Friday Mashup! Happy New Year!!

Happy Friday, everyone...and Happy New Year! (almost!) My cold has subsided, my voice is back...the mojo is starting to gear up just in time for another Friday Mashup challenge! Tonight my hubby and I are hosting a volunteer party at our house. It is our "12th Day of Christmas Party"...but we have to have it early because I have a speaking event next weekend...WooHoo! Good thing my voice is back! Any who, it felt good to stamp and create, even if it was just one project. Kasey has this week's challenge, and I think you will have fun with it!

1. Make a project that "Sparkles"


2. Make a project "Celebrating the New Year"


3. Or Mash it Up! and make a project that sparkles and celebrates the New Year!!

Well, first off, I don't do too much for New Year's Eve these days. Maybe a small gathering at someone's home, but in this small town we don't have many options! The only Happy New Year stamp I have is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, but I wanted something bigger. So, I decided to pull out an old retired stamp that says "Happy! Happy! Happy!" In fact, here is a card I made a couple of years ago, found in my splitcoaststampers gallery. It actual fits today's challenge!

But wait, that's not what's on this card. "What happened, Kim?" you ask curiously. Well shucks, I have been stamping for about 10 years...5 rather seriously. I NEVER got rid of stamps. But 2 years ago, we re-did my craft room for Stamp Club, and I decided to purge. I purged a bit more this summer too, making room for new stuff.

So now my Happy Happy Happy stamp is long gone. Sad Sad Sad. Funny thing is, nowadays, I'd keep the stamp and get rid of the rest of the set, which I didn't use that much. I hated the idea of dividing sets...now I don't care! LOL!! The moral of my story is this...NEVER get rid of anything! EVER! Keep your stash! Clear out your husband's closet to make room...rent a space at the neighbor's...just keep it ALL!

I'm only half-joking. ;-)

So what did I use? This is a simple card...a night of navy card base which I ran through the Big Shot using my argyle texture plate from Backgrounds 1. I used my Sizzix "alphabet smple numbers" dies and glimmer paper for the 2012, and added white organza ribbon with a bit of retired silver cord. The sentiment is also retired, having survived my purging attempts. It is from "So Very" and I stamped it in craft cherry cobbler ink, coated it with clear embossing powder and dazzling diamonds, then heat set. The decorative label punch and rhinestones add the final details. Since I just made this card, I have to mail it right away...hmmm...where should it go??

Hope you can join us this week at the Friday Mashup! Be sure to use keyword FM39 in your online gallery. Happy New Year and...

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup! Watercolor and Sketch

Hello and Happy Friday!! Time for a fabulous Friday Mashup challenge! Can you believe Christmas is 2 days away?? I can't! Not only am I not ready, but I started feeling sick earlier this week. Yup, by yesterday afternoon, I was a mess! Thank goodness I have the day off so I can sleep off and on! Anywho...my card didn't get to the challenge blog on time, but here it is. I actually hope to make a better card before the end of the day!!

Lisa has this week's challenge...she calls it "easy"...well, shucks, I struggled quite a bit! But I forgive her! LOL!! Here is the challenge:

1. Make a project using the sketch shown above


2. Make a project using watercoloring


3. Or Mash it Up and make a project using the sketch and watercoloring

Well, I knew I needed a few more Christmas cards, and this set from last year's Holiday Mini had never seen ink. I just ran out of time for watercoloring, and so I figured I could do it this year. (As I am typing, I have one completed, but hope to make 12 of these.) I started with island indigo for my card base, layered with some Stampin' Up watercolor paper. I stamped the image from Rejoicing in Christmas with craft ink and heat embossed. Then I used my aqua brush to "paint" with river rock, soft suede, early espresso, pool party, indigo island, blush blossom, and basic gray. Next I sponged the background with pool party, wisteria wonder, and indigo island. I then stamped the star with gold ink, added clear embossing powder, and heat embossed. I added some gold smooch for the halos. (One area I need to improve on the other cards!) I added some wisteria wonder card stock, cut with the top note die and embossed with the perfect polka dots folder. The horizontal strip is soft suede textured card stock, with the scallop trim edge. The sentiment is from the same stamp set, punched out with the scallop oval and lightly sponged. The final detail is some pool party ruffled ribbon.

Well, I need to work on my execution, but I'm happy with the design! Maybe after some cold medicine and hot tea, I can crank out the rest. After all, I need to get them in the mail! Thank goodness there are 12 Days of Christmas!! Pleaser join us, and use keyword FM38 in your gallery. See what the design team did by checking out the Friday Mashup blog.

This week's challenge, along with last week, will remain open longer (January 4th, WooHoo!) so you can stamp at your leisure during this Christmas-New Year's season!! We hope you join us for each challenge...and tell your friends!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup! A Chip Off the Old Block!

Hello and Happy Friday! Time for another Friday Mashup Challenge! With the lack of posts lately, you might think I have not been stamping much. But actually, I have been making lots of Christmas cards and winter birthday cards...just no time to blog! I hope to catch up this weekend!



