BC#75 -- Inspiration Challenge

Whew! It was a challenge this week just getting time to create this challenge!! LOL! How was YOUR holiday?

As I mentioned in a previous post, most of this past week was spent preparing for Thanksgiving....we ended up with a mere 23 people!! (They didn't all come!) As you can imagine, preparing dinner for such a large crowd takes time, which means little or no stamping time for me! BUT, last night after my family left....the 2nd load of dishes were loaded in the dishwasher, and everything was put away, I actually needed a bit of time to unwind...in my stamp room! So, this card was done last night, but I needed to wait till I could gain access to my scanner, which is in the room now serving as a guest room.

When I first saw this inspiration photo (isn't this lovely...wouldn't you just LOVE to have a bed ensemble like this?) I just knew that I would use Guide Lines by Paper Trey. Only problem was, I created the background for this card and then seemed to loose steam. Maybe I was tired (it was very late....and I worked so hard this past week), I just couldn't seem to come up with a truly inspired layout. So, this week's edition is kind of simple, but then you know that I tend to favor simple cards and layouts. AND the background created with the stamps is so pretty, I hated to clutter it up.

So, I dressed up this simple layout just a bit....with curved corners, a few copper mini brads, and a scored band that mimics the neck pillow in the photo. This card would be easy to reproduce since it's not very intricate and shows off that stamped background, don't you think?

Hope you aren't exhausting yourselves by shopping too much this weekend! Why not take a bit of time to treat yourself to a few minutes visiting the others who participate in this challenge each week!

Stamps: Guide Lines (Paper Trey), All Holidays

Inks: Really Rust, Riding Hood Red

CS: Very Vanilla (cardbase), Blush Blossom, Really Rust, Riding Hood Red

Misc: Corner Rounder Punch, Paper Piercer & Template (Tool Kit), Score Blade (12" Cutter), Copper Mini Brads*

All items used are by SU, unless otherwise noted.

*Retired

Happy Thanksgiving.....and BC#74

Better late than never....right?!! Finally, I've finished my Challenge for this past week. Since it's a Thanksgiving theme, it's definitely time to post, or it will be too late!! And I so want to wish you all a wonderful Turkey Day. Hope you are surrounded by family and friends.....those who are all special to you.

As for me, I'm hosting my family. So, I've been cooking and cleaning for a few days. This is the one day a year that all my siblings try to get together. You see, I'm one of 5.....I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters. We are all married and have children, ranging in ages from 28 to 7.....13 all together! Now, there are boyfriends, girlfriends, one has a child, and my son has a finace. So, all totalled, there will be 22 of us tomorrow.....I think. That number keeps changing! I LOVE having my family together.....yes, it can be chaotic, but it's fun and wonderful to see them all....and sometimes the antics can be very entertaining!

So, my card.....well, not much stamping this time around. I've been seeing this cute little turkey created with one of my very favorite punches, the Round Scallop Punch. Add in a few others, and you've got what it takes to create this little guy! Everything here is SU except the scalloped background, which was created with my Nestie put through the Big Shot.

Stamps: Twill, All Holidays

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red

CS: Natural Ivory, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, More Mustard

Punches: 1" Square, 1 3/8" Round, 1/2" Round, 1/4" Round, Blossoms, Key Tag

Misc: Old Olive Mini Brads, Template & Paper Piercer (Tool Kit), Wide Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Scallop Square Nestabilitie*

This Square can also be created using the Scallop Edge Punch....this was just faster!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day....and when you have time, don't forget to stop by the other Bloggers to see what they have all been up to!!

Techno Challenge --- Catching Up!

It's been awhile....I'm really still here....and I have not forgotten you! The last 2 weekends I was away, and now it's time to catch up! So, because I'm very far behind on MaryJo's sketch challenges, I've got 4 to share (I told you I was behind!!)....so this is going to be a long post!!

This first one was an easy, simple layout (Challenge #45)...but, I love the way this card came out....although not all the detail shows on screen, which is a shame, because is it so sparkly and pretty IRL!! The background is simply Whisper White CS rolled through the Big Shot using the Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Snowflakes. That cute little snowman was colored in using Copic markers and my regular SU Markers and then the Sakura Glitter Pen outlines the image and all those lines. It looks spectacular (if I may say so), but not as much so on screen! Add the Felt Flurry snowflake with a 1/2 Pearl in white from the Pretties kit and it's a winner, don't you think?

Stamps: Jolliest Time of the Year, Hugs & Wishes

Inks: Adirondack by Ranger in Pitch Black

CS: Whisper White, Bashful Blue

Misc: Felt Flurry Snowflake (Mini Catalog); Bashful Blue Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon; Copic Markers; Close to Cocoa, Going Gray, and Basic Black Markers; Sakura Glitter Pen; 1/2 Pearl from Pretties Kit; Coluzzel (for oval); Scalloped Oval Nestability used in Big Shot (for scalloped oval background); Mini Glue Dots

Last week's Sketch Challenge (#44) was a large tag. This was fun.....AND will be used soon on a gift basket I'm putting together for a co-worker....we're having a Secret Santa gift exchange. (I'll share a photo of the completed basket...and all the contents in a couple of weeks, before I give it away....it's just not complete yet.) This Santa image is from the same stamp set as the snowman card above, Jolliest Time of the Year. Isn't he just the cutest Santa?!! Again, I don't think you can see all the detail....his beard, and all the fur trim have been "colored" in with Dazzling Diamonds. The rest of his suit and face were colored in with Copic Markers....just LOVE them!....a bit of silver on his buckle and the Basic Black Marker ('cause I don't have a Black Copic) for his mits, boots, and belt, complete the picture. The Coluzzel was used again to create the oval and layered on a larger sized scallop created with my Scallop Nestability set. The Nestabilities and the textured background (Argyle Embossing Folder) were rolled through my Big Shot. (Can you tell that I'm loving that machine?!!) The completed tag is just about the size of a card.

Stamps: Jolliest Time of the Year

Inks: Adirondack by Ranger in Pitch Black; White Craft (used in the background)

CS: Riding Hood Red, Kraft, Very Vanilla

Misc: 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Copic Markers, Basic Black Marker; Silver Painty Pen (retired), Coluzzel, Scallop Oval Nestability (Spellbinders), Argyle Embossing (Cuttlebug), Big Shot, 1 3/8" Round Punch, Riding Hood Red/Very Vanilla Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbons (narrow and wide), Pewter Jumbo Eyelet, Cropadile

Note: Images and cardstocks are by Stampin'Up! as are embellishments, unless otherwise noted.

Challenge #43 is another that I missed. Great layout....a perfect way to use up some scraps, which is exactly what I did to create this card. This time, the focal point is Big on Christmas...such a fun set! The image was stamped in Night of Navy ink and carefully colored in using Baja Breeze for the snowman hat and the letters and markers for the other features. The Baja was all colored over with glitter to add some pizzaz....the matching CS was again run through the Big Shot with another emobssing folder and raised images were carefully inked using the White Craft pad directly on the CS. Oh, and the ribbon on the side was "dyed" using the Baja Breeze ink pad and a Sponge Dauber.

Stamps: Big on Christmas

Inks: Night of Navy, White Craft

CS: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Real Red, Night of Navy

Misc: Blender Pen, Glue Pen (non SU), Snowdots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), White Taffeta Ribbon, Sponge Dauber, White Felt Flurry, Blue Crystal Brad, Real Red & Certainly Celery Markers, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

And last, but not least, is Sketch #41 (I managed to complete and post #42, you can re-visit here)...another missed Challenge. This one is NOT Christmas-themed, as you can see! This features Cosmo Bella (obviously, NOT SU!).....I've had her for a long time and she was just dying to be inked up!! She was colored in using my Copic Markers again. And check out her blouse....that's just the tiniest piece of background paper, stamped and applied over that very spot! The saying is also another non-SU stamp, but the martini glass behind the saying is. Isn't this a fun card?

Stamps: Cosmo Bella (Bella Stamps), Rubber Soul (saying), Cheers to You (martini glass)

Inks: Adirondack by Ranger in Pitch Black, Orchid Opulence

CS: Whisper White, Orchid Opulence, Basic Black, Retired Bkgrd Paper (sorry, can't remember the name....retired a few years ago)

Misc: Copic Markers, Narrow Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Round Nestability, Pennant Die (Scallop), Big Shot, 1/2" Round Punch, Hodgepodge Hardware in Styled Silver (and colored in with a Copic)

As always, thank you for stopping by and visiting.....and thanks for sticking around and reading this to the end! Why not take a few minutes and visit MaryJo's Blog....she has the most amazing creations there! And you can see who else is participating in her challenges....hope you'll take a couple of minutes to visit them as well!

BC#73 -- Color Combo

This one was easy!....but, I have to admit that I cheated just a little bit!! You see, this is a color combination that I happen to love and used just a week or so ago for another challenge. So, now I'm sharing with all of YOU!!

You KNOW how I love using my Big Shot, right?!! Well, recently I participated in a challenge where I needed to make 1 card using this fabulous new toy....uh, I mean tool!! LOL What did I use? You guessed it! The very same combo that is our Bloggers' Challenge this week: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White (or Very Vanilla). (I sent this to my "partner.")

