Sketches By the Tide

Hello Stamping Friends!

Today, I have 2 cards which came about as I tried out a SCS color challenge (coastal cabana, so saffron, tangerine tango)...I am still catching up on those!  Both cards also work for a sketch challenge.  The first card is for Freshly Made Sketches.

I decided to use SU's "By the Tide" to make my own patterned paper.  I stamped all over half a sheet of whisper white.  Fast, clean, and simple...makes it easy to make multiple cards.  I had some gaps, so I actually added a bit of smoky slate ink.  That is what led me to use smoky slate for the card base on this first card.  The sentiment is from "Happiest Birthday Wishes." I still have lots of this striped tangerine ribbon, so it was great to have a reason to use some.  My tag corner punch added a bit of detail, and I decided to put the tag on an angle.  I sponged a bit of coastal cabana ink on the edges for some color contrast.

The next card uses the color scheme, plus a recent SCS sketch challenge found here.  The so saffron piece is embossed with a Cuttlebug circles folder, then lightly sponged with coastal cabana.  I used my sizzix circle die to cut out a piece of tangerine pattern paper.  I used another sentiment from "Happiest Birthday Wishes," then punched it out with the large scallop circle.  Striped tangerine ribbon, plus saffron candy dots finish it up.  

I mentioned that I made half a sheet of my own pattern paper.  That allowed me to make 2 each of these cards.  Fantastic way to make several cards in one sitting!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

3 blogs...one card!

Hello Stamping Friends!

I am continuing my stamping binge.  When I took "inventory," I realized that I needed LOTS of graduation cards.  The good news is that many cards are going to different cities, so I can make 2 of each design!  Today's card will go to a young woman who just graduated from high school, but also to a friend who just earned her Master's degree!

On Friday, I checked out the Friday Mashup: use a tree and some embossing...I can do this, I thought to myself.  I had already checked out Mojo Monday sketch, which I have only done once or twice.  AND I discovered a new color challenge blog, Colour Me...!  Like I needed another one to obsess over!  Ha!  The colors are early espresso, primrose petals, and soft sky.

So when you have a theme, a sketch, and a color scheme it should be easy, right?  Think again!  Even though it took a while, I am happy with the end result.

All products used are from Stampin' Up!  Initially, I thought of using the classic "Lovely as a Tree" but decided to dust off this older set "Very Versatile."  The colors and badge image made me think of redbud trees, and I used my markers to get the effect.  Even though it's a bit late for the blossoms now, these beauties are one of my favorite sights of early spring.  The sentiment is from "Well Scripted."  I stamped it before I ran the white card stock through my Big Shot with the Cloudy Day embossing folder.  I STILL have NO soft sky card stock, so I sponged a lot of ink on the white.

I really wish I had paid more attention to the sketch before I stamped the sentiment, because my doily is a bit higher.  Just a small adaptation!  That doily is from a sizzlit which had not been used for a while, but I love it!  I used primrose dsp for the strips.  Quilted espresso ribbon and some butterflies from my embosslit finish it off.  While this card took a while (and has lots of bulk due to dimensionals), I think it will be worth the extra postage for 2 special people!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Attempting Guy Cards

Hello, and Happy Saturday!

So, I am still catching up with birthday cards, of the belated variety.  I needed some for a few nephews.  Poor guys get late cards because I usually gravitate toward pretty feminine cards.  I can make cards for little boys...but teens?  That can be tough for me.

This week's Freshly Made Sketches challenge had a very clean and simple layout...and I ended up making it a mess by distressing it!  Fun stuff!

I chose this combination from a SCS color challenge: midnight muse, baked brown sugar, and cherry cobbler.  My neutral is very vanilla.  I pulled out the SU set "Rev up the Fun," which I just bought before it retires.  Ironically, the English set was no longer available, so I got one in French!  Some of my older nephews know French, so I will still be able to use the sentiments!

I have a hard time stamping straight, and I could not get the tread marks and car to line up.  Should use a stamp-a-ma-jig...but I am too lazy!  Instead, I did some distressing to mask some of my flaws.  The vanilla and midnight were embossed with the stripes embossing folder, then sponged with brown sugar.The sentiments are from "On Your Birthday."  Candy dots and linen thread finish it off.

My next card uses NO challenges.  Gasp!  I just had these circles (using the Circles #2 die) of retired "Blueberry Crisp" dsp out and decided to use them.  The main image is "Extreme Skate."  The card base is pacific point, the next layer is sahara sand.  I used the funky SAB embossing folder...kind of looks like he's skating on the moon!  The riding hood red ribbon was added because I desperately wanted more color.  And look...more belated birthday sentiments!

The good news is that these cards have been mailed, with a DQ gift card.  I think my nephews will forgive me for being late!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

A Sketchy Afternoon

Hello Stamping Friends,

Today we had pop up storms throughout the afternoon...then lots of rain in the evening.  Perfect for making some cards and watching the Survivor finale.  (Yes, I am hooked!)  All of the supplies for both projects are from Stampin' Up...though some are LONG retired!

I had only done one sketch challenge from SCS this year (though several off of blogs) so I decided to pull some out today.  My first card is last week's sketch, paired with a recent color challenge: Wisteria Wonder, Old Olive, and Primrose Petals.  I really like this combo, even though I think primrose petals is sooooo close to other colors.  In fact, I used rose red seam binding because the colors are so similar.  Oh well. No need to be picky, right?

I flipped the sketch, and brought out retired hostess pattern paper in the pear pizzazz and a scrap of the Delicate Doilies paper in wisteria.  The small oval punch is perfect for "Teeny Tiny Wishes" and the main sentiment.  My card features SU's "Baroque Motifs."  I love this set, but had not touched it for quite a while.  The flourish looks like a vine, perfect for this flower-like medallion.  I added bits of primrose to enhance the flowers...but the panel still needed something, so I added the word Happy from "Memorable Moments."  The large medallion was stamped with wisteria, but I took my primrose marker to the image before setting to paper.  The seam binding is scrunched for fun, and a glimmer brad finishes it off.

I really like how this turned out.  It took a while, but I made 2 of these.  I am trying to do that when I have time...always good to build up my stash of cards!

Next, I took today's sketch challenge to make a graduation card.  I considered looking up a color challenge, but I like to use school colors.  A young woman from our church choir and one of my nieces are both graduating.  Two different schools in two different states...but the same school colors!  Great time saver, as I made 2 of these cards.

I did not make a square card because I wanted to keep posted down...which is silly, because I added so much bulk ANY WAY!  Oh well...one card will be hand delivered, so it balances out.

The card base is pacific point.  The white layer was embossed in my big shot with the cloudy day folder, then lightly sponged with soft sky ink and a bit of kiwi kiss on the bottom.The large sentiment is from "Feel Goods," and "Teeny Tiny Wishes" makes an appearance again, as well.  I used the word window punch and circles #2 die.  The 2-step butterfly is from "Flight of the Butterfly," stamped on whisper white card stock in crushed curry and pacific point, and layered with crushed curry.  I used markers for the butterfly trail and the grass.  Some polka dotted ribbon and a corduroy button with a touch of bakers twine finishes it off.

Both of the girls actually graduated officially last week.  Better get these cards in the mail tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping by again!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Time for a Mashup

Hello Stamping Friends
I want to make sure I get this card online, to meet the FM blog deadline, so that means I have 2 posts today!

For my second post, I have a card that is, well, not my favorite.  I don't know, maybe it will grow on me (hope so, because I made 2!)  I checked out this week's Friday Mashup, which is a sketch plus a get well card, plus a recent SCS color challenge.  Yep, I am determined to do each of the 2014 SCS color challenges...eventually!

The color challenge is pool party, basic black, and whisper white...so quite simple.  I decided I wanted to make a card that is gender neutral.  Last week's Friday Mashup encouraged the use of retiring stamps, so I pulled out SU's "Clockworks."  I just bought it, because a few times I have wished I had a clock image.    I thought the time piece might work with a get well "soon" sentiment, but now it seems kind of weird.  Oh well!  

As you can see, I used patterned paper for two of the layers.  Before placing them, I stamped a few images in pool party for a tone-on-tone look.  I added silver brads, including one in the center of the time piece.  The image panel was sponged with smokey slate and pool party ink.  The sentiment is from "Delightful Dozen."

Hopefully, I will get more stamping done this week...plus MAILING cards.  I am very far behind in actually getting these things postal.  Please tell me you can relate!  LOL

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Paper Players Featuring...

Hello again!

Today I am posting the other card I made on Sunday.  I combined the SCS Featured Stamper challenge with this week's Paper Players challenge.

One thing I love about the Featured Stamper challenge is that we all get introduced to a stamper with whom we may not be familiar.  Such was the case, as I perused the delicate and lovely gallery of Daizy-Mae!  WOW!  Such a master at the clean and simple style...I sent a lot of time just gazing.  Because her style is CAS, it made sense to combine with PP196.

After searching Daizy-Mae's gallery, I chose THIS card to CASE.  I liked the pinks and oranges, with simple black images over the top.  I sponged rather heavily on my card, and the image is much heavier.

Again, all of my supplies are from Stampin' Up!  The only card stock I used is confetti white.  Using black craft ink and black embossing powder, I stamped this image from "Upsy Daisy."  Then using sponge daubers, I added colors for a sunset:  daffodil delight, pumpkin pie, tangerine tango, and melon mambo.  I used my journaling marker to add a few birds.  Next, I added the black polka dotted ribbon:  I chose to leave a strip without color, honoring the featured stamper's style.  My sentiment is also from Upsy Daisy, punched out with the decorative label punch, and sponged around the edges just a bit.

Dear hubby is at work, so the picture isn't great...but I am happy with the card.  That's what matters most, any way, right?

Hope to see you hear again soon.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Back in My Colorful Mode

Hello Stamping Friends

The last few weeks have been intense.  I won't go into the emotional and confusing details, but I resigned my long-held position as Executive Director of a prolife ministry earlier this month.  I am hopping from moments of grief to moments of relief...making it hard to move forward.

But yesterday afternoon, I did a bit of my own art therapy!  I made 2 cards; each fitting a blog challenge and a SCS challenge.  Makes it a lot of fun.

Today's card is for this cute sketch from Freshly Made Sketches (barely on time!) and this week's SCS color challenge: real red, old olive, and daffodil delight.

All supplies are from Stampin' Up!  The card base is daffodil, and the square is from "Beyond the Garden" dsp.  I used a strip of old olive, embossed with the funky dotted folder I got from Sale-a-bration...no idea what it is called. The red polka dotted ribbon is from a Holiday catalog years ago, but I still have quite a bit! Using markers, I colored this stylized flower from "Friends Never Fade" then punched it out with the large scallop circle.The sentiment is from "Upsy Daisy."  A button with a touch of bakers twine complete the card.

I haven't been in touch with a particular friend for a while, so I will be mailing this card to her.  It's bumpy, but she is worth the extra postage!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Virtual Boat on the Water

Hello and Happy Saturday!

I made this card last night for the Mini Virtual Stamp Night...Summer Vacation!

The VSN challenge asked us to use water in our project.  In addition to the VSN challenge, I pulled out a recent color challenge on SCS (I have missed quite a few) which calls for old olive, bermuda bay, and night of navy.  I even almost did a featured stamper challenge.  I say almost, because this stamper has not been formally featured, but I CASE'd her card found here.  

All of the products used are from Stampin' Up!

My card base is confetti white.  My panel features the challenge colors.  I actually stamped the image, "Sail Away," on 3 pieces of card stock, using Versamark and embossing with white powder.  I then cut each piece into 3 pieces. This way, I will actually be able to assemble 3 nearly identical cards.  The thin strips were mounted onto a piece of white card stock, then trimmed to make sure it was even.
My bermuda bay card stock is the old textured variety; I don't have any smooth CS in that color.  That made embossing tough...but hey, it's not too bad.  VSN nights, you want to finish quickly in the right time frame!  I added this wide striped ribbon and a large button with twine for more detail.  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, punched out with the word window.

I think this card would work for a man or a woman...so it is nice to have 3 of them.  For the moment; lots of cards to mail on Monday!

Thanks for stopping by again.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Mashing Up with a Mini Virtual Stamp Night!

Hello Stamping Friends... I'm Back!

My ministry fund raiser last week was a HUGE success!  We exceeded our goal of $110,000 and actually raised $134,000...WooHoo!  I have been busy doing follow-up calls and thank you notes, so I am thrilled to take a break with some stamping time.

Tonight is the Mini version of the Summer Virtual Stamp Night, and of course, it's Friday...so I had to check in with The Friday Mashup!  I combined the first VSN card with the mashup...so I have 3 challenges in one card!


All of the supplies are from Stampin' Up!  The mini VSN challenge calls for the focus to be on something that melts, so I chose this cute Popsicle from "Mouthwatering."  The Friday Mashup gave us a bright color scheme (tempting turquoise, wild wasabi, real red, and pumpkin pie, plus a neutral) mashed up with a kid card.

My neutral is baked brown sugar, which I used for the card base and the Popsicle sticks.  I colored the stamps with markers, and used one to add the year for this birthday card.  The sentiment is from "On Your Birthday," and I used circle and scallop circle punches.  The accessories are turquoise grosgrain ribbon, and bold bright candy dots.

I originally planned on 4 Popsicles, but they wouldn't fit very well.  I sure hope I know a kid who is turning 3 this summer!  Ha!

I will post the other Mini VSN challenge tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by!!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim