Joy To The World

This week's Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge is

I finally got around to experimenting with stencils and embossing paste - white, clear and Ferro. Using the Falling Stars stencil from Simon Says Stamp, I embossed with white embossing paste, then sprinkled SU Dazzling Diamonds on the wet paste to give it a nice sparkle.  I so love the images and sentiments in A Blessed Christmas. Here is my creation.

Thank you for stopping in today!

Let's Be Merry

It's Sunday night of Thanksgiving weekend. It's time that I retire my beloved fall colors and images for another season and break out the winter colors and themes.  I decided to ink up some PS goodies and make something Christmasy.  I combined Color Throwdown ctd320 with the Paper Smooches SPARKS Anything Goes challenge to make this merry little snow dude. He makes me smile.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies:
Paper~American Crafts Christmas Glitter Paper, PTI Kraft, SU Cool Caribbean, Bazzill Vellum, Neenah Solar White.
Stamps~Paper Smooches Swanky Snowdudes and Christmas Sampler.
Accessories~Paper Smooches Snowdudes and Borders 1Dies, Lil' InkerStitched Circle Dies, Copic Markers, Twinery Bakers Twine.
Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black, VersaMark, SU white embossing powder.

Thankful

 

I created this Thanksgiving card as a second entry for the AAA Cards THANKSgiving Game after being inspired by THIS card by Becky from Stamping and Scrapping.  I loved Becky's card so much that I went right out and bought the gorgeous EF that she used to create it.  I was so happy that I could find it locally because I NEEDED it right then and there. You know how it is...  

 

Thanks for coming by and taking a look. 

Supplies:

Stamps~PTI Leaf Prints,

Paper~TE Buttercream, SU Cajun Craze and More Mustard

Accessories~Darice Falling Leaves EF, Craft Cork, PTI Phrase Play #7 and Leaf Prints Dies, Chocolate Brown Seam Binding

Giving Thanks

AAA Cards Challenge is a new one for me. Their THANKSgiving game is about giving thanks. Paper Players Challenge #222 is "Clean and Simple Thank You".  I wanted to make a card to thank my niece for hosting Thanksgiving this year. When I saw the inspiration photo for the AAA Cards challenge, I immediately thought of PTI's Table Service stamps and dies, and I wanted to do a place setting on burlap.  This is what I came up with for these two challenges.  I really love that silverware tucked in the napkin. I will be making the turkey, the brie tartlets and the place cards this year.  I can smell those heavenly smells already.  Thanks for coming by today.

Supplies:

Stamps~PTI Nuts To You, Table Service

Accessories~PTI Leaf Prints and Table Service Dies, Woodgrain IP, Burlap, Twine, Button, Lil' Inkers stitched Sentiment Flag Die

Paper~PTI Terracotta Tile, Rustic Cream, SU Brushed Silver, Authentique Thankful DP

Ink~Versafine Vintage Sepia, PTI Vintage Touch Tea Die, Scarlet Jewell, Classic Kraft

Make It Monday #188: Stamping Ombre Backgrounds

This is my take on PTI's Make It Monday Challenge for this week: Stamping Ombre Backgrounds. I don't own the Ombre Builder stamp set, so I chose one that I thought would work with this technique:  Background Basics: Vines. I used many PTI inks in Fall hues, and in ROYGBIV order as applicable.  I decided to die cut a banner from the panel that I made with the technique and go from there.  I love the way it turned out. This was a really fun one, and I can see many possibilities for this technique.

I am thankful that you stopped by today. Happy Saturday. It was a cold one here in the Northeastern US.

Gratitude Attitude

The current challenge over at Catered Crop is all about taking an attitude of gratitude. For this challenge just make a thank you card for any occasion, or, since its the season of thanks, make a Thanksgiving card.  Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday because it is all about gratitude and gifts of the heart. Here is my take:

I don't get here much these days.  I am grateful for your visit. 

Supplies:  

Stamps: Phrase Play 7 Mini Stamp Set

Ink:  Versamark

Paper: PTC Canyon Clay, TE Vintage Cream, Gina K black, Authentique Enchanted DP

Other:  PTI Phrase Play 7 Die, gold embossing powder, sequins, Dimensionals

Fusion Happy Birthday

Here is my take on the current Fusion challenge using both the photo and the sketch.

I stamped one of the images from PTI's Grunge Me on to watercolor paper using distress inks, spritzed it with water and dried it with a heat gun. I stamped another image from the same set over top.  The die cut "happy" is from PTI's Wet Paint dies. It is layered three times, then colored with clear Wink of Stella for some shimmer. The sentiment is from the Wet Paint stamp set. I really had trouble capturing a good photo of this card. It looks far better when you are holding it in hand...

Thanks for coming by today. I always appreciate your visits and your comments.

ric#65 - Thank You

Good morning Yesterday I found 2 Penny Black slapstick/Cling stamps that I had no recollection of buying! When I looked at the current Runway Inspired Challenge, an idea immediately came to mind that would put either of them to good use. Here is the inspiration for this week's challenge:

And here is my card:

B

I thought a lot about adding some bling, but then thought better of it. I think that was the right thing to do. Be sure to check out the gorgeous entries for this challenge and play along if you can.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.

• Stamps: Penny Black slapstick/Cling blissful
• Paper: SU Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Brushed Silver, Gina K Pure Luxury Pure White, Bazzill Basics 40 lb. Vellum.
• Ink: VersaMark
• Accessories: My Favorite Things Fishtail Flags dies die, PTI Wonderful Words Thank You die

CMCC#32! I'm Here For You

I created this card for the CMCC#32! challenge. I interpreted it quite literally as the windows immediately put me in mind of my Memory Box Madison Window and Shutter dies.  I sponged a little Memento London Fog ink on watercolor paper and spritzed it with water to give the effect of the stucco on the house. The curtains are made from patterned vellum that I had saved from an invitation, punched with an SU punch and layered behind the window. The branch is cut from the Memory Box Grove Branch die.  It needed a little sparkle, so I added a little green bling to perk it up.  The sentiment is from CAS-ual Fridays Calm and Gentle. This is a departure from my usual style, but I like it. Thanks CMCC team for the inspiration and thanks for stopping by.

Happy To Call You My Friend

This is my take on Muse Challenge 79. I used some new goodies from PTI that my dear sister gave me as a birthday gift.  This week's Muse is Vicki Dutcher, and her gorgeous inspiration piece is below.

 Thanks for stopping in today. 

Hello With A GLOW

This is my take on CASology cue 103 - GLOW, and Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge - Anything Goes.  It's hard to see on this photo, but there is a wonderful shimmery golden glow on the embossed panel that I achieved by applying three shades of Ranger distress inks directly onto the EF before embossing on white paper.  I then sprayed the embossed panel with Heidi Swap Gold Color Shine.  The spray blended the colors beautifully and dried to a beautiful GLOW.  The embossed panel really needed no embellishment, so I just die cut the sentiment with the "hello" word die from Paper Smooches Quote Tag die set and voila! Hello with a GLOW.  I appreciate your taking the time to stop by today. Enjoy!

Muse #74 - Thinking of You

It has been ages since I made something that I posted on my blog.  I had lots of tags and quick cards for the end of school/graduation flurry of activity, but they went out of the door the minute I finished them. It's good to be back in my creative space. This is my take on this week's Muse Challenge for which Jen Wills of JENerally Speaking is the Muse! I love Jen's style. Her card inspired me to do a beach-themed creation as well. The angle at which I took the photo makes it seem like the pieces of the chairs don't match up, but when you look at the card head on, they do. Thanks so much for stopping by today.




Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  SU Tempting Turquoise, Crumb Cake, Gina K Pure Luxury White.

Stamps: Gina K By The Sea 2.

Inks:  (VersaFine Vintage Sepia) Tsukineko, Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Inks - Salty Ocean and Tea Dye, Versa Mark.

Accessories: WOW Bay Area Blue Embossing Powder, Twine, Starfish Charm, Dimensionals, Cuttlebug EF, PTI Double Ended Banners and Tag Sale #4 Dies, Nestabilities Circle Dies, large sponge daubers.

Hoppy Easter

I came across a new sketch challenge yesterday by Lisa Arana of Dahlhouse Designs. Lisa posts a new sketch on the third Sunday of every month. You will find a link to the current sketch on the top right of her blog. I used it along with the current Paper Players Color Challenge for inspiration for this punny Easter card.

Thank you so much for coming by today. 

You're Invited

I needed to come up with an invitation for my twin sons' graduation party. I spent a rainy day on Saturday working on an idea, and this is the final product.  I used a combination of challenges for inspiration. The Dynamic Duos color choice for this week was perfect as their school colors are green and white.  I chose gold for the "other color" using metallic for the embossing and a mustardy gold for the base of the circle on the top. I also used the Paper Players Tic-Tac-Toe challenge elements of punch/die, patterned paper, and dots (I have no enamel so I substituted the self-adhesive half pearl on the cap).

