Flower in October

Can you believe that we are already in the second week of October?  This month is quickly leading the way to Christmas.  But before we get to Christmas, lets first think of Halloween!  The lovely ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge, have a color challenge for you to try this week.  Once, I saw the colors, I instantly thought of Halloween.  Ugh, and I don't own any Halloween themed rubber stamps.  So, I tried to go a different direction with the color challenge.

here is what I did:

When I was crafting for this color challenge, I also realized that I don't own any dsp with these colors in it.  So, to say the least, this challenge was a bit frustrating.  But color challenges, are the hardest for me.

I randomly inked the Ex Libris background stamp in basic black classic ink.  I inked two wheels I have, one in summer starfruit classic ink and the text in pumpkin pie classic ink.  I made them into banners.  I cut a paper doily in half and added it to the left side of the card.  I stamped my blossom in the same colors, and did the 'rock and roll' technique.  I dyed my vanilla seam binding with pumpkin pie re-inker, and then did a zig zag machine stitch.  I added two tickets, stamped with the That's the Ticket stamp set.  And tucked in a sprig of leaves from the 2 step bird punch, using silver glitter paper.

I know that you will see some fabulous creations from the other ladies, and be inspired to play along with us @ NAC!  So grab you stamping supplies, and share with us what you create!

Thoughts of Pink

Busy, busy, busy.  But who isn't these days.  I know I'm busy, so I can only assume you are too.  We all have families, work, chores around the house, errands to run, and well, it's hard to carve out some free time to do what you love.  Me, paper craft.  So, let's get some inspiration moving!

The ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge have a wonderfully creative sketch for you to try this week.  And here it is:

when I first saw this sketch, I was at a lost.  But then, I really 'looked' at it.

here is what I came up with:

I hope that you recognize the paper blossom that I made.  It is a 'Dream' blossom.  I made quite a few of them in the last week.  And they are super fun to create.  I made several different ones and are available for purchase in my Etsy shop, here.  I am also working on an E-book for Amazon Kindle.  

The card base is soft suede cardstock.  The main panel is pink pirouette.  I used the very vintage wheel inked in pink pirouette classic ink, and ran the wheel across the front of the card.  I'm not a fan of 'white' space and 'flat' cards drive me crazy.  I knew that I wanted some text embossed on the front of the card.  but my background stamp in vertical. This card is horizontal.  UGH!

I inked half the stamp with versa mark ink and stamped half the card front.  I did the 'finger tap' technique, so the words would be random.  Then I inked the stamp again with versa mark ink and stamped the other half of the card front.  repeated the same technique.  I used white embossing powder and my heat gun to emboss this panel.

I wrapped a piece of first edition dsp around the center of the card front.  I made my sentiment piece a banner and used foam tape to elevate the sentiment off the front of the card.

For my two half circles, I did round clusters.  The left side is actually a paper 'Dream' blossom and a postage stamp.  The right side is two multi-loop bows and a ticket.  For the multi-loop bow bundle, I created two multi-loop bows, one very vanilla, and one dyed with calypso coral re-inker.  I threaded some white bakers twine through a facet button and tied the two bows together.

I just love this color combination together.  Now, lets see what you create!  Join us @ NAC!

Hello Baby

On this Friday, Jennifer is our sketch design artist for the sketch challenge over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  Jennifer has created a wonderful sketch.  I think it works for a large variety of paper crafters.  This sketch is very workable if you're a CAS type of gal, or a layering fool (like me) {smile}.

the sketch:

When I saw the sketch this week, the first thing I thought of was to stamp flowers in the opposite corners.  But then, that just didn't seem like 'me'.  The other thing that came to mind, was to use some products that I just love, but are retiring from Stampin' Up! this month.  A way to use things I like before I can't.  

here is what I created:

The card base is made from River Rock card stock.  I love this shade.  It's a neutral that has some green in it.  It looks like a linen shade, to me.  And then I decided to use some pretty soft colors, to help showcase this shade.                                            

The large panel is made from pool party card stock.  I used the distressed polka dot background stamp.  (Another retiring product.)  I stamped the polka dots in whisper white craft ink and white embossing powder.  I heat set the embossing powder.  I sponged some pool party classic ink on the all the edges, and randomly over the embossed polka dots.  I used a kleenex to wipe any ink off the embossed polka dots.    

   

The card base is made from River Rock card stock.  I love this shade.  It's a neutral that has some green in it.  It looks like a linen shade, to me.  And then I decided to use some pretty soft colors, to help showcase this shade.                                            

The large panel is made from pool party card stock.  I used the distressed polka dot background stamp.  (Another retiring product.)  I stamped the polka dots in whisper white craft ink and white embossing powder.  I heat set the embossing powder.  I sponged some pool party classic ink on the all the edges, and randomly over the embossed polka dots.  I used a kleenex to wipe any ink off the embossed polka dots. 

The upper corner has a strip of crochet trim and burlap ribbon stapled to the corner.  I layered a fabric blossom on top of a silver glimmer paper flower.  I stamped the baby ticket and adhered it on top of the ribbon tails.  The pink panel is made from pink pirouette card stock.  I stamped the doily in whisper white craft ink and used white embossing powder.  Heat set the doilies, swiped pink pirouette classic ink across the raised doilies.

As with the sketch, there are two embellishments at opposite corners.  I wanted to make a soft, pretty, sweet card for a baby shower.  So, I didn't want to specify a girl or boy baby.  That's another reason for the pink and blue.  I also selected neutral vanilla-colored embellishments.  I did all the stamping with basic grey classic ink.

The bottom corner has a postage stamp and a ticket.  Both pieces were stamped in basic grey clasic ink onto very vanilla cardstock.  I layered them, and added the button to hide the text.  I tied some white bakers twine through the button.

The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, in basic black classic ink.  This is my version of a clean and simple card.  It isn't one layer, or 'flat'.  But, it is a pretty basic card for me {smile}.

I hope that we have inspired you to play along with us @ SFF.  We would love to see what you create with our sketch!

~stop by Sunday, May 12th, for your chance to win some blog candy~

Simply Birthday

I live in the southwest of the United States, and the weather has turned cold again.  We have a 'front' moving in.  So, when I was pulling out of the driveway to get to work, the thermometer showed 35 degrees.  Brrr! Baby it's cold outside.  In fact, we haven't turned our heaters off yet.  Our wood pellet stove still runs everyday.  I always wonder how other folks are doing.

I'm not a fan of cold/cool weather.  If it snows, I want to stay home, start a fire, get cozy and craft.  Other than that, I want it to be warm, light breeze, and the sun shining.  Anything else, I'm pretty miserable.

Deb, over @Sketch Frenzy Friday, has created an absolutely wonderful sketch.  But, I really had a time with it.  I blame the weather, and my extra hours put in at work.  Im sure that you will create something just stunning!

Here is Deb's sketch:

See what I mean?  A great sketch!  Let's create!

I really enjoyed the process of making this card.  I used river rock cardstock as the base.  I used Fan Fair DSP for this card.  I matted the graph paper in not quite navy cardstock.  I used two other patterns from the same package.  I used a square punch to create the flag ends.  I used the first edition DSP to create the paper blossom.  I scrunched them and used a small soda pop top to create the center of the blossom.  I punch a super small circle out of the FF DSP and early espresso bakers twine tied in a bow.  

I opted to add two stacked embellishments to the lower corner.  The ticket was stamped in Not Quite Navy classic ink, and the postage stamp in Soft Suede classic ink.  This card is pretty much Clean and Simple, for me.

I hope that you have found some inspiration.  I'm sure that we would love to see what you create!

~stop by Sunday, May 12th, for your chance to win some blog candy~

Friday Pennants

Happy Friday.  I hope this post finds you well.  This has been a good week at work.  Good, because everything went well.  I did some baking for a luncheon earlier this week.  Those cupcakes were delicious!

Ok, so now onto crafting!  The wonderfully talented Kim @ Sketch Frenzy Friday has created a straight forward sketch for you to try.  

here is the sketch:

here is what I did:

This card was alot of fun to create.  I wanted to use a pattern paper that wasn't too busy.  So, I selected a small pattern from a Scrappin' kit.  I also used a scrap piece of textured pool party card stock, for the lower third of the card.  For the pennants, I used bits and pieces from various stamp sets, and repeated the same colors: more mustard, basic grey, and pool party, and added some goodies.  

For the horizontal belly band, I used the lace wheel inked in basic grey classic ink, and rolled onto whisper white cardstock.  To cover the seams, I added a strip of summer starfruit ribbon.  

For the sentiment tag, I stamped the decorative scalloped oval in more mustard classic ink.  I also stamped the sentiment in basic grey classic ink.  I used a square punch to create the banner end.  I stapled the two pieces together.  I thought the metal staple would add some charm.  To help build the sentiment cluster, I stamped a ticket onto whisper white cardstock, then sponged the ticket with pool party classic ink.

For the pennant pieces, I used various stamps and embellishments I had on hand.  To keep it all cohesive, I repeated images, and kept the same colors.  The pennant pieces are made with pool party card stock, with a layer of whisper white cardstock.  

Working from the left to the right:  I stamped the smallest doily in pool party classic ink and fussy cut.  I stamped a floral image in basic grey classic ink and fussy cut.  I made a multi-loop bow from pool party seam binding and used an in color designer brad to hold it together.  To continue the feminine look, I added a trio of pearls along the lower right edge.

For the middle pennant, I inked the music note wheel in basic grey classic ink.  I used the same small doily stamped in more mustard classic ink, randomly.  I sponged more mustard classic ink onto a fabric blossom.  I dotted the blossom with my 2 way glue pen and dunked in a tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I punched a few leaves from a scrap piece certainly celery cardstock.  I added a scrap piece of floral lace and a few pearls.  I also added a trio of pearls in the upper left corner.

