Friends With Flair Friday

Good morning Peeps! It's Friday, and that means it's time for Unity's Friends with Flair! Yeah, I'm late. It's been a week. We're shutting things down at work, so I've been cleaning up the machinery, moving boxes, and lifting a bunch of stuff that I shouldn't have. I hurt so much it's just not even funny - so I took a flexeril after work. And then a vicodin. Yup, I brought out the big guns. And then I slept until 10:30 this morning. I kinda missed class, too. Oops??

On the good side of things, I'm going to have an awesome new desk here at home on which to create. And I've got a doctor's appointment this afternoon to adjust the medications so I can get something that won't knock me out. I really, really hate taking anything that strong.

Anyway, This week's card is doing double duty again. It's my card for Etsy Inspired #59 - The Little Red Door, and I've just been waiting to post it. I love this little shop - and as soon as I saw it, I knew exactly which stamp I was going to use. Of course, it was going to be Unity! This is the darling little house I used as inspiration. Isn't it cute??

I used the little house stamp from May's Kit of the Month, ...another sweet day! This is truly one of my favourites! The sentiment comes from one of the newer kits, Bright and Merry Winter Wishes.

For the card itself, I used Sketch Challenge #35 at Stamp TV. The patterned paper is some I got from Jan (tweetybugshouse) back when I first started stamping and had nothing. So a big thank you to Jan!!

I'll be hosting Growing in Unity next week, so don't forget to come and see what I've got planned. I hope I don't disappoint.

Poll for School - Blog Candy Involved!

Hey everyone. I need to do a little bit of research for a school project. I've decided the best way to do that it to ask my readers. In return, I will send someone a little surprise.

Here's what I need to know. What is your favourite kind of ice cream? Please leave a comment with your favourite flavour and your age range. For bonus entries, ask your family members too.

Age ranges: Under 18, 19-25, 26-40, Over 40.

Also, in the case of family members, if you could note the sex of the person answering, that would be fabulous.

Thank you SO much!!

AiFactory Tuesday - Challenge #9

I am very sad as I post today. This is the last week that my dear, sweet friend, Ashley, will be a part of the AiFactory DT. So, while this is my favourite of the projects I've made so far as a part of the DT, I can't quite be as thrilled as I might have otherwise been.

This week, De challenged us to use this adorable Bee and Flower image. In addition, she requested that we use CPS #138 and, if we had them, Shimmerz. I admit, I've had a couple jars - okay, 3 - sitting here for quite a few months without even being opened. I will also admit that I was a teensy bit afraid of them. Now I wonder why I was ever nervous. Oh, and I want more!

The first image is a close-up. I wanted to show the sparkle in the wings and the flower. I used Frosted Lace stickles for the wings, a spica marker for the centre of the flower and burgundy Shimmerz for the petals. I don't think the petals show up very well in the photo, but they sure are pretty in real life.
The card itself is coloured with Copics. The patterned paper comes from Basic Grey's Eva collection. It's a bit more pattern than I normally use at once, but I felt kinda wild today.Here is the inside of the card. I just chose a font (this one is called Kendric), printed it out, trimmed it to size and adhered it.Now, remember, you do not have to use an image from AiFactory to participate in this week's challenge. There is a prize involved, but you have to play to win. When you post in any online gallery, please use the tag AIF009. I'm sure the folks over at the CPS blog would be happy if you used CPS138, too. You can link your projects to the AiFactory Challenge blog or here at the AiF community.

Thanks for checking out my blog today. As always, I truly appreciate it! Check out the rest of my teammates. They're listed on the left side of my blog. Leave some extra love for Ashley. Her littlest one has been super sick. And a big welcome to Fink (aka Sheri), as she joins the team.

I hope you all have a super day!

Quick Note about AiFactory Challenges

There seems to be a little confusion over the AiFactory challenges, and part of this is my fault for not specifying, so I wanted to clear this up. I'll be putting this information into my AiF posts from now on, but just so it's out there, this is one of those challenges where you can make a card, a layout, an altered project...as long as it fits the challenge guidelines, go for it!

In addition, you don't have to use an AiFactory image. Of course, we would totally love it if you did! But it's certainly not mandatory. If you don't have any yet, (and what are you waiting for, hmm???) Mia has some freebies at the AiFactory Store. Digital stamps are really cool. There is one major plus - they don't take up any space in your house! Trust me, I know how much of an issue that can be. Remember, I have five kids and live in military housing.

So come and play along. Combine it with another challenge or 10. If you manage ten, I'll be uber impressed. The deadline each week is 11:59pm EST, Monday. Oh, and if you want to come and hang out with us, we're always happy to have more company at AiFactory/AiVault Land.

EtsyInspired #58 - Unity Friends With Flair

Good morning, peeps! I'm combining two posts today, as I run out the door. First off, it's Friday - and that means it's time for Unity's Friends With Flair! I know you know how much I love my Unity stamps! Check out the Unity blog for a list of everyone participating and for a run down on Angela's "garage sale" - there are, as usual, some excellent buys to be had.

In addition to FWF, it's been several weeks since I joined in the EtsyInspired Challenge, but it's one of my favourites. Now that I'm getting back into the swing of things, EIC was one of my first thoughts.

This week's shop is Linkel Designs. Kelly and Linda create some absolutely gorgeous jewelry pieces. I could get into some serious trouble spending money there. Oh, and I absolutely refuse to show it to my daughters until closer to Christmas! I don't want them to fall in love with anything that might be sold too early. When I'm ready to shop, though, the older two are going to be checking it out. Hannah, in particular, will go bazonkers.

For my inspiration, I chose these sweet little heart locket earrings, which they have named Fondly.

I'd been working on some other vintage-type cards, so had already been looking at my Unity Stampin' Store kit. When I saw these earrings, I immediately thought of the little hearts on the measuring cup and spoons, and the matching love sentiment. The designer paper is from Graphic 45 and reminds me of an old kitchen tablecloth. To add to the vintage feel, I ink-distressed the edges of all the internal layers of cardstock with Faded Jeans Distress Ink. I'm still on a sketch kick, and this one is CPS #137.
There's still time for you to participate in this week's challenge. Deets are on the EtsyInspired Challenge blog.

Don't forget to check out all the awesome Unity creations, too. There are some amazingly talented folks out there, and I'm fortunate enough to call some of them friend.

AiFactory AIF008 - Part Deux

I was right - DC traffic was hideous!! But Bethesda itself wasn't so bad at all and I got to see a very nice doctor. Short version: I have osteoarthritis in my back and fibromyalgia. It could be a lot worse. It could have been lupus.

So anyhoo...my card. You'll remember that part of our challenge was to use the colours Erin chose from the Kuler website. Well, the rest of it was to use either the Ivan-goes-snowboarding or Alicia-goes-snowboarding digistamps.I decided I needed a Christmas card, so that's what I made.When I printed this out, I used the draft setting so the ink-jet ink would be lighter. I then used Krylon Workable Fixatif over it. I no longer have trouble with my printer ink smearing when I use Copics. I am a happy camper in this regards, let me tell you! I was having a devil of a time before, but, as you can see, that is one problem solved!

Of course the team would love it if you would all join along. Full deets at the AiFactory Challenge Blog. Don't forget the keyword is AIF008. I know I'm looking forward to seeing what you make! Links to the rest of the team are on the left side of my blog. Leave 'em some love!

PS. I almost forgot to put this in here. I've been on a sketch kick and this one came from Jen del Muro's Sketch For You to Try for this week.

AiFactory Tuesday!

Good morning everyone! Today we're snowboarding with Alicia! Or rather, she's snowboarding and I'm out at Bethesda Naval Medical Center seeing a rheumatologist. Somehow I think she's having much more fun than I am.

Erin challenged us to use this colour palette. It's called Sh! and she got it from the Kuler website, which is a really neat place to check out. I'm having trouble seeing things lately, so I went in and made this handy little colour sheet. I just took the Kuler colours and made squares, then filled in the colours using the bucket. I did it in Illustrator, but it could be done in Photoshop just as easily.
Ack - have to run. DC traffic is going to be the death of me this morning. Back as soon as they're done with me - and will get the pic of my project up asap!

Friends with Flair - HHH style!

Wowie, I can't believe just how much I missed the Hip Hop chat. I don't know if it'll be back again, but I'm sure glad I was able to participate. I may well regret it this weekend, but I don't really care! It was worth it!!

This is the first real card I've made in 4 weeks. Yes, I am going crazy. Why do you ask?? I don't think that twitch is permanent...

Kidding. Little stressed - not crafting at all is just crazy-making! I'm sure you guys all understand that one. I need to do something creative every day. It's a balm to my soul.

So, first non-digital card since the last time I participated in FwF Friday. Digi-cards are cool. You always have the right colour, you don't run out of adhesive half-way through a project...but there's nothing like getting your hands all inky. Today I pulled out the first Unity Stampin' Store Kit from August, ...100% Happy. I love this one - and finally my favourite local shop, The Queen's Ink, is carrying them!! Woohoo!!!!! No more having to mail order these particular kits. I can go local now. I think the ferris wheel makes such a statement on a card. It's such a fun image, too. The patterned paper is from Graphic 45. The ribbon is actually Dusty Durango polka-dotted grosgrain from Stampin' Up, which I just turned upside-down so that it would match the paper better.

Now, if you haven't been there in a while, now's the time to get shopping at Unity. They've got a gigantoid sale going on this weekend.
I should be back to blogging much more regularly now that I can type again and now that I can actually stamp. Rejoice with me people, this is a happy day!!

AiFactory Challenge - Sweet Pea Fairies

Hi everyone!! I'm back! I have really missed creating and sharing with everyone.

This week, we're using the cutest digi-stamps! I've loved this set since the first time I saw it, and it may be my favourite at AiFactory. With a name like Sweet Pea Fairies, how could they be anything other than adorable?? We've got a second set that some of us are using this week - Hand Drawn Wings. These are gorgeous and I have visions of altered books and ATCs floating in my head for them.

Part of our challenge this week was to use either of those two sets (or both?) and to use the following sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping: Fall to Layout #43.
Because my wrists aren't quite fully healed from tendinitis, I went all digital this week. In addition, it's practice for CAT 118, my Digital Illustration class, so I can count my blogging as doing homework! Works for me. I used the Kuler website to help choose colours and then made a very subtle gradient as my background. I'm not sure if you can tell, but there are metallic gradients for the crown and the wings - though I reduced the opacity in the wings, since wings should be shiny or sparkly, but never heavy.Now it's your turn. You have until Monday, October 19, at midnight, to play along. All rules are at the AiFactory Challenge blog. If you post to an online gallery, please use the keywords AIF007 and FTL43. If you're feeling froggy, you might want to post to the CAS Stamping: FTL43 post, too. I'm sure the folks over there would love to see what you make!

Don't forget to check out the rest of the DT's posts. We all love getting comments!

Angie
Ashley
De
Erin
Kerry
Lola
Mia'
AiFactory Challenge Blog (LINK POSTS HERE)

Have a wonderful week! Now go create!!