ATS&M #66 - Anything Goes and Sweet Stampin - Autumn

Hello friends and followers - so happy that you've stopped by to visit me today - Thankful really!! A couple weeks ago I watched a video on the sunburst technique.  My first couple of attempts looked like a 5 year old did it - a tad heavy handed with the sponge dauber. After a few botches attempts I finally got the feel for it (it really wasn't as hard as I was making it) and the result is what you see above.  

I made this card because I've been inspired many times by the beautiful sunsets that we see each night out our back patio door.  I also wanted to reflect on my favorite time of year - Fall/Autumn - and the fact that I have so very much to be thankful for.  The sentiment "thankful" is one of three new ones in a new thinlits set I got from Stampin Up! and it sums up perfectly how I feel.  I feel this way when I get up each day, when I get a big hug from my daughter (who is now taller than me), when my puppies are sitting on my lap while I watch tv, when I see a gorgeous sunset, when my pantry is full of food, when I make an especially good dinner for my family, when someone else makes me dinner, when I get a good night's rest, when I hear my son's voice on the phone, when I take a long hot bath, when I see the smiles on the faces of my friends, and when I get to craft and share that with each of you as part of my wonderful and extended support network of lovely people in my life.  The list could go on and on - but you get the idea :o)

I'm sharing this with you today for my DT card for Addicted to Stamps and More! (ATSM) - Challenge #66  "Anything Goes".   This is a very popular theme each month and we get so many wonderful entries.  The rest of the DT ladies have also made some amazing creations to inspire you.  I hope that you will pop on over and visit them and then decide to join us this week.

I'm also entering my card at Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Autumn is here!

Thanks again for stopping by. I hope you take a minute or two to reflect on what makes you feel thankful. Til next time friends...hugs and happy crafting! D

CCC49 - Use a Tag, Nacho Average Challenge #56 - Sketch, C4C206 - Halloween 4CCC#162 - Fall/Autumn

Hello friends and followers, so happy you've stopped in to visit me today.  A quick post to share a fun card I made for the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew #49 - Use a Tag (CCC49)

Nacho Average Challenges #56 - Sketch (see below)

Crazy 4 Challenges #206 (C4C206) - Halloween

4 Crafty Chicks #162 (4CCC) - Fall/Autumn

This card will be going to my son's girlfriend.  I hope she likes it :o)  

I used a combo of old and new products on my card. Cardstock colors: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, and Rick Razzleberry (all SU!).  The coloring of the cute little witch was inspired by the colors in my DSP (SU!).  I used copic markers - kind of wish I hadn't made her face so dark - but it's still fun. The ribbon is also some left over from a couple Halloween's ago (SU).  The ticket punch and dies are from Stampin' Up! and the stamps are from Paper Smooches (a new recent purchase).  

Lots to do this last day of the weekend, so off I go.  Thanks for letting me share with you :o)

52CCT - Sketch Challenge #22 {featuring Loll's Card Candy}

Hello dear friends and followers hope each of you are doing very well!  This month at 52CCT it's my turn to be the hostess - I'm so thrilled!  At 52CCT we start off the first week of each month with a sketch challenge.  Here's what I designed for you to try this week for our 52CCT Sketch Challenge #22: 

I thought this would be a great way to display some of our patterned paper.  Please take a look at what I made to inspire you:

A while ago I was lucky enough to win some blog candy from Loll Thompson at Stamping with Loll (Loll's Card Candy - Give Away #6) that had some gorgeous poinsettias and branch sprigs.  So excited to be able to use them on my card this week - thanks again Loll!  Also playing with my new thinlits expressions die (Stampin Up!) - isn't it fabulous?

Overall very pleased with how this turned out - with the exception of one small boo-boo.  Can  you spot my boo-boo in this card?  

I hope that you will decide to join us this week at give the sketch a go.  Remember that a sketch is just an aid to put a framework around your ideas.  You can switch up the shapes and orientation to fit your creativity.  As long as we can still see the main essence of the sketch we are happy :o)  

The rest of my super talented and creative DT members over at 52CCT have made some gorgeous cards to share with and inspire you as well so please go visit them.  

Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D   

'ABC' Challenges #44 - Sympathy

Hello dear friends and followers - Happy Monday to you!! Time for another challenge at 'ABC' Challenges.  Before I tell you about this week's challenge I would like to say that I was completely blown away by the amazing entries last week for the Use Your Markers Challenge - thank so much for continuing to support us and share your talents with us!  I came across a couple of blogs and talent that I just have to share with you at the end of this post.   So...back to this week's challenge ABC#44 - Sympathy.  Here's my DT card to share with you:

Sympathy cards are not something most of us think just to make - but sadly we do seem to need to have a couple on hand from time to time. I have found that it's very nice to have one to grab and send rather than try to make in a hurry (especially as my heart is breaking for someone for their loss).

 

I kept this one kind of subtle and added just a couple embellishments.  The background is made from a retired piece of Stampin Up DSP that I ran through the BigShot and the square lattice texture folder.  The paper was thin enough that the fibers came through so I sanded it a bit more to give it a uniform texture.  This is the first time I had used this particular stamp.  The flowers were a bit tricky for my tired eyes to color in but I like how it turned out.  Hope you do too. 

 

If you would like to have a sympathy card on hand to share with someone, please consider joining our challenge this week at 'ABC' Challenges.  The other ladies on the DT have also made some beautiful sympathy cards to share with and inspire you.

 

P.S. here are a couple of blogs that I visited last week that I really enjoyed:

 Nicole from Nicole's Craft Nook (thanks Nicole for being my newest follower too)

Lisa from WishCraft Cards 

Pam from Expressions from the Heart

and Pia from Pias Papir og Perler

 

Thanks so much for stopping by, I'm sure glad that you did! Hugs always and special hugs to dear Jeanette. D

 

 





    

Lots of Layers for 'ABC' Challenges #41

Hello dear friends and followers - so happy that you've stopped by to visit me today!  Here it is Monday already and time for a new challenge at 'ABC' Challenges.  This week for ABC#41 we want to see Lots of Layers on your beautiful cards.  How do we define "lots of layers"?  The answer is that you need to use at least 5 layers on your card (the base does not count as a layer).    Take a look:

 

I was thinking I would have a hard time with 5 layers. I searched my card magazines and flagged pages that maybe I could CASE.  I think that I've been in such a CAS mode lately (due to being short on energy and crafting time) that this seemed nearly overwhelming to me. So as I was procrastinating by cleaning off my craft desk and organizing (things that really did need to be done) I came upon a copy of a sketch I had saved as a favorite from The Paper Players (Sketch challenge #143) and suddenly inspiration struck  It seems so silly now that I fretted about how I was possibly going to get 5 layers on my card when in the end I managed to use 10 layers - whoot whoot!! Do you see them all?

 For more inspiration and ideas, you should also go visit the other lovely ladies on our DT at ABC Challenges. They have some beautiful "lots of layer" cards to share with you as well.  Now that I've shown you how easy it is to do I hope to see your beautiful layers cards in our gallery this week.  I have a feeling this is going to be a fun week for our challenge as I have seen so many layering experts in my blog browsing of late. Can't wait to see what you do!

Til next time friends...hugs and happy crafting! D

Card details (all Stampin Up unless noted otherwise): Card base - raspberry ripple. Border - gumball green c.s. punched with a Martha Stewart border punch. DSP - Birthday Basics. Banners - summer starfruit, crisp cantelope (NEW), wild wasabi. Sentiment circle - raspberry ripple punched with 2 1/2" circle punch, Thinking of You - single stamp colored with SU markers (gumball green, summer starfruit, crisp cantelope) the sentiment middle was punched out from the original stamped image and layered on the RR circle. Flower stamp from Secret Garden and cut out with coordinating Sizzix framelits dies cut. Middle of flower is a flower from the Boho Blossom punch and an eye from the Two-Step Owl punch. 

Addicted to Stamps and More! - Color Challenge #53

Hello dear friends and followers - I sincerely hope that this week finds each and every one of you doing well.  The second week of each month brings with it a color challenge from Addicted to Stamps and More! This week we have a fabulous combo of Chocolate chip, Pretty in Pink and Wild Wasabi.  I love this combo but must admit that I was totally stumped this time and at a loss as to what I wanted to make.  I started digging through my stash of die cuts and embellishments hoping that something would inspire me and suddenly I came across this great digital image that I had printed a while back. Suddenly I had my inspiration!  Here's what I came up with:

I'm not exactly sure who aspires to be in the circus, although there are days I feel as if I'm in one - haha.  But, I saw this sentiment and felt like it was perfect for this fun image.  To me it means "be whoever you want to be" or "love what you do".  The older I get, the more important both of those thoughts are to me :o).  At the very least it's worth a good giggle, so I'm going to send it to one of my friends who is struggling with what to do next with her career.  She is not a fan of pink - but I think she'll get over it rather quickly - LOL. 

