Rust, Navy, and Pink????

Yup... that was today's color challenge! Really Rust, Not Quite Navy, and Pretty in Pink! My first thought was BLECH!!! Are you kidding me??? How will I EVER get these colors to look right together.

Well, after much thought, this is what I came up with...


It's not my favorite card, but given what colors I had to work with, it's not half bad.

RECIPE:
Stamps: Serene Spring (retired SU hostess set), Aida Cloth BG
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Really Rust, Pretty in Pink, watercolor
Ink: Really Rust, Stazon Black, various SU reinkers
Accessories: Scalloped corner punch, scalloped border punch, Labels Nestabilities, Petite Oval Nestabilities, Not Quite Navy brads, 1/4 inch Pretty in Pink grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

I stamped the focal point image in Stazon black on watercolor paper and watercolored it with reinkers and an aquapainter. I did cheat a tiny bit on the watercoloring and added some fine details with the fine tip my SU markers in the coordinating colors to make the watercoloring "pop" some more.

I don't think I'd use this color combination again, but you never know!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my stuff today. Have a wonderful day!!! :)

Fabric Flowers, Cupcakes, and a CASE!

I have THREE cards to share with you today, so you'll want to scroll down to see all of them. :)

Today's technique challenge was to create fabric flowers with freezer paper and a die cut machine. Well, let me tell you that freezer paper is rather hard to find. I did find it at my grocery store, however they only had one kind and it was plastic coated instead of wax coated. Wax coated was what the technique reccommended because it was supposed to adhere to the fabric when you ironed it to give it more stability in the die cut machine. I gave the plastic coated freezer paper a try anyways since that was all I could find, but it did not work. So I ended up adding a few cardstock shims to my cuttlebug and finally got it to work without any paper at all.

Here's my technique challenge card...

RECIPE:
Stamps: Everyday Button Basics from Papertreyink
Paper: Kraft, Night of Navy, Bravo Burgandy, White, Night of Navy prints dp
Ink: Handsome Hunter, Bravo Burgandy
Accessories: Buttons, twine, Nestabilities and Cuttlebug flower dies, brad, corner rounder punch, 1/4 inch Bravo Burgandy grosgrain ribbon, fabric

I also participated in the Cupcake Challenge on the Taylored Expressions blog. Details about the challenge can be found HERE.

Here's my card...

It's quite a bit of pink and I'm not sure about the patterned paper I paired together. It's a little busier than I envisioned. Overall, it's not my favorite card, but I still like it.

RECIPE:
Stamps: Cupcake by Hero Arts
Paper: Cameo Coral, Pretty in Pink, White, Raspberry Tart dp, Pretty in Pink prints dp
Ink: Momento Black
Accessories: Copic Markers, Nestabilities, Circle punches, sewing machine, 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon in Pretty in Pink

And finally, I started the Featured stamper challenge yesterday but I didn't get to finish it. I got around to finishing it this morning. I cased this card HERE.

And here's my version...
I changed the colors, used label nesties for the main image, used a ribbon slide for the sentiment, scalloped the corners, and added brads.

RECIPE:
Stamps: One of a Kind
Paper: Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black, White, Razzleberry Lemonade dp
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Black Momento
Accessories: Copic Markers, Razzleberry ribbon, Cuttlebug ribbon slide, black brads, scalloped corner punch, corner rounder punch, dimensionals

That's all for today! Thanks so much for looking!!! Have a wonderful day!!!:)

Challenges Galore!

Here's two more cards for challenges. First is this week's sketch for Mojo Monday. Details about the challenge can be found HERE.

Here's the sketch... And here's my card...
As you can see, it's another Halloween card! I just love Halloween!

RECIPE:
Stamps: Halloween Hoot (SU)
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, White, Cast a Spell dp
Ink: Momento Black, Chocolate Chip (on broom)
Accessories: Copic Markers, Labels Nestabilities, Small and Large Oval Punches, Scallop corner punch, 1/4 inch Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon, Martha Stewart drippy goo punch

Next, I combined Amy Rysavy's sketch challenge with the Inspiration challenge on SCS. I found my inspiration HERE.

Here's my card...

Isn't she cute?!?? I just love the Lily and Billy stamps from Pink Cat Studio. They are just so much fun to color.

RECIPE:
Stamps: Enchanted Lily (Pink Cat Studio)
Paper: White, Bermuda Bay, Certainly Celery, Certainly Celery Prints dp, Retired Certainly Celery dp (called Just Delightful, I think)
Ink: Momento Black
Accessories: Copic Markers, Classic Circle Nestabilities, scallop corner punch, sewing machine, Bermuda Bay ribbon, Bazzill flower, rhinestone stickers, stickles, spica glitter pen

The pleating on this card took me forever! I really wanted to recreate the layers in the shirt from my inspiration piece, but it was tough! They are actually sewed together with my sewing machine.

Thanks so much for stopping by and looking! Have a terrific day!!! :)

Caardvarks Challenge

This is the first time I've participated in a Caardvarks challenge. They post challenges twice a month and this particular challenge was a sketch challenge. You can read more details about it HERE. You do have to scroll quite a ways down the page to view the challenge, if you're interested.

Anyhoo.... here's my card...

I wanted to create something fun and summery. This little monkey did the trick! I love using summer sun and chocolate chip cardstock together and it makes me think of bananas! Perfect for this little guy!

RECIPE:
Stamps: Monkey Love (C.C. Designs)
Paper: Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, White, Good Morning Sunshine dp
Ink: Momento black
Accessories: Copic Markers, 1/4 inch chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon, Bazill flowers, buttons, twine, scallop border punch, Classic and scalloped square nestabilities, corner rounder punch

That's all for now! I may be back later to post more. I pretty much have a free day today which means lots of time to stamp!!! Thanks for stopping by and have a terrific day!!! :)

Where's my mojo?

I've lost my mojo. Have you seen it? I think it took a vacation today. Ughhh! I'm just not in the mood to stamp today, and I don't like what I've created at all. But I guess there are days like that.

Here's my card for today's "Ways to Use It" challenge on SCS. You had to double up on something. It could be the main image, embellishments, anything. I chose to double the focal point image, but like I said I'm just not feeling my card today.

What do you think?
RECIPE:
Stamps: Cheers to You
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, White, Razzleberry Lemonade dp
Ink: black, SU Markers
Accessories: Circle punches in 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 inches, Scalloped circle punch, sewing machine

On the up side, I did pull out my sewing machine and use it on this card. I don't always pull it out and play, but I'm proud of myself for stitching in a straight line!!!

I also did yesterday's sketch challenge on SCS, but didn't have time to blog about it. My mojo was definitely there yesterday and I LOVE how this card turned out. But then again, it is a Halloween card and I love to create those.

Here's my spooky card...

Don't you just love this?!?!?!?! I know it's kind of a gory image, but I just love how it pops off the page. I think it would make a really cool tatoo, if you were into permenantly putting gothic stuff on your body.

RECIPE:
Stamps: From the Crypt
Paper: Old Olive, Basic Black, White, Cast a Spell dp
Ink: Black
Accessories: Black embossing powder, Labels Nestabilities, Ticket corner punch, bat punch from Martha Stewart, 5/8 inch black grosgrain ribbon, silver bat brads

That's all for today. Thanks so much for looking! Have a terrific day!!! :)

Two Cards Today! TLC229 & CPS124

I told you I'd be posting soon with Halloween cards and today's the day!!! I just love to create spooky cards! Today's technique challenge in SCS was to create a grid card that would "pop" the images stamped. I used the new "Scary Skeleton" set for this technique.

Here's my card...

RECIPE:
Stamps: Scary Skeleton
Paper: Old Olive, Basic Black, Perfect Plum, White, Cast-a-Spell dp
Ink: Momento Black, Markers in Perfect Plum and Old Olive
Accessories: 1/4 inch old olive ribbon, black brads, word window punch, modern label punch, ruler & black marker
Technique: grid

Isn't it fun!?!? I know it's a little early for Halloween, but that skeleton is just too cute not to use!
I also participated in the newest sketch on Card Positioning Systems. Here's my card for CPS124...

RECIPE:
Stamps: Trendy Trees
Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, White, Tall Tales dp
Ink: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Old Olive (marker)
Accessories: 1/4 inch So Saffron ribbon, Old Olive buttons, So Saffron button, linen thread, flower from Bazzil

That's all for today! I gotta run and take my parents to the airport. Thanks for stopping by and looking! Have a terrific day!!! :)

A Cardinal Christmas- More Christmas in July

More Christmas in July for you today. My card today was created for the featured stamper challenge on SCS. I cased THIS CARD in Schirmcat's gallery, but had to change at least 2 things about it.

As you can probably see, I left the layout the same but changed the stamp set. I stayed with the bird theme, but my image was colored with prismacolor pencils and blended with gamsol. I changed up the colors on the card some too... adding the green. I used a chipboard star covered with dp and sanded the edges and then added a button on top of it.

Here's my card...


RECIPE:
Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas, Canvas BG
Paper: Kraft, Riding hood red, Very vanilla, Merry Moments dp
Ink: Close to Cocoa, River Rock, Black
Accessories: prismacolor pencils & gamsol, chipboard star, button, linen thread, scallop border punch, ridinghood red tafetta ribbon
Technique: sponging, prismacolors & gamsol

That's all for today! Thanks for stopping by! Have a terrific day!!! :)

And Many Mower

Two posts today! You'll need to scroll down to view both.

I'm in the stamping mood lately and decided to participate in my first evah' Mojo Monday sketch challenge. Deets can be found HERE.

I haven't been very good at inking up my newer sets lately, so I'm really trying to get more use out of them. Plus, I can always use birthday cards and masculine birthday cards are even harder to come up with... so I know I'll use this card fairly quickly.

Here's what I created....


I hope the colors aren't too "Christmasy", but I wanted the red to compliment the mower and the green to signify the grass. Make sense?

RECIPE:
Stamps: And Many Mower
Paper: White, Old Olive, Real Red, Summer Picnic dp, Real Red Patterns dp
Ink: Black Momento
Accessories: Copic Markers, Labels Nestibilities, Circle Punches, 1/4 inch Real Red grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

This was a tough sketch for me, but I think it turned out okay. What do you think?

Thanks for looking! Have a terrific day!!! :)

Greetings, Earthling!

Hiya! Today's inspiration challenge on SCS came from THIS WEBSITE. It's full of adorable children's clothing, furniture, toys, etc. After looking through the site, I was inspired by these two items... the alien costume and the space alien hoodie. I pulled colors from both items and of course had to use aliens! I also combined the challenge with the sketch (AMYRS71) from Amy Rysavy's blog which can be found HERE.

Here's my card...


I was just itching to use one of my new SU stamp sets that arrived on Wednesday and this challenge gave me the perfect chance!

RECIPE:
Stamps: Greetings, Earthing!
Paper: White, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Good Morning Sunshine dp
Ink: Pacific Point, Momento black
Accessories: Copic Markers, Classic and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities, Tags dies from Spellbinders, green brad (SU), Pacific Point striped grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

Isn't he a cutie? There are other adorable aliens in this set, but I personally think he's the cutest!

Thanks for looking! Have a wonderful day!!! :)

Palm Tree

I didn't get in any new stamping today. Instead I cleaned out my closet, which was a BIG job that needed to get done. I think my clothes were reproducing in there! This time I have 3 garbage bags of clothing, 1 bag with shoes, and 1 bag with purses to give to the Am Vets. But now I can actually SEE what clothes I have in my closet that fit me and I'm pretty much done with the giant clothing purge. I hadn't done it in over 5 years... so it really needed to get done. I also recommited myself to losing weight. I think it's a battle most of us go through, but it really made me sad to see all the clothes that I couldn't fit into anymore. I kept 2 rubbermaid bins of them in hopes of getting back into them someday soon and got rid of the rest. No more snacking for me and I'm going to try to get more active. For real this time!

Since I didn't stamp this afternoon, here's a card I created a little while ago but I don't think I ever shared it on my blog...


RECIPE:
Stamps: Balmy Breezes, Cheesecloth BG
Paper: Taken with Teal, Creamy Caramel, Cool Caribbean, Watercolor paper
Ink: Stazon black, Cool Caribbean
Accessories: reinkers, brads, linen thread, paper piercing tool
Technique: watercoloring with reinkers

After cleaning out my closet all day, I definitely wish I could relax on this beach right about now. Wouldn't that be nice?

That's all for today! I'm definitely going to bed early tonight. I'm bushed! Thanks for stopping by and have a terrific day!!! :)

Christmas in July

Today's "Ways to Use It" challenge on SCS was to create a Christmas card... even though it is July. I also wanted to create a card for Amy Rysavy's weekly sketch challenge (AMYRTFS3) so I decided to combine the two challenges and create my Christmas card based around Amy's sketch.

Here's what I created...



I bought this stamp set from SU when it was first released a few years ago, but I've NEVER USED IT!!! Sadly, I have a lot of stamps in my collection that I've never used! Shame on me! But this was the perfect opportunity to ink him up and use him! I also used my brand new designer paper from SU that the nice UPS man dropped off yesterday. Most of my new order was stamp sets and accessories to create (of all things) Halloween cards! I LOVE to make Halloween cards and it's a rarity that I can pass up a fun spooky stamp. You'll have to wait to see that stuff though! But, I did squeek in some Christmas paper on my order too.

RECIPE:
Stamps: Jolliest Time of Year
Paper: Kraft, Real Red, Old Olive, White, Merry Moments SU dp
Ink: Black Momento
Accessories: 1/4 inch and 5/8 inch Real Red grosgrain ribbon, red buttons from SU's playground button pack, classic circle nestabilities, Copic Markers, dimensionals

That's all for today! Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a terrific day!!! :)

Lots of Cards Today!!!

I had a good stamping day today and pretty much stamped all day! The house was clean, the laundry was done... so lots of time to stamp!!!

First, I created this card for today's sketch challenge on SCS. I'm really not ready for fall yet, but I started looking at my newest stamps and which ones haven't seen ink yet. That's how I settled on using "Autumn Days". Plus, I wanted to get used to SU's newest in-colors.

Here's my card...

RECIPE:
Stamps: Autumn Days, Everyday Flexible Phrases, Canvas BG, Weathered BG
Paper: Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Very Vanilla
Ink: Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Linen thread, Cuttlebug Tiny Tags, Hodgepodge Hardware, Deckled Rectangles Nestabilities, dimensionals
Techinque: sponging and masking

I did a lot of sponging on this card. Every panel was sponged to give it depth.


Next, I needed a thank you card to send to my parents. They bought my hubby and I a set of plastic margarita glasses to use on our deck and boat as an anniversary gift. Here's the card I created using the same sketch...


RECIPE:
Stamps: Cheers to You
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, White, Razzleberry Lemonade DP
Ink: Momento Black
Accessories: markers (SU and Copic), Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Prima flowers, rhinestone stickers, stickles

I put glittery stickles on the rim of the glasses to make it look like sugared or salted rims. They cherry is also a gemstone sticker.

Finally, today is my 3rd anniversary. I always struggle with making cards for my husband, so I was surfing SCS and came across THIS CARD. I knew I had to recreate it, especially since my hubby is not that romantic and most of his cards end up going this route anyways!

Here's my card...


RECIPE:
Stamps: All in the Family, sentiment from Verve stamps
Paper: Old Olive, Perfect Plum, Chocolate Chip, White
Ink: Momento Black
Accessories: markers, word window punch, modern label punch, cuttlebug embossing folder, dimensionals

Tee hee!!!! Isn't it funny!?!? I'm sure he'll get a kick out of it!

That's all for today! I'm heading out to dinner to celebrate or anniversary soon. Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day!!! :)