Thursday, December 29, 2011

An Expanded Design Team

I am sorry to announce that one of my DT members Barbara Washington has dropped from  posting on my blog.  I will miss her posting her beautiful artwork.  I wish you well Barbara in your new ventures.
Vicki Romaine
T he Cheerful Stamp Pad
I am so glad to be starting a new year of blogging with an expanded Design Team.  It has been such a fun year.  Just think.  I wouldn't even be knowing these wondeerful ladies if I had not been blogging.  I do not have the talent that these ladies have, but am thrilled that they accepted my request to have them on my 2012 Design Team.  Please welcome them and come back to see their creations and join in on the challenges which start again Jan 2.

2012 Design Team
I  have three  DT members returning this year.  They are Petra Berendsen, Michele Storm and Valerie Jael.  Now, I am excited to announce three new members joining my Design Team.  They are Cindy Pointe, Sharon Rogers, and Jenn Borjeson
*New Members*
Cindy Pointe
I've been a painter for over 20 years and had hesitated getting into papercrafting as I "already had enough hobbies", but my sister became a Stampin' Up demonstrator and I received lots of product by helping her out hosting a party and then letting her pay off a washer with stamps! I basically just fiddled around making a few cards now and then. Since I don't have kids I didn't think I "needed" to scrapbook. That all changed when my sisters, Mom and I created a scrapbook for my Dad's 70th birthday and I really enjoyed it. So...I made scrapbooks for my dogs! And then for trips. Now I scrap everything that is meaningful to me. A few years ago I got a Cricut to make scrapping easier and then discovered Sure Cuts A Lot. What a revelation! I could make anything I wanted from paper! Now I design SVG files that I offer for free on my blog and sell. As for painting, I still love it but I find myself papercrafting more and more. I've recently moved into multi-media artwork where I can use ALL my paint and paper supplies and am loving it!

In January 2011 I started my blog, www.creativepointe.blogspot.com, so that I could show my projects in paint, paper and other media. I also share SVG files, tips and techniques there.
I live in northern Michigan with my supportive hubby and bulldog Millie and am counting the years until I can retire from my day job and hang out in my studio full time.
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Hi there - my name is Jenn Borjeson. I'm 40 years old and I live in Worcester, Massachusetts in the USA with my husband and our 2 kids. Trevor is 18 years old, a freshman in college - and Cassidy is 16 years old, a junior in high school. I've been stamping for 10 years now, I made almost strictly cards for many of those years but have ventured into art journaling, mixed media, and other things over the past year or two and have been having a blast with it. My latest obsession is ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) and I run my own ATC challenge blog called Wicked Wednesdays. I LOVE digi images and have amassed quite a collection! I am currently on a few design teams (Dilly Beans, Just Some Lines, Jellypark, and Desert Islands Crafts) and am an alumni designer of Michelle Perkett Studio. I am also currently carrying the pink torch as a guest designer for Amber Ink.
I work part-time at the local community college and I love to read, Stephen King is my all-time favorite author. I blog regularly at www.stampinangeljenn.blogspot.com and I'm addicted to Pinterest, Facebook, and surfing my fellow crafters' blogs.
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Sharon Rogers
Hi – I’m Sharon from Australia – I’ve been crafting and cardmaking for half my life! I love to make anything and everything and as well as papercrafts I like to create with fabric. I like to work with all styles but particularly love vintage and collage but I make a lot of sassy and quirky creations too. I have way too many rubber and digital stamps, paper, embellishments and creating items in general! Thanks to Vicki for having me on her Design Team and I hope I can inspire you and make you laugh with some of my creations!
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*Returning Members*

