Viva Las Vegas Design Team Entry

Good Evening Ladies,

Tonight on my blog I will be featuring my entry for the Viva Las Vegas design team. Stampo is gathering together a new design team. I am one of the hopefuls. You can visit the on-line stamp store at http://www.vivalasvegastamps.com/ There are so many wonderful stamps there...well you can just get lost in time. You can check out their blog at http://www.vivalas.blogspot.com/ They have a new challenge on the blog for the month of September. Looks to be a whole lot of fun.
Here is my entry....

 To create this entry I grabbed my grab bags of unmounted rubber stamp that I had ordered at viva las vegas stamps. I looked at these three images and decided these would be the stars of my project. Look below to see how this shadow box was created.

 I took a piece of La Blanche paper and stamped the lunchbox in sepia archival ink. This lunch box is converted to a treasure chest as you continue down.

 My next step was to mask the lunch box stamp. I then stamped my dolphins and fish with black archival ink.

 I then removed the mask and colorized my dolphins and fish using ranger cut n' dry pen nibs and Tim Holtz distressed ink in spiced marmalade, mustard seed, faded denim, tumbled glass, and broken china. I added gold spica pen to the lunch box.

 Next I colorized my background using make up sponges and Tim Holtz Distressed inks. I used broken china, tumbled glass, pine needles, bushed corudroy, and tea dye. I just kept blending the colors until I achieved the look I wanted.

 I then took the scene and tore the edges here and there. Some of the edges I curled.

 I then turned the lunch box into a treasure chest by adding beads, rhinestones,and faux pearls.

 The background for the shadow box was created using the Tim Holtz resist paper pad.

 Using the make up sponges and distressed ink I blended the colors into the paper.

 This is the back piece of my shadow box.

 The background paper was glued to the back of the shadow box board.

To complete this scenic shadowbox project sea glass pebbles were added by the treasure chest and the fish. Seashells, chain, an old coin, and a light house charm add the finishing touches.
I had a great time creating this project with Viva Las Vegas Stamps!
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Challenge #10: Altered CD at Stampin' Dymonz

Good Evening Ladies,
I know it is late but I just finished up this challenge for over at stampin' dymonz.
The challenge for this week is to alter a CD -- both front and back, using paper. You may paint the paper if you choose; however, the CD must be covered with paper. You must also include ribbon/fibers, 3 flowers and hand stamping. Check it out
http://www.stampindymonz.com/2011/08/challenge-10-altered-cd.html
Here is my take on the challenge....

 This is one side of the cd...

 This is the other side of the cd....

 I used a new Tim Holtz halloween clear stamp set for all of the images. The background papers are from Antique a new paper company. The witch, cat, and happy halloween are all popped.

 The bat is an EKSuccess punch. I took two bat punchies and put them back to back on a ribbon.

 The top tie is an art fiber. I think it is made for plastic canvas.

On this side I stamped the bat directly on the paper. The skeleton is glued on flat. The flowers are popped with black sparkle brads for the centers. I grunged the edges with Tim Holtz distress ink in black soot.
Another fun challenge from Stampin' Dymonz.
Thanks for the challenge...
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Challenge #9: Tag on Tag Stampin' Dymonz

Good Morning Ladies,
The weather is cool here today. I shut off my air and opened the windows. I'm am so ready for a little fresh air.
I have been working hard today to finish my challenge project http://www.stampindymonz.com/2011/08/challenge-9-tag-on-tag.html .

Challenge #9: Tag on Tag

This week's challenge is a tag challenge...with a twist.

As you can see by this sketch, this tag appears to have a "folder" on the front of the tag with a piece of paper which is inside the folder on a skewed angle. This week's challenge will have you put your spin on this sketch, including the following elements -- your tag must have a functional folder on the front and the piece of paper inside of the folder must be in the shape of a tag. There should be space on the tag for a small photo and some journaling. This space can be on the inside and/or the outside of the folder and/or the inserted tag.

Here is my take on the challenge....

 I used a large tag for the base tag and covered it in dsp from DCWV. I used three different papers from the same stack. I used a petaloo blank fairy doll and stamped her face with a Peachy Keen face stamp. Her wings are stained with the Tim Holtz spun sugar stain. I then added glossy ppa from US Art Quest and sprinkled the wings with diamond dust. Silk flowers from the dollar store make up her skirt, sleeves, and anklets.

 For my file folder I used a library pocket that I covered in brown glitter paper. I added a pearl and rhinestone accent from K&Company. The butterflies are also from K&Comapany. I used the spun sugar stain and colorized their wings to match the color scheme. My file tab is cloth from EK Success.

 My file folder contains two tags that are held on with spiral clips. The tags can be removed. The library pocket allowed me to glue only three sides leaving the top open for the access for the spiral clips. More tags can be added to this top opening if desired.

 I gave her anklets using the flower petals and pearls.

 This was all adhered using pop material and beacon 3 in 1 glue.

 I also used petals for the hair.

Thanks Stampin' Dymonz for the great challenge. You always keep me thinking outside of the box.

Happy Scraps,

Mrs. Swandog

Summer in the poppy field

Good Afternoon Ladies,
I am still in the midst of packing Sam for school. This is a bigger project than I first thought. I had forgotten how much stuff it takes to start up a home. Granted Sam won't use a lot of the things I am sending with him. But I have hopes he eats more than just ramen noodles while he is gone. He has decided not to iron his dress clothes. That should make for an interesting look. Well enough about that.
I have a card for you today......

This card features a little girl and her dog in the poppy field. I stamped the clear stamp image on a bristol board spellbinders die-cut with black memento ink. I colorized the image with Prisma pencil and Gamsol. For the background of the die-cut I sponged on Tim Holtz Distressed Ink. I used a Martha Stewart border punch on the top of the second mat and the border strip on the bottom of the card. The designer series paper is from DCWV which has been layered on the front of the card.
Most products used in this project I purchased at http://www.atjoansgardens.com/
Check out Joans for the latest greatest products and super fun challenges.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Hello Bird

Good Afternoon Ladies,
We seem to have received some rain from above. But it is still beautiful weather outside.
I have been scurrying around trying to get Sam ready for school. Most of the shopping has been finished. We are working on the packing and I am also creating at the same time. Soon it will be very quiet around here. We will see how that goes for me. I am entering uncharted waters as well as Sam.
Here is a sample for you today....

I call this card Hello Bird. The bird image is a one dollar clear stamp from Joann's. I just thought he was cute. I stamped him on a spellbinder die-cut with black memento ink. I then colorized him with Prisma pencil and Gamsol. I went over the wings, head, and tail feathers with a blue spica pen. I went over the body and the hello banner with a black spica pen. This gave him just a little bit of sparkle. The mats are from a DCWV stack. I used an EK Success border punch to create the border. I punched it out of a strip of paper. I did not like how it looked, so I turned it around and punched the other side. I came up with this unique border. Now I love it. The rhinestones are from a K&Company wedding pack.
Well, back to packing....
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Guest Designer Sherry Cheever new challenge at Joans Gardens

Good Evening Ladies,
It is a beautiful Sunday summer evening. All is quiet here.
I did a bit of running around with Sam today to get him ready to go off to school. I can't believe my baby is flying from the nest in a few days. He did get me set up with skype though. So I will still be able to see him. What a nice boy he is.
I have my entry for the new guest designer Sherry Cheever challenge over at  http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2011/08/guest-designer.html 
http://sherrycheever.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2011/08/11/at-joans-garden/ This is the link to the challenge instructions.
Here is my entry.....

 I decided to make my   project in a shadow box. I started out with an unfinished shadow box. I needed to stain the wood. I used Tim Holtz distressed stain in the dauber top bottle. This made the  frame easy to stain as I just ran the dauber top over the entire frame. This frame has a design to it. The low areas of the frame did not fill with the dauber top. To remedy this problem I took the Tim Holtz color wash spray. I took the top off it and dipped a paint brush in. I painted the color wash into the grooves in the frame. Below I took photos of the board out of the frame. I have found no way to keep the glare off of the glass. I wanted to show a better view without the frame.

 I built this piece on the wood backing of the shadow box. For the background I used a Tim Holtz resist natural paper. I took three colors of Tim Holtz distressed ink pads and shaded them in with makeup sponges. When I got the color just right I went in with a paper towel and took the color off the resist. I used a La Blance stamp inked with black archival ink and stamped it onto the La Blanche specialty paper. I then colorized the image with the same three colors of ink as I used on the background. The smaller areas of the image were colorized using the Tim Holtz stumps. My flowers are made using a set of Heartfelt Creations stamps. I stamped them on bristol board, colorized them with Tim Holtz distressed stain in the dauber top. I cut them out by hand and curled the petals. The next step to creating the flowers was to warm up my melting pot with clear utee in it. Once the utee was melted I dipped each layer by itself, stacking them as I brought them out of the melting pot. I added the pearls after they were finished being stacked. As Sherry suggested I used a hot glue gun to adhere them to the stamped panel.

 The panel was attached to the backboard with of all things a cut up piece of foam from an embossing folder package. I added the foam to the back of the panel and then to the backboard. This gave me the rise I wanted for the stamped image.

 The butterflies are premade by K&Company. But they were stark white. I took distress ink and a makeup sponge to give them the correct color.

 I tore and curled the image panel in a few places. Where I did this I used ink on the back so nothing would show white.

 Feathers were added to the artwork to give it a natural feel. These were attached with beacon 3 in 1 glue. I love this melting pot technique.
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

 

Halloween Kitty

Good Morning Ladies,
I am on schedule today. But as the day goes on I have a feeling I may get a little behind. I have a lot on my plate today. All the things on my to do list are moving me forward in one way, shape, or form. That is a good thing.
I have a Halloween card for you today....

Yes...It's a Halloween Kitty card. When I was on a trip last weekend I picked up a stamp set that has cute Halloween animals. So here is the kitty from the set. I colorized him with prisma pencil and gamsol. The inner two layers are cut with spellbinders dies. The black layer is done with a Martha Stewart punch set that my friend has recently purchased. She wasn't very fond of it until we punched this mat out. Then she went home and made a mat in a much smaller size and now she loves this punch set. The little pumpkin border is a punch by EK Success. The dotted paper is from http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2011/08/new.html
These little paper pads are wonderful.
Well....I'm off to continue on that to do list...
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

never too buried....birthday card

Good Afternoon Ladies,
I ran out of time early this morning to post before I had to go to work. So here I am in the afternoon.
Here is the card I have for you today....

 This card features a dog diggin' in the flower bed. I stamped the dog and sentiment in black momento ink. I colorized the dog, dirt, bone, and flowers with prisma pencil and gamsol. The grass and sky was created using pan-pastels. I found out something really cool about pan-pastels and gamsol. Once you have colorized your scene with prisma pencil and gamsol you can go in and created the background with pan-pastels. If you then take a paper towel to blend in the pan-pastels the gamsol prevents the pastels to affect the colorization of your scene. It is a dream to blend without worry.

 inside of card...

close-up of inside of card.....the scallops were created using a spellbinder die.
I am also happy to announce that I won the challenge over at Joan's Garden. Everyone should join in the challenges. They are fun and they get you to step outside the box.
Off to create....
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Christmas Card Time

Good Morning Ladies,
I have been missing in action the last three days. I was gone over the weekend and just too darn tired to blog yesterday. But now I'm back
.I have a Christmas card for you today...

This is a 5 1/2 inch by 5 1/2 inch square card. The background dsp is from a DCWV Christmas stack. The red mat was created using a Martha Stewart border and corner punch set. The square scallop is a spellbinder. The little reindeer dog is an inkadinkado stamp. I believe the dog is a westie. My friend bought me the dog stamp and I just adore it. This is a simple but cute greeting card. Remember you should be well on your way creating your Christmas cards.
I have been using a lot of square cards as of late. They give you a different perspective and sometimes a little more room to stamp and embellish.
I am also loving the Martha Stewart punches. They add that extra flair I like on a card or scrapbook page.
Well....off to get ready for my day job...
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog

Graphic 45 Once Upon A Spring Time

Good Morning Ladies,
I had a good time yesterday. I had a friend over and we played with stamps all day. We even finished up a thing or two. It was productive to say the least. She brought over her pan-pastels. I just love the pan-pastels. Today I am posting a scrapbook page....

 This is a very bulky scrapbook page. I'm thinking it would go nicely in a shadow box frame. The flowers were created using two rubber stamp sets from heartfelt creations. You can purchase these stamp sets at http://www.atjoansgardens.com/search/label/Heartfelt%20Creations The vine is from a sizzix bigz die. The paper is from a Graphics 45 tablet Once Upon A Spring Time. I love the fairies in this paper collection.

 For the flowers I stamped them on bristol board. I colorized them with prisma pencil and gamsol. I then hand cut them all out. If you go to joan's gardens you can also buy the die to cut them out with. I curled each petal and then stacked them together using pop material.

Graphics 45 is awesome...I just love their paper!
Well....off to my day job...
Happy Scraps,
Mrs. Swandog