CC Challenge #18 "The Recipe" Using StampersBest Stamps

Where has the month of June gone?  In just a few days it will be Father's Day.  So, I finally "got my craft on", and came up with this card to celebrate his special day:

The Swordfish Stamp is from StampersBest. (At stampersbest.com, If you use the Code CharB during checkout, you will save 10% off your Order!!)  I first stamped it with black ink, then embossed it twice with clear embossing powder to give it that just out of the water "wet look". Unfortunately, the picture doesn't show that detail very well. It does show up better if you click on the picture and enlarge it. The patterned paper is from MME Union Square line, the metal corners from Tim Holtz, and the pearls are from MM Bravissimo.

On the inside of the card I used another StampersBest Stamp, The Fishing Lesson,  for this humorous quote:

I hope my dad enjoys his Card, and has a wonderful Father's Day!!


 I would also like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Cooking It Up With Katie #97 - Texture a Metal Man!

Anniversary Shadowbox

 This project is a Shadowbox I created for my sister and BIL's 27th Anniversary. They have been through a lot recently, and I wanted to make something special for them.

 I began by "fussy cutting" along the damask shapes to create a "frame" for their photo. I also fussy cut from another sheet of the same patterned paper, along the damask patterns from the top to bottom of the sheet. I then cut them further to fit around the framed area. Next, I took a piece of lace and hand pleated it, using Glossy Accents to secure each pleat! After creating the pleated lace, I attached it around the cut-out frame using the Glossy Accents, then attached a strand of pearls over the "seam" of the pleated lace.Then I placed the picture of my sister and BIL behind all this and secured with adhesive.

The Bravissimo I used was three separate pieces. The "Happy Anniversary" used on the top of the page is actually a "center" sentiment piece. In the lower right corner I took a Bravissimo semi-finished teal rosette, and used a sentiment center "It's Your Day" on top of that. To beef the rosette up, I attached some box-pleat ribbon around the bottom of the entire rosette.

 Near the top of the page, on either side of the frame, I placed the dates of their marriage and the date of their anniversary using MM Paper Reverie silver letters, on top of two Spellbinders cut-outs. At the bottom of the frame I attached a TH metal flower and pearl bangle. I added two Anna Griffin butterflies and added some stickles, along with MM Paper Reverie Noir butterflies and some Prima Pearls! After I was completely finished, I enclosed the layout in a shadowbox frame, and called it done!! Everything used was from either OMC or CC, except for the following: shadowbox, TH Pearl Bauble, Anna Griffin Butterfly(2), misc. lace and pearl strand for "frame" (stash), Spellbinders die, Glossy Accents adhesive, and stickles-Crystal.

I would like to enter this project into the following challenges:

Cooking It Up With Katie #96  - Celebrate w/ Ribbon & a Die Cut 

CTO Challenge #65  -Thinking of You (use a flower)  

 MIM #93 -  with Bugaboo Stamps  

Whimsy Inspirations Challenge - Things with Wings 

Get Hippity with Ippity  - Challenge #22: Color Challenge Inspiration

Tuesday Alchemy - Challenge #18: Anything Goes

 

"StampersBest" Rubber Stamp Haul

Howdy everyone! This is a quick post today to show you a photo of some rubber stamps I recently received in the mail. They are all from a great company called StampersBest, and they are all made here in the good old USA!

This company has many things going for it, among them their great selection, prices, & customer service.  They also include a free stamp with every purchase you make! You gotta love that :)

AND, you can save 10% off of your order (any size) if you use my Code: "CharB".  Just type in CharB without the asterisks during checkout, and immediately save 10%!! What a Great Deal :-)

CC Challenge #15 - Homemade

The requirements for this week's challenge was to "Create a project using something that you've made yourself, rather than buying from a store (ie: Twine, Washi Tape). Make sure to include 3 different colors in the project." On this card, the "something homemade" includes two items. The ivory lace flower, and the pearl center used on the flower. The pearl center is a new technique I learned. It is actually created with 6 small pearls of the same color, one larger pearl of a contrasting color, and strands of "mini" pearls (3mm) that you can cut to your desired length. These mini pearls should be a color that contrasts with the 6 small pearls. To see a video on how to create these go HERE . One thing that I did that was different from the tutorial, was I used "Glossy Accents" instead of a glue gun. The jury's still out on which method is better.

For the card, I also used Spellbinder's Nestabilities Labels Twenty-Five with some black cardstock to "frame" the word "Giggle", along with some pop-dots to give it some dimension. On that frame, I added a Tim Holtz metal LEAF, along with some of his tissue tape across the bottom of the card. I finished it up using 3 of the MM Bravissimio pearls along the upper left side, and finally adding the "smile..." in silver Thickers, which connects to a quote on the inside of the card!

I really liked how the colors of the subtle old rose pattern in the background paper lent itself to a more "old-fashioned" look, complimented by the white color of  the Giggle phrase, the 3 pearls, the ivory homemade flower, and the metallic leaf. While the dimension of the pearl center added some different color interest, along with a smooth, tactile feel, to the card.

I would also like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Make It Monday Linky Party - #90 ~ Anything Goes
Whimsy Stamps Challenge -  Challenge 41~ Bingo
Get Hippity with Ippity - Challenge 21 ~ Flower & Leaves

Thanks to all who stopped by today and left a comment.
 Hope you have a wonderful day,
-Char♥

CC Challenge # 14- Blue and Brown

The Instructions for this challenge were to Create a project (LO, card, home decor - anything goes!) using blue and brown as your main colors.  For this card, I decided to try something called "Iris Folding". The word which is kind of covered up by the date stamp is "Perspective".

 Project made with MME Paris & Co. Paper, including the four different patterns (7 strips of each) that make up the Iris Folding in the center. Flowers made from Paris & Co. Paper. Also used Bravissimio Pearls, glimmer mist,Viper adhesive. Non CC used: Spellbinders Dies for flowers, Prima Pearls, Glimmer Mist, Anna Griffin Template, JoAnn's Embossing Powder.
 
The Iris Paper Folding is designed to give an outcome with the appearance of a camera shutter lens. The papers are cut to @ 6" in length, about 1" wide.  Next each paper strip is scored lengthwise down the middle and folded. After this step is finished, place each patterned paper in separate piles, to keep them in order.  Using the reusable template, you begin  to lay the papers in a pattern, overlaying each strip according to the template. When you have finished this, you will notice that a pattern has emerged, with each pattern paper making up a "sub-pattern".  Next, you cut out a shape to your liking out of a different sheet of paper, and this will serve as the front of the card, with the Iris Folding appearing in the center of your cut out shape.

I then created the three flowers from a Spellbinders die, and adhered them in the upper corner of the card, and further embellished the card with some Prima pearls, and a short quote "it's all perspective". The quote is kind of a play on the shutter lens shape of the Iris paper folding in the center of the card!  If you have any questions about this technique, feel free to leave a comment with your contact info. and I will get back to you! Thanks for stopping by!

The Paper Girls Challenge

Now, I know it isn't Christmas time, or even close to Christmas in July, and so you are probably wondering why these pictures are posted here at this time.  There is a contest going on over on "The Paper Girls Challenge", and one way to "gain" an extra chance at winning the Contest Prize is by posting a link to your blog where you have posted an ATC you made. An ATC is an "Artist Trading Card". Think of it as a  baseball card for Crafters. They are created to the same dimension of a baseball card, by individual crafters, and traded or "swapped" between said crafters!  And here are two Christmas-themed ATC's which I created, and thought I would post for this contest :)

CC Challenge #13: Create a project using the following recipe: Spring themed. Must contain 3 folds somewhere. Use 2 DIFFERENT paper lines.

A very quick card I made last night, for a cousin's wedding I will be attending this weekend. Products used: MME Paris & Co., and BG Little Black Dress Patterned Papers. Prima Pearls, BG Chipboard and Spellbinders "Floral Burst Cut-Fold-Tuck" Die to make the large "flower".

CC Challenge #9: The Man Project Using StampersBest Stamps

This weeks challenge,  The Man Project:, Requirement is to make a masculine project that must incorporate something that is transparent, clear or a glossy element.  When I heard what this week's challenge was, I knew what the perfect project for this would be-A Birthday Card for my brother. His birthday is on April 4th, and I need to get this in the mail ASAP!! Of course, I just finished making the card this morning! Nothing like being behind and waiting for the last minute :)

The glossy element is the Mailman Stamp, by StampersBest Stamps, which is covered in Glossy Accents. But you really cannot tell that from the photo! I also made him stand out by using 3-D adhesive to attach.

A View of the inside of the Card. 

The Hand-Writing Stamp is also from StampersBest.

Other Products Used: MME Kraft Funday PP, Embellishments; TH Distress Ink-Walnut Stain; Brown Lace from FP It's The Little Things Collection; Rosette from A.Griffin Paper & Funday Brad; TH Sentiment Stamp; Mailman Stamp & Hand-Writing Stamp are from StampersBest; Glossy Accents, Black Archival Ink.

Blog Hop Winner :)

What a fun Blog Hop! And so many inspiring projects by the participants! I know that there was a lot of work put into the Hop, both by the bloggers and the organizers.  But before I can call this Hop DONE, I have a little "housekeeping" to tend to.

First, I want to thank everyone who took the time to comment on my NEW blog :)  And to those who are now following my blog, I will try not to disappoint! Thanks Central and Mommyx2 for all the work you put into organizing the blog hop!

Now onto the fun news! I have a winner for my "blog candy". My parents drew numbers between 1-46 (the # of comments), and then took the average of those two numbers. The winning number was #25 and that makes "SharonDB" the winner!! Sharon, if you see this, please send me a PM or e-mail with your contact info so I can get your package in the mail. :)
Thanks!

CC Challenge #8: Packing A Punch

This week's CropChocolate.com Challenge #8 required you to use packaging from a CropCchocolate.com order to create a component or element on a project. I had spent so much time learning how to make a blog, and set things up for the Blog Hop, that I only had a little time tonight to create something before the deadline at midnight! So, I created a quick little card for the challenge. This is it:

I created the blue flower from some brown packing paper and Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Tumbled Glass. I then used a Spellbinders Die to cut the shape, and then "rolled" the Die Cut to create the Flower shape :)  Other products I used included MME "A Beautiful Life" PP, MM Paper Reverie "Metallique" Gems & Brads, Butterflies and Journaling Book, White Cardstock, Tim Holtz Stamp, & StazOn Timber Brown Ink.

Whew!! Just got this one in under the wire! :)

Welcome To The 2nd Unofficial CropChocolate.com Blog Hop!

Hi there! Welcome to "Creations By Char"! If you accidentally “stumbled upon” this post, and would like to participate in the "Blog Hop", please start at the beginning of the hop at Crafty Love 4 My Twins. If you arrived from Wildflower (Jasmine)'s blog, then you are in the right place! To help you keep track of where you are and where you go next, here is the official list of blogs.

The blogs on the Friday portion of the hop are:
Crafty Love 4 My Twins – mommyx2
Thrifty Sisters – Christina
Lisa (RnoAngel0712
pollyzas

Amber
Heather L.
BethD488
Paula Irvine
Corrie
Kathy (clayton528)

The blogs on the Saturday, March 24, 2012 portion of the hop are:
By Belle
Wildflower (Jasmine)
NanCDru:-Char
NinaN
Steph
Scrap Happy
Scrappy Canuck
Haf2scrap/Lucy
centralNYscrapper

Just a reminder to be eligible to win on this Blog Hop, you need to comment on each blog along the hop (their post that is specific to this hop – we have some great bloggers that post regularly) and be able to receive packages (no post office boxes). It is open worldwide.  Comments will be open until 8am MDT on Tuesday, March 27, 2012. Winners will be announced  at Crafty Love 4 My Twins on Wednesday, March 28, 2012.

For my Contest Project, I created a Card that I will be sending to a friend. The Rules for All Projects are  1.)  The use of  any tool to create a decorative border on at least one side of the Project. And 2.) The Project must be created using at least 50% of product purchased from CropChocolate.com.

My Card was created with MME "Paris & Co." Patterned Paper, Tim Holtz Distress Ink, MME Tres Jolee "Cherish" Quote card, Kraft Cardstock, & White Cardstock. Other Products used include Spellbinder's "Edgeabilities", Prima Pearls, Anna Griffin Flower, some misc. Lace, and a small blue paper Flower. Here is my finished Card:

Here is a view from the side:

And one final look. The quote reads "Friends, they are kind to each other's hopes. They CHERISH each other's dreams. -Henry David Thoreau"

Here is a shot that shows the cut Edgework of all Three Layers. Also cut out the "Fleur' de' lis" pattern along with a different Edge for that Layer of patterned paper. The way the paper was aligned, a "secondary" pattern is created :) 

Thank you so much for stopping by!  

In addition to the prizes previously mentioned, I will ALSO be giving away some "blog candy" of my own!  All you need to do to be eligible to win is to leave a comment here, and become a "follower" of my blog! (Hint: My giveaway will include something from "Basic Grey") Winner will be selected randomly from all those who meet the requirements.

Don't forget to leave a comment on ALL of the blogs you visit to be entered to win Blog Hop "blog candy"!

The next blog on the hop is Nina N. Make sure you stop by and check out her blog :)  

Upcoming Blog Hop!

I will be participating in a Blog Hop for the very first time, beginning this Friday March 23,2012. This is the 2nd Unofficial Crop Chocolate Blog Hop. The Theme for this Hop is "Borders", and participating Blog Sites will be posting a Project created using that theme.  Some bloggers will be offering free "Blog Candy" on their Site, just follow their insstructions.
If you would like to join along, I have listed the details below, so come hop along and have some fun!

The Details:
The hop will start at mommyx2's blog (http://craftylove4mytwins.wordpress.com/) at 8am MDT on Friday, March 23. Everyone will have until 8am MDT on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 to comment. We have two confirmed giveaways. One is a 12×12 Hello Spring Mini Theme Kit by Echo Park and another is a 12×12 Fourth Of July Mini Theme Kit by Echo Park (generously donated by Echo Park Paper Co. {http://echoparkpaper.com/}). To be eligible to win on the 2nd Unofficial Crop Chocolate Blog Hop, you need to comment on each blog along the hop and be able to receive packages (no post office boxes). It is open worldwide. The winners will be selected via random.org and announced at http://centralnyscrapper.wordpress.com/ on Wednesday, March 28,2012.

Webster's Pages Contest

http://vimeo.com/mynoveltree/websterspagesnowshipping

Valentine's Day Shadowbox

This is a project I created for my mom. I started out with a plain white, heart-shaped box and from there I covered the outside and "bottom" of box with paper from the MME Lush2 Line. The blue and white checked flowers I created using the same Line of Patterened Paper. The stylized "S", which I created in coordinating jewels stands for my mom's first name, Sally. The photo in the box is from my mom's Engagement Photos, which she had taken while engaged to my dad! Other Miscellaneous items I used include a cotton doily, dangling clear gems, and two cream-colored roses from MM.