Don We Now Our Ugly Sweaters

Background is done with a Darice embossing folder.  Sweater was fussy cut freehand and hands and legs were cut with Spellbinders dies.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas................Paulette

Dresses for Success

Just got my advanced copy of the Winter 2015 issue of Stampers'Sampler and HAPPY DAYS!!!---Four of the cards I submitted were published.  The cards were all designed for the Dress Template Challenge.   It takes a bit of persistence and quite a few submissions to actually get designs that the editors find worthy of appearing on their pages.  It's very exciting and reaffirming to see my work published in a national magazine. 

                                                               Dressed for Amour
The editors seem to like black and white cards.  I went with a French theme on this card.

Supplies
 Stamps: Close to My Heart
 Ink:  Memento: Tuxedo Black
Accents  Michaels Eiffel Tower Rhinestone sticker, Black & White dotted organza ribbon, Cuttlebug          embossing folder
Paper:  DCWV
Directions: Cut dress from white dotted paper.  Attach black belt, collar and bow.  Dry emboss white background.  Attach Eiffel Tower sticker.  Stamp “Amour” and cut freehand from white, then black paper.

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                                                           Dressed for Love
Supporting my Black & White Theory, they published another of my cards.
Supplies:
Stamps: Close to My Heart
Ink:  Memento: Tuxedo Black
Accents:  Michaels Hat rhinestone sticker, Darice embossing folder,     handmade flower from seam binding
Paper: DCWV
Directions: Cut dress from black dotted paper.  Attach white belt and flower, buttons.  Dry emboss white background.  Attach hat sticker.  Stamp “Love” and cut freehand from white, then black paper.

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                                                                I Want It All
"I want it all and I want it delivered" is a fun stamp.  For this card my color palette was based on the colors of the shoe and purse brads.  The lace pattern in black was pre-embossed pattern paper from DCWV.
Supplies
Stamps: Crafty Secrets Clear Art Stamps
Ink:  Memento: Tuxedo Black
Accents: Purse & shoe brads, black half pearls, tiny rhinestone flower, ribbon, Anna Griffin embossing folder by Cuttlebug
Paper: DCWV
Directions:  Dry emboss white layer.  Cut out dress and add belt and buttons.  Stamp sentiment and lady with black ink.  Cut freehand from white and layer onto pink and black layers.  Attach ribbon.  Add purse and shoe brads.

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Steampunk Dorothy

I decided to think outside the box with this Steampunk design.  I redisned the bodice of the dress to reflect Dorothy's original design and added a gear buckle.

Supplies

 Stamps: Stampendous

  Ink:  Memento: Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Ink-wild honey 

 Accents:  Gears and cogs, red Stickles

Papers: DCWV

Directions:  Stamp shoes onto red cardstock and fussy cut.  Add cog and rhinestone gems.  Cut dress from blue checked paper (modify neckline).  Attach belt with gear buckle.  Free hand sleeves and bodice to create white blouse.  Stamp gears and cogs on background paper with wild honey ink.  Stamp sentiments and cut out freehand and layer onto red cardstock.  Add gears and cogs and a few red Stickles dots to bottom left.

Thanks for stopping by.......................................Paulette

Golden Thank You

I created this card for the December Stack-a-holic Challenge on the DCWV Diary Blog.  The sketch for the challenge is:

I used the DCWV Stardust Matstack for my paper choices.  All the dies I used were from Spellbinders. The "THANK YOU" stamp is by Studio 112.  Some golden bling completes my design.

Thanks for stopping by.............................Paulette

Welcome, 2015!!!

Welcome, 2015!!!  This month's challenge on Unruly Paper Arts Reader Quest is to use fireworks and the colors in the photo below:

I used some handmade black paper with silver accents for the paper and added some rhinestone bling.  The numbers are from a Bo Bunny set stamped on glittery DCWV papers from a holiday matstack.  

Looking forward to an exciting 2015........Paulette

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

The December Reader Art Quest on the Unruly PaperArts blog has the theme "Santa Claus is Coming to Town.  I painted my wooden sleigh with glittery acrylic paints in gold and silver.  The Christmas scene was cut out of German scrap.  I decoupaged the scrap onto the sled and added various colored and sized gems.  I topped the tree with a Dresden trim star.  I added some gold braid as the reins of the sleigh.  Using a Spellbinders label die, I cut out a tag and attached an embellishment from K & Co.

Still time to get busy with your Christmas Craft projects...Paulette

Give Thanks

 I entered this card in the October DCWV Stamp-a-holic Sketch Challenge.   The card was selected to be in the Top Ten.  A drawing was held and I was selected to win a prize.  I'm doing the happy dance today!!!

This is the sketch I based my design on:

I used papers from the DCWV Autumn Melody stack.  The layers were outlined with a gold leaf Krylon pen.  I added rhinestone leaves and gems.

Our beautiful leaves have all fallen here in the Midwest...the weatherman is threatening a visit from Jack Frost.

Here's hoping your autumn were warm & colorful...Paulette 

Glorious Monarch

This card was inspired by this month's Unruly PaperArts Reader Art Quest.  The colors and the photo below are the source of inspiration.

The photo of the monarch is a re-purposed index page from a 2013 calendar.  I used an Sizzix embossing folder on the background.  The yellow flowers were created from punches and the orange flowers were cut from an Ellentina die.  You can find the Unruly PaperArt Quest HERE.

This week the Fall foliage color is at peak here in Madison.  The colors are glorious...

Enjoy our beautiful Fall season......Paulette

I've Been Published in the Latest Stampers' Sampler!!!

 Just got my advance copy of the Oct/Nov/Dec 2014 issue of "the stampers' sampler."  I submitted a series of cards for the angel template challenge.  They published 3 of my cards!

This one is my Steampunk Angel.  I used wire mesh for the wings, a bunch of gears and some embossing folders.  I used a clock stamp by Rubbernecker on the gown.

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I called this one "Our Hearts Have Wings."  The paper is from a DCWV and the stamp is by Hampton Arts.  The sentiment was heat-embossed with gold embossing powder.  The head is a pearl and gold button.  The heart is a gold charm and the trim is a gold sticker

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This card I called "Words."  I used the same Hampton Arts stamp and embossing technique to stamp the sentiment.  The head is a gold heart charm.  The wings and trim on the gown are German scrap from the Paper Dreams Factory.  The paper is from DCWV.

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The photography in this issue of the magazine seems to be rather poor quality---faded or poor lighting.  My photos are not that good either---I had put my camera in a "safe place" and then couldn't remember where it was.  These photos were taken with my phone.

Paulette

Bird Still Life

I used papers from the DCWV Botanical stack.  I fussy cut the bird and berries from a second sheet of paper and popped them up with dimensional tape.  I added Crystal Effects to the grapes.  The sympathy stamp is from PSX.

I'm entering this card in the Challenge Chicks Birds of a Feather Feather challenge

Have a great day....................................Paulette

Fall-ing for You

The challenge this month on Dies R Us is #10-Fall Festival.  I love this little vintage girl stamp...I borrowed it from a friend so I don't know which stamp co. makes it.  I added some very tiny punched oak leaves to her hat and around the image.  The corner die cuts were made with a Marianne die.  The cascade of different leaves down the left side of the card and on the bottom right corner were all cut from a die by Joy! Crafts.  I also used this die to emboss the veins on the leaves and accent the veins with color pencils.  Several rhinestone maple leaves complete the design.

Peak Color Season is several weeks away...my most favorite time of year!...Enjoy...........Paulette

By the Light of the Moon

A bit early for Halloween but this scaredy cat is ready for some Trick & Treating.  The cat stamp is from Stampin Up.  The bat paper is by Graphic 45 and the other papers are from DCWV.

This card was designed for this month's Reader's Art Quest over on the Unruly PaperArts blog.  

                                                                                 

Thanks for stopping by............................................Paulette

In Memorium

This week's Ways to Use It challenge is called "Make It Monumental." It commemorates the tragedy of 9-11 and suggests using marble, granite or stone in the design. My card also follows this week's sketch challenge. My background 'paper' is actually from a roll of contact paper I picked up at a local thrift shop. The paper has a series of flowers on a backdrop of marble or stone.

A day to remember the loved ones we have lost and to hug those near and dear to us...Paulette

Taylored Expressions Sketch Selfie Share Challenge

There's a "Triple S Challenge" over on the Taylored Expressions Blog.  I followed the sketch...I took a selfie (yuck) and now I'm sharing here on my blog and over on the TE blog also.

I used Taylored Expressions stamp set entitled "Lani."  She reminds me of my granddaughter, Chelsea, who has been dancing hula since she was 4 years old.  I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils.  The pattern paper is Graphic 45.  I sponged the image and the flower with Ranger TH Distress Inks---wild honey & dried marigold.  The yellow flower was made with a Stampin Up blossom punch.  The leaf was cut from a Ellentina die.  An orange paper flower and a rhinestone were added embellishments.

SSSH!  Chelsea's 17th birthday is next month, this will be her card.

       Much Aloha, Paulette Akagi

Rainy Day at the Beach

It's Suzy's day at the beach but it's a good thing she brought her umbrella as it has started to rain. For the Wrap It Around technique, I wrapped some plastic pearls around an acrylic block. Inking the pearls and then stamping reminded me of raindrops.  The stamp and pattern paper are Graphic 45.  Inks are Black Stazon and Ranger Distress Ink Broken China.  I added some blue half pearls as embellishments. Have a sunny day!........................Paulette

Vintage Millinery

Card for the One Little Button challenge. Button is attached with a white flower brad. Added a gathered lace flower. Framed with a diecut cut with Spellbinders Nestabilies. Flocked flowers are part of the designer paper.

