Friday, March 27, 2009

Friday 2-fer!

Hi all! TGIF! I have another Friday two-fer....for you!


STAMP SIMPLY

First things first, it's Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply challenge! This week it was all about breaking the rules! Stripes, polka dots, and lots of patterns! You know, kind of like when you were a kid and wanted to dress yourself!

So, I grabbed a new set from Flourishes called Gigi and Chloe that will be released April 1st (make sure to check the Flourishes Newsletter for details then!) Then, I went to town!


Meet GIGI! Isn't she the cutest thing? I can't wait for you to see this whole set! Because she has her shopping bags and is ready to go, it really lent itself to lots of patterns. I knew that I wanted to paper piece like mad! So, I stamped my main image in black ink, colored up her skin, hair and gave her a blushing glow! After that, I stamped her on black and cream print, a dusty red paisley and again on a blue paisley. Then, get out your detail scissors and glue pen and piece away!


Here's a close up of her!
I colored her handbag and shoes with two shades of light brown Copic markers and then used a Zig fine tip silver pen to add some studs on her purse. I love how she has this demure look on her face as if to say -- 'Don't worry! I got it all on sale!'
Don't you just love this saying???? I think it's too fun! Perfect for the SU Word Window punch!
Add some more decorative paper, a ribbon tab, and some threaded orange buttons and you are good to go! Shopping anyone?

For this week's Stamp Simply challenge, check out all the official details at Sharon's place, then visit these fine ladies.....
Barb, March Guest Designer
Dee
Tammy
Janine
AJ
Jennifer
Becky

FLOURISHES FOCUS

This week on the Flourishes Newsletter, the "focus" is on ribbon. Latisha is heading things up over there! She has a great tutorial on how she ties a bow! She challenged all of us to make a card WITHOUT decorative paper and instead focus on simple elegance - with a nice fancy bow!

So, away I went! I have to admit, this was a bit hard for me! I don't often make bows - I might knot - but not make a flouncy bow!

I started by cutting out some white cardstock with a Curved Rectangle Nestie. Then, I did one of my favorite things, I left the die on and then sponged on some Antique Linen Distress Ink. This masks the edge and almost looks like a faux mat.
Stamp the large daffodil from the Signs of Spring set on some scrap white twice, color it up with some watercolor pencils, blend with a SU blender pen, cut it out and layer some of the petals over top! One of my biggest tips --- ditch the foam tape when you do this kind of 3-D layering. Afterall, you really don't have a lot of control on how you can angle your pieces on top if you use foam tape- it's just a raised layer. Instead, I use THIS glue. It's a silicone glue that allows you to manipulate your piece of paper to actually be angled.
Here's a close up!
After that - add some bling and a big bow and BAM.... done! As you make your way out into blog land... you have to check out Latisha's fabulous ribbon tutorial HERE. And, then hop your way around the rest of the DT!
p.s. Don't forget Laura and I's Celebrating 300K blog candy! There are just two challenges and lots of randomly drawn prizes on the line! you have until Monday, March 30! Case Laura and link to this post on Laura's blog, or upload to SCS with the keyword CEL300L. OR, case me and link to this post here on my blog, or upload to SCS with the keyword CEL300J. The clock is ticking!! ;-)

28 comments:

Stacy Morgan said...

Julie she is totally cute, great paper piecing! I like that you shaded with the die on for the daffodil, might have to give that a try! Wonderful *2fer* cards again. hee hee

ChristineCreations said...

A beautiful pair of cards....can't wait to lay my little inky fingers on her :)....and that daffodil and ribbon are just JAW-dropping gorgeous Julie! Great tip on the adhesive too!

Anonymous said...

Oh, how fun! Your Gigi card is a wealth of paper piecing and she looks fabulous! I love her! And, of course, your daffodil card is gorgeous! You made a beautiful bow!

Latisha said...

just beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

Holy cow!! That daffodil is absolutely gorgeous, Julie. And Gigi all patterned up and pretty... she's my kind of gal! Wonderful cards!!

NancyK said...

Love how you made Gigi with all the paper piercing - very cute! Your daffodil coloring is stunning too!

Cindy Lawrence said...

Oh Julie, both cards are just beautiful! LOVE all the paper piecing and fabulous color combo on the top card, and that daffodil card is just out-of-this-world GORGEOUS!

Barbara Schram said...

Gigi is a happy gal with all those shopping bags...every detail is wonderful, Julie! LOVE the paper piecing, And that daffodil is gorgeous! Congrats on reaching a milestone with your blog hits!

Janine said...

Both cards are beautiful Julie!! Have a great weekend.

Sharon (notimetostamp) said...

Love your paper-pieced project, Julie -- totally FUN!!! Great dots and prints combined -- subtle and classy -- great challenge card!!! And your beautiful yellow bow is totally gorgoues -- a lovely card!!!

Elena said...

Your gril card is fabulous! Love the new stamp!
And your flower card is gorgeous! I love the shading a lot!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, this is absolutely stunning Julie, I'm in love with this design!

The Rubber Maid said...

Wonderful cards...both of them. Cute new girlie from Flourishes and a sweet phrase for a shopaholic. Awesome twosome! Mom

Tammy Hershberger said...

OMGosh, I LOVE that! "Guess what I found?" and it's usually followed by "Honey?" How many times have we all said that to our husbands? Too cute, and I love the paper piecing you did on her dress and bags! The daffodil card is beautiful, too! :)

Darlene said...

Both cards are fantastic Julie!! Love all the paper piecing on your stamp simply card and the daffodil on your 2nd card is beautiful! Love the springy feeling!!

Anonymous said...

Is there a card under that there honkin' huge yeller bow? Gorgeous Daffodil!! Great shopping Gigi, too. Love her dress and that saying! Good info to make me think about using some of my toys (curved mega rect nesties). Plus now there's a glue I need for shaping my paper pieced layers, Bad Influence (maybe Gigi should look like YOU?). Happy Weekend!

Deborah Saaranen said...

Very pretty designs all around! Love the great colors and pattern mix on the first, and your coloring is amazing on the daffodil!

Alex said...

She is soooo cute Julie, I love your paper piecing!! And, the daffodil is AMAZING, how beautiful!!! *STAMPINHUGS* Alex

Anonymous said...

Julie, love your beautiful card. I am bow challenged also, but do the tied ribbon type of bow often. Latisha's video tuturial was really helpful. TFS

Stacy Morgan said...

Finally got my card done, now to work on Laura's! hee hee Here it is:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1290174?cat=500&ppuser=60960

Diane said...

That stamp is too cute! Love the card and the daffodil looks gorgeous!!! As always fabulous work girl!

Laura (scrapnextras) said...

Love the mix of colour and patterns on Gigi! She look marvelous! Your daffodil is stunning and your bow is gorgeous...I'll have a look around for that glue too! Sounds perfect!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cards! Love that daffodil! You did a beautiful job!

Anonymous said...

Hey girl these are awesome but that daffodil card, wowsers, that is stunning!

Bev J. said...

Great cards; but since I am a flower lover I especially like the beautiful daffodil. So pretty!

Michele Kovack said...

Both are gorgeous!!! The second one's bow was tied to perfection!!! : )

Silke Ledlow said...

Oh my goodness - GIGI looks fab - well you made her look fab - LOL!!! Your second card is another gorgeous one - love it too!!!

Anonymous said...

LOVE that new stamp set! And much more the use you gave it! TFS!