Blog Challenge #85 -- Inspired by.....

this pretty bedroom ensemble...so lovely and elegant. But it is still tailored....no frills, lace, bows, etc. However, check out the pattern on the fabric....is it not just fabulous?!! Um....looks so warm and cozy....perfect for cuddling in on these cold winter days that just don't seem to want to go away!

Anyway, that's the inspiration, and this 2nd photo is the card I came up with. What do you think? Remind you of that fabulous bed spread? (OK...maybe, kinda!) I finally opened and actually USED the Tulipe die that came with my Big Shot Kit. Now that I've used it, I'm kind of wondering why I haven't used it before.....it's just so luscious!! (Can't you see wedding invitations with this?!!) Well, not sure about you, but I've fallen in love with my "new" Tulipe die!!

Just a few things of note.....can you see the Close to Cocoa CS peaking out? I used the Texturz Plate from the Backgrounds Set #1; then sanded it a bit to make the pattern a bit more noticeable. So, now onto all the info you've been waiting for:

Stamps: Thank You Kindly

Inks: Chocolate Chip

CS: Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa

Misc: DSP*, Lots of Tags Sizzlet, Big Shot, Chocolate Satin Ribbon*

*Discontinued

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Please take a few minutes to see what my sister bloggers have created.

It's Time for Another Techno Challenge!

This week's challenge was such fun. As you can see from this sample, there is actually very little stamping......just the center of the flower has a stamped image. The background on this card was created with the fabulous DSP available only during SAB, Delicate Dots. The papers in this package are so pretty.....although there are fewer designs than in a typical SU package, there are more sheets of each design! Yahoo!! I think this is going to make projects just so much easier because there is more of each design!! (Thank you, SU!)

So the lovely green print is actually the reverse of the blue dotted print.....add in just a little scrap of the stripe, mount it all onto a piece of Sahara Sand and my background was complete. The flower centerpiece is from the Pretties Kit....it was just dyed with a few drops of So Saffron inker and a few spritzes of water. I colored in the dips in each petal with my More Mustard Marker and then placed the flower once again in the ink/water mixture to blend the shading a bit more.

Isn't it refreshing to see a Spring-like card for a change? It actually felt GOOD to make one! (Maybe winter will end soon!!) Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check out the sketch for this week and see who is participating in MaryJo's Challenge. (I've already peaked at MJ's....it's fabulous! You shouldn't miss it!!)

Stamps: Lovely Labels

Inks: Bashful Blue, So Saffron Re-Ink

CS: Whisper White, Sahara Sand

Misc: Delicate Dots DSP (SAB), More Mustard Marker, Round Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" Round Punch, Wide So Safron Grosgrain Ribbon (SAB), Mini Glue Dots, Pop Up Glue Dots

Edited to add: MaryJo's Blog can be seen here.

Blog Challenge.....Love is in the Air!

I was all packed and ready to go to my Stamp Club meeting last night and just wanted to play once more before I left. Many of my ink pads were packed, so that left me with not too many to choose from. BUT, I had Riding Hood Red still on my desktop....and these hearts were calling me! Inspiration suddenly hit (had to go with it!), and I knew that I still needed to make a card for my hubby.

This was sooo easy...with just a minimum of stamping. Sure wish I had my new SU Eyelet Punch, but it's on its way as we speak....just not here yet! So, this Martha Stewart edge punch worked perfectly. The hearts are from the Sale-a-Bration set, Polka Dot Punches.....oh! AND my large Heart Punch is also on its way. So these were cut out the old-fashioned way!

Simple and easy. Each of the black dotted "lines" in the hearts was outlined with my glitter pen.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Polka Dot Punches, All Holidays

Inks: Basic Black

CS: Whisper White, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red

Misc: Martha Stewart Eyelet Punch*, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Glitter Pen by Sakura*, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

*Non SU

BC#86--It's Valentine's Day!

In honor of the big day tomorrow, Bloggers' Challenge participants are posting their V-Day themed cards or projects today! I've been trying to think of a wonderful idea to share with you, when suddenly it hit me!.....I've been making these little treat holders all week to share with my Stamp Club members and my co-workers. DUH! They are incredibly simple and fun to duplicate....and PERFECT to post for today's Challenge!

The first, or larger photo shows just one of the treat holders. The background was created with the discontinued Jumbo Wheel, Lots of Hearts and Pillow Box Die for the Big Shot. I was able to make 25 of these in no time! The time consuming portion of these was cutting out the "tag" top....these were made by stamping and then cutting out the Yummy tag.....featuring, what else?!!: the new Sale-a-Bration set, Yummy! There are Hershey's kisses inside the treat holder.....some of the Cherry Cordial and some of the Truffle kisses. Yum, yum!

Thanks for stopping by....and be sure to visit the others who participate! Oh, and all items are from SU, except for the ribbon.

Stamps: Lots of Hearts Jumbo Wheel*, Yummy

Inks: Real Red Jumbo Cartridge, Basic Black

CS: Whisper White, Real Red

Misc: Narrow Black Satin Ribbon**, Pillow Box Die, Big Shot, Slot Punch

*Retired

**Non SU....I used the "cheapie" ribbon from the local craft store.

Another TechnoChallenge!

No, it's not Monday.....and, yes, this is late! But, we've been having some 'puter issues, so although this card has been completed for a few days, I wasn't able to scan and post!

MaryJo posted another great sketch for this week's Lunchtime challenge......but I have to admit that I took a bit of creative license with this one. It looked like an easy one, but part of this was certainly a "challenge!" You'll see that I've turned the sketch....it was the portion below the main image that became my problem.

So, here's my submission anyway.......I used the lovely Upsy Daisy. Inked first in Bashful Blue ink and then before stamping I skimmed over the outter petals with a Ballet Blue marker, which gives this image its two tone appearance.

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to check MaryJo's blog and see who particiated this week.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Classic Stripes

Inks: Bashful Blue, Versamark

CS: Whisper White, Ballet Blue, Bashful Blue, So Saffron

Misc: Corner Rounder, Ballet Blue Marker, Wide Oval Punch, Round Scallop Punch, Bashful Blue Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, So Saffron Mini Brads, Paper Piercer (for making the holes for the brads....from the Tool Kit)

BC#85 -- Not Too Late, Almost on Time!

LOL! I'm so far behind that it isn't even funny!! BUT, I'm really trying...honest! So for this week's Blog Challenge, I'm almost on time! Ok, so it should have been posted by this morning, but....HEY! I'm close!!

The image on the right is the inspiration for this week's submission. As you can see, I turned it sideways and went from there. AND I finally had the chance to play with my new Sale-a-Bration set, Polka Dot Punches. If you are a punch fanatic, then you NEED this set! Each of the images in the set is especially designed to coordinate with various punches in the SU line. This flower image was punched out using the 5-Petal Punch.....which was also used for the "leaves."

The scallop circle background was created by using the larger of the 2 circles in the Scallop Circle #2 Die (Page 197 of the new SU catalog). Then the white layer uses the Coluzzel**.

This was a fun layout.....different from my usual, simple layouts. But, I have to admit that this was definitely inspired by this card here. Her card is just lovely, don't you think? Well, anyway, here's my version. There is a lot that is different, but obviously, still a lot that is the same.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Don't forget to check out the other Bloggers.

Stamps: Polka Dot Punches, Short & Sassy, Three 4 You*

Inks: White Craft, Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac

CS: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Almost Amethyst

Misc: Trio Flower Punch, 5 Petal Flower Punch, Word Window Punch, Paper Piercer, Mini Silver Brads, White Taffeta Ribbon, Lovely Lilac Marker, Coluzzel, Scallop Circle #2 Die, Big Shot, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensional, Stylus

*Retired

**The Coluzzel has been marketed by SU and made by Provo Craft but has been discontinued by the manufacturer. It is presently available in the SU catalog only while supplies last....which won't be for long! So, SU has come out with a new circle cutter. Haven't bought it yet....but I can't wait to get it. It's supposed to be FABULOUS! Be sure to check it out in the new catalog!

Stamping Again!

It feels sooooo GOOD to stamp and create again!

I needed a birthday card for a good friend of mine....we share the same birthday (February 2). Unfortunately, I'm late.....I arrived home just in time to celebrate, but NOT create! So, finally, I took a bit of time today, and came up with this; although, I have to admit that it was a bit of a struggle....it's been so long, that it was an effort coming up with an idea! BUT, guess what?!! This fits last week's Bloggers' Challenge....so I'm in! Late, but still participating!

The colors on screen seem to be a bit off:

The background is actually Mellow Moss and the leaves are stamped onto Whisper White.

Wonderful You was used....I LOVE this set! It's still available, even though it is no longer in the main catalog....it's on the dormant list, meaning that you can still purchase it!

Each flower was stamped on a separate piece/scrap of Whisper White CS and colored in with my Copics, then cut out. There are little pink crystals in the center of each flower and my Glitter Pen was used around the edges and to highlight the stamen......I know you can't see it on screen, but this gives the flowers a lovely subtle sparkle. Then the petals were curled around a pencil to give them dimension and applied with Mini Glue Dots. The eyelet border was created with my Martha Stewart Punch.....now SU has a fabulous new Eyelet Edge Punch, but this was purchased BEFORE the catalog was released. Who knew?!!

Stamps: Wonderful You, Warmest Regards

Inks: Mellow Moss, Pitch Black Adirondack Ink by Ranger*

CS: Whisper White, Mellow Moss, Basic Black, Mauve Mist**

Misc: White Taffeta Ribbon, Copics*, Mini Glue Dots, Crystal Stickers by Stampendous*, Glitter Pen by Sakura*, Eyelet Edge Punch by Martha Stewart*

*Non SU

Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully, you've been visiting the other Bloggers' during my absence.....why not take a bit of time today and stop by their blogs and see what new things they have all been up to?!!

Techno Challenge #55

I'm finally back......it's been a tough few weeks. You see, my Dad died on the 14th of January and I've been in Florida since then. I already miss him, but I feel fortunate to have had my Dad all these years....I know that many are not so lucky. Last month (just before Christmas) I was also in Florida because he was so ill......at least now he is at peace.

So, for now, I'm here and finally ready to share once again.....and couldn't resist using this pretty little set from the brand new SU catalog, Sweet Stems. MaryJo put out another fabulous sketch, but I have to admit that I altered this slightly, as you will see when you check here. Isn't this floral image sweet? Lives up to its name, don't you think?

Hopefully, I'll be back on track with the challenges. So, please check back soon. Oh, and be sure to check out the fabulous, brand-new Idea Book and Catalog. Loads of new things....you've just GOT to see it! You can contact me for your own copy, or check our online catalog.

Stamps: Sweet Stems, Classic Stripes, Short & Sweet

Inks: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink

CS: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose

Misc: Wide Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Pink Pirouette Button from the Button Bouquet Collection, Rose Red Mini Brads, Pretty in Pink & Regal Rose Markers, Linen Thread (in buttons), Mini Glue Dots (to adhere buttons), Scallop Square Nestability*, Big Shot

*Non SU