Some Different Challenges

Hello, and Happy Friday!

Today I have cards for 3 different blog challenges that fit specific card needs I had.  The first is from The Paper Players, which I need to link up in the next few minutes!

Several weeks ago, Splitcoast had a color challenge of black/white & red.  I had a few ideas, but never put them together.  Then, this Paper Player theme challenge to use a dog or cat came along and I decided to put them together.

I am a Lay Dominican, and Dominicans (friars and sisters) are known for their black & white habits.  As a layperson, I don't wear a habit, but I received a pin which is black and white when I said my temporary profession.  Anyway, one of our chapter's longtime members recently moved to Texas.  He is an older man who told delightful stories at all of our monthly meetings.  Our group is just a bit different without him.  Why the dog?  One of the symbols for St. Dominic is a black dog, running with a torch in its mouth  (to set the world on fire with the Gospel.)  I wanted to do a torch, but it didn't work with this puppy.

I dry embossed the black & white card front with this cute paw print folder from Darice.  My image is from PaperSmooches "Cuddly Chums," stamped in black and colored with basic gray, smoky slate and real red markers, then popped up on a scallop circle.  The sentiment is from SU's "Just Sayin'" with the coordinating Word Bubble framelit.  Red candy dots finish it off.

Next, I have a Clean and Simple design using the palette from this week's ColourQ challenge.  I am also submitting it to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge...my first time posting there!  I found it through someone else's blog.  You know how that goes.  Anyway, this week they are asking for a one layer card!  WooHoo! They are also featuring Paper Smooches this wek, which aren't used in this card, but in the one above.  I love that I found this challenge today!  I actually made several attempts before coming up with this card.  You see, I never finished my Christmas cards, so I am sending Valentines to some friends who didn't get Christmas greetings.  I tried to combine a Christmas image with the colors, but I kept making a mess with the gold embossing powder.  I finally decided less is more!   I used the thick SU whisper white for a single layer card.  Using the challenge colors and "Work of Art," I created a simple abstract background.  The sentiment is from "Trust God," embossed in gold and on a scallop oval.  I added gold cord behind it...which made it a real trick to adhere!  LOL I am going to make a dozen tonight, simplifying the gold detail and give them to a few friends at church this weekend.  Just wanted a different take on Valentine's Day!

Thanks for coming by...I'd love to read your comments below!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Quickly Playing with Paper

Hello...and TGIF!

I have a very quick card to post before the deadline for The Paper Players challenge.  I'll link it up, then add details.  (Edited the details on time too!  Whew!)








There is not much to say here.  The Designers Series Paper takes center stage on a basic black base.  It is SU's "Sweet Sorbet" from a few years ago, and it has some pretty funky patterns.  Took me a while to get into it; I still have most of the package left!  I wanted the tree to be highlighted, so I adapted my sketch just a bit.  I used another pattern from the same stack for the horizontal stripe.  I thought I still had all 3 of the dahlias in summer starfruit, but just 2...so I added this enamel heart from Anne Marie.  (Appropriate, since Anne Marie is the name of the DT member who gave us the sketch!)  The sentiment is from Stampabilities, in Stazon jet black.  My sister just had surgery and she lives out of town.  This will go out in the mail today.

It was fun to play another challenge...in crunch time!  Thanks for checking it out!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

HERE I am with Paper Players Times 2

Hello everyone!

I wanted to play along with this week's Paper Players challenge.  Unfortunately, I started putting this together just one hour before the deadline.  Sometimes, that kicks me into high speed, but I decided to have lunch with my husband before he went to work instead.  So, this isn't an official submission, but I am happy to have completed the card.  Also, for whatever reason, I decided to look back on others that I missed this year, and I came across this wonderful color combo that intrigued me.  So today's card is a combination of these 2 PP challenges!

I have no stamped images on this card...very unusual for me.  Both of my sentiments are from SU's "Blessings from Heaven."  I used sahara sand for the base, plus for one layer (which is embossed) under the scripture verse.  The first 2 little pennants are flip sides of the same piece of Moonlight dsp.  The other is from S.E.I.'s Black Orchid pack.  I added one enamel dot to the scallop circle, and some old SAB ribbon for the final touch.  I'll be sad when this ribbon is gone!

I'm keeping this stamp set out, as I plan on making many more cards that will let people know I am praying for them.  We can ALL use more prayer, right?

Thanks for stopping by!



Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Playing with Some Challenges

Hello...it's SPRING!  Doesn't feel like it in my neck of the woods, but I'm sure the warm stuff is on its way!

To celebrate, I am making a card for 3 challenges...this week's Paper Players, the color challenge on SCS (smoky slate, whisper white, and wisteria wonder...the dessert is to add a touch of green) and a sketch challenge on SCS that I skipped.  I think they will all work together well.  Combined, they give me the card subject, colors, and layout...that's most of the work!

True confessions...I thought I had another hour to upload this card!  When I realized my mistake, I threw this together very quickly.  I'm not thrilled with it...but I really wanted to submit it to the Paper Players...just a personal goal.

That means this card is very flat (for me!)...but it will be easy to mail.  I needed a sympathy card, and I really love this flower from "Thanks for Caring" which I colored with my wisteria wonder and lucky limeade markers.  I stamped it on an oval, from my baggie of miscellaneous pre-cut shapes. My whisper white strips were in with my scraps.  One is embossed with the Vine folder and sponged with limeade.  The other is stamped with the tiny flower from "Because I Care"...because it was on my table!  I also added a smoky slate oval, because it is on of the challenge colors, and was only used for the card base.  I nearly forgot; the dsp is from SU's Flirtatious.  I had to quickly grab my Teeny Tiny Wishes, then used an oval punch which was already on my table.  I really wish I had just stamped it flat on the horizontal stripe instead of embossing that first.  But when you make a card in 20 minutes, things don't always work out as you hope!  LOL

At any rate...here is my triple challenge card.  Whew!  Thanks for stopping by!
Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Paper Players and a Friendly Mashup Reminder

Hello, and Happy Friday!

I have a quick card...hope I get it linked up on time!  I am combining this week's SCS sketch with the Paper Players challenge...some soft spring colors this week!  I love diagonal lines, so the sketch caught my eye. Plus, it's very unique from the usual, dontcha think?  I have seen many cards recently with white on crumb cake, so I decided to try it with these colors.

So, on my crumb cake card base, I added some DSP.  The cantaloupe piece is from the Sweet Sorbet pack.  The so saffron is from the long-retired Delicate Dots.  I have a near-full package left!  I think I may have to make some gift sets to use it up!  My stamps (image and sentiment) are from SU's "Because I Care."
I embossed the flower with white embossing powder, and the sentiment with my wild wasabi powder...I hardly ever use it.  After stamping, I colored the image with my markers, though much of the image is just white.  I think I need some ultrafine powder.  I added some enamel dots.  I wanted just a bit more, so I used my wasabi marker to doodle some dots along the edge of the dsp.

Before you go, I need to remind you that there is STILL TIME to participate in the Friday Mashup 200th celebration!  The deadline is March 18th, at 6 pm EST.   Prizes are being given away!  Be sure to add your project AND to comment on the DT cards!  You can find my card HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Colors for a Spring Challenge

Hello Stamping Friends!

Earlier this week, I posted a card that I made quickly for the SCS color challenge (real red, coastal cabana, and daffodil delight)...but I wasn't thrilled with it.  I decided to try again,and to combine it with the sketch challenge.  I am behind on my sketches for the year already!  I am also submitting this for The Paper Players challenge, to focus on spring.  It has been bitter cold here all week.  I am sooooooo ready for spring!

My card base is basic black, which I thought would add a great contrast to the bright colors.  I added a layer of daffodil pattern paper.  I ran some whisper white through my Big Shot with this floral bouquet folder.  Then, using a blender pen, I colored the raised areas in the challenge colors.  My fine motor skills are a bit lacking, but this was ike occupational and art therapy rolled into one!  My sentiment is from SU's "Trust God," punched out and lightly sponged.  Some SU polka dot ribbon and enamel hearts from Anna Marie wrap it up.

I am much happier with this card...it seems more cheery!  I already know who will receive this...a friend who is truly a blessing to me!

Thanks for stopping by...but be sure to check out my 2nd post today, too.  Some exciting things happening at The Friday Mashup...with PRIZES!  WooHoo!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

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}}}

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}}}