CAS - One Layer Card for 4 Great Challenges {Tumbling Cupcakes}

Hello friends, the theme this week at many of the challenges I'm playing along with is Clean and Simple (CAS).  I've mentioned before that this is not an easy style for me and that is precisely why I am yet again entering in some of these challenges - to help myself grow creatively.  I made this card for 4 great challenges - three of which I am participating in for the first time. 

The first is Less Is More Week 76 - One Layer Challenge which is to make a one-layer card using 3 of something on your card. A One-layer card is defined as:  "One piece of card folded in half with no additional layers and minimal embellishments, where the image is stamped or printed directly onto the cardstock".   My 3's are 3 cupcakes, 3 frames, and 3 words - oh and I used 3 rhinestones on each cupcake :o).

The second challenge CAS-ology Week#2 (a new challenge centered around the CAS concept using a word or words to spark creativity).  The word for CAS-ology #2 is "Happy".  I'm pretty sure you have already figured out how I have met this challenge - LOL.  What is happier than cupcakes and birthdays?

And the third "new to me" challenge is Clean and Simple Stamping.  The design for my card is based on the CAS FTL #199 (see below) which I have used a tumbling line of three elements instead of in a straight row.

The fourth challenge is a familar favorite called Dynamic Duos which has a subtles theme for this week.  The color combo for Dynamic Duos#11 is  Pink Pirouette and Baja Breeze.  I saw this darling baby quilt set yesterday that had cupcakes on it in these very same colors - it was so cute and  inspiration struck!

Here's a few more photos of this card:  first a close up of those sparkly cupcakes -  

And then the inside (Those circles are on there because I accidentally put an inky finger down and made a smudge that I had to disquise - thus the circles) -

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

Supplies (all from Stampin Up - except frame stamp): Cardstock - Whisper White. Classic ink - Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette and Soft Suede (neutral).  Stamps - Create a Cupcake, Fabulous Phrases (happy).  Frame stamp is from Verve in the set called To the Moon.

Paper Players #104, Christmas Stampin All Year Long #19 and Addicted to Stamps

Hello friends - so happy you've stopped by to visit me!  This card above represents a real challenge for me as you will see when you read more.  I used a stamp that I have had for quite a lonnnggg time and never - that's right NEVER - used.  In fact - I have only used the sentiment from this set and none of the other beautiful stamps.  I really liked this set as soon as I saw it, and I saw so many gorgeous creations that people made with it that I just had to have it.  Then when I got it I felt completely intimidated with what to actually do with with it!  Does that ever happen to any of you? I think part of it is that this is a very elegant set and most of my cards are not in the "elegant" venue. 

In any event... along comes this perfect challenge to help me - Christmas Stampin All Year Long #19 - No Inky Yet!  This challenges asks us to use a stamp that has never been used (or rarely been used) and get it inky to make a creation.  How perfect is that? I knew immediately what stamp set I would use.  But...I sat and stared at it for the longest time, struggling with what to do with it. Walked away from it for a day and then decided that I wanted to keep this as clean and simple as I could so I wouldn't be overwhelmed with what to combine with it (paper, embellishments, layout, etc.).  Clean and Simple does not come naturally to me either - but it seemed like a good choice.  A couple days later... Still looking at it and still creatively blocked!! 

So today I looked to see if there were some other challenges that I could combine to help inspire me in using this set.  And...lucky for me I did find two other challenges:  The Paper Players #104 - CAS using words as the focal point of your card (a sentiment, poem or verse as the main element)

and Addicted to Stamps - Clean & Simple (CAS) Challenge #1.  Suddenly the light bulb came on and I got an idea (LOVE when inspiration strikes!).  What you see above is the finished product - Whew!! 

If you are still with me, here's a close up of my sentiment and main element:

I first colored my stamp with SU markers (twice) and stamped in each corner, then I pulled the color out on the leaves and berries using a blender pen.  I stamped the sentiment and then used my Spellbinders small oval to cut it out.  After positioning it where I wanted it on the card, I then used the coordinating Spellbinder large oval and punched holes around the outer edge of that die.   I did manage to keep it CAS with lots of white space and minimal  layers and embellishments (just a few small red rhinestone berries).  You might have thought by now that you would have just chosen another stamp - I thought about it, believe me, but I really wanted to see if I could do it.  I'm so proud of myself - I kept it CAS and I used an elegant stamp that I have been intimidated by for quite a while!  Hope you like this card - and thanks for staying with me during this long post!  Hugs!!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up! except the Spellbinders): Cardstock - Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler and Riding Hood Red.  Stamp - Bells and Boughs (holly), colored with SU markers in Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler, and More Merry Messages (sentiment - new!) inked up with Cherry Cobbler. 