 

Thanks so much for stopping in today. Spring is still struggling to spring here in the Northeast... Hope springs eternal.



P Is For Paddy

I found a new challenge recently that I really like - the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers. Lots of tongue in cheek fun. This week's challenge is to pay homage to all things Irish and green! I went straight for Paper Smooches "A Magical Spring" and came up with this. I had a lot of fun with it. Thanks for stopping in for a look.

#wholovesyababy

This is my take on this week's CASology cue.  In trying to come up with a Valentine for my second teenage son Jon, I decided to design a card using the Instagram image.  I constructed it using a variety of dies.  I often say "who loves ya baby" to him when I do something for him or bring him a special treat... So I typed the sentiment in Word with the hashtag, and printed it on card stock from my printer.  I used PTI's Double Ended Banners die to cut it out. 

I love the bold design, and Jon loved his Valentine. Voila!  Thanks again for visiting!

I Love Roo

This is the Valentine I made for my dear son Greg. "Roo" became my pet name for him in 2005 when we saw Pooh's Heffalump Movie. He was 6 years old then... He is a wonderful, taller-than-me teenager now. The pet name still slips out every now and then. When he opened his card this morning, his smile told me that he doesn't mind...  Thank you Kim, for A Little Lovin, and to Heather Pulvirenti for the inspiration I took from her card in THIS post to create mine.

As part of the Paper Smooches Anniversary Celebration, Kim Hughes posted a special challenge with a prize :  Create a NEW project that is FUN & CUTE! The winner will receive 3 NEW acrylic blocks and a stamp set and die of their choice! You have until Sunday, February 16th to participate.  Winner will be announced on Monday, February 17.

Get all the details HERE!

Thanks for stopping in and Happy Valentines Day!

You & Me

This week's CASology Cue is "AND" which immediately put me in mind of the word collage image from PTI's Love & Marriage.  When I saw the sketch for this week's Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge, a new one to me, the idea for this creation gelled in my mind. The colors of teal and red were inspired by last week's Dynamic Duos challenge, which I missed lol, but I thought the colors were perfect for this card.

Hope you are having a lovely Sunday. It's gray here in New Jersey - a bit of snow expected tonight. Thanks for coming by today,

Over The Edge Valentine

 

 

The current challenge at CAS-ual Fridays is to

Create a Clean And Simple project with some sort of element that extends past the edge.

 

I am also submitting this card for this week's Mod Squad Challenge,

which is to use hearts and glitter.

 

Hearts and glitter - check! The ribbon goes over the top edge. The large heart die cut and the PTI Happy One Liner die cut go over the edge of the stamped and embossed tag. There is vellum inside the negative cutout of the heart, but it's hard to see on this picture. And oh how I love the glitter paper from which "Happy" is cut.

 

Back at school today - more snow coming from the west in the coming days. Making lots of soup and lots of Valentines. Love it.

 

Thank you for coming by today!

Fusion #3 Valentine

The weather is crazy here in the northeastern part of the US. I work in a school and we had both Monday and today as snow days. More storms coming on the weekend.  I spent Monday making Valentines. How fun. Every year I vow make a slew of them and I never do. The snow has given me time to get lovey dovey, and this is one of the cards I made.

The inspiration was this week's Fusion Challenge #3. I really love the concept of the choice of photo, sketch or both to create something. I ended up using the photo and am happy with the way it came out.

Thank you for stopping in. Hope you are warm where you are. 

Contrasting Hearts

I have seen many wonderful cards created with this PTI Cover Plate Hearts Die. When I saw the CASology cue card for this week's challenge, I decided to play using papers with contrasting textures - stripes, zigzags, glitter, horizontal vs. vertical, etc. behind the heart cutouts to create a contrasting look with this wonderful die.  The rounded corners vs. the sharp angled corners are also in contrast.  I really love the way this turned out.

Papers-SU Riding Hood Red, Gina K White, SU DSP retired. Red glitter paper - unknown.

Ribbon - SU retired.

Dies - PTI Cover Plate Hearts.

Hope you are enjoying the weekend. I am in the Northeast of the US where temps are frigid. Nice to be toasty warm and crafting. Thanks for stopping in today.