The Challenge 53-Warmest Wishes for a Happy Holiday

*** Scroll down to the post below or click HERE to see my card for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge! *** 

The Challenge is back again with a new challenge!  This week we're challenging you to create a non-traditional Christmas card.  I used some non-holiday stamps and dies from My Favorite Things and a non-traditional color scheme along with the current sketch from Freshly Made Sketches for my design.

I die cut a mitten pair from pale pink cardstock, then used bright pink pigment ink to add the pattern image to the die cuts. After connecting the mittens with some pink baker's twine, I used foam tape to adhere them to a white cardstock panel.

The "warmest wishes for a happy holiday" sentiment was stamped in white pigment ink on a bright pink fishtail flag strip.  I heat embossed it in white for a nice pop.  I adhered it to to the panel, just beneath the mittens.  A trio of pink sequins arranged around the mittens completed the design.

Check out what the rest of the talented team at The Challenge has created using this week's theme.  Here's where to find them:

Anita Madden
Claire Broadwater

Kim Heggins

Kimberly Wiener
Lee Ann Barrett

Lesley Croghan, challenge creator

Lori Tecler--you're here!
Michele Ferguson

Nance Salkeld

Geri Greening, November featured designer
Bobby Hagen, guest designer

Materials Used:
Winter Warmth and Hug in a Mug stamp sets, Die-namics Winter Warmth and Fishtail Flag STAX dies (My Favorite Things); Memento Luxe Rose Bud and Wedding Dress inks (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Pink Pirouette cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Raspberry Fizz cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Recollections Snow embossing powder (Michaels); pink sequins (Treehouse Studio); pink baker's twine; foam tape

Mojo Monday 426-Happy Birthday

Happy Monday!  It's time for a new Mojo Monday sketch, and since it's the last Monday of the month, the sketch calls for a tall and skinny card.   I used the sketch to put together a birthday card with stamps and dies from Lil' Inker Designs.

I paired two different patterned papers from an older October Afternoon collection on the cardfront--a dotted pattern to cover most of the cardfront and a striped pattern for the pair of smaller panels.  I topped the square panel with a birthday hat cut with LID's Party Hats dies.  The little pom pom at the top of the hat is studded with a tiny pearl for an extra feminine touch.  A little bit of silver thread twisted around underneath the hat added a festive sparkle to the card.

I stamped the "happy birthday" sentiment from the Balloon Builders set next to the hat, positioning the words to fit the panel.  A pair of coordinating fishtail flag strips extending from the top of the card completed the design.

Head on over to the Mojo Monday blog for more inspiration from the design team and to add your own take on this week's sketch!  You can also find all of the Mojo Makers at their blogs here:

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Carole Burrage
• Justin Krieger
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

Materials Used:
Balloon Builders stamp set, Party Hats dies (Lil' Inker Designs); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Berry Sorbet and Sweet Blush cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Cakewalk designer papers (October Afternoon); Die-namics Fishtail Flag Stax dies (My Favorite Things); silver thread (Michaels); foam tape

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 297-Snowy Season's Greetings

It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge!  It's no secret that I love bunny themed stamps and when I saw the angled panel on the sketch, Lawn Fawn's Winter Bunny set immediately came to mind.

The sledding bunny was perfect for making the slanted panel into a snowy hill!  I colored the bunny image with Copic markers, then cut out the image with the matching die.  The bunny's tail was filled in with a bit of white flock to add some texture to the image.  I used foam tape to adhere the bunny to the shimmery white angled panel.  The "season's greetings" set from the Winter in the Park set was stamped at the bottom of the white panel in bright red ink.  I adhered the panel to a piece of blue patterned paper, then added it to a coordinating blue card base.

To play along, just create a card based on the sketch and link it up on the SSSC blog.  Be sure to stop by the blog to check out what the SSSC team has created using the sketch.  And, don't forget to check in on Wednesday to see one of our favorite cards made with the sketch!

Materials Used:
Winter Bunny and Winter in the Park stamp sets, Winter Bunny die (Lawn Fawn); Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug inks (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Pacific Point and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); patterned paper (Little Yellow Bicycle); white flock (Stampendous); foam tape

Soda-Lightful

Here's my card for this week's My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge.  At first, I couldn't figure out what to use for the 5 long, narrow elements on the layout.  As soon as I came up with the idea for using the Die-namics Soda Bottles die, the card came together in no time at all!

I die cut 5 bottles and the accompanying detail pieces from paper scraps, then assembled them and arranged them on a cream cardstock panel.  There wasn't a sentiment panel on the layout, so I added one in as unobtrusive a way as possible--a vellum fishtail flag strip.  The "you are soda-lightful" sentiment from the coordinating Soda Pop set was stamped on the vellum piece in brown pigment ink, then heat embossed with a dark brown embossing powder.  I folded the strip around the edge of the panel, allowing me to use some tape on the back of the to adhere the strip.  A few strategically placed strips of small vellum-friendly adhesive keep it in place on the front.  I adhered the finished panel to a kraft card base, then scattered a few red enamel dot "bubbles" around the bottles.

Materials Used:
Soda Pop stamp set, Die-namics Soda Bottles and Fishtail Flag Stax dies (My Favorite Things); Memento Luxe Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Chocolate Chip and Real Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Kraft cardstock (Papertrey Ink); white vellum (The Paper Company); silver paper (Target); Chestnut embossing powder (American Crafts); red enamel dots (Eyelet Outlet)

SugarPea Designs CCC7 and a Black Friday Sale!

Happy Friday!  I'm excited about sleeping in today instead of getting up and going to work--or fighting the crowds for Black Friday deals.  If you want to do some online shopping, SugarPea Designs is having its biggest sale of the year right now.  Everything in the store is 30% off, so it's a great time to grab the sets that have been on your wishlist . . .

There's also a new color challenge going on right now.  The colors are red, blue, gray, and green.  They'd make a great holiday card, but I couldn't resist using the bookworm from the Read Between the Lines set yet again.  That set just calls out to my book-loving teacher heart!

I stamped the bookworm in black ink on a pale gray cardstock panel, then colored the image with Copic markers.  The colored cardstock is different than the paper I usually use when I color with Copics, so the image not as well shaded as I would have liked.  The lenses of the worm's glasses were filled in with Glossy Accents for a glass-like look. 

To ground the worm, I stamped a stack of three books beneath the image, using a different color pigment ink for each book.  The "you make the grade" sentiment from the Teacher's Pet set was stamped beneath the worm image.  I added a strip of red cardstock along the bottom of the panel, then ran a narrow strip of gray cardstock along the top edge of the red strip for a finished look.  The panel was adhered to a blue card base.

Want to play along with the color challenge?  The rules are very simple…

• Create a new card or project using the colors provided.  SugarPea Designs stamps are NOT required to play along or to win but would be appreciated 
• Upload to the SugarPea Designs blog or other Online Gallery using Keyword: CCC7 so that we may check out your beautiful work.
• Add your name and link to your project in the InLinkz in the SugarPea Designs blog
• One randomly selected winner will receive a $10 Gift Certificate to the SugarPea Designs Online Shoppe. However, if the winning entry features a SugarPea Designs stamp we will increase the prize to $15

Materials Used:
Read Between the Lines and Teacher's Pet stamp sets (SugarPea Designs); Memento Tuxedo Black and Memento Luxe Love Letter and Gray Flannel inks (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); ink (Mama Elephant); markers (Copic); Steel Grey and Grout Gray cardstock (My Favorite Things); Real Red and Blue Bayou cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Celebrate

Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm heading out later this morning to meet my sister at the movie theater to see the final installment of the Hunger Games series, followed by a dinner with our family later on in the day.  The movie has been our tradition for the last four years, so I guess we'll have to come up with an alternative for next year now that the series is coming to a close.

