Creative Crew

So...it's another neglected post finally getting published! I have mixed feelings about this card. But I decided to post it any way!

On SCS, several demos have begun what is known as the "Creative Crew." It is a group of talented stampin' artists who will be inspiring us over the next few months. There were several challenges posted for January...and this combines 2 of them: to use Love Letter designer series paper, and to highlight hearts. I used the word window, scallop oval, and heart to heart punches...oh and the large heart punch also. Wait, there's the scallop trim punch... Too much, I think!! The ribbon is retired...making room for new again!

This card had a mind of its own! But, it will be helpful at the ministry...can always use thank you's there.

I plan on playing more Creative Crew challenges in February...stay tuned!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Striped Thanks

It has been over a week since I posted! Ironically, I had some posts started here onblogger...but they were left unfinished. So...I'll finish them now. ;-) Good thing...'cuz I was swamped at work all week! No new projects to post.

So, I continue to address my retired stash issue. The card above is for a sketch challenge on SCS a couple of weeks ago. The card base is basic gray, with layers of not quite navy, baja breeze, and whisper white, and a retired DSP. The sentiment is from Very Versatile...retired, but I LOVE it and use it for volunteers and donors alike! I used my Big Shot and the Little Leaves sizzlit, and my scallop oval punch, sponged on the edges added the last touch. Nice, flat, easy to mail card!


I used the same color scheme on the other card. I had one piece that wasn't quite half a sheet. The striped layer is actually at the bottom of the inside of the card. I think my scallop trim punch used just on the bottom of the kiwi kiss and baja breeze layer looks nice...and of course, I used dimensionals. The ribbon is part of my retired stash that I have been hoarding. Must use this stuff to make room for new!!

Thanks for waiting around for me to post! I'll finish my other half-done post in a few minutes! LOL!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Color and Throwdown a Sketch!

Happy Wednesday! I went to a different color challenge blog today...the Color Throwdown, this week featuring pear pizazz, kraft (crumb cake) and blushing bride. I have peeked at it frequently, but this is the first time I participated. I combined it with the Sketch Challenge on splitcoaststampers. I pulled out my new SU set, "Bliss" which is available through Sale-a-Bration. Just order $50 in Stampin' Up product from January 25 - March 31, and you can choose this set, or one of many other sets or special SAB accessories.

The base is crumb cake, and I used pear and blushing bride pattern paper from the Hostess pack. I love the cotton twill ribbon, just had to choose which color to use! I stamped two of the images from Bliss on very vanilla card stock, and another one in crumb cake to leave a watermark on one side. My usual sentiment set up fit perfectly with this sketch. Finally, I added some pearls for a final feminine touch.

Hope you like it...I do!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Featured Birdie!

Today is Sunday...and that means Featured Stamper challenge on SCS. Today highlights the talent of Tracy (aka whoistracy). WOW! What a beautiful, clean look she has!! I am stocking up on thank you cards, and decided to make one for today with my Aviary set. This is the card I chose to CASE. (Edit: I now have a link to the card, not her entire gallery) I pulled out a soft color palette...blushing bride, pear pizazz, and baja breeze, including patterned paper from the Hostess Level 1 pack. The satin ribbon is retired ('cuz I am trying to finish it off!) but Fear Not!! You can now get baja breeze seam binding, which has a lovely sheen to it...it's available in the Occasions Mini. I bought 3 rolls already! LOL!! I stamped the bird cage in basic gray, which I like over basicblack when I have a softer pallette. And the little bird mimics the little bird on Tracy's rainbow! How cool is that? ;-) One more thing...did you notice Teeny Tiny Wishes without punches?!? Gasp! Sometimes,less is more!

Hope you get to stamp today!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Dare to be Square!

Hello Stamping Friends!!

Today's card combines three challenges from this week: the Color Dare (so saffron, poppy parade, and very vanilla), the Ways to Use It challenge (butterflies) and the Free 4 All challenge (at least 2 embossing folders.)

When Riley posted the Color Dare, I was not sure where to begin. But with the call for butterflies the next day, I had a plan. I rarely do square cards, but I think they are fun and eye-catching. The base is so saffron, and measures 5x5 inches. I added a layer of poppy parade pattern paper from the Hostess Level 1 pack. The vanilla layer is embossed with my petals-a-plenty impressions folder and the big shot. I also used the Beautiful Wings Sizzix die, which is a Stampin' Up exclusive. I stamped the flourish from Elements of Style in poppy parade, then ran it through the big shot with the vintage wallpaper impressions folder. I added just a bit of poppy twill ribbon. You recognize Teeny Tiny Wishes, I'm sure...with scallop oval, modern label and word window punches. The butterfly's body is basic black punched out with the word window, just without one curved end.

Combining challenges is fun, and easy to do...give it a try!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Stylish Blogger Award!!

WooHoo!!!

Yesterday, I received a fun award...the "Stylish Blogger Award"...from one of my favorite stampers, Anne Marie Hile!! I was quite shocked and oh so happy! I first found Anne Marie through the Color Dare, because she has also been a Featured Stamper. I LOVE her projects, and her blog Stampin Anne! I know my blog has a small but faithful following...but who knew I'd get special recognition?! Thanks, Anne Marie!

There are three simple rules for this blog award:

1. Thank the person who gave the award, and include a link to her/his blog. Check
2. Share 8 things about yourself
3. Pass the award on to 8 Stylish blogs, and let them know!

So....here are 8 things you mayor may not know about me:

• I have lived in Illinois my entire life, despite trying to move south many times!
• My absolute favorite embellishment for my cards is RIBBON!!
• I am a Chicago Cubs fan, no matter how bad they are! Wrigley Field is a FABULOUS place!
• I wear children's shoes still...Size 2-1/2 wide. I have several pairs of Stride Rite Mary Jane's with velcro straps. Sigh
• I have always had a neuromuscular disorder...diagnosed as Dejerine-Sottas when I was 29. You can learn about it on the MDA website...but don't dare call me one of Jerry's Kids! Blech!
• I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Illinois State University...Music Therapy was my field of study
• I have 2 older brothers and one younger sister...none of whom stamp ;-)
• My crafty side comes from my mom, who makes lovely scrapbooks and beautifully decorated cakes from time to time. I LOVE her bunches!

Now, let me share with you some Stylish Blogs where I often find creative ideas!! It is hard to limit the list to 8...trust me, there are many more! (If you have received this award before, just kick back and enjoy it again!)

• Michelle Zindorf's Freedom in Creating... I think Michelle is the Queen of Brayering!
• Stampin' & Dancin' with Riley... Riley hosts the Color Dare each week, and you know I love that!
• So, let me recognize the Color Dare!
• Marla's Stampin' Spot...Marla says she is new, but she has a great look to her projects already!!
• Running w/ Scissors Stamper...Heidi has some very unique cards, using tools in ways I never would have thought of on my own!
• Stampin' & Scrappin' with Karen... I love the 3-D projects, and keep telling myself I am going to try them myself!
• Not a Stampin' Up site, but Dawn's Sunnyside Up blog is always filled with whimsy! She is one of my first and best cyber-stampin' friends!! Mwah!
• Holly's art is well known on splitcoasstampers, and I love stopping by her gallery and blog Toy's Haven. Like Dawn, she is a Challenge-Chaser cyber-stampin friend. I hope to meet her in person someday!
  

