Once Upon A Monthly Challenge #3

Hi,  Welcome to the latest addition of OUMC (Once Upon A Monthly Challenge) that my friend Elena and I started a couple of months ago.  This time I was Challenge Hostess and picked out this Inspiration Photo for us to make our cards from.  I found this photo at Pottery Barn sometime back and now can't locate the original but that shouldn't matter  I loved the colors of this bedding ensemble and created my card around that.

My "blue" tone is a bit different then the IP but pretty close.  I used one of my Papertrey Ink stamp sets, Flutterby Friend for this card.  I started first by stamping the leaves in Kiwi Kiss ink and then the flowers with Baja Breeze ink.  So far so good...then it came time to mount this to card stock and would you believe I could not find a piece of Baja Breeze cs anywhere.  I wasn't about to stamp the image panel again so I kept searching and finally found 2 pieces (one pretty much wrinkle up that I salvaged enough out of to mount the image on and then another piece that I made the card base from.

Now that my card is posted I just found out that I could have stamped my flowers differently as I missed seeing that there is a small stem piece in the set which is designed to use with the leaves that I stamped.  Oh well (live and learn) and it really doesn't look bad stamped this way too.

I recreated the look of the Rattan/Wicker bed frame using Kraft (or Crumb Cake) cs and the Square Lattice SU Embossing Folder.  This was mounted on Kiwi Kiss cs stamped with the Aida Cloth-retiredSU background stamp and Kiwi Kiss ink.  Next I punched a Label with Whisper White cs and added the word, Friends with Baja Breeze in, threaded some Old Olive Twill ribbon through it and tied a bow.  The butterfly was stamped with Baja Breeze and I water colored in a little Kiwi Kiss ink and added some clear Glitter then mounted it with mounting tape.  Lastly I used the Chain border punch (EK Success) and added the white border at the bottom of the card.

Now you are seriously going to want to visit Elena's Blog to see the card she sent me. It is just AWESOME! I hadn't sent her card before I mailed mine out and was surprised and delighted to see that we had come up with two very different cards but yet side by side they looked fabulous. I took a picture of them together but don't want to spoil the surprise of your seeing her card so hop on over to her blog and leave her some comment lovin. She adds such great details to her cards. I love the sewing, the pearl swirl embellishment, the buttons, the papers...well the whole card is just amazing!!

CIC74 - Cupcake Chloe Celebrates

Are you ready for some Cupcakes!    Just take a look at these fun treats.  Yummo! - So much going on here and oh so bright but I love them.     This week the Sponsor for the Cupcake Inspiration Challenge is, InStyle Stamps  and one lucky person will win: 4 Digital Images of Winner's choice.

I chose to use Cupcake Chloe for my card and paired her up with some fun, bright colors.  My DP (Striped pattern) is from an old DCWV pad. The card base is Pink Passion and I paired the up with a piece of Lime textured cs (I have no idea where I got it)  I added a punched strip of Tempting Turquoise to the designer paper. Colored Chloe with Prisma Color Pencils and added some sparkle to her apron and the cupcakes using Spica Glitter Pens.  I sponged Barely Banana ink around her added some pink pearls and orange ribbon and mounted her to some Peach Parfait card stock.  Then I added some punched flowers in Orange and Light Green and little punched hearts of Turquoise and Pink Passion.  The sentiment is from SU (Sweet Little Somethings) and was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

I used a sketch from the Go to Sketches magazine for my card.  It always helps to have a bit of a starting point when making a card (in my opinion).

Now be sure to check out what the other "Sweeties" have done this week and give this a try yourself and link back on the CIC Blog.

  You'll find all the Sweeties listed on my sidebar.

  

A Color Challenge mixed with a Sketch Challenge

Hello and Happy Friday!
First off for those who are interested here is a link to view pics of Coleen on her first day of Kindergarten!  Our little girl is growing up.

Now on to today's challenges.  I sort of combined a couple of challenges again.
The (Annabelle Sketch Challenge and the Blogger Challenge).  For the Blogger Challenge this week it was a COLOR combo (Red, Green and Yellow) so I made 2 different cards using the same colors/papers but different stamps.

First up is the Annabelle Sketch Challenge Card:

Isn't this just so bright and cheery!  Makes you want to put on sunglasses doesn't it?  I started out both cards by picking out my patterned paper.  I've had this piece of plaid designer paper in a folder for at least 10 years waiting for a chance to use it.  I just love the colors and the plaid pattern.

