Praierie Papier Ponderer

Bloggers Challenge 57 - Christmas in July

So, I'm a little late with this challenge but just by a few hours!  This week's challenge was to make a Christmas card.  I think it was supposed to make us feel cooler, and if so, it didn't work.  I hate hot weather!  I ended up stamping this image about six times before I got the look I wanted-the first one was stamped with White Brilliance ink on Going Gray cardstock and then embossed with white twinkling EP, but it didn't photograph well at all.  I tried white pigment ink on gray, silver Encore on black, etc., etc., and finally, when I was about ready to start completely over with red and green, Black Brialliance on Going Gray finally worked!  I used a sponge dauber to ink up the edges with Silver Encore ink, and then heat embossed with sterling silver EP.  Not my original plan, but it worked...why don't all my brilliant ideas work?  They seem like good plans, but lack something in the execution.  I'm a bit tenacious, and if something doesn't work I'm kind of determined (i.e. stubborn) to make it work...somtimes I just need to learn to let go...

Supplies: 

Stamps:  Children at Christmas (Artistic Outpost); Paper:  Core'dinations, Basic Grey Figgy Pudding, Going Gray;  Ink: Brilliance Black, Silver Encore, Basic Gray Classic (for distressing the edges); Accessories:  rick rack blade on Cutting Buddy for decorative edge, Sterling Silver EP, white and light blue organdy ribbon, ribbon slide (WR Memory Keepers), self-adhesive blue jewels

Thanks for looking, and be sure to check out the other "cool" Bloggers' Challenges by clicking on the badge in the lefthand sidebar!

Have a great weekend!  

Bloggers Challenge 56 - Color Combo (Really Rust, Sahara Sand, Regal Rose, Blue Bayou)

Okay, okay...I know I haven't been blogging regularly for the past month or so...company, blah, blah, blah...and this is last week's Bloggers Challenge.  In my defense I actually had this done on time, but I had nerve blocks done last week Thursday, and once in awhile I get really sick from the injections.  Last week was one of those times.  The challenge was a color combo, and when push comes to shove, I can always whip out a piece of patterned paper with the needed colors-so I did do it-problem was, apparently I was thinking I didn't feel up to taking the photos and I'd do it tomorrow.  Well, last night I was finishing up some design team work, and taking photos, and what was at the bottom of the pile?  Yes, last week's challenge...so here it is, finally...

The color challege was Really Rust, Sahara Sand, Regal Rose, and the soon-to-be-retired In Color, Blue Bayou.  Even though I felt that either Really Rust or Regal Rose had to go, I stiffened my upper lip, refused to be beaten by a few colors, and forged ahead...made easier by using Basic Grey paper because so many of those prints use so many colors...

Supplies:

Stamps:  Fresh Cuts; Paper:  Really Rust, Sahara Sand, Regal Rose, Blue Bayou, Basic Grey Phoebe; Ink:  Regal Rose, Vintage Photo Distress; Accessories and Tools:  Scallop Border Punch, organdy ribbon, self-adhesive half pearls

Thanks so much for looking, and be sure to check out the other BC players by clicking on the badge in the left sidebar.  And have a great weekend! 

Artistic Outpost *NEW* Collections Coming Soon!

If you've been reading my blog for at least the past few months, you know that I'm a huge fan of Artistic Outpost!  If you subscribe to their newsletter, you already know that Robyn has announced the release of four new plates and trust me, they are FANTABULOUS!  I already have two of the plates in hand (and right after this post I'm scurrying down to my studio to cut them out!)- Route 66 and Vintage Halloween.  Well, here is a teaser of just some of the stamps in all four sets...you don't want to miss these!  Please, do yourself a huge favor and subscribe to the AO newsletter right now so you don't miss any of the upcoming specials!  You will want all four...

Artistic Outpost - New Collections Coming Soon! 

"The CHA Summer show begins soon, and although we will not be attending this season to showcase our wares or see all the new and exciting products in person, we did want to provide you a "tease" of what the rest of the year has in store at the Outpost. We have four new collections coming out for 2008. You can see all four collections in the photo on the left. Join our mailing list to be the first to hear about their releases and get in on our "sneak peek" specials.

Be sure to check back in August for samples from Artistic Outpost's Design Team!"

- yep, that's right-check my blog for some sneak peaks coming up the first part of August!

Blogger's Challenge 55 - Bugs or Insects

This week's challenge was bugs or insects, and since I don't have a woodtick stamp I settled for a dragonfly...okay, just kidding!  Blech..woodticks are gross!

I used a beautiful dragonfly stamp from I Brake for Stamps-there are four different sizes in the set, and this is the second largest...the largest one is HUGE!  I stamped the image on watercolor paper, and colored it with Prismacolor pencils and gamsol.  I then covered it with a Spica pen (clear), although the sparkles don't show up in my photo which is weird because usually I have a problem with glare when I photograph anything with gloss or sparkle...the paper is Natural Ivory (SU!) and Amy Butler.  I don't remember who made the sentiment stamp, but I love this one.  The sentiment was stamped with Burnt Umber Palette ink, and everything was antiqued with that and Tea Dye Distress Ink.  The ribbon is organdy.  I used glue dots to attach the dragonfly to the card (except for the top wings which I left unattached).

Thanks for looking and be sure to check out the other Bloggers' Challenges by clicking on the icon in the left sidebar.  Oh, and have a great weekend!

Blogger's Challenge 54 - Color Blocking

Sorry I'm late with last week's challenge, which was color blocking.  I'd never done this before, so tried to find some samples on the internet, and one source said that the "blocking" can be left to interpretation, so this is mine...

Supplies:

Stamps:  Keeper (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  Core'dinations, Daisy D, Whisper White, Soft Sky

Ink:  Teal Encore, Soft Sky, Palette Burnt Umber

Accessories:  1" and 1 1/4" square punches, oval Nesties, rick rack, Scattered Straw Distress Paint, rhinestone brads (SU!)

Thanks for looking, and be sure to click on the Blogger's Challenge icon in the sidebar for more inspiration from the other players!

Stampin' Up! Decor Elements

I'm excited to announce that Stampin' Up! has introduced a new product line called "Decor Elements."   It's a new line of self-adhesive vinyl wall decorations made with Stampin' Up! artwork.  You can personalize your home with these vinyl decorations to create a customized living area.  These decorations are easy to apply and easy to remove.  You can begin placing orders for these on July 1st.

If you would like me to mail you a brochure, please email me(stampn@westriv.com) and I'll get one in the mail to you as soon as my order arrives from Stampin' Up!.

Click here or on the Decor Elements icon in the left sidebar to se what we have available TODAY!