Miss You

This week’s Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge is a Picture Perfect challenge. I was inspired by the leaves in the photo and created this card incorporating die cut leaves into my design.

I started off by adhering a green striped patterned paper panel, representing grass, to the bottom of a cream panel. I stamped the tree image from the Fanciful Fall set in Memento Luxe Rich Cocoa ink, then added a bunch of leaves die cut with the Leaves 1 die scattered underneath the tree. I was able to use up a bunch of cardstock scraps for the leaves, which is always nice. To add dimension, I popped up a few of the leaves with dimensional dots. The “miss you” sentiment from the Sentiment Sampler set is stamped next to the tree in Memento Luxe Toffee Crunch ink.

To mimic the water droplet look on the leaves in the photo, I used some gold shimmer spray. I admit, I was a bit nervous about this part and took a picture of the card pre-shimmering just in case I didn’t like the splattered look. To get my random splatters, I flicked the bottom (non-spray) end of the spray mechanism from a bottle of gold shimmer spray over the cream panel. Once it was dry and I decided I was okay with the splattered look, I adhered the panel to an olive card base to finish the card.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Fanciful Fall and Sentiment Sampler stamp sets and Leaves 1 dies, Tsukineko Memento Luxe Rich Cocoa and Toffee Crunch inks, Echo Park Paper and Glue 6x6 paper pad, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots 

other: Old Olive, Really Rust, More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); gold shimmer spray (Tsukineko)

Feel a Glow

Here's my card for the current sketch at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog.  I went with a trendy gray and yellow color combination for this love themed design.

I used the rounded light bulb image from Mama Elephant's Lights Out set as my focal image.  I stamped the solid bulb image in Memento Luxe Dandelion ink--the pigment ink gives great coverage for the solid image.  So that the bulb wasn't floating in space, I added a piece of black twine extending from the bulb to the top of the image panel.  The sentiment is stamped underneath the bulb in gray ink.

I layered the image panel on a gray panel along with a strip of yellow on yellow patterned paper.  The patterned paper is wrapped with some silvery satin ribbon that's secured with a knot.

Materials Used:
Lights Out stamp set (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Memento Luxe Gray Flannel and Dandelion inks (Tsukineko); Lemon Drop and Steel Grey cardstock (My Favorite Things); Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Dots and Stripes Candy Shoppe designer paper (Echo Park); satin ribbon (Target); black twine (Hemptique)

Color Throwdown 266-Let the Flakes Fall

It’s time for another Color Throwdown! It’s my turn to host the challenge this week and I found a photo featuring some hand felted acorns to use for inspiration. Aren’t they pretty?

My card features one of the newest releases from The Cat’s Pajamas, a snowman themed set called Let the Flakes Fall. I used the current Deconstructed Sketch as the basis for my card’s layout. I paired the sketch with some patterned papers from an older holiday pad (the two smaller panels) and a piece of dotted patterned paper left over in my scrap pile. The smaller panels are matted on Close to Cocoa panels and arranged on the dotted paper panel with some linen thread to break up the patterns a bit.

I made the background for the image from shimmery white cardstock, adding layered torn strips at the bottom of the panel for a snowbank. I colored the image with Copic markers and cut it out, then used foam tape to set it on top of the panel. The set’s “Merry Christmas” sentiment is stamped on a smaller round panel and adhered to the cardfront with more foam tape.

To play along, just create a paper crafted project using these colors as a starting point and add a direct link to your finished project using the linky tool found at the end of this week's CTD post. As always, if you don’t have exact color matches, something close works just fine. And, if you upload your project to an online gallery, use the keyword CTD266.

Before you get started, here’s some inspiration from the talented Color Throwdown team and our October guestie, Sankari Wegman.

** Barbara ** Broni ** Joan **

** Melody ** Tammy ** Vickie ** Wanda ** 

** October guestie Sankari Wegman **

Materials Used:
Let the Flakes Fall stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, beige linen thread (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Cherry Cobbler, Close to Cocoa, and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Jingle 6x6 paper pad (Lily Bee Design); circle dies (Spellbinders); circle punches (EK Success); corner rounder; foam tape

Glad Tidings

Here’s my card for this week’s Muse challenge. I was inspired by several of the inspiration card’s design elements, including the layout, the color scheme, and the image/theme.

I used one of the tree images from the Teeny Trees set from Waltzingmouse Stamps for the tree on my card. To get a two-toned look for the tree and the star garland, I stamped off the solid tree image on scrap paper before inking it on a piece of shimmery white cardstock. The star garland was then stamped over the solid image, then dotted with Stickles for even more shimmer. I cut the image out and used foam tape to adhere it to a shimmery white cardstock panel over a stamped tree trunk.

Instead of adding texture with embossing or modeling paste, I added depth to the background panel with some sponging. I used an ink blending tool and blue distress ink to add a subtle blue tint to the edges of the background panel.

