Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Playing with my Sugar Nellie Manga Stamps
























Hello Ladies,

I sat down on Tuesday and started coloring. My goal was to create something just for fun, without following a sketch. I took out my wonderful Sugar Nellie Manga stamps and chose this one, she is called Dreamy. I am practicing with my Copic markers, and have gotten a better feel for the blender. Now I have to practice highlighting with my white gel pen.

It was nice to start something, with no direction. I had fun, and that is what crafting is all about.

Hope you have fun creating today, and if you have incorporated stamping into your work, be sure to post it on this weeks Practical Scrappers Stamp Challenge.

Hugs,
Tanya

P.S . The other night my 3 1/2 year old told me she was scared because when she was bigger like Daddy, nobody would hold her hand. I made her a promise, that no matter how big she gets, I will always hold her hand. Sniff sniff, another one of those things I had to journal in her book.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Practical Scrappers Stamping Challenge




















Good Morning,

How are all of you doing today? This weeks Practical Scrappers Challenge is Stamping! I know most of you already use stamps in your daily crafting, so I hope to see lots of you enter this challenge. This weeks grand prize winner will receive bonding powder and a Stampee foil of their choice!

As most of you know, I love to stamp and color. So in order to grow, I decided to try something new. I decided to showcase Two-Step Stamping. This involves using stamps that are made to layer one another. I chose the background flower and inked it up, I stamped it on a spare sheet of paper to lighten the ink. I then took the outline stamp and inked it up, only to stamp over the previous image. The nice thing about this is that you don't have to be precise. Each image will be different, unless you use a stampamajig, which allows you to position the two stamps directly over one another.

I enjoyed learning something new with this challenge.

Happy Stamping!
Hugs
Tanya

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Got my fingers in the Sugar Bowl again






















Challenge #29 over at The Sugar Bowl is a wonderful sketch from Tiet. Thank you Tiet, I loved the multiple layers on your sketch. We were also asked to include 3 flowers, 2 brads and 1 button.

The brown eyed susan was part of the Bloom and Grow Manga stamp, so that is not one of my 3 flowers, I used these lovely see-through flowers and incorporated my two butterfly brads, and one tiny button into their centers.

Have a wonderful day ladies,
Hugs
Tanya

April With Hearts

































I am working on a chipboard album that I purchased from Michelle's Scrapbooking and More. I am creating a book based on funny little things that my family says and does.

Here is the cover page, using April With Hearts, one of the fabulous Pixie Cottage Stamps available through Michelle.

All the paper and embellishments are from the My Little Yellow Bicycle "Sweet Love" collection. This is my second attempt with a chipboard book. Any tips or hints will be appreciated.

If you are creating any "Love" themed projects, be sure to head over to the Pixie Cottage Blog this week, that is what Challenge #9 is all about.

On a personal note, I had my very first car accident last night. I was on my way to pick up some stick pins, and some odds and ends for dinner. As I neared the store, someone drove right into my new car. I am a bit out of sorts today, teary eyed and such. But the man was honest, and cared more about how I was doing. As a result, I am in a place of Gratitude, we are both ok, his insurance will cover the damage, and I just have to live with the bruises. Which I have to say are more on the emotional side than the physical side.

Enjoy your families today, that is what I am doing.
Hugs
Tanya

Friday, February 19, 2010

Loving it Up with my Pixie Cottage Stamp






















Hello,

I hope you are all having a fabulous Friday! My friend Michelle sent me this wonderful April with Hearts Stamp, and I am just loving her. Please drop in and visit The Pixie Cottage Challenge this week, it is all about creating something that is love themed. Every time I play with the Pixies, I get the most wonderful comments about my card. It really feels good when someone takes the time to leave a message. You can find April with Hearts over at Michelle's Scrapbooking and More. She even has some scrumptious blog candy to be won! Be sure to scroll through Michelle's blog, you will be inspired, I can promise you that.

I am also entering this into Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge. They want us to Dazzle them. I have a bit of bling on my paper, and some rhinestone hearts. Not a lot of bling, but then sometimes a little goes a long way.

Have a great weekend ladies,

Hugs
Tanya

Monday, February 15, 2010

Practical Scrappers Flower Challenge




















Good Morning,

This weeks challenge over at Practical Scrappers is to create something using flowers.

To get started, I searched through my flowers and was left uninspired. I then tried my hand at 3-D flowers using my punches, but was not happy with the outcome. So, I looked through my paper stash and found this wonderful design paper. Perfect for my husbands Valentine's Day card. I picked out one of my new stamps sent to me by my Secret Sister ( Thank you Kerri) and matched the colors of the paper to the image with my Prisma pencils.

My design paper had flowers on it, and in order to finish off the card, I cut out various levels of the flowers and popped each one up with dimensionals. The final touch was a tiny gem in the flower's center.

So my challenge for you this week is to use up those flowers and post your creations over at Practical Scrappers. As a reward for having fun, if you are the lucky winner, you will receive some bling, courtesy of Glitz Design.

Have a great day,
Hugs
Tanya

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Joy




















Good Morning,

I hope everyone is having a good weekend. We are getting snow today, and I am excited, this means the children can toboggan on snow instead of the ice we have had the past month. I am actually looking forward to shoveling!

The above card was created for the Whiff of Joy Challenge #66. What a great sketch Jane, thank you. I took out my fall Willow, used a WOJ background stamp, and started my planning. I had the urge to use some of my beads, so I took out my hardware, and ended up with the hanging charm you see dangling off the Joy tag. It can even be clipped off if the recipient wants to use it on as a cell phone charm. It is a nice feeling, being able to use things that have been lying around getting dusty.

I hope you have a great weekend ladies,
Hugs
Tanya

Friday, February 12, 2010

Sweet Pea Stamps Follower Appreciation Days

Sweet Pea Stamps really care about their followers. On the 15th & 30th of each month, they randomly draw the name of one follower, and then mail them 2 cards, made by one of their fabulous design team members. They will post the winner, and all you have to do is email Jennifer with your mailing address, if you are the lucky chosen one.

Is that not Sweet!

Click on the picture for more details.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Welcoming Jenn's Baby Card Challenge










Hello Ladies,

I just wanted to remind you about Jenn's "Welcoming Baby Card Call Challenge". She will soon be blessed with her first baby girl, and what better way to welcome her into this world than to send her some love via a card.

All you have to do is make a card, add a friendly baby tip, post your card on the Starving Artistamps Blog, then email me at ruddtanya@gmail.com for her address. You will then qualify to win a FULL set of stamps and a FULL set of sentiments.

How easy is that! Don't worry, if you do not have any Starving Artistamps, you can use whatever materials you have in your stash. All entries are welcome.

This contest remains open until midnight February 11th, 2010 PST.

Hugs
Tanya

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Sweet Pea Trading Card Challenge




















This is another first for me. The Sweet Pea Challenge this month was to create a trading card (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") using a Sweet Pea stamp, 3 colors only, and any embellishment.

I chose this wonderful stamp from plate 23- Seasons of Fantasy. My color scheme was orange, yellow and green. You will see many shades of orange on this card, but I think that is ok, it simply asked for 3 colors only. Either way, this was a fun challenge. I chose bella bauble's as my embellishment of choice, and made some 3-D flowers with my tiny flower punch.

This may be something I could get into doing, then swapping them with friends. Anyone interested in starting a Trading Card Swap?

Have a good Wednesday,
Hugs
Tanya

P.S. You can find this stamp at Sweet Pea Stamps. They are quite unique, and fun to color.

Practical Scrappers Brads Challenge























This weeks challenge over at Practical Scrappers is all about using brads. I have tons of them, and of course they seem to always get put in a corner, and forgotten about. So "hats off" again to the ladies at Practical Scrappers, I have dusted off my supplies, and put them to use.

This week Practical Scrappers will award a prize to the person who uses the most brads on one project! They will also be awarding a prize for the most creative use of brads, and a prize for their favorite project. That leaves you with 3 chances to win! I have to say it is really wonderful seeing a lot of familiar faces playing with us at Practical Scrappers, I hope to see you participate this week as well.

I used my black brads to balance off the black ribbon, and to draw your focal point to my alien. I have used 4 brads on this card, can you guess where the fourth one is? The inside of the card has the sentiment "Wish you were here". I have a recipient in mind for this card, but will keep it anonymous, just in case they drop in to see what I have been creating.

Have a great day ladies, I can not wait to see what you come up with.
Hugs,
Tanya

P.S. The fourth brad is used to attach my bow. I find it easier to tie a bow, insert a brad in the center behind the middle knot, then pierce the paper to secure it.

Monday, February 8, 2010

The Sugar Bowl Challenge 28















Our challenge this week over at The Sugar Bowl, was a wonderful sketch by Marlene. We were also asked to incorporate lace, so I added my lace ribbon. I used design paper cut into fours for the window like pattern and then used a partial Sugar Nellie stamp as the focal point. I added some pearls, tiny flowers, distressed the edges, and then decided it was done.
I hope you like it, but I urge you to visit The Sugar Bowl, their design team really came up with some fabulous takes on this sketch!

Hugs
Tanya

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Mojo Monday 124























Here is my take on Mojo Monday's Challenge #124. I just got it in on time too. This little Huggabug stamp is just so cute, and pretty simple to color in too. Did any of you use Mojo Monday's sketch this week to create something?

Got to get to bed now,
Hugs
Tanya

Look Mom, No Coloring!























I sat down to play last night, and I wanted to try something new. Kim S recently used staples on one of her layouts, and I thought I would try it out, I also decided on a silhouette card. I don't know if I am happy with this card. It is just so different and really outside my comfort zone. I stitched some x's and added eyelets for the o's, then took some clear buttons and matched them to the design papers. I distressed the whole card, and the cream cardstock looked a bit too bright so I inked the edges. I could not think of anything else to do with it, so the above is the final project. I think I need to practice silhouette stamping a bit more, but I can now say "Look Mom, No Coloring!"

What would you do differently? Tips, techniques and hints would be greatly appreciated.
Hugs
Tanya

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Practical Scrappers Sketch Friday





















I hope you are all having a great start to your weekend. Dance class is done, and the only thing I have to do is get my supplies ready for tomorrow. I am having a couple of Karlye's friends over to make Valentine's presents. This time I am making sure to have an even number of kids, I don't know what it is about odd number, but someone always gets left out.

The above 12x12 layout was done using Ann-Katrin's Sketch, found here. Every Friday Practical Scrappers provides you with a sketch, and then you get to interpret it. I would love to see what you do with this weeks sketch. It is a fun one!

I kept mine simple. I added some darker swirls to the paper to bring your focus into the pictures themselves. I then used clear stickers to define what I think being a sister is all about, and propped them up on the stars. I used lace up brads to create the lines under the images, and then added the floss, tying it off with a bow. A dainty embellishment that does not take away from your focal point.

One can only hope that the two of them become friends when they are older, It would be nice to think of the two of them having each other during times of happiness, and during times of woe.

Happy Saturday,
Thank you for the wonderful sketch this week Ann-Katrin!
Hugs
Tanya

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Cherish



















Every time I do a Practical Scrappers challenge, I tend to incorporate the subject into my next couple of projects. Last week was all about using 2 or more design papers, and this week it is all about using die's. I love my Sizzix button die, as it is a very verastile die that allows me to make matching buttons with any design paper. I just love matching things, don't you?

This little manga boy has been waiting a long time to be used. Now that I have, I realize just how adorable he is. My nephew's birthday is February 6th, so he will be getting this one. I finished the card by adding a baseball hat charm to the bow. All that needs to be done now is birthday gift shopping.

Enjoy the rest of your day ladies,
Hugs
Tanya

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Sweet Friend Award... Thanks Kim!













Here's the rules for this one. Accept the award from the Sweet Friend (s) that sent it to you, thank her in your post and pass it on to bloggers whose creativity knock your socks off. Then reveal 10 things about yourself.

First of all I want to thank Kim for this award, but most of all for being a really good friend. Hopefully one day we get to actually meet in person. Now my list of 10 people that have influenced my creativity (in no particular order)

1. Jenn
2. Sheena
3. Kim S
4. Riet
5. Michelle
6. Nancy
7. Judy
8. Beth
9. Risa
10. Gina

Thank you for all the inspiration ladies! I am not going to list 10 things about myself, I have a hard time doing this. But if you ever want to know something more about me, simply ask;
Hugs,
Tanya

Practical Scrappers Die Cut Challenge





















Practical Scrappers has done it again! They made me dust off my die cuts, and put them to use. To make the scallop circle card, I used my Sizzix Bigz - Scallop Circle die, I folded a 5x5 card and left a bit off the edge so that it opens as a card would. I then took my favorite Sizzix Bigz Die- Bird with Leaves and Flowers, chose the papers I wanted, and passed it through my Bigshot. The above is my finished project. I really have to make more cards like this, not coloring on a card was refreshing for a change.

I chose the "Mellow" collection pack by Basic Grey, as it looks like the kind of colors you would find in nature. I love the way the pattern of the paper makes the bird stand out. I cut a few more flowers, and then layered them to make it look fuller, placing a pearl in the center as a final touch.

What die cut do you have that is just waiting to be dusted off and put to use? Hope you see you participate in this weeks challenge ladies.

Hugs
Tanya

Monday, February 1, 2010

Better late than Never!
































Last week's challenge over at The Pixie Cottage was a sketch provided by Renata. What struck me about this sketch was it's simplicity, it really made us use our own creativity to come up with something unique. I pondered the sketch, and then came across this fabulous corrugated paper at work (yes I am a pack rat). Then life happened, and I missed the opportunity to sit down and create. I finally got the chance last night, and the above is the final result. Better late than never!

This image is dear to me, as it reminds me of my Oma. I was sent to visit her every summer, and during these visits she would tell me stories and draw me pictures to go along with them. Most often they had to do with Fairies, and she would draw these fabulous fairy houses made out of mushrooms and tree trunks. Similar to the above stamp. I have to thank my Oma for my passion to create and the ability to enjoy pretty things. If only I had the talent she has!

I got this image from Michelle's Scrapbooking and More, a wonderful store that has so many wonderful things, such as The Pixie Cottage Stamps. I urge you to visit her store, and hope you get inspired, as I often do.

The Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge this week is all about hearts. This may not be your typical Valentine's card, but they do say "home is where the heart is" so I think this qualifies.

Have a good evening,
Hugs
Tanya

P.S. I tried to post this earlier and it got deleted, I hope this one works.

Jenn's Welcoming Baby Card Call Challenge






















Here is my card for Jenn. I am going to post it in the mail this week. Baby McMillan is due February 11th, 2010 and we are all excited to meet her. Starving Artistamps will be giving away one full set of SA or DF stamps and one free set of sentiments to one lucky person. All you have to do is make a card for Jenn, include a baby tip, and upload it using Mr. Linky. Please go here to read all the details.

The stamped image you see here is from the DoodleFactory's Oh Baby Set. The DoodleFactory makes such fun stamps!

Enjoy your day,
Hugs
Tanya