I won!

(Click photo to enlarge)

Last week on the Hero Club Blog the challenge was to use torn paper on a project. I have had this card in my head for awhile and tried to adapt it to different challenges, but never had the time. I stamped, watercolored and paper pieced the owls. Then I cut them out, created the gate-fold card, stamped my sentiments and used pop dots for the owls. I won second place for the contest and am blown away! There were a lot of good projects for that company to choose from! I can't believe they chose me!

Here's the link to the announcement:
http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2009/10/29/paper-tearing-challenge-winners/

Supplies:

Hero Arts
-Bit Hoot (owl)
-All Occasion Messages

PTI
-New leaf cardstock
-Pure Poppy cardstock (paper pieced)
-Spring Rain cardstock (paper pieced)
-Bitty Dot Basics paper
-Fresh Snow Ink
-True Black Ink
-Rustic Jute Twine
-Every Day Button Bits Stamp Set ("you")

Other
-red button
-green gems

PTI Blog Hop - October

The challenge this month was to show everyone plans for holiday projects. I plan to make tags for my family presents and here is one example. I used Polka Dot basics to make the tree.

All Supplies PTI:
Stampers Select White Cardstock
2008 Bitty Dot Basics Paper (pure poppy)
Polka Dot Basics Stamp Set
Pure Poppy Ink
New Leaf Ink
Dark Chocolate Ink
Summer Sunrise Ink
Pure Poppy Twill Ribbon

Other: Black pen

Hero Arts - Holiday Accessory Challenge

Here I used Polka Dot Basics 1 background on the blue paper and then went over the dots with Stardust Stickles. I stamped and embossed the white snow mounds and sentiment. After stamping and embossing the Dots and Flowers stamp on the green paper, I added the red gemstones and white pearls. To make it look like snow was on the tree, I brushed a little of the white ink on the edges and added the button with the gemstone for the star. I added a piece of the brown corrugated paper for the trunk and pop-dotted the tree onto the blue background. Thanks for looking!

Supplies:
Hero Arts Stamps
-Dots and Flowers S5213
-All Occasion Messages CL272

Papertrey Ink Supplies
-Polka Dot Background Basics 1
-Everyday Button Bits
-Stampers Select White Cardstock
-Enchanted Evening Cardstock
-New Leaf Cardstock
-Fresh Snow Ink

Other
-Versamark
-Stardust Stickles
-Zing White Embossing Powder
-Clear Embossing Powder
-gemstones, pearls, button -brown corrugated paper

PTI Challenge #4 - Austrailia

The last challenge at PTI was to apply dotted outlines or masking to the card like the Aborigine tribes in Australia. I went ahead and did both. First I stamped the butterfly and then outlined it with my gel pen. Then, I used a mask to stamp the orange polka dot background.

PTI:
Polka Dot Basics 1
Every Day Button Bits
True Black Ink
Orangerie Ink
Twine

Other:
Hero Arts Heart Winged Butterfly
Souffle white gel pen
Kraft cardstock
Black cardstock
Aquacolor Pencils
Dove blending pen

PTI Challenge #3 - India

This is the card for PTI's 3rd challenge which is to use the Indian culture as inspiration and add rhinestones, sequins or jewels.

PTI Stamps:
Polka Dot Basics 1
Every Day Button Bits

PTI Paper:
New Leaf

Other Supplies:
Rhinestones
Making Memories Ribbon
Memento ink
Corner rounder
Versamark
Clear Embossing Powder

PTI Challenge #2 - Mexico

I used the colors from the Mexican flag, including the gold center, for inspiration for this challenge. I tried to keep it clean and simple.

PTI Stamps:
Flower Garden
Everday Button Bits

PTI Ink:
Pure Poppy
New Leaf

PTI Ribbon
New Leaf Swiss Dot

PTI Paper:
Stampers Select White
New Leaf

Other:
Yellow gemstone

PTI Challenge #1 - Japan

When I think of Japan the colors of black, red and white always come to mind!

PTI Stamps:
Polka Dot Basics 1
Every Day Button Bits

PTI Inks:
Pure Poppy
True Black

PTI Paper:
Stampers Select White Cardstock

Other materials:
red, black cardstock
red gemstones
silver nailheads
Zing white embossing powder
Martha Stewart butterfly punch

Christmas in July - Caardvarks Challenge

Click picture to enlarge.

This is a card for the Caardvarks challenge. The challenge this week is to use a winter theme and is sponsored by Hero Arts.

The green, red and brown from yesterday's Hero Arts Blog is a great combination for me and I've really been inspired by the Clings and Holiday stamps we've been seeing this week. I used the new Striped Circle cling stamp and clear embossed it on green paper, then cut the center out and decorated my wreath. I tried to make the card resemble a door, so the button is there as the door knob.

