Celebrate with i {heart} papers

Not only is tomorrow World Card Making Day, it’s the start of the big birthday celebration at i {heart} papers. In honor of the big events, use the code WCMD2011dt to get 20% off your entire IHP purchase. No items are excluded from this sale, and as always, you get free shipping with a $50US/$150CAN order. As an extra bonus, your purchase enters you into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to IHP. And, if you follow IHP on Facebook, there’s an additional opportunity to win there, so be sure to check it out.

We’ll have other fun stuff planned for you throughout the upcoming week to celebrate IHP’s third birthday. You can sneak a peek at all the details here.

Hang in There

Here's my card for the latest Paper Smooches Sparks challenge. The inspiration photo features this cute onesie. I was inspired by the color scheme, the fun, asymmetrical ruffle along the collar, and the idea of something hanging from a line.



I used the Hang Ups set to create a simple scene. I stamped the longer branch on a light blue panel and colored them with Copic markers. The bird image was colored, cut out, and set on the branch with a dimensional dot. I stamped the set's "hang in there" sentiment in the space just underneath the branch, breaking it up into two parts to fit the space nicely. I added a white felt cloud above the bird and branch to fill in the open space just a little bit.

To incorporate a ruffled element into my project, I used my ScorPal to score an angled strip of green cardstock at 1/2" and 1" intervals, then folded it to get a pleated strip. The strip is attached to the bottom of the scene. I wrapped some green baker's twine around it to help secure it. The scene is matted on a bright pink panel, then set on a white card base.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Hang Ups stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (Y15, RV13, RV14, RV17, YG17, YG25, B0000, E23), Divine Twine Green Apple baker's twine, Sticky Thumb dimensionals, ScorPal

other:
New Leaf cardstock, cloud die (Papertrey Ink); Soft Sky cardstock (Stampin' Up!); white felt

Blogger Challenge: Week 223

This week’s blogger challenge is a sketch that’s great for showcasing a small image. I combined the sketch with this week’s Color Throwdown colors—Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, and Chocolate Chip—for this sweet thank you card.

The strawberry image from Papertrey Ink’s Fruit Fusion: Berry set was perfect as my focal image. The berry was die cut from white cardstock, then stamped. After inking the stamp in coral-ish ink, I rolled the edges in a darker red for a two-toned look. The image is attached to a pair of circles with foam tape.

I used the same coral color for the cardbase. To add interest to the single color, I embossed the bottom portion of the cardfront with a dotted pattern. After setting a chocolate panel along the right side of the card, I set a pair of layered cardstock strips across the cardfront, making a nice transition from the end of the embossed pattern to the solid cardstock. The thank you sentiment fit nicely on the smaller strip.

Before setting the image panel in place, I added some pieces of clear crystal flourish to represent the sketch’s flourish element. I’ve said a few times that using flourish things like these is outside my comfort zone and I’ve really been trying to stretch myself. I found it a little easier to get an arrangement that I liked on this card than I have on others—I guess the practice helps!

For more ideas using this theme, check out the links below. If you join in the challenge, feel free to add your link to the list.

Materials Used:
Fruit Fusion: Berry stamp set, Berry Sorbet ink, Berry Sorbet and white cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, and Poppy Parade cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Polka Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); circle punches (EK Success); clear crystal flourish (Recollections); foam tape

Challenges by AR-Fall Fun

It’s time for the latest challenge from Challenges by AR. Lisa’s our hostess this time and we’re being generously sponsored by MyGrafico.


Our theme this go-round is fall and Halloween projects using Adela's templates. I used elements from MyGrafico’s Spooktacular and Falling for Autumn Elements collections to decorate Adela’s cupcake basket template.

I printed the basket template on a pretty deep red cardstock, then cut the basket out and used my ScorPal and ScorTape to assemble it. I printed the orange plaid paper from the Spooktacular collection on matte photo paper and cut panels of the paper to dress up the sides of the basket. A piece of red grosgrain ribbon, embellished with a wooden button tied with a little baker's twine, is wrapped around the basket.

To match the challenge's fall theme, instead of putting a cupcake inside of the basket, I replaced it with a seasonally appropriate nut-covered caramel apple (yum!) wrapped up in a clear plastic bag. With a few modifications, the apple was a perfect fit for the basket. I made holes in the tops of the handles to accommodate the stick in the apple, then set it in the basket.

I made a coordinating tag to attach to the apple using a strip of the same patterned paper as I did on the basket, plus a leaf element from the Falling for Autumn Elements collection. A fun apple-themed sentiment stamped on the tag finished things off.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the talented Challenges by AR team has cooked up for you. And, you can play along, too. Just create a shaped card or 3d item with a fall or Halloween theme and link it to the post on the Challenges by AR blog and one challenge participant will win a free set of their choice from MYGRAFICO.

Materials Used:
cupcake basket template (Creations by AR); Falling for You stamp set (Paper Smooches); Memento Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); Lipstick Red cardstock (Gina K Designs); Spooktacular and Falling for Autumn Elements Collections (MyGrafico); Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); orange baker's twine (Divine Twine); wooden button (Simplicity); ScorPal, Scor Tape; foam tape

Ewe're New

This sweet circle card is for this week’s Waltzingmouse sketch challenge. Once the baby idea came to mind, this card took shape quickly.

I thought that gingham would make a nice pattern for a baby card, so I started by stamping the smallest gingham patterned strip from Gingham & Co. on a white panel in light pink ink. The gingham strip is machine stitched to a light pink circle. I can’t figure out how to get the zig zag stitches on my sewing machine to be somewhat even—I’m sure it’s a user error issue somehow! The stitched panel is set on a white scallop edged circle card base.

I stamped the lamb from the Lil Buddies in gray ink and cut it out. To add some texture, I covered most of the cutout image with white flock. I used a grass border punch and a scrap of green cardstock to make a grassy patch to set the fuzzy little lamb on. Some baker’s twine wrapped around the bottom dresses it up a bit. The set’s “ewe’re new!” sentiment is stamped underneath the grass strip in gray ink. I like the look of gray on a baby card—it’s so much softer and more baby-like than a black ink would be.

