CAS Summer Silhouettes

Okay, so it's been ages since I got to post!  We went to Kentucky for Easter and just got back on Tuesday. Yesterday was chore/unpacking day and today Jason went back to work.  I've been washing cloth diapers for two days trying to get them ready to try and doing the normal grocery shopping, etc.   I thought I'd post a card I'd originally made for the display stamper try-out and then update you on the current SU news!  So here's the card:

I really love how it turned out.  These are two of my favorite colors and part of the big news is that they are sticking around.  :)   Yay, right?!  

Stamps:  Summer Silhouettes, Tiny Tags, Fabulous Phrases

Ink:  Island Indigo, Pool Party

Paper:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Whisper White

Accessories:  Basic Pearls, Pool Party Baker's Twine, Neutrals Designer Buttons

Tools:  Jewelry Tag Punch, Paper Snips

Now for the specials and news: 

There's going to be a change in the current line-up of colors!  I'm so excited about it.  I love that some of my favorites are staying around.  I will definitely miss Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy (my kitchen is painted in those colors), but I think I like Pool Party and Island Indigo better.   Here's the list of the new colors and the ones retiring:  (you may need to click on it to see it a bit better)

The other awesome news:  Free shipping!!!!!!!   This weekend, April 6-8, all orders qualify for free shipping (except expedited ones of course).  Woo Hoo!!!!!!!   If you like any of the retiring colors, it will be a great time to stock up on those because as of now, they are while supplies last ONLY.   Yikes.  You can order through my website, http://ritawright.stampinup.net if you'd like.  I appreciate any and all orders, big or small.  :)

Can you believe she's 9 months old???   She's crawling EVERYWHERE now!  We just put up another baby gate and I think I'll be heading back to Target soon for one more.  She's "talking" more now with lots of dada and an occasional mama.   I have to thank one of my sweet readers, Janice, who sent me a couple packs of coffee to help me keep up with her.  :)   

She did not like sharing with her cousin, Lauryn.  lol  We are going to have to work on that.  

PPA150: Valentine Colors

I need to get serious about making those Valentine's, so I decided to work on a challenge card.  I never seem to find time to play along with many challenges these days and I do miss it.   I loved the colors at Pals Paper Arts this week so I combined those with a previous sketch from Mojo Monday. 

Hopefully it's not TOO dark. It started off that way but I tried adding in some Melon Mambo layers to get more pink in there.   I love that heart embosslit but I always forget to use it.   I definitely need to leave it on my desk so that it gets some use this Valentine's season.   Sounds like Miss Laila is up from her nap, so I'll keep it short today.   Have a great weekend!

Thank You Leaves

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with "Leaves".
2. Or Make a project saying "Thank You".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Thank You project with Leaves".

I'm the hostess this week at The Friday Mashup!  I'm sad to say that this is my last week as part of the team.  Life is just getting too busy and I can't keep up with everything I have on my plate.  I have so little stamping time these days and I need to devote it to my business as much as I can.   I've had such a wonderful time with this group of ladies and I'll definitely try to play along with some of the challenges if I get a chance.   

So on to the card, right?!   This is a NON-clean version of this week's sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.  :) I loved it so much that I wanted to make another card but add in some sponging and distressing. 

I have had a few questions for my club cards from last month, so I wanted to do a similar card and answer a few questions.  The background is the new Core'dinations cardstock that has been embossed and sanded.  Easy!   The leaves use the oldest stamping technique that we've all been doing for years, rock n'roll!  I just LOVE French Foliage as it works so great with that technique!  

My little purple girl.   We needed a break from all the pink today! 

Going Postal with FMS

I'm getting so behind on my Hope You Can Cling To challenges, but thankfully one of them worked perfectly with Cindy's awesome sketch at Freshly Made Sketches this week.    When you go by the challenge blog, you'll see how versatile this sketch can be!  Mary's HYCCT challenge description is sad, but also a touching way to honor her friend.  Here's what she wrote:  This has been a very rough year for many of my friends. Since January 5 of of my friends have been diagnosed, 4 are currently doing good but my one very dear friend died. She was 46. I met her because she was the post mistress of a small post office that I always went to mail my swaps. We struck up a friendship and she joined my stamping team. She was one of those wonderful people who never met a stranger and is missed beyond belief.  So...in honor of her and all the lives she touched..."let's lick this thing". Make a card inspired by postage or the mail!

I didn't own anything to make postage (where are those darn scissors when you need them?), so I opened up My Digital Studio and found the postage punch.   I added a bit of text for the 44 and printed it out.  I am starting to enjoy making there hybrid cards.   I do have to say that this was the first time I think I'd used Raspberry Ripple and now I'm a fan.  It looks amazing with Crumb Cake...or I think so anyway!   

It actually got a bit chilly down here in Texas towards the end of last week so we had to bundle up a little!  I wish I knew how to share a video from Facebook on here.  She found her voice this week and has been super chatty.  It's adorable!

FMS57: LeAnne's Sketch

Today at Freshly Made Sketches one of our fabulous guest designers for the month, LeAnne, created the sketch.   Isn't it fabulous?  So versatile and good for any type of occasion.  Since we are so close to Halloween, I decided to focus on that for my card, plus I needed a card for another Hope You Can Cling To challenge.  This challenge was from Judy and here's her description:  My challenge to you is a reminder! Get 'em mashed, squooshed, photographed, x-rayed, and checked! And to that end, we will be sharing creations inspired by "The Monster Mash"!

I don't have the super fun Ghoulish Googlies, but I was able to bum it from my sweet downline Shannon to make this card.   I thought lil' Frankie was perfect for the Monster Mash theme.   I did switch the image side for my card, but that's the fun of sketch challenges, right?!  

Stamps:  Ghoulish Googlies, Tiny Tags

Ink:  Staz On Black, Pear Pizzazz marker

Paper:  Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Whisper White, Wicked Fun DSP (retired)

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Pennants die, Chevron embossing folder, 2 1/2 circle punch, Jewelry Tag punch, Basic Black 1/4 grosgrain ribbon (retired)

Here's our little family at the local pumpkin patch yesterday.   I'll have more of Laila to share in the next week or so.  I'm not sure she knew what was going on poor dear.  It was pretty warm here, so I'm hoping it will cool off a bit so that we can go again.  

FM76: Starburst!

It's my turn to host the Friday Mashup challenge this week and I settled on this fun sketch and the starburst technique.   I used this great tutorial to do my card.  I'm thinking challenged lately, so having that tutorial to help my brain sure paid off.  I think having a baby somehow decreases your number of brain cells or something because I'm sure struggling with anything that requires memory or too much thinking.   It's almost scary!  Anyway, here's the Mashup and my card: 

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with the sketch.
2. Or Make a project with "Starburst technique".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project using the "sketch and starburst technique". 

Yeah, it's that darn cat again!  I just LOVE that thing!    I'm going to be sad when Halloween is over and I have to put him away for the year.  I combined him with the fun Halloween DSP from the holiday catalog.  I love that paper too and was gifted some sheets of it by my friend Mindy.   She's spoiled me with stamping stuff lately!  I really like the combination of Tangerine Tango, Basic Gray, and Basic Black.   

Stamps Frightening Feline, Tiny Tags

Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Basic Gray

Paper:  Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Basic Gray, Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP, Very Vanilla

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Spider Web embossing folder, circle dies, Jewelry Tag punch, Basic Black 1/4 grosgrain ribbon, Black Rhinestones (retired), sponges

She just looks too cute in yellow!  

Christmas in August Class

So yeah, I missed the Christmas in July thing.  It just wasn't happening with a new baby.   I still wanted to get an early start though, so next month I'm offering a class where we will be making 12 Christmas cards to get the holidays started!   It will be held on August 17th at 6:30pm at my home. We'll be making 3 each of 4 different designs.   If you are interested in attending or would like to purchase a finished set, please email me or see my demonstrator website for more details and to RSVP.

This card features a fun new stamp set from the upcoming Holiday Seasonal Catalog, Scentsational Season.   It's adorable and has matching framelits!   Love it!  

Stamps:  Scentsational Season, Tiny Tags

Ink: Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler

Paper:  Gumball Green, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Northern Flurry embossing folder, Holiday Collection framelits,  Jewelry Tag punch, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Basic Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds

Snow Much Fun is my favorite set for the holidays as I just LOVE snowmen.   Living in Texas means we don't see very much snow and I sure miss it!    This simple card features some of my favorite colors too.  I was inspired by this lovely creation by Ann.  

Stamps:  Snow Much Fun, Petite Pairs

Ink:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Basic Gray

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Whisper White, 2011-2012 In Colors DSP stack

Tools/Accessories:  Blender Pens, Dazzling Details

Can you believe she's a month old already?  The time is just flying by!   I finally made a new family blog to share her and our life in Texas with family and friends.  I figure that's a great way to journal things until I find the time to scrapbook!  :)  She's currently sick with some serious congestion and sneezing, so I'm a bit sad as there's not much I can do to help her.   Hopefully she starts feeling better soon.  

Gingerbread Men

So excited!  My little pre-order from the upcoming holiday catalog arrived today!   I have had zero creativity lately, but I tried to go make something anyway.   This card was inspired by a sample in the catalog; I just changed up things to use products that I actually had.   :)   I can't believe I made a Christmas card in July!

Stamps:  Scentsational Season, Happy Hour, Tiny Tags

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Lucky Limeade

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Festival of Prints DSP stack

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Collection framelits, Holiday Collection framelits, Chevron embossing folder, Jewelry Tag punch, Neutrals buttons, Vintage Trinkets, Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, Cherry Cobbler baker's twine

Quint-Essential Stamp!

While Jason and Laila were napping tonight I spent a little time in my craft room.  :)   I had this flower sitting on my desk for a few weeks now and decided it was time to get it ON a card.   The Quint-Essential Flower stamp is pretty cool if you like punches and layers.  I added even more layers to make it larger and a nicer focal point.   I promise I won't use this color combination again for a while.  I know I've used it a ton lately but it's just so cool!  

Stamps:  Quint-Essential Flower, Tiny Tags

Ink:  Marina Mist, Midnight Muse, Gumball Green

Paper:  Marina Mist, Midnight Muse, Gumball Green, Whisper White, Polka Dot Parade DSP

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Scallop Circle #2 die (retired), 3-inch circle die, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, 2 1/2 inch circle punch, 2 3/8 scallop circle punch, 1 3/4 scallop circle punch, 1-inch circle punch, 3/4 inch circle punch, 1/2 inch circle punch, Jewelry Tag punch, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, Whisper White 3/8 taffeta ribbon

Those arms and legs just never stop moving!  Tomorrow we go for her 2 week check-up so send lots of positive thoughts our way.   She's being monitored for a slight heart murmur and I think she's having issues gaining weight as well.  We have switched up some things with nursing and will see a lactation consultant on Thursday.   Small worries, but after losing Eli I tend to freak out a little over even the slightest of things.   

PP97: Butterfly of Hope

I'm still stamping away and decided to continue my streak today.   I figure if I need to rest I might as well have fun doing it, right?    Hopefully the creative process will be relaxing and get my dang blood pressure back down!  :)    Today I finally had an idea for the LeAnne's sketch at the Paper Players.  I've been running ideas through my head all week but nothing clicked until today.   I'm glad I waited because I really LOVE how this one turned out!  

I pulled out the lovely Everyday Enchantment paper that I had left from Sale-a-bration this year and everything just seemed to click from there!    My sponges and shimmer paint have been a bit neglected lately, so I grabbed those too!   I am not a great vintage/distressed cardmaker, but I try to pick up hints from my buddy Ann Schach and I've come a long way from where I started!   I used the shimmer paint on my Very Vanilla circle and then sponged over to get a bit of the faux mother-of-pearl technique. It works better on glossy card stock, but I didn't think that would look good with the my design.  It still has a nice shimmer even though you probably can't tell from the picture!   I sponged pretty much everything with Crumb Cake ink, including the ribbon.   All in all, I'm smiling and happy with this one.  I don't say that often, so I should probably put this one in my keep box so I can look back at it when I need motivation. :)

Stamps:  Strength & Hope (retired), Tiny Tags

Ink:  Pool Party, Crumb Cake

Paper:  Pool Party, Peach Parfait, Everyday Enchantment DSP, Very Vanilla

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Scallop Circles #2 die, 3-inch circle die, Beautiful Butterflies die, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Jewelry Tag punch, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, sponges, Pool Party Ruffled ribbon, Basic Pearls

FMS27: Butterflies

 

Here we go again!  Time for another challenging sketch from Freshly Made Sketches!   Lesley totally threw me for a loop with this one.  I have a second card I started on my desk for this one because I wasn't sure the first one really worked.  Of course I got lazy and distracted, so it's still sitting there in pieces.   I'll try to finish it up and post it this week.   Here's the first one though:

I had some butterflies left over from our technique project at club, so I decided to put them to use on this card.  I thought they would work okay for the circular elements.   I tried to add a bit of dimension to them by curling up the wings a bit and added a solid punched one behind them.  To add some interest to the background, I used the diagonal plate for my Simply Scored board.   I'll admit that it isn't my favorite card and I could tell from Jason's reaction that it wasn't his either.  LOL   They all can't be winners, right?  :)  

I hope you'll join us this week and show us just what this sketch can do! 

February Stamp Club

Tonight was my monthly stamp club and we had some fun projects to make!  The first was another card inspired by my super duper creative friend Kathy.   I think this design is seriously one of my favorite cards ever and now I'm hooked on making them.   I wish I could hug her for sharing such a great idea!

