Wonderful Wednesday! - FMS47

I know.  It's Friday.  But truth be told, I started this post on Wednesday! I love Wednesdays! Freshly Made Sketches offers a clean and simple sketch to jump start your creativity every Wednesday. Keep it simple or embellish - it's totally up to you! This week Jennifer T. provided this great sketch:

Even though I've had several new catalog items for a few weeks now, I still haven't had a chance to play with everything.  This sketch seemed like a perfect opportunity to use the new Quint-Essential Flower.  I love single stamps like this! They offer so many possibilities, especially with all of the coordinating punches!  So here's what I created:

I'm really enjoying the color combination of Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade and Rich Razzleberry.  How about you?



Another Girl (for my friend) - Mojo 253

A good friend of mine just gave birth to her 3rd daughter this weekend so I had to come up with a baby girl card.  I looked to Mojo Monday for design inspiration this morning.  As soon as I saw the banner across the front of the sketch I knew my Itty Bitty Banners were going to be used along with the Bitty Banners Framelit.  Can I just tell you how much I am loving these two??

Today's sketch:

And my baby girl card:



Hope she likes it!

Right on Time for FMS46 :)

FINALLY!  I got a card done in time for a challenge! Granted, I'm still working on getting the creative juices flowing, but I'm getting there!

I saw this sketch at Freshly Made Sketches yesterday morning and the simplicity of it grabbed my attention.

No need for fancy cutting or measuring.  Just my Top Note Die, my new Bitty Banners (yay!), and a fancy edge.  I still had some scraps on my desk from my last stamp club (which was WAY back in June!) so I decided to incorporate those as well.  Here's what I came up with:

Not sure if you can tell, but I sprayed the Top Note with my new Stampin' Spritzer. I used Certainly Celery reinker mixed with a little water.  I've seen on other blogs that more people are using rubbing alcohol so I may try that next time.  The paper curled a bit from the water so I'm curious to see if the same happens with the alcohol.  Anyone know? 

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Embellished Events, Itty Bitty Banners

Ink: Gumball Green, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple

Paper: Gumball Green, Primrose Petals, Whisper White

Punches: Ornament, Scallop Trim Border, 1/2" circle, Top Note (Big Shot), Bitty Banners framelits (Big Shot)

Embellishments: Basic Pearls, Stampin' Spritzer





One Day Too Late

I've had a sketch sitting on my desk for the last week and finally got around to making this card last night. Unfortunately the challenge was due yesterday and I didn't have a chance to submit it. I feel like the card is missing something but at this rate I just needed to have 1 completed card under my belt to get me back into stamping.

Oh my!

I have really dropped the ball! Having a 2 yr old boy has been much more difficult than my girls ever were and it's having a HUGE impact on my stamping. For anyone who had been following my posts, please accept my apologies for not keeping up with this. I'm trying to get my mojo back so that I can have some new posts for you. I thought I'd have time this summer but that hasn't been the case. I'm determined to get some done today and hopefully that means some new posts for all of you. WISH ME LUCK!

Slow Start (FMS30)

Here in MA, we just began our April Vacation week.  Thought with school work behind me, I'd be stamping left and right already!  Not yet.  My little guy has a nasty cold, so all he wants is me...to hold him, to cuddle him, to get him juice.  Needless to say, I've been watching lots of Dora with him on my lap.  Not exactly how I planned to spend April Vacation!

Fortunately I scrolled through the Freshly Made Sketches challenge and quickly came up with a birthday card.  I recently got the Party This Way set and wanted to work it into this card. 

First the sketch:

Now my take on it:

Hope you like it!





Thank You!

Just a quick shout out to the operators at Stamping 411 for choosing my card for their Showcase for the Saturday Sketch Challenge #247.  The entries were all so beautiful and I am truly honored to have made the Showcase.  Here are the Operator Picks:

 

For all of you who take the time to visit my site...THANK YOU!

Lots of Purple for Mojo Monday

As I mentioned in my previous post, I wanted to make some cards for friends who are expecting.  One is expecting her 3rd - she clearly didn't take my warnings about the 3rd kid pushing you over the edge - the other is expecting her 5th!

The Mojo Monday sketch challenge was just what I needed to keep the creativity flowing this morning.  Check out this simple sketch:

I already had my butterfly embosslits die out, so I knew I wanted a large butterfly to be the accent in the upper left.  I also came across lots of Concord Crush paper which will be discontinued soon, so I felt the need to use it.  Here's my card:

Since my Sneaky Stampin' time is up (my 2 year old is calling from his crib) no time left for the details!  Let me know if you need them.





Back to Stampin' for SSC247

Wow.  It's been quite a while since my last post.  For anyone who works in a school, you know how crazy report card season is.  As a therapist I'm lucky in that I don't have to do report cards for a classroom of 20 something kids. Instead I have the pleasure of writing progress notes on the 20 something kids that I work with.  Sprinkle in a couple of evaluations, and voila....a recipe for lots of paperwork at home and no time for fun.  But it all ended on Friday!  :)


My first stop this morning was at Stamping 411 to see what the Saturday Sketch Challenge was.  This is what I found:

I just found out that a couple of friends are expecting, so I thought my cards today would be for them.  Here's what I came up with:

I originally just had the flower but was feeling like it needed a little something in the top left to balance out the button in the bottom right.  I decided to add the butterfly.  Not sure that the placement was quite what I was looking for.  Thoughts, anyone?



Here's what I used:
Stamps: Because I Care (retired), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Inks: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo
Paper: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Whisper White, Everyday Enchantment dp (SAB)
Punches: Modern Label, Scallop Oval
Big Shot: Butterflies Embosslits die
Embellishments: Basic Pearls, Neutrals Buttons

Stampers Showcase!

I was shocked to get an email from my wonderful upline Linda this morning congratulating me on making the Stamping 411 Stampers Showcase! I had no idea and I had to see it for myself.  And guess what?  She was right! 

Friday, February 17, 2012

Stampers Showcase #242

Way to go, Stampers! You've done some great work this week. Here are your Operator Picks for Sketch Challenge #242. Thanks so much to all who participated and we hope to see you back soon.

 

This is so funny to me because this card was so quick, took very little thought on my part, it's just one of those things that "came to me" as soon as I saw the sketch. 

 

To all the Operators at Stamping 411:  THANK YOU!!

Freshly Made Sketches #22

I just love Wednesdays!  One more day of work (I only work on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and then it's the weekend again! And another Wednesday means another Freshly Made Sketch challenge!

Was excited to use another "Packed for..." stamp today so I decided to make a baby card.  I just love using the spotlight technique with these stamps.  So here's what I came up with:

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Packed for Baby, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Inks: Staz-On Black, Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride markers for coloring spotlight
Paper: Marina Mist, Basic Black, Whisper White, Nursery Nest dp
Big Shot: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

My Valentine (SSC 242)

How was your Valentine's Day? 

My husband and I are not ones to swap gifts on Valentine's Day.  I usually just make him a card and he usually buys one for me, last minute, on his way home from work Valentine's night.  This year was no different.  He brought home some Valentine Mike & Ike's for the girls.  They said they'd rather get the conversation heart candies.  He said he was looking for those but the selection was minimal at 7pm.  Oh well....I regress.

I knew when I saw the Saturday Sketch Challenge on Stamping 411, I'd be using it for my husband's card.  It was a simple sketch:

I tried to keep it simple and not use too many embellishments.  I clearly left out the flower button.  What do you think?

No time for the details...gotta get the kids to CCD.  Let me know if you want them!



Going "Pro" - FMS #21

When I finish a card, I usually stand it up on my bay window or kitchen table (those are the only two spots with a decent amount of natural light), snap the picture with my cell phone, and send it to my blog. However, after seeing my cabinets, countertops, random pieces of furniture, etc. in the backgrounds of my card photos, I decided to make an attempt at "going professional" with my photos today.  Let me know what you think.

It's Wednesday so here goes another attempt at a Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  Here's today's sketch:

And here are my "professional" photos:

No cabinets in these photos!!  Was trying to show the detail of the Dazzling Details in the close up but it didn't do it justice.  Oh well. 

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Packed for Birthday, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Inks: Black Staz-On, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade all colored with Blender Pens

Paper: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Basic Black

Punches: 3/4" & 7/8" circle punches

Embellishments/Techniques: non-SU! black stick ons, Dazzling Details (on balloons) Spotlight Technique

Thanks for looking!

No Mojo :(

I was on such a roll last week that I couldn't wait to check out the Mojo Monday challenge today.  Come to find out, the challenge is even more exciting because there's a prize this week!  See the sketch? 

Doesn't look that difficult, does it?  Except I apparently lost my mojo over the weekend!!  I played with colors, ribbons, designer paper, stamps...you name it, I played with it!  And no matter what I did, I couldn't get it just right.  After spending an hour of my son's nap gluing and ungluing...while precious moments were ticking away, knowing that he would be calling for me at any second, I ended up with this:

What do you think? I'm not quite sure of it. I had finished it but thought the bottom half was too plain. So I decided to sponge a faux scallop edge.  Wish I hadn't done that.  And what do you know, there he is...calling me just in time to finish this up.  If you're curious about the color combo or any other info (in case you want to be sure NOT to replicate this) let me know.  And let's hope I find my mojo before the next challenge!

Freshly Made Sketches #20

When I first saw this week's challenge at Freshly Made Sketches, I didn't know if I would participate.  In honor of the SUPERBOWL this weekend (Go Pats!!) they are "going long" with the sketch. The odd card size threw me off because I wouldn't have any envelopes to match.   But I looked at it again this morning and decided, if I can put square cards in rectangle envelopes, I can certainly put these skinny cards in a regular card envelope!  I actually found some 4 1/2 x 6 3/4 envelopes left over from my Christmas photo cards so I decided to make a 6 1/2 x 3 card to fit inside.  Check out this sketch:

And I almost forgot!!  Has anyone ever woke up dreaming of stamping? I know, sounds crazy.  But I was so excited to get some new stuff yesterday and couldn't wait to start playing.  I actually woke up today thinking how pretty Always Artichoke and Concord Crush would be.  So this is what I made:

Here's what I used:
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Triple Treat Flower
Ink: Always Artichoke, Whisper White
Paper: Concord Crush, Always Artichoke, Whisper White, In Color 2010-2012 dp hostess pack
Embellishments: Always Artichoke Seam Binding Ribbon, Artichoke button (from really old Regals buttons pack)

Hope you like it!

Addicted to a Challenge

This has never happened to me before, but I think I'm addicted to the Stamping 411 sketch challenge this week!  It is so easy, especially because I have so many pieces of 6x6 dp!  Once you start cutting you realize how nicely it all works out.  I love the fact that you can use almost the entire 6x6 piece on each card because as I've said before I have SO much dp to use!  This is what I accomplished today:

I really liked the "friend" sentiment on these because it will be a bit more versatile than "thank you."  Got to get my kids fed, so if you're wondering the details let me know and I'll be sure to add them!  Thanks for looking!

Mojo Monday 226

Did you ever have one of those days when you're super excited about a few of your projects...you're on a roll....and then you create something that's not "up to par?"  Well today was one of those days.  I absolutely LOVED the way my previous card turned out.  I was pumped to get moving on the Mojo Monday sketch.

 I needed a birthday card for my brother so I thought this was a great time to get going on it.  And there's the problem....making a card for a guy.  I always want to balance my cards out with ribbons or rhinestones or glitter or something!  But on a guy card?  I couldn't do that.  I knew I'd use the square sketch, that was easy.  But what to do after that....well, after much deliberation, this is what I came up with:

To be honest, I'm not thrilled with it.  I almost didn't post it.  But that's the beauty of creating a guy card....chances are, they aren't going to care what it looks like anyway, so I'm posting it and I'm giving it to him.

And here's what I used:
Stamps: Cheers to You (retired)
Ink: Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, white gel pen
Paper: Early Espresso, River Rock, Well Worn dp, Not Quite Navy
Techniques: crimper, linen cord

Thanks for looking and I promise something a little bit more "up to par" next time :)

Stamping 411 Challenge

I discovered today how quick it is to make a card when you follow the challenge exactly as it is written...even the measurements are written!! I'm making an effort to use designer paper much more these days as I always buy it and then end up with tons of retired paper sitting in my stash.  I thought the Stamping 411 sketch was a great one for using up dp.  Check it out:

I quickly flipped through my current dp stash and found a few pieces of the Beau Chateau which gave me a great starting point.  And this is what I ended up with:

I really like the way it turned out.  And I did something I've never done before....not having any coordinating brads, I colored the pearls with my soft suede marker.  It certainly took a while to dry, but I really like the look!

So here's what I used:

Stamps: Thank You Kindly

Inks: Soft Suede

Paper: Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, Beau Chateau dp

Embellishments: Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon, Basic Pearls

Thanks for looking!

Friday Mashup #43

Back again...oh it feels so good to be stamping! I needed a baby boy card for the weekend and absolutely loved my baby girl owl card so I decided to use my owl again for the this one.  As with all baby boy stuff, I don't find it quite as cute as baby girl stuff (speaking from my own experience having 2 girls and a boy) but it works.  I used the Friday Mashup Challenge to get me going:

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using the "Sketch".
2. Or Make a project using "Something NEW in your stash". (Stamps, ribbon, pretty paper...anything!)
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project "using the Sketch & something NEW in your stash".

Here's my "mashup":

I definitely used the sketch. As for "something new", I had received an assortment of soft subtle designer papers as a Christmas gift so I decided to open them up and use the Bashful Blue polka dot paper on this card.  Seems strange calling it "new" since Bashful Blue cardstock has been in my stash forever, but honestly, this is the first time I have ever had a designer paper to go with it.

So here's what I used:

Stamps: Short & Sweet

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Subtles Collection dp

Punches: Decorative Label, Owl Builder, Word Window

Big Shot: Perfect Details Texturz Plate

Hope you had a wonderful week!  Happy Weekend!

On Time...at last!

I was determined to enter a card into the Freshly Made Sketches challenge this week. For the last two weeks, I created cards and as I went to enter them, I discovered the challenge had already closed. Not this time...I'm entering on Day One!!

Here goes...the sketch:

I needed a couple baby cards this week, so I started with a girl one.  I rotated the sketch and came up with this...what do you think?

 Here's what I used:

Ink: White Gel Pen for eyes

Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Blushing Bride dp

Punches: 1" circle, Builder Owl

Embellishments: Basic Rhinestones

Feel like I've been on quite a roll lately, but I know it won't last :(  All this stamping has gotten me a bit behind on work so I'll be catching up on that this weekend.  Hope to be able to post again in the next week!

Sale-A-Bration is Here!

If you've been around Stampin' Up! for a while you know how exciting this time of year is.  For every $50 in merchandise, you earn one FREE item from the Sale-A-Bration Brochure.  Want to see what you can earn? Click on the SAB picture at the right.

I did it AGAIN!*

I can't believe it! I made 4 cards today! It's been quite a while since I've been able to spend so much time stamping. And it really wasn't that much time...just some really great challenges to motivate me and help me to focus.  I received this sketch from Freshly Made Sketches in my inbox a few days ago and rediscovered it when I was cleaning out my old emails today:

 

I saw a piece of the Paisley Petals designer paper sitting on my paper cutter and decided to use it for my background.  I also love the thank you sentiment from the Delightful Dozen stamp set when I need something long and skinny.  Here's what I came up with:

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Nature Walk, Delightful Dozen

Inks: Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Chocolate Chip

Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Paisley Petals dp

Embellishments: Chocolate Chip brads (retired)

Thanks for looking!

*For some reason I can't get it through my thick head that the FMS challenges end at noon on Mondays! Once again, I missed it!