It's a Bird, It's a Plane, No... it's a Challenge!

This week I am trying to participate in two challenges. The first is CAS-ual Friday's CFC64 On Cloud 9. This week's challenge asked us to make a clean and simple card with the sky as our inspiration. I knew right away that I was going to use the hot air balloons in Stampin' Up's Up, Up and Away set. Was that too many ups?

The second challenge is Pals Paper Arts PPA 140 color challenge this week of Summer Starfruit, Real Red, and Marina Mist.

Although some of my color's don't look a vibrant in this picture, I think the color combo worked well. I stamped on the DSP for something extra and found an old Crumb Cake corduroy button for a little something sweet. I also got to experiment with the Finishing Touches framelits as well. It was a simple and fun layout that can be used time and time again.

Enjoy!

Big, Bold, and Bright

Today's card was inspired by the CAS-ual Friday CFC63 Challenge. This challenge asked us to use the colors Navy, Lime, and Aqua in a super simple card.

 

I actually found this super simple layout on an Archiver's advertisement. I like it so much that I think it might be a go-to layout for me in the future.

I used the very old, but still wonderful Holiday Bliz stamp set as well as the very new, and a new favorite of mine, Sweet Essentials. I am excited to use this layout for other types of cards. Perhaps using some glimmer paper for the holidays or a wedding card? I think so. Keep watching for new cards and projects!

No Orange for Halloween

I stumbled upon a really great blog a month or so ago called CAS-ual Fridays. Each Friday they post a challenge that needs to be incorporated into a clean and simple card. This weeks challenge was to create a Halloween inspired card WITHOUT using the color orange.

I automatically turned to Jack of All Trades, my new favorite fall/pumpkin set, to set the stage. I have been seeing pictures all over the internet of white and tan pumpkins, so I used Crumb Cake ink instead of orange. I used Lucky Limeade and Concord Crush for a pop of color. I added a bit of dazzle by including a small 1/2" strip of silver glimmer paper. Love that sparkle!

Pumpkin Time

My new guilty pleasure...the Jack of all Trades stamp set from Stampin' Up. Not only is this set adorable, but a perfect pumpkin and fall set, which just happens to be my favorite season. I am looking forward to pumpkin picking soon.

I used a wild color combo provided by Paper Pal Arts and their PPA Challenge #114.

I also played along with Karen Giron, at The Sweetest Thing blog, who always has the most fabulous sketches. This week's Sweet Sunday Sketch # 138 was just amazing.

So here's what I came up with. I used the Lucky Limeade and Rich Razzleberry in the background, which I embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper folder, and used the Pumpkin Pie in the foreground with my spectacular pumpkins.

Happy Fall everyone!

Clean and Simple Birthday Card

I love a good clean and simple card and layout, but often times I find myself over-doing a card. You know what I mean...adding too many layers, too many embellishments, or too many colors. Sometimes it is best to follow the clean and simple method. This is difficult for people because it requires you to feel okay about leaving LOTS of white space.

This is a card I made using Design Seeds color selection (well a couple of them) and my new favorite stamp set...Delicate Doilies.

This is a birthday card for one of my teaching team members whose birthday is the day after mine. It was quick, simple, and beautiful. Well at least I think so.

Gently Falling Thank You Card

Today was our all staff meeting for the school district. It is electrifying to see and hear hundreds of teachers buzzing about the upcoming year. This day is humbling and exciting. It is amazing to me to see lots of people in the same place, with the same passion, and the same excitement for learning and children. I always cry (if only a few tears) at something that is said or presented. Today a quote popped up that made me shed a few tears... Some people only have five or six people in their life that truly remember them, but teachers have thousands who remember them and what they have done. It makes me feel so small in the big scheme of things.

I have some great teaching partners and they have been through thick and thin with me. One team member in particular has been through a lot with me and I wanted to show my appreciation for the shoulder to cry on, belly laughs, and talks that require a glass of wine. She is an inspiration and she keeps pushing me to do great things and be a great teacher every single day.

I made this card for her which features the new Gently Falling stamp set from the Holiday mini catalog. I am excited about this set because I love fall and leaves. Perfect-o! I also used Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Challenge 132 and the Color Throwdown 156.

Sweet Tea Card

So yesterday evening I discovered another challenge blog, as if I need any more. It is called

CAS-usal Fridays and the premise is to make CAS (clean and simple cards). This is right up my alley because I don't really make fancy cards.

Unfortunately, I missed the deadline to submit my creation, but I decided to play along anyway. The challenge was to created a long card (4" x 9") and keep it clean and simple. This means don't fill up all the space.

I also decided to use Color Throwdown's color combo for this week as well.

Instead of using my Stampin' Up stamps, I broke out my Papertrey selection from last year. I am in love with the Mason jar in the Friendship jar set. I made a glass of sweet tea as my main image. I love how well their dies go along with their stamps. It made putting this card together a breeze.

Goodies

(All supplies Stampin' Up unless noted)

Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Pool Party, Crumb Cake

Ink: Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake

Stamps: Woodgain, Friendship Jar (PTI), Cupcake Collection (PTI)

Accessories: Mason Jar die (PTI), Little Label (PTI), Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch

Butterfly Baby Card

My cousin Crystal recently had her second child, a little girl named Brooklyn. I decided to send Crystal and her husband Rob a card congratulating them on their little bundle of joy. This was also the perfect opportunity for me to use a couple challenges to make the perfect card for them.

I used Color Throwdown's color challenge #152 from last week. This was the perfect backdrop for a cute baby girl card.

I then picked The Paper Player's simple layout challenge #57 to put all the pieces together.

If only they would pick out the stamp set for me and then I wouldn't really have to think at all. I did some embossing, sponging, and distressing to the background paper on the card. I am in love with vintagey things right now and this reminded me of old wallpaper. Next, I used the Top Note die and Big Shot to frame my image. That was the most difficult part. I finally settled on the stamp set Flight of the Butterflies. I used the small butterfly and stamped them off to the side, leaving some empty white space. I then punched out one big buttterfly for a little embellishment. I used some rhinestones to bling the butterflies out, cause every girl needs a little bling.

Goodies

(All supplies are Stampin' Up)

Paper: Rose Red, Whisper White, River Rock, Soft Suede

Ink: Melon Mambo, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Soft Suede

Stamps: Flight of the Butterflies, Friendly Phrases

Accessories: Butterfly punch, Rose Red double stitched ribbon, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Rhinestones, Dimensionals

Embellish Patterned Paper Color Trends Challenge

I'm participating in another Embellish Magazine challenge this week. I've done the last two and I really like that not only do they give you a color selection, but also a trend challenge. This week's trend challenge was all about patterned paper.

I liked the idea of using up some of the packs of patterned paper (designer paper) I had lying around the house, but what I found challenging about this was not really having lots of patterned paper that fit the color selection. I found a mini patterned paper pack and an old sketch I had on my design table and away I went.

I am not the kind of person who gets all their Christmas cards done in the summer, so this stamp set pick was a little out of the ordinary. I do love Season of Joy though. It is by far one of my favorite winter stamp sets from Stampin' Up. I also turned up the scallop edge using the side of my paper piercing tool. I think it looks a little like those cute ruffled undies.

Goodies

(All products are Stampin' Up)

Paper: DSP Mini Pack, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla

Stamps: Season of Joy

Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, Satin ribbon, Glue dots, Dimensionals

Big Surprise

I was checking my e-mail today and I got a big, wonderful surprise sitting in my inbox. It was a message from the ladies at The Paper Players telling me that I (my card) was selected as one of the winners for the challenge. I was A Cut Above... I'm so excited! It's like Christmas. Now I get to put this nifty little badge on my blog.

I can't tell you how honored I am that my card was selected as one of the winners. Check out the post here. I think the reason that this is such a big surprise to me is that I was completely unsure of what I was doing on this card or if I even liked it. It was my sister's birthday card and she only deserves the best. I'm so pumped right now. Can you tell? Here's the real winner...

Delicate Doillies Friend Card

I haven't had much chance to play around with some of my new stamp sets from the new 2011-2012 Stampin' Up catalogue. This was my first opportunity to play with the new Delicate Doillies stamp set.

I've been into vintagey things lately and this is right my ally. I played along with Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch #126 over at The Sweetest Thing. I really like her sketches. She has a way of making the layout simple, but detailed. I know that doesn't make much sense, but one thing is for sure. I love to use her layouts when making cards. Here's the sketch I was working with.

I used a color sheme from another favorite website called Design Seeds. The color inspiration used colors like More Mustard, Tempting Turquoise, and the very new, very cool Indigo Island. I also used Crumb Cake for the base of the card.

So here's my little beauty...I thinks I'm in love.

Happy 28th to my Lil' Sis

I think everyone who has a sister thinks they must have the best sister in the world. I fit into that category as well. My little sister Lindsay is an amazing person. She is so responsible (that's probably why people think she is older than me), hardworking, level headed, fun, spunky, and she makes me laugh all the time. I truly have the best time when I'm with her. I love her dearly and I can't imagine her not being in my life. She is a great sister, mother, and person in general. People who don't know her are definately missing out.

Today just happens to be her 28th birthday. I can't believe that she is turning another year older. Currently my sister is 8 months prego and she rarely thinks about herself because she is always doing for everyone else. For a treat, I took her to get a pedi on Monday. It's so nice to be pampered sometimes. We are heading down to our favorite Mexican restaurant for a killer non-alcoholic peach margarita to celebrate. Happy Birthday to the best sister I could ever ask for! I love you bunches!

I made her this birthday card, which took forever because I think my mojo, which has been working like magic lately, took a short vacation. I decided to incorporate a couple challenges when I created this card. I actually think this is why I had such a difficult time though. The first part of the card was the layout challenge provided by Mojo Monday. Here is the sketch I was working with. My problem usually is that I follow a sketch to the T, and this time I wanted to deviate a bit.

The second part of this card is the color combo. This color combination was provided by my upline Kelly as a challenge. Boy oh boy, was it a challenge! This color challenge was provided by The Paper Players.

Here's what I came up with. I was a bit puzzled for quite a while wondering what to do, wondering if the Poppy looked too bright as the background, wondering if I should or shouldn't stamp on the Poppy cardstock, and wondering if I should use the big  or small space for a sentiment. I'm a bit of a worrier, if you couldn't tell. One of my favorite parts of this card was using my Big Shot to cut out the bottom layer of flower from balsa wood. Great idea from Dawn McVey.

Goodies

Stamps: Artistic Etchings, Occasional Quotes

Ink: Basic Gray

Paper: Poppy Parade, Marina Mist, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, First Edition DSP

Accessories: Balsa Wood, Big Shot, Fun Flowers die, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, linen thread, Subtle button, Slit punch

Sail Away

I was scoping out some of my favorite challenge sites and found a couple that I decided to combine. The first challenge is from Embellish blog. It was a nautical color trends challenge. Not only is the challenge about using nautical colors (blues, reds, white/cream), but also including some kind of nautical elements. This was a bit of a challenge for me since I have no stamp sets that are nautical in nature. I decided instead to make my own little sail boat using punches.

I figured I could kill two birds with one stone, since the Pals Paper Arts blog had a color challenge that was very similar. Their challenge was to use Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist, and Bashful Blue to create a project for their chase the summer blues away challenge.

I am super proud of this card, as it looks like a professional maybe would have made it and not just little old me. I am really bad at making "manly cards," but I feel like this could be used for a little boy birthday or baby shower (I have plenty of little boys being born soon in my family, especially my nephew who I can't wait to meet.)

Goodies

(All Supplies are from Stampin' Up)

Stamps: Short & Sweet

Paper: Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy DSP

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Accessories: 1 3/4" circle punch, Modern Label punch, Word Window punch, Petite Pennants Builder punch, White gel pen, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, dimensionals

Embellish Rainbow Color Trend Challenge

I wanted to participate in the Embellish Rainbow Color Trend Challenge this week. It looked fun and proved to give me a jump start for the week. Here was the challenge:

This card was inspired/cased from one I recently saw one Nicole Heady's blog from Papertrey Ink. Although the colors she used were different, the idea is the same. I love how the rainbow gives a pop of color without being obscene. It's a fun and quick little card that could be used for all kinds of occassions. Not to mention, I just used a bunch of scrap pieces of colored cardstock I had lying around. I find this to be a great card using minimal supplies.

Goodies

(All Stampin Up supplies)

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, A Word for You

Ink: Basic Black

Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, So Saffron, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Concord Crush

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Dimensionals