This idea is NOT my own, but was CASED from the amazing Patty Bennett....you see, it's all HER fault that I found the need to purchase the Pennant die! Pennants and banners are all the rage, but I'm not really sure that I will ever make one....BUT, when Patty demonstrated other uses for this versatile die on her blog....well, I had to have it!!!

This card was fun (I know I always say that!....but it really was!!!) and easy. The medallian is from Wanted, inked in Baja Breeze and then colored over in some areas with the Chocolate Chip marker and then stamped. The brown scallop piece behind is also from the same die. Check out the Top Note die....this was layered onto a larger piece of Chocolate Chip CS and then inserted into the pocket created with the pennants.

That's it for now....I'm off again tomorrow for the weekend. Last weekend that I'll be out of town for awhile.....then maybe I'll be able to catch up!! Don't forget to visit the other Bloggers. Enjoy!

Stamps: Wanted, Sweet & Sassy

Inks: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip

CS: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze

Misc: Pennant & Top Note Dies (Big Shot), Wide Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, Designer Button, Ice Crystal Brad, Mini Glue Dots

BC#71 -- Same But Different

Edited to add:

Ok.....I realize that I've done this wrong....should be the same stamp used differently. (Guess that makes more sense!! DUH!!) I'm on my way to Pennsylvania shortly, but will re-do the challenge when I return. In the meantime, enjoy these entries anyway!

This week's Challenge....to use the same layout with 2 different stamps OR use the same stamp set in 2 different ways. We had a similar challenge months ago and this was fun...at that time, I used the same layout. This time, I've chosen the same stamp set....using a long-time favorite, Lovely as a Tree. You've seen me use this set a lot in the past.......can you stand it again?!!

This first card is one made with my stamp club when I taught them embossing. Easy!....and pretty basic. Don't you just love the crisp look of the trees embossed in black against the white cardstock? Pair that up with the Mellow Moss background....with a little faux stitching, and a double stamped background, of course! The ladies loved this card.

Next is one designed for a Holiday Stamp-a-Stack. This is a favorite of mine....and will be my Christmas card this year....so you are getting a sneak peak!! This design is called a Tent card. The base is 8 1/2" x 4 1/4" folded in half. Add the circle up at the top and the completed card fits into a regular card-size envelope. The scallop circle was created with my new love, the Big Shot and the Scallop Punch #2, the inside was done with the Coluzzel. This card is so sparkly and pretty IRL, the scan just does not do it justice! Please keep in mind that the white area at the top of the card is actually "free space," of my scanner bed.

As you can see, another stamp was used, but it's still the same set. The tree was inked in Always Artichoke, and then carefully, a bit of Close to Cocoa Marker was added for the tree trunk and stamped 3 times without re-inking. Add a bit of glue from the 2-Way Glue pen, sprinkle on the Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and it turns elegant! The "bow" was the easiest thing....just punch with the Double Rectangle Punch and slip the ribbon through. The Christmas greeting covers the gap. Oh, and check out the third photo on the left to see the inside. And one of the best things about this card is that it requires NO extra postage!! Gotta LOVE that!!

Thanks for stopping by today.....hope you can take a little time to stop and visit the other Bloggers!

Card #1

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Sanded, Sincere Salutations

Inks: Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Basic Black Classic & Craft

CS: Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss

Misc: Wide Oval Punch, Dimensionals (for greeting), White Gel Pen, Clear Embossing Powder

Card #2

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Punches Three, Many Merry Greetings

Inks: Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke

CS: Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla

Misc: Square Scallop Punch, Double Rectangle Punch, Close to Cocoa Marker, Wide Riding Hood Red & Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon (from Mini), Dimensionals (for greeting)

Monday Lunchtime Challenge #42

WOW! I've missed the last few, but gradually, I AM catching up!!

This is a slight twist on the original sketch and turned around.....but it's such a simple and easy layout. So, it is dressed up!....the Snowflakes Embossing Folder was used for the Baja Breeze layer and passed through the Big Shot. Then my Very Vanilla ink pad was used directly on the embossed paper to highlight the raised snowflakes and age the edges. Add an embossed greeting, Hodgepode Hardware in Styled Vanilla, and a snowflake from the Felt Flurries collection and simple has become a WOW! I'm just loving the vintage look of these colors together!....definitely need to play with this combination more.

This was a fun challenge, thanks, MaryJo! And thanks to you for stopping by!

Stamps: Best Yet

Inks: Very Vanilla Craft

CS: Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red

Misc: Hodgepodge Hardware in Styled Vanilla, Felt Flurries (smaller collection from the Holiday Mini), Winter White Embossing Powder*, Snowflakes Embossing Folder (by ProvoCraft), Big Shot, Wide Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Designer Series Punch

*Retired