Priceless

As a scrapbooker I rarely end up in layouts because I usually take most of the photos. Thanks to a little photo shoot with my pal Celeste, I ended up with this awesome photo of me and the boys. Thanks so much, Celeste, for your time and talent!!

Caardvarks: Creative Cuts & More

It's challenge day at Caardvarks! Be sure to click here for all the challenge details. We're having a Baby/Bridal Shower in honor of all our DT baby mommas and to the one who is about to get hitched! Congratulations ladies!

Create your *NEW* baby or bridal shower card and have it linked back to Mr. Linky at 'Varks by August 3rd at midnight PST.

Our projects and the prize are sponsored by Creative Cuts & More. I had a BLAST making them!

A Party of EPIC Size!

Don't miss the EPIC party at Scrapbook Express on Tuesday 7/14. Heather will be checking in with the forum and gallery and have random prizes to give away. They are having a contest where the Grand Prize is an Epic Machine!!! Pull out all of your QuicKutz and get ready to create!

Contest Rules:

1. Must register your spot in the QK Epic contest thread

2. Must enter pages/cards/projects using any Quickutz die cut

3. One entry per page/card/project

4. Must be new!! No recycling! (Sorry this is not a green, save the earth contest)

5. If you put a picture of you scrapping for the contest in the forum or on a project you will get 5 additional entries!!

6. You are responsible to put your projects into the gallery and keep count on the forum. Only projects entered on 7/14 are eligible.

7. Have FUN!!

GOOD LUCK!

Let's Go to the Hop!

It's a total blog blast - you'll be hoppin' for 3 days for a chance to win huge prize packages of Core'dinations cardstock, including their newest release "Whitewash". Brace yourselves for inspiration overload on August 17, 18, & 19th when we showcase *new* cards & projects using Core'dinations nearly hourly, and send you hopping! You'll enjoy designs by the 'Varks Crew as well as The Core'dinations very own Design Team. See you then!

my Stamp BOX: So Sketchy

Bonus post today! The myStampBOX designers are sharing some cards they made using sketches by DT member Allison Cope. Here's my card using Basic Grey Ambrosia papers, Core'dinations cardstock, Stickles and two mSB stamp sets: Seal It! and Sigh, Gush, Gasp.

Check out the myStampBOX blog for all the sketch card inspiration!

Caardvarks: Shortcuts!

It's challenge day at Caardvarks! This challenge is sponsored by ShortCuts. Launched in June of 2008, the sister site to SheetLoad of Cards, is dedicated making your papercrafting quicker and easier. Everybody likes a short cut every now and then!

THE CHALLENGE: Create a card based upon this sketch, by ShortCuts. Entries must be linked to us via Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post by July 17th at Midnight PST. Please link us **directly** to your blog post, not your blog address.


THE PRIZE: Two (2) lucky winners this week will each receive a $15 ShortCuts Gift Certificate!!

SHOPPING DISCOUNT: Want to try ShortCuts for yourself, while saving money at the same time? Just visit their Online Store and enter the discount code “Caard15” during checkout and receive 15% off your order! *15% will be taken off package price(s) only, not S/H charges. Orders must contain at least $5.00 in product, and be placed before July 31, 2009.

Here's the card I made using the Shortcuts sketch. It uses a frosted card blank as a base. I cut a window in the front panel of the cart and used a piece of clear acetate to fill it in. The rest is lovely Bo Bunny papers, Prima flowers, a 7 Gypsies rub on and some help from my Cricut. You can check out my other Crew cards in the 'Varks gallery.

Be sure to check out the full gallery of Shortcuts/Sheetloads projects made by the Caardvarks Crew. For our Caards & More projects this time around you are being treated to a travel game board by Carrie, a feminine gift bag by Pam and a dry erase calendar board by Mel.

So clearly, this challenge is worth trying. *wink wink* GOOD LUCK!

my Stamp BOX Giveaway!

myStampBOX is celebrating Canada Day with a new release stamp set called Lots of Dots Sentiments. This set coordinates perfectly with Lots of Numbers and the Lots of Dots (alphabet) sets.

To win the Lots of Dots sentiments stamp set, you can leave up to two comments, each entry will win you a ballot. You must do one or both of the following:

1. Leave a comment here. Please include your first name and last initial, plus your city/country.

2. On a second comment (same place) post a link to the place where you have posted about the myStampBOX blog (on your own blog or in a forum). Again, please include your name and last initial, plus your city/country.

This contest is open until July 13.

The winner will be announced at mSB on July 14.

Good Luck!

What the flock?

(I just couldn't resist!) Check out my post today on the myStampBOX blog to learn a little about crafting with flock. Enjoy!

Caardvarks: Purple Onion Designs

It's challenge day at Caardvarks! The Caardvarks Crew were treated to stamps from Purple Onion Designs for our work, and here's the amazing gallery of projects we created. You will not be disappointed! I already had some POD stamps since I had been a finalist for their DT. It was fun inking them up with my fellow Crew members!

For this challenge, create a *NEW* card with a window. Upload it to Caardvarks via Mr. Linky by midnight PST on July 3rd. The winner of this challenge will receive a whopping $50 shopping spree at Purple Onion Designs! POD is also offering 25% off to our readers for the length of the challenge. Simply enter code "Caardvarks" at checkout.

Here's my window card for this challenge. I used the Doodle Heart and Date Me sets of stamps. I cut the circle out of the front panel with my Coluzzle.

Doodle Heart set

These tags and card use fun and whimsical designs by Michelle Clement for Purple Onion Designs. They even offer witty sentiment stamps!

My final two cards use the Baby Noteblock set by Stephanie Wheeler.

Mermaid Tales

Here she is! May I humbly present Madame Melody Mermaid, the latest in my Say It With Letters altered creations. When I first got her in the mail, I had to admit that I was a little intimidated by her unique shape. I wanted so badly to alter her in a way that was true to my style yet keeping with the magical qualities that mermaids possess. After working around her on my scrap desk for two weeks...FAR AROUND HER...it hit me how to tackle this project. Here are a few of the techniques and materials that helped the magic happen.

To me, the key was in the mermaid scales. I already knew that I wanted to use a scalloped punch to create them, but I wasn't sure how to achieve the shimmer I wanted. I started digging through my stash and found papers that I had in my "donate" pile for my son's elementary school. I used silver hologram paper from WorldWin and silver glitter paper from The Paper Company and covered them with blue and green Ranger Alcohol Inks. (Thanks, Tim! ♥) Once the papers were dry it was just punch and layer until my arm fell off. Well, my arm didn't fall OFF, but it was a little sore from all that punching! The end result was pretty close to my original vision.

Miss Mermaid has achieved her bronzy tan thanks to Copper Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels. I think this is the first altered project that I haven't base-coated with paint (it felt like cheating!)

Then I just played with details. The mirror was cut from silver paper; her top was tied with twine; her scales were trimmed with colored jute and a shell. But scrappers who know me best will be pleased to see just how much fiber I have managed to incorporate into this design. Layer upon layer of auburn fibers with highlights of gold were added, then enhanced with some tiny beads. A lovely ocean creature like this needs a few accessories, right? The whole mess is held together with Ranger Glossy Accents - and I mean a LOT!

If you'd love to tackle this fun project be sure to check out the mermaid shape in the Say It With Letters online store. My pal and fellow DT member Julie Ann has the same shape to play with. I can't wait to see her version soon!

ETA: Check out all the SIWL Design Team versions of the mermaid by clicking here!