Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Dynamic Duos Sympathy


Good evening!  A super quick post tonight as I am completely knackered and afraid I might fall asleep on my keyboard (which could make for a very bizarre post...).  I had a tough time with these two greens so I went very simple for my card.  Not sure if it's too simple to even count for the competition but I like the crispness of it.  Good night for now and I'll be back tomorrow!


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (Garden Green, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Grey, Basic Black) Stampin' Up
Stamp:  (Sentiment from Think Big Favourites #3) Papertrey Ink
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Die:  (Half & Half) Papertrey Ink
Gems:  Stampin' Up

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

CASology #55


Welcome to Week 55 of CASology!  Here's the cue word for this week:


I was lucky when I was growing up to spend a month every summer at Camp Farwell in Vermont.  I met people from all over the world and still count some of them among my closest friends.  Time spent there definitely made for a happy summer!  Do you have any summer camping memories?  Go check out the CASology blog to see what the word camp inspired in the rest of the DT and then play along with us!




And this week's guest designer:


Link your creations to the CASology blog and remember that submissions are due by 4pm CST on Sunday, August 4th.


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Not Quite Navy) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Tents &  signs from Happy Camper) Paper Smooches, (Sentiment from Happy Summer) Lawn Fawn
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Markers:  (Stampin' Write Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Not Quite Navy) Stampin' Up

Monday, July 29, 2013

Welcome, Bryna Kate!


Happy Monday, everyone!  Yesterday was a very exciting day as Melissa Chipperfield, creator and intrepid leader of CASology, welcomed a baby girl, Bryna Kate!  The CASology DT is hosting a baby shower over at the CASology blog.  We've all made baby cards and would love for you to make one too, add it to the inLinkz and send lots of love Melissa's way.  The inLinkz will be open for 3 weeks so everyone has a chance to jump on the welcome wagon!  See you over there!   


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Basic Black) Stampin' Up
Stamp:  (Sentiment from CL352) Hero Arts
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Dies:  (Block alphabet) Papertrey Ink
Gems:  Recollections
Ribbon:  Craft supply

Thursday, July 25, 2013

CAS(E) This Sketch #38


Welcome to Week 38 of CAS(E) This Sketch!  Take a look at this week's sketch designed by Chrissy Larson:


I decided to add to my Christmas stash with this card and am pleased with how quickly this came together and also with how flat it is for mailing.  What do you see when you look at this sketch?  Hop over to the CAS(E) This Sketch page and check out the rest of the DT inspiration and then play along with us!  


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (Kraft) Gina K, (Real Red) Stampin' Up!
Stamp:  (Tree from CL469, Sentiment from CL543) Hero Arts
Ink:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Embossing Powder:  (Green Glitter Finish Zing) American Crafts
Gems:  (Bumblebee assortment) Doodlebug

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Lawn Fawn Shine




Hello hello!  Today I'm playing along with the Lawnscaping paper piecing challenge and the CAS on Sunday kraft and twine challenge.  I pulled out some Jillibean Soup papers to piece the lantern and letters and to create the background panel.  I embossed the shine marks with white embossing powder and then coloured it with a yellow Copic since my yellow EP was darker than I wanted it to be.  I love the pattern on the lantern and the pop of red in the middle of it.  Hope you all are shining brightly today!     



 
Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (Kraft) Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper:  (Handmade 6 Bean Soup) Jillibean Soup
Stamp:  (Lantern & brightly from Lunar Lights, Letters from Quinn's ABCs) Lawn Fawn
Ink:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Embossing Powder:  (Seafoam White) Ranger
Copic:  Y08

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Play Date Butterfly

**This is my second post for the day.  For my CASology post please scroll down or 


I'm back with my second Play Date Cafe card and yee haw - I used some mist!!  LOL!  I have quite a number of mists cluttering my shelves but I think I've only used them once that I can remember.  I decided to get crazy and try one out today!  :D  I also used my Corner Chomper for the first time.  It was actually a mistaken purchase.  I had wanted the regular corner rounder but when I got home I realised it was a decorative corner punch.  Doh! Tough to make a return when the store is a four hour plane ride away...  Now I'm glad I have it though because I think it's perfect for this card. The Pink Paislee stamp is seeing ink for the first time which is cool.  When I won this collection I worried I'd never use it as it's far more shabby than my usual style so I'm please to have made this stamp work for me.


