Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge

Remember - I told you I'm on a sketch challenge roll! Here is another one! This one comes from Karen's blog. I tell you what - she does amazing work. I admire her clean and simple style and the way she can use colors so well together.


Here is the card that I came up with:

I was really in a spring fever mode when I made this. The sun was shining, but the air was really chilly! So, warm days I was wishing for! I'm becoming fond of Cameo Coral too - it's a bit out of my realm - but it's just screaming spring to me! I also used the new stamp set, Scene from A Garden, from the Occasions Mini Catalog that is brand new April 1st! I just love the grouping of mud boots in this set (I only inked up two of the pair of boots for this card tho) - it's a scene that is often seen at our house. Daddy mud boots, Mommy mud boots, and little boy mud boots. However, ours usually have plenty of actual mud on them. I also used a technique with vellum on this card. I ran it through the Big Shot with the Stampin' Up! Texturz Plate, then used my Stampin' Up! Markers and colored the individual flowers from the backside. It gives a nice subtle wash of color to the vellum, and makes the pattern stand out. Pretty cool - huh!

I used a blender pen dipped into the bottom of my watercolor crayons to do the watercolor the image. What do you think?

Weekend Sketch Challenge and Please VOTE!

This month my stamp club is going to be working with vellum and window sheets. So, I've combined some sketch challenges with this months projects. And, I need your help! Please let me know which of these cards you like best, and let me know why. Just leave a comment below.
Here is the sketch I used - found at Beate's blog and her weekend sketch challenge. Which was actually hosted by Charmaine on her blog!


Here is card #1 - Sorry about the blurry picture - I must have bumped my camera - who knows. I hope you get the jist of it tho. Stamped the bold flowers on the vellum and overlaid it on the Urban Garden DSP....

Here is card #2: Better picture this time! I was afraid that the daisies weren't going to show up well enough, but I think they are okay....


My other feeling is that maybe the flower on the sentiment are just too, umm, maybe delicate for the stamped flowers I chose? The bold flowers and the daisies? Remember - I'm not a big flower person, so am quite limited as far as stamps go in that department! Anyway, if you would please let me know which one you like the best, I would greatly appreciate it! (As I typed that, a British accent came through my head...I must have watched Will's Lassie movie one too many times...)

Taylored Expessions Cupcake Challenge

I'm on a sketch challenge roll here! It sure helps the ceative juices flow a little more fluidly. Gives me something to go off of and just play. I've admired Taylor's blog for quite some time. She IS a fellow Iowan after all! I decided to give her challenge a whirl. Here's the sketch:

And here's my card:

You'll notice I turned it kitty-whompass. I knew when I saw the sketch, that I wanted to use balloons to take the place of the flower. You know, I don't always do well with flowery type things! I like the colors, the brightness, the fun that this card evokes. What do you think?

Recipe:

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes

Ink: Stazon Jet Black

Paper: Pacific Point, Taste of Textiles (printed vellum), watercolor paper

Accessories: Stampin' Up! Markers, blender pen, Pig tails Ribbon

Here is a card recently made at a workshop I did. I have fallen in LOVE with the birds. I think I like them because they can be used in a magnitude of ways. I'll be able to use them on scrapbook pages for the boys and on cards. But also, I can easily change the mood of them just by changing my colors. This card seems more bright and cheery in person. I used the Good Morning Sunshine DSP - and I really like that paper. It reminds me of the song "Rockin' Robin". Yeah - you'll be singing that the rest of the day now!

I really like these buttons from Button Latte. Too cute!

Recipe
Stamps: Cheep Talk
Paper: So Saffron, Choc. Chip, Good Morning Sunshine DSP, Whisper White
Ink: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Choc. Chip
Accessories: Button Latte (go ahead *gasp* NO RIBBON!)

Mark(er) me on your Calendar!

You'd LOVE to own your own complete set of Stampin' Up! Markers - right? Who wouldn't. You get every Stampin' Up! color in a handy box with a carrying handle. They allow you to color your stamps to acheive multiple colors in one shot. They simply are MARVELOUS!
During the months of April and May, I am going to give you the opportunity to WIN your own set of markers. Exciting right! Here's the details:
To get your name entered, you need to get your name on my calendar by hosting your own workshop or submittng a hostess quaifying order. This workshop can be held by:

• Host a workshop in your own home. Learn about exciting new Stampin' Up! products, make a couple of make and takes and earn other great hostess benefits too!
• Host a book party. Show your friends, neighbors and relatives the fun things that they can make with Stampin' Up! products, gather their orders, and earn free hostess benefits!
• Submit a hostess qualifying order on my Stampin' Up! Website: http://www.jenarkfeld.stampinup.net/ Combine orders with friends if you want to, but only YOUR name will be entered in the drawing.
• FYI - a qualifying hostess order is one that is $150 or more.

Right now, I have a few dates open for in home workshops. Contact me to find out if you can get your name on my calendar! Drawing will be held on June 1st! You don't want to miss out on this one!

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #10 via Karen Giron!

I've wanted to do Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge for a while now...and I finally had some time to do this one. Funny - this sketch is very similar to the cards that I have been doing at my workshops this month. I love it!

I did go out of my league tho and used Lovely Lilac paper. I NEVER use purple on anything...guess what! I really like this card - and I like the purple. Gives a good contrast with the other colors I used. I actually picked the Lilac paper and then was stuck. So I pulled out the Color Coach (aka life saver) and found that Summer Sun was a contrasting color - since it was so bright, I used it sparingly. I had pulled the other colors that coordinated according to the coach, but they just weren't going where I wanted to go. I had a scrap of Old Olive DSP sitting on top of my desk, and thought, wow - look at that. Looks pretty good. Oh, the evolution of a card can surprise me.

I used my water color paper to stamp the cupcake tower on. It makes for much easier coloring with markers, and you can actually blend your markers with a blender pen then too!

Recipe:

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes

Paper: Lovely Lilac, Summer Sun, Old Olive DSP

Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Versamark

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Markers, Blender Pen, Fresh Favorites II Buttons

Hello!

I had told you that my Stamp Clubs did a faux metal technique this month. We used the Sale-A-Bration stamp set, Polka Dot Punches. This set reminds me of the embossed tin that would have been on a ceiling in an old merchantile. This is one of the projects that we did:



An up close look of the "o".

Isn't that an awesome look. Have you tried this technique before? Would you like step by step directions? This is a perk of being a member of my stamp clubs. I'm working on setting up my fourth stamp club - if you are interested contact me.

Recipe:
Stamps: Polka Dot Punches
Paper: Delicate Dots DSP, So Saffron, Sahara Sand, Whisper White
Ink: Baha Breeze, VersaMark
Accesories: Silver Embossing Powder, Silver Brad, Certainly Celery Poly-twil ribbon

Sale-A-Brate! With Botanical Blooms

We made this card a couple of weeks ago at a workshop. The hostess wanted something with flowers. I had the Botanical Blooms stamp set from the Sale-A-Bration catty, but hadn't even mounted. I wasn't even sure that I would mount it. You see, I'm not a huge floral person. I have 2 boys, well, three if you include my husband. We don't have much for flowers around the house. Except on the outside. Aaaaanyway! So, the hostess loves flowers. I mounted the set and decided to give it a whirl....you know what? I loved it! This set is so stinkin' cute, and this card I came up with is too! I may not be able to use this set for the boys' scrapbook pages, but it was so nice to get in touch with my inner feminine side. Here's the card:

I really am in love with these new cordorouy buttons(this going gray color will soon be released). Did you know, if you use a mini glue dot to adhere the button to your card (or scrapbook page) the likelihood of the button coming off are very slim. Even when you send it thru the mail.

And I actually used pink on a card too! Can you believe it? AND NO RIBBON!!! *gasp* I think I was running a fever or something when I did this one! Cute - eh?

Recipe:

Stamps: Botanical Blooms

Paper: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Urban Garden DSP

Ink: Baha Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouhette

Accessories: Going Gray Cordorouy Buttons (coming soon), hemp twine

I've been blown away - by my

embossing tool! Really - I'm sure you're tired of looking at the same old blog page now for a week - and I have been creating - lots and lots with my heat embossing tool. This month my stamp clubs did a faux metal technique. This was so much fun - and was my first try at it too. We had a great time in both clubs - and I learned some things myself! Like how to tie a really pretty bow, thanks to Bonnie. And I did pass that info onto the other club, btw - and I did give you credit Bonnie!!! :) Anyway, while practicing the technique, this is one of the cards that I came up with.

