Flower inspiration

Happy Wednesday!!!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps Built.  This week we have a GORGEOUS inspiration photo for you.  You can choose to be inspired by the colors, or the image, or both (as I was)!  Here it is:

Aren't those colors so yummy!!!??  As soon as I saw this photo, I KNEW what stamps I was going to use.  Obviously, my favorite Flower Power Separates would be the perfect fit (and I do so love using them).  Here's the card I created:

I love how the white flowers in the photo really pop, so I heat embossed all of my images with white embossing powder before coloring them and fussy cutting them out.  Then I layered them all together  to (sort of) imitate the clusters in the photo.  My frame is backed with vellum and then some patterned paper, the vellum softens the color and pattern so it doesn't take away from the beautiful flowers.
     I hope you will get inky and play along with us; I can't wait to see how this photo inspires you!
And if you haven't bought these flowers yet, check out my 10% off your ENTIRE order coupon on my left sidebar.  I use them all the time!

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Pattie's Flower Outline", "Mum Outline", "Daisy Outline, small", "Leaf Outline, large", "Leaf Outline Wavy" and "Happy Birthday"

Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments--anything goes
Die Cuttin' Divas #374--embossing (I used heat embossing)
heARTful Stamping--anything goes
Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends #84--anything goes
Crafty Friends #86--anything goes
Cardz TV #52--anything goes
Craft Rockets--birthday
Penny Black--in the garden
Southern Girls--anything goes

Celebrate your day

It's Saturday!!  That means it's time for another challenge from Di's Digi Designs.

The challenge this time is: Summer Fun

And here is my card for your inspiration:

Isn't this little Ted the cutest!?  But he'd better be careful as his ball has fallen off the tea and a little lady bug has climbed on!!  Except for the card base, green dp and image panel, everything was cut from scraps, even the kraft mat layer and the blue around the image.  As this is a masculine card, I didn't want to tie a bow with the twine; instead I did something a little different by interlocking two pieces of twine and pulling the ends toward the different sides.  It adds a bit of interest without adding bulk or too much froofiness.

  I hope you will play along with us this time; Can't wait to see what you create!

Supplies:

Stamps: Di's Digi Stamps "Ted in the Rough" digi; Raisin Boat "Flourishing Phrases" partial sentiment

Dies: Spellbinders "A2 Matting Basics A" rectangle; MFT sun layered sun die

Challenges:

Dies R Us #99--summertime fun
Cardz TV #52--anything goes
Crafty Catz #421--anything goes
Cute Card #534--sun, sand or sea
Little Miss Muffet #191--anything goes
Crafty Gals #167--anything goes
Fab n Funky #318--show me some sunshine
Die Cuttin' Divas #375--masculine or father's day
Pixie's Crafty Workshop #328--anything goes with snippets
Cas-ual Fridays #201--boys of summer
Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 #138--sketch

Craft Rockets #44--birthday
Ribbon Girl--anything goes with the optional twist: summer
2 Crafty Critter Crazies #15--anything goes
That's Crafty--a summer's day
Always Happy Birthday--anything goes with the optional twist: summer birthday
Creative Inspirations--Here comes the sun
Dare 2B Artzy--bright colors
Divas That Cut--animals or pets
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper
Crafting with an Attitude--anything goes

Happy Chef

Happy Friday!!  It's time for another challenge from Jo's Scrap Shack.  As always, we are now an Anything Goes challenge and our sponsor this week is The Paper Shelter. 

A few months ago, I won a couple images from The Paper Shelter and this adorable little chef was won of them.  Here is the card I created using him:

 My father-in-law's favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs, so as I was scrolling through my images from The Paper Shelter and saw this guy, I knew I had to use it!  Isn't he adorable?!  Oh so fun!  The circle was in my bits and pieces stash and the banner was cut from a scrap of white card stock.  The button was recycled from an item of clothing my kids have outgrown.

I hope you will get a chance to play along with us; I can't wait to see what you come up with!!

What do you need to do to enter?

Challenge Rules

1. Please post a direct link to your blog post that includes your challenge entry project, using the linky tool on Jo's blog. 

2. Be sure to include a link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering your project into

3. THREE entries per person are allowed for each challenge and you must post a separate blog post for each entry.

4. For all entries -NO BACK LINKS ACCEPTED- 

The date on your blog post should be dated between the start date and the end date for the challenge you are entering, in order to be eligible for the challenge prizes

5. You may link up to other challenges but be sure to link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering 

 * All entries that do not meet the challenge requirements

WILL NOT be eligible for the top 3, any sponsor wins or any random wins by Jo

All random wins will only be mailed within the US and Canada only.

You have until June 22nd 12:00AM (eastern, USA) time to link up.

All winners will be announced during the week of June 24th.

Have fun and we look forward to seeing what you create.

Supplies:

Stamps: The Paper Shelter "Trattoria Chef" digi; Verve "Strong Anchor" sentiment

Dies: MFT "Blueprints 13" stitched rectangle and "Blueprints 12" banner; Spellbinders "Classic Circles, large"

Challenges:

Unicorn--masculine

Crafting with an Attitude #40--anything goes

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper

Power Poppy--let's go round & round

Stinkin' Inkers--the guys have it

Pile It On #142--all sorts of holidays (Father's Day)

Crop Stop #40--anything goes

Cardz 4 Guys #196--father's day

Aud Sentiments #205--anything goes

CAS-ual Fridays #201--boys of summer

Sketch Saturday #517--sketch

Crazy 4 Challenges #438--masculine cards

Die Cuttin' Divas #375--masculine or Father's Day

The Paper Shelter #343--ribbons, buttons, or pearls

Penny's Challenge #384--anything goes

Crafty Creations #368--anything goes

Pause, Dream, Enjoy #24--anything goes

Craftaholics R Us #24--kraft

Creative Moments #145--anything goes

Happy Father's Day

Happy Wednesday!!!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps Built.  This week we have a tic tac toe challenge for you:

Here is the card I created:

 I did a tutorial on Monday as to how I turned these palm tree line images into the silhouettes you see here.  I also promised a card using this image and here it is.  I followed a tutorial by Teresa Momber that you can find here. I got a little carried away and sort of forgot about the tic tac toe challenge.  Oops!  So, I decided the row I used the best was the top one: tone on tone, masculine, twine or ribbon.  I didn't exactly use the tone on tone on the front of the card, so I had to add it to the inside where I stamped the palm trees in gray ink onto the gray card base.

I hope you will play along with us this week.  And if you need any of the stamps I used today, check out my 10% off your entire order coupon in my left sidebar.

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions: "Large Palm Trees", "A father is . . . ", and "Father's Day"
Dies: MFT "Blueprints 13" stitched rectangle

Challenges:
heARTful Stamping--anything goes
Fashionable Stamping #136--seaside
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps #434--water
Crazy 4 Challenges #438--masculine cards
Sweet Stampin'--dad or special man day
Cardz TV #51--anything goes
Crafty Catz #420--anything goes with the optional twist: ribbon or twine
Time Out #111--holidays with the optional twist: one layer (I'm not sure mine counts as one layer, but I only have one other than the base)
Aud Sentiments #205--anything goes
Inspiration Destination #152--anything goes
Crafting By Designs--anything goes
Handstamped Sentiment #291--inspiration photo (I was inspired by the water theme and all the blue)

Cardz 4 Guys #196--Father's Day
Pile It On #143--all sorts of holidays
Stinkin' Inkers--the guys have it
SheepSki Designs #15--embellish it or CAS (I went CAS)
Crafting with an Attitude #40--anything goes
Card Mania #105--nautical
Cards Galore--anything goes
Unicorn Challenge--masculine

Summer Sunset

It's Heather here with my Pick of the Week for The House That Stamps Built.  Today, I'm going to show you a really easy technique that can stretch the usage of your stamps: turning line images into silhouette images.  All you need for this technique is:

• image
• black ink
• black marker (I usually use a Sharpie)
• paper

Start by stamping your image, then color in your entire image with the black marker (see, I told you it was really easy!).  I really like to do this with images that I will use with sponged backgrounds, specially for night scenes.

 The above lighthouse image is really fabulous, but there is a LOT of detail coloring.  This technique totally eliminates that coloring but still retains the beautiful lines of the image.
     The next image shows a different lighthouse.  I kind of smudged the top of the image when I stamped it, but with this technique, it's not noticable at all.

 The next photo shows how this technique is perfect for hiding incomplete stamping.  I did an awful job getting the center of the palm trees to stamp completely, but once I colored them in, it looks like I stamped perfectly.  Look for the card I made using this panel in our challenge that starts Wednesday.

Here is the card I created using the tall lighthouse:

After stamping and coloring in the image.  I sponged on some inks to create a summery sunset scene.  Makes me feel hot and hazy just looking at it!  I stamped a few birds and added several light gray clouds for some interest.  (you can barely see the clouds, but they are there).  I heat embossed the sentiment on vellum so it wouldn't cover any of the scene.

