#5

The Grab Bag Giveaway Winner from this post is #5, Chari M., as picked in random from the oldest. Why #5 I asked? About twenty reasons and five minutes later, the general consensus was that at age five he did a lot of fun "stuff" like  play and sleep in, you know, the important things in life...

This card came about by using the colors from Color Cue #16 and Funky Flowers from WPlus9. I added some rhinestones to the funky flowers and carried the colors down to some paper strips attached to the base of the card whereas the layer with the flowers and sentiment have been popped up with dimensionals.

Ross and the Leather Pants

Do you have (or will have) that one iconic tv show that defines our late teens and mid twenties?  For me, it is Friends. The catchy tune, the characters that didn't change, hidden meanings, the lessons learned. My all-time favorite episode?  The one with Ross and the Leather Pants (season 5, episode 11 "The One With All The Resolutions"... here's a link, I dare you not to laugh.) Still chuckling now...

So many of the Friends episodes ran through my mind as soon as I pulled together this sentiment and card for Wplus9's Color Cue Challenge. Ahh, love it when cards make me feel a bit younger again...

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Yellow), (White) Office Max
Patterned Paper: (Green) SU
Stamps: (Brothers and Sisters, All Occasion Tags) Wplus9
Ink: (Basic Gray Pigment) SU
Embellishments: (Sticker) Heidi Swap- thanks Kelly!, (Gray Grosgrain Ribbon) Offray
Tools: (Metal Die) Wplus9, (Circle Punches) Creative Memories

Stamping is Therapeutic

She found it quite therapeutic to discover different patterns with the stamps. She filled up dozens of pages with different color combinations. Each sheet was unique, yet each belonged with a group, with the whole. Hmph, she thought, these papers with the patterns where much like society.

A simplistic approach to The Color Cue Challenge over at Wplus9. Love this stamp set.

 Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Kraft) PTI, (White) OfficeMax
Stamps: (Poinsettia Patterns) WPlus9
Ink: (Colorbox Chalk)
Embellishments: (Sticker Sentiment) SRM, (Vintage Wool Thread)

All Bark, No Bite

Sometimes she comes across as a bit harsh. Sometimes she can get a bit grouchy. But my oh my, does she have the most beautiful and loving soul. She would do anything for anyone without a blink of an eye. What's that term called, all bark and no bite? This card is to thank her for all she has done in the past few months for me, without her I'm not sure how I would have gotten through some rough times.

The colors are derived from Wplus9's latest Color Cue Challenge-the deadline is today so I'm quickly fitting this in!


Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Peacock and Border from Magical Moments) Wplus9, (sentiment from Mega Mixed Messages) PTI
Ink: (Going Gray Pigment) SU, (Versamark)
Embellishments: (Rhinestone Ribbon), (Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels
Tools: (White Embossing Powder) SU, (Black Pen) Pilot

Sweet Baby Girl

Sometimes I wonder what it would by like to have my very own baby girl...To go through the process of picking out pink booties and tights with lacey behinds, finding every little dress that is frilly and pretty. I was destined, however, to live with the wonders of frogs, worms, snails, dirt, mud, etc. and am so very grateful to be blessed with two rambunctious, absolutely cute, fun and lovable boys. I'm happy and I'm content.

For this card, I knew I wanted to showcase the medallions other than in a birthday or anniversary form and I wanted to use the colors from the latest Color Cue Challenge. A baby girl card seemed to fit the bill as I was going through the creative process of pulling the colors out and some embellishments. I created the background paper by penciling in a light grid and repeatedly stamping a medallion. I thought Kraft paper would be a bit to heavy for this application. My solution was to bring that color in through the distressed inked edges and as an image base for my sentiment.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: (Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral) Stampin' Up! Stamps: (Mehndi Medallions, Woodgrain Silhouettes) Wplus9 (Mega Mixed Messages) PTI  Ink: (Chocolate Chip Pigment) Stampin' Up! (Antique Linen Distress) Ranger Other: (Rustic Twine) PTI (Brown Safety Pin) (Coral Button) (Circle Cutting System) Creative Memories

Super!

I've been told she doesn't care for glitter, she doesn't care for the color pink. She likes baby animals, the color orange, and everything earthy and bright. This teenager has a heart of gold. I've never met her, but hopes she likes her birthday card just the same.

The delicious Color Cue Challenge combination and Limelight Papercraft's sketch challenge from last week were a perfect match for this card. I first stamped a background pattern of the outlined fern and butterflies on blue, then ink distressed the edges and sponged a bit of color inside each element. I then stamped a woodgrain pattern on the orange pattern and gave it the same treatment as the blue. I took the digital file found here, created colored silhouettes in my photo editing program and printed on white paper. I went back to add the spots with a brown maker. I like the contrast of the distressed treatment on the colored paper against the stark white and clean design of the printed fawn patterned paper.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: White (Georgia Pacific) Blue, Orange (Recollections) Stamps: Woodgrain Silhouttes (Wplus9) Digital Image: Skinny Fawn (TiffanyDoodles) Pigment Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise (Stampin Up) Other: Rustic Twine (PTI) Button (Fiskars) RubOn: ChitChat (Stampin Up) Tools: Corner Round Punch (Stampin Up)