BTW, my outdoor thermometer says 108. It's hard to be in the Christmas spirit when it's 108.

Supplies:
Hero Arts Striped Circle Cling Stamp - CG101
Ink: VersaMark, brown chalk ink
Ribbon: PTI - Pure Poppy Saddle Stitch
Clear embossing powder
Gemstones
Cardstock: New Leaf & Dark Chocolate (PTI), random cream
Font: CK Ali's Hand (free font!)

4th card for this week's challenge at Hero Arts

Click photo to enlarge.

Lisa's video on Wednesday's blog at Hero Arts inspired me to make this card. The colors were great together and she made the technique look easy. So, I thought I'd give it a try. Now, I guess I need to go and get all the tools she used because this was FUN! I am waiting to place a sentiment on the card until I need to use it. (Found that ribbon in my stash - how lucky!!) I placed some clear star glitter pen ink on some of the dots to make them shiny. Hope you can see that.

Supplies:
Pop Stems stamp from Hero Arts (borrowed from Tanna - thank you very much)
Ink: Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate - all from PTI
Cardstock: Dark Chocolate (PTI) and cream from my stash
Random ribbon
Sakura Clear Star pen

Christmas in July - Caardvarks Challenge

Click on image to enlarge.

This is the card for the Caardvarks challenge. Click here for their blog. The challenge this week is to use a winter theme and is sponsored by Hero Arts.

I used the new Hero Arts Striped Circle cling stamp to represent a Christmas ornament. I stamped it in pink and red and then heat embossed it and cut it out. I found a random Christmas tree stamp (not sure where it is from), stamped it in green, colored and decorated it with stickles and gemstones. Then I attached a ribbon and used 3D dots to adhere it to the background that I sewed. Next came the sentiment. It is another random stamp.

It was hard to think of Christmas when it is 104 outside!

Supplies: Hero Arts Striped Circle Cling Stamp - CG101 Random tree and sentiment Ink: Pure Poppy, Hibiscus Burst, New Leaf - all from PTI Clear embossing powder, aquacolor pencils, Dove blending pen, gemstones, Stickles Cardstock: New Leaf (PTI), DCWV mat stack (red and pink)

More Hero Arts

Hero Arts is giving sneak peeks this week of their new stamps coming out at the end of the month. The Blog's challenge this week is to find inspiration in their sneak peeks. I feel like it was kind of a "free for all" challenge open to wide interpretation. Here are my cards so far.

The first card was inspired by Monday's blog post - using red, green and pink. I also wanted to use one of the new Cling stamps they are debuting.

I colored in some of the lines and scallops with Aquacolors and blended. The cupcake is colored and has some Diamond Stickles for glitter. Hope you can see that in the photo! You can follow people's comments by clicking on the link here.

Hero Arts Supplies:
"Write Your Own" Cling Stamp
"Cupcake" Sparkle Clear Set
"Happiness Message" Clear Design Set
Spring Mixed Notecards
Small Blossom Gemstones

For the second card, I loved Lisa's colors of blue and yellow on Tuesday's blog, and I had this new Cling stamp just sitting there staring at me, so I thought I should use it. Since I don't have the Heart Winged Butterfly stamp (kicking myself very hard right now), I stamped the Striped Circle in blue ink and used my Martha Stewart punch. The sentiment is from Clear Design Happiness Messages. (So glad I bought that set - I use it ALL the time!) The cardstock, ink and ribbons are all from Papertrey Ink. You can follow people's comments to this card by clicking here.

I'm trying to participate as much as possible this month since I head back to teaching on August 17th!

Hero Arts Monochromatic Challenge

The Blog's weekly challenge is to create a card with monochromatic colors.

I started this one by first trying out stamping on the flowers. It worked! I was thrilled. Then, I stamped the Raindrop Background on PTI Sweet Blush using PTI Hibiscus Burst ink. I secured a piece of Hibiscus Burst ribbon across the bottom and secured my flowers on top. Then I added some pink gemstones for the center.

I started the butterflies by stamping on PTI Hibiscus Burst cardstock in PTI Snow White ink. After lifting the stamp, I poured Hero Arts Prisma Glitter over the dots and let it sit. When it was dry, I punched out my butterflies with my new Martha Stewart punch that I bought at Michaels with a 50% off coupon. After adding some rhinestones for the body, I secured only the center to the card, and lifted their wings a little.

The sentiment is from Hero Arts Trees, Birds and Messages, stamped in - you guessed it - PTI Hibiscus Burst. You can follow comments left by others at Flickr.

