Monday, May 30, 2011

Manly Mondays - Entered a Challenge

Haven't entered a challenge in a very long time so I thought I would try the Denim, Rust and Dust one at Gingersnap Creations.  Didn't  really have a design in mind when it was first started, just grabbed the colors, a stamp set that I felt was appropriate and went to work.


For the Denim, I took a piece of Not Quite Navy, stamped it with a Canvas background stamp in Really Rust Craft Ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder.  Unfortunately the colors are so dark you can barely see it in the photo.  Once that was completed it was ran through the Big Shot with an embossing folder.

For the Rust, I stamped some horseshoes on the side with Really Rust Craft Ink, embossed those with Clear Embossing Powder also but this time overheated them a bit to give them a bit of an over used, left outside in the rain look to make them look "rusty".

For the Dust, the layer of Crumb Cake was stamped with Really Rust Classic Ink, ran through the Big Shot with another embossing folder, followed by sponging around the edges and lightly over the raised parts of the embossing.  The grass die cut was also sponged in the same way.

Added more Dust on the inside
by sponging the edges on Crumb Cake and stamped a saddle image sitting on a fence.

Had a lot of fun making this one, particular since there was no plan in mind. The winners will be announced on June 21, 2011.  Wish me Luck!

A La Prochaine!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Manly Mondays

Regina got me started on square cards and now I can't seem to stop :).  This card measures 5 1/2 by 5 1/2.
Stampin' Up products used are the cardstock: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla. Ink is Basic Grey. The Cherry Cobbler was ran through the Big Shot first using a texture plate that has musical notes on it, then ran through again with a Sizzix die.  The Very Vanilla layer was stamped with a musical note background stamp, twice, side by side, with Basic Grey Ink.  Rounded the corners with a small corner rounder punch. The letters were adhered with a Two Way Glue Stick.

Now for the inside.
More letters were adhered on a Very Vanilla layer that was first edged with a Dauber and Basic Grey Ink.

WHAT'S UP WITH FRANKII

Frankii has some big news for you!  He's been shaved!!! Frankii is my fifth and never even considered doing this before. The hair was getting everywhere and we, mostly I, couldn't take it anymore.  Debbie did an amazing job and it helped that Frankii has seen her do this on a daily basis. Just look how handsome he is.
Especially in his brand new purple scarf. He's as happy as always.  His tail is like a whip now and still going a hundred miles a minute. 
He's all curled up, ready to call it a day.  Who knew how curly the end of tail was.   

A La Prochaine! 

Friday, May 20, 2011

Freestyle Fridays - Regina Style

Regina is in the spotlight for this week's Freestyle Fridays. Just look at this awesome color combination.


This is sure to brighten up someone's day! To get all the details and products used Click here to see how Regina did this little beauty. It's amazing what she can come up with a piece of cardstock and a few stamps.  I'm always in awe of her massive talent.

See Ya Next Week!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Manly Mondays

It's my friend Cal's birthday today.  Happy Birthday Cal!!  He's the type of friend that you don't see very often but know that he will always be there when you need him. 

The balloons are from a napkin leftover from Frankii's birthday party in March which I thought went well with Tempting Turquoise, an under used color.  I applied it to white card stock with 3M Spray Mount and smoothed it out with the tips of my fingers.  Once dry, which only takes a few minutes, it was cut to size and adhered with Sticky Strip to the Tempting Turquoise base.  The sentiment is from the Level 1 Hostess Set, Afterthoughts.  The part you can't read says (call when it's time for cake.) That was stamped with Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink on Confetti White. This layer and the Tempting Turquoise layer was ran through the Big Shot with a square scalloped Nestabilities. The Confetti White is popped up with Dimensionals.  On the inside I added a piece of Confetti White.  A bright card for a very Happy Go Lucky Fella!

WHAT'S UP WITH FRANKII

Frankii is super happy to have all the snow out of his backyard.  He's back to walking the perimeter of the chain link fence which is about a half acre a couple of times a day.  The crow is back and Frankii lets him know that he is not happy about it by trying to chase it away. Doesn't work but at least he's getting exercise.

I was going through some pictures of Frankii and just had to share this one with you.
This was taken at our house in the City a few days after we got him. Look how white he is! He was 5 months old when this picture was taken.  He's so much darker now.  It's a hot summer day and he's relaxing in the shade. Something sure has his attention.  Probably our old neighbor yelling at her kids again.  Sure don't miss that. 

A La Prochaine!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Freestyle Fridays - It's In the Fold

Well, it took awhile to get in here and make this post. Blogger has been having technical difficulties the last few days. Thankfully, it looks like it's all looked after now and we can carry on.  Sorry for the delay!

Betty was over a couple of weekends ago and showed me how to make a fold I had never used before so I thought I would use it for this week's project. The Faux Fabric technique was also used which you can find a tutorial here.

 
I had a hard time photographing this card closed when it was laid down so I stood it up to give you a better idea (hopefully) of how it looks.
This is how it looks once opened and where you can write your message.  Now for the details.  Start with a piece of cardstock (here Rich Razzleberry) measuring 9 3/4 x 5 1/2.  Score at 3" and 6" on the long side. When you measure and cut your layer to add to the front (here Black Textured and Pacific Point Cardstocks) make sure it is adhered to the middle as much as possible and that the edge is close to the Rich Razzleberry edge. It will give your card a clean look once closed.

When the scores where folded, for two of the folds as you can see in the pictures, I embossed with Black embossing powder and Versamark using the Bella Toile background stamp. The same stamp was used on the Pacific Point, embossed in black, applied bleach with an Aqua Painter. A Labels Nestabilities was used and ran through the Big Shot with the Finial Press Embossing Folder. For the sentiment inside on Pacific Point, punched with the Curly Label Extra Large Punch, the flower is from the Because I Care set and the Friends is from Just Believe. These were stamped with Black Craft Ink and embossed in clear.


********REGINA'S MISSION********

Regina, your mission this week, should you choose to accept it, is to create a card using the same fold as above with something embossed on it.  The colors and images are of your choosing.

Head on over to Regina's Blog and see what she's been up to this week.  She's got some great inspiration for you. Would be great of you to leave some love.

See Ya Next Week! 

Monday, May 9, 2011

Manly Mondays

Some of the trees are already budding around here and there's only tiny little hints of snow here and there.  This week's card was inspired by the warmer weather that has finally arrived our way.
Here are the supplies that it features: Stamp Sets - Pendant Park and Define Your Life. Cardstock - Marina Mist, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla. Ink - Chocolate Chip Craft Ink covered with Clear Embossing Powder. Square Lattice Embossing Folder for the Early Espresso Cardstock. Punches - Ticket Corner and Large Label. And, the smallest of rhinestones from the Jewels Pack. The sentiment was adhered with double sided mounting foam.

My thoughts on who this would suit:  A recent graduate, a thank you note for a job well done.

WHAT'S UP WITH FRANKII

Frankii had another busy week.  We had a visitor come and stay awhile. Evan had his work truck home and Frankii was all frantic about something outside. Look what it was...

the tiniest of bunnies.  He/she has been around for awhile and Frankii always lets us know.  Was finally able to capture a picture from inside the house.  It's right under the chains.  I did throw some carrots out yesterday and they are all gone.  Was it the bunny or that darn crow??

Had to go get a new air filter installed on the way to daycare the other morning. While the fellow was working on my truck, here's what Frankii was up to

This is his "I don't like you right now!" face. He was vocally letting me know that too. I wouldn't open the hatch any further than the size of his head since he flies out of there before the tailgate is down.  I was being cautious since we were in a garage, although the floor was clean, you never know what could be there that the naked eye can not see.  Our Tex had stepped into what our Vet suspected to be battery acid that ate at his paw and did not want the same happening to Frankii.  It's all good, he likes me again!

A La Prochaine!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Freestyle Fridays - CASE Me Mission

I could not believe my eyes when I read that Regina, THE Queen of crafting supplies, did not have any Groovy Guava cardstock.  WHAT!! How is this possible :):) Nonetheless, she came up with a most stunning color combination. Here's a little peek.  

For a full view and details click here. Regina will give you the specifics on how it came about and the supplies she used. Girl, you sent the ball out of the ballpark with this one! Mission Accomplished.

See Ya Next Week!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Manly Mondays - Week 45

Blogger is adding a few things to make blogging better than ever.  The additions will happen gradually.  One of the new things that I happen to like are the Reactions fields. I've added them to the bottom of each post. All you have to do is click on one and you're done! It's that easy.

The May Stampin' Success Magazine (available to demos only) arrived extra early. It normally arrives here in the middle of the month. There's a technique in there that I hadn't tried in awhile so I thought I would try it again by doing this card.

The technique is to mix embossing colors together, here black and white were mixed. It rather gives it a silver shine. I've done this with Gold and Silver and didn't like it as much. The cardstock colors are Baja Breeze and Poppy Parade.  The Bigz XL Tasteful Trim was used on the bottom with sewing crystal buttons threaded with Linen Thread.  The sentiment from Afterthoughts was stamped with Poppy Parade Classic Ink on Baja Breeze Seam Bidding layered with Black Satin Ribbon. The background stamp is the retired Tres Chic.

I would think this card would be suitable for a recently retired or engaged fella.

WHAT'S UP WITH FRANKII

Frankii, well he is STILL shedding.  Just look at what is waiting to fall off of him.

You can just see the tuffs of hair on his back side.  There's only so much a brush can remove when it's time for him to "blow" his winter coat.  Keeping fingers crossed it will be by the end of the week.  Here he is enjoying a tasty treat in "his House" which is how we refer to his kennel.  He's got all his toys, well most of them, arranged at the opening. If you put one too close to his pillow he'll move it right away.  I guess he has a place for everything. At least he likes to keep his house tidy.  Now, if he could only learn to use a vacuum.

A La Prochaine!