plaid ribbon is May Arts and can be found HERE.

ETA: I feel like I deceived y'all!! There was a comment that the sled and birds looked popped up, but since I didn't mention it, it was thought that my shading was awesome. I'm so sorry. I use dimension so often, that sometimes I forget to mention it. The sled and birds are one layer, and then I actually layered the bottom half of the snow too. I had a hard time getting a good picture of it with the glitter, so I didn't add that photo. So sorry for the deception everyone. It wasn't intentional.


Supplies:
Stamps - Northwoods
Paper - Black, Vanilla Cream, White (Prismatics) Neenah Solar White
Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress ink)
Accessories, Detail Black ep (Judikins), Glitter, ribbon, copics, Rhinestone Stickers (icons - Me and My Big Ideas), dimensional tape

A Chickadee Christmas

If you're a regular visitor to my blog, you'll know that I'm a huge Northwoods fan!! So when I saw this Chickadee Holiday stamp at Michelle's Store, Stamper's Dream, well....I had to have it! I love the family feel of it with the baby bird tucked in the warm house and the mother and father close by.

I stamped the image with Black Onyx Versafine onto watercolor paper, and colored it with watercolor pencils and the Stampin' Up blending pen.

I LOVE the dp I used for this. It's from the Frost Collection by Memory Box. There are gorgeous distressed papers in greens and blues! Perfect for holiday images!!

For the snow, I just painted on Liquid Applique with a paint brush and sprinkled a bit of Crystal Glitter to add a touch of sparkle.

The front bird is popped up, and all the edges are ink distressed with Frayed Burlap (Ranger Distress Ink). To finish it up, I pierced along each side with an ornare piercing template, added some Dew Drops and Pewter Pearls (Kaisercraft), and a touch of glitter to the berries and holly leaves.

I hope your week is off to a great start!!
Happy Stamping!!
Tosh

Supplies:
Stamps - Chickadee Holiday (Northwoods)
Paper - Frost (Memory Box), Birchtone Light and Dark (Prismatics), Watercolor
Ink - Black Onyx Versafine
Accessories - Watercolor pencils, Dew Drops, Blending Pen, Pearls, sponge, glitter, Liquid Applique, dimensional tape, piercing tool and template


Check this out!!
Michelle has added a new stamp line to her store...Whiff of Joy!! These images are precious!! If you like to color as much as I do, you won't want to miss these. Head over there and see what she has. She also is having a sale on all her Halloween images and supplies, and has a variety of JustRite products.

Poinsettia

I love poinsettia's, and I love Northwoods Images. So when I saw this Pot with Poinsettia, I had to have it.

First, I stamped the image onto watercolor paper with Black Onyx Versafine. I then embossed it with Detail Black ep (JudiKins).

I then watercolored it with Adirondack Reinkers and added a touch of Platinum Stickles to the centers and petals to give a bit of sparkle. I mounted it on a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" cardstock base and scored the top and bottom half with my scorpal.

To top it off, I added a silver cord to the top and bottom. I wanted to keep the bg simple in order to show the beauty of this image.




I so wish I were a better photographer so I could show not only the depth of the petals, but of the colors too. Here's a close-up of the petal layers. I love Paper Tole because it makes the images come to life: so to speak.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope your week is off to a great start and that you're finding much inspiration for your creations!!

Happy Stamping!!!

Supplies:
Stamps - Pot with Poinsettia and Pine (Northwoods)
Paper - Classic Solar White 110 lb (Neenah), Watercolor
Ink - Black Onyx (Versafine), Reinkers: Red Pepper, Lemonade, Butterscotch, Lettuce, Espresso, Pesto, Terra Cotta, Oregano
Accessories - Platinum Stickles, watercolor brush, Scor-Pal, Silver Cord, Dimensional Tape, Detail Black Embossing Powder (JudiKins)

Harvest Memories...

Fall is my absolute favorite season, and I'm a huge Northwoods Stamps fan!! So I thought I'd use this Harvest Mailbox image today. (We're roasting here in CA)

I love the deep etched rubber and the cozy scenes that Northwoods stamps are known for. They're a treat to color!!! I colored this image with copics, and paper toled some of the elements.

Here's a close up so you can see the dimension.

The side piece was cut with the largest nestabilities circle diecut, and stamped with "Miss You" from the Inque Boutique Sentiment Set.

I punched all the circles for the eyelets with my crop-a-dile, and popped up each panel with Scotch mounting tape. Finally, I finished it off with some chocolate twill ribbon.

CHECK THIS OUT!!

Michelle at Stamper's Dream has all her fabulous PRISMATICS in stock!! I would highly suggest checking them out!! The colors are phenomenal, the texture is fantastic, and the variety is awesome!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!! I hope the rest of your week is just awesome!!


Supplies:
Stamps - Harvest Mailbox (Northwoods), Miss You (Inque Boutique Sentiments)
Paper - Holiday Plaid and Reading Flowers (Chatterbox), Herbal Garden Medium and Dark (Prismatic)
Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories - Copics, Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Twill Ribbon, Eyelets (Making Memories), Crop-a-dile, Scotch mounting tape, slot punch (Stampin' Up)

Going Masculine~

I just wanted to give a little shout out for Michelle's store Stamper's Dream. She's offering free shipping on domestic orders over $75!! And you can upgrade to priority for $3.50. Way cool. Love a good deal on the shipping!!

