NONTRADITIONAL COLORS for 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown

Hello, hello and ho ho ho!  Mynette from 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown has issued a color challenge for Week 2 of May using Green, Purple and Silver or White (I used both).  For many, many years my Mom had a themed tree each year - and I do remember a purple and silver one once.  We also had pink, red, gold, silver, white flocked with all red decorations - you name it, but always a color theme.  My own tree is much more traditional with lots of the kids handmade ornaments on it and crocheted angels and very old Avon and Hallmark ornaments and sometimes a new one that I have found.  I laugh because there never is a theme - and it's almost a mish-match tree that looks different each year depending on what the kids want to put on it  - but it holds lots of memories for me when I look at it.

When I saw the Color Challenge #5 at 52 {Christmas}Card Throwdown I immediatly thought of a decorated tree - so I pulled out my new to me stamp set called Polar Party and decorated up those trees.  This turned out more "blingy" than I was going for - was trying for shiny christmas bulb ornaments (maybe should have colored pearls instead of rhinestones). I added even more sparkle with the silver glimmer snowflakes and Champagne mist paint around the corners of the card (to simulate a frosty scene.  I apologize if this hurts your eyes a bit with all this shine and bling - LOL- but I hope you see something that you like in it.  I love that it stretched me creatively to try some new things.  I also found out that shimmery projects are very hard to photograph - especially when there are so many different types of shimmer and shine - this is the best photo I could get :o(. This is the Inspiration Photo from 52CCT:

Thanks so much for stopping by - come back soon!  Hugs. 

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Garden Green (I used the snowflake embossing folder on the background piece), Whisper White, Brushed Silver, Silver Glimmer and Concord Grape (a 2010-2012 In-Color that is retiring on May 31st).  I used the Northern Frost sizzix strip to create two of the snowflakes (now retired) and another punch I've had forever.  The trees are from Polar Party (very cute set that I will be using more of with Polar bears and Penguins too) and the sentiment is from Curly Cute.   I sponged some Champagne Mist paint around the edges of the card front and colored some basic rhinestones with a purple sharpie for the tree decorations.  I colored the trees with my Copic markers.

Mo's DP2 Challenge #134 - Tickle My Funny Bone

Hello friends! Insomnia and inspiration have struck and here I am entering this card in Mo's DP2 Challenge #134 - Tickle My Funny Bone at this ridiculous hour of the morning.  I'm sure there are much less fun things to do when you can't sleep - but this is my vice :o).  The challenge theme this week as I mentioned above is humor using a Mo's image.  I thought this saying was just too cute with the darling image called "big shoes" (you can find this at Mo's Digital Pencil too). I love Mo's images because there are so many that remind me of someone I know and love.  This particular image reminds me of an old picture of myself (with the long curly hair) in my mom's shoes, and my own little girl who loved to put on my high heels and clomp around the house (she still LOVES high heels - and walks better in them than I do, I might add).  

I started off with a different DSP scheme in mind as I colored the image, but then didn't like how it came together. I think I might have used different colors for this paper if I had planned to use it initially, but thankfully it still came together nicely.  This card uses some new, current and retired products from Stampin Up.  The new is a sneak peak at the new Stampin Up 2012-2014 In-Color called Raspberry Ripple (cardstock and ink for sentiment) - oh I am so lovin' this color.  The sentiment is also new from Unity Stamps and Jillibean Soup.  The leaves are from the Two-Step Bird Punch (SU) and the pearls are also from SU (large and basic sizes).  The paper is from my stash of DSP called Raspberry Tart (2009).  The flowers are also from my stash of stuff that I just can't seem to get rid of.  Here's an up close look at my card:

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit - I'm sure glad you did! Hugs 

Creative Card Crew Challenge #10 - Sentiment as Focal Point

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  I just love the challenge that the design team at Creative Card Crew came up with for this round - Creative Card Crew #10 - Sentiment as the Focal Point.  I am a fan of quotes and the power of words and couldn't resist making a second card to enter in this challenge.

My son and several relatives and friends are graduating this year.  I wanted to give them a handmade card that they might want to keep (I kept all of mine), but I also think that many of them are going to be more concerned with what is inside (show me the money baby!) so I kept it clean and simple.   The message is what I really wanted to convey to each of them.  This is such an exciting time in their lives and the perfect opportunity to go out there and make their dreams happen. The inside has a pocket for money or a gift card with "Congratulations" sentiment on it. I'm so proud of the young man my son has become, and am so excited for the opportunities that are now in front of him. I have to admit though that I am not really ready for him to go away for college - what will he do without me for goodness sake - how will he survive (lol)?!  Really its more like "what will I do without him around all the time?"  He is also making me laugh - he is such a great big brother and his dad's best buddy.  Oh goodness - it's hard to realize that your baby has grown up and is going away soon  - how do parents do this?  I guess I'm going to have to get myself a Facebook account (gasp!) so I can keep up with him while he is away and hopefully I won't call him so many times that he is embarrassed and no longer answers :o).   Okay - enough of my rambling... thanks so much for stopping by to visit - I sure am glad you did! 

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black and Whisper White. DSP - Designers Series Patterned Paper Stack (neutrals).  Sentiment is from Word Play and the image is from My Digital Studio.

Freshly Made Sketches #34 & The Paper Players #95

Hello friends, here it is Monday already! I used the sketch from Lesley for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #34 and Ann's color challenge at The Paper Players (PP95) to make this card for my dear friend Patrice.  I have had the privilege to work with Patrice for the past 7 years.  We instantly became friends and have shared so many fun times and memories (some not so fun too).  We worked side by side for many years and many long hours, but we also shared some very funny moments and lots of laughs.  I have learned so much from her professionally and personally. Patrice and her wonderful husband Tom have taught me about some of the finer things in life like good wine, good food and travel.  Patrice also introduced me to Brighton jewelry, Harry and Davids, Williams and Sonoma, the Black Market White House store, and talked me into starting Stampin Up (she is my upline) which has been the best, positive, fun experience (my husband might say she has been a bit of a bad influence on my pocket book - LOL). 

Sadly, I will be saying goodbye to Patrice soon as she is moving to a different  state for another job. It will seem so odd not to see her practically every day :o(  but I wish her the best and wanted to thank her for the role she has played in my life for the past several years.  You know the saying about friends for a reason, a season and a lifetime?  Well, I can tell you that we have definitely been friends for a season and I hope that continues to a lifetime friendship.

It was hard for me to make this card without tears popping up - so I kept it pretty clean and simple  I apologize that my photo isn't top notch this time but I hope that you can still see all the elements that I used.  Thanks so much for stopping by  - have a wonderful Monday, and remember to tell your friends how much they mean to you.  Hugs! 

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!):  This card uses a mix of new, retired and retiring (May 31st)products.  Cardstock - Poppy Parade (retiring), Baja Breeze and Whisper White.  DSP - Pocketful of Posies (retiring) and Summer Smooches (new).  The large flower is made from the Blossom Builders kit (retired from Occassions Mini) and a Bright Button (current).  The small flowers are from my stash of retired products.  The strip of yellow ribbon is brand spankin'new and will be available starting June 1st . The Thank You banner is made with the new Bitty Banners Framelits dies (available June 1st) and the Bitty Banners stamp set.  I used Baja Breeze ink on it (sorry it doesn't show up very well in the photo).  The circle behind the large flower was made with Baja Breeze cardstock and the 2 1/2" circle punch.  

Merry Monday #19

Hello Friends - Happy Friday!  Last week I just couldn't seem to get my Merry On with all that I had going on - and this week has been kind of crazy too, but I was able to finally find a little time to play with this great sketch from Lesley at Always Playing with Paper - which is the site for the weekly Merry Monday challenges.  This card is based on the Merry Monday #19 Challenge. 

As you can see, I interpreted the sketch just a wee bit to accomodate an idea I have been wanting to try since receiving my Lable Framelit dies.  If you look closely you will see what looks like a shadow.  What that is is a window cut-out - you can see it a little better in the pictures below and of the inside.  Popped the trees up with dimension dots so that even when it's closed there is some dimension to the card.  I dug up some fun paper from a couple seasons ago to use for this card while I am so very eagerly awaiting my Stampin Up! preorder that is supposed to be delivered sometime today (whoo hoo!).  I pre-ordered some great Christmas stuff - so be watching for a sample of it next week when I participate in the next Merry Monday challenge.  Thanks so much for stopping by - I hope you saw something that inspired you!  Have a most wonderful weekend won't you?!  Hugs!

 

Supplies (all from Stampin UP!): Cardstock - Garden Green and Whisper White.  Stamps - Polar Party (trees) and Tiny Tags.  DSP - Candy Cane (retired 2010). Ribbon - 1/4" grosgrain in real red.  I used the jewelry tag punch for the little sentiment tags.  I colored the image with Copic markers.  I used three of the sizes in the Lables Collection Framelit dies for the inside.    

Retrosketches #10 and The Paper Players #94

Hello friends - a quick post tonight to make the deadline for the Retrosketches #10 Challenge based on the sketch below and also for The Paper Players Challenge #94 - Mother's Day Theme.  The flowers in the inspiration photo at Paper Players are what I picked up on in creating this card for my own wonderful Mom.  Thanks for stopping by - I sure do appreciate it!

Supplies  - all are from Stampin Up!, but most are retired.  The DSP is Springtime Vintage and the ribbon is Always Artichoke Seam binding.  The Cardstock base color is Rose Red (this was one of my favs before) - I also used Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla.  The sentiment is still available and is from the Delightful Dozen set.

Happy Birthday Patrice (PPA134 and MOJO240)

Hello friends! I made this card for my dear friend Patrice's birthday using the sketch from the Mojo Monday #240 Contest and the colors from Pals Paper Arts #134 - A Color Challenge (see both below).  Happy birthday dear Patrice.... Happy Birthday to you (that's me singing - ha!).  Thanks for stopping by to visit!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!):  Cardstock - Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Calypso Coral and Whisper White.  DSP - Paisley Petals, Pocketful of Posies, Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack (subtles collection) and Everyday Enchantment (from SAB). Sentiment is from Petite Pairs (love that set!). Ribbon is the 3/8" Ruffled ribbon in Calypso Coral.  The flower is made with the Boho Blossoms punch (and scrunched). The flower circle was made with the 2 1/2" circle punch and the saffron layer is from the 3" Circle die (sizzix).