First Blog Challenge Card of 2019

Hi Stamping Friends!

Like many in the blogosphere, I let my blog go into hibernation.  I looked at y list of posts, and there are 5 in the drafts.  I had a bit of a rough 2018, so many projects suffered a bit.

But I was stamping a fair amount, just not posting here.  In fact, last fall I was asked to join the Dirty Dozen on Splitcoaststampers!!  My term began in November and completes in April.  Because the Dirty Dozen projects are only available to Fan Club members, I can not post them here until months after my term.  By then, I might forget about it!  LOL

I also kept busy with Virtual Stamp Night duties; in fact we are prepping for the spring event now.

But last Friday, while looking at the MIXability challenge on SCS (be inspired by tin tile ceilings), I decided to search for an interesting color combo.  I have The Color Throwdown bookmarked, and saw a very tough palette staring me in the face! Of all the weeks to decide to look for a challenge not on SCS!  I needed a masculine birthday card, so I gave it a go.  This took forever!  Ha! 

My card base is basic gray.  I covered a card front-sized piece with aluminum foil, and ran it through my Big Shot with the chevron embossing folder.  I coated some portions with versamark, and heat embossed with copper powder.  I also added some gold pigment ink and embossed with clear powder.  Grabbing a Spectrum Noir alcohol ink purple marker (hey, it is a MIXED media challenge!)  I started coloring a portion of the card front, and thought Yuck.  That's when I decided to cut 4 tiles out of the card front so the purple would be random.  The chevrons were set up in alternating directions.  There wasn't enough purple, so I added the center circle.  All of the purple was coated with the gold pigment ink (which doesn't show) and heated with clear embossing powder.  As you can see, I also have a strip of cajun craze which is partially coated in copper embossing.  The sentiment is from SU's "Epic Celebration."

It was hard to photograph, so I took 2 angles.  I think this took me 2 hours to finish, compared to 15 minutes for the Free4All challenge to use our birthstone color!  I definitely need to get more comfortable with mixed media projects!  But at least, it inspired me to wake up my blog!  Hope to see you again soon!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

More Daring Cards!

Happy Saturday!

Feels kinda weird posting again...but it feels good, too!  I'm still working on Dare to Get Dirty challenges.  My pace has been slow, despite hubby working loads of overtime last week. The good news is that I have until Wednesday at midnight to play along.  Today, I'm posting several cards that do not incorporate other challenges.  I'm still catching up on birthday cards!

I had several strips of this beautiful designer paper which I used for some recent sympathy cards.  I taped them onto a piece of card stock, then ran it through the Big Shot with the top note die.  It is layered on embossed early espresso on a crumb cake card base.  My sentiment is from "Happiest Birthday Wishes" in more mustard.  I added some punched out branches, an old felt flower with a brad, and some thick backers twine.












Next, a cute card for one of my great-nieces.  The image is from Paper Smooches, "Chubby Chums."  There was a coordinating sentiment, but I think it fell into the garbage a while back, because it is nowhere to be found.  Fortunately, SU had a chicken-themed set recently, so I can still say Hey Chick!  The pattern paper is years old, from DCWV...I think its called Granny's Kids.  I colored with markers, doodled a bit, and sponged the large scallop circle.  Satin ribbon in tangelo twist wraps it all up.











A little over a year ago, I bought this retiring lace ribbon from SU in all of the outgoing in-colors (that sounds strange!) because I *needed* them.  Well, I have barely touched them!  Ribbon hoarding us a thing, people!  Well, as I created this summer birthday card, my watermelon stamp needed watermelon wonder ink and ribbon.  Pairing that with cucumber crush and basic black make this bright and simple.  The stamps used are all SU:  Mouthwatering, Polka Dot Party, and On Your Birthday.

Now a card that ended up quite different than planned.  Let's just say that I made some errors in cutting, so I had to be strategic in my layers!  Even so, I like the final result.  My card base is delightful dijon, and I used more of that lace ribbon!  My vanilla layer is dry embossed with the honeycomb folder, then sponged.  I also added a layer of black.  The image is from SU's "Every Moment," colored with markers and mounted on always artichoke pattern paper.  I used raspberry ripple pattern paper to mount the two sentiments from "On Your Birthday" and "You're a Gem."

A simple beach scene is next, using soft sky, crumb cake, and very vanilla card stock.  I sponged soft sky, baja breeze, and crumb cake on this layer cut with a labels framelit.  For texture, I added dazzling diamonds and mica flakes to the sand.  The palm tree is from Lawn Fawn's "Life is Good."  The birthday sentiment is from "Wetlands."  I added bakers twine and enamel dots.

Now for a completely different look:  faux metal.  After sponging crumb cake and black on this very vanilla (and using a Tim Holtz embossing folder for the gears), I put lots of versamark all over it, and coated it with copper embossing powder. It really shines when it hits the light! The sentiment, from "Happiest Birthday Wishes" is also copper embossed, on SU brushed silver card stock.  (I have just a few sheets left.  I miss it!)  Large brads from Spare Parts and some copper thread are the final details.  I have a nephew-in-law who is a welder, so making something like this seemed perfect for him.

Finally today I have another masculine card with a touch of copper embossing and loads of Tm Holtz washi tape.  I RARELY use washi tape, but this was a fun, quick card.  I will likely use this idea for other occasions.  Maybe I'll actually use the washi tape in my stash!

That's it for now...time to eat dinner.  Then, hopefully I will get one or two cards made tonight. Tomorrow, I plan on commenting on some blogs and DTGD gallery entries. Should be a relaxing day!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim 

Daring and Colorful Week!

Hello Stamping Friends!

It has been a long time since I have been here. Thanks to the Dare to Get Dirty challenges on Splitcoaststampers, I am rediscovering some mojo!  I made all 5 of Saturday's challenges that day, but didn't stamp at all Sunday.  I have made a few cards each day since.  I am hoping to complete all of the challenges; something I have never done before.  In addition to DTGD challenges, I am using this week to catch up on a boatload of (late) birthday cards and color palettes from The Color Throwdown (my personal 2017 blog challenge).  I will also be working on sympathy and praying for you cards.  My stash needs a boost!  I had started this post on Saturday, with last week's challenge, but forgot to finish the post before the Monday challenge.  So, I decided to do this week's throwdown and add a big batch of other ones!  Now, in case you don't know, the DTGD challenges are just for Fan Club members, so I can't say what those challenges were.

This week's Color Throwdown is a subtle palette, perfect for a get well card. A friend of mine had surgery, and is having complications.  I thought  she could use a boost.  I used crumb cake, whisper white, and kiwi kiss, plus a touch of basic black.  The stamps used are SU's  "French Foliage" and a sentiment from Stampabilities.  Striped ribbon, enamel dots and the SU Urban Vine embossing folder add  texture.  

Next, the card for last week's Throwdown has yummy summer colors.  I pulled out one of my oldest stamp sets, SU "Fanciful Flowers."  After clear embossing, I sponged with rose red, pear pizzazz, and daffodil delight ink.The butterfly was in my stash of die cuts, in strawberry slush.  The sentiment is from "On Your Birthday."  An enamel dot and polka dot ribbon finish it off.

This card uses a mystery stamp.  One of my nieces gave it to me for Christmas. I had not used it, but my grand-daughters did back in February.  The package is gone; I only have the acetate cover.  Any way, I don't do fine detail coloring well, so I did a watercolor wash.  I just loved this palette for a summer bouquet!  My ink colors are real red, daffodil delight, pear pizzazz, and bermuda bay.  I added texture with dry embossing on the daffodil layer.  I(f I wasn't so busy making  so many cards, I think I would have heat embossed the image in black to make it crisper.  But that idea will wait for another day. The sentiment is from SU's "Wetlands," stamped on a decorative label.  Seam binding and enamel dots add the final touch.  

Now I have a fun card for my oldest great-niece.  She had her sweet 16 birthday recently.  Each year during DTGD and VSN week's, I always look through old supplies that I sadly ignore.  This Stamping Bella image was in a swap baggie with this luscious, shimmery pink paper and the textured paper I used with my scallop punch.  The chipboard numbers are years old; I coated them with versamark and melon mambo embossing powder.  Gumball green ribbon goes with the ink colors: gumball green, blushing bride, pink pirouette, and melon mambo.  The sentiment is from SU's "So Very" on a small oval.

Many people have this crazy bird set from Tim Holtz; I just bought it last month at the local Jo-Ann's.  It finally came out of the package!  I colored it very simply with markers in crushed curry, pacific point, and cherry cobbler.  The background is made with the accompanying Tim Holtz stencil.  I wanted my bird to say something, so I used a word bubble (reversed, so it faces his beak) with a greeting from SU's "Just Sayin'."  Enamel dots wrap it up.










Now for a non-birthday card.  I need cards to send to my guy friends, and this palette works well.  I used baja breeze, not quite navy, and whisper white card stock.  NQN, baja breeze, crumb cake, and kiwi kiss ink were used with SU's "Clockworks" to make my own dp, plus a greeting from "Whimsical Words."  Some striped ribbon and burlap trim add finishing texture.





Sometimes, a card design gets carried away.  This would be one of them!  Too many shapes, in my opinion!  Any way, on a night of navy base, I have a vintage wallpaper embossed layer of white.  I created a background with navy, blushing bride, and both gold ink and gold (messy!) glitter.  I cut it out with a SU framelit.  The image is colored with markers; a favorite from SU's "Forever Friends" and the sentiment is from "Sincere Salutations."  Various punches, pleated satin ribbon, and an enamel heart add to the busy design.





Another messy card is next...this one was fun!  I made my background on watercolor paper, using real reed, elegant eggplant, and daffodil delight inks.  My sentiment is from SU's "Happiest Birthday Wishes," colored with those same colors, plus pumpkin pie.  My purple flower is from an old swap.  I added non-SU gems, plus scrunched daffodil satin ribbon.

Finally, since I had my gold glitter out, I decided to complete this other Color Throwdown challenge.  I think I will be cleaning up glitter for months!  I made my background using tissue with gumball green and basic black, plus some gold.  The sentiment is from "Delightful Dozen" stamped over a blob from "Extreme Elements."  A touch of gold cord finishes it off.

Whew!  I have a few other DTGD cards completed. but they don't incorporate any color throwdowns.  I have quite a few more to do if I am going to catch up with my goal.  Could be fun to see how far I get!  Thanks for stopping by!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Featured Stamper Time!

Hello Stamping Friends!

If you have been following my blog at all, you know I have been busy catching up on the 2016 challenges at The Paper Players.  But the other half of my stamping goal is to complete all of the 2016 Featured Stamper challenges at Splitcoaststampers.  Honestly, before this past Sunday, I had only done 15 so far!  Yikes!  I probably won't be able to catch up,, but I'll see what I can do.

I decided to make a Christmas card each of these challenges, since I still need a lot of Christmas cards.  A few will be worth duplicating later on to help build up my stash.  I completed the four most recent Featured Stampers, along with the three oldest challenges that I had skipped.  Busy busy!  Here we go...

This week's Featured Stamper is Mary, aka octoberbabe.  I see her quite often in the gallery, including Virtual Stamp Night challenges.  I chose to CASE this card.  I kept the lost lagoon, even embossing it with the World Traveler folder.  I added a strip of All is Calm dsp.  The base and circle are brushed silver.  The sentiment is from "Greetings of the Season," stamped in pear pizzazz on a decorative label.  The image is from "Miracle of Christmas," stamped in lost lagoon.  The ribbon is from a gift I received a while back, because I always reuse my ribbons!

Last week featured another stamper I often see around VSN, Shannon, aka scrapaholic007.  I chose this Christmas card to CASE.  I used the thick whisper white for the base and image panel.  Using SU's "Work of Art," I stamped the background in sahara sand, marina mist, night of navy, rich razzleberry, and crushed curry.  The image is from "Come to Bethlehem," in tuxedo black...except the star, which was inked with versamark and heat embossed in silver.  I added a rhinestone for extra sparkle.  The greeting is from the same set, stamped in midnight muse.  