Materials Used:
Lil Buddies and Gingham & Co. stamp set (Waltzingmouse Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento London Fog ink (Tsukineko); marker (Copic); Pretty in Pink Classic ink, Blushing Bride cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); circle and scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders); white flock (Stampendous); grass border punch (Martha Stewart); green baker’s twine (Divine Twine); sewing machine; foam tape

Have a Blast

Here’s my card for today’s SCS sketch challenge. I guess seeing the star shaped element in the sketch put the space idea in my head, even though I didn’t end up with a star shaped piece on the card.

I used the Half Pint Heroes set from Waltzingmouse Stamps for my card. The star is replaced with the set’s rocket ship image, colored and cut out. It’s set over a yellow circle moon, embossed with a random dot pattern and lightly covered with some shimmer spray.

I used two older October Afternoon paper scraps for the large panels on the cardfront. Each panel is matted on red cardstock, then layered on the blue panel. After setting the pieces in place, I realized that I didn’t have a good place to stamp a sentiment, so I went back and added the little sentiment flag with “have a blast” stamped on it, sliding the end of the piece underneath the rocket.

I’ll be back in the morning with another cute Waltzingmouse Stamps card . . .

Materials Used:
Half Pint Heroes stamp set (Waltzingmouse Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Sparkle Shimmer Spritz (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Pacific Point, Riding Hood Red, and Daffodil Delight cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Night Light Collection Kit (October Afternoon); circle die (Spellbinders); Polka Dot embossing folder (QuicKutz); Silver Fox Smooch (Clearsnap); clear dome sticker (Making Memories); foam tape

Sending Good Vibes

Here's my card for the current Market Street Stamps sketch challenge. I used the Hippie Chic set, one of the sets that Kate has recently added to her Market Street collection at i {heart} papers.

I was going for a masculine look, so I started with a kraft panel and added a geometric patterned paper strip from one of the new My Mind's Eye 6x6 paper pads along the left side. The strip's edged with a rust ric rac strip, then the panel is wrapped with a piece of brown faux suede ribbon, tied in a knot.

The set's guitar image was stamped and colored, then cut it out. It's attached to a light blue panel with dimensional dots. There was plenty of room for the "good vibes" sentiment above the guitar. I stamped it in a rust colored ink for one final masculine touch.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Market Street Stamps Hippie Chic stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Potter's Clay inks, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (YR21, YR24, YR30, E23, E25, E33, C-5), My Mind’s Eye Six by Six Away We Go paper pad, Spellbinders circle die and Edgeabilities Classic Ric Rac die, May Arts brown faux suede ribbon, Sticky Thumb dimensionals

other: Soft Sky and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Terracotta Tile cardstock (Papertrey Ink)

TCP Tuesday 178-Mwahh!

Jenny is our hostess for this week’s TCP Tuesday challenge and she’s brought us a fun trio of colors. Plum purple, pear green, and smokey grey are perfect for Halloween cards, so that’s what I cooked up for today.

I used the zombie image from the Mwah! set, coloring him with Copic markers to match the challenge colors. The rest of the card’s pretty simple. It follows this week’s Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge. I used a grid patterned paper to cover most of the cardfront and added a strip of plumy purple cardstock across the paper to break up the pattern. The purple cardstock is matted on a gray strip that was punched along the bottom with my spider web border punch and misted with a little shimmer spray for a little sparkle, kind of like a real spider web.

After setting the image in place, I added the layered sentiment panel. I didn’t plan ahead enough and when I got to stamping the “mwahh!,” it didn’t fit on the two circles I’d already punched out. So, I went to plan B—stamping the sentiment on a scrap of green cardstock, cutting it out, and setting it across the circles. Fits perfectly that way!

If you like the colors, we'd love it if you'd play along with us in this week's challenge. One lucky participant in this week’s challenge who uploads their card to the guestbook on Alma’s blog will be the recipient of the weekly Cat Cash prize. And, be sure to stop by Alma’s blog throughout the week for links to the Cat Pack’s creations using these colors.

Materials Used:
Mwah! stamp set, Neenah white cardstock (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black and London Fog inks, Sparkle Shimmer Spritz (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Rich Razzleberry and Basic Gray cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Green Apple cardstock (Gina K Designs); Happy Halloween Collection Kit (Echo Park); circle punches (EK Success); Spider Web border punch (Martha Stewart)

Spooky Stuff

The Halloween season is short, so I’m going to make sure I get as much use as I can from these new Moonlight Whispers images from Kraftin’ Kimmie before I have to put them away until next year. And, since I have Halloween papers that I put away from last year, I figured I should match the pair up for a few challenges.

This one is for this week’s Kraftin’ Kimmie sketch challenge. I colored the Potion Master image with Copic markers to coordinate with the patterned papers I picked. The lenses of her safety goggles are colored with a little Spica pen for a bit of sparkle.

I used a busy chevron paper for the background since I knew it would be mostly covered up with other panels, dialing down the pattern a few notches. An avocado panel runs across the card and is tied with a black satin ribbon. I cut an orange circle for the panel partly underneath the image. A slightly smaller orange circle with a broken line pattern is set on top of that. I added the sentiment on an even smaller circle and attached it to the cardfront, partly overlapping the image panel.

Materials Used:
Moonlight Whispers Potion Master stamp set (Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers, Clear and Silver Spica pens (Copic); Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Ripe Avocado cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Happy Halloween Collection Kit, Summer Days 6x6 paper pad (Echo Park); circle dies (Spellbinders); black satin ribbon (Target)

This one is for this week’s Cute Card Thursday, also a sketch challenge. I rotated the sketch 180 degrees so the circle panel would frame the juggled bones above Belinda’s head nicely.

I colored the image with Copic markers and carefully cut it out. She’s set on a gold panel with the image stamped underneath. For some contrast, I used a white gel pen to color in the bones above her head.

The cardfront is covered with a piece of multicolored dotted paper from last year’s My Mind’s Eye Halloween collection. The dots are broken up with the green circle behind the image panel and a strip of orange ribbon stretched across the card. I used a spider web border punch on a strip of black cardstock, lightly sprayed the cardstock with a shimmer mist, then slipped the sparkly web underneath the bottom edge of the orange ribbon. The image panel was matted on black, then attached to the cardfront. The "you tickle my funny bone" sentiment was stamped on a scrap of orange cardstock and set at the bottom of the image panel. I definitely need more practice on coloring this image, so you'll probably be seeing it again soon.

