TGIF #468 - Sketch Challenge

So happy it's time again for the TGIF Challenge!! I have really enjoyed doing some sketch challenges recently and this one is no exception. I had to think long and hard about which stamp set/dies I wanted to use on this one ...

Since all challenges are for inspiration, I kinda bent this sketch a little out of whack. I really wanted to use the cute little boots from Garden Meadows on this ever-adorable Glorious Gingham DSP.  I used my Simply Scored board too created the little ruffled piece of Berry Burst cardstock. I scored a 1/2" strip of cardstock at scored it every half inch. Then, I just accordion folded the strip and taped it down.

The window die from the Garden Meadows Dies is so fun! I used my Stampin' Write Markers and splattered the little frame with them (Blueberry Bushel and Berry Burst). 

Stamps: Garden Meadow, Leaf Collection

Paper: Whisper White, Blueberry Bushel, Berry Bushel, Lemon Lime Twist, Glorious Gingham DSP

Ink: Black Memento, Lemon Lime Twist, Blueberry Burst; Stampin’ Write Markers - Blueberry Bushel, Berry Burst

Accessories: Garden Meadows Dies, Happy Thoughts Dies, Ribbon Duo Combo Pack, 2024-2026 In Color Shimmer Gems

Coincidentally enough, the colors I chose for this week's TGIF Challenge are the exact colors for last week's TGIF Challenge (I didn't have a chance to play last week, and these colors were randomly the ones that were used!)! Soooo crazy how that happened because I wasn't even trying!

Monday Montage #258

Well, well, well ... I crafted this past weekend and it was GREAT!! I FiNALLY cleaned my craft room (which hasn't been done since before I made my Christmas cards!)! I really need to stay on top of it FOR REAL this time ... it's much more fun to create when you can actually find your stuff!! This week the Monday Montage girls have once again hit it out of the park!

I used a fun layout I saw on YouTube by Lisa Curcio.  It was so much fun and I really enjoyed creating it (so much so that I made two different ones ... I'll share the other one with you later this week)! It's kind of a card within a card within a card. Here's the card all closed up. I used images from Country Flowers which I colored with my Stampin' Blends. Note:  The deeper-colored yellow flowers were created by first coloring them Bubble Bath, but I decided I didn't love that; so I colored with Daffodil Delight on top of that which gave me a deeper orange-y yellow color which I really quite like!

This is the second layer. By lifting the top flap this "card inside the card" becomes exposed. I used one of the Brilliant Backgrounds Dies to give the Garden Green strip some texture. The Basic White Background was brought to life using the 3D Eyelet Embossing Folder (which I preordered from the new and upcoming catalog!). 

Opening the card once more reveals the "final" inside, where I stamped a sentiment on one of the shapes from the Stylish Shapes Dies. I added a few of the flower dies for accent. I left enough empty space so that I can write a little note when I sent this cutie out.

Here's a view from side so you can see all the pretty layers.  The measurements you will need are as follows:

BASE:

- Daffodil Delight: 4 1/4" x 11", score at 5 1/2"

- Cut off 2 3/4" on one end for TOP

- Designer Series Paper (top): 2 1/2" x 4 1/8”

- Designer Series Paper (inside): 4” x 5 1/4"

TOP:

- Daffodil Delight: 2 3/4" x 4 1/4"

- Basic White: 2 5/8” x 4 1/8”

- Designer Series Paper: 2 1/2" x 4”

INSIDE CARD:

- Daffodil Delight: 3 1/4" x 10”, score at 5”

- Garden Green: 3 1/8" x 2"

- Basic White 3 1/8” x 4 7/8”, cut 2

Isn't this the FUNNEST???? I haven't done a good "funky fold" card in quite some time! This one was very satisfying!

Stamps: Country Flowers

Paper:  Basic White, Daffodil Deliight, Lemon Lolly, Garden Green, Citrus Blooms DSP, Regals DSP

Ink: Versamark, Black Memento, Garden Green; Stampin' Blends - Dark & Light Smoky Slate, Dark & Light Daffodil Delight, Dark & Light Lemon Lolly, Dark & Light Granny Apple Green, Dark & Light Crumb Cake, Dark & Light Bubble Bath

Accessories: Country Flowers Dies, Stylish Shapes Dies, Brilliant Backgrounds Dies, Double Oval  Punch, Scalloped Contours Dies, Eyelet 3D Embossing Folder, Basic Gray/Smoky Slate Pearls, White Baker's Twine, White Embossing Powder

Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Bree Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma

Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs- NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange

Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance 

Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner- NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots

Emily Kimmey - EMK Creations 

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run 

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick ... she is Just Kiddin' Around and her cards are ADORBS!

Monday Montage #257

Monday, Monday! It's Monday Montage Week! YAY! I always LOVE seeing what my friends come up with every single time!

I got to spend four lovely days with lots of my Stampin' Up friends in Houston last week and it was a BLAST!! We were there for Stampin' Up's OnStage event for demonstrators. I even got to hang out with several of my Monday Montage besties and it was a BLAST!!

I also had the opportunity to participate in a card swap with several current and past Artisan Design Team Members! WowOhWow!! Talk about a group of talented people (and a bit intimidating!). This was my swap card.  I used the alcohol ink technique. Starting with reinkers, I dabbed Granny Apple Green, Pool Party, Melon Mambo and Misty Moonlight on a piece of vellum. Then I dribbled some isopropyl alcohol on top of the colors and the let the magic happen! Be sure to use 91% or higher alcohol ... using 70% won't work!  (Ask me how I know this!) I backed the piece of vellum with Basic White cardstock, which I also used for the base. I then cut the frames and shapes using the Perennial Postage Dies.

I embossed the sentiment with Versamark and then heat embossed some white embossing powder to make it pop. A few rhinestone basics jewels here and there and VOILA!

 I really am happy with this card ... it came out fun and unique for each person.

Stamps: Perennial Postage

Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Bubble Bath, Vellum

Ink: Versamark, Pool Party, Misty Moonlight, Light Granny Apple Green, Melon Mambo

Accessories: Perennial Postage Dies, Painted Textured 3D Embossing Folder, 3/8" Ribbon Combo Pack, Rhinestone Basics Jewels, White Embossing Powder

Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Bree Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma

Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange

Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance 

Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner

Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots

Emily Kimmey - EMK Creations 

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick ... her creations are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!

TGIFC #465 - "But First, Coffee ..."

Here we are again at this week's TGIF Challenge!! It's time to  curl up with a nice hot cup of coffee or cocoa and dive right in!

Very little stamping happened on this card ... the sentiment, stamped in Versamark and sprinkled with Basic White Embossing Powder and heated with an embossing tool.

This was a simple but fun kind of funky fold ... quick  and easy and oh-so-FUN!

Stamps: Latte  Love

Paper: Whisper White, Pecan Pie, Early Espresso,  Latte Love DSP

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Latte Love Dies, Natural 3/8" Natural Polka Dot Trim, Speckled Dots

Spring has officially sprung and the sun his starting to shine  on most days ... LOVINIG  the change ion  the  weather  away  from cold and gray!

Monday Montage #256

One of these days I may actually get a  handle on my life and get back to something that may slightly resemble "normal"  ... it's been months and months of chaos around my house. Sigh ... maybe this IS my new normal. I have  many, MANY lovely new stamping supplies that I haven't even opened! I'm hoping after I get back from OnStage in Houston next weekend that my schedule starts to cool off! However, I DID get to stamp with some new things for this week's Monday Montage Blog Hop! YAY ME!

Yellows and blues are so yummy together.  The Encircled in Nature Bundle (which is an Online Exclusive) is sooooo perfect for Spring. I haven't done this type of fun fold in a very long time. Basically, I just folded the front of the card back on itself and then used the Encircled in
Nature Dies to create a layered wreath which I stacked on top of it.

I made a small panel on the section of the front of my card that had been folded back. I then used one of the Basic 3D Embossing Folders (love me some dots!) to add some more dimension. I did do a lot of fussy cutting to make the Balmy Blue and Azure Afternoon "buds' on thee wreath, but I love how it turned out. I colored the flowers with Lemon Lolly and Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends. I then stamped the sentient using Pecan Pie on a small piece of Lemon Lolly paper that I tore around the edges. Using the Adhesive-Backed Swirl Dots and Pecan Pie Edged Ribbon and added some accents to set off the wreath. All in all, I love how this one turned out!

Stamps: Encircled in Nature

Paper: Lemon Lolly, Azure Afternoon, Blueberry Bushel, Early Espresso, Pecan Pie, Balmy Blue, Whisper White

Ink: Pecan Pie; Stampin' Blends - Dark and Light Lemon Lolly, Dark and Light Balmy Blue, Dark and Light Granny Apple Green

Accessories: Encircled in Nature Dies, Basic 3D Embossing Folder, Pecan Pie Edged Ribbon, Adhesive-Backed Swirl Dots

Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Bree Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma

Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance 

Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner

Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots

Emily Kimmey - EMK Creations 

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run  

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick ... her card is fresh and citrus-y!

Stampin' Fancy Friday - Something Blue Challenge

I'm doing a bit of a "fly-by" post today ... lots going on, sho I'm going to get to the point! This month's  Stampin' Fancy Friday Challenge is "Something Blue"  ... and  even though it's Valentine's Day, this blue card fits the bill! 

I love the clouds! The dies and stamps are soooo cute! This whole bundle coordinates beautifully with thee Raindrops embossing folder as well.  I used a sponge dauber to add both Balmy Blue and Night of Navy ink to the sentiment image ... and I really love the result!

Stamps: Bright Skies

Paper: Balmy Blue, Whisper White, Night of Navy

Ink: Balmy Blue, Night of Navy, Blueberry Bushel

Accessories: Bright Skies Dies, Raindrops Embossing Folder

That's all I have for today! Enjoy your Valentine's Day and hold your loved ones close!

Check out all the fun things created by the Stampin' Fancy Friday Team on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stampinfancyfriday/!!

TGIF #459 - Sketch Challenge

It's time once again for the TGIF Challenge!! The last two weeks have been an AMAZING whirlwind ... we went to PERU and climbed up and down mountains/stairs discovering and appreciating the beautiful scenery and many ruins, including Machu Picchu! I spent a little time yesterday winding down whilst watching a movie and stamping ... great way to spend some relaxing time!

If there is a stamp set with any fruit, vegetable or FOOD in general, I am IN IT!!! One of this year's Sale-a-Bration offerings is this adorable Watercolor Melon set ... I love it! I stamped the watermelon slice with Flirty Flamingo and then used a sponge dauber to add a little bit of Sweet Sorbet to intensify the "watercolor" effect. The rind and leaves are stamped in Garden Green. And of course the seeds are Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.

The Deckled Circles Dies were embossed using the Raindrops Embossing Folder (they kind of look like watermelon seeds, right??). The Basic Black Cardstock panel is also embossed, but it is kind of hard to see in the photo unless you get really close!

Stamps: Watercolor Melon

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Flirty Flamingo, Sweet Sorbet, Garden Green

Ink: Flirty Flamingo, Sweet Sorbet, Garden Green, Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark

Accessories: Deckled Circle Dies, Sentiment Silhouettes Dies, Raindrops Embossing Folder, 1/4" Black Gingham Ribbon, Brushed Metallic Dots

Peru is only 2 hours ahead of home as far as time zones, so why is it soooo hard to readjust to "normal"??? It's been almost a week .... I need another vacation!

Monday Montage #253

Happy Monday Montage, y'all! Now that my Christmas decorations are finally taken down and put away (yeah ... don't judge ... just finished that task this past week!), I feel like I can FINALLY start stamping again! Although, that means I need to do some more cleaning/organizing in my craft room! Isn't that the ongoing "problem" with having a room for crafting?? I know for me it is!

Sometimes the clean and simple stamp sets speak to me the most. Filled with Happiness is just one of those sets! The Modern Oval Punch that coordinates with it is soooo good! I had initially planned on coloring the oranges and greenery ... but i liked it so well just stamped with Calypso Coral ink that I decided to leave it uncolored. What do you think?

The punch works great on the center image ... but I really want one that goes around the sentiment outside the image as well! Sigh ... so I did what we all used to do back in the day and just did some fussy cutting. Not too bad on this! Of course, the Scalloped Contours dies are perfect for everything and are a "go-to" for me all the time!

Stamps: Filled with Happiness

Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Calypso Coral, Delightfully Eclectic DSP

Ink: Night of Navy, Calypso Coral

Accessories: Modern Oval Punch, Scalloped Contours Dies, Misty Moonlight 3/8" Inner Braid Ribbon, Starry Sky 1/8" Metallic Woven Ribbon, 2022-2024 In Color Pearls

Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Bree Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma

Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance 

Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner

Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots

Emily Kimmey - EMK Creations 

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run  

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick ... not just ONE, but FOUR fabulous cards from her this week!

Monday Montage #252

My New Year's Resolution for 2024 is to have all of my Christmas cards to be completely DONE by November! This was also my resolution last year ... I even started them in April ... then my son got engaged and we went into FULL wedding overdrive! Then there was my knee fiasco ... and I ended  up in crazy Christmas card making overdrive!!! Now that they are complete and mailed (and received) by everyone, I am happy to be able to share them for this Monday Montage! Fair warning ... most of what I used to make it was NOT Stampin' Up (what my friend, Jan Tinklenberg, always called "Rubbadultery"!)!! The cardstock is ALL Stampin' Up, though!

How adorable is this little gnome girl drinking a cup of hot chocolate?? I made her using some dies from Jaded Blossom. I cut the card bases (White, Cajun Craze, and some DSP from Echo Park (Gnome for Christmas Woodgrain Snowflakes). The aspen trees I cut with my Cricut. I didn't even actually stamp the sentiment, either ... I used the draw then cut feature on my Cricut to do those, and they went SUPER quick and easy!!

With this close up you can see all of the cute stitching around the edges of the Jaded Blossom Gnome Dies (the whipped cream on the hot chocolate just KILLS me!!)!

Stamps: None

Paper: Whisper White, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Petal Pink, Early Espresso, Echo Park Gnome for Christmas Woodgrain Snowflakes

Ink: None

Accessories: 

Digital Insert created with Project Life and Rhonna Designs Digital Scrapbooking

Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Bree Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma

Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange

Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance 

Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner

Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots

Emily Kimmey - EMK Creations 

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run  

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick ... she made the most ADORABLE card that would be perfect for the "Dad" in your life!

TGIF #454 - Color Challenge

Welcome to this week's TGIF Challenge!! I have always loved black/white/metallic color combos for their clean and classy look, don't you?? I (begrudgingly) sat at my craft table for what seemed like ETERNITY trying to come up with an idea for this, which was kind of surprising ... but once I got going, I couldn't stop "adding" things to it!

I made the background using one of the Artistic Mix Decorative Masks and some embossing paste. I used my heat embossing tool to dry the paste, which gives it some added dimension ... I love the stuff!! I also heat embossing the "light" in the lantern with some gold embossing powder and then lightly sponged some Daffodil Delight ink around it to make it "glow". 

The spiral die from Gorgeously Made  Dies is a favorite of mine ... and the More Dazzle DSP is just so SPARKLY!

Stamps: Lighting the Way

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Gold Foil, More Dazzle 6"x6" Specialty Paper

Ink: Versamark, Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Lighting the Way Dies, Gorgeously Made Dies, Radiating Stitches Dies, Faux Leather Trim, White Embossing Powder, Gold Embossing Powder, Brushed Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots, Artistic Mix Decorative Masks, Embossing Paste

Now ... do any of you want to come over and help me take down my Christmas stuff?? I'll but pizza ...