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

VSN...Late Posting!!

Last month, I participated in a few Virtual Stamp Night challenges.  The theme was "Journey."  I posted my cards on SCS, but not on this blog.  So, here they are!  (Almost all of the products are from Stampin' Up!)




The 1st card was inspired by a song called "Don't Stop Believin'" from the band Journey.  It has a baja breeze base, and the new Floral District dsp with rich razzleberry and calypso coral layers.  The sentiment is from "Blessings from Heaven," and the image is the new "Praying Hands" single stamp. Coral ruffled ribbon and a glimmer brad finish it off.

The 2nd card features a non-SU image...LOVE this Snoopy in a convertible!  The card base is poppy parade, with some retired poppy parade dsp.  Snoopy was stamped in Stazon jet black, and colored with markers, and I lightly sponged baja breeze for the sky.  I then layered it with basic black and crushed curry card stock.  The retired polka dot ribbon goes well with the dsp, and I decided to add this simple sentiment from "You're a Gem" on another big "dot."

The last card is for a friend who ran a marathon in Paris!  She was raising money for a charity that uses purple and teal in their materials (t-shirts, website).  So I used a concord crush base, with a layer of retired bermuda bay dsp.  The image is from "Artistic Etchings",  and I sponged the sky with a setting sun.  It's layered on bermuda bay, apricot appeal, and wisteria wonder.  I used another sentiment from "You're a Gem" layered with an oval and scallop oval punch.  A few rhinestones finish it off.

In the future, maybe I'll post cards more quickly!  Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
 

Mashin' Up with Paper Players!

Hello Stamping Friends!!  I am FINALLY posting some cards!  I actually made 15 cards this past weekend, and 30 the weekend before!  Many are in simple sets, but today I am featuring 2 challenge cards.  It felt great to visit the Friday Mashup (couldn't stay away long!) and Paper Players challenges again.  It was also nice to bring out some new Stampin' Up stuff.  I am winding down my days as a demo to put more energy and time into my speaking events.  But of course, I had to place a BIG order first!  LOL! 

The Friday Mashup challenge uses this fun sketch combined with a bird theme.  The hardest part was deciding which bird to use!  The Paper Players challenge gave us a fun and playful color combo.  I decided to flip the sketch and put it all together!




My first card has a basic gray card base with a layer of lucky limeade from the patterned paper stack.  This stack was available last year, but I just ordered it...how fun to tear into a new stack of paper!!  I added two strips of retired melon mambo ribbon...it's almost gone!  I nearly forgot the center piece, but decided to make my own DP using the challenge colors with these cute birds from "Aviary."  The many image is NEW...from the set "For the Birds."  I used blender pens to color it, then layered it on basic gray and black.  The gray layer is wide enough to add a row of rhinestones, which go perfectly with the retired "You're a Gem" set.  The inside piece of dsp is from an old SAB stack.  Feels good to use retired goodies, along with the new stuff!  This card will be perfect for one of my minstry donors...they support us soooo much!  Hope you like it!!





I made another card for the Friday Mashup.  I just had to play with some of the new colors!  The colors come from this new DSP called Comfort Cafe (I think...since I am not selling stuff now, I am not memorizing names!)  The card base is soft suede, with a layer of very vanilla, embossed with the Big Shot and new chevron impressions folder.  I used this new stitched satin ribbon in the new Midnight Muse color...pretty!  I used 3 patterns from this new dsp...the vertical stripe, the layer under my image, and a piece inside.  I think it's my favorite new pack!  The floral image is from Sale-a-Bration, but I think it goes well with the paper.  I used markers in soft suede, pool party, cajun craze and NEW midnight muse and summer starfruit to color it.  My bird is from "Elements of Style" in pool party and midnight muse, using the rock and roll technique.  My circle punch and sizzix circle die came in handy for the sentiment again!

It feels to post to the blog again!  I'll be sure to come by again soon!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup! #44...All You Need is Love

Hello Stampin' Friends! It's Friday, and that means it is time for another Friday Mashup challenge!! Heidi has a fun challenge that combines inspiration with colors! Here it is:

1. Make a project using the Inspiration Photo


2. Make a project using the colors Cherry Cobbler, Regal Rose, and Whisper White


3. Or Mash it Up...and make a project using the inspiration photo and the colors cherry cobbler, regal rose, and whisper white!
   

I really like the options in the photo, and decided to focus on the tea setting. I love tea, and I love having tea with a good friend! With the colors, I decided to make a Valentine for a friend. Even though I just got a fabulous new SU stamp set called Tea Shoppe, I pulled out Morning Cup. Guess I was being lazy, cuz my new stamps haven't been opened yet! LOL! I started with a regal rose card base. I rarely use this color, so it was good to stretch a bit. To mimic the plate, I cut out a scallop circle with my Sizzix die in the Big Shot. I stamped images from Morning Cup in basic black ink, and colored with markers, using regal rose, cherry cobbler, crumb cake, and going gray. I lightly sponged the bottom with crumb cake and the top with bashful blue. The sentiment is from You're a Gem, punched out with the oval punch, layered over the scallop oval and popped up with dimensionals. The hearts are from my new embosslit from the Occasions Mini Catalog! Finally, I added a strip of polka dot cherry cobbler ribbon. (Technically, I added it first...I am just mentioning it last...LOL!)

Be sure to check out the Friday Mashup blog and join in the fun! Be sure to use keyword FM44 in your online gallery.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup! Sweet as a Button!!

Happy Friday, Stamping Friends! Todayy we have a playful challenge over at the Friday Mashup! I hope you join along!

1. Create a project using Buttons
   


2. Create a project featuring Cupcakes
   


3. Or Mash it Up and create a project using Buttons and featuring cupcakes!!
   

For some added flair, the design team also added some touches of paper piecing and/or paper piercing! Go check them out at the Friday Mashup blog!

For my card, I used a LOT of retired products. Just had an itch to clear out some stuff....maybe because my holiday pre-order arrived this week!! LOL! I started with a garden green card base, and added a layer of blushing bride, embossed with my Big Shot and the perfect polka dots impression folder. The layer is 4-3/4" square, and a little bit was not embossed, so I added some paper piercing at the top and bottom. My cupcake is constructed with the retired dsp... Candy Cane something-or-other. I just have a little left, so I want to finish it up! I used my large sizzix scallop circle die for the top, and embossed it with elegant lines impression folder, like swirled frosting. If you look closely, I did some paper piercing around the top of the cupcake too. The bottom portion features a scallop trim border to dress it up. For embellishment, I added some retired baja breeze striped ribbon, and a big designer button in real red. To dress up the button, I added some current bakers twine. The sentiment is from Your a Gem, stamped in garden green and punched out, popped up with a dimensonal, and trimmed with some retired silver cord.

With all of these retired goodies...maybe I need to find a recent retiree who needs to "Enjoy" her new life!

Be sure to check out everyone's ideas, and play along!! Use the keyword FM20 in your online gallery. Also, we're looking for another Fan Favorite Challenge!! Be sure to click here to learn all the fun details!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Friday Mashup! Fan Favorite!!!

Happy Friday, everyone! Today, we have a treat for you! All of us at the Friday Mashup LOVE our fans...so we gave you a chance to host the challenge! Lots of great ideas were submitted, and when you voted, you chose Teresa's challenge! (If you have been a stamper for long, you know Teresa Kline is SUPER talented!) Here is Teresa's challenge for you:

• Create handmade flower or flowers on your project


• Create a project using turquoise, red, and black


• Or Mash it Up!! Create a project with handmade flowers that uses turquoise, red, and black!

Now, I'll admit I was SO excited to give this a try! A stamping friend had just shown me how to make a flower with a scallop circle, spiral cut, yada yada. Well, shucks, I just could NOT get it to work! Then, I wanted to try a tutorial from splitcoaststampers with a fringe flower...looked dreadful!! Good grief! So, I came up with this weird-not-really-a-flower-but-I-am-calling-it-a-flower-anyway-card! Funny thing is, I made this at least 2 weeks ago, with the intention of trying again, but time got away from me...that's life, right? So, let me tell you what I used to create this card. Everything is from Stampin' Up! My card base is basic black, with a layer of tempting turquoise. I ran my real red card stock through the big shot with the vintage wallpaper impressions folder. I stamped the flourish from Elements of Style in basic black on whisper white card stock. For interest, I offset those layers in different directions. I added a strip of basic black, embossed with perfect polka dots and lined with real red grosgrain ribbon. The sentiment is from You're a Gem (duh!) and I added a bright glimmer brad. My "flower" is constructed by loops of tempting turquoise grosgrain ribbon (back in this year's IBC!!!) and a bright glimmer brad in the center. I finished it off with a ring of basic jewel rhinestones...love those!

So, I hope you have fun making your own flowers and using this classic color combo! Have fun, and be sure to link your card to the Friday Mashup blog!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Dare to Ink Up Neglected Stamps!

Hi Friends! Today is Wednesday, which means it's time for another Color Dare!! Riley has a fresh summer combo...So Saffron, Marina Mist, and Certainly Celery.




I started with a saffron card base, and added this layer of retired celery dsp. It was in my OLD stack! How old? It's from a simply scrappin' kit I purchased before I became a demo...and it is patterned only on one side! Yup, I've had it for years...so it feels good to actually use it! I trimmed it out with my scallop trim punch. My image panel is whisper white, sponged with marina mist and certainly celery. I used my bird punch to get a branch in celery and saffron, adhered them with a glue stick, then embossed with my perfect polka dot impressions folder and the big shot. I used the scallop punch again, and layered it on saffron, also detailed with the scallops. My bird was stamped with a retired hostess set called Punch Potpourri...which I had never used! Good grief! I considered putting it aside to sell later, but I LOVE this bird! After stamping it, I used my bird punch, then popped it up with dimensionals, and used my black journal writer to give him an eye. I added some basic pearls, colored with my marina mist marker. I also used marina mist satin ribbon, and a bit of silver cord. The sentiment is from You're a Gem (duh!), stamped on the smallest circle of the sizzix circle die, and finished off with a colored pearl.

I hope you join us this week! Submit your project by Monday, and you be chosen as a featured stamper! Just use keyword CD107 in your online gallery!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Dare to Put a Twist on some Classics!

Hello and Happy Wednesday! It's time for another Color Dare! This week, Riley has us using a twist on the classic pink, green, brown scheme for CD#101: Regal Rose, Old Olive, and Early Espresso.


Now, truthfully, I rarely use regal rose. In fact, I probably use it less than any other pink. But oh my, with this early espresso, I love it! I will be using it more now, for sure! All of my products here are from Stampin' Up! I used an early espresso card base, and added a large layer of regal rose, embossed with the vintage wallpaper folder in my Big Shot. I rounded 2 opposite corners just for a simple detail. The layer is embellished with striped grosgrain ribbon and a large antique brad. The whole layer is popped up on dimensionals. The main image is from Style Beautiful...a new set for me. I stamped with my early espresso craft ink spot on very vanilla, then heat embossed with clear embossing powder. I used my blender pen to color in the image with the old olive and regal rose ink pads, then added a layer of old olive card stock. The sentiment is from You're a Gem, and it fit perfectly in my 1" circle punch! I sponged it lightly and popped it up with a dimensional. I still needed just a little something, so I added 3 basic jewel pearls. Love the contrast on the dark card base!

For the inside, I used my markers to color a sentiment from On Your Birthday and the corner image is from Style Beautiful. I meant to use my regal rose marker on the verse. Oops. Not re-doing it!

Hope you enjoy this color scheme...Join us and upload your beautiful creations! Be sure to use keyword CD#101.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Dare to Share a Dare!

More from this weekend's Stampin' Sleepover!

As I mentioned, we started with Riley's Color Dare...basic gray,marina mist, and cherry cobbler. I made a baby card to take to the Clinic...it is a CASE of a card I made for a swap last year. I love this little monkey from Fox and Friends! The sentiment is rarely used in my house, but it is from the famous Teeny Tiny Wishes. I used the circle die to make various sizes, then ran most of them through my Big Shot with the perfect polka dot impressions folder. A few silver brads and the corner rounder punch finish it off.



Lauren loves birds, so she enjoyed using the Aviary stamp set. We all felt sorry for the owl...what's he doing in this set? Owls don't belong in bird cages! LOL!! Any way, as she chose the taller bird cage, stamped in Stazon Black, we wondered what to use to accent it. Well, I just bought the 2 Tags Big Shot die...perfect! The patterned paper stacks were used for the other layers. The sentiment is from "Hello Again" which is available through Sale-a-Bration with a $50 order. She used my scallop trim punch and just a touch of retired riding hood red ribbon to finish off this fantastic card.

Jenna saw one of my cards and decided to CASE it...and she did it with flair! I love this Clean and Simple design, leaving out several "extras" I had used. She used the Vintage Wallpaper impressions folder, and punched out a large scallop circle. She stamped the sentiment from "You're a Gem", which is available from the Occasions Mini Catalog on a 1-3/8" circle. A Fire brad adds just a touch of red to complete the color challenge. Fun!

Almost forgot...the girls also used some dimensionals. I have taught them well!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}