"Friend to Friend" Mojo Challenges

Hi Everyone!

Well, I am finally posting my Mojo Monday card! It has been a busy crafting week for me. I really need to go through my cards and start figuring out what I'm going to do with all of them. I have entirely too many in my stash right now. The Mojo sketch was fun and easy to work with. The squares instantly made be think of the "Pocket Silhouettes" stamp set from SU. I also combined this with some other challenges as well, including the SCS color challenge this week to use Razzleberry, Pacific Blue and Olive. I actually haven't ordered any new Pacific Blue since it was an in color last time. I just happen to have a couple of scraps in my folder, so I was able to use that. I did use my Swiss Dots Folder on the white background piece; but it's not showing up very well in the picture. Anyhow, this is all fairly straightforward, so I'm off for the day to do something creative before everyone comes home.

Baby Cards

Hi Everyone!

Here today with my cards for yesterday's Tuesday Morning Sketch and today's SCS sketch challenge as well as this week's color challenge. I am working on baby cards this week for the gift card sets I am doing for the craft fair.
The first card is for the TM sketch. I used Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery and some textured card stock from Bazzill earth tones collection. I also used a new stamp set from Inkadinkado appropriately titled "Baby Boy" As you can see, I stamped the images in softer ink colors (bashful blue, saffron and celery) so they are a bit hard to see in the picture. This was a simple sketch to work with and an easy card to put together.
So, that's the boy card for today. Now on to the girl card. This is for today's SCS sketch challenge and the color challenge to use Dusty Durango, Pretty in Pink and Creamy Caramel along with a neutral. I chose white. I really like this combo especially the Pink and the Durango. This was by far the easiest card I've put together in a long time. It took me less than 30 minutes and I have to say I completely love the results. The flowers are from a tin of Prima flowers that I have and the button is from SU. I really like to use these flowers; but they are quite large and so sometimes you have to design the card around the flower instead of just adding them as a last minute embellishment to the card. It's a bit hard to see in the photo, but I did use a cuttlebug embossing folder on the white background piece. I really like the look of the white embossing!
The "Sweet Little Baby" sentiment, stamped in Regal Rose ink, is from the Inkadinkado set called (yep...you guessed it!) "Baby Girl"
Ok, so that's it for me today. I will try to post again sometime Friday afternoon. Until then, have a great couple of days and happy crafting!!

Sparkly Razzleberry Flower

Hi Everyone!
Well, I sure hope the rest of my day turns out better than my morning. Long story; but let's just say I really wish I could have hit the rewind button and started over! Oh well, nothing to do; but move forward right?

So here is my card for yesterday's MMSC challenge and SCS color challenge using Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence and Old Olive. I rather liked this color combination and could definitely see myself using it again! I used Martha Stewart Pattern background stamps on the Orchid Opulence piece which I embossed with Versa mark and clear embossing powder. Next, I ran the two Old Olive pieces through my CB with the Swiss Dots Embossing Folder. The flower in the middle is from SU's Pick a Petal. I stamped 3 petals in Rich Razzleberry and 3 in Old Olive and then embossed each one with Iridescent Ice embossing powder, to give it that sparkle (that hopefully you can see!) I added the sentiment in the middle which is from a retired SU set called "Riveting" I used Rich Razzleberry ribbon at the bottom and added the two buttons with the "Happy Birthday" in the middle. Finally, I finished the card with some white dots around the card.
A lot going on in this card; but I hope you all like it. Have a great day!!

Lots of Cards!

Good Morning Everyone!

