Taylor's Cupcake Challenge

Yesterday I had a wonderful opportunity to stamp just for fun! And I managed to create six cards in just a few hours...It was delightful! Soon I'll have to pack up all of my supplies for our move. My goodies will be moving into a lovely but smaller studio. Our plan is to build in storage and counter space. However, that will probably leave much of my supplies packed so...I'm hard at work creating cards and projects to share during the transition. Last night I inked up some stamps I've never used and am looking forward to showing you the results! The card above is also using a brand new stamp, part of a new Stampin' Up! set called, Fifth Avenue Floral. It is a delightful set that I've had my eye on for awhile...I'm thrilled that it's now part of my collection! The paper used on the card coordinates with the stamps in the set and it can be found here. I used Copics to color in the flower, which has been cut out and attached with dimensional tape. The center of the flower is covered in tiny rhinestones, purchased from Taylor's store, Taylored Expressions. They're much sparklier (is that a word??) in person! :-) The layout comes from Taylor and was her weekly cupcake challenge. I thought this was a wonderful layout, simple, clean lines and super versatile! Go to Taylor's blog to check out her amazing work and follow links to other stampers who have participated in the challenge. Enjoy!

Earth Day Winner!

The winner of the Odd Bird Planet Earth Day Extravaganza - Aluminum Foil challenge - is Heather from A Day in the Life of the Raborns! Congrats Heather, please email me at ksdm@comcast.net with your shipping address, including phone number, and we'll be sending you a special OBP Earth Day stamp! You'll also be entered into the Grand Prize drawing from $100 or $50 in FREE OBP stamps or a 25% off coupon!! Enjoy and thank you all for playing!

Earth Day Challenge - Aluminum Foil

Welcome to the Odd Bird Planet Earth Day Extravaganza! Have you guys been following all of the fantastic design team challenges?! What fun! My challenge is to use aluminum foil in a project. Did you know that you can recycle aluminum foil? For cards, I suggest using a clean piece...hee hee Since aluminum foil is so soft it was perfect for using with texture plates. I didn't even need to run this piece through the Cuttlebug, just pushed down with my fingers. Love the effect! Isn't it cool! And the stamp I used, Al on Earth, is one that you could win for entering my challenge! To enter simply create a card, scrapbook page, or other project using aluminum foil and post a link to a photo of your creation in the comments section. You'll have until 11:59 pm tomorrow night (4/23) to post your project. You'll then be entered into a drawing for a free OBD Earth Day stamp! And that's not all...Every participant will be entered into a drawing for the following prizes: -One winner will receive $100 in Odd Bird Planet stamps -One winner will receive $50 in Odd Bird Planet stamps -Five winners will receive a 25% discount coupon when they place a Odd Bird Planet order You can also post your creation and see all the other fun stuff going on during the next few hours at our forum on Paper Craft Planet. OK now...Get busy!! :-)

Earth Day Extravaganza!

Join me and all of the Odd Bird Planet team for an Earth Day Extravaganza, taking place starting tomorrow (4/22) at 6am (PST) and ending 24 hours later on 4/23! The majority of the DT team will be posting challenges every hour on the hour and you'll have an opportunity to play along and enter your name into a drawing for some wonderful prizes!! I'll be posting my challenge at 3-6pm Eastern Standard Time. Stay tuned for more details....

Keep it Simple Sunday

One way to make quick and easy cards? Use your scraps!! The three thin slices of cardstock on today's card were all in the "discard" pile next to my crafting area. Two of the pieces I used on one card and the third on a second but the colors all worked well together. I simply stamped a background image, created a focal point with a main image, and added an embellishment! (I didn't even cut the scraps!) Total time to make this card - about 15 minutes! Now that is one way to keep it simple! :-) All of stamps used on this evening's card, with the exception of the "Friend" sentiment, which is from Papertreyink, are from Stampin' Up! The buttons are from a giant bag 'o buttons, where all lost and lonely buttons go! I layered two buttons to get the white/red effect. Gives the card a nice pop of color! Oh, the background leaf image is also from PTI and has been stamped with VersaMark ink and then embossed with clear embossing powder. Enjoy!

SALT Challenge - Sheep of His Flock

This week it was Gina's turn to set the SALT challenge and her word was sheep or most specifically the Sheep of His flock. You can read Gina's write up on the SALT blog. Throughout Scripture, there are numerous references to Jesus being the Good Shepherd and those who trust in Him as the sheep. I love the picture that conjures up....In Biblical times (and probably even today), shepherding was serious work. A shepherd had to watch over the flock to ensure that none of them were lost or dragged away by predators. It's almost like a parent would watch over a child. In this way, we see that Christ watches over those that follow Him, loving them, caring for them, and protecting them. I choose John 10:27 as my verse this week and it reads, "My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me." In Matthew Henry's commentary he writes that Christians "hear Christ's voice; they discern it. They delight in it, are in their element when they are sitting at His feet to hear His word." In the second section about Christ knowing His sheep, Henry points out, "He (being Christ) distinguishes them from others. He knows their wants and desires, knows their souls in adversity, where to find them, and what to do for them." It's more than a casual knowing like we might "know" someone at work. The Good Shepard knows His sheep inside and out. The last part of the verse, follow Me, rings of the gentle command that Christ gave all of His disciples. Henry again states, "they (Christians) follow him; they submit to His guidance by a willing obedience to all His commands. The word of command has always been "follow Me." We must eye Him as our leader and captain, and tread in His steps, and walk as He walked." In an anxious world where it's hard to find trustworthy leaders or sometimes even friends, co-workers, family members, etc., it's good to know that Christ will never leave, will never forsake those He loves. Even if everyone you held dear were to turn against you, Christ would not. There is great comfort in that fact!! This week my project is a small trinket box, created using chipboard squares and a cardstock center. The stamps, which I just adore (aren't they fantastic) are from Cornish Heritage Farms. The sky and ground were colored with Copics and I really love the aged look they give when combined with Stampin' Up!'s Sahara Sand cardstock. A perfect combination with my antique sheep! Enjoy and may you find comfort in the great Shepherd today!

Speical News Bulletin!!

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to make a very important announcement....

After our successful Stamp NE event last month, Julie Masse and I decided that we'd like to host a few more stamping weekends! And while we're still working on exact dates and hotel locations, we are pleased to announce four more Stamping Around locations!!! -Late June/early July - Connecticut (New Haven/Danbury area) -August - Mid-West (St. Louis) -September-Vermont (Manchester) -Early November - Philadelphia Specific hotels have not been finalized but this is where we need your help! Each event will follow a similar format/schedule to Portsmouth, although we are considering including a full day of exhibits on Friday. We anticipate that the cost would be in the $200-250 price range for double-occupancy. For an example of hotels we're considering, we would like to secure the Equinox Resort in Manchester, VT for our September event. If you are unfamiliar with the area or the Resort, please take a look at their website. This is a superb location and there are many wonderful amenities offered at the resort - what a fabulous girls getaway weekend or a nice time to spend away with your spouse!! After selling out our Portsmouth event in four days we know the interest is high and many of you told us you would definitely attend future events! With each of these events, we must guarantee a minimum number of rooms and would like to open each city to 50-100 attendees. Therefore, we are looking for a response to gauge interest in each city. Please leave a comment here or email us (stampnewengland@gmail.com) and indicate if you are interested in more information only or if you would definitely like to attend. We're be more than happy to hold a spot for you!! More information regarding classes, teachers and specific cost and dates will be coming soon so please do check back often! And, if you're a stamp manufacturer or online store that has an interest in exhibiting or sponsoring the event, contact us asap, as available slots will be limited!!