Stamping Sue

snowman fun

2012-01-25T09:23:00.000-05:00

This is the only way I enjoy snowmen! out of paper!!! lol! I die cut a bunch of these Sizzix alterations snowmen a while back and have them in a baggie to use in projects. I pulled out this one that I die cut out of music paper and believe it or not felt. Yes, the hat is felt! Also used Sizzix on the edge border to add some other interest on the card along with rubbing some Ranger stickles all over the snowman for sparkle. Punched out a circle just for the fun of it and stamped a happy birthday saying to have for a winter birthday. Believe it or not ...... no challenges for this card ..... just for fun.

Feeling blue

2012-01-24T12:57:00.000-05:00

Had fun doing this card. Stamped Outlines Rubber stamps snowman scene on glossy cardstock, embossed with white embossing powder then blended Ranger Distress faded jeans and weathered wood over the embossed image. Next did one of my favorite techniques with distress inks.....drop water on it then blot dry for a faux bleach look. Looks like big snowflakes....snowstorm! Good on paper just not in person.....snowstorm that is. lol! Add white photo corners to finish off the card. This is going to make a great winter birthday card for a friend.
entering this in the following challenge:
1. Outlines Rubber Stamp blog - feeling blue
2. Mark's Finest Papers - birthday

Baby book to be......more pages

2012-01-21T08:08:00.000-05:00

Here are a few more pages to my baby scrapbook with punched out babies and a baby bottle. These punch ideas come from this blog that I found a while back. She does some fun and amazing things with punches. The backside of the pages looked blank so I decided to add a Sizzix tag and frame dies, I figured a photo or journalling could be added there. I kept this little scrapbook simple since it was going to someone I really don't know that well just to say hello and how are you to. If I forgot to photograph any part of this book it's too late now because I gave it to my neighbor last night. Hope her and her husband like it.

Baby book to be......finished!

2012-01-20T11:12:00.001-05:00

I really like the way my baby scrapbook turned out. I'm surprised at myself since it is mostly punched things and hardly any stamping.....me the die heart stamper! guess the reason for this is I don't have any baby images so improvised with punches. The banner is free cut and stamped (yes, stamped! lol!) with two different sayings from Starvingartiststamps stamp set. The first page with the information I just typed in my word program then printed out and cut to size that is why it really isn't centered but that's o.k. with me.....it's handmade. I used my bind it all to bind the book. I'll show more pages later in the week.

Entering this in following challenge:

1. Simon Says Stamp and Show - show anything but a card

Baby book to be......more pages

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

O.K. here is the last page and back cover of my baby book. Found this saying online and thought it was just so sweet so I typed it up and computer generated it. Then I got out my scallop oval Spellbinders Nestabilities to give it some punch. Added another of my baby rattles and some bubbles with sequence waste to finish it off. Should be taking pictures of the final bound book today and will show finished book latter today or this weekend.

Baby book to be......

2012-01-19T07:12:00.000-05:00

well, this will soon be a book. I'm making this for a neighbor who had a baby a few months ago. The funny think about this book to be is the only stamping so far is the welcome baby on the cover here. Everything else is computer generated or punched! On the cover here the punched sweet pea (don't remember where I saw it online) is on a spirelli piece I did a while back so I'm going into my stash of things already made. See that baby rattle? I did that with an oval punch and a couple of circle.....so easy and fun. I will be using bind it all machine to actually create the book.

Tag, Stripes & more

2012-01-18T10:54:00.001-05:00

There is a lot going on in this card to start off I used one of my favorite old time images Ophelia from The Stampsmith. Check out the colorized ribbon that I added to tag and the striped ribbon paper flower on the top of tag. Also added some dimension by using sequence waste as a stencil, one of my favorite ways to add dots to a project.

entering this in following challenges:
1. The Stampsmith Challenge - tag
2. Moving Along With The Times - #131 spots/stripes
3. Gingersnap Creations - supply challenge ribbon

Winter wonderland

2012-01-12T09:19:00.001-05:00

Winter Wonderland is the theme for Outlines Rubber Stamp blog this week. I just hope the weather doesn't go along with this theme so far we just have rain here but upstate they are expecting snow. Back to making cards and enjoying it. Here is a scallop circle easel card with the snowman and snow highlighted with Ranger stickles. The whole card was die cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities circles and scallop circles. What did we ever do without these die cuts! They sure make for perfectly cut circles.

***here I thought I was just doing an old technique called spotlighting where you stamp image then stamp again and punch out small highlighted section then pop it up on main image. I guess because I did more than one layer it now is called telescoping images. fun to revisit old techniques and discover it isn't old but new.***

Happy Birthday to you!

2012-01-06T19:58:00.000-05:00

This week at Studio L3 - grungy monday the challenge is to make a birthday card for Tim Holtz so I did.

Got out my Ranger Distress inks, Stampers Anonymous stamps and TM mask. Even found a big left over piece of TH paper from one of his Paper stash pads plus Sizzix alterations hanging sign to use on this card. Basically I did wrinkle free technique then stamp images with black ink except for the curiosity image ... for that one used brown ink. There was a piece of sequence waste on my table so took the closest paint dabber (pearl) and dabbed some paint on the waste stencil. After that was all dry I thought it needed something else for depth so out came the mask. Stamped the saying on the sign and used blending tool to add color around the edges of the sign. A couple of jump rings and mounting tape to add to card front. I even did something on the inside (scan on right) of the card. Blending distress inks all around the edge, stamped saying and then did the mask in the lower corner. Just love the way the mask makes it all pop!

Entering this card to:

1. Studio L3 - grungy monday - Birthday card for Tim

Happy Hearts

2012-01-05T15:11:00.001-05:00

Well, at least that is what they look like to me .... happy hearts. Used paper scraps from Tim Holtz retro grunge paper stash, Spellbinders Nestabilities circle and scallop circle, May Arts ribbons .... all these pieces were in a pile on my table. I really have to use up all the pieces left out from other cards/projects. Used a new Outlines Rubber stamps stamp that I picked up last year at convention so it finally has ink on it. Colored in heart flowers with Primsa color pencils. Also used a scrap piece of brown cardstock to die cut Sizzix Tim Holtz alterations border.

This card is for the following challenges:
1. Outlines Rubber Stamp blog - Outlines Monday Challenge 33 - Sketch Challenge
2. Simon Says Stamp and Show - Simon Says Stamp and Show Something Old ... Something New!

2012 is here!

2012-01-04T06:54:00.000-05:00

All is quiet here but the thermometer reads 12 degrees outside!!! Brrrrrrrrrrrrr it's cold outside so guess it is a good time to curl up on the couch with a good book to read or get out your Ranger Distress Stains and just make stripes on cardstock then stamp Rogue Redhead Designs saying/children on swing with archival black ink. Cut out main image with Spellbinders Nestabilities dies and add to card that was embossed with one of Sizzix embossing folders. Stamp saying and free cut banner.
Happy New Year!
Stamp It! Use It! Create It!

Happy New Years!

2012-01-01T09:21:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to stop by and say Happy New Years to everyone! thank you to all my followers and everyone that leave me comments. I appreciate it all.

stamping sue

Stamp It! Use It! Create It!

Snow scene

2011-12-31T20:09:00.000-05:00

Got out my set of ice and snow Mark's Finest Papers and stamps to make this snowy scene. The background on this card is very simple just get out Ranger Distress stains and swipe them across the card. Stamp icicles on top edge add some stickles for glitter then stamp trees and deer at the bottom of card. Glue on some May Arts silver cord that sparkles like icicles. On the inside of card stamp the icicles again at the top of card. Stamp saying on separate piece of white cardstock and cut out with Spellbinders Nestabilities, sponge some broken china distress ink on the edge then tape to inside of card. Stamp snowflake from same Ice and snow stamp set to finish.

Entering this card in the following challenge:

1. Mark's Finest Papers - snow/snowflake scene

Who has style?

