Color Throwdown #134

Three posts in one day, however only 2 cards were really made today.  Tuesdays are quite busy so I wanted to get to this last challenge today.  I saw the challenge at Color Throwdown late last week, and it took me this long to come up with an idea.  Let me show you the colors:



See why I was stuck?  No? Well they are three colors I love solo, just don't know how well I liked seeing them together.  That's when one of my favorite stamps came to mind from the set Bring on the Cake.  I also wanted a clean and simple design.  So here is what I came up with:

I used Staz On Jet Black ink for the stamp and then colored in the image with my Stampin' Up markers.  I added the fun 1 1/4" striped ribbon, and ta da, a fun and quick card!

Inkspirations Challenge #63

Here is another great layout challenge over at Inkspirations Challenges:



I haven't played around with my Springtime Vintage DSP as much I thought I would, so I decided to use this paper for the challenge.  I searched for a stamp for the center square, but I couldn't find anything I liked so I went to my trusty Fun Flowers Die.  I have used this flower on everything it seems, but I really love the look!  So I had my pieces on my desk and this is what I came up with....

I started by using Rose Red as my card base, layed with Very Vanilla, and then used the DSP to make my blocks.  The Very Vanilla and DSP layer were ran through the Big Shot with the Lattice Folder to give it added texture before being added to the Rose Red. For my center, I took a 3X3 Garden Green Square and used the Scallop Trim Border to punch out the center edge of each side, and then added pearls in each corner.  For the flower, I took 4 flowers and sprayed them with my Stampin' Mist, crumbled them, and then sponged them with Rose Red when they were dried.  I used a Rose Red button from the Springtime Vintage Big Designer Buttons, and then took a strip of Garden Green to use as my "thread."  I played around with a setiment on the front and just didn't love it, so I tucked in my "Easter Wishes" from the Something to Celebrate set on the inside. 

Here's a closer look at the flower layers:

Thanks for Stopping By!

Stampin' Celebration #45

The Stampin' Celebration challenge this week is one of pure elegance, and my eyes were immediately drawn to the wedding cake. 



Weddings are one area that I don't make too many cards, so I thought this challenge would give me a great reason to do a wedding card. I also saw a wedding cake cake card card beautifully done on The Paper Stamper.  So here is my card based on the challenge and the peer inspiration:

I used Basic Black and Very Vanilla as my color choices. To make the design in my cake layers I used my Elegant Lines embossing folder.  I first cut my pieces and then put them in the folder so the image would line up.  The flower fusion sizzlit was used to make the flowers along with the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch.  I used the 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon to make my cake look like the one in the picture, and then added pearls to add another layer.  You also can't tell, but after the card was assembled I used the Frost White Shimmer Paint mixed with alcohol and sprayed the card.  I really like how it turned out! Again, I have to thank Kathy for the inspiration!

Create with Connie and Mary 143

Who doesn't love a good layout?  This is just what you'll find over at Create with Connie and Mary this week...so glad I happened acrosss this blog a few months back...and started playing along!  Here is the sketch-one that I drew in my sketch book for use again in the future.

Last week I had a top three card! So exciting.  It was very simple, so I couldn't do that again.  I also needed a birthday card for my soon to be 10 year old nephew. Here is what I came up with:

I changed a few things from the sketch.  I didn't think my nephew would appreciate a big ribbon bow so I tied on a button with some white string instead.  I also added a layer underneath my DSP paper.  I am loving the cupcake punch and stamp set from Stampin' Up!  I admit I wasn't excited about it at first but after seeing some other projects with it and playing with it myself...I'm a believer!  I used Versa Mark to stamp the cupcake liners but didn't like the look so I used some clear embossing powder to bring out the color.  I used Stampin' Up new glitter paper to punch out the cherries-I know it didn't show as well as I wanted.  I hope this comes back in more colors! Love the no mess!  Added some more string, stamped on the setiment with craft Whisper White, and ta da-the (hopefully) perfect card for a 10 year old boy!

ColourQ + I(heart)2stamp Card

Way back when, I noticed this layout over at i(heart)2stamp:



I found it interesting and bookmarked it for a later date.  Also in my sketch pile, is a picture of a birthday penguin using the Stampin' Up Owl Punch (sorry I know I saw it on our Stampin' Connection site, but didn't write down the owner.) Then today I checked what the Colour Q challenge was and found this:



I knew right away I wanted to pull out the layout sketch and penguin to combine with these colors to make a fun birthday card.  Kiwi Kiss and Bermuda Bay are retired colors so I was pleasantly surprised to find Bermuda Bay card stock, but had to dig in my scrap stash for some Kiwi Kiss.

Without further delay, my card:

A time sucker of a card, mostly because I couldn't decide where to use what colors, but I can't wait to give it to give it away. 

Recipe:

Cardstock: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Kiwi Kiss, Concord Crush, Concord Crush DSP (Hostess Set), Subtles DSP, Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie

Ink: Basic Black

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases

Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice Embossing Folder, In Color Glimmer Brad, 3/4" Circle Punch, Owl Punch, White String (not SU)

More Green with Create with Connie and Mary

So given the holiday last week, there has been a lot of green in challenges...and in my cards.  Create with Connie and Mary had this challenge:

GO GREEN!

I'm sorta over green so I started thinking about using scraps (recycling) but then a light bulb came on and I went away from shamrocks and flowers. Banners are everywhere in the crafting world right now and so I decided to make one using Old Olive DSP and couldn't bear to make another good luck card, so I added a "so happy for you" setiment. 

TA DA-

Very clean and simple, but that's sorta my thing. I used the flower of the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch to add to my bows- I had thought about putting them on the banner, along with buttons, but thought they covered too much of the paper up. Two cards in a row with no Big Shot....it can be done!, but I'm sure it will be back soon. Hop on over and see what the designers have offered up!

Color Throwdown #133

I'm back with a Color Throwdown Challenge.  Here are this weeks colors:


I was a little stumped and a little pressed with time, so here is my card:

I actually made a card WITHOUT using my Big Shot!  In fact all I used was two punches, some paper, a strip of ribbon, two markers, one stamp set, and a button!  So simple.  I roughed up my edges with my bone folder just so the card didn't look so flat.  Hope you like!

Recipe:

Cardstock: Early Espresso, More Mustard, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla

Stamps: Tiny Tags

Ink: (Markers) More Mustard, Early Espresso

Accessories: Scallop Punch, Subtle Buttons, Jewelry Tag Punch

Getting my MOJO back...

Sorry it's been awhile.  I've been house-sitting so therefore I have been away from my craft room. I'm trying to get caught up on some great challenges from last week.  Here is the layout over at Mojo Monday:


Here is what I created...

What stamp is this?  Why it's called Sunny Fun and it will be in the Summer Mini Catalog. So how do I have it already? Well since I attended the Minneapolis Regional Event and recruited in a time period, myself AND my recruit earned this set...FOR FREE...BEFORE the pre-order date.  LOVE free and early. 

I created this for my niece and will tuck a gift card inside.  I loved coloring this fun stamp-bomb pops, creamsicles, mint cones, and rootbeer popsicles...just tasty.

Be sure to stop back often this week as I play "catch up."

Stampin' Celebration #43

For the second week, Stampin' Celebration is celebrating St. Patrick's Day.


I found myself drawn to the cupcakes and the dark chocolate color.  This past summer Stampin' Up did a color renovation. At first, I wasn't sure about the color Early Espresso, but I find myself using this more than my past Chocolate Chip go to.  It's such a rich brown.  Okay, okay, here is my card...

I went back to my Big Bold Capcakes Sizzlit and added a flag onto a tootpick. I punch a hole using my 1/16" circle punch and stuck it in there so it looked like it was in the cupcake.  I wish I had the scallop square #2 die for the DSP layer.  It was carried over from the winter mini catalog...guess I have something to add to my (growing) wish list.

Recipe:

Cardstock: Garden Green, Early Espresso, Early Espresso DSP, Whisper White

Ink: Garden Green

Stamps: So Happy For You, Afterthoughts

Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Square, Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlit, Perfect Polka Dots & Square Lattice Embossing Folders, Garden Green Button (from the Winter Mini), Simple Alphabet Dies, 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon

CCMC141-Color Challenge

When I open up a challenge, I quick look at the colors or layout and go no further in the blog.  I don't want to get inspiration from the other designers, this way it's a true challenge.  This is the color challenge this week over at Create with Connie and Mary.

I was happy to see crumb cake, but so saffron and real red threw me off.  I admit, I rarely mix color families...just doesn't seem right to mix a bright with a subtle, kinda like stripes with polka dots.  I love how challenges are letting me play with all my "stuff."  This stamp set, Because I Care, is a hostess set that I opened for the first time today. 

Here's my card:

I don't know if I'm in love with it...seems sort of "old school" McDonald's to me but I gave it my best!  There are some great cards from the designers, hop over and check them out!  Debbie and I used the same Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder for our background.

Recipe:

Cardstock: So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Very Vanilla (I know, I traded for the white.)

Ink: Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Real Red

Stamps: Because I Care, Tiny Tags

Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Emboss Folder, Jewelry Tag Punch, Hemp Twine, Subtles Buttons, Real Red 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Sponge

Another Post...

...I'm on a roll I guess. I was just putting some stuff away in my craft room and I realized I hadn't opened my Springtime Vintage DSP yet.  This is a perfect example of not judging a book by it's cover.  When I first received my Sring Occasions Mini Catalog, this paper did nothing for me.  As I started to see other projects using it, my mind was swayed.  As I opened it, I noticed that a couple of the sheets "matched" our Lattice die.  LOVE how Stampin' Up takes the guess work out of coordination.  Again, this card took me less than 10 minutes!

The card is a 4 1/4" square so it will still fit in a standard envelope and the overhang will not get squished. I sliced some dimensionals to put on the corners of the lattice die to give it some depth...my next goal is to get some photo tips so my cards look as nice on here as they do in person!

Recipe:
Cardstock: Crumb Cake (my favorite neutral), Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Springtime Vintage DSP
Ink: Rose Red
Stamps: Bring on the Cake
Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice Die, Neutral Brads

Color Throwdown #132

Another challenge!  Color Throwdown offered up these colors:

Sort of similiar to last weeks Pals Paper Arts challenge, and very much in my comfort zone.  I wanted to break out a set I earned for FREE and hadn't played with yet.  I also had spent a bit of time with the Mojo Monday challenge, so I set my timer for 10 minutes and created this card.  Proof that you can create a beautiful card in less time than it takes you to walk into a box store and buy one!

I also got a chance to use my Framed Tulips Embossing Folder for the first time.  When I attended the Minneapolis Regional Meeting, I fell in love with so many cards that used this frame.  Such an easy way to give your card a lovely detail!

Recipe:
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Stamps: Sweet Summer
Ink: StazOn; Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight and Certainly Celery Markers
Accessories: Big Shot, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Daffodil Delight 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Brights Buttons, Hemp Twine

Mojo Monday 181 Challenge

Here is the layout challenge offered up this week at Mojo Monday:


Now at first I was quite overwhelmed.  If you have noticed the other cards on my blog, I lean more to Clean and Simple cards.  So nonetheless, this is a challenge!  I stayed with 2 colors because I didn't want the card get away from me, and so it still had that CAS feeling.  Don't get me wrong, there are some beautiful cards entered this week that play with many colors and textures-go check them out!

With out further delay....my card:



I love how it turned out!  Further proof that challenges are helping me step out of some comfort zones. I mimicked the paper from the Celebrations DSP paper and the stamp from Bring on the Cake.  (I love this stamp set and it's only available until April 30th.) I also punched some holes in my scalloped circle to match the dotted scallop ribbon border. The button is from the winter mini catalog, but I am in LOVE with the big buttons.  I added some white string to it and to the cupcake.

Here is the rest of the recipe:

Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Celebrations DSP

Ink: Real Red

Stamps: Bring on the Cake, Create a Cupcake

Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Circles #2 die, 2.5" Circle punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Build a Cupcake Punch

Thanks for stopping by!

PPA83...Just Before the Deadline

I saw this challenge from the Pals Paper Arts this past weekend.  Now these are my colors.  I'm a Crumb Cake lover!-It used to be "Kraft" so if I ever type Kraft, know I mean Crumb Cake.


Here is my entry:

The recipe:

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze

Ink: Craft Vanilla, Soft Suede

Stamps: Season of Friendship

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Sponge, Basic Pearls, Decorative Label Punch

Here is the tree outside our front door (last spring of course!) the inspiration for the card.  I'm LONGING for the day it looks like this again...winter has been very long in Minnesota this year. 

Thanks for all the wonderful comments I've gotten from fellow stampers.  Your kind words have been very much appreciated!  What a great community we belong to.

Inkspirations Challege #60

Back to some challenges!  I am in love with this color combo from Inkspirations Challenges:



I saw it last week and knew I didn't have the time to get to it right away with doing invites.  While grabbing my Baby Steps stamp, I saw Tart and Tangy and knew this would be a great set to do with these colors.  Here is my finished card.  Great for a teacher and best of all the set could be yours for FREE during Sale a bration until March 31, 2011-just ask me how!

I had the card assembled and it just was missing something....ribbon.  I admit I love ribbon and I'm so glad Stampin' Up offers a smaller width ribbon.  A perfect addition!

Recipe:
Cardstock: Rose Red, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Subtles DSP
Ink: Rose Red, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Craft Whisper White
Stamps: Tart and Tangy, So Happy For You (BOTH COULD BE YOURS FOR FREE!)
Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Circle #2, Clear Embossing Powder, Scallop Edge Border, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Whisper White 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Shower Invites

I've been busy....you just can't tell on my blog.  One of my best friends is going to have her first baby in June and I wanted to make her invites for her shower.  They are going to be surprised with the gender and are painting the nursery gray and white.  She also has been attracted to elephant accents.  After a few trials this is what I ended up with.

So I must admit that I ran out of ribbon while making 30 invites.  I headed to the box craft store and I know why I love Stampin' Up even more now!  The ribbon didn't tie or cut as nice as Stampin' Up's ribbon! UGH.  Lesson: accept no substitutes!

Recipe:
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Real Red
Ink: Craft Whisper White, Basic Gray
Stamps: Baby Steps, Tiny Tags
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Emboss Folder, Scallop Circle #2. 2.5" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Jewelry Tag Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Basic Pearls
Non SU: white string

two 4 one

I combined two challeges today...hence a two for one.  The layout is from Create with Connie and Mary:
A square.  Typically not my strenght but I went for it anyways!

Then I headed over to Stampin' Celebration.  Here is this weeks inspiration:

BIG CHALLENGE! Not only do I not do a lot of square cards, the only stamp I have with a shamrock is from the new Sale a bration catalog, So Happy For You.  The shamrock is pretty small, so I went to my dies and created this:

Not too shabby...here's the recipe:
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Brights DSP
Ink: Crumb Cake (I used a sponge and sponged the card and vanilla edges)
Stamps: NONE
Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Circles #2, 2.5" Circle Punch, Hearts and Brackets Die, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Bright Buttons, Neutral Buttons, Hemp Twine, Perfect Polka Dots Emboss Folder, DIMENSIONALS (I think I've forgotten these in other posts, but I use these...A LOT!)

Color Throwdown Challenge

To help get some inspiration, I've been challenging myself to do some blog challenges.  I came across this one from Color Throwdown:
Here's my attempt:

Recipe:
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze
Ink-NONE! (can add a sentiment inside when needed)
Stamps-NONE!
Accessories: Big Shot, Fun Flowers Die, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Frost White Shimmer Paint (mixed with rubbing alcohol and sprayed over card), 5/8" Not Quite Navy Satin Ribbon, Pink Pirouette Button (retired)

+One

I'm a (relatively) new Stampin' Up demonstrator and attended my first Stampin' Up event-Minneapolis Regional-in February.  I left inspired and a bit overwhelmed.  Shelly commented on the +One campaign, which got me thinking how I can move from a hobby demo to a business demo.  So here is my +One, my very own blog.  For a while, I've been hooked to many blogs for inspiration, so why not have my own to inspire you! Hope you enjoy my journey with me!

Here is my regional swap card: 

Card Stock: Early, Espresso, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla
Ink: Early Espresso
Stamps: Curly Cute
Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Circle #2 Die, 3" Circle Die, Perfect Polka Dot & Square Lattice Embossing Folers, Marina Mist 5/8" Grossgrain Ribbon, Glimmer Paper, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch, 1/16" Circle Punch, Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlit

Here is a Regional Picture:
L to R: Sandi, Sara, Shelly (Stampin' Up Cofounder and CEO), and myself

Hello...is anybody out there?

A great lyric. A great test to see if this works.