Next we tried a new technique called the Grid Technique or Faux Tile.   I love showing off my Simply Scored tool and it is such a perfect way to do that.   This card also features a lot of the Sale-a-Bration products that are free with each $50 order right now!

Finally, with it being February, I just had to make a cute little treat holder!   I had pinned one by Jill Hilliard that I loved and I came up with a version using some of the supplies that I had.  

Finally, as it was the last month of this session of club, I made up some little treat boxes full of chocolate for each of the members.   They are such a fun group of ladies and bring so much joy with them each month.   I have been really blessed to have them as my customers.    We do have one spot open in the new club that will start next month, so contact me if you are interested in joining.  :)  We'd love to have you.  

(Ugh.  I had to take these pictures in a hurry because I needed to finish cleaning before everyone arrived tonight.  Sorry for how icky they are!)

FM41: Thank You Flower

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a "Thank You" themed Project.
2. Or Make a project "Using Designer/Patterned Paper".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Thank You project with Designer/Patterned Paper".

It's Friday, so time for a new challenge from The Friday Mashup!   This week's challenge was put forth by Lesley and it is a perfect one for this time of year.   If you are like me, you are a bit behind on those Thank You cards for Christmas and could use a kick in the butt to get them finished.  :)    

After battling a bit of food poisoning, I was a bit wiped out yesterday.  I decided to keep my card fairly simple; that's best anyway because I need to do quite a few of them.  I started with black and vanilla, but I plan on trying a range of colors today.  I'll be sure to post the successful attempts.  :)   I seriously love my Fun Flowers die.  I had been wanting to use it on the First Edition designer paper and I love the result.   I recently got the Boho Blossoms punch and I love how it finishes off the center of the flowers.   It doesn't show up well in the picture, but the whole card is shimmery as I sprayed it with my homemade shimmer mist.  

I hope you'll find the time to join us this week!  

FMS12: Gentle Spice

It is Wednesday and time for a new sketch from Freshly Made Sketches!   Jen created this gorgeous sketch for us to work with this week; isn't it awesome?!   I hope you can take a break from the turkey and bargain shopping to stamp along with us this week!

Here's what I came up with for this week.   Now to be honest, I don't love it.   I think I should have used MUCH LESS Soft Suede or something.  I do love parts of it, like the Spice Cake designer paper and the leaf from Gently Falling.   I just wish I could have showcased them a bit better.  I'm just starting to experiment with circles on my card, so hopefully my next attempt will work out a bit better!  

Be sure to stop by and see what the rest of the design team has created to inspire you this week.   I promise they did a much better job than my poor card!   :)

For all my American friends, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!   We already started preparing some of our goodies today and I'm so excited!   

Just Believe class card

Today I thought I'd share one of the cards we made last Friday night for my Girls Night Out class.   I think this was my favorite!   I took an idea from the Idea Book & Catalog and turned it into this beauty!   I love purple and green together; it is such a lovely combination.   Just Believe is a gorgeous set and you can do so many pretty things with it.   I'd highly recommend you put it on your wishlist if you don't have it already!

Before I go, I'd like to wish my sweet friend Anne Marie a very happy birthday!   I was hoping to make a card and post it today for her, but my poor room is in shambles.   I have been buying new shelving and reorganizing for a few days now.   We are supposed to have a rainy day tomorrow, so I hope it will be the time I need to finish up in there!

Stamps:  Just Believe, Tiny Tags
Ink:  Concord Crush, Lucky Limeade
Paper:  Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Beautiful Wings embosslit, jewelry tag punch, blender pen, Lucky Limeade ribbon, basic pearls
 

JAI 90: Sketch Challenge

First, I apologize for the lack of posts this week.  It's been one of those weeks mentally and my heart just wasn't in trying to create anything.   I decided to try making something today and here's my second card of the day.   The first one you'll have to wait on.  :)   My upline, Denise, was kind enough to lend me her Gently Falling stamp set so I've been putting it to work.   I'll definitely be sad to give this one back next week!  How gorgeous is that leaf?   I normally hate 2-step stamps as they don't fit completely in the lines, but I think I could manage to get over that with this one.  :)   Anyway, I thought it would be great for the sketch over at Just Add Ink.  I don't own an oval die, so I hope it was okay that I used a square!

