Best of Expression

 

I used two wonderful challenges to create my retirement card for my Mom.  Thanks for the inspiration! 

The first is a sketch from Cas(e) this Sketch (CTS48).  You may view their blog and the challenge here: http://casethissketch.blogspot.com/2013/10/case-this-sketch-48.html

The second is from Dynamic Duos (DD72) and their color challenge of Primrose Petals and Blushing Bride.  You may view their blog and the challenge here: http://thedynamicduoschallenge.blogspot.com/2013/09/dd72-get-your-pink-on.html

Thanks so much for taking the time to see my card!

Supplies Used:

Stamp sets - Best of Flowers, Express Yourself

Paper - Blushing Bride, Primrose Petals, Whisper White

Ink - Blushing Bride, Primrose Petals, Black Staz-on

Accessories - Corner Round Punch

******UPDATE*****

My card was chosen, along with a few others as Honorable Mentions in the Dynamic Duos Challenge!  So happy to be among all that lovely talent!  Thanks Haley for picking my card.

Festive Reminder - FMS105

 

When I saw Dawn Easton's card, created for the Freshly Made Sketch Challenge (FMS105).... I fell in love with her layout (as well as the sketch from Freshly Made Sketch blog).  You may view all the cards created with the sketch here: http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/2013/09/freshly-made-sketches-105-sketch-by.html

To view Dawn's card, click here: http://treasureoilerdesignz.blogspot.com/2013/09/hello-friend-fms105.html

Thanks for the inspiration Freshly Made Sketches and Dawn!

Supplies Used:

Stamp sets - Festive Flurry, Remembering Your Birthday

Paper - Island Indigo, Soft Sky, Whisper White

Ink - Island Indigo, Soft Sky

Accessories - Big Shot, Festive Flurry Framelits, Snow Burst TIEF, stamp-a-ma-jig, dimensionals, glue dots

Mom's Birthday Invite

With My Digital Studio, I created this lovely 5x7 birthday invitation for my Mom's birthday.

I used the Bliss Stamp Brush set at the top and added a text box using the Chancellor font.  I printed two to a page on Naturals Ivory cardstock.  After printing and cutting I mounted the invites on Basic Black cardstock.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Brush Set - Bliss (Basic Black)
Font - Chancellor (Basic Black)
Paper - Naturals Ivory, Basic Black

Critter Christmas

Using another retired Stampin' Up stamp set....Merry Crittermas! I love this stamp set!

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used:
Stamp sets - Merry Crittermas, Four the Holidays
Paper - Naturals White, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Real Red
Ink - Black Staz-on, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Garden Green
Accessories - Big Shot, Stylish Stripes TIEF, dimensionals, Stitched Grosgrain (Early Espresso)

Melting Snowman

I saw a similar card on Pinterest from Ann Shultz, and wanted to try my hand at creating one.
Thanks Ann for inspiring me!
You may view her card here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/42438?&cat=508

I used retired Stampin' Up! sets on this card Flaky Friends and Many Merry Messages. The snowman stamp had 4 snowman on it, so I just used a Black marker to color in the one snowman I wanted.

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used:
Stamp sets - Flaky Friends, Many Merry Messages
Paper - Soft Sky, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink - Basic Black, Soft Sky, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight
Accessories - Big Shot, Stylish Stripes TIEF, glue, glitter (non-SU)

Ruffled Christmas - FMS103

I liked the Freshly Made Sketch so much that I created another card with it! =)

I saw Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek's ruffled Christmas tree on Pinterest too, and had to create one of my own.  You may view her card here: http://songofmyheartstampers.typepad.com/song_of_my_heart_stampers/2013/09/christmas-trees-from-ruffle-stretch-trim.html

Thanks Lyssa!

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used:

Stamp set - Sweet Essentials

Paper - Pistachio Pudding, Baked Brown Sugar, Neutrals White

Ink - Baked Brown Sugar

Accessories - Big Shot, Beautifully Baroque TIEF, Basic Pearls, glue dots, scissors, Stretched Ruffled Ribbon (Pistachio Pudding)

Secretly Baroque - DD71

 

I used two challenges for this card I created.  One challenge is from the Dynamic Dous blog.... using the colors of Crumb Cake and Basic Black.  You may view their challenge here: http://thedynamicduoschallenge.blogspot.com/2013/09/dd71-kraft-and-black-with-option-of-wet.html

The second challenge has passed, but loved the sketch so much, that I wanted to include it.  It's from the Freshly Made Sketch blog. You may view that challenge here: http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/2013/09/freshly-made-sketches-103-sketch-by-jen.html

Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets - Secret Garden, Express Yourself

Paper - Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Neutrals White

Ink - Black Staz-on

Accessories - Big Shot, Beautifully Baroque TIEF, Corner Round Punch, glue dots, Basic Pearls

Harvest

Each month, the Splitcoaststampers website hosts a Progressive Challenge for scrapbooking.  Each Tuesday you add things to your scrapbook page, so at the end of that month.... you'll have completed a page.  The hosts for September were Wendy, Terri and myself! =)

Here is the link to Task#1 on September's Progressive Challenge:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/digital-scrapbooking-bi-weekly-f253/sept-progressive-challenge-16-task-1-09-03-13-a-t577932.html

I had a ton of fun completing this scrapbook page, as it highlights my parents grape vine in their backyard.  Each year, they make juice and jelly from the grapes....and this year is no different.  The jelly is scrumptious!

I'm looking forward to October's Progressive Challenge.... why not join in on the fun too! Everyone is welcome!  The challenges never end, so you are welcome to any of the past challenges at anytime too!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used:
Stamp Brush Set - Sunset Serenade Overlays (Old Olive), Lemonade Stand (vine - Early Espresso and Rich Razzlebery)
Embellishments - Sycamore Street (buttons with twine), Taffeta Trimmings (Always Artichoke)
Freeform Tool - I colored the vine stamp underneath with Always Artichoke
Punch - Square (filled grid DSP - Perfect Plum; Textured Cardstock - Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White)
Font - Harrington (Whisper White), Heather (Rich Razzleberry)

Million Flourishes - CQC208

 

I incorporated two challenges with my card.  The first from the Colour Q blog - CQC208. You can view the challenge here: http://colourq.blogspot.com/2013/09/colourq-challenge-208.html

The second challenge is from CAS(E) this Sketch blog - CTS45.  The challenge is over, but I was still inspired with the sketch.  You may view their challenge here: http://casethissketch.blogspot.com/2013/09/case-this-sketch-45.html

Thanks for looking!

Stamp sets - Million & One, Flowering Flourishes

Paper - Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink - Basic Black

Accessories - Boho Blossoms Punch, Basic Rhinestones

Easter 2013

Created another page for our 2014 Calendar (using photos of places we've been to in 2013)!  For Easter we spent it with my sister and her family in Texas..... beautiful weather for March!

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used:

Background paper - So Saffron

Stamp Brush Set - Vintage Overlays (More Mustard)

Punch - Hexagon (filled w/Soft Flower DSP in Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue)

Embellishments - Soft Blooms (Wisteria Wonder, Blushing Bride, So Saffron); Basic Pearls, Taffeta Trimmings (Wisteria Wonder)

Font - Lavanderia (Chocolate Chip)

Dallas Arboretum - SCIC70

 

Started working on our 2014 Calendar with trips that we've been to in 2013!  This particular page was from our trip to Dallas, where we went to see the spring flowers at the arboretum.  I used the sketch challenge from the Stampin' Celebration blog.  You may view the challenge and all the pages designed with the sketch here: http://stampincelebrationblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/scic-70-sketch-challenge.html  Thanks so much for the inspiration!

Supplies Used:

Background paper - Mellow Moss

Stamp Brush set - Decorative Overlays (swirl - Basic Black)

Punch - Square (filled w/Basic Basic Black DSP); Modern Label (filled w/Ruby Red)

Embellishments - Festive Blooms (Whisper White), Brads (Basic Black)

Font - Bobo (Basic Black)

2014 Parent's Calendar - MDSM31

For the past two years, I have created calendars for my parents.... and this coming year is no different. However, I used up all the "people" photos I've wanted to use with the last two.... that I now didn't know what to include in the 2014's calendar.

So, I decided to create one using roses, which are my Mom's favorite flower (although, my Dad will probably not like the calendar too much....hmmmm, maybe I'll make him a car one).

The photos were taken at Oregon's Rose Test Garden.  Beautiful place!  Each rose photo has a Vintage Overlay (in Always Artichoke) on top of the photo and the font used is Cordial (in Whisper White).

Now, for the cover and back.... I was inspired by the sketch on MDS Monday's blog (MDSM31). You may view the challenge here: http://mdsmonday.blogspot.com/2013/09/mdsm31-its-all-about-dsp.html . I really liked how Sue Erickson (one of the samples added) used hearts on hers rather than the rectangles, so I decided mine would need to use flower punches (to go with my flower theme throughout the calendar).  Thanks so much for the inspiration!

Thanks for looking!

 

Supplies Used:
Cover: Embellishments - Grosgrain Ribbon (Kiwi Kiss); Punches - Blossom (filled w/Raspberry Tart DSP zoomed out), Fun Flower (filled w/Raspberry Tart DSP zoomed out); Font - At Last Greeting (Kiwi Kiss)
Calendar Pages: Stamp Brush Set - Vintage Overlays (Always Artichoke); Font - Cordial (Whisper White and Basic Black)

Festive Christmas - FTL257

 

I was inspired by the sketch (FTL257) found on the Clean & Simple blog....and here's the card I created with that sketch.  Thanks Clean & Simple! You may view the sketch challenge here: http://cleanandsimplestamping.blogspot.com/2013/09/257.html

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used:

Stamp sets - Calm Christmas, Festive Flurry

Paper - Night of Navy, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer

Ink - Night of Navy

Accessories - Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelits, Festive Flurry Framelits, Northern Flurry, Rhinestones, dimensionals

Patterned Blossoms

Having heard that Shelli Gardner (co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up!) has a riding accident.... I wanted to create a card for her.

Looking through all my stamp sets, I decided to use a retired Sale-A-Bration stamp set - Patterned Occasions.

I also saw a similar card on Stamping Connection which used a rainbow of colors, instead of the 4 I used here.  Thanks to Heather Heroldt for her lovely inspiration.

Supplies Used:
Stamp set - Patterned Occasions
Paper - Pumpkin Pie, Sahara Sand, Whisper White
Ink - Sahara Sand
Accessories - Boho Blossoms punch, Rhinestones

Beautiful Garden

I used Birgit's card design and layout in the creation of my card.... you can view her card here:  http://bigganed.blogspot.nl/2012/10/cas-ual-fridays-75.html#.Uii8nsZvOXs

Thanks for taking a look!

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets - Express Yourself, Secret Garden
Paper - Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink - Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso
Accessories - Bitty Banners Framelits, Secret Garden Framelits, Big Shot, Beautifully Baroque TIEF, Antique Brads, glue dots, dimensionals, Twine (Non-SU)

Flowers for You

Today, I struggled to create a few cards needed for my friends and family.  Here is one card that I was happy with.... for a friend who is recovering from surgery.

I wish you can see this card in person, you really can't tell from my photo, but I used the Illuminate Ink pad with a tissue to create a marbled effect on the colored panel.  It looks great!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets - Express Yourself, Best of Flowers
Paper - Pear Pizzazz, Soft Sky, Early Espresso, Naturals White
Ink - Pear Pizzazz, Soft Sky, Early Espresso, Illuminate
Accessories - Taffeta Ribbon (Early Espresso), sponge daubers, glue dots

Big Island

 

In a previous post, I mentioned that I finally finished my 2011 scrapbook! Well, I forgot that I still needed to finish this double-page spread for the August Progressive Challenge on the Splitcoaststampers website. So..... NOW.... I'm done! Yay!

These two pages reflect the beginning of our trip to the Big Island of Hawaii and the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort.

Thanks for taking a look!

Supplies Used: My Digital Studio

Background Paper - Spring Break II DSP #4

Punch - Square (filled w/Spring Break II DSP #5 and #9)

Embellishments - Simple Snapshots (leaves and flowers -- one flower is re-colored Crushed Curry), Ruffled Ribbon (Pool Party), Spring Break II (circle butterfly)

Freeform Tool - Behind leaves using the coloring tool w/River Rock

Stamp Brush Sets - Simple Snapshots (flower - Early Espresso), Eclectic Overlays (frame - Early Espresso), Greatest Moments (title - Early Espresso)

Font - Franciscan (Early Espresso)

Fancy Expression

A friend's daughter needed a bit of cheer after leaving for college...and now feeling homesick. It's her first year away from home...and I know it'll be tough for the first few weeks.

Here's the card I created for her.

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used:
Stamp sets - Secret Garden, Express Yourself
Paper - Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink - Black Staz-on, Melon Mambo
Accessories - Secret Garden Framelits, Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Fancy Fan TIEF, glue dots, dimensionals

Expressive Garden

My niece fell and tore a ligament in her knee.  With the start of her senior year, as well as being a flag bearer in her high school band.... this knee injury is difficult to accept.

I created this card to cheer her up a bit! I hope she recovers fast and is able to enjoy her senior year without any other problems.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used:
Stamp sets - Express Yourself, Secret Garden
Paper - Daffodil Delight, Naturals White, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Pumpkin Pie
Ink - Early Espresso, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories - Big Shot, Beautifully Baroque TIEF, Secret Garden Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, dimensionals, glue dots

Letter Sampler

I cannot take full credit for this card, as I was inspired by Melissa Hood's card using the Lovely Letters Alphabet stamp set within the Six-Sided Sampler stamp set (hers was a Father's Day). Thanks Melissa!

Supplies Used:
Stamp sets - Six-Sided Sampler, Lovely Letters Alphabet
Paper - Soft Sky, Glimmer Paper (Silver), Whisper White
Ink - Soft Sky, Black Staz-on
Accessories - Big Shot, Northern Flurry TIEF, Hexagon Punch, glue dot, scissors

Winter Essentials - FMS100

I created this card using the Freshly Made Sketch (FMS1 and FMS100).  You may view the challenge on their blog here: http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/2013/08/freshly-made-sketches-100-sketch-by.html

Congratulations on 100 sketches, Freshly Made Sketch!  I do have to say that these sketches on this blog.... along with many other blogs or websites with sketches have helped my creativity grow and expand (thinking outside the box) in cardmaking and scrapbooking! Truly inspiring!

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets - Sweet Essentials, Watercolor Winter

Paper - Real Red, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Garden Green DSP

Ink - Early Espresso

Accessories - Stamp-a-ma-jig, Satin Ribbon (Early Espresso), Secret Garden Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, scissors, glue dot, dimensional

Cardinal Christmas

This card came together so quickly.... wow! Simple...yet cute!

Thanks for taking a peek!

Supplies Used:
Stamp set - Calm Christmas
Paper - Raspberry Ripple, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink - Raspberry Ripple, Basic Black

Calm Flurry

I created several attempts at this card before I liked the results, shown here.  I originally thought to use three different colors with three different snowflakes. Also, I wanted it to shimmer a bit (kinda like snowflakes sparkling), so tried to use shimmer paint and illuminating ink with disappointing results.

I settled on using only two colors and two different snowflake stamps.  Instead of shimmer ink.... I added rhinestones to the centers of the snowflakes along with the silver ribbon to make it shine.

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used:
Stamp sets - Festive Flurry, Calm Christmas
Paper - Smoky Slate, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Ink - Smoky Slate, Marina Mist
Accessories - Silver Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, glue dot

Sweet Sample

One of the hexagons in the Six-Sided Sampler set looked like a candy cane to me, so I created a Christmas card with it.  =)

Thanks for checking it out!

Supplies Used:
Stamp sets - Six-Sided Sampler, Sweet Essentials
Paper - Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink - Versamark
Accessories - Heat Tool, White Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Striped Organdy Ribbon (Old Olive)