  

I spotted this card on the day Jan, aka Precious Kitty, was featured, and knew I wanted to CASE it.  I had to look quite a while to find this Sizzix die from SU, which I bought just before it retired.  I had not used it yet, but I plan on making a dozen of these!  I printed sheet music for "Joy to the World" on very vanilla card stock, and sponged the edges with crumb cake ink.  The card base is always artichoke, and the dsp is "Deck the Halls" from SU, slightly distressed.  The sentiment is from "Greetings of the Season" stamped in cherry cobbler and punched with a scallop circle.  Scrunched artichoke seam binding finishes it off.








Next, I chose THIS card from MommaPatti's gallery.  I kept a similar color scheme, featured pine trees, a bit of sparkle, and the same sentiment from "The Sounding Joy." (Mine is stamped on vellum and embossed in silver.  My base is pool party. The dsp is retired from a Valentine pack.  I used label framelits to cut out a piece of blushing bride and very vanilla.  The bb is embossed with Divine Swirls folder.  I stamped trees from "Lovely as a Tree" colored with creamy caramel and sage shadow.  I added a bit of dazzling diamonds, which is hard to see, and pleated satin ribbon.

Here is a card CASE'd from Kathy, aka MochaFrap's gallery.  I chose this card.   My dp is from an old stash of Creative Memories paper from my scrapbooking days.  The sentiment is from "Greetings of the Season," stamped in cherry cobbler on very vanilla, matted on always artichoke.  The flowers are made from the 5-petal stamped and a tiny circle stamp, using riding hood red, al;ways artichoke, and crushed curry.  Seam binding wraps it up.

Now, a card for a challenge posted in January!  I chose this card from Michele's (aka Whimsey) gallery.  The image and greeting afe both from Our Daily Bread Designs "Blessed Christmas."  I colored the image with markers, stamped on watercolor paper, and spritzed with water.  After cutting it out with the label framelit, I sponged with crumb cake ink.  The card base is early espresso, dsp is "Deck the Halls," and accessories are enamel dots, satin ribbon, and crochet trim.  

Finally, here is another card, this time featuring Minnur's gallery, CASE-ing this project.  I kept the tree theme, again using "Lovely as a Tree."  I used always artichoke, very vanilla, chocolate chip, and cherry cobbler card stock.  My accessories are the SU wood grain embossing folder and non-SU enamel dots.  Another "Greetings of the Season" is featured in this simple design.  I almost forgot...I also added some dazzling details.  A bit less messy than the dazzling diamonds! 

Of course, I still have a lot to do in a short time.  Stay tuned to see how many challenges I complete!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

I'm Back...with some Featured Stampers!

Hello Again!

Wow...it has been quite a while since I have posted!  I still haven't posted the rest of my Dare to Get Dirty cards, though one is included here.  My husband and I took a fabulous 2 week vacation in early August, and upon returning I was busy with laundry, mail, and general catching up.  But I have started getting back into my ink and stamps this last week, and it feels great!

I decided I needed to get serious about my goal to complete all of the 2016 SCS Featured Stamper challenges.  Here we go!

I actually made this one last Sunday (the day Mary, aka Stamps-n-Lingers was featured), but didn't get a decent picture for days.  I chose THIS card to CASE.  I chose a similar color scheme(perfect and pale plum, not quite navy, pool party, baja breeze), and a variation of sponging (daubers).  Instead of a line image, I featured a silhouette. In place of sparkly ribbon, I chose tiny rhinestones.  The stamp is from SU's "Thankful Thoughts," and features a quote from Mother Teresa, who will be canonized tomorrow!







Next, I went to the previous FS challenge which features Donna, aka didlet.  I chose THIS masculine card to CASE.  My card base is midnnight muse, and the front panel is a combo of Comfort Cafe dsp and confetti cream.  I used SU "Extreme Elements" and the birthday stamp from "Delightful Dozen."  My inks are soft suede, crushed curry, and midnight muse.  The sentiment is also stamped on a scalloped circle, layered over some burlap ribbon.







Next, I CASE'd this card from Amy, aka amymay998.  Initially, I was going to stick with the monochromatic palette, but I had this strip of midnight muse on my table.  Keepin' it simple!  The card base is early espresso, and I used espresso ink to sponge a layer of crumb cake pattern paper.  I stamped butterflies from "Kinda Eclectic" in midnight muse and espresso.  The strip is textured with my paper crimper.  The sentiment is from "Wetlands," on a decorative label with a touch of taffeta ribbon.






Finally, this card is for THREE challenges!  I started it before vacation, but the background wasn't dry.  It actually was for a DTGD challenge, plus a SCS color challenge, and a Featured Stamper:  Rita, aka scootsv.  Rita stops by my gallery and makes friendly and encouraging comments.  I chose THIS card to CASE.  I didn't have the exact colors, but came close.  I used poppy parade ink which seemed to be close to the watermelon wonder lace ribbon.  The pear pizzazz was used in the background as well as leaves stamped from "Kinda Eclectic."  And instead of peekaboo peach,, I used peach parfait.  This challenge helped my budget:  no need to buy every color, right??  By the way, the background is just a watercolor wash, trimmed with my scallop border punch.  I used the butterfly thinlet and scallop circle punch, plus a sentiment from "Whimsical Words."  All of this on a soft suede card base.

Whew!  That's a lot...plenty for a comeback I think.  I have other cards to post...gosh I hope I can catch up this week!  Thanks for stopping by!



Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Back with a Triple Challenge Card!

Hello, and Happy Friday!

I have been busy with graduation cards, Lay Dominican homework, doctor's appointments, and general life!  Even though I have pics of the graduation cards, I haven't posted here yet.  And I won't today, either!  LOL  Instead, I have a Father's Day Card, which fits the theme challenge on The Paper Players.  I incorporated this week's SCS sketch and the palette from The ColourQ.

This is one of those cards that began with an idea, and morphed over time. I wanted to use a sail boat, but it was too big for the window. Instead of a boat, my hubby can look out on a tropical island from our boat house, right?? Overall, I am happy with it, but if I had time, I would tweak a thing or two.  My card base is bordering blue.  I still have a lot of it!  I cut out a rectangle, then dry embossed a panel of whisper white with the wood grain folder.  I sponged with bordering blue, basic gray, and soft suede.  I had forgotten that a while back, I mistakenly put chocolate chip ink on my soft suede pad!  Time to buy a new soft suede!  My rectangle is oriented differently than the sketch, so I could use my new window die cut from SU.  The scene behind is made with clouds from SU's "Send Me Soaring" and a palm tree from Lawn Fawn's "Life is Good."  I sponged the water, hand drew the island, and colored the tree with markers.  I know lucky limeade is not a part of the challenge, but shucks, had to use it!  I tried some circles, as in the sketch, but didn't have a good sentiment to fit, so I used "Teeny Tiny Wishes" with the word and modern label punches.  Next, instead of circles, I cut out these sea shells from the Lawn Fawn set.  They are tiny!  Wish I had a 1/2" circle punch! LOL  Almost forgot, I added bakers twine at the top to finish it off.


Hope to finally post my graduation cards this weekend!  Catch you later!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Fresh and Simple Butterfly

Happy Monday!

It's been a while since I have done a Freshly Made Sketches challenge, so I decided I should take a look at it today (just before the deadline!)  I opted to combine it with a previous challenge at The Paper Players as I try to catch up with my 2016 goal.

My card has a pink pirouette base.  I added very vanilla and two patterns from "Parisian Summer" dsp, still sitting out from the card I made Friday!  The sentiment is an oldie but goodie from "All Holidays" colored with mellow moss and pink pirouette markers.  After scrunching up some pretty in pink taffeta ribbon, I added this so saffron butterfly.  It was cut with my SU Butterflies framelit, and spritzed with some shimmer.  My spray bottled tip was clogged, so it came out in big splashes.  I had to dry it with my heat gun...and my fingers are a fun mess!

I really like how this turned out, and plan to make another with the other half of the sheet of pink pirouette.  I even already made a second butterfly.  Making two cards in each design helps me rebuild my stash.

Thanks for stopping by again!

Inky and Shimmery {{{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