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (Peach Parfait, Basic Black) Stampin' Up
Stamp:  (Butterfly Garden collection) Pink Paislee
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Punch:  (Corner Chomper) We R Memory Keepers
Mist:  (Water Cooler) Studio Calico
Glitter:  (Icicle Stickles) Ranger

CASology #54


Hello and welcome to Week 54 of CASology!  Here's the cue word for this week:


As you can see I really unleashed my quirky brain on the cue word this week.  :D  I couldn't come up with a pretty design using gold embossing powder which was my initial idea.  So I thought about the word golden for a while and came up with Golden Arches (McDonald's), golden french fries and the phrase, "You're golden!" (Meaning you're set or good to go). Now if I had a stack of french fries like that in front of me I'd most definitely be good to go! LOL!  Not having any fast food on the island (except for one KFC) it was always considered a special treat to have McDonald's while on holidays abroad.  Now, time for you to unleash your creativity and show us your stuff.  Be sure to check out the rest of the team at the CASology blog and then get to work!



And this week's guest designer:


Link your creations to the CASology blog and remember that submissions are due by 4pm CST on Sunday, July 28th.


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Real Red, Daffodil Delight) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Fries from Think Fast, You are from Chit Chat, Golden from Alphadots) Paper Smooches
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Monday, July 22, 2013

Shadow Flower

*** This is my second post for the day.  For my previous post please scroll down or 


It's been so nice to have some extra time to play in the Craft Cave this weekend.  I even managed to make 2 cards for the Play Date Cafe.  Usually I have so many challenges that I want to play along with that I only make one card and then move on but I had a couple of ideas for this colour combo so I thought I'd indulge myself for once.  This was my first card and I used some Papertrey stamps for the first time.  I was inspired to break these out after seeing Joyce's gorgeous card.  I off stamped the flowers in the background and then trimmed and popped up another flower in the front to give a bit of dimension.  The flower centre is a Hero Arts stamp as is the sentiment.  I thought it needed a little something else so at the last minute I added the twine bow which I think is kind of cute!  I'll be back tomorrow with my second Play Date card!


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink, (Peach Parfait, Wild Wasabi) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Flower & leaves from Rosie Posie) Papertrey Ink, (Flower centre from CL519, Sentiment from Heyday Sentiments) Hero Arts
Ink:  (Peach Parfait, Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso) Stampin' Up
Dies:  (Leaves from Rosie Posie) Papertrey Ink, (Die-Namics Fresh Cut Grass) My Favourite Things

4 For 1 Birthday



Hello and welcome to a new week!  I have a 4 for 1 challenge card today.  Both the Moxie Fab World and Seize the Birthday are hosting birthday card challenges and one can never have too many birthday cards in one's stash!  I used the bright and cheery colour palette from ColourQ and the CAS sketch from the Paper Players to put my card together.  I played with some neglected Hero Arts background stamps to add some texture to the circle and butterfly and used gems to create antennae.  I love these bold colours together and how they pop off of the white.  It totally says, "Celebrate!" to me!




Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Raspberry Ripple, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo) Stampin' Up, (Turquoise) DCWV
Stamps:  (Sentiment from CL340, Envelope Pattern, Flourish Background) Hero Arts
Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Dies:  (Signature Series: Butterfly, Double-Ended Banner) Papertrey Ink, (Nesties Standard Circles Large) Spellbinders
Gems:  Recollections

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Strange Stash

** This is my 2nd post for the day.  Please scroll down or click here for my previous post!**


This week Shopping Our Stash has asked us to 'fess up about the strangest or weirdest purchase we have made for the purpose of creating something.  I've got a doozy for this one! Back when I was first just dipping my toe into card making I read an article about being more creative by repurposing things for cards so I bounded off to the Dollar Store and bought this:



Yes, that is in fact an apron and it's made of some weird thin plastic stuff.  Not sure what I was thinking but 6 years later it was still waiting patiently in a drawer for me to put it to use.  So I took the SOS challenge by the horns and introduced that apron to my Cuttlebug. Above you can see the result.  The centres of the flowers are a lilac colour which is why I used this colour scheme but then I covered up the centre with Perfect Pearls so I guess I could make more with different colours.  Perhaps a set of repurposed apron note cards!  Or maybe I should paper piece (or apron piece?) an apron image with this!  Oh the possibilities are endless!  Thanks SOS!


