Welcome!

So very nice of you to stop by! What a fun and challenging hobby to have!

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
- Irish Blessing

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Quilt Covered with Love

This is for the second week of the Chalk-Ah-Lot challenge -- direct to paper technique. Remember this challenge will wrap up on Saturday, February 4. Hope you are enjoying these chalk cards as much as the team has enjoyed making them. This chalk is AWESOME to work with!!! You really need to try it!!!!

                                           (here is the spot to go to enter the challenge)

I used a Darice Hearts embossing folder for the background of the quilt and embossed on MFP snow storm cs. The background is GKD Passionate Pink cs with some lace added on top. I was SO pleased with how well this actually went together to look like a quilt! At least I hope you can see it is a quilt?!?!

The white "quilt" was 5 inches x 4 inches so I measured out 1 inch squares to fit across and up and down. Then I made another frame with just 1 inch square cut out for easier job of chalking. I chose 5 different colors of chalk -- candy apple, jewel purple, rose, blush and pearl purple. Using a Fantastix coloring brush I applied the chalk directly to the paper without adding any medium to it. All I had to do was apply the chalk...blow off any "extra" and then wiped the whole thing off when finished. No additives are necessary to prevent smearing!!

Then I stitched it with a zig zag stitch on the machine to have that quilt look. Added a sentiment from Stamp N Plus Scrap N and added a bow and a heart brad. Put some lace behind the quilt to have it look like an edging and the card is now covered with love.

Hope you enjoy looking at it! AND be sure to give this chalk a try!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

If Life Gives You Lemons!

This is for the Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge Week 92-- make a 4 layer card suggested by Linda. What fun it was to do! This challenge goes from January 28 - Feb. 3. (Here is the website)

I searched through my dp paper and found the PERFECT Gooseberry paper to use and added some GKD Wild Dandelion for the cs and used MFP Snow Storm Smooth for the stamps. I used MFP a Heinrich Company's stamp set Pucker Up to create this fun card. Stamped with Ladybug Red Memento and Tuxedo Black Memento, used Scrapmark label die cut and added a little bling and cut out the lemon on the front The inside  says it all! :-)

Hope you join us this week for Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge to make that 4 layer card!

Front with Lemons....




















Inside chuckle!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Planting Get Well Wishes

I am so excited to be a member of For Fun Challenges Design Team! This seems to be such a fun and creative group. This is my first official blog card although I was honored with being a guest designer awhile ago...but NOW I'm an official member! How EXCITING! This challenge runs from Wed., January 25 - Tues. January 31. (Here is the website)The theme this week is Animal Farm and the Sponsor is Bugaboo.

And what fun this week!!! The digi stamps were from Bugaboo and CUTE as could be!!! I chose Molly Moo Planting and what fun she was! I colored her with Copics and Sakura glitter pens. Used the Spellbinder dies  inverted classic scalloped large squares and curved rectangles, the Fiskars cloud punch to create some more clouds....and of course, EMBELLISHMENTS!!! Had to put on some farm brads, ribbon and buttons and then added a computer generated message on the inside.

And Molly is hoping you have a wonderful day and can smile if you need some Get Well Wishes!

Front

Inside message

Sunday, January 22, 2012

I'm So Glad We're Friends

Welcome to Chalk-Ah-Lot's Second Challenge -- Direct to Paper. This challenge runs from Jan. 22 thru Feb.4. *here is the website to enter your challenge    The winner this challenge will get a mini stamp set!!! So be sure to enter your chalk project!!

I used GKD Passionate Pink cs amd Stamp N Plus Scrap N cs. The pink was embossed with Paper Studio Doodle Hearts and then stamped with Versa Mark and then chalk was applied and rubbed on. The bear was a Stamp N Plus Scrap N stamp and that I colored with Copics and Sakura glitter pens. The background is sponged with chalk direct to paper. It was cut out with Labels 9 Spellbinders. The sentiment (also from Stamp N Plus Scrap N) was stamped with Vivid raspberry ink and then sponged with chalk direct to paper and cut out with Scalloped Hearts Spellbinders.

Of course had to add a little ribbon, bling and a heart paperclip and a Valentine card has been created!!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Happy Birthday!

This is Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge Week 91 -- Make a birthday card suggested by Patty. The challenge runs from January 21 thru January 27. (here is the challenge website)

I decided to use Marks' Finest Papers a Heinrich Company stamps sets, Pussy Willows  and All About Love. MFP cs Snowstorm Smooth, Strawberry Freeze and Papertray dp. Also was my first use of the Heartfelt Creations layered elegant swirl diecut -- really adds a little pizzaz to the diecut world..and it was a bit tricky to get it to line up and match! Also used Spellbinders scalloped heart die.

The images were colored with Copics and Sakura glitter pens. Stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento, Vivid Raspberry and the sponged background was either Memento Angel Pink, Versa Sea Breeze or Versa Lime. Added some Recollections brads and covered the inside of the brad with Candi dots, Really Reasonable Ribbon's pink twine cord, some pink bows and some MFP paper flowers.

And the doors were created to open and make a wish for a Happy Birthday!

Front and then open the door....

and Happy Birthday!

Friday, January 20, 2012

You Are Cherished

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!
This month's New Stamp Set Releases are
Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
                                                 You Are Cherished Featured January 20

  This is one of the 4 new stamp sets coming out this month -- You Are Cherished.



I used some green cs from MFP and the purple was from my stash dp box...have NO clue who it is by! But it worked with my color theme with the pansies in the heart. I colored that with aqua markers....still have some work to do on that to get them blended the way I want! I also added a little Sakura glitter pens too. The image was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento and the sentiments with Grape Jelly Memento. The diecuts were Spellbinders Scalloped Hearts. Added some Prima jewels, bling and Favorite Findings white bow button!



Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the FOLLOWING blogs each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!)We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012. I love reading comments and appreciate all I receive,  but comments on my blog aren't part of the drawing! 

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

January BLog Hop Cowgirls Rule

                                             Welcome to the Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's January Blog Hop!
This month's New Stamp Set Releases are
Love Remains Featured January 17
Cowgirls Rule Featured January 18
Sending Happy Thoughts Featured January 19
You Are Cherished Featured January 20


This one is Cowgirls Rule! I used some dp from my stash, MFP, Snow Storm Smooth and Groovin Grape cs for the background. The images were stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored with Copics and Sakura glitter pens. The horse image was diecut with Spellbinders Frame2 Shapez. Sponged the background with Vivid strawberry and brown. Added some brads from Oriental Trading and a few purple jewels and a birthday card was created! In case you can't tell, her favorite color MUST be purple!


Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the FOLLOWING blogs each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!)We will announce all four winners on January 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!) The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Friday January 20, 2012. I love reading comments and appreciate all I receive,  but comments on my blog aren't part of the drawing! 

Lois 
Vicky 
Anne 
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Dawn M.
Marilynn 
Chrissy 
Karen K.
Pam 
Debbie 
Nancy
Bonnie 
Harriet 
Kathy
Silvia
Brenda
Mark's Finest Papers


Sunday, January 15, 2012

Winter Thanks

This is another sample for the Chalk-Ah-Lot Challenge -- Anything Goes. This challenge is going to run until this Saturday, January 21, 2012. I hope you can join us! AND if you haven't gotten any of this chalk yet, REALLY think about it! It is great GREAT stuff to use for coloring!! Remember there are 4 chalks to the winner...and FREE shipping for the month of January!  (here is the website for some new samples)

I used MFP aqua light cs and BoBunny dp to create the background for this Winter Thanks. I mixed the chalk with Ranger glossy accents for the snowflakes. I also added a little  Ice Stickles on the dots in the snowflake.The snowman hat is painted with Buzz N Magic Paint and chalk mixed. The snowman himself I used some Flower Soft (Polar Fleece) to get the snowy look. Used Copics for his stick arms. Added some ribbon and some bling for eyes and buttons.

The stamps are stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and the stamps are from Stamp N Plus Scrap N.

Just a reminder this is a great time to get some chalk and stamps....free shipping and quality stuff!!! What more could you ask for!!!! And remember starting with Challenge 3 you will need to use Stamp N Plus Scrap N materials! Good luck and maybe you will be on the Chalkboard!!

Give it a try and you will LOVE it!!!! * here is the challenge link to put in your creation!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

You Are Cherished

Welcome to Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge Week 90 -- Use a Border Punch. This challenge runs from January14 thru January 20. So check your punches and find some kind of Border Punch that will do and join us for Speedy's challenge. I used a Martha Stewart Heart Punch for my border.  Here is the website)

I used the new stamp set from Marks's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company You Are Cherished to create my card. It was SO appropriate for making a Valentine's card so have one of those done also! YEA!!

I stamped with black Stazon ink because I used Aqua Markers and didn't want it to run...and it didn't! Then I used Angel Pink Memento to sponge the background after it was cut out with Spellbinders frameabilities classic scalloped hearts. Then the heart was placed on a white doily. This was done on MFP snow storm cs and the background was MFP Strawberry Freeze cs. The dp is from Martha Stewart.

Then did some stamping of the sentiment with Vivid Raspberry, cut out with Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio 2 and attached to Happy Valentine's ribbon, added a little bling and used Martha Stewart stickers on the inside and stamped the sentiments with Vivid Raspberry.


Sunday, January 8, 2012

Anything Goes Challenge #1 Chalk-Ah-Lot Cafe

This is for the first Challenge of Chalk-Ah-Lot  & Stamp N Plus Scrap N! WHAT fun this is going to be! IF you have never used powdered chalk...YOU MUST try this!!! IT IS wonderful!!!!! It works like a charm, mixes so well with most any medium you choose and NO mess!!! You can also use it as direct on paper and the chalk stick does NOT break because it isn't a stick!!!! It is simply powdered chalk in a container! The colors are wonderful AND lots to choose from! Stamp N Plus Scrap N also has wonderful stamps...lots of choices and the rubber is high quality and stamps VERY nicely! Go check out their website and you will be delighted!!! Plus there is FREE shipping for the month of January!
                    Check it out here!

This first Challenge starts today January 8 and runs for 2 weeks until Saturday afternoon, January 21, 2012. The first theme is ANYTHING GOES! There is a winner prize of 4 chalks!!! WELL worth making a card for! Once you try this chalk...you will LOVE it!!!! (Here is the website to enter your challenge on!)


Well I had a request to make a set of sympathy cards to give to a friend for Christmas and this was a perfect medium to use. So I did.....

I started out with key Lime cs from GKD and Cosmo Cricket dp. I used Faber-Castel glaze and Chalk-Ah-Lot....all I did was squirt some of the glaze onto the acrylic block and then got my brush tip wet and dipped it into the powdered chalk and added it to the glaze and stirred and mixed. Just kept mixing until it was smooth and to the color I wanted.
This is the front

I used the Stamp N Plus Scrap N stamp of the birdhouse and then painted/chalked the mixture onto the birdhouse. It gave a nice weathered look to the birdhouse. Did the same with the flowers and butterfly. Then added some Sakura glitter pens to finish it off.

Did a direct application of chalk onto to the bottom for grass and the top for sky.

Added a little ribbon, some bling and a  sentiment.




The inside was a computer generated sentiment and again direct chalk applied to soften the background. The flowers were with the glaze mixture and some Sakura glitter pens and direct application of chalk.

The shapes were cut out with Spellbinders Big scalloped ovals large and Curved rectangles. The images were stamped with Bamboo leaves Memento.

Added a little bling and sympathy card was done!




I really hope you will try this challenge and IF you are lucky enough to be the winner, it is a GREAT way to try some of these products! IT really is a fun medium to use and believe me...I still love my Copics and Pearl Pens, etc....but it is something new and different and such fun to work with because you can try so many different things with it!!!


                   Rules for our challenges

With the exception of the first two challenges the rules are:  
You MUST use our Stamps and OUR Chalks!

Challenge Rules

To be eligible for our Bi-Weekly Challenge prize.   Challenges always start on a Sunday and
end thirteen days later on Saturday 2 pm Central time.

1) Become a follower of the Chalk-Ah-Lot Challenge blog.

2) All entries must be linked to the actual blog post and not to your blog.
 
3) Only entries posted during the current challenge are eligible

4) Entry must have a link back to the  Chalk-Ah-Lot Challenge blog. 
If your do not follow the rules you will not be eligible to win and your link will  be removed.
Sorry! =(

5)  FOLLOW THE THEME


PRIZES
There will be 1 bi-weekly winner.   First prize is 4 chalks!
There will be 2 Chalk Board winners.  Bragging rights and a blog badge!

                                    Here is the website to order from....

 There are 4 types of chalks; powder, dust, metallic and florescent.

  All power and dust colors contain an additive which helps to bind the chalk to paper. A fixative is not required when using the powder and dust colors. 
  
  The metallic and fluorescent colors do not contain the same additive as the powder and dust; therefore they do require a fixative be applied either over or under the metallic and florescent colors.
  
  Powder: These colors contain an additive which allows different shades to be created. The degree of change depends on the amount of chalk and pressure applied. Eight of the powder colors contain an additive which creates special effects, including exciting streaks of color throughout your design. 
  
  Dust: These are very subtle colors. The effect you achieve is most like the pallet chalks but can be applied with much more ease. Their texture allow for a versatility that pallet chalks do not. 
  
  Fluorescent: These colors are very bright brilliant colors.
  
  Metallic: These colors provide a rich dazzle and shine. Stardust, our most popular metallic adds a special shimmer to any design. It can be added to any area or used to cover your whole design and give luster to the entire piece of art. 
  
  Stardust can also be used to create many metallic colors. By mixing 1 part Stardust with 2 parts of any powder, dust or florescent color, you can create a rainbow of metallic colors. Stardust can also enhance any of your matte pigment inks by lightly applying Stardust over the stamped image with a cotton ball while the ink is still wet. This will change any of your matte color pigment ink pads to a rich metallic color.  This is one of the most versatile ones!
 



Here is a list of the colors of chalk...Be sure to check out the website for prices and packaging. You can get them individually or by sets. Remember FREE shipping in January!
mustard                                         lime
sky            
peach
teddybear
sherbert
sunshine
foggy
blush
velvet
 barely there
 brick
rose
dandy
flesh
truely
gem
dusk
jade

mulberry
red
cotton candy

beauty

passion

mistic blue
heavenly
gold

copper
bronze
stardust
silver
ginger
     While supplies last.... 
gitty
fizzy
spunky
nifty
hazy
frisky
perky
dizzy

    For a limited time ..... 
cool green
mossy green
blue bell
jules blue
pearl purple
jewel purple
crimson


Thanks for joining us at Chalk-Ah-Lot  Challenges !
Tammylee
DT Coordinator/Leader

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Happy New Year and Thank You

Welcome to Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge for the week of January 7 -- Week #89. The challenge this week is to use brads and/or eyelets. I decided to make mine using both AND to combine a Happy New Year card with the Christmas gift thank yous I need  to write out! (Here is the website)

I used MFP Aqua Light cs and BoBunny dp. The cover of the card was embossed with Snowflakes by Cuttlebug. I highlighted parts of it with a clear Sakura glitter pen and also added some blue eyelets to the snowflakes.

The dp was cut out and then Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Triple Scallop was used to give the scallop look. The Happy New Year (from MFP Pussy Willows) was stamped with Danube Blue Memento ink and then diecut with Ribbon Tags by Spellbinders. The ribbon was run through the ribbon tag. Snowflake brads were added to the dp strip and the 2012 brads were added on top. Added a little bling and Happy New Year to one and all!

The inside was stamped with the snowflake from Ice and Snow and With Thanks from A Walk in the Woods. And there is PLENTY of space to write the thank yous!

I hope you can join us this week for the challenge...look in the corners of your drawers and you MIGHT find some hidden or long forgotten eyelets and/or brads!

Happy New Year

Thank You to be written

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Be Mine

This is for the Outlines Challenge #33 -- sketch challenge. I haven't been able to do the Outlines challenge for awhile due to the hubbub of Christmas....so was delighted to get at it today! (Here is their website)

Here is the sketch that was to be followed.




I used Outlines stamps E-557 Petal Strip and K-702 Lovely Layering Collage. It was colored with Aqua markers which were something new for me. They really are really nifty and add a watercolor look. I also highlighted with Sakura glitter pens. AND of course had to add some bling! :-)

The paper was GKD white and Passionate Pink cs and the dp was from Studio g. The petal strip was cut with Spellbinders Edgeabilities classic triple scalloped edge...also that was used on the inside along with some Martha Stewart and Studio g stickers. The ribbon was Studio g also.

AND I do have a Valentine card ready to go! YEA!!!!

This is the front

Be Mine inside!