Here is a card I made a while ago using this technique with the Bar Harbor Light image:

Supplies:

Stamps: "Bar Harbor Light (lg.)", "Cape Hatteras Light", "Large Palm Trees", "Sandcastle" (I only used the birds), "Clouds" and "Birthday"

Dies: MFT "Blueprints 13" and fishtail banner

Challenges:

Crafty Friends #85--happy birthday
Unicorn Challenge--masculine
Card Mania #105--nautical
Love To Craft Challenge Blog #23--anything goes
Dies R Us #98--sunshine or clouds
Stinkin' Inkers--the guys have it
Always Happy Birthday--anything goes with the optional twist: summer birthday
Ribbon Girl--anything goes with the optional twist: summer
Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends #83--anything goes
Crafting by Designs--anything goes
The Paper Shelter #342--Letters and/or numbers (letters in my sentiment)
MFT #388--sketch

Crafty Gals #167--summer colors
Inspiration Destination #152--anything goes with the optional twist: use a real stamp
Cute Card Thursday #53--anything goes
Aud Sentiments #205--anything goes
Cardz TV #51--anything goes
Crazy 4 Challenges #438--masculine cards
Fashionable Stamping #136--seaside

Sweet Day

Happy Friday!!  It's time for another challenge from Jo's Scrap Shack.  As always, we are now an Anything Goes challenge and our sponsor for this week is Little Blue Button Stamps. 

I used a super sweet image from Little Blue Button Stamps (it's actually the same one used in their badge!) to create this yummy birthday card:

What do you need to do to enter?

Challenge Rules

1. Please post a direct link to your blog post that includes your challenge entry project, using the linky tool on Jo's blog. 

2. Be sure to include a link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering your project into

3. THREE entries per person are allowed for each challenge and you must post a separate blog post for each entry.

4. For all entries -NO BACK LINKS ACCEPTED- 

The date on your blog post should be dated between the start date and the end date for the challenge you are entering, in order to be eligible for the challenge prizes

5. You may link up to other challenges but be sure to link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering 

 * All entries that do not meet the challenge requirements

WILL NOT be eligible for the top 3, any sponsor wins or any random wins by Jo

All random wins will only be mailed within the US and Canada only.

You have until June 15th by 12:00AM (eastern, USA) time to link up.

All winners will be announced during the week of June 17th.

Have fun and we look forward to seeing what you create.

Supplies:

Stamps: LBBS "Wishing Charlie" digi; MFT "Delicious Birthday" sentiment

Dies: Spellbinders "Radiant Rectangles" and "Classic Circles, large"

Challenges:
Aud Sentiments #205--anything goes
Cute Card Thursday #533--anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #83--anything goes
CRAFT #471--add ribbon and sparkle (sparkle from my rhinestones)
Cuttlebug Mania--frame it
Simon Says Stamp Monday--all things bright and beautiful
Crafty Friends #85--happy birthday
Craft-Dee BowZ--anything goes with handmade bow
Cards Galore--anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper
Dare 2B Artzy--bright colors
Crafty Calendar--3 of something (I used 3 patterned paper)
Always Happy Birthday--anything goes with the optional twist: summer birthday
Crop Stop #40--anything goes

Beach life

Happy Wednesday!!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps Built.  This week is a Designer's Choice Challenge and Rock Star Esther has challenged us all to create a project depicting Summer Vacation.  Here is the card I created:

 We live in Rhode Island which, as you know, is the smallest state in the country.  We have a lot of coastline, so no matter where you live in the state; you are pretty close to the ocean. : )  So, summer vacation brings trips to the beach.  Of course, locals don't go during the day as you have to pay, but we will go several times a summer after work to enjoy the cooling effect of the water and sea breeze.  I don't think we have sand dollars up here, probably too cold, but when I think of the beach, that's what I think of.  This sand dollar was in my bits and pieces stash and was the starting point for my card.  I sponged some Cracked Pistachio oxide ink on the background and then stamped the random dots with the same ink, stamping off first in some places to create a softer look.  I finished it off with a gold brad (the last one of that package) and a nest of metallic DMC thread.  After it was all finished, I thought it needed something, so I added a few dots of glossy accents to add some subtle pattern and texture.

The kraft and brown strips were both scraps and my button is recycled from a piece of clothing my girls have outgrown.
Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you will play along with us this week, I can't see what you think of when you think of summer vacation.

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Random Dots" and "Sand Dollar"
Dies: MFT "Blueprints 13" stitched rectangle

Challenges:
Addicted to CAS #137--SEA
Try Stampin' On Tuesday #367--sketch and optional twist of: metallic accents

Make My Monday #72--go green/upcycle (recycled my button and the little brown strip of paper; didn't throw it away!)
Fussy and Fancy #213--summer fling
Cut It Up #149--any sketch
Cardz TV #50--anything goes
Card Mania #105--nautical
heARTful Stamping--anything goes
Cards Galore--anything goes