Spring Virtual Stamp Night!

Hello Friends!

I am finally posting my Mini VSN cards here.  The Mini took place on March 8th, but there is actually still time to play!  Misti, Lee, and I give out "VSN Virtuoso" prizes for people who complete ALL of the challenges.  Since some people come by later, we don't want to punish them for missing the Mini.  But you have to upload your Mini projects by Thursday April 11th.  The Main VSN kicks off Friday April 12, and continues Saturday the 13th.  Our theme is "From Here to There," and you can come and chat about it HERE.

I hosted the first challenge, "Traveling Ink."  I challenged people to use the Rolling Marble Background technique, and I was thrilled to hear how much fun everyone had!  I used regal rose, lovely lilac, and lucky limeade for my backgrounds.  Cutting a full sheet of whisper white in quarters, it took me less than 10 minutes (easily) to make the backgrounds.  Then I had fun picking various stamps to complete four different cards.  The one with the bird features "Elements of Style."  The bicycle card features an image from Stampabilities.  The big prima-like flowers have been in my stash for years, as well as the big yellow brads.  That card will need extra postage! The card with the ruched ribbon is my favorite.  I colored white ribbon with markers and used my heat tool to scrunch it up.  Fun color and texture!  The stamps are from "Just Believe."

 


Next, Misti gave us an inspiration challenge, with photos of travel ready snacks.  Instead of picking ine snack, I just went with the image of compartments and colors.  I used lots of old 6x6 pattern paper from SU!  My elephant is an old SU image, but I don't know the set, since it is in a box of random stamps.

Finally, Lee had us use Arrows on our cards.  I only have one stamp with an arrow (from SU's Word Play), so I added some by using the photo corner punch.  A local high school has blue and gold for its colors, so this will make a nice graduation card.

I am looking forward to the big event in April!  Hope to get started on samples this weekend.  Mark your calendars for April 12 & 13!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

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'm Back!

Hey there, Stamping Friends!

I am dusting off this blog!  I have been stamping fairly often this year, helping to moderate Virtual Stamp Night events on Splitcoaststampers, and always having fun with family birthday cards.  I actually have 4 or 5 posts in my drafts...clearly I thought I would be back sooner!

For several years, I chose a blog challenge and a SCS weekly challenge to focus on throughout the year.  Well, I have nearly ignored 2018 blog challenges so it is too late for that.  But I have been doing the Free 4 All challenges, which are posted on SCS every Friday.

So today, I am just going to post a few F4A cards just so this blog wakes up!  It is also a waay for me to warm up before the huge Dare to Get Dirty week of challenges which start this coming Saturday!

 This first card is for the most recent F4A, "Winged Things," along with last week's color challenge (smoky slate, berry burst, granny apple green.)  I don't have any granny apple green, so I used kiwi kiss.  The bird is from "Elements of Style," and the sentiment is from a new set, "Just Add Text." I am almost out of kiwi kiss card stock...after how many years??














The next card is for the challenge "Ride the Waves."  I literally had the card base and dsp (Sunshine & Sprinkles) together for weeks, but set this aside.  Then I had vacation and a busy VSN week.  I was happy to finish with this fun stamp my sister-in-law found for me at a thrift store.  It is SU's "Aquaria" or something like that.  I colored it with blender pens.  The sentiment is from "Whimsical Words."















Now, this card was made in June while I was on dawnmercedes team to make F4A samples.  The challenge was to make something inspired by a neighboring state.  I live in Illinois, and neighboring Missouri is home to the St Louis Cardinals.  My hubby is a HUGE cardinals fan, so I made this for his July birthday.  I used "Good Sport" and "Happiest Birthday Wishes" stamp sets.  I added a tiny bit of an imitation feather to top off the bird.  I chose yellow for the sentiment,. similar to the yellow bat in the St Louis team logo.












My next card was created way back in May on the weekend of the Kentucky Derby.  I have quite a bit of this "To the Nines" dsp, and this particular pattern goes well with this horse image from "Horse Frontier."  The greeting is from "Wetlands."  The only non-SU element is the thick twine, which I looped like a lasso.  I really like how this turned out!















Now, the last card I am posting is for a F4A challenge posted months ago, but I just did it in July, combining it with a VSN challenge.  VSN was "Going to the Zoo," and the F4A was specifically about zebras.  Easy combo!  I used melon mambo and lemon lime twist with the black and white paper from S.E.I. called "Black Orchid."  The zebra is from "Zoo Friends," and the greeting is from "Just Sayin'" on a word bubble framelit.  I sent this to my "tween" grand-daughter.