I REALLY am loving this card. YILM (yes, I love myself! [phrase coined by Jan Tink]) I love the retro fan, the retro looking DSP - the colors...the new hardware that's about to come out - I love it all.

Isn't that just awesome - you simply heat up 4 layers of embossing powder - one at a time, moving very quickly so that the layers stay hot while you dust with more powder. When you have a nice thick layer of embossing powder heated up, you press your stamp into it and viola! Instant metal....

Tell me what you think! Leave me a comment please! Inquiring minds want to know - is this something that you would like to learn??

Recipe:

Paper: Baja Breeze, Going Gray, Urban Oasis DSP

Stamps: Puns from the Past

Accessories: Basic Jumbo Grommets (black), Valet Ribbon Originals, Tag Punch, Silver Embossing powder

The Power of Stazon Cleaner!

At the workshop I did on Sunday, one of the gals there mentioned how much she loved her Stazon Cleaner. She said that it would get any stain off of a stamp... And I've used the Stazon Cleaner several times to get my stamps clean, and can wholeheartedly agree that it works miracles. Last night I was using my Big Deal Alphabet, and saw that one of the stamps was badly stained. So, I thought, what a good time to show all of you how well this stuff does work...

Can you see how this stamp is stained? Before I even snapped this photo, I tried to clean it with my regular Stampin' Mist cleaner. It is still in sad shape. Now, don't get me wrong. 9 times out of 10 I'm using the Stampin' Mist to clean my stamps with. It's my go to cleaner, but when I need some reinforcements...out comes the Stazon Cleaner!



So, I dab on the cleaner and let it set for just a little bit. I can actually see it breaking down the ink that has stained my stamp. Amazing!





Then, I rub it on my Stampin' Scrub pad, and VIOLA! Clean as it was brand new. How about that!







If you would like to give this product a try, give me a call, or send me an email. I can get one on the way to you...

Newsletter, Newsletter, who wants a newsletter??

Would you like to receive my free newsletter? I send out a newsletter monthly, sometimes bi-monthly. It's packed with news you can use, and tips and tricks for you. Want to be on my mailing list? Send me an email, and I'll be glad to get you added!

KWerner Color Challenge

Really FAST post - I gave KWerner's Color Inspiration a try again. But, I'm at the end of my rope as far as time goes, so I'm just gonna post it and tell you about it later!!! SORRY!


I used the Good Friend set again - which I am in love with. I need to come up with a decent sentiment for the card yet. Will (my 3 year old) has put dibs on this card. He wants to send it to his Aunt Elizabeth. So, that's what we will do!

Why - Hello Good Friend....

I just love this new stamp set in the Idea Book and Catalog....I wish I had more time to play with it....one thing that I used here were the new Cordoury Buttons. They aren't just for pants anymore! (and for those who know me well - I wear cords about 3 or 4 times a week! I LOVE cords! I hope they don't go out of style anytime soon...) Back to buttons - these things are great! There are 3 different sizes in the pack, some have a brad back, and some have actual button holes. And I'm pretty sure there are more colors to come! :) If you want to get your hands on some of these wonderful buttons - contact me.

Recipe:

Stamps: A Good Friend

Ink: Pacific Blue, Choc. Chip, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Old Olive, Good Morning Sunshine DSP, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Cord Buttons, Flower Fusion, Chit Chat Rub Ons

Wild About You, Too!!!

The winner of my 10 birthday cards goes to Sarah!

Sarah said...
Great Cake :)Make a triffle with the cake pieces..In a bowl layer the cake, pudding, cool whip, heath/choc. chips etc- and keep on layering. YUM
February 18, 2009 8:51 AM

Send me an email with your address and I will put those cards in the mail to you!

Thanks for your great comments everyone!

Wild about Birthday Cake!

My son Will turned 3 on Sunday the 15th, and even tho he continued to tell me that he wanted a Spiderman cake over and over and OVER! I went my own direction. He really doesn't know who Spiderman is, doesn't have any Spiderman stuff, has never seen Spiderman, I just didn't think Spiderman was quite right. And, well, I had this thought in my head of what I wanted to do for his cake, and I knew it was a little more "age appropriate"! Here is my creation...


I baked one white (well, really I baked two) cake and one chocolate cake, put them side by side, and frosted them. I used the Wilton gel coloring - as it doesn't thin down your frosting. Well, to get the green really green, I used almost the entire container of coloring! And lots and lots of stirring. Okay - I know you are wondering about the 2 white cakes...let me tell you. FOLLOW the DIRECTIONS that come on the box! It says to let your cake cool for 10 minutes prior to removing from the pan. Yeah - they mean that, and it's written there for a reason! If you go to flip your cake over before it's time - you end up with lots of smaller cakes with jagged edges. In other words - an unfrostable cake that can not be put back together, a lot of cus words, and a frantic call to your mother in law to see if she has an extra cake mix on hand. Until I come up with something to do with those cake parts, they are in the freezer, just awaiting their purpose. The next two cakes I baked were allowed to cool the appropriate amount of time, and flipped out of the pan without a cus word to be said!
Okay - onto my cake creation...my fences are pretzel sticks stuck together with frosting and allowed to dry until they are REALLY stuck. Again - patience is the key. They will fall apart if handled before they are ready. I stamped my animals, cut them out and they stood up in the frosting perfectly. I'm sure they saw what happened to that first cake, and thought they needed to be on their best behavior! I think they stood up well, partially because I had frosted the cake and let it set out overnight to let the frosting dry.

And here's the birthday boy - slightly embarassed by everyone singing to him. (Sorry I forgot to take the red-eye out.)

He really liked the alligators which he sometimes referred to as dragons. He wanted to make them swim in the pond. And sometimes he just wanted to make them fly and then land in the cake - and that is why there are several bushes in the cake - to cover up where the "dragons" had landed. He loved his cake, and never again mentioned a Spiderman cake. Maybe the alligator ate Spiderman???

Leave me a comment and tell me what you think. I will pick a random person on February 25th from the comments to receive a package of 10 Birthday Cards from me!

Blow out the Birthday Cards!!!

It's time for that Birthday Card Class that I promised you! And here is a peek at the cards that you'll be making! 3 of each card for a total of 12 - PLUS - a gift bag AND a gift card holder! How cool is that??? Details are after the sneek peek pics...

Always in need of a Birthday Card? Can’t find just the right one? You need to attend my Birthday Blowout Class! I’ll show you how quick, fun and easy it is to make your own cards. Give your family and friends cards that have extra meaning.

When: Friday, March 6th; 5:30pm – 7:30pm – or - Saturday March 7th; 9am – Noon
Where: Denison Municipal Utilities Building

Option 1: Make 12 cards, one gift bag, and a gift card holder, all materials included, pre-cut and scored; fee is $25
Option 2: Make 12 cards, one gift bag, one gift card holder; fee includes the Party Hearty Stamp Set ($26.95), ½ pack of Washington Apple Designer Series Paper, plus all materials included, pre-cut and scored.; fee is $40
Option 3: Same as Option 2, only as a Class to Go! All items will be cut and shipped to you on March 9th.

Deadline to sign up is February 25th!!! Sign up before all of the spots are filled!

Contact Me! Jen Arkfeld

More Stamp Club Items

This month my Stamp Club group focused on the Wax Resist Technique. We had a ton of fun, and these are some of the creations we made:


This card uses the Crazy for Cupcakes Stamp Set (which I LOVE!!) and the brand new Texturz Plates from Stampin' Up! Aren't they just the coolest thing ever. Run you cardstock thru the Big Shot and presto! all embossed for you. And I really love the fact that you get 6 different textures for a very reasonable price. The other thing, these texture plates are quite a bit larger than your embossing folders from Cuttlebug. You can cover more area that way!

Here is the front of a gift bag that we made - isn't it just adorable??? I love the colors, the modern feel of the designer paper (Urban Oasis) and the added texture in this ( with the tearing and curling of the edge of the gray paper). It feels so fashion forward to me???? Photo #2 is a better one to drool over! :)

You know, you too could make projects just like this every month. Ask me how you can become a Stamp Club member. Some of the gals at one of my club meetings commented this month that she really needed the stamp time for herself. Another gal commented that Oprah is saying that you need to put yourself back in the picture - make time for you. And that is exactly what Stamp Club is all about. The gals get together every month - and it's their time. We have a lot of fun, and the great thing is that most of these gals didn't all know each other before we got started - it's a wonderful way to make new friends.... So put yourself back on your calendar - call me, we'll get you in the Club!!!

Here's a challenge for those that are in my Stamp Club - post a comment in this thread and tell us why YOU enjoy Stamp Club so much! There just might be something in it for you if you do!!!! :)

Kristina Werner Challenge #40!

This challenge proved to be - well, a challenge! First off, I knew what I wanted to do, then realized that I don't own More Mustard ink....so improvise - I must, I must! Then I realized that I don't have Taken w/ Teal ink either! UGH! So.... improvise some more....

Here's what I came up with...believe it or not, NO RIBBON!!! That has to be a first. But, I did use some of the new Supernova Glitter from Stampin' Up! I love it!!!!

I don't quite understand what's up with my camera these days - the color is off. I need to find a fix for that (more natural light!). Anyway - this is as good as it gets for now.
Recipe:

Stamps: Baroque Motifs

Paper: So Saffron, Taken w/ Teal, Old Olive

Ink: Old Olive, Versamark, Summer Sun

Stamp Club Sneak Peak....

Here's a card that my Stamp Club members will be making this month. We are focusing on the Wax Resist Technique - I think I got the hang of it, and came up with this card...whatcha think???

I was in a fog for a while while trying to come up with a layout, colors, etc....but you know - as soon as you pull out that Designer Paper - the light turns on, and things just seem to work! I love this new Parisan Breeze Specialty DSP!!! It's Special alright - textured, cover weight - it is GREAT to work with...I see more Specialty DSP in my future!

Recipe:

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes

Ink: Baha Breeze, Black Stazon

Paper: Baha Breeze, Choc. Chip, Parisian Breeze DSP

Accessories: Pixie Pink Ribbon

CASE'd Myself

Alright - I really liked that layout that I did with the Best Wishes and More set, and I really like the colors that are in the new Urban Oasis DSP...sooooo, I thought I would re-invent the wheel, and use my layout and Urban Oasis colors....I wasn't sure I was going to like this, with the black flower and all....but you know what? I think it's really pretty darn boo-t-ful! (if I do say so myself) And now that I've created something I feel better about my husband being a slacker today....now we're off to a party!

Recipe:

Stamps: Best Wishes and More

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Baha Breeze, Stazon Black

Paper, Kiwi Kiss, Baha Breeze, Kraft and Very Vanilla

Accessories: Button Bouquet, Old Olive Striped ribbon, Perfect Day rub-on (thinking of you)

Happy Super Bowl Sunday...if you are MALE!

I swear - I like football just as much as the next person, but I'm pretty sure this is just another "holiday' with MALE benefits. While I was slaving away, cooking the appetizers for the party we will be attending, my husband does nothing but watch the 24 hours of pregame. When is the "holiday" that women are doted upon??? Please let me know. Many of you may answer Mothers' Day - but nope, not at my house. I have been a mother for 3 years (almost) now, and have never received a single Mother's Day gift, and I'm pretty sure that I've spent the afternoon cooking my own meals. In fact last Mother's Day....oh, never mind, it was so bad, I don't even want to go there. This is about the Super Bowl and MALE oriented holidays....anyone else ever think about this before....let's take Christmas for example....the women to the shopping, gift wrapping, prepping, get the kids oh-so-adorable outfits, get THEM ready, pick out what your husband will wear, make the food, etc. etc. And what do the men do???? Sit around and watch football - or just hang out waiting for the meal, and gift opening....I'm pretty sure it's a conspiracy. So, someone Puh-lease! Come up with a "Kick your feet up Women, this is your day" day.

I'm off to create something.....