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!

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

Wisteria Hydrangea Card

My goal this summer has been to blog everyday...or at least ALMOST everyday. I think I've been doing pretty well. Today's post is another card layout challenge (Sweet Sunday Sketch #128) that I decided to participate in courtesy of Karen Giron at The Sweetest Thing blog.

I came up with the color combo all on my own today. I was organizing my marker and sponge drawer yesterday when I set down these four colors next to each other and fell in love. The main color is one of the new In Colors...Wisteria Wonder. The supporting colors are Bashful Blue, Basic Gray, and Whisper White. I used one of my favorite sets, Because I Care, for my main image and sentiment. I am really happy with the softness of this card.

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

Happy Day to You

I love looking at other people's blogs. I always find inspiration, even when I'm not planning on it. I was checking my usual blogs when I saw this cut little post by Karen Giron on her blog The Sweetest Thing.

I took the simple layout and adjusted the DSP, sentiment, and main image. I used Every Little Bit (the cute little bubblegum machine) for my main image. It was also my first time using Friendly Phrases, which I can't get enough of. I really like this card because it is simple, but makes a big statement. Thank you Karen for your amazing, creative mind.

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

Sweet Sunday Sketch 122

This is the first sketch challenge that I've done in a very long time. When I saw the sketch on The Sweetest Thing blog, I let it roll around in my brain for a couple days before making anything.

I used the new lace ribbon border from Stampin' Up to create the background. I am so into vintagey things right now and I like that it gave the impression of an old hankie or doilie. Using the lace border over a bright color actually came to me in a dream...yes, I know it sounds silly.

Goodies:

(All Stampin' Up products)

Stamps: Perfect Words

Ink: Night of Navy

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Night of Navy

Accessories: Lace Ribbon Border, Linen Thread, Springtime Vintage Big Designer Button, Perfect Pennants die, Big Shot, Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch

I'm in love with white and navy right now and I love the pop of yellow. It's bright and fun, yet a bit sophisticated!