I Did It!

Hello, and Happy Friday!!

I am sooooo excited to share a few cards with you today; cards that top off my goal to complete ALL of the 2016 challenges at The Paper Players!!  I started late, since I originally focused on a different blog.  After that blog challenge retired permanently, I switched and even decided to get work on early-month challenges.  I didn't do them in order (not even close!) but I got them done!  Of course, it helped that the talented ladies at The Paper Players are taking the last 2 weeks off for a Christmas break. Here goes...

This first card is for a holiday color challenge, and goes in my stack of Christmas cards.  The picture isn't great, but photographing a white card late at night when I finished this proved to be quite a challenge in itself! I used thick whisper white card stock for the base and top layer, which was embossed with the diagonal stripe folder.  Then, I pulled out my package of glimmer paper, which included several items already cut out: 2 gold ornaments and a silver scalloped piece made with the Tasteful Trim die.  The gold embroidery thread and silver beads are non-SU...no package left, so the brand is a mystery.  I added a Teeny Tiny Wishes greeting on a tiny word window piece for the final detail.  I may make a few more of these this weekend.  Still have many Christmas cards to finish!!  

Next, I am celebrating my great-nieces 4th birthday, which is about 2 weeks away.  This CAS challenge was one I started over the summer; not sure why I didn't get it done.  The blog badge sat in my folder, nagging me to get it done!  I should have finished it, because there was a chance for blog candy!  LOL    Making a birthday card was a nice reprieve from all of the Christmas cards I have been focusing on.  My card base is lovely lilac.  The dp is from DCWV (Nana's Kids); I have had this stack for years!  Lots of sparkle, which doesn't photograph well.  The image is from a swap...also years ago.  I colored it with SU markers.  The greeting is from "On Your Birthday," on a scalloped circle. With all of the sparkle, I opted not to add any embellishments.

Finally, another theme challenge.  When this first was posted, I thought I had nothing that would fit the theme.  In reality, I had a few items; a stamp or two, certainly some designer paper...but I used my initial thought as an excuse to SHOP!  I purchased this amazing silhouette set, "Ride 'em Cowboy," from Our Daily Bread Designs.  Again, I needed a birthday card, and I have a brother-in-law in Arizona.  He's not a cowboy, but I think he will like this.  The card base is cajun craze.  I used the direct-to-paper technique for the sky with rose red, cajun craze, crushed curry, marina mist, perfect plum and midnight muse inks, then sponged the edges.  This technique is trickier than I expected, but the random splotches kinda work, I think.  The main image is stamped in Memento Tuxedo black, and the coordinating greeting in midnight muse (though it looks lighter.)  I added some twine, striped dp, and enamel dots for the final look.  

That's it...ta-dah!  It has been lots of fun to work on this blog challenge goal.  I have a couple of blogs I am considering for 2017...stay tuned!  In the meantime, I have been busy prepping for Virtual Stamp Night, which is TONIGHT and TOMORROW!  As a hostess, I started making cards already so I can surf the galleries and comment on everyone's cards.  I hope you join me and the other VSN hostesses!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Featured Stamper Time!

Hello Stamping Friends!

If you have been following my blog at all, you know I have been busy catching up on the 2016 challenges at The Paper Players.  But the other half of my stamping goal is to complete all of the 2016 Featured Stamper challenges at Splitcoaststampers.  Honestly, before this past Sunday, I had only done 15 so far!  Yikes!  I probably won't be able to catch up,, but I'll see what I can do.

I decided to make a Christmas card each of these challenges, since I still need a lot of Christmas cards.  A few will be worth duplicating later on to help build up my stash.  I completed the four most recent Featured Stampers, along with the three oldest challenges that I had skipped.  Busy busy!  Here we go...

This week's Featured Stamper is Mary, aka octoberbabe.  I see her quite often in the gallery, including Virtual Stamp Night challenges.  I chose to CASE this card.  I kept the lost lagoon, even embossing it with the World Traveler folder.  I added a strip of All is Calm dsp.  The base and circle are brushed silver.  The sentiment is from "Greetings of the Season," stamped in pear pizzazz on a decorative label.  The image is from "Miracle of Christmas," stamped in lost lagoon.  The ribbon is from a gift I received a while back, because I always reuse my ribbons!

Last week featured another stamper I often see around VSN, Shannon, aka scrapaholic007.  I chose this Christmas card to CASE.  I used the thick whisper white for the base and image panel.  Using SU's "Work of Art," I stamped the background in sahara sand, marina mist, night of navy, rich razzleberry, and crushed curry.  The image is from "Come to Bethlehem," in tuxedo black...except the star, which was inked with versamark and heat embossed in silver.  I added a rhinestone for extra sparkle.  The greeting is from the same set, stamped in midnight muse.  

  

I spotted this card on the day Jan, aka Precious Kitty, was featured, and knew I wanted to CASE it.  I had to look quite a while to find this Sizzix die from SU, which I bought just before it retired.  I had not used it yet, but I plan on making a dozen of these!  I printed sheet music for "Joy to the World" on very vanilla card stock, and sponged the edges with crumb cake ink.  The card base is always artichoke, and the dsp is "Deck the Halls" from SU, slightly distressed.  The sentiment is from "Greetings of the Season" stamped in cherry cobbler and punched with a scallop circle.  Scrunched artichoke seam binding finishes it off.








Next, I chose THIS card from MommaPatti's gallery.  I kept a similar color scheme, featured pine trees, a bit of sparkle, and the same sentiment from "The Sounding Joy." (Mine is stamped on vellum and embossed in silver.  My base is pool party. The dsp is retired from a Valentine pack.  I used label framelits to cut out a piece of blushing bride and very vanilla.  The bb is embossed with Divine Swirls folder.  I stamped trees from "Lovely as a Tree" colored with creamy caramel and sage shadow.  I added a bit of dazzling diamonds, which is hard to see, and pleated satin ribbon.

Here is a card CASE'd from Kathy, aka MochaFrap's gallery.  I chose this card.   My dp is from an old stash of Creative Memories paper from my scrapbooking days.  The sentiment is from "Greetings of the Season," stamped in cherry cobbler on very vanilla, matted on always artichoke.  The flowers are made from the 5-petal stamped and a tiny circle stamp, using riding hood red, al;ways artichoke, and crushed curry.  Seam binding wraps it up.

Now, a card for a challenge posted in January!  I chose this card from Michele's (aka Whimsey) gallery.  The image and greeting afe both from Our Daily Bread Designs "Blessed Christmas."  I colored the image with markers, stamped on watercolor paper, and spritzed with water.  After cutting it out with the label framelit, I sponged with crumb cake ink.  The card base is early espresso, dsp is "Deck the Halls," and accessories are enamel dots, satin ribbon, and crochet trim.  

Finally, here is another card, this time featuring Minnur's gallery, CASE-ing this project.  I kept the tree theme, again using "Lovely as a Tree."  I used always artichoke, very vanilla, chocolate chip, and cherry cobbler card stock.  My accessories are the SU wood grain embossing folder and non-SU enamel dots.  Another "Greetings of the Season" is featured in this simple design.  I almost forgot...I also added some dazzling details.  A bit less messy than the dazzling diamonds! 

Of course, I still have a lot to do in a short time.  Stay tuned to see how many challenges I complete!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Playing with Snowy & Sunny Paper!

It's Friday, and that means it's time to post my card before the deadline for The Paper Players!  LOL  My intention was to finish catching up with my goal of completing this year's challenges.  But that didn't happen.  Ironically, doing this week's challenge and one from a few months ago led to 2 very different seasonal cards.  Kinda fun, dontcha think?

This week's theme challenge invited us to highlight snowflakes.  My card has a basic black card base.  I used this fabulous diagonal stripe pattern from SU's "Festival of Prints" retired paper stack.  The main image is "Dasher" colored with tuxedo black, indigo island and my versamarker.  I then heat embossed with silver powder and sponged the edges.  I also added some "Serene Snowflakes" along the card edges...which I wish I had not done!  *wink*  The sentiment is from "Happiest Birthday Wishes" punched, sponged, and popped up over vanilla satin ribbon.  

Next, a card for another theme challenge.  I think I may have stamped the main image during the week of this challenge, because I have had it in my unfinished pile for months!  I just didn't know what I wanted to do with it.  So, last night, I just added it to this pacific point card base with a panel of daffodil delight pattern paper behind it.  The main sentiment is from "Feel Goods," which is stamped over a sponged daffodil sun.  I made the sunbeams by sponging along the edge of a post-it note, which I simply moved around.  I added enamel dots and some non-SU ribbon from the local Jo-Ann's.  "Beyond the Garden" dsp and "Teeny Tiny Wishes" are paired with the word window and scalloped oval punches.  

That's it for today.  A touch of winter and a touch of summer!  With a wind chill of 10 degrees today, I would definitely prefer seeing that bright sun!  Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Playing with More Paper

Hello Stamping Friends!

Today, I have several cards...all for The Paper Players!  I am getting sooooo close to finishing my goal of completing all of the 2016 Paper Player challenges!  (I will finish my write-up after I eat lunch with dear hubby!)

First, the current challenge is a sketch.  I love tilted layers, so this was fun for me.  I made this card on Sunday when the challenge was posted, and mailed it on Monday to my sister-in-law in New Mexico!  She lived in Florida for about 30 years, then moved to a small city outside Albuquerque.  She loves the fact that the higher elevation brings snow.  I thought this cute snowman might make her happy.  The card base is brushed silver.  I used "All is Calm" dsp, including the tiny birthday I placed in the snowman's hand.  The image is from SU's "Snow Much Fun," colored with markers in pear pizzazz, soft sky, pool party, pumpkin pie, and lost lagoon.  The sentiment is from "Happiest Birthday Wishes."  Some lost lagoon satin ribbon is the final touch.  

Next, a thank you card for this theme challenge, featuring the palette from a ColourQ challenge from months ago.  I had saved the blog badge for some reason, so I decided to use it!  My card base is crumb cake, with a layer of poppy parade pattern paper.  On whisper white, I used various images from SU's "Bliss," and layered it over an argyle embossed piece of crumb cake.  The sentiment is from "Because I Care," on a punched oval.  Ruffled ribbon wraps it up.

As I work my way backwards to finish The Paper Players, I have this color challenge which, at the time, inspired a lot of Halloween entries.  For me, a simple floral gives me a versatile card for any friend.  I used this 2-step stamp set from SU, "Field Flowers" plus a greeting from "Hello Again."  The pumpkin pie layer was already embossed with the fancy fan folder; apparently I intended it for a different project.  I also used some basic black pattern paper, added to the wild wasabi base.  Taffeta ribbon is the last detail.  

I rarely make Halloween cards, but I needed to in order to reach my goal!  I purchased this "Frightful Sight" dsp years ago, when I had a habit of ordering a package of every design in the SU catalog.  Yikes!  I actually like many of the patterns that aren't specific to Halloween; the colors are fabulous!  The sentiment is from "Lighthearted" stamped on whisper white in old olive and cajun craze, then outlined in basic gray.  I added a little cat, made with punches, featuring my white gel pen, and olive marker.  I wrapped it all up with bakers twine.  This card will sit in my stash for a long time; hope I remember it next October!  

Finally, a card with a yummy addition:  pieces of a real cinnamon stick!  Cinnamon is my absolutely favorite taste of fall!  I don't have a lot of food stamps, but this little apple from "Tart and Tangy" was perfect for this Clean & Simple challenge.  After making the Halloween card, I decided to use the other half of the basic black card base.  I dry embossed some very vanilla and riding hood red with the houndstooth folder.  Burlap ribbon was added for more texture.  The apple and doodling was done with markers: old olive, early espresso, and riding hood red, all on a pairing of scalloped circles.  The greeting is from "Baroque Motifs."  I also added a couple of enamel dots.

Whew!  Now, I only have 3 past challenges, then the December challenges from the talented ladies at The Paper Players to complete my goal!  Which card do you like the most?  Let me know in the comments!  

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

CHRISTMAS!!

Hello Stamping Friends!

Last weekend, I cranked out some Christmas cards...then a cold hit me ad stopped me in my tracks.  Today is Black Friday, and my tradition is not to shop, but to stamp!  My cold is less severe and so I am going to get more cards completed.  At least, that's the plan!

The first card is for the most recent challenge at The Paper Players.  I have pieces cut out to make a dozen, but I wanted to post this on time for the Link Up.  The card base and ink are lost lagoon.  I used my perennial favorite image from SU's "Miracle of Christmas."  The sentiment is from "Greetings of the Season."  Both patterned papers are from "All is Calm" dsp. Taffeta ribbon and rhinestones wrap it up.

Next, this card incorporates last week's SCS color and sketch challenges.  We were asked to use our favorite red, and for Christmas that means cherry cobbler to me.  The Baby Jesus image is another one from "Miracle of Christmas," punched out with an older ornament shape.  I used "Christmas Collectibles" and the coordinating punch, inked up in cherry cobbler and garden green.  Seam binding separates the panels made from "Love Letters" dsp and garden green card stock which was dry embossed with the houndstooth folder,  The sentiment is from "Teeny Tiny Wishes."  A single gem is the final touch.  

Finally, I made six more cards like the one posted last week.  I didn't have a lot of glorious green card stock...now I have none!  But that's okay.  Heaven knows I should keep using up my stash of retired supplies.

Today, I hope to finish a lot of cards.  PLUS, I need to prep for the upcoming Virtual Stamp Night!  I am a hostess again...stay tuned and mark your calendars for December 17 & 18th!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim 

Playing to Catch Up!

Hello and Happy Friday!!

I have a few cards today for The Paper Players challenges.  Maybe I'll reach my goal by completing all of them for the year, but it's going to be tough!  The last two cards were made a while ago, and mailed, but I am finally posting them here.  So, let's get started...

This week's color challenge is perfect for my need to get going on Christmas cards.  I do not have any emerald envy, and only ribbon in mint macaroon.  In substitution, I used some of my almost-gone glorious green card stock, plus ink, and a bit of sage shadow ink for sponging on the edge.  My images are from SU's Paint Prints...I almost sold it recently!  Whew!  In addition to the challenge colors, I used creamy caramel and daffodil delight ink.  The sentiment is from another long-retired stamp set, "Best Yet," on a scalloped oval.  I think I have another glorious green to make three more cards.   

Now this card combines a recent Paper Players Tic Tac Toe challenge and a color challenge from Splitcoaststampers.  These cool colors are perfect with the snowflake theme.  I used SU's "Serene Snowflakes" in the challenge colors:  soft sky, elegant eggplant, and pacific point.  The sentiment is familiar: Teeny Tiny Wishes.  A single rhinestone and some scalloped polka dot ribbon finish it off.  

 I have another color challenge from a couple of three months ago.  I made this card for my great nephew, who just turned 8 years old.  I used SU's "Extreme Elements" in the challenge colors, plus "Extreme Guitar."  The sentiment is a combination of "Perfect Words" and "On Your Birthday."

Here's another birthday card, for one of my great-nephew's younger sister who just turned 8. For this CAS challenge, I decided to use "Patio Party" dsp to highlight a sweet cupcake theme, over strawberry slush and raspberry ripple card stock.  The divine swirls embossing folder is always fun for frosting, and my paper crimper was used on the cupcake "wrapper." I used my scallop circle, scallop oval, and Heart to Heart punches, plus summer starfruit thick bakers twine.  The sentiment is from "On Your Birthday," stamped in midnight muse ink.

Here is another past color challenge from The Paper Players, which I used for another birthday card.  I dry embossed the cajun craze card base and crushed curry panel with the Urban Vine embossing folder.  (I think that's the name!)  I stamped this grassy image from SU's "Wetlands" in the challenge colors, added some color to the edges and an autumn sun with a sponge dauber.  The sentiment is also from the same stamp set, on  scalloped oval.  Pear pizzazz ribbon is the final detail.

I still have lots to do in order to catch up.  Here's hoping for a stampy weekend!
Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Playing with Paper Spice Cake

Happy Friday, my friends!!

I am continuing to work on my goal to complete the 2016 challenges at The Paper Players.  I made a card for this week's sketch, as well as a sketch I missed a while back.

I used SU's retired DSP, "Spice Cake," which is one of my favorites.  This week's sketch is clean and very versatile.  My card base is pool party, and I added a layer that is dry embossed with the "Vintage Wallpaper" folder.  The leafy stamps are from "Pocket Silhouettes" stamped on a scallop circle. The sentiment is from "Happiest Birthday Wishes."  I used more mustard, soft suede, pear pizzazz and pool party inks.  I added early espresso satin ribbon and suede brads as the final touches.













Next, a card that I made quickly earlier this week and mailed immediately!  I needed a birthday card for one of my many sisters-in-law.  This sketch helped me create something in a hurry.  The photo was taken in the late afternoon sunlight before I had to stick this in the mail...which I caught with just minutes to spare!  The card base is soft suede, and again, I used "Spice Cake" dsp.  The sentiment is from "Suite Sayings," stamped in more mustard.  Espresso brads and thick bakers twine finish it off.





My final card was made from various supplies on my desk after I finished the other 2.  No challenges involved, except to use my stash!  The sentiment is from Stampabilities, stamped on an oval made with my Sizzix die.  The "Vintage Wallpaper" embossing folder was used again, as well as seam binding.  I think I will make a few more cards this afternoon, before watching the Chicago Cubs play in the World Series tonight!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

I'm Back Playing with Paper

Howdy Strangers!!

On Sunday, I spent time trying to catch up my card making.  I should have posted these cards earlier, but I was really hoping to make one more for a past Paper Players challenge from early in the year.  As of this moment, that hasn't happened, so I am going to quickly post these cards so I can upload the current card before the Challenge deadline.  I'll have to edit the post this afternoon.  Even my photos aren't edited yet!  All fixed now. I am sooooooooooo far behind!

This was super quick for the challenge posted on Sunday at The Paper Players.  My leaves had been die cut and dry embossed before for a different card, but were leftover.  I love being able to pull out items from my stash!  My card base is cajun craze.  I have a layer of Comfort Cafe dsp, plus a layer of very vanilla.  The sentiment is from SU's "Wetlands".  I added garden green brads, and some non-SU bakers twine.  The leaves were cut with the retired Sizzix Leaves #2 die, in cajun craze, crushed curry, and garden green, embossed with the wood grain folder.

This card is for the FIRST Paper Players challenge of 2016!  At the start of the year, my blog challenge goal was to complete everything from The Friday Mashup.  After that blog retired, I switched to The Paper Players.  I have gradually worked on catching up (though I fell back behind this fall.)  I needed a special card for a special lady's 100th birthday.  She likes red, so I used real red card stock and satin ribbon.  The velvety pattern paper is SU's "Mocha Morning."  On a die cut framelit, I stamped the sentiment from SU's "Memorable Moments."  I added a scattering of gems from Recollections.  

I combined this Paper Player challenge with last week's Color Challenge at SCS.  I used a confetti white card base.  Using a Cuttlebug heart folder, I dry embossed a piece of sahara sand and strawberry slush.  I stamped the flourish from SU's "Baroque Motifs" in crumb cake.  The sentiment is from the same set.  After sponging with sahara sand and crumb cake, I added a bright heart from "Work of Art."  The ruffled ribbon adds the final girly touch.

This one was lots of fun.  I had some summer starfruit card stock out, since it goes with my Comfort Cafe dsp.  But I set the dsp aside, and opted to use basic gray and strawberry slush for a different look.  The sunbeams are from a Tim Holtz stencil.  I added rain drops and tiny hearts, pljs a sentiment from SU's "Rain or Shine."  The heart is dry embossed with the Cloudy Day folder, and placed over gray bakers twine.

This sketch gets a bit lost in the pattern paper, but I still like the final product.  The card base is cajun craze.  I used Comfort Cafe dsp for the full layer, large circle, and butterfly.  On a scalloped circle, I stamped the large F (from "Vintage Vogue") in summer starfruit, then used my cajun craze marker to add contrast. A cajun craze brad and pool party thick bakers twine finish this off.




It feels great to stamp and blog again.  It also feels good to work on my stamping goals.  Thanks for stopping by!!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim