Inspired Serenity Prayer

... and another double challenge.

Today's SCS Inspiration Challenge was to choose one of Faviana's Prom dresses. I chose this dress. I was quite surprised at the dresses. I wore a big southern belle type dress that my mom made for me. I can't imagine allowing 18 year olds to dress like that. Yikes!

Thursday's SCS Way's to Use it Challenge was to use basic black.

Stamps: Serenity Prayer (Our Daily Bread), Beauty Stems from Here (Inkadinkado)
Paper: basic black, bashful blue, bashful blue DSP
Ink: basic black, bashful blue
Accessories: Ribbon, brads

Double Challenge

SCS's Limited Supply Challenge #218: Make a border using one or two stamps. I used the vine of leaves from Flower Filled.

Stamp Simply #85 - Let it Shine (Use yellow on your card.) This challenge is found on Sharon's blog, No Time To Stamp.

Stamps: Sheltering Tree, Flower Filled, Just So Sayings,Wild About You
Paper: summer sun, yoyo yellow, certainly celery, white, SAB designer paper
Ink: summer sun, certainly celery, bashful blue, close to cocoa
Accessories: ribbon, scallop oval punch, Nestie, Marvy flower punch, SU markers, white gel pen, dimensional (bird)

Clean & Simple #12 - Love you!

I don't think I'll ever part with this old retired set. I love my Animal Valentine's from Stampin' Up! I found this awesome designer paper at Joann's today. Almost the whole super store was 40%-50% off or on clearance!

Clean & Simple Challenge #12 - Use little bits of ribbon

Stamps: Animal Valentines (SU), Short & Sweet (SU)
Paper: white, creamy caramel, DCWV spring mat stack
Ink: Burnt Umber Palette, close to cocoa
Accessories: Copic markers, brad, American Crafts ribbon, dimensionals

My Designer Scrap Pile

Here's my scrap pile that I spread out on my table before beginning my CAS challenge card (pictured below). I've often said that I keep and use scraps and today I decided to give a peek at them. I save almost every scrap of designer paper... even if it is only 1x1 inch!

A Flower is Nature's Smile

For Monday's CAS challenge - Kids' Bedding Inspiration Challenge

I used this poppy accent pillow from an adorable girl's bed setting from JCPenney.

Stamps: Vases in Vogue
Paper: white, pretty in pink, DP: pretty in pink, pumpkin pie, so saffron, kiwi kiss
Ink: pumpkin pie
Accessories: ribbon, button, SU punches

Grammy, you're my favorite!

I've just been re-uploading some cards on SCS the I made a year or two ago. This was from my son for Grammy on Mother's Day last year.

Featured Stamper: lovestostamp6

* I used the same main set and similar BG stamps
* I popped up one of the boots
* changed the colors
* moved the sentiment

Here's Jennifer's adorable card.

Stamps: Flower Filled, Riveting, Vases in Vogue
Colors: rose red, pretty in pink, old olive
Accessories: ribbon, dimensionals, circle & oval punches

For Valerie

Today's SCS sketch challenge was inspired by this fabulous card made by krystie lee.


Stamps: Hope set by Our Daily Bread
Paper: WW, rose red, regal rose, rose red & regal rose DSP, pretty in pink DP (unknown pack)
Ink: rose red, regal rose, pretty in pink
Accessories: ribbon, Martha Stewart lace border punch

I used the Martha Stewart lace border punch to make the corners. You can right click on the photo to get a larger view.

You've been on my mind.

Clean & Simple Challenge: monochromatic card with only white or cream as a neutral.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy - SU, Ordinary Greetings - TAC
Colors: white, apricot appeal, more mustard
Accessories: ribbon, sponge

Happy Easter - Blast from the Past

Stamps: Flower Filled, All Wrapped Up Accessories, grass from another SU set
Paper: certainly celery, white, bashful blue DSP, SU DP
Ink: bashful blue, regal rose, so saffron, certainly celery
Accessories: taffeta ribbon, dimensionals
Techniques: masking






Here's another Easter/Spring card that I made last year.
Stamps: A Good Egg, Simply Said
Colors: so saffron, bashful blue, pretty in pink, certainly celery, white
Accessories: ribbon, markers, scallop scissors, DSP
Techniques: paper piecing








Stamps: All Wrapped Upp & accessories
Paper: regal rose, always artichoke, SAB DP, white
Accessories: ribbon, thread
Techniques: masking











Stamps: Bunny Hugs, Cheesecloth, BG - ?
Colors: regal rose, certainly celery, so saffron, white
Accessories: markers, Marvy scallop punch, CM oval cutter, staple, ribbon









Stamps: Flower Filled and BG - SU, sentiment - A Muse, Little Chick from Bunny Hugs
Cardstock: white, so saffron, chocolate chip
Ink: so saffron, chocolate chip, certainly celery, pretty in pink, bashful blue, apricot appeal, pale plum, pumpkin pie
Accessories: ribbon, markers
Techniques: rock & roll










Stamps: bunnies - Great Impressions, sentiment - A Muse, Paisley BG - SU
Colors: creamy caramel, certainly celery, bashful blue, white, chocolate chip
Accessories: WW crayons, eyelets, ribbon
Techniques: hinged card

SCS Featured Stamper

SCS Featured Stamper: **INGE**

*used a different CC Design monkey image
* used different DP from the same DCWV packet and stamped one layer instead of DP
* same layout
* used ice cream cones instead of flower accent.
* ribbon instead of additional cardstock
* Same corner accent with similar organdy ribbon

Here's is my inspiration card:

Stamps: Digital CC Designs Sweet Treats, Stampin' Up BG from Polka Dots & Paisley
Paper: DCWV retro DP. white, riding hood red, chocolate chip, sahara sand
Ink: riding hood red
Accesories: digit image, Copic markers, taffeta ribon, brads, corner punch (Wish RAK), organdy ribbon, thread, dimensionals (for ice cream cones)

This card measure 5x5 square.

Special Inspiration Challenge

Last night when I saw today's SCS Inspiration challenge from Grandin Road, I decided to look for a piece that inspired me and "sleep on it". I chose an area rug from the indoor floral section. As soon as I saw the Soho Area rug in beige & black, (on my screen, the beige reminded me of river rock), I knew exactly which stamp I wanted to use. The funny thing is that I had forgotten I had this stamp. But last evening while watching a movie, I spent some more time mounting stamps on EZ Mount and indexing my binders... and this Unity stamp caught my eye.

Well, I didn't wake up until 1:09 PM!!! That's right. DH was gone to work and I hardly remember him talking to me this morning. DS was up watching TV and hadn't eaten (He's alomst 14 but has many special needs). I quickly took care of him, took some meds for my migraine, and got to work. Thankfully I caught the migraine early and I was making this card!!! I happen to love it. But what do you think? (That sounded like my SCS friend Faith. LOL! But she's a good person to follow. *wink*)

Stamps: Tree of Elegance by Unity, sentiment from Inkadinkado's Best Wishes set
Colors: river rock, black
Accessories: brads, Martha Stewart lace border punch

Hi... I'm back! Wow... 2 days in a row!

LOL! Spring break is great for relaxing and stamping. We never take a vacation during this time because hubby and I have spring break at different times.

I love today's SCS sketch challenge #223. This took much more thinking and time than I thought it would . I know I'll use this sketch again in the future... but maybe an image in the small box.

Stamps: Say It with Scallops, Ginormous Flowers, Stitched Exotics
Paper: certainly celery, garden green, white, celery DSP, SAB-DP
Ink: certainly celery, garden green, bashful blue, pretty in pink
Accessories: ribbon, markers

Happy Spring Flowers (I'm really tired of the snow IRL!)

I'm back with today's SCS color challenge: bashful blue, so saffron, close to cocoa

Stamps: A Flower for All Seasons
Paper: white, close to cocoa, so saffron, bashful blue, SAB-DP
Ink: black
Accessories: Copics, ribbon, brads, square, circle & scallop punches, white gel pen

Copics: Y21, YG03, YG25, E74, B32

This card measures 4.25 square. I use $.5 A Muse envelopes.

Going back to work has really cut down on my stamping and computer time. As I settle in to more of a routine, I'll get back to more consistent posting. Thank for looking!

Martha Stewart Cupcakes

Both of these cards were made for the Clean & Simple challenges on Splitcoast.

CAS07 - Use Punches

I had a really hard time taking a photo of this card, but it was easy to make. Punches are so fast and simple! First, I did the faux stitching with a paper piercer and mat stack grid. Then I used the Martha Stewart cupcake punch with Stampin' Up DP scraps. I popped up the frosting with dimensionals and colored the dividing space with a Copic sand marker. Finally, I layered, used ribbon scraps, plopped it onto the card base.

Stamps: None!
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, white, Stampin' Up DP - pumpkin pie, certainly celery, bashful blue, pretty in pink
Accessories: sand Copic marker, Martha Stewart cupcake punch, ribbon, paper piercer & mat stack, dimensionals

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


CAS06 - Inspiration Challenge

The Clean & Simple Challenge is an inspiration challenge from Robeez. I chose an adorable pair of baby shoes with cupcakes as my inspiration for my card. They must be sold out because the link no longer works and I can't find them. But there is so much inspiration on that site!

Stamps: sentiment - Gina K Designs
Paper: white, chocolate chip, DSP - chocolate chip, bashful blue, pumpkin pie, real red, certainly celery
Accessories: ribbon, Martha Stewart cupcake punch, dimensionals for the of the cupcakes

Featured Stamper Challenge Cards

Featured Stamper: Twinshappy
Since Stacey used bold brights one her card, I decided to challenge myself to go bold, too! Not only that, I almost never use any shades of purple.

* changed the colors
* less layers/no distressing
* different main flower image/no sentiment
* used a swirly BG instead of a swirly border
* moved the ribbon
* no bling/added buterflies

Here's Stacey's beautiful card.

Stamps: Live Your Dream, French Flair BG (Wish RAK)
Colors: lovely lilac, almost amethyst, white
Accessories: markers, organdy ribbon, white gel pen, Martha Stewart butterfly punch


Blast from the past FS card:

Featured Stamper: Mary Jo Albright

* same theme
* same colors
* changed the main image
* used buttons instead of rhinestones

Here's Mary Jo's beautiful card.

Stamps: Miracle of Spring, Flower Filled
Paper: close to cocoa, pretty in pink DSP, celery SAB DP, white
Accessories: buttons & hemp, WW crayons, taffeta ribbon, paper piercer & mat stack, markers
Techniques: faux stitching

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

I'm back... and inspired to stamp again!

It's so good to be stamping again! I went back to work this week. I forgot how exhausting the first week of teaching can be. And the week before that, I was sick. Wow! It's good to be back! LOL!

I made this for the IC171 challenge. The inspiration I used was a pair of Christmas bulb salt and pepper shakers with great big blue bows on them. It reminded me of my great big Easter egg wrapped in a big bow from DRS Designs. I kept the bow blue, but I had to change the colors because I certainly didn't want to have a Christmas Easter egg! LOL!

Here's the Fitz and Floyd pepper shakers.

Here's the Inspiration Challenge.

Stamps: Easter Egg - DRS Designs, polka Dot BG from SU's Polka Dot & Paisleys
Paper: regal rose, certainly celery, white
Colors: black, certainly celery, regal rose SU marker
Accessories: Copic markers, Martha Stewart lace edge punch, paper piercer & mat stack, taffeta ribbon
Techniques: out of the box

DRS Designs Easter Collection

Thanks for continuing to visit my blog in my absence. I truly appreciate all of you. Below you'll find other challenge cards that I never found time to upload.

Monday, March 9 - Clean & Simple Challenge

SCS - CAS challenge - Use shades of blues and greens on your CAS card + neutrals.

Stamps: Petals & Stems, Flutterby - Verve
Colors: bashful blue, certainly celery, white, black
Accessories: ribbon, dimensionals
The middle flower is popped up on dimensionals.











CAS challenge - Use shades of blues and greens on your CAS card + neutrals.

Featured Stamper: StampingQueenJAR
* changed the colors
* used same cross but other images are similar
* added a layer
*same layout

Here's Judy's pretty card.

Stamps: Refuge & Strength, Fresh Cuts - SU, Verse - Our Daily Bread's Hope set
Colors: bashful blue, certainly celery, white, black
Accessories: dimensionals

Tuesday, March 3 - Color Challenge

SCS Color Challenge: chocolate chip, pink passion, kiwi kiss

Starring Bun-Bun

Ugh! The coloring of Bub-Bun is not so good. I haven't been able to find a refill for Copic E33.

Stamps: Bun-Bun - Penny Black (PIF), Fin Lace - SU (Wish RAK), Itty Bitty Buds (leaves) - SU
Paper: white, VV, chocolate chip, kiwi kiss, pink passion
Ink: black, kiwi kiss, bashful blue, creamy caramel
Accessories: Copic markers, old olive SU marker, sponge, Marvy flower punch, white gel pen, prima (Wish RAK), chocolate ribbons, white brad


Starring Content-to-be-a-bella

Stamps: Content-to-be-a-bella - Stamping Bella (Wish RAK), Tag Lines - Gina K
Paper: pink passion, white, chocolate chip
Ink: black
Accessories: Copic markers, SU chocolate chip & pink passion markers, prima & brad (Wish RAK), ribbon, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, SU large oval punch, Top Note SU die cut (Wish RAK), dimensionals

Have you ever.....

... smudged your card just as it was almost done? And then decide it was easier to cover it up instead of do it over? Well, that was me tonight... hence the brads. LOL!

Monday's CAS challenge is to accent your CAS card with dots using piercing or markers. You can the challenge in the challenge forum under the weekly forums. We should have our own forum soon!

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Heard from the Heart
Colors: close to cocoa, white, Palette Noir burnt umber
Accessories: circle punches, distressing tool, organdy ribbon, brads, piercer & punches plus template

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)