Audrey's Purse

The director of my daughter's volleyball club is a self-described ex-hippie. She has an inimitable sense of style. The other day she was carrying a purse that had crocheted medallions in shades of blue--ombre style. It was so pretty and it inspired me to make this card--and it gave me a chance to use my Lacy and Lovely stamp set and Midnight Muse ink just one more time before they retire.

(Stamp Set: Lacy and Lovely; Ink: Midnight Muse; Card Stock: Midnight Muse, Whisper White; Accessories: Extra Large Oval Punch; Midnight Muse Stitched Satin Ribbon)

The Fab Friday Challenge Is Back!!

The wonderful and creative hosts of the Fab Friday challenge blog took a much deserved break during the holiday season...but they're baaack!! This fornight's challenge is a color challenge:

 

These are great colors and they're the same as those used in Stampin' Up's Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (item #132996) in the Occasions mini catalog. I thought about using some of that gorgeous DSP, but in the end, I decided not to.  I did use a few items that I earned free during Sale-a-Bration--the Decorative Dots embossing folder, the Banner Blast stamp set, and the Banner punch. I also used the "Miss You" sentiment from the Lacy& Lovely stamp set--I had it out on my desk for another project and I thought the "Hi" from the Banner Blast set and "Miss You" went together nicely.

(Stamp Sets: Banner Blast, Lacy & Lavely; Inks: Crumb Cake, Real Red; Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Coastal Cabana, Very Vanilla; Accessories: Decorative Dots, Banner, Scallop Oval, Oval Punches, Crumb Cake Seam Binding; Real Red Candy Dots)

Hello Again!

Here's a simple card made with the "You're Amazing" set.  I was going for neutral colors because I wanted to use the Crumb Cake Seam Binding I had on hand.  I love that stuff!  I originally had a panel of crumb cake, but it lacked that somethin'-somethin'.  So I cut out the balloons--one stamped "full strength" and the other stamped as a "second generation" so it comes out just a tad lighter.  I had a piece of DSP from the Sweater Weather pack sitting on my desk turned to the yellow plaid side.  I flipped it over and found a subtle dotty piece of Soft Sky DSP--and it already had a bit of distressing on it!  Yay!  I think the Soft Sky makes the card POP and I like the way it refers to the sky in which the balloons are floating--and come to think of it, the Fancy Fold Embossing Folder resembles clouds.  How about that? I accidentally pulled a theme together!

(Stamp Sets:  You're Amazing, Lacy & Lovely; Ink:  Early Espresso;  Card Stock: Basic Black, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake; DSP:  Sweater Weather; Accessories:  Fancy Folder Embossing Folder, Crumb Cake Seam Binding)

Don't forget about Stampin’ Up's sweet deal for Paper Pumpkin:  Join Paper Pumpkin now and pay only $10 a month (plus tax, where applicable)—including shipping—for the first two months! Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After the first two months, each month’s kit will be offered at the regular price of $19.95.  Visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join. Click on the “subscribe” button, put 1 in the quantity  box, and use the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL. Don’t forget to enter me (Kathy Kartak) as your demonstrator. Join before August 31, 2013 to take advantage of this deal!

Yippee-Skippee! I'm Playing Along with the Fab Friday Sketch Challenge!

The Fab Friday Challenge Blog is hosted by a group of Stampin' Up demonstrators who run a stamping challenge every other Friday.  I was THRILLED to meet some of these men and women during the 2013 Stampin' Up convention this year--and I even got to swap with several of them!!!  Some of my fave stampers belong to this FAB group.  I think you'll enjoy viewing their creations--be sure to visit their individual blogs for stampin' inspiration--and you'll also enjoy playing along with the Fab Friday challenge.

I have a confession to make:  I started my own blog for the express purpose of playing along with the Fab Friday challenges! 

The current challenge is a sketch challenge.  Here's the sketch:

Fab Friday Sketch Challenge #23

And here's the card I created, using one of the stamp sets we got as an all-attendee giveaway during Stampin' Up's 2013 Convention:  Yippee-Skippee!

(Stamp Sets:  Yippee-Skippee!, Lacy and Lovely; Ink:  Island Indigo; Card Stock:  Island Indigo; Daffodil Delight, Whisper White; Accessories:  Argyle Embossing Folder, 2-1/2" Circle Punch; Circles #2 Originals Die; Very Vintage Designer Button; Crushed Curry 3/4" Chevron Ribbon; Linen Thread)