New CHF Backgrounders

So... I literally stamped all day for Lisa Strahl's birthday bash at Cornish Heritage Farms Forums, which was also the date of release for 16 new Backgrounders - all Lisa's designs. I think I finished 9 or 10 projects in total. Quite a feat! I had SO much fun. The challenges are still listed in the forum for anyone that is interested in trying. And the gallery is there in case you are looking for inspiration.

One card that I created fell into three of the challenges:

1. Color challenge (cream, light blue and light brown)
2. Limited Supply challenge (use only backgrounders, 1 sentiment and embellishments)
3. Ways to use it challenge - I hosted this one... using Ranger Glossy Accents.

I stamped pieces of background images on Poison Ivory cardstock (End Diamond, Spanish Script and Petite Pattern). I used various sized circle punches to cut out and added button holes. I completely covered the circles with Glossy Accents and let dry. Voila! Faux Buttons! I thought this was really clever! I'd seen something like this when I was shopping at Target, but didn't want to pay $6 for chipboard buttons. I thought I would be able to make my own. And so I did.

If you make some yourself, please stop by and let me know!

Thanks for stopping by,

Lisa

p.s. I'll add notes on supplies when I'm not so wiped! LOL!

Easy Elegance Challenge

Here's another card that I made for SCS Dirty Dare '07. The challenge was to make an Elegant card and in the description of the card explain what it is about the card that makes it elegant.


This is the card I created:

Supplies: Cardstock: Sahara sand card base,
Georgia Pacific White cardstock, Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lilac; Stamps: Victorian Pattern backgrounder and Blooming Violas
(Asela Hopkins Design) by Cornish Heritage Farm - both unmounted; Ink: Sahara sand, Brilliance Graphite Black; Accessories: White grosgrain ribbon, Almost
Amethyst, Certainly Celery and YoYo Yellow SU markers, Gamsol, blending
stump, and colored pencils

So, why do I think this is elegant? The central image is the star attraction. There aren't a ton of accessories cluttering the image. It's just the flowers, their color, and the pop of the muted purples against a simple background that makes it elegant... to me.

There were plenty of other definitions to elegant, ranging from tone on tone or monochromatic to embellished with old world charm. I don't think any one definition is right or wrong... and that's what makes creating / stamping so much fun. It's open to interpretation. A blank page, an uninked stamp... the possibilities are endless!

Thanks for stopping by!

Lisa

Dishin' the Dirt

Beginning last Wednesday, Splitcoaststampers has been hosting a series of challenges (design, sketch, technique, color, etc.). More specifically, it's being driven by past and present Design Team members (also known as the Dirty Girls) for the fan club members.

I've been stamping my little heart out and havin' a ball - attempting to play in the dirt pile!!!

As a result, I've been updating my SCS gallery like crazy lately. I'll be posting a new one each time I blog.

The first card I'm posting here was for a sketch challenge. I love to follow sketches. They are the building block for good design. I try to create a sketch for each of the classes I hold and show how easy and versatile they are to create and personalize. Of all the cards I've done for the Challenges... this is my favorite...

The card base is Night of Navy (stamped with the Weathered Background) with a panel of Brocade Blue, Going Gray, Basic black and white (I used Georgia Pacific White cardstock from Walmart... it is a fabulous cardstock with "tooth" and body / weight).

I stamped the Brocade Blue panel with Baroque Motifs swirl (brocade and whisper white). I added the flowers with Night of Navy kissed off first. The Grey panel has French Script background. The edges are distressed.

The main image was embossed with silver detail powder. The center flower was made using the Faux Metal technique, punched into a tag (3/4" circle), stitched on the center of the swirl with dark gray embroidery floss, and a black crystal glued to it. I used my scraps from the Faux metal piece to punch small circles for "faux brads" and glued them onto the panels. The small silver square was a Making Memories tin tile and is stitched to the cardstock with gray embroidery floss.

Tip: I glued the tin square to the cardstock and used my needle to
create "pilot" holes before attempting to stitch. This ensured that the
square would be exactly where I wanted it to be and I wouldn't damage the
cardstock, trying to hand-stitch blindly on paper.

There are tons of details to the card, but I really loved every thing about it. I rarely say that about a card I make.

Thanks for looking!

Lisa

p.s. This is slightly related... so I'll just add this here as a sidenote. I've had a couple of SCS top stampers either comment on a card of mine or post here on my blog. I can't even begin to tell you how exciting that is for me. Perhaps it's the validation... or maybe it's because they are celebrities in their own right... whatever it is, it's been great and I'm humbled!