I'm A Monkey Princess...........Whoo Hoo!!!

I had some exciting news today when I was checking out the A La Card Monkey blog site for this weeks sketch challenge.  I received a "Princess" recognition for my My Spooky Cute Sketch 78 entry.  Not only that, but I'll be invited to be a guest designer for an upcoming challenge!  WHOO HOO!   What excitement........see me dancing like this little princess.  A La Card Monkey DT has made my day!  I'm sending a great big thank you to the Design Team at A La Card Monkey for choosing my entry and for encouraging me every week to participate in their awesome challenges.  Such Fun! 

Okay so enough braggin rights I'm heading off to work on this week's challenge.  It's another awesome sketch.  Make sure you drop by the A La Card Monkey site and check out the other entries in week 78.  They were all really great.

And, if you haven't already played along with one of these sketch challenges join in, they're fast and fun, and don't usually require a ton of layers and other embellisments.  Oh and the design team is

awesome too!  Hope to see you there.

Colourful Impressions Meeting

Kristina Koch, Stampin' Up Mentor held her quarterly meeting event for members of her Stampin' Up! Colourful Impressions group of demonstrators. We get together to share creative & business ideas with each other, and it's a couple of hours filled with great demonstrations, swaps, project displays, overviews of promotions or business topics, recognition, door prizes, refreshments & lots of FUN!!

Monday night's meeting was no exception!  It was wonderful to get together with so many old friends, meet new demonstrators and hear all about the successes our group has accomplished in individual sales and activities during the past two months. 

So you get an idea of what we do when we get together, I thought I'd share some of the wonderful projects demonstrated and swapped by members of our very talented team.  If you are interested in joining my team, you too will be able to participate with this group.  Call me for more information.

Jo-Ann Unrau demonstrated a technique called Border Braiding and provided us with a template for left or right handed cutting.  The template is available for Colourful Impressions members on our team blog site under Jo'Ann's files.  Here are some pictures showing projects completed with this fun and easy technque.

Napkin Ring andCutlery Holder sample.

Here the Braided Border Technque is featured on the side of a card and it looks absolutely stunning.

Used as a center panel on a card this technique adds lots of texture on this Spice Cake Designer Paper  background.

Here is a close up of the braiding detail.  This is accomplished by making a series of long and short cuts on a paper template, and then folding the cut sections back and tucking them below

This was one of the Make and Take projects we made later in the evening featuring this great technique. 

 

Jo-Ann also demonstrated colouring basic rhinestones with Sharpie Markers.  Lots of ooooooohing and ahhhhing was going on during this demo. 

The green and purple rhinestones were coloured with alcohol based markers (Sharpies or other brands).  This is a great way to customize Stampin' Ups! beautiful basic rhinestones to match your cardstock and DSP.

Our next demonstration was by Julie Ramsay.  Julie showed us a card and some special occasion treat boxes made with the new Bigz L Die called Peekaboo Frames (pg 36 of the Holiday Mini #124587) and the Stamp set called "25 & Counting" (pg 37 of the Holiday Mini #123794(c) or 123792(w)).  The large box actually fit over top of a treat container so it easy for little hands to get at the treats.  The Halloween box is made by covering a square tissue box with Halloween DSP.  Both examples were very unique and beautifully constructed. 

This tall box fit over the top of a treat container.  It was really awesome and all the little Peekaboo Frames had neat surprises stamped behind them. 

This Halloween treat box was made by covering a tissue box with Halloween DSP.  This box was still being completed and Julie was going to stamp small Halloween images behind the little black doors.  Really cute project and fairly easy to do.

This is a card using the Peekaboo Frames concept.  Unfortunately I didn't get a shot of the card with the frame open.  It looked really good in the silver glimmer paper.

Following the demonstrations we broke into smaller groups and completed two Make and Take projects.  Here is the first project we made which was demonstrated above:

The second project was a Telescope Card.  Once again this was a fairly quick project to make using the Big Shot Machine.

Isn't this little face adorable!  This card will actually fit inside a standard card envelope.

Here is a view of the telescope card opened up. 

Another event during the evening was a card swap.  Check out these gorgeous cards.  Unfortunately I didn't get the names of the gals who swapped them, so if you're reading this post, send me an email with your name and I'll give you credit below the card.  They were all awesome!

This card was made by Sandra Farrell using My Digital Studio.  It was simply awesome.

This card was made by our very own Silvermo - Maureen!  She also demonstrated how to cut the beautiful border using the double border punch.  Great card Maureen!

Thanks for dropping by today and I hope you enjoyed looking at all these great projects and cards!

Monday Monster Mash Blog Hop Week Ten With Haunting and Ala Card Monday Sketch 78

Can you believe how fast October is zooming by?  Counting today there are only 3 more Mondays until the big event............. Halloween!  Almost every blog you visit these days has some kind of Halloween post, whether it's a blog hop or a project someone's made for the occasion. 

For this week's entry in Shirley Pumpkin's  Monday Monster Mash Blog Hop Week Ten I decided to use the wonderful sketch from A La  Card Monkey 78.  What a Spooky Sketch.  Here's my take on it.   

I used Peach Parfait In Colour Card Stock for my base and layered it with DSP from the "Pick Your Poison" Designer Series paper (124001 Holiday Mini), mounted on Basic Black Cardstock.

Here's a closeup of the Halloween image I used from the retired Jumbo Wheel "Haunting" (which I recently purchased from the Clearance Rack #112480 $4.19CDN).  This jumbo wheel has witches, bats and monsters and I thought this little Grim Reaper image was really "Spooky". 

 On a background of Peach Parfait cardstock I stamped the Grim Reaper in Versa Mark and Basic Black inks and then over-embossed him with Black Embossing powder.  By holding the heat gun a little closer and for a tad longer time the image "bubbles" over giving it a really rough and scary looking finish, which I call "over-embossing". This layer was punched out with the 1 3/4" circle punch and distressed with black ink around the edges.  To complete the motif  I layered the Peach Parfait piece on a 1 3/8" circle punched from Rich Razzleberry, and finally mounted it on a 2 3/8" scalloped circle in basic black.  A trim of basic rhinestones coloured with purple ink from an alcohol based marker pen.  This was mounted onto the fence using dimensionals.  

For the Graveyard Fence I punched out images from the Jewelry Tag Punch (117190) and evenly spaced them across a strip of Basic Black Cardstock. I wove a thin strip of Basic Black cardstock through the "fence posts" for some added dimension. The tab above the fence is made by layering a piece of Peach Parfait and Rich Razzleberry from the end of the Decorative Label Punch and mounting these pieces onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock that has been punched out using the retired Designer LabelPunch. The image "Wicked" from the Wicked Cool set was inked up with BB Marker and stamped onto the Peach Parfait piece. I embossed it for some extra colour and texture.

The sparkly strip along the bottom of the graveyard fence is done by applying a thin strip of sticky strip in a straight line and then sprinkling it with black glitter. If you don't have any black glitter you can make your own by adding a tiny drop of black reinker to dazzling diamonds and mix it up.   

The inside of my card is very basic.  I used the Two Tags punch on Basic Black Cardstock and mounted the tag sideways on the inside of the card.  I then added a 1/38" Peach Parfait Circle punched from the images on the Haunting Wheel.  I added a "Wicked" tab on the side. 

Here's a last look at my card.  Hope you enjoyed it.  It really looks better in real life but then don't we all!  LOL!  Happy Stamping and I hope you join in this blog hop today. 



"Haunting" Jumbo Wheel # 112480.  This retired wheel is currently featured on the CLEARANCE RACK for $4.19 CDN.  This is a fun wheel and great for gift bags, cards and other projects where you want a host of scary characters.  Visit my on-line store to check it out.  Click here for Online Store.

Jewlery Tag Punch #117190, pg 210 Idea Book and Catalogue.

Here are the rules:

1. It has to be Halloween, card or 3D item.
2. It does not have to be 100% SU 80% is ok.
3. Yes using Retired is OK...
4. Use Shirley’s Monster Mash Badge/Graphic (posted below) in your post and a link back to her blog copy this URL:  http://www.lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com/
5. Add your card to the blog hop then see instructions for putting the code on your post.
6. You can enter as many times as you like, it just has to be a new card and post.

The Blog Hop is every Monday for 12 weeks. Shirley picks a favourite every week for 12 weeks and then out of the 12 picks a Grand Prize winner. The Prize is $25.00 in new cool stuff from the new Holiday Mini, and the lucky winner will be announced on Halloween.

When you post Shirley’s badge please add a few words about about the blog hop on your blog. Shirley had to Delete a few entries a while back because they didn’t follow any of rules.  Might we wise to mention there are rules or copy them to my post like I did.  Okay so now I’m excited to see your entry.

Monday Monster Mash Halloween Count Down Blog Hop - Week Nine

It's week number nine of Shirley Sumption's Monday Monster Mash Halloween Count Down.  I'm running about two weeks behind on this one and am trying to play catchup.  This past two weeks has been hectic with so many doctor appointments and family things happening.  Sometimes life gets in the way of fun!
Speaking of fun when you have time hop on over to Shirley's blog and check out Frankie White's fabulous entry for week eight.

