Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Swinging Sixties

This week the Tag Tuesday theme is The Swinging Sixties.

I made a digital tag using images from the Gecko Galz Hippy collage sheet.  I started with the peace sign image for my background, then cropped and converted to ping files the other images for digital layering.


Sunday, August 25, 2013

Special Request for Your Vote

Please vote for me. The winner gets a cash donation from Gecko Galz to their charity.



I did this layout in support of our co-worker in Taylorville who is surviving breast cancer. My charity is our local breast cancer support group who has rallied around her during these past months of surgery and chemo. 

All you have to do is email geckogalz@yahoo.com and say you're voting for Helene Huber aka 2amscrapper for Create for a Cause.  

And I just learned that as a bonus, you get a free collage sheet from Gecko Galz just for voting!  What a nice thank you!

Thank you!

Friday, August 23, 2013

Fashionable Trio

This is posted today on the Rogue Redhead Designs, LLC blog. Our latest Rebel challenge is to stamp something fashionista  (you have until September 8). This is my dt sample.

 
I used the Milliner Misses stamp plate.  I paired it with the background stamp found in the Just Sayin' stamp plate.  It reminds me of the veils that used to be attached to women's hats.  I didn't have any real hat netting, but I found a perfect match in my stash--no doubt from a produce bag--but, hey, it works for my veiled theme.

With a little black card stock matting and some help from the Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 18 diecuts, I think this tag is stylin'--clean and simple.  

Entering this tag at:

the Cheerful Stamp Pad  #67 Your Choice.  You're allowed two entries.  This is my second one.  Winner is by random draw.

Fashionable Stamping Challenge Blog #54 Clean and Simple
Clean & Simple usually conjures up images of very elegant and unfussy but again your imagination can wander wherever you want.  And as the title implies, there must be some stamping.

Frilly and Funky:  My Steamer Trunk:   This fashionable trio would not leave home without their elegant hats--both wearing them for the journey and packing them in their steamer trunks (to match other outfits).  My mother was one such fashionista.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Alice

Today I'm combining the Tag Tuesday prompt:  Windows, Gates, Doors and Portals
with the Lunagirl Blog Challenge, Alice in Wonderland.

I used an image from the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland collage sheet from Lunagirl Moonbeams.  We all know Alice's story--she falls asleep under a tree while reading a book and ends up following a rabbit down the rabbit hole.  I like this particular depiction of the hole as she descends into Wonderland.

Portal--the rabbit hole.  Door--cupboard.



I printed the scene three times and fussy cut the door (along with Alice) once and adhered it to the scene with pop dots in order to have the door really open.  I fussy cut Alice a second time and layered her with double pop dots to complete the artist's 3-D effect.


(The side view of my paper door makes it look a little wonky but then so is the whole idea of Alice going down a rabbit hole.)

Other materials:
Tim Holtz number stamp, tissue tape and metal keyhole.  Ranger Distress Markers in Vintage Photo, Crushed Olive and Black Soot, used for edging papers.  Bits and bobs from my stash to finish off the tag.
The tissue tape I chose has the definitions for dream, memory, and imagine--perfect for this dream scene.

Lunagirl Challenge: Alice

Some of the papercrafters in my blogging circle are on the design team at Lunagirl.  That's what got me started entering the challenges.  The challenge winner is by random draw.  I was lucky to win the Gatsby challenge.   Since the next several challenge themes are listed on their sidebar, I was able to browse and choose some images for this and  future entries and then use my gift certificate towards the purchase of them.  I hope you, too,  have time to come and play at Lunagirl.

And I hope you are inspired by the latest set of tags made by the players at Tag Tuesday.

I've also been inspired by these challenges and am entering my project here:

Sugar Creek Hollow: A Child's Life

The Cheerful Stamp Pad:  Challenge #67 Your Choice

Try It On Tuesdays:  Create a Scene-- I made some of the items 3-D.  From my stash I added part of a border trim.  Do you see the rabbit from the collage sheet image?  He's barely visible behind the clock.  The keyhole and key symbolize the next part of Alice's adventure when she lands at the bottom of that hole.
 For My August  Alice Tag

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Jane

I created a wall hanging with the August Gecko Galz Jane Austen images and focused on a brown, beige and pink color palette.


I started with a piece of cardboard and covered it with Melissa Frances Pearl paper. After using distress inks, I edged it with Ranger Antique Bronze distress stain

The Gecko Galz collage sheets I used are Book Covers and Jane's Story.

I  printed the Jane Eyre cover 2-1/2" x 4".  (Print a second time to cut and pop up Title plate and butterfly circle.) 
Archival coffee ink to stamp plain back side of cover.  I used a lace border Stampabilities rubber stamp.   Distress with Ranger tea dye Distress ink.  I was very sloppy with this as I knew almost all of it would be covered up.



I cut heavy quality card paper 14-1/4" x 3-3/4" and scored to make accordian folds.  I distressed with Ranger tattered rose Distress Ink.

