Color Throwdown #366

Hi friends!  We’ve got another Color Throwdown challenge for you today, and Joan is our hostess with this wonderful Fall color combo…

I have always loved shades of orange with shades of aqua, so this was right up my alley!  I decided this week to try my hand at some no-line coloring with my Copics using this sweet Harvest Mouse stamp set…

For my card layout, I used the current Sweet Sunday Sketch #292.  The polka dot paper I used is from Papertrey Ink.

Please be sure to visit the CTD blog today for more inspiration, and visit my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration…

Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Jodi Collins
Lori Tecler
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Michelle Boyer, October Guest Designer
Ashwini Rao, Guest Star Stamper

Your visit is a blessing to me today!  Thanks for stopping by!

Color Throwdown #363

Hi friends!  Welcome to another Wednesday and another Color Throwdown challenge!  Wanda is our hostess this week and was inspired to choose this weeks colors by this pretty Fall arrangement…

Have to admit… I struggled terribly with these colors.  I guess there’s just not enough contrast there for me.  So I added some brown (remember, additional neutrals are always OK!) and even threw in a tiny bit of rusty red in some of those little flower buds.  Here’s my card…

I did a little shopping at Papertrey Ink last week, and just couldn’t resist this pretty Twig Wreath stamp set and matching dies.  For my card layout, I was inspired by the current Sweet Sunday Sketch #289.

Please be sure to visit the CTD blog today for more inspiration, and visit my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration…

Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Jodi Collins
Lori Tecler
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Michelle Boyer, October Guest Designer
Christine Dring, Guest Star Stamper

Thanks for stopping by today!

Color Throwdown #362

It’s Color Throwdown day and Vickie is going to get us rolling into Fall (or make us want to binge on CAKE!) with these colors today…

For my card, I definitely leaned toward a Fall-theme and pulled out my some new Confetti Cuts from Reverse Confetti…

I started out by using some orange gingham paper to cut a pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch Confetti Cuts, and added some tendrils and leaves along with a Leafy Confetti Cuts behind the pumpkin.  I layered the pumpkin onto a Thankful Pretty Panels Confetti Cuts.  Using the current Sweet Sunday Sketch #288 for inspiration, I layered the Pretty Panel over a Fishtail Flags STAX Die-Namics that was cut from kraft card stock and stamped with the BG Cheesecloth background stamp from My Favorite Things.  Then I used some Antique Linen distress ink to take some embossing paste from white to off-white, then applied it to my background panel using the Small Brick stencil.  A few enamel dots for embellishment finished my design.

Please be sure to visit the CTD blog today for more inspiration, and visit my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration…

Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Jodi Collins
Lori Tecler
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Kelly Latevola, September Guest Designer
Karola Rehnstrom, Guest Star Stamper

 

I hope you’ll join us this week!  Thanks for stopping by!

A Harvest of Blessings

I told myself I wasn’t going to spend the money… I was going to resist the new release from My Favorite Things this month!  I told myself over and over “you have tons of stuff you’ve never used!”  I told myself “you don’t need more!”  And then this sweet little Birdie Brown Harvest Mouse started showing up everywhere!  And all of my will power went out the window!

I had some great stamping time with friends this past weekend, and colored this little guy along with the bushel of apples while we were together.  Both images were also die cut with the matching Die-Namics for this Harvest Mouse stamp set.  The colors I used were inspired by the Colour Q Challenge #307 for this week, and I used the current Sweet Sunday Sketch #286 for the layout.  I also made this card work for the current MarkerPOP Autumn-themed challenge #77.  The gingham paper is from the new Homespun Gingham Paper Pack from MFT, and was die-cut with the Pierced Rectangle STAX Die-Namics.  I also used the Pierced Fishtail Flags STAX for the burgundy flag, the Zig Zag Stitched Circle STAX for the sun, the Cloud Trio, and the Rolling Hills Die-Namics for the fence in the background.  My images were colored with Copic markers on Copic X-press It blending card stock.

Many, many thanks for visiting my blog today… I appreciate it so much!

Make Lemonade

I was on my way home from work last night, thinking about what a crazy, hectic day it had been… phones that never stopped ringing, piles of paperwork that seemed to grow before my eyes, and it was “Energy Conservation Day” which means the central air was shut down at 2:30 in the afternoon, and didn’t get turned back on until 6:30.  It makes people cranky (including me!) and adds burden to an already semi-unbearable day.  So I just knew that what I needed when I got home was some stamping therapy!

I thought all this past weekend about participating in the current Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge, but was just bummed because the theme is mason jars, and I have NO stamps that fit that theme.  But then I started thinking about stamps I do have that might fit that bill.  A mason jar is basically a vessel for holding foods, right?  (Most of the time anyway, but mine also hold buttons, tools, pencils, etc!)  And then I thought of my Bowl of Sunshine stamps and matching dies from Papertrey Ink, and thought maybe a Pyrex bowl would fit the challenge!  So here’s my card…

I turned the current Sweet Sunday Sketch #282 on it’s side for the layout (wow, it was a trial stamping that sentiment straight on the angled panel!) and am also participating in the Create Along With Us challenge for August at Papertrey Ink.  (Although I didn’t realize until now that I’m too late with my entry!)  I found the colors in Danielle’s “Brushed Off” card here for my inspiration with these colors.

Just what I needed… a little stamping therapy!  And if Tuesday hands me lemons, I’ll make lemonade for everyone!  Thanks for stopping by!

Color Throwdown #354

Hello friends, and welcome to Wednesday!  Otherwise known as Hump Day, otherwise known as the last day I have to work until Monday!  Whooohooo, I took a few paid days off and created myself a 4-day weekend/stay-cation, and I can’t wait!  At 5:00 p.m. today Eastern time, you will hear me holler!  :)

But before I get carried away, let’s get to today’s Color Throwdown challenge!  Wanda is our hostess today for challenge #354 and she’s got some pretty, earthy colors for you to try…



I stuck with the earthy-theme and used this cute gnome who’s totally diggin’ things!



The gnome is from the You Gnome Me Birdie Brown stamp set at My Favorite Things, and I used the Sweet Sunday Sketch #280 for the layout (GREAT sketch, don’t you think?)  On the Peach Bellini card stock panel I stamped the BG Woodgrain background in Peach Bellini hybrid ink, and on the Berrylicious card stock strip I stamped the BG Diagonal Stripes background with Berrylicious hybrid ink.  The gnome was stamped on watercolor card stock and I colored with my Zig Clean Color markers.  I added a strip of grass that was die-cut with the Grassy Fields Die-Namics and a flag from Blueprints 12, both cut from Jellybean Green card stock.  I embellished with a few enamel dots to complete the design.

Be sure to stop by the CTD blog for all the challenge details.  Visit my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration, including my uber-talented friend Lindsay Amrhein who’s joining us this month as Guest Designer!

Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Jodi Collins
Lori Tecler
Monika Davis
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Lindsay Amrhein, August Guest Designer
Jen Wills, Guest Star Stamper  Hey gnomies, thanks for stopping by!

MFT Summer School – Complementary Colors

I have been trying to participate in some of the Summer School lessons this week from My Favorite Things, and so I created this card for Lesson #7 on Complementary Colors.  It’s no secret that any shade of orange paired with blue (actually an aqua blue is more my preference!) is always a favorite for me!  So this lesson was right up my alley!

Here’s the card I created using the Sweet Sunday Sketch #278 for the layout, and the new CAS-ual Chic Utterly Adorable Layers challenge…



I stamped these gorgeous tulips from the LJD Spring Tulips on watercolor card stock with Versamark ink, then heat embossed with detail white embossing powder, and colored them using my fabulous Zig Clean Color watercolor markers.  The tulips were die-cut with the matching Die-Namics.  On the Berrylicious card stock background panel I stamped the BG Fine Chevron background using Grout Gray hybrid ink.  I added a Peach Bellini die-cut circle behind the tulips that was cut with the Blueprints 24 Die-Namics, and layered the circle under a strip of vellum.  I stamped the sentiment from Totally Happy on a strip of Steel Grey card stock using Sweet Tooth pigment ink that was heat embossed with white embossing powder.  Under the sentiment I added a Sno Cone card stock banner flag that was cut with Blueprints 24.  A few enamel dots completed my design.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

The Cat’s Pajamas New Release Day 1

It’s that time again… time for another new release from The Cat’s Pajamas!  Today, we have sneaky peeks for you in conjunction with the new TCPTuesday #295 challenge which is Anything Goes!

And now, are you ready for the stamp set?  OMGosh… if you LOVE the bunny, you’re going to love…



Baby Bunny!  This is the new Shake, Rattle and Roll stamp set!  I stamped my baby bunny on watercolor card stock, then colored with my Clean Color Watercolor markers.  My card layout is from the current Sweet Sunday Sketch #278.  For the flag at the bottom, I used the Bitty Banner Cut-ups and I embellished with a few enamel dots, and the star cut out of the banner.

Want to win one of the new releases before they’re even available to purchase? Of course you do! For a chance to win, just hop along and comment on all of the participating Cat Pack member blogs and the TCP blog today. One randomly selected winner will be posted on the TCP Facebook page tomorrow.

Here’s where to find all the Sneaky Peeks today…
Deborah Anton
Nancy Thomas
Christine Okken
Wendy McGaffey
Wendy Bond
Lisa Henke
Lori Tecler

And don't forget to save the date for the Pajama Party Monday, July 27th from 8:00-10:00 p.m. Eastern time on the Cat’s Pajamas Facebook page.

TCPTuesday #293 – Thanks Bunches

It’s time for another TCPTuesday challenge with The Cat’s Pajamas team, and today Christine is hosting our Inspiration Challenge!  Check out this photo below to get your creativity flowing…l

Well, I’ve always been partial to bicycle images, so I knew immediately that I’d be using the Wheel Love stamp set, with Bun-bun…

Bun-bun is taking a little ride along some grassy hills, delivering some pretty yellow posies to his girlfriend, I think… hmmm, what can her name be?  Bunny-Bun?  LOL  I just love me this sweet bunny!  The grassy hills were made with some gingham paper and die cut with the Wavy Stitched Border Cut-Ups.  And in the sky I added a few Stitched Clouds Cut-Ups, out Free with $60 dies!  The layout comes from the Sweet Sunday Sketch #274 for this week.
Be sure to stop by the TCP blog and join us this week!  You could win some Cat Cash, and be in the running to become our next Swanky Stamper!
Toodles!  Thanks for stopping by today!

Color Throwdown #347

Hello friends!  It’s time for another Color Throwdown challenge, and this week Broni is our hostess with these fabulous colors!  Oooh, I just couldn’t wait to create with these colors this week… aren’t the scrumptious together?  Here’s what I made…

I picked up the new Second Helping of Sunshine stamp set from Papertrey Ink a few weeks ago because I just loved the combination of Pyrex-style bowls (LOVE me my vintage Pyrex!) and the scales!  While I was shopping, I also picked up the Bowl of Sunshine stamp set, and the matching dies for both sets, so I foresee lots of fun with these sets!  For my card layout, I used the great Sweet Sunday Sketch #273 again.  My scales were stamped with Steel Grey hybrid ink from My Favorite Things, and on the face of the scales I added some crystal lacquer.  The bowl was stamped in Blu Raspberry hybrid ink, and the cherries in Razzle Berry.  The background was cut from Sweet Tooth card stock using the Modern Morocco Die-Namics cover plate.
Be sure to stop over at the Color Throwdown 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
Nancy Thomas, June Guest Designer I hope you’ll join us this week for the Throwdown!  Thanks for stopping by!

Sunflower Hello

My husband and I were serving as greeters at church yesterday, and just a few minutes before the start of the service we noticed a young couple carrying a little girl, coming across the parking lot.  As greeters, we’re always supposed to be on the lookout for new people, and I mentioned to my husband that I thought maybe they were new.  As they came closer, my husband said “Oh my gosh, I think that’s our neighbors!”  And sure enough, they were!  They live around the corner from us, and have been looking for a new church, so we were really happy that they decided to give the Orrville C&MA a chance today!  I told pastor after the service that I’d do what I could to extend the welcome into the coming week, so I made some zucchini bread last night and this card to take over to their house…

I was really glad to have colored this sunflower image on Friday night right after I got my package from Ellen Hutson with this new Clearly Besotted Sunshine and Smiles stamp set.  (The first Clearly Besotted set I’ve owned… I have a feeling there are going to be more!)  I was SO inspired by this card that Debby Hughes did with this set, so I just had to have it, especially since I’m so partial to sunflowers, anyway.  I used Ranger Distress markers on watercolor card stock for the image, then used a wet brush to color.  I also added some distress color around the sunflower, then distressed the panel up good with some splotches of Antique Linen ink.  The layout comes from the Sweet Sunday Sketch #273 this week.  I used the Happy Hellos Die-Namics to die-cut the hello from Steel Grey card stock… I cut three layers, glued them together, then applied crystal lacquer for dimension.  I die-cut some Sno Cone card stock with the Medium Scallop Die-Namics (retired) and a circle from Grout Gray card stock using the new Zig Zag Stitched Circle STAX Die-Namics.  On the yellow background panel, I stamped the BG Diagonal Stripes background.
I hope you like my happy sunflower!  Thanks for stopping by today!

TCP Tuesday #292 – Soakin’ It Up!

It’s Tuesday again and time for a brand new TCP Tuesday challenge from The Cat’s Pajamas.  This week, our newest Kitty, Deborah Anton is hosting our color challenge with these wonderful colors, just perfect for summer!  These colors immediately led me to a summery/tropical card…

I stamped Sprinkle floating on the waves from the Fun in the Sun stamp set.  She floating on some Wavy Stitched Border Cut-Ups waves, among some Stitched Clouds Cut-Ups.   On the yellow panel I added some bubbles from the stamp set, and I used the current Sweet Sunday Sketch #272 for the layout.
Be sure to stop over at the TCP blog for all the details, and join us!  You could win some Cat Cash, and be in the running to be our next Swanky Stamper!

Color Throwdown #345

First of all, please allow me one quick moment of proud mama indulgence…

Yay, she graduated!  There’s my baby girl, beaming after receiving her diploma!  This was on Sunday, and we have her party coming up on Saturday at our house.  Can’t wait to see family and friends!

OK, now… on to today’s Color Throwdown!  Wanda is our hostess today, and her colors were inspired by this wonderful photo that just screams summer time!

I guess my tendency with these colors was to lean towards red flowers, but I tried to think a little more outside the box.  I focused on the black and white instead, which led me to finally use my The Whole Herd stamp set from My Favorite Things…

I used the Sweet Sunday Sketch #271 for this week for the layout with my cute Bessie the cow!  Isn’t she cute there in her Stitched Circle STAX Die-Namics circle, with the Rolling Hills Die-Namics fence in the background?  I added a small cloud from the Cloud Trio Die-Namics in the sky, and used the Cow Print stencil in the background, sponged with Steel Grey hybrid ink.  This was a perfect card to make and send to my cousin, whose birthday I forgot last week!

Be sure to stop over at the Color Throwdown 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
Nancy Thomas, June Guest Designer
Maura, Guest Star Stamper

That’s all for me today!  Thank you for stopping by!  (And if you’re into party preparations, come on over!  I could use the help!)

Stay Tuned

I had an awesome stampy weekend with some fabulous friends at a retreat, and had time to do nothing but chat and stamp!  How much better can it get?

One thing I made time for was the Sweet Sunday Sketch #266 for this week, and I used my new (not-yet-used) LLD Stay Tuned stamp set from My Favorite Things, along with the matching LLD Television Die-Namics.  Oh my, if this isn’t a fun set of stamps and dies!  So many possibilities!

I had this color combo saved on one of my Pinterest boards, and thought it had a great retro look for this stamp set.  The colors I used are all from MFT including Ripe Raspberry, Peach Bellini, Orange Zest, Cotton Candy, Sno Cone and Tropical Teal.  I also used Steel Grey and Steel Blue card stock on the TV, and embellished my design with some enamel dots.

AND like it says on this card, you should stay tuned… I’ve got more cards from my fun weekend to share with you later this week!  Thanks for stopping by today!