A Busy Week!

Wow! It's been a week since I updated! Most of the week was spent with doctor appointments and continuing the unmounting project in my craft room. That led to major reorganizing because of more space. I think I might actually be organized enough to start scrapbooking again! :) And I have more unloved items to put on eBay this week. I also discovered two brand new blog challenges that I will add soon.

On the topic of challenges, I've been participating in the weekend Wish RAK challenges where we donate the cards for the troops. I'll be adding those soon. The only other stamping I did this week were 2 color challenge cards. I LOVE this combo: rose red, kraft & black.

Sympathy Card

Stamps: Garden Silhouettes, Hope for Comfort
Paper: rose red, kraft, kraft DSP, black, white
Ink: black, rose red, always artichoke
Accessories: markers, taffeta ribbon


Happy Birthday Card

Stamps: Polka Dots & Paisley - SU, sentiment - Gina K Designs
Paper: rose red, kraft, kraft DSP, black, white
Ink: black, rose red, sahara sand
Accessories: markers, eyelet, ribbon

Fishing Friends

Featured Stamper: kokirose

I was inspired by Patricia's patchwork designer paper. I kept the same basic layout. Changed the image and colors and left off the ribbon. Here's Patricia's adorable card.

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

Stamps: Time Well Spent - High Hopes, sentiment - SU Family Phrases
Paper: close to cocoa, white, SU Round Up DP, Creative Memories DP
Ink: black, chocolate chip, bashful blue
Accessories: Copic markers, SU chocolate chip marker, word window, designer label, & Circle punches, paper piercer & mat stack, brad, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging, faux stitching

The Dusty Trail

August '08 VSN - The Dusty Trail

Linda's wonderful challenge had us use stamps that hadn't seen ink in over 4 weeks. I used this stamp as soon as I got it in June and haven't used it since. It's so gorgeous! I must use it more often.

Stamps: Flora & Flairs - Jeanne Streiff Collection
Paper: more mustard, more mustard DSP, white
Ink: more mustard, old olive
Accessories: markers, organdy ribbon, CM custom cutting system, scallop edge punch, dimensionals

The Color Purple

August '08 VSN - The Color Purple

Thanks for the fun challenge, Jennie. I should use this color more often. It's a fun color!

Stamps: QT Hooty Owl - Pink Cat Studio, Polka Dots & Paisley - SU
Paper: white, black, elegant eggplant
Ink: black
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, SU black marker, ribbon

My Week in Review

Wow! I can't believe I haven't updated my blog in a week! So now I'm doing a week in review. LOL!

Saturday was a GREAT day! I went to a stamping & scrapbooking convention in Novi with dawnmercedes. She is a wonderful story teller and has pictures on her blog.

Sunday was spent putting EZ mount on stamps, organizing them in binders and cleaning my stamp room. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Woo Hoo!

Monday... I can't remember! LOL! I know I had fillings... ouch!

Tuesday... My new SU catty order arrived! But before it did, I made this first card for the color challenge this week on Splitcoast.

Color Challenge: close to cocoa, blush blossom, ruby red

SU Stamps: Stitched Exotics, Holiday Blitz, Snow Flurries, Simply Said

Gina K. Designs: sentiment

Accessories: taupe ribbon, markers, dimensionals, Marvy flower punch


On Wednesday, I used one of my new sets for the sketch challenge on Splitcoast. I just LOVE this bear! The inside will say something like, "Maybe this will sweeten you up :)"

The marshmallow is puffed up with liquid applique and sponged with creamy caramel. This card measures 4.25 square. I use 4.5 Amuse square envelopes.

Stamps: Under the Stars
Paper: kraft & DSP, chocolate chip, white
Ink: brown stazon, creamy caramel
Accessories: Copic & SU markers, punches, CM custom cutting system, ribbon, dimensionals






On Thursday, I used one of my new stamps from the convention I went to with Dawn to make my Ways to Use It challenge card. The "O Holy Night" sheet music stamp is made by Stamp Camp.

Colors: confetti cream, riding hood red, always artichoke, creamy caramel, black
Stamps: O Holy Night - Stamp Camp, Peaceful Wishes - SU
Accessories: taffeta ribbon
Techniques: distressing








And today I made a card for the limited supply challenge on Splitcoast.

Limited Supplies Challenge: Oldies but Goodies

Here are my oldies/rarely ever used items:
Favorite Teddy
Canvas
Brocade Blue
Buttons
Round Up DP (from SS kit)
Marvy scallop oval punch (but now that I have SU's wide oval punch, I think I'll be using the scallop punch more often :)

Christmas is Only 4 months Away

Today's Limited Supply Challenge (use a snowman) got me in the mood for Christmas cards. I made a very merry cowboy snowman and then decided to post some more holiday cards.

Stamps: Cowboy Snowman - High Hopes, Warm Words - SU
Paper: real red & DSP, wild wasabi & DSP, white
Ink: black, real red
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, real red SU marker, ribbon, designer label, ticket corner, & oval punches, white gel pen





I was so sad to see Peaceful Wishes retire. I enjoy seeing all the ways stampers can use this set and I'm afraid there won't be as many posted this year.

Stamps: Peaceful Wishes - SU, Noel - Hampton Art Stamps
Paper: very vanilla, mellow moss, broque burgundy
Ink: mellow moss, baroque burgundy
Accessories: crimper, taffta ribbon, markers
Techniques: sponging, crimping


As a cat lover, I love cats on any kind of card... even Christmas cards. :)

Stamps: Fluffles - Stampendous, Fantastic Foliage & Canvas - SU
Paper: certainly celery, bashful blue, real red, white
Ink: black, certainly celery
Accessories: SU markers, star punches, ribbon, gold glitter pen

Hang in There Mike!

I love Mike the Monkey. He reminds me that I'm still hanging on through some tough times. I received this cute guy in a RAK... but my memory hasn't been very good lately so I don't know who it came from. Sorry about that.

I used today's sketch challenge on SCS. Even with the Ott lamp, I can't seem to get a good picture of the wild wasabi ribbon.

Stamps: Mini Mates, Bodacious Bouquet - SU, Mike on a Vine - High Hopes
Paper: wild wasabi, garden green, creamy caramel, white
Ink: wild wasabi, riding hood red, pumpkin pie, black
Accessories: Copic makers, creamy caramel marker, wild wasabi ribbon, dimensionals

I did it!

I did it! I made a card.I haven't stamped in 12 days! I knew it would take a Featured Stamper challenge to get me back in the swing of things, and Kim's gallery was wonderful inspiration!

Featured Stamper: blondie090277

I used the same basic layout with the same stamp set. I changed the colors and added ribbon and a sentiment. Here's Kim's sweet card.

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

Stamps: Once Upon a Time - Lizzie Anne Designs
Paper: chocolate chip, white, pretty in pink DSP, Making Memories DP
Ink: black, chocolate chip, bashful blue
Accessories: Copic markers, regal rose SU marker, large oval punch, taffeta ribbon, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging

I'm Home!

Hello! I just got home from the hospital and I'm playing catch up on everything I missed.... challenges, chatting with SCS friends, cruising galleries and blogs, and especially reading and seeing all the Stampin' Up sneak peeks! Thank you for continuing to stop by my blog. I will update shortly.

Dirty Dare Silhouette

The silhouette challenge intimidated me. I thought silhouettes had to be black or dark, but I learned otherwise. And I actually like the results of my hard work! I combined this with 3 other dirty dare challenges.

Joan - Silhouettes
Jen - Sketch
Laura - distressing
Lauren - monochromatic

This card measures 4.25 square. I use 4.5 A Muse envelopes. I coated the silhouette with dazzling diamonds.

I received the beautiful nestie scallop through wish rak!

Stamps: Garden Silhouettes
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, white, close to cocoa DSP, Apple Cider DP
Ink: chocolate chip
Accessories: seafoam white EP, dazzling diamonds, chocolate marker, white gel pen, ribbon, Nestie scallop square, dimensionlas, Cutter kit
Techniques: distressing, faux stitching

Make a Wish

Here's another one of my favorite Dirty Dare cards. This was the first of five cards I made for Jody's ribbon challenge. As a ribbon fanatic, I couldn't help myself and kept making cards! Thanks Jody for getting me to use my patterned ribbon.

Stamps: How Swweet It Is - Gina K Designs, Mini Mates - SU
Paper: chocolate chip, riding hood red, white, DCWV retro mat stack
Ink: black, chocolate chip
Accessories: Copic markers, American Crafts ribbon, eyelets, circle punches, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging

Need a good laugh?

Here's an absolutely hysterical thread on Splitcoast....

What are the Don't and No-Nos?

Warning... Don't be drinking or eating anything while reading. LOL!

Dare to Get Dirty Week

I've been a card making maniac this week! I love all the challenges posted by the Dirty Dozen on SCS. This card is one of my favorites that I've done this week. It's a quadruple challenge card!

SC186
Jenn's Challenge - Inspiration
(What a beautiful piece!)
Lauren's Challenge - Monochromatic
(What great insight in her write-up.)
Christine's Challenge - Watercolor
(Great tips in her write-up. This is pretty simple. I'm still learning how to use my aqua painter. I'm still getting my paper too wet. LOL!)

Stamps: Fresh Cuts
Paper: basic black, white, old olive & DSP, certainly celery & DSP
Ink: black, old olive
Accessories: ribbon, brads, Aqua painter, dimensionals, black Sharpie (brads)
Techniques: sponging

Welcome to the neighborhood

This card serves 3 purposes. First, it's going to Sean (NameMedia) as a welcome to our crafty world. Second, it uses Katharina's sketch #23, and third, I'm submitting it to Katherina's guest designer call for her new stamp company... Whiff of Joy Stamps.

This card measures 5x5.


Stamps: Frances Owl - High Hopes, Bodacious Bouquet - SU, sentiment - Gina K Designs
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, rose red DSP, white
Ink: black, chocolate chip, rose red, pumpkin pie, certainly celery
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, rose red marker for dots, ribbon, dimensionals, large oval & designer label punches
Techniques: sponging with chocolate chip

MAKE A WISH

SHOOTING STARS

Featured Stamper: Susiestampalot

I used basically the same layout but changed it to a square card. I almost changed the colors because I never use pixie pink, but I decided to go out of my comfort zone! I used similar star stamps and DP. I didn't have ric rac, so I used scallop scissors. And I changed up the sentiment to make it look like a shooting star. The trail is from Stitched Exotics. The sentiment is handwritten. This card measures 4.25 square. I use A Muse 4.5 square envelopes.

Here's Susie's adorable card.

Stamps: In the Stars, Stitched Exotics
Paper: pixie pink, certainly celery & DSP, white
Ink: same
Accessories: scallop, small star, & circle punches, markers, taffeta ribbon, rhinestone brad, scallop scissors, dimensionals


BELLA BIRTHDAY WISHES

When I make a tent topper card, I start with a 4.25 square card. When it's time to add the topper, I set it next to an A2 card to line up the right height. Voila... A nice fit into a standard envelope!

Stamps: Priceless, Sincere Salutations, Stamping Bella
Paper: chocolate chip, bashful blue, so saffron, white
Ink: black, chocolate chip
Accessories: CM custom cutting system, markers, paper piercer & mat stack
Techniques: faux stitching



Vintage Wishes

I used my SU cutter kit distressing tool on this card. I love the effect it gives on shades of brown with sponging.

Stamps: Flowers- Stampendous, background - Baroque Motifs, sentiment - Small script
Paper: kraft, chocolate chip, white
Ink: chocolate chip
Accessories: hodgepodge hardware, ribbons, cutter kit, ticket corner punch
Techniques: distressing

Christmas in July

Yes... I'm already making Christmas cards! :) I found out recently that they are selling on the bay... I sold left overs from last year (3 sets). So now I'm making new ones.

Happy Holidays Kitty

This is such a fun sketch challenge for small images! I was ready for any size image needed. I knew I was in for a long wait at DS's appt, so I brought 2 boxes of Copics and a clamshell full of stamped images with me. I was quite the entertainment for awhile in that small crowded waiting room. LOL! And I had an image just perfect for the sketch. Sweet!

The image was received through the PIF image thread in the swap forum. Kittie's Santa hat is fluffed up with liquid applique.

Stamps: Meowy Christmas - High Hopes, Mini Mates - SU
Paper: white, real red, real red & cetainly celery DSP, basic black
Ink: black
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, SU markers for dots, eyelets, ribbon, circle punches, liquid applique
Challenge: SC185


Santa Riley

This was made for the PIF challenge this weekend. I was inspired by this adorable card from LMcAree.

Stamps: Santa Riley - Hannah Stamps, Short & Sweet
Paper: white, riding hood red, basic black, CM DP
Ink: black, riding hood red
Accessories: Copics, SU black marker, liquid applique, twill
Challenge: PIF05

101 Dalmations

I love that movie! :)

The first card is quite simple, but I think it makes a good guy card with the colors and simplicity even with the ribbons. The Dalmation ribbon is from Offray.

Stamps: Dalmation - Rubber Stampede, sentiment - Hero Arts
Paper: sahara sand, basic black, whisper white
Ink: black, sahara sand
Accessories: ribbon, markers






The second Dalmation card was inspired by StamperTammy - Featured stamper #36. I used the same layout. I changed the colors and instead of masking a row of giraffe, I used Dalmations. Here's Tammy's adorable card.

Stamps: Dalmation - Rubber Stampede, sentiment - Short & Sweet (SU)
Paper: whisper white, basic black, real red
Ink: black
Accessories: ribbon, markers
Techniques: masking

BEFORE & AFTER CHALLENGE WEEK #5

Each week, I am choosing a card of my own to redo. I'm choosing one or two different elements to change. The rest of the card will stay the same or close to it. Please play along and remake one of your own cards! 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: BAC05.

BEFORE

I chose this card because I love the summer image and the layout. I wanted to soften the colors while adding some detail. My biggest obstacle was the background... I traded Shapes & Shadows a long time ago. So I had to figure out what I had that would suit the main image.



AFTER

I chose to use Stitched BG because I thought the flowers were similar in shape to the ones on the beach chair. I changed the colors to soft earthy colors that remind me of a relaxing beach at Mackinaw City. (People don't actually swim there, but it's great for sight-seeing!) I hadn't intended on changing the sentiment, but "happy summer" was too big for what I had planned when adding details.

Stamps: Sparkling Summer & Stitched - SU, sentiment - MFT
Paper: bashful blue, white, chocolate chip
Ink: brown stazon, bashful blue
Accessories: Copic & SU markers, ribbon, eyelet, brad, small oval punch, dimensionals

Happiness is...

Happiness is Pacific Blue!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this new in-color. I have secretly been missing this color since switching from Creative memories to Stampin' Up! I already know that I will be stocking up on this color come next summer.

Like all the cards in this post, this card uses the new level 3 hostess set, Happiness Always. I used craft white on the edges to soften the celery. I don't know where I got the brads, but they match this marvelous blue! :)

Stamps: Happiness Always, Stitched BG
Paper: pacific blue, certainly celery, white
Ink: same
Accessories: taffeta ribbon, brads, paper piercer & mat stack, diemsnionals
Techniques: sponging, 2-step stamping


Happiness is a fabulous color challenge!

I had seen Dawn's card in the gallery and was so excited to see it as the sample for tonight's color challenge posted by Emily. (Congrats Dawn and Emily on being the newest Dirty Dozen girls!)

On this card, I also used craft white to soften the bottom mat (almost amethyst). I also sponged so saffron for some sunshine. I'm not sure I like the double ribbon. Curvy Verses get well sentiment is stamped on the bottom right. This layout is from Taylored Expressions cupcake challenge #23 from a couple of weeks ago.

Stamps: Happiness Always, Curvy Verses, One of a Kind
Paper: almost amethyst, wild wasabi DSP, white
Ink: almost amethyst, wid wasabi, so saffron, craft white
Accessories: circle punch, ribbon, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging, 2-step stamping



Happiness is Butterfly Dreams!

When I first saw the leaves in this set, I wasn't sure what I would do with them.... They are so big compared to the flowers. LOL! But some gallery viewing showed me that I didn't have to use them with the flowers. Boy am I thankful for SCS! :)

Stamps: Happiness Always, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Paper: wild wasabi, basic balck, very vanilla
Ink: wild wasabi, black, groovy guava
Accessories: ribbon, brads, paper piercer & mat stack
Techniques: sponging, 2-step stamping

Riding Hood Red - I love it!

My In-colors arrived! I ordered riding hood red, pacific blue, and pink pirouette. I LOVE them all. I don't remember being this excited over in-colors before. I can already see myself needing to stock up next summer before they retire. LOL! Riding hood red is not as bright as real red, darker than ruby red or cranberry crisp, but not quite barouque brugundy.

I made this card for the featured stamper challenge on SCS.

Featured Stamper: Stephanie.Hargis

I used the same layout & rub-on sentiment. I used similar silk flowers. And I kept it a non-stamping card!

I changed the colors, DP style, and used a button instead of a gem brad.

Here's Stephanie's beautiful card.

Thanks Leigh Anne for the gorgeous ribbon!

Paper: riding hood red, white, DCWV retro mat stack
Accessories: Heidi Swapp flowers, clear button & thread, SAB rub-ons, American Crafts ribbon