Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge #58: Go for the Green

Top O' the Mornin' to Ya!

It's Tuesday, so that means it is time for another fun-tastic challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments. This week we are Goin' for the Green, using St. Patrick's Day as our inspiration. This was a bit of a challenge for me, as I have somewhat of a lack of St. Patrick's Day-themed stamps. Today, I'm sharing a sweet and punchy leprechaun, whom I have nick-named "Paddy". I'm not going to lie, leprechauns actually tend to scare me a little (not as much as clowns, but close). I think I saw a really bad horror movie about a leprechaun once, yikes! This little guy isn't scary though, he just looks like he has had a little too much coffee, with those eyes! Haha! :)

  • Paddy's pot o' gold was pretty time consuming to create. I started out using gold leaf...I have only used it once before, with not-so-great results...but a leprechaun just needs a pot o' gold! After adhering the gold leaf to my card stock,  I punched out about 1,000 tiny coins. Maybe it was more like 35, but it felt like a lot more. 
  • After I got the coins positioned, I felt like they needed something else, so I squirted a little glitter glue on a few of the coins to give them some added sparkle.
  • But why stop there? Lol! Then, I just went ahead and added Crystal Effects over each and every coin to really make Paddy's gold stash really stand out! I also added some Smooch Illuminating Top Coat to the "pot" to give it some extra pop. 
  • Edited to add: I kept thinking something was missing from Patty. Then I figured it out...FRECKLES!! I added them, with a Tangerine Tango marker, after I originally posted this. It gives him a LOT more character. 

  • While waiting for the Crystal Effects to dry...which seemed to take forever, btw...I went ahead and created a little sparkly shamrock for Paddy. It was the perfect touch to match his glittery "vest".
  • All of the punched layers were sponged with ink to give them added dimension, too. 
  • Finally the Top Note die "rainbow" finished it off. The positioning took a little indecision on my part, but luckily my good friend, Kristina, was there to offer advice, via the iPhone. (I think I sent her photos of 6 different variations, before a decision was made) Thanks, K...you are the best!! :)
  • A total of 15 punches were used to create Paddy, including 2 "bird" punches. Really! All supplies used are listed below.
  • Finally, the inside of the card. I left the sentiment off the front of the card because I thought it was pretty obvious what holiday the card was being sent for. Haha! I used my scraps left-over from the front to wrap it all up. Didn't want to waste that fabby rainbow! 
Well, that's it for today! I sure hope you will join us at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week and Go for the Green! Have some fun and play along! 

From the looks of the over 30,000 visits to my blog (WOW, thank you!)...there will be some blog candy coming up really soon. I said I would do it...I actually didn't think it would happen this quickly, though!  Eeek! I do want to say a BIG thank you for stopping by to visit today. I appreciate the time you take out of your day to pop in. Please leave me a comment to say hello, before you go. I would love to come by and share some bloggin' cheer to you, too! :) Have a HAPPY day today! 

Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes (inside sentiment...that's it!) 
Ink: Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango, Blush Blossom (ret.) and Basic Black Classic ink
Papers: Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Tempting Turquoise, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White and Basic Black card stock
Accessories: Sizzix Top Note Die, 1 3/8" x 5/8" Oval punch, 1 3/4" x 7/8" Oval punch, Ornament punch, 1 1/4" Square punch, 1 3/8" Square punch, 1 3/4" Scalloped Circle punch, Word Window punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Two-Step Owl XL punch, Two-Step Bird XL punch, Small heart punch, Tag Corner punch (ret.) , Itty Bitty Punch Shapes pack (circle and flower), Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, Crystal Effects and Smooch Illuminate Top Coat
Non-SU! Accessories: green glitter, gold leaf, gold glitter glue, pink alcohol-based marker (for cheeks) and green bling

26 comments:

  1. Nothing scary at all about this little guy! LOVE all the bright and cheerful colors. Too cute.
    Lynn

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  2. You nailed this challenge, bang-on, Anne Marie.

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  3. OMGosh this is ADORABLE! I can't believe all the little details, and that pot-o-gold... ? you have more patience than I sister! Love your sparkly vest and shamrock and the finishing touch of the rainbow.... amazing. Just too too stinkin' cute.

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  4. You did an awesome job with Paddy, love it and those coins you can tell they took a bit to make. Great card!!!

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  5. I love Paddy!!! I hear ya on the leprechaun.. I'm dramatized for life from a certain movie as well. *wink* But this Paddy is oh, so darn cute!!! I love his pot of gold... he should share it. :o) hehe... The details on this card is amazing... that pot of gold actually looks so enticing.. and I like how you sparkled his vest. Fabulous!

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  6. I love your blog! Could you tell me what brand are the oval punches?

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  7. I love your card! It is so bright and cheery! Luv all the details!

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  8. Fantastic! Wow, the detailing on this is amazing. You really did a fantastic job and the inside is as well done as the front.

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  9. Oh my goodness, this is amazing!! Wow, what a lot of work - with great results. :) Thanks so much for sharing! :)

    PS - Followed you here via SC blog thread. :)
    http://crystalscraftingandrambling.blogspot.com/

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  10. A D O R A B L E!!!! I love the details you put into this card, including his fabulous jacket. the rainbow from the top note die is fabulous. The coins... girl, you have way more patience than I do. LOVE it. LOVE it. LOVE it!
    hugs
    jaydee

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  11. Love this. Totally forgot about this guy. Thanks for reminding me.

    Robbie

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  12. 'Ole Paddy is WONDERFUL! You are so creative! I love this Anne Marie!

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  13. What a great card!! You have gone over the top. So creative.

    Julia
    www.juliasuesstamping.blogspot.com

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  14. he is so cute....love the colours also!!

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  15. Such a cute guy and your card is fantastic, Anne Marie !!

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  16. How cute! I love him. You did a terrific job. TFS

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  17. Wow, this is so creative and just wonderful! Love how you used the top note with the different colors. Great details!

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  18. Laughed out loud about the comment being afraid of Leprechauns! I know the movie you referred too. The original actually starred Jennifer Aniston early on in her career! You did an absolutely amazing job with this card. I'm in awe over the detail. You may have done a lot of work on the "pot of gold", but it certainly paid off. And 15 punches! Awesome, simply awesome! Best, Curt

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  19. Anne Marie, this one is just GREAT!! You've outdone yourself with the pot of gold, the vest, all of it. I LOVE him!!! Thanks for inspiring!! Smiles, Laura

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  20. That is amazing! I absolutly love that card! I love all the little details that you added. I'm just blown away! AMAZING!! TFS. yolanda-tryingtobecreative.blogspot.com

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  21. 30.000 visitors.I knew I wasn't the only one who adores your cards :) So happy for you. Enjoy it.. and YES.. this card is super duper cute!

    Inky hugs, Pauline

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  22. 15 punches! Really? Wow! I LOVE, LOVE this little guy. Your details, especially with the coins, may have been time consuming but they look well worth it to me. Great card!

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  23. Anne Marie,

    You're so creative. Love the little guy and the freckles do give him more character. Who would've ever thought to make a rainbow in the Top Note shape. Great card for the holiday!

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  24. How cute is your Leprechaun, Ann Marie! You truly are so creative. So, to answer your queston - I am in Sandy's group! :) Have a great weekend! hugs, Rose

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  25. Wow - Anne Marie! Your hard work definitely shows off in the finished product!! I hope the recipient REALLY appreciates your hard work!
    I love that you used all those punches! The gold coins are just awesome and so is the shamrock!
    And I LOVE that rainbow panel!!
    AWESOME!
    and 30,000 visits!! YOU GO GIRL!
    Maria

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
Have a great day! :)
Anne Marie