CIC72 - Sending Lots of Hugs

Hi!  I excited to share my very first Cupcake Inspiration Challenge with you as a "Sweetie" - Just look at these wonderful, fun cupcakes. Who wouldn't be inspired by them?  This weeks challenge is being sponsored by Whimsy Stamps

For my card I used the Hang In There image.  Isn't that turtle just adorable!  I was inspired by the fun colors in the cupcake photo as well as the different textural elements.  I colored the turtle image with Prisma Colored pencils and lightly blended a background in around the image and blended with Gamsol.

My card base is Bermuda Bay, layered with Rose Red, a layer of Basic Gray Lemonade DP, and an embossed piece of Old Olive cs.  I added a punched border of So Saffron and the sentiment is from Hero Arts.  The bling are Pineapple Sprinkles (Annabelle Stamps).  I even managed to do some stitching around my card.  This is the hardest thing for me because I've never been able to get my Janome Sew Mini to sew half way decent since I bought it and sewing is just not my thing.  The punched flower was made using my new MFT Dies.

Contact me if you have any questions on how this card was made.

Don't forget to stop by the other Sweeties blogs (links are on my sidebar) to see their great takes on the Inspiration photo.  Then give it a try yourself and link back on the Cupcake Inspiration Challenge Blog so we can see your creation.

Time for more "Sneak Peeks" from Annabelle

It's sneak peek time again here at Annabelle Stamps.  First up is the fabulous set called, (Thoughtful Stems).  As you can see there are several great floral stamps and great sentiments to pair with them.  For this card I chose to use the Wheat/Grass image and one of the sentiments for my card.  I saw this layout in the latest issue of Paper Crafts Sept./Oct. 2010 and thought it would be perfect for my card. 

I picked out some DP (SU-Sweet Pea - which is retired now)and based my colors from the patterned paper.

My card base is Old Olive layered with So Saffron.  The focal panel is different patterns of the Sweet Pea designer paper.  I stamped the Wheat on one of the patterns and colored it in with Chalks.  Then I sprayed the panel, my card base and the sentiment strip with a mixture of Hairspray and Gold Pearl Ex Powder for some added shimmer.  I tied some Linen Thread around the main panel, pierced the sentiment panel and added 2 Vanilla teardrop pearls (Annabelle Stamps) to complete the card.  Oops almost forgot to show you the card! LOL

Be sure to check out the other DT members blogs and leave comments on ALL the blogs for your chance to win this set for FREE.  Come back again on Tuesday for the next sneak peek.

Also there is a Sketch Challenge going on right now as well for a chance at another Prize so be sure to check that out as well.

A Tale of Two Challenges

Welcome!  It's time for the latest Annabelle Sketch challenge (ABSC28) and since my time has been limited for stamping due to being a "Taxi-Grandma" for Coleen this summer I decided to combine the ABSC challenge with the BC164 Challenge. So without further ado I present the sketch and my card.  The sketch is really one of those great CAS (Clean and Simple) sketches that can lend itself to all kinds on interpretations. 

Since the Blogger Challenge this week is, (Birthday Cards/projects) I pulled out my Party Animals 1 set and colored up the adorable mouse with cake image.  Yes, mice generally aren't considered, "cute or adorable" but this one is.  Look at the expression of pure JOY on that face.  All that yummy cake and off we go!  I stamped the image on Whisper White cs with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored/blended with Prisma Color Pencils and Gamsol.  Added a tiny touch of glitter to the candle flames.  I had already put part of the tag together with some scraps the other day so I pulled it out and mounted my stamped image on the tag and added the ribbon and bow and the sprinkles.

The card base is Real Red paired with Designer paper from WeRMemory Keepers (Sunny Flower Patch) line.  I just love all the fun, bright colors of this paper.

I added a punched border with the Optic Dot Punch and also used my Zigzag punch on the stripped border.  The tag is Tangerine Tango and I added a bit of stitching to the tag as well.

We'd love to have you join in with us on the sketch challenge.

As always there is a PRIZE up for grabs.

This week the prize is:10 sheets of clear A4 Acetate

                                                            1mtr 16mm Tuftan Ribbon
                                                            1mtr 9mm Tan/Tuftan Swiss Dots

You have 2 full weeks to participate and link back on the Annabelle Blog to be eligible to win the prize.  Hope you'll join us.

On a side note:  Andrea has some awesome Blog Candy going here on her blog: so be sure to check it out.  I'm not posting the picture since I don't want to confuse anyone with the above Prize for the sketch challenge.

Please be sure to drop by both the Annabelle DT members and the Blogger Challenge members blogs to see what they have created.  Both groups are listed on my sidebar.

CIC71 - Witchy Woman (well not quite)

 Yum!  - Well even though I'm not an "Official" Sweetie until August 15th Hope said we could play along this week if we wanted to and how could I resist when the inspiration looks this yummy.  This week is being sponsored by Ippity through Michelle.  Since I (sadly) don't own any Ippity stamps - (may have to remedy that soon) I chose to use stamps from my own stamp collection.  I recently purchased (Greeting Card Kids from SU) and thought with the wonderful fall colors of the cupcake it would make the cutest Halloween card.  So what do you think?  You may recognize the sketch as I basically used the same sketch as yesterdays BC post (scroll down 1 post).  It's a great sketch to use and I think it worked for this card quite well.

I was inspired by the wonderful colors and all the textural elements of the inspiration photo.  I used a textured embossing folder (Square Lattice-SU) on Apricot Appeal cs and brayed Chocolate Chip ink over it.  The DP is from DCWV and the brown lace is from my personal stash of unidentified ribbons. 

Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Prisma Colored Pencils/Gamsol

Other: Nestabilitie Dies.

Thanks to all who sent such a warm welcome and Congratulations on my making the Sweeties Design Team for the Cupcake Inspiration Challenges.  It really meant a lot to me to know you were happy for me.

BC163 - Let's Celebrate

It's Friday and time for the Blogger Challenge.  This week we have a sketch to use.  Love this sketch.

For my card I chose some fun, bright colors and a yummy cupcake image.  Doesn't it just make you want to PARTY!!!                        Be sure to check out the other BC members blogs for their take on this great sketch.  Have a wonderful day!

I stamped the cupcake (Take the Cake - Annabelle Stamps) with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Very Vanilla cs and colored it with Prisma Colored Pencils.   I paper pieced the wrapper and added Lemonade' Glitter to the flame.

Card Stock:  Bermuda Bay, Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, Basic Black.

Designer Paper - WeRMemoryKeepers

Other:  Optic Dot Punch-MS, Lime Sprinkles-Annabelle, Circle Punch-SU,

Nestabilitie Dies.

Say it with Cream

Hello and welcome to this weeks Annabelle Challenge: 
Say it in...Cream.

  Once again I'm going to have to say this was a bit of a "challenge" for me.  I don't have many papers or embellishments that are cream colored so I had to dig through my paper stash to find something I felt was suitable for the challenge.

I chose a patter from Cratepaper.com, (Crate Avenue Collection - Glam).  So yes my card is actually Cream and Gray but I think it works.

I'm using this weeks current Mojo Monday sketch for this card.  This is a very different sketch then I woul normally follow so again another "challenge.

My card base is:  Very Vanilla (that counts as cream doesn't it?) Then I layered some Basic Gray cs brushed with a Vanilla Craft pad and embossed apiece of creamy/beige paper (DCWV) with the Textile Textured embossing folder.  I added the panels of Basic Gray and Crate paper with some Cream Twill ribbon (JoAnn Essentials) along with Black Currant Sprinkles.  The flowers and sentiment (Floral Silhouettes - ABS020) were embossed using Opaque Vanilla EP from Annabelle Stamps.  I added a Scalloped border of Vanilla Card Stock and punched the border of the DP using my Scroll and Dots punch (EK Success).  To finish off the card I added 3 Cream Hearts (Annabelle Stamps).  I think this cad has a nice elegant feel to it.

Be sure to check out what the other DT members did using the color Cream.

Also don't forget you still have a week left to make a card for the current Annabelle Sketch challenge.  There is a PRIZE up for grabs so get your entry in as soon as possible.

Somebody Pinch Me!

Have you heard the news yet?  The Cupcake Inspiration Challenge has a new "Sweeties" Design Team!  Yep,  I tried out and made the DT.  I can't tell you how excited I was when I received the news.  This is one of my all time favorite challenges and now I am a part of a wonderful DT as well.   My term doesn't start until August 15th but if time allows I'll join in this Sunday for the challenge.  This is the current inspiration photo going on this week.  Isn't that FUN!
Take care and I'll see you all real soon for the CIC Challenges.

New Challenge Blog and Prize

Hey have you heard the news...There's a NEW Challenge Blog out there,

Let's Ink It Up and there are Prizes being given away.  Here is one of them.  This prize is being offered by Andrea from Annabelle Stamps. So how foyou win this awesome prize?  Check out  this link for all the details.  

Have a wonderful day.  Now go spread the word!

BC162 - So Many Possibilities...So Little Time

Happy Friday.  Please be sure to scroll down one post for the current Annabelle Sketch.  It's PRIZE week and you really should check it out and give it a try.

Now on to the Blogger Challenge.  This week the theme was: Black/White and another color of your choice.  I love Black/White together and so often pair it with Red so I decided to try something different this time around.  I went through my paper stash to see what B/W combo's I had and found a pattern that had Black, White and Orange on it and before I knew it this was my result:

Yep, It's a Halloween card!  I love how this turned out.  Stamps used: Ghostly Greetings from Craft Lounge.  Card Stock: Basic Black, Only Orange, Whisper White an DP(Unknown source) I've had it for years though.  Other Items: Spider Web Punch-MS, Circle Punch, SU, Spider Punch-EK Success.                             Orange gems-Annabelle Stamps, RicRac-JoAnn's, Glitter from Art Institute, Prisma Color Pencils.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Be sure to visit the other BC members blogs. You can find them by clicking on the BC Icon on my sidebar.

absc27 - Birthday Tulip

Hi,  Have you all had a good week.  It's been a busy one here.  We've had some HOT weather and even a little rain one day.  That was nice after the scorching temps from earlier in the week.  It's time now though for the current Annabelle Sketch Challenge so let's see what we have for you this week.

Our sketch comes from DT member Teresa.  It's a CAS sketch (Clean and Simple) and so easy to work with.  I decided however to rotate the sketch for my card so my sketch looks like this:

Here is my card. 

I wanted to use the fun Tulip image in the just released stamp set, Branch Out and that required flipping the sketch.  This allowed me to also use the great vertical birthday sentiment in the set.

Details:

Stamps:  Branch Out

Ink: Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Basick Black (SU)

Card stock: Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Regal Rose, Whisper White (SU)

Designer Paper: Basic Grey, Lemonade

Other: Blossom Sprinkles-Annabelle,

Scallop Punch-SU, Polka Dot ribbon, JoAnn Essentials, Paper piercing tool.

Be sure to stop by all the DTmembers blogs and leave them some comment lovin.

Andrea would LOVE it if you stopped by the store and purchased one of the new stamps sets.  They are really great to work with so hop on by and check them out.

Don't forget this is PRIZE week for participating in the sketch challenge.  One lucky person will win the Brown Petals kit shown here: You have 2 weeks to create a card with the sketch (don't forget to use some "Bling" on your card) and link back to it on the Annabelle Blog.

Have a wonderful weekend.

CIC69 - Daisy

Hi! Wow it's been a few weeks since I've participated with the Cupcake Inspiration Challenge (CIC) and I've missed it.  Life has just been super busy this summer but I'm happy to say I'm back today with a card for the challenge.  Just look at that wonderful cupcake, who wouldn't be inspired by how lovely and refreshing it looks (not to mention yummy)!
I knew right away what stamp I wanted to use for this challenge.  It's been in my stash for awhile and I've used it once or twice but I just had to dust it off again so without further ado here is my card.

I stamped the cat and daisies - Third Coast Rubber Stamps
on Kraft (now known as Crumb Cake) cs with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with Prisma Color pencils.  I highlighted the Daisy centers with Lemonade Glitter.  Then I sponged on some Tempting Turquoise ink and then took my cloud template and lightly sponged some White craft ink around in a sort of random pattern as I really didn't want it to look like clouds but rather a misty like look (do you think it worked?) - I added some pretty white half pearls.
The card base is Tempting Turquoise layered with Whisper White, DP by Cosmo Cricket. I added a punched layer of Tempting Turquoise and Old Olive that was embossed with the Swiss Dot Embossing folder.  The cat was mounted over a circle of Garden Green.  I left off a sentiment and figured one could be put on the inside later on. 

Hope you'll give this challenge a try.  It's alot of fun.

Encouragement

Hello and welcome to the start of a new week.  Today I am sharing a card that I made for a couple that I have never met.  One of my stamping blog friends,  Allison had this post on her blog last week.  I asked for the address and made this card (and actually sent it!) to them.

I wanted to encourage both Sue and her husband even though I don't know them personally.  As a Christian it is important to uplift others who are in need and quite often I find myself guilty of neglecting to do this so I'm happy that I actually followed through this time.

Stamps used:  Sentimental Bluebells (Annabelle Stamps) - Aren't they gorgeous!  Annabelle Stamps is a relatively "NEW" stamp company in Australia so if you haven't yet visited Andrea's store be sure to do so.  She'd love to have you stop by and check out the new stamps which just came out.  They are wonderful to work with so please drop on over and maybe add a set or two (or three) to your stamp collection today!

Card Stock:  Handsome Hunter, Real Red, Bashful Blue and Very Vanilla
DP:  Scenic Route
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Prisma Color pencils.
Punch:  Swirl - EK Success,  Oval and Scallop Oval-SU
Nestabilitie Dies
Paper Piercing Tool, Prima Flowers (Colored with Copic markers to match DP), Brads from Pink Hedgehog

Once Upon A Monthly Challenge #2

Hello! Wow the "Dog Days" of summer are certainly in full force here in "Wally World" (aka-Walla Walla, WA) with temperatures over 100 yesterday and pretty much in the upper 90's for the rest of the week.  But you didn't come here to hear about the weather - Atleast I hope you didn't.

It's time once again for my friend, Elena (The Redhaired Girl) and I to post our cards for our monthly challenge with each other.  This month Elena chose the theme and it was to create a card that reflected something we enjoy about Summer.  Okay I must admit to being a bit challenge by the theme but I like the card I finally came up with.                We don't do a lot of traveling during the summer and rarely take a vacation and I'm not much for outdoor activities but I do enjoy flower gardening and how pretty all the flower look (until the heat melts them) so that is what I chose as my summer theme.  I used an old retired SU stamp set, (A Year in the Country) which I colored with Prisma Colored pencils.  I mounted this on Green Galored cs then paired it up with some fun designer paper (My Minds Eye)

I also stamped the SU Sanded BG on some Apricot Appeal cs, added 3 Tangerine Tango punched flowers with bright green brad centers. The card base is Real Red.

I added a fun picket fence border with a MS punch on some textured blue cs.  My sentiment if from Hero Arts.

Now be sure to pop on over to Elena's blog as you are going to be blown away with how adorable the card she sent me for this challenge is.  You won't want to miss it.

We had people who also joined our challenge last month so feel free to give this challenge a try and be sure to link back either on my post or on Elena's post so we can check your cards out.

We'll be back again next month with another challenge theme.  Thanks for visiting and for you comments.  They are truly appreciated.

Flutterby Friend

It's been quite a busy and stressful week here so I haven't had much time to stamp.  Today I am showing you a card that I recently made for another group I belong to on Yahoo.  This was for an (Anything Goes) challenge where we could use whatever stamps, embellishments, papers etc...that we wanted.  Normally this group is strictly Stampin'Up! but on occasion they let us let our "hair down!" Since I'm no longer an SU Demo these challenges work great for me.

For this card I chose to use my new Papertrey Ink stamp set, Flutterby Friend.  It's a gorgeous set and I just love the images and how easy they are to work with and create beautiful cards.

Now I wish I could say that this card was entirely my original idea but it's not so I direct you to this card by the awesome Sarah Martina to see where my inspiration came from.  I first discovered Sarah's blog this summer during the Papercrafts Gallery Idol contest as she was one of the Top 20 and believe me you will understand why when you visit her blog and see her fabulous cards!

I did change a things around on my card to suit my personality though.  I opted not to do the fancy border cut at the bottome of the card and instead used a fancy punch below my panels.  On the panels themselves I rounded the corners to match the rounded corners of the card and added my sentiment as a raised panel as well.

Of course I used different stamps, papers but you can see how Sarah's card inspired mine.  Thanks Sarah!

Card Details: Stamps: Flutterby Friend - Papertrey Ink

Card Stock: Naturals Ivory, Certainly Celery and Tempting Turquoise - SU

Designer Paper: Basic Grey-Lemonade Line

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and various SU ink pads (I watercolored the images with the ink pads and an Aqua Painter).

Other:  Punch - EKSuccess-Scroll and Dot, Glitter-Art Institute, Sprinkles-Annabelle Stamps, Distressing Tool-SU and foam mounting tape.

Final July Preview

Hello,  Well here we are at the end of our July previews for the new Annabelle Stamps.  Today we are introducing:  Take the Cake.  What a fun and yummy set this one is.  You'll want to add this to your stamp collection for sure.

For my card  I decided to showcase the presents but didn't really feel like I wanted to color them so I chose to stamp each present with a different color to compliment the Designer Paper.

My card base is:  Bermuda Bay layered with DP from WeRMemoryKeepers (Flower Patch) line. The colorful striped pattern is also from this line.  I added a punched border (MS-Optic Dot) of Real Red cs.  The presents were stamped on Whisper White cs using, Real Red, Crushed Curry and Kiwi Kiss ink.  I mounted them on Tangerine Tango cs.  I punched out the side of th top present and added my sentiment on Crushed Curry cs.  Then I added 2 Chili Sprinkles and a Lime sprinkle.  The cake panel and present are raised using foam dimensional tape.

I chose to use TESC119 sketch for my card. So do you want a chance to win this set...YES,  Well then start hopping to each of the DT members blogs and leave a comment on each one for your chance to win this great set.  Here are the blogs to visit:

Here are the DT members blogs:

Andrea
 Ida - You are here
                                                                 Jerusha
                                                                 Kylie
                                                                 Michelle
                                                                 Rene'
                                                                 Sue
                                                                Teresa
                                                                 Tiffany

You have 2 days to leave your comments.  The winner will be posted on the Annabelle Blog after the Hop is over.

All 4 of the newest Annabelle Sets will be available on Wednesday.
 Buy all four new sets and receive the set 'Diva' by Bella for FREE!

I hope you had a must fun with the previews as I did creating cards for these awesome new sets.  We'll be back in August with 3 more new sets so be sure to check in on the 15th when the previews begin.

The Hop Continues...

Introducing...Party Animals 1 - Isn't this set simply adorable and fun!!! One of my favorites from the release.  I love the different animals and sentiments in this set.  The perfect set for your party needs.

Of course being a "cat lover" (we own 6 indoor cats) I just had to ink up the kitty image first.  I wanted to make my card really FUN so I chose some nice bright colors and a layout that was a bit more "funky" then my normal layouts are with the curvy lines.  I hope you like it.

Details: Stamp Set: Party Animals 1
Card Stock: Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Only Orange, Crushed Curry, Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White.
Ink Pad: Memento Tuxedo Black
Prisma Colored Pencils and Gamsol

Other: Swiss Dot Embossing Folder, Petitie Oval Nestabilitie Dies, Olive and PineappleSprinkles, Red Glitter and Crystal Effects.

I've included a Close-up of my kitty so you can see the details like the Crystal effects on the balloon, the glitter on the heart and how the balloon and party had are raised using dimensional tape.

Now I know if you love CUTE stamps you are going to want to have a chance to WIN this set so be sure to follow our blog hop rules.  Just visit each of the DT members blogs and leave a comment for them for you chance at winning this adorable and fun stamp set.

Here are the DT members blogs:

 Andrea   

Ida - That's me and you are already here!

Jerusha

Kylie

Michelle

Rene'

Sue

Teresa

Tiffany

The winner will be announced on the Annabelle Blog before the next preview begins on Tuesday.

Did you notice that the name of this set is Party Animals 1....Here's a hint...Come back next month for more Party Animals...hee hee.....nothing like being teased is there.

                                                                 

                                                                                 

Up For Another HOP - The Previews Continue

Hello - Did you all have a good time hopping on the first preview set (Ballerina Rose). So are you up for another great set and blog hop!  It's time to preview the next Annabelle Stamp set, (Branch Out).  This is a really fun set with some floral images, a branch image and lots of great sentiments and even a border stamp.                   The first thing I thought of when I saw the branch in the set was how much it reminded me of Mistletoe so I decided to make my card have a Christmas theme to it.  I started with a card base of Old Olive and layered Whisper White that I stamped the branch on with Old Olive ink.  Then I stamped the branch repeatedly on River Rock cs with River Rock ink, mounted this on the Whisper White piece rounded the corners and added some Linen thread and buttons.  The sentiment (Don't you love this sentiment. I know I do.) was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and layered on Real Red Card Stock.  I added Chili Sprinkles in various sizes for the berries of my Mistletoe branch to complete the card.

So do you want a chance to WIN this great set! - Yes...Well you know the drill.  Head over to ALL the Design Team members blogs and leave a comment on their card for your chance to win this set.  You have 2 days to do this but why wait...get hopping.

You can find a list of the DT members on my sidebar or on the Annabelle Blog.

BC160 - Rockin Instrumental

Hello and Happy Friday! - What a busy week.  So are you ready for the Blogger Challenge for this week.  Yep, it's a "Sketch" challenge.  Our "List Mom" Lisa gave us this great sketch to work with.                                                  For my card I decided to use one of the last new release sets from Annabelle Stamps called, "Rockin Instrumental" for my card.

I chose some really fun and bright patterned paper (My Minds Eye - Love Me Do) as the starting point for my card.  I stamped the Drums with Memento Tuxedo black ink and water colored them with ink pads and an Aqua Painter.  For the middle element I used the Musical score from the stamp set and stamped it repeatedly on Whisper White card stock.  I added photo corners (EK success) Chili Sprinkles (Annabelle Stamps) and stamped the sentiment on the opposite side of the DP with black ink.  All images mounted with foam mounting tape.

Card Stock: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Crushed Curry.

Stop by the other BC Members blogs and see what they did with this sketch.

Don't forget that Annabelle stamps is releasing new sets this week and next and you have a chance to win them by visiting the DT members blogs and leaving a comment for your chance to win.  This set isn't up for grabs but there will be a new set previewed tomorrow night so check back to see what you could win.

absc26

Hi,  I don't have a card for you today (sad face) but I can at least show you the current Annabelle Sketch challenge because you will have a chance to win a great prize (Jeweled Tree) which is perfect for getting a head start on those Christmas projects.

If you visit the Annabelle Blog you will see more great samples of the just previewed stamp set (Ballerina Rose).  This is a gorgeous set and will be available at the end of the previews on July 22nd I believe. 

See you all back tomorrow with another new Stamp set preview.

Let the Previews Begin!

Hi everyone.  Who's up for some NEW stamps! - Yes, it's Preview time once again for Annabelle Stamps and boy have we got some great new sets to show you.
Starting with this GORGEOUS set, (Ballerina Rose)

This set is just so pretty and filled with wonderful sentiments which can be used for Sympathy, Friendship and Thank You cards or whatever else strikes your creativity.  I just love this set. 

So do you want a chance to WIN this set?  YES....Well here's what you need to do.  You need to visit ALL the Design Team members blogs and leave a comment on their blog post using this stamp set for your chance at winning it.  Below is the list of Blogs you need to visit and comment on:
Andrea - Owner of Annabelle Stamps
Kylie
Sue 
Teresa
Rene'
Jerusha
Tiffany
Michelle
and of course ME.  You won't know who has the Prize but Andrea will draw from the comments on the DT member's blog who has the hidden prize and announce the winner on the Annabelle Blog before the next preview starts.  This gives you until midday (Australian Time) on Friday to leave your comments but why wait that long.  Get Hopping and Commenting!

ALL STAMP SETS AVAILABLE on the 29th after the previews are over (Annabelle Stamps)

Details of my card:
Stamp Set:  Ballerina Rose
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Rose Red and Prisma Color Pencils (blended with Gamsol)
Card Stock   Regal Rose*, Rose Red, Gable Green*,  (*now retired SU colors)
Designer Paper: Basic Gray Lemonade
Ribbon, Pearls and Flower all from Annabelle Stamps
Nestabilitie Petite Oval Dies
Glitter - Art Institute

BC159 - Tropical Inspiration

Don't forget to check out my Annabelle Challenge in the post below this one.  We had a fun color challenge with a bit of a "twist" added.

It's FRIDAY and time for the Blogger Challenge.  This weeks challenge is an Inspiration photo.  Don't you just love how refreshing this room looks.  The first thing that caught my attention were the leaf decorations on the shelves - I know pretty strange but I just found them to be a fun element in the room so I went with them and the tropical colors for the inspiration of my card.  

  I chose the current Mojo Monday sketch to use for my card. 

                                    

 For my card I chose one of the leaves in the (Paradise) stamp set from SU.  Instead of stamping it in a dark color I chose some blues/greens by using a Kaleidacolor (Caribbean Sea) ink pad.  My papers are from Cosmo Cricket (DeLovely) line.  I also found a scrap of some black stripe paper that reminded me of the black stripes in the quilt on the bed. I embossed the Bermuda Bay cs using the Victoria embossing folder.  My greeting is from the retired SU set (Autumn Leaf Prints) and was stamped on Crushed Curry cs with Basic Gray ink.  I added a ric-rac border of Hot pink and some Hot pink brads as well to complete my card.

Be sure to click on the BC icon and check out the other members blogs to see how they were inspired by the Inspiration photo.

Here is one of the pics I took of Coleen over the 4th of July weekend.  You can see what else we did by visiting my other blog here:

Say it with Chocolate and Orange

Hi, It's Friday (well in Australia) and time once again for the Annabelle (Say it With...) challenge.  This time we had to create projects using Chocolate and Orange.    These are YUMMY colors together.  I decided to use one of the new release sets (Floral Silhouettes) for my card.  However before I give you the recipe I will tell you this was not the first card that I made for this challenge.

It had been suggested we create some Christmas in July projects and someone joked about trying to use the color challenge for a Christmas card.  So I decided to see if I could create a Christmas card using (Chocolate and Orange) this is the result.  What do you think? It's quite different but still very festive and I like it.

Next is my other card which is a bit more "normal" use of these colors.  As you can see I used the same colors for both cards with the exception of the Cameo Coral on the 2nd card.  Isn't it fun to see how you can create to very different cards using the same stamps and papers!

Card One - Stamp set: Wise Men - Annabelle Stamps
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip,  Close to Cocoa (why did SU retired this color) Pumpkin Pie, Apricot Appeal. Designer Paper is from an old DCWV pack that I've had for a long time. 
Prisma Colored Pencils, Circle Nestabilitie Dies, Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon,
Punch - EK Success
Chocolate Pearls & Orange Jewel (Annabelle Stamps)

Card Two - Stamp Set: Floral Silhouettes-Annabelle Stamps
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Cameo Coral and Apricot Appeal
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie and Cameo Coral
Nestabilitie Dies, Punch EK Success, Chocolate Pearls (Annabelle)

Stop by the DT members blogs to see what they did with this color combo and if anyone else tried to do a Christmas card with them.

Hooray For The Red, White and Blue

Happy Friday! - Wow can you believe that the 4th of July is just a few days away!  In honor of this event our Blogger Challenge this week is: Patriotic cards. 

I've got 2 to show you today.  This first card is my BC challenge card.  I found this awesome paper that I just had to buy and I knew it would be perfect for this challenge.  The paper is from Hot Off The Press (I bought mine at the local JoAnn's). I loved the Stripe pattern and it had this cool border of stars that I cut off to use as a separate element.  I also used the blue piece embossed with the Distressed Stripe embossing folder and a deep red piece that has a subtle star pattern on it.  For my stamp set I chose a very OLD SU set, (Americana Collection) I just love this set and probably will never part with it.
I stamped the Eagle with Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored it with Prisma color pencils.  The sentiment was stamped with a Bravo Burgundy marker on Naturals Ivory cs.  My card base is Kraft or as it's now called, Crumb Cake.  I added 3 Star Brads (source unknown) to complete my card.

Next up is my card for the Cupcake Inspiration Challenge

Aren't these cupcakes cute and oh so Patriotic!  I was inspired by this card that I found on Makiko's fabulous blog.  I loved the design, which after reading her entry is also one of the sketches from Mercy's blog (MTSC78)

For my card I used Whisper White, Real Red cs. The DP is a piece I bought last year from, Sweetwater Firecracker paper collection.  The stamps I used are from a $1  Studio G Stamp set - with the exception of the small stars which are again part of the Americana collection mentioned in the card above and Itty Bitty Backgrounds. I used Real Red and Brilliant Blue markers for the sentiment and stars.  My border punch is MS-Layered Arches. The Red Satin ribbon and Pearls are from Annabelle Stamps and the Red Star eyelets are retired SU.

I hope you all have a very safe 4th of July and remember to give thanks for this GREAT country we are privileged to live in.  God Bless America!!!

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Hello! - Did you all enjoy the previews of the NEW Annabelle Sets.  If you haven't stopped by the store yet and ordered your sets you can view them here:      There are some really wonderful new sets with more to come in the next couple of months.

It's time now for the PRIZE week sketch.  -  I must admit that I struggle with sketches like this.  The Square shape is not my usual style nor are the various circle elements and bow.  I do think that I followed the sketch as close as I possibly could.  Just not sure it turned out exactly as I had hoped.  Sometimes we all struggle with our "Mojo" and this week that is what happened to me. 

 For this card I used: Sahara Sand, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue and So Saffron cs.  The DP is Delicate Dogs (retired-SU)                                             I embossed the flowers from the new Floral Silhouettes stamp set using Opaque Vanilla EP (available from Annabelle Stamps) The Punch is: EK Success-Daisy Scallop.  The ribbon is also So Saffron grosgrain-retired SU.  My embellishments are Silver Sprinkles from Annabelle Stamps.

Be sure to check out the DT members blogs and see what they came up with using this set.  I know some have used the gorgeous new Sentimental Bluebells stamp set so you won't want to miss seeing their cards.  Don't forget you have 2 weeks to use this sketch and link back to your card on the Annabelle Blog for your chance to win:

PRIZE : Jar lge White Pearl mix, and jar sml White Pearl mix.