Featuring a Colorful Hello

Happy Monday!

Once again, I am posting for the Colour Me...! challenge.  I actually made this card yesterday (gasp!) but left my craft room for dinner, then ended up watching silly TV all night.  So another Monday morning post it is.


In addition to the Colour Me...! challenge, I am also submitting this for The Friday Mashup.  We were asked to make a Hello card with sequins.  I have no sequins, but I thought these glimmer brads might do the trick.  It is also a Featured Stamper challenge card.  THIS is the card that I CASE-d.  I kept the honeycomb motif, and her colors are so similar to the Colour Me challenge, it was a win-win.  All materials are from Stampin' Up!  (including some retired items, as I try to make room for new goodies!)



My card base is daffodil delight.  I used a piece of long-retired Tropical Party dsp for the bottom layer and some hexagons.  Since the dsp had so saffron, I actually sponged daffodil to darken the color.  I ran some whisper white through the Big Shot with the honeycomb embossing folder, then sponged daffodil and pear pizzazz all over.  The lush chocolate chip satin ribbon was nice to use again.  I punched out a butterfly, embossed with polka dots, then added a bright glimmer brad.  My sentiment is from "Hello Again," paired with oval punches and a glimmer brad (from the days that pear pizzazz was an in-color!)





Overall, I am happy with this..and I hope to brighten someone's day with a summer hello very soon!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim 

Mashin' in the Summer Sun

Hello Stamping Friends!

Today, I have a card for The Friday Mashup challenge.  We were asked to make a project using black and white plus one other color. I had a half sheet of summer sun card stock sitting in a pile.  One edge had gotten wet, so I probably saved it just in case I would have a simple project to finish off this long-retired color.

My card base is basic black, and I ran the summer son through my Big Shot with the Fancy Fans folder.  The main image is an old classic..."Thankful Thoughts."  I thought this image was a perfect match for this word bubble from the set "Just Sayin'."  I used a framelit to cut out the word bubble, and popped it up with dimensionals.  Black brads and polka dot ribbon finish it off.

I really like how this turned out, and it would be easy to make again in a variety of colors.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Nautical Concept

Hello Again

I recently found a new  challenge:  The Card Concept.  This is the first blog challenge I have come across that encourages you to pick a style of stamping, along with the particular challenge (color, theme).


I am using the Clean & Layering style today.  All products are from Stampin' Up!

The card base is night of navy with a layer of Nautical Expedition dsp.  Using y framelits, I added cherry cobble and white pieces.  The main image is "Sail Away."  While leaving one framelit around the image, I sponged sahara sand and baja breeze, leaving a white frame as well.  I used blender pens for the rest of the coloring.  Teeny Tiny Wishes make an appearance with the duo of punches I love so much.  Cherry cobbler bakers twine wraps it all up.

I really like the, well, concept of this blog and hope to play again!

Thanks for coming by again...2 posts in one day!  WooHoo!



Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Color Me a Bit Sketchy

Happy Monday Morning!

Once again, I am having fun with the Colour Me...! challenge.  This week, I am combining it with the Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  The sketch shows a square card, but I decided to go with a standard A2 card since I don't feel like making a square envelope!  One of the DT members made an A2 card, so I think it should be okay.

I debated making a baby card, as the colors would be great for someone who just announced she is pregnant, but is unsure of the gender of her child. Then I realized that I always need birthday cards.  I am short on sympathy and thank you cards, too.

But I ended up with a general card that would be nice for any friend.  Everything used is from Stampin' Up!

My card base is strawberry slush, and I added a layer of whisper white on which I taped pieces of pink pirouette and pool party dsp.  Trying to get those on evenly took quite a while!  I lined up my white with grid paper to help, but it still took more time than I wanted.  It seemed a bit off, so I camouflaged it by embossing the whole thing with Petals a Plenty!  Because many on the sketch design team added images on top of the main layout, I decided to do the same.  This sentiment is from "Word Play," and I tilted it a bit for contrast.  Some punched out hearts and rhinestones finish it up.

This may have taken a while, but I like the end results.  Thanks for stopping by!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Welcome to My Home!

Happy Saturday!

