For Queen Sandy

This is for this week's Queen for the Day at SCS, Sandy (aka stampingwriter).  Check out her inspiring gallery.  I chose this card to CASE and used a soon to be retired set, Elements of Style.

Paper Players is playing with colors that Jaydee picked.

 

Simon Says Stamp is asking for Flower Power this week.

And for the CAS challenge at SCS - NO WORDS or SENTIMENTS-Make your image convey a sentiment instead!  I hope this conveys the peace of a garden and the joy of seeing a hummingbird.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Elements of Style

Ink:  Gumball Green, SU Markers (Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green)

Paper:  Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, Midnight Muse

Other:  Stripes EF, Labels Collection Framelits, Square Lattice EF. Festive Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing tool, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you'll come back soon.

Enjoy!

Embossing, Embossing for Mary

The Featured Stamper this week is the sweet Mary Marsh.  She's so talented and encouraging.  I'm so happy for Mary!  I printed off 4 of my favorites from the first page of her gallery.  This is the first one that I chose to CASE.  And here's my card.

I love the soft shades of pink on Mary's card, but wanted to do a white on white card for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and Mary's layout was perfect for that.

I'm not sure that you can tell, but the top layer is heat embossed.  I stamped it with the rose spray from the Elements of Style set with Whisper White ink and heat embossed it with White Embossing Powder.

I didn't add a sentiment since I'm not sure what it will be used for yet.  It will be easy enough to add a sentiment later or just write a note on the inside.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Elements of Style
Ink:  Whisper White
Paper:  Whisper White
Other:  White EP, Big Shot, Lacy Brocade EF,  Floral Fusion Sizzlit, Large Pearl Basic Jewel, White Satin Ribbon (retired), Snippet of lace (unknown origin)

I really enjoyed making this card.  I hope Mary likes it.

I'm so glad you could stop by.  I hope you'll be back soon.

Enjoy!

Elements in Razzleberry

The CAS challenge at SCS is to use one of my favorite colors; Rich Razzleberry.

I stamped the flower spray from Elements of Style in Rich Razzleberry and pulled the color into the design with a Blender Pen.  Then I ran the design through the Big Shot in the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, punched the corners and tied a bow.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Elements of Style
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry
Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Other:  Blender Pen, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, White Satin Ribbon


We've had the most beautiful day.  It was 80 and breezy with low humidity.  A perfect day.  And I even got to go outside and enjoy it with the boys.  I know some of  you had quite a bit of snow.  I hope you could enjoy the beauty of it.

I've really enjoyed your comments and letting me know that you would like to join my Stamp Stack if you lived close enough.  I sure wish we could get together.  Wouldn't it be fun!

I'm so glad you could visit.

Enjoy!

Hearts, Hearts, Hearts

Valentine's day is right around the corner and I have hearts on my mind.  How many hearts do you count in this card?

Boy was this hard to photgraph!

The Less is More challenge this week is

"Cut it Out"

For this we would like to see some kind of hole or aperture in your card

 

and the Friday Mashup challenge

FM#42 It's all about Color!

 

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

Make a project using "Paper Piercing".

Or Make a project using the colors "Blushing Bride, Riding Hood Red & Early Espresso".

Or "Mash it Up" and create a project with the "Color Combo & Paper Piercing".

The aperature and embossed hearts were all cut with the Hearts Collection Framelits Dies.  You can find them on p. 6 of the Occasions Catalog.  I cut the heart window with one size.  After cutting the larger hearts, I put them in my favorite Square Lattice Embossing Folder to give them some texture.

The stamped heart on the inside was a scrap of Whisper White stamped with some of the flowers from the Elements of Style large flower stamp.  I inked the stamp with Riding Hood Red and Pear Pizzaz markers.  After stamping, I put the piece in the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit.  It embosses and cuts at the same time and the heart has a lovely scallop edge.

The sentiment is cut from the I {Love} Love Jumbo Wheel and stamped in Early Espresso.

The fancy paper piercing was done using an Ecstasy template.  It's the first time I've used it after wishing for one for several years.  It's not Stampin' Up! but isn't it interesting?

A bit of Riding Hood Red (retired) ribbon finished it off.

Hopefuly it's not too much for Less is More but I'm pretty sure  I Mashed it Up!

All supplies SU unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Elements of Style, I {Love} Love Jumbo Wheel (cut apart)

Ink:  Early Espresso, SU Markers (Riding Hood Red, Pear Pizzazz)

Paper:  Blushing Bride, Whisper White

Other:  Big Shot, Hearts Framelits, Square Lattice EF, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Paper Piercing template (Ecstasy Crafts), Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon

I'm so glad you could stop by today.

Enjoy!

Elements in Calypso

Here's the second try on the disappointing card that I made yesterday.  I'm still not thrilled with it, but I like it better than the first one.

It's for the Paper Players challenge this week.  I hope I can get it over there before the link closes!

Here's the sketch....

I had this piece of Elements of Style in my UFO (UnFinished Objects) box and punched it with the Extra Large Scallop Circle punch.  Since it was painted in pastel pinks, I used my Calypso Coral marker and blender pen and added some darker shading to the flowers.  I also used the marker to dye a piece of Whisper White taffeta ribbon.  Actually I had dyed the ribbon first and needed to make the flowers match.

The circle in the square was difficult for me for some reason.  I liked the square better after I punched the corners.

Do go over to Paper Players and check out all the wonderful entries.  They are amazing!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Elements of Style
Ink:  SU Markers (Pear Pizzazz, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight)
Paper:  Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Calpso Coral
Other:  Extra Large Scallop Circle, Scallop Trim Corner and Itty Bitty Bits Punches, Basic Pearls, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Big Shot, Square Lattice EF

Thanks so much for joining me today. I've been enjoying your comments.

Enjoy!

Ivory and Lace

This card just kind of put itself together. I love it when that happens!

 
I've had this piece of scrunched Vanilla Seam binding hanging out in my ribbon dreawer for quite some time.  I saw the CAS challenge on SCS was to do a card with scrunched ribbon and I pulled it out.

That was Monday.

And it sat there.

Then I went to the Less is More blog first thing this morning. This week their challenge  is colour.  Chrissie & Mandi chose....

MONOCHROME

Encarta definition

mon·o·chrome [ mónnə krm ] adjective  Definition: 1. in shades of one color: using or displaying only shades of one color or black and white. You may choose any colour you wish, but please keep all the shades you use within your chosen spectrum.

And I drew inspiration from my friend Colleen's Ivory & Lace card.  (When I made the card, I didn't realize I was a week late for that challenge.)  Boy, am I behind!

So I pulled out the only lace I had in my stash and laid the scrunched ribbon on it.  Then, since I wanted to stamp something, I pulled our the rose spray from the Elements of Style set.  I stamped it in Vanilla on the Vanilla card.  I think maybe I should have stamped it in white because it is virtually invisible!  Even under my halogen lamp, I can barely see it!  Believe me it's there.

And I finally used some of those crocheted flowers that I bought over a year ago.  This card will have to be included with a gift though, because it's much too bulky to mail.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Elements of Style, Short & Sweet
Ink:  Very Vanilla, Encore Gold
Paper:  Very Vanilla
Accessories:  Lace, Very Vanilla Seam Binding. Fleurettes II, Pearl

I love monochromatic cards!  I have an idea brewing for another one.  Maybe I'll get time to play some more.

I wrestled Contact Paper into the kitchen cabinets this morning.  LOL, at one point I had to crawl into the cabinet to get to the back and the paper all stuck to itself! And of course the phone rang just then!  The cabinets are done though and it seems there are more than I originally thought!  Check off one thing on the get it ready to move in list!

Thanks for stopping by.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Elements Clearly for You

I don't usually combine too many challenges. I tend to confuse myself and sometimes overdo a card.

But I think that I managed 3 challenges with this card!

First the Saturday Sketch Challenge #191 from Stamping 411.  Here's the sketch....

I really like the simplicity of this sketch.  I had to reverse it because when I stamped the tile design across the back panel, there was a teeny tiny line of white between two stampings.  I thought it worked fine reversed and when I can cover a boo boo, I'm happy!

The CAS 107 challenge on SCS this week is to make your own background.  The strip across the card is my handmade background.  I've gotta tell you, that Stamp-a-ma-jig is getting a workout and the more I use it, the more accurate I get.... sometimes anyway.

Also on SCS today's Color Challenge #311 is to use Always Artichoke, Perfect Plum & Rose Red.  That plum just wasn't working in.  I tried to add some to the flowers, but it just didn't look right.  I ended up sponging some Perfect plum around the edges of my white space.  It's very subtle, but it's there!

There, that's 3 challenges!  Now I've just got to remember to drop it off at the challenge sites!

I used my SU markers to ink the hummingbird and some of the flowers and leaves from the Elements of Style set.  I added some ink with the blender pen to the flowers.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Elements of Style, Clearly for You
Ink:  Always Artichoke, Perfect Plum, SU Markers (Always Artichoke, Rose Red, More Mustard)
Paper:  Always Artichoke, Whisper White
Accessories:  Rose Red grosgrain ribbon, Stamping Sponges

Enjoy!
Bonnie

Elements of Poppy

Ok, here's the other card I promised you.

I stamped another scrap of Vanilla with the Elements of Style stamp in So Saffron ink and used the Simple Flower Embosslit with the BIG GUY.  For the center I used some of the embossed So Saffron scrap and punched a 1/2" circle.  The stem is from the Three Little Words set.

The colors are again from the Color Dare Challenge 92.  This layout is much more pleasing to me.  The previous card has a bit more Poppy than is soothing.

The layout is from the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge 186.  I really love this layout and the torn edge adds some extra texture.  I rarely think about tearing an edge.

Instead of a button, I  made a little bow with some So Saffron ribbon and Linen Thread.  I think it will go through the mail with no problem.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Elements of Style, Three Little Words
Ink:  So Saffron, Soft Suede
Paper:  So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade
Accessories:  Big Shot, Simple Flower Embosslit, Square Lattice EF, So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, 1/2" Circle Punch

Enjoy,
Bonnie

Kissing Birds

Do you remember the CAS challenge on Monday at SCS?  I had some leftovers and I used them on this.

I punched the wings out of the leftovers.  The birds are from a leftover piece of embossed Cherry Cobbler and the white Top Note was in the UFO box.

I love it when I can use up those leftovers!

We're going to do this card at Creative Arts on Tuesday.

Card Recipe
Stamps: Elements of Style
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Top Note Die, Extra Large Bird  & Heart to Heart Punches, Basic Pearls

Enjoy,
Bonnie

Elements of Kissing

Yesterday I had a few spare minutes and looked on SCS at the Featured Stamper Challenge.  This week's stamper is  Marisa, aka whiterockmama.

I took a look at her gallery and stayed for about an hour! What a talented lady!  I printed off 6 of my favorites cards that I would like to CASE. 

I spent so much time oohing and aahing over her cards that I didn't have time to make anything!

Then when I checked out the CAS100 challenge on SCS this morning and saw that we were challenged to use the "kissing" technique, I knew which of Marisa's cards I was going to CASE.  You can see it here.  I kept the 3 hearts but inked them and used the dotted texture behind them. I changed the color and used a different border punch and Cherry Cobbler instead of Real Red.  I also used the pearls on the hearts instead of the bottom of the card.  I think this card will make it through the mail.

To do the "kissing" technique you ink a solid stamp in a dark color.  Then you lay a patterned stamp on top of it.  It removes the ink leaving a pattern.  (There's a link to a tutorial at the challenge site on SCS.)

I used the solid heart from I {Heart} Hearts and inked it with Cherry Cobbler.  Then I laid the scroll stamp from the Elements of Style set on top to remove the ink and stamped it on Whisper White.  I clear embossed the hearts before cutting them out to give them a silky look.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  I {Heart} Hearts, Elements of Style
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, VersaMark
Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Accessories:  Clear EP, Scallop Trim Border Stamp, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Basic Pearls

If you get a chance, check out Marisa's gallery on SCS and her blog Rosemary Reflections.

Enjoy,
Bonnie

Perfectly Thanks

Hello Stamping Friends.  I know some of you took full advantage of the Clearance Blitz at Stampin' Up!  I did too.  I just can't pass up a good sale and this was the best!

