Another Monday Post!

Hello Again!  TWO posts in one day!!

I set a goal to complete all of the 2015 sketch challenges from  both SCS and Freshly Made Sketches.  Well, I am very far behind at FMS...so instead of falling further behind, I threw this card together quickly.  I will likely tweak the design a bit, because I like it overall...but the embellishments?  Hmmm, not so much!  I combined it with this fabulous spring color palette from the ColourQ.  I posted it to the Freshly Made Sketches blog within seconds of the deadline!  Go Me!  haha

Seriously, I do find my creative juices flow with these challenges...but even more so when I have just an hour to complete them.  It's as if I am in perpetual Virtual Stamp Night mode!

My card base is blushing bride.  The next layer is more of the "Irresistibly Yours" paper from SU.  I sponged the pool party and old olive over the leaf pattern.  I was thrilled to actually have a piece of pale plum in with my perfect plum card stock (saved me time!). My sentiment is from SU's "Well-Scripted" and the flower is from "Friends Never Fade."  I colored the flower with markers: old olive, so saffron, pale plum, and perfect plum.  After rounding the corners, I sponge the edges of the whisper white just a bit.  Finally, I added some blushing bride pleated ribbon and a big designer button.  I wish I used a smaller button...but I didn't want to dig in my button box!  Looks like this will be a hand-delivered card!

Finding a clear spot to take a picture on time was a bit tricky...let's just say that I did a quick swoosh on one end of this table!  And I did the write-up after I linked up my card to FMS.  Now, I can link up to the ColourQ in an almost relaxed mode! heehee!

Thanks for stopping by...again!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Colours for a Hero

Good morning, and Happy Monday!

I made this card last night for the Colour Me...! challenge.  Instead of uploading it then, I sat and watched 2 of our favorite shows on the Food Network.  Alton Brown is hysterical!  Then I went to bed early, because we had a lot to do early this morning before my husband went into work this morning.  Funny thing is, I told him "Okay, as long as we're home in time for me to upload my card."  I have my priorities in order, you know.  *wink*



Any way, this is a Clean & Simple design.  I wanted to try this "Irresistibly Yours" paper from Sale-a-Bration.  Several years ago, SU had some similar embossed paper, which I really enjoyed (Presto something). I like the patterns in the new pack even better.  I thought the colors would coordinate well with the stars, and I am working on a box to send to Operation Write Home.

The colors are more similar than you might expect in this palette...that is the reds compared to each other, as well as the aquas.  My card base is bermuda bay, and I added a layer of real red.  I sponged bermuda bay in the lower corner, cherry cobbler in the center, and coastal cabana on top.  After sponging, I took a tissue to wipe excess ink off the stars.  I added a strip of black satin ribbon for contrast.  My Sizzix star die came in handy, and they go well with the stamped sentiment from SU's "Words of Courage."

I hope to make more of these, with different shades of blue and red, and some different greetings...all for our heroes serving overseas!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

HERE I am with Paper Players Times 2

Hello everyone!

I wanted to play along with this week's Paper Players challenge.  Unfortunately, I started putting this together just one hour before the deadline.  Sometimes, that kicks me into high speed, but I decided to have lunch with my husband before he went to work instead.  So, this isn't an official submission, but I am happy to have completed the card.  Also, for whatever reason, I decided to look back on others that I missed this year, and I came across this wonderful color combo that intrigued me.  So today's card is a combination of these 2 PP challenges!

I have no stamped images on this card...very unusual for me.  Both of my sentiments are from SU's "Blessings from Heaven."  I used sahara sand for the base, plus for one layer (which is embossed) under the scripture verse.  The first 2 little pennants are flip sides of the same piece of Moonlight dsp.  The other is from S.E.I.'s Black Orchid pack.  I added one enamel dot to the scallop circle, and some old SAB ribbon for the final touch.  I'll be sad when this ribbon is gone!

I'm keeping this stamp set out, as I plan on making many more cards that will let people know I am praying for them.  We can ALL use more prayer, right?

Thanks for stopping by!



Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Mashup for the Guys!

TGIFM!

Thank Goodness it's Friday Mashup!

