100 BLOG FOLLOWERS GIVEAWAY!

I promised a blog giveaway when I reached 100 follows, and I am now over that number!  Thanks to the last few that joined, as well as the first few and all those in between!!  I am humbled by your presence.

So, here's the deal:

• If you have not already done so, sign up to follow my blog (must be a follower to win the giveaway).
• Leave a comment on this post, letting me know you were here (make sure I have contact information, in case you are the winner).
• On October 16, I will let random.com draw the winning person.
• I will announce the winner on my blog and also on Facebook.  If you have signed up also to "follow by e-mail," you won't miss the announcement!

Here's a picture of some of the items in the giveaway:

Everything is new, and there is something for scrappers and art journalists, as well!  OK, so the Simplicity dress pattern isn't new, but contains a lot of tissue paper!  I am also including an ATC created by the author of this blog...yep, that's me!  

My sincere thanks for taking the time to follow, visit and comment on my posts.  I find your interest inspiring!  Thank you!

Cheers!

THROWING MY HAT INTO THE STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE TEAM RING!

Recently, the Stampotique Originals website posted a Design Team call! My heart literally skipped a beat when I saw it!  If you have been following my blog (or my credit card!), you already know that I am a big fan of the Stampotique images--one might even say I am passionate about them!  I was curious about when I first referred to Stampotique in a post, so I looked through my archived blog posts and found this post.  It documents a sustained relationship between these (sometimes) quirky images and me.  Avid participation in the weekly Stampotique Designers' Challenges is evidenced in the succeeding posts.  I have been chosen as a Design Team Favorite on three occasions!

I think the "outside-of-the-box" project (a printer's tray) I have created to accompany my application for a Stampotique Designers' Challenge Design Team position (they are also calling for their Stampotique Blog/Facebook Design Team) exemplifies my "style," which is varied.  Although not evident in this piece, I generally love to incorporate humor into my artwork.

During my relationship with Stampotique, I have participated in their blog hop to show off the new releases this Fall, and also posted a submission to another site where Stampotique was the sponsor.  I am fully aware of the responsibilities of a Design Team Member, as I have served two terms on the Design Team of the international website "Let's Scrap" and serve now as a Contributing Design Team member.  I am also currently Author and Artist at Scrapbooking.com Magazine, and have been a Contributing Artist at Enchanting Creations Magazine.  I have been most recently published in Just Steampunk Magazine.

Commenting is something about which I feel very strongly.  I never post my own work without first commenting on all the work that has been posted before (and then after) mine.  I believe my comments are both thoughtful and appreciated.  I am inspired by comments and, therefore, like to inspire others.

I am also a good "linker," linking not only to the Stampotique Originals site, but to the SDC page, the host, and, perhaps most importantly, to the images themselves.

Now, a bit about the artful submission that accompanies my application:  I have a three-year-old granddaughter.  Since I will be celebrating my 70th birthday shortly, it has become painfully apparent that I might not be here when Angie goes through her teen years.  I recall my own teens as filled with indecision, insecurity and question, as well as wonder.  Through the art that I am creating for Angie, I hope to have "conversations" with her about her life when it appears to have been turned upside down. 

I have used 10 Stampotique rubber stamps to create my art for this submission:

Jasmin

Relaxin'
Hard Work

Even Silence Speaks

You're Strong

Wicked

Diva

When Heart Speaks (the word "heart")

Enjoy Today (the word "the")

Sun Design

Another example of thinking outside of the box (and with a bit of humor) is the cover picture on my Facebook page:

I would like to thank Kim Howard, Design Team Coordinator, for the opportunity to apply for the Stampotique Designers' Challenge Team position.  I know I would be joining a team of very talented, friendly and supporting ladies from around the world!  I am ready for this new challenge.

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE118: USING WASHI TAPE

Yesterday saw Astrid post a new Stampotique Designers' Challenge, and it's all about using washi tape!  Here's her challenge to us: 

Not really a hard one is it ;-) I adore this stuff and I think a lot of us do. I especially love the black and white ones, it makes the other colors you use really intense. And it's just an easy way to add something extra on your creation. So use this happy stuff as a background or as an embellishment on your creation. Hope you like Washi Tape just as I do.

I must admit that I have amassed quite a collection of this "washi tape" and love using it.  However, I will also admit that I mostly use it to "anchor" my Stampotique images so that they don't appear to be floating in space.  For this week's challenge, I additionally challenged myself to use the tape in a new way.  

Out of need, I have made another card today to be sent to a friend recovering from a stroke.  He is well on his way to full recovery, but still in need of support.  

On my manilla card base, I used a background stamp, over which I placed a vertical strip of washi tape.  Over that, I layered cardstock onto which I placed Stampotique Originals' Spidergrass stamp.  A sticker sentiment, and done! I am happy and Pete will be happy, too!  Here's my card:

I hope you will join us and put that washi tape to use for your chance to win one of two random $30 gift certificates from Stampotique Originals! You are not required to use Stampotique stamps to be elegible for one of the prizes, but, if you have them, get them out!!  Details here!

I want to thank everyone who has signed up to "follow" my blog, and especially those who take time to visit and to leave comments.  Your comments really inspire me!  I am now at 99 followers, and when that last person joins, I will post a celebratory "100" giveaway post!  Watch for it!

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 117: BIRTHDAY THEME

Since I have been away from my creative "loft" for two weeks, I am playing a bit of catch-up today.  The Stampotique Designers' Challenge from last week was posted by Kim (aka "Basement Stamper") and, since it was her birthday, she chose a birthday theme:

Today, I'm the lucky hostess of our challenge and I was a little selfish when I picked the date and the challenge theme.  Our challenge this week is "BIRTHDAY" and, can you guess why I was selfish this week??  It is my birthday...today!  And it's not just any birthday, it's one of the big milestone birthdays and what better way to spend it then hopping around to see all the fabulous birthday creations from the SDC team and yourselves?

I have made a card for my son's birthday and chose masculine tones. This is full of layering and I am pleased with how it turned out.  The Stampotique stamp that I chose is called Dandelion Duo.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I appreciate both your visits and your comments!  I am very close to having 100 followers, so, if you have not already signed up as a follower, please do so today.  

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 116: TRY SOMETHING NEW (TO YOU)!

I know, I know...it's Thursday, but some things take time!  The Stampotique Designers' Challenge was posted yesterday, but only today did I have time to play with something that I bought recently.  I realize that embossing paste is not new to many, but it is to me!  I recently took a class from Ranger's Signature Designer Wendy Vecchi, watched her demo embossing paste and was immediately hooked!  That day, I bought Wendy's Studio 490 embossing paste...today I used it for the first time.

What I am showing you here is part of a larger project (soon to be revealed), so, although it may look a bit sparse, it will all come together soon!  I used a Dylusions small stencil (DYS34230) and "pushed" the embossing paste through it with an old credit card.  My intention was to colorize the paste with a bit of soft orange ink after the paste had dried, but, since I had not properly cleaned my stencil the last time I used it, the paint on the stencil colored the paste for me!  Not exactly the color I would have chosen, but at least it wasn't purple!!

The Stampotique image I have used is called Relaxin', and she just perfectly supports my quote by Lee Damsky.  If you would like to participate in this month's Stampotique Designers' Challenge, check out the details here.  Two lucky contributors will win a $30 gift certificate from Stampotique Originals at the end of this period.  You are not required to use Stampotique stamps, but, if you have them, you are encouraged to do so.

Thanks for visiting today.  Both your visits and your comments mean a lot to me!

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 115: LAYERS

It is indeed a happy Wednesday when I find myself in my studio inspired by a Stampotique Designers' Challenge.  Design Team member Sue Davies is hosting and here is her challenge to us:

I love to use layers on my projects, be it layers of paint and inks or layers of card, or both. I challenge you to use at least three layers on your creation. Have fun!

Last week, I received my order of stamps from Stampotique Originals, and I had a tough time deciding which of my new stamps to choose.  I had already decided on the sentiment I wanted to use, so that narrowed the field a bit--beautiful, thoughtful Jasmin won the honor!

Two layers of paint (created using my Gelli Plate) began this project in my "Judy Journal."  A third layer was added with Daisy, Daisy along the bottom.  I then stamped Jasmin on white cardstock and colored her using a combination of Ranger Distress Markers and, yep, Crayola Crayons!  I also stamped Daisy, Daisy over Jasmin so that she would appear to be in the field of daisies.  I applied Wink of Stella (clear) to create a bit of pizzazz on the lighter stripes of Jasmin's stockings.  Here's my completed submission:

If you would like to participate in this month's Stampotique Designers' challenges, check out the details here.  Two lucky contributors will win a $30 gift certificate from Stampotique Originals at the end of this month. You are not required to use Stampotique stamps, but, if you have them, why not?

Thanks for visiting today.  Both your visits and your comments mean a lot to me!

Cheers!