Exciting News!

Can you believe it???   

I absolutely LOVE The Paper Players challenge and am so excited to be the guest designer in May.     I hope you'll find some time to play along with us.   The challenges start on Sunday, so stay tuned!   

You can find the official announcement from Lesley here.    

Creative Crew Teaser Part 4

Here is my final card for the Creative Crew design team May challenges on Splitcoast. Just a few more days and you'll be able to see all of them in their entirety. :) 

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, All Holidays, En Francais

Ink: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede

Paper: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Elegant Soiree

Tools: Paper Snips, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Accessories: Basic Pearls

Butterfly Easel Card

I have my monthly group coming up on Wednesday and this is one of the cards we'll be making. It is a cute little card that would go great on a gift this summer.   You can find a tutorial for the card here.  

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Greenhouse Gala designer paper

Tools: Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder

Accessories: Bright Glimmer Brads

Open Sea for The Paper Players

I LOVE this stamp set! I decided to use a different color combination and NOT use the designer paper that goes with it. Today's card  is for the sketch challenge at The Paper Players. You can find the challenge here. 

Stamps: The Open Sea, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Cajun Craze, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso

Paper: Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, First Edition designer paper

Tools: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Cutter Kit

Accessories: Regals Buttons

My Eyes!

This is bright, huh? Daffodil Delight is another one of those colors that I tend to avoid, so I decided to try and use it on my card for the Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge. The color combination came from the Color Coach. 

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Tiny Tags

Ink: Concord Crush

Paper: Tangerine Tango, Concord Crush, Daffodil Delight, Brights stack, Greenhouse Gala

Tools: Scallop circle punches, circle punches, paper piercer

Accessories: In Color Glimmer Brads, Concord Crush ribbon

Creative Crew Teaser Part 3

Today is another sneak peek of one of my cards for the Creative Crew Design team. Any idea what style we are working on? :o)

Stamps: Because I Care, Tiny Tags
Ink: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze
Paper: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Vintage Trinkets
Tools: Jewelry Tag Punch, sponges

PP43: CAS Owl

I know, I know...the owl, AGAIN? The catalog doesn't mention how addicting this punch is and how once you pick it up, you can't stop using it! He's just too darn adorable. 

This card is for the clean-and-simple sketch challenge at The Paper Players today.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, Very Vanilla, Woodland Walk designer paper

Tools: Owl punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch

Today was a great day because I also got enjoy my other creative outlet.  These were taken at the Mercer Arboretum in Humble, Texas.

Have a wonderful week!

Flowers and Cake

Two challenges in one day! This was one of those cards that I actually come up with during my sleep and I think it got a little lost in translation. I won't say I love it because the idea in my head was SPECTACULAR and this okay, but not quite there.  

This is for the Pals Paper Arts challenge to use flowers. I recently purchased the Itty Bitty punch pack and was ready to try it out, so those are my flowers along with the embossing. 

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, En Francais

Ink: Concord Crush

Paper: Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush, In Color Hostess pack

Tools: Itty Bitty punches, stylus, Big Shot, Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, basic pearls

Here's a little close-up of some of the details:

Just Add Candy

Just Add Ink's challenge is super fun this week. It is a color combination, but most definitely NOT an ordinary one. You were to be inspired and create a card based on the colors of your favorite chocolate bar wrapper. Any idea what wrapper inspired this card?   I'll post the answer tomorrow.  :)

Stamps: Silhouette Sentiments (hostess)
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Pacific Point, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Neutrals and Brights Designer Paper stacks
Tools: Owl punch, Itty Bitty Punch pack
Accessories: Basic Pearls

My idea was based on an Almond Joy candy wrapper, but I love Mounds too (dark chocolate...yum), so I think it probably ended up being more of a combination of the two.  I would have had to use a bit less red for a true Almond Joy look.    Great challenge!

Award? For me?

It is so fun to wake up and find that your stamping idol has given you an award and linked your blog to hers.   If you don't know Ann Schach, you need to go on over and look at her stuff.   Once you pick your jaw back up off the floor and quit drooling over her AMAZING cards, come back and thank me for directing you that way.   :)

I think we are supposed to list 7 facts that people don't know about us for the award, so here goes:

1.   I hate pickles.    I know hate is a strong word, but it is the only one that conveys how I really feel about pickles.   (I even own this shirt)

2.  I have an advanced degree in forensic science.   I've never used it, but I have the paper that says I completed the program.   Just for the record, it is NOT like CSI and not as fun as you'd think.   (and I was in school BEFORE CSI came out, so it was not my inspiration for pursing that degree.)

