It's Old, and New, and Blue, too

And there's some River Rock and DSP, and Baja Breeze, and Not Quite Navy, as well.

Also, I used a stamp from my stamp set that I have never used before, that flower from the Thanks for Caring set. Can you believe I've never used it? That's almost like something new, right?

I used the sketch challenge and mashed it up with the "use something new" challenge from The Friday Mashup.

Thanks for looking!

My Major Mashup

I saw this sketch challenge over on The Friday Mashup. I really like doing this weekly blog because the ladies always have such good ideas that inspire me. I have to admit, though, that this week's challenge was exactly that... a challenge. I have to admit, it's easy when I really like the sketch or challenge ideas, but I don't really love this sketch (sorry!), and the other idea was to use new stuff. Of course, since it's Sale-A-Bration time, I have a huge box of stuff in transit, but it won't get here till Friday. BUT I wanted to challenge myself and do it anyway. Thus, I went to my favorite DSP, my go-to DSP, and came up with this idea....

Colors: Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence, Whisper White

Thanks for looking!

Valentine's cards... part 6

Two more cards. I'm sure you can see the obvious similarities, but I am really happy with the way that these beauties turned out!

So fun.

Colors: Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White

Valentine's Cards... part 5

This idea came to me in a flash when I was showing a friend the sets that I had recently got. However, I will say that the card I initially envisioned did not look too great... (see the card below... it was my first attempt).

The one to the left, I am happy with.

Colors: Riding Hood Red, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette

Embossed hearts on the red, punched hearts on the rose, white gel pen to color in the word Love. Then I added the white, frilly ribbon. I think it's sweet and will make a great anniversary or wedding card, too!

This is close to my original design. Sometimes they just don't come together the way I plan for them to. Oh well...

I don't love it, but maybe it will make someone a very happy person...

Thanks for looking...

Valentine's Cards... part 4

Here's another Valentine's Card...

You can see the differences... different embossing on the pink layer. On one there is a large scallop circle under the tag from the tag. On the second card, the white scallop circle is embossed. The hearts vary slightly in placement.

Inside each says, "happy valentine's day" from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set in Real Red Ink on Pretty-in-Pink. I used the word window to punch it out, and then I used the modern label punch and punched out the same red DSP as the front of the card.

Thanks for looking...

Here's a close up of the main piece. I popped up the hearts at different heights.

Valentine's Cards... part 3

This is the third set of cards. I wanted to have a pink card. This one starts off with a base of Melon Mambo. I then have a layer of Whisper White. Finally, I have an embossed layer of Regal Rose. I love this embossing folder! It's those conversation hearts... so cute, right?

I used two different ribbons and two different sentiments... trying to appeal to lots of folks.

Thanks for looking...

Valentine's Cards... part 2

I created this card for a more masculine valentine. It's so hard to make manly V.D. cards! It is a heart themed holiday washed in pinks and reds. How manly can you make them? Here's my take.

I started with base of Basic Black. I used clear embossing powder and embossed X's and O's all over in a random pattern. Then I stamped the x-o-x-o definition in Real Red on Whisper White. I put a layer of black under that, and then I had to add the layer of red to make it pop. I also had to add the red bow. Not very manly, but necessary.

I have two with slightly different cards here. On the second one, the sentiment panel is a bit bigger and the ribbon is different, too.

Thanks for looking!

Valentine's Cards... part 1

I am trying to earn some serious money for a trip that I am taking. One thing I want to do is take a bunch of Valentine's cards to some ladies who like my cards. So these are the first two cards I made.

These cards closely resemble another card I made, a favorite of mine that was an almost exact case of a Sarah Wills card. I changed this to a Cherry Cobbler base that is embossed with the tulip folder. I used the Sweet Summer SAB set from last year. I stamped the image in Early Espresso on Whisper White. I colored the leaves in Old Olive and punched cherry hearts from the heart punch with the three hearts (I don't remember the name). I placed one cherry colored rhinestone on the image and stamped the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

This one is a bit different (obviously). I used Natural White and stamped a different sentiment. Mostly everything else is the same, including the one cherry rhinestone.

Thanks for looking!

My Heart's in this Mashup

This is the card I came up with for this week's challenge over on The Friday Mashup. The challenge was to use Early Espresso, Blushing Bride, and Riding Hood Red or paper piercing or Mash-It-Up and do both. The crazy thing is, I actually dreamed this card design. Weird, huh?

I dreamed about the four score lines, one along each side, on a neutral base. For this one, I decided on Natural White. I made one with score lines 1/4" from each side. The other one, I scored 3/8" from each side.

Next I have a layer of Early Espresso topped with layer of Blushing Bride. I used the ticket corner punch on both of those. Next, I punched out a bunch of hearts in espresso, red, blush, and the white. I stamped the sentiment on the white in espresso and colored in the hearts with red. I pierced the red heart and embossed the espresso one with clear embossing powder. The medium hearts are popped up.

I really dig these cards! I hope you like them, too. Now, I didn't come up with 8 more cards for this challenge (sorry!), but I did come up with lots more Valentine's cards so stop back by and check them out...

Thanks for looking!

Lucky Number 7!

This is my 7th... that's right... I said 7th card with this week's challenges on Stamping 411 and The Friday Mashup. I have to admit that I made this card, for no general reason, about two weeks ago and never got around to posting it. But I must have been channeling the upcoming challenges because it definitely works for both of them.

I think you have the basis here by looking, but just let me tell you that I did pop that center piece out using stampin' dimensionals. The next one I made will have an embossed frame around the center piece. I think that will be just the right touch.

Thanks for looking... and I am sorry to break your hearts, but that's it for now... unless I find more time tomorrow to work in the studio... I do have the day off and more ideas so you just might see me here again... never give up hope!

Idea Number 6!

Okay, so it is not completely my idea. I have to admit, that I love, love, love Susan's card (she's a guest designer over on The Friday Mashup blog)! I knew I had to case it because it is so awesome. So this is really a case of her card; I did add my own spin on it, but I must say that love how this turned out, AND I think that it could totally work for the Stamping 411 sketch challenge, too!

This is a base of Pool Party. I have ribbons of More Mustard going down each side of the DSP (can you tell I like that look?) I used three different DSP's for three butterflies. Then I added a string of 3 pearls down the middle of the butterfly (see... I didn't completely copy Susan... she has 4 pearls!)

My sentiment is different, too. I used a punch of Pool Party under a oval with the sentiment "thanks big time" from a set whose name I don't remember. Sorry... I added two mustard color gems I got as a door prize at a big scrap booking show I went to.
I finished the who thing off with a mustard knot in the center.

But look from a slight side view...

I love how that butterfly has her wings in a 3D effect...

Thanks for looking... and if you are thinking to yourself, "does she have any more?" Rest assured... I DO! Come back and check it out!

Number 5... A manly thanks

Here's the fifth idea that I got from Stamping 411's sketch challenge and The Friday Mashup's theme challenge this week.

I thought of the nautical DSP for my patterned paper, but I didn't choose to go with the ship set. Instead, I went with the tool set. I stamped the wrench in versa mark and stamped wrenches all over the basic gray base. Then I used a strip of Night of navy under my patterned DSP. I wrapped the thin strip in Daffodil Delight ribbon, and place a circle punch of it under my main sentiment. For this I used Whisper White, stamped the image and sentiment in black stazon, and sponged the edges. I colored my wrench with my markers and added a screw brad... you know... to make it more manly.

Thanks for looking! And yes... there's more...

Number 4... on a roll!

Again, I think you can see some similarity between this one and the last one. Same basic bottom layout. On this one, I embossed the pear layer with the tulip folder. I used the same pattern paper, and there's the other half of that mustard ribbon piece. Then I broke out the new framelits labels and cut this one out in Vanilla (after I stamped it, of course!) Then I used my markers to color it: olive, mustard, and suede (you know the full name... don't make me type it all out!) I also stamped the sentiment in suede. I did put in two brads that were mustard color, but I stupidly did it before I ran the paper through the Big Shot with the framelit. Those brads are FLAT!!! But it still looks good, I think.

Once again, this card fulfills both The Friday Mashup theme challenge and Stamping 411's sketch challenge.

Thanks for looking... and I am not done with ideas yet so come on back!

Third one and counting...

Okay... for this one, you do see a shift. I put the fruit paper away and pulled out this DSP. Please don't ask me the name because I just finished tiling my Maryland BFF's floor (hi, Terri!) and I am stilling in the massage chair with the heating pad on my back in heaven right now. Use what you have and love... that's what I do!

Anyway, the base is River Rock. The next two layers are Soft Suede and Pear Pizzazz. I put a thin strip of More Mustard, punched out with my ribbon punch. Then, I cut it in half (watch for the second half in the next card!) I added a vanilla ribbon. Then I used Pocket Silhouettes and stamped a Old Olive branch of flowers on a vanilla piece and used punches in suede and mustard to complete that "medallion." Finally, I used the sentiment in the set to stamp "thanks so much" in suede. I love it, and again, it fulfills both challenges!

Thanks for looking... but wait... There's more! Come back to check it out!

Idea Number Two...

I'm sure you can see the similarity to card number one right away... This is my second card for both Stamping 411 and The Friday Mashup.

Again, I used that retired DSP patterned paper, again I punched out apples from the paper. This time my ribbon, instead of going all the way across and tying a bow, I used a small piece of the (leftover cut off from the last card) piece of satin ribbon, and I frayed the ends a bit. I added a loop of the white bakers twine so I could add my tags onto that. Again I used Teeny Tiny Wishes "thanks so much" sentiment (to complete the mashup), and the sketch works for Stamping 411!

Thanks for looking... and make sure you come back for the third card! Sign up to be a follower, too!!!!

Don't you love it when...

...the ideas just keep coming? Today was one of those days! Thank you, God! And don't you love it when you can combine multiple challenges to just get tons and tons of ideas? The most I've ever combined was three. Some people can combine like ten or more challenges. I take my hat off to you, ladies! I have two combinations with a bunch of cards today and I'm proud to show them off you you!

I got big inspiration from two challenge blogs: The Friday Mashup's theme challenge and Stamping 411 sketch challenge. I start close and then branch out my ideas. Watch how they evolve!

This one starts with a base of Old Olive. Next layer Bashful Blue, next layer retired DSP. The smaller panel is blue topped with Whispering White. Next I have olive ribbon. I was going to use my stamp set and stamp apples, but instead I punched out apples from the DSP. Next I put circles of blue and one of Pumpkin Pie. Next I used the Teeny Tiny Punches with the "thanks so much" sentiment. Then I used the jewelry tag punch to punch sold blue, olive, and pumpkin. I stuck those one with a stampin' dimensional.

Thanks for looking!

Making a Mess up Work

I cut out a bunch of parts and pieces of DSP thinking I would make two similar yet slightly different cards for a challenge. After I matched and cut a lot of paper (including my mess up on two pieces), the idea I had in my head just was not working. It happens...

Instead of scrapping everything, I made these instead, which I can enter into The Friday Mashup challenge for the week! Again, they are almost the same, but slightly different. I used the same colors: Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla. I also used the two tags die and a retired DSP.

I also used a variety of ribbons and punches. Most are self explanatory. I also popped up each layer of the Happy Birthday sentiment on the front of the card.

I have a sentiment on the inside of the card, something that isn't usual for me, but I like it.

Here's close up of the sentiment on one card.

Note This...

I know this card is similar to the first card I entered this challenge, but it's different enough for me to enter it separately.

This card was created for this week's sketch challenge on Stamping 411.

This card starts off with a base of Marina Mist, then a layer of Very Vanilla, then a layer of Soft Suede, which is embossed. The "ribbon" piece on top is a retired piece of DSP. Next, I used framelit labels to cut labels in vanilla and marina. I stamped the trumpet from Rue Des Fleurs set. I colored the stamp with my markers. The trumpet is suede and the flourish coming out of the end is marina. Then I spritzed the image with suede and marina. Then I sponged the edges with suede. I did the same with my modern label sentiment. On the sentiment and the framelit label, I poked out marina pieces. Both the trumpet piece and the sentiment are popped up using stamping dimensionals.

Thanks for looking!

Rue Notes

Here's what I came up with for this week's challenge over on Stamping 411. The ladies over there come up with some great sketches, but my mojo is missing right now. I am okay with this card, but I don't love it.

I started with a base of Baja Breeze. On top is the layer of Soft Suede that is embossed. My "ribbon" is a retired DSP. I have some edges of baja poking out that made using the ribbon punch. I used the framelit labels to create the main image on Very Vanilla. I used my makers to color in the image of the pen from the Rue Des Fleurs; the pen is espresso and the swirl coming out of the pen is baja. I sponged the edges with suede. I cut an extra framelit label in baja, cut it in half and had the pieces sticking out of each side.

Thanks for looking...

An A-MAZE-ing Mashup

Great Mashup idea this week, ladies... thank you!

So this set (Totally A-maze-ing) is from the occasions mini. I don't know why, but I was drawn to it immediately.

To be honest, my mojo is still really missing. I struggled this weekend during my creative time. On Saturday I just couldn't get going. So, I used my most recently copy of Stampin' Success and CASED the card in there. (Do you recognize it? The one on the right?) I spent a long time working on that one and then just gave up for the day. The one on the left, I did come up with my self... yeah me... finally a modicum of mojo returned (not a ton of mojo, mind you... just a bit...)

Here's my own creation. I used the maze stamp in Bashful Blue, stamped off once, to create a background. Yep... that was my idea... The rest of the card was taken from the idea in the magazine. I did change the color (to pastels for the Mashup). I also added a bit of color punched with the ribbon punch and hidden behind the sentiment panel. I also changed the "Happy Birthday" stamp from the one that was used in the magazine (and I could have used the same one 'cause I have it... but I didn't... so I am making a few choices here!)

Thanks for looking! I tried.... I have another idea to post in a bit. I did keep working and my mojo did increase a bit... by accident...

January Class: A choice...

Hello and Happy New Year!

I proudly bring to you my January card class. As usual, I love to offer you ladies a choice...

In years past, not everyone has been super excited about Valentine's project. So this year, I am thrilled to offer you the Valentine or birthday card and gift box of chocolates!

If you attend this class you can make either a Valentine's card and candy box (box pictured below) in red and pinks and whites...

Or...
You can make this birthday card and candy box (also pictured below) in blues and browns.

The class will be on Friday, January 27th at 5:00 or on Saturday, January 28th (times are open on Saturday). You will get one square 5" x 5" card with specialty envelope, one long matching box with a slider drawer that holds 9 Hershey nuggets, and each nugget is covered with a matching sticker!

It really makes the perfect little gift, and each set plus the candy is only $10.00 each.

You have to trust me when I tell you that the pictures really don't do this set justice!

Please RSVP by the 23rd of January so that I can have all your materials ready for you. When you RSVP, please tell me how many of each set you'd like to make.

Also, you know I have tons of stamps so if you'd like to make either set a thank you card and gift, that would be very easy to do and would make a sweet and thoughtful thank you gift for some one.

Hope to see you and create with you soon!

Thanks for your support... again...

Here is the third card I came up with today for the Stamping 411's weekly challenge. I used the new Rue Des Fleurs set that is available in the new occasions mini. I didn't really like it much at first, but I think I am head over heals now. I bought it because it had the sentiment "for your support," which you may recall would be great for the bra card I made a few weeks ago. Now, there are a few other card ideas I have floating around this head of mine with a few of the other images in the set. Stay tuned for those...

For this one, I started with a base of Lucky Limeade. Then I have a layer of Pool Party under the DSP. Instead of a ribbon, I stamped the decorative strip from the set. Then again using my framelits label set, I cut out a small shape in vanilla. I stamped the corset in Early Espresso, spritzed some espresso on it, and then used my blender pen and Soft Suede, Lucky Limeade, and Calipso Coral to softly color in the image. Finally, I sponged the edges in suede.

Here's a close up of the corset image. I'm pretty proud of how it turned out.

Inside, I have a sentiment.

Watcha think?

Thanks for looking...

Rue Des Fleurs and new DSP

Okay... here's another sneak peak! I hope I am not breaking any rules here, but I don't think I am. I saw other bigger, better SU demonstrators who have posted card ideas from the new occasions mini-cattie.

Once again, I used this week's sketch challenge over on Stamping 411 as a starting off point. Thanks for a great sketch, ladies... there are more ideas coming for this one!

So I was staring at the sketch, staring at my pile of new SU goodies, and this idea was born when I decided to use the DSP from the SAB cattie. Once I made that decision, the rest fell into place quite nicely. The base is Pool Party. The layer under the DSP is Poppy Parade. Then I used my new framelit label to cut out a piece of Very Vanilla. I struggled with the ribbon piece. I couldn't find one to use that I liked, but you can see what I ended up with... just two little tails sticking out. I like it!

Next I stamped the umbrella from the Rue Des Fleurs set in Early Espresso. Next I used the spritzing tool and spritzed the whole piece with Soft Suede (which is also the color I used to sponge the edges of the piece. Then I used my blender pen and Soft Suede, Pool Party, and Calipso Coral to color in the image.

Inside, I stamped the sentiment in Early Espresso.

Don't be sad Stamping 411... I missed you, too!

It's been so long since I've done a Stamping 411 challenge! With the holidays and my guest designer spot on The Friday Mashup in November, I ignored Stamping 411 (http://stamping411.blogspot.com/2011/12/saturday-sketch-challenge-235.html) . Sorry ladies... it's not personal! I also got a shipment from Stampin' Up and was not able to use it right away so this Sprinkled Expressions from the Sale-A-Bration catalogue has been calling my name, especially this star stamp, and this new star embossing folder I got was begging to be matched with it. When I saw the sketch on Stamping 411, I had a vision, right down to the colors and this is what I came up with.

I used a Whisper White base and Tangerine Tango. I used So Saffron on one card, with saffron ribbon. Then I also used Daffodil Delight on the other card, with a tangerine ribbon.

I used layers of color. I also heat embossed the star image on each card with the matching yellow ink (either saffron or daffodil) and clear embossing powder. Then I used some tangerine ink on a sponge dauber to pop that star a bit more.

On this one I also sponged the edges with the tangerine and added an extra layer of saffron.

Then I added the sentiment to the bottom part of the card with the words in tangerine and the stars in the yellow that was used on the card. Finally, I stamped some tangerine stars on some scrap white, I cut out one tiny little star and popped it up.

I can't decide which one I like better. I love the softness of the saffron, but I'm not in love with the sponging on the main sentiment (sometimes I get carried away with the sponging, but usually you can't go wrong, you know?)

I like the cleaner look of the second card. Let me know what you think! I love the comments!!!

Thanks for looking!

Happy New Year!!!!

This is the card I made for my New Year's card this year. I think it's pretty sweet and it was very easy, too. I know you can't really tell from the photo, but the top layer of blue is a sparkly blue that I got on the clearance rack at a paper supply store. Just perfect. AND... the bonus is that is is just perfect for this week's challenge over on the Friday Mashup (http://www.fridaymashup.com/2011/12/fm39-heres-to-shiny-new-year.html). The challenge is to add some sparkles/bling to a card or have a New Year's card or mash it up and do both. The crazy cool part of this card is that I made it before I saw the challenge... wow... are we connected or what? I started with a base of white. Then I put the sparkly blue layer on that I punched out with a snowflake, but I saved it and glued it inside! I also used a silver ribbon (from another clearance bin), and then I used Night of Navy to stamp the sentiment "Happy New Year" on a white scrap, punched it out with the word window, put in on a navy modern label punch and popped that up on top of the ribbon.

Thanks for looking...