Friends Helping Friends

One of the most generous people I know in crafting blogland is Heather Hudson.  We met in cyberspace and our orbs have intersected on several design teams.  

Heather is always there for me when I have a question about digital crafting or technical issues with my blog.  She really knows her way around a computer and can whip up something in no time--while I'm still thinking about how to get it going. 

I use the adjective generous because she gives of her time and talent without question or asking for something in return.  Like any other true friend, I know she'll always be there for me.  And I for her.  Which leads me to one of the 2014 surprises I mentioned in my last post....

I am embarking on an artistic adventure with Heather.  To go along with her awesome digital collage sheets that she sells in her Etsy shop, she is starting:

  "My Artistic Adventures Challenges"

That's right...Heather has decided to host a Challenge on her Blog every 2nd and 16th of the month using HER  Digital Collage Sheets.

You also will want to check out the RULES page here.

Heather has a distinct vintage style which I just love, being very vintage myself!  I'm honored to help her launch her new challenges.  I didn't think twice when she asked me, and there was about a one second turn-around time for my response--YES!

Please return on January 2 to see what I created with Heather's digital collage sheets as inspiration for her first challenge.

In the meantime, please visit Heather's Etsy shop where I know you will drool over her collage sheets and whet your appetite for the upcoming challenge.  Further enticement to play along with us includes a 15% off $5.00 or more purchase: 

coupon code: MYARTISTICADVENTURES

And would you please post our challenge badge on your blog?

The html code can be found in the left sidebar at Heather's BLOG.  She also offers lots of YouTube tutorials (I told you she was very generous!), including one on how to insert html codes on your blog.

Have a very merry New Year's Eve and a very Happy New Year!

Hope you have time to stamp/scrap alot (as in the ideal world of Camelot where Queen Helene has Lotsa Scrap time) ! 

Good-bye 2013, Hello 2014

2014 is almost here!

I would make a list of crafting New Year's Resolutions but I miserably fell short this year of accomplishing much of anything on my list.

Instead, I'll tell you about a few new projects I'm working on.

First, I plan to seriously work on Christmas all year.  There are several challenge blogs to keep me motivated.  I don't necessarily need a lot of cards, but I need gift envelopes, package tags, and a few ornaments.  This year I made photo tags (as you can see in this photo) through Sandi's Bank on Christmas project at her blog Maximum Embellishment. 

They were such a huge hit that I'm doing it again, with different photos.

Many of us are taking a Christmas crafting breather right now.  But I'd like to remind you that the Gecko Galz design team has all their ornaments on display and ready for you to vote for your favorite HERE.  The winner will be announced December 31 so please take a moment to vote.

Second, I want to swap some art this year.  I'm a Red Lead Swap Sister.  Red Lead Paperworks (St. Louis, MO) is having a monthly ATC swap.  Join in any and all months that fit into your schedule.  Make 4, swap 3.  The Red Lead sisters will keep the fourth one to display in the store and perhaps submit them for publication.   You can read more about it HERE.   I have lots of Red Lead products so I'm looking forward to putting them to good use. The January swap is to make pocket Valentines.  I also want to mention Red Lead offers a free digital image every Wednesday---find them on FB or sign up for their email info.  They just posted (12/30/2013) a Valentine chunky book giveaway!

Third, I need to make things for my family.  That means they may not show up on my blog even though I'll be very busy.  But I have several things to get done such as a wedding scrapbook, family cookbook, and some assignments for an upcoming wedding.


Fourth, I want to visit my blogging buddies more often in order to keep up with their news and art projects.

I'm continuing with my design team obligations and will have a surprise or two along the way in 2014.   I've been very lucky to have won some great products by entering on-line challenges so I want to be sure to use those products in my art.

I'll be back on January 1 and again on January 2 with new blog posts!  See you on the flip side in 2014.  May the New Year bring you everything you need to be happy and blessed! 

Hope you have time to scrap/stamp a lot, Helene

Stars in the Sky

The Tag Tuesday players are taking a holiday break so I'm catching up with last week's prompt:  Starry Night.  Be sure to visit Tag Tuesday to see all the players' tags. Lots of inspiration there!

I used a Darice star embossing folder on white cardstock.  I like how my silver foil trim mimics the points of the background stars.  Tag is edged with Ranger Brushed Pewter Distress Stain.  Ribbon is shiny silver.

Entering this tag in:

Lunagirl Moonbeams challenge: Blue Christmas 
The image is from Lungirl's Blue Noel digital collage sheet.

The Cheerful Stamp Pad Challenge #76:  Anything Goes 

Live and Love Crafts' Inspiration and Challenge #18:  Stardust

Ornament for Gecko Galz

This time around the Gecko Galz design team is creating holiday ornaments.  As usual, the [projects are displayed at the Gecko Galz website HERE.  After all of them are showcased, you will get to vote for your favorite.  Voting begins December 24.

Here is mine:

Print and fussy cut angel image.  There are several Gecko Galz digital images of angels.  This particular angel is from the Angels collage sheet. Edge with Ranger Distress Marker: vintage photo

Print 
Lost Symphony from Gecko Galz Vanity Fair digital paper pack:  altered to 5.5 x 4.5 inches with more pink.
Frosted Panes from Gecko Galz Winter Wonderland digital paper pack: altered to 5.5 x 4.5 inches

Position Grand Gothic Window (Poppystamps) or other shrine shape on papers and die cut.
This die gives you two pieces.  I used both papers to create the frame and window insert.
Outline with Ranger Distress Marker: bundled sage.

Adhere angel to window.

Add trims:  gold Starform stickers, gold medallion, gold cord

Please take time to visit the Gecko Galz site to see all the design team ornaments.

A non-Christmas Gecko Galz card

For my design team project this month at Gecko Galz, I used the Blue Willow digital paper and Vintage Toppers collage sheet to create this card:

To give it some depth, I used Stampin' Up Night of Navy card stock for the card base, banner, and image mat die cut with Stampabilities Nestabilities Lacy Square.  I added dimension to the banner by embossing it with a Stampin' Up Petals a Plenty folder.

12 Days of Christmas

OK, not all twelve, just the eighth day.

This week's theme at Tag Tuesday is the Twelve Days of Christmas.

I bought some new Graphic 45 paper and chose the 8 Maids a milking portion to make first.  I added trims from my stash, trying to use up all these bits and bobs that have been collecting here.

Entering this in:

The Cheerful Stamp Pad:  Signs of Christmas

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra:  December

We're officially in the twelve day countdown to Christmas!  Are you ready?

Returning to the Library

Making it easy on us, Debi is asking us to post our favourite project of the year for the latest Craft Room Challenge.

In April I was a Guest Designer for the Craft Room Challenge Blog.  It just so happened that Rogue Redhead Designs, LLC was the prize sponsor that month.  I'm on the RRD design team.  So I used my favorite RRD stamp plate, Relish Reading, to create my Craft Room GDT project. 

Here is my sample:  In the Library
Details can be found HERE on my original blog post.

Now that winter is upon us, we spend a lot of time in our library.  This project seems very fitting for this end of year wrap up.  I can only sit and dream of warm days.

What I like about this project:

1.  It represents what I like about the craft blog world:  offering my art to design teams, sharing my work with others, meeting and appreciating other artists and their work, making on-line friendships

2.  I get to use my favorite stamps

3.  This is a good example of my type of work:  papercrafting with die cuts, fussy cutting, stamping, paper layering. 


To conclude:  This is my single entry for the Craft Room challenge:  Favourite Project of 2013.
Thank you, Debi, for this great challenge idea!

Snow Angels

Angels are this week's theme at Tag Tuesday.  Here is my tag:

Materials:
The particular angel I used on my tag can be found here in two different collections:
Gecko Galz Vintage Angels digital collage sheet
Luna Girl Moonbeams Etsy shop

A photo I took today when we attended a funeral at St. Mary's church in central Missouri
Paperwhimsy.com for Comfort and Joy banner
Ranger Vintage Photo Distress Marker
Rogue Redhead Designs Behind the Scenes stamp plate for the music on the snowflakes
Stampendous vinyl stickers:  dot sparklers silver

Stampin' Up products:
Night of Navy card stock and Stampin' Write marker;
Snow Flury die and Northern Flury embossing folder
Frosted Finishes embellishments (center in large snowflake)

Entering these challenges:

Stampin' Up Royalty Challenge #205:  Incorporate a Snowflake x

Sugar Creek Hollow:  Vintage Christmas x

Lunagirl Challenge: Snow Angels x

A Little Note

Rogue Redhead Designs is expanding with some great stamp sets from other manufacturers.  Please read all about it HERE.

I get to play with one of the S.W.A.L.K. characters by Santoro.  My stamp is  "A Little Note"  which can be found in the RRD store HERE.

Materials:

Stampin' Up Crumb Cake card stock and Stampin' Write marker
Stampin' Up Very Vanilla card stock
Archival Coffee ink pad
Ranger Distress Marker-Antique Linen
USArt Quest Vintage mica watercolor
The Paper Studio Textured Cream Sheet Music
Maya Road ribbon

A Merry Little Christmas Tag

Let's get this Christmas season started!!!!!!

After a break from papercrafting to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with family, I've finally made my way back here.

Are you playing at Sugar Lump Studios?  Nancy Maxwell is offering A Very Vintage Christmas.

Here is my version of Sugar Lump Studios Day #2 Merry Little Christmas Tag.

Materials:
Music Base:  Riddersholm Design The Day Before
Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Collection
Gecko Galz digital image: Santa Bingo Card
sepia photo of 2amscrapper (me)
Ranger Ink Distress Markers:  Black Soot and Vintage Photo to edge papers
Ranger Gold Stickles
Miss Cutie Pie Inspiration Tags
Stampin' Up snow flurry die and Champagne glimmer paper for snowflake
misc. buttons and crochet trim
seam binding which I wet crinkled


Entering these challenges:
Allsorts Challenge:  Inspired by a Christmas Song:  Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas x
2Creative Chicks:  Christmas/Winter
Feeling Crafty Challenge:  Christmas
Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #85 BINGO  My three in a row are button, lace and glitter. x
Crafty Bloggers Network Challenge Blog: December Challenge:  Girly
Craft Room Challenge:  Vintage Christmas x
Country View Challenges: bah Humbug
Our Creative Corner:  A Very Vintage Christmas

Festive Friday:  Last Challenge of the Year--Element Challenge incorporate a snowflake  x