Color Me a Bit Early!

Happy Happy Sunday!

It took me a while, but I finally got my weekend stamping mojo going!  I was gone for most of yesterday, and surfed blogs in the evening.  After church and breakfast this morning, I caught in the quicksand that is Facebook.  Ha!  But I realized that I have a very busy day tomorrow, and would not have time to complete the Colour Me...! challenge. I decided I better do it today, which is "early" according to my usual practice.  This week is the monochromatic challenge...always tough for me!  

I had some different DSP out, from Garden Walk, or something.  I wanted to stamp over it with that big beautiful "Swallowtail"...what a mistake!  I can never get that image even!  LOL  So...I had some paper from the brights pattern stack.  I used this side that is a bit lighter, and stamped the large flowers from "Inspired by Nature" in basic gray ink.  In the upper left corner, my sentiment is from "Work of Art," and I sponged a sun with sunbeams in daffodil delight ink.  I added satin ribbon and large pearls to highlight the birthday wish from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" which is layered on various punches.  I have a friend who LOVES yellow, and her birthday is this week.  Perfect!







Now, since I am stamping "early," I am back to catching up with past challenges.  Just as a reminder, this blog challenge at the start of 2014.  I had already set a personal goal of completing each of the SCS color challenges this year (not necessarily in order) so when I found Colour Me, I decided to do the same.

Here is CMCC #12.  These subtle color challenges are almost as tough for me as the monochromatic ones!

The cool blue tones made me think of a cool winter theme.  I stuck with that, even with the warmer pear pizzazz color.  My card base is soft sky (FINALLY bought some!) On the strip of whisper white, I stamped SU's "Serene Snowflakes" in soft sky and coastal cabana, then sponged soft sky along the edges.  My pear circle was cut with the Sizzix die.  I brought out "Zoo Review" for this cute polar pear, which is stamped in basic gray.  After punching it out with the extra large scallop circle, I did some more sponging and stamping.  I also added some Dazzling Details on the ground beneath the bear's feet.  First time I have used this stuff...it was stashed away...and now I imagine it will be used quickly!  My sentiment is from "Happiest Birthday Wishes."  I added some silver ribbon for the final sparkling detail.

And finally for today, here is CMCC #13.  I LOVE this rich, vibrant palette!  This is more in my comfort zone, especially as fall is quickly approaching.

I decided to combine these rich colors in my own pattern paper.  I stamped leaves from SU's "Gently Falling" which is a 2-step stamp set.  After using the cajun craze, crushed curry, and rich razzleberry on very vanilla card stock, I sponged island indigo for a dark afternoon autumn sky.  I matted it with island indigo and placed it on a cajun craze card base.   My sentiment is from "Whimsical Words." I paired the scallop circle (very vanilla) and extra large scallop circle (crushed curry) punches, with dimensionals in between.  I added just a bit of cajun striped grosgrain ribbon for the final detail.




So, those are my cards from today's little stamp fest.  Lots of fun!  I hope you enjoyed them, too!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Daring Trio

Hello Everyone!

I am moving very slowly through the Dare to Get Dirty challenges. I had this grandiose plan to make 4 of each card... 2 for me and 2 for Operation Write Home.  That means, I am spending a lot of time on a single challenge.  Tomorrow I will change that so I can get more challenges completed.  I can always duplicate later, right?

I posted one card yesterday...today I have 3.  Again, I can't specify what the challenges are.  These are fun extras for Fan Club members over at Splitcoaststampers.  However, I will give you some basic details on what is included in each card.

My first card uses some dsp from my scrap pile...yay!  Elegant Soiree and Bella Bleu are featured here.  My card base is baja breeze and the layer of crumb cake is tinted just a bit with some shimmer spritz I made (frost white shimmer paint + rubbing alcohol + not quite navy ink).  I actually dry embossed it first with the diagonal lines.  The not quite navy sentiment is from SU's "Blessings from Heaven" and the flower image is from "Thanks for Caring," colored with crumb cake and baja breeze markers, all on very vanilla and punched out with the extra large scallop circle.  Candy dots and kite string finish it off.

Next I have a Christmas card.  I planned on keeping it very simple with no coloring.  But I managed to get black embossing powder showing up in all the wrong places.  I used LOTS of different markers to color this image from  Paper Inspirations.  I sponged sahara sand and a combo of baja breeze and night of navy.  Touches of gold embossing were used for the crowns.  The entire image was cut out on my Big Shot, using the SU framelits.  My ribbon is long-retired purely pomegranate satin, so I used the matching ink for the sentiment (from SU "Come to Bethlehem.")  Oh...the card base is brushed gold, with the front embossed, using the fancy fans folder.