Hello everyone!  I have had so much fun as a Guest Designer for the Friday Mashup this month!  What I enjoy the most is visiting so many blogs to see YOUR creations!  Such a fabulous variety!  This week is my last as a guest designer...but you will see me playing along as much as I can in the future!

Today's challenge comes from Bree.  It's a fun sketch, or a masculine card...or Mash it Up to make a masculine card using this sketch.  Of course, I am Mashing things Up!

It's been a while since I have made a square card, but once I chose my image an started gathering elements, I knew I needed a wider layout.  But as I began assembling pieces, I realize that I varied the sketch...just a bit.  My card base is sahara sand, and I used two different patterns from "Nautical Expedition" dsp (plus one in the photo!)  My image is SU's "Sail Away." I colored it a bit with blender pens using sahara sand, cherry cobbler, and not quite navy. I also sponged a bit of not quite navy in the water and sky though it is hard to see in the photo.  For the scallop detail, I used some denim cut with my Sizzix circle die in my Big Shot.  The denim is from an old shirt that my husband has, errr, ummm, outgrown.  The fabric is in good shape, so yes, I saved it!  Since this card is for him, he'll get a little bit of his shirt back!  Ha!  Each scallop is starting to fray a little, but I like this unexpected detail.  The sentiment is from SU's "Happiest Birthday Wishes."  The enamel dots are Prima brand, and the bakers twine is from SU.

My picture isn't great, but I can't ask Bruce to take the photo since the card is for him.  His birthday is in July...can't believe I am this early!

Thanks for stopping by!  I sure hope you join us by playing along with this week's challenge!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Colour Me...Caught Up!

Hello Stamping Friends!

I have several cards for this post:  this week's Colour Me...! challenge, plus the previous two THREE challenges.  I actually had this post started, with the blog badges added in, but I didn't get CMCC#62 done.  I was busy with other work-related projects, but finally got back to these yesterday and today.  So...here's the colorful line-up!

This week's challenge, CMCC#63, is a subtle one:  marina mist, sahara sand, and so saffron, plus a neutral.  My neutral is very vanilla.  I combined the colors with the weekly sketch at SCS.  That means I am caught up on the 2015 posts for BOTH of these challenges!  WooHoo!

I wanted something quick, so I used one of my favorite sets, SU's "Work of Art." I needed a thank you card for a friend who did some work for me.  He is a graphic artist, and he took my ugly power point slide design and turned it into a fabulous flyer for me to promote my Keynote Speaking.  He's a lot of fun, very creative, and we share a common faith in God and the value of human life.  I thought these colors would work for a man or woman.  I kept my design simple, because he's that kind of guy!  The card base is sahara sand.  I have a strip of marina mist pattern paper (the old kind). I stamped the geometric elements randomly on very vanilla.  The second sentiment is stamped in marina mist n so saffron card stock, and punched out with the scallop oval.  This is the only part up on dimensionals!  Finally, I added very vanilla grosgrain ribbon...who knows how long I have had this stuff!  Hope my friend likes it!

Next, I have a very quick card for CMCC#62...which was ideal for a St. Patrick's Day card.  But since that has come and gone, I just made a general card for a friend.  I pulled out some dsp scraps (Woodland Walk, I think) and threw this together tonight!  The stamp is from "All Holidays."  I used my scallop square die and scallop trim border punch.  The button is quite large, but I pulled it out with the card stock...it goes with the challenge badge!

Continuing with my goal to catch up, here is a fun card that I made over a week ago, but, as I mentioned, this post has been sitting in my drafts!  I stamped the image from "Upsy Daisy" using the embossed kisses technique during VSN, but didn't post it.  So I decided to use it with this monochromatic color challenge in CMCC#61.   I added the butterfly from "Flight of the Butterfly" plus some doodling with my markers.  I used the same argyle folder to emboss the strip of whisper white, then sponged with smoky slate and tangelo twist.  The sentiment is also from "Upsy Daisy" and is punched out with the decorative label.  An enamel dot and stitched ribbon finish it off.

Finally, I have this fun, bright card for CMCC#60.  I used basic black for my base to contrast with the bright challenge colors.  I pulled out some vellum from my Sale-a-Bration stack, and colored the butterflies with markers.  I mounted the pieces on daffodil delight.  Next, I added a tempting turquoise butterfly, cut with my embosslit.  The sentiment is from "Hello Again" embossed in white.  Both the butterfly and sentiment are highlighted with melon mambo enamel dots.  Plus I added melon mambo ribbon.



Phew!  Feels good to get these done, and uploaded!  Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Playing with Some Challenges

Hello...it's SPRING!  Doesn't feel like it in my neck of the woods, but I'm sure the warm stuff is on its way!

To celebrate, I am making a card for 3 challenges...this week's Paper Players, the color challenge on SCS (smoky slate, whisper white, and wisteria wonder...the dessert is to add a touch of green) and a sketch challenge on SCS that I skipped.  I think they will all work together well.  Combined, they give me the card subject, colors, and layout...that's most of the work!

True confessions...I thought I had another hour to upload this card!  When I realized my mistake, I threw this together very quickly.  I'm not thrilled with it...but I really wanted to submit it to the Paper Players...just a personal goal.

That means this card is very flat (for me!)...but it will be easy to mail.  I needed a sympathy card, and I really love this flower from "Thanks for Caring" which I colored with my wisteria wonder and lucky limeade markers.  I stamped it on an oval, from my baggie of miscellaneous pre-cut shapes. My whisper white strips were in with my scraps.  One is embossed with the Vine folder and sponged with limeade.  The other is stamped with the tiny flower from "Because I Care"...because it was on my table!  I also added a smoky slate oval, because it is on of the challenge colors, and was only used for the card base.  I nearly forgot; the dsp is from SU's Flirtatious.  I had to quickly grab my Teeny Tiny Wishes, then used an oval punch which was already on my table.  I really wish I had just stamped it flat on the horizontal stripe instead of embossing that first.  But when you make a card in 20 minutes, things don't always work out as you hope!  LOL

At any rate...here is my triple challenge card.  Whew!  Thanks for stopping by!
Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

It's Clearly Time for a Mashup!

Hello, and Happy Friday!!

It was so AMAZING to see all of the entries for the Friday Mashup #200 over the last two weeks!  Congratulations to all of the prize winners!  You can check out who they are (maybe You!) on this post.

This week, Amy has a fun challenge for us.  We can either

• use the colors Rich Razzleberry, Smoky Slate and Pacific Point...
• or we can use a clear element, such as vellum or acetate...
• or we can Mashup!

Of course, I chose the Mashup!

I have been having fun with my Sheer Perfection Designer Vellum Stack, which I received with my recent Sale-a-Bration order.  I had avoided vellum for years, but when you get it for free, you have to try it out all over again!

My card base is smoky slate.  I used my labels framelits to cut out a window.  After choosing one of the vellum patterns, I colored the back side with a razzleberry marker, plus I sponged some pacific point ink in for the sky.  I used my heat gun, very gently, to heat set the color, then adhered it to the inside of my card.  I used a sentiment from "Because I Care" and paired it with my oval and decorative label punches.  Next, I added some taffeta ribbon, a small button, and a non-SU rhinestone flower for embellishment.  I love this ribbon..but it's tough to tie!  I consider it a bit of physical therapy!  The final details are tiny dots around the window, made with my razzleberry and pacific point markers.

Be sure to join along with us at The Friday Mashup again this week.  You can submit your projects up until next Wednesday.  I can't wait to see what you create!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Congratulations to the Mashup Winners!

Hello Everyone!

We had a great time celebrating our 200th challenge at The Friday Mashup!  After the two weeks, each of us on the Design Team chose favorites (it was SO hard to choose!) and several people also won fun prizes!

To check out who won, read this post from our fearless leader, Holly!

And come back tomorrow morning for another fun challenge!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Paper Players and a Friendly Mashup Reminder

Hello, and Happy Friday!

I have a quick card...hope I get it linked up on time!  I am combining this week's SCS sketch with the Paper Players challenge...some soft spring colors this week!  I love diagonal lines, so the sketch caught my eye. Plus, it's very unique from the usual, dontcha think?  I have seen many cards recently with white on crumb cake, so I decided to try it with these colors.

So, on my crumb cake card base, I added some DSP.  The cantaloupe piece is from the Sweet Sorbet pack.  The so saffron is from the long-retired Delicate Dots.  I have a near-full package left!  I think I may have to make some gift sets to use it up!  My stamps (image and sentiment) are from SU's "Because I Care."
I embossed the flower with white embossing powder, and the sentiment with my wild wasabi powder...I hardly ever use it.  After stamping, I colored the image with my markers, though much of the image is just white.  I think I need some ultrafine powder.  I added some enamel dots.  I wanted just a bit more, so I used my wasabi marker to doodle some dots along the edge of the dsp.

Before you go, I need to remind you that there is STILL TIME to participate in the Friday Mashup 200th celebration!  The deadline is March 18th, at 6 pm EST.   Prizes are being given away!  Be sure to add your project AND to comment on the DT cards!  You can find my card HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Q Up Some Birthday Cards

Hello...it's Wednesday, and it's WARM!

Just a few days ago, it was bitter cold here in central Illinois, but today it is in the mid 50's! Spring has sprung!

And with that warm weather, comes some fun cards for spring birthdays.  I needed a card for my brother.  I was already late for his birthday, which is the norm for most years, but I am doing so much better this year!  It's hard to make cards for him, so I figured these colors from the ColourQ would make a great gender-neutral card.  I really didn't think I would get into these colors, but the design team had projects that were truly inspiring!  The sketch is a few weeks old, but I am catching up on my goal to complete all of the SCS 2015 sketch challenges. Instead of making a square card, I stuck with a classic A2 size.





All of the supplies for this card are from Stampin' Up.  My card base is crumb cake.  I used my new vellum (a freebie from Sale-a-Bration) with the leaf pattern.  There is no color on these vellum sheets, so I colored the back with markers.  I combined lucky limeade and summer starfruit to mach the kiwi kiss card stock on my horizontal panel. The kiwi is embossed with the vine folder...I always forget the name!  After coloring the vellum, I mounted it onto very vanilla card stock, and added some basic black, punched with the scallop border. My diamond is comprised of black and basic gray, and I added a bit of vanilla for the sentiment from "On Your Birthday."  Two enamel dots wrap it up. Even though this is a color scheme I would not have tried on my own, I am really happy with the end result.  (That's the whole point of these challenges, right?)










Next, I have another past SCS sketch, plus this week's color challenge from SCS:  Lost lagoon, pear pizzazz, daffodil delight, and strawberry slush...Wowza!  What an amazing palette for spring! I am not a huge pink fan, but combined with the other colors, this was fun!  The sketch has a heart (it was before Valentine's Day) but I opted for a large flower instead.






I have a lost lagoon base, with a strip of daffodil delight pattern paper.  The main image was lots of fun.  This is a silhouette image from SU's "Upsy Daisy," but I opted to take my markers to it, to create a multi-colored field of flowers.  Around the flowers, I lightly sponged the sky and grass.  I layered it on daffodil paper, then onto strawberry slush card stock for more contrast.  The sentiment is from "On Your Birthday."  My big flower is from a package from Darice(?)...it had been unopened for YEARS!  But I thought it was a perfect match to the stamped image, and for completing the sketch.  Plus the challenge "dessert" was to include non-stamped flowers.  Even my brad counts for that!  The enamel dots are from an online store.







Next, I have 2 cards from the previous ColourQ challenges.  Not that I am obsessed with color challenges or anything that causes me to do them after the blog deadline...oh wait.  I am. Ha!  Anywho, for the sake of time, and because I have other actual "work" things to do, I am just going to include BRIEF notes.




CQC281 sings SPRING! So I pulled out my nostalgic favorite set, "Best Blossoms."  Non-SU embellishments go well with cool Carribean (I don't have any of the "real" stuff.) I should make a bunch of these...everyone needs a cheerful Hello when spring comes to town!













Now, here is CQC282, another challenge that leans more subtle...not quite monochromatic.  These are tricky for me.  I had a small scrap of brocade blue card stock, already crimped. I also crumpled and sponged my newsprint  I stamped my butterflies using the Embossed Kisses technique for Lydia's VSN challenge.  It's hard to see, but I used the hounds-tooth folder.  The stamps used are "Blessings from Heaven" and "Flight of the Butterfly."

