JustRite Challenge #087 - Picture This - #2

I have the cutest picture of my mother's dog Danny. Danny is what I call a "puppy mill special", or what other people may call a
"designer dog". He's one of those mixes that they give a cutsy name to so people will pay a lot for them. He originally came from a
pet store, but we DIDN'T buy him. He was eight years old when I got him from his elderly owner who could no longer care for him. He
is everything I wouldn't want in a dog, but he can be so darn cute, I forget all that. My mother would never have picked him
either, but she agreed to take him, and now I think he owns her (and maybe me too !).

Anyway, I finally decided to scrap Danny's uber cute picture, and it happens that I used Spellbinders and JustRite stamps
(naturally !), so I am entering it in JustRite's Friday challenge to use a photo. I used the Marketplace Alphabet set and the words
'love' and 'cherish' are from the Botanical Medallions & Banners set. I used the Spellbinders Curved Rectangles for the photo and
its matting. I used Spellbinders Expandable Patterns Butterfly Magic and Basic Lattice. I first cut them out in scrap cardstock and
then used those as a stencil on the hearts with Golden Light Molding Paste. I first mixed the paste with white and a touch of raw
siena acrylic paint so it matched the colour of the off-white in the papers.
This has been a fun challenge because I really needed to get my scrap on, and this challenge could be a card, a mini,a layout etc.
I loved using the Spellbinders as stencils for the molding paste. It was so much fun that I know I'll be doing it a lot more in the future. You can find this challenge and all the awesome entries in it here :http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/2012/12/justrite-friday-challenge-087-picture-this.html
Thanks for looking and sorry about the format, the computer is mad at me !

JustRite Friday Challenge #087 "Picture This"

The JustRite challenge this time is to use a photograph. I've had this photograph of a 'White Admiral' butterfly from the summer that I've been planning to scrap. This was quite the project, as I kept doing it backwards because I didn't have a real plan for it. I wanted a simple layout because I wanted the photo to pop. I made my background paper with a Tattered Angels butterfly stencil and Glimmer Mist, and then I used the butterfly from the JustRite Grand Sentiment stamp set and Perfect Pearls. I used the Spellbinders Curved Rectangles as a stencil to cut out the picture and the same one to cut out the mat. I took two die cut borders from the Spellbinders Vintage Lace Accents set and set them back to back, I was going to run ribbon down the centre, but I noticed some black&white twine and thought that would be fun to lace through the borders.

I sewed the Echo Park Victoria Park paper, added an accent from Spellbinders Botanical Motifs, cut the letters with a Slice and finally stamped the word "backyard" using the JustRite Market Place Alphabet set. This is a set I won from JustRite and was the first time I used it. I hadn't really noticed that it had multiples of all the letters so you can stamp your whole words all at once. I don't have any other sets like that and I LOVE it ! The font is super nice too.
The JustRite challenge is on the JustRite blog here : http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/2012/12/justrite-friday-challenge-087-picture-this.html

Proud as a Peacock JustRite Challenge # 86

A last minute submission from me for this weeks challenge on the JustRite blog. It's a colour challenge and although I adore the colours I didn't think I actually had any. Then I found a 6x6 BG Lauderdale pad while I was cleaning up and I found some green metallic paper. So I went a little nuts and this is the result.

I used Spellbinders Butterfly Magic Expandable Pattern to cut all the green metallic paper, Spellbinders Vintage Lace Accents for the border and Spellbinders Labels 4. I used my new JustRite Grand Sentiments stamp set. I'm so glad I got this set, it is so useful. The big butterfly is a Webster's pages pin and the cardstock is a specialty slightly metallic one.
Check out the outstanding entries this week here : http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/2012/11/justrite-friday-challenge-086-proud-as-a-peacock.html

IO's - Happy Fall Y'All Challenge

I had no idea what I was going to do for this, or even if I'd try anything. Most of my much loved Impression Obsession stamps are lighthouse scenes and not very fallish. With just an hour left to enter, I realized my IO Swan Bridge stamp ( H1623) could work. So I coloured it with Copics, and cut it and a border using Spellbinders Labels 1. I thought it would be fun to make it dimensional with the branch and leaf TH Movers and Shakers die. The leaves are coloured with TH Distress inks and I added Perfect Pearls for some shine ( because everything needs a little shine). The paper is some really old DaisyD's.

It may be last minute, but I'm really happy with how it turned out.
Here's the link to the Impression Obsession Blog challenge : http://mitrafriant.typepad.com/impression_obsession_news/2012/11/happy-fall-yall-challenge.html
Thanks for looking !

JustRite Friday Challenge #085

I was playing with the Spellbinders Botanical Swirls and Accents, and realized that this card would qualify for the JustRite challenge to use more than one die cut on a card. That's so easy because I always have a pile of Spellbinders out on my desk. No point in putting them away because I use them so much.

Unfortunately, I didn't finish this in daylight and I hate taking pictures indoors, but here it is, in just under the wire.
I used the aforementioned Botanical Spellbinders and Spellbinders Fancy Tags Three. The sentiment is from the JustRite Christmas Nested Sentiments, and I used another stamp from this set for the sentiment inside. It's my go-to Xmas set.
I used really pretty, shiny, glittery cardstock from DCWV for this, and unknown patterned paper.
Here's the link to the challenge : http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/2012/11/justrite-friday-challenge-085-happy-holidays.html

Happy Holidays JustRite Challenge #085

JustRite's challenge #085 requires that at least two die cuts are used. I decided to use Spellbinders Labels 8 and 4 as they went with two of my newest things, Spellbinders Decorative Labels 8 and my new JustRite Grand Sentiment stamp set.

The whole card is cut with Spellbinders Labels 8, the fold was placed on the die so it didn't cut at the highest points. I cut a slice off the front so you see the other side of the paper, and added lace. I covered the edges of the Decorative labels 8 die cut with Versamark ink and clear embossing powder for a different texture and some shine. On top of that is another Label 8 die cut, stamped with a JustRite stamp from the Grand Sentiment set and heat embossed. Then a JustRite stamp from the Xmas Nested Sentiments set was heat embossed on a Spellbinders Labels 4 die cut. I die cut two snowflakes, covered them in glitter and layered them.
I love how JustRite and Spellbinders work together and they are working together on this challenge, with Spellbinders sponsering some of the prizes. Here is the link to the JustRite Friday Challenge :
http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/2012/11/justrite-friday-challenge-085-happy-holidays.html

JustRite Finally Friday #84 Flower Power

I decided to make a Thank-You card for my physiotherapist and since today is All Hallow's Eve, I felt a pumpkin was necessary. I used the Autumn Words stamp set I got from JustRite so I decided to enter this week's challenge. I stamped the leaves from the set with versamark ink and heat embossed with assorted metallic powders. I drew the pumpkin and covered it with clear embossing powder to make it shiny. The green leaves and corner piece are cut from the Spellbinders Botanical Swirls and Accents. The sentiment is stamped from the JustRite Autumn Words set, and set on Spellbinders labels #8. The flowers are Recollections and WOC. I backed the paper with burlap for added texture.

Here is the link to the JustRite blog : http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/2012/10/justrite-friday-challenge-084-flower-power.html

A Perfect Autumn Day and a CC challenge

Today is one of those perfect Autumn days that reminds me of why this is my favorite time of year. The sky is the most glorious shade of blue, the sun is shining and the trees are all decked out in their colourful Fall finery. The temperature is warm yet fresh and altogether perfect !!
I came home from physio today with NO back pain. I can't  remember  a time when I didn't have any pain, and after yesterday when the pain was making me hysterical, having no pain at all today is like a miracle. This really is a perfect day.
Anyway... Crop Chocolate has a weekly challenge, and I haven't missed one yet. I even manage to scrape together something for the challenges I don't like ( home decor/altered items, yeech! ). I can't seem to be able to not enter. Sometimes (often) I just barely get my entry in on time and today was no exception. The requirement was to use a neutral and three bright colours and even though I have been having a dreadful time trying to craft lately, I had to do this one. It is simple and yet it is an extention of the way I feel today. Happy.

I used the cover sheet off the Echo Park " For The Record" collection pack for the stripes. I always get a lot of use from those cover sheets. The rose is out of the same pack. The doily is cut with a Cheery Lane die. I used my Sew Easy to make the holes for the backstitching. Quick, simple and will fit in an envelope. YAY !
To take part in a CropChocolate challenge, 50% of the products you use must have come from them. If you are reading this and are not a member of CropChocolate, you should check it out. They don't sell everything, but it is a great place for paper. They have the BEST customer service anywhere. I promise !!

JustRite Friday Challenge #83 - Three's Company

The JustRite Friday challenge this time was to use at least 3 different patterns. This was one I was really looking forward to doing, but time got away from me, and then I fell off a ladder. It wasn't very high, but my all over ache has made it hard to be overly creative. So I decided I should make a card that would fit in an envelope. Trust me, it's been a while. I had these wonderful Spellbinders I had never used called Vintage Lace Accents. I used JustRite Lace Borders Two with some deep pink metallic embossing powder. The photo doesn't do it justice. I also used a JustRite stamp from the You're So Sweet set. It's funny that with all my new stamps, I still use this older set all the time. Maybe that will change a bit when my Grand Sentiment stamp arrives ( can't wait ). I used three different patterned papers from a K&Co 6x6 Julianne pad. The one that looks like solid green is really a tone on tone pattern. The metallic butterfly I coloured with TH Alcohol Ink and gold mixative. I sewed around for a little added texture. I did use some foam tape, but this simple card can be mailed no problem. YAY !

This JustRite challenge can be found on their blog here : http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/2012/10/justrite-friday-challenge-083-threes-company.html
Check it out and come and play !

IO Nature Inspired Challenge

I've been having fun with easel cards, and decided to try something a little different. I added an extra fold so I could add more fussy cut sunflowers. This is done with another Gary Robertson stamp from Impression Obsession. I coloured it with Copics and cut two more layers of the flowers. The centres have flocking on them.

Not the best photo as I'm trying to sneak in under the wire for the Nature Challenge  found here at the impression Obsession blog.
http://mitrafriant.typepad.com/impression_obsession_news/2012/09/nature-inspired-challenge.html

The stamp is "Sunflower Barn" # H1157
Paper is Echo Park Country Drive

   Side View

 Folded Closed

JustRite Friday Challenge #081

I was doing a card for something completely different, when I suddenly realized that it would work for JustRite's challenge this week to add a charm. I was totally inspired by Joanne's entry this week, where she folded her ornnament to make it 3D. I was going to do a challenge for Crop Chocolate that involved multiple folds and circles so as soon as I saw Joanne's I knew what I wanted to make. It is another twisted easel card ( because they're fun), and I used Echo Park This & That papers, Webster's Pages ribbon, C'Bug Cherry Blossom embossing folder, my Slice and, of course, JustRite stamps. The stamps are from two older sets, Birthday Sentiments ( centers) set, and a border from the Hope set.
The charm is a little metal butterfly that I coloured with my Copics in red and green to match the layered paper butterflys. This card was really fun to make, and I owe Joanne a huge thank-you because the 3D flowers were  a new technique for me, and I think they're really cute.

The JustRite challenge can be found here on their awesome blog :

http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/2012/09/justrite-friday-challenge-081-charm-me.html

Joanne's card that so inspired me is found here :
http://castleparkdesigns.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/justrite-friday-challenge-081-charm-me/

 

 

 

A Wedding Card & JustRite Friday Challenge #081

I needed to make a wedding card, and I remembered reading on the " No Time to Stamp" blog ( which I love), that she uses a piece of the invitation in the wedding card. Although I don't go to many weddings, I thought that was such a neat idea that I actually remembered it when I did have to make a card. The only problem was that the invitation was so far from my style that I wasn't sure what I could do with it. It was black & white and lime green, and bold and graphic in design. I am so not a black & white kind of person, that high a contrast kind of freaks me out. I'm more navy blue and cream. But I decided to go with it anyway, because that's what the bride likes, and it is all about her after all.

I used the RSVP card included with the invite as the  background, that's the part with the lime edge. ( In case you're wondering, we did the online RSVP). I then layered B&W paper from Artsy Urban by Melody Ross on that. The frame is a JustRite stamp from Botanical Medallions & Banners, stamped and heat embossed on Webster's Pages paper. The sentiment is from the same JustRite set stamped on vellum. I cut a Spellbinders Fancy Tags 3, and used the ends at the top  and bottom of the frame. The seam binding and trim are Fancypants, and I dyed lace from my stash with TH Shabby Shutters ink. I made the " Love" charm with a TH fragment and the same WP paper in the frame, a Justrite stamp from Botanical medallions, and a MM garment pin. Prima pearls and WOC flowers are the final touch.
I included the envelope in the photo, as it is the RSVP envelope from the invitation, and shows the style I wanted to somewhat match.
I am entering this in the JustRite Friday challenge # 81, " Charm Me ", a challenge to include a charm ( I'm hoping homemade ones count), and to use some wonderful JustRite stamps.
Check out this challenge on the JustRite Inspirations blog and take the time to see the newest stamps, which are AMAZING !!
http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/2012/09/justrite-friday-challenge-081-charm-me.html

Impression Obsession Challenge

I thought since I've been really busy lately, I'd just do a quick card for the IO challenge to use a favorite Quote. I've loved this quote from William Blake since I was very young so that part was easy. My card looks very simple, but oh my, it wasn't quick or easy. It is the gorgeous Iris stamp # F1094 by Gary Robertson, masked and embossed many times. I had to block off the outline on the stamp too, in order to get the effect I wanted. I wanted the images to be a soft  background so the wording would stand out. I actually wanted to use vellum over the top instead of acetate, but it just wouldn't work out. Irises are my favorite flower so I'm happy with how it turned out.

The IO challenge can be found here : http://mitrafriant.typepad.com/impression_obsession_news/2012/09/favorite-quotesaying-challenge-a-new-dt-member.html

Twisted Easel Card

The challenge this week on JustRite's blog is to do a card with more than one fold. I had just  treated myself recently to a JustRite stamp set that I wanted  from the first moment I saw it, and my first two Cheery Lynn dies. These three things formed the idea for the card. Then the mail came and much to my surprise, there was a beautiful JustRite border set in a grab bag I had ordered. Now, all I needed was a type of folded card. I found the instructions for the twisted easel card online, and decided to try it.
Here's my card :

The card base is covered in a striped paper and the bottom piece is embossed with the C'Bug Textile folder. The Cheery Lynn French Pastry doilies are cut out of vellum. The sentiment is from JustRite's Botanical Medallions & Banners ( my B'Day present to myself). The border is stamped and embossed using the JustRite Lace Borders Two.
The top is a 5" square of striped paper with a mitered frame made with stamped and embossed CS and JR Lace Borders Two. The Cheery Lynn die Princess's Garden Window is layered above the patterned paper and the French Pastry doily is on that. The rest of the top is stamped and cut out from the JR Botanical Medallions & Banners. The irises are coloured with Copics and layered with foam tape.
The top folds down on to the base forming a 5" square card. This design is remarkably easy to make and a lot of fun.
Here is the link to the JustRite Friday Challenge #80 : http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/2012/08/justrite-friday-challenge-080-more-than-one-fold.html

Also since I used Cheery Lynn Dies I thought I'd enter the " Anything Goes" challenge on Cheery Lynn's blog here : http://cheerylynndesignschallenge.blogspot.ca/search/label/challenge
 Simon Says Stamp also has a fun challenge found here that I am also entering this card in : http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.ca/

JustRite "Opposites Attract" Friday Challenge #079

I don't have a lot of JustRite products, sad but true, and I'm probably way out of my league, but I couldn't resist entering this complementary colour challenge on the JustRite blog. I love JustRite stamps and I thought it would be fun. I picked the colours blue-green and orange-red because you don't see it often and it is very striking.

I used the Ticking Stripe background stamp ( CL-03615) and the " Be Happy" set from JustRite. The ink is TH Distress ink in Persimmon and I used the same ink to make a spray with Perfect Pearls in copper. The spray is so gorgeous in person. Most of the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. Border is a MS punch. Flourish is cut with a Slice and ribbon is from my stash.
The challenge can be found here on JustRite's fabulous blog.
http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/2012/08/justrite-friday-challenge-079-opposites-attract.html

Impression Obsession Yellow and Gray Challenge

IO is having a challenge to use yellow and gray.  I wasn't going to do this challege because I don't like gray, and I really don't like gray and yellow, or so I thought. But a challenge isn't a challenge if  you don't stretch yourself some, so I decided to enter.

I used a Gary Robertson stamp F1814, which I absolutely adore. I stamped it on X-Press It  cardstock and coloured it with Copics. I did add some green, but it is a very grayed green so I hope it still qualifies. I used MME Miss Caroline Fiddlesticks paper, (which I almost didn't get because of all the gray :-D ). I wanted more texture, so I took a piece of linen which already is more gray than burlap, and rubbed a TH Black Soot ink pad on it, then sprayed it with water which made it even grayer. The image and frame were cut using Spellbinders Curved Rectangles. the CS is American Crafts and the twine is MME.
I have decided after doing this, that I don't dislike gray and yellow together after all.
Here is the link to this challenge on IO's wonderful blog !
http://mitrafriant.typepad.com/impression_obsession_news/2012/08/its-the-yellow-gray-challenge.html

Masculine Cards using IO stamps

Impression Obsession makes my favorite stamps particularly the Cover-a-Card series and anything designed by Gary Robertson. I combined the C-A-C Canvas (CC073) and the New England Lighthouse (G1286) to make this card. I used the Cavas stamp with white embossinng powder on kraft cardstock. The patterned paper is MME Miss Caroline. I stamped the lighthouse on Copic paper and coloured it with Copic markers.
I'm entering this in the IO challenge found here : http://mitrafriant.typepad.com/impression_obsession_news/2012/08/its-a-mans-world-challenge.html

My Beautiful Boys in Spring.

Both my boys are gone now, Dodger just this April 16th. This LO is a memory of a spring when they were together in the backyard, surrounded by wildflowers.
The paper is all Echo Park's "For the Record", a truly versatile collection. All the flowers were made from actual vintage seam binding that belonged to my Grandmother. The ric-rac is also from my Grandmother's stash. So this page is a tribute to all three that I loved and lost.

Sleeping Beauty - Frame with WOC Flowers

Picture frame upcycled from a corrugated packing box. Painted white, then with random splotches of Distress Crackle paint in Tea Rose. It has a removable photo holder, which is easily pulled out by the acrylic tab, which was cut from plastic packaging, stamped with white Stazon ink using  a Kaisercraft doily stamp. Clear photo corners hold the chosen picture to white cardstock insert..
The backing is covered with MME Lush papers, and MM Celery ribbon is used to keep the stand secure.
The frame is decorated using beautiful Roses, Cherry Blossoms and Sweetheart Blossoms from Wild Orchid Crafts. I also used glittered chipboard flourishes and ribbon by MM. Rhinestones and lace from my stash finish it off.
Although the frame was made to easily change the photo out, chances are the photo of the little sleeping beauty will remain in the frame permanently.
I am entering this in Wild Orchid Crafts  Bingo Challenge as I used flowers, lace and ribbon and gems. Check out this challenge at :
http://wildorchidchallenge.blogspot.ca/

New Home Card

Sketch design by Anam Stubbington
CS  - American Crafts
DP- My Mind's Eye - Lush Blue - Stripes, Damask and Diamonds
                                 - Bloom and Grow
Stamp- My Mind's Eye - Lost and Found 2 - Blush
Brad - My Mind's Eye - Stella and Rose - Hazel
Twine - My Mind's Eye - Lime Twist
Die Cuts - Tim Holtz - Alterations
Ink - Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Evergreen Bough
Flowers - Wild Orcid Crafts
Lace, Ric Rac and Bling - unknown