One of the things I am thankful for is that I have been able to work with some amazing companies in the paper crafting community this year.  One of those companies is Paper Smooches.  I was so sad to see the SPARKS challenge come to an end last month, but that won't stop me from joining in on the challenges that are now being hosted on the PS blog. This month's challenge theme is "gold."  I used that as a starting point for this celebratory design.  The layout is a somewhat loose interpretation of the current sketch at the Paper Players.  If you look closely, I think you can see it . . .

I used the PS Gift Tags dies to cut a pair of tags, one white and one gold.  The white one was filled with a pair of glasses stamped with the Free Spirits set and cut with the matching Free Spirits Icons dies.  I added a tiny gold die cut heart between the glasses.  The heart was cut with the Tiny Hearts die set--maybe my all time favorite PS dies.  I use these little hearts all the time!  I layered the white tag over the gold one, then tied them together with a piece of gold baker's twine.

I adhered the tag pair to a black panel.  After stamping the "celebrate" sentiment from the Sugar Rush stamp set on a narrow gold Flag Tags die cut, I added the strip to the panel, tucking one end underneath the tags.  The panel was mated with white cardstock, then adhered to a gold panel.  The gold panel was adhered to a black card base.  I have to admit, I wasn't a big fan of gold, but it's definitely starting to grow on me, especially when paired with black.

Materials Used:
Free Spirits and Sugar Rush stamp sets, Free Spirits Icons, Gift Tags, Tiny Hearts, and Flag Tags dies (Paper Smooches); Memento Tuxedo Black and Delicata Golden Glitz inks (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Basic Black cardstock (Stampin' Up!); gold paper, gold baker's twine (Target); foam tape

Color Throwdown 370-My Coolest Friend

It's time for another Color Throwdown!  Vickie is our hostess this week and she's found an adorable photo to use for our color inspiration this week.  The colors we're using are blue, orange, and dark brown.

After taking a look at the photo with this week's color swatch, I couldn't resist making a snowman themed design.  Some of my favorite snowman stamps are from Paper Smooches, so I used two different snowman themed sets on this card.  The layout is from a Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge from a few weeks ago--I stretched the layout to fit an A2 card instead of a square one. 

My snowman is from the Cool Dudes stamp set.  I stamped him on shimmery white cardstock and colored him with Copic markers, then used the matching die to cut him out.  He was adhered to a white circle using foam tape.  I set the snowman on a blue card base over a piece of blue chevron patterned paper with an orange cardstock strip layered across it.  The :my coolest friend" sentiment from the Swanky Snowdudes set was stamped on the orange strip.  I cut a short fishtail flag strip from dark brown cardstock and tucked it underneath the bottom of the orange strip.  A pair of silver brads at the top of the patterned paper panel completed the design.

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. Just be sure that the challenge colors are the dominant ones in your project. And, if you upload your project to an online gallery, use the keyword CTD370. If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd370 and #colorthrowdown. You can find us on Instagram (and on Facebook!) with the username colorthrowdown.

Before you get started, here’s some inspiration from the talented Color Throwdown team, our November guestie Karolyn Loncon, and this week’s guest star stamper, Mona Pendleton.

** Barbara ** Broni ** Joan ** Jodi ** 

** Tammy ** Vickie ** Wanda **

** November guestie Karolyn Loncon **

** Guest Star Stamper Mona Pendleton **

Materials Used:
Cool Dudes and Swanky Snowdudes stamp sets, Cool Dudes Icons dies (Paper Smooches); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Marina Mist, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Playful 6x6 paper pad (Authentique); circle dies (Spellbinders); Die-namics Fishtail Flag Stax dies (My Favorite Things); silver brads (Michaels); foam tape

TCP Tuesday 304-Greetings

It's time for a new TCP Tuesday challenge at The Cat's Pajamas! This week's theme is anything goes, so it's a perfect time to pull out your TCP stamps and dies, especially if your goodies from last week's release have made their way to you . . . And, if you haven't shopped yet, don't forget that the entire store is 30% off (including the new releases) until December 1!

Here's a clean and simple holiday design I made using stamps and dies from the new release.  I die cut a wreath from kraft cardstock using the new CutUps Grapevine Wreath die.  After inking it with some distress inks, I adhered it to a cream cardstock panel. The "greetings" sentiment from the new Wreath Building Kit stamp set was stamped inside the wreath in gold ink, then heat embossed with gold for a nice pop. 

To dress up the wreath, I cut several poinsettias using one of the new CutUps Poinsettia dies.  I layered the ornamental poinsettia die cut over a solid vellum die cut, then curled the edges slightly before adding them to the wreath with foam tape.  The center of the poinsettia was dotted with a green crystal.  I matted the panel with gold cardstock, then adhered it to a red card base.

Ready to play along with our TCP Tuesday challenge?  I hope so!  Here are the challenge details:

1. Every other Tuesday a new challenge will be posted on The Cat’s Pajamas blog as well as on our Facebook page.
2. If you want to play along you just upload your design to The Cat’s Pajamas blog page using the InLinkz button found on the blog.
3. You must have your project posted by the Monday, 11:55 EDT before the next challenge to be eligible to win the Cat Cash.
4. Cards and projects are not required to use a Cat’s Pajamas Stamp or CutUps die but if you do the Cat Cash amount increases.
5. On the following TCP Tuesday, the week’s winner will be chosen from the previous challenge and will receive a Cat Cash Voucher for $10 or $15 if a TCP product is used.

Materials Used:
Wreath Building Kit stamp set, CutUps Poinsettia and Grapevine Wreath dies (The Cat's Pajamas); Delicata Golden Glitz ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Ruby Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Kraft cardstock (WPlus9); gold paper (Target); gold embossing powder (American Crafts); green crystal; foam tape

The Challenge 52-Wrapped in Peace, Hope, and Love

*** Scroll down to the post below or click HERE to see my card for this week's Mojo Monday sketch! ***

The Challenge is back again with a new challenge!  This week we have a theme challenge--Christmas cards.  I used what might be my very favorite holiday card sentiment on my card for the challenge.

I created a simple card with an angled kraft cardstock panel that serves as a gift box.  The box was dressed up with a pair of narrow silver cardstock "ribbon" strips and a die cut bow.  I stamped a sentiment from the Clear and Simple Stamps All Wrapped Up set on the kraft panel in red ink to match the red card base.  Like I said, this may be my all-time favorite holiday sentiment. The message is just perfect and I really like the mix of fonts, too.

Check out what the rest of the talented team at The Challenge has created using this week's theme.  Here's where to find them:

Anita Madden
Claire Broadwater

Kim Heggins

Kimberly Wiener
Lee Ann Barrett

Lesley Croghan, challenge creator

Lori Tecler--you're here!
Michele Ferguson

Nance Salkeld

Geri Greening, November featured designer
Kim Lackenbach, guest designer

Materials Used:
All Wrapped Up stamp set, Dare to be a Diva Red ink, Dare to Be a Diva Red, Kraft Like a Rockstar, and Sterling Silver cardstock, Mini Bow Trio died (Clear and Simple Stamps)

Mojo Monday 425-Thanks Snow Much

Happy Monday!  It's time for a new Mojo Monday sketch.  I used the sketch to create a wintery thank you card with stamps and dies from Reverse Confetti.

I started this card with a scrap strip of patterned paper.  Once I had the patterned paper picked, this card came together in no time at all!  I edged the striped paper with a coordinating piece of dark purple cardstock, then adhered it to the center of an aqua cardstock panel.  I used a corner rounder to make a rounded rectangle from more dark purple cardstock.  After matting the purple cardstock with some sparkly silver paper, I added it to the panel.  The "thanks snow much" sentiment from the Seasonal Sentiments set was stamped on a white zig zag stitched circle die cut.  I matted that with silver, too, then added it to the panel.  A die cut glittery snowflake with a clear crystal center finished things off.  I layered the finished panel on a coordinating dark purple card base.

Head on over to the Mojo Monday blog for more inspiration from the design team and to add your own take on this week's sketch!  You can also find all of the Mojo Makers at their blogs here:

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Carole Burrage
• Justin Krieger
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

Materials Used:
Seasonal Sentiments stamp set, Let it Snow dies (Reverse Confetti); Aquamarine ink (Avery Elle); Hawaiian Shores cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Elegant Eggplant cardstock (Stampin' Up!); silver paper (Target); Recollections white glitter cardstock, clear crystal (Michaels); Frosty Friends 6x6 paper pad (Doodlebug Design); SugarCuts Zig Zag Stitched Circle dies (SugarPea Designs); circle dies (Spellbinders); corner rounder; foam tape

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 296-You Make My Life Brighter

It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! I used the Paper Smooches Giddy Bugs stamp set for this cheery design based on the sketch.

I colored the set's firefly image with Copic markers, then cut it out.  It was adhered to a pale yellow stitched circle die cut using foam tape. I stamped the set's "you make my life brighter" sentiment on the circle in black ink.

The circle was adhered to a yellow striped patterned paper panel over a strip of shiny silver paper.  I added a small pale yellow fishtail flag banner at the top right of the panel.  It seemed a bit plain, so I
attached two brads to the banner--much better!  The finished panel was adhered to a pale yellow card base.

To play along, just create a card based on the sketch and link it up on the SSSC blog.  Be sure to stop by the blog to check out what the SSSC team has created using the sketch.  And, don't forget to check in on Wednesday to see one of our favorite cards made with the sketch! 

Materials Used:
Giddy Bugs stamp set (Paper Smooches); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Barely Banana cardstock (Stampin' Up!); silver paper (Target); Dots and Stripes-Lemon Drop Large Dots designer paper (Echo Park); stitched circle die (Lil' Inker Designs); Die-namics Fishtail Flag Stax die (My Favorite Things); silver brads; foam tape

Birthday Wishes

Here's my card for the current Viva la Verve sketch challenge.  I used the layout to create a feminine birthday card.

The focal image is a pair of flowers from Verve's Kind Words set.  To get the watercolor-y look,  I used Clean Color markers to ink up the stamp, then misted it with water before stamping the image on cream cardstock.  After the color dried, I dotted each flower with a tiny pearl.

The image panel was matted on olive green cardstock, then adhered to a pink floral patterned paper panel over a strip of very pale pink cardstock.  For an additional girly detail, I edged the pale pink strip with some cream trim.  The "birthday wishes" sentiment was stamped in green ink on a pale pink cardstock panel, then matted on a slightly larger piece of pink cardstock.  It was adhered at the bottom of the image panel.  The patterned paper panel was adhered to a pink cardstock panel, then layered on to a pale pink card base.

Materials Used:
Kind Words and Big Wish stamp sets (Verve Stamps); Clean Color markers (Zig); Memento Bamboo Leaves ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Insulation Pink, Bubblegum cardstock (My Favorite Things); Old Olive cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Vintage Bliss 6x6 paper pad (Simple Stories); white self-adhesive pearls (Michaels); cream trim (Hobby Lobby)

Happy Holidays

Here's my card for this week's sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.  I made another holiday card in a non-traditional color scheme.  I went with more blues and silver again.  This time, my blues came from Clear and Simple Stamps.  Their selection of blue cardstock colors is fabulous!

I started the card with a My Favorite Blue Jeans card base.  To add some shimmer and shine, I adhered a dot embossed Sterling Silver cardstock strip across the bottom of the card base.  The Trendsetter Blue image panel was covered with a trio of silver snowflakes cut with the Flurries die set.  Each flurry was adhered with foam tape, then dotted at the center with a large clear crystal.  The bottom of the panel was stamped with the "happy holidays" sentiment stamp from the Duly Noted set.  I used blue pigment ink and my MISTI to get a good impression from this solid stamp.  After matting the panel on contrasting True Blue Fan cardstock, I adhered it to the card base.

Materials Used:
Duly Noted stamp set, Trendsetter Blue, True Blue Fan, My Favorite Blue Jeans, and Sterling Silver cardstock, Flurries dies (Clear and Simple Stamps); Memento Luxe Bahama Blue ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Swiss Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug); clear crystals

You're Brilliant

Here's my card for this week's My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge.  I went bright and cheery with the Watt's Up stamp set and coordinating Lightbulb die.

I covered a pale gray card base with some yellow dotted paper, then topped the patterned paper with a pierced rectangle die cut.  The "you're brilliant" sentiment was stamped at the bottom of the panel in black pigment ink. 

The lightbulb was die cut from a bunch of paper scraps.  To get a frosted look, I topped the pieces with a vellum bulb die cut. The vellum softens the yellow bulb and makes it look like it's glowing.  I used foam tape to adhere it at the top of the sentiment panel.  A strip of silver foil tape along the top of the panel anchors it to the cardfront. It doesn't look like silver in the photo, but I promise it is!

Materials Used:
Watt's Up stamp set, Grout Gray cardstock, Die-namics Lightbulb and Pierced Rectangle Stax dies (My Favorite Things); Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Yoyo Yellow cardstock, white vellum (Stampin' Up!); silver paper (Target); Coconut Lime Soup-Straw Mushrooms designer paper (Jillibean Soup); silver tape (Hobby Lobby); foam tape

'Tis the Season

While I had the Seasonal Sentiments set out for my Mojo Monday card (see it here), I put together another card using the set.  This one is based on this month's Reverse Confetti Sketch for You to Try.

I like using non-traditional color schemes for my holiday cards, so the patterned paper scrap I used provided the starting point for my card's colors.  I arranged the patterned paper panels on a pale blue card base, then ran a strip of coordinating darker blue cardstock across center of the card base, covering the uneven tops on the scraps.  The "'tis the season" sentiment was stamped on the sentiment in silver ink, then heat embossed in silver to really stand out.

To finish the card, I added a trio of sparkly elements.  First, I tucked a silver paper strip underneath the bottom of the sentiment strip, right alongside the patterned paper panel. To go with the wintery color scheme, I added a die cut white glitter cardstock snowflake to the bottom patterned paper panel.  A trio of silver sequins scattered around the cardfront brought in one more wintery touch.

Materials Used:
Seasonal Sentiments stamp set, Let It Snow die (Reverse Confetti); Delicata Silvery Shimmery ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Sea Glass cardstock (Avery Elle); Blue Bayou cardstock (Stampin' Up!); silver paper (Target); Recollections white glitter cardstock (Michaels); Winter Park 6x6 paper pad (Echo Park); Silver embossing powder (American Crafts); silver sequins; foam tape

SPD22-Home for the Holidays

*** Scroll down to the post below or click HERE to see my card for this week's Color Throwdown! *** 

This month's SugarPea Designs challenge theme is Home for the Holidays.  I used the new Funky Wreath-All Seasons stamp set and coordinating SugarCuts Funky Wreath-All Seasons dies for my take on the challenge.

I started out by stamping the set's leafy wreath image in green ink on cream cardstock.  After cutting out the wreath with the matching die, I added in pops of color with the set's berry image stamped in red ink.  The wreath was adhered to a warm red cardstock panel with foam tape.  I used the SugarCuts-Home Sweet Home die to cut the word "home" three times.  The die cuts were stacked for dimension, then adhered over the wreath using more foam tape.  I topped the wreath with a classic cream bow, done up with my Bow Easy.

Want to play along with us?  We only have a few rules…

• Play along with ANY stamps and dies you’d like – Winner is chosen at random to keep things fair, but if the winners project features a SugarPea Designs stamp we will increase the voucher to $15.
• Feel free to combine our challenge with any other challenge(s).
• Upload to your blog or other online gallery using keyword: SPD22 so we can easily find your work.
• Add your name and link to your card or project in the InLinkz on the SPD blog.

Be sure to stop by the SPD blog for links to the rest of the design team members playing along today to provide you with inspiration!

 

Materials Used:
Funky Wreath-All Seasons stamp set, Sugar Cuts Funky Wreath-All Seasons and Home Sweet Home dies (SugarPea Designs); Memento Bamboo Leaves and Lady Bug inks (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Poppy Parade cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Kraft cardstock (WPlus9); cream satin ribbon; Bow Easy; foam tape

Color Throwdown 369-Fall Thank You

It's time for another Color Throwdown!  Tammy is our hostess this week and she's chosen an earthy fall color scheme--burgundy, orange, and lime green.  I paired the colors with Papertrey Ink's Leaf Prints stamp set and the current sketch at CAS(e) this Sketch.

I stamped a trio of leaves on watercolor paper using Versamark, then heat embossed the images with clear embossing powder.  A watercolor wash over the leaves brought out the embossed images.  After the watercolors dried, I stamped the "thank you" sentiment from the Bountiful Banners set on the panel in green ink.  The panel was matted on gold paper, then adhered to an orange card base.

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. Just be sure that the challenge colors are the dominant ones in your project. And, if you upload your project to an online gallery, use the keyword CTD369. If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd369 and #colorthrowdown. You can find us on Instagram (and on Facebook!) with the username colorthrowdown.

Before you get started, here’s some inspiration from the talented Color Throwdown team, our November guestie Karolyn Loncon, and this week’s guest star stamper, Annie Rosenstiel.

** Barbara ** Broni ** Joan ** Jodi **

** Tammy ** Vickie ** Wanda **

** November guestie Karolyn Loncon **

** Guest Star Stamper Annie Rosenstiel **

Materials Used:
Leaf Prints and Bountiful Banners stamp sets (Papertrey Ink); Versamark ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Lemon Grass ink (Avery Elle); Orange Fizz cardstock (My Favorite Things); gold paper (Target); Recollections Clear embossing powder, watercolor paper, watercolors (Michaels)

The Cat's Pajamas November Release Blog Hop

Welcome to the Winter release blog hop at The Cat’s Pajamas! The six stamp sets and four CutUps die sets that the Cat Pack has been sharing with you for the past week are now available in the TCP store.  I'm thrilled to be the very first stop on the hop today.

I put together a wintery design featuring the new Got Snow stamp set.  It's no secret that I can't resist that big-eared bunny!  I stamped the hat and scarf clad bunny and the matching snow angel outline image on a shimmery white cardstock circle, then added a bit of color with my Copic markers.  The colored image was matted on a pale blue circle, then added to a navy card base over an angled dotted patterned paper panel. 

To break up all of the blue, I adhered a narrow strip of silver paper across the center of the cardfront.  The sentiment was stamped beneath the silver strip in navy ink.  I finished off the design with a trio of sparkly silver sequins.

Today's release is also the kickoff for our Winter Customer Blog Hop.  To play along, just create a new project using your TCP stamps/dies and add a link to your project to the linky widget on the TCP blog. One lucky hop participant will win a  voucher to the TCP store.

And, since you'll want to have new stamps to use for the hop, we're kicking off Black Friday just a bit early.  The entire TCP store will be 30% off--new releases included!  Don't miss your chance to add a few big-eared bunny stamp sets to your collection at a discount. You know you want to!

Thanks for joining us for today's release blog hop!  Your next stop is our talented guest designer, Alice Wertz.

Materials Used:
Got Snow stamp set (The Cat's Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black and Nautical Blue inks (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); silver paper (Target); Spring Rain patterned paper (Papertrey Ink); circle dies (Spellbinders); silver sequins

The Challenge 51-Sending You a Cup of Cheer

***  Scroll down to the post below or click HERE to see my card for this week's Mojo Monday sketch!  ***

The Challenge is back again with a new challenge!  This week we have an inspiration challenge based on the photo seen above.  I used the photo's color scheme and the yummy hot chocolate, too.

I used dies from My Favorite Things to create my own steamy hot mug of hot cocoa.  After assembling the die cut mug, I used foam tape to adhere it to a cream panel over a strip of dot embossed chocolate brown cardstock.  The embossed strip was edged with some cream trim to add a soft texture to the design.  I stamped the "sending you a cup of cheer" sentiment from the Hug in a Mug stamp set next to the mug in brown pigment ink.  The final touch was a bit of a creamy pearl flourish placed to extend out from the mug like a bit of steam.  The finished panel was adhered to a blue card base, nicely framing the design.

Check out what the rest of the talented team at The Challenge has created using this week's colors.  Here's where to find them:

Anita Madden
Claire Broadwater

Kim Heggins

Kimberly Wiener
Lee Ann Barrett

Lesley Croghan, challenge creator

Lori Tecler--you're here!
Michele Ferguson

Nance Salkeld

Geri Greening, November featured designer
Shannon Jaramillo, guest designer

Materials Used:
Hug in a Mug stamp set, Hot Cocoa Cups dies (My Favorite Things); Memento Luxe Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Brocade Blue and Close to Cocoa cardstock (Stampin' Up!); cream trim (Hobby Lobby); Swiss Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug); Finesse Swirls Pearls-LeCreme (Want2Scrap); foam tape

Mojo Monday 424-Peace, Love, and Joy

Happy Monday!  It's time for a new Mojo Monday sketch.  I used the sketch for a sparkly and shiny holiday design.

I started off with a simple pink dot embossed panel adhered to a crisp white card base.  Then came the shine with a silver paper panel edged with narrow red strips and adhered to the center of the pink panel. I stamped the "peace, love, and joy" sentiment from the Reverse Confetti Seasonal Sentiments set in red in on a white panel and matted it on red cardstock, then added it to the pink panel near the top of the card.  For the sparkle, I cut a snowflake from white glitter cardstock using RC's Let It Snow dies.  It was adhered to the card with foam tape and topped off with a clear crystal at the center.  The pair of fishtail flag strips in the upper right corner of the cardfront added a nice balance to the design.

Head on over to the Mojo Monday blog for more inspiration from the design team and to add your own take on this week's sketch!  You can also find all of the Mojo Makers at their blogs here:

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Carole Burrage
• Justin Krieger
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

Materials Used:
Seasonal Sentiments stamp set, Confetti Cuts Let It Snow die (Reverse Confetti); Memento Luxe Love Letter ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Blushing Bride and Real Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); silver paper (Target); white glitter cardstock, self-adhesive clear crystal (Michaels); Die-namics Fishtail Flag Stax and Fishtail Flag Layers Stax dies (My Favorite Things); Swiss Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug); foam tape

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge-Foxy

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

It's time for a new Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!

We hope you'll play along!  The LEAD of this challenge will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge!  Please visit the Curtain Call Challenge blog for all the challenge info and deadline.

photo credit: modcloth

For my take on the challenge, I used the Foxy set from Sweet Stamp Shop along with the current sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.  I set the set's fox image on a simple background made from dot embossed paper with a strip of torn edged green "grass" along the bottom.  The fox panel and a blue plaid panel were matted on cream cardstock, then adhered to a blue cardstock panel.  I added the "what does the fox say?" sentiment across both panels on a narrow fishtail flag strip.  To answer the question, I stamped "happy birthday" on a tiny tag.  After adding some olive twill to the end of the tag, I slipped it underneath the plaid panel.  The twill will serve as a cue for the recipient to pull out the tag to reveal the hidden message.

Make sure you visit each of the designers' blogs for more inspiration:

Foxy Designers
Toni Maddox, guest designer
Kelly Schirmer, guest designer

Amy Kolling
Amy Sheffer
Betty Wright
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Leigh Penner
Lisa Henke
Lori Tecler
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Melody Rupple
Monika Davis
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tracey McNeely

Follow us:

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge Facebook Page

Curtain Call Pinterest Boards

Stop by the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Foxy for the challenge details and to play along with us!

Materials Used:
Foxy stamp set (Sweet Stamp Shop); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Simply Chartreuse and Aqua Mist cardstock (Papertrey Ink); green twill, small tag punch (Stampin' Up!); Rough and Tumble 6x6 paper pad (Carta Bella); Polka Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug); foam tape