The Cat's Pajamas September Release Blog Hop

Welcome to the September release Blog Hop at The Cat's Pajamas!  Seven new stamp sets, four new CutUps die sets, and two new Cutables cut files are available for purchase today.  You should have arrived here from Swanky Stamper Brenda's blog.  You can get all of the details on the hop here at the TCP blog.

Today, we're combining our new release projects with the new TCP Tuesday challenge.  The challenge is a color challenge using light gray, rust, and dark blue.  I used the new Cutables Twisted Easel cut file along with the Brains stamp set for this card.  You can check out a video on how to use this Cutables file here.

I cut the card base from a piece of navy cardstock using my Silhouette electronic cutter.  I cut the top panels from a rust colored patterned paper, then layered them on the pale gray mat pieces before adhering them to the card.  The mummy image was colored just a bit with my Copic markers, then adhered to the top of the card using foam tape.

Here's a look at the card once it's "twisted."  On the inside, you can see the "time to unwind" sentiment.  To dress it up a bit, I added a row of slime along the bottom using the new CutUps Slime/Icicle die.  For a little sparkle, I ran a strip of silver paper along the bottom edge of the die cut strip.

From here, be sure to hop on to Kelli's blog to check out what she has to share.  And, link up your project using the challenge colors to be eligible to win the Cat Cash prize that's up for grabs!

Materials Used:
Brains! stamp set, CutUps Slime/Icicle die, Cutables Twisted Easel cut file (The Cat's Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black and Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Night of Navy cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Grout Gray cardstock (My Favorite Things); silver paper (Target); Abbey Road-Round and Round "Road Trip" See the Signs designer paper (My Mind's Eye); foam tape

Sneaky Peek-Joy to the World

Sneaky Peek Week at The Cat's Pajamas wraps up today with a look at the new Joy to the World
set.  Tomorrow will be the big release of seven new stamp sets, four new CutUps die sets, and two new Cutables cut files.

Here's my card featuring the new set.  I colored TCP's penguin trio using Copic markers, then used foam tape to adhere the colored image to a green dotted paper panel.  It's hard to see in the photo, but I added a little white flock to the pom pom on the striped hat to give the image a little texture.

The set's "joy to the world" sentiment was stamped on a red banner strip die cut with TCP's CutUps Framed Up 2 die.  I added the sentiment to the top of the patterned paper panel, then accented it with a green button tied with black twine. The finished panel was adhered to a gray card base.


We've got lots of fun planned for the week leading up to the big release.  Be sure to stop by the TCP member company forum on SCS to chat with the Cat Pack and other TCP fans in our traditional In It to Win It thread.  Each day, one lucky commenter will be chosen to win one of the new stamp sets before you can buy it.  Don't miss out on the fun--and the chance to win!

Don't miss what the rest of the Cat Pack has created using this new set.  Here's where to find them:

Christine
Kelli
Lisa
Lori--you're here
Noelle
Wendy

And, don't miss out on tonight's Pajama Party in the TCP member company forum on SCS. After a long day of teaching kindergarten, I'll definitely be wearing my pajamas when it's time for the PJ party!  There will be games, treats, and surprises . . .

Materials Used:
Joy to the World stamp set, CutUps Framed Up 2 die (The Cat's Pajamas); Versafine Onyx Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Steel Grey cardstock (My Favorite Things); Real Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Home for the Holidays 6x6 paper pad (Doodlebug Design); black twine (Hemptique); green button (Michaels); white flock (Stampendous); foam tape

Paper Smooches SPARKS--Hope Your Day Rocks

***  Scroll down to the post below or click HERE to see my card for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge. ***

This week's Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge is a Designer Draft challenge.  This sketch is perfect for using up scraps of patterned paper--and that's exactly what I did on my card!

I started off by finding several different paper scraps in coordinating colors. After deciding on an arrangement that I liked, I trimmed the scraps on an angle, then adhered them to the top of a golden yellow card base.

Once the strips were in place, I added a trio of gold stars die cut with the Stars die set. The "hope your day rocks" sentiment from the Beboppin set was stamped beneath the paper strips in orange pigment ink.

Don't miss what the rest of the talented SPARKS team has created for the challenge.  Here's where to find them: 

Katie Gehring

Lori Tecler--you're here!

