Over-All White

Howdy.  Nope, don't check your calendar, I have posted 3 days in a row.  Shocking, but I believe that I have found my passion for paper crafting, again.  Thank you to everyone who sent words of encouragement, and support.  I appreciate everything everyone has done, to help me find my mojo.

I had so much fun crafting yesterday, I decided to craft another card today!  {yahoo!}  I stumbled upon two new-to-me challenge blogs, and decided to play along.  Oh,  yeah!

My first stop is a sketch challenge.  I needed a starting point, so why not start with a sketch {smile}.  I just love the simplicity of the sketch, but how simply work-able the sketch is.  Just take a look at what the design team created, and you'll understand just how user-friendly this sketch is:  Paper Play Sketches #50.  I love layers, and so working with this sketch was a joy!

My first thought was to use the narrow rectangle for my sentiment piece.  And the cluster of dots, I was thinking a large blossom.  Ok, so I have thought of how to get my card together, lets get a little more inspiration.  

I stopped-by another 'new-to-me' challenge site, and came across Double D Challenge.   This challenge site has an unique and creative collection of mood-boards for their challenges.  And their current challenge is no different - all white.

and here is what I made:

I used all white products.  A bit different for me, but if it wasn't a bit out of my comfort zone, then it wouldn't be a challenge {smile}.  I used white card stock from PaperTreyInk.  The card base and the dry embossed panel are their smooth card stock.  While I used their white linen card stock for the large matt.  I thought using all smooth card stock would make the card look too flat.  I wanted two different textures, but I need them to compliment them.  

I used dazzling diamond glitter paper for the scallop trim piece.  I also wanted some bling.  I wrapped white seam binding around the glitter piece, and machine stitched the pieces together.  I used the same glitter paper to punch a decorative piece for the upper right corner.  I added a double border machine stitch around the top portion of the dry embossed panel.  I adhered this panel to the front of the card with foam tape, to lift it off the surface.

I tied the seam binding into a triple bow, and tied a white button together with white and silver bakers twine.  Simple, but pretty!  I hot glued a satin blossom to the card front.  I also adhered the pair of white buttons, to the decorative piece.  

I stamped my sentiment in basic black onto the same smooth white card stock that I used for the dry embossed panel.  I cut a simple banner end, and adhered it onto the card front.

For a final touch, I added a trio of sparkle-y clear sequins around the blossom.  Viola!

Thank you for stopping by to take a look.  I hope that you have the opportunity to play along with either/both of these challenge sites.  Enjoy the rest of your week!

Inspire My Heart

I hope you had a cozy and happy St. Valentine's Day, yesterday.  Me, I sure did {smile}.  My husband worked with me, side by side, to make dinner.  We enjoyed a bottle of wine.  Cuddled on the couch.  We had a wonderful evening {smile}.

Ok, back to the task on hand.  It's Fridays, so that means that its time for a new sketch challenge @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  It you haven't played along with us before, you should give our challenge a try.  The creative Robbie, is the designer of this week's sketch.  She has an unique and clever way of designing some wonderful sketches.  

here is this weeks sketch:

here is what I created:

When I first saw Robbie's sketch, I instantly thought of a paper blossom in the upper right corner.  But, then I thought you could easily select a butterfly, a scallop circle, but what about a scallop rectangle?

So, I grabbed my clearlits scallop rectangle and some of the new sand-able card stock in Primrose Petals Core'dinates paper.  For the center of the scallop rectangle, I added a scrap piece of tiny heart print paper from the More Amore DSP package.  

I used my heart hand-held punch and a scrap piece of chip board.  I rubbed some vanilla craft ink on the heart and while the ink was wet, I dunked the inked heart into my tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I gave the heart a few minutes to dry, and then I sprayed the glitter heart with some Aqua Net hair spray.  

I stamped the wings, from the Affection Collection stamp set, in Basic Grey classic ink.  I fussy-cut the wings, with my detail scissors.  I cut two different size blossoms from the Floral Fusion die and lightly sponged the edges with Primrose Petal classic ink.  I held the blossoms and wings together with an In-Color Designer Brad, in pool party.

The main panel is very vanilla card stock.  I ran this piece through my Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.  I just love the vintage look of this pattern.

For the vertical strip, I used the scallop trim border punch to create the decorative edge.  I added a strip of the primrose petal pattern paper from the More Amore DSP package.  I wrapped and machine stitched a piece of crinkled very vanilla seam binding around this vertical piece.  I tied the seam binding into a simple bow.  

The banner piece was quick and easy.  I cut a strip of very vanilla card stock 1/2" wide and roughly 5" long.  I stamped my one-word sentiment in basic grey classic ink, in the center of this card stock piece.  Basic Black classic ink, seamed too stark.  I folded the card stock into a Z fold.  I used my hand-held square punch to create the banner ends.

I sponged all the edges of these pieces with classic ink.  The primrose petal card stock pieces were sponged with primrose petal classic ink.  The very vanilla card stock pieces and DSP pieces were sponged with crumb cake classic ink.

I hope that we have inspired you, and you are able to play along with us @ 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.

New Design Team

I have some wonderful news.   The upline of Stampin' Up! that I belong to, has created a design team!  Nacho Average Challenges.  And several of us demonstrators who belong to this group are on the design team.   Here are the design team members:

Anne Hayward - Stamping with Blue Moon Creations

Jenni Hogan - Stampin In The Son

Leilani McGranahan - Lani Stamps

Rose Alexa - RMA stamps 4 U

Sharon Wheet - Designs by Sharon (you are here)

Tammy Fite - Stamp with Tammy

On this challenge blog, Nacho Average Challenges, we will have sketches and color challenges for you use.  We are planning on having a new challenge each week.  The challenge week starts on Tuesdays and ends on Sunday, I believe. So, you will have all week to play along with us.  The only requirement, is that you use Stampin' Up! products in your creation.  And we will do the same.  

So, without further ado, here is the FIRST sketch:

Looks fairly easy to work with.  There is a lot of potential for you to add your own flare.  Make it CAS or create layers and add embellishments!  Use any color combo your heart desires.

Here is what I created:

I used pool party card stock as my base.  I stamped the different images from the French Foliage stamp set randomly on the naturals white card stock.  I stamped the flowers from the Field Flowers stamp set, in Summer Starfruit and Wasabi Green classic inks.  The little tag was created with the scallop rectangle die.  I added a little piece of scallop trim border.  I added a small strip of vanilla taffeta ribbon.  The sentiment was stamped in Early Espresso classic ink. 

Join us won't you?  There is a linky code for you to upload your challenge submission.  Good luck.  And we can't wait to see what you create! 

A different Christmas

It's the last day of this long weekend for me.  I need to get a few things cleaned up, and a few loads of laundry done, to be prepared for the upcoming work week.  But, you are probably in the same boat as me, and so 'ahoy matey'.

I have distressed this christmas card, to give it that worn look, (a favorite of mine).  I also used the colors in the CR84FN color challenge: brown, green, and tan.  So, you see, these are NOT the traditional colors for christmas.  But, these are the colors I use to decorate our home for the holidays.  So, it only seems fitting to use these colors to create a christmas card.  

Here is the inspirational photo:

Here is my card:

*If you click on the photo, you will get an enlarged image, so you can see the detail.  But, I have provided you with a close up the the birds.  (I love birds)

For this card, I used a lot of Stampin' Up! products.  One of which is my new favorite 'tool' - distressing kit.  You get a blank red rubber stamp.  The theory behind the blank stamp is that it gives you a surface to apply ink randomly to your paper; pattern or not.  You also get four typical distress ink colors, to help get that wildly seen distress look.  (you get a sanding block and some files, to help rough edges and get a sure 'fit' on covered chipboard pieces.)

The ribbon and pattern paper are retired products of Stampin' Up!.  The card base is Crumb Cake card stock, with an Old Olive card stock, that was dry embossed with the vintage wallpaper EF.  The scallop trim is Soft Suede card stock.  I made a frequently seen rolled flower using the First edition DSP.  The buttons are a random collection from my stash.

Thank you for stopping by this busy holiday weekend.  I hope that you were surround by friends and family, and where able to give 'Thanks' to those who have earned/deserve it.

Just: Us Girls + Just Add Ink

For those who know me, know that I am currently on 4 (yeah, kinda alot) design teams.  Oh, and I work full-time.  So when I say my plate is a bit full, I am serious.  I love to paper craft, and so most days, these posts are more fun than basically anything.  However, sometimes, I don't always have 'free' time to play along with some of my all time favorite challenge sites.  But, today I am.  When I saw the sketch challenge @ Just Us GirlS and color challenge @ Just Add Ink, I knew that I had to play!  

The sketch challenge looks so wonderful, now who could pass this one up?  

Now look at these beautiful colors!

And here is my card:

Now, if you are super big fan of Stampin' Up! like I am, you can tell that these are their colors.  I know a few companies who have similar colors, so don't let that stop you from playing along.  The only items that are not SU! are the buttons.  One is from a competitor and the other I found on the clearance rack at a local sewing store.  (I always check the clearence area first, when I go shopping at craft, sewing, or hobby stores.)  I used cardstock scraps to create this little beauty.  I need to use  them up anyway, right?  So, why not start there, instead of cutting a brand new whole sheet of cardstock.  

The card base is Crumb Cake.  The panel is Pool Party texture.  I used Calypso Coral ruffle ribbon.  I used the white bakers twine to connect the buttons.  The large flower is a discontinued item.  The stamp is done in Soft Suede classic ink.  I did some faux stitching with a paper piercer and a white gel pen.  I sponged all the edges with Crumb Cake classic ink.  My stamp-a-ma-jig assisted me in making sure my sentiment was straight.  I don't think I'd be able to make a half-way decent card without that little guy.

Thank you for looking.  Don't forget to check back daily, as I will be posting Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and again on Saturday!  Have a wonderful week!

HB: SSC206 & CQC #87

It's Monday! and that means another week has begun!  And what better way to start, than with a fun Birthday card? 

I need a Birthday card, for a wonderful young lady, but I also needed some inspiration.  Here is where I went:   I went to Stamping 411, for the layout.  I went to Colour Q for the colors.

So, this young lady is pretty wonderful, and hip, so I need something 'fun' and creative.  So, I used a 'teen' stamp set from Stampin' Up!, Grunge Rock.  I used some retired DSP paper: Razzleberry Lemonaide.  

Here is her Birthday card:

I used Pumpkin Pie as the card base.  Layered a piece of DSP on the base.  I added a strip of Crushed Curry with the fancy scallop trim border, with another piece of the DSP on that.  For the main image, I stamped the harlequin pattern in Crushed Curry classic ink along the left edge.  I did a 2nd generation stamp of the 'no.1' in Soft Suede classic ink.  I stamped the guitar with a home-made Melon Mambo craft ink and heat embossed with clear EP.  The whisper white looked too white, so I gave it a sprtiz of my home-made Pumpkin Pie shimmer mist.  Instead of adding a button, I made a paper flower with Crushed Curry cardstock.  I stamped the crown in Melon Mambo classic ink, and used a 1 1/4" circle punch.  The 'Happy Birthday' is done in Soft Suede classic ink onto a banner from the petal cone die.  I added some random rhinestone jewels to give the card some visual interest.  Viola!

*I made this card on Saturday, however, I didn't want to post it too soon, as the recipient might see it.  Well, the submission day/time has passed for Colour Q, so my card is not visible at their site.

Welcome, Baby {CS35}

Well, its Thursday, and that means its time for another challenge over @ Creative Sketches!  This week it is a sketch that we are working with.  I hope that you all have a chance to play along.  The rules/guidelines are posted on the challenge blog.  

Here is the sketch:

Looks pretty 'user-friendly', doesn't it?  So, take some time, sit at your craft table, and create something wonderful, and link it to the challenge!  You never know, you could be our challenge winner!  To give you a bit of inspiration, this is what I came up with:

A Boy Baby Card:

I used Crumb Cake cardstock as my card base.  I layered a piece of Baja Breeze DSP as my main panel. Yes, its the same piece of paper, just the other side!  How resourceful, huh?  I wanted to tie in the Soft Suede, so I added a thin piece of a scallop trim border to separate the two different patterns of paper.  I added a piece of Baja Breeze seam binding to hide my seam.  Slipped on a silver ribbon slide.  Pretty, and I didn't use a hundred products!  The three stamps are all retired.  The baby onesie is from a hostess set featured in the Occasions Mini catalog earlier this year (A Slice of Life).  The fancy frame is from Sale-a-Bration last year (Vintage Labels), and the sentiment is from a hostess set from the Occasions Mini catalog that just expired (Something to Celebrate).  I used Baja Breeze, Bashful Blue, and Pink Pirouette markers to color the onesie.  I added some foam tape behind the two 'tags' to elevate them off the card.  I didn't want it to look too flat.  See, easy peasy!  Enter our sketch challenge, and use colors and products from any company you have on hand.  You don't need to go out and buy new stuff to compete!  Lets see what wonderful things you can create! and share them with us and everyone who stops by!  You just might inspire someone!

Tea Party!

Good Morning All! Well, I'm the hostess for another challenge over @ Our Creative Corner! And I thought how wonderful would it be to have some tea with some friends! So, that's the challenge this week. Get out your tea 'themed' stamp sets, doilies, and create a card to invite a friend over for tea, or to just celebrate the art of drinking tea!

Here is my card:

For this creation, yes, I used a bunch of different supplies. I wanted to create a card that wasn't too girly. But, still has a bit of sophistication. The pattern paper is Basic Grey. The solid cardstock is Stampin' Up! The crochet trim is Stampin' Up! and the doily is a Martha Stewart item. I used the 1 3/8" circle punch (Stampin' Up!) and the scallop circle punch (Stampin' Up!) to create the rolled flower. I added a half pearl (Stampin' Up!) to the center to give it some interest. After I adhered the panels to the front of the card, I stamped them with a flourish from Carte Postale (Stampin' Up!) in Basic Brown classic ink (Stampin' Up!).

Thank you for stopping by. I hope that you get an opportunity to play along! I can't wait to see what you create!

Best Friends

Ok, so this isn't my best photography work. And yes, its prettier in real life.

This is also posted on 'Brag Monday's' over @ the Graphics Fairy

There is a group of us (6) who have become best friends. We really enjoy each other's company, and we actually care about each other and our families. So, when we get together, we 'let our hair down' so to speak. We come from all backgrounds, different socio-economic groups, and despite our differences, we connect on a higher level. So, I consider myself blessed. Blessed to have such loving, supportive, and creative women who I consider my best friends.

One of us had a birthday last month. And, well, did I mention our crazy busy schedules? So, we all went out to dinner last week to celebrate. Her favorite colors are black & white. So, I made her card black & white (posted last month or so) and inside I put a White House Black Market gift card. Oh, it matches the theme and is one of her favorite places to shop. I gave her this incredible beautiful, funky neckalace from Premier Jewelry. And, I had to craft something. So, here it is. I purchased a frame from one of those 'big box' craft stores, and made the insert. I wanted something simply shabby chic. And I hope I pulled it off. I found this graphic art over @ the graphrics fairy and thought it was perfect! I think its hilarious! three grown women in a toy car in someone's living room. Come on, its pretty funny.

I used mostly Stampin' Up! products to complete this frame insert. The base is Soft Suede card stock. The two strips of pattern paper on the left are First Edition DSP and Grand Soiree DSP. I stamped two different flourishes (friends 24-7 & bliss) in soft suede and basic black classic inks. I added a strip of Basic Black card stock and used my scallop edge border punch. The black flourish is a retired product from last year. The flowers I made from left over scraps and various shaped floral dies and punches. I used two of the vintage brads for the flower centers. I had a left over rhinestone floral spike, so I added that and a feather spike to the larger flower The little butterfly is from the Clearly For You stamp set. The tag is from a retired stamp set, too. The sentiment is from a PaperTrey word stamp set. I found this wonderfully elegant black pleated ribbon at the 'big box' craft store, so I added that, too along the bottom edge. To give the whole piece a little more worn look and sparkle, I sprayed it with both Log Cabin & Vanilla Smooch sprays.

Thank you for looking, and I hope I have found my mojo, from being out of commission these last few weeks. Have a wonderful week, and stop by soon. I hope to have more goodies posted through out the week!

Double Challenge

I'm sorry that I have been absent lately. I've been a little pre-occupied. Mostly work, ugh. But, thank you for your patience. I wanted to make something 'pretty' to share with you. So, I first went to Cupcake's Creations to look at their color challenge this week. Light Pink, Medium Violet, and Gray. These are super pretty and feminine. Then, I needed some inspiration and some creative outlook, so I went to My Favorite Things, to incorporate their sketch challenge. Their sketch has some girl-y elements. So, here is what I created. I used some of my favorite products. (For a complete list of products, please contact me privately.)

I am participating in the Chocolate Fantasy, in Albuquerque, New Mexico this year. So, the remainder of this week, and next, my post will be minimal. But, I will have some fantastic photos of chocolate creations March 6th.

CS Color Challenge

Over at Creative Sketches, they are having a color challenge this week. If you have a moment, you should stop-by and see what the DT has created, and enter yourself! The colors are Navy, White, & Cherry Cobbler. I don't know why, but this color challenge was just that for me; a challenge. This is my card. I used all Stampin' Up! products to create this little beauty!

I saw a flower tutorial over on Joanne's blog, and just had to try it myself. (Joanne uses a three flower punch that is retired, so I did change that punch to a current punch.) So, the flower on my card, is from her flower tutorial. The thing I like most about 'her' flower, is that you don't need a whole sheet of cardstock, or a new bottle of glue. You can use your scraps, and they turn-out so beautifully.

Tomorrow, I will post my own version of the flower tutorial, here. So stay tuned! Until then, go get crafty and enter the color challenge over @ Creative Sketches!

Vintage Thank-You

I have made a card for two challenges, again; it seems the most efficient for me. One challenge is a layout challenge Saturday Sketch Challenge #184 -- Welcome to a New Year! The other is a color challenge (cream and blue) with a twist (you have to make a Thank You card and you have to add metal and vellum) A Thank You Recipe Challenge and a Design Team Call.

So, this is what I came up with. I used Crumb Cake cardstock as my base. Matted my Very Vanilla card stock with a piece of Baja Breeze cardstock. I have really started to embrace making my own 'background' stamped piece. I stamped the Sanded background in Sahara Sand ink. Stamped the Flourish (from Bliss) in Baja Breeze ink. Stamped the 'no. 147' and Bird Cage from Nature Walk in Crumb Cake ink. The Thank you is from Because I Care set, stamped in Baja Breeze. I used the Modern Label punch to create the tag. My metal piece is a metal button brad (Vintage Trinket). My vellum piece is a butterfly, with a little pearl on it. I made my tiny tags from The Tiny Tags stamp set. I used linen thread to tie them onto the scallop trim border. I crinkled some Baja Breeze seam binding and tied in into a bow, to hide the knot of linen thread; just to 'clean it up' a bit.

Thank you for looking. I'm considering making this my card, as my swap card, to take to Leadership, in Nashville. Let me know what you think!

Friends - Clean & Simple

Friends! I think of 'friends' as the 'family' you get to choose. I hold my friends dear. And, I'd do just about anything for them. This card was inspired by my affection for them.

This is our second card, for the Stampalicious Card Club, that is meeting today. The technique is coloring your stamp. The tool is the Stamp-a-ma-jig. I wanted a clean & simple card, because our other card is a little more labor intensive. (Its the shadow box Christmas card two posts down.)

This card uses minimal supplies, and ink. You can basically use your scraps of paper and ribbon to create this layout. Also, any sentiment will work, as will any object. So, its very versatile and easy.

Thanks for looking! Enjoy your weekend! If you have to go to the grocery store to stock up on your Thanksgiving supplies, please be patient and courteous to the other shoppers. We are all in this together!

Mojo Monday Challenge #160

Hurry, the Halloween Blog Candy give-a-way closes Saturday, Oct. 16th @ midnight. Post your comment on either/both 'Halloween Candy' posts. Post your answer to the question and register as a follower. Winners announced Sunday, prizes mailed Monday!

I made my card. But, I have to be honest, I used the sketch to make my sample for my card club. If you are a member of the Stampalicious Card Club, this is the Thanksgiving card we are making at club this week. This card is loaded with techniques! The sentiment is heat embossed, and its in Soft Suede (I'll show you how to make your own color craft ink). The wheat is stamped following the heat embossing - emboss resist! The cajun craze piece is dry embossed! Yahoo! We get to use the Big Shot and a new embossing folder! Oh, and we will be doing a little sponging, too!

I used crumb cake, cajun craze, old olive, and more mustard as my colors. Very vanilla is a neutral, it doesn't really count, does it? Two stamp sets: Autumn days, and seasonal sentiments. The new Vintage Wall paper embossing folder and my totally favorite border punch! scallop trim border punch.

I wanted my Thanksgiving card to look grown-up. I think it does. Tell me what you think. (oh, and if you look closer, my words are crooked. I know.)

Halloween themed blog candy! go to post(s) Halloween Candy, and follow the directions! Don't forget to post your answer to the question in the comments, and good luck!

Sweet Little Valentine

Happy Friday! So here is the Valentine's Day card you will make in the Note Card class tomorrow. I wanted this card to be simply sweet, and I think I have. I ran a piece of kraft card stock through the big shot in the polka dot embossing folder by Stampin' Up!. I then used the new scallop trim border punch along both horizontal edges of the card stock. I stamped happy valentine's day in Bravo Burgundy. Tied a piece of rose red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon around the white card stock. I used glue dots to hold the new felt flowers onto the card, and viola! Quick, easy, and I think sweet! Perfect for a friend, an aunt, or your sweetie!

Thanks for looking, and I hope that this jump starts a great weekend for you!