CSSDT Alumni Inspiration Challenge Blog Hop

Welcome, once again, to another StampTV Center Stage Spotlight Alumni Blog Hop!  Aren't these fun?   
If you've arrived from the very talented CAROLINA'S BLOG Then you're at the right hop site.  If not, then hop back over at the beginning of the hop and savor each and every delectable post.  And don't forget to leave a comment on each one, we love to read how our projects inspire you.

This hop is all about using this yummy photo for inspiration.  You can visit the cupcake store here

I must admit, when I first saw this photo I wasn't getting inspired.  Yet, as so often happens when you're playing with paper, stamps and ink, your creative juices begin to flow and something develops on your crafting table that wasn't even expected.  Those "tah-dah" moments are wonderful.


I made two cards for this hop and here is my first one:  This was inspired by the cupcake with the pink and white decorations.

I wanted to leave the focus of this card, as much as I could, on the stamped image, so I did very little embellishing.  I was excited when I tried a new technique and it worked the first time.  The technique I used for the image is called triple embossing using UTEE. (It's very important to note that you cannot use acrylic stamps for this technique) On the third layer of heating the UTEE, while the ep is still hot (and it was...I burned my pinky real good), stamp the image.  Once the image was cool, rub it with Metallic Rub-Ons.  Then I cut it out with Nestability circle die (that was a little tricky) and layered it on other circle die, then layered a third scalloped circle "frame" over that.  Another technique I used on this card is one of Gina's tutorials called "Reverse Nestabilities"  


Ingredients:  CS GKD PL Chocolate Kiss, Bubble Gum Pink, White.
Stamps:  "You Are Not Alone" which is FREE with the purchase of 3 stamp sets.
Embellies:  MS Lace punch, TH Alterations Die "Elegant Flourishes"
Nestabilities 


My second card was inspired by the flowers and the green and white on the second cupcake.  (anybody else getting hungry out there?)....

To make this card I used GKD PL CS, White and Green Grass.  Stamps:  "Friendships Garden" by Asela Hopkins, "Arranged With Love" by Melanie Muenchinger and "Hope Grows" by Theresa Momber.  
Techniques:  Partial CuttleBug embossing and Drop Shadow


Now, hop on over to the blog of the very talented DEB FELTS and see the gorgeous creation this talented lady has created for this inspiration hop.


Thanks so much for stopping by.  

Cheri

The Good Farm Life

Hi there,

I've been using this new stamp set "Farm Life" since I got it.  It's such a nostalgic stamp set for me since we lived on a dairy farm when my son was young.  It was a great experience for him.  I live on a "retired" farm here in Maine - land farmed and owned by my husband's grandparents and parents.  Our "farming" is limited to several flower gardens and a small veggie plot and haying our fields.  The card I made was inspired by our own barn that my husband built a couple of years ago.  I took this photo this summer while a double rainbow hung over it.  (Can you see them both?)  It was a view worth photographing.

Here is my card:

You can find more details on my StampTV page and see some other cards I've created.

Thanks for visiting my blog today and I value your comments.

Hugs,
Cheri

CSSDT Alumni Fall Colors Blog Hop

Welcome to another StampTV Center Stage Spotlight Design Team Blog Hop.  It's all about the fall colors of brown, orange and red.  Our challenge is to create a project using those colors and it has been so much fun.  Fall is such a colorful time of year here in New England; the colors are vibrant, temps are cool and crisp and the smells of wood smoke and apple pie fill the air.  You can't beat that with a stick!


I hope you enjoy this colorful blog hop.  If you came from the very talented (and our group blog hop organizer), Carolina's blog, then you're on the right track.  If you didn't, you're invited to start at the beginning of the hop at StampTV and get a good eye-full of all of the gorgeous creations of all the talented ladies, and the entire hop in sequence.


I made two cards for this hop using the stamps from "Farm Life" (designed by Theresa Momber) for both. 

For my first card I was going for a CAS (clean and simple) design with this card.  I wanted to make a masculine card without a lot of layers or embellishments (no frills), so here's what I came up with 

CS:  Chocolate Kiss, Pumpkin Spice, Ivory and Red Hot.  
Stamp Sets:  "Farm Life" and (sentiment) "Autumn Beauty" both designed by Theresa Momber
Copics were used to color the image and I used Distress Ink "Rusty Hinge" to lightly sponge around the image.  Button is from GKD Button Jars.  


