It's Time for a Color Challenge!!!

Just in time for your weekend crafting.....a color challenge!  And this one is a tough one...

Use the above five colors ( if you don't have the Stampin' Up! colors use whatever you have that is close) and make a card or scrapbook layout.  

I would love to see what you make, and share you creations with my readers!

Vivid Vases

Today's share is a card I made for a friend, who is going through a tough time.

Life happens- sometimes it is sunshine and roses,sometimes it is just a normal day,  but occasionally there are tough times. A true friend is there lending support and encouragement at all times. 

I just wanted her to know that I am always here for her, so I thought a cheery card filled with love and support, might help a teeny bit to brighten her day.  

Supplies Used:

Vivid Vases stamp set item#133818 $14.95

Copic Markers

Real Red card stock

Pretty in Pink card stock

Naturals white card stock

border punch

spritzer tool

real red marker

pretty in pink marker

real red grosgrain ribbon

candy dots embellishment

Weekly Deals and so much more!!

An unexpected choice...

Hues of blue....an unexpected choice for the woodgrain stamp!  

Now when I first saw this beautiful background stamp I LOVED the crisp detailed impression and had to have it for my "guy" cards. But this card is a prime example of how you can "girl it up" to make a lovely card for a female. 

The greeting is from the You're Lovely  Sale-A-Bration stamp set.  The banners at the top were also made with the Sale-A-Bration stamp set and punch.  Gotta love FREE stamps and tools!  

The tiny little flowers were made with the bitty punch pack - these little punches come in a set of three, and as you can see,one of the punches make awesome little flowers!

SUO Challenge #91- You're Lovely

Tonight I decided to play along with the current  SUO Challenge # 91 found HERE

This is their challenge: 

Right now there are all kinds of banners in Stampin' Up! catalogs!  There are stamp sets and punches and framelits – and even some kits – that feature banners in one shape or another.  You challenge this time is to make a card or other papercrafted project that features at least one of Stampin' Up!'s banners.

Products Used: 

Crisp Cantelope cardstock

Summer starfruit cardstock

Sweet Sorbet Dsp

Whisper White cardstock

Banner punch

Candy Dots

 You're Lovely stamp set

Stampin Write Markers

Black Stazon Ink

Mojo Monday #334- For the Birds

Today I decided to play along with the challenge at Mojo Monday found HERE.  I wanted to use some dsp and decided on to use the  ombre effect as well

This is their sketch challenge: 

Here are the products I used: 

Real Red cardstock

Fresh Prints DSP

Whisper White cardstock

Pretty in Pink cardstock

Blushing Bride cardstock

For the Birds stamps set

Stampin Write Markers

Dimensionals

Blender Pen

1 3/4 circle punch

2 3/8 scallop circle punch

August 2013 Layout - page 2 of 2

As promised, I am back today with page two of my two page layout made with For The Record Simply Scrappin' Layout Kit -item #126900- on the Clearance Rack now for just $3.89.

This coordinating page features a photo of a lighted sign, Mike & I made last summer for our yard at the trailer.  The beautiful plant was a surprise from Mike, and they bloomed all summer!  

I found the bear at a yard sale for 2 dollars, and fixed him up...then Mike made the post and stand to hang the sign I made.  

I purchased the bare wooden Welcome and the solar light from Dollarama!  Some black paint, some leftover deck stain, a bit of outdoor varnish and voila!  

Amazing what you can make for under ten dollars! 

If you look closely behind the trees, you can see Mike really working hard mowing the lawn in this photo.  

Here are the two pages side by side:

August 2013 Layout- page 1 of 2

Every once in a while, I find scrapbooking kits on the Clearance Rack, and when I do, I cannot pass up the amazing deal,so I purchase them for my scrapbooking class girls, just so we have something different to play with.   This kit is called For The Record Simply Scrappin' Layout Kit - item #126900 -on clearance for just $3.89. I just checked and it is still available!    It comes complete with two 12x12 dsp sheets, assorted coordinating mats, banners, borders and journal tags, a full self adhesive alphabet, and loads of self adhesive embellishments, and even a button.  What a deal! This is page one of a two page layout I made using this kit.  It features my amazing hubby working hard at the trailer last summer- working hard at snoring in his new chair that is!   As you can see in the second photo- he got a bit sassy and stuck out his tongue when he woke up and realized that I was busy snapping photos of him! Too cute!   Come back tomorrow to see page two!

Paper Players #184

Today I played along with The Paper Players sketch challenge #184.  I decided to try the ombre technique.

Here is their sketch:

Products I used:

Night of Navy Cardstock
Pacific Point Cardstock
Tempting Turquoise Cardstock
Pool Party Cardstock
Papillon Potpouri stamp set
A Round Array stamp set
1 inch circle punch
1 3/8 inch circle punch
7/8 inch scalloped circle punch
Bitty Butterfly punch
Stazon Black Ink
Tempting Turquoise ink
pearls
Arrows Embossing Folder
Corner rounder

PPA 192

This is my entry for this weeks Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge. 

Here is the sketch: 

Products I used: 

Chocolate Chip cardstock
Crumb Cake Cardstock
Rev Up the Fun stamp set
Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set
Chocolate Chip ink
sponges
Woodgrain embossing folder. 

FabFri 35 Challenge

I joined in on the FabFri 35 Challenge this week.  Here is the sketch: 

Products I used: 

Strawberry Slush Cardstock
Coastal Cabana Cardstock
Whisper White Cardstock
Strawberry Slush Ruffled Ribbon
Best of Greetings
Coastal Cabana Ink
Strawberry Slush Ink
Daffodil Delight Ink
Black Stazon Ink
Dimensionals
Sticky Strip

CASE This Sketch #65

 Playing in my craft room today, and taking advantage of a great sketch by Sam Simpson over at CASE this Sketch.  Thought I would change it up a bit and have some fun with some adhesive eye balls-lol

Here is the sketch:

Products I Used: 

Lucky Limeade Cardstock

Basic Black Cardstock

Whisper White Cardstock

Bird Punch

Dimensionals

Adhesive eyes

Black Stazon Ink

Sweet Essentials Stamp Set

Just Add Ink Sketch Challenge # 203

I decided to join the girls at Just Add Ink for their sketch challenge #203.  You can find them by clicking here: Just Add Ink

Here is their sketch:

Products I Used:

Calypso Coral Cardstock
Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper
Island Indigo Cardstock
Wild Wasabi Cardstock
Whisper White Cardstock
Daffodil Delight Cardstock
Apothecary Accents Framelits
Island Indigo Ink
Pearls
Bitty Punch Pack

Clean and Simple for Freshly Made Sketches #124

I decided to play along with the Freshly Made Sketches team this week.  Here is their sketch challenge: 

They gave us the option of a square card or a rectangular card- I chose the rectangular option.:)

Products I used: 

-Basic Black Cardstock

-Melon Mambo Cardstock

-Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper

-Petite Petal Punch

-Black Candy Dot

-Sentiment is from Best of Greetings 

Flower Shop Layout for Mom....

This is the first of three pages we made in February's scrapbooking class. 

It is a bright and cheery layout ( can you tell I need Spring to hurry up and get here- so tired of snow!)

I used the Flower Shop stamp set and coordinating Posy Punch to make the flowers.  

The title was stamped with an alphabet set and punched out with the 1 inch Square punch, then layered on the Postage Stamp Punch. 

Now I just need an up to date photo of my Mom to add to this page! 

Tag Closure Card

This bright and cheery  card was a favorite in my February card class.  It features a Fancy Fold with a unique Tag Closure. 

I learned how to make this card from an Australian Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  It is very easy to do, using the new tag topper punch and score board. 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- and save money too- 2 Quick Tips!

We all love adding beautiful layers to our cards, but we all know, the more layers you add, the more cardstock you use, and  the more expensive it becomes. 

Well girls, here is are a couple of  great tips for you:

1.  When cutting layers for your cards, take the mat layer and punch out the inside area for future projects! (You are going to put your focal panel on top and adhere the back to your card base anyway- no one will ever know.) 

 I have a small 4x6 photo storage box that I purchased at Michaels for $1.50,  that I keep right by my work surface, where I store all my little "punchies".

2.  Another great tip is that whenever you have tiniest, little bits of cardstock or dsp  leftover, you can always take a small punch like Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack

 or Lovely Little Labels Punch Pack   

or the Boho Blossoms

or the Bitty Butterfly 

and use up as much of your scraps as you can....then toss these in your "punchies" container for future use.  Much better than throwing away. 

 Keep it out of the landfill and keep more cash in your pockets!

Awesome card from a friend....

Last week I received a beautiful card from a friend that I just have to share with you. As you can see a lot of work went into this card!

Don't you just LOVE the sewing machine stamped on ribbon!  Love it!  and the awesome hexagon punches too!  

Combined with the measuring tape paper embellishment and the button- this card is a whole bunch of AWESOMENESS!  Thanks so much Shirley!  

Punch Layering Tutorial

I was on the internet the other day, and came across a photo tutorial on punch layering by Kim Singhdalsen. 

It very clearly shows some great punch layering ideas to add dimension to your cards. Now the colors are not my choice- but the theory behind this is great!

Here it is: 

Are You Ready for Some FOOTBALL?????

This is the second card from my monthly card class.  It is a super fun card to make, and obviously designed for a guy.   

The card base is crumb cake and embossed with Alphabet Press embossing folder from the annual catalog. 

I cut the football shape out on my Silhouette Cameo, and glued on white strips.  Then I embossed it with the Lots of Dots embossing folder from Sale-A-Bration. 

 I then sponged the raised areas. 

 Next I punched holes with my cropodile and insert eyelets.  I used linen thread to thread the eyelets.  

I think this is a great birthday card for any age.  

Peaceful Petals and Delicate Doily

This is one of the cards I designed for  last night's card class.  It features a heat embossed background using the Delicate Doily backgrounds stamp from the annual catalog. 

The focal image is stamped with and image from the Peaceful Petals Stamp set from the Occasions mini catalog and was water colored using blender pen and ink pads.  

A quick ribbon with a simple knot finishes off this card.  

I think I must really want spring....this card screams spring to me. This is a great any occasion card....I purposefully did not put a greeting on it....that way I could use it as a sympathy, birthday, get well, thank you, mothers day....the list goes on....

True North Swappers February Swap Card

Each month I participate in a card swap with other Canadian demonstrators.  It is a great way to share ideas and techniques.  

This is my card for our February swap. It features the stamp set Blessed Easter found in the Occasions Mini catalog.

It is still freezing cold and 2 1/2 feet of snow here in Winnipeg....sure cannot wait to see some spring tulips!

a FUNNY story and a 3D project share....

So I have a funny story to share with you, a prelude to my 3D share today. 

A while back I saw this gorgeous 3D calendar online made by another Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I loved it so much that I contacted her and asked her how she made it, because I wanted to make one for myself. 

So within just a few hours Debbie had responded back to my email with instructions on how she had made hers.  

Well, it took me a while but in  late January I made mine- oh I was so very proud of my handmade calendar!  I had it proudly displayed on my computer desk for all to see.  

Then at the end of January, as I was writing my monthly newsletter, I grabbed my calendar to get the dates for my classes....and things just were not working out.  Something was wrong.  I grabbed my daytime and I was a day off in everything....what was going on??? 

Then I noticed something....like a fool I had printed and oh so carefully trimmed out each month precisely...of a 2013 calendar!  DUH!!!!!  no wonder things were not working out!!

Well I sure felt stupid!  And this calendar had been on my desk for all to see for at least two weeks!  Did I every feel stupid. 

So now  that I am over it....and have replaced the 2013 calendar with a corrected 2014 calendar, I can now share some photos with you. 

 The colored image is from the stamp set For The Birds in the annual catalog. I added a few birds.

This is the side view

And here is the back view.  I decided to use mini brads to attach my calendar, that way next year I can just change out the calendar and still use the base. 

2 single layer cards - a challenge!

Last week I hosted another Chat & Challenge online for a group of SUDSOL demonstrators. 

Normally I do a sketch challenge, but I decided to change it up a bit- you know me - live life on the edge- hahahhaha!  

Their challenge was to make a single layer card using no embellishments....now this is HARD to do....but they did an awesome job!  I cannot share their cards with you but here are two samples I submitted: 

This first card uses the Sale-A-Bration free set called Petal Parade and the greeting is from the Peachy Keen stamp set found in the new Occasions Mini catalog.  The vertical and horizontal lines were made with a ruler and Stampin' Write markers. 

This second card was made with the Petal Parade stamp set and the greeting is from A Dozen Thoughts from the annual catalog. I drew the lines with markers and then masked and stamp the floral images using more mustard, crumb cake, early espresso and cajun craze. 

Retired Items for Sale

I am cleaning out some of my retired stamps.  They are half off the original price. They are all cling mount.

Ain't Love Grand originally $20.95 now $10.50

Triple Treat Flower originally $10.95 now $5.50

Decorate a Daisy originally $21.95 now $11.00

Herb Expressions originally $40.95 now $20.00

Festive & Fun originally $17.95 now $9.00

A Cherry on Top originally $27.95 now $14.00 NEW NEW

Greeting Card Kids originally $19.95 now $10.00

Woodgrain background stamp originally $21.95 now $10.50  SOLD SOLD SOLD!!!

A Good Egg originally $29.95 now $15.00

Outline Occasions originally $21.95 now $11.00

Madison Avenue originally $19.95 now $10.00

Pretty Postage originally $10.95 now $5.50 NEW NEW

Patterned Occasions originally $20.95 now $10.50

Tote-ally Tess originally $20.95 now $10.50

Regular wheel handle originally $4.95 now $2.50

Jumbo wheel handle with builder spindly originally $13.00 now $6.50

Regular wheel handle+ink cartridge+creamy caramel ink originally 11.50 now 5.75

Wisteria Wonder ink pad regular $7.95 now $4.00

Pool Party ink pad regular $7.95 now $4.00