Heidi is the hostess this week...and she took me out of my comfort zone just a bit! Here is the challenge:

1. Make a project using "Chipboard"


2. Make a project using a distressing technique


3. Or Mash it Up and make a project using chipboard and distressing.

Hmmmm...I can handle distressing! I don't have any special tools for it, but it is something I have done for years off and on. Chipboard on the other hand makes me go"Huh?" Ilove it when I see it used, but I don't use it much at all. Nothing like a blog challenge to get me going!! So, here is my card (using all Stampin' Up products). The picture is a bit week...cold, dark, cloudy here for the last few days!

I have some retired chipboard alphabet pieces from Stampin' Up, and this fabulous retired DSP (Deck the Halls) from last year's Holiday Mini. With these 2 elements, the card came together quickly. I started with a crumb cake base. I added a layer of always artichoke, which was embossed with the petals a plenty impressions folder. I took a piece of the dsp and crumpled it with my hands, then lightly sponged with crumb cake ink. I attached it with dimensionals, then my hubby suggested I distress it more...so I literally took my thumb nail randomly along the edges. Not bad, huh? The chipboard pieces were covered in cherry cobbler craft ink and clear embossing powder, then heat embossed. I used my Tombow liquid adhesive to make sure they would stick to the crumpled paper. My last details is a scrunched piece of always artichoke seam binding with 2 basic pearls. I had not done this ribbon treatment for a while, and I am glad I pulled it out for this card! This card also qualifies for this week's color challenge at splitcoastsampers!

The design team has some fun projects for your inspiration. Check out the Friday Mashup blog, then play along this week. Be sure to use keyword FM37 in your online gallery. I'll be watching!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup! Baby, It's Cold Outside!!

(I have that classic tune in my head now. I can hear Ben Folds and Sarah Bareilles of "The Sing Off" right now...very cool!)

Hello and Happy Friday! It's my week to host, and I have a chilly Friday Mashup challenge with some chilly colors for you! Here in the midwest, it is getting colder and darker these days. I leave work at 5 pm, and I swear it feels like it is 10 pm! I have lived in Illinois my entire life...I should be used to it, but that doesn't mean I like it! LOL!! But despite the cold and dark, we can still have fun, and for many in our area that means playing in the snow. I am a wimp, so I don't play in the snow...but I sure enjoy watching people have fun with snow ball fights and making Snowmen! My husband is a big kid, and he loves the snow! So, here is your challenge:

1) Create a project featuring Snowmen

2) Create a project featuring blushing bride, baja breeze and basic gray

3) Or Mash it Up! and create a product featuring Snowmen and the colors blushing bride, baja breeze and basic gray.

For our stamping friends Down Under (waving to Kasey!), I know it is warm for you now. You can play with this chilly theme or make me jealous with the colors in a more summery look!

For my card, I featured the adorable Stampin Up set "Snow Much Fun" which is in this year's IBC. I didn't have any other snowman stamps...not usually my thing...but shucks these guys are ADORABLE! Perfect for those winter birthdays and thinking of you cards! I stamped the image with basic gray ink on whisper white, then used my basic gray, blushing bride, baja breeze and pumpin pie markers to color it in. I used the scallop squares Sizzix die and the Big Shot to cut it out, then sponged the edges with blushing bride. The sentiment is from the same set, punched out with the scallop oval punch and sponged with baja breeze. Both of these layers are popped up with dimensionals. The other fun part is under the snowman. I used my Tasteful Trim die to cut out these waves...liked snow drifts...from the silver glimmer paper (found in the Holiday Mini) and in baja breeze. The baja breeze strip is embossed with the new Snowburst impressions folder. My final 2 details are basic pearls colored with the baja breeze marker and some blushing bride stitched-poly ribbon.

I have a second card, which I made 3 weeks ago with my Stamping Club, just never posted it. I knew I was going to use snowmen for this challenge so I held off. The card base is cherry cobbler, and I added a big strip of glimmer paper adorned with this luscious cherry cobbler quilted ribbon found in the Holiday Mini. I REALLY hope this stuff shows up in future catalogs! I stamped the other adorable snowman and colored him with cherry cobbler, marina mist, basic gray, pumpkin pie and blushing bride markers. The image is mounted on some marina mist dsp from the Subtles Pattern stack. I used my ovals sizzix die for the larger oval, and colored the glimmer paper with my marina mist marker. (Learned that fun trick at a SU Demo meeting!) The sentiment is from On Your Birthday....a must have stamp set!!

So, whether you are in a warm or chilly climate, you get to play in the snow this week! Check out the rest of the Design Team creations for some inspiration on the Friday Mashup blog. Be sure to use keyword FM36 when uploading to your online gallery.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup!! Shake, Shake, Shake, Senora!!

Hello Stamping Friends! My post is a bit late...guess who fell asleep on the couch in front of the TV last night? Sheesh! Yesterday was my first day back to work after vacation, and it was BUSY! Thank goodness I have the weekend coming just around the corner! LOL!

