It's Time for a Fab Friday Color Challenge!

I'm so bummed that I couldn't get my act together quick enough to play in last week's Fab Friday sketch challenge. I mean, the whole reason I started this blog was so that I could play along on the Fab Friday challenges. And then I started playing in other challenges (cuz I need inspiration every day) and then I had loads of projects, and well, the last Fab Friday challenge got away from me.

But that's not gonna happen this time. No siree!! I'm on it. On the day the challenge came out. If I'm fast enough I think I'm going to be the second person to post a project for the challenge. Perhaps if it wasn't almost midnight, I could have been the first person. But whatevs. I was instantly inspired by this challenge and knew immediately what I was going to do. How often does that happen?!

So here's the Fab Friday color challenge #36: 

 

And here's the design I came up with.

(Stamp Set: Six-Sided Sampler; Inks: Crush Curry, Strawberry Slush, Bermuda Bay; Card Stock: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White; DSP: Kaleidoscope; Accessories; Bermuda Bay and Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Hexagon Punch, Honeycomb Embossing Folder)

I think this turned out pretty spiffy. I like all the geometric designs in the DSP, the embossing folder and the hexagons. I originally had only the Bermuda Bay ribbon wrapped around the DSP, but it kind of got lost there. So, I added another piece of Basic Black Ribbon and tied the knots together.

Breaking News!! I'm TOP NACHO!!

Wowza! I was just over at the Nacho Average Challenge blog to see what they have in store for this week. Guess what I saw?? I was TOP NACHO for last week's challenge! Me! Little ol' me! I don't even have an acceptance speech ready!  Here's the card that won the challenge. And check out my TOP NACHO badge over there on the left!

Retro Tag

Over at Retro Sketches, this week's challenge is to create a tag. Here's the sketch:



When I saw the sketch, I had in mind that I wanted to do something a little shabby chic and a little grungy. I "cheated" a little because I had a spiral flower already made up. It was one I used at a demonstration--and I'd banged it on the table to rough up the leaves so that it was shabby. I used the Little Leaves Sizzlit to make some leaves. I LOVE that Sizzlit!! (I wonder why I don't use it more often.) For the grunge, I went straight to the Gorgeous Grunge set and used the splatter-dot stamp in Cherry Cobbler.  After I assembled everything, I thought the tag still needed a little something, so I grabbed a couple of rolls of washi tape. I finished the tag with Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding and Silver Baker's Twine.

(Stamp Set: Gorgeous Grunge; Ink: Cherry Cobbler; Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive; Accessories: Spiral Flower Die, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Watercolor Wonder and (retired) Washi Tape, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Gold Baker's Twine, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, Basic Rhinestones)

Thanks BIG Time!

My wonderful neighbor, Mark, really helped me out during our biggest snow storm of the season. We had about 14 inches of the white stuff. It was beautiful. Contrary to what I keep hearing people say, I have NOT had enough snow and have NOT had enough winter. Bring it, Jack Frost! I love the stuff! But when I went out after the storm to shovel my driveway, the task looked pretty daunting. My two teenaged boys were there to help (DH was still deployed overseas), but we have one big driveway on about a 20 degree slope--so there's a lot of snow to move while trying not to slide back into the garage.

Mark to the rescue! He pushed his snow blower along the public sidewalk and then shooed us off our driveway while he blew the snow away like magic! It was awesome. My boys and I were so grateful. I wanted to make a card to thank Mark BIG time.

Here's the sketch for this week's challenge at Create with Connie and Mary (CCMC291):
 


I thought this sketch would be great for Mark's thank you card. I knew it had to be manly, so I chose The Open Sea set. He also collects lighthouses, so the seafaring motif of this set works well. I sponged some Early Espresso over the letters on the Alphabet Press Embossing Folder to "age" the card stock so it would match with the "aged" Soho Subway paper I chose. I also sponged the globe, sentiment, and Summer Starfruit piece.

(Stamp Sets: The Open Sea, Timeless Talk; Inks: Island Indigo, Early Espresso; Card Stock: Island Indigo, Summer Starfruit, Very Vanilla; DSP: Soho Subway: Accessories: Alphabet Press Embossing Folder, Circles Framelits, Small Oval Punch)

Lovely Pumpkins

If you've been thinking about signing up for the monthly Paper Pumpkin subscription, NOW is the time!! 

First, as you can see from my top-of-the-blog post, Stampin' Up has a fabulous incentive offer for NEW subscribers. From now through March 31, 2014 NEW Paper Pumpkin subscribers who sign up at My Paper Pumpkin will receive a FREE set of 2012-2014 In Color Stampin' Write Markers --a $14.95 value--with their Welcome Kit!! You can't beat that deal!

Second, Stampin' Up has really stepped up these kits so that you get your money's worth. Not only do you get a quick project to make every month, but you get "non-consumables" that you can use on other projects. The Paper Pumpkin kits always contain a mini stamp pad AND an exclusive stamp set.

