Milestone Birthdays, Anniversaries, and/or Celebrations

I am the hostess this week at Stampotique Designers Challenge Blog and my challenge is Milestone birthdays, anniversaries, or other celebrations.

This is what I've got to say about my challenge:

"Whether it's a 21st, 25, 50, 60th birthday or 10th, 25, 50th anniversary, it's time to celebrate. Let's see a project that celebrates those sometimes scary milestones of life!"

If you'd like the chance to win your choice of $30 worth of Stampotique stamps, you should play along with this challenge. Visit Stampotique Designers Challenge blog and be sure to read the rules so that you'll have the chance to win that great prize!!!  Remember to check to see the deadline for all of this month's Stampotique Designers Challenges!

Here's my project for the challenge with three of the birds from Birdy Up, two of the birds from Birdy Bonnets, one bird from Stack of Birds, one of the hats from Happy Head Appliances, Owl with Wings, Skull Balloons, and Happy, Happy. 

Two of the birds from Birdy Up, two of the birds from Birdy Bonnets, one bird from Stack of Birds, one of the hats from Happy Head Appliances, and Owl with Wings were stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts), colored with Copic markers, fussy-cut, and edged with a Black Pitt Artist pen (Faber Castell). Diamond Glaze (Judikins) was added to all of the birds' eyes and the birds were banished to a drawer in a closet overnight so I would not be tempted to touch them to see if the Glossy Accents had set. 

The closed-eye happy looking bird from Birdy Up became the birthday bird-of-honor courtesy of the hat from the Happy Head Appliances and placed away from the maelstrom of my craft table. Skull Balloons was stamped with London Fog Memento ink because I wanted a more subtle look. The balloons were colored with Copic markers and fussy-cut. Happy, Happy was stamped over two of the balloons using Tuxedo Black Memento ink and my Stamp-a-ma-jig stamp positioner (EK Success). Happy, Happy joined Skull Balloons out of harms' way. 

The Blossom Grand font set (QuicKutz) was used to die-cut black glitter paper for the 60. WHOOO was die-cut from the same glitter paper with the Blossom font set (QuicKutz). A Hint of Lime die (Die-Versions) was used to die-cut is. Pale green vellum was die-cut with the Big Word Pop Curve die (Memory Box). A scrap of white cardstock was die-cut with the Cocktail Party die (Taylored Expressions), which was then colored with Copic markers.  

The patterned paper is from the Baby Boy collection (Basic Grey) and was edged with both Peeled Paint and Black Soot Distress inks (Ranger). Danger-striped Washi tape was added to the base of the card front and the Big Word Pop Curve die-cut was added to the upper left corner, then outlined with Black Spica Glitter pen (Copic).

The glittery 60 number dies were positioned on the patterned paper and Owl with Wings was perched on the 6. All the birds from Birdy Up (pinky-orange and blue/green),  Birdy Bonnets (red-winged blackbird crown and fedora), and Stack of Birds (red-winged blackbird on the right) were adhered atop the striped Washi tape. The birthday-bird was placed over the 0 atop a second layer of Washi tape. The Skull Balloons were placed over the red-winged blackbird on the right.

Black Glaze pen (Sakura) was used to draw legs onto the black birds and strings attaching the
Skull Balloons to the blackbird on the right. Whooo is was adhered to the vellum Big Word Pop Curve die-cut. The colored Cocktail Party die was adhered over the Washi tape to the base of the image panel, which was then adhered to a 5x7 white card.

By the way, if you're wondering what prompted this theme, I recently celebrated two milestones. In August, my husband and I celebrated our 35 Wedding Anniversary and I just turned 60, which mildly freaked me out. However, I figure that whereas I might be a bit of an old bird, I'm still on this astral plain, moderately healthy (too fat, too caffeinated, too winy), enjoying family and friends, and my hobbies. All in all it beats the heck out of the alternative, don'tchaknow?

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
• Left of Center Challenges: Dies or Punches
• My Time To Craft Challenges: Owls
• Aurora Wings Challenges: Anything Goes with Wings
• Papertake Weekly Challenges: Animals
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenges: Die Crazy 

"Ciao!"

There's something about mopeds and scooters that make me laugh. Then I saw Eddie Izzard in his Dress to Kill HBO special. His Italy/Vespa skit, had me literally rolling on the floor laughing. And crying. And not being able to breathe. You know. All that good stuff. So, whenever I see any form of scooter, my brain says "Ciao" and I start laughing like a lunatic. And if I see a Vespa stamp, I must have it.

You know where this is going, don't you? I Brake For Stamps has a hilariously funny stamp collection called Humorous Seniors. While perusing that collection, I found Moped Millie, ordered it, and here's my first card with her!

Moped Millie was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) and colored with Copic markers to match a large piece of two-sided patterned paper that I found in my scrap stash, which makes me glad that I hoard large scraps that I deem might some day be useful.

Road-patterned Washi tape (two different kinds) were adhered under Moped Millie's scooter. The image panel was die-cut with one of the dies from The Card Creator die set (Spellbinders), then edged with Black Soot Distress ink (Ranger).

Several layers of Clear Gelly Glaze pen (Sakura) were added to Moped Millie's helmet, glasses, and the scooter's headlight to give them dimension and shine. Turquoise Spica Glitter pen was used to add glitter to Moped Millie's ankle bracelet. I also gave her a turquoise glitter earring, because I thought she'd like it. I'm generous like that.

The red/yellow reverse side of the patterned paper was die-cut with the next largest dies from the same Card Creator die set and sponged with Black Soot Distress ink. The paper was also die-cut with my Mermaid font die (Die-Versions), then the sentiment was adhered to the Washi tape.

I started to put the card together, opting for a relatively clean layout. However, I thought that the card was missing something, so I started to think, which can be a scary thing. Then I remembered that I had a stoplight charm that might work. After a relatively short search, I found it! Sadly, it was just plain pewter, so I added some red, yellow, and green acrylic paint in the appropriate places (after checking Google to make sure that the red and green were in the right spots. I "hung" the light with some beading wire from an ancient pewter photo corner, then added a second corner to the bottom of the card for balance. You wouldn't want me to be unbalanced, would you?

The card front was mounted on a kraft card and I called it done!

If you like Moped Millie and want to see the other Humorous Seniors stamps, click on my badge below to be whisked over there to check out their fabulous images! Best of all, if you buy something, use this code: SAVE10KATHI  and you'll get 10% off your purchase.

Thanks for visiting today!

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
• Sweet Stampin' Challenges: Make a Scene
• Natalie and Amy's Challenges: Use a Charm
• Cuttlebug Mania Challenges: Wheels 

It's a Two-Fer: Stampotique's and Friday Coloring/The Outlawz Challenges!

Nellie is our hostess this week at Stampotique Designers Challenge Blog and she is asking us to "Use only two stamps" Here is what Nellie says about this challenge:

"I tend to use a lot of stamps when I create something. Thought I might challenge myself and all of you by limiting the number of stamps. So no more than two stamps please!"