It's early in the morning and we are waiting a pretty good winter storm forecast to hit us in the next few hours. They've already canceled school for today so everyone is sleeping. Hey, I might actually get two cups of coffee in peace and quiet this morning!
So today I have 3 cards to share with you! I know...crazy isn't it?! Lots to talk about, so charge your coffee and pull up a chair! I've been doing a lot of stamping lately because I've been trying to do challenges as well as make cards that I'm just finding random inspiration for. The problem is that I'm having a hard time figuring out when to post what. So in order to get back on track I'm going to post the three that I've done most recently.
First I have my card for last week's SCS color challenge using Bravo Burgundy, Grey and Crushed Curry. This was a really nice combination and I'm glad I did it. I used Circle Circus with markers for the images. I don't actually have a Crushed Curry marker so I used Mostly Mustard and Summer Sun. You can tell I used two different yellows on the two side images, which was not intentional; but what can you do right? I wish I would have chosen a bigger sentiment for the open circle at the bottom. The one I chose seems a bit off.
Ok, so the second card I have is for this week's Mojo Monday Challenge. I have seen lots of Black, White and Red cards lately and they've all been fabulous, so I thought I'd make one of my own. I don't think there's much explanation needed for this card. I used a couple of Cuttlebug folders on the red and the white. The sentiment at the bottom is from SU's "A little Something" and I layered it on two pieces cut with my Nestabilities Label One. The flower in the middle is from "Simply Said" and I stamped it on two circles cut with Nestabilities Petite scallop circles.
Finally, I have a card that I made for Reagan. I recently got her Taylor Swift tickets and I made this card for her and put the tickets inside to surprise her. I got this stamp set "Rock Star" from Inkadinkado at Michael's a few weeks ago for the scrapbook layout I am doing for the Demi Lovato concert she and I went to back in October. For this card I used black, Melon Mambo, Kraft and Pretty in Pink. I embossed the piece of Melon Mambo piece with the Print Pattern Background from SU with Versamark and black embossing powder. The guitar is stamped with Melon Mambo ink. She really liked the card; but she was obviously much more happy with what was inside the card!!!
Ok, so that's all for me today. I hope you all like everything I shared with you, would love to hear what you all think of them. Have a great day and I'll see you tomorrow!

MMSC and Cricut Flowers

Good Morning!

For Christmas this year, my mom bought me a Cricut machine. No, it's not the expression, just the original one; but considering that the only die cut "machine" I have is my Quickutz hand squeeze tool, it is definitely a step up for me! She bought it while she was here visiting for Thanksgiving when we went to Michael's on Black Friday. Now, since I knew what it was, she made me promise that I would wait to use it until after Christmas. So, the box sat unopened, unused under my tree until last Friday afternoon. Aren't I such a good girl!?
When I saw yesterday's MMSC with the flowers on the side, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to use my Cricut. Right now, the only cartridge I have is the George one that comes with it. So, basically, I played around until I had various sizes and colors of the two flowers offered on that particular one and then set about arranging them the way that I wanted to. The colors I used for this card are for yesterday's SCS color challenge of Barely Banana, Dusty Durango, Going Grey and a neutral (white for me) I stamped the Dusty Durango piece with my favorite background stamp "Fine Lace" The ovals were cut with my Petite Oval Nestabilities and my CB. The image is from "Fruitstand" and is actually stamped with Soft Suede ink on white paper. After I stamped the image I used Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distressing ink to cover the image. Then I used blender pens and other inks and pencils to color in the peaches. Added some other minor details and finished off my card.
So, there you have it. I hope you like it! Have a great day!

SCS challenges

Good Morning!

Just a quick post this morning. I'm heading out the door to take Jonathan to pre-school. This is a quick card that I did yesterday for Wednesday's SCS sketch challenge. I also combined it with an SCS color challenge. I think it was this week's but I don't remember. I used Barely Banana as my base and stamped it with the Crosshatch background stamp in Banana ink. Next I added a layer of Artichoke Print Patterns paper also from SU. The panel on the left is Going Grey and I ran a piece of Razzleberry ribbon down the center. The pattern paper behind the sentiment is the backside of the Artichoke paper. The focal image is from Coastal Wishes by Our Craft Lounge. I stamped it with Color Box Charcoal chalk ink and then used a variety of Copics, blender pens, aqua painters, inks and water color crayons to color the image in. I added some color around the edges by running them along a Color Box Dune Chalk ink pad. I mounted the image on to a piece of Barely Banana and then onto a piece of Razzlin Razzleberry.
So, off I go! I hope to visit some of you later. Until then, have a great day!

