Praierie Papier Ponderer

Bloggers Challenge #71 - Halloween

This week's Bloggers Challenge was Halloween...not too difficult...but I also participated in an ATC swap, so I created two projects...

  

Stuff:  Stamps:  Vintage Halloween (Artistic Outpost); Paper:  Yoyo Yellow, Basic Black (Stampin' Up!), patterned Halloween (Daisy D's);  Ink:  Palette Black Noir;  Other Stuff:  black organdy ribbon, Prima Collage flower, rhinestone brad, Ranger Stickles, white gel pen

    

It's been forever since I've made an ATC (artist trading card), but it was fun...This was pretty easy...

Stuff:  clip art (printed on my computer and printer); Paper:  Only Orange (SU!), black (Core'dintions); Ink:  Palette Black Noir; Other Stuff:  Rectangle Scallop Nesties, sandpaper, Ranger Stickles, Spica Glitter pens, rhinestones, spider web satin ribbon

Thanks for looking, and be sure to check out the other Bloggers' Challenges by clicking on the badge in the sidebar!

Have a safe, happy, fun Halloween!

Bloggers Challenge #69 - Color Challenge (Old Olive, Really Rust, Riding Hood Red)

This week's Bloggers Challenge was a color challenge using Old Olive, Really Rust, and Riding Hood Red.

I always have a lot of fun doing the color challenges...and decided to use one of my favorite Artistic Outpost stamp sets...

Stuff: 

Stamps:  Serenity (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  Old Olive, Really Rust, and Riding Hood Red (Stampin' Up!), Phoebe (Basic Grey)

Ink:  Palette Black Noir, Old Straw (Distress Ink), and Classic Really Rust (SU!), Encore Copper

Other "Stuff":  Grungeboard, sponge for antiquing card stock, Poppy self-adhesive rhinestones (Me and My Big Ideas), square and long rectangle Nestibilities

I used Really Rust ink to color the Grungeboard swirls, and then used a little Encore Copper ink on top of that.  I used SU! glue stick to adhere them to the card front. 

Today is the last day for Artistic Outpost's anniversary sale...be sure to visit their blog and leave a comment for the blog candy!

Click on the Bloggers Challenge badge on the sidebar to check out the other challengers' designs!

Thanks for looking...and have a wonderful weekend.  We'll be traveling to the other side of the state to spend the weekend with family...this is our yearly "Van Hal" get-together...we used to get together this weekend every year to celebrate my now deceased mother-in-law's birthday, and now we just make it a special day for all the siblings, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren to visit and share memories...it should be a lot of fun.

   

Bloggers Challenge #68 - Inspiration Challenge

This week's challenge was an inspiration challenge...I was very excited to do this one since inspiration challenges are my favorite...Lisa Somerville (our Bloggers' Challenge mommy) picked this one as our inspiration...

This is my interpretation...

Of course I wanted to imitate the colors, but I also wanted to echo certain themes within the quilt; the geometric design in particular.  The patterned paper I chose was from Cosmo Cricket (a cross stitch pattern).  I also repeated the geometric them with the corner punch.

Stuff:

Stamp:  Inque Boutique

Paper:  Whisper White and Basic Black (SU!), pink and red textured paper (Core'dinations), patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket)

Ink:  Palette Black Noir, Ruby Red (SU!)

Other "Stuff":  corner punch, black and white swiss dot organdy ribbon and black brads (Pink Hedgehog Paper Crafts), polka dot flower (Prima)

Be sure to click on the Bloggers Challenge badge in the sidebar to check out the other "players'" creations!   And thank you so much for looking!

Have a great weekend!

   

Bloggers Challenge 67 - Love/Anniversary - "Falling for You"

This week's Bloggers Challenge was to make a fall-themed "Love/Anniversary" card.

Supplies: 

Stamps:  Autumn Fest (Stampin' Up! - retired), greeting (Stampin' Up! - unknown but retired)

Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, vellum card stock (all SU!)

Ink:  Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Elegant Eggplant

Accessories:  toolkit (punch tool and template for punching holes); gold brads; gold cord; More Mustard, Always Artichoke, and Bravo Burgundy grosgrain ribbon, adhesive, long rectangle plain and scalloped Nesties, gold Atyou Spica pen

I used two retired sets to complete this card; the leaves were stamped in bold autumn colors, and layered with vellum...I cut the vellum smaller than the stamped image layer so a bit of the "real" colors would be visible.

The ribbons and gold cord were wrapped around the stamped image and vellum.  The More Mustard sentiment was stamped with Always Artichoke Classic ink and colored with the gold Atyou Spica pen, edged with Gold Encore ink and mounted on the Bravo Burgundy tag.  I love the Spica pens (made by Copic)!  They add just a hint of color and sparkle, and there is virtually no drying time since they're alcohol-based.

Be sure to check out the other Bloggers challenges by clicking on the badge in the left sidebar.

Thanks for looking, and have a marvelous weekend!!!

Toodles,

Anita 

Bloggers Challenge 66 - Warhol Technique (and Artistic Outpost Sneak Peek!)

This week's Bloggers Challenge was to use the Warhol technique...for those of you way to young or not born yet (1960's)...Andy Warhol was a famous New York City artist who brought "pop" art into the mainstream, and developed a new, fresh style of creating...this is my take on one of his works...

Basically the technique consists of repeated images in grid fashion; these are stamped in black (that being the common denominator), and using and repeating several colors.

I used a bird image from a new release coming up from Artistic Outpost (more on that later!), so I'm killing two birds with one stone, no pun intended.

Supplies:

Stamp:  Blue Bird (AO); Paper:  Only Orange, Yoyo Yellow, and Real Red (Stampin' Up!), and patterned paper (Basic Grey); Ink:  Palette Black Noir; Accessories:  1 1/4" square punch, 1 3/8" square punch, yellow, orange, and red stitched ribbon (Pink Hedgehog Paper Crafts), Dew Drops and Glossy Accents to adhere them

Be sure to check out the other Bloggers Challenges by clicking on the badge in the left sidebar!  Some cool stuff...

As I already mentioned, Artistic Outpost is releasing two new stamp plates. On October 1st, Snowy Woods and Bluebird will be available.
We're so excited about the Christmas plate this year, it features peaceful images of a loving Santa Claus who we believe is the real one. No mall Santa's helpers here!!! This is a full 8.5 x 11" unmounted stamp collection. Loads of beautiful images, and AO's first "full" plate. 

The Bluebird collection is the half plate size of 8.5 x 5.5". It is meant to be your solace this winter. You can see the reflections of winter and spring all in this one collection. This peaceful collection of bird-inspired images will carry you through to spring!

Specials on these plates will be posted on October 1st. In addition, believe it our not, October marks Artistic Outpost's ONE year anniversary.  With this milestone will come blog candy and additional specials on their one year old darling stamp sets. The ones that got us going and that we will always hold in our hearts.   

Be sure to check back for a sneak peeks and samples.  If you haven't already signed up for blog updates - be sure you do, that way you won't miss out on our specials and anniversary celebration!  You can sign up here!  You'll be able to check out some of the other designers' sneak peaks as well!  Have fun!!!   

Bloggers Challenge 65 - Watercoloring

This week's challenge was watercoloring.  Although I love the look of watercoloring I don't feel it's one of my strongest talents...and being too cowardly to display that this week I decided to go for a watercolor "look."

Have you ever received a gift from your husband or significant other that wasn't exactly what you were expecting?  Say like, uuummm...a vacuum cleaner for Christmas?

I used Copic markers and a blender pen to achieve the look of watercoloring.  I used a gray marker and blender pen to do some hightlighting around the stamped image to give it more depth.  And, even though my domestic goddess is hard at it, she still is glamorous enough to wear some bling around her neck!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Domestic Goddess (Hanna Stamps)

Paper:  Honey Pie (Cosmo Cricket), Whisper White and Cameo Coral (Stampin' Up!)

Ink:  Black Noir (Palette Hybrid), Red Lipstick (Tim Holtz Distress)

Other:  ticket corner punch (SU!), grosgrain ribbon (Pink Hedgehog Papercrafts), self-adhesive rhinestones (Ellen Hutson, LLC), Copic markers and blender pen, sponge for accenting

Thanks for looking, and be sure to check out the other Blogger Challenge players' creations by clicking on the badge in the left sidebar!

Toodles,

Anita

Bloggers Challenge 64 - Designers Series Paper

This week's challenge was to use Designer Series Paper.  I haven't ordered any new DSP from Stampin' Up! yet (yes...gasp!...), so chose to use some from Crafty Secrets.

Stamps:  Paper Roses by Firecracker Designs by Pamela; Paper:  Basic Black card stock (SU!), Radiant patterned paper (from the Heartwarming Vintage Collection from Crafty Secrets), Prism (red), watercolor paper (Canon); Ink:  Black Noir (Palette), Brick Red and Old Paper (Tim Holtz Distress); Accessories:  Prismacolor markers and blender pen, Copic Spica pen (clear), black metal clip (SU!), rectangle and scalloped rectangle Nestibilities dies, sponge for inking edges, key tag punch (SU!), Black Swiss Dot organdy ribbon (Pink Hedgehog)   

I stamped the image using waterproof Black Noir Palette ink, and then colored the rose with Prismacolor markers.  I used a blender pen to blend the colors, and then used a clear Spica glitter pen to add some sparkle.

I used a sponge to add Old Paper and Brick Red ink to the watercolor paper, gradually building up the color a little at a time. 

I cut out the stamped image and the red scalloped layer behind it using Nestibilities dies...mounted the black and red rose printed paper over the black card stock, and then added the die cut layers.  I added a black and white polka dot strip from the Radiant pad, stamped the sentiment on red Prism card stock, punched it out with the key tag punch, and attached the black clip (with the ribbon tied through the hole).

The sentiment reads, "If I had a rose for every time I thought of you, I'd walk through a garden forever."  This stamp set is just gorgeous!

Thank you so much for looking, and be sure to click on the Bloggers Challenge badge in the left sidebar to check out the other BC players wonderful creations!  They are a truly inspiring group to be a part of!

Huggles!

Anita 

Bloggers Challenge 62 - Patriotic - We Will Always Remember - 9/11/01

I'm way behind on my Bloggers' Challenges, but wanted to get this one in for today...Challenge 62 was either a patriotic card or a baby card...I chose patriotic.

Today is a sad day for most Americans as we remember the horror and devastation that occurred seven years ago when four jet planes were hijacked, and literally thousands lost their lives.  There is hardly anyone whose life was not impacted in some way...

Today's card is in honor of those who lost their lives, and to those who serve our country in order that freedom and liberty might be enjoyed by all of us...

We will always remember...

Stamps:  Hero (Artistic Outpost); Paper:  Prism, Boxer (Basic Grey), Naturals Ivory (SU!); Ink: Faded Jeans, Fired Brick (Tim Holtz Distress Ink); Accessories:  Star and Large Star Punches (SU!),  Dew Drops, Glossy Accents (Ranger) for attaching Dew Drops

Tips:

To achieve the multi-color look of the flag I inked up part of the stamp with Fired Brick and Faded Jeans, being careful not to overlap the colors too much so the colors muddied.

I punched out both large and small stars and randomly layered them around the stamped image...I then accented the centers of the stars that were completely visible.

Thanks for looking!

Anita

Bloggers Challenge 57 - Christmas in July

So, I'm a little late with this challenge but just by a few hours!  This week's challenge was to make a Christmas card.  I think it was supposed to make us feel cooler, and if so, it didn't work.  I hate hot weather!  I ended up stamping this image about six times before I got the look I wanted-the first one was stamped with White Brilliance ink on Going Gray cardstock and then embossed with white twinkling EP, but it didn't photograph well at all.  I tried white pigment ink on gray, silver Encore on black, etc., etc., and finally, when I was about ready to start completely over with red and green, Black Brialliance on Going Gray finally worked!  I used a sponge dauber to ink up the edges with Silver Encore ink, and then heat embossed with sterling silver EP.  Not my original plan, but it worked...why don't all my brilliant ideas work?  They seem like good plans, but lack something in the execution.  I'm a bit tenacious, and if something doesn't work I'm kind of determined (i.e. stubborn) to make it work...somtimes I just need to learn to let go...

Supplies: 

Stamps:  Children at Christmas (Artistic Outpost); Paper:  Core'dinations, Basic Grey Figgy Pudding, Going Gray;  Ink: Brilliance Black, Silver Encore, Basic Gray Classic (for distressing the edges); Accessories:  rick rack blade on Cutting Buddy for decorative edge, Sterling Silver EP, white and light blue organdy ribbon, ribbon slide (WR Memory Keepers), self-adhesive blue jewels

Thanks for looking, and be sure to check out the other "cool" Bloggers' Challenges by clicking on the badge in the lefthand sidebar!

Have a great weekend!  

Blogger's Challenge 55 - Bugs or Insects

This week's challenge was bugs or insects, and since I don't have a woodtick stamp I settled for a dragonfly...okay, just kidding!  Blech..woodticks are gross!

I used a beautiful dragonfly stamp from I Brake for Stamps-there are four different sizes in the set, and this is the second largest...the largest one is HUGE!  I stamped the image on watercolor paper, and colored it with Prismacolor pencils and gamsol.  I then covered it with a Spica pen (clear), although the sparkles don't show up in my photo which is weird because usually I have a problem with glare when I photograph anything with gloss or sparkle...the paper is Natural Ivory (SU!) and Amy Butler.  I don't remember who made the sentiment stamp, but I love this one.  The sentiment was stamped with Burnt Umber Palette ink, and everything was antiqued with that and Tea Dye Distress Ink.  The ribbon is organdy.  I used glue dots to attach the dragonfly to the card (except for the top wings which I left unattached).

Thanks for looking and be sure to check out the other Bloggers' Challenges by clicking on the icon in the left sidebar.  Oh, and have a great weekend!

Blogger's Challenge 53 - Use Any Resist Technique

This week's Blogger's Challenge was to use any resist technique, so I chose to use emboss resist.

I stamped the Pretty Petals background stamp on Whisper White cardstock using Versamark ink and white embossing powder, and then used Orchid Opulence, Barely Banana, and Certainly Celery Classic Ink and cotton balls to apply the shading over the embossed areas.  This technique works better for me if I use a smoother cardstock.  I start out applying just a bit of color and gradually work in more color to create contrasts.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Pretty Petals background stamp (SU!®), So Many Scallops (SU!®)

Paper:  Whisper White, Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery, Green vellum, scrap of patterned paper for background of vellum layer

Ink:  Versamark, Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, White Craft (for embossing)

Accessories:  White EP, green and purple rhinestones, green and white swiss dot organdy ribbon (Pink Hedgehog), White Liquid Applique (for details on scalloped shape), scallop punch, dimensional tape, ticket corner punch, 1" circle punch

Thanks for looking, and be sure to check out the other blogger's challenge players by clicking on the Blogger's Challenge icon in the lefthand column for access to all the links!

Bloggers Challenge 52 - "Manly" Theme

This week's challenge was a "manly" theme.  For some reason some stampers find it difficult to make a card for a male.  Quite honestly most of my cards are geared towards females, so this was an interesting challenge for me.

This card features stamps from Artistic Outpost's newest plate, "Hero."

Supplies:

Stamps:

• Hero (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:

• Coredinations (textured)
• River Rock

Ink:

• River Rock
• Always Artichoke

Accessories:

• Brads (Pink Hedgehog)
• sponge for distressing

Thanks for looking-be sure to check out the other Bloggers Challenges by clicking on the links in the left-hand column.

Bloggers Challenge 50 - Black & White

I missed last week's Bloggers Challenge because I was out of town-lots of "family" stuff but I'm back home, and the best part is that my younger sister Denise came over a couple of afternoons this past week and helped me move the "bulk" of my studio "stuff" downstairs to my new studio.  It feels so good to create in more room with everything close at hand.  Thanks a bunch, Denise!  You're a dream!

I loved doing this challenge since I'd never done an all black and white card before.  It was nice not having to decide on color although it was so tempting to add pink or red...

Supplies:

Stamps:

• Polaroid Cutie (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:

• Basic Black
• Whisper White
• All Dressed Up (Die Cuts with a View)

Ink:

• Basic Black

Accessories:

• My Way Punch (SU!)
• Crystal Ice Stickles
• Metallic striped black ribbon (May Arts)

The "All Dressed Up" card stock made this card quick, easy, and fun to make.  I used two patterns, including a striped strip across the middle of the card.  I outlined the cloud shape with Ice Stickles, and also added it to the cute little girl's hair bow.

Thanks for looking!  Be sure to check out the other Bloggers Challenges by using the links in the left-hand side of my blog.  There are some seriously talented stampers in our group!

Bloggers Challenge 49 - Animals

This week's Bloggers Challenge was to use an animal...and I'm kind of cheating by using a card I made last week.  My back has really been bothering me this week, and I'm barely shuffling around...and forget about bending or stooping!

Do you ever wonder why a dog doesn't like it if you blow in his face, but he will hang his head out the car window?

I love how this turned out.  My daughter took me to my favorite brick and mortar scrapbook store, the Scrap Nook, in Fargo last week, and I picked up some supplies, including some beautiful paper.  I'm not sure what type of patterned paper this black and copper is, but it's "fibery" and when torn is almost like fabric. Is it mulberry?  I don't know since I've never actually touched any.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Adventure set from Artistic Outpost

Paper:  rust and black card stock from Colormates (?), Black and copper patterned textured paper (unknown)

Ink:  Ranger Clear Embossing ink, Ranger Black Archival ink

Supplies:  sponge for aging (Ranger Black Archival was used), copper brads, black embossing powder, heat gun

I stamped the dog image with clear embossing ink and heat embossed with black embossing powder.  I lightly sponged the edges and "pounced" the image with Black Archival ink.  The black and copper patterned paper was torn.

I love how this turned out!  I love it when I start out with just a wee idea of what I want and then get carried away by the creative process. 

Thanks for looking, and be sure to check out the other bloggers challenges by using the links in the left hand column.

Bloggers Challenge 48 - Red, White, and Blue

This week's challenge is a color combo-red, white, and blue...

Supplies:

Paper:

• Patterned paper - K & Company
• Red and tan solid cardstock - Colormates

Ink:

• Vintage Photo Distress Ink (for distressing papers)
• Cranberry Crisp (retired)

Accessories:

• silver brads

I made this card to honor our servicemen and women who sacrificed so much in order that we may enjoy more freedom than any almost every other country in the world.  All three of our sons have served in the military:  Gary served in the US Army, Jacob served in the US Navy until he suffered a knee injury which as also affected his hips, and he was medically discharged; and Luke, who currently began his fifth year in the US Navy serving on a submarine. 

Thanks for looking, and be sure to check out the other Bloggers' Challenges by using the links on the left side of my blog!

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!