Happy Mother's Day

It's time for a Holiday challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More!  I decided to make a Mother's Day card since I got this awesome Mother's Day photopolymer stamp with my April My Paper Pumpkin kit.  This works out for the Mom challenge at Stampin' Royalty this week. Yay! :)

I was so bummed to read that the Dynamic Duos challenge blog was closing, so I made sure to create a card using their very last color combination. I also used the sketch at The Paper Players.

I've been doing a lot of CAS cards lately, so I decided to put a little bit more work into this one.  I took a look at the tissue paper inside my MPP box and realized it was Pool Party, so I decided to start there. I stamped it in Pool Party with the floral image from So Very Grateful. I also stamped a strip of Pool Party cardstock with the same floral images and covered it with Crystal Effects. It's nearly impossible to see in the picture, but I poured Dazzling Diamonds onto the Crystal Effects and then pressed the wrinkled up tissue paper onto the cardstock. I put a strip of adhesive around the outside edges of the back of the cardstock and wrapped the tissue paper around the cardstock to complete my panel.  I wish the lighting would have been better today so you could see the sparkle underneath! 

The back panel is sponged in all three of the Dynamic Duo colors and then spritzed with some water to grunge it up a bit. This is my new favorite technique for creating my own Designer Paper!  I love how it washes away some of the color with the little spritzes.  

Thanks for stopping by. Make sure to stop by Addicted to Stamps and More! to see the rest of the cards the design team has come up with for our Holiday challenge!

Stamp Sets: So Very Grateful, Framed Love (April 2014 MPP)

Cardstock: So Saffron, Pool Party, Smoky Slate, Whisper White

Ink: So Saffron, Pool Party, Smoky Slate

Tools: Spritzer, Sponges, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Accessories: Tissue Paper, Dazzling Diamonds, Framed Love Tag, Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon, Subtles Collection Button, Rhinestones, Silver/White Baker's Twine from Card Kit

Grunge...oh yeah!

Ooh, one of my FAVORITE things in the world is happening over at Addicted to CAS for the next two weeks! Perfect timing too, since my stamping studio is now back to its normal self after our home renovations! 

Our Guest Designer this week is Anita, and she has a wonderful CAS style about ALL of her cards. You are in for a treat when you visit her blog!  

I was so inspired by the code word this week that I made two cards.  I started off making a one layer card using the fabulous colors at Just Add Ink. 

I fell in love with this color combination and thought it would be perfect for sponging and stamping all of my grunge! I struggle with one layer cards, but masking and sponging makes them easy to make. 

I started by die cutting the tag and placing it in the center of my Very Vanilla cardstock. I then sponged over the entire thing with Crumb Cake ink. I used Baked Brown Sugar ink to highlight around the outside of the tag and the card base. I then stamped all of my grunge over it.  I wanted to make sure my bicycles stayed on the tag, so I used the negative of my tag die cut and placed it over my card, then stamped the bicycles.  They are from the Photopolymer stamp set Greetings From in case you did not recognize the image!  I love these little images but always forget I have them!  I can't wait until the Photopolymers start coming in regular cases in the new catalog, since I have no printer to make my own covers!

After I finished my card I saw this color combo at Create with Connie and Mary and thought it would make for some fun grungy flowers.   I paired it with the sketch at Fusion. 

       

I also used sponging on this card. It just works so well with the grunge look, I cannot resist it! :) 

This time I die cut a square in the center of a card front and used the negative to stamp my grunges on the inside. I then sponged in the Calypso Coral, making it light in the center and darker toward the edges.  The flowers are stamped in Basic Gray on Crumb Cake and then I stamped a bunch of grunge over them.  The edges are rolled with a bone folder to make them pop out a bit. The center flower is on Dimensionals and each flower is blinged out with a Large Rhinestone. I am SOOO sad these puppies are retiring. :( I absolutely love them!  

Hope you enjoyed today's creations. Make sure you stop by the ATCAS website to see the rest of the design team's beautiful creations!

Card 1

Stamp Sets: Gorgeous Grunge, Off the Grid, Yippee Skippee, Greetings From

Cardstock: Very Vanilla

Ink: Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar, Bermuda Bay

Tools: Chalk Talk Framelits, sponges

Card 2

Stamp Sets: Flower Shop, Really Good Greetings, Gorgeous Grunge, Off the Grid

Cardstock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake

Ink: Calypso Coral, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake

Tools: Pansy Punch, Square Framelits, sponge

Accessories: Large Rhinestones, Dimensionals 

Geometrical

Wow, the weeks really seem to fly by when you are working on a big home improvement project!  We are now in our third week of redoing our bedroom floors, which ended up being a complete bedroom makeover for the entire family. Today Easton (who is only 5!) helped me put my bed back together so I won't be sleeping on a mattress on the living room floor anymore! Woo hoo!  We are putting Easton and Talan's bunk beds back together tonight. Lucky Ducky Janae, who sleeps on a futon, got moved back in last night and her room is pretty much done except for wall accents. I will be glad when everything is complete and I can get back to my daily cardmaking!

Luckily, I just finished a round of Stamps in the Mail, so I have this card that I worked on for that for this week's Make Your Mark challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More!  Make sure you hop on over to see the beautiful creations by the rest of the design team!

I created my background by coloring with markers on a clear mount block and then spritzing it with water. This is my favorite way to create a fun and easy, yet colorful background!  I also used markers to color the Essentials Wooden Elements. I love these puppies! They look great naked, but are super easy to color also for a little extra coordination. :)

Stamp Sets: Countless Sayings 2, Geometrical
Cardstock: Crisp Cantaloupe, Whisper White, Strawberry Slush
Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush
Tools: Spritzer, Arrows Embossing Folder
Accessories: Strawberry Slush Ruffled Ribbon, Essentials Wooden Elements

The Stamp Review Crew: Six-Sided Sampler Edition

Hard to believe, but it is the third Monday of the month and time for another Stamp Review Crew Blog Hop! You may be joining me from the amazingly talented Wendy Weixler's blog, or perhaps you just stumbled upon my blog. Either way, make sure you continue on to see the rest of the hop using the links at the bottom. We make one big circle, so you will eventually end up visiting each of us if you continue on!

We are continuing remodeling at our home, so I have had access to very few supplies!  Sometimes it's okay to have less choices though. You can still make really neat things!  I find that this set is so easy to use with the coordinating punch. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure I would have to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig, and that's...well, I'm not sure where that is right now! :)   Here are the two cards I came up with, both using the 2013-2015 In Colors.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed my cards!  Click on the link below to continue on to the fabulous leader of our group, Tanya Boser. :)

1. Shana Gaff   http://stressfreestamping.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-stamp-review-crew-six-sided-sampler.html
2. Tanya Boser   tinkerin-in-ink.blogspot.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-six-sided-sampler.html 
3. Betty Traciak kittystamp.blogspot.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-six-sided-sampler.html
4. Dawn Tidd   http://tiddbitsfromdawn.typepad.com/tiddbits-from-dawn/2014/04/the-stamp-review-crew-six-sided-sampler-edition.html
5. Heidi Baks  http://runningwscissorsstamper.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-stamp-review-crew-six-sided-sampler.html
6. Kerry Willard Brayhttp://www.peoniesandpaperchains.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-six-sided-stampler-edition-stampin-up.html
7. Mike Funke    http://stampin-style.typepad.com/stampin-style/2014/04/src-six-sided-sampler.html
8. Yapha Mason   http://yaphamason.com/blog/2014/04/20/stamp-review-crew-six-sided-sampler-edition/
9. Cindy Beach http://stampspaperandink.typepad.com/stamps_paper_and_ink/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-six-sided-sampler-edition.html
10. Holly Krautkremer  http://rubberredneck.typepad.com/rubber-redneck/2014/04/the-stamp-review-crew-six-sided-sampler.html
11. Deb Currier  artfeltimpressions.blogspot.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-six-sided-sampler.html
12. Paula Wright http://paulastamps.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-stamp-crew-review-six-sided-sampler.html
13. Jill Coleman  http://www.jillstamps.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-six-sided-sampler-edition.html
14. Wendy Weixler    http://wickedlywonderfulcreations.blogspot.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-six-sided-sampler-edition.html

Retro Fresh!

It's that time again...a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More! and it is an Anything Goes challenge. I decided to make a birthday card so I could enter it in the Anything Goes birthday challenge that is running at Seize the Birthday, as well as the Happy Birthday challenge at TIME OUT Challenges.

