TWO Great Swaps Girls challenges coming right up!

So I'm a bit behind since last week was crazy, but I've finally managed to participate in the first two GSG challenges... (look here to find them and join in yourself- anyone can and you are welcome to!)


The first card was for Color Challenge (GSGC01): Regal Rose, Certainly Celery & So Saffron. I also combined this color challenge with the SCS Limited Supply Challenge from Friday (LSC165) which gave us a list of requirements for the card... namely:

1. Make a square card. (Any size)

2. Use only scrap pieces of paper. (The base card doesn't have to be a scrap.)


3. Use ribbon or fiber scraps.

4. Use only ONE other embellishment.

5. Use any colors, stamps, and tools.

For this card I also used my brand spankin' new Stitched background. I thought I could live without it, but alas, I could not!

Supplies (All Stampin' UP!)

Stamps: For a Friend, Stitched background
Paper: Certainly Celery, So Saffron
Ink: Old Olive
Accessories: Style Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, ribbon scraps in rose, saffron, celery, metallic art pencils, clear EP, sponge, Crafter's Tool Kit

This card was for Wednesday's Featured Swapper Challenge on GSG. Jackie Pedro (strappystamper) was chosen as the first honored member. She is a fabulous stamper and her gallery is amazing! Here is the card of hers that strongly inspired this one!

I used the same colors, and layout just changed the stamp set and greeting. I also eliminated the ribbon (mostly because I didn't see hers until it was too late) and I used dew drops instead of brads.

(enabler alert!!) The Style Silver Hodgepodge is beautiful in any setting- if you don't already have it I highly advise it! TFL!!

Supply List (almost entirely SU)

Stamps: Friendship Blooms, All Holidays, Stitched background
Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Soft Sky
Ink: Basic Gray, Soft sky, Whisper White
Accessories: white EP, Swiss Dots Embossing folder (Cuttlebug), dimensionals, Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, dew drops (unsure of brand), label punch, small & large oval punches, distressing tool

PS- I know my spacing is going to be all boogered up in this post and I am just not sure how to avoid it, and running late so no time to fix now... sorry!

A Sweet Set!

So I've been playing around with Tart & Tangy for an upcoming stamp camp I'm having for a hostess. Here are the things I've come up with, some of which we'll be making. I'm pretty excited about it- the cards are all 3x3 and fit neatly in the tiny tote with a pumpkin ribbon handle! There are three marble magnets, 1 jumbo paperclip bookmark and a little paper strawberry. Hmmm, I'm starting to think about teacher gifts now that I've got this designed! Anyway, everything here is Stampin' Up! with the exception of the paperclip and marbles. The designer paper that coordinates with Tart & Tangy is called Summer Picnic and is in the current mini catalog available until the end of May.

This next card is from my on-line buddy, Jackie Pedro! It is just stunning- I hope the picture I've taken does it justice. Not only did Jackie spend valuable time making this card for me, she also sent me a Swiss Dots embossing folder that I've been eyeing! Such a sweetie and we've never even met IRL! Thanks Jackie!! Can't wait to use it!

More Birthday- RAKs

I just have to share these as well! These came yesterday- my BFF took me to lunch for my birthday and gave me the turquoise and brown sparklin' flower- it is beautiful! The Happy Bird Day card came from a sweet Great Swap pal, Jimmi Mayo! I love her colors and the wheeled background- she even coordinated the envelope with the wheel! Thanks Nicky and Jimmi!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I started posting this yesterday (on my actual birthday) but life got in the way... I really wanted to show you this birthday card Lisa sent me Saturday with all the goodies- it is so beautiful! I just love the colors and stamps and the dew drops- aren't they lovely?!!

I am also going to add several other B-RAKS (Birthday random acts of kindness) that I've gotten- I LOVE having stampin' pals! Thanks for making my birthday so special everyone!! These are from Deb Albright (crafty Turtle), Vera Schoeters (Vera) & Becky Carafa (Beccabatgirl). Aren't they awesome?!!


I'll be back later with more hopefully (crossing fingers)!

Lisa Henke: My On-line Pal!

{OMG, I just found this post in DRAFT that I never published, I have no idea why! DUH! Anyway, here's one from back on April 21!}

I have made a dear on-line friend, Lisa Henke, via Splitcoast Stampers and our Great Swaps group and she surprised me with an early birthday surprise on Saturday!! My birthday isn't until tomorrow but she sent me a package full of wonderful stamped images, gorgeous dew drops, a variety of ribbon and even some paper embossed with my favorite embossing folder (Swiss Dots)! She knows I rarely to never use Non-SU products so is doing her best to enable me! Anyway, I was gone much of the day Saturday but managed to make these two cards with all her wonderful stuff before I got tired Saturday night. Thanks so much Lisa!! I love it all... Oh, and the best part is, the card she made for me! WOWzers. I will run and take a picture of it to upload tomorrow!

PS- Check out the link to Great Swaps- there is a new color challenge on there today! Try it out and be sure to link your card!

SU supplies are:

Cardstock- Purely Pomegranate, Chocolate Chip, Berry Bliss, Basic Gray, Soft Sky, Watercolor Paper

Accessories: Watercolor Crayons, Aqua Painters, oval punches, square punch, Eastern Elegance Rub-ons

Non-SU supplies are:

Stamps: Bellas

Ribbon: May Arts

Accessories: Dew Drops (not sure of brand??), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder

A Beautiful Sunny Day!

Sorry about the last few days of being MIA! I had every intention of uploading something, but I have kept very busy doing other blog related stuff and hadn't really been stamping. I even got a new stamp set on Wednesday that I haven't mounted yet... NO, that's NOT NORMAL for me! Maybe I'll get around to using it today... but it's supposed to be in the mid 70's... decisions decisions.

So the card I did make yesterday is long-overdo for a friend that had triplets about a month ago... I wanted it to be just perfect, full of thoughtful and meaningful details..

Well, I didn't quite get there, but this is what did finally surface: So my story is this, I wanted to symbolize having three babies but also acknowledge that they are individuals (if that makes sense)... so I went in search of a variety of baby stamps and happened to find three (in all different sets) that are all round in nature! Now we're talkin'! I kept the colors all the same but in different order of layers. This card was inspired by Sunday's Featured Stamper, Kharmagirl (her card here). I love her work. Check out her gallery and this challenge here.

Thanks for checking in... for anyone who might have been checking my gallery for more samples of the Build-a-Flower class cards I have posted a few more pictures now. You can go check them out!

Supplies are all SU!

Stamps: Cause for Celebration (current hostess), Riveting (retired hostess), So Many Scallops ('08 Saleabration set)
Paper: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Very vanilla, Close to Cocoa prints
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Vanilla EP, circle punches, scallop punch, Style Silver hodgepodge ribbon slide and brads, chocolate twill ribbon, Crafter's Tool Kit

Sneak Peek at my up-coming Stamp-a-Stack

I have a Build-a-Flower SAS coming up at the end of April so I've been designing cards that my guests will make (4 each of 5 designs using the Build-a-Flower tin and SU Note Cards). I designed 15 different cards then chose my favorites for my guests to recreate!

These will all be made in Bashful Blue (as shown), Wild Wasabi, Rose Red and Lovely Lilac! I just realized that I only have 4 in the picture- the 5th one is to be determined. Also, these are subject to change so if you are one of my registered guests, don't be surprised if I've changed my mind... but you can always come back here for ideas on how to use your remaining dic-cut flowers! I will also post on my SCS gallery pictures of all the others I designed if you want to take a look! (this will take a while, so be patient).

PS- Sorry about the pic quality- hard to believe, but it's so sunny I was having trouble getting a good picture today. (Gotta Love that SUNSHINE though- not complaining!!)

Let's see, what can I show you today?!?

First of all, if you haven't noticed already, check out my new widget (on the left). My Great Swap Pals now have a logo and our own blog to share with you (Thanks to Denise and Becky!). Click on it and check us out! We are considering posting our swap pictures there for you to view our work and share our excitement!

OK, well I dug up this card to show you... actually, I just did it last week. It was for last Tuesday's color challenge on SCS (that links to all color challenges so you can try any of them). Can I just say UGH!! Night of Navy, Real Red and Glorious Green... whoever said it was glorious? Well, I struggled and struggled and was a day or two late posting this one but it is done and I actually kind of like it. I CASED a layout from mytime (Lauren Meader) but I'm sorry to say I can't find her card anywhere other than my PC so I may not be able to show it to you. Just trust me, it is lovely with much softer colors than these!

Well, the main reason I'm not crazy about this is because I felt like the dots on the red paper weren't exactly white so I used Naturals ivory as my neutral instead and that's where I went wrong. The rub-on (Happy Day sentiment) is white as well as the dots I added with the white gel pen, but the mat and center flower are both natural.

Anway, the green flower is actually just a punched scallop which I then cut in at each scallop- I love that look and completely copied that from Lauren's card. Everything on this card is from Stampin' Up! with the exception of the two large red snaps- those are Making Memories and I've had them for years. The retired items that are no longer available are: The red polka dot paper (Cerise) and the Happy Day rub-on which was in the pack of Sale-a-Bration rub-ons called Love & Happiness (you might have them!). Everything else is current stuff. TFL! And stay tuned tomorrow- I hope to post a picture of the 20!! cards we'll be making at my next Stamp-a-Stack at the end of this month... using the Build-a-Flower tin and Note Cards from SU!

All Supplies Stampin' Up! (unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Seeing Spots
Paper: Night of Navy, Glorious Green, Real Red, Naturals Ivory, Cerise DP
Ink: Night of Navy craft
Accessories: Scallop punch, circle punch, red brad, red gingham ribbon, red snaps Making Memories, Love & Happiness, white gel pen, Stampin' Dimensional

Is it Friday again?! Yippee!

I'm not sure why I look forward to Friday's- they just indicate the end of a peaceful week with children in school and bring on a loud and chaotic weekend full of... noise and uh, chaos. LOL! Can you tell I've had a headache this week? That noise and chaos stuff really gets to me on headache days... I tell ya, as much as I look forward to spring and warm weather you'd think I'd dread the allergies that come with it! Gotta love Loratadine!


OK, enough chit chat, on to something worth viewing... well, at least I hope it's worth viewing. The other day I was checking out all the blogs of my on-line Great Swap pals and ran across Kristina Werner's Inspiration Challenge #4. The inspiration piece was just so stunning to me and peaceful and just "Ahhh" that I had to participate even if I was late for her deadline for something... so check out the picture and after you ooh and ahh like I did, come back to look at this card that it inspired in me. It took like a ton of thinking because I wanted just the perfect feeling to come out... I got close, maybe not exactly what I was going for, but I like it just the same. I got the texture in there and the tropical feel with the colors and leaves, but also the fun and sophisticated aspects as well I think. So enough blah blah blah, on to the recipe:

Supplies are all Stampin' Up! (except the one prima flower)

Stamps: Stem Silhouettes (retired)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Taken with Teal, Tempting Turquoise, naturals Ivory
Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate chip, Very Vanilla
Accessories: 1 1/4" circle punch, square rhinestone brad, prima flower, Rough Texture Jumbo Wheel, Distressing tool

No Peeking Great Swap Girls...

