Sunflowers and Dragonflies

Blog has moved

2011-08-31T06:58:00.001-04:00

Please know that my new blog has many new tutorials. You can find me at http://sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog

I HAVE MOVED

2011-02-23T12:31:00.004-05:00

I HAVE MOVED. PLEASE VISIT ME AT where you will find so many more tutorials.

http://sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog

I look forward to your visit.

hugs,

Beth

What's Cooking?

2008-07-14T09:16:00.005-04:00

Hi folks! Here we are at the start of another week. This will be the last week on Blogger for me, as I'm switching over to Word Press with a new look, and I'm so excited!

I've been cook'in up some goodies. Do you recognize the recipe box? Click here for my tutorial.

What kitchen is without a grocery list? Why not create a matching post-it note holder. Need a tutorial? Click here for my recent one.

The images are from Odd Bird Planet and you can view them here.

Flair has a cute line of paper called Keep on Cooking. Want a peak at it? Click here. There are coordinating stickers, and I put one on the lid of the recipe box as shown in the photo. The sticker set also came with recipe index words. "Desserts" is shown. I punched out a tab and simply stuck "Desserts" onto the tab.

In this photo you can see that I decorated the post-in note holder with more cooking stickers by placing a sticker on the inside,

Thank you for stopping by. My next post will be on my new site. I will let you know the website when I post.

Batique Sympathy Greetings

2008-07-11T19:10:00.000-04:00

Hi there folks. This week I had major computer woes. Why don't I ever learn to back up? Ohhh, I am so terribly bad. Sadly, my studio computer died. Did I back up my photos that accumulated for two years? Did I back up 200 Odd Bird Planet cards that I had yet to post on my blog and in galleries? Did I back up my favourites? How about my resume? How about my important files? Nope. Nada. No. Sad, sad, sad. Donnie was a sweetie and uploaded Kodak Easy Share on my laptop, so that's why I'm able to post for you today. He then took his computer and put it into my studio. What a sweetie! Thanks honey! Two people and we have three computers in the house. When one crashes, my life is in a state of turmoil.

Sadly, because of my computer woes, I was not able to post this card in time for Catherine's challenge. I used her picture as inspiration for my sympathy card. Steps to creating this card:

1. Created a faux batik background on homemade paper with a skeleton leaf.
2. Stamped image from the SU Lovely As A Tree set. Stamped sentiment from Inkadinkado.
3. Double matted the tree in black and green. Matted the sentiment in black.
4. Glued Tree to 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch background. Placed pop dots under sentiment and adhered
image to background.

Next Saturday I will have a scrapbook layout to show you. Alex posts layouts every Saturday and I thought that if I join in, I too could catch up with my photos. Ummm, well, I guess I have nothing to use for catching up, but I do have some odds and ends that I can scrap.

I'm also excited to tell you my new block will be up in a day or two, so stay tuned.

Bye for now....

Pretty Paper Purses

2008-07-10T16:00:00.002-04:00

Aren't these paper purses cute? Want in on a little secret? I sent them to Johanna, owner of Odd Bird Planet, and forgot to enclose a note explaining that I accidentally adhered the beads incorrectly so the purse didn't open. When I thought to e-mail her, she said, "oh, I wondered. After I tried and tried, I finally gave up." That's what I get for not testing things out BEFORE I send them to Johanna. I'm so silly--LOL.

To create these cards I created two library pockets. One was made ever so slightly smaller, so it could be inserted into the other. The ribbon handle was threaded through the center of both library pockets. The ribbon was threaded through the top, and comes out at the bottom. If you look closely, you will see the white ribbon knoted on the polka-dot card. Before the cards are put together the beads are to be added. Not after, like I did.

Ideas for purse:

Party invitation. Place pertinent information inside.
Birthday card for a little girl. Make it eccentric looking for teenagers
Business card holder
Great place to "hide a key." It blends in wonderfully with a studio and craft room

This month's ODD BIRD PLANET monthly special is now available. To purchase each stamp separately would cost $32, but with this month's special now on, you can get all the stamps shown above for $26. How? Visit here.

Tutorial Tuesday - Peel-Off's

2008-07-08T03:00:00.015-04:00

Welcome to my weekly tutorial here at Sunflower's and Dragonflies. Have you noticed how popular Peel-Offs are lately? Every rubberstamp and scrapbook store that I go into seems to have Peel-Offs by Magenta, and other brands similar in nature. This is my first tutorial with Peel-Offs, with more to come in the future. Pattern is my own design. Enjoy!

Supplies:
Peel-Offs
Peel-Offs permanent markers (or other permanet marker)
3 3/4" x 10 3/4" cardstock for base
two - 3 1/4" x 4" cardstock for decoration
Matt - optional
Vellum
Scor-Pal or score blade
bead
eyelit

Score base at 2 1/4" and 6 10/16"

Place Peel-Offs onto vellum.

Colour Peel-Offs as desired.

The edge of the card should be oval. Use a Coluzzle if you wish. I cut the Peel-Offs alone the Peel-Offs edge.

Put decorative cardstock through the Cuttlebug.

Matt front decorative cardstock (optional)

Place an eyelit on the Peel-Offs approx 1/2" above edge. Close card and decide on placement for the brad on the decorative cardstock. Place brad 2" from the edge of the card.

Peel apart the threads of cross-stitch thread, keeping three together which you will use to thread through the bead as shown.

Put the thread through the eyelit as shown. Tie around brad.

Finished card.

Lime Tart Reveal

2008-07-07T03:00:00.001-04:00

Round and round we go. Squeeker bird just loves to be involved with roundness. It makes for an interesting card, wouldn't you agree? This stamp can be found in this months Lime Tart kit.

Passion. For me it has been circle cards and sewing on cards. I can't get enough of them both!

What does passion mean to you? Drop me a note and share, won't you.

Stamps: Odd Bird Planet

Passion Meets Tempting

2008-07-06T13:13:00.002-04:00

Welcome back folks! Today we have Ms. Owl joining us once again. Wow, look at the embellishments today. The cute summer-time hat coordinates so well with Certainly Celery. Doesn't she look tempting surrounded in Tempting Turquoise? Yes, indeed Pink Passion is another bright colour that coordinates so well. True to her word, Ms. Norman uses Brilliant Blue again, just enough to say, "I'm working outside my box for my readers." Those brads are so interesting. And I see Ms. Norman's signature colour, once again. My heavens, how does she find coordinating pieces in Cool Caribbean? However she does it, she does it well. Those cute white polka dots are admired by all who enjoys Ms. Norman's style. She tells me they are made evenly with a white Souflee pen. Well, darn darling!

Saddle Up Them There Horses

2008-07-05T03:00:00.001-04:00

Howdy folks! Possy up and join me for a while, won't you?

Now I hear you have been wanting to see some masculine cards. I'm as masculine as I can get--even if I do have a baby face. But aren't I cute?! I'd be cute on a birthday invitation, birthday card, possy card, or whatever your little heart desires. I'm slipp'n into an envelope and travelling down to them there Mississippi for my nephew's birthday. I'm a little late, but I don't think he'll mind.

Stamp: Rubbernecker.
Paper: Daisyd

Ms. Owl is Back

2008-07-04T03:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome back. If you caught yesterday's strut down the isle, you'll be in for a bigger treat today. Why? Because Ms. Owl's accessory artist is here to share some of her inside secrets.

Announcer: Ms. Norman, how interesting that you should look as eccentric and stylish as Ms. Owl. How do you do it?

Ms. Norman: Well, thank you--I think. I guess it goes back as far as I can remember. Everyone has an eccentric and quirky family member--even if one doesn't care to admit it--and I guess I have always been "that" person in my family. Every pair of glasses I have ever owned has always been out-there. If there is a piece of clothing or jewelery that is funky and fun, I have it!

Announcer: How would you describe your colour sense?

Ms. Norman: Sense or nonsense? It's all the same--it just depends how one looks at it. For example, I am not afraid of colour, and my home has always reflected that. While some family members (I won't embarrass anyone by stating names) prefer anemic household colours, I love a punch. My upstairs hall is orange and is smooshed with terricotta--a much darker orange-brown. Today's card reflects my sense of experimentation. How? By using S.U.'s Barely Blue. It isn't a colour I use much, but because I want to make my viewers happy, I like to work outside the box a little. Barely Blue is combined with the ever-so-popular Certainly Celery. What doesn't coordinate with Certainly Celery. It is also lovely with Cool Caribbean, and we all know how much I love Cool Caribbean.

Announcer: How do you like to coordinate, or is it embellish?

Ms. Norman: Well, one thing is for certain, one can never over-embellish. I always stick as close to the truth as I can, with lots of embellishment--LOL. Today Ms. Owl rises to the occasion with another lovely coordinated hand bag from K& Company. K & Company knows how to please the ladies, and this year has taken on a whole new look. No longer can I walk by any isle without inviting K&Company along. I believe we look stunning together. Just look at Ms. Owl. She is tickled blue, with her new handbag.

Announcer: Well, Ms. Norman. I thoroughly enjoyed getting the inside track to your colour sense. Do you think you can join me again this week?

Ms. Norman: Darling, I'm here to please you all. My mind is always on my readers and viewers. Thank you for the invitation, I certainly will be back. Stay tuned for something from Rubbernecker tomorrow; my owls need a rest.

Who Loves Purses

2008-07-03T03:00:00.000-04:00

Who who loves purses? I do, I do. And Ms. Owl does too.

Strutting down the isle today we have Ms. Owl, from Pink Cat Studio. Doesn't she look hip in those glasses and hat? Here she is now, carrying a coordinating handbag from K&C. My, my, every lady loves to have a new purse, and this will fit any pocketbook; the price is too good to pass by folks. Look at her walk. Doesn't she look proud coordinating with the background paper in Taken With Teal, Real Red, Pixie Pink, Brilliant Blue, and like any good girl should have--a hint of black. Powerful without being too over-stated. Wouldn't you say?

Folks, you will see her strut her stuff down the isle again this week, so stay tuned for another chapter in Ms. Owl's life.

Until tomorrow, take care.

Squeeker Bird

2008-07-02T03:00:00.001-04:00

Did you have a nice Canada Day? I enjoyed the day with some friends. Today I am at the start of a gruling training schedule at work. My schedule is this: work five days, have one off, then work a stretch of six days with one off, followed by four days, and then two off. So far I'm loving my new job. Unlike the transcription department, admitting is full of life and fun. I am actually allowed to talk and socialize now. Can you believe that we actually got in trouble by talking in transcription? My chatty nature is coming out again, so watch out girlfriends!

Here is a sneak peak into the full Lime Tart Kit that will be revealed by the Odd Bird Planet on July 7th. The kit will include Squeeker Bird.

To make this card, cut the main card with a Coluzzle, as well as the designer paper. Sew dp. Cut Squeeker Bird with Nestabilities. Mount paper flowers and finish off with white dots using the white Souflee pen.

Thank you for stopping by.

Tutorial Tuesday - Scratch and Sniff

2008-07-01T03:00:00.004-04:00

It's Tutorial Tuesday, once again, here at Sunflowers and Dragonflies. Today's tutorial was inspired by my girlfriend, Sue Gatza. Sue taught this technique at our SU Stamper's 12 group, and we all thought this was a very fun card to make.

In today's tutorial I used sugar-free Crystal light. The colour turned out less vibrant than the sugar-free Jello we used at Sue's party. When I do this technique again, I will use sugar-free Jello because I love the results better. Enjoy!

Supplies:

Sugar-free Crystal Light or Sugar-Free Jello
Clear Embossing Powder
Small bowl
VersaMark
Embossing Gun (not in photo)

Mix one teaspoon of sugar free powder with one teaspoon of clear embossing powder.

Place your stamp onto VersaMark pad and stamp out your image.

Sprinkle on the sugar free/embossing powder mixture and heat emboss.

Whalaa. Time to scratch and sniff. Three different powders were used.

Suggestions for Scratch and Sniff:

Children's party invitations
Children's birthday cards
Scrapbook layouts
Hidden tags in altered books
Pop up cards

May I Have This Dance

2008-06-30T03:00:00.000-04:00

Have you seen these Odd Bird Planet stamps? This series of old-fashion birds are my favourites. If you click on the photo you will see that I coloured the dresses with Prismacolor pencil crayons and then painted over top with Twinkling H2O's. There are even some crystals decorating the dresses.

Don't forget that there is a draw for some blog candy on July 4th. All you have to do is link me up to your one layer card.

Thank you for stopping by.

One Layer Challenge and Blog Candy

2008-06-29T03:00:00.001-04:00

Here is my second attempt at a one layer card. I challenge you to create a one layer card and link me up for a chance to win some blog candy. I will draw a name on Friday, July 4th.

Stamps: Odd Bird Planet

Fanciful Flowers

2008-06-28T03:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday everyone!

Are you one-layer challenged like I am? Every now and again I attempt a simple, clean, one-layer card, and today I am sharing my attempt with you.

I would love to see your one-layer cards. If you link me up, I'll post your cards on my blog.

Thank you for stopping by.

Stamps: Odd Bird Planet

Joseph's Coat Inside Out

2008-06-27T10:09:00.004-04:00

I was playing again with backgrounds. This is Joseph's Coat With a Twist, from the TECHNIQUE JUNKIE NEWSLETTER. This is my favourite colour combo. It uses Adirondack's Pool, Cranberry, Wild Plum and Lettuce.

Florish Stamp is Fancy Pants, and the flower is Inkadinkado.

Thank you for stopping by.

Blog Candy Giveaway

2008-06-26T09:00:00.002-04:00

Oh my, don't you just love this set? Lucky for me, it's a blog giveaway over at Starving Artists, so I have the opportunity to win. All you have to do to enter, is visit their blog, post their blog candy, and link them up to your blog. That's it.

Good-luck to everyone.

Proud Mom and Limetart News

2008-06-25T03:00:00.004-04:00

Can you tell that Sarah and Adam
are close?
Adam went to visit Sarah, who
is working in Toronto.

I love this picture so much
and just had to share.

As you know, I'm a scrapbooker. Now I am a very happy scrapbooker because Australia's Limetart kits are now being sold at the Odd Bird Planet.

Tutorial Tuesday - Golden Gel Transfer

2008-06-24T08:36:00.016-04:00

It's Tutorial Tuesday, once again, at Sunflowers and Dragonflies. There are a couple of ladies on Splitcoast Stampers who are anxiously awaiting today's Golden gel transfer tutorial. There is a wide range of pictures that can be used with this technique. Dover Publications has awesome copyright free images. If you sign up for their newsletter, you get free images sent along with each newsletter. You can use photos, images from the web, and even something printed off in Word.

I hope this tutorial leaves you filled with inspiration. If you do a transfer, link me up. I'd love to see what you did.

Supplies:

Image (shown here is a Dover book with coloured pictures)
sponge stick
Golden gel medium

Golden gel medium is used for this tutorial.

Photocopy your image on an ink jet printer.

Trim your edges to the size of your coaster. Another option is to tear the edges for a unique look.

Sponge on an even layer of Golden gel medium. Cover the entire surface of your picture. Let dry completely (approx 30 minutes) before adding layer 2. Once dry, ad layer 3.

Continue adding coats 3, 4 and 5. Dry between each coat. Let dry completely (about 3 hours)before moving to the next step.

Dip your fingers into water and gently rub off paper backing.

Continue to dip your fingers into the water and rub off the paper backing.

All the rubbing has been finished.

You can see from this photo that the gel transfer is paper thin.

Spread a layer of gel medium over your coaster and place the image on top.

Place your image on top of the coaster and brush one or two coats of gel medium on top. Once dry, spray protection over top.

This is a painting that I did. In the bottom right hand corner you will see a large area where I did a gel transfer. This demonstrates that no item is too large to make this transfer successful.

Close-up of my gel transfer. If you are going to do a transfer using words, you must transpose it backwards in your Word program prior to printing. If you do not, your words will end up backwards.

Inkadinkado Is At It Again

2008-06-23T09:56:00.003-04:00

Good Monday morning folks!

Well, Inkadinkado is at it again. Look at these adorable birds.

Last week, while I was teaching my card class at Lasting Impressions, I saw the new arrival of the Inkadinkado special: Buy two get one free. Not being able to control myself, I quickly scooped up six. Yes, six stamps. No control I tell ya!

I coloured this image with Prismacolour pencil crayons and OMS. Next, I pulled out my Twinkling H2O's and painted around the birds.

Background colour (Bazzill) was run through the cuttlebug and mounted onto Taken With Teal. Birds were mounted on Tempting Turquoise. The birds and scalloped edges were cut with my new Nestabilities. Finally, the white dots were placed around the edges with my Souflee pen.

Thank you for stopping by. Don't forget to visit tomorrow. I have an interesting tutorial in store for you.

Holy Smokes

2008-06-22T09:49:00.003-04:00

You should see Penny's glitter card. Talk about a piece of art!!

Look at the blog candy I won from Kimmy. Holy smokes there is a lot of loot. Three stamp sets, Cards magazine, mini album, ribbon, clear stamps. Thanks Kimmy! Kimmy has weekly challenges going on and you might want to join in on the fun.

Technique Junkie BOGO sale

2008-06-21T18:34:00.003-04:00

BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
First, for paper:
Buy any two years: $27.00 (normally $36.00)
Buy any 4 years: $54.00 (normally: $72.00)
Buy all back issues from 10-02 to 12-07: 70.00 (normally $96.00)

Now, for the CDs
Here is the pricing for the CDs:
Buy any two: $22.40 (regularly $27.95 for subscribers)
Buy Four: $44.80 (regularly $54.00 for subscribers)
If you wanted all 5, I would offer them to you for they would be $55.75 (normally $66.00)

Full tututorial index can be viewed here

Pat accepts Paypal and personal cheques.
For further details, please see Pat's blog post here.

Offer good until June 30th

A True Friend is You Friend

2008-06-20T03:00:00.002-04:00

Happy Friday to you. I had a wonderful week. How about you? One of the exciting things I did over the past week was a shopping trip for me. Me, me, me. It was all about me! With all the excitement, I'll bet you are saying, "oh, that must mean she went stamp shopping." Yes indeedie I did! London (one hour from me), has the nicest rubberstamp store I have ever been in, and I only discovered it 1 1/2 years ago. I won't even begin to tell you how much moola they have graciously accepted from me--LOL.

The first thing that greeted me at the door was Suzy Toronto. Well, not Suzy herself, but her stamps. Her slogan is "...feel the tingle." I don't need to tell you I was feel'n just that! Suzy's style is funky and happy -- just like me. Can't you see how nice her stamps are to use with Tombow markers? I can see a lot of watercolouring going on in my studio over the next while.

I finally got to meet Janine, who works at the store. She doesn't work weekends, which is when I usually visit Stamp Art. Janine's cards are pretty creative. She just announced her acceptance onto the American Art Stamp design team. Lucky them!

Guess I got off track a little bit. I'm really talkative today, aren't I?! So--after I watercoloured my image, I painted the image with Twinkling H2O's.

This was an image that spoke to me (shhh)--perfect to use on my girlfriend's birthday cards. You may recognize the sentiment from Stampin' Up. It comes from the True Friends set.

Okay, I best get going. I'm on my way to meet up in Michigan with my girlfriends from the Stamp Shack. Every six to eight weeks we get together at a scrapbook store to create cards and scrapbook. If I'm not too tired, I'll stay until the store closes at midnight. It's an hour drive back home, and to stay awake I go through Starbucks, crank up the tunes and bee bop all the way home.

Have yourself a fabulous weekend. Enjoy the first weekend of summer.

Odd Bird Planet Gets Altered

2008-06-19T03:00:00.006-04:00

Happy Thursday folks! How's your week going? I met with my computer guru, Matt, and together we pounded ideas back and forth with respect to my new blog and website. Whenever anyone asks when my new site will be up, I always respond with, "in four weeks." Well, it's been five months--20 weeks. How foolish of me to think things of this nature could be done so quickly. I guess that's why I have a secretarial arts certificate and not a business degree.

Now, onto business. Johanna's Odd Bird Planet - June Boutique assignment was for me to use these two photos in a card or project. Photos were taken by photographer Scott Hatlestad, Johanna's husband. Johanna has a boutique where my altered art will be featured alongside other design team creations.

