Make Mine Stamps

Bloggers Challenge - Sketch Challenge

I am surprised these ladies haven't kicked me off the list since I've haven't participated in the past three weeks.  I'm glad they didn't because I love the creativity of this group!

Today, we had a sketch challenge.  Let's see if I can get a copy to magically appear in this post:

  Here is what I saw in this sketch and it came to me pretty darned quick.

I was "creating" a month or so ago and played with some cardstock vellum because I couldn't find all my glossy cardstock (yep, I have a God's plenty, but I couldn't locate the first sheet!).  This was the result of my Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango and Melon Mambo reinker splash technique.  I hated it at the time but I just couldn't throw it away.  I tossed it to the side and just kept looking at it, determined that I could fix it.  Well, shimmer mist to the rescue!  Isn't it true that everything looks better with some bling?  You can't see it because I can't photo it that well -- and as far as that photoing getting better...fugghedaboutit.  I spend my time stamping -- not trying to figure out the camera!

I started with a Pacific Point base and added a layer of Whisper White which was texturized through the Big Shot with the Polka Dots Embossing Folder.  Next, I cut my vellum down and stamped the focal imagefrom For All You Do in Pacific Point and mounted this to a Melon Mambo mat.  I added this to the card with regular adhesive.  I stamped the words in Pacific Point, used my 1 3/8 Circle Punch to punch out the words, and matted them on a Pacific Point Punched Circle Scallop.  Of course I popped this up with dimensionals.  I'm going through withdrawl big time always trying to make these cards that are flat so they can be mailed for 44 cents -- I'm working on it -- not cured!

I added a Whisper White panel on the inside and embellished the piece with some small flowers stamped in Pacific Point.  I'll use this card for writing a personal message.  I love these colors together and am not certain if this is related to something in my hormones or what -- but brights are the choice this week!

Off to do some more stamping!  Enjoy your day and show someone some love -- they'll wonder what you're up to for sure!  God Bless!

One Sheet Wonder Reject!

Remember before my vacation I told you I had joined a swap of One Sheet Wonders to help me stretch and learn to random stamp "better"?  Well, this is a piece of one of my reject sheets.  I thought it was perfect for this template from Maryjo, the Technostamper.  She does sketch challenges each week on Monday, generally around lunchtime and I haven't had an opportunity to play in a long time.

Here's my take on her sketch.

I am not ready to retire some of my "retired" stamps and I love this set, Starring You, for birthday cards.  The colors I used are Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green.  Garden Green is a color that didn't retire during the color renovation and I hadn't used it much at all.  Now that we have Wild Wasabi back, this is a perfect two-step stamping color combo.  Besides that, it looks awesome with Night of Navy and Cherry Cobbler -- crisp and clean -- just my style.

I random stamped the stars from Seeing Stars in my three colors on Crumb Cake cardstock.  I love this combination too and just wanted something a bit different than on Whisper White. 

I started with a Night of Navy base, and cut a layer of my One Sheet Wonder.  Next, I cut a piece of Cherry Cobbler, stamped my sentiment in Night of Navy ink, and layered this on the One Sheet Wonder piece.  I wrapped my Night of Navy grosgrain ribbon around the entire layer and then attached it to my basecard. 

I stamped the Happy Birthday star in Garden Green and mounted it on Garden Green cardstock.  In my effort to send cards that mail for one postage stamp, I didn't add a dimensional between these pieces, but the card really called for a dimensional on the back of the two layers (don't you agree?). 

Now, something you can do if you aren't certain a card can make the mail with only one postage stamp is add a crimped piece of cardstock the size of your card over the front of the card.  Here's a piece that would work. 

This will help your envelope to seem "more flat" and if your card isn't heavy with multiple layers, it will help ensure you can get by with only one regular postage stamp.  I don't even know what postage costs anymore -- I just tell them give me a book and I pay up.  

If you aren't certain, give this a try next time.  It's easy to cut these 8 or 12 at a time and run them through the crimper.  Use cheap cardstock and not your good stuff -- use the Walmart brand because it is inexpensive and works just fine.

I'm off to hit those domestic goddess duties again.  They never end but I can't complain -- I'm so happy to be home from vacation!  God Bless!

Blogger's Challenge and Sketch Frenzy Friday -- IT'S A TWOFER!

It's Friday and that means Blogger's Challenge, as well as a new challenge for me:  Sketch Frenzy Friday.  I joined a group that will start creating cards based upon a sketch that someone in the group has "thrown down".  Because I love sketch challenges (although sometime they don't love me back!), I think this is a great way to grow my creativity.

Here's my Blogger's Challenge sketch and card.

This is the sketch we were given.

As you can see, this is one of THOSE sketches that got the best of me.  I created this card on Monday and had high hopes of returning to the sketch to "try again."  Not so -- didn't happen!

The card base is Bermuda Bay and all the layers are from the Bermuda Bay Pattern Pack.  I used the Upsy Daisy set to stamp in Whisper White craft ink on the patterned paper.  Then, it is just a matter of layers and ribbon.  And no, this isn't the picture that I gave to my hands.  My hands and my head just flat did not communicate on this one -- but I did finally open up my Hodgepodge Hardware and use a piece.  Did I ever share that I hoard these pieces as well?  I have whole kits that have retired -- what is up with that?

Here's the sketch for the Sketch Frenzy Friday group:

  I think I've kind of skewed the sketch getting it in, but you get the idea.  Here's my card and this one came to me EASY!

I started with a base of Crushed Curry.  The next layer is Soft Suede and I've run it through the Big Shot with the new embossing folder in the Occasions Mini.  This one is awesome because it looks different on each side and I really think you could use either side!  I think this looks like a rug you would put out at your front door to scrape the mud off your boots -- how romantic is that?  But, I really like it!

I stamped the image from A Flower for All Occasions in Chocolate Chip Ink and colored the image using my markers.  I colored the can with Sahara Sand, the frog in Old Olive and the flowers in Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.  I finished it off with the Crushed Curry polka dot ribbon (opposite side) and added some bling brads for a hint of sparkle.  Although you can't see it, before I embossed the Soft Suede, I shimmered it with my homemade shimmer spray and it really looks cool.  You gotta love the shimmer!

If you are interested in seeing what everyone else in the group did with the sketch, check my sidebar and click on their names for their challenge entries.

Off to check everyone else's work -- I love how stampers share and encourage one another -- it just feels good!  God Bless!

Stencils aren't just for Home Decor Anymore!

I revisited the Decor Elements catalog earlier this week and found some stencils I hadn't noticed before.  So, what the heck -- I orderd 'em!  And today, I was delighted when they arrived.  I used the Elegant Trios stencils for a sketch challenge -- those darned aliens were back making me distress the thing!

I started with a card base of Crushed Curry.  I used a layer of the Crushed Curry Print Packs and stamped En Francais in Dusty Durango ink on the DSP. I also distressed the edges of this piece with the same ink.

The long rectangle layer is Dusty Durango cardstock which was run thorugh the Big Shot with the floral Texturz plate.  This piece was distressed with Crushed Curry ink and was liberally smooched with Gold Smooch Spritz!  I think this is going to be addicting -- if you like glitter, you'll LUV Smooch!

Using the floral stencil on Very Vanilla cardstock, I sponged on Crushed Curry ink, then Dustry Durango ink and I highlighted with Close to Cocoa ink.  Next, I used all three inkpads to add some distressing to this image.  This is mounted on Dusty Durango and Close to Cocoa cardstock, but I also liberally spritzed it with the Gold Smooch Spritz which is debuting in the new Occasions Mini in May.  Wait until you see how pretty this is in real life!

For the final touch, I used the Dusty Durango Polka Dotted Ribbon and pulled it through the Close to Cocoa inkpad, sprayed it with Smooch Spritz, tied the knot and adhered the ribbon.  This layer is adhered to the base card with dimensionals.

Again, I prefer clean and simple cards, but I can easily see myself using this stencil over and over and over again.  I'm putting it on a small ceramic vase I have and I'm going to have a ball altering it.  I should wait and show it for the next Blogger's Challenge when we have to alter it since I so struggle with altering.  However, I'm working on it!

Tomorrow is Blogger's Challenge and it's a color challenge.  I have to create my card when I get home from work and I'm praying for some divine intervention!  I need to use my time to finish preppeing for my scrapbooking class at the college on Saturday -- yep, I'm busy and I love it.  I'm also praying that my hands hold out until I'm done this weekend.

I found out today that the retiring colors, which we have affectionately dubbed "fond farewll colors," are available for certain only through May 31.  This includes the accessories in these colors.  However, June 1, these colors and accessories will be available only until inventory is gone.  If there is something you want, please order it soon. 

Yes, I would welcome the opportunity to do a workshop with you so you can earn what you want.  If you'd prefer to do a basket party, let me know and I'll get everything ready.  What's a basket party?  Drop me an email and I'll explain -- it couldn't be easier and hostess benefits await you!

See you tomorrow!  God Bless You!

Did She Step On That?

No, but looking at it, you wouldn't know for certain!  I made this card on Monday.  Came home from work and was going to stamp my heart out because it was my birthday.  Thom came home to meet the landscaping man and called me several times, my dad called me a few times and my hands were hurting up to my elbows!  Hello 48 and my mondo zits!  So this is how it is going to be hunh?  Well, in that case...As I was working on the card, Thom called me...again...and I dropped my ink pad onto my basecard.  From that point forward, it was "Game On".  I wasn't starting over and if it meant that grunge was the name of the game, grunge I was going to do.

This is part of the Just Add Ink color challenge to use Close To Cocoa, Blush Blossom, Cameo Coral and Kraft, and I used MaryJo's Technostamper Sketch Challenge for the sketch.  Multi-tasking is good.

The basecard is Kraft upon which I've stamped En Francais in Close To Cocoa.  Once I dropped that inkpad, I just smacked the inkpad all over the basecard to dirty the entire panel.  The top panel is Cameo Coral and it is embossed with the Polka Dots Folder, as well as being stamped in Close To Cocoa with En Francais.  I distressed the edges with  my distressing tool too.

I stamped the focal image (Bloomin' Beautiful) in Close To Cocoa on Very Vanilla and used my Blush Blossom, Cameo Coral and Mellow Moss markers to color the image.  I sponged Close To Cocoa all over the Very Vanilla and distressed the edges of my Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa and Cameo Coral panels.  Doesn't this look dirty?  Like I just mis-treated the whole card or something....  This was adhered to the card with adhesive (what?  No dimensionals?...).

I used a Kraft Corduroy Button and rolled it all over the Cameo Coral ink pad to color -- a fellow demo shared this tip and I love it!  I stamped the word "bloom" in Close to Cocoa ink on the Twill Ribbon and sponged on Close to Cocoa ink to dirty it up as well.  I wrapped the legs of the Cameo Coral button around the twill and attached it with a glue dot to the basecard. 

Thom absolutely loves this card.  I wouldn't send it anywhere except to an early grave.  I just like Clean and Simple cards, but have been challenging myself to create things that are outside my comfort zone.  I know I need to do this because everyone has a different style -- this one doesn't speak to me!

I hope to have something small to share with you tomorrow, but that will depend on if I get to stamp something today.  We'll see what I can come up with....

Have a blessed day!

Animal Crackers

Well, this is one of those cards that was definitely better in my head, but it isn't too bad!  I suppose I could send it to one of my nephews and they would love it.  I used a sketch challenge, but it was from the previous week (I think) and now I can't find the information on where I got the sketch -- it's just as well as I probably won't use it again.  And, because I've been stamping so much for other "causes," my own stamping just isn't getting the time it needs for me to be really happy with what I'm designing. 

I started with a base of Soft Suede and layered on a pierce of Crushed Curry which I put through the Big Shot with the Dotted Embossing Folder.  I used a small sponge to sponge on some Soft Suede and when you see it in real life, it appears to be "hairy", which is kind of what I was attempting to create.

I stamped my focal image in Soft Suede and colored it with my markers, using Apricot Appeal, Soft Suede and Dusty Durango.  I layered on pieces of the Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and then matted the focal image on Dusty Durango and adhered it to the basecard with dimensionals.  As I said, it's okay, but not one of my favorites. 

Here's a promotional note:  If you haven't already purchased a "cutter", go for the Fiskars Unit!  I have two and I've noticed that my line markers (the reason I bought these cutters) are disappearing.  I know I could draw the lines back in with a permanent marker, but I didn't know if this would stay either.  So, I took pictures of my cutters (which I use ALL THE TIME!) and sent them to Fiskars Customer Service via email.  I received an email in return, within 2 days, noting that their products are warrantied for life and they SENT ME TWO NEW CUTTERS -- free and I didn't even have to pay shipping!  I have the Deluxe Portable Trimmers and I am now a FISKARS customer for life.  They didn't even ask me to return the old ones -- the first of which I purchased at least four or five years ago and the second is less than two years old.  How great is that?  From now on, if there is a FISKARS product out there that fits my needs, I'm buying it.  I will definitely keep supporting a company with this kind of fabulous customer service!

If you're keeping count, I'm at 200+ on the 3x3's and I'm trying to do at least 20 per day.  My goal is 400 and I need them done by next weekend so they can be delivered on Monday afternoon (March 29 -- my birthday!).  I generally make more on the weekend than throughout the week, but this weekend, I'm designing and cutting cards for my Monday Card Club.  I think I have eight to ten ladies coming and I need to make certain I have some WOW! projects.  So, I had better get cracking on those cards....

Here are some of the 3x3's that I've made thus far.

When I donate cards like this, I try to use my retired cardstock and supplies first.  I had a bunch of Pink Pirouette cardstock left so I have several different designs in Pink.  Plus, after you have made about 20 of these, you get tired of the design and need to move on -- no matter how many you have to do, if you've seen it 20 times, you get bored with the design very quickly. 

And as you can see, I've got a bunch of Tangerine Tango left (or did have!) along with two spools of the ribbon -- put that stuff to good use!  Did you know that you can do two strips of Whisper White cardstock at a time through the new scalloped trim punch?  I'm getting very good at that....

Now, I know that I promised to use my color challenge of Perfect Plum, So Saffron and Mellow Moss today, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow.  Blogger's Challenge is a Spring Theme so I used the color challenge for tomorrow's card and knew I wouldn't have time to create a new one today for posting tomorrow.  Especially since I probably spent an hour trying to design a card that is in my head, but it just wouldn't come out my fingers.  So...I'll keep trying and let you know if it ever emerges.  I will love the card if I can create it, but it may just stay a vision in my head.

Here are the prize packages for the Color and Sketch Challenge and at this point, I don't know which is which.  There will be a few things added to each stack, but this will give you an idea of what is up for grabs.  Tomorrow is the last day for postmarking your entry!

                  Click on the pictures for enlargement, but there are brand new stamps sets (never mounted), unmounted rubber sets (they have been used unmounted with clear blocks), rub ons, punches and a large stack of 6x6 Designer Series Papers that need to find a new home in your craft room.  What would you do with these play things?

Okay, that's it for me.  See you tomorrow for Blogger's Challenge.  We have an event for Andy this evening for National Honor Society and I am rushing trying to get a few things done before we leave.  My back is giving me some trouble and although it is back in place, riding in the car is really bothering me.  Thank goodness Thom is driving tonight!  Tomorrow, Andy and his dad will be at the University of Findlay to attend their Health Science Day.  Because I know I cannot make that 3.5 hour trip EACH WAY in the car, no matter how comfortable the car, I've given them a list of questions.  I've already done the tour and I'm not really impressed.  However, it is his decision.  My heart is at Baldwin Wallace but we'll see what he decides.  (Under my breath, I'm praying God directs him to Baldwin Wallace -- it's closer and I think it's a much nicer place -- seems more like a college and not a glorified high school!).  Again I say:  It is his decision.  Can you tell I'm trying to convince myself to shut my mouth and let him make his own decision?

Hugs to you and a blessed day as well! 

Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge

I've been making my 3x3 cards for the Muskingum Center for Seniors and am having a bit of a struggle.  Easy and small, you wouldn't think these would be a problem, but my carpal tunnel is acting up a bit.  I've got to do a better job of making a plan and working that plan.  However, I saw a sketch on Stamping 411 that I loved and I had to make a card for the sketch.  I needed some Easter Inspiration and this sketch provided just what I needed.

Because the day was so gray anyway, I wanted to work with some color and I love sketches that allow me to utilize my scraps.

The basecard is Always Amethyst and I stamped randomly in Always Amethyst with the Wedding Sweet stamp (remember that I warned you it would be popping up a lot!).  All the scraps are from the Garden Party Designer Series Paper and I love the colors in this paper pack.  I layered on the first piece, then used a yummy Pretty In Pink Satin Ribbon and tied the bow.  I can tie bows with the satin ribbon, but the grosgrain is still a struggle.  I layered on the remainder of my DSP pieces and then a square of Certainly Celery. 

From the Occasions Mini, I embossed some vellum in the Butterfly Embosslit through my Big Shot and used my Always Amythest marker to color inside the embossing on the underside.  I combined two vellum butterflies, one on the bottom and one on the top, of the Pretties Kit stick pin and adhered this to the Certainly Celery square.  I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to position my "Happy Easter" sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Now, when I do my beginning classes, I talk about stamping in thirds and how if you are random stamping, combinations of three seem to work the best and be the most pleasing to the eye.  In this instance, I've used the colors in threes as well and when I was putting this together, it dawned on me that using the colors in threes like this seems to be the most pleasing to the eye as well.  It is amazing to me what you learn every day when you keep stamping -- and I love it!  There is always something you can learn, especially when you are stamping with others.  And I would be remiss if I didn't say that Stampers are among the most unselfish people in the world -- always willing to share what they know!

I once read that you can become an expert at anything -- but you must practice for at least one hour per day.  I'd love to have the opportunity to stamp for one solid hour every day, but life gets in the way (and I like living, by the way, so that is not a complaint!).  But imagine how much we could learn if we had the opportunity to do something we love for one hour every day...great thought!

Remember that all entries for my sketch challenge and color challenge must be postmarked by March 19.  Thank you to all you talented and unselfish women who have shared your cards with us.  Tomorrow, I'll be posting some cards that Francie made.  She gave me a bunch on Thursday of last week.  And I know that Laura has a bunch she has been doing as well.  Can't wait to see them and share them with you!

Also remember that Sale-A-Bration ends at the end of this month.  Currently, you'll get a freebie for every $50 you spend.  And, if you want it all, consider signing up...you'll get a 15% discount on the starter kit, your choice of stamps and inks, as well as a free Sale-A-Bration set.  Then, you'll get a one time 30% discount on your first order (think Big Shot and Dies!), and you'll have access to all the benefits and freebies that demos enjoy, as well as all the creative outlets and learning opportunities that come with it.  It's a great way to get a good start on your supplies if you know you want them anyway and if your family and friends spend money on crafting supplies, they can buy from you as easily as they can buy from the box stores.  If you would like the facts about the benefits of purchasing the starter kit, give me a jingle.  I'd love to take 30 minutes and share the benefits with you and I'll give you a free gift just for listening.  I am in a challenge to share the benefits of becoming a Stampin' Up! Demo and need to share the opportunity with at least five people this month.  Do you know anyone who would listen to take advantage of my offer for a free gift?  No obligations, no hard sell -- I PROMISE!  I just really want to complete the challenge and I need to share the benefits with five ladies in March.  Are you willing to listen or can you give me the name of a friend who might be willing to listen?  At this point, I could really use your help because you know that one thing I am not is a sales person!

Have a fabulous week and come back and visit.  There will be some good things posted this week!

Sometimes, it isn't pretty....

Sometimes I enter a sketch or color challenge and the card that comes out of my fingertips just isn't what my brain envisioned.  Does that ever happen to you?  I generally don't show you too many of my mishap cards, but today, I've got a severe headache (color it sinus!) and I'm not going to get anything else created.  So, in order to show you that I have my share of "ugly" cards, here is one.

 Yep...I know...it's a color and sketch challenge gone bad.  I desperately wanted to wrap some ribbon around this puppy, but the sketch was pretty explicit.  So here are the details (this way, you can avoid making an ugly card like this one!).

I started with a Rich Razzleberry base and added a layer of Cottage Wall DSP.  The color challenge was Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum and Certainly Celery (and this is a great combo, truly!).  I colored the image with my markers and used the three challenge colors.  Now, just in case you wondered, the circle was part of the sketch challenge or it would not have found its way onto my card. 

I layered the image onto Certainly Celery.  You'll note the piercing details and I stamped the sentiment using my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.  I'm loving that clever little tool, let me tell ya!  I layered this onto Rich Razzleberry and used dimensionals to add this to my card.

The bottom sentiment is from Heard from the Heart and I was hoping to give this card some pop.  I think it fizzled!

At any rate, I've got my plate full working on cards for my Card Club this month.  We're doing five cards for $10 (I'm treating them to an extra card this month on me since it is my birthday month) and I'm trying to put together some samples for the Library for classes I would like to do.  The John McIntire Library makes things as easy as possible for me to teach classes.  All I have to do is what I enjoy -- create and teach.  I don't have to worry about registration or collection of supply fees -- anything.  And the facility is absolutely top-notch. The people are the best and besides that -- IT'S THE LIBRARY!  Oh how I would love to get locked into the library overnight.  Next to stamps, books are my passion!  I don't eat or drink when I'm stamping or reading -- who needs to?

You know how sometime you want to do something, you keep saying you want to do it, but you don't get it done?  Well, I took the first step today.  Because I've got so much "stuff" and am such a paper and stamp hoarder (notice those first two letters in that word?), I made up a few samples and approached the Muskingum County Center for Seniors.  I'm going to make 400 3x3 Easter Cards for the Meals on Wheels program, which truly is near and dear to my heart.  I think this program is so worthwhile and although I've never delivered a meal, this is one way I can help out.  I'd love to help bring a smile to the faces of the dear ones who receive this service and now I can.  So, that's how many cards I have to make each day for the next three weeks?  Hmmm.  Better do the math and start cutting!

Okay, 'nuff talk.  More Sketch Challenge entries tomorrow and I hope I'll be able to put together the prize packages between today and tomorrow so I can post them by Friday.  Stay tuned!  And don't worry -- every now and then an ugly card escapes from all of us who stamp.  Do you suppose I could make the excuse that I had a headache while I was crafting this card?  Is it even worth the breath I would have to expend to get that excuse out?

Challenge Entries

Happy Tuesday!  It's going to be a crazy week for me as Andy has scheduled additional college visits for this week.  We're going to be hopping, but he has to make a decision by May 1 or the scholarship money that has been promised to him will dry up and disappear.  He's having a hard time making a decision and we are hopeful that with these visits, his decision making process will become much easier and a "winner" will emerge.  One can only hope...

Here are two new entries for the Sketch Challenge I issued for March.

This card is from Francie -- her second.  The base is Soft Sky and she used some retired SU DSP that has one of my favorite colors -- Groovy Guava.  I loved this paper and these colors and was sorry to see them go.  But, once again, I love how she used punches for her image -- I don't think of that often enough!  The double-stitched ribbon is also one of my favorites.  I'm glad that Stampin' Up! has been offering this in 1/4" and the 5/8" because both size ribbons can really complement a project.

The next card is from Valerie.  She's very active in our community and I truly don't believe she sleeps -- I'm not certain how she gets everything done that she manages to achieve.

It is so interesting to me to see how everyone interprets a sketch differently.  However, that is "So Valerie" because she likes to be different.  Notice that she has used her DSP at the top and chose to leave the bottom layer blank.  Very pretty with the scalloped strip -- it resembles lace to me and really softens the image. 

I love both of these cards and know that the residents of the Ronald McDonald House in Columbus will love them as well.  I can't imagine having a child be so ill that I have to uproot myself and move to another city while my child is receiving the care he/she needs.  It has to be one of the most stressful things a parent can go through.  And while you are coping with that, life continues to go on around you.  Family members have birthdays, get married, etc. and you still need to acknowledge those events.  The cards that we donate go a long way toward making that possible while these parents are still able to be with their own children and provide the constant support, attention and love a child must have when they are ill.  It gives me goosebumps and I'm grateful to God that I never experienced this firsthand. 

I entered a color challenge to use Certainly Celery and Not Quite Navy.  Here's the card I came up with and I combined the color challenge with a sketch challenge from one of my demo boards.

The basecard is Certainly Celery and I've used the Itty Bitty Background stamp set to add some Not Quite Navy to the top of the card.

I stamped the image from Cheep Talk on the Whisper White Panel, using markers to color the branch in Close to Cocoa, the leaves in Certainly Celery and the bird in Not Quite Navy.

The Not Quite Navy panel is pierced at the top and I layered a Certainly Celery ribbon across the panel just to break up the color.  I added two buttons from the Fresh Favorites Collection and scalloped the bottom of the panel. 

You can tell I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to place my sentiment because it is placed perfectly -- love when that happens!  Overall, this card gets an okay rating from me -- not my favorite set at all, but I have it, so I used it.  It fit the sketch and I was able to incorporate the challenge colors.  Truth be told, I'll be glad when this one retires so I don't feel I have to use it...just the facts!

I'm off to work -- hope all is well in your world and that you can smile today.  The weather is going to be gorgeous.  I'm a snow lover, but I am so glad to see that white stuff disappearing!  God Bless!

Challenge Entries

I love that people are accepting the challenge and making cards!  I've heard from so many ladies that they have never "done" a sketch or color challenge and aren't sure what to do.  Truly, it couldn't be easier.  With a sketch challenge, you make a card using the sketch with whatever supplies -- paper, inks, stamps, embellishments -- that you wish.  The idea is to use the sketch as a layout for your card.  I say to use it as the inspiration for your layout for the card.  Here's Laura's entry for the sketch challenge.

Laura used Mellow Moss as the card base and used Outdoor Denim as her first layer.  She embossed the first layer and sanded off the color (ISN'T THAT GORGEOUS!) to make the background pop -- and it does!  She stamped her image in Outdoor Denim ink on Very Vanilla, but thought it looked a bit stark.  So, she used a sponge dauber to daub some Mellow Moss ink on the image.  I love how it appears to have aged.  She matted her images on Outdoor Denim mats and layered this on Mellow Moss, to which she added a polka dot ribbon.  In my mind, this is a great card and one I would immediately be drawn to if I were looking through a stack of cards from which to choose. 

I really like the contrast of the dark color to the white and the sanding is a fabulous touch!  Nice job Laura!  Thanks for the card for the Ronald McDonald House!

The second card I'm sharing with you is from Francie.  She is a very smart stamper and worked smarter, not harder, which I try to do often!  She entered the sketch challenge, but combined it with the color challenge for an incredible card.  Here is her entry for both challenges.

Francie started with a card base in So Saffron, which is my very favorite color in the entire Stampin' Up! line.  She layered both Perfect Plum at the bottom and Mellow Moss across that seam.  She used a piece of So Saffron DSP as her focal image mat and used the 5-Petal Punch to punch a flower in Perfect Plum and used the Trio Flower Punch to punch a flower in So Saffron for the center.  She stamped a flower in So Saffron and "fussy cut" it out and then stamped a flower from the Trio Flower Punch for the center of this flower and used White Gel Pen to create the center.  (At least I think this is what she did -- don't quote me!).

Francie, I love the card and really appreciate your willingness to stamp for the Ronald McDonald House!

I have approached the Meals on Wheels program here in Muskingum County about the possibility of putting small cards in with their lunch deliveries every so often.  Thus far, I haven't heard back so I thought I would make a few samples to deliver and let them see what I'm proposing.  This would be a service project for me because I love to stamp, I have plenty of supplies, and I need to do something that counts with all of this stamping.  Meals on Wheels is a fabulous program and if I could contribute to bringing a smile to the face of the recipients of these meals, what could be better?  Here is sample #1.  I'll be making several this week to drop off and see if they are receptive to the idea.

I want to make 3x3 cards for this project as they are quick and easy and with my Carpal Tunnel still an issue, it only makes sense to make something small.  However, great things come in small packages right?  I used scraps to make this card and know that it needs a bit more color.  However, for a simple sample, this works.  I used a piece of the Certainly Celery DSP from the Cottage Wall Designer Series Pack and layered this on the card.  I covered the seam with a retired Certainly Celery stitched ribbon. 

Remember me mentioning that Krista Visser-Driessen had sent me stamps to play with?  Well, this particular circle is from her collection.  I love it because it works with my 1" circle punch and I have the Small Flowers stamp set -- the images are perfect for the center of the circles!  I stamped this on Whisper White in Old Olive and stamped the flower, stamped the sentiment on the bottom and voila!  It's a simple card that anyone can put a message in and I know if I received this with a meal, just out of the blue, it would make me smile.  What do you think?  I'm not certain if I want to stamp a message on the inside or allow them to do it.  I would guess that those who deliver the meals may not have time to personalize ever card, so I'll probably stamp a small message inside.  I have plenty of verse stamps and will enjoy finding the right one to bring a smile to a face.

It was a great weekend but I'm off to iron -- the laundry has been going all day and I really want to stamp more, but my housework is calling.  Tomorrow is the grocery and I'll have to clean some before I can stamp, but I've got my plan and I'll just have to stick to it.

Have a fabulous week!  Keep your sketch and color challenge cards coming.  I'll post a picture of the winnings this week so you can see what is up for grabs.  In the meantime, be blessed!