Before & After Challenge #4

Each week, I'll have you choose a card of your own to redo. Each week there will be a different element to change. The rest of the card should stay the same or close to it. For fun, tell us why you chose the card you did! Post it back to this thread for everyone to see. If you use SCS, please use the keyword: BAC04.


BEFORE

I like the basic idea of this card. The inside has a cute verse for a newborn baby. But there are 2 things that just had to be changed: It needed to be lightened up... more white space maybe & the background just seemed.... hmmm - wrong. LOL!






AFTER

Color: rose red and blush blossom was changed to this week's color challenge: chocolate chip, groovy guava, and barely banana. And I used a mostly white background to keep it "lighter".

Background: I used stars to match the image and verse inside the card. To get it to "blend" in better, I stamped of with groovy guava using Itty Bitty Backgrounds.

Other Minor Changes: I changed the embellishments a bit.

Stamps: Cute As A Bug, Classic & Itty Bitty BGs, sentiment border from Hero Arts
Accessories: CM custom cutting system, Marvy scallop punch, brads, ribbons, markers & guava reinker

These cards measure 4.25 square. I use A Muse 4.5 square envelopes.

OMG! 3 DAYS

I took me 3 days to unmount my stamps! My fingers are soooo sore! But I knew if I stopped, I would put off finishing it. For now, my background stamps will stay on wood. And I haven't unmounted the alphabets yet since I haven't been scrapbooking like I should.

But the rest.... unmounted. I filled 3 large Stampin' Up boxes! Wow! I had no idea I owned that many stamps. The space I have gained in absolutely incredible! As soon as I have my craft room cleaned and reorganized the way I like it, I'll post pictures. It's a huge mess right now with extra clamshells cases and piles of sets for sale or trade. Yup! You heard that right. These are just the stamps I'm keeping!

Deciding what was OK to mount was very hard for me. I am very bad about selling and trading sets. I'm getting better at choosing stamps I will use for a long time. Which is good, because unmounted stamps don't sell or trade well.


Due to cost, only my sentiments and verses are mounted on EZ Mount right now. Eventually, all my stamps will be in binders. This 2.5 inch binder stores almost all of my sentiments. It holds 5 pages of stamps (front & back). In between each page of stamps are stamped images for finding and locating what I need. (It also helped me see that a couple were upside down! LOL!) The stamped image sheets are in page protectors. There are 5 sets of stamps on the page you see in the photo.




What to do with all those clamshell cases?

Consolidate.

There are 4 sets of small background stamps in the extra large case. I have these carefully mounted at a corner of the wood blocks and line them up well when I'm stamping.... I don't want to mess that up. The large background stamps are displayed on a bookshelf. I've never had room to display them before! Wow! Maybe I'll start using them again! LOL!

The medium case holds 4 sets. They are labeled on the index card. I was careful to keep themes together while placing different styles & colors of rubber together in one shell so I could easily identify which set the stamps come from. Some of the boxes also holds individual stamps. I will slowly be mounting these on EZ mount and placing them in a binder. For now, I'm using the naked rubber on the acrylic blocks with Tack 'N Peel from Tsukinek.... cheap!

The tiny case holds photo corner punches I received from my PIF friends! These little ones are sooo awesome! They hold lots of things like embellishments and other small supplies. The larger one are great for holding mat stack sized designer paper, markers, and more! Some of mine are holding game pieces!

The cases I don't need are being sold. People buy these things! Even the blocks (new ones only) can be sold on Ebay. Cool!

Now I need to catch up on stamping, blogging, and challenges. I will post the new week of challenges soon. First, I think the family wants dinner. Geesh!

Home of the Brave

Happy 4th of July to my American Friends!

This is yet another image I received from my wonderful PIF friends. The sentiment is hand written.

Stamps: Hometown Pride - Cornish Heritage Farms
Paper: white, close to cocoa, chocolate chip
Ink: chocolate chip
Accessories: chocolate chip, real red, & brilliant blue markers, white gel pen, hodgepodge hardware, chocolate chip taffeta ribbon

Pinks & Browns

The PIF challenge has moved to Fridays! PIF (Pay It Forward) is a type of swap found in the Swap forum under the Everything Else sub-forum. Want a lot of new images but can't afford the stamps? Come see us! It's fun!

Riley???

I think I turned Riley into Sophia! Oh my! But real moose wear pink, right?!?

This is a double challenge:
Hannah Stamps summer/outdoor challenge
PIF Challenge #2 - Use Pinks & Browns

I used a chocolate chip marker to add dots on Riley's boots and to draw stripes on the pot. I used a rub-on on the watering can.

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

Stamps: Garden Riley - Hannah Stamps, Polka Dots & Paisley - SU
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, white, pretty in pink
Ink: black stazon, chocolate chip, creamy caramel
Accessories: SAB rub-ons, Copic markers, chocolate chip SU marker, ribbon, circle punch, brad



Did you know that I keep a running weekly listing of all the challenges I find on the web? You can find the link here.

Underthehoodybella

Stamps: Underthehoodybella - Stamping Bella
Paper: chocolate chip, white, pretty in pink DSP, Loves Me DP
Ink: black stazon
Accessories: SU markers, spiral clip, ribbons, dazzling diamonds

Before & After Challenge #3

Welcome to the third Before & After Challenge!

Each week, I'll have you choose a card of your own to redo. Each week there will be a different element to change. The rest of the card should stay the same or close to it. For fun, tell us why you chose the card you did! Post it back to this thread for everyone to see. If you use SCS, please use the keyword: BAC03.

BEFORE

I chose to redo my color challenge card from yesterday. I wasn't really happy with it and was thinking it was the Swiss Dots panel. Did it need to be changed or tweaked? I didn't know. But I was lucky to get lots of feedback on SCS yesterday. I found out the the Swiss Dots layer was well like. People loved the layout. And the DP looking stamped bakground was a hit, too. The advice I received was to add layers that would make it pop because purely pomegranate is a strong bold color.


AFTER

So, the card at the left is the result. I added both black and purely pomegranate layers to achieve the Pop factor. I also changed the double stitched ribbon to wine organdy because the new card looked more elegant to me. So, what do you think: Did I get the Pop factor?

Stamps: Live Your Dream, Tiny Talk
Paper: purely pomegranate, basic black, white
Ink: purely pomegranate, basic black, certainly celery, wild wasabi
Accessories: SU markers, blender pen w/ wasabi reinker, circle punches, CB Swiss Dots, ribbon
Techniques: stamping off

All images from Stampin' Up!

Pay It Forward

I made this card for the first PIF Image challenge on Splitcoast. PIF (Pay It Forward) is a type of swap found in the Swap forum under the Everything Else sub-forum. Want a lot of new images but can't afford the stamps? Come see us! It's fun!

Stamps: Changito - Stampendous, sentiment - SU's Mini Mates
Paper: wild wasabi, basic black, white, wild wasabi DSP, DCWV retro mat stack
Ink: black
Accessories: Copic markers, ribbon, brad, white gel pen, black marker for dots

Supplies are from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

Featured Stamper Inspirations

Hoppy 4 You

Featured Stamper: chelemom

I used the same layout and a similar sentiment. Here's Michele's cute card.

Stamps: Just So Hoppy - Gina K Designs, Boho Backgrounds & Brushstroke Numbers - SU
Paper: black, creamy caramel
Ink: creamy caramel , white, Apple Cider DP
Accessories: ribbon, Copic markers, creamy caramel, CM custom cutting system, circle punch







Wish Big

Featured Stamper: Lzappa

I used the same layout as the card on the left in the grouping. I changed the DP and main image. Here's Lisa's adorable set of cards.

Stamps: Stamping Bella, Short & Sweet, Priceless
Paper: bashful blue, white, certainly celery, certainly celery DSP, Cutie Pie DP
Ink: black, bashful blue
Accessories: Marvy flower punch, gem bling, markers

All colored cardstock & ink are from Stampin' Up!

At the Bakery

I guess yesterday's sweet tooth wasn't satisfied, yet! :)

This card is a double challenge card!

I used the colors from today's SCS inspiration challenge. And I made an awning card using Taylored Expressions cupcake sketch challenge.

For more great challenges this week around the web, you can find links here.

For my tutorial on blending & coloring with Copics, click here.

