A little birdie told me...it's your Birthday!

I created this card using a fun, retro, photostamped image of two ladies at a hair salon from the Those Were the Days 1950's stamp set by The Stampsmith.  I made this card for my friend, who's celebrating her birthday today.   I'm happy to say, this was before our time...but cute, nonetheless.  Happy Birthday, Ang!  :)

I don't normally decorate the inside of my cards, but I wanted to use more of this fun paper and the coordinating journalling cards, so added a little more inside the card.

Here's the rest of the stamp set...funny, eh?

Thanks for stoppin' by!  :)
 

TSC42: Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Who's Crazy?

First, I'd like to send out a warm welcome to Paula Tidman (aka Ephemera) as she was selected as a Stampsmith Challenge Guest Designer for the months of June, July and August.  Paula does beautiful work and I look forward to seeing what new creativity she brings to us.  Congratulations, Paula!  :)

We have a fun "Tic Tac Toe' challenge for you this month over at The Stampsmith Challenge blog.  I opted to use a picture frame to incorporate the metal into my project, but you're welcome to do a card or whatever strikes your fancy.

Here's the Tic Tac Toe board...simple choose a straight vertical, horizontal or diagonal row and work with those three elements.  I chose Metal-Manly-Distressed for my project. A metal frame stand, manly image and design and a distressed crackle finish on frame.  In case you can't read the quote, it reads:

A question that 

sometimes drives 

me hazy: am I or 

are the others crazy?

~ Albert Einstein

Remember each project that contains at least one stamped image by The Stampsmith will qualify for the random draw for a gift certificate to The Stampsmith Store valued at $21.00.  I'm excited to see what everyone comes up with for this challenge since they'll all be so different. 

Happy creating!  :)
 

Ophelia in the Pink

Hi Smithies!
Time for a new Stampsmith Challenge!!  The theme is Tic Tac Toe!!  Lots of scope in that theme!   Here are the elements.

I picked Pink, Pattern Paper, and Ribbon to make my Design Team Card.  I also used the lovely Ophelia stamp.

For more pics and info, click over to my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Have a great weekend!
Karen McAlpine

Eiffel Tower in the Spring

Hi Smithies!
Today, I would like to share a Spring themed card with you.  I made this card using the Eiffel Tower image from the Paris Full Sheet.  Take a look.

A Kaleidacolor pad was used to stamp.  And, I added a thick coat of UTTE.   For more info and pics see the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.   Hope you have a great day.

Karen McAlpine

April Challenge Project

Hi Smithies!
I am back with another post today!  I thought you might like a reminder that the April Stampsmith Challenge is up and running.  This month's theme is Black/White with a pop of color!!  I used one of the cute images from the full sheet "It's A Dog's Life". 

The sentiment is from the "Say It Like It Is" full sheet.  

For more pics and info, check out the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.
Have a super day!
Karen McAlpine

Folded Tag Card with Belinda's Friends

Hi Smithies,
I wanted to share a fun project I made with a large tag die cut and one of the lovelies from the Belinda and Friends full sheet.  The image was stamped with Coffee Archival ink on glossy white CS.

See the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Hope you are having a great day!
Karen McAlpine

A Snapshot of Springtime in Paris

Tonight is your last night to get your submission in for the current challenge over at The Stampsmith Challenge.  This month we're challenging you to create something using Spring Flowers and Colours.  Simply upload your artwork to the blog linky and you'll be entered into a draw for a free sheet of stamps by The Stampsmith! (a $21.00 value)  All projects using at least one image by The Stampsmith will be eligible. 

For my card, I used several stamps from the Paris sheet.  I love this sheet with so many great images.  Bottom left you'll see the Eiffel Tower, top middle you'll see Notre Dame, next to it, a Paris postmark and middle right you'll see a Paris map.

I hope you decide to join in on the fun.  I look forward to seeing all your creations!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

Paris in the Spring "Time"

Hi Smithies!
Although it does not feel much like Spring here in Michigan, I wanted to share a fun and cheerful Spring card with you today.  I used the Eiffel Tower from the Paris Full Sheet. 

I added two layers of UTTE on top of the image.  Check out my blog, Dreaming and Creating, for more pics and instructions.  Have a great day!
Karen McAlpine

Victorian Easter Egg

I had fun making Easter Eggs with my girls the other day. We used the plastic eggs that you break open and fill with smaller chocolate eggs or Easter goodies.  We brushed them with Decoupage (sealer-glue-finish) and covered them with small pieces of tissue paper, reapplying more Decoupage, as needed.   I used my heat tool to make sure the egg was completely dry and then we each decorated them.

I chose to make a Victorian looking egg, using the sweet little angel girl, called Butterfly Kiss by The Stampsmith as the main focal image for my egg.  I stamped her onto to Copic paper and then crinkled the paper all up so that it would more easily form to the egg.   I stamped text onto tissue paper and then decoupaged it on.  I distressed the entire egg with Tea Dye Distress ink.  I free-handed the pearl flourish along the side, then applied a strip of pretty lace around the entire egg and bronze embellishments at the top and the bottom, finishing with a little polka dot bow at the top.  I used the small Butterfly Kiss stamp, but it also comes in a large version, as well.

Lace around the egg.

 

 Embellishment and bow on top of the egg.

 Embellishment on the bottom of the egg.

I hope you decide to play in the fun this month with us over at The Stampsmith Challenge blog.  This month, we're challenging you to use Spring Colors and Flowers.  To be eligible, use at least one Stampsmith stamp in your creation for a chance to win a free sheet of stamps (of your choice) by The Stampsmith, valued at $21.00!  I look forward to seeing all your Spring creations!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Portia

Hello Everyone
It has been a few weeks since my last post Sleep Sweet Miranda, the lavender sachet using the beautiful Miranda.  For some months now I have very much enjoyed using the various Shakespeare stamps available from The Stampsmith, enjoying their versatility which is far beyond creating for people who are fans of Shakespeare.
The card I am sharing today, I am thrilled to say, was published in the Spring issue of Stampintgon & co's Take Ten, published alongside another four cards all featuring Shakespeare characters as the focal on each card.  Portia from Cleopatra and Friends. is featured on the first card.

Portia quickly became a firm favourite of mine alongside Ophelia who I also never tire of creating with. The other stamp used was from Cartolina Postale which I have mentioned before is an easily overlooked stamp plate but which is so useful.  Stamped onto prepared watercolour paper the stamp and torn into a panel.  Hand stained tag, lace and seam binding create a unified colour on this collage style card which was embellished with fragments of this and that.
Thank you for visiting this post, have a lovely weekend.
Wishes
Lynne

Let's Dance the Night Away!

Hi Smithies!
Let's get crazy and dance the light fantastic with Fred and Ginger.   I used one of the stamps from the "Let's Dance" full sheet on this uplifting card. 

The image is stamped on Glossy White CS with black dye ink.  I added lots of layers to complete this fun loving card.  The sentiment if from the "Say it Like it Is" full sheet.  For more pics and info, head over to my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Hope your day is filled with fun and stamping, of course!
Karen McAlpine

Spring Colors and a Loving Couple

Hi Smithies!
The March Stampsmith Challenge is underway!  The theme for the month is to use Spring colors and flowers.  I went with super bright CS and papers for my Design team project.
The stamp is from the Flappers #3 full sheet.  I added some white paper flowers with rhinestone centers and a white ribbon.

There is an extra to way to win on the Challenge blog this month!!  Leave a comment with a challenge theme idea for a chance to win a mystery gift!  How fun is that!!  Take the challenge and show us your Spring projects!!  Hope you have a great weekend!
See my blog, Dreaming and Creating for the full post.
Karen McAlpine

Is It Spring Yet????

The Design Team is looking for signs of Spring in this month's Stampsmith Challenge!!

Plus, this month, there's a bonus draw!

We hope you'll enter for your chance to win!

Stamps by Stampsmith:
Thank Heaven For Little Girls #2

Sleep Sweet Miranda

Hello Everyone
For my DT sample this week I would like to share something I made as far back as December!
The stamp I worked with is the beautiful Miranda from Julia and Friends. 

This was a gift of a lavender sachet which I made for a friend.
Miranda was stamped onto TAP before transferring to canvas then the fun of embellishing with wintry white and creamy laces and a shabby seam binding bow.
It is now down to the very last hours for entry at the February Stampsmith Challenge but of course that does not mean you do not have time to enter.  Details can be found at TSC Blog but do hurry if you wish to participate.
Wishes
Lynne

Her Delicate Heart

Hello Everyone
I am sorry I have been absent for a wee while. Before my enforced absence I created this altered canvas where I used the beautiful Ophelia as my focal.
Ophelia comes in various forms, this one is the medium size version.

I stamped Ophelia onto painted cardstock before layering with an epoxy frame.
Soon, over at my personal Blog,  Adorn  I will be sharing more details about this canvas.
Are you aware that the February challenge is underway at TSC? As always there is a prize of $21 to spend at The Stampsmith on-line store on stamps of your choice so it is well worth entering.
Wishes
Lynne

Floral Alphabet Love Card

Hi Smithies,
Continuing the Love/ Valentine theme today with a "love" card.  I used the letters from the Floral Alphabet to spell out the word "love".

The letters are stamped with brown ink on pink Cs.  For more info and photos, check out the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  I hope your day is filled with love...and some stamping time.
Karen McAlpine

Juliet in Love

Hi Smithies,
Today, I would like to show how I made a Valentine's Day card using a non-traditional Valentines stamp.  I made this "love"ly card using the Juliet single and Rose Background.

For more details, check out the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  I hope you are having a great weekend and find time to make a few cards!
Karen McAlpine

Butterfly Kisses Valentine

Hi Smithies!
Valentine's day is next week!  So, I wanted to give you a bit of  Love inspiration.  I used the super sweet single image, Butterfly Kisses.  I stamped this sweet image on white glossy CS in black die ink.  I mounted the stamped image on a sprayed ink background.

The sentiment is from the Paris Full Sheet.  Check out more info on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Hope you are having a great day!
Karen McAlpine

If you haven't had a chance already, be sure to pop over to the Stampsmith Challenge where the Design Team is looking to see what you create using their photo as your inspiration!  You have all month to play for your chance to win $21 toward your choice of Stampsmith stamps!

Here's the creation I came up with using the colors and patterns from the photo as my inspiration.  I can't wait to see your take on this challenge! :)

Stamp by Stampsmith:
Cartolina Postale Sheet (script)
Paris Sheet (Eiffel Tower, Post Mark)

Recycle, Reuse!

  Hope you're keeping warm if you're in a deep freeze like I am! Brrr! Good excuse to stay indoors and get crafty! The Stampsmith stamp I used here is called "Love Under The Stars".
  Would love to see your projects in this months challenge: TSC 38: Recycle Reuse.
I have chosen a bottle cap. I collect them. You can buy them in different colours at Michaels, but I like the "natural" look of the "real" ones.

The weekend is upon us...finally! Have a crafty one!

i made it myself!

debbie

^..^

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Hi Smithies!
You know the song and how beautifully Judy Garland sings it.  Look at this great image from the Wizard of Oz full sheet.  Can't you just here the lovely contralto voice??!!   Let's take a trip Over the Rainbow.

I stamped Dorothy and Toto on white glossy CS with black dye ink.  The sentiment with song lyrics is also in the Wizard of Oz set.  See more photos of this card and a look at the inside on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Have a beautiful day over the rainbow.
Karen  McAlpine

The Blush Of Her Cheeks

Hello Everyone
I would like to share a card I made some months ago when I received the beautiful Olivia and Friends stamp plate.
For this card I had fun staining a shipping tag and also papers to co-ordinate with the colour of the tag and as I was having so much fun I also stained some lace.
You might well recognise that I used one of the Cartolina Postale stamps for the background.  This is an ever useful plate especially if you like to create your own backgrounds.
Please remember that TSC is well underway for this month where we are asking you to Re-use/Re-cycle, why not come and join us and if you would be interested in becoming a Guest Artist for TSC then you can read all about it over at TSC blog.
Thank You for visiting.
Wishes
Lynne

Trip Down The Yellow Brick Road

Hi Smithies,
I have been working with my new Wizard of Oz stamp set!  Oh, boy, they are fun.  Contact Estelle for more info on this movie themed set.  Let's take a trip down the Yellow Brick Road!!

The image is stamped with Archival ink on glossy white CS.  I added a dry embossed brick road.  See my blog, Dreaming and Creating for more photos and info.  I wish you a lovely day!
Karen McAlpine

TSC38:Recycle Reuse

Good morning crafters, I just wanted to pop on here and post my project for this months challenge for The Stampsmith.  It is Recycle and Reuse.  We are challenging you to recycle something in your project and one of Estelle's yummy stamped images.  Here is a peek at what I created:

I used an image from Estelle's sheet of rubber called Wedding Bells Art Rubber Stamps.  My recycled item is the corrugated cardboard that came from a cracker box from the last time hubby was sick.  Visit Estelle's shop to see some of her yummy rubber.  To play along with this challenge, visit the challenge blog for The Stampsmith for details and to see what the other DT members created as well the creations of some wonderful customers. For details on how I created this project, drop over to my blog for details.

Thanks for peeking in!

Warm up Winter Wishes

Hi Smithies,
Today, I would like to share a icy blue card made with one of the Flappers from Flappers #1 Full Sheet.  I set the lovely lady on a background of icy blue papers.

Doesn't she warm your heart!!??  Check out the full post  on my blog, Dreaming and Creating for more photos and details.  Hope you have a great day!
Karen McAlpine