That's 4 cards in one post...good grief!  I better clean up my mess, and work on some other stuff.  Thanks for stopping by!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

More Virtual Stamp Night!

Hello Stamping Friends!

I have two cards today, both made yesterday.  I hope to stamp some more today, but I just got home from a church event (Chili Cook-off!) and I am exhausted!  Not that I cooked...my husband did.  *wink* I am probably tired because of the goofy time change.  I want that hour back!

This week's Shine Your Light Challenge at the ODBD blog is a color challenge featuring pastels.  I must admit, I was deep in my Virtual Stamp Night mode when I decided that I should try to complete this challenge also.  The VSN challenge was called Hidden Treasures, and we were to think of garden things, like flowers that hidden in a bulb before they spring up.  My card uses daffodils, but instead of coloring them, I used my acrylic blocks to make a color block background.  This is also another Friday Mashup #200 card...as a reminder that YOU can play along!  I combined FM 117 (Tic Tac Toe, using ribbon, pearls and flowers) and FM123 to use acrylic block stamping.  

I dug through a stack of card bases in retired SU colors, and found one in pale plum.  I added a layer of wisteria wonder, which is embossed with the elegant lines embossing folder. On whisper white, I used various blocks to stamp pool party, pretty in pink, pistachio pudding, and crisp cantaloupe inks.  My sentiment and flowers are both from a long retired SU set, called "Beautiful Life."  They are stamped in Stazon jet black.  I rounded my corners, and added basic pearls and some pistachio ruffled ribbon.  I remember buying these stamps...I fell in love with the life-affirming sentiment.  I do believe Life is Good...and it all comes from God!  (There's my brief Sunday sermon!)

Next, I have a large and very different card.  Sabrina gave us a VSN challenge to use a map.  I don't have any map stamps.  Since the overall theme is "I Treasure You" I picked a map of a place I really treasure...Rome Italy!  I downloaded the map, and chose card stock to coordinate.  I think this is ballet blue...maybe brocade blue?  Not sure.  My black is embossed with the square lattice folder.  I used a strip of pear pizzazz pattern paper.  Using my Word Bubble framelits and the Just Sayin' stamps, I added my true feelings...I do miss Rome!  My husband and I went there in 2013 for our 20th anniversary.  The red brads mark several of the places we visited, including St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, where i got a HUG from the Pope!  Very fun to reminisce!

No Friday Mashup on this card...but maybe I'll try again later tonight!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Virtual Stamp Night: I Treasure You!

Hello, and Happy Saturday!

Last night, I made a BIG and fun mess, creating cards for Virtual Stamp Night!  The over arching theme is "I Treasure You."  I am posting the first 4 challenges here in this post, and will share the other 6 (if I get them all done) tomorrow.  I also combined some of these challenges with the Friday Mashup 200th challenge celebration.  YOU can still play along, and try to win prizes!

The first challenge was to CASE a Treasured Hostess...Tammie E.  Here is the card I selected.  Tammie is incredibly talented, and famous for her coloring.  Me, not so much!  LOL  I kept the sketch, and used a much simpler image, who is also ice skating.  I chose FM45 (penguins) and FM36 (colors baja breeze, blushing bride, and basic gray) to mash up.  My stamps are Serene Snowflakes, Penguin Pleasantries, and Teeny Tiny Wishes.












The second challenge was one that I hosted...woohoo!  I thought of a Scavenger Hunt, so I gave everyone 6 things that needed to be included in their project.  Check out the details here. My card includes images from a brand new stamp set (for me) called "Life is Good" from Lawn Fawn.

The third challenge is about treasuring our furry friends.  I don't have any pets, but I do love this Chubby Chums set from Paper Smooches.  Once again, I combined 2 Friday Mashups...the sketch found at FM180 and the birthday theme, plus twine at FM142.  This card, featuring pretty in pink, wisteria wonder, and lucky limeade.

Finally, here is a VSN card that asked us to use spotlighting.  I also found a spotlight challenge from Friday Mashup...FM45, plus FM01 that featured butterflies.  My card features SU's Swallowtail in baked brown sugar, with some areas colored with pumpkin pie and bermuda bay.



Be sure to join us at The Friday Mashup...there are LOTS of prizes being given away!  Be sure to comment on the DT cards, and upload your card to the InLinkz.  Get all the details HERE.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Celebrating #200 with Prizes at the Friday Mashup!!

Hello Stamping Friends!!

Happy Friday!!  I really mean...HAPPY FRIDAY MASHUP!!  Today, this fabulous challenge blog is celebrating its 200th challenge (which is kinda like 400th when you think about it!  LOL)   PLUS, I am excited to share with you that I am a Guest Designer for the month of March!!  How cool is that?

As a way to celebrate and to thank all of the Friday Mashup fans out there, we are having a Blog Hop with all sorts of PRIZES!  Participants in FM200 will be eligible for prizes from these fabulous companies... Newton's Nook,  Lawn Fawn, Ellen Hutson, MarkerPop, Your Next Stamp, Avery Elle, and Sugar Pea Designs!  We have two very Special Guests joining in the fun...Sandy Allnock & Jennifer Jackson from Newton's Nook have both created Mashup's for us! The prizes will be chosen randomly from people who upload a card to the Friday Mashup InLinkz and make comments on the Design Team cards.

So...what is the challenge this week?  We are inviting you to choose 2 previous challenges, and then Mash them Up!  That means you will either have 2 challenge components...or FOUR!!  How fun is that?  (You can find a complete list of challenges HERE on the FM blog, or HERE on Pinterest.)

I decided to choose a challenge from the first 100, and one from the second 200.  I admit that I changed my mind no fewer than four times!  I have combined both parts of both challenges:  FM72 has a sketch, and asked us to use flowers, and FM153 gave us the colors daffodil delight, wild wasabi, and perfect plum, plus water coloring.  Fabulous!!

 The sketch could be interpreted as having one big layer on the base under the other elements, or the main elements placed directly on the base.  So I decided to compromise by doing a tone-on-tone look, adding just a bit of daffodil that is embossed with the petals-a-plenty folder.  I taped wild wasabi striped ribbon directly on the card...no knot, no bow!  I chose to use "Fabulous Flowers" from SU...one of my very first stamp sets.  I stamped in Stazon jet black on water color paper, then used my aqua brush to add the challenge colors, then layered it on perfect plum.  I love this spring color palette! I flipped my sketch to be vertical instead of horizontal.   My flower is made, using an older flower punch that has been embossed with the elegant swirls folder.  The leaves are from the bird punch, and the flower center is a smaller circle punch.  I still love my punches!  My sentiment is from "On Your Birthday," and seemed appropriate for the 200th challenge!

Funny note of nostalgia here...I haven't used a black back drop for my cards in quite a while, but I often did when I was on the DT before.  Somehow, it felt right.  heehee

Be sure to participate in the challenge...it is even being extended an extra week! Check out The Friday Mashup blog for all the entry details!

Can't wait to see what you create!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Colors for a Spring Challenge

Hello Stamping Friends!

Earlier this week, I posted a card that I made quickly for the SCS color challenge (real red, coastal cabana, and daffodil delight)...but I wasn't thrilled with it.  I decided to try again,and to combine it with the sketch challenge.  I am behind on my sketches for the year already!  I am also submitting this for The Paper Players challenge, to focus on spring.  It has been bitter cold here all week.  I am sooooooo ready for spring!

My card base is basic black, which I thought would add a great contrast to the bright colors.  I added a layer of daffodil pattern paper.  I ran some whisper white through my Big Shot with this floral bouquet folder.  Then, using a blender pen, I colored the raised areas in the challenge colors.  My fine motor skills are a bit lacking, but this was ike occupational and art therapy rolled into one!  My sentiment is from SU's "Trust God," punched out and lightly sponged.  Some SU polka dot ribbon and enamel hearts from Anna Marie wrap it up.

I am much happier with this card...it seems more cheery!  I already know who will receive this...a friend who is truly a blessing to me!

Thanks for stopping by...but be sure to check out my 2nd post today, too.  Some exciting things happening at The Friday Mashup...with PRIZES!  WooHoo!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim