Happy New Year!!! Sundays With Crissy Challenge #25

Howdy and Happy New Year!! It's challenge time again over at Sundays With Crissy and this month we want you to Beat The Mid-Winter Blues!!! That means you can use anything on your card or project that screams beach, seashore, underwater, sunny, tropical...you get the idea.

Now this challenge has special significance for me as I have just returned from a wonderful cruise in the Caribbean. Now I really can't complain because of the snow because, well, here in Ontario, we haven't really had that much and we ended up having a very green Christmas to boot. The snow can stay away as far as I am concerned!! I wouldn't mind a green New Year either...I can dream can't I??

Anyway, back to our challenge...I decided to keep the sea theme alive for this one. Although I didn't see any mermaids at sea (oh I love homonyms) I know they were there. I inked up this little rubber mermaid Crissy did for Whimsy stamps and put her on the front of a travel journal. The image is called "Journey Into The Sea".

 

The Front





  The Art





The Back--I wish I had bought a crate of this paper--one of my life's regrets LOL!!

  Now if you're interested, this is how I made my journal. First I went on a hunt for cheap-o (NON SPIRAL) journals at the dollarstore, Staples, & Michael's. I bought a bunch of different ones but the one I used for this project was a "Sustainable Earth" journal from Staples. I liked it because it had a chocolate brown binding (anything chocolate is good) and the lines were brown inside. I then purchased the biggest Xyron machine I could find (Xyron Creative Station). It's a little pricey (not so bad with a 40% off coupon) but necessary for this project as you need a strong and consistent adhesive to stick the paper down. I cut my paper to size leaving a bit of overlap, ran it through the xyron and adhered it to the journal. I then trimmed the overlap with scissors and then sanded the edges with 220 grade sandpaper. This works best if you sand the edges down towards the inside of the journal or along the edges so you are not going against the adhesive. Sand until the edges are flush and smooth. It makes a BIG mess so be prepared for some clean up. The rest is up to you.

Well, now it's your turn!! Show us how you Beat The Mid-Winter Blues!! Click HERE and you will be taken to our post outlining how to enter your own projects!! You can also win our monthly prize of 5 free digi images by our beloved artist Crissy Armstrong--details on the above post as well. Don't forget, our talented design team will be struting their stuff all thoughout the month just to keep you inspired, so don't forget to come back to the SWC blog often to see what they've come up with.

Thanks for popping in today to take a look!!

New Year Blessings,

Sarah ☺

The Rest of The Dirt:

Designer Paper: Magenta--Bon Voyage--Travel Text

Cardstock--Bazzill Papers

Image Printed On: Neenah

Media: Copics

(BV000, BV00, BV02, BG10, BG15, BG23, Y02, Y11, Y15, Y18, G12, G20, YG03, YG23, E0000 E35, E50, R20)

Gems--Zva

Sundays With Crissy Challenge #23--Christmas Card Using Non-Traditional Colours

Hello Sundays With Crissy Fans!! It's challenge time again and this month we would like to see "Christmas Cards Using Non-Traditional Colours". That means no red & green. Now how easy is that?

For this month's challenge I actually inked up an oldie but a goodie from High Hopes Stamps called "Christmas Kitty Fun"!! I have been using so many digi images of late that my poor rubber is starting to feel neglected!! I love this stamp because it reminds me of my fur babies Yuki & Willow and given the right props (well maybe not the hat, LOL) they would so do this.

 I learned how to make this bow from a site called Amazing Paper Grace. The link will take you to Becca's tutorial page and the tutorial is called "Tie A Pretty Collar Bow". It takes a little work, the right kind of ribbon, some patience, and your tongue (LOL) if you're anything like me when you are doing something finickity.

 

So that's me, how 'bout you--let's see if you're up for the challenge of making a Christmas card with non-traditional colours. Click HERE for download instructions!! There will be five free digi's given to one lucky challenge participant who will be chosen by Random.org at the end of the month! You may now use images from any company and still be included in the draw for the blog candy prize! Those who use one of Crissy's images, either from her rubber or digital collections will be entered twice in the draw. But please respect the rule of no more than three entries per month. Otherwise your entries could be deleted.

 

Thanks for taking a look!! Have a great day!!!

 

Hugs,

☺Sarah ☺

 

The Stuff I Used:

Stamps--High Hopes--Christmas Kitty Fun & Meowy Christmas, Stamped On--Neenah, Ink--Memento--Tuxedo Black, Cardstock--Bazzil, Designer Paper--Paper Pizazz/Hot Off the Press--Bright Tints Pink Swirls, Silver Metallic Foil Paper--LSS, Silver Wired Ribbon--Michael's--Celebrate It/Home & More, Glitter Shapes--Michael's--Recollections, Punch--Stampin' Up--Ticket Corner Punch, Media--Copics--COO, C!, C2, C4, RV02, RV04, RV10, R00, R20.

I have also entered my card into the High Hopes Challenge 121: Anything High Hopes Goes.

Sundays With Crissy--Challenge #22--Thanks/Thanksgiving

Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! It's fall--my favourite season of all!! I love Thanksgiving!!! We Cunucks celebrate it in October which I think makes more sense because there isn't usually two feet of snow on the ground yet (usually--LOL)!! Our friends to the south celebrate it in late November and I think this year I will celebrate it twice (the Canadian & the American) just because I can!! I love Thanksgiving even more than Christmas!! Here in Ontario we have such wonderful colour when the leaves turn--it's one of my favourite thing in life!! Add an XL Tim Horton's hot apple cider and a walnut crunch donut and you have perfection!! LOL!! Anyway, on with the challenge at Sundays With Crissy!! This month our theme is Thanks/Thanksgiving--meaning a thank you card/project or a Thanksgiving card/project is what we are looking for.

Here's what I did for the challenge... I used Crissy's digi image called "Turk in Boots" for this card!

No one can make turkeys look cuter than Crissy Armstrong!!!

This card is making it's way to my friend Scott who is serving with the Canadian Forces at Kadahar Air Field, Afghanistan!! Hiya Scott & Happy Thanksgiving!! Here's hoping you will have a hot turkey dinner on the big day!!

Now it's your turn to show us your Thanks or Thanksgiving cards!! Go HERE to find out how to upload your projects. There will be five free digi's given to one lucky challenge participant who will be chosen by Random.org at the end of the month! You may now use images from any company and still be included in the draw for the blog candy prize! Those who use one of Crissy's images, either from her rubber or digital collections will be entered twice in the draw. But please respect the rule of no more than three entries per month. Otherwise your entries could be deleted.

Thanks for popping in to take a look!! Have a great day!!

 

Hugs,

Sarah ☺

 

The Recipe: Media--Copics, Printed On--Neenah, Cardstock--Bazzil Papers, Designer Paper--Grid (Pebbles) Orange Swirly Paper (The Paper Company), Leaf Punch--EK Success, Ornate Corners--Sizzix--Architectural Accents #4, Fluid Chalk--Colorbox, Pearls--Dollarama, Ribbon--Michael's, Senitment--Stampendous--"Happy Thanksgiving".

Sundays With Crissy--Challenge #21--Friendship

Hello everyone!! Just wanted to tell you the new challenge is up over at Sundays With Crissy and it's all about FRIENDSHIP this month.

Right up front I have to apologize for my poor photography. I spent 3 hours trying to get a decent shot and finally gave up...anyway here's my "F" is for Friendship page that I intend to put together into an ABC Book using all Crissy Armstrong images...so stay tuned for more pages coming soon.

I used Crissy's image "Great Day To Fish" from Whimsy stamps. I corrugated the background paper with my Corru-Gator Crimping Tool. The "F" card is from 7 Gypsies, which I chalked with Colorbox Fluid Chalks--Dark Moss. The eyelets are from Michael's (Recollections line), the metal clips are from Spare Parts and the twine is from my stash. The image is printed on Neenah paper and all the papers are from Bazzil.

I have seen a lot of crafters use Prismacolor Pencils on kraft paper and wanted to try it myself. Long before I used Copics to colour with I was a die hard Prisma/odourless mineral spirits girl, so it was nice to go back to this media for a change. Not sure how many brain cells I killed off using the OMS (LOL) but hey...

I made my own bobber lure using a Quickutz circle and looped tag die cut. The "Friend" font is also from Quickutz. I believe it's called Empire (and probably LONG retired).

Now it's your turn to show us your FRIENDSHIP cards!! See upload instructions on my post here!! There will be five free digi's given to one lucky challenge participant who will be chosen by Random.org at the end of the month! You may now use images from any company and still be included in the draw for the blog candy prize! Those who use one of Crissy's images, either from her rubber or digital collections will be entered twice in the draw. But please respect the rule of no more than three entries per month. Otherwise your entries could be deleted.

Thanks to everyone who entered last month's K.I.S.S. challenge!! If you haven't met our new DT Members go on over and scroll through the posts last month!! We've got some hot new talent on board!!!

Thanks too, for stopping by to visit me. Hope you'll join in on the challenge this month!!

Hugs,

☺ Sarah ☺

Two Really Cool Blogs That Share Vintage Stamps

Hi!! Just a quick post to highlight two blogs I really enjoy!! They both feature vintage images for free as well as some images that are for purchase. Click on the pics and you will be linked to their sites!!