To ground the tree, I hand cut a snowbank shape from shimmery white cardstock, then adhered it to the image panel with foam tape. I stamped the “glad tidings” sentiment at the bottom of the panel in blue ink, then edged the curved part of the panel with some Stickles. I debating stopping with that, but in the end, decided to add a trio of different sized silver sequins in the upper right hand corner of the panel.

Materials Used:
Teeny Trees stamp set (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Memento Bahama Blue ink (Tsukineko); Tumbled Glass distress ink, Crystal Ice Stickles, and Crystal Stickles (Ranger); Pacific Point and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); silver sequins (Michaels); foam tape

The Cat's Pajamas Release Blog Hop

Welcome to our release blog hop at The Cat’s Pajamas! You should be arriving here from Kimberly’s blog. If not, head over to Nancy to start from the top so you don’t miss a single inspiring creation.

Here’s my first project for today’s hop. I used the new Let the Flakes Fall set for this winter design. The saxophone playing snowman is front and center here. I set him on a light blue panel, embossed with a dotted pattern courtesy of the new CutUps Dot Background die, along with a shimmery white snowbank cut with one of the CutUps Holiday Toppers dies.

I used the snowflake die, also from the CutUps Holiday Toppers set, to create a sparkly border for the top of my image panel. I added a strip of festive red and white dotted paper and wrapped it with some red baker’s twine before matting the panel on red cardstock and attaching it to a gray card base. The final touch was a few silver sequin “snowflakes” scattered around the snowman for some extra sparkle.

And, here’s a sweet little project I shared during tonight’s Pajama Party in the TCP member forum on SCS. I was thrilled to see a Chanukah sentiment in the new Simply Holiday set, so I had to try it out right away. I used a small drawstring muslin bag to make a gelt bag to go with a wooden dreidel.

I stamped the “Happy Chanukah” sentiment at the bottom of the bag in blue ink. Before you stamp on a bag (or shirt, or something with two sides like this), be sure you put a piece of cardboard between the two sides to ensure that the ink doesn’t bleed through. That would be a problem! After I stamped, I used a pencil to lightly sketch a star of David on the bag above the star. Then, I hand embroidered the star, using my pencil lines as a guide.

The hop’s not over yet! Head on over to Kelli Jo for even more inspiration. Thanks for stopping by!

Materials Used (Let it Snow, Man card):
Let the Flakes Fall stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Dot Background and Holiday Toppers dies, Divine Twine red baker’s twine (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Real Red, Soft Sky, and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Steel Grey cardstock (My Favorite Things); North Pole Collection Kit (Doodlebug Design); silver sequins (Michaels); foam tape

Materials Used (Happy Chanukah gelt bag):
Simply Holiday stamp set (The Cat’s Pajamas); Versafine Deep Lagoon ink (Tsukineko); drawstring muslin bag (Michaels); embroidery floss

My Umbrella

Here’s my card for the last Viva la Verve sketch for October. I pulled out Verve’s Rain or Shine set (again!) for this one.

You may have to look at this one a bit to see the sketch. I decided to flip the sketch around so that the umbrella and clouds would be at the top of the image/sentiment panel instead of on the bottom. I used white felt die cut clouds to add texture, then popped the umbrella over the clouds with some foam tape. The “you can stand under my umbrella” sentiment is stamped at the bottom of the panel in teal ink. A few blue sequin “raindrops” add a little sparkle to the panel.

I matted the sentiment panel on a golden yellow circle, then layered it on a striped cardstock panel. The striped cardstock panel is adhered to a yellow on yellow dotted patterned paper panel, then adhered to a light blue card base.

Materials Used:
Rain or Shine stamp set (Verve Stamps); Memento Tuxedo Black and Teal Zeal inks (Tsukineko); Vivid Straw ink (Clearsnap); Harvest Gold cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Sea Glass cardstock (Avery Elle); Tappy Go Lucky 6x6 paper pad (Fancy Pants); Be Loved “Sweet Hearts” designer paper (My Mind’s Eye); cloud dies (Lil’ Inker Designs); circle dies (Spellbinders); blue sequins (Treehouse Studios); white felt; foam tape

Pumpkin Fusion

Here’s a sweet design for the current Fusion challenge. I combined elements from the sketch with elements from the inspiration photo to put this card together.

I represented the orange from the inspiration photo with the pumpkin image from Reverse Confetti’s Forever Fall set. It’s cut out and adhered to a white paper doily with a piece of green woodgrain patterned paper at the center. The round doily with the panels on top is my take on the circular shape of the sketch. I stamped the “hello pumpkin” sentiment in brown ink on an aqua notch-ended strip and tucked it underneath the pumpkin image. A few orange enamel dots scattered around add a little shine and dimension to the design.

I layered the doily on a piece of light blue dotted paper to bring in more of the pretty blue from the inspiration photo. After matting the patterned paper on an orange panel, I adhered it to a crisp white card base.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers:  Reverse Confetti Forever Fall stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Tangelo ink, and Memento Luxe Rich Cocoa and Pistachio inks, Lawn Fawn Into the Woods 6x6 paper pad, Doodlebug Design Happy Harvest 6x6 paper pad and Tangerine Sprinkles enamel dots, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Aqua Mist cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); white paper doily

Pinterest Inspired Pumpkin

Here's a sweet little card for the current Lawnscaping challenge to create a project based on something you've pinned on Pinterest.  My card is based on this pin featuring a trio of Halloween
canvases.  I scaled down the elements in the current sketch from Freshly Made Sketches to fit my mini 3 inch square card.

Instead of focusing on one single canvas for inspiration, I incorporated a variety of elements from the trio in my design, including a pumpkin, some sparkly gold, the chevron pattern, and the color scheme.  I used the pumpkin from Lawn Fawn's So Thankful set as my focal image.  It's colored with Spectrum Noir markers and cut out.  I used dimensional dots to attach the pumpkin to a kraft panel stamped with one of the images from the Chevron Backdrops set.  I used Memento Luxe Toffee Crunch ink--looks great on kraft!  To go with the pumpkin, I stamped the "hi there" sentiment from Sophie's Sentiments in black ink.

I matted the finished image panel on a piece of shimmery gold paper, then layered it on a white panel on top of a black square that I also matted with shimmery gold.  The white panel is attached to a small kraft card base.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers:  Lawn Fawn So Thankful, Chevron Backdrops, and Sophie's Sentiments stamp sets, Crafter's Companion ultrasmooth white cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink and Memento Luxe Toffee Crunch ink, Spectrum Noir markers (CT3, CT5, OR1, OR2, OR3, GB7, DG3, TN5, TN7), Hemptique natural twine, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Basic Black cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Desert Storm cardstock (Neenah); gold paper (Target)

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge--and a Sneaky Peek, Too!

It’s time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! I’m combining my SSSC card with another sneaky peek of a set from the upcoming release from The Cat’s Pajamas. The new stamp set I'm sharing today (plus six other new sets and three brand new dies, too!) will be available on Tuesday, October 29.

My card uses the sketch flipped on its side to show off the gift-toting penguin from then Believe stamp set. The image is stamped in Versafine Onyx Black ink—it’s my absolute favorite for stamping the penguin images so that they’re a true, solid black. I used Copic markers to color the image and added just a touch of glitter on the snowy rooftop. The “holiday wishes” sentiment is stamped in the open space above the image.

I matted the colored image on an olive panel, then set it on a red panel along with a piece of seasonal dotted designer paper. A strip of olive grosgrain ribbon along the right side of the card adds a little texture to the simple design.

To play along, just create a card based on the sketch and link it up on Karen’s blog. For lots of inspiration be sure to check out what the other Sweet Sunday Sketch stampers have created for you this week. Here’s where to find them:

Dana White
Dawn Easton
Jackie Pedro
--taking the week off Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Lisa Henke
Lynn Put
Melissa Hubert
--taking the week off Sarah-Jane Kalé
Tracy Clemente
Vicki Burdick

And, you can see more sneaky peeks of this set from the other Cat Pack members listed on Alma’s blog.

If you like what you see, you don’t want to miss out on a chance to win this set for yourself even before you can buy it. That’s right, our now traditional In it to Win it contest is back! Be sure to stop by the In it to Win it thread in the TCP member forum on SCS to chat with the Cat Pack and other TCP fans. One lucky commenter each day will be randomly selected to win one of the new releases.



Be sure to mark the TCP release night Pajama Party on your calendar. It’s coming up on Monday, October 28 from 8-10 PM EST in the TCP member company forum on SCS. I hope you’ll join us for chatting, fun, games, and some prizes, too.  I’ll be there in my pajamas!

Materials Used:
Believe stamp set, Neenah white cardstock (The Cat’s Pajamas); Versafine Onyx Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Real Red and Old Olive cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); North Pole 6x6 paper pad (Doodlebug Design); olive grosgrain ribbon (Morex); Crystal Stickles (Ranger)

You Blow Me Away

Here's my card for the current Waltzingmouse Fanatics challenge.  My card's a pretty loose interpretation of the sketch, but if you look closely, I think you can figure out how it works!

I used the large pinwheel image from the Waltzingmouse Stamps Playful Pinwheels set as my focal image.  The pinwheel was stamped on white cardstock and the individual sections were filled in with the matching images using contrasting yellow and red inks.  A red enamel dot is set in the center for a little dimension.  I used foam tape to attach the finished pinwheel to a piece of yellow striped patterned paper. 

Instead of using paper to make the curvy strip behind the pinwheel, I used sections of two crystal flourishes, positioned to create a curvy path.  The "you blow me away" sentiment is stamped at the bottom of the patterned paper panel in red ink.  I layered the finished panel on a bright red cardfront to match the red of the sentiment and the pinwheel.