I have made many other cards, but posting them all would be silly!  I am just happy to get back on this platform.  I'll be checking out other blogs too to see what YOU have been creating!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

More Virtual Stamp Night!

Hello, and Happy Friday!!

I have a few more VSN cards, but I will be traveling tonight and tomorrow.  Not sure if I will get all of the challenges done, but I'll post what I have so far.

The first one is for MY challenge:  "Raise the Bar."   absolutely LOVE gymnastics!  Many events...balance beam, high bar, parallel bars, uneven bars...have a long horizontal bar with an athlete twirling all over it.  So I asked stampers to incorporate a horizontal element with something swirly.  I made a graduation card, using this greeting from "Tassle Time" and the hot air balloon from Stampabilities.  My colors are crushed curry, handsome hunter, mellow moss, and crumb cake...oh with a bit of bordering blue sponged on my embossed cloudy sky.  I also used markers to make the swirly trail under the balloon...hope no one fell out!  LOL














Next, Sharon asked us to "Swim for the Gold" by using a water color technique and some gold elements.  I knew that a recent color challenge used gold, so I used  that too:  wild wasabi, cherry cobbler, and gold. The cherry cobbler strip is dry embossed with the Divine Swirls folder.  I attempted to stamp my hydrangea from "Because I Care" on some watercolor paper.  Hmmm...the details didn't show up.  I need more practice!  I chose a simple watercolor wash technique.  It definitely makes the colors look different, but it works with the quick VSN time frame.  My gold elements are the brad and this washi tape from Spare Parts.  I have washi tape, but have never used it before.  It took me forever to get the roll started!  Ha!  My sentiment is also on water color paper, colored with my aqua brush.













Now I have a card for Carla's challenge, Bird On!  Inspired by the sport of badminton, we were asked to include a "birdie" in our project.  Even better, a bird playing a sport!  I pulled out my SU set "For the Birds, and used this winter image.  My bird is training for the winter Olympics!  Mycard base is marina mist, and I added panels of  "Christmas Cheer" dsp, from an old retired Scrappin' kit.  I colored my image with markers, and sponged the edges. The satin ribbon is scrunched for a touch of dimension.  This card also fits a recent SCS sketch challenge.

I really wanted to get more cards done by now, but oh well!  Maybe Sunday afternoon will be filled with some creativity.  You have until Sunday night to upload your Virtual Stamp Night projects!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Virtual Stamp Night!!

Hello Stamping Friends!  

I am finally posting some of my Virtual Stamp Night cards.  It's been quite  week for me, so this blog hasn't received enough TLC.  I started with 3 of the Friday night challenges, but wanted to do the other 2 so they could be posted together.  I made those cards on Saturday, really I did!  LOL  So here we go!

The first VSN challenge was inspired by the Olympic motto:  Citius, Altius, Fortius...which is Faster, Higher, Stronger.  We had to include elements that began with C, A, and F. I chose Copper (brads and the dark stripes in the dp) Airplane (from SU's "Sentimental Journey") and Fleur de Lis and French greeting (from SU's "Carte Postale.")  My card base is taken with teal; the dp is S.E.I.'s "Charlemagne".  I use creamy caramel, taken with teal, and pool party inks.  The other sentiment is from "Whimsical Words" stamped on a scallop circle.  Now I just need to plan a trip to France so I can mail this to a friend, right?

Next, Melody was inspired by her love for fabric in this "Hoist the Sails" challenge.  We could use any fabric.  I chose some denim from an old shirt that I took from dear hubby.  It didn't fit any more, but the fabric has come in handy!  I ran some of the fabric through my Big Shot with a SU framelit.  I probably should have run it through another time to cut it better...but then again, I like the frayed edges!  I stamped SU's "Sail Away" with Stazon jet black.  I layered it over a strip of burlap.  The greeting is from SU "Wetlands," stamped in bravo burgundy to match the card base.  A bit of sponging and a brad finish it off.

Next, Misti took on the port of archery with this "On Target" challenge.  We had to use at least one circle, and the colors of an archery target.  My wild wasabi is added.  *wink*  My card base is brilliant blue...already cut, in a drawer with a bunch of retired color bases.  And all of the little die cuts were in another drawer with circles and such...even the leaves.  I did decide to add texture by embossing with the perfect polka dots folder.  The greeting and tiny stamped butterflies are from SU "Hello Again."  Even the striped ribbon was in a stash of pre-cut pieces...barely fit around my base!  LOL  But all of that made this a quick card! 

Now, I have a "Triathlon" card, for Sally's challenge.  We needed to use 3 items in certain categories.  I chose 3 "papers"...card stock (bermuda bay, white, daffodil) designer paper (tangerine tango polka dot) and vellum (Simply Irresistible).  I also chose 3 embellishments...crushed curry ribbon, felt flower, and brad.  I used my markers to color the back of the vellum, then layered it on white to give a misty look.  This was also for that week's color challenge (bermuda bay, daffodil delight, and tangerine tango.)  Love the bold colors for summer!

Finally the last of Friday's challenges.  Polly asked us to "Jump Those Hurdles."  I also incorporated that week's palette from the ColourQ.  Since I didn't have this post done, I had to link up my gallery to catch their deadline.  Anyway, I really like this masculine color scheme.  I did simple layers of white, bordering blue and night of navy on my basic gray card base.  I used markers to color the sentiment from SU "Delightful Dozen," pacing it on an angle to go under the "ramp" which is made from old olive.  My skater is from the SU Extreme Series, stamped on an oval from my die cut stash.  I used enamel dots for the wheels, and added a bit of bakers twine.  I may cut off the twine...looks odd!  LOL

Whew!  That's it for now.  I don't have all of the Saturday challenges done; just 3 out of 8 so far.  But I have until Sunday to complete them...and so do you!  I hope you decide to join us!  It's lots of fun!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

A Few Grad Cards...and VSN News!

So, once again my blogging gets neglected.  Sigh.  I realize this isn't my "paid gig" so it often gets placed on the back burner.  I had plans for this post days ago; combine my red/black and orange/black graduation cards.  But then I got busy prepping for Virtual Stamp Night...which starts tonight   which started LAST night!!  My own challenge will go live here very soon, so I better get this old post finished up!




This first card does not appear like a traditional graduation card.   However, it is for a young woman I know who just graduated from Illinois State University, and who has a tremendous faith in God.  She is discerning future plans, and I felt this Scripture verse was perfect!  
The card uses a layout from this week's SCS Sketch challenge.  I used real red and whisper white card stock, along with real red pattern paper and some "Black Orchid" dp from S.E.I.  The sentiment is from Stampabilities, cut out with the SU "Floral Frame" framelit.  I used the same framelit for the red dp; just moved it a bit to mat the verse.  Then I added butterflies cut with my SU embosslit.  Red satin ribbon and black enamel hearts finish it off.  







The next card is not for any challenge...just a fun card for  niece who graduated from high school.  This time I used poppy parade, but still have some Black Orchid paper as well. The card features SU's "Send Me Soaring," stamped in poppy parade, jet black, and bordering blue.  I added a Teeny Tiny Wishes sentiment with lots of punched layers,  resting on poppy twill ribbon.  Final detail is some dazzling diamonds on the clouds.
















Now I have a card for the oldest son of some dear friends.  He graduated as Valedictorian and with a bunch of other honors.  Funny thing is, I saw this sketch...thought it was current for the week I made the card...but now I can't find the badge o the number.  It wasn't current; not on SCS or any blog I frequent.  Bu I KNOW I had the badge up when I was designing the card...it was vertical and I turned it on its side.  If I ever figure it out, I will let you know!  LOL  The card uses pumpkin pie and basic black and features "Tassle Time," and old stamp set from SU.  I added some bakers twine and  a small banner with the year.











Finally, another pumpkin pie/black card: this one for my cousin's daughter.  Different school, but how nice to be able to use some of the same supplies?  I
t i for a sketch challenge; the badge has been in my file for ages, so I decided to finally make this.  I used SU stamps:  "Happy Grad" "Work of Art" and "Kinda Eclectic."  The ribbon is from the hair salon I use.  They have fabulous black organza ribbon bows on the bags when you buy hair products!

Whew!  That took a while!  Now back to my Virtual Stamp Night mess.  See you later this weekend! 

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

More VSN!!

Happy Saturday, everyone!

I have a few more cards for Virtual Stamp Night today.  There were 14 total challenges.  With the four I am posting, I have nine done; not sure if I will get to the other challenges.  I planned on it, but with Holy Week services and a conference next week, stamping ended on the back burner.  I will likely do the other challenges after I return, as a way of thanking my fellow hostesses.  So, a very quick post...I uploaded the pictures and set this aside again!  But I can't have them sit in my drafts any longer.

The first card is for my challenge, to create a card with a brayered sky.  I used daffodil delight, pumpkin pie, tangerine twist, and regal rose.  After getting one streak on the sun accidentally, I added others..not thrilled with the result.  I took this butterfly out of my baggie of die cuts.  The sentiment is from "Because I Care," stamped in rich razzleberry on so saffron dsp.  I added some taffeta ribbon also.  It's rare that I use regal rose, but I like it for my sunrise card!







