Making a Comeback - Mojo216 & FM34

I hope!  Haven't stamped since Halloween, and now with Christmas right around the corner I'm feeling the pressure.  So I decided to visit a few challenge blogs this morning to see what was out there for inspiration. Lo and behold, I found a way to combine the Mojo Monday sketch challenge with the Friday Mashup #34. 

It was perfect because while Mojo Monday provided a simple sketch to follow, the Friday Mashup asked you to create a Christmas card using Aqua, Chocolate, White.  Here's what I came up with:

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Snow Swirled

Inks: Tempting Turquoise

Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip

Embellishments: Perfect Polka Dots big shot embossing folder, neutrals buttons, dazzling diamonds

 

Hope you like it!

WAY TOO LONG...

since my last post!  So sorry everyone.  It's become extremely busy around here with school in full swing, after school activities pulling us in every direction, and sick kids on top of it all.  Not much time to stamp lately.  Then I remembered that parents were asked to include a special Halloween treat in their kids' snacks today (we can't have actual parties or celebrate with goodies for the class anymore).  So, last night, after everyone was in bed (so I thought), I decided to pull out my cellophane bags, a few Skittles, and my punches.  Not very fancy, but I think the girls will be excited when they open their lunchboxes today:

The funniest part of all this?  My parents had given the girls a bag of Halloween candy filled with Skittles and Starbursts earlier in the day.  Excellent, since these are some of the few peanut free candies that can go to school but I never have in the house. I had just filled the bags and was in another room makinig the Frankenstien heads when I heard my oldest daughter Stephanie asking if I had stolen their candy to make these bags.  Absolutely not I replied.  Why would I do such a thing?  I'm hoping she'll see the humor in this when she opens her lunchbox at snack :)

Freshly Made Sketches #5

I was invited to participate in a "Demonstrator Quality" Christmas Card swap this year.  With only about a week left to get them in the mail, I thought I'd use the Freshly Made Sketches challenge #5 for my layout.  Good thing, too because this day is flying by and I still have so much to do! At least I crossed two things off my list by making this one card.  So here's the sketch and my take on it:

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Sparkle & Shine wheel, Short & Sweet

Inks: Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

Big Shot: Framed Tulips embossing folder

Embellishments: Cherry Cobbler 3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon, Jewels Basic Rhinestone

Featured Artist - 9 year old Stephanie

Today I spent some time guiding my daughter in creating a gift for a birthday party tonight.  Really all I did was point her in the direction of stamp sets.  She chose the colors and layout.  She was so proud of her creations, she asked if I'd put a picture on my blog. So without further ado, here it is:

Nicely done Stephanie!!  xoxo, Mom

Lots of FREEbies in October!

It's the start of a new month and that means NEW PROMOTIONS at Stampin' Up!  

For anyone interested in the perks of becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, how about this one...a FREE BIG SHOT!  If you have ever used this tool, you can see why this promo could be very tempting.

Maybe you're not interested in being a demonstrator but you are interested in simplifying the art of stamping. Maybe you don't have the time to pull out all your supplies but wish you could make a quick card.  With the Simply Sent card making kits there's no paper to cut, punches to use, or embellishments to coordinate.  Everything you need is packaged neatly in these kits. For this reason, they also make great gifts! "Simply" click on the widget to the right for more info!

Freshly Made Sketches #4

So are you noticing a trend? I'm only stamping when it's challenge time!  The challenges are the only things keeping me going right now.  And that's ok (at least that's what I keep telling myself). 

So here's today's project from The Clean Team at Freshly Made Sketches:



And here's my take on it:

I just loved this flower from the Pocketful of Posies dp that I had to make it the focal point on this card.  In person the Night of Navy looks so nice with the Pear Pizzazz background (maybe I need to start using my real camera for these pictures and not my cell phone!).

