Praierie Papier Ponderer

Artistic Outpost Birthday Specials and Blog Candy!

from Artistic Outpost:

It's OUR Birthday and YOU get the presents!

We are so excited to be celebrating our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

It's truly overwhelming to think how fast this year has gone. Twelve months ago, we only had eight stamp collections and a big dream. Today, we have over 20 collections and we have made friends with so many wonderful people just like you who enjoy creating with our images. THANK YOU for a great first year!

To celebrate we have many Anniversary Specials in our store, and also some Blog Candy to giveaway!

Our Anniversary Specials:

• You will find our original "8" collections are all on sale for a limited time for $9.99. They include: Thai Buddha, Chinese Proverbs, Singing Cowboy, Distant Generations, Polaroid Cutie, Hair is Important, Christmas Stories, and Ave Maria.
• We also have bundled together our last release Vintage Halloween and Route 66 for a limited time, you can get both plates together for $19.99.

New Release Specials:

We are also pleased to introduce two new stamp collections: Snowy Woods & BlueBird.

Snowy Woods is a larger collection of unmounted stamps measuring 8.5" x 11". This plate is full of vintage images of Santa and peaceful winter scenes. For a limited time, this plate is on sale for $19.99.

Click here to see wonderful artwork using Snowy Woods images.

BlueBird is designed to reflect both winter and spring. We hope that it provides creative inspiration for you throughout the winter months. For a limited time, the Bluebird plate is on sale for $9.99.

Click here to see wonderful artwork using BlueBird images.

As an added bonus, you can purchase both new plates for $28 in our Bundled Special. That's a $36 retail value!!!

Anniversary Blog Candy!!!!

Artistic Outpost is giving away one Vintage Halloween plate & a TJ CD (Technique Junkie) to ONE lucky winner! (Already own Vintage Halloween - we'll let you select any plate of the same value in it's place.)

How do you enter to win?
Simply leave a comment on the Artistic Outpost blog (NOT HERE) post telling us your favorite Artistic Outpost Plate by 11:59 CST on October 4th. When you leave your comment, be sure to put your NAME in the comment -- if you enter your comment as "Anonymous", we cannot give you the prize as Blogger does not record your email address for us. You'll need to check back to find out if you have won. We will have the random number generator pick one number from the comments to select the winner of the Vintage Halloween Plate and TJNL CD, and post the winner on October 5th. Please remember only 1 entry per person. Good Luck!

Artistic Outpost Sneak Peek #5 - Bluebird

The sneak peek's for Artistic Outpost's October release have been so much fun to create!  I've really enjoyed checking out the other designers' creations as well.  This is another piece I did using the "BlueBird" plate...

Supplies:

Stamps:  BlueBird (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  Natural White (Stampin' Up!), blue (Core'dinations), Memory Box

Ink:  Palette Black Noir, Tim Holtz Distress inks (Spiced Marmalade, Weathered Wood)

Accessories:  distressing tool (Stampin' Up!), Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, blending stump, button, felt flower, paper flower (Making Memories), sponge for antiquing card stock edges

Thanks for looking...be sure to check out the other designers' sneak peeks by visiting the Artistic Outpost blog...   

Artistic Outpost Sneak Peek #4 - More "Snowy Woods"

Yes, yes, it's time for another sneak peek from Artistic Outpost!  This is another card made with "Snowy Woods," one of the sets being released October 1!  I'm having so much fun with these new stamp plates...

Supplies:

Stamps:  Snowy Woods (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  green and burgundy (Core'dinations), watercolor paper, Frost (Memory Box)

Ink:  Palette Burnt Umber, Walnut Stain (Tim Holtz Distress Ink)

Accessories:  Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, bending stump, sponge for distressing, Spica gold glitter pen, glittery flowers and gold foil leaf (Prima), rhinestone brad (Stampin' Up!), distressing tool (Stampin' Up!)

The Santa image and words were stamped with Palette Burnt Umber, and the Santa was colored with Prismacolor pencils and blended with Gamsol (mineral spirits) and a blending stump.  The Core'dinations card stock was sanded to distress it and remove the "shine" and then antiqued with Walnut ink and a sponge.

The patterned paper was antiqued with the Walnut ink as well, after the edges were distressed with a distressing tool (Stampin' Up!).

I added a little "bling" to this card with the Prima Poinsettias I purchased last year, and used a rhinestone brad for the center.  I mounted it with foam dimensional tape.  A little extra "gold" was added with a Copic gold Spica pen...love using these...the ink flows so nicely...outlined the Santa a bit...

Thanks for looking; be sure to check out the other designers' creations by visiting Artistic Outpost's blog...and also be sure to sign up for the email newsletter so you won't miss out on the new release specials as well as the First Anniversary festivities!

Toodles,

Anita 

Artistic Outpost Sneak Peek #3! - Snowy Woods

This is my sneak peek #3 for the upcoming October release from Artistic Outpost.  This is also another stamp from the plate "Snowy Woods."

Supplies:

Stamp:  Snowy Woods (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  Natural White (Stampin' Up!), Figgy Pudding (Basic Grey), Core'dinations (solid colored card stock)

Ink:  Palette Burnt Sienna, Brushed Corduroy, Pine Needles, Fired Brick, Weathered Wood (all Tim Holtz Distress Ink)

Accessories:  corner punch (unknown clearance item), jute, Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol, blending stump, sponge, chunky vase gems (Hobby Lobby),  Tim Holtz Adriondack Alcohol Ink Gold Metallic Mixative

After stamping the image, I used a sponge to lightly give the background some color with the Distress inks, and then colored the image with Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, and a blending stump.

The Core'dinations card stock was first sanded to give it a matte finish and give the Corduroy Distress ink some "tooth" to grab. 

Be sure to check out the other designers sneak peeks by visiting the Artistic Outpost blog, and also be sure to sign up for the AO email newsletter so you don't miss out on any of the upcoming specials for the new beautiful new releases on October 1, but also the first anniversary specials as well!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great weekend!

Toodles,

Anita 

I used the gold metallic mixative to cover the clear vase gems (fragments), and used Matte Accents to adhere to the corners of my card. 

Artistic Outpost Sneak Peek #2! - Snowy Woods

Today is Sneak Peek #2 for Artistic Outpost's October release!  This is from the new set, Snowy Woods, AO's first 8 1/2 x 11" plate, and it is fabulous!  It has many versatile images that will carry you through the entire winter as well as for the Christmas season. 

Supplies: 

Stamps:  Snowy Woods (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  Blue Bayou (retired SU!), Bravo Burgundy (SU!), Winterberry (Memory Box from Ellen Hustson, LLC)

Ink:  Palette Black Noir, Gold Encore, Blue Bayou (retired SU!)

Accessories:  oval and scalloped oval Nesties,  gold embossing powder, gold cord, Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol (mineral spirits), blending stump, and a sponge dauber

I stamped the image with waterproof Palette Black Noir ink since I'd be using Gamsol (mineral spirits) and a blending stump to color my Santa image. 

The gold outline around the Bravo Burgundy (base of card) and the Santa were done by inking the edges with Gold Encore ink and a sponge dauber, and then heat embossing with gold EP.  I used a sponge dauber so the metallic border would be uneven and more vintage looking.

The greeting was stamped on a piece of the Memory Box card stock with Blue Bayou, and the edge was completed the same as the other pieces.

The Santa is propped up on foam dimensional tape to make him stand out a bit...

If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for Artistic Outpost's email newsletter so you can be informed of the new release specials as well as the upcoming first anniversary specials and blog candy! 

October promises to be a very special one for not only AO, but it's valued customers and friends as well!

Thanks for stopping by, and to check out the other design team's sneak peaks, visit the Artistic Outpost blog!

Toodles,

Anita

 

Bloggers Challenge 66 - Warhol Technique (and Artistic Outpost Sneak Peek!)

This week's Bloggers Challenge was to use the Warhol technique...for those of you way to young or not born yet (1960's)...Andy Warhol was a famous New York City artist who brought "pop" art into the mainstream, and developed a new, fresh style of creating...this is my take on one of his works...

Basically the technique consists of repeated images in grid fashion; these are stamped in black (that being the common denominator), and using and repeating several colors.

I used a bird image from a new release coming up from Artistic Outpost (more on that later!), so I'm killing two birds with one stone, no pun intended.

Supplies:

Stamp:  Blue Bird (AO); Paper:  Only Orange, Yoyo Yellow, and Real Red (Stampin' Up!), and patterned paper (Basic Grey); Ink:  Palette Black Noir; Accessories:  1 1/4" square punch, 1 3/8" square punch, yellow, orange, and red stitched ribbon (Pink Hedgehog Paper Crafts), Dew Drops and Glossy Accents to adhere them

Be sure to check out the other Bloggers Challenges by clicking on the badge in the left sidebar!  Some cool stuff...

As I already mentioned, Artistic Outpost is releasing two new stamp plates. On October 1st, Snowy Woods and Bluebird will be available.
We're so excited about the Christmas plate this year, it features peaceful images of a loving Santa Claus who we believe is the real one. No mall Santa's helpers here!!! This is a full 8.5 x 11" unmounted stamp collection. Loads of beautiful images, and AO's first "full" plate. 

The Bluebird collection is the half plate size of 8.5 x 5.5". It is meant to be your solace this winter. You can see the reflections of winter and spring all in this one collection. This peaceful collection of bird-inspired images will carry you through to spring!

Specials on these plates will be posted on October 1st. In addition, believe it our not, October marks Artistic Outpost's ONE year anniversary.  With this milestone will come blog candy and additional specials on their one year old darling stamp sets. The ones that got us going and that we will always hold in our hearts.   

Be sure to check back for a sneak peeks and samples.  If you haven't already signed up for blog updates - be sure you do, that way you won't miss out on our specials and anniversary celebration!  You can sign up here!  You'll be able to check out some of the other designers' sneak peaks as well!  Have fun!!!   

Bloggers Challenge 65 - Watercoloring

This week's challenge was watercoloring.  Although I love the look of watercoloring I don't feel it's one of my strongest talents...and being too cowardly to display that this week I decided to go for a watercolor "look."

Have you ever received a gift from your husband or significant other that wasn't exactly what you were expecting?  Say like, uuummm...a vacuum cleaner for Christmas?

I used Copic markers and a blender pen to achieve the look of watercoloring.  I used a gray marker and blender pen to do some hightlighting around the stamped image to give it more depth.  And, even though my domestic goddess is hard at it, she still is glamorous enough to wear some bling around her neck!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Domestic Goddess (Hanna Stamps)

Paper:  Honey Pie (Cosmo Cricket), Whisper White and Cameo Coral (Stampin' Up!)

Ink:  Black Noir (Palette Hybrid), Red Lipstick (Tim Holtz Distress)

Other:  ticket corner punch (SU!), grosgrain ribbon (Pink Hedgehog Papercrafts), self-adhesive rhinestones (Ellen Hutson, LLC), Copic markers and blender pen, sponge for accenting

Thanks for looking, and be sure to check out the other Blogger Challenge players' creations by clicking on the badge in the left sidebar!

Toodles,

Anita

More Route 66...

This is another card I made using the retro set "Route 66" from Artistic Outpost.  I broke into my stash of Tim Holtz "Fragments" for this one...I don't know why I hoard my stash so much...it's not like I don't have plenty, and I certainly know where to buy more!!!  I love the Die Cuts with a View "Travel" pack-these colors really set the pace for the retro feel I was going for...

Supplies:  Stamps: Route 66 (Artistic Outpost); Paper:  Travel (DCWV), Tempting Turquoise (Stampin' Up!), Whisper White (SU!); Ink:  Tempting Turquoise and Glorious Green Classic (SU!), White Craft (SU!), Vintage Photo Distress ink (Tim Holtz); Accessories:  Fragments (Tim Holtz), Glossy Accents (adhesive for Fragments and Oregon Rain Drops), Oregon Rain Drops (Pink Hedgehog), clear embossing powder, sponge for antiquing)

Tips:

I used the direct to paper technique on WW card stock to do the "fragment" pieces.  I used Tempting Turquoise and Glorious Green just to give a little color since I didn't want them to be stark white.  I then stamped the words "Retro" and "Round Trip" in Tempting Turquoise and glued fragments over the words using Glossy Accents (by Ranger).  I cut the fragments out with a paper snips.

The patterned card stock was aged using Vintage Photo Distress ink and a sponge.  I also aged the edges of the Tempting Turquoise cs.

The "diner and car" image was stamped on Tempting Turquoise cs with Whisper White Craft ink (SU!), and heat embossed with clear EP.  Clear Oregon Raindrops from the Pink Hedgehog were attached at the corners in place of brads. 

The Oregon Raindrops are a fantastic buy at Pink Hedgehog  Papercrafts...Oregon Raindrops are comparable to Dew Drops and similar products on the market.  You can purchase either large jars of approximately 470 raindrops for $2.20 or small jars of approximately 120 raindrops for 60 cents.  What's really cool about the clear ones is that they can be "dyed" with alcohol based markers (Prismacolor, Copic, etc.)

Thanks for looking! 

Huggles,

Anita

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

Summer may be all but officially over, but that doesn't mean the memories have faded already...and this new "Route 66" stamp set from Artistic Outpost is sure to bring back some nostalgia!

This stamp reminds me of the old drive-in eateries like A & W...who can forget those frosty GLASS mugs of root beer!

Stamps:  Route 66 (Artistic Outpost)  Paper:  DCWV Travel pack, Core'dinations, Whisper White (SU!)  Ink:  Green Galore, Chocolate Chip and Real Red Classic (SU!), Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Ranger) Accessories:  hardware (W R Memory Keepers), corner punch (unknown)

I used DCWV patterned paper from the Travel pack for the base, red Core'dinations for the next layer, and WW for the background and top layer.  I stamped a collage of images from the Route 66 set (map, Road Trip) with green and red inks to coordinate with the DCWV paper, and stamped the diner and car image with Chocolate Chip ink.  The top layer and the edges of the other layers were antiqued with a sponge and Vintage Photo ink.  I love the vintage look of this set, and feel it would make a great addition for scrapbooking memorable road trips.

Thanks for looking and have a fantasic weekend!  If you're in the hurricane areas, stay safe.  My thoughts and prayers are with you...

Huggles,

Anita   

Bloggers Challenge 64 - Designers Series Paper

This week's challenge was to use Designer Series Paper.  I haven't ordered any new DSP from Stampin' Up! yet (yes...gasp!...), so chose to use some from Crafty Secrets.

Stamps:  Paper Roses by Firecracker Designs by Pamela; Paper:  Basic Black card stock (SU!), Radiant patterned paper (from the Heartwarming Vintage Collection from Crafty Secrets), Prism (red), watercolor paper (Canon); Ink:  Black Noir (Palette), Brick Red and Old Paper (Tim Holtz Distress); Accessories:  Prismacolor markers and blender pen, Copic Spica pen (clear), black metal clip (SU!), rectangle and scalloped rectangle Nestibilities dies, sponge for inking edges, key tag punch (SU!), Black Swiss Dot organdy ribbon (Pink Hedgehog)   

I stamped the image using waterproof Black Noir Palette ink, and then colored the rose with Prismacolor markers.  I used a blender pen to blend the colors, and then used a clear Spica glitter pen to add some sparkle.

I used a sponge to add Old Paper and Brick Red ink to the watercolor paper, gradually building up the color a little at a time. 

I cut out the stamped image and the red scalloped layer behind it using Nestibilities dies...mounted the black and red rose printed paper over the black card stock, and then added the die cut layers.  I added a black and white polka dot strip from the Radiant pad, stamped the sentiment on red Prism card stock, punched it out with the key tag punch, and attached the black clip (with the ribbon tied through the hole).

The sentiment reads, "If I had a rose for every time I thought of you, I'd walk through a garden forever."  This stamp set is just gorgeous!

Thank you so much for looking, and be sure to click on the Bloggers Challenge badge in the left sidebar to check out the other BC players wonderful creations!  They are a truly inspiring group to be a part of!

Huggles!

Anita 

Bloggers Challenge 62 - Patriotic - We Will Always Remember - 9/11/01

I'm way behind on my Bloggers' Challenges, but wanted to get this one in for today...Challenge 62 was either a patriotic card or a baby card...I chose patriotic.

Today is a sad day for most Americans as we remember the horror and devastation that occurred seven years ago when four jet planes were hijacked, and literally thousands lost their lives.  There is hardly anyone whose life was not impacted in some way...

Today's card is in honor of those who lost their lives, and to those who serve our country in order that freedom and liberty might be enjoyed by all of us...

We will always remember...

Stamps:  Hero (Artistic Outpost); Paper:  Prism, Boxer (Basic Grey), Naturals Ivory (SU!); Ink: Faded Jeans, Fired Brick (Tim Holtz Distress Ink); Accessories:  Star and Large Star Punches (SU!),  Dew Drops, Glossy Accents (Ranger) for attaching Dew Drops

Tips:

To achieve the multi-color look of the flag I inked up part of the stamp with Fired Brick and Faded Jeans, being careful not to overlap the colors too much so the colors muddied.

I punched out both large and small stars and randomly layered them around the stamped image...I then accented the centers of the stars that were completely visible.

Thanks for looking!

Anita

I'm Back! Plus "Stampin' Up Online Ordering!" Is Now Live

Yes, I'm finally back!  I've been on an extended vacation, visiting my children and two granddaughters for a little over a month.  I really had planned on it being a "working" vacation, but Kristen's (my youngest granddaughter) puppy, the loveable Bassett Hound, Bubba, chewed up my glasses a couple days after my arrival!  I absolutely cannot see anything close without them-no reading, no stamping, no posting to my blog!!!  I tried a pair of "drugstore" glasses to tide me over until I was able to get in to see an optometrist and order a new pair of reading glasses, and "thought" they'd work out, but they made my headache so excruciating I ended up in Urgent Care and had to get a morphine injection...which actually made me tired enough to sleep and greatly diminished the pain after ten minutes or so...but, despite the injection of anti-nausea medication, I still got violently ill, and spent the next 8 hours or so in the bathroom...needless to say, the "nausea" made the headache worse, so all in all the drugstore glasses didn't work out very well...sigh...but I have new glasses now, and I'm ready to get back to "work."

Stampin' Up! has announced some very exciting news the past few months - from the beautiful Decor Elements (vinyl wall art), the Big Shot and tons of cool accessories, AND now all my customers can order ONLINE directly from my SU Demonstrator web site!  I've checked it out, and believe me it's easy! 

To order online, just click on the link to my Demo web site.  You can also order from the Stampin' Up! customer home page by using the demo finder.  Type in my name (Anita Van Hal), or city (Beulah) or state (ND)...when you click search, my name and demo web site will come up.  Click on my web site address, and it will take you to my Demo home page.  At the top it will have a link for online ordering.  That's it!  You can pay by check or credit card too!

The online catalog is categorized and VERY easy to use!  Check out my online projects - projects you won't see on my blog!  Please check it out TODAY, and be sure to check out the online promotion -a great deal for new stamp sets!

Be sure to sign up for my newsletter as well (see the link in the upper right-hand corner of sidebar)!  I'll be getting that out in just a few days, and it will include some fun projects as well as product details, class kits, and more!  You won't want to miss this issue!