SCRSC # 64 with Farmer Oliver.

Hello peeps!

It is time for another Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge --- # 64. Today's challenge is a sketch:



And here's what I did:



I over-tilted a bit, and so Farmer Oliver looks like he's gonna tip over... LOL! Doesn't it look like a great day at the farm? The sky is blue and there are lots of fluffy clouds. The grass is green and the crop is abundant :). He just has to watch out for those darn crows!!

I hadn't been lucky with the clouds before. Amy had blogged about a tutorial on how to do this, but my clouds never even looked like 1/10th of hers, LOL. I'd used Tim Holtz distressed ink like recommended but I think I have a very heavy hand because they never looked right. I think it's also because I didn't have the correct type of sponge. For this card, I used a metallic rub-on tint and it worked much better. (I also did it with a paper towel).

Hope you all play along! You must use a Sparkle Creations image, and upload to the SCRS Photo Gallery. The deadline is October 16th at 9 pm PST. The winner will be picked randomnly and get a free stamp!

For more inspiration, please visit the DT's blogs:

Alice Wertz
Amy Tsuruta (October Guest DT)
Corinne Mercado <--- You are here!
Kadie Ensley
Kim Yu
Margie Cortina
Mary Johnson
Piali Biswas
Shaela Odd
Simonne Clay
Sparkle Smith
Stephanie Kraft
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Store
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog

Supplies Used:
Stamp- Farmer Oliver
CS- Bazzill. Neenah Solar White.
PP- DCWV (Autumn Splendor).
Stickers- American Crafts.
Misc.- Copics Sketch markers. Memento Ink.

Toot-a-loo!

Me, Ruffle a few feathers?? Noooo!

Good Monday morning, everyone!!!

Today, I am super excited to show you my card for several challenges today.



1) For the first annual Link Up for Pink linking party over at Gaby's blog.



As you all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Remember to do self breast exams. I'm going to share something with you: about seven years ago, I found a lump in my breast. I had it biopsied and part of it was taken out. I was very lucky that it wasn't cancerous. But I remember the fear and sadness I faced. So even if you are fortunate enough to be healthy, remind your family and friends to check monthly, to get mammograms, and even accompany them to their appointments.

I thought this card was appropriate because it's of the holidays. Holidays can be tough when you're sick or when you've lost someone dear to your heart.

I got this quote from Gaby's blog:

As we take this journey together, let us take the time to celebrate life, live for today and remember the lives of the women and men no longer with us.


2) The card is also for a DT call at the new SPARKS Challenge blog for Paper Smooches.

They are having a separate Design Team just for the Sparks Challenge only and I thought I'd try out. I just love me some Paper Smooches.

Here's the photo inspiration.



I was drawn to the ruffles first, and then the color combo next. I am (slowly) learning about how to color ruffles and pleats, and challenging myself to try out not only doing shadowing and blending, but also highlighting. I still need a lot of practice, but I like how Gifty Gwen's (from Some Odd Girl) dress turned out.

I am also liking this color combination a lot - hot pink, mint, kelly green, some turquoise and a bit of brown.

3) This card is also my entry for the Week 2 of SOG's 12 Weeks of Christmas Holiday Challenge --- use non-traditional colors.

Other supplies I used:

CS- Bazzill. Neenah Solar White.
PP- American Crafts, Dear Lizzy.
Rub-ons- Hambly.
Inks- Memento ink. Copics.

Thanks for visiting!

Hoot Hoot.

Hello, hello, hello!

Y'know, for as many cards that I make, sometimes I still scramble for a card when a last minute occasion pops up!

This card may be a non-traditonal card for a friend's upcoming baby because it features the quirky owl from Paper Smooches' Chubby Chums set. But with the baby-themed papers from Fancy Pants Design, I think it works.

Owls have been a popular theme for a lot of the baby showers this year. These big-eyed and wise creatures are so very cute!

I'm also entering this card for the Sparks Challenge at the new PS Sparks blog. It's a photo inspiration challenge and here's the pic:



I went with the colors of peach, lime, baby blue, and cream for the owl and most elements of the card. The pearls and lace are for the textures. And the styles of vintage and cutesy are combined into one. I've been interested in doing that a lot lately - pairing up a fun and cute stamp with shabby chic/ vintage papers. Gotta shake it up a little bit once in a while, right? ;)

Anyway, there is a DT call for this new challenge blog. Am debating whether or not to try for it. Speaking of, I have some awesome news to share with y'all in the next week! Am so excited!!!

The first of those news will be revealed tomorrow so I hope you come back!! Thanks so much for visiting!

Lantern Rin with No Lines!

*** If you're looking for Jo's Birthday Blog Hop and/ or to win MULTIPLE blog candies, please go HERE! ***






Good morning everyone!

I was going through my stamps the other day and wanted to play with some of the older stamps that I've been neglecting. I know we tend to just ink up the newer stamps we've ordered, especially if you're like me who hoards them.

And I couldn't believe I haven't inked up Lantern Rin from Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps. She is one of my favorites from SCRS and not just because her name is similar to my nickname :).

I am also playing along with the sketch for SCRS Challenge # 59. I thought these papers from Authentique would be perfect as they have an Asian feel to them. The flower stickers are from Jolee's boutiques.

If you look closely, you may have noticed that Rin is colored a little differently than usual. Doesn't she look like a painting?

Ever since Carisa featured this style of "no black lines" on this The Greeting Farm post, I have been obsessed with trying it out. I think Carisa did such a beautiful job, and I definitely wanted to try something new.

I bought an Ippity ink pad in the color haystack from Susan. It's very light, and it was definitely a challenge not having those black lines. I really, REALLY LOVE how she turned out though. And will definitely be trying this technique again. If any of you try it out, I'd love to see please. I think we could learn with practice and from each other.

Next time, I'll do some things differently:

1. For Rin's face, I drew in her features with a Copic multiliner in black but I think I need to try a lighter color instead. (Carisa used a prisma color pencil).

2. I'll also probably fussy cut the image out instead of leaving that little white border around.

3. And if I had colored with a darker shade, the painting effect would be more prominent.

Ok, that's it from me for today. Am so glad my tater tot is feeling better!

Have a great one!

P.S. I love P.S.

**** PLEASE GO HERE TO SEE MY SOG TAG # 2. ****

So, I've had my Paper Smooches stamps for a while now. I've mostly used the sentiments (which I LOVE!). I did use the Boob Tubes this one time. But aside from these, I haven't really played with the others. I think that means I need to slow down with my stamp purchases (ooops).

For my card today, I am playing along with their August Sparks Challenge:



Use this picture from Etsy for inspiration:



The photo definitely had a vintage feel. But I also wanted to try a clear and simple card this time. My goal is to be a 'jack of all trades.' I want to be able to make all sorts of cards - be it be vintage, cutesy, ecclectic, CAS, etc.



When I saw the wood grain on the picture, I knew which paper I wanted to use. Hambly! At first, my goal was to make a doghouse with this wood paper but it was just too hard and there weren't enough hours in the day for something that complicated. So I opted for the log to accompany these cute Chubby Chums.

I was also lucky enough to have the blue 'grain' so that became the river. I was inspired to do something with lace just like in the photo; hence, the lace-y cloud pattern in the sky. To finish it off, I adhered some pearls.

Supplies:
Stamps & sentiment- Paper Smooches' Chubby Chums.
CS- Bazzill. Neenah.
PP- Hambly (log, river). American Crafts (sky).
Trim sticker- Crate Paper.
Misc- Copics. Colorbok ink. Memento ink. American Crafts pearls.

I'm also entering this card for Paper Smooches' September Guest DT call. Wish me luck!! :)





P.S. I got to make this card on G's first day back to work. My kids knew somehow not to give me that hard of a time. M slept till 10 (& still took a nap), and the baby wasn't as fussy. Aside from my feeling a little sleepy, it's been an ok day. *insert happy face here*