STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 136: MONOCHROMATIC

Welcome to all the new followers of this blog!  I appreciate your being here, as well as your comments!

Well, today brings us another Stampotique Designers' Challenge, and our uber-talented Design Team member Tanja Kewel-Neef is our challenger.  Here is what Tanja has to say:

Hello crafty fellows, today it's my turn. I selected the theme monochromatic. Well, in fact it's a big challenge to myself.  I actually prefer it a little more colorful. But restrict myself to work tone in tone? First let's see the projects from the amazing Stampotiue Design Team. And now... Come on up! I'm longing to see all your stunning monochromatic artworks. Hugs Tanja

It is not usually difficult to add color to a project, but when one is restricted to using just a single color, it does become a challenge for most of us.  Understanding the definition of monochromatic gives one a bit more leeway:  monochromatic colors are all the colors (tints, tones and shades) of a single hue.

My project is based on orange, with the interpretation of lighter orange being yellow and darker orange being red.  I began by creating a monoprint using a Gelli Plate, stencils and acrylic paints in red, orange and yellow.  Once dry, I trimmed the print to the size I wanted for my card.  I used scraps to create a bit of visual interest on the bottom left and to provide grounding for my Stampotique Originals' image Midge.  Both Midge and the Stampotique quote (by Leonardo da Vinci) were stamped using Wendy Vecchi's archival ink in Orange Blossom (Ranger Products).  The same ink was used to edge the individual words of the quote.  A bit of matting and done!

I hope you will participate in the Stampotique Designers' Challenge this week and grab a chance to win one of two monthly $30 gift certificates from Stampotique Originals toward anything on their website.  Be sure to follow the submission rules here.  

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 135: ACETATE!

The gorgeous Corrie Herriman is our hostess this week on the Stampotique Designers' Challenge, and her challenge really had me...well, challenged! Here's what she had to say:

Hello and happy Wednesday to you. Now, if you are anything like me, you will keep all wrapping paper, cardboard and of course acetate (clear plastic). We all get lots of it : packaging. I particularly like acetate to use in my projects, whether it is to stamp on or use it in any other way. I just love it. So this week I would like YOU to use a bit of acetate. Let your imagination run wild and surprise me !!

I needed a birthday card for our 14-year-old grandson, so, in addition to this challenge, that was my motivation.   I did find a piece of acetate, and, yes, Corrie, it was from packaging!!  I struggled mostly with the background, wanting it to be masculine, but not *too* grown up!  I have used "Twinkie," one of my favorite Stampotique Originals' images.  In my book, Twinkie is a fun-loving teenager, much like my grandson Justin!  

I added a bit of green "confetti" inside the raised acetate, and, when shaken, is quite festive!  Each of my grandchildren gets $50 for their birthday, but the "mode" of presentation has differed over the years as the children have grown.  One year, it was a "Know Your Family" quiz, with each right answer sending my grandson to another family members to collect another $5 bill, until he had learned something about his family--and collected a total of $50.  Another year, one of the kids received a pop-up box of facial tissues.  When the tissue was pulled out, my grandson was surprised to see a $1 bill attached, then another, and still another--for a total of 50 $1 bills!  I was stumped with the presentation part of the money this year until my husband suggested making the confetti out of a $1 bill, but telling my grandson it was his $50 bill and telling him he had to put it together.  OK, our family uses twisted humor on occasion.  Believe me, Justin is going to love this!  Here's his card:

I hope you will join me in creating something for the Stampotique Designers' Challenge each week.  The use of Stampotique Originals' stamps is not required.  You can use any rubber or clear stamps (no digital stamps) that you have to participate and gain a chance at the end of the month to win one of two $30 gift certificates for your choice of Stampotique products.  IMPORTANT REMINDER: Please read all rules on the linkz page before linking your creations!

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I love both your visits and comments!  If you have not already done so, take a minute to join as a follower of my blog, then follow by e-mail (both in the right-hand sidebar) and you won't miss an update here!

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 134: PERFECT PAIRS!

A happy day to each of you!  Wednesday is pretty much my favorite day of the week...okay, it's also the day the new Stampotique Designers' Challenge is posted.  Could that just be a happy coincidence?   Kathi Rerek is our crafty hostess this week, and here's what she has to say:

It's almost Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day makes me think of couples, so my challenge is called Perfect Pairs.  Use two (2) of an item so that things are in pairs. This can be two stamped images, two embellishments, two layers of patterned paper, two colors, etc.  See how many pairs you can use in your project. Just be sure to use at least one perfect pair and have fun!

I have to tell you that the moment I saw this fun challenge, I knew what I would do.  Of course, I think my husband and I are a perfect pair.  My husband and our dog also make a perfect pair.  But, it is my sister Sandy and I who really *are* a perfect pair.  We pretty much look alike.  We often think alike. And we love many of the same things, like Scrabble and birds! But, it is kind of funny that the thing we don't share, my love of card games, is the very element I chose for my tag today!

I have used two of Stampotique Originals' stamps today, Pigtails as Queen of Diamonds and Girl with Heart Purse as Queen of Hearts.  They certainly are not identical, but you must admit that they do look like sisters!

I hope you will join me in creating something for the Stampotique Designers' Challenge each week.  The use of Stampotique Originals' stamps is not required.  You can use any rubber or clear stamps (no digital stamps) that you have to participate and gain a chance at the end of the month to win one of two $30 gift certificates for your choice of Stampotique products.  Details for submissions are here.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Please read ALL RULES on the linkz page before linking your creation.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I love both your visits and comments!  If you have not already done so, take a minute to join as a follower of my blog, then follow by e-mail (both in the right-hand sidebar) and you won't miss an update here!

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 133: PUT A HEART IN YOUR ART

So glad you are here!  I do appreciate both your visits and your comments!  When the Camel asks, "What day is it?", you know it is Wednesday, but did you know that is the day each week when the Stampotique Designers' Challenge is posted?  Of course, you did! 

This week, my DT romantic teammate Jackie Payne is at the helm, and she is thinking about another day--Valentine's Day.  Here is a bit of history on the holiday, as well as Jackie's inspiration: 

In Ancient Rome, the 13th, 14th and 15th of February were celebrated as Lupercalia, a pagan fertility festival.  By the mid 18th century, the passing of love notes had become popular in England, the precursor to the St. Valentine’s Day card as we know it today. Early cards were made of paper and lace. By the 19th century, they became so popular that factories started to mass produce them.  So, as the February 14th approaches, it's time for you to put a heart in our Art, and then show us what you have made.  I am looking forward to seeing all the different ways you add a heart to your art!

Here is the journal page I was inspired to create.  I have used a stamp by one of Stampotique Originals' newest stamp designers, Linda Peterson.  Hazel is Linda's "signature" character and is involved in many activities, this one is called Hazel Heart!  I also used Daniel's Hearts, by a more seasoned designer Daniel Torrente.  Take a look:

I hope you will join me in creating something for the Stampotique Designers' Challenge each week.  The use of Stampotique Originals' stamps is not required.  You can use any rubber or clear stamps (no digital stamps) that you have to participate and gain a chance at the end of the month to win one of two $30 gift certificates for your choice of Stampotique products.  Details for submissions are here.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Please read ALL RULES on the linkz page before linking your creation.

Cheers!

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!

I am thrilled to announce the winner of my birthday blog candy giveaway today!  It is butterfly, aka Alison!  I had almost as many comments as years, so that was fun.  I thank each and every one of you for your comments and good wishes.  A special thank you and welcome to those who are newly following my blog!

And, for you, Alison, this is on its way to England!

Mwah!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 132: WINGS

Good day, Everyone!  And it *is* a good day when it is Wednesday...yup, the Stampotique Designers' Challenge is up!  Design Team Member Arwen McCullen is our batty hostess today, and here is what she has to say to inspire us:

 Wings have something mystical for me.

Angels have wings, fairies, my favorite animal:

the bat :)

Love and positive feelings give wings.

Today I would like to see what gives you wings.

I am very curious about your creations! <3

I knew immediately the perfect stamp for the card I wanted to create!  I have an online artsy friend by the name of Wyanne.  She has a rare form of cancer, and this month has had her tongue and surrounding tissue removed, as well as some reconstructive surgery.  She is home now, but with a very long and difficult period of healing and recovery ahead of her.  While her fighting spirit has given *me* wings, I hope the love and support around her will give *her* wings!

The Stampotique Originals' stamp I used is called "Owl with Wings," and was created by stamp designer Jo Capper-Sandon. The nifty thing about this stamp is that the wings are not attached to the owl, so that you can position them any way that works for your project.  You can also use the wings separately--for instance, giving another of the images wings!  Clever!  So, here's my card for Wyanne, who was brave enough to ask her friends for help:

I hope you will join me in creating something for the Stampotique Designers' Challenge each week. The use of Stampotique Originals' stamps is not required.  You can use any rubber or clear stamps that you have (no digital stamps!) to participate in the weekly challenges, each week giving you another chance to win one of two drawings for a $30 gift certificate toward Stampotique products of your choice!  Details for submissions are here. 

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Please read ALL RULES on the linkz page before linking your creation.

Thank you for coming by today.  Both your visits and your comments are important to me!  If you have not already done so, please take a minute to join as a follower of this blog, then follow by e-mail (both in the right-hand sidebar), and you will not miss an update.

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 131: STARS TAKE TWO

Sam Read's STAR challenge continues for a second week!  All-new inspiration can be found on the Stampotique Designers' Challenge site.

I belong to a Facebook group called the Angel Project.  It was started by mixed media artist and my friend Jessica Sporn.  Members are invited to participate and are artists and crafters who enjoy making cards and other art projects to send to women facing medical challenges and are in need of some encouraging mail art and a few kind words of support.  Recently, Jody's name was posted, and I created this card for her.  The Stampotique Orignals' image I used is called "Single Tear," and was created by stamp design artist Amy Wilson Wellenstein.

I hope you will join me in creating something for the Stampotique Designers' Challenge each week.  The use of Stampotique Originals' stamps is not required.  You can use any rubber or clear stamps (no digital stamps) that you have to participate and gain a chance at the end of the month to win one of two $30 gift certificates for your choice of Stampotique products.  Details for submissions are here.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Please read ALL RULES on the linkz page before linking your creation.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I love both your visits and comments!  If you have not already done so, take a minute to join as a follower of my blog, then follow by e-mail (both in the right-hand sidebar) and you won't miss an update here!

Please join my birthday giveaway this month here for a chance to win this package--including a brand new Stampotique Originals' stamp:

Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 131: STARS!

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I love both your visits and comments!  If you have not already done so, take a minute to join as a follower of my blog, then follow by e-mail (both in the right-hand sidebar) and you won't miss an update here!

Today I want to share with you my art for the Stampotique Designers' Challenge.  It's Samantha Read at the helm today, and she is challenging us to use stars!  Here's her challenge:

I don't know one person who doesn't enjoy looking at the stars. Stars fill us with a sense of fascination and wonderment. Earliest societies mapped and traced stars. The speed of light is 186,000 miles per second and because stars are so distant, many of them millions of light years away means we look in to the sky from the distant past. Therefore, I am inviting you to use stars in your creation this week, as the main image or as an accent. I can't wait to see what you make, have fun!

I think I am experimenting with my "dark side" because I used black and white last week, and now black and grey.  I do think that the motivational quote counterbalances this rather pallid palette!  The main image is Angel by stamp design artist Daniel Torrente.  The cascade of stars in the background was created using the Design Cube by stamp design artist France Papillon.  The text stamp, To Be A Star, is from Carol's Collection.

I hope you will join me in creating something for the Stampotique Designers' Challenge each week.  The use of Stampotique Originals' stamps is not required.  You can use any rubber or clear stamps (no digital stamps) that you have to participate and gain a chance at the end of the month to win one of two $30 gift certificates for your choice of Stampotique products.  Details for submissions are here.
Cheers!

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS' CHALLENGE 130: USING SOMETHING NEW-IST!

Hi, and thanks for stopping by to check out what I have made this week for the Stampotique Designers' Challenge, which is to use something new!  Our SDC host this week is Kaz Boughton, who is being just a "little bit nosey"!  Here's here challenge:

"I am just a little bit nosey, so for this challenge I'd like you to use something that Santa brought you! Don't worry if you didn't get crafty stash, just use something that you recently bought for yourself. If you really want to, you could make something with the theme of something new as well. Just make sure you enjoy making it."

Let me preface all this by saying than in my family, birthdays are a big deal; Christmas is all about the children.  That said, it won't then surprise you that I got nothing for Christmas!  But, I do have new crafty stash I acquired on a trip to my local craft store during December.  OK, so I just might have gifted myself! 

The newest stamp design artist to join the Stampotique Originals' family is Linda Peterson, and I applaud this addition.  In fact, I have fallen in love with Hazel, Linda's signature character.  There are 13 Hazel stamps, most with coordinating text stamps.  I have used two today:

Find Your Balance

Find Your Balance Text

I hope you will join me in creating something for the Stampotique Designers' Challenge each week.  The use of Stampotique Originals' stamps is not required.  You can use any rubber or clear stamps (no digital stamps) that you have to participate and gain a chance to win one of two $30 gift certificates for your choice of Stampotique products.  Details for submissions are here.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I appreciate both your visits and your comments.  If you have not already done so, become a follower today...then sign up to follow by e-mail--the surest way not to miss a post and your connection to the Stampotique Design Team Challenges!

Cheers!

MONTH-LONG BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION GIVEAWAY!

Only once is a person allowed to be 70, and this is my month-long celebration of my 70th birthday!  I want to share my joy with you with a 7-piece giveaway!  Here's the loot (including a brand new Stampotique image!):

Here's the detail:

• Stampotique image "Heart Boy"
• Inkssentials Craft Scrubbie
• Artist's Loft watercolor brushes
• Dyan Reaveley's "My Creative Journal Journey"
• Heidi Swapp's chipboard stickers
• Wendy Vecchi's Modeling Film
• An original ATC by...yep, me!

And here's all you need to do:

• Sign up as a follower if you have not already done so!  (After that, if you sign up to follow by e-mail, you will not miss any updates!)
• Leave a comment here telling me something about you that I might not know!
• Share with your friends if you are not selfish!  ;-)  (No proof required!)

I will allow random.com to select the lucky winner on January 31.  I will ship internationally, so my worldly friends are invited to participate without fear of being eliminated!

Thank you for participating, and good luck!

Cheers!