I have a quick card today.   Quick because much of the card front was done previously, and saved in a file.  I had previously made a Valentine with one of these fronts, and intended to make more.  Oops.  At least I left off the holiday sentiment, making this more versatile.

The card base is soft suede.  I have a layer of pink pirouette that is embossed with the Elegant Lines embossing folder.  On the left I have strips of retired dsp (I can't remember the name) that have an eyelet trim punched for detail.  I added some marina mist satin ribbon.  The larger sentiment is from SU's "Trust God," stamped on very vanilla and punched out with a scallop circle. The other sentiment is from "Fabulous Phrases," punched out with the word window, and embellished with candy dots.   

My husband and I are hosting 2 college students who are headed here later today.  They are part of a ministry team that will be working with our parish youth this week.  I made 2 cards as a way of welcoming them to our home.  No blog challenges, no links...just a fun creation!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Color Me Blue Monday

Happy Monday!

I realize my title might make it sound like I am sad today, but I am not.  It's just a hot sunny Monday morning, and I am making a couple of cards before I get to work on some home projects.  Both cards feature some blue.

Once again, I am joining the gals at the Colour Me...! challenge, this week featuring marina mist and pear pizzazz.

As usual, I am making my card on the morning of the deadline.  Fortunately, I already had the stamps set selected, and I even found this button when I was looking for other accessories last week.  (I found a LOT of buttons at the bottom of my bin!)  I even had this card base cut and folded, with white inserted already; probably from a time I changed my mind mid-project.  I grabbed this small piece of white and quickly made this card.  My images are from SU's "God's Beauty."  I stamped in Stazon black ink, and colored with my blender pens.  Super quick and easy.  Using sponge daubers, I sponged the edges just a bit to add depth.  The sentiment is from "Hello Again" and is layered on various oval punches.  The lucky limeade bakers twine is a very close match to this fabulous Autumn Spice button.  It's large, but actually flatter than many other buttons.

I need to tweak this a bit, but I hope to make several, just for quick notes to send to friends.  One reason I started making cards was to recapture the art of letter writing.  You can never have too many "hello" cards!

I'll post my other blue card later...that deadline is still a few days away!  LOL

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Playing and Feeling a bit Patriotic

Happy Friday the 13th!!

I'm not superstitious, so I am not worried about tonight's full moon.  While some people are going to be playing silly pranks, I'm just playing with my stamping toys!  Today, I am going Red, White, and Blue with The Paper Players Challenge!

My card features retired SU stamps, "Land of the Free" and "Words of Courage."  I hope to make some more, then donate them to our local VA hospital.

The first layer is embossed with the stripes folder.  I made my own pattern paper for the vertical panel.  Using my navy and red markers, I colored the "flag" image, then layered it on solid card stock.  White brads give a simple finishing touch.

I JUST missed the link-up for The Paper Players...but I am still happy to have these done!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim 

Colorful Queen!

Hello Stamping Friends!

Today I have a card that is for the current Freshly Made Sketches challenge, and the current SCS color challenge:  basic black, bermuda bay, crushed curry, strawberry slush, and whisper white.

 I went back and forth on these colors...even looked at other sketches...but somehow I ended up deciding to make a teen girl card.  I have a niece with a birthday several months away.  Can't believe her card is done early!

I layered whisper white and strawberry slush card stock on a basic black base.  I used my SU "Extreme Elements" stamp set to make the diagonal strip...VERY quick!  The main sentiment is from "You're a Gem," highlighted by the extreme crown, all popped up with a curly label punch and a touch of polka dot ribbon.  The other sentiment is from "On Your Birthday."  A few candy dots finish it off.

This card took very little time, but I am so happy with it! Clean and Simple wins the day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Virtual Stamp Projects Continue!

Hello Stamping Friends!

2 of the Virtual Stamp Night challenges were techniques I had never done before.  Today, I am showing my efforts with one of them:  Faux Tole.  Janeen gave us this challenge, which involves layering images.

I also used this opportunity to pull out yet another SCS color challenge I had skipped.  This one is right up my alley!  Raspberry Ripple, Old Olive, and Indigo Island.

I embossed the old olive with the Cuttlebug stylized flowers embossing folder.  I stamped SU's "Field Flowers" on a piece of whisper white, which was cut out with the Top Note die.  I stamped the bloom with the 2-step image, first on the top note, then 2 more times on a separate piece.  Once I cut them out, I curled the edges using a round-tip stylus, and layered them with dimensionals.  The sentiment is from "On Your Birthday" punched out with the curly label.  I did a lot of sponging the fill out the scene.  Pearls and stitched grosgrain ribbon are the final details.



This technique was easier than I expected...I'm sure to use it again!





Thanks or stopping by!  You can still upload your VSN projects until Saturday June 14th.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Color Me a Procrastinator!

Hello and Happy Monday!
I'm going to start with a shameless plug (again).  I had to switch my stamping blog address...and I have NO followers here.  So sad!  I would love to have some of you join me!

Just like last Monday, I am posting my card for the Colour Me...! challenge in the final minutes!

While I am an expert procrastinator, the reality is that I have been busy with the SCS Virtual Stamp Night prep and event...so I didn't completely procrastinate!
Here we go!

When I saw the Colour Me challenge, I decided, almost instantly to use this HUGE SU Swallowtail stamp (it had never seen ink before).

I hesitated in buying this stamp, as I don't use background stamps very well.  They take a lot of pressure, which needs to be even.  Basically, I just have to look at it as a tool in physical therapy!  Ha!

Any way...my card uses coastal cabana and basic gray in card stock (as well as whisper white) and ink.  Actually I used smoky slate ink, which works well with the polka dots.  My finishing details include taffeta ribbon, silver cord, rhinestone, circle punches and scallop trim.

Once I get used to this stamp, I think I will use it a lot more!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Virtually Colorful

Hello, and Happy Sunday!

I have 2 more Virtual Stamp Night projects for you.  You can still participate by uploading your projects to the SCS gallery, with these challenges by Saturday June 14th.

This card is for Lee's challenge to make a card for "Christmas in July"...even though it is only June!  I desperately need to get going on my Christmas cards. This was the nudge I needed.  I looked up a color challenge I had skipped and figured it was perfect: midnight muse, soft sky, and bermuda bay.  I kept a very clean design, using SU's "Angelic Joy" stamp set.  I needed the extra layer of midnight muse so that the elastic silver cord and filigree brad tips would not show on the inside of the card.  The horizontal strip is embossed with petals-a-plenty, and sponged with silver shimmer spritz.  (I actually had a scrap from a project 2 years ago...so glad I saved it!)  My angel image has just a bit of soft sky colored in, but I kept most of the image untouched.  The sentiment just fits in the modern label punch.  A couple of rhinestones add the final touch.  Since I missed out on ordering more midnight muse card stock, I will be adjusting this design with some slate card bases as I make a dozen for my Christmas card stash.

The next card was so fun and simple!  Lydia gave us a challenge to show "tan lines" in our project.  Once again, I pulled out a color challenge:  always artichoke, marina mist, and pistachio pudding.  I first stamped this sentiment from "Delightful Dozen" in artichoke on very vanilla.  Then I placed post-its across the vanilla layer and sponged along that edge.  I moved the post-its a few times, sponging pistachio in one direction, and marina in the other.  I adhered it to a layer of pistachio card stock, and ran both layers through my Big Shot with the square lattice folder.  The final detail is the addition of long-retired buttons and linen thread.   

Thanks for stopping by...just a couple more VSN cards to come!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Cue Up a VSN Challenge!

Happy Sunday!
I'm going to start with a shameless plug (again).  I had to switch my stamping blog address...and I have NO followers here.  So sad!  I would love to have some of you join me!

I usually peek at the Featured Stamper challenge...but I am trying to wrap up my VSN posts.  This first card is for the "The Hills are Alive" challenge, but also for this week's ColourQ...a very fun palette!

I knew I needed some boy cards for upcoming birthdays.  I figured this color scheme would be great for a playful card.  All supplies are from Stampin' Up!

The card base is navy.  I embossed whisper white with the cloudy day embossing folder, then sponged with bashful blue.  I cut old olive to make my hills, then embossed it with the vine folder.  The main image is Extreme Bike, which i cut out and popped up with dimensionals.  I used the Just Sayin' set and coordinating framelit. On Your Birthday shows up on a scallop oval, with a touch of tangerine ribbon.  Finally, some lucky limeade twine literally wraps it up.  

I made 2 of these cards...good to build up my stash!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Sweet VSN Challenges

Hello!  Time for some more Virtual Stamp Night challenges!

The first card tonight is for a color challenge which I hosted.  Yep!  I LOVE color challenges, so I needed to make sure the Summer VSN had one.  As a kid, I enjoyed having lemonade stands with my siblings.  So, I challenged stampers to use citrus colors of yellow, orange and/or green.

I pulled out some old bright card stock: green galore and yo-yo yellow.  The yellow is embossed with petal-a-plenty embossing folder.  The ink colors are green galore, gable green, yo-yo yellow, only orange, and a bit of sponging with bashful blue.  I also had an unopened spool of ribbon from a box store with all 3 colors...perfect!  My main image, stamped on a whisper white top note, is from SU's Fabulous Florets, and I spent a little time popping up the blooms.  I added some grass from Inspired by Nature.  The sentiment is from Just Because, on a scallop oval.  I made 2 cards, again working on my stash.

Next, I have a triple challenge card:  a recent SCS color challenge (real red, night of navy, whisper white), a SCS sketch challenge, and a VSN challenge to use stars.  This was very quick to make!  (And yes, I made 2!)  The card base is confetti white.  I used the SU pattern stacks for the red and navy strips and oval.  The ovals were cut from my Sizzix ovals die in the Big Shot.  The stamps used are from "Words of Courage."  I used a marker to outline the smaller oval to add contrast without more bulk.  The navy twine is VERY old SU twine...it feel so good to use my old stash!  2 candy dots add a final touch.

Finally tonight, I have this fun card..maybe my favorite for the weekend!  It may be my favorite, because it involves story telling...which I love to do!  We were challenged to make a card about what we did NOT do over summer vacation.  You know who kids always have to write essays about vacation when they go back in the fall?  Imagine a bit of...elaboration.  When I was in high school, I went on a choir tour to Europe.  I really did go up in the Eiffel Tower.  But my big dream is to ride a hot air balloon over the streets of Paris!  (Actually, I'd take a hot air balloon ride anywhere!)  My card base is island indigo.  I made a scene using the tower image from"Artistic Etchings" and lots of sponging.  The sentiment is from the same set.  The colors I used are always artichoke, pool party, daffodil delight, island indigo, calypso coral, cherry cobbler, and basic black

I thought I had the Up, Up, and Away stamp set...but nope!  Good thing I had this pack of World Spectacular DSP (unopened!)  I cut out a balloon and popped it up on my scene.  The large layer of and oval piece pattern paper is from the same package.  I added indigo twine and  cherry cobbler button for final details.

There is still time to upload projects for the Summer VSN...you have until June 14th.  Check out the master thread HERE. 

Thanks for stopping by!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

More Virtual Stamp Night Projects

Happy Saturday!
I'm going to start with a shameless plug.  I had to switch my stamping blog address...and I have NO followers here.  So sad!  I would love to have some of you join me!

I am going to post the other 3 challenges from last night here.  Today's challenges will be in a 2nd post later today, and one tomorrow.  So many cards!!

The first card is for a "Sitting by the Campfire" challenge.  I really struggled with this one.  It didn't turn out quite like I envisioned, but it's fun for a young happy camper.  My scene features "Lovely as a Tree" and "Under the Stars" colored with various markers (garden green, always artichoke, chocolate chip, early espresso, really rust, more mustard, smoky slate.)  The card base is crumb cake, and the frame is from Woodlawn Walk dsp, cut with the top note die.  The sentiment is from "You're a Gem".  Linen thread finishes it off.



The next card was much quicker!  We were challenged to make a project inspired by a book.  I just finished "Something Other Than God" by Jennifer Fulwiler...wonderful personal story!  The card base and ribbon are peach parfait.  I added a layer of pool party and bermuda bay pattern paper.  The sentiment is from Stampabilities, stamped in basic black, and sponged with pool party.  I used my bird punch to add a final detail.

Finally, we were challenged to make a retirement card.  I pulled out a tough color challenge from SCS that I had skipped:  summer starfruit, calypso coral, pacific poit, pool party, and smoky slate.  WOW.  Basically, I decided to just dig in with watercoloring this image from SU's "Summer by the Sea."  I added a bit of gray patter paper, and the large strip is from Blueberry Crisp dsp.  So happy to be using retired stuff!  Teeny Tiny Wishes and some candy dots finish it off.

Whew!  Hope to get other cards posted later!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Virtual Stamp Night: Summer Vacation!

Hello!!  It's Virtual Stamp Night (Weekend!!)

Tonight and Tomorrow night, splitcoaststampers will be giving us a bunch of fun challenges...and I am hosting one again!  My challenge will be tomorrow night.

The theme is Summer vacation.  Fortunately, I had time to get a head start, since I am a hostess.  That means I can comment on cards that YOU post this weekend!

My first card for VSN is also being submitted for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  I realized too late that my stripes go down to far.  Oops.  Funny how making a quick card for VSN will affect the brain!  LOL   

Along with the FMS challenge, this is for the VSN challenge Hot & STICKY for all of that summer humidity!  I rarely use stickers, but I had am old scrapbook kit from Sale-a-Bration (years ago!)...and these strips and dots were perfect.  Plus I had a smidgen of this fabulous coordinating DSP left over.  My card base is pacific point; I embossed the whisper white with petals-a-plenty embossing folder.  I don't have a tag-topper punch...YET...so I just snipped the corners and punch a hole for my daffodil grosgrain ribbon.  The sentiment is from SU's On Your Birthday, in rose red (could not find my melon mambo marker...should have grabbed the ink pad, duh!) and punched out with a decorative label punch. 

Since this card is for 2 challenges, I am going to put other cards in later posts.  Blogger is slow tonight...must be a lot of stampers online!  LOL  

I hope you get a chance to play along with VSN.  Check back tomorrow for more cards, including my COLOR challenge!  (Yes, I just gave you a hit!)

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Last Minute Coloring!

Happy Monday, Stamping Friends!

I had big plans for the Colour Me...! challenge this week:  a flower pot card.  I have only made one, so I figured it might take a while.  I thought I would do it yesterday, but got caught up in other cards.

So here it is, Monday morning.  I got up, showered, did my morning prayer, and realized the deadline is fast approaching!  No time for a flower pot card!

As if that didn't throw me off, even my camera is on low battery!  I hope I get this posted on time.  LOL  (I had to use my camera phone!)

This palette is YUMMY!  Even the picture makes me think of food...perhaps a zesty hearty meal cooked on the summer grill.  But, I went with a summer flower image instead (more flower stamps than food images!)

My card base is cajun craze, with a layer of cajun striped paper.  The stamps are from SU's "Field Flowers" which a great 2-step stamp set...great for quick cards!  I used the challenge colors for the image, plus some liberal sponging, all done on very vanilla.    The sentiment is from the same set, matted on crushed curry.  

The last detail is a button...wasabi?  maybe garden green.  But it works!  Bumped this card from 1 postage stamp to extra postage!

Thanks for stopping by!  I should do the next challenge sooner!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Featuring Feathers

Hello Stamping Friends

Today is Sunday, that means Featured Stamper day on SCS!  Today highlights the talent of Laurie, aka lhs43.  I found a lovely, delicate card set using the SU set "Fine Feathers."  Since the Ways to Use It challenge called for feathers, it was a perfect opportunity to double up on challenges.

Here's where it gets really fun:  instead of the soft palette of pool party and baked brown sugar, I chose to pull out this WOW summer bright palette from The ColourQ.

My card base is celery, with a layer of whisper white.  I stamped the feathers with versamark, and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  I then used sponge daubers to randomly sponge the challenge colors.  The sentiments are from Polka Dot Party, Perfect Words, and Sincere Salutations.  Each of the cards have bermuda bay dotted ribbon, and 2 have a giant button...meaning hand delivery or extra postage!

Initially, I planned to have the colored layer over the whole card, with the sentiment in the center...but it was a bit much!  So I cut my sponged pieces in half, allowing me to make 4 cards instead of 2.  Yay!

Thanks for coming by!  Hopefully, I'll have more stamping throughout the week.

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim