Blog Archives

Retro Shaker Wreath

10/21/2014

It's so funny that this sketch came up this week at Retro Sketches #137 - I've had this shaker card idea I've been wanting to do with the fabulous Wondrous Wreath set brewing in my brain for a day or two now - this card just HAS to be made!
I had to really fight to keep it as pared down as I could for the sketch. In the end, I think it's pretty successful, but I do think the space in the center of the wreath is maybe a tad too small for maximum "shaker goodness," lol... I did try to add some extra pops of color there, at least. Maybe I should have had a bit more contrast on the overlaying "joy" sentiment? Still kinda waffling there, but the colors are very soothing in person.
It was also good to get some time in for the ginormic Alphabet Rotary stamp. I find if I rock back and forth VERY slightly while stamping, I get the most complete impression of the letters. I was very finicky about them this time to get them all lined up as well as I could. Whew!
Wondrous Wreath & Alphabet Rotary Stamps; Nordic Noel DSP; Whisper White, Real Red, Pear Pizzazz & Soft Sky CS; Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive & Real Red Inks; Window Sheet Scrap; Corner Rounder & 1/8" Circle Punches; Wonderful Wreath Framelits; Frosted Sequins Embellishments.

Christmas Cards Class, Part 2!
That's right! Our next class is ready with even MORE Christmas cards, because I was just SO bad with my Holiday Catty purchasing this year! I wanted to make sure everyone got a chance to try the full range of holiday delight that Stampin' Up! has brought us this year, lol...
Class is still coming up on Thursday, October 23 at 6:30 PM, $20. As always, if you need a different day and time, just let me know and I will make it happen for you! Snacks and treats will be waiting - RSVP today!

Pumpkin Club October 25!
Did you get your October Pumpkin kit yet? Yummy!! Check out the video here!
I hope you can join us for our next Pumpkin Club, Saturday, October 25, 3 pm, chez Heroldt - RSVP to let me know you are coming!
Club is free for my subscribers, and includes any extra supplies you might need, drinks and snacks! Let's take this Pumpkin out to play! You're going to LOVE our projects!
Remember to subscribe here if you haven't already - sign up by November 10 and you can join us in time for next month!

1 Comment

Epically In{k}spired

10/20/2014

2 Comments

Thinking in sixes for this week's In{k}spire Me #169! So fun to think of unexpected ways to show off this layout!
This time, as happens for me, this card is inspired by the arrival of a recent order, lol. Time to take this alphabet out for a spin! Somehow, the letters were a bit larger than I was expecting, but I LOVE all the extra punctuation that comes with it! (Not that you get to see it here, sigh.) I also decided to trot out a color I barely ever use, Rose Red. I think I should use it more - so much more substantial than some of our other pinks, I have to say... Came out very yummy! It's hard to see, but I did watermark some hearts behind the letters for a little extra texture.
Epic Alphabet Stamp Set; Sahara Sand, Whisper White & Rose Red CS; Versamark & Rose Red Inks; 1 1/2" & 1 3/8" Circle and Itty Bitty Accents Punches; Basic Jewel Rhinestones.

2 Comments

Fresh Endless Wishes

10/19/2014

1 Comment

Oh goodie - a landscape orientation for this week's Freshly Made Sketch #158! I've been so up-and-down lately, lol, it'll be a nice change!
One set I haven't used enough is definitely Endless Wishes - especially considering that I was one of the lucky few to snag this fast-mover LAST season, to see it get a rare second wind in this year's catalog - yes, Virginia, there really IS a Santa Claus! Still totally in love with the All Is Calm color scheme, as you can see...
Really, Endless Wishes has endless possibilities!
Endless Wishes Stamp Set; All Is Calm DSP; Whisper White CS; Lost Lagoon, Soft Sky & Pear Pizzazz Inks; Delicate Details Lace Tape; Corner Rounder Punch; Basic Jewel Rhinestones.

1 Comment

Bravo, Nacho!

10/18/2014

5 Comments

What a cool layout at this week's Nacho Average Challenge #111! Decisions, decisions...
I decided something bright and colorful was in order today! The Sweet Taffy DSP makes it a snap - so nice to have such a versatile Brights DSP to play with again! I love how it makes it so that I can use pretty ANY color I want - WOW!
Bravo & Be the Star Stamp Sets; Sweet Taffy DSP; Whisper White, Old Olive & Pumpkin Pie CS; Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight & Old Olive Inks; Stars Framelits Collection; Banner Punch (to flag the little banners); Basic Jewel Rhinestones.

5 Comments

O Holy Night (& Pumpkin Club Oct 25!)

10/17/2014

3 Comments

Nifty - something different at this week's Merry Monday #130! Our inspiration is the carol "Silent Night!"
I of course thought immediately of our lovely White Christmas set, and I've been wanting to do a night-time scene for a few weeks now - this gives me the perfect chance! Unbelievably, I don't have a Silent Night or Holy Night sentiment (!!) so I went back to my old Peaceful Wishes set, which I think conveys the same idea... Simple and lovely.
Hint: I sponged Night of Navy ink over the card stock to add a little more depth to the "sky."
White Christmas & Peaceful Wishes (retired) Stamp Sets; Whisper White, Smoky Slate & Night of Navy CS; White Craft, Basic Black & Night of Navy Inks; White Embossing Powder; Chalk Marker & White Gel Pen; Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

Christmas Cards Class, Part 2!
That's right! Our next class is ready with even MORE Christmas cards, because I was just SO bad with my Holiday Catty purchasing this year! I wanted to make sure everyone got a chance to try the full range of holiday delight that Stampin' Up! has brought us this year, lol...
Class is announced for Saturday, October 18 at 3 PM, and Thursday, October 23 at 6:30 PM, $20. As always, if you need a different day and time, just let me know and I will make it happen for you! Snacks and treats will be waiting - RSVP today!

3 Comments

Fabulous Retro Pumpkin

10/16/2014

3 Comments

I really enjoy "tag" layouts, I was so happy to see one at this week's Retro Sketches #136! And since I'm still feeling spooky, I think I'll add in this week's Fab Friday #52's color challenge.
I really can't seem to get enough of these cute little pumpkins from Fall Fest - I'm sure because of their framelits. I still have the old two-step set Jack-O-Lantern Fun, too, and I find myself not using it now that I have a photopolymer "version" to turn to!
Boo-tiful Bags & Fall Fest Stamp Sets; Modern Medley DSP (retired); Crumb Cake; Tangelo Twist & Very Vanilla CS; Tangelo Twist, Mossy Meadow (shh, it's only the pumpkin stem, sheesh), Basic Black & Vanilla Craft Inks; White Embossing Powder; Tags & Black Twine from Boo-tiful Bags Paper Pumpkin Kit; Fun Fall Framelits.

Christmas Cards Class, Part 2!
That's right! Our next class is ready with even MORE Christmas cards, because I was just SO bad with my Holiday Catty purchasing this year! I wanted to make sure everyone got a chance to try the full range of holiday delight that Stampin' Up! has brought us this year, lol...
Class is announced for Saturday, October 18 at 3 PM, and Thursday, October 23 at 6:30 PM. As always, if you need a different day and time, just let me know and I will make it happen for you! Snacks and treats will be waiting - RSVP today!

3 Comments

Boo-tiful Pumpkin Pin (& More Christmas Cards Class!)

10/15/2014

0 Comments

Time for more Sweets & Treats with My Pumpkin Challenge #1014! Sorry, no gummy eyeballs this week, I've decided to go sugar-free!
I had a blast putting together this cute pin, which can be worn as is, or on a hair-band, maybe. With your trusty hot glue gun in hand, it comes together in a snap!
Begin by turning your burlap treat bag of choice inside out - I've found this is the easiest way to snip off those side seams neatly, leaving you with the maximum amount of burlap to play with. Unfold the trimmed bag so that you have one long strip, half of which has the black pattern on it. I also go ahead and un-pick the hem of the bag "flap" for just a tad extra length. Iron your strip so you don't have to deal with any creases.
Once I had it ironed, I took a good hard look at my edges, and straightened them with careful trimming. I then cut in half lengthwise, and dosed all cut edges with Fray Check, a sewer's best friend! For this pin, I wanted to show the black dots, so I also snipped off just the patterned part.
Once the fray-check was dry, I punched a 1 5/8" circle from Crumb Cake CS to use as my base. I added a healthy blob of hot glue, and began apply my burlap, pressing the pleats into the glue. When it was time to add the second strip, I folded UNDER the ends so it looked more like a continuous ruffle. I glued a button at the center to cover any indiscretions there, and glue-dotted some random sequins for extra sparkle. A pin-back is glued to the back.
I threw together a quick card to attach the pin to for gifting. Fun!
Paper Pumpkin Boo-tiful Bags; plus, Crumb Cake CS; Brights Button; Blackberry Bliss Ink; Bigz Top Note Die. Also used hot glue and glue dots, and a basic pin-back!

Christmas Cards Class, Part 2!
That's right! Our next class is ready with even MORE Christmas cards, because I was just SO bad with my Holiday Catty purchasing this year! I wanted to make sure everyone got a chance to try the full range of holiday delight that Stampin' Up! has brought us this year, lol...
Class is announced for Saturday, October 18 at 3 PM, and Thursday, October 23 at 6:30 PM. As always, if you need a different day and time, just let me know and I will make it happen for you! Snacks and treats will be waiting - RSVP today!

0 Comments

Simple In{k}spired Flower Patch

10/14/2014

3 Comments

The stars are in alignment for this week's Clean & Simple #311, and In{k}spire Me #168! I love matching up challenges!
This was such a tasty color combo, I really went straight to the cupcake sets at first. But then I just felt like playing with DSP, lol - I love going through my collection and finding fun patterns to put together, and this still came out pretty tasty! Love this stamp set and the dies - even though I had to fussy cut the little one, sigh. Still in my top ten, though!
Flower Patch Stamp Set; Whisper White & Early Espresso CS; Quatrefancy Specialty (retired), Trim the Tree & Moonlight DSP Packs; Early Espresso, Hello Honey & Strawberry Slush Inks; Flower Fair Framelits; Neutrals Candy Dots in Early Espresso.

3 Comments

A Fresh Creative Hop (with Chickens!)

10/13/2014

4 Comments

So today I'll be doing something a little different - my own dear Jesse, our challenge Mom over at My Pumpkin Challenge, tagged me to participate in a "Creative Hop" that tells a bit of the story of my creative journey. What? No card? No design? No way! So, I'm doing the hop, but you know I have to post a card every day, so scroll down for the deets on that, too! Now, let's dive right in!
What am I working on right now?
Well, I have to say, I do a little bit every day - cards, sketch challenges, decor items, class projects, Pumpkin kits - I try to challenge myself to post a new offering on the blog EVERY SINGLE DAY. I really strive to treat it like a discipline, and see what that kind of sustained energy can do for my business and my creativity. As time goes on, it has gotten SO much easier, and SO rewarding! It was actually stressful for me to take a week off for a trip recently, lol.
I'm also working hard at stocking up fun holiday items for the upcoming Mountainview Presbyterian Holiday Sale & Mission Marketplace - an annual craft show I participate in. I tend to have Christmas on the brain year-round!
How does my work differ from others in my genre?
Hm, this is a tough one. There are so many creative people out there that I follow, and admire! I try to use that inspiration to challenge myself, and especially to add those special little extras that really take a creation over the top. And of course, I have never met a shape or image that I'm not all too happy to fussy-cut, lol. A little extra dimension is my go-to trait! I also LOVE to color in line-drawing type images...
Why do I create what I do?
Well, I truly believe that having the gift of creativity to use and share with others is God's gift (and sometimes challenge!) to me. To not go that distance is to not respect that gift. His creation is so beautiful! Color, shape, movement, form - my work is just one giant celebration of that. I truly want to inspire everyone around me to tap that inner spark as well, and to have confidence in their own gifts and creativity. EVERYTHING is possible - He says so! And we are called always to respond to Him, if we can just get out of our own way... "Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in Heaven!" I hope I continue to do that, however He inspires me...
How does my creative process work?
If you follow my blog at all, you know that I am a sketch challenge junkie! These days I've settled on 8 or so that I try to hit regularly, and I switch out some after a while, to give new endeavors my support... I find sketch and color challenge blogs to be a terrific tool to get started.
I always want to turn something about the sketch on its head: how can I change out the shapes in a funny or unexpected way? How can I add texture, color, dimension? Shall I switch it up and make the sentiment the focus?
For all I'm a total color addict, I most often start with shapes, and look for what could fit in the spaces provided, then add the other elements. But you know, like the pirate says, they're really more like GUIDELINES, lol... Oh - and when in doubt, pull out the chickens!
Tag - you're it!
Now it’s my turn to tag someone for the Creative Hop! These creative ladies will be posting their responses next Monday but in the meantime, please go check out their beautiful work!
I'm so delighted that Brenda Quintana will be joining this hop, make sure you check out her creative adventures at Qbee's Quest (if you haven't already!) and check back in with her on Monday, October 20!
Kathya Hidalgo has also accepted her tag - make sure to visit this crafty chica at Stamp With Kathya for her beautiful creations, too! You may know her from her design team work for Sunday Stamps and Nacho Average Challenge - woot!
Best of Cluck & Chicken Wire Stamp Sets (retired); Whisper White, Crushed Curry & Cherry Cobbler CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight; Cherry Cobbler, Calypso Coral, Old Olive & Pumpkin Pie Blendabilities; Color Lifter Marker; White Gel Pen; Decorative Dots Embossing Folder.

4 Comments

Simple 1 Peter 5

10/12/2014

7 Comments

Clean & Simple #310 is certainly festive! I think that I'll play it perverse and NOT do a Christmas card for this one! It helps that I have a fresh new color challenge from Nacho Average Challenge #110 to help me along!
I love combining color challenges with the Mosaic Madness set - so easy and elegant, and the whole suite really gives you the tools to make your elements pop! This color combo is perfect for my mood just now, too - now that "fall" (that's a joke) has finally come to Arizona, it's planting time! So I associate these spring-y colors with gardening, lol... I have high hopes for the kale this winter!
Mosaic Madness & Our Daily Bread Scripture Series 3 Stamp Sets; Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding & Whisper White CS; Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe & Calypso Coral Inks; Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder; Note Tag, Mosaic & Corner Rounder Punches; Subtles Button in Calypso Coral; White Baker's Twine; Ruffled Stretch Ribbon Trim in Pistachio Pudding.