Believe it or not, here's what I used:
Stamps: Thank You Kindly
Ink: Night of Navy
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Night of Navy, Pocketful of Posies dp
Punches: Modern Label, Scallop Trim Border, 3/4" circle (at top of tag)
Embellishments: Whisper White satin/taffeta ribbon, White baker's twine

Thanks for visiting and having a fabulous Friday!

Mojo Monday 208

I can't believe it's already Thursday and I'm just now getting to the Mojo Monday sketch.  No school today gave me a day off from our typical Thursday routines.  Gave me a little time for sneaky stampin!

Once again the design team at Mojo Monday offered up a choice of sketches - do it round or square.  Here they are:

And here's mine:

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Full of Life
Ink: Melon Mambo
Paper: Pacific Point, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Beyond the Garden dp
Embellishments: Naturals buttons, white baker's twine, paper piercing tool & mat pack

Enjoy what's left of your Thursday!

Congratulations Linda!

I just had to give a special "shout out" to my wonderful friend (and upline) Linda for being chosen as a "Perfect Princess" for Freshly Made Sketches challenge #3.  Check out her beautiful card and the caption that was displayed on their site. 

Nance's Choice

Linda at Oop-A-Doodle

Oh my goodness, Linda’s beautiful card jumped right out of the gallery at me! I love how she used vintage elements and style to create a fresh and clean card. Chocolate chip and river rock are gorgeous paired together and compliment the very vanilla perfectly. Her soft coloring of the blossoms is so subtle and pretty and those crochet flowers? Gorgeous! Just an all ‘round beautiful take on this week’s sketch and my choice for a "Perfect Princess". Congratulations Linda!

Nance summed it up perfectly. Way to go Linda!! 

Friday Mashup Challenge #25

My husband and I are visiting with good friends tonight and we are finally getting to see their new home. So even though they haven't exactly "just moved", we are offering them congratulations and are super excited to see it!  With that said, I came up with a card inspired by this Friday Mashup sketch:

The great thing about The Friday Mashup is that you have your choice of how you want to participate.  For example, this week you could follow the sketch above, make a manly card, or "mash it up" and do both.  Without many of the shapes in the sketch, I did my best to substitute which is another great thing about these challenges - you follow it the best you can with what you have.  I also dug out my pickup truck again (this is definitely my "go to" set for manly cards).  What do you think?

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories, Delightful Dozen

Inks: Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso

Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Well Worn dp

Punches: Circles - 3/4",  1" , 1 1/4"

Embellishments: 1/8" Early Espresso ribbon, watercolor pencils + blender pen, dimensionals



Mojo Monday 207 & FM24

Even though Autumn officially begins this week, it seems that Summer left us quite a while ago!  And so, the design team at The Friday Mashup came up with this challenge:

1. Create a project with an "Autumn" theme.
2. Or Create a project using shades of "Yellow & Orange".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Autumn project using shades of Yellow & Orange".

Since I didn't remember to look at the Friday Mashup challenge until late last night, it gave me something to sleep on.  And when I got up this morning I remembered that the design team at Mojo Monday returned today!  With that said, and with limited stamping time today, I decided to make one card that would satisfy both challenges.  Here's the sketch from the friends at Mojo Monday:

 

And here's my attempt at killing two birds with one stone:

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Delightful Dozen

Ink: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze (used to sponge edges of pumpkin), Peach Parfait marker (w/ Color Spritzer Tool)

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Peach Parfait, Whisper White, 2010-2012 In Color Designer Paper Pack (Hostess)

Punches: Oval punch (not SU!)

Embellisments: Linen cord, Neutrals Buttons

Thanks for visiting!

Pals Paper Arts 111

Needed another birthday card for the weekend.  Decided to try the Pals Paper Arts challenge.  Here's the sketch:

And here's what I came up with:

Not a huge fan of these colors (especially in this awful light!), but it's a boy's birthday party this weekend so I wanted to stick with primary colors.  Although now that I've been looking at it awhile, it's not a boy card.  Guess I'll be saving it for another party! 

Freshly Made Sketches #2 - FMS2

It's challenge time again!  Today's sketch is from the new Freshly Made Sketches blog.

My grandfather's 82nd birthday is this weekend so I decided to make this card for him.  He used to drive a truck so I thought I'd dig out the Loads of Love pickup for him.  This is what I came up with:

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories

Ink: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy

Paper: River Rock, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Well Worn dp

Punches: 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8" circle punches

Techniques: sponging edges, watercoloring with blender pen

Another FMS1

So I got a little carried away with the first Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  In fact, I created 3 more cards using last week's sketch which you can see here.  I was eager to use some of the new designer papers from the 2011-2012 catalog.  Check out my creations:

Loving the Berry Blossoms dp

Featured at Stamp Club

A little bright, but wanted to show something different

 

 

 

 Like what you see and want more info?  Let me know!

Freshly Made Sketches - FMS1

It's been a crazy week around here with school starting so not much stamping going on...not even sneaky stamping.  Then I got the word that Freshly Made Sketches posted their first challenge today and I had to try it out.  Here's their sketch:

We are looking for clean-lined creations but unlike Clean and Simple challenges, we encourage lots of detail and embellishments as long as they maintain a "clean" look to your card.

And here's what I came up with:

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Delightful Dozen
Inks: Early Espresso, River Rock (sponge edge of circle behind button)
Paper: River Rock cs, Early Espresso cs, Well Worn dp
Embellishments: pewter brads (non-SU), linen thread, designer buttons neutrals
Punches: 7/8" circle, 1" circle
Techniques: crimper

Mojo Monday 206

Even though it's already Wednesday, I'm just getting to this week's challenges.  School started this week so things have been a little hectic.  Here's the Mojo Monday challenge:

I opted for the 4 1/4" square card since it seemed much easier than the circle (it also fits in a standard card envelope).  I'll be giving this to my dad for his 60th birthday which is today!

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Loads of Love Accessories, Create a Cupcake, Delightful Dozen
Inks: Soft Suede, Baja Breeze
Paper: Elegant Soiree dp (retired), Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Punches: 1 3/8" circle, 1 1/2" circle
Embellishments: pewter brads, White Baker's Twine

OMG! PPA 108 Pick Winners!

Who would've thought that after participating in various "challenges" for the last two weeks, my card would get selected as a Pals Paper Arts Artist Pick?  I got the email yesterday and could hardly hold back my excitement!  Problem is...is you're not a stamper...you don't quite understand the excitement.  So forgive me for carrying on, but if you're reading this as a fellow stamper, you might actually "get it".   Check it out...the one in the middle is mine!

Pals Paper Arts Artist Pick Winners - PPA108

It's time to announce the winners of our latest challenge. This week's challenge was a CAS-Elements of Style challenge -Soften the Edges."  We providied an inspiration photo to get you started, but the interpretation was up to you.  Our Featured Artist Nicole Watt along with our resident Design Team members softly created rounded edges!  You can't squeeze the Charmin, but you CAN squeeze these three winners! 

Congratulations to the following participants for being the Pals Paper Arts Artist Picks for PPA108:

Diane Oliver

Michelle

Christy Q.

 As one of the winners I got to add the PPA Pick badge that you see on the right side of your screen.  So Cool!  Thank you PPA Design Team for picking me!

Inspired by Target

My favorite thing about Sundays is looking through the ads.  Target is my favorite so I save it for last.  I was especially excited to see this comforter set today...love the color combo.

 It made me think of Early Espresso and the new 2011-2012 In Colors, Lucky Limeade and Pool Party.  So I quickly created these 3x3s today.

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Season of Friendship, Short & Sweet
Inks: Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party (bird & words)
Paper: Early Espresso, Pool Party, Whisper White
Punches: Word Window 

Hope you like it!

PPA108 - Take the Edge Off

This week's challenge was a little different...no actual sketch to follow.  Just this for guidance:

PPA108-CAS-Elements of Style-Soften the Edges

 

Life gets a bit rough now and then and sometimes you need to soften the edges.  Pals Paper Arts challenges you to do just that this week!  Create a CAS card and round some corners - or adorn some corners.......whatever you need to do to take the edge off!

While the rest of the family played a long...very long...game of Monopoly (waiting for the arrival of Hurricane Irene), I sat out and created this card for the challenge:

I like black and white for CAS (clean & simple) cards and the elegant Finial Press embossing folder screams "wedding" to me.  I'll be passing this card on to my mom so she can use it for an upcoming wedding. Hope you like it.

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Triple Treat Flower
Ink: Black Staz-On
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Glossy White (flower)
Punches: corner rounder, Fancy Flower, 3/4" circle, 1/2" circle
Embellishments: Black Satin Ribbon, Finial Press embossing folder, Basic Rhinestone Jewels
Techniques: pleated ribbon on sticky strip

The Friday Mashup #21

I stumbled upon this challenge this morning and the simple sketch caught my eye.  With not much time for stamping today, I knew I would have to sneak away to get this card done.  However with one child napping and the other two occupied with friends, the simple design took no time!  Here's the Friday Mashup Challenge:

So here is how we are "MASHING IT UP" this week

1. Create a project using the provided "Sketch".
2. or Create a project that has a "Dry Embossing on it".
3. or "Mash it Up!" and create a card using the "Sketch with Dry Embossing".

Had to make this a birthday card since my daughter is going to a party tomorrow.  She told me the birthday girl's favorite color is green so she picked the dp to use on the front.  She let me add Melon Mambo...and the cupcake punch of course!  Here's what I came up with:



Here's what I used:

Stamps: Create a Cupcake

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo

Paper: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, retired dp (Tart n Tangy I think), Whisper White

Punches: Cupcake Builder, Word Window, Modern Label, 1 3/4"Scallop Circle

Embellishments: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals

Mojo Monday 205

I've decided, if nothing else, I'm going to use the sketches out there in cyber space to get me going on projects. So today's project was inspired by this sketch:

I absolutely love pink and green together so I pulled out my Pear Pizzazz designer paper (from last year's hostess paper pack) and Melon Mambo polka dot ribbon (also from last year) to get me started.  I just received the Triple Treat Flower stamp and Fancy Flower Punch yesterday so I was eager to use those if I could.  Attached some baker's twine, a silver brad, and a Filigree brad and here's what I ended up with:

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Triple Treat Flower

Ink: Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz (color spritzer), Old Olive (sponged on edge)

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz dp (retired In Color Hostess Paper Pack)

Punches: Fancy Flower

Embellishments: Melon Mambo polka dot ribbon (retired), White Baker's Twine, Filigree Brad, silver brad (not SU!), Stampin' Dimensionals

Hope you like it!

Comments Fixed...I Hope!

Apparently I had the Comments section only allowing "registered users" to leave comments.  I told you all I was new at this!!  I think I have it fixed.  Thank you for being patient and for letting me know!  Have a great Wednesday!

PPA 107

I attempted another PPA challenge last week.  You can see the sketch here which inspired me to create this cupcake card.

I love mixing browns and pinks, so here I used Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Pretty in Pink.  Hope you like it!

Attempting the blog!

Although I've been trying to blog through my Stampin' Up! website over the past few months, I have found it very limited in it's capabilities.  With so many of my stamping friends using blogger, I decided to try it myself.  So here it comes....my first post.

And for those wondering why I might be a "sneaky" stamper...it all goes back to the kids.  It never fails that just as I'm about to finish something, the baby wakes up, or someone wants lunch or a drink or whatever it might be.  In between all of those things, I sneak back into my room to add that one last embellishment before the next kid comes looking for me!