 
Petra Berendsen
Being a bit of a craft addict I immensely enjoy anything to do with crafting - especially papercrafting, crocheting and sewing. My creations range from ATCs and cards to full 3D projects whereby I always try to incorporate some stamping, paint and paper-piecing.
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 Michele Storms
I fell in love with stamping when my son was in elementary school and we got some stamps for a school project he was doing. He is now in college and a few years ago I started stamping again and got interested in mixed media as well. Now I've been blogging for a year and a half and I love the connections I've made in blogland. I'm lucky to live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my husband and I have fulfilling work in the public service field. Challenges are a great way to build your skills so I thank everyone in advance for joining in!
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Valerie-Jael
Hi everybody. My name is Valerie-Jael. I come from England, but have been living in Germany, near the Rhine, for many years. I am addicted to painting, drawing and crafting. I have been blogging for 2 years, and haven't regretted it yet. I like to use lots of photos in my art-work, and am fortunate to have lots of old family photos.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Merry Christmas from the Design Team and Challenge #32

The Design Team from The Cheerful Stamp Pad wants to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Joyous Holiday. They have posted one of their Christmas cards for you. Even though this is not a challenge with a "prize", we encourage you to enter one of your Christmas cards below so everyone can spread the "joy" and we can enjoy your card. You may also post your favorite Christmas tag, ATC or other project..
Vicki
I am posting this card to send out my best wishes to everyone this Christmas.  I am thrilled to say that this card became one of the Ginger Gems on the Gingershanp Creations' Raffia challenge.  My unique raffia is red raffia ribbon that I purchased at Michaels.  The image was heat embossed with PK Glitz crystal embossing powder which looks beautiful on black cardstock.
Michele
This Nativity scene came from a Christmas collage sheet from Twisted Papers. I'm sorry to say that the sheet did not identify the artist of this scene but it looks like something from the Italian Renaissance, don't you think? I kept this simple to keep the focus on the holy family. Just some gold and red card stock and some gold stars to represent the star in the east. As we approach Christmas and reflect on why we celebrate, I hope you'll find time to join this challenge.  Merry Christmas!

Petra
This is one of my very favourite Christmas ornaments. The idea and instructions for this little gift came from Stempeleinmaleins. The idea is brilliant and it is so well explained that it is really easy to create. All you need are 12 little cones (paper: Basic Grey), a backing (Kraft card) and an embellishment to decorate it in the front (stamps: Elzybells) - and, of course, some ribbon or thread to hang it somewhere. For this project I chose to keep with earthentone colours and a tartan scheme which went well with the Kraft card and the little blings and glitter.
Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful and enjoyable Christmas, Petra. x
Barbara
My card features the three wiseman, a stamp from Tim Holtz's collection, stamped and embossed on some wonderful paper from Club Scrap. The star in the corner is cut from some antique gold glitter paper using an older Spellbinders die (one of the first I purchased years ago). The sentiment is from Hero Arts.
This will be my last DT posting on Vicki's wonderful blog. I'm off to follow some personal pursuits that are taking a lot of my attention. I've enjoyed working with Vicki and the great design team, and I've enjoyed visiting the blogs of so many talented artists over the past year.
I'm sending out warm wishes to you all for a wonderful holiday season and for a happy and healthy new year.

Here is Valerie! Warm Christmas wishes from me too!
Challenge #32 - "Merry Christmas"
Take this opportunity to post your favorite Christmas card or project that you created this year.  We would love to see it.  Since postage has gotten so high, use our challenge to post your best wishes for the season.  Also, I would love for you to become a follower of my blog.

Friday, December 23, 2011

A Note From Frosty

Here is a little card I made with an image from Octopode Factory and a digital from Gecko Galz.  I colored the little snowman with Copics and placed him on  some designer paper that looked like a cold wind blowing..  I am using the cutesy card on Bella Creations challenge.

Fosty is bringing a note to everyone saying "Merry Christmas"!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

A Steampunk Christmas

Here is a little Steampunk Christmas ATC I made using a Christmas tree image from Octopode Factory.  I put it on a wild background that I had gotten off the net a couple of years ago.  The little reindeer is a piece of balsa wood which has been twisted into various shapes and curves.  The 25 is for Christmas Day and it is  two Bingo tokens.

