Random Cards

Hello Stamping Friends!

In an attempt to catch up a bit, I am going to post some random cards here.  I went through photo files on my laptop, and thought, Good grief!  I am so far behind!  Here goes!


This was for a nephew and his new bride.  I love this die from Stampin' Up!  It makes fancy cards so quick and easy!  The glimmer paper is sweet sugar plum, and I think I had sparkles on my floor for weeks!






I have another nephew in the US Navy, stationed in Japan.  The Open Sea stamp set goes perfectly with this paper stack, also from SU, though I forget the name.  Plus, I think lost lagoon is a perfect color for ocean themed cards!




Now, a card for a niece.  I had to take the photo quickly before I stuck it in the mail.  Her sorority recently took group photos with everyone wearing burgundy, holding sunflowers.  I had a stamp set in mind; turns out I gave it away!  So I chose this Itty Bitty set from Unity Stamp Company. It's hard to tell, but the crown is gold embossed.  I brushed more mustard and delightful dijon ink around the bees, and sponged my embossed background.  And I love the lace as an added detail!

Another nephew (I have 12, not to mention nephews-in-law!) was in a musical recently.  It was put on by a group called The Penguin Project, and the entire cast is made if children with developmental or sensory disabilities.  I am so proud of Ethan being on stage, even doing a few dance steps and having a few spoken lines.  The "Broadway Bound" dsp from SU was perfect.  My penguin is from an unknown dollar bin source.

Finally, this card was made months ago for a friend in ministry who completed her term in leadership.  She was SO supportive of me, as I grew to understand my own role.  I am blessed to have worked with her.

I have lots of "get organized" goals for the coming months.  Not just here, but in reading more books, getting more exercise.  I better not wait until the New Year...no time like the present!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim  

Fresh Binge of Sketches

Hello Stamping Friends!

Today, I have several thank you cards to post.  Over the last couple of months, I have been busy prepping for a diocesan volunteer appreciation event.  It was held last week, and I finally feel like I can breathe!  So many things filled my calendar in March & April, so my stamping suffered a bit.  This weekend, I had fun creating again. Even though these cards are all related to last week's event, it felt like fun, not work.  Since I needed a lot of thank you cards, I decided to use one pack of designer series paper.  With that, I thought it would be fun to binge on some sketches...actually LOTS of sketches!  The clean and simple designs from Freshly Made Sketches provided the perfect solution!  I went to their page of past sketches, and printed off badges for #270-#285!  Since #285 is still current, I am posting that first.   A few of the sketches are off a bit, but that happens when you are trying to make lots of cards in a sitting. Hopefully, I'll finish the other cards tomorrow while hubby is at work. For simplicity, I'll post supplies here, then I'll add photos...

Paper:  SU thick & regular whisper white, SU night of navy, SU Floral Boutique dsp
Ink:  SU night of navy
Stamps:  sentiments from SU "Wetlands," "Very Versatile," "God's Blessings," "So Very Much"
Tools:  word window, decorative label, modern label, heart, scallop trim, flower punches, doily die, dimensionals
Embellies:  SU enamel dots, ribbon from Offray

It's been dark and rainy all weekend, so some of the navy details are hard to see.  All of the cards have a white base, except one.  I goofed, had to cut off the front, then mounted it to a navy base.

I love the hearts on this sketch!

The ribbon cuts off some of this huge sentiment, but with some tweaking, I'll probably make more of these.

It's tough to see the layers with the monochrome, but this is one of my favorites.

I made 2 of these, because I messed up (blurred) my sentiment...twice!  LOL

Another card where the layers are hard to distinguish, but I love this CAS sketch!

















Here's the card that ended up on a navy card base.  "One of these things
is not like the other..."

Plus, another blurred sentiment meant I had to pull out my punch for an extra element.  But it's close, right?













Finally, this sketch was turned...for fun!




Whew!   I hope I didn't bore you!  Kudos if you made it all the way through!







Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Thanks for the Sketches!

Hello Friends!

I'm back!  A while back, I had a post with lots of cards...maybe 8.  I wanted to catch up on sketches from the Freshly Made Sketches blog.  Well today I am trying to catch up with sketch challenges from Splitcoaststampers. I am so far behind on my goal to do all of them in 2015.

I recently had a big birthday party for turning the Big 5-0, and I needed lots of thank you cards.  Since I used bright summer colors for the party instead of black, I decided to make bright cards.  So I pulled out my barely-used pack of SU's "Beyond the Garden" dsp, along with card stock and ink in pacific point, wild wasabi, daffodil delight, melon mambo, and pumpkin pie.  I also used the SU sets "Thank  You Kindly" and "Carte Postale" plus various embellishments and punches.  I am out of dimensionals, but these needed to be mail-able any way.  I actually made 2 cards in each design, and I still have more cards to make.  Without further ado...

My first card is actually the current week's challenge. In addition to the materials I already listed, I used "Fabulous Florets" for the small flower, which is cut out.  The set coordinates so well with the dsp...why didn't I pull it out sooner?  I still have cards to make, some with large panels, so I will likely use it again.

I discovered how badly I need to sharpen my scissors as I tried to cut this curvy line.  Good grief.  But I will say this sketch is great for showing off dsp with large patterns.  It's also fun to scrunch up some seam binding for a bit of contrast.

















I turned this next sketch sideways.  It's a simple sketch, and I may use it if I run out of steam tomorrow!  I *need* to get these cards done and mailed!  LOL  

I have stared at this sketch for months...even had plans for it.  But I kept setting it aside.  With my goal to complete the 2015 SCS sketches, I knew I had to get back to it.  I had fun coloring the sentiment with two markers to add to the split screen design!