Materials Used:
Moonlight Whispers Belinda Bones stamp set (Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Sparkle Shimmer Spritz (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Ripe Avocado cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Happy Halloween Collection Kit (My Mind’s Eye); circle dies (Spellbinders); Spider Web border punch (Martha Stewart); orange grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); white gel pen (Ranger)

Under the Weather?

Here’s another card for this week’s SCS clean and simple challenge. It’s a cheery get well card using the Spring Extras set from Clear and Simple Stamps along with one of the matching Spring Simple Cuts dies.

After die cutting a pair of boots from pink paper, I paper pieced the boots with a coordinating floral patterned paper. Aren’t they cute? I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again—all of those cute rain boots I’m seeing in the stores are calling to me! With all the rain we’ve had lately, a pair of rain boots wouldn’t be a bad investment . . .

I set this cute pair on a dot embossed panel on top of an acetate “puddle.” The panel is edged along one side with a pink scalloped strip and set on a green card base. The “under the weather?” sentiment is stamped in black along the other side. I die cut a felt cloud from the same set of dies and added that to the top of the panel along with a yellow button as a sun for a whimsical touch.

Materials Used:
Spring and Spring Extras stamp sets, Perfect Little Black Dress ink, Trendsetter Blue and Paint the Town Pink cardstock, Spring Simple Cuts dies (Clear and Simple Stamps); Pear Pizzazz cardstock, scallop edge punch (Stampin’ Up!); Stella & Rose-Gertie 6 x 6 paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); button (Papertrey Ink); Polka Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); yellow baker’s twine (The Twinery); white felt; acetate; foam tape; corner rounder

Give Thanks

This cheery card is for this week's Our Craft Lounge challenge to play with patterned paper and for this week's CAS-ual Friday challenge to make a card with three shades of one color plus brown. And, it also fits this week's SCS clean and simple challenge to paper piece. That's a lot for one clean and simple card!

Kraft's my favorite brown, so I started with a kraft base and worked from there with a bunch of orange pieces pulled out from my scrap piles.

This layout was great for using up a bunch of scraps. I used two different pieces of dotted papers--one for the paper pieced pumpkin image from the Simply Fall set and one for the long strip underneath the image panel. The pumpkin's cut out and added to the circle panel that's made from the lightest of the three shades of orange I used. It's hard to see in the photo, but I used a warm gray Copic marker to do a little shading over the patterned paper.

The second piece of dotted paper is set in the middle of a wider orange panel. I punched the edge with a decorative border punch to add interest. The dotted paper is wrapped with orange baker's twine that's secured with a button. After arranging all the pieces on the kraft card base, I stamped the "give thanks" sentiment from the Fall Scarecrow set in brown ink.

Materials Used:
Simply Fall and Fall Scarecrow stamp sets (Our Craft Lounge); Memento Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); warm gray marker (Copic); Summer Sunrise cardstock, Summer Sunrise button (Papertrey Ink); Sweet Mango cardstock (Gina K Designs); Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Lime Twist designer papers (My Mind's Eye); circle die (Spellbinders); Threading Water border punch (Fiskars); orange baker's twine (Divine Twine); foam tape

My Coolest Friend

Here's my card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. It's based on the sweet snowman card seen here. I loved that fun image and decided to see if I could come close to replicating it with something in my collection.

After looking for a bit, I came up with this small snowman from the Paper Smooches Swanky Snowdudes set. I stamped the image on shimmery white cardstock and colored it with Copic markers. A few of the set's small snowflake image are stamped randomly around the image in pale gray ink. A little Frosted Lace Stickles on the stripes of his scarf gives the image just a little more sparkle.

The rest of the card sticks pretty close to the original as well. Instead of leaving the red strip across the card blank, I embossed it with a snowflake pattern, then highlighted the raised flakes by lightly brushing a shimmery white ink pad over them. And, since I added a snowflake detail to the red strip, I left the blue panel plain, except for the "my coolest friend" sentiment stamped in red ink. I found a sparkly silver snowflake to add as a simple embellishment at the side of the image. It's hard to believe that it will only be a month or two before we start seeing real snowflakes around here. . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Swwanky Snowdudes stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, London Fog, and Rhubarb Stalk inks, Copic markers (B00, B000, B0000, R12, R22, R24, R27, YR15), Ranger Frosted Lace Stickles, QuicKutz Snowflake embossing folder,

other: Basic Gray, Soft Sky, and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Lipstick Red cardstock (Gina K Designs); Brilliance Moonlight White ink (Tsukineko); glitter snowflake (Petaloo)

Papertrey Ink September Blog Hop

This month's Papertrey Ink blog hop is based on another inspiration photo. The photo features a brightly painted striped floor. There's a lot to take in from this photo, like the bold colors against a neutral background, the stripes, and the repetitive pattern. For my card, I chose to focus on the stripe element on a neutral background.


I was inspired by the fun stripes in the image and created my own striped panel using scraps of cardstock. I cut strips of Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush, and Kraft cardstock to 1/2" widths and attached them to a strip of scrap cardstock, angling them on the diagonal. After covering the strip, I used my paper trimmer to cut off the excess paper that extended off of the edges of the base strip. I set the striped piece at the bottom of a cream card base, then assembled the rest of my card.

I stamped the mug image from the new Candy Cane Christmas set in Vintage Cream ink (stamped off once for a softer look). The cinnamon stick was cut from Sweet Blush cardstock and stamped in red ink, then slipped inside the mug. The mug's attached to a red circle with foam tape. I stamped the "you warm my heart" sentiment from Warm Happiness Too on a double-ended banner die cut and attached it to the card, slipping the edge underneath the mug. The final touch was a little "steam" coming from the mug, courtesy of a piece of pearl flourish. Love how this fun detail looks! I'll definitely have to remember this for the future . . .