Her card is just too funny!  Frankie designed this
card at the last minute, using the Howl-o-ween Creeps stampset (123827w/123829c) from the Holiday Mini. These little Halloween monsters are having such a great time doing the Monster Mash. Love the light bulbs!  Oh and listen carefully because  you can almost hear the music playing in the background!  No wonder Frankie was the winner!!!! What an awesome card.

While you're visiting the site make sure you check out the other entries because they're simply awesome too and leave some comments for these great projects, they're all very deserving!  

Okay so on to Monday Monster Mash Halloween Count Down Blog Hop Week Nine.  Shirley hasn't even posted yet so I'm sure to make the time line this week.....lol! 

For this week's challenge I chose the A La Card Monkey Challenge sketch #76 from September 30th.

This is a great sketch that lends itself to easy interpretation, and while my entry is a Halloween card, I can envision this sketch being used for just about any occasion.  Wow that sounded a bit heavy and dramatic!

Speaking of dramatic how'd you like this Crow?  I think he's the epitomy of FRIGHT!!!  Although this stamp set featured in last year's catalogue has retired, I know he'll be in my Halloween stash for sometime.............. just can't part with him!

My card base is Very Vanilla layered with a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock that was texturized using the new Houndstooth Embossing Folder.  I've added a Top Note Die Cut from the Pick Your Poison (124001 pg 10 Holiday Mini) that has been jazzed up by adding Basic Black Top Note die cuts on either side.  The edges of the Pick Your Poison paper have been distressed using both Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie inks. 

Bat images were stamped using Basic Black Ink, Versa Mark and Black Embossing Powder to the top section of the DSP.  A second piece of cardstock that was texturized using the Stripes Embossing folder, was run through the Big Shot on the short side of the Top Note Die cut.  See how it fits perfectly across the center of the card.  I've added 3 basic pearls coloured black with a Sharpie Marker. 

For this Lollie base I used a 1 1/2" x 12" strip of Pick Your Poison DSP that was scored every 1/4" on my brand new Simply Scored Scoring Tool (#122334 pg. 7 Holiday Mini).  What fun that was.  A scalloped oval layer was adhered to the top of the Lollie and then the SPOOKY image from the Wicked Cool stamp set (118738w/120600c pg 24 IB&C 2011/12) was stamped and embossed over top of an orange spider image from the reverse side of the Lollie DSP. 

And here's the inside of the card with it's beautiful spooky crow.

Well that's it for this week.  Remember there's still time to participate.  I hope to see your entry this week!  
Here are the rules:
1. It has to be Halloween, card or 3D item.
2. It does not have to be 100% SU 80% is ok.
3. Yes using Retired is OK...
4. Use this Monster Mash Badge/Graphic in your post and a link back to Shirley Pumpkin's blog: http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com/
5. Add your card to the blog hop then put the code on your post.
6. You can enter as many times as you like, but each entry has to be a new card and a new post.

Stampin Queen Sketch Challenge #7

Wow this week really went by in a flash.  It's week 7 of the Stampin Queen's Sketch Challenge and here's a look at their amazing sketch:

When I looked at this sketch for the first time I really liked the lay out but was a bit intimidated by the bows. However the more I thought about the fancy sentiment, the bows and scallop, it began to remind me of an old saloon or parlour we had visited in Silver City. I began to envision old wall paper and wainscotting and to tell you the truth the bows began to remind me of a showgirl's fancy garters. Where is all this leading to? Well my card definitely had to be along the vintage line and incorporate all of those ideas.  I hope you can envision them like I did.

I chose Very Vanilla for my card base and added layers of Basic Black and Wisteria Wonder in 1/8" increments.  The next layer was First Edition Specialty DSP (121878) that was been distressed around the edges with Wisteria Wonder ink and the butterfly from Bliss was stamped off in the background.  The motif from Baroque Motifs was embossed on it with Versa Mark and Wisteria Wonder ink and Clear Embossing Powders and the new Dazzling Details (12417) from the Holiday Mini was used to add a little sparkle to the motif.  The sentiment is from  Sincere Salutations stamped in Wisteria Wonder ink on Very Vanilla and punched out with the Scalloped Oval Punch.  A small basic rhinestone was adhered over top of the "O" in the word "YOU".  The Wisteria Wonder layer was punched out with the Extra Large Oval Punch.  The final layer is a Basic Black oval scallop die cut.  

A 1 1/2"  layer of Basic Black card stock was used for the bottom layer of the card.  This piece was run through the Stripes Textured Embossing Folder and the Eyelet Border punch was used along the bottom of the strip.  Two pieces of the 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon in Wisteria Wonder were attached to the black strip.  I didn't want to use two bows so chose instead to add two butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Sizzlet die.  I did tie a small bow with the Ruffled Ribbon and attached it to the larger of the two Butterfly images.  3 small basic rhinestones add some bling to the center of the smaller butterfly. 

The inside is fairly plain.  There is one layer of the First Edition Specialty DSP layered with a Top Note Die cut in Wisteria Wonder.  I didn't add a sentiment at this time.

And that's what I intended as my entry for this week, the only problem was that I missed the cut off by 10 minutes.  That's what happens when you leave things to the last minute!  Oh well.  Another challenge next week and maybe I'll be on time.    Hope you've enjoyed this one. 

Happy Thanksgiving to All My Canadian Friends and Customers

Thanksgiving Day has arrived and I wish everyone a wonderful day filled with love, wonderful celebrations with your family and friends and all the things that make it such a very special holiday.  

History of Thanksgiving in Canada:
Wikapedia states that in Canada the origins of the first Thanksgiving celebration goes back to an explorer named Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Pacific Ocean. Frobisher's Thanksgiving celebration was not for harvest, but for homecoming. He had safely returned from an unsuccessful search for the Northwest Passage, avoiding the later fate of Henry Hudson and Sir John Franklin. In the year 1578, Frobisher held a formal ceremony in Newfoundland to give thanks for surviving the long journey. Years later, the tradition of a feast would continue as more settlers began to arrive to the Canadian colonies.

The origins of Canadian Thanksgiving can also be traced to the French settlers who came to New France with explorer Samuel de Champlain in the early 17th century, who also took to celebrating their successful harvests. The French settlers in the area typically had feasts at the end of the harvest season and continued throughout the winter season, even sharing their food with the indigenous peoples of the area. Champlain had also proposed for the creation of the Order of Good Cheer in 1606.

As many more settlers arrived in Canada, more celebrations of good harvest became common. New immigrants into the country, such as the Irish, Scottish and Germans, would also add their own traditions to the harvest celebrations. Most of the U.S. aspects of Thanksgiving (such as the turkey) were incorporated when United Empire Loyalists began to flee from the United States during the American Revolution and settled in Canada.

Since 1957 Thanksgiving has been celebrated in Canada on the second Monday of October.  Thanksgiving in Canada falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the United States

What's In the Starter Kit

Become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator Our Starter Kits, created exclusively for new demonstrators, contain Stampin' Up! essentials you'll need to get started in your new business. You can choose between the standard Starter Kit and the Digital+ Starter Kit.  Both Starter Kits are customizable allowing you to choose products that you want to run your business your way. The standard Starter Kit includes Four complete stamp sets (including a clear-mount set and clear-mount block) A Stampin' Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge Assortment of Designer Series paper and card stock Four Classic Stampin' Pads Two Stampin' Write markers VersaMark Pad Whisper White 5/8" satin ribbon Songbird Décor Elements and applicator Adhesives Blender pen Stamping sponge Stampin' Scrub and Mist Box of Idea Book & Catalogues Business forms and tools The Digital+ Starter Kit includes My Digital Studio software suite Three complete stamp sets (including a clear-mount set and clear-mount block) Assortment of card stock Four Classic Stampin' Pads Two Stampin' Write markers Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon Brights Designer buttons Songbird Décor Elements and applicator Adhesives Stampin' Scrub and Mist Box of Idea Book & Catalogues Business forms and tools If you've been looking for an opportunity to do what you love, while getting a 20 % discount on your favourite products, now is the perfect time! During October, you'll get a FREE Big Shot when you join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator.*   Use the Big Shot die-cutting machine and Stampin' Up!'s exclusive dies** to create uniquely beautiful projects in a flash. In addition, the new-demonstrator Starter Kit--a steal at just $215--contains over $425 worth of stamp sets, card stock, ink, accessories, and business supplies--everything you need to start your new business. There are so many benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, including: A 20 percent product discount! A free monthly issue of Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator-only magazine, Stampin' Success! Sneak peeks at brand-new products! Invitations to exclusive Stampin' Up! events! Regular get-togethers to stamp! Free access to an online community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists, as well as 160,000+ project samples! Plus, access to an exclusive video and training for your new Big Shot! Take advantage of this exclusive "Big Shot Promotion Offer" and choose the Starter Kit that best matches your stamping and paper-crafting interests, and you'll get over $425 of Stampin' Up!'s high-quality products for just $215.   Click here to get started.  Watch the demonstrator video to learn more about being a demonstrator and then click on the JOIN NOW button.

  *See First Impressions Video
**Big Shot Dies are sold separately