Powered by Blogger.

Monkeying Around

Well, as you might have noticed, I did a little monkeying around with the blog yesterday. I added a gradient to the banner and added some flowers down the side just for a little something different. I can't decide if I like them or not. What do you think? I also added a donation button on the sidebar. I've had several questions about how people can support the blog, so I made up a little button. I am certainly not expecting or asking for money, but I thought I'd put it there for those of you who have asked. All donations will go to blog candy, contest prizes and shipping. A great big thanks to those who have already contributed. I'll be posting my next big card contest when I reach 40,000 hits on my blog counter.

Okay, now on to the good stuff... I went a little crazy at the LSS the other day when I saw all the Stampendous monkeys in stock and had to buy them all! Well, almost all - they didn't have Changito Swing or Changito Guitar. So, needless to say, I was itching to play with my new stamps. This first one is my first ever ATC (Artist Trading Card). I've never made one, and keep seeing them on everyone's blog, so I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about. Well, aren't these just the funnest little things ever? I'll probably end up putting this one on a card, since I only made one of it, but still I think I'm hooked.

I started by stamping Changito Safari with Versafine Onyx Black and coloring with Prismacolors and Gamsol. I then did a wash on all the white spaces with an Aquapainter and a Bordering Blue Watercolor Wonder Crayon. I matted on So Saffron, using my Creative Memories cutting system to cut out the circles. Next I punched a Mega Scalloped Circle punch out of Always Artichoke and stamped just the edges of the leaves all around the edges of the circle. I then snipped in between each scallop and gently pushed every other scallop forward. I used the Word Window punch to cut two tabs out of Always Artichoke and stamped some more of the edges of the leaves tone on tone. I glued the tabs on So Saffron, which I sponged around the edges of with So Saffron and then stamped the edges of the leaves in So Saffron in opposite corners. Next I used my Mat Pack and a paper piercer to make holes for the Making Memories mini brads. The whole think is matted on an Always Artichoke ATC base and the scalloped circle is on Stampin Dimensionals. Easy peasy and SO CUTE! :)

The second project is a regular sized card using Changito Solo. This card is made completely with scraps that were on my desk. Changito is colored in with prismacolors and markers and then I added a shadow with an Aquapainter and a Bordering Blue Watercolor Wonder Crayon. I then doodled a little frame with stars around the circle and matted on Basic Black. The stars are from the Rhonna Farrer Hearts and Stars set and are stamped on Making Memories paper in Onyx Black. The polka dot paper is Chatterbox. I stamped You're a Star with Karen Foster Snap Stamps - Casual and punched out with my Word Window punch and matted on Basic Black and used my horizontal slot punch to tie a knotted bow on one end. On the other end I glued a cutout of one of the stars. The corners of the card are made with a Mega Scalloped square punch. I just punch a shape out and then cut straight lines one scallop over from each corner to make a sort of spade shape. The finishing touch was some Stardust stickles and one of the bling flowers my Secret Sister sent me.

I received some fabulous Blog Candy from Beth over at A Stampin' Good Time. She sent some absolutely terrific K-Ology Jewel Brads and an assortment of ribbon, including some absolutely scrumptious Maya Road crushed velvet ribbon I've had my eye on. The card she sent is just gorgeous. I love the scalloped border and the white dots. The little bird stamp is fantastic - I wish I knew who made it, because I love it! Thanks so much, Beth.... what a treat!

I'll also show you this adorable card Charmaine sent me last week. I meant to post it last week, and I'm not sure why it didn't download before, but it showed up tonight when I downloaded my pictures from my camera, so here it is. Better late than never, right! It's such a happy little card, and it was my inspiration for using the slot punch on today's star card to tie the ribbon around the tab. Thanks Charmaine, your card really brightened my day.

24 comments

Ila said...

All of these cards are Adorable!! I really love those monkey ones though. Your Blog looks great!

Beth Thomas said...

I'm so loving both of your monkey cards. I think my favorite part is how you stamped the palm leaves on the big scalloped circle. Such a small but clever touch certainly goes a long way! I just got the monkey in the palm tree and can't wait to play with it! Thanks for the kind works regarding my card!

Karen said...

Love your monkey cards. Have ordered them but not yet received them. I can't wait to play.

Amy said...

I'm playing with monkeys today too on my blog, swing on over and check it out! Seems like lots of people are doing monkeys today!!! So cute, and BTW, LOVE the flowers down the side of the screen!

Hugs,
Amy

Beth Norman-Roberts said...

I love your addition to your banner. You are getting creative, aren't you?! Your cards are adorable. I particularly like card #2. Great job!

Anonymous said...

I meant to tell you yesterday that I really like the new additions to your blog, everything looks FANTASTIC!! And your cards? Fabulous! You are just too talented! :)

Kraftin' Kimmie said...

My goodness, those monkeys are adorable!! I would have gone a little crazy in the LSS too!! The cards are adorable, Julee! I've been thinking about the ATC thing too, but haven't dared to do it yet!! I'm afraid I'll get addicted.....to yet another thing!! hahaha!! Great job, Julee!

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

Julee, I absolutely LOVE your Changito cards! Oh my goodness! You and Beate are going to make me HAVE to have them! :) Adorable!

Rose Ann said...

Your Monkey ATC is so adorable, and I love your card!

Love your RAK's as well!

Unknown said...

I just ordered the Stampendous monkeys. I LOVE what you did with them!

Renée said...

love the ATC! At first, I thought you'd used the trick of the word window punch to make your scalloped shaped, but then I read that you snipped them. Well, that looks really cool!

Alli Miles said...

You weren't kidding, you were monkeying around!!! I love your cards. Congrats on your first ATC. It looks wonderful!!! So funny how many of us used the monkeys today.
Alli

Anonymous said...

Well I have to confess, I am NOT a big fan of the SU monkey stamp but this little guy peeking thro the bushes is ADORABLE!! I could really get INTO him!! cute cute!!

Squirrellyshirley

Colleen Schaan said...

This lil' guy is just so cute! You are one step ahead of my for tomorrow's challenge on my blog...(you will see). Adorable cards!

Anonymous said...

Very cute cards! I love all your details. I have that bird stamp and it's made by Inkadinkado. I love it!

Sherrie said...

I'm seeing these fabulous little monkeys everywhere today, like they are calling to me! Love what you did with them, all your cards very adorable!

Lisa said...

What cute little monkeys! Look out, ATCs are addicting... they have their own section on the swap thread over on Splitcoast.... I've been in several.... and I'm doing 2 rounds of 20 ATCs at convention... like I said, VERY addicting! LOL!

Libby Hickson said...

These are all so cute - love your little monkeys, and lucky you getting such awesome RAKs! Have I ever mentioned - I LOVE YOUR BLOG!! :-)

Pat said...

So glad you had time to "monkey" around with your new stamps!!!

Michele Kovack said...

I love every one of them! They are sooooo cute!

Anonymous said...

Your monkey cards look amazing! I love the little ATC and the great Star card. You always do such amazing work!
Love your RAK's they are beautiful.

AJ said...

That monkey is so darn adorable!! I love him!! (wants to order!!) and the cards are fabulous too!!! Great job!

Mo Moss said...

I am not a monkey fan but you sure do show me how to love them. very cute cards. Thanks

Linda Nicholson said...

Love the new look to your blog Julee! I would love to know how to do this kind of thing (I'm happy that I figured out just to start a simple ol blog).

Your Changito cards are all just adorable! I think the first is my favorite though because of the colors you used. I keep looking for them at my Archiver's (but no luck). I think they would be so cute done up with fun flock (to make them all soft and fuzzy).

TFS!

Linda