Delight in Butterflies Sketch & Color Challenge Card

This card came together fairly quickly once I determined my sketch (from Lauren Meader) and my colors (SCS color challenge: Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, and Basic Black).

I stamped my butterfly from the "Merci" Sale-a-Bration set twice, once on my medallion (created with my Scallop Circle punch) and once on watercolor paper. I used Watercolor Pencils and Purely Pomegranate, blended with my blender pen, to color the butterfly, cut it out, folded the wings back slightly, and popped it up with an SU! dimensional.

RECIPE
Stamps: Merci, Delight in Life
Paper: Soft Sky Prints & cs, Purely Pomegranate cs, Holiday Harmony dp, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, Watercolor Pencils
Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, square punches, paper piercer & mat pack (to space my brads evenly)
Embellishments: Purely Pomegranate satin ribbon, Vintage black brads

Is it Tuesday already??

Gosh, this week is flying by... I've been working on this Super Sketch Sunday card for THREE DAYS in bits and pieces here and there. It's based on Amy Westerman's sketch from her Heartfeltgreetings blog. Not only did she say where ribbon, 3 different kinds of designer paper, and photos were to go, but she also added a little extra requirement: a hanging tag. I think I met all her requirements... it's like Boot Camp for stampers, LOL. I used 3 different patterns from the Ginger Blossom designer paper, plus Cameo Coral and River Rock card stock. My ribbon is Groovy Guava, with hemp twine holding my tag (which is decorated with rub-ons). I used my Corner Rounder to shape up the boys' little head shots. Who knew a wallet pic could turn out this darn cute?! This one's bound for my refrigerator door. :-)

Great Swap Gals challenge with Beate's sketch

Yes, it's another pink & green card but this really *is* for a challenge -- using Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, and So Saffron as a color combination -- over on the Great Swap Gals blog. I used Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge to determine placement of my sections. First I stamped the background randomly with my new Stitched Exotics stitched swirl in all three colors, and I also sponged all three colors on the background of my vertical panel with my little sponge dauber. The rest was lots of layering. Once I embossed my flower using my Class Brass "Priceless" template, I added Regal Rose chalk with my fingers (the free tool that everyone has!) which added a nice detail. The little pearl in the center is from the Pretties Kit. A pretty bow of Regal Rose wide ribbon adds more vertical interest over the paper layers of So Saffron and Certainly Celery Prints designer paper.
Here's the sketch if you want to try it:

Fun With Pink & Green

Just a quick post of a few cards I did recently using up lots of pink and green scraps -- Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Spring Silhouettes designer paper. I sorta got on a roll... The one with the pumpkin was for a challenge to "think outside the box" and use a stamp for something other than it's typical use -- I turned my pumpkin into a Cinderella-type carriage for a bride-to-be, although it also resembles a baby buggy, LOL. :-)

Stamp Sets Used: Wonderful Words, Artfully Asian, Carte Postale, Fall Whimsy, Friendship Blooms, Lots of Thoughts

Fun Embellishments: Boho Flowers Punch, Pearls and Flowers from Pretties Kit, Silver Hodgepodge Hardware

Bloom Together Sketch Challenge Card

This card, based on SCS Sketch Challenge 173, is for a colleague who is engaged -- I liked the idea of two distinct flowers nestled together, one popped up with SU! dimensionals. The stamp is from "Bloomin' Beautiful" in the mini Occasions catalog, and the "together" sentiment is from the "Happy Everything" stamp set.

I remember when I first started stamping, I thought I "had" to just use stamps from the same set when creating a card, but now I absolutely love mixing images from different sets, especially words and phrases, to make a card fit the right occasion. I used the color scheme of So Saffron, Sahara Sand, Pumpkin Pie, and Wild Wasabi based on Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #6 on her blog. I love these earthy colors together.

Simple layout for stack of cards

This is a simple, clean layout that offers hundreds of possibilities. You can easily create a batch of thank you notes, a stack of party invitations, a bunch of Christmas cards. Just change the image, cardstock & designer papers, & ribbon or other embellies to suit your needs.

It's a versatile 4x4" card folded over from the top. I colored my white grosgrain ribbon with my SU! More Mustard marker to match the background mat of my sunflower, and used my blender pen to add mustard to the flower itself. Once again, the center of the flower is glossed with Crystal Effects. Easy, done, boom! Now *you* go make one. Go on, you know you want to!! :-)

Inking up my new stamps with a Sketch Card

The UPS guy delivered a few new stamps to me last night -- I finally gave in to the need to have the "Bloomin' Beautiful" set from the Occasions mini-catalog, and I took advantage of the great Free Wheelin' promotion (going on until April 30th) to pick up the Stitched Exotics bundle which includes the Stitched Exotics stamp set and free It's Beautiful jumbo wheel. So expect to see some more cards with these stamp sets coming up. Remember that the mini catalog is only available through May 31, which will be here before you know it, so if you've been holding back, take another look and let me know if you want to place an order.
My card is based on the Mojo Monday sketch that Julee Tilman does on her Poetic Artistry blog. My circle in the center needed to be larger than her sketch in order to accommodate the flower image, and I made it a square card (4 1/4") to change things up a bit. I used my Sponge Dauber to add Apricot Appeal around the vase, and the flowers were stamped in black Staz On ink onto watercolor paper and colored with my blender pen & Soft Subtles Watercolor Wonder crayons in Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, and Sage Shadow. The circle mat is cut from the DP hostess set of paper, which you can only get when you host a workshop. My sentiment is from the "Much Appreciated" stamp set, punched out with the Designer Label punch and placed behind the new silver Hodgepodge Hardware, also from the Occasions mini-catalog. Some creamy half-pearls from the Pretties Kit set off the grounding strip of retired Wintergreen DP.

Featured Stamper Challenge Card

This week's Featured Stamper on SCS, Silke aka "sparklegirl", has a fabulous gallery from which to CASE (Copy And Share with Everyone). The card I decided to CASE is HERE. The rules are that you have to change at least two things about their card. I created a card with the same layout but changed the stamps, the colors and the brads. My colors -- More Mustard, Always Artichoke, and Sahara Sand -- are from Julie's Color Combination challenge on her blog Paper Pleasing Ideas. The image is from the Carte Postale stamp set, a beautiful woodcut style. I stamped it twice on different scraps of Very Vanilla paper, once in Always Artichoke and once in More Mustard. I cut out the More Mustard flower, added a Vintage Brad and mounted it with an SU! dimensional. The brads are from the Vintage and the Earth Elements sets. I love the clean, contemporary look of the design juxtaposed with the Old World feel of the image. I'll have to try this layout in lots of other combos, it's definitely a keeper. Thanks for the inspiration, Silke and Julie!

A Bali Breeze Mother's Day Card

For my MIL who likes to garden, based on Beate's weekend sketch from last weekend. Still loving the Bali Breeze Designer Paper, it never fails to surprise me in all the different, fun combinations I can come up with. I used my Signo white pen to add dots all over the place -- like especially how it popped the flowers on the green background paper. And the Felt Flowers and Fresh Favorites II Brads go perfectly. It's all about the complimentary colors with Stampin' Up!, isn't it? :-)

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge

I made this fun card based on Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge. I wanted to have something on hand for a co-worker who will soon be leaving her job to *finally* relocate to where her husband already has moved. The color combo of Summer Sun, Pixie Pink & Wild Wasabi just seems so cheerful & summery. The drink stamp and "You Go Girl" are some of those $1 Michael's stamps that I hand colored with markers. I stamped the circle flower image from "Priceless" twice, one in Wild Wasabi on shimmery white paper, the second time I colored the stamp with my Summer Sun marker, stamped it and cut it out to place in the center of the dotted circle. I popped up the center panel with SU! dimensionals. It's hard to see but I Versamarked the swirl from "Priceless" onto the Summer Sun panels. A festive, swirly, party card!!

Here's the sketch for you to try. Let me know if you use it!

Simple Inspiration -- Double Challenge Card

This card, which is for college graduation, was for the Inspiration Challenge on SCS (based on FreeSpirit's material swatch gallery) as well as the Stamp Simply Challenge on Sharon's No Time to Stamp blog (to use black as an accent color). The College's school colors are gold and black and the sunflower is a traditional symbol. I had the kickstand black piece leftover from another workshop, and just added layers of Saffron in cardstock and designer prints. The sunflower center has Crystal Effects to really make it shine, and the little butterfly is popped up on 1/2 of an SU! dimensional.

RECIPE
Stamps: Live Your Dream (Occasions mini catalog), Serene Sunflower (retired)
Ink: Basic Black, So Saffron
Paper: Basic Black, So Saffron (cs & dp), Very Vanilla
Tools: scissors, SU! dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive
Embellishments: Very Vanilla wide grosgrain ribbon, Crystal Effects

Here's the swatch that inspired me:

Limited Supplies Challenge

Here's the LSC challenge for today on Splitcoast Stampers:
● Make a long and/or tall card measuring at least 4x8. This size card will fit in a
standard letter/business size envelope.
● Limit your layers and embellishments
● NO Designer Paper

Well, my brother-in-law has a birthday coming up and I hadn't tried out my "All in the Family" stamp set, so this is what I came up with. Me, my DH, my two boys and our cat Roo, all wishing my BIL a happy birthday. Cute, huh? :-)

RECIPE
Stamps: All in the Family, Sprinkles, So Many Scallops
Paper: Ballet Blue, Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla
Ink: Ballet Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun (candle flames), Watercolor Wonder Crayons (all the family members)
Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie ribbon, Vintage brads
Tools: blender pens, paper distresser, mat pack & paper piercer, sponge dauber, tag corner punch, square & circle punches, SU! dimensionals, glue dots, SNAIL adhesive

Triple Challenge Card

Heading into a busy weekend and wanted to get these challenges under my belt. I used an SCS sketch (#172) with the color combination for the week -- Groovy Guava, Blush Blossom, and Basic Grey. I snuck in a clear acrylic button in the center of my flower to meet the Ways To Use It Challenge, which was to use something -- anything -- acrylic. The Love & Happiness rub-ons are on my Groovy Guava ribbon.

RECIPE
Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Paisley (big)
Paper: Groovy Guava, Blush Blossom, Basic Grey, Ginger Blossom DP
Ink: Groovy Guava, Basic Grey, White Signo pen for faux stitching
Embellishments: Groovy Guava ribbon, clear acrylic button
Tools: Boho Blossoms punch, photo corner punch, horizontal slot punch, glue dots, SU! dimensionals

Here's the sketch if you want to try your hand at it:

Wasabi Family Album

Don't miss SU!s special offer of pre-cut Wasabi textured paper. It's pre-scored and perfectly proportioned to make a mini photo album like this one. I thought the peas in a pod image from the Event Full hostess set worked perfectly for our family of four, and the swirls on the Spring Silhouettes designer paper reminded me of pea tendrils. One word of caution -- that Fine Cosmo Glitter can get everywhere if you're not careful! I colored my twill tape with my Certainly Celery marker, stacked on Soft Sky double-stitched ribbon and a tiny thin white satin ribbon from my stash (I think it's leftover from my wedding). After I used my 2-Way Glue Stick to adhere the glitter (in Celery), I sealed it with a spritz of clear acrylic sealer. The sentiment is a rub on, wrapped in a Silver Hodgepodge Hardware oval. Thanks for looking!

Double Challenge Card

This pretty card is based on a sketch inspired by Maria Bell on her StampinInspirations blog to fit the Limited Supplies challenge on SCS, which was to use only one color plus white. I colored my white flowers from the Pretties Kit and my white 1/4" grosgrain ribbon with my Orchid Opulence marker. The flower was stamped in Versamark and cut out. A flurry of Versamark flowers form the background. I added more dimension by using my Color Spritzer to sprinkle color on the butterfly panel before stamping my butterfly image from the "Merci" Sale-a-Bration stamp set . Faux stitching and dots along various edges further highlight the color.

Here's the sketch if you want to give it a try. :-)

Circus Birthday Card

This is a triple challenge card. My time for stamping seems to be so limited these days I save all sorts of challenges for the weekends and then work like a mad woman to combine them, LOL. It's supposed to mean less work but I feel like it really makes my brain work harder. Guess that's good in my old age, eh? Anyhoo, for this card I used Beate's weekend sketch challenge, Sharon's Stamp Simply Challenge to use color blocking, and the SCS Inspiration Challenge based on Boodalee Bedding.

The elephant is from "Year After Year" (such a flexible stamp set), the paper is a combination of Cerise DP and Bashful Blue DP (in the hostess DP set, Level 1). I used my 1/4" square punch to punch out "happy" from the "Birthday Whimsy" stamp set. The ribbon is SU!s Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon. The card for one of my son's little buddies who will be celebrating his 4th birthday next weekend at Romp 'n Roll. Talk about a 3-ring circus -- a roomful of 4 year olds dashing about, jacked up on cake and ice cream. Woohoo!!!

Here's the sketch and the sheet closeup so you can see where I went with it:

Welcome Baby Addison!

Based on Kristina's Color Inspiration #3 (Orchid Opulence, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White) at kwernerdesign blog and Julee's Mojo Monday sketch, with rub-ons to meet the "Ways to Use It" challenge on Splitcoast Stampers, this card is for a friend & fellow stamper who just had a little baby girl on Sunday. The colors came from this Pier 1 picture -- very sumptuous.





RECIPE
Stamps: So Many Scallops
Paper: Bali Breeze DP, Rose Red, Orchid Opulence, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red, Basic Black, White signo pen
Embellishments: Love & Happiness rub-ons
Tools: Scallop punch, scissors

Sketch Cards for Friends

Phew, busy busy week at work but managed to get some challenges under my belt. These cards are for various sketch challenges (SCS 169 and SCS170) and color challenges (CS160 -- creamy caramel, cameo coral, apricot appeal, mellow moss as well as JCC08 -- apricot appeal, old olive, and not quite navy).

Now I can head into the weekend knowing I've been a productive stamping gal this week. :-)