Color Throwdown 830-Thank You

It's time for another Color Throwdown! Wanda is our hostess this week with a trio of pastel colors--lavender, mint green, and yellow.

I used the colors to make a thank you card. I took some inspiration from all of the round elements in the color swatch and cut a bunch of different sized circles from lavender and mint green cardstock scraps. After arranging the scraps on a yellow card base, I added the die cut and stamped sentiment (from Mama Elephant) over the largest circle using foam tape for dimension. I stamped the rest of the sentiment on a narrow strip of lavender cardstock and positioned it over part of the die cut word, using more foam tape to align it with the height of the die cut. A trio of white matte enamel dots arranged around the lavender strip finished things off. 

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 CTD830. If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd830 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. 

** Amy **  Broni ** Tammy **
** Kelly ** Lisa ** Lynn **
** Susie **  Vickie ** Wanda **
** Featured Stamper Carol Gunn **

 

Materials Used:
Thank You (Love You) stamp set, Thank You (Love You) die (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Lemon Tart and Mint Julep cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Almost Amethyst cardstock (Stampin' Up!); circle dies (Spellbinders); white matte enamel dots (Eyelet Outlet); foam tape

Color Throwdown 784-Beary Good Day

It's time for another Color Throwdown! Amy Rohl is our hostess this week with a fun mix of colors--light blue, grey, and brown.

I paired the colors with the current sketch from Sunday Stamps. I couldn't resist using a new to me bear themed stamp set from Mama Elephant for my design. The bear and balloon bouquet were colored up with Copic markers, then cut out by hand. I used foam tape to place the bear on a light blue rectangle, then tucked a pair of die cut shimmery white clouds behind the raised image. The panel was matted on gray cardstock, then adhered to the left side of a pale gray card base. I matted a panel of pale gray patterned paper on gray cardstock and placed it on the right side of the cardfront, tucking the left edge underneath the image panel. The "have a beary good day" sentiment was stamped on a small gray panel and added over the two panels on the cardfront using foam tape for dimension.

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 CTD784.  If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd784 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.

** Amy Rohl **  Amy Rysavy ** Broni **
** Kelly ** Lisa ** Lynn **
** Susie **  Vickie ** Wanda **
** Guest Star Stamper Karen Rogers **

Materials Used:
Beary Good Day stamp set, Sunday Stroll dies (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Bordering Blue and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); I Steel Got It cardstock (Clear and Simple Stamps); Soft Stone cardstock, Soft Stone patterned paper (Papertrey Ink); foam tape

Color Throwdown 776-Flying By to Say Hi

It's time for another Color Throwdown! Lisa is our hostess with a pretty pastel palette--blush, dusty blue, and pink.

I paired the colors with the current sketch from Sunday Stamps and a new-ish Mama Elephant stamp set. I colored the bear with the balloon bouquet from ME's Beary Good Day stamp set with Copic markers, then carefully cut out the image by hand. I dug through my pads of paper to find something with a dusty blue-ish color before settling on this tone on tone diagonally striped pattern from a winter paper pad. The patterned piece was matted on a coordinating solid blue panel before I adhered it to the right side of a blush card base. I used foam tape to place the image at the lower left corner of the panel. The set's "flying by to say hi!" sentiment was stamped on a narrow strip of white cardstock, then layered over the bear image to finish 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 CTD776.  If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd776 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.

** Amy Rohl **  Amy Rysavy ** Broni **
** Kelly ** Lisa ** Lynn **
** Susie **  Vickie ** Wanda **
** Guest Star Stamper Anne Shackles **

Materials Used:
Beary Good Day stamp set (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Insulation Pink and Sno Cone cardstock (My Favorite Things); Crystal Frost paper pad (Craft Smith); foam tape

Color Throwdown 717-Go Get Carried Away

 It's time for another Color Throwdown! It's my turn to be challenge hostess this week and I've picked colors inspired by some retro style home decor--mustard, pink, and green.