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (Kraft) Gina K, (Real Red, Wisteria Wonder) Stampin' Up
Stamp:  (Think Big Favourites #6) Papertrey Ink
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Dies:  (Beautiful Blooms II #1) Papertrey Ink
Other:  (Lavender Lace Liquid Pearls) Ranger

Waving Hello


There are nautical themed challenges going on at Curtain CallPaperCrafts Connection and Simon Says Stamp at the moment and I thought the current Colour Throwdown colours would go along well with that theme.  I broke out Paper Smooches' Wicked Nauticool set and did a little stamping and paper piecing.  I love the little chain stamp that's included in the set as well as the fun sentiment.  This set will certainly be useful for all the sea lovers around here!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Lucky Limeade, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, Chocolate Chip, Basic Black) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (All from Wicked Nauticool) Paper Smooches
Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Lucky Limeade, Chocolate Chip) Stampin' Up
Dies:  (Nesties Standard Circles Large) Spellbinders, (In The Meadow) Papertrey Ink
Gems:  (Swimming Pool assortment) Doodlebug

Saturday, July 20, 2013

A Little Romance


Hi there!  Today I'm playing along with the current Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger.  I was inspired by the mint colour and the lace and I'm continuing with my quest to dig into my stash.  The paper was bought back in 2007, the lace tape was a gift from Amy Tsuruta last year and the stamps are being used for the first time (by me - they're actually second hand and had lots of love from the previous owner).  I feel good about using hoarded stuff but I sure would love to do some shopping!  LOL! Every once in a while I'll go fill up a cart at an online store, stare at it wistfully for a while and then close it.  I'm determined I'm going to hold out!  


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Mint) Paper Garden
Stamps:  (Flower from Folk Art Florals, Sentiment from Very Vintage Greetings) WPlus9
Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Calypso Coral) Stampin' Up
Die:  (Heart Prints) Papertrey Ink
Gems:  Recollections
Lace tape

Thursday, July 18, 2013

CAS(E) This Sketch #37


Welcome to Week 37 of CAS(E) This Sketch!  Take a look at this week's sketch designed by Karolyn Loncon:


It's pretty rare that I make two cards for a challenge (especially a sketch challenge) but I actually came up with two versions:


I was inspired by the colours from the latest Paper Smooches Sparks challenge.  I used the Alphawhimsy dies for the "friend" and the flourish stamps and die from Flap Happy.  The first colour tripped my up a bit because it looks quite grey on the screen but when I printed it out to take to the Craft Cave it seemed a more beige colour.  So I covered my bases with these cards and made one using each colour. Which do you prefer? 
Be sure and head over to the CAS(E) This Sketch blog to check out all the gorgeous inspiration from the rest of the DT and then be sure to play along!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, Kraft) Papertrey Ink, (Poppy Parade, So Saffron) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Letters from Alpha-Blocks) Papertrey Ink, (Flourish from Flap Happy) Paper Smooches
Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Poppy Parade, So Saffron, Not Quite Navy) Stampin' Up, (Grey Flannel) Memento
Dies:  (Alphawhimsy, Butterflies 1) Paper Smooches
Gems:  (Recollections
Washi:  (Lost & Found Oliver collection) My Mind's Eye

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Warm Thoughts


Hi there!  A super quick post before I dash off to work.  I'm playing along with Dynamic Duos here and their sweet, soft colour combo.  I've seen a lot of designs lately with stripes paired with flowers and I love the look so I thought I'd try it here.  I layered up the MFT flowers and curled up the edges for lots of dimension.  Hope you're all having a fabulous day!


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Pink Pirouette, Sahara Sand) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Mason jar from Crystal Clear, Sentiment from First Aid Kit) Paper Smooches, (Stripe from Faux Ribbon) Papertrey Ink
Inks:  (VersaMark) Tsukineko
Embossing Powder:  (Black) Ranger
Die:  (Die-namics Flower & Leaf Trio) MFT
Punch:  (5/16" hole punch) McGill
Glossy Accents

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

CASology #53


Welcome to Week 53 of CASology!  Here's the cue word for this week:


This Unity image came to mind immediately when I saw this week's cue word.  It didn't take too much digging to find it and using it meant I made my NBUS (Never Before Used Schtuff) quota for the day.  (Actually I used double the quota because this was the first inking for the Paper Smooches sentiment as well).  I did some shading with my Copics and found a small pattern for the frame which makes the ice cubes pop.  I kept the layout simple, classic and totally CAS!  Pop on over to the CASology blog to check out the rest of the super cool DT designs and then play along with us!




And this week's guest designer:


Link your creations to the CASology blog and remember that submissions are due by 4pm CST on Sunday, July 21st.


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill
Patterned Paper:  (PB & J) Basic Grey
Stamps:  (Ice cubes from June '12 KOM - Sweet Summer Love) Unity, (Sentiment from Swanky Snowdudes) Paper Smooches
Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Embossing Powder:  (Clear) Ranger
Die:  (Snapshot Fun) Sweet Stamp Shop
Gems:  (Swimming Pool assortment) Doodlebug
Markers:  (BG10, BG23) Copic

Monday, July 15, 2013

Owl Always Be Here


The Colour Throwdown is celebrating their 5 year anniversary with their 250th challenge this week! They're celebrating with a huge blog hop of past designers and also with some awesome prizes. This week's colours are summery, cheery and celebratory - a perfect combo!   I broke out some NBUS for this card.  My dear bloggie friend Jenny sent me a sweet set of stamps with a matching die from Clearly Besotted Stamps.  I clear embossed the owls to make the colour pop and for the first time tried using a die to emboss an image.  Quite a cool effect and easier than I thought.  Be sure to check out the challenge and the blog hop for lots of inspiration!



ETA:  I had originally planned to link this up the the Muse challenge as the colours were so similar to the ones Marion used on her adorable owl card but... I had a blond moment!  Thanks to Lynn for the reminder!


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (Melon Mambo, So Saffron, Crumb Cake) Stampin' Up, (Turquoise) Paperbilities
Stamps:  (Owl & sentiment from You're A Hoot) Clearly Besotted Stamps
Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Punch:  (1 7/8" square punch) McGill
Die:  (Owl from You're A Hoot) Clearly Besotted Stamps
Gems:  (Swimming Pool assortment) Doodlebug
Twine:  (Lemondrop) The Twinery

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Starry Birthday


Good morning!  I'm popping in with a birthday card for two challenges - the Little Tangles birthday challenge and the Moxie Fab Birthday Card challenge.  This is another one of my "what was I thinking" cards.  LOL!  I stamped the wavy lines from the Little Tangles set which was easy enough. Then I took a star from the Halloween Scene collection, stamped it 24 times, coloured them in and fussy cut all of them!  I don't know what possesses me to cut out these tiny images but I'm glad I did it because I think the end result is really fun!  Off to the Craft Cave to carry on with the special orders.  Have a lovely day!


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill
Stamps:  (Wavy lines from Little Tangles, Stars from Halloween Scene) Neat and Tangled, (Sentiment from CL582) Hero Arts
Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Markers:  (R29, YR04, Y08, G07, B29, V09) Copic

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Hope Your Day Is Sweet


My wish for rain almost came true today as we woke up to thunder and lightning at 5:45am. Atticus did his guard dog duty and went tearing outside to tell off whoever was making all that noise. :)  Despite the noise and light show we only got a sprinkle of rain.  The rest of the day was just cloudy and muggy.  Good enough for staying in the Craft Cave though!  

I'm working on my special orders but I also took some time to play.  I combined a few challenges for this card.  The colours were taken from the latest Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger challenge.  As soon as I saw the inspiration photo I thought of these Doodlebug papers that have been languishing in my stash.  I paired them up with the sketch from the Fusion challenge and used stamps from the Sweet Stamp Shop - I'll be joining their Use What You Have Challenge since my papers are from 2005!


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Basic Black) Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper:  (Obviously Orange Stripes, Obviously Orange Grid, Tangerine It's About Time, Limeade Sweet Stripes) Doodlebug
Stamps:  (Candies and "sweet" from Sweet Tooth) Sweet Stamp Shop, ("Hope your day is" from So 80s) WPlus9
Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi) Stampin' Up
Embossing powder:  (Seafoam White) Ranger
Dies:  (Nesties Labels One) Spellbinders, (Double-Ended Banners) Papertrey Ink