shadesofstamping.blogspot.com/           (click here for my new blog)

Hello to friends of my blog..I am posting to let you know about my new ventures with Blogger.

I have strong attachments to this blog and I am keeping it for a while; but, most of my posts with be directed to my new address listed above.

Note:  To all my blog subscribers you will have to subscribe again on my new blog..so sorry, but I was unable to transfer subscribers.

On my next post to this blog, you may want to unsubscribe, as most of my posts will be about re-directing traffic. 

I have some new features:  a cute little Widget  Shop Stampin Up, which links to my Stampin Up Website.  Music, (hope you like my taste in music).

Check under " Links "  I have added link called "My Gallery", also added is a "slideshow"  at the very bottom of my blog..All, of which, are still a work-in-progress.

I would be so thrilled if you visited me at my new place, see ya over there soon…www.shadesofstamping.blogspot.com

connie

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to all busy stampers and scrapbookers.. I had a wonderful Xmas this year, surrounded by friends and family.  Dear Mr. weather was not so kind to so many of us across the country. 

Here are a couple samples of a Christmas card and some Wedding Invitations I did a while back.  The stamps are from Stampin Up -  Baroque Motifs and Holy Triptych. 

I have been busy working on Scrapbook layouts and photography and yes constructing  another blog.  I may be MIA for another week..it’s the new year and change is approaching.  I hope, very soon, to share with you all the new innovative and creative challenges I have been working on.

Every Day Life - Photography

I enjoy creating word art/journaling on photographs.. A picture of my "oh so cute" grandson.  This photo really depicts his personality.

I took this picture with a 50D MM Nikon Lense.  I really love the soft look and depth of field you can achieve with this lense.

 Thankyou for visiting my blog…stay tuned for specials and the New Stampin Up Spring/Summer 2009 catalogue.

connie

Lisa came up with another awesome color challenge prompting us to use one of the new " In Colors"  Baja Breeze.

Take a tour on over to the Blogger’s challenge list here and see more wonderful work.

I decided to do something with less stamping and more paper pieceing.  A wonderful excuse to use my " Big Shot" machine.

I rarely case an idea from the catty, but could not resist this sample on page #27 of Stampin Up’s Holiday mini catalogue.

 I used  the large Circle Scallop and Bird with Leaves and Flower Bigz dies.  All of these dies can be viewed in the Holiday mini; or, on my Stampin Up Website, under the category of  Dies, then click on BigZ dies.  You can also click on the " Shop Now" link on my sidebar.

Colors for this card:  are Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turqoise, Very Vanilla.  Patterned paper is from " Patterns Designer Series Papers - Baja Breeze.  I stamped the Turquoise background using white craft ink and a wonderful little set called "Boho Backgrounds".  

Thanks for stopping by

connie

Just a quick note on a new addition to my blog.  See the tabs at the top of my blog; I added, Photography, another one of my passions..I will be uploading more pictures from time to time.

I am working on designing some sympathy cards; and unfortunately there always seems to be an occassion to give cards to family. ( Not the best scan of these cards and far more beautiful in IRL.)

I stamped the Flower and Angel on Stampin Up Cardstock Vellum, embossing in Black Pigment Ink made by Ranger and using clear embossing powder.   I love this technique of coloring on the backside with Stampin Up markers and Blender Pens;

The Angel is from a company called Stone House Stamps… (Vintage Angels)  feast your eyes on the beautiful work in the gallery.

The Flourish Flower and Crackle background are from Innovative Stamp Creations, the sheets are called:   Fancy Design and About Me. 

Take a browse of Elaine Seip’s photo bucket store " Integrity Designs"  she carries these stamps. Visit her Blog Here.

The Die Cut frame and corners are from Spellbinders and Provo Craft … wonderful accents for cards.

thanks for stopping by

connie

 I started this card with the intentions of a Fall theme, I guess I still want it to be summer.  Originally, I planned to create one of  Robin Beam’s  notorious "Bandana" techniques; and, decided to omit the white gel pen.

I began by applying with an applicatior ,"Tim Holtz" Distress Inks, onto the white glossy Cardstock.  I love these inks; they are intense, brilliant and fun to experiment with.  Very easy to achieve the feel of "color in motion".

 One of my little stamping contentions, is finding a black ink  that leaves a nice, solid impression on glossy cardstock.  I found, "Ranger’s"  Archival Black Ink gave me the best coverage.

I was in the mood for bold, bright, and big;  so after a thorough exploration of my stamps, I decided to use Gelatin’s " Big and Wild Things".  Ask me how long that took.  I have a lot of stamps.

I have a special scrapbooking store that is near and dear to me;  owned by a wonderful lady by the name of Jayme; called, Scrapbooking Fanatics.   Check out her store HERE.  Jayme carries GELATIN stamps and I believe the "Big and Wild Things" are out of stock at the moment.  Jayme informed me they are coming; and, more new Gelatin stamps will be added on her site.  Watch this store closely, as things go fast.  I also purchased my Basic Grey stamps from her, a nice addition to the Basic Grey paper line. 

Other stamps used -  Words:   Basic Grey - Two Scoops  "Sweet Sentiments", Basic Grey Ornamental - Flowers and the little vine at the bottom is from Stampin Up - Pocket Silhouettes.

 For one of the layers I used the Cuttlebug Embossing folder called "Dots".  Cardstock used was Stampin Up.

Thanks for stoppping by

Connie

 See my Stampin Up Website to view all the new products and specials. 

Another feature of the week,  my friend, Sheryl Cote was featured in Page Maps Card Sketches. Click here and be sure to scroll down the page to see her beautiful card.  Sheryl has a blog also, pay her a visit here.

I’m Late, I’m Late for a very important date

 I know I am late… I missed “Blogger’s Challenge” this Friday. The theme was Patriotic and or Baby. I  Decided to put my card on anyway.

 Another Blogger’s Challenge Card.  This challenge involved any "Resist Technique".  Emboss Resist is one of my favorites.  The background was done using Luna Lights paints, it was a little bright and conflicting with the flowers, so I brayered over top with Stampin Up Going Grey Ink. The flowers were embossed with White Embossing powder.

The Verse is a stamp from Stampin Up Occasions Mini, and the flowers are "Big and Wild Things" from Gelatins. The scan does not show the card justice in real life.

Click here to see more wonderful and stunning cards created by Blogger’s Challenge players.

Thanks for looking

Connie

The card shown, is one I made was for my little buddy Chloe.  It was a very special celebration for her and she was more beautiful than the image on her card.  Now I must add, that Chloe is one of my most enthusiastic pupils..Every day and I mean everyday ,she asks, "when are we going to Scrapbook."  An up and coming artist she will be; and I can envision her as a collector like the rest of us..lol  What are we creating.

 I used a Cuttlebug folder, Floral Fantasy for the background; and, brayered Versa Mark over the embossed raised embossed image, very carefully with a light touch.   Next, I added Irridescent Highlights embossing powder and heat set.  

 I was  at a loss for an image for the perfect stamp.. I realized I did not posess any princess stamps..no..

The image of the princess is from the wrapping paper I used for her gift.  It was a perfect fit,  as little girls are so passionate for sparkle, glitter and princesses.   Dollar store alpha’s, and bling were so fitting for this card, lending a nice personal touch.

 Cardstock and the punch used for the corners are from Stampin Up.  I cut the oval templates with Creative Memories cutting tools.  If I were to do this style of card again, I would pull the oval matting into the centre more and raise the photo corner level with the embossed matt.  Funny how things pop out url and you see your mistakes more clearly.

Thanks for stopping by

Connie