For the last pennant, I stamped the white card stock with the small doily stamp.  I stamped the same small doily in pool party classic ink, onto a piece of pool party card stock, and fussy cut the doily out.  I added a circle of white cardstock.  I added a grey pattern circle from the scrappin' kit.  The butterfly is from the scrappin' kit, as well.  I dusted the back of the butterfly sticker with baby powder, to neutralize the sticky.  I bent the wings and added some pearls for the body.  I also added a trio of pearls to the lower right corner.

I strung the pennants with pool party bakers twine.  I used two neutral brads to secure the pennants to the card front.   

Now it's your turn!  Let's see what you create for our sketch challenge @ SFF.

Banners of Blue

Happy Friday.   I'm glad you had a chance to stop by and take a look around.  This week over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, I am the designer of this weeks sketch.  How cool is that?  Anyways, you know me.  Love a challenge, and the whole creative process of it all.

Here is this weeks sketch:

See how much fun this is?  There is alot of potential for this sketch, just take a look.  The arrows can be arrows or some other horizontal piece.  The tag can be a tag, or any other vertical rectangle.  The scallop circle on the tag can be a flower, a star, a butterfly, a circle, or any other shape.  The sentiment placement, well, that's a no brainer.  Put that puppy on the right lower corner of your creation.  To me, easy peasy.  And I hope you don't get stumped or derailed by the arrows.  Remember, this is a sketch.  Play, have fun! and lets create!

Here is what I did with the sketch:

When I went in my craft room, I knew that I wanted to make something vintage.  I have a wonderful girlfriend, who I call my sister, but we aren't blood relatives.  Well, she got some horrible news from her doctor, and her heart is hurting.  As well as her family, and friends.  Anyways, I wanted to make a card for her.  She is very special to ALOT of folks, who only want the very best for her.  So, I made this card with her in mind.  I will be getting this out to her in the mail today.

As you can tell from my sketch, there is alot of horizontal lines.  I wanted to add a little more vertical lines, to give the card a nice balance.  The pattern paper I selected from the Fan Fair DSP collection I cut, so the lines would be running up and down.  I also  made my tag's orientation tall.  To add a bit more vertical, I added a hand-stamped ticket to the left side of the tag.  

I used my square hand held punch to create the flag ends of the horizontal tape measure pattern papers. Also from fan fair dsp.  As is the tag.

I used the first edition DSP for the scallop circle.  I used the silver glimmer paper for the butterfly, and the butterfly die.  I used very vanilla cardstock and the fusion flowers die for the blossom.  I cut one lone blossom from the floral trim, to help build the center portion of the butterfly.

For my' sentiments, I did a double banner.  I stamped the words in basic black classic ink onto very vanilla card stock.  

I used the burlap ribbon for the top of my tag.  I also added some pearl jewels to the card, to help give it a feminine look.  All edges of each paper piece has been distressed with crumb cake classic ink and a sponge.

I hope that we have inspired you to play along with us this week, using my sketch @ SFF.

Embellished Friend

Happy Friday!  I hope you are all well.  The new year has started with a fast pace.  But, I did carve out a few hours to do some crafting.  It's funny, you can be super swamped with a thousand obligations, and just sitting down at your craft table can bring a sense of focus, calm.

Tammy, over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday has created a wonderful sketch for you to try.  The sketch has a lot of potential.  As you will see from the design team, the sketch can be used for a Clean and Simple design, or a layered embellished design, and everything in-between!

here is the sketch:

here is what I crafted:

This card was a lot of fun to create.  However, now that I look at it, there seams to be something missing.  Don't know what, and I couldn't figure it out when I was crafting.  I really wanted to add a button or two, a pleated piece of ribbon, or bakers twine, or something.  Here is my 'done' card.   The card base is Calypso Coral card stock.  I just love this color of pink-orange.  I added some new DSP.  The green pattern and the floral pattern paper is the same paper, just both sides.  The new DSP is called Tea for Two DSP.  This paper is very versatile.  

I matted the floral pattern paper on very vanilla card stock.  I added a scallop trim border done in Lucky Limeade card stock.  I used the scallop trim border punch.

The small doily is actually a stamp.  Very pretty and delicate.  I did a second generation stamp for the doily.  I cut the doily out with a pair of detail scissors and then sponged the edges with grey classic ink.  

For the 'button' I stamped the crown image from the Established Elegance stamp set in Calypso Coral classic ink and used the 1 3/8" circle punch.  I stamped the 'admit one' ticket in Lucky Limeade classic ink, and then used the ticket punch.  For the banner, I used very vanilla card stock and used the cone die for the banner piece.  I stamped the '{friend to friend}' in basic black classic ink.

I hope that you have a chance to play along with us @ SFF.  We would love to see what you create with our sketch this week!

Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.