For this card I used Real Red for the Card Base layered with the new Daffodil Delight from SU and my DP (Source unknown). The cake was colored with Prisma Colored Pencils and I added Lemonade' Glitter (Art Institute) to the candles and the dots on the cake.  This was mounted to a piece of the Real Red cs and a punched border (MS) of Garden Green.  I also added a circle of the GG with my sentiment.  The stamps I used are from the recently released Annabelle Stamp set:  Take the Cake.  For my "bling" element I used Chili Sprinkles from AB

Please stop by the DT members blogs to check out their take on this great sketch.  You have a chance to win a FREE stamp set (Diva) by entering the sketch challenge on the Annabelle Blog and leaving a link there using the little Frog on the sidebar.  All sketch challenges will now last for the entire month.

Are you ready for something different yet the same?  For my BC challenge card I used the same papers but chose to do a Christmas Card using them!  The white dots in the DP reminded me of snowflakes so I decided to do a holiday card with these colors.  My stamps are from: Artful Inkables (Holiday Treats & Tails).  I just love these adorable little beavers.  The colors of cs remain the same as the card above.  For this one I just added a punched snowflake sprinkled with clear glitter from the Art Institute. I also added Crystal Effects to the tree lights and an embossed snowflake panel of the Daffodil Delight.

Isn't it fun how you can use the same colors for two very different themes.  Be sure to stop by the BC members blogs as I'm sure they've used these colors in very different ways and shades then the ones I've used.  Have a wonderful day.

CIC73 - Owl Love Note

Hi! - Hope your week has gone well.  It's been another busy one here but a good one.  It's time again for another fabulous Cupcake Inspiration Challenge.    This week we are being sponsored by:  Phindy's Place.  There are some really adorable Digital Stamps here so be sure to check it out.  Also up for grabs is a $10 Gift Certificate so you'll want to participate for your chance to win.

Just look at those gorgeous cupcakes.  Don't you just love the pretty pink flowers and the elegant chocolate designs.  When I first saw them I wasn't sure exactly how I was going to come up with something that I felt would reflect how pretty they are.  Pink/Brown and White look wonderful together but my pattern paper stash was pretty scarce when it came to those colors.

So here's what I did:  I found some old SU Chocolate Chip Designer paper and I used a Copic Pink Marker (RV11) to color in some of the flowers.  I paired this up with some Pink Pirouette card stock and then found the stamps and accesories that I wanted to use.  I chose this Owl from Inkadinkado because I liked the swirl pattern on it's body and it reminded me of the patterns on the cupcakes. The sentiment is from Hero Arts.
 I also chose my Swirl edger punch (EK Success) for the fancy scrolls and added some pink Grosgrain ribbon. I kept the design fairly simple and added some White Pearls and a Pink Heart to finish off my design. 

So how will you be inspired by these Cupcakes.  Leave us a link to your card on the CIC Challenge blog.

Don't forget to visit the other DT members blogs to see what they were inspired by.  You'll find their names listed on my sidebar.

Have a great start to your week.  Hugs from me to you.

BC165 School Days, School Days...

Wow can you believe that August is almost over and that means so is Summer.  This one flew by quickly.  The kids start back to school here next week.  Many school have already started or will start soon so this weeks Blogger Challenge Theme is:         Back To School.

My first card today features these adorable children from the new SU Stamp set: Greeting Card Kids.  I just love them.  They remind me of the (Campbell Soup Kids) and have a sweet "vintage" look.  I colored the image using Prisma Colored pencils and Gamsol.  I lightly sponged Sahara Sand ink around the image.
I used the new Cherry Cobbler cs from SU for my card base. Added a layer of DP from Creative Imaginations along with a punched border of Old Olive CS.  The ribbon is retired SU and the apple punch is one I've had for a very long time and I'm not sure who the manufacturer is. The punch under the kids is SU-Spiral Border.

My second card is one that I made to give to Coleen as she starts Kindergarten next week.  She will only go 1/2 on Thursday and then a full day on Monday, Wednesday & Thursday of the following week.  This is to give them a chance to get use to going to school before they start full time on the 7th.  They have 2 days off, one for the Fair and one for Labor day which is why they don't start back until the 7th.  She's getting excited and Grandma is starting to feel all "misty-eyed" about her heading off to school.  She bought a new backpack which happens to be Pink and Purple, her two favorite colors.            Great-Grandma made her a new outfit which is pink so I made this card to give to her on the First Day of School.  We will all send her a little note in the card.  I hope she likes it. Note the Pink Glitter Shoes. Coleen wanted a pair of pink sneakers that were sparkly so her mom bought them.  I will be sure to take pictures of her the first day of school and share them.

The stamp is from MFT (My Favorite Things) and is part of the Pure Innocence line. This one is called, Emma and her Backpack.  The ruled line on the Orchid piece is from another new set: Mint Motifs (School Basics). I hope to use it real soon for another card.  Little did I think I would ever need (School) themed stamps but now that Coleen will be heading off to Kindergarten I can see all kinds of use of them in the future!

Card Stock: Regal Rose, Whisper White, Orchid Opulence (retired now) Retired SU Designer Paper (not sure which line) Oval and Scallop Oval Punches-SU, Scallop Circle Chain Punch-EK Success, Glitter, Purple Brads, Gems/Pearl-Zva, Ribbon from JoAnn Essentials.

Don't forget to check out the other BC members blogs and leave some comment love.

Final Preview - Hold A Candle

Welcome to the last of the Previews for the latest Annabelle Stamp sets.  Today we are previewing:
(Hold a Candle).  This is a really super fun set. Don't you just love the different fun and funky looking candles! Top that off with some balloons and great sentiments and we're ready to PARTY!  So join in on the HOP for your chance to win this set.  Visit all the DT members blogs, comment on each blog and hop back to the Annabelle Blog to let us know you've completed the hop.  The DT members are listed on my side bar - I believe Michelle is also sharing cards so don't forget to pop on over to her blog too.

I had this idea in my head when I went to bed one night so the next day I set to work trying to get my idea down the way I saw it in my head.  I had just bought this great candle punch (EK Success) and thought it would work great with the candles in this set.  Of course I still had a few scraps left of my WeRMemoryKeepers (Sunny Flower Patch) designer paper and I just had to use it!
I stamped the candle 4 times on Whisper White card stock and then paper pieced the last candle and added some sparkle with Lemonade' Glitter (Art Institute).  To finish off the card I also added some brads to mimic the dotted paper on the candle.

Card Details:  Card Stock: Tangerine Tango, Bermuda Bay, DP WeRMemoryKeepers
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Yellow Copic Marker
Other: Candle Punch-EK Success, Brads-Pink HedgeHog Crafts, Glitter from the Art Institute,  Quickie Glue Pen, Paper Piercing Tool, Foam Mounting Tape,

I also have another card to share today using this set and totally different colors/papers.  This one is based on a card I saw here:  I liked the clean, simple look of the card but did add an extra layer of paper to my card.

I love how soft this one looks with the Pastel Color scheme.

Card Details:  Card Stock - Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White,

Designer Paper-Imaginesce

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Various Copic markers

Other: Winter White EP, Glitter, Spica Glitter Pens, Waterfall Sprinkles.

All sets are available after the previews are over and there is a special going on: Buy all 3 sets and receive a FREE Petals Kit (your choice).

How much is that Doggie In The Window

Welcome to another preview of Annabelle Stamps soon to be released stamp sets.  Today we're showcasing: Party Animals 2 - It's a companion set to the already released Party Animals 1 and just as cute as can be.  This set is up for grabs.  Read Below on how to WIN it.

I resisted the urge to use the cute cat image this time around. By now you all know how much I adore and love my furry feline friends (we have 6) so it wasn't easy.

Instead I colored up the adorable puppy in the present image.  Isn't he just the sweetest.  I started out to create something totally different then this card but it had a mind of it's own and this was the end result.  I hope you like it.

Card Details:

Card Stock: Green Galore, Bashful Blue, Cameo Coral and Whisper White

Designer Paper, Die Cuts With A View (Plaid Pattern) and SU-Retired Summer Picnic (Paper Pieced portion of Package)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Prisma Colored Pencils/Gamsol

Other: Paper Crimper, Eyelet Border Punch-SU, Lime Sprinkles, Green Ribbon, Swiss Dot Embossing Folder.

Don't forget this set will be up for grabs by doing the BLOG HOP

Visit the DT members blogs - Leave a comment on ALL the blogs and Hop back to the Annabelle Blog to let us know you've visited all the blogs.

Here is a list of the blogs you'll need to visit:

Andrea

Jerusha

Kylie

Rene'

Sue

Teresa

Tiffany

All 3 new preview sets will be available after the 19th HERE  Stop back in a couple of days for the last of the new release previews.

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.