Patriotic Sketch Challenge

This card fulfills three different challenges, the patriotic challenge this week over on Stampin' Royalty, the Friday Mashup AND the sketch challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary.

The card has no sentiment (does anyone have a "happy 4th of July" stamp?) I used Real Red, Brilliant Blue (retired) and Whisper White. For the three starts, I used the large SU star punch (retired) and the small star punch. For all three stars, the white star is popped up using my stamping dimensionals and the star in the middle is popped up, too. I also used sticky strip and a Real Red grosgrain ribbon to create that ruffled look on the bottom of the card.

The "DSP" is really a layer of paper from one of those big paper packs you can buy at any craft store. That means that Connie and Mary will remove my card, so I don't think I'll post it there (you can only use SU products on their site). But it worked well for this card. Thanks for the inspiration anyway, ladies! You could easily create your own with Soft Sky (retired) and Stampin' Write markers and a white gel pen to create the fireworks. Throw in few stars, and you'd have your own custom DSP paper with fireworks...

Thanks for looking!

Happy Birthday USA!

This card has a story. I wasn't there, but I have heard the story. Here is the story:

My mom and my sister were at a fireworks display. There was a parade. My mom was reading the signs aloud when she read the following sign, "Happy Birthday, Usa?" Not U. S. A., but all together, Usa (Ooh-Saa). It is a funny story. I love you, Mom!!!

This card is for both Stamping Royalty's challenge this week and Friday Mashup , go patriotic. I used 3 different stamp sets:Stars and Swirls, Teeny Tiny Wishes, and Defining Alphabet. I also used my new pennant punch. The base is Real Red. The next layer is Brilliant Blue (retired and we don't have anything close to that blue anymore), and Whisper White. I also used my modern label punch twice, once in the blue, once in the red (which is also embossed in polka dots, cut in half and placed on either end of the blue label). I have a white star brad and two red star eyelets. My ink is also Real Red and Brilliant Blue.

Thanks for looking!

Who Says Retired Colors Need to Fly Away?

I made this card as a bonus give away with my last class. If participants made two sets, they'd get to make this card for free! What a deal... that no one took me up on! I should have had the materials ready so they could have made one at cost. Oh well... live and learn.

This is made with retired purples, Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lavender (I think). It's your basic square card, but I wanted to use the tulip embossing envelope in the square (something I learned from Dawn O.'s blog). It's super easy! I used my little embossing and cutting butterfly thing-y (not the official name) from SU. The ribbon, what I used to pick my paper color) is one I've had for a bit. It's from the dollar bin at my local craft store. So pretty. The butterflies are in the same colors as the base papers and are, of course, popped up using stamping dimensionals.

Thanks for looking!

Blue Christmas

This is my final entry for this week's sketch challenge over at Stamping 411. There are no sentiments, but again, this is an old DSP I have, the one with Taken with Teal (retired), Sahara Sand, and Whisper White.

I started with a base of sand, then a layer of teal, and then (I decided to turn the design on it's side), 4 different panels of the DSP.

For the trees, used Patterned Pines. I stamped them in teal on white and then I embossed them with clear embossing powder. Then I cut them out, and then I used my stampin' dimensionals and popped all the trees up.

I tried to show the glassy shine on the trees, but maybe I just need to have a new camera because you can't really tell. Oh well... trust me; it's beautiful.

Thanks for looking!

Christmas in June?!?

I don't know why, but I thought "Christmas Card," as soon as I saw and thought about this sketch. I want to get this posted so I can submit it to this week's Stamping 411 sketch.

I love this! The base is Garden Green. Then there's a layer of Chocolate Chip, then a layer of Real Red. I used an old pack of DSP. I love the stripes and the snowflakes in both traditional and non-traditional Christmas colors. In the final area of the card, I embossed ornaments (close up below).

In the center, I stamped my sentiment in green on Whisper White from Perfect Punches set. I used my scallop circle punch. Then I punched it again in red and punched that out using the 1 1/4" circle punch. I popped that up on the bigger scallop. Then I popped the whole piece on the front with a loop of the red polka dotted grosgrain ribbon behind it.

I know I used a lot of retired product, but I have it and it looks so good!

Thanks for looking!

It's a joy!

I told you there'd be more for the Stamping 411 sketch challenge this week. I don't have a ton of time to get this in so this will be quick!

Colors: Sahara Sand, Real Red

Ink: Real Red

Punch: Ornament Punch

Other: DSP holiday paper (unsure of the name) and Real Red grosgrain ribbon.

A Big Wish

This is my first entry for the Inkspirations Sketch. I used my DSP from SAB (got that?)

I started with a base of Pretty in Pink. Next there's a layer of DSP. Next there is a layer of Pacific Point. Next is another layer of DSP. On top of that are strips of paper; one is the Pretty in Pink, the other is Melon Mambo. On top of that is a Daffodil Delight circle. On top of that is Whisper White. The sentiment is from Word Play. I "markered" the stamp. "Wish" is in Melon Mambo, B is in Pacific Point, I is in Pretty in Pink, G is in Wild Wasabi (I don't have a Pear Pizazz marker... :(... ) . I added a yellow star brad over the I. I also put 3 strips of sticker (also from the SAB DSP set). I used the leaves from the bird punch in daffodil as the flames for the candles. Finally, I added some of the SAB ribbon, tied in a bow in the upper right corner.

Thanks for looking...

BIG and Bright!

This goes with Stamping 411's sketch challenge this week... it's quite a fun sketch (this will not be my only card people...)

I started with a base of Pacific Point. I used my DSP from SAB (although the bottom color is Pear Pizazz). I used my spellbinders to make two big circles. The bigger one is Daffodil Delight. I stamped "wish big" from the Word Play set. I made candles using the long skinny stickers from the SAB set, too. I made the flames on the candles using the leaves from the bird punch (thanks to Dawn at Dostampin with Dawn for this idea). I also added a bit of SAB ribbon.

Inside, I put a piece of printer paper and stamped the message 'happy birthday' from Best Dad Ever set in Pacific Point.

Thanks for looking!

Partially Mashed

And now that I am looking at this a second time, I am not sure it is even a partial Friday Mash-Up... let me start from the beginning... I was struggling with the color combo part of the Friday Mash-Up, and the directions clearly say that I can do one or the other part of the challenge. This is my take on the sketch challenge part. I turned it on its side and substituted things. This is an old retired pack of DSP, retired Ruby Red (which I love), retired Groovy Guava (which I don't love), and non-retired River Rock (which I love). I used the sentiment from Word Play and the bird punch. I also used a little piece of River Rock ribbon (see the little loop up there in the right corner?)

Thanks for looking...

A Friend, Floral Mash-Up

Here is my second try at this week's challenge for Friday's Mash-Up. I think I am happier with this one. Again, I started with a base of Very Vanilla. I have a layer of More Mustard that is embossed using a textured plate with daisies. Along the bottom there is a strip of Cherry Cobbler, cut out using a non-SU sizzix thing-y. I used this floral stamp from A Slice of Life set. I cheated a little bit because I stamped it on watercolor paper and then (duh) I water colored on it! I used my aqua painter and mustard and cherry ink. I put that on a layer of cherry.

I added the sentiment (from Teeny Tiny Wishes) on vanilla in cherry. I punched it out with the word window. I put that on a mustard modern label punch.

Then I tried to make a little embellishment. I am not 100% happy with it, but it is what it is so there you have it. I punched out 2 mustard 5 petal flowers, and I used my corner rounder to clip off the tips of the flowers. I sandwiched those together with a glue stick. I punched those little slots in the flower so that I could tread some ribbon through the flower (cherry seam binding ribbon to be exact). I tied a pretty little bow.

The flower does blend it a little too much with the card. I should have sponged the edges of the flower in cherry, but I didn't. And there you have it.

Thanks for looking...

My first Mash-Up!

This week for Friday Mash-Up, I decided to try to do both, the color and the sketch challenge. For this card, I used Word Play and The Open Seas set.

I started with a base of Very Vanilla. I have a layer of Cherry Cobbler that is embossed with one of SU texture plates. The main sentiment is stamped in Cherry on Vanilla. I stamped the arrow in the message on More Mustard, cut it out and popped it up using dimensionals. I also put a layer of mustard below the sentiment.


Below the main message, I put the compass from The Open Seas. I stamped it in Cherry on Vanilla and punched it out using my 1 1/4" circle punch. I have a layer of mustard under that. That circle is popped up using dimensionals. I stamped the compass again on vanilla and cut out the top "star" of the compass and popped that up, too. I did color in various points of the compass with my mustard and cherry markers.

Thanks for looking!

More dots...

Here is the second set of dots cards that I made. Again, I used an old DSP, but this one is brighter! I used Real Red as a base for my square card, and again, I don't remember the name of this DSP, but I know I loved it, too! It was the one that matched the Tart and Tiny set (with the cherries and apples).

I used the sentiment "thanks" from one of this year's SAB sets in Old Olive for this one. I punched a flower from the DSP for the sentiment circle. There's a red brad in the middle of this one.

For this one, I changed it up a bit and put the sentiment in the middle. My friend got this set from the current mini-cattie (the cute one with the bird bath, cat, and big sunflower). I borrowed this sentiment from her, " enjoy the simple things in life." It is in Old Olive with a DSP punched flower that has an olive brad in the middle. I love it! You will see more of these....

Thanks for looking!

Seeing dots...

I made these two cards with my friend Susan last night. I totally cased a gorgeous card of Sarah Wills. She is awesome, and I adore her work!

So she made a card using scraps of DSP so I went into my folders to see what I had. Now, I have no idea what the name of this DSP is, but I know that I loved the heck out of it! It might have been my first DSP. It used Ruby Red (retired) and River Rock (when River Rock was an ink color) and Groovy Guava (when it was an in color), and I think Cameo Coral (retired). Either way, I love how it turned out. Thanks Sarah!

I used Ruby Red for the base, 5 1/4" x 10 1/2" and scored it at 5 1/4. I used Very Vanilla, 5 x 5. I punched 8 pieces of DSP with my 1 1/4" circle punch. Then I punched 9 circles of Ruby Red with my 1 3/8" circle punch. Then I used two different sentiments. The "thank you: was from a SAB set form two years ago, I think. The "For you" is from Vintage Labels. I also punched a little flower from Ruby Red using my 3 flower punch. I put a brad (non SU, but it does look like River Rock a bit) in the center of the flower. As a final touch, I popped up the sentiment circle using my dimensionals. I am so happy with how this turned out. I think I'll have to make more!

Thanks for looking!

This takes the cake...

Technically, this is from the Mojo Monday's sketch challenge, but I don't think I can bring myself to post one more to the challenge! I can't believe I got so much from that set! I am sure it didn't hurt that I really wanted to use A Slice of Life set, either.

For these, I pulled out my Sunny Garden DSP and went to town. I used the cake and candles from the A Slice of Life set and I used birthday sentiments from other sets (one is Vintage Labels and the other is... ??)

I used Peach Parfait and Poppy Parade for my bases. I also used Daffodil Delight and Pear Pizazz. I used the ribbons that I have, some are SU, some are not (shhh... don't tell on me!)

Either way, two more birthday cards for my stock!

Thanks for looking!

Oh, Baby!

If you can believe it, I have two more cards for Mojo Monday's sketch challenge this week! I know, I know, I've made a ton of them, but it just clicked for me (this time!)

I really like these, too. Basically, I just wanted to use my A Slice of Life set. That little baby outfit is too cute so it was incorporated as my main image.

For both, I started with a base of Pear Pizazz. Then each one has a different piece of DSP from Sunny Garden. On both, I used an Old Olive ribbon. On both I used layers of Poppy Parade and Peach Parfait. On this one to the left, I used some Daffodil delight to boarder the pj's (oh, and I used the large oval punch to punch out the pj's with two more ovals on either side to boarder it). I also sponged the edge of the Whisper White that the pj's were stamped on. I used Pumpkin Pie, the closest I have to the peach. I colored the pj's in with the closest thing I have, pumpkin, olive, and daffodil.

I put an additional circle in the upper left corner. This one has the heart from The More the Merrier set and the sentiment "welcome baby." The card above has the same heart but also has the sentiment from the set, "sweetest ever."

I was happy with how they turned out...

Thanks for looking!

Carolina, these are for you...

This one is classic black and white card. The words around the square say, "to have and to hold." There are lots of layers here.

This is one idea. You can see the stamp below. It actually has the phrase, "to be" under "bride."

It can be in any colors you want.

Here's a polka dotted one. The biggest dot says, "showers of love." Again, the color options are endless

Inside is this little arm chair that says, "happy together." We could put the other info. below it.

This is the little umbrella I was telling you about. I used green, yellow, and a blue, but you could customize it with any colors you like. It's very simple.

More Mojo this Monday

I'm loving this Monday's Sketch challenge over on Mojo Monday. I have gotten lots of ideas from this sketch. For this one, I used Vintage Labels and A Slice of Life sets. I used this beautiful DSP with the neutrals and blues. I stamped the cake, added the candles and then punched it out with a 1 3/4" punch. I used some spellbinders to cut out more circles in both baja and chocolate.

I got it put together but thought it was missing something. That's when I grabbed the Baja Breeze seem binding and put a little ruffle on the top.



This one is similar. I used the same DSP but this time I used the "tea" theme with that cute coffee and tea set. I have a tea pot, a tea bag, and a tea-rific message. I was so excited at how easy this came together. I used the scallop boarder punch to punch the edge of baja breeze, and there's a piece of the twill tape sticking out from the edge.

Caffinated Sketch Challenge

I got the sketch idea for this card from the Mojo Monday's sketch challenge. After I saw the ideas on that blog, I decided I wanted to use my A Slice of Life set. I haven't really used it all, and I love the coffee drinks. I wanted to use it with this set of DSP. I love it with all the neutrals and blues.

This is a base of Crumb Cake. There's a layer of DSP on top of that. I took a "bite out of" the DSP with my 1 3/4" punch. I put my sentiment on Baja Breeze with three brads. I stamped my image on Very vanilla paper, colored it in with my Stampin' Write Markers. I used the large label punch. I put Chocolate Chip paper and baja paper. Under that is a layer of DSP. Then I put a layer of grosgrain ribbon.


Here's a close up of the sentiment.

Thanks for looking....

Swirls and Curls Congratulations

In an effort to used all the stamps in this set, I needed to complete this card, using the "Congratulations" sentiment in the Swirls and Curls Verses set. I built this card around my ribbon that's been hanging on my ribbon spool. I started with a base of Whisper White and then I used Pear Pizazz, and I stamped the sentiment in Rose Red. I also punched one edge of the layers.

I also used the Itty Bitty Bits on each card. I used the little 4 petal flower on one, and I used the butterfly on the other.

I ended up liking this one much better. I embossed the baja layer with flowers and sanded it to make them pop a little more. I also put a little loop of the ribbon behind the sentiment. The butterflies are randomly placed.

Thanks for looking...

Hello, little birdie...

I wanted to used each of the stamps from the Swirls & Curls Verses. I also had this cool dotted ribbon so my color choices were dictated by the ribbon.

I started with a base of Tempting Turquoise. I used Wild Wasabi and a retired green (Glorious Green?). For this one, I punched out a opening in the middle of my card. I used the same punch to punch out my sentiment on Whisper White. I used my turquoise maker and colored in my bird with the retired green. I outlined my punched opening with wasabi. I used the little bird from Itty Bitty Bits along the bottom of the card.

This card uses all the similar colors, but I punched out the sentiment with a 1 1/4" circle punch. Under that is a layer of the retired green. Under that is wasabi scallop punch.

Then I tied several ties of ribbon on the main ribbon.

Again, it's simple but super cute.

Thanks for looking...

Three Cards, One Layout

Here are three cards that I came up with. They aren't very different from each other, but they change a bit in small ways. They also fulfill this week's challenge over on Stamping 411.

This starts with a base of Certainly Celery. Then there is layer of Whisper White, then a layer of Brocade Blue. Then there is another layer of celery with a layer of white on top. Then I used Brocade Blue ink for the sentiment, but I colored the leaf in in celery. Then I popped a Brocade Blue flower up over the flower on the sentiment. I tied a ribbon around it all. I also embossed the blue; it's a floral texture plate.



This second one is slightly different. I switched the colors from the first one. In this one, I used my texture plate with the friend definition. I used some blue flowers in the corners (they don't exactly match the blue, but they are close enough).










Finally, I have this one. I base of celery. Next is a layer of Whisper White that is embossed with the tulip frame. The next layer is Brocade Blue which is embossed with flowers. Next is the ribbon, then the celery layer, then the white piece stamped in celery with the sentiment. Again, I popped the flower up on a dimensional so that it kind of pops off the page.

Thanks for looking...

A Flower Bunch

I have really wanted to use this set Itty Bitty Bits ever since I got it. When I saw Stamping 411 challenge this week, I thought this might be a good use for it. I have also had this ribbon for about 3 years, which is what inspired my color combination for this card.

I have a base of one of the retired blues, Brocade Blue. Then I have a layer of Whisper White. Next is a layer of Certainly Celery topped with another layer of white. I have 9 blue and celery flowers topping 9 blue and celery 1/2" circles. Next I have ribbon along the bottom of the celery and white piece. I included the sentiment "thinking of you" in Brocade Blue, and I colored in the little flowers on the sentiment in celery.








As you can see, I popped up each of the flowers.

Thanks for looking.

PGC update and more challenges

First and most importantly, I have modified my PCG (Personal Challenge Goal). I did have it set at one creation a day, and sometimes it was impossible to get in the studio. So I have modified my PCG to create at least 7 things a week (still essentially one every day but if there is an impossibly busy day, I don't have to feel like a failure!) Here are two different creations that I love and that I created in a different way. I really wanted to use the stamps in the Swirls & Curls Verses and the Itty Bitty Bits set. Then I looked at all my ribbon and matched ribbons to sayings. Next I looked at a list of challenges that I tend to follow for motivation.

This first card is very simple and the colors are from Stampin' Royalty's inspiration challenge. I have a base of Basic Gray topped with Pink Pirouette. On top of that is a rectangle in Regal Rose. There is a layer of Whisper White on top of that. I stamped happy birthday from the Swirls & Curls set in Real Red. All those color are easily found in the cupcake ribbon I found at my local craft store. It's simple, but so sweet.

This is the next evolution of this card. I used the Polka Dot Punches set. This round swirly thing reminded me of the inspiration picture. I used the rolling technique on the punched pieces. I stamped the whole thing in Pink Pirouette. Then I rolled the edges of the stamp in Regal Rose. Then I rolled the stamp again in Real Red. Then I stamped three Regal Rose pieces and three Pink Pirouette. Then I used my 1" punch, punched out the center of the stamp and popped the Regal Rose up on top of the whole stamp. Then I used my 1/2" punch and punched the centers out of the Pink Pirouette stamp. I used dimensionals between each layer and topped the whole thing off with some bling. For this card, I am channeling my Stampin' 411 ladies and their challenge this week. The only color I changed from the above card is that Rose Red is in the center with a layer of basic gray under that.

Thanks for looking!

Good Luck Jumbo Card

This is my first time ever making a BIG card. My department head is moving on. We wanted to send her off in style, so I made this card for everyone to sign to go with her gift. I was going to buy one, but someone said, "You are going to buy a card? WHY?" Okay... point taken.

So, I took an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of Pink Pirouette paper and scored it down the center. This card measures 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". Next I added a layer of Whisper White. That is topped with River Rock stamped, in River Rock ink, with the vine from Sweet Summer. Then I added a layer Pink Pirouette stripped ribbon. The message, from Sincere Sentiments, is stamped on white in Soft Suede ink. I also stamped the bouquet from Sweet Summer. I used my stampin' write markers to color it in. I put a dot of Crystal Effects on the dots in the image. Then I topped each of those with glitter. I layered this on Soft Suede and this big baby was born.

Thanks for looking...

'Wood' you like a father's day card?

While I can say that I'm not a father, I cannot say that I would mind getting this card!

This was my Tuesday Personal Challenge Goal) (PCG). I was trying to challenge my inner guy. I saw a video tutorial of using the kissing technique to make circles look like they had wood grain, but I don't have a wood grain stamp, so I improvised. I used an embossing folder on one and I used the textured plates, distressed on the other. So I stared with a base of River Rock and rounded the corners all around. Then I punched circles of various sizes (3/4" to a 1 1/4") in Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, and Early Espresso then emobssed them using my big shot. Then I stamped Happy Father's Day from Best Dad Ever on Vanilla paper in Early Espresso ink. I sponged around the edges in the suede and spritzed chocolate ink. Very manly.


I didn't even use my dimensionals to pop any of the circles, although you could. No ribbon, no bling, just "wood" circles. I might just have to go scratch myself somewhere now.

Thanks for looking...

The Sweetest Set Card Class

I think this is the sweetest card set anyone could ever ask for! I love it! And I am offering a class to teach you how to make it! I will supply all the materials, you come and enjoy. You'll get to make this 6 card note set for $20.00. Ever have those times when it's someone's birthday, or some other gift giving occasion and you wished you had something on had to give to that person? I know I have, and I will totally have one of these sets on hand to give to someone. I guarantee you'll never regret having it!

OR you could just make it for you! Who wouldn't want to get one of these beauties? It's a great thinking of you, get well soon, etc., etc., etc.!

That's why I am offering a special deal on this one... If you make two sets, I will give you another free square card using many of the same materials as the sweet set! OR if you make one set and buy one or more of the key materials to make this set on your own (a stamp set, the embossing folder, paper, ink, or envelopes), I'll give you another free square card using the same materials! What's better than getting stuff for free??? COLOR CHOICES!

If you're not crazy about those colors or you want multiple sets in multiple colors, I have options!The picture below has two more color options. The color set on the top are six colors from the Rich Regals collection. They are jewel tones and beautiful! The bottom set of six colors are from the Bold Brights family, and they are bold and beautiful! You really can't go wrong.

I have two dates for the class. You can come to my house on Wednesday, June 29th at 5:00. If you have to be later, just let me know. OR if you're not going away for the 4th of July weekend, come over on Saturday July 2 at 9 am. It really doesn't take too long to make one set-maybe an hour per set at the most.

When you RSVP for this class, please let me know what day you are coming and what color set(s) you'd like to do: subtles, regals, or bolds. You can RSVP right in the comment section if you'd like.

I hope you can make it!!!

A close up of the cards.