Designs by Lisa Somerville

Send in the Clowns.....

2009-07-10T12:09:00.004-05:00

There ought to be clowns....Tell them I'm here...

Okay, now that I've gotten that song out of my head, onto my card. Using Midnight Madness Challenge Sketch 9 as my inspiration and taking a few creative liberties, here's what I've come up with. I'm really not a ribbony (that's a word, isn't it) type of gal, so I omitted that and used the dot image in it's place. I did a little reverse Paper Piecing with my Send in the Clowns image from Artistic Outpost. What's REVERSE Paper Piecing you ask? Well, I actually started with the Lime Rickey paper from Basic Grey, that's my base layer (instead of stamping on White), then trimmed off the excess. I've found it's much easier to reverse Paper Piece this image then do it the normal way. So I actually pieced in the Clowns head and hands using White card stock, and the fluffy frilly part of the clowns costume with another pattern from the Lime Rickey collection. After the image was pieced, adhere it to White card stock for an Out of the Box look, then add your Black panel for depth.

Did you know Artistic Outpost is having a Christmas in July SALE! ALL Artistic Outpost Holiday Plates are on sale through July 31st! Want a little extra savings? Use code LS-15off to save an additional 15% on your Artistic Outpost purchases!

Details:

Stamps - Artistic Outpost Send in the Clowns

Ink - Black Archival

Card Stock - Basic Grey Lime Rickey, Stampin' Up! Old Olive, White, Black

Other - SAMJ, Markers

Bloggers Challenge Friday

2009-07-10T01:38:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another Bloggers Challenge Friday! This week my challenge to the Bloggers Group was to CASE one of the other Bloggers Challenge Members. Now let me tell you there is a lot of talent in this group, so picking one person to CASE was not an easy task. CASE means different things to different people Copy And Stamp Exactly/Copy And Steal Everything...When it comes to CASEing, I'm more of an inspired by type of stamper. I like to use sketch layout/color combinations that sort of stuff, but not a true stamp exactly type of stamper...

I chose to use this card from Kerry as my CASE. Besides Kerry's awesome coloring, she has a knack for using designer paper on her cards, an area that is not my strong point, as I'm more of a create your own background using techniques type of gal. Now mind you Kerry and I have a very different type of stamp style, I can honestly tell you I own no Riley's/Hannah's or those beautiful Magnolia images she uses, so I did not fully CASE her card. Rather, I borrowed her layout and designer series paper idea for the sketch. I did omit the ribbon, and in it's place used the Drywall Stitching around my Basic Grey Perhaps paper. Thanks Kerry for the inspiration!

The beautiful image is from Kitchen Sink Stamps new release Multi Step Baby. I mentioned the other day on stamping the images out of order to help line them up easier, for this one I stamped #3 in Regal Red, #4 Regal Red, #2 Pretty in Pink, #1 Pink Pirouette. The layers were cut with the Big Shot and Spellbinders Circle & Scallop Dies. The sentiment is from this same plate - stamped in Black using a SAMJ. If you missed Monday's KSS release post - click here to read about The Full Sink Special. As always, you can save 10% on all Kitchen Sink Stamps purchases by using code LISA10KSS when you check out.

Details:

Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Baby

Ink - Black, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette

Card Stock - White, Old Olive, Regal Rose, Basic Grey Perhaps

Other - Spellbinders Oval/Circle Dies, Double Circle Punch, Clear Gel Pen, Quickie Glue Pen, Drywall Tape, Ruler, Old Olive Marker, SAMG

Thanks for stopping by, be sure to click the Bloggers Challenge Logo on my side bar to see what the other challenge members created this week. If you'd like to play along, just leave a direct link to your post here on my blog. Have a great weekend!

Grrrrr....Blogger Issues

2009-07-09T17:50:00.003-05:00

Sorry if you are having issues viewing my blog lately. I know I've had issues with other bloggers blogs lately, and when someone emailed me today to tell me they had been getting the same message I was, I did a friendly google search on the matter.

Here's what I pulled from the Blogger Board:

Some users are seeing an 'Operation Aborted' error message when trying to load their blogs from Internet Explorer. We're looking into this and will update this message when we have a fix.We apologize for the inconvenience.Update (May 26): We are still working on resolving this bug. This only affects viewers using IE to view the blog; for right now, blog owners can either move the Followers gadget lower in their sidebar, or remove it altogether. Either action will eliminate the pop-up dialog box in IE.

BUT....I've read a few other things too, that say it has nothing to do with the Followers Widget that most bloggers are using on their blogs. I've also read that people are switching to FireFox as their web browser and this has eliminated the error message.

Just thought I'd pass along the information in case there are others frustrated with the issue.

Three Clover Thursday...ISC Sneak Peek and a Challenge

2009-07-09T04:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Thursday, I'm so glad you could stop by! Nothing like combining 3 things into one post - but I promise you, they all fit together. Being Thursday, it's time for Kerry's Three Clover Thursday Challenge, and this week it's using this Sketch. It's a great sketch, one I'll be using again!

I've been playing in the CuttleBug Challenge Blog July Challenges, so I grabbed their challenge for this week and used it as my color choices for my card. Here's the colors:

So what's the Sneak Peek you ask? It's the beautiful Serenity image from Innovative Stamp Creations, it's one of the new July Releases. You'll want to stop in on Monday and hop along the ISC Blog Hop, the DT has done some amazing things with the July Release! I'll also have a special treat or two, so be sure to check back!

A little bit about my card...The Serenity image is stamped in Black Archival on a piece Spectrum Roll. The Spectrum Roll Technique was done in one of my favorite pads - Pumpkin Patch. After my image was dry, I did morph the technique by adding color to the water and grass using an aquapainter and ink pads. The sentiment from this same sheet is stamped on a scrap piece of Spectrum Roll. For the Baja Breeze and Olive panels, I ran my card stock through the Big Shot using the Distressed Stripes CuttleBug Folder (another one of my favorites).

Details:

Stamps - Innovative Stamp Creations Serenity

Ink - Pumpkin Patch, Black Archival, Baja Breeze, Old Olive

Card Stock - Black, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Razzleberry Lemonade, White Coated

Other - Brads, Big Shot, Distressed Stripes CuttleBug Folder, Brayer, Spritz Bottle, Aquapainter

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to click on the Three Clovers Logo on my side bar to visit the links of Kerry and the other 3CT Challenge team members.

Just one more thing before you go...If you missed the Starving Artistamps Blog Hop - click here you'll be amazed at what the Design Team did with the new DoodleFactory release.

Thinking of You...Faux Iris Folding

2009-07-08T08:06:00.008-05:00

I love the Faux Iris Folding Technique, it's so much quicker than the old method of Iris Folding. To start, I cut the Top Note from a piece of Black card stock, then cut a Rectangle from the center using my Big Shot and Nestabilities. This gave me the opening for which to add my strips of Razzleberry Lemonade for my Faux Iris Folding. I did cut off the Black at the perforations, and distressed the edges using my Cutter Kit, so I could layer it on a piece of Crushed Curry card stock. Once the Faux Iris folding was done, I punched the holes in the side using the Crop-a-Dile then tied on a piece of Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon (mines flipped so you don't see the polka dots. I placed the finished Faux Iris Folding on a piece of Rich Razzleberry card stock that was embossed with the Stylized Flowers CuttleBug Folder.

The beautiful sentiment comes from the new Thinking of You Set from JustRite, just released yesterday, and the 2-1/4" x 3-1/16" Wood Stmper. To achieve the two tone color of the sentiment, I inked my stamp with Rich Razzleberry then using a Blender Pen, I removed the ink from the sentiment. With each swipe across the words with the Blender Pen, it removes the ink, then rub onto a piece of scrap paper, and continue removing the ink from your sentiment. Once all the ink was removed, I used a Black marker to color the sentiment, huff to moisten the ink, then stamp on White card stock. Once dry, I punched with the Large Oval Punch from Stampin' Up! and layered on Crushed Curry and Black Ovals that were cut using Oval Nestabilities. The sentiment adhered with dimensionals.

Details:

Stamps - JustRite Thinking of You, 2-1/4" x 4-1/16" Wood Stamper

Ink - Markers - Black, Rich Razzleberry

Card Stock - Black, Crushed Curry, White, Rich Razzleberry, Razzleberry Lemonade

Other - Big Shot, Oval Nestabilities, Large Oval Punch, Blender Pen, Dimensionals, Stylized Flowers CuttleBug Folder, Cutter Kit, Crop-a-Dile, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain, Rectangle Nestabilities

Thanks for stopping by, to see the full line of new July Summer Releases from Just Rite - click here.

CHF Summer Challenge #2 and Blog Candy Winner

2009-07-07T01:10:00.001-05:00

I created today's card for the Cornish Heritage Farms Summer Stamp Star Designer Contest - read more details here. This weeks challenge is Paper Piecing. Paper Piecing is a great way to use up your DSP scraps. The image is one of my favorites from CHF's The Rummage Bin Line - Boys will be Boys. For the little boys pants, I used a piece of Apple Crisp from The Paper Lofts Well Worn Line, for his shirt I found this really cool blue from the Basic Grey Lime Rickey Pad, that had just the same tone of brown running through it as the pants had. I added just a bit of Tattered Rose for his skin color, and Close to Cocoa for his hair.

Details:
Stamps - Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink - Black Archival, Tattered Rose, Close to Cocoa
Card Stock - Baja Breeze, Black, White, Basic Grey Lime Rickey, The Paper Loft Apple Crisp
Other - Aquapainter

SNR Blog Hop Blog Candy Winner!
Thank you all for stopping by my blog for the SNR Blog Hop - I hope you enjoyed hopping through the 90+ blogs that participated. There sure was a lot of inspiration along the hop! Thank you all for your kind words on the card I posted using the She-roe image from Artistic Outpost. It was fun reading your comments on which Artistic Outpost plate was your favorite. I love them all! My favorite ones of course are the ones you haven't seen just yet, but if I had to pick just one, my all time favorite plate is Serenity. I used the random number generator to pick my winner...

Lynna said...
Great card! Have been admiring Artistic Outpost stamps for awhile now. It's always hard to pick out just one when you are on a budget! LOL Thanks for the opportunity to win such great blog candy and for the coupon code.
July 4, 2009 6:30 PM

Congrats Lynn - please use the contact me button located on my blog with your information.

Don't forget to stop by Starving Artistamps tomorrow for their Blog Hop. Unfortunately I won't be participating in this months release due to other commitments, but I know you'll be wow'd by the other Designers artwork!

Have a great day!

Kitchen Sink Monday... July Challenge, New Stamps and a SALE

2009-07-06T01:00:00.004-05:00

Happy Monday, I hope you had an enjoyable weekend! I'm glad you stopped by for Kitchen Sink Monday - I've got a lot of news from Kitchen Sink Stamps to share with you today! New in the Kitchen this week are 7 wonderful NEW releases! Be sure to keep reading on how you can save a bundle on this new release! Keep reading to see the samples I've created with these new releases.

As a special savings to you Maria is offering THE FULL SINK - the 7 sets listed above are grouped together for a 10% savings through July 12th. But wait it gets better! Use my code LISA10KSS when ordering for an additional 10% off! How cool is that! And just when you think it couldn't get any better, when you order all 7 sets, you'll also qualify for FREE shipping!

July is also a new challenge month in the Kitchen, and I'm your hostess for the Challenge #15! If you're like me, you love when someone provides you with a sketch for your designs, it gives you a bit of a jumping point. So, that's what I've done for my challenge - I've created this sketch for you to use with your Kitchen Sink Stamps. Feel free to rotate the sketch if you'd like. The blue swirl on the card can be ribbon or sentiments. After you've created your card using the Sketch and KSS stamps, be sure to leave a link on the KSS Blog for your chance to win some great prizes!

Here's a few card's I created using the new July Releases from Kitchen Sink Stamps and this months Challenge

Details:
Stamps - KSS Mulit Step Berries, Words of Comfort & Joy
Ink - Pacific Point, Black, Olive
Card Stock - Black, Bashful Blue, Pacific Point
Other - Big Shot, CuttleBug Dots Folder, Bashful Blue Ribbon, Dimensionals
Tech - Out of the Box

Stamps - KSS Words Of Comfort & Joy, 3Step Letters from Home
Card Stock - Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip, White, Ruby Red
Ink - Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss, Soft Suede, Ruby Red
Other - 1/4" Circle Punch, Sponge Dauber, Eclipse Tape
Tech - Faux Collage

Stamps - KSS Kittens & Pup
Card Stock - Chocolate Chip, White, DSP
Ink - Black, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel
Other - Drywall Tape, Marker, 1/4" Circle Punch
Tech - Drywall Stitching

Stamps - KSS Multi Step Baby, Big & Bold Swashes
Ink - Regal Rose, Pretty In Pink
Card Stock - White, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose
Other - Big Shot, CuttleBug Dots Folder, Dimensionals, Sponge Dauber
Tech - CuttleBug Highlights

Thanks for stopping by, be sure to stop by the other KSS DT members blogs for more KSS inspiration: Angela, Dee, Connie, Julie, Lori, Lynn , Makiko, Maria (KSS Owner )

TechnoStamper Sketch Challenge

2009-07-06T00:15:00.000-05:00

Another Monday, another sketch from MJ at TechnoStamper. This weeks sketch is one that works well with many stamps. I decided to showcase one of the new July Releases from Kitchen Sink Stamps called Multi Step Berries, the berries look so realistic IRL!

To begin, I stamped the vine #2 in Olive, #1 Olive stamped off. The leaves #2 Olive, #1 Olive stamped off, #3 Olive. To stamp the berries I started the follow image #3 in Red, #2 in Red stamped off, #1 in Red stamped off, #4 in Red. The tops of the berries were stamped #2 Olive, #1 Olive stamped off, #3 Olive. The smaller berry was stamped the same way, cut out, then popped up on a dimensional. I used a SAMJ and black in to stamp the sentiment.

To soften up the DSP and the Black panel, I used the Painted Mesh Technique from a past TJNL issue. Don't forget you can save 10% on all your Kitchen Sink Stamp purchases by using code LISA10KSS at checkout. Click here for the I want the Full Sink special (limited time offer).

Details:
Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps Multi Step Berries (July '09 Release)
Ink - Olive, Black, Red, White
Card Stock - Black, White, Olive, DSP
Other - Brayer, Drywall Tape 1/4" Circle Punch, Dimensionals

More Kitchen Sink Stamps Sneak Peeks

2009-07-05T18:43:00.004-05:00

Here's a few more peeks of the new releases coming from Kitchen Sinks Stamps.

Images on the card to the left are all NEW releases on the card on the right, the Bell comes come the 3 Step Bells, but the other images shown are from the new release.

Have you stopped by Maria's blog and left comments for you chance to win one of the new releases? Hurry, you need to leave your comments today - July 5th to be entered!

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for Kitchen Sink Monday - I'll be hostessing this months KSS Challenge and sharing some of the cards I've created with the new Kitchen Sink Stamps releases.

Thanks for stopping by!

SNR Card Universe Blog Hop and some Blog Candy!

2009-07-04T00:01:00.008-05:00

Happy 4th of July! I'm so glad you could join the SNR Card Universe Blog Hop! If you came from Pamela's Blog you are on the right track! If you didn't you may want to hop over to SNR Card Universe and start at the beginning.

Grab a cup a coffee a comfy chair, sit back and relax, as there are 90+ Bloggers on the hop! I'm also giving away some Blog Candy, so be sure to keep reading for a chance to win!

To create my card, I used inspiration from Sketch #8 at Midnight Madness. The wonderful vintage image is from the She-roes Plate at Artistic Outpost. I used the Watercolor Distress Technique for the background, after my watercolor paper was dry, I stamped the image in Black Archival, and colored using Distress Inks and an Aquapainter. When done, the edges where sponged in Soft Suede. The Buckaroo Blue panel was run through the Big Shot using the Distress Stripes Cuttlebug Folder. The DSP behind my images is from The Paper Loft, cut with Circle Nestabilities, layered on a piece of Buckaroo Blue and a Cranberry Crisp Scallop.

Details:

Stamps - Artistic Outpost - She-roes

Ink - Black Archival, Distress Inks, Soft Suede

Card Stock - Black, Watercolor, Buckaroo Blue, Cranberry Crisp

Other - Nestabilities, CuttleBug Distressed Striped Folder, Big Shot, Corner Punch, Mat Pack, Dimensionals, Sponge Dauber, Craft Mat, Large & Small Star Punch

So, you wanna know what I'm giving away as Blog Candy? If you're the lucky winner - you'll get to pick any* Plate from Artistic Outpost (*$12 Value). How cool is that! How can you enter? Simply visit the Artistic Outpost store, then come back and tell me what set is your favorite. Be sure to enter by 11PM CST on July 5th. I'll have the Random Number Generator pick a winner and post to my blog on July 6th. Because Blogger does not keep track of your email address, you'll want to check back to see if you've won. In case you're entering multiple blogs for Blog Candy, you can simply click the Follow My Blog link to subscribe to my blog, or click on the Subscribe Here link to get daily updates in Feedblitz.

Here's a little savings for everyone! You can save 10% on all your purchases at Artistic Outpost by entering code LS-10off at checkout. This code doesn't expire either - how cool is that! Happy Shopping!

I'm glad you stopped by for the visit, I hope you have a Happy & Safe 4th of July. Next on the stop is Korin at Inky Doodle.

Bloggers Challenge - Wave the Flag

2009-07-03T03:42:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! This weeks Bloggers Challenge is Wave the Flag (or Red, White & Blue). If you'd like to play along with this weeks challenge, leave a link to your card in the comments section, I'd love to see your RWB cards!

Now before I get to the deets of my card, I know what you're thinking...Lot's of layers! Yep, I'm the queen of layering, it's a struggle for me not to add the layers! To create my card I stamped a portion of the Flag from Our Daily Bread Designs God Bless America in Black Archival on Watercolor paper and colored using the Marker Watercoloring Technique. Before I colored the Blue, I applied White Gel Pen to the stars, so they would resist the ink.

Details:

Stamps - Our Daily Bread Designs - God Bless America

Ink - Black Archival, Markers

Card Stock - Red, White, Navy

Other - Aquapainter, 1/4" Circle Punch

Be sure to click on the Bloggers Challenge Logo on my sidebar, to see what the talented Challenge members created this week! Don't forget to check back tomorrow, as I'll be posting my Red, White & Blue card for the SNR Card Universe Blog Hop, I'll also have a chance for you to win some Blog Candy!

JustRite Black Beans & Salsa

2009-07-03T01:05:00.000-05:00

Just in time for the Holiday Weekend, I've got a quick and easy Black Beans & Salsa recipe to share with you. Next week, JustRite is releasing a brand new stamp set called Preserves - this set works with the 2-3/8" Wooden Stamper (sold separately). This set is perfect for packaging up recipes using your fresh garden fruits and vegetables!

For my project, I used the Salsa image from the new JustRite Preserves set, and the Times Roman Font Size 25pt. I used two sets of the Times Roman Font, to have enough letters for the spelling in my border.

The 2-3/8" Wooden Stamper has a double channel that's great for using the fonts to create your own sentiments around the borders.

I stamped my image in Black Archival on Watercolor Paper and colored using the Marker Watercoloring Technique from a past issue of the TJNL. Once the image was dry, I used my Big Shot and Circle Nestabilities to cut the images from the Watercolor Paper. I placed the border onto a Yellow Circle, then placed a the Salsa image on a Red circle and placed that onto the Yellow/Border Circles. I wrapped a piece of Twill around the canning jar (note this is an older type of canning jar, it's one I had gotten from my grandmother), and adhered my tag.

Here's the recipe:

Black Bean Salsa

2 Cans Black Beans, rinsed and drained
4 Plum Tomatoes, chopped
1/2 Red Onion, chopped
1 bunch Cilantro, chopped
Juice of 1 Lime
1/4 C of Olive Oil
1 tsp. Pepper
1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp. Cumin
1 tsp. Chili Powder
Salt
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
2 TBSP Red Wine Vinegar

In a large bowl combine tomatoes with salt and set aside for 10 minutes to bring out the juices. Add beans, onions mix well. Add cilantro, lime juice oil and vinegar. Stir to coat. Add spices to taste. Serve immediately, or set in refrigerator for 30 minutes prior to serving for flavors to intensity. If you want to spice it up a bit, add chopped jalapenos - but be sure to wear gloves when chopping!

Enjoy!

Click here for a printable copy of the recipe

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to stop by the JustRite Blog to see more creative samples using products from the New Summer Release and for your chance to win some great JustRite Blog Candy!

More Kitchen Sink Stamps Sneak Peeks and a Tip

2009-07-02T23:49:00.008-05:00

Here's a few more peeks at some of the new sets being released by Kitchen Sink Stamps next week. I've actually used three of the new sets in today's peek. I think these three will be very popular sets!

I thought I'd pass along a little tip on using the Kitchen Sink Stamps. While talking to Maria today about a color combination she used, she gave me her details and it hit me like a ton of bricks....a DUH moment for me! The image I questioned her about, she hadn't stamped them in 1-2-3-4 order, like I've been stamping, she stamped them out of sequence. Now don't laugh, some of you may have already been doing that, but not me, I was stamping 1-2-3-4. By doing this, I had a much easier time lining up my images, and it helped me get the look I was after, not to mention it took me less time to stamp my image. For example on a 4 Step Kitchen Sink Stamp, you may want to try stamping in this order 3-2-1-4.

I love to use Stampin' Up! or Ranger Distress Inks with my Kitchen Sink Stamps, as both inks allow you to stamp off before stamping your image on your card stock, thus giving you a lighter base on which to either add over or under your stamped image. In tomorrow sneak peek post, I'll post some examples of what I'm talking about.

Just incase you're wondering...YES you'll be able to save 10% on the new Kitchen Sink Stamps releases by using code LISA10KSS.

Have you entered Maria's KSS Blog Giveaway yet? You gotta be in it to win it!

Three Clover Thursday Challenge RWB

2009-07-02T04:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Thursday, are you ready for the long Holiday Weekend? Over the next few days, I'll be sharing more cards with patriotic themes, so be sure to check back! Kerry and I were thinking alike when we issued challenges to our teams this week - of course with the 4th of July being on Saturday, we both chose Red, White and Blue. .

For my card, I stamped the solider image from Innovative Stamp Creations Memories of Patriotism in Black Archival on White card stock and let dry. I used Tattered Rose and Faded Jeans Distress Inks for the Watercolor Distress Technique, it reminds me of a swirly sky. The DSP is Karen Fosters Stars and Stripes, available at ISC, or when your purchase the MOP Kit. My image is stamped clearly, but for some reason Blogger always seems to have issues with Red card stock when there is a stamped image. Click to enlarge - it reads My Thanks.

Details:

Stamps - Innovative Stamp Creations - Memories of Patriotism

Ink - Black Archival, Faded Jeans, Tattered Rose

Card Stock - Black, White, Ruby Red, Night of Navy, Karen Foster Stars & Stripes

Other - Spritz Bottle, Non Stick Craft Mat

Thanks for stopping by! To see what Kerry and the other 3CTC Team members created, be sure to click the logo on my sidebar

Kitchen Sink Stamps Sneak Peek

2009-07-01T22:39:00.005-05:00

I bet you've been wondering where my Sneak Peeks were...Well, let me tell you my stamps made a detour clear across country and spent a few days in NH. They finally arrived today (Wednesday) and I've been working feverishly to create a few cards to catch up on sneak peeks!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for another peek at what's to come from Kitchen Sink Stamps!

Be sure to stop by Maria's Blog for a chance to win one of the new releases!

It's a Circus....A Circle Circus

2009-07-01T03:16:00.001-05:00

I love the quick and easy backgrounds you can created using the Depth of Field Technique. Here I paired the technique with the Stampin' Up!'s new Circle Circus Set. Morphing the technique a bit, I added a Black as a 4th color for a little more depth. The other colors used are Stampin' Up!'s two new In Colors Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry and Going Grey. The sentiment is from Hope Happens, which is one the the sets I picked for FREE for winning the May Wow contest - thanks Stampin' Up!

Details:
Stamps - Circle Circus, Hope Happens (all SU)
Ink - Black, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Going Grey
Card Stock - Black, White, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay
Other - Dimensionals

New from Stampin' Up! - Deal of the Week

From July 1-31, Stampin' Up! is offering a new Deal of the Week each Monday at 10:00 AM (MT)
The first deal of the week, beginning July 1 at noon (MT) is (drum roll, please)...
Period
Item #
Page #
Description
Regular Price
Special Price
July 1-5, 2009
112091
187
Scallop Edge punch
$15.95
$10.99
This deal will be available via my website or you can email me to order. But hurry, the special promotional price will only be available through July 6, 9:50 AM (MT).

Thanks for stopping by! All products used are available in the new 2009/2010 Idea Book & Catalog. Online ordering for the new catalog will be available via my website around 12PM (MT).

SNR 4th of July Blog Hop Starts July 4th

2009-06-30T22:43:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, I'll be joining 90+ other bloggers in the SNR "Oh Say Can You See 4th of July Blog Hop". More details about the hop can be found below. Be sure to check back on Saturday, I'll be sharing a card using images from Artistic Outpost, and I'll have some great Blog Candy too!

Are you ready for some fun? Maybe a little summer celebration…with a LOT of inspiration? Join us this weekend as we hop aboard the Scrapbook News and Review “Oh Say Can You See 4th of July Blog Hop”. There will be over 90 blogs participating in this massive event, with blog candy, ideas and inspiration along the way. The Cuttlebug Challenge Blog is offering a wonderful prize package of a cuttlebug and new CHA Summer release embossing folders. The fun begins at the Card Universe at 9am CST, Saturday July 4th. Every blog along the way will have a fun project to share with you, and then point you to the next blog on the hop. Everything will conclude at 10PM CST on Sunday July 5th, giving you plenty of time to enjoy all 95 blogs along the way. Make plans to join us this weekend.

JustRite New Release Thinking of You

2009-06-30T01:18:00.000-05:00

The JustRite Summer Release #1 sneak peeks started last week have you seen some of the great new sets that will be available from JustRite on July 1st? Of course with the new release also comes some wonderful Blog Candy from Just Rite, be sure to read on for more information.

Today, I'm sharing with you a card I created with the new Thinking of You Set from JustRite. The sentiments are perfect for those cards that we all struggle finding the right words for, but all need to send. This set comes with 6 Borders and Centers and fits on the Oval 2-1/4" by 3-1/16" Wooden Stamper. Check out the JustRite Blog here to find out how you can enter to win this set. The entire set is shown below:

For the base of my card, I used one of the beautiful floral patterns in the Basic Grey Wisteria Pack. I pulled out Eggplant and Bashful Blue card stock from Stampin' Up! to coordinate with the colors in the paper. The sentiment and border from the new JustRite Thinking of You Set was placed on the Oval 2-1/4" x 3-1/16" Wooden Stamper and stamped in Eggplant on Confetti card stock, then cut using the Big Shot and Oval Nestabilities by Spellbinders. I cut a larger Black Oval to back the sentiment, then used the Torn Frames Technique from a past TJNL to pull the papers around the stamped sentiment. To add a bit of sparkle to the flourish on the stamped image, I used a Spica Glitter pen.

Details:

Stamps - JustRite Thinking of You Set

Ink - Eggplant

Card Stock - Black, Confetti, Bashful Blue, Basic Grey Wisteria

Other - Bashful Blue Ribbon, Cutter Kit, Big Shot, Spellbinders Oval Nestabilities, Spica Glitter Pen

For more inspiration using the JustRite Thinking of You Set, check out these blogs:

Sharon's post click here

Heidi's post click here

Kellie's post click here

Click here if you missed my Faux Patchwork Purse Set using the new JustRite 1-3/16" Wooden Stamper with Bonus Damask Set

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check back later this week, as I'll be sharing a great recipe for Black Beans and Salsa using the new Preserves Set.

CHF Summer Challenge meets MMSC7

2009-06-29T13:40:00.004-05:00

More multitasking going on in this post. I thought about waiting until tomorrow to post - but then thought if blogger gives me issues, I'll miss the deadline for the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge. If you haven't been to the MMSC Blog, I encourage you to take a look, there's some great contests for participating in their sketches.

I created this card using MMSC7, and combined it with the Cornish Heritage Farms Summer Stamp Star Designer Contest - read more details here. I enjoy using my CHF images, and have a wish list, so thought I'd play along for a chance to win some prizes or get a discount on my wish list. This weeks challenge is Color it: Use your favorite medium whether it is ink, markers, pencils or chalk - we want to see you color what you have stamped.

For my coloring, I used the Pastel Chalk Detailing Technique from a past TJNL, using the Thomas Kinkade stamp It Doesn't Get Much Better from Cornish Heritage Farms. My 13YO tied a bunch of flies for me sometime ago, and gave them to me in case I wanted to use them on my cards - as you can see it came in handy for today's post. I tied on some authentic fly line from an old fly real I have that belonged to my grandfather, and used glue dots to hold it in place.

Details:

Stamps - Cornish Heritage Farms TK It Doesn't Get Much Better

Ink - Black, Versamark

Card Stock - LYB DSP, Black, White, Crushed Curry

Other - Pastels, Sponge Dauber, Fly Line, Fly, Oval Nestabilities, Blue Dots, Mini Fastners - Tim Holtz, Piercing Tool, Dimensionals

Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday - News and TSSC76

2009-06-29T01:00:00.003-05:00

Happy Kitchen Sink Monday, I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I've got a lot of things to share with you this week, so I'll be multitasking on quite a few posts, so I can fit it all in!