Links to supplies:
Papertrey Ink
Hero Arts

Hero Arts Website Challenge - Part 2

This is my second submission for Hero Arts this week. The Blog's weekly challenge is to find a card on the Hero Arts Website and create your own version. I found this "One of a Kind" card by Shari Carroll on their site (the top card above), and created my own version of it, "You Are My Sunshine" (the bottom picture) You can follow people's comments about the card here on the Flickr group!

Supplies:
Green Cardstock
White Stampers Select cardstock (Papertrey Ink)
Handwritten Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)
Button
Twine (Papertrey Ink)
Hero Arts "Happy Thoughts" set - bird
Hero Arts "Trees, Birds and Messages" set - branches embossed on green hill, tree
Hero Arts Gemstones on the hill & tree
Bitty Dot Basics Pattern Paper (Papertrey Ink)
Yellow Bazzill cardstock
Green Sakura Souffle pen (to color in the tree)
Embossing powder

Hero Arts Website Challenge

Hero Arts is launching a new and improved website on July 15th! The Blog's weekly challenge is to find a card on the Hero Arts Website and create your own version. I found this "Sweet Baby" card by Kelly Rasmussen on their site (the top card above), and created my own version of it, "Hello Birdy!" (the bottom picture) I've already received lots of nice comments on the Flickr group!

Hero Arts is Having a BIG Week!

Click over on Hero Arts Blog to see the big party going on. They are launching a new website and store with so many of their fabulous stamps for sale for delivery or pick up at your favorite store! Yippee!

Photo Bookmark

Here's a bookmark I made for my friend's son. He loves to read and recommends books to my 4-year old. Click on the picture to zoom.

Supplies:

Hero Arts Curly Alphabet

Hero Arts Galaxy of Stars

My Mind's Eye Dreamy 2 patterned paper

Paper Trey Ink white cardstock

Zing White Embossing powder

Blue cardstock

Crate Paper Samantha Collection Ribbon

Complementary Colors At Hero Arts Blog

The Hero Arts Blog challenge this week was to use complementary colors on a project. I chose my favorite combo - blue and orange.

The top card is a 5x5 square card. I stamped one of the Clear Design Mixed Design Borders in VersaMark on blue and orange cardstock and then heat embossed the images. The pom-pom ribbon is from Making Memories and the Thank You stamp is from an Archivers Special.

The bottom card uses the Hero Arts Spring Mix card set. I punched out a circle and stamped my Birdy stamp in blue. For the inside, I stamped him in PTI Smokey Shadow ink, colored with Aquacolor pencils and blended the colors with my Dove Blender pen. The sentiment comes from the Happiness Messages set from Hero Arts.

Father's Day Card

Here's the Father's Day card I made for Eric. You can click on the picture to zoom. The picture is from our trip to the beach and the design came from this designer. She was showcasing die-cuts with her card, but since I don't have a die-cut machine (like this one for instance...cough, cough, hint, hint) then I just used patterned paper to resemble Earth. It was a quick card, and I think it turned out OK.

Manly Challenge

This is for the Hero Arts Blog "Manly"Challenge. I've just purchased an embossing gun and powder, so I went crazy and embossed everything! Thought of the design while awake at 2:00 a.m.!
Stamps:
S5101 - Raindrop Background
CL318 - Galaxy of Stars
CL260 - Curly Alphabet
and Hero Arts Crystal Gemstones

I won!!!

Check out this post on the Hero Arts Blog: http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2009/04/23/my-message-challenge-winners/

I WON!!!!!

I won the Fresh Face prize for a challenge they had on the blog. The challenge was to use your stamps to create your own message. I entered the "...bugged you" card and somebody liked it. I'm thrilled!

What's so fun is that I had just received a package from Hero Arts for winning a random drawing for having their blinkie on my blog. I received the package yesterday evening. Now, they are sending a gift certificate so that I can buy whatever I want. Can you believe it!!!! I'm overwhelmed, that's for sure!

Sorry I Bugged You

Here is my card for this week's challenge at the Hero Arts Blog. We were supposed to create our own message. It was fun!

Stamps:
Hero Arts "Sending Happy Thoughts"
Hero Arts "Cute Letters"
Inkadinkado "Patterned Bugs"
Inkadinkado "All About Borders"
Stampendous "a la Mode Alphabet"

Hero Arts Gemstones were used too!

CPS-110 Challenge

Here's this week's sketch at Card Positioning Systems (CPS) and my take on it. I used Paper Trey Ink's Flower Garden stamp set and Hero Arts Sending Happy Thoughts. The ink is also from Paper Trey Ink - Pure Poppy and New Leaf, and Color Box Chalk in Lime Pastel. The gemstones are from Hero Arts.

Thanks for looking!

Hero Arts One Layer Challenge

This card is for this week's challenge on the Hero Arts Blog. They are celebrating their one-year anniversary this week, so their challenge was to create a one-layer card. You can see other examples by so many talented women at the Flickr Group here.

I used Hero Arts "Sending Happy Thoughts" stamp set for the owl, heart, stars and flowers.

I used Hero Arts "Cute Letters" stamp set for the letters.

I used a free gift stamp set of Hero Art's that Archivers gave out for the top and bottom branch and Gelatins "You Spin Me Round" stamps for the moon.

After stamping, I colored in the owl with pencils, the moon with my Glaze pens and everything else with my Fiskars pens. Then I added as many flower or round gemstones as I could get away with.

I already gave this care to Sherill who just finished up her coaching for the year. She loved it.

Chipboard Challenge - Windows Challege

This is a card that I've had in my head all week and finally got to put together on Thursday night. There is a challenge on the Hero Arts Club Blog that involves creating windows in cards. There are a lot of cute springy examples there, so I encourage you all to look. I created this one for the challenge in hopes of winning some of their fabulous stamps.

I really had a lot of fun with this card!

Here are my supplies I used:
-Hero Arts Prisma Glitter on the chipboard flower. This glitter gives a sparkle to any color you put it on.
-Hero Arts Trees, Birds and Messages stamp set with Versa Mark on the green cardstock
-Hero Arts Sending Happy Thoughts stamp set for butterfly, frog (LOVE him) and sentiment
-Hero Arts flower sequins from one of their Sparkle Clear sets
-Gelly Roll Clear Star pen for extra sparkle
-2-mm green rhinestones for more sparkle
-Color Pencils
-Yellow Ribbon
-White textured cardstock
-Dimensional adhesives

It's been awhile

I have been trying to get some cards started for some challenges, but I haven't been able to. I need to be more organized about it. My main goal is to win something. I'm lucky most of the challenges are random number drawings. Otherwise, I'd never win. Some of the cards that some of these women make are absolutely magnificent.

I recently bought some new supplies from a new favorite company, Paper Trey Ink. Wow. I loved everything I got and have put it to good use.

The top 2 pictures are a set of cards that I made for my friend Wendy. Her sister is terminally ill and I made them for her so she could write notes to loved ones. Wendy has done a lot for me this semester at school, so I wanted to do something for her. I totally copied the design from this designer, but it was easy to make several of them all at once. The inside has a little bunch of tulips in the corner. Those stamps are part of my new supplies, the Wishing You set. I love the tulips. You can click on the images to zoom in. Don't look too carefully, though.

The second set is a couple of other cards using a different stamp set I got, called Flower Garden. I'm really having fun with it. I have something in mind to make with them, but I just can't seem to put it together. It's in my head where most of my scrapbooking gets done.

I'm on a quest for the perfect butterfly set. I think I've found it here. Wow!

Mojo Monday-#77

Here's the Mojo Monday Sketch #76 interpretation I have. (Click on the link to see the sketch.) Boy was this fun. I already gave this particular card away, but loved it so much that I made another one this morning. What a great sketch! The bottom picture is the inside of the card.

CPS Sketch-part 2 (Is this cheating?)

Is it cheating to post more than once a week for the challenge? I'm new here, so let me know. I had so much fun with the first card I made, I got busy again tonight. Above is the sketch for this week's challenge at the CPS Blog. And here is my newest take on it.

Here's a close up.
And here's the inside.
Supplies: Textured cardstock, kraft cardstock, "Got Flowers?" Fall #2 from Prima Marketing, Marvy Uchida scallop punch (my newest favorite tool), Cutter Bee Curvy Cutter (my not-as-new favorite tool), gemstones.

I see all of your beautiful cards and great photos. Any photo tips you have would be appreciated. And really, can I post 2 cards in a week???

Thanks for looking!

CPS-106

Here is the newest sketch from CPS. I think I'm officially addicted. When I saw the sketch, I thought about using my Bo-Bunny bendable ruler, and it all fell together. The 2 pictures above are my take on the sketch. The paper and die cut are from My Minds Eye Dreamy 2 collection that I ordered from Peachy Cheap. Other than a few buttons and some thread, that was it. I have other ideas in mind for this sketch, so we'll see what I can get done this week! I might post again. Maybe I'll take pictures under better lighting next time.

CPS Sketch 105

This is my first card to post since this is all so new to me. I liked this sketch a lot and plan on using it over and over again! Thanks for the great idea!

I'm just starting to work with the stamps and colors together. I purchased the Fiskars 48 piece gel pens and LOVE them.