No Buttons, Bows, Buckles, Brads!

Awwww, our sweet JoJot is being tough on the CCEE Stampers this week by challenging us to make a design with no buttons, bows, buckles or brads...not even faux!  Well, when I saw this fun and funky tissue paper in my gift bag pile, I thought it'd be perfect for making a fun design that wouldn't need the buttons, bows, buckles, or brads.  It's bold, vibrant and fun-kay all by itself.

I used a spray adhesive on white cardstock, scrunched up my tissue paper, unfolded it, and adhered it to the white cardstock.  It's best to make it a little larger than the cardstock and then trim the tissue paper to get the perfect fit.  The fun image is by Verve from the Beautiful You set.  I used Prismacolor pencils to color in the letters on the sentiment.  I punched my balloon out of white cardstock, embossed it with the divine swirls embossing folder, and then used the same Prismacolor pencils to color the balloon but didn't blend the pencil color to kind of leave it like how a young child would color.  I used embroidery thread for the balloon string and adhered  to my card with extra thick dimensionals.  I finished off the card with the paper piercing on the scalloped border on the left.

Please stop by our CCEE Stampers blog and play along with us.  You can also see the cool creations Frances, Joanne, Shirley, Cindy, and Tosh made.  Thanks and have a FUN day!

Stamps:  Beautiful You (Verve)
Cardstock:  White, polkadotted tissue paper, purple dp
Ink:  Memento Black
Accessories:  Prismacolor pencils, dimensionals, circle Nestabilities, MFT scallop border die, balloon punch, embroidery thread, spray adhesive, Aleene's Tacky Glue

RUBBERNECKER BLOG HOP - More New Releases & Prizes!!

Welcome to RUBBERNECKER STAMPS release day HOP!! We are SO excited you are HOPPING with us today!! There are LOTS of AWESOME creations in store for you!! Besides ALL the GREAT creations? There are PRIZES to be had, as well!! There are THREE ways to WIN!! Take a look at what we have for you!!

1. If you leave some LOVE at EVERY stop, you could WIN………….

A $25 RUBBERNECKER GIFT CERTIFICATE

2. If you sign up for the Rubbernecker Newsletter, on the Rubbernecker Blog, you could WIN….

ONE OF TEN $10 RUBBERNECKER GIFT CERTIFICATES

3. IF you “LIKE” us on Facebook, you could WIN……..

A $15 RUBBERNECKER GIFT CERTIFICATE

HOLY PRIZES!! WOW, can you believe ALL the chances there are to WIN? We will announce the winners THURSDAY! So, you have until then, to HOP, ”LIKE” , and SIGN-UP!! The official BLOG HOP ROUTE is listed below, in case you should get lost!! ALL of the NEW release stamps, you see today, are available NOW for purchase!!

I chose to use the Hawaiin Vine (#537) image for my three different designs today in order to show you the versatility of this image.

For my first card, I kept it pretty simple.  I white embossed the image on Sahara Sand cardstock and used a q-tip and blender pen to add Tattered Rose Distress Ink to color the flower images.  I added pink Liquid Pearls to the flower centers.

Stamps: Hawaiin Vine (#537), Create a Garden Phrase Set (#508)
Cardstock: White, Pink Pirouette, Sahara Sand
Ink: Memento Black, Tattered Rose Distress Ink
Accessories: versamark, white embossing powder, heat tool, blender pen, q-tip, rectangle Nestabilities, pink gingham ribbon, dimensionals, pink liquid pearls, dimple corner punch

Next up, I wanted to show you a more colorful way to use this image.  I stamped the vine image twice  in Tuxedo Memento Black to create a two-sided border.  I colored them with Prismacolor pencils and gamsol.  I added platinum Liquid Pearls to the centers and then circled the platinum pearls with a ring of pretty Charoite glitter by Martha Stewart.
 
 



Stamps: Hawaiin Vine (#537), Create a Garden Phrase Set (#508)
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, White, polkadot embossed dp
Ink: Memento Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, paper piercer, border punch, Platinum Liquid Pearls, MS Charoite glitter, MS glitter glue, Stitch, Doodle, Dot piercing template

For my last card, I combined this with Mothermark's Teapot Tuesday challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  This card, along with some stamping supplies, will be sent to a fellow SCSer, Ashley in Indiana, who lost all of her stamping supplies in a flood and has to start all over (How terrible:  can you imagine losing all you have?).  You can read the full story in the Teapot Tuesday forum under MMTPT139.

I used the Hawaiin Vine image on the tea cup I created (out of Nestabilities, oval punches, and MFT scallop border die), as well as on the background piece of white cardstock.  I kept it soft and subtle to go with the inspiration teapot in Mothermark's challenge.  I added a very light touch of watercoloring to the images on the tea cup, but kept the image in the background as is.

We also were instructed to use ribbon in our design, so I ruffled some white polkadotted ribbon on the top rim of the cup and used organdy ribbon to attach my heart-shaped teabag.

Stamps: Hawaiin Vine (#537)
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, White, Pink Pirouette dp
Ink: Pink Pirouette
Accessories: heart punch, beaded circle Nestabilities, dotted swiss embossing folder, scallop die, around-the-page border punch, white organdy ribbon, white polkadotted ribbon, watercolor brush, X-Press It tape, dimensionals
Technique: dtp stamping with slight watercoloring on flowers, ruffled ribbon

Now, I know this has already been a long post, but I need to give you the list of my fellow Rubbernecker design teammates so you can continue along the way on the hop.

Rubbernecker Blog
Charlene Merrick - that's me!
Jacquie Peiffer
Jen Charboneau
Joan Ervin
Julia Aston
Karen Hunsaker
Kittie Caracciolo
Maria Gurnsey

So, next up in our blog hop line up is the uber talented Miss Jacquie Peiffer!  Click on her link above to see what fabulous creation she has in store for you!

Thanks for joining in our excitement and BEST OF LUCK!!

Queen Karen

Today's Queen for the Day on Splitcoaststampers is Karen Dunbrook!.   I so love her stamping style and designs that I cased two of her cards today.  Click on these two separate links to see Karen's original creations:   Country Garden and Delicious Colors.

Here's my version of her Country Garden.  I changed colors, stamp sets, used a butterfly instead of a sentiment, and added a stained glass embossed background.  This card was also made as a part of Kim Hughes' Ink Up with Color challenge from yesterday where you can only use color in your design (no black, white, brown, etc.) and Dawn Mercedes' Free for All challenge to be inspired by the sun.  All of these challenges are on Splitcoaststampers.  I colored the Rubbernecker Buds with Stampin' Up markers (Summer Sun, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa) and then misted them with water before stamping onto the cardstock.   I colored the butterfly with various markers, stamped twice, and cut out the second one so I could fold up its wings.  The panels are popped up on dimensionals.

Stamps: Bud Set (#505) by Rubbernecker
Cardstock: White, Cherry Cobbler
Ink: done with markers using Cherry Cobbler, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: SU markers, corner rounder, SU designer buttons, stained glass embossing folder, dimensionals

The following card is my version of her Delicious Colors card.  I love how Karen created her cute pinwheel by cutting four squares, cutting them in half, and then rounding off the indicated corners.  I changed papers, colors, and added cross diagonal scoring with my MS scoring board in the background.  I used this delightfully fun birthday designer paper and teal button by American Crafts.  I colored my linen thread with orange using a Copic marker for the button center.  I love how fast this came together!! 

Stamps:  none
Cardstock:  Not Quite Navy, White, American Crafts dp
Ink:  none
Accessories:  button, linen thread, corner rounder, Martha Stewart Score Board, dimensionals

Christmas Carolers in Spring

Are you ready for another CCEE Stampers' challenge?  This week JoJo has challenged us to get a start on our Christmas cards by making one.  After all, it's ONLY nine months away!

I stamped my carolers (Rubbernecker) on SU watercolor cardstock in Versmark and embossed them with black embossing powder.  I masked the carolers and then stamped the tree.  I used a mixture of Copic markers and watercoloring with reinkers to color my scene.  Specifically, I used Copic markers for the skin tones, boots, and the lamp post.  Everything else was watercolored.  I like how well the watercoloring stays within the lines of the image when I heat emboss the images first.  However, I did note that you have to be careful with the Copic markers because they seem to want to smear the black embossing even after it's cooled.   I used white acrylic paint for the base of my snow and then added liquid applique for texture in the snow.  Using a blending tool, I applied Weathered Wood distress ink and Night of Navy dye ink for the sky.  I first watercolored the tree with Certainly Celery and then dabbed with Pine Needles distress ink over that.

Why not get a start, if you haven't already, on your Christmas cards and join us in our challenge?  You can get all the details, as well as see the fab creations of Shirley, Cindy, Frances, Tosh, and Joanne on our CCEE Stampers' blog.

Stamps:  Caroler with Dog (#337-09); Trees with Snow Set (#52-0206) by Rubbernecker
Cardstock:  Brocade Blue, Black, SU watercolor cardstock
Ink:  Certainly Celery, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Blue Bayou, Night of Navy, Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up); Pine Needles and Weathered Wood Distress Inks (Ranger)
Accessories:  Copic markers, watercolor brush, gingham ribbon, Bow Easy, black embossing powder, heat tool, white acrylic paint, liquid applique, versamark, Aleene's Tacky Glue

Wish Big

We returned to cold, wet Michigan Sunday evening after a wonderfully warm and sunny vacation in Florida. As I posted on my Facebook page, that's the definition of "insanity!" LOL!

We had a fabulous time, of course, but our itinerary was a little too full for me this year. Typically, we have at least one "lay-low day" and I take that opportunity to visit with my friend Kittie. Unfortunately, it didn't work out for me to visit her this year, and I was really disappointed.

I'm trying to convince hubby that we really need to move to a warmer, sunnier climate. After two days in Florida, my skin was screaming "Thank you, Charlene, for bringing in the moisture!!"
So, what does a somewhat sad woman do to brighten her day in cloud-covered, cold, and raining Michigan? She goes to her stamp room and gets busy stamping and making herself happy!

I created this card using the sketch design Roxie posted on Splitcoaststampers today.

I made my triangle shapes by cutting a 2 3/4" square of the designer paper and then cut that in half. 

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope the sun is shining where you are!


Stamps:  Stampin' Up's Bring on the Cake
Cardstock:  Black, Very Vanilla, My Mind's Eye dp
Ink:  Tuxedo Memento Black, Tea Dye Distress Ink
Accessories:  ric rac punch, stamp-a-ma-jig, dimensionals, blending tool

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!  In the spirit of the day, the challenge is to use a cutie patootie image (critter or person) wearing something GREEN (doesn't have to be the main color.)  I chose this darling frog image by Rubbernecker. 

I paper pieced my frog with Garden Green designer paper.  I used pale lavender Copic markers for some light coloring on the daisies.  The centers of the daisies and the frog's eyelids were colored with Twinkling H20s.



If you'd like to play along with us and/or see the designs my friends Frances, Shirley, Tosha, Joanne, and Cindy made, please visit our CCEE Stampers' blog.

Stamps: Frog Holding Daisies (#67-09), Hoppy Birthday Text (#6602) by Rubbernecker

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, White, Garden Green dp
Ink: Memento Black
Accessories: Copic markers (BV23 and BV31 for muted colors on daisies; W-1, W-3, W-5, W-7 for rock) Twinkling H20s on frog’s eyelids and daisy centers, watercolor brush, MS Smoky Quartz glitter, checkerboard embossing folder, metal dots, paper piercer
Technique: Paper Piecing

Rubbernecker Release

Today is RUBBERNECKER STAMPS release day!! We are SO excited to share our NEW release with you that we are celebrating with a BLOG HOP!! Speaking of celebrating, we are also giving away a PRIZE!!! If you HOP along with us today and leave some LOVE at EVERY stop along the way, you will be entered for your chance to win…….

A $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE for Rubbernecker Stamps!!

How is that for a PRIZE?!! We will announce the winner THURSDAY! So, you have until then, to HOP! The official BLOG HOP ROUTE is listed below, in case you should get lost!! Thanks for joining in our excitement and BEST OF LUCK!!

I'm excited to be a part of showcasing this beautiful Butterflies are Free new release set. Not only are the butterflies beautiful and fun to color, but the sentiments really spoke to my heart.

I heat embossed the Morning Glory frame (also a new release) with gold embosssing powder, colored the butterfly with Copic markers, adding yellow pearls and twinkles to the butterfly as well.

Please be sure to stop by the blogs/galleries of my fellow Rubbernecker Design Team members to see what they have to show you, as well as leave them a comment to be eligible for the $50 gift certificate!

Bev Gerard - Savor the Journey
Charlene Merrick (that's me!)
Francie Gumprecht - Francie's Fancy
Jacquie Peiffer - Javablustamper
Joan Ervin - Stamping with a Passion
Julia Aston - Create with Julia
Juliana Swanson - Stamping with Inky Fingers
Karen Hunsaker - Karen's Kreative Korner
Kittie Caracciolo - Kittie Kraft
Maria Gurnsey - Scrapsbym
Cathy Bomgardner - SCS Gallery

Francie is next on our blog hop, so be sure to click on her link above and check out the gorgeous creation she has for you! Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Butterflies are Free Set (#538), Morning Glory Frame (#523) by Rubbernecker

Cardstock: River Rock, Black, White
Ink: Memento Black
Accessories: Copic markers, gold embossing powder, heat tool, black brads, Crystal Clear Twinkles, Yellow Pearls, Tombow Glue
Technique: heat embossing (gold frame)

Monochromatic Blues

Joanne has challenged the CCEE Stampers to make a monochromatic card this week.  I chose the blues.  I watercolored my flowers with a mixture of Stampin' Up reinkers and Twinkling H20s.  I have a complete list of supplies I used at the end of this post.

If you'd like to play along with us and see the designs my friends Cindy, Frances, Shirley, Tosha, and Joanne made, please visit our CCEE Stampers blog.

Stamps: Daisies (#506-05)

Cardstock: White, Not Quite Navy dp, Marina Mist
Ink: Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Versamark, PEARLustre SAPPHIRE Opaque embossing powder, watercolor brush, Miter Maker, lacey border punch, white brads, deckled Nestabilities
Technique: heat embossing, watercolor

Swirlin' with the CCEE Stampers

Gee, another week has gone by so fast!  I have been busy, busy, busy stampin' my little heart out for an upcoming Rubbernecker release, and I can't wait to show you what I've designed with the new stamps and for you to see what the Rubbernecker design team, as a whole has done.  Stay tuned around mid-March because I think you are going to love the new stamps!

In the meantime, we have a new CCEE Stampers' challenge hostess for the month of March, and it's none other than my uber talented friend, Joanne Grzelak (aka JoJot).   JoJo tells us that the winds of March are on their way. So this week, the challenge for the team and YOU is to use SWIRLS on your card/project. It could be in the image, the designer paper, embossing, embellishments....just include swirls in some way.  Here's where I went with my design.

Although I seem to have a lot of designer paper, sometimes I don't find just the right one I'm looking for when I'm creating.  Therefore, I'll often think about a technique that I can use to create my own designer paper.  I love trying various techniques, and for this card, I used the baby wipe technique for the top background panel.  I folded the baby wipe three times and then dropped reinkers onto it.  I used Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, and Rose Red reinkers today and dabbed the wipe onto a piece of glossy cardstock.  Afterward, I ran that piece of cardstock through my Big Shot using the Divine Swirls embossing folder.  I like how that technique turned out, so I also used it for my cupcake frosting.  Can you see the large embossed polkadots on the pretty American Crafts designer paper on the bottom?  I love polkadots, and I think they are especially fun for a birthday card.

My good friend, Lynn, is hostessing a stamping get together this Saturday.  There are five of us, each of whom is responsible for creating a design and providing the supplies for each of us to recreate each others' designs.  This is the design I'm taking, and I hope the others like it.

Please stop by our CCEE Stampers blog and check out all the fabulous designs my friends Shirley, Tosha, Cindy, Frances, and Joanne came up with.  We'd also love it if you'd play along with us!

Stamps:  Create a Cupcake
Cardstock:  Regal Rose, White, Glossy White, Basic Gray, American Crafts dp
Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Basic Gray
Accessories:  ribbons, corner rounder, large polkadots embossing folder, swirls embossing folder, reinkers, baby wipe, cupcake punch, dimensionals, modern label punch