Featuring Jeanne with Meadow Silhouettes

The Featured Stamper this week at SCS is Jeanne (aka akeptlife).  It didn't take long to find a card from her fabulous gallery to CASE.  I chose this card for the bright, pretty flowers. I remembered this image that I'd started to color as a demonstration during a class and threw in my UFO box after. Jeanne's card was just the inspiration I needed to get it out and finish it.

The background of this is stamped with VersaMark and embossed with white.  The flowers are not embossed and I nearly went blind colored them with markers.  It's much easier to do this technique when it's embossed in black.  Like I did here.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Meadow Silhouette (Hero Arts)

Ink:  VersaMark, SU Markers

Paper:  Whisper White, Gumball Green (card 1), Whisper White, Basic Black (card 2)

Other:  White Embossing Powder, Gumball Green Ribbon (card 1), Black Embossing Powder, Basic Pearls, Simply Scored (card 2)

Thanks for the visit.

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!

Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue

I haven't been keeping up with the challenges very well the last week or so.  I've been wanting to, but life keeps getting in the way.  Ah! At least I have a life and I'm thankful for that.

Anyway, last night, I snuck away and did not just one, but two cards.  It was fun too!

This one is for a friend, who was chosen for a full time position at the library where I used to work.  I'm so delighted for her and for the library.  They're a perfect match!

The layout is from retrosketch this week.  I tipped it over though.  I really love the simplicity of these sketches and wish I could play every week.

For card number 2, I used the WT377 challenge at SCS last week to use the negative of a die or punch.  I punched this flower with the new Blossom punch and attached a piece of that bright and beautiful  Summer Smooches DSP behind it.

This will go to my friend whose birthday is Independence Day.  I love having a red, white and blue card to give her.

The challenges for both of these cards are...
     Dynamic Duos  to use Real Red and Island Indigo
     Less is More  to use Red, White and Blue in honor of the Queen's Jubilee
     Paper Players  where Jaydee challenged us

Wow! I got a lot of challenges out of these two cards.  Usually I don't combine many challenge.  Considering my lack of stamping time lately, it was nice that all these challenges fell into place.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe (card 1)

Stamps:  Easy Events, So Happy for You (retired)

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, Island Indigo, SU Markers (Real Red, Garden Green)

Paper:  Whisper White, Island Indigo

Other:  1 1/4" square & Extra-Large Tag Punches, Red Gingham Ribbon (retired), Simply Scored, Simply Scored Diagonal Plate

Card Recipe (card 2)

Stamps:  Curly Cute

Ink:  Island Indigo

Paper:  Whisper White, Island Indigo, Summer Smooches DSP

Other:  Blossom, Boho Blossoms & 1/2" Circle Punches, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Basic Pearl

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Enjoy!

Jolly Gingerbread

It's Merry Monday on Friday again on this blog. This is week 17 and I've participated in all but the first one.  I've even done more than one some weeks.  It's a wonderful way to get cards done and beat the December rush.  And each card is unique, thanks to these wonderful sketches.

Here's Lesley's sketch for this week.

I reminds me of a card that we did for one of my Christmas Stamp-a-stacks.  I changed it up just a bit, but kept the long, narrow card.

I scored some diamonds on the white panel behind the gingerbread men.  If you look really close you might see the lines.

The card measures 6 1/4" x 3 1/4" and fits in the small open end envelopes or in a regular check size envelope.

I've also just joined in the Christmas Challenge at Spiltcoaststampers.  I took a browse through the April gallery and there are some beautiful cards there. 

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Jolly Bingo Bits, To You & Yours (retired)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, SU Markers (Real Red, Chocolate Chip)

Paper:  Real Red, Whisper White, DSP (retired)

Other:  Simply Scored, 1" Circle and Scallop Edge Punches, Scallop Circle Die (Nestabilities)

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have a great weekend and get to do some stamping.

Enjoy!

