AYSI Challenge 005 and Parrots

Parrots are fascinating birds.  Some, like African Greys, are extremely intelligent and some have vocabularies in the order of 500 -900 words.  They have been known to use them in appropriate context.  One African Grey, upon meeting Jane Goodall, asked, "Got a chimp?" after seeing pictures of her with chimpanzees in Africa.

One my hubby knew about was left alone in a car with the family dog at a ferry terminal.  The dog who was on leash in the car, leaped out the window and was hanging by his leash, choking.  The parrot kept yelling, "Help!  Help!" until someone came and rescued the dog.

They are some of most colourful birds in the world as well, sporting brilliant hues of reds, blues, yellows, oranges and greens!








Which brings us to this week's As You See It Challenge, designed by the lovely and talented Amanda Turner!

Gorgeous fall colours, but my card has a kind of summery look to it, perhaps in denial that summer is well over now!

• In a city a couple of hours north of us, Kamloops, they have a little stretch of road known as the Marigold Mile. Although it isn't even close to a mile, it is planted profusely with bright orange marigolds and that's what I was thinking when I watercoloured the orange and yellow flowers from Secret Garden.  
• The white lily just kind of wandered lost onto the Marigold Mile and stuck out like a sore thumb!  I used an aqua painter, and our challenge colour ink pads to do the watercolouring: Crushed Curry; Pumpkin Pie and Gumball Green.

• The Crushed Curry DSP is from Sweater Weather.  The more closely I look at all the designs in that series the more I love them.  This one just sets up the cheeriness of this card.  
• I haven't used Gumball Green in forever.  Nice to get a chance to use this lovely stitched satin ribbon again for the second time in a week! (See this post.)
• Let's hear it for framelits!  Hip! Hip! Hooray!  It's so easy now to find perfectly coordinated mattes for all the basic shapes now.  You just have to pick the framelit next larger in size.  That's how I created the Pumpkin Pie matte for the image oval.
• And while we're cheering, let's hear another for Candy Dots!!  If your project needs a little somethin' somethin' after it's all put together, no need to tear it apart to add brads, just pop off one or three candy dots in the appropriate colour and add.  No mess, no fuss!

Okay, there you have it!  And isn't it Friday today?  Another cheer for Friday!  Woo hoo!  Have a great weekend!

Stamps:Secret Garden (w131940; c129144); Express Yourself *(w130336; c130339)

Paper:  Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper (132184); Watercolour Paper (122959); Pumpkin Pie (105117) and Very Vanilla (101650) cardstock

Ink:  StazOn Jet Black (101406); Classic Stampin' Pads in Pumpkin Pie (), Crushed Curry () and Gumball Green (); Stampin' Write Markers in Pumpkin Pie (105115), Crushed Curry (131262 as part of the Regals Collection) and Gumball Green (126856 as part of the 2012 - 14 In Colour Collection)

Accessories:  3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon in Gumball Green (126848); Brights Collection Candy Dots (130931)

Tools:  Aqua Painter (103954); Ovals Collection Framelits (129381), Secret Garden Framelits (129372)

*Hostess Only stamp set 

Aqua Painters

Secret Garden Framelits

Secret Garden Stamp Set

Sweater Weather DSP

StazOn Jet Black

Gumball Green Stitched Satin Ribbon

Ovals Collection Framelits

Procrastination Breeds Pressure

Well, after that unproductive day, I had a whole bunch of stuff to do to prepare for 3 workshops!!  I didn't get it all done so it's going to get squeezed into the gaps between events!  Why do I do that to myself?  I guess I work better under pressure, but I just don't LIKE working under pressure!   I'm looking forward to this morning's party down in Okanagan Falls with Dianne and her friends!  They are such a fun group!  Then tomorrow night is my regular Big Shot Club and I came up with the greatest project for them!!




I was inspired by technique I found on Julie Davison's blog yesterday.  By the way, my upline Tamara and I met Julie briefly at convention this summer.  We were in the Recognition Room and she offered to take our pictures.  She was really friendly!

Here's the project I came up with:

Here's the wall decor with all the Peek-a-boo frames closed.

And here it is with all the little secrets revealed!  It was great fun making it.  To see how to make the Peek-a-boo Frames slide open like that, you're best to watch Julie's video tutorial.  She gives such clear directions.  I just altered it for the different shaped frames.

Here's a close up of one of the panels open and shut:

If you would like more information on how to make this cute autumn wall decor, leave me a comment below with your email, or email me and I will send you a photo tutorial on how to create it and what materials I used.

This would be a great advent calendar for Christmas, with smaller panels and 25 of them, of course!

Thanks for dropping by.

70 Years Young

Yesterday, I went to a birthday party for a good friend. He turned 70!  (Yes, I have friends that are that old!)  He is an amazing guy with more energy than many half his age.  He is also mischievous and loves to tease and has a sharp wit!  Art and his wife, Michelle, have been our close friends for many years, but we don't see them as often since they moved out in the country a ways. However, when we do get together, the conversation just picks up where it left off in an easy and relaxed way. Good friends are like that!                                                                   

I made a card for his 70th birthday and I wanted it to be really special.  It's not everyday that someone turns 70, you know.  (Well, to be truthful, I guess everyday someone, somewhere, does turn seventy, but I don't know them!) 

                     

• Art was a farm boy growing up, so I chose the Harvest Blessings stamp set.  I absolutely love that old tractor image and I used Cajun Craze ink to stamp it with.  
• The sentiments are both in Early Espresso and the top one is a compilation of stamps from the Memorable Moments stamp set.  I used a Stamp-a-ma-jig to get them lined up just the way I wanted them.
• The DSP in the background is from the Sweater Weather collection.

• The shape of the front panel is a die cut made with the new Deco Labels Collection Framelits.  I sponged around the edge of the Very Vanilla label with Cajun Craze to add some definition to it.
• I added another piece of Very Vanilla cardstock in behind the label to tone down the business of the plaid pattern and to show up the burlap ribbon a bit better.
• There's those versatile little Candy Dots again, this time in Early Espresso to match the sentiments.

Here's the inside, because I really liked the other sentiment from the Harvest Blessings set but didn't have room on the front:

• I know that Art feels blessed because he has a large, close extended family, and because he has a strong faith that sees him through the rough times and the good times!
• The image and sentiment are also from Harvest Blessings.

Speaking of harvests, we're STILL trying to pick and disperse all our nectarines and plums.  If you want any, just let us know!  We're drowning in them!!

Stamps:  Harvest Blessings (w132016; c126452); Memorable Moments (w132039; c126682)

Paper:  Sweater Weather DSP (132184); Cajun Craze (119684), Early Espresso (119686) and Very Vanilla (101650) cardstock

Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Early Espresso (126974) and Cajun Craze (126965)

Accessories:  1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon (132140); Neutrals Collection Candy Dots (130934)

Tools:  Deco Labels Collection Framelits (130102); Stamping Sponges (101610); Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)

"I Use Antlers in All My Decorating"

My poor hubby was the doting father of three girls and the only male in the house!  Even the pets were mostly all female except for possibly a guinea pig and a lizard!  You can imagine that he had to watch more than his share of chic flicks over the years - especially Disney princesses!  He found some entertainment, finally, in the person of Gaston in Beauty and the Beast!  And his favourite line in the song, Gaston, was "I use antlers in all of my decorating!" which he was fond of blurting out in the middle of any serious debate on home decor!


Imagine our amusement, then, when our oldest daughter and son-in-law actually did begin to use antlers in all their decorating!  It is the latest thing, they said, and could we ask our hunting friends if they had any to spare?

So I wasn't as surprised as some when Stampin' Up had a stamp like a mounted deer head in their Holiday Mini catalogue.  And I ordered it, too, because I know on whose Christmas card I'm going to use it.  So here's a trial run:

• I wanted to get some plaid in the design somewhere, because it gives that "Hunting Lodge" kind of look.  Here, I used the Crushed Curry plaid from Sweater Weather DSP.
• I used some Soft Suede Core'dinations cardstock and embossed it with the Woodgrain Embossing folder. Then I lightly and gently sanded it to bring out the wood grain - another element of the "Hunting Lodge".  (Did you know that you can now get Core'dinations cardstock in EVERY colour of our collections?!!)
• There's that Burlap Ribbon again!  Do I have to tell you again how much I like it?  No? Good, cause it's getting really boring to hear me go on and on about it!

• The stamp of the deer head and the sentiment are both from the set Remembering Christmas.
• The colours I'm using are Baked Brown Sugar for the base, Soft Suede for the wood and the deer as well as matting the Crushed Curry Plaid, and a little bit of Pool Party from another piece of Sweater Weather DSP.  I tried several different colours and designs before settling on this one.  It really seemed to complement all the other colours and designs.
• There's an Antique Brad in there!!  Haven't used one in forever!

• I also used the only antique-looking metal brads that we have left - Vintage Trinkets.  The fact that they look like little buttons will have to be ignored in this masculine design because it's my only choice in this case!
• Cutting out the antlers by hand was truly a pain, but it looks so much better than not!

Overall, I'd say it made a great masculine Christmas card for all the Gastons in your life, and also for all the trendy decorators!  Hope you enjoyed it!  Have a great weekend!

Stamps: Remembering Christmas (w131760; c131763)

Paper:  Sweater Weather DSP (132184); Soft Suede Core'dinations cardstock (as part of the Neutrals Collection) (129956); Baked Brown Sugar (131296), Soft Suede (115318) and Very Vanilla (101650) cardstock

Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pad in Soft Suede (126978);  StazOn Jet Black (101406)

Accessories:  1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon (132140); Antique Brads (117273); Vintage Trinkets (118764)

Tools:  Woodgrain Embossing Folder (127821); Ovals Collection Framelits (129381); Stampin' Sanding Block (129367)

                                                                                                                                           

Remembering Christmas

Ovals Collection Framelits

Neutrals Collection Core'dinations Cardstock

Stampin' Sanding Block

StazOn Jet Black

Sweater Weather DSP

Antique Brads

Vintage Trinkets

Sweater Weather

The days definitely have a chill to them now as the sun sets!  Although I love summer, I think that fall is my favourite season!  It has a richness to it that the other seasons lack.  Warm colours, warm sweaters and warm occasions all combine to create a cozy, colourful time of year!

Our nectarine tree is loaded with hundreds of juicy ripe nectarines ready to pick and the prune plums won't be far behind.  There is something special about the soil here, because all of our fruit trees produce bumper crops on a regular basis.  Our only problem is how to use or get rid of them all!

I love the Sweater Weather Design Series Paper!  It has the fall colours, patterns and textures that I adore. There is even one with an actual knit texture in Tangerine Tango!  So when I was looking at the latest Pals Paper Arts Challenge this week, I decided to use that very DSP!

• It's my very first time using the Field Flowers stamp set.  It's a two-step stamp set, so you need to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to get the outline stamp in exactly the right place.  The flowers and centers are hand cut and layered with Dimensionals for a 3D effect. 
• The flowers make me think of those huge pots of chrysanthemums you can find everywhere at this time of year.  I used Crushed Curry and Tangerine Tango for the solid base image and Early Espresso for the outline overlay stamp.  
• I found that if you used a lighter colour or didn't get it in the right place it made the image look out of focus, so for sure get out the Stamp-a-ma-jig!  I made a video on how to use it a while back.

Here's a look at the Challenge Sketch:

• Here's a closer look at the field flower images, but did you also notice the stamped wood chevrons in the background.  That image is from Truly Grateful.  I stamped it in Crumb Cake ink but I added a little "tap dance" of Early Espresso by randomly tapping the brush end of an Early Espresso Stampin' Write marker on the inked up stamp before stamping it.  
• The acorn is from Truly Grateful as well, stamped in Early Espresso, as is the sentiment from Field Flowers.
• Don't you just drool over the texture in the burlap ribbon?  I've gone through a lot of it already!  

So, yeah, if you want some nectarines, let me know!  Happy Stamping!

Stamps:  Field Flowers (w128583; c122762); Truly Grateful (w131730; c131733)

Paper:  Sweater Weather Design Series Paper (132184); Early Espresso (119686) and Very Vanilla (101650) cardstock

Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Crushed Curry (131173), Tangerine Tango (126946), Crumb Cake (126975) and Early Espresso (126974); Stampin' Write Marker in Early Espresso (119680)

Accessories:  1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon (132140); Neutrals Collection Candy Dots (130934)

Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049); Paper Snips (103579)

1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon

Field Flowers Stamp Set

Neutrals Collection Candy Dots

Paper Snips

Sweater Weather DSP

Truly Grateful Stamp Set

Texture

I love texture!  I love colour,too, but not a huge variety at once.  I like two, maybe three colours and gobs of texture!  I like it in clothes, in decor and in my cardmaking!  That's why I'm so excited about some of the new stamp sets and embellishments in the Holiday Mini.















I'll show you what I mean:

I created this card for The Paper Player's Challenge #156

• Look at the texture of the wood chevron stamp that's part of the Truly Grateful stamp set. I added even more texture to it by using the tapping or thumping technique.  I inked the stamp up in Baked Brown Sugar and then, using my Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker just tapped the stamp here and there all over.  The result is a little hard to see here but it added another shade of brown which added more texture.
• You can see more of the same burlap ribbon I used here at the bottom of the wood chevron panel, which adds even more texture.
• The sheaf of wheat is stamped in Baked Brown Sugar as well, but the panel is backed with Cajun Craze cardstock, adding some definition and a little more colour.

That samed colour is echoed in the little Cajun Craze Candy Dots on the Sweater Weather DSP panel at the back, which is also backed in Cajun Craze cardstock.

• The sentiment, from the same stamp set and die cut with the Itty Bitty Banners framelits, is backed by some 7/16" Natural Trim (more texture) and highlighted with one of the new In Colour Boutique Details in Baked Brown Sugar.  That gives the card more (you guessed it)...TEXTURE!!!
• Watermarks are stamped using the watermark stamp from the first Paper Pumpkin set.  Watermarks on cards are all the thing these days, so you need to find yourself one.  If you haven't subscribed yet to Paper Pumpkin, when you do, your first kit will contain this stamp.  What's that?  You've been seriously considering Paper Pumpkin?  Well, have I got a deal for you!!

Offer Details: Use the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL to join Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, and pay only $12.50 a month* for the first two months.

*plus tax, where applicable. Shipping included!

The Fine Print:

For new subscribers only.

Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After receiving two month's worth, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $24.95.

You and your customers need to visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join.

You must click "Add Promo Code" and then enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL in the "Promo Code" field when you sign up on the mypaperpumpkin.com website to take advantage of this promotion.

You must join by Saturday, August 31, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT).

Give it a try.  You have nothing to lose.  You can cancel anytime or put it on hold for a month or two.  The coolest part is that you get never before seen stamps exclusive to Paper Pumpkin. Here's a video that was one of our competition videos in the Convention 2013 contest:

           

I loved this one, especially for the slogan!

Who needs the prince, when you've got the Pumpkin!

Give it some thought, investigate the MyPaperPumpkin website, and give me a call if you'd like to sign up.  I can help you with it.

Stamps:  Truly Grateful (w131730; c131733) * available August 1, Watermark stamp from Paper Pumpkin Welcome Kit (see website)
Paper:  Sweater Weather DSP (132184)* available August 1, Baked Brown Sugar (131296), Cajun Craze (119684), Very Vanilla (101650) and Chocolate Chip (102128) cardstock
Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads in Baked Brown Sugar (131174) and Cajun Craze (126965); Stampin' Write Marker in Chocolate Chip (131261)** part of the Neutrals collection package
Accessories:  7/16" Natural Trim (129287); 1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon (132140)*available August 1; Regals Collection Candy Dots - Cajun Craze (130932); In Colour Boutique Details - Baked Brown Sugar (130938)
Tools: Itty Bitty Banners Framelits (129267)

Natural Trim

Regals Candy Dots