Limited to Flowers

Today's limited Supplies Challenge on SCS was quite limited!!
You were to use only 1 flower stamp and an optional sentiment. No designer paper, cuttle bug, rub ons, or background stamps! I dusted off the Fabulous Flowers set right away! It is truly a fabulous flower!
Recipe:
Stamps: fabulous flowers, mixed messages (Papertrey)
Paper: brilliant blue, tempting turquoise, whisper white
Ink: tempting turquoise, brilliant blue
Accessories: ice rhinestone brad, turquoise ribbon, silver styled hodgepodge, stampin dimensionals, 2 way glue pen, dazzling diamonds

LAD

I have been meaning to check out Lizzie Anne Design's forum and finally made it over there a few days ago, thanks to the reminder from the very talented AJ. I participated in a few sketch challenges when they were over at SCS and am a huge fan of their stamps. Here are a few of their recent sketch challenges:
Sketch Challenge # 16- The twist on this sketch was to try a new technique so I used today's chalking technique on SCS for this card. In addition to using the pastels on the white craft, I also used the prismacolor pencils to give the chalked look.
Recipe:
Stamps: Out of This World (LAD)
Paper: blue bayou, pumpkin pie, whisper white, basic black
Ink: basic black, white craft
Accessories: pastels, prismacolor pencils, mineral spirits, lg. star punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch

Sketch Challenge #15- The twist for this sketch was to stamp on dp.
Recipe:
Stamps: Far East (LAD)
Paper: chocolate chip, rose red, very vanilla, infuse dp (basic grey)
Ink: rose red, regal rose, chocolate chip
Accessories: sponge dauber, regal rose ribbon


Sketch Challenge #14- This sketch called for the use of scallops.
Recipe:
Stamps: Far East
Paper: Coastal culture dp (Me & My Big Ideas), chocolate chip, very vanilla
Ink: river rock, ruby red
Accessories: corner rounder, theater ribbon originals, oval punch

More Sketches

I went to bed really early last night and was able to wake before everyone in the house. I love starting my day with a couple of cards. I need to wake the boys and get going on lunches but I thought I would post these real quick....
This card is for today's sketch challenge on SCS.
Recipe:
Stamps: Always, dotted lines, stitched exotics
Paper: caramel textured, certainly celery, whisper white, so saffron
Ink: white craft, so saffron
Accessories: celery ribbon, scallop punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, stampin dimensionals

This sketch is from the MFT forum: Sketch 19
Recipe:
Stamps: Eggstra Special
Paper: spring fling dp, regal rose, so saffron, whisper white. prints pack dp
Ink: basic black
Accessories: prismacolor pencils, mineral spirits, sherbet ribbon, rose brads

Some Sketches with Color

I remember why I don't take naps regularly.....I just can't sleep! The good thing is I got 3 cards done!

The first card is for tomorrow's color challenge on SCS. I just love when they are posted early!! What a fantastic combo too....river rock, basic black & whisper white.
Recipe:
Stamps: tres chic, stitched exotics, live your dream
Paper: river rock, whisper white, basic black
Ink: basic black
Accessories: pretties kit, white taffeta, corner rounder, stampin dimensionals


Don't you love this designer paper? It is from Coastal Culture paper stack by Me & My Big Ideas. This card is for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge. She is such a fabulous stamper, so creative! :-) The stamps are from Papertrey. The sentiment is amazing...."life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
Recipe:
Stamps: out on a limb (papertrey)
Paper: coastal culture dp (Me & My Big Ideas), kraft, vanilla textured
Ink: groovy guava, river rock, old olive
Accessories: sherbet ribbon, diamond stickles

I just love this final card! It is for the fantastic Sketch For You To Try on I Heart 2 Stamp. Jen is another talent out there.....so inspiring! This image is from the MFT set, Eggstra Special. I don't any copics so this one was colored in with prismacolor pencils and then given a good mineral spirit rub! I haven't colored in awhile....I forgot how fun it is!!
Recipe:
Stamps: Eggstra Special
Paper: Gyspy dp (Basic Grey), basic gray, whisper white
Ink: basic black
Accessories: paper piercer, coluzzle, regal rose ribbon, stampin dimensionals, prisma color pencilas, mineral spirit

Simple Monday: One of A Kind

Can you believe it is Monday already? Boy, the weekends go fast! Here is quick one I finished during nap time today. I actually took part of a nap today....:-)
This card is also for today's Technique Lovers Challenge on SCS: I'm All Mixed UP. You were suppose to use 2 or more different designer papers. I chose a flocked polka dotted paper and a glittered lined paper from Chelsea's Place by Making Memories. You really have to feel this paper in person....the glitter is embossed and the dots are so fuzzy! The button is from the same line. Isn't it fabulous?
Recipe:
Stamps: One of a Kind
Paper: Chelsea's place dp (Making Memories), certainly celery, blush blossom, very vanilla, kraft
Ink: chocolate chip
Accessories: celery ribbon, stickles, button (making memories)
Ink: chocolate chip

Family Update.....

Here are some pictures of this last weekend. Maxwell finished up the painting on his Pinewood Derby car on Friday night.





He ended up being "lucky number 13".

He is on the far right.....trying not to smile! :-)

The boys helped me make Calvin's new schedule on Sunday. I home preschool my children and it is time to start as he is now 3 1/2! YIKES, they grow so fast. I just can't bring myself to pay someone else.....I am still paying for my masters in curriculum & development! :-) We just do a little bit every day but I also make sure that he does all the other social things such as storytime at the library, open gym at a local gymnastics club, and going to our children's museum. He just loves moving that little arrow across the top and figuring out what he is doing for the day! :-)

Sunday night, the boys & I cuddled on the couch and watched some of the Oscars....I always make an appetizer dinner for the event. I am really not sure why.... we rarely see any of the movies and aren't big tv watchers, we only have 1 tv and an antenna, but for some reason I have always seen it as an event and a reason to plan a menu and "celebrate" with the family. I even made mint brownies for the occasion! :-)

Another Tart & Tangy!

So sorry that I haven't put this set down much! Are you sick of fruit yet?? This will be the last one for awhile, promise!! I have a swap coming up and I needed to play a bit with this set to find the perfect card. I will have to share that one with you later.....since I want it to be a surprise! This is one of the "rejected" ones. Although, I really love it! So quick and easy! I will tell you that this was a hard swap because my supplies are so low! I have an order in but it hasn't even shipped yet and I was hoping to get them in the mail on Monday. I have a limited amount of black, red, chocolate, and white. I also am low on the wide SU! ribbon, my favorite. My glue (all kinds...sticky strip, dimensionals, glue stick, snail adhesive) is plum out! Better prepare more next time!! :-)
Recipe:
Stamps: tart & tangy, one smart cookie
Paper: kraft, summer picnic, very vanilla, pumpkin pie, bashful blue
Ink: old olive, chocolate chip
Accessories: pumpkin striped ribbon, scallop punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, oval punch, pumpkin brads, stampin write markers

Fancy Free Summer Picnic

I was so excited to see tomorrow's Featured Stamper on SCS! It is the amazing Mary Jo! She has such fascinating cards! I picked this one: Life Is Beautiful. I ended up changing the colors a bit, the dp and stamp set. I also added some rhinestones.
Recipe:
Stamps: tart & tangy, many happy returns, so many scallops
Paper: bashful blue, real red, summer picnic dp, whisper white
Ink: old olive, real red
Accessories: fire rhinestones, olive twill, olive grosgrain ribbon, scallop punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, corner rounder, crystal brads (Amanda Blu), paper piercer

One of a Kind

We are having a busy weekend around here...
We had a basketball game and the Pinewood Derby, all before noon! The boys are asleep now so I could unwind with a card. This is for today's SCS inspirational challenge. The image is so bright, fun and cheery! I hope that I captured that in this card...... :-)
Recipe:
Stamps: tart & tangy, one of a kind
Paper: kraft, whisper white, regal rose, gable green, soft sky
Ink: barely banana, gable green
Accessories: 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, oval punch, 1/4" circle punch, regal ribbon, green brads, anchored rub ons, stampin dimensionals, dahlia rhinestones (Me&My Big Ideas), white ribbon (American Crafts)

Some Bunny

I almost opted out of today's Limited Supplies challenge: Signature Style. It called for you to use your handwriting on the front of the card. Can y0u believe it?? I have the worst handwriting ever! But I was brave and dove in! I did limit how much I wrote...sticking to "Bunny" and not the entire sentiment (To Some Bunny Special). The rest of the sentiment was typed in Word and printed out. Is that cheating?? ;-)
Recipe:
Stamps: Eggstra Special
Paper: tempting turquoise, whisper white, basic black, very vanilla
Ink: basic black
Accessories: pretties kit, ice rhinestones, 3/4" circle punch, white taffeta ribbon, on board accents, large oval punch, heat & stick powder, versa mark, fine cosmo glitter, fun flock, cotton candy stickles, felt flower ribbon tape, black stampin write marker

It is hard to see in the photo but I flocked the bunny and stickled his/her ears! It looks so fuzzy in person! :-)

Thank You Window

Today's SCS Ways To Use It Challenge was windows! I rarely add them to my cards, although I love the way they look. I ended up using the Live Your Dream set again but with a completely different look. I just love how versatile stamps are.....they really can change to fit your mood. Looks like I am going to have a FUN day! :-)
Recipes:
Stamps: Live Your Dream
Ink: pretty in pink, basic black, basic gray
Paper: basic gray, pink passion, whisper white
Accessories: white brads (makingmemories), black brads, oval punch, coluzzle, stampin dimensionals, cotton candy stickles, polka dot brads (Amanda Blu), Isabelle Fuchia ribbon (Berwick)

My Favorite Little Reader

So today was Celebrate My Favorite Things Day at the MFT SCS forum. I am a bit late to the party but have spent the last hour or so making a cute gift box!! I know it took WAY too long but it was so much fun! I made this little gift box/basket for a new baby. I have 3 friends expecting and I can't wait to give it the next little one!! My favorite gift to give is books. They are the most priceless gifts, in my opinion. This box holds 5 board books. The box itself is something I use to use with my students back in my teaching days....I kinda miss being in front of 30 12 year olds!! The box is made from 2 8 1/2" x 11" pieces of paper although I used transparencies for this one.

Details: I started with 2 transparencies. Each one was folded in half (hamburger style). After that, I opened them up, turned them 90 degrees and then scored them 3 inches up. I then scored each of the edges by 1/2". I ended up with 2 identically scored papers, attached the 1/2" tabs to make the box, cut each of the corners up to the 3 inch scored line and then folded the flaps up to make the bottom of the box. This box is big, about 5" across and 6" high. I had some fun with those animals too! I used the heart & bird from the Always set and a stamp from the little pieces set to make a pattern a piece of paper before stamping them on it. I added some extra color with markers on the giraffe.

Recipe:
Stamps: Its A Jungle Out There (MFT), Always, Little Pieces
Paper: whisper white, tempting turquoise, gable green, transparencies
Ink: regal rose, basic black, whisper white
Accessories: turquoise ribbon, celery ribbon, rose ribbon, scallop punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, white gel pen, pink & turquoise & green brads, stampin write markers, alpha rain dots (Cloud 9)

Sketchy Dream

This is for tomorrow's sketch challenge on SCS. I just love when they post early!! :-) Best get off to bed......
Recipe:
Stamps: Live Your Dream
Paper: Afternoon tea dp, groovy guava, chocolate chip, whisper white, soft sky
Ink: groovy guava, wild wasabi
Accessories: styled silver hodgepodge, chocolate chip ribbon, paper piercer, stampin dimensionals, crystal effects, 3/4" circle punch, chocolate ribbon

Tart & Tangy Trio

I am not sure about you but I am the queen of catalogs....educational, home decor, toys, clothing....you name it, I get it! I have ordered here or there but enjoy looking for stamping inspiration! I love the look of West Elm. Right now they have a zen, a modern, and a natural room. They inspired the following cards using my new Tart & Tangy set.........

This is the "zen" card.
"The look is clean and glamorous in a low-key kind of way. Shapes are graphic and colors are neutral. Chocolate, gray, cream and putty are the new black."
I added the green for a pop, inspired by the limes on the table.
Recipe:
Stamps: tart & tangy, one of a kind
Paper: charbon dp, very vanilla, basic gray
Ink: gable green, basic gray
Accessories: white taffeta ribbon, gray taffeta ribbon, celery ribbon, stampin dimensionals

This is the "modern" card.
"The modern modular look is superluxe and low-to-the ground. 1970's chic forms are modernized in new neutral shades like charcoal and saddle brown."
I needed the apple to pop a bit but neutralized it with the old olive.
Recipe:
Stamps: Tart & Tangy
Paper: basic black, whisper whtie
Ink: real red, old olive
Accessories: stampin dimensionals, olive ribbon
The final card is the "natural" one.
"Pair a gray block headboard with a low platform bed in the same striking shade. Add a Flokati rug in cream wool and create the season's natural neutral look."
I picked textured card stock and added some creamy caramel.
Recipe:
Stamps: tart & tangy
Paper: old olive textured, creamy caramel textured, basic black, whisper white
Ink: real red, old olive
Accessories: corner rounder, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, red ribbon

Take 2 Tuesday: Baby Bling

It is Tuesday, time to relook at some older creations! This card needed a serious relook: BABY BLING
It was so flat and drab looking with a blinged out carriage! Can you believe it was for the Way To Use it Bling Out The Glam Challenge? I decided it needed to be a smaller card, added a bow to that great ribbon, hung the sentiment with some cord, used stickles on the baby carriage, and added the bling in the corners. There was a serious battle with my paper cutter today, hence some very bad edges! Sorry about that! I am off to buy a new one tonight, any suggestions? So is this one better than the original?? It might be a bit much for me...almost blinding in certain lighting...but I do like it better than the original!
Recipe:
Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes, short & sweet
Paper: bravo burgundy, regal rose, so saffron, rose red dp, whisper white
Ink: Bravo burgundy, regal rose, rose red, so saffron
Accessories: sherbet ribbon, scallop punch, round tab punch, oval punch, stampin dimensionals, silver cord, cotton candy stickles, aqua painter, dahlia rhinestone singles (Me & My Big Ideas)

My Favorite Day: St. Patty's

I just love St. Patrick's Day! It is legal, even encouraged, to pinch others, love that Irish food, and you get to wear green, my favorite color! Speaking of colors....what a challenge it was for me to do the SCS color challenge today: Certainly Celery, Orchid Opulence, Pumpkin Pie! I don't have any orchid ink but I did have a bit of paper. This sketch is from MFT sketch challenge 18.
Recipe:
Stamps: happy occasion
Paper: vanilla textured, very vanilla, orchid opulence, pumpkin pie, certainly celery, boho blend simply scrappin dp
Ink: certainly celery, pumpkin pie
Accessories: celery ribbon, corner rounder, stampin dimensionals, paper piercer

Simple Monday/Tuesday

I love those Monday holidays! Don't they always feel like an extra Sunday? Sorry I didn't post my Simply Monday card yesterday...the kidos are feeling better so we had lots of play time! :-) Luckily, my husband doesn't work on these holidays so we get extra family time! The little boys are still sleeping so I whipped out this quickie. I did pick out my card I want to redo for today but it will need to wait until nap time....off to make some lunches!
Recipe:
Stamps: so many scallops
Ink: wild wasabi, so saffron
Paper: spring fling, wild wasabi, whisper white
Accessories: scallop punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, regal rose ribbon

Oh, here is the link to make the envelope pouch from the other day: on SCS or on Amanda's Blog

Enjoy the Moment

Here is a quick one for Mojo Monday #25. This dp is from my big sis on SCS! Isn't she great??
Recipe:
Stamps: far east (lizzie anne designs), mixed messages (papertrey), dotted lines jumbo wheel
Paper: chocolate chip, taken with teal, real red, designer mat pad (K&Company)
Ink: chocolate chip, real red
Accessories: chocolate chip ribbon, corner rounder, softies (k&i memories)

Envelope Pouch

Tomorrow's technique challenge was posted early so I thought I would whip it out tonight. I usually try not to post at night, even if I make the cards, because I have the worst time getting the image right. Hope that the boys will be all feeling better tomorrow. So back to the challenge....this envelope pouch was so easy! Just lick an envelope closed, punch a little, stamp away and you are done!! I used the dotted lines jumbo wheel stamp in different directions and colors to make the background.
Recipe:
Stamps: Far East (Lizzie Anne), dotted lines
Paper: Tres Jolie dp (My Mind's Eye), very vanilla
Ink: chocolate chip, pumpkin pie, really rust, old olive
Accessories: olive ribbon, scallop punch, round tab punch, 1 3/8" circle punch

Featured Stamper Catch Up

I have missed a couple of the featured stampers so I thought I would play catch up since ALL the boys are napping! :-)
The first one is for this week's Featured Stamper, Becky. I chose to case this card here. I substituted pomegranate for the turquoise, changed the stamp sets and the hardware.
Recipe:
Stamps: kind thoughts, live your dream
Paper: purely pomegranate, whisper white, basic black, old olive
Ink: purely pomegranate, old olive
Accessories: pewter hodgepodge hardware, oval punch, ticket corner punch, stampin dimensionals

The second card is for FS53: Sarah Green. She has an amazing gallery. I really wanted to play more with my Life's A Breeze set and I thought this was the perfect match. Here is the card I cased: for baby O. Isn't it adorable? Not sure I did her card any justice but it was fun trying! I changed the stamp set and the ribbon.
Recipe:
Stamp: life's a breeze, something fishy
Paper: cameo coral, soft sky, chocolate chip, whisper white
Ink: soft sky, cameo coral, chocolate chip
Accessories: scallop punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, sherbet ribbon originals, coral brads, ticket corner punch

This card is a case of the amazing Renee, featured stamper 52. I changed the stamp set and simplified the card a little. Here is the beautiful original: Oh, So Lovely!
Recipe:
Stamps: stitched exotics
Paper: groovy guava, whisper white, soft sky, blue bayou
Ink: purely pomegranate, wild wasabi, groovy guava
Accessories: white brads, 3/4" circle punch, corner rounder, bayou ribbon

Birthday Drop

Isn't this monkey too cute?? I finally mounted him and put him to work! This card is for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #35. This was a quick one, although I couldn't resist paper piecing a little outfit for him!
Recipe:
Stamps: Older & Wiser
Paper: crew kids boy dp, basic gray, bashful blue textured
Ink: basic gray, creamy caramel
Accessories: pumpkin brads, 1/4" circle punch, pumpkin striped ribbon, blender pen

Tart and Tangy Thanks

This card is for last week's Weekend Sketch Challenge from Fresh & Fun. She always has such amazing sketches!!
Recipe:
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Live Your Dream
Ink: real red, old olive, pumpkin pie
Paper: pumpkin pie, real red, whisper white, summer picnic dp
Accessories: paper piercer, real red ribbon, corner rounder

Hi!

This card is for this week's My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge. Cindy always has such fabulous sketches! I am going to try and participate more often.
Recipe:
Stamps: Punny Farm (My Favorite Things)
Paper: river rock, regal rose, gable green, Gypsy & Blush dp (Basic Grey), very vanilla
Ink: basic black
Accessories: corner rounder, alpha rain dots (Cloud 9), ginham ribbon (American Craft), paper piercer, rose brads, playhouse chipboard tags (American Craft), cotton candy stickles, white gel pen, coluzzle, stampin write markers

Feeling Lucky

I found the ribbon, chipboard and dp at our local craft store on the way home from the Spiderwick movie yesterday. Aren't they fabulous? I figured since I took Jordan and Maxwell to the movie they could suffer through the craft store for a few minutes. Its hard to spend only a few minutes in the store but they did amazing. Don't feel too bad for them, I rewarded them with some ice cream on the way home. This sketch is from I Heart 2 Stamp.
Recipe:
Stamps: Happy Occasions (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Tres Jolie dp (My Mind's Eye), old olive, very vanilla
Ink: old olive, white craft
Accessories: scroll corners chipboard (Maya Road), moss ribbon (Offray), turquoise 1/4" grosgrain, eucalyptus stickles, heat & stick powder, comso glitter, versa mark

Ready For Spring

I am SO ready for the spring to come! Winter is usually cold and windy around here. I know some of you have massive amounts of snow and I shouldn't complain but I love early spring flowers, preparing the garden, and all that comes with the end of winter! Here is a Mother's Day card using last weeks A Sketch For You To Try from I Heart 2 Stamp. I know it is late but I just LOVE Jen's sketches so I couldn't pass this up!
Recipe:
Stamps: Happy Occasions (My Favorite Things)
Paper: High Tea dp (American Crafts), blue bayou textured, whisper white
Ink: rose red, gable green
Accessories: heart ghost (heidi swapp), rhinestones (My & My Favorite Things), celery 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, corner rounder

Inspirational Dream

This card is for last week's inspirational challenge on SCS. Just a quickie with my new Live Your Dreams set.
Recipe:
Stamps: Live your Dreams
Paper: wild wasabi textured, very vanilla, ruby red
Ink: basic black, ruby red
Accessories: wild wasabi ribbon, blender pen, corner rounder

Circular Hello

So I finally made the time to retry that LIMITED SUPPLIES CHALLENGE. Boy, was it a challenge too!
Limits:
Stamps: circles + a sentiment (optional)
Paper: any colors, No designer paper, no cuttlebug embossing
Ink: any
Punches: round only (includes round dies such as circle nestabilities)
ALL embellishments (including ribbon) must be in circle form (i.e., brads, eyelets, a circle or ring of glitter, etc.).
No limit on layers
The card itself does not have to be a circle. It can be a normal card.

I resisted the temptation to get out some dp!
Recipe:
Stamps: In the Spotlight
Ink: pretty in pink, chocolate chