In the Works...

Undercover...

 
This week's share combines a card created for the Less Is More Challenge (a "tall" card based on this sketch), and a mini tutorial on removing unwanted words from a stamped image...

Stamps:smARTworks from Spring Fling
Card Size: 3.75" x 8.5"
Punches/Dies: Zig Zag trim (Sizzix)
Coloring: Markers & Prismacolor pencils with OMS
Other: Stickles, Dimensional glaze

 

The bunny image on the card actually stamps like this. 

  
See the words on the Bunny's hat?  Well, when smARTworks acquired the engraving plates from Angi-b & Company, they were found to include several of these pre-labeled images.  Not being a big fan of this type of thing, however, I've pretty much been letting these stamps sit unused -- a shame because except for the labling, I really like the images... Finally discovered a solution:

1.  After stamping the pre-labeled image on project, stamp a second image on scrap.
2.  Working slightly inside the outline of image on scrap, cut out the worded section.
3.  Using the cut-out as a template, trace it's shape onto the paper of choice. Cut out shape.
4.  Check the fit on the full-size image, and trim as needed.
5.  Adhere over corresponding area on full-size image.
Note: If coloring of section is desired, it can be done before or after the final step.   I happen to prefer laying down a base coat of color before, then adding highlighting/shading after.

 
Take a look at the before and after of another pre-labled image from the same set... This "cover-up" was cut from colored stock, then overstamped with words from Ladybugs...

 
 

 

 
 
P.S.  As for my being able to participate in the LIMC while still limiting posts to once a week --  Sometimes the two will be combined like this time, and sometimes, when I have something additional to share, the two posts will be made on the same day with the one showcasing the challenge card being chat-free.  My new target day for posting each week is Thursday.

Hmmmmm....

Earlier this month I mentioned my excitement in discovering the Less Is More blog, and shared the first card I had entered into one of their challenges.  I also set up a gallery for my LIMC cards, thinking that this would be a way to enter the challenge on a weekly basis, without devoting all my posts to the clean and simple stamping style... As those of you who follow me know, except for weeks when the first of a month falls on any day other than Friday, I have maintained the self-imposed limit of "one post per week" for almost a year, which has, by the way, restored a certain amount of balance to my life.  I do not want to lose that! 

BUT, here's the thing... Part of participating in the LIM challenges is to have one's entries open for comments, and my current gallery set-up does not allow for this. While I didn't think it really made any difference, Mandi and Chrissie, co-founders of LIM, have ever so kindly been asking/reminding me to enable for comments.  Hence, my big debate -- quit the challenges... press to be an "exception"... or just post here???

I really don't want to quit the challenges.  While I may not have the opportunity to play along every single week, routinely working on the CAS style is forcing me to grow as a stamper... After all, clean and simple does not necessarily mean "easy." (lol)  Yes, I know I could simply participate without actually entering, but I've found that having the weekly deadline is a good incentive for making me complete a card, and actually entering gives me a certain sense of accomplishment that I need right now.

I also don't want to appear as if I expect special treatment. Rules are rules, and having been on the other side of making them, I know what a giant pain it is for someone to always have a reason/excuse why things need to be different for her/him than for everyone else.  Contrary to popular belief, rules are not meant to be broken.

That leaves me with posting here.  So now I'm debating over the logistics... For the immediate (meaning this week), I'm going to post my LIMC card today (Thursday instead of Friday), call it "good" for the week, and keep mulling... I'll try to have a posting "solution" figured out by next week. In the meantime, enjoy the card... I apologize that the photo makes it appear a bit wonky, but regardless of several retakes, I couldn't seem to improve upon the quality.

Created for this week's Less Is More Challenge - clean, simple, and "masculine."

Stamps: smARTworks from Water World, and Inchie Blocks Set 2
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Coloring:  Prismacolor Pencils & OMS
Card Size: 4” x 5.25” side-folded
Other:  Inchie Squares (Inchie Arts, Inc.) -- Dimensional glaze -- Scrapper's Floss (Karen Foster Design).

 

A Day Ahead

This post is a day early because the card I want to share this week sends wishes for a Happy St. Patrick's Day...

 
 
Card Size: 4.25" x 4.25" plus a bit more (It was supposed to be square, but I must have miscut)
Stamps: from Spring Fling (ABC), Tiny Treasures, and Say 'n Play
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Coloring: Crayola Gel FX pencils - these cover kraft stock like magic!
Other:  Dimensional glaze, and ultra fine glitter.
Note:  The shamrock cut-outs were stamped on green paper.  Border shammies were "popped."

The inside was computer generated, and reads:

 

Because everyone's a little "Irish" on March 17th!
 