Materials Used:
Playful Pinwheels stamp set (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Memento Dandelion ink (Tsukineko); Wild Cherry ink (My Favorite Things); Real Red and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); striped paper (Studio Calico); clear crystal flourishes (Michaels); red enamel dot (Prima); foam tape

Sneaky Peek-Bounce Back

Sneaky peeks continue today for the upcoming release from The Cat’s Pajamas.  Seven brand new stamp sets and 3 new dies will be available on Tuesday, October 29.

Today, we’re peeking the new Bounce Back set, which features the big-eared bunny feeling a little under the weather. I paired the bunny with this week’s Mojo Monday sketch to create a get well card.

I colored the bunny, scarf, water bottle, and thermometer with Copic markers, then used a scrap of plaid patterned paper to paper piece the blanket wrapped around the bunny’s body. I trimmed the panel to an almost square shape using the out of the box technique so that the tips of the bunny’s ears extend just beyond the border of the panel. It’s an easy way to add interest to a design.

After matting the image on a gray panel, I set it on a light blue panel over a blue dotted circle and a strip of gray grid patterned paper. Some red ribbon tied around the grid patterned panel and a trio of small banner strips, cut with the banner die from the CutUps Easy Rosette die, add a pop of color to the card. I stamped the “get well wishes” sentiment on the dotted circle in black ink, then layered the finished panel on a gray card base.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Cat Pack members sharing sneaky peeks today. Here’s where to find them:

Kelli
Jessie
Lori--you're here!
Nancy
Susan
Wendy

And, you don’t want to miss out on a chance to win this set for yourself even before you can buy it. That’s right, our now traditional In it to Win it contest is back! Be sure to stop by the In it to Win it thread in the TCP member forum on SCS to chat with the Cat Pack and other TCP fans. One lucky commenter each day will be randomly selected to win one of the new releases.

Before you go off hopping and chatting, be sure to mark our release night Pajama Party on your calendar. It’s coming up on Monday, October 28 from 8-10 PM EST in the TCP member company forum on SCS. I hope you’ll join us. I’ll be there in my pajamas!

Materials Used:
Bounce Back stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Easy Rosette die (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black and Versafine Onyx Black inks (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Sea Glass cardstock (Avery Elle); Steel Grey cardstock (My Favorite Things); Miss Caroline-Dilly Dally 6x6 paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); circle dies (Spellbinders); red stitched grosgrain ribbon (Creative Impressions)

If the Broom Fits

Here’s my card for this week’s sketch from CAS(e) this Sketch. It’s actually not my first attempt at the sketch—I finished something else, but just wasn’t wild about how it turned out. As I was falling asleep on Thursday night, a second idea came to mind. Fortunately, I remembered it early on Friday morning as I was sleepwalking on the treadmill before work! When I got home on Friday afternoon (earlier than usual because of a visit from the plumber—I have a big home improvement project about to get underway next week!), I sat down at my crafting table to put the card together before the idea slipped from my mind altogether.

I used the cool crosshatched witch image from the Lil’ Inker Designs Bats and Broomsticks set for this version of the card. To accommodate the orientation of the witch image, I flipped the location of the elements. The witch is stamped in gray pigment ink on pale purple cardstock and die cut with the matching die, then adhered to the card base with foam tape. Matching the color of the paper I used for the die cut image to the color of the card base helps the two to blend together nicely.

I stamped the “if the broom fits” sentiment behind the witch, also in black ink. A die cut white stitched circle acts a moon for the spooky scene.  A few silver sequin "stars" finish the design.

Materials Used:
Bats and Broomsticks stamp set, Stitched Circle and Bats and Broomsticks dies (Lil’ Inker Designs); Memento Luxe Gray Flannel ink (Tsukineko); Almost Amethyst and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); silver sequins (Treehouse Studio); foam tape

Fangtastic

This week’s Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge is a Cool Shades challenge featuring orange, kraft, light purple, and teal. I used the colors along with this week’s sketch from Retro Sketches to make this Halloween themed design.

I used the vampire from the Spookalicious set as my focal image. He’s colored with Spectrum Noir markers and cut out, then adhered to an orange dotted patterned paper panel using dimensional dots.

I set the panel on a kraft card base over a teal chevron striped glassine bag. The bag’s attached to the cardfront so it’s still open in the top and I can tuck a gift card or other treat inside. I dressed it up a bit with a piece of twine and an orange button. I stamped the “fangtastic” sentiment at the bottom of the dotted paper panel and added a trio of teal enamel dots around the image as a fun accent.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Spookalicioius stamp set, Crafter’s Companion ultrasmooth white cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Spectrum Noir markers (LV1, LV2, OR1, GB4, GB5, BT1, BT2, FS1, FS2), Lily Bee Pinwheel 6x6 paper pad, Hemptique natural twine, Doodlebug Design Swimming Pool Sprinkles enamel dots, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots 

other: Kraft cardstock (Papertrey Ink); teal chevron glassine bag, orange button (Michaels)

Sending Love and Hugs

This week’s blogger challenge theme is black and white with a pop of color. I used a classic black, white, and red color scheme for this love themed design based on this week’s My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch.

