Inspiration Challenge - Elum Pocket Journals

Happy Saturday, everyone!! I was sooo excited to see my friend Anne as the hostess for the Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoast this week....and what a wonderful challenge!!! I have been babysitting all day so this card was done in bits and pieces!! Gabe is 2 and always on the go...not much time to stamp while he is awake!!

I used six different stamp sets to create this anniversary card for my DS and his wife.This is the picture that inspired me. I started by stamping the flourishes and some of the leaves on the white cs. The top leaves were all stamped, embossed, cutout, and applied with dimensionals. The Martha Stewart punched butterfly with pearls was the only embellie...can't believe I didn't use ribbon!!! TFL and have a wonderful Saturday!!

The Pumpkin Pie leaves are from one of my very favorite sets, Best Blossoms. The Tempting Turquoise and Chocolate Chip leaves all came from the Bodacious Bouquet set. The PP flourishes and thin CC leaves under the bottom left TT leaves are from Clear Dollar Stamps Elegant Flourishes and Antique Scrolls. The PP flourishes on the sentiment are from Basic Grey's Two Scoops Heart Smudge and the sentiment is called Phrases Collection by See D's Stamps. The thick CC and Bordering Blue swirls under the leaves is the flourish stamp from Roses in Winter.

Thanks for visiting today and I hope your weekend is wonderful!!!

WT 203 and Taylor's Cupcake Anniversary Challenge...the Last 4 cards!! Whoohoo, I Finishes all 9!!!

If all of you don't know, I am a real slow stamper!! So, for me to finish all 9 of these cards by today was a real challenge!! Sometimes it's good to push yourself just a little....it's amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it!!
All four of the cards I finished today were also for the WT challenge to use alcohol inks in new and different ways. All the cards were colored with copics and some had embellies colored with copics, too.

This is my 6th card (Taylor's sketch) for the 9 sketch challenges to celebrate Taylor's One Year of Cupcake Challenges Anniversary. The sweet little cuppies from the A Year of Sweets 2 were stamped with Memento Black and colored with copics. The paper is by Imaginisce and the pink layer was run through the Cuttlebug with the Dotted Swiss folder and scalloped with the SU border punch. The flowers are from Memory Box, the buttons are from Basic Grey, and the ribbon is Wild Wasabi.


This is my 7th card of the 9 sketch challenges for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge Anniversary. This sketch is by Anna Wohlfahrt and also qualifies for the TLC205 challenge to use pleats (the background Purley Pomegranate dp layer was pleated). The image was colored with copics and the words on the two heart buttons at the top were colored with copics. Glitter was added to the Rubbernecker heart toperary image for a little glam. I just love this retired SU dp....as you can see I have been hoarding!! The sentiment, also by Rubbernecker, was stamped with Purley Pomegranate and Papertrey Ink ribbon, pink heart brad, and a prima finish it off.

This is also one more Valentine down and about 5 more to go!!









This is the 8th card for the 9 sketch challenges for Taylor's One Year Cupcake Anniversary Challenge. This sketch is by Jackie Pedro...the Rubbernecker Sunflowers and Laughter image and Rubbernecker sentiment were stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa and the image was colored with copics. I used an orange copic to darken the bling at the top. The paper is from Basic Grey's Mellow and the ribbon is PTI's Summer Sunrise. the background Kiwi Kiss layer was run through the Cuttlebug with the Dotted Swiss folder, all the circles were cut out with Nestabilities, and the bottom layer was scalloped with the Stampin Up! border punch. I know the color combo looks a little strange for a Spring card but I really need a change after so much red and pink!!










Whoohoo....I finally finished my 9th and final card for Taylor's Cupcake Anniversary Challenge!! This sketch is by Sherrie Siemens and I used the darling little cuppie licking his lips over all the sweets from Taylor's Love is Sweet set. The image was colored with copics and I also colored the buttons with copics. They have a cracked look that looks kinda cool! They were attached to the chipboard heart that was also colored with a copic. The circle was cutout of red glitter paper using Nestabilities and the heart dp is by Flair Designs.

Thanks sooo much for visiting and hope you were able to complete some of these challenges, too!! Have a great day....I'm off to celebrate with a cupcake!!!!

Belli Challenge #51 and Splitcoast Sketch Challenge

OMG...it's 1:30 AM am I am still up!! Am I crazy or what?? I have to get up at 7:00 so I better get on the stick!!

This is for the SCS Sketch Challenge and the Belli #51 challenge to make a cake. Hummm, you say this doesn't look like a cake??? No, seriously, my DD Holly gave us a fun challenge this week...we were to pick 5 ingredients for a cake from her list. After everyone picked their 5, she matched them up with embellies...how cool was that!!! The 5 embellies I had to use on this weeks card are: buttons, ribbon, vellum (yikes!!) chipboard, and designer paper.

The Belli Challenge was created by Chris (Chrissyd723)Dickinson to inspire us to use the *stuff* lying around our stamping spaces...those long forgotten goodies that we once had to have!! Anyone can play, so get out your scraps, stamps, and embellies!! Check out Chris' blog for details on how to win the challenge!!

The dp is by SEI called Granny's Kitchen. Can you see the daisy's over the striped background layer...that is a piece of vellum from the same SEI line. The chipboard frame was colored by rubbing a Chocolate Chip ink pad over the area and then I sanded it for a distressed look. I added the buttons to the frame and the flower center with the ribbon tied through the button holes.

The retired Stampin Up! stamp set called Pocket Full of Posies was used for the flower image. It was stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa and colored it with copics. Actually, I went through many stamp sets trying to find an image that would fit in the frame. I really wanted to gussie it up a little more with sewing, lace, and scallops but I was just too tired. I'm off to bed!

Thanks for the great challenge, Holly!! Be sure to visit the Belli Design Team Member's blogs to see the beautiful cards they designed!! You will find lots of awesome ideas!! Remember to check out Chris' blog to see how you can win!! If you upload a card to Splitcoast, be sure to add CBC51 in the keywords section.

Holly Brown

Chris Dickinson

Ceal Pritchett

Jennifer Greco

Lorie Ames

Danita Hollander

Shelly Koskinen

Karen Gibson

Debby McGivillary

Christi Thorsen

Lee Murphy - Guest Designer

Thanks for visiting and I wish everyone sweet dreams!!

Today's Color Challenge Cards Combined With Taylor's Cupcake Challenge

This is an edit....I forgot to upload this card with the rest of the Cupcake challenge cards. This card was done for Monday's Technique Lover's challenge to use paper pleats and also for Stephanie Hargis' blog sketch for Taylor's one year Cupcake Anniversary. This is number 3 of the 9. I used Clear Dollar Stamps January Stamp of the Month for the flower, dragonfly, and basket images. The colors used were Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa. and glitter was added th the flowers for a little glam. The pleats were done with a scrap piece of SU dp, the background flower dp was from my scrap box...I think it was Flair Designs, and I used a SU rubon for the sentiment.









Hello everyone!! Today was a real special day...my Parents 64th Wedding Anniversary!! I can't imagine being married that long....a true testiment to love, commitment, sharing, giving, and sacrifice!! They are such wonderful people and awesome role models for our whole family!!
We took them to lunch today to celebrate.

For Taylor's Cupcake Challenge One Year Anniversary I made my 4th card of 9 using Donna Baker's sketch and the color challenge colors of Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, and Garden Green...yikes!!! I felt better when I found some Stampin Up! dp with Garden Green and Baja Breeze. I used Pacific Point for matting and the sentiment...just a touch for a little pop.



The cuppie image from Taylored Expression's Love is Sweet set was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with copics. The background looked a little plain so I doodled around the edges....don't look too close cause I need a little more practice!! A 1 1/4 inch square punch was used for the background squares and the ribbon, clips, and pearls finish it off.






My 5th card for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge One Year Anniversary was made using Jami Sibley's sketch and the color challenge colors. The flowers and vase images from the Little Paper Shop were paper pieced with the SU dp and the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink. The round layers were cut out with Nestabilities and the center white layer was punch with a Giga Rectangle Punch (the purple one). The sentiment was stamped with Pacific Point onto the white, punched out with the Word Window punch, and layered on two scallop pieces I cut off a round scalloped Nesties circle.

The flowers were stamped on the Baja Breeze dp with Pacific Point, cutout, attached with dimensionals and the pearls were added for a little glam.

We were going to my DGD's Science Fair tonight but it was cancelled due to the weather....we are batting down the hatches bracing for a Winter ice storm. Hummmm, sounds like a good night to make some more cupcake challenge cards....I have 4 more to go!!!

Thanks for visiting and enjoy your evening!!!

