Check out this terrific fundraiser at the University at Buffalo:

The Artful Bra is a display of “creative brassieres” designed and created by University at Buffalo staff and members of the Western New York community. The bras will be auctioned to raise funds for the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research.

This project is part of the University Employees Campaign for the Community, an annual campaign which raises funds for the United Way and other Western New York Charities.

The bras will be on display at the University’s Center for the Arts, in the Atrium Display Cases, outside the Main Stage, from September 21st through October 30th.

I participated in The Artful Bra as an artist. Here’s my creation called “In Full Bloom”:

Here it is again with the tag I made for it:

(Please click images to see them a bit larger.)

If you’re interested in bidding on a bra, you can visit this site for the details on how to place your bid and how to vote for your favorite bra.

A couple weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to take two classes at Stamping Bella in Toronto. Paula Williamson (seriously…check out her blog and fabulous work!) came in from Michigan to teach coloring with Prismacolor pencils and gamsol. I am so glad I went. Learned a lot, had fun, and bought some bellas to bring home with me.

Over the next week or so, I’ll share some of what we created…starting with Chatty Cathy:

(Please click image to see it a bit larger.)

Isn’t she cute? Not only are the colors beautiful, she’s got some bling going on with a bit of glitter on her skirt.

Please note that I did all of the coloring, according to the directions Paula provided. She guided us completely on which colors to use and taught us about shading, building colors, etc. Super fun!

See ya later!

I love Kim Hughes’ designs. I’ve had the Comforting Hugs set for a while now and just pulled it out recently to make a get well card for my sister-in-law.

(Please click the image to see it a bit larger.)

Too cute! I paper pieced the band-aid and stitched the pink panel to the black scallop piece that I cut with my Nesties.

Hope it brings a smile to her face while she’s recuperating!

Nothing like waiting until (almost) the last minute to enter a challenge!

For Holiday Cards and More week, Moxie Fab World has issued a challenge to create a stamped holiday card (or ornament, home decor item, etc.).

Here’s my card:

(Please click the image to see it a bit larger.)

I went with a red and white color scheme and threw in a bit of silver and lots of glitter. Ed the Moose is stamped in white pigment ink and embossed with white embossing powder. I made the background with the Cuttlebug forest branches embossing folder, and then glittered the branches.

This almost gets me ready for cooler weather.

Have a great week!

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Stamps: Ed the Moose (Cornish Heritage Farms), sentiment is from Printworks

Ink: White craft and Ruby Red dye ink (Stampin’ Up!)

Cardstock: White and red from my stash.

Other: Silver trim, dazzling diamonds glitter (Stampin’ Up!), Cuttlebug forest branches embossing folder

This past spring I entered the Stampin’ Up! Artisan Award contest. Although I didn’t win, I was very pleased with my entries. Here is one of the five cards I submitted:

(Please click the image to see it a bit larger.)

To create this card, I lightly penciled in a grid on the kraft cardstock, then used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to align the stamped flower image. I colored the flowers in with certainly celery and a white gel pen.

Hope you had a great Saturday!

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Stamps: Playful Petals

Ink: Chocolate Chip (I think!), Certainly Celery

Cardstock: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Kraft

Misc: Scallop border punch, Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, white gel pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Every month I check out Shelli Gardner’s (CEO and co-founder of Stampin’ Up!) creative challenge, but I have yet to participate. Until now.

For August, Shelli has challenged us to get back to the basics and use only stamps, ink and paper — no embellishments at all — in our creation. I also challenged myself to use a stamp set in my stash that I haven’t used yet. Here’s what I came up with:

(Please click the image to see it a bit larger.)

Don’t you just love the new In Colors? My favorite by far is Rich Razzleberry – it’s a gorgeous, rich berry, wine color.

Have a super day!

Stamps: A Happy Heart
Ink: Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry
Paper: Whisper White CS, Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper
Misc: Scallop border punch, dimensionals

Edited to add: I also used Melon Mambo CS!

Hi there! Last night as I was reviewing the last chance accessories list, I noticed that it wasn’t in any particular order, which makes it difficult to find in the catalog. So, I updated the list to be alphabetical by product description. Hope this helps! Here’s the new list (PDF).

With the new catalog coming our way next month, Stampin’ Up! has just released the list of retiring stamp sets and accessories. And, great news, some of the accessories are on sale for up to 50% off. Accessories are available only while supplies last, so if there is something you really want, please order early!

Here are the Last Chance lists:

• Last Chance Stamp Sets – alphabetical order (PDF)
• Last Chance Stamp Sets – by catalog page number (PDF)
• Last Chance Accessories (PDF)
• Last Chance Decor Elements (PDF)

Please contact me to place an order.

In honor of national scrapbooking month, Stampin’ Up! is offering two terrific specials during the month of May (PDF).

1. Buy three packs of Designer Series paper (including our Specialty Designer Series paper) or 12″ x 12″ textured card stock, and get one FREE!
2. Buy the Jumble Alphabet sneak peek stamp set (PDF) from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog–Jumble Alphabet (set of 52; double-mounted)–at a 20% discount. Regular price is $43.95 — your sale price is $35.16. This set is perfect for adding fun words and phrases to your scrapbook pages.

My niece is singing with the Erie County All-County Chorus today, so I thought I’d make her a card to celebrate her accomplishment. She’s a very talented young lady and I’m so proud of her!

I love the colors – so bright and cheery on a rainy day.

Since so many designers now are focusing on the inside of their cards as well as the front, I gave that a shot on this card too.

Cute! Hope she likes it!

• Stamps: Darling Dots and Sweet Little Sentiments (hostess level 1 sets – Stampin’ Up!)
• Ink: Tangerine Tango, Apricot Appeal, Summer Sun (Stampin’ Up!)
• Paper: Orange cardstock I picked up ages ago, striped paper is Maddi Narr Stripe (Making Memories), whisper white and apricot appeal cardstock  (Stampin’ Up!)
• Tools: Round scallop punch, 1″ and 1 3/8″ circle punches (Stampin’ Up!)