If you'd like the chance to win your choice of $30 worth of Stampotique stamps, you should play along with this challenge. Visit Stampotique Designers Challenge blog and be sure to read the rules so that you'll have the chance to win that great prize!!!  Remember to check to see the deadline for all of this month's Stampotique Designers Challenges!

~~~

This week's the challenge at The Outlawz Coloring Challenges is Hats because September 15th is Make a Hat Day . My Outlawz Coloring Challenge teammates, Carla, Penny, Karen, Vannessa, and I challenge you to use create a project for this challenge. You should check out their blogs to see their gorgeous artwork. 

Our September sponsor at The Outlawz Coloring Challenges is Norma J. Burnell and Fairy Tangles, who is offering our lucky winner three digital stamps of his/her choice from the Fairy Tangles Store.  Play along with us for your chance to win!

Here's my card with Stampotique's Priscilla (Amy Wilson Wellenstein) and Skully (Arwen McCullen).

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I know that I've created a scene (on a card) before that used Priscilla as a juggler. If you can't steal an idea from yourself, who can you steal from?

Priscilla was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) twice. Once onto Neenah cardstock and once onto Eclipse Tape (Judikins). The Judikins version was fussy-cut. Using my Stamp-a-ma-jig stamp positioner (EK Success), Skully was stamped five times in a rough semi-circle pattern over Priscilla's hands and head. 

Both Priscilla and Skully were colored with Copic markers. Lavender Spica Glitter pen (Copic) was used to add some glittery bits to her headdress and vest. I like my skull images to be slightly cracked like me, so the Skullys  received some cracks courtesy of a Black Multiliner pen (Copic). My Prismacolor pen (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) was used to color in the skulls and Filigree Clear Detail Embossing Powder (Stewart Superior) was used to add dimension and shine to all the Skullys.

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

 
The Eclipse Tape mask was placed over Priscilla and repositionable Scotch Tape (3M) was placed horizontally over Priscilla's foot. Walnut Stain Distress ink (Ranger) was sponged over the bottom part of the card panel. The tape was lifted and repositioned to cover the "floor". Milled Lavender Distress ink (Ranger) was sponged over Priscilla and the Skullys. My Harlequin Layering Stencil (Stampers Anonymous) was positioned over the the scene and Milled Lavender Distress ink was sponged over the stencil. Then the same ink was sponged again over the Dot Fade Layering Stencil (Stampers Anonymous). The embossed Skullys resisted the ink, but were lightly wiped with a baby wipe to remove excess ink from them. The Eclipse Tape mask was pulled up and set aside for another use. The tape was pulled up and some horizontal lines were added to the floor with a Sepia Pitt Marker pen (Faber Castell). The image panel's edges were sponged with my beloved Black Soot Distress ink, then double matted with black and lavender cardstock.

Lavender cardstock was die-cut with my Fancy Floral Lace Border die (Cottage Cutz). Grey cardstock was die-cut with Bats and Crossbones Border Garland die (Alterations/Sizzix). The skulls got a bit of detailing with Copics, then were backed with scraps of Copic colored cardstock to make 'em all matchy with the Skullys. The Fancy Floral Lace Border die-cuts were added to the base of a lavender 5x7 card. The Crossbones die-cut was adhered over that, then the image panel was added to the card. As is my wont, I didn't add a sentiment because I haven't decided who should receive and/or appreciate this card and for what occasion if any.

Thanks for visiting today! 

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
• Bloggers Challenges: Stencils  
• Left of Center Challenges: Diecuts and Punches
• Scrapy Land Challenges: Anything Goes/Use a Die  

Mornings and coffee!

I do one and don't do the other. But I did do this!

The above card features Bunny/ATC Diva. Isn't she adorable? Don't you just love her bunny slippers and that plush robe? I know that I do. She's one of a bunch of ATC Divas by Rubber Romance. I kind of love them all, but I had to have Bunny first. Those bunny slippers spoke to me. They said "Get me now." Since I rarely argue with *those voices*, I did.

Bunny was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) and colored with Copic markers. The image panel was die-cut with a die from the Rectangles set of dies (QuicKutz/WeR). The next largest die was used to die-cut kraft cardstock, which was edged with Brushed Corduroy Distress ink (Ranger)

The Fresh Brewed Alterations die (Tim/Sizzix) was used to die-cut textured Kraft cardstock (hoarded Club Scrap), regular Kraft cardstock, and white cardstock. Gathered Twigs Distress ink was sponged over the Clocks stencil (Prima) onto the take-out coffee cup and the edges of the take-out cup. Brushed Corduroy Distress ink was sponged over the coffee sleeve to bring out the texture of the cardstock. The white straw/coffee stirrer was colored with Copic markers to match Bunny. 

The coffee cup was assembled and Bunny was added to the sleeve.

The sentiment, from the late lamented justjohanna/odd Bird Planet stamps, was stamped onto Kraft cardstock, die-cut with one of the dies from the Speech Bubble One set (Spellbinders). The cardstock was kept in the die and Brushed Corduroy Distress ink was sponged over the die. I thought it was the perfect sentiment for Bunny and this card.

Gathered Twigs Distress ink was sponged over the Clocks stencil (Prima) onto the remaining scrap of textured Kraft cardstock. A strip of clock-printed Washi tape was added and the coffee cup was adhered to the card front. The sentiment speech bubble was adhered. The card front was adhered to a kraft A2 card and I called it done!

 Click on my badge below to be whisked over there to check out their fabulous images! Best of all, if you buy something, use this code: SAVE10KATHI  and you'll get 10% off your purchase.

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:

 • Simon Says Monday Challenges: Stamp and punch/die cut

• Hanna and Her Friends Challenges: Kraft paper

• Scrapy Land Challenges: Anything Goes with Dies

Book or Text Challenge

This week's the challenge at The Outlawz Coloring Challenges is Books or Text because September 6th is Read a Book Day . My Outlawz Coloring Challenge teammates, Carla, Penny, Karen, Vannessa, and I challenge you to use create a project for this challenge. You should check out their blogs to see their gorgeous artwork.
 
Our September sponsor at The Outlawz Coloring Challenges is Norma J. Burnell and Fairy Tangles, who is offering our lucky winner three digis of his/her choice from the Fairy Tangles Store.  Play along with us for your chance to win!

Here's my card with Sweet Pea Stamps/The East Wind's Lucy Loo/Spellbound.

Spellbound was reduced in PhotoElements, printed out with my laser printer onto Neenah cardstock, colored with Copic markers, trimmed down, edged with Black Soot Distress ink (Ranger), and matted on black cardstock. The skull's eye sockets and Lucy Loo's ring were touched with Clear Spica Glitter pen (Copic), then coated with several layers of Clear Gelly Glaze pen (Sakura), which was also used on Lucy Loo's nails. 

The book and ephemera strips are from the Rare Oddities 8x8 pad (Graphic 45). The script is from an old 6x6 pad whose name escapes me. All edges were sponged with Black Soot Distress ink, then layered onto a Kraft card.

"Hocus Pocus", from an old Apothecary Remnant Rubs sheet, was rubbed onto the book to finish the card and serve as a sentiment.

Thanks for visiting today! 

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:

• Haunted Design House Challenges: Fur, Feathers, Tooth, and Claw -- See the peacock feather?

• The Sisters of Craft Challenges: Anything Goes

• Craft Your Passion Challenges: Anything Goes
• Sweet Pea Stamps Facebook Progressive Challenge, Part One: Anything Goes

Primary Colors!

Sue Davies is the hostess this week at Stampotique Designers Challenge Blog and her challenge is to "Primary Colours". Here's what she had to say about her challenge.

"Take two of the three primary colours (and the colours that they create when mixed) and just use these on your creation. You can also use black and white if you like. I'm looking forward to seeing what you create."

If you'd like the chance to win your choice of $30 worth of Stampotique stamps, you should play along with this challenge. Visit Stampotique Designers Challenge blog and be sure to read the rules so that you'll have the chance to win that great prize!!!  Remember to check to see the deadline for all of this month's Stampotique Designers Challenges!

Here's my card with Stampotique's Monster News (Kira Nichols) and Happy Bird-day (Carole's Collection).

The first thing you'll notice is that I didn't follow directions. Whereas I did use primary colors, I didn't mix 'em, except for a tiny little bit. Bad, bad me. Either that, or I'm a rebel. Without a cause. I kind of prefer that descriptor. 

Monster News was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) onto cardstock twice and onto text patterned paper once. All images were colored with Copic markers. The Monster's teeth and claws and Monster's wee bird's eyes and beak were touched with Clear Gelly Glaze pen (Sakura) to add dimension and shine. One set of the Monster's hands and one newspaper were fussy-cut and edged with Black Pitt Artist Brush pen (Faber Castell). The amputated hands were reattached to hold the newspaper, which had been folded a bit and popped up on various levels of dimensional adhesive. Black cardstock was die-cut with a die from the Nestabilities Pinked Circles die set (Spellbinders). The image panel was die-cut with a die from the Nestabilities Circles die set (Spellbinders) and mounted onto the pinked circle. At this point, I added Glossy Accents (Ranger) to the Monster's eyes. The image panel was set aside safely out of reach while I worked on the rest of the card.

Four circles were die-cut from 140 lb. Mixed Media cardstock (Strathmore) using a Nestabilities Circles die. The circles were first airbrushed with the same Copic colors used to color Monster News as I wanted a nice even base color. Each circle was spritzed with water and Brusho Crystals (ColourCraft) were sprinkled over top. A few different jars for each color. For example, I used Crimson, Ost Red, and Scarlet. Sadly, being me, that's all I remember as I didn't write down the colors I used. Again. I am a bad, bad me.

I did mix all the Brusho colors on one of the circles because I felt like it. All four circles were adhered to a black cardstock square, then to a white card.

Happy Bird-day was stamped onto music staff paper with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored with a Copic marker to make it all matchy matchy. The paper was cut into a strip, folded, trimmed to form a banner, and edged with Black Soot Distress ink (Ranger).

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

Thanks for visiting today! 

I shall enter this card into the following challenges:
• Simon Says Monday Challenges: Trio of Colors - I used Red, Yellow, and Blue. 
• The Crazy Challenges: Watercolor - Brusho Crystal Colours are water soluble.

I'm Happy as a Lark!

Have you seen

this

 over there on the right?
--->

Yep. It's true. I've got a new gig with a fabulous stamp store. Click on my badge above to be whisked over there to check out their fabulous images! Best of all, if you buy something, use this code: SAVE10KATHI  and you'll get 10% off your purchase. Sweet, eh?

Here's my first card, using Lark.

Lark (IBFS) was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts) and colored with Copic markers.

I roughed up the edges of the image panel using my Distress Tool (Tonic), then went with a CAS design using patterned papers from a really old 6x6 pad by My Mind's Eye. Some Gathered Twigs Distress ink (Ranger) was sponged on the card front, which was then mounted on Kraft cardstock.

I left space for a sentiment at the bottom.

Thanks for visiting today!

I shall enter this card in the following challenges:
• Crafting from the Heart Challenges: Anything Goes
• Craft Your Passion Challenges: Anything Goes
• Sister Act Card Challenges: Anything Goes