BEATE'S CHALLENGE TAKE TWO

Okay, so by now you know I was not thrilled with the way my purple card for Beate's challenge came out - so I decided to do another one using a Halloween theme! I chose a square card this time because it is my favorite to work with and I don't much like the longs ones.....I am not sure why, I just don't. So, here is my pumpkin card! I stamped the pumpkin, then stamped it again and popped it up on dimensionals. I used some of that wonderful new Halloween paper from SU! and I layered this card quite a bit! The ribbon is from my stash so I am not sure where I got it (sorry!). I used my small scallop circle punch and punched holes all around it to give it some texture. I am much happier with this card than the first one - I hope you all enjoy it too! Can you believe Halloween is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER - SHEESH!! That means Christmas is not too far behind - where does the time go??!!

Card Recipe:

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Creepy Crawly Designer Series

Stamp Sets: Year after Year, Batty for You, Party Punch Hostess Set

Accessories: Black Brads, Ribbon, Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch,

1/16th punch, Dimensionals, Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink, Black Stazon,

Pumpkin Pie and Apricot Appeal Stampin Write Markers

BEATE'S WEEKEND CHALLENGE

Okay, I am still on my challenge streak so I decided that I would try Beate's challenge this morning. I had a hard time with this one because I could not figure out what I wanted to do. I love the sketch but the mojo was just not there. I knew I wanted to use some purples (I don't know why, I just did!) and went from there. Maybe it was because the card was a long card and I don't do many of these at all. I may have to try this challenge with a square card and see if I have an easier time of it! Anyway, here is the card so let me know what you guys think. I hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

Card Recipe: (all products SU! unless specifically noted otherwise)

Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Orchid Opulance, Pale Plum

Stamp Set: Baroque Motifs

Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Diamond Brads, Rhinestone Brads, Marvy Large Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Clear Frost Stickles, Dotted Ribbon(not sure where from, sorry!)

LIMITED SUPPLY CHALLENGE WAS A CHALLENGE!

I have decided that I need to step out of my comfort zone a little bit and do some of the challenges. So, today I sat down and did the limited supply challenge 130 which was a little different since you had to use an old color challenge and an old sketch challenge. You also had to use a stamp set that has not been used in a while. Seeing as I have never done any of the sketches, (well, okay one) they were all new for me but I picked SC97 for my layout because I like the layered look it has. Since I knew I wanted to do a fall card using a retired set from years ago that I borrowed from a friend (thanks Vicki!) CC29 was the color combo I used. It calls for Pumpkin Pie, Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, and any neutral (I picked whisper white). You were only allowed to use one or two embellishments so I used brads and ribbon as mine. I love this little scarecrow because I knew he would be fun to color and he was. I used my stampin write markers and used all the colors of the color combo and some complementary ones as well. There are four stamps in this set and I used them all on this card - LOL! The pumpkins are stamped on the base, and I used the sentiment as my optional item . And yes, I did use my ticket corner punch again - I adore that punch!! A pretty simple card, but I really like the way it turned out. I hope you enjoy it!

ALTERED FRAME FOR MY SCRAPROOM

Hi everyone! I decided to make another altered frame (got them on clearance at Target!) because I want one for my scrap/stamp room in California. I am going to have a 24x16 room all to myself to teach classes, play around in, and just have fun!! I can't wait!!! So, here it is! I had so much fun making this because I used one of my favorite stamp sets, Dare to be Fabulous - that is going to be my new mantra!
I did use mostly SU! products but the paper is not, it came out of a pack of K and Company papers because it matches my room theme. I papered the whole frame front, back and sides, which I have decided I really really like. I used mellow moss and rose red cardstock for everything that I punched out. The chipboard is covered with mellow moss ink and then stamped with the paisley from the Wanted Set. I cut out the big flower in my Fabulous set and used dazzling diamonds. I also used clear frost stickles on my chipboard, my five petal flowers, and my scallop, all punched using SU! products - love those punches! I added some buttons, then took white gg ribbon and covered it in real red ink since I did not have that color (how did THAT happen??!!!) so I improvised! You may not be able to see it, but I used the swirl from the Bronc Buster set in Mellow Moss in the background of the main image - it looks pretty IRL!! Anyway, here it is and I can't wait to put it in my scrap room to show it off! Have a beautiful weekend - happy stampin!

WOW! TWO POSTS IN ONE DAY - I AM ON A ROLL!

I decided I wanted to try my hand at another challenge card and I noticed a lot of people do the Splitcoast challenges so I thought I would give it a whirl! I don't maintain a gallery over there (don't even know how) but I figured enough people visit that site to know what I mean! So, here is challenge sketch 138. I think what made me try this was all the potential for layering which I love to do because I think it makes the card - for me, at least! I have seen some wonderful cards made very simply but mine, not so much - LOL! Anyway, here is the card that I made to go with the sketch - I would love to know what you think! I did make mine square (I really love them!) but everything else I tried to follow. Here is the recipe (all products SU!):



Paper: Blue Bayou, Bordering Blue, Bordering Blue, Wintergreen Specialty paper, Whisper White
Stamp Sets: Naughty or Nice, Season of Joy
Accessories: Corner Ticket Punch, Blue Bayou Ribbon and Stampin Ink, Brocade Blue Brads and Stampin Write Marker, Stampin Dimensionals, Liquid Glue, Dazzling Diamonds

MY LUV

I decided I needed to make a card for my awesome husband Tony. We have been living apart now since December and have only had a few very short visits in between. He moved out to CA to start his new practice and to supervise the building of our new home there while I remained (and still do until the end of Sept) in FL to let the kids finish the school year and to sell our house here. Well, I managed to get the kids taken care of but the house has still not sold. (if you know anyone looking for a house, I have one!!) So, it has been hard, but we have a great marriage (he is sooooo good to me) and I know that this will only make us stronger. I cannot WAIT to get out there and start this new chapter in our lives BUT I must sell the house and pack it up for the move across country before that happens. Anyway, I miss him terribly and so I decided to do a little card therapy (always works for me) and make him a card to let him know how very much I love and miss him! So, here it is! I used Groovy Guava for the base and the new designer paper Wanted - the mossy green is the flip side of the stripes and matches Mellow Moss Ink perfectly so that is what I used! The stamp sets are the Wild West Alphabet and the new Love and Joy out of the holiday mini. I also used my Marvy scalloped heat punch which I popped up on dimensionals, added some river rock ribbon, a matching button, and a copper brad to make it pop. I did paper pierce ( I seem to always do this because I can't sew and I love the effect!) and used the cross stitch on the smaller piece of paper which I outlined in Mellow Moss Marker. I rounded the corners of all the paper to gift it a softer look and I popped the U up on dimensionals after punching it out using my circle punch. Overall a very simple card, but it is supposed to be a card that says very Simply, LUV U! Have a great day everyone and thanks for stopping by to visit!

A THANK YOU FOR A FRIEND

This card I made for a friend who has been wonderful to me over the last few months of big changes in my life - she has kept me sane. She is an awesome person and I am so glad she came into my life. I know she reads my blog faithfully so I will not share her name, but she knows who she is - love ya girl! So, for this card I decided to use my True Friends Stamp Set - appropriate, isn't it?! I also used a few from the Wanted Stamp Set which is fast becoming a favorite! And, some more of the yummy new designer paper Apple Cider from SU! Cardstock is Real Rust and River Rock and the ribbon is chocolate chip. I also stamped the images in this color. Added some brads and done! Here it is - I hope she likes it!

ANOTHER CHALLENGE CARD

I decided that I better get busy on some of these challenge cards since I only have one number for Bingo - LOL! With the kids all gone, it has been nice to have some extra time to stamp so I am taking advantage of it! For this card, I decided to use my new stamp set Bronc Buster - yep, from Stampin Up! They have the greatest new sets in their new catalog - I can't seem to get enough of them! Anyway, I broke out the stamps and decided I wanted to make a square card since I really like the way these look. For the base I am using Groovy Guava from the new in-color paper collection - I love it! It is one of my ultimate favorite colors because I think it is so versatile! I added a piece of the designer paper Apple Cider from the Holiday Mini - simply yummy paper that I need more of! I stamped the images in chocolate chip onto the new in-color paper River Rock (another fave), and then cut three of the stars out, put a copper brad in the middle of each, and popped them up using dimensionals. I kind of off-centered them to make the stars draw out the flowers in the background paper. I added some small buttons to my main image and used the new photo corners punch and added a piece of chocolate chip and real rust paper with some brads. I thought this really added something to the whole card. I put a small dab of rust stickles on the main image star - I couldn't resist! I rounded the corners on all my paper and paper pierced and used faux stitching with the chocolate chip stampin write marker because, well, I love to.....Anyway, I digress.....here is the card, I really hope you enjoy it! I sure had fun making it! CYA tomorrow!

ONE CARD FOR TWO CHALLENGES!

Happy Tuesday! For those of you who know Barb over at Barb's card creations, you know she is hosting a Bingo game. Well, I have thoroughly enjoyed playing and seeing everyone's creations, and decided that I needed to contribute a card as well. BUT, then I cruised on over to Deb's (aka Stampingranny) blog and she is also hosting a challenge - one that requires a gate fold card! So, I decided I would do both in one! I have never made a gate fold card before, but I really do enjoy the look and it is always nice to try something different. Barb required the use of the new in-color paper from SU! so I decided that Blue Bayou would be my choice along with some Wild Wasabi. I also used the new specialty paper wintergreen because I really love the way it matches all the new in-colors so well. I enjoyed making this card and think I would like to make a few more of this style so stay tuned! I did add one element, which is the circle you see on the front - I popped it up on dimensionals so that you can actually close the front of the card. It really was fun to make! So, here it is!

Here is the recipe: (all products SU!)

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Old Olive, Blue Bayou, Wintergreen Specialty Paper

Stamps: True FriendAccessories: Old Olive and Blue Bayou Ink, Five Petal Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, One Inch Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Rhinestone Brads, Paper Piercer and Mat Stack, Liquid Glue, Dazzling Diamonds

TWO POSTS IN ONE DAY - OH MY!

I received my Make a Wish set from Gina and wanted to play with it so I decided to make a birthday card using Beate's weekend sketch challenge (okay, I altered it a bit) for my nephew who recently turned nine. I love this set for two reasons: one, it is pretty darn cute, and two, Gina donates money from each set bought to the Make a Wish Foundation. How awesome is that?! I am very impressed by what she does with her business to help out those who need it. I will always buy her stamps because of this. So, if you have not seen her blog, get over there, check it out, and order one!! (No, she does not know me, I just happen to really believe in what she is doing!) So, here is the card I made with this awesome set! I wish the picture had come out a little better; for some reason, the stickles are making it a little fuzzy so I will have to work on that next time. I don't think the pic does it justice, but I still like it and my nephew loved it - hey, when a nine year old gives you a positive endorsement, you know you must be on to something - LOL! Have a great night !
Recipe: (all products SU! except for the stamp set and the stickles)
Paper - blue bayou, old olive, wintergreen double sided specialty pack
Stamp Set - Make a Wish from Gina K Designs
Ink - Blue Bayou
Accessories - Paper piercer, Mat Stack, Stickles, Ticket Corner Punch, Small and Large Oval Punch, Brads, Stampin Dimensionals

A VARIATION OF BEATE'S SKETCH CHALLENGE

I just love the layout of Beate's weekend sketch challenge this week and have enjoyed playing around with it. This card is close to her challenge with just slight changes that I made. I am hooked on the square cards too - love the way I have more room to play with! I am happy with the way it turned out not only because I played with some of my favorite stamps BUT I got to use the new paper out of the holiday mini which is yummy! I have a feeling I will be using it a lot, especially since it goes so well with my old favorite chocolate chip! That is what I used for the base of this card - in fact, everything I used is Stampin Up! except for the rust stickles that I added to give it some pop! Here is the recipe - hope you all like it!
Recipe:
Paper - Chocolate chip, real rust, Designer double sided paper Apple Cider(holiday mini)
Stamp Set - True Friend(holiday mini)
Accessories -5 Petal Flower Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Real Rust and Chocolate Chip Ink Pads, Fire Circle Rhinestone Brad, Vintage Brads, Stampin Dimensionals, Rust Stickles (non-SU!)