A Sweet Sunday Sketch for a Special Boy

Well, this is my second attempt at Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch. If you would like to see my first attempt.....just scroll down. It's there in all it's glory....can you feel the sarcasm? I picked up some new Cosmo Cricket paper yesterday, so of course I had to use it! And I had yet to ink up my Cheep Talk stamp set, I think the two compliment each other nicely!

The Goods:

Paper: Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Cosmo Cricket "Early Bird": Farmers Market & Apron Strings

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery

Extras: Kiwi Kiss Satin ribbon, Slice Machine

So I just picked up some of this paper yesterday as well, Lil' Man by Cosmo Cricket. Had to get it, well, because I have 3 boys, and there is always a need for boyish paper. But the irony of the situation is that I have the HARDEST time, and I mean, the worst time trying to do boy cards. I mean why do boy card when flowers and butterflies and ribbon are so much fun!

Well, I gave it a whirl- and here is the result! The pattern with the balls is called "Silly Sam", which is what I call my Sam. So I had to have it. I think I'll most likely use the rest for scrapbooking....but we'll see!

Saturday Morning Stampin'

Oh, how beautiful a day it is when the children sleep in a bit, and I can get up at leisure, and get a few things done (like eat) and then come down and stamp!

Like pretty much every Saturday, I head on over to Jen Del Muro's and get inspired to play with her SFYTT (sketch for you to try). They're super fun sketches, and most times get me out of my stamping comfort zone!

This sketch was a difficult one for me. I've been loving the Circle Circus set, and so knew I wanted to use that. Actually I thought I would do something with my Slice Machine, but it needed to charge, and while it was, this card just happened. Perhaps if I get a little more time today, I will attempt another card with this sketch.

The Goods

Paper: Whisper White, Dusty Durango, Old Olive, Burmuda Bay, October Afternoon PP, and some old Stampin' UP DSP that I had laying around from a mini catalog from over a year or two ago! Can't remember the name.

Inks: Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Regal Rose, Dusty Durango

Extras: Swiss Dots embossing folder, scallop circle punch, 1", 3/4", 1/2" circle punches, scallop border punch, Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon, random buttons!

ESS #43 - Oh me, Oh my, Oh Razzleberry Pie!

Well, I promised another post today, and here I am to deliver. This is the card I did for Tracy's Eat Sleep Stamp Sketchy Thursday! I know I've said this before, but I just love her blog, her ideas, sketches.....she is one talented cookie! Plus she's got some super sweet followers....every time I post a card to her blog, it seems like there are always a bunch of super nice comments on mine! And she loves Twilight.....all good things! What a fun sketch this was. I decided to pull out a stamp set I haven't used much, and since Tracy used one of my FAVORITE stamps for her sample card, I decided to go along with the flower mojo.

I also wanted to use some of those new yummy in-colors from Stampin' UP. I'm not really a purple person, so when I saw the Rich Razzleberry, I figured it would be one of those colors that I probably wouldn't use that much. Well, I pulled it out for the first time today, and I think I love it!

Here's the Goods:

Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Cosmo Cricket PP

Inks: Basic Black, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive

Extras: Crushed Curry Polka Dotted Ribbon, baubles, Scallop punch, dazzling diamonds glitter

BTW, don't forget that I am still going to be giving away something (stamp set) from the upcoming Stampin' UP catalog to one lucky follower, when my count reaches 20! So if ya haven't signed yourself up- you should, you might win something fun!

TCP Challenge #64

Well I didn't get a chance to stamp yesterday, but I made this card today for TCP Tuesday challenge. This week's challenge was this picture:

The challenge was to use this for inspiration. I chose both colors and the circle elements up at the top for my card. Also the bodice with the skirt made me think of my Bella's, so I chose to use one of those.

Both the image and the sentiment are from Stamping Bella. All of the punched out circles are from the new stamp set Circle Circus that will be available in the new Stampin' Up catalog on July 1. I embossed the Baja Breeze strip of DSP and then sanded it to bring out the white on the embossed places, but all the circles pretty much cover that all up....I'll have to do it on another card soon, because I love the look it has.

And BTW, stay posted....I hope to get a lot more stampin' and posting in today, so check back!

Paper: Whisper White, So Saffron, Night of Navy, Urban Oasis DSP

Inks: Whisper White, Basic Black, So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Bashful Blue, Pacific Point; bashful blue, so saffron, creamy carmel, blush blossom, regal rose stampin' markers.

Hey there.....

I know I haven't posted since Sunday....I left kinda at the last minute for the beach house Monday, and got back late last night. Even in my mad rush to get on the road, I managed to make a card for Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch....the card I turned out was SO hideous to me, I didn't even take a picture of it and post.....I even had the post all ready to go. It just needed the picture. I thought about posting it today, just for kicks, but my camera, my trusty steed, decided to break on me, and I don't have my other battery for my other camera charged up....so check back and perhaps I will post that card, or even better, I will have had a bit of time to stamp this afternoon, and have something really exciting!

A Saturday SFYTT

Wow! I actually got this done yesterday! And it was going to be the third post of the day, too! But it got late and I told Ker that when the ball game was over that I would come up out of my stamping dungeon, and spend some time with him!

This is for Jen Del Muro's weekly challenge, SFYTT. Again, I just decided to use the items (inks, stamps and pp) that I already had sitting out on my table....kind of a challenge to myself! I loved the flowers I did for Kristina's CI here, and so I decided to give 'em a whirl on this card as well! I think they worked better on the other card. Sometimes I think when you make something awesome, and then try to re-create in a somewhat different fashion, it's never quite as exciting. But still, I love this combo of flowers!

Card stock is basic black, whisper white, Baja breeze (all SU); Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Tango Tangerine, Basic Grey Inks. Organic Outlines and Eastern Blooms are the stamp sets; Urban Oasis DSP, and of course a nestabilitie, and Swiss Dots embossing cartridge! The Kiwi Kiss polka dot ribbon is also SU!

ESS - A sketchy Thursay Challenge with a cupcake!

Well, I finally got around to making my card for Tracy's Sketchy Thursday! She made the cutest card using a cupcake, and so inspired me to use a cupcake as well! And since I just got my new Taylored Expressions 'For the love of Cupcakes' a few days ago, I decided they totally needed to be inked up! I love the sentiment, too! How cute!

So here is my card for Tracy's sketch! I even threw in a couple of new In Colors! (I told y'all there would be a bunch of new and exciting things over the next little bit, didn't I?) Bermuda Bay, which is a fabulous green-teal, as opposed to the blue-teal that they already have! I have wanted them to have a green-teal for a while, and they delivered. Melon Mambo, that's the cute polka dot ribbon you see! Love all these new ribbons too! Can y'all tell I'm excited for this new catalog?

The image is colored in with Crushed Curry ( another new In Color), Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, and Riding Hood Red. The PP is from my TE April Key Ingredients Kit, I love those dots! And everything else is SU!

KW - CI #55 - Can't resist a color challenge....I must be addicted!

So I had my open house tonight! Went pretty good, considering I had to reschedule. Kerry had taken the boys over to Kath & Jared's. So when things wrapped up around 10pm, Kerry called and he said I should come over with Kath so we all could play Rock Band! Enough Said. By the time we got home and got the kiddos in bed, I came down to finish some stuff up, and bopped on over to Kristina's site, and low and behold, there was Color Inspiration #55. I can't resist, even at 1 in the morning! I really have a problem! LOL!

I decided that since I already had a bunch of stuff still out on my tables from the open house, I would just use the stamp sets I had out! Had to pull the required colors out, but I would have to say, the card came together on it's own!

And since rust was one of the colors.....I couldn't resist using one of SU's new In Colors, Dusty Durango....for some reason I want to keep calling it Dirty Durango, but oh well!!!

I used Urban Oasis DSP for the Grey in the background. Organic Outlines makes up the mustard and rust image, and the flowers are from Eastern Blooms, and Organic Outlines! The ribbon is also Dusty Durango...I am SO in love with this new polka dotted ribbon, perhaps since I have been everything circles and dots lately! And of course, you know me, I just couldn't resist adding a little Bling in the center of a few of those yummy flowers! The sentiment, which I adore, is from The Cat's Pajamas.....I can't believe I've hit that point in my life where this actually is a reality! LOL! But life couldn't be better, even if I am wee bit over 29!

A card for my open house!

So, since last week was so INSANE, and I had to cancel my open house....I rescheduled it for tomorrow night! We'll see how an evening open house goes....for the past 5 years, I've always held it on a Saturday.....but, well, this year threw me for a loop!

Here is one of 3 cards that I will have available for make & takes. I love this stamp set (Pretty Amazing) and have not used it as much as I should have, I'm sad it's retiring. I don't know if I use any of my sets as much as I should! I keep thinking I need to down size.....last summer I sold off about 35 or so stamp sets.....perhaps this summer I should get rid of about the same! It's so hard, though.....I always look at them and think....I haven't used this in forever....but what if? Do any of you ever feel that way? Like it's really painful to let go of stuff sometimes?

Anyway, for those of you locals....don't forget to stop by tomorrow night!

TECC #72 - Third post of the day! Whew!

So I actually am posting a third card for today! Even I can't believe it. It's probably been about a month since I took part in Taylor's Friday Cupcake Challenge. But I hopped on over there today, and saw that, not only was there a GREAT sketch, but that there was a little prize involved as well! Can't pass up an opportunity like that!

So here's my card! The colors, design, paper, etc. came together very easily, but the actual construction of the card really threw me for a loop. For some reason I couldn't get layers on correctly or straight, then I wanted to add ribbon, which btw, is one of the new IN Colors, Dusty Durago. Don't ya just love it? Anyway, I finally got it all together! And since this is the third post of the day....I'm just going to leave it at that!!!

TCP Tuesday With Sprinkle!

When it rains, it pours! Two posts today....and just you wait, there might even be a third....it depends on how the boys are behaving......I'm here alone with 'em tonight, and it's been a long day, so we'll see!

Love these TCP challenges! Jen Del Muro is the hostess with the mostess this week! I just love that phrase...makes me giggle! If ya haven't seen the TCP challenges, you should definitely check them out....sometimes they are a color challenge, sometimes a sketch, like today's, and sometimes they call for certain stamps! What ever they are, they're super fun!

This card features sprinkle....what a cute name for a kitty! And she's got attitude, which is why I love her! The patterned paper is from October Afternoon, and everything else is SU!

Jen's SFYTT - With a Cake!

It's been a while since I've done one of Jen Del Muro's SFYTT (sketch for you to try). They are super fun, and a great way to get your creativity flowing. She puts one out each Saturday, so you should go and check it out some time!

This card is simple, when I first looked at the sketch, it didn't seem like it would turn out this simple, but that's the beauty of it! And I can't believe I didn't use any ribbon on this card.....that's quite rare for me, cuz I love ribbon and have a cabinet full of it to prove it! LOL! And I even threw in some of those new yummy In Colors!

With that said, I have a TCP challenge to get done here, so I better get a stampin'!

The Goodies:

Stamps: Image, The Cat's Pajamas; Semtiment, SU

Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Grey, Crushed Curry, Purely Pomegranate, Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday PP.

Inks: Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry

Accessories: Baubles, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Sweet Sunday Sketch - With some new YUMMY Stuff!

HAPPY MONDAY! Can you tell I'm trying to convince myself of this?

So of course I had to use some of my new SU goodies for Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch! The black floral image is from a new set called Razzle Dazzle! It's super cute and super fun, and I'm going to have a lot of fun playing around with it. Also, the pink scalloped paper behind that image, is one of the new In Colors, called Melon Mambo. I love this color! It's so fun and summery! Lastly, the ribbon is also one of the new In Colors, Bermuda Bay, which I am so excited about, because I wanted SU to have a color that was close to Taken with Teal, yet had more of a Green tone to it, rather than blue. Well, I got it, and I love it!

Now I gotta run and make 3 dozen Black Bottom Cupcakes for the end of the end of the year 'Under the Sea' party for Cody's 1st grade class.....how do I get myself roped into these things? Anyway, gotta run, and besides, I've had a 4 year old throwing a football at me this entire time....better go give my child some attention!!!

ESS - Sketchy Thursday with my Bella's

Wow. This card really gave me a run for my money....I decided that this sketch would be perfect for some of my bellas, which I haven't inked up in a really long time....so off I went a' inkin'. FIVE times later, of die cuttin' that oval, and stampin on it, did I finally get a good stamp. I don't know what was up, perhaps someone was trying to tell me to quit for the night, but you know stubborn me, I just kept on a going. I really wanted to get a card done for Tracy's challenge!

And this is what came of it. I absolutely love this little darlin'! Wendy Papillon is her name. And don't ya just love the bling on the dots of her apron? Had to add those!!! But there's something with the card that I just can't put my finger on....perhaps the pp just doesn't go, I just don't know. If ya have any suggestions....please be critical! I obviously need the input! LOL!

But if you noticed....I did use another one of the new In Colors on this card.....Crushed Curry would be the one! It is the color of her apron, as well as the polka dotted ribbon! Just LOVE the polka dotted ribbon for all these new colors!

Stay tuned for more new fun colors and stamps in the days to come....and also, I am going to be giving away some YUMMY BLOG CANDY to one of my lucky followers when my following count reaches 20! So if you haven't already....sign yourself on up and follow my blog and win something really exciting......I haven't decided exactly what it's going to be, but I'm thinking something new and exciting out the the new SU catalog!!!!

KW Color Inspiration #54 - LOVE THESE COLORS!

OH, how I have felt so deprived not having one of Kristina's color challenges for a couple of weeks.....but this one totally made up for it! These colors are so fun! They are so summer. I had so much fun coming up with this card....and I think it does her challenge justice. I tried to keep with the circle/dot theme of the car seat cover in the picture as well. And the best part of all? I used some of my new goodies from the new Stampin' Up Catalog that will be out and available to purchase from July1. I used the new stamp set Circle Circus, as well as the new In Color, Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon! Aren't they so exciting? I had to throw in some buttons too- since circles was my thing here, and the sentiment is from Ali Edwards Loving Words!

Thanks for stopping by and takin' a peek! And remember for all you followers and regulars....there is way more exciting new stuff to come in the next number of days, so keep checking back! And have a great rest of your weekend!!!

Got 'er Done!

So I don't really have time to ramble much....just wanted to get this card posted and linked so I could make Karen's deadline for here Sweet Sunday Sketch.

I made this card using the same patterned papers and the same stamps as the card from yesterday....sometimes I like using the same materials, and being able to see such different outcomes when you just use different templates, or just change a color or two!

So, here is my card for today! I actually have to say that I love this card....there have been a few cards that I've put out there lately that I haven't been all that pleased with.....but this one is definitely a keeper!

A birght colored Sketchy Thursday Challenge

Hey! It's been another CRAZY week. It just seems like it won't stop. I can't wait until school gets out and we can just be on our own schedule.....meaning I can stamp all day and the kids can play outside and have fun with their friends! I'm looking forward to NO AGENDA!!!

I'm so glad I was able to barely make it though, to play Tracy's Sketchy Thursday, because it's one of my favs! Check it out sometime, and play along if ya get the chance!

Here's the card I did.....such bright colors, but I love em! The patterned papers are all Basic Grey, and everything else is SU (including the dark pink flower which is stamped in one of the new In Colors in the up-coming Catalog! Shhh!) except for the sentiment which is from The Cat's Pajamas, and I believe the ribbon is from one of my Taylored Expressions key ingredients kits!

A masculine card....so tough!

So any of you have some of the same difficulties I do? Like coming up with really great masculine cards?

Well, here was my take on Father's Day this year. I don't know if I completely succeeded, but I think it will work! Do guys really care for buttons?

The Goods:

Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze

Stamps: Sentiment: SU; Circles: A Muse

Goodies: Bubbles - Cuttlebug embossing cartridge, button assortment from Taylored Expressions

Two challenges, One Card

Why is it that every time I get my stamp room all cleaned up for a class; everything is put away, and my tables are all ready for the ladies to come and stamp.....that I get totally inspired and get like a million ideas in my head for really fabulous cards? Maybe I should take the hint and clean my stuff up more often, and then I could create in cleanliness all the time! What I concept!

Well, this card kills two birds with one stone.....or should I say accomplishes two challenges with one stamp! I didn't even intend to do this, it just sort of happened. I have had Jen's SFYTT, sitting around now for almost a week, and then I saw the TCP Color Challenge, which I am so excited about, because I just got my first Cat's Pajamas stamps this week!!!! And they are so fabulous! I love 'em!

Anyway, here is my card....now that I'm looking at it, I might have used a bit too much red....but oh well! Image and sentiments are both Cat's Pajamas, and all paper is SU!

It will have to do.

Do you ever have an idea in your mind for a card that seems sooooo exciting, and then once you see it on paper, you feel absolutely wronged and cheated. Well, that's how this card turned out for me. But it will have to do, because I really wanted to play along with Tracy's Sketchy Thursday, and if nothing else, it has forced me into getting back into the swing of things with my stamping.

Don't really know if I did her sketch justice......but this was my first quick attempt. I love the flower image, but haven't really found out how to best show it off and use it in a way that totally pleases me yet....guess I'll just have to play around with it a bit more when I have some time to spare! Does that really exist?

Gonna make this short since it's the second post of the day.....see? I'm making up for lost time!

Slowly playing catch-up!

So I promised good things, and here I am to deliver.....mostly because it is just shy of 90 degrees, and the coolest place right now, is either down here in my stamping dungeon, or in the freezer section at the store....i figured I'd get more accomplished here at home.

This is one of the sketches/challenges that have been sitting on my table just begging me to come and play. This is for Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch.

I chose to use supplies from my May Key Ingredients Kit from Taylored Expressions. I had only used the kit to make my card for the KI challenge, so it needed to be used, wouldn't ya say? The image and sentiment are from an old, old Stampin' Up set that I have had forever, but never saw the light of ink until just a couple of weeks ago!

I had fun with this one, thanks Karen, once again for a fabulous sketch!

I'm Back! Has it really been a week?

Oh my. I don't know where time has gone. I love going to the beach house, but man, it does me in, for sure. I get back and I still think I'm on vacation. But I'm trying my best to function, and I'm hoping to get some stamping in tomorrow since I have like 3 challenges sitting on my table that I am dying to do. Plus I have card class Thursday night, and need to come up with some cute cards for that too. But with it being almost 90 degrees today, we'll see how I do tomorrow.....good thing my stamping room is in the basement where it's cooler!

This card here, is one that may look familiar if you saw my entry for Kristina's CI #53. I used the exact same layout, stamps and everything, just changed color pallets and patterned papers and it's so amazing how you can get an entirely different look and feel.

Thanks to all of you who are sticking with me....I PROMISE there are some amazing things to come very soon.... I have just made some major stamping purchases......so look out!