Last month, the Paper Pumpkin kit included a full-size container (20 pieces) of In-Color Boutique Details embellishments--an $8.95 value!! You'll have to wait until next week to see this months project but, believe me, it's totes adorbs!! 

Here are last month's Paper Pumpkin cards. So cute!!

Nacho Average Birthday Card

I discovered a new (to me) sketch challenge at the Nacho Average Challenge blog. Here's this week's sketch challenge:






I wanted to try something a bit retro and I wanted to use some Soho Subway DSP paper. That's probably my favorite DSP is the annual catalog and I've been hording it. I don't know why, but I tend to horde DSP. (I don't think I'm alone in this!) Here's the card I came up with for this sketch challenge:

(Stamp Set: Perfectly Penned; Ink: Early Espresso; Card Stock: Early Espresso, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla; DSP: Soho Subway; Accessories: Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Hexagon Punch, 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon)

I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment from the Perfectly Penned set in Early Espresso and mounted on it a piece of Early Espresso the bottom of which I embossed with one of the Delicate Designs folder and then fussy cut the large scallops. The Crisp Cantaloupe panel is embossed with the Fancy Fan folder. The flags are cut from Soho Subway DSP and the points are made using the Hexagon punch. I curled the ends with my bone folder for a bit more dimension and movement. I used thin piece of 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon as my second stripe to match the design.

Happy Card

My BFF bought me a stamping magazine for my birthday. It has loads of ideas on techniques and layouts. Just what I need for a little inspiration. I saw a card that was stamped onto a page from an old book. The colors were so vibrant and sweet, so I decided to create my own version of the card. I used stamps from three different stamp sets. I don't always do that...in fact, when I first started stamping, it never occurred to me to stamp outside the (stamp container) box. I never thought to use stamps from more than one set to create a card. Of course, I do that all the time now--but I think three sets might be new record for me!

(Stamp Sets: Yippee-Skippee!, Mixed Bunch, Papaya Collage; Inks: Melon Mambo, Midnight Muse, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi; Card Stock: Blushing Bride, Midnight Muse, Melon Mambo, Very Vanilla; DSP: Modern Medley; Accessories: Bracket Label Punch, Linen Thread, Basic Pearl)

There are so many elements I like about this card. I like the "old book" sheet from the Modern Medley black and white DSP pack. I like the Midnight Muse panel paired with the Blushing Bride card base. I like the Linen Thread tied around the top. And I like all the vibrant colors in the floral "collage." I even pulled out my Melon Mambo ink pad! I used to use that color all the time, but I've switched allegiance to the 2013-2015 In Colors--at least for the time being. 

I used Yippee-Skippee! for the sentiment and punched it with the Label Bracket punch. I punched a piece of Melon Mambo with the same punch and cut it in half to back the sentiment so it didn't get lost on the page. I used the Mixed Bunch set in Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, and Daffodil Delight--some stamped at full strength and some stamp as a "generation" (stamp again, without reinking). And I used the leaves from the Papaya Collage set in Wild Wasabi. Lots of elements, but easy-peasy to make, and pretty, too!

Colorful Birthday

Connie & Mary posted another color challenge for their spring collection (CCMCSPRING14-04). As usual, I never thought of putting these colors together--but now I really like this combination! I especially like the addition of black. I think it grounds the other colors without making them too garish--but it also makes them pop. 

The focal stamp is one from the See Ya, Later set you can get for FREE with a $50 order placed during Sale-a-Bration. It's probably my favorite SAB set. I used a panel of of Kaleidoscope DSP backed with a Basic Black panel. For some texture, I used the Scallops Textured Impressions Embossing Folder from the Occasions mini catalog. I cut the sentiment with one of the framelits from the Apothecary Accents set and used the same framelit to cut a piece of Crushed Curry, which I cut in half lengthwise to make a backing for the sentiment. I tied it all together (see what I did there?) with a piece of Bermuda Bay 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon.

(Stamp Set: See Ya Later; Ink: Basic Black; Card Stock: Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Whisper White; DSP: Kaleidoscope; Accessories: Scallops Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, 1/8" Bermuda Bay Taffeta Ribbon)

Have a Cuppa CAS

The current Addicted to CAS challenge keyword is "coffee." Well, out came my Perfect Blend set. I adore this set--it's relatively inexpensive ($10.95 for the 3 stamp set in clear) and it actually is pretty versatile! I started with a scrap of Soho Subway DSP for the coffee cup sleeve and that gave me my color scheme. I embossed an Early Espresso (get it?) panel with the Arrows Embossing Folder 'cause you know I like texture. I had my first flash of brilliance when I added the Burlap Ribbon--which looks like a coffee bean sack, don't you think? Then I had my second flash of brilliance when I thought of using the thought bubble stamp (get it?) from the Timeless Talk set for the sentiment. I fussy cut the coffee cup, the sleeve, and the thought bubble and popped them all up on dimensionals.

I love it when everything comes together!