I first saw this Double Gate-Fold card on my 5th Upline Linda Bauwin's blog and had to make one immediately.  I don't do fancy folds all that often, but this one I could handle!  I just love the patterns and colors on the Retro Fresh DSP and they look especially fun on this card fold!

Stamp Set: Perfect Pennants
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Coastal Cabana
Ink: So Saffron, Coastal Cabana, Tangerine Tango, Baked Brown Sugar
Tools: Starburst Framelits, Chalk Talk Framelits, Circle Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder

Map it Out

It's hard to believe, but it has been two weeks since our last challenge at Addicted to CAS! The challenge this week really had me scratching my head, which may be why I waited until the LAST minute to get it finished. Actually, we have been busy renovating our bedrooms, which has become quite the task. :) Anyway, on to the challenge!

Isn't that a fun one?!  I actually had this idea in my head all week, just had to find the ten minutes to put it to paper. :) We have a new Guest Designer this month, Anita, and I am VERY jealous because she is from France!  Oooh la la! lol Do they really say that in France Anita, or is that just from a cartoon? :) Make sure you stop by her blog and check out her beautiful card, which I am in LOVE with!  

I used the color challenge at Nacho Average Challenge. I also thought my watercolored/spritzed background looks like water, so I would also like to enter this in the challenge at CASology this week. 

I just love this color combo!  I don't use Perfect Plum very much anymore. I actually forgot it was a Regal now until I went to get my marker!  Oops!!!

I'm sure you are wondering why I am missing someone who is floating out in the ocean. Well, that is supposed to represent the Dominican Republic, where Brett occasionally leads mission trips through his work.  We have been sponsoring a little girl there for several years, and have been able to meet with her and her little sister (whom my mom sponsors) each time we go down there. I miss her and her beautiful smile terribly! I am hoping to get to go visit her again in October, but thought I would send this card with the group the next time they go.  I hope she likes it!  

Stamp Sets: Map it Out, Really Good Greetings

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Whisper White

Ink: Marina Mist, Perfect Plum, Sahara Sand

Tools: Envelope Punch Board

For the Birds

It's time for a new challenge at ATSM and this week it's our photo inspiration challenge. This one is a fun and colorful one!

Bonnie is once again our Guest Designer and you know I love her work!  Make sure you stop by her blog to see her beautiful card! 

I loved the chevrons and the colors in this picture, so I combined those two things with the sketch at retrosketches for my card.

Just as I am posting my card, I noticed a little boo boo!  Well, not exactly a boo boo, because it is an easy fix, but darn it all I wish I would have caught it in the daylight when I was taking my photos! See if you can find it before I tell you what it is. :) 

Did you spot it? Yup, I forgot to color in two flowers by the birdbath!  An easy fix, but irritating all the same. Especially when I only have night access to the computer to be able to add in my fixed card. So, if you will for now, just pretend that those two flowers by the birdbath are Melon Mambo, okay? :) 

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed my error for the day. I say that like it's the only one I made today. lol Heavens, no! 

Stamp Sets: For the Birds, Positively Chevron

Cardstock: Whisper White

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Smoky Slate, Tempting Turquoise

Tools: Blender Pen, stapler

Accessories: Brights Candy Dots, Dimensionals, Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon

The Stamp Review Crew: Oh, Hello Edition

It's time for another Stamp Review Crew blog hop!  I decided to try a fairly simple card as well as a new technique on another card. Oh, Hello is so versatile and combines with other stamps really well too. I usually do that, but decided to do my projects only with this set this time.

I broke out my Stamp-a-ma-jig for my first card.  I started by stamping one of the red chevrons, then stamped the rest of that row with the black outlines. I was then able to stamp the other rows around that row. It really went pretty quickly using the SAMJ!  After all that work, I wanted to keep the rest of my card fairly simple, so I just stamped the sentiment, matted it, and added a little bit of bling.

 My next card used a technique I had actually never heard of. :) Actually, I don't even remember what it is called or where I saw the idea! lol Feel free to leave me a comment if you know what this is called! ;)

I started by tearing little pieces of Designer Series Paper and gluing them to a scrap of cardstock. Once it was covered with DSP, I stamped some of the images from Oh, Hello over it and then die cut the dress out. I added a little DSP belt with a flower and rhinestone. I also punched out some little flowers out of my specially made DSP for the corners, adorned with rhinestones as well.

I hope you enjoyed my projects. You can click HERE to continue on the hop to see Lisa's beautiful projects!  Or click on any of the links below if you get lost! :)

                                                                     

Blog Roll:

1. Paula Wright http://paulastamps.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-stamp-crew-review-oh-hello.html
2. Dawn Tidd   http://tiddbitsfromdawn.typepad.com/tiddbits-from-dawn/2014/04/the-stamp-review-crew-oh-hello-edition.html
3. Yapha Mason   http://yaphamason.com/blog/2014/04/06/stamp-review-crew-oh-hello-edition/
4. Deb Currier  artfeltimpressions.blogspot.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-blog-hop-oh-hello.html
5. Nancy Smith  http://iguanastamp.wordpress.com/2014/04/06/stamp-review-crew-o-hello/
6. Holly Krautkremer  http://rubberredneck.typepad.com/rubber-redneck/2014/04/the-stamp-review-crew-oh-hello.html
7. Rita Wright  ritascreations.blogspot.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-oh-hello-edition.html
8. Kerry Willard Bray  http://www.peoniesandpaperchains.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-oh-hello-edition.html
9. Shana Gaff   stressfreestamping.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-stamp-review-crew-oh-hello-edition_6.html
10. Lisa Young   http://addinkandstamp.blogspot.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-oh-hello-edition.html
11. Cindy Beach http://stampspaperandink.typepad.com/stamps_paper_and_ink/2014/04/the-stamp-review-crew-oh-hello-edition.html
12. Jill Coleman  http://www.jillstamps.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-oh-hello-edition.html
13. Mike Funke    http://stampin-style.typepad.com/stampin-style/2014/04/src-oh-hello.html
14. Heidi Baks   http://runningwscissorsstamper.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-stamp-review-crew-oh-hello.html
15. Betty Traciak kittystamp.blogspot.com/2014/04/stamp-crew-review-oh-hello-edition.html
16. Tanya Boser   tinkerin-in-ink.blogspot.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-oh-hello-edition.html
17. Mary Rindal http://www.maryrindal.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-oh-hello-edition.html
18. Wendy Weixler   http://wickedlywonderfulcreations.blogspot.com/2014/04/stamp-review-crew-oh-hello-edition.html

Seriously

What time is it? It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More!  Yippeeeee!!! It's CAS week (my personal favorite!) and our Guest Designer is Bonnie. She has an awesome CAS style and has created some fabulous cards for us at ATSM. Make sure you drop by her blog and check out her card for this week!

I have used the challenges at Create with Connie and Mary and retro sketches for my card this week. It has been a while since I have had time to play in their challenges, so I am hoping this is the start of me getting back in my groove. :)

I apparently was not thinking clearly when I started on my card, because I had to start over FOUR times! When I was masking off to create my background, the tape kept sticking to my cardstock and when I would try to pull of the mask, it would tear my card. Ugh!  Finally I realized it was never going to work so I cut strips of cardstock to mask with and taped them to my work paper instead of my card. Worked like a charm! lol

The stamps I used are from two different My Paper Pumpkin kits. I just love them and need to remember to pull them out more often!  I especially love the big "seriously." We say that all the time around here, so it really makes the card seem more personalized!

Stamp Sets: My Paper Pumpkin, Gorgeous Grunge

Cardstock: Whisper White

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Smoky Slate

Tools: Sponges, Bitty Banner Framelits, Distress Tool

Accessories: Dimensionals

Life in the Forest

I was SUPER excited to work on my card for this month's Technique Time Tuesday challenge.  The challenge is to make a Side Step card, so the possibilities are endless!  Make sure you hop on over to the challenge blog for a wonderful tutorial and to check out all of the fabulous creations that our design team has come up with.

I knew right away that I wanted to make a little forest scene, so I stamped a bunch of images on Watercolor Paper and started using my ink pads and blender pens to color them in. I had a ball cutting everything out and assembling the pieces together. I know some people (lots of my customers, to name a few! lol) HATE fussy cutting, but I happen to love it, so this was a fun project for me. I hope you enjoy it too!

Stamp Sets: Life in the Forest, Gorgeous Grunge, Just Sayin'
Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango, Watercolor Paper, Whisper White, Soft Sky
Ink: Basic Gray, Black StazOn, Tangerine Tango, Blushing Bride, Real Red, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Smoky Slate
Tools: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Starburst and Word Bubbles Framelits, sponges, Blender Pens
Accessories: Dimensionals