A Winning Combination

Welcome back! I wanted to post my card for the Color Throwdown and Stampin' Royalty challenges. This week's Color Throwdown selections are fabulous! I may decide to make more cards with this dynamic combination! The Stampin' Royalty sketch is equally as dynamic and awesome!

I followed the sketch to a "T" and think that the card turned out :) This was the last card in my card making frenzy last night, so my creative light-bulb was dimming. But, none-the-less, I like it for a younger girl's birthday :) I may try these challenges again to give them all the creative justice they deserve though!

It's nice to finally be able to showcase one of my lesser used ribbon, the melon mambo dotted ribbon! I learned a trick to tying this type a ribbon in order to have all sides showing dots (the back-side of the ribbon does not have dots). First, tie a loose knot in your main piece of ribbon (the one that goes around the cardstock) and then slip the smaller piece of ribbon ("bow" ribbon) through the loose knot and tighten! Viola, perfect polka dots! (Hope that made sense lol).

Thanks for looking and don't forget to stop by tomorrow for this week's KCRR challenge!

Supplies used:

Stamps: Papillon Potpourri, Create a Cupcake

Paper: Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Lucky Limeade, Tea for Two DSP, Whisper White

Ink: Melon Mambo, So Saffron, Lucky Limeade
Tools: Scallop Edge Border Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch

Accessories: Dotted Ribbon (ret)

Freshly Made Sunflower

Good morning! Well, it's Thursday! One more day till Friday :) Today, I wanted to play along with Freshly Made Sketches:

I thought the large open space on the sketch would be perfect for the large sunflower stamp (retired).

I embossed the large stamp in early espresso and then used a blender pen to colour the petals summer starfruit, adding a little cajon craze for depth. The stitched satin ribbon and antique brad are the perfect accents:

Thanks for looking! Check back later for another post :)

Supplies used:
Stamps: Sunflower (ret)
Paper: Early Espresso, Tea for Two DSP, Very Vanilla
Ink: Early Espresso, Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze
Accessories: Stitched Satin Ribbon, Antique Brad

Mojo & Muse: An Inspired Card

Good day! I hope the last couple of days have found you well :) I have been super busy this week and have finally had some time tonight to get behind the crafting table. 3 hours and 4 cards later, I am bringing you this post! :) I have decided that the only way to make crafting time productive, is to have a sketch of the cards/projects you intend to work on... I had a number of sketches and think that 4 cards in 3 hours is a good rate. This includes time to improvise and change things that don't really work (this also includes time to make tea & popcorn :) hehe). Anywho, onto today's challenges! I decided to play along with Mojo Monday and Muse again (I really enjoyed this combo last week and found that they fit nicely together again this week!) Here's what the challenges look like:

I was inspired once by Mary Fish, who made an awesome card with the floral framelits (click here to check out her original post) and I wanted to try a version of her card. Here's what I came up with:

I am really happy with the results! The flowers from Bloomin' Marvellous really make the card (not to mention the overall floral shape). The flowers and leaves are stamped in calypso coral, raspberry ripple, primrose petals (all colours I saw in the Muse card's flowers), and lucky limeade and then fussy-cut (probably the most time consuming of my 3 hours of crafting tonight...) I like the randomness to the placement too:

Thanks for looking! :) Now I am off to bed to hopefully have a rock solid well needed sleep!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Bloomin' Marvellous
Paper: Raspberry Ripple, Very Vanilla, Tea for Two DSP
Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade
Tools: Floral Framelits, Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Dynamic Duos & Retro Sketches: With Sympathy

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend! I sure did :) By now you had read all about my spa Saturday (lol) and Sunday was pretty great too! I visited with my mom and we played cards and drank tea (extremely reminiscent of the "old days") then Matt and I went to visit his sister Michelle (my best friend) and her boyfriend, Steven for dinner. They cooked us enchiladas!! So spicy and delicious! Prior to eating the main course, we tried the Colombian fruit granadilla. It is a very sweet fruit and very tasty! Steven figures you can get about a dozen of these in Colombia for about $1... and here, they are $2.50 each!! Along with trying this new Colombian fruit, Michelle and Steven also prepared us a type of lemonade made with a hybrid of mandarin orange and lemons... sooo yummy!! Here's a picture of the inside of the granadilla:

Anyhow, on with the challenges! Today, I chose to play along with Dynamic Duos and Retro Sketches:

This week, in honour of Retro Sketches 52 challenge, the challenge was to use any previous sketch of your choice... I chose to use sketch #1:

My vision for this card came together in an instant. Pool party and island indigo are two of my absolute favourite colours and I will be so sad to see them retire in a few months :(. I immediately thought of upsy-daisy and the two-colour shadow stamping technique. Here's how the card turned out:

It's a keeper! I think these are the perfect soothing colours & stamp set for a sympathy card. Here's a close up of the shadowing technique:

Thanks for looking!

Supplies used:
Stamp sets: Upsy Daisy (ret), Petite Pairs
Paper: Island Indigo, Comfort Cafe DSP, Summer Smooches DSP, In Colour Paper Stacks
Ink: Island Indigo, Pool Party
Accessories: Baker's Twine

Anniversary Celebrations!

Yesterday was such a great day! As I may have written about before, because I was so excited about it, we had a couple's massage, and it was SOOO nice! :) I can't believe how fast an hour goes when you are that relaxed. Then we got home and had a romantic lunch (mac and cheese lol) and got ready to go for dinner! Here we are all ready to go out :)

After dinner, we went to another restaurant and had dessert and delicious drinks! Before we went out, I gave Matt his anniversary card:

It's an easel fold card, and to keep it help up, there's a button and some linen thread on the inside:

I think it turned out great! I was also thinking of entering this card into this week's Addicted to CAS challenge:

The card isn't my exact view of clean and simple, but I still think it fits into the challenge! :)

Thanks for looking!!

Supplies used:
Stamps: The Open Sea, Word Play
Paper: Midnight Muse, Gumball Green, DSP Paper Stacks
Tools: Hearts Framelits, Houndstooth Embossing Folder
Accessories: Markers, White Embossing Powder, Black Brads (Michaels)

Inspired By... #6: 1st Birthday Boy!

Good afternoon! I am posting a little late today... I slept in until 8:45 (!!) then quickly had to shower and get ready to go for breakfast. We went to a local restaurant here called De Dutch. They serve Dutch inspired food. So good! (minus the fact that I was served a twist-tie in my salad :( ) Oh well, I got a coupon for a free meal out of it! haha Then Matt and I went to a local spa and had a very very VERY relaxing couples massage... did I mention how relaxing it was?? Lol Anywho...  on with the challenge...

This week was Charissa's pick, a super cute tie made for little boys created by TC Creations (check them out on FaceBook!)

Cute hey! I took the circles, colours and idea to make a young boy's card from this pic and was able to come up with this:

I really like the way it turned out! The little animals from fox and friends are so cute :)

Thanks for checking my quick post today and make sure to pop over to Charissa's blog, Snippets by Design, to see how this photo inspired her!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Fox & Friends (ret), Short & Sweet (ret)
Paper: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Basic Grey, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, 2011-2013 DSP Paper Stacks
Ink: So Saffron, More Mustard, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Early Espresso
Tools: 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Circle Nestabilities, Corner Rounder
Accessories: Baker's Twine

KCRR #6: Rock & Roll Technique

Good day! Yay, it's finally Friday! This week has felt super slow to me... at least it is only one more day, then the weekend :) This weekend should be great... Matt and I have plans to celebrate our 5 year anniversay with a couples massage and a nice dinner out on Saturday and a dinner with Michelle & Steven on Sunday. I am really looking forward to it :) Last night, we had my coworker/friend Charissa and her husband Kevin over for dinner. We cooked up an elk roast in the slow cooker, some deer tenderloin steaks, twice baked potatoes, veggies & cheese sauce. Everything turned out pretty good and our guests enjoyed the meal! :) After dinner, the guys chatted (about hunting and fishing) and Charissa and I checked Stampin' Up's clearance section :) hehe Anywho, it was a great night! After that, I watched Grey's Anatomy and created my card for this week's challenge...

This week's selections were midnight muse and the rock and roll technique. Hmmm... I had originally planned my card to include midnight muse and so saffron ink for the rock and roll, but I tried that out and did not like the way it turned out. So I made that card, minus the rock and roll technique and submitted it to another challenge earlier in the week, and came up with this for KCRR:

Well, I think this one turned out! The butterfly looks pretty :)

 

I am becoming more and more comfortable with combining designer series patterns, I like this combination! And I must say, my dahlia supply is dwindling quite quickly... I will have to add them to my next order. Don't forget to check Charissa's, Snippets by Design, to see what she created with this week's selections!

Thanks for looking!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Mixed Bunch
Paper: Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, Midnight Muse, Patio Party DSP, Whisper White
Ink: Primrose Petals, Summer Starfuit
Tools: Blossoms Punch, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Circles Nestabilities, Scallop Circle Nestabilities
Accessories: Dahlia

The Paper Craft Crew: Vintage Tea for Two

Good morning! Boy, I am sluggish this morning... hopefully today doesn't drag on! I spent a good amount of time paper crafting last night, and managed to create two awesome cards. One of them is for the Inspired By... Challenge on Saturday, and one is to play along with The Paper Craft Crew. Their sketch challenge this week was just so tempting, I had to play:

I am sure you would agree that this sketch as "potential" written all over it! I whipped out my tea for two DSP, calypso coral, lucky limeade and Tea Shoppe stamp set (basically the most perfect stamp set to go with this paper!) and got crafting! I am super happy with the results:

The vintage-y feel of this paper & stamp set compliment each other sooo nicely. Throw in those flowers, and nothing can compete! This is my first out-of-class experience with the flower trim, and I must say, why haven't I used this before?! Such a pretty & elegant accent! I sponged over the flowers with calypso coral. Then, to keep pace with the sketch, I added two little tags punched out with the jewelry tag punch and the three pearls. I just LOVE this card :) 

Thanks Paper Craft Crew for your awesome sketch! I think I'll keep this one in the archives as a "go-to!"

Thanks for looking today!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Tea Shoppe
Paper: Tea for Two DSP, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla
Ink: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade
Tools: Jewlry Tag Punch, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder
Accessories: Flower Trim, Ruffled Ribbons, Pearls, Sponge, Scissors for Distressing (edges of cardstock & DSP)

The Pink Elephant: Happy Easter!

Good morning! Top headline over the past two days: Roll up the Rim is back at Tim Hortons! This is just bad news for me & my bank account... so this year... I am not going to play! HAHA right... I will try not to play as much anyways. I had my first "please buy again" yesterday *tear* oh well, another day, another tea perhaps! Enough about me... let's get to the card! I wanted to play along with the Pink Elephant this week. I really enjoyed the sketch challenge:

I bought the Easter Blossoms stamp set a while back when it came on clearance and loved the writing on the Easter sentiment from Delightful Dozen thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try them out together::

I really like the finished product! Reminds me of when my sister and I were younger and would hunt easter eggs and pick pussy willows for our mom :) (back in the good ol' days...) I think I'll hang onto this one for my mom for Easter :) The boho blossom details are perfect for this card and accent the pear pizzazz sponged oval-framed little girl nicely :) And, the 1/8" taffeta ribbon is the perfect size for tying into cute little bows:

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Easter Blossoms, Delightful Dozen
Paper: Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz (ret), Brights Stacks, Very Vanilla
Tools: Scallop Edge Border Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Oval Nestabilities
Accessories: Regal Rose & Pear Pizzazz (ret) Markers, 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Pearls, Sponge, Dimensionals

Just Add Ink: Get Well Soon

Hello there! Just a quick post before I'm off to bed... I had a great night out with my mom & sister. We went to see a play at the local theatre called "Privilege." It was a very touching story about coming together as a family in tough times (that's what I got out of it anyways :)). And, we had sushi! Yum! I wanted to play along with Just Add Ink, a colour challenge this week, because I absolutely LOVE these colours:

I don't have any "get well soon" cards in my collection yet, so I seized this opportunity to make one:

I find this colour combo so soothing :) This was my first chance to use the Tea for Two DSP from the spring mini... and I think it will be making a regular appearance on my crafting table from now on, it's so pretty! Plus, it makes all the more reason to use calypso coral (since the paper has tons of that lovely colour in it, not realted to this post) :) hehe Anywho, about the card... I like the simplicity of it! And the blue dahlia is a nice accent in the centre of the focal point:

I had actually intended on using this sketch for our KCRR challenge (posting on Friday), but Just Add Ink used the same colours I had in mind, so I figured, hey why not! Now to make a new sketch for the KCRR challenge :) 

Thanks for checking today!

Supplies used:

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Delightful Dozen

Ink: Midnight Muse, So Saffron

Paper: Midnight Muse, So Saffron, Whisper White, Tea for Two DSP

Tools: Scallop Border Punch, Blossoms Punch

Accessories: Grosgrain Ribbon (ret), Dahlia

Playing Along with Mojo (Take 2) & Muse

Hello there! As promised yesterday, I played along with Mojo Monday again, but combined it with a new-to-me challenge, Muse! I love Mojo Monday, and combining it with a inspiration challenge works great! Here is the Mojo sketch again and the Muse for this week:

Upon initially looking at the Muse photo, I just loved the colours! I immediately thought of the Howlstooth & Scarringbone DSP (from the Holiday Mini and intended for Halloween, but really is quite versatile... really wishing I got another pack of it!) and the tangerine tango chevron paper in the pack. I wanted to encorporate some of the other colours in the Muse as well and chose daffodil delight, pool party and island indigo. Here's what I came up with:

I also wanted to play into all the different patterns in the Muse card, so the WIDE variety of designer paper that Stampin' Up offers was the perfect tool. I think Stampin' Up did a phenomenal job with their designer paper in the current catalogue and I can't wait to see what they come out with in June (but I will be for sure stocking up on my favourites!!). The cupcake from Patterned Party (Sale-a-Bration) works perfectly with this card!

Thanks for looking! Which Mojo card do you like better?

Supplies used:

Stamps: Patterned Occasions (SAB)

Paper: Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Summer Smooches DSP, Sycamore Street DSP (SAB), Howlstooth & Scarringbone DSP (ret), Whisper White

Ink: Island Indigo

Tools: Nestabilities Circles, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Vine Street Embossing Folder (SAB)

Accessories: Ribbon & Buttons Pack (SAB)

Mojo Monday & The Paper Players: Hello Baby

Well, I survived Monday :) It was really hard to drag my weekend-hangover butt out of bed this morning, but the day went by quickly once I finally got over the Monday blues :) I had a great weekend! The homemade Chinese food smorg was a hit! I made sweet and sour pork, almond chicken, ginger elk (my boyfriend is an avid hunter), garlic shrimp and broccoli and plain ol' rice. Needless to say, everyone left in a happy food-coma and we had minimal leftovers! Woot woot!

Now onto the challenges for this week! I wanted to play along with Mojo Monday and the Paper Players. They worked so nicely together this week as the Mojo was a sketch (as always) and the Paper Players was a theme this week:

I went to my go-to baby colours, for gender non-specific cards: so saffron, basic grey, and pear pizzazz (sadly, retired). I adore the finished product:

Umm... cute! Need I say more? lol I used a green sharpie from my newly acquired Costco pack of sharpies to colour the little pearl in the center of the flower. Paper snips provide a cute accent on the ear of the elephant:

Thanks for stopping by today! :) I made another version of the Mojo Sketch for tomorrow as well... check back to see how it turned out!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Patterned Occasions (SAB), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz (ret), In Colour Stacks (ret), Howlstooth & Scarringbone (ret), Whisper White
Ink: Basic Grey
Tools: Nestabilities Circles, 1-3/4" Punch, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Crop-a-Dile (ret), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Word Window Punch
Accessories: Button (ret), Linen Thread, Green Sharpie, Dimensionals

Inspired By... #5: Sunset after a Storm

Good day! Today is shopping Saturday! A day to spend going around browsing and shopping with my mom! Never a bad way to spend the day... and later, I'm going to fire up the old wok and cook up some delicious Chinese dishes! Yum! Now, it's time for another Inspired By... Challenge! This week was my pick, a beautiful sunset after a crazy storm:

This was taken at Matt's parents, and I just love the way the trees look black against the bright, bright sky. Here's how this photo inspired me:

I used daffodil delight, so saffron & regal rose to sponge on the colours to recreate the sunset in the photo. I like the stark contrast of the staz-on trees :) The simplicity of this card is really quite beautiful too. There are no accessories, just colour! I wanted the panels to be the main focus, and for nothing to take away from them.

Make sure to pop over to Charissa's blog, Snippets by Design, to see how this photo inspired her!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Very Vanilla
Ink: Daffodil Delight, So Saffron, Regal Rose, Stazon Jet Black