Finally, my favorite DTGD card so far.    Another baja breeze card base.  The second layer was embossed with the wood grain folder, then sponged with soft suede and pear pizzazz ink.  The image is a 2-step stamp from SU "Field Flowers." I used pear pizzazz, regal rose, calypso coral, and soft suede inks, plus sponged baja breeze all on very vanilla.  The sentiment is from the same stamp set.  I added just a strip of soft suede polka dot ribbon.  This is very mail-able, so I made 4...and will likely make more in different colors.

4 each of these cards is great for my stash, but I better get cranking on the other challenges!!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Weekend Projects

Hello, and Happy Sunday!

I have been stamping random cards for various challenges this weekend.  Since I may not have time to blog tomorrow, I wanted to include a few cards in today's post.

This first card is for today's Featured Stamper Challenge on SCS.  I chose THIS CARD from Karren's fabulous gallery to CASE.  I had seen her work around on a few blog challenges, so it was fun to pay tribute to her talent.  Her card reminded me of the color palette for The Card Concept challenge, so I am submitting for that also.  

Sorry for the dark picture...overcast day!  My card base is basic back.  On whisper white, I stamped kites from SU's "Send Me Soaring" then adhered to pool party card stock.  I embossed both layers together with the Cloudy Day embossing folder, then lightly sponged pool party between the clouds.  A bold, red sentiment comes from "Just Sayin" and is cut out with the Word Bubble framelit.  I even layered a solid red word bubble underneath for more contrast.  Some thick bakers twine and a red button wrap it up.  This is the "Clean and Layering" style over at The Card Concept...the style I use most of the time.

Next, I am plunging into this week's challenge over at The Paper Players.  I don't do monochromatic cards that often, so it's a good stretch for my creative juices!

When I needed some perfect plum card stock recently, I saw that I had a half sheet of pale plum left over.  I also had nearly a full 12x12 sheet of this plum pattern paper on my cutting table.  Time to use those "leftovers!"  I simply used a bit of both sides of the pattern paper, rounding off the corners.  The image panel features "Flight of the Butterfly" stamped with pale plum, perfect plum, and elegant eggplant.  I mounted it on eggplant card stock.  The birthday sentiment is from"Happiest Birthday Wishes, and is embellished with eggplant candy dots.  Plum taffeta ribbon finishes it off.  It looks gray...but yes, it really is plum !

Finally, I have a card that started out for a challenge, but it didn't work out...so I finished it Just Because! 

My card base is crumb cake, and I stamped the Fleur du Lis from"Carte Postale" on the base and on the very vanilla oval.  I also stamped a sentiment from "Trust God" in elegant eggplant over the fleur du lis, sponged generously, then mounted it on an eggplant oval which is dry embossed with the snowflake folder from SU.   The DSP strip is from Bella Bleu (more from my scrap pile!) sponged with always artichoke and mounted on cherry cobbler, with artichoke seam binding added. The bird is also from"Carte Postalle," colored with my cherry and eggplant markers, cut out, and popped up with dimensionals.

Considering how many times I changed this design, I am very happy with the result!

Thanks for stopping by again!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Catching Up on Some COLOR!

Hello Stamping Friends!

I really should be finishing up a non-stamping project, but alas, I am procrastinating.  I made 2 cards today for SCS color challenges I had skipped, and one yesterday.  Just 2 more, and I will be caught up with the 2014 challenges!  I am also submitting the second card to Mojo Monday.

This first card was made yesterday, and it is actually this week's combo:  Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, and Calypso Coral.  I rarely use coral, but I am pleased with how this turned out.  A couple of nights ago, I was trying to get a certain stamp set out, but an avalanche came crashing down!  I was not hurt, and no stamps were hurt!  But this long-retired hostess stamp set from SU, "Wings of Friendship," landed on the floor.  Must be a sign!

The large image is a single stamp, so I used my markers to color it, then stamped on whisper white.  Really makes this image pop!  The sentiment is from the same set, punched out with the scallop oval and layered on retired Christmas dsp from my scrap pile.  Even the daffodil dsp is from the same pile.  How fun is that?  Bakers twine and candy dots were used to finish it off.

Next, I have a card with a very soft palette: Pink pirouette, pistachio pudding, and very vanilla.  I flipped the Mojo Monday sketch to go with my tea cup.

Once again, I was stumped!  I don't even have a full pack of pistachio pudding card stock; just the mix pack of in-colors.  But I kinda like it, so I will order some this month.  I had a 6x6 piece of retired dsp, Parisian something-or-other, which was perfect for this challenge.  Because of the vintage feel, I went with this "Tea Shoppe" cup, and small flowers on the horizontal strip, plus the vintage wallpaper embossing folder on the small pistachio layer. The Get Well stamp is from "Delightful Dozen," and the scripture verse is from "Words of Wisdom." I punched it out with the tag punch, to look like a tea bag.  Embellishments include ruffled ribbon and basic pearls, plus lots of dimensionals.  I wanted to add more color, but kept strictly to the challenge!

Finally, a completely different palette:  pacific point, real red, and pumpkin pie.  WOW! So much bolder and brighter!  I wanted a casual or playful image, so I pulled out the 2-step set called "Awash with Flowers."  I don't use it often, but when I do, I enjoy it!  My sketch is from this week's sketch challenge on SCS.  I stamped the line images in stazon jet black, and cheated a bit with my lucky limeade marker for the leaves and stems.  Gotta have my leaves!  The sentiment is from "You're a Gem," punched out with the small oval.  Pacific point was sponged lightly everywhere for the sky.  I embossed the pumpkin pie layer with a Cuttlebug folder, but most of it got covered up.  I wasn't sure what ribbon to add, and I am not thrilled with my choice, but I really need to finish this 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon!  LOL  I hope my candy dots stay in place!




Thanks for stopping by!  Now that I have typed this, it's time to get back to my other project.  No more procrastinating!


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

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

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

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

I Found Some Dynamic Duos!

Hello again!  2 days, 2 blog posts...maybe I am back on track.
(Who am I kidding?  My ministry Banquet for Life is on the 24th!  Stamping and blogging will be sporadic at best!)

While surfing the galleries on SCS, I decided to do more commenting.  I used to do that a lot...share the love...but drifted away from this simple and fun activity.  Saturday night, I clicked on gallery entries for the day and saw a few with this soft color palette.  I did a bit of digging, and found another color challenge blog!  Happy, happy me!  I was amazed to see the challenge creator is Lesley Croghan...she is EVERYWHERE!  LOL  I am convinced she doesn't sleep...though her cards never look sleep deprived!  Lesley is getting help from another super talented stamper, Ann Marie Hile who serves as challenge manager and a host of super talented ladies on the Design Team, including my cyber friend Holly Endress of The Friday Mashup.  When I see a great DT, I know that I want to participate, at least once in a while.  This is DD#98...where have I been???



I have always loved playing color challenges...especially on SCS.  I sometimes would get frustrated with people adding colors, because I thought it was "cheating."  (Add green to anything, and you can make flowers and stems!  LOL)  I learned to get over it, and just have fun.

Well, these challenge DT ladies are sticklers!  ONLY use the 2 colors given, plus neutrals.  That's right...don't add green to make pretty spring flowers in a field, or blue in the sky.  I LOVE this idea!

While the badge says wisteria and saffron, the blog post says soft purple & yellow.  I used this opportunity to pull out long-retired goodies.  I have a gazillion things that need to be used before I spend more money!  I used almost amethyst and barely banana.  The barely banana was embossed with the Cuttlebug divine swirls folder.  The pattern paper is from an old 6x6 hostess stack (remember those?) and the ribbon is from Michael's.  It is a perfect match to SU's amethyst!  I used the 2-step SU stamp set, Flight of the Butterfly, which will never leave my collection.  Finally the button and linen thread are also from SU, and bumped this card up to the Hand Deliver or Extra Postage category.  I love bumpy cards!

By the way, soft subtles are NOT my favorite, so I was itching to throw in some richer tones.  But I was a good girl, and played by the rules. *wink*  I think future DD challenges will, indeed, be very challenging!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

I really like these!

Hello Stamping Friends!

Here are more cards from the Dare to Get Dirty challenges.  If you have not joined the SCS Fan Club, you should!  It's quite a deal!!

The first card features Fanciful Flowers, one of the first stamp sets I bought.  It is a 2-step stamp set, but I used markers to color the lined images (stamped in basic black.)  My colors are peach parfait, regal rose, blushing bride, mellow moss, and always artichoke. The card base is sahara sand, layered with very vanilla.The ribbon and punched out dsp are brocade blue.  The sentiment is from Well Scripted, punched out with the decorative label punch, and highlighted with basic pearls.

This next card is fun and bright and playful, don't you think?  The spotted dsp is from Hobby Lobby (don't know the specific brand.)  I used my Big Shot and scalloped envelope die to make the purse, embellished with a button and taffeta ribbon.  Teeny Tiny Wishes is back, with the duo of punches.  Also from SU's Best Yet, I stamped the other sentiment on a scallop circle, using old olive ink, sponging some tempting turquoise.  The card base is pumpkin pie, layered with daffodil delight and whisper white, embossed with a cuttlebug folder.

Finally for today, this card I made for my mom.  She LOVES blue and brown tones together.  The card base is baja breeze, with very vanilla and Elegant Soiree dsp.  The sentiments are both from Wonderful Mother, stamped in early espresso.  The feather is from Fine Feathers, colored with soft suede and baja breeze markers.  The ink well is early espresso, punched with the ornament stamp, tip end cut off.  I then embossed it with the elegant lines folder.  Circle and scallop circle punches and soft ruffled vanilla ribbon finish it off. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim