Happy Mother’s Day

I am super lucky and blessed to have a beautiful, outstanding mother… especially because she understands that I just run out of hours in the day most of the time, and her card is going to be late!  I’ll be putting this in the mail tomorrow, and praying that it gets to her on Tuesday, so that she has it before she leaves for a trip on Wednesday.  Of course, I’ll call her today but I know how much she loves my cards, so I hope the post office is super-speedy this week!

The Altenew Painted Flowers stamps were calling my name, so I arranged them in a spray along the upper left side of this scalloped die-cut panel (Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle STAX), then adding some color with Tickled Pink, Razzle Berry, Sour Apple, and Jellybean Green dye inks from My Favorite Things.  In the background I added a striped piece of paper from the 6x6 Dots & Stripes Confection Paper Pack, and a panel die-cut from Steel Grey card stock.  The “happy” was die-cut from silver glitter card stock using the Happy Card Frame die from Concord & 9th.  The “Mother’s day” sentiment is from a very old Impression Obsession stamp set, and I added some sequins and splatters for embellishment.  For my card layout, I took inspiration from the current CAS(E) this Sketch #221.

I hope all of my Mom friends out there had a beautiful Mother’s Day!  Thanks for stopping by!

Color Throwdown #442

I am super excited to be sharing this card with you today, created for Color Throwdown #442.  This particular challenge is a special surprise for my BFF, Barbara Anders!  Barbara and I have known each other for many years, and way, way back when the CTD was in it’s infancy, she joined the team.  And when I decided to step down from the team at the end of 2015, I did so with complete confidence that I was leaving the team in her very capable hands.  She does it all… creates those fabulous color swatch graphics every week, maintains the social media accounts for the team, and just keeps things running smoothly.  So, today’s challenge with these beautiful subtle colors that were picked by her is an extra-special “Thank you, Barbara!” challenge in her honor!  I love you, my friend!

For my card, I created a special get well card that I will need later this week…

I used some Blue Breeze card stock in the background that was die-cut with Blueprints 22, and in front of that I added a sentiment that was die-cut from good ol’ Barely Banana card stock with the Sending Hugs Die-Namics, all from My Favorite Things.  On the left side, I added some leaves that were die-cut with the Leafy Confetti Cuts from Reverse Confetti.  And on the Steel Grey card stock strip I stamped “get well wishes” from a really old Impression Obsession stamp set.  I added a fine Chevron background on the Cement Gray card stock in the background, and embellished with some black enamel dots.

Please be sure to stop over at the CTD blog for all the details of today’s challenge, and be inspired by the rockin’ design team!  I miss all those gals so much, and am just thrilled to be joining them again today!

Thanks for stopping by!

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 #333

Monika is our fabulous hostess today for Color Throwdown #333!  I hope you’ll stop over at the CTD blog to check out the challenge details and join us today.  If you’re a purple lover, this challenge is right up your alley…

I received a text message about 10 days ago from the sweet lady who does my nails, asking me if I could make a birthday card for her to give to her granny for her 104th birthday!  How could I refuse?  And since granny’s favorite color is purple, it worked out just perfectly to make her this Center Step card with the Delightful Dahlia Additions from Papertrey Ink.

I die-cut the dahlias, then stamped each one with Wild Wisteria hybrid ink, Grape Jelly hybrid ink, and Lavender Fields hybrid ink from My Favorite Things.  The leaves were done with Jellybean Green hybrid ink (the lighter layer was just stamped off once.)  On the gray card stock panels, I stamped the Greenery background from Impression Obsession.  I thought this style of card would be neat for Deb’s granny so she could set it up beside her and see the pretty flowers (especially since there aren’t any outside our windows around here!)
Be sure to stop by the CTD blog for all the challenge details, and visit my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration. Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Jodi Collins
Lori Tecler
Monika Davis
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Holly Brown, March Guest Designer
Betty Wright, Guest Star Stamper I hope you’ll join us for the challenge, and thank you for stopping by today!

Color Throwdown #331

Happy Wednesday, my stampy friends!  Are you ready for a new Color Throwdown challenge today?  Jodi is our gorgeous hostess, and she’s got these fantastic colors to inspire you!  I’m a true 80’s girl… pink and green just GO together, right?  Like, totally!

Here’s my card…

Vickie had me so inspired with her CTD card last week, so I just had to pull out my Altenew Painted Flowers stamp set to create my card for this week.  I used the Mojo Monday sketch #386 for the layout… I completely love the tall, skinny cards!  My flowers were stamped with Cotton Candy hybrid ink and Ripe Raspberry hybrid ink from My Favorite Things, and also Versafine Onyx Black.  The leaves were stamped with Jellybean Green hybrid ink.  I used the LJD Darling Dots stamp set from MFT to add some polka dots to my pink circle that was cut with Stitched Circle STAX Die-Namics, and stamped with a sentiment from Paper Smooches’ Chit Chat stamp set.  The Natural card stock base was stamped with the BG Woodgrain background stamp in Natural hybrid ink, and the Ripe Raspberry card stock panel on the card base was stamped in Ripe Raspberry hybrid ink with the BG Gingham background stamp.  On the Natural card stock panel in the center, I used the Small Brick Wall stencil to emboss, then sponged the edges with some ink.  Behind the circle is a piece of Jellybean Green card stock that was cut with the Fishtail Flags STAX Die-Namics and stamped in Jellybean Green hybrid ink with the Greenery background stamp from Impression Obsession.  A few sequins for embellishment, and I was done!  :)
Be sure to stop by the CTD blog for all the challenge details, and visit my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration… Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Jodi Collins
Lori Tecler
Monika Davis
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Jen Shults, Guest Designer
Stephanie Severin, Guest Star Stamper Many thanks to everyone for the sweet comments here on my blog, and on Facebook and Instagram for my Cat’s Pajamas design team news!  I appreciated all the congratulations very much, and can’t wait to share more TCP creations with you!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hi stampy friends!  Happy Valentine’s Day!  I hope you’re ready for a day full of love.  At my house this evening there will be a romantic dinner consisting of filet mignon, seared scallops, roasted asparagus and cherry cheesecake!  No, we don’t eat like that on a regular basis!  LOL  It’ll be a romantic dinner for three, since our youngest daughter is by her lonesome right now, having recently had a bad break-up.  :(

For Kelsey, I plan to give her this card along with a Starbucks gift card…



I got my very neglected Bear Hugs stamp set from The Cat’s Pajamas out to make this card. and decided to play along with the Anything Goes challenge at TCP.  I also used the colors from the Colour Q challenge #279 this week (red, black, neutral and newsprint), and the Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge #225 for the layout.  On the red panel behind the bear, I used a few circular heart stamps from the Loving Mew TCP stamp set. (I think that set might be retired.)  On the cream card stock panel, I stamped an Impression Obsession newsprint background using Grout Gray hybrid ink from My Favorite Things, and overstamped the newsprint in Cherry Crisp hybrid ink (stamped off once) using the Tiny Hearts background.

On the inside I added another sentiment from the Bear Hugs stamp set, and another background stamped with the Tiny Hearts background.



And this card, even though it might be a little girly with all that pink, is for my husband…



Maybe the kraft card stock will feel more manly to him?  For this one, I used the new Love Die-Namics from My Favorite Things, and Smitten With You stamp set.  My hubby texts me and our daughters every morning with “I love you” and very often my reply is “I love you more!” so I just had to make his Valentine with that phrase.  On the kraft card stock panel, I used the Tiny Hearts background, and on the pink card stock behind the panel I stamped the Diagonal Stripes background.  I embellished with some die-cut hearts from the LJD All My Love stamp set, some sequins, and some pink and white baker’s twine.  On the smaller heart, and the letters I added some sparkle from a Wink of Stella pen, but darned if it doesn’t show up in the photo.

I wish you all a big lovey-dovey day!  Thanks for stopping by!

Color Throwdown #329

At the stampy time I had with friends this past Saturday, I was able to borrow this sweet My Favorite Things LJD Out on a Limb stamp set and matching Die-Namics from my friend Kirsty to make my Color Throwdown card for this week.  (Kirsty owns EVERYTHING from MFT, and brings it all with her every time we meet!)  I also borrowed her Cloudy Day stencil (because I forgot to bring my own stencils) and sponged some clouds in the background with Sweet Tooth pigment ink.  Then I stamped the tree trunk with Hot Fudge Premium dye ink, and added the leaves which were die-cut from Sour Apple card stock.  (I also used an Impression Obsession leafy background stamp on the leaves.)  I added a grassy border, and a button embellishment, but basically kept the card pretty simple otherwise.  :)  Other card stock colors used here include Berrylicious, Cherry Crisp, and Lavender Fields.

Here are the Throwdown colors for this week, and Broni is our hostess-with-the-mostest!

 

 

 

Be sure to stop by the CTD blog for all the challenge details, and visit my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration…

 

Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Jodi Collins
Lori Tecler
Monika Davis
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Jen Shults, Guest Designer

Ashwini, Guest Star Stamper


I hope you'll join us this week!  Thanks so much for stopping by today!



Deconstructed Sketch #166

Hello friends, how are you?  I’m fabulous!  I’m currently enjoying a 6-day weekend, using a few vacation days from work to get some odd jobs done around the house, and just NOT have to go to work!  Ahhhhhh…..
It’s time today for another Deconstructed Sketch!  I think you’ll like this one…

Cool, right?  Yeah, I like this one a lot!  My first thought was “what am I going to use for that long center panel?” and then it hit me that I just got the Topiary Trio stamp set and dies from Papertrey Ink!  The tallest tree was perfect for this sketch!

I die-cut the tree from Old Olive cardstock, and sponged the edged with Jellybean Green hybrid ink from My Favorite Things.  Then using some Whip Cream card stock, I die cut the Vertical Greetings Die-Namics and stamped it in Natural hybrid ink with the BG Linen background stamp.  I stamped the pot for the tree with Kraft hybrid ink, and the tree trunk with Hot Fudge hybrid ink, then added the tree with dimensional adhesive.  On the Razzleberry card stock panel behind the tree, I stamped the BG Romantic Script background with Razzleberry hybrid ink.  Then the panel behind that was cut from Old Olive card stock using Blueprints 13.  On the Razzleberry card stock base, I added a panel cut from Blueprints 13 with River Rock card stock, and stamped with the Cover-a-Card Greenery from Impression Obsession in Grout Gray hybrid ink.  I finished the design with a scalloped border cut from Old Olive card stock with the Blueprints 14 Die-Namics, and some enamel dots.

On the inside I added a sentiment from the Topiary Trio stamp set stamped in Razzleberry hybrid ink, and a tree stamped in Grout Gray hybrid ink.
Be sure to stop over at Jen’s blog to check out all the details for the Deconstructed Sketch challenge, and visit the rest of the team for more inspiration…

• Arielle Gordon
• Cresta Woodruff
• Jen Shults
• Kim O’Connell
• Sheri Gilson
• Tangii Crain
• Tracey Pickersgill

Stamps:  Topiary Trio (Papertrey Ink); BG Linen background, BG Romantic Script background (My Favorite Things); Cover-a-Card Greenery (Impression Obsession)
Dies:  Topiary Trio Die Collection (Papertrey Ink); Vertical Greetings Die-Namics, Blueprints 13, Blueprints 14 (My Favorite Things)
Card stock:  Old Olive, River Rock (Stampin’ Up!); Razzleberry card stock, Whip Cream card stock (My Favorite Things)
Inks:  Grout Gray hybrid ink, Razzleberry hybrid ink, Natural hybrid ink, Kraft hybrid ink (My Favorite Things)
Accessories:  enamel dots (Doodlebug and My Mind’s Eye)
Happy (almost) holiday weekend!  Thanks for stopping by today!

Remembering 2013 Recipe Swap

Linda has some fun lined up for us for the first Catered Crop Recipe Swap of the year… a chance to review all of our favorites from last year.
Honestly, 2013 wasn’t the greatest year for me.  My stamping suffered greatly from a lot of stress I was dealing with at my former job, and I even took the month of May off from stamping completely.  My Mom was also diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time early in the year (and is thankfully winning the battle!) and then my Dad unexpectedly passed away on December 4th.  Don’t get me wrong…. I have many, many blessings in my life that I’m very grateful for, but all in all I’m glad to see the end of 2013.  It was a difficult one. 
I didn’t really think I’d find a lot of favorites on my blog, but I did end up with a good selection.  Rather than choose one favorite from each month I just decided to pick my faves and leave it at that.  :)  So here ya’ go… my 2013 favorites.
From January, these Valentine tea lights made with stamps and Die-Namics from My Favorite Things…

The newly-learned chalkboard technique was something I loved to do during the past year, and this Sweetness of Friendship card with stamps from Flourishes is also one of my favorites…

In February, I used some newly acquired stamps and dies from My Favorite Things on this card that was for my sweet friend Gretchen.  She was in need of a pick-me-up and this card was just the ticket….

And some more new stamps and dies from MFT were used to create this card…

In April I had the distinction of being the Guest Designer for My Favorite Things’ new release and this Spring-themed banner I made was definitely a favorite…

In June, I was inspired by a card from Lisa Johnson and created my own version here with stamps from Kitchen Sink Stamps.  And my BFF Barbara Anders shared a bounty of sequins with me around this time, which turned into another favorite for me in 2013…

In June I rejoined the design team at Kitchen Sink Stamps just in time for a great new release, and this card showing some paradise was a favorite…

The annual Dare to Get Dirty challenges over at Splitcoaststampers are always a bunch of fun, and this card using some new stamps from Wplus9 Designs I created for one of the challenges was pure joy to create…

Any Color Throwdown challenge with shades of blue makes me want to pull my hair out, as I just don’t work well with blue, but I was pleasantly surprised when this card came together using a variety of stamps from MFT, Hero Arts and Impression Obsession.  This card was sent to my Aunt Linda in Ft. Wayne who also unfortunately passed away this past year.  She was my Dad’s youngest sister, and my Dad died four weeks to the day after she did.  :(

Sunflowers have always been a favorite for me, so this card was a shoe-in for a 2013 favorite, using Kitchen Sink Stamps…

This past year was when I discovered A Day for Daisies digital stamps, and got lucky enough to join the design team!  This sweet card for Color Throwdown #264 was definitely a favorite…

In October, there was another great new release from Kitchen Sink Stamps, and this wonderful Multi-Step Bicycle stamp set was an idea that I came up with, so any card made with this fantastic bike image is a favorite of mine…

Every now and then, a card comes together and you just think “oh, YEAH!” because you’re so happy with it, know what I mean?  This card using a digi from A Day for Daisies was one of those happy moments…

And finally, another new company I discovered this past year was Reverse Confetti.  I just fell in love with this coffee stamp set they released, and just loved this card I created with that set…

So, there you have it… my favorites from 2013.  If you’d like to show off your favorites too, stop over at the Catered Crop blog and leave a link so we can see yours, too!
Happy weekend, and thank you for stopping by!

Color Throwdown #254

It’s Color Throwdown time again, and this week Barbara is our hostess and I’m angry with her for making me use Brilliant Blue!  LOL  I just don’t DO blue!  But in the end, I’m glad she forced me because I’m pretty durn pleased with how my card turned out!  :) 

I was completely inspired by this beautiful card made by my dear friend LeAnne Pugliese for this creation, and just used a variety of stamps including Hero Arts, Impression Obsession, and My Favorite Things in the layout.  I added a sentiment tag, button and some enamel dots for embellishments.

Be sure to stop over at the CTD blog for all the challenge details, and some exciting news…. we have two new designers joining our team!  Be sure to come on over and welcome them with us, and our new August Guest Designer, too!

Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Lori Tecler
Lynn Put
Melody Rupple
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Kendra Wietstock, August Guest Designer

Thanks for stopping by today… happy stamping!

Color Throwdown #236

Time for another Color Throwdown, and this week Lynn is our hostess and she’s making my life DIFFICULT!  I. DON’T. DO. PURPLE!  LOL  Next to shades of blue, I just don’t get along well with shades of violet… it’s a Barney-complex, I think.  Too much time spent watching episodes of it when my daughter was a toddler!  LOL
But, as you can see, I managed…

I found a really nice layout on a card on Pinterest and used it as inspiration for my card today, with these great silhouette flowers from Impression Obsession.  I added a Papertrey Ink sentiment, a button and Fishtail Flags STAX embellishment, and some old Bazzill Swiss Dot paper from my stash.  Easy-peasy!
Stop by the CTD blog for all the challenge details, and also help us welcome our April Guest Designer, Frances Byrne!  And check out my CTD sisters for more inspiration…
Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Denise Marzec
Joan Ervin
Lori Tecler
Lynn Put
Wanda Cullen
Frances Byrne, April Guest Designer
Thanks for stopping by!

Poppy Sympathy

I unfortunately had the need for another sympathy card this week, so I decided to play along with the Love Fest challenges that started today at Splitcoaststampers.  Today’s challenge was to incorporate L.O.V.E. in your card, so I did…
L – layers, layout (I used the Retro Sketch #50 for this week.)
O – oval
V – vellum, vanilla cardstock
E – embossing (around the oval edges, and on the sentiment)
The poppy on my card is from the Poppy Patch stamp set from Flourishes, and I also used the Poppy Patch Silhouette cut file so I could mount the flower above the oval.  The papers I used on the card are Crate Paper “Maggie Holmes” collection.
Since the card base is dark gray, I added a small panel inside with a Fishtail Flag die cut for writing…


And while the Retro Sketch was fresh in my mind, I decided to make one more very clean-and-simple card using the sketch, because I needed a quick card to send to my Pastor.  The stamp I used here is supremely old… it maybe very well be one of the first stamps I ever bought, made by Stampourri.  I doubt I’ll ever part with it…. it’s an oldie, but a goodie!

Happy Friday!  Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

Color Throwdown #229

It’s Wednesday again, so the Color Throwdown team has another challenge for you.  Wanda has picked these deeeee-lish chocolates as the color inspiration for this week and instead of make a card, I’d like to just dive into that decadence!  :)  But… I made a card, anyway!
I saw this darling card on Pinterest one day, and decided to CASE the design.  Unfortunately, I’m feeling like my version seriously pales in comparison, but it is what it is…

I used the Annivesary Set from Papertrey Ink for the flowers, and Woodgrain Fence Die-Namics from My Favorite Things, a kraft tag I cut with my Silhouette, and the sentiment from Impression Obsession.
Please be sure to visit my Color Throwdown sisters for more inspiration.  And stop by the CTD blog for all the challenge details!
Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Denise Marzec
Joan Ervin
Kerri Michaud
Lori Tecler
Lynn Put
Wanda Cullen
Kim Hahn, February Guest Designer
Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!