So Long Occasions Mini 2011

I wanted to share a couple more cards made with stamps from the Occasions Mini.  Today is the last day to order these beautiful sets.

First, here's a card that didn't make it into the recent Stamp Stack.

And the one that did make it.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Easter Blossoms, Teeny, Tiny Wishes
Ink:  (Card One) Timber Brown StazOn, Blushing Bride SU Marker; (Card Two) Black StazOn, unibal Signo White Gel Pen, Whisper White, Yellow SU Marker
Paper: (Card One) Blushing Bride, Early Espresso, Whisper White; (Card Two) Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories:  Big Shot, Framed Tulips EF, Sponge Dauber, Small Oval & Large Oval punches, Basic Pearls

And tomorrow the Summer Mini catalog goes live. Oh what fun!

I'm so glad you stopped by today.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Three-of a-Kind Plus One

This week's One Layer Wednesday Challenge was hosted by Jennifer.  The challenge is to make three one-layer cards. Yes, three. Make three cards all using the same image stamp but vary the occasion by changing the sentiment and/or ink colour and/or card stock colour. You must use the same image stamp on each card.

For the first card,  I colored the stem & leaves with Always Artichoke and the flowers with Concord Crush.  To add a bit more color, I finished it off with a strip of Concord Crush ribbon.  The sentiment is from Something to Celebrate.

For the second card, I inked the stems & leaves with Pear Pizzazz and the flowers with Marina Mist.  Then I topped it off with Marina Mist taffeta ribbon.  The sentiment is also from Something to Celebrate.

The third card has stems & leaves of Old Olive and flowers and ribbon of Poppy Parade.  The sentiment is from Because I Care.

I was having so much fun, I had to try one more.  This time I used Soft Suede for the stems & leaves and More Mustard for the flowers.  Since it is a masculine care, I opted for hemp twine to finish it off.  The sentiment is from Something to Celebrate.

The bee from the set is stamped in Basic Black and colored with a Daffodil Delight marker and all are stamped on Naturals White cardstock.

I could have gone on and made a sympathy card and  a get well card and maybe a thinking of you card.  So many cards, so little time! 

This is such a versatile set and tomorrow is the last day to order it. This set is definitely a keeper!

I'm so glad you came to visit today.  I hope you come back soon.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Honoring Benzi

I found out a couple of days ago that my friend Benzi was chosen Queen for the Day at SCS last Friday.  You can see her SCS gallery here and be sure to visit her blog too.  Long live the Queen!

This is the card I chose to CASE.  And this is the CASE....

I had just found out that I needed a get well card for a special guy and Benzi's card was perfect.  I didn't have that particular stamp so I used my trusty Lovely as a Tree.

I used the colors from this week's ColourQ Challenge.....

First I inked the stamp with Kiwi Kiss and used Pear Pizzazz and Almost Artichoke markers to "thump" the image randomly before stamping.  (Thumping is just to tap the brush end of the marker against the previously inked stamp.)  Then I used the small tip of the Soft Suede marker to draw in the trunk and branches and sponged Baja Breeze around the stamped tree to finish the main design.

I used the markers to ink the little pine branch tip and stamped it on a scrap piece to make the band.  I also inked the leaf image from this set and stamped off on my work paper and then stamped lightly around the pine.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, Sincere Sentiments
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss, Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze, SU Markers (Pear Pizzazz, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede)
Paper:  Naturals White, Always Artichoke
Accessories:  Stamping Sponge

Image piece is Naturals White 2 1/2" x 3 1/4", Always Artichoke 1/8" larger
Band is Naturals White 3/4" x 4 1/4", Always Artichoke 1/8" larger
The card base is Naturals Ivory cut to 4 1/4" x 11" and scored at 5 1/2"

I'm so glad you could stop by, especially if it's the second time today.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Emboss and Color

In a few days (3 to be exact) you can start ordering from the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog.  Did you get your catalog?

This embossing folder is on p. 24.  It's actually reversed from the picture and it's gorgeous!

I've seen several cards made with this Embossing Folder and watercolored.  I really loved this technique and just had to try it.

I'm going to enter it in a new (to me) challenge.  It's called Hand Stamped Sentiments and this weeks challenge is to make a Mother's Day card.

And the Color Challenge on SCS this week is to use Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue & Baja Breeze with embossing for dessert.

I used both shades of blue ink and a blender pen to color the flowers.  The stems & leaves are Certainly Celery.

I've already sent a card to the Less is More challenge to do an Off Centre card, but I'm going to send this one along too.  If you want some good examples of Clean & Simple cards, there are 240 entries already in this challenge.  Lots of good inspiration there!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Teeny, Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Daffodil Delight, Not Quite Navy
Paper:  Watercolor
Accessories:  Big Shot, Flower Garden EF, Corner Rounder Punch

I'm so glad you could stop by.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Butterfly Blues

This lovely butterfly is from the upcoming Summer Mini Catalog.  It's called Strength & Hope and Stampin' Up! will donate $2.00 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation for every set that is purchased.

You can see other cards using this set here and here.

This time I used elements left over from my last Stamp Stack.  This  butterfly fit perfectly on the ovals I had already cut.

Oval-icious was the theme for the Ways to Use It challenge at SCS last Thursday.   So I'm going to post this over there. (As usual, I'm late.)

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Strength & Hope, Bird on a Branch

Ink:  Marina Mist, BAsic Black, Basic Black SU Marker

Paper:  Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Big Shot, Elegant Lines EF, Ovals die, Baja Seam Binding, Basic Pearls (colored with a permanent marker)

My company is gone and I got my stamp room back this afternoon.  I was able to get a couple of cards made.  I  can't wait to share them with you.

I'm so glad that you came to visit.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Sketchy Butterfly

Tomorrow there will be a new sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers and I still haven't posted the cards I made for last week's challenge.  Well, let's remedy that!

Here's the sketch

Here's card #1

The circle design uses the technique I showed on Monday's post.  It was stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed with white.  Then I colored the flowers and leaves with markers.

And since the technique challenge last week was Same But Different, and the Free 4 All challenge was to use orange, I did this card too.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Just Believe

Ink: VersaMark

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White

Accessories:  White Embossing Powder, 1 1/4", 1 3/8", Scallop Circle, & Butterfly punches, Big Shot, Square Lattice & Whacked Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls

I'm so glad you stopped by.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

March of the Butterflies

The Artist's Rule of Three is the technique for this week's CAS challenge at SCS.  Anything can come in threes: images, accessories, panels, etc.

The butterflies were stamped with one of the outline stamps from the Awash with Flowers set.  I stamped them in Black StazOn and watercolored with Not Quite Navy ink and a blender pen.   I drew the bodies and antennae by hand with a black marker.

The sentiment is from a retired set called Congrats.  It may have been a hostess set a few years ago.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Awash with Flowers, Congrats

Ink:  Black StazOn, Not Quite Navy, Basic Black SU Marker

Paper:  Naturals White, Basic Black

Accessories:  Blender Pen

This was a great way to use up a few scraps!

I'm so glad you stopped to visit.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Off Center

This week's Less is More challene is OFF CENTRE


To do cards with little or no symmetry but perfect balance, which doesn't necessarily mean gems in all four corners, or any corners for that matter.

I've been playing around with a technique that was described to me at a local craft store.  They were holding classes but the classes were all full.  I got a good look at the cards they were doing and the attendent gave me a quick rundown of the technique.  It's really quite simple.

I used this stamp from the Friends Never Fade set.  It stamps the background and leaves the images unstamped.  I stamped it with VersaMark, sprinkled with white embossing powder and heat embossed it.  Then I colored the images with markers.  Actually she said to watercolor, but the watercolor was lighter than what I wanted.  After I was finished, I wiped the embossing with a paper towel to remove any unwanted ink.  (I love that it's ok to color outside the lines.)

I used Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight & Old Olive SU Markers to color.

Here's a closer look....

Since the design already had a sentiment, I chose to add a ribbon with the bow to balance the card.  I hope ribbons are allowed in this challenge.

And the Featured Stamper Challenge at SCS this week is Freshn'Sassy aka Shelly.  This is card I CASEd.  You can see Shelly's amazing gallery here.  There's lots of inspiration there!

And speaking of challenges.  This card was chosen by  Leslie at Paper Players as a Cut Above.

I'm so honored and you can believe that I have a big smile on my face.

Thanks so much for the visit.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Easter Blessings

My dear friend Ruthann sent me this card...

Inside it says:

Wishing you

Joy of heart,

Peace of mind,

And all the beautiful

Blessings of Easter.

I wish all of you the blessings of Easter.

Thanks for the visit.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Pink Daisies

When I was playing with my new Every Moment set, I did several of the daisy images just experimenting.

This time I inked the stamp with markers then used the blender pen to pull the ink into the petals.  It was so light that I outlined the petals with the marker after coloring them.  I'm not sure I really like it, but they do show up better.

The layout is from Sketch Challenge 326 at SCS.

The colors fit the ColorQ81 challenge to use Pink Pirouette, So Saffron, Old Olive, Soft Sky and White.

I noticed that this sketch looks a bit like a cross.  Very appropriate for Good Friday, don't you think?

Thanks for stopping to visit.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Another Post Today

I'm not quite sure how I got this different look to my blog.  I hope you like it.  I hope I like it, because I'm not sure I can get the old one back!

The Paper Players challenge this week is this Clean & Simple sketch.  I love this easy layout!

And  both the SUO  and Stampin' B's challenges are to do a Mother's Day card.

Both my Mom & my Mother-in-law have passed away, but I have two very special aunts to honor on Mother's Day.

The lily was hiding in my UFO box so this card was pretty quick to do.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Fifth Avenue Floral, Something to Celebrate
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White
Paper:  Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Pear Pizzazz, Shimmery White
Accessories:  Blossom Petals Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Perfect Polka Dots EF, White EP, Re-inkers, Aqua Brush

That's it for tonight.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you have enjoyed your visit.

Bonnie

Something Old

This week's One Layer Wednesday challenge is to use an old rubber stamp that hasn't seen ink in a while to make a thank you card.

The background and the berries are from the Oh, So Lovely set that was a hostess gift in 2007.  It was fun to get reacquainted with it.

The sentiment is also from an old hostess set, Kind and Caring Thoughts.

I used the colors from SCS Color Challenge.  This week's colors are Concord Crush, Crumb Cake and Ivory.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Oh, So Lovely, Kind & Caring Thoughts
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Concord Crush, SU Markers (Crumb Cake, Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz)
Paper:  Watercolor
Accessories:  Corner Rounder Punch, uni-ball  Signo white Gel Pen

I'm so glad you stopped by.  I'll be posting again later so be sure to check back.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Another CASE

The CAS challenge at SCS this week is an inspiration challenge.  This is the card we are to use for inspiration.  I hope you go take a look.  Maureen (aka mamamostamps) created a beautiful card.  It's a good thing I don't have that stamp set because I would have been so tempted to make it exactly like hers!

This is what I did.....

I flipped the layout on it's side to better fit these stamps and used different stamps and colors.  Instead of a  button, I used a pearl from the Pretties Kit and "painted" it black with my permanent marker.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Friends Never Fade, Elizabeth
Ink:  Basic Black, SU Markers (Poppy Parade, Basic Black)
Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories:  Poppy Parade Ribbon, Pearl

Thanks for stopping to visit.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

A Real Challenge

I  have been struggling with this card since Sunday!  The Less is More challenge this week is to use Acetate.  I was tempted to pass up this particular challenge, because I don't like working with this medium.  But I've been a LIMette (the name they've given us LIM groupies) since the first challenge and didn't want to break my record.  And challenges aren't supposed to be easy!

I didn't have much acetate and what little I had didn't last long with the first few tries.  This was the last teeny, tiny scrap!

Then I had a hard time photographing this card.  The butterfly was blurred in every picture I took.  I guess it's the reflection.  Anyway, I had to lay it down on the floor and stand directly over it to get a somewhat clear shot.  I think it's still a bit blurred.  It looks better IRL.

There's scoring around the butterfly window.  I don't know that you can see it in the picture.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Strength & Hope, Thoughts & Prayers
Ink:  Black StazOn
Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Acetate
Accessories:  Basic Pearls (colored with a black permanent marker)

We've had beautiful weather here in NC.  Maybe that's part of the reason that I am struggling with designs.  It's too nice to stay inside!

Thanks for stopping in to visit.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Same but Different

If you want to skip the blabbing, there are cards below.

We had an interesting weekend here.  Tornadoes were all around us.  At one point we heard that one had been spotted less than a mile from our daughter's new home.  We were all very blessed and had no damage.  Unfortunately there were a lot of other people in the area who were not as fortunate.  Our prayers are with them as they begin the clean up.  Those interviewed all speak of how thankful they are to be alive and that all their belongings can be replaced.  How uplifting to hear that over and over again!  It allows us to put things in the right perspective.

Before the bad weather I had a class and the ladies made five cards.  I had one card set left over and yesterday I decided to assemble them.  I decided to try to do them a little bit different.  Then this morning, when I was checking the challenges on SCS, I saw that the TLC challenge was The Same but Different.  This is Holly's explanation: 

They must use the same focal point, the same colors/papers, the same embellishments, punches, etc.…. Everything the same, except they need to be different (i.e. a different layout or a 3D item to coordinate…etc.). The only thing you can do differently is change the sentiment (IF the sentiment is not your focal point!). Remember, if you didn’t use it on one card, then you can’t use it on the other!


Actually I'm not sure this exactly fits the directions since I used different Embossing Folders and a punch on one but not the other.  Hopefully the CHallenge Police won't come for me!

This is the card we did in the class.

This is my Same but different.
I like the second one better, but that's probably because I've been looking at the first one for so long.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Just Believe, You're a Gem (card 1), Teeny, Tiny Wishes (card 2)
Ink:  SU Markers (Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, Always Artichoke)
Paper:  Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White
Accessories:  Big Shot, Framed Tulips EF (card 2), Wonderful Winge Embosslit, Square Lattice EF, Scallop Trim Corner Punch (card 1)
 
Thanks for your visits and comments.  I really appreciate all of them.
 
Enjoy your blessings!
 
Bonnie

Green and Pink, Never seen Ink

Green and pink, never seen ink is the theme for the One Layer Wednesday challenge hosted by Jennifer Styles this week.  We are to use green & pink on our cards and a stamp or stamps that have never been inked.

I have been wanting this Every Moment set since I saw it in the catalog last June.  I finally got it last week and it seemed perfect for this challenge.  Jennifer said we could use other colors too.  So I added a bit of Saffron overcolored with Daffodil Delight for the flower centers and the butterfly.  The petals are Pretty in Pink with a bit of Regal Rose over that.

I pulled out that little fern stamp from a retired set, Watercolor Minis, to add some foliage below the flowers.  There's a set in the Occasions Mini called Baby Blossoms that has a similar stamp.  If you want it, you better hurry though.  That catalog is only active until April 30.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Every Moment, Watercolor Minis
Ink:  Black StazOn, SU Markers (Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight)
Paper:  Whisper White
Accessories:  Corner Rounder

Thanks so much for the visit.  And I really enjoy the comments.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Nature, Nature

This is for the ColorQ challenge to use Kraft (or Crumb Cake), Cherry Cobbler, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango & White.

Here's my card.....

