Jillian and Friends Blog Bash

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

To celebrate the day, I am playing along with all of the terrific ladies over at the A Jillian Vance Design blog in their Jillian and Friends Blog Bash. I guess that makes me a friend. If you aren't familiar with this company, I invite you to check them out. Everything about AJVD is fabulous, from the fantastic designs made from the highest quality of materials to the really great customer service. Their online store is easy to navigate and the turn-around-time from the moment you hit the 'confirm order' button to the time the mailman brings you your happy mail is incredibly fast.

This has been a crazy week for me so I ended up creating a CAS card. I must admit I really like how it turned out. The border along the bottom of the card is the Quatrefoil Background. I stamped it, matted it on a black panel, wrapped a red ribbon around it and adhered it to the card base using foam adhesive. The sentiment is from a little set that AJVD included in one of my orders (what was I saying about customer service?) and was stamped using Ranger Archival Jet Black ink. I added a little bling and the card was done. Simple yet elegant.

Thank you for visiting my blog today. I hope you enjoy the bash. It's been an honor to play along with these very talented ladies, who have all used fantastic A Jillian Vance Design products. If you have been following along in order, your next stop will be at Rhonda's blog. I know you are going to love what she created!

Once you complete the Blog Bash, please go back to the A Jillian Vance Design blog, become a follower and leave a comment on what you thought of the bash. Please make sure you leave some love on everyone's blog. Two lucky winners will be selected, each of which will receive a $5 Gift Certificate off of anything in the AJVD store.

A Jillian Vance Design
Jillian Vance
Ruby Aleman
Jennifer Palmer
Bunny Vance
Tina Keller
Allie Gower
Margie Higuchi
Denise Speigle
Misty Christensen
Melinda Gleissner (that's me)
Rhonda Van Ginkel
Annette Witherspoon
A Jillian Vance Design

Have a crafty day!

Exciting News / What's Your Favorite Holiday?

Happy Friday!

I have some exciting news: I have been asked to join the Sweet ‘n Sassy Digi Challenge Design Team. Every Friday, I will be playing along with a great group of ladies. We’ll create cards, layouts and other projects using fabulous Sweet ‘n Sassy digital images. Here’s more exciting news: You can play along too. Just link your creation to the Sweet ‘n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog using their linky tool. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Please use digital images ONLY for the challenge.
You don't have to use Sweet ‘n Sassy digital images to play along but it would be terrific if you did!
Please share a link to your creation using the linky tool featured at the end of the SNS Digi Challenge post. If the linky tool is down, please add a link with your comment.
When uploading to online galleries, please use keyword SNSDC52.

For every card you link to the Challenge Blog throughout the month of May, you will receive one entry in the monthly drawing. One lucky winner will receive 3 digital images of his/her choice from the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps store. Please note, if you use SNSS digital images to create your project, you will receive two entries! Be sure to play along every week... The more you play and/or use SNS digis, the more chances you have to win!

This week's challenge, in honor of the blog's 1 Year Anniversary, is Favorite Holiday. To play along, just create a card, layout or other project using digis that relate to your favorite holiday.

For my first card I used the very cute Cocoa's Santa Hat image. I have the feeling you will be seeing a lot of Cocoa on my blog because I LOVE this mouse! When I saw this image I knew I would pop Cocoa's head up with one of the new Action Wobble Springs. I then paper-pieced the hat and colored using my Copics. The patterned paper is from the Authentique Wonder Collection.

My second card uses the Sweet 'n Sassy Christmas Candle image. One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the Midnight Candlelight Service at my church. The music and sea of white candles is very moving. This image reminds me of these services. After I colored the image with Copics, I added a little Glossy Accents to the flame, dripping wax and berries. Both the die border and the patterned paper are from Memory Box.