Next, a card I made way in advance because I needed a sympathy card.  Sabrina's challenge was to "Brighten the Grey," by using just yellow with a grey card.  The image is from "Asian Artistry," colored with basic gray and daffodil delight markers.  I sponged smoky slate in the sky, and used my dauber to make the sun.  The dsp is from SU "Parker's Patterns." I added a Teeny Tiny Wish sentiment and some non-SU enamel dots.







The next card is for Merla's challenge, to use something new in our stash.  Well, I have this new "Going Global" stamp set, along with "Going Places" dsp, both from SU.  I think they will be very nice for masculine cards.  The corrugated paper is actually from a swap. Of course, I also have Teeny Tiny Wishes here.  The dsp calls for the new Dijon color, but I just used plain ol' more mustard.  ;-)  Looks nearly the same.







Finally, this fun card for Lisa's challenge, "A Sunny Boat Ride."  The card features the "Sail Away" single stamp, plus a fun sentiment from "Going Global."  Again, I used "Going Places" dsp, this time with patterns that feature lost lagoon.  Hard to tell, but I did use my Cuttlebug "Divine Swirls" embossing folder on the dsp.  I colored the image with blender pens and sponging, using sahara sand, lost lagoon, riding hood red, and more mustard.  Bakers twine finishes it off.

That's all I have today.  I actually need to make a birthday card for my 2 year old great-niece, whom we will be seeing tomorrow at the family Easter gathering.  If I'm lucky, I'll get a picture...and maybe post it before the end of April!  LOL

Have a great weekend!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

VSN... Here Comes the Sun!

Hello Stamping Friends!

I have been busy preparing samples for this weekend's Virtual Stamp Night over at Splitcoaststampers! Soooooo many fun challenges!  As a hostess, I get the list of challenges in advance, which allows me more time to comment on YOUR creations in the gallery!  There were 5 challenges tonight, and there will be 9 tomorrow!  But don't worry...you have until Sunday March 27th at 10 pm EST to upload your projects.

Here are my cards with quick descriptions so this isn't too long:

The first challenge was hosted by Melody:  Round & Round.  We were asked to include at least one circle.  I literally used just one, made from "Moonlight" dsp, because I liked the wavy lines.  My 2-step image is "Field Flowers," and the sentiment is from "On Your Birthday."  This is also for a color challenge:  hello honey, cherry cobbler and mossy meadow.





The next card is the only one I did "live" tonight.  Hosted by Brenda, this one had us use radial symmetry.  Took me a while to figure it out, but Brenda has some great links to help.  Plus, I love the samples other hostesses created!  My card has plum, celery, saffron, regal rose, and bashful blue.  The stamps are from "Kinda Eclectic."  Taffeta ribbon and an embossing folder from Darice are the fun extras.




Now, another spring card.  Sonja asked us to "Turn up the Heat," using a NEW heat technique.  I chose multi-colored heat embossing.  I never use my colored embossing powder...this gave me a reason to pull it out.  I love the result!  The flowers are from "Beautiful Life" and the sentiment is another "On Your Birthday."  I have a bashful blue base, with "Floral District" dsp.






Next, Angie invited us to a Sunshine Box challenge.  This means creating a project with items you might include in a crafty gift for a friend...things that would fit in a box, like primas and enamel dots.  My hedgehog image is from a swap years ago, and the dsp is a sale-a-Bration pattern that is almost gone from my stash. I used markers to color: creamy caramel, close to cocoa, lucky limeade, melon mambo, daffodil delight, pumpkin pie, and marina mist.  The word bubble features "Just Sayin'."


And finally, Misti asked us to make a card showing some activity we like to do on a sunny day.  How about just sitting and enjoying the warmth?  I am very pale, so I need some protection like this flower umbrella!  This hedgehog image is from the same swap.  The markers I used are basic gray, smoky slate, melon mambo, bashful blue, baja breeze, creamy caramel, lucky limeade, pumpkin pie, and summer sun.  The dsp is "Flirtatious," and the sentiment is from "Hello Again."

Be sure to check out these fun challenges!  You have a full week to upload your cards; Sunday March 27th (Easter) at 10 pm Eastern is the deadline.


Hope you can play along!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Virtual Stamp Night: Square Edition

Happy Saturday Sunday, everyone!  Forgot to finish this post!