Scripting

Is that a word? Scripting.  Spell check thinks it is.  The Less is More challenge this week is to use

SCRIPT

on a one layer card

Here's the first one I did.

Well, it's not actually the first one.  Or even the third one.  You wouldn't believe the trouble I had doing a card for this challenge!  First I stamped the sentiment crooked.  On a one layer card, that's it.  It becomes trash. On the second try, not only did I stamp the sentiment crooked, but I smudged it too. On the third try, I had the script all wonky.  Note to self.  When using a Stamp-a-majig, be sure to restamp on the plastic thingy when the stamp has been removed from the clear block and replaced.  LOL, I can't believe I did that when I had been warning people about doing the same thing during a class the day before!

I gave up on that design.  Actually, I was able to save the design from the first card and  you'll see it on another card later this week.  It's not a one layer card anymore.

So, on this card, I just stamped the script once and the flower overlapping.  Then I used my Stamp-a-majig to draw the lines around the script.  It works really well to draw straight lines.

I really wasn't happy with this card so did another and I think I like this one better.

The leaves are starting to pop out on the trees around here, so I stamped these leaves from the French Foliage set in Certainly Celery, masked them and stamped the script in Crumb Cake.  I scored a couple of lines above and below the design and inked just the sentiment on one of the Perfect Punch stamps with Marina Mist to brighten it up a bit.

When I was driving down the Interstate on Saturday I saw a whole field of blue.  I'm not sure what the flowers were, but it looked like a blue carpet and the contrast with the Spring green was lovely.

I usually like to do one layer cards, but this week I really struggled.  Next week that's probably all I'll want to do.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe (card 1)

Stamps:  Charming

Ink:  Crumb Cake, SU Markers (Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight)

Paper:  Whisper White

Other: Gold flat backed beads

Card Recipe (card 2)

Stamps:  French Foliage, Perfect Punches

Ink: Certainly Celery, Crumb Cake, SU Marker (Marina Mist)

Paper:  Whisper White

Other:  Simple Scored

That's all for tonight.  I'm so glad you stopped by.

Enjoy!

Through the Window

It's taken all week but I've finally finished this card for the Merry Monday challenge to use this sketch...

This month Sandi MacIver is the featured designer.  I've been a fan of Sandi's for a long time and have CASEd several of her beauties over the years as well as taken advantage of her wonderful tutorials.




I fiddled and played with this and had lots of fun.

When I first saw this sketch, I thought about my window die.  I wanted to create a scene looking in from the outside.

First, I masked an area the size of the window with sticky notes and stamped the tree with Old Olive ink kissed with Always Artichoke.  Then I sponge the rest of the area with So Saffron to imitate a lighted room.

It was so much white that I decided to score clapboard and sponge with a bit of gray ink.  Some punched greenery and colored Basic Rhinestones and Pearls decorate the window box and spray above the window.  I used some of the colored stones to decorate the tree too.

All items are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted


Card Recipe
Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree
Ink:  Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Basic Gray, Going Gray
Paper: Whisper White
Other:  Basic Rhinestones, Basic Pearls, Simply Scored, 1/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon, Poppy Stamps Small Madison Window and Window Box, MS punch

I don't think I will trust this card to the Post Office.  But I always send some packages to family and it will fit well in one of them or handed to a special someone.

I really love to do this challenge even though it seems to take me days to complete it.  By Christmas last year I was so tired of making Christmas cards.  It's kinda fun to do one a week and know I'll have a wide variety of cards by Christmas.

Thanks for stopping to visit.  I so enjoy hearing from you.

Enjoy!

Circles, Circles, Circles

Susan's One Layer Challenge last Wednesday was to use at least FIVE circles on our one layer card.  None of these circles could be punched or die cut.

Man, I wish I bought those Delicate Doilies or Circle Circus stamp sets.  But I didn't and as usual, my mind went blank.

But my eyes lit on the Clearly for You set and guess what I saw?  Circles.  Lots and lots of circles.  Circle berries with circle seeds.

Then I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about this card.  I couldn't get it out of my head.  About 3:00 am, I realized what was niggling my mind.  There are 4 berry bushes.  It's an even number. The rule is uneven numbers.  It's probably going to drive Susan crazy!   Sorry, but after 4 tries to get to this point, it's staying like this.

I masked off he area to be stamped with sticky notes, inked the stamp with markers and stamped using my Stamp-a-majig.  Then I went back and stamped some extra leaves.  I dipped my sponge in the Pool Party ink pad to sponge around the berries, scored 1/8" above and below the image and stamped the sentiment.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Clearly for you, (Sentiment is a stamp available to demonstrators only)

Ink:  Pool Party, SU Markers (Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive)

Paper:  Whisper White

Other:  Stamp-a-majig, Stampin' Sponge, Simply Scored, Corner Rounder

I had such a good time stamping with my friends on Saturday.  They are such inspirations to me and so much fun to be with.

I'm happy that you stopped by.

Enjoy!

Bluebird of Happiness

The Less is More challenge this week is...

ONE LAYER CARD

with the subject of

BIRDS

Remember to add NO additional layers and to keep embellishments to a minimum.

I got this stamp a while back.  It's called Young Vermillion but I've changed him to a bluebird for this card. He's a very bright bluebird.  Too bright actually.  But he is bound to spread some happiness to someone.  I've been seeing a bluebird flitting around in my yard lately and thought how nice it would be to put one on a card.

I stamped this little guy in StazOn on Naturals White and used my SU Markers to color him.  The retired Ballet Blue was my favorite bluebird color, but I thought I would try the Island Indigo and Calypso Coral.  Thus the bright bird.

After stamping and coloring the little guy, I masked off a section and sponged some Bashful Blue and Not Quite Navy for the sky.  Then I extended the branch to the end of the sponging, used my Basic Black marker to outline the design area and used my Simply scored to add some extra details.  When I scored, I realized that my sponging wasn't exactly straight.  But I decided I kinda liked it that way.

All supplies Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Young Vermillion
Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, SU Markers (Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Soft Suede Basic Black)
Paper: Naturals White
Other:  White Gel Pen, Simply Scored

I'm really glad you popped in. 

Enjoy!



The Color Purple

The Less is More challenge is....

 the first week of the month and a colour challenge

this time we want to see

Predominantly Purple

 

 

And purple  was a good choice for this Sale-a-bration set.  It's called Fresh Vintage and it will be free (with a $50.00 Stampin' Up! purchase) from January 24 - March 31.

I used my SU Markers (Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Perfect Plum and Lucky Limeade) to ink the stamp, huffed and stamped on Whisper White.  The image was cut with my Bigshot and the Ovals die.  The larger oval was cut with a non SU product.

I used my Simply Scored to do a lattice background.  If you don't have this wonderful tool, you can use your Fiskars Papercutter.

The sentiment is from Loving Thoughts.  It's a set in the new Occasions Mini catalog and there are 11 beautifully scripted sentiments.  I think I'll be using this set a lot!

If you're still with me, here are a couple more purple cards that I did using the Medallion background stamp that I've had for a couple of years and haven't used.  I think it's about time I dusted it off, don't you?

All Supplies Stampin' Up!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Medallion, Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess set)

Ink:  Concord Crush

Paper:  Whisper White, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder

Other:  Small Scallop Circle Punch

And here's another version with the Medallion.  Once I got started, I couldn't stop!

All supplies Stampin' Up!
Card Recipe
Stamps:  Medallion, Tagtastic (Hostess set)
Ink:  Concord Crush
Paper:  Concord Crush, Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder
Other:  Small Scallop Circle Punch, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon

Do you remember that book, The Color Purple?  They made it into a movie too.  It's one of my favorites.

This is a long post, but these days I never know when I can post again.  I hope to get back to daily posts, but my good intentions seem to fall flat as the week wears on.

I'm so glad you stopped by.  Hope you check back soon.

Enjoy!

Another Word

Here's another card for the Less is More challenge to use Just One Word.

I fell in love with this stamp set the first time I saw it in the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.  And I was so excited to see that you can get it free during Sale-a-bration.  That's just a few weeks away.

I used the Naturals White cardstock on this card.  I love the extra weight and the natural look of it.

All supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Kindness Matters

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, SU Markers (More Mustard, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight)

Paper:  Naturals White ,Pacific Point

Other:  Simply Scored

This is such a quick and easy card and one we will be doing in our Papercrafting class next week.

I'm so glad you stopped in to visit.  If you have time, I love to hear what you think and visit your blog to see your creations.

Enjoy!

 

Leaves of Christmas

This week's Less is More challenge is....

ONE LAYER CARD

The theme for your cards this week is

LEAVES

 

I love leaves and have lots to choose from.  Since I'm mainly working on my Christmas cards, I pulled out the holly leaves.

The holly bough is stamped with StazOn and colored by swiping a marker on an acrylic block and using a blender pen to apply the ink to the design.  The berries were colored directly with the marker and the sentiment was inked with markers.

This card has more of a vintage feel without all the embellishments.  I used my Simply Scored to create a lattice below the design.  If I were to do this again, I think I would use brighter colors.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Bells and Boughs

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, Always Artichoke, SU Markers (Always Artichoke, Real Red, Soft Suede)

Paper:  Very Vanilla

Other:  Stamp-a-ma-jig, Blender Pen, Simply Scored

Thanks for stopping by.  I really appreciate your comments and look forward to visiting your blogs.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers

The Less is More Ladies really stumped me this week.  The challenge is

COCKTAIL
You may interpret this however you wish... your favourite tipple, the colours of a cocktail or a simply cocktail of colours. Let your imagination run with this one, it will be interesting to see how imaginative you can be.

As I said before, I was stumped! I don't own a stamp with anything resembling a cocktail.  My favorite cocktail is a glass of red wine.  I thought about doing a card in Cherry Cobbler since that seems to be the closest to my cocktail of choice.

Then I saw my blogging friend Vicky's card for this challenge and an idea was born.

I used the dreaded acetate.  Remember the week we were challenged to do a card with acetate?  I don't know why I saved a little piece, but I did.  I used the Extra Large Oval Punch for the cup and the Small Oval Punch (retired) for the base.  A strip cut for the stem finished the glass.

Then I punched some red Glimmer Paper with the Extra Large Punch for the wine.  I love the way it sparkles!

I used the Simply Scored to score some lines to imitate a table to set the glass on.  My lattice work needs some practice.  I'll have to work on that.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Wonderful Words (retired)

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Acetate, Red Glimmer Paper

Other:  Large and Extra Large Oval Punches, Simply Scored

Now for that cocktail.

Cheers!

 

Stamp and Color

Whoo, what a week.  I tried 3 times yesterday to do my blog and this is the second time today, so far.  Sick children don't allow for much card making or blogging!

Did I mention how glad I am that the One Layer Wednesday challenge is back?  Although I usually like to have a little layering, I love the challenge of making a one layer card.  This week Susan challenged to COLOR IT.

Stamp an outline image and color it using any coloring medium

you want: colored pencils, watercolor pencils, watercolor crayons,

paint,Copics, Bics, Sharpies, markers of any kind,

or your kid's box of Crayola crayons.

Rules for OLW641. A one-layer card is defined as a single piece of card stock folded in half.

2. Use an image that must be colored in (an outline image), and color with the medium of your choice.

3. Remember to keep embellishments to a minimum.

4. Upload your masterpiece somewhere on the interwebs and link back to it using the InLinkz button on the sidebar of Simplicity.

5. The most important rule of all: HAVE FUN!!!!!!

I actually made these cards a while back and never posted them.  I pulled them out as a guide for the Papercrafting group that met here on Wednesday.  When I saw the challenge, I was so happy.  I can use all the help I can get this week.

Susan, this one is especially for you.  I know how much you like pears!

All the cards are 3" x 3" and have little envelopes.  We did 8 cards and envelopes.

(You can get 8 cards out of a 12" x 12" sheet of cardstock.)

And here is a little tote to hold them.

My new Simply Scored was a big help in folding the cards and scoring the folds for the tote.

All were stamped with Early Espresso ink and colored with my Stampin' Pastels and sponge daubers.

The ladies made such cute sets.  One made a Christmas set.  That gave me a great idea for teacher gifts at Christmas.

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Faith in Nature, Clearly for You

Ink:  Early Espresso

Paper: Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Chocolate Chip

Other:  Stampin' Pastels, Sponge Dauber, Eyelet Border Punch, Simply Scored, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Brads

I only had one two interuptions in this sitting.  Maybe, just maybe this will finally get posted.

Thanks for stopping by.  I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Enjoy!

Simply Soft in Razzleberry

Sorry I didn't get a post in last night.  By the time I had the card made and photographed, it was time to stop.  But here it is...

I can't say that I'm real excited about it.  I'm not sure why.

The colors are from The Paper Players challenge this week to use Rich Razzleberry, Basic Gray, Old Olive and white.  I love these colors!  Well, not Basic Gray, but a little for the stems is ok.

The CAS challenge at SCS is a sketch challenge.  I followed the sketch almost exactly but it isn't too pleasing to my eyes.  I'm going to post it anyway.  Often what I like is different than what someone else likes.

I inked the flowers with SU markers and stamped on a scrap piece of Whisper White.  Then I used the marker to outline a bit darker on the flowers and pulled the color to the inside with a Blender Pen.

I used my new Simply Scored to add some lines for interest.  I'm really enjoying that tool!  Yeah, I know that I should have one more line on the design piece.  By the time I realized it, I had adhered the piece to the mat and couldn't get to it.

Then I punched some edges and added some tiny pearls and ribbon.  I rounded one corner to tie that edge in with the scallops opposite.

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Simply Soft, Sincere Salutations
Ink:  SU Markers (Rich Razzleberry, Basic Gray, Old Olive)
Paper:  Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry
Other:  Scallop Trim Border and Corner Rounder Punches, Rich Razzleberry Narrow Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Pearls

I hope you enjoyed your visit as much as I've enjoyed reading your comments and visiting your blogs.  So much creativity out there!

Enjoy!

Going Bananas

ONE LAYER WEDNESDAY IS BACK!!!!

That makes me so happy!  I have missed this challenge!

This week, Jennifer hosted the challenge and wants a Baby Themed One Layer card.

I thought and I thought and finally found a few minutes to make this.....

We're seeing lots of these onesies around our house these days and Jack just happened to have one with monkeys on it.  His has lots of monkeys and since this is supposed to be CAS, I settled for just 3.

The card began as a tent fold cut at 4 1/4" and folded in half.  I used the 1 3/4" Circle punch to scoop out the leg and neck holes.

Since I just got the new SIMPLY SCORED from Stampin' Up!, I decided to go with a smocked look on the yoke.  I used to do English Smocking for my girls.  I put some ribbing on the sleeves too.

Well, I see I cropped the sleeves off.  They do have scored ribbing.

Looks like one of these monkeys has been in the bananas and needs his face washed.  It's funny how the pictures will show up what I don't see.  He looks like he's having fun anyway.

I stamped the little monkeys in Crumb Cake and colored the white area with a So Saffron marker first then did the scoring.

Did I tell you that I love this Simply Scored!  It has grooves every 1/8".    It even has place markers so you can keep you place.  I think I will be using this a lot!

Card Recipe
Stamps:  Fox and Friends
Ink:  Crumb Cake, SU Markers (So Saffron, Wild Wasabi)
Paper:  Whisper White
Other:  1 3/4" Circle Punch, Simply Scored, mini buttons

Thanks so much for the visit.  I really enjoy your comments and love to visit your blogs too.

Enjoy!