My Photography Challenge on SCS

I know it has been a while since I posted anything on my blog. I have not been feeling well and I haven't stamped at all! It is a sad, sad thing when I don't feel like stamping. Today I was feeling a little better so I went out and played with my camera. I posted a photography challenge over on SCS and I needed a picture to go along with it. So today I'm sharing the two best shots I got. Thanks!

My Secret Santa Peek

I am a member of the WISHRAK forum over on SCS. I signed up to do secret santa this year and my box arrived today. I can't open it for a while, but was told to have someone open the box and take out a pail.

This cute little santa was on the top of the box- how cute it that?

And the pail is full of candy and had a cute little tag with directions!

Butterfly Award

Louise gave me this nice blog award!

These are the rules...

1. pick 10 people to pass this award to them

2. Contact them and let them know that you have chosen their blog for this award

3. Link to the person who gave this award to you

So, I'm awarding this to the following 10 people:

Courtney Melanie

Bev Sherri

Jill Jenn

Carolyn Sandra

Sarah Cyndi

I have a lot of blogs I follow so it was hard for me to pick just 10!

Cool Beans

I couldn't sleep last night so I went to the stamp table! I had to make another card with my new Gina K set, My Cuppa Joe. I stamped the image on my DP and cut out the cup. I also pulled out my nesties to cut the small circles for the cool beans circle. I chose this paper because I had several different designs that were all the same color. I wonder if I should have set it up a little different, but I guess I like it. I also found a place to put some ribbon on this one! I used my copics to add coffee to the cup and shade around the bottom of the saucer.

Friendship is like good coffee~

The moment I saw the Gina K set My Cuppa Joe I knew I had to have it! I just love these coffee sets and this one was wonderful. My DH gave me $ for our anniversary so I could get what I wanted. So this was one of the first things I ordered.

I pulled it out when we got home tonight (from all our family visits) and inked it up. I picked up a few new Copics while we were out today so I used a new one to color the inside of the two coffee cups. Then I added LA to the middle cup to make it look like whipped cream. I know I should really add some ribbon some where but I'm not sure where I would put it. I used my MS edge punch on the red and I embossed the next layer with my CB embossing folder. I love the way this turned out!

Fluffy Cream

Well, the last post was the last of my VSN cards. I only have this one more card that I made to post before I have to start stamping again. I have a new stamp set and an idea so if I get time I'll make something tomorrow.

This one I made with my Like it a Latte stamp set. I used LA on the top of the cup to make it look like whipped cream. I pulled out this DP that was given to me as a gift. I love the way the paper sparkles and I also added glitter on the top of the cream. You can't see it very well in the pictures- but it is there!

La Cage Aux Folles

For this VSN challenge I had to make a masculine card BUT it had to include at least 2 traditionally feminine components. I decided to use my Unity tree with kraft and brown paper. I then added ribbon, a charm, and some bling for the feminine touch. I'm not sure if this is what you would think of as a masculine card but I think I would send it to my dad or brother. They would both appreciate even a girly card!

Jen's Sketch

I am still trying to figure out what I want to do for my Christmas cards this year. I bought this cute little reindeer stamp to use but I can't figure out what else to do. So I decided to use this stamp with Jen's Sketch this week. I wish I had a red flower or something to put on the bottom corner, but I didn't. I pulled out the SU DP from last year but I don't have enough of it left to use for my cards this year, oh well. I did color my stamped image with my copic markers and I think I like it. I don't know- I guess I'm a little wishy-washy today!

White Christmas Challenge

When I saw the White Christmas challenge for VSN I knew I had to use this little snowman stamp. After looking at it I probably need to go back and scribble something under them so they don't look like they are floating in air. I used my MS edge punch for the scallop edge at the bottom. I also used my glitter pens I love to much to color the scarf, ear muffs, and buttons. I rotated the colors so they are all different.

Blog Candy Alerts!

Quickly, I am going to give you two links for some amazing blog candy! You must check these blogs out!

Created by Courtney

Passion for Crafts

I made this card for the Cameo challenge during VSN. I used darker colors and pulled out my nesties to cut the ovals. I was not paying attention when I made this card. I stamped the snowflakes with my Versamark and then put clear EP on it instead of white! So I had to reheat it and add the white EP over the clear. It took a little longer that way and was really a pain! But at least I could save it- it wouldn't have looked the same with clear snowflakes!

Burning Ring of Fire

I made this card for the VSN challenge I Fell Into a Burning Ring of Fire. The challenge called for a wild animal card and embellishments. I didn't really have any embellishments that were animal print so I went with this little mouse. I love this stamp and it seems like I always round the corners on this little guy when I use him. I'm not sure why that always happens! lol

This Costume's a Cinch & Encore

I made this one for the VSN Challenge: This Costume's a Cinch. I had never made a corset card before but I knew exactly which paper I wanted to use. When I first started stamping I bought this paper to use on my Christmas cards. This is a long way from that Mrs. Clause card I made with it last time. Here is the link for the corset pattern. It took a while to make and I used my entire 45 minutes to cut, punch holes, set eyelets, and lace the ribbon.

Thankfully, the final VSN challenge was The Encore. So I had time to go back and change the paper that slides in the corset and add a few things I wanted to add. I used this for my anniversary card to my DH. Happy Anniversary honey! It has been a great 10 years! I know we have many more years to come!

La Vie en Rose VSN challenge

Here is the card I made for the next VSN challenge, La Vie en Rose. The challenge was to make a card with pink flowers. I have a ton of flower stamps but I decided not to use them. I stamped my tree in brown and then added pink Prima flowers to it. I then added a little bling in the middle of the flower. I just love this tree stamp from Unity. I made a couple of cards with this one.

Standing in the Spotlight

This VSN challenge was Standing in the Spotlight. I have never done a spotlight card but I really like the look of them. I guess when I stamp an outline image I feel like I need to color the whole thing. I can never bring myself to leave any of it uncolored. So I picked the Like it a Latte stamp set to do this one. I stamped my images in brown and the used the spotlight on the heart. I think the red panel draws your eye away from it but I had to add some color somewhere else!

You Can't Stop the Beat

This VSN challenge was You Can't Stop the Beat. I never knew what thumping was, but I guess I have done it before. You use markers to add more color to an inked image. You "thump" the color with the marker. I used a marker to thump a darker pink and a darker green on the inked image. I haven't used this set in quite some time and my goal for VSN was to pull out some stamps that need some love.

"I Wanna Be a Rockstar!"

This challenge was to make a card what was inspired by an album cover. I was inspired by Secondhand Serenade's Album cover. I really love their song out now and when I saw this cover I knew exactly what to do!

I used wonderful wings and silver embossing powder for the butterfly. I also embossed the french script on the BG and then put black ink over it, which looked purple. It was weird but exactly what I was going for. I can't believe how much this one goes with the album.

Chorus Line Challenge

The first VSN challenge (Chorus Line) Friday night was to make a card using the same image stamped 3 in a row. I pulled out my PTI ladybugs because I haven't used them in a while AND I didn't have to color them. When you make a card for VSN you only have a 45 minute time limit so not coloring cuts down on the time. I also used my cuttlebug embossing folder to make the dots on the black paper. I love this set so of course I love this card too! I wanted to add some ribbon or something but I'm not sure where I would have put it.

Photos 15 minutes from home

Chris and I went out today to take some pictures for the photo challenges on SCS. I wanted to share some of our best shots with you! If something was on my side of the car then I took the picture. And if it was on Chris's side of the car he took the picture. I think we came up with some great pictures!

We saw a hawk, a crane, and a few deer. All of these pictures were taken within 15 minutes of home! Of course, we didn't go into the city- we went to the boonies!

Happy Birthday Kelly!

I made this accordian card for my friend Kelly's birthday. When it opened up it made an excellent place to stick a gift card. I am loving this new fold and you can bet you will see more of these from me in the future. I use my Unity cupcake set and some paper piecing to make the cupcake match the DP. I also used my MS twill tape to tie it all together.

Play the Accordian MiniVSN

I made this adorable card for the MINIVSN challenge Play the Accordian. This was such an easy card to make- I can't believe I haven't done one of these before.

You can guarantee I'll be making more of them in the future. I love the way the DP adds a nice little touch. And it ties together so it stays closed. I loved this challenge!

Inspired by Moulin Rouge

Here is another card I made for VSN. This was for the challenge "Inspired by Moulin Rouge." You had to look at the dresses from Moulin Rouge and have one of them inspire you to make a card. My inspiration was the gothic dress and this is my gothic skunk! lol Anyone who knows me is not surprised by my choice!

Quick Costume Change Challenge

I made this card for the Quick Costume Change Challenge for VSN. I usually clean my desk off after each project so the hostess told me I could use my scrap bag for this one. I used the paper piecing so the cupcake would match the DP scrap I used. I also added a rhinestone brad for the cherry on top! I hope you like this one. I gave it to my DH for his b-day!

My VSN Challenge

Now that my VSN challenge is posted I can show you one of the things I've been making the last few weeks. My challenge was "Frame Your Star." I used a picture of my niece that I took on her 2nd birthday. I covered a photo mat with DP. Then I added a few girly things to go along with that cute little face!

I'm not feeling well today. I've got the crud and I'm sure it is because of the crazy weather changes we have been having here. I hope I'm up and going again before Monday!

Slimy Slug

I've been doing some stamping but it isn't anything new. I have made a bunch of my Halloween cards and I just have a few more to go. I thought I would share this picture of a slug I took the other night! I took Bandit outside and noticed him in the front yard. There was a slime trail all over the grass. My DH came out and shined the flashlight on the slug while I got focused. Then he turned off the light and I took this. Can you believe I took this in the pitch dark?

I found another slug eating a mushroom in my front yard tonight so I had to add this one too! The last few shots are of the moon: one w/out clouds and one w/clouds over the top of the moon.

A Few Photos

OK, I've been stamping but I can't share what I've done! Sorry! I'm getting ready for VSN. I'm a hostess for the first time and I'm excited about that.

So, instead of stamping projects I've made I'm showing you some pictures I've taken instead. The pink flowers are from clover that grows in my front yard. I've never seen clover with flowers before except in my yard!

The second photo is for the Heavy Metal photo challenge on SCS. I knew I had to take a picture of the rocket for this one. It fits the bill perfectly! It was a beautiful day today and the blue sky made a perfect backdrop for this one. I hope you like it!

Man in the Moon

I just had to share this photo I took of the moon tonight. I went out and played with the settings on my new camera.

Luv being witchy

I used my new Unity stamp set again! I can't believe it took me so long to find this stamp company. I love their stamps. They come in little fabric bags and they are rubber stamps mounted on cling foam. I had to make a card with the witch and "i luv being witchy" on it! I pulled the blue as an accent, which is not normally a color I would choose with this. But I think it turned out nice.

I've also been playing along with the photo challenges on SCS. This picture is for the Heavy Metal challenge. We were to take a picture of something metal or metallic without snapping cars or car parts. The elimination of car parts really made me have to think on this one. My DH has a shop full of engine parts that would have been easy. So once I thought about it I need I needed to take a picture of this railroad bridge over the TN river. When I went over it was pouring down rain. Thankfully there was a covered patio for me to stand under to get the shot.

New Canon Camera

I'm so excited- I got a new camera. I have been research D-SLRs and I finally decided on one. I got a Canon EOS Rebel XSi. My DH says that is code for expensive! lol I really love it! I have been getting out and taking lots of pictures to try things out. I've been playing around with the settings to see how things turn out. For those really important events, I use the auto setting until I can know that it will be right. These are just a few pictures I took the first day I had the camera.

Halloween Peeps

I have decided what to do for my Halloween cards. I saw this Unity stamp set and loved it, Trick or Treat Peeps. I thought I could make it look like Chris and me. I picked up the DP at the LSS. One side of the paper is what you see on the top half of the card and the back of the paper is on the bottom. I really liked that I could just flip it over and the colors match. I stamped the image with Stazon and colored it with my Koh-i-noor pencils (which I love so much). I used black to pop the stamped image. I hope you like it!

Monkey w/Cocoa

I don't think I posted a picture of the card I made using my new Changito monkey stamp. This little guy is just too cute! I love the way they made him look like he is shivering. I used some old SU DP and the words from Like it a Latte. I hope you like it!

Amazing Blog Candy!

I wanted to share this link for the possibility to win the most amazing blog candy ever! I can't believe how great this is! PLEASE check this out!

http://myblogbycammie.blogspot.com/2008/09/heart-to-heart-blog-candy.html

Halloween Treats

I've been making Halloween goodies this weekend. Neither one of these projects include stamping. The first project I made was the 2-4-6-8 acetate box. This little project was so easy to make and I love the way you can see though the middle of the box. I had a bunch of these little foam guys that my mom had given me a while back. So I decided to use them to decorate the box. You can't see it, but there is a bat on the top of the box.

The second project is a mummy paint can. I pulled out the twill tape and just put it around the can. I glued the eyes on the twill tape and then added a little more twill around the eyes. I also used my sponge and brown ink to age it a little.