I had intended to send it over to the Friday Mashup challenge to have a popped up butterfly and I used the sketch from the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge.  Unfortunately I didn't get it finished & photographed in time to  make those deadlines.

This is a 5" x 7" card.  I used my "whacked embossing folder" twice to deboss the top third of the card.  The butterfly was stamped & colored with a SU Marker, smacked with VersaMark and embossed with clear EP.  I did some paper piercing along the scalloped edge of the Cherry piece.  It doesn't show up in the picture though.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, Nature Walk
Ink:  Old Olive (instead of Kiwi Kiss), Black StazOn, SU Markers (Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango)
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  Whacked EF, Scallop Border Punch, Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Clear EP

I've spent a lot of time the past couple of days holding and rocking Luke.  He's had a virus and I'm so glad he still likes to cuddle.  He'll be too big for that soon.  Hopefully he is on the mend and will be back to his regular chatty self tomorrow.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you come back soon.

Enjoy,

Bonnie

Counting Friends

This is a byproduct from my sentiment(al) journey the other night.  (The Less is More challenge was to do a one layer card with the focus on the sentiment.)  I really liked the design, but it was crying out for layers and the challenge required a one layer card.  I wasn't sure what to do with it so I looked through Bspinks gallery at Splitcoaststampers for inspiration.  Becky is the Featured Stamper at SCS this week.  This is the card I CASEd.

This is the card I ended up with.

When I was finished, I saw this little flower that I'd made a few weeks ago.  I think it really brings out the pink that is so subtle in the Rosemary.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Herb Expressions

Ink:  Early Expresso, SU Markers (Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride)

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride, Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Boho Blossom & Itty Bitty Shapes Punches, Basic Pearl

I got to go out with friends today and we went to a competitor's store.  It was so much fun and I got some really good ideas.  Unfortunately it didn't leave much time for stamping.  Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting.  Enjoy!

Bonnie

Another Try for Dad

I so appreciate all the comments about my cards for the Less is More challenge to focus on the sentiment.  That Father's Day card really didn't suit me and I'm so glad that I shared it anyway because I got so many good ideas from you.  These challenges are like classes. There is so much to be learned from sharing with others!

I had about 10 minutes in my card room today and I decided to do the Father's Day card over and see what I could come up with using some of your suggestions.

This is much better I think.  I don't have any dark beads and my SU markers don't color pearls so that the color doesn't rub off.  I did draw a frame on the edge and tried a little gold bead on the apostrophe.  Honestly, I'd take it off, but it's there to stay.  Good glue on that one!  I liked Susan's idea to score and decided to do the two scored lines at the bottom.  I think scoring around the sentiment would look great, but just didn't have the time to do that.

All in all, I think this is a better card.  Not great, but better.  Oh, and about those little pine boughs....My husband thinks if it has a duck or part of a tree on it, it's good to go.  Lol, unfortunately, it's not always good for the rest of us.

I still like the Birthday card better, but I have another Father's Day card done for this year.

Thanks for stopping by and all the comments.  I do appreciate it.

Enjoy,

Bonnie

SENTIMENTtal Journey

This week's Less is More challenge is to use the sentiment as the focus of a one layer card.  It took a couple of tries, but I finally got there.  This was my first try.

As I was adding my watermark, I thought maybe it needed a frame around the sentiment.  It just looked kind of boring.  So I took it to my table and worked on it.  Totally ruined it! Grrrh!

So I started over with a different sentiment and this is what I came up with this go round....

Now this was a lot more fun!

This card works for the CAS challenge this week on SCS which is an inspiration challenge.  Here is the inspiration picture.

Don't you just love those bright colors?

Sometimes the  journey is round about and doesn't end up where we envisioned.  But then sometimes the detours and the final destination are better than what we anticipated in the first place!  I love it when that happens!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Bring on the Cake, Crazy for Cupcakes
Ink:  Black StazOn, SU Markers (Brights & Subtles)
Paper:  Whisper White
Accessories:  Corner Rounder

Thanks for stopping in to visit and for the lovely comments you leave. 

Enjoy the journey!

Bonnie

Spring is Blossoming

You may remember that last week I posted a special pre-order that Stampin' Up! is offering our customers.   Go here to see the special.

Here is something I came up with using the Four Frames Stamp Set and a piece of the Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper from this special.  After this month, they won't be available until July 1.

These colors were perfect for the Stampin' B's challenge this week.  My friend Brenda, aka Benzi, is the hostess and she called for Navy & Green.  To make things more difficult interesting, she said to add at least one of the following; dots, stripes or plaid.

As you can see, I embossed the card with Polka Dots.  I know, it's not very masculine, but I think it works here.  And the layers framing the decorative paper make stripes.  Sorry Benzi, no plaid here.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Four Frames
Ink:  SU Markers (Always Artichoke, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip)
Paper:  Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Not Quite Navy, Paisley Petals DSP
Accessories:  Decorative Label Punch, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF

I'm so glad you stopped by and I appreciate all the comments! You guys make me smile!

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Sneak Peak

The One Layer Wednesday challenge this week is to do a Sympathy Card.  The challenge part is that we can't use a tree or flower.  The majority of my stamps are flowers with some trees thrown in!  And of course it has to be on a One Layer Card; defined as one piece of cardstock folded in half.  No layers.

I had just pre-ordered this set that will be in the Summer Mini catalog so it was sitting right on top.  That butterfly was just staring at me and I had to see what it could do.

I stamped it in VersaMark and heat embossed it with black embossing powder.  Then I layed a template of the large oval from the oval die and traced the oval with a black SU Marker.

Then I laid the oval cut from the template over the traced oval and sponged Crumb Cake ink all around.  It looked kind of flat so I went back and added a bit of Cherry Cobbler sponging too.

Then I did this one

I had bought this Cuttlebug Embossing Folder a while back and finally got around to using it.  The non SU stuff seems to take a back burner.  I used the same technique for the butterfly and then sponged a some Baja Breeze around the butterfly and on the edges of the card too.

Those butterflies were just begging for some bling.  At first I though no because these are for a somber occassion.  Then I thought that in expressing sympathy, we are also celebrating the life of the person who has been taken from us.  So each got one (tasteful, I hope) little stone.

I'm not sure which one I like the best. 

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Strength & Hope, Beautiful Borders (retired), Teeny, Tiny Wishes
Ink:  VersaMark, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze
Paper:  Whisper White
Accessories:  Big Shot, EF, Basic Rhinestones

By the way, the Summer Mini goes live on May 1.  This set, Strength & Hope has 3 more stamps, and best of all, $2.00 from the purchase of this set will be sent to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  I can't wait to get my pink out with this set!

I'm so glad you stopped by today. Enjoy!

Bonnie

Sweet Elizabeth

Today's card uses the colors from the Color Q challenge, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Black & White.

I can do pretty well with 2 colors and a neutral, but sometimes that 3rd color really stumps me.  This time it was the Bermuda Bay.  I kind of mulled it over for a couple of days and couldn't really decide on what I wanted to try.   When I opened the stamp drawer to see if something would jump out at me, I saw the little Elizabeth stamp and an idea was born.

I stamped the image with Black StazOn then colored it with my SU Markers.  Like I said, the Bermuda Bay was stumping me, then I tried coloring the edge of the oval with it, and wow, I really liked what it added.  Trouble is that in coloring the image, I covered up most of the black.

I stamped the image a second time so I could cut out the oval and pop it up with the sentiment.

I used simple mats of Melon Mambo and Basic Black.  I would have made it a one layer card, but I stamped it off center.  I think the layers worked well with it though.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Elizabeth, Because I Care

Ink:  Black StazOn, SU markers (Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay)

Paper:  Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Basic Black

Accessories:  Stampin' Dimensionals

I'm so glad you stopped by today.  Enjoy!

Bonnie

Poppy Friends

Today's card is for the Color Challenge at SCS.  It's called Breezy Parade of Pears.  Translation; use Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz, and for dessert, use seam binding on your card.

You can see that I went big on the POPPY!

I'm trying to use all the stamps in the Just Believe set.  There are a lot of stamps there!

I pulled a thread in the middle of the Baja Breeze Seam Binding to gather it up.  I like the ruffly look!

I stamped the leaf image with VersaMark to make my own background.  At Stampin' B's the challenge is to stamp your background; no designer paper.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Just Believe
Ink:  VersaMark, Su Markers (Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black)
Paper: Poppy Parade, Whisper White
Accessories:  Scallop Trim Border Punch, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Stylus

Thanks for coming to visit.  And I so appreciate all the comments!  Enjoy!

Bonnie

Four Seasons

Four cards, four challenges.  I hope this won't be too long for you.

Yesterday's Featured Stamper challenge on SCS was Irene aka DandI93.  I really enjoyed browsing through her gallery and chose these cards as my inspiration.

I kept the layout, used different stamps,  but with the same theme, used different sentiments, added a border around the design and used some different colors.

Keeping with the theme, here is Spring

The CAS challenge today is a color challenge; Light Aqua (Baja Breeze), Light Yellow (So Saffron), & White with an option of coloring something with a bright color.  The bird is colored with Marina Mist.  It's brighter, but not as bright as I would like.

For the Fall card, I used the colors from Color Lab, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive & Chocolate Chip.

And for the winter card, I used the Inkspirations colors; Poppy Parade, More Mustard, Cajun Craze & Very Vanilla.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  A Flower for All Seasons, Sanded, Various Sentiments
Ink:  Black StazOn, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Poppy Parade, LU Markers
Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Poppy  Parade, Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Accessories:  Blender Pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Thands for stopping in today.
Enjoy!

Bonnie

Home Tweet Home

I have been working on the Stamp Stack, but had to take a little time out to put this together and share it with you.

I used this sketch from SCS, turned on it's side.  Tip your head to the right and you can see it.

The Free 4 All challenge, also on SCS, is to do a card with a home in it.  This little bird calls this cage home.  I'd like to think that the door is open so he can come and go at will.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Nature Walk, Silhouette Sentiments, French Script

Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy, SU Markers (Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray, Night of Navy)

Paper:  Night of Navy, Botanical Gazette DSP, Naturals White

Accessories:  Ticket Corner Punch, Mat Pack, Clear Rhinestone Brad

Back to cutting out card elements.

I'm so glad you stopped by.  I really appreciate all the sweet comments some of you have been leaving.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

A Touch of Red

I'm a bad girl!  I should be working on my Stamp a Stack that's next weekend but I've been playing instead.  I just had to check in at the Less is More Challenge blog this morning to see what the new challenge was.  Then I just had to make a card for it.  And since the card is made, I really needed to post it.

The challenge is a Touch of Red.

I had this set that had never seen ink.  I even had to take the time to mount it.  I could just see it with some red painted in.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Always Elegant
Ink:  Basic Black, SU Markers (Real Red, Wild Wasabi)
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories:  Corner Rounder

Now I really have to get to work.

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy!

Bonnie

Spring is Blossoming Special

Spring is Blossoming Promotion details:  Spring is Blossoming with Sneak Peek products from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.

From April 1 - 30th, you can get these brand-new products by purchasing $20 in Stampin’ Up! products…then you are eligible to purchase both the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.


Or host a $350.00 workshop and get both the stamps and paper free!

The stamps are perfect for the Decorative Label Punch!

Remember, these are available until April 30th. Then they won't be available again until July 1.

May I add, these papers are gorgeous. I had to break my vow not to buy any more decorative paper. This paper is beautiful!

I'm glad you stopped by. No card to post today. Got to get ready for that Stamp Stack.  But that new paper is beckoning.  Maybe I can get a quick card in.

Bonnie