The first CAS Challenge Design Team

First, I want to say thank you. I'm so happy that we've had so many challenge participants after only 2 CAS challenges (one being in the Limited Supply Challenge). There is so much talent on SCS that has been hidden!

It was very difficult to choose just 3 people. I hope that if you submitted cards for the DT call that you will do so again in May. If for some reason a DT member is unable to complete her term, I will choose a another designer from the first group who expressed interest. After all, you never know when you'll drop your only camera, burn your hand with a heat gun, punch a hole in your finger with a crop-o-dile, or go blind from too much glitter blown in your eye. All kidding aside, we never know when illness or accident may happen to a stamper or her family. So if I need a replacement, I'll look at the first group.


The first design team will be for the Spring Term 2009.



craftycaro (Carolina)

LateBlossom (Susan)

mudflapmamma (Angela)



Thank you ladies! I think this new idea for challenge design teams will be a positive one for the CAS style!

Blast from the Past: Valentines

Stamps: Olive You, Flannel Plaid BG, hearts unknown
Colors: real red, black, brocade blue
Accessories: ribbon, WW crayons, marker

This card measures 4.25 square. I buy 4.5 envelopes from A Muse.









Stamps: Sweet & Sassy, Houndstooth, Loving Hearts
Colors: so saffron, rose red, orchid opulence, white
Accessories: ribbon

I remember this card being a sample for a color challenge when I was guest hostessing. Everyone thought I was out of my mind! But the cards in the gallery were amazing.








Stamps: Wild About You, Bodacious Bouquet, Beyond the Basics
Color: old olive, cetainly celery, vintage violet, white
Accessories: ribbon, square punches

SCS has a new weekly challenge... CAS!

The idea of CAS is to keep it Clean and Simple.

Definition: A clean and simple card has limited layers and sometimes just a card base. It leaves a lot of "open space". It uses little or no embellishments. Any techniques should be the old standard everyday kind like sponging, distressing and piercing. Limit the number of tools you use. Any colored images should be small and quick. Don't go overboard on tons of punches and embossing. CAS cards should be easy and quick.

The CAS challenges will be on Mondays. This 1st week's challenge was an inspiration challenge. When I go to Joann's for card making supplies, I always have to visit the fabrics. I cannot sew..... at all. (That's why I like faux stitching ) But I love the patterns and often get inspiration from them.

I had linked 2 patterns from Joann's Snuggle Fabric line. But you can choose any of the Snuggle fabrics for your inspiration. Just put a link to the pattern in your comments when uploading.

This is one of the 2 cards I made as samples.

Stamps: butterflies - Verve, Curvy Verses - SU
Colors: regal rose, white
Accessories: ticket corner punch, organdy ribbon, marker, dimensionals

And there is more!

I am looking for a Design Team to help me make samples for the challenges, help come up with new and creative ideas and step in and post the challenge if I'm out of town or sick... or something like that.

I'm looking for 3 people for a 3 month term. The first term will actually be a 3.5 month term because we're already well into February. So, the first 3 people will be on the team for the rest of February, March, April, and May.

Sometime in May, I will be looking for people for the next 3 month term.

Sound like fun? Then send me 3 of your best CAS cards to my email address by Friday, February 13 at midnight EST. I will let you know who the 1st 3 people are on Saturday. If you don't get chosen this time, don't worry... your turn will come.

My email address is
designsbyboo at hotmail dot com

Skippin' Bee

It's been a busy, busy week! (on top of having a cold... yuck). This is the card that I made for SCS's sketch challenge on Wednesday.

Stamps: Skippin' Bee - Stampendous, sentiment - Gina K's Framed Friends
Colors: regal rose, pretty in pink, so saffron, white
Accessories: spiral clip, so saffron & pretty in pink ribbon, Copic markers, regal rose SU markers for the dots

Remembering Grandpa

Today marks the 1st anniversary of the day my grandpa passed away. In the few days he had left, this card hung on the cabinet by the TV in his hospital room. Even though he was 88, he had always been there. He had overcome so many health problems and rebounded quickly. It was understandably hard on me to realize he wasn't coming home this time. I miss him very much.

All SU products were used.
Stamps: Fishy Friends, Crab & Company, Cheesecloth, Flower Filled
Colors: white, creamy caramel, soft sky, craft white, chocolate chip, certainly celery
Accessories: WW crayons, ribbon, markers
Techniques: Masking

SCS Featured Stamper: K Dunbrook

Wow! I can't remember the last time I used this set. It was a lot of fun. Thank you for the inspiration, Karen!

Featured Stamper: K Dunbrook

* I changed the colors.
* I used the same layout but on a bigger card. (9"x4")
* I used brads instead of a sentiment.
* I used a similar main image.
* I used a punched image and stickles instead of buttons.

Here's Karen's beautiful card.

Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Paper: WW, bashful blue, certainly celery, close to cocoa DSP, unknown striped DP
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber, bashful blue
Accessories: celery poly-twill ribbon (SAB), brads, circle punch, stickles

This card fits inside a business size envelope.

It's good to be back!

Well, I could tell you all about my computer problems for the last week... but that's boring. The more exciting thing is I have an early birthday present from my parents... a new laptop computer!!!!! I love it.... but I admit that I'm still trying figure it out. Mostly I've been transferring hard drive documents. I can't believe I've only made one card this week... whoa! Hopefully, I will change that soon! Here's the one card I made. I used the SCS sketch challenge.

Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes, Aida Cloth BG, Petite BGs
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, bashful blue, bashful blue DSP, white, riding hood red
Ink: black, chocolate chip, creamy caramel, bashful blue
Accessories: Copic markers, Michael's ribbon, Heart to Heart punch, dimensionals