STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 176 WEEK 5: ANYTHING GOES!

This Stampotique Designers' Challenge of "Anything Goes" will continue for one additional week beginning today, December 31.  This means you have 5 chances (5 Wednesdays) to win one of the two $30 gift certificates for products from the Stampotique Originals online store.  Rules for submitting your artwork can be found here.  "Gift" yourself some time to get crafty this week!

It is with a bit of sadness that I share with you that I will not be continuing with the Stampotique Originals' Design Team (although I will still maintain a presence on the site).  I have decided that, at almost 71, it is time to slow down just a bit and to take more time for myself in the studio, being more focused on personal goals.  

My last project as a Design Team member celebrates the New Year, and, therefore, new beginnings, not just for me, but for all.  This rather simple journal spread contains more than a dozen elements and techniques, so not quite as simple as it looks!  Enjoy!

And a bit of detail:

Supplies, tools:

Stampotique Originals:  Tinglyitchiness

Stampotique Originals:  Tree

Stampotique Originals:  Home Sweet Home

Authentique:  "Cursive" paper

Black, white and red cardstock

Tando Creative:  Clocks, Clocks

Dina Wakely:  Ruby acrylic paint

Elizabeth Dies:  "Happy New Year"

Little B:  Winter cardinal stickers

Copic:  R29 Lipstick Red

Crayola Crayon:  Apricot

Stampin' Up!:  stamp positioner to extend trunk of tree

Cricut Die Cutting Machine

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for leaving a comment!  I hope you will continue to come here, from time to time, to visit and to be inspired.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 176 WEEK 4: ANYTHING GOES!

This Stampotique Designers' Challenge of "Anything Goes" will continue for the remainder of the month of December.  This means you will have 5 chances (5 Wednesdays) to win one of the two $30 gift certificates for products from the Stampotique Originals online store.  Rules for submitting your artwork can be found here.  Take some time to get crafty amid all the chaos that December can sometimes bring!

A card for one of my two grandsons is what's on tap today. Using more scrapbook paper from my 6" x 6" pad made it pretty simple.  Here you see "Eric" to welcome Santa!

Thank you for taking time from your Christmas festivities this week to visit my blog.  I appreciate your visits and your comments!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

TAG ALONG BLOG #69: OH, CHRISTMAS TREE!

Just a quick post this evening to share the Christmas tree tag I created for this week's Tag Along Blog Challenge!  I am still using up my 6x6 Christmas paper pads from my stash.  The sentiment stamp is from Stampin' Up!  The surprise element, however, is the faux snow at the bottom--created from just a snippet of beautiful lace from the Bamberg Lace Store in Germany where my niece Rebecca works.  Thanks, Rebecca!

Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 176, WEEK 3: ANYTHING GOES!

This Stampotique Designers' Challenge of "Anything Goes" will continue for the remainder of the month of December.  This means you will have 5 chances (5 Wednesdays) to win one of the two $30 gift certificates for products from the Stampotique Originals online store.  Rules for submitting your artwork can be found here.  Take some time to get crafty amid all the chaos that December can sometimes bring!

For my project today, I share the Christmas card that I have made for my granddaughter.  At age 4, I think Angie will appreciate "Agatha's Christmas" more than any of the other stamps I could use!  But, what she will really, really like is what's inside!  Even at 4, she knows how to shop!

Thanks so much for taking time from your busy December schedule to visit my blog.  I appreciate both your visits and your comments!

Merry Christmas to you!

TAG ALONG BLOG CHALLENGE #68: REINDEER

The Tag Along Blog Challenge this week is all about reindeer. Well, when I think of reindeer, I think of Rudolph and, of course, his red nose! Except for my ribbon and bling for Rudolph's nose, everything here is paper!  I am keeping with my goal of using up patterned paper I have accumulated over the last 15 or so years!  I did use a new stamp from Hero Arts for my sentiment.

If you have some time this week, pop over to the Tag Along Blog and have a go at creating a tag!  One rule...must be a tag! That's it!

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 176, WEEK 2: ANYTHING GOES!

This Stampotique Designers' Challenge of "Anything Goes" will continue for the remainder of the month of December.  This means you will have 5 chances (5 Wednesdays) to win one of the two $30 gift certificates for products from the Stampotique Originals online store.  Rules for submitting your artwork can be found here.  Take some time to get crafty amid all the chaos that December can sometimes bring!

