Eleanor's Thinking of You

Here's a card that I did for a Color Challenge quite a while back and never got posted.  It's been sitting here on my desk and I've been enjoying it.  I thought it was about time that I shared it with you.

The colors were Pink Pirouette, Raspberry Ripple and Crumb Cake.


I stamped the flourish with Crumb Cake at an angle, stamped the label in Crumb Cake and fussy cut it out, stamped the flower in Raspberry Ripple, painted it with a Pink Pirouette marker and fussy cut that out too.


The label is mounted on dimensionals and the sentiment is stamped in Whisper White.


So quick and easy. 


I grabbed the wrong punch.  I meant to round the corners but used the ticket corner punch instead.  I don't know that I'd seen a card with the main corners punched like this, but I couldn't put it back.  At least there's not a big smear across the front of the card.


I'm really liking this set.


All supplies are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Everything Eleanor, Thoughts and Prayers
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White, SU Marker (Pink Pirouette)
Paper:  Whisper White
Other:  Basic Pearl


I'm glad you stopped by.  Your visits make me happy.


Enjoy!

Embossing Challenge

I've found a new challenge put on by an Online Magazine at EMBELLISHMAGAZINE.COM.

The challenge this time is

I thought these colors looked like Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Primrose Petals and Wild Wasabi.

In case you hadn't noticed, I love dry embossing.  This challenge was right up my alley.

All Supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Nature Walk

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, SU Markers (Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Primrose Petals, Wild Wasabi)

Paper:  Whisper White, Primrose Petals

Other:  Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Ticket Corner Punch

If you want to join in, this challenge is open until August 2nd.  I love these 2 week challenges.

I'm really glad you stopped by.

Enjoy!

Last Chance for Merry Monday with a Twist

Here's one last card for Merry Monday with a Twist.

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When I got this Mixed Bunch set, I knew I wanted to ink this stamp with markers.  It made me think of a Nordic sweater.  Having a punch that's made for this stamp helps a lot.  I punched 2 blossoms from the Raspberry Ripple to put behind the stamped one.


This package of new Christmas Snow Festival paper has some sheets with strips that went right along with the knitted scheme.  This paper is in the new Holiday Mini catalog.


I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of Whisper White and turned my Decorative Label punch over, slipped the ends of the stamped piece in from the top and punched to get the ends rounded. It took a little nick from one side so I took my paper snips and cut some more.  Then I inked the edges with my Raspberry Ripple marker.  I can't remember where that stamp came from.  In fact, I can't remember where I put that stamp.  I've looked all over and under my stamps and can't find it.  I organized my sentiment stamps the other day.  Maybe that was a mistake.

Sunday morning is the deadline for this challenge.  Here's a recap in case you missed it.

Merry Monday Sketch with a Twist!

This month is going to be a bit different for the Merry Monday Challenge!!!  I have decided to shut down my computer for a bit and to take a blogging vacation. I still want to encourage you to make 4 Christmas cards this month, so I am challenging you to use any of the past Merry Monday Sketches and create 4 cards this month. 

1. Link up one per week OR MORE IF YOU WOULD LIKE!
2. The linky will close on Sunday, July 29th at Noon.
3. At the end of the month, I will choose 4 winners who will be Guest Designers at a future date.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted


Stamps:  Mixed Bunch
Ink:  Raspberry Ripple, SU Markers (Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green)
Paper:  Gumball Green, Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White
Other:  Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Blossom Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Vintage Brad (non SU)


Thanks so much for stopping by.


Enjoy!

Watercolor Splotches Tutorial

Last week I posted this card that was inspired by this card in the Stampin' Success magazine. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration Aimee.  I  had so many wonderful comments and several requests for a "how to".   So here goes.  It took several tries to get some decent pictures and a decent outcome.  Here's the finished card.  Read on for the tutorial.

Watercolor Splotches Card

All supplies used are Stampin' Up!

