Think Spring - BC91

Yes, I am still alive. Thanks for asking. :-)

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I posted. My time has been taken up with two colds in the span of a month, helping put together just under 100 wedding invitations for my son and future daughter-in-law, creating 6 centerpieces, 30 place cards and 30 thank you cards for our work retreat on St. Patrick's day. Phew, I'm exhausted again just talking about it!

What I have really missed is participating in Blogger's Challenge and creating just for the joy of it. That brings me to today's card which is for Blogger's Challenge #91, Think Spring. I combined some Basic Grey Euphoria PP and Stampin' Up's Delicate Dots for the background and then whipped up a little spring flower out of card stock and Con-tact shelf liner. I used a SU corduroy button for the center. Love these, and love how it turned out! The happy little sentiment is from the "Spring Fling" Clearly Swanky Stamp collection from The Cat's Pajamas.

Thanks for hanging in with me. I promise I'll be back to post more in a few days. Right now though, I'm off for a couple days of R & R.

Later,






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey and Stampin' Up
Stamps: The Cat's Pajamas
Ink: SUINK & More Fuschia Fizz
Accessories: Ribbon, SU corduroy button, crystal, SU Dimensionals, Con-tact shelf liner
Tools: MS Circle Cutter, SU Punch

Warm Wedding Wishes - BC #85

It's Friday! and that means it's time for another Blogger's Challenge. This week we have a sketch challenge or your viewing pleasure.

I settled on my "Happy Couple" stamp from Stampendous and the "Warm Wedding Wishes" sentiment from The Cat's Pajamas.

I am always amazed at how many looks can come out of just one sketch. Don't believe me? Just check out the rest of the cards created by my fellow Blogger's Challenge players. Amazing!

The countdown is on. I finished up work today and am officially on vacation. Woohoo! Well, actually my vacation doesn't start until about 1:00 PM on Wednesday when my conference ends, but it's still a change of pace. Not to mention a change in time zones.

Enjoy your weekend!






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey
Stamps: Stampendous, The Cat's Pajamas
Ink: Memento
Accessories: Silk ribbon, Dimensionals, crystals
Tools: Martha Stewart Circle Cutter, Mat pack

How Old?

Oh how I love The Cat's Pajamas stamps! They can always bring a smile to my face. I created today's card for the TCP Tuesday sketch challenge and this week's Blogger's Challenge.

I stamped the little indians from the "Havin' a Pow Wow" set and colored them with Copic Markers. I paired the image with Basic Grey's Archaic patterned paper, satin ribbon, and Colorbok Metal Dots. I also created two computer generated feathers to tuck behind the sentiment.

Check out Leigh's great TCP Tuesday sketch here. I tried to channel Leigh and create a background for my three little penguins, but it's tougher than it looks. Leigh is a master at it! (bowing down to you Leigh!)

The Blogger's Challenge this week was to create a birthday card...and just how does this card qualify you ask? A glimpse inside the card will hopefully answer that question.

Check out all the other projects celebrating birthdays by clicking on the Blogger's Challenge graphic in my sidebar.

I also want to give a shout out to Nancy W. for tagging me. I'm working on my responses Nancy and will post them soon. Thanks so much for following my blog!

Have a super Friday!






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Archaic
Stamps: The Cat's Pajamas
Ink: Memento
Accessories: Ribbon, Dimensionals, Colorbok Metal Dots
Tools: Nestabilities, Pinking Shears

The Same but Different

I am playing catch-up on my Blogger's Challenges. This particular challenge is to create two cards that are the same but different. I opted to use the same stamps, card stock and patterned paper, but vary the design a little.

Core'dinations card stock, Scrapworks patterned paper and Stampin' Up Just Because stamps along with the thank you sentiment from Papertrey Ink were used in both cards. The card on the left also includes paper piercing and a scalloped border. The card on the right features Trim with Flair paper trim.

One more challenge until I'm caught up. Off I go to complete my red, black and kiwi color challenge.






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Core'dinations
Patterned Paper: Scrapworks
Stamps: Stampin' Up - Just Because, Papertrey Ink
Ink: Memento
Accessories: Trim with Flair, Dimensionals
Tools: Copic Markers, Paper piercer

Imagine

Those of you who visit my blog on a regular basis know that I love patterned paper. I think I could count on one hand the number of cards I have created over the last year that did not include some piece of it. That's why I love today's Blogger's Challenge! It is to create a project/card using PP. No problemo.

I combined the BC # 81 with kwernerdesign's Color Challenge this week. Aren't these fun colors?

I worked with paper from several companies: Bo-Bunny, Martha Stewart, Chatterbox, Basic Grey and Stampin' Up. I also decided to use a rub-on this week instead of stamps. I don't know about you, but I have a huge supply of rub-ons that never get touched. I love how this sentiment fit so well with the design and color scheme. Oh, and I almost forgot! The design comes straight from Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #44, but it came via Nancy's iSTAMP site. While visiting her site recently, I was reminded of how much I too love this sketch. Thanks Taylor and Nancy!

Please take a few minutes to visit my fellow challenge bloggers. You'll find a list of their sites here.

TGIF!





It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Martha Stewart, Bo-Bunny, Chatterbox, Basic Grey, Stampin' Up
Stamps: None
Ink: None
Accessories: SU Ribbon, Dimensionals, Rub-ons
Tools: Nestabilities, Inkssentials Pen, SU Scallop Punch

In a Jam

OMG, I had the toughest time coming up with something for today's Blogger's Challenge. It is a color challenge this week ... Chocolate Chip, Red, and Baja Breeze. These are not three colors that I would normally reach for to create a project, but you know what? I think it works!

The image and sentiments are from a cute mini stamp set by Inkadinkado. Aren't they fun? I colored the images with Copic Markers, cut out and raised portions on dimensionals. The red patterned paper is from a Stampin' Up Patterns Pack and the blue PP is from an old DCWV stack. I also added a ribbon from Stampin' Up in Baja Breeze.

I have been absent from the Blogger's Challenge for awhile and it feels so good to be back! Be sure and check out all of this week's wonderful creations. You'll find a list of participants here.

Happy New Year!





It's all about the details:
Card stock: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up and DCWV
Stamps: Inkadinkado
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: SU Ribbon, Dimensionals
Tools: Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, SU punch, Copic markers

Love is in the Air - Blogger's Challenge #68

Sorry I have been MIA for the Blogger's Challenge so much lately. First it was vacation, then we had a surprise 75th and 80th birthday party for my Mom and Dad last weekend. Then two nights ago, I had a freak fall and cut my foot and possibly broke my big toe. I am now sporting a very fashion forward calf high boot that looks something like this. Pretty attractive, huh?

The challenge this week was to use this photo as inspiration for our project. I let the colors inspire me to create my card. I love black, white and red together anyway and I was eager to use my new stamps from Savvy Stamps. I think they are just the cutest!

Be sure to visit the other bloggers to see how they used the inspiration piece. You'll find them by clicking on the link in my sidebar.

Have a terrific weekend!






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Stampin' Up, Bazzill
Patterned Paper: DCWV Stack
Stamps: Savvy Stamps
Ink: Stampin' Up, Riding Hood Red, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Foam Squares, ribbon, crystal heart
Tools: SU punches

Fall is Fun - Blogger's Challenge #64

Happy Friday!

Blogger's challenge this week is to use Designer Series paper. You asked for it, you got it! I used a total of 9 different papers to make this card. You'll find a complete list below. I ran across one of my old Deluxe Cuts card templates the other day and thought it would be fun to use for this challenge.

The images are all from Storage Units, Ink & More's "Leaf it to Me" set. I stamped them in Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored them with Copic Markers.

Be sure to check out all the Blogger's Challenge entries. You'll find a link to their pages in my sidebar.

Have a great weekend!






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Core'dinations
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up, K & Company, My Mind's Eye, Jeneva and Company, S.E.I., 7 Gypsies, K I Memories
Stamps: Storage Units, Ink & More
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Foam Squares, Colorbok Metal Dots, Ribbon
Tools: Deluxecuts Card Template, Copic Markers

Labor Day - BC #62

Time for another Blogger's Challenge . . . This week the challenge was to make a card for Labor Day and we could decide whether to make a baby or patriotic card. Gee, can you guess which direction I went with? :-)

I have been wanting to pull out this set from Artistic Outpost. I love the vintage feel and patriotic theme. I stitched together four different PPs to create the background. I wish I could remember where I got this ribbon from. It has the softest gauze feel to it and is so easy to work with, plus it was a perfect match to my ink choice...can't beat that!

Today is the start of new sneak peeks for the September release of Storage Units, Ink & More. Check out Susan and Lauren's blogs today and tomorrow features Kendra and Leigh! You have got to check out the adorable sets that will be released on September 1st...so, so cute!!

This month Denise from SU Ink & More is having a fun contest that runs through Sunday, August 31st. Check out the jar to the right....think you can you guess how many M & Ms are in there? Just leave your guess on the SU Ink & More's blog entry and you could win all 6 sets from the new release and the jar too!!





It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Prima, Daisy D's, Carolee's Creations, My Mind's Eye
Stamps: Artistic Outpost
Ink: Adirondack, Denim
Accessories: Foam Squares, ribbon, brads
Tools: Star punch, Janome Sewing Machine

You Old Bird - BC #60

Sorry, I am beyond late in posting my card once again! This is my card for the Blogger's Challenge. We needed to make a birthday card this week. I chose to use the Bird Assortment set from Inkadinkado to make a card for my dear friend Karin. (She's the only one I can get away with calling an old bird!)

I stamped the owl in Versamark and then in Adirondack Caramel and embossed with fine detail clear embossing powder. I then colored her in with Copic Markers. The PP is from the Basic Grey Fruitcake collection.

The winner of my blog candy never stepped forward so I drew a new winner today.... and the winner is.....























Send me your address Leanne so I can have Denise from Storage Units, Ink & More ship your set right out! Congratulations!

Hope your week ahead is terrific!






It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey
Stamps: Inkadinkado
Ink: Adirondack Caramel, SU Cranberry Crisp, Versamark
Accessories: Foam Squares, buttons, ribbon, embossing powder, glue dots
Tools: Scor-pal, Copic Markers, Nestabilities, Embossing Gun

Petals and Stems

I have two cards for you today. The first card was created for this week's Blogger's Challenge and one of the Meet the Verve Divas challenges. The Blogger's Challenge required a project that includes the colors Old Olive, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, and Rose Red. I chose the Petals and Stems stamp set from Verve and stamped and embossed the flowers before cutting them out and adding them with dimensionals. The scalloped border was created using a Martha Stewart punch. Be sure to check out the other Blogger's Challenge members creations. You'll find a link to their sites on my sidebar.

The second card is for this week's Mojo Monday. I used a beautiful handmade paper I had on hand for the background and added some K & Company Wild Saffron PP. The stamps are from the Feelin' Groovy and Petals and Stems sets, both from Verve. I pulled out my neglected of late Stickles and they provided just the right touch of sparkle.

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend. I am super excited because I placed an order today for the new iPhone 3G. I got an iPhone when they first came out and I love it, but somehow (honestly, I have no clue) months ago, it got damaged and no longer rings. It drives me crazy to watch the screen when I'm waiting for a call so I don't miss it. Plus, there's some great new features. I just love new toys!

Enjoy your Sunday!





It's all about the details:
Card stock: Core'dinations, Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: K & Company
Stamps: Verve
Ink: Distress Inks, SU So Saffron, Palette Claret
Accessories: Foam Squares, Ribbon, Stickles, Embossing Powder
Tools: Scor-pal, Martha Stewart and SU punches

Christmas Wishes in July

No, I am not counting the days until Christmas, it comes all too quickly as it is. I don't know why, but it just seems to sneak up on me every year even though I know it's coming.

Today's card is another "2fer". This is for Blogger's Challenge which is supposed to be a Christmas in July project and it's also my entry in Kristina's (KWernerDesign) color inspiration challenge. This week the colors are Regal Rose, Rose Red, Sage Shadow and Whisper White. Love this color combo.

I used the set "Believe" from Papertrey Ink for the main images. I stamped the PP from Basic Grey with the flourish from SU Carte Postale in Versamark and then embossed it with white embossing powder.

Don't forget to check out the creations of the rest of the Bloggers Challenge participants!

TGIF.





It's all about the details:
Card stock: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Believe, Stampin' Up - Carte Postale
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Regal Rose
Accessories: Foam Squares, Floss, Glitter, We R Memorykeepers Hardware
Tools: Scor-pal, Nestabilities

A Bug's Life

If only all bugs were this cute! This is my Blogger's Challenge card for week 55. The challenge was to create something with bugs and insects. I have had this adorable set called "U Bug Me" from Sunday International for years and have never inked them up. What a perfect challenge to put them to work. You really need to click on the photo to enlarge it to see the details in this card.

I decided to make a vignette so I could use several of the individual bugs. I was trying to think of a scenario where a bunch of bugs would all be hanging out together and then it hit me. They're all waiting in line for their turn to audition for the movie, "The Bug's Life". Corny, I know, but I had a lot of fun with it. The casting sign is computer generated using a font I found here and a leaf that is one of the custom shapes in Photoshop Elements. The images were all colored with Copic Markers and I drew in some grass and added some clouds by cutting out a cloud freehand from scrap paper and then sponging Bashful Blue ink around the edges.

Oh, I almost forgot, it's time to draw my Blog Candy Winner....and the lucky person is....

Christina - a.k.a. thecardpixie on Splitcoast Stampers












Congratulations !! Send me your address Christina and the goodies will be on their way.

Thanks for dropping by. I am so glad it's Friday!




It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: None
Stamps: Sunday International
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Bashful Blue
Accessories: Foam Squares, Ribbon, Metal Dots
Tools: Scor-pal, Nestabilities, Copic Markers

BC W54 - Happy 4th!

I was so glad I could jump back in to the Blogger's Challenge this week after missing it last week. This week's challenge was to create a card using color blocking. I have to say that really takes me back to the days when I owned a ton of color blocked clothing. Was that the 80's? I think it has been suppressed from my memory as it's just too painful to recall. Right up there with shoulder pads...

I can't believe that I have made two cards in a row without using patterned paper. Shocking! Instead I combined some Bazzill, Stampin' Up and Core'dinations card stock and punched out one inch squares. I drew light pencil lines in a grid to assist in the placement of the squares. I then glued them in place and when I was happy with them, I erased the lines. I doodled on each square with a Stampin' Up journaler.

The stamp is from Stampendous and it is called "Biker Bee". I just love these bees. They're so cute and so quick to color. In this case I used Copic markers and a touch of Stickles here and there. The stars were cut out using a Sizzix die and my Cuttlebug. I added the polka dots with a Martha Stewart opaque marker.

Hope your 4th is filled with family, fun and festivities!




It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill, Stampin' Up, Core'dinations
Patterned Paper: None!
Stamps: Stampendous
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Foam Squares, Stampin' Up Journaler, Stickles
Tools: Scor-pal, SU punches, Nestabilities, Opaque Marker, Copic Markers

Road Less Travelled - BC #52

Happy Friday!

I'm not sure I followed this week's Bloggers Challenge to the letter. The challenge was to create a "Manly Themed" card. I'm afraid I didn't catch the "themed" part until after I created my card. I was going for just a masculine card and since it is 10:51 PM, it is as "themed" as it's going to get.

I used Crate Paper PP for the background. It's difficult to see in this photo but the bottom row of circles has an additional circle that has been punched out and placed on dimensionals. I stamped the sentiment from Cornish Heritage Farms (Mona Lisa Moments) on chipboard that I had painted with white acrylic paint and then sponged to age it slightly. I adhered it to the card base with ribbon that began as burgundy but was easily converted to black with Copic markers. I finished with a small die cut and metal embellishment and faux stitching.

Don't forget to check out the "Motherload" give-away (see post below) at Storage Units, Ink & More. It runs from June 17th through the 30th so you still have plenty of time to enter! Today is the first of nine consecutive days of sneak peeks of their new stamp sets. Day 1 of the peeks is by Lauren Meader! You do NOT want to miss this! There is even a free stamp set being given away. Be sure and check it out on the SU Ink & More blog.





It's all about the details:
Card stock: Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: Crate Paper
Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink: Memento, Tuxedo Black, Distress Ink, Antique Linen
Accessories: Foam Squares, Die Cut, metal embellishments, ribbon, chipboard, acrylic paint
Tools: Copic Markers, Scor-pal, Circle Punch

Turquoise, Pink and Green Galore, oh my!

OK, I'll admit it. I was more than a little bit appre- hensive about this week's Blogger's Challenge color challenge. I see from reading some of the other participant's blogs that I was not alone either. :-)

I decided to pull out one of my favorite Whipper Snapper Designs stamps called "Main Street". I colored the image with Copic Markers, doodled around the edges and placed it on dimensionals. The background was created by stamping the Frame Up #3 stamp from "Make an Impression" with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Stampin' Up DP and adding card stock to the inside of the rectangles. I then stamped the Papertrey Ink sentiment and punched it out with a circle punch. It too was placed on dimensionals. Shhh, don't tell anyone that the ribbon was added to hide a little boo-boo that I made while doodling. LOL. You have to love that thing called serendipity.

This is what I truly love about challenges. Being forced to step outside your comfort zone and ending up with a card or project that you really like in spite of your early reservations.

I mentioned in the last post that I had received a RAK . It was from no other than Smilin' Stef herself and it was this card from the Movie Dress Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoast! Thank you so much Stef, I am thrilled that you thought of me.

TFL, have a terrific weekend!




It's all about the details:
Card stock: Bazzill, Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up
Stamps: Whipper Snapper Designs, Papertrey Ink, Make an Impression
Ink: Memento, Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Foam Squares, Ribbon
Tools: Scor-pal, Circle Punches