Giggle Greetings + Party with Cake = FUN

Yesterday I came across a theme challenge that I could not pass up! You know my love of dogs, so it will not come as a surprise to you, I am sure! The gals over at "TGIF" challenges are hosting an animal themed challenge this week... so of course I had to play along!

If you are reading my blog via email, you may have to follow to my blog to see my card below the challenge info.

I wanted to combine an older set with some new supplies... and came up with this:

Now I have to admit that I used my Blendabilities to color in the dog, but you can also use marker of course..

I hope you like the modern feel of this card. It shows you that you can used the Party Pop-up  framelits also as stand-alone item. Which is pretty cool, I think!

Supplies used:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Fall Challenge Card

Last week I had signed up to participate in a "one on one" card challenge swap. Our theme was FALL.

I still had a "practice piece" from my last Brayer Class on my table and thought - how perfect. So I just made it into a card!

Laura L., if you read this blog and want to be surprised - please don't look! I mailed it out Friday morning and I am not sure if it already arrived...

Anyway, here is my little card:

Supplies used: 
"Autumn Days", "Thoughts & Prayers", "Teeny Tiny Wishes", White, Chocolate Chip + Really Rust CS. Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun, More Mustard, Really Rust, Basic Black, Not quite Navy inks, Brads, Brayer, sponges, Dusty Durango Ribbon, Clear EP, Modern Label Punch and matching magnetic die for the Movers & Shapers Die, Dimensionals, Cutter Kit, White Gel Pen.

I hope you guys are having a wonderful Sunday...

 

Feeling Sick?

Last week I've participated in a one-on-one challenge where we had to make a Get Well Card for our partner.

I had just gotten in the Hostess Level 1 Set "Comfort Food" and I just couldn't resist!

I wished I had taken a better picture before mailing it out!

What you may not see is that the "Milk Puddle" is dimensional! I first colored around the words with the white Crayon and Aqua Painter, let dry and then covered that with Crystal Effects! It looked cool...

The Background is a piece of Urban Garden DSP, which was textured with the large dots SU texture plate and then sanded to make them stand out more... The inside has a white Rub-On Get well greeting.

Other supplies used: Real Red CS, Whisper White CS, Baja Breeze CS, Kraft CS, Black StazOn ink, White Gel Pen, Scallop Edge Punch, white Taffeta Ribbon, Cutter Kit, Dimensionals

 

Challenge Card (Inspired By) - Lisa B. don't look!

Last week I was supposed to make a card following an inspiration photo. We could use the just the colors...just the pattern....or however this piece inspired us!  

Here is the inspiration piece:

And since I still had out the supplies for my Technique Class I thought I'd make another card like that but use the colors from the challenge...

Here is my card:

Items used:

Bella's Bloom (Stamp Set)

Card Stock - 8.5x11 - Basic Black

Card Stock - 8.5x11 - Green Galore

Card Stock - 8.5x11 - Taken with Teal

Card Stock - 8.5x11 - Lovely Lilac

Card Stock - 8.5x11 - Whisper White

Classic Ink Refill - Lovely Lilac

Classic Ink Refill - Taken with Teal

Classic Stampin' Pad - Basic Black

Classic Stampin' Pad - Lovely Lilac

Classic Stampin' Pad - Taken with Teal

Cutter Kit

EP - Crystal Clear

Flores Suaves (Stamp Set)

Punch - Wide Oval

Ribbon, Gingham - Black

Ribbon, Taffeta - Whisper White

Sizzix Bigz Die - Top Note (SU! excl)

Sponge Daubers

Stampin' Dimensionals

Stampin' Glitter - Dazzling Diamonds

StazOn Ink Pad - Jet Black

Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive

Upsy Daisy (Stamp Set)

I hope Lisa enjoys receiving this card as much as I did making it for her...

 

A sample and reminder

I've participated in an online layout chat challenge. That's a tongue twister... Anyway, the lady posted a sample, an actual card she had received from her relative for Christmas. We had to use the layout to create our card. Her card was in landscape and I made mine into portrait.

I am not so sure that I love it, but really wanted to show off the nice DSP in the "Love you much" Valentines Bundle. So here is my card:

I even stamped the "love you much" onto DSP and then colored it in with my Blender Pen and ink. But it wasn't the best thing to do, as the little polka dots in the paper make it somewhat difficult! BUT - I just love, love, love that heart punch!

Don't forget the bundle is available NOW, and you can read up on it in the sidebar to the right, under specials!

AND don't forget to come back to my blog this afternoon - Stampin' Up! is going to announce the retired accessories list then, and I'll post it as soon as I have it!

Have a great week...

Catalog Preview/Sneak Peek

Well today I've received my new items that I've pre-ordered and actually put the stamp sets already together - don't you just LOVE the fact that all NEW sets will be die cut!?

AND I just had to try out one set. It's a new Level 2 Hostess Set and it's called "Deer Friends" - It's a set of 8 circle stamps and very adorable!

I've participated in a challenge tonight and used this set right away. Here is my card:

Actually, come to think of it - I used TWO new stamp sets on this card... The other one (the pretty greeting...) will be a regular set and is called "Heard from the Heart".

And to tease you a little more... I also used our NEW Scallop Edge Punch - And boy was it EASY to align!

Since I don't have any Christmas Stamps set after they retire, I didn't even have a snowflake to use :-( But I wanted a "snowflake look" so I've used a stamp from the "Wanted" Set, and think it is OK to use. What do you think?

Layout Challenge Card

... don't look Mary Jo! Unless you have received it already ;-)  

I've participated in a card challenge on another list. We were given a sketch to follow and I was paired up with our Monday Lunchtime sketch hostess.... how funny is that. Mary Jo makes the most wonderful cards, so the pressure was on!

Here is the sketch we had to follow:

And this is what I came up with:

Supplies Stamps: Embrace Life, Wonderful You Paper: Basic Black, Groovy Guava, Shimmery White, Sahara Sand, Ruby Red, Ginger Blossom DSP Ink: Staz-On black, Groovy Guava  Accessories: Hodgepodge Hardware, Pretties Kit, Dimensionals Tools: Nesties, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Aqua Painter, Piercing Needle and circle plastic canvas

You may have to enlarge the photo to see the texture behind the blossom and the holes on the black circle. The holes were created by placing a small circle plastic canvas (needle point) over it. Then you just follow the correct circle around... but you have to pierce in the same spot. Since the holes are larger than the needle, I just pierced in the same corner each time - it worked well enough for me!

 

No Blogger's Challenge - but still a card

This week we were supposed to make a Mother's Day Card. Since I really didn't need one, I decided to sit this one out. But please check out the other players creations... it's not too late if you need to make a card!

I did however participate in a challenge where we had to create something that was inspired by the brown rug (from Pottery Barn Teen) pictured below:

The card that I made is somewhat funkier than my usual work, but it came together nicely. It was lots of work... because I started out with the Chocolate Chip CS and embossed all the images in black EP. Then I used BLEACH, to "color" them all in so it would "erase" all the brown color. Then I went back and really colored them in, using my Blender Pen (it's been a while since I've used that tool...) and my Chalks.

Here it is:

Supplies Stamps: Time well Spent, Circle of Friendship, Little Flowers Paper: So Saffron, Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Ink: Versa Mark, Staz-On black, Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip Accessories: Ribbons, Rhinestone Brads, Dimensionals Tools: Circle Punches, Chalks, Blender Pen, Aqua Painter

 
I do want to wish a very Happy Mother's Day to all the Mother's out there though... Enjoy your special day! There really should be more than just one day a year to honor you for all you do!

Technostamper Sketch Challenge #12

Well let me tell you up front that you may need to put on your sunglasses if you decide to take a closer look at my card :-)

Not only did I use this weeks layout posted by Mary Jo over at Technostamper, but also used the Birthday Bling theme I was to use for another challenge (Don't look Vicki G.)! And let me say it is VERY sparkly (we had to use Glitter and Rhinestone Brads or other shiny things on it)!!! I think Vicki will have lots of light in her house once she opens that envelope!

Here is the sketch we had to use for today's layout:

And then this is my sparkle card:

Supplies Stamps: Doodle This, Sincere Salutations Paper: Basic Black, Rose Red, Cameo Coral, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery Ink: Basic Black Accessories: Brads (Silver and Rhinestone), Rhinestones, Fine Cosmo Glitter with 2-way glue pen, Dimensionals Tools: Large Oval Punch, Key Tag Punch, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Be sure to go over to Technostamper this afternoon to see who else has played along this week!

Thanks for looking and not get blinded...

PS: The glitter on the swirls was applied with a 2-way glue pen!

Last weeks Blogger's Challenge

Wow this is the funniest thing that happened to me in a long time! I was going to do last weeks challenge, but time ran away. So I just didn't! I then did this weeks, and posted it yesterday on time :-)

And worked (also yesterday) on another card - DON'T LOOK KIM H.! For this one we had to use a bird image. I was going to us the one from the "Always" set, but thought Kim may not like the image as much. So I just started to play and since I wanted to use the In Colors, I pulled out my color chart and decided to use Soft Sky. Well to make a long story short, I now have used the color combination of Soft Sky, Real Red, Bayou Blue and Chocolate Chip - which was last weeks challenge. So I DID complete last weeks challenge after all! But I didn't realize that until I my card was done and I came across my notes for last week. Whew!

So without further delay... here it is, which is an "inverted topper card":

Supplies Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes, Lots of Dots Jumbo Wheel Paper: Soft Sky, Real Red, Blue Bayou, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Ink: Staz-On black, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Real Red, Summer Sun + Sage Shadow Markers Accessories: Brown Satin Ribbon, Rhinestones, Rub-Ons Greeting Tools: Nesties, 1/8 Punch, Creative Memories Circle Cutter for the opening in the card (the flip part)

 
Thanks for bearing with me!

Card Challenge - Spring Flowers

Last week I've participated in a challenge where we had to make a card with the theme of "Spring Flowers".

Well I had created a card for my stamp club demo's and thought it would be a perfect one for this theme. So I sat down and re-created it. The Technique used is called "Popping Pastels"!

You really need to click on the photo to enlarge it to see the true beauty of this card! The card is quite pretty and doesn't look as washed out like you might think at first look:

Supplies Stamps: From the Garden (Hostess Set) Paper: Basic Black, Groovy Guava, Whisper White Ink: White Craft, White Gel Pen Accessories: Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Quickie Glue Pen Tools: Stampin' Pastels, Sponge Daubers, Sealant, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Mat Pack, Piercing Tool, Crop-A-Dile

 

Candy Challenge - don't look Judy H.

Yep - you've read right: CANDY! Last week I've signed up for a challenge to send pretty packaged candy to a swap partner.

I still had some silver tins that housed  small round containers with a clear lid. I kept them because I knew one day I could use them for something. So this tin and challenge were perfect for me and of course I chose chocolates!

The Stamp Set I've used is one of my new favorites "Boho Backgrounds"! And the center of the medallion can be punched out with the Boho Blossoms punch which goes with the "One of a Kind" stamp set...

I really had a hard time giving away this cute altered tin, but know that Judy will enjoy it just as much!

Tin closed:

Tin open:

Box open - matching tissue paper up:

Close-Up on a piece of Chocolate:

Take Ten Challenge

Last week I participated in a challenge where we exchange a card/project on a one-on-one base and have a different challenge theme each time.

This time we had to follow a card sketch that was published in the Take Ten Magazine as their call for cards following that sketch to be submitted to them. This is the Sketch we had to follow:

For my card I've used the "Embrace Life" stamp set and "Ginger Blossom" Designer Paper... just because I soooo LOVE both! And it just made that card so easy to make. 

We were also challenged to submit our creations to the Take Ten Magazine - which I did... So we'll just have to wait and see "if" it'll make it or not. Either way, I had such a good time making this card! Enjoy!

Card Challenge - Dryer Sheet Technique

I've participated in a challenge where we are to use the Dryer Sheet Technique. So I gave it a try with "Serene Sunflower" first, but wasn't too sure that I liked it. Since it calls for so much glitter, all I could think was WINTER right now. And that's weird because we don't get much or any snow here in GA. Anyway, for now I've put it aside and made a new sample (yes, I used my sewing machine again *grin*). You may want to click onto the card, so you can see all the sparkle.... Here it is:

Color Challenge

Last Friday I took on a challenge to use Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie and Green Galore or Gable Green... it is sort of a weird combination when you pull out those pieces of Cardstock. But I have to admit, those colors do look good together. I had made the card right away, but wanted to wait with posting until I thought my challenge partner may have recieved it...

This is the card that I've come up with:

AND this is the first time I've used one of our new rhinestone brads. I really, really like them ;-)

Pick a Petal

I've participated in a card challenge where your partner sent you some cardstock and embellishments and you had to make a card with it and send the card back. I had my mind set on using my "Pick a Petal" Stamp set with Designer Paper... I just finished my card in time to get it send out before I head out for Convention tomorrow morning. So I am very excited for 2 reasons, the obvious... my trip .... and I think the card turned out pretty cute!

Altered File Folder

I've participated in an "Alter something Challenge" and decided to give the file folder a try. During the SU! regional seminar in Atlanta, it was demonstrated up on stage and used for recipes (that one had the outside laminated....). And other ones on display were used as journals and scrapbooks...

This is my try (I didn't stamp on the tags, so the recipient of this item could customize it to her liking):

Funky Doodles

I've participated in a card Challenge based on the Sketch Challenge #115 on Splitcoast Stampers. You can see the layout here: SC115.

Here is my approach - It's very colorful!

Brown Challenge

One of the online stamp groups I belong to had the challenge to use the color brown as the main color on a card. Here is what I've come up with. The stamp set is called "Doodle This" and is from the upcoming Stampin' Up! Mini Catalog. The card is really a lot more vibrant in real. The scan does not do it justice. But I was in such a hurry to get this card mailed off this morning, that I didn't have the time to take a good picture and just "threw" the card on the scanner...

I really like those colors together! Brown is a neutral color and is supposed to go with just about anything. And I think it's true - I was just always "too chicken" to combine it with anything else then the earth colors...

This card with it's color combination reminds me of my favorite Vera Bradley Purse (Java Blue)