Lynn Mangan

Vera Wirianta Yates

Savannah O'Gwynn 

Materials Used:
Beboppin stamp set and Stars dies (Paper Smooches); Fizz ink (Avery Elle); Harvest Gold cardstock (Papertrey Ink); gold paper (Target); Summer Bliss and Dots and Stripes--Soda Fountain 6x6 paper pads (Echo Park); foam tape

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 238-Happy Birthday to You

It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge!  This week's sketch is a great square layout.  I used it to make a birthday card with colors inspired by the current Reverse Confetti color challenge.

I stamped the "happy birthday to you" sentiment from the Reverse Confetti All About You set in gray ink on a pierced circle die cut. After matting the sentiment panel on a gray circle, I adhered it to a cheery yellow dotted patterned paper panel.

I layered the dotted panel on a bright pink textured cardstock panel, then adhered a pair of layered solid cardstock strips just beneath the stamped sentiment.  To accent the panel, I added a dotted flower stamped with one of the images from the Petals 'n Posies set and cut out with the matching die.  A big gray enamel dot at the flower's center adds a little shine and texture to the design.  I hand cut a narrow fishtail flag strip and tucked it underneath the raised flower.

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:

Barbara Anders
Dana White
Jackie Pedro
Jenny Peterson
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Lisa Henke
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kalé
Tracy Clemente--taking the week off
Vicki Burdick

Materials Used:
All About You and Petals 'n Posies stamp sets, Confetti Cuts Petals 'n Posies dies (Reverse Confetti); Memento Luxe Gray Flannel and Rose Bud inks (Tsukineko); Daffodil Delight and Melon Mambo cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Steel Grey cardstock, Pierced Circle Stax dies (My Favorite Things); Summer Bliss 6x6 paper pad (Echo Park); foam tape

L'Shana Tova

Here's my card for this week's Paper Smooches SPARKS Anything Goes challenge.  I couldn't let Rosh Hashanah pass without inking up the Kibitzing Icons set.  I had a small hand in designing this set with Kim and it's one of my favorites for cards for Jewish holidays and special occasions.  I paired the set with the current sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.

I stamped the set's apples and honey image on white cardstock and colored it with Copic markers. After cutting the image out, I used dimensional dots to adhere it to a pair of layered foam circles.  I went with a round shape instead of a tag in a nod to the tradition of eating a round loaf of challah during the new year celebrations.  The circle was dressed up with a piece of cream faux suede ribbon secured with some twine.

The finished round panel was adhered to a cream card base with a strip of patterned paper along the left edge.  I stamped the "L'Shana Tova" (happy new year) sentiment from the Kibitzing Sampler set just beneath the image panel in black ink.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers:  Paper Smooches Kibitzing Icons and Kibitzing Sampler stamp sets; Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Fancy Pants Burlap and Bouquets 6x6 paper pad; May Arts ivory faux suede ribbon; Hemptique Bronze twine; Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other:  So Saffron cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Desert Storm cardstock (Neenah); markers (Copic); circle dies (Spellbinders)

You Made Me Smile

Here's my card for the last Viva la Verve sketch for September.  I used some multicolored houndstooth patterned paper as the starting point for my design.

After adding a contrasting red solid paper strip across the houndstooth panel, I matted it on kraft cardstock, then layered it on to a mint panel.  The "you made me smile" sentiment from Verve's Take Note stamp set was stamped on a pierced circle die cut in mint ink, then adhered to the houndstooth panel.  I cut one end of a kraft strip on an angle, then adhered the strip over the layered panel.  The strip was accented with a pair of shiny silver brads.  I layered the finished panel on a cream card base.

Materials Used:
Take Note stamp set (Verve Stamps); Mint to Be ink (Avery Elle); Desert Storm cardstock (Neenah); Trendsetter 6x6 paper pad (Fancy Pants); Pierced Circle Stax dies (My Favorite Things); silver brads (Joann)

Welcome Little One

Here's my card for the current AEI♥U challenge--just under the wire!  I used the sketch and the Storybook set to make a sweet baby card.

I stamped the set's duck image on white cardstock and added just a bit of color with Copic markers before cutting out the image with the matching die.  I made a background for the duck from a circle of blue paper from Avery Elle's Brights Collection paper pad.  It's adhered to a cheery pale yellow card base along with a strip of green cardstock punched with a grass border punch and a piece of pale blue faux suede ribbon. 

After adding the duck on top using dimensional dots, I stamped the set's "welcome little one" sentiment on the cardfront in black ink.  A few white sequins scattered around the cardfront finished the design.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers:  Avery Elle Storybook stamp set, The Brights Collection 6x6 paper pad, Storybook dies; Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink; May Arts light blue faux suede ribbon; white sequins; Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other:  Barely Banana and Kiwi Kiss cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Grass border die (Fiskars)

I Think You're Spectacular

Here's my card for this week's My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge. I combined the sketch with this week's blogger challenge--black, white, and a pop of color--for this adorable card.

I was able to put the card together in just a few minutes by using the Die-namics 18 set to cut all of the panels.  The fun eyeglasses patterned paper was a perfect match for the "I think you're spectacular" sentiment from the Geek Is Chic set.  The stitched detailing on the circle panel helps to set it off from the background.  Before I added the sentiment on top, I wrapped the angled panels with two strips of red twill.  Once the sentiment was in place, I used foam tape to attach a pair of eyeglasses, die cut with one of the dies from the Geek Is Chic Glasses set, at the top of the panel.

Materials Used:
Geek Is Chic stamp set, Die-namics Blueprints 18 and Geek Is Chic Glasses dies (My Favorite Things); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); Basic Black and Real Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); silver paper (Target); Cut and Paste-Flair 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); red twill (Papertrey Ink)

Sneaky Peek-Boo Y'All

Sneaky peeks continue today at The Cat's Pajamas with a first look at the new Boo Y'All set.  This set featuring everyone's favorite big eared bunny is one of seven new stamp sets, four new CutUps die sets, and two new Cutables cut files that will be available on Tuesday, September 30.

I used the Grim Reaper bunny image along with this week's Mojo Monday sketch and some fun Halloween patterned papers.  The bunny was colored with Copic markers and adhered to a star patterned paper panel.  The grass along the bottom of the panel was made with the new CutUps Slime/die.

The image panel was adhered to a dark gray panel over piece of multicolored striped paper.  I stamped the sentiment on separate strips of paper, then adhered the strips to the right edge of the image panel.

We've got lots of fun planned for the week leading up to the big release.  Be sure to stop by the TCP member company forum on SCS to chat with the Cat Pack and other TCP fans in our traditional In It to Win It thread.  Each day, one lucky commenter will be chosen to win one of the new stamp sets before you can buy it.  Don't miss out on the fun--and the chance to win!

Don't miss what the rest of the Cat Pack has created using this new set.  Here's where to find them:

Julie
Kelli
Lisa
Lori--you're here
Nancy
Wendy

And, don't miss out on our Monday night Pajama Party in the TCP member company forum on SCS. After a long day of teaching kindergarten, I'll definitely be wearing my pajamas when it's time for the PJ party!

Materials Used:
Boo Y'All stamp set, CutUps Slime/Icicle die (The Cat's Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Simply Chartreuse cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Steel Grey cardstock (My Favorite Things); Halloween Parade designer papers (Doodlebug Design); foam tape

Eat, Drink, and Be Scary!

Sneaky Peek week continues today at The Cat's Pajamas with a look at the new Eat, Drink, and Be Scary stamp set that is one of seven new stamp sets, four new CutUps die sets, and two new Cutables cut files that will be available on Tuesday, September 30.  I used the set along with the new CutUps Fancy Flip die and the colors from this week's Color Throwdown challenge to make this fun interactive card.

I die cut the green card base using the Fancy Flip die, then used the coordinating Fancy Flip Frames dies to make a background for the set's Frankie image.  I colored Frankie with Copic markers that matched the challenge colors, then used foam tape to adhere him to the card.

The set's "eat, drink, and be scary" sentiment was stamped on the back side of the flap, opposite of Frankie.  I used both of the Fancy Flip Frames dies here.  I also added a contrasting pattern to the inside of the card.  A green button, tied with kraft baker's twine, helps to hold the card's flap shut.  I used foam tape to adhere the button so that the flap can be tucked underneath, then slipped out to open the card.

Don't miss what the rest of the Cat Pack has created using this fun new set.  Here's where to find them:

Alma
Kelli
Lisa
Lori--you're here
Nancy
Wendy

Be sure to put next week's TCP release Pajama Party on your calendar now so you don't forget to join us! There will be games, prizes, and lots of fun chatter.  You can choose whether or not you want to wear your pajamas.  I'm guessing I'll be in mine given how things have been going in my classroom over the past few weeks--I'm wiped out by the end of the school day!  In the meantime, be sure to stop by the In it To Win it thread in the TCP member company forum on SCS.  Each day until the release, one lucky commenter will be chosen to win one of the new release sets before you can buy it!


You can check out all of the details--and get amazing inspiration from the team--for this week's Color Throwdown here. 

Materials Used:

Eat, Drink, and Be Scary stamp set, CutUps Fancy Flip and Fancy Flip Frames dies (The Cat's Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Simply Chartreuse cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Basic Gray cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Desert Storm cardstock (Neenah); Buttercup-Rain designer paper (Lily Bee Design);  Sour Apple button (My Favorite Things); foam tape

Sneaky Peek Week Begins

We're kicking off Sneaky Peek week today at The Cat's Pajamas with your first look at one of the seven stamp sets, four CutUps die sets, and two new Cutables cut files that will be available for purchase on Tuesday, September 30.  The big eared bunny is back today in the new Survivor set.

I paired the bunny image with the current sketch at CAS(e) this Sketch.  The bunny was colored with Copic markers, then adhered to a pink card base over a rose strip stamped with the set's "survivor" sentiment.  It looks blurry here, but it's not!  The font in the sentiment is a great .  I accented the image with a sprinkling of pink sequins.

We've got lots of fun planned for the week leading up to the big release.  Be sure to stop by the TCP member company forum on SCS to chat with the Cat Pack and other TCP fans in our traditional In It to Win It thread.  Each day, one lucky commenter will be chosen to win one of the new stamp sets before you can buy it.  Don't miss out on the fun--and the chance to win!

The Cat Pack is providing lots of inspiration using the new Survivor set today.  Here's where to find them:

Miss Meowy herself, Alma
Christine
Kelli
Lisa
Lori--you're here!
Nancy
Noelle
Wendy


And, don't miss out on our Monday night Pajama Party in the TCP member company forum on SCS. After a long day of teaching kindergarten, I'll definitely be wearing my pajamas when it's time for the PJ party!


Materials Used:
Survivor stamp set (The Cat's Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Regal Rose and Pink Pirouette cardstock (Stampin' Up!); sequins (Avery Elle); foam tape

The Challenge 15-Thanks Ever So Much

The Challenge is back with a new sketch and color combination.  You can choose to use just the sketch, just the color palette (love this one!), or to combine them both.

I used both the sketch and the colors on this clean, graphic thank you card.  I stamped the "thanks ever so much" sentiment from Avery Elle's Many Thanks set in gray pigment ink on a white panel, then matted the panel on black cardstock.  After edging the bottom of the panel with a strip of white mini pom pom trim for a bit of texture, I adhered it to a piece of hot pink grid patterned paper.  I accented the sentiment with a bunch of gray enamel dots scattered around the cardfront.  The finished panel was adhered to a hot pink card base.

Don't miss what the rest of the amazing challenge team has created to inspire you!  Here's where to find them:

Lesley Croghan, challenge owner/creator
Jeanne Jachna
Kimberly Wiener

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers:  Avery Elle Many Thanks stamp set and The Brights Collection 6x6 paper pad; Tsukineko Memento Luxe Gray Flannel ink; May Arts white pom pom trim; Studio Calico Essentials gray enamel dots

other:  Basic Black and Melon Mambo cardstock (Stampin' Up!)

Hoppy Halloween

Here's my card for the current Lawnscaping critter challenge.  There are so many cute Lawn Fawn critters that it was hard to pick which one to use!  It's hard for me to resist a cute bunny image, so I ended up using the bunny from the Hoppy Halloween set along with the current sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.

I colored the bunny with Copic markers, then cut him (her?) out.  I used dimensional dots to adhere the bunny to a simple background scene made from kraft cardstock with a strip of curvy green cardstock grass along the bottom.  The set's "Hoppy Halloween" sentiment was stamped in black ink in the open space next to the bunny.

The panel was adhered to an olive card base over a pair of contrasting paper strips.  After debating a bit between sequins and enamel dots, I settled on adding a trio of orange enamel dots to finish the card.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers:  Lawn Fawn Hoppy Halloween stamp set; Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Echo Park About a Boy 6x6 paper pad; Doodlebug Tangerine Sprinkles enamel dots; Sticky Thumb enamel dots

other:  Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, and Always Artichoke cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Desert Storm cardstock (Neenah)

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 237-I Thank My Lucky Stars

It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge!  It didn't take long for the first round of kindergarten germs to hit me and I'm feeling pretty lousy, so I kept my card for this week's sketch pretty simple.

I used a sentiment from the WPlus9 Lucky Stars stamp set for the sketch's image panel.  It's stamped in kraft colored ink on a cream panel.  The text is so pretty that it really does work well as a focal image.

To go with the star themed sentiment, I picked a piece of patterned paper with a smattering of stars across it.  I adhered three narrow strips of shimmery gold cardstock diagonally across the bottom right of the panel, then added a red panel on top.  The sentiment panel is adhered to the red panel using dimensional dots.  I thought about adding some sequins or some enamel dots, but they looked lost against the pattern with all of its dots, so I skipped the extra embellishments altogether and adhered the finished panel to a kraft card base.

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:

Barbara Anders
Dana White
Jackie Pedro
Jenny Peterson
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Lisa Henke
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kalé
Tracy Clemente
Vicki Burdick

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers:  WPlus9 Lucky Stars stamp set; Tsukineko Memento Luxe Toffee Crunch ink; Simple Stories Say Cheese 6x6 paper pad; Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

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

I'm Thinking of You

Here's my card for this week's Viva la Verve sketch challenge.  It's this month's third sketch and the third one I've made using the Poppy Birthday set!  The card's color scheme and floral image were inspired by the sunflowers and woodgrain table seen in the inspiration photo along with the sketch.

 This time, I stamped the poppy trio on a cream tag, then colored the flowers in using yellow Copic markers.  I topped the tag with a bit of yellow baker's twine.  The colored tag was adhered to a piece of rustic looking woodgrain patterned paper over a kraft cardstock circle. 

I filled in the open space on the panel with a pair of smaller kraft circles.  The "I'm thinking of you" sentiment from the Take Note set was stamped in brown ink on a golden yellow strip and adhered over the tag.  I layered the finished panel on a yellow cardfront matching the sentiment panel.

Materials Used:
Poppy Birthday and Take Note stamp sets (Verve Stamps); Memento Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Harvest Gold cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Desert Storm cardstock (Neenah); Everyday Circus 6x6 paper pad (Fancy Pants); Die-namics Pierced Circle Stax and Pierced Traditional Tag Stax dies (My Favorite Things); circle punches (EK Success); twine (The Twinery)

Holiday Muse

Here's my card for this week's Muse challenge.  I was inspired by Marion's clean and simple layout. Instead of using florals, I went with flakes!

I die cut a pair of snowflakes from silver glitter paper, then used foam tape to adhere them to a red card base.  Each flake has a clear crystal at the center for even more sparkle.  I stamped the "happy holidays" sentiment from the Clear and Simple Stamps All Wrapped Up stamp set beneath the flakes in black ink.  Quick, clean and simple, but it makes an impact, doesn't it?

Materials Used:
All Wrapped Up stamp set, Dare to Be a Diva Red cardstock, Flurries dies (Clear and Simple Stamps); Memento Tuxedo Black markers (Tsukineko); silver glitter cardstock, clear crystals (Michaels); foam tape

Thank You

Here's my card for this week's My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge. I combined the sketch with this month's MFT Color Palette challenge to create a masculine thank you card.

I die cut a tag from cream cardstock, then stamped the "thank you" sentiment from the Bold Sentiments set at the bottom of the tag in gray pigment ink.  To add a little texture to the tag, I punched a hole in the top and looped a bit of gray twine through it.

The tag was adhered to a Steel Blue cardstock panel over a Factory Green Pierced Circle Stax die cut and a strip of green and cream patterned paper.  Once the tag was in place, I added a contrasting bright red star, die cut with the star from the Blueprints 18 set.  A pair of thin gray fishtail flag strips were tucked underneath the star.  I adhered the finished panel to a Steel Grey card base.

Materials Used:
Bold Statements stamp set, Factory Green, Steel Grey, and Steel Blue cardstock, Die-namics Fishtail Flags Layers Stax, Pierced Circle Stax, Pierced Traditional Tag Stax, and Blueprints 18 dies (My Favorite Things); Memento Luxe Gray Flannel ink (Tsukineko); Awesome 6x6 paper pad (Simple Stories); gray twine (Hemptique); foam tape

Thinking of You

This week's blogger challenge theme is fall colors.  I combined the challenge theme with the current sketch at Retro Sketches for this earth toned design.

I used a few different distress inks to make a warm, sunset-like background panel.  I hand cut a piece of olive cardstock to make grass for the bottom of the panel. The deer from Avery Elle's Storybook set was adhered to the panel using dimensional dots.  Instead of coloring the deer, I took the wasy way out and stamped the image on kraft cardstock, then cut it out with the matching die.  I wrapped the panel with a bit of rustic looking twine, then added a few white sequins around the deer.

The matted image panel was adhered to a kraft card base over a piece of golden yellow hexagon patterned paper.  I stamped the  "thinking of you" sentiment from the Modern Leaves set beneath the layered panels in black ink.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Avery Elle Storybook and Modern Leaves stamp sets and Storybook dies; Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Carta Bella Boy Oh Boy 6x6 paper pad; Hemptique Bronze twine; white sequins; Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other:  Old Olive and So Saffron cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Desert Storm cardstock (Neenah); Wild Honey, Dried Marigold, Scattered Straw, and Mustard Seed Distress inks (Ranger)

Be Well

Here's my card for this week's Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge.  This week's challenge is a Picture Perfect challenge and I was inspired by the paisley pattern on one of the vases in the photo.

I stamped three different paisley images from the Daisies and Paisleys set on three cardstock panels, using a coordinating pigment ink color on each panel.  The panels were arranged on a white card base. I stamped the set's "be well" sentiment in orange ink on a white circle, then adhered it over the panels after matting it with contrasting black cardstock.  To add some texture, I tucked a piece of folded orange faux suede ribbon underneath the sentiment  panel to make a decorative tab.  A few sparkly yellow sequins scattered over the cardfront completed the design.


Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers:  Paper Smooches Daisies and Paisleys stamp set; Avery Elle Aquamarine, Fizz, and Mimosa inks; May Arts orange faux suede ribbon; yellow sequins

other:  Hawaiian Shores, Orange Zest, and Lemon Tart cardstock (Papertrey Ink); circle punches (EK Success)

Pastel Poppy Birthday

HEre's my card for the current Viva la Verve sketch challenge.  I combined the sketch with Verve's Diva Inspirations sweet things challenge (pastels and/or sweets) and this month's Terrific Trios Diva Dare challenge to make this birthday card.

My trio was the trio of poppies from Verve's Poppy Birthday stamp set.  I stamped them in black ink, then used pale green and pink Copic markers to color them in.  I added just a touch of soft blue "sky" around the flowers with some distress ink and an ink applicator.

The panel was layered on a soft gray mat, then adhered to a pink chevron patterned paper panel.  I topped the image panel with a green fishtail flag strip stamped with the set's "happy birthday" sentiment in  green ink just a shade or two darker than the paper.  It's a little hard to see, but I promise, it's there!  I adhered the finished panel to a pale gray card base.

Materials Used:
Poppy Birthday stamp set (Verve Stamps); Memento Tuxedo Black ink and Memento Luxe Pear Tart ink (Tsukineko); Tumbled Glass distress ink (Ranger); markers (Copic); Grout Gray cardstock, Die-namics Fishtail Flag Layers Stax dies (My Favorite Things); Spring Moss cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Splendid Summer 6x6 paper pad (Echo Park)