MOJO250

Hello friends!  Do not adjust your monitor... there really is that much blue on this card - LOL! If you read down below you'll see why I chose to use blue. 

I LOVED the sketch this week from MOJO Monday 250 with all its wonderful layered elements and just had to use it for this card.  I did take a couple small liberties with the sketch by adding a couple extra elements - top flower and extra flower on side to help balance out the blues used and bring in the border a bit.  I used the Bitty Banners Framelits to make two banners and then snipped them in half for my four flags at the bottom.  Those little flags at the bottom were not easy to line up - I got that last one a bit off (in fact as I look at this everything is a bit too far to the right -  so just don't look too hard and you won't notice - wink,wink).

There is a newer challenge called Addicted to Stamps (the name alone made me want to check it out :o) ). I participated in their very first challenge and the challenge this week Addicted to Stamps {BLUE} Challenge #1 is to make a creation using BLUE - so I complied and used LOTS of different blues :o) - I used pacific point, midnight muse, not quite navy, night of navy and island indigo.  However, I missed the deadline for this challenge due to an incorrect time zone conversion on my part.  It said by Tuesday 11:59pm so I thought I was ahead of the deadline.  I missed the part about AEST for the time zone.  Have to be more careful next time.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit - I'm sure glad that you did! Hope you saw something that inspired you today! Hugs! 

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - Pacific Point, Whisper White, and Midnight Muse.  DSP - International Bazaar (new) and Patterns Designers Series Paper Stack (striped navy, regals collection). Sentiment stamp is from Pursuit of Happiness.  Punches used - Boho Blossom (bright blue flowers), scallop circle punch (dark blue) and 2 1/2" circle punch (sentiment).  Sizzix Framelits - Bitty Banners (small flags at the bottom).   I layered a paper daisy on top of the scallop circle punch and added a designer printed brad (island indigo) to the middle.

Create 4 Fun Color Challenge 58 (CR84FN58)

Hello friends - happy Tuesday!  I am participating for the first time in the CR84FN Color Challenge which calls for Yellow, Red and a Neutral.  My yellows are So Safron (card base) and Daffodil Delight (sunflower) and my Red is Cherry Cobbler.  My neutral is Early Espresso.  Here is the inspiration photo from CR84FN 58:

I took inspiration from the big flowers in the photos to make my card.  I wanted to try a distressed look for a friend who loves that style, so I roughed up the edges and curled a few corners with my paper piercer.  I also added some ink on top of the embossing and a little around the main image as well as some "splots" of color (maybe a bit too many??) using my color spritzer tool and an Early Espresso marker.   This is not my usual style but it was fun to make.  My husband came up to my craft room as I was roughing up the edges and said "you look like you're having fun." (I really did Create 4 Fun!).  I think my friend will like it. Hope you do too!  Thanks for stopping in to visit me today - I'm sure glad that you did! Hugs!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!): Cardstock - So Safron, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso.  Stamp - Sunflower and Petite Pairs (sentiment).  Ink colors - Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso.  Circle punches - 1" and 1 1/4".  Textured Embossing Folder - Argyle (new).  Buttons - Naturals designer buttons (new).

City Crafter Challenge Blog Week 117 {Recipe Card}

Hello again friends - a second card to share with you today.  This is kind of a special one though because it is a recipe card.  The challenge at City Crafter Challenge Blog, Week 117 is to make a recipe card and I was all over that!  I had someone ask me for this recipe a couple of weeks ago and I told her I would write it down and send it to her.  Won't she be surprised to get this in the mail instead? 

This is a family recipe from my Mother-in-law, Dorothy, that has become an absolute favorite around my household.  It is the most requested birthday cake and my husband loves to make it.  Unfortunately my kids never knew Grandma Dorothy as she passed away when my son was only 3 months old - but every time we make it we talk about how fun and wonderful Grandma Dorothy was.  I'm so happy to share this recipe with you as well!  This makes a sheet cake - not a layer cake, and it is a dense and moist cake that is to die for!!   Before I get to the details I'd like to share some more views of this card. 

The recipe continues on the inside with the frosting recipe for the cake:

And here's a look at the side - you might be able to see how the bottom layer (or inside) of the recipe card shows a bit more:

And finally... here is what the card looks like as you are holding it (or looking at it when it is laying on the counter (not the best picture - sorry):

Thank  you ladies at City Crafters for giving me the fun opportunity to put together this card (and to share with others)!  And thank you if you have popped in to see my card - hope that you liked it.  Let me know if you try this recipe :o)  Hugs!

Details - finished size is 4x6.  Aside from the cardstock and embellishments, this card is all digital.  I used some digital images and alphabets that I've had for a long time called in the Kitchen (I think I got most of them for Lettering Delights ages ago).  All my other supplies are retired stash from Stampin Up (except the ribbon - its still current).

A Clean and Simple Card for Color Throwdown #200 (CTD200)

Hello and Happy Monday!  I was delighted when I woke up this morning and didn't have trouble getting out out bed.  I was just sure that after my 2 1/2 hour hike yesterday that my legs weren't going to want to function this morning.  They are a little stiff - but I'm not waddling or complaining - so it's gonna be a great day - LOL! 

I have mentioned that color challenges are actually one of the hardest for me to do - especially when there are more than 3 colors to work with.  I think that there are many of you out there like me too.  But I love to keep challenging myself creatively so I try to find atleast one each week to try.  I've been watching the Color Throwdown Challenges for awhile and decided to try it this time because it's their 200th celebration and the design team cards are just wonderful - I couldn't pass it up.   Here is the inspiration - how fun is this?!?

Because I was already challenging myself in the aspect of incorporating the four fun colors, I decided to go for a clean and simple approach with my card and concentrate on the colors more than the papers or embellishments (oh - have I mentioned that CAS is also a challenge for me?) - and this is what I came up with. 

I really like it and am proud of myself for keeping it CAS! Thanks so much for stopping by to visit today - I'm sure glad that you did!  Hope you saw something that inspired you.  Did I mention that they are giving away blog candy at CTD200?  Check it out and play along if you are so inspired.  Hugs!

Supplies (all from Stampin Up!):  Cardstock - Whisper White and Temptin Turquoise.  Stamp (image and sentiment) -  On the Grow (retired).  Staz On Black ink. Classic inks (colored in with blender pen) - Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery and Basic Grey.  I colored the three little rhinestones with a TT marker.  Sizzix Dies - Labels Collection Framelits.

Freshly Made Sketches #43 {Live in the Sunshine}

Hello friends - Happy "Sun"day!  My card today uses a somewhat unusual perspective of the sunflower stamp.  I got this idea that I wanted it to look like the sunshine just starting to pop up on the horizon  through a field of sunflowers, so I cut the image in about half and then flipped it in this direction.  I like it - hope you do too!  The layout for my card tonight is based on the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #43 (see below). 

I chose these colors based on a very recent ColourQ challenge (#144 - oops I did miss the deadline for that one).  I find color challenges where there are more than 3 colors included to be well... "very challenging" for me.  I somehow seem to think that all the colors need equal space and view on the card and that doesn't work so well usually.  But... I like to try them and push my creativity just a tad outside of my comfort zone.  In this card, the daffodil delight is my focal point (that sun idea I mentioned above) and the other colors just kind of work around it.  Thankfully the FMS43 sketch helped me pull it all together! I actually made two very different cards using this sketch - my other card is very colorful and whimsical (and I flipped the orientation). In fact I had so much fun playing around with this sketch that I almost forgot that there is still a deadline to meet if I want to particpate in this week's challenge :o) so I had to commit to a card to share with all of you and quit playing around.

Gonna run off to my comfy bed here shortly - have had a very busy day.  Started out with a 2 1/2 hour hike up and around a mountain today with my family - it was sooo wonderful and the view was phenomenal! Rewarded my self with a large smoothie when I got home - LOL   Shortly after we got back we had a pretty good sized storm and wicked winds. So I got some laundry going,  played in my craft room for awhile and then cooked lasagna for dinner (Yum)!  All in all a great day - but I am suddenly whooped and my pillow is calling so will sign off for now.  Here is me and my kids at the top of one of the mountains - isn't it lovely (the view that is - not my sweaty self!)?

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit - I'm sure glad that you did.  Hope you enjoyed some sun today.  Hugs!

Supplies (all from Stampin UP): Cardstock - More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizzazz and Whisper White.  Classic Ink - Chocolate Chip and Daffodil Delight (colored the stamp with my SU markers).  DSP - Spice Cake (retired).  Stamps - Sunflower and Pursuit of Happiness (sentiment).  Buttons - naturals wood (new).