2011-12-29T08:08:00.000-05:00

Think this will be my last tag for awhile, will be getting back to card making which is my preference. Did wrinkle free distress technique which is where you put Ranger Distress inks on craft sheet, spritz with water but in this case I used Perfect Pearls mist for extra shine. Press tag into the inks to color it. Dry with heat tool then next do a cool thing ....... drop droplets of water onto distress colored tag to make these great water spots which I call faux bleach spots. To find out more about these two techniques go to Tim Holtz blog. Back to my tag........stamp Rogue Redhead Designs lady directly onto tag with any good black ink then stamp and cut out same lady with brown ink on separate cardstock and mount to tag with foam mounting tape. Make a simple but fun Tim Holtz tissue tape flower, add scrabble piece just for fun and Rogue Redhead Designs saying then fibers and you are done.
Entering this tag in these challenges:
1. Studio L3 - grungy monday - use tissue tape or tissue wrap
2. Simon Says Stamp and Show - tag Tim style

Thank you

2011-12-28T07:58:00.003-05:00

Just can't get enough of Tim's wrinkle free distress technique. It's a little messy but quick and easy to do. Press Ranger Distress ink pads onto craft sheet, spritz with water or as I did here Perfect Pearl mist. You want all the inks to bead up into puddles. Next press and twist your cardstock into the puddles of ink, lift card and let it dry. If you use Perfect Peal mist as I did you get an extra shine to your card....unfortunately it doesn't show up that well in the scan but it sure does in person. Next I stamped the three sizes of Outlines Rubber stamps flowers on separate cardstocks---purple, orange and a piece of left over alcohol inked glassine paper. Still some of the AI colored glassine paper so stamped Outlines Rubber stamps leaves. Check out my glassine paper here or see Tim Holtz blog for his post. Cut all the pieces out and layered them on wrinkle free colored tag. Stamped the little round thank you saying and punched it out with a circle paper punch and mounted to flowers. Added a little dimension to the ends of the flowers by coloring with white Prisma color pencil. Glued on some crystals and tied ribbon on the top of tag to finish.
Entering this tag in following challenges:
1. Outlines Rubber Stamp blog - thank you
2. Mark's Finest Papers - anything goes

She who travels the world

2011-12-27T08:02:00.001-05:00

Still in tag mode from Tim tags so here is yet another in his style. Did wrinkle free technique where you put different colors of Ranger Distress inks on craft sheet, spritz with water or in this case I used a Ranger Perfect Pearls mist to give it some extra shine. Press tag into all the inks, allow to dry or heat set with heat tool. Stamp Rogue Redhead Designs swirl randomly on tag. Die cut Sizzix alterations old jalopy car then run it through Big Kick with one of the alterations embossing folders. Use blending tool to add color then run distress ink pad lightly over the the jalopy. Add some distress rock candy stickles and prisma glitter just for the fun of it. Cut off the windows to make it a convertible then mount it to tag with foam mounting tape. Stamp Rogue Redhead Designs lady on kraft cardstock with VersaFine sienna ink, cut her out and tape her where the windows of the jalopy would be to have her travelling all over the world.

Entering this tag in following challenges:
1. Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Challenge #11 – Travelling Around The World
2. Simon Says Stamp and Show - Tim style tag

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-25T07:08:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to stop by to wish everyone a Happy Holidays! Enjoy the day and all that goes with it.

Here's a fun tag I made using a couple of pattern papers and red glitter paper that I found at the craft store. Isn't that Faerie Song Art Stamps ~ Fantasy Themed Images faerie just precious. She is colored with Prisma color pencils with Ranger stickles on the wings for fairy dust effect. Add some May Arts ribbons on tag and you are done.

Shimmer, sparkle & shine

2011-12-24T08:10:00.000-05:00

In person these two cards do shimmer, sparkle and shine. Audrey Hepburn from The Stampsmith is stamped with versamark ink pad then with cotton balls add Pebbles shimmery chalks with a dabbing technique. Once all the chalk was covering Audrey I wiped off excess chalk with a soft tissue. Next misted her with Ranger Perfect Pearls mist, taped her to black and gold cardstock. Stamped celebrity also from The Stampsmith on white cardstock, punched out with oval punches and taped to top corner of the cards. Punched a hole and added May Arts glittery gold lacy ribbon.

Entering for the following challenges:
1. Challenge #25: Shimmer, Sparkle & Shine - The Stampsmith Challenge
2. SDC44: Shimmer, Glimmer, Glitter & Glitz - Stampotique Designers Challenge

Winter/Snowy theme

2011-12-23T23:22:00.000-05:00

Let it Snow! Create a card or project with a winter or snowy theme! This is the challenge over on Outlines Rubber Stamp blog . Here is my card. Used one of Outlines Rubber stamps star stamps as a snowflake, added some gems and fun silver sparkle cardstock.

Faerie Angels

2011-12-22T21:08:00.000-05:00

Here is a simple card but sometimes simple is good. I stamped the two Faerie angels from Faerie Song Art Stamps ~ Fantasy Themed Images with red dye base ink then water colored with a water pen and Prisma water color pencils. Add a little gold glitter glue for sparkle and you're done.

Couldn't resist Chandelier

2011-12-21T09:32:00.000-05:00

This was a fun tag to create using ideas from Tim Holtz blog. First cut out two tags one white cardstock, other clear plastic. Get out Ranger blending tools and alcohol inks. Cover clear plastic tag with alcohol inks...I find the darker the better for this technique. allow alcohol inked tag to dry completely. On the side with the alcohol inks stamp images with Ranger jet black archival ink (this is one time it pays to use what technique calls for). dab off black ink with soft cloth. it works like a resist technique...really cool. Tape alcohol ink resist tag to cardstock tag. Over stamp with same jet black archival ink with chandelier and sherlock penguin images from Memorybox Stamps.
This tag is for chandelier challenge over on Gingersnap Creations.

Get Griddy

2011-12-20T08:48:00.001-05:00

Here is my take on Rogue Redhead Designs blog "let's get griddy" challenge.
Learned this technique years ago watching a demo at a convention where the demo artist use post it notes and Marvy square ink pads. I was never a big fan of those ink pads but way back when loved my stipple brushes so got them out! So post it notes and stipple brushes in hand I made this grid card using Rogue Redhead Designs Relish Reading stamp set. Also got out my trusty Ranger Adirondack ink pads! yes, going old school here and it is fun to go back to my old ways.

Yellow, Red and Brown - Up scope!

2011-12-19T17:30:00.000-05:00

I'm still making telescope cards and this one I'm entering Gingersnap creations GC128: Color Challenge - Yellow, Red and Brown challenge here. All images on this telescope card are from Rogue Redhead Designs. Normally I stamp images in black but since this was a color challenge I decided to use one of the assigned colors to stamp images.

Touch of Teal, shiny & bright

2011-12-18T15:49:00.001-05:00

I don't do this very often but I going to enter this card in two challenges. I stamped Outlines Rubber Stamps butterfly images and saying with Ranger archival pool ink then stamped just the butterfly on teal cardstock with white embossing powder. Cut it out, wrapped white string around the butterfly to create the illusion of a body and wings. Added gems for that extra sparkle and shine which is hard to see in scan but they do shine.

Challenges:
1. Outlines blog - shiny and bright
2. The Play Date Cafe - a splash of teal

Telescopes up!

2011-12-18T09:12:00.000-05:00

Couldn't resist fun title for this post. I'm sure you have guessed by now I'm going to show you a telescope card. This is such an easy and fun card!!!
I had seen talk of it on yahoo group but didn't have instructions so went on an internet search and found this video. I thought I could do that and I did! Check out this post to see another telescope card I created. It was back then when I thought of making a snowman telescope card just didn't get around to it till now. I think he came out great even if I do say so myself. Used Spellbinders Nestabilities
for all the circles ..... boy does that make it easy. Bet you can't guess what punch I used for the arms? leave a comment to guess.

12 Days of Tags - day 12

2011-12-14T06:58:00.001-05:00

Well, here is my last tag from Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas series for this year. Had a lot of fun doing them this year more than past...I think because I gave myself permission to use what I had and not be so concerned about using exactly the same supplies/stamps. On to my tag: I stamped a big background stamp from Stampers Anonymous on the tag, covered that with Ranger picket fence Distress stain (loving all the distress stains!), let it dry then added music tissue tape (small roll) to tag. Cut a paper doily in half and taped to top and bottom of tag. Did the HVAC metal tape to cardstock then cut it out with Sizzix alterations flourish edge border --- came out o.k. Added one of the shrink plastic pieces from this post.
Stamped MOMR cameo and mount on tag, finished off with off white lace ribbon.

