Inkspirations and Embellish challenge fun!

Hello there bloggie friends!  I'm back with another anniversary card, which was inspired by the Embellish color challenge and the Inkspirations sketch challenge:

For me, I think challenges give me the kick start I need sometimes to get the creative juices flowing.  I have been itching to use the Up, Up & Away stamp set, so I incorporated it with my little hillside scene, which I created using the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die.  I also really love the new Snowburst Embossing folder, which will be available in soon in the Holiday Mini {Sep 1!}.  Here's a look at the full card for you:

I really do like the nice muted color scheme. It's definitely a new one for me, but a good one to keep in mind!  Hope you like it.  Here's the recipe for you:

{Hot Air Balloon Anniversary}

*Stamps: Up, Up & Away, Teeny Tiny Wishes

*Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Regal Rose, Pocketful of Posies DSP

*Inks: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi

*Accessories: Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch, Scallop Square Duo Bigz die, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, Snowburst Embossing Folder, Stripes Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls

Thanks for coming by!  Toodles for now :)

Vintage Challenge with {Embellish}

Hi all! Can you believe it's November??! Yikes!  Where does the time go.  Thankfully, I stole a few moments of it to create this card for the Embellish Challenge...yay!  The colors were too enticing to pass up, especially now that November is here and Fall is getting into full swing.  Here are the colors and photo inspirations:

What do you think? I have to say that these aren't colors I use very often (except probably for fall time), so it was a nice creative exercise for me to play with this palette.  The colors I used are Garden Green, Daffodil Delight, and Cajun Craze.  I also, had fun making my flower.  Similar to my peony flower technique, I sprayed the 2 flowers {punched out from the SU! Extra Large Flower Punch} with water, and then balled them up.  Next, you gently open the flowers up and let it dry.  They feel like paper machete when they're done.  So easy and fun!  Here's a close up for you.  You can click on the picture for an even bigger view.

{Fall Vintage Flower}

*Stamps: SU! - Curly Cute

*Cardstock: SU! - Cajun Craze, Daffodil Delight, Autumn Spice DSP, Very Vanilla

*Inks: SU! - Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake (sponged on the edges)

*Accessories: SU! - Extra Large Flower Punch, Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta ribbon, Basic Pearls; lace

Hope you like it!  Thanks for popping by!

embellished with Kindness

Hi there!  Happy weekend, everyone!  I have a fun share today - it's a card I created for the Embellish Challenge Background Challenge.  For this round, you need to use the colors in the challenge AND create a stamped background.  I've been wanting to use my Have A Seat stamp set, so this challenge gave me the perfect opportunity!  Here's a look at the colors and challenge inspiration photo:

Now, how fun are the colors - it's one of my new faves lately.  I love the Yellow and Gray together!  So here's my final card for you:

Whaddaya think?  I love the chairs as a background.  So so fun, yet a nice and clean classic look, too.  The quote I used is from the set called Occasional Quotes.  I'm a font girl and I really like it - I think it's pretty and crisp.  Are you wondering what die that scalloped rectangle is?  It's a modified square from the Scallop Square Duo Bigz die.  This was a fun card to put together, and super easy to make, too! Hope you like it!  Here's the recipe:

{Embellished Chairs of Thanks}

All supplies Stampin'Up!

*Stamp Set: Have a Seat, Occasional Quotes

*Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black

*Inks: Basic Gray, So Saffron

*Accessories: Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die, Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die, Basic Pearls, Corner Rounder punch

Enjoy your weekend.  Toodles for now.

Hauntedly embellished

I think I've been bitten by the challenge bug...I'm back today with another post - this time for the Embellish Color Challenge using squares!  Can you guess what I made?  Before I show you the full card, here's a look at the challenge for you:

Originally, I was going to do a flower theme, but as I looked at the colors a little longer, I decided to do something with Halloween.  The colors I used are SU!'s Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black, and Certainly Celery.  So...here's a look at my full card.

I've been seeing lots of "house" cards, so that was my inspiration for creating a haunted house.  I used squares for the windows and stamped a spider web in each to give my house a frightful look.  Then for the door, I created a wreath with a spooky Halloween sentiment.  This was so much fun to do that I think I want to make a house card for each of the seasons!  I used the Smooch Accent Ink in Silver Fox to outline my windows and doors to make them pop.  Then for my wreath, how fun is that tinsel?  It'll be available in the upcoming SU! Holiday Mini.  The little blinged out door knob is from the Glimmer Basics brads collection.  Hope you like it!  Here's the recipe for you.

{Hauntedly Wicked Halloween}

All supplies Stampin'Up!

*Stamp Set: Wicked Cool

*Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Certainly Celery, Textured Basic Black

*Inks: Basic Black

*Accessories: Bat Punch, Scallop Square Clear Bigz die, Glimmer Brads, Tinsel Trim, 1" circle punch, Smooch Accent Ink

Hope you like the card and embellies!  I had a fun time playing along :)  Thanks for taking a peek at my blog!

love to Embellish on a Sunday afternoon

Hey there!  Are you guys enjoying your weekend?  Hope so.  I found some time to create a card for the Embellish challenge this afternoon.  You guys know how I love the challenges..the down side with the busy work and life schedule is that I don't get to play in these sketch and color challenges as frequently as I used to!  Anyhow, I'm glad I got to play today - it was good ol' relaxing creative therapy for me!  Here's what the Embellish challenge colors and theme are:

The colors I used are: SU!'s Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Peach Parfait, and Very Vanilla.  Now, as for the cute and quirky aspect of the challenge, I went with the fun trimmings from the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die (sneak peek from the Holiday Mini).  I just think they're so cute.  My sweet little "merci" sentiment is from Lawn Fawn.  Wanna see my full card?  Here you go:

Here's the recipe for you:

{Butterfly Trim Merci}

*Stamps: Merci {Lawn Fawn}

*Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, Peach Parfait

*Inks: Early Espresso

*Accessories: Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Polka dots emobossing folder, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, Beautiful Butterflies, Subtles buttons, twine, white gel pen

Thanks for visiting :)  Bye for now!

Embellish Challenge with birds

WooHoo!  I'm so excited that I'm able to play in a card challenge!!  Oh how I've missed playing.  It's been a while, but when I was briefly blurfing earlier today, I happened across Embellish's Color challenge and made the colors immediately caught my eye - they remind me of the flowers and lushness of Hawaii!  I knew I had to play.  Here's a look at the Embellish colors and inspiration:

And here's my card:

I loved putting this card together.  As you can see, I've used the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die again.  The leaves for the birds are actully punched out of a Crate and Barrel catalog - it was a pretty green comforter!  Here's the recipe for you:

{Thinking of you birdie}

*Stamps: Curly Cute

*Cardstock: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Playdate DSP, Sweet & Sour DSP, Woodland Walk DSP

*Inks: Early Espresso Classic Ink Pad

*Accessories: Extra Large Bird Punch, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, Subtles Designer buttons, Basic Pearls Jewels, twine

Thanks for visiting!  Bye for now :)

happy new baby {challenge card!}

Hey there blog peeps!  How are you all?  Today, I've got a card share for you that's doing triple duty!  First, it covers one of my swap cards this month, which is a baby theme.  Then of course, I had to get my challenge fix, so my inspiration came from the Taylored Expressions card sketch and the Embellish label color challenge.  Here's a look at the sketch and colors (it's actually my second card for the Embellish challenge!)

I have to say that I love the color palette for the Embellish challenge.  The colors are so pretty together.  Hence, my inspiration to do another card in this scheme!  And, how fun is the Taylored Expressions sketch!  Here's a look at my full card for you:

I used the Smooch Spray and the Presto Papers DSP to create my grid background and found that the finished paper looked so pretty!  It's hard to tell in the picture, but the Smooch Spray gives the paper a shimmery look to it.  All you need to do is spray the paper 2-3 times, then take a sponge and spread the smooch spray all over the DSP.  The color I used was Log Cabin.  At first I thought it was going to be really dark, but it's got a chocolate-coppery look to it.  Very cool!  For my circles, I used the Circle Bigz die for the white piece with the stroller image, then I used my Circle cutter for the mat.  The scallop circle is from the Scallop Circle #2 die.  Another thing I discovered in making this card is that the stroller image on the scallop circle would make a perfect sized tag, too!  Here's the recipe for you:

{Happy Baby Card}

All supplies Stampin'Up!

*Stamp Set: Fun and Fast Notes

*Cardstock: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Whisper White, Presto Papers DSP

*Inks: Chocolate Chip classic pad, Regal Rose marker

*Accessories: Polka dot embossing folder, Scallop Trim border punch, 3/4" and 1" circle punches, Heart punch, Scallop Circle #2 die, Circle Cutter, Circle die, Itty Bitty Punches, brad

Hope you like it!  Thanks for coming by today!

embellish...{take 2}

Hello again - I made a second card for the Embellish with Butterflies color challenge.  I just got this ribbon this past weekend at a local craft store and have been wanting to play with it - can you tell I'm going through a ribbon fetish? Love this polka dot green ribbon! I also have been wanting to use my neglected Woodgrain background stamp.  It's definitely been underutilized, and I don't know why.  I'll definitely be using it more often! This card was way quick and simple.  Hope you like it! ;)  Here are the deets:

{Butterfly Thanks}
All supplies Stampin'Up! except where noted
*Stamp Set: Thank You Kindly, Woodgrain
*Cardstock: Kraft, Basic Black
*Inks: Creamy Caramel, Basic Black
*Accessories: Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, 1/8" circle punch, Kiwi Kiss corduroy button (retired), Filigree desinger brad; Sizzix texturz plate, PTI twine

Thanks for peeking!

Embellish Challenge!

Hi all!  Happy June!  I've got a quick post for you today - I had a chance to create a card for the Eembellish challenge!  Here's a look at the fun colors:

I love this muted color palette.  The challenge also calls for butterflies, so here's the card I came up with:

I used the Beautiful Butterflies die and also had fun with the new Presto Papers, which I used in the background.  Aren't those ribbons fun?  I had to indulge when I saw them on a favor website I was checking out.  They really are gorgeous in real life!   

{Butterfly Birthday}

All supplies Stampin'Up! except where noted

*Stamp Sets: Watercolor Trio, Happy Moments {SU! SAB set}

*Cardstock: Textured and Plain Basic Black, Presto Papers, Sweet Pea DSP

*Inks: Creamy Caramel, Old Olive

*Accessories: Beautiful Butterflies and Top Note Bigz Dies, Playground Button; PTI twine and button; silk ribbons from favor site

Thanks for coming by today - hope you hav a good one!

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!

Embellish and Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Challenge Combo

Hi there blog peeps! Would you agree that it's about time I did another challenge? I definitely do. And, especially when I am able to create a card that combines 2 challenges. Even better. I've gotten the inspiration from the Embellish and the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger challenges:
Ready to see my take? Here's what I got for you...as you can tell from my earlier post, I was in a circle shaped card mood, so I continued along those lines.. Lucky for me, I had some small remnants of red fabric that was just enough to cut the flower from the bags and blooms Bigz xl die! That flower was inspired by the vibrant red flowers on the pillow! I used another remnant for the smaller center flower and fastented them together with the fun red corduroy button brad. The rest of the color scheme is based on the Embellish Challenge. I used the SU colors Blue Bayou (retired ribbon), Kraft, Real Red, Garden Green and Whisper White.
Here's another look, slightly broader view for you. What do you think? Hope you like it! Here's the recipe:

{Blooming Blossom HI!}
Cardstock: Kraft, Whisper White, Real Red, Garden Green
Accessories: Fabric, Blue Bayou double stitched grosgrain ribbon {retired}, Real Red corduroy buttons, Circle cutter, Scallop Circle Bigz die, Bags and Blooms Bigz XL die, small scallop punch, chipboard letters

Thanks for stopping by today :)

Embellish and Stamping 411 Challenge combo

Hi there blog peeps! Hope you're enjoying your weekend! We started the weekend off with some heavy rain yesterday, but today is just a gorgeous and clear day in Southern CA. It's a little cool (high 50's or low 60's) but I guess for other regions around the globe, that's probably pretty temperate! Anyway, I'm back to share a card that incorporates 2 challenges - the Embellish Color Challenge with Borders and this week's Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch 140 Challenge Here's what they look like: I love the colors in the Embellish challenge - so springy and Easter-y! The colors I used are Stampin'Up!'s Barely Banana, Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery and splashes of Melon Mambo, and Old Olive. The peach color I used was ribbon from PTI. The challenge also included using a border, so I used SU's Scallop Trim Border punch.
The sketch from 411 was a nice and clean sketch, so I wanted to incorporate it in my card. Here's what I came up with:
Isn't that flower fun? I was inspired to try this circle flower from Mary Fish's card from Stampin'Pretty. Then I wanted to add a little texture to "make it my own" by folding each petal in half and then crimping it. For the flower center, I went around the circle using my papersnips to cut lines about 1/4" long to create the fringe, then wrinkled the circle to add more texture. The scallop leaves are crimped the same way I did the petals. Here's the recipe for you:

{Circle Flower Birthday Card}
*Cardstock: Barely Banana, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, Sweet Pea DSP, and Tall Tales DSP
*Stamp Set: Wow Flowers (for the birthday sentiment)
*Inks: Certainly Celery and Melon Mambo Markers
*Accessories: Scallop Trim Border punch, Modern Label punch, Scallop Oval punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Word Window punch, Sherbet buttons, Linen Thread, PTI hibiscus ribbon, Polka Dot embossing folder

Hope you like it! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Thanks for visiting :)

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!

Hi!

Hello there blog peeps! Happy Sunday. Hope you're enjoying your weekend. I certainly am! It feels good to be able to decompress from a busy work week! Anyway, in my blurfing this morning, I was so excited to see that the Embellish Magazine Circle card challenge extended their submission date, so I got to play in it afterall! I've had this idea in mind, but haven't had a chance to put it down on paper til today. You know how that goes, right? Sometimes, you have the best intentions to get to something, and before you know it, days have passed. Here's a look at the card I created: Can you believe I created a non-holiday card!? I know, huh. The challenge colors gave me the inspiration to create this hot air balloon card, so yes, non holiday themed it is! I'm having fun using the Bigz Clear Circle die - I used that to create my card base. Then I used the 1 3/4" circle punches to create my balloon. All you need to do is punch out 3 circles, fold them in half and stack the half circles in alternating patterns, adhering the half circle sides, then open it up and voila - you have your 3D balloon! I went into my retired stash of Designer Series Paper - it's the SU! Spring Break DSP from last year. I love this print! The letters I used are from the SU! Billboard Alphabet Sizzlit Decorative Strip - they're a great size for little card sentiments. Hope you like it! Here's the recipe:

{Sweet Centers Balloon Circle Card}
All supplies Stampin'Up! except where noted
*Stamp Set: Sweet Centers
*Cardstock: Soft Sky {retired}, Spring Break {retired}, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip
*Inks: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pad, Whisper White Craft pad
*Dies: Billboard Alphabet Decorative Sizzlit Strip, Clear Circle Bigz die
*Accessories: Scallop oval (masking for the clouds), Certainly Celery striped ribbon, Aqua Mist Button {PTI}

Enjoy your day!!