"Congratulations" SCS Challenges.

Good Morning!

Well, I didn't think I would have anything to share with you today; but I was able to do a bit of stamping last night while I was watching a movie with DH. So, here is my card for yesteday's SCS sketch challenge. I also combined it with this week's color challenge to use Bravo Burgundy, Kraft and Vanilla. This is a gorgeous color combo and I'm glad I was able to do it. I started with a 4 1/4 x 11 piece of Bravo Burgundy that I folded in half. Next I added a 4 x 5 1/2 piece of kraft. The two burgundy squares are both 2 1/2 x 2 1/2. I stamped a piece of Vanilla card stock with go to "Fine Lace" background stamp in Bravo Burgundy ink and then cut into two 2" in squares to layer on the Burgundy squares. Next I added a 2 x 4 1/2 piece of Kraft card stock with foam dimensionals to the center of the card. The main floral image in then center is from SU's retired hostess set "Echoes of Kindness" I stamped it in Bravo Burgundy ink and then used my aqua painters and the ink pad to color it in. The "Congratulations" on the side is also from SU and I stamped it, along with the sentiment at the bottom with Basic Brown ink. Finally, of course, I added the faux white stitching lines around the edges of the Kraft pieces. I've been doing that a lot lately, I know; but what can I say, I just really like it!
Ok, that's all for me. I hope you like it and I'll see you tomorrow!

Great SCS Challenges!

I often try to combine the SCS color challenges on Tuesdays with the sketch challenges on Wednesdays. Sometimes, it doesn't always work well. Either I don't like the colors or it interferes with another challenge that I'm trying to do. However, other times, it works really well; and this week's challenges did just that. I loved loved this color combination of Black, Kraft and Melon Mambo; and will definitely be using it again. I started with a piece of black card stock and cut it to a standard size card 5 1/2 x 4 1/4. I used my SU "Forever Flowers" Wheel with black ink across the bottom 1 1/2 x 5 1/4 piece of Kraft. I cut three more pieces of Kraft card stock each measuring 1 5/8 x 2 1/2 and put them across the top of the card. I layered each one of those with a piece 2 3/8 x 1 1/4 Melon Mambo. Before I attached them, I ran each one through my cuttlebug with the swiss dots folder and then pressed them lightly onto my black ink pad. Next, I stamped my main image from "Upsy Daisy" in Melon Mambo on Vanilla Card stock and then added the sentiment in black ink in the upper corner. I then trimmed the piece down to 2 1/2 x 2 7/16 and layered it onto another piece of Melon Mambo and then again on to a black layer. Before, I added the image to the middle I ran a piece of 5/8 grosgrain Vanilla ribbon across the front of the card. I would have rather used Melon Mambo ribbon; but I don't have any right now. I've ordered it; but it's not here, yet.
I really like how this one came out, and I hope you all like it as well. Let me know what you think! Have a great day!

One Card for Three Challenges.

Good Morning!

I hope you are all having a great day so far. Mine has been relaxing and I got some time to do some stamping, so I thought I would try to accomplish as much as I can with the time that I had. So,this is my card for today's MMSC challenge, today's SCS color challenge to use Going Gray, Pretty in Pink and Sage Shadow. I was also intrigued by yesterday's SCS foil embossing technique. Put all that together and for me this is the result.
I started with a Going Gray base and added the layer of Sage with the white stitching around the border. The small white squares have flowers stamped from Basic Backgrounds in Pink; but it's hard to see them in the picture. The "Happy" letters are Thickers by American Crafts. So, that's all for me today. I hope you like it. Thanks for visiting me!

Catching up on Challenges

Good Morning!
I hope you all had a good weekend. Ours was fabulous, complete with a trip to Providence to see Disney on Ice and then DH traveled to NH yesterday for the NASCAR Sylvania 300, which meant that I had all day to do whatever I wanted. Guess what I did? You got it! I stamped. I caught up on 2 challenges, plus I uploaded my first card to the two peas gallery. I'm not posting that card here on my blog; but you can see it here if you'd like. I also got a chance to work on Halloween cards while I was watching TV. So it was definitely a great crafty day for me!
Ok, so on to the cards for today. The first one is for WSC 98 and for the SCS color challenge to use Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink and White. I started with a Soft Suede base and then added a piece of Basic Grey Paper. This sheet is from the "Sultry" line and is called "Fashionable" I stamped the sentiment at the bottom with Versa Mark and embosse with white embossing powder. The image and the sentiment are both from the SU set "Sip by Sip" I used SU and Copics to color it in. I changed the sentiment in the quote bubble to "Hello" which is from Hero Arts "Everyday Sayings"
The second card is for Friday's Get Sketchy challenge. I started with a Bashful Blue card base. Then I added a piece of paper that I had used the shaving cream technique to make a soft background. I thought this was a good way to get around the bonus challenge of not using any pattern paper. The rest of the card is as simple as it looked. I did get a chance with both of these cards to use my new scallop circle nestabilities. I stamped the image flower image from "A Flower for all Seasons" on white paper and then cut it out and placed it on the bashful blue circle.
Ok, so that's all for me for now. I'm going to try to do Mojo Monday sometime today and get it up tomorrow. Have a great day everyone!

MMSC 15 and Color Challenge

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are having a fabulous day so far. Mine has been busy as always. My daughter is attending a gymnastics camp this week, which is about 30 minutes away from our house. The day, therefore, is chopped up a bit by being in and out of the car so much. That's ok, though. I really don't mind. She's really taken a shine to it and is progressing well and I am always of the opinion that it is important that youngsters, especially young girls, be involved in something that promotes self-confidence.
Ok, so that's the end of my dissertation for the day. On to the challenges for today. My card today combines the MMSC 15 with SCS color challenge to use Teal, Cocoa and Vanilla. I decided to be a bit different today and use vanilla as a base. If you are like me, you start with a color and just use your neutrals for stamping on. Of course, that doesn't translate so well in the picture; but it really does look good IRL. I was able to use my new Martha Stewart background stamps, which I inked up with Chestnut Roan chalk ink. I stamped the Riley image in Cocoa ink and then used various things such as pencils, ink and markers to color it in. The sentiment on the bottom is from SU's Chit Chat rubons.
I hope you like it, I can't wait to see what everyone else has done. Have a great day everyone!

Bleached Midnight Madness

Hi Everyone!

I hope your day is going well. I have been enjoying a relaxing morning catching up on last season's "Mad Men" before this season begins. It is such a good show! I've also been very creatively productive as well. I've actually stamped two cards this morning; but I'm saving one to share at a later date. The one I do have to show you today actually combines two challenges. The first being the MMC 14 challenge. Again, this is my first time back with this challenge and I enjoyed it very much. If you've not had a chance to check out Priscilla's blog, hop on over there. She has some amazing eye-candy, as well as other goodies to take a gander at. The second challenge I incorporated today was the SCS color challenge. This week's challenge was rather unique in that it combined a techinique as well, bleaching to be precise. I was a bit leery of this at first, because my experience with this technique has not often been successful. Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained right? Well, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the results. I decided to keep the colors few and simple, using only Kraft, Melon Mambo and Blush Blossom.
I learned through a bit of experimentation that bleaching outline images is a bit easier than whole images, which is why I chose this flower from Fifth Ave Floral. I also discovered that when bleaching, a light hand is key. I used my Oval Nesties and the Oval All stamp set for the sentiment and then finally added just a bit of decoration around the scalloped Kraft piece.
Happy stamping everyone and have a great day!

Pick a Petal Color Challenge (and a scrap paper tip)

Good Morning Everyone!

I wanted to get my card posted for today before I leave to go get T from school. It seems as though if I don't post before lunch, then it's way late in the afternoon before I get around to it. Today's card is for the SCS color challenge. The colors are Only Orange, Rose Red and Brilliant Blue. I decided to use Pick a Petal and cut each petal out before attaching them to the white piece. I was unsure about where to put the sentiment, so I decided to go sideways with it, which I thought added a bit of a unique touch. It was super easy to put together and took no time at all really.

Now, before I go, let me share a helpful tip with you. If you are like me, you have a ton of scrap paper laying around. Everyone has their own preferred method for storing scraps, which is fine. How, though do you keep from getting overloaded? Last night, I realized that my scrap folder was jam packed and I really needed to organize it. So, I decided to go through it and take out the pieces that could be cut into card base sizes. As a result, I ended up with about 22 card base pieces.
Now, when I go to start a card, I just choose from that pile (as I did with today's card) and use it as my base. I was able to get a variety of sizes as well. (If you think all cards have to be 5 1/2 by 4 1/4, watch some of KWerner's videos!) Now, my scrap folder is much lighter, I save my whole sheets for when I really need to use them.
That's all for me today! Have a great day everyone, and thanks for visiting with me.

Sushi Anyone?!

Hello!

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I hope you are all doing well today. I have been busy packing and sorting things for our move next month. I try to do a little bit every day, just so that it's not quite so overwhelming when it's time to go.
Of course, I made some time to stamp this morning, however! I was going through my binder of clear stamps and saw my "Sushi Platter set" from Stampendous and realized that it had been entirely too long since I've inked it up. I also wanted to do the SCS color challenge yesterday using Kiwi Kiss, Only Orange and Summer Sun. Those colors made me think of summer, which made me think of the ocean, which made me think of fish. See how it all came together? This set is one that I really like; but don't use often simply because I have a hard time figuring out how to color the images. Today I decided to stamp the images and then used masks to cover up the areas before sponging bashful blue over it. I also used a bit of Orange and Olive ink around the edges for a bit of contrasting color. Like I said I'm still experimenting with it; but that's ok...experimenting is good! I think that I will probably try to do some more with it tomorrow, depending on what the WSC is.
Ok, so I'm off to do some layouts and some more packing. Have a great day!

One for the Little Girls!

Good Morning!

Once again I will remind you to ***Read about my blog candy***!!! Lots of stuff to give away. I didn't think it would be this hard to give it away! Is there a blog candy give away secret I don't know about?!

Now, onto today's card. This is actually for Tuesday's SCS color challenge to use Cameo Coral, Ballet Blue and Garden Green. I also added a bit of Ruby Red and Celery as well. I recently ordered another set of stamps from Our Craft Lounge. (Don't you just love Cambria's blog!) If you haven't been there, be sure to check out the link on the right. Well, that got me thinking about the other set of OCL stamps I have that I won a while back. I haven't used it in a while and I thought it would be nice to ink it up. I'm going to send this to a group of little girls in my Sunday School class that I will miss dearly when we move to RI this summer.
Originally, I didn't have any design on the Coral background piece; but then decided that it was just a bit plain. I added the grid pattern with my bone folder and my Coral marker. It's pretty simple; but I think the little girls will like it.

Have a great day!

SCS challenges

Good Afternoon!

I hope you are all doing well. I have had a good morning stamping. I actually made two things; but I'm only sharing one today and will post the second one tomorrow. I need to do some scrapping tomorrow and this will give me an opportunity to be able to post something new without having to actually make something. Anyhow, not that you really needed to know all of that; but I try to write more than just: "Hi! Here's my card, have a nice day!"
So today's card is actually a mother's day card for my sister in law who doesn't have any children; but does have a whole group of dogs that are just like her kids. I know for some it doesn't compare; but still I think it's important that she knows that I think it is great that she provides those animals with care and love.
I decided to combine two SCS challenges as well. Today's sketch challenge, which I have to admit I fell in love with the minute I saw it! I think it's just fabulous and it was so easy to work with. I will definitely be using this again. I also used yesterday's color challenge of Red, Olive and Black. It was a good combination and the card came together rather easily. It's nothing fancy; but I think she'll like it and I hope you do too!
Have a great day everyone and be sure to blurf sometime today and leave a comment for someone. Trust me, it'll make their day!

One card...lots of challenges

Hi Everyone!

I decided to do the SCS color challenge this morning and also to try a new technique as well. While I was at it I thought I might as well go ahead and do a Ways to use it challenge as well. All that in one card! The colors for this week are Basic Grey, Pink Pirouette, and Rose Red. The technique I decided to try is the "Ink, Spray, Smash" technique. Although, as I'm typing this, I realize that I left the Spray part out of the process! Oh, well...gives me an excuse to go back and try it again another day! I used Saffron, Celery and Regal Rose Inkers. For the WTC, the challenge was to use a frame of some sort. I forgot that I had this retired frame set from SU; but thought it worked well for the hearts.
So, what do you think? That's all for me today. Have a great day!

A card for my special girl.

Good Morning!

I never know when my Paper Pretties SOTM is coming, so I'm always pleasantly surprised when it arrives in my mailbox. This one came over the weekend and as soon as I saw the colors for today's SCS color challenge, I knew it would be perfect. I decided to also use yesterday's Mojo Monday sketch as well. It all just fit so well together. Although I did use my very very last scrap of Baja Breeze for it! The kiwi piece is actually a scrap of cuttlebug piece I had laying around also. I kept trying to decide whether I needed to keep it, or just toss it. I knew I would find a use for it!
I am going to be giving this card to my daughter Reagan. We've had a few, "she's 8 going on 18!" moments over the past week or so and I just want to let her know how much I love her. She doesn't dance; but I think she'll like it anyways. (I keep waiting for Paper Pretties to make a gymnastic Sophia!!) I tweaked the sketch a bit and put the ribbon behind the image because I didn't want to hide the ballerina slippers.
Ok, that's all for me...gotta go get Tyler from preschool and then we're off to the park. Have a great day!

Supplies:
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Vanilla
Stamps: Paper Pretties Sophia Ballerina
Accessories: Prima Flowers, Brads, Eyelets, Ribbon, Cuttlebug/embossing folders, Color Spritzer, markers and blender pens
Ink: Baja Breeze, Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa

SCS Sketch and Color Challenges

Hi Everyone!

Here are a couple of cards to share with you today. The first one is for my workshop that I'm doign on Saturday. I recently got the wheel to go with my "Cheers to You" set and thought it would be a good technique and tool to demonstrate to everyone. I also wanted to use water coloring on the glasses. I decided however that since there was so much detail with the wheel, that just filling on one of them would be best. I also discovered I only have one small stamp that says Happy Birthday. So, definitely need to do something about that soon!
The second card I have today is my card for yesterday's SCS color challenge and today's sketch challenge. The colors are Summer Sun, Riding Hood Red, and Kraft. I have to admit my first thought about these colors wasn't really hopeful; but they actually turned out going well together. I used the "Birds and Swirls" cuttlebug folder on the Red pieces. I added a bit of Always Artichoke behind the center image. I just thought it would make the trees stand out a bit. I used my watercolor crayons on the trees and finally found a water bottle that mists just enough water on the stamp without making the color run all over the stamp before stamping it on the paper.

Supplies: Cheers to You
Paper: Apricot Appeal, Bravo Burgundy, Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie
Stamps: Cheers to You (wheel and set), Mark the Date,Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: Aqua Painters
Supplies: Lovely as a Tree
Paper: Kraft, Summer Sun, Black Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red.
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Bitty Basics.
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Wondercolor Crayons, Caramel Marker, Antique Metal brads

SCS Challenges

Good Morning Everyone!

I can hardly believe I actually got a chance to stamp early this morning. Of course, that may have something to do with the fact that two of my children are at school and one is still sleeping! I didn't post yesterday because I knew that I wanted to combine yesterday's SCS color challenge with today's sketch challenge. The colors were Basic Black, Rose Red and Artichoke. I really like how the card came together and was happy that my "vision" actually translated into reality. As many of you stampers know, that's not always the case. I used my hostess set "Echoes of kindness" for the main image. I embossed the flower with versa- mark and black powder and then used my new watercolor crayons with the aqua painters to color the images in. I've really grown to like these over the past couple of weeks. The rest is pretty basic and straightforward. That's all for me for today. Have a great afternoon and I'll be back tomorrow!