Stamps: Baking Riley - Hannah Stamps, sentiment - SU's Eat Cake
Paper: bashful blue, chocolate chip, white, real red DSP, Apple Cider DP
Ink: brown stazon
Accessories: Copic markers, slit & circle punches, chocolate ribbon

All supplies are from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

Sweet Tooth!

I definitely have a sweet tooth! I was so excited to get MFT's new set, Here's the Scoop. I made this first card for today's Limited Supply Challenge... the only embellishment we could use were brads. And it had to be incorporated into the image. So, I used a red brad for the cherry as well as a few extra brown brads. It was so hard not to use ribbon, but I survived once I added the circle sentiment.

For more great weekly challenges on the web, click here.

Stamps: Here's the Scoop - MFT, Polka Dots & Paisley (BG) - Stampin' Up!
Paper: chocolate chip, close to cocoa, white, real red, real red DSP, bashful blue DSP
Ink: black, brown stazon, chocolate chip
Accessories: Copic markers, chocolate chip marker, non-SU red & brown brads, circle punches, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging

The cards in this posting measure 4.25 square. I use A Muse 4.5 square envelopes.



I had fun making this cupcake birthday card. I love brown & pink together. I found the cute little cupcake in the dollar bin at Michael's.

Stamps: cupcake - Michael's $1 stamp, Polka Dots & Paisley and Favorite Teddy Bear (sentiment) - Stampin' Up!
Paper: regal rose, close to cocoa, white
Ink: brown stazon, close to cocoa, regal rose
Accessories: SU markers, spiral clip, non-SU ribbon, white EP, Marvy scallop punch









This cute flowering cupcake card was made using a sketch created by mytime (Lauren). I combined a lot of stamps to create this scene.

Stamps: Bugs & Kisses, Short & Sweet, Flower Filled, Because of You - Stampin' Up, Bee - Art Impressions
Paper: certainly celery, pumpkin pie, basic black, white
Ink: black, pumpkin pie, real red, certainly celery, so s affron
Accessories: SU markers, gingham ribbon


All supplies are from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

Before & After Challenge #2

Welcome to the new Before & After Challenge!

Each week, I'll have you choose a card of your own to redo. Each week there will be a different element to change. The rest of the card should stay the same or close to it. For fun, tell us why you chose the card you did! Post it back to this thread for everyone to see. If you use SCS, please use the keyword: BAC02.

This week the change is with the LAYOUT. Yikes... this poor card needs a make-over. I made this card a couple of years ago when I first discovered designer paper was not just for scrapbooking! LOL! And well... the layout is dull and just not right with the dark DP.








My new card obviously has a new layout. I used today's sketch challenge on SCS. I used the same doggy image from Rubber Stampede, but I colored him with Copics. I used the same DP but combined it with a coordinating DP. I made a slight change in color to lighten it up... groovy guava instead of cameo coral. It's a perfect color match, but of course it didn't exist back then. I added some faux stitching and sponging... and voila... new card!

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

Challenges: SC182, BAC2
Stamps: Fred - Rubber Stampede
Paper: groovy guava, chocolate chip, white, DCWV retro mat stack
Ink: black, chocolate chip
Accessories: ribbon, Copic markers, paper piercer & mat stack
Techniques: sponging, faux stitching

I've been tagged!

Angel (Angel's Creative World) tagged me. Thanks Angel!

1. I'm strange... I watch Walker, Texas Ranger several times a week on the Hallmark Channel.

2. I'm not much of a movie watcher, but I do like mini series type movies that would be shown on televsion: Anne of Green Gables, Sarah Plain & Tall, North & South.

3. I'm allergic to cats... but I have two. Zyrtec is a good thing! :)

4. I've become an avid PIFfer on SCS. What is that you say? New threads are formed frequently... for stamped images. It's sort of like a swap. But this concept is "Pay It Forward". You can snag an image you've been wanting, but can't afford to buy the stamp, from the current list. If you're first... several copies get sent to you. Then you put up a list of stamps you have. The first person who snags will PM their address. You stamp copies and send them off. Now I warn you.... It's addicting. And there is a lot of chatting and making friends. :) You will find this in the Swap forum on SCS under the Everything Else section.

5. I spend way too much time stamping or on the computer when I'm at home. I really should be doing housework right now. (wink) Please don't come over unannounced if you're a neat freak!

6. I hate driving in traffic, especially turning left into traffic without a stop light. So, I'll plan my trip ahead of time to try and avoid the situation.

7. I started getting gray hair in my early 30s. I color my hair... I'm way too young for it.... And it is too expensive. But I'm not going all natural like my Grandma did. :)

Wow... It's so hard to tag people... I visit soooo many blogs. I'll try and find some that haven't been tagged recently.

1. The Stamper's Touch - Studbo
2. Stamp Your Heart Out - Jenn D
3. Dawn... A New Day - DawnL
4. Inky Paws - Jeanne S
5. It's All About Stamping - Wendy Janson
6. Paper and Such - hobbywoman
7. Scrapnextras

I found... Fourth of July Blog Candy!

What a cute package Deborah has put together on her blog, Beadn & Stampn. To enter all you have to do is tell your findest 4th of July memory. If you would be so kind, please mention that Miss Boo sent you. (I'll get an extra entry!)

Wild Wasabi, Taken with Teal, & White

This was the color challenge on SCS, today. I decided to try two very different looks: cutesy and elegant.

Shore Do Love You

Challenges: CC172, TLC174, Mojo40
Stamps: Changito Pool Guy - Stampendous, starfish & sentiment - SU Crab & Company
Paper: wild wasabi DSP, taken with teal, white
Ink: black
Accessories: wasabi & teal reinkers, teal marker, wasabi striped ribbon, circle & slit punches, CM custom cutting system, Marvy scallop punch, white gel pen







Nature's Smile

The sentiment is from Vases in Vogue. I added the dots and lightly sponged the edges with teal.

Challenges: CC172, TLC174
Stamps: Oh, So Lovely, Vases in Vogue
Paper: wild wasabi, taken with teal, white
Ink: black, taken with teal
Accessories: reinkers, ribbon, oval punches, black marker

For more weekly challenges from around the web, click here.

All supplies used were from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

All A Buzz......

.... over Happy Bees and Mojo sketches! :)

I have fallen in love with the Happy Bee collection from Stampendous. I've been fortunate enough to get some images from friends as well as purchase some. But I'm too cheap to spend a lot on sentiments. I'm glad I like my handwriting! LOL! All the sentiments on these cards were handwritten.

Queen for A Day

Challenge: Mojo43
Stamps: Bee Queen - Stampendous
Paper: pretty in pink, pretty in pink DSP, white, so saffron
Ink: black
Accessories: SU markers, CM scallop scissors, CM custom cutting system, Marvy scallop punch, ribbon, dimensionals




Watermelon Bee

I don't use these colors until summer... and then I love them!

Challenge: Mojo37
Stamps: Watermelon Bee - Stampendous, Boho Backgrounds - Stampin' Up
Paper: white, green galore, pixie pink, pink passion
Ink: black, pink passion
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, green galore marker for doodling, Offray ribbon, eyelets, dimensionals



Bee Free

I love patriotic cards! I never know enough people to send them too, but I love making them! Too bad Independence Day wasn't a Hallmark holiday. LOL!

Challenge: Mojo25
Stamps: Biker Bee - Stampendous
Paper: real red, real red DSP, brilliant blue, white
Ink: black
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, brilliant blue marker for sentiment, ribbon, oval punches, white gel pen

For more great challenges around the web, click here for links!

All cardstock and supplies from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

Out of the Box Baby Cards

I've needed a few baby cards over the last few months. I wanted to make some that were not as common. I like traditional, too, but not this time!

The first card uses the paper tole technique. This technique creates layers of dimension as seen on the lion. The cameo mane is popped up with dimensionals. The the face is popped up again on more dimensionals. The elephant's ear and one of the leaves are also popped up once. I can't remember what set the leaves came from. Maybe Watercolor Minis?

Stamps: Wild About You, Mini Mates
Paper: white, cameo coral, apricot appeal DSP, apricot appeal, close to cocoa
Ink: same + mellow moss
Accessories: ribbon, circle & square punches, cameo marker, dimensionals
Techniques: paper tole





The second card uses an adorable image from Penny Black called Rainin' Daisies. I thought the "shower of flowers" with the cute teddy made a great baby shower card.

Stamps: Rainin' Daisies - Penny Black, sentiment - SU Mini Mates
Paper: certainly celery, bashful blue DSP, Cutie Pie DP, white
Ink: black, bashful blue, celery
Accessories: Copic markers, ribbon, oval punch

All supplies from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

Look at those waves!

Riding the Waves

Surf's up for the star! Doesn't Riley look cool in his Bermuda trunks?! This card was made for one of the Hannah Stamps PJ party challenges to use stars. This poor card is the results of hiding many mistakes. LOL! Hopefully you can't notice them, now. Right click on the photo too get a bigger view. Find out what they are after the recipe. :)

Stamps: Surf Riley - Hannah Stamps, So Swirly jumbo wheel - SU
Paper: temtping turquoise, pumpkin pie, only orange, white
Ink: black, tempting turquoise, pumpkin pie
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, SU markers for the dots, CM custom cutting system, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging

OK... Did you see the mistakes? 1) Do you like Riley off-centered? Well, he's like that because I goofed on the setting of my circle cutter. I stopped right away and tried to realign it. But he's not just off-center, the circle "over-lapped" meaning it didn't end at the right place. The stars were not supposed to be positioned quite like that. The bottom right ones are hiding the cutting blunder. 2) I punched the only orange stars to match the shorts. I was having trouble with the layout I thought I was going to use. I turned it over. One of the layers was too bright and out of place. But what if I had a subtle & mostly hidden one? I grabbed the nearest orange cs, only it was pumpkin pie! I did NOT notice the difference in oranges until I was taking the picture! So, back to the table. How do I tone down the only orange? I added pumpkin dots to the stars to go along with the other dot borders. Not enough. So, I got a dauber and sponged pumpkin pie ink in the middle of the stars..... and called it good. I'm sure the untrained recipient of this card will have no idea, but it's still bugging me. LOL! Boy am I exhausted!


Making Waves

What a talented skier Riley is! He can water ski one-handed and wave at his admirers! This card measures 4.25 square. I use 4.5 square A Muse envelopes. This card was also made the Hannah Stamps PJ party challenges. This time the challenge called for punches. I used square, circle, & photo corner punches. I was able to use all scraps of the DSP. I save all sizes of designer paper scraps!!!

Stamps: Riley - Hannah Stamps, sentiment - SU In the Spotlight
Paper: real red, brilliant blue, bashful blue, bashful blue DSP, white
Ink: black, bashful blue (sponging)
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, gingham ribbon, square, circle, & photo corner punches, SU red marker for dots
Techniques: sponging

These fun challenges were found ion the Hannah Stamps forum at SCS. There were five in all to celebrate the release of new Riley stamps! Oh they are soooo cute! I wish I could have bought them all. These are the ones coming to my mailbox soon: School Riley, Sick Riley, Baking Riley, Santa Riley, Vampire Riley, Carrying a Tree Riley, & Pumpkin Patch Riley. You can see all the Riley stamps here. And as always, I had to get a couple new Copic markers. :) For my tutorial on blending & coloring with Copics, click here.

All cardstock and designer paper is from Stampin' Up!

It's a ZOO in here!

(A short tent topper tutorial is included with the last card in this posting!)

I love making elegant cards. I love making pretty cards. I love making baby cards. But my favorite cards to make are cutesy cards with animals. Here are some animals you might find at the zoo.

I love this Hokey Pokey saying. I knew what card I would make first with it as soon as I saw it in the catty! This card uses SCS sketch challenge #168.

Stamps: Tickled Pink, Smarty Pants
Paper: kraft, chocolate chip, pretty in pink DSP, white
Ink: black, brown stazon
Accessories: pretty in pink & apricot markers, Copic gray marker, taffeta ribbon, paper piercer & mat stack



I wouldn't be "lion" when I say that you are welcome to visit any time.... at my blog. Now, if you wanted to visit me at home, you have to let me know in advance if you're a neat freak.... because then I would have to clean my house. LOL!

This color combo and sketch are from a demo Stampin' Success magazine. I wish I had thought to layer the mane on the lion. I'll have to go back and do that.

Stamps: Wild About You, Be Design
Paper: ruby red, brocade blue, more mustard, white
Ink: more mustard, brocade blue, craft white
Accessories: ribbon, WWC, slit punch, eyelet, paper piercer & mat stack, dimensionals





This last card is called a tent topper. You start with a 4.25 square card that opens at the bottom. Then you add the topper. Your topper can be any shape you'd like. Use a standard A2 card (5.5 x 4.25) as your guide so that it isn't too tall for the envelope.

Stamps: Zoofari, Canvas, Short & Sweet, Crab & Company (hat), Great Impressions (paws)
Paper: chocolate chip, ruby red, more mustard, white
Ink: brown stazon, chocolate chip, ruby red
Accessories: SU markers, cutter kit, CM custom cutting system, Marvy scallop punch, hemp
Technique: distressing, tent topper

All supplies used are from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

13th Birthday

How in the world does the time go by so fast? I can't believe that my son is going to be 13 already! And like a typical teenager, he wants video games and money. LOL! He's spoiled rotten... he's getting both.

Thanks Dawn for the Limited Supply Challenge - Make a shape card that isn't a square, rectangle, or a circle! This was the perfect challenge I needed to make a unique birthday card for this special occasion. This took forever to think, design, create... and redo, but I think it was worth it. For sizing, I used a standard A-2 card as my guide.

I've been informed by my hubby as well as friends on SCS that this also looks like a "B". I was hoping the ribbon made a separation. Oh well. B is for birthday and my son's name starts with "b". So it works out either way you look at it!

Stamps: Brushstroke Numbers
Paper: real red, white
Ink: bashful blue
Accessories: gingham ribbon, paper piercer, ballet blue marker
Techniques: faux stitching

For more great weekly challenges on blogs and around the web, click here.

All supplies were from Stampin' Up!

More Great Tutorials on the Web!

Jeanne Streiff is a marvelous stamper & artist! She also has some great tutorials on her blog, Inky Paws. Click on the link for a complete listing.

Here are some of my favorites.

Paper Piecing

Paper Piecing Part 2

Animal Print Background

Layered Reverse Masking

Birds of A Feather Flock Together

There is a short easy tutorial with card #3!

This first card is another card I made using yesterday's sketch challenge on SCS. The sentiment is handwritten. I wrote it before stamping the birds so that I could cut the paper afterward... therefore no slanted writing. (wink) But now that it's done, I think the writing may be too big for the birds. That's why I added the ribbon.

Stamps: Zoofari
Paper: white, basic black, certainly celery DSP, Petals & Paisleys DP
Ink: black stazon
Accessories: gingham ribbon, apricot & pumpkin SU markers, Copic gray markers for the grounding



The next 2 cards I made some time ago; therefore the use of WWC. But I still like the uniqueness of them. The sentiment on the Treasure card is handwritten.

Stamps: Ahoy, Matey, Matey's Map jumbo wheel. Cheesecloth
Paper: more mustard, buckaroo blue, white
Ink: brown stazon, buckaroo blue
Accessories: WWC, brads, marker, Cutter Kit
Techniques: distressing









This last card uses a technique I call faux layering. You simply mask around the area you want "layered" with sticky notes. Then stamp your images. I chose to use ink that was a shade darker than the cardstock. Next, sponge the area taking care to sponge the edges. I chose to use ink that was the same color as the cardstock. Lastly, remove the sticky notes. Paper piercing the edges will help emphasize the faux layer.

Stamps: Natural Beauty, Best Blossoms, sentiment from A Muse
Paper: chocolate chip, mellow moss, always artichoke, very vanilla
Ink: brown stazon, mellow moss (for sponging), always artichoke (for the leaves)
Accessories: WWC, Offray ribbon, paper piercer & mat stack
Techniques: faux layering

All supplies from Stampin' Up! unless noted differently.

Before & After Challenge #1

Welcome to the new Before & After Challenge!

Each week, I'll have you choose card to redo. Each week there will be a different element to change. The rest of the card should stay the same or close to it. For fun, tell us why you chose the card you did! Post it back to this thread for everyone to see. If you use SCS, please use the keyword: BAC01.

This week, we are changing the colors. I chose this card because I just wasn't happy with the apricot. Maybe so saffron would have looked better? Don't know. But when I saw the color challenge on SCS yesterday I thought it might work better.






How do you think I did? Does it look better? I like the layout. Now that I've changed the colors, I'm not sure I like the extra layer and the dots around the edge! LOL!

Stamps: Simply Said, Priceless
Paper: kraft, basic black, soft sky
Ink: black, soft sky
Accessories: gingham ribbon, marker, soft sky reinker, paper piercer & mat stack
Techniques: faux stitching

For more challenges this week on the web, click here.

All supplies are from Stampin' Up!

Radar from Rubbernecker

I just love this guy! He's got the cutest expression on his face and of course the sentiment is too funny! I really wanted to use my new stamps so I'm glad the sketch challenge worked because the image was bigger than I expected and I wasn't sure how to use it. This sketch was just right! This also qualifies for this week's Rubbernecker challenge! Woo Hoo! A double decker!

I'm thankful for friends because I don't own a Cuttlebug.
Stamps: Busy Bees Radar & sentiment from Rubbernecker
Paper: basic black, white, yoyo yellow
Ink: black
Accessories: Copics, brads, dimensionals, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

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!

Stamping Bella Challenges

Have you see the new SCS gallery? They have company galleries! I am so excited about that!

This first card was made for Bella sketch #19 (Topper Card).

Stamps: Stamping Bella, sentiment from MFT
Paper: close to coco, white, cool caribbean, pretty in pink DSP, Loves Me DP
Ink: brown stazon
Accessories: Marvy scallop punch, CM custom cutting system, SU markers, cool caribbean reinker, ribbons, eyelets
Techniques: Topper Card




The second card was made for today's Bella sketch challenge #33.

Stamps: Stamping Bella
Paper: white, bashful blue, bashful blue DSP, real red, real red DSP
Ink: black, bashful blue
Accessories: Copics, photo corner punch, gingham ribbon, white gel pen
Techniqes: sponging


All cardstock and colored ink pads are from Stampin' Up!

A Sporty Father's Day

We have a sports minded family. I can't keep track of all their fantasy teams. LOL!

Stamps: Sporting Goods, Holiday Blitz, Canvas, golf bag from Great Impressions
Paper: blue bayou, soft sky, white
Ink: black, blue bayou, soft sky
Accessories: not quite navy marker, soft sky reinker, blue bayou ribbon
Techniques: sponging






I love coloring Riley! You can find a Copic blending & coloring tutorial here. I sponged the grass with wild wasabi and the sky with bashful blue. The golf ball is popped up on a dimensional. This card would also make a great retirement card.

Stamps: Sporting Goods, Golf Riley from Hannah Stamps
Paper: chocolate chip, wild wasabi DSP, white
Ink: black, chocolate chip, wild wasabi, bashful blue
Accessories: Copics, dimensional
Techniques: sponging








The baseball was made using the Creative Memories custom cutting system. I used a circle template to guide my red "stitches".

Stamps: Sporting Goods, sentiment from Great Impressions
Paper: brocade blue, close to cocoa, white
Ink: brocade blue, chocolate chip
Accessories: eyelets, red marker, gingham ribbon, CM custom cutting system, ticket corner punch
Techniques: sponging

All cardstock & ink are from Stampin' Up!

Inspired Birthday Cards

In my family, Father's Day means birthdays, too. I have an abundance of birthday cards ready and stored in a box. I let my son pick them out this time.

The first card was inspired by Carole Richardson.

Stamps: Watercolor Garden, Cheesecloth, Warmest Regards, Shower Flower from Stampendous
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, so saffron, very vanilla
Ink: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, so saffron, mellow moss
Accessories: ribbon, dimensionals, paper piercer
Techniques: distressing



The second card was inspired by TERRORE3.

Stamps: Roses in Winter, Cheesecloth, Birthday Best
Paper: pretty in pink, river rock, white
Ink: regal rose, pretty in pink, river rock
Accessories:taffeta ribbon, paper piercer & mat stack
Techniques: faux stitching, distressing


All paper and ink from Stampin' Up!

Free Tutorials on the Web

I found some great tutorials by Jackie Topa. You can find a complete listing of her tutorials at Addicted to Stamping. Here are my favorites that I need to try.

Stationary Box

Photo Wallet

Faux Carousel Notes