A challenge....a recipe

Hello all!

I have been out of commission for a while. Hospitalized for a time and a pending surgery coming up. I needed some "me" time to play and reflect on all that I love. MariLynn and I try to touch base on a daily basis and I have her to thank for this creation. Her challenge for us was a "recipe". She picked two criteria and I picked two. MariLynn chose butterflies and pearls and I chose (forgetting I'd done something quite similar) the color teal and lace. I used a variety of dp and a piece of dictionary page. I sponged around the papers before I matte mod podged them onto the paper. The butterflies were cut from different dps with the exception of the light blue one with pearls (that is the SU! embosslit). I used the Unity stamps Art & Possibility, The Time is Now and an itty bitty. Also used Elements of Style from SU. I managed teal with bermuda bay ink, black ink for other stamping. Teal pearls were used on the body of my centerpiece butterfly and then white pearls for a trail. Teal lace in two different colors and an antique brad. Clear snap shiny spray was painted on the butterfly and sentiment. None of my glittery sprays work....suggestions...I believe I have tried them all!

Pam

This is MariLynn. This is my card that I made using the recipe of butterflies, pearls, teal and lace. I used this week's MojoMonday 369 sketch for my card. I took a piece of teal cardstock. I embossed it with my french script embossing folder and my cuttlebug. I then covered that teal cardstock with glue encyclopedia scraps and  white paint. I wanted it to dry quickly so I put it on a foil lined cookie sheet and I put it in my oven. It dried in 2 mins. I was very happy with the results. I might have to try it again. I let it cool and I used a stencil and copper inka gold. I also took gold paint and went over the embossed script. I cut it into thirds. I wanted to have my pearls for my butterfly trails. I only had straight pearl strips. So I cut each pearl apart and using tweezers and put them down one at a time. It was fun playing with this recipe. If you would like to play along. All for fun of course,  be sure to include 1. Butterflies  2. Pearls  3. Teal  4 Lace on your card and link it in the comments section.

Christmas gift tags using dry embossing technique

Happy Friday everyone!  I thought I'd show a project I just finished using the dry embossing technique, which, in this instance, requires the use of a die cutting machine such as a Cuttlebug, Big Shot, etc.  Simply place your cardstock directly where you want to emboss, usually on an edge, and run it through your machine.  I've embossed the bottom edges of all 3 tags with a Christas tree embossing folder.  If you'd like to see more details pics and some bonus tips, visit my blog here:

 

http://wavingmywand.blogspot.com/2014/10/partial-dry-embossing-3-different-looks.html

 

This is such a fun, quick way to add a little dimension to your gift tags.  Try it out!

 

Terri

 

#UNITYSTAMPCO #MAYARTSRIBBON

 

Coming soon......Giving thanks with Unity Stamps and Tombow

We've got a special treat coming up soon and our design team is gearing up to bring you some wonderful projects featuring Tombow Adhesive and Unity Stamps.

 

We are so grateful to have such wonderful sponsors that provide such quality products.  It makes it easy for us to create when you have top-notch products to work with!  Thanksgiving is the perfect time to honor these two fabulous companies and share how thankful we are.  A little known fact?  The Unity Stamp Co had a hand in bringing Mountain Plains Crafters together as this is where co-founders Terri Burson (myself), Sheryl Kemper and Pam Stang met. 

We adore Angela Magnuson and her wonderful team and for this we are truly thankful.

 

Tombow USA is one of our new sponsors and we are so happy that they chose to join us on this journey.  Our team is already hooked on the Xtreme adhesive runner!

 

 

So mark your calendars because on November 13-14th, we're having a 2 day blog hop and awarding one lucky fan a fabulous prize package from Tombow USA adhesive and Unity Stamps. 

 

 



Over-sized Shaker card

This cute shaker card was made from the plastic packaging from an embossing folder.  Some crafters make shaker cards look so easy but for me, I tend to struggle with it.  Totally not my thing!  But I really wanted to give this a shot.  I think it turned out alright.  What do you think?  

If you want to see more details, check out my personal blog here.

Cancer Awareness Month

Cancer - it's a dirty, ugly word isn't it? Some people whisper it, some avoid it, some hear it and run away. Many, many more live with it, fight it, help others fight it, and never, ever give up.

We've all been affected by it here at MPC; we've lost loved ones, we've watched loved ones win the fight, and right now our own Sheryl is watching and helping her own husband fight (you can read their story here.)

So what can we mere mortals do? We can spread hope, love, friendship and just be there for those that need us. We can send cards, promote awareness, and keep searching for that cure. As you all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but there's no need to stop there. The team has created cards embodying that hope and love they so easily spread and share those, and the stories behind them, here. 

Take a moment, enjoy the beauty, and grab the tissues. Feel free to share your stories here or on our Facebook page. We challenge you to send a card to someone just because you care this month. Doesn't have to be cancer-related, but be someone's ray of sunshine. Keep spreading the happiness and love that cancer cannot erase and remember that someday we'll win this fight.

dEb

Cancer has touched my life in many ways; professionally as a nurse and personally with family and friends. I wanted my card to represent not only Breast Cancer which is the focus during October, but all cancers. I used the Unity Stamp Company sets "...all about HOPE" and "Imperfection is Beauty". The lotus petals from left to right represent : Gold/ Childhood cancers, Dark Blue/ Colon cancer in memory of my brother, Teal/ Ovarian cancer, White/ Lung cancer in memory of my beloved mother, Plum honors caregivers who fight the battles alongside their loved ones, Periwinkle/ Esophageal cancer in honor of Dale Kemper, and Pink/ Breast cancer both in honor and memory of many friends. The lavender card base represents all cancers. Please support those you know who are facing cancer -- either as a patient or their loved one ... Even a small random act of kindness can help brighten someone's day. 

Paula
It's so sad to think of all the people hurting from having cancer and those hurting from loving someone with cancer. I've personally lost so many from Uncles (Leukemia & Brain), to a Grandpa (Leukemia), my beloved Great-Great Auntie (Breast), from friends I have met and spent loads of time with to those I will never have the opportunity to spend even a second with but know from an online relationship. I carry them in my heart. My card was created with Unity Stamps and stencils from UmWow & Tim Holtz using gelatos. I have additional cards as well on my BLOG.

MariLynn
I made my card with a removable decorative clip. My card had several elements that represented the contrast of beauty and pain. Roses have thorns, pearls come from sand getting into the oyster's shells, and the butterfly has to totally change shape after being held captive in a cocoon. To me they show hope. That even though cancer is ugly and painful, there can still be beauty. you can read more about this card on my blog:

Jennifer
In my family, cancer seems to run rampant...for my card I went CAS and chose the ink colors based on the ribbon colors they represent: dark blue for my Aunt (colon), gray for my mother-in-law (brain), light blue for my Poppy (prostate), pink for my Gram (breast cancer for the third time, now), black ink for my Gram (skin cancer/melanoma), and the plum purple mat for all those who help them fight. The stamps are from Unity; the sentiment was from a grab bag, and I thought it was perfect for anyone who's life has been touched by this disease. I have the card creation details over on my blog, but be sure to grab the tissues first.

Terri
I made this CAS (clean and simple) card in honor of my mother and sister who have both battled breast cancer.  While I'm a big believer in raising awareness, I'm also very disappointed by the fact that many companies and organizations that make a very good profit from the sales of cancer awareness, donate very little, if at all, to the cause of finding a cure.  This article from my friend Laura Kelly is a real eye opener.  I hope you'll take the time to read it, and, if you want to make a true difference, donate to one of the organizations listed at the bottom of her post.  http://www.laurakellydesigns.com/laurakellydesignsblog/index.php/2014/10/14/a-little-sharing-for-a-lot-of-heart/

 















Sheryl
Ah...the horrors of cancer.  Lung cancer took my grandfather in 1974.  I was only seven then.  Then breast cancer hit my mom in 1980 and then other forms developed in 1982 and she lost her fight then.  Now as some of you know...my husband is fighting esophageal cancer.  So far he's doing really well.  He finished his last chemo treatment on Monday and will finish up his last radiation appointment this coming Monday.  Then a few weeks from now he'll get another scan and go forward with surgery in mid-December.  What a journey this has been and it's only halfway over.  I thank everyone for their support during this HELL of a ride.  It's even more hellish for Dale as he is now relying only on a feeding tube for food.  Radiation causes inflammation and burning at the site being treated and now it has made it impossible for him to swallow food, liquids, or even his own spit.  Keep supporting the cause.  If you donate...donate to the American Cancer Foundation...which helps ALL types of cancers.  Do you know there are more agencies to help women going through and recovering from breast cancer then there are to help people like my husband?  I can't find a single place in Colorado OR the nation to help us with finances.  That's pretty sad.  We need places that will help people with ALL TYPES of cancer.  Not limiting it to either by AGE or by TYPE or even by sexual orientation.  There are too many out there that will only help people who are behind on RENT.  But they won't help homeowners with a single mortgage payment.  So while we fight to stay alive, we get to lose our house we work hard to own.  NOT fair.  Cancer can affect everyone from all angles.  It really DOES suck.  Help keep hope, love, faith, and fight the fight that's taking everyone and everything away from us.

Tribute to a friend

MariLynn posted a card on her blog the other day casing me and it can be found on her blog Mississippi McGyver. As she said, on Sundays at Split Coast Stampers, members are featured and we are encouraged to case something from the featured stampers' gallery. Neither one of us have ever been chosen so on Monday, we decided to case one another. I love MariLynn's style. Lots of layers, colors (loves blue) and butterflies. Butterflies are always a must. I did a technique called serendipity squares which can be found here and cased these two creations; MIX64 Hello Spring and He made all things beautiful and tried to capture her love of butterflies, burlap, flowers and layers. I used a scrap of gorgeous dp on my desk and went to work. I used the swirl embossing folder and then Inca Gold in gold, green and blue on embossed areas. Also, used Elements of Style  and embossed it with a distressed green ep. I almost forgot, I managed to fit in the TLC from Monday on SCS TLC503....to use a pencil eraser somehow on our projects...my butterfly trails are pencil erasers stamped in versa mark and embossed in gold. I am thankful for all of my stamping friends and their friendship!

Have a lovely day!

Pam

World Cardmaking Day Compilation+ Winner

We had an astounding number of entries for this contest.  Thanks so much for your participation and for spreading the word. 

Below, is the compilation of our design team's vintage projects.  Thanks again, Graphic 45 , for sponsoring this fabulous World event! 

And the winner of the G45 Raining Cats and Dogs collection, via random draw is:

#211 Bev Code

Congratulations Bev! Please email us your contact information to 

mountainplainscrafters (at) gmail (dot) com.  

Thanks everyone!  Check in for our next big event soon, sponsored by the Unity Stamp Co!

Christina

Debra

Jennifer

MariLynn

Paula

Terri

Sheryl

Oct. 4th World Cardmaking Day (prize entry details!)

World Cardmaking Day is Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 and we are not about to let this day pass unnoticed.  Our design team has been working hard on some special projects to showcase throughout the day.  Our theme?

 

VINTAGE

 

And, who better to have as a sponsor than the Masters of vintage?  Graphic 45

 

 

We are so lucky to have them as sponsors here at MPC and they have graciously offered one stupendous prize:  The entire collection of Raining Cats and Dogs (except single sheets)

 

"How do I enter?", you ask?

 

Simple.  Click here for our Community Facebook page (or bookmark it).
The event will start On Sat., Oct. 4 at approximately 10:00 am ET. 

First, you need to like our FB page.  Next, find the accompanying post pinned at the top and in the comment section, tag a friend.  You can tag as many Facebook friends as you want, in separate comments, but please don't tag the same friend over and over.  (grin) 

For extra good mojo and good vibes, please hop on over to Graphic 45's Facebook page and say hi and that Mountain Plains Crafters sent you.

 

At the end of the day (approximately 11:00 pm ET), we will choose a random winner, via Randomizer.org.  Simple, right? 

Check in throughout the day to see the wonderful vintage projects our design team will be showcasing.  I can promise you, you will be inspired.

 

#worldcardmakingday #nationalcardmakingday #graphic45 #cre8time