I'm still busily cutting and assembling kits for the Stamp Stack on Saturday.  I just had to take a quick break and share something with you.  Unfortunately, I haven't had time to do much stamping for fun and challenges this week.  There have been some really good challenges too.  I hate to have to miss them, but I also would hate to show up at the Stamp Stack and not be prepared.  Especially since it's 90 miles away.  I can't just run in the back and get what we need.  I've got to take it with me.  I am so looking forward to meeting with these ladies.  Some are dear friends and some are new friends.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Elements of Style, Vintage Vogue, Perfect Punches
Ink:  Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories:  Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Oval, & Wide Oval Punches, Big Shot, Ovals Die, Tempting Turquoise grosgrain ribbon

Back to the stamping room.

Enjoy your blessings.
Bonnie

Fast and Fabulous Rubies

I did this card for the Color Challenge this week on SCS to use Riding Red, Blushing Bride & Early Expresso. Dessert this week is something new.

The card base is Blushing Bride stamped in Blushing Bride ink with the filigree stamp from the Elements of Style stamp set.

The main design is from the Fast & Fabulous set. It's a Level 2 Hostess Set.

From now until August 31 if you have a $350.00 workshop, you earn an extra $25.00 in free merchandise as well as a Level 1 or Level 2 hostess set and $40.00 in free merchandise. Did you count that up? That's $65.00 in free merchandise!

Ok, now back to the card. The flower is a two-step flower and I stamped both the solid and the outline in Riding Hood Red on a scrap piece of Whisper White. This red is a new core color. It's a little richer than the Ruby Red that has been discontinued. The design is matted on Riding Hood Red & Early Expresso. I used the Ticket Corner Punch on all the corners to dress it up a bit.

I stamped the sentiment from the Elements of Style set in Early Expresso. Typically, I stamped it crooked. It is a clear mount stamp too. I'm not sure how I managed to stamp it crooked! Not to be deterred, I stamped it again on some scrap Blushing Bride that I stamped with the filigree like the base card. I used the 1" Circle Punch to cut it out. It worked out well because I thought of the little bit of Riding Hood Red ribbon I had left over in the drawer and made a little tab to put behind the sentiment.

For dessert, I used some of the new Rhinestone jewels on page 188 of the new Idea Book & Catalog. Check them out. They're large packages and self sticking.

Hope you have had a wonderful day and maybe got a chance to stamp.

Let me know if you want to host a workshop and get the extra hostess benefits.

Bonnie

Chalk it Up

Here I am again. Still trying to catch up posts from last week's SCS challenges. Both of these are for the Ways to Use It challenge to use chalks.

This first card was a stamp from my UFO (UnFinished Objects) box. It had been stamped with black StazOn on watercolor paper. I used some makeup (eyeshadow I think) applicators to rub the chalk on. I think I used Real Red, Summer Sun & Garden Green. I can't be sure because I opened my chalks upside down once and they all fell out! Gasp! I had to guess at the colors when I put them back. Believe me, I am careful when I open it now. Hint...Make sure the picture is on top.

After I colored the flower(from the retired Touch of Nature set), I mounted it on Basic Black then adhered it to a Confetti White card base. I stamped the happiness (from Warm Words, also retired) with Basic Black.



For this next card, I did the Poppin' Pastels technique. I stamped the flourish from the Elements of Style set with VersaMark and used makeup applicators to apply the chalk to the stamped image. I did the same for the hummingbird on a scrap piece and cut him out. He is popped up on a dimensional. I used tiny pearls in the center of the flowers to carry on the soft look of this technique.

The design is mounted on Basic Black and the sentiment, from the Short & Sweet set, is stamped in Basic Black.

I think Poppin' Pastels is one of my favorite techniques.

Stay cool and try to get inky!
Bonnie

Embossed Elements

Good evening. I have had a bit of trouble getting into my stamping since vacation. I need to get rolling again. Today I met with the Creative Arts group and did a bit of stamping, but we mostly just gabbed. The project for the day was Chat & Dabble. We did more chatting than dabbling, but it was so much fun.

This weeks CAS challenge is to use dry embossing. The ever ready BIG GUY put some lovely embossed dots on the stamped image. This card uses Mellow Moss, which has been discontinued, but would be lovely in River Rock or the In Color, Pear Pizzazz.

Super quick and easy.

Card Recipe
Stamps: Elements of Style, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Mellow Moss, Basic Black, Whisper White, Black StazOn
Ink: Mellow Moss, Basic Black
Acc.: Big Shot, Perfect Dots Embossing Folder, Ballet Blue SU Marker, Black Satin Ribbon, Small Oval & Large Oval Punches

Hope you got to do some stamping today...some chatting too.

Enjoy the day,

Bonnie

Hope

Hello Stampin' Friends. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Did you get some ink on your fingers?

I had the most wonderful surprise last night. My niece Cindy, who I haven't see since she was 6 yrs. old, called me. If she were here, she would be wrapped in the biggest hug! I am so proud of the person she has become. God is so good!

Today's CAS challenge is to do a card with a quote, verse or saying. The TLC challenge is to get personal and use a favorite technique. I love this quote from a poem by Emily Dickinson. Today it made me think of my niece. Stamping is my favorite technique. I think this will qualify for both challenges. Don't you?

The feather was stamped in VersaMark, heat embossed in black and cut out. The quote was done on the computer.

Card Recipe

Stamps: Elements of Style, Nature's Nest

Paper: Pale Plum, Whisper White

Ink: VersaMark, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum

Acc.: Black Embossing Powder, Big Shot, SU Top Die Bigz Die, bling, computer

Hope you get a chance to tell someone you haven't seen in a while that you love them.

Bonnie

Elements of Style with Mambo

Hello friends. Today's card is from the Elements of Style set in the Summer Mini catalog. It has this wonderful, large spray of flowers as well as a curly stamp, hummingbird, For You and the sentiment stamp that I used on this card. I have these stamps in the clear mount and I still love using them.

I stamped the design with black StazOn and colored it with ink pads and a blender pen. It was actually quite quick and easy and I love how it turned out.

Card Recipe
Stamps: Elements of Style
Paper: Melon Mambo Textured, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Black StazOn, Melon Mambo, Always Artichoke, Crushed Curry
Acc.: Blender Pen, Scallop Trim Border Punch

I hope today has been a good day for you.
Bonnie

Mr. Hummingbird

Hello Stampin' Friends. It's late but I wanted to share a card with you.

This card was for the Color Challenge today to use Real Red, Bermuda Blue and Kraft.



I knew right away that I wanted to do this hummingbird from the Elements of Style set in Bermuda Bay. Hummingbirds love red flowers so all I had to do was decide on a flower for him. I love this Watercolor Trio stamp. So... I inked the one I had always done as leaves with the Chocolate Chip & Real Red Markers. Mr. Hummingbird looks like he likes what he sees! He is popped up on 2 dimensionals.


The bow was the hardest part of the whole card! Some days the ribbon cooperates and some days it doesn't! Perseverance won out before the ribbon wore out and the card is finished.

Card Recipe

Stamps: Watercolor Trio, Elements of Style

Paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Real Red

Ink: Bermuda Bay

Acc.: Real Red & Chocolate Chip SU Markers, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Real Red Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals, Tiny pearl

I also worked on a new technique today. I'm real excited about how it turned out. I'll share that with you next time. Until then, happy stampin'.

Bonnie

Elements Fancy Fold

I LOVE this new Elements of Style stamp set. You will be able to order it tomorrow! It has 5 beautiful stamps. This is the largest and it's beautiful stamped in black and wrapped in a ribbon (I'll show you that after the workshop next weekend) or painted like I did here.

I inked the stamp with Old Olive & Crushed Curry SU Markers, then used the blender pen to pull color from the stamping. I also dipped the blender into the corner of the ink pads to add a little more color in some places. I used a little Melon Mambo for the pink flowers and Ruby Red in the center of the yellow ones.

I goofed on the fold and it's a little too big for the 4 1/4" wide envelope. I'll have to work on the fold a little more because I really like it and think you will too.

I inked a small area of the design to stamp on the inside too. I should have taken a picture of that. Sorry.

Card Recipe

Stamps: Elements of Style

Paper: Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP

Ink: Old Olive, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo ink & Markers, Ruby Red Marker

Acc.: Blender Pen

I'm going to post this on Splitcoast for the Free For All Challenge. I've been working on the sketch challenge all week and I have to say it has me stumped. Maybe I'll have one of those Eureka moments tonight! I'll have to go look at it again and see....

Hope you get to stamp this weekend or fold, or punch or just enjoy the flowers outside.

Enjoy,

Bonnie