Bah! Humbug! Something New Challenge

As we settle back down from the summer holidays at Humbug Hall, we are doing a bit of work with our new found crafty items and exploring new techniques. Yes, this week's challenge at Bah!Humbug! is Something New. Those that know me well know, that rubber stamping is not my forte, especially when the medium is not regular ink. Although I've had this lovely Christmas stamp by Stampin' Up for awhile, this is the first time I've used it, and the medium was especially exciting (and challenging). I've used my new Judikins Mica Gloss Metallics Effects ink in green, rose gold and gold, spread it on glossy card stock, mushed it together and stamped it on another piece of black glossy card stock for this effect. There are a number of different techniques using this fabulous ink HERE.

Unfortunately, I did not refresh my memory as to technique before I began experimenting and did get a bit more ink on the delicate stamp than intended. It therefor took much longer to dry than anticipated, and I accidentally smeared it a bit while finishing my card. To hide a particularly messed up area, I use my Heartfelt Creations Limited Edition Regal Poinsettia 2 Precut Stamp and Coordinating Spellbinders Blossom Two Nesties and popped it over the offensive mistake. A metallic gold mat, a few adhesive beads, and a peelie sentiment was all that was needed to complete the card front. As I'm quite timid in diving into new stuff, I thank Ann and Max for this challenge. Undoubtedly, these supplies would have languished for years in my drawers had it not been for them. LOL Please take a look at their new found treasures and techniques HERE and we invite you to join along.

Jezzie's Birthday Card to Mommy

So Jezzie came in all frantic. "Mommy, I need a birthday card, RIGHT NOW!" "Okay, for who?" "Well, for YOU, Mommy, who else?" "Ummm, doesn't Daddy usually take care of that for you and Goliath?" "Well yes, Mommy, but last year he bought a card that had DOGS on it. He thought they were cats but they were really DOGS!!!!" "Good point." "Now Mommy, I will tell you just what I want. It must have pink and remember, I must be white, sparkly AND fluffy and have a crown and a scepter and..." (Not too demanding, is she?) "Okay Jezzie, but aren't birthday cards supposed to be a surprise?" "Oh it can still be a surprise, Mommy. Just keep your eyes closed while you make it." I'm afraid it sort of looks like that was the case, but she was very happy. The stamp is one of the Party Hats Cats by Lost Coast Designs and I used my glue pen to add Sparkle and Fluff. The beautiful frame is the Decorative Oval Window Die from Heartfelt Creations. I have no idea where the Crown, Princess, and Wand came from. They were a set.

Her message cracked me right up. Obviously she was a bit miffed with my "Queen of Everything" hanging. LOL So off we go for a couple more days at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. (See pix of last trip HERE) Thank God the road (that fell into the ocean after the rains) was reopened so we don't have to drive all the way down to Paso Robles and back up making what is normally a 2 1/2 hour drive more like 6. However, now Highway One from the South is closed now due to a landslide. YIKES! We're falling apart here in CA.

Pretty Kitty from Peggy Loves Vintage

Peggy Loves Vintage has released a whole bunch of darling new Cut Outs and I just couldn't wait to play. So many adorable Easter Cut Outs, and children and animals and especially KITTIES!!!! You know how I love KITTIES! But which kitty first? Well, this one looked so much like my Jezebel that I couldn't resist! She's from the Cuties Animals 2. And sitting in that bunch of flowers she looks like she's perched in a window box. Seriously ADORABLE AND I got a chance to use my new Decorative Window Scene Die made by Spellbinders for Heartfelt Creations. I fussy cut the kitty, cut and embossed the frame and decided the beautiful bright colors would just pop against an all white card. The background is embossed with my new Sizzix Ornate Frame #2 from the newest Ornate Frames set and I saved the pieces from the Window frame cut out and embossed those with Swiss Dots. The tag was cut with my Cuttlebug Embossed Tags folder and the sentiment is a peelie.

Besides the variety of texture, I think popping the elements for an all white card gives added interest so I popped not only the kitty, but the tag, frame, and entire first mat as well. I LOVE this card and Jezzie thinks she's quite the star. (I didn't have the heart to tell here it isn't REALLY her.) You can see the entire collection of new Cut Outs on the Peggy Loves Vintage Blog and they're available for purchase at her Web Shop, Etsy Store, and on Ebay. Peggy is also sponsoring the challenge at Craft Us Crazy so be sure to check it out for a chance to win free images.

At the Table with The Cuttlebug Spot

Last week you were invited, this week we sit at the table with The Cuttlebug Spot. The team has some up with place cards, napkin rings and table decorations sure to inspire I've finally gotten the hang of my Heartfelt Creations stamps and Nestie combos to bring you a decorated candle (battery operated so no chance of fire) and matching place cards.

I've used the Aztec Gold Sunflowers Set 1 & 2, along with the coordinating Blossom 2 Nesties. These stamps are a limited edition, only available through 12/31/10 so if you love sunflowers, grab them while you can. I stamped, cut the layers in my Cuttlebug, inked and then ran the large flowers through my Cuttlebug again with the Swiss Dots folder for more texture. The matte copper and gold leaves are from the Cuttlebug Maple Leaf 3 x 3 combo. I've added the embellies to a burlap band with some raffia ties.

The matching place card is cut with the largest of the Nesties Labels Twelve die folded in half. It was embossed With the Sizzix Tim Holtz Burlap folder and inked. The small sunflower was embossed with the dotted folder from the Butterfly 3 x 3 Combo because of the smaller scale and the leaves are punched (not sure of the brand) and the veins are scored using my Martha Stewart Score board. The initial is cut with the Cuttlebug Curls and Swirls Alphabet. The team has come up with beautiful creations this week so stop by The Cuttlebug Spot and be sure to play along for a gift certificate to The Craft Barn.

BBTB2 Crayon Box Challenge

This week Regina, our dear BBTB2 DT sister, founder of the original BBTB and owner of the fabulous Cutting Cafe chose the Crayon Box from the TBBM cartridge. I love this cut and often use it for envies for my fat Cricut cards. Actually I use it so often that I had a bit of a brain freeze. In a way I feel like I've cheated a bit because the box is the only Cricut on this project. As I've said before, I'm trying to actually USE some of my new crafty purchases (as well as old stash) so that's how this came about. The box was cut at 9" which is the largest you can cut it on a 12" mat.

At the Santa Clara Scrap Expo I purchased a number of the Heartfelt Creations stamp sets that coordinate with Spellbinder's Nesties. This was a first attempt and I must say they take a bit of practice to line up, even using the template method as recommended. I'm not gonna tell you how many got tossed in the bin. I used both the Aztec Gold Sunflowers sets 1 and 2 which coordinate with the Nesties Blossom 2. They were embossed with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress embossing powder and inked with Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, and Brushed Corduroy (does that scream "Fall" or what?) The gorgeous corners are from the Heartfelt Creations Perfect Petals Die Cut by Spellbinders. The seeds are hand cut and the sentiment was cut with Nesties Labels Four (both on the Sunflowers 1 set).

The DP is K&Co Wild Saffron and so are the layered sticker leaves, tiny lady bug and dragonfly. The gorgeous Offray ribbon from my LSS inspired me to attach it to the box but leave it loose near the flap for a tie closure. My DT sisters knocked this one out of the park with tons of creative inspiration so be sure to check out BBTB2 if you haven't already. I hope you're inspired enough to try your own.