Gingerbread Trim

I adore the use of architectural scraps for interior decorating. I have a four paneled peeling green paint window...hanging on my wall in my living room. I love it for the simplicity, for the texture, for the balance it provides to the ugly cabinet that flanks the other wall, compliments of my husband.
There were some amazing repurposed for interior/exterior decorating household items at the creationdesign's shop. I chose this Gingerbread Trim Hanger for my inspiration for the Etsy Inspired Challenge and used the fabulous colors at Wplus9's Color Cue Challenge. I had in my mind to replicate the rays, woodgrain and vintage feel of the hanger.
Tip: For accurate placement of the scored rays, stamp the Practicing Creativity Design's Ray Guide from the You're Dandy Stamp Set on the back of your cardstock as an even guide for scoring.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: White (Georgia Pacific) Cool Caribbean (Stampin Up), Patterned Paper: Sweet Pea (Stampin Up) Stamp Sets: Woodgrain Silhouettes (Wplus9) You're Dandy (Practicing Creativity Designs) Sincere Salutations (Stampin Up) Ink: Versamark Pad and Marker (Tuskino) Creamy Brown Chalk (Colorbox) Night of Navy and So Saffron Pigment (Stampin Up) Embellishments: Button (Stampin Up) Linen Thread (Stampin Up) Tools: Labels 8 Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Grow Old Along With Me

Grow old along with me / The best is yet to be / When our time has come / We will be as one / God bless our love...

I hear the song in my head as I start to create this card for a bridal shower. I pull out the sentiment, peal the clean and graphic crocus flowers and stick them to the acrylic block. I cut the natural white cardstock and coral ribbon. I'm going to create a clean and simple card. The song plays over again in my head. I recall images of my own wedding almost nine years ago. A smile spreads across my face. I ink and reink the flower, creating a natural rhythm of them growing and growing. I stamp the sentiment and stitch the ribbon to the card. The song (or my version of it) is almost done, and the memories tuck themselves back to sleep. The card is finished. Back to reality...

I enjoy making cards for the journey each takes me to and for some reason this one came together quickly. I used the colors from Wplus9 Color Cue Challenge and my new stamps from the same company. I'm slowly chipping away at my wish list and am so glad that I picked these up. Love 'em!

There is also this awesome new challenge out there called CAS-tastic that I'm entering this card in it (because I love it)! Please go check them out.


Supplies Used: SU Natural White Cardstock, Wplus9 Woodgrain Silhouettes Stamp Set, SU Best Yet Stamp Set, SU Bordering Blue and Marigold Morning pigment ink, American Crafts Ribbon, Fiskars Corner Round Punch, Thread

Happiness...Always

It was a wonderful happy feeling to open up Adobe Illustrator and be able to create again, it seems like its been too long! Before beginning this card, I had a particular bird style silhouette in mind and was happy that I could cater it to my needs. After printing the image in light yellow ink on my laser printer, I stamped it, clear embossed it and distressed the edges. I placed it in front of some wood grain patterned paper, capped with acetate brackets and added the button and twine for a rustic feel. I couldn't resist adding the stitching, probably because I really like my little Janome Mini. I'm enjoying stretching my creativity and taking creative liberties by playing with different products, textures and styles. Today was a long and stressful day at work and I was so happy to come home to my boys, enjoy the nice weather while it lasts, tuck the little ones to bed and make this card. A good way to end the day. Oh, and my husband's sister had her baby boy! I wish you and yours Happiness, wherever you may find it...today and always.

Inspiration for this card came from the following fantastic challenges: Sketch by Kazan at 2S4Y, colors from Wplus9's Color Cue and the CARDS Blog (use a bird image-but not an owl!).



Supplies Used: SU Natural White and Regal Rose Cardstock, SU Happiness Always and Baroque Motifs Stamp Sets, SU Barely Banana and Versamark Ink, Colorbox Chalk Ink in Creamy Brown, SU Clear Embossing Powder, Making Memories Clear Tags and Button from Passport Collection, SU Linen Thread, SU Scallop Trim Border Punch, Thread

Hang In There!

Funny how a challenge and the weather can get you to spring clean your house. I decided to empty our drawers and pleaded with my husband to get rid of a red sweatshirt that he's had before we were married (no worries-no sentimental value attached!) so I could hand cut it up into a heart. Then I found some 180 count white sheets in our laundry room that I bought shortly after I was married (we tried them once and believe me, I've never bought anything under 280 count now). So here's my second creation for Everything but the Kitchen Sink Challenge. The search for these two colors of course came from another challenge, the Color Cue, and I added the turquoise accents. The layout is from 2S4Y. However, I did have the idea of using a hanger before I started cleaning, and the elements all came together.
I've also noticed that I have a couple of trends in my cards now: I guess I keep doing them because I think they work, or I like it and think it's cool {overhanging elements, a peek of scallop edge, sewing...} I'd be curious to know, do you all have "trends" and do you think you need to get out of them or just work with it?

Supplies Used: Fabric (sweatshirt and sheet), SU Kraft and Tempting Turquoise Cardstock, SU Stamp Set, Colorbox Chalkd Ink in Chestnut Road, CM Circle Cutting System, Fiskars Scallop Border Punch, Mini Hanger, Thread