Retro Colors with a Retro Sketch!

Hi Stampers!! 

Even though this week was extremely busy, I wanted to create a card using the retro CQC126ColourQ Challenge colors and I  noticed that the ColourQ was highlighting a new challenge blog from Arielle- Retro Sketches so I decided to use the RS1 sketch.     

A brand new challenge with a wonderful idea-  each week, a different Design Team member will choose an old "retro" sketch from one of their previous cards and create a new card with the "retro" sketch :-).   If you had not had a chance to visit yet, check out both sites for quite a bit of inspiration and join us for some fun! 

To create this card:

To create the focal image, de-static a piece of Whisper White with the Embossing Buddy®, stamp the Sunflower background stamp with Versamark® ink, apply Stampin’ Emboss® Brown Embossing Powder (retired)  and heat with the Heat Tool.  Once cooled, color the petals with a Stampin’ Write Daffodil Delight marker.

Carefully cut around the petals and mount the image onto a piece of Whisper White that has been embossed with the Big Shot™ and the Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Mount this onto Pumpkin Pie.

Use the Crimper Tool (had to use a retro tool for this one) and crimp the corners of a piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock to create the diamond pattern as well as three strips of Early Espresso.

Assemble the layers, add the sentiment and finish off with Metallic Brads. 

Stamp Sets:  Sunflower, Short & Sweet

Ink: Versamark™, Early Espresso , Stampin’ Write marker- Daffodil Delight

Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Square Lattice and Snowburst Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Crimper Tool, HeatTool, Stampin’ Emboss ® Brown Embossing Powder, Punches- Modern Label, Word Window, 5/16” Handheld; Metallic Brads

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you have a blessed week! 

Leap Year Awana Birthday Celebration!

Hi Stampers! 

I have not had a chance to post this week since I have been taking a break from my normal weekly challenges to create birthday cards and notebooks for our 5^th and 6^th grade girls in Awana. 

My fellow leaders and I decided to have our first annual “combined” birthday party for the girls (celebrate one big birthday for all so we would not forget anyone) and since this year was a Leap Year, it was the perfect Wed. eve to hold the party.

We chose a “chocolate” theme and it seemed that all of the girls had a great time with the games, food and gifts. 

One of the leaders, Michelle (my good friend and technically co-Director :-)), found the perfect little chocolate heart shaped charm and inserted them into a brown chiffon bag that also included a magnet, chocolate and a few other goodies.  We used a brown lunch bag tied with ribbon for the rest of the gifts-  a covered notebook/journal, handmade card and of course, more chocolate:-).

To create the notebooks, emboss a piece of Certainly Celery cardstock using the Big Shot™ along with the Perfect Polka Dot Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  

Add the Satin Ribbon Bow and adhere this panel to the front of the notebook.

Use the Owl Builder Punch to punch out the owl (I used retired Designer Series paper for the little vests) along with Early Espresso cardstock for the body, Whisper White and Basic Black cardstock for the eyes, Pretty in Pink for the little heart.

Use the Scallop Punch to punch out the scallops from Early Espresso cardstock, hand cut the scallop in half and then again in quarters for the wings.  Adhere to the side of the body.  

The Cupcake Builder Punch was used for the black part of the eye (the small part of the eye on the Owl Punch was too small for me to glue for 24 notebooks :-)). 

Adhere the owl to the Certainly Celery panel,  add the Pretty in Pink heart to the ear along with the Rhinestone to finish off the notebook.  Even though some of the owls appear to be cross-eyed, even my husband thought that the notebooks turned out cute!

Now for the birthday card- I decided to stay with a CAS card (since we needed 24) so I used the Big Shot™ again with  the Perfect Polka Dot Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss another Certainly Celery cardstock layer.

Punch out the flower from Perfect Plum cardstock using the Blossom Punch and emboss with the Petals-A-Plenty Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Punch a hole in the center of the flower using the 5/16” Handheld Punch and insert the Chocolate Chip Corduroy Button brad (retired). 

Use the 5-Petal Flower Punch with Wild Wasabi for the leaves.  Cut the flower with two petals on one side and three on the other.  Fold each flower in half and adhere to the Certainly Celery panel. 

Mount the flower on top of the leaves, stamp the sentiment from Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess set) with Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink, add the ribbon bow and adhere to the Whisper White card base.

I thought that the owl may be too "cutesy" for the leaders, so I
 decided to create a different journal for them (I used the same technique to create the background cardstock layer and ribbon).  The focal panel is a modified version of a recent card that I created - see post under Lovely As A Tree.  

Stamp Sets: Happiest Birthday Wishes , Lovely As A Tree 

Paper:  Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi, retired DSP, Going Gray (retired)

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Versamark™

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders- Perfect Polka Dots, Petals-A-Plenty, Punches- Owl Builder, Cupcake Builder, Scallop Circle, Blossom, 5-Petal Flower, Corduroy Buttons (retired), Rhinestone, Heat Gun, Stampin' Emboss Basic Black Embossing Powder, Sponge Daubers, Satin Pearls, 5/8" Basic Black Satin Ribbon, additional Satin Ribbon  from my stash 

Such easy projects- I will have to make more (but start sooner next time- story of my life- severe procrastination)!  It seems to take me a while to decide on a design :-)

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend and have fun stamping! 

Love and Sympathy- Two in One!

Hi Stampers!! 

I wanted to create a Clean and Simple (CAS) card using the CQC125 ColourQ Challenge colors along with the FreshlyMade FMS23 sketch.  

I hope you have the time to check out the Design Team samples from each site along with all of the other entries- they are all fabulous!  

To create this card:

Color the floral image using Stampin’ Write markers (Lucky Limeade and Baja Breeze) and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.  Distress the edges with the Distressing Tool and layer onto Lucky Limeade (distressing the edges of this layer as well).

Use the Big Shot™ with the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss two pieces of Basic Gray cardstock.

Punch out two pieces of Baja Breeze cardstock with the 1” Square Punch and one piece from Lucky Limeade cardstock.  Emboss all three with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder. 

Punch three flowers using the Boho Blossoms Punch, run through the Crimper Tool and add the center of each square with a Copper Brad.

Add the Satin Ribbon bow, sentiment and punched border to finish off the card. 

Stamp Sets:  Love and Sympathy

Ink: Basic Gray, Stampin’ Write Markers- Baja Breeze, Lucky Limeade

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Lucky Limeade

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Square Lattice and Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Crimper Tool, Distressing Tool, Punches- XL Oval, 1” Square, Boho Blossom, Eyelet Border;  Copper Brads, 5/8” Satin Ribbon (from my stash)

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you have a wonderful week! 

Sunset Inspired Masculine Card

Hi Stampers!   

This card was inspired by a sunset that I witnessed the other day leaving from work.  The sun had almost completely set and the dusky clouds contrasted against the coral sky and it was gorgeous!  God’s handiwork never ceases to amaze me….

I decided to try to recreate the scene using a sponged background along with this week’s PP83 CAS Masculine challenge at The Paper Players.  If you have not visited their site yet, check out all of the great examples- they outdid themselves again!

If the card looks plain, I apologize in advance :-)  I decided to wait to add the sentiment since it may be appropriate for many occasions - Birthday, Thinking of You, Get Well, Sympathy…

To create this card:

Using a Sponge Dauber with Peach Parfait Classic Ink lightly sponge the ink along the bottom of a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Add the clouds in the same manner with Basic Gray.

Stamp the tree line with Versamark™ ink and heat emboss using the Heat Tool and Stampin’ Emboss® Black Embossing Powder. 

Layer onto Basic Black cardstock and again onto Basic Gray (that has been embossed with the Big Shot™ and the Stripes Textured™ Impressions Embossing Folder).   Tear and distress the edge of the Basic Gray layer. 

Mount the focal image, add the 5/8” Black Satin Ribbon bow and adhere to the Whisper White card base (front panel embossed with the Herringbone Textured™ Impressions Embossing Folder). 

Clean and Simple card and oh, what fun!  

Stamp Sets:  Lovely As A Tree

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic Black

Ink: Peach Parfait, Basic Gray, Versamark™

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders- Stripes, Herringbone, Heat Tool, Stampin’ Emboss® Black Embossing Powder, Sponge Daubers, 5/8” Black Satin Ribbon

Thanks again for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed this quick easy card!  I think I will have too make a few more of them for my masculine "stash" :-)  

Have a blessed weekend and try to "squeeze" some time for stamping!

Vintage Sketch- Two in One!

Hi Stampers!

Finally a chance to spend some time creating this evening!  I decided to use the ColourQ CQC124 colors along with the Stamping 411 SSC243 Sketch Challenge to create a fun, vintage style card!

If you have the time, check out both sites for great inspiration! 

To create this card:

Ink the background stamp, Hello Doily with Versamark™ Ink and stamp onto Pool Party cardstock.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool.   Ink the background stamp, En Francais with Poppy Parade Classic Ink and stamp over the embossed doily – gently wipe off the excess ink from the embossed image.

With the 2 ½” Circle Punch, punch out a piece from the Everyday Enchantment DSP and layer two Decorative Labels from Poppy Parade (cut in half) behind the circle.   Emboss the circle  with the Big Shot™ and Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder. 

Attach a 5/8” Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon.  Create the rolled flowers from Poppy Parade, Pool Party and Pretty in Pink cardstock using 1 3/8” and 1 ½” Circle Punches along with the Crimper Tool.

Assemble the layers, add the pearls to the flowers to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Hello Doily, En Francais, Short & Sweet

Ink: Poppy Parade, Versamark™

Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Everyday Enchantment DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Crimper Tool, Heat Tool, Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder,  Punches-2 ½” Circle, 1 3/8” Circle, 1 ½” Circle,  Decorative Label, Word Window, Scallop Trim Border;  5/8” Pool Party Seam Binding,  Pearls 

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you have a blessed week! 

CAS Everyday Enchantment- A Color and Sketch Challenge!

Hi Stampers!   

My husband and I just finished watching the 136^th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show this evening (it is our annual Valentine’s Day tradition) and I know, I should be sleeping but I have not had time to create this week and desperately need to spend time in my craft room (I have been working very long hours at my full-time accounting job :-)))

I decided to unwind and take the time to create a quick CAS card using Ann’s PP82Color Challenge from The Paper Players along with the CCMC188 Sketch fromCreate with Connie and Mary.    Again both sites have so much inspiration!  

Since this card has very little stamping- mostly the  Big Shot™ with three embossing folders, the new Framelits™ Labels Collection along with the new Blossom Punch- quick and easy! 

To create this card:

Hand cut the banner from the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper (from the SAB catalog) and layer onto Soft Suede cardstock (hand cut around the banner shape, use the Distressing Tool along the edges and emboss with the Finial Press Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder).   Lightly sand with the Sanding Block and adhere the bow.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Framelits™ Labels Collection to cut a label from the same DSP as the banner and Soft Suede cardstock.  Emboss the Soft Suede label (as well as the DSP for the background) with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder. 

Layer the labels onto the card front, add the flower (created with the Blossom Punch from Pool Party cardstock and embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder),  adhere the center of the flower and add pearls along with the tiny labels to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Tiny Tags

Paper: Poppy Parade, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper (SAB 2012)

Ink: Poppy Parade

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders- Finial Press, Square Lattice and Perfect Polka Dots, Framelits™ Labels Collection, Sanding Block, Punches- Blossom, 1” Circle, Jewelry Tag; 5/8” Pool Party Seam Binding, Brad, Pearls

Thanks again for stopping by and I hope you enjoy this quick easy card!  Have a great week and I hope you have fun stamping! 

Happy Valentine's Day! Simple Cards created with a Great Friend

Hi Stampers! 

I had the opportunity to spend several hours with a good friend on Saturday and we created eleven Clean and Simple (CAS) Valentines for the children in her life.  

She is a beginner stamper and loves the Big Shot so I decided to focus on embossing folders, the new Framelits™ dies and punches.

We needed four different designs (so that there would not be a duplicate card sent to the kids in the same family) and even though the majority of the cards were for boys, we still added pink and hearts…she said that her one eldest male grandchild has a T-shirt that states “Real Men Wear Pink” so we decided that they could handle the pink hearts :-))…

Cards for the "Girls":

Cards for the "Boys":

I hope you enjoy these cards- they could be modified using current Designer Series Paper and ribbon (with another theme they would be excellent for "Stamp A Stacks" or beginner classes)..

We had a great time creating these and I am looking forward to our next get-together (she is the "hostess with the mostess" and we will be having more classes in the future)..

Stamp Sets: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper:  Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red, retired SU! Valentine DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Framelits™ Hearts Collection, Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders- Square Lattice, Perfect Polka Dots, Adorning Accents (Heart), Crimper Tool, Punches- Full Heart, Eyelet Border, Word Window, Modern Label, Satin Ribbon- from my stash  

Two Challenges- One Challenging Color Combo!

Hi Stampers!! 

This week’s ColourQCQC123 Challenge colors definitely remind me of the 70’s again- I do believe that retro is in and aren’t those owls cookies cute? I must admit, I did struggle a bit with this color combination but in the end decided to combine it with the Stampin’ Queen’s SQSC25 Sketch Challenge (again, both sites offer so much inspiration and you should see what the Design Teams created!)..

This card was definitely quick and easy once I determined the design :-)

Ink the French Filigree background stamp with Regal Rose Classic Ink and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock, emboss with the Big Shot™ and the Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder. 

Attach the two lengths of White Satin Ribbon and mount onto the Regal Rose cardstock base.

With the Big Shot™ and the Framelits™ Labels Collection, cut a frame from Regal Rose cardstock and Peach Parfait Designer Series Paper (retired Hostess pack).  Emboss both with the Big Shot™ and the Pefect Polka Dots Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.

 

Use the Blossom Punch (love this new punch!) and punch a flower from Poppy Parade Designer Series Paper (I used a piece from a retired Hostess Pack) and run through the Crimper Tool.  Layer with a center created with the Boho Blossom Punch from Peach Parfait cardstock and add a Pearl to the center.

Attach the flower to the embossed label layer, add the bow and little tags to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  French Filigree, Tiny Tags

Ink: Regal Rose, Poppy Parade

Paper: Whisper White, Regal Rose, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade and Peach Parfait Designer Series Paper (retired Hostess Pack)

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Framelits™ Labels Collection, Square Lattice and Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Crimper Tool, Punches-Boho Blossom, Blossom, Jewelry Tag, White Satin Ribbon (from my stash),  Pearls 

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you have a wonderful week!