SUOC68 Monochromatic Ombre

Today's a bittersweet day... my last challenge as part of the design team at SUO Challenges.  I've had a fabulous time with the team, but after 2-1/4 years, it is time for me to move on to new things.  Today we have a monochromatic color challenge.

I've found myself clicking on quite a few cards by Chris Smith on Splitcoaststampers recently.  The ombre challenge on SCS intrigued me, and I found a really lovely one by Chris.  Here's my take.

While I was making this card, I was wondering around the house yelling, "OMBRE."  I think I might be driving my husband insane.  :)  I colored the flowers with one of my favorite techniques for this set, reinker spreader.

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Bloomin' Marvelous; Paper: Whisper White, Shimmery White; Ink: Pool Party, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, Island Indigo, Midnight Muse, Tempting Turquoise reinker, Pacific Point reinker, Black Stazon;  Accessories: SAB button, Pool Party baker's twine, Sponges, Aquapainter, Stampin' Spritzer, Post-It Notes, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC67 Cherry Blossoms with Thoughts & Prayers

Time for another Stampin' Up Only challenge.  This time we are focusing on Spring.  It's almost time for cherry blossoms down in D.C.  I always wish I could be down there for the annual 5k run.

I'm attempting to make a drippy watercolor scene, a technique I learned from the mixed media challenges on Splitcoaststampers.  You've got to watch Dina's video.  I definitely have a stampy crush on her!

Here's what I came up with.

And here was my inspiration.  *sigh*

Photo Credit

After sponging the edges of the punch-out flowers, I tried coloring the center with a marker, watercoloring it a bit, and adding Crystal Effects.  It didn't come out like I liked, but after all the watercoloring, I was vested.  So I colored a bunch of pearls with Crystal Effects, dyed with Primrose Petals reinker.  It's a little sloppy, but trust me, much better!  It has much more of the effect I was going for.  What do you think?

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Season by Season; Paper: Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso, Naturals White, Watercolor paper; Ink: Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso, Black Stazon, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Pink Pirouette, Primrose Petals, Soft Suede reinkers; Accessories: Pearl jewels, White gel pen, Crystal Effects, Aquapainter, Itty Bitty punch pack, Sponge.

And then the next morning I thought it looked like 1000's eyes were staring at me, drowning out the background.  So I took all the flowers off and starting watercoloring.  Ditched that for markers.  Ditched that for some mixed gesso and reinkers (Pink Pirouette, Primrose Petals).  Eh... better?  Maybe it matches the background better.

This card is like Groundhog Day.  I just keep restarting.  I must just-walk-away now.  Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC66 Just Believe

Time for another Stampin' Up Only challenge; today we are focusing on Easter.  Let's celebrate my favorite, and the holiest, of Christian holidays.  I just love the sentiment in the Just Believe stamp set, "Some things have to be believed to be seen."  If this just doesn't describe God... or even faith in general.

I started off with masking and sponging.  It still looked rather plain, so I kept adding layers of stamp images.  Then I had to add some telescoping cut-outs to distract from my mistakes.  :)

Nothing too fancy with the cut-outs.  I just ran all the framelits through the Big Shot at one time, held down with post-it notes, and then back-filled the holes with blank Whisper White card stock cut-outs.  Totally not where I was going with this card, but it turned out fun anyway.

Stamps: Just Believe, French Foliage, En Francais BG; Paper: Whisper White; Ink: Old Olive, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Sahara Sand, Black Stazon; Accessories: Sponges, Post-it Notes, Windows Frames Collection framelits, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC65 Going Green!

Morning Everyone, It's Tuesday and time for another Stampin' Up Only challenge.  In honor of the next fun crafting holiday, St. Patrick's Day, we are going green.  Now I just had a great idea to go green by repurposing some supplies for a card, but alas, I thought of it too late.  You can still do that though!

I reused (recycled? going green?) some clover punch art from last year.  We recently said good-bye to our Master's swim coach of many years, and we are going to miss him terribly!  You become very close with others you see three times a week at 6 am!  I made this card for the whole team to sign.

Stamps: Lacy & Lovely, Distressed Dots BG; Paper: Certainly Celery, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Everyday Enchantment DSP; Ink: Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Wisteria Wonder; Accessories: White baker's twine, Eyelet, Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Bird builder punch, Sponges, Hearts Collection framelits, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC64 Mardi Gras Sale-a-Bration

Happy Fat Tuesday, Everyone!  Today's the day to indulge... since tomorrow you will be observing Lent and giving up some vice, right?  :)  Today at SUO Challenges, we are using Sale-a-bration goodies.  I thought, "Wouldn't it be fun to make a Mardi Gras card?"  Ok, so this one took some thought to be able to combine the two.

I managed two SAB stamp sets, embossing folder, designer series paper, and button.  Pretty good sampling, I think!

I printed out a mask template from the internet on card stock and then started gluing on little Itty Bitty punch pack circles on in a pattern from a sample mask.  The feathers were created using the Blossom Petals builder punch.

I had my project all ready, and then I found that Our Creative Corner is also hosting a Mardi Gras challenge this week.  Well, I'll certainly share there too!

Stamps: Madison Avenue, Vintage Verses; Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Gumball Green, Summer Starfruit, Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Sycamore Street DSP; Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Gumball Green, Summer Starfruit, Sahara Sand; Accessories: Sycamore Street button, White baker's twine, Rhinestone jewels, Rich Razzleberry ribbon, Summer Starfruit ribbon, Gumball Green ribbon, Blossom Petals builder punch, Itty Bitty punch pack, Vine Street EF, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip.

I was so excited about this mask!  It's been a while since I created a new and different 3-D item from scratch, and it is funny how silly-excited I get with them!  :)  Hope you like it!!

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC63 Clean & Simple Valentines

Today on Stampin' Up Only Challenges, we are making clean & simple valentines.  These are perfect when you need to make a bunch, for school perhaps?

I spritzed the background with Pretty in Pink and Real Red ink.  The staple on the strip of tickets gives it an ephemera-kind of look.

I used the clean&simple layout #220.

Stamps: Hearts A Flutter, Take a Ticket wheel, Something to Celebrate (retired); Paper: Pretty in Pink, Pirouette Pink, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, More Amore DSP; Ink: Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Real Red marker, Pretty in Pink marker; Accessories: Itty Bitty buttons, White baker's twine, Rhinestone Jewels, Heart-to-Heart punch (retired), Color Spritzer Tool, Hearts A Flutter framelits, Hearts Collection framelits, Big Shot, Stapler, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC62 New Year, New Toys

Time for more playing with new Spring catalog goodies.  Today's challenge at Stampin' Up Only challenges is to create a project with new toys.

I used sketch #181 from Clean & Simple from a while ago.

Pretty straight-forward card, but still fun to make!  You could easily whip out this card too.  Love that fun cloud embossing folder!

Stamps: Hearts A Flutter, Sweet Essentials; Paper: Pool Party, Primrose Petals, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, More Amore DSP; Ink: Pool Party, Real Red, Basic Gray; Accessories: Faceted Vintage button, White baker's twine, Cloudy Day EF, Hearts A Flutter framelits, Petal Cone die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC61 Everything Blue

We have a monochromatic challenge this week on Stampin' Up Only challenges, Everything Blue!  What fun!  I'm sure a Christmas, New Year's or Winter card can be easily created with blue, but I need a birthday card.  So how about a fun, all-occasion stamp set with a blue twist?

I love how this card came out... looks like a fun balloon expedition over a snow-covered landscape.  Cool!  I guess it is kinda a Winter card after all.

I used CAS(E) this Sketch challenge layout #6.

Stamps: Up, Up & Away; Paper: Bashful Blue, Midnight Muse, Whisper White, Comfort Cafe DSP; Ink: Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Midnight Muse; Accessories: White baker's twine, Circle punches, Scallop Dotted Ribbon border punch, Sponge, Square Lattice EF, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC60 Glitter Galore

Today on Stampin' Up Only challenges, we are focusing on projects with glitter.  With a little self-reflection, I realized I don't like working with glitter.  The first card I made was so not me, so I tried again.  First I'll show you Take Two, a blingy Christmas tag.

I thought a glitter window would provide plenty of sparkle.

A few die-cut snowflakes and added touches.  I used the Sticky Pages to get glitter all over my main image.

Stamps: Christmas Lodge; Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Brushed Silver, Snow Festival DSP; Ink: Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke, Black Stazon; Accessories: Very Vanilla seam binding, Linen Thread, Dazzling Diamonds, Rhinestone Jewels, 1/2" Circle punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Trio Flower punch, Stylus, Window Collection framelits, Northern Frost decorative strip, Big Shot, Sticky Sheets, Dimensionals.

Take One: When I was flipping through the Holiday catalog, I saw the set Affection Collection.  My daughter loves this set, so I tried to channel my inner tween (or 5-year-old going on tween) to create a card with lots of pink and glitter.

I couldn't get myself to pull out lots of loose glitter when I've cleaned the house for class that night, so I went with some retired specialty patterned paper with embedded glitter and glimmer paper.  We'll see if Little Missy approves.  I think she'll like the 3-D flying wings.  ETA: She said, "That is beautiful!"  :)

Stamps: Affection Collection; Paper: Pink Pirouette, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Sending Love DSP, Love Impressions DSP, Cherry Cobbler Glimmer; Ink: Real Red, Basic Gray; Accessories: Real Red taffeta ribbon, Small Heart punch, Sewing machine, Thread, Stapler, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC59 Fun or Uncommon Folds

Today's challenge on Stampin' Up Only challenges is to create a project with fun or uncommon folds.  My downline and stampin' friends Melissa and Shari shared their wonderful swaps and creations from the recent Syracuse shoebox swap, and amongst them Becky O'Donnell had created a twisted gift card holder.  I knew I had to give one a try!

Well, I must have been hiding under a rock, because there are lots of examples of this card when you search "twisted greeting" in the Splitcoaststampers' gallery.  Here is Kelly Gettelfinger's YouTube video on how to make this card.

The idea for the cute apple tea pot comes from Melanie Schulenberg.  And here is the inside with an apple cider packet.

Stamps: From My Heart, Perfectly Preserved; Paper: Raspberry Ripple, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Orchard Harvest DSP; Ink: Raspberry Ripple, More Mustard, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Early Espresso marker; Accessories: Raspberry Ripple ribbon, Sponges, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Finishing Touches edgelits, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Also for fun, I created a tiny triangle box, playing along with Virtual Stamp Night on Splitcoaststampers.  I followed the tutorial (from this year's Holiday Tutorial Blitz) here.

I added the sweater trim to go along with "Warm and Cozy Sweater Weather" challenge.  Love this trim!  It is so soft... I've got more coming!  ;)  It is a bit bulky for cards, at least when trying to put under a layer, but I think it is fabulous for 3-D's.

Stamps: Make a Mitten, Nicely Knit wheel; Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White; Ink: Gumball Green, Soft Suede, Versamark; Accessories: Gumball Green sweater trim, Mitten punch, White embossing powder, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

Countdown to Christmas: SUOC58 CAS Holiday

Another Countdown to Christmas post... 6 weeks to go...  Today's Stampin' Up Only challenge is to make a clean and simple holiday card.  I recently had an afternoon to sit down and play with Make A Mitten set, both for stamp club and an upcoming stamp-a-stack my fellow demonstrators and I are hosting.  Since a stamp-a-stack card has to be quick and easy, it also fits this challenge perfectly.  So, without further ado, here's a sneak peek of what we will be making later this month (unless I change my mind, of course!).

Love the combo of the knit wheel with the mittens - feels so cozy!

Stamps: Make A Mitten, Nicely Knit wheel, Greetings of the Season; Paper: Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake,Whisper White; Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede; Accessories: Pool Party baker's twine, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Northern Flurry EF, Circle #2 die, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC57 Elegant Autumn Bouquet

Today's Stampin' Up Only challenge is to create an elegant autumn project.  That's it... that's all we got for a description.  Hmmmm, this challenge was kicking my butt for a while.  What is really elegant?  Heat embossing?  Fancy ribbon?  So many things like sponged leaves seem more rustic and vintage (think grungy, dirty) than elegant.  I know... vintage can be elegant, so don't flame me.  Just not the first thing that comes to mind.

These broad open challenges stump me for some reason.  But here is where I went with my reasoning... elegant --> weddings --> fall wedding --> fall bouquet.  Here is where I ended up.

Everything in the bouquet was sponged, and I used the fork bow technique for the ribbon.  I'm still stuck on Cindy Elam's triple strip layout; I just love it!

Paper: Summer Starfruit, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Comfort Cafe DSP; Ink: Summer Starfruit, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke,Sahara Sand; Accessories: Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon, Pearl Jewels, Scallop Circle punch, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Itty Bitty punch pack, Little Leaves die, Perfect Pennants die, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC56 Wild Safari

My daughter was invited to a Wild Kratts party, based on a PBS kids' show.  I have to admit, I hadn't heard of the show, and my daughter told me it was "Wild Crafts".  LOL!  This week's SUO Challenge is to create a project with any kind of animal.  This is a perfect opportunity to combine tasks.

A summary blurb about the show reads, "Join the adventures of Chris and Martin Kratt as they encounter incredible wild animals, combining science education with fun and adventure, while traveling to animal habitats around the globe."  I thought Little Missy was pretty spot-on when she chose In The Wild as the stamp set of choice.

I tried to lean towards the safari theme with the Netting background, hemp twine, and Crumb Cake card stock.  It was a bit of a challenge to make silhouettes out of the semi-solid giraffe and elephant stamps.  Coloring with a Sharpie created undesirable lines, so I basically tapped the Sharpie across the images.  I used a knot called a bungie knot to tie the hemp twine.

Stamps: In The Wild, Serene Silhouettes, Netting BG; Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Basic Black; Ink: Blushing Bride, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, Basic Black, Basic Black craft, Black Sharpie pen; Accessories: Hemp twine, Silver brads, Sponge, Brayer.

Thanks for stopping by!