So...have fun checking out some pretty cards and projects from all over the place! Just make sure you don't stay online looking too long...get to your craft table and create something with STYLE!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Sketch a Resolution

I am a week late on a splitcoaststampers sketch challenge, but it has nice clean lines, so I decided to do it any way! The sketch is turned in a vertical orientation, instead of the horizontal shown on the challenge thread. I decided to combine it with a Free for All challenge hosted by my friend Dawn (dawnmercedes). She encouraged us to make a project reflecting a New Year's Resolution...but the trick was it could not be a stamping resolution! Gasp! Well, I looked at my numerous stamps, and came across these 2 sentiments about prayer. I realized I really want to re-focus my prayer life this year. Two of my ministry volunteers...both retired men who have done so much to help the clinic grow... are struggling with serious health issues. So, I decided they need a little note. I want them to know I am thinking of them a lot!

Even though Dawn said the card should not be about a stamping resolution, these two are. By using retired kiwi kiss card stock and retired dsp, I am working on my resolution to use my goodies...not just hoard them!! I am sure she'll understand! The other card stock colors are basic gray, whisper white, and not quite navy. I used vintage brads and dimensionals. The verses are from a craft store.

If you made any resolutions,I hope you can keep them! ...at least until February!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Pearly Pinks

Today's Color Challenge on SCS was perfect for me as I am preparing for two Valentine stamping days. The colors: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, and Cherry Cobbler. I would never have put the melon and cherry in the same card...but hey, that's why these are challenges!

I used I {Heart} Hearts to make my own dp with the two lighter colors stamped on whisper white. I decided that rounding the corners would add just a touch of detail. My scallop oval punch and modern label punch were already out on my messy table, so why not pull out Teeny Tiny Wishes for the perfect sentiment? I stamped it in cherry cobbler and used my melon mambo marker to outline it. The Subtles Pattern Paper Stack provided a nice polka dot to coordinate with one of the stamped images. Satin ribbon and basic pearl jewels finish with a soft feminine look.

Need some Valentines? Check out the Filled with Love promotion from Stampin' Up!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Very Quick Cards

Today I am posting two very quick cards. Both were made for challenges on SCS, but also fit the "clean and simple" concept. This past Thursday, the Ways to Use it challenge called for twine. Well, I have this retired blue twine which has been making a mess in my basket! I decided to use it...and with this design, I should be able to duplicate this card a lot. I need lots of thank you cards now! I have a sahara sand base, then took my sponge daubers with sahara sand, bravo burgundy and night of navy ink to lightly dab a random pattern. Cool, huh? My 2-hole punch was used so I could lace my twine. I then stamped from Thank You Kindly in navy on very vanilla, outlining it with a marker, and popping it up with dimensionals. Super easy!

Next, Friday's Free For All challenge prepped us for Valentine's Day. We had to use pink, purple, and a heart. Check, check, and double check! If you follow this blog, you may recognize this. I CASE'd myself! Instead of ornaments, I punched hearts from the subtles pattern stack. (Actually, the perfect plum is a retired pattern, but the new patterns come in the same stack as the pretty in pink.) The elegant eggplant ric-rac is retired. But that fabulous striped grosgrain is still around! I used naturals ivory for the card base, and All Holidays for the sentiment.

Hope you like them!
Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Dare to Try Again!

This week's Color Dare is bright and summery...a great diversion from the cold of January! I made one card...and it was like a snowball rolling down a hill! Stop! Too much!! LOL!! So, I tried again, and I am happier with the results. I thought about making one more attempt...but with two 12th Day of Christmas parties this weekend, there was no time.

The Color Dare assigned us tempting turquoise, tangerine tango and pear pizazz. I had some retired tangerine ribbon which I really want to use up. On the new side, I have this adorable Stampin Up! set called Aviary. It had not seen ink yet, so I pulled it out for a debut. It is quite a cute set! My extra large scallop punch and Circles big shot die came in handy. The card base is tempting turquoise, and I added some pear pizazz pattern paper from the Hostess Level 1 pack. I ran some whisper white through the Big Shot with perfect polka dots...but just part way, so I could stamp the sentiment. This cute 'hello' is from "Hello Again," a set in the Idea Book and Catalog (IBC) but also available soon as a FREE set when you place a $50 Sale-a-Bration Order! Contact me for more details!

Back to the card...since I had already added the ribbon, taped on the back...oops...and I needed more tangerine, I took my marker and outline the white layer. I also added a tiny bit on the bottom of the cage.

Just for fun, I'll post my reject card. Here, not on SCS. More limited views on my teeny tiny blog! LOL!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Hugs and Kisses to Volunteers!

Today I have a party which has become a fun tradition. My husband and host a 12th Day of Christmas party for staff and volunteers from the ministry where I work. Bruce always makes 3 big pots of soup, and everyone brings a dish to pass. The evening includes a rather competitive "white elephant" gift exchange. At the end of the evening, I try to present them with a small token. This year, I made up treat bags, using small cellophane bags from Stampin' Up. I also cut out some retired Christmas DSP with my Top Note die in the Big Shot, and folded it over for a simple decoration. Each bag had a scallop circle in ruby red (yep...clearing out more retired stuff) and 1-3/8"circle in very vanilla. The sentiment is from All Holidays, and says "hugs and kisses". The bags were filled with chocolate kisses and life-savers...'cuz we're a life-saving ministry!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Mission: Get Organized!

Organized??

I'm sorry...you have the wrong blog.

Or, at least, the wrong day.

Check back with me later.

*wink*




Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Dare to be Colorful!

Last week's Color Dare was fun...but I failed to upload it on time! Oops!! But hey, I can still post it here. Riley asked us to use Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze, and Very Vanilla. Big Oops here...I used whisper white instead. Oh well! I thought the colors would be fun for a snowflake card. I used Serene Snowflakes to make my own designer paper. I cut out the large snowflake, to fit the Sketch Challenge on SCS. The layer of baja is from Candy Cane Christmas dsp, sadly now retired and unavailable. I used three punches; scallop trim, modern label, and word window. Teeny Tiny Wishes turned these snowflakes into a winter birthday card. One glimmer brad and 1/4 inch ribbon give the final touches.


This other card is for last week's CAS challenge on SCS...calling for kraft (or SU Crumb Cake) Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Cake and Whisper White. I love when the CAS challenges are color combos! Since it had to be clean and simple, I had to restrain myself from adding some contrasting colors or more embellishments. I needed a masculine thank you card. I ran my wild wasabi through the Big Shot with the perfect polka dots impression folder. I stamped with Dasher and Lovely as a Tree, as well as Thank You Kindly. This is the first time I used a jumbo brad...fun, isn't it? My sentiment was colored with my wild wasabi marker, then "thumped" with my chocolate chip marker. I outlined that layer with the marker to give the allusion of another layer without the bulk.

I just love playing with color!!! Hope you get to play today!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Did You Miss Me??

As you might imagine, I was pretty wrapped up with finishing Christmas cards, shopping, wrapping mailing, etc!! So my blog has been sadly neglected.

But it is a new year!! And what better way than to start out with a challenge card? In fact, a TRIPLE challenge card!!

Today, the Featured Stamper challenge was posted, and it was a familiar gallery, because Marisa is a member of the Color Dare Design Team! I chose this card to CASE. I also combined it with this week's color challenge on splitcoaststampers (Night of Navy, Old Olive, and Daffodil Delight) and this week's Ways to Use it challenge to use silver.

All of the items used are from Stampin' Up! I used Regals Designer Series Paper Stack and Greenhouse Gala DSP, along with very vanilla, old olive, and night of navy card stock. My silver brads were lined up with my mat pack and paper piercer. I crimped one layer, as in the FS card, and added a regal button. It really is just navy, but there is a bit of reflection, which, oddly enough, looks kinda cool! It is tough to see, but I threaded some retired silver cord through the button as well. The sentiment is from On Your Birthday.

It feels good to stamp with challenges again! Hope to do a LOT of that this year!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}