Materials Used:
Vintage Cream ink, Candy Cane Christmas, Warm Happiness Too stamp sets, Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush, Kraft, and Vintage Cream cardstock, Candy Cane Christmas and Double-Ended Banner dies (Papertrey Ink); Memento Lady Bug ink (Tsukineko); circle die (Spellbinders); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); pearl flourish (Want2Scrap); foam tape

Dreams and a Cup of Tea

It's almost the end of the month, so I made sure to wrap up the final two Viva la Verve sketches for September. Here they are, with even a few days to spare!

Here's my card for week 3. This one came together very quickly with a pair of coordinating papers from Bo Bunny's Ad Lib paper pad. I went with a green paper with a pale grid pattern to cover most of the card base and a more boldly patterned one for the large panel.

I stamped one of the sentiments from Verve's Words of Wisdom in blue ink on a yellow circle, then layered it on a green scalloped circle. After setting the panel on the cardfront, I added a coordinating strip of blue grosgrain ribbon across it to add texture. There's a dark brown strip at the bottom of the ribbon that's paper pierced all the way across, but it doesn't show in my photo. It's been so dark and dreary here lately that it's hard to get good pictures!

Since the sentiment I used is about dreams, I used a felt star as an embellishment. It looks a little too small--I probably should have found something larger . . .

Materials Used:Words of Wisdom stamp set (Verve Stamps); Marina Mist Classic ink, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, Marina Mist, and Chocolate Chip cardstock, Marina Mist grosgrain ribbon (Stampin' Up!); Ad Lib 6x6 paper pad (Bo Bunny); circle and scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders); Seeing Stars and Double-Ended Banner dies, Harvest Gold felt, Blueberry Sky button (Papertrey Ink); linen thread (The Cat's Pajamas)

And, here's my card for this month's final sketch. It's definitely outside of my normal style, leaning towards shabby chic and vintage, or as close to that as I can get.

I started with the feminine text and floral print paper from a new My Mind's Eye pad (check them out here at i {heart} papers). After inking the edges of the panel with distress ink, I added diagonal strips of the reverse side of the paper. The edges of the pink strips are machine stitched--I had a minor sewing machine malfunction on strip #3, so please ignore the irregular stitching . . .

The panel is wrapped with some pink satin ribbon and set on a matching pink card base. I die cut a tag from cream cardstock and inked its edges, then stamped the "you're my cup of tea" sentiment from Verve's Better with You set at the bottom. I stamped the set's tea cup image on pink cardstock and cut it out. It's attached to the tag with foam tape. A pretty pink bow at the top of the tag adds one final feminine touch.

Materials Used:

Better with You stamp set, Sweet Scallop die (Verve Stamps); Crumb Cake Classic ink, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Tea Dye distress ink (Ranger); Six by Six-Dwell paper pad (My Mind's Eye); Sweet Blush satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink); sewing machine; foam tape

Little Snuggle Bunny

Here’s my card for this week’s My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch. I morphed the small rectangular panel at the front of the card into this shaped image and it worked beautifully.

I stamped the sweet cuddling bunny image, colored it with Copic markers, and carefully cut it out, then set it aside to assemble the rest of the card. The double sided My Mind’s Eye patterned paper I picked made that easy. A large plaid panel covers most of the teal card base and a smaller, dotted panel forms a nice, almost starry backdrop for the image. After setting the image in place with foam tape, I stamped the “my little snuggle bunny” sentiment on the dotted panel, then added a pink bow as an accent. So sweet!

Materials Used:
Cuddle Bunnies stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Taken with Teal and Regal Rose cardstock, Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon (Stampin’ Up!); Hip-Hooray Girl "Happy Day" designer paper (My Mind’s Eye); white flock (Stampendous); Bow Easy; foam tape

Blogger Challenge: Week 222

This week’s blogger challenge theme is travel. I pulled out one of my traveling bunnies from The Cat’s Pajamas and paired the image with this week’s Mojo Monday sketch (more on that later in the post . . .).

I colored the airplane flying rabbit from the Take Off set with Copic markers, then cut the colored image out. It’s set on a blue patterned paper panel using foam tape. I added a pair of white felt clouds from TCP’s CutUps Cloud Border die. The set’s “let’s fly away” sentiment is stamped on a kraft banner strip (the strip’s from another CutUps die set—the Easy Rosettes). It’s switched up from where it is on the sketch, but I think it still counts . . .

I used two large patterned paper scraps for the tilted panels behind the image. Instead of adding a cardstock mat, each one is machine stitched around the edges. Everything’s arranged on a dot-embossed aqua panel that’s set on a dark blue card base.

For more ideas using this theme, check out the links below. If you join in the challenge, feel free to add your link to the list.

Materials Used:
Take Off stamp set, Neenah White cardstock, CutUps Cloud Border and Easy Rosettes dies (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black and Rhubarb Stalk inks (Tsukineko); markers and clear Spica pen (Copic); Not Quite Navy and Crumb Cake cardstock, Not Quite Navy Patterns designer paper (Stampin’ Up!); Aqua Mist cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Schoolhouse 8x8 paper pad (October Afternoon); Stationery-Tomato designer paper (Lily Bee); Polka Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); white felt; sewing machine; foam tape

Perk Up

This simple card is for the latest Verve Diva Dare to CASE a Verve diva. I chose this Mother's Day card from my friend Jen Tapler’s gallery to remake as my own. I kept pretty close to the design of the original—why change what works, right? I switched up the colors a little to match the ones from this week’s Color Throwdown. The combo of Very Vanilla, Regal Rose, and Early Espresso is so pretty! And, with Early Espresso in the color mix, it seemed appropriate to go with a coffee theme for the card.

I loved the way Jen used the debossed side of the dotted embossed panel, so I did the same thing on my card. A dark brown satin ribbon runs across the top of the embossed portion. I used the same die cut shape as Jen on my version of the card, but mine’s die cut from rose cardstock with the matching frame image stamped in brown. The edge of the die cut is covered with some sparkly glitter—I don’t do this often and as I look at the shimmer that’s now all over my craft space and Chloe the cutie puppy’s nose, I remember why I don’t!

Instead of flowers, I used the take out coffee cup image from the new Better With You set on my card. I stamped it on a piece of cream cardstock and cut it out. The little "sleeve" around the cup is paper pieced with a scrap of brown dotted paper. It’s attached to the rose panel with foam tape so I could slip the “perk up” sentiment strip underneath it.

Materials Used:
Better with You and Love Notes stamp sets, Classy Label die (Verve Stamps); Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, and Regal Rose cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); Memento Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); Lime Twist- Life of the Party 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); brown satin ribbon (Michaels); Polka Dots embossing folder (QuicKutz); foam tape

TCPTuesday177-I Rose to the Occasion

This week’s TCP Tuesday challenge from Julie is to make a seam binding rose. This is the first time I’ve attempted this, so I found Alma’s video (here) most helpful in taking on this challenge. And, the result wasn’t too bad for a first try.

I decided to use the Bearing Flowers set and replace the sunflower in PJ’s hand with my hand-crafted flower. I started off by stamping the image on a circle, omitting the flower since I was going to be replacing it, and then coloring the image with Copic markers. Then I went to work on my flower. I used a Cosmo Cricket Gluber as the base and twisted some of TCP’s fabulous mango seam binding round and round on the giant glue dot until I’d fully covered it. Then I simply peeled off the finished flower and stuck it in place.

I kept the rest of the card simple to keep the attention on the pretty flower. I used a pair of patterned paper panels behind the image, along with a solid kraft panel. I really like the colors in the patterned paper—not quite traditional fall colors, but they still have that warm, autumn-y feeling, don’t they? The set’s “you make me happy” sentiment is stamped on an orange strip and set across the bottom of the card. I thought about adding something else—a button, or maybe brads—but in the end, just left it alone (as you can see!).

So, get out your seam binding and start rolling! I can't wait to see how you use your seam binding roses on your creations. Upload them to the album on Alma's blog to be entered for a chance to win this week's Cat Cash prize--and for consideration for our Swanky Stamper Award. Alma will have links to the Cat Pack's creations all week for more inspiration, so be sure to check it out.

Materials Used:
Bearing Flowers stamp set, Neenah White cardstock, mango seam binding (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Ocean Tides, Orange Zest, and Kraft cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Six by Six Away We Go paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); circle dies (Spellbinders); Glubers (Cosmo Cricket)

Bundle of Joy

The latest Lawnscaping challenge is to use text or text patterned paper on your project. I’ve been wondering how I could incorporate some of the text patterned “flashcard” pieces from the Simple Stories Baby Steps paper pad in my cards, so this challenge was perfect for getting me to come up with something!

I decided to cut two of the bingo card images from one of the 6x6 sheets and use those as panels on my card. Since the card headings are gender-neutral greens and yellows, I took my cue from that and used the same colors for my card. I layered each of the bingo cards on a kraft mat, then arranged them on a green dot embossed panel with machine stitched edges.

For the focal image, I used the sweet baby carriage image from Lawn Fawn’s Plus One set. The image is paper pieced using a scrap of paper from the same Simple Stories pad. I used some dimensional dots to add it to the panel. After layering it on a yellow scalloped circle and setting it on the cardfront, I stamped the "bundle of joy" sentiment on a kraft strip and slipped the edge underneath the image panel. A little green twill ribbon adds a final, soft touch at the top of the image panel.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Lawn Fawn Plus One stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (C-1, C-3, C-5), Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Bamboo Leaves inks, Simple Stories Baby Steps 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders circle and scalloped circle dies, QuicKutz Polka Dots embossing folder, May Arts celery green twill striped ribbon, Sticky Thumb dimensionals

other: Barely Banana, Pear Pizzazz, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!)

Sky's the Limit

For this week’s SCS sketch challenge, I went more scrappy than stampy on my card. By using several different dies and combining textured elements, this came together pretty quickly—and an awful lot like I imagined it in my head, which doesn’t always happen! My inspiration for using fabric to add texture came from this week's Ribbon Carousel challenge to use fabric on your project and it was the perfect accent for this project.

I started by cutting out a few cloud-shaped openings in a blue panel, then embossed the panel with a dot pattern. I cut the panel into three strips, then added white felt beneath the strips to fill in the open spaces and get the appearance of fluffy white clouds.

After arranging the panels on a celery card base, I added a paper pieced die cut kite with a pink baker’s twine tail using foam tape. The "sky's the limit" sentiment from Lil Inker's Rainbow and Cloud Sentiments set stamped along the bottom of the card in blue ink completes the design.

Materials Used:
Bashful Blue Classic ink, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, and Pink Pirouette cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Lime Twist-Happy Go Lucky 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); Die-Namics Fly a Kite and Flat Bottomed Cloud dies (My Favorite Things); Polka Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); pink baker’s twine (Divine Twine); white felt; foam tape

Fall Fun with Our Craft Lounge

Today it’s my turn to showcase a few projects on the Our Craft Lounge blog. I’m showing off just one here, but you’ll want to stop by the OCL blog to check out the rest of the fall fun I’ve created for you.

This card is for this week’s OCL color challenge to use dark brown, goldenrod, and pumpkin. What a great fall color combination! I turned to one of my go-to layouts for this one. I used the maple leaf image as the focal point. It’s colored with Copic markers in warm yellow and orange shades.

I built the card on a goldenrod card base, adding a strip of striped orange paper, edged with a solid orange scalloped strip, partway across the cardfront. A piece of dark brown ribbon visually separates the solid from the striped. A dark brown circle is set at the end of the paper strips and the image is layered over that. I used my stamp positioned to stamp “happy fall” just above the patterned paper strip, then added a dot of gold Liquid Pearls to each scallop.

Be sure to check out the OCL blog for all the info on this week’s challenge. A new challenge is posted every Friday and you’ll want to join in because OCL stamps are up for grabs!

Materials Used:
Simply Fall stamp set (Our Craft Lounge); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic-YR12, YR15, YR16, Y23,Y35); Sweet Corn cardstock (Gina K Designs); Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip cardstock, Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch (Stampin’ Up!); Apple Cheddar Soup 6x6 paper pad (Jillibean Soup); circle dies (Spellbinders); Gold Pearl Liquid Pearls (Ranger); foam tape

IHP DT Challenge: i {heart} new products

For this month’s i {heart} papers design team challenge, team members are showing off some of the newest products to hit the virtual shelves at IHP. We had a great time this summer at CHA selecting the latest and greatest for you (and us, too) and we want to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

My card uses a new release from one of the new stamp lines Kate has recently added to the store, Paper Smooches. I loved the cute camera image and matching sentiment from the Perpetual Bliss set and made them the focal point of my card.

I started off by making a panel to showcase the image. The panel has a solid pink strip at the top and a distressed-looking striped block at the bottom. I used one of the 12—yes, 12—new 6x6 paper pads from My Mind’s Eye for this bottom section. The pieces are layered on an aqua panel with a scalloped bottom edge cut with one of the new Spellbinders Edgeabilities dies. After setting the piece on a yellow dotted paper (the reverse of the striped panel), I added a piece of light blue faux suede ribbon over the panel, hiding the seam between the solid and patterned papers

The camera is stamped on white cardstock and shaded just a little with Copic markers. I stamped it a second time and colored just the lens portion of the image, cut it out and added it to the image with a dimensional dot. By the way, you’ve got to try these new Sticky Thumb dimensional dots—they’re super sticky and the package includes a great mix of shapes and sizes. After attaching the camera to the cardfront with another dimensional dot, I stamped the “we click” sentiment next to it and added the solid heart image in red ink as an accent. Just before taking the picture of the card, I went back and colored the camera lens with my clear Spica pen for a little sparkle.

Don’t miss what the rest of the IHP DT has created for the challenge. I’m sure they’ll show off something I haven’t noticed in the store just yet . . . Here’s where to find them:

• Carolyn
• Deb
• Gretchen
• Kendra
• Loretta
• Lori --you're here!
• Lynn
• Tracy
• Kate

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Perpetual Bliss stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Rhubarb Stalk inks, Copic markers (C00, C-1, C-3, C-5, BG000, BG0000) and clear Spica pen, My Mind’s Eye Six by Six-Everyday Flair 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders Classic Scallop Edgeabilities die, May Arts light blue faux suede ribbon, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Blushing Bride cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Aqua Mist cardstock (Papertrey Ink)

Rejects Rock

I submitted several cards to the most recent Paper Crafts magazine call for projects for publication and not a single one was selected this go-round. I’m linking up this fun design I created for the call to Amber’s latest reject blog hop.

This was a pretty quick card to put together. I used a combination of different dies and punches, plus some paper scraps to cut a bunch of stars. After arranging them on a white card base, I added a single clear crystal at the center of each star, using a different sized crystal on each star.

I stamped the “let’s rock out” sentiment from the Old School Rock set from Sweet Stamp Shop in the open space on the cardfront, inking the word “rock” in silver for a little sparkle. A red ribbon tied around the bottom of the card finishes things off.

Materials Used:
Old School Rock stamp set (Sweet Stamp Shop); Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, and Marina Mist cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); white cardstock (Xerox); Memento Tuxedo Black and Encore Silver inks (Tsukineko); small and large star punches (EK Success); star die (Papertrey Ink); star die (Taylored Expressions); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); clear crystals (Studio 18)

Give Thanks

Here’s my card for today’s SCS clean and simple challenge to highlight leaves. I picked the leaves from Papertrey Ink’s Autumn Acorn set and paired them with warm colors and a little texture on this quick design. I say “quick” even though it took four different stamp sets to pull this one together!

The die cut leaves are the focal point of my design. I used the rock and roll technique to get the subtle two toned look. The leaves are set so they extend off the bottom edge of a die cut kraft panel stamped with a woodgrain image. The sentiment strip runs across the woodgrain panel, meeting the leaves at their stems. I anchored the strip and the leaves with a wooden button, tied with a little baker’s twine. The panel at the bottom of the card is stamped with a tone on tone houndstooth pattern. Something about the pattern just screams “fall” to me . . .

Materials Used:
Autumn Acorns, Modern Wood Mats, Falling Leaves, and Background Basics: Houndstooth stamp sets, Harvest Gold, Terracotta Tile, Vintage Cream, and Kraft cardstock, Mat Stack #1, Double-Ended Banner, and Autumn Acorns Collection dies (Papertrey Ink); More Mustard, Dusty Durango and Crumb Cake Classic inks (Stampin’ Up!); Vivid Straw ink (Clearsnap); Memento Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); wood button (Michaels); kraft baker’s twine (Timeless Twine); foam tape

Flower Button Die Winner!

Since my usual random number generator (also known as my sister Jill) has been inaccessible this afternoon, I used an online random number generator to select a winner for the CutUps Flower Button die from The Cat's Pajamas. The number picked was 17, so Linda Monroe is the winner. Congrats, Linda! Please email me (see link on the right side of the page) with your mailing info and I'll pass it on to Alma so you can get your prize.

Halloweenie Treat

Let's start the week out on a sweet note! Here's a fun little Halloween treat ensemble, with little being the operative word. The set includes a 3 1/2" square card--for this week's CAS-ual Friday challenge to make a mini card and this week's Crazy 4 Challenges challenge (sponsored by Creations by AR--be sure to check out the current Challenges by AR challenge, too--I'm the hostess!) to include a pumpkin on your design--and a tiny treat tube filled with fall colored M&M's.

The mini card uses the pumpkin image from the Paper Smooches Halloweenies set. It's colored with Copic markers and cut out. The pumpkin's big eyes are coated with Glossy Accents for a glass-like shine. I based the layout on this week's Clean and Simple Stamping sketch, adjusted a little bit for the smaller scale of the mini card. A strip of trendy orange houndstooth patterned paper runs across the kraft card base. I added a solid black strip at the bottom and wrapped it with black baker's twine for contrast before adhering the orange panel holding the image and sentiment.

To tie the set together, I used the same papers and accents for the test tube holder. The PDF file for the holder is available here at Creations by AR and easily assembled with the help of my ScorPal and some ScorTape. The base is cut from kraft cardstock and dressed up with the orange houndstooth paper. I wrapped a band of orange and black cardstock around the bottom of the tube holder and accented it with a black button. The tube itself is decorated with a small tag with more of the houndstooth paper and stamped with a few small images from the Halloweenies set. Too sweet! Now I need to go move the set out of the reach of Chloe the cutie--and curious--puppy. She's been eyeing and sniffing at those M&M's . . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Halloweenies stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (YR15, YR16, Y35, Y38, YG01, YG13, YG17, YG25, B000, B0000), My Mind's Eye Lime Twist-Fly a Kite 6x6 paper pad, Ranger Glossy Accents, Divine Twine Black Licorice baker's twine, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots, ScorPal, ScorTape

other: test tube template (Creations by AR); Crumb Cake and Basic Black cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Sweet Mango cardstock (Gina K Designs); treat tube (Martha Stewart)

I Miss You

Here's a clean and simple card created for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. It's based on this striking design seen here. I kept the color scheme, themes, and basic layout the same while making a few changes to make the design my own.

My card is a landscape orientation, instead of a portrait one. This switch was a better fit for the die cut and stamped postage stamp images made with mixed and matched images from the Love Letters set from The Cat's Pajamas and the matching CutUps Stamp Trio die. To add some texture to the simple design, instead of stamping the "I miss you" sentiment from the Simply Said set on a cardstock strip, I used a strip of black grosgrain ribbon. The images are layered over the ribbon and accented with a trio of teeny, tiny red crystals.

Today's the last day to comment on this post for a chance to win your own Flower Buttons CutUps die. I'll announce a winner tomorrow. All of the Cat Pack members are giving away dies, so you might want to check out Alma's blog for links to their giveaway posts . . .

Materials Used:
Love Letters and Simply Said stamp sets, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Stamps Trio die (The Cat's Pajamas); Memento Lady Bug and London Fog inks (Tsukineko); Fresh Snow and Black grosgrain ribbon (Papertrey Ink); Riding Hood Red and Basic Black cardstock (Stampin' Up!); red crystals (Recollections); foam tape

Most Valuable Player

Here's a different take on Alpha Varsity, this month's Stamp of the Month at Clear and Simple Stamps. I showed off the letters on something I haven't done in a while--a simple scrapbook page.

The page features a photo of one of my co-worker's sons, a talented basketball player, in action in a tournament earlier this year. It makes the perfect focal point for this 8" x 8" page. I went with a masculine navy and orange color scheme with kraft and cream accents.

The photo is matted on a corrugated kraft panel for texture, then layered on the navy background. I added a strip of dotted cream and orange paper, edged with a solid orange strip, along the bottom of the page. I used the Alpha Varsity letters to stamp "Clifton" in navy on a fancy-edged kraft die cut and used my sewing machine to stitch the piece in place.

I made my own embellishments for the page, including a layered star accent made from a combination of corrugated kraft and orange felt and topped with a button, and a fun prize ribbon, too. The ribbon came together quickly with a sentiment from CSS's MVP stamp set, a few layered die cut circles and some orange ribbon scraps.

For more CSS inspiration, be sure to stop by the CSS iPhone app. The app features a new project, complete with step by step instructions, every day. Here's a sneak peek at a project of mine that you'll be able to see exclusively on the app on Tuesday. You can find all the info on downloading the app here.

Materials Used:
Alpha Varsity and MVP stamp sets, True Blue Fan ink, True Blue Fan, Creamsicle Cardigan, On the Catwalk Cream, and Kraft Like a Rockstar cardstock, True Blue Fan button (Clear and Simple Stamps); corrugated kraft paper (Creative Imaginations); designer paper (My Mind's Eye); circle, pinking circle, and Labels 8 dies (Spellbinders); star dies (Papertrey Ink); orange grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); sewing machine; foam tape

Catching Up with Chicks and Coffee

It's the middle of the month already (how did that happen??!!), so I spent some time this afternoon catching up on this month's Viva la Verve challenges. I used some of my newer Verve sets for these two cards.

Here's my card for the first sketch. It looked cuter in my mind than it did on paper, but I figured I'd share it anyway . . .

I made a tall, skinny card following the sketch. I used one of the chick images from the Chicks Rule set for two of the three circle panels. Each chick is colored with Copic markers and framed by a pink circle. The framed image is layered on a Classy Label die cut piece. A strip of pink grosgrain ribbon stretches across the card between the circle panel and the die cut piece.

For the center circle panel, instead of using an image, I used the set's "hola chica" sentiment. It's stamped in bright pink ink on a yellow circle. I added a pair of clear crystals, one at each side of the panel, as a simple accent. The pieces are arranged on a yellow dotted panel that's set on a pink card base. Kind of a spring-like card for a fall-like day!

Materials Used:
Chicks Rule stamp set, Classy Label die (Verve Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Pretty in Pink cardstock (Stampin' Up); Harvest Gold cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Modern Homemaker 8x8 paper pad (October Afternoon); circle punches (EK Success); pink grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); clear crystals (Studio 18)

And, this one is for this month's second sketch and for this month's Get Your Diva On challenge to create a monochromatic card. As you can see, I went with an aqua blue color scheme, accented with a little cream. In the process, I managed to use a coffee-themed set to create a totally non-coffee or beverage themed card!

I used a trendy aqua and cream houndstooth patterned paper for the two panels on the cardfront. To add some interest, I used a grid patterned paper for the sentiment panel. The "love you" was made by combining parts of two different sentiments from the coffee-themed Better With You set.

A strip of ruffle edged faux suede aqua ribbon is stretched across the cardfront as an accent. I added an aqua felt Jotted Heart die cut piece, stamped with the matching image from the Love Notes set, and a pair of coordinating tags stamped with more love-themed images. The pearl flourish was the final element in my design. These are a little out of my comfort zone, so I'm really making an effort to try to incorporate trendy accents like these into my designs.

Materials Used:
Better With You, Love Notes, and Making a Statement stamp sets, Jotted Heart die (Verve Stamps); Aqua Mist and Hawaiian Shores cardstock, Hawaiian Shores felt (Papertrey Ink); Party Teal Dawn ink (Clear and Simple Stamps); Lime Twist-Life of the Party 6x6 paper pad, Lush 2 turquoise designer paper (My Mind's Eye); circle dies (Spellbinders); tag punch (Fiskars); aqua ruffle edge faux suede ribbon (Hobby Lobby); pearl flourish (Want2Scrap); baker's twine (The Twinery); foam tape

Talk Nerdy to Me

The school teacher in me couldn’t resist adding this new à la modes Talk Nerdy to Me set to my collection! I used her for this week’s My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge and it fits the new Touch Twin marker challenge blog’s Playing with Our Peeps challenge, too.

I colored the girl with Copic markers and cut her out. She’s set on a kraft panel with foam tape. I left plenty of room at the edge of the panel to stamp the “talk nerdy to me” sentiment along the side of the image. It's accented by a single silver brad.

The school theme carries over to the patterned papers I used for the cardfront—a pencil patterned one on top and an abc patterned one on the bottom. A pair of coordinating solid strips, matted with kraft, is layered over the patterned papers. The image panel is set on top, slightly offset from the strips. The pieces cover more of the school themed papers than I would have liked, but my intent is there . . .

Don't forget about my blog candy giveaway here. You still have a few days to enter for a chance to win a CutUps die from The Cat's Pajamas . . .

Materials Used:
à la modes Talk Nerdy to Me stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Off to School 6x6 paper pad (Fancy Pants); silver brad (Making Memories); foam tape

Blogger Challenge: Week 221

This week’s blogger challenge theme is “who’s got the button.” With inspiration like that, I had to come up with a sewing related card. I used the On the Mend set from Clear and Simple Stamps along with one of the matching Simple Cuts dies to create this feminine card.

I die cut the dress form from kraft cardstock, then stamped the matching dress form image on the die cut in brown ink. To get the dotted pattern, I pressed the top part of the solid image stamp on the dotted background builder image from the Dots & Lines set before stamping the image on the die cut piece—a simple way to add interest to a solid image. To bring in a little more of the sewing/stitching theme, I stamped my own patterned paper strip for along the bottom of the cardfront, using the set’s stitch image to repeatedly stamp across the strip.

I die cut a heart from a piece of plaid fabric, then machine stitched it to a cream panel. The dress form is set in place over the heart with foam tape. I added a cluster of three buttons, threaded with twine at the side of the heart. The set’s “stitched together with love” sentiment is stamped on a kraft panel and attached to the bottom of the panel with a few machine stitches at the end as an accent. After inking the panel’s edges with a little distress ink, I layered it on to a soft pink card base.

For more ideas using this theme, check out the links below. If you join in the challenge, feel free to add your link to the list.

Materials Used:
On the Mend and Dots & Lines stamp sets, Dish All the Dirt Brown and Paint the Town Pink inks, I’m a Princess Pink, Paint the Town Pink, Kraft Like a Rockstar, and On the Catwalk Cream cardstock, On the Mend Simple Cuts dies, Paint the Town Pink buttons (Clear and Simple Stamps); Tea Dye distress ink (Ranger); linen thread (The Cat’s Pajamas); fabric; sewing machine; foam tape

Birthday Fishes

Here’s my project for the current Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge. The challenge was to create a project inspired by this pretty beaded bracelet.


I took my inspiration from the colors and the idea of something strung on a cord to create this fun birthday card using images from the Birthday Buddies set.

I used my new Edgeabilities dies to cut two blue scallop edged strips that I layered along the bottom of the light aqua card base to make a watery backdrop. The set’s fish image is stamped on white cardstock, colored with Copic markers, and cut out. After lightly misting it with some shimmer spray and adding a little Glossy Accents to the eye, I attached it to the cardfront with a dimensional dot.

I made a small banner in the open upper left corner of the cardfront. A trio of rounded edge pennants, cut from patterned paper scraps, is attached to a cream string. I threaded beads on the string to mimic the feel of the beaded bracelet before securing the banner in place. The set’s “birthday fishes” sentiment is stamped at the bottom of the card in black ink. The punny sentiment makes this card a perfect fit for the current Ribbon Carousel Challenge, too.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Birthday Buddies stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink and Frost Shimmer Spritz, Copic markers (Y35, Y38, YR16, BG000), Spellbinders Classic Scallop Edgeabilities dies, My Mind’s Eye Lime Twist-Life of the Party 6x6 paper pad, Jillibean Soup Apple Cheddar Soup 6x6 paper pad, May Arts cream twisted burlap, Ranger Glossy Accents, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Aqua Mist and Hawaiian Shores cardstock, Banner Builder Collection dies (Papertrey Ink); beads

TCP Tuesday 176-Hello Pumpkin and a Prize

This week’s TCP Tuesday challenge is an inspiration challenge brought to us by Jen. Check out this lovely fall photo montage! I was inspired by the color palette, plus the pumpkin, and included those elements in my card, which is also based on Jen’s September Sketch for You to Try. You'll want to keep reading to the end of this post--there just might be something in it for you if you do . . .

I used the versatile PJ the Bear from the A Beary Good Year set as my focal image, stamping him holding a jack-o-lantern bucket in his hand (remember those from trick-or-treating as a child??). After coloring him up with Copic markers, I cut him out and added him to the card with foam tape. He’s set on panels of paper from Crate Paper’s new Farmhouse collection. The “hello pumpkin” sentiment is from the same named Hello Pumpkin set. I stamped it in orange on an orange notch-edged strip and accented it with a pair of layered flower buttons cut with the CutUps button flower die.

Now, on to the prize at the end of the post! Like that button flower? Want to have a CutUps button flower die of your own? Well, in honor of it being one year since the CutUps line was introduced, each member of the Cat Pack is giving away a CutUps die. Just leave a comment on this post and I’ll pick a winner on Monday to receive a button flower die. Be sure to stop by Alma’s blog for links to the Cat Pack and their creations—and to enter your own project into the drawing for this week’s Cat Cash prize.

Materials Used:
A Beary Good Year and Hello Pumpkin stamp sets, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Flower Button die, orange Divine Twine (The Cat's Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); Vivid Butterscotch ink (Clearsnap); Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Farmhouse 6x6 paper pad (Crate Paper); circle die (Spellbinders); Glossy Accents (Ranger); corner rounder; foam tape