Virtual Stamp Night (Friday)

Last night I participated in my first Virtual Stamp Night (VSN) challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I know VSN has been around for a while--how long I am not sure. I never looked into the details of VSN before; however, I saw a post about it this past week and decided to look into it further--it sounded intriguing. This is actually a 2-day event, starting Friday evening and continuing Saturday afternoon. Prior to the start of the event, a "shopping list" detailing some of the items you will need for the challenges is provided. Having this list in advance gives you the opportunity to beg, borrow, steal, or purchase any item(s) you may not have readily available. The actual challenges are posted every hour and anyone wishing to participate has 45 minutes within which to complete each challenge. Everyone is "on their honor" for complying with the time limit. You can participate in one or all of the challenges--it's up to you. Anyone wishing to post their challenge creation has to do so by a pre-determined deadline. Prizes are offered for each challenge--how cool is that?!?! If you go here, you can read about each of the challenges and their inspiration. The cards below are the cards I entered for four of the five challenges that were posted last night. Each card has already been posted to my gallery on Splitcoaststampers. I do plan to complete the first challenge--a very challenging sketch--just have to come up with an idea. Stamps used for these cards are Birdhouse Flourish by Indadinkado and Cold Play, Elegant Greetings, Jolliest Time of the Year, and Moose You So Much by Stampin' Up! Thanks for stopping by!

Mini Piano Hinge Book

Today I am posting something different--a miniature book I created several years ago. While surfing the 'net, I found instructions for a piano hinge book that used chopsticks for the binding.  Since at the time I didn't have any chopsticks available, I created a mini version using toothpicks--fancy party toothpicks--for the binding.  The book has 20 pages, including the front and back covers, and each individual page measures 1-7/8" X 1-3/4". The only "techniques" used on this book are direct-to-paper and sponging. The purpose of this book? I consider it merely to be a conversation piece. It could be something that is customized for an individual and given as a keepsake, but this one has no particular meaning; it is just something I tried and have kept all these years. The images found on the pages are a variety of stamp images from A Stamp in the Hand, Hero Arts, Stampers Anonymous, Stampin' Up! and, I am sure, a few others which I do not recall at this time. The charms found throughout are from a variety of sources, as well.  Thanks for stopping by!

Mono Dies

Mono Dies is a technique that was in the February 2010 issue of the Technique Junkie newsletter. The Mono Dies technique shows a new way to use your punches or cutting dies to create an intriguing monochromatic background for your card and scrapbook projects. The stamps used for this card are from the set God's Beauty by Stampin' Up!

Double Metal Embossing

Today's card features the Double Metal Embossing technique from the February 2010 issue of the Technique Junkie newsletter. Two embossing folders were used--Swiss Dots and Stylized Flowers. The flowers were colored with Adirondack alcohol inks by Ranger Industries using a very fine brush. Sentiment is from the stamp set A Beautiful Thing by Stampin' Up!

Modern Grid

Another one of the techniques I learned as a subscriber to the Technique Junkie newsletter is Modern Grid. This technique is such a unique way of adding interest and depth to a card. The stamps used for these cards are from the Big Pieces, Fundamental Phrases, Seeing Spots, and So Very sets by Stampin' Up!  Thanks for stopping by!