Each of us was presented with different images. You can see Godelieve's here.

Eleanor's sense of humour shined with her take on the pics.

Kerry took her photo to the next level by creating a shadow box.

Interested in creating this background? My distress ink tutorial can be found here.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Tutorial Tuesday - Explosion Box

2008-06-17T10:52:00.003-04:00

It's Tutorial Tuesday, once again, here at Sunflowers and Dragonflies. I know there are some ladies anxious for a transfer tutorial, and I promise to post that next week. In the meantime, please enjoy an explosion box.

Supplies:

Scor-Pal or score blade
9" square cardstock for outside box
9" square cardstock for inside box
4 - 2 7/8" squares of patterned paper
4 - 2 3/4" squares of patterned paper
5 1/8" square for lid

Score your inside of box at 3" and 9" both horizontally and vertically.

Score outside 9" x 9" square at 3" and 9" both horizontally and vertically.

Cut a 5 1/8" square for the top cover of your box. Score at 1" from each edge.

Cut four 2 7/8" x 2 7/8" squares.

Cut four 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" squares.

Adhere the 2 7/8" squares to the outside of your paper. Score diagonal lines from the outside edge towards the corner of the centre square.

Cut your 2 3/4" squares on a diagonal and adhere them to the corners of your paper.

Cut out the four corner squares.

Clip corners as shown in photo. Fold clipped edges in and secure tightly with a glue dot.

You are now ready to decorate your box.

Stamps: SU Fabulous Flowers, Diffusion sentiment
Paper: Daisyd, Bazzill
Resources: Beate Johns

Blog Candy

2008-06-16T03:00:00.000-04:00

Hurray, Tania just posted some blog candy, and the winner will receive these two adorable stamps from Odd Bird Planet. Tania is hillarious and designs the funniest cards.

When you leave your entry, please tell her Beth sent you. Good luck!

Saw the new Narnia movie this past weekend. Have you seen it yet? It's adorable. Hoping to see Kung Fu Panda next. I'll bet you didn't know I was one big kid? Shhh, don't tell anyone!

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget that it's Tutorial Tuesday tomorrow.

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T03:00:00.000-04:00

For all fathers, and husbands

Happy Father's Day

Stamps: justjohanna's Odd Bird Planet

Woooweee--there's 16 of me!

2008-06-14T03:00:00.000-04:00

Woowee--16 of me? Poor Donnie--ROFWL!!

I had a blast creating 16 tags for a justjohanna Odd Bird Planet design team exchange.

1st step - cut watercolour paper with Cricut
2nd step - created a beautiful mess, following the distress ink technique
3rd step - stamp Odd Bird Planet bird onto pink paper and cut out
4th step - Sew beads
5th step - Pat myself on the back for not losing my patience with the sewing, and for not breaking one single needle!

Thanks for stopping by!

True Friend Anniversary

2008-06-13T03:56:00.001-04:00

TGIF. Can you believe it's Friday already? Last Friday was a horrible day in my house. The temperature was a record high, and my air wouldn't turn on. We were something like #33 on the repair list, and it was Tuesday afternoon before they got around to repairing the air conditioning. It goes without saying that I'm enjoying this Friday!

Today I'm sharing another True Friend card with you, which I think would be perfect for an anniversary. The colours are a little different from me, but I think I'm happy with the results.

Thank you for stopping by!

Stamps: SU True Friends, Baroque Motif
Paper: River Rock, Ballet Blue, Ruby Red
Ink: Night of Navy, River Rock, Ruby Red

True Friend

2008-06-12T03:51:00.000-04:00

Remember all that rubber I said I got from my successful Stamp'n Up party? Well, here are the results. This pretty little card is perfect for a wedding, don't you think?

The background paper was embossed with my cuttlebug.

Enjoy your day, and thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: SU True Friend
Paper: White, Cool Caribbean, Pretty in Pink
White ribbon, brad

Tutorial Tuesday - Oragami Shirt & Tie

2008-06-10T05:30:00.010-04:00

Supplies:

Scor-Pal or score blade
4" x 6" double sided paper

Score paper at 1" on the left and right side of paper. Fold flat.

Fold along the score line and place the 1/2" of paper so that it lays on the side of the shirt with no crease.

Lay shirt wrong side up. Grasp the top right corner and pull down until the corner touches the centre of the shirt. Repeat with the left side.

Bring the bottom edge of the shirt upwards and tuck it under the collar. Create a crisp crease on the bottom.

Take the shirt from under the collar and lay flat. Here the sleeves are being made. Fold paper from the edge of the paper to the centre of the shirt.

Fold shirt at the score line and tuck the end of the shirt up under the collar.

Your cute little shirt is ready to decorate.

An oragami tie follows next...

Cut a 2" x 2" square for the tie.

Fold tie in half.

Fold over the left and right side of the tie to look like this photo.

Fold over the top of the tie, approximately one-third the way up.

Bend the edge of the piece so the edge of the point matches with the top of the tie.

Fold the little flap over to the underside of the tie.

Lay tie flat.

Fold the right edge over. The edge should be matched with the center of the tie. Repeat with left side.

Isn't this just the cutest thing you've seen?

Stamps: SU Designer Paper
Resources: Cambria Turnbow and Barefoot Stamper

Tutorial Tuesday - Stamp Cleaner Recipe

2008-06-10T03:00:00.001-04:00

2 Tablespoons glycerin (in the Rx dept.)
8 oz. distilled water
1 teaspoon baby wash

Please be patient with me

2008-06-08T11:00:00.002-04:00

Please be patient with me. I just can't seem to pull myself out of my funk. Not even to take a couple of photos and post. There are two gorgeous cards just waiting to be posted, but at the moment it is too much of a struggle. Do you ever get this way?

In the meantime, I'll share a link with you. It's called Pro Blogger. The writer of this blog has many fabulous tips which you might find helpful.

Pro Blogger

Horsing Around With Gretel

2008-06-05T02:00:00.004-04:00

Hurray, it's Thursday! Gosh, this week is going by far too fast. I feel like I got nothing accomplished on my web-site. I'm sure if I wrote out a list, I'd find that I did get lots done. You ever feel that way? Maybe I'm too hard on myself like Donnie says I am.

Speaking of Donnie, his daughter's birthday is coming up. This is the card I made for Robin. She is a huge horse lover and looks after her aunt's horses and stalls. Robin is never afraid of hard work.

This Stampabilities image was stamped with Black Stazon and coloured with Prismacolor pencil crayons and OMS. I drew the grass to ground the horses. Yummy paper is Cosmo Cricket paper called Gretel. Looking at their home page takes me back to my school days. Need some inspiration? Look at Cosmo Cricket's inspiration page.

Well, I think that's enough enabling for the day. Go forth and create.

Eat (cup) Cake

2008-06-04T12:21:00.003-04:00

Don't these cupcakes look yummy! The designer paper, from Junkitz, seems to be made just for these stamps.

I was so mesmerized by the adorable cupcakes that I didn't even notice this is double-sided paper. It was discovered when I found a link for you to look at the gorgeous paper. I'm so silly!

What have you been up to lately? Has your studio work taken a back seat to your gardening. I have two girlfriends that I'm sure are in their gardens, right Carol & Sharon?

Well, if I'm going to get my new website up and running, I had better stop with the chatter and get back to work.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: justjohanna's Odd Bird Planet
Paper: Junkitz, Birthday Party
Images coloured with Prismacolor pencil crayons and OMS

2008-06-03T03:00:00.001-04:00

Hurray, it's Tutorial Tuesday here at Sunflowers and Dragonflies.

Have I told you that I am busy putting together a new blog and website for you? Are you getting excited? It's only a few weeks away. There will be a big celebration with some surprises. That's all I'm going to say for now. Aren't these kind of teasers unfair?

Since I have been very busy working away in my studio, I thought I would share some interesting tutorials with you--which are sure to please.

Michelle Ward has lots of ideas for creating art
Nancy's clear tape transfer
K. Barteski's pencil crayon tutorials
Try it Tuesday's acrylic backgrounds
Chrysti's free images
iHannah's mosaic making
iHannah's wet paper painting
iHanna's valentine postcards
Joggle's beaded pen
Joggle's fibre fun
Joggle's prima paper flowers
Godelieve's chipboard flowers
Mel's butterfly cards

Tagged

2008-06-02T14:38:00.002-04:00

Kim from Running on Ink tagged me. Here goes:

Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: Too many to name.
C- Cautious or Crazy: Crazy.
D-Day: Thursday- beer and wing with my friends night.
E- Essential Item: Rubber stamps and ink
F- Favorite Color: Orange and pink
G-Gummi Bears or Worms: neither
H-Home town: Don't have one. I've moved around too many times all my life.
I- Indulgences: Beer and wings
J- January or July? January- July
K-Kids: 2 grown
L-Life is incomplete without: children and Donnie
M- Movie theatre or home rental: Movie theatre
N- Number of Siblings: 2 younger sisters
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges
P- Phobias or Fears: Bugs
Q- Quote:
R- Reason To Smile: My new career
S- Season: Fall
T- Tea or Coffee: Coffee, coffee, coffee
U- Unknown fact about me:
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: I love red meat.
W- Worst Habit: Sleep too much
Y-Your favorite food: Mexican
Z: Zodiac Sign: Leo

Odd Bird Planet Special

2008-06-02T03:00:00.000-04:00

Yes, you heard me right. justjohanna is now called justjohanna's Odd Bird Planet. June's special includes the four stamps seen below. Buying them in the special bundle saves you 25%.

My card is on the left, and Kim Franz's card is on the right. My card was coloured with Prismacolor pencil crayons and OMS. Blue highlights around the balloon, and the blue clouds, were painted with an angled brush, using Twinkling H2O's.

I'm new to the Odd Bird Planet team, and I don't have the stamps featured here yet. I'm on my way to change that now. Want to join me here?

Colour Your World With Prismacolour

2008-06-01T02:00:00.000-04:00

One of the best things in life is opening up a new package of pencil crayons. Not just any pencil crayons. Prismacolor pencil crayons.

Prismacolor Primier pencil crayons come in packages of 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 120 and 132. This pencil crayon is made up of high quality pigment and goes on smoothly.

The Prismacolor Verithin pencil crayon has a hard core, which makes it perfect for outlining and detailing.

The secret to colouring with Prismacolour pencil crayons is in the blending. Prismacolour produces a blending pencil which works very well. If you want to create quickly, without any fuss, then the blending pencil is best suited for you.

Are you ready to see how the pros use these pencil crayons? Click here.

For the artist who wishes to spend a considerable amount of time on a stamped image, odourless mineral spirits (OMS) is for you.This liquid is 100% odourless and was developed for thinning mediums and brush clean up. Gamsol can be found in art and hobby stores. You may find a product very similar to Gamsol simply called Odourless Mineral Spirits.

If you would like to see a video demonstration using OMS, click here.

If you use OMS, it is important to stamp your image with Stazon.

Ever wonder what artists do with coloured pencils? Be prepared to be amazed by visiting the Coloured Pencil Society winners here. Click on the images for a close up look.

Using the right tools produces a beautiful end product. You won't be sorry by investing in a good tool such as Prismacolor pencil crayons.

Wowzers!

2008-05-31T02:00:00.000-04:00

It has been a long time since I shared some interesting links

Wyanne Art
Linda Cain's bird house
Melissa Phillips' cute bikini card
Inspiration from Anna Maria Horner

Enjoy!

About Face

2008-05-30T10:24:00.002-04:00

It's the end of the week already? Here it is, the end of the week, and what do I have to show for it? Nothing. Absolutely nothing! I finally found my mojo yesterday, and had to drag her into the studio kicking and screaming because I had a card to get done for Double-Take Thursday. Mojo stayed quite tight lipped when I asked her where the heck she has been all week. Perhaps she was with one of you. Ummm, was she?

Something strange happened when my mojo came back. Can you tell what it has been? My style of cards seems to be changing. Can you see how different yesterday's and today's cards are from my norm? Where's the bright, loud and vibrant? I guess change is good. I'll find out if you like the change or not. If I get a run of "unsubscribers" I know I disappointed.

Hope you have a great weekend. Any big plans? Any exciting projects you care to share with me? Drop me a note as I just love to interact with my readers.

Thanks for stopping by.

Double Take Thursday

2008-05-29T13:47:00.006-04:00

This is the last week of the Double Take Challenge. I accepted a new position at
work, which entails, of all things, shift work. Coming from 9-5 all my life,
I think this will take some getting used to. My routine will change dramatically
so I have to make a few small changes. Sadly, in the fall I will no longer be
running the Cuttlebug Club at Lasting Impressions, but I will still have my one
card class a month.

This week Kim challenged me to use a stamp that I have never used before.
Well, if I didn't get my huge Stampin' Up order in yesterday! (insert happy dance)
I was the hostess
this past month and had a very successful party. Thank's Sue, for hosting
such a successful party for me.

This week I wanted to try and duplicate Kim's elegance
that she seems to be able to pound out without any difficulty.
While I do love this card, I think I'll add some bling to it afterall.

Kim, thank you for playing Double Take Thursday with me for the
past several months. It was so much fun.
I'm anxious to go and peak at Kim's card. Are you?

Kim Prince - Creative Diversions

Thank you for stopping by my friends,

How Odd

2008-05-28T00:05:00.000-04:00

Pssssst, did you hear the news? justjohanna is changing its name to justjohanna Odd Bird Planet. How cool is that? A new website will be revealed on June 1st.

I'm on the Team!!

Just Announced

justjohanna Odd Bird Planet Design Team
* * * * * * * * *

Beth Norman
Celine Parcaroli
Emi Matsuoka
Meng-Ying (Moon) Lee
Miho Miyagawa
Noel Huang
Sarah Schwerin
Tania Emmerechts
Thanh Vo

Continuing Members
Cathrine St. Clair
Debbie Scheunemann
Dianne McInrue
Eleanor Abril
Emilia Hsu
Emily Gunnell
Godelieve Tijskens
Heather Grow
Kathi Rerek
Kerry Urbatch
Kim Schofield
Mandy Cheshire
Marnie Bushmole
Phillipa Barr
Rina
Teresa Abajo
Tracy Durcan

Tutorial Tuesday - Small File Box and Gift Box

2008-05-27T09:04:00.006-04:00

Welcome to Sunflowers and Dragonflies Tutorial Tuesday. Today's box was inspired by Claudia Rosa. What a talented lady she is. This little box is perfect for a small filing box, such as birthday reminders; and even gift boxes. Possibilities are endless.

SUPPLIES:

Scor-Pal or score blade
Scissors
8 1/2" cardstock
designer paper
scotch tape
double sided tape (optional)
ink
ribbon (for note cards inside the box)

With your paper horizontal score at 2", 5 1/2" and 7 1/2"

With your paper vertical, score at 1 1/2", 3 1/2", 7"

Clip score lines from outside left edge to the 1 1/2" score line. Clip score lines from outside right edge to the 3 1/2" score line.

With the 1 1/2" score line on the left, cut the right side pieces off. Your paper will look like this.

Bend box in half. The bottom flaps on all three panels will be folded up into the box, and the left panel will fold over to the right.

If you look very closely you will see that the adjoining side edges is taped with scotch tape, as is the bottom. Your piece is now ready to decorate.

Stamps: All Night Media
Paper: SU Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, White, Black
Watercoloured with Tombow markers
White paper was run through the Cuttlebug
Brads added to top

For the tutorial on the post-it note holder, click here.

Watercolour Your World

2008-05-25T09:01:00.000-04:00

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to use watercolour pencils? Let me tell you a little bit about them.

Before I continue, it is most important to tell you about the ink pad you should use to stamp out your image. You probably guessed, it is Stazon. If you think you have a permanent black ink, please test it on a scrap piece of paper prior to diving into your good image. If you do not use a proper ink, your image will be all smeared.

Watercolour pencils look rich, and vibrant, when you hold them in your hand, and look soft, and subtle, when you are done. Do not confuse them for regular pencil crayons. These coloured pencils are water-soluable. What does that mean? It means that you use a brush and water to blend the colour.

Many of you are familiar with the plastic pens that hold water, with a brush at the tip. This is what is used by many artists, but because stampers work with images that have small areas, the best product to use is simply a professional brush and water (to the side).

Colour your image like you would with a regular coloured pencil. Being neat is not necessary. Next, dip your brush into the water, tap it lightly onto a paper towel to remove excess water, and blend your colour. If you really want to get creative, add colours opposite to each other on the colour wheel. You will be amazed with the results; they help to make your image really pop. When you do this, add just a small dot of the second colour into areas here and there.

Do you have to use watercolour paper? Not necessarily, but recommended. If I am doing a small image, I will use regular white cardstock, and I will make sure that my brush is almost dry because the paper will buckle if there is too much water. Watercolour paper is made specifically for watercolour paint and pencils. It prevents your colours from blending together and getting muddy.

There are many different grades of paper. Play around with the various grades and see what works best for you. I use both heavy and light grades, depending on what size image I am using. Small images work well with light grades, while heavier grades are best for large images.

Watercolour paper comes in large sheets, and in booklet form. Buy what best suits you.

Remember, above all, have fun. Don't stress. Practice, experiment, play!

You Cheer Me Up Award

2008-05-23T11:11:00.002-04:00

Ila presented me with the You Cheer Me Up Award. Thank you, Ila. You certainly cheer me up too! Ila does beautiful work with Magnolia images, and I encourage you to take a peak here.

I will present these awards to these two inspiring bloggers:

Kim H
Kim P

Double Take Thursday

2008-05-22T01:36:00.000-04:00

Hey, it's Thursday--my favourite day of the week. Kim and I have another double take for you. Can you guess what it is? The challenge I threw out to Kim was to create a card using five layers. While I made this, I was surprised at how easy a five layer card is, and wished I could add even more. By sticking with just five layers, I was not able to add my sentiment on the outside.

Kim said she is excited to pull out her Nestabilities for this challenge. Let's go peak at her gorgeous card shall we? Click here.

Thanks for playing Kim. I look forward to our challenge next week.

Polymar Clay RAK

2008-05-21T10:51:00.003-04:00

Look was I received from my dear friend, Kim. I fell in love with this card the minute she posted it on her blog, and wasn't I surprised to discover it in my mailbox. Tucked neatly inside was this hand made polymar clay necklace, wrapped in pink tissue and cloth ribbon. The background is just a sampling of the wonderful papers she included. She sure knows how to make someone feel special. Thanks Kim!

Tutorial Tuesday - PearlEx

2008-05-20T04:52:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Sunflowers and Dragonflies Tutorial Tuesday. Ever wonder where I get ideas for my tutorials? I get my ideas from reading a lot of blogs--and I mean a lot. I also purchase numerous books, and borrow books from my girlfriend, Sharon, who can outdo any Barnes & Noble with her endless supplies of books. Today's inspiration came from the blog, Pearlesq. The neat thing about this technique is that your finished piece does not have to be sprayed with a sealer. In this technique, the PearlEx is mixed with ink, and therefore is "set." You will see that the stamp I used is an image of a violin. I purchased this because I played the violin from grade 4 through to 12, and was in the highschool orchestra. I used my grandfather's violin, and passed it onto my daughter, who started lessons last year. Okay, pull out your PearlEx and let's get started.

Supplies:

PearlEx
Embossing powder (dark)
brush and water
VersaMark
Variety of ink pads
Heat embosser
Stamp
Non stick craft sheet

Place your stamp on the VersaMark pad, and ink it up well. Sprinkle embossing powder over the image and heat emboss.

Smoosh your ink pad onto the non stick craft sheet. Do this with a nice variety of colour.

Place your brush into water.

Place your wet brush into one of the PearlEx jars.

Mix your brush into the coordinating colour of ink and mix PearlEx well into the ink.

This photo shows that I used circular motion to blend the PearlEx into the ink

Paint your image.

Continue to paint, using different colours.

Here you see a variety of colours using this technique.

My card is now finished.

Odd One Out

2008-05-19T06:41:00.006-04:00

Green and pink cows? You bettcha! I'm a girly girl and I like these colours. The neat thing about justjohanna images is that one can be outrageous with them.

Images were coloured with Prismacolor Pencil crayons and OMS.

I'm getting closer to getting my new website and blog posted. Matt is working hard with me--he's my creative designer and is doing a great job designing my new website.

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to come back for tomorrow's tutorial.

Snappy Birthday

2008-05-18T09:20:00.000-04:00

Howdy folks! Are you having a nice long weekend? This is supposed to be the weekend to plant gardens, but the temperatures are still too cool at night for that.

Stepping away from the cold for a minute, let's look at the warm temperatures of Africa. Mr. Rhino is grazing on the green grass while shaded under the palm tree.

Nearby are his friends in the shell.

The flap on the right, with the crab and shells, opens up to reveal a Snappy Birthday greeting. Crab & Co, from SU, is such a fun set to use.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

Made With Love

2008-05-17T11:50:00.004-04:00

These gift cards, and goodie holder, were made with love for special people in my family.

Cake is from Sunshine Designs, and Cupcakes are from Hero Arts. Images are watercoloured with Tombow markers.

Paper: SU - Taken With Teal, Pixie Pink, Certainly Celery, Ballet Blue, Pumpkin, white

Thanks for stopping by!

Double Take Thursday

2008-05-15T12:01:00.004-04:00

Good afternoon! It's that time in the week--when Kim and I have you do a double-take. This week Kim challenged me to create a card with a bird.

My background is a technique called, Joseph's Coat With a Twist, and came from the 10-05 issue of the TECHNIQUE JUNKIE NEWSLETTER. Isn't it purdy? Every time I create a new technique from the Newsletter, it becomes my favourite, but I think in this case, this one is staying at the top of my list.

Coordinating paper comes from SU--Pumpkin Pie and So Saffron. This is now one of my favourite colour combinations, thanks to my girlfriend, Sue, who demo'd my SU party last night. I will definately show you the cards that we made because they are so darn cute!

The Inkadinkado bird was stamped in Adirondack's Wild Plum. The background flower is also Inkadinkado.

Don't forget to go and take a peak at the card that Kim made--Wowza, Wowza, Wowza. She rocked this challenge again!

Tutorial Tuesday - Distress Ink Technique

2008-05-12T15:12:00.018-04:00

Welcome to Sunflowers and Dragonflies Tutorial Tuesday. Today's technique was inspired by PearlEsq's written tutorial, which is based on Tim Holtz' Wrinkle Free Distress Technique.

Supplies:

Watercolour paper
Non Stick Craft Sheet
Tim Holtz Distress Inks in a variety of colours
Water mister
Heat Gun

Blot Distress Ink directly onto Non Stick Craft Sheet. Space colour blocks apart so colours do not get muddy.

Spray ink with water. Saturate the colour blocks very well so that the ink beads.

Lay watercolour paper over top of beaded ink.

Swipe the watercolour paper with the back of your card. This will smoosh the colour over the paper.

Dry coloured watercolour paper with heat gun.

Place your dried watercolour paper back onto the leftover ink blots. Do not smoosh. You want to have a beaded, or spotted, look over top of the smooshed background.

Dry blots with a heat gun.

This is the finished background.

This card is finished with a Tombow marker watercolour. Stamp is from the Stamp Barn, Sunshine Design-House on the Hill line.

One For You, Two For Me

2008-05-12T09:06:00.002-04:00

Good Monday morning! Do you love cupcakes as much as I do? I'm one big kid and love the pretty ones full of sparkle and colour, and I'm having a fun time creating cupcakes for cards.

This card is one of my favourites, and is from the February issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. It is called the Gated Tag Card.

Many of you have asked me about this newsletter, so I will explain a little more. Pat Huntoon's newsletter is published bi-monthly and is full of techniques and card folds. I am a writer for the newsletter and you can see my tutorials, and cards using various techniques, on the website edition of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. As a subscriber you receive a paper edition of the newsletter, and will receive a password to view the step-by-step tutorials, and card examples, each month. There is also a Yahoo Group to join if you wish, where you will see other examples from among the 4000 subscribers. You can submit your cards to the Group as well.

Pat's newsletter is unique. You will never find a tutorial that is in her newsletter on my blog. If you enjoy trying new products and techniques, then this is the newsletter for you. If you sign up, tell Pat I sent you.

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T11:04:00.002-04:00

Happy Mother's Day

Inspiration for this card came from Zindorf

justjohanna May Special

2008-05-10T09:25:00.000-04:00

Kim Hutchinson created these lovely cards using this month's justjohanna special.
To order your set, click here

justjohanna Farm Yard Animals

2008-05-09T09:20:00.003-04:00

Wow, it's Friday already. Do you have plans for the weekend?

justjohanna came out with some farm yard animals so I got busy and used them. Images were coloured with Prismacolour pencil crayons and OMS. Paper was torn to resemble the hillside, and the sun was punched with a circle punch. Sky was brayered.

Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend!

Double Take Thursday - Bright

2008-05-08T14:40:00.000-04:00

Happy Thursday! This week I challenged Kim to create a bright coloured card. This was a little unfair since I love to create with bright colours. The reason I chose this challenge is because I wanted to use Marieke's stamps from Cornish Heritage Farms.

Kim's style of cards are soft and elegant, and I'm sure she worked hard to do "bright." That's okay, her challenge for me next week is really having me thinking! LOL.

Thank you for stopping by. Please don't forget to visit Kim's site to see what she came up with.

Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms, justjohanna
Dots: Adirondack's Dimentional Pearls
Colour: Watercolour with Tombow markers
Embellishments: Stickles, buttons, sequins
Paper: Taken With Teal, Pixie Pink, watercolour

Tutorial Tuesday - Utee Gold

2008-05-06T13:51:00.023-04:00

Hey! How are you. Did anybody even miss that I didn't blog for a week? I know I missed you. Didn't get caught up with my committments, but at least I'm not further behind. Let's get to today's tutorial, shall we....

Supplies:
Utee ultra thick embossing powder
Perfect Medium or VersaMark (not in pic)
Ink pads
Heat embosser
Perfect Pearls/PearlEx
Paint Brush

Sponge colour onto cardstock

Dab Perfect Medium or VersaMark (hereon in, I will refer to VersaMark) over entire surface that has been inked.

Sprinkle Utee over entire surface.

Heat emboss. Repeat by covering entire surface with VersaMark and heat emboss with Utee. If your surface is not smooth, repeat for a third time.

Cover entire surface with VersaMark, once again.

With your paint brush, brush on Perfect Pearls and/or PearlEx.

Sprinkle Utee over top of surface, and heat emboss.

When you heat emboss this final coat (yes, it really is the final coat), expect the Utee to blow all over your desk, and even yourself!

This is only a teeny tiny section of my desk--you should have seen the whole thing. I would have photographed it for you, except the camera didn't capture the full essence of the mess.

Can you see the gold, can you see the gold? This background is so cool, don't you think?! No more coats of Utee--you are good to go.

Whalaa, here is my final card. I made four other backgrounds at the same time; you will see some more examples very soon. It is so easy to make multiple backgrounds at one time, and is very convenient when you need a background in a pinch.

I Return May 6th

2008-04-27T18:53:00.003-04:00

The Do Not Disturb sign is back on my door for the week. I have several commitments that need my attention, including a new website and blog. I am switching to Wordpress, and am absorbing every word in the Wordpress for Dummies book. If anyone has any Wordpress tips, stories or advice, I'd love to hear it all. It clearly is a beast that requires quite a bit of knowledge. I refuse to let Wordpress beat me! Lisa Sabin-Wilson is the writer of Wordpress for Dummies if you are interested in seeing her wonderful blog. From everything I read by Matt, the co-founder of Wordpress, I won't be disappointed by making the switch. I would love to personally sit with Matt, over a cup of coffee, to extract some of his best tips. Perhaps he would lighten up my mood with this change-over. Matt just might have a tip, or two for me, because I learned that a Wordpress blogger can be notified whenever anyone links up your blog. You never know, Matt might say he's in town this week :).

I will return next Tuesday, May 6th, where I will have a tutorial using Utee Ultra Thick and Perfect Pearls for you.

Kaleidoscope Card

2008-04-26T10:52:00.004-04:00

Are you a subscriber to the Technique Junkie Newsletter? If you are, then you will find my tutorial for the Kaleidoscope card, along with other gorgeous examples by the Turbo Team.

Here I dangled snowflakes from the top of the card to give the card added dimension.

Paper: Bazzil
Stamps: Birds, Hero Arts; Swirls, Stampendous; Verse, PSX

Majestic Buck

2008-04-25T09:32:00.005-04:00

Woohoo, it's the end of the week. What does that mean to me? Today, Donnie is off so we are heading over to Michigan for the day, and I can stamp all weekend long. Weekends are usually when I do my tutorial for Tuesday, but there are times I'm doing them at the very last minute on Monday. Want a hint about this Tuesday's tutorial? Make sure you have Ultra Thick Utee and Perfect Pearls ready.

This week I was able to participate in a couple of Splitcoast Stamper's challenges. This was Wednesday's sketch challenge. To see the sketch, click here. The complete gallery of sketches can be seen here.

I have to say that I think this is one of my favourite cards. I'm starting to use the brayer more, and the results are truly outstanding. The infamous Zindorf does amazing brayer work.

I hope you all have a wonderful, and restful, weekend. Thank you for stopping by.

Stamp: Penny Black
Ink: Adirondack Sailboat Blue, Tombow markers, Black Stazon, VersaMark
Paper: Buckaroo Blue, white, watercolour paper
Misc: Clear embossing powder, brayer

justjohanna Meets Daisyd

2008-04-23T07:58:00.000-04:00

Good morning folks! Today I'm going to share some children's cards with you. Do you ever find yourself puzzled when it comes to creating these cards? I know I do. When I saw Daisyd's Wonder Years "Best Friends" cardstock chipboard, I decided that it would make a wonderful children's series. Stephanie is the artist who designed the Wonder Years line.

Here is a close up of the characters. They were coloured with pencil crayon and OMS, and Twinkling H2O's. Can you see the 3-D flowers I added to the dress? I love to embellish, as you probably know. All paper is Daisyd.

Combining stamps with stickers and chipboard opened a whole new world for me. My nieces and nephews will be delighted with these characters. justjohanna's stamps go well with Daisyd, wouldn't you agree? I think "they" think so too--just look at the smiles on their faces.

These trick or treaters are a little early, but that's okay; I always have goodies in my pantry all year round.

The next time you walk past cute characters, such as these, pick them up and try combining them with your stamps. It really does add that something special to a card.

Tutorial Tuesday - Tote

2008-04-23T05:22:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Sunflowers and Dragonflies' weekly tutorial. I had several requests to share this tutorial with you, after I shared my class project last month. If you make a tote, please link me up because I would love to see it!

2" punch (or smaller)
4 small brads (for handles)
Score Pal or score blade
black marker (optional-for drawing on stitches)
Two large decorative buttons (for front pocket)
Double-sided tape (not shown)
Glue (not shown)
Cuttlebug (optional)
Cuttlebug templates (optional)

8 1/2" x 11" cardstock (tote) here blue
1 1/5" x 4 3/4" cardstock (side of tote) here white
6" x 3" cardstock (front pocket) here blue
2" x 3" cardstock (front pocket accent)here pink
6" x 1" cardstock (front pocket accent) here white
2 - 1/2" x 11 1/2" cardstock (handle)here white
2 - 2" circles from punch (front pocket) here pink
2 - 2" circles from punch (front pocket) here white
2 - 2" half circles from punch (front pocket) here blue

This photo is to aid you with your cuts.

This photo is to aid you in your cuts.

This is a diagram of your score, and cut, lines. Vertical score from outside edge to inside is
1 1/4". Horizontal score lines are 4 3/4" from top and bottom ends.

Go ahead and score your vertical lines 1 1/4" from outside edges inwards.

Place your paper horizontally and score your horizontal lines 4 3/4" from outside edge, inwards. Do this from the left hand side, and the right.

Now you will clip just a tiny portion of your score line. Snip the score line only to the 1 3/4" from the edges. Do not cut the piece off.

Place double-sided tape down the left and right margins, on one side only.

Fold up the clipped edge and wrap the outside edges around each other to create the sides of the tote.

Place your 2" x 3" decorative accents through the Cuttlebug (optional) and glue to the front 6" x 3" pocket, as shown.

Score the 6" x 1" decorative accent down the centre and glue on the top edge of your pocket, as shown.

Run your bottom corners through the Cuttlebug (optional). Place on the bottom edges of the front pocket, as shown.

Turn your pocket over and cut overlapping edges of circle.

Run half circle through Cuttlebug (optional) and adhere onto bottom circle, as shown.

Place decorative buttons onto front flaps, as seen here, and adhere flaps to front pocket with double sided tape. Add stitch lines, if you wish.

Adhere sides to tote. You may wish to run your cardstock through the Cuttlebug before adhering.

It is possible to give your handles a decorative touch with the Cuttlebug. Place your strip into the template, as shown, and reverse the strip and run it through the Cuttlebug, once again. If your handle is too long for the decorative template to meet the pattern in the centre, trim a little bit off your end.

Attach your handles with small brads.

Here you can see that I added two white paper buttons on the front pocket. I placed my white paper through the Cuttlebug with a circular template, and used a hole-punch to punch out two of the circles, and adhered as buttons.

You can create a coordinating 3" x 3" gift card and place it in the front pocket.

This is a quick, and easy, tote. Have fun creating yours!

Earth Day Celebration Winner

2008-04-22T05:06:00.001-04:00

Congratulations NOEL. You are the winner in the Earth Day celebrations. Please give me your address and the 2008 Earth Day stamp is yours. Thank you for participating.

justjohanna Earth Day cards

2008-04-21T08:15:00.000-04:00

Holy smokes, yesterday was a very busy, and fun, day. I played all day with the Earth Day challenges over at justjohanna. Today's card reflects Kim's challenge to use newspaper on our cards.

Do you recognize my polished stone background? The paper behind the peacock uses the shaving cream technique. The peacock was stamped twice: once on white paper and once on the polished stone background. Each feather was then cut out and glued onto the white paper. Twinkling H2O's were painted around the peacock.

Flower stems were stamped onto the newspaper.

Can you guess what Teresa's challenge was? It was to use earth colours, and since most of my clothes are earth tones, I thought I'd stick with what I like best--rust and brown.

Here I combined Phillipa's eat fresh technique and Teresa's earth colour techniques. Used lots of layers and had fun adding lots of black dots. The tractor was mounted onto rust paper, cut out, and then pop dots were added to the tractor.

All images are justjohanna.

Earth Day Celebrations Starting

2008-04-19T14:10:00.002-04:00

This post is staying at the top of today's post. Scroll down to see the numerous posts that are taking place today.

Kick up those heels--Earth Day Celebrations have begun. I'm heading over to the justjohanna forum now, to play in the challenges.

My challenge is to reuse tin foil lids from containers such as coffee and yogart. Examples are posted below.

Remember, participate in my challenge, and link me to your card (you are encouraged to upload it to the justjohanna Earth Day gallery), and your name will be submitted for the grand prize of $250. You have until midnight my time (Detroit/Toronto).

PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES

One (1) grand prize of a $250 justjohanna shopping spree.

One (1) second prize of a $50 justjohanna gift certificate.

Five (5) third prizes of 25% off coupons for the justjohanna online store.

One (1) limited edition Al in Space rubber stamp for the winner of each of the individual challenges.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

(no idea why this is an odd colour and is underlined. Pretend it isn't please).

I have a nephew that's going to love receiving this recycled card for his birthday; he played the lead part in his school play entitled, "Pirates of Penzance." What a talented young man he is!

Do you recognize the clouds and waves as being recycled tinfoil freshness seals? Yup, they come from yogart and coffee containers. Of course I had to use my Cuttlebug to embellish the tinfoil. These justjohanna images make perfect sea-bearing animals, don't you think?

Somehow, "Tree on a Hill" seems to be the appropriate name for this card. It would be a lonely looking tree but the justjohanna animals know that everyone and everything needs a friend. Shh, they are really tree-huggers in disquise.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
How I wonder where you are

It looks like this cute little owl found out where the star was hiding after all--it was close to the moon. If only we knew that as a child, perhaps we could have swung on a star too!

2008-04-19T13:52:00.005-04:00

Can you tell what Kim H. challenged us to recycle? Yup, it's a paper bag. This image came prestamped on a shopping bag from a rubber stamp store. I decorated the edges of this card with one of my favourite justjohanna stamps.

In my next card, I glued on torn pieces of the paper bag onto a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of brown paper bag. Next, I decorated the paper with acrylic paint and rubber stamps. All images are justjohanna.

2008-04-19T12:28:00.003-04:00

Rina's posted challenge is to create flowers with recycled materials. What is better than magazines for this one! I used a hole punch to punch out the flowers and then drew stems with a permanent marker. Leaves and birds are justjohanna stamps. Twinkling H2O's were used to paint the grass and clouds.

Remember the song, "Let's Go Fly A Kite" that we sang as kids? Well, that's just what justjohanna's birds are doing today, thanks to Godelieve's challenge, "Earth, Wind, Fire"

Stamps: justjohanna
Colour medium: Prismacolour pencil crayons, Twinkling H2O's

Earth Day - Reuse Coffee Sleeves

2008-04-19T11:19:00.002-04:00

Emilia's challenge is to reuse coffee sleeves. I just happen to have some on hand, so I turned mine into a gift card holder.

What will you do with yours?

Earth Day Celebrations

2008-04-18T13:12:00.003-04:00

Two posts in one day? Yah!

Earth Day is almost here. Think Green is a common phrase now-a-days. My daughter is a real tree hugger and keeps me in check about earth day awareness. Right now she is working very hard in trying to direct me to purchase cloth grocery bags. If more people were like her, our earth would be beautiful for generations to come.

To make us a little more aware of what earth day is all about, justjohanna has a lot of activities planned. When and How? Start by visiting the justjohanna message board tomorrow morning, and participate in the challenges from the design team. Each participant who uploads a card to the gallery, or to their blog, with a link to justjohanna, will have their name entered into the big draw.

I will be live from 2:00 to 3:00, Detroit/Toronto, time on my blog. I will be available to interact with you should you have any questions concerning the earth day events.

Don't forget to check in with me tomorrow.

Stamps: justjohanna Paper: Paper Studio
Prismacolour pencil crayons and OMS

Birds of a Feather.

2008-04-18T09:20:00.000-04:00

Good morning! Today's image created a wonderful challenge for me, and I learned a lot while researching the colours of birds. I'm sure you know how we are losing our rainforests, but did you know that we are losing 137 birds, plants, and insect species very single day? There are so many interesting statistics out there, and so many web sites dedicated to the deforestation of rain forests.

On a more positive note, these birds have been coloured with Prismacolour pencil crayons and blended with OMS. These are their true colours.

This is the stamp that I used. The wooden block is 5" x 6" and is from Coronado Island Stamps. The name of this stamp is Birds of a Feather. Image was stamped onto SU white cardstock because it produced the best results, as it is such a detailed stamp. Because I wanted to use my Tombow markers, I stamped this image onto two different weights of watercolour paper without success. I then used a low quality white paper without getting the results I was looking for. SU white cardstock is heavy and very smooth. Perfect for this stamp!

Enjoy your day, and thanks for stopping by!

Double Take Thursday - MFT

2008-04-17T18:25:00.003-04:00

Hey, it's double take Thursday again. Boy did that come fast! Kim challenged me to use a stamp from My Favourite Things. This is still my all time favourite stamp that they carry. Don't forget to peak at Kim's creative card.

Thanks for playing Kim.

Arte Y Pico and You Cheer Me Up Awards

2008-04-16T14:40:00.003-04:00

Lucky me, I've been awarded the Arte Y Pico Award by Shirley and Kim Prince. Malieta recently presented me with the You Cheer Me Up Award as well. Thank you ladies, for your generous gift. I cannot reproduce the picture of Malieta's award as she has it saved as a GIF file. Sorry ladies.

There is loads of talent out there. There are so many readers and subscribers who visit every day, and deserve this award too. Please consider yourself awarded and share in the fun with your bloggers.

Earth Day

2008-04-16T07:52:00.004-04:00

Celebrate Earth Day with justjohanna. The design team will be posting lots of challenges. Want to join in the fun and have you name placed into the draw for a $250 justjohanna shopping spree? All you have to do is participate in my challenge where I will be live from 2:00 to 3:00, this Saturday. I will give you a hint. My challenge will have you use tin foil lids from yogart, coffee, and other containers that use the foil as a freshness seal. Save your foil today, complete my challenge, and your name will go into the draw. Every participant will have their name entered into the draw. Your chances are excellent, so don't forget to drop by on Saturday.

Tutorial Tuesday - Recycled Coaster Card Booklet

2008-04-15T08:48:00.000-04:00

Welcome to another edition of Sunflowers and Dragonflies Tutorial Tuesday. Last week I showed you how to create with recycled coasters. Today I am going to show you another variation of that card, but this time the card/booklet will have a spine.

Supplies:

Paper cutter
Double sided tape
2 Restaurant coasters (3 1/2 x 3 1/2)
2-4" x 4" designer paper for covers
2-3 1/2" x 3 1/2" paper for inside of coaster book
1-3" x 12" piece of cardstock for spine
4-3" x 3 " white cardstock for images
Stamps
Ink

Tape coaster in the centre of the 4 x 4 paper. Cut the corners of the designer paper, leaving a little bit of paper on the paper cut. Do not cut right up to the coaster.

Place double sided tape around the edges of the coaster and tac the paper down.

Place 3" x 12" paper spine onto your Scor Pal, or paper cutter with a score blade and score at 2", 4", 6" and 8".

This is what your paper will look like after it is scored.

Place double sided tape on the outside edges of the spine and tac down onto the wrong side of the coasters.

Using the remaining 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" designer paper, tac down securely to cover the inside of the coaster.

Now you can get really creative. Pull out your 3" x 3" white cardstock.

Stamp images onto cardstock and colour as desired.

Tac your paper onto the spine. Here, I used glue dots on the left side of the image.

Glue dots will be placed on both edges of your second image. Match the outside edges before tacking down your right side onto the spine.

View from the top.

Card front.

Aged Tiles

2008-04-14T09:08:00.000-04:00

l
Good Monday morning! This month's Technique Junkie Newsletter is filled with wonderful techniques. Today's card features the Aged Tiles technique.

Have you noticed how much I love this Inkadinkado stamp?

Stamp: Inkadinkado; Ink: Adirondak - Sail Boat Blue; Colour Medium: Lyra watercolour pencil crayons; Cardstock: SU Creamy Carmel, Ballet Blue; Embellishments: brads, drywall tape, fibre from skein of wool

One Sketch--Two Cards

2008-04-12T08:30:00.001-04:00

Howdy folks. How can it be the weekend already?! My days have been so, so busy that I can hardly keep up. justjohanna's April sketch was the inspiration for my two cards that I am sharing with you today. I challenged myself to create two cards with the same products, including the same colours. For this card I used SU Fabulous Flowers, embossed in burgundy, and Inkadinkado bird, stamped in SU Cranberry Crisp. Papers are Pixie Pink, Cool Caribbean (I'm sure you are starting to ask yourself just how many packages I ordered of this discontinued paper to keep using it so much. I confess, six packages and there is lots left yet!), and Taken With Teal. Ribbon is from Costco, and jewels are from a craft store.

This card uses the products listed above, except for the stamps. Here, all stamps are from justjohanna.

Speaking of justjohanna, the April special is now available. The special deal is a bundled item in the shopping cart that is available for only one month. When you purchase the "deal," you get all five of the stamps, and the price is 25% less than the usual price. You can go straight there by clicking here. And when you've had a chance to use your new stamps, you can upload your creations right here. Here are the stamps and a few yummy cards created with the images

Join the justjohanna design team for an Earth Day Extravaganza on April 19! This 24-hour event will feature Earth Day inspired challenges posted by many of the design team members located across the globe! Prizes given away all day, including Limited Edition Earth Day stamps, and a grand prize of a $250 justjohanna shopping spree!! Stay tuned for more details...

Think Spring

2008-04-11T06:50:00.000-04:00

Good morning, folks! As you can see I have been busy creating with pastel colours. It feels so fresh with it being spring. Spring, or not, I'm not convinced we won't get more snow. I'm already into my open-toed shoes so it better not snow; my toes will be cold because I refuse to wear winter shoes until the end of October. Enjoy your day!

Stamp: Stampington & Co; Ink: black Stazon, Kaleidacolor-Baby Powder; Cardstock: Bazzil teal, SU Cool Caribbean and Black

Double Take Thursday - Hero Arts

2008-04-10T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello. It's Thursday already and I have a colourful card to share with you today. My challenge to Kim this week was to use a Hero Arts stamp. I just told Kim that I purchased a new stamp for this challenge, and she said she did too. Not seeing each other's card yet, we wonder if we purchased the same stamp. I swore I wasn't going to get on the cupcake band wagon, and held off for six months, but when I saw the cupcake stamps sitting there looking lonely on the shelf, I buckled in. Let's go take a peak to see what Kim made with her new stamp.

This clear acrylic stamp set is new to Hero Arts. Image was stamped onto watercolour paper with black Stazon, and watercoloured with Tombow markers. There is lots of sugary glitter and Stickles all over the cupcakes. It sparkles and shines and looks so pretty in real life. Measurements of this card is 6 x 6. The easiest way for you to make this size of card is to cut your 12 x 12 cardstock in half.

Background paper has sparkle too. A glue pen was used on the flourishes and Galmour Dust was sprinkled over top of the glue, to add sparkle and shine.

Don't these cupcakes look yummy enough to eat?

Tutorial Tuesday - Recycled restaurant coaster card

2008-04-08T04:01:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Sunflowers and Dragonflies' Tutorial Tuesday. Do you ever wonder what you can do with restaurant coasters? Well, today I'm going to show you. Beate, on SCS, posted a tutorial a similar tutorial, using a larger size. Today I want to show you what to do with a 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" coaster. Let's get started, shall we.

Supplies:

Paper cutter
Score blade
Coluzzle system with oval

You will need:

3 1/2" x 3 1/2" coasters (pictured)
2 pieces of 4" x 4" designer paper
2 pieces of 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" cardstock (in this photo, pink)
1 piece of cardstock 3 1/4" x 7" (in this photo, blue)
1 piece of 3 1/4" x 10 1/2" cardstock (in this photo blue)

Tape coaster to the centre of 4" x 4" cardstock. Cut the corners on an angle, as shown, leaving 1/16" paper between the coaster and angle cut--do not cut right up to the edge of the coaster.

Place double-sided tape around all four edges, and adhere to coaster.

Place 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" cardstock over wrong side of coaster, covering the edges you just adhered down.

Score 3 1/4" x 7" of cardstock at the 3 1/2" mark and 7" mark. Score 3 1/4" x 10 1/2" cardstock at 3 1/2".

Cut an oval on the end of the longest strip. Adhere your coloured image onto the right side of the 3 1/4" x 7" strip (the shortest).

Glue the oval over top of the coloured image. Glue left and right side of ends directly onto wrong side of coaster.

Finish decorating the inside of your card.

Close up of image.

Close up of image.

Close up of front cover.

Images: All images justjohanna; Designer Paper: K&Co; Cardstock: bright pink and blue, source unknown; Colour Medium: Lyra watercolour pencil crayons, Twinkling H2O's, Prismacolour pencil crayon

Waxy Cuttlebug

2008-04-07T09:08:00.000-04:00

Good Monday morning! Have you read your latest issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter? If you have, you must try the Waxy Cuttlebug technique. It is a lot of fun. Several cards were stamped out, using this technique this past weekend. Have a great day!

Stamp: Inkadinkado; Ink: Kaleidacolour-Baby Powder, black Stazon, Adirondak-Wild Plum; Cardstock: SU Cool Caribbean

Oh Happy Day for Me and Blog Candy

2008-04-06T09:08:00.002-04:00

I am so excited to share some very exciting news with you. I am the newest member of the justjohanna Design Team. My first assignment is already complete, and I'm awaiting two more assignments this week. justjohanna stamps have intrigued me for a very long time. They have the funniest images. There are bird pirates, tractor-pulling chicks, saggy looking cows, and yummy looking cupcakes. Wait 'till you see what I'm going to do with their new Christmas images. I'm definately pulling out my Tombow markers with these images. You know how I love my watercolour markers.

justjohanna has announced a call for new design team members. How can you become a DT member? Visit Johanna's blog here where she details instructions for submissions.

Please do not disregard this design team call because you think you are not talented enough. Everyone has a great amount of talent. Sometimes it lies hidden within ourselves and we do not know it. Let Johanna find your hidden talent by submitting to her Call.

April's justjohanna sketch is up. To celebrate my news, I want you to enjoy in the celebration with me. Create a card using this sketch, post it to your blog, or send me an attachment, and your name will go into a draw for some blog candy. Throughout the week you will see me posting cards using this sketch. Your cards do not have to use a justjohanna stamp, but if you have one, by all means use it. If you do have a justjohanna stamp, why not upload it to their forum gallery here.

Thanks for stopping by,

Birthday Surprise

2008-04-05T16:35:00.000-04:00

Howdy folks! Enjoying your weekend? Today I thought I would share a couple of birthday cards I made, using the pop up tutorial from Splitcoast stampers.

Doesn't this pink icing look yummy? Unfortunately you can't see the sparkle from the Stickles in this photo.

Everybody loves presents, and this one is no exception. The punch of colour comes from watercolouring this image with Tombow markers (can you tell it's one of my favourite techniques?).

Images are from The Artful Stamper. Thank you to Lasting Impressions to bringing this set in for me.

Pretty in Pink and Purple

2008-04-04T14:38:00.006-04:00

Yahoo, it's Friday. My friend, Kimmy, who I met on the Stamp-Shack, is coming for a visit, with her husband, for the evening. I made a yummy lasagne and mandarin orange cheesecake.

This series of cards was made as samples for my upcoming Tombow marker class at Lasting Impressions. This class will be concentrating on a watercolour technique using Tombow markers. The class is quite large, but just for you, I'll squeeze you in (insert happy face).

Here is a close-up of the largest flower. The class will run this Tuesday evening. Hope to see you there!

Thanks for stopping by,
Beth

Double Take Thursday - Inkadinkado

2008-04-03T18:52:00.003-04:00

Holy smokes Batman, it's Double Take Thursday and I almost forgot to post. Ugh! I was on my way out the door when I remember, so here I am showing off my Inkadinkado card. Kim thought it would be fun to use one of our Inkadinkado stamps, and this one just happened to be on the top of my stamp pile. Don't forget to take a peak at Kim's beautiful creation.

The background technique came from a recent issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter.

Footprints is one of my very favourite poems. I own the Footprints book, written by Margaret Fishback Powers, and author of the poem. The book describes how she lost the poem in a box during move. Margaret shared her feelings of sadness, and anger, with this loss, and talked about the feelings she had when she came upon this poem, in the tackiest of forms, everywhere she looked. Margaret struggled and fought to win the right to have her name attached to this poem, and I am so glad she was able to win. This book is a delightful read, and I just happen to be reading it again.

Well, I'm off to beer and wings with my friends. Enjoy your evening.

Stamp: Inkadinkado, French Flourish by SU; Medium: watercolour pencil crayons, watercolour crayons.

Hugs,
Beth

Tutorial Tuesday - Woven Accordian

2008-04-01T09:20:00.000-04:00

Supplies:

paper cutter
scissors
exacto knife
pattern paper
plain coloured cardstock

Trim plain cardstock to 10" x 8"

Place cardstock horizontally and score at 2 1/2", 5" and 7 1/2"

Mark a spot, down the centre 5" score line, at 2", 4" and 6"

Carefully cut slits in the cardstock from 2" score line to 5" score line, and then from the 5" score line to 7 1/2" score line. Do not cut into the score lines. Cut just to the edges.

This is what your cardstock will look like. Solid lines reflect cut lines, and dashes reflect score lines.

Cut pattern paper 8" x 2 15/16. You will be cutting the width just slightly narrower than your 2" cuts.

Place pattern paper back-to-back. Trim uneven edges with an exacto knife.

Weave pattern paper through cut lines.

Glue pattern papers together at the edges where the paper is sitting loosely. Adhere patterned paper to plain coloured cardstock. You are now ready to decorate your card.

Cardstock: Old Olive, Almost Mustard, Taken With Teal, Bravo Burgundy, Ivory, Magnolia DP
Stamps: Fancy Pants, Heidi Swapp
Accessories: Prima flowers, coloured gems, ribbon, flower punch, brads.

Watercolour

2008-03-31T05:02:00.001-04:00

Hello. Did you had a great weekend? I got my studio all cleaned, filed six month's worth of paid bills, receipts, and other mail, and even had time to create some cards. Went shopping, and my darling Donnie bought me the Cricut Designer Studio, so now I can use my computer to manipulate and create new images with my Cricut. He also bought me some new rubbah! I am going to do my best to ink up my rubber this week; I have such a habit of buying stamps and leaving them sitting unused for weeks, and even months. Do you have that same problem? I'd love to hear from you.

Image was water coloured with Lyra watercolour pencil crayons.

Stamp: Penny Black; Paper: Cool Caribbean, Taken With Teal, Real Red; Brads: source unknown

Thank you for stopping by.

Beth

Big Pieces

2008-03-30T11:43:00.003-04:00

Good Sunday afternoon. How is your weekend going? Mine is great. Today I get to play in my studio for the whole day. There always seems to be a card that needs to be made, wouldn't you agree?

This, Big Pieces, set is one of my favourite. It allows me to experiment with a plethora of techniques.

Techniques used in this card include: embossing, rolling stone, and smooshing with colour wash. The gold flower was punched and attached to a punched circle with a brad.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Beth

Raku Pottery

2008-03-29T11:23:00.004-04:00

Whew, it's the weekend. I've been so busy this past week with contest entries, sending off a tutorial to Pat for the Technique Junkie Newsletter, and working on a technique for my Tutorial Tuesday, there just isn't a single card to share with you.

For you weekend readers, I would like to share a raku face that I made in pottery class. I am in love with this piece, but do understand that it may not appeal to alot of you. I have this hanging up in my orange hallway. Yes, I have a beautiful orange hallway where I smooshed dark terricota over top. You know me, I love colour.

Have a great day. Let's see if I can get a card done for you today. In the meantime, I'm off to the USA. I'm a border city and often go over to mail parcels, and head over to Barnes & Noble. Stampington always has something cool on the shelves.

Double Take Thursday - Birthday

2008-03-27T10:01:00.006-04:00

It's Double-Take Thursday. This week I challenged Kim to create a birthday card using the Cuttlebug. Kim's adorable card can be seen here. While you are visiting Kim's site, look at the Boho flower card below her double-take. I think you will agree that the Boho flower card is absolutely breath-taking.

This surprise pop up card was created with Bazzill pink, white and green. The birthday present image was stamped onto watercolour paper and watercoloured with Tombow markers. Lots of Stickles were added onto the ribbon and bow to give the card sparkle and shine.

This image comes from The Artful Stamper. I saw this image on their website, and asked Lasting Impressions to bring it in for me. Wowzers, I was surprised, and delighted, when I saw my stamps. They are huge. The birthday present that is pictured here is 3 1/4" x 2 1/2". The image with "happy birthday" and balloons is a whopping 3 1/4" x 3 1/2". Two smaller images are included in this set. As you know, it isn't easy to find large images like this. I'm heading back over to their website to see what other sets I would like to have. For those of you in my area, let Lasting Impressions know what set you would like, and they will order it in for you.

Winning Loot

2008-03-26T14:00:00.005-04:00

Wowzers, look what came in the mail this afternoon! Recently I submitted a card to a contest on Sunshine Designs, and I won. The Stamp Barn, proud new owner Sunshine Designs, sponsored the contest.

These unmounted images are a delight to work with. They are already mounted on cling foam, and stamp out the most amazing fine-detailed lines.

This was my winning card. I stamped out the cup numerous times, and cut out all those hearts to use throughout my card.

Images were watercoloured with Tombow markers. Did you miss my tutorial? Here it is again.

This stamp can be purchased through The Stamp Barn.

Thank you for stopping by.

Tutorial Tuesday - Adirondack Dabbers

2008-03-24T21:43:00.006-04:00

It's Tutorial Tuesday once again, and today I am introducing you to a technique using Adirondack's acrylic paint dabber. This is a messy technique, so wear an apron, and protect the area around you. Personally, I stood by the bathroom sink to be beside a good water supply. Wipes were on hand to wash my walls. Messy, but fun!

Hold your paint dabber under a running tap. Pounce your dabber on a test sheet of paper. Once your dabber releases paint, you are ready to pounce your dabber onto your "good" sheet of paper, with heavy force. After dabbing twice, place dabber under running water and repeat. Heavy force is needed to give you that splatter look.

Pictured are samples using Stream, Terra Cotta and Wild Plum

Once completely dry, you are ready to finish your card.

Thank You

2008-03-24T09:06:00.008-04:00

Is your file folder of scraps as large as mine? Here is a great way to use them up.

Prepackaged 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 card. Squares are cut to 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 and run through the Cuttlebug.

Image is coloured with Prismacolour pencil crayons.

Have a great day. Thanks for stopping by.

Beth

It's Looking Like Spring

2008-03-22T09:54:00.011-04:00

With Easter weekend upon us, we find ourselves spending lots of time with family. Enjoy your weekend, and I wish you all a happy and blessed Easter weekend.

Stamp: Magenta; Primsacolour pencil crayons and OMS; Paper: Pixie Pink, Perfect Plum, More Mustard; Ink colours: Adirondak cranberry, SU Perfect Plum

Hugs,
Beth

Look at my Loot

2008-03-21T11:43:00.005-04:00

Am I a lucky lady or what? I was given a gift certificate to the local scrapbook and rubber stamp store, Lasting Impressions, and this is what I bought.

You know how much I love bright colours, and lucky for me, Ranger has a new "bright" line and just arrived to the store.

Displayed are stamp pads, Dimentionals, coloured UTEE, Dobbers, clear e.p.

Let's see what I can create for you.

Thank you for stopping by.

Stamping Hugs,
Beth

Double Take Thursday

2008-03-20T09:51:00.004-04:00

Hello. Nice to have you visit again. Today is Double Take Thursday. Can you guess what Kim challenged me to do? What gave it away? The baby shoes? LOL.

Yes, Kim did indeed challenge me to make a baby card. Can you believe this is the first baby card I made? Mmm, at least I think it is. Let's peak at what cute card Kim came up with.

When I saw Lauren Meader's card and tutorial, I knew that I wanted to try it. I'm so in love with this pattern, that I'm going to make about 20 of them to have on hand for me and my sister.

What did I learn from this challenge? That's easy--I do not have any baby images. Guess I need to change that! Any excuse to buy rubber, eh? (yes, I'm Canadian and overuse the word "eh", but really, I don't know I'm even using it).

Stamp: Zoofari; Paper: Barely Banana, Cool Caribbean; Eyelits: source unknown; Embossing Powder: Baby Blue Pastel by Stamp n Stuff; VersaMark pen; black pen used to make stitch lines.

Thank you for stopping by,

Beth

Is There Really a Spring Out There?

2008-03-19T09:20:00.002-04:00

Is there really a spring out there? Canada's east coast is being hit with a huge snow storm as I write this, and just the other day it was lightly snowing outside my own door. Now rumour has it we can expect snow this June. Tell me they're not serious!

With spring approaching, I created a spring-like card. Personally, I'm tired of the look of my cards and am trying so hard to have a different look. When I hear, "Beth, your cards look like you" I cringe. Am I that predictable? Yah, thought so.

These cuties were stamped and coloured when I got together with Michigan Shackies from the Stamp Shack. If you haven't checked us out, what are you waiting for? We love new members. Irishchristine was busy working on 32 first communion invitations, Kimmy was making miniature 3-D flowers, Jennifer was trying her first quilling, Kathy was stamping like a mad woman (thanks for the brownies), and I was busy colouring these images. We try to get together every four to six weeks. Lots of fun and laughter for sure!

Stamp: Magenta; Paper Cool Caribbean, Pixie Pink; Prismacolour pencil crayons and OMS.

Hugs,
Beth