A Batch of Sketches and a Rainbow of Colors

TGIF!

Not sure why I am saying that...I am only working part time, and mostly from home, so most days are the same.  But I have been having fun playing with some challenges today.  I am continuing my 2015 focus on sketches.  I missed the Paper Players sketch, but this week's Friday Mashup has a sketch.  I also have the weekly sketches from SCS and Freshly Made Sketches.  Plus, I combined a color challenge with each one.  Whew!

This first card was LOTS of fun! I combined the Colour Me...! palette with FMS#171.  The stamped image and greeting are from Paper Smooches; more of my goodies that I chose with my gift card from the "Hope You Can Cling To" challenges last fall.

This is the first time I used tangelo twist card stock; it was still in my in-color sample pack.  I am not a big fan of orange, but this is actually very nice.  I added a layer of whisper white that is dry embossed with the fancy fan folder. For the vertical strips, I used a piece of indigo dsp from a SU holiday paper stack, a strip of long-retired razzleberry pattern paper, and then a strip of whisper white that I turned into my own pattern paper.  For that, I randomly stamped images from "Mixed Bunch."  I used my Sizzix scallop circles #2 die, then stamped the image and greeting from "Chubby Chums."  I colored the chickie with markers, and sponged indigo around the edges, then popped it up with dimensionals.  A few candy dots finish it off.  How cute is this little chick??  The entire stamp set is filled with adorable images!  A few years ago, I never would have tried these, but I am venturing more into whimsical, playful characters.  I think I have fallen in love with another stamp company...and I think my bank account is in jeopardy!

 Next, I have The Friday Mashup challenge paired with
The Color Throwdown (first time I have joined this one!)










I was debating between using summer starfruit and kiwi kiss for this one, and opted for the kiwi kiss because of this fun polka dot ribbon.  Plus, let's face it, kiwi kiss has been retired for a while...I need to finish it off!  LOL  I added a layer of concord crush pattern paper from the old hostess 6x6 pack.  The whisper white layer is embossed with the decorative dots folder.  My flower image is from SU's "Friends Never Fade."  I used markers to color it: tempting turquoise, concord crush, so saffron, and lucky limeade (no kiwi marker.)  I matted the pennant with more concord crush paper.  For a bit more of the so saffron, I doodled around the edge of the pennant with my marker, which is very hard to see in the picture.  The small greeting by the flower is from "You're a Gem," and I added one from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" also, punched out with the word window.  My accessories are the polka dot ribbon, a bright turquoise button, and some limeade bakers twine.

Finally, I have a card pairing up this week's color challenge and sketch challenge from SCS.  I had already participated in the color challenge, with a minor error.  The colors are real red, early espresso and crumb cake.  Well, with espresso and crumb cake, my brain went to cherry cobbler.  In fact, as I was getting ready to try again, I almost used cherry cobbler again!  Any way, I made this quick card. I'm not thrilled with it, especially compared to the other two...but it's done.

My card base is early espresso.  The next layer is confetti white.  I love this stuff for some things, but it is difficult to stamp on it cleanly.  My big sentiment is from Inkadinkado.  I think it is perfect for a Valentine.  For the horizontal layer, I decided to finally open up my spool of burlap, leaving the edges a little rough.  I also opened the spool of early espresso taffeta ribbon...because of course, I don't have enough spools of ribbon in use already (*sarcasm*).  Oh well! Using my heart punch and heart-to-heart punches and some pattern paper in real red and crumb cake, I added simple final touches.




Well, I had lots of fun with these.  I hope you enjoy them...and I hope you have time to play along with some of these challenges too!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

A Last Minute Challenge Card

Hello, and Happy Wednesday!

Today I have a card for the Friday Mashup.  I didn't actually mash things up this time.  I used the color palette (with a slight modification), but not the baby theme.  When I was clearing scraps from my table, I came across small pieces of the challenge colors, plus this flower already stamped out and punched out.  So, this was a pretty quick card.

All supplies are from Stampin' Up.  The card base is crumb cake.  I lined up pieces of pool party, early espresso, and calypso coral (instead of tangerine), then embossed them with the Petals-a-Plenty folder.  For a change of pace, I put the strips on an angle.  The flower is from "Mixed Bunch," and it is stamped in crisp cantaloupe with a large calypso coral brad.  I used "Work of Art" stamped in early espresso on pool party and very vanilla card stock.  I used my small oval and scallop oval punches.  The final touch is the addition of coral candy dots on top.

