Stacked Stones Studio!

Recently I discovered a new trend (ok - it's not exactly NEW...but it is new to me!) of white on white or tone on tone inspired cards! So I had to try my hand at it...and - I had the best time playing in my studio!  I love how the greenery pops off the embossed background...I am definitely going to be creating MORE of these cards. I have done a quick tutorial in case you want to try your hand at it! Supplies: White card stock: Papertrey Ink Frame: Spellbinders Label Die Greenery and Flowers: Memory Box Lavish Branch and Delightful Florals Birds: Impression Obsession, Chickadees Color: Copic Markers, Y21, W5, W3, W1

I only had a little time to play today...I really was supposed to be cleaning up my studio, getting ready for some fun creativity during the spring...but I found this embossing folder...and I couldn't resist. I had to do something fun! Maybe a little wild... I felt like the animal print needed a touch of something bright and feminine...so nothing like a big bright  pink organza bow! Sassy! Here is a quick video of how I put this card together! I have several fun cards to share with you - so be sure and check back here soon!

I can't believe that January is coming to an end! Really?!?!? One month of 2013 already gone? Whew...I need to step up my game! *smile* Well - this week I had a blast participating in the Papertrey Ink Make It Monday Challenge. This week the challenge was to Layer Embossing...so that is exactly what I did...I used the Mhendi Medallion stamp set and a stamp positioner to first stamp the large medallion and embossed it with detail black embossing powder. Then I punched four squares out of Aqua Mist, Hibiscus Burst, Limeade, and Hawaiin Shores.  I laid them on top of the medallion and using the stamp positioner and stamped the large medallion again onto the four squares with versa mark ink - and embossed with detail clear embossing powder. Once the squares had cooled, I stamped each square with L, heart, V & E with versa mark ink and sprinkled them with detailed white embossing powder. Before you heat the this layer of the embossing powder - be sure and let your hea...

I know...I am waaaay late on getting this tutorial posted! Sorry guys. I have been traveling and have just not been as on top of things (yes, I know that sounds like I am ON TOP OF IT ALL if I am not traveling...ha ha...right!). But here it is... hope you enjoy and that you will try it for yourself! Have a great week!

This week's Make It Monday Challenge over on the Papertrey Ink blog was super fun to work on! Nicole Heady created six rainbow color combo's that I found really fresh and inspiring.  I actually chose the SIXTH rainbow combination: I decided to create several cards based on the color combination - but with dramatically different styles. Here is the first one: For this, I chose to make the background images "tone on tone" - and use the rainbow color combo as the pop of color on the hearts in the centers of the flowers. The sentiment was stamped in Smokey Shadow and I used a glue pen to add Prisma glitter to make the hearts pop just a bit more. A bit of simple stitching created the frame for this card.   This next card I used the "stamping off" technique to create a bit of a shabby chic rainbow background.   I stamped the first generation impression of the doily stamp in bit of a wave across the center of the card front. I then went back and ...

PTI:Strawberry Patch Well...I finally got the card toppers actually made into cards! My oh my! I had so much fun with this faux chalkboard art technique! So glad I stopped by the Papertrey Ink blog to see what their challenge was for this week.   Besty Veldman totally inspired me to try it...and every time I went into my studio - I just had to keep working on them...I have several more that still need to be made into cards...so I am sure I will have more to share soon. PTI: On the Farm  I love the concept on this one made with the On The Farm Stamps and Dies...but I'm not sure I am loving it...but thought I would share it with you and see what you thought. PTI: Quilled Elegance, Sentiment Signs, & Strawberry Patch PTI: Quilled Elegance, Sentiment Signs, & Strawberry Patch I tried this one on both True Black and Smokey Shadows card stock...I can't really decide which one I like better. On some of the examples of chalkboard art I found on Pinte...

I always have fun checking out several blogs the beginning of the week - to see what their challenges are for card making, art journaling or scrapbooking projects!  I went to Papertrey Ink's blog Capture the Momen t...and saw their video for Make It Monday. Oh My....the challenge was to use your stamps to recreate Chalkboard art! I loved the tutorial by Betsy Veldman ( check it out on PTI Blog here ) and was reminded of one of her posts last fall here . I had meant to try my hand at this - but then got caught up in all of my Christmas creating and forgot all about it. I finally had some time to try it out - and OH MY STARS!!!!! It is so fun! I am in the process of creating a tutorial to show you how I created these card toppers...but I will have to STOP making the card tops and FINISH the cards before I can share that! LOL The supply list is small...and the best part is that you will go through your stamp sets to find little bits and pieces to tuck into your designs....

Mixed Media Canvas in Progress I have been a big fan of Ali Edwards for years. She constantly is a source of inspiration - and always reminds me (and all of her blog followers) that it is really important to document our every day life. The story matters. Words matter. Several years ago she introduced an idea - One Little Word - as she was contemplating a new year.  She challenged all of us to figure out what ONE word would be our focus for the next year. If you would like to read Ali's blog about ONE LITTLE WORD 2013, click here I have loved doing this for several years.  Some years it is really clear what my word is supposed to be...it is jumping up and down waving its arms to get my attention. And some years, like this one - it is more of a whisper...a whisper that I might have missed if I didn't pay attention. As I've been thinking about it for a few weeks - I think my word for 2013 is JOY! Not exactly certain what all of that will mean for me - but it feels ...

That he made Santa's Official "nice" list! Here's the note that Santa pinned to Royce's stocking...on official Santa Stationary...from the North Pole! There will be no living with him in 2013! He will simply pull out his "proof!"  What was Santa thinking?

Chickadee Stamp: Impression Obsession Merry Christmas! I can't believe that it is Christmas Eve! I hope each and everyone of you are with people you love! I feel like I blinked the day after Thanksgiving and it was Christmas! Has time moved in double time in your life too? Crazy - I have gotten projects done, but haven't gotten them posted here on my blog...so let's slow down the clock....and catch up! This card started running around in my head from the moment that I saw the Poppy Stamp Arched Window Die (and Luminary Die). It reminded me of some of the old stone churches that I saw while I was visiting Scotland a few years ago. Then I found the Frosted Film (by Tim Holtz Ideology) - and a plan began to come together.  Sometimes it isn't about "just getting the project done" - you have to just follow the creative path and see where it takes you. This may be one of my favorite projects I have ever done. I enjoyed focusing on the details (like t...

This time of year I am convinced that the clock actually speeds up! I know the daylight is gone earlier - and even if I stay up later than usual, I still always feel like I am behind. But it is also my favorite time of year.  I love the crispness of the air. The fact that people seem to be kinder to each other (ok - I do NOT go to the mall EVER in the month of December, so please allow me to continue in my delusion that people are kinder! *smile*). I really love the twinkly lights and smile as I see homes all decorated with lights and candy canes and deer nodding their heads up and down. But mostly - I love knowing that this is the time of year that we pause and remember that Jesus - the Son of God - came to this earth to live among us as the Son of Man. Even typing those words gets me all choked up. It doesn't make sense - in human terms - that God would choose to come to earth and take on the body of man...and as a BABY no less. God, Who created the heavens and the earth - ...