The Weather Outside is Frightful......

I'm in! It's been such a long time since I've participated, but you may remember that my buddy, MaryJo has an awesome sketch challenge every week. Well, it has quieted down for just a bit the last few days and I was able to squeeze in a card with her sketch. Guess I'm way out of practice, because this one gave me a bit of trouble but as you can see, I managed to come up with something that is blog-worthy.  (Yes, I know!....that's why it's called a CHALLENGE!!)

And, YES, the weather outside IS frightful...frightfully HOT!! Although I have to admit the temperature dropped a bit today, but the humidity didn't. Stay outside for just a few minutes and you'll feel like a wet dish rag! YUK! So, even though we were all looking forward to Springtime and Summer weather for so long, I for one, am ready for Fall! So, out came one of my very favorite Fall sets, Autumn Splendor. It's perfect for this week's sketch.

Looking at my sample now, I kind of wish that I had made those strips under the leaves a bit more narrow, but that's not what I did....there's no time to re-do. So, this is it!

I have to admit that not all of this is from SU and the DSP has retired.....the DSP that I used for the strips is from a retired hostess DSP pack....in Always Artichoke. The embossing folder that I used has been in my collection for some time, but is not too different from the brand new Houndstooth EF (Item #123134) in the brand new SU catalog! (The SU version is just a bit larger so that it will do the entire front of a card....the one I own does not. So sad....that new folder is absolutely on my wish list!!

As you can see the impressions are two-toned. I brayered the folder with Cajun Craze ink and then added in the cardstock and sent it through the Big Shot. Love that look! The leaves are popped up on Dimensionals. The saying is not from SU....I was looking for something tiny that would fit in an oval or small circle....that stamp has also been in my collection for a few years! And lastly, the small oval that was used to punch out the greeting has also retired and has been replaced by another Small Oval (Item #120908)but is a different shape....a bit taller and not quite as wide. I don't think it will nest inside of the Large Oval like the old one did....but, it looks like it will be fun to use!

So that's it for me today. You can see MaryJo's sketch here.....and see who's playing along this week.

Stamps: Autumn Splendor, non-SU Greeting
Inks: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Peach Parfait, Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizzazz, Always Artichoke
CS: Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Peach Parfait
Big Shot: Houndstooth EF (non-SU version)
Misc: Dimensionals, Sponges, Hostess Pack DSP (retired), Brayer, Small Oval Punch (retired), Large Oval Punch (I trimmed it down)

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting today!

Have a Cup of Tea

This week's sketch from MaryJo was a fun one....I had an idea, which of course is so very different than what you see here! But, I'm loving the way this came out!! (And you may still see the other idea pop up here at some point.) The problem has been trying to find time to create my sample and post for you to see!

This little tea cup is a single stamp that I earned during Sale-a-Bration....and it really needed to see some ink. So, today was the day! I took my que for colors from the lovely, dainty bone china tea cups you might see at a tea house. Although I'm not so sure that you would consider this tea cup delicate, it is cute, don't you think? The ribbon background picks up the colors of each stamped tea cup image, and uses ribbon scraps. Fun and easy....and quick!

Stamps: Tiny Teacup
Inks: Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Regal Rose
CS: Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight
Misc: Ribbon Scraps (Wide Regal Rose Grosgrain, 3/8" Whisper White Taffeta, 1/8" Marina Mist & Daffodil Delight Taffeta, 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon in Pear Pizzaz)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

MaryJo's Sketch #171

Another sneak peak! This card, which follows MaryJo's sketch #171, uses a brand-new, about-to-be-released set called The Open Sea.....perfect for all those manly cards we need to make! I haven't purchased a set that is a good masculine set in a very long time and when I saw this, I knew it was a must have....AND you can purchase it from the new Summer Mini, which goes live this Sunday, May 1.

This week, I turned the sketch on its side. You can see the original sketch when you click on MaryJo's sample below in the Blog Hop thumbnails. The ship was simply stamped in Night of Navy and then I used my blender pen to bring the blue into the sails....it's a technique I've loved for years and is just so easy to do! As you can see the base of the card was dry embossed with my favorite folder, the Square Lattice EF and the Big shot. There's also a bit more on this card that will soon be available....the Baker's Twine. It's actually available in solid white, Cherry Cobbler and White (which is shown here), and Early Espresso and White....and at only $2.95 for 25 yards, it's a real bargain!  Actually, the Cherry Cobbler blends well with the Riding Hood Red on this card. The button is now retired, but matches Riding Hood Red as well!

Stamps: The Open Sea
Inks: Night of Navy
CS: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Riding Hood Red
Misc: Button (retired), Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Ticket Corner Punch, Silver Mini Brads, Paper Piercer & Template, Blender Pen, Crop-a-dile (See holes at top of card? They are for wrapping and threading the twine through!)

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting today!

MaryJo's Lunchtime Sketch #170

After the tough time I had with last week's sketch, this one was a breeze....and fun!  I used this set for my last post; and although I'm typically fairly good about putting things away after I use them, this was still on my desk top.  (Don't be impressed...like most rubber stampers, my stamp studio is FAR from neat!....I tend to gather and add things into my small space by just dumping them in the closest semi-empty spot!)    

Obviously, this card has a completely different look from my last post.  Yes, the last post was a sketch challenge, as is this...both are very different, but so is the style.  This set, Have a Seat, is so cool!  I've had my eye on it since last summer when the catalog was released...now, I'm kind of sorry I waited so long to get it because I missed out on the fun of using it all that time!!

As you can see, the Marina Mist background was impressed by using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder in my Big Shot (what a shock....it's still my "go to" embossing folder!).  Then for the Whisper White panel...again, as you can see....I stamped the chairs all over, creating a background paper-type pattern.  The "banner" across the bottom is raised on Dimensionals.  Anyway, the card is kinda simple, but I am happy with it...guess, it's more "my" style than the last vintage one I tried!

Stamps:  Have a Seat, Curley Cute

Inks:  Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy

CS:  Whisper White, Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy

Misc:  Square Punch*, Dimensionals, Paper Piercer & Template, Not Quite Navy Mini Brads (Retired), Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch

        

   

MaryJo's Lunchtime Sketch

This week's Challenge sketch was a very tough one...at least for me.  This is what I came up with....not crazy about it, but then, to be honest, I'm not crazy about the sketch either.  (Sorry, MJ!)  But, after MANY trials and errors, I came up with something that is at least presentable!  As you can see, I used some punches, the Big Shot (of course!), Linen Thread, and DSP.  Those diagonal stripes across the card made it kind of busy, so too much DSP (which is how I began) was way too much!  So, the Pumpkin Pie layer was added...or replaced....instead.  Originally, I added little pennant flags "hanging" from the thread across...again, too much!  (And I thought it was an ingenious idea!)  Instead, I layered Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon over the Pumpkin Pie layer, topped with a zig-zag of Rose Red CS (created with my Big Shot and the Tasteful Trim Bigz Die) and tied over top with Linen Thread.  Whew!   At least now, each element can be seen and is not fighting for attention!  That cute little cupcake showcases the Create a Cupcake set from the Spring Mini and the Build a Cupcake Punch...also from the Mini.  These are placed upon a 2 1/2" Circle, a circle created from the Circles Die, and then "2 3/8" Scallop Punch. 

What do you think?  Is it too busy?  Did I rise to the occasion?  As I mentioned, I'm really not so sure about this one, so feedback would be great....I'd love to hear your comments!  See?...this just goes to show that even those of us who stamp frequently struggle, too! 

Stamps:  Create a Cupcake

Inks:  Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette

CS:  Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red

Misc:  Tasteful Trim Bigz Die, Circles Die, Big Shot, Build a Cupcake Punch, 2 1/2" Round Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Punch, Word Window Punch, Dimensionals, Linen Thread, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Sweet & Sour Specialty Paper

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

MaryJo's Lunchtime Sketch Challenge

I'm in!! It was a busy stamping week last week, but I really wanted to participate....the sketch this week was actually one I was able to turn into a card! You see, I'm not always successful...sometimes the sizing is wrong, or I just can't come up with an idea for the sketch at all...or I run out of time. But this card is one I dreamed of last night....don't laugh! Haven't YOU dreamt of a stamping idea at some time?!!

This stamp and background paper combination has been combined in various ways for cards this past year and when I downloaded this week's sketch, I really wasn't sure what to do with it...that is until I went to bed last night! (It's OK...my hubby thinks I'm nuts, so you may think so, too!)

You know, this is the time of year when we begin anticipating the new catalog....and wonder which sets will retire. I am concerned about this set....maybe because I haven't seen a ton of ideas with it, but with the vintage look being so popular, I'm just not sure why! So, I thought I really need to use this set more. It's a great 2-stamp set, that's inexpensive and easy to use....it's just perfect with some DSP for a quick and easy card.

Back to my card........you can see MaryJo's original sketch here. Those little tabs in the bottom right corner gave me a bit of trouble, but other than than, it was a "piece of cake!" The Thank You stamp was double matted and then placed on Dimensionals. Oh, and I sponged a bit around the edges of the stamped cardstock in Crumb Cake to really give it an old-fashioned look. Not a lot of stamping, but I'm happy with the look...hope you like it as well!

Stamps: Engraved Greetings

Inks: Basic Black, Crumb Cake

CS: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red

Misc: Love Letter DSP, Word Window Punch, Ruby Red Mini Brads*, Paper Piercer & Template, Dimensionals, Sponge Dauber

*Retired

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

MaryJo's Monday Challenge #165

This is my version of Mary Jo's sketch this week....a little different, definitely a variation. But, although it's very simple....and has almost no stamping, I love it and really wanted to share!

I'm trying to decide if this is Spring-y or Summer-y...what do you think? Those daisies from the Daisy Die....I used the smallest....are just so dang cute. And I thought they'd be perfect for this week's Challenge. Everything on this card is from SU, but, the centers of the flowers are the now-retired Chocolate Chip buttons. I still have a lot of those....and still love them....wish they were still in the SU line....and thought they were perfect for the flower centers.

The Chocolate Chip rick-rack-shaped strip across the card was created with the new Tasteful Trim die....well, it's new for me. It was released in the Holiday Mini, and is still available. Isn't it fun?!! As you can see, I added it to the Whisper White background and then impressed it all in the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder.

Then the flowers were simply added in on Glue Dots (I still have some of the larger glue dots in my stash....and these worked great. However; I'm certain you could use a few Mini Glue Dots or Dimensionals.) I just added in a little greeting, in keeping with the simplicity of the overall card.

So, that's my submission for Mary Jo's Challenge this week.  It's good to join in.....not sure what my problem was, but for the last few weeks, every time I tried to create a card with her sketch of the week, it just went so very wrong!  Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Stamps:  Short & Sweet

Inks:  Chocolate Chip

CS:  Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip

Misc:  Daisy Die, Tasteful Trim Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Word Window Punch, Pop-Up Glue Dots*, Chocolate Chip Corduroy Buttons*

Blogger's Challenge AND Techno Lunchtime Challenge

Whew! I'm here....very under the weather, but I'm here! So sorry I've been missing....I would rather have been here than in bed...which is basically where I've been since a week ago Friday. YUK! That awful winter cold that's been floating around here got me....thanks to my daughter. (We do teach them to share, right?!!) And I also have a sinus infection. OMG....never had one of those before and really, really hope I never get one again. (My face feels like it wants to fall off.) Anyway, that's where I've been....I'm now on antibiotics, so hopefully, I'm on the mend. I do feel ever so slightly better.....I hope you'll forgive me for not posting. (I did get a few things done....like laundry and dinner and food shopping.....but, I'd get something done and crawl right back into bed.) The really good news is that I have lost all those Christmas pounds!!

So...you are here for a card. I created this today, but honestly, it took me ALL day to come up with this! I was following MaryJo's sketch from last Monday and realized that it also fits the Bloggers' Challenge from Friday, which was a color challenge: Red, White & Black. Two birds with one stone! HA! My card here was inspired by this card. Julie's was a much more simple version, but I just loved it. Everything used on my sample is SU (almost), however, there are a couple of items that have retired, like the DSP is from a retired Hostess Paper Pack; and the felt flower is non-SU from my stash.

About the card....can you tell that the bird cage was cut out and raised? It's on a Dimensional. And there's a tiny little rhinestone at the very top. "True Friend" is part of one of the images from the Sale-a-Bration set, Punch Pals.....it was punched out using the now-retired 1/2" Round Punch.

Stamps: Aviary, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Punch Bunch
Inks: Basic Black, Real Red
CS: Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red
Misc: 1/2" Round Punch*, Scallop Border Punch, Basic Rhinestone, Dimensional, DSP/Hostess Paper Pack*, Felt Flower (non-SU), Perfect Polka Dots EF, Big Shot, Mini Glue Dots

*Retired
Thanks so much for hanging in there with me...and thanks for stopping by today. See you again soon! Oh, and don't forget to check out the others who participated in either of these Challenges....in fact, if you'd like to play along, please feel free. Just don't forget to link back to the Blogger's Challenge and MaryJo's Lunchtime Challenge.

MaryJo's Sketch #157

I'm in this week....yipee!! It's such fun to play along again with MaryJo's sketch...and a fun one it is. Simple, too! BUT, I turned the sketch on its side.

You can see the original sketch here. As you can see, the sketch was originally a vertical one, but this cute little owl just didn't fit that way...but horizontally, it does....and perfectly, too, don't you think? I used the cute little new Sale-a-Bration set, Punch Bunch and the 2-Step Owl Punch. Each owl was stamped twice and punched twice as well.....the second time so that the belly color could be changed out. (I needed to trim slightly with a pair of snips.)

The biggest dilemma I seemed to have with this card was the background....or the partial background. I used the Solid Stripe background stamp (also going to be a Sale-a-Bration offering.) stamped in Old Olive ink. But it looked kinda plain to me, so I decided to run it through my Big Shot using the Finial Press Embossing Folder. Truthfully, I think I should have used the Square Lattice Folder instead, but figured you were probably tired of looking at samples where I used with that....you must know it's my favorite! (No, haven't worn it out, yet!! LOL)

So, here it is....my simple and easy submission for this week's Challenge. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite color combos with the new color line....Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Rich Razzelberry. The Whisper White seems to mellow it out.

Stamps: Thank You Kindly, Punch Bunch, Solid Stripe
Inks: Old Olive, Rich Razzelberry, Pumpkin Pie
CS: Whisper White, Old Olive, Rich Razzelberry
Misc: 2-Step Owl Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, White Mini Brads, Paper Piercer & Template, Big Shot, Finial Press EF, White Taffeta Ribbon

Check out the longer than usual Word Window and Modern Label Punched greeting. To achieve this look, I stamped the greeting and folded the stamped cardstock in half. This was then inserted into the Modern Label Punch just past the half way point. Using the Bone Folder, I flattend out the fold line. The Modern Label Punched background was created in the same way. Cool.....huh?!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Hope to see you here again soon.

MaryJo's Challenge --- It's #150!!!

I LOVE this sketch....it came together so easily and quickly this week. AND I truly didn't want to be late (like I usually am!) because this is a special week.....this is MaryJo's 150th Challenge! WOW! Way to go, MJ! (Have to admit that I missed a LOT of them....but couldn't miss this one!!)

Well, now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it's full speed ahead to Christmas time! So, Dasher is the focal point on this card.....he looks right at home here, don't you think?!! Of course, he needed a nose, so a Real Red Mini Brad was added in.....what you cannot see, and is just so dang pretty, is the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch that was sprayed over the stamped Whisper White layer, giving it a lovely, soft glow. The Soft Suede and Crumb Cake layers were stamped with Serene Snowflakes in White Craft....and a bit of Soft Suede added in on the Crumb Cake layer. All the edges on these two colors were softened by sponging with White Craft as well.

As you can see, I stayed very true to the original sketch, which you can see here. Even if these are not really traditional Christmas Card colors, I am thrilled with the overall look of this card.

Thanks for stopping by today! Don't forget to stop by MaryJo's and see who is participating this week.

Stamps: Dasher, Four the Holidays, Serene Snowflakes
Inks: Soft Suede, White Craft, Real Red*
CS: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
Misc: Paper Piercer, Real Red Mini Brad, Square Punch**, Mini Glue Dots, Scallop Edge Punch, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz

*Real Red ink when stamped on Crumb Cake matches. When Cherry Cobbler ink is stamped onto Crumb Cake CS, it is way too dark!

**Any Square Punch can be used to create the "flag" edges of the greeting. Just use the corner!