Tag card

2011-12-13T14:01:00.001-05:00

I said I would put up a finished tag card with some instructions so here it is. The front of the tag card is covered with pattern papers like I did here. To make the tag card: score about 1/2" down (see illustration) on the back tag. Next apply double stick tape to the scored section of back tag. Tape the front stamped tag to the back of the tag. That's all there is to it. I know it seems strange to have the back of the card scored but it works. All the images on this card are from Faerie Song Art Stamps ~ Fantasy Themed Images. Just wanted to mention I learned this in a class taught by Jennifer McGuire.

12 Days of Tags - day 11

2011-12-12T17:01:00.001-05:00

Getting down to the last tags...#11.....here is my take on Tim's tag here. Basically it is the same except again I didn't do christmas theme. You know what I say lately, "Stamp It! Use It! Create It! well, I did today I got out my canvas bag with shrink plastic and there was a big baggie full of die cuts that were already cut out shrink! yeah! needless to say I shrunk a bunch to use at a later date. For my tag I used the mask .... that was a big die cut. check it out it fits the whole width of the tag and that is after it was shrunk. Really like the water spot technique and Tim was right about the water working better on glossy cardstock.

12 Days of Tags - day 10

2011-12-11T20:52:00.000-05:00

Here is my take on Tim's tag #10. This is another good one. Background is simply stamped with music image and an evergreen branch embossed with Ranger Distress forest moss ink then edged with Distress vintage photo. I did the clear packing tape transfer technique using Tim Holtz seasonal paper stash paper but I used HVAC metal tape for the backing. I cut out a paper banner that I stamped with Holiday greetings. Simple but effective....don't you think?!?

12 Days of Tags - day 9

2011-12-10T06:06:00.000-05:00

Here is my version of Tim's tag #9. I do like the technique of double embossing but the problem I found was sticking the die cut house to it....I used foam mounting tape but this is not permanent. I know Tim uses glossy accents maybe I should pick up a bottle of it but I have so many other glues....guess I'll just have to do a trial and error technique to see what works. I do own the Ranger winter Distress inks so did get to use them for the double embossing technique. The Sizzix haunted house die was painted with Ranger gold paint dabber, added a couple of gems and some left over punched leaves from another tag. Hope you can see them they are from piece of alcohol inked glassine paper. Look back here to see alcohol inked glassine paper that I created. Thread May Arts red and green striped ribbon through hole in tag. The background image is from Hero Arts.

12 Days of Tags - day 8

2011-12-08T16:20:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite tag! I don't have all the do dads that Tim Holtz does but I sure had fun making my own ticket and using gear mask. I do have the men image, film strip and spinners so they are the embellishments I used on my tag. You can check out Tim's tag here to see the difference between tags just keep in mind I took his idea and did it my way with my supplies. Can you believe we're on tag #8 already?!?

Tags and more tags

2011-12-08T07:00:00.001-05:00

This week over on Outlines blog the theme is Outlines Monday Challenge 29 - Tags which is easy since I'm in tag mode with Tim's tags. These two tags were made here just added one of the trees from Outlines Rubber Stamps and added some gems. Thread the green and red striped May Arts ribbon through the tag hole then tied a piece of gold lace curly May Arts ribbon to finish it off. That gold ribbon is a fun additive.

12 Days of Tags - day 7

2011-12-07T20:14:00.002-05:00

Yes, day 7 already for christmas tags . This is another good one with lots of techniques! I know Tim Holtz is doing christmas tags but I don't need anymore and besides mine are going on a book ring for reference only. Did TH wrinkle free technique but used Ranger Ink Distress Stains instead of the ink pads on the craft sheet then stamped with Stampers Anonymous crackle cube and River City music image. Check out all the leaves ....... have you guessed what they are? glassine paper that is colored with Ranger alcohol inks then punched out with two different leaf paper punches. All the ribbons are from May Arts by now you know I like their ribbons. Happy Birthday is one of my old stand by stamps from PSX.

12 Days of Tags - day 6

2011-12-06T21:09:00.001-05:00

Tag #6 is definitely not my favorite technique at all. Please check out Tim Holtz blog for details and how to do this technique. Basically you emboss metal tape (I used HVAC metal tape) that you attach to cardstock (that's the easy fun part!) then paint the embossed metal. when it's dry sand it. I think mine look terrible...guess I need more practice with this technique. Don't get me wrong I like using the metal tape and embossing it just not the paint on it. I think I will stick to colorizing it with alcohol inks. Now to me that is more impressive then this mess. Oh well, live and learn. At least I'm all caught up with the tags.

12 Days of Tags - day 5

2011-12-06T21:01:00.001-05:00

If you had asked me last year about this technique I would have said forget it ..... I don't like it but it's true!!! Practice makes perfect well, maybe not perfect but good. Let's see if I can explain this technique a little....first ink up acetate with Ranger Ink alcohol inks, let it dry (takes minutes)......second ink stamp with Ranger Ink archival jet black and stamp image over AI acetate then immediately dab off black ink with soft cloth and watch the magic. My tips for this technique: 1. use a well inked archival jet black ink pad and 2. use clean cloth. Go here for more detail instructions from the master himself.

12 Days of Tags - day 4

2011-12-06T07:59:00.000-05:00

Here is my tag 4 for Tim Holtz blog christmas tags. This one was a little challenging for me because I had to wait for everything to DRY! I'm not a patient person as my friends will tell you but I do like this background technique where you stamp, add Ranger Ink Distress inks with blending tool then drop droplets of water on it for that faux bleach look. That is one of my favorite things to do on a background. I did to do the plastic border but you really can't see it in the scan but it is there. I don't have the extra little dies for the cut out so I just got out my smallest Sizzix star die which you can see on the left......it worked fine but would have liked something not so big. It is an interesting idea. I added self sticking gem for eye because he just looked so lost without it. My rock candy crackle paint didn't do much cracking maybe I have to put it on thicker oh well, trial and error.

Tags with friends

2011-12-05T09:06:00.003-05:00

Yesterday Leslie and I went over to our friend Roberta's house to make tags....and boy did we! I happened on this quick and easy technique where you cut pattern paper into thirds then tape/glue to tags well, we took this technique one step further and die cut tags from cardstock and pattern paper so they were the same size. Next take three pattern paper tags together and cut into thirds......now you have the makings for three tags at once. Arrange the pattern pieces out into three tags then tape to cardstock tags and when you are done

you have three background tags in no time. The fun thing is you can just use these as tags or make them into tag cards by scoring about 3/4" down from the top of the back tag then tape decorated tag to the scored section only of the back tag.

When I finish my tags I will show better pics. Another fun thing to do is to stamp an image on top of the pattern paper tags. This is something Roberta loves to do...check out her tags and you can see the stamped bird under the Sizzix alterations bird cage with bird die. Just know that these tags are not finished. We got carried away taping pattern papers to the tags and by the time we notice the time it was 4:00 p.m.! A good day.

12 Days of Tags - day 3

2011-12-04T08:11:00.000-05:00

Still keeping up with Tim Holtz 12 Days of Christmas tags here only difference is I'm not always doing Christmas but that's o.k. My idea is to just take something from his tags like a technique or idea and do it my way and that is what I did here since I didn't have the supplies suggested. On TH tag he used cut 'n dry felt since I only had foam and that just made a mess with this technique I decided to just multi-color my image of a faerie from Faerie Song Art Stamps ~ Fantasy Themed Images with Ranger Ink Distress inks mustard seed, concord and lipstick red. Next I did some coloring with a water pen using the same inks, added some punched out flowers, leaves and dots with Ranger Ink dimensional pearls. Threaded May Arts ribbon in the hole on top and done! I like this tag it's quick and easy......oooops forgot I also sprayed with Perfect Pearls mist.....can't forget that because it just adds a beautiful shine to the whole tag. Here's the same idea on white cardstock using all the same supplies. Check out the bottom front of card. I used cut it out with Sizzix Tim Holtz alterations on the edge brackets/parentheses die.

