Christmas is in the Air!

Oh how I have missed the Outlines Rubber Stamps Weekly Challenge!  I'm glad to be back for Christmas in July.  They have some amazing design team members - go check them out.  Each week they give us a theme, and an opportunity to create art with their wonderful stamps  - AND - get this - win a $25 gift certificate to spend in their store.  How cool is that!

This week I used some of my absolutely favorite stamps.  This was my very first flower stamp that I purchased from Outlines.  It is SO versatile.  I hope you enjoy my design - and I can't wait to go check out everyone elses art!

Stamps used:
Merry C-279
Swirly Leaf SM C-136
Swirly Leaf MD C-103
Clematis Med E-111
Clematis Lg H-108

Grungy Monday 15 - Getting Rusty

Oh my - is it really Grungy Friday?  Work really got in my way of having fun this week.  The truly amazing artist Linda, over at Studio L3 has challenged us to us Tim Holtz's 'Get Rusty' technique this week.  This is a technique he debuted in 2007!  There are actually 2 technique challenges in this weeks tutorial.  One for the 'rusty' technique, and the other where you use multiple ink pad to add a touch of color to a stamp.  Both were fun and deliver great results.  Although I had to test this a few times to get it right.

It was fun to pull out many of my favorite colors this week.  For the background piece I made using the main technique, I used Broken china Distress Ink with Vintage Photo rubbed over the top for the 'rust' look.  The flower is a new stamp that I got last week from Wendy Vecchi.  It was a great bold image to color with many beautiful colors (barn door, peeled paint, forest moss, scattered straw - DI).  I sprayed it with a bit of water to blend the colors, then stamped on watercolor paper.  I painted some tattered angels glitter paint over the leaves, but it didn't show up in the photo - BIG surprise :-)

I also colored the ribbon with some more tattered angels copper spray, and added some doo dads for extra interest.  I hope you enjoy the card - it is going in the mail tomorrow for a dear friends birthday.

Thanks for stopping by - I also posted another card a few days ago that I did for Hels Sheridan's Sunday Stampers.  I Love Love Love the Kraft resist paper! Check it out.

Sunday Stampers - Something Flying....

Oh how I love Sundays.  Hels gives us the most inviting challenges.  AND - entertains us with her wit and creativity.  This week was no exception!  If you have no idea what I'm talking about - check out the details here.  Her artwork is always amazing!  This week she has challenged us to something in 'flight'.  Since I do not have any airplanes...I have chosen butterflies.

This week I decided to use some new items in my 'stash'.  I pulled out Tim Holtz wonderful Kraft Resist paper.  OMG - this paper is amazing.  It is kraft, with embossed designs, as well as black 'stamped' images all over it.  I selected the butterfly (papillon) paper.  I used my favorites - Victorian Velvet and Dusty Concord Distress Inks to bring out the image resist.  I have added another new fave - Sizzix Butterfly 2 collection which includes not only that delightful 2 part butterfly - but the wonderful 'dream' script.  I also used a fun saying from Wendy Vecchi as well as a butterfly from Tim's die cut collection with a fun pen nib as the body (ok  - totally stole that from so many others that have used that -but loved it).  

Grungy Monday 14 - Distress Inks and Perfect Pearls

Can't believe I missed my favorite technique last week while I was enjoying some much needed family time at the beach. Looks like I've got some catching up to do! Linda, over at Studio L3 has offered up yet another fun technique (from the 2008 archives of the ever so talented King of Distress - Tim Holtz) for us this week. If you do wander over to Tim's site today - check out the fabulous 4th of July card he made. I thought I could include the photo below, but obviously - I have alot to learn about blogger.

Now, on to today's challenges. Linda tempted us to get back into using our mini misters with some favorite inks and powders. Simon Says Stamp and Show has challenged us to use a Flourish, and Hels of the Sunday Stampers fame, has added words to her challenge this week.  I thought both fit well in my card today.  I used 2 combinations - Spiced Marlamade DI/Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls, and Scattered Straw DI/Green Patina Perfect Pearls. I first stamped one of my favorite 'rockin' heart stamps using picket fence dabber to create a resist for the sprays. I sprayed the maralade color on top, the scattered straw on the bottom. I also colored my ribbon with the marmalade spray. I love the color combo and the intensity of the color. This is definitely something I will try again. The sentiment stamp is from Wendy Vecchi, flouris - Stampington and Company.

I'll share the 4th of July idea in a few minutes. Happy Freedom day to all my stamping buddies - I am proud of all our military and thankful to be living the life I am.