Before I tell you what's new in the Kitchen, I wanted to share my KSS Monday post with you. As I mentioned, I'm multitasking today, so I used MJ's TechnoStamper Sketch challenge as the inspiration for my layout.

For the background panel I used the Double Bugging Technique from the June TJNL, using the Swiss Dots and Distressed Striped Folders on Mellow Moss card stock. The image is from Kitchen Sink Stamps 3 Step Hibiscus. To create the flower, I stamped in Regal Rose, Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry. The 3 steps in the leaves were stamped in Old Olive (stamped off), Old Olive and Old Olive. Don't forget you can save 10% on all your purchases at Kitchen Sink Stamps when you use code LISA10KSS at checkout.

Details:
Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps 3 Step Hibiscus
Ink - Rich Razzleberry, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Mellow Moss
Card Stock - Black, White, Mellow Moss, Regal Rose
Other - Big Shot, Nestabilities Ovals, CuttleBug Die Swiss Dots/Distressed Stripes, Sponge Dauber, 1/4" Circle Punch

Now to the exciting things going on at Kitchen Sink Stamps - it's Sneak Peek Time! Sneak Peek Time also means Giveaways from Maria at Kitchen Sink Stamps! Kitchen Sink Stamps will be releasing 7 NEW stamps sets on July 7th! Each day Maria will be posting peeks on her blog with a chance for you to win Kitchen Sink Stamps new releases. I'll also be posting some sneak peeks here on my blog, as well as the other KSS DT members - so be sure to check back.

Be sure to stop by the other KSS DT members blogs for more KSS inspiration

Angela, Dee, Connie, Julie, Lori, Lynn , Makiko, Maria (KSS Owner )

Innovative Stamp Creations - June Challenge

2009-06-28T04:49:00.001-05:00

Looking for a fun challenge and a chance to WIN FREE stamps? Grab your ISC stamps, and play along with this month's challenge and you could win 1 FREE ISC stamp sheet of your choice! So, what's the challenge? Simply create a card using ISC Stamps and the sketch shown here, then leave a link on the ISC Blog Challenge Post with a link to your project by June 12, 2009, for your chance to win.

Taking a few creative liberties with the sketch, I stuck with an A2 sized card, just because I have those envelopes on hand. For my focal image I stamped the smallest Hibiscus in Black Archival on Watercolor Paper twice and colored using the Marker Watercoloring Technique. I cut out one of the flowers and popped it up on dimensionals over the first one. Both the Watercolor and Black panels were cut with Spellbinders Circle Dies. I embossed the Dusty Durango card stock with the Cuttlebug Dots Folder to add a little texture to the panel, then tied on the Dusty Durango Grosgrain ribbon to compliment the dots in the panel piece.

Details:

Stamps - Innovative Stamp Creations Hibiscus

Ink - Black, Dusty Durango Marker, Old Olive marker, Crushed Curry Marker

Card Stock - Black, Watercolor, Old Olive, Dusty Durango

Other - Big Shot, Spellbinders Circle Die, Aquapainter, Mini Fastners, Piercing Tool, Dots Cuttlebug Folder, Ticket Corner Punch

Le Jardin Botanique - Depth of Field

2009-06-27T03:27:00.000-05:00

Depth of Field from the current TJNL has become my new "go to" technique. Quick and easy, yet produces great results. Le Jardin Botanique means A botanical garden, it's a beautiful set from Stampin' Up!, and just my style! This was one of the sets I picked as a freebie for winning the WOW Art Contest.

Not many details to give on this card, as it's really CAS...Colors used in the Depth of Field Technique - Going Grey, Soft Suede (new In Color), Always Artichoke. For the Tree image, I used markers directly on my rubber in Always Artichoke and Soft Suede. I'm glad that Stampin' Up! has decided to create In Color Markers this year! The new Catalog will be online around Noon MT, July 1st, as well as online ordering.

The new 2009/2010 Idea Books & Catalogs arrived here yesterday, if you'd like to get a copy, the cost is $5 plus shipping if applicable. Email me for more details or join my Stamp Club to receive your catalog FREE.

Details

Stamps - Le Jardin Botanique (Stampin' Up!)

Ink - Going Grey, Soft Suede, Always Artichoke

Card Stock - White, Soft Suede, Always Artichoke

Other - Sponge Dauber

Bloggers Challenge 105 - Alter It

2009-06-26T04:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to this weeks Bloggers Challenge, where the theme is Alter It. I know you've got supplies in your stash that are just begging to be altered, so why not drag them out, play along and link your project to this post, so we can all see them!

Personally I can't even tell you how long I've had this naked frame in my stash of alterables. As you can see, I photographed what was inside the frame as it had the information on the maker - Stamp Its. It's a magnetic paper frame, but the frame covering actually has a bit of texture to it. I wasn't quite sure how it was going to work for my stamp surface, but once finished, it looks kinda like a piece of material.

I used a beautiful Mandella stamp from Two Nancys Art Stamps as my image. Stamping in Grey, Rich Razzleberry and Black using the Depth of Field Technique from the TJNL. While I realize the technique doesn't call for Black Ink, I think it gives it a pit of pop. Once finished I sponged Rich Razzleberry around the edges. I had a hard time finding a picture, but came across one of a group of friends that was taken at a Stampin' Up! Convention a few years ago.

Details:

Stamps - Two Nancys Art Stamps

Ink - Grey, Black, Rich Razzleberry

Other - Frame, Sponge Dauber

Thanks for stopping by, be sure to click on the Bloggers Challenge Logo on my side bar to see what altered items the Challenge Team created.

It's a Two-fer Kinda Day!

2009-06-25T04:00:00.000-05:00

Really a Three-fer kind a day if read through my post....I missed MJ's TSSC75 on Monday, not purposely, but because I already had 2 posts for Monday, I thought I'd catch up later in the week. Well, later came, and I caught some type of crud that really took out, and I'm glad to be feeling better. So, here I am combining the TSSC with my Three Clovers Thursday Challenge....

This weeks 3CTC comes from fellow Challenge Member Elena - Where are you from? Make a card that will represent city, state or country where you live. For example from Elena , I live in WI, so I can use cheese, mouse, cows images on my card. If you are from Florida you can make a card using Disney images.

When I first read this weeks 3CTC, I said, HUH? Okay, that's why they call it a challenge...So I went to trusty google and searched for things about things that represent the State of Illinois, and stumbled across all of the symbols that the state is known for - whoo hooo now I have a jumping point. In case you didn't know, the state butterfly for Illinois is a Monarch.

Using MJ's sketch (rotating and adding a few creative liberties) I incorporated the beautiful 3 Step Butterfly from Kitchen Sink Stamps using the Out of the Box Technique. Stamping my butterfly in Mustard, Dusty Durango and Black inks, on White card stock, and added some white dots using my White Gel Pen. The sentiment is from Kitchen Sink Stamps 3 Step Hibiscus, stamped in Black on White card stock and punched with the new Modern Label Punch from Stampin' Up! The Black layer behind my sentiment was punched using the Big Shot and Stampin' Up!'s New Movers & Shapers Punch Window. I used the Double Circle Punch and Dusty Durango card stock for my Faux Brads, covering them using a Clear Gel Pen to give them the look of brads.

Kitchen Sink Stamps annual "6 months before Christmas" 3 day SALE starts today, June 25th - Saturday, June 27th, 2009. Everything in the store will be 15% off when you use Promo Code HOLLY. If you happen to be reading this after the promotion, you can still save 10% on all your KSS purchases by using code LISA10KSS. Don't forget KSS also has some great stamps bundled for retirement.

Thanks for stopping by, be sure to click on the Three Clovers Challenge logo on my sidebar to see what the other Challenge members created!

Faux Patchwork Monogram Purse - New 1-3/16" JustRite Stamper

2009-06-23T06:56:00.006-05:00

I created a pattern for these 3" x 3" purses back in the fall, and thought it would be fun to make one in summer colors. A girl needs a new purse for each season, right! The purse was created using the Faux Tile and Faux Stitching (both past TJNL Techniques). On the front panels I used Basic Grey Perhaps paper and the new Soft Suede card stock from Stampin' Up! as my base card and foundation for my purse. I found some pink embossing powder in my stash that matched the pinks in the DSP for my faux grout.

Just a few tips....When doing the drywall stitching, remove most of the tackiness from the tape, this way when you remove it from your card stock, it won't lift up any fibers when removing. Using a ruler helps keep your stitch lines straight. If you don't own a Xyron, Stampers Magic Tape works great under your DSP, and you and just sprinkle on your embossing powder and heat.

For my 3" x 3" cards, I cut the Perhaps DSP at

2-3/4" x 2-3/4" added a piece of Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain (this ribbon is reversible), then adhered to my 3" x 3" Soft Suede base card.

The monogram was created with the new 1-3/16" Wood Stamper with 3 Bonus Damasks Centers & 60 point Font from JustRite, that will be released in July. This size works perfectly with Stampin' Up!'s punches! Here I stamped the Damask and Alpha in Soft Suede on White card stock, punched with the 1-1/4" Circle Punch, layered on a 1-3/8" Soft Suede Circle, then onto a Regal Rose Scallop.

For the flap, I punched a piece of Perhaps DSP with the 1/4" Circle Punch, and adhered it to the Build a Brad. To hold the purse flap closed, I used Basic Grey Magnetic Snaps.

Details:

Stamps - JustRite 1-3/16" Wood Stamper with 3 Bonus Damasks Centers & 60 pt Font

Ink - Soft Suede

Card Stock - Soft Suede, White, Regal Rose, Basic Grey Perhaps

Other - Marker, Basic Grey Magnetic Snaps, Build a Brad, 1/4" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Punch, Marker, Drywall Tape, Sitcky Strip, Stampers Magic Tape, Piercing Tool, Mini Fasteners, Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain, Heat Gun, Pink Embossing Powder, Ruler

Period	Item #	Page #	Description	Regular Price	Special Price
July 1-5, 2009	112091	187	Scallop Edge punch	$15.95	$10.99