I do realize Father's Day is long past, but I didn't get an opportunity to upload this card until now. I made this for my Father-in-Law, but it could easily be used for your favorite hunter, or a birthday card for a guy too.

This was pretty easy. All I did was stamp this Diamond Buck by Northwoods with Espresso (Adirondack) ink onto Kraft (Stampin' Up) twice, and colored him with copics. I then cut one buck out and layered it on top of the other so I could make his antlers pop our a bit more.

The Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up) panel is embossed with the distressed stripe Cuttlebug embossing folder. I hand wrote the sentiment, and finished it off with a neatly tied knot of May Arts Chocolate Satin ribbon.

All the panels are raised with Scotch Mounting tape.


Supplies:
Stamps - Diamond Buck (Northwoods)
Paper - Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Kraft, Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up)
Ink - Espresso (Adirondack), Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Ranger
Accessories - Cuttlebug, brads, sponge, dimensional tape, Copics

Gather the roses of Life...

When I look at this image, I can imagine myself sitting in one of the chairs with the scent of the flowers hovering and a slight breeze blowing. I love to read, so of course I would have a good book in hand, although I'm sure I would get distracted by the hummingbirds and butterflies. *grin* What an imagination, eh? My view in my yard is a pasture of beef cows and horses, and south of me cows, cows and more cows. In corrals, not a pasture. Not so elegant as this image portrays. But, one can dream....retirement maybe? *sigh*

Okay, details about the card. I made this card for the Sketch Challenge over on SCS. The Adirondack image is just stamped with versacolor black, embossed with clear detailed embossing powder, and colored with copics. The sentiment is embossed the same way. I also pierced the side with a piercing template I bought from Ellen Hutson, and added a few gemstones (Hero Arts). The paper is Memoirs (Inque Boutique)...I'm in love with this stuff. It has gorgeous prints. I matted the paper with Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up), and prism. A few dew drops in the corners, and woila...finished.

I hope I didn't shock ya too much with two posts in one day....*grin* Thanks for stopping by though. Have a blessed week!!

Supplies:
Stamps - Adirondack Chairs in Garden (Northwoods), Sentiments (Inque Boutique)
Paper - Memoirs Mini Papers (Inque Boutique), Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up), Prism, White (Papertrey)
Ink - Black Versacolor (Tsukineko), Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress Ink)
Accessories - Cowboy Dew Drops (Robins Nest), Gemstones (Hero Arts), Copics, Piercing Template (ornare), Corner Ticket Punch (Stampin' Up), Scotch mounting tape, piercing tool, make-up sponge

Summer Front Porch

I love Mondays!! Crazy huh? They're the start of a new week and because of that, I tend to be more organized. But, I really like Monday's because I get to see what my crazy SCS friends did for their Monday Challenge that we do each week with each other. This week Cindy (Mothermark on SCS) challenged us to use two buckles. I was like.....are you sure? That's way too easy for a Cindy challenge. But that was all that was required. So, here's my two buckle card. Check out the other *buckle cards* HERE.

Now, about this card!!! I'm in love!!!! As a kid, I used to love it when my mother would color with me. She was AWESOME. The absolute BEST!!! Not only did she teach me how to stay in the lines, she taught me how to shade with crayons. What fond memories I have coloring with her. And now, because of my stamping addiction, I get to color at the age of 40 even though I don't have a toddler to teach how to color. How awesome is that.

That brings me to my new love......Northwoods stamps!! They are the BOMB. They stamp evenly and perfectly every time....and I mean every time!!! And, they have just enough detail to give the image depth, and just enough coloring space to let you do your thing with whatever coloring medium you choose. I chose to use copics this time. I LOVE my copics. The fine tip makes it easy to stay in the lines and the colors are gorgeous...and they don't leave *lines* kwim?

I hope you can see it in the picture, but this is very 3-D. The chair is two layers, and the hat and potted plant on the right are 3 layers. The side panel and main panel are also on dimensions. I love depth!!

You need to head over to Michelle's store and check out her Northwoods stamps. They are heavenly!! I have a few more that I'll be posting in the future too. Maybe I'll watercolor them next.

The scallops were done with the scallop blade on my fiskars rotary cutter.

Supplies:
Stamps - Northwoods Front Porch
Paper - K&Company Roam, SU Basic Gray, Almost Amethyst, Papertrey White
Ink - Ranger Black Soot , Frayed Burlap Distress Ink
Accessories - buckles - Scrap Essentials (JoAnn's), Robin's Nest pebbles, offray ribbon, scotch dimensional tape, sponge

Are ya still with me????!!!!!
I'm sooooo excited!! Michelle at Stamper's Dream has added a new guest designer to the team. I tell ya, that Michelle is one smart cookie!! The new designer is................Amy Sheffer!!! And she is nothing short of Aaaaaaamazing!!! Go check out her blog if you haven't already! Pickled Paper Designs. You won't be disappointed!!