For the second card, after stamping the wheat image on the distressed background, I decided to leave it without a sentiment as it could really have any one of many sentiments.  So, until I give it away, it will remain silent. 

CS:  Kraft, Chocolate Kiss, Sweet Mango, Cranberry Tart, Pumpkin Spice and Ivory.
The Sweet Mango layer is embossed with Cuttlebug Embossing Folder "Victoria" and then sponged the surface and the edges with Distress Ink "Spiced Marmalade".  


The background was made with Distress Inks, "Walnut Stain", "Spiced Marmalade" and "Barn Door" on an Ivory panel cut with rectangle Nestabilities then layered on Pumpkin Spice and again on Cranberry Tart CS.  And if you'd like to see Tim Holtz demonstrate this technique here's a link to a video for you
Stamps:  The wheat stamp from "Farm Life" designed by Theresa Momber stamped with Vivid "Coffee Bean".  
All products I used for both cards can be purchased at StampTV.  

Thanks so very much for stopping by and please leave me a comment.  I welcome them.

Now head on over to the extremely talented Deb Felts' blog and feast your eyes on her gorgeous creation.

Cheri

Trigger Tuesday

Happy Labor Day Weekend!  I can't believe that the summer of 2010 will officially be over after tomorrow.  (Who makes those decisions, anyway?)  It's been a wonderful summer here in Maine.  The weather has been perfect throughout and the growing season has left an abundance of healthy food for us.

This week I wanted to play in a few extra challenges and I keep stalking Moxie Fab World because many of my friends from StampTV play over there - Well, I saw this one for Trigger Tuesday and decided to give it a shot.  My entry is screeching in but I hope it's not too late.  Here's the inspiration:

I was drawn to the vase of flowers sitting on the glass table.

CS:  GKD Pure Luxury: White, Turquoise Sea, Wine with Everything and Sweet Corn.
Stamps:  (Flowers) GKD "Purrr-fectly Delightful" designed by Theresa Momber colored with Copic markers and cut out and (sentiement) GKD "Wild at Heart" designed by Melanie Muenchinger.
CuttleBug embossed background using "Candy Cane" EF which I thought picked up the floor and the light coming through the windows.  Nestabilities Petite Ovals, Glossy Accents by Ranger.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Cheri

Center Stage Spotlight Alumni Blog Hop

Welcome to another CSSDT blog hop!!

If you've come from Charlene's blog you're in the right place.  If you didn't, you can start hopping at the beginning and see each and every fantastic creation in sequence.
Carolina Butcher has been such a fantastic organizer of these fun-tastic blog hops and I want to give her some kudos for all the hard work putting this together.  Thanks Carolina!  We all appreciate all you do.

Carolina gave us a tricky one this time...she limited the items we could use on our cards.  Here's what she challenged:
 "Create a card that contains only the following items and no others".

~ One neutral color for your card base:  White, Ivory, Black, Brown or Kraft.
~ Two different colors of card stock
~ One patterned paper.
~ Three buttons
~ One color of ribbon.
~ As little or as many images as you'd like.

Doesn't sound too difficult does it?  Well, that's what I thought - but - it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be!!!!  Give it a try yourself and have some fun.

I made two card projects for this challenge.  Here's my first one:

Isn't this little squirrel the cutest guy???  He comes from the stamp set for a cause (Alzheimer's Disease), "Whimsical Autumn".  Colored with Copic Markers.
CS Base layer neutral:  Chocolate Brown
CS Sweet Corn and Leather
Patterned paper - Basic Grey "Origins"
Buttons:  GKD Button Jars "Brown"
Ribbon:  GKD Gingham
Nestabilities dies were used to cut the circle and the rectangles and they were sponged around the edges with Distress Ink Wild Honey

Here's the second card I made:

Base layer:  White
Other CS:  Ocean Mist and Lemon Drop
Patterned Paper:  DCWV "Cafe Mediterranean"
Buttons:  GKD Button Jars, Turquoise Mix.
Stamps:  GKD Hugs and Prayers by Nina Brackett - Colored with Copic Markers
Nestabilities Oval, ribbon from stash.


NOW, HOP ON OVER TO THE VERY TALENTED GIOVANA'S  BLOG AND CHECK OUT HER FANTASTIC CREATION.

Thanks for stopping here and
have a great time hopping!!!

Cheri