Well, our swaps were due yesterday so I feel like I can post these now (plus I've already seen some of the other swaps posted on blogs so it must be OK). Unfortunately, I may have to end up re-doing this one... You see, the sparkly brad I used to dot the i in happiness is actually a plain old brad that I inked with versamark, then dipped in heat'n'stick powder, heated until sticky then dipped in the Fine Cosmo glitter. I did this process a few times until it was fully covered. However, I was concerned this would rub off in the mail so I layered tissues between each card totally not thinking that they might stick to the sticky 'H'!! DUH! Well, our wonderful hostess Becky Carafa emailed to let me know she was able to pick off most of the offending kleenex... "Most" is the word troubling me. I was so excited about how these turned out too! That rose colored fine glitter just looks so neat IRL, I hope they aren't disgusting now!

Anyway, here is the second card I did for a Fancy Folds swap. It's probably no surprise that it is a shadow box card since I've posted a few lately. The only things I did on this one that weren't on the swaps were the silver brads and the piercing on the label at the bottom. The whole process was so time consuming and I was so short on time that I cut both of those steps. (Sorry Great Swaps pals!) I think they turned out nice and I'm glad they are done. I can't tell you how tired my forearm was after using the Crop-o-Dile for all those embossed dots on each edge of 12 cards! Well, thanks for stopping by and checking out my stuff!

Supplies for both cards are all by Stampin' Up

H is for Happiness Card

Stamps: Define Your life, Warm Words

Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate, River Rock Textured, Basic Black, River Rock Prints

Accessories: Sticky Cut Letters, Fine Cosmo Glitter, Black Gingham and Pomegranate double stitched ribbons, brad, Heat 'n Stick powder, Versamark, Horizontal Slot punch, Dimensionals

Butterfly Shadow Box Card

Stamps: Pretty Petals Background, Cause for Celebration (hostess set), Warm Words

Cardstock: Kraft, Elegant Eggplant

Accessories: Crop-o-Dile, Designer Label punch, small oval punch, silver brads, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals, white ink and sponge, Crafter's Tool Kit for piercing

Recycled Flowers

My swaps finally got finished and mailed out yesterday- whew! What a job- 12 shadow box cards was a big committment for me... well, maybe it was the many various steps I added that complicated things. I will post them in a few days.

For today... have you ever made something for a card, say a decorative element, then it just didn't work so you set it aside. After doing this numerous times you may end up like me, with an entire jar full of discarded/rejected elements. Well, this card I made for yesterday's Technique challenge started with these three flowers I had made out of glossy paper "smooshed" with reinkers then never used. Here is a link to the original card I did with this technique. So Monday's TLC was not to use a rejected card element, but to stack ribbons. Sounds easy and fun, right?? It was! I can't wait to try this again. My ribbons aren't exactly layered the way I had intended at the on-set but this is what evolved and I really like how it turned out.

The bottom half of this card was stamped first with Canvas in cameo coral (stamped off first) then with Pretty Petals background in Coral (not stamped off). Then the ribbon layers were added and the flowers after that. The center flower is raised on a pop dot for dimension. The 4 corners of hte kraft cardstock are punched with the ticket corner punch, then the entire piece is sponged with white to help with contrast. I really had fun using the Designer Label punch this way, folding it in half and only stamping on one side, then attching with three Vintage Brads.

If you have not already been convinced from past posts that kraft cardstock is the best neutral ever, then maybe this will do it! Not that it takes the place of white or vanilla, but it looks good with almost every color out there (except maybe sahara sand, river rock and creamy caramel- all great by their own rights!). Well, thanks for stopping by again- and I'd love to have you sign my new guestbook up at the top left corner! Have a beautiful day!

All SU Supplies
Stamps: Embrace Life, Pretty Petals background, Fancy Flexible Phrases, Canvas
Paper: Groovy Guava, Kraft, Glossy White, Blush Blossom
Ink: Apricot appeal, close to cocoa
Accessories: Vintage brads, aqua painters, water color crayons, Flirty Ribbon Originals, Kraft Tafetta, Designer Label punch, ticket corner punch

More shadows...

Shadow box cards that is. I just love these! I've been experimenting lately for a swap that is due on Wednesday. I love the last one I did but didn't want to use it since my swap gals have likely seen it already.

Anyway, I really like this one too, but it is far too time consuming to do 12 of by Monday so it's been rejected. These are tough to get good pictures of so bear with me. The flowers and leaves on the inside and outside are mostly all raised on dimensionals (pop dots) for added dimension.

The kraft front panel was wheeled in Sahara sand ink with the Rough Texture jumbo wheel (I wish there was a kraft colored ink!). The eggplant grosgrain is unfortunately a retired color from a few years ago, but one of my favorites and I only have a tiny bit left. I hope you like it.

Next week I'll post the two cards that I did send for my swap... by the way, the colors may appear a bit more yellow in this pic. I had to take it at night so no natural daylight to help out. I've adjusted it tremendously from the original, but this is the extent of my software capabilities.

All Supplies are SU!

Stamps: Blossoms Abound, Warm Words
Paper: Kraft, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Ink: Pale Plum, Almost Amethyst, sahara sand, Whisper white, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Rough texture jumbo wheel, crop-o-dile, dimensionals, small oval punch, designer label punch, eggplant grosgrain, crafter's tool kit

Happy Friday!

I hear there is good weather right around the corner... cross your fingers! (I'm in Ohio by the way, for those of you already enjoying nice weather... good for you... not intended to sound snarky... or was it?! LOL)



So, finally got to play with the Splitcoast Challenges today. Here is one for today's Limited Supplies challenge: What's your color? Use white and only one other color (not a neutral). Fun! My color is Blue Bayou! And crazy as it sounds, I also used TULLE on my card (had to look that word up for spelling purposes)- if you know me I am SO NOT a tulle girl, but found it in my stash (I have no idea where it came from!) and decided to use it. It actually looks pretty cool IRL. Not sure the pictures shows it real well.

This card was also for the Featured Stamper challenge from Sunday featuring Laura (stampnesxtras). No, she didn't use Tulle, but she did use this Pretty Petals background stamp as a focal point- very pretty!

OK, back to work on my swaps... I've taken all morning (and some of the afternoon) off!
TFL!

Supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Pretty Petals background, Priceless, Warm Words
Paper: Whisper White, Blue Bayou, Glossy White
Ink: Whisper white, blue bayou
Accessories: Styled Silver hodgepodge, Diamond stickles, tulle, white gel pen, DS blue bayou ribbon

CASING Pickletree!

So a few weeks ago the Featured Stamper for Sunday's challenge was Amy Sheffer (Pickletree). I love Amy's work and chose this card to inspire me. I used her general layout and color scheme. I also added some hodgepodge and felt flowers like Amy did on hers, and the three rows of ribbons. I started out loving this, but I'm afraid something at the bottom doesn't work for me. Maybe the Felt Flowers are a bit over the top?!?

Anyway, I was just thinking last week that I'm not sure if I've EVER used Not Quite Navy, and it really is a nice color... so Amy talked me into it! I used Rose Red craft ink on my chipboard flower and it was too dark for the pomegranate felt flowers so I couldn't use those. The ribbon was a tough decision, but once I decided on Bashful Blue, I found three styles in that shade and went with them all! The Build-a-Brad in the center of the chipboard is using Little Pieces stamp set. The background stamp is the retired By Definition which is basically the same as a current stamp except a different definition...

sorry I didn't post this earlier- it must have slipped through the cracks... besides, the card I made yesterday I would love to post but am with-holding it for a few reasons: 1- it is for a swap that is due next week and don't want to ruin and anticipation and 2- I am highly considering sending it to SU for a contest cause I like it so much. So, nah nah nah nah nah. Just kidding, I'll post it once my Great Swap pals have it (if I can wait that long).

All Supplies are Stampin' Up

Stamps: Little Pieces, By Definition BG, All Holidays
Paper: Old olive, Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Rose Red Craft
Accessories: Pewter Build-a-Brad, Pewter Hodgepodge, Felt Fusion Flowers, Chipboard, 1/2" circle punch, 1" square punch, Bashful Blue: gingham, striped and grosgrain ribbons, distressing tool

**Scrapbook Marathon plus Monday's TLC challenge**

Sunday marked the last day of March, or so I thought, so I busted my tail and completed six scrapbook pages to meet (actually surpass) my March scrapbook goal. It wasn't until the next day that I realized I had one day left! Geesh! Anyway, if you are interested in those or other scrapbook pages I've done click this link. It is to my gallery of scrapbook pages on SCS. I won't post them all here (unless, of course, I run out of good cards to upload!).





Anyway, in the midst of doing taxes yesterday (actually, it was after I was nearly cross-eyed from doing them) I managed to complete a card for yesterday's Technique Lover's Challenge. Now, normally this challenge exhausts me just reading it so I'm not very faithful... however, I was determined to make a card and this sounded fun! Paper Tole! And no flowers allowed- UGH! That's the first thing that came to mind, of course! I hadn't used this cute little space ship rocket thingy yet, so whipped it out. It was very fun! When I showed my DH, however, his response was this word for word "is that for a kid?". Well, maybe, does he mean that an adult couldn't possibly appreciate it's inner beauty?!? My response "WHY?"... he says "well, it's kind of busy". What does he know anyway?!

Well, now I'm off to try today's color challenge and get something to snack on.. then maybe I'll finalize those taxes and get them submitted (I dread that- what if I've messed up?!). Thanks for stopping by!! Give me a shout so I know you're here... and I'll come check you out!

All Supplies SU

Paper: Jersey Shore DSP, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

Stamps: Pun Fun!

Accessories: markers (Pumpkin Pite, Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue, Garden Green), Styled Silver Hodgepodge, Striped pumpkin ribbon, 1/2" circle punch, sponge, lots of dimensionals!

Last but not least!!

Finally, here is the 3rd project I offered at this month's stamp camp. This card was doubly inspired! I found Maren's card that I loved and realized that she was participating in the Featured Stamper challenge last Sunday so her's was inspired by Amy (Pickletree's) card here. Isn't it fun to see how something can evolve?? If you'd like, use mine as an inspiration point and then send me a link to your creation! (Sort of like playing that old game as kids- what was it called, "telephone"??, where you see how much a message changes as it is whispered down the line of children!)

Anyway, I love the overall layout (obviously) of the large panel taking up the majority of the card. I left out some layers that Maren and Amy used, but overall I think it works. I will for sure be trying this one again in the future! Thanks ladies!

All Supplies are SU!

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White, Summer Picnic DSP

Ink: Old Olive and markers: Old Olive, Real Red

Stamps: Tart & Tangy, For a Friend (level one hostess set)

Accessories: Wide Real Red Grosgrain, White gel pen, scallop punch, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" circle punches, small corner rounder for scallops, 1/8" hole punch

I will post a few scrapbook pages soon that I completed yesterday just so I could accomplish my March scrappin' goal. First, I have to go work on my taxes (yikes, I haven't started yet!) and I've got a big swap due soon... three cheers for Procrastinators-Are-Us!

Yippee for Metallic Art Pencils!

What, you don't have metallic art pencils? Well, I whipped mine out for stamp camp this past weekend and decided I love how they look on darker cardstock. My ladies enjoyed making this card Friday...

The stamped images and greeting are all from the same set called Embrace Life. They were stamped in basic gray (same as the paper) then colored in with the metallic art pencils. I just tried to choose shades that matched the barely banana and basic gray paper. Here the basic gray panel is two layers of the same color, with the top layer being outlined in a hand-drawn line with the pencils. The greeting is embossed in gold. The banana card is stamped with the Floral Background stamp in So Saffron.

Very simple, yet sophisitcated looking. The ribbon, sadly, is the retired wide organdy in ivory. Love that stuff! Thanks for looking!!

Supplies are all SU!

Stamps: Embrace Life, Floral Background

Cardstock: Barely Banana, Basic Gray

Ink: Basic Gray, So Saffron

Accessories: Metallic Art Pencils, Wide Organdy Ribbon (ivory) and gold EP.

TGIF! But where is the sunshine?

Another cold dreary day today- but I think the forecast may include something in the low 60's possibly in the next 7 days or so... (fingers crossed!). Tonight I'm having a Stamp Camp at my house and this is one of the cards we'll be doing. I really wanted to use the stamps from my favorite Simply Scrappin' Kit, Sending Happy Thoughts. I've gone on and on in the past about these stamps, so I won't drone again... the inspiration for this card was a pair of my daughter's jeans (embroidered with lots of pretty flowers). The sentiment is embossed in clear EP on Night of Navy craft ink. It is also raised on pop dots for dimension and edged with white dots from the gel pen. The torn edge of the white paper is sponged with a hint of Bordering Blue ink too. Hope you like it... I'll post the other camp cards in the coming days.

All Supplies are SU

Stamps: Sending Happy Thoughts, Sanded background

Cardstock and Ink colors: Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, Purely Pomegranate (also some whisper white paper in there)

Accessories: Pomegranate double-stitched grosgrain, large oval punch, white gel pen, sponge, Clear EP

Polka Polka Polka Dots!

That was my goal on this Sketch Challenge card I did yesterday! I wanted to stick to all current Stampin' Up Supplies so I do own a few more polka dot items, but didn't use those. Anyway, I linked to the sketch challenge in yesterday's post if you'd like to see it.

For my card I was messing around with different color schemes and settled on Barely Banana, Basic Gray (a new favorite, can you tell?!) and Almost Amethyst with white as my netural and some black accents. I like how it turned out, even though I'm sure there are a few little things I would do different in retrospect.

The background on the banana piece says Happy Birthday over and over due to a new jumbo wheel appropriately called "Happy Happy Birthday"- I wheeled it in So Saffron since I don't have Barely Banana in a large ink pad (I don't use cartridges for the most part, just ink pads). The White piece was also done with a jumbo wheel called Lots Of Dots from the new Occasions mini in Almost Amethyst. The gray dots on the Basic Gray are a background stamp called Polka Dot- and I used Basic Gray ink for that. The 5-petal flower was punched, then a rub-on applied directly to it! Gotta love rub-ons- and if you don't yet, stick around, you'll be sure to get hooked on them eventually! Hope you like it, TFL!

PS-I've been working on the size of my uploads so when you click on an image they don't explode on the screen. Thanks for your patience, but I think I have fixed most of the recent ones. I didn't have the energy to go back and fix them all in the archives...

All Supplies SUO

Stamps: It's Your Birthday, Polka Dot Background,

Jumbo Wheels: Lots of Dots & Happy Happy Birthday

Cardstock: Barely Banana, Basic Gray, Almost Amethyst, Whisper White

Ink: So Saffron, Basic Gray, Almost Amethyst

Accessories: Cream grosgrain, 5-petal flower punch, black brads, lable punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, distressing tool, A Perfect Party Rub-ons

Good Morning!

I hope it is sunny for you today like it is here in Ohio! Geez, I don't recall ever longing for warm weather as much as I have this winter! It can't get here soon enough... once it is here please remind me to not sit inside on the computer blogging, but get outside and ENJOY it!

Anyway, thought I'd post another card I did for yesterday's color challenge, then I'll be off working on today's Sketch Challenge! Then I'll be designing for my Stamp Camp on Friday (I don't like to do it too early or else I'm bored with the designs before it's time to have camp- at least that's my only plausible excuse for procrastinating!)

Without further adu (ado, adue- how is that word spelled?)... here it is...

All Stampin' Up! Supplies

Cardstock: Soft Sky, Basic Gray, Whisper White

Stamps: Cause for Celebration, Blossoms Abound

Accessories: Silver Brads, corner rounder (for scallops), ticket corner punch, distressing tool, White craft ink, ric rack ribbon from a retired Ribbon Originals set called Flirty.

I challenge YOU!

I LOVE today's color challenge (CC159). Soft Sky, Basic Gray and Whisper white- you can't go wrong! SO, I challenge you to try it out and let me know you have. Hope you like my vision for this color scheme...

I'm playing around with some fancy folds for my next swap so hence the Shadow Box card. If you'd like directions for this card, look no further. It is simple. Choose the colors you want for the inside and outside of your shadow box (they can be the same) then cut a 1/4 sheet of cardstock in each color. At each end of those two pieces you need to score a 1/2" in then 1" in- in other words, 2 score lines at each of the short ends of the 1/4 sheet. Tape the two sheets together (after you've done your stamping and decorating) at the edges. Voila! Fun and such a neat look. The best part: they can be mailed! When flattened these are still the standard size of a card so will fit in a standard envelope. The recipient can then push the edges in a bit and it pops back out! (Not that I've ever mailed one- I enjoy looking at them so much I have every one I've ever made I think. For more samples visit my SCS gallery and search on Shadow Box).

The banner on the front was made by stamping on a strip of white cardstock then using the 3/4" square punch to make even cuts on the ends to mimic a banner. Also, the embossed "dots" on the edges were made with the Crop-o-dile (basically pretend you are setting an eyelet, but no eyelet). Thanks for checking in!!

All Supplies SU

Cardstock: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Basic Gray

Stamps: Cause For Celebration, Pretty Petals Background, Blossoms Abound (for greeting)

Accessories: 3/4" square punch, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon, Crop-o-Dile

Ink: Basic Gray, Going Gray, Whisper White, Soft Sky

Sally's Sketch!

I'm sharing a scrapbook page with you today that I did this weekend. I haven't had a chance to stamp today- with cleaning and catching up from a hectic weekend. This page features a sketch from Sally's Sketches - she posts a new scrapbook sketch every Friday I believe, and then challenges anyone to use it and post their creations. It's a fun way to get started when staring at a blank page! Anyway, when my DD turned 3 she got this new bike from Grandma & Grandpa which was a surprise. I loved how cute the pictures turned out so I didn't want to crop any of them. Everything I've used here is from Stampin' Up with the exception of the cute pastel rub-on flowers I got from a friend a few months ago (thanks Erin!). Hope you had a great Easter, and thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps: Whimsical Alpha Lower, Be Happy

Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red

Accessories: Spring Fling DSP, rhinestone brad, circle punch

Happy Good Friday!

Happy Good Friday everyone! I'm not sure how much stampin' I'll get done this Easter weekend so I'm posting two today... besides, I'm pretty happy with them and can't wait to show you anyway!

So, this card is full of fun new stuff for me! Well, actually just the neat Lots of Dots wheel on the background and the fabulous Summer Picnic designer paper- but the striped ribbon and Tart & Tangy stamp set are still so much fun and somewhat new to me. If you haven't checked out the Occasions mini catalog yet, do it! Lots of neat stuff. (Link is at the left- just click on the catalog). Hope you like it- thanks for looking!

All Supplies are SU!

Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Lexicon of Love (blast from the past, eh? Like 2005)

Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Summer Picnic DSP

Accessories: Large chipboard flower, scallop punch, Lots of Dots jumbo wheel, Wasabi striped ribbon, Crafter's Tool Kit (for paper piercing)

This card I did for the sketch challenge on Splitcoast on Wednesday. If you haven't tried this challenge I highly recommend it! A very fun and easy way to get your creative juices flowing!

For the three background panels I used the So Saffron Prints papers which are double sided. To get the bird's belly pieced, I first stamped him on the patterned paper and cut out just that section. Then restamped him and glued on the belly piece. I love wide grosgrain- so chose the colors around that ribbon since I was determined to use it.

The faux stitching on the edges of the main panel are done with the stamp set All In A Row- I learned this trick from Beate! She's a pro at it- it was scary since it has to be done after the panels are put together, but I'm so glad I took a chance! I will be doing this more often! The bottom edge I cut with my favorite Fiskar deco scissor called Sunflower... then sponged it with white so it would stand out more when the card is closed. The tag is popped up on stampin' dimensionals. I hope you like this color combo- it is one of my favorites! Thanks for looking!

All Supplies SU! (except scissor)

Stamps: Pun Fun, All in a Row

Paper: Kraft, So Saffron Prints, Whisper White

Accessories: Large tag punch, Wide Brocade Grosgrain, Aqua Painter, Watercolor Wonder Crayons

Ink: Brocade Blue, Basic Black

Tag I'm It!

Monique tagged me, so you're stuck reading 7 random facts about me (or you can skip it if you'd rather not know). LOL

1. I took 8 years of piano lessons and played for our school choir and show choir... problem is, when I'm nervous my hands SHAKE like crazy- uh, not good!

2. When I was a kid I had pneumonia 6 years in a row... the 7th year I had mono so bad that I missed something like 2 months of school, but I never had pneumonia again!

3. I've fainted more time in one day than many do in a lifetime. Yes, I'm a fainter. On a tour of the local hospital when I was in high school... it was something like 5 times before they finally decided I should probably not complete the tour.

4. Fear of needles (see #3 above).

5. My DH and I used to play rollerblade hockey- and LOVED it. He insisted I wear a full face mask though, and glad I did, or surely I'd have a few false teeth by now.

6. My first child was born by C-section, second was not. Rare these days I guess.

7. When I was younger I LOVED blue cheese salad dressing... now, not so much!

If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged if you'd like to play along! Then post a comment here so I can come read your fun facts!

Double Whammy Thursday... and Fun News!

So, I still haven't learned how to budget my time so I can not only scan my favorite blogs and Splitcoast , but also have time to stamp something and actually get it posted in a timely manner so any blog readers I might have actually have something new to view! I'll get better at it.

This first card is one I did for the Featured Stamper Challenge which occurs every Sunday. The goal is to find something from the FS's gallery and let it inspire you. The FS on Sunday was BeckyTE. Here is her card that I "borrowed". Actually, I really only used her layout. Hers is so soft and pretty, but I didn't have the same stamps or paper, so this is what I came up with. I tried to get the same look. This is a lot of layers for me, but it was fun!

The other card I'm posting here is the color challenge for Tuesday (one of my favorite challenges) using Kraft, Sage shadow and Orchid Opulence. It is also a sketch from the Fan Club Challenges I've mentioned. Anyway, since one of the new fine Cosmo Glitters from SU is an orchid color I let that be my starting point. The flower is from the set of Sticky Cut letters- quite fun to use! I feel like this is still missing something- not sure what. Square cards are a bit hard for me... Thanks for stopping by to check things out! PS- I like how Amy Sheffer does her supply list so I'm trying something new for you today (thanks Amy!)

Supplies: All SU.

Thinking of You

Stamps: Spring Solitude hostess set

Paper: Wintergreen (retired), always artichoke, soft sky & Naturals ivory

Accessories: Celery grosgrain, Love & Happiness Rub-on, certainly celery, chocolate chip and always artichoke markers

Ink: Blue Bayou (06-07 In Color)

Happy Sparkly Birthday

Stamps: Lovely Letters, Priceless, Happy Everything

Paper: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Orchid Opulence

Accessories: Sticky Cut Letters, Fine Cosmo Glitter, 1" circle punch, scallop punch, white gel pen, kraft taffeta ribbon, white EP.

Ink: Sage Shadow, Whisper White, Orchid Opulence

OOH, and I almost forgot the Fun News! I found out this week that one of my cards will be published in the August issue of Cards Idea Book Series. I'm not sure which card yet, but I'm so excited! This will be my first time being published, and the first time I've ever submitted anything. Might be beginners luck, but I'm willing to try again! And even more exciting, three of my Great Swap pals will also be in the same issue!! Give it up for Krystie Lee, Dawn and Becky!

Last Day to Sale-a-Brate!

OK, One last card using the SAB sets. Actually, this is a remake of a previously posted card but with a different SAB set, rub-ons and it also features a ribbon slide from the new Styled Silver Hodgepodge in the Occasions mini. The flowers are from So Many Scallops, which includes four images that can be punched with the scallop punch (as shown here). The centers of each of these flowers is a rub-on from the Love & Happiness set that is one of the SAB selections! Here I've used the ribbon slide to bundle the flowers together and create leaves as well. The 'Thank you' sentiment is from the hostess set Spring Solitude, patterned paper is Spring Fling collection.

This card is another for the Splitcoast Fan Club challenges (that I mentioned yesterday). They showed an inspiration picture (of a gorgeous room) and asked us to let it inspire us. This is what I came up with. You can see the picture here but this link might only work for Fan Club Members, I'm honestly not sure. Anyway, hope you like it! It is entirely SU supplies with the exception of the bit of bling in the center of the flower (which is Diamond Stickles, but could easily be done with our Dazzling Diamonds). The cardstock colors are: Night of Navy, Sahara Sand, Certainly Celery and Very Vanilla. Ink: Sahara sand (stamped off once), Staz-on Black, Very Vanilla. The flower was watercolored with a Night of Navy Watercolor Wonder Crayon as well as an aquapainter. A white gel pen was also used. The stamps are Embrace Life, Looks Like Spring (retired- used the diamond patterns) and Carte Postale (for Bonjour). I also added two square green rhinestone brads which match the celery very well I think! I'm pretty happy with how it turned out- casual yet sophisticated. Thanks for looking!

Coffe Shop- Latte Love!

I know I haven't posted as much as I had planned this week-SORRY! I have lots of excuses, but mostly just been busy and lost my MOJO. You know how that is?! Anyway, finally got it back yesterday (just before running out of the house again- of course). Yesterday was the March release of Splitcoaststampers.com's monthly Fan Club Gallery. If you are not a Fan Club member, I highly recommend it. Not only do they showcase the most talented fabulous members and their exclusive work, but there are other benefits as well. The most important, to me, is being able to post creations on Sundays (non-members cannot) and not having to have your uploads approved so they post immediately.

Anyway, each month when they release the theme, new artists (called Dirty Girls) and fabulous art they also offer challenges for the rest of us to join in. It is so fun! The theme this month was The Daily Grind so they suggested using either a coffee theme, or office theme, office prodducts etc. Well, that's what got my MOJO back... I love this Pun Fun stamp set and knew it is the only coffee cup stamp I own so this is what I came up with!

I hope you like it- it was so much fun! All supplies are SU. The card is not at all what I initially pictured, but when I got these papers out (Recollections, of which I have a second unopened pack still) the stripes immediately made me think of an awning at a cute little coffee shop. The card base is not one sheet folded in half, but a 1/4 sheet of naturals ivory with a 1/4 sheet of mellow moss over it (actually 4 x 5.25) and attached at the top side with the row of eyelets. The Mellow moss piece is actually scored right where the brown stripes are attached under the chocolate ribbon. Anyway, the cup is embossed and watercolored. Awning is only attached at the top edge so the bottom side naturally lifts away from the card. The scallops were created using the SU corner rounder without the guard on it. If you're not sure what I mean just ask and i'll try to explain or find a tutorial for you to view. For more details on products used, click here. Thanks for looking!

So I had a workshop last night (first one in a while!) and wanted to make an extra special gift for my hostess Rosalie. My buddy Lisa Henke gave me an idea to check out this neato bag on Beate's blog. So I did and this is my version. Basically, take a paper bag (use a better quality than I did) and cut it down to the desired size, then decorate however you want. The sky is the limit!! I had so much fun doing this- feels good to do something dimensional sometimes! No, I didn't give her an empty bag. She got to keep the 4 samples I had that coordinated with it, plus the other samples and things she made. See my SCS gallery for these other projects.

Here is the backside just in case you are curious! :)

All Supplies are SU! Stamps: Boho Backgrounds & "Thank You" is from Spring Solitude; Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Berry Bliss; Accessories: Square, circle, 1/8" circle, slit and scallop punches. The handles are made with chocolate chip satin ribbon that is in the Theater Ribbon Originals collection and the strip of pomegranate polka dotted ribbon from the Sherbet Ribibon Originals. If you have any questions feel free to ask away!

SNOWED IN... so Sale-a-Brate in Style!

Anyone else snowed in like I am?? We've gotten 14" of snow in 24 hours so I've been stampin' like crazy (and even cleaning some too)! Anyway, I really wanted to catch up with some things I've made with a few of the SAB stamp sets. These are FREE with a $50 Stampin' Up! order through March 17th. Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies for this first card: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Barely Banana and Whisper white cardstock. Wide Cream Grosgrain, and 2 awesome star brads from the new Styled Silver Hodgpodge! The patterned paper is from a Simply Scrappin' Kit from last year called Creative License. The stamp set used is So Many Scallops, which includes 4 images that all fit in our scallop punch! Last but not least, the top edge is paper pierced for a bit more detail.

All supplies used are from Stampin' Up! This card is a simple one layer card using the new Spring Fling patterned paper and the Sale-a-Bration set Friendship Blooms. The flower is stamped in Regal Rose, cut out then raised on dimensionals. The stem was made by piercing the paper free-hand. Very simple!

This card used the SAB sets Friendship Blooms & Lots of Thoughts. The squares were punched easily from the Spring Fling papers and the spiral punch was used on the edge of the Whisper white cardstock. The card base is textured Sage Shadow.

Imastamper is the BEST!! Check out this RAK!

That's Random Act of Kindness, in case you are wondering what on earth I'm talking about! A sweet sweet lady from Splitcoast that calls herself Imastamper sent this to me the other day. I had noticed it in her gallery and was completely blown away by her talent and how lovely it is... and now I have it in person. Isn't that so sweet of her?!! Thought I'd post it here for your viewing pleasure.

Tart & Tangy- Sweet!

Here's a fun card I did recently using my new Tart & Tangy stamp set. I have lots of plans for this set... just haven't found the time to put them on paper. To do the stem for the strawberry in Wild Wasabi I just stamped it twice (real red and Wild Wasabi) then cut out the stem and apply it with a Stampin' Dimensional.

The sentiment is from the new Full of Life set in the Occasions mini which is now available (see sidebar). I wanted to emphasize the "happy" so I inked it separately with my versamark, applied heat & stick powder then poured a red fine glitter to it and cut it out. This piece is also raised on a dimensional.

The scallop punch with the holes punched in each scallop is my new favorite look. It is fun and easy, just punch the scallop then punch an 1/8" hole in each scallop!

The scalloped edge here was done with the slit punch. In order to do this the piece of paper can only be approximately an inch wide so I cut a strip from the bottom of this red dotted paper then punched it over and over, then hid the seam with the ribbon (now you know my trick!). Thanks for looking and I'll be back with more from this sweet set!

Supplies: SUO. Accessories- Wild Wasabi double stitched grosgrain, heat 'n stick powder, Romantic Red glitter (retired), Scallop punch, 1/8" hole punch, slit punch; Stamps- Full of Life, Tart & Tangy; Ink- Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black, Versamark; cardstock- Going Gray, Cerise (retired), Whisper White.

Warning, I am TWO!

OK, well those of you who know me in person know that DD is actually 6 now and that I'm obviously 4 years behind in scrapbooking.... well, I'm OK with that. Slow and steady wins the race, right? I plan to pursue this hobby well into my nursing home years (yeah right?!) so I've got plenty of time and am thoroughly enjoying the journey!

Anyway, I completed this page over the weekend. The sketch was provided by Splitcoast as part of their frequent VSBN (Virtual ScrapBook night). Actually it's an entire weekend full of provided challenges to get your pages complete (and there is a lot of virtual "chatting" going on as well). Despite my best intentions this is the only page I got done this weekend.

Supplies: this is entirely SUO (Stampin' Up Only) except the stickers which make the title (not sure what they are) and the circle cutting system. It's the first time I've really played around with the new stamp set called It's a Sign. This page is Brocade Blue with accents in More Mustard and Night of Navy. I've also used a chipboard 2 which is stamped on with the road sign stamps, more mustard brads, the new My Way punch (for the mustard arrows) and I used the large square punch to make the navy arrow head (cut in half). Thanks for looking!

Short & Sweet

Not much time for bloggin' today- just finished a swap that must get mailed today, am volunteering for "Hillbilly" day at my daughter's kindergarten class at 1:30 and then DH and I are off to see Lion King tonight (the show). Yesterday was DH's birthday and his truck broke down on his way to work so I didn't get a chance to post anything new. I WILL make up for it!

I have a TIP OF THE DAY for you: Mono Multi is my new favorite adhesive; its cheap, it sticks GREAT and a tiny bit goes a long way, plus SU now carries it! So my tip? Well, when you order Mono Multi, go ahead and order an adhesive remover as well- they go hand-n-hand and you just can't live with one and not the other!

This card is one I rejected for my swap I've been working on. I like it, but it was lacking some WOW factor I'd hoped for I guess. Anyway, it is SUO, including stamps: Pun Fun (check it out if you haven't -so cute!), Polka Dot Background and the new Full of Life from the Ocassions Mini catalog that is available TOMORROW! Colors are: Brocade Blue, Night of Navy and Barely Banana. Yes, I know my piercing isn't perfect! LOL The hippo was watercolored with the Watercolor Crayons and an Aquapainter. Edges sponged, and corners notched with the ticket corner punch. Gotta run!

Color Combo Challenge (CC155)

Well, I tried to post this yesterday but blogger must have been having some problems... Anyway, every Tuesday Splitcoast hosts a color combo challenge, which is one of my favorites. For yesterday's challenge the colors were awesome- River Rock, Basic Black and Whisper White. Here is the card I came up with, which I'm pretty pleased with! I love the sharp contrast of these colors together...
All supplies used are from Stampin' Up: Love & Happiness Rub-Ons in white and black (hint: there are no stamps used on this card!). These rub-ons are part of the Sale-a-Bration deal and can be FREE with a $50 order if you choose them! The ribbon used is Black Gingham and Double Stitched Grosgrain in River Rock. The scallop punch fits the rub-on I've used here and is raised with Stampin' Dimensionals (pop dots). Thanks for looking- I hope this inspires you to give rub-ons a chance- they are SO MUCH FUN!

Yum, Ranch Dressing!

Since I didn't actually upload any pictures yesterday, I am going to post a 12x12 layout that I completed last night. I'm working diligently to complete 120 pages this year, and am proud to say I've complete 41 so far! 31 of those were all this month, 23 of them at an all-weekend crop I went to that was a blast!

All supplies are SU: 12x12 textured pale plum card stock; Stamp set: Spring Solitude (level 2 hostess set); Spring Bouquet punch and Rhinestone brads!