Supplies for design:  
  Paper:  Shimmery White, Basic Black
  Ink:   3 colors of Re-inker
           Jet Black StazOn
  Stamps:  Papillon Potpourri, You're a Gem (retired)
 Other:  Aqua Painter, Palette (non SU) (You can use a plastic lid if you don't have a palette.),

1.  Squeeze a drop of each of 3 colors of re-inker on a palette.  I used Pool Party, Daffodil Delight and Island Indigo.

2.  With an Aqua Painter, squeeze 1 drop of water in each drop of re-inker.

3. Wet paper (5" x 3 1/4") with the Aqua Painter.  You want it wet but not puddled.  You don't have to do the entire sheet.  Only do the area you want colored.

4.  Paper is wet.  Notice that there are some little drips.  If it's too puddled, gently mop up some of the excess.

5.  With a wet but not drippy Aqua Painter, pick up some of the lightest color.

6.  Paint the color on the wet card surface.  Keep adding color until you like the results.
     Clean brush on a paper towel.

7.  Add the second color in the same manner, overlapping and blending the colors.
     Clean brush on a paper towel.

8.  Add third color and blend with the middle color.

9.  Dry with a heat tool.

10.  When dry, stamp with StazOn ink.

11.  Ready to put on a card.  But wait, it needs something else.

12.  I went back and added some more Pool Party and Island Indigo.  Much better.

I matted the design on a 5 1/8" x 3 7/8" piece of Basic Black then mounted all that on a piece of cardboard from the DSP cut in a tent fold.

Added some Basic Pearls, colored with my black Sharpie, to the butterfly and some Basic Rhinestones on the watercolor.

I've experimented with some other colors, but I didn't like any of them as much as this trio.  I'm going to keep trying and do some different "moves" with the water and color. 


I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and will give it a try.  Be sure to let me know if you do so I can see.


I'm so glad you stopped by!  Come back soon!


Enjoy!

Strawberry Stash

This quick little card fits 3 challenges.

At Shopping Our Stash the challenge is to use something you haven't used before!  Maybe it will be the new paper you just had to have, or a stamp that hasn't been inked yet!  Maybe you found some fabby bling or a new color ink pad! 

I've had this unopened package of fabric and puffy strawberries for about 4 years.  I wonder how long it will take me to use the other 6 in the package!

The CAS-ology Challenge #3

And the Sketch Challenge at Splitcoaststampers

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Something to Celebrate
Ink:  Wild Wasabi
Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red
Other:  Strawberry sticker (MS), Cuttlebug & Sizzix EF

Jack is toddling all over the place now.

And he gets so full of himself!

Thanks for stopping by.


Enjoy!

CAS-ual Fridays Black Base

Here's a card for the  CAS-ual Fridays challenge last week. 

CFC62:  Create a Clean And Simple card using a black card base

I found the image in my UFO box and thought it would be a good fit.  LOL, I think I could have started from scratch and finished sooner.  I've used this beautiful silhouette tree for lots of sympathy cards but I didn't need any for my stash.  So I had to think out of the usual box.  That seems to be harder to do with each birthday!  I hear exercising the brain will help to hold of the Oldtimers Disease so I don't mind stretching.  Besides, I had some of my favorite stamping friends around to help me with ideas.

I used my Itty Bitty Punches and a scrap of Melon Mambo to add some color to the tree. Then I used my burnishing tool (pilfered from DH's stash of tools) on the little flowers.  After rubbing them on the piercing mat, I picked them into 2 layers so they wouldn't be so bulky. Tiny pearls dress up the centers.

I dug way back for the sentiment.  It's from a long retired Stampin' Up! set called Autumn Leaf Prints.  I still use those leaves every Fall and I love the two little sentiments with that set.

I scored a frame around the design area from the inside of the card with my Simply Scored.  Lines were scored at 1/4" from the edge and 1/8" inside of that.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Thoughts and Prayers, Autumn Leaf Prints (retired)

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn

Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Melon Mambo scrap

Other:  Simply Scored, Basic Pearls, Whisper White 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

We finally got some much needed rain.  We had some heavy thunder and lightening with it.  The lights flickered several times, but we still have our power.  Thankful for that too.

I'm so glad you stopped by.  I hope you come back soon.

Enjoy!

Smiling

I can't believe I've actually got a card made only hours after seeing a challenge.  Jack had to go to the Dr. this morning (he's fine) and it gave me a few extra minutes.


When I saw this card by Darsie that is the inspiration sketch for the CAS challenge at SCS today, I just had to play.  It was an itch that just had to be scratched.  And it didn't take long either.

I used the colors from the Dynamic Duo challenge this week and left off the dessert...

This beautiful flower is from the stamp set Reason to Smile and Stampin' Up! is offering it for $5.00 this month with a $50.00 order.  If you click on the Reason to Smile picture on my sidebar, it'll take you to where you can order.  After this month, it will be gone. 

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Reason to Smile, Happiness Shared (retired)

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, SU Markers (Poppy Parade, River Rock)

Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black

Other:  Linen Thread

I'm working on a tutorial for the watercolor splotches that I did last week.  You can see that card here.  I'm hoping to have it up by the end of the week.


Thanks so much for stopping by.


Enjoy!

Merry Monday Ho! Ho! Ho!

It's time for Merry Monday again.  For the month of July we're making cards using our favorite past sketch.  Here's this week's card.

Here's the sketch I'm using this month.

It's really exciting to see all the cards in the Merry Monday gallery.  They continue to WOW me!

Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team cards too

                  Lesley Croghan (on vacation)

LeAnne Pugliese

Nina Forsyth

Wendy Aungst
Narelle Farrugia
             Bonnie Klass  (that's me)

I'm going to share it with the Jingle Belles too.  They're challenge is to use

either red (or) green....but not both

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Santa (non SU), Jolly Jingles Wheel (whacked and retired)

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, SU Marker (Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink)

Paper:  Real Red, DSP, Whisper White, Basic Black

Other:  Dazzling Details, Corner Rounder Punch, Big Shot, Petals A-plenty & Northern Flurry (retired), EF

I'm so glad you stopped by.  I hope you'll go over to Always Playing with Paper and check out the Merry Monday cards.

Enjoy!

Looking Up

Just imagine that we're flying and look down.  The ground is white with snow and flakes are still falling.  Then, what's that?  Is it a weird penguin? Nah, it's a big ole snowman looking up at us.  Or is it a snowgal?

Either way, I'm not telling you how long I fiddled with this card.  I started to give it up a few times, but kept going back.  When I saw this sketch from Freshly Made Sketches, I thought of this snowman.

He/she isn't an original.  I've seen variations of the snowman from above in galleries.

The circles are die cut with Nesties and the edges sponged with Baja Breeze.  The arms were cut with the Little Leaves Sizzlit and the leaves removed. The nose was cut freehand, several times I might add.  They kept disappearing.  Of course when I got one glued on, the all showed up!  The eyes were punched from an old fashioned, generic, paper punch.  I used a little white gel pen on them and penciled in the mouth.

The hat was a real challenge and I tried so many things that I'm not sure I know what I did.  I think I punched a circle then cut around it until it looked OK to me.  The pompom is 2 itty, bitty snowflakes from a punch I found in the Dollar Store ages ago.

The snow banks were cut with the Adorning Accents Edgelits and embossed with the matching embossing folder.  I just laid it randomly before cranking it through.  The background is some dotted vellum that I found in my vellum folder.  Glad I found it, cause it worked perfectly.

I'm glad he's done and I hope he makes you smile.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  More Merry messages

Ink:  Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze

Paper:  Baja  Breeze, Whisper White, Dotted Vellum (non SU), scraps of Poppy Parade, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango and Basic Black

Other:  Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelit, Adorning Accents EF, Circle Dies (Spellbinder), Paper Punch (non SU), Snowflake Punch (non SU), Poppy Parade ribbon (retired), Decorative Label Punch

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you'll come back soon.

Enjoy!!

Fabulous Baby Wipes

I'm really pushing the limits on challenges this week.  I think I can get this in if I don't do much chatting.

The SUO challenge was to do a special thank you card.  That's the challenge I'm a donkey's tail on.  I'm so glad I could get to the stamp room this evening and get this done. Thank you ladies for this challenge and for giving us 2 weeks to get it done as well as wonderful inspiration.

I used the colors from the Play Date Cafe.

Aren't they sweet colors?

I used the Baby Wipe technique to ink the flower and stem.  You may have to log in to Splitcoaststampers to see the tutorial.  It's easy to sign up if you're not already and well worth the little bit of time it takes to do it.  It's a free sight too.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Fabulous Florets, Teeny, Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Wild Wasabi, Re-inkers (So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Blushing Bride, Cameo Coral)

Paper:  Whisper White, Cameo Coral (retired)

Other:  Baby Wipes, Big Shot, Argyle EF, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Basic Pearls

Did I tell you that Jack is walking now?  He get so tickled with himself.  I've tried to get a picture but he's not still long enough to get a good shot.  I'll catch him yet and show him off.

I hope you have a great weekend and get some time to stamp.  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Enjoy!

Another name for Butterfly is Papillon

I'm just under the wire on a couple of challenges.  But I think I'm going to make it if I type fast.

Play Date Cafe had some beautiful colors last week.  The challenge will close in a few hours and I'm so glad I got this in.  I haven't played with them in so long.  I always intend to, but somehow don't quite get to it.  I'm so glad I got to use these beautiful colors.

I used Pool Party, Island Indigo and Daffodil Delight.

The Less is More challenge is a One Layer Card week and the theme is

Three of anything that is, three colours, three images, three stamps, three words, the number three....it's up to you, but don't forget the white space, a simple design and just one layer!

I used three colors of ink for the splotches.  Oops, I'll bet this will be thrown out because of the black. Is black a color?  Probably, but it's not a spotch!  I guess I could say that I used 3 large rhinestones.  But that may be stretching it a bit.


The One Layer Wednesday challenge was over at Simplicity last week.


This week's OLW is to make a birthday card with LOTS of bling.  Your bling may be rhinestones or glitter or other shiny things!


For me this is a lot of bling with 3 large rhinestones and 4 small.


And last but not least is the CASology challenge.  This is the second week of this challenge.

Do you see my happy?  I'm so happy that I'm going to get these all in under the wire.  I've had the idea brewing for a couple of days and sometimes the ideas and creating time don't necessarily come together. 


All supplies are Stampin' Up!


Card Recipe
Stamps:  Papillon Potpourri, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, Re-inkers (Pool Party, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight)
Paper:  Shimmery White
Other:  Aqua Painter, Basic Rhinestones, Corner Rounder Punch

Now to get over to the Play Date Cafe before they close the door. 


Thanks so much for stopping by.  


Enjoy!

Freshly Made Sketches Addicted to Blue

I'm just under the wire for the Freshly Made Sketch this week.  At least I hope I'll have this posted before the gong sounds.

I was stamping with friends in Roanoke Rapids Saturday and got this done.  I can't take everything when I go.  It would take a moving van, LOL.  So I had limited supplies.  That was a challenge, but a fun one


Yesterday was so busy that I didn't get a chance to post it.  I see that the big butterfly doesn't show up as a flutterer.  His wings are a bit raised.  I was hurrying too much to take the photo.


Here's the sketch...

I see that there's almost 100 entries! Wow, what a lot of inspiration there.

Addicted to Stamps latest challenge is Addicted to Blue.  We are to create something that is BLUE.

When I went to Addicted to Stamps to get the link, I saw that my Christmas is July card won as the 

Wow, that's exciting!  Now I have a badge to prove that I'm addicted!

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe

Stamps: Kindness Matters

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, SU Markers (Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, Sahara Sand)

Paper:  Whisper White, Pacific Point

Other:  Blender Pen, Big Shot, Argyle EF

Today is my birthday and we celebrated yesterday with our daughters.  They bought me a Kindle.  I never thought I wanted one, but I can see lots of possibilities that it will open up.  Especially since the CD player in my car is being fickle and doesn't always want to work.  If it dies completely I'll have a means to listen to my audiobooks.  And I can read some of Ken Follet's heavy novels without straining my wrist.  Do you have a Kindle or Nook?  How do you like it?

I'm so glad you could join me today.  I'll be stopping in to see you if you leave a comment.

Enjoy!