I am entering this in Wicked Wednesday's Steampunk ATC challenge.

Last Challenge Entries

Those of you who entered my last challenge which was sponsored by InLinkz, don't forget that if you do not have an account with them, you are eligible for a free trail.  There is no obligation after the trail account with them.  Therefore, if you are interested, contact them at aris@inlinkz.com  Just memtion that you entered the challenge sponsored by them on The Cheerful Stamp Pad.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Digi Darla Posts a DT Call

Digi Darla is seeking additional members for their design team.  If you are interested in joining in, you can find information on it here.  She has some delightful stamps which are fun to color.
Here is a card for her current challenge, Silver Bells.  My bells glisten with silver Stickles and a garland of pine branches and red ribbon.  The image is on a mat cut by a Spellbinders die an then applie to a mat of decorative stripped paper.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Second Week of Christmas Greetings

We begin a second week of the "Christmas Greetings" challenge.  The greeting should be the focal point of your project.  InLinkz is the great sponsor of this challenge and they have offered a wonderful prize.  Look below at the beginning of this challenge and note what they are giving away.  Almost any blogger can use this prize.

While you are at it, don't forget to become a follower.
Vicki
I did not use any particular technique on this card.  However, it does have an antique appearance.  I destressed the edges of my decorative  paper and stamped the greeting with Versamark ink and embossed with gold embossing powder.  The stamp is by Stampers Anonymous.  The two holly sprays with bells is are from an old world Santa designer pieces I bought from Alpha Stamps

Barbara
Since Christmas is only two weeks away, I decided to go with a very traditional Christmas greeting and image. The angel with music collage and the sentiment are wonderful stamps from Club Scrap. I stamped the image and words in sepia. The background is a beautiful neutral paper with raised gold dots.
Michele
The center of my greeting represents my greatest wish: "Peace on Earth."  The stamp is by "Stamps Happen."  I stamped it in black on a piece of scalloped card stock, did some coloring with pencils and then distressed it with some Antique Linen ink.  I placed that on some holiday-themed designer paper and all of that on some bright red card stock.  This is a great challenge so please join in!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

A New Look

If you are a follower of mine you will notice that I have a new look.  This was not planned.  My computer went POW( and I had to get a new one.  With the new system my blog did not look right so I had to change. 

I am so sorry that I have been late in showing our newest winner.  It is Patricia O'Hagan.  Her ornament was picked by the Random Generator.  I so sorry Patricia that I am just putting up your entry as a winner.

Just a reminder....the latest challenge is just below this post.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Challenge # 31 - "A Christmas Greeting"

If you do any challenges on your blog, you will love the prize for this challenge. Below I give all the details, so read them carefully. The theme this time is "A Christmas Greeting" The greeting is to be the focal point on your project. I would like to see that one thing stand out. Also, I really would appreciate your becoming a follower if you are not already.

Below are some inspirations from the Design Team to get you started.
Vicki
This is a very simple card to make. I red-embossed the greeting and then used a gold pen to bring out the word NOEL. I then embossed around the greeting using one of my folderws, but not the greeting itself. It was then placed on a red mat and then on top of a plaid Christms paper. I don't use plaid much, but I like the way this turned out. It is very simple, but makes the greeting the focal point of the card. I put two green stones to pick up the green in the plaid. I don't feel additional embellishments are needed.


Petra
A German Greeting
which translates into: Merry Christams and a happy New Year. I know this is a bit more than just a Christmas greeting but quite traditional in Germany. I used a A6 white card which I layered with patterend cream card and BasicGrey paper which I dry-embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and highlighted the raised areas. The sentiment is stamped (stamp: Heindesign) on off-white slightly textured card. The finishing touches are Stickles around the edge and some blings. Happy Crafting.
Valerie
Hello, here is Valerie. I have made a large, square card with a very centrally placed sentiment. I have used papers from the DCWV Christmas Combo Stack, and added some red ribbon and a vintage Santa image.

InLinkz is giving away a 6 month subscription to a winner AND one month subscriptions to everybody else (who doesn’t have an account yet). After this month expires the winner does not have any obligation toward InLinkz and they do not need to extend their account. I will be notifying InLinkz of the winner and as usual I will send the winner an email to let her/him know he has won. If you enter the challenge and do not have an account and wish the monthly prize, you must notify InLinkz yourself.

This is a great prize ladies so take advantage. I have allowed my DT to submit an entry this time as the winner will again be picked my the faithful random generator and they do a lot of work witihout compensation.



Sunday, December 4, 2011

Challenge #30 - "Who's Wearing Santa's Hat?"

This post will stay at the top while the challenge is running.  Please scroll below for more current posts.

We  usually see Santa wearing his hat. However, from time to time we see so many cute images on the net and Christmas cards of different people and animals wearing Santa's hat. Show the Design Team who you have seen with his hat. The hat can be on or can be held; just make sure Santa's hat is on the project.

You project can be a card, tag, or anything you choose as long as we see Santa's hat. While you are entering, please go to my sidebar and follow my blog.

Guest Designers

I have two guest designers from Bugaboo Stamps this week. They are Jackie Rakoski and Yvonne (Scrappy)
Jackie

Yvonne

Cheerful Stamp Pad Design Team

Vicki
My card features two little children wearing Santa hats.  This is one of the cute images from Bugaboo, my sponsor for this challenge.    The digital was colored with Copic markers and then placed on a solid red mat.  That was then placed on a torn piece of designer paper.  a string of sequins gives a little glitz to the card.


Petra
Isn't he cute and he looks sooooo cheeky... Mr Santa with his white fluffy beard and red hat ready to go down the chimney with lots of toys! For my little tag I used one of our Sponsor's digi stamps. The image is printed on My Mind's Eye patterend paper and a second time on white card stock so that I could cut out Santa and house and layer it with some foam pads onto the digital image for a bit more depth. The image is coloured with colouring pencils and Copics ... and, of course, lots of glitter and some cotton wool for the Santa's beard and eyebrows.
For the tag itself I cut various My Mind's Eye papers with Nestabilities, layered them, attached the digi stamp and as finishing touch put some baker's twine around the image. I have made a tag of a very happy looking Santa wearing a hat decorated with holly, and ready to distribute his presents.
Valerie
I have made a tag of a very happy looking Santa wearing a hat decorated with holly, and ready to distribute his presents. The Santa image is a vintage Christmas scrap, you can still buy them at the stationer's here in Germany. The holly leaves and stockings have been cut using Sizzix dies, and the background paper is from DCWV. The stockings have been tied at the top with a ribbon, and the holly placed with a red bow to complete the festive look.
Aren't these little elves adorable! Both of them are images from our sponsor Bugaboo Digital Stamps. The minute I saw them I thought that they would look so cute hanging on the Christmas tree, so I made these ornaments as my project using the images. I printed the images on a transparency. I colored the images using markers and cut them in a circular shape the size of the ornaments. I rolled up each transparency around a pencil and fit them inside the ornaments. I used the pointsettia stamp (Heartfelt Creations) and the corresponding dies (HC/Spellbinders) to cut out the flowers for the ornament top.

Michele
It is the time for giving!  This cute digi girl from Bugaboo had a joyous time shopping and wrapping and is now off to deliver her gifts.  I colored her with pencils, gave the piece an angular cut and affixed the digi to designer paper with a holiday feel.  This digi makes me think of the happy times being with family and sharing surprises.  I hope it is a happy time for all of you.
Bugaboo Digital Stamps
Now for my terrific sponsor - Bugaboo Stamps.  Click on their name in the previous sentance and it will take you to their site.  Bugaboo has some great digital stamps as you can see from the above examples by the Design Team.  I am sure you will find something there you can use in your next project.  If you have a chance, take a peek at their site.

Also, a big thank you to them for sponsoring this challenge.
They are giving away 7 stamps so you don't want to miss entering this challenge.