I have several more Virtual Stamp Night cards again today.  Each of these uses a square sketch challenge from some time this year on Splitcoast. I like square cards, but stayed away from them because of the odd size envelope and extra postage.  I could have adapted these to a regular A2 card, but wanted to honor the hostess' vision.  So here goes!

First, this card is for VSN "The Heart of Africa."  We were given a photo of Victoria Falls as our inspiration.   It actually measures 4-1/4 x 4-1/4 because I didn't have a full sheet of wisteria wonder.  I cut a large scallop circle of watercolor paper out with my sizzix die, and two other strips.  On the circle, I did a watercolor wash with pink pirouette, calypso coral, and wisteria wonder.  The larger strip has pool party and wisteria wonder, and the smaller strip just wisteria.  My sentiments are from "Blessings from Heaven" and "Thoughts and Prayers."  My angel is from "Angelic Joy" intentionally stamped so she barely shows up.  I added ruffled ribbon for the last detail.  This card is for a couple whose teenage daughter died suddenly because of meningitis.  So sad!

Next, I have a card for the "Mother Russia" challenge.  This time, the inspiration was an amazing Faberge Egg...in bright blue with gold and exquisite details.  Now,, I had this sketch badge saved, thinking it is from 2015...nope.  It is from August 2014!  Oh well. Had fun doing this anyway.  On a pacific point base, I have brushed gold and whisper white card stock.  I used the same angel as befor, this time embossing her in gold.  The sentiment is from Our Daily Bread Designs "Christmas Verses."  I embossed some gold and pacific point card stock with the vintage wallpaper folder, punched out with the 5-petal flower and added a gold brad and 2 ice rhinestone brads.  The ribbon is from a wedding favor...never let ribbon go to waste!

And now, we head to The Netherlands where they have blue Delft pottery.  Once again, I have a pacific point card, this time with brushed silver.  The extra large scallop circle was embossed with vintage wallpaper folder, after I added ink to the folder.  The large sentiment is another from ODBD "Christmas Verses."  I also used Teeny Tiny Wishes on the duo of punches, over some metallic silver ribbon.

Here's the last one for tonight:  Scottish Plaid.  I used a marina mist card base.  The plaid DSP is from a retired Christmas pack (something with a lodge?).  The sentiment is from Inkadinkado, stamped in cherry cobbler, matted on garden green.  No matter what I do, a few letters never stamp well...same spot. Grr.  I popped the panel with dimensionals and added candy dots.

Whew!  That's enough for today!  Time for bed!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Virtual Trip Around the World

Hello, and Happy Friday!!

It's time for Virtual Stamp Night!!  (Technically 2 nights) and I have a bunch of cards to post.  Our theme is "Around the World in 80 Days."  I hosted a challenge earlier this evening, plus I have cards for two other challenges that went live tonight.  As a hostess, I get a heads-up on the challenges.  This allows hostesses to make cards in advance, then watch the gallery for YOUR cards and make lots of comments!  I love sharing the gallery love!

My challenge takes us to the Tuscan hills of Italy.  I bought this fantastic image on Ebay; it's an old Inkadinkado image.  It is stamped in Stazon jet black on very vanilla, then colored with blender pens and sponged.  I used lots of colors:  always artichoke, more mustard, cherry cobbler, bravo burgundy, concord crush, crumb cake, soft suede, and rich razzleberry.  After tearing the edge, I layered it on suede, embossed with the wood grain folder, all on a razzleberry base.  The sentiment is from SU's  "Whimsical Words."  My accessories include candy dots and very old SU ribbon.

Next, I have a card featuring Tulips from Holland.  I bought several embossing folders by Darice this summer, but had not used them.  This one has a whole bunch of tulips, some raised, some indented.  Lots of fun and perfect for this challenge.  I colored the flowers with my blender pens, using gumball green, daffodil delight, pumpkin pie, and melon mambo.  The clouds are from SU's "Send Me Soaring," stamped in tempting turquoise.  The verse is from "Happiest Birthday Wishes" on a scallop circle with some pink gems.  All of this is layered on daffodil delight and tempting turquoise card stock.   (Grrr...Blogger isn't letting me move my card to the right...)



Finally for tonight, we have a Japanese and tea theme.  I also attempted to combine this with a recent SCS sketch challenge.  It doesn't look great, but it is done!  The stamps are from SU's "Tea Shoppe."  It is hard to see, but the black and the narrow white strip are dry embossed with another Darice folder.  I added candy dots and bakers twine.  The colors are tempting turquoise, basic black, whisper white, and real red.

I'll post more cards tomorrow.  You still have time to play along!  While the challenges are posted over two days, you have a full week to participate.  Hope you can join in the fun!



Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim