Coffee Lovers & Crafters, Unite!

I was invited to participate in a fun Coffee Lovers blog hop hosted by Chaitali Narla and Amy Tsuruta.  If you are a lover of coffee AND papercrafting, then this is the place for you! 

I made 3 different cards, all using the same stamps from Impression Obsession.  But before I move on, each hopper has been asked to answer 4 questions, all coffee related, so here goes:

1.  When did you start drinking coffee?

Around my senior year in high school I developed the taste.  Me and my dad had some great bonding over coffee.  :)

2.  Name up to 3 brands of your favorite coffee.

Currently, I've put my Keurig aside and am enjoying Seattles Best #4 with my French Press.  It's a whole lot cheaper than K-cups!  I also love Starbucks Christmas blend when it's in season.  My favorite K-cups are Newman's Own and Caribou Coffee.  And I love Starbucks Via's as well.  My list is very, very, long.....

3.  What is the most amazing coffee you've had?  When and where?

A restaurant in Atlanta which is no longer unfortunately.  It was called Ocean and they served french press coffee with raw sugar cubes and heavy cream.  Heavenly!  But there's a coffee bar in Homewood, AL called O'Henry's and they make the best Cappuccino I've EVER had!

4.  If I don't get my needed coffee I'll.....

Seriously?  You don't want to know.  Let's just say, here in the South, there's this expression:  If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

So here are my 3 cards, with my favorite being last.  (**Please note, shameless plug at the bottom!)

Supplies: Pretty Pink Posh lemon drop sequins, Maggie Holmes blue sequins, Spellbinders Celebrations Tape It stamps, Impression Obsession coffee mug and quote stamps, Stickles yellow glitter glue, Ranger black ink, Powder Puff chalk inks

Supplies: Impression Obsession coffee stamps, Marvy sunset blend box ink, Ranger black ink, FabScraps gemstones, Tombow Mono Aqua liquid glue, Tim Holtz Gathered Twigs distress marker, white gel pen, Jolees Boutique pink paper jute, DCWV designer paper, pop dots

I also plan on entering one or two of my cards in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes challenge.  Join in and link up!

Supplies: Impression Obsession coffee stamps, Tim Holtz Distress ink Brushed Corduroy, Tim Holtz Gathered Twigs distress marker, watercolor paper, Ranger mini blending tool

**FYI, did you know Oct. 4th is National Cardmaking Day?  We will be having a fabulous giveaway over at Mountain Plains Crafters Facebook community page, sponsored by Graphic 45 so be sure and like us on Facebook and check in on Oct. 4th! 

Fall Greetings

It's Friday again and I'm here in my craft room having fun while the hubs and 12 year old are at the high school football game.  Go Bearcats!  I'd much rather craft than watch the kid pace the track with his buddies, know what I mean?  Haha.

I made this awesome Fall card to enter in a several different challenges: Unity Stamp Co Friends with Flair,  the Wednesday Work It color challenge over at Simon Says Stamps, the  Rubber Dance Art stamp color challenge.  This is a new site I recently discovered and a perfect fit for my card. 

I took a great piece of designer paper and embellished it, adding the pumpkins, the sentiment and the leaves scattered across the top.  I ripped the paper and edged it with Colorbox cat eyes olive green ink.  The pumpkins and sentiment are both from the Unity "Pumpkin Greetings" stamp set and were inked and then painted with Clearsnap Smooch Glitz in Goldrush. 

The leaves were the perfect accent and are from Avocado Arts "Nuts about You" stamp set.  The straw?  I bought it this summer at the Scrapbook Expo.  It came as a sheet of straw-like fiber that I trimmed and glued with Tombow Mono Aqua Glue.  Doesn't this put you in the mood to head down to the local pumpkin patch?  It does me.  Have a great weekend!

My Pinterest-click here

Additional supplies:  Spellbinders Celebrations Odacious Orange, Tim Holtz distress ink in Brushed Corduroy, Tim Holtz distress markers in Gathered Twigs and Mowed Lawn, Queen & Co. Orange bubbles, DO from The Paper Studio Amber Autumn Fall Stack 12 x 12, pop dots

A challenge to the crafting industry, no water involved! This is extreme!

First, thank you for clicking on this post.  I have been forced to do something I really don't want to do but it would seem, extreme measures must be taken.  Don't stop now, keep reading.  I'll try and make it quick.

 

I would like to issue a challenge to the crafting industry.  It appears that I must tackle this issue head on and get the attention of the big boys.  And girls.  This challenge does not involve water or ice.  What it does involve is this; help.

 

See this card?  Sheryl Kemper sent this to me when my son got his first dog.  How sweet is this?  The girl has MAD skills.   Not long after, Mountain Plains Crafters was formed by myself, Sheryl and Pam Stang.  

 

 

Sheryl probably owns every tool, brand of designer paper, stamps...you name it.  She is now being forced to sell her beloved crafting stash just to make ends meet due to her husbands cancer treatments.  Their journey with cancer is just beginning but already, it's becoming a financial nightmare.

 

So, now, the challenge:  I'm challenging every member of the Craft and Hobby Association, every major company (and minor, hey, we're not choosy)  in the crafting industry, to step up and give something to help Sheryl make it through this trying time.  She is one of us, and we need to show her, despite the economic challenges that the crafting industry has and continues to face, you are willing to step up and show the world what you are made of; drive, willpower, enthusiasm and compassion.

 

Lastly, I said drastic measures need to be taken.  I am going to do something absolutely ridiculous.  My husband says I'm nuts.  Well, that's nothing new.  The current goal is to raise $20,000 in the next 121 days.  I am asking you to please, please open up your checkbook and donate.  In return?  If this goal is met, I am willing to shave the hair off my head.  WHAT??!!  And.....if it's useable, donate it to Locks of Love.

 

Forget buckets of ice water, I am willing to go the extreme for my friend to help ease their financial burden and raise awareness for her plight.  I can guarantee you, it's not going to be a pretty sight.  Of course, I will also video the event so you can see that I kept up my end of the bargain.   So, there you have it.  It starts now.  Don't wait, just do it.  You'll be glad you did, I can promise you that.  We'll keep you posted on the progress too. 

 

Donate here and then bookmark the following links so you can keep up with the progress:

 

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/cancer-caught-us-completely-off-guard/226551

 

 

Other links:  http://mountainplainscrafters2.blogspot.com

http://wavingmywand.blogspot.com

Mountain Plains Crafters Community FB page

MPC on Twitter

Wavingmywand on Twitter

 

#CHA #Cre8time #unitystampco #phyllisharris

 

Winner! And some other crafty news....

If you tuned in over the weekend then you know there was a Pirate Hop over at Mountain Plains Crafters and some of the design team were giving away blog candy.  The winner of my giveaway via Random.org is

#6 Linsey R.

Congrats Linsey!  I'll be in touch or you can email me your info at momtojeb (at) gmail (dot) com.

Now, go to this link:  Mountain Plains Crafters and check out the other girls links to see if you won blog candy from them.

IMPORTANT!!  If you haven't linked up yet to the MPC August/Sept. challenge, there's still time.  Get your project in by 9/24/14.  There's a fabulous prize from Pan Pastel; a Donna Downey mixed media kit!  Wowza!  Here's the link:  MPC Aug/Sept challenge

5 days left, link up for Pan Pastel prize!

Hurry and get your Autumn/leaves project linked for an awesome prize from Pan Pastel, a Donna Downey mixed media kit!  Ends 9/24/14

http://mountainplainscrafters2.blogspot.com/2014/08/new-challenge-at-mpc-link-up-your.html?m=0

Glitter Christmas card

I've made this card for a couple challenges:
 Waffle Flower Crafts and 
 Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.  

At Waffle Flower, there are 2 ways to enter your project:  a sketch card or build a scene.  I went with the sketch as seen here:

I used a lot of elements on this card, most of which are pictured below, but the stamps are all from the Waffle Flower set "A Homemade Christmas".  For Simon Says Stamps, the challenge is to make a tag or incorporate a tag into your project. 

This was a 2 day project as I used shimmer paint and did some mixed media on the base tag and it needed to dry overnight.  First, I took the Joy stamp and inked all over the tag with Versamark clear ink, then heat embossed with Ranger white embossing powder.

 

  Next, I painted the tag with green shimmer paint and allowed to dry.  I used the same shimmer paint (mixed with a bit of water on an acrylic block) on the trees, painting the stamp and inking on watercolor paper, even experimenting with different shades and generation stamping.

 

Day two, I inked the painted tag with white ink, allowed to dry, then used a damp cloth to wipe and remove some of the white, leaving a textured look.  I also used the tag re-inforcer die from Waffle Flowers and a scrap piece of green paper to use on the smaller tag.  I added mini glue dots to the trees and sprinkled with extra fine red glitter, pressing into the dots and shaking off excess.

It was a lot of work but fun work!  Hope you like it.  :)

P.S.  We're having a fun challenge over at Mountain Plains Crafters so hop on over and enter a project for a cool prize.  Ends 9/24/14.

Supplies: Waffle Flower "A Homemade Christmas" stamp set, My Mind's Eye Mistletoe Magic designer paper, mini glue dots, Basic Grey candy buttons, May Arts Ribbon 2 mm red bakers twine, Martha Stewart gold ink, Spellbinders Luscious Lime Silk Luster, red extra fine glitter, Versamark clear ink, embossing buddy, Ranger white embossing powder

 

Supplies not pictured:  Tombow Xtreme adhesive tape, Tombow hook and loop fastener (inside card, holding twine), American Crafts Rouge ink, Wink of Stella clear glitter brush, Crafter's Essentials wipes (to clean my acrylic block), Recollections white ink, Scotch foam dots, American Crafts glitter tape in red and green, Waffle Flower tag re-inforcer die

#waffleflowercrafts #Cre8time #simonsaysstamps

Pirates and Treasure card

So, today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day.  Seriously.  Who knew?  Well, the girls over at Mountain Plains Crafters knew.  We all made a project that you can check out here AND..... there's some blog candy a.k.a. buried treasure to be found too, but first, I thought I'd give you a little info on my pirate card and talk about one particular pirate fan in my household.

When my son was but a wee babe, I actually dressed him as a Pirate and decorated his stroller for a parade we were participating in.  You could say we had a Pirate in the making.  As my guy grew, he became a big fan of all things Pirate.  One year we took him to a Live Dora the Explorer show which was, of couse, thematically a Pirate show. 

Around that same age of 5 or 6, we had birthday invitations made with my son posing with his best scowl.  Later on, Pirates of the Caribbean became all the rage and my son was a wannabe pirate, replete with a McDonald's happy meal skull cap and braids.

To make this card, I rummaged around my 12 year old son's room until I found what I was looking for.  One of the few things that never got tossed was this Disney Pirates of the Caribbean map.  I salvaged the part that DIDN'T have scribble all over it  No, I didn't feel bad chopping up a piece of my son's past.  It was a mess anyway, plus, now I have a fabulous new card that I can do something wonderful with.

To get the burned look, I tore the edges and inked it with distress ink.  The sentiment was stamped on watercolor paper, inked in distress ink and waterered with a paintbrush, also torn and edged with more distress ink and splattered red misting paint.  I used a white gel pen to draw lines to the treasure, stamping a white star marking the spot.  The pirate skull was fussy cut from the same map and the ship and coins are from a pirate button kit.   Love how it turned out!

Now for the blog candy.......I have a crafty goody grab bag I'll be giving away valued at $10.00.  Scroll to the bottom of the post to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.  Winner will be announced Monday, Sept. 22nd.  Good Luck!

 *I'm also entering this into the Unity Stamps Friends with Flair challenge.  Check it out here and enter a project of your own!*

**Unity Stamps and Tombow are proud sponsors of Mountain Plains Crafters - if you would like to sponsor MPC, please contact Terri at mountainplainscrafters at gmail dot com

Supplies: Unity Stamp Co Halloween Chatter kit, Unity Stamp Co Splatters & Stars set, Dress it Up Pirate buttons, Tombow Xtreme adhesive runner, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Brushed Corduroy, October Afternoon Sprinklers Red Wagon, Gelly Roll white pen, Recollections white ink, craft twine, Stamper's Secret Weapon by Sizzix and Stephanie Barnard, Ranger mini blending tool, foam dots, Re-purposed Disney Pirates of the Caribbean map

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stamping....an Art

I saw a statement recently from a lady who doesn't "get" stamping.  I understand that mindset, as I too didn't understand the appeal at one time in my life. 

 

That statement got me to thinking.  If you're reading this, you are most likely a creative person, interested in crafting perhaps?  After all, this is part of who I am and part of my personal blog.  Or, you're one of my family members or friends just checking in and seeing what I'm up to today!

 

We all know, art comes in many forms.  As a kid, I loved art.  I excelled in classes, maintaining a sketch book and drawing in it every chance I got.   Eventually, on into the high school years, other things took over my life and art was put on the backburner.  It wasn't until about 5 years ago that a friend introduced me to scrapbooking.  I was in love!  All my creative juices started flowing again.  There's a satisfaction that comes from visualizing something and bringing it to life.

 

As an artist, we are influenced by other creators.  We learn new techniques, new tricks, increase our knowledge and add newly learned skills to our repertoire.   When the desire to create was renewed, stamping was not at the top of my list.  However, there were many in my crafty circle who did stamp.  At the crops I went to, I would walk around, see who was doing what, ask questions and file away that information.  I'm not even sure how I got started stamping.  I do remember picking up a few stamps from our local craft store.  The next thing I know, I'm an avid user of Unity Stamps and a member of their Show and Tell group. 

 

About a year later, my crafty life changed dramatically.  I was approached by two online friends at Unity to join them in a new venture which became Mountain Plains Crafters.  Three months later, I'm guest blogging for the Craft and Hobby Association 2014 Paper Arts show and I've got some other fires in the pot as well.   All this, since taking up paper, scissors and stamps.

 

Are you also one who doesn't "get" the technique of stamping?   Give it a try.  It might just take you places you never even dreamed of.

 

"To understand the art of stamping, think of the stamp as a shell.  It's your job to fill in that shell and build around it.  Truly, no two shells are alike."  Terri Burson, artist, blogger and occasional poet, copyright 2014

 

Gold Rush card

When Kinnari Zaveri, owner of Pinkfresh Studio says she wants you to make a gold project, what do you do?  You go make a gold card! 

  

We met and had a lovely chat at the Craft and Hobby Association's Paper Arts trade show in July 2014.  She is a super sweet lady and makes really cool, trendy embellishments.  I thought I would join in the fun so I started out with this beautiful piece of handmade paper, all the way from Nepal.  I purchased this while I was at the trade show and this was the perfect opportunity to put it to use. 

In fact, the TCW stencil and the Crafter's Essential products that I'll be using also came from the Paper Arts show. 
So first....I used the Crafter's Essential Easy See tape to hold down my stencil.

 

Next, I punched several 3/4" circles and placed randomly over some stencil holes.  You'll see why in a minute.

I had a little trouble getting my gold sequins out of the box, so for the first time, I tried out the Easy Grip and it worked great!  Just a little dab on my finger was all it took.

 

 

 

I've got this great sentiment kit from Unity Stamps called, "All About You".  I lined up several random words from the kit to stamp over the stencil.  I'm going to stamp all over the stenciled paper with the entire block of words, saving those circles.....

 

 

Now, those white circles that I used to block out over the stencil?  I used those circles as additional embellishment, raising some with foam dots.  I inked them with Martha Stewart gold ink, painted with Clearsnap Goldrush Smooch Glitz and added some extra gold glitter.  Isn't it pretty?

 

The added embellishments are the May Arts Ribbon natural twine and the neon drop sticker from Pinkfresh Studio, sequins are Pretty Pink Posh and Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper.   I'm entering this card into the gold challenge at Pinkfresh Studio and Unity Friends with Flair.

 

Kinnari, how'd I do?  #grin

 

 

**Unity Stamp Co, May Arts Ribbon, Tombow and Clearsnap are proud sponsors of  Mountain Plains Crafters.  If you'd like to be a sponsor, please contact Attn: Terri, mountainplainscrafters at gmail dot com (I'm still looking for a "bling" sponsor!)

 

 Supplies: Unity Stamp Co All About you sentiment kit, Pinkfresh Studio neon drop stickers, Pretty Pink Posh lemon drop sequins, Maggie Holmes Crate Paper gold sequins, Yellow Stickles glitter glue, Crafter's Essentials Easy Grip and See Thru tape, My Minds Eye designer paper, TCW stencil, Tombow Xtreme adhesive runner, Clearsnap Goldrush Smooch Glitz, Tim Holtz Brushed Corduroy distress ink

 

#Cre8time #CHASHOW #PINKFRESHSTUDIO

Winter Owl Greetings

 We're going critter crazy over at Mountain Plains Crafters.  Just for fun, the girls decided we should all make a critter card, so each of us picked a different animal.  This is my first time inking up this little guy who I've nicknamed "Harvey", haha.  He came from a mystery grab bag over at Unity Stamps.  I painted him on watercolor paper with my brown Tim Holtz distress marker, watercoloring in places and used a white gel pen.  He was fussy cut and propped up behind the branch. 

Isn't he adorable?  You can't tell from this picture but I painted over the sentiment with my Wink of Stella clear glitter brush.  It is so gorgeous in person!

 

The branch is courtesy of my yard and the sparkly snow is from Doodlebug Design, Chunky glitter in Lily White, on top of The Rubber Cafe's Scrap Happy white glue.

 

You should know, that the sentiment did not come with that sweet owl although the speech bubble did.  I masked the sentiment and added a different one (Unity Stamp October kit of the month 2013 Oh Christmas Tree).  The sentiment fit perfectly inside the speech bubble!  I'll betcha this kit will go on sale soon, so bookmark it and check back.  It's one fabulous kit and one of my favorites.

 

My Pinterest - click here

 

 

Not one to let a cute card go to waste, I'm entering this card into several challenges:

Unity Friends with Flair, Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, Clique Kits September Challenge.  Check out the links and join in on the fun!

 

#Cre8time #CHASHOW

 

 

Rainbow Doily card

I woke up super early this morning and couldn't go back to sleep, a.k.a go finish a card.

This bold and bright card is complements of the DCWV stack, Prism Play and Spellbinders Celebra'tions Doily Art embossing folder.

 

Quick rundown:  After embossing my paper, I sanded it a bit to enhance the doily.  The sentiment was heat embossed and is from the "Many Words" Spellbinders Celebrations stamp set.  Those sweet colorful neon drop stickers are from Pinkfresh Studio.  It only took a few products to make this super cool, simple card.  Love it!   I plan on entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge using stamps.  They're having a big Stamp-tember celebration and I think this card fits in perfectly.  :) 

 

My Pinterest - click here

 

 

 

#Cre8time #Richardgaray 

Scripture Doily card

Here's a lovely card using a Unity Stamp Co "Vintage Scripture" sentiment.  I adore scripture sentiments and have used this stamp numerous times.  I've also created a doily with Spellbinders Celebra'tions Doily Art Embossing folder.  I inked it twice, first with Golden Glow Spellbinders ink, then ran it through my Cuttlebug again after stamping Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass ink.  I actually inked the folder itself rather than the paper. 

 

Next,  I did some paper piercing to enhance the doily effect, using my Stamper's Secret Weapon.  If you're a crafter, you need one of these.  I love mine!  Find out about it here. 

 

All these lovely goodies, lying on top of this pretty Heirloom paper from Kaisercraft and twinkling with Maggie Holmes butterflies and May Arts Ribbon twine.  I love how it turned out.  I'm entering this project into the Friends with Flair challenge at Unity Stamps and the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge using stamps.  Come join in on the fun!

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies: Kaisercraft Heirloom paper pad, Spellbinders Celebra'tions Golden Glow ink and Doily Art embossing folder, Zing black opaque embossing powder, Unity Stamps Vintage Scripture set, May Arts ribbon natural twine, Tombow Hook & Loop Fastener tabs, Tombow X-treme adhesive runner, Maggie Holmes foil butterflies, Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass distress ink, The Paper Studio kraft card 5x7, October Afternoon Cakewalk die cut (not pictured), Sizzix Stamper's Secret Weapon and paper piercer

 

#Cre8time #CHASHOW

Vintage and Modern = one cool Santa

Today I received some goodies from Pretty Little Studio and being the impatient crafter that I am, I of course had to dive right in. . I love this vintage Santa from their Jolly Santa Vintage Tags collection.  So, I decided to work around him.

I just finished another card using this striped stamp from Spellbinders and thought it would be perfect as a red/green candy striped washi style accent.

This was a quick, easy card which I'm coming to appreciate more and more these days.  I added some enamel dots and then the sentiment which was perfect!  It's from Waffle Flower and part of their new "A Homemade Christmas" set.

So, who's started their Christmas shopping??  (Not me!)

SUPPLIES:

Spellbinders Celebrations Tape It stamps, Pretty Little Studio Jolly santa vintage tags, American Crafts Rouge ink, Powder Puff Limeade ink, Studio Calico enamel dots, Waffle Flower A Homemade Christmas stamp set, Tombow Xtreme adhesive, foam dots

Don't labor today, make a 10 minute card!

Today is Labor Day, which for me, means time in the craft room.  Yay!  I thought it would be fun to make a quick, easy card using some fabulous, new products.

The wonderful folks over at Crafter's Essentials/Lee Products sent me some goodies to try out.  I was already a huge fan of the hand cleaning pads, so today I'm using those, along with the Easy See tape.  I've been working on a custom order, so I thought I would naturally incorporate these products into my project.

I started with a pretty piece of DCWV plaid adhesive backed paper.  Trim to size, peel the backing and done!

Next up is inking my Spellbinders stamped images with the new Golden Glow and Pretty Plum ink, also Spellbinders.  I used 3 different stamps from the Spellbinders Celebra'tions Tape It and Just Because sets. 

The Crafter's Essentials wipes go SUCH a long way in cleaning up my mess!  Not only for my inky hands, but I cleaned all 3 of my stamps with the same pad.  I'm telling you people, these wipes clean stamps like a dream!  I've also used them to clean my craft mat when I'm all done.

Next, I cut my flower images using the coordinating dies through my Cuttlebug.  I took a piece of the Easy See tape and used it as a shim to keep my die from moving.  You can use that same little strip over and over and over....peels off so easy!  Of course, I'm a thrifty crafter so I stuck that piece of tape on the edge of my desk to use again on a later project.

Lastly, I used some quick supplies from my stash to embellish my card; Lawn Fawn grass die, Freckled Fawn neon enamel dots, and May Arts Ribbon in the chevron green stripe design.

Quick and easy card that could be used for any type of celebration!  And, bonus?  Quick and easy cleanup with the Crafter's Essentials products!