Late and Final Mashups

Hello and Happy Friday Saturday!!

I started this post yesterday around lunch time, and posted the badges and one card, but really wanted to get the other card done also.  I made it last night, but too late to feel like blogging.  Any way...

Earlier this year, I set my stamping goals:  complete all of this year's Friday Mashup challenges and all of this year's SCS Featured Stamper challenges.  Well, I was doing fine with Mashups, until Holly announced she was retiring that blog.  I left two undone...and I just can't have that!  So here they are...

I needed two birthday cards for guys in the family; one my side, one Bruce's side.  Is it cheating that I made the same card for them?  I don't think so!  I really liked this sketch, and decided to also pull out a past SCS color challenge. (The other part of the Mashup was to do an Easter card.  I opted out of that part, for obvious reasons.)  Despite all my stamping goals, color challenges are still my favorite!  The colors to use were lost lagoon, basic gray, and hello honey.  I absolutely LOVE lost lagoon!  These colors are used in SU's paper stack "Moonlight," so that is what I used for the diagonal stripes.  The image is "Sail Away," colored with markers and some sponging, then mounted on gray.  I added a sentiment from "On Your Birthday" stamped on an oval. Simple bakers twine wraps it all up.


Next, this Friday Mashup gave us color and shimmer to combine.  I really did add shimmer,but you can't see it in the photo.  I needed yet another baby girl card.  The card base is pink pirouette.  I added a simple layer of tempting turquoise. On whisper white, I stamped these feet and hand prints in pink pirouette and melon mambo.  I used markers to add color variation to the sentiment.  The pretty in pink circle is dry embossed and brushed shimmer spritz.  After punching out the sentiment, I dabbed more shimmer on the scallops. The pretty organza ribbon has a touch of shimmer also.

So, that's it.  My belated farewell to the talented and fun ladies of The Friday Mashup.  I still follow a bunch of them, because they are still talented.  Hope to run into them again in some other challenge blog!  Since the Friday Mashup is retired, I switched my blog challenge goal to The Paper Players.  I am almost caught up with them...stay tuned!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Mashin Up and Playing with Paper

Hello Friends!  I can't believe it has been over a week since I have posted.  I have stamped some, but just haven't had time for this end of things.  I am going to post quickly before the Friday Mashup deadline, then add more details later after I eat a late lunch with my husband.  We have a bit of a blizzard here today, and the Quaker plant shut down 2nd & 3rd shift!  Yikes!

Here is my Friday Mashup card, combined with LAST week's challenge at The Paper Players.  Funny thing is, the Friday Mashup is a two-week challenge this time so I didn't need to rush.  No biggie.  We were asked to make a birthday card and/or use stencils.  I knew I wanted to make a card with these fun spring colors from the Paper Players, even though it is late.  Here's what I created:

On my pool party base, and I added a piece of "Parker's Patterns" dsp which was on my cutting table.  I liked the chevrons, but didn't even realize how well they would work with the sun!  I used a Tim Holtz stencil, sponging two colors, then lightly sponged pool party after removing the stencil before mounting it on a piece of tangerine tango.  My sentiment is from "On Your Birthday," stamped on an oval which was cut to fit the stencil.  Bakers twine finishes it off.  On this cold day, I really like my sunny card!

Next I have a card for the current challenge at The Paper Players, combined with a color challenge from SCS.   I wasn't sure what to do with this, but I like the final results.  We were asked to make a Clean and Simple card with something that goes up...balloons, kites, whatever.  The colors are lost lagoon, old olive, and strawberry slush in place of watermelon wonder.  I used this retired image from My Favorite Things "From the Bottom of my Heart", and colored it with markers.  The sentiment is from a different retired MFT set, "Flopsey You Lift Me Up," but it goes well with the balloons.  The tiny flowers are from SU's "Flight of the Butterfly."  I wanted some texture, so I used this SU embossing folder that is perfect for borders.  Bakers twine and ruffled ribbon finish off the card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Time for my Mashup

Hello and Happy Wednesday  Monday!

Today Wednesday was the deadline for the Friday Mashup challenge, and I finished my card 10 minutes too late.  Oh well.  I'm happy that I played along! I did a full write-up, but didn't get a photo until the next day.  I decided to wait until I completed the next challenge.

So, the current Friday Mashup has us focusing on love and candy!  Perfect for this week!  I am also combining this with the current ColourQ challenge; my first of this year.



I had a pool party card base cut already, and this small piece of SU Valentine dsp is perfect for both challenges.  I recently pulled out my remaining ruby red with the intention of making lots of Valentines (though this piece might be riding hood red)...better get going on those! I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder to add texture to the red and a strip of crumb cake.  The image was received in a swap a long time ago, and I don't know which company makes it.  I didn't have actual "candy" images, but I used markers to add candy sprinkles to the marshmallow topping of my sundae...Yum!  Scrunched up seam binding and a scallop border punch add more details.  Oh, the sentiment is from SU's "So Very," on a popped up small oval punch.  I am sending this to a friend...but which one??

Back to the previous Friday Mashup challenge.  We were encouraged us to make a card featuring a monkey (for the Chinese Year of the Monkey) or other animal, and/or a fancy fold.  I had various ideas, but finally put this together.  I have had this stamp for a long time, but never used it.  Today was the perfect chance.  It's called "Changito Chef" from Stampendous.  It is stamped with Stazon jet black, then colored with blender pens.  The colors are cherry cobbler, always artichoke, soft suede, more mustard, smoky slate, and marina mist.  The sentiment is from "Best Yet."  After using my ticket corner punch, I mounted it on soft suede.

 The fancy fold is one I learned years ago; even used it for my very first post on this blog!  It is a variation of the squash book, and was the Technique Lovers Challenge, #201.  I took an 8x8 inch piece of "Parkers Patterns" dsp, and folded it according to the instructions in the link above.  Riding Hood Red striped ribbon literally ties it all together.

I was going to send this as a very belated birthday card, but that person is too old for this sentiment.  Instead, I think I will change the inside greeting and send it to my grandson...on time!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Mashin' Up Some Color

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

I have not stamped for a week, mostly because of a project for work (that is nearly done) but I wanted to get my Friday Mashup card in.  I am really trying to keep up with my stamping goals, instead of falling behind like previous years.

In fact, I am going to link this up quickly, then come back to edit...the deadline is in half an hour!  LOL

I'm back!  *wink*
So, this week's Friday Mashup included a fun sketch along with a musical theme.  I LOVE music!  I had some ideas early on, but no time to stamp.  Then yesterday, I saw the color challenge over at SCS:  strawberry slush, mint macaroon, and early espresso.  I decided to combine the challenges.  Initially, I was going to only do the sketch and colors, because I don't have a lot of music theme stamps (shame on me!)...but after digging through my collection, I decided to do the Mash Up.  My card base is early espresso; the strawberry slush layer is dry embossed with a Cuttlebug heart folder.  I don't have any mint macaroon card stock or ink, so I went with some very old sage shadow.  I used three stamp sets:  SU's "For the Birds" for the main image, and "Work of Art" for the heart.  The music notes and treble clef are from My Favorite Things "Who's That Musical Girl."  I used my blender pen to color the image, then punched it out with a scallop circle.  The heart is cut with an SU framelit, out of some retired DSP...Nature Walk, perhaps?  It has bumble bees on the other side.  Any way...the heart and circle are popped up.  I added a few SU sequins.  Good grief.  Why did I buy these things??  Yes, they can look nice, but that depends on them being applied well!  My fine motor skills stink!  Please, somebody give me some tips!

That's it for today...turns out I got the write-up done before the deadline after all!  WooHoo!  Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Mashing Up in the New Year

Hello Stamping Friends!

I never did get around to posting about my 2016 Stamping Goals, but today's cards fit one of them.  One of my favorite challenge blogs is The Friday Mashup.  I served on the Design Team several years ago, and I continue to peek in from time to time.  Well, I decided that I would complete all of the 2016 FM challenges!  (Waving "Hi!" to my friends over there!)

I like that there is a variety (color, technique, theme) and that each week gives you the option of "mashing up" two challenges in one.  As with past goals, I am giving myself lots of wiggle room.  I don't *have to* do the challenges in order or the week posted...though I will try to.  I am already late for the first one of 2016, even though I knew what I would be doing.  To make up for that tardiness, I have this week's challenge completed already!

I needed another winter birthday card, so this week's Friday Mashup challenge to use blues and/or snowflakes was perfect.  My card base is sahara sand.  On a layer of very vanilla, I stamped "Serene Snowflakes" in baja breeze, not quite navy, and midnight muse.  I added a large midnight muse scallop circle, embellished with a silver glimmer brad and baja breeze felt snowflake, then popped up with some dimensionals.  Not quite navy taffeta ribbon is scrunched up for added texture.  Finally, I added the birthday sentiment from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" on the the duo of word window and modern label punches, intentionally cut off on one side for a different look.  All products are from Stampin' Up...but LOTS of retired goodies in this card!

Next, I have a card that was lots of fun.  This superhero theme from the first 2016 Friday Mashup was different for me, but I had the perfect image.  Unfortunately, I don't remember where it is from.  YEARS ago, a stamping friend visited me, and we stamped many images from each other's stash.  I still had a couple of these guys to use up.  (Dawn, if you see this...do you remember what company made this image?)  Any way, I made this card for a friend & colleague who recently got a promotion.  It is so well deserved!  As you can see, the card base is basic black.  I added panels of pacific point, which are dry embossed with a Cuttlebug folder, and plain real red.  My image was stamped in black pigment ink and heat embossed.  I used markers to color the image:  pacific point, real red, yo-yo yellow, blush blossom, going gray, and a bit of early espresso.  (My friend hasn't gone completely gray yet! LOL)  The image is matted in daffodil delight and popped up.  I cut the sentiment in a crazy shape, and outlined it with my yo-yo yellow marker, then popped it up.

I really like this card...but funny thing is, I may try to do it differently.  My friend's name is Jor-El.  That is the name of Superman's Dad!  So I searched online to see what dad should look like.  If I go with Marlon Brando's costume, adding texture will be the tricky part.  Stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Mashin' Up with Some Embellishments

Hello, and Happy Wednesday!

Here is my card for the Friday Mashup challenge.  I finished it earlier today, but nearly forgot to upload.  Sometimes, my brain is on overload!  The challenge was to use the Ombre technique and/or a cluster of embellishments.  I just had to Mash things up!

Recently, one of my aunt's fell and broke her wrist.  I wanted a bright card to cheer her up.  I used some "Irresistibly Yours" specialty paper, and brayered ink in certainly celery, pear pizzazz, and wild wasabi, then placed it on a garden green card base.  I LOVE green, especially in the summer! I added a strip of pear pizzazz twill ribbon (which is almost completely covered up!) The sentiment is from Stampabilities, mounted on basic black so it pops.  I had these Prima flowers from a swap years ago, and added some SU flower brads.  The design was heavy in the lower half, so I added lucky limeade bakers twine on top.





Next, I am going to quickly add 2 cards.

The first is for THREE challenges on SCS:  color, sketch, and Free4All, which was to make a graduation project. My sketch is slightly varied, wit circles instead of squares. The colors are blackberry bliss, wisteria wonder, and pool party.  LOVE!  I love nearly anything with purple tones, second only to green.  Sometimes, it's a tie!  LOL

My card base is blackberry bliss.  I added some wisteria wonder plus more Irresistibly Yours specialty paper, where I brayered colors again.  Some seam binding is used at the dividing line.  I used 4 stamp sets on this card:  "Tassel Time" (for the books,) "Pure Gumption" for the cap (the other was too large,) "Just Sayin'" for the woohoo word bubble, and "Word Perfect" for the greeting.

Finally, a Clean and Simple card for a sad occasion.  The card is simply in pool party, basic black, and whisper white.  I used SU's "Little Angel" and "So Sorry" stamps, plus a non-SU baby hands stamp.  A young couple here in town recently lost their baby.  He was born prematurely after a difficult pregnancy.  He lived outside the womb for 5 weeks.  I know how hard it is to bury your own child. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  But this couple has tremendous faith, and has already given witness to the gift that their son is to them.  Very inspiring.  If you  are the praying  type, please keep this family in your prayers.

Sorry to end on a sad note.  But I guess as card makers, we know sometimes our craft is used to bring comfort to someone.  That is a blessing and a privilege, isn't it?  Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Mashin' Up By the Tide

Hello, and Happy Wednesday!

I have had a busy day...but in a good way.  Fortunately, between meetings and phone calls I was able to make a card.  Now I can finally upload it, just in time for the Friday Mashup deadline.  We were challenged to use some water coloring with this great open sketch.  I also pulled out a past ColourQ challenge that I missed.  I really like these colors! 

I felt the colors and water coloring technique were perfect for an underwater scene.  My card base is bermuda bay, and I added some basic black for contrast.  On a sheet of watercolor paper, I started by stamping the images from SU's "By the Tide" in Stazon jet black.  I used crumb cake to color the seahorse, and the bermuda and kiwi kiss on the fish.  I also stamped the coral in kiwi kiss, on top of the black. Then I used the aqua brush to randomly add color for the water.  The sentiment is from "On Your Birthday."  I felt the wavy nature of the text also works with a water scene.  The final detail is the addition of glimmer dots from Hampton Art.

This was lots of fun to create...makes me want to travel to Florida!  Thanks for stopping by.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Triple Challenge Card!

Happy Wednesday!!

I finally completed the latest Friday Mashup challenge...literally linking up my card before I typed up the description!  2 minutes to spare...adrenaline rush!  LOL   Not only is the card for the Mashup, but it also uses the palette from the ColourQ challenge, which was extended a week (WooHoo!)  Finally, I used the sketch challenge posted today on SCS.  I adapted it a bit, maybe too much.  Oh well.  I am grateful that there are no challenge police!

My card base is strawberry slush, and the layer of whisper white is dry embossed with a Cuttlebug folder, then sponged with coastal cabana.  3 of my horizontal strips are from the SU brights pattern paper stack, in daffodil delight and tangerine tango.  The other 2 strips are my own dp, made with various stamps in the "Flight of the Butterfly" stamp set.

I made this wonderful butterfly using coastal cabana and the SU Butterflies thinlit die, which had been sitting in my drawer for 2 months.  I was a bit nervous about it.  Lots of little pieces to pop out, but I as able to do it easily with my finger or my piercing tool.  The lace is from a friend who sews a lot.  It was white, but I sponged it lightly.  Finally, the sentiment is from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" punched out with the word window.

This card is headed to one of my great-nieces.  She turns 14 next week...hard to believe.

Thanks for stopping by again.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Mash Up Grad

Hello, and Happy Wednesday!!

I have a quick card for The Friday Mashup.  It was easy to make, but my hands are a mess!  The challenge was to make a celebration card and/or use the color combo of night of navy, bermuda bay and crushed curry.  I have several graduation cards to make, and many of the schools have some shade of blue and gold...perfect!

My card base is night of navy.  I combined plain whisper white with the embossed specialty paper, cut on an angle.  I simply sponged the challenge colors over the stripes.  The sentiment is from SU's "Word Play," colored with markers.  Between the sponging and my messy navy marker, my fingers got full of ink!  The graduation cap is from SU's "Pure Gumption."  I wanted just one more detail, so I added the tab...made with the modern label punch and a gold brad.  The patterned paper is actually from the original year bermuda bay came out.  Good grief!

I've got more graduation cards to make...I'll see you later!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

My Q's Got Mashed-Up!

Happy Tuesday Wednesday!

So yesterday two days ago, I was making a card...a late Mother's Day card.  I called my mom on the big day, but didn't send a card.  As bad as that sounds, my mom also sends cards late.  I learned from the best! LOL

I used the colors from The ColourQ, but did not post it on time.  I am trying to get back into blogging mode.  I decided to use the Friday Mashup challenge as well (just in the nick of time!), which was to combine a project for mom with something recycled or re-purposed.  Nothing within my reach fit the bill, so I just did a mom card.

My intention for this post was to also include another ColourQ/Friday Mashup combination, but I had an unexpected long phone call about a speaking engagement for October!  Had to take that one!  I may edit this post with the other card after church tonight.  (ETA...I did!)

So...here we go.

When Poppy Parade was an in-color, I barely used it.  Now I like it.  Go figure!  I use it very rarely, but enjoy it when I have the chance.  For this card, I went crazy...poppy card base, patterned paper and ink!  I used coastal cabana and basic black to mount my image.  Yes, the image and sentiment are from the same set..."Messages for Mom"...that I used on Saturday.  I used my blushing bride marker and sponged with the calypso coral...they almost look identical.  The sentiment is too big for the modern label punch, so I just turned it into a banner.  Several dimensionals were used to plump this up.  Sadly, I pressed down to soon...it's crooked!  I tried to fix it, but started to tear the dsp.  Oops.  Years ago, that would not have bothered me...now it drive me crazy.  Thankfully mom is quite forgiving!










Okay, so here is my next card.  It uses the current ColourQ palette with a previous Friday Mashup.  The Mashup gave us a sketch, plus the prompt to use a retiring or retired or forgotten stamp.  Most of my stamps are retired SU!  My picture stinks, but I did not want to wait until the morning to add this.

I chose this cute image from SU's "Fun & Fast Notes."  It is long retired, but I used to use it all the time.  It has sat untouched for a long time.  I thought the image worked well with these colors.  I colored with my markers, adding a bit of doodled grass and sunshine.  The dsp is from a Christmas pack; can't remember the name, but yes it has gumball green!  The vanilla layer is embossed with the cloudy day folder, then sponged with bordering blue.  This used to be one of my favorites.  I still have several packs of card stock that I bought when it was retiring. Hmmm, hoard much?  Card stock...yes.




Thanks for dropping by again.  Hope to stamp and blog again later this week.

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

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