Don't Forget Grumpie- new challenges

I'd like to let you all know that we have updated The Challenger group over on the S&S forum with brand spanking new Very Sketchy challenges, an awesome Oh, The Horror! challenge, and an inspiration filled Rock N Rolla challenge! Plus, our guest DT member Lisa has challenged us to stamp something we can wear... you don't want to miss The Challenger this month!

Our July sponsors are just as awesome, and we have had generous donations from both Simply Betty Stamps and Stampotique. Be sure to swing by our main page to get all the info about these fabulous sponsors!

I don't usually participate in my own challenges, but I couldn't pass up this months card sketch(and probably won't be able to pass up the others, they rock!) So, here's my version.

*click pic for larger view

This little guy is Cotton, one of the images from our Li'l Grumpies set at Smeared Ink. I colored him with watercolors, markers, and distress ink. The background paper is from Black Market, and the cardstocks are from Stampin' Up. The punches I used are also from Stampin' Up.

I tore the edges of my papers and then distressed them with antique photo distress ink, then layered them on top of each other. I also used the ink on my blue velvet ribbon to make it look older. For hardware I used a cool little picture hanger-type thing, eyelets as flower centers, and a jeweled brad in his bellybutton.

The card is pretty simple, but still has depth in my opinion. I'd love to hear what you think! And I can't wait to see what you all can come up with using this sketch. Come on by the forum to submit your version for a fab prize!

*31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN 2010*

HIDDEN IMAGE FUN SCAVENGER HUNT

CLUE # 2: REWIND BACK ONE MORE MONTH AND SEE HOW MUCH JACK MISSES YOU

What's Going on This Month?

There are so many exciting things happening this month with Smeared Ink and Smeared and Smudged that I thought it warranted a news post all to itself!

First, Smeared Ink is hosting a brand new weekly gallery challenge! You can find all of the information on the Smeared Ink Website on the news page. The best part of the challenge is, YOU will get to pick the winner! That's right, after the entries are posted, you get to leave a comment and vote for who you think should be added to our gallery. Then at the end of the month, the four weekly winners will battle it out for a chance to win the monthly prize! Even if you aren't interested in participating, we'd love to have you come on over and vote. We are in week one right now, so hurry on over and join in the fun! Our first entries will be posted and voting session will begin this Thursday.

Next I'd like to mention that Smeared Ink is sponsoring the May sketch challenge over on Rubber Stamp Chat this month. If you don't know what RSC is, it's a wonderful forum where stampers commune to share all their fabo rubber stamping creativity! We are offering a free stamp set as the prize, so check it out when you have a sec. Also on RSC this month, their bi-annual rubber stamping online convention. Lots of amazing stamp companies will be running virtual "booths" with wonderful specials! Smeared Ink will be participating and offering some specials, and it is well worth the visit! It runs from May6-10 and you can check it out HERE. Just click through to the virtual convention thread on the 6th.

Finally, here is some Smeared and Smudged Forum news. All of our May challenges have been posted, which include our Very Sketchy sketch challenge, our Oh! The Horror Inspiration Challenge, Rock N' Rolla Inspiration Challenge, and our Twisted Tutorials Challenge. You can view all of these by visiting The Challenger group in the forum. We have two fabulous sponsors this month, Stamp It Crazy and Stamp Happens, who are offering some wicked prizes! These challenges last through the month of May, so be sure to take a gander.

Also, in case you haven't heard yet, the Smeared and Smudged forum will be moving to it's own website very soon, so be on the lookout for an update. If you are already a member, you should receive an email over the next couple of weeks that invites you to join us at our new location. If you're not a member, now's a great time to join us! We have lots of exciting things going on and great people to inspire and be inspired by!

So I hope you get the chance to take a look at all the exciting things happening this month, and I look forward to seeing you at the challenges and convention!

February Smeared and Smudged Sketch Challenges

February boasts even more great challenges on the Smeared and Smudged Forum, and I'd like to share with you some information about them and how you can win!

Each month in the Very Sketchy group on the forum, we feature a card sketch and a scrapbook sketch, with an awesome sponsor prize at the end of the month! This month's sponsor is:



Third Coast is a small art rubber stamp company started in 1995. Now carrying more than 5000 stamp images, they work with several artists to bring you new unique and inspiring images. Third Coast has something for every taste!

This month's prize is $50 in product of your choice from Third Coast! Yes, you heard me right, $50 in stamps! To participate in the sketch challenges, just visit the Very Sketchy group on the forum. You can find the Card Sketch HERE. You can find the Scrapbook Sketch HERE.

Along with the sketch challenges, Smeared and Smudged offers some other unique challenges, including the Oh! The Horror Challenge, and a BRAND NEW Rock n' Rolla Video Challenge! (Sounds fun, huh!)

Also, we are currently taking sign ups for an ATC swap and an image swap. You can find all of this information on the homepage of the forum as well as this post. SO, give Third Coast a visit to see their rockin' stamps, and then head over to the S&S Forum to get your challenge on!

New Year, New Challenges! Faerie Song Art Stamps Sponsor and Art Journaling

Happy 2010 everyone! The project I have to share with you today is actually very personal and kind of a realization of myself and my resolution for the upcoming year. On the Smeared and Smudged forum we have had several art journalers join in and so have opened an art journaling group. I've never done any art journaling, although I LOVE to alter the outside of journals, and thought there could never be a better time to try it than now.

After a pretty deep discussion on the forum about exposing your inner self through your art and creativity, I was moved to journal last night and came up with this page. Like I said, it probably means more to me that it will to you, you may even say "What the hell is that?" , but I still feel compelled to share it as a way to solidify my resolution to truly find myself this year and express myself in honesty through my art. Here it is:







So there you have it, my first attempt at art journaling. If nothing else, it was fun and very revealing, and I look forward to continuing.

On another note, I would like to let you all know about this month's challenges over on the Smeared and Smudged forum. We have four challenges going on this month, including 2 Sketch Challenges and a Faerie Song Challenge where you have the chance to win a FREE PLATE OF YOUR CHOICE from Faerie Song Art Stamps! That's three chances to win! Plus, we have the monthly Oh!The Horror Challenge where you can win a movie night mini prize! Come on over and play with us, and enjoy the fun, growing forum.

For now, I wish all of you a peaceful and prosperous new year!!

*NEW* Smeared and Smudged Monthly Sketch Challenge

Do you love challenges? Are you interested in winning some awesome prizes from rockin' stamp companies? Join the new monthly sketch challenge group on the Smeared and Smudged Ning Group,
and show us what you've got!

Smeared and Smudged will be hosting a card and scrapbook sketch each month, and boasting some pretty wicked prizes from varying sponsors!

DECEMBER'S SPONSOR IS:

BOMBSHELL STAMPS Vintage Art With Attitude! Click the pic above to visit Bombshell's website where you can view products, read newsletters, and participate in their awesome forum!

Visit Smeared and Smudged on Ning this month and submit your take on the sketches for your chance to win the Retro Cowgirl set from Bomshell!



Join others who love using vintage, gothic, alternative, and out-of-the-norm stamp images and techniques in their art, and just enjoy networking with other stampers. We'd love to welcome you!

Prickley Pear Sketch Challenge- Star Ornament

Today I'm sharing with you a star ornament that was made using the sketch from Prickley Pear's December Sketch Challenge. The challenge starts today over on the Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Blog, so be sure to head over there to see all the beautiful designs the DT have come up with, and to enter your own project to win a fabulous prize package worth over $60!





When I saw the sketch I thought immediately of making an ornament that could double as a package topper/card. I started off by cutting two larger stars from blue cardstock and sewing them together with silver thread. I left a little bit of space to add some plastic bag stuffing, then finished sewing it shut. The smaller white star was made by embossing white cardstock with snowflakes, then cutting that out and adhering only the middle.

Then I layered an embossed and glittered "Tis The Season" saying from PP, a blue circle with jeweled center, and a glittery feather. Finally, I added a ribbon hanger to the top. This ornament would be a perfect gift in itself, or as a topper for a package. Just add a sentiment to the back and it becomes a heartfelt card.

So I hope you enjoy my project. Be sure to visit the Prickley Pear Blog to see the fabo sketch, and to check out the other awesome projects!