Inspired Owl

Hi there.  I'm so glad you stopped by!

When I saw the Inspired By Challenge to use scrappy materials from our stash,

I thought it would be a great opportunity to pare down that stash a bit.

I found this piece of corrugated cardboard that paired well with a piece from

last year's calendar.  A little string and a leftover leaf in my die envelope made

for a quick and fun card.

Since the owl was watercolored and so was the leaf, I'll add it to the gallery at 

CAS Mix Up

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Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Feathery Owl (IO)

Ink:   Versafine Onyx Black, Baked Brown Sugar, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie (SU)

Paper:   Neenah Solar White, Corrugated Cardboard, Neenah Classic Natural, Watercolor

Other:  Leaf Die (Lawn Fawn), Twine (FSJ)

Best of Butterflies Featuring Marie-Alice

I thought all our butterflies were gone.  Then I saw a Monarch today!  What a blessing!

This isn't a Monarch but I thought I'd share it anyway.  It's to honor the Featured Stamper at SCS this week, Marie-Alice (aka ladybug91743).  What a lovey gallery with so much inspiration!  I chose this card as my inspiration.   Here's my take.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Best of Butterflies, Inspired by Nature, Wetlands, Too Kind

Ink: Soft Suede, More Mustard, SU Marker (Soft Suede)

Paper:  Watercolor (Strathmore), Whisper White

Other: Neutral Brad, Corner Rounder Punch (EK Success)

Nothing much to talk about here.  I stamped the butterfly in Soft Suede and the grasses in More Mustard.  I mixed in some of the wheat from the Wetlands set in Soft Suede.  I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of Whisper White and stamped some of the grass and wheat on that.  I rounded the end with a corner rounder punch that the guard has broken off. Glad I didn't trash it!  A brad was inserted in the end and the sentiment was popped up on dimensionals.

Thanks so much for the visit.

Enjoy!

Nature, Nature.

I have another masking project for the Less is More challenge this week.

First I stamped this lovely turtle and masked him. Then I stamped the grass and sponged the ground and background.  I used markers to color the turtle.  The dragonfly is hand drawn.  I practiced a lot on scrap paper before I dared to draw it freehand.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Nature's Nest, Inspired by Nature
Ink:  Timber Brown StazOn, Soft Suede, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy, Old Olive, SU Markers (River Rock, More Mustard, Soft Suede, Basic Black, Sahara Sand)
Paper:  River Rock, Naturals Ivory, Night of Navy
Other:  Stampin' Sponges


Jack is getting really good in the walker.  He's loves to empty the recycling bin and carried an empty apple juice jug around for a long time today.  I put him in the jumper to keep him in one place and he tried to walk in that!  He couldn't get very far so that didn't last long.  It's fun watching him explore.

Thanks for stopping by to visit.  Let me know you came and I'll return the favor.

Enjoy!

Color of My Eyes

This week's Less is More challenge is

THE COLOUR OF YOUR EYES

I'd say to guess what color, but I've been having some trouble guessing.  Sometimes the colors don't show true on my computer. So I'll tell you.  My eyes are brown. 

   

       Dark brown. 

       

                 Chocolate and Espresso brown.

 

I remember seeing this little flower from the Inspired by Nature set stamped in brown.  I'm not sure who to credit the idea to.  It was a long time ago. But the idea seems to have stuck in my mind.

I used a scrap of Watercolor paper and inked the flower with my Chocolate Chip SU Marker and stamped it.  I filled in the center of the bloom with Early Espresso. Stamped the sentiment in Early Espresso and used scraps from my brown bag to mat the design with a ribbon loop peeking out.

I was having a bit of an off balance day and kind of liked the layers akimbo.  What do you think?

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Inspired by Nature
Ink:  SU Markers (Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso)
Paper:  Watercolor, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso
Other:  Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon

I'm so glad you stopped by to visit.  I've been enjoying your comments and creations.

Enjoy!

 

 

Inspired by Joanne

Today, Joanne, aka sleepyinseattle, is Queen for the Day at SCS.  I have been a fan of Joanne's versatile style for quite some time.  My biggest problem was deciding which of her cards to CASE!  I chose this one.

Here's mine.....

I didn't use the blended pencil technique.  I should have, but I inked this with markers and changed the colors.  I used a different butterfly too.  The butterfly is stamped with black then smacked with VersaMark and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, Strength & Hope
Ink:  Black StazOn, VersaMark, SU Markers (Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip)
Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Accessories:  Clear EP, Color Spritzer Tool

Congratulations Joanne!  I hope you enjoy your reign and are treated like a queen for the next week.

I almost forgot.  I'm entering this in the Stampin B's challenge to do a Springtime scene.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Enjoy!

Bonnie

The Flowers and the Bees

The song lyrics, "The birds and the bees, the flowers and the trees, the moon up above, and a thiing called love", have been running through my head since I saw this challenge at The Paper Players on Sunday. Leanne called the challenge to "Create a card or project using birds, bees, flowers and/or trees."

You may recognize these colors from the card I posted last night.  They are from the SCS Color Challenge321 to use Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler & Crumb Cake.  Dessert option was to add something shiny or glittery.  After stamping  the flower petals, I did some highlighting with my Cherry Cobbler marker, went over the petals with the VersaMark pen and clear embossed.  They look and feel silky. Maybe if you click on the picture, you can see more detail.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Inspired by Nature
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, SU Markers (Daffodil Delight, More Mustard)
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Color Spritzer Tool, VersaMark Pen, Clear EP

The card is 5" x 7".

Thanks for stopping by. 

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

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

Easter Egg Hunt

The One Layer Wednesday Challenge this week was to put an egg or eggs on a one layer card.  A One layer card is defined as one layer of cardstock folded in half...no other layers.

I had seen this card by snowmanqueen on SCS and liked the idea of putting the eggs in the grass. 

I chose to use bright colors for the eggs, then had trouble deciding what color to do the sentiment.  Taken with Teal (now retired) popped into my mind right away.  I tried about 5 other colors and then listened to my better judgement and got out the Taken with Teal.

I didn't plan on the butterfly, but somehow there was a smudge above the sentiment.  The butterfly was already punched and I really didn't want to start over.  Actually, I thought the butterfly was a fun touch and still within the limited embellishments stipulation.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Easter Blossoms, Inspired by Nature

Ink:  Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Taken with Teal, Pear Pizzazz

Paper:  Whisper White

Accessories:  Basic Rhinestones, Big Shot, Wonderful Wings Embosslit, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack

Thanks for visiting today.  Enjoy!

Bonnie

CASEing Bridget

This week's Featured Stamper is one that I have admired for quite awhile.  She has such an elegant style and is always a favorite in the challenges at SCS.  Her SCS name is bfinlay and you can see her gallery here.  I chose this card to CASE.

Here is what I came up with.....

As I was going through her gallery, I just knew I needed to CASE her lovely yellow flowers.  My flowers are smaller, since I don't have the stamp she used.  I used some Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding (It is a perfect match for the Old Olive) instead of yellow ribbon.  I also added an Early Espresso layer.  And I left off the sentiment.  I can add that when I know what I'm sending it for.

You can see a bit of the inside.  I stamped a little flower and some splatters in the bottom corner.

I was able to use the colors from the ColorQ76 challenge this week....

They were perfect for this design.  Aren't they bright and happy colors?

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Silhouette Sentiments (Level 1 Hostess Gift), Inspired by Nature, Itty, Bitty Backgrounds (retired)
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss, SU Markers (Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Early Espresso)
Paper:  Whisper White, Early Espresso
Accessories:  Slot Punch, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Basic Rhinestones

If I were to do it again, I would leave off some of the grass and have an airier look.

I'm glad you came to visit. I hope you will come back soon.   And thanks so much for the kind comments! Enjoy!
Bonnie 

Good Works

This week's Less is More challenge is to make a One Layer Card and stamp the image "off the edge".  A One layer card is defined as One piece of card folded in half with no additional layers and minimal embellishments, where the image is stamped directly onto the cardstock.  Additionally, we were not to have any scored lines.

This called for a larger image and was a good reason to pull out my Inspired by Nature stamp.  I inked it with markers, stamped and touched up and shaded just a bit with the same markers.

A quick and easy card!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Inspired by Nature
Ink:  Stampin' Up! Markers (Melon Mambo, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip)
Paper:  Whisper White
Accessories:  Corner Rounder Punch

Thanks for the visit.  Enjoy!
Bonnie

Nature's Inspiration

In case  you haven't noticed, I love flowers, trees, butterflies....pretty much all things nature.  What a wonderful world God has made for us to enjoy!

Jennifer Styles is hosting this week's OLW challenge and she gave us a sketch to use.  It goes without saying that the card has to be one layer with minimum or no embellishments.  Here is the sketch she gave us to work with.

I reversed the sketch.  It just seemed to work better for me backwards.  There is so much inspiration in this gallery each week.  I hope you get a chance to check it out.  Just click on the link above.

And yesterday, when I saw the Just Add Ink #53 challenge, this card just fit.  Here's the inspiration picture....

Isn't that the most beautiful, happy picture?  My flowers aren't as bright though I think they work for this challenge.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, Dreams du Jour, Happy Harmony
Ink:  StazOn Black, Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Basic Gray, SU Markers (Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Old Olive, Soft Suede)
Paper:  Watercolor
Accessories:  Blender Pen

I used the small flower and the edge of the grass on this stamp inking the flowers with markers and "thumping" with a darker color marker before stamping.  I colored the butterflies with a blender pen and ink.

Enjoy,
Bonnie

Inspired on Tissue

The Technique Lover's Challenge on SCS this week is to stamp on tissue paper.  First you have to spritz the tissue with water, and dry it with the heat tool.  Then it's ready to stamp on.

I used the colors from the Color Challenge this week, Basic Gray, Rose Red, Daffodil Delight, a neutral of choice and any other color you want.  I chose Old Olive.

I like the texture of the tissue paper, it reminds me of silk.  I think it would be prettier with lighter colors.  But that's just my opinion.

If I get time, I may try to use these colors again.  That basic gray is a real challenge for me.  It's probably about my least favorite color!

Card Recipe

Stamps: Inspired by Nature

Ink:  Old Olive, Rose Red, Daffodil Delight

Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight, Tissue Paper

Accessories:  Rose Red & Daffodil Delight grosgrain ribbon, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslit

We finally have rain, and lots of it!  The trees & plants look so refreshed!  We're supposed to have some fall like temperatures now too.  I am so thankful!

Enjoy your blessings.

Bonnie

Inspired Expressions

I've had a hard time getting back in the swing of things since vacation. I guess my brain (and body) liked the vacation mode. My mojo seemed to have taken a vacation too! I have stamped and discarded, stamped and just plain trashed and finally got things working again.

This is a card for Susan's One Layer Wednesday Challenge . This week the challenge is to watercolor the image. I inked the small flower from the Inspired by Nature stamp with Cherry Cobbler, Early Expresso & Wild Wasabi SU Markers. Then I held it out and misted it just a bit, let it sit for about 30 seconds and stamped on watercolor paper.

I like watercolor paper for the card because it's heavy and has a little bit of texture. I think one layer cards need to be on a heavier than usual card.

I inked the saying with Early Expresso, one of the new colors. The saying is from the Herb Expressions set that I received as a Demonstrator Bonus during Sale A Bration. That's just one of the benefits that I love about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

I really enjoy doing the one layer cards. I think they are the most challenging. How 'bout giving it a try?

Happy Stampin',

Bonnie

A Flutter with Happiness

Hello stampers. Todays card is for the Color Challenge this week to use Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay and Dusty Durango. Dessert is to stamp on DSP.

I went through the UFO box and didn't see anything in there that would work. Soooo, I opened my stamp drawer and came out with all kinds of stamps.
First, I stamped 3 butterflies with the All a Flutter stamp. It's a single on the last page of the Summer Mini catalog. I used Black Stazon ink so it wouldn't smudge. Using a blender pen and ink pads, I colored each butterfly with a different color and added some contrast. They looked a little bland so I laid the VersaMark pad down on them and embossed with clear embossing powder. It made them so silky and pretty! They were also easier to cut out.

I found the DSP in the Welcome Neighbor DSP pad left over from the Sale A Bration. I stamped just the outline flower in Crushed Curry and used the Dusty Durango marker to dot the centers. A blender pen diffused the dots a bit.

I stamped the tips of the grass from the Inspired by Nature stamp in Crumb Cake. It's a new core color. (It's used to be called Kraft but as of tomorrow, it's Crumb Cake and you can get the ink in that color too.)

The sentiment is an old favorite from the Happy Harmony set. It was a Sale A Bration set about 3 years ago.

The DSP is adhered to a piece of Basic Black cut about 1/8" larger and all mounted on a Bermuda Bay card. The butterflies have adhesive just in the middle so the wings lift off the paper a bit.

I had so much fun doing this challenge. I really love the colors and today is their last day as current colors. Hopefully all of you have received your new catalog by now and see all the new colors and stamps and have a list as long as mine.

You can see that the All a Flutter didn't make it into the new catalog. You have until August 31 to order from the Summer Mini Catalog. If you don't have one, email me and I will be glad to send you one.

Card Receipe
Stamps: All a Flutter, Greenhouse Garden, Inspired by Nature, Happy Harmony
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Basic Black, Whisper White, DSP
Ink: Black Stazon, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, VersaMark
Acc.: Clear Embossing Powder, Gray Marker

Hope you enjoy this card as much as I enjoyed making it.

Happy Stampin',
Bonnie

Darla the Dragonfly

Hello Stampin' Friends. Today I have a card for Mother Mark's Teapot Tuesday challenge. There is a story that goes along with this. You can read it here. You really need to read it to believe it! You probably still won't believe it, but that's ok. At least you won't be totally lost!

Have you read it? OK, this is Darla the Dragonfly's advice to her DD (Darling Daughter) Dingle Bell Berry.

She can show her a meadow of beautiful flowers that happen to be some of the colors of this week's color challenge. I love the Cameo Coral & Ruby Red with the two-step stamping. I'm going to miss these colors! Darla & Dingle have their turquoise dresses on. That covers all the colors for this week.

It was hard to think of critters that wouldn't eat dragonflies. I didn't want to take any chances so I made some little ladybugs. They're too small to do much damage I think.

I decided to try an Easel Card. I have been admiring them on Splitcoaststampers and for some reason last night, I just had to try one. Here is the link to the tutorial.

Darla & Dingle were stamped with Whisper White Craft ink on Vellum Card Stock, embossed and cut out. Directions for the ladybugs are in yesterday's post.

Card Recipe

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Greenhouse Garden, Nature's Nest

Paper: Ruby Red, Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, Vellum Card Stock

Ink: Whisper White, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Old Olive
Acc.: Tempting Turquoise & Crushed Curry SU Markers, White Embossing Powder, Scallop Oval & Wide Oval, & Scallop Trim Border Punches

I hate to tell you how long it took me to make this card. I usually stick with the Quick & Simple. Every now and then it's fun to experiment and go all out. I will do more of the Easel Cards. They fold flat for mailing then display so nicely.

Hope you enjoyed Darla and Dingle. I'm glad you stopped by. Come again, ok? And don't be afraid to leave a comment. I love comments!

Bonnie