DYSU #63 - Favourite Colour

Hi everyone!  Well, it's Thursday and that means we have a new challenge for you over at DYSU!

This week, we want to see you use your favourite colour on a project!

This week, we have three sponsors:

Winner's Choice of 3 Digis

$10 gift certificate

Petal Point Options Pad

Here is my project for this week:

Man, this is a TOUGH challenge!  At least, it was for me!  I don't really have just one favourite colour...I love MANY colours!  So, I settled on two of my favourites: aqua and dandelion yellow.  I used this ADORABLE new image from The Greeting Farm, Shimmer Bean.  Isn't she a cutie?  I coloured her up using copic markers (Y21, Y23, Y26, E50, E51, E53, R00, R02, BG05, BG07 BG09, BG10, BG11, BG13, Y13, Y15, Y17).  I added some shimmer to the flowers and to Shimmer Bean's wings with a clear Copic Spica pen and some flatback rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty in Topaz to add even more sparkle!  The paper is from October Afternoon and I topped everything off with some twine from The Twinery and a Vintage Button in Ocean Tides from Papertrey Ink.

Anyway, that's all I've got for you today....I hope you'll head on over to the DYSU blog and see what inspiration the other DT members have waiting for you and I hope that you'll play along!

Supplies:

InLinkz.com

Tutorial Tuesday with The Greeting Farm!

Hello Everyone and Happy Tuesday!

Well, I have to admit that this is a bit NERVE RACKING for me!

This blog post marks my VERY first tutorial EVER and I even went the extra mile and made a video!

I JUST purchased Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Premiere Elements (video editing software), and let me tell you, I have NO idea how to use Premiere or edit videos!  Even after hours and hours of fiddling around with my new software, I still didn't really figure out anything beyond splicing video clips together, LOL!  I would've liked to have added some captions throughout the video to cover things I forgot to mention but, I still haven't gotten quite that far yet!  None the less, I think it turned out alright...

I have really only been making cards and stamping for a year now and I am proud of the progress I've made, but, I definitely do NOT feel like an expert on all things stamping.  However, I thought it would be a good idea to make a video tutorial on trimming unmounted rubber stamps.  I admittedly did not know how to properly trim unmounted stamps myself when I discovered The Greeting Farm last spring and I did make the mistake of trimming a couple of them incorrectly.  I know that most stampers probably know how to do this but, having been a beginner so recently myself, I know how valuable such a tutorial will be for all of those who are new to stamping (or just The Greeting Farm)...and who knows, maybe even the seasoned stamper will learn a thing or two...

I also added a few tips and suggestions on using, cleaning, and storing stamps...this is not an all-inclusive guide.  I know that there are some other great ideas out there but, these are just a few things I had up my sleeve (that I remembered to mention) and thought that I'd share...

So, without further ado, here is the video:

At the request of one of my valued readers, here is some additional information on some of the products I use:
Scissors:
Here is a link to the Tim Holtz by Tonic scissors that I always use (as shown in the video) at joann.com but, you should be able to get them a bit cheaper at your local Michaels with a 40-50% ($7.50-$9.00) off coupon:
- Tim Holtz Non-stick Micro Serrated Scissors by Tonic $9.59

Stamp Scrubber & Stamp Cleaner: 
I use a stamp scrubber with my Ultra Clean Stamp Cleaner because it makes the stamp cleaner go SO much further!  Instead of having to use one spray to clean each stamp, one spray of the cleaner on the scrubber can clean several.  I can easily get through an entire stamping session with only spraying the scrubber once...or MAYBE twice. 


The scrubber I use is the Stampin' Scrub from Stampin' Up!
This stamp scrubber is great quality and that is what is shown in my video.  It's quite durable and I also like the fact that SU! sells replacement scrubbers to use in the scrubber when the original ones wear out.


I have also used a Recollections brand stamp scrubber from Michaels and it was similar but, not nearly as durable so, I would NOT personally recommend it.


Here are a couple of other non SU! options which I have never tried but, look similar, are on sale right now for 40% off and may be a good option from joann.com:
- Technique Tuesday Clear Stamp Scrubber $7.79 (Reg. Price $12.99)
- Inkadinkado Stamp Scrubber $7.79 (Reg. Price $12.99)

icopic also carries a stamp scrubber that looks similar as well as the Ultra Clean Stamp Cleaner that I LOVE:
- Stewart Superior Stamp Scrubber - Double (two-sided) $11.99
- Stewart Superior Ultra Clean Stamp Cleaner (2oz Spray Bottle) $5.49
They also carry the more economical refill bottle:
- Stewart Superior Ultra Clean Stamp Cleaner (8oz Refill Bottle) $14.99

As mentioned before, Papertrey Ink also carries the Ultra Clean Stamp Cleaner but, they charge slightly more.  If you are already placing an order with PTI, however, it may be worth it to just pay the extra money to avoid the shipping costs you may incur if you purchased it from another retailer.


Storage Panels:
As I said in the video, I use Stamp N' Stor panels to store my already trimmed unmounted rubber stamps by The Greeting Farm.  They will fit into any standard 3-ring binder.  The best price I have found for these, is at joann.com when they are on sale.  Right now, they are on sale for 40% off.  I personally like using the tabbed storage panels as it helps me organize my stamps and find them more easily when I need them.  However, they do cost a bit more than the regular ones.  Here are the links:
- Stamp N' Stor Storage Panels 5pk $3.89 (Reg. $6.49)
- Stamp N' Stor Tabbed Storage Panels 5pk $5.39 (Reg. $8.99)


DVD Cases:
The DVD cases I have are from Stampin' Up! but, Papertrey Ink is also supposed to be carrying DVD cases soon (their new method of storage) and I'm anxious to see what they're like so I can decide which ones I like best and make the investment to transfer all of my clear stamp sets to DVD cases.  That way, it will be much easier to find a set when I'm looking for it.


DVD Storage Boxes:
As I said in the video, I store my DVD cases in DVD storage boxes from Ikea.  I believe they carry several different styles but, I like the Kassett collection.  They not only have great DVD boxes at a great price ($4.99/2 in the US) but, they're aesthetically pleasing and there are many various sizes of storage boxes.  They also sell boxes to store CDs (which are great for storing all of your older PTI stamp sets), ones large enough to store 12x12 paper, magazine holders (which could also hold 8.5"x11" cardstock), and many more...All this, and they come in an array of attractive colours (white, black, orange, green, or black & white stripes).


Labelling:
I use a label maker by Brother that I purchased at Costco in the US.  You can buy the refill cartridges there for a great price as well.  I like my Brother label maker but, I haven't used any other type and I have read reviews which say that the Dymo brand label makers are better.  I do believe that Costco in Canada, costco.ca, and costco.com in the US carry the Dymo label makers so that is another option as well.

Anyway, I hope that you enjoyed the tutorial and were able to take something from it...Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!


I appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to watch...I know it's not the most thrilling experience, LOL!

Hope you have an AMAZING week!

Naomi

March Madness with The Greeting Farm!

Hi, everyone!

So glad to be back with a FUN contest since we haven't done one in a while!

TGF and the SHOWCASE Farmers are excited to bring you...

MARCH MADNESS!

What IS March Madness?

For the next three weeks,  we'll be going "MAD" with a few different themes!  We will draw ONE RANDOM WINNER who completes ALL THREE THEMES and the prize?  

THREE SINGLES of choice or 1 single and 1 4x6 set!

But WAIT!  There's MORE!  In addition to the one random winner at the end of the 3 weeks, the DT will be choosing their "SECRET FAVES"...one from each of the THREE WEEKS.  You will all go MAD wondering who those secret faves are!

At the end of the contest, those THREE secret faves from each week's theme will be posted on our FACEBOOK page and YOU GUYS will vote to determine our MARCH MADNESS HATTER...and that is NOT a title that Jess gives up easily, LOL!

Our VOTED winner will also win THREE SINGLES of choice or 1 single and 1 4x6 set!

The three winners will be announced and voted on MARCH 28th beginning at 8am CST, so stay tuned!

CHALLENGE ISSUE DATES are as follows:

3.7-TODAY!

3.14

and 3.21

That's a WHOLE lotta TGF madness!

This week's theme is "MAD ABOUT YOU!"   Create a card or project that is lovey dovey.  Ready for some inspiration?

Here is what I came up with:

I used the new  Sitting Lovely stamp set from TGF...I am SO glad to finally see Anya sitting pretty!  I coloured her up with Copic Markers (Y21, Y23, Y26, E50, E51, E53, R30, RV00, RV10, RV11, R32, R35, R37, R39) and popped her up on top of a Spellbinders Classic Oval layered overtop of a Spellbinders Beaded Oval.  I used PTI Rustic White cardstock, papers from the Jillibean Soup Blossom Soup 6x6 Paper Pad and stamped the sentiment (from Flourishes) in SU! Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink.  I finished it all off with some Hug Snug Seam Binding in Winter White and a large adhesive pearl from Recollections.

Now...the nitty gritty...here are the RULES:

*You MUST use TGF Stamps (other sentiments ok, but characters/etc. must be TGF)

*Upload your creation to Splitcoaststampers using each week's different KEYWORD so that we can view your creations in ONE PLACE.

This week's "MAD ABOUT YOU" keyword is:  TGFMM1

Projects are due by the TUESDAY BEFORE the next theme is announced at 8pm CST, so this Tuesday, March 13th at 8pm CST!

We hope to see a LOT of you GOING MAD this month with The Greeting Farm!

Have fun, my hatters!

Supplies:

InLinkz.com

Creepin' on by with a few cards using TGF...

Hey Everyone!

I hope you're all enjoying the weekend.

I really wanted to thank everyone for the amazing support I received with my giveaway!  I am hoping to have another giveaway soon...maybe when I reach 200 followers...it won't be on as large of a scale but, I promise it will still be GOOD stuff!

On another note, I still CANNOT believe that it's March!  It really crept up on me....so, I still have a few cards to share using stamps from The Greeting Farm's January release...OOPS!

Well, without further ado, here they are:

I used the adorable TGF Simply Anya for this card.  I coloured her up with Copics (E15, E17, E19; E50, E51, E53, E11; Y21, Y23, Y26; B91, B93, B95, B97) with some Authentique Free Bird - Poised 6x6 paper.  To embellish, I added a seam binding bow, a button and twine both from CTMH, and a tag cut-out with PTI's Tiny Tags Die.  Lastly, I added a little sparkle using flatback rhinestones in Topaz from Pizzazz Aplenty!

For this second card, I used TGF CC Madden.  I coloured her up with Copics (Y21, Y23, Y26, E50, E51, E53, E11, Y04, Y06, Y08, RV06, RV09, RV17, RV19, W0, W2, W4, W6, W8, C00, C1) and used papers from the Basic Grey Kissing Booth 6x6 paper pad.  The lace trim was white but, I coloured it with my Y26 Copic marker.  The large pink rhinestones are from Recollections.

For inspiration, I used Kim Yu's February sketch:

For this last card, I used TGF CC Madden again and decided to get GRUNGY!  I used papers from the Bo Bunny Et cetera 6x6 paper pad and distressed them with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Vintage Photo and Black Soot.  I used Spellbinders Tags Trio and PTI Rustic Cream cardstock to create the tag which I then attached with some Charcoal twine from The Twinery.  Last, I added a few black flatback pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty.


Anyway, thanks SO much for stopping by...I will be back in the next couple of days with some projects using the new March Release from The Greeting Farm!

I hope the rest of your weekend is AWESOME!

Simply Anya - Thanks Supplies:

InLinkz.com

CC Madden Kissing Booth Supplies:

InLinkz.com

One of a Kind Supplies:

InLinkz.com