Nachos in Black and Vanilla

There's a sweet sketch over at the Nacho Average Challenge blog this week. When I  saw this sketch, I thought I'd do something in Basic Black and Very Vanilla, using the Modern Mosaic DSP one last time before it retires.

Here's this week's nacho sketch:



Here's my submission.

(Stamp Sets: Daydream Medallions, Perfect Pennants; Ink: Stazon Basic Black; Card Stock: Basic Black, Very Vanilla; DSP: Modern Medley; Accessories: Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Banners Framelits, Real Red Candy Dots)

We got this set at the Stampin' Up convention a couple of years ago. I didn't have time to make the make-and-take project while I was at convention--and I don't think I've ever inked up this set. Since it hasn't retired, I'll have to take it out and use it more often!

Once I had all the layers of black and vanilla and all the textures, I still needed a little something to make it pop--and so the greeting didn't get lost in all the texture. My go-to for pop when I'm working in black and white vanilla is Real Red, of course! After I'd tied on the ribbon, I still needed a bit more color to liven up--but not overwhelm the design--so I added three Real Red candy dots at the bottom. Et voila!

It's Hump Day and a Fab Friday Challenge

My time zones got all messed up while I was in Alaska. I time my posts so that I can play along in a bunch of stamping challenges before they "expire." I was all set to post my entry in last time's Fab Friday sketch challenge when I realized the challenge had "expired" several hours earlier at 8AM Central time--not Alaska time. Oops. So this week, I'm playing early because I don't want to miss out again--and because one of the colors in the challenge retires on Saturday and I want to get it in under the Stampin' Up retirement wire!

The Fab Friday gang came up with a challenging combo for me. I'm pretty good when there are 3 colors, but add 1 or 2 more colors and I get a bit overwhelmed. Here's what the gang came up with for their challenge (and I note that the design team did NOT have a whit of trouble with this--check out their awesome work!!)




And here's what I came up with. The Summer Starfruit was my "challenge" color. I don't know why my flowers look like Strawberry Slush--they're really Crisp Cantaloupe. I think it's the odd angle I'm shooting from since I can't get all the way to my light source with all the junk in my room. You'll have to take my word for it ;-)

(Stamp Sets: Yippee-Skippee, Petite Petals; Inks: Crisp Cantaloupe, Coastal Cabana; Card Stock: Coastal Cabana, Pool Party, Whisper White, Summer Starfruit; DSP: Soho Subway; Accessories: Banners Framelits, Petite Petals Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Basic Pearls)

Happy, Happy, Happy

Well, yesterday I was happy to be home after a long couple of weeks away--today I realize what a shambles my stamping room is in! See, we're having new flooring installed on our main floor, on our stairs, and in the second floor hallway. Everything that was in the hallway (it had become a dumping ground for a bunch of stuff) was put into my stamping room. I worked around it, but I'm tripping over a bookcase, a vacuum cleaner, and several bags for the "gettin' place" (whichever charity truck calls first.) Plus, in my frenzy to get 2 weeks of blog posts together, I'd left a total mess on and around my stamping desk. Nothing stymies creativity more than a mess. I'm happy to say, I cleaned my mess, but I still have to work around the junk. I hope the floors are in tomorrow!!

Today I'm playing along with Connie and Mary's color challenge. The colors are really sweet and subtle. As usual, these aren't colors I'd choose to go together--but that's why I enjoy playing along in challenges.



I wanted to use a layout I'd seen in the demonstrator bi-monthly magazine, "Stampin' Success" a couple of months ago. It's my second time using this layout. I love the long banner negative image. This time I added a bit of texture in the open space. (Unfortunately my Sahara Sand cardstock looks like Smoky Slate in this picture--but it really is Sahara Sand!)

(Stamp Set: Yippee-Skippee; Ink: Basic Gray; Card Stock: Sahara Sand, Soft Sky; DSP: Kaleidoscope; Accessories: Banner Framelits, Basic Gray Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones; Square Lattice Embossing Folder)

Hey, Man--May 2014 Paper Pumpkin Kit

It's so good to be home! I was away for a week on a business trip to Alaska. It was awesome--I've never been before and it was certainly an item on my "bucket list." When I arrived at the airport on Saturday morning--after the red eye flight from Anchorage--I hopped in my car, made a quick trip through Starbucks, and drove 4 hours to get to my daughter's volleyball tournament at Penn State University. I spent three days and two nights there before packing her up and driving back home.

I was so happy that I'd left this month's My Paper Pumpkin kit for today. I was sure I'd be exhausted and maybe not too creative, so I wanted a quick, creative outlet. This month's kit features a great photopolymer stamp set called "Hey, Man" that's great for masculine cards. There are enough supplies to make 4 full-sized cards and 2 3x3 note cards. For the first two, I followed the directions that came with the kit.

(Stamp Set: Hey, Man; Ink: Marina Mist)

Then I altered the layout and elements and made my own card. Quick and easy-peasy. Just a little creativity after a long time away from my stamping room.

(Stamp Set: Hey, Man; Ink: Marina Mist)

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)

Wishing It Were Friday!

The Fab Friday challenge this week is a clean and simple sketch. I'm still trying to embrace the space on these CAS cards--and this one still leaves me feeling like it needs a little sumthin' sumthin'. But the space has been embraced.

Here's the sketch challenge:



And here's my card:

(Stamp Set: Perfect Pennants; Ink: Strawberry Slush; Card Stock: Basic Black, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White: DSP: Kaleidoscope; Accessories: Ovals Framelits, In Color Boutique Details)

My feng shui was really off with this card because there was just too much space--but I'd already adhered all the elements and it was too late to go back and emboss the card base (my go-to technique for "filing" the space without actually filling it, KWIM?) So, I thought it might just work if I added a Basic Black card base and that really did help!

Off the Edge CAS

The artists over at Addicted to Clean and Simple have come up with a great code word for this fortnight's challenge: Off the Edge. Several of the design team used a floral theme on Whisper White cardstock. I followed their lead. 

My BFF, Lynn Birus, did a "master class" (what I called it) on how to use Stampin' Up's new Blendabilities markers during my recent new catalog open house. When she was finished with her flower, she fussy cut it and then used the darkest Cherry Cobbler Blendabilties marker to color the edge. Whoa! Was that gorgeous! Lynn gave me the flower and it sat on my stamping desk for just the right time to use it.

I embossed a plain Whisper White card base with the Honeycomb Embossing folder then adhered Lynn's beautiful flower to the card and then {gasp!} cut off the flower so that it was even with the edge of the card base. I added a butterfly that I stamped in Black Stazon ink and then "colored" with Dazzling Details. 

I think the black and white with the BIG pop of color is just stunning (if I do say so myself!)

(Stamp Sets: Blended Blossom, Papillion Potpourri; Inks: Memento Black, Black Stazon; Card Stock: Whisper White; Accessories: Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive Blendabilities, Hexagon Embossing Folder, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Dazzling Details)

Orange You Glad I Played Along?

The Paper Craft Crew has come up with another great sketch for this week's challenge. I knew this would be one that I could work with.

I started out by choosing a piece of Quatrefancy Specialty Series Paper. I've pulled out all my DSPs because I want to keep using them until the very last moment when they retire. One side of this DSP is Pumpkin Pie and the other is Island Indigo, so that set my color scheme.

Here's the wonderful sketch



And here's my card

(Stamp Set: Perfect Pennants; Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Island Indigo; Card Stock: Pumpkin Pie, Island Indigo, Whisper White; DSP: Quatrefancy; Accessories: Angled Top Tag Punch, Starburst Framelits, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Jumbo Rhinestones)

Seize the Birthday!

My stampin' friend Shana participates in a bunch of stamping challenges. I've been playing along with some of those challenges--as you will know if you've been following my blog. Shana posted a card from a new--to me--challenge: Seize the Birthday! This is an easy-peasy challenge because it's "anything goes." You can create any birthday card. Each week, the blog adds a birthday "topping." This week, it's flowers.

Here's what I came up with.

(Stamp Sets: Petite Petals, Label Love; Ink: Strawberry Slush; Card Stock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Strawberry Slush; DSP: Quatrefancy; Accessories: Petite Petal Punch, Artisan Label Punch, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder)

Yes, I know. Another card in pink. But the Basic Black makes it pop, don't you think? I added some interest and texture with the Quatrefancy DSP and Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder.

Creation Station Presents "Work of Art"

Welcome to the second installment of Creation Station!! If you're working your way around the blog hop, you've just come from Ilina Crouse's blog. Her creations are truly works of art, aren't they? If you're starting here, you can follow the blog hop all the way around by clicking on the next button at the end of this post.

This time we're featuring two stamp sets: "Blast Off!" from the Occasions mini catalog and "Work of Art" from the new 2014-15 Idea Book and Catalog. Our featured product is baker's twine.

Stampin' Up demonstrators who attended the new catalog release parties--at a theater near you--were thrilled to receive the "Work of Art" set along with the new catalog. I have to tell you, when they first showed this set on the big screen, my reaction was, "Meh." But then I saw what we could do with those stamps--how versatile the set is--how easy it is to use--I was "sold!"

Before I show my cards, let me tell you a story of my inspiration. When I was in elementary school, way back in the latter third of the 20th century, we used to go on an annual field trip to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC (near where I grew up). One of my favorite paintings was Pierre-Auguste Renoir's "Little Girl with a Watering Can." 

Renoir was an impressionist. One of the hallmarks of impressionist painting is that you can see the brush strokes. Here's an extreme close-up of the upper left of this painting where you can see the brush strokes. The "Work of Art" set reminds me of impressionist painting.


 










I've made three cards for you--all of them are pretty simple. Sometimes I feel like we Stampin' Up demonstrators have to show true works of art with loads of techniques and embellishments. While those types of cards are awesome, they can seem daunting to some stampers. It's a good idea to show all types of stamping because there are all kinds of stampers! I wanted to show cards that use only a few simple--and inexpensive--accessories, so that even the novice stamper or the stamper who doesn't want to buy a ton of stamping supplies can make them.

Here's the first card:

(Stamp Sets: Work of Art, Gorgeous Grunge; Ink: Real Red; Card Stock: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White; Accessories: Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, Real Red Candy Dots, Real Red and Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon)

The wavy lines are all Real Red--I used a technique called "generation stamping." I inked the stamp one time and then stamped the image three times without reinking. I used my Stamp-a-Ma-Jig to line up the three rows of lines.

My second card was quick and easy to create. I think it's a really fun card, too!

(Stamp Set: Work of Art; Inks: Wild Wasabi, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Basic Gray; Card Stock: Wild Wasabi, Calypso Coral, Whisper White; Accessories: Whisper White Baker's Twine)

I randomly stamped the circle 10 times in each of the three colors, making sure that some circles were stamped off the card. I added a heart in Calypso Coral neat to the sentiment, just to add a little surprise. I grabbed my Baker's Twine and was going to tie a bow, but then I went a little crazy and wrapped it randomly around the card.

My last card is my favorite. I love how the colors feel rich and golden--and there's no gold ink on the card at all!

(Stamp Set: Work of Art; Inks: Baked Brown Sugar, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand; Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar, Very Vanilla; Accessories: Gold Baker's Twine)

I hope you've enjoyed my "Works of Art." I know you're going to love Cindy Beach's creations!! Just click on the next button below and off you go to see Cindy's artwork!

1985 Is Calling!

Back in the 1980s, I thought I was pretty rad. I wavered between being a (mild) punk rocker and a new wave bopper. My wardrobe back then consisted of clothes in black and white, with some red thrown in. That's what my card reminds me of!

This week's Freshly Made Sketch challenge is so clean and sharp. Here's the sketch:


 
And here's my sorta retro, 1980s style, creation.

(Stamp Set: Mixed Bunch; Inks: Black Stazon, Real Red; Card Stock: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White; DSP: Modern Medley; Accessories: Blossom Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Neutrals Basic Black Designer Button, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Square Lattice Embossing Folder)

Nacho Calypso Flowers

This week's Nacho Average Challenge is a simple sketch. You'd think that it would be easy. Well, maybe for some--but not for me. I made something and then I didn't like it, so i tried to fix it and it just kept getting worse and worse and well, it's a hot mess. Even my DD agreed. So back to the drawing board....and I think I got it this time.

Here's the Nacho sketch:



...and here's my creation:

(Stamp Set: Pleasant Poppies, Label Love; Inks: Calypso Coral, Wild Wasabi, Black Stazon; Card Stock: Calypso Coral, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White; Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Aqua Painters, Artisan Label Punch, Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon)

Retro Ombre

This week's retro sketch challenge is simplicity itself. Yeah, that's the problem. Sometimes simple doesn't mean easy. It's an art to make a simple card. I try hard to embrace the space, but I still have to put some texture in the background. Check out the design team's cards at Retro Sketches--they're masters of the art of clean and simple!

I think I've mentioned before that I have a "thing" for pinks--especially paired with green and black. That's a yummy combination! For my card, I used an ombre technique with Melon Mambo, Primrose Petals, and Blushing Bride.

Here's the retro sketch this week....



And here's my ombre card: 

(Stamp Set: Six-Sided Sampler; Inks: Melon Mambo, Primrose Petals, Blushing Bride; Card Stock: Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Whisper White; Accessories: Hexagon Punch, Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon)

I repeated the hexagon shape on the card base and the Whisper White Strip, as well as the hexagons themselves. I punched the pink hexagons, but fussy cut them along the stamped image to eliminate the extra white background. Then I mounted them on a punched Basic Black hexagon for a bit of a pop!