 The next sketch was another one I thought could feature a large pattern.  With the vertical top panel, I was a bit stumped, so I actually used a marker to stamp one word at a time with this otherwise horizontal sentiment.

















I did the same thing with my sentiment here.  The blue gem is the only non-SU item in this entire post...it is from Darice, and I received it with a birthday card from a fellow stamper.  Yay!

Finally, this sketch with tilted layers.  I love tilted layers!

So, 14 cards created and mailed.  I still need more, so I will tackle more sketches tonight and tomorrow.  Here's a look at all of the designs together...I love the bright colors!


Thanks for stopping by...it's good to be back!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Colours for a Hero

Good morning, and Happy Monday!

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



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

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

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

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Virtual Stamp Night: I Treasure You!

Hello, and Happy Saturday!

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

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












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

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

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



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

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Celebrating #200 with Prizes at the Friday Mashup!!

Hello Stamping Friends!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can't wait to see what you create!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Dare to Make a Quick Card!

Hello Stamping Friends!!

I pondered this color combo from The Color Throwdown, but had not come up with anything.  I figured the time had passed, but when I checked the blog, there was still 55 minutes before the Linky expired.  So of course, I had to try something!  Of course, since it is nearly 5 pm here, there is virtually no natural light.  But I loved the adrenaline rush while making and uploading a card in less than one hour.

All of the supplies are from Stampin' Up! I actually needed a sympathy card, and this fits the bill.  My card base is pool party.  My layer of night of navy is embossed with the chevron folder.  On whisper white, I stamped these images from "Thanks for Caring." I used markers to color them: night of navy, tangerine tango, and garden green.  After stamping, I embossed with the cloudy day folder.  I sponged garden green for the grass and pool party in the sky.  I added a simple strip of pool party seam binding.  The greeting is from the same set, punched with the scallop oval and popped up with dimensionals.  

That's it...quick, clean,and simple.  Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

A Batch of Sketches and a Rainbow of Colors

TGIF!

Not sure why I am saying that...I am only working part time, and mostly from home, so most days are the same.  But I have been having fun playing with some challenges today.  I am continuing my 2015 focus on sketches.  I missed the Paper Players sketch, but this week's Friday Mashup has a sketch.  I also have the weekly sketches from SCS and Freshly Made Sketches.  Plus, I combined a color challenge with each one.  Whew!

This first card was LOTS of fun! I combined the Colour Me...! palette with FMS#171.  The stamped image and greeting are from Paper Smooches; more of my goodies that I chose with my gift card from the "Hope You Can Cling To" challenges last fall.

This is the first time I used tangelo twist card stock; it was still in my in-color sample pack.  I am not a big fan of orange, but this is actually very nice.  I added a layer of whisper white that is dry embossed with the fancy fan folder. For the vertical strips, I used a piece of indigo dsp from a SU holiday paper stack, a strip of long-retired razzleberry pattern paper, and then a strip of whisper white that I turned into my own pattern paper.  For that, I randomly stamped images from "Mixed Bunch."  I used my Sizzix scallop circles #2 die, then stamped the image and greeting from "Chubby Chums."  I colored the chickie with markers, and sponged indigo around the edges, then popped it up with dimensionals.  A few candy dots finish it off.  How cute is this little chick??  The entire stamp set is filled with adorable images!  A few years ago, I never would have tried these, but I am venturing more into whimsical, playful characters.  I think I have fallen in love with another stamp company...and I think my bank account is in jeopardy!

 Next, I have The Friday Mashup challenge paired with
The Color Throwdown (first time I have joined this one!)










I was debating between using summer starfruit and kiwi kiss for this one, and opted for the kiwi kiss because of this fun polka dot ribbon.  Plus, let's face it, kiwi kiss has been retired for a while...I need to finish it off!  LOL  I added a layer of concord crush pattern paper from the old hostess 6x6 pack.  The whisper white layer is embossed with the decorative dots folder.  My flower image is from SU's "Friends Never Fade."  I used markers to color it: tempting turquoise, concord crush, so saffron, and lucky limeade (no kiwi marker.)  I matted the pennant with more concord crush paper.  For a bit more of the so saffron, I doodled around the edge of the pennant with my marker, which is very hard to see in the picture.  The small greeting by the flower is from "You're a Gem," and I added one from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" also, punched out with the word window.  My accessories are the polka dot ribbon, a bright turquoise button, and some limeade bakers twine.

Finally, I have a card pairing up this week's color challenge and sketch challenge from SCS.  I had already participated in the color challenge, with a minor error.  The colors are real red, early espresso and crumb cake.  Well, with espresso and crumb cake, my brain went to cherry cobbler.  In fact, as I was getting ready to try again, I almost used cherry cobbler again!  Any way, I made this quick card. I'm not thrilled with it, especially compared to the other two...but it's done.

My card base is early espresso.  The next layer is confetti white.  I love this stuff for some things, but it is difficult to stamp on it cleanly.  My big sentiment is from Inkadinkado.  I think it is perfect for a Valentine.  For the horizontal layer, I decided to finally open up my spool of burlap, leaving the edges a little rough.  I also opened the spool of early espresso taffeta ribbon...because of course, I don't have enough spools of ribbon in use already (*sarcasm*).  Oh well! Using my heart punch and heart-to-heart punches and some pattern paper in real red and crumb cake, I added simple final touches.




Well, I had lots of fun with these.  I hope you enjoy them...and I hope you have time to play along with some of these challenges too!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim