Our Craft Lounge Sneak Peek Blog Hop

Welcome to the first day of sneak peeks for Our Craft Lounge’s release Blog Hop! We’ve got a big hop planned for you on Friday, but for today and tomorrow, OCL designers will be sharing sneak peeks of some of the new sets.

My card features the new Beyond the Universe set. I used this week’s Clean and Simple Stamping sketch, plus an older Colour Q color combo to show it off. The bold color scheme makes for a perfect child’s birthday card.

The rocket is colored with Copic markers and cut out. I added a little sparkle to the flame behind the rocket with a Spica glitter pen. For a fun outer space background--and more sparkle--I embossed a turquoise panel with a dotted pattern, then sprayed it with a little shimmer spritz before using dimensional dots to set the rocket in place. The sentiment is stamped on a strip of yellow patterned paper with red dots. I accented it with a trio of white star brads. The two panels are set off from each other with a strip of red twill. The final touch was covering the rocket’s window with a coating of Glossy Accents. I’ve learned that leaving this to the end lessens my chances of smearing the sticky stuff all over the card . . .

Be sure to stop by the Our Craft Lounge blog for a list of all of the designers participating in today’s sneak peeks. And, don’t forget to leave comments to be entered into a drawing for some fabulous blog candy. Winners will be announced on the OCL blog and Facebook page on Saturday morning.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Beyond the Universe stamp set, X-press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink and Sparkle Shimmer Spritz, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, R27, Y11, Y13, Y15, B23, B24, B26) and Gold Spica pen, October Afternoon Rocket Age designer paper, QuicKutz Polka Dots embossing folder, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots, May Arts red twill, Ranger Glossy Accents

other: Brilliant Blue and Tempting Turquoise cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); star brads (Making Memories)

Color Throwdown 157-Have a Jolly Good Day

This week’s Color Throwdown is brought to us by Barbara. She’s selected Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, Bravo Burgundy, and Kiwi Kiss for this week’s challenge.

Here’s my take on these colors. I combined them with the sketch from this week’s Kraftin’ Kimmie challenge and my current favorite Kraftin' Kimmie Moonlight Whispers image, Elaine. Elaine is colored with Copic markers that somewhat resemble the challenge colors. I used the out of the box technique on the image panel so that the top of Big Ben extends beyond the edge of the panel.

After searching through my patterned papers for ones with the challenge colors, I mixed and matched a few different patterned papers on the cardfront. Each layer is matted on a kraft panel to set the patterns apart a bit. I didn’t have much room left for embellishments, so I added a pair of copper brads and called it a day.

You don't want to miss what the other talented CTD designers have created using these colors. Barbara, Broni, and Tammy are playing along today, as well as special guest Sharon Johnson. And, be sure to link up your project on the CTD blog. Thanks again to the Color Throwdown gals for inviting me to join them this month—I’ve loved playing along with you!

Materials Used:
Moonlight Whispers Elaine stamp set (Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Marina Mist, Kiwi Kiss, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Fly a Kite and Campfire designer papers (October Afternoon); Snow & Cedar designer paper (Poppystamps); circle die (Spellbinders); copper brads (Making Memories)

TCP Tuesday 174-You Put the Song in my Heart

This week’s TCP Tuesday challenge from Susan is to use a stamp with wings. I stretched things just a bit here and went with a die cut bird instead of a stamped one. In my mind it's close enough--wings are wings, right?

The bird is die cut from a piece of chipboard using the bird from CutUps Home Tweet Home die, then covered with super sparkly blue tinsel glitter. This stuff is kind of messy, but really pretty! I wish I had it in another color—I’ll have to keep my eye out for it during the holidays. I used foam tape to set the bird on a panel of cloud patterned paper, then stamped the music notes image from The Tweetest Things set in brown ink underneath it.

The panel is matted with on a kraft piece, then set on a moss green panel. The coordinating sentiment is stamped just underneath the cloud panel. A piece of TCP’s olive seam binding is wrapped around the panel and finished off with a pretty bow. The bottom of the cardfront is covered with a dot embossed blue panel. The embossing mirrors the dot pattern in the clouds, so it ties everything together nicely.

So, sift through your stamp collection and find a thing with wings (and, yes, TCP's penguins count here!) and get to work! Playing along with the challenge enters you into the mix for the weekly Cat Cash prize awarded to one lucky participant who adds their creation to the guestbook on Alma's blog--and gives you the chance to be honored as the next Swanky Stamper. And, Alma will be sharing links to the Cat Pack's creations on her blog all week, so be sure to check in regularly.

Materials Used:
The Tweetest Things stamp set, Home Tweet Home CutUps die, olive seam binding (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); Barely Banana, Cool Caribbean, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Spring Moss cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Lime Twist-Fly a Kite “Genuine” Sky designer paper (My Mind’s Eye); Blue Topaz tinsel glitter (Martha Stewart); Swiss Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug); sewing machine; foam tape

Birthday Banner Tag

This week’s Waltzingmouse Sketch challenge was designed for a tag. This tiny tag based on the sketch includes images from three different Waltzingmouse sets!

I started by stamping images from the Large Doily set in pink and green inks randomly on the cream die cut tag, leaving room at the bottom for the birthday sentiment from the Lil Buddies set. After that, I inked the edges with a little distress ink for a softer, more aged look.

I made the pieces for the little pennant by stamping one of the Gingham & Co. images on notch-ended strips. Each strip is scored at the top and folded over a piece of pink baker's twine--an easy banner in no time at all! I tied the ends of the baker's twine in tiny bows before attaching it to the tag. A piece of pink seam binding left over on my table from another project found its way to the tag to finish it off--and tidy up my desk just a bit all at the same time.

Materials Used:
Large Doily, Lil Buddies, and Gingham & Co. stamp sets (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Kiwi Kiss and Pink Pirouette Classic inks, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger); Tag It #1 die (Papertrey Ink); pink seam binding (Martha Stewart); pink baker's twine (Divine Twine)

Primarily Kraft

This week’s SCS clean and simple challenge was to use primary colors with a kraft cardstock base. Here’s my take—a fun, easy to reproduce, color blocked birthday card.

I used squares of primary colored cardstock to form a background on a kraft card base. Once the squares were in place, I attached a small die cut kraft gift bag to the panels. I made the bag’s handles from some twine and tied a piece of red baker’s twine to the handle for a bit of color, then stuffed some torn tissue paper pieces inside the bag, just like you might see used to wrap a gift. The “for you” sentiment is stamped in red on a notch-edged strip and slipped underneath the edge of the bag. I could see making this design in a variety of colors to match gift wrap or the colors of a party theme--lots of possibilities . . .

Materials Used:
Wonderful Words Additions stamp set, twine (Papertrey Ink); Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Memento Lady Bug ink (Tsukineko); gift bag die (Taylored Expressions); Swiss Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug); baker’s twine (Divine Twine)

It's Clear to See I'm Stuck on You

This week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge was to use stickers on your creation. I have a bunch of unused stickers from the sticker sheets that come with my Echo Park Collection Kits, so I figured this was the perfect time to put one of them to use.

I picked this cute pair of eyeglasses found in the Country Drive Collection Kit. I dressed them by adding a clear crystal to each side of the glasses and paired them with a panel of gingham patterned paper from the kit.

The glasses are set on an aqua circle. I purposely positioned them to leave room to stamp part of the sentiment from Lawn Fawn's Clear to See set on the panel. The rest of the sentiment is stamped on a notch-edged strip that extends out from under the image panel.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Lawn Fawn Clear to See stamp set, Tsukineko Memento London Fog ink, Echo Park Country Drive Collection Kit, Zva Creative clear self-adhesive crystals, Spellbinders circle die, May Arts light blue faux suede ribbon

other: Very Vanilla and Soft Sky cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Hawaiian Shores cardstock (Papertrey Ink)

Me + You + More

With all the time I spent inside this weekend, I had plenty of time to create for the first Market Street Stamps Block Party. I have two fun designs to share using Market Street stamps.

First up is my card for this week's SCS featured stamper challenge. It's based on this eye catching, clean and simple design in Lydia's gallery.

I kept my design clean and simple while adding a few layers to the design. I used the Vintage Music background to create a music patterned rectangle, then cut an open heart out of the lower right corner using a heart shaped die.

I wanted to keep to Lydia's basic design while adding a pop of color. To do that, I cut a black panel just a bit larger than the music panel and placed a scrap of red cardstock in the lower right corner. When I used foam tape to set the music panel in place, it created a vibrant red background for the open space. I used a smaller heart shaped die to cut a smaller heart from the piece I'd cut out earlier and set that small piece in place with more foam tape. The panel was attached to a white card base. The "me + you" sentiment from the Simple Joys set is stamped just beneath the panel in red ink.

Materials Used:
Vintage Music and Simple Joys stamp sets (Market Street Stamps); Memento Lady Bug and Tuxedo Black inks (Tsukineko); Basic Black and Real Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); white cardstock (Xerox); heart dies (Spellbinders); foam tape

And, in honor of yesterday's Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene, I created this tropical feeling card for the Block Party. We were lucky around my neighborhood and made it through the storm with just lots of rain and wind, but no loss of power. There's a lot of debris strewn around my neighborhood, but not much else damage. In fact, Chloe the cutie puppy and I were even able to take a walk in the afternoon sunshine today. She was so happy to find a ton of big sticks to chew on as we walked! We'll have to wait a while to find out how my family's beach house on the Delaware Bay fared, but hopefully it's okay, too.

Here's my simple, festive card using images from my two favorite summertime stamp sets. I used one of the drink images from the Tiki Time set for my focal image. It's colored with Copic markers and drizzled with a little glitter. I cut it out to place it over top of a brightly striped decorative shaped panel. The "chillaxin'" sentiment from the Chillaxin' set is stamped on a notch-edged strip that runs underneath the image. I attached a green button, threaded with aqua baker's twine, to the end of the sentiment panel. A trio of clear crystals at the bottom of the card finished things off with some extra sparkle.

Materials Used:
Tiki Time and Chillaxin' stamp sets (Market Street Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Aqua Mist, Sweet Blush, and Simply Chartreuse cardstock, Spring Moss button (Papertrey Ink); Lime Twist-Life of the Party 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); Labels 4 die (Spellbinders); baker's twine (The Twinery); Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin' Up!); clear crystals (Recollections); foam tape

Words of Wisdom

Here are my cards for the last three Viva la Verve sketches for August. I used Verve's new Words of Wisdom on all of them--I love the sentiments and the fabulous mix of fonts in this set!

Here's week 3's card. I was going for a sort of masculine look, so I kept with a mostly blue color scheme with just a bit of yellow and green as accents.

I used the "go confidently" quote as my focal image, stamping it in a darker blue ink on an aqua panel. It's set off with green and dark blue solid panels and a strip of gold ribbon that adds texture and contrast. The pieces are arranged over a light blue on blue patterned paper circle and an aqua panel that's embossed with a star pattern. I added a small felt star with a blue center as an accent at the bottom of the sentiment panel.

Materials Used:
Words of Wisdom stamp set (Verve Stamps); Aqua Mist and Simply Chartreuse cardstock, Harvest Gold felt, Harvest Gold grosgrain ribbon (Papertrey Ink); Not Quite Navy Classic ink, Not Quite Navy cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Lime Twist-Out of the Blue "Playful" Galaxy designer paper (My Mind's Eye); star die, star impression plate (Taylored Expressions)

This is my card for week 4's sketch. I went for a decidedly more feminine look on this one. This one is also my entry for Verve's August Diva Dare to send some sunshine by creating an uplifting card. I think the sentiment on this one fits the bill perfectly!

I used a patterned paper with a mix of dots, scallops, and stripes to cover most of the aqua card base. The sentiment is stamped in red ink on a light pink panel. I machine stitched across the top of the panel to add interest to the open space, then punched the bottom end with a scallop punch to add detail. There's a dot of Liquid Pearls on each scallop for an elegant touch. After wrapping a piece of pink satin ribbon around the long panel, I attached it to the cardfront.

I used Verve's new From the Heart die to cut some hearts from cream felt and patterned paper (the reverse side of the paper I used on the cardfront) and arranged some of the hearts at the edge of the sentiment strip.

Materials Used:
Words of Wisdom stamp set, From the Heart die (Verve Stamps); Aqua Mist and Sweet Blush cardstock, Sweet Blush satin ribbon, Vintage Cream felt (Papertrey Ink); Crumb Cake cardstock, scallop edge punch (Stampin' Up!); Lime Twist-Life of the Party 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); White Opal Liquid Pearls (Ranger)

And, here's my card for week 5. I had a lot of fun mixing and matching elements as I put this one together!

I used a pair of October Afternoon designer paper scraps to make the panels on the cardfront. Each panel is zig zag stitched to a gray mat--it's been a while since I could get the zig zag stitch on my sewing machine to work evenly, so I was excited to get it to go today. After stitching the panels, I set them on an aqua panel, then wrapped a piece of coordinating green grosgrain ribbon around the piece before attaching it to the card base.

I used Verve's Sweet Scallop Tag die to make the tag for my focal image. The tag is stamped with the grid image from the new Making a Statement set. And, the layered circles with the "dream big" sentiment do a nice job of hiding where I didn't line up the grid too well--LOL! I added a star brad and a button, tied with baker's twine, as accents on the tag before attaching it to the cardfront.

Materials Used:
Words of Wisdom and Making a Statement stamp sets, Sweet Scallop Tag die (Verve Stamps); Hawaiian Shores ink, Hawaiian Shores, Smokey Shadow, and Aqua Mist cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Basic Gray Classic ink, Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (October Afternoon); circle dies (Spellbinders); star brad (Making Memories); green button (Michaels); aqua baker's twine (Timeless Twine); sewing machine

Sunny Days Ahead

At least I hope they are! We're feeling the effects of Hurricane Irene today with lots of rain and wind, so if you don't hear from me again for the next few days, it's because the power has gone out here. Our power company is notoriously unreliable during any kind of inclement weather and has a history of taking days to get things back up and running once they're out, so it's definitely a concern with the possibility of lots of wind and rain. It's been quite a week around here between Tuesday afternoon's earthquake and this weekend's hurricane! I never imagined that I'd experience both of these within one week . . .

With that in mind, the sentiment on this card is most appropriate for today. I made the card for this week's My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge. I used the a la modes I Spy image along with some scraps from a My Mind's Eye paper pad for my card. The girl is colored with Copic markers and her magnifying glass is coated with some Glossy Accents for a glass-like appearance.

After embossing a pale pink panel with a concentric circle pattern, I attached the two patterned paper strips to it, then wrapped a piece of pale pink ribbon around the panel, finishing it off with a little bow. I added the colored image panel, then slipped the small panel with the "I see . . " part of the sentiment under the dotted paper panel. The "sunny days ahead" is stamped just under the image panel to complete the sentiment. With any luck I'll be seeing some of those sunny days soon!

Materials Used:
a la modes I Spy stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Berry Sorbet and Sweet Blush cardstock, Sweet Blush satin ribbon, Sunshine impression plate (Papertrey Ink); Fine and Dandy Tickled Pink 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); Modern Label punch (Stampin' Up!); Glossy Accents (Ranger); Bow Easy

I Chair-ish Our Friendship

Before the end of the month rolls around, I have one last card using House Notes II, this month’s Stamp of the Month from Clear and Simple Stamps. This one features the set’s chair as the focal image of a simple scene.

I built the scene using some patterned paper to act as a wallpaper-like background and some green kraft cardstock as a floor. I cut a piece of paper doily to make an elegant, decorative rug. After stamping the chair on a scrap of kraft cardstock, I cut it out and used foam tape to set it in the scene.

I used another patterned paper, this one with a tiny houndstooth pattern,to cover most of the cardfront. After I set the image panel in place, I added the set’s “I chair-ish our friendship” sentiment on a cardstock strip, partly overlapping the panel. A little bit of white gel pen faux stitching anchors the panel on the cardfront. I like the warm and cozy feel of this one!

Materials Used:
House Notes II stamp set, Dish All the Dirt Brown ink, Kraft Like a Rockstar, Kraft Like a Rockstar Tan and Kraft Like a Rockstar Green cardstock (Clear and Simple Stamps); WonderFALL 6x6 paper collection (Webster’s Pages); Valise 6x6 paper pack (Memory Box); paper doily (Wilton); white gel pen (Ranger); foam tape

Blogger Challenge: Week 218

This week’s blogger challenge is to make a project using a row from the provided tic tac toe board. The three items I chose are from the bottom row--buttons, die cuts/punches, and ribbon/seam binding.


I combined the challenge with this week’s Our Craft Lounge challenge (see all the details here) to make a clean and simple project featuring lots of dots and came up with this pencil holder that’s perfect for a small back to school gift. The project gave me one final opportunity to play along in this week's OCL/May Arts product swap showcase, too.

The base of the pencil holder is simply a strip of red cardstock with rounded corners at the top. I scored the cardstock a few inches from the bottom, folded it up, and secured it with sticky strip to make a pocket. An oval die was used to cut an opening to slide the pencils in to.

To decorate the pencil holder, I stamped the “abc123” sentiment strip from the School Notes set repeatedly in kraft ink on a white panel. After layering it on a kraft panel, I attached it to the front of the pencil holder. A strip of May Arts red dotted ribbon is wrapped around the pencil holder. The ribbon is embellished with a single red button.

Be sure to check out the OCL blog and the May Arts blog for the other designers sharing projects today and don’t forget to leave comments. May Arts sent us extra ribbon to share with you so we’ll have 3 BIG prizes to give away this Friday, August 22nd! You have lots of ways to enter EVERY DAY this week + one BONUS entry! Each day, leave comments…
1. on the OCL Blog,
2. on each designer’s blog (from the list of those playing along that day), and
3. on the OCL Facebook page.

And, if you “LIKE” OCL on Facebook, you’ll get a bonus entry (as long as you tell us you did it). AND… don’t forget to check out the May Arts blog for chances to win some great OCL stamp sets too.

Materials Used:
School Notes stamp set (Our Craft Lounge); Crumb Cake Classic ink, Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); petite oval die (Spellbinders); red dotted grosgrain ribbon, cream burlap string (May Arts); red button (Michaels); sticky strip; corner rounder

For You

For last week’s Waltzingmouse Sketch challenge, I went with a fun, whimsical design (that got me Top Mouse honors!). This week, I switched things up and went for a more grown up, elegant design using the You're Lovely set.

I used the dress form image as my focal image, stamping the outline in black on a scrap of aqua cardstock, then filling in the top with the matching solid image stamped in aqua ink. After cutting the image out, I sprayed it with some shimmer spritz for a subtle sparkle, then set it on a kraft circle using foam tape.

I set the circle on the aqua card base over a piece of aqua and cream houndstooth patterned paper. For some elegant accents, I added a strip of lace trim along the bottom of the printed paper and a pretty cream satin bow at the bottom of the kraft circle. The set’s “for you” sentiment is stamped in black underneath the bow. I attached a pair of aqua buttons next to the kraft circle as accents and for a little more sparkle, glittered up a strip of adhesive along the bottom of the card. It doesn’t show too well in the photo, but it’s super sparkly IRL!

Materials Used:
You're Lovely stamp set (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Aqua Mist ink, Aqua Mist cardstock, Hawaiian Shores buttons, twine (Papertrey Ink); Crumb Cake cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Frost Shimmer Spritz (Tsukineko); Lime Twist-Life of the Party 6x6 paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); circle die (Spellbinders); lace trim (Joann); cream satin ribbon (Target); Bow Easy; foam tape

Circus, Circus Birthday

Here’s another project for this week’s Our Craft Lounge/May Arts product swap. For this card, I used this week’s Mojo Monday sketch along with two OCL sets and two May Arts trims.

The cute lion from Circus, Circus is my focal image. I stamped the image twice so that I could cut out the lion’s head and add it to the image with foam tape for dimension. The mane and tail are textured with a little of OCL’s 24K Gold Sparkly Fluff.

I used a dotted yellow panel underneath the lion. It’s edged with a star patterned paper, dressed up with a scalloped edge, and a coordinating aqua strip, cut with a zig zag edge. The "happy birthday" sentiment from the Tweet Thang set is stamped on the aqua piece in a slightly darker aqua ink.

I stretched some of the pretty May Arts aqua ribbon across the cardfront, adding a button-embellished bow to the end. A length of cream burlap string is wrapped underneath the button and then over the top of the card, making a nice decorative accent. I’ll have to remember to try that again!

Be sure to check out the OCL blog and the May Arts blog for the other designers sharing projects today and don’t forget to leave comments. May Arts sent us extra ribbon to share with you so we’ll have 3 BIG prizes to give away this Friday, August 22nd! You have lots of ways to enter EVERY DAY this week + one BONUS entry! Each day, leave comments…
1. on the OCL Blog,
2. on each designer’s blog (from the list of those playing along that day), and
3. on the OCL Facebook page.

And, if you “LIKE” OCL on Facebook, you’ll get a bonus entry (as long as you tell us you did it). AND… don’t forget to check out the May Arts blog for chances to win some great OCL stamp sets too.

Materials Used:
Circus, Circus and Tweet Thang stamp sets, 24K Gold Sparkly Fluff (Our Craft Lounge); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Aqua Mist cardstock, medium scallop die, Aqua Mist button (Papertrey Ink); Pumpkin Pie and Daffodil Delight cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Seafoam chalk ink (Recollections); Party Animals designer paper (KaiserCraft); circle dies (Spellbinders); CutUps pinking edge die (The Cat’s Pajamas); aqua ribbon, cream burlap string (May Arts); foam tape

Papertrey Ink August Blog Hop-Picnic Inspired

For this month's Papertrey Ink blog hop, I was inspired by the vintage picnic basket in the inspiration photo. I included a few other elements from the photo, including a bunch of flowers and a bit of fabric, in my simple project.

I stamped the woven basket image on kraft cardstock, then used a scrap of pink and cream gingham fabric to add the napkin peeking over the side. Love the texture from the fabric! The flowers inside the basket are colored with Copic markers.

I used the same fabric on the cardfront as I did for the napkin in the basket. A strip of pink grosgrain ribbon runs across the fabric and cardfront. I used some twine to tie a matching pink button on to the end of the ribbon. The "I'm here for you" sentiment from Vintage Picnic Sentiments is stamped underneath the fabric.

Materials Used:
Vintage Picnic and Vintage Picnic Sentiments, Sweet Blush, Kraft, and White cardstock, Sweet Blush grosgrain ribbon, Sweet Blush button, twine (Papertrey Ink); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); circle dies (Spellbinders); pinking shears

Reach for the Sky

***Scroll down to the post below to see my card for this week's Color Throwdown.***

Here's a quick card for today's SCS sketch challenge. I was going for a masculine look with the Up, Up & Away set from Papertrey Ink.

I used blue dot embossed cardstock pieces for the panels on the cardfront to create the look of a sky backdrop. After die cutting a hot air balloon, I stamped the dotted balloon and basket on the piece and used foam tape to attach it to one of the blue panels. A pair of die cut white felt clouds sits on the other blue panel, overlapping a bit onto the panel with the balloon.

I stamped the "reach for the sky" sentiment in brown ink on an olive panel. The panel stretches across the card, with the hot air balloon's basket sitting over it. The pieces are arranged on a patterned paper panel with a distressed look that gives the design a more masculine slant. The entire card took less than 30 minutes from start to finish--just what I needed after a very hectic day at work . . .

Materials Used:
Up, Up & Away and Up, Up & Away Sentiments stamp sets, Up, Up & Away and Cloud 1 & 2 dies (Papertrey Ink); Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); Riding Hood Red Classic ink, So Saffron, Old Olive, and Baja Breeze cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Destinations-Flash Cards designer paper (Simple Stories); Polka Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); white felt; foam tape

Color Throwdown 156-Perk Up

This week’s Color Throwdown colors—So Saffron, Perfect Plum, and Kraft—come to us from our hostess, Laura. Aren’t they pretty together?

I got the new coffee-themed Better with You stamp set from Verve and thought I’d get it inked up with these colors in mind. I am so not a coffee drinker, but for some reason, I’m always drawn to coffee themed stamp sets. Wonder why that is . . . Anyway, I used the large mug for my focal image, coloring it with Copic markers, then carefully cutting it out. It’s set on an oval panel using foam tape. I made sure to add the swirly steam above it, using kraft ink in keeping with the challenge colors.

The rest of the design’s pretty simple. I machine stitched around the edges of a dotted paper panel, then set that on a kraft card base. After adding the matted image panel, I accented it with a plum button and a piece of knotted satin ribbon. I slipped a purple strip, embellished with a trio of copper brads, under the left edge of the patterned paper to bring in just a little more of the plum color while still keeping the layout uncluttered. The set’s “perk up” sentiment is stamped on the patterned paper panel to finish the design.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the talented Color Throwdown crew has created using these colors. Laura, Barbara, Broni, and Tammy are playing along this week. And, be sure to link up your own creation on the CTD blog.

Materials Used:
Better with You stamp set (Verve Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Crumb Cake Classic ink, Crumb Cake and Perfect Plum cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Stella & Rose Hattie “Buddies” Argyle designer paper (My Mind’s Eye); oval dies (Spellbinders); Royal Velvet button, twine (Papertrey Ink); copper brads (Making Memories); purple satin ribbon (?); foam tape; sewing machine

TCPTuesday 173-What a Blast

For this week’s TCP Tuesday challenge, our hostess Tori has asked us to use this pretty color combination—cornflower blue, orange, and chocolate brown. I went with my pinwheel-wielding PJ the Bear image from the What a Blast set for this one.

I colored PJ with Copic markers, omitting the pinwheel part of the image. The pinwheel’s replaced with a 3d one, made with the smaller pinwheel from the CutUps Pinwheel die. I purposely selected very lightweight designer papers for the pinwheel so that I could cut them with the die, glue them together, and make a pretty, two-patterned pinwheel.

I used coordinating designer papers, matted on chocolate brown panels, to cover most of the cardfront, adding a strip of orange grosgrain ribbon to break up the patterns a bit. The image is set at the center of the panels. I added a pair of felt clouds, cut with the CutUps Cloud Border die, for a whimsical touch. The “what a blast” sentiment is stamped in brown ink directly on the gingham patterned paper.

I hope you'll pull your stamps out and give this color combination a go. Playing along with the challenge enters you into the mix for the weekly Cat Cash prize awarded to one lucky participant who adds their creation to the guestbook on Alma's blog--and gives you the chance to be honored as the next Swanky Stamper. And, Alma will be sharing links to the Cat Pack's creations on her blog all week, so be sure to check in regularly for some eye candy and inspiration.

Materials Used:
What a Blast stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Pinwheel and Cloud Border dies (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black and Tangelo inks (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Pumpkin Pie, Marina Mist, and Chocolate Chip cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Flower Shower matstack (DCWV); circle dies (Spellbinders); orange grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); silver brad (Making Memories)

Let Your Hair Down

***Scroll down to this post below for my card for this week's OCL/May Arts Swap Week post--and for info on how to win a great prize!***

Here’s my first Halloween card for the upcoming season. It’s for this week’s Kraftin’ Kimmie challenge to get spooky. I pulled out my Moonlight Whispers Zelda the Zombie image and got to work.

Zelda’s colored with Copic markers. I ran over her skin with a pale warm gray marker to get the washed out tone to her skin.

I used some dotted green paper with a varnish finish to cover most of the cardfront. It’s not meant to be a Halloween paper, but it works perfectly here! I kept the layout simple, just adding a strip of orange orange ribbon across the cardfront before setting the image in place. I accented the image with a half circle at the top. The sentiment from the Rapunzel image is stamped on a scrap of green cardstock and slipped under the left edge of the image. It wasn’t designed to go with Zelda, but it fits, doesn’t it?

Materials Used:
Zelda the Zombie and Rapunzel stamp sets (Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Gable Green and Pumpkin Pie cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Bridgeport designer paper (SEI); circle punch (EK Success); orange grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); silver brads (Making Memories)

Chill Out

***Scroll down to the post below for my card for this week's OCL/May Arts Swap Week post--and for info on how to win a great prize!***

Today's SCS clean and simple challenge was to be inspired by the word "hot." It's funny that this is today's challenge since it's finally not so hot here after a long and super hot summer. I took a think cool approach to the challenge, using two different Paper Smooches sets on my card.

I've had this idea in mind for the popsicle image from the Sugar Rush set and finally tried it out tonight. Instead of paper piecing or coloring the image, I covered it with strips of adhesive, then added different glitters to the strips to make a "Bomb Pop" style popsicle with the look of sparkly ice crystals. Too fun!

I stamped the "let's chill" sentiment from the Swanky Snowdudes set in a cool blue ink at the bottom of a white panel, then used foam tape to add my sparkly treat. A scrap of dotted patterned paper sets it off from the white card base. I kept the embellishments simple, adding just a pair of blue buttons, one of which I had to "rescue" from Chloe the cutie puppy's mouth . . .

Materials Used:
Sugar Rush and Swanky Snowdudes stamp sets (Paper Smooches); white cardstock (Xerox); Pacific Point Classic ink, Pacific Point cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (October Afternoon); red glitter (Martha Stewart); blue glitter (Stampendous); blue buttons (Clear and Simple Stamps); twine (Papertrey Ink); foam tape

Dandelion Wishes

Our Craft Lounge and May Arts are teaming up this week to show you some amazing products from both companies. Wait until you see all the wonderful projects we have to share with you this week! Each day the OCL blog will feature samples and a list of participating designers and May Arts will be doing the same on their blog.

Here's my first card for the week showcasing OCL and May Arts together. I made it for this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge to use embossing. The delicate dandelion image from the Butterfly Kisses set is heat embossed in cream over the kraft text block. I rubbed a little distress ink along the edges of the panel to really highlight the embossing.

I used a distressed looking diagonal gingham pattern on the cardfront behind the image panel. A scalloped kraft strip, also inked with distress ink, is at the bottom of the panel. A piece of beautiful crochet trim with a velvet center runs across the panel, covering the seam between the two papers. This trim is too pretty to cover up! I added a cream button, tied with a little cream burlap thread, to the end of the trim for a finished look. The set's "dandelion wishes" sentiment is stamped above the top of the patterned paper panel.

Don’t forget to leave comments each and every day this week because there will be lots of blog candy flying around. May Arts sent us extra spools of YUMMY ribbon to share with all of you so we’ll have 3 BIG prizes to give away this Friday, August 22nd! You have lots of ways to enter EVERY DAY this week + one BONUS entry! Each day, leave comments…
1. on the OCL Blog,
2. on each designer’s blog (from the list of those playing along that day), and
3. on the OCL Facebook page.

And, if you “LIKE” OCL on Facebook, you’ll get a bonus entry (as long as you tell us you did it). Thanks so much to Bethney and May Arts for sending the OCL team such FANTASTIC ribbons and trims to play with this week! AND… don’t forget to check out the May Arts blog for chances to win some great OCL stamp sets too.

Materials Used:
Butterfly Kisses stamp set (Our Craft Lounge); Memento Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); Antique Linen Distress ink (Ranger); Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake cardstock, Vanilla embossing powder (Stampin' Up!); Vintage Cream ink, medium scallop die, Fine Linen button (Papertrey Ink); Baby Steps 6x6 paper pad (Simple Stories); green crochet/velvet trim, cream burlap string (May Arts); foam tape

Fall Thanks

Here's my card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. I picked this pretty, simple fall design to work with so I could try out my new Autumn Acorns set from Papertrey Ink.

I kept pretty closely to the look of the original card, but swapped out the white for kraft for a completely earth toned color palette. The leaves are stamped in green, gold, rust, and scarlet inks and punched out with a square punch. After I stamped the long sentiment strip from the Gobble, Gobble set across the cardfront in the same color inks, I used foam tape to arrange the leaf images in a square.

I stamped the sentiment strip one more time along the bottom of the cardfront. Instead of accenting it with scored lines, I set it off from the background with a piece of knotted olive green twill.

Materials Used:
Autumn Acorns and Gobble, Gobble stamp sets, Scarlet Jewel, Ripe Avocado, Summer Sunrise, and Terracotta Tile inks, Kraft cardstock (Papertrey Ink); square punch (EK Success); olive twill (Stampin' Up!); foam tape

So Happy

Here's my card for the latest Market Street Stamps sketch challenge. I went bright and cheery on this one, using the So Happy set for my card.

I stamped one of the set's flower images in green ink on a blue panel, then paper pieced the top of the flower using a scrap of yellow patterned paper. The flower panel is set on a yellow panel with machine stitched edges. A strip of green dotted paper runs along the left side of the solid panel for some contrast. The set's "you make me so happy" sentiment is stamped in green ink on a green panel and set on the patterned paper strip

I put one of the somewhat neglected cardstock stickers from my Echo Park Playground collection kit to work here, adding the cloud above the flower with some dimensional dots. I attached a yellow button, tied with baker's twine, as a sun. I'm glad I was able to come up with a way to put at least one of those stickers to use!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Market Street Stamps So Happy stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Bamboo Leaves ink, Echo Park Splash 6x6 paper pad and Playground Collection Kit, Divine Twine yellow baker's twine, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Pear Tart, Baja Breeze, and Daffodil Delight cardstock (Stampin' Up!); grass border punch (Martha Stewart); Lemon Tart button (Papertrey Ink); sewing machine

One Layer Weather

The latest Lawnscaping challenge is to make a one layer card. Even though I'm most comfortable with clean and simple designs, one layer cards are a real challenge for me, so I thought I'd give it a go. I ended up with this simple encouraging card.

I stamped the cloud image from the Partly Cloudy set in white ink on a light blue cloud base, then added the smiling sun image at the top of the cloud using orange ink. Somehow, I managed to lose the smile part after I stamped it, so as soon as I finish this post, I'll be crawling around on the floor to find it before Chloe the cutie and chewy puppy does--LOL!

To add interest to the single layer design, I paper pierced a bunch of lines extending down from the bottom of the cloud, then used a white pen to create a faux stitched look. I randomly placed some tiny self adhesive pearls on the faux stitched lines. The "we will weather the storm together" sentiment is stamped beneath the raindrops in blue ink.

I'm off to search for that missing smile stamp now. Hopefully I'll beat Chloe to it . . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Lawn Fawn Partly Cloudy stamp set, Memento Bahama Blue ink, Ranger Inkssentials white pen, Zva Creative self adhesive pearls

other: Baja Breeze cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Fresh Snow and Orange Zest inks (Papertrey Ink)

Bee-ing You

As soon as I saw it, I knew that one of my new Authentique paper pads had the perfect color scheme to pair with the cute little bee image from My Favorite Things. I used the image and paper for this card made for this week's MFT Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge.

The bee image is colored with Copic markers. I added just a little bit of Star Dust Stickles to the wings for an iridescent look.

The rest of the card shows off the pretty Authentique paper. I used a dotted pattern to cover most of the cardfront with a diagonal gingham pattern as an accent across the card. A strip of grosgrain ribbon, tied into a bow, adds a little texture to the panel. The "thank you" sentiment is stamped onto a circle shape and attached to the card with foam tape.

Materials Used:
Bee Yourself stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Daffodil Delight and Basic Gray cardstock, Daffodil Delight grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch (Stampin' Up!); Blissful 6x6 paper pad (Authentique); circle punches (EK Success); Star Dust Stickles (Ranger); foam tape; Bow Easy

Blogger Challenge: Week 217

This week’s blogger challenge is a great sketch. I used one of Unity’s new Itty Bittys for my card. I love this whimsical roller skate pair and the matching sentiment--they make a fun card to send to a friend just because!

I colored the roller skate image just a bit with Copic markers and cut them out. The little hearts on the skates are sparkled up with a touch of a Lipstick Spica pen. I set the skates on an aqua panel using a dimensional dot, then stamped the “how’s it rollin’?” sentiment underneath them in Lady Bug ink.

I used an aqua tone on tone diagonal striped paper for the panel that covers most of the cardfront. A red dot embossed circle panel sits under the skates with a multicolored dotted strip running across the bottom. After setting the image panel in place, I added a tab made from red faux suede ribbon and anchored with a matching red button tied with gray baker’s twine.

For more ideas using this sketch, check out the links below. If you join in the challenge, feel free to add your link to the list. And, don't forget to check out the list of Friends with Flair players for more Unity inspiration.



Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. How’s it Rollin’? Itty Bitty, X-Press white Copic cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug inks, Copic markers (BG0000, BG000, BG10, BG11, C00, C-1, C-3, C-5) and Lipstick Spica pen, Echo Park Dots & Stripes –Metropolitan 6x6 paper pad, My Mind’s Eye Lime Twist-Out of the Blue 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders circle dies, QuicKutz Polka Dots embossing folder, May Arts red faux suede ribbon, Divine Twine gray baker’s twine, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Real Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Aqua Mist and Soft Stone cardstock (Papertrey Ink)

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Here’s my card for this week’s Waltzingmouse sketch challenge. I turned the sketch upside down to make the perfect backdrop for the rocket ship image from the Half Pint Heroes set.

For the background, I embossed a dark blue panel with a star pattern. I used a pair of half circles to make a moon at the bottom of the card. On one half circle, I punched circles in a random pattern, then covered the piece with shimmer spray. It’s attached to the other circle with foam tape for a Swiss-cheese like moon surface.

The rocket ship image is colored with Copic markers. I used some silver Smooch and a black Spica glitter pen to add a few decorative accents to it. A clear page pebble sits over the ship’s window. I used foam tape to place it in the sky above the moon, then added a banner strip with the traditional “5 . . 4. . 3. . 2. . 1” countdown stamped on it in red ink. The space theme and bold primary color scheme will make this a perfect birthday card for a little boy.

Materials Used:
Half Pint Heroes stamp set (Waltzingmouse Stamps); white cardstock, star embossing plate (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug inks, Sparkle Shimmer Spritz (Tsukineko); markers, black Spica Pen (Copic); Real Red, Daffodil Delight, and Pacific Point cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); circle dies (Spellbinders); clear page pebble (Making Memories); double-ended banner die (Papertrey Ink); Silver Fox Smooch (Clearsnap); foam tape

Fore U on Your Birthday

Vicki is our hostess for the latest round of Challenges by AR. She’s asked us to create a project for a masculine birthday. I transformed Adela’s Easter Basket template into a stylish carrier for some golf balls.

The template was printed on kraft cardstock. I made the panels for the side from an argyle patterned paper. The paper has kind of a distressed look and a nice texture, too, which make for a great accent for a masculine project. The insert that holds the golf balls is cut from a coordinating piece of gold cardstock. I did have to alter the size of the holes I made to fit the golf balls rather than the suggested Easter eggs, so keep that in mind if you try to do something similar. The handle is also made from kraft cardstock. I added a strip of dark brown grosgrain ribbon to it for contrast before using copper brads to secure it to the basket.

To personalize the gift, I made a matching tag using the same kraft/patterned paper combo as I used for the basket. To get the exact sentiment I wanted, I paired bits and pieces of sentiments from two different Clear and Simple Stamps sets—Golf Gent and Birthday Darling. A real wood golf tee was the perfect embellishment! I used some twine, secured with a button, to attach the tag to the basket’s handle.

We hope you’ll join us and share your 3d projects or shaped cards with a masculine birthday theme with us by linking them up on the Challenges by AR blog. One participant will be selected to win a template from Adela’s store. For a little inspiration to get you started, be sure to check out what the rest of the talented Challenges by AR team has created for this challenge. Here’s where to find them:

Vicki Garrett
Maria Levine
Magdalena Cortez
Lyn Bernatovich
Lori Tecler (you're here!)
Lisa Somerville
Lisa Eisner

Materials Used:
Golf Gent and Birthday Darling stamp sets, Dish All the Dirt Brown ink, Kraft Like a Rockstar and Golden Tiara cardstock, Dish All the Dirt Brown button, Simple Adhesive (Clear and Simple Stamps); Stella & Rose-Hattie "Buddies" Argyle designer paper (My Mind’s Eye); circle punch (EK Success); Tag Sale #2 die, twine (Papertrey Ink); brown grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); copper brads (Making Memories)

Congrats on Your New Pad

This week’s Our Craft Lounge challenge was a color challenge using periwinkle, eggplant,and pistachio. My colors aren’t exact matches, but I think they’re close enough to make do!

I used the sweet frog and lily pad images from The Pond for my card. The lily pad’s paper pieced with a scrap of dotted paper and set on a water/sky background I made with a Copic marker and my colorless blender (water) and some sponged on ink and a cloud template (sky). After coloring the frog with Copic markers and cutting it out, I added it to the lily pad with foam tape.

I found some eggplant-ish dotted paper to use for the panel behind the frog. I added a strip of green cardstock along the left edge and wrapped it with a little baker’s twine, securing it with a button. The “congrats on your new pad” sentiment is stamped in a line underneath the panel—the clear stamps made it easy to line up the words perfectly. The crystal flourish was an afterthought and kind of a fun way to add a girly touch to the card.

A new challenge is posted on the OCL blog each Friday, so be sure to check in and play along!

Materials Used:
The Pond stamp set (Our Craft Lounge); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Marina Mist Classic ink (Stampin’ Up!); Lavender Moon and Simply Chartreuse cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Little Boy Blue cardstock (Gina K Designs); Lime Twist-Happy Go Lucky 6x6 paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); green baker’s twine (Timeless Twine); crystal flourish (Recollections); green button (Michaels); foam tape

Let's Chat

***Click here or scroll down to the post below to see my card for this week's Color Throwdown and TCP Tuesday challenges!***

I can’t get enough of paper piecing the couch image from the House Notes II set from Clear and Simple Stamps. It’s fun to customize the couch to fit my mood—and much easier and less expensive than redecorating my own living room! Today, I went with a blue striped couch on this card for today’s SCS sketch challenge.

After stamping and cutting out the couch, I set it on a background panel made from a fun floral pattern with a strip of corrugated kraft paper along the bottom. I was envisioning funky floral wallpaper with a wooden floor. The couch is set on this backdrop with foam tape. I used a scrap of green felt to make a small contrasting pillow to put on the couch. The button at the center of the pillow is a dot of Enamel Accents.

The rest of the card is pretty simple. I placed a strip of the same paper as I used for the couch across the cardfront before adding the image panel to the card. The set’s “let’s chat” sentiment is stamped in purple ink on an oval, then layered on a scalloped oval mat. I used foam tape to add it to the card, then stuck on a piece of knotted purple satin ribbon as an accent.

Materials Used:
House Notes II stamp set, Perfect Little Black Dress and VIP Purple inks, VIP Purple, Trendsetter Blue, and A Blanc Check cardstock, VIP Purple satin ribbon (Clear & Simple Stamps); Lime Twist-Happy Go Lucky 6x6 paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); kraft corrugated paper (Creative Imaginations); petite oval and petite scalloped oval dies (Spellbinders); Simply Chartreuse felt (Papertrey Ink); white Enamel Accents (Ranger); foam tape

Color Throwdown 155-Have a Sunshiney Day

It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for another Color Throwdown. Danielle is our hostess and she's chosen Early Espresso, Rose Red, Barely Banana, and Kiwi Kiss as this week’s color combo.

I combined the colors with this week’s TCP Tuesday challenge to use felt and made a cheery, sunshine-filled scene using the Spring Rain set. I embossed a Barely Banana panel with a dot pattern and built my scene on top of that. I cut a strip of green grass from TCP’s felt with the CutUps Grass die, then added a few white felt clouds cut with from a strip made with the Cloud Border die. The pale yellow felt sun peeking out from behind the clouds is fashioned from one of the CutUps Flower Button dies. I colored the girl image using the challenge colors and paper pieced her umbrella with a scrap of patterned paper, then set her in place with foam tape.

I filled in the space underneath the felt grass with more of the same patterned paper, then added the “have a sunshiney day” sentiment on a Barely Banana panel with the top edge slipped underneath the grass strip.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Color Throwdown crew has done with this pretty selection of colors. Barbara, Tammy, my Cat Pack cohort Carole, and LeAnne will have creations to share today. Don't forget to link yours up on the Color Throwdown blog!

Materials Used:
Spring Rain stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Grass, Cloud Border, and Flower Buttons dies, Mellow Yellow and Green with Envy felt collections, Divine Twine yellow baker’s twine (The Cat’s Pajamas); Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, and Barely Banana cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Stella & Rose-Gertie 6x6 paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); Lemon Tart button (Papertrey Ink); Polka Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); foam tape

Keeping Cool with IHP

This month’s i {heart} papers design team challenge is to think cool by using cool colors and minimal layers, just like people do to beat the summer heat. Since one of the best things to do keep cool in the summer is hang out at the beach, I made a sweet underseas themed birthday treat for the challenge.

I started off by filling a clear plastic card box with a bunch of cool blue gummi sharks. I had them sitting on the kitchen counter for a week, waiting to be used for this project, and it’s a miracle that Chloe the cutie puppy didn’t snag them for herself—she’s like that about anything edible (and even some things that aren’t . . .). After filling the box to the brim, I made a light blue belly band to go around the box, using my ScorPal to fit a cardstock strip snugly around the box.

The band has a panel of water drop patterned paper on the front, making a perfect background for the fish from the Paper Smooches Birthday Buddies set. I colored the fish with Copic markers, then sprayed it with a little shimmer spritz. Its eye is covered with Glossy Accents. I used a dimensional dot to attach it to the panel, then added a trio of crystal gem “bubbles” over it. The “birthday fishes” sentiment is stamped in blue ink, cut apart, and added to the panel. Cool and cute, even though it's filled with sharks!

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has created for the challenge. Here’s where to find them:

• Carolyn
• Deb
• Gretchen
• Kendra
• Loretta
• Lori (you're here!)
• Lynn
• Tracy
• Kate

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: clear card box, Paper Smooches Birthday Buddies stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Bahama Blue inks and Frost Shimmer Spritz, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (Y17, Y35, Y38, YR15, YR16, B0000), Echo Park Splash 6x6 paper pad, Ranger Glossy Accents, Zva Creative iridescent crystals, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots, ScorPal

other: Baja Breeze and Pacific Point cardstock, scallop edge punch (Stampin’ Up!)

Go with It

I combined this week’s Kraftin Kimmie recipe challenge with this week’s CPS sketch for this fun card that just might make its way to my marathon-training little sister before her upcoming big day . . .

I stamped the Carole image using the out of the box technique, then colored the image with Copic markers. The sidewalk is drawn in with a Copic multiliner and I used my airbrush to make a soft blue-green sky behind the image. I picked a multicolored striped paper for the panel on the left side of the card and set it on an aqua panel. The image is matted on turquoise and overlaps both the solid and patterned paper.

I used my stamp positioner to stamp the “just go with it” sentiment that comes with the dog walking Tori stamp in a straight line on a green strip. It’s accented with a felt flower. This small flower packs a punch—it includes all of the elements from the recipe challenge in one! The flower itself is recipe ingredient #1, the chipboard I used for the custom-made button at the flower’s center is ingredient #2, and the little bit of pink ribbon that’s tied at the center of the button makes ingredient #3. How’s that for efficient?

Materials Used:
Moonlight Whispers Carole image, Tori sentiment (Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist, and Simply Chartreuse cardstock, Buttoned Up #1 die (Papertrey Ink); Lime Twist-Life of the Party 6x6 paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); CutUps Flower Buttons die (The Cat’s Pajamas); pink grosgrain ribbon (Stampin’ Up!); pink felt; cardboard

Hi

Today's SCS clean and simple challenge was to use a partial image on your creation. I was going for a bold, graphic design here and I think I got it!

I inked one of the images from the Mint Motif Beyond Borders set in Pear Tart ink and stamped it repeatedly on a white panel. With each image, I reinked the stamp and stamped a little less of the image on the panel, creating a graduated slanted edge at the bottom of the panel. This left plenty of space for some chipboard sticker letters, spelling out "hi!" at the bottom of the card. I layered the stamped panel on a coordinating solid cardstock mat and then on a white card base. I could see myself reproducing this design in a bunch of different colors and patterns. Maybe another day . . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Beyond Borders stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Pear Tart ink

other: Simply Chartreuse cardstock (Papertrey Ink); white cardstock (Xerox); Nutmeg (Spinach) chipboard Thickers (American Crafts)

Sahara Sympathy

This week's CAS-ual Friday challenge was to use the sketch from the Clean and Simple Stamping blog. I used the sketch and some older Stampin' Up! stamps for this simple sympathy card.

I started with a Sahara Sand card base and added a panel of Very Vanilla cardstock along the left side. For contrast, I added a strip of olive cardstock across the vanilla panel.

Instead of stamping directly over the panel, I created a simple vellum overlay. The line image flower from the Wonderful You set is embossed in vanilla ink on the vellum panel. To add just a little contrasting color, I flipped the vellum panel over and colored in the flower petals with some YG Copic markers. After adhering the vellum panel, I stamped the "with sympathy" sentiment from the Warmest Regards set alongside the image in green ink. The result is an easy to make and, with its flat surface, easy to mail sympathy card.

Materials Used:
Wonderful You and Warmest Regards stamp sets, Very Vanilla Craft ink, Sahara Sand, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla cardstock, Vanilla embossing powder, olive twill (Stampin' Up!); Kraft Like a Rockstar Green ink (Clear and Simple Stamps); vellum (The Paper Company); markers (Copic)

Tulip Thank You

Here's my card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. I based my card on this simple floral one. I had the set used in the original card at one time, but ended up trading it for something else because I just couldn't make the set work for me.

I used the Market Street Stamps So Happy set on my card. It's tulip image had a similar feel to me, so I made it the focal image, inking the flower in Tangelo ink and the stem and leaf in Bamboo Leaves. The thank you sentiment is stamped just above the flower in Dandelion ink. It's already curved perfectly to fit over the flower. I stamped the flower a second time and cut it out, then used some of the new Sticky Thumb dimensional dots to attach it to the cardfront. These new dimensionals are great--they're super sticky! For a little sparkle, I used some orange glimmer ribbon to fashion a faux bow for the center of the ribbon that runs across the bottom of the panel.

I layered the panel on a pair of yellow and orange mats, then on a green dotted one for a whimsical touch. The layered panels are centered on a white card base. Clean, crisp, and citrusy makes for a great thank you card!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Market Street Stamps So Happy stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Tangelo, Dandelion, and Bamboo Leaves inks, My Mind's Eye Lime Twist-Life of the Party 6x6 paper pad, Creative Impressions orange glimmer ribbon, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: white cardstock (Xerox)

Thank You Tags

I made this sweet tag set for Verve's August Get Your Diva On challenge. They're a little outside of my usual style, but it was fun to do something a little different.

Each of the tags includes the a similar layout and the same combination of elements--makes it easier to mass-produce that way. I built the tags on a die cut kraft tag with a strip of pink on pink dotted paper set at the bottom. A strip of pink twill runs along the top of the patterned paper strip. Twill's not the most feminine accent, but it adds a nice texture to the project. I added a cream doily die cut, brushed with some distress ink, over the paper and twill, then attached a section from a long pearl flourish. I'm not so great with using these flourish things, so I've been making an effort to figure out how I can incorporate them into my projects. I'm finding that cutting some of the big ones apart and using just segments as accents is working for me.

After finally deciding on the pearl placement, I went ahead and added the heart panel using foam tape. The hearts are cut with the Jotted Heart die, stamped with the matching line image from the Love Notes set, and inked along the edges with distress ink. Each one has a different sentiment from the Thankful Hearts set stamped in Crumb Cake ink. More twill threaded through the top of the tag and secured with a button and some twine finishes the design.

Once I had the four tags finished, I made a simple box for them using kraft cardstock. I used some of the same elements from the tag to dress up the box just a bit. All I need to do is put the box in a cello bag and tie it up, then it'll be ready to give as a gift.

Materials Used:
Love Notes and Thankful Hearts stamp sets, Jotted Heart die (Verve Stamps); Crumb Cake Classic ink, Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Vintage Cream ink, Doily Details and Tag Sale #2 dies, twine (Papertrey Ink); Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger); Lime Twist-Life of the Party 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); pink twill (Martha Stewart); brown buttons (American Crafts); pearl flourish (Want2Scrap); foam tape

TCP Tuesday 171-How've You Bean?

For this week’s TCP Tuesday challenge, our hostess Jen provided this fabulous inspiration collage as a starting point. Though the photo is definitely holiday-themed, I managed to come up with something un-holiday but still warm and cozy.

I took my inspiration from the red, white, and kraft colors I saw in the photos. I used the little girl image from the You Suit Me set and dressed her up in a paper pieced gingham outfit, just like the red gingham napkin in the photo. The rest of the cute girlie is colored with Copic markers. I added a little glittery sparkle to the steam from her mug before cutting her out and using foam tape to set her on a kraft circle.

In a nod to the dots on the ornament, I set her on a white dot embossed panel. I added the “how’ve you bean?” sentiment on a red strip and accented it with a trio of red buttons at the end.

If you're feeling inspired by the photo, go ahead and whip something up, then share it in the guestbook found on Alma's blog. One lucky participant in this week's challenge will win some Cat Cash to spend at TCP. And, while you're there, be sure to check out the links to the Cat Pack's creations that Alma's been posting on her blog all week for some eye candy and even more inspiration.

Materials Used:
You Suit Me stamp set, Versafine Onyx Black ink, Neenah white cardstock, beige linen thread (The Cat’s Pajamas); markers (Copic); Real Red and Crumb Cake cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); Farm Fresh designer paper (October Afternoon); circle die (Spellbinders); Polka Dots embossing folder (QuicKutz); red buttons (Michaels); red stitched grosgrain ribbon (Creative Impressions); sewing machine; foam tape