 

I used my copic markers - R81 for the dress and umbrella (the closest thing I had to pretty in pink), G20 (leaf on the flower) and E25 and E27 on her hair.  Skin tone is E0000,E00 and E02. I outlined the entire image with W00. A quick run through the Sizzix Big Shot machine using an embossing folder gave the card base some extra detail and texture.  I had to cut off the leaves from these flowers and add my own in wild wasabi.  The sentiment is stamped in Chocolate Chip.

 

Well, that's the scoop on my card today.  For more terrific inspiration just pop on over the ATS&M and see what the rest of the DT has made to share with you.  I hope to be visiting you soon to see what you've made. Til next time... hugs and happy crafting friends! D    

Sequins and Pearls - 52CCT Embellishment Challenge #18

Hello dear friends and followers! Time for another great challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown (52CCT).  Good gracious where has this past week gone?  We had such fun last week viewing your amazing ornament Christmas cards and this week we are looking forward to being wowed by your creations for the next challenge - 52CCT - Embellishment Challenge #18.  Are you ready for this?  This week at 52CCT we want to see your Christmas cards using sequins and/or pearls.

This photo evokes very pleasant memories for me.  Every year my Grandma would order one of these ornament kits for my two sisters and me.  We would take turns adding the pearls and sequins and fancy stick pins to create our own lovely ornament to hang on the Christmas tree.  I still have one of them that I put out each year that looks similar to the one in the photo (except its green).  

I was a bit panicked at first that I wouldn't have any sequins to use on my card - and I really wanted to use both (although I didn't have to).  So I dug through my stash drawer and lo and behold I found two small packages of sequins (not sure what I even bought them for but was sure glad to find them) so I set to work making my very first easel card.  Take a look...

I had a bit of trouble getting the sequins on this card - those darn little things get very staticy and want to stick to your fingers :o) but I managed to get them on (maybe not perfectly straight or even - but glued on).  I used my Big Shot and the large scalloped circle die to make the base and front panel - leaving just a wee bit of space at the top of the folded cardstock as I ran it through the machine so that the pieces would stay together.  I had never done this before so I googled it and found a great example on the Splitcoast Stampers site (thanks for that).  Wasn't nearly as challenging as I thought it would be and I can't wait to make another.

So enough about me. The rest of the lovely ladies on the DT for 52CCT have made some really wonderful Christmas cards to share with you this week as well using Challenge #18.   What will you make this week for our Embellishment challenge this week using sequins and/or pearls?  I can't wait to come visit you and see!  Til next time... hugs and happy crafting! D  

Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #49 - CAS

Hello to my fabulous friends and followers!  Time for another challenge over at Addicted to Stamps and More! ATS&M Challenge #49 is the ever popular CAS (Clean and Simple).  CAS is a hot trend in card making right now and one that I had struggled with for a bit, but am finally feeling more comfortable with it. For those of you who aren't familiar with CAS, it means that the card has a clean design with limited embellishments and lots of white space (white space can be a color other than white, but is generally not DSP or other busy patterns) and the image or sentiment is the main focal point and really stands out as part of the design.  This is an easy card that I could easily mass produce with the rest of the stamps from this set and send to a friend as a gift.  The overall size is 4" square.

I used a retired SU hostess stamp set for this cute little elephant (inked up with my markers to get the different colors).  I did add the tiniest of rhinestones to the middle of the flower and embossed the white frame with the clouds texture folder (one of my favorites right now).  I used my circle Sizzix dies to make the cut out area around my image.

Hope you enjoyed this card and that I've inspired you to join us this week at ATS&M.  If you would like more inspirations there is a whole bunch of it from our other talented DT members.  To visit the challenge site and then each of their blogs you just need to click here to get started.  