Are you ready for more inspiration? Please visit the following blogs:

Cathy Wallington
Ceal Pritchett
Cyndi Bundy
Makiko Jones
Melinda Gleissner (that's me)
Meredith "Crafty Math Chick"
Patricia Hays
Stephanie Serrano
Stephanie Wright
Wendy Jordan

Thanks Sweet 'n Sassy for this incredible opportunity and thank you for visiting today! I hope you'll play along this week. What's your favorite holiday?

Splendidly Dressed

"After a time she heard a little pattering of feet in the distance, and she hastily dried her eyes to see what was coming. It was the White Rabbit returning, splendidly dressed, with a pair of white kid gloves in one hand and a large fan in the other: he came trotting along in a great hurry, muttering to himself as he came, `Oh! The Duchess, the Duchess! Oh! Won’t she be savage if I've kept her waiting?”-- Chapter 2; Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

All this month Stampendous has been playing along with the Altered Alice blog. Both Design Teams have created amazing projects featuring the Stampendous Perfectly Clear Wonderland set. I had so much fun creating this triptych. After die cutting the panels, I stamped them using the Stampendous Cling Music Score stamp. I then dry embossed and inked the panels. Don’t you love how the Dreamweaver Opto Checkerboard looks over the music manuscript? I cut the one panel in half, creating the side panels and adhered them to the center panel. I stamped the tag, the keyhole and the bottles on shrink plastic, trimmed and then channeling my wonderland mojo, shrunk them. The key was diecut on paper. The key and the keyhole were embossed with the Aged Gold Embossing Enamel. Before adhering the embellishments, I sprinkled Aged Gold Embossing Enamel and Deep Impressions Clear Embossing Enamel randomly over the panels and melted the powder from heating from underneath. Alice and her cat were stamped, colored, fussy-cut and then added to the panels with foam dimensional adhesive. The final step was twisting and looping ribbon and adhering it to the side panels. Be sure to visit both the Altered Alice blog and the Stampendous blog to see the challenge creations, as well as play along. The prize for this challenge is this Wonderland clear set.

Stampendous Supplies: Poppy Bottles Perfectly Clear™ Stamps Timeless Tags Perfectly Clear Stamps Wonderland Perfectly Clear Stamps Cling Music Score Aged Gold Embossing Enamel Deep Impressions Clear Embossing Enamel Other Supplies: Dreamweaver Stencils Opto Checkerboard Copic Markers Tsukineko StazOn and Memento Ink May Arts Ribbon Sizzix Diecut Memory Box Diecut Neenah paper Copic X-Press It Blending Card Embroidery Floss (unknown) Thanks for visiting. Have a Wonderful Day!

A Zinnia Pillow Box

The fabulous ladies of the Stampendous Design Team have been at it again this week...recycling, repurposing, and reusing for this month's Stampendous Challenge. Everything is fair game to be stamped, cut, encrusted, and Fran•taged!

I created a pillow gift box out of all sorts of found treasures. Have you noticed wrapping paper isn't rolled around a tube anymore? This makes me both happy and sad. There have been many wonderful 'light saber fights' at our house but I'm loving how the manufacturers are just using a rolled up piece of kraft paper. It holds so much crafting potential.

Using a template, I cut a pillow box from this terrific find and stamped it repeatedly in VersaMark Ink using the Stampendous Carte Postale, Cling Music Score and Cling Steamboat Map images. I then spritzed it with coffee that my husband left sitting around. Have you tried coffee-spritzing? Our dear leader at Stampendous, Fran Seiford has created wonderful video tutorials using this technique. You can watch these videos and so many more here at the Stampendous YouTube Channel.

After assembling my box, I tied it with a piece of saved tulle (from a present someone had given me) and created my flower embellishment. I stamped the Cling Jumbo Zinnia two times on Copic X-Press It Blending Card and colored it with Copics. After fussy-cutting, I layered the two flowers and melted Kaleidoscope Embossing Powder in the center and then covered the whole thing with Glossy Accents.

Check out what the ladies have been up to:

Stampendous Impressions
Lea Kimmel
Pam Hornschu
Suzanne Czosek
Melinda Gleissner (that's me)
Tenia Nelson
Wendy Price
Wendy Jordan
You have until Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST to add your direct link to our collection on the Stampendous blog. You do not have to use Stampendous products, but we sure love it when you do! As an extra incentive for playing along, one lucky crafter (drawn at random) will receive this fabulous newly released Mother's Love Perfectly Clear Stamp Set.

Due to shipping restrictions, the winner must have a US address. We hope you have a chance to play along with us (you may enter as many times as you'd like) this month.

Thanks for visiting and Happy Crafting!

Dream-pendous Blog Hop

This has been an amazing week. Hopefully, you have had a chance to follow along with us at Stampendous and Dreamweaver Stencils. I am personally in awe of the talent we saw this week from both teams and am grateful to be somehow linked with these incredible artists. Thank you both Dreamweaver Stencils and Stampendous for this opportunity.

As a Grand Dream-pendous Finale, please hop along with us today as we showcase some more creations that feature both Dreamweaver Stencils and Stampendous products. Be sure to comment and leave an email address for a chance to win a fabulous prize. For shipping and handling purposes, USA/APO/FPO/Canada winners only.

Card Notes:

A bird has been trying to make a nest all week out of my wreath. She steals a silk flower here, a silk flower there and thinks I don't notice. I noticed and was inspired. FYI: All this month, Stampendous is also having a recycling challenge. So when momma bird wasn't looking, I also stole a few twigs and such from the wreath.

Stamp the Cling Calligraphy Sampler on white panel.
Place Opto Checkerboard stencil on top of stamped panel; With foam applicator, ink over stencil to leave impression on design.
Dry emboss the panel usinng the same stencil being careful to line the stencil and panel up when placing them in embossing machine.
Ink Jumbo Songbird stamp with brown ink; Before stamping, wipe off the ink where the leaves would be and color these areas with markers; "Huff" on image and stamp.
Ink around edges of panel and distress with distress tool.
Sprinkle both Clear and Aged Gold Embossing Enamel randomly on panel and heat from underside to melt.
Embellish with twigs, cocoa fibers and button.

Stampendous Supplies:
Cling Calligraphy Sampler CRR138
Jumbo Songbird CRS5029
Aged Gold Embossing Enamel FREG024
Clear Embossing Enamel FREG020

Dreamweaver Stencils Supplies:
Opto Checkerboard LJ915

Enjoy the rest of the hop. Don't forget to comment.

Dream It Up!
Stampendous Impressions!
Kristine Reynolds
Cherylynn Moser
Susie Moore
Lynn Mercurio
Laura Drahozal
Pam Hornschu
Terrece Siddoway
Wendy Price
Liz Martin
Taylor Usry
Jessie Hurley
Krissy Fossmeyer
Cyndi Bundy
Jennifer Ingle
Georgia Sommers
Melinda Gleissner (that's me)
Kristi Van Doren
Stephanie Lee
Wendy Jordan
Suzanne Czosek
Lee Kellogg
Janelle Stollfus
Louise Healy
Jennifer Dove

Tenia Nelson and Lea Kimmel have both created fantastic projects for this month's Stampendous Saturday Challenge (recycling and reusing). Please when hopping, stop by and give them some love too.

Thanks again for stopping by. Have a Dream-pendous day!

Dreamweaver Stencils and Stampendous

Everyday this week, the design teams from Dreamweaver Stencils and Stampendous will be providing some "Dream-pendous" inspiration. Be sure to stop by both blogs daily for a chance to win a fabulous prize. Each day, different creations from both companies' design teams will be showcased. Just follow the links to see all of the amazing projects and then on Saturday, please join us for the final hop of the week. Everyone from both teams will be playing. This is your opportunity to see how to mix and mingle your creativity...if you are a stenciler, you will be fascinated at combining stamps with your first love. If you are a stamper, you will be wowed at how stencils can add to your impressions.

Be sure to leave comments as you visit the blogs for a chance to win one of three combined sets of Dreamweaver and Stampendous goodies. Please remember to include your email address when commenting. For shipping and handling purposes, USA/APO/FPO/Canada winners only.

Before I give you the details on my card, I just want to thank both Dreamweaver Stencils and Stampendous. This joint collaboration has been so much fun and has really allowed me to explore my creativity. You know how much I love the incredible products at Stampendous and now I can say that I am completely enamored with everything Dreamweaver!

Card Notes:
Stamp the Stampendous Cling Blossom Spray several times on watercolor paper using Memento London Fog Dye Ink; Color image using Twinkling H2Os and an Aquabrush; Set aside to dry.
Center the Festive Thank You stencil over the dry panel; secure with repositional tape (please note that before I adhered the stencil to my panel, I masked off areas of the stencil that I did not want to use on this card).
Generously spread Dreamweaver Pearlescent Embossing Paste over the stencil; Carefully scrape off the excess paste and return it to jar.
Carefully remove tape, lift stencil and set panel aside to dry (this is a good time to wash your stencil with soapy water and an old toothbrush).
When paste is dry, ink edges of card with Antique Linen Distress Ink. Sprinkle panel with Stampendous Aged Gold Embossing Enamel and heat from underneath to melt.
Add ribbon and antique pearl brad.
Adhere panel to card base.

Please visit the following blogs for today's Dream-pendous inspiration.

Stampendous Impressions!
Dream It Up!
Melinda Gleissner (That's me)
Cherylynn Moser
Suzanne Czosek
Jessie Hurley
Louise Healy
Pam Hornschu

Thanks so much for visiting. May you have a "Dream-pendous" day!
Melinda

Happy Thoughts

On the go for weeks, I decided to pamper myself this morning by creating a couple of cards for no other reason than I wanted to. That's right - no classes, deadlines, orders or challenges. Just because.

I recently made a purchase with A Jillian Vance Design but because I've been so busy I haven't had time to ink my new stamps...until today. If you aren't familiar with A Jillian Vance Designs, it's a wonderful company that sells adorable stamps with coordinating wafer-thin dies. Now here's the best part, the company was created by Jillian Vance at the age of 10, that's right, 10! I've never met Jillian but she must be incredibly intuitive and smart. Everything about my shopping experience was exceptional from her easy-to-navigate online store to the quick delivery of my carefully-packed order. Shortly after I placed my order, I received an email thanking me. A PDF of their current catalog was attached. When my package came a few days later, another thank you was enclosed with a little gift, Jillian's Pear Pins. So what's the product like? The Pear Pins are a must-have for anyone who adds beads and baubles to cards and mixed media projects. As for the stamps, I'm very pleased. They stamped easily, giving me a crisp, clean image. Wow, I know this sounds like a review. I've just had so much fun playing this morning that I wanted to share.

My first card is an Easter card that I'm going to send to a dear friend.

Supplies:

Peepster Stamp Set by A Jillian Vance Design
Follow Your Heart patterned paper by My Mind's Eye
Desert Storm cardstock by Neenah
Archival Jet Black Ink by Ranger
Easter Grass

My second card is for my son. The other night I found him looking in the bathroom mirror with a magnifying glass pressed to his face. We then proceeded to have a very long discussion about moustaches. I thought I'd make him a little card to tell him how proud I am to be his mother.

Don't you just love the little flocked mustache?

Supplies:

Mr. & Mrs. Moustache Stamp Set by A Jillian Vance Design
Neapolitan patterned paper by American Crafts for Dear Lizzy
Desert Storm cardstock by Neenah
Archival Jet Black Ink by Ranger
The Essential Glue Pad by Tsukineko
Plain Ol' Black Fun Flock by Stampendous
Small Snow Globe die by Memory Box Stamps
Small Scalloped Circle die by Memory Box Stamps

If you would like to see more of Jillian's stamps, please visit her blog.
Thanks for visiting.