Monday, February 28, 2022

Hey, Hey, Hey!

One of my favorite challenge groups is the Challenge Your Stash group on SCS, under the capable and organized leadership of my friend Barb. The idea is we can't shop for anything when making our monthly challenge card (which we post on the 28th of each month).

We take turns choosing the theme. This month it was Barb's turn. Since February is National Bird Feeding Month, she challenged us to make a card with a bird on it. Now, before you look at my card, let me clarify... she did say "ANY" bird. It didn't have to be a bird that I feed, nor even one I see in my backyard each February.

So..... of course... I chose an Ostrich!




Here's the inside:


I hope Barb and the other Challenge Your Stash gals like my card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Die Set: Whimsy Hey Ostrich stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Joann's 110# Kraft and Neenah 110# Solar White CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangle, Simon Says Sentiment Labels, and Whimsy Wonky Window 4

Embellishment: Enamel Dots from an unknown vendor

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Thanks So Much Freesia

I've been a member of the Technique Tuesday Greenhouse Society for a long time now... receiving the club flower stamp set each month. I hoarded them for a while, then started a series on my blog, committing to using them. 

I thoroughly enjoy this series because flowers are my favorite thing to color. 

This month's Greenhouse Society stamp set is Freesia.


I highlighted some of the flower blooms by adding some dots of white using a White Gelly Roll Pen.


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Technique Tuesday Freesia stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, colored with Copic Markers, and highlight dots added with a White Gelly Roll Pen

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Granny Apple Green CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and Paper Roses Stitched Circles


 

Saturday, February 26, 2022

A Four-Legged Word

February is the month of love... and my daughter would pose an argument that love is a four-legged word. 

When I saw the oh-so-sweet Kraftin' Kimmie Cuddles the Puppy stamp set, I knew I had to make it mine... so I could make cards to send to my daughter, of course.



Here's the inside:


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Kraftin' Kimmie' Cuddles the Puppy stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Pear Pizzazz CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: Gina K Master Layouts 2, MFT Stitched Rectangle, and Unity Scallops and Rectangles

Embellishment: Heart Brad from an unknown vendor

Friday, February 25, 2022

Blue Knight - Matthew 1 Birth of Jesus

Fridays are special days - who doesn't love TGIF, right? But here on my blog Fridays are also special because they are the day I get to post as a design team member for Blue Knight Rubber Stamps.

I used the new Matthew 1 Birth of Jesus background stamp set today.

You can check out the stamp set in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

Card #1


Once I had stamped the image, I ran it through my Big Shot with a floral embossing folder. I then used blender brushes to add color to the entire piece, darker on the raised areas and lighter other places

In hindsight, it might have been better if I'd used a lighter ink (perhaps a gray or tan) to stamp the image.


Card #2

I think the Matthew 1 Birth of Jesus background stamp coordinates beautifully with the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps The Light of the World stamp set, so I paired them together on this card.

I blended some light blue ink around the edges of the larger image and the Wise Men image. I colored the Sky around the star over Bethlehem yellow. Because it is the boldest color on this card, the eye is drawn to the star, which was my intent.



I think it's amazing to see how one stamp looks so different depending on how it's used. 

* * * * * 

You can find each of today's featured stamps HERE, at the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps web store.

And... don't forget to join us at the Fan Group and YouTube Channel:
Fans of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps (Facebook group) is HERE
and the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps YouTube Channel is HERE

Jeanette Cloyd, Design Team Member

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Thursday, February 24, 2022

It's a Fan Club Christmas - February

I am one of those rare individuals who loves change. I know; I'm weird. But it is a fact.

Therefore I was excited to hear the SCS Fan Club Christmas/Winter Challenges were going to change a bit beginning this month. For as long as I can remember, they've been sketch challenges, but beginning this month (and for the remainder of the year) there is a super fun theme. 

It's a Fan Club feature on SCS, so we're not supposed to share the details openly, so I won't tell you what the theme is or how my card fits the theme, sorry. 

What I will do is encourage you to check it out on SCS if you are a Fan Club member... and if you're not, maybe this is the year you'd like to become one.

In any case, I hope you'll enjoy looking at my card. 


Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Flourishes Poinsettia and Pine and Unity Wonderful Time of the Year stamped with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White CS and MFT Black/White Diagonal Stripe DP

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: SU Pearls

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Tropical Flora in Lavender

I {heart} SCS.

I'm pretty sure it's no secret - splitcoaststampers is my happy place. It's where friendships are made. It's where inspiration is gleaned. It's where tutorials are found. Oh, and did I mention, CHALLENGES (new ones each day of the week)! 

Each challenge has a few people who know the themes ahead of time and create cards/samples to be shared when the challenge is introduced. I was delighted when I was asked to join the Sketch Challenge design team for six months. Each Wednesday (February - July 2022) I'll share the card I made for the current week's Sketch Challenge. 

This Week's Sketch (#SC894):

While this sketch is for a square card, I tweaked it to make mine into an A2 card. The sketch is the same, just not as wide.

I also added a stamped image to my circle. I chose the pretty flower/leaves from the Sweet Sentiment Tropical Flora stamp set.


I hope you'll check out the Sketch Challenge - HERE - and play along. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Stamp: Sweet Sentiment Tropical Flora stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Paper: Neenah 110# Solar White and SU Certainly Celery CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangle, Paper Studio Stitched Circle, and Picket Fence Slimline Diecutting System

Embellishments: Stampin' UP! Faceted Gem

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Double Duty 2022 - Hero Arts

In January of 2021, my stamping comrades Barb and Kelly and I debuted a new series/challenge. Double Duty was Barb's idea... and it is a GREAT idea! I've had so much fun with this series. Thanks for inviting me to play along, Barb!

This is Barb's description of the Double Duty concept...

Each month, we get to pick a stamp set from a predetermined company. Then, we will use that one stamp set and make two cards from the set.  Different images and sentiments from the same set can be used, or use the same image two different ways—Double Duty either way!  But, as an added challenge, one item must be used on both cards—same color cardstock, same ribbon, same stencil, same something.  Double Duty Again!  Post both cards on your blog on the same day—the 22nd of each month.  See-Double Duty again!  Have fun getting doubly inky each month with a different stamp company.  Let’s have fun!

Over the past year, things have changed a bit in who's participating, but not in the instructions. This year's Double Duty crafters are Barb, Carol, Darlene, and me.

This month's company is Hero Arts. I chose a previously un-inked stamp set to use for my cards - Hero Florals Rose Stem.

I really like the card on the right, but am not too happy with the one on the left. That's one of the hazards of making two cards with the same stamp set. LOL!

Card #1




Card #2




I used mostly black for my card - a variety of designer papers - with just one tan colored piece on each card. I also used the same flower/image and the same word die (Paper Roses Hello Chunky Double). There are three brads on each card, too.

Let's check out the other Double Duty cards, too...

Barb

Carol

Darlene

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Supplies Used

Stamp/Die Set: Hero Arts Hero Florals Rose Stem stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Neenah 110# Solar White, Recollections Black, and SU Cinnamon Cider and Pear Pizzazz CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and Paper Roses Hello Chunky Double

Embellishments: Paper Studio Brads


Monday, February 21, 2022

Travel the World - Norway

I started a 50-week series in 2019 that I called Travel the World. Each week of the series I visited a randomly-selected country, sharing bits of information about that country. I then chose one tidbit of information about that week's country as inspiration for a card. As I explored those 50 countries in 2019, I knew I would continue on until I've visited every one of the 195 countries in the world. By the end of 2021, I'd virtually traveled to 145 countries and plan to complete my journey to all 195 countries by visiting the last 50 this year.

This week's country is...

Norway

Norway is a long, skinny country that covers just under 150,000 square miles. Its borders include Sweden to the east, Finland and Russia (yes, Russia!) to the north-east, the Norwegian Sea (part of the Atlantic Ocean) to the west, and the North Sea to the south.

It is one of the least densely populated countries in Europe.

Norway isn't called Norway. At least, not in Norwegian. Norway is the name of the country in the English language. In Norwegian, the country is called Norge. In the lesser-used nynorsk variety of Norwegian, the spelling is Noreg.

Norway is a Nordic country that’s part of the Scandinavia region. It is known as one of the most mountainous countries in Europe and for its stunning fjords and outdoorsy people.

Nearly 70% of the country is uninhabited.

In land size, Norway is slightly smaller than Sweden.

Mountains make up two-thirds of the country's landscape. These massively uninhabited landscapes comprise 300 peaks that soar more than 6,500 feet above sea level. Mountaineers, hikers, and adventurers will love the sheer wilderness of this rugged country.

No one knows the length of the Norway coastline, which is known throughout the world for its jagged mountains and stunning fjords.

There are 400,000 lakes in Norway.

In the northern part of Norway, the sun doesn't set in the summer. For example, in the northern city of Tromso the sun only sets for 3-5 hours each night in May and July, but not at all in June.

Northern Norway falls right in the center of what is known as the Northern Lights Belt, a zone that is known for its auroral frequency and intensity.

Norwegian passports display Aurora Borealis under UV lights.

There is a 6-7 day, 780 mile long Hop-On, Hop-Off Cruise along the coast of Norway

Norway's Rail journeys are voted the best in Europe.

In Norway, taxis are cheaper than personal cars for the same distance driven. This is done to encourage the use of public transport.

The world's longest road tunnel is in Norway. The Lærdal Tunnel is an astonishing 15 miles long. Costing 1 billion Norwegian kroner to build (that's about USD $110 million), the tunnel connects the small communities of Lærdal and Aurland.

Norway is home to the six highest waterfalls in Europe.

Every year, the Kingdom of Norway donates a Christmas tree to the United Kingdom. The Norwegian spruce stands proudly in Trafalgar Square in London. The annual tradition goes back to 1947 and is a token of gratitude for the British support to Norway during the Second World War.

Europe's biggest herd of wild reindeer is in Norway. The number of wild reindeer in winter totals around 25,000 animals.

In Norway's surrounding seas, you can catch a glimpse of basking sharks and the gargantuan, giant-squid-eating sperm whales. On land, however, you can find not only massive polar bears, but also brown bears and huge elks. This is a land of true wilderness.

Norway's national symbol is the lion.

Elk is the national animal of Norway.

The Norwegian island of Svalbard, close to the North Pole is super remote and super wild. Think glaciers, tundra, and yes – a lot of bears. Around 2,000 people live there, which is relatively high for a nowhere sort of place. Even still, there are significantly more bears than people on the island.

Norway isn't powered by oil. Around 98% of Norway's domestic power usage is drawn from hydroelectric power plants.

The country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world and it was voted as the best country to live in by the UN.

With more progressive tactics in terms of incarceration, Norway’s recidivism (reoffending) rate is one of the lowest in the world at 20%; compare that with the US rate of more than 60%. Norway’s jails are some of the best and most humane in the world, and the focus is on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

The Sami (or Saami) are an indigenous people who inhabit the northern reaches of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. There are about 80,000 of these people left today, and roughly half of them live in the northern reaches of Norway. Traditionally, the Sami people were reindeer herders, and they still manage vast herds of reindeer (though today most of them use snowmobiles!). They also are known for their colorful costumes, traditional handicraft products, and oral traditions like singing (known as joik).

In 2008, Norway donated $1 Billion to help save the Amazon rainforest.

The paperclip was patented by Norwegian Johan Vaaler in 1890.

Norway is the world's largest producer of salmon.

Norway introduced Salmon Sushi to Japan.

Brown cheese is a staple on Norwegian breakfast and lunch tables.

The cheese slicer was invented in Norway in 1925 by Thor Bjørklund. Irritated with the problems of cutting nice slices of the cheese with a regular knife, he invented the slicer.

Norwegians eat a lot of tacos.

After Finland, Norwegians drink more coffee per person than any other country.

The Aerosol spray can was invented by a Norwegian – Eric Rotheim in 1920.

Odd and Even are popular names for men in Norway.

In 2017, Norway was recognized as the happiest country in the world.

Norway's life expectancy rates is one of the highest in the world.

Norwegians are avid readers. They spend more time reading than any other country in the world.

Whenever a book is published in Norway, the government buys 1000 copies of it and it distributes it to the libraries in the country so that people may have access to it without having to pay.

It is against the law to advertise to children under the age of 12 in Norway.

May 17th is celebrated as children’s day in Norway.

Norway is the world's most successful nation at the Winter Olympic Games.

My inspiration for this week's card is based on this fact about Norway... The Colonel-in-Chief of the Norwegian King's Guard is a Scottish Penguin. Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III has held the title since 2005, but the involvement goes back to 1972 when the regiment adopted a penguin from Edinburgh Zoo as its Colonel-in-Chief.



Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp/Punch Sets: Stampin' UP! Penguin Place and Sugar Pea Designs Have an Ice Day stamped with Lawn Fawn Carrot Ink and Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Paper: Neenah 110# Solar White, Recollections Black, and SU Balmy Blue CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Stitched Rectangles and MFT Stitched Snow Drifts

Embellishments: Paper Studio Brads and a Snowflake from an unknown vendor

Friday, February 18, 2022

Blue Knight - Tell Me the Story of Jesus

Fridays are special days - who doesn't love TGIF, right? But here on my blog Fridays are also special because they are the day I get to post as a design team member for Blue Knight Rubber Stamps.

I used the new Tell Me the Story of Jesus background stamp today.

You can check out the stamp in the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps store - HERE.

Card #1

I gave this card an aged/distressed look by tearing one edge of each layer of paper and blending some ink onto the edges of the stamped image, too. To complete the look of the card, I added a diecut of leaves that I had in my scraps.


Card #2

The first thing I did when making this card was stamp the image onto a piece of ivory cardstock. I then placed a cut out circle on top of it to use as a stencil. I used a blender brush to add blue ink to the circle.

I did not remove the circle, as it would need to be in place for the next step, too.

I stamped the image from the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps The Light of the World stamp set into the circle with black ink.

I stamped the star from the same stamp set, using a bold yellow ink. It still didn't show up to my satisfaction, so I colored it with a Copic Marker.




I think it's amazing to see how one stamp looks so different depending on how it's used. 

* * * * * 

You can find each of today's featured stamps HERE, at the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps web store.

And... don't forget to join us at the Fan Group and YouTube Channel:
Fans of Blue Knight Rubber Stamps (Facebook group) is HERE
and the Blue Knight Rubber Stamps YouTube Channel is HERE

Jeanette Cloyd, Design Team Member

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!