Freshly Made Christmas

Hello Stamping Friends!  Happy Sunday!
Today I am posting not just one, but 12 cards!  Well...it's just  one design!  Every year, I sign up for the Splitcoaststampers "Christmas Card Challenge" with the intention of making 12 cards from February to November.  I usually do some in the spring, then slough off and fall behind, so that in October & November I am scrambling!  Well, this year, I had not even started before this weekend!  Technically, I have some card stock cut for cards I meant to create last year and never finished...so I hope to wrap those up this week.  The designs were too detailed for my last minute pace in 2011.  Good grief...talk about procrastination! 

At the start of this month, the Paper Players posted a "Christmas in July" theme challenge...so at least I started thinking about my Christmas cards!  This week's Freshly Made Sketches challenge caught my eye as being perfect for some  new stamps that arrived on my doorstep this week.  It's a fabulous Clean & Simple sketch!

So here is my card...nearly everything is from Stampin' Up!  The only exception are the gold self-adhesive gems.  I have had them for years, but I don't remember the brand; I got them at a big box store.  I started with a confetti white card base.  My circles are the same size (cut with my circles die in the Big Shot), making it a slight variation on the sketch.  I used my new Midnight Muse card stock and new Lacy Brocade embossing folder (in the Holiday Catalog.)  The images are from "First Christmas" and the sentiment is from "Greetings of the Season," both in the Holiday catalog August 1st.  I got them early with my pre-order!!  I heat embossed everything with ink, to add shine and dimension.  I sponged baja breeze around the main image, anmd popped it up with dimensionals.  The gold gems were the final touch.  Took a while to make 12 of these with all of the embossing...but I am pleased with the result.

Friday Mashup! Baby, It's Cold Outside!!

(I have that classic tune in my head now. I can hear Ben Folds and Sarah Bareilles of "The Sing Off" right now...very cool!)

Hello and Happy Friday! It's my week to host, and I have a chilly Friday Mashup challenge with some chilly colors for you! Here in the midwest, it is getting colder and darker these days. I leave work at 5 pm, and I swear it feels like it is 10 pm! I have lived in Illinois my entire life...I should be used to it, but that doesn't mean I like it! LOL!! But despite the cold and dark, we can still have fun, and for many in our area that means playing in the snow. I am a wimp, so I don't play in the snow...but I sure enjoy watching people have fun with snow ball fights and making Snowmen! My husband is a big kid, and he loves the snow! So, here is your challenge:

1) Create a project featuring Snowmen

2) Create a project featuring blushing bride, baja breeze and basic gray

3) Or Mash it Up! and create a product featuring Snowmen and the colors blushing bride, baja breeze and basic gray.

For our stamping friends Down Under (waving to Kasey!), I know it is warm for you now. You can play with this chilly theme or make me jealous with the colors in a more summery look!

For my card, I featured the adorable Stampin Up set "Snow Much Fun" which is in this year's IBC. I didn't have any other snowman stamps...not usually my thing...but shucks these guys are ADORABLE! Perfect for those winter birthdays and thinking of you cards! I stamped the image with basic gray ink on whisper white, then used my basic gray, blushing bride, baja breeze and pumpin pie markers to color it in. I used the scallop squares Sizzix die and the Big Shot to cut it out, then sponged the edges with blushing bride. The sentiment is from the same set, punched out with the scallop oval punch and sponged with baja breeze. Both of these layers are popped up with dimensionals. The other fun part is under the snowman. I used my Tasteful Trim die to cut out these waves...liked snow drifts...from the silver glimmer paper (found in the Holiday Mini) and in baja breeze. The baja breeze strip is embossed with the new Snowburst impressions folder. My final 2 details are basic pearls colored with the baja breeze marker and some blushing bride stitched-poly ribbon.

