Bunny Birthday

After a few questionable and nerve-racking moments at the airport in Chicago last night (broken part on the plane, a standby ticket on a later flight, sitting down in the last available seat on said later flight), I'm home from an otherwise fun trip to CHA and the Super Show with my i {heart} papers pals. It was nice to catch up with (and meet) lots of my online stamping friends and see all of the fabulous new products coming in the months ahead. But it's also nice to be home. Chloe the cutie puppy came to the airport to welcome me home and I was so happy to see her wagging tail.

I haven't stamped in almost a week, so it was good to spend a little time stamping a sweet birthday card for both this week's Paper Craft Planet sketch challenge (from Kim) and this week's The Cat's Pajamas Tuesday challenge. As you probably know by now, I can't resist a cute bunny image, so the new TCP bunny birthday themed sets have found their way to my stamp room.

Here, I inked up the large image from the Birthday Bunny set for the sketch's large panel. The image is colored with Copic markers and glittered just a bit with a pink Spica pen. My monochromatic pink color scheme was inspired by the TCP Tuesday challenge's inspiration photo. The different sized and shaped stacked gifts kind of seemed quilt-like (the photo's subject) to me. I added the birthday sentiment on a layered square, attached to the panel with some foam tape. The dotted satin ribbon and matching button-embellished bow completed the card.

If you join us for this week's PCP sketch challenge, be sure to use the keyword sk073110 when you upload your photo so it can be added to the album with the rest of the creations inspired by this week's sketch.

Materials Used:

Birthday Bunny stamp set (The Cat's Pajamas); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Hibiscus Burst ink, Hibiscus Burst cardstock, Raspberry Fizz Swiss dot satin ribbon, Raspberry Fizz button, twine (Papertrey Ink); Melon Mambo cardstock (Stampin' Up!); foam tape

Welcome Baby Girl

Megan, one of my fellow i {heart} papers design team members, recently welcomed a new baby girl. I sent her this super sweet and girly card to congratulate her on the new addition to her family.

I used the Pure Innocence Lollipop Girl set from My Favorite Things for the focal image. The girl's dress is paper pieced with some pale pink gingham paper. I used a matching strip of paper on the panel underneath the image. The little girl's lollipop is stamped a second time, colored, cut out, coated with glitter for a candy-like look, then added to the image with foam tape.

The rest of the card is pretty simple in hopes that it makes it safely through the US mail system. I used a pink and yellow dotted paper along with the gingham strip for the panel beneath the little girl. A yellow satin ribbon brings in just a bit more of the bright color. The "congratulations" sentiment from the Essential Sentiments set is stamped on the patterned paper panel in black ink.

Materials Used:
Pure Innocence Lollipop Girl and Essential Sentiments stamp sets (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Bubblegum Pink cardstock (Gina K Designs); Barely Banana cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin' Up!); Layette Collection (Memory Box); yellow satin ribbon (Michaels); pink dots (Stamping Bella); foam tape

Bellarific Friday

****Scroll down to the post below for my blogger challenge/Friends with Flair post.****

Here's my card for this week's Bellarific Friday challenge from Stamping Bella. This week's challenge theme was Christmas in July.

I created a simple shaker card featuring the Snowman Circle image. It was a perfect fit for the shaker bubble I had on hand--these make shaker cards super quick and easy! I colored the image just a bit with Copic markers before placing some glitter over the image and securing the edges of the bubble around it.

I framed the image with a red scalloped circle and added a matching red ribbon and button-embellished bow for an ornament-like look. The "happy holidays" sentiment finishes off the card.

Materials Used:
Snowman Circle image, sentiment (Stamping Bella); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Marina Mist and Real Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); button, twine (Papertrey Ink); shaker bubble (Impression Obsession); circle and scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders); glitter (Doodlebug)

Blogger Challenge Week 162/Friends with Flair

This week’s blogger challenge is a color challenge using black, white, and one other color of your choosing. I went with a pop of red on my simple, sweet card.

I used the bracket sentiment image from Unity’s Love Grows kit as my focal image. I stamped the image in black ink, then cut it out. I used the outline of the image as a guide for cutting a slightly larger red mat to place behind the image. I stamped the image again a second time, this time on red paper so I could cut out just the heart portion and attach it to the image panel using foam tape.

The rest of the card is very simple. I added a black strip under the left side of the image panel and used a piece of red ruffle edged faux suede ribbon to make a small bow. A corduroy brad holds the bow together at the center. The kit’s tiny “I love you” sentiment is stamped near the bottom of the card.

For more projects using black and white plus one, you can check out what the rest of the challenge players have created. Links to their blogs are in the sidebar on the right. And, for more Unity inspiration, check out the Friends with Flair list on the Unity blog.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Love Grows kit, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, May Arts red ruffle edge faux suede ribbon, Zva Creative black corduroy brad

Other:
Real Red, Basic Black, and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); foam tape

Blue Skies

Here's my card for this month's final Viva la Verve challenge. My card is based on this whimsical insect patterned shower curtain.

I used a trio of images from Verve's Blue Skies set on the oval panel. The butterfly is stamped in black ink on the white panel and colored with a red marker. I stamped the image a second time, this time on vellum. Once the ink had dried, I cut the image out and attached its center to the colored, stamped image. After the vellum was set in place, I bent the wings up so the butterfly looks like it's in flight.

The rest of the card is very simple. The patterned paper panel across the top of the card picks up the colors I used in the image panel. The big button-embellished bow finishes off the card.

Materials Used:

Blue Skies stamp set (Verve Stamps); Barely Banana and Baja Breeze Classic inks, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze, Real Red, and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); vellum (The Paper Company); designer paper (My Mind's Eye); oval dies (Spellbinders); Harvest Gold button, twine (Papertrey Ink)

Thanks for the Lift

Here's my card for this week's Paper Craft Planet sketch challenge, courtesy of Wendy. I went bold and bright on this one.

I used one of the hot air balloon images from Papertrey Ink's Up, Up & Away stamp set for my focal image. I die cut the shape, then took the easy way out and stamped the solid images onto the shape instead of the outline ones that need coloring. I added a die cut cloud, cut from felt, behind the balloon to give it the appearance of floating in the sky.

A strip of My Mind's Eye patterned paper, edged with some coordinating solid cardstock scraps, runs down the right side of the card. A red ribbon strip with a button embellished bow dresses it up a bit.

If you get a chance to play along with this week's sketch challenge, make sure you use the keyword sk072410 when you upload your card so it can be added to the album with the rest of this week's creations.

Materials Used:
Up, Up & Away stamp set, Hawaiian Shores cardstock, hot air balloon and cloud dies, Hawaiian Shores button, twine (Papertrey Ink); Real Red Classic ink, Real Red and Pumpkin Pie cardstock (Stampin' Up!); So Sophie "Savvy" Best Thing designer paper (My Mind's Eye); felt

Riding By

Here’s my card for this week’s Our Craft Lounge sketch challenge. I’ve had this Out for a Spin set for a while now and decided this layout would work nicely for a simple scene with the bicycle image taking center stage.

I stamped the bike in black ink on a white panel and drew in a simple pavement strip beneath it. The scene is colored with Copic markers with a soft blue airbrushed sky. I stamped the flower basket for the back of the bike a second time on a scrap of cardstock, colored it, cut it out, and attached it to the bike with foam tape. A coordinating strip of pink satin ribbon runs across the top of the scene, embellished with a pretty bow showing both sides of the ribbon.

I used a coordinating flowered paper from My Mind’s Eye to cover most of the cardfront. Since my image panel was kind of big, I decided to leave off the scalloped strip along the bottom of the panel. It seems to work just fine without it.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Out for a Spin stamp set, Couture Cardstock medium weight white Copic blending cardstock, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (RV00, R81, R83, R85, Y0000,Y21, Y23, YR24, C00, C-1, C-3, C-5, B21), May Arts reversible pink/light pink satin ribbon, Bow Easy, My Mind’s Eye Quite Contrary designer paper

other: Pretty in Pink and Rose Red cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); foam tape

Sparkly White Space

Here’s a card for another of the SCS Dare to Get Dirty challenges. It’s a clean and simple one with lots of sparkle.

I used the “many birthday wishes” sentiment from the The Right Words half of Unity’s July Stampin’ Store Kit along the bottom of the card. To dress it up a bit, I stamped the sentiment again on three different color scraps of cardstock. I cut out the letters in the word “birthday” and attached them to the sentiment stamped on the cardfront to add some color.

I chose my cardstock scraps to coordinate with the fun, super sparkly Petaloo cake I attached to the cardfront, just above the sentiment. Doesn’t it look yummy?

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. July Stampin’ Store Kit, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Petaloo Dazzlers 2 tier pink/white cake

other: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific); Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, and So Saffron cardstock (Stampin’ Up!)

Simple Scene with Petals and Stems

I made this clean and simple, almost one layer card for a combination of Verve's latest Ready, Set, Stamp challenge and one of the SCS Dare to Get Dirty challenges. The Petals and Stems set is perfect for creating a simple scene in no time at all.

I started with the green stem, then added the red flower for a bright pop of color. The butterfly was stamped above the flower in yellow, then stamped a second time on vellum. After the ink dried, I cut out the butterfly and attached to the stamped image at the center, then folded up the wings for some dimension.

To ground the flower, I added a border punched strip of green grass. The grass is accented with a pretty yellow button-embellished bow. The set's sentiment is stamped underneath the strip of grass, bringing in just a little more red to finish a fresh, fun summer card.

Materials Used:
Petals and Stems stamp set (Verve Stamps); Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss ink, Kiwi Kiss cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Straw ink (Vivid); white cardstock (Xerox); vellum (The Paper Company); Harvest Gold grosgrain ribbon, Harvest Gold buttons, twine (Papertrey Ink); grass border punch (Martha Stewart)

Circus Celebration

Here’s a cute party invite and cupcake topper set I made using July’s Stamp of the Month, Circus Fun, from Clear & Simple Stamps. Through the end of July, you can use the discount code CSS0710 to receive a $1 discount on the purchase of this cute set.

I started by designing the cute tent topper style invitation. I used the bear silhouette image, balanced on a striped ball created with one of the set’s two-step images. I added the . I created my own striped paper using the Dots & Lines set. A black satin ribbon is tied just beneath the end of the lines, leaving a solid block for stamping the sentiment in the lower right corner.

As I was looking at the card’s topper, I thought that it would make a cute coordinating cupcake topper, so I tried that out, too. I used a slightly smaller circle for the image and changed up the placement of the sentiment, curving it around the edge of the panel to add some interest. The image panel is attached to a red scalloped circle mat. I cut a second red scalloped circle and tucked a red toothpick between the two circles.

Materials Used: Circus Fun and Dots & Lines stamp sets, Perfect Little Black Dress ink, Dare to Be a Diva Red, Perfect Little Black Dress, and A Blanc Check cardstock (Clear & Simple Stamps); Real Red Classic ink (Stampin’ Up!); black satin ribbon (Target); circle and scalloped circle dies (Nestabilities)

Be sure to stop by the CSS iPhone app today to check out another one of my CSS creations, seen exclusively on the app. If you haven't added the app to your iPhone or iPod Touch yet, you can find all the info about downloading the app right here.

Go Team

Here’s my card for this week’s My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club challenge to make a card with a pennant on it. The cute Pure Innocence Boy and His Dog MVP set seemed to be a perfect match for a pennant, so I tried it out.

Since I knew the pennant would take up plenty of space on my card, I kept the design pretty simple. The sporty little guy is stamped on white cardstock, colored with Copic markers, and cut out. He’s placed on a cork playing field using foam tape. I stamped the football image on a scrap of cork and highlighted it a bit with a white gel pen before placing it in the boy’s hand. I set the scene along the right hand side of the card, then got to work on the pennant.

I used MFT’s pennant DieNamics die to cut 6 pennant shapes in two different colors. I assembled the pieces using two colors on each individual piece for some contrast, then added rub on letters spelling “go team.” I used some twine to string the words together—this was a big pain! The twine kept fraying as I pulled it through the tiny holes, making the task take much longer than it should have . . . Once I finally finished, I arranged the pennant strips on the card, using foam tape to hold each piece in place. Too cute--and just in time for the start of football training camp . . .

Materials Used:
Pure Innocence Boy and His Dog MVP stamp set, pennant Die Namics, cork (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Beach Collection designer paper (Memory Box); circle dies (Spellbinders); twine (Papertrey Ink); rub on letters (Making Memories); white gel pen (Ranger); foam tape

Just Beachy

Here are two more summery cards featuring images from the new Juniper and Jupiter Go to the Beach stamp set from Starving Artistamps. Both cards are inspired by sketches from SCS’s Dare to Get Dirty challenges.

The first features a hula dancer image on a beachy background. The clouds were made with a new "build a cloud" stamp—the easiest way to make a cloudy background ever! Just stamp the image randomly on your panel to get a great cloud-filled sky in no time at all. I used some torn edged kraft strips, brushed with white pigment ink, along the bottom of the cloud stamped panel to make a sandy beach. The colored dancer image is set on the panel using foam tape.

I used a fun floral paper across the top of the cardfront. The shape of the flowers seemed kind of tropical and beachy to me. I added a layered felt and button sun at the top of the panel and a coordinating orange ribbon knotted around the middle of the card. The “another day in paradise” sentiment from the Tropics Sentiments 1 set fit perfectly at the bottom of the card.

Materials Used:
Juniper and Jupiter Go to the Beach and Tropics Sentiments 1 sets, Build a Cloud stamp (Starving Artistamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Bashful Blue Classic ink, Pumpkin Pie and Kraft cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Fresh Snow ink, twine (Papertrey Ink); Mango Luau Dude designer paper (Bo Bunny); petite oval dies (Spellbinders); orange grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); sun die (My Favorite Things); felt; foam tape

I went masculine on this one, using the set’s surfer image. He’s colored with Copic markers and cut out, then set against a bold star patterned circle. Instead of a straight strip behind the surfer, I used a wave-shaped strip to add interest. I attached a coordinating red strip at the bottom of the wave and tied a piece of twine around it for another masculine touch. The “dude!” sentiment is stamped directly on the wave panel with black ink.

Materials Used:
Juniper and Jupiter Go to the Beach and Tropics Sentiments 1 sets (Starving Artistamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Cherry Cobbler and Not Quite Navy cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Harvest Gold cardstock, twine (Papertrey Ink); Boy Story-All About Boys designer paper (Cherry Arte); circle dies (Spellbinders); wave die (The Cat’s Pajamas); foam tape

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop: Office Inspired

This month’s Papertrey Ink Blog Hop theme is office supplies. I decided to use some office supplies and some paper crafting versions of office supplies to make a fun file folder shaped mini album about my puppy, Chloe. Chloe the cutie puppy just turned 6 months old and she’s absolutely adorable—and very photogenic, too!

I used a photocopier to enlarge one of the file folder card templates from this month’s Color Couture downloads for the cover of my album. Once I had enlarged it to the size I wanted, I traced it on Vintage Cream cardstock and cut it out.

The cover is decorated with PTI’s Simple Valentine patterned paper. I cut it to match the shape of the folder’s front. I spelled out Chloe’s name with some chipboard letters in coordinating colors. A piece of Pure Poppy grosgrain ribbon is stapled under the letters to help them stand out. I added a felt heart and a button as fun, girlie accents.

Inside the cover, I used the notebook paper die and coordinating stamp from the School Time set for my journaling. I stamped one of the hearts from Heart Prints to bring in the heart elements from the album’s cover.

The photos are inside a series of layered clear envelopes. I put some ScorTape on each envelope’s flap and layered them one on top of the other and secured the bottom envelope to the back of the album. To hide the adhesive and envelope flaps, I attached a piece of Raspberry Fizz cardstock with a strip of Pure Poppy ribbon along the top of the envelopes. This allows the envelopes to flip up so you can view all of the photos.

Here’s just one of the photos of my cute little girl. This one was taken Chloe was just about 12 weeks old. So cute!

Materials Used:
School Time and Heart Prints stamp sets, Pure Poppy and Raspberry Fizz inks, Raspberry Fizz, Vintage Cream, and White cardstock, Simple Valentine patterned paper, July Color Couture download, notebook paper die, Pure Poppy grosgrain ribbon, Pure Poppy button, twine (Papertrey Ink); clear envelopes (Stampin’ Up!); chipboard letters (Colorbok); heart die (Spellbinders); ScorTape; stapler; white felt

Monochromatic Male Birthday

Here's the card I made for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. I was glad that Toni's gallery was selected for today--I knew it would be full of clean and simple designs that would be easy for me to reproduce quickly, since I have a busy day planned getting ready for the upcoming week.

I based my card on her monochromatic masculine birthday card. I changed the design and colors up a little while keeping the theme and the use of variegated shades of color in my version.

I used scraps of 4 different SU! blue cardstocks for the strip across the card. The sentiment comes from Papertrey Ink's Birthday Bash Sentiments set. I stamped it in a brown ink instead of a white. I also added a button for an accent instead of using an embossing folder to add texture. I paper pierced along just the bottom of the blue strip instead of all around it to keep things really quick and simple. This design would be great to reproduce in sets using different color scraps and a variety of sentiments.

I'll be back in a bit with my PTI blog hop project featuring lots of Chloe the cutie puppy goodness . . .

Materials Used:

Birthday Bash Sentiments stamp set, Dark Chocolate ink, Dark Chocolate button (Papertrey Ink); Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Baja Breeze, Blue Bayou, and Not Quite Navy cardstock, Chocolate Chip twill (Stampin' Up!)

Winter Wishing

I guess you could say it’s been a year of extremes for weather in the DC area. We had foot upon foot of snow over the winter and now, it’s been hotter than hot for most of this summer (and we’ve had an earthquake, too!). Given the extreme heat, it felt nice to pull out some of my cold weather stamps for this week’s One Layer Card Challenge and for another of SCS’s Dare to Get Dirty challenges.

This took me about 10 minutes to pull together from start to finish. I love this mitten pair from Papertrey Ink’s Snowfall set! I also love non-traditional holiday card colors, so I made sure to use some in my card. Here, the mittens are stamped in Hawaiian Shores ink on an Aqua Mist panel. A red snowflake is stamped on each one and a teeny, tiny rhinestone is set at the center of each flake. I staggered the placement of the mittens to leave a natural opening for the “winter wishes” sentiment from Vintage Picnic Sentiments, stamped in red ink.

Materials Used:
Snowfall and Vintage Picnic Sentiments stamp sets, Hawaiian Shores and Pure Poppy inks, Aqua Mist cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Tiny Twinkles (Taylored Expressions)

Sweet Dream Sheep

Here’s a sweet card for this week’s There She Goes challenge to use dots and chipboard. I used just a little of both on this card.

I started with the cute sheep image in the Polka Dot Pals set. The little animals in this set are absolutely adorable! For a dotted element, I stamped the dotted fill-in for the image using Marina Mist ink (love this color—it’s like the color that Brocade Blue was a long time ago!). The sheep’s set on a section of a Top Note die panel using some foam tape.

I made my own chipboard star element using a cardboard die cut covered with some retired SU! designer paper. The star is embellished with a button that’s tied with a little Marina Mist ribbon.

For one final dotted element, I stamped the set’s dotted scalloped strip in Marina Mist directly on the blue card base—I was too lazy to stamp it on another piece of paper and cut it out . . . I added a strip of Daffodil Delight cardstock over the top of the stamped strip and slipped the bottom of the image panel under it, then attached the star piece. After a little deliberation, I decided to place the sentiment on the yellow panel, just under the sheep.

Materials Used:
Polka Dot Pals stamp set (There She Goes Clear Stamps); Marina Mist Classic ink, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, and Whisper White cardstock, Delightful Dots designer series paper, Marina Mist grosgrain ribbon, Top Note die (Stampin’ Up!); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); star die (Spellbinders); Harvest Gold button (Papertrey Ink); cardboard

Bellarific Birthday

***Scroll down to the post below for my Blogger Challenge/Friends with Flair project.***

Here’s my card for this week’s Bellarific Friday from Stamping Bella. This week’s challenge was to use a Bella or a Stella image on your project. I have a nice assortment of both Bellas and Stellas, so it took me a while to pick out the one I wanted to use—LOL!

I finally settled on i-can't-see-a-thing-abella for a fun birthday card. I stamped her on a Top Note die cutout in black ink and colored her with Copic markers to coordinate with the bright stripes in the Fancy Pants designer paper I used to cover most of the cardfront. I purposely stamped the image so that a tiny part of the balloon extended over the top edge of the die cut. To add some interest, I stamped the balloon portion of the image a second time, colored it, cut it out and attached it to the colored image using foam tape to complete the “out of the box” look.

The coordinating “put your party hat on” sentiment is stamped on a red ribbon strip. The strip is set beneath the Bella’s feet. I added a big red sparkly brad to the end as an accent.

Materials Used:
i-can't-see-a-thing-abella image and sentiment (Stamping Bella); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Ballet Blue cardstock, Top Note die (Stampin’ Up!); Rusted Sun-Umbrella designer paper (Fancy Pants); red grosgrain ribbon(Michaels); red rhinestone brad (?); foam tape

Blogger Challenge 161/Friends with Flair

This week’s blogger challenge theme is to recycle. I have a bunch of these glass bottles that held cold coffee drinks, so I decided to recycle one by altering it for this week’s challenge and for Unity's Friends with Flair.

First, a little hint—if the bottle has a sticky label or some printing on it, a few swipes with a pad dipped in rubbing alcohol will easily remove the residue. Once that’s done, you’re ready to go.

I had a bunch of random buttons lying around in different small containers, so I filled my jar with a nice mix. I stamped one of the button images from Unity’s April Stampin' Store Kit, {sew cute}, in gray ink on a bright pink panel for a just a bit darker than watermark look, then wrapped the panel around the bottle, securing it with super sticky tape. I added some white ribbon to the edges of the panel and a sweet button-embellished bow to finish it off. I recycled the button-like top from one of the tiny button jars I emptied to fill the bottle to dress up the top a bit.

I made a matching button shaped tag to attach to the jar. The button shape is made from a Nestabilities circle cutout, embossed around the edges to add interest. I used a ¼” hole punch to punch out button holes, then layered my pink button on to a scallop edged card. The set’s “you're so crafty” sentiment is stamped inside (forgot to take a photo of that—sorry!).

For more projects using this sketch, you can check out what the rest of the challenge players have created. Links to their blogs are in the sidebar on the right. And, for more Unity inspiration, check out the Friends with Flair list on the Unity blog.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. April Stampin' Store Kit {sew cute}, Memento London Fog ink, May Arts white ribbon, Nestabilities circle and scalloped circle dies, i {stick} papers redline tape

Other:
Melon Mambo cardstock, ¼” circle punch (Stampin’ Up!)

Bathroom Beauty

Here are my cards for the first three weeks of July’s Viva la Verve challenges. This month’s inspiration room is the bathroom

This card is for the first week in July. I was inspired by the colors and stripes in one of the bathrooms to design a simple, masculine birthday card. I built my card around the blue tone-on -tone striped paper I used as a background panel.

The striped paper is paired with orange accents (mats and a patterned paper strip) to match the other color in the inspiration photo. I used one of the sentiments from Big Wish for my focal image. It’s stamped in blue ink on a white panel and accented with a cork star, adding some fun texture. I added a button to the center of the star to bring in just a bit more orange.

Materials Used:
Big Wish stamp set (Verve Stamps); Not Quite Navy, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White cardstock, Not Quite Navy Prints designer series paper, Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon (Stampin’ Up!); designer paper (My Mind’s Eye); Enchanted Evening ink, Orange Zest button (Papertrey Ink); circle dies (Nestabilities)

Here’s my card for the second week. I took my inspiration from the colors and patterns in one of the photos. I started with a paper with a black and white pattern similar to the one found on the shower curtain in the photo and worked from that.

I stamped one of the floral silhouette images from the Because of You set in black ink on an oval panel, then inked around the edges to soften the brightness of the white panel just a bit. I used a matching striped panel underneath the image. A yellow ribbon is tied around the panel and a trio of pearl Dew Drops is just above the yellow panel as an elegant accent. The “you’re too kind” sentiment from Thankful Accents fit nicely at the bottom of the yellow panels. The lines on the paper helped me to line it up nice and straight!

Materials Used:
Because of You and Thankful Accents stamp sets (Verve Stamps); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); So Saffron Classic ink, Basic Black and Whisper White cardstock, Tall Tales designer series paper, So Saffron Grosgrain ribbon (Stampin’ Up!); Scrapbook Basics-Black & White designer paper (Making Memories); oval dies (Nestabilities); pearl Dew Drops (Robin’s Nest)

And, here’s my card for week three. For this week, we used the Themebath site and chose something from the site for inspiration. I used this butterfly shower curtain as the basis for my very quick card.

I started by stamping the “you make me smile” sentiment from Blue Skies in brown ink on a cream panel. Then I randomly stamped the set’s two butterfly images around it, filling up the panel. I colored the images with Copic markers in shades of yellow, gold, and orange.

The panel is cut into 4 squares, then layered on a kraft panel and on a Summer Sunrise card base. It was hard, but I resisted adding more—like some glittery accents or a ribbon—or inking around the edges.

Materials Used:
Blue Skies stamp set (Verve Stamps); Buttercream cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Summer Sunrise cardstock (Papertrey Ink)

Catch the Wave

As soon as I saw this week’s sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You, I knew just what I wanted to do. The scalloped strip across the sketch made me think of water and the round elements made me think of fish, so that inspired this fun summer card using images from the Surf stamp set from Clear & Simple Stamps. The finished card also fits the Moxie Fab fun and cute card challenge to a T.

I started with a glittery wave patterned paper from American Crafts. The wave paper is attached to a pale blue card base. I layered a piece of clear acetate over it for a glassy, watery look.

I stamped the set’s fish image twice in orange ink, carefully cut each one out and attached teeny, tiny gems for their eyes before using foam tape to place them in the water (under the acetate). A strip of orange ribbon, knotted at the left side of the card, hides the adhesive I used to hold the acetate in place. The “catch the wave” sentiment is stamped on a piece of a Labels 9 die and slid under the edge of the ribbon.

Materials Used:
Surf stamp set (Clear and Simple Stamps); Only Orange Classic ink, Soft Sky and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Tangerine Tidal Wave designer paper (American Crafts-Heat Wave collection); Labels 9 die (Spellbinders); orange grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); Tiny Twinkles (Taylored Expressions); foam tape; acetate

You Are Too Kind

Here's my card for today's SCS sketch challenge. I think it looked better in my mind than it turned out on paper, but I'll share it anyway . . .

I started by stamping one of the branch images from Papertrey Ink's Turning a New Leaf set in green ink across a trio of cream panels. The panels are layered on slightly larger blue panels so that the branch image still lines up straight even though the panels are staggered. I added small purple flowers from the Beautiful Blooms II set scattered across the branches and placed a teeny, tiny rhinestone at the center of each one for just a little bling.

My color choices came from the bright, striped Bo Bunny paper I used for the cardfront. I paired it with some solid panels to tone it down a bit. Since it was too dark for a sentiment to show up against, I stamped the "you are too kind" sentiment from Fillable Frames #6 on one edge of a Labels 9 die cut and slipped that under the image panel. I wanted to add some ribbon to dress things up a bit, but I ran out of room. Time to call it a day, I guess . . .

Materials Used:

Turning a New Leaf, Beautiful Blooms II, and Fillable Frames #6 stamp sets, Ripe Avocado ink, Ripe Avocado, Hawaiian Shores, and Vintage Cream cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Purple ink (Vivid); Vibrant Violet cardstock (Gina K Designs); Peacock Lane Stripe designer paper (Bo Bunny); Tiny Twinkles (Taylored Expressions); Labels 9 die (Spellbinders)

It's Your Day

Here’s my card for this week’s Our Craft Lounge sketch challenge. I went for a soft, sweet look on this one using images from the Big Birthday Wishes set.

I stamped the cupcake image in black ink on an oval panel and colored the image with Copic markers. The cherries are dotted with some Glossy Accents—it looks fabulous IRL! I added the coordinating sentiment underneath the cupcake stack and layered the panel on a pair of mats. Each of the scallops on the pink scalloped oval mat is dotted with just a tiny drop of Petal Pink Liquid Pearls for some texture and sparkle.

I paired the colored cupcake image with a piece of My Mind’s Eye patterned paper. A blue scalloped scallop strip runs across the card. A piece of pale pink faux suede ribbon is knotted around the strip as an accent.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Big Birthday Wishes stamp set, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Couture Cardstock medium weight white Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (E25, E31, E33, RV0000, RV29, R81, R83), Ranger Petal Pink Liquid Pearls and Glossy Accents, Nestabilities oval and scalloped oval dies, My Mind’s Eye Lucky Me "How Fortunate" Good Luck designer paper, May Arts light pink faux suede ribbon

other: Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); scalloped scallop die (My Favorite Things)

All Boy

***Scroll down to the post below for my project and all the details on this month's i {heart} papers DT challenge***

This is kind of part 2 of my i {heart} papers design team challenge to use patterned papers. The card is based on this week’s Hip Hop sketch challenge. I went with a little boy theme, so I simplified the sketch just a little to keep it more little boy-friendly.

I stamped the dino image from Unity's Sketchy Little Boy kit on a piece of My Mind’s Eye patterned paper. After I cut out the image, I added a little shading with a coordinating Copic marker to add interest to the image. I also sparkled it up with a spritz or two of Frost Shimmer Spray—after all, who can say whether or not a dinosaur’s skin was sparkly?

I used the flip side of the paper I used for the dinosaur image for the large panel on the cardfront. A strip of teal cardstock, decorated with a green ribbon with a black edge runs across the card. I added the kit’s “all boy” sentiment on a kind of wavy, pennant-style strip just below the ribbon.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. Sketchy Little Boy kit, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic marker (YG95), My Mind’s Eye Abbey Road Stomp "Rock On" Tadpole designer paper, Frost Psssst! Shimmer Spray, May Arts solid/two tone satin green ribbon

other: Garden Green cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Hawaiian Shores cardstock (Papertrey Ink); foam tape

IHP DT Challenge: Playing with Patterned Paper

This month’s i {heart} papers design team challenge is all about patterned paper. IHP carries a fabulous selection of 12 x 12 papers that will meet pretty much every possible stamping and/or scrapping need. And, right now, lots of that paper (and other stuff, too!) is on sale in preparation for bringing in lots of new goodies after CHA at the end of this month. After hopping around the DT blogs, be sure to visit IHP to check out the sale!

I used some bold and bright patterned papers for this card from October Afternoon’s Night Light Collection Kit. They provided a perfect background for the space characters in the Out of this World digi image from the latest Chicken Girl Design release. I printed the image on white cardstock and colored it with Copic markers, then carefully cut out each of the characters. It’s hard to see in the photo, but I added some Glossy Accents to the helmets for a glass-like look. They’re attached to the blue patterned paper panel with foam tape.

I used a red star patterned paper from the same collection for the panel peeking out at an angle from behind the image panel. The sentiment is attached tab-style underneath the image panel. I added a strip of red twill across the card and accented it with a pair of sparkly stars. It was three stars, but Chloe the cutie puppy stole one and ate it . . .

Be sure to check out what the rest of the IHP DT has created using patterned papers. Here’s where to find them:

Carolyn
Cathleen
Deb
Gretchen
Kendra
Loretta
Lori (you're here!)
Lynn
Megan
Tracy
Kate

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Chicken Girl Design Out of This World digi image, Couture Cardstock medium weight white Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (YG000, YG01, YG05, YG07, B0000, B21, B24, B34, E0000, E000, E00, E99, R22, R24, R27, R30, C-1, C-3- C-5), October Afternoon Night Light Collection Kit, Ranger Glossy Accents, May Arts red twill, Petaloo Dazzlers-small stars

other: Enchanted Evening cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); foam tape

Triple Challenge Thank You

I made this simple, elegant card for three different challenges: this week's SCS clean and simple challenge (sketch), this week's Curtain Call Color Challenge (Kraft, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi), and the Moxie Fab Card Style challenge to make a classy and elegant card. The floral silhouette image from the Kind Deeds set from Clear and Simple Stamps made combining these three challenges so easy! This card took 20 minutes from start to finish (partly due to some interruptions from Chloe the cutie puppy, still wrapped up in her big, protective cone . . .).

Since I didn't have any Wild Wasabi ink or paper, I had to do just a little substituting. I stamped the floral silhouette image in CSS's Kraft Like a Rockstar Green on a panel of some retired SU! designer paper. The set's "thank you" sentiment is stamped alongside the image in SU!'s Soft Suede ink, stamped off once to get a softer, more kraft-like look. The stamped panel was attached to a kraft card base.

For an accent, I pulled a single thread from a piece of white taffeta ribbon, gathering up the length as I pulled for a ruffled look. The ruffled piece is attached to the bottom of the cardfront and accented with a button tied with a twine bow.

Materials Used:

Kind Deeds stamp set, Kraft Like a Rockstar Green ink, Kraft Like a Rockstar cardstock, Dish All the Dirt Brown button (Clear and Simple Stamps); Soft Suede Classic ink, Spring Fling designer series paper, white taffeta ribbon (Stampin' Up!); twine (Papertrey Ink)

Go With the Flow

Starving Artistamps has just released some new, perfect for summertime beach images, Juniper and Jupiter Go to the Beach. I used one of the sailboat images for one of SCS's Dare to Get Dirty challenges. This one was a sketch and my image was a bit larger than the intended size of the image panel, but I think I got it to work out in the end.

I stamped and colored the image twice so that I could cut out one pair of sails to attach to the other image panel using foam tape for a dimensional look. I picked a blue and red color scheme to coordinate with the blues I used for the cardfront.

I found a wave patterned paper in my paper collection and used that for the panel behind my image. The sentiment is from the Tropics Sentiment 1 set. I stamped it in red for contrast and added a red button, tied with some red ribbon, as an accent.

Materials Used:
Juniper and Jupiter Go to the Beach set (sailboat image) and Tropics Sentiment Set 1 (Starving Artistamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Real Red Classic ink, Crumb Cake, Blue Bayou and Baja Breeze cardstock, Real Red grosgrain ribbon (Stampin' Up!); designer paper (My Mind's Eye); circle dies (Nestabilities); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); button; foam tape

Blast Off

Here's my card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. It's based on this sweet and simple design found here in Latisha's gallery.

I put my own spin on the design by replacing the flying ladybug image with a flying rocket ship. The rocket ship image is from the July Chicken Girl Design digi release. I printed the image on white cardstock and colored it with Copic markers. I added some interest and dimension with silver Liquid Pearls and Glossy Accents (for the clear window). The rocket is added to the dark, space sky with foam tape.

I replaced the curved ground in the original card with a bumpy moon. To get the moon panel, I cut a yellow circle with the largest circle Nestabilities die, then ran it through my Big Shot with a Polka Dot embossing folder. The image's matching sentiment is layered over the moon panel with some foam tape. A trio of sparkly stars fills out the sky and the card.

Materials Used
from i {heart} papers: Chicken Girl Design Blast Off digi image, Couture Cardstock medium weight white Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, R27, R, 81, E31, E33, E35, Y13, Y18, YR16, C00, C-1, C-3, C-5, B0000), Ranger Silver Pearl Liquid Pearls and Glossy Accents, Nestabilities circle dies, QuicKutz Polka Dots embossing folder, Petaloo Dazzlers-small stars

other: Night of Navy, Real Red, and Barely Banana cardstock (Stampin' Up!); foam tape

You Touched My Heart

Here's my card for this week's Paper Craft Planet sketch challenge. Adela's shared a great sketch and a gorgeous, elegant sample, so be sure to stop by the Planet to check it out.

I used three different stamp sets from Verve for my card. I started with the notebook paper image from Blue Skies, stamped in pale blue ink on a cream panel. The panel's edges were inked with a light brown ink to add some depth, then I stamped three heart images from the Always on My Mind set dropping down from the top of the paper panel. The middle heart has a little additional "line" added to it using a matching brown marker. The hearts are filled in with red Stickles and a matching red satin ribbon is knotted beneath them.

I used a dotted paper for the panel behind the image panel. It's layered on a piece of kraft cardstock and zig zag stitched around the edges. My sewing actually came out pretty nicely here! I cut a red scalloped strip for along the bottom of the panel to bring in just a little more red. I strayed just a little bit from the sketch by attaching the image panel on a slant. I used some foam tape to add a little dimension to the layers, then stamped the sentiment from Thankful Hearts underneath the panel in red ink.

If you have a chance to play along with this week's sketch, please upload your card to the PCP gallery using the keyword sk071710 so it can be added to the album with the rest of the cards based on the sketch.

Materials Used:
Always on My Mind, Blue Skies, and Thankful Hearts stamp sets (Verve Stamps); Creamy Caramel, Soft Sky, and Real Red Classic inks, Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Hawaiian Shores cardstock, Library Ledger patterned paper, medium scallop die (Papertrey Ink); red satin ribbon (Target); Ruby Slippers Glitz Stickles (Ranger); red felt; sewing machine; foam tape

A Stack of Birthday Wishes

I made this bright birthday card based on this week's sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You. I used the very versatile squares from the Mint Motif Very Square stamp set from i {heart} papers as a stack of presents.

I stamped three of the different square images in different color inks on a piece of white paper, then cut them out to different sized squares and a rectangle. The "gifts" are layered and wrapped together with a piece of green glimmer ribbon with a tiny bow at the top.

The gifts match the colors in the stripes of the SEI Happy Day designer paper that I ran down the right edge of the paper. The paper's green stripes are a little glittery, so that works nicely with my glimmer ribbon. A ruffled strip of turquoise silk ribbon separates the patterned paper panel from the rest of the card. I used some of IHP's i {stick} papers redline tape to hold the ribbon firmly in place.

I stamped just two words from the Very Square Sentiments set's birthday sentiment on a narrow strip of yellow cardstock and attached that, overlapping the stack of gifts, to finish the card.

In case anyone's interested, here's a quick update on Chloe the cutie puppy. She's recovering well from her procedure yesterday but is really annoyed about having to wear her cone collar. She slept through the night and awoke refreshed and much more alert than she was yesterday. She even did a little jumping up with excitement when I took her out for some quick walks and she saw some of her favorite neighbors. It's going to be a real challenge keeping her calm for the next few days!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Very Square and Very Square Sentiments stamp sets, Nestabilities circle and scalloped circle dies, Creative Impressions lime glimmer ribbon and turquoise silk ribbon, Bow Easy, SEI Happy Day designer paper, i {stick}papers redline tape

other: Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, and Gable Green Classic inks, Gable Green and Barely Banana cardstock (Stampin' Up!); foam tape

More Circus Fun

Happy Saturday! I'm planning on spending a pretty uneventful and quiet weekend at home with Chloe the cutie puppy as she recovers from yesterday's little surgical procedure. It's amazing how much more quickly dogs bounce back from stuff like this than humans do!

I have a bunch of Clear and Simple Stamps stuff to share with you today. I pulled out Circus Fun, this month’s Stamp of the Month, for my card for Mercy’s latest sketch challenge. I paired the images with some Cosmo Cricket designer paper for this fun card.

I used two different coordinating patterned papers from the Joy Ride line for the panels on my cardfront. The panels are layered on Sahara Sand mats, then on a Pumpkin Pie panel. I stamped the set’s elephant image in gray ink on an On the Catwalk Cream panel, then added one of the ball images from the set above the elephant’s trunk, using some foam tape to add interest. The “life is a balancing act” sentiment is stamped directly on the patterned paper to the left of the image.

Materials Used:
Circus Fun stamp set, On the Catwalk Cream cardstock (Clear and Simple Stamps); Tuxedo Black and London Fog inks (Memento); Pumpkin Pie Classic ink, Sahara Sand and Pumpkin Pie cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Joy Ride designer paper (Cosmo Cricket); circle dies (Nestabilities); orange grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); foam tape

I used the same sentiment for another non-circus themed project. Here, I used it to decorate the cover of a monthly planner I picked up for $1.

I covered the front with VIP Purple cardstock, the latest addition to the full line of color stories from Clear and Simple Stamps. I added a strip of the darker, coordinating Purplicious cardstock along the bottom of the planner. A strip of VIP Purple satin ribbon hides the seam where the two solid papers meet. I added a pretty faux bow to the right side as a simple embellishment. The sentiment is stamped in matching ink just above the ribbon. A trio of VIP purple buttons with white pen-drawn faux thread through the buttonholes is above the sentiment. I didn’t want to add too much to the planner since I wanted to keep it tote bag or purse-friendly . . .

Materials Used:
Circus Fun stamp set, VIP Purple ink, VIP Purple and Purplicious cardstock, VIP Purple satin ribbon, VIP Purple buttons (Clear and Simple Stamps); corner rounder (Stampin’ Up!); white gel pen (Ranger)

And, be sure to stop by the Clear and Simple Stamps iPhone app tomorrow. Here's a teeny, tiny sneak peek of the card I designed that you'll find only on the app. You can download the app here.

A Full Friday

***Scroll down for my blogger challenge/Friends with Flair post.***

It's been quite the day here! It started off at just about 5:00 AM with a small earthquake (3.6 or so on the Richter scale), which is extremely unusual for the DC area. The earthquake's epicenter was just 5 miles from my house, just down the highway that my house backs up to, but I managed to sleep through it as did Chloe the cutie puppy.

I guess that Chloe must have been resting up for her big day. Chloe had a minor surgical procedure this morning at the vet and she's now safely at home, resting and recovering in the dreaded cone of shame. The cone of shame has undergone some updating since Cosmo the crazy dog last wore one. Chloe's is made from a clear plastic, so at least she can see out of it a bit. That's a good thing since she'll likely be wearing it for the next ten days or so.

She's a little unsteady on her feet and kind of grouchy, but I'm pleased to report that she still has a hearty appetite. Even still groggy from anesthetic, she chowed down on her dinner in an instant! Thanks to all of my friends who've wished her well and checked in on her (and me) today.

Now, some stamping stuff. Here’s my card for this week’s Bellarific Friday from Stamping Bella. This week’s challenge was a fun sketch.

I went for a little boy-friendly look using the Jackson the Champion image. The image is stamped on a white circle and colored with Copic markers. I stamped the soccer ball image a second time, cut it out and attached it to the image panel with foam tape.

The image is paired with some dotted paper from Basic Grey’s new Oliver collection. Instead of using contrasting colored paper strips or patterned paper strips for the trio of panels across the cardfront, I used some coordinating twill for a more masculine look and to add a little texture. I had just enough room to stamp the “for a special boy” sentiment on the bottom strip using black ink.

Materials Used:
Jackson the Champion image and sentiment (Stamping Bella); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tuxedo Black ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Basic Gray cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Oliver designer paper (Basic Grey); circle dies (Nestabilities); blue twill (Martha Stewart); foam tape

Blogger Challenge: Week 160/Friends with Flair

This week’s blogger challenge is a sketch challenge. I stretched the sketch a little to accommodate some of the elements I wanted to include, but for the most part, stuck to the layout.

This fun, super sparkly birthday card should have made its way to a special friend by now (Hi, Kate!). I started with the “bring on the cake” sentiment from Unity’s It’s Your Day kit. To add some interest, I colored the open letters in the word “cake” with Copic markers and added some dots with a white pen. A row of paper piercing underneath the words fills in some of the white space. It seemed a little too bright white to me, so I inked the edges with some pink ink before adding the fun glittery cupcake embellishment to the left side of the panel.

I used a pair of My Mind’s Eye designer papers for the panels on the cardfront. I went with pink and brown patterns to coordinate with the cupcake’s colors.

For more projects using this sketch, you can check out what the rest of the challenge players have created. Links to their blogs are in the sidebar on the right. And, for more Unity inspiration, check out the Friends with Flair list on the Unity blog.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. It’s Your Day kit, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Couture Cardstock medium weight white Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (RV00, R81, R83), Ranger Inkssentials white pen, Petaloo Dazzlers pink/brown cupcake, My Mind’s Eye Quite Contrary Little Miss Muffet "Delight" kit

Other: Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); white cardstock (Georgia Pacific)

Clean, Simple, and Natural

This week's Color Throwdown included some of my most favorite colors, so I had to try it out. I created this clean and simple card using images from Unity's Naturally You Stampin Store Kit in no time at all.

I used a Kiwi Kiss Top Note die cut for the image panel. One of the kit's leaf images is stamped on the top section of the panel, first in Kiwi Kiss ink, then slightly offset in white pigment ink for a shadowed look. The "you're a natural" sentiment is stamped at the bottom of the panel in black ink for contrast. I divided the panel using a strip of Baja Breeze striped grosgrain ribbon. The ribbon and die cut piece are set on a kraft card base. A single black corduroy brad is attached to the left side of the ribbon strip as a simple accent.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. May 2010 Stampin Store Kit-Naturally You, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Zva Creative black corduroy brad

other: Kiwi Kiss Classic ink, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, and Crumb Cake cardstock, Top Note die, Baja Breeze striped grosgrain ribbon (Stampin' Up!)

While I had the stamps and papers out, I made a card for this week's lesson from the Clean and Simple Cards group on Paper Craft Planet. The challenge was to use offset stamping, so I did that again on this card. It's basically an even simpler version of my first card, even though it has multiple layers.

I stamped the leaf image on a white panel in Kiwi Kiss ink, then again offset slightly without reinking the stamp. I stamped the sentiment underneath it in blue ink. The panel is layered on a black mat, then on a kraft card base. More layers than the lesson called for, but still very clean and simple.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. May 2010 Stampin Store Kit-Naturally You

other: Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze Classic ink, Basic Black and Crumb Cake cardstock

And, on a personal note, Chloe the cutie puppy is six months old today! Here's a photo of her I took this evening, resting on the couch. We marked the special occasion with a cool treat--Frosty Paws puppy "ice cream"--outside in our front yard and a new squeaky toy with lots of loops to pull on. She thoroughly enjoyed the celebration.

Tomorrow, she's getting spayed, so it will likely be a long weekend here. I shared many a photo here on my blog of Cosmo the crazy dog wearing his cone of shame and it will be Chloe the cutie puppy's turn very soon . . .