(Stamp Sets: Perfect Blend, Timeless Talk; Ink: Early Espresso; Card Stock: Crisp Cantaloupe, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake; DSP: Soho Subway; Accessories: Arrows Embossing Folder, Burlap Ribbon)

Hello! Retro Sketch Challenge

Today, my inspiration is coming from a new (to me) stamping challenge. Retro Sketches, "where every sketch is a blast from our past," hosts a weekly sketch challenge. I've been lurking over there for a while and I figured I'd better stop lurking and start stamping! I like the sketches because they're usually clean and simple (CAS), and as someone commented on my blog: "Once you go CAS, you never go back." I'm betting that I'll prove that adage wrong because I still love my throw-everything- but-the-kitchen-sink-at-it--and then add a button--style! But I do love CAS!! Here's this week's challenge (retrosketches #102).

And here's my take on the sketch.  Once I pulled out the Six-Sided Sampler, I knew just what I was going to do. I've seen the checkerboard hexagon done in Night of Navy and thought it was stunning. I paired that with Raspberry Ripple. Those two colors are so crisp together. Add some Whisper White and the combo just makes me happy. Even though this is CAS, I added the Arrows Embossing Folder because I just have to have some texture in the "blank" spots.

(Stamp Set: Six-Sided Sampler; Ink: Night of Navy; Card Stock: Raspberry Ripple, Night of Navy, Whisper White; Accessories: Arrows Embossing Folder, Night of Navy and Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon)

Another Week, Another Challenge (CCMC 290)

I love playing along with challenges. They really get my creative juices flowing. Sometimes a color challenge puts together colors I never would have dreamed of using. Sketch challenges help me with my graphic design.

Again this week, I'm playing along with Create with Connie & Mary in their weekly color challenge (CCMC 290). This week's combination was a real challenge for me. I'm not sure I nailed it, but I met the requirements.

I used the Thinlits Circle Card Die to create the card. I used the Quatrefancy Specialty Series Paper and the coordinating Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder. It took me a while to find the right combination of circles--I had to use my 2.5" circle punch and one of the circles from the Circles Framelits, but I was pleased with the close layered look. I used the Decorative Label Punch to back one of the label elements included with the Circle Card Framelit Die set. Here's the outside of the card:

(Stamp Set: You're Amazing; Ink: Island Indigo; Card Stock: Daffodil Delight, Smoky Slate, Island Indigo; DSP: Quatrefancy Specialty Paper; Accessories: Thinlits Circle Card Die, Island Indigo Marker, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Decorative Label and 2.5" Circle Punches, Circle Franelits, Basic Rhinestones)

And here's the inside. The entire "Happy Birthday" sentiment was just a little bit too big for either of the inside panels, so I had to fold it in the middle so it would fit across two panels. I used several of the chevron elements from the Circle Card Framelit Die set and added some bling to the Apothecary Accents Framelit.

(Stamp Set: You're Amazing; Ink: Island Indigo; Card Stock: Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo, Smoky Slate; Accessories: Thinlits Circle Card Die, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Modern Label Punch, Basic Rhinestones)

Ombre Hello Lovely

Ombre is trending. My daughter has dyed her hair ombre:  dark brown, dark red, dark blonde. It looks really nice. Ombre is trending in home decor and crafting, too. I thought I'd try a simple ombre card. First, you need to decide on the colors you'll use. I tried different combinations of pinks and as well as combinations of blues. I decided I liked the pinks the best. For this card, I used Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, and Blushing Bride to get my ombre efffect. I started off with Pink Pirouette as the lightest color, but it was too light. I might try this again with blues. I like the color gradients. And, of course, I had to add a bit of bling to the card and some ribbon for the finishing touches.

(Stamp Sets: Hello Lovely, Apothecary Art; Inks: Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Blushing Bride; Card Stock: Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals; Accessories: Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones)

See Ya Later, Alligator!

"See ya later, Alligator," my mom would say to me when I was a kid. And if I wasn't in one of my moods, I'd respond "After a while, crocodile." This Sale-a-Bration stamp set reminds me of my mom--and that's a good thing. My mom was a wonderful woman and I'm indebted to her. She always said she was proud of me. I hope I can always live up to her opinion. And I hope I can instill in my children the things she gave to me--always look on the bright side, pick yourself up and keep going, do your best, don't sweat the small stuff. Those are all platitudes we can all live by.

Anyway (as Ellen would say), here's a card I CASEd almost exactly from last month's issue of Stampin' Success--the magazine we Stampin' Up demonstrators receive free every other month. It's one of our perqs and it is full of ideas on how to use our wonderful products. I loved the simplicity of this card and I loved the negative banner cut. It took me a minute, but I figured out how they made the banner longer than the actual framelit. Can you figure it out? I also put a button on it and used the Silver Baker's Twine (because that's what I had). Easy-peasy and quick! (It's a good thing it was quick because despite my "snow day" I worked harder at home than I would have at work and I didn't get to my stamping room until after 9:30 tonight. I know; I'm cray-cray, but whatevs).

(Stamp Set: See Ya Later; Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe; Card Stock: Sahara Sand, Whisper White; DSP: Sweet Sorbet; Accessories: Neutrals Basic Buttons, Silver Baker's Twine, Banners Framelit Dies)