Curtain Call Color Challenge: Act 40

Boy, it feels good to be creating again!  I've been busy the last few weeks making swaps for a new catalog swap that I'm in.  I'm all done, so I had "free" time to play!  I read Stacey Schafer's blog as often as I can, but I've never had all of the colors/inks/etc to be able to play in her weekly color challenges.  This week was an exception - I have all of the colors!

The colors for this week's challenge are: Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss and Tempting Turquoise.  What a bright and fun color combination!

Ingredients (All Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamps: Fox & Friends, Wild About You, unknown stamp set ("happy day")
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Various designer papers
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Kiwi Kiss, Real Red
Other: Rhinestones (non SU), dimensionals, scallop edge punch, SU buttons, red polka dot grosgrain, SU Simple Numbers Bigshot die

Artisan Un-Award Winning Project #3

This is the third card that I made for the Artisan Award contest, and is one of my favorites!  I thought that this card would put me over the edge for the contest....

Each block or panel of the card is a different scene, each with a stamp from "Fox & Friends" as the focal point. (By the way, I'm super excited to know that Fox & Friends made it into the new catty).  I used various packs of designer papers - all based on the color pallette that I wanted to use - Bashful Blue (from the Sweet Pea pack), Crushed Curry (from the Sale-a-Bration pack), Sahara Sand (which is close to kraft, also from the Sweet Pea pack) and Night of Navy (from the Hostess pack). 

The base of the card is kraft, and the card measures 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square.  It's hard to see in the picture but each of the letters was run through the Polka Dots textured impressions embossing folder and also sponged.  They are all popped up on the panels with dimensionals.  A few other details - the tree trunk in the "Y" panel was made using the Modern Label punch and run through the impressions folder to give it a wood grain look...it has a lot more texture in real life.

Ingredients (All Stampin' Up! unless noted):

Stamps: Fox & Friends
Paper: Krat, Bashful Blue, Sweet Pea, Hostess Patterns Pack III, Good Neighbor
Ink: Bordering Blue, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Sahara Sand (for sponging), Crushed Curry
Accessories: 3/4" circle punch, Extra-Large Two-Step Bird punch, 3/16" corner rounder, Modern Label punch, Heart punch, textured impressions embossing folder, dimensionals, kraft corduroy button

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 73

I recently got my 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalog pre-order goodies and thought that this sketch challenge would be a great place to start.

The new Greenhouse Gala designer paper is very bright, so I wanted to tone down the panels a bit by backing the paper on kraft Crumb Cake.  The new 2 3/8" Extra-Large Scallop Circle punch was just big enough for the focal image, which was stamped in Certainly Celery ink onto Whisper White cardstock and then punched out with the 1 3/4" Circle punch.

One of the sentiments from the new hostess set "Because I Care" was stamped in Pumpkin Pie ink onto Crumb Cake cardstock and punched out with the Large Oval punch.  The butterfly is from the embosslit "BeautifulWings" which is new to me and is just getting used!  It makes beautiful, intricate butterflies with embossing on them, and they add a nice touch to the card.  I finished it off using one of the rub-ons from the easter egg decorating kit (can't remember the name) and also tying a strip of 1/8" taffeta ribbon in Daffodil Delight, which is becoming one of my favorite new colors.  Enjoy!

Artisan Un-Award Winning Project #2

Here's the second card that I made for the contest.  I got the color combination from a Stampin' Success magazine (the monthly magazine that SU demos get for inspiration and guidance).  The colors were Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, Old Olive and Pretty in Pink.  The card in the magazine used the butterfly punch (which I don't own - wonder why?) so I used the bird punch instead.  I was happy with how the card turned out, and ended up using this as the template for my mother's day cards.

Ingredients: (All Stampin' Up! unless noted)

Stamps: Well Scripted

Paper: Bermuda Bay, Old Olive DSP, Thoroughly Modern DSP, Sweet Pea DSP, Very Vanilla

Ink: Pretty in Pink (sponging), Old Olive (sponging), Soft Suede (sponging), Bermuda Bay

Accessories: Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Perfect Polka Dot Textured Impressions embossing folder, Very Vanilla satin ribbon, half back pearls (Pretties Kit), Two-Step Extra Large Bird punch, dimensionals, 3/16" corner rounder punch

Artisan Un-Award Winning Project #1

Well, it's official - I did not win the Artisan Award for the second year in a row.  So, I'm going to show the projects that I made for the contest.  To enter, demonstrators must make 5 cards, 3 scrapbook pages and 2 3-D items using current Stampin' Up! product.

This is the first card I made...the idea came to me right off, and I had a vision in my head and this card turned out exactly like that vision.

I "paper pieced" the squirrel and racoon image by stamping them on sahara sand designer paper (from the hostess pad - one of the sheets has no pattern) in black craft ink, then I embossed with clear embossing powder.  The heart that the racoon is holding was paper pieced with a scrap of regal rose paper from the "Love Sparkles" scrapping kit. 


I played for a very long time placing all of the hearts that I punched out with the heart punch, trying to get the right balance between Bermuda Bay, Sahara Sand, Rose Red and Regal Rose designer paper.  It was a great way to use scraps.  I finished up by stitching around the edge of the main panel.

I stamped the tree image in Versamark ink on the inside, and used my stamp-a-ma-jig to place the racoon and squirrel on either side.  I then stamped the "Love You Much" in Bermuda Bay over top.  The bottom of the card is finished off with a strip of Bermuda Bay cardstock, the scallop edge punch and another strip of Regal Rose cardstock from the "Love Sparkles" scrapping kit.

More un-award winning projects to come!



Ingredients (All Stampin' Up!):


Paper: Kraft, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Bermuda Bay, Love Sparkles Scrapping kit, Thoroughly Modern Designer Paper, Patterns Pack III,

Ink: Basic Black craft ink, Versamark, Bermuda Bay, Regal Rose, Rose Red

Stamps: Love Bandit

Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, rose red 1/4" grosgrain, heart punch, 1" circle punch, clear embossing powder

Hi!

One of my current goals is to use some of the many packs of designer paper that I seem to hoard.  It is bought because I have to have it and then it never gets used.  This card was made using one of those paper packs, "Good Morning Sunshine".  At the time that the paper came out, I really liked some of the patterns but was not a huge fan of kiwi kiss or pacific point, which of course are all through the paper.  Now that kiwi kiss has retired, I realize how much I do like it and wished that I had used it more!  Go figure.

Ingredients (All Stampin' Up!):
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Good Morning Sunshine Designer Paper
Ink: Chocolate Chip (for sponging)
Stamps: None
Accessories: Scallop Square punch, Stampin' Up! Simple Alphabet die, 1 1/4" striped chocolate grosgrain ribbon, linen thread, summer sun corduroy buttons, kiwi kiss corduroy buttons, bitty buttons

I'm Back...

....after another absence from blogging, mostly because we've decided to sell our house.  We live in a small ranch (976 square feet) with three young girls and it's just not enough space.  So it's been pretty busy around here getting everything ready.

I have had time to stamp - I have to or else I would go crazy!  I just haven't had time to photograph and upload my creations.  So, to celebrate my return to blog land, I'm going to upload two cards from the same stamp set!

My first card uses the "Love Bandit" stamp set from the Winter Mini catalog.  It was the first stamp set that I bought from that catty because I had to have it, and then proceeded to use it all of twice!  I don't know why but I tend to love owl images, so I knew that I really wanted to use this cute little guy.  Also, I've been on a tear lately to use up the designer paper that I hoard since the new catalog will be coming out soon and I know there will be more paper in there that I will have to have!

Ingredients (All Stampin' Up! unless noted)

Stamps: Love Bandit, Short & Sweet

Paper: Soft Suede, Whisper White, Various Designer Paper packs

Ink: Soft Suede, Real Red

Accessories: Bashful Blue striped grosgrain ribbon, 1" circle punch, window word punch, modern label punch, real red corduroy buttons, summer sun corduroy buttons, pumpkin pie corduroy buttons

My second card uses the same stamp set and a piece of Old Olive designer paper from a paper pack that was in the summer mini catalog a few years back.  I wanted to use the tree image as my focal point, as I had yet to ink it up.  Also I have had the real red polka dot ribbon forever and have hardly used it, so this seemed like a good time!

Ingredients: (All Stampin' Up! unless noted)

Stamps: Love Bandit

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, old olive designer paper from summer mini

Ink: Soft Suede, Old Olive, Basic Black craft ink

Accessories: Bigz Scallop Square die, small heart punch, real red ribbon, window word punch, itty bitty buttons, clear embossing powder, scallop edge punch, chocolate chip corduroy button

Best Wishes Spring Swap

Finally got my computer to cooperate again to allow me to upload pictures, so now I can continue with blogging!  I thought that I would share a card that I made for my monthly swap with the Cult Crew (Upper Valley of NH and VT demo group) for March.  The swap was themed "spring" and I had just gotten the extra-large two step bird punch.

Stamps: Warm Words

Paper: Kraft, Pretty in Pink, Sweet Pea DSP (pink stripes), Thoroughly Modern DSP (rose red), Old Olive prints

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Sweet Pea stitched felt, Modern label punch, Scallop edge punch, dimensionals, pretties kit (half pearl), chocolate chip satin

My summer mini pre-order is due to arrive later tonight, so hopefully I will be able to create a few new cards with my new stuff to share!  Thanks for looking.

SCS Sketch Challenge 276

I found time last night to play along with a sketch challenge at Split Coast Stampers, SC276.  With the sketch I made two cards, once again using up old supplies and rarely used stamp sets!  Both of the cards use retired designer paper that I hadn't cut into - the Good Morning Sunshine paper that has several retired in-colors in it, some of which are coming back!

Stamps: Cheep Talk, Small Sayings
Paper: Baja Breeze, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip,
Ink: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip
Other: Real Red corduroy button, White gel pen, Modern Label punch, Chocolate Chip striped grosgrain, SU Perfect Polka Dots impressions folder, dimensionals

For the second card, I flipped the sketch (which I liked better because it feels more balanced).  The card uses the same designer paper pack, as well as the Urban Garden paper pack. 

Stamps: Happy Moments, Warm Words
Paper: Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, Urban Garden designer paper, Good Morning Sunshine designer paper, Bella Garden designer paper
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze
Other: Chocolate Chip striped grosgrain, chocolate chip twill, pumpkin pie corduroy button, Modern Label punch, white gel pen

Join my Stampin' Up! Team!

Stampin' Up! offers great specials to people looking to become demonstrators, and now is no exception!  If you join Stampin' Up! and become a demonstrator, you can earn two exclusive DVDs that showcase workshop tecniques.  If you want more details, please email me at emraymond@comcast.net for more details.  I would love to have you on my Stampin' Up! team and become a member of "The Cult Connection", which is a group of talented and passionate SU demos in the Upper Valley area of New Hampshire and Vermont.

Praying for You

There are cards that no one likes to make, and I am no exception.  I'm talking about sympathy cards.  When I do need one, I tend to try to keep them simple and tasteful...and I also make more than one so that I have one on hand should I need it again.

This card uses more Stampin' Up! designer paper, from the Urban Garden paper pack from the 08/09 IB&C.  When I first got the paper pack I felt that the colors in it were very strong and I was not sure how to apply them.  I've decided to tone down the color combinations and work with colors in the paper pack, and that seems to be working.  I also recently acquired the "Thoughts and Prayers" stamp set as well as the "Inspired by Nature" stamp set....I'm not sure why it took me so long to get it because I love the beautiful cards that it makes.

Ingredients:
Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers, Inspired by Nature
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Whisper White (textured), Urban Garden designer paper
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Not Quite Navy
Other: Large Oval Punch, Slot Punch, Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch, 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch, blue satin ribbon (Offray)

A Jump Start

After the hustle and bustle of creating projects for the Artisan Award contest (which I sent out last Wednesday and SU received on Friday - thanks UPS!) it feels good to sit down and create with no particular projects in mind, just a desire to do something creative.  A few weekends back my husband and I went on a date - the first in a while - and we went to Borders and sat in the cafe with coffee and looked at books and magazines.  I found a sketch in a card making magazine that I liked - it was very simple using circles of designer paper.  This seemed perfect for me given the stash of designer paper that I have been hoarding away.

I thought that I would see if I could put together some Father's Day cards, and get a jump start.  I find that I'm better at sending out cards in time if I have them assembled and ready to go in advance.

This card uses paper from the Urban Garden designer paper pack, which has Kiwi Kiss (retired), Basic Gray, Baja Breeze (retired but coming back in July 2010!) and Not Quite Navy.  It was very simple to put together, and I liked the sketch so much that I created a second card with a different paper pack.

This card uses the Urban Oasis paper pack, which also has Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze and also Kraft (to be called Crumb Cake in July 2010) and Basic Black.  This is a very classy paper pack that I wish that I had used more when the colors were current....oh, well.  I'm using them now so that's what counts!  I decided to make this my swap for my monthly SU demo meeting at the end of the month...hopefully the ladies like it!  Enjoy.

SSSC 64

I decided that it would be fun to play with the sketch challenge over at Karen Giron's blog, SSSC 64.

Here's the sketch challenge for today:

Here is my interpretation of the sketch:

I chose to make it a rectangular card because I'm trying to use up supplies without cutting into new stock, and I had a piece of 6" x 6" Tempting Turquoise textured cardstock left over from a SU scrapping kit.  The Tempting Turquoise and So Saffron designer paper is from an old SU paper pack from 2 or 3 years ago.  The Regal Rose layer is from the Love Sparkles simply scrappin' kit (09/10 IBC) and all of the embellishments are from that kit.  All layers are inked with Close to Cocoa (boy, I'm going to miss that color when it retires!) and popped up on dimensionals.  The chocolate chip ribbon is from a retired ribbon pack from a few years back, too.  Enjoy!

Where Have I Been?

It's been a long time since I last blogged....I'm going to give it another go! 

Work and three daughters keep me pretty busy and I'm still an active SU Demo, and I'm hoping to use this as a place to reinvest in my business.

I thought that I would show you a card that I made for a friend's daughter, Savannah, who is turning 2 at the end of the month.  The colors came from the gift bag that I purchased for the cute gift that we bought her, and I wanted the card to match.  I'm also trying to use up the many, many, many packages of designer paper that I've accumulated over the years.  Everything on the card is Stampin' Up! except for the satin ribbon, which is Offray that I picked up at Wal Mart.

I'm hoping to keep up with blogging...not sure if I will get to it every day but at least one or twice a week!