Stamps:  Gently Falling, en Francais, Tiny Tags, Woodgrain
Ink:  Soft Suede, Pool Party, More Mustard
Paper:  More Mustard, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede
Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Scallop Squares duo die, Jewelry Tag punch, Pool Party ruffled ribbon, sponges

PP67: French Foliage

I've been so busy with classes and clubs for the past two weeks and missed out on doing my challenges.   Last night I decided to take some time to play along with The Paper Players.  It has been a while since I got to play along with them on this side of things and I've missed it.   Jaydee is the hostess this week and presented a fun color challenge.   I was a bit stumped at first because the only Bravo Burgundy I had was a scrap of ribbon and a marker.   That's why they call it a challenge though, right?  :)    

Here's what I came up with; isn't it pretty?    I was in a mood to really spend some time on a card last night, so this one has lots of things going on.   I brayed the embossing folders, added some distressing and spritzing (totally channeling Ann), and fussy cut some leaves.    I think it was well worth the time and has a bit of a wow factor when you hold it and look over all the details and feel the texture.   I used last week's Mojo Monday sketch, but not in time to submit it.   

I hope you enjoyed my card today.   I know I had a blast making it.   :)

Stamps:  French Foliage, Tiny Tags

Ink:  More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgundy (marker)

Paper:  More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper and Square Lattice embossing folders, Cutter Kit, Jewelry Tag punch, Scallop Edge border punch, brayer, color spritzer tool,  sponges, linen thread, Bravo Burgundy ribbon (retired)

Triple Challenge for Fall

       

Look at all these fun challenges!   Even though it has been too hot in Texas to really be thinking of Fall, it is my favorite season.   Watching the leaves turn is one of the few things that I miss about living in Kentucky.   There's nothing like seeing the mountains ablaze in red, yellow, and orange.   Anyway, my friend Kathy made a gorgeous card this week where she combined French Foliage, En Francais, and emboss resist.    I thought I'd try that too, but in the fall colors.   (I like hers better because the Rich Razzleberry is so unexpected and one of my favorite colors.)   I used ideas from three challenges, this week's Card Pattern's Sketch, the autumn challenge at The Friday Mashup, and the fall challenge from Hand Stamped Sentiments.

I hope you like the Spice Cake designer paper because I can tell I'm going to be using it a lot!  :o)    It is just so pretty and perfect for fall projects.   For my leaves, I inked them in Versamark and then More Mustard before using my sponge daubers to add a bit of Cajun Craze and Early Espresso.   Once I stamped them, I embossed them with clear embossing powder so that I could use the emboss resist technique.   I stamped En Francais and some other elements from French Foliage over them to add some interest.  To finish it all off, I added some Early Espresso Baker's Twine and some tags.   You'll find hints of distressing and sponging as well; these colors inspire me to do a bit of that for some reason.

Here's a close-up of one of  leaves...doesn't it look real?!   I love it!

Stamps:  French Foliage, Tiny Tags, En Francais
Ink:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Versamark, Soft Suede
Paper:  Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Spice Cake designer paper
Tools/Accessories:  Heat Tool, Clear Embossing Powder, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Jewelry Tag punch, sponge daubers

JAI84: Colour Challenge

This is my card for the Just Add Ink challenge this week.   They challenged us to use white plus one other color.   Now normally I would not pick Pumpkin Pie as a focus for a card, but the strip of designer paper jumped out at me as I was looking for a color.   I think it turned out beautifully!

Stamps:  Hello Doily, Tiny Tags
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Versamark
Paper:  Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Flirtatious designer paper
Accessories:  Pumpkin Pie taffeta ribbon, basic pearls, clear embossing powder
Tools: heat tool, embossing buddy, dotted scallop ribbon punch, jewelry tag punch, sponge

PP61 Sketch

Well, I decided to take my own advice and go stamp something rather than cry.  :)    I have to say, I just be more creative when I'm near tears because I am LOVING this card!   I wanted to try two of my new toys out and thankfully they worked well together.    The new Fancy Fan letterpress plate is awesome and I owe Ann a big thank you for inspiring me to get it.    It is going to be a favorite for sure!   I also just got the Fun Flowers die after hearing how much everyone LOVED it.   It has been sitting there for a few weeks now staring at me, but I was clueless what to do with it!    Well, I think it is great now that I pulled it out and used it!    (and seriously, Tempting Turquoise and Basic Gray are super terrific together; I LOVE that combo!)

Stamps:  Tiny Tags
Ink:   Basic Gray, Versamark
Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray, Brights DSP stack
Accessories:  Brights buttons, White Baker's Twine, Basic Gray Taffeta ribbon (retired I think....)
Tools:  Big Shot, Fancy Fan letterpress plate, Fun Flowers die, Jewelry Tag punch