After printing the Jane's Story collage pages, I fussy cut individual pages and distressed with Ranger tea dye or weathered wood Distress Inks.  Assemble book, gluing pages on both sides. 



Leave last panel on back side blank and attach a ribbon tie before adhering book to card. I used copper ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon. Bring ribbon ends to front and tie in bow.



Enlarge, alter color, print and fussy cut the collage image from the Jane's Story collage page. Distress with Ranger tea dye Distress ink.  I love that the collage was already done for me.  I only had to embellish it.

Layer vintage doily, collage sheet, crochet lace (from Really Reasonable Ribbon) and flowers.  Add die cut butterfly (Antique Bronze distress stain), gluing only down center. Add pearls to bracelet and ring. 


I added a vintage necklace for the hanger, draping it down into the composition.


I'm entering this in the following challenges:

  I Made the Top RRR 3

The Crafty Bloggers Network August Challenge #14  :My Favorite Things--vintage and reading--still working on that reading theme for my 2nd entry this month. 

It's All About the Vintage and Beauty Challenge #50 Summer Flowers

The Craft Room ChallengeBINGO.  My second entry, this time I went straight down the right side:
brown, lace, and pearls

Our Creative Corner: Words, Words, Words.  My second entry here as well.  This time using Jane's words for my entry.

Emma's Crafty Challenge:  Floral

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

As Different as NIght and Day

Catching Up for Tag Tuesday.  Last week's theme was "wedding".  In my comfort zone, I made a vintage tag.  This week's theme is complementary colors.  I chose purple and yellow.  I went totally out of my comfort zone and literally played with ink.  The two tags are as different as night and day. 

The Wedding Tag


Gecko Galz image
Simplicity 1-1/4" Venice white lace trim
The Ribbon Boutique white organza
Zva flower
White cardstock tag
Stampin' Up Square Lattice embossing folder
half pearl strand from stash

Entering the wedding tag in Live and Love Crafts:  cool colors
 

Complementary Colors Tag


Yellow:  Mustard Seed Ranger Distress Ink
Purple: Dusty Concord Ranger Distress Ink
Sizzix die: word "fly"
Dylusions vine stencil and Ranger Wild Honey Distress Marker
Studio 490 Stencils for Art bird and Ranger Worn Lipstick Distress Marker
ribbon from stash


Please visit Tag Tuesday for inspiration from the other players. 

Friday, August 9, 2013

Newsboy

 I'm very excited about this set of challenges.

If you've been a follower for awhile, you know I loved to combine my papercrafting with a song from Mixpod.  I was so sad when the Mixpod site closed down, ending my pairings.

It should come as no surprise, then, that I was very motivated to take the Artists in Blogland example--an excerpt from the musical, Newsies-- for their latest challenge prompt: Color This QuoteSeize the Day,

Here's the You Tube link to the song, Seize the Day from the musical, Newsies

Of course I knew I would use my Rogue Redhead Designs stamps and post this card for my design team sample HERE.  This lad from the Relish Reading stamp plate poses regularly for me as a newsboy.  I used the background stamp as a newspaper and covered it with tissue.  I found other design papers in my stash that had text on them to create the two die cut mats.  The sentiment (Latin for seize the day) is from the Nature Notes stamp plate.  




My favorites:  vintage, music, and writing.
I found some other challenges that went with this theme.  

A Cheerful Stamp Pad Challenge 66:  Vintage Children
Our Creative Corner: Words, Words, Words
Crafty Bloggers Network:   Challenge 14 August: Favourite Things
Color this Quote August:  Seize the Day

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Create for a Cause at Gecko Galz

Posting this again--Gecko Galz links have been updated.....

Our newest Gecko Galz design team campaign calls attention to the team members' individual favorite charities. This time around Leanne has asked us create a special project.  I chose to make a scrapbook page.

At the end of the campaign, you get to vote for your favorite project.  Stakes are high this month as the winner gets a Gecko Galz donation made to her charity. Mine is Relay for Life Christian County (Illinois).   Local people helping people in our community.

I think I can speak for everyone reading my blog that there are many charities I could have chosen because I personally have been touched by many situations encountered by family and friends.

In the end, I chose our local group through Relay for Life because my co-worker was just diagnosed with breast cancer, has already undergone the surgery, and has returned to work after the usual recovery period.  She now is undergoing the chemo treatments while still trying to work.



As a group, we decided to show our support by wearing our "pink" tee-shirts on her first day back at the office.  Since we have two offices and she couldn't see those of us at the other office wearing our shirts, we decided to take a photo.  When this Gecko Galz challenge came up, I asked my co-workers if I could scrap our "photo" for this campaign.  I gave her the actual scrapped page, framed, as a reminder of our support as she goes through weeks of chemo.

The frame is a shadowbox, needed because of the fussy cutting and pop dotting of a second layer of flowers along with all the other embellies tucked here and there and the butterfly wings flying upward in hope. Therefore, the photo of the page inside the shadowbox isn't perfect (I didn't notice the glare from the glass until after I gave it away):



Gecko Galz products:
Fairest Rose paper (from Wild Roses digital  Paper Pack, a March 2013 product)  digitally altered from beige to gray:  print full size 8x10 inches once.  print again for roses
Crazy Mannequins collage sheet:  bust and label
Tickets Please collage sheet:  rose tickets
Decorative tape from Vanity  Fair digital Paper Pack
Time Flies collage sheet - clock

Other Products
Me and My Big Ideas Mambi Sheets  Specialty Cardstock-The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
The Paper Studio Gemstones: Pink Ribbons Stickers
Jenni Bowlin pink butterfly
KandCo rosette
Ranger Distress Ink Marker in Vintage Photo to outline the fussy cut collage images
8x10 shadow box frame

Directions on Gecko Galz website.

As with each bi-monthly Gecko Galz campaign, each design team member has her project featured on the main Gecko Galz site along with her tutorial and list of Gecko Galz products.  For this Create for a Cause Campaign, proceeds of the Gecko Galz products  purchased to make my sample will go to the Cancer Society.    When you purchase any Gecko Galz Products used on this project, we will donate 10% of the sales to the Cause above! This is Gecko Galz' Way of giving back. 
Please be sure to use my code:  GGHEL01 when purchasing any of the items I used.
 
So it is advised you visit often, not only to be inspired by the projects but also so that you can donate to many fine causes through your purchases.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Die Cut Cards

 In case you were here earlier today or you saw a different post in your news feed, I pulled it until the links are up and running.  So you will see it again soon.  In the meantime...

Two staff members at the office are leaving this month.  I was asked to make them cards as a thank you, good-bye and best wishes.  I decided to make two the same, yet different and, and while I was at it, enter them in some challenges.



The August challenge at the Everything Wendy Vecchi Yahoo group is using die cuts (and at least one Wendy stamp of course!)  both versions, inside and out

One of the August themes at Card A Day is using die cuts.  I linked up HERE 
There are four themes each month.  You may submit one card for each theme.  I'm pleased to announce I won the July challenge prize.  the green version
 
All Sorts Challenge:   Week 218 Photo Inspiration 
I chose the color palette and tried to duplicate the 3-D through lots of texture with embossing folders
I linked the green version although the blue version would work as well.



Photo Inspiration  - 3rd AugustAre you one of our winners ?





Paper Craft Crew:  Ive done a combo of sketch 052 and sketch 053 and two Stampin' Up Products  I liked both sketches so much, in my mind they just got combined into one layout.
The blue card has two panels (horizontal) by using 2 different embossing folders; I used the label idea and ribbon bow (along with butterfly instead of the circle)  idea from sketch 53 and the banner panels from sketch 52 .   The thank you banner is my version of the ribbon.  This may not qualify me for sketch 53 but I used a lot of Stampin' Up products, so I hope I'm included.   the blue version

http://www.papercraftcrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Sketch-052.jpgPaper Craft Crew Card Sketch #53






The Craft Room Challenge:  BINGO
left side down:  blue, rubber stamping and butterfly--the blue card version





Materials:
Stampin' Up Beautiful Wings Embosslits (mini die cuts)
Stampin' Up card stock from the In Color Paper Pack: Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, and Summer Starfruit
Stampin' Up card stock:  Whisper White
Stampin' Up Gumball Green Ink
Memento Ink: Danube Blue:
Stampin' Up rubber stamp:  Itty Bitty Banners: Thank You
Stampin' Up Framelits: Bitty Banners (die cuts)
Stampin' Up Framelits:  Hearts A Flutter (banner die)
Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 18 (die cuts)
Provo Craft Swiss Dot embossing folder
Provo Craft Twigs embossing folder
Stampin' Up Embossing Folder: Honeycomb
Stampin' Up Embossing Folder: Cloudy Day
Stampin' Up Embossing Folder: Square Lattice
Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 stamp set Lower Case Art: background stamp on primrose strip
Ranger Distress Ink:  Worn Lipstick
Studio G Self Adhesive Gems
Stampin' Up Lucky Limeade Organdy Ribbon

Inside sentiments:
Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 stamp set Dimensional Rose Art
Tim Holtz Clear Stamps set:  The Journey

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Travel Tag

My crafting has slowed down due to family get-togethers and short trips.  What else is summer for?
I'm also moving my craft room to a different area of the house.  Major overhaul!  This process has been very slow for me.  I'm sorting through all the happy crap I've collected--no piece of paper unturned or embellishment uninspected before being transported to the new location or thrown into the trashcan.  This may take awhile...

I took a break to make this for Tag TuesdayTravel



Entering this in:

Crafts 4 Eternity Anything Goes

Manila tag: Ranger distress ink: Weathered Wood and Tumbled Glass
Text: and sailboat:  VersaMagic Chalk ink: Gingerbread
Stampin' Up white water color pencil
Ranger distress ink pens in various colors
pre-made ticket and twine from stash

All rubber stamps from Rogue Redhead Designs
Behind the Scenes bubbles rolled onto tag
Nature Notes sentiment: "I am the master of my fate ...."
Beach Babes: sailboat and "sail away"


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