I die cut a doily shape from shimmery white cardstock and adhered it to a black cardstock panel, trimming off the excess from the right edge of the panel for a clean look.  I added a pair of layered black and white pierced circle die cuts to the doily center.

To go with my love theme, I die cut a red heart from felt and added it to the doily’s center. I stamped the “sending love and hugs” sentiment from the Doodle Garden Sweet Friend set in red ink and adhered it to the panel, extending out from underneath the edge of the heart. A trio of red sequins around the sentiment add a little sparkle to the design.  The finished panel is layered on an easy to write on white card base.

Materials Used:
Doodle Garden Sweet Friend stamp set, Electric Red ink, and Die-namics Pierced Circle and Hearts Aplenty dies (My Favorite Things); Real Red, Basic Black, and ShimmeryWhite cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Antiqu Doily die (Lifestyle Crafts); red sequins (Michaels); red felt; white paper doily

Eat. Sleep. Play Football

Sneaky peeks continue today for the upcoming release from The Cat’s Pajamas. New products will be available on Tuesday, October 29. Today, we’re peeking the new Go! Fight! Win! set, which features our favorite big-eared bunny in action on the football field. Too cute! 

I paired the bunny with the current sketch at Seize the Sketch to create this sporty design. I colored the bunny’s uniform to match the colors of my alma mater, the University of Wisconsin (Go Badgers!). He’s cut out and adhered to a blue panel with some strips of green grass cut with TCP’s CutUps Grass Border die. I adhered the finished scene to a piece of chevron patterned paper along with a kraft fishtail flag strip. The “eat, sleep, play football” sentiment is stamped on the end of the kraft strip in black ink. 

Be sure to check out the rest of the Cat Pack members sharing sneaky peeks today. Here’s where to find them: 

Kelli
Kimberly
Lisa
Lori--you're here!
Nancy
Noelle
Wendy

And, you don’t want to miss out on a chance to win this set for yourself even before you can buy it. That’s right, our now traditional In it to Win it contest is back! Be sure to stop by the In it to Win it thread in the TCP member forum on SCS to chat with the Cat Pack and other TCP fans. One lucky commenter each day will be randomly selected to win one of the new releases.



Before you go off hopping and chatting, be sure to mark our release night Pajama Party on your calendar. It’s coming up on Monday, October 28 from 8-10 PM EST in the TCP member company forum on SCS. I hope you’ll join us. I’ll be there in my pajamas!

Materials Used: 
Go! Fight! Win! stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Grass Border die (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black and Versafine Onyx Black inks (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Kraft cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Bashful Blue, Kiwi Kiss, and Riding Hood Red cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Rough and Tumble 6x6 paper pad (Carta Bella); foam tape 

You Are my Whirl

Here’s my card for the Bedtime Story sketch shared at last week’s Waltzingmouse Stamps Pajama Party. I put together a clean and simple design using the Playful Pinwheels set.

I used the smaller pinwheel image and colored it with Copic markers. After cutting out the colored image, I used foam tape to attach it to a pierced circle. The center of the pinwheel is dressed up with a tiny red crystal.

To go with the pinwheel’s cheery red and golden yellow color scheme, I covered a yellow card base with a piece of yellow patterned paper. I machine stitched around the panel’s edges before adding a pair of layered fishtail flag strips. The “you are my whirl” sentiment is stamped on the top flag strip in red ink. I attached the image panel next to the sentiment, then accented it with some pieces of clear crystal flourish for a fun sparkle.

Materials Used:
Playful Pinwheels stamp set (Waltzingmouse Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Memento Luxe Love Letter ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Harvest Gold cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Real Red cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Walnut Grove 6x6 paper pad (Pebbles); Die-namics Pierced Circle, Fishtail Flag Stax, and Fishtail Flag Layers Stax dies (My Favorite Things); clear crystal flourish, red crystal (Michaels); sewing machine; foam tape

Color Throwdown 265-Hello Deer

It’s time for another Color Throwdown! Joan is our hostess this week and she’s challenged us to use Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Not Quite Navy, White, and Pistachio Pudding in our designs.

I just can’t get enough of the adorable deer image from Lawn Fawn’s Into the Woods set, so I used it again as the focal image on this card. The layout’s based on the current sketch at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog. I colored the deer with Spectrum Noir markers, then used the matching die from the Into the Woods die set to cut it out. It’s set on a panel made from two different papers from the Into the Woods paper pad—a blue patterned one for the sky and a green striped one for grass. I layered the round panel on a Not Quite Navy mat, then set it on a green panel (I substituted Pear Pizzazz for Pistachio Pudding . . .)

I scored and folded a strip of cardstock to shape into a dimensional banner to add at the bottom of the image panel. I mixed words from two different sets—“hello” from the So Much to Say set and “deer” from the Into the Woods set—to create my own sentiment. A bunch of different sized enamel dots are scattered around the image panel for a pop of color and some texture.

To play along, just create a paper crafted project using these colors as a starting point and add a direct link to your finished project using the linky tool found at the end of this week's CTD post. As always, if you don’t have exact color matches, something close works just fine. And, if you upload your project to an online gallery, use the keyword CTD265.

Before you get started, here’s some inspiration from the talented Color Throwdown team and our October guestie, Sankari Wegman.

** Barbara ** Broni ** Joan **

** Melody ** Tammy ** Vickie ** Wanda ** 

** October guestie Sankari Wegman **

And, don't forget about the big 5th birthday sale going on now at i {heart} papers.  IHP is thrilled to be celebrating our 5th birthday this month! To celebrate we’re having 5 days of savings! From October 21-25 check the SALE PAGE for steep birthday savings on hundreds of items, some marked down as much as 50%! 

We know there’s no way we could have made it this far without each and every one of our loyal customers sharing their IHP love with their friends or following us on Facebook, Twitter, our blog or through our newsletter. We will also have a giveaways on the blog and on Twitter during these days (they’ll be linked from Facebook too but since giveaways aren’t technically allowed on Facebook we have to do it on the blog!) so be sure to check in daily to see how to enter.

But wait! There’s more! Most customers know that Kate is a huge dog rescue advocate, volunteering for a local dog rescue, transporting dogs in need and doing rescue work on Facebook. October happens to also be Adopt A Shelter Dog month, as well as the birthday of one of Kate’s dogs, BooBoo and the Gotcha/Adoption day of Mr. Barbo. So, in honor of all of that, IHP will be donating 10% of all sales during the birthday sale to Home For Good Dog Rescue, Eleventh Hour Rescue and Pilots ‘n Paws.  Happy shopping!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Lawn Fawn Into the Woods and So Much to Say stamp sets , Into the Woods 6x6 paper pad, and Into the Woods dies, Crafter’s Companion ultrasmooth white cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Spectrum Noir markers (TN3, TN5, TN7, EB4, CR2), Doodlebug Design Tangerine and Lily White enamel dots, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots 

other: Not Quite Navy and Pear Pizzazz cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); You're a Natural Darling cardstock (Clear and Simple Stamps); circle dies (Spellbinders)

Muse(ing) on Life

Here’s my card for this week’s Muse challenge. I loved the soft color palette of Darnell’s card and the watercolor look of her image, so I incorporated those elements in my design.

I used one of the floral images from Papertrey Ink’s Life stamp set as my focal image. The image was colored with markers to get the different colors on the stems and flowers. I stamped the image on a flecked cream card base, then stamped the sentiment next to it in gray ink. I went with gray instead of black for a softer look to match the card’s pastel tones.

I added a lavender panel with a torn edge to the bottom edge of the card, which helped to ground the image—and incorporated the torn element from Darnell’s original design, too. I wrapped the lavender panel with some green satin ribbon from my scrap pile and tied the ends in a knot to finish the design.

Materials Used:
Life stamp set, Lavender Moon cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Memento Gray Flannel ink and Memento Lulu Lavender and Pear Tart markers (Tsukineko); Oatmeal cardstock (WPlus9); green satin ribbon (Michaels)

Be Jolly, By Golly!

Sneaky peeks are starting today for the upcoming release from The Cat’s Pajamas! Seven new stamp sets and three brand new dies will be coming your way on Tuesday, October 29.  How exciting!

Today we’re showing off the new Peace, Joy, and Penguins set featuring our favorite penguin trio. The layout on my festive design is inspired by the current Deconstructed Sketch. I colored the penguins just a bit—when you’re this cute, you don’t need much extra, right?—then matted the colored image on a red cardstock panel.

I cut circles from three different coordinating patterned papers and adhered them to a piece of green dotted patterned paper. It took a few shifts and switches to settle on an arrangement I liked. The circles are topped with a strip of red stitched grosgrain ribbon. I set the image panel in place over the circles and ribbon strip. There was just enough room left to stamp the “be jolly, by golly!” sentiment at the bottom of the card in black ink and to scatter a few super sparkly silver sequins around the card.

Don’t miss the rest of the Cat Pack members sharing peeks of this new set today. Here’s where to find them:

Kelli Jo
Kimberly
Jessie
Lori--you're here!
Nancy
Noelle
Susan
Wendy

And, you don’t want to miss out on a chance to win this set for yourself even before you can buy it. That’s right, our now traditional In it to Win it contest is back! Be sure to stop by the In it to Win it thread in the TCP member forum on SCS to chat with the Cat Pack and other TCP fans. One lucky commenter each day will be randomly selected to win one of the new releases.

Before you go off hopping and chatting, be sure to mark our release night Pajama Party on your calendar. It’s coming up on Monday, October 28 from 8-10 PM EST in the TCP member company forum on SCS. I hope you’ll join us. I’ll be there in my pajamas!

Materials Used:
Peace, Joy, and Penguins stamp set, Neenah white cardstock (The Cat’s Pajamas); Versafine Onyx Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Green Galore and Real Red cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); North Pole designer papers (Doodlebug Design); circle dies (Spellbinders); red stitched grosgrain ribbon (Creative Impressions); silver sequins 

Sun and Stars

Over the weekend I got caught up on my cards for the last two weeks worth of Viva la Verve sketches.  Here’s my card for week 3’s sketch. I think this one would make a nice baby card.

For the trio of elements on the focal image panel, I die cut stars from silver paper using a star die with a stitching detail. Each star is adhered to the panel with foam tape for dimension. The trio of evenly spaced circle openings is courtesy of the Circle Trio die from Clear and Simple Stamps—much better than I could ever do on my own!

 I adhered the panel to a blue mat, then did a little zig zag stitching with my sewing machine along the bottom right side. Ignore how not straight the stitching is. I have a love-hate relationship with the zig zag stitch on my sewing machine—I love it, but it never works well when I use it.

I adhered the finished panel to a piece of blue on blue dotted patterned paper. The “twinkle brightly shining star” from Verve’s Shining Star set is stamped just beneath the image panel in gray ink.

Materials Used:
Shining Star stamp set (Verve Stamps); Memento Gray Flannel ink (Tsukineko); Sea Glass cardstock (Avery Elle); Harvest Gold cardstock (Papertrey Ink); silver paper (Target); Handmade-Sky Blue designer paper (Lily Bee Design); stitched star die (Lil’ Inker Designs); Circle Trio die (Clear and Simple Stamps); sewing machine; foam tape 

And, here’s my card for week 4’s sketch. I’ve been enjoying my new Rain or Shine set (you can see some of my other creations with it here and here), so I inked it up again for this design.

I replaced the sketch’s oval panel with a round one and used a pair of layered circles—one striped and one with a pinking edge—to make a sun. The set’s “you are my sunshine” sentiment is stamped on the striped paper in black ink. I used foam tape to attach the stamped circle to a light blue panel covered with a trio of blue dotted fishtail flag strips cut to different lengths. I threaded a length of orange satin ribbon across the cardfront, tucking it underneath the circle panel and securing the ends on the back of the card. A bow, made from the same orange satin ribbon with the help of my Bow Easy, is adhered to the side of the round panel. A trio of white sequins arranged around the sun finishes off the design.

Materials Used:
Rain or Shine stamp set (Verve Stamps); Versafine Onyx Black ink (Tsukineko); Aqua Mist cardstock, Orange Zest patterned paper (Papertrey Ink); Pumpkin Pie cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Everyday 6x6 paper pad (American Crafts); Die-namics Fishtail Flag Layers Stax die (My Favorite Things); circle and pinking circle dies (Spellbinders); orange satin ribbon (Michaels); white sequins; Bow Easy; foam tape

Bee Sweet

I’m thrilled to be an alumni guest designer for today’s SCS clean and simple stamping challenge. This week’s theme is candy and/or costumes. I put together a sweet card featuring a costumed creature from Lawn Fawn’s Critters in Costume stamp set. I’m partial to this bear dressed as a bee mostly because this Halloween, my very own Chloe the cutie puppy will be dressed as a bee, complete with light-up wings. She's most definitely not a girly girl, so it's a challenge to find her a  costume!  I think the bee's a good choice for her and she’s going to look awesome—be sure to stop back here on November 1 (or visit Inking Aloud on Facebook on Halloween) for a look at her in all her costumed glory . . .

Anyway, here’s my clean and simple design. I colored the dressed up bear with Spectrum Noir markers, then used the matching die from the Critters in Costume die set to cut out the image. I used a dimensional dot to attach the bear to a white panel, then adhered the panel to a yellow card base.  To highlight the panel's angular shape, I cut a narrow strip of black cardstock to frame to white panel.  I love how the frame mimics the stripes on the costume!

The set's "bee sweet" sentiment is stamped  in black ink on a yellow fishtail flag strip and adhered just above the image.  I added a little sparkle with a scattering of silver sequins arranged around the image.

And, just a reminder that the big fifth (yes, fifth!) birthday celebration sale is now underway at i {heart} papers. IHP is my favorite place to get Lawn Fawn stamps and dies, among other great goodies. You can find all the sale items here.  Happy shopping!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Lawn Fawn Critters in Costume stamp set and Critters in Costume dies, Crafter’s Companion ultrasmooth white cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Spectrum Noir markers (CT2, CT3, GB3, TN5, TN6, TN7, EB4, BT1, BT2, IG3, IG4, IG5, IG7, IG8), silver sequins, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots 

other:  Wild Dandelion cardstock (Gina K Designs); Basic Black cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Crystal Stickles (Ranger)

Rain or Shine

Here’s my card for the current 10 Minute Craft Dash challenge. I used the challenge colors—lipstick red, turquoise, and olive—to make a simple friendship themed card with Verve’s Rain or Shine stamp set.

I did my stamping on a white panel. To keep things super simple, I paper pieced the umbrella using a piece of patterned paper that included all of the challenge colors. It’s attached to the panel with foam tape. I stamped the sentiment next to the umbrella in red ink, then scattered a few turquoise sequin raindrops around the umbrella. After edging the panel with red and olive cardstock strips, I adhered it to a turquoise card base. Finished in 8 minutes, 22 seconds!

Materials Used:
Rain or Shine stamp set (Verve Stamps); Memento Tuxedo Black ink and Memento Luxe Love Letter ink (Tsukineko); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, and Old Olive cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Fresh Goods-Local Market designer paper (Pebbles); sequins (Hobby Lobby); foam tape

Fall Sympathy

Here's a simple earth-toned sympathy card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge.  It's based on the sympathy card seen here.  I changed the design to a "triple time" stamped one and used two different stamp sets from Papertrey Ink.

I stamped the leaves from PTI's Leaf Prints set in various Memento inks across a trio of cream panels held in place with some repositionable adhesive, being careful to switch up the placement of different color leaves for interest.  The "with heartfelt sympathy" sentiment from the Through the Trees set is stamped on the smallest panel. I probably should have done a better job of filling this panel, but I was worried about crowding the sentiment too much.

Once I was finished stamping, I separated the panels and matted them on rust cardstock panels, then lined them up on the rust card base.  I added a section of a cream pearl flourish for a final elegant touch.

Materials Used:
Through the Trees and Leaf Prints stamp sets (Papertrey Ink); Memento Peanut Brittle, Pistachio, Potter's Clay, and Cantaloupe inks (Tsukineko); Really Rust and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin' Up!); pearl flourish (Want2Scrap)

Merci

Here's my card for this month's Avery Elle AEI♥U challenge. I used the sketch with a "classic" Avery Elle set, Petals and Stems, for this feminine thank you card.

I used a piece of blue dotted paper as the backdrop for my card--I love the somewhat unexpected pale pink dots with the blue!  The patterned paper is topped with a paper doily with a pale pink circle in the center.

I die cut a light blue tag using the large tag die from Avery Elle's Simply Tags die set and adhered that to the pink circle, then added one of the pretty flowers from the Petals and Stems set on top.  The flower and leaves were stamped with Memento Luxe inks--they work beautifully with solid images like these.

The "merci" sentiment is stamped in the open space above the flower in dark pink ink.  I scattered a trio of pink sequins round the flower and sentiment for a little sparkle and shine.  The finished panel is adhered to a dark pink cardfront to bring in just a bit more of that color to the design.

I'm sure you know by now that my favorite place to get Avery Elle stamps and dies (and those fabulous stamp storage pockets, too!) is i {heart} papers. Did you know that October is IHP's birthday?  i {heart} papers is thrilled to be celebrating our 5th birthday this month! To celebrate we’re having 5 days of savings! From October 21-25 (Monday through Friday) check our SALE PAGE for steep birthday savings on hundreds of items, some marked down as much as 50%! 

We know there’s no way we could have made it this far without each and every one of our loyal customers sharing their IHP love with their friends or following us on Facebook, Twitter, our blog or through our newsletter. We will also have a giveaways on the blog and on Twitter during these days (they’ll be linked from Facebook too but since giveaways aren’t technically allowed on Facebook we have to do it on the blog!) so be sure to check in daily to see how to enter.

But wait! There’s more! Most customers know that Kate is a huge dog rescue advocate, volunteering for a local dog rescue, transporting dogs in need and doing rescue work on Facebook. October happens to also be Adopt A Shelter Dog month, as well as the birthday of one of Kate’s dogs, BooBoo and the Gotcha/Adoption day of Mr. Barbo. So, in honor of all of that, IHP will be donating 10% of all sales during the birthday sale to Home For Good Dog Rescue, Eleventh Hour Rescue and Pilots ‘n Paws. Thank you for supporting IHP for 5 years. We’re so happy to celebrate this milestone with all of you!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers:  Avery Elle Petals and Stems stamp set and Simply Tags dies, Tsukineko Memento Luxe Angel Pink and Pistachio inks and Memento Rose Bud ink, My Mind's Eye Cut and Paste "Adorbs" 6x6 paper pad, May Arts white faux suede ribbon, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other:  Bashful Blue, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); pink sequins (Avery Elle); white paper doily