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today - I'm sure glad that you did. Til next time... hugs and happy crafting! D

Retrosketches #65 {Praying for You} cQc #190 and Paper Players #147 {with Sympathy & Love}

Hello again dear friends and followers.  I stayed up a bit late last night making cards because I get the day off work due to the Memorial Day holiday.  Sadly two ladies that are dear to my heart have lost loved ones very recently, so I used that time to make a couple of Sympathy cards.  I used the sketch at Retrosketches as inspiration for this card (see below). I never seem to have a sympathy card on hand when I need it.  It's just not a theme that I look forward to making when I'm designing and entering challenges.  I hope these cards brings a bit of comfort and peace to my friends when they receive them though.

My inspiration for the second card I made is from the colors at ColourQ #190 and the sketch from the Paper Players Sketch Challenge #147 (although it's a loose interpretation of the sketch as I have flipped the components of the sketch quite a bit).

Gotta get going for now. I'll go visit my Grandpa's grave site and spend some time with my Grandma playing cribbage today. This is always a tough day for Grandma.  Maybe we can share some laughs to help make it easier. We bet a quarter per game.  Raided my piggy bank in case I lose a few games.   Thanks for letting me share these with you today. Wherever you are - make it a great day and celebrate your blessings and loved ones. Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Addicted to Stamps and More! First Ever Bloghop

Hello friends and followers - I'm so excited that you are here today to visit me because this is a very special post to announce the very first Blog Hop at Addicted to Stamps and More and my very first time participating in a blog hop!  See the message below for all the details :o)   

The Design Team at Addicted to Stamps and More (ATS&M)  are SO excited because we have such a wonderful designer/sponsor to introduce you to and there are amazing prizes to be won!! In fact there will be 7 prizes up for grabs by joining in our blog hop.

 

Firstly, I would like to introduce to you the sponsor for this hop -

Ignacio from Nicecrane Designs

 

You will be stunned at the selection that our sponsor has to offer. There are digital images, pre-coloured digital images, backgrounds, collages, bookmarks, ATC's, templates and so much more!!

There are so many themes to choose from too - all you could want for your Vintage projects, Christmas projects, Easter projects, Halloween projects............. the list just goes on!

Now on to the fun part!!

 

You're really gonna love this blog hope because...are you ready for this?  There is a prize to be won on every blog!!
 

How do you win these amazing prizes? All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog and then comment on EVERY blog that is participating in this hop. Easy peasy!!  Here's one of the prizes to be won (digital images):

 

 

Here is my card using one of the digital images from the Flower Children Save pack shown above:

 

Isn't this little lovely sweet? I colored her with copic markers (the shading that's part of the digi makes it fun).  The background sheet is my own creation using a new embossing folder from Stampin Up! (sneak peek product).  I used a sponge finger dauber to make the circles in each of the embossed shapes and then used that same dauber to shade around the raised embossing some more.  I like how it turned out - do you? 

 

Perhaps you have been visiting and have popped in from the wonderful blog of Deepti of  Catchy Crafts . You'll notice that I'm the end of the blog line, but don't dispare as you can start back at the beginning  at the ATSM blog.  If you lose  your way, that's ok because you can start back here and work your way through. If you started with my blog you can start at the top of the list below to start visiting the others next. You will be glad that you did because Each blog has a different prize up for grabs!!!!!  

 

Below is the list of blogs that you must visit and leave a comment on each blog to be in the running for a prize:

Addicted to Stamps and More (Where the fun begins).

 Kylie - Kylie is Addicted to Stamps 

Florence - Florence and Freddie Part 2

Sandie - London Days

Caz - Cazro's Crafty Corner

Nonni - Korttikarkuri

Deepti - Catchy Crafts

Danielle - D's Crafty Connection (YOU ARE HERE)

We have all incorporated products from Nicecrane Designs in our projects.  So, have fun looking and good luck with winning one of these wonderful  prizes. 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today - I'm sure glad that you did.  Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

ATS&M #42 - Make Your Mark

Hello friends and followers - so nice to have you visit me today.  Time for one of my favorite challenges at Addicted to Stamps and More - #42 - Make Your Mark.  I love this challenge because it gives me a chance to pull out my markers and color to my heart's content.  This week I used another darling digital image from Heather Ellis who is the sponsor for ATS&M this month.  We still have snow here in Montana so I decided to go with a very cheery color scheme to perk up my mood.  I've used some retired SU papers from my stash called Cheerful Treat (2011/2012) and a couple newer Sizzlit framelits die cuts (Labels) to make my card. The green cardstock is called Gumball Green - it's one of my favorite greens. 

I apologize for the rubbish photo this week - both my cameras ran out of charge at the same time (do you think I could find my charging cords - no!) and my phone just refused to take a decent pic until about the 10th try (this one is still a bit out of focus).  I know better than to wait until the last minute to get my cards done and the photos taken - but yet again here I was rushing at the last minute and swearing like a sailor (yes, I'm embarrassed to say that I do do that on occasion) as I was trying to figure out how to get my card in in time.  Does anyone have a magic PAUSE button that I can borrow for when life seems to be moving faster than I have the energy for?  If so... please let me know - I'll be indebted to you forever LOL.  Too much stuff that has to be done and not enough time for the fun stuff - like paper crafting and card making. What's up with that anyway??? I'm sure that I'm not the only one who suffers from this ailment :o)  Finish this sentence... "You know that you are obsessed with Papercrafting when..."  I could come up with a whole bunch of sentence enders - LOL.

Ok, so let's get back to the challenge at hand before I drive you bonkers with my complaining.  Won't you please pop on over and see the fabulous creations the rest of the ATS&M design team has come up with for your delight and inspiration?  I hope your life isn't moving too fast to allow you to join us this week 'cause I can't wait to see what you make and share with us.  Til next time... hugs and happy crafting! D 

52CCT - Color Challenge #15 {Black, Metalic Gold & White}

Hello dear friends and followers - so happy that you are here to visit.  This week over at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - 52CCT Color Challenge #15 - the lovely Louise has chosen the very elegant combo of Black, Metallic Gold and White for you to play with.  Here's what I came up with:

Details: Cardstock - Very Vanilla, Basic Black and Brushed Gold

Stamps: Daydream Medallions and Word Play

Ink: Versamark then embossed in black

Other: Floral Frames Framelits, snowflake embossing folder (retired) and basic pearls

 

I realized after I glued everything down that my card base is actually very vanilla instead of white - oops!! However, I did add lots of lovely white pearls so I met the challenge - whew! 

 

I used the retired snowflake texture embossing folder for the black background.  The medallions are embossed in black ink over brushed gold cardstock.  I colored a few of the pearls black with a sharpie as well for a bit more contract.  Finished card size is 5" square.  I really love how this turned out.  This is the first time I have used the Daydream medallions and I love how it worked for a Christmas theme. Imaging how pretty it will look at a wreath...hmmm, think I'm going to have to try that soon.

 

Hope you will pop on into 52CCT as see what the rest of the lovely DT members have come up with for your inspiration.  Can't wait to see what you create!  It's off to bed for me tonight - I'm whooped from a long week at work.  Til next time... hugs and happy crafting!  

Snowflake tree for 5 challenges {inspired by Hallmark}

Supplies: Cardstock -whisper white,gumball green and pixie pink (retired) all SU.,

Dies - Bitty Banners and Northern Frost (snowflakes, retired).

Punch - miscellaneous snowflake punches that I've had forever.

Rhinestones - retired SU special set from a past holiday mini

DSP - Be of Good cheer.  Stamp - Teeny Tiny Wishes

 

Hello friends!   My card today was inspired by a Hallmark flyer I got in the mail (see below). 

See the card in the middle made with the snowflakes? That's where my inspiration started.  Before I started making cards myself, I spent quite a bit of money on those Hallmark cards.  I still think they're beautiful but now I look at them and think "Hmmm... I should try that...I'll bet I could do that". 

Our challenge for you this week at 'ABC' Challenges is to make a card with Snow, Snowflakes or a Snowman on it, so I thought now was the perfect time to give it a go.  I'm pleased with how it turned out, but I wouldn't want to mass produce this, it took me forever to place my snowflakes just where I wanted them.   Here's a closer look at my snowflakes:

I'm also entering this card in the following challenges:

Sweet Stampin' Challenges - Dies and/or Punches. 

My Time to Craft Challenge #200- None traditional colors (pink is my favorite NT color to use). 

Divas by Design #64 - Let it Snow

Paper Play Challenges Week 49 - "Christmas is Coming". 

 

Can  you believe it will be here soon!! I've hardly started by Christmas shopping but have a great stock of cards to send out this year (that's my project for tomorrow).  I hope you will decide to join us this week at 'ABC' Challenges.  Myself and the rest of the DT really enjoy visiting many of your blogs and getting lots of inspiration from you each week - please keep playing along with us, we love it!  Speaking of inspiration, there's plenty more to be had from the other DT gals so pop on over there and see what they've made to share with and inspire you!

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit - I'm sure glad that you did. Til next time... Hugs and happy crafting!!  

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - Theme Challenge #11 {Scripture Verse}

Hello lovely friends and blog followers!  We  have a terrific theme challenge for you this week at 52{Christmas} Card Throwdown.  We want to see your cards/creations using a scripture verse as your main element.  Here's what I came up with:

I decided to keep it as CAS so that the scripture verse stands out. Of course, I'm no good at one layer cards so I added some depth by using my Labels framelits as well as the snowburst texture folder (retired SU).  I sponged around the main image with Summer Starfruit ink and also gave this a shot of color around the outer edges as well.  The sentiment is stamped in gumball green. 

 

I made another one that I will share with you later in the week - this one was my daughter's favorite so I chose to share it first.  Hope you will decide to join us this week at 52CCT - I can't wait to see what you create.  Please pop on over and see what the rest of the DT has made - can  you say GORGEOUS?!  Til next time... Hugs and Happy Crafting!! 



52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - Color Challenge #9

Hello friends! Well here it is Saturday already and time for another 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown Challenge.  This week Mynnette has come up with the great color combo above.  Can you just smell the cookies in the photo? Here is my card to inspire you this week:

Hmmm... can you guess what about the photo and colors inspired me?  I LOVE gingerbread cookies to look at (they are so cute!), smell and especially to eat!!  That with a mug of coffee or cocoa and Life is Good!

 

I used a fun new stamp set called Scentsational Season - named that way because you can use scented embossing powders with this set in the scents of Sugar and Spice (what I used - wish you could smell it via blog :o)) and Peppermint Stick.  Oh yum!!  Gotta be careful not to eat the card - lol.  This stamp set also comes with a coordinating Sizzlit Framelits that I used to cut out the gingerbread men, the mug and the steam - called Holiday Collection Framelits.  These are just so much fun to use!  The DSP along the edge of the card is also from the Holiday Mini and is one of the great patterns in the Festival of Prints Designer Series Stack (48 sheets total in 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 size).  I used the Houndstooth embossing folder for the textured background.  The sparkly buttons on the gingerbread men are the Cherry Cobbler Dazzling details glitter glue.  I added some pearls to the pattern on the mug (can you see them?).  The sentiment is from the More Merry Messages set.  I layered the modern lable punched sentiment on top of a large oval punched shape. 

 

Ok.. so enough about my card.  I can't wait to see what you come up with this week using Red,Brown and White or Cream.  Don't forget to pop into the blogs of the other 52CCT DT members and see their wonderful creations.  Leave them a note when you visit - we all love to get mail ;o)  Til next time...Hugs and Happy Crafting!   

 





MOJO Monday #255, Inspired by #38 and Divas by Design #49

Hello dear blog friends!  My card today is based on the MOJO Monday #255 sketch and the Inspired by #38 photo (see both below).  I am also entering it in the Divas By Design challenge #49 - "Anything Goes" (my second entry there).  The inspiration I took from this photo was the apples, the colors, the patterns and the overall country style.  Ages ago we used to have a garden and my Grandma June taught me how to can.  I canned beets, beans, pickles, peas, tomatoes, pumpkin and applesauce.  This brings back good memories :o)

I'm still fine-tuning my masking technique.  This time I used dotto to hold the red apple mask in place (which worked perfectly) but for some reason the second apple stamp (the green one) wouldn't press all the way down around the edge of the masked apple and I kept getting a while half-moon shape there (quite frusterating!)  I tried three times with the same result so finally gave up and tried to blend it in a bit with some ink dots and my blender pen.  If you don't look too closely it's all good!   


Well - better get busy with my housework and laundry since tomorrow is Monday. So I'll sign off for now. Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me - I'm sure glad that you did!  Til next time - Hugs and Happy Crafting!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!):  Cardstock - More Mustard, Very Vanilla and Early Espresso. Stamp and sentiment are from Perfectly Preserved, cut out with the new coordinating framelit dies - Cannery Set  (both are NEW in the SU Holiday Mini).  Ink colors - Raspberry Ripple and Lucky Limeade.  DSP - Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper (NEW in the SU Holiday Mini). I also used the Bitty Banners Framelit dies for the sentiment banner.  Added three tiny pearls for a touch of shine on those apples.  Ribbon is the 3/8" pleated satin ribbon in Lucky Limeade. 

CASology - GREEN and CFC67 - Banners/Flags

Hello friends - one last card for tonight based on the CASology cue card - Green and CAS-ual Fridays CFC67 - Banners or Flags.  I have a banner and I used three different shades of green on this card - Lucky Limeade (pear), Certainly Celery (jar top) and Wild Wasabi (sentiment) - the tiny little rhinestones even have a different shade of green (but I'm not sure what it is).  I am telling you... CAS and Monochromatic cards are both a real challenge for me - but I'm not too disappointed in how this turned out.  I gave it a few extra details - rounded corners, pierced corners, a teensy bit of bling, but managed to still keep it CAS - I think.  I've been having fun playing with this new stamp set and coordinating framelits - kind of like instant satisfaction when you roll it out of the Sizzix machine - viola!!  Got lots of other ideas rolling around in my head but they will have to wait until tomorrow or another day - I'm pooped!

 

 

Hope you like this card - or saw something that might have inspired you.  Gotta dash off to bed now so thanks very much for stopping by - I sure appreciate that you did :o) Till next time... Hugs and Happy Crafting! 

Merry Monday Challenge #29, Paper Play Challenges Week 34 and My Time to Craft Challenge #185

Hello friends, so glad that you've decided to come visit me again!  You are the reason that I keep doing this - hoping that I am giving someone a little piece of inspiration.  I realized that I have made a lot of cutesy cards lately and wanted to make something that was a more reflective of the true meaning of Christmas this time.  This sentiment seems to sum it up quite perfectly - I think.

Tonight I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Merry Monday Challenge #29 (based on this great sketch)

Paper Play Challenges Week 34  - Sentiment as the Main Image/Focus

and

My Time to Craft Challenge #185- Christmas in August (my second entry to this challenge).

 

Thanks to all the challenges for the opportunity to play along!  Here's the inside too:

Please stop back again anytime - I love to know you've visited!  Hope you like this card. Til next time - Hugs and Happy Crafting!
 

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Cherry Cobbler (base), Very Vanilla and Lucky Limeade.  DSP - Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (NEW and available in the Holiday mini catalog). Sentiment and inside stamping is all from a stamp set called First Christmas (Holiday mini). I colored the sentiment stamp with my SU markers in Cherry Cobbler and Lucky Limeade before stampin it on the Very Vanilla then I used my Sizzix Big Shot and the Apothecary Accents Framelit to cut the shape around the sentiment (I cut a second piece in Lucky Limeade and layered behind the first one).  That gorgeous texture at the top of the card base is made with one of the Delicate Designs embossing folders.  The ribbon is  the 1/8" tafetta ribbon in Old Olive.  

Another Card for the 52CCT August Sketch Challenge (and a Reminder)

Hello dear blogging friends - hope you are having a wonderful week.  I got my order in with the new products from the Stampin Up! Holiday mini catalog and have been having a blast creating with my new goodies (you've seen some of the Halloween samples already).  The August sketch challenge at 52{Christmas} Card Throwdown is still going on this week so I decided to use the sketch by fellow DT member Jacqueline to create another card to share with you along with this reminder. 

I substituted gingerbread men for the squares on my card.  These darling gingerbread men were created with the NEW Holiday Collection Framelit dies and the NEW coordinating Scentsational Season stamps (there is also a candy cane, Christmas tree, star and mug of cocoa with steam - soo cute!).  The DSP strip is also NEW and is called Snow Festival Designer Series Paper.  It has a wonderful whimsical/country feel to it.  I used the Sizzix Tasteful Trim Bigl XL die for the ric rac strips on my card.  Since I can't throw anything away (I save practically every little scrap) I used the outside part of the paper after I had cut the strip and cut it in half to put behind the DSP.  My hearts (substituted for the stars in the sketch) were punched out with a retired SU punch.  I added the sparkly candy buttons on the gingy men with the Cherry Cobble Dazzling Details glue.  Oh... and I almost forgot - the sentiment is from the Polar Party set. 

Here's the sketch from Jacqueline:

The 52CCT August Sketch Challenge is going on until Friday at 6 PM GMT.  I hope you will play along as I can't wait to see what you do with the sketch that has soooo many possibilities.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit - I'm sure glad that you did.  Til next time - Hugs and happy crafting!