For today's project, I have created what would normally be considered a scrapbook spread, but I created it in my art journal.  Russ and I have taken many long weekends over the last few years to enjoy the scenery, the food and, of course, the wine of the Finger Lakes Region of New York State.  One of the quaint restaurants we found on a recent trip was in The Park Inn Hotel in Hammondsport, NY.  Here, I have used a placemat from the restaurant for my backdrop.  While I was debuting my Stampotique stamps for the foreground, when I placed the image of "Portland" against the placemat, it appeared as if the same artist had drawn both!  This project is a fun remembrance for me!

Thanks for stopping by today and for taking a moment to leave a comment.  Both are important to me!

Cheers!

TAG ALONG BLOG CHALLENGE #67: VINTAGE SANTA

I finally had some time this week to just play in my studio, so here is my submission to the Tag Along Blog "Vintage Santa" challenge!  Thanks for the invitation to play along, Carol Fox!

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 176 WEEK 1: ANYTHING GOES FOR THE MONTH!

Kim Howard is our Stampotique Design Team Coordinator, a Design Team member, and is also our hostess for the month of December! December is a busy time with friends and family, so Kim has given the Design Team and you a bit of a break and choosen one theme for the entire month.  Here's her challenge:

This is our last challenge for the year, and it will run the whole month of December.  Our theme is an easy one, so show us your best work using *Anything Goes" as your theme.   

For this month *only,* you will have the opportunity to enter this challenge 5times (one for each week) which = 5 chances to win the random $30 giftcertificate for Stampotique stamps. 

We hope to see a lot of you entering!

For the first week, I have chosen to embrace December and make a Christmas card.  If you are or have been a scrapbooker, you likely have 6" x 6" paper pads lying around.  In searching through my stash, I was able to find such a paper pad with a Christmas theme from which I could make my card.  A couple of "accessories" lying around and the card base was ready for some stamping.  Next came the Smitten Moustache Monsters (by stamp designer Kira Nichols), a red Sharpie, and done!

Thanks for your visit today!  I appreciate those as well as your comments.  I hope you will find some time this month to participate in this month-long "Anything Goes" challenge at the Stampotique Designers' Challenge site.  There are 5 opportunities (5 Wednesdays) this month to submit your works.  At the end of the month, two winners will be drawn from among all submissions (rules here) to receive a $30 gift certificate for anything in the Stampotique online store.

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 175: In the words of Edgar Allan Poe

You know what day it is...and you know what to do!  The only thing different about the Stampotique Designers' Challenge this week is that it is my pleasure to host it!  

My challenge this week is a simple one, but requires a bit of research on your part.  Just as many of the Stampotique Originals' artists design stamps that might be described as a bit "quirky," so, too, was Edgar Allan Poe a bit quirky.  He is a well-known author and poet, living from 1809-1849.  His quotes range from the romantic to the melancholy, from the thoughtful to the murderous!  The choice is yours.  Combine a quote from Edgar Allan Poe with one or more stamped images to create something unique!

For my piece this week, I have chosen one of Poe's more thoughtful quotes:  "Years of love have been forgot, In the hatred of a minute."  This quote stands out from all the rest for me, and carries a life lesson for us all.

It's a postcard from me for this challenge.  I was able to print both the quote and the author's name directly onto my postcard by attaching my postcard to an 8-1/2 x 11" sheet of printer paper (using washi tape) and running it through my computer.  

I also used my stamp positioner to perfectly place my image over the author's name.  It was easy to do after watching France Papillon's video tutorial on how to use it!  You can find it here.

Stampotique Originals stamps I have used are:

Tree by Daniel Torrente

Tinglyitchiness by Daniel Torrente

Thanks for stopping by today and for taking a moment to leave a comment.  Both are appreciated!  It's not always easy to find time for creating in our busy lives, but I hope you will do that this week.  Rules for submission of your art for this challenge can be found here.  At the end of the month, two names will be randomly drawn from all submissions and each will receive a $30 gift certificate for anything in the Stampotique "store."

Cheers!

P.S.  I have been invited to submit my work here to the "Quote the Raven" website! Check out the link here. 

