Giving Thanks

This CAS challenge (#30) was done on August 30. It was the last day of the summer challenges... which meant.... Make-over day! "Find one of your OWN cards you'd like to remake. Remember to make it CAS {wink}. You can choose a CAS cards that you just want to improve. OR you can find a heavily layered and embellished card to make CAS."

I personally have a ton of choices since I'm an equal opportunity stamper. :) I use stamps from many companies and I make CAS and embellished cards!!! Here's my card that I chose to remake.

Stamps: Seasonal Cuties, sentiment (can't remember name of set) - all stamps from TAC
Paper: white, chocolate chip, close to cocoa
Ink: close to cocoa, SU chocolate chip marker
Accessories: paper piercer & template (SU's mat stack), ribbon, dimensionals, Martha Stewart branch punch
Technique: faux stitching



World Card Making Day
Sponsor for Challenge J - Gina K. Designs

"This color challenge is to use Pumpkin, Chocolate and Vanilla together as a color scheme for your card."

Stamps: Autumn Beauty (Gina K./Theresa Momber)
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, very vanilla, pumpkin pie, unknown dp
Ink: black, Palette burnt umber, creamy caramel, Copic markers
Accessories: brads, ribbons, SU large oval & modern label punches, dimensionals, sponge


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Inky's TAC Challenge

InkStazonMe has started a new TAC challenge on her blog, Inky's Delight. It started last Friday (INKSTAC1) and the random winner will get the "new" vintage set Witchie Witchie. It is soooo cute! This challenge was to use fall colors.

Stamps: Seasonal Cuties (TAC, sentiment (Gina K)
Paper: white, close to cocoa, DCWV dsp
Ink: pumpkin pie, garden green, & close to cocoa sU markers, Palette burnt umber
Accessories: brads, retired SU taupe ribbon

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Makeover: Before & After

Yesterday's SCS Sketch Challenge: 1st Version

This poor, poor card! I just wasn't happy with it. I posted it anyway saying that I was doing it over. I'm honored that so many people liked it... so much so that they wanted me to leave it alone! Here are some of the comments it received on SCS:

WHAT???? Do NOT tear this apart!!!! I LOVE it! GREAT coloring, use of colors and papers!
Oh my goodness, I would not tear this card apart. It is awesome.. Your watercolouring of that cute image is wonderful and all your embellishments just add to the beauty of the card.

Step back...leave it alone. It looks great!

Don't touch that! Step away from the table... everything will be ok. It's lovely as it is. TFS
Don't throw it away! Send it to me instead! I love it! So cute..... great coloring and choice of colors as well as embellishments and papers!
ACKKKK! Please do not discard! Put it away and come back to it. You will be sure to like then. It truly is fabulous!

You don't have to like it. We do. I think it's wonderful. But I sure do know the feeling.
You are so funny - I think you are WAY too hard on yourself. I think this card looks great! I like the sparkliness you added and the central image is perfect.



Sketch Challenge #242 - The New Card

This is my make-over card. What I really didn't like about the first card:

* too much apricot & not enough green to bring the eye to the main image.
* too much glitter detracting the eye from the main image.
* the choice of punches over-whelmed the image.

I think there was a pattern! I love this new image from TAC. Actually, it's not new. It was a special blast from the past promotion. And since I really wanted this small adorable image to be the center of attention, I needed to make some changes. Here are some of the comments this one received on SCS:

There you go! Very nice. Your changes really do bring your eye to that main image of the boot.

Love this card, both were great but I think I like this one better!

Yes your made over card is better. I love those little hidden flowers! Thanks for sharing... good to know that others pull apart their cards too!

Very pretty. The first one was nice but I like this makeover much better.

I liked the first one too, but this is "better". Great job! I too love the hidden flowers.

I liked them both, but the after is superb!

CUTE BOOT!! Just came to mind and it rhymes too!! The paper and colors are sweet and you've achieved a wonderful balance which is what it seems like you felt was missing with the first, tho I think you've created two cute boots!!

I like both!!! I think both are great and unique in each way. Love this one, too!!! Great card, Jen!!!

Jen, this is SOOOO beautiful!! I agree with you, the adorable image is the main focus on this redone version!! How great that you to posted both versions, and took the time to "fix" what you didn't like. It's hard work pickin' out the right stuff!! I just love your style... always such bright fun cheerful cards!! LOVE this one!

I like this one much better! TFS!

Okay, I love this re-do, too!

Well, this one is cute too. Good job. Whenever I do a card over, I usually end up making it worse!

Jen this is so cute, love the dp, image, colors and coloring. I liked the 1st take as well but glad you are now happy with what you made.


At the end of the day, I'm glad I decided to upload both versions.


Stamps: Something for You (The Angel Company)
Paper: white, certainly celery, wild wasabi, apricot appeal, unknown SU dp (photo corner punch/Wish RAK), DCWV dp
Ink: Memento tuxedo black, creamy caramel, Palette burnt umber, certainly celery, crushed curry (under the Stickles), Copic markers (E74 Cocoa brown, E71 Champagne, Y38 Honey, Y35 Maize, G24 Willow, C-1 cool gray)
Accessories: brads, SU photo corner, small oval & modern label punches, EK Succes small flower punch, Martha Stewart leaf punch, CB embossing folder (name?/Wish RAK), dimensionals, sponge, Diamond Stickles

Elegant Sprig of Flowers for the FS Challenge

I'm loving my new Sprigs set from The Angel Company!

SCS Featured Stamper: Kelly_H

*changed the main image to a similar one
*used a different embossing folder (Wish RAK)
*changed river rock to mellow moss
*added a layer
*used ribbon without a bow (I couldn't get a cute bow today... sigh)

Here's Kelly's beautiful card.

Stamps: Sprigs - TAC
Colors: white, mellow moss, pretty in pink
Accessories: taffeta ribbon, CB Birds & Swirls (Wish RAK)

43 Days Until Christmas!

House Mouse Gingerbread House


Stamps: House Mouse
Paper: real red, white, garden green
Ink: black
Accessories: ribbon, dimensionals, Copic markers, CM square makers, Nestie scallop (from Wish RAK)
Challenge: SC202






Wish RAK Featured Stamper: Studbo

Here's Linda's beautiful card.

Stamps: Santa - TAC
Paper: wild wasabi. certainly celery, real red, white, DP unknown
Ink: black
Accessories: white gel pen, Copic markers, wide oval punch, Marvy scallop oval punch, ribbon, dimensionals

45 days until Christmas

Splitcoast SC195 was a fun sketch challenge! I know I'll be using it again.


TAC Stamp: Christmas Bear
SU Stamps: Canvas, The Snowflake Spot, Snow Swirled (All for the creamy caramel BG)
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, white, real red
Ink: black, close to cocoa, chocolate chip, creamy caramel
Accessories: Copic markers, ribbon, brad, snow blossom & circle punches, liquid applique, CB snowflakes








This holiday lineup is too funny! It's my favorite stamp in the set. This card uses Splitcoast's SC194.


Stamps: Holiday Lineup
Paper: real red, kiwi kiss, white, DP - DCWV
Ink: black
Accessories: Copic markers, kiwi satin ribbon,dimensionals

October 15 - Think Pink

Are not these these trees from TAC just the cutest?!? (Right click on the photo to see the detailed design on the trees!) I especially love the pink one! Whenever I make a pink Christmas card, I think of "Charlie Brown's Christmas". When I was a kid, I used to laugh and snicker at the colorful tin trees for sale. The pink tin tree has always stuck with me. I think pink is a very pretty non-traditional color for the season.

Stamps: Seasonal Cuties (trees) - TAC, All Year Cheer 3 - SU
Paper: white, certainly celery, pretty in pink
Ink: same
Accessories: markers, taffeta ribbon, scallop punch, CM custom cutting system, dimensionals

Fun with Chocolate!

OMG! I haven't made a card since Saturday. And I haven't updated my blog since Sunday... I think it was Sunday? LOL! Between temporarily homeschooling my son while he receives treatment for a medical condition and packing up eBay sales, the time just flew by.

But the SCS sketch challenge inspired me tonight... well early morning and I've been wanting to use my new TAC set again. My favorite color to work with is chocolate (orange is a close second, Ink :). I was so into the chocolate theme, I had to go pop some chocolate chip cookies in the oven. LOL! It's 2:30 AM!!! But now that this is done, I've taken my sleeping pill. I will update my THINK PINK card before I dose. And the pink will have some shade of brown.... keeping with both themes and all. :)

Wish RAK: CB swiss dots
PIF Ribbon: yummy polka dotted chocolate
PIF Stamps: Fall Fun

OK... I'm addicted to wishing and PIFfing! The only thing missing is a PIF image.

The acorns are popped up on dimensionals. This is a great sketch challenge. I know I'll be using it again in the future. Thanks Roxie and Toy!

Stamps: Fall Fun - SU, Seasonal Cuties - TAC
Paper: chocolate chip, close to cocoa, creamy caramel, white
Ink: chocolate chip, close to cocoa, creamy caramel
Accessories: ribbon, brads, CB swiss dots, square punch, Martha Stewart branch punch, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging

World Card Making Day Madness Part 4

Happy Fall Y'all: I made this card for the SCS Inspiration challenge found here. It measures 4.25 square. I use 4.5 A Muse envelopes.

Stamps: Pick of the Patch - TAC
Paper: more mustard, more mustard DSP, chocolate chip, chocolate chip DSP, retired Halloween DP, white, old olive, creamy caramel, ruby red, baroque burgundy, pumpkin pie
Ink: black, creamy caramel, close to cocoa
Accessories: SU markers, ribbon, brads, large oval punch, Marvy leaf punch, dimensionals








You Did It! - I made this card for SCS's Featured Stamper Challenge.

Featured Stamper: SherryLC05

I used the same layout. I used 4 but different characters and theme. I used different colors and pattern of DP. Here's Sherry's adorable card.

Stamps: Nothin' But Net - TAC, sentiment - Inkadinkado
Paper: pumpkin pie, close to cocoa, old olive, Basic Grey DP, white
Ink: black, close to cocoa, chocolate chip
Accessories: Ribbon, Copic & SU markers, scallop edge punch

SIGNS OF AUTUMN

GUARD DUTY RUDY

CC186: really rust, chocolate chip, baja breeze
Wish RAK Challenge Item: DP
PIF: Rudy image, photo corners

I had planned on this being a card for this week's Mojo challenge. But you know when mistakes happen and you have to cover them up... and then the card just takes a new path? This was one of those cards. LOL!

This card measures 5x5.

Stamps: Guard Duty Rudy - High Hopes, sentiment SU Peaceful Pastoral, Canvas ( on creamy caramel )
Paper: really rust, chocolate chip, baja breeze, white, DP, creamy caramel
Ink: black, creamy caramel
Accessories: Copic markers, SU rust & chocolate markers, ribbon, whole punch, copper brads, ribbon, square punch, photo corner punches

AT THE FARM

I made this card during the Labor Weekend challenges. And Wow! This took forever... like almost 2 hours. I was so nervous. LOL! I drew the side of the barn. That was the most nerve racking part because everything else was done and if I messed up the barn, there goes the whole card. But I think it came out pretty good. :) This scene is so big I couldn't play with layouts or do much embellishing. I finally decided on ribbon in the corners. I'm bow impaired, so I was pretty happy with that, too. LOL! The sky is lightly sponged with soft sky. I used a Micron pen for the drawing and Copic markers for coloring. The lone leaf on the ground is popped up on a dimensional. I used the fern stamp from Watercolor Minis on the ground and for the tree leaves.

Stamps: Sign Post - Rubbernecker, wheelbarrow Friends - Art Gone Wild, leaf - SU Give Thanks, Fern - SU Watercolor Minis
Paper: creamy caramel, riding hood red, white
Ink: black, soft sky, & creamy caramel, certainly celery, really rust (dirt & tree)
Accessories: Copic markers, Micron black pen, gingham ribbon, dimensional




FLUFFLES

I made this card a couple of years ago, I think.... back when I loved multiple background stamps on a single card. I never would have dared to part with DP back then. LOL! I still love Fluffles!

Stampin' Up Stamps: Fantastic Foliage, Canvas, Flannel Plaid
Stampendous Stamp: Fluffles
Colors: pumpkin pie, chocolate chip, more mustard, creamy caramel, white
Accessories: brad, hemp, WW crayons
Techniques: sponging





HAPPY HARVEST

I received this cutie TAC scarecrow image from the PIF thread on SCS. I think this layout was inspired by a blog challenge... if you know who it is or if I find it, I'll be sure to edit and give credit.

Stamps: Everyday Events - TAC, Aida Cloth & Give Thanks - SU
Paper: so saffron, more mustard, white
Ink: black, so saffron, more mustard
Accessories: ribbon, word window punch, paper piercer & mat stack, markers, dimensionals
Techniques: faux stitching, sponging

World Alzheimer's Day - Thank You Caregivers

Featured SCS Stamper: E3stamper

Because the card I CASEd was this week's sketch challenge on a square card, I had to be careful to keep most of it the same. I used the same colors with one exception. I had to use chocolate chip DSP instead of close to cocoa DSP. I used this years prints instead of last years. Since I didn't have argyle, I used a print with a diamond pattern in it. I used a similar autumn image, I used a sentiment at the bottom instead of a border image. I used 2 big brads instead of 4 little ones. I added a touch more distressing and added a spiral clip and ribbon. This card measures 5x5.

Here's Shannon's adorable card.

This also qualifies for a September Wish RAK challenge. My granted wishes are the big brown brads. I love them! And the adorable Harvest Bear image was a PIF image from InkStazOnMe.

And I'm very excited to tell you about World Alzheimer’s Day and Cammie's Blog Candy (Carolyn King). To enter, each person needs to make a card for a caregiver. This is so wonderful since the caregivers give so much of their love, time and energy to people with Alzheimer's and it's often taken for granted. This card is going to my mom and dad. For details about Carolyn's blog candy, here is her blog link. You don't want to miss this. There are several companies and individuals who donating items for this HUGE blog candy.

Stamps: Harvest Bear - TAC, Heard from the Heart - SU
Paper: chocolate chip, pumpkin pie, white, DSP - more mustard, chocolate chip, old olive
Ink: black, chocolate chip, creamy caramel
Accessories: Copic markers, spiral clip, ribbon, brads, cutter lit, dimensionals
Technique: distressing

HE SHOOTS! HE SCORES!

Well, maybe not this time.

You may have thought this set of cute basketball images from TAC was just for scrapbook pages, thank yous for coaches and maybe a few boy birthday cards. But the possibilities are endless! Doesn't this basketball look like he's having one of "those" day? I couldn't resist, so I used my own handwriting for the sentiment. I didn't want it to look like a Halloween card or a masculine card, so I added the apricot flower DP and the popped up punched flower.

Stamps: Nothin' But Net - TAC
Paper: pumpkin pie, basic black, apricot appeal & DSP, white
Ink: black
Accessories: SU markers, 5-petal punch, button & thread, Michael's Halloween ribbon

Cowboys and Cowgirls

I'm not sure how I thought of making pink cowgirl hats and boots, but I think they are so cute! The hat & boots were paper pieced and colored with a cocoa marker. The boots card is made with SU's scallop note cards.

Cowgirl Boots

Stamps: Wild West by TAC
Paper: very vanilla, regal rose, close to cocoa DSP
Ink: brown stazon
Accessories: circle & scallop punch, taffeta ribbon, close to cocoa marker, very vanilla scallop note
Techniques: doodling, paper piecing







Cowgirl Hat

This card is 4.25 square. I use 4.5 envelopes from A Muse.

Stamps: Wild West by TAC, Smarty Pants by SU
Paper: close to cocoa, regal rose, white, Loves Me DP, close to cocoa DSP
Ink: brown stazon
Accessories: taffeta ribbon, paper piercer & mat stack, chocolate marker, Marvy scallop punch
Techniques: Faux stitching, paper piecing







Little Dude Birthday

This card is also 4.25 square. It uses SCS sketch #118. I made these cowboy cards awhile ago before I had Copics. Wow! There is such a difference. The coloring with watercolor wonder crayons doesn't look as nice. I think I'll need to trade them.

Stamps: Wild West by TAC, sentiment by A Muse, Cheesecloth by SU
Paper: buckaroo blue, creamy caramel, chocolate chip, white
Ink: brown stazon, buckaroo blue, creamy caramel, chocolate chip
Accessories: WW crayons, brads, hemp
Techniques: sponging

Journey Cowboy

This card has a cool double background. You can right click on the photo to get a better view. This card uses SCS sketch #116. Again, the coloring is awful... I should have waited and used these cowboy cards for my first Before & After Challenge... Coming tomorrow!

Stamps: Canvas, Wild West & sentiment by TAC
Paper: chocolate chip, buckaroo blue, creamy caramel, white
Ink: Brown stazon, buckaroo blue, creamy caramel, chocolate chip
Accessories: WW crayons, hemp
Techniques: sponging



All cardstock and colored ink are from Stampin' Up!