It feels like spring...

Well, I'm back from our last vacation of the summer...it was a long one for me! A week in Petoskey Michigan (fabulous place and weather!) then 3 more days in Perrysburg with my parents before they left for Seattle for 5 1/2 weeks! Whew...now that I'm back, I'm following Doctors orders, doing things that keep my stress level to a minimum for baby's sake :). So that means stamping (No arguement here)!

Here is one I did for last weeks SCS color challenge 177, Groovy Guava (GG), Whisper White (WW) and Sahara Sand(SS). I of course added another neutral (well, what I consider a neutral), Chocolate Chip(CC). The card base is an A2 card of SS. The bottom layer is SS stamped with the wheel from the Spring Solitude Bundle inked with SS. I sponged the edges with SS and layered it on GG with the bottom edge punched with the new SU! scallop punch (love it!) and polka-dots with my unibal white gel pen. I wrapped the layer with a wide white grosgrain ribbon I have. The second layer is on SS stamped with the Spring Solitude solid flower stamp with SS ink, then I used Versamark with the flower outline stamp to emboss with white EP that over the other stamped images (does that make sense?) My embossing buddy failed me this time, as there are TONS of white EP flakes everywhere. I stamped the sentiment with SS marker and Versamarker and embossed the word 'you' with white EP. The panel is sponged with SS around the edges and layered on GG. I then attached that to the 1st layer and wrapped it with CC grosgrain ribbon. The final layer I used the branch stamp, inked with CC marker and SS marker and stamped it on SS, then stamped the bird with Versamark and embossed with white EP. I punched the image out with my 1 1/4" square punch and sponged the edges with SS, used my 1 3/8" punch with WW and cut out CC to frame this. Finally, GG is punched out with my Marvy scallop square punch with white polkadots again around the edge and I added a CC grosgrain knot with a mini glue dot. I have to say that I really like this stamp set, it's a shame it to me so long to get it!

Double-ly adorable!

I had some time after the birthday party, so while Lily was sleeping and I was doing laundry, I made this card. Talk about multi-tasking!



This is for the SCS card sketch challenge #186 this week. I started by selecting a stamp set that would complement the strip along the bottom of the sketch, so I picked out Double Line Doodles (retired SU!). I stamped the long strip first on Certainly Celery with CC ink, then highlighted the image with my uniball White gel pen and Old Olive marker. I layered that on Old Olive paper and using scalloped scissors, trimmed the edges down the length of the paper. Next I used another retired SU! item, the background paper (don't remember the name) and layered that on CC and Always Artichoke. The second panel is the SU! DS Print paper in Certainly Celery, layered on Old Olive. I stamped 'adorable' from Warm Words with Always Artichoke, 'cause she's adorable! The main image from the stamp set is stamped on Whisper White with Always Artichoke, then sponged with CC and OO. I then cut out the center if the image and featured a photo of Lily behind it (isn't she cute!). That is layered on CC and AA trimmed with the scallop scissors (I don't have the Nestabilities yet) and I put white polkadots around it with the white gel pen. I added Moss grosgrain ribbon under the image and attached it with dimensionals. That's it! Thanks for looking!!

Emma's Birthday!

Lily's best friend from preschool, Emma had her Cinderella birthday party today! Lily had tons of fun with her friends from school playing princesses, swinging and picking flowers (aka weeds). We got Emma a Sleeping Beauty dress for her upcoming trip to Disney World, but this morning I decided I needed to make something a little extra. So in about an hour and 15 minutes, I came up with this collection of goodies for her next year at preschool!

This doesn't have any SU! products in it, so I can't explain what everything is and where it's from, but I can explain the process. The lunchbox is from the Target $1 spot, about 2 years ago (I hope they do them again this year). I used ModPodge to attach the paper with rounded corners to the front and the back. I usually do the whole name, but this is a small box and it didn't fit. So instead, I added her inital with a pre-made chipboard letter then applied ModPodge to the whole thing to make it water proof. Then embellished it simply with a prima flower, button and ribbon. The handle had ribbons tied to it in an array of colors. I made a crayon box slide with the same paper, punches and the retired SU! letter set letter dots (I don't think that's the name). The little pad of paper (its only 3.5"x3.5") has the same paper, chipboard and embellishments as the lunch box. Tosssed in a few pens and pencils and voila'!

It's a boy!

I just found out this morning that my girlfriend Carrie is having a baby boy! Just what she wanted! It's been fun being pregnant together. Now that we are both getting bigger, we bumb bellies when ever we see each other. She is about 2+ months behind me. I decided to make another card for her using the colors of the card challenge CC176. Its a fun combo!

I did add Chocolate Ship to this one also, even though it looks like black. I need to work on my camera... Anyhoo, I used a retired SU! paper (I don't remember the name) that is acutally Mellow Moss, but I thought it was close enough, and I sponged the edges with River Rock. The lower panel is River Rock, run thru the Cutllebug and both were layered on a piece of Chocolate Chip. I put a strip of Soft Sky stiched ribbon at the 'joint' with a knot attached with a mini glue dot. The main image is from Very Punny (minus the pun)on Very Vanilla, colored with SS and RR using a blender pen, and added So Saffron to the scallop. I sponged the edges and layered it on RR, SS and a Chocolate Chip scalloped square using my Marvy punch. All this is on a VV card base. Sweet and simple!

Look Familiar?

I really love Soft Sky, it's a shame it's being retired. I'm getting a bunch of it before it goes though. This is for the SCS color challenge CC176, and I actually finished this one within 12 hours of posting! That's a record for me.

The colors for this challenge were Soft Sky, River Rock and Very Vanilla. Its a lovely, soft combination. This is the same layout I did for the Mojo Monday #44 last month, it's very versatile. I started out with a Chocolate Chip card base, I know it looks like Basic Black, but it's not, its Chocolate Chip. (I cheated I know, but I like a little more contrast) and layered on Very Vanilla with a River Rock panel that was Cuttlebugged. On that, I added a Soft Sky panel, stamped on Script in SS and sponged the edges, then layered it on VV. The 3rd panel is the textured River Rock paper with sponged edges and layered also on VV. I added a strip of Soft Sky stiched ribbon on that as well. The main image is from Embrace Life, stamped in Chocolate Chip, with the flowers colored in with my uniball white gel pen and highlighted with SS using my aqua painter. I sponged the edges and layered it on RR, SS and CC. The scallop is SS with CC dots, then the sentiment is stamped on VV with CC and Script stamped over it with SS and sponged around the edges. I didn't have any embellishements in that great Chocolate Chip color, so I had to settle for Close to Cocoa buttons with a thin strip of River Rock threaded thru the holes.

A little suspense...

This card I just made, it's super easy and cute! It's for the SCS technique challenge TLC176. I had never made one and really think it's adorable, the directions are the the link, so check it out! I did however drop my stamp on the front after I had finished, since it was late, I didn't do it over.

Front of spinner

Back of spinner.

I used Whisper White card stock for the card body, then tied the wide black polka dot ribbon around it and tied it off with a bow. Sorry the photo is off. I punched the scallop circle punch in the bottom right corner. The spinner is the ladybug from Very Punny, stamped on WW with Basic Black, and colored in with my aqua painter and Real Red ink. The other side is stamped with the 'thank you' stamp from Short & Sweet, outlined with the real red marker. I added dots around the edge with the Basic Black marker. The image and the sentiment were punched with the 1 1/4" circle punch and layered together back to back with a piece of red thread between. On the inside of the card, taped the ends of the thread to the back of the front of the card and placed a Real Red piece of card stock and with a punched a 1 3/8 circle out of that. Added some white polka dots and voila'! Sweet and simple!

Not so groovy...

Since I don't really like this card, I won't get into the specifics. It's for the SCS card challenge SC185 and color challenge CC174.

Dots, dots, dots!

So here is another one I made today. It was great having Lily with me creating, I had time to create with spending time with her!
This one is for the SCS Color challenge CC175 and card layout challenge SC183. So Saffron, Almost Amethyst and Wild Wasabi. I have to admit, that this card is inspired by Markie's Mom at SCS. She makes the most beautiful cards, and always uses black and white polka dots. Check out her gallery, it's great!!!

I used the Simply Said stamp set, colored it with AA and SS and surrounded the image with Soft Sky using the aqua painter. The main image was layered on WW, AA and finished with Basic Black and i added the dots with my uniball white gel pen. The SS layer is SU! DP and the WW layer was Cuttlebugged with swirls. and bother are layered on Whisper White. I added the balck and white polkadot wide ribbon with a strip of Wild Wasabi Sticked ribbon down the center and added a knot with a mini glue dot. The main panel is AA on a card body of Basic Black and added white polkadots. The sentiment is from the same stamp set, i just used a few words from the stamp, along with some bling in the corner.

Thanks for looking!

It's Mojo baby!

This card was created for the Mojo Monday Week #45. It's late, but am I ever on time? Anyway, this is another card I created with Lily today.

I used the Blooming with Happiness stamp set, which I love. The DP(a gift from an old DDS) inspired the color combo, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Almost Amethyst and Pumpkin Pie, it also has glitter on it, 'cause you know I love glitter! I used my corner punch for the scallops on the DP, since I haven't ordered my scallop edge punch yet. I layered it on Whisper White and punched that as well. The top DP is So Saffron Prints DP from SU! and the Almost Amethyst at the bottom is stamped with So Swirly with White Craft ink. I stamped the cake with Basic Black and colored the image in with So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie and Almost Amethyst, then used my aqua painter to do the Wild Wasabi and the Soft Sky around the image. The flames of the candles have a little shimmer to them (an Elmers craft glue I got at Michaels) and glitter on the flowers. The image and the sentiment is layered on AA and PP and WW on the image. Then I added the Soft sky ribbon and bling at the bottom to finish it off! Hope it inspires!

EEKKK!!

It's been a while hasn't it?!! Well, I've been out of town visiting friends and family, and my husbands family spent the weekend with us. So, I decided this was a day for me! Lily and I went down stairs to my stampin' space and created for several hours. I now have a wall filled with Lily originals. but she had more fun hanging her things up than creating it. She is fascinated with the tape dispenser.

Anyhow, I decided to tackle some more challenges from SCS. Here is today's TLC178 challenge. It was a combination of 3 different past challenges. Since my internet is on the 2nd floor and my space is in the basement, I thought the colors were Baroque Burgandy and Creamy Caramel, so I used that old retired color. It's not my favorite card, but it meets the requirements! Sorry the photo is off, I'm trying a new light.

I used my Cuttlebug and inked the folder so that when it was run thru the machine, the color went inside the dry embossing. (Check out the directions here). I did the baby wipe technique for the medallions from Baroque Motifs, cut them out and layered them on Chocolate Chip. I then stamped the smaller image from the set on the BB card stock and used Gold Rush EP then cut them out and layered them on the medallions. The Creamy Caramel layer is stamped with Canvas. I added the sentiment by stampining on some twill tape with the BB.

Thanks for looking!

Cherish

I had to make another one of these cards. They are too cute! This is actually the first one I did, but learned to used the acetate over the photo instead on stamping on it with Craft White because it takes FOREVER to dry, so it smeared.

Cherish

The card base of this card is a 6x6 Creamy Caramel card. I made the scalloped squares by using my Marvy punch. I layered on Pretty in Pink and the SU! retired DP Chocolate Chip. The photo is my DD Lily (isn't she cute!) layered on PP and CC. I stamped the 'cherish' with Craft White (see above) and added the buttons with mini glue dots. The 'thread' is the edges of grosgrain ribbon in ivory and chocolate.

Just for fun!

This card was just for fun. I started to CASE a card from SCS, then realized that I cut the DP panel too short. I went ahead and made a quick card with it anyway. I love this designer paper, I got it a few years ago and never used it, but it has some great colors in it. I used Soft Sky, Buckaroo Blue and Bravo Burgandy for the layering to match the DP. I used 'Sage Advice' for the sentiment and put the velvet green ribbon from the SU Sorbet collection under it and added a flower and some bling. It only took me about 15 minues for this card.

I'ts Mojo...

Mojo #44 & CC #173



This card was created for Mojo Monday and for the SCS Color Challenge 173. The color challenge was Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, and Purely Pomagrante. I haven't used this stamp set (All Natural) in ages so I thought I'd use it for this one. The background is Cuttlebugged and layered on PP and on a Basic Black card base (I used creative license by added that color to the combo). The WW panel is stamped with 'Script' and sponged along the edges. It's layered on PP and I added some brads that I colored black with Black Stazon. I used Cetainly Celery DP for the next panel and layered it on the PP also with Wild Wasabi sticked ribbon wraped around. The stamped pear image is done with Stazon so I could use my aqua painter to color it (using all 3 combo colors). I masked the image and stamped the 'Script' over it with CC and sponged the edges. It's layered on WW, PP & Basic Black. The sentiment is stamped with Basic Black, and I did the same technique as I did with the pear. I punched out the sentiment with the 1 1/4" circle punch and layered it on a 1 3/8" PP circle and scalloped WW circle. I added the polkadots with the Uniball gel pen.

Time well spent...

I was able to spend a few moments creating last night (until 2 am), and was feeling a bit inspired. I was also catching up on my challenges and found this great paper that seemed to fit. This card was inspired by one of my dearest friends, who is done vacationing here in the states for the year and she flew back to Copenhagen on Monday. As I was going thru my stash of stamps, I found this one that I hadn't even mounted yet (for shame!!!) and thought it was perfect! So Anne if you're checking in, this one's for you!

Time well spent....

This card is also for the SCS Color Challenge 172, Wild Wasabi, Taken with Teal and Whisper White. I took creative licence and added the Chocolate Chip because I had this great designer paper sitting around that, although the blue isn't exact, I think it gets carried off well. I did paper piecing for the flower from 'Time well Spent', trimed it with the Chocolate Chip marker, unibal White gel pen and Certainly Celery flower in the middle. I added the Teal rhinestone, because, let's face it, I'm part girly girl and love the bling. The Taken with Teal is Cuttlebugged and layered on Chocolate Chip. I then used sticky strip to adhere the beads and the Blue Brilliance glitter for some over the top sparkle. The designer paper is layered on TT and CC as is the sentiment which I colored in the 'Friends' using WW & TT with my aqua pen. The backgound WW is stamped with Canvas for some added texture.

3-in1

Here I go again! 3 challenges in one!

WSC #51, CC114 & TLC #174

This layout is for Beate John's Weekend Sketch Challenge #51 . The color challenge CC114 I had, used the colors Gable Geen, Rose Red, Apricot Appeal and Taken with Teal. I had this fabulous designer paper that had all the colors except the Teal, so I added it with the ribbon and the around stamped bird image. I love this stamp, a $1 stamp from Michael's. I used Chocolate Chip on Whisper White paper and did the TLC174 challenge, so I filled it in with Rose Red and the aqua painter and used Taken with Teal around the Bird. I sponged around the edges with Apricot Appeal. Layered it on Rose Red and Chocolate Chip. The main Apricot Appeal background is Cuttlebugged, I layered the designer paper on Chocolate Chip. I used a retired teal velvet ribbon for the stripe on top. Sorry if this explanation is a little disjointed, I'm on the phone with my BF from Copenhagen!

Lily cards

Well, I after a very exciting night of tornados, lighting and thunder storms, and about 3 hours of sleep, my pregancy insomnia kicked in this morning at 5:00 am. Ahh the joys of pregancy! Since I was up I decided to spend some more time in my newly organized stamipn space and complete a few more challenges!

SC #182 & CC #171

I love both of these challenges! First, I have already professed my love of the color challenge with Soft Sky, Basic Black and Kraft, but I am loving this layout! It's cute, simple and makes great cards and scrapbook pages! I made 2 cards that can be used in a 6x6 scrapbook, so I'll be sending these out to the grandparents. The base is a 6x6 kraft square, I then used my Marvy scalloped square punch to make the Basic Black squares. The designer paper is one I have been hoarding for too long, so I decided to use it, the squares are 1 3/8" and the Soft Sky layer behind it is 1 1/2". After I assembled each piece, I used my uniball white gel pen to make the dots in the scallops. The photo is from my DD 2 year photos (she just turned 4) and my dear friend, the best photographer around Tracie Jacobs took these. Lily was looking at the hole in the tree saying it's where Owl from Winnie the Pooh lived. Any way, I layered the photo on Soft Sky and Basic Black. Because my first card front smeared (I used white craft), I ended up used a piece of acetate to put the sentiment on it with winter white EP. I attached it with black brads and tied Soft Sky and hemp twine thru the holes. That's it! I'll post the other card later that I did.

So sad...

My girlfriend's dog was hit by a car on Sunday. She was having a party and had to call all her guests that morning to cancel...eeek, the last thing you want to do in that situation. I made her this card to send her and let her know I'm thinking about her.

SC#181

I used the card sketch from the SCS weekly challenge. My dimensions are a bit off, but the essence is there. I used 'Embrace Life' stamp set, inked with Always Artichoke, then colored it in with Mellow Moss and So Saffron markers and Blender pens. I lost my Cutter Kit in the re-organization of my space, so I had to resort to the old way of distressing, my nails, around the edge of the stamped image. I also used sponge daubers to ink the edges with So Saffron and Always Artichoke inks. The lower panel is So Saffron DP, also distressed and inks. They are layered on Mellow Moss, So Saffron and Always Artichoke on a Mellow Moss card base. I stamped the leaves along the base of the Mellow Moss backgound for some added interest. For embellishments, I used Moss grosgrain ribbon, layered it with help twine and a Very Vanilla button.

Color Challenges!

My other favorite place to get inspired is at Splitcoast Stampers. it's a great resource for anyone interested in stamping! They have daily challenges and here are a few that I got caught up on:

CC#170, WSC #52
This challenge was to use, Regal Rose, Real Red and So Saffron. I had this great paper that I just got that had all those colors, so I thought I'd use it for this challenge. The So Saffron backgound is stamped with So Saffron ink and the 'Canvas' backgound stamp. It's layered on Real Red card stock. Now here's where I stray a bit... the next layer is Regal Rose, Cuttlebugged and put on More Mustard (not part of the challenge...oops). The 3rd layer is the designer paper on, again, More Mustard. The verbage is on Very Vanilla, stamped with Close to Cocoa and again with the 'Canvas' stamp and So Saffron ink for some texture. I finished off the card with twill ribbon, flower and rhinestone from the Target $1 stop, and punched out leaf from Target as well. I also paper pierced for some extra detail. This card is also inspired by Beate John's 'Weekend Sketch Challenge' #52. I'm sending this card of in the am to my DH grandmother, she sent us a generous gift for our 6th year anniversary! Thanks Grandma T!

CC # 171

I LOVE this color combination! This challenge had us using Soft Sky, Basic Black and Kraft. LOVE IT!!!!! I had a miss hap when making this card, apparently I didn't clean my backgound stamp last time I used it, inked it with my Soft Sky and the ink pad turned green!!!! Boy was I mad!. After I regained my composure, I cleaned the stamp, and used Versamarker and clear EP to make the backgound panel on Soft Sky at the bottom (I can't remember the name of the stamp). The top panel I left plain and added the sentiment in Basic Black ink. Both panels are layered on Basic Black then on the Kraft card base. The image is from 'Garden Silhouettes' (I obviously like that set) stamped on Soft Sky with Versamark, then embossed with Winter White EP. I then sponged the bottom of the image for some depth because it looked a bit plain. It is also layered on Basic Black and Kraft. The ribbon is from the SU! Sherbet ribbon originals collection. I finished off the card with 2 Basic Black buttons tied with hemp. I really LOVE this card

Be Inspired!!

Since I have been without a stampin space for so ling, I have spent part of the day making cards from past challenges! I'll post each one based on the challenge and explain them so they are easy to find, so I hope that helps.

The first challenge catagory is the 'Be Inspired Challenge' by Beate Johns. If you are an avid stamper, you know who she is, but if you're not, check out her blog. She is AMAZING and creates beautiful works of art! She is taking the summer off, but has so much information on her site it will keep you busy until she returns!

BIC #16

Check out the inspiration sample by clicking here. I LOVED the color of the walls in the inspiration photo! I'll be painting a room in my house that color soon. The card base is 4.25" x 4.25" on Whisper White. I Cuttlebugged the front of the card so simulate the pattern of the wall on the right without adding more color. The square blocks are stamped with 'Embrace Life' on Soft Sky with SS ink, I think colored in the flowers using my uniball white gel pen. Each SS square is layered on Cool Caribean (yes I still have TONS of that paper - jealous???:) I put rhinestone brads in the colors of the flowers on the shelves to add the colors as well as layering the squares on Apricot Appeal and Regal Rose. A little loop of Celery grosgrain ribbon and I was done! It's not my favorite card, but I like it.

BIC #17

I liked this challenge (click here) because I have a black and white room in my house with green accents (or maybe it's the other way around). I did have a hard time with the matching of the blacks on the designer paper with the SU! basic Black, so I ended up using my black shimmer paper instead. It has a ton of shimmer and shine, perfect for a loyal girly girl friend. The image is from 'Garden Silhouettes' and I used white EP with versmark. The rest is just cut and paste! I found this sentiment in my scrap embellishment box so I'm not sure where it's from.

BIC # 18

This inspiration photo looks good enough to eat!!! I tried to recreate the wonderful icing details on the white panel, using 'Garden Silhouettes' again, colored with SU markers, Certainly Celery, Ruby Red, Apricot Appeal, and Bashful Blue. I layered it on Bashful Blue and Apricot Appeal card stock and used the Ticket Corner punch on the corners. The sentiment is stamped with Always Artichoke on Whisper White, layered on Ruby Red with the edges cut with a scallop scissor. The background is Groovy Guava, Cuttlebugged and layered on Apricot Appeal and again the corners are punched.

The chaos is over...I think?

So, about 3 weeks ago, I had a desk malfunction in my work space. The drafting desk I had gotten as a gift on my 16th birthday calopsed under the weight of all my stamp sets (it was 20 years old). So I have been spending the last few weeks getting everything re-organized and sell off some stuff to make space for new stuff. I was also at the mercy of my husbands good nature since I'm 6 months prego and can't lift anything heavy so it took much longer than I anticipated.What I have discovered, is that even with a HUGE purging (it was difficult) I still have entirely too much stuff!My space is in my basement, it's a typical basement, however, the previous owners glued drywall to the cinderblocks, so we cannot hang anything walls, or else it will rip the drywall off. This is my attempt to keep organized. This space also holds my MaryKay business empire.