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 174: STRIPED BACKGROUND

Another Wednesday, and another creative Stampotique Designers' Challenge!  This week's hostess is the very talented Corrie Herriman from The Netherlands.  Here's her challenge:

Hello, Everybody!  Today is my turn to set the challenge at the Stampotique Designers' Challenge Blog and I'd like everyone to make something with a stripy background. You can use ink, paint or pens whatever you like, just no ready made stripes with pattern paper!! I want you to do it yourself ! I am excited to see what you come up with, but most of all I want you to have fun !! Corrie x"

Since I hadn't used any of my stencils lately, I took a look through them to see if I could find anything "stripy," and I stumbled across one of my Tim Holtz tag stencils called...Stripes!  Perfect!  Here are my basic supplies:

A bit of detail:

And my tag featuring Ms. Snottie, one of my favorite Stampotique Originals stamps by artist Daniel Torrente:

I appreciate your stopping by today.  Both your visits and your comments are important to me!  Allow yourself some time to "get crafty" this week.  The details for entering your work for this challenge are here.  Maybe it will be you who wins one of two $30 gift certificates from the Stampotique Originals website!

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 173: BRING ON THE BLING!

It's Wednesday!  The Stampotique Designers' Challenge has been posted, and it is the beautiful France Papillon from Belgium who will direct our artistic energies this week!  France is asking us to "bring the bling," and add some shiny stuff to our projects!

For the longest time, bling in arting was something I stayed as far away from as I could. I don't know how it happened or when, but I suddenly started to add touches of bling on almost every project. And guess what? I love it! 

Now you might still be in that first place I was in, or you might be an avid bling user, but for this week's challenge I would like to see you use some bling! Be it a shiny ink spray, glitters you add or an iridescent paint effect, add some bling to your project 

It will for sure lighten up those days that are getting shorter and darker for us who are getting closer to winter!
                                    France Papillon Charles

Another tag from me this week, but this one is huge because I have had a "piece" of bling for a long time that is huge, and this seemed the time to use it.  

I began with a piece of scrapbook paper from DCWV called "The Far East" and mounted it on a piece of cream cardstock.  I drew my color palette from these papers.  My quote comes from William R. Alter (1822-1905), a Unitarian minister and author whose writings were important to the development of comparative religious studies.  My bling is from my "gem" box--that's all I can tell you!  And, lastly, my focal image, upstaging even the diamonds and pearls, is the lovely Mela, wearing diamonds herself across her forehead!

Some detail:

I am delighted that you came by this week, and would be happy if you left a message so that I know you were here.  Take some time for yourself this week and get crafty.  Directions for entering this challenge are here.  If you play along, there will be a chance at the end of the month to win one of two $30 gift certificates for anything on the Stampotique Originals' website, which you can find here!

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 172: SPOTLIGHTING TECHNIQUE

The uber-talented Arwen McCullen is hosting the Stampotique Designers' Challenge this week, and she is challenging us to use the "spotlighting" technique.  Here's what she has to say:

Hi, Everyone!  Artwork consists of many small details that make a whole.  This week, I would like to see spotlights in your work.  Lift a small detail from your artwork to make it especially visible!
                                                                                                                     xx Arwen

The spotlighting technique was totally new to me and several others on the Design Team, so our Design Team Coordinator, Kim Howard, shared this Splitcoast Stampers tutorial.  It was simple and easy to follow (includes a video).  

I used the following Stampotique Originals stamps to create my tag today:

Bowtie (Jill Penney and Daniel Torrente)

Stacked Boxes (Roc Nicholas)

Design Cube (France Papillon)

The background was created with Ranger Archival Re-inkers and alcohol.  I also used Ranger Distress Markers to color a portion of my image and a bit of washi tape to ground it.  I used my own handwriting to add the T. E. Lawrence quote, and a short piece of black rickrack to tie it all up.

Thanks for stopping by today and for taking the time to leave a comment.  Both are important to me.  Take some time this week to create your own art.  Details for submitting your work for this challenge can be found here.  At the end of the month, two names will be randomly drawn from all artists and each will win a $30 gift certificate to the Stampotique "store."

Cheers!

BLOG GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!

Jean has been chosen by random.org as the winner of the "Heads" stamp (Stampotique Originals) from me! 

Congratulations, Jean!  Please contact me at kayandruss at yahoo dot com with your mailing address!

And thanks, Everyone, for signing up as followers and those who "networked" with me.  

Both combined allowed me to reach over 200 followers.

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 171: USE YOUR FAVORITE COLORS!

You know what day it is!  The Stampotique Designers' Challenge has been posted, and sweet Nellie van Leeuwen is at the helm.  She is taking it a bit easy on us this week!  Here's Nellie's challenge:

No explanation needed for this week's challenge. I'm asking you to use your favourite colours. Use as many colours as you want. I think we all have favourite colour combinations, colours that always match, colours that work for us, colours we turn to when we lack a bit of inspiration. Mine are variations of green and blue. What are yours?
                                                                                                             Groetjes,  Nellie

Now, you would expect that my post today would be full of bright and cheery primary colors, but...NOT!  I am a huge fan of the vintage genre and its color palette is much more subdued.  I find great pleasure in creating with this color palette:

So, now, you will not be surprised at my "make" for this week.  I have chosen to make a vintage postcard with brown, beige, cream and just touch of maroon and soft orange. 

And, the reveal:

 I have used the following Stampotique stamps in my project:

Vintage Postcard

Paris Postcard

1879 Postmark

Splattered Mug

I am so happy that you stopped by today.  Don't forget to join as a follower and leave a comment so that you will qualify for the BIG GIVEAWAY ending in just two days.  Details here!  You just might win a FREE STAMPOTIQUE STAMP FROM ME!  Here's an example of how Stampotique Design Team member France Papillon used this stamp in a background:

I hope you will take some time this week to get crafty and create something in your favorite color palette.  Two lucky artists (randomly drawn) will receive a $30 gift certificate from Stampotique Originals for their products or anything they cell on their website.  

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 170: GHOULS AND GOBLINS!

Ah, yes, it's Stampotique Day!  The very talented Kristen Catalano is our host this week at the Stampotique Designers' Challenge, and she is in the mood for Ghouls and Goblins! Here's her challenge:

Calling all Pumpkins, Ghosts, Dragons, and Witches too, we’ve got a SPOOKY time planned just for you!!!!!!!!

I completely LOVE Halloween, and any chance I get to make a spooky project, I will. This week I am challenging you to create a project inspired by Halloween.  Can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Kristen

For this challenge, I made my Halloween card for my older grandson.  At 14, Justin is full of...well, let's say spirit!  I am sure that he and his best buds could think of more tricks than treats!  My card contains just a word of caution as well as a bit of humor!  I have used the following Stampotique stamps for this card:

Paris Lamp Post (the base of the lamp)*

Circles Cube (lamp bulb and background)*

Barcode Text #2 (BAD IDEA, GROUNDED)*

Checkers (sweet boy image)*

Scratches (background stamp)

*denotes stamps from the NEW RELEASES

And, the reveal:

Thanks for visiting today and for leaving a comment so that I will know you came by. Don't forget about your chance to win a FREE STAMPOTIQUE STAMP from me!  Details here.  A perfect example of how you might use this great background stamp is one that Stampotique Design Team member Corrie Herriman created:

Now, go get crafty and created your own ghouls and goblins submission for a chance to win one of two $30 gift certificates from Stampotique given away to two randomly-drawn artists at the end of this month.  Submission details are here.

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 169: BLACK, PINK & PURPLE

Carol Fox, my teammate from the U.K., is in charge this week, and she is challenging us to use black, pink and purple in our projects for the Stampotique Designers' Challenge!  Really, Carol, black, pink and purple?  Seems a bit of an odd challenge to me, but, in the end, I loved it!  Here is what Carol had to say:

I love strong colors that really pop on the page, so I ask you to feature black, pink and purple on your make for the challenge this week.  Carol x

I wanted to make a tag/bookmark for a friend whose husband has had a stroke and is now in an extended care nursing home. She has a tough road ahead of her (as does he), so wanted her to know she needed to focus on getting through today...one second, one minute, one hour, one day!

I used these Stampotique stamps in my project:

Ms. Snottie

Circle Cube

One Second, One Minute...

And here's my tag/bookmark:

Thanks for coming by today, and also for taking the time to leave a comment so that I will know you were here.  If you haven't yet joined as a follower, take a moment to do that, too, as I am having a GIVEAWAY this month.  Details here!  

I hope you will take some time this week to get crafty!  At the end of the month, two lucky artists will each receive a $30 gift certificate for anything on the Stampotique Originals website.  

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 168: USE BOOK TEXT

My Stampotique teammate and dear friend Corrie Herriman is the host this week for the Stampotique Designers' Challenge, and she is asking us to create a project using book text. Here is her direction:

Hello everybody and happy Wednesday to you all! Today it is my turn to host the challenge and I would like you to use book text. This is such a versatile material and when I get a bit stuck, I regularly reach for an old book to use the pages. I think everybody has an old book or magazine lying around to use. I can't wait to see what you come up with, but most of all have fun creating !!!   Corrie x

Much like Corrie, I find that book text, whether tucked into the background or a front-and-center element, can really give a creative boost when a bit stuck!  And, I was definitely "stuck" on this one.  I created two for the bin before finding inspiration in the book text I chose.  First, I was intrigued by the page number and knew that I wanted to include that.  I also noticed the chapter title "Novelist and Philosopher," and then I remembered one of my newer stamps called "Philip," who has a wishful, inquiring upward gaze.  Of course, at that point, I needed something at which Philip could be looking--and that was one of the Stampotique stamps just released called "Paris Lamp Post."  By this time, I was on a roll!  I added one of the new release text stamps ("When I Grow Up") to show what Philip might be thinking; then, for a little added interest, a bit of a border using one side of the brand new "Circles Cube."  A dab of yellow paint, an ink-dyed ribbon, a brad and done!  But here, you take a look:

I am pleased with my tag and with overcoming this challenge. Sometimes, it just takes more than one attempt to get where you most want to be--in art, as well as in life!  (I love you, Russ!)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I appreciate both your visits and your comments.  Take a moment this week to do something crafty--even if for the first time!  At the end of the month, there will be a $30 gift certificate randomly awarded to two lucky artists submitting projects!  Guidelines for submissions are here.  You can purchase Stampotique stamps here. 

I am giving away BLOG CANDY this month!  Check out how to win a free brand new STAMPOTIQUE stamp from ME here!

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 167: MAKE IT MASCULINE!

Kim Howard is not only the Stampotique Design Team Coordinator, but also our hostess today and she is prompting us to make a masculine card for the Stampotique Designers' Challenge!  

Happy Hump Day!

I'm so excited to host the challenge this week as it's one I'm always struggling with.  In a home where the males outweigh the females, you wouldn't think it would take much to create a masculine card, but it's something I have had a hard time doing every time I sit down to make one.

I challenge you to show me your best masculine cards this week---are they ones that come naturally to you or do you draw a blank when you need to create one as well?

Cant wait to see all the possibilities you come up with this week!

Like Kim, creating masculine cards is difficult for me.  And, if that isn't a big enough challenge, two of the men in my life are under the age of 14!  That can be a double challenge!  But, for today, I created a birthday card for my adult son Bryan.  Sometimes, I think he looks forward to receiving my handmade cards as much as his two sons!

I drew my inspiration for this card from Pinterest, and made only minor adjustments, one being adding a bit of bling!  All papers, including the cards base, were made from scraps.

I hope you will take time this week to create a masculine card for Kim's challenge.  At the end of this month, two names will be drawn at random from all the submissions to receive a $30 gift certificate for anything in the Stampotique website.  Rules for submission can be found here.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I appreciate both your visits and your comments.  Be sure to check out my second post today (below) for a chance to win this Stampotique stamp from me!

Cheers!

BLOG GIVEAWAY! WIN A STAMPOTIQUE ORIGINALS' STAMP BY DANIEL TORRENTE

Glad you stopped by!  My goal this month is to reach 200 followers.  A lofty goal?  Perhaps, but we are going to have a lot of fun getting there!  For instance, I am giving away a Stampotique Originals' stamp called "Heads."  It is by the well-known stamp designer Daniel Torrente.  I will ship to anywhere in the world, so all are welcome to participate with confidence! Here's the stamp:

Over the next few weeks, I will show you how Stampotique Designers' Challenge Design Team members, Stampotique Guest Designers, and those who follow that blog have used this stamp in their artwork.  Here's a wonderful example from Jools Robertson.  She has used "Heads" behind the chain link fence as the sports fans!

There is not much to do:

• If you already follow my blog, let me know in your comment below; if not, sign up (in the right-hand sidebar) to become a follower and let me know that you did that.  After signing up "to follow," your best bet is to then "follow by e-mail" so that you will not miss an update.
• Share this post in your social media outlets and let me know that you did that.  I am not asking for a link--I trust that you will do so.
• In your comment below, tell me your favorite Stampotique Originals stamp (not necessary to own it)!

Easy as that!  I will announce the winner here on November 1--whether or not I reach my goal!

Cheers!