Mojo 203 - {take 2!}

Hi all!  I'm back with another variation of the Mojo Monday Sketch 203 challenge - I still used the Beau Chateau paper, but this time I decided to have a flower focal point and add some more ribbon! 

I LOVE the Fun Flowers die and I think it really looks so pretty with this DSP!  For the center of the flower, I used the Boho Blossom punch and an Antique Brad as a finishing touch - love me the embellies!  I also like that the Crumb Cake Seam Binding makes such a pretty little ribbon accent.  I created the ribbon by creating 2 loops and then cinching the center with the twine and then knotting the button on top. Easy peasy!

This also fits into the So Shelli's Creative Challenge of a Thinking of You type of card, so I'm throwing this card into that hat as well.  Hope you like this version!  I still did the buttons at the top, too, but used the Early Espresso twine and kind of looped the buttons loosely. I also went with a little pennant sentiment, which I just hand cut and added a little twine and button at the top, then adhered to the card using a dimensional.

Here's the recipe for you:

{Mojo Take 2 - Beau Chateau}

*Stamps: You're a Gem

*Cardstock: Textured Soft Suede, Marina Mist, Beau Chateau DSP, Very Vanilla

*Inks: Soft Suede

*Accessories: Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, Fun Flowers Bigz L die, Neutrals Buttons, Early Espresso Twine, Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Basic Pearls, Antique Brad, Boho Blossoms punch

Thanks so much for popping by!  Ciao for now :)

Playing along in the Mojo 203 Sketch Challenge!

Hi there bloggie friends!  How are you?  I can't believe we're already into the 2nd week of August.  It's been busy here on the home front with the little man and all, but I got to eek out a card for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge 203 in between fussy bouts and naps from my dear baby.  Here's a look at this week's sketch:

It looked too fun to pass up!  I wanted to use the Beau Chateau paper that I just got, so here's a look at the full card I came up with!

What do you think?  I'm still practicing my hand at the vintage look...I admire so many cards made in that style, but I feel like for me, I still need to work at it.  I was pleased at my attempt though.  Just need to practice some more!!  At least I had fun playing with all the elements and putting them together.  Don't you just love that doily background?  It's from the Flirtatious Specialty DSP.  What I like about it is that it's got color on one side and white on the back, so it's totally versatile!  The other side is Melon Mambo, but for this particular card, I chose to use the white side for a more muted look.  Here's a closer look at the Beautiful Butterfly die on the doily:

Hope you like it!  Here's the recipe for you:

{Mojo Beau Chateau}
*Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
*Inks: Soft Suede
*Cardstock: Textured Soft Suede, Marina Mist, Pink Pirouette, Beau Chateau, Flirtatious Specialty DSP
*Accessories: Neutrals Buttons, Early Espresso Twine, White Twine, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die, Decorative Label punch, Basic Pearls, Sponge dauber, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Big Shot

Thanks for looking!  Hope you have a fab day! :)

a dose of {Mojo}

Hello again, bloggie peeps!  It's been a LONG time since I've played in a Mojo Monday challenge and when I was blurfing earlier today and saw how cute the sketch was, I just had to play.  I even had a concept in mind ready to put to paper!  Wanna see?  First, here's what the sketch looks like:

And here's my interpretation:

I really love this color combo - it's so happy don't you think?  The pretty DSP is the Sweet and Sour Specialty paper.  LOVE it. How about the pretty scrunchy flower?  Its made out of the 2 scallop circle punches.  One layer of the big scallop and 2 of the smaller.  To make the petals pop a little more, I made a little snip towards the center of the scallop at every 2 scallops all the way around.  So fun and easy.  Here's a close up of the bow and fun brad:

Hope you like it!  Here's the recipe for you:

{A Little Mojo Just For You}

*Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes

*Cardstock: Sweet and Sour Specialty DSP, Very Vanilla

*Inks: Melon Mambo

*Accessories: Jewely Tag punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Scallop Circle punch, Sweet Stitches Brads, Sweet Stitches Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, Tastefu Trim Bigz XL die, Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Thanks so much for popping by!  Hope you have a fantastic day! :)

Teapot 4 You Mojo 163

Hi all! I've just got a quick post for the Mojo 163 challenge. As you can tell, I'm enamored by the Love Letter DSP as of late, so of course, I just had to use it for this card!  The paper is soo yummy!  And the challenge looked so fun, I had to play along.  Here's the awesome sketch!

Now how cute is that, right?  Here's my full card for you:

The adorable little teapot is a die from PTI.  Such a cute shape.  How do you like my embellished button?  I wish I could take credit for it, but I was inspired by cards I've seen with that button treatment.  Basically, I just added the cute little pearls in the center of the button...it makes for a very sweet embellie!  Here's the recipe for you:

{Teapot 4U}
*Stamps: Tiny Tags
*Cardstock: SU - Crumb Cake, Love Letter DSP
*Inks: SU! - Riding Hood Red, Basic Black
*Accessories: SU! Tag punch, Two Tags Bigz die, Antique Brads, Linen Thread, Basic Black Satin Ribbon, Itty Bitty Punch set, Basic Pearls; teapot die {PTI}

Thanks for popping by!

Flashback Friday!

Hi all...me again!  Crazy, I know..3 times in a day!  This is a no brainer though - I saw Amy Tsuruta's  Flashback Friday Challenge and I had to play!  I loved reading about Amy's concept of the Flashback challenge...to bring you back to your creative roots.  I thought it was very clever and a fun introspective look at each individual stamper.  So, the flashback this time is to post your very first challenge card.  Ahh the nostalgia! It was quite a hoot looking through my archives just to find it.  My first ever challenge was the Mojo Monday Challenge, and I have to say I've been bitten by the challenge bug ever since!  Drumroll please....

Presenting my first challenge card:

I remember I created this card for my parent's anniversary! This is from January 2009.  I can't believe I've only been doing challenges since the beginning of last year!  It feels like forever!!  So fun - glad I got to play!  You can check out the deets from my original post here.  What a fun flashback!  You can tell that I don't stray far from my "comfort palette".  If you browse through my blog, you'll see that I have a lot of this color variation in my projects!  Do you find yourself going back to a certain color palette for your projects?  I'd love to hear your thoughts on that.   :)

Thanks for coming by!

a little Santa Mojo

Hey there blog peeps!  It's been a while since I've played in a Mojo Monday...so I couldn't resist after seeing the fun sketch.  Plus, with Santa on my side, who can't have a little mojo?  How do you like my sneak peek?  Isn't Santa looking so jolly?  And there's bells, too!  Here's a look this week's Mojo Sketch 156:

And here's my full card:

I love the Candy Cane DSP I used in the background - looks so happy and cheerful..just like Candy!  I love the baker's twine I'm seeing everywhere...the red and white are perfect for the holidays.  The Santa image is from the SU! set called Jolly Old St. Nick, which I think is perfectly named!  I used the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die to create my nicely trimmed DSP.  I've gotta say that's one of my favorite new dies of the season.  Here's one last look at the card, just a bit closer for you:

Is this card getting you into the Christmas spirit?  It'll be here before we know it!  Here's the recipe for you:

{Santa's Christmas Mojo}

*Stamp Set: Jolly Old St. Nick

*Cardstock: Real Red, Candy Cane DSP, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze

*Inks: Basic Black, Crumb Cake, and Real Red Classic Ink Pads, Real Red, Regal Rose, Blush Blossom, and River Rock markers

*Accessories: Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, Candy Cane Button, Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink

Hope you like it.  Thanks for popping by for a visit!  Have a great day :) 

Ciao for now!

last chance {Mojo!}

Hi Blog Friends!  I've got a Mojo Monday card sketch for you using some of my fave stamps and paper from the Summer Mini and today's the last day to get 'em before they're gone!  Here's a look at this week's Mojo 154 sketch - you have the option to make a round or square card. 

As you all know, I'm a sucker for challenges, and when I saw how fun the sketch was, I wanted to play!  I also wanted to pay tribute to some fun products I've enjoyed in the summer mini - namely this Island Oasis DSP!  This Sentimental Journey stamp set is so fun, too.  I love this little car!  Here's my full card:

These colors are such happy summer colors, so I guess it's appropo that I use them on the last day of August, with our summer winding down and fall right on its heels.  Don't these bright colors and prints just look like candy?  Here's the recipe for this card:

{Island Journey}

All supplies Stampin'Up!

*Stamp Sets: Sentimental Jouorney, Pedaling Past

*Cardstock: Rose Red, Whisper White, Island Oasis DSP

*Inks: Rose Red, Early Espresso

*Accessories: Island Floral Bigz die, Clear Scallop Square Bigz die, Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die {upcoming Holiday Mini!}, Circle cutter, Linen Thread, Brights and Subtles buttons

Hope you like it!  Have a fantastic day. :)

Mojo Sketch and Sneak Peek!

Hi all!  I am so excited to share a sneak peek of some new goodies from the upcoming Stampin'Up! catalog - and the great thing is, I got to incorporate it in this week's Mojo Monday sketch 142.  Here's a look at what the sketch looks like:

I'm so glad I got to play - it's been a while!  The sketch inspired me to create this fun card:

Whaddaya think?  How do you like that new embossing folder?  I think it's so pretty!  It's called Vintage Wallpaper.  I also used the gorgeous new 1/8" taffeta ribbon in basic black and the new Clearlits scallop rectangle die.  The paper I used for the butterfly is from the new DSP called Greenhouse Gala.  Here's the recipe for you:

{Thank You Vintage Butterfly}

*Stamp Set: Artistic Etchings {new!}, All Holidays

*Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, So Saffron

*Inks: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight

*Accessories: 1/8" Basic Black Taffeta ribbon, Clearlits Scallop Rectangle, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Eyelet Border punch, 1 3/8" and 1 3/4" circle punch, brad

Hope you like it!  Thanks for coming by!  Have a fantastic day!

Mojo Pals Challenge!

Hi there blog peeps - I've got a quick post for you today...it's a challenge card! I made this for the Mojo Monday 132 challenge and the Pals Paper Arts color challenge {PPA36}.  The colors reminded me of Spring and Easter!  Here's what the challenges look like:

I used the exact colors for the PPA challenge, and added Whisper White, too! Here's another look at the card

And a look at how I did the back - I scored the top of the scallop card back and then glued the front and back scallops together.  That way, you don't see any sort of crease on the front of the card!

Here are the supplies I used:

{Mojo Pals Butterfly card}

All supplies Stampin'UP!

*Stamp Set: Tiny Tags

*Cardstock: Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Whisper White

*Inks: Lavendar Lace

*Accessories: Polka Dot embossing folder, Perfect Details Texturz plate, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die, Scallop Circle Bigz die, Clear Circle Bigz die, So Saffron {retired} twill ribbon, Hemp Twine, Playground button

Hope you have a great day!  Bye for now :)

Awash with challenges!

Hi there blog peeps! The weekend is almost here - yay! Well, I have to share that I I just got my sneek peak stamp set yesterday and it is super cute. It's called Awash with Flowers {which will be available on April 1st} so of course, I had to bust it out and play. And what could be more fun than playing with a new stamp set and getting inspiration from a couple card challenges? I put together a card with the Mojo Monday 131 challenge and the Embellish Color Challenge with stitching. Here's a look at what these challenges look like:

Don't these look fun? For the Embellish Color challenge, I didn't quite have an aqua color on hand to use, so I went with Bashful Blue. The other colors I used were Pretty in Pink, Kraft, and for the ink, I used Chocolate Chip. Here's a look at my full card:
The Awash with Flowers stamp set is a 2 step stamp set, meaning that there's the outline of the image as well as "filler" images. Aren't these flowers fun? This set will also be in the new Stampin'Up! 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog coming out in July! Now, for the Embellish challenge, I incorporated the stitching around the edge of my card. Since I had my sewing machine still out from my purse project, I practiced with 2 types of stitching, even. I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm having fun experimenting and learning, one stitch at a time!
Here's a look at the card from a slight angle. Not sure if you can tell, but I shaped my butterfly wings a little by using a bone folder. This adds a bit of a curve and gives the wings some dimension. I also used a sponge dauber around the edges to soften up the lines a bit. Here's the full recipe for you:

{Awash Butterfly Birthday card}
*Stamp Set: Awash with Flowers, Happy Moments
*Cardstock: Kraft, Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
*Inks: Chocolate Chip, Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue, Creamy Caramel {sponged around the edges}
*Accessories: Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die, Scallop Trim Border punch, Linen Thread, Pretties kit half pearls, Sherbet button

Thanks for stopping in!

Embellishment Birthday Mojo!

Hi blog peeps! Happy President's Day {for those of you in the US}! It's been a long time since I've played in a Mojo Monday or Embellishment challenge, so I'm so excited I got to finally participate...in both! Primarily because I have the day off {yay!} and got to squeeze in a quick card before getting my day into full swing. Here are the inspiration photos: I have to say that the color palette was sort of a challenge for me with the Blue thrown in, but I had a fun time figuring out my color schemes. The colors I used are SU!'s Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Melon Mambo, and Buckaroo Blue {retired}. I decided I wanted to mix some printed DSP together and was pretty pleased with the outcome! Here's the full card for you: Hope you like it! I actually started with the cupcakes, which was an extra scrap piece from cards I had made a while back, so I created the rest around that. I ended up using all kinds of punches, stamp sets, and goodies, too. Here's the recipe for you:

{Embellishment Birthday Mojo}
All supplies Stampin'Up!
*Stamp Sets: Four Square, Crazy for Cupcakes, Party Hearty
*Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Naturals White, Whisper White, Buckaroo Blue, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
*Inks: Buckaroo Blue and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pads; Old Olive, Garden Green, Pretty In Pink, Real Red, and Chocolate Chip Markers
*Accessories: Top Note Bigz die, Scallop Trim and Pinking Hearts Border punches, Scallop Square punch, Bojo Blossoms Punch, 1/2" circle punch, chunky glitter, regal rose grosgrain ribbon, Elementary Ribbon Originals

Thanks for stopping by! Time for me to take advantage of my day off. Toodles for now!

Patterned Pines and Polka Dots Mojo

Happy Tuesday, blog peeps! How are you guys today? Well, I think fall is finally settling in down here in Southern CA. We're actually forecasted to get some rain today. I'm actually looking forward to it - I think we definitely need some rain in my neck of the woods {justa little bit would be great}! Well, for today's card share, I've got a card I made last night for this week's Mojo monday Sketch #108. Here's a look at the sketch: I like that the sketch itself is clean and basic with big layering accents. Then I thought about using some bold colors and patterns, and went sort of non-traditional with the Christmas color scheme. You still have the red and the green, but I decided to make those the accent colors against the black trees and black polka dotted background. Don't you just love that Patterned Pines stamp set? I know I do! Here's a look at my full card: Did you notice the shimmer on my red snowflake and a smidgin of that shimmer on the trees and along the white edges? I had some fun using the Stampin'Up! Frost White and Champagne Mist Shimmer Paints {from the Holiday Mini catalog}. They're such a great new medium for me - and the add that little sparkle to a card! I used a sponge dauber to apply it and it dries pretty quickly, too! So, whaddayathink? Hope you like the card! Here's the recipe:

{Patterned Pines and Polka Dots}:
All supplies Stampin'Up!
*Stamp Sets: Patterned Pines and Delightful Decorations
*Cardstock: Whisper White, Rockabilly DSP {retired}, Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper
*Inks: Basic Black, Real Red Classic Ink pads
*Accessories: Mistletoe ribbon, Snowflake punch, Playground Designer Series buttons, linen thread; Frost White and Champagne Mist Shimmer paints applied with sponge daubers

Thanks so much for popping by today! Bye for now.

Autumn Mojo 106 Splendor

Hi there! I'm back with a late share - a fall card for this week's Mojo Monday 106 sketch challenge. I think seeing the leaves in Sonoma starting to turn color inspired me to create this card. It really was so pretty up there! I will post a few pictures from the trip later this week. Here's a look at the sketch: And here's a look at my full card: I was hoping to get the card in for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge 9, but missed the cutoff time! Oh well. There's always next week. In any case, I got to do a fun card using the Autumn Splendor stamp set. It's from the Holiday Mini catalog. I think I am in love with all the leaves! I'm also getting good use of the Lots of Tags sizzlit. The tags are a great size for sentiments and the tag I used frames the wide oval punch perfectly. I sponge daubered the oval to give my "Thank You" a more rugged look. This card's definitely getting me in the mood for fall, that's for sure! Here's the recipe:

{Autumn Splendor Mojo}
All supplies Stampin'Up!
*Stamp Sets: Autumn Splendor, Thank You Kindly
*Cardstock: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
*Inks: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Soft Suede Classic Ink Pads; Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Chocolate Chip markers
*Accessories: Chocolate/Vanilla striped ribbon, Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, Playground Button, Twine, Lots of Tags sizzlit die

Hope you like it! Thanks for popping by!

Delightfully Decorated Mojo

Hey there! Happy Tuesday to you! My card share for today is the card I created for this week's Mojo 105 Sketch Challenge. When I saw the sketch, I was excited about creating a Christmas card with the Delightful Decorations stamp set, so I had a rough "vision" in my head. I've seen so many great ideas with the ornaments in this set, that I had to play with this set some more! I also wanted to incorporate the Merry Moments DSP, so I was thinking of some traditional colors for this particular card. Here's a look at the sketch: Aren't all those scallops fun? Just seeing the sketch was inspiration for me! Here's pic of my full card: I love the look of the embossed Petals a Plenty embossing folder, so I used that as the backdrop for my ornament. I am really loving this stamp set and coordinating punch! Makes the assembly a snap! Here's the recipe:

{Delightfully Decorated Mojo card}
All supplies Stampin'Up!
*Stamp Set: Delightful Decorations
*Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Merry Moments DSP
*Ink: Real Red Classic Ink Pad
*Accessories: Top Note Bigz die, Petals a Plenty embossing folder, Ornament punch, Mistletoe ribbon, Real Red polka dot ribbon (reverse side), Playground button, Linen Thread; 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches

Hope you like it! Thanks for taking a peek and stopping by!

Ciao for now!

Mojo 103 Halloween Style

Hello there! It's been a few weeks since I've done a Mojo Monday challenge {I know, it's already Friday, but it counts!}, and since this week's happened to be a contest one, I thought I would eek a card in. I've had Halloween on the brain, so I decided to go with an idea inspired by the flyer I created earlier today. The black and white polka dots have mesmerized me, I think! Here's my card: And here's a look at the Mojo sketch, for comparison: I had fun making this card - I love working with the thick black and white striped ribbon. I started off with one button, but I wanted to try a different look and cinched it up a couple times. I thought it looked kind of fun. Hope you like it! Here's the recipe:

{Halloween Bite}
All Supplies are Stampin'Up! except the Sizzix Bigz XL scallop card die and black embossing thread
*Stamps: Twick or Tweet
*Cardstock: Basic Black, Night and Day, Whisper White
*Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, and Basic Gray Classic Ink Pad; Rich Razzleberry marker
*Accessories: Scallop Border punch, Black and White striped grosgrain ribbon, pumpkin pie corduroy buttons, sponge daubers

Thanks for coming by!