TLC Creations features vintage images, background papers and tons of sentiments!! Paulette is very generous with her freebies, so if do decide to partake of some of her downloads don't forget to leave some love in her comments section!!! ☺


Clearly Vintage is chalk full of vintage photos and images as well as vintage labelling. Very cool site--plan to spend some time there going into previous posts to see more!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Hugs,
Sarah ☺

Sundays With Crissy--Challenge #20

Well hello there!! As you can see I have been taking a bit of a break from posting--needed to decompress from a busy school year. As always, my great intentions for having a summer packed with crafting have flown the coop :<> Oh well there is still the fall right??

My baby in now officially a "Minor-Niner"!! Ahhhh the High School years.....! I am OKAY, really...

O_O

But seriously, she is SO ready to go and I am looking forward to the change!! Maybe I will actually get some more cards and scrapbook layouts done with a lot less demand on me for parental involvement!! Here's hoping!! ☺

!!!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!!!

Our DT Call at Sundays With Crissy in now finished!! We have 10 new DT members who will be introducing themselves all throughout the month of August!! We wanted to create the element of surprise and not totally overload our readers and followers with 10 introductions all in one post. This way too, they will all get their own little bit of the spotlight so you can get to know them better. Crissy also chose 10 guest designers who will we will be showcasing throughout the next 5 months for one post only. Thanks to everyone who took the time and effort not only to make a card(s)but to all of you who took the time to enter our DT CALL!!

Now onto this month's challenge over at Sundays With Crissy. This month the theme is K.I.S.S--Keep It Simple Stamper. That means your cards/projects have to be just that--SIMPLE. Here are some ideas for you out there that are not use to simple---> use just one or one type of embellishment, only one designer paper, or just a clean and simple layout.

So here's what I did using a merged image of Crissy's digi stamps "Whatzup Dog" & "Party Time Accessories".


Now it's up to you to K.I.S.S us back (hee hee)! Let's see those simple cards!! Go HERE to upload your card or project!!

There will be five free digi's given to one lucky challenge participant who will be chosen by Random.org at the end of the month! You may now use images from any company and still be included in the draw for the blog candy prize! Those who use one of Crissy's images, either from her rubber or digital collections will be entered twice in the draw. But please respect the rule of no more than three entries per month. Otherwise your entries could be deleted.

Thanks for stopping in today!!

Blessings,
Sarah ☺

The Deets:
Images: Whimsy Stamps--Crissy Armstrong Digi Collection, Printed on Neenah Paper, Cardstock--Bazzill Papers, Designer Paper--Doodlebug, Media--Copic Markers(B0000, B00, B02, B04, G20, YG03, YG23, Y11, Y02, Y04, Y08, E33, E35, E50, E51 & E53, C00, C02),Flowers--Prima, Brads--Doodlebug, Ribbon--Michael's & Sentiment--Stampin'Up--For A Friend Set.

Sundays With Crissy--Challenge #19 & DT Call

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!
TODAY CANADA CELEBRATES IT'S 144TH BIRTHDAY!!!


It's been awhile since I have posted I know, but I have been recovering from and eye injury. My daughter accidently hit me in the eye while we were in a change room trying on clothes for her grad and I ended up with a scratch on my cornea. NOT FUN :o( Anyway all is well and it has healed up quite nicely. Sure makes me thankful that I have sight to begin with!!!

Now onto more interesting things!!! DID YOU KNOW THAT CRISSY IS LOOKING FOR SOME NEW AND TALENTED DESIGN TEAM MEMBERS??? Yes, that's right, for the month of July she is having a DT CALL. If you click on the image below, it will link you up with all the deets!!

Now for this month's challenge--->It's all about DE-STRESSING!! Or distressing, as it's known in the crafting world. That means you have to use some form of distressing, whether it be inks, chalks, tearing, sanding, or otherwise abusing your project!!

Here's my version of this month's challenge...




I used Crissy's newest digi image, "Noah's Ark", from Whimsy Stamps. Aren't those monkeys priceless!! ☺ I distressed the edges of my artwork with a distressing tool as well as the layers underneath. I also used distressing ink around the edges of my image. I used ripped paper strips for my waves and chalked them too. I made this card for my sweet friend Aileen, who is soon to deliver boy #2!!

Now it's your turn!! Show us how you DE-STRESS!! If you enter your card on the Sundays With Crissy Blog, you will be eligible for 5 of Crissy's digi images FREE OF CHARGE!! Go HERE for entry details and rules. If you use one of Crissy's images you will be entered twice in the draw!!

Thanks for stopping by today!! Have a blessed DAY!!

Sarah ☺

Sundays With Crissy--Challenge #17--Flowers

Happy Sunday!!! It's challenge time again over at Sundays With Crissy!! This month the theme is all about FLOWERS!!! This time around I chose Crissy's new digi image "Nose to Nose"!! I just adore this image and couldn't decide what size I wanted to colour so I tried it three different ways using a monochromatic colour treatment. I really enjoy using the grey scale to colour people, especially children!! It looks like a black and white photo and just softens the image.

Here's my first card...

And the artwork...



And the inside...


I thought this sentiment was perfect...it reminded me of a little girl picking out her new puppy and their first meeting...

And my second card...

Thanks for stopping by today to take a look!! Now it's your turn to show us your Flower Power. Click here to check out the deets on this month's challenge!! You could win 5 free digi stamps drawn by Crissy from Whimsy Stamps!! All you have to do is enter your own card or project and if you use one of Crissy's images (rubber or digital) on your entry, you will be entered twice in our random draw at the end of the month. In fact, in last month's contest, it was a participant who used one of Crissy's images (and got a second entry) who won!!!

***A note about Crissy's rubber images: these include any image that Crissy has ever drawn for Kraftin' Kimmie, Wags 'n Whiskers, High Hopes or Whimsy Stamps.*** So for those of you who are wondering, wonder no more--as long as Crissy has drawn it, it's worth a second entry in our draw.

Well that's it for me!! Happy stamping!!!

Hugs,

Sarah ☺

Card Details--Digital Stamp--Nose to Nose--Whimsy Stamps, Printed on Neenah Paper, Coloured with Copic Markers--WOO, WO, W1, W3, W5, W7, Patterned Paper--Bella Blvd.--#210--Sprinkles & Lace & #223--Tall Tags, Cardstock--Bazzil Papers, Punches--EK Success--Daisy, Mini Daisy, Brads--American Crafts, Jumbo Pebble Brads--Making Memories

Help for Japan--Whimsy Stamps Blog Hop

The illustrators of Whimsy Stamps have come together to draw a special set of digi images for the purpose of raising money for the relief effort in Japan. All proceeds from the sale of these images will be donated to that cause. Kenny K, Raindrop Echo Designs, Meljens Designs, and Crissy Armstrong all contributed art work. For the whole month of April, you can purchase the images as a set or individually (your choice) by visiting this page on the Whimsy store site. Please consider helping this special cause by purchasing one or all of the digital images we are offering.

The amazing ladies of two design teams have come together to host this blog hop for you! Crissy's Crew from Sundays With Crissy and Denise's DT from Whimsy Stamps have joined forces to design some amazing jaw dropping creations for you. I am not personally involved in the hop but if you would like more information, please go to Crissy's blog. She has the blog rotation order posted if you need to refer to it.

You have seven days to hop through all the blogs and enjoy all the lovely creations from these talented people. The hop runs from now through til Sunday April 10 at noon. There will be several opportunities to win blog candy! Four random commenters will get a chance to receive one of the three individual images or Ann's sentiment set. So be sure to leave comments all along the way for your chance at a free digi! Also, if you post the "Help for Japan" button on your blog's sidebar, you can enter into the draw for the grand prize! The grand prize will consist of the entire digital sets made just for this cause as well as a gift certificate donated by Ann of Raindrop Echo Designs worth 10$ to use at the Whimsy Stamps store!

To enter, you must help us advertise for this cause by posting the "Help Japan" button on your blog's side bar (just grab it from my side bar or from the top of this post) and then get your name on the Inlinkz option on Crissy's post so we can be sure to find the winner. Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you will join us for this great cause!!

Hugs,

Sarah ☺

Sundays With Crissy--Challenge #16--Spring Is In the Air/Baby Cards

Thanks for taking time out of your day to pop by my blog!! It's the first day of the month and that means it's time for a new challenge over at Sundays With Crissy!! This month our theme is "Spring is in the Air" and we have also opened it up to include "Baby Cards" as well!!

I chose two of Crissy's newest digi images for my post this month--they were all so adorable I couldn't decide which image to pick so I did my two favourite ones. Here's the first one...

I used Crissy's image "Hello World" for this baby boy card...here's a closer look at the art.

And this adorable image is called "Newborn Joon"...

These two cards are part of a package of 20 cards I put together for my daughter's school for their annual fundraiser.

If you want further details on how to enter your own card or project into the Sundays With Challenge--click-->HERE!!

There will be five free digi's given to one lucky challenge participant who will be chosen by Random.org at the end of the month! You may now use images from any company and still be included in the draw for the blog candy prize! Those who use one of Crissy's images, either from her rubber or digital collections will be entered twice in the draw. But please respect the rule of no more than three entries per month. Otherwise your entries could be deleted.

I hope you'll join us this month!! And don't forget to stop by our blog all throughout the month--you don't want to miss the rest of our DT projects. We each have our own day to post right up until the end of the month...and I heard that Crissy plans to stop by too!!!

Many Blessings,

Sarah ☺