The layout for my design comes from the current challenge at Try Stampin' on Tuesday. I incorporated both the layout and the optional flight theme into my card using Mama Elephant's Carried Away and Up and Away stamp sets. The bunny and balloon were colored with Copic markers and cut out with the matching dies, then adhered to a yellow dotted patterned paper panel using foam tape for dimension. To anchor the bunny, I added a green rolling hill cut with ME's Landscape Trio dies. The panel was matted on pink cardstock and positioned on a yellow card base on an angle. I stamped the birthday sentiment on a strip of white cardstock. After matting it on the same pink I used to mat the image panel, I used more foam tape to layer it onto the cardfront to complete 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 CTD717.  If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd717 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 and this week's Guest Star Stamper.

** Amy Rohl **  Amy Rysavy ** Barbara **
** Broni ** Lisa ** Lynn **
** Susie **  Vickie ** Wanda **
** Guest Star Stamper Donna Mikasa **

Materials Used:
Carried Away and Up and Away stamp sets, Carried Away, Up and Away, and Landscape Trio dies (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Pretty in Pink and Garden Green cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Lemon Tart cardstock, Lemon Tart patterned paper (Papertrey Ink); foam tape

Color Throwdown 672-Spreading Holiday Cheer

It's time for another Color Throwdown! Barbara is our hostess this week with a bold and bright mix of colors--hot pink, turquoise, lime green, and black.

 I used the colors for a cheerful holiday card. My focal image is a snow bear from Mama Elephant's Snow Friends stamp set. The image was stamped on shimmery white cardstock and colored with Copic markers. I carefully cut out the colored image before adhering it to a turquoise cardstock strip with a shimmery white stitched snowbank die cut along the bottom. The strip was matted with contrasting black cardstock, then adhered to a bright pink cardstock panel. I added a lime green tag stamped with snowflakes to the left side of the panel. The "spreading holiday cheer" sentiment from ME's Holiday Messages set was stamped on narrow pink strip. After matting it on black cardstock and layering it on to a wider strip of turquoise cardstock, I placed the sentiment at the bottom of the tag. I topped the tag with a pink bow, then placed it on the left side of the turquoise panel. The finished panel was adhered to a coordinating turquoise 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 CTD671.  If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd671 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 and this week's guest star stamper Mac Mable.

** Amy Rohl **  Amy Rysavy ** Barbara ** 

** Broni ** Lisa ** Lynn **
** Susie **  Vickie ** Wanda **
** Guest Star Stamper Mac Mable **

Materials Used:
Snow Friends, Jolly and Merry, and Holiday Messages stamp sets, Landscape Trio dies (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black and Memento Luxe Wedding Dress inks (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Pixie Pink, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Green Parakeet cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Traditional Tag STAX dies (My Favorite Things); pink ribbon; Bow Easy; foam tape

Color Throwdown 671-Holiday Wishes

It's time for another Color Throwdown! Amy Rysavy is our hostess this week with a pretty mix of colors--pink, gray, silver, and white.

I paired the colors with the current challenge at The Paper Players. I mixed and matched patterned paper panels in shades of pink, gray, and white, arranging them on a shiny silver mat once I settled on an arrangement I liked. The trio of panels was topped with a gray square with a single die cut shimmery white stitched snowflake at the center. I stamped the small "holiday wishes" sentiment from Mama Elephant's Holiday Messages stamp set beneath the gray square in black ink. I used my MISTI so I could stamp the delicate text multiple times to get a bold, crisp impression. The finished silver panel was adhered to a gray card base matching the mat behind the snowflake. I thought about adding a clear crystal to the center of the flake, but decided it would be easier to mail if the flake was flat. I may go back and add a large silver sequin, though...

o 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 CTD671.  If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd671 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 and this week's guest star stamper Nancy Thomas. 

 

** Amy Rohl **  Amy Rysavy ** Barbara ** 

** Broni ** Lisa ** Lynn **
** Susie **  Vickie ** Wanda **
 ** Guest Star Stamper Nancy Thomas **

Materials Used:
Holiday Messages stamp set (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Weathervane cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Crystal Stardream metallic cardstock (The Paper Cut); silver paper (Target); Hello Sunshine Remix, Let It Shine and Let It Shine Snowflakes 6x6 paper pads (Lawn Fawn); square dies (Spellbinders); stitched snowflake die (Lil' Inker Designs); foam tape

Color Throwdown 657-You're Tops in My Book

It's time for another Color Throwdown! I'm the challenge hostess this week with a fun mix of colors--red, turquoise, green, and gray.

I have to admit that I picked the inspiration photo knowing that this week I'd be starting my very first week at my new job as an elementary school librarian. While I have been working in education, it's been six years since I've worked in a school building and I'm looking forward to working with kids and staff on a daily basis once again. 

With that in mind, I had to color up some books! These are from Mama Elephant's Book Worm stamp set. The books and critters were colored with Copic markers and cut out, then arranged on a white cardstock panel. For dimension and interest I adhered some of the pieces using foam tape. The "you're tops in my book" sentiment from the Good Reads set was stamped to the left of the images. I adhered the finished panel to a coordinating red card base. This will make a great thank you note for one of my colleagues!

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 CTD657.  If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd657 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 and our Guest Star Stamper Jaydee.

** Amy Rohl **  Amy Rysavy ** Barbara ** 

** Broni ** Lisa ** Lynn **
** Susie **  Vickie ** Wanda **
** Guest Star Stamper Jaydee **

Materials Used:
Book Worm and Good Reads stamp sets (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Real Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); foam tape

Color Throwdown 656-Here's to a Great Year

It's time for another Color Throwdown! Lisa is our hostess this week with a palette full of primary colors--red, yellow, and aqua.

I paired the sketch with the super cute School Rules stamp set from Mama Elephant and the current sketch from Try Stampin' on Tuesday. I colored up a trio of the set's images using Copic markers. The bear and book stack were cut out with my Scan 'n Cut machine. The blackboard was not cut out so I could use it as my background panel. After adhering a narrow strip of kraft cardstock to the bottom of the panel with the blackboard, I added the images on top, using foam tape for dimension. The "here's to a great year" sentiment was stamped on the chalkboard in white pigment ink, then heat embossed in white for a chalk-like look. I adhered the panel to the bottom of an aqua panel that was layered on to a slightly larger kraft cardstock panel. To tie in all the colors, I adhered a narow strip of yellow cardstock beneath the image panel near the bottom of the kraft panel, then added the panel to a fun piece of dotted patterned paper. The patterned panel was adhered to a cheery yellow card base. This will be a perfect card to send to one of my teacher friends for the start of the school year!

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 CTD656.  If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd656 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 and our Guest Star Stamper Saskia Pullen.

** Amy Rohl **  Amy Rysavy ** Barbara ** 

** Broni ** Lisa ** Lynn **
** Susie **  Vickie ** Wanda **
** Guest Star Stamper Saskia Pullen **

Materials Used:
School Rules stamp set (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Bright Buttercup and Kraft cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Blu Raspberry cardstock (My Favorite Things); Buttercup-Rain Boots designer paper (Lily Bee Design); Snow embossing powder (Recollections); foam tape

Color Throwdown 653-Special Delivery

It's time for another Color Throwdown!  Broni is our hostess this week with a bright mix of colors--pink, orange, yellow, and green. 

I paired the colors with the current sketch at Try Stampin' on Tuesday. For the focal panel, I created an envelope full of pretty blooms. The flowers are from Mama Elephant's Stems and Sprigs stamp set. I colored the images with Copic markers, then carefully cut them out. I tucked them into a die cut envelope created with ME's Botanic Envelope dies. The flower-filled envelope was adhered to a bright pink cardstock panel using foam tape for dimension. I stamped the set's "special delivery" sentiment on a white cardstock oval in pink ink and added it to the bottom of the pink panel. A yellow cardstock strip was adhered between the two elements, tucked beneath the raised envelope and positioned over the top of the sentiment panel. I adhered the pink panel to a white cardstock panel, then added a silver brad on each side of the yellow strip as an accent. The finished panel was adhered to a pink card base matching the panel behind the envelope and sentiment.

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 CTD653.  If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd653 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 and our Guest Star Stamper Lynda.

** Amy Rohl **  Amy Rysavy ** Barbara ** 

** Broni ** Lisa ** Lynn **
** Susie **  Vickie ** Wanda **

** Guest Star Stamper Lynda **

Materials Used:
Stems and Sprigs stamp set, Botanic Envelope dies (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Pink Passion and Yoyo Yellow cardstock (Stampin' Up!); petite oval dies (Spellbinders); silver mini brads; foam tape

Color Throwdown 638-I'm Here Rain or Shine

It's time for another Color Throwdown! Lynn is our hostess this week with a vibrant floral inspired color combination--yellow, green, blue, and white.

I paired the colors with the current Mojo Monday sketch and some perfect for spring stamps from Mama Elephant. The yellow in the challenge palette was perfect for the raincoat on the cutie from the Chance of Rain stamp set. I colored up the image along with a bright green umbrella, then cut out the colored images. They were adhered to a blue panel with torn green strips along the bottom as grass. I used foam tape to give the images some dimension. That also allowed me to tuck the die cut shimmery white clouds behind the raised images. The panel was matted on yellow cardstock and adhered to a green card base covered with a blue panel on the top and a green gingham panel on the bottom. The "I'm here rain or shine" sentiment was stamped at the bottom corner of the cardfront in black ink to complete the card.

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 CTD638.  If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd638 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 and this week's guest star stamper Julia Metra.

** Amy Rohl **  Amy Rysavy ** Barbara ** 

** Broni ** Lisa ** Lynn **
** Susie **  Vickie ** Wanda **
** Guest Star Stamper Julia Metra **

Materials Used:
Chance of Rain stamp set, Sunday Stroll dies (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Pacific Point cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Lemon Tart and Simply Chartreuse cardstock, Simply Chartreuse patterned paper (Papertrey Ink); Crystal Stardream metallic cardstock (The Paper Cut); foam tape

Yay! It's Your Birthday

Here's my card for the current birthday themed challenge at Perfectly CAS. I used Mama Elephant's Pandamonium stamps and dies to create a cute little panda and balloon for my focal image. The pieces were adhered to a light blue card base using foam tape for dimension. The balloon string was stamped directly on the cardfront in black ink, giving the image a little depth. The "Yay! It's your birthday" sentiment from ME's Birthday Messages stamp set was stamped on a narrow strip of dark blue cardstock matching the panda's balloon. It was adhered to the cardfront with the top edge tucked beneath the raised panda image to ground it. Clean, simple, and cute!

Materials Used:
Pandamonium and Birthday Messages stamp sets, Pandamonium dies (Mama Elephant); Versafine Clair Nocturne ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Sno Cone cardstock (My Favorite Things); Ocean cardstock (Recollections); foam tape

All Is Calm, All Is Bright

Here's my card for the current challenge at Global Design Project.  I incorporated several elements from the inspiration card, including the color scheme, the blended ink background panel, and white die cut along the card's long edge, into my quick and simple design.

My blended background was created with a trio of distress oxides applied to a whte cardstock panel with a blending brush.  While it set, I used Mama Elephant's Hilly Neighborhood dies to cut a line of trees and houses from shimmery white cardstock.  I positioned the die cut at the bottom edge of the inked panel.  For a finished look, I adhered a narrow strip of silver cardstock beneath the die cut at the bottom edge of the inked panel.  The "all is calm, all is bright" sentiment from ME's Holiday Messages stamp set was stamped in watermark ink at the lower right side of the die cut panel, then heat embossed in aqua embossing powder for contrast.  I added a trio of silver sequin "stars" to the panel above the landscape to fill in the sky and add a bit more sparkle.  The finished panel was adhered to a crisp white card base to go with the wintery look of the card.

Materials Used:
Holiday Messages stamp set, Hilly Neighborhood dies (Mama Elephant); Versamark ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Wilted Violet, Broken China, and Faded Jeans distress oxides (Ranger); Silver cardstock, Glacier embossing powder (Recollections); Crystal Stardream metallic cardstock (The Paper Cut); silver sequins

Color Throwdown 604-Thank You, Teacher

It's time for another Color Throwdown!  Amy Rohl is our hostess with a mix of neutral colors--terracota, black, and white.

I paired the colors with the current sketch at CAS(e) this Sketch.  My terracotta element is the fox image from Mama Elephant's School Rules stamp set.  I colored up the fox and chalkboard with Copic markers, then used my Scan 'n Cut machine to cut out the colored images.  For some texture, I added a bit of white flock to the fox's paws, tail, and face.  The set's "thank you, teacher" sentiment was stamped on the chalkboard in white pigment ink, then heat embossed in white to stand out from the background.  The images were adhered to a white panel using foam tape for dimension.  A black banner die cut with a folded and tucked end grounds the images.  The finished panel was adhered to a terracotta card base to bring in more of the rich, earthy color.

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 CTD604.  If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd604 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 and this week's Guest Star Stamper Claire Apostoloff.

** Amy Rohl **  Amy Rysavy ** Barbara ** Broni ** 

 ** Jodi ** Lisa ** Lynn ** Vickie ** Wanda **

** Guest Star Stamper Claire Apostoloff **

Materials Used:
School Rules stamp set, Bold Banner die (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black and Memento Luxe Wedding Dress inks (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Canyon Clay cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Basic Black cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Snow embossing powder (Recollections); white flock (Stampendous); foam tape

It's Your Big Day

Here's my card for the current challenge at The Paper Players.  I paired the sketch with a new stamp set from Mama Elephant called Hooray Wishes.

I colored the row of happy, celebratory people with Copic markers, keeping to a limited color palette for their clothes for a unified look. The colored image was cut out with my Scan 'n Cut machine.  I found a piece of patterned paper that picked up the colors I used on the image for the background.  After trimming the panel down and matting it with dark blue cardstock, I adhered it to an olive green cardstock panel.  A narrow strip of dark blue cardstock was adhered to the left side of the panel, then the image was added on top using foam tape for dimension.  There was just enough room left at the bottom of the green panel to stamp the set's "it's your big day" sentiment. The finished panel was adhered to a dark blue card base to match the strip that runs the length of the card.

Materials Used:

Hooray Wishes stamp set (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black and Nautical Blue inks (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Not Quite Navy and Old Olive cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Loyal 6x6 paper pad (Authentique); foam tape

Yay! It's Your Birthday

Here's my card for the current sketch at CAS(e) this  Sketch.  I used the layout to create a birthday card featuring one of the adorable pandas from Mama Elephant's Pandamonium stamp set.  The panda and balloon were stamped in my favorite dark black ink, Versafine Clair Nocturne, then cut out with the matching die. I used foam tape to position the panda at the right side of a multicolored striped circle adhered to the bottom of a pale green cardfront.  The balloon was adhered at the top of the already stamped balloon string using more foam tape.  I stamped the "yay, it's your birthday" sentiment from ME's Birthday Messages stamp set on a super narrow bright pink fishtail flag strip.  The strip was adhered at the bottom of the striped circle, tucked beneath the panda's feet, to complete the design.

Materials Used:

Pandamonium and Birthday Messages stamp sets (Mama Elephant); Versafine Clair Nocturne ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); Raspberry Fizz and Spring Moss cardstock (Papertrey Ink); designer paper (Memory Box); circle dies (Spellbinders); Fishtail Flag STAX dies (My Favorite Things); foam tape

It's Your Birthday

One of my co-workers celebrated a birthday this week, so I made a card to mark the occasion.  The layout is from the current challenge at CAS Colours and Sketches. The layered circles were perfect for showing off one of the sweet ladies from Mama Elephant's You're So Lovely stamp set.  I colored the image with Copic markers, then used my Scan 'n Cut machine to cut out the colored image.  I adhered the image to a red circle using foam tape.  To go behind the image, I positioned a contrasting pink circle on a red cardfront, then added strips of red chevron washi tape and silver cardstock at the bottom of the circle.  The image panel was placed on top, centered on the slightly larger pink circle.  For the sentiment, I stamped the "yay! it's your birthday" sentiment from ME's Birthday Messages stamp set on the silver strip to finish the card.

Materials Used:
You're So Lovely and Birthday Messages stamp sets (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Lovely Lady cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Silver and Red Punch cardstock (Recollections); circle dies (Spellbinders); red chevron washi tape; foam tape

You're a Lifesaver

Here's my card for the current challenge at CAS Colours and Sketches.  I used the layout to create a superhero themed thank you card featuring Mama Elephant's Tiny Heroes stamp set.

I colored up one of the Tiny Heroes using Copic markers, then cut out the colored image with the matching die.  Instead of using a circle for the background, I used an inverted scallop circle die to cut a shape from shimmery white cardstock.  The shape reminds me of the shapes traditionally used in comic books for the speech bubbles, so it seemed like a perfect match for the super hero image.  I adhered the die cut piece to a blue card base and trimmed the edge so it was flush with the edge of the cardfront before adding the colored image using foam tape.  The thank you sentiment was stamped on a red cardstock strip and adhered with more foam tape.  A trio of silver sequins arranged around the image completed the simple design.

Materials Used:
Tiny Heroes stamp set, Tiny Heroes dies (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Brocade Blue cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Red Punch cardstock (Recollections); Crystal Stardream cardstock (The Paper Cut); small inverted scallop circle dies (Spellbinders); silver sequins; foam tape

Incoming Mail

Here's my card for the current challenge at CAS(e) this Sketch.  I created a mail themed design that's perfect for the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday.  The images in my tiny scene come from Mama Elephant's Incoming Mail stamp set.  I colored the mailbox and envelopes with Copic markers, then used the coordinating dies to cut out the two images--and the panda, too.  After creating a background with a strip of green "grass" cut with one of ME's Landscape Trio dies, I used foam tape to arrange the images on the panel, leaving just enough room to stamp "sending my love" from the Mini Everyday Messages set to the right of the mailbox.  I matted the panel on red cardstock, then adhered it to a blue card base over a strip of envelope patterned paper.  The pattern was a perfect match for the string of envelopes in my tiny scene!

Materials Used:
Incoming Mail and Mini Everyday Messages stamp sets, Incoming Mail and Landscape Trio dies (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Brocade Blue and Riding Hood Red cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Spring Moss cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Pen Pals 6x6 paper pad (PinkPaislee); foam tape

Color Throwdown 576-More Than Just a Little

It's time for another Color Throwdown!  Lisa is our hostess this week with a great mix of colors--navy, teal, and mustard.  I paired the colors with the current Mojo Monday sketch for this rainy themed design.

My focal image is from Mama Elephant's Chance of Rain stamp set.  I colored up the raincoat-clad cutie and umbrella with Copic markers, then cut the colored images out with my Scan 'n Cut.  I used foam tape to adhere them to a teal panel with white polka dots. After edging the dotted panel with a strip of navy cardstock, I placed it on a teal cardstock panel.  I tucked a white stitched cloud die cut beneath the top right edge of the dotted panel, then topped it with a mustard fishtail flag strip.  The "miss you" sentiment from the In My Heart stamp set was stamped on the strip in black ink.  After wrapping the panel with a piece of navy grosgrain ribbon and securing it with a simple knot, the panel was adhered to a navy 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 CTD576.  If you upload your projects on social media, go ahead and use the hashtag #ctd576 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 January Guestie Amy Tsuruta, and this week's Guest Star Stamper Maja.

** Amy Rohl **  Amy Rysavy ** Barbara ** Broni ** 

 ** Jodi ** Lisa ** Lynn ** Vickie ** Wanda **

** January Guestie Amy Tsuruta **

**  Guest Star Stamper Maja **

Materials Used:
Chance of Rain and In My Heart stamp sets (Mama Elephant); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); More Mustard, Night of Navy, Taken with Teal, and Shimmery White cardstock, navy grosgrain ribbon (Stampin' Up!); Kate & Co. Oxford Lane 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); Fishtail Flag STAX dies (My Favorite Things); foam tape

Hello Friend

Here's my card for the current challenge at The Paper Players.  I used the sketch to create a wintery scene featuring one of the skating penguins from Mama Elephant's Arctic Penguins stamp set.

I stamped one of the penguin images in crisp black ink on white cardstock and added just a bit of color with Copic markers before cutting out the image.  For a background, I embossed the top of a pale aqua panel with a snowflake pattern.  The raised flakes were brushed with a shimmery ink to give them a subtle snow-like sparkle.  I die cut ME's Hilly Hello from shimmery white cardstock and added it to the bottom of the embossed panel over a contrasting teal cardstock strip.  The "friend" sentiment from the Sunday Sentiments stamp set was selectively inked with teal ink, then stamped beneath the "hello" on the die cut.  The finished panel was adhered to a teal card base.

Materials Used:
Arctic Penguins and Sunday Sentiments stamp sets, Arctic Penguins and Hilly Hello dies (Mama Elephant); Memento Teal Zeal, Versafine Clair Nocturne, and Versamark Dazzle inks (Tsukineko/IMAGINE Crafts); markers (Copic); Taken with Teal and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Sea Glass cardstock (The Stamp Market); Snowflake embossing folder (Lifestyle Crafts); foam tape