This week's Friday Mashup http://www.fridaymashup.com is a lot of fun! It comes from one of our newer Design Team members, Rita. I LOVE her creations! But wow...she really challenged me this week! Ready to be challenged? Here ya go!

1. Make a project featuring a "Shaker card"
2. Make a project featuring a "Winter Theme"
3. Or Mash it Up and make a Shaker card with a winter theme!

I don't mind admitting that I had never made a shaker card before. Wait...just one, in a club before I was a demo. I forgot about that one. But I had no window sheets or foam tape...what to do, what to do?? Well, Duh! I have these fabulous treat cups! Last time I used one, I filled it with candy, which was fun, but not the same effect. Today's card has pretty (but not edible!) Mica Flakes, found in the Stampin' Up Holiday Mini catalog. My card base is baja breeze, with some blushing bride, then a layer of whisper white stamped with Serene Snowflakes. My treat cup is surrounded by a scrap of retired Candy Cane dsp, with real red snowflakes inside. Weird to have red snowflakes, I know. But it goes with the dsp and I wanted them visible behind the flakes! The sentiment is from On Your Birthday, punched with the decorative label punch, and layered over garden green card stock. My ribbon is the fabulous blushing bride twill ribbon.

This card requires hand delivery or a big, padded envelope. I am sending it to a dear friend in Colorado. Then again, maybe she doesn't need anymore snow! LOL!

Hope you can join us again this week at the Friday Mashup! http://www.fridaymashup.com Can't wait to see what's shakin'!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup! Sugar and Spice...

Hello Stamping Friends!! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, I am officialy in "panic mode" for Christmas cards! This week's Friday Mashup gives me a chance to design something that will be fun and easy to duplicate. Lesley has a fun challenge for this week's challenge... http://www.fridaymashup.com/

1. Make a project with a Christmas theme
2. Make a project using aqua, chocolate, and white
3. Or Mash it Up and make a project with a Christmas theme using aqua, chocolate and white

In terms of the colors, I chose Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White. I started with a chocolate chip card base, and added a strip of tempting turquoise. I added a whisper white panel, embossed with the tulip frame impressions folder in my Big Shot. I stamped the sentiment from God's Blessings, and the ornaments from Tags 'til Christmas. Next, I used my marker to add lines to those ornaments. Then I used my favorite Baby Jesus stamp from the retired Miracle of Christmas set, punched out with my ornament punch, sponged the edges, and popped up in the center. I sponged the edge of the white layer, and embellished with 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and basic jewel pearls colored with my marker.

I never would have considered this color scheme for Christmas...but it was a fun challenge! I should be able to do manyy more quickly after Thanksgiving vacation. I better...you should see my mailing list!!

Hope you join us this week at the Friday Mashup! Check out the blog http://www.fridaymashup.com/ for some yummy inspiration pieces...then link up your creations! Can't wait to see them!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup!! Everything's Coming Up Rosettes!

Hello and Happy Friday, Everyone!! It's time for another fun and fabulous Friday Mashup http://www.fridaymashup.com/ challenge!! This week, Holly has a great sketch for us, plus a "technique"...

1. Make a project using "Paper Rosettes"
2. Make a project using the sketch above
3. Or Mash it Up and make a project with paper rosettes using the sketch above!

Aye, aye, aye!! I really struggle with paper flowers (other plain punches! LOL!) I have the new Simply Score tool from Stampin' Up...but my fine motor skills stink!! So, while many of the uber talented design team members created some FABULOUS rosettes, accordion-style, I took a different approach. I TRIED the great accordion flowers...several times. Tried the spiral-cut-scallop-circle-flower-...Nada.

So, you get a PUNCHED "flower!" Hey, at least I got the sketch right! LOL!

The sketch is flipped, since I had this piece of card stock cut and ready to go. My card base is early espresso. I used some Paisley Petals dsp, plus made some of my own with the Paisley Petals stamp set (arrived in my home this week!) My hand made designer paper was stamped on whisper white card stock, using early espresso ink and colored with blender pens. I used river rock, soft suede, pear pizazz and not quite navy ink...then sponged with river rock and pear pizazz. I pulled out my neglected ticket corner punch for the stamped panel and layer of not quite navy. For the flower, I punched out an extra large baja breeze scallop circle, sponged with not quite navy ink. I layered it with a large designer button found in the Holiday Mini, and added a sentiment from On Your Birthday. I still have 2 birthdays to take care of this month!!

Hope you join us foer this week's challenge! Be sure to check out the inspiration pieces from the design team on the Friday Mashup blog! http://www.fridaymashup.com/

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup!! Let's hear it for the Girls!!

Happy Friday, everyone!! As you are reading this, I am enjoyinga long weekend in South Carolina! I have a speaking engagement in Rock Hill tomorrow, then I'll spend a couple of days with my mom. Should be fun! But before heading out, I had fun with this week's Friday Mashup, brought to us by Kasey! Ready? Here it is:

1. Make a project featuring a Girly Theme


2. Make a project using Your Favorite Technique


3. Or Mash it Up...and make a project with a Girly theme, using your favorite technique.

Well, because I hosted a big party this past weekend, and I am traveling this weekend, I had to think FAST! And so I decided to Mash it Up with one of my favorite techniques from my earliest stamping days: Making my own Designer Paper!! I was inspired by my Stampin' Up designer paper, Flirtatious (girly title!), which was out on my table already since my nieces (young girls) were using it Sunday. But I wanted different colors, so I decided to make my own. I started with a wisteria wonder card base, then stamped randomly on whisper white with my Delicate Doilies (very girly!!) stamp set. I used wisteria wonder, lucky limeade, pool party, and concord crush classic inks. I embellished with concord twill ribbon and basic jewel rhinestones. My sentiment is from On Your Birthday, stamped in concord, with some limeade doilies...punched out with my scallop circle and layered overe an extra large scallop circle in pool party. Of course, the smaller circle is popped up with dimensionals.

I love lots of techniques...but embossing and watercoloring takes a bit more time. Don't be afraid to pull out some basics when you need a quick card. You could crank out a lot of these in no time!

...That is, if you don't have to pack your bags for a road trip! Be sure to check out the Friday Mashup blog for inspiration from the design team, and use keyword FM32 in your online gallery. Can't wait to see what you create!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Well Worn Birthday

Hello again! As I mentioned earlier, we are hosting a birthday party for my mother-in-law, but one of my nephews also has a birthday coming up. He is in his early 20's. I don't know about you, but guy cards are tough for me, especially young adult cards.

Well Worn designer series paper from Stampin' Up to the rescue! I simply placed this pattern which has a fleur du lis pattern on my basic black card base. I added extra large silver brads at the corners. The sentiment is from Delightful Dozen, stamped in not quite navy ink on very vanilla card stock. I also lightly sponged with river rock and basic gray and layered it on river rock card stock. The final detail is tearing the edges and sponging with more basic gray ink.

Hope he likes it! The DQ gift card inside should help the cause!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Happy Birthday with a Double Challenge!

Tomorrow, I am hosting a birthday party for my mother-in-law, so of course, I needed a card. I combined this week's color challenge on splitcoaststampers (it's been ages since I have participated!) with this week's Paper Players blog challenge...due in 20 minutes!! Aaaack!! It is due on Fridays at midnight...but Pacific time. So yes, it is nearly 2 a.m. in my home. I should be in bed! LOL!!

The Paper Player's Challenge is Anything Goes, with a Fall theme. Well, the color challenge is a fabulous fall palatte...more mustard, always artichoke, and bravo burgundy. Easy to combine these challenges!!

All of the productgs used are from Stampin' Up except those 2 little gold beads. I have had them for years...just wanted some shine, and it was too late to add brads. (Yes, the leaves

were already attached!)
I started with an always artichoke card base, and added a layer of very vanilla which was embossed with the big shot and square lattice impressions folder, then sponged with mustard and burgundy inks. I stamped the sentiment from On Your Birthday in burgundy on vanilla card stock, tore the edges a bit, then sponged with artichoke ink. I layered it with some spice cake dsp and burgundy card stock. I used sizzix leaves die and the big shot, then embossed the leaves also with the square lattice folder. Some dimensionals make this a plump card...but it will be hand delivered! One more thing...I added 1/4" grosgrain ribbon in the challenge colors.

Now...gotta get some sleep. I have a lot of house cleaning to do before the party!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup!! Grateful to be On Time!

Hello Stamping Friends!! I cannot believe it is Friday already! Time for another Friday Mashup challenge! After being late with my project last week, I am thrilled to get back on track! I started feeling funky Wednesday afternoon, and was home sick yesterday. That makes my week disappear! I'll be playing catch-up at work today! But first, here's a fun challenge from Lisa!!

1. Make a project using heat embossing


2. Or make a Thank You (Grateful) project


3. Or Mash It Up and make a Thank You project using heat embossing

Now, I love heat embossing, but I don't do it often enough. This gave me a great excuse to plug in my embossing tool! All products are current and from Stampin' Up! I started with a soft suede card base. I added some Spice Cake dsp (in the Holiday Mini), including a bit on the inside. I stamped this wonderful image from "Always Thankful" (also in the mini) with soft suede craft ink on very vanilla card stock, coated in clear embossing powder, then heat embossed. The craft ink is available in little "spots" by color collection. I love them for dabbing ink all over an image. After heating, I colored the image with my blender pens, using pear pizazz, river rock, pumpkin pie, more mustard, and basic gray inks. I sponged the background with pear pizazz and pool party. I then mounted it on pumpkin pie and pear pizazz card stock, and adhered with dimensionals. I added pear pizazz poly twill ribbon and the sentiment is from the same stamp set, also heat embossed. After punching it out with the scallop oval, I lightly sponged with pool party.

Thank you cards are always needed...whether for my ministry work or for my numerous friends who are blessings in my life! I hope you join us in this challenge and make a fun Thank You project for someone special in your life! Be sure to checkout the inspiration pieces on the Friday Mashup blog from the Design Team, including our new November Guest Designers!! Then link up your project, and use keyword FM31 in your online gallery. Can't wait to see your project!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Belated Friday Mashup!

Happy Halloween, Stamping Friends!

So, I was gonna post this after work on Friday after work. Oops. Then I was gone all weekend. Double oops. So...I am finally posting my Friday Mashup #30 project!!

As a reminder...the Friday Mashup has a fun challenge from Heidi this week.

• Create a project using the sketch above


• Create a project using something that is recycled or repurposed


• Or Mash it Up and create a project using the sketch and using something recycled

Well, I admit I am not great at recycling...hoarding, yes! But recycling?? Hmmm... I did make a bunch of altered tins 2 years ago for Christmas gifts. I wanted to try something similar. Well, I had this cute little jar. It had some fresh sage leaves from my sister-in-law's garden, but once they were gone, I saved the jar. I really did not know if I'd ever use it, so this challenge was perfect! I simply wrapped some (retired) old olive striped grosgrain ribbon around the jar. I attached a simple tag, made with both of the tag punches, pumpkin pie and very vanilla card stock. The sentiment is from You're a Gem, stamped in old olive ink. The twine is actually a snippet from a gift I received from some friends a few months ago. I made the pumpkin with my ovals die in my big shot. After they were cut out, I embossed with a non-Stampin Up embossing folder, and sponged with cajun craze ink. I ran a strip of old olive through my paper crimper for the stem. I then attached the pumpkin to a straw wrapped in old olive ribbon, and attached to the jar. The final touch is a bunch of peanuts and candy corn! Too bad I don't have a Halloween Party to attend!

I hope you have fun and join us for the Mashup!! Check out the challenge blog here, and use keyword FM30 in your online gallery.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup!! Recycle What??

Hi Stamping Friends! It is Friday...time for another Friday Mashup challenge! I have to apologize, since my project is NOT here. Shucks, it's not finished! It has been a very busy work week. I had to make about 48 pastor appreciation cards to give to pastors of churches that support the ministry. Had I started them earlier...well, you know. I also was on the road with another staff member, delivery cards and gifts to the Walk for Life top 10 churches this Wednesday. So my plan is to relax in my messy craft room after work tonight. I started a project...and it is NOT a card! Gasp! You'll see later! So here is the challenge:

1. Make a project using recycled/re-purposed items
2. Make a project using the sketch shown above
3. Or Mash it Up and make a project using the above sketch with recycled/repurposed items

Maybe you can beat me to it...checkout the design team inspiration pieces...it's a wonderful collection! I'll be checking your projects out all week! Be sure to use keyword FM30 in your online gallery and linkup to the Friday Mashup!




Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Paper Players for Christmas

Hello Stamping Friends! I am actually posting a Paper Players challenge ON TIME!! Gasp! Please don't faint...just check out my card! LOL!! (Looking for the Friday Mashup? Scroll down one post)

This week's challenge asks us to make a Christmas card in the classic red and green color combo...and in a Clean and Simple style. My Christmas cards tend to be rather involved (except the last batches made at the last minute!) I really had no idea what to do...but I decided to bring out my alphabet dies and red glimmer paper, and the rest fell into place. My card base is retired green galore and I embossed the whisper white layer with the Northern Flurries impressions folder. I really like the look of gold with red and green, so I used gold brads and retired gold elastic gold. There it is...clean and simple! Hope you like it!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup! That's a Wrap!!

Hello Stampin' Friends! It's time for another Friday Mashup...and I am your challenge hostess this week! I hope you have fun with it! I like to stretch myself by creating cards with different features or folds. One feature is the "belly band" which wraps around your project. I also like using twine as an alternative to my ribbon addiction. Both of these give us our challenge: That's a Wrap! (Blogger is giving me fits...hang in there with me!)

1. Create a project with a Belly Band

2. Create a project using twine

3. Or Mash it Up and Create a project with a belly band and twine!

For my project, I made a "squash card" which was a technique lover's challenge on splitcaststampers a few years back. This thread includes a tutorial. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/try-new-technique-f44/tlc201-fun-funky-fold-t406759-3.html#post12499784

I used "Pocket Full of Posies" dsp, cut down to 10x10, and folded to make a 5x5 card. This pattern is so fun, I didn't have to embellish much. The belly band is a one inch strip of the flip side. I added bakers twine in early espresso. Using my decorative label and 2 oval punches, I added a sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes. The card stock is daffodil delight, pear pizazz and whisper white.

On the inside, I added layers of pear pizzazz and whisper white. I colored the large image from "Hello Friend" with my pear and razzleberry markers. The sentiment from the lower panel is retired. The top panel uses On Your Birthday and a smaller stamp from Hello Friend which I repeated along the top border. Both squares are also sponged. I did not add brads or other bumpy items inside so the card would close well, and the belly band would still fit.

You don't have to make a squash card. In fact, the design team has a great variety of inspiration projects to get you started! Have fun with jt! Check out the Friday Mashup blog, http://www.fridaymashup.com/2011/10/fm29-thats-wrap.html and upload your Wrapped projects by next Wednesday! I'll be looking for the Rock Star!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Double Up!

Hello everyone! It's Monday...which means back to work for a lot of us. But the good news is I got a little stamping done this weekend. I combined 2 blog challenges...one is late and one is "due" today! Whew! The late one is from The Paper Players Challenge. I always want to play, but get home Friday nights exhausted! I need to just get to this challenge this earlier in the week. But I loved the colors...bravo burgundy, more mustard, cajun craze and very vanilla. So warm and cozy!! I combined it with a new challenge: Freshly Made Sketches. http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/2011/10/freshly-made-sketches-6.html You know, when you combine a color and sketch challenge, half the work is done for you! WooHoo!!

All of my products are from Stampin' Up! I started with a cajun craze card base, and layered bravo burgundy and more mustard, which I ran through the big shot with my square lattice folder. The main image is from Elements of Style (one of my faves!) I stamped it in early espresso, then used my blender pens to color the flowers with the challenge colors. The birthday greeting is from On Your Birthday. I stamped the bird in mustard with a bit of bravo burgundy, using the rock-n-roll technique. Then I cut it out, and popped it up with dimensionals. The horizontal strip features the flourish from the same stamp set. My dsp is from the Regals pattern paper stack, and I used the eyelet trim punch for some detailing. Both of my grosgrain ribbons are retired. Finally I added pearls. I love pearls, don't you?

Hopefully I can do these challenges again this week...the design teams give lots of inspiration! Have a Happy Monday!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup!! Hello Susie Snowflake!!

Hi there Stamping Friends!! It's Friday...thank goodness! I don't know about you, but my week has been long and exhausting! I had not touched my stamps since last Saturday when I made my hubby's anniversary card...Good grief! I actually had time on Wednesday after work, but no mojo. Hate it when that happens! Yesterday was Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, and I spoke at a local event. It was a solemn, but peaceful evening. Once I got home, I dug into my card stock and ink to make my Friday Mashup card...it felt good to be creative!

Lesley is our challenge hostess this week, and she has a great wintery challenge for us. I know it's only October, but she is in Canada...it must be getting cold! She quotes a song from Doris Day about Susie Snowflake. It caught my eye, because at work when I have a ficticious client or volunteer for training purposes, I always say Susie Snowflake instead of Jane Doe. Silly isn't it? Here is Lesley's challenge:

• Make a project featuring Snowflakes


• Make an Easel card (tutorial here on splitcoaststampers)


• Or Mash it Up by making an easel card featuring snowflakes!
  

Of course, I had to Mash it Up!! All of my products are from Stampin' Up! My card base is island indigo, and the front (top 1/2) is layered with pink pirouette, pool party, and brushed silver. The silver is embossed with my Big Shot and the Northern Flurry impressions folder and sponged with some indigo island ink. I added rhinestones and pool party ribbon as embellishments. The sentiment is from On Your Birthday, stamped in indigo on pink pirouette card stock, punched out with the curly label punch. The inside has a layer of pool party and whisper white. I stamped another sentiment from On Your Birthday as well as Serene Snowflakes. Now, when making an easel card, you need a detail of some sort for the inside to keep the card open. I used a big button in pool party, found in the Holiday Mini, and I added rhinestones. Truth be told, this is NOT practical! I have a very fat, bulky card...but I figure it can be hand delivered and displayed in this open form...right? LOL!!

Be sure to join us this week. It may only be October, but for many of us, snow is not too far away! Check out the Friday Mashup design team cards for some inspiration, and link up your creation! Be sure to use keyword FM28 in your online gallery.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Happy Anniversary, Dear Hubby!!

Hello Friends! Today is my 18th wedding anniversary! Of course, I had to make Bruce a card, and I pondered it for days. I actually intended on participating in last week's Paper Player Challenge, which had a musical theme. But I made this a day too late...oh well! I did decide to change my card a bit to correspond with the Hope You Can Cling To challenge from a few days ago, Real Men Wear Pink. We were challnged to make a masculine card with a touch of pink. Bruce is NOT into pink, but he is a real man who supports me at home, in my ministry, and just in our every day lives!

All of the supplies are from Stampin' Up! My card base is early espresso, with a strip of soft suede embossed with the square lattice folder. I sponged river rock and soft suede on very vanilla, then stamped the Extreme Guitar (retired) in early espresso craft ink, which I then heat embossed. I punched out a heart in melon mambo for the pink, then decided to add a tiny bit of melon in my background. The sentiment on the bottom is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, stamped in melon then punched out with the word window. The other is from Perfect Words, a hostess set. I used my early espresso and melon mambo markers to color it, and then punched out with my oval. My final detail is the early espresso baker's twine...love this stuff!!

Gotta run...we're gonna see a movie and get dinner. Hope you have a great day!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup!! Halloween Howl!

Hey there, Stampin' Friends!! It's Friday, and that means it is time for another great challenge at the Friday Mashup!! Today we have a great challenge from Holly!

1. Make a Halloween themed project


2. Make a project using the colors black, pumpkin pie, lucky limeade, and concord crush


3. Or make a Halloween project using the colors listed above
   

Now, I love color challenges and theme challenges...but Halloween is just not my cup of tea. We hand out candy, and put a few fall decorations and maybe cute jack-o-lanterns...but the gorey stuff, the horror flicks...I can't handle them! I jump during PG-13 movies! LOL!! So my Halloween stamps are limited to a few sentiments from sets that also feature other holidays. But I do have this fabulous Nature Silhouette set, with a howling wolf...perfect!

All of my supplies are from Stampin' Up! My card base is concord crush, with a layer of pumkin pie, then lucky limeade embossed with the square lattice impressions folder. I embellished with basic black striped grosgrain ribbon and 2 bright (pumpkin pie) glimmer brads. The tree and wolf were stamped in basic black craft ink, coated with basic black embossing powder and then heat embossed. With a small circle mask, I sponged the full moon in limeade, then sponged a bit above the grass. I continued sponging pumpkin then concord crush. I matted the image with pumpkin and concord card stock. The final detail is the return of Teeny Tiny Wishes with the word window and modern label punches, intentionally set off the edge just a bit.

It took me a while to come up with this, but I like the end result. Now...where do I send this card?? *wink*

Be sure to join us this week! Check out the fabulous projects from the design team on the Friday Mashup blog, then upload your own project. Use keyword FM27 in your online gallery. I can't wait to see what you create!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Still Time to Join the Fan Favorite!!

Be sure to take part in our Friday Mashup Fan Favorite challenge! Submit your projects by tomorrow, 3 pm, Eastern time!

Sunday Challenges!

Happy Sunday! I made 2 cards today. I wanted to make more, but arthritis meds made me groggy. Oh well. I am thrilled that I got these 2 done!

The first card is for the Featured Stamper challenge, and ths week we get to CASE Dianne (aka Eured99). Dianne stops by my gallery a lot, and makes such encouraging comments. I was thrilled to use her work as inspiration!! I chose this card to CASE. I kept the sketch and used all Stampin' Up products as she did. Instead of dry embossing, I sponged the image panel. It looks weird, but hey, I got it done! LOL! I used melon mambo for the card base, and added razzleberry lemonade dsp (retired.) The crushed curry ribbon and ink are also retired. The image is from Aviary, and the sentiments are both from Hostess sets...Precious Butterflies and Perfect Words. The image and oval punched sentiment are both popped up with dimensionals.

My next card is for today's Hope You Can Cling To challenge, as well as this week's sketch challenge on splitcoaststampers. My card base is pink pirouette, and I added a layer of very vanilla which was embossed with perfect polka dots. I pulled out retired Sending Love dsp, adding some sparkle. I made some of my own dsp with butterflies from Precious Butterflies in rose red, pink pirouette, pretty in pink, and pear pizzazz. The large scallop circle is retired pear pizzazz pattern paper. I stamped more butterflies in pink pirouette and a sentiment from Perfect Words in pear pizzazz. I used the butterfly punch to finish out the sketch. The pearls and glimmer brads add the final details.

Tomorrow I'll be back at work...no stamping...boohoo! Well,maybe some late at night! So many new challenges, so little time! *wink*

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

World Card Making Day!!

The first Saturday in October is World Card Making Day, and the folks at splitcoaststampers celebrate by kicking off a month of special challenges. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, something many of us can relate to. I have family and friends struggling with this ugly disease...but the strength they show in their fight to survive is amazing!

So, today kicked off the "Hope You Can Cling To" challenges. There were 3 today, and there will be one more each day this month. I hope to do them all!!!

The first challenge asked us to use Pink Critters. I started with an early espresso card base, and added a strip of lucky limeade, which I ran through my big shot with the elegant bouquet impressions folder, then sponged with espresso ink. I ran some very vanilla through with the top note die. Using the retired Stampin' Up set "Bliss" I stamped the flourish in crumb cake and lucky limeade, and the butterflies in pretty in pink. I popped one butterfly up with dimensionals. The sentiment is also retired, colored with markers, and cut out with the decorative label punch in vanilla and pink. The final detail is some pretty in pink satin ribbon.

The second challenge lets us use Pink Bling. The card base is concord crush, with strips of wisteria wonder, pink pirouette, and pretty in pink, all embossed with the perfect polka dots embossing folder. I made a square of my own designer pattern with a flower from Friends Never Fade, and mounted it on lucky limeade for contrast. I used my bird punch, using different colors, and a tiny dot with my basic black marker for the eye. I pulled out You're a Gem and my circle punch, plus some silver elastic cord. White organza ribbon and fire square brads finish it off.

The third card is quite different. We needed to make a circle card. I also wanted to make a card for this week's SCS color challenge: cherry cobbler, early espresso, and pool party. Hmmmm... So I pulled out my large scallop circle die. I cut out 2 circles of pool party card stock, and attached with cherry cobbler seam binding. I stamped my new Hostess set Precious Butterflies in cherry cobbler and early espresso directly on the circles. I added a large scallop circle in early espresso, detailed with basic pearls. The regular scallop circle is stamped with one of the butterflies and a sentiment from Perfect Words, another Stampin' Up Hostess set. Finally the largest and smallest circles were sponged...had to add something!

I can hardly wait to play along with more challenges this month!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup! Another Fan Favorite!!

Hi Friends! Time for Friday Mashup #26...and it's time for the Fan Favorite Pick!!! It seems that everyone loves making cards with a fall theme! I know I do! This week's challenge idea came from Lisa Runyon...WooHoo!

1. Make a project with a Fall theme
   


2. Make a project using brads...lots of brads!



3. Or Mash it Up and make a project with a fall theme using lots of brads!!

I loved this idea...though I confess, I missed the "lots of brads" part. I'll blame it on the fact that I just had a major fund raiser last weekend! (The reason my blog posts have been few and far between as well.) But I used a very large brad that adds a big kick, so hopefully Lisa will forgive me! *wink*

I began with a river rock card base. One of my first stampin' cyber friends has loved river rock for years...I always hated it! But I confess, it has grown on me. I guess if you use it enough for challenges it becomes a staple in your portfolio. It does go with many of my favorites, which I used here as well. I used the stamp set French Foliage, beginning with stamping one leaf on the base with river rock ink for a tone-on-tone look. I added a layer of early espresso which was dry embossed with the square lattice impressions folder. After running some very vanilla through the big shot with the top note die, I cut it in half and stamped more from French Foliage with river rock, early espresso, cherry cobbler and not quite navy ink for some much needed contrast. Then I added cherry cobbler seam binding and this gorgeous brad from the "antique brad" package. The entire image panel is popped up with dimensionals. Finally, I stamped the sentiment from Thank You Kindly, also in not quite navy.

I certainly hope you play along with us this week! I bet you can use more brads than I did! LOL! There are lots of great cards from the Design Team and our Fan Favorite challenge hostess on the Friday Mashup blog! Be sure to check it out, and use keyword FM26 in your online gallery.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

About the new look...

You may have noticed the new look of my blog...isn't it FABULOUS??!! Well, a stampin' friend and fellow Mashup DT member, Lesley, created it for me! She has a new component to her business...making blog banners that are customized! I guess if I would figure out MDS I could have tried something myself. BUT I am a very busy lady and I barely know how to change the basic blogger settings! LOL! Lesley asked some questions about color and theme preferences, and Ta-Dah! I am so thrilled! If you want to check out the super-talented work of Lesley, just click here: Banners by Lesley

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Still time for FM25!!

There's still time to play this week's Friday Mashup! The linky will close tomorrow, Thursday Sept 29th at 3 pm Eastern time. Show us your manly cards!!

Friday Mashup!! Sketch it Square & Manly!

Hello and Happy Friday!! It's time for another Friday Mashup, and Kasey has a great challenge for us!

• Make a project with the square sketch above



• Make a project with a Masculine theme



• Or Mash it up and make a Masculine project using the sketch above

It's kinda funny, since I did a square card last week! As I said, I love square cards as something different and eye-catching. But the masculine part is a little more challenging. I needed yet another birthday card for another brother-in-law (I have 8 of them!) so here we go!

As you can see, the sketch has been flipped. I started with a not quite navy card base, and added a layer of Well Worn dsp. I used this stag from Nature Silhouettes. It is a classic Stampin' Up set with strong images that I FINALLY purchased this summer! I stamped the image in early espresso on very vanilla, cut out with my Ovals die and the Big Shot. I lightly sponged with always artichoke and not quite navy ink then added a cajun craze moon. I originally thought it was a sun, at sunset...but my husband took one look and said "The Hunter's Moon." Close honey, but I looked it up, and this month is The Harvest Moon! I originally just had part of the moon on the oval, but frankly, it looked like part of a bad thumbprint! LOL So, I lined my mask up with the card base and finished it off. I love the effect..how 'bout you? I embellished the card with early espresso grosgrain ribbon and various buttons, some retired, and linen thread. I actually had some leaves left over from last week's card...but I could not bring myself to using them for another Mashup so soon! My sentiment is from On Your Birthday, stamped with early espresso ink.

Most of us can use more masculine cards, right? So I hope you join us for this week's challenge! The Design Team has great cards for your inspiration, so check it out on the Friday Mashup blog!! Then create your own and link it up! Be sure to use keyword FM25 in your online gallery!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Still time to Play!!

The Friday Mashup is all about Autumn with shades of orange and yellow this week. There's still time to upload your creations, using keyword FM24.