Praierie Papier Ponderer

Stampin' Up! Decor Elements

I'm excited to announce that Stampin' Up! has introduced a new product line called "Decor Elements."   It's a new line of self-adhesive vinyl wall decorations made with Stampin' Up! artwork.  You can personalize your home with these vinyl decorations to create a customized living area.  These decorations are easy to apply and easy to remove.  You can begin placing orders for these on July 1st.

If you would like me to mail you a brochure, please email me(stampn@westriv.com) and I'll get one in the mail to you as soon as my order arrives from Stampin' Up!.

Click here or on the Decor Elements icon in the left sidebar to se what we have available TODAY!

Hero Card in Brick Red and Natural

This is something I created using Artistic Outpost's plate, Hero, that was released last month.

Supplies:

Stamps: Hero (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  Prism, Natural White, Boxer (Basic Grey)

Ink:  Ranger Embossing Ink, Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Accessories:  Brick Red Distress Powder, sponge for aging edges, wrought iron corner punch, vintage brads, key tag punch, Old Paper and Brick Red Distress Crackle Paint, tearing edge ruler

I used Distress Crackle paint (two colors) to paint some interest on the Boxer patterned paper.  The cool thing about the paint is that I don't have to find a brush-the brushes are attaced inside the cover, so that makes it very handy!  I dried the paint between layers with a heat gun to speed up the process.  All the antiquing was done with a sponge.  A sponge yields a "softer" look to the aging. 

I used a tearing edge ruler for the main image, but don't remember the brand.  I know it isn't SU! or Fiskars...will try to add that info later.

I love the old look that these colors yielded...and red and natural look so good together.

Thanks for looking, and have  great weekend!

Blogger's Challenge 53 - Use Any Resist Technique

This week's Blogger's Challenge was to use any resist technique, so I chose to use emboss resist.

I stamped the Pretty Petals background stamp on Whisper White cardstock using Versamark ink and white embossing powder, and then used Orchid Opulence, Barely Banana, and Certainly Celery Classic Ink and cotton balls to apply the shading over the embossed areas.  This technique works better for me if I use a smoother cardstock.  I start out applying just a bit of color and gradually work in more color to create contrasts.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Pretty Petals background stamp (SU!®), So Many Scallops (SU!®)

Paper:  Whisper White, Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery, Green vellum, scrap of patterned paper for background of vellum layer

Ink:  Versamark, Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, White Craft (for embossing)

Accessories:  White EP, green and purple rhinestones, green and white swiss dot organdy ribbon (Pink Hedgehog), White Liquid Applique (for details on scalloped shape), scallop punch, dimensional tape, ticket corner punch, 1" circle punch

Thanks for looking, and be sure to check out the other blogger's challenge players by clicking on the Blogger's Challenge icon in the lefthand column for access to all the links!

Sneak Peak Sale! - Artistic Outpost's "Keeper" Plate

Artistic Outpost is offering their newest plate, Keeper, for only $9.99 - the sale will end June 30th.

"Keeper" is the newest plate from Artistic Outpost featuring nostalgic images from the lazy, hazy days of summer.  On this plate you get 7 deeply etched images, including a snapshot of a boy with his first catch and a scenic view of a wonderful summer cabin.  We're sure you'll love the versatility of this plate.

This is a wonderful plate featuring elements that will work for both "man" cards as well as great "summery" cards!

I wanted to feature texture on my card, but didn't want the boy image entirely embossed, so instead of covering the embossing ink completely with EP, I just "sprinkled" gold embossing powder on it.  I like how it turned out...

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Keeper (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:

• Core'dinations, Wonder Years (Daisy D's)

Ink: 

• Encore (Gold, Melon, Teal, Green, Bronze), Shabby Shutters Distress Ink and Old Paper Distress Ink (for distressing edges of paper)

Accessories:

• Clear EP, Gold EP, Paper Trimming Buddy for decorative edges, *Oregon Raindrops

(*Oregon Raindrops are comparable to Dew Drops and similar products on the market.  You can purchase either large jars of approx. 470 for $2.20 or small jars of approx. 120 for 60 cents from the Pink Hedgehog.)

Thanks for looking, and be sure to check out the other sneak peaks on Artistic Outpost's "Keeper" Gallery here:

http://artisticoutpost.com/id25.html

Are you a fan of Artistic Outpost?

For more details about the plate, more samples from AO's design team, or for information about how you can have your own AO art featured on the AO blog, click here:

http://www.artisticoutpost.blogspot.com/

As always, thanks for looking!

Red, White, and Blue - Hero Plate from Artistic Outpost

You'll all be seeing a little red, white, and blue since it's getting so close to the 4th of July - I can't wait to celebrate!

Supplies:

Stamp:

• Hero - Artistic Outpost

Paper: 

• Core'dinations
• Boxer (Basic Grey)
• Sahara Sand

Ink:

• Sahara Sand
• Tim Holtz Clear Embossing Ink
• Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Powder (Faded Jeans, Fired Brick)

Accessories:

• Sanding block for distressing Core'dinations card stock
• vintage brads
• Tim Holtz Philosophy tag
• blue fiber

The cool thing about Core'dinations card stock is that it has a coordinating core, so it's fun to tear and sand making it perfect for distressing.  Normally I distress with brown ink of some sort, but I decided not to with this card so that you can see what the card stock actually looks like.  I just love this stuff-it's smooth on one side and textured on the other, and comes in a ton of colors!  I ordered the 6 x 6 paper packs from All That Scraps.  They come 80 sheets to a pack for $11 - and there are four different color schemes! 

My youngest sister Nancy (who is also my SU! upline) and her family are coming to visit all next week (yay!!!), and my daughter Missy and two granddaughters will also be coming for the long weekend.  One of my sons, Jake, may also be coming with her, and they'll also be bringing the dogs, both Bassett Hounds!  As you may recall from an earlier post, my youngest granddaughter, Kristen, got her very first pup about a month ago, a Bassett she named Bubba.  He is getting sooooooo big-at only three months he weighs in at 25 pounds already, and is still so affectionate!  I just love him-well, I love animals in general, and dogs in particular.  It's a good thing I have a sensible husband who keeps me from having an entire zoo.

Thanks for looking, and be sure to stop by tomorrow for an exciting sneak peak!

Bloggers Challenge 52 - "Manly" Theme

This week's challenge was a "manly" theme.  For some reason some stampers find it difficult to make a card for a male.  Quite honestly most of my cards are geared towards females, so this was an interesting challenge for me.

This card features stamps from Artistic Outpost's newest plate, "Hero."

Supplies:

Stamps:

• Hero (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:

• Coredinations (textured)
• River Rock

Ink:

• River Rock
• Always Artichoke

Accessories:

• Brads (Pink Hedgehog)
• sponge for distressing

Thanks for looking-be sure to check out the other Bloggers Challenges by clicking on the links in the left-hand column.

Goodbye Larry - My "Hero"

This is a sad post for me today-my husband's oldest brother, Larry, passed away early Father's Day morning (yesterday) after a short battle with cancer. 

Larry was one of my favorite people-he always had a hug for me, and after Chris and I married, he and his wife Gwen became close friends of mine.  I loved the time we spent together, drinking cup after cup of coffee and laughing and talking...both Larry and Gwen were so much fun to be with and had exceptional wit, especially Gwen.  I think one reason that I felt close to Larry was because he was so much like my dear husband Chris (or I should say Chris was so much like Larry).  Chris was a few inches taller, but they resembled each other so much in appearance and personality even though Larry was about 10 years older.   

This card is dedicated to Larry - Larry was a Vietnam War veteran and served in the US Navy.  He leaves his wife Gwen, and three children, Michelle, Kallie Ann, and Travis, and was preceded in death by one son, Curtis who died shortly after birth.  I'll miss you Larry!  You'll always hold a special place in my heart!

Supplies:

Stamps:

• Hero (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:

• Coredinations, Boxer (Basic Grey)

Ink:

• Brick Red, Vintage Photo (both Distress Inks)

Accessories:

• Dew Drops (Primary colors), hemp fiber, Ranger Matte Accents (adhesive for Dew Drops), Ticket Corner Punch

Bloggers Challenge 51 - Color Challenge

This week's Bloggers Challenge was a color challenge using Turquoise, Green Galore, and Pink.  I used the beautiful "Infinite Goodness," a level 2 hostess gift from Stampin' Up!®

The color challenges are always fun, especially when they call for colors I don't normally pick out.

Supplies:

Stamps:

• Infinite Goodness

Paper:

• Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, Pink Passion, Amy Butler Collection (K & Company)

Inks:

• Burnt Umber Palette Hybrid, Vintage Photo (Ranger)

Accessories:

• paper snips for cutting out flowers, Old Linen Distress Embossing Powder, heat gun, scallop blade for Uchida Paper Trimming Buddy, pink and green striped ribbon (May Arts), Crystal Ice Stickles, Nestibilities dies, dimensional tape

I find the color challenges relatively easy to do if I can use patterned paper-and this was no exception.  I love the Amy Butler collection beautiful with it's muted tones and old-fashioned looking patterns.

