Splitcoast Challenge Today!

I'm home from Cabo with a nice golden tan, and starting to get back into the swing of things. In fact, I'm hostessing today's challenge for the Holiday Extravaganza 2008 at Splitcoast Stampers. You can see it here. Everyone's welcome to play along, so I'd love to see you stop in. This is the card I made for mysample.

The challenge is altered embellishments, so I stamped on my brad with noir Palette ink. Heat set. And colored with Copic markers. I used a dabbing motion since it was such a small area and I was worried about smearing. I also painted my primas with Shimmerz.

This totally lovable stamp is from the Pat the Dog set by Our Craft Lounge. I just love their darling artwork (Have you SEEN the latest release!?!) and that they offer clear AND unmounted rubber options. This was so fun to color. And easy too since the stamps come on a full color sample storage (cheat) sheet.

What's In It?
Stamps- Pat the Dog (Our Craft Lounge)
Paper- white, close to cocoa, cutie pie (SU!); water color (Strathmore cold press)
Ink- blacks (Palette and Versafine)
Markers- bashful blue, celery, olive, close to cocoa, chocolate, caramel, pretty in pink, pixie pink, pink passion (SU!); R43, YG63 (Copic); black liner (Zig Millennium)
Accessories- water brush, nesties, circle punch, primas, Shimmerz, Lasting Impressions brads, making memories jumbo brad, white opal Liquid Pearls

Free Stamping Time!

I'm leaving in a few days for my Cabo mini vacation. You know what that means, don't you? Yep, I'm sick! Icky sore throat, cough, blechk! I'm so hoping this is gone before I have to get on the plane Sunday morning.

Enough complaining. On to the card. This uses the MFT Be Calm stamp and today's sketch challenge from Splitcoast. I feel so decadent. Stamping just for the fun of it. Not a design assignment. I'm a pretty slow stamper, so I don't do much beyond my assignments. So I was really tickled to find time and inspiration for this adorable stamp I bought when it first came out a while ago. I love my design teams, but today I got to feel like a kid playing hooky from school. *giggle*Stamps- Be Calm (MFT Presents Annie LaPoint)

Paper- white (PTI); pumpkin pie, chocolate chip, creamy caramel, Haiku DSP (SU!)
Ink- noir (Palette)
Accessories- copics, primas, buttons, star dust stickles, nesties, brads (lasting impressions), dimensionals, thread

Just a Note

FYI-

Lizzie Anne Designs has started a new company blog! And there's blog candy. Hurry, drawing takes place Friday. Go HERE!

For the Man Who is Everything

This stamp from the A Man's Sole set covers it all! I also used one of the shoes to create some background paper. The chipboard, I pressed once firmly onto my Sahara Sand pad so that it came away with the texture of the stamp pad. The sketch is by Amy from last Friday. Thanks girl!

What's In It?
Stamps: A Man's Sole (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Paper: sahara sand, chocolate chip, kiwi kiss, close to cocoa, vanilla (SU!)
Ink: sahara sand, chocolate chip (SU!); vintage photo distress (Tim Holtz)
Copics: C1, N3, YG95
Accessories: brads, ticket corner punch (SU!); mesh texture emboss folder (Cuttlebug); corner rounder (EK Success); chipboard

Cowboy Father

I just loved Lauren's sketch from this weekend, so I found time to play with it today. Totally cute, isn't it? And check out how the Distress Inks made the cowboy boot look sort of old and worn. Just a fun detail.

What's In It?
Stamps: A Man's Sole (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Paper: close to cocoa, chocolate chip, bashful blue, pumpkin pie (Stampin' Up!); Cowboy (Crate Paper)
Ink: vintage photo, tea dye distress inks (Tim Holtz)
Accessories: sponge dauber; Basic Grey file set; circle dies (Spellbinders); twine; dimensionals; white gel pen; corner rounder (EK Success); decorative scissors (ProvoCraft)

Following Footsteps

I have another one of those difficult masculine cards for you today. They're so much easier when you've got the right stamps, and this set from Lizzie Anne is just right. It's called A Man's Sole.

I made this earlier in the week for Splitcoast's sketch challenge. The green dotted paper is from Lizzie Anne's Winter Wonderland Pretty Papers pack, the solid green is Core'dinations sponged with some close to cocoa ink to go with that "manly" look. Once again, necessity was the mother of invention. I didn't have any space left for a sentiment, so I thought to use the clear acetate layer right on top of everything. Palette's noir ink worked well with sufficient drying time.

I hope you're enjoying your weekend.

What's In It?
Stamps: A Man's Sole
Paper: Winter Wonderland (Lizzie Anne); close to cocoa, very vanilla (SU!); green (core'dinations)
Ink: noir black (Palette); close to cocoa, chocolate chip (SU!)
Accessories: circle dies (Spellbinders); paper piercer and template (SU!); acetate; licorice brads (Lasting Impressions)

Notes on the Go

I see that I never shared this little notebook project here on my blog. It's from November's Verve project parade, which was to create anything but a card. This is a little pocket (or purse) sized notebook.

I started by removing the wire from a 3 by 5 inch notebook.

Cut a piece of chocolate chip card stock to the exact size of the cover. Layer your card stock on the cover to punch the 1/8" holes in the card stock.

Glue the card stock on top of the notebook cover.

Decorate to your liking, and re-insert the wire coils.

What's In It?
Stamps: Snow Wonderful (Verve)
Paper: chocolate chip, certainly celery (Stampin' Up!); white (Papertrey Ink); Basic Grey
Ink: noir black (Palette)Accessories: snowflake punch (Martha Stewart); brad (K & Company); scallop scissors (Fiskars); copic markers; glitter (Stickles); white Liquid Applique; Xyron adhesive; 1/8" hole punch; 3" x 5" notebook

Your Shoes

Sorry for the sporadic posting lately. Are the rest of you as busy as I feel? But I do have this fun card for you today. I used Jen's Sketch for you to try along with this great Lizzie Anne set, A Man's Sole.

I love how that little doodad made such a cool border! I also clear embossed the shoes over Jumbo Java VersaMagic ink. And if you've never tried the sponge daubers, they are definitely worth a trial run. It's so much easier just sticking one of those suckers on your finger rather that fighting with a real sponge.

By the way, the Winter Wonderland paper pack is the product of the week this week. So you can get it for 20% off to finish up your winter cards AND still use lots of the styles for great year-round projects like this.

What's In It:
Stamps: A Man's Sole (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Paper: Winter Wonderland (Lizzie Anne Designs); ruby red, creamy caramel, chocolate chip, very vanilla (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: chocolate chip, close to cocoa, ruby red (SU!); jumbo java (VersaMagic)
Accessories: labels 1 die (Spellbinders); pewter hodgepodge hardware, sponge dauber, clear embossing powder (SU); twine, dimensionals

Talk to ya soon.

Lookie What I Got!

Can you believe TWO people thought to share this Kreativ Blogger Award with me?!? I was so tickled. It's been an embarassingly long time since they mentioned it, but I'm teribble with picking someone to pass it on to. So, rather than procrastinate any longer, I'm at least going to acknowledge this now. Jimmi and Angel, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! You're both the sweetest. You almost made me cry Jimmi, such sweet things you had to say.

Seven Swans a Swimming...

What!?! I don't see any swans. No, but that's the challenge at Paper Craft Planet today. Create an elegant black and white card (with a splash of color if you'd like), and you could be the random winner of THREE new Verve stamp sets.

What's In It?
Stamps: Snowflake Splendor (Verve)
Paper: pearlized white (Paper Accents); metallic silver, basic black (Stampin' Up!); aqua mist (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: onyx black (Versafine); aquatic splash (VersaMagic)
Accessories: circle dies (Spellbinders); aqua mist satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink); snow dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); snowflake punch (Martha Stewart); glitter (Stickles)

For The Boys

For today's card, I was trying to keep it simple for the boys. So I went with some nice "manly" (or boyish) red, blue, yellow and brown. The accessories are at a minimum, with just some star shaped eyelets. I also punched some extra holes for added fun with my anywhere hole punch. The image, Super Hero by Lizzie Anne Designs, is stamped with black Versafine ink on water color paper. I used my Stampin' Up! markers and a water brush to color. This stamp is really fun, because it comes right with the sentiment included. You can also buy it as part of the Little People stamp set.

kraft, ballet blue, real red, chocolate chip, close to cocoa (Pretty in pink and blush blossom for the skin tones)

Spring Fairy

For those of you not ready to welcome the Snow Fairy yet, here's a cheerful, happy spring fairy. LOL.

I colored with SU! markers on water color paper. Layered on some of Basic Grey's Romani line. Added a few swirls from my Hello Kitty Sizzix die. Fairy and sentiment by Lizzie Anne available here.

Hero Arts rhinestones
circle nestabilities dies
onyx black Versafine ink
Gold atyou Spica pen
star dust Stickles

Today's a quickie post. I'm actually writing this up the night before so I can head off early to spend the day with my mom. Happy stamping all!

Looking for a Stamp Set

Does anyone have the old Stampin' Up! set Swell News that you'd be willing to sell for about $15 plus shipping? My friend wants me to use it for another friend's baby shower invites. Thanks so much!

Snow Fairy

Today's card uses the Lizzie Anne Designs fairy paired with the Snow Flurry single to make a snow fairy. Perfect for the season!

The snowflakes are done with white embossing powder. There's a little star dust Stickles on the fairy. And I sponged pretty much all the edges with either ballet blue, bashful blue, or white ink.

Rhinestones: hero arts
snowflake: Me and My Big Ideas
ribbon: Michael's
atyou Spica gold pen for crown and wand

Finally Finished the Baby Gift

I actually did find time to make another set of four baby thank yous to include with these. I pulled out some stamped images from my stash. I can't remember if these were from Wish RAK or the Pay It Forward threads from a while back. It's called Party Animals by Penny Black. I colored them with Copic markers. The sentiment is from an old Sale-a-bration set called Lots of Thoughts. I stamped each sentiment on a SU! scallop circle punch and ran a pink Copic marker around the edge for color. Pretty simple and I used up a little of my retired paper too! (marigold morning and an old pink I can't remember the name of)

What's In It?

Stamps: party animals (Penny black); lots of thoughts (Stampin' Up!)

Paper: marigold morning, retired pink (SU!); nana's nursery baby girl (DCWV)

Ink: noir black (Palette)

Accessories: Copic markers; scallop punch, buttons (SU!); thread, needle, glue dots

I put all eight cards and envelopes in a Papertrey Ink clear card box. Now I got to use up more old supplies. And look how cute they look! The card box is wrapped in some very old SU! pink polka dotted designer paper. The solid "quilted" pink is from a roll of Martha Stewart wrapping paper I bought for $1 probably a year ago.

I also used it to make my "flower" topper. I looped four- one inch pieces. Stack them on top of each other. Top with an American Crafts felt flower and poke a large brad through the whole thing. Voila! A totally cute and original flower topper. Even the ribbon has been sitting around for a year or more. And I tucked the card in the middle so it would mess with the aesthetics.

Baby's First...SNOW

This month's Verve Project Parade is on! Get the details on the challenge, and how you can win $15 in Verve Bucks, here. I'll have my project to share with you next week. Now, back to your regularly scheduled blog post.

We've been getting our fair share of snow over the last couple of days, and more is expected. Fortunately, it hasn't been sticking too much yet. But it has put me in the mood for snowy paper crafting projects. This is a 6X6 scrapbook page titled "Baby's First Snow". The stamp sentiment actually reads "Baby's First Christmas", but just think of all the possibilities if you change out the topic, like this. You could make an entire "Baby's First" Album. How cute!

So, I stamped the snowflake label and Baby's First from Ornamental Christmas in onyx black Versafine on water color paper and cut it out with Nestabilities. I colored it with markers and a water brush. Layered over more nestie die cuts. The scalloped die cut is pink pirouette, sponged with pretty in pink, and dotted with glitter covered Glossy Accents. SNOW is from the Red Tag Sale Cuttlebug alphabet die set, bashful blue sponged with brocade blue.

What's In It?
Stamps: Ornamental Christmas, Snowflake Splendor (Verve)
Paper: pink pirouette, kiwi kiss, bashful blue, white, water color, petals and paisleys (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: black (Versafine); bashful blue, brocade blue, pretty in pink (SU!)
Accessories: photo corner punch, kiwi kiss ribbon, sponge daubers (SU!); black licorice brad (Lasting Impressions); sugarplum snowflakes (Me & My Big Ideas); light blue glitter; Glossy Accents (Ranger); circle dies (Spellbinders); red tag sale alpha dies (Cuttlebug)

Hey Cupcake

Oh my gosh. I am in love with this cupcake. Look at all that icing, and those yummy sprinkles. I'm getting hungry! LOL. I pulled the colors from this designer paper by Making Memories to color my cupcake with Stampin' Up! markers on water color paper.

If you're ever looking for a quick, local water color paper, this one from Michael's art supply aisle is working pretty nicely for me. Now I am definitely not an expert on the matter, but this has a nice thickness and texture (slightly pebbly). Not too much texture that it makes stamping difficult. And I don't like the look of all that "weave" in some papers too. But I just wanted something I didn't have to buy in bulk online. This is Strathmore cold press watercolor 400 series, 140 lb. You get 12 - 9"x 12" pages spiral bound in a top bound notebook style. There were just so many to choose from, I thought this might help somebody.

After coloring my image and adding a few Star Dust Stickles, I cut it out with a Spellbinders die cut and created a larger scalloped mat as well. The flower is: bottom layer...a martha stewart punch. Second layer...same martha stewart punch, but I clipped the petals shorter with a pair of zig zag scissors, sponged on some orange ink, and lightly covered with Stickles. Top layer...a petite prima flower colored with R24 Copic marker and a SU! brad center.

The red scallops were done with my corner rounder. The faux eyelets are made by punching a 1/16" hole, then coloring around it with a white gel pen.

Now if you love Lizzie Anne as much as I do, you'll be thrilled to hear that they're sweetening the deal through the end of November with free shipping on orders over $35 in the U.S. Just use coupon code HSFSNOV08 (that stands for Happy Stamping and Free Shipping in November 2008!) And in case you didn't know, there's also a card contest going on with a BIG PAYOFF!

What's In It?
Stamps: Cupcake (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Paper: barely banana, real red, wild wasabi, only orange (Stampin' Up!); water color (Strathmore); Emery Cheeky Collection (Making Memories)
Ink: onyx black (Versafine); Stampin' Up markers and only orange pad
Accessories: die cuts (Spellbinders); flower punch (martha stewart); corner rounder punch (EK Succes); ribbon (May Arts); petite flower (Prima); white gel pen; star dust stickles; hole punch; dimensionals; brad (SU!); water brush

Simple pleasures and joys

I've been wanting to make a card with this week's sketch challenge since it was posted. I think it's such a cool layout. And I got to use some of my fun new products. Yay.

I stamped three solid poinsettias (Poinsettia Christmas) with white embossing powder on black card stock, and another three outline poinsettias in black embossing powder on white card stock. Those got painted in with the fabulous shimmer and shine of pink and pumpkin (for shading) Shimmerz. I colored all the centers with more bling...a gold Spica pen.

The green swirls with my flowers are part of a Hello Kitty Flower Bouquet Sizzix die that I found at my local JoAnn's. I don't see it online right now. I shaded the edges with old olive ink on a sponge dauber. I also shaded the blush blossom layer with pretty in pink ink, and pierced around the edges. The sentiment is from another Verve set, Floral Whimsy.

What's In It?
Stamps: Poinsettia Christmas, Floral Whimsy (Verve)
Paper: blush blossom, certainly celery, basic black, whisper white (Stampin' Up!); Romani (Basic Grey)
Ink: Versamark; onyx black (versafine)
Accessories: pink and pumpkin Shimmerz; detail white and black embossing powder (Stampin' Up!); gold Spica pen; paper piercer and template (SU!); Hello Kitty Flower Bouquet die (Sizzix); sponge dauber; dimensionals

Sweet Pea Tea, and other baby stuff

One of my good friends is having her second baby soon, so we're throwing just a small baby shower for her. It's immediate family and a few close friends. It's an afternoon tea, but I can't say where just in case she stops by. That's the only part that's still a surprise. Since there weren't going to be too many of us, I volunteered to make some simple party favors. I used some old retired Stampin' Up! designer paper. I can't even find the name on it. I think it was the very first year SU! even made designer paper. Now THAT's going back a while. I thought it was still cute though.
I cut the pieces to 7.5 by 4 inches, scoring at 1.5 and 5. I just used a thin line of mono multi to seal the edges of the "pocket". After folding and glueing, I printed the sentiment from my computer. That way I was sure it wouldn't end up upside down or on the back after the fold/glue process. I cut a scalloped edge with decorative scissors and glued it on. The finished with a little "sweet pea tea" label I created. It's a nestabilities die cut. The pea pod and "sweet pea" sentiment are from Papertrey Ink's Green Thumb. "TEA" I spelled out with their Simple Alphabet. I punched a hole and knotted on a bit of grosgrain ribbon. All in all, I think fifteen of these only took me an hour or so. I used raspberry tea so the packaging would match.
I also started making a few baby thank you cards to include with her gift. She loves handmade cards, but doesn't really find the time any more to make them herself. So I know she'll love having some on hand. Again, I wanted to keep it simple, so I re-used a sketch from Julee. Yep, that's more of my un-named designer paper and a totally cute retired Stampin' Up baby buggy too. It's from the hostess set, Oh My Word. Sentiment from Pocket Silhouettes (SU!). I just added banana eyelets to the wheel centers and a bit of ribbon. I made four of these and hope to find time for another set as well. I can't stand making too many of the same card.

Pink, Green & Blue Wonderland

I've got a couple more cards today made with new Verve sets. This first card uses Snowflake Splendor. I stamped a mixture of images randomly to create the background. I thought the fun colors would work well with some rounded corners and the new Label One die from Spellbinders. After cutting and embossing with the Label One die, I used a sponge dauber to shade the top with some soft sky ink.

What's In It?
Stamps: Snowflake Splendor (Verve)
Paper: white, kiwi kiss, regal rose (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: regal rose, soft sky, kiwi kiss, not quite navy (SU!); onyx black (versafine)
Accessories: sponge dauber; corner rounder; label one die (Spellbinders); ribbon (Michael's); icons and sugarplum snowflakes (Me & My Big Ideas); Scor-Pal; dimensionals; glue dot

And here's a second card using the same colors, but the Snow Wonderful stamp set, which just happens to be my new Verve FAVE! I used the huge awesome snowflake background stamp for the white strip, and shaded the edges blue. The snowman I stamped on sky, pink, green, and orange solid card stocks to piece the colors together. Again, I used two of the Label One dies to create the pink frame. And the button is just from my junk pile.

What's In It?
Stamps: Snow Wonderful, Snowflake Splendor (Verve)
Paper: white, regal rose, pumpkin pie, kiwi kiss, soft sky (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: soft sky, regal rose, kiwi kiss (SU!); black (Versafine)
Accessories: label one and ribbon tag trio dies (Spellbinders); button; thread; ribbon (May Arts); swiss dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); sponge dauber; glue dot; star dust Stickles

Tall Oaks

It's Verve release day today, which means there are six new sets and three Plain Janes now available. Check out all of the new fall and wintry options here. This card uses the new set, Tall Oaks, mixed with some Webster's Pages background paper and American Crafts ribbon. I stamped the acorn in timber brown Staz On, but I suggest you use another permanent brown ink. One, it doesn't stamp well with clear stamps. I actually had to go over it with a marker after I finished water coloring. And, two, I've heard it's not good for your clear stamps either. This uses Julee's Holiday Release Sketch 2 from last week.

What's In It?
Stamps: Tall Oaks (Verve)
Paper: very vanilla, chocolate chip, really rust (Stampin' Up!); Parlor Collection "Wicker" (Webster's Pages)
Ink: choclate chip, creamy caramel (SU!); Timber Brown (StazOn)
Accessories: ribbon (American Crafts); slot punch (SU!); icons rhinestones (Me & My Big Ideas); dimensionals

Finally, a great big thanks to all of you for your very sweet comments and heartfelt concern. You sure know how to make a girl feel loved. I'm feeling all better physically and much improved emotionally, though I know it will take. My mom said she still thinks of her lost little one from a miscarriage she suffered. Again, TRULY, THANKS!

Sad News

I'm just stopping in briefly to let you all know that I lost my pregnancy. I found out a few days ago and have been dealing with the medical side of things. So now I'm recovering and coping. I much appreciate your concern, but hope you understand that I'm not ready to talk about this "publicly" right now. My family and friends here at home are being very helpful and supportive. I hope to be back relatively soon to stamping and sharing with you all.

Sweet Pumpkin!

And no, I don't mean pumpkin pie.

There's always so much fun going on at Verve Stamps as a new release approaches. Julee started a five day Holiday Release Sketch Challenge Blitz on the Verve forum at SplitcoastStampers. You can start with day one, here, then play a little catch up. And, yes, there will be prizes, lots of prizes. Today starts the sneak peeks on the Verve blog, which will continue for a couple more days. Then the release party is Sunday evening, November 9, at 8 pm Eastern time, with the stamps available at about 10 pm.

And now here's a little peek for you of Little Pumpkin. Some Bunny is back! And this time he's my little pumpkin. What a sweetheart he/she is in this cute fall get up. I colored him with Copic markers including some pale gray for his fur, then layered on a scalloped rectangle Nestabilities die cut. Perfect to go along with sketch one of the Holiday Release Sketch Challenge Blitz. I also used some Webster's Pages Coco Collection paper, lush May Arts ribbon, and a Fancy Corners embossing folder from Cuttlebug.

I Almost Forgot

I totally spaced and forgot to mention a couple of awesome opprotunities from Lizzie Anne Designs.

1. ALL Lizzie Anne Halloween stamps are a whopping 40% off TODAY ONLY, while supplies last. You can find them here and here.

2. Both Meredith and Tricia are giving away THREE Spooked sets each on their blogs today! Head on over to enter.

My Fond Farewell

Well, today is officially my last day with the Storage Units, Ink & More design team. I'm sure going to miss working with Denise and such a great team. I'll definately still be following along though, cause those stamps are just too darned cute to walk away from. In fact, tomorrow is another release day, and based on the sneak peaks I've seen, you're not going to want to miss it.

So, here's my fond farewell. This card uses the cornucopia and some other little bits and pieces from the Bountiful Harvest set. I colored everything with Copic markers and even got a chance to use my brand new Labels One dies from Spellbinders.

To pierce the border around the label: Use your piercer and template. Punch one hole centered in the border. Leave your piercer in place in that hole. Now twist your template until the next hole is centered. Pierce and continue all the way around.

What's In It?
Stamps: Bountiful Harvest (SU Ink)
Paper: white (Papertrey Ink); french roast, honey, orange (Core'dinations); Coco Collection (Webster's Pages)
Ink: noir black (Palette)
Copics: C1, W3, E55, E57, E27, Y17, YR31, YR04, YR07, R29, YG03, YG63
Dies: Lables One (Spellbinders)
Ribbon: American Crafts
Other: sewing machine, thread, dimensionals, SU! slot punch, Tim Holtz distresser

The Three Amigos

Except, well, they're not Mexican/Spanish. But three friends just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?

I made some time today to play with yesterday's Splitcoast sketch challenge. Can you believe it's number 200!?! I thought the little squares would work well with this set, Giving Thanks from Storage Units, Ink. They have the cutest stamps, like this little feathered dog. It just makes me smile.

After stamping with Palette's noir black ink, I colored all the images with Copic markers. I ran a dark brown marker around the edges of the squares before layering them on some Core'dinations card stock. The die cut in the corner is from the Cuttlebug Vintage Dies set, with a little close to cocoa ink sponged on top.

What's In It?
Stamps: Giving Thanks (SU Ink)
Paper: white (Papertrey Ink); quicksand, iced cocoa, satin rose (Core'dinations); Wanted (Cosmo Cricket); vanilla (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: noir black (Palette); close to cocoa (SU!)
Accessories: ribbon (American Crafts); pewter hardware (SU!); vintage dies (Cuttlebug); square nestabilities (Spellbinders); dimensionals

And while you're here, I wanted to tell you about a couple of good blog candies I've come across lately. Maybe you have time to check them out. The first is from Michelle with a whole goodie package from her store Paper Addictions. Secondly, you can try for some new product from the Shimmerz blog. I already love the existing product, so I can't wait to see what they have in store next.

Go! Team! Win!

It's another Whatchadoin' Wednesday challenge at Storage Units, Ink, and today's challenge is to use black and orange, but not on a Halloween card. I thought this was going to be quite a challenge, until I remembered that one of our local high school's colors are black and orange. Go Blackhawks! And then the card fell together very quickly, with a little input from my husband. LOL. It is his Alma mater after all. And Jen's Sketch For You to Try from last weekend.

I stamped the football player, cheerleader, and foam finger from First and Goal in noir Palette ink on Papertrey's white card stock, and colored with Copic markers. The orange Core'dinations card stock is embossed with the distressed stripes folder and the BP cut with the Olivia Cuttlebug font. I stamped the "Go! Team! Win!" sentiment on the black background with Cloud white VersaMagic. Tie on some black grosgrain and silver cord, and pop your finger up on dimensionals. And don't forget the star dust Stickles for those pom poms. Every cheerleader needs a little glitz!

I hope you find some time to play along, with or without Storage Units, Ink stamps. Be sure to link your card to the original challenge post. We all want a chance to check it out.

What's In It?

Stamps: First and Goal (SU Ink)

Paper: orange, nightfall (Core'dinations); white (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: cloud white (VersaMagic); noir black (Palette)

Accessories: Copic markers; silver cord, black grosgrain ribbon (Stampin' Up!); Olivia Alphabet dies, distressed stripes embossing folder (Cuttlebug); star dust Stickles; dimensionals

Blushing Love

I made this card last week for the Sketch challenge on Splitcoast, and I'm just now getting around to posting it. And it even uses pink! (a pre-requisite for all of last week's challenges)

I used a couple of scraps of Sultry designer paper by Basic Grey, layered on chocolate chip. The green circle is also from the Sultry line. I stamped the sentiment in pretty in pink, punched it with my one inch circle punch and popped it up on dimensionals. Both the sentiment and the scalloped frame are from Lizzie Anne's new Circle Sentiments set.

The ribbon was just folded like a bow, not knotted, then smooshed inside the Sultry brad. Card base is Blush Blossom.

What's In It?
Stamps: circle sentiments (Lizzie Anne)
Paper: blush blossom, white, chocolate chip (Stampin' Up!); Sultry (Basic Grey)
Ink: chocolate chip, pretty in pink (SU!)
Accessories: Sultry glazed brad (Basic Grey); ribbon (Dashes Dots & Checks); circle nestabilities (Spellbinders); dimensionals

Pretty in Pink and Green

Isn't this such an upbeat little card? I think it's just so happy. And it was another quickie to make. Love that! All of the stamps are from Lizzie Anne's Circle Sentiments.

I cut the scalloped square first with a Nestabilities die, then stamped the flower in celery, pretty in pink and rose red. I just eyeballed it to get a grid pattern. I stamped the "thanks" half circle and cut with another die. The "thank you" circle was punched. The three little flowered circle are die cut as well. I love the flexibility of those nesties, even if it does take a minute longer than a punch. Pretty much everything is popped up on dimensionals. And the ribbon is May Arts.

Shiny Cupcakes...Yum!

I don't think I shared this card here yet. It was for the Verve embossing challenge. I wanted to used some of the great Verve stamps as embossed silhouettes on patterned paper. So I settled on Cupcake Affair in silver embossing. I found it easiest to match up the top and bottoms of the cupcakes by stamping all of bottoms in Versamark, embossing, then repeating with the cupcake tops.The sentiment, on layered Cuttlebug flower dies, is from Thoughtful Florals.


Speaking of Verve, Julee has a GREAT sale going on starting today. Through the end of the month, all stamps are 10% off, and in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Verve is donating 10% of all sales today through October 31 to the Susan G Komen for the Cure foundation. So get something for yourself, and you'll be giving a little while you're at it.

On the topic of giving, Laura Fredrickson sent me this totally adorable card. I just love the soft colors on the bird's belly and those darling felt/brad flowers. Thanks so much for thinking of me Laura!

Gathering Together

Hello Stampers! Life has been wild and crazy busy. My dad is out of town for a week, so Sunday and Monday I went to spend with my mom. Then she stayed with us Monday and Tuesday night. I feel like I'm almost constantly running to some doctor or another. I had my first appointment with my obstetrician. I had been seeing a specialist during the early weeks of my pregnancy. Last weekend, a chunk of one of my teeth cracked off. So I had to get a crown done. And today I got my Invsalign braces. I thought I would be wearing them for a year, so I was very excited today to find out it will only be five months. Woo Hoo! And perhaps best of all, I've gone a whole week now without being queasy!!! Things are looking up!

And, yes, I actually have a card to share with you. I used these two cuties from Storage Units, Ink, not to mention their little squirrel friend. I thought they would look great with these Webster's Pages papers. I stamped the boy and squirrel, then masked them to stamp the little girl. Then colored it all with my Copic markers. Ialso colored the brown and orange primas with my Copics to match.

Thanks for stopping by. Love ya peeps!

What's in it?

Stamps: Bountiful Harvest (SU Ink)

Paper: chocolate mocha (Core'dinations); white (Papertrey Ink); Parlor collection (Webster's Pages)

Ink: noir black (Palette), pumpkin pie (Stampin' Up!)

Accessories: flowers (Prima); ribbon, ticket corner punch (SU!); ribbon tag trio die (Spellbinders); markers (Copic); dimensionals

Forever Plaid

I popped over to Splitcoast and checked out the Ways to Use It challenge yesterday. The challenge was to use plaid. I LOVE plaid, so I found a plaid designer paper (My Mind's Eye's Fresh Linens) in my stash and paired it up with these pretty flowers from LAD's Floral Frenzy.

I mostly did the card layers in slightly darker colors and the flowers in paler shades. The flowers are embossed on solid card stocks using detail white embossing powder. Then I arranged them with a few buttons. The ribbon is American Crafts. The scalloped edge a Martha Stewart Punch. The sentiment punch is Marvy's largest scalloped oval.

Here We Go Steelers!

It's Wednesday, and that means another great Whatchadoin' Wednesday Challenge from Storage Units, Ink. I hope you get to play along with this week's inspiration challenge, with or without SU Ink stamps. Leave a link to your card (in your online gallery or blog) on the SU Ink blog so we can be sure to check it out. Use keyword SUINKWWC10. You'll also see some great ideas from other design team members there too.

I took the layout for my card from the inspiration picture. I used a darker color as the "rug" layer and the patterned half of the "comforter" layer, then a lighter shade for the left side of the "comforter".

Check out my cute little football guy from the First and Goal set. I think the artist might be a Steelers fan...He's wearing Ben's number. LOL. But I really do love how you can color him in to suit any team, from your kid's pee wee football colors to your fave pro club.

What's In It?

Stamps: First and Goal (SU Ink)

Paper: white, black, summer sun, so saffron

Ink: Palette Noir

Accessories: circle, word window, and large oval punch, paper piercer and template (SU!); Copic markers; dimensionals

Reach for the Sky!

This is the last of my quick and easy cards from my one day of stamping last week. Here, I stamped the flower in Elegant Eggplant, then ran over it a bit with a water brush to fill it in (since the ink is water based dye, this is so quick and easy). Then I stamped the swirl as a stem with Old Olive. The entire flower/scalloped layer was a long rectangle nestability die cut, which I trimmed off all but one of the scalloped edges. Layer on pale plum and add a strip of Old Olive.

For the sentiment, I used my stamp-a-ma-jig, and eggplant marker to stamp only the part I wanted. The original sentiment is from In the Treetop and reads, "Trees teach us to stay grounded, but also to never stop reaching for the sky!"

The darling polka dotted paper is from the new Pretty Papers Winter Wonderland pack.

What's In It?
Stamps: Floral Frenzy, In the Treetop (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Paper: white (Papertrey Ink); pale plum, elegant eggplant, old olive (SU!); winter wonderland (Lizzie Anne's Pretty Papers)
Ink: old olive, elegant eggplant (SU!)
Accessories: flower die (Cuttlebug); long scallop rectangle nestabilities die (Spellbinders); circle punch (EK Success); white gel pen; button, thread, water brush, ribbon, o ring

Shimmered Frenzy

Thanks so much to all of you for your well wishes and congratulations! It really means so much to me. I'm happy to say that I started taking my prenatal vitamins at night, rather than in the morning, and I'm feeling much less queasy now.

Here's another one of the cards I whipped up the other day. Again, keepin' it simple with pretty much one color and black and white. I stamped the flowers and swirls (Floral Frenzy by Lizzie Anne) with onyx black Versafine on Papertrey white card stock. The darker pink is pixie pink done with a water brush. The lighter pink is Shimmerz! Have you tried this stuff? This was my first go at it, and it was SO EASY! I just dipped my paint brush into the little jar and started painting. It's really easy to control. And it gave such a gorgeous pearly shimmer!

Since I wanted to show off my shimmer, I just added some ribbon, a sentiment (Sketched Sentiments), and a punched butterfly (covered in star dust Stickles) to this large panel. Card stock is pretty in pink.

hi...

You may have noticed that I haven't been posting too regularly lately. I'm really falling behind on my stamping. But I have news! I'm expecting my very first bundle of joy! Though I wouldn't call it joyful right now. I'm so tired, sick, and haven't an ounce of creativity. I forced a few cards today because I NEED to get some deadlines taken care of before they really sneak up on me.

Now after saying my creativity has all been zapped, I must also say...I love this card! And it took me all of five minutes I think. Stamp the three flowers from Lizzie Anne's Floral Frenzy in Old Olive. Adhere American Crafts paper strip. Tie on ribbon. Adhere chipboard letters (already colored and glittered from Making Memories). Pierce a row of holes on bottom. Add a few dots of Star Dust Stickles to the flowers.

World Card Making Day

It's World Card Making Day, and Lizzie Anne Designs is celebrating in style! The fall releases are all available starting today, including the gorgeous new line of designer papers, called Pretty Papers.

Check out the winter card making workshop for all the seasonal inspiration you're looking for. It includes card ideas and step by step instructions from all of the design team members. AND you get 20% OFF EVERY STAMP / SET used on those cards for today only! So this cute little snowman stamp you see on my winter card...oh yeah! Only $3.99 today!

AND, both Tricia and Meredith are giving away packs of the new Pretty Papers as blog candy today, so be sure to stop by for a visit.

Stamps: Snowmen Line
Paper: Winter Wonderland patterned paper, watercolor paper, white and red cardstock
Ink: Onyx black (versafine); Bordering Blue, Mellow Moss, Old Olive, Ruby Red, More Mustard, Apricot Appeal (SU)
Other: Water brush; chipboard snowflake(Basic Grey); star dust stickles; snow cap acrylic paint (Ranger); paint brush; long scalloped rectangle Nestabilities die, rhinestone, dimensionals

New Baby Sleeve and Insert Card

Lizzie Anne Designs will be releasing their fabulous fall stamp line up on World Card Making Day (this Saturday, October 4), along with a few other surprises. So the sneak peeks have already started! You can see each full stamp set as it is revealed here, including the one I used for this card, Circle Sentiments. I also used some of the fabulous new exclusive Lizzie Anne Pretty Papers. There are TWO gorgeous collections. You're looking at a few of the French Floral collection here. You definately want to check out every gorgeous sheet!

This card is about 3.5 by 6.25. It is made of a kraft "sleeve", sealed at the bottom, and a scallop tabbed insert. It's pretty subtle, but it also says "congratulations" all around the scalloped kraft piece.

Stamps: Circle Sentiments by Lizzie Anne Designs
Paper: kraft, white (SU!); French Floral Pretty Papers (Lizzie Anne)
Ink: creamy caramel, choc chip, pumpkin pie, sage shadow (SU)
Accessories: circle nesties (Spellbinders), decorative pin, dimensionals, button, thread, Michael's ribbon, glue dot