I have a second card, which I made 3 weeks ago with my Stamping Club, just never posted it. I knew I was going to use snowmen for this challenge so I held off. The card base is cherry cobbler, and I added a big strip of glimmer paper adorned with this luscious cherry cobbler quilted ribbon found in the Holiday Mini. I REALLY hope this stuff shows up in future catalogs! I stamped the other adorable snowman and colored him with cherry cobbler, marina mist, basic gray, pumpkin pie and blushing bride markers. The image is mounted on some marina mist dsp from the Subtles Pattern stack. I used my ovals sizzix die for the larger oval, and colored the glimmer paper with my marina mist marker. (Learned that fun trick at a SU Demo meeting!) The sentiment is from On Your Birthday....a must have stamp set!!

So, whether you are in a warm or chilly climate, you get to play in the snow this week! Check out the rest of the Design Team creations for some inspiration on the Friday Mashup blog. Be sure to use keyword FM36 when uploading to your online gallery.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup!! Shake, Shake, Shake, Senora!!

Hello Stamping Friends! My post is a bit late...guess who fell asleep on the couch in front of the TV last night? Sheesh! Yesterday was my first day back to work after vacation, and it was BUSY! Thank goodness I have the weekend coming just around the corner! LOL!

This week's Friday Mashup http://www.fridaymashup.com is a lot of fun! It comes from one of our newer Design Team members, Rita. I LOVE her creations! But wow...she really challenged me this week! Ready to be challenged? Here ya go!

1. Make a project featuring a "Shaker card"
2. Make a project featuring a "Winter Theme"
3. Or Mash it Up and make a Shaker card with a winter theme!

I don't mind admitting that I had never made a shaker card before. Wait...just one, in a club before I was a demo. I forgot about that one. But I had no window sheets or foam tape...what to do, what to do?? Well, Duh! I have these fabulous treat cups! Last time I used one, I filled it with candy, which was fun, but not the same effect. Today's card has pretty (but not edible!) Mica Flakes, found in the Stampin' Up Holiday Mini catalog. My card base is baja breeze, with some blushing bride, then a layer of whisper white stamped with Serene Snowflakes. My treat cup is surrounded by a scrap of retired Candy Cane dsp, with real red snowflakes inside. Weird to have red snowflakes, I know. But it goes with the dsp and I wanted them visible behind the flakes! The sentiment is from On Your Birthday, punched with the decorative label punch, and layered over garden green card stock. My ribbon is the fabulous blushing bride twill ribbon.

This card requires hand delivery or a big, padded envelope. I am sending it to a dear friend in Colorado. Then again, maybe she doesn't need anymore snow! LOL!

Hope you can join us again this week at the Friday Mashup! http://www.fridaymashup.com Can't wait to see what's shakin'!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup!! Everything's Coming Up Rosettes!

Hello and Happy Friday, Everyone!! It's time for another fun and fabulous Friday Mashup http://www.fridaymashup.com/ challenge!! This week, Holly has a great sketch for us, plus a "technique"...

1. Make a project using "Paper Rosettes"
2. Make a project using the sketch above
3. Or Mash it Up and make a project with paper rosettes using the sketch above!

Aye, aye, aye!! I really struggle with paper flowers (other plain punches! LOL!) I have the new Simply Score tool from Stampin' Up...but my fine motor skills stink!! So, while many of the uber talented design team members created some FABULOUS rosettes, accordion-style, I took a different approach. I TRIED the great accordion flowers...several times. Tried the spiral-cut-scallop-circle-flower-...Nada.

So, you get a PUNCHED "flower!" Hey, at least I got the sketch right! LOL!

The sketch is flipped, since I had this piece of card stock cut and ready to go. My card base is early espresso. I used some Paisley Petals dsp, plus made some of my own with the Paisley Petals stamp set (arrived in my home this week!) My hand made designer paper was stamped on whisper white card stock, using early espresso ink and colored with blender pens. I used river rock, soft suede, pear pizazz and not quite navy ink...then sponged with river rock and pear pizazz. I pulled out my neglected ticket corner punch for the stamped panel and layer of not quite navy. For the flower, I punched out an extra large baja breeze scallop circle, sponged with not quite navy ink. I layered it with a large designer button found in the Holiday Mini, and added a sentiment from On Your Birthday. I still have 2 birthdays to take care of this month!!

Hope you join us foer this week's challenge! Be sure to check out the inspiration pieces from the design team on the Friday Mashup blog! http://www.fridaymashup.com/

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup!! Grateful to be On Time!

Hello Stamping Friends!! I cannot believe it is Friday already! Time for another Friday Mashup challenge! After being late with my project last week, I am thrilled to get back on track! I started feeling funky Wednesday afternoon, and was home sick yesterday. That makes my week disappear! I'll be playing catch-up at work today! But first, here's a fun challenge from Lisa!!

1. Make a project using heat embossing


2. Or make a Thank You (Grateful) project


3. Or Mash It Up and make a Thank You project using heat embossing

Now, I love heat embossing, but I don't do it often enough. This gave me a great excuse to plug in my embossing tool! All products are current and from Stampin' Up! I started with a soft suede card base. I added some Spice Cake dsp (in the Holiday Mini), including a bit on the inside. I stamped this wonderful image from "Always Thankful" (also in the mini) with soft suede craft ink on very vanilla card stock, coated in clear embossing powder, then heat embossed. The craft ink is available in little "spots" by color collection. I love them for dabbing ink all over an image. After heating, I colored the image with my blender pens, using pear pizazz, river rock, pumpkin pie, more mustard, and basic gray inks. I sponged the background with pear pizazz and pool party. I then mounted it on pumpkin pie and pear pizazz card stock, and adhered with dimensionals. I added pear pizazz poly twill ribbon and the sentiment is from the same stamp set, also heat embossed. After punching it out with the scallop oval, I lightly sponged with pool party.

Thank you cards are always needed...whether for my ministry work or for my numerous friends who are blessings in my life! I hope you join us in this challenge and make a fun Thank You project for someone special in your life! Be sure to checkout the inspiration pieces on the Friday Mashup blog from the Design Team, including our new November Guest Designers!! Then link up your project, and use keyword FM31 in your online gallery. Can't wait to see your project!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup!! Hello Susie Snowflake!!

Hi there Stamping Friends!! It's Friday...thank goodness! I don't know about you, but my week has been long and exhausting! I had not touched my stamps since last Saturday when I made my hubby's anniversary card...Good grief! I actually had time on Wednesday after work, but no mojo. Hate it when that happens! Yesterday was Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, and I spoke at a local event. It was a solemn, but peaceful evening. Once I got home, I dug into my card stock and ink to make my Friday Mashup card...it felt good to be creative!

Lesley is our challenge hostess this week, and she has a great wintery challenge for us. I know it's only October, but she is in Canada...it must be getting cold! She quotes a song from Doris Day about Susie Snowflake. It caught my eye, because at work when I have a ficticious client or volunteer for training purposes, I always say Susie Snowflake instead of Jane Doe. Silly isn't it? Here is Lesley's challenge:

• Make a project featuring Snowflakes


• Make an Easel card (tutorial here on splitcoaststampers)


• Or Mash it Up by making an easel card featuring snowflakes!
  

Of course, I had to Mash it Up!! All of my products are from Stampin' Up! My card base is island indigo, and the front (top 1/2) is layered with pink pirouette, pool party, and brushed silver. The silver is embossed with my Big Shot and the Northern Flurry impressions folder and sponged with some indigo island ink. I added rhinestones and pool party ribbon as embellishments. The sentiment is from On Your Birthday, stamped in indigo on pink pirouette card stock, punched out with the curly label punch. The inside has a layer of pool party and whisper white. I stamped another sentiment from On Your Birthday as well as Serene Snowflakes. Now, when making an easel card, you need a detail of some sort for the inside to keep the card open. I used a big button in pool party, found in the Holiday Mini, and I added rhinestones. Truth be told, this is NOT practical! I have a very fat, bulky card...but I figure it can be hand delivered and displayed in this open form...right? LOL!!

Be sure to join us this week. It may only be October, but for many of us, snow is not too far away! Check out the Friday Mashup design team cards for some inspiration, and link up your creation! Be sure to use keyword FM28 in your online gallery.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup! Shades of Autumn!

Don't you love Fridays?? The start of the weekend...maybe movie night or the local high school football game. But for me, it's time for the Friday Mashup!!! This week, we begin celebrating Autumn...which is my FAVORITE season!!! Lisa has given us a beautiful challenge this week!

1. Create a project with an "Autumn" theme
2. Create a project using shades of orange and yellow

3. Or Mash it Up! And create a project with an autumn theme, using shades of orange and yellow

I made a square card again...love these! I began with a crumb cake card base, then added a scallop circle cut from naturals ivory with my Big Shot. Using more mustard ink, I stamped the sentiment from On Your Birthday. I decided to have fun with my Sizzix Leaves #2 die, and the square lattice and houndstooth impressions folder with my Big Shot. I used peach parfait, cajun craze, so saffron, and more mustard card stock for the leaves. After embossing, I lightly sponged with soft suede ink, then placed them randomly, popping some up with dimensionals. I finished it off with a Spice Cake designer button, available in the Holiday Mini catalog.

I hope you enjoy jumping in the leaves and taking part in the Friday Mashup! Can't wait to see what you create!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup! Behind Door Number...

Hello Stampin' Friends! It's Friday, and I get to be your Friday Mashup challenge hostess this week! WooHoo!! Funny thing is, this challenge even threw me off a bit! Sometimes I want to make a card, so I grab a piece of card stock, cut it in half, and poof...there's my card base. The biggest decision may be horizontal or vertical...hmmmm...kinda boring! I have to force myself to use a "fancy fold," which is silly, since some are not that hard. The gate fold is one of them, and now that I have my NEW Simply Scored tool (available in the Holiday Mini catalog now!), I get my folds just right! I have also started using chipboard...especially numbers since I have NO number stamps! Gasp! Numbers are fun for birthdays, anniversaries, or quirky "text" messages on your projects. So...here is your challenge:

1. Make a card using a gate fold...any variety of the gate fold
2. Make a project using numbers...any numbers, stamped (if you have them!), chipboard, die cut, stickers...

3. Or Mash it Up and make a gate fold card with numbers

Here is what I created:

A sweet couple who supports the ministry here every month...and who has been doing so for YEARS...is celebrating their Silver Anniversary this weekend. I started with a basic black card base. I added baja breeze and basic gray pattern paper from the neutrals paper stack to each side panel. I initially planned a sentiment for the center, but my numbers are big, so I placed them in the center instead. I used a sponge dauber to coat the chipboard in craft ink, then covered with silver embossing powder, heating it so it gets nice and shiny. I placed the numbers on an extra large baja breeze scallop circle. It's been a while, but note the return of the word window and modern label punches with Teeny Tiny Wishes!! Finally, I accessorized with basic jewel rhinestones and baja breeze seam binding.
I hope you join the party at the Friday Mashup! Check out the FABULOUS DT cards and be inspired! Be sure to usekeyword FM22 in your online gallery and link it here.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Paper Players and a Preview

In just a couple of hours, the Stampin' Up Holiday Mini catalog goes live! I decided to post another preview, just in the knick of time! My pictures stink...late night, bad lighting, but I did not want to wait until tomorrow! LOL! The Paper Player's Challenge is another sketch this week. I had a small piece of the Flirtatious dsp within reach...and the rest came quickly. I love shades of green and purple together, and the new wisteria wonder is fantastic with concord crush and lucky limeade!

Here's how I layered things: wisteria card base, Flirtatious dsp, then concord crush dry embossed in my big shot with the Petals-a-Plenty impressions folder. I used my extra large scallop circle punch with the lucky limeade. Next, I pulled out the new You are Loved stamp set, coloring this floral image with markers. (Like I said the other day, this set goes WAY beyond Valentine's Day!) I even added some shading, by coloring the flowers in wisteria first, then adding a bit of concord crush to the image before stamping on whisper white. It's too large for the "regular" scallop circle, so I cut it out...which is something I usually dread! I do think it highlights the image quite well, so it was worth the effort! This sentiment fits perfectly in the modern label punch, and while it is a bit of a diversion from the sketch, I needed to "say something!" The last detail is some retired kiwi kiss ribbon. I don't have the new limeade ribbon...yet. Next order! Promise!

Hope you enjoy this! Be sure to check out the Paper Players challenge!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Some More Previews!!

In just 2 days, the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini catalg goes live! There are soooooo many great things in there! I ordered a healthy stash for my pre-order, but I have wish list waiting for Thursday! I thought I would show you a couple more cards...

This first card was my prototype for the demonstrator swap I just completed. Its a very fat card...so the actual swaps did not have so many layers in the middle, and no pearls. Have to exercise self-control when making 24!! The color palette is based on the dsp Beau Chateau...soft suede, marina mist, pink pirouette, and very vanilla. I used a marina mist card base, with pink pirouette covering the front. The pink was embossed with the elegant lines impressions folder. I used two different patterns of the dsp for strips along the side, highlighting with the eyelet trim border punch. The sentiment is from the new set You Are Loved, which is not just for Valentine's Day! I will use this set a LOT...great for friends, for any ocassion!. I stamped it first in soft suede, punched it out with the decorative label punch. Then I punched a piece of marina mist with the same punch, cut it to make the lower layers...then thought "Why not add another?" Why not? Well, if you want to save postage or if you must make 2 dozen, that's reason why not to add more...but hey, this was the first one. I had to try! Any who, I stamped gain in pink pirouette, then just used the large oval punch to cut out the center only, which I adhered to the soft suede layer. I embellished with pearls and satin ribbon...could I get any more girly? Funny thing...I am not usually drawn to pinks, but this pink pirouette is so pretty!

The next card uses Always Thankful again, with the Spice Cake dsp. This was so fast and easy! Now, I gotta tell you...usually in every dsp package there is a pattern or two that I don't like. Maybe wirey trees and stockings, or funky amoeba-looking blobs (admit it! you feel the same way too!) ...but this Spice Cake is AMAZING! I love every pattern! I am trying to figure out how many more packages to buy already! Anywho, I used a pool party card base and a layer of spice cake dsp. The image and sentiment are stamped on very vanilla card stock. I used blender pens and sponging for coloring, with soft suede, more mustard, pear pizzazz and pool party inks. My scallop circle and scallop oval punches came in handy for quick details. Finally, I added pool party ribbon...you NEED this ribbon!! LOL!!

Hope you like my cards! If you want to order anything, check out my demo site here. September 1st is just around the corner!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup!! Featuing a Holiday Preview!!

It's a fantastic Friday...time for a fantastic Friday Mashup challenge!! This week we have a challenge from Lesley:

1. Make a project using the sketch shown

2. Make a project using dry embossing

3. Or Mash it Up! and make a project using the sketch and dry embossing

Well, I recently received my Holiday Mini pre-order, one of the fun perks of being a Stampin' Up demo, and it included the "Spice Cake" product suite. Ironically, I chose a different stamp set for this card, because I am working on a demo swap, but the other goodies are from that suite. I started with a pool party card base. It is lovely and soft, and typically I would not use it for an autumn themed card. But, the Spice Cake dsp blends pool party, more mustard, soft suede, and pear pizazz into this surprising blend...LOVE it! So, I used some of that dsp, but also some fabric cut with my Tasteful Trim die and the Big Shot. Yep...still don't sew, still love ribbon...ta-dah! I placed the fabric over a strip of suede and mustard card stock, dry embossed with the houndstooth embossing folder. The stamps are from "Always Thankful" which is a fabulous set for watercoloring. The main image is stamped in soft suede on very vanilla card stock, and I used blender pens to add pool party, more mustard, and always artichoke ink. (I know...should have used pear pizazz!) I stamped the sentiment straight onto the card base...something I rarely do. With circle in the sketch, I figured it was the perfect chance to use one of these fabulous buttons, also in the mini, with a bit of linen thread. Love my buttons! I am doing a simplified version of this for my demo swap...need 24! I'll be up late tonight finishing them!

I hope you join us for the Friday Mashup this week. Be sure to use keyword FM21 in your online gallery. Check out the other design team entries here. Today is Jen's last day as a Guest Designer...she has been fabulous! Now I have another blog to follow! LOL

Also, there is still time to submit an idea for the Fan Favorite! Check out the details and be sure to send us your very own Mashup idea!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Simple and Lighthearted

Hello Everyone!! I did a lot of stamping the last couple of evenings...feels great! I have been playing with NEW stampin' goodies from my pre-order of the Stampin' Up Holiday Mini Catalog, which becomes available on September 1st. I am making some card fronts for a demonstrator swap, but I also made some full size cards. Today I am featuring the set "Lighthearted. It's cute and easy to use! I also used various designer series papers...there is a special through the end of August!

Today's sketch challenge on SCS is perfect for this stamp set. I started with a basic black card base and added 2 layers of Frightful Sight dsp. I stamped the sentiment in basic black and cajun craze ink onto whisper white card stock, then layered it with old olive and basic gray card stock. I finished it off with large silver brads and dimensionals.

Last weekend, I was working on the swap with my new recruit. She also made a Halloween card with this stamp...featuring another pattern of the same dsp pack and some polka dot scallop ribbon.

I decided to make cards with the other stamps from the same set. This one has a basic gray base with cherry cobbler layered on top. I added a striped grosgrain ribbon, whih makes a great "layer" in lieu of paper. The sentiment is stamped in cherry cobbler on whisper white, layered over basic black. I punched out 3 hearts from the neutrals and regals pattern paper stacks, popping one up with dimensionals. The last detail is a basic jewel rhinestone on the sentiment.

The next card features Big Top Birthday dsp and the Top Note die. I used daffodil delight, tempting turquoise, real red, and whisper white card stock. The turquoise strip was embossed with the square lattice folder in my big shot. Real red and tempting turquoise grosgrain ribbon and daffodil delight brads finish it off.

The last card has a different feel; more elegant. The card base is not quite navy, and I used Timeless Portrait dsp. The sentiment is stamped in cherry cobbler on very vanilla, then layered with cherry cobbler and river rock. I embellished with NQN taffeta ribbon and chantilly crochet trim, as well as basic jewel pearls.

Whew!! One stamp set, different dsp...lots of possibilities! Hope you like them!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

How Many Colors Can I Post???

How many...in this one single blog post?? heehee!

Last week, splitcoaststampers Color Challenge #300 challenged us to go back and do as many color challenges from the past as we could in one week, before #301 gets posted.

I did none. Hmmm...so not like me!

Oh, I had good intentions, but my Christmas card mass production took priority. So, I am a week late on #300...and various weeks late on so many other challenges! LOL I have made a few cards, and I will post some today, finally!

The first card is this week's Color Challenge #301...Gray, Marina Mist, and Concord Crush. Since I still had 12 pieces of brushed silver, I decided to use that for my gray. The base is Marina Mist. I embossed the silver with the Northern Flurries impressions folder, found in the Holiday Mini. I layered it simply with some Concord Crush from the Hostess Level 1 In-Color Pattern Pack. I sponged a bit of concord crush on the snowflakes and around the edges for contrast. The sentiment is from On Your Birthday. Some more layers and satin ribbon finish it off.



Next, a bright, simple combo in Color Challenge #296...Tempting Turquoise, Poppy Parade, and Whisper White. I CASE'd a fun card from another SU Demo, Mary Fish. My card base is tempting turquoise, with a layer of retired Tropical Party dsp. (You could use the Brights Pattern Pack, as well.) I stamped Serene Snowflakes in turquoise, and punched out with the scallop square. I used On Your Birthday again, in poppy...which works great with these round fire brads. I wrapped some poppy parade twill ribbon as the last detail.



Finally, Color Challenge #299...River Rock (blech!), Real Red, and Old Olive. I was dreading this challenge, but amazingly, this is my favorite of the bunch! With a river rock card base, I added a layer of very vanilla, embossed with petals-a-plenty. I added satin ribbon in both red and olive. The main image is from Come to Bethlehem, stamped in river rock. I took my real red marker to outline it for contrast. Of course, I needed Teeny Tiny Wishes with the duo punches...word window and modern label. The last touch was a Jewel Basic Pearl (self-adhesive) on the star. I love the subtle elegance.

I have already mailed this card to our Medical Director. Good thing I have a picture so I can make more!!

So...3 cards...10 colors (including neutrals.) Not bad, huh?

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Celebrate In Blue and Silver

When I was creating cards for a Clean and Simple (CAS) challenge on splitcoastsampers, I decided to pull out my neglected brushed silver card stock. Love this stuff! Lots of shimmer with zero effort! I made 2 very similar cards...each use the silver, white organza ribbon, not quite navy ink, and Fabulous Phrases stamp set.


In the first card, I used the Circles Big Shot die to cut out the large circle from Candy Cane Christmas dsp, found in the Holiday Mini. Serene Snowflakes and some rhinestones sitting on a large scallop circle add all the detail I needed.

The second card uses the Tags til Christmas stamp set for the ornament, and the absolutely-gotta-have-itornament punch. Of course, some bling too!
Quick...Clean...Simple...Wow!
Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Christmas Tags

I had a small, but very fun Christmas tag workshop today! 3 teens entered my Stampin' Space, looked at a few samples, then created a wonderful variety! Here they are, working hard...can't believe I managed to get a picture. All of the products used are from Stampin' Up...though some items are retired.

They really liked the Candy Cane Christmas DSP and Tags til Christmas stamps found in the Holiday Mini. We also got Dasher inked up for the first time...Gasp! Can't believe it took me so long to buy this fun single stamp image! He'll get plenty of attention now!

I had my hubby take a picture of just some of their tags, ready to tie onto fun gifts.

Actually, they joked that the tags may be the highlight, instead of the gifts themselves!







Stampin' Mission Accomplished!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Another Challenge Catch-up!

Just some various cards I have made recently...gonna squeeze them in. They're not related, except that they are each challenge cards, and all use just Stampin' Up goodies!

My first card was made for a Stamping Sisters in Christ challenge, which I found through The Daily Dare website. One of the Design Team members shared a scripture (Isaiah 55:10-11), talking about how, like the rain and the snow, God's Word will come down upon the earth, making it bear fruit. We needed a card that shows off weather!

The base is River Rock, and I added squares of Not Quite Navy (embossed with our Northern Flurry impressions folder, found in the Holiday Mini) under a Very Vanilla layer. I stamped Serene Snowflakes in Baja Breeze, and Not Quite Navy, and the flourish is from Baroque Motifs, in River Rock. Doesn't it look like wind? I got this idea from a world-famous stamper...Michelle Zindorf! I stamped and heat embossed Extreme Snowboarder in Night of Navy with craft ink and clear embossing powder. I added brads (retired earth elements) and a sentiment from On Your Birthday on a small square layer.


The next card was for the Clean and Simple (CAS) challenge back home...err, I mean, on splitcoaststampers! Yes, SCS is my second home! Any way, it was a color challenge inspired by projects seen in this year's Stampin Up! Idea Book and Catalog (IBC), page 156-157. The colors were crumb cake, pink (I choice pink pirouette) and olive, with the option of adding marina mist. I used wide striped grosgrain ribbon and the 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. I punched ornaments from the Subtles Designer Pattern Paper Stack, and popped them with dimensionals. This simple sentiment from All Holidays is heat embossed in basic black. Fun, isn't it?

Ok...when I started this post yesterday, I intended to have another card uploaded. Nope. Nada. Busy day at work! But hey, I got some good news there at the ministry...a mommy choice life for her unborn baby today! Now that's inspiring!! I should have something to show you tomorrow!!

Inky {{HUGS}}}

Dare to Double Dip!

Well, I am posting right away for this week's Color Dare: Soft Suede, Night of Navy, and Pear Pizazz. I double dipped my challenges by combining it with today's sketch challenge on splitcoaststampers. When I saw the colors Riley picked, I knew I was going to make a masculine card. I need to do that more often! This card is long overdue! I'll be giving it to a good friend from church who helped me with a couple of big events recently. I think he'll like it...I'm pretty sure his wife will! I've been trying to recruit her for my club! She recently retired and needs a new hobby! LOL!!

I started with a soft suede card base, then added a layer of the Presto Patterns Specialty paper, brayered with the navy and pear colors. The middle strip is also suede, run through my paper crimper for added texture. The sentiment and images are from Day of Gratitude, found in the Holiday Mini. I sponged the edges with the soft suede, used my 2-1/2 inch scallop circle punch, and popped it up with dimensionals. I actually stamped the leaves and acorns on the inside as well...with the tiny "Thank You" that you see peeking out. For accessories, I added my new pear pizazz twill ribbon, and designer buttons from the regal collection (garden green), with a bit of twine.

I like how this turned out...and it was quick! Great colors, great sketch, and Stampin' Up goodies make for fun creations in no time!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Challenges Doubled-Up

Today, I am showing off 2 simple and quick cards. They are both challenge cards for splitcoaststampers, which is a FANTASTIC way to get your mojo going!! All products used are from Stampin' Up!

Tuesday is the SCS Color Challenge, and this week, it was posted early! I saw it late Monday night, fell in love with the color palette, and decided to play before I went to bed. The colors: Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, and Crumb Cake. I had a 1/2 sheet of crumb cake, my retired baja ribbon elements was on the top of a full basket, and the blushing bride pattern paper from the Hostess Level 1 pack is in the paper cubby closest to my laptop! I rolled my office chair to my stamp cabinet...and chose the lovely Serene Snowflakes. I combined the colors with a sketch challenge as well. The sentiment is from On Your Birthday, and a glimmer brad (from the Holiday Mini) adds a nice shimmer. Almost forgot...I used Versamark to stamp on the crumb cake, giving a watermark look. Very simple!



This other card is for the CAS challenge to use gingham. I had just gotten this creamy caramel gingham ribbon off of the Clearance Rack. The button and twine are current accessories, placed on very vanilla card stock,mounted on bravo burgundy. I stamped Teeny Tiny Wishes in bravo burgundy as well.

Why 2 birthday cards? I have been so BAD about sending b-day cards this year, so I have a plan to make cards as I go...and I have a box ready to store 2011 cards! These cards are for a brother-in-law and sister-in-law who each have January birthdays.

We'll see how long this lasts!

Inky{{{HUGS}}}

Tricky Color Dare!

You know I love color combos, and this week's Color Dare gave me a challenge to stretch a bit! Peach Parfait, Rich Razzleberry and Sahara Sand would never have met in my home on one card if this challenge had not come up!

This card features lots of punches and dies. I used the Top Note die, then embossed with perfect polka dots. I also used Little Leaves sizzlit with peach parfait pattern paper from the Hostess Level 1 pack. I punched out 5-petal flowers in very vanilla, sponged with peach and razzleberry, and added glimmer brads from the Holiday Mini. I used markers for this wonderful sentiment from All Holidays, then added the Teeny Tiny Wishes birthday stamp on the word window. This is going to an area SU demo for a birthday card swap. I better make more!

I'll be working on the 2 Color Dares that I missed. Actually, I completed one (6 cards!), but sent them off for a swap before getting a picture. Hopefully I can get quality stamping time in this upcoming weekend to catch up! (Our silly jobs get in the way of stamping, don't they?)

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Color Challenge Delay

I made this fun card 2 weeks ago, but took forever to get it uploaded! I thought I'd do it now before completing this week's challenge on splitcoaststampers. Work has been so busy that this week's challenge may show up 2 weeks late too!

The color challenge called for So Saffron, Tangerine Tango, and Rich Razzleberry. I considered using an autumn leaf motif, but somehow ended up with this. Do not ask me how!

The bird is from Elements of Style, and the sentiment is Teeny Tiny Wishes. I stamped the bird in so saffron first, tried rock and roll technique in tangerine, but the tangerine took over! Oh Well! I layered the image panel on razzleberry and added one single glimmer brad, found in the Holiday Mini. Love these things! The brightly colored panel is Presto Pattern Paper, brayered in the 3 colors...neat, huh? I added white ribbon, and placed it all on a tangerine card base. Fun fall birthday card, dontcha think?

Lots to do to get ready for Friday's Stamp Club! Hope to post projects soon!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}