CPS #186 & CTD #112

Hi folks!  Just a quick post tonight to share a card I made using the sketch at Card Positioning Systems and the Color Throwdown challenge colors.

I pulled out Fall Fest by Practicing Creativity to stamp and layer the leaves, then added the sentiment.  The sentiment looks a little fuzzy, but I tend to have that problem with PTI ink sometimes.  I also managed some machine stitching, but I'm still having issues with the tension on my machine.

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (Riding Hood Red), Papertrey Ink (Rustic White)

Patterned paper:  DCWV (Amber Autumn premium stack)

Stamps:  Practicing Creativity (Fall Fest)

Ink:  Papertrey Ink (Dark Chocolate, Chai tea dye), Martha Stewart (Fennel, Pumpkin), Clearsnap (Cranberry)

Tools:  Spellbinders (circle die)

Accessories:  Michaels (pearls), thread 

I hoped to finish a couple more challenges today, but a routine trip to the vet's office this morning turned into a cardiac ultrasound for my pup.  She has a slight heart murmur, but she's doing just fine!

Thanks for stopping in tonight!  I might be back with a card tomorrow if I can find some crafty time, but I will definitely have a post on Saturday that you won't want to miss, as it's the first day of Practicing Creativity sneak peeks!  Hope you'll plan to check it out!  Have a great Friday, friends.

Waltzingmouse sketch #16

Hello friends!  I've been away for a couple of days, working on some projects for the upcoming new release at Practicing Creativity Designs.  Recently, Courtney Baker held a sketch challenge on her blog, and as the lucky winner I get the privilege of being a guest designer for the October release.  I'm so excited to be a part of this, and I hope you'll stop in Friday for the first day of sneak peeks!

On to today's card, which is for the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.  I took the photo at a weird angle, I guess, because the sentiment tag looks crooked, but I assure you it is perfectly straight in person!

The papers are from the Elegant Soiree dsp from Stampin' Up!, and the tag is made with one of the Fancy Tag dies by Spellbinders.  I wanted to do something to make the flower on the blue paper stand out a bit more, so I experimented with my Prismas and OMS to give it some shading.  I can only say that they don't blend as well as on cardstock, but it did add a little depth to the image.

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (Early Espresso, Very Vanilla)

Patterned paper:  Stampin' Up! (Elegant Soiree)

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink (Delightful Dahlia, Boxes, Bags, & Tags)

Ink:  Stampin' Up! (Baja Breeze), Papertrey Ink (Dark Chocolate, Chai Tea Dye)

Tools:  Spellbinders (tag die)

Accessories:  Michaels (pearls), Prismacolor (colored pencils), OMS, thread

The sentiment is from PTI's Delightful Dahlia, and the little flourishes on the tag come from Boxes, Bags & Tags.  Everything got a bit of tea dye ink, too.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Enjoy the rest of your day!

ColourQ 51 & CPS 185

Hi folks!  Lots to say today, so I'll get right to it!  First of all I just had to share that I am having a red letter day so far!  Usually I don't post specifically about when I win a challenge, though I do add a link on my Awards page (just click the tab at the top of this page).  But today I am just thrilled to share two wins that totally took me by surprise.  First, this card was selected as the Card of the Week at 2 Sketches 4 You.  I have been in the Fab 5 there once before, but never taken top honors so it was incredibly exciting to see my card featured.

Next I learned that my lighthouse card had been chosen as On Cue with Color at WPlus9 Design Studio's Color Cue Challenge!  Okay, now I'm ready to pick myself up off of the floor.  LOL!  I feel so incredibly fortunate to not only have wonderful followers, comments, and great friends here in blog land, but to also be featured occasionally on challenge blogs full of amazing inspiration.  I truly enjoy all of the feedback I receive, so thank you so much to all of you who continue to share it with me!

Okay, thanks for letting me say that first!  Now I must get on to the card for today before the challenge link expires!  This one is for ColourQ 51, with some yummy, soft fall-like colors.  I also used the sketch at CPS for last week, though that link is already closed.

This one came together rather quickly and has NO stamping!  (gasp!)  I pulled some perfectly coordinated papers from DCWV's Amber Autumn stack, arranged them in strips, and stitched it all together.  The only snag (literally) was that my sewing machine is on the fritz and desperately needs a tune-up.  The stitching is a bit uneven and the tension has been way off since I started using a heavy duty thread.  I've tried everything I know how to do to fix it, but it has been years since it had a good check-up so the time has definitely come.  I just don't know what I will do without it while it's being serviced!

One note about this paper stack, there are two versions of it and this is the Premium Stack that has glitter and foil accents on some of the papers.  The orange leaves on this card are glittered and the word Fall is foil.  Just thought you might like to know.  *wink*

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (So Saffron), Papertrey Ink (white)

Patterned paper:  DCWV (Amber Autumn Premium Stack)

Tools:  EK Success (corner rounder)

Accessories:  buttons, thread, DMC floss

Time to get this posted so I can link it up!  Thanks so much for letting me go on and on about my fabulous news this morning.  I will have lots more fun stuff coming up at the end of the week (and hopefully before then, too!), so keep checking in.  So glad you stopped by today!

Curtain Call Act 49 & Mojo Monday 157

Happy Sunday, friends!  It's time for another round of the Curtain Call Color Challenge!  This week features lots of neutrals and a pop of bold red.  How wonderful is this combo?  I chose to pair it up with the Mojo Monday sketch.

I decided to go a little bit vintage, though it's not really in my comfort zone.  My first thought for this card was to layer several red flowers from my stash, as I haven't used any of them for a long time.  I stuck a brad through the center, then spritzed the flowers with some Perfect Pearls mixed with water to give the bloom a pretty shimmer.  Once it dried I covered the brad with some ivory pearls.

A strip of Sahara Sand cardstock is stamped with Background Basics:  Text Style from PTI and sponged with tea dye.  Another text stamp from the same set, as well as some flourishes, are stamped on the Very Vanilla background with Antique Linen Distress ink.

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (Real Red, Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla)

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink (Background Basics:  Text Style, Delightful Dahlia), Autumn Leaves (Flourishes v.2)

Ink:  Fiskars (brown), Ranger (Antique Linen Distress ink), Papertrey Ink (Chai Tea Dye)

Tools:  Martha Stewart (border punch, leaf punch)

Accessories:  Michaels (pearls, white flowers), Ranger (Perfect Pearls), assorted red flowers, vintage sheet music, thread

I do think I was a bit too conservative for a truly vintage look, but I like it!

The Curtain Call Crew has samples to show you today, too, so make sure you stop by to see:


Jean Martin at Stampin' Scrapper
Julie Lacey at Stamps & Taxes
Laurel Seabrook at Seabrook Designs
Makiko Jones at MakInk Studio
Monika Davis at M.A.D. Stamper
Piali Biswas at Touch of Creation
Silke Ledlow at My Life
Stacey Schafer at Stacey's Stamping Stage
Teresa Kline at Enjoy the VA Sunshine



and September Guest Designer, Vicki Dutcher at All I Do is Stamp.

...then play along with us and post your Curtain Call Color Challenge creation using Mr. Linky over at Stacey's Stamping Stage.

I look forward to seeing your creations!  Thanks for stopping by today!

Papertrey Ink September Blog Hop

Hi everyone!  So glad you stopped by today!  Today is the monthly blog hop with Papertrey Ink, and here is the challenge according to Nichole:

"One of the most fun things about this hobby is the people you meet, whether in person or online, and the things you learn from them.  Now is your chance to show off any skills you might have learned from a fellow stamper, and perhaps even give them a little shout out to thank them for the inspiration they have provided.  Create a project using one of your favorite learned skills and perhaps after a little blog hopping, we will ALL learn some new tips and tricks and continue to pass on the love of this hobby!"

My inspiration for today's challenge comes from Nichole Heady herself!  When she introduced Peace Be Still, she made a scrapbook page featuring snowflakes that I thought was so beautiful, I just had to try it out when I got my new set.

I started by arranging all of the snowflake images onto my stamp block.  I inked them with Versamark and stamped them all over a piece of white cardstock.  Next I heat embossed the images with clear embossing powder.  Then I sponged blue ink all over the surface of the cardstock, blending it in and uncovering the white snowflakes as I went.  Last I borrowed an idea from Jennifer McGuire, which is to mix Perfect Pearls powder with water and mist it onto the paper for a shimmery, pearlized look.  The sun didn't cooperate this morning to capture that, but it's very pretty in person.

Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink (Pure Poppy, white)

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink (Peace Be Still, Signature Christmas)

Ink:  Versamark, Clearsnap (Black, Seaglass)

Tools:  Spellbinders (Label die)

Accessories:  Papertrey Ink (buttons), DMC floss, thread, Stampendous (embossing powder), Ranger (Perfect Pearls)

I've also seen so many fun window cards all over blog land and wanted to try one.  I used a label die to cut out an opening in the card front, then stamped a snowflake and sentiment through the window onto the inside of the card.  I heat embossed it with clear powder, too.  Finally I just added three Pure Poppy buttons to the inside of the card for a pop of color.

Here's what it looks like on the inside:

We have a fun day out with the kids planned, so I will be hopping late tonight when I get home.  I can't wait to see what everyone creates!  Thanks for stopping by, friends!

2 Sketches 4 You #62

Hi everyone!  Before I share today's card, I just want to say thank you for all of the wonderful comments you've been leaving!  I've been very fortunate to have cards featured at several challenge blogs lately, and it is always a thrill for me.  But even more rewarding is the feedback that I get right here on the blog.  I appreciate the time you take to leave me your thoughts!

Tonight I have a fun card that I made for my brother's birthday.  Like a lot of guys, he's hard to buy a gift for, especially since we only get to see each other a few times a year.  But he does love coffee, especially at a particular well-known chain, so every year I send him a gift card to treat himself to lots of coffee runs!  It was only natural to make a card that reflects what (he already knows) is inside!

I used Laura's sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You for this one.  I love the criss-crossed element on one side.

This card was fairly simple to put together.  I stamped the coffee cup repeatedly onto kraft cardstock to make a patterned background.  I stamped the same image onto Dark Chocolate Bitty Dot Basics, a scrap piece of kraft, white, and New Leaf, then pieced the image together and popped it up on foam dots.  The steam curls are a separate stamp that I cut out and adhered above the cup.

For the sentiment, I used letter stamps by Martha Stewart.  It's a goofy sentiment, but I was thinking of how, for some people, just about anything with sufficient caffeine will do in a pinch, but most of us definitely have our favorites!

Cardstock:  Bazzill (kraft), Papertrey Ink (New Leaf, white)

Patterned paper:  Papertrey Ink (2009 Bitty Dot Basics)

Stamps:  Fiskars (Latte Love), Martha Stewart (Serif Font)

Ink:  Papertrey Ink (Dark Chocolate, Chai Tea Dye)

Tools:  Papertrey Ink (Linen & Canvas impression plate)

Accessories:  Papertrey Ink (jute twine)

Okay, folks, thanks for dropping in tonight.  I hope you have a great end to your week!  We have lots of fun planned for the weekend, so I'd better get some work done before it arrives!

EBTKS #23

Hi there!  I have one more challenge entry to share while my little guy is napping.  Yesterday it was Christmas, and now it's Halloween!  Are we confused yet?!  Anyway, I just got the Tiny Treats:  Halloween set from PTI and just love these little images.  Isn't everything cuter in miniature?  Here's the sketch I used from Everything but the Kitchen Sink:

What's a little hard to see in the picture is that the white cardstock is de-bossed with the Argyle impression plate at the top and bottom, plus two scored lines above and below the images to give them a frame.  It really adds to the design in person!  I punched the outside edge of the card base with a Martha Stewart punch, then added a punched black strip behind it.

Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink (True Black, white)

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink (Tiny Treats:  Halloween)

Ink:  Inkadinkadoo (Black)

Tools:  Martha Stewart (border punch, scoring board), Papertrey Ink (Argyle impression plate)

Coloring medium:  Prismacolor Premier pencils, OMS

No time for chit-chat today!  I have several projects to work on that I will be sharing at the beginning of next month, plus a birthday card to finish for my brother.  Thanks for all your sweet comments, friends!

WMSC #15 & PDCC #47

Hello!  So glad you stopped by tonight!  I have a card to share for two challenges:  the Waltzingmouse Sketch challenge and the Play Date Cafe color challenge.  Here's the inspiration:

As much as I adore that quaint looking summer cottage, I wound up doing a holiday card!  You just never know where the design will take you sometimes.  I saw an opportunity to use up some small scraps of cardstock using the sketch, so I trimmed stripes that were 3/4 in X 2 in.  The red, green, and turquoise pieces were given some texture with PTI impression plates (Argyle, Polka Dot, and Woodgrain), and the black strip was stamped with BB: Tin Types.  Then I stitched them in a row to a white background impressed with the Linen & Canvas plate.

The felt snowflake was cut with one of PTI's new dies and embroidered with white floss.  I stamped a sentiment from Peace, Be Still, added a red button to the snowflake, and adhered it all to the card.  The result is a simple, graphic card that has a lot of interesting texture and a fun, non-traditional holiday color combo.

Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink (Pure Poppy, Hawaiian Shores, New Leaf, True Black, white)

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink (Peace Be Still, Background Basics:  Tin Types)

Ink:  Inkadinkadoo (black), Jo-Ann (white)

Tools:  Papertrey Ink (Linen & Canvas, Polka Dot, Woodgrain, & Argyle impression plates, snowflake die)

Accessories:  Papertrey Ink (felt, button), DMC floss, thread

Thanks again for stopping by!  Have a good one!

Curtain Call Act 48 & TESC 128

Hello!  Welcome to another round of the Curtain Call Color Challenge!  Stacey picked a fun color combo this week that made me think of fall.  What will you create with it?

I used this week's Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge, too.  Here's the inspiration:

I wanted to use Practicing Creativity's Fall Fest stamps again, so I picked three of the images to stamp the main panel with falling leaves. The center orange leaf I stamped again onto Very Vanilla cardstock, cut it out, and attached it with foam adhesive to give it a little dimension.  One of the larger branch images I stamped in Versamark on the Rich Razzleberry background.  The sentiment is also from Fall Fest, but I actually cut apart the words (gasp!) so that I could arrange them horizontally.

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla)

Stamps:  Practicing Creativity (Fall Fest)

Ink:  Clearsnap (Scarlet), Martha Stewart (Butternut Squash), Papertrey Ink (Dark Chocolate), Versamark

Tools:  Fiskars (border punch)

Accessories:  Michaels (ribbon), Papertrey Ink (button), thread, DMC floss

The Curtain Call Crew has samples to show you today, too, so make sure you stop by to see:


Jean Martin at Stampin' Scrapper
Julie Lacey at Stamps & Taxes
Laurel Seabrook at Seabrook Designs
Makiko Jones at MakInk Studio
Monika Davis at M.A.D. Stamper
Piali Biswas at Touch of Creation
Silke Ledlow at My Life
Stacey Schafer at Stacey's Stamping Stage
Teresa Kline at Enjoy the VA Sunshine



and September Guest Designer, Vicki Dutcher at All I Do is Stamp.

...then play along with us and post your Curtain Call Color Challenge creation using Mr. Linky over at Stacey's Stamping Stage.

Thanks for stopping by today!

ColourQ 50 & Mojo Monday 156

Hi there!  I hope you're having a relaxing Saturday.  I'm just popping in while my son is napping, and then we're going to go pick some apples.  What do you have planned?

I didn't want this week's ColourQ challenge to pass me by, so I paired it up with the Mojo Monday sketch to make this fall inspired card.

I couldn't wait to try out my new Fall Fest stamps from Practicing Creativity.  This set has some fabulous, graphic leaf images that are great for focal points or background stamping.  I chose my favorite image for the main panel, and a second image to stamp in white onto the Peach Parfait strip.  The sentiment is also from the Fall Fest set, and it has a fun, quirky font.

The finishing touches include polka dots and woodgrain from PTI impression plates, Versamark stamped polka dots, and stitching (of course!).  I love the end result!

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz), Papertrey Ink (white)

Stamps:  Practicing Creativity (Fall Fest), Papertrey Ink (Polka Dot Basics)

Ink:  Martha Stewart (Butternut Squash), Jo-Ann (white), Versamark, Papertrey Ink (Dark Chocolate)

Tools:  Papertrey Ink (Polka Dot and Woodgrain impression plates), EK Success (border punch)

Accessories:  Michaels (ribbon, pearls), Papertrey Ink (jute twine), thread

Thanks so much for stopping by, friends!  Have a great day!

2S4Y #61, CTD #110, & Moxie Fab Offset Scallops Challenge

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (Basic Gray, Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette), Papertrey Ink (white)

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink (Delightful Dahlia, Boxes, Bags & Tags), Oriental Trading (circle frame)

Ink:  Clearsnap (Antique Pewter)

Tools:  Martha Stewart (open scallop border punch), EK Success (scallop border punch), ProvoCraft (embossing folder)

Accessories:  Michaels (ribbon, pearls), thread

Hello, and happy Friday!  Sorry for the late post, but I waited all day for the rain to stop for better picture taking, but sadly the forecasters were wrong and we never saw the sun today.  I'm also starting to show signs of the same germ that has plagued the rest of my family this week, so I'll try to keep this brief!

Tonight's card is for three challenges:  the Color Throwdown, Kazan's sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You, and the Offset Scallop Gallop challenge at Moxie Fab World.

This was a fun card to put together.  I used a gorgeous brocade embossing folder by ProvoCraft on the card base.  The open scallops were made with a Martha Stewart punch.  The sentiment is from PTI's Delightful Dahlia, the flourishes are from Boxes, Bags, & Tags, and the circle frame is from Oriental Trading.  The ribbon is from Michaels, but let's just pretend it's Rich Razzleberry, okay?  *grin*

That's all I can handle for tonight.  I hope you have a great weekend!  Thanks for stopping by!

CardPatterns #81

Hi friends!  Just popping in with a card for the CardPatterns sketch.  I took the liberty of making the center circle into a library card instead, but I think you can still see the sketch in there!  *wink*

I started with an Aqua Mist card base, stamped in Vintage Cream with lines from Library Ledger.  I stamped the library card with aqua ink and the sentiment in Dark Chocolate, then layered it on some Library Ledger patterned paper stitched to a layer of Ripe Avocado cardstock.  The die cut flowers have been on my desk forever, and they seemed like a perfect fit for this card.  I added the buttons in the corners at the last second, and I'm still not sure if I like the card better with or without them.  Hmm.  Sometimes I don't like too much symmetry!

All supplies from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise specified

Cardstock:  Aqua Mist, Ripe Avocado, Vintage Cream

Patterned paper:  Library Ledger, Dotty Biscotti

Stamps:  Mini Scrapbook Series:  Library Ledger, Library Card

Ink:  Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream, Clearsnap (Seaglass)

Tools:  Beautiful Blooms dies, EK Success (border punch)

Accessories:  ribbon, buttons, jute twine, thread

I like the way the inside turned out, with lines stamped onto Vintage Cream, more LL patterned paper, and a mat of Ripe Avocado.  I think this will be a fun card to give to my daughter's teacher.

That's all for now!  I have a number of projects to catch up on today after nursing my sick little boy yesterday.  But he seems to be all better now!  Thanks for stopping by!

Papertrey Posse Parade of Blogs & SSSC 85

Good morning!  I hope those of you who stayed up late for the PTI release last night have recovered!  Today is the big Parade of Blogs over at Papertrey Posse, and the challenge this month was to use a new or long neglected PTI stamp set.  I was finally able to ink up Just the Ticket for this card.  I was waiting for the Ticket Border Die to be restocked, and now that I have it in hand I am just thrilled with how clever it is!  I can't wait to use it for journaling on scrapbook pages, too.

I decided to use Karen's sketch for the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, although it is a bit of a loose interpretation!  The bonus challenge for this week is to make a birthday card to send to Operation Write Home, an organization that ships cards to our heroes overseas to mail home to their loved ones.  You can get all of the guidelines on their website, and be sure to check out the cute video explaining the basics.  I'm so glad to have found out about this organization, because the stack of cards in my craft room just keeps growing, and I need to find homes for them!

I wanted to use up some more paper from my stash, so I picked this fun striped dp from October Afternoon and matched it up with New Leaf, Harvest Gold, and Hawaiian Shores.  The HG got a pass through my Big Shot with the Polka Dot Basics impression plate.  Bright and cheery, don't you think?  It would be perfect for a soldier to send home to his little girl!

Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink (New Leaf, Harvest Gold, Hawaiian Shores, white)

Patterned paper:  October Afternoon (Ducks in a Row)

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink (Just the Ticket)

Ink:  Inkadinkadoo (black)

Tools:  Papertrey Ink (Ticket border die, Polka dot impression plate), EK Success (border punch)

Accessories:  Papertrey Ink (ribbon), button, thread, DMC floss

And I couldn't forget the inside!  One more ticket with a different sentiment and lots of room for a handwritten message.

I hope you'll check out Operation Write Home!  Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the Papertrey Posse Parade!