Dynamic Duos for Gail

 It's been a busy few days but I did manage to get some cards made.  I think it takes longer to get the photos and editing done than the cards!  Here's a couple that I did this week.

I keep seeing Soft Suede these days and I've gotta say that  I'm liking it more and more.  It's a good thing since the Dynamic Duos challenge this week is....

And the CAS challenge at SCS this week is  

Clean and Simple Featured Player Challenge 

mamaxsix 

I've been a fan of Gails for a while now and I enjoyed the excuse to CASE one of her beautiful creations.  This is the card I chose.

I stamped the Medallion a couple of times.  Here's what came of the second try.

The Technique Lover's Challenge, also at SCS, this week is

Play with Balance

use a stamp, image, diecut, etc. too big and one too small to create a perfectly scaled design!!!

I used a sentiment from the Teeny, Tiny Wishes for the too small and the Medallion for the too big.  I'm not sure of the outcome.  It may be a bit too CAS even for me.  

I stamped the Medallion in Crumb Cake first and then overstamped the flourish from Everything Eleanor in Soft Suede.  Rhinestones were colored with a marker and placed randomly to add a little more balance?  There are rhinestones on the first card too.  They don't show up well in the photo though.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Medallion (retired), Everything Eleanor, Close as a Memory (retired), Teeny, Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede

Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White (card 1), Whisper White, Soft Suede (card 2)

Other:  Basic Rhinestones, Corner Rounder Punch (card 1)

I have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of love in your comments and CASEing of my cards both here and at Splitcoaststampers since I was named as Featured Stamper.  Words just can't express how it has warmed my heart!  A big inky hug and thanks to all of you.

And thanks for stopping in today.

Enjoy!

Merry Monday Vixen

Merry Monday this week has a Tic Tac Toe challenge...

I chose Dry Embossing, Colour with Markers, and Red and Green.  Or I could say Clean and Simple, Colour with Markers and White since there's lots of white.  See what you think.

I found this stamp on sale just before Christmas and just couldn't resist spending the $2.00.

I had bought some Copic Markers a while back after seeing so many beautifully colored images done with them. I finally took them out to try and I had so much fun!  I found inspiration for coloring this image by Jenny Group.  (Have you ever bought a stamp that you loved but then had no idea what to do with it?  This was one of those stamps for me.)

I'm a long way from doing large images, but I'm not scared of the markers anymore.  In fact I can't wait to try some more!

Sarn is having her first Rudolph Day Challenge of 2013.  We have until the last day of the month to submit one festive Christmas entry.  I think I'll go over and join that party too since Vixen is dressed so festively!

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Vixen (Hampton Art)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Paper:  Whisper Whtie, Real Red

Other:  Square Lattice EF, Shiny Stickers (Starform)

I've seen what the other designers have done  for Merry Monday and I think you'll enjoy checking out their cards.

Lesley Croghan
Allisa Chilton
LeAnne Pugliese

Nina Forsyth

Wendy Aungst

Narelle Farrugia

Sue Joyce

Sherry Eckblad

Margaret Moody 

Vicki Burdick

Now, don't you want to get a head start on those Christmas cards? 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Enjoy!

So Excited

I have some news that I've been wanting to share with you all day.  But then we had a date to celebrate dear Emmy's birthday and I'm just now where I can tell you.

I was named as the Featured Stamper at Splitcoaststampers today!  Can you hear my feet dancing?

I have been looking at all the beautiful cards in the gallery and I'm so humbled and awed! So many beautiful creations there!

So this has been a banner day surrounded with my family and my stamping sisters!

I'm so glad I could share this with you.

Enjoy!

Yellow Delight

There's a new challenge out there that is in it's first week.  It's called MUSE. 

Pop on over there and see what it's all about.  It's late and I want to get this card in to the challenge site so I'm not going to go into all the details but it's a little different and sounds like lots of fun.

Here is the card that was the Muse for this week.

When I saw this beautiful creation, I had to play along.  I love all the white space and the sunny yellow is so cheery.  

I'm going to send it over to Seize the Birthday too.  Here's Lesley's sketch for the week and it's to be a girly card.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Petite Pairs

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, DSP

Other:  Labels Colllection Framelits, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Daisy Sticker (MS)

By the time you see this, it'll probably be too late to participate in the Muse challenge this week.  You can always check it out next week though.

Thanks for the visit.

Enjoy!

A Heart with Love

I fell in love with this openwork heart when I saw it here on Marybeth's blog.  Marybeth does beautiful work and it's always a treat to visit her blog.  She made it easy with a link to the source.  LOL, I shouldn't have clicked on that link but I'm glad I did.

I did have a bit of trouble getting all this to cut.  I had to add some card stock to the cutting pads.  The wax paper I used between the die and the paper came out beautifully. LOL, you may be seeing that on a card!

Here's a closer look.

I cut out 2 hearts.  I intended to cut 3 but changed my mind after getting all the pieces picked out.  If you know a special trick to this, please let me know.

Challenges

Paper Players where I couldn't resist this CAS sketch by Jaydee.

Technique Challenge at SCS which is Focus on the Dies.

Our technique today is to use your die cuts, and make them the focal point of your project: Minimal stamping -- use only a sentiment or small stamp for a background if desired. In other words, the main focal point should be a die cut, not a stamped image.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  I {Love} Love Jumbo Wheel (whacked up and retired)

Ink:  Melon Mambo

Paper:  Whisper White, Melon Mambo

Other:  Open Heart & Solid Heart Die (Serendipity Stamps), Square Lattice EF, Basic Pearls

I'd better run.  Paper Players is about to close down the party for this week.

I'm so glad you stopped by.  And I so appreciate all your kind comments.

Enjoy!

Bloomin' Marvelous

It's time to Sale-a-brate!  I love getting freebies.  Don't you?

This card uses one of the Sale-a-bration sets, Bloomin' Marvelous.  I love all four of the little designs.  And it has 4 really nice sentiment too.

Challenges:

Addicted to Stamps is having a CAS challenge this week.  You may create any project you like but it MUST be CAS!

Less is More is asking for cards with the theme of FRIENDS.  I think this is a wonderful sentiment for a friend.

CAS at Splitcoaststampers has a lovely sketch challenge this week.

The Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers is having a Soft Calypso Party this week.  The dessert option is to use these non traditional colors for a Valentine.  I've pierced a heart around the sentiment.  So I guess this could be used for a Valentine.

Soft Suede, Calypso Coral, Pool Party

Still addInktive is a new challenge site.  They have a challenge every other week and on the alternating weeks feature a Stampin' Up! set that we can link up with.  This week they are featuring the Stampin' Up! ® Stamp Sets, Patterned Occasions, Pretty Petites and Bloomin' Marvelous.  You can add up to 3 entries and the lovely ladies at still addInktive are offering some wonderful shaped card templates for our entries.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Bloomin' Marvelouse (SAB)

Ink:  Soft Suede, Calypso Coral, Pool Party

Paper:  Whisper White, Calypso Coral

Other:  Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelits, Adorning Accents EF, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Basic Pearls

This card was quick and easy!  Having the stamp set narrowed down and the colors and sketch given, it's not too confusing.  Usually all these challenges roll around in my head until I'm totally confused!  It was fun to play.  Now back to work.

I'm so glad you stopped by.  Leave a note so I'll know to return the visit.

Enjoy!

Long and Short

The challenge at CAS-ual Fridays last week was...

CFC86: Create a CAS card that has one long side and one short side.

3 x 6, 4 x 8, etc. No standard A2's for this week.

Here's my card for this challenge

This card measures 3 1/4" x 6 1/4" and uses one of my very favorite stamp sets.

The image was inked with markers and stamped several times without reinking.  

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Nature Walk, Perfectly Penned

Ink:  Concord Crush (retired), SU Markers (Wisteria Wonder, Always Artichoke)

Paper:  Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush, Whisper White

Other:  Concord Crush ribbon

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Enjoy!

Seize the Birthday Masculine

 Here's another card using a  stamped piece from my UFO (UnFinished Objects) box.  I think I could create cards for months from this box alone! 

 The boat was stamped with a borrowed stamp and I kept the card nearly monochromatic.  I did add a tiny bit of Cherry Cobbler.

Challenge:

Seize the Birthday  Here's the sketch.  It's the same sketch as last week but this week we're to use it for a masculine card.

Friday Mashup

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with a "Birthday Theme".
2. Or Make a project using "Brads".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Birthday project with some brads".

I didn't put any brad as I will probably be mailing this.  

BTW, did you know that postage is going up another penny next week? 

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps: Boat (PSX), Teeny, Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler (SU Markers Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler)

Paper:  Naturals White, Midnight Muse

Other:  Labels #3 Nesties (Spellbinder), Color Spritzer Tool

I'm so glad you could stop by.

Enjoy!

Sketch and Color

A second post today.  There's a challenge that I want to catch before the door closes.

Here's the card....

It fits two challenges.

CAS(E) this sketch.  Here's the sketch...

and

Dynamic Duos

There used to be only a couple challenges for CAS cards.  Now there are so many that I have trouble keeping up with them.  It's nice to have a variety to choose from though.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Short & Sweet (retired)

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn

Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red

Other:  Fancy Fan EF, Fashionable Hearts Embosslit, Basic Rhinestone

Thanks so much for your visit and the comments.

Enjoy!

Merry Monday Little Chickadee

It's week 3 of the month and the Merry Monday challenge this week is a theme challenge.

Isn't this great fun to have a different challenge each week?

Another stamped image from my UFO (UnFinished Objects) box.  I colored it with SU Markers and die cut it with the largest oval from the Bigz Oval die, now retired.  I had this piece of embossing done too and it was a perfect fit.

I can go play at Pixie's Snippets with this.  The image I guess can be called a snippet. Even if not, that chickadee will love a trip to the Playground. The red banner was definitely a snippet.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Beautiful Season

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, SU Markers ( Basic Black, Basic Gray, Peach Pizzazz, Garden Green, Handsome Hunter, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler)

Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red

Other:  Holiday Frame EF (retired), Ovals Bigz Die (retired)

I hope you'll create a Christmas card with a bird theme and hop on over to Merry Monday to share it with us.  Even so, check out the other designers cards and the gallery.

Lesley Croghan
Allisa Chilton
Bonnie Klass (me)

LeAnne Pugliese

Nina Forsyth

Wendy Aungst

Narelle Farrugia

Sue Joyce

Sherry Eckblad

Margaret Moody 

Vicki Burdick

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Enjoy!

Snow

Here's another card for the Merry Monday challenge this week.  I had this stamped snowman in the UFO (UnFinishedObjects) box.  I love the way he fit in this sketch.

We had some SNOW last night!  I was so excited!  I turned on the floodlights and watched it through the bay window. How pretty.  There was a little on the ground this morning but it's melting fast. Not enough for a snowman for sure.  But that's OK.  I'm just so happy to see it falling.

Here's Lesley's wonderful sketch.

The Free 4 All challenge at SCS this morning is to use flags or banners on a card.  Got that covered.

I can add this card to the SCS Fan Club's January Christmas Challenge, Christmas Wedding. The snowman stamp is old,  the snowflakes from the Snow Swirled set are new (a Christmas present), and there's lots of blue.  Nothing borrowed on this one.   I know you have to be a Fan Club member to post on this challenge, but I think you can peek in the gallery even if you aren't.

I used some of the Illuminate Watermark ink with the Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp.  It ended up making the snowman look splotchy.  LOL, kinda looks like the birds have been around too long! But it has a shimmery snowflakes.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Snow Much Fun, Snow Swirled, More Merry Messages, Itty, Bitty Backgrounds (retired)

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, Pool Party, Island Indigo, SU Markers (Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Island Indigo)

Paper:  Pool Party, Whisper White, Island Indigo

Other: Illuminate Watermark Stampin' Pad, Square Jeweled Brad (retired), Kars Snowflake EF (Cuttlebug)

There's still time to make a Christmas card and link it up at Merry Monday.  You have until Sunday noon to join in.

Glad you could stop by!  And thanks so much when you leave a comment.  I really enjoy them!

Enjoy!

Riding High

Less than a week now til Sale-a-bration.  Here's something from one of the sets that will be available.

Can you imagine getting on one of these things?  Or falling off?

I used the layout from retrosketches #46.  I flipped it so I could use this image.

I'm going back to the Paper Players challenge with this card.  I hope they don't mind my coming by twice?  I love these colors that Anne Marie chose!

I think I'll send this one to my Dad.  He always loved antiques.  And I sure miss him.

This image is so easy.  All I did was stamp it and use the blender pen with a bit of Basic Gray ink to ground the bicycle.


The stamp comes from one of the Sale-a-bration sets, Feeling Sentimental.  It will be free with a $50.00 Stampin' Up! purchase from January 22 - March 22.  There's 2 other stamps in this set too and several other stamp sets and accessories to choose from.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Feeling Sentimental, Sanded Background (retired), Three Little Words (retired)

Ink:  Basic Gray, Pacific Point

Paper:  Whisper White, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight

Other:  Small Oval Punch (retired), Blender Pen

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Enjoy!

Flowers for Fab Friday

There are so many challenge blogs out there and I've kind of developed an addiction to challenges.  Even though I can't play in many off them, I still have to peek and hope to find time to play with some of my favorites.  Most of the time I do play along with them....in my head, but don't always get it to paper. 

I found a new challenge a few weeks ago.  It's called Fab Friday.   I don't think I'd ever actually entered a card in this challenge, unless they can read my mind (and I really hope nobody can).  But I think I've got one for this challenge.  It helps that it's an every other week challenge.  Here's the sweet sketch.

I used the Spring Garden Bundle from the new Spring Catalog.  It has stamps and dies that all work together.  I used just one of the flowers from this set.

I couldn't find a color challenge that struck my fancy so I used some of my favorite colors, Rich Razzleberry and Marina Mist.

I stamped a second Razzleberry flower on scrap and die cut it.  I die cut another scrap of white to put behind it to give it more body and mounted it with Stampin' Dimensionals.  The leaves were cut and sponged a bit for definition.  A trick I learned from my talented friend Loll!  She does such beautiful work!

The faux "flowersoft" is made by rubbing 2 Styrofoam balls together and collecting the rubbings in a sandwich bag.  A couple drops of re-inker makes it any color you want.  I add it to the center of the flowers with Crystal Effects.

All Supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps: Secret Garden, Curly Cute

Ink:  Marina Mist, Rich Razzleberry, Certainly Celery

Paper:  Marina Mist, Whisper White

Other:  Secret Garden Framelits, Little Leaves Sizzlits, Faux "Flowersoft" (homemade), Crystal Effects, Stampin' Dimensionals

I'm so glad you stopped by.  And thanks so much for your kind comments.  I read and treasure every one.

Enjoy!

Happy Anniversary Darnell

A very special friend  is celebrating her wedding anniversary today.  And a few of us wanted to let her know how special she is to all of us.  So Happy Anniversary, Darnell (and Kevin too).   May you have many more wonderful years together.  Mwahh!

Darnell recently posted a wedding picture and some of the gals thought it would be fun to dig out our wedding pictures to post.  Hubby and I eloped and don't have any pictures.  I wore hot pants, he wore Levi's.   We didn't have much of a honeymoon either.  We got married on a Friday and he started a new job on Monday.  On Tuesday he had to leave to cruise timber in the Dismal Swamp for several weeks.  My first week of married life was spent with my MIL and SIL.  The second and third weeks I stayed by myself with about a million ants that decided they wanted to move in with me.  He got to spend all 3 weeks with snakes and mosquitoes.   I was a New England girl in North Carolina and totally lost.  But I was blessed with wonderful neighbors that looked out for me.  And really glad when hubby could come home to stay.  Ah, the good old days.

I imagine that's more than  you stopped by for.  So here's the card information.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Loving Thoughts
Ink:  Encore Silver
Paper:  Whisper White
Other:  Silver EP, Lace Ribbon Border (retired but still available on the Clearance Rack), White Satin Ribbon (retired), Basic Rhinestones, Silver Cord (from my gift wrap stash)

This card was super quick until I decided to add the silver cord with the satin ribbon.  It took longer to tie the knot (pardon the pun) than it did to make the rest of the card.  It made the card a little more special so it was worth the time.

I hope you'll go visit Darnell.  You'll see why we all love her.

Thanks for stopping by.

Enjoy!