Have a great day!..........................................................Paulette

I've Been Published in Just Steampunk!

Just got my advance copy of Just Steampunk! Vol. 5 and the seven cards I submitted for publication were published!!!  There is a whole page of just my cards (p.81).

The following 4 cards all feature steampunk kitty stamps from Viva Las Vegas Stamps!

I did 2 very similar cards using Graphic 45 paper and a hot air balloon stamp by Inkadinkado.

And the seventh card was made using Graphic 45 images and a Studio 112 stamp.

The best definition of steampunk I have found is: "The future as imagined in the past."   It's wheels, sprockets, gears and steam power.  Think sci-fi, Jules Verne, the Industrial Revolution and the Victorian era.  I hope this gives you and idea of this popular genre.

Thanks for stopping by.........................Paulette

Mariposa

The theme for August's Unruly PaperArts Challenge is "Take Flight."  Besides the creative prompts I was inspired by this paper from my favorite DCWV paper stack called "Mariposa".  The die is by Cheery Lynn and the "Thanks" is a stamp from Close to My Heart.  I used Ranger's Distress Ink peacock feathers to stamp and sponge the edges of the sentiment.  I added a bit of crystal Stickles to the butterfly's body.

Thanks for stopping by.....................................Paulette

DCWV July Stack-a-holic Sketch Challenge Top 14

My card was in the DCWV Stack-a-holic July Sketch Challenge Top 14.

Here is the challenge sketch:

I used DCWV's Cherry Limeade stack.  Embellishments are velvet rick-rack, satin flowers and baker's twine.

Have a great week!.............................................Paulette

Lady Golfer

I made this card using this week's Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge.  The sketch is here:

A fairly easy sketch to play with, I used some stamps that I had lying around in my craft room.  The stamps are from a Stampin Up set.  Paper is DCWV.  I used Spellbinders Nestabilities to die-cut the golf ball and popped it up with dimensionals.

Wishing you a tee-riffic week!.........................Paulette

Contest Winner!

 

I entered this card at the Rubber Stamp Events show in West Bend, WI. Theme was "Cinderella." I originally sent the card in without the word label and flourish. Barb from Rubber Stamp Events was nice enough to call me to say that my card did not meet the requirements for the contest---must have some stamping. I remade the card and added the stamped label and flourish. The Cinderella and carriage embossing folders were acquired at a garage sale for 50 cents for the set. My card won $50 for 3rd place!!!

The "Dream" stamp is from a set of Stamp N Plus Scrap N word set.  You can order this set by calling LuAnn at:(715) 271-1873

Thanks for stopping by, may all your dreams come
               true....................Paulette

Summer's Fiesta

It's Summertime and the colors are bright, bold and sunny.  I love the happy colors and chose this stamp from Stamp N Plus Scrap N.   The happy flowers were made by my BFF Hedy who fashioned them from seam binding.  The leaves were punched from a Punch Bunch punch that I picked up for 40 cents at St. Vinny's.  The background was dry embossed with a folder by Sizzix.  The colorful gems remind me of confetti from a pinata or fireworks---both items present at a fiesta.

I designed this card for a challenge on Unruly PaperArts.



Hope your Summertime is filled with Happy!.......Paulette

Golfing Days

This week on Splitcoaststampers the Inspiration Challenge is a menswear site.  I chose this light blue shirt with a white collar as my inspiration.  I used a pre-made DCWV card and the image is from a Graphic 45 paper pad.  The sentiment is a Stampin Up stamp.

Hope you are doing something fun on days ending in "y."  Paulette

Happy Birthday, Debbie!

We celebrated my BFF Debbie's B'day with a surprise party this weekend.  This is a centerpiece I made for the party.  The doll was cut from a Spellbinders die and the lettering from  Sizzix dies.  

Thinking of you

This card was made for this week's color challenge.  Flower was cut with a Poppy Stamps die.  The negative spaces were colored with Prismacolor pencils were used to color the negative spaces in the die cut.  Sentiment stamp source is unknown.

Have a great Tuesday.........................................Paulette

Wildflower Bouquet

The Try a New Technique challenge this week on Splitcoaststampers is die-cut stencils.  I used the negative of this Memory Box bouquet stencil to randomly sponge the flower design as a background using Ranger Broken China Distress ink.  I added an applique butterfly and some gems as accent.

Have a great week.........................Paulette

Oopsy Daisy

It's Inspiration Challenge day over on Splitcoaststampers.  I picked up the K&co. dimensional flower stickers for 25 cents at a garage sale. The branches were cut with a Memory Box die. My inspiration piece has fish in it but I'm allergic to all seafood so I used the daisy-like flowers, the colors, and the seaweed as inspiration. You could even stretch your imagination a bit and decide the dry embossed background resembles the fish scale pattern. The inspiration comes from this picture.

Happy Saturday.......................Paulette