Praierie Papier Ponderer

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

Hero Card in Brick Red and Natural

This is something I created using Artistic Outpost's plate, Hero, that was released last month.

Supplies:

Stamps: Hero (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  Prism, Natural White, Boxer (Basic Grey)

Ink:  Ranger Embossing Ink, Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Accessories:  Brick Red Distress Powder, sponge for aging edges, wrought iron corner punch, vintage brads, key tag punch, Old Paper and Brick Red Distress Crackle Paint, tearing edge ruler

I used Distress Crackle paint (two colors) to paint some interest on the Boxer patterned paper.  The cool thing about the paint is that I don't have to find a brush-the brushes are attaced inside the cover, so that makes it very handy!  I dried the paint between layers with a heat gun to speed up the process.  All the antiquing was done with a sponge.  A sponge yields a "softer" look to the aging. 

I used a tearing edge ruler for the main image, but don't remember the brand.  I know it isn't SU! or Fiskars...will try to add that info later.

I love the old look that these colors yielded...and red and natural look so good together.

Thanks for looking, and have  great weekend!

Red, White, and Blue - Hero Plate from Artistic Outpost

You'll all be seeing a little red, white, and blue since it's getting so close to the 4th of July - I can't wait to celebrate!

Supplies:

Stamp:

• Hero - Artistic Outpost

Paper: 

• Core'dinations
• Boxer (Basic Grey)
• Sahara Sand

Ink:

• Sahara Sand
• Tim Holtz Clear Embossing Ink
• Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Powder (Faded Jeans, Fired Brick)

Accessories:

• Sanding block for distressing Core'dinations card stock
• vintage brads
• Tim Holtz Philosophy tag
• blue fiber

The cool thing about Core'dinations card stock is that it has a coordinating core, so it's fun to tear and sand making it perfect for distressing.  Normally I distress with brown ink of some sort, but I decided not to with this card so that you can see what the card stock actually looks like.  I just love this stuff-it's smooth on one side and textured on the other, and comes in a ton of colors!  I ordered the 6 x 6 paper packs from All That Scraps.  They come 80 sheets to a pack for $11 - and there are four different color schemes! 

My youngest sister Nancy (who is also my SU! upline) and her family are coming to visit all next week (yay!!!), and my daughter Missy and two granddaughters will also be coming for the long weekend.  One of my sons, Jake, may also be coming with her, and they'll also be bringing the dogs, both Bassett Hounds!  As you may recall from an earlier post, my youngest granddaughter, Kristen, got her very first pup about a month ago, a Bassett she named Bubba.  He is getting sooooooo big-at only three months he weighs in at 25 pounds already, and is still so affectionate!  I just love him-well, I love animals in general, and dogs in particular.  It's a good thing I have a sensible husband who keeps me from having an entire zoo.

Thanks for looking, and be sure to stop by tomorrow for an exciting sneak peak!

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.

Goodbye Larry - My "Hero"

This is a sad post for me today-my husband's oldest brother, Larry, passed away early Father's Day morning (yesterday) after a short battle with cancer. 

Larry was one of my favorite people-he always had a hug for me, and after Chris and I married, he and his wife Gwen became close friends of mine.  I loved the time we spent together, drinking cup after cup of coffee and laughing and talking...both Larry and Gwen were so much fun to be with and had exceptional wit, especially Gwen.  I think one reason that I felt close to Larry was because he was so much like my dear husband Chris (or I should say Chris was so much like Larry).  Chris was a few inches taller, but they resembled each other so much in appearance and personality even though Larry was about 10 years older.   

This card is dedicated to Larry - Larry was a Vietnam War veteran and served in the US Navy.  He leaves his wife Gwen, and three children, Michelle, Kallie Ann, and Travis, and was preceded in death by one son, Curtis who died shortly after birth.  I'll miss you Larry!  You'll always hold a special place in my heart!

Supplies:

Stamps:

• Hero (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:

• Coredinations, Boxer (Basic Grey)

Ink:

• Brick Red, Vintage Photo (both Distress Inks)

Accessories:

• Dew Drops (Primary colors), hemp fiber, Ranger Matte Accents (adhesive for Dew Drops), Ticket Corner Punch

Hero Stamp Set - New Release from Artistic Outpost!

Artistic Outpost just released a new plate of stamps called, "Hero." 

Eight beautiful images make up this unmounted stamp plate. Many of these images can be used beyond the fourth of July. Think masculine birthday cards OR Father's Day...also, these would be perfect for scrapbook pages or other heritage art pieces, Memorial Day, or for making cards to honor the military veterans and servicemen and women in your life!

Fact:  Did you know that all of Artistic Outpost's stamp plates measure 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", and are ONLY $12 each!  They are manufactured using the best quality red rubber, and are very detailed, lending themselves to a myriad of stamping techniques.