DYSU #41 - Scraps

Hey everyone! So glad to have you back this week at Do You Stack Up?! 

This week we want you to Use Your Scraps!

This week's Sponsors:

A Day For Daisies $16 gift certificate

Just Some Lines $15 Gift Certificate

Pink Cat Studios Winner’s Choice of 5 Digis

Here is the card that I made with my scraps:

It may not look like I used scraps but, every piece of paper that went into this card was a scrap..even the card base!  I used to always use 12x12 paper so, I do have a lot of larger scraps...
For more inspiration, head on over the the DYSU blog and check out the projects from the rest of the DT and our FABULOUS Guestie, E.T.!Ok, now it's YOUR turn!  I hope that you'll join us in the fun over at DYSU and create something with your scraps!
Supply List:Cardstock: SU! - Rich Razzleberry, White - BazzillDP: MME - LushStamps: Flourishes - A Year in Flowers, With GratitudeInk: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Old PaperCopics: V04, V06, V09, YG93, YG95, YG97Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Ovals, Scalloped OvalsEmbellishments: Pearls - Recollections (Michael's), Ribbon - Celebrations (Michael's)

You don't know Jack...

Hey there!
I hope everyone in North America is having a great long weekend!  Up here, in Canada, it is Thanksgiving Day and our neighbours to the south have Columbus Day (which I think is also a stat)...


So, I whipped up this quick little Halloween card and to be honest, part of me likes it, and part of me feels like I could make it better...but, I don't have the time to fuss around with it right now as I have to leave soon for my Thanksgiving dinner with the in-laws....I think I'll just attempt a NEW Halloween card later in stead...

Well, here it is:

It was a quick one and I think it's all pretty self explanatory so, I'll just put a supply list at the bottom of this post in case you're curious about some of the products I used...

The LO was inspired by this FABULOUS card that the talented Jessica Diedrich made:

There you have it, a nice SHORT post after the post that never ends (my last post was SUPER long), LOL, hope you like it....thanks for stopping by today!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

- TGF Farm Fresh Challenge: Monday Fun-day - Black, White, & One other colour

- Anyone For Anya: October Photo Inspiration

Supply List:

Cardstock: Black - Misc.; White - Bazzill

DP: Echo Park - Splash (orange), Dots & Stripes (black & white polkadot)

Stamps: The Greeting Farm - Spooktacular

Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Old Paper

Copics: YR14, YR16, YR18, YG93, YG95, YG97, BG10, W4, W6, W8

Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Classic Circles, Scalloped Circles; MFT Die-namics - Open Zig Zag Border

Accessories: Ribbon - May Arts (bought from Flourishes); Button - CTMH; Twine - CTMH - Black; Bling Flourish - Recollections

Thinking of You...and Totoro, too!

Well, Flourishes has a SUPER fun challenge for WCMD...they ask that you find a photo of your favourite animated character and use that as a colour inspiration!


Well, this was sort of a tough decision for me to make but, Totoro is DEFINITELY my number 1!

Here he is:

Isn't he CUTE?!  Hehehe..definitely one of the best animated shows ever!  I LOVE Studio Ghibli (a Japanese animation studio) and recommend that, if you haven't, you should watch My Neighbor Totoro as well as Grave of the Fireflies.  The latter is set during WWII and is a very tragic story based on a semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka.  Roger Ebert considers it to be one of the most powerful war movies ever...My Neighbor Totoro, on the other hand, is MUCH more light-hearted!


Anyway, enough rambling from me...I interpreted Totoro's colouring to be grey, pale yellow, and neutrals (black & white)...however, my yellow didn't turn out to be so pale!

Here is my card:

Well, as most of my cards, it is pretty straight forward but, here goes...I used the GORGEOUS new Blissful 6x6 paper pad by Authentique for all three patterned papers and I did some faux-stitching to add some interest....I actually used a paper piercer to make holes then just drew the stitches from hole to hole for a more realistic look.  As for the black criss-cross stitching, I used my SewEasy to pierce the paper and then hand-stitched it with black embroidery floss.  I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock and cut it out using Spellbinders Nestabilities Ovals and sponged it with SU! Daffodil Delight.  Then I cut a frame out of black cardstock using Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 18.  This FABULOUS sunflower image is from one of my absolute FAVOURITE companies, Flourishes and is called Sunflowers (duh).   I coloured it using Copics (see Supply List below for specifics) and then fancy cut it and popped it up on foam squares.  Next, I added these beautiful rhinestone flourishes  which I cut apart and pieced back together to make it fit the space the way that I wanted.  They are from Recollections and I bought these recently when there was a big 50% off sale on all Recollections embellishments at Michael's.  Last, I added a few black rhinestones from i-rock to the sentiment just to polish it off....I hope you like it!

*UPDATE*
I forgot to mention that I won this Sunflowers set by Flourishes along with a huge prize package including 5 other Flourishes sets, an Impression Obsession stamp, 3 6x6 paper pads, some ribbon and embellishments over on the very sweet and talented Julie Koerber's blog.  THANK YOU so much, Julie, you're VERY generous!

I used Chupa's current Sketchbook Saturday sketch #31:

So, I had been mulling around my Totoro colour scheme for days before I actually put it into play and I noticed that the There She Goes Color Challenge had the same colours...a FABULOUS colour combo that I love and also just happens to coordinate with my newest 6x6 paper pad by Authentique (Blissful)...SWEET! 

 I know that I would've played along at TSG anyway but, since I only own ONE TSG stamp set so far and it's the Poppies set which I couldn't use with this colour combo anyway,  I decided to just make one card for both (neither challenge stated that I couldn't)!  I actually won that BEAUTIFUL TSG Poppies set over on Iwona Palamountain A.K.A. Chupa's blog...THANKS, Chupa!

I have a pretty long Wish List over at TSG now, so, hopefully soon I will be able to start building my collection...I actually just won a Mini stamp set from them during their birthday celebrations and I chose Flying By which was designed by Iwona Palamountain...ummm, can you tell that I'm a BIG fan of hers?  So the collection is already starting to build but, I really love the designs by Torico and Chris Dark...heck, ALL of their designers are great, but, I have A LOT of Torico on my list in particular and I'm hoping to get some sets for Christmas this year!  Fingers crossed!

I also decided to enter this card into the Flourishes Bring Back Beautiful challenge.  This month is "The Beauty of a Technique" and they want you to be inspired by a technique...maybe a new technique you've never tried, or maybe an old favourite.  I used quite a basic technique...it's an oldie but, a goodie! I used stitching...both faux and real.  I never usually think to use this technique but, when I do, I find it adds SO much visual interest to my cards...I REALLY need to use this technique more often!  I saw a tutorial somewhere quite a while ago showing how to do faux-stitching and that's where I learned to pierce the paper first...this makes the stitching look SO real that you have to look VERY closely to see that it's faux!  As stated above, I also pulled out my good old SewEasy (the one that I HAD to have when it first came out and now NEVER use) to pierce the paper for the criss-cross stitching and then hand stitched with embroidery floss.  Forgive me for being redundant.  I REALLY need to invest in a sewing machine...lol, not that I remember how to use one....the last time I sewed was in grad 9 (12 years ago) and I was NEVER a master seamstress!  However, I think I can relearn...especially since I'll only be using it for basic stitching on cards anyway!

Well, that's all I've got right now...sorry for all of the rambling and THANK YOU for bearing with me through all of that, LOL.

Here is a list of all of the challenges that I'm entering this card into and the appropriate links:

- Flourishes Wacky World Card Making Day Challenge (Totoro -grey, yellow, neutrals - black & white)

- Sketchbook Saturday Challenge #31

- TSG124 Color Challenge (yellow, grey, neutral)

- Flourishes Bring Back Beautiful Challenge #15 - The Beauty of a Technique (stitching - faux or real)

- Lily Pad Cards - Simon Says Stamp Presents a Bling Challenge (I realized I had forgotten to enter this card into this one, oops)

Supply List:

Cardstock: Black - Misc.; White - SU! - Whisper White

DP: Authentique - Blissful

Stamps: Flourishes - Sunflowers; SU! - All Year Cheer

Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black (image); Versafine - OnyxBlack (sentiment); SU! - Daffodil Delight

Copics: Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17, E44, E47, E49, R22, R24, R27, Copic Multiliner - Black - 0.3mm

Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Ovals SM, Labels 18

Accessories: Bling Flourish - Recollections (Michael's), Rhinestones - i-Rock, Embroidery Floss - Black - We R Memory Keepers - SewEasy; SewEasy - We R Memory Keepers; Tim Holtz Vagabond by Sizzix

DYSU #40 - Brown

Hi everyone and welcome back to a new challenge at Do You Stack Up?! In many areas, the weather is starting to turn a little chilly and the leaves are changing. The scent of autumn is in the air and with this wonderful season upon us we begin to think of the colors of the season. This week, while you don't necessarily need to make an autumn themed project, we would like to see you use the color Brown.

This week's Sponsors:

Copic Marker Scrapbooking 6 Copic Ciao Markers (North/South America), Martha Stewart punch (rest of the world)

Crafty Emma £10 Gift Voucher (exc p&p)

Delicious Doodles Winner’s Choice of 4 Digis

Here is my card for this week's challenge:

I was given this ADORABLE Mr. & Mrs. Owl image from Delicious Doodles to use and I paper-pieced them using Abbey Road from MME for the main body, kraft for the eyes, and white for the rest, colouring those parts in with Copics.  I perched them upon a Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 16 die-cut which I sponged with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Old Paper and matted it with a larger Labels 16 die-cut which I embellished with Kaisercraft Adhesive Pearls in Chocolate.  The background paper is also MME Abbey Road and the sentiment,  which is from CTMH Soul Mates stamp set, was stamped in SU! Early Espresso.

Well, that's all for now, folks....I really hope that you'll join us and make a project using the colour brown!

Supply List:

Cardstock: Brown - Bazzill - Misc. (Java???); Orange - SU! - Dusty Durango

DP: MME - Abbey Road

Digi: Delicious Doodles - Mr. & Mrs. Owl

Stamps: CTMH - Soul Mates

Ink: SU! - Early Espresso (sentiment); Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Old Paper (sponging)

Copics: Green - YG93, YG95, YG97; Orange - YR14, YR16, YR18; Aqua - BG10, BG11, BG13

Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels 14

Accessories: Pearls - Kaisercraft - Chocolate

DYSU #39 - Swirls

Welcome back to a new challenge here at Do You Stack Up?! We are very excited to announce two of our new DT members today!  They are Jan Garber and Mary Eason and we are SO happy that they've joined us!

Back to the challenge at hand...this week, we want to see you create a project using.....

Swirls!

This week's Sponsors:

Dearie Dolls Dearie Digi Paper Doll and Four Outfit Pages for Different Holidays and Everyday

Stitchy Bear Designs Prize

Crafty Individuals

Prize Package

Here is my card for this week:

This time around, I was given this cute digi by Stitchy Bear called Sunday Morn to use.  I coloured it up with Copic markers, cut it out with one of the Spellbinders Classic Squares dies  and threw it on top of this beautiful Lacey Squares die-cut that I also cut out with Spellbinders.  I adorned the Lacey Squares die-cut with lovely Light Coffee pearls that I got from Pizzazz Aplenty.  I used this beautiful swirly DP from the MME - Stella & Rose - Hattie 6x6 paper pad.  To add even more swirly goodness, I added this yummy latte coloured pearl flourish from Recollections...last week when I made a trip across the border to do some crafty shopping with my mom, I got a bunch of Recollections bling and flourishes at Michael's...all Recollections embellishments were 50% off PLUS I had a 20% off coupon for my entire purchase so I think I scored a 2-pack of these flourishes for $0.79!  Gotta LOVE those sales!  I always keep an eye out for deals like this...otherwise, I'd be BROKE with this hobby....Ok, I STILL am but, I have a lot more to show for my money!  ;)

If you'd like to know any of the products I've used, I am including a detailed Supply List at the bottom of this post.

Anyway, I really do hope that you'll head on over to DYSU and check out the inspiration that the rest of our talented gals have for you as well as welcome our FABULOUS new DT members!  Oh, and of course, I would LOVE to see what you can do to incorporate SWIRLS into your project!

Supply List:

Cardstock: Kraft - Misc.; SU! - Very Vanilla; White - Neenah

DP: MME - Stella & Rose - Hattie 6x6 Paper Pad

Digi: Stitchy Bear - Sunday Morn

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Old Paper

Copics: E40, E41, BG10, BG11, BG13, Colorless Blender

Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities - Classic Squares, Lacey Squares

Accessories: Ribbon - Celebrations (Michael's); Crochet Lace Trim - Misc. (Joann); Pearls - Pizzazz Aplenty - Light Coffee; Pearl Flourish - Recollections (Michael's); Flower - Misc. (Dollar Store); Smooch Accent Ink - Moonlight

West Coast Native Art by Peter Wayne

Hi everyone!
Just a quick note about my dad's new website!  He is an Aboriginal artist and does North West Coast Native carvings.  He just got this site up and running and will be adding more photos in the near future but, I'd REALLY appreciate it if you checked it out!


Here are a couple photos of his artwork:

 Owl Mask

Raven Mask with custom stand

Here is a photo of me with one of his carvings:

I commissioned this 3-foot Salmon carving (Western Red Cedar w/Abalone) for my friend's wedding present.

If you'd like to learn more about Peter Wayne, you can read this article on Squidoo...

Anyway, I hope you'll go and take a look at his site, he would be thrilled and any support is much appreciated!  

DYSU #38 - Duo

Hi All! So glad you are back for our next challenge at DYSU! Before we get to it though, we want to take a moment to say goodbye to two of our Design Team Members. Frances, who brought her beautiful style and coloring skills, and Tenny, who not only brought us cards, but also gorgeous scrapbook pages. You will both be missed and we wish you all the success and happiness you both deserve.


Which brings us to our next item of business – our Design Team Call! If you are interested in joining this wonderful team, please link up!


This week our theme is Duo! So we want to see your design elements in twos or pairs.

This week's Sponsors:

Stretch ‘n Bubbles Winner’s Choice of 4 Digis

The Stamping Boutique Winner's Choice of 5 Digis

JLJ Designs $10 Gift Certificate

Here is my card for this week:

Thanks so much for reading...I hope you'll come and join us at DYSU this week!

Fairy Dust is a Must...

Hello everyone!

It's a lovely day, here in the Vancouver area, lots of sunshine but, BRRRR, does it ever feel cold!  I can tell that fall is upon us...only a week ago, it was gorgeous HOT summer weather but, last week, the temperature suddenly dropped!  I can tell you that I have pulled out my Uggs and have been rocking my gas fireplace lately and, my two cats couldn't be happier!

Today, I have for you, a circle card.  I used one of the cute little fairies by The Greeting Farm.  The set is called, "Fairy Princess", and is from their new clear stamp line that just debuted last month.

Here it is:

I think this card is super straight forward so, I won't go into all of the details...I'll just include a Supply List below.  If you would like to make a circle card, but, don't know how, you can find a tutorial by Julee Tilman on her blog, here.  

I entered this card into the TGF W.O.W. challenge.  

This week, the challenge was to use this sketch:

Thanks for looking, I hope you liked my offering, today!

Supply List:

Cardstock: SU! Melon Mambo; Green - Bazzill - Misc.

DP: MME - Lush

Stamps: TGF - Fairy Princess

Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black; SU! - Melon Mambo, Kiwi Kiss (sponging on sentiment)

Copics: BG0000, E33, E35, E37, RV21, RV25, YG93, YG95, YG97, YR0000, YR000, E11; Multiliner 0.5mm - Black

Dies: Spellbinders - Circles, Scalloped Circles, Rectangles, Scalloped Rectangles

Embellishments: Pearl Flourish - Recollections; Rhinestones - Recollections; Rhinestones (small) - Misc.

Give Me a Squeeze!

*** This is my 2nd post today.  Please scroll down or click here to look at my previous post titled, "Wishing You a Day of Joy"...I am particularly proud of it...probably my new favourite!  ;) ***


Here is a quick card that I made for the Flourishes "It's a Bit Sketchy" challenge.  It only took about 40-45 minutes for me to make (this HAS to be my all-time record) but, I had already used this sketch yesterday for another card, "Thinking of You", so, that sped up the process A LOT...normally I spend HOURS on each card...lol, and I mean HOURS!


Here is the sketch:

Here is the card that I made with this fabulous sketch:

Thanks for looking!  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Supply List:

Cardstock: SU! - Very Vanilla; White - Neenah

DP: SU! - Paisley Prints (green), Autumn Meadow (neutral pattern)

Stamps: Flourishes - Life, Love and Lemons

Ink: SU! Crumb Cake (background); SU! - Soft Suede (sentiment); Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Old Paper

Copics: YG93, YG95, YR31, E44, E47

Accessories: Embossing Folder - SU! - Vintage Wallpaper; Pearls - Kaisercraft - Latte; Flower - Misc.