Featured Stamper Challenge and Taylor's Cupcake Challenge Anniversary

Hello everyone and happy Sunday!! What a lazy day I have had. My Mom has been suffering with a cold and I have been dragging from allergies so we didn't go to church today. My DH even fixed dinner....I think I'll keep that man another 50 years or so!!! I decided to participate in Taylor's Cupcake Challenge one year anniversary challenge to complete all 9 sketch challenges. I finished 2 today and combined them with the Featured Stamper Challenge on Splitcoast. Today we are honoring the wonderful Vicky Gould!! She has one fabulous gallery...sooo many beautiful cards to case!!!

I just had to case the Flower Girl card...such a sweet image and I love the springy colors. I changed the sketch and images but kept the little girl theme and the wonderful colors. The Sarah Kay image, a gift from Michelle Rodgers at Stamper's Dream...(thanks Michelle!!) was colored with copics.





The papers are all from my scrap box, the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink, and ribbons and pearls finish it off. This is the first of the nine sketch challenges to celebrate Taylor Vanbruggen's blog anniversary and a year of cupcake challenges. You can find the sketch on Vicki Chrisman's blog.













I just had to case another card from Vicky's fabulous gallery. I decided to case the Welcome card and combine it with Monika Davis' sketch for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge anniversary. I changed the image, sentiment, and ribbons but kept the same basic layout and colors......can't believe I used Pacific Point and Groovy Guava....yikes!! The little cuppie from Taylored Expressions was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with copics. A gel pen was used for the highlights on the cheeks. All the layers were cutout with Nesties and glitter was added to the hearts for a little glam.







The Pacific Point dp was cut into a 4.5 x 9 inch piece. It was folded into a 4.5 inch square and then the top two scallops of the largest round scalloped Nestability were placed just off the edge of the fold so when the two pieces were cut out, they would still be connected by the two scallops. The ribbon was tied around the fold and the copper cording was run through the knot. The little heart was stamped with Groovy Guave, covered with glue from a glue pen, and dusted with glitter.

OK, 2 down, 7 to go!!!

Thanks for visiting today and have a great Sunday!!!

Today's Inspiration Challenge, Friday's Limited Supply Challenge, and the Weekly Double Dare Challenge

Hello everyone!! I hope you are having a great weekend!!! My DH went to a fishing tournament today so I am forced to stay home and stamp....yeaaaaaa!!!

The Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoast today is to find inspiration from Lang Calendars. I chose to case this Scripture calendar picture. The two things that really caught my eye were the color combo and the beautiful Scripture. Last week my DD Holly (hbrown) brought back some stamps she had borrowed and gave me some samples of what she had been working on. This top note with the Echoes of Kindness images was one of them. I used her top note today and glammed it up a bit with some ribbon, felt butterfly, prima, and felt button from Taylored Expressions (I just love Taylor's store!!!). Boy was that easy!! I could get real used to this...I wonder what else she has in her stash (insert evil grin!!)









The close up shows the wonderfully inspirational sentiment. Holly sure did a fabulous job of stamping that top note.....she has such an eye for design!!! Do I sound like a proud Mama???





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Friday's Limited Supply Challenge and the Weekly Double Dare Challenge





I made this card yesterday for the LSC 204 Challenge on Splitcoast. The challenge was to use a black card base so that we have a very bold, black expanse.
I also combined this challenge with the Double Dare Challenge hosted this week by Michelle (sf9erfan) to case a card from the old SU catty and change at least to things...one last look at the old one before we place it on the shelf. I decided to case the Christmas card on page 39. I kept the same layout but changed the theme, colors, papers, and stamps. The Rubbernecker Stamp Oasis Hearts and sentiment were stamped on Regal Rose cs with Craft Black and embossed with clear ep. The dp is from Glitz Design and the velvet crinkle ribbon came from a booth at the Canton, Tx Trade Days.




The Double Dare girls would like to invite you to join along in our weekly challenges! Just create a card or project using the Double Dare challenge instructions listed above and post it in your SCS gallery. Please be sure to use the keyword DDC when you post so we can all find your card. There is no time limit for posting your card and a new challenge is issued each Tuesday. You can find the other DDC cards here. So come along and join in with us!! We can't wait to see what you create!

Have a wonderful day and Happy Saturday Stamping!!

Ways to use it Challenge....Glam Up the Designer Paper!