1. I stamped the flowers with Vintage Photo distress ink, and used Old Linen Distress Embossing Powder to heat emboss.  It is very important to thoroughly shake the embossing powder in the jar before applying to evenly distribute the special release crystals in the EP.  After heat embossing, lightly rub to release the crystals.  The Distress EP feels almost like sandpaper, and does NOT get shiny-very cool product for a vintage look. 
2. I applied Crystal Ice Stickles to the center of the flowers, and aged the edges with Vintage Photo ink and a sponge. I find a sponge leaves a little bit softer edge than a sponge dauber, although I regularly use those as well.  The flowers were mounted on the card with dimensional tape.
3. I used the Paper Trimming Buddy for the scalloped edges on the card background (lower edges only), and rectangular Nesties for the sentiment.
4. All the edges were gently aged with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

Thanks for looking, and be sure to check out the other Bloggers Challenge players by using the links in the left-hand column!

Bloggers Challenge 50 - Black & White

I missed last week's Bloggers Challenge because I was out of town-lots of "family" stuff but I'm back home, and the best part is that my younger sister Denise came over a couple of afternoons this past week and helped me move the "bulk" of my studio "stuff" downstairs to my new studio.  It feels so good to create in more room with everything close at hand.  Thanks a bunch, Denise!  You're a dream!

I loved doing this challenge since I'd never done an all black and white card before.  It was nice not having to decide on color although it was so tempting to add pink or red...

Supplies:

Stamps:

• Polaroid Cutie (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:

• Basic Black
• Whisper White
• All Dressed Up (Die Cuts with a View)

Ink:

• Basic Black

Accessories:

• My Way Punch (SU!)
• Crystal Ice Stickles
• Metallic striped black ribbon (May Arts)

The "All Dressed Up" card stock made this card quick, easy, and fun to make.  I used two patterns, including a striped strip across the middle of the card.  I outlined the cloud shape with Ice Stickles, and also added it to the cute little girl's hair bow.

Thanks for looking!  Be sure to check out the other Bloggers Challenges by using the links in the left-hand side of my blog.  There are some seriously talented stampers in our group!

Technique Junkie Newsletter Special - Buy One Get One Half Off!

For the first time ever -- Buy One, Get One Half Off!

Buy any previously published item: a year of newsletters, any CD, any issue -- and receive  half-off any item of equal or greater value! What a great way to purchase the back issues and/or the CDs!  What a great way to get started with Technique Junkies newsletters and/or CDs!  Fabulous techniques with step-by-step directions, including full-color photos.  Check out the techniques by month here, and email Pat Huntoon here to order or for more information.  The Technique Junkie Newsletter is published every other month.

Bloggers Challenge 49 - Animals

This week's Bloggers Challenge was to use an animal...and I'm kind of cheating by using a card I made last week.  My back has really been bothering me this week, and I'm barely shuffling around...and forget about bending or stooping!

Do you ever wonder why a dog doesn't like it if you blow in his face, but he will hang his head out the car window?

I love how this turned out.  My daughter took me to my favorite brick and mortar scrapbook store, the Scrap Nook, in Fargo last week, and I picked up some supplies, including some beautiful paper.  I'm not sure what type of patterned paper this black and copper is, but it's "fibery" and when torn is almost like fabric. Is it mulberry?  I don't know since I've never actually touched any.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Adventure set from Artistic Outpost

Paper:  rust and black card stock from Colormates (?), Black and copper patterned textured paper (unknown)

Ink:  Ranger Clear Embossing ink, Ranger Black Archival ink

Supplies:  sponge for aging (Ranger Black Archival was used), copper brads, black embossing powder, heat gun

I stamped the dog image with clear embossing ink and heat embossed with black embossing powder.  I lightly sponged the edges and "pounced" the image with Black Archival ink.  The black and copper patterned paper was torn.

I love how this turned out!  I love it when I start out with just a wee idea of what I want and then get carried away by the creative process. 

Thanks for looking, and be sure to check out the other bloggers challenges by using the links in the left hand column.

Hero Stamp Set - New Release from Artistic Outpost!

Artistic Outpost just released a new plate of stamps called, "Hero." 

Eight beautiful images make up this unmounted stamp plate. Many of these images can be used beyond the fourth of July. Think masculine birthday cards OR Father's Day...also, these would be perfect for scrapbook pages or other heritage art pieces, Memorial Day, or for making cards to honor the military veterans and servicemen and women in your life!

Fact:  Did you know that all of Artistic Outpost's stamp plates measure 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", and are ONLY $12 each!  They are manufactured using the best quality red rubber, and are very detailed, lending themselves to a myriad of stamping techniques.     

Chinese Proverbs - Words to Live By from Artistic Outpost

This is yet another stamp that had never seen ink until last week.  This plate is from Artistic Outpost's Chinese Proverbs.

I used Ranger's Sepia Archival Jumbo ink pad to stamp the image.  For larger stamps such as this I like to place the stamp upside down and apply ink, and then place the cardstock on top and rub with my hand...you can also use a brayer.  I made the "pagoda" side more "juicy" so that when I heat embossed the image with clear embossing powder it yielded an "almost" waxy look and texture.  The edges of the cardstock and vellum were aged with the Sepia ink and a sponge dauber.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Chinese Proverbs (Artistic Outpost)

Paper:  The Far East Stack (DCWV), gold vellum

Ink:  Ranger Sepia Archival Jumbo Pad

Accessories and Misc.:  clear embossing powder, heat gun, scrap of dark red cardstock, gold cord, leaf-patterned organdy ribbon (May Arts?), sponge dauber for aging edges of cardstock and vellum

Thanks for looking!

Happy Birthday Card - Adventure Plate from Artistic Outpost

This is another birthday card I created with the Adventure plate from Artistic Outpost (special note about this plate...the main images are a good size, about 4.25" x 3.25" and the sentiments were all sized to fit within the "white space" of the phone booth...a little something extra).

I love the colors in the patterned paper from K & Company, and used it as my inspiration.  I absolutely love using patterned paper in my creations because they, well, inspire me, and also make it possible to try color combinations I may not otherwise have thought to use.

Supplies:

Paper:

• patterned paper from K & Company
• Solid textured cardstock from the Neutrals Paper Pad from DCWV
• Whisper White cardstock

Ink:

• Sage Shadow
• Chocolate Chip
• Close to Cocoa

Accessories:

• Paper flowers from Prima
• Brass brads
• sponges and daubers for aging
• Stickles

The image was stamped with Chocolate Chips, and additional colors (Sage Shadow and Close to Cocoa) were applied with a sponge and sponge daubers.  I like to gradually build up color going from lighter to darker...I added Stickles to the star on the ball, and aged the flowers with Chocolate Chip ink.  I assembled the flowers and finished them off with brass brads.  I always like to use an odd nuimber for embellishments such as flowers and buttons, and alternate colors.  The paper flowers are fun to use and can also be stamped for more versatility.  The flowers were attached to the card front with foam tape.

Life's a Ball!- Adventure stamp plate from Artistic Outpost

You can never have too many birthday cards on hand-my biggest problem though is that I so often forget to mail them!

Supplies:

Stamps:

• Adventure set by Artistic Outpost

Paper:

• Wild Saffron Die-Cut Mat Pad by K & Company
• Whisper White cardstock

Ink:

• Vintage Photo Distress Ink
• Cranberry Crisp (retired)
• Buckaroo Blue (retired)
• True Thyme (retired)
• Marigold Morning

Accessories:

• sponge daubers and sponges for distressing papers

Directions:

1.  I matted the two bottom layers with cardstock from the paper pad and distressed the edges using a sponge dauber and Vintage Photo Distress Ink. 

2.  Stamp the balls with assorted colors of ink and patterned paper; cut out and distress edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

3.  Stamp several ball images on Whisper White cardstock; lightly sponge True Thyme, Marigold Morning, Cranberry Crisp, and Buckaroo Blue over stamped images, cut out and distress edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

4.  Randomly arrange balls on background.  I used a coordinating print strip hortizontally across the card, and added the birthday greeting on top of that...

5.  The birthday greeting was stamped on Whisper White cardstock, and lightly inked with a sponge and Cranberry Crisp ink.  The edges were distressed with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

And, speaking of birthdays...mine was the 20th, and was full of fun with being invited out to eat TWICE and being able to visit with family.  My dear sister-in-law Carol invited me out to lunch and my daughter Missy joined us-we ate at my favorite Mexican restaurant and I had beef fajitas-and because it was my birthday I got to eat FREE, which is always fun.  Then my children and granddaughters took me out for dinner at Famous Dave's for some fantastic barbecue ribs and catfish followed by watching National Treasure 2 at my sons' home on their big screen TV.  Missy gave me the movie for a birthday gift.  It was a wonderfully enjoyable day except that my dear husband Chris couldn't be with me to enjoy all the festivities and family.

Don't forget about the FREE shipping available at Artistic Outpost...free domestic shipping on all orders over $50 through the month of May!  Robyn also has a large selection of Ranger products including all colors of Distress Ink!

Thanks for looking!