Challenged

This is not the post I was planning to share today, but my entire week ended up being anything but "as planned" --

On Monday, while cutting potatoes for oven fries, I misjudged distance and really sliced open a thumb... Should have gone for stitches, but kept putting it off until "later." By then I felt it was too late to keep everyone up for a trip to the ER, so decided to "doctor" it myself... The rather large gauze bandage I'm sporting (and trying to keep dry) is proving to be a challenge for many activities.

Then there was the stamping...  Try as I would to finish a card, any card, every attempt/idea met with failure.  I've ended up with a pile of bits 'n pieces, and lots of frustration, but no finished cards.  Note: Thumbs should never be taken for granted.

Then Wednesday evening I Googled something, and one link led to another until I found myself at the relatively new, Less Is More Challenge blog... This was completely unrelated to what I was researching, but I thoroughly enjoyed the visit.  In fact, after I left to go about my business, I kept thinking about the opportunity the LIMC could offer me -- a fun way to practice and improve a style I love, but struggle to produce.  Why, the more I thought about having the chance to expand my stamping horizons in this direction, the more I wanted to enter a card... Soooooooo, yesterday morning I put all those bits 'n pieces aside, and took the LIM challenge #5:

Use Pastel Colors on a CAS (clean & simple) card.
Complete guidelines for all LIM challenges are listed at the very top of their site, so I won't repeat them. 

 
The images used are from the My Hope stamp set. All the other details can be found HERE. 

In case you're wondering, I am not planning to focus all my posts around these weekly CAS challenges... I just thought you might enjoy finding out that the LIMC exists, and seeing the only card I've managed to finish in an entire week... Wow! I do believe that deserves a big thumbs up! LOL 

 

Spring Birthday

The minute the calender says, "March," I find myself reaching for brighter colors and lots of flower images...  must be an outward  manifestation of my inner longing for Spring's arrival.  Of course, my doing this doesn't hurry anything along, but it does make me feel happy, and in a way, helps me get an early start on gardening.

Such was the case with this cheery, birthday card -- as I said, bright, floral, and happy.

Based in part on a layout seen elsewhere in cyberspace. Source is unknown.
Stamps:  image from Tumbling Daisies and sentiment from Tulip Square.
Ink:  Memories Ruby
Coloring:  Prismacolor Pencils/OMS
Dies:  Nestabilities Labels Two
Other:  Cuttlebug embossing folder - Polka Dots, Diamond Stickles

The daisy image was stamped once in the upper right of the die cut shape, and once on scrap (to be used as a "popped" overlay). Both images were colored -- necessary because a couple of petals were removed from the overlay.  The reason?  To accomodate the positioning of the words.

 

March-ing Toward Spring

Easy-To-Do Card Project -- Butterfly Zest

 
Materials
Stamps:  images & words from FS-070 Horsin' Around
Cardstock --  Teal, A-2, top-folded card
                    White, 3" x 4.25"
                    Yellow, 3.5" x 4.5"
Inks:  VersaMark (watermark), Black - Memento Tuxedo Black was used.
Yellow/Spring Green/ Teal Chalks & 3 applicators (or cotton balls)
Markers - Yellow & Teal
Eraser (Magic Rub is a good choice for chalks)
Stamp Positioner (i.e. Stamp-a-ma-jig)
Other (optional):  Black embroidery floss & needle, (2) sm. black rhinestones, dimensional glaze

How To
--  Using watermark ink, stamp solid butterfly images on white panel as shown.
--  Working light to dark, apply chalks over ink. Erase any stray marks.
--  Using the positioner, and black ink, overstamp chalked butterflies with their corresponding outlines. Note: Placement looks more "artsy" when not exact.
--  Using black ink, stamp words as shown.
--  Using markers, color butterfly "spots."
--  (optional) Follow directions for "Flossed Antennae & Body." (see below)
--  Mount stamped panel to yellow layer, then to card.
-- (optional) Adhere rhinestones to ends of antennae.
-- (optional) Apply dimensional glaze to butterfly "spots" & allow to dry.

Notes/Tips 
--  This card can be made using any three colors you choose. Just adjust paper and marker colors to match.
--  Chalks make a wonderful coloring medium... They're user friendly, clean up easily with an eraser, and provide a soft base for other mediums.
--  It is always a good idea to test your inks & coloring mediums on a scrap of the same paper you plan to use before starting the project.
--  Don't have chalks?  Use a rainbow ink pad instead.

Instructions for "Flossed Antennae & Body"
Notes -- Outline image is used alone, and stamped in red for contrast. 
-- Floss is adhered to the reverse side of the panel using tacky glue and "Scotch" tape so that panel will lie flat when layered... Knots = "Bumps".