One Layer Wednesday

I have to laugh, this day is going really slow for me - highly unusual!  I am on such a roll with cards that I just keep uploading them for the challenges I want to play in.  This is a good day!  I almost forgot about the One Layer Wednesday challenge.  This is the quickest challenge out there I swear!  One layer stamped and you are done.. so, here is mine.  I just had to add the ribbon - I felt it was just too much white.  I was going to do this in orange... just to see what it would look like....hmm... I'll be back in a minute...



[These are using a sneak peek from Mark's Finest Papers, Broom Rides]

I think I like the...... white one.  What do you all think?  LOL - Not that it matters,  I still have 2 and I don't even do Halloween!  Anyone want a couple of Halloween cards?  Let me know and I will mail them to you!
--Edited -- no longer available someone snagged em up--
Thanks for stopping in~~

Featured Stamper and OWH

This week's Featured Stamper over at SCS is Carole.  She has a very nice gallery, and I always enjoy browsing through galleries.  I have been seeing the polished stone effect, and have been wanting to try it - well, this card of Carol's made it really easy!

I stayed with the black bg to let the effect really stand out.  The sentiment is a little sneak peek of MFP's new set Thankful Mums and Pumpkin.

My next card is a first for me.  Operation Write Home is an organization that I am impressed with!  Anything that supports our troops is terrific in my book.  I played along with their sketch challenge.  A nice and easy one which goes so well with a CAS card.

 The back strip on this is something new  I tried today with a Spellbinders Impressabilites folder.  Heather over at PTI showed us how to do Letterpress.  Basically you brayer up the folder with ink and run in through your embossing machine.  The ink color comes off onto the cardstock and embosses at the same time.  IRL it is much more defined [- not so much in the photo.  I'm just sayin.]  Once again, the sentiment is a sneak peek from the same MFP set as above,  Thankful Mums and Pumpkin.  Thanks for stopping by~~

STV Challenges & Others

Gina K Designs - Stamp TV is having her new release challenges going on right now.  There are 3 -I have done 2 and I am working on the 3rd one...maybe.  Anyway, I wanted to get these posted  so I don't get too mixed up on what I am doing.  The first one is Theresa's challenge - use shading with a nestie.  This is one of my favorite techniques - it just finishes of the sentiment so nice!  It is also for my DH - it is our 19/24 year anniversary!  (married 19 - together 24) - this sentiment is perfect for him!  I used GKD Enjoy the Sunshine on this card.  I even decorated the inside!  (DH is so worth it)

This 2nd card was the color challenge by Jessica and also Just For Fun Color Challenge #24.  I also used the sketch from Clean and Simple #105.  Once again, I used GKD stamps, Botanicals.

Okay - so much for resting my eyes-- I am just to addicted to NOT stamp!  MY eyes are burning though so I might just post tomorrow what I am working on.  This print on computer is getting pretty blurry.  Thanks so much for stopping by~~  See Ya!

BLOG CANDY WINNER!!!

(For SCF Challenge go down one post)

DH picked a number and the LUCKY WINNER IS --- LINDA PAYNE~~ CONGRATULATIONS Linda!!  Please contact me at vdutchr@cox.net with your mailing address so I can get your goodies out to you!
Thanks everyone who stopped by, posted my candy, and left me a comment!!  It was fun to read all your nice comments!  What was so exciting is I had people from all over the world drop in and visit!  Isn't the internet just a fabulous place!  I love stamping and sharing my creations with all of you!  I hope you will continue to pop in and see what is happening here at All I Do Is Stamp even though you didn't win.
On a personal note, I had lasik eye surgery today - FABULOUS to be able to see the computer WITHOUT my glasses!  i will be taking it easy over this week end so the blog might be quiet... but than again you never know - come Sunday I just might have to create something!  We'll see.
Again, thanks to all of you for popping in!!!  Sincerely,

Speedy the Cat's Frends Challenge #18

This week over at SCF I am challenging you to make a Friendship Card. Really no challenge - thinking of you, my friend, congratulations -  easy peasy.  On my card I am using the soon to be released in September MFP's, Thankful Mums and Pumkin.  I little faux stitching and a ms punch, and this card is complete. Come on over to Speedy the Cat's Friends Blog Challenge and play in our challenge!  You might win a stamp set!!  Thanks for stopping by~~

Stampin B's #73

This week Vicky challenged us to a square card with a western theme.  I had seen this boot a while back over at SCS and this was the perfect opportunity!  I used the sentiment from MFP Southwest Cowboy.  You can find the boot template here.  After I cuttlebugged the shoe portion, I than clear embossed for a faux snakeskin, and used the faux suede technique for the upper half.  I really do have to say I am thrilled with this card! It worked just as planned~~  Come on over and play with the Stampin B's!!  Thanks for stopping by --

Featured Stamper - Heather

Initially, Heather was chosen as Queen For The Day over at SCS, by 9pm last night she was ALSO chosen as Featured Stamper!  WOW!  Double recognition - that is wonderful for her.  Great for me too since I got to CASE 2 of her fabulous cards!  What a fabulous gallery she has! I had to CASE this card because of the colors and of course the butterfly.
I used my favorite butterfly from Hero Arts.  Someone in blogland does this amazing highlighting with a white gel pen - doesn't that just make this bfly pop!  Love this little trick.  I used my new DOTS embossing folder from my friend cuttlebug, added some lace (that's all I had - so sad) and a few gems and this CASE was complete.

This second card I CASED is from her bow. Sometimes I just need to force myself to use my bow easy.  It's not like it is hard, it's just being left handed I struggle with this little tool.  My colors are from Curtain Call 44 - I wasn't sure about them, but as usual, once I get the card made I end up liking the combination!  This is a little sneak peek of Mark's Finest Papers Thankful Mums and Pumpkins.
Thanks so much for stopping in - see you tomorrow!!

A few STV Challenges

Wasn't impressed with the Inspiration Challenge over at SCS so I got myself caught up with STV challenges.

There is the sketch challenge

I used the Gina K Designs Tropical Flowers and Enjoy the Sunshine.  Cardstock is from Papertrey.  I finally broke down and bought a dots embossing folder!  LOVE this tool!!

There is the Inspiration Challenge - by Brenda Turner

Are these colors gorgeous or what!  My card should of been more white, but I just love the red and the olive green together. Card sketch is from Paper Craft Plant.  A nice CAS design that worked perfect for my card!  Butterfly is from  GKD Enjoy the Sunshine again.

And last, the Christmas card Challenge - this week use your scraps.  Well, I really have been meaning to use my scraps - this just made me do it TODAY!  I love challenges like this - dig through,  pick out what you want and before you know it your card is done!  Gotta love these easy cards!

There are  couple of challenges that I missed, but DH and I are going to Nanny McFee - HA!  I loved the first one - just fun entertainment.  So, I will see you all tomorrow!!  Thanks for stopping by~~

 ps - don't forget about the Blog Candy if you haven't signed up for it.  1 week left... (see right sidebar)

Speedy the Cat's Frends Challenge #17

Geri this week has challenged us to make a Harvest Theme card with Speedy the Cat's Friends Blog Challenge.  I used the MFP stamp set Pears & Hollyhock.  I like this pear - it is easy to color (I used copics this time) and I like the nesties leaf I used and sponged.  Come on over and play with Speedy's Friends~~ You have a chance to win an entire stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers! 
Thanks for stopping by~~

Stampin B's #72

This week Nancyruth has challenged us to use cicles, flowers and a die cut.  Well, I managed to use all three, while also entering this card in the additional challenges; Mercy's Tuesday Sketch, Flourishes color challenge (by Silke Ludlow- pink, yellow, kraft & black), and Really Reasonable Ribbon - going Aloha.  I love being able to make 1 card for multiple challenges!  I used the Stampin Up set Embrace Life, along with Gina K Designs Aloha.  I am so happy I used some of my SU stamps.  Good grief but I have soooooo many, and they are just patiently waiting for me to use them.  We hope you play in the Stampin B challenge!!  Thanks for stopping by~~

Be sure to check out my Blog Candy if you haven't signed up see the picture on the right sidebar.
ALSO - Speedy the Bat's Blog Challenge has an exciting announcement - CHECK IT OUT!!

How to Create a Watermark for your photos - Updated

This is my first attempt at a tutorial.  I had my ds go through the steps and he was able to follow them, so let's see if you all can!  If you have any questions, go ahead and put under the comments - I am sure you won't be the only one with questions.  I am using GIMP 2.0.  (click for the free download.).  Here we go:
Click "File" "New"

 [in the box] click Advanced Options
    under Fill with click the down arrow
       click "transparency" click "ok" - {{don't worry about size}}

In the TOOL BOX (the smaller of the 2 boxes that originally opens up with GIMP) click the text (the big "A")

<--color


<--font type/size




click on the color box - click white (or light gray - whatever you want) - click "ok"
pick the font you want (I used Ariel and Scriptina)
Move cursor to the transparency box (on your screen) and click - this should bring up a text box - type Your Name.  To size your name, put cursor on the UP/DOWN arrow and hold down (back over in the text box to the right)- this will change the size - adjust accordingly)
Click "close"

Move cursor where you want your blog name  - click - another text box will appear.  Put in blog site (I copied and pasted mine to make sure I had it correct) - change font, size, move box tho where you want it placed - click "close"
Move cursor above your name  - click to open new text box- type it  (Created By, Designed By etc) - change font and size to appropriate size - close box.
YOU ARE DONE creating.
 {{I do not know how to bring in images (some people have scrolls etc) - if you know how PLEASE me know - I would love to add something to mine.}}
click "File" "Save" (wherever in your computer you want to save it)  (name your watermark  with a .png at the end - it will not work without this)
click "Export""Save" and you are done.

Now, to put this watermark on your cards.  This is easy once you get it -  Hopefully these following steps will help you out.

"File" "Open" (find card you want - click twice)

Click "file" "Open as layer"
Find your watermark - double click

 Watermark is now on your card. 

To SIZE it, click "Layer " "Scale" size about 225

 In the box to the right, click on the "+" and then "move" [bottom of the same box]

Drag watermark to where you want it on your card

Click "Merge visable" "merge"

Click "File" "Save" "Export" 



Congratulations YOU HAVE COMPLETED MAKING AND USING A WATERMARK!!

Please let me know how this worked out for you.  

CAS & Color Challenge

Had a lot going on yesterday, and no time to stamp.  Today, I whipped out this little card for combining the SCS CAS and Color Challenges out.  CAS was the sketch - nice sketch for a CAS card, and the colors were new SU colors cherry cobbler, always artichokes and pretty in pink . Not quite the colors I have so I used the closest ones I thought would work.  As you can tell, what makes this CAS - I simply used punches~~ [and BTW a VERY FAST card!!! I needed that since I needed to get to work] and the sentiment from Gina K Designs Stars stamp set.

I  had enough of you ask about the how to make a watermark that I am going to work on the tutorial tomorrow and maybe even get it posted!  That's the goal anyway.  Keep your fingers crossed.  Thanks for stopping by -

Remember to check out my Blog Candy if you haven't had a chance.  Picture on the right sidebar.

Featured Stamper and Something New

The Featured Stamper today was Kathy.  She has an awesome gallery - so much so I did 2 cards!  I used Innovative Stamp Creations Nature Silhouettes II on both cards. [SideNote:  I was trying out to be on the Design Team~~ I semi made it -- Betsy the owner/ creator of these fabulous stamps, has told me she will use me as an on-call person.  This is perfect!  I am finding time running out and the fun gets taken away when you try to do to many "assigned" cards.  I need to get back to more detailed cards - CAS is fun, but I find I am not challenging myself enough for lack of time.] -























This first card, I also used SU Floral background stamp.  I tried the Linen Technique - didn't really work with this stamp, but I will try it again..eventually.  I also tried a new scrunch flower method - I used dp - you spray it with water - scrunch it - open it - let dry.  Forms into a stiff flower - kind of cool actually.  But, there again, it won't mail ~~  They are fun to make though.

For this 2nd card, I was drawn to Kathy's image and her ribbon - love both  of these.   I used the ISC image - which is the closest I have [to Kathy's] but I left the original ribbon.  I adore this black striped ribbon.
Just a couple of fun CASE cards today.

Now, the something NEW - What do you all think of my new SELF CREATED watermark?  Which one do you like better - left is clean and the right one has my initials.  I used that one today, but I am not sure about it.  All else fails - ask my followers!!












I have been debating paying for a watermark - but, you know there are so MANY helpful sites in cyberland that I turned there instead.  Kind of a personal challenge - make it myself.  Obviously, I figured it out - and actually, once I did I was beating myself up FOR NOT DOING IT SOONER!!  It's really easy.  If you are interested in making one for yourself, feel free to leave a comment to let me know - If there is enough interest I might attempt a tutorial (now that would be a challenge) here on my little blog.
That's it for today~~ thanks so much for stopping by and commenting - I do love to hear from you!

 

 ps - if you haven't signed up for my blog candy yet, check out the picture on the right sidebar!

Last Clear Dollar Digi Preview

This is my last month of DTing for Clear Dollar digital stamps.  I have had so much fun designing with this company!
This first image just screams Fall - what a fun tree for Autumn, called AUTUMN JOY FREEBIE.
I also love that you can buy ribbon to match match your paper at Clear Dollar Stamps - this paper color is Mossy Woods with the matching ribbon Fresh Papaya.  Perfect for those Fall cards we are all going to start making~

My 2nd image is just the cutest frog - appropriately named UN-FROG-ETTABLE. [This image is created by Trudy Sjolander]  Is he cute or what!  On the inside of this card I computer generated
"I toadally froggot your Birthday".   (I make all these cards and than forget to mail them out - silly me!)

I

These images (and more) are now available over at Clear Dollar Stamp.  Have fun!!  Thanks for stopping by!

 

ps - Don't froget about my BLOG CANDY - click on right sidebar picture to see the details!!

Inspiration and Clean & Simple Layout

I played in the Inspiration challenge over at SCS and I choose the "theme" of relaxing - the beach is totally relaxing to me.  I also found this Clean & Simple sketch.  I LOVE IT!  Even with CAS cards I struggle for the layout - I know I know - it should be easy, but this challenge site just made it easier!!  LOL - I used Innovative Stamp Creations Picturesque.  I love this beach scene - I added the sun with a punch out circle that I sponged in.  Thanks for stopping by - I am on a roll, so I am off to stamp some more...

Don't forget to check out my blog candy - click on picture to the right...

Speedy the Cat's Frends Challenge #16

Hi there!  [Don't forget to sign up for my blog candy~~click right side picture for details]  This week for SCF Challenge is REALLY easy - flowers.  You can thank Joanne Grezlak for this easy week~~  I made another tissue paper scrunch flower.  These are so relaxing for me to make...  Punch about 8 layers of tissue (folded over and over - punch once) - punch a hole in the middle, stick in a brad and scrunch up the individual layers of tissue - fold up tight - when all done, re-open up - very easy.  It is even easier when using tissue paper - so thin for easy scrunching!  I then tapped ink around the upper edges for some depth.  If you need a visual, I would try Utube "scrunch flowers.  I know there will be a ton~~ My bird is from the MFP Tweet Blessings. We sure hope you join us over at Speedy the  Cat's Blog Challenge.  Thanks for stopping by!!