It's Friday... Time for Friends with Flair!

I just received my new February KOM yesterday and couldn't wait to get inked up! Here are my first 2 cards. There would have been even more if I hadn't been so tired. LOL! As you will see, I got a little daring with my colors on this first card. :) It wasn't something that I had planned, I just colored with Copics and designed the card and mat colors around the colored image.

Hang in There, Friend

Stamps: February KOM 2010
Paper: close to cocoa, blush blossom, real red, cool caribbean, so saffron, white
Ink: Palette burnt umber, cool caribbean, Copic markers
Accessories: SU word window, small & large ovals & scallop oval punches, brads, CB EF


I had no idea how this card would turn out. I just love this image and once I decided to use a Nestie scallop circle, I was left without much room. To add detail, I used buttons and the paisley CB EF. I'm not sure about the buttons, they always make me nervous for sime reason. What do you think?


I look forward to blog hopping this evening. Have a great Friday!!!

Green, Green, & More Green!

I love the color of green.... not as much as orange, but I do love it! Graduating from Michigan State University requires that, of course. :)

Today is my day to post in the DRS blog. My first card features two new releases: Hat Full of Shamrocks & the Irish Eyes greeting.

When Irish Eyes are Smiling

Stamps: Hat Full of Shamrocks, Silhouette Clover, & greeting (DRS Designs)
Paper: white, black, wild wasabi
Ink: black, garden green, Copic markers
Accessories: ribbon, dimensionals, CM custom cutting system, Nestabilities

Two Peas in A Pod

Last week, I was hunting through some lonely stamps. I am so ready for spring and summer! Isn't this the cutest stamps?!? The card measures 4.25 square. I use 4.5 A Muse envelopes.

Stamps: Two Peas in A Pod, background (DRS Designs)
Paper: green galore, gable green, white
Ink: black, green galore
Accessories: ribbon, brads, SU word window punch


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Favorites: CAS Olympic Finalists

New CAS Challenge DT announced Wednesday:
In the SCS-CAS Forum: 5PM-10PM EST

You're Invited!
Chat, Ooh & Ahh over cards,
Reminisce, See the guest designers revealed,
And meet the new design team!


Artist: al_silver2

Artist: ApricotRose

Artist: Bar

Artist: Chupa

Artist: kmahany

Artist: ltecler

Artist: mocjen

Artist: PaperInBloom

Artist: ReginaBD

Artist: Sarah.Jane

Double Challenges

DOUBLE CHALLENGES



SCS Inspiration Challenge: Lark
Diet Sophie was inspired by these pink cupcake wrappers.

CPC Color Monday Challenge:
Shades of brown & pink + white

Stamps: Diet Sophie (Riley & Company)
Paper: white, pretty in pink, close to cocoa, pretty in pink dsp
Ink: Palette burnt umber, Copic markers
Accessories: ribbon, CM custom cutting system, Nestabilities

This card measures 4.25 square. I use 4.5 A Muse envelopes.



SCS Clean & Simple Challenge: Make-Overs
This is the card that I chose to simplify.

CPC Color Monday Challenge:
Shades of brown & pink + white

Stamps: Crazy for Daisies, July KOM '09 (Unity)
Paper: white, kraft, kraft dsp
Ink: cameo coral, certainly celery, close to cocoa
Accessories: hemp, distressing tool, paper piercer & template (SU mat stack)
Technique: sponging, distressing, faux stitching


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Favorites - Lots of CAS!

Here are a few more gems. I hope we have a snow day, tomorrow. I've spent most of my day suffering from a migraine because the pressure has dropped.... so not much from today (Sunday). I deserve it... and I'll get more gallery viewing time!!!

Sunday, February 21

Bar (CAS)
stampingout (CAS)
DandI93 (CAS)


Saturday, February 20

karcher70 (CAS)
snail (CAS)
girl3boys0 (CAS)
stampingout (CAS)
ltecler (CAS)
LateBlossom (CAS)
Chupa (CAS)
Biggan (CAS)


Friday, February 19

mocjen (CAS)
lola612 (CAS)
happy2stamp4ever (CAS)
ReginaBD (CAS)
Anna741 (CAS)
Anna741 (CAS)
SophieLaFontaine (CAS)
thestampinbean (CAS)


Thursday, February 18

kmahany (CAS)
ReginaBD (CAS)
smvanarnham (CAS)
ltecler (CAS)


Wednesday, February 17

rsalamon (CAS)
cookiebaker (CAS)
PaperInBloom (CAS)
NikiE (CAS)
karcher70 (CAS)
Sarah.Jane (CAS)
LateBlossom (CAS)
JulieHRR (CAS)
Bar (CAS)
Chupa (CAS)


Tuesday, February 16

kmahany (CAS)
krystie lee (CAS)
krystie lee (CAS)
krystie lee (CAS)
Wendybell (CAS)


I have to stop here. My Olympic sized headache is returning.

Double Challenges with Gina K Stamps

Snail Buddies

SCS Inspiration Challenge: Lark

What a cool shop! I have so many cards I would like to make if I can find the time. I colored lot of images and decided on this one, first. Here's the homemade toadstool house made from felt that inspired my card.

StampTV Sketch Challenge

Stamps: Bug Me Anytime (Gina K Designs/Nina Brackett)
Paper: white, real red, apricot appeal, unkown dp
Ink: black, green galore, bashful blue for sponging, real red marker, Copic markers for sponging
Accessories: SU scallop edge, large oval, and modern label punches, ribbon, brads, pop-up dots, handmade cloud template for sponging, white gel pen

So Happy for You

SCS Inspiration Challenge: Lark

What a cool shop! This card was inpsired by these baby girl blocks.

StampTV Inspire Challenge: What's your style?

My motto is: "CAS. Embellished. It's all good." But usually my cards are cute, clean, & simple. I was so lucky to win Rupa's newest set, Oh, Baby! I'm sooo lucky since I'm on a strict budget right now, don't have much in the way of baby stamps, and this set is just so adorable! I actually waited a week to choose my set since I knew the sneak peeks were coming! LOL! So glad that I did even though my wish list is a mile long. LOL!

Stamps: Oh, Baby! (Gina K Designs/Rupa Shevde)
Paper: pretty in pink, white, so saffron dsp
Ink: black, brown, Copic markers
Accessories: SU scallop edge, scallop oval, & large oval punches, cotton candy Stickles, white gel pen, ribbon, pop-up dots

Praying for You

SCS Inspiration Challenge: Lark

This card was inpsired by this card: (I used amethyst instead of blue for the StampTV color challenge.)

StampTV Color Challenge: purple & yellow

Hope is Faith is Gina K's newest Stamp for A Cause. A portion of sales in February are going to the American Red Cross to help in relief efforts in Haiti. You can find the stamp set here.

Stamps: Hope is Faith, Tag Lines (Gina K Designs),
Paper: almost amethyst, white
Ink: black, so saffron, Copic markers
Accessories: organza ribbon, white gel pen, SU word window & modern label punches, Nestabilities Label #1, pop-up dots, CB Swiss Dots

Featured Stamper Favorites (2/21/10)

Jovialjudi


Prairy Fairy Flowers (CAS)
A Kind Word (CAS)
Friend (CAS)
J's Primrose
Roses for Anne!
J's Daffodils
J's Amaryllis
Love is in the Air (CAS)
Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy for Ann! (CAS)
Allegro (CAS)
A Little Note (CAS)
Your Friendship (CAS)
Serene Spring Easter


_

Inspired Bunnies

SCS Inspiration Challenge: Lark

What a cool shop! I have so many more cards I would like to make! These are cards 4 & 5!

For the card above, I was inspired by this cute magic bunny party invitation.

Stamps: High Hopes
Paper: white, black, real red
Ink: black, Copic markers
Accessories: SU large oval & modern label punches

This card measures 4.25 square. I use 4.5 square A Muse envelopes.



For the Egg-stra Special card, I was inspired by this adorable bunny card.

Stamps: Bunny (Penny Black?), jelly beans (DRS Designs), carrot & sentiment (High Hopes)
Paper: pretty in pink, pink pirouette, so saffron, white
Ink: black, SU garden green marker, Copic markers
Accessories: ribbon, SU scallop edge punch, Nestabilities Labels #1, white gel pen


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Gina K Designs Blog Hop - Hope is Faith

Feelings of Hope

Gina challenged the CenterStage Spotlight team to make a card with the new Hope is Faith stamp set using the photo above for inspiration. Check out Gina's blog for all the details on this special stamp set.

Here's the card that I made using the beautiful butterfly from Hope is Faith. Now that I'm finished making the card, I wish I had added some more orange like a pumpkin shade to compliment the apricot cardstock. I also used January's Stamp TV kit images from the Picture It set for accents. These were added in so saffron. This card is large compared to what I usually make: 5.25 square.

Other Accessories: Copic markers, pearl stickers, SU Top Note die cut, Nestabilities Label #1 die cut, SU organza ribbon, pop-up dots

Please stop by these designer's participating in the hop tonight:

Jessica Fick

Diana S. Queen

Tina Gilliland

Pam Imholz

Carla Suto

Cheri Weston

Jennie Harper

Joy Hadden

Shannon Bracken

Karen Knegten

JenMarie Taylor

Brenda Turner

Giovanna Smith

Sue Morris

Melissa Shult

Peggy Wainman

Sharri Seffens

CarolinaBuchting

Geri Utterback

Melissa Cash

Betty Neville

Sue Van deVusse

Janice Melton

Jen Charboneau - That's me :)

DeeMarie Kelemen

Linda Payne

Lori McAree

Kay Simmons

Shelly Wilson
Selma Stevenson

Vicki Dutcher

Sue Walsh

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A Few Faves to Share!

I've been feeling under the weather, so I haven't had time to do much viewing. But I did fave a view the last couple of days :) I'll have more to come this weekend when I have more time!

Thursday, February 18

va.sunshine
stampingout (CAS)
mjw (CAS)
Petal Pusher (CAS)

Wednesday, February 17

Jami
Julia M
susiestampalot

Tuesday, February 16

iluvstamping13
csroyal


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The Adventures of Late Night Stamping

Have you ever made a card in the middle of the night because it was better than lying in bed not being able to sleep? This is what I did a couple of nights ago. And one mistake after another happened! This card was supposed to look like this: Bucky the Bunny (DRS Designs sneak peek) with one balloon (colored with Copic markers) and a stamped ground with Vicki's Versatile background, followed by sponging in the same color of caramel, a colored cotton tail colored with a white gel pen, a sponged sky with the scene mounted on pumpkin cs and mounted on white cs with bunny paw prints, and then finally mounted on a pumpkin card base. That's it. Maybe some ribbon.



So, this is how the story goes. LOL!

1. I was too lazy to mask Bucky and his balloon, so I sponged some sky on his perfectly colored, shaded balloon. I tried to cover it up with darkening the coloring. Bad mistake. It was too late to mask anything to stamp another balloon, so I stamped the back of dsp for the balloon.
2. Since I used the lighter shade of dsp, I had to make to blend in more so it wasn't obvious why I had used the dsp balloon. You guessed it. I added just a tad, not too much, of the same dsp on the base of the card.
3. I somehow ended up with a smudge on Buck, so I added a bow.
4. The bow was in an odd spot. I could have wrapped the ribbon all around, but I didn't want to cover more of Bucky up, especially with his cute cotton tail! So, I added some brads in hopes of making it look "more even".
5. At this point, I saw one more mistake that I did't think would ruin the card in my eyes. And I was finally too tired to come up with a reasonable cover-up. LOL!

So, has this ever happened to you.... daytime or nighttime? Do you try and fix it with cover-ups or start over?

Please tell me I'm not the only one making mistakes and covering them up :)

Bucky the Bunny will be released by DRS Designs on February 20th!

Color Monday Challenge on CPC: Celebration Colors

Christian Paper Crafts
Color Monday Challenge:
Celebration Colors
Turquoise, Orange, White
+ an optional green
(just in case of flowers :)

Stamps: Fluffles (Stampendous)
Paper: tempting turquoise, apricot appeal, pumpkin pie, white, retired SU dsp
Ink: black, Copic markers
Accessories: SU corner & edge punches, organdy ribbon, felt flower & primas, brad, paper piercer & template (SU mat stack), white gel pen, CB Swiss Dots EF

You can find the CPC color challenges here.

Another Fabulous Dirty Dozen Gallery

The SCS Dirty Dozen gallery is up. Here are some of my faves:

susiestampalot
susiestampalot
susiestampalot

suzannejdean
suzannejdean
suzannejdean

ked
ked

mrupple
mrupple
mrupple

rsalamon
rsalamon
rsalamon
rsalamon
rsalamon

cindybstampin
cindybstampin

AmberDawn
AmberDawn
AmberDawn

Petal Pusher

kmahany

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Wishing for Spring Part 1

Splitcoast CAS Challenge:
Wishing for Spring

Stamps: Unity's December KOM (Delightful Moments) & January KOM (Savor the Journey)
Paper: certainly celery, white
Ink: certainly celery, cameo coral
Accessories: organdy ribbon

Wishing for Spring Part 2

Splitcoast CAS Theme Challenge:
Wishing for Spring

I wish I could remember the name of this set. I missed out on it when it was available by Stampin' Up! but was able to get it in a trade on SCS!

Stamps: Stampin' Up!
Paper: white, melon mambo
Ink: garden green melon mambo, close to cocoa
Accessories: melon mambo ribbon, Martha Stewart fence border punch (received through Wish RAK!), Cuttlebug EF (Floral Fantasy), dimensionals

Having Fun with My New Gina K. Stamps!!!

SCS Featured Stamper Challenge: HamiltonGal

*I used the same baby girl theme but changed the images and sentiment.
*I used the same layout.
*I used rhinestones instead of pearls and a single bow instead of a double bow (I need more practice with those!)
*I used different dp but used the same border punch.











Here's Laurie's adorable card.


Stamps: Oh Baby! (Gina K - Rupa Shevde)
Paper: pretty in pink, pink pirouette, white, regal rose dp
Ink: black, Copic markers, SU rose red marker
Accessories: Nesties, CM custom cutting system, Martha Stewart lace border punch, taffeta ribbon, rhinestone stickers, pop-up dots
Technique: masking

Even the smallest star
shines in the darkness.

I made this card for the Inspiration Challenge on StampTV. You can find the challenge here.

Stamps: Best Fishes (Gina K)
Paper: groovy guava, tempting turquoise, retired SU dsp
Ink: black, SU turquoise marker, Copic marker Salmon Pink (RV42)
Accessories: SU scallop edge punch, CM custom cutting system, Nesties, Marvy mega scallop circle punch, ribbon, pop-up dots, white gel pen

I have a "few" more faves to show off!

I did a lot of some back-tracking, but I know I'm missing a ton of great art work. Not nearly enough time in the gallery, but you won't want to miss these!

Saturday, February 13

daisyfreak
daisyfreak (scrapbook page)
cvansluys
swldebbie
TreasureOiler
dancerriley
dancerriley (CAS)
dancerriley (CAS)
dancerriley (treat box)
dancerriley
genie1314
kmahany
mepylant (CAS)
Wdoherty (new - creative - punch art card - wow!)
glowbug



Friday, February 12

Princessheather
Biggan
k dunbrook
Karen B Barber
PaperInBloom (CAS)
ltecler (CAS)


Thursday, February 11

NancyK. (CAS)
Rox71


Wednesday, February 10

dancerriley
card crazy
girlydecou
nicduf72
ltecler (CAS)
debhorst
Toy


Tuesday, February 9

catdidit
SandiMac
ltecler
hobbydujour (CAS)
EvaC (CAS)
LateBlossom (CAS)
strappystamper
jmasse
Wattle


Monday, February 8

ltecler
stamperjen0 (CAS)
mbg10001


Sunday, February 7

ltecler (CAS)
hskelly (CAS)
darleenstamps (CAS)
HamiltonGal (A Wow Tag!)
mocjen (CAS)
AndreaEwen
k dunbrook (CAS)
hobbywoman (CAS)
CAKath (CAS)


Saturday, February 6

ltecler (CAS)
abstampin (CAS)
abstampin (CAS)
abstampin (gift card holder)
abstampin (CAS)
patsmethers (CAS)
Kharmagirl
Kharmagirl
Kharmagirl
darleenstamps (milk carton birdhouse)
gbedwright (CAS)
gbedwright (CAS)
TheresaCC
LateBlossom (CAS)
nikkischmaltz


Friday, February 5

dancerriley
knightrone
knightrone
stampin6213
strappystamper
strappystamper
Kauai17
Creative Daze


Thursday, February 4

sweetnsassystamps
stampinsusie (CAS)
MrsBoz (CAS)


Wednesday, February 3

aswalford (CAS)
Cici510
prchvs (CAS)
PaperInBloom (CAS)
CherCroppin


Monday, February 1

ltecler (CAS)
coriefoster (CAS)


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WT257 - FWF - A Sweet Day with Unity

Ways to Use It: Odds Are...

Quoted from our hostess, Julie,
"Odds are you'll have fun with this challenge. And odds are you've heard of the design "rule" of odds. An odd number of anything is usually most visually pleasing in design. So....five brads would look better than six for instance. Three flowers looks better than two. There are always exceptions but today, I'm challenging you to focus on the odds and show me how you use them on a project. So that's 1,3,5,7,9,11...and so on."

3 strawberries
3 flowers
3 rhinestones
1 stamped main image (2 objects with 3 strawberries... so it counts {wink})
1 line sentiment
1 corner punch
1 edge punch
(I was going to have 3 ribbons, but I just couldn't make it work, so.... :)
1 ribbon bow
& 1 ribbon tie!

I also made this card for today's Friends with Flair on the Unity blog. {2/12/10} Hop on over!

Stamps: Berry Good Life, Spring Unity, Mix-up of Cuteness (Unity)
Paper: real red, white, SU dsp
Ink: black, real red marker (for the sentiment & the diagonal lines on the teapot, cup & saucer), Copic markers for coloring
Accessories: ribbon, mini rhinestone stickers, SU corner & edge punches (edge punch is one of the new SAB incentives)

Favorites found on my snow day!

Here are a few wonderful cards & creations for your viewing pleasure :)

Wednesday, February 10

sgtStamper
tessa.
PaperInBloom
darleenstamps
Cook22
markie's mom

Tuesday, February 9

jessjean
LateBlossom (CAS)
TheresaCC (CAS)

Monday, February 8

Chupa (CAS)
Cookiebaker (CAS)
peebsmama (CAS)
StampGroover (CAS) - boy
StampGroover (CAS) - girl
LaLatty (CAS)


I have a lot more, but I'll stop here because of time. You know I'll be back :)
_

Three Happy Hearts

Today was our first snow day this winter. I was worried we weren't going to get one... in a year that our February break was eliminated. Ouch! It has it been a strange winter... other states have been stealing our snow! LOL! Actually, they can keep it. Now that I've had my relaxing day off, it can melt and never come back (wink).

So with some of my time, I made a SCS sketch card! It was perfect for my Three Happy Hearts stamps from DRS Designs!

Stamps: Three Happy Hearts, Valentine greeting, medium Filigree Snowflake (DRS Designs)
Paper: pretty in pink, pink pirouette, white
Ink: black, basic gray, pretty in pink, regal rose marker, Copic markers (RV21 & RV13)
Accessories: paper piercer & template (SU mat stack), spiral clip, ribbons, CM heart maker, dimensionals
Technique: faux stitching