I am so glad I remembered the deadline for this, and still had these elements set aside.  I wasn't sure what I was going to create, but I a very happy with the end result!

Thanks for stopping by again today!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

A Colorful Tuesday

Hello, and Happy Tuesday!

I have 2 cards tonight for 2 challenges posted today...Gasp!  I rarely do challenges on the same day they are posted, but I am struggling to get anything else done.  Time for art therapy!

My first card is for the ColourQ, a perfect palette for a Valentine.  Now, since I actually have several other things I should be doing (sigh), I decided on a very quick, CAS design.  I made two cards in the same design, and may make more with varied colors.


My card base is smoky slate.  I added a layer of calypso
coral.  Onj the top layer of whisper white, I stamped with the colors, using three different SU stamp sets.  The sentiment is from "Filled with Love."  Frankly, I nearly got rid of this set, but I love this sentiment!  The hearts are from "I {Heart} Hearts," and the swoosh is from the ever-so-versatile "Work of Art."  I added 2 cherry cobbler brads, and popped the top layer up with dimensionals.

Next I have a card for this week's color challenge over at Splitcoaststampers, which called for Real red, crumb cake, and early espresso.  Unfortunately, I had cherry cobbler on my mind, so I missed the boat a bit.  But I'm posting it any way!

I used the same sentiment and the same swoosh...they were sitting on my table, so why not, right?  The images are from SU's "Morning Cup."  I used Stazon jet black, stamped on very vanilla, and colored with my markers.  I placed that panel over a piece of early espresso, dry embossed with the divine swirls embossing folder.  My sentiment was punched out with the scalloped oval, and placed over cherry cobbler seam binding.  Everything is on a crumb cake card base.

I will probably make another card using real red instead of cherry cobbler...but not tonight.  Time for me to get back to other work!

Thanks for coming by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Inspired on a Sunday

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Quick post...(I finally updated Monday morning.)

I knew which stamp set I wanted to use.  I even had the embossing folder out ready to go.  And yet, I wait until ONE hour before the challenge deadline to start this card!  Crazy...but a fun adrenaline rush!  Dinner is in the oven, so I will update after I eat.

This week's challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs is an Inspiration challenge.


I made a very quick CAS card.  My card base is blushing bride.  I embossed some whisper white with the floral bouquet embossing folder, then lightly sponged with blushing bride and pear pizzazz, inspired by the colors in the photo.  I stamped this verse from ODBD's "Sing to the Lord" with Stazon jet black ink, cut it out, and sponged more pear pizzazz.  I chose this verse because of the musical elements in the inspiration photo.  My ribbon is blushing bride pleated satin.  It is thick, so the sentiment is popped up with dimensionals.

This simple layout is something I should repeat for more quick cards...perhaps for a gift set.  Oh, the possibilities!


Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

More Challenge Cards

Hey there!  My second post in one day!

I could save this for tomorrow, but I don't want to forget to link up for The Paper Players challenge.  I have a very quick card for PP228, plus last week's Colour Me...! challenge.  It also fits a recent Clean and Simple challenge on SCS.

I embossed a piece of real red with the SU Elegant Lines folder, and wrapped striped pacific point ribbon around it before placing it on the pacific point card base.  My sentiment is from SU "My Friend."  I added red brads, and outlined the whisper white with my pacific point marker.  I wanted something else, so I used my white gel pen to color in some of the circles and flowers.  It looks better in real life...but I probably would not do it again!  LOL  I do like the "striking" color palette...it feels Happy!

Next, I have a card for the current Colour Me...! challenge, along with the first Ways to Use It challenge of 2015 from SCS.  The WT challenge was to use something NEW from our stamping stash.  Now, since I have so many OLD things, it was a bit ironic for me.  However, I won a Gift Certificate from Paper Smooches during the recent Hope You Can Cling To challenges!  I knew I wanted to play with my new toys, and I finally did today.

The card base is SU confetti white.  I added a layer of hello honey, with a bit of cajun craze scallop trim.  On whisper white, I stamped this branch in soft suede and leaves from the Paper Smooches set "Hooties."  I colored the open leaves with markers, and lightly sponged soft sky.  This fun owl was stamped in Stazon jet black separately, and colored with soft suede, hello honey, and soft suede.  Initially i used a blender pen for the cajun, then I pulled out my marker to touch it up.  It is so much darker, but I think it looks like a head of hair!  After coloring, I used the coordinating die to cut him out, and pop him up with dimensionals.  The sentiment is from the same set.  Finally, some regal candy dots finish it off.

I had LOTS of fun playing with this set...can't wait to create some more cards with it!

Thanks for hanging out with me again today.  Hopefully, I will have more cards this weekend.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Combining More Sketches and Colors

Hello and Happy Thursday!

I have 2 cards today that I made last night.  Whenever possible, I have my hubby take pictures for me, and since he works 2nd shift, it often happens the next day.  I do my write-up, add my badges, and hope to squeeze it all together for you!


This first card is for 3 challenges:  the Freshly Made Sketches challenge, a past Colour Me...! challenge I had skipped, and a very simple Technique Lovers challenge over at SCS.  I chose the color palette on the right: chocolate chip, blushing bride, and lost lagoon.  The technique challenge was to use a multi-colored sentiment.






This color combo is very similar to a favorite of mine.  Lost lagoon is darker and greener,
but similar to baja breeze.  Good thing, because I was so sad when SU retired it.  (Of course, I bought a couple packs of card stock which I will ration carefully!)  Once again, I used an embossed piece of blushing bride.  I had made 2 a while back with the intention of duplicating something, but instead I ended up with 2 very different cards! I used the challenge color markers to color this favorite from "All Holidays."  I wanted something other than a square, so I squeezed it in this label framelit, then sponged blushing bride and popped it up with dimensionals. The chocolate chip polka dot ribbon and large brads are retired...using up more of my stash!












The second card uses two challenges from Splitcoaststampers this week: color and sketch.  The colors are pacific point, marina mist, and crisp cantaloupe.  I turned the sketch sideways.  The card base is pacific point.  I stamped the coral from SU "By the Tide" in crisp cantaloupe, then embossed it with the Divine Swirls CB folder.  I sponged both shades of blue over the swirls, and attached it to the cantaloupe.  I wrapped this marina mist striped ribbon around both of those layers.  The fish, also from By the Tide, is colored with markers, fussy cut, and popped up with dimensionals.  I used my pacific point marker for the bubbles.  My sentiment is from "Word Play" stamped on whisper white, punched with the large scallop circle, and sponged with cantaloupe.  I layered it with a marina mist circle cut with my Sizzix circle die.

I have been having fun combining challenges this year!  I hope to continue the trend.  Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Mashin' Up with a Colorful Technique

Happy Hump Day!!

I'm squeezing in a Friday Mashup challenge card, paired up with this week's ColourQ challenge.  The mashup invited us to use the Triple Layer Stamping technique, and flowers.  AND the Technique Lovers Challenge on SCS this week also used this fun layered style...win win win!



I have not used chocolate chip in ages, so it was fun to pull it out again.  I had seen this technique before, but had not ever used it.  No idea why...it's simple and packs a WOW effect without a need for fancy supplies.




My card base and mats are in chocolate chip.  The stamps are from SU's "Mixed Bunch" with chocolate and strawberry slush and coastal cabana on whisper white.  After stamping, I sponged crumb cake (kraft) in the gaps.  I added ruffled ribbon and a greeting from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" punched with the word window.  It's hard to see, but there is a tiny heart from the heart to heart punch.  (I had used a larger one earlier this week.)

I think I will use this technique again, hopefully soon, and maybe for some Christmas cards.

Thanks for stopping by again!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

3 Cards Featuring 1 Stamp Set

Hello Stamping Friends

Last night, I made these three cards.  I didn't start out with the intention of using this stamp set so much, but it was out on the table and I took advantage of it.

The first card is for the Sketch challenge at SCS posted last week.  It also incorporates a Colour Me..! challenge that I skipped last year.  The use of coastal cabana against the darker tones really intrigued me.

My card base is elegant eggplant.  I made my own pattern paper by stamping images from "Friends Never Fade" and "Work of Art" on whisper white card stock with elegant eggplant, rose red, and coastal cabana.  After stamping, I sponged perfect plum to fill in the gaps. The main image is from "You Are Loved" which was colored with markers.  I layered that over a plain piece of perfect plum...which I planned to emboss.  Oops.  I added the ribbon and dimensionals before I remembered.  No biggie, right?  The sentiment is also from You Are Loved, punched out with the modern label.  Coastal cabana ruffled ribbon adds a nice contrast.






Next, I have another Valentine for a friend.  This started out as a SCS Clean and Simple challenge, but it's not very CAS in the final product!  The challenge was to put a New Year's resolution in a card.  I want to lose weight, but no stamps for that!  LOL  I do have a resolution to use my current stash, including lots of scraps and embellishments that have been unused for a long time.  I also want to use "unfinished" project pieces.  I had the embossed piece of blushing bride set aside (embossed with a Cuttlebug folder.) I placed it on a rich razzleberry card base.  I had 2 pieces of 6x6 paper in a folder of LOTS of DSP scraps, so I decided to make large hearts with my SU framelits.  I used elegant eggplant pattern paper and long-retired razzleberry lemonade.  The smaller heart is whisper white, with the rose stamp, colored in pear pizzazz, blushing bride, and rich razzleberry.  I added some pear pleated ribbon and non-SU green gems to add more contrast.  Once again, the sentiment is paired with the modern label punch.

Now since that was supposed to be CAS but really isn't, I made another card for the CAS challenge.  I had some scraps of the beloved Urban Garden dsp, as well as this strip of baja breeze.  After embossing the baja breeze with the SU snowflake folder (that's not what it's called, but it was in an old holiday mini), I layered everything on a basic gray card base.  The sentiment is from "You Are Loved."  I added a few basic rhinestones for a touch of shine.

It was lots of fun to use the stamp set several times in one evening.  I should probably try this again!

Thanks for coming by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Love this Sketch

Hello, and Happy Monday!

I have a card for last week's color challenge (basic gray, bermuda bay, and strawberry slush) and the Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  I combined them into a Valentine card.  All of the supplies I used are from Stapin' Up!

My card base is basic gray.  I added a layer of whisper white, which is dry embossed with the fancy fan folder.  I used my heart framelits to cut out 2 hearts.  One is simply a solid strawberry slush heart.  I stamped this heart image from "You Are Loved," using my markers to color it.  I wanted to add just a few bermuda bay highlights.  The framelit was larger than this stamp, so I sponged the edges with more bermuda bay, then popped it up with dimensionals.  The sentiment is from "Three Little Words" punched with the small oval.  I used the retired triple heart punch for the small heart.  Grabbing my canister of ribbon scraps, I found this polka dot ribbon, and just trimmed it up a bit.  

I really like this sketch, and may create some more Valentines using it.  I also love these bright colors against the neutral gray and white.  Hope you like the combination of these challenges!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

I love Wisteria Wonder!

Hello Stamping Friends!

As you know, I love color challenges.  But I have noticed that it is rare for SU's wisteria wonder to be included in the challenge palettes (at least challenges I participate in.)  So, I was excited to see 2 challenges this week that use this color:  the Shine Your Light challenge n the ODBD blog, and the ColourQ challenge.   I have a big trip tomorrow, so I made simple cards, both with a wisteria card base.  I am taking these pictures late at night...sorry about the shadows!






My first card uses 2 stamps from Our Daily Bread Designs: "Angel' and "Guardian Angel." I used the angel once for a Christmas card, but otherwise, these stamps have not gotten enough attention lately.  Time for that to change!

I embossed a piece of blushing bride with the fancy fold folder.  The concord crush pattern paper is from the long-retired hostess stack.  On whisper white, I stamped the Guardian Angel prayer in concord crush, and the angel is stamped over it in crisp cantaloupe.  I sponged the edges with blushing bride, then popped it up with dimensionals.  Concord crush twill ribbon and tiny basic rhinestone gems in the flower centers finish it off.  I have a special young girl in mind for this card.  She is going through a tough time, and could use a bit of encouragement.

Next, a very quick card for the ColourQ.  I had a scrap of pattern paper that
almost matched, and I colored an image in the challenge colors...then stopped for dinner.  After dinner, I realized that, while the colors matched, the styles didn't.  It looked awful!  LOL  So I started over, using the SU set "Work of Art."  This set is perfect for ultra-fast stamping!  I just made a random design on whisper white, and matted it with night of navy, then popped it up with dimensionals.  The melon DSP is from Razzleberry Lemonade.  Finally, I added a melon button and wisteria bakers twine.  This card has some bulk, but extra postage is okay when I send it to someone special.

It was fun to stamp today...especially with these cool colors!  Thanks for coming by to check out my cards!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Fresh Sketches with Last Year's Colors

Hello and Happy Monday!

I have 2 cards today for 2 different sketch challenges.  Last year, I focused on color challenges from SCS and Colour Me...!  This year, I have decided to focus on sketch challenges from SCS and Freshly Made Sketches.  We'll see how it goes!

Now, even though I am concentrating on sketches, I did miss a few Colour Me challenges, so both of these cards are filling some gaps.  I actually had a post set up in my drafts with 4 color combos, but never finished. Why not do it now?  *wink*

The first card is for CMCC#51 and Freshly Made Sketches 168.  The colors definitely make me think Christmas, but I decided to make a simple Valentine.  I am not ready to start 2015 Christmas cards!  LOL

The sketch lends itself to a Clean and Simple design (that's the idea of Freshly Made!)  I dry embossed the real red card base with a Cuttlebug hearts embossing folder.  The layers of DSP are from 2 different Stampin' Up packs, Venetian Romance and a Simply Scrap pack whose name I can't remember.  My main image and greeting are from SU's "Three Little Words" stamped on very vanilla.  I outlined that layer with my baked brown sugar marker and added 2 brads, then popped it up with dimensionals.  I had this card base cut already.  I usually have my fold on top, but didn't this time...hard to get a picture!  LOL

Next I have this fun birthday card.  I absolutely LOVE this penguin!  So glad I found him on Ebay!  The card is for CMCC#42 and SC522.










My card base is soft sky, and I embossed the front with that "snowflake" folder

from SU.  The cute image is from SU's "Penguin Pleasantries," stamped in Stazon jet black on whisper white and colored with the challenge palette.  It is layered on island indigo, and a bit of ruffled crisp cantaloupe ribbon trims it out.  I used "Teeny Tiny Wishes" with the modern label and word window punches.  The top of the card is trimmed out with indigo ruffled ribbon, a calypso coral button and some coral bakers twine.  I LOVE these colors together!

Well, I am typing this after 11:00 pm.  I really should be going to bed!  I plan on some more stamping tomorrow, but I do have to do some "real" work too.  Monday, Monday...right?

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Shining the Light with Pretty Colors

Hello Stamping Friends!

Quick post before a blog deadline...I'll edit with details after dinner!  *wink*

This is for the Shining Your Light challenge on the Our Daily Bread Designs blog, and the most recent SCS color challenge which calls for blushing bride, rich razzleberry, and mossy meadow.  After I took a picture, I realize my layout has only 4 vertical stripes, but it's close!









My card base is razzleberry, and I used both sides of blushing bride pattern paper (from the long retired 6x6 hostess pack.)  I ran out of my mossy meadow card stock from my sample pack, so I replaced it with always artichoke, dry embossed with the Vine Street folder.  The main image is from the first ODBD set I ever bought, "Sing to the Lord."  I stamped it with Stazon jet black, then used SU markers to color it: mossy meadow, hello honey, rich razzleberry, blushing bride, and baked brown sugar.  It is cut out with my large scallop circle die an popped up with dimensionals.  I lightly sponged with blushing bride and pool party.  The sentiment is from SU's "Blessings from Heaven."  The final details are blushing bride twill ribbon and artichoke candy dots.

I am spending this Sunday evening catching up on some challenges from the first week of the year.   Hopefully, I'll keep this blog even more active in 2015!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

First Card of the New Year!

Hello, and Happy New Year!

I realize we are a full week into 2015, but I am finally getting my hands inky!  First, I have a CAS card for 2 blog challenges, just to get warmed up.

The Friday Mashup and Colour Me...! worked well together.  Okay, so snowflakes aren't really purple of any shade, but extra cold days like today make me think of purple.  So yeah, I Mashed these up!








I wanted a quick card to send to my mom.  She lives in South Carolina, but grew up in the north (NY & IL), so she misses the snow...a little bit.

Not much to this card...just a perfect plum card base topped by whisper white and a strip of metallic silver card stock.  I rounded all of the corners. Both of those top layers are dry embossed with the Northern Flurries embossing folder.  I sponged the snowflakes with perfect plum ink.  The greeting is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, highlighted by the modern label and scallop oval punches.  That pattern paper is from YEARS ago!  I added silver ribbon and some rhinestones for more shimmer.


Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim