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