12 Days of Tags - day 2

2011-12-03T05:03:00.002-05:00

12 Days of tags - day 2
I went in a completely different theme then TH with his christmas tags. The reason for my variation on the theme is a new set of stamps I just received in the mail last night from Rogue Redhead Designs that I was lucky enough to win a drawing here on her blog. For this tag TH used his kraft resist paper, I don't have any so I made my own. First I stamped girl and swirl with clear embossing ink onto a kraft and cream tags....sprinkled with clear embossing power, heat embossed. Next stamped word background with permanent black ink, wiped off black ink from the embossed images.....stamped thank you (Impress stamps) with black ink. Next thing I did was to spray some Ranger Perfect Pearls mist into my hand then drop droplets onto tag......ooooops forgot to tell you about blending Ranger Distress inks onto tag first before PP mist......back to PP droplets on tag, heat with heat tool to dry. Die cut Sizzix spooky fence, distress the edges of fence with Distress gathered twigs ink and adhere to tag. Lastly the die cut Sizzix Tim Holtz alterations Tattered flower out of sticky back canvas on cardstock for stability. Ink the edges of flower with Distress festive berries and gathered twigs and mount onto tag with foam mounting tape. Add some May Arts white ribbon that I colorized with Distress ink to finish off tag.

12 Days of Tags - day 1

2011-12-02T15:38:00.000-05:00

Tim Holtz started his 12 tags of christmas again this year over on his blog. This is my version of his tag techniques for tag #1 with my supplies. The background is really cool in person basically you ink up Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder with VersaMark or clear embossing ink and run tag through it. Next sprinkle white embossing power all over it, rub off powder with finger from raised snowflakes then heat emboss. A great shabby chic type of embossing. I don't have TH pine cone die so I just punched out a circle then rolled it. Saw this idea here if you want to try it. It's o.k. but I'm not impressed with mine. Found another pine cone idea here which I really liked. Here are my attempts with this flat pine cone. Really had fun with this flat pine cone idea and also pulled out Sizzix haunted house die to use on this tag....added some Ranger Ink yellow Stickles for the windows and did TH idea of add silver glitter on grunge numbers. Used May Arts white ribbon that I colorized with Ranger Ink Distress ink pad on all three tags.

Livestock on the farm

2011-12-01T07:47:00.000-05:00

Continuing back on the farm at Gingersnap Creations with GC127: Random Redhead Challenge - Livestock. My new favorite card is the double easel! and it is so easy to make. This one is the size in the instructions here where you start with an 8" square piece of cardstock which makes a good size card. I do prefer the smaller one I did here on yesterday's post ..... my friends know that I always have to shrink things once I learn how to do them....just my thing. O.K. back to my card---check out that Hot Potatoes Fabric and Wall Stamps horse or in this case livestock .... isn't she great!

Farm Fresh

2011-11-30T08:29:00.002-05:00

Over on Gingersnap Creations there is a challenge Chestnut Theme Challenge

GC125: Farm Fresh. Looked through my collection of stamps and found this rooster and chicken wire by Stamps by Lasting Impressions with Panache that I used to create this fun card called a Double Easel card. Only difference is I made it smaller so mine started out with a 6" square piece of cardstock. Saw this card idea here where there is a link to instructions but unfortunately I was unable upload. Found a video here if you want to see how it is made. Just have to love U-Tube. Pat Huntoon has a blog where she sells a (not affiliated or customer) magazine with all the instructions if you want to know more go check it out. Going to also enter this card over at The Technique Trail challenge.

Piano lady free standing pop up card

2011-11-28T14:07:00.000-05:00

This month over at The Stampsmith Challenge ......the challenge is to use ribbon and lace on your card so I got out my May Arts ribbons. Here is a free standing pop card I made for this challenge using what I call the Piano Lady from The Stampsmith as the main image. I think she came out very nice and with the calming blue color scheme works well, too.
You can see another free standing card I created here .

Free standing pop up card

2011-11-28T13:57:00.000-05:00

It's a week long blog-hopping extravaganza over here on Technique Junkie Newsletter Blog Hop! All week long they will be hopping in conjunction with their favorite vendors to show case their new 3D and Fun Folds CD. Every day they have new designers, new prizes, new artwork -- tons of fun!

Also here Pat is having a blog hop challenge where you can join in so I decided to join in! I made mine a birthday card using The Stampsmith Lucy image. You might think this is a hard card to create but it isn't. The hardest thing to do, for me anyway, is taping the pop up tag in the middle. That's the trick make sure you get that tag taped in the middle because if it's off to any side it won't really stand correctly. Did you notice that fun lacy ribbon? that's from May Arts . Have fun!

Noel gift card holder

2011-11-27T10:03:00.000-05:00

Over on Stampotique Designers Challenge it's non-traditional so decided to go very non-traditional using black as the main color for this gift card holder. Hope you like it. Used images from Maryse Carrier that can be found on Stampotique Originals . Stamped the images in basic black ink then simply colored with blue watercolor pencils....pulling out soft blue color with a water brush and added May Arts white ribbon for decoration. Did the same pocket gift card holder as in this post . As the saying goes easy peasy.

Happy Day gift card holder

2011-11-26T13:15:00.000-05:00

This week Outlines blog ---Monday Challenge 27 is to make a gift card so I decided to create one that would hold a gift card.
This one is easy to make ... the base card is 3 1/2" x 11. score at 2 1/4" then fold in half. add two brads to hold the pocket closed and you are done except for stamping. Basic stamping with black ink and cutting out Outlines Rubber Stamps that are mounted on the card.

Dreaming of a white Christmas.......

2011-11-25T09:10:00.003-05:00

let's face it aren't we all dreaming of white Christmas? at least as a child I always did so could have extra days off from school but now as an adult it is fine too, because we are retired and don't have to go out soooooooo let it snow.
I'm entering this card for the challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges for their dreaming of a white Christmas challenge that doesn't have to be white.
Had fun making this card at my friend's house with her new Penny Black stamps and believe it or not......embossing powder! Yes, my friends I embossed the poinsettia. Now my friends who know me, know that I rarely get out my embossing powder anymore but it was fun for a change. So if you haven't used your embossing powder in years get it out it still gives that "wow!" effect. Of course, I used my Ranger distress inks to do all the coloring.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T06:16:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to pop in here to say Happy Thanksgiving to all! I'm thankful to have my family here with me today to enjoy a turkey dinner. Enjoy this day and every day.

Happy Birthday to my friend!

2011-11-22T05:27:00.002-05:00

Not only is it Thanksgiving this week here in U.S.A. but it's my friends' birthday! so please wish her a BIG Happy Birthday! would also like you to know that she is the one who got me hooked on Inky Antics Rubber Stamps honeycomb cards. So I had to make an extra special one for her with all the trimmings. On the outside of the card I stamped and colored the sweet bird with P R I S M A C O L O R color pencils as all the other images. I think I over did it with Ranger Ink Stickles glitter glue for the frosting but hey, can't have too much frosting. All the pattern papers are from Memorybox Stamps and Scrapbooking and ribbon is Stampin' Up. Let's see did I forget anything on the front of the card.....oh yes, big dies are Spellbinders Nestabilities and label is punch from EK Success. Now onto the inside of the card.......for the honeycomb cupcake I used orange for the frosting and brown for the paper lining of the cupcake. Did these colors to have fall colors. Check out the saying I changed it just a little by inking the stamp then removing ink from certain letters so I could make the saying read, "with cherries on top!" clever, huh?!?

***not affiliated with any of the companies, just like to make it easy for my blog readers to find stamps and supplies I have used in my card.***

Pilgrims at the gate.....

2011-11-19T07:50:00.000-05:00

Gate fold that is. lol! Here is one of my simple Thanksgiving cards I did this year, simple stamping, simple coloring with a twist for the card. Gate fold cards are easy to make just score equal amount on both ends then fold to the center.....viola! Pilgrim bear is by Purple Onion Designs .

***not affiliated with company just like to make it easy for you, my blog readers to find if you like what you see***

Behind in posting

2011-11-16T08:56:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am behind in posting all I can say is been lazy and did have a migraine. BUT never fear I will be posting holiday cards soon. Here just for your card viewing pleasure is a shaker card I did a while back........I think it fits since she looks like she is being lazy. All images are by Faerie Song Art Stamps ~ Fantasy Themed Images .

Paper collage

2011-11-10T07:27:00.000-05:00

Here are some more looks at my paper collaging which I don't feel is my strong point but I did have fun using up scraps of papers in my stash. I used pattern papers and tissue papers. My favorite are tissue papers because they become transparent. To the left is full sheet and to the right I cut it up to make ATC's. The ATC's I made with the raven black bird are for a swap I'm in with some very talented stampers. We've only been doing the atc swap a couple of months after we really get into it I'll post everybody's if they don't mind.

Raven - Nevermore

2011-11-06T22:35:00.000-05:00

Over at Gingersnap Creations GC123: Random Redhead Challenge - Ravens. I decided to play around with paper collage so I made a full sheet then cut it up to make ATC's. Paper collage is where you glue different types of papers on .... in this case .... cardstock.

For the raven atc I collage a piece of an old dictionary page with the meaning of never and if you look close (click on pic to enlarge to see more detail) you can see nevermore.

Meet my friends

2011-11-05T07:45:00.000-04:00

Here are the few pictures I took at our annual get together in New Hampshire before Mother Nature hit with the storm. Unfortunately didn't get pics of all the gang because who would have thought we would have been bomb barded with all that snow and lose power before NOVEMBER!

left to right: cindy, janice, louise(our hostess) and me. Check out Janice's candy corn nails!!! too much fun!

Our time together was cut short but we did have a few laughs before we had to leave.

Boat on I-95! fishing anyone?

2011-11-04T14:50:00.000-04:00

Went out to lunch with friend and found this on the ride home..........

I-95 North shut down in Milford after boat falls from trailerNovember 4, 2011 at 1:33 pm by Tom Cleary

UPDATE: 1:47 p.m.: I-95 northbound is shut down between exits 40 and 41, under the Quarry Road overpass because of an active fuel leak coming from a 35-foot boat.
The boat fell from a trailer that overturned. The trailer was being pulled by a truck.
State police and the Milford Fire Department are on the scene. Quarry Road, above the highway, will also be shut down.

According to emergency dispatches, diesel fuel is leaking from the boat and because of its position, firefighters can’t get to it easily. The DEEP is responding, but is about 40 minutes away from the scene.
The crash happened around 1:20 p.m.
Traffic is at a dead stop in the area.

Owl Peppermint pops

2011-11-04T08:59:00.000-04:00

Made these little treats for a friend's husband because York Peppermint Paddys are his favorite candy. I simply cut out two rectangles...rounded the corners and taped paddy in the middle with a lolly pop stick. punched out white circle, stamped SU owl with Brilliance blue ink then just punched out owl's middle with red and silver glitter paper from the craft store. Mounted owl on circle then to pop. Put them in cellophane bags, tied with May Arts white ribbon and you are done.

No stamping just Snow!

2011-11-01T09:51:00.001-04:00

This past weekend was our annual Stamp Bash get together at a friend's house in New Hampshire......well......it was cut short because of Mother Nature!

It started snowing around 3 p.m. on Saturday and continued through the night.

We lost power around 6 p.m. that same Saturday night and as far as I know my friend still doesn't have power. I usually show up on Friday and stay till around noon on Monday but because of the power outage I ended up leaving early afternoon on Sunday and needless to say because of no power we didn't do much stamping. The roads were fine so I had no problem driving the 3 1/2 hours home. When I got home I found an inch of snow if that on the ground and we had power. Did find out a couple of days later a friend who lives a few towns away from me lost power for a few hours and had some tree limbs down. I can't remember the last time we had snow so early in the season. Hopefully I'll call my friend today and she will tell me she has her power back. I did call Louise on Tuesday afternoon and ..................... still no power at her house.

Favors for friends

2011-10-30T05:00:00.001-04:00

At annual stamping weekend with friends in New Hampshire I'll be passing out these trivets and tea candle tea cakes as their favors. This is something you do if you want to ..... in past years I've haven't done it so I decided to go all out this year. I picked up the trivets or tiles at Lowes then stamped on them with Ranger Ink black archival ink, sprayed with Krylon matt finish spray next added a thin layer of Diamond Glaze. Coffee Gal or as I like to call her Tea Gall image is from The Stampsmith Art Rubber Stamps the swirl image on the sides is from ASITH and what's brewin is from Stampa Rosa which I believe is out of business. The tea cake is a battery operated tea lite! too cute even if I say so myself. Learned how to make them from my friend Petti who is a SU demonstrator.

***just want to let you know I have no affiliation with any of the companies listed above ...... just like to add links to make it easy for you, my blog readers, to find the stamps or supplies if you like what you see here.***

Traditional holiday cards

2011-10-29T05:00:00.000-04:00

I started making holiday cards with traditional colors but knowing me I will have to create one or two with colors not expected for our holiday. As you can see in photo three are traditional holiday cards but what do you think the kraft card is going to be? I will be putting these cards together while at a stamping weekend with friends so planning to get a little heads up on my holiday cards. Images used are from Stamps by Lasting Impressions with Panache and Hero Arts plus all coloring is done with P R I S M A C O L O R color pencils.

Another view of Halloween

2011-10-28T06:00:00.001-04:00

Here are the last of my Halloween view master cards. Turn the wheel and see all the different images. It really is an easy card to create out of a regular note card. If you want a tutorial just leave a comment and let me know and I'll be glad to post a tutorial. Images on this card are from various companies but the white lace behind the Memorybox Stamps and Scrapbooking paper is from May Arts .
While you are reading this post I will be on my way for a fun filled stamping weekend with friends! I'll post pics when I get home. Bet my husband will be glad to have a weekend to himself for sleeping in late and not having me going around the house making noise. lol!

Craft it Forward

2011-10-28T05:00:00.000-04:00

***this post will stay up top for the month of October so please join in CRAFT IT FORWARD! please scroll down for new postings*** +++++come on down! it's fun to share your art.***

Over on my friend Susan's blog: My Mother's Apron String-Susan Tierney Cockburn she is doing this Craft it forward project and I thought it would be a fun and sharing thing to do so I'm in......how about you?
Here is post from her blog:

It seems only fitting that on Saturday, October 1st, I received in the mail gifts from a fellow Blogger--Char of We Blog Artists, with a "Craft it Forward" concept she came up with, to share with five followers who posted on her blog, her beautiful creations. We needed to make the promise to do the same on our blogs.

I say "fitting" because on October 8th would have been Kelly's 39th birthday and I had decided to make the month very special in her memory. Kelly's blog, with her best friend, Kandyce, is Notions & Threads and both of them would have loved to participate because they knew the meaning of sharing and giving in the most extreme way.

***note from me (stampersue): also fitting for me because on Oct. 25 my son Michael would have been 34 and so I think it would be nice for me to craft it forward because he was a very sharing person and would given you the shirt off his back if you needed it.***

So, in addition to creating every post this month with Pumpkin, which was Kelly's favorite, I will continue the "Craft it Forward" for the first five (5) people who comment on this post and send you a craft that I have handmade. I believe reaching out to one another through crafts is a way we share ourselves.

The rules are simple:

1) Comment 2)Agree to post the handmade gift on your blog and; 3)Make a handmade gift to pass on to 5 people who comment on your blog.
***If anyone would like to join in but they don't have a blog to show off what they craft ..... I would be glad to put up a picture on my blog for you. Just comment here that you would like to play then email me a picture of your project***

chance to win

2011-10-25T08:58:00.000-04:00

Over on this blog Marj is giving away one of Tim Holtz A Compendium Curiosities book. So pop over to She Who Stamps & Scraps for all the details. I have no affiliation with her just thought it would be fun to join in her giveaway.

Unbirthday

2011-10-25T08:53:00.000-04:00

Want to ramble a little today. Today was my son's birthday he would have been 34 today. I don't usually bad mouth or really give opinons but today I will just a little. My son was working (driving dump truck) and was run off the road by young persons fooling around in two cars. Please when you let your teenagers get their driver's licsence please please teach them responsibility!!!!! so other mothers don't have to grieve for their sons and daughters.