Good morning!! I got an urgant Grandma 911 call this morning at 7:00am and shortly after that 2 year old Gabe came to visit!! Now that he is taking a nap, I can get my uploads finished!! After running, lifting, chasing, changing, and feeding....how did I do all that for three kids?? Let me tell ya...being a Grandma (Gabe calls me Mema) is the icing on the cupcake!!! Anyway.......



The Ways to Use It challenge on Splitcoast today is to glam up the designer paper.....emboss it, add glitter, stickles,
flocking, etc. I used Red Stickles and Dazzling Diamonds on the hearts of the K&Co. dp to add a little pizzazz.



The adorable Charliene Cowgirl image from Clear Dollar Stamps was stamped twice with Memento Rich Cocoa onto white shimmery paper and colored with copics. The body and barrel were cutout and attached with dimensionals over the other stamped image. The hearts and sentiment from Clear Dollar Stamps's January Stamp of the Month were stamped with Rose Red onto white and Regal Rose cs...the dots stamp from the SOM was used on the white hearts.

The layers were all cutout with Nestabilities, the Pink Pirouette layer was run through the cuttlebug with the heart folder, a heart corner punch was used on the corners, and the ribbon and heart bling finish it off.

The closeup shows the sparkle on all the hearts in the background and the heart bling on her saddle and the sentiment.

This Valentine is for one of my sweet little DGD's.

Recipe: Stamps: Charliene Cowgirl from Clear Dollar Stamps

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Shimmery White, K&Co. dp

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Rose Red

Accessories: Ribbon, Hrart Bling, Punches, Nestabilities, Dimensionals, Stickles, Dazzling Diamonds, Cuttlebug

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I made another WT challenge Valentine using my friend Chrissy's beautifully designed stamp set called Love Blooms from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. The images were all colored with copics, cutout, and attached with dimensionals. The sentiment is a dollar stamp from Michael's. The Nestabilities Label 1 dies were used to cut out the Pink Pirouette and Baja Breeze layers and I free hand cut the Rose Romance and Ruby Red layers.

I have been hoarding the Rose Romance paper for years....I actually cut into one of the three I had left for this card...only for you, Chrissy!!!

I added Red stickles to the hearts on the background paper and on the sentiment. Ribbons were added as the finishing touch.

This Valentine is going to my DH!!

Recipe: Stamps: Love Blooms by Sweet 'n Sassy

Paper: Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Rose Romance, Ruby Red, White, My Minds Eye dp

Ink: Memento Black, Regal Rose

Accessories: Red Stickles, Ribbon, Copics, Dimensionals, Scalloped Round Punch, Nestabilities

Thanks sooo much for visiting today....I hope everyone has a fabulous day!! It is going to be in the 70's here today so I think Gabe and I will take a little walk after his nap.

Belli Challenge #51 Reinkers

Good morning!! I got up early to finish my Belli Challenge card. The challenge this week was to use reinkers on a completed project. There are several ways to use these...watercoloring, polished stone, etc. I had a hard time with this challenge...way out of my comfort zone but that is why we need this kind of challenge, right??? I made such a mess last night that I gave up and went to bed. It's amazing what a little sleep will do to the old mojo!! Anyway.....

The Belli Challenge was created by Chris (Chrissyd723)Dickinson to inspire us to use the *stuff* lying around our stamping spaces...those long forgotten goodies that we once had to have!! Anyone can play, so get out your scraps, stamps, and embellies!! Check out Chris' blog for details on how to win the challenge!!

The background was created by first stamping the Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Nature's Discovery images from Rubbernecker Stamps with Ranger Distress Embossing Ink onto a piece of Whisper White cs and embossing with clear ep. Then brayering was done with several colors of Mica Gloss Metallic Effects Ink reinkers by JudiKins. I used Copper, Rose Gold, Honey Dew, and Gold. All four colors were squeezed out onto a piece of parchment paper, the colors were smushed together with the brayer, and applied to the paper in random strokes in different directions.

After the ink dried, Archival Jet Black ink was used to stamp the sentiment and flourishes from the same set.

Pearls from Stamper's Dream and ribbon finish it off.

Ya know, after rereading this, it sounds so easy!! Soooo, why did I have so much trouble??? Go figure....

Thanks for the great challenge, Chrissy!! Be sure to visit the Belli Design Team Member's blogs to see the beautiful cards they designed!! You will find lots of awesome ideas!!Remember to check out Chris' blog to see how you can win!! If you upload a card to Splitcoast, be sure to add CBC51 in the keywords section.

Holly Brown

Chris Dickinson

Ceal Pritchett

Jennifer Greco

Danita Hollander

Shelly Koskinen

Karen Gibson

Debby McGivillary

Christi Thorsen

NEW GUEST DESIGNER!!! Lee Murphy

Dirty Girl/Dirty Girl Alumni Monthly Challenge

I have one more for you today...I made this one after the Inauguration...wasn't that moving!! We live in a wonderful time....history in the making!!

The DD/DDA challenge this month was to make a Valentine with texture and NO red. Thank goodness we could use pink!!

The Rubbernecker Three Flower Heart image was stamped on Pink Pirouette with Memento Rich Cocoa four times and extra images were stamped so the flowers could be cut out and attached over the flowers on the main images. Tiny pearls were added to the centers after the flowers were colored with copics. The Rubbernecker sentiment was stamped with Chocolate Chip Craft and embossed with clear ep (added texture). The edges were sponged with Regal Rose.

I used a piece of Rose Romance dp that I have been holding onto for years....it blended perfectly with the dp and the Pink Pirouette. I only have 2 pieces left....ooooh, makes me nervous!!!

The Chocolate Chip layer was run through the cuttlebug (more texture) and the designer paper came from the Basic Grey Bittersweet 6 inch pad.
Ribbon and lace trim finish it off.

You can see the other DD/DDA cards here.

Thanks for visiting today....now I get to clean up my mess!! I can't believe how much stuff I can get out just to make a couple of cards.....yikes!!! Where are the Merry Maids when ya need them!!!

Recipe: Stamps: Rubbernecker
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Rose Romance, Pink Pirouette, Basic Grey Bittersweet dp
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip Craft
Accessories: Pearls, Ribbon, Lace Trim, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Copics, Clear ep

Color Challenge Valentine

Good morning....I got my Color Challenge card finished in time to watch the Inauguration. Boy, am I glad I'm home watching it on TV...have you seen the huge croud in DC today? OMG....
This is such a historic day and I am looking forward to a new day in America!!!

I just love old fashioned Valentines....this beautiful Rubbernecker Stamp Oasis image called Dove Heart remindes me of the elegant Victorian era. The image was stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa and colored with copics. The edges were distressed, sponged with Ranger Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, and the Itty Bitty Background stamp was used around the edges with the Frayed Burlap. The Regal Rose background layer was run through the cuttlebug and then distressed on the edges. The Frayed Burlap was also used on the Regal Rose layer and on the Rubbernecker sentiment to add a little age.

The background dp is by Fancy Pants called Splendid and the gold heart button is from my button box. Ribbon, lace, and off white colored pearls from Stamper's Dream finish it off.

Thanks so much for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful day!!!


Recipe: Stamps: Rubbernecker Dove Heart and Sentiment, Itty Bitty Background
Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss, Vanilla, Fancy Pants dp
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Frayed Burlap
Accessories: Nestabilities, Gold Heart Button, Ribbon, Lace, Pearls, Cuttlebug

Technique Lover's Challenge and Featured Stamper's Challenge

Happy Monday, everyone!! It's almost 5PM and I just now had a chance to sit down and write my post. I actually had this card finished by 10:00 this morning but no time to upload. My DD Holly came over to help me put stuff away in the stamp room. It is quite a mess but hopefully, if I work on it everyday this week, I may be able to take up residence by the weekend!!! Whoohoo!!!

This card is for the Technique Lover's challenge on Splitcoast. We were to use the faux mosiac technique....Lynn said it was easy but I sure made it difficult!!! What a mess I made!!! First of all, I didn't read the directions completely...I covered the background layer with tacky tape and embossed with gold ep before I added the mosiac pieces (hanging head in shame)!!! So, of course, when I taped them down, the edges didn't stick very well. Soooo, being the educated woman that I am, I brushed Versamark refill in the *grout* lines and embossed with more of the gold...I got more on my tiles than I did in the lines and the tiles still stuck out!!! Oh, well, that's why I love this craft so much...you can always cover up the mistakes!! I added large nesties layers and a ribbon so you can't see much of the tiles but believe me, they are there!!!

The Sweet 'n Sassy image called Love Blooms designed by my friend Chris Dickinson, was colored with copics, layered with black cs and Stampin Up! dp. The Rubbernecker sentiment was stamped with Ruby Red....both were cutout with nesties and attached with dimensionals. The gorgeous gold ribbon is from Stamper's Dream. I added a couple of heart embellies to make it look more like a Valentine. Whew!!....glad that one is finished and never to be repeated again!!!

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Featured Stamper Challenge on SCS

Sunday's Featured Stamper challenge on Splitcoast was to honor Lori Craig (Stamp_momma). OMG, what a fabulous gallery...so many beautiful cards to choose from...kinda hard to choose just one card to case but I narrowed it down to the beautiful Whiff of Joy card. I changed the image to this adorable Sarah Kay stamp from Stamper's Dream, changed the shape of the main image to an oval, changed the colors and papers, and used pearls instead of brads. I did keep the general theme and the layout

The image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black , colored with copics, cutout with nesties, and attached with dimensionals.

The background designer papers from Daisy D's Sweet Baby Jane pad were layered onto Rose Red and Pink Pirouette. The mint pearls, also from Stamper's Dream, ribbons from my scrap basket, and scallops made with the Stampion Up! scallop punch finished it off.

Thanks so much for visiting today and I will have some pictures of the craft room later in the week....have a wonderful day!!

Taylor's Cupcake Challenge and SCS Inspiration Challenge

Happy Saturday, everyone!!! I have been working on this card off and on all morning. I should have been washing clothes, taking a shower, dusting, cleaning the kitchen but ya know...I just didn't want to!! So that's how this card came to be, and in the words of the famous Mothermark...that's my story!!


I made this for Taylor's Cupcake challenge and the Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoast. The inspiration comes from the Pottery Barn Teen website and I chose this bedding for the colors.



This adorable owl from the Oliver and friends set
by Sassafras was stamped with Craft Regal Rose to match the paper. Her white areas were colored with copics as were the cupcakes from Taylor's Home Sweet Home set.

The branch was stamped with Close to Cocoa and colored with a copic. Extra branches were stamped with Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, the leaves and flowers were cut out, and glued on to the branch. The clouds were stamped with Soft Sky and sponged with Cool Caribbean. The sentiment is from Taylor's Love is Sweet set and the paper is by Serendipity.


Thanks for visiting today and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!



Recipe: Stamps: Sassafras Oliver and Friends, Home Sweet Home and Love is Sweet by Taylored Expressions
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Serendipity
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Soft Sky, Cool Caribbean
Accessories: Nestabilities, Ribbon, Dimensionals, Clip, Buttons

Two Challenge Cards

Good morning everyone...I wasn't going to stamp today. I am trying to get my Christmas decorations boxed up and stuff put away in the craft room but Julia's challenge drew me in. What can I say...I'm weak!!
The Ways to Use It challenge this week is to finding ways to use Color Combo wheels or web-sites for a fun push away from our usual combos. The site I went to is called Kuler and the color combo I picked is called Cherry Cola....peach, brown, and pink.






I used the Clear Dollar Stamps set called Chocoholic, stamped the images with Memento Rich Cocoa, colored the cuppies with Pretty in Pink and Cameo Coral, covered them with Crystal Effects, added Dazzling Diamonds, cut them out and attached with a glue dot.

Nesties were used for all the layers and the ribbon matched the Rose Red paper perfectly!! It was in a bag if scraps so I don't know where I bought it.

The paper is called Jolie Chocolat by SEI.



I made this card for the color challenge on SCS Tuesday but didn't have a chance to share it with you.

Again, I used Clear Dollar Stamps images...this set is called Spring Critters. The colors for the challenge were Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, and Kraft.

The bunny was paper pieced with the Fancy Pants dp, the bear was stamped on Kraft and the ball was paper pieced, and the chick was stamped on white and colored with copics. The flowers, buttons, and ribbon finish it off.









Sorry about the terrible lighting on these pictures. I took them at night and my lighting just wasn't enough. I need to get another light to brighten up my area. What kind of lighting do y'all use to get professional looking pics?? I had sunlight coming in the window when I took the top picture so it looks pretty good.

Anyway, I am off to play with my new Stampin Up! catty...my DD brought one to me last night and I already have too much on my list!! Have a great day and thanks for visiting today!!



Recipe for Chocolate card:
Stamps: Clocoholic by Clear Dollar Stamps
Paper: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Whister White, Jolie Chocolat by SEI
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Ribbon, Dazzlng Diamonds, Crystal Effects, Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss Folder, Nestabilities, Dimensionals

Recipe for Spring Critters Card:
Stamps: Spring Critters by Clear Dollar Stamps
Paper: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Kraft, Whisper White, Fancy Pants dp
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Nestabilities, Ribbon, Primas, Buttons, Dimensionals

Blog Candy Alert!!

I just wanted to let you know that there is a fabulous blog candy givaway going on!! Kerry at Three Clover Designs is having three chances to win some candy so click HERE to check it out and find out how you can get in on the goodies!

Belli Challenge #50, Double Dog Dare Challenge, and Splitcoast Sketch Challenge

Yikes!! Call me crazy....I actually used Pixie Pink!!! I bought the felt flowers on the net and thought they looked like Regal Rose. However, when they arrived, they popped out of the box Pixie Pink!! Since Roxie said it was ok to use flowers instead of stars for the Splitcoast Sketch Challenge, I knew I wanted to use these little babies. You will see touches of PP in the layers, colored flowers on the heart, and the ribbon, too.
This also qualifies for the Belli Challenge...this week we were to use a long forgotten favorite set that needed a little love. The Always set spoke to me today so I had to use it...actually, someone had used it for the color challenge and I made a note to get it out for today.





The Belli Challenge was created by Chris (Chrissyd723)Dickinson to inspire us to use the *stuff* lying around our stamping spaces...those long forgotten goodies that we once had to have!! Anyone can play, so get out your scraps, stamps, and embellies!! Check out Chris' blog for details on how to win the challenge!!


The bird and heart were stamped with Black Craft ink and embossed with clear ep. They were cutout and attached with Dimensionals. The vanilla layer was pierced around the edges and the sentiment was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black. The flourish punch and the background stamp on the back panels were used for the requirements of the Double Dog challenge...more details on this below.




Thanks for the great challenge, Chrissy!! Be sure to visit the Belli Design Team Member's blogs to see the beautiful cards they designed!! You will find lots of awesome ideas!!Remember to check out Chris' blog to see how you can win!! If you upload a card to Splitcoast, be sure to add CBC50 in the keywords section.
Holly Brown
Chris Dickinson
Ceal Pritchett
Danita Hollander
Shelly Koskinen
Karen Gibson
Debby McGivillary
Christi Thorsen

This is also for the Double Dog Dare challenge I do each week with a group of SCS friends.
The Double Dare Challenge was hosted this week by Charlene (LilLuvsStampin) and the instructions were:
1. Use one or more punches (I used the flourish punch)
2. Use a background stamp ( I used Pretty Petals )
3. No designer paper allowed (yikes!!)


The Double Dare girls would like to invite you to join along in our weekly challenges! Just create a card or project using the Double Dare challenge instructions listed above and post it in your SCS gallery. Please be sure to use the keyword DDC when you post so we can all find your card. There is no time limit for posting your card and a new challenge is issued each Tuesday.


The 9 Double Dare Friends are: Anne ( Itsapassion), Beverly (beestamper), Anne ( jdmommy), Julia (artystamper), Joan ( joan ervin), Joanne (sleepyinseattle), Fran (Francie G.), Charlene(LilLuvsStampin) and Michelle (sf9erfan).


So come along and join in with us!! We can't wait to see what you create!

Thanks for visiting today and I hope you have a wonderful day!!

Jen's i{heart}2stamp Sketch Challenge and Splitcoast Color Challenge

Happy Tuesday, everyone!! I stamped up a storm yesterday and started to put things away in the stamp room. We still need to fill nail holes and paint trim but there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

I tried Jen del Muro's sketch challenge for the first time. She is having quite a blog tart givaway going on totaling over $450.00 so check out her blog for all the details!! She is supporting Julie Carlisle (afancycat) in her efforts to provide cards to the Internatinal Students at Dallas Baptist University. If you would like to donate cards to this effort, please send to:

Dallas Baptist University
Attn. Julie Carlisle
3000 Mountain Creek Pkwy
Dallas, Tx. 75211

This adorable Rubbernecker heart topiary image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with copics. Dazzling Diamonds was dusted over the flowers for a little glam. A Martha Stewart scallop border punch was used on the edge of the top layer. I used felt flowers from Taylored Expressions along the side and a piece of ribbon across the top with the sentiment (one word from a larger Rubbernecker sentiment). The pearls and glittered chipboard finish it off.





The close up shows the detail on the felt flowers...the SU ribbon was run through the button holes and tied....I just love these!!!


Recipe: Stamps: Rubbernecker
Paper: Rose Red, Whisper White, Regal Rose, Stampin Up! dp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Felt Flowers, Copics, Ribbon, Punch, Pearls, Dimensionals, Glittered Chipboard, Nestabilites


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Splitcoast Color Challenge



Today's color challenge was to use Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, and Kraft. I struggled a little with this and wasted several pieces of cardstock before finishing. My brain just couldn't get around the colors...I wanted to add some pink real bad!!! Anyway.......

The Rubbernecker Flower Cart was stamped with Not Quite Navy onto the Baja Breeze paper, the edges were sponged with BB, NQN color washing was done to the flowers, and Dazzling Diamonds was dusted over the Crystal Effects on the hearts. The Rubbernecker lace border was stamped with BB onto the Kraft layer and the sentiment, also from Rubbernecker, was stamped with NQN onto Whisper White and the edges were sponges with NQN. Pearls and ribbon finish it off.


I love the look Crystal Effects gave to the image....it added a little pop to the hearts. The lace border was stamped with BB and then the edge was cutout and pearls added for a real lacy look.

Thanks so much for visiting today!!! Now I'm off the find another challenge!!

Recipe: Stamps: Rubbernecker
Paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy
Ink: same as paper
Accessories: Nestabilities, Cryatal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds, Pearls, Ribbon, Dimensionals

Stamper's Dream Monthly Challenge

Good morning!! How is everyone on this beautiful Monday morning?? I had such a hectic weekend that I am glad for the new week to begin. I have a whole list of challenges I want to do this week beginning with the Stamper's Dream sketch challenge.

The adorable images from the Stampendous set called Flutterfly Friends (from Stamper's Dream) were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black, colored with copics, wings were covered with Crystal Effects, and dusted with Dazzling Diamonds. The sentiment was stamped onto the white oval and the bee, butterfly, and ladybug were cut out and attached with dimensionals.

I sewed along the side edges and then added the orange ric rac. Piercing was done around the Pumpkin Pie and Certainly Celery square Nesties layers and that adorable critter dp is by Imaginisce and is called Hey Foxy.

Thanks for visiting this morning and I hope you have a great stamping day!! I'm off to do another challenge!!

Featured Stamper 101 and My Grapevine Stamp Show Trip

Good morning everyone!! My morning was filled with frustration over some internet problems but all is well now!!

I finally finished my Featured Stamper card that I started last night. The honored stamper this week is Judy (JayDeKay). She has such a wonderful gallery...sooo may lovely cards to case!!

The card I chose to case was called Snowman and Snowflakes. I changed the theme to a Valentine, changed the colors, papers, and stamps, and flipped the sketch.

The heart stamp by Rubbernecker was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black, colored with copics, cutout, and attached with dimensionals to the Nestabilities layers. The background paper layer was scalloped along the edge with a Martha stewart Punch and ric rac was added to cover up the seam. The Rubbernecker sentiment was stamped on Whisper White, cutout with a Nesties die and tied on with ribbon. Whoohoo...another Valentine ready to go!!!

I went to the Heirloom’s Production rubber stamping expo yesterday and met up with Bev (Texas Grammy) and Anne (Itsapassion) Harada. We had such a wonderful time...enabling each other to buy stuff we needed really bad!!! I would have had more pictures for you but I left my camera in the car and Anne's camera battery died, so Bev was the official memory maker. However, since her camera hid itself in my car...the rest of the story will have to wait till I mail her camera back to her happy little home!!

This picture was taken my Bev's DH in her studio (with his camera that stayed where it belonged)....OMG, y'all, you should see her stamping studio!!! She even has her own private kitchen and bathroom!!! I was in Stampers heaven!!!

This is some of the stuff I bought....we spent over a half hour in the Judi Kins booth!! I bought some Metallic Effects Ink to use on backgrounds and to create a watercolor effect when brayered directly on the stamp. Can't wait to try this stuff out!!! I also bought that interesting looking stamp and an acrylic block with a handle...how cool is that!!! Glitter and little plastic tags also ended up in my possession...I wonder how that happened!!!

Thanks for coming to visit today...have a wonderful Sunday!! I am off to church and then to Jonestown to visit our son Brian and his family. Tonight I am going to break open those new inks and play with that interesting stamp!!

Recipe:

Stamps: Rubbernecker

Paper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Fancy Pants dp

Ink: Memento Black, Regal Rose for shading around sentiment

Accessories: MS Scallop Punch, Ric Rac, Ribbon, Copics, Dimensionals