Color Throwdown #438

Hello friends!  Has anyone missed me?  I don’t find much time for stamping and blogging lately, but this Easter Sunday has been blessedly quiet.  After church and a nice family dinner (oh, and a nap!) I’ve had some great time for stamping.  So here’s a card I made, using the current Color Throwdown  #438.  Sadly, I need a sympathy card this week…

For this card, I used the prety Bold Blooms stamp set and matching Die-Namics from My Favorite Things, stamping in Coral Crush, Peach Bellini, Lemon Chiffon, Limelight and Sour Apple hybrid inks.  The sentiment, from the Deepest Sympathy stamp set, was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black ink on a new Die-Namics Sentiment Label Strip.  Behind the flowers and strip, I stamped the BG Diagonal Stripes background in Versamark ink and embossed with white embossing powder, then die cut it with the Pierced Rectangle STAX Die-Namics.  I mounted this to a panel of Grout Gray card stock, then mounted to a white card base.  I could add some sequins or enamel dots for further embellishment, but think it just needs to stay simple.

Below I’m including photos of some more cards I have made recently, but haven’t had time to blog.  If you would like information about any of these cards… stamps used, colors, etc. just shoot me an email!

Thanks for stopping by today!

The birthday card I made for my Mom last month.

For my daughters graduation from Vet Tech school in March.

For my daughter’s boyfriend, who graduated on the same day from Culinary School.

For my hubby, for our 27th anniversary last week.

Actually made this one back in November when I was a retreat and realized I had never blogged it!

Cards, Cards, Cards…

Hello friends!  I hope you had a great weekend, and to all the mothers out there, I hope you had a beautiful Mother’s Day!  I can honestly say that my kids treated me like royalty!  And I had time on Saturday getting crafty with friends and I got quite a few cards made this weekend!  Here are a few I’d love to share with you today!

My first card was made with a really fun Comforted by Carrots stamp that I picked up from Rubbernecker when I was at the Adventures in Stamping convention a few weeks ago.  I just found this sentiment to be so hilarious!  Thanks to my sweet friend Katie, I was able to add some die-cut carrots to this card by borrowing her Rooting for You stamps and dies from Lawn Fawn…

Ha!  Don’t you love it?  That sentiment made me burst out laughing in the RN booth, so I had to buy it!  The layout for my card was inspired by the current sketch #71 at The Challenge, and I added some emerald green for Barbara’s current challenge at Crazy 4 Challenges.

Unfortunately, in the last two weeks I’ve needed three sympathy cards so here are two more I made this past weekend…

For this first card, I used the current challenge #171 at CAS(E) this Sketch, and the current color challenge #340 from the Color Q.  I stamped the two smallest flowers from the LJD Scribble Roses from My Favorite Things in Versamark, heat embossed them in white, then watercolored in shades of rose and red.  I added a Polaroid frame behind the flowers, and the With Sympathy die from Simon Says Stamp.

My second card uses my new favorite stamp, the Bunch of Tulips from Rubbernecker, and my layout was inspired by the current sketch #235 from Freshly Made Sketches.  I used Ranger Distress inks on the tulips, and again used the With Sympathy die from Simon Says Stamp.

Have a great week, and thanks for stopping by today!

Curtain Call–With Sympathy

Hello stamping friends, how was your weekend?  I spent some time stamping, and it was wonderful!  One card I needed to make was a sympathy card for a friend at church who lost her Mom this past week.  As luck would have it, I already had the Altenew Vintage Flowers stamp set out on my work table, and when I saw the newest Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge today, I knew those flowers would work for my card!  I created a beautiful rose, and combined it with some blues and purples to go with the challenge and made this card…

My rose was stamped with hybrid inks from My Favorite Things, from lightest to darkest Pink Lemonade, Cotton Candy, Ripe Raspberry and Cranberry Cocktail.  The leaves were stamped with Factory Green, Jellybean Green and Olive hybrid inks, and the little purple flower was stamped with Grapesicle and Lavender Fields.  I used Distress watercolor card stock and Blueberry premium dye ink from MFT for the background, splattering with more ink and some Perfect Pearls mixture.  On the left is a strip of purple gingham paper from this Doodlebug pad, and I added a die-cut sentiment using the Simon Says With Sympathy die.  I mounted my finished panel to a piece of Fog card stock.
I’m also entering my card in the current Work it Wednesday challenge at Simon Says Stamp.\
 
I hope you’ve had a great weekend!  Thanks for stopping by!

Yellow Poppies

I found out a few days ago that the dear, sweet lady who lived across the street from us when I was growing up had passed away.  She was 97 years old, bless her heart!  What a wonderful, giving life she had!  She crocheted slippers every Christmas and my Mom, sister and I always got a new pair, and my Dad always got a tin of her famous Chex mix.  Even at 95 years old, and in a rehab facility because she had taken a fall and broke a bone, she insisted on having her daughter bring her to my Dad's funeral back in December 2013.  My sister and I were so touched to see her there!  I HAD to get a card made to send to her daughter this week.  So here's what I came up with...

These poppies from the Botanical Silhouettes stamp set from Papertrey Ink have always been a favorite, and I often think of using them for sympathy cards.  This was an anniversary set that is no longer available, so I'm sorry there's no link.  I stamped the flowers in Daffodil hybrid ink from My Favorite Things, and the stems were stamped with Olive hybrid ink on a piece of watercolor card stock.  I then added a bit of a gray wash amongst the flowers using my Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens.  Since I stamped the flowers with hybrid ink, I was able to watercolor around them and the ink doesn't react to the water. 

For the layout, I was inspired by the sketch this week at CAS(E) this Sketch #156, and I used the colors for the Color Throwdown #377.  And I'm also entering this in the current Word Art Wednesday challenge #218 - Anything Goes.  (Can I just say how GLAD I am to have discovered that challenge?  Not only does it inspire me to create, but the ladies on the team are so kind and supportive!  I've received the nicest comments from them, AND won a $25 Simon Says gift certificate for my entry a few weeks ago!)

That's all for me today.... thank you for stopping by my blog!

Color Throwdown #367

The fabulous Jodi Collins is our Color Throwdown hostess today, and she’s got a lovely palette of colors for you to play with…

As far as I’m concerned, coral is always a beautiful color to play with so I really enjoyed this combination of colors.  I used my Clearly Besotted Fairytale Ending stamp set to create this sympathy card…

I used the matching die to cut out the floral spray from watercolor card stock, then used my MISTI to stamp the image in Versamark and embossed with detail white embossing powder.  Then I colored with my ZIG Clean Color Real Brush markers.  The watercolor background was created with Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint distress inks. For the “gold” in our color palette, I went with a muted gold and used Liquid Platinum embossing powder on my sentiment.

Please be sure to visit the CTD blog today for more inspiration, and visit my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration.  And help us welcome our new Guest Designer for November, Karolyn Loncon!

Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Jodi Collins
Lori Tecler
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Karolyn Loncon, November Guest Designer

Your visit to my blog today is a blessing, and I appreciate it!

TCPTuesday #289 – Inspiration Challenge

Our TCPTuesday #289 Inspiration Challenge is still going on this week, so if you haven't made time to join us yet, get busy!  All you need to do is create something using the photos below as inspiration!  And you don't even have to use stamps from The Cat's Pajamas, but if you do you will win more Cat Cash to spend! I made another card this week, inspired by the white flowers in the jars on the right side and the shades of peach and green...

Using the Simple Blooms stamp set, I stamped the silhouette flowers with Versamark ink, then heat embossed with clear embossing powder on watercolor card stock.  Then I used some peach, coral and green inks to add some splashes of color behind the flowers, as well as to splatter some coral ink onto the card front.  I also added some splatter with some heirloom gold spray to the background.  I sadly found that I needed a sympathy card last week, so I added a sentiment from the Simply Said stamp set and some antique gold sequins for embellishment.  I offset the watercolor panel onto a piece of dark green card stock, then mounted to a kraft base.  My design was inspired by this card by the fabulous Debby Hughes. So c'mon, what're you waiting for?  Join us this week for the TCPTuesday challenge!  Details are on the TCP blog. And hey, while you're at it be sure to go "like" The Cat's Pajamas on Facebook!  There's a great contest going on right now, and $15 in Cat Cash is being given away for every 50 likes!  Wooohooo! Thanks for stopping by today!

Birthday Gift Card Sets

I have been busybusybusy this past week!  My wonderful Mom turned 49 for the 21st time on March 18th, and today we’re having a big birthday party for her.  She’s always asking me for cards to send, so there couldn’t be a more perfect gift to give her than some sets.  I’ll keep the chatter to a minimum, and just list basic supplies under each photo.  Questions… just comment and ask.  I’ll ask put credit under photo for my inspiration, as I ended up CASE’ing designs from several fabulous stampers to get these card sets done.
Set #1

I was at a crop a few weeks ago with some local friends, and the fabulous Lindsay Amrhein made this beautiful card while we were there, and I knew I had to CASE it.  I don’t think my version is anywhere close to the beauty of her card, but I tried!  Stamps:  Wplus9 Design Studio Pretty Peonies, My Favorite Things LJD Spring Tulips (sentiment)

I knew Mom would want some “manly” birthday cards too, so I went and CASE’d my own design from a few years ago for these cards.  The strips on the white card stock ore washi tape.  Supplies:  The Mustache stamp set and Mustache Cutups die from The Cat’s Pajamas.

Here’s another set… I feel I failed miserably in attempting to CASE Dawn McVey’s pretty card, but I sure had fun trying!  Stamps:  Wplus9 Design Studio Fresh Cut Florals, Papertrey Ink Mini Blooms

I spotted this pretty card by Debby Hughes on Pinterest a few days ago, and knew it’d be a good one to CASE.  Here’s my version (but I still like hers better!)  Stamps:  LJD Blissful Butterflies, Get Well Wishes, BG Romantic Script background, BG Notebook Paper background, LJD Blissful Butterflies Die-Namics, LJD Scribbles Die-Namics, Notebook Edge Die-Namics (all supplies from My Favorite Things)
 
And finally, my CASE of this pretty card I also found on Pinterest recently.  Just love the pink on the tree for Spring.  The tree stamp set here is Giving Thanks from Simon Says Stamp, and the sentiment is from Impression Obsession.
That’s all…. thanks for stopping by!

Color Throwdown #319

Hey friends, I'm back again today with another Color Throwdown creation!  Wanda is our hostess this week with this darling photo... I'd LOVE to have one of those hats in MY size!  I hope you like these colors as much as I do, and will join us this week!

Here's my card...

I just had to buy the beautiful Pretty Peonies stamp set from Wplus9 Design Studio after seeing the amazing watercolor work that Dawn was doing with these stamps!  Her tutorials are so helpful, and her creations knock my socks off!  I don't think I came even close to her level with my card, but it sure was fun to try.  I used Ranger Distress Markers to color directly onto the stamps, then stamped on Ranger Watercolor paper.  I wanted to add some silver splatters, and wasn't happy with how that worked out but it is what it is.  The BG Romantic Script background is from My Favorite Things, and the sentiment is from Hero Arts.

Be sure to stop by the CTD blog for all the challenge details, and check out my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration...

Barbara Anders 
Broni Holcombe 
Joan Ervin 
Jodi Collins 
Lori Tecler 
Monika Davis 
Vickie Zimmer 
Wanda Cullen 
Petra Swart, November Guest Designer
Chat Wszelaki, Guest Star Stamper

Thanks for stopping by today, and for your comments!  It always makes my day brighter!

Catered Crop Recipe Swap - Vellum

Hello friends!  Linda has a new Catered Crop Recipe Swap challenge for us that I think you're going to love!  Here's the challenge description, straight from Linda...
Have you noticed how popular vellum has been this summer? Vellum just adds a soft, sweet and gentle light to your projects. I can’t wait to see what you make.
For this challenge, just add vellum to your project.

• Include a link to us at Catered Crop or add our button, which you can grab on our sidebar or at our {button gallery}.
• Link up and link often, but be sure you link up by 8:00 PM EST on Saturday, August 2.
• Keep the party hopping by visiting the other players and leaving comments.
• Check back with us on August 3 to see if you’ve won an opportunity to be a guest designer.

Our fabulous designers will be back on Sunday, July 27, with their creations. And, I’m freaky excited to announce our newest Catered Crop designer, Stacey Schafer from Stacey’s Stamping Stage. If you don’t already know and love her, you sure will in the weeks to come.
As always, I’ve curated a ton of projects and tutorials here at a Pinterest board, Vellum, where you can find the links to all these projects and more.

Sometimes I struggle with vellum.  I think the struggle comes when I'm forced to use it!  LOL  Because other times I'll be working on a design and think "oooh, vellum would be PERFECT here!"  But this time, my design idea came together, and I just love how it turned out.  I hope you do, too!
Here's my card...

I started out with a piece of Primitive White card stock from My Favorite Things and stamped it with the BG Sheet Music background in Steel Blue hybrid ink.  Then I took the Die-Namics Rose with Overlay and cut out the rose from the bottom right corner of the card front.  I added a piece of vellum against the back of the card front, using some invisible vellum adhesive.  With another piece of Primitive White card stock placed on an adhesive sheet from MFT, I  die-cut the rose again.  This put a perfect layer of adhesive on the back of the rose, and after removing the negative pieces, I was able to remove the backing and place the die-cut rose in the space cut from the card front.  I added a Pierced Fishtail Flags STAX flag cut from Steel Blue card stock and stamped with a sentiment from CS About Sympathy in Steel Gray hybrid ink, and a yellow seam binding bow.
When the card is closed completely, it looks like this with the Banana Split card stock inside showing through the vellum...

Then on the inside...

I stamped another CS About Sympathy sentiment in Steel Gray hybrid ink on the Banana Split card stock.
Be sure to stop over at the Catered Crop blog for all the Recipe Swap challenge details, and join us!
Here are my supplies…

Die-namics Rose with Overlay	BG Sheet Music Background	CS about Sympathy	Die-namics Pierced Fishtail Flags STAX	Card Stock Primitive White	Banana Split Card Stock
Steel Blue card stock	Translucent Vellum	Hybrid Ink Pad Steel Grey	Adhesive Sheets 4" x 6"

InLinkz.com

All products from My Favorite Things unless otherwise noted…
Stamps:  CS About Sympathy, BG Sheet Music background
Dies:  Die-Namics Rose with Overlay, Pierced Fishtail Flags STAX
Inks:  Steel Gray hybrid ink
Card stock:  Primitive White card stock, Banana Split card stock, Steel Blue card stock, translucent vellum
Accessories:  adhesive sheets; seam binding (from my stash)
Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I appreciate it!

Find Peace - MFTWSC183

Unfortunately, I found myself needing a sympathy card this week so I used the sketch #183 from My Favorite Things for this week as my inspiration…

I used the LJD Peaceful Wildflowers stamp set and matching Die-Namics to create this card, along with the smallest doily from the Open Scallop Doily Duo Die-Namics, and Pierced Fishtail Flags STAX, and the Die-Namics Modern Morocco Cover-Up embossed in the background.

My card base is Whip Cream card stock, and is layered with a Grapesicle card stock panel that was cut with the Blueprints 15.  The flowers were all stamped with Spearmint hybrid ink, Pink Lemonade hybrid ink
, Tangy Orange hybrid ink, Blu Raspberry hybrid ink, and Banana Split hybrid ink.  I stamped the sentiment on a Grout Gray card stock flag using Steel Gray hybrid ink. 

LJD Peaceful Wildflowers	Die-namics LJD Wildflowers	Die-namics Modern Morocco	Die-namics Open Scallop Doily DUO	Die-namics Blueprints 15	Die-namics Pierced Fishtail Flags STAX
Whip Cream Card Stock	Grapesicle Card Stock	Heavyweight Card Stock Grout Gray	Hybrid Ink Pad Steel Grey	Hybrid Ink Pad Spearmint	Hybrid Ink Pad Pink Lemonade
Hybrid Ink Pad Banana Split	Hybrid Ink Pad Blu Raspberry	Hybrid Ink Pad Tangy Orange	Hybrid Ink Pad Grapesicle	Hemp Cord

InLinkz.com

All products from My Favorite Things unless otherwise noted…
Stamps:  LJD Peaceful Wildflowers
Card stock:  Whip Cream card stock, Grapesicle card stock,
Grout Gray card stock
Inks:  Spearmint hybrid ink, Pink Lemonade hybrid ink, Banana Split hybrid ink, Blu Raspberry hybrid ink, Tangy Orange hybrid ink, Grapesicle hybrid ink, Steel Gray hybrid ink
Dies:  LJD Wildflowers Die-Namics, Modern Morocco Cover-Up, Open Scallop Doily Duo, Blueprints 15, Pierced Fishtail Flags STAX
Accessories:  hemp cord
Many, many thanks for stopping by today… Happy 4th!