Craft it Forward gift

2011-10-23T05:00:00.003-04:00

I received this beautiful necklace from my Susan for Craft It Forward gift. This necklace is actually made out of paper that Susan coated with a product called Ice Resin to make it like porcelain. She also let me know that a pansy stands for "thinking of you" which I didn't know so besides getting a lovely necklace I learned something about the pansy. Susan, my friend thank you so much.
All the information for this is here ....basically you post on original post that you agree to craft it forward which just means you share your art with someone share a picture with everyone.
***Ina Ftacek please email me so I can send out your craft it forward gift. thank you***

Still Halloween

2011-10-22T08:30:00.000-04:00

Got a late start on making Halloween cards but I'm going strong switching from honey pop cards here
and here to View Master cards! haven't made this type of card in years...sometimes it is fun to go back into the past and revisit old techniques. Remember view master toy when you were a kid (dating myself)....do they still make view masters? Anyway you turn the wheel to view different images. These cards use various companies. If there is one image showing you really need to know just ask me in a comment and I'll get back to you. Used more of the Memorybox Stamps and Scrapbooking papers for the strips on three of these cards. On the real orange card I stamped the spider web over and over. Don't know if you can see in the scans but the ghosts and pumpkins are glittered with Ranger Ink stickle glues and used up more of May Arts black webbing ribbon. It feels good to start using all the stuff I have accumulated over the years. Think this will be my new motto......Stamp It! Use It! Create It!

Happy Accidents

2011-10-18T01:00:00.000-04:00

In stamping there is a saying, "there are no mistakes in rubber stamping just happy accidents." so how could I resist this challenge here on May Arts ribbon blog last month. Here are my samples for this challenge and of course I couldn't stop with just one card or box. It all started with an anniversary card to my husband which was the same month, September, of the challenge after that I continued with a couple more cards then moved on to decorating boxes. Sooooooooooooo please go here to vote for your favorite ribbon ideas and best part is you will also be included in a drawing to win the same ribbons we used for the challenge. Good Luck!

More Witches

2011-10-17T07:00:00.001-04:00

Yes, I can't help myself I did four more honey comb witches....two green and two orange. In order to see the honey comb cauldren look here . The saying and witch is by Inky Antics Rubber Stamps and the papers are from Memorybox Stamps . Of course the coloring for the witches are done with
P R I S M A C O L O R color pencils but did add some Ranger Ink Stickles glitter glue on the band of the hat plus some ribbon from SU.

Stamping with a friend

2011-10-13T12:23:00.002-04:00

Stamping with a friend is always fun but it was extra rewarding because I helped her finish up the sweet pea baby tags - see here - for her sister's baby shower she will be hosting. Roberta and I have a good time when we get together to stamp. After we finished the tags we started playing with Rubber Stamp Tapestry, Seagrove, NC stamp sets. We just got stamped pieces done .... no finished cards or tags. We did some usual and unusual color schemes that you can see by my scans. Not really sure about the butterscotch color scheme but do like the dark blue and greens with the tea stamp set. I just purchased tea set and animals stamp sets back in June at a convention so it was good to break them out of their boxes and ink them up!

When I make them into cards/tags I will show you but might not get done for a couple of weeks because I need to prepare for a weekend getaway at the end of the month.

Another Halloween honey pop & stripe challenge

2011-10-12T08:39:00.005-04:00

Over on Art Impressions Stamps-challenge blog it's stripes so thought this would work into thier challange. Still making Inky Antics Rubber Stamps honey pop cards. They are so much fun! they take a little time to cut out the honey pop paper --- my tip: use a sharp pair of scissors. See the witch she is colored in with ...... I'm sure you know if you read my blog on a regular basis......... P R I S M A C O L O R pencils.
All the images are by Inky Antics except for the little web from PSX an old company that unfortunately went out of business years ago. The stripes for this challenge is the paper from Memorybox Stamps and that great ribbon that looks like black webbing is from May Arts a local ribbon company here in Connecticut......just wish they had a store. They only sell wholesale. Wouldn't it be great to have a store just with all thier ribbons!!! Hey May Arts --- what do you think? or maybe you could do like another company warehouse does.....a sale one day a year where they open up to the public. wouldn't that be great!

Halloween is coming.....

2011-10-10T08:46:00.002-04:00

Can't believe I just started making Halloween cards! Got out my Inky Antics Rubber Stamps honey comb stamps and paper. What fun! Takes a bit of time to make these cards but they are worth it. My husband even asked if I made one for him...lol! Here is the frog honey comb card inside and out. Only image not Inky Antics is the little web that is an old stamp by PSX which I think has gone out of business years ago. All the coloring is done with P R I S M A C O L O R color pencils as you know is my favorite coloring medium. Here's something you might not know about me is that I hoard papers. I've decided to start using it.....why am I saving it!!!! Needless to say I used some of my Memorybox Stamps and Scrapbooking papers.....yeah for me! Also used May Arts ribbon for a fun embellishment.

Play Date Cafe challenge

2011-10-08T10:24:00.000-04:00

Halloween colors are the theme over at The Play Date Cafe this week as shown in picture.

I decided to pull out a stamp I bought last year and never used so it is about time ink was put to this image from Stampin' Up. Did one of my favorite techniques....resist. Stamp image with VersaMark ink, emboss with clear embossing powder then sponge on colors, buff and done.

Oh Baby tags

2011-10-07T08:35:00.000-04:00

A friend asked me over to help her make tags for an upcoming baby shower for her sister's D-I-L so of course I said yes.....any excuse for me to stamp and I'm there. I brought over my two Oh Baby cards....see here: http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/2011/10/oh-baby.html

so we took the same sweet pea idea and made them into tags. Aren't they just too adorable! I like to add gold edging with Krylon gold leafing pen.

Oh Baby!

2011-10-06T08:11:00.001-04:00

I needed to make a baby card because I want to send to my neighbor who is having a baby soon. I searched the web to find some type of baby card to make because I don't have any stamps for that theme....never needed them. Anyway found this idea using punches! Too adorable don't you think so? An oval punch and circle punch is all that is needed to make these two cards except for an alphabet set to spell out baby and the inside I'll computer generate some saying. A little sponging on the face for cheeks some white freckles with white gel pen (need a new one-had a devil of a time getting it to work), ladybug spots made with Ranger black Enamel accents and scroll image on sweet pea baby by Memorybox Stamps . Let's see did I forget anything oh yeah, vellum wings for baby lady bug and the hands/feet are freeform cutting out.

And I always tell my students, "there are no mistakes in stamping just happy accidents." I'm reminding you of this saying because I smudge a couple of the black paint dots on baby ladybug card so had to do something to fix it.....can you find the fix?

warehouse sale

2011-10-01T18:30:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone,

Here's a photo of some of my buys from Ranger warehouse sale in New Jersey. This was my third time going there....it's a lot of fun as long as you don't mind rooting through boxes with lots of other people. Good deal, though....fill bucket....they weigh it and charge you $6 a pound....you can get a lot for your money.
Got to the sale about half hour after it opened and had to wait in line for almost an hour to go through the doors to the sale......but......it was still fun. Started outside waiting in line talking to stampers/scrappers who also were waiting to get inside. Anticipation was high but it was all worth it!!! Justin who was in charge of letting us in the door got permission to give us $10 off our price at checkout for being so patient and waiting so long outside to get inside. Filled my bucket with crackle paint, stickles, pop dots, dimensional pearls, color spray washes and lots more. After checking out my husband and I went to the mall to walk around a bit and have a salad at the food court then the 2 1/2 hour drive home. All in all it was worth it. stamping sue
***welcome to new followers***

Rainbows

2011-09-30T05:00:00.001-04:00

Check out the double rainbows! Hope you can see them in the photos. First time in my 50 years I ever saw a double rainbow. Apparently same for others, too because was outside store and one woman kept saying this is amazing. You see people taking out their phones to take pictures. I have to agree it was just so cool........totally awesome! Thought you would like to see them.

