Virtual Stamp Night...Mini Time!

Hi Stamping Friends!

Last night was the Mini version of our winter Virtual Stamp Night over at Splitcoaststampers.  Our theme this time is "Holiday Stories," with challenges inspired by some off our favorite books!

For the Mini, the three VSN moderators (Lee, Misti & I) each hosted a challenge.  The full, VSN event will be Friday December 14 & Saturday December 15.

Misti started us off with "A Charlie Brown Christmas."  We were to use a Christmas tree on our  project - full or tiny like Charlie Brown's.  I couldn't believe my lack of Christmas tree images!  Fortunately, I had this one from SU's "Snow Much Fun."  I used my aqua brush and markers to color it.The upper portion is dry embossed and sponged, and I added ribbon that I have had for years (ballet blue!).  Mica flakes were glued on for snow, and a few rhinestones were added for even more bling.

I hosted the next challenge, inspired by "Little Women."  It isn't specifically a holiday novel, but many chapters take place during various holidays.  I challenged everyone to use vintage elements.  My card has an embossed background that looks like hand written script, much like Jo's letters in the book.  My stamps are from Our Daily Bread Designs, colored with a blender pen and heavily sponged after I tore the edges.  Crochet trim is paired with seam binding.


Finally, Lee asked us to be inspired by "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas," using the classic color palette of green, red, and white (black in limited use.)  I opted for this Tim Holtz "Crazy Bird" topped with a hand drawn Santa hat.  The sentiment is from SU's "Tags til Christmas."  I know a few people who are eligible for this card!  LOL

I am looking forward to the Main VSN next month.  Be sure to check out the VSN Forum here and mark your calendars!  There are even a few prizes to be won! 


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

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

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

Another Playful Friday

(I intended this to go live on July 22...Technical difficulties!)

Hello again, everyone!

It seems Friday has become my primary stamping day recently.  Despite looking at challenges throughout the week, I just don't get around to the actual creation part.  But since I am trying to complete the Paper Players 2016 challenges, and I started late any way on this goal, and Friday is their LinkUp deadline...well there ya go!  Instead of doing all of the Clean and Simple Challenges at once (last week I caught up on color) I decided to do the two recent ones.  Each is combined with a challenge from Splitcoaststampers.  

(Once again my camera is not uploading to my laptop...grrr.  So this will not make the deadline.  Clearly, I should have started sooner!  LOL)

The first card uses a watercolor with a fresh color challenge:  so saffron, calypso coral and crisp cantaloupe.  I stamped images from "Fifth Avenue Floral" on  watercolor paper and used my aqua brush to paint the colors.  The sentiment is from Stampabilities, punched out with the scalloped circle.  After adding thick bakers twine, I mounted it onto coral card stock, and then a saffron base.

Next, today's Free4All challenge is all about Christmas in July, which works out since I missed that one from The Paper Players a couple of weeks ago.  Since July is nearly over, I decided I better get this done!  My card base is SU brushed gold.  The dp is a Karen Foster Designs piece that I purchased YEARS ago at a big box store.  I bought it for scrapbooking, which I never do anymore, so I think I'll make a few more of these cards with the rest of the sheet.  The sentiment is from SU "Delightful Dozen" on an oval already cut and in my stash.  Gold brads and gold embroidery thread add some holiday glamour!  

That's it for today.  I hope to participate in the upcoming Dare to Get Dirty challenges...and maybe even post a few cards!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Christmas 2015...NOT a Typo!

Hello and Happy Wednesday   Sunday  Monday!
I started this post days ago, as you can see.  But I have been quite busy in this New Year already.  You see, I did not finish my 2015 Christmas cards, but there are 12 Days of Christmas!  So...I try each year to get them out by January 6th.  I was a stampin' fool once I got home from vacation!  Plus last night when I tried to edit pictures, I was having issues.  Fortunately, I figured it out tonight.

I decided to use some leftover 2015 SCS sketch challenges, as a way of continuing that goal.  This first card features DSP from SU's "Festival of Prints" stack.  My sentiment is from Our Daily Bread Designs "Christmas Verses" and the image is from SU's "Miracle of Christmas" punched with the old ornament punch.  I used cherry cobbler and old olive ink.  Dimensionals and a candy dot add some interest.  I had 10 card bases cut from my time visiting mom, so I made 10 cards when I got home.

I turned the next sketch vertically, because I had cut card bases while visiting my mom.  The star and sentiment are from SU's "The Sounding Joy."  I used baja breeze for the star, not quite navy for the sentiment, and soft sky for the dots.  I also used a larger sponge to add some silver shimmer, which is hard to see in the photo.  Finally I added silver metallic ribbon (or elastic cord once I ran out!)  It was very dark when I took these pictures, so even when edited, they look weird.  I kept the close up shot dark and pointed out the shimmer for you.

The detail looks better in real life.  Photography is not my area of expertise!! (And Blogger won't place my cards correctly.  Good thing stamping is my hobby!)

 The last card features images that my mom stamped, and it doesn't utilize any challenges.  The stamp set is SU's "Newborn King," stamped in versamark on night of navy, then heat embossed with platinum powder.  She had some extra images after making 3 dozen cards, and she let me use them.  Yay!  Her demonstrator found a design which you can see here.  On smoky slate, some cards have the coordinating greeting, but others use "Greetings of the Season."  I embellished with either rhinestones or organza ribbon.  I was happy to get 7 cards made with the materials I had at home.  



All of these cards have been mailed or hand delivered already!  I have more to post later, plus my January birthday cards.  Whew!




Thanks for coming by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Freshly Done! (Sort of...)

Happy New Year's Eve!!

So...my 2015 stamping goals were to complete all of the sketch challenges on SCS and Freshly Made Sketches.  Well, I achieved half of that... With hhis first card, I have completed ALL of the 2015 challenge from Freshly Made Sketches!  WooHoo!  It's been raining in SC for several days, so the pictures aren't great.  My husband placed some quilt batting on the ironing board for he back drop! 

I still needed Christmas cards, so I made 12 of these, using FMS#217.  I actually need even more cards, but I brought very few supplies down to my mom's house.  Plus, I helped her complete 3 dozen cards, plus a dozen thank you cards (below.)  So, in actuality, we made 60 cards in 3 days...which is a LOT for me!  The card stock and ink are baja breeze and not quite navy (plus whisper white.)  My image and sentiment are from long-retired-but-always-a-favorite "Miracle of Christmas."  We used a rotary cutter and sponging to distress the edges of the horizontal strip.  I dry embossed the NQN layer with the funky snowflake embossing folder.  Some silver metallic ribbon completes the look.

Next, I have a SCS sketch challenge.  I only did 35 of these this year, but that isn't too bad.  I was helping my mom make some CAS thank you cards, and decided to use this sketch for 2 of them.  I wanted to do more sketches, but that would have taken a lot more time, and we didn't have a great cutting tool.  (I should have packed my table top cutter...shucks.)  We used confetti cream for the card bases.  The DSP is retired "Deck the Halls" from SU.  We also used a bit of cherry cobbler card stock.  The sentiment is from "Thank You Kindly," punched in bravo burgundy and punched with the decorative label for most of the cards.  I really like how this set looks...it's a great way to use up lots of Designer Series Paper...and heaven knows I have a LOT to use!

So that's it for today...and for 2015.  I didn't quite reach my goal, but I came close.  Tomorrow (or Saturday) I will post my 2016 goals.  I think I know what my plans are...but I am still debating a few things.  Come back later to see what I picked!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim