A New Take

If you're looking for The Twisted Challenge Blog Hop click HERE

Last week at my monthly techniques group we did a card that was a remake of one I designed a while back.  I wanted to show them the Puzzle Piece Emboss Resist technique so this is the card I designed to do it:

Birthday card featuring the Puzzle Piece Resist technique with the Creative Elements and Best of Birthdays stamp sets.

I essentially CASE'd myself from this card.  I changed up the colour scheme for a more dramatic look.  Isn't it amazing how just changing the colours can completely alter the look of a project?  For this version I used Smoky Slate, Melon Mambo and Basic Black.  I really love the way the pink pops against the neutral tones.  Next time you're stuck for an idea, try reworking something you've already done...you might just surprise yourself!

Happy Father's Day!

If you are looking for the Twisted Challenge Blog Hop, click HERE

First let me wish my own dad and my wonderful husband a very happy Father's Day.  Our big plans kind of went south in a hurry as I came down with a case of food poisoning last night.  I have never been so violently ill and nauseous.  There went my lovely breakfast in bed and the dinner with my folks.  Rats!  I am still pretty woosy, but at least am upright enough to write this post...though it will be a short one.
I have a new project from Craft Project Central to show you today...

Get Well Gift Ensemble designed by Julie Wadlinger

Somehow this project is very appropriate, given the last 24 hours I've lived!  No one likes getting sick, let alone in the Summer!  Here is a little Get Well Ensemble that includes a tissue box cover, bag of cough drops and a matching get well card to complete the ensemble.  This get well gift is sure to get your sick friend on the way to recovery!  Change up the theme of the project and make pretty tissue box covers to coordinate with every room in your house!  To access the tutorial for this project visit Craft Project Central and subscribe to June.  
Now to announce the winner of my free month's subscription Facebook giveaway...the winner is:

Tobi Oluwole

Congratulations Tobi...I'll be in touch with details about your subscription.

Have a great Sunday, everyone! 

Today is the day!

Announcing a brand new challenge blog to inspire your creativity!  I am so excited to be part of the design team for The Technique Twist!

Come join the fun!

This fun new blog is where we take challenges to the next level! Our goal is to see you go beyond the norm and push your creative boundaries!  Best of all, we want you to have FUN & learn something new! :)  To celebrate our launch we are hosting a blog hop.  You'll find the list and details at the bottom of this post.  

Now for the projects!  Our first technique challenge is Blown Ink.  I have to admit I had never tried this one before, but I sure am glad I did!  I played around and came up with two completely different looks that I just love.  Check them out:

Blown Ink Technique Sample 1

Blown Ink Technique Sample 2

 Cool, huh?  So, are you ready for the how-to?  For the background on the first sample I blew drops of reinker from directly above using a drinking straw and very controlled puffs of air to get as uniform a look as possible. When I was happy with the colour and pattern, I did the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique over top so the whole thing sparkles.  I used the new In-colours for my pallette:  Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush and Coastal Cabana and then added some Daffodil Delight for a bit of pop.  I thought it looked very psychedelic, so I pulled out a long retired stamp called Extreme Guitar for the focal image.  The sentiment is from a long-retired Hostess set called Perfect Words.  It was a hit with my 6-year old son who is like a magpie with anything sparkly.  I could barely wrest it out of his hands long enough to take a picture LOL!
For the background on the second sample I used watercolour paper that I spritzed with water first to allow me more control over how my ink spread when I blew it.  Then I used Tempting Turquoise, Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Real Red and Rich Razzleberry reinkers and blew drops across the damp paper to get the rainbow backgroud.  Kind of a blend of Reinker Splash technique and Blown Ink. The butterflies are from the Papillon Potpourri set and the sentiment comes from the One in A Million set.
What I loved about playing with this technique was the fact that I had no plan in mind for either card.  I just played and played and the cards kind of designed themselves!
Now for the Blog Hop details.  Listed below you'll see a series of links to each designer's blog.  Be sure to check out all of their work... you'll be surprised at how many different looks you can get with just one technique.  There's even a little incentive to participate in the Hop.  As you navigate the blog hop, be sure to leave a comment on each designer's post.  If you do, you'll be entered into a draw for some fabulous Stampin' Up! swag!  There will be one randomly chosen winner who will receive a truckload of great product.  My contribution to the  swag bag is the recently-retired Snow Much Fun stamp set 

and a package of Silver Glimmer paper.  

Perfect for getting a head start on your Christmas crafting this summer. So...start hopping!

It's our first challenge at The Technique Twist Challenge blog & what better way to celebrate than with a blog hop!  To enter, leave a comment on each blog for your chance to win a great prize pack!

The Technique Twist Challenge 01:Blown Ink

Jessica

Julz

Lauri

Leena (you are here!)

Pam

 We'll randomly draw one name as our winner out of all the entries! Contest ends on June 26, 2013 at 11:59pm ET. Good luck!

Late Again!

Wow!  I am really behind the 8-ball this week!  I was to have posted the latest offering from CPC yesterday but was so caught up in the drama around my son's school I completely forgot.  My sincerest apologies to Christy Fulk who designed this terrific mini album:

Mosaic Flip Flop Album designed by Christy Fulk

Isn't that cute?  I am so going to make a couple of these to give as gifts for some moms-to-be I know!  This is such a fun album to make!  There are eight 6" x 6" pages in this album, along with eight half page flaps.  Everyone will love how the pages "flip flop" when looking through it.  The album features the new  Mosaic Madness stamp set and the new Quatrefancy Specialty Designers Series Paper (DSP). You can access the tutorial for this project either by visiting Craft Project Central and subscribing to June or by liking my Facebook page and entering my draw for a free subscription.  If you choose the latter, be sure to do it by the 15th.  I'll be announcing a winner on the 16th!
Now for an update on the status of the fundraising effort to save my son's school.  Firstly, a HUGE thank you to all who made donations.  I am very touched and humbled by the generosity of so many of my stamping friends.  We raised an unbelievable $109,762.00 is just 9 days!!  That is well beyond our goal of $81,000.  The difficulty now is that several of the students who had pre-registered in March have chosen to go elsewhere due to all the uncertainty.  We are currently 3 students short of what is needed to balance the books.  As I type this post, the church officials are meeting to decide whether a vote should be taken to reopen the school.  We are all hoping and praying for a positive outcome.  We are confident that given another year we can turn the school's finances around and make it self-sustaining.  We don't know when a final decision will be made.  I will be sure to keep you all posted!

D-Day

Today is the day we will find out if our efforts to raise enough funds to save my son's school from closure have been enough.  At 4:00 pm this afternoon the school will announce the final totals.  We all are on pins and needles waiting.  This has been one of the most difficult periods ever for our family and many others who love this school.  Through it all we have been clinging to the knowledge that everything happens for a reason and that though we may not understand at the time, all will be made clear one day.  With that in mind, I made this card:

Encouragement card featuring the new Really Good Greetings and Dictionary stamp sets.

I used the Puzzle Piece Emboss Resist technique on this card...in fact we'll be making this tonight at my monthly techniques class.  I used the new Backyard Basics Framelits to die cut the butterfly...love that set!  I also used the Chalk Talk Framelits for the label behind the sentiment.  I am very quickly falling in love with the new Chevron ribbon...so elegant!  I used it here in Smoky Slate, which pairs perfectly with Coastal Cabana for a calming, serene pallette.
I will let you all know tomorrow what the decision is.  I know several of you have generously made donations and for that I am truly grateful.  If you haven't donated and are willing and able you can do so by clicking the DONATE button HERE.
Thank you...please keep my son and our family in your prayers today.

A Whirlwind Weekend!

Here it is Monday again and I don't know where my weekend went!  It was a whirlwind of running around with Max, and prepping and setting up for an event on Saturday and then being at the actual event today.  What a nutty life I lead!  I need to go back to work for a break...a class full of teenagers is calm and peaceful compared to the last week in this household!  Sadly I had NO time to stamp at all but I do have a new project to share with you from one of my fellow designers at Craft Project Central.  Check it out:

Cupcake box gift set designed by Amanda Corbett

Do you need a really bright and fun gift to celebrate someone’s birthday? Well this set has it all for you! There are instructions to create this fun pink card, gift bag, and cupcake box set that is sure to make anyone’s day!  I have a ton of birthdays coming up in the next few weeks...including my own!  I would LOVE to receive this cute ensemble!  So, head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to June so you can make it for me will ya? LOL  Seriously, this is a too-cute set that just about anyone would love to recieve.  Don't forget that you can win your month's subscription for free by liking my Facebook page.  I'll be drawing one winner from all the likes I receive by June 15th.  That's coming up this Saturday, so be sure and like me today.
I also want to remind you to check out my updated Retired Stamp Yard Sale page for great deals on retired stamps, dies, punches and more.  All of the proceeds from the sale of these items will go to help save my son's school from closure.  We're getting closer to our goal of $81,000.00 and every little bit helps!

I'm late!

I've been so distracted with all the drama surrounding the potential closure of my son's school that I have neglected my blog the last couple of days.  I'm late posting the latest project from CPC...my sincerest apologies to Monika Davis for not posting  this sooner.  Check out her fantastic project:

CREATE wallhanging designed by Monika Davis

Make this beautiful wall hanging for your crafty friends or family, or just to decorate your own craft room or office.  If making for a gift, be sure to make the matching card for an impressive gift ensemble!  This project makes for a fun class, club or camp project as well!!  To access the tutorial for this project visit Craft Project Central and subscribe to June or LIKE my Facebook page to be entered in a draw to win your month's subscription for free!
Don't forget to check out my Retired Stamp Yard Sale page to see if there is anything from your wishlist there.  All proceeds from the sale of these products are going to help save my son's school from closure.