3.  I am owned by 3 kitties and adore them most days.   :)

4.  I hate to cook, but love to bake.   I get asked to make banana nut bread all the time.

5.  I work part-time at Hobby Lobby in the custom framing department.    I needed to get out of the house more and thought it might be fun to work there.   I was surprised to be put in that department, but I guess my degree indicated that I might know how to read a ruler.   lol

6.  I'm a sports NUT.   I probably like to watch them more than most guys.   I credit that to my dad; growing up we had one TV and since he liked sports, we learned to like them as well.  I even have a baseball card collection.

7.  Here's the last one and the one I am usually embarrassed to tell:   I met my husband online.  Not a dating site, but playing Spades on Yahoo.   He was a good card player, so we kept partnering up and chatting.    It was years before we ever decided to meet in person, but by then we were both goners.   He's the most amazing man and I love him so very much.   

Finally, I want to pass the award on to a few bloggers who inspire me:

Erica Cerwin  is an amazing stamper who uses the bright colors that I adore.

Kathy is a fellow SCS Creative Crew designer and not only is she super nice, but she makes some amazing cards!

Renee is another Creative Crew designer and super duper talented.   I want to be her when I grow up.   :)

More Mustard? Yuck.

This card is for a personal challenge. Last year while getting ready for fall, I accidentally ordered 2 packages of More Mustard card stock. Guess what color I don't like? Yep, that one. My challenge for the next few weeks is to work with the combinations from the Color Coach and try to get myself to like this darn color. So, here's my first attempt. What do you think? 

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Watercolor Trio (retired)

Ink: More Mustard, Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler

Paper: More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Confetti White, Jolly Holiday designer paper

Accessories: basic pearls

The Open Sea

I'm finally back! It feels like forever, too. I hate weeks when I can't find the time to stamp for fun every day. It makes me a little grumpy when I don't get my fix. :)    I had a ton of school work and then poor Bandit was really sick on Tuesday.   I was scared we were going to lose him, but the vet was able to get him all fixed and he's home now.   She thinks he got into something toxic, so we are still monitoring him for any lasting effects.   He had tremors and twitching yesterday and was totally spaced out.   He seems much better today, just really restless.  

Back to the card:  I wanted to show off another new stamp set from the upcoming summer mini catalog. I'm not really into nautical things, but I got this paper and stamp set because I never have any manly stamps when I need them. I have to say, I LOVE them. I'm a big fan of Cherry Cobbler and Not Quite Navy, so I kept the focus on them for this card.

I didn't have a specific challenge in mind for this one, I just knew I wanted to use this stamp set. So, I consulted some old sketched at Mojo Monday and found one that I wanted to use. You can find the 2009 sketches here.   I used the October 12, 2009 sketch for this particular card.  

Stamps: The Open Sea
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Confetti White, Nautical Expedition DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso
Accessories: Baker's Twine
Tools: circle punches, sponges, blender pen

Need a cat bed?

Bandit highly recommends that you get a Stampin' Up! box for your kitty.   They are comfy cozy for those days when they just really want to stretch out and sleep in the sun.

Fabulous Florets in Pink

Sketch challenges are my favorite out of all the challenges I've been doing. This card was made for the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge. You can find it here: http://stamping411.blogspot.com/2011/04/saturday-sketch-challenge-198.html

What do you think about this new stamp set? I LOVE it. It is going to be one of my favorites from the new Summer Mini catalog. It goes great with this color combination.

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Tiny Tags
Ink: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink
Paper: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Confetti White
Accessories: Melon Mambo embossing powder, Old Olive satin ribbon, Neutrals Jumbo brads (I dipped a white one in Versamark, then in the embossing powder, and heated)
Tools: Scallop Edge Border punch, Jewelry Tag punch, heat tool

Creative Crew Teaser Part 2

Just another little peek today. :) This is another card I designed for the May Creative Crew challenges. It is actually related to yesterday's card, but I can't tell you how just yet.

Baja Breeze and Basic Gray are now my two favorite colors together. :)

Stamps: Strength & Hope (Summer Mini)
Ink: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy
Paper: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Confetti White
Accessories: Basic Pearls
Tools: Sponges

Just for fun...

I was looking back through some pictures on the laptop and came across some from May of last year.  That was a month before I signed up as a demonstrator and I was making cards like the one at the top.   Almost a year later, I made the card at the bottom.   Can I just say WOW!?!   I'm so proud of myself for the improvements I've made.   I know so much of it has to do with being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.   The products are just superior to others and the way they all coordinate makes it easy to make amazing cards.   I can't wait to look back again next year.  

Creative Crew Teaser

Confused? :o) This card is one for an upcoming May challenge from the Creative Crew. I can't reveal the entire card until May 1st, but I wanted so share a little peek. The designer paper and stamp set is from the Summer Mini and I think you'll love it!

Stamps: The Open Sea
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Confetti White, Nautical Expedition DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso
Accessories: Baker's Twine
Tools: Paper Snips (great for distressing!), bone folder, sponges

Warning...sneak peek ahead!

How about a sneak peek from the upcoming Summer Mini catalog? I love this striking Fabulous Florets set already. The image on the main panel is gorgeous, but look at that background paper I made using the other stamps from the set. I love making my own unique designer paper and this set is perfect for it!

This card is for the color challenge presented on today's Pals Paper Arts blog. You can find it here: http://www.palspaperarts.com/2011/04/ppa-87-celebrity-color-challenge.html

Stamps: Fabulous Florets (Summer Mini)
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz
Paper: Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz
Tools: blender pen (I don't have the Pear Pizzazz marker, so I improvised with the ink pad and blender pen), Itty Bitty punch pack
Accessories: Pear Pizzazz ribbon, Basic Pearls

(The layout is actually an old sketch challenge from Splitcoast.)

Wednesday Sketch Challenge

I have been trying to work on my distressing skills and this paper and color combination lends itself perfectly to that look.   This is for the Wednesday sketch challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers.   It is a fun sketch that I'll definitely be using again!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Lovely as a Tree
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Garden Green
Paper: Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, Woodland Walk designer paper
Accessories: Regals brads
Tools: Sponges

Wow!

I am excited to announce that I was chosen for a special design team over on my favorite website, Splitcoast Stampers!    The team is called the Creative Crew and designs awesome Stampin' Up! only projects to show you all the amazing projects you can make with our products.    I feel honored to have been chosen and I can't wait to get started!   I'll be a designer from May until August, so be on the lookout for some new challenges!

There are some fun challenges from the Crew this month, so consider playing along and uploading your creations to the Splitcoast Gallery using the keywords you'll find underlined at the beginning of each challenge description.   The first indicates the specific challenge, the second that it is for the Creative Crew, and the third  shows that you are using Stampin' Up! Only or Stampin' Up! Mostly (pick which one describes your card/creation).

April's Creative Crew Challenges:
CCREW0411CF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - Catalog Focus: * Punches * 
We all know that SU! punches rock, so this month punch us up some flowers, butterflies, birds, and bugs! You don't have to make actual punch art (unless of course you want to Jackie!), but show us what your punches can do!

CCREW0411DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - DSP/Color Focus: 
When you see Bluebirds you know spring is here! So use this very blue color combo: Pacific Point, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand. Which also happens to be the colors of the Blueberry Crisp DSP! 

CCREW0411HF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - Holiday/Seasonal Focus: * Mother Ocean *
The rain fills our Oceans with the lovely water that balances life here on earth. So in honor of Mother Ocean let's do some watercoloring! Break out your aquapainter and your inks, crayons, pencils, and blender pens! Show us watercoloring at it's best.

CCREW0411SF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - SB Inspiration Focus: * NO DSP! * 
Yep you have to use stamps and make your own background for your pages this month. Other than that, it's a free for all!

Challenge: Recycle!

This challenge was most definitely a CHALLENGE for me! The Paper Players challenge was to use something recycled on our card. I love the idea, so I looked around for items I could use and tried to go from there. Here is a link to the challenge: http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-41-recycling.html

Here are the recycled elements:
1. butterfly: a scrap of designer paper was glued to a cereal box and then cut out with the Big Shot. The dimensionals behind the butterfly are the edges of the sheet that I cut up and used.
2. The image behind the butterfly is one I had previously stamped and ended up not using after all.
3. The ribbon was something that a customer at work was going to throw away. My co-workers were kind enough to save it to me because they knew I could use it on a card.
4. Finally, the layout is recycled from last year's Summer Mini catalog (page 16).

Stamps: Watercolor Trio (retired), All Holidays
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, In Color Hostess stack, Whisper White
Accessories: recycled ribbon, Basic Pearls
Tools: Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die

No Cards Today

Today I worked on a few custom orders that I've been neglecting.    I was talked into making bag tags by the consignment shop and finally got a few orders.   I think they are cute and I just might have to make one for myself.   :o)  

Pearls, Pearls, Pearls

(This card is dedicated to my favorite blogger, Ann Schach.   She truly inspires me to try new ideas and use my supplies in new ways.)

I guess I must have been stamping in my dreams because the idea for this card was in my head when I woke up from my nap. I'm not sure it's exactly what I pictured, but I think it turned out okay. I love that it is elegant, yet simple. That combination is perfect for wedding cards! 

I will probably cry tomorrow after using so many of my precious pearls, but oh well. :o) You only live once.   

This is for the Pals Paper Arts challenge PPA87, Use Punches.  

Stamps: Four Frames (promotion!), All Holidays
Paper: Basic Black textured card stock, Shimmery White card stock
Ink: Basic Black
Tools: Scallop Edge Border punch, Decorative Label Punch
Accessories: Basic Black satin ribbon, Basic Pearls