More challenges

2011-09-29T09:43:00.000-04:00

I'm on a roll here with challenges today so over on Stampotique Designers Challenge it's time to celebrate birthdays. Since this is a Stampotique Originals only challenge I decided to go a little unconventional. I used my goth gal on a wrinkle free background I had laying around. Added a bit of color with my Prisma color pencils. Then stamped head with hearts on another background piece from my stash and again add color with my Prismas then cut out with scallop punch. Mounted her on top of goth gal head with foam mounting tape just for fun. Computer generated the saying Happy Unbirthday to you and taped to card. what do you think?
Over at Gingersnap Creations they are celebrating Gal Pals so I thought why not.....this card fits that catergory, too. I mean I like to send out all types of birthday cards to my gal pals or friends and I would definately send this one.

Two challenges- Stampsmith & Fashionable stamping

2011-09-29T08:58:00.000-04:00

Today I'm going to use this one card for two challenges which I will list at the bottom of this post.
First I want to explain the circle embellishment on the left of my card....yes, you guessed it, it is stamp collageing that I did over at Roberta's house this past week. I die cut it out with Nestabilities standard circles. The coffee gal or what I like to call her Tea Time honey because I'm a tea drinker myself is stamped with Ranger Distress ink, cut out with an EK Sucess scallop circle punch then added color with same Distress ink around the scallop circle. Tape it to a paper doilly add some faux baker's twine and viola!
Challenges:
The Stampsmith Challenge - autumn colors
Fashionable Stamping Challenges - vintage

My friend and I were at it again!

2011-09-27T10:30:00.000-04:00

Went over my friend Roberta's house the other day to have a nice lunch and stamp...stamp...stamp! Did resist technique and of course we fell back to our old favorite collage stamping. Used lots of stamps but didn't make a note of the companies and lots of inks like Ranger Ink Distress inks. Do know the big bold leaves are from Hot Potatoes Fabric and Wall Stamps which are Roberta's favorite of all stamps.

It always amazes me that I do like the way these samples come out even though they are stamp kinda hap hazardly. You can see the difference between all of them and notice the ones that are all stamped and then the samples using sequence waste as a stencil to add dimension. In case you don't know what sequence waste looks like here is a scan of a piece of it. When I have time maybe later this week or next week the latest I will make these samples into cards, bookmarks or tags.

Seeing double

2011-09-26T09:44:00.001-04:00

If you think you are seeing double ..... you are. Look back here
to see another snowman (Stamps by Lasting Impressions with Panache ) card using all the same images and snowflake embossing folder but the difference is the border. This time I used the goop border punch by Martha Stewarts crafts to make melting icecles. what do you think? it works....doesn't it?

Weekend happenings

2011-09-20T09:24:00.001-04:00

This past weekend was very nice because got to go to a stamp convention in Rhinebeck, NY. It's a small one but did find 2 out of 3 things I was looking for .....one being a set of the new Ranger Ink seasonal Distress ink pads and Tim Holtz reflections stamp set so that made the two hour ride there worth it. I also got to meet up with a friend I haven't seen in weeks that is always a good thing. Took a couple of pictures at Stampers Anonymous booth of Studio 490-wendy vecchi samples. I like her style especially the vintage feel and color. Spent about an hour there then said good bye to my friend.

Then my husband and I continued on to drive to Amish country in PA. which took over three hours. We didn't think it would be that far away so needless to say we stayed over night. It is such pretty country there and the feel of old days seeing all the farms. The horse and buggies driving down the road with the cars is such a surreal feeling. The weather was just beautiful...cool and clear. The only bad thing was by the time we got there it was around supper time and we were tired from all the driving so we stayed in and planned to go to all the shops and things next day. Good plan but it was sunday and most all the shops had signs saying: no sunday sales. I was disappointed because I had wanted to maybe pick up an Amish quilt but we did find the Intercourse Canning Company (yes, that's the name of the store) open so we bought jars of jam, pickled beets and vanilla peaches....yum! I'm sure you have guessed by now it was named Intercourse because it is in Intercourse, PA. Good store with lots of jams, pickled eggs and more to try while you walk around the store. All in all a good weekend.

Black & White with hint of color

2011-09-16T07:06:00.000-04:00

Had some fun with this card using Stampotique Originals girl with hearts over the Tim Holtz Sizzix alterations playing card texture fade embossing folder plus two others of the Sizzix texture fade embossing folders. This is my entry for Stampotique Designers Challenge black and white with hint of color. Oh yes, the hint of color is Prisma color pencils....used two different colors and blended with white pencil.

Circle of joy

2011-09-15T07:24:00.000-04:00

Here is a circle easel card I made for an upcoming class I will be teaching next month. I just love all types of easel cards like this circle one, twisted easel cards and of course regular easel cards. My husband even put in an order for a few of these circle easel cards for his christmas giving card list. For this perticular card I used all Stamps by Lasting Impressions with Panache images with a little faux stitching because anyone who knows me knows I don't sew or iron! don't even own a sewing machine....do have a couple of irons but they are for crafting only.....too messed up for using on clothes. Colored in the holly image with Prisma color pencils just love the way I can use 3 or 5 different colors and blend them together for the perfect coloring on the image.

T Postcard Buddies

2011-09-13T05:00:00.002-04:00

Back with more Postcard Buddies to show you. We are up to the letter "T" and look at the themes this month. There are two for tea and three for turtles (toad).....the third turtle or toad as Leslie calls it is on the back of her postcard.

Tea cups by sue (me) - main image is Hot Potatoes Fabric and Wall Stamps and color is turquoise.

Turtles by Muriel - isn't that one in his shell upside down just adorable.

Tea by Petti - she has the best little scene type stamps.

Towed by Leslie - just great that she has a tow truck to tow the truck and on the address side of her postcard is the second defination of a Toad.
Time by Grace - all those timely time pieces.
Turtle by Roberta - terrific carved looking image of a turtle.

scavenger hunt - atc style

2011-09-12T07:49:00.000-04:00

A little while back (june 2011) I did a ATC scavenger hunt with atcs_are_us : ATC's Are Us yahoo group. It was a lot of fun and here are the ATC's I (left) and my (right) partner created with all the stuff that the hostess sent out to us and other players. Basically the rules are that you use everything you can that is sent to you and make one ATC for each theme then send it to your partner. If you look at my 3rd and Julie's (my partner) 1st atc .... we both used the same image for theme of vintage which is actually a photo of our hostess's mother. It's just fun to see what we both did...don't you think?

Younger days....

2011-09-07T09:38:00.001-04:00

Isn't he handsome.....that's my dad back in the service before it was called army, navy, air force. Over on Outlines blog they asked that you use a photo in project calling the challenge picture this so I took this old photo of dad and aged it more with Ranger Ink Distress vintage photo, frayed burlap and tea dye ink pads. Then using the same inks I stamped Outlines Rubber Stamps scallop dots border and fun leaf, cut them all out and layered on the side of photo.

Faux Leather bookmark

2011-09-05T15:47:00.001-04:00

A quick and easy way to get a leather look or faux leather. Bascially you rip pieces of good old regular masking tape and fill a piece of cardstock. Next step do DTP technique with ink pads. I used a bunch of Ranger Ink Distress ink pads, buffing with paper towel after each color. King of spades image is from The Stampsmith Art Rubber Stamps so of course this bookmark (yes, I'm on a bookmark kick) is for faux technique: The Stampsmith Challenge .

A question came up:
I'm sorry I've been stamping so long I forget to explain myself sometimes.
What is DTP?
DTP = direct to paper which means to take your ink pad directly to your paper to add color. Drag ink pad over your paper.

Stampotique bookmark

2011-09-05T15:38:00.000-04:00

Here is my folded bookmark using Stampotique Originals dragonfly by Maryse Carrier and swirl. Had fun swiping on Ranger Ink Distress Stains for the background color.....my new favorite product. Stamped dragonfly then blended matching Distress inks on the dragonfly, cut it out and mounted on bookmark. This is a folded shaped bookmark, add a magnet inside to hold your place in book or magazine. Did I mention this if for Stampotique Designers Challenge .

Snow in september

2011-09-05T09:16:00.000-04:00

O.K. so it's not really snowing outside but it is here on this snowman (Stamps by Lasting Impressions with Panache) card I created. I do like greeting (Stamps by Lasting Impressions with Panache) A snowy greeting for a winter or holiday type card. Don't you just like the icecle border from Martha Stewart collection....perfect fit. Of course, if you know me, out came my Prisma color pencils to add color to my snowman hat and scarf. This is my way of keeping cool while it's still pretty warm outside.

Christmas time or back to cards

2011-09-04T09:52:00.000-04:00

Don't know about Christmas time but with no power for days from hurricane I was able to start my Christmas cards. Here is a matchbook gift card holder I made using Stamps by Lasting Impressions with Panache candy cane image and pattern papers I got at craft store. A creative and easy way to present a gift card to someone.

A little more on Irene

2011-09-02T10:14:00.000-04:00

Been without power/phone for 4 days because of Hurricane Irene so there is a lot of catching up to do here and in house. Hope you have liked the little (no sound) videos I uploaded here: http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/2011/09/duck-pond.html and here: http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/2011/08/hurricane-irene-is-out-of-here.html . Only figured out to do 60 second video without sound maybe in future will figure out how to tape longer and with sound.

The day after the hurricane we took a ride downtown to duck pond ..... all that water and the ducks/geese just hanging out. Check out the benches in the water! Hard to believe the water went up that far since we didn't have that much rain from hurricane just lots of winds.

See me in the dark with glow stick and hurricane candle! glad to have power back.

Duck pond

2011-09-02T08:47:00.001-04:00

This are two short videos at our duck pond downtown the day after Hurricane Irene.

Hurricane Irene is out of here!

2011-08-31T16:00:00.001-04:00

We had so much time on our hand during hurricane my husband figured out how to make a video but no sound. take a look and leave a comment to let me know it worked.

Hurricane Irene is coming

2011-08-27T07:21:00.000-04:00

Sounds like they are saying Irene is coming here Sunday morning so battened down the hatches! Stores here in town are saying they are going to close up early today starting around 2 p.m. That's stores like bead shop here in town and such. Don't know about grocery stores but we went there yesterday. Only thing we couldn't find was size D batteries so hopefully the batteries in our flashlights hold up or we will be in the dark if we loose power. Other than that all is good here.

Hurricane Irene is coming

2011-08-26T13:26:00.000-04:00

Unfortunately I'm in the line of fire for Hurricane Irene so if I don't post for a few days that means we lost power. I hope not but it is better to plan for the worst then when it doesn't happen ..........I'm happy. Have a popsicle on me and stay safe.

collage stamping with roses

2011-08-22T05:00:00.002-04:00

You are probably tired of all these collage stamping cards ...... last two for now anyway. Used Impression Obession roses cover a card background stamp for the main image on these two cards. I bought this stamp at Springfield convention because the rose is the flower for June which is my birth month. On the red card I also used Hero Arts envelope pattern background - that's the hatch work type looking background with Ranger Distress burlap ink. Do you see those ribbon roses on the side of the card? That is actually a May Arts ribbon...cool, huh. Second rose card I did on a ochre type color cardstock that I got from Hollo's PaperCraft Brunswick, OH @ hollos.com . A great warehouse type store that if you are ever in the neighborhood of Brunswick is worth the trip. Back to the card over the top of roses I stamped Judi-Kins big crackle background and added tan crochet ribbon from Stampin'Up. Another Stampin'Up product I used was the photo corner punch unfortunately mine doesn't really work that well...it gets stuck when I can get the cardstock in it. Anyone else have problems with this punch? would love to hear how you have resolved it.

Silver Sands Park boardwalk

2011-08-20T05:00:00.001-04:00

On thursday afternoon my husband and I took a walk on the boardwalk here in town. It started out overcast but by the time we got back to the car it was hot and we needed a drink of water. On the side of the boardwalk there were lots of these plants with berries and very fragrant white flowers. Unexpected but very nice greenery in fact some of them had purple flowers. Along the way on the seashore there were rock formations like this one. I'm inclined to think this is how a budding young artist is formed.

See me in front of a fun rock formation of a pirate ship! Isn't it great. Very creative. We have lived in this town for years and never knew this was here. It was a fun afternoon of discovery.

Silver Sands Park boardwalk - not as long as thought

2011-08-19T08:23:00.001-04:00

I found information on Silver Sands State Park by googling it and guess what it isn't as long as we thought....LOL! just seemed it for us out of shape old folgies. So we walked 1 1/2 miles which is a good stretch. Guess I should get my facts straight before posting from now on.
Silver Sands State Park features a boardwalk with 1/10th mile markers extending west 3/4 miles, connecting the State park to the City of Milford's Walnut Beach Park. The site includes an offshore island connected to the mainland by a sand and gravel bar (tombolo) that is submerged at high tide. Accessing the tombolo is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS and should be avoided. Access to the island is prohibited May 1 through August 31 to protect heron and egret rookeries. Below is a photo we took of Charles Island......hmmmmm should we go dig for treasure, mateys!

Silver Sands State Park is a Connecticut State park in Milford, Connecticut, USA which offers facilities for swimming in the Long Island Sound, picnicking, trails, boardwalks and opportunities for bird-watching. It includes the 14-acre (57,000 m2) bird sanctuary of Charles Island, which is rumored to be the site of Captain Kidd's buried treasure. Silver Sands is adjacent to the city-owned park, Walnut Beach.

An afternoon walking at the beach

2011-08-19T05:01:00.002-04:00

First if you know me, you know I'm basically a lazy person and when it comes to exercise ..... well let's just say that's not me BUT yesterday afternoon my husband and I decided to take a walk on the boardwalk. This boardwalk is at Silver Sands park and is about 2 miles one way and if you want to get back to your car you have to turn around and walk back so that is 4 miles....approximately. Needless to say it was a hike for these two old geezers ....meaning me and hubby. It took us a good hour and a half to walk it including walking down to the water and resting on bench. Only problem with resting on bench is then I don't want to get up and move! He had to pull me off that bench! lol! This boardwalk is over a swamp or as my husband says it is more politically correct to say wetlands on the right and the beach on the left so depending which side you decide to look you see "swamp" or kids playing in the water. If you read my blog you know that back in June myself and a couple of friends walked across a boardwalk in Poughkeepsie, NY.(http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/2011/06/afternoon-walk.html) That boardwalk was nice but completely different from this one in my town. Both have their own features only good thing about Silver Sands is it is right here in town so a lot easier for me to walk it whenever I want. I'll post more photos soon.

S Postcard Buddies

2011-08-18T05:00:00.001-04:00

S is for Sign --- Skate --- Stand --- Style --- Seahorse! this month two are the same but different. Sign by sue (me) - Happy birthday sign image by Hot Potatoes Fabric and Wall Stamps . did you notice that I also try to match up the color with the letter of the month. S for sign and sienna. Skate by muriel and petti - skating snowman by muriel - she punched out a circle for her skating snowman and added a glitter trail. petti stamped a bunch of skating people including one who took a tumble. Stand by leslie - she is very clever with her two definations. a cake stand and on address side people standing. Style by grace - she shows off all her style and grace. get it? style and grace (her name is grace). sorry couldn't resist that play on words. Seahorse by roberta - this postcard has texture with masking tape. yes, she covered her postcard in masking tape then stamped on top of it. clever girl.

collage stamping postcards

2011-08-16T05:00:00.001-04:00

Yes, I'm still creating with my collage stamped pieces when I was over my friend's house. I have to admit I came home with a bunch of those background pieces but we did have fun. So this time I made a few postcards and remember in previous post I mentioned using a piece of sequence waste to add to the background well, here is a picture of it to give you an idea of what I'm talking about. Now onto my postcards. Let's see first up is a set of four stamps called Einstein Group from Paula Best. In this postcard I used two of them and if you look close you can see in the two corners where I used the sequence waste. If you look at the tulip (think it's Stampington & co.) postcard you will see more sequence waste in bottom left corner (do like the corners) and Tim Holtz Sizzix alterations on the edge brackets/parenthesis border. I can see slashes from Magenta, big bold swirl from Hot Potatoes Fabric and Wall Stamps , and brick background by Stamp Camp. Again I think the bird is from Stampington & co. but would have to check with my friend to find out for sure. Used a fun splotchy dots stamp (have no idea what co.) on this postcard which I really liked but unfortunately it was an unmounted stamp that my friend put on wood and didn't remember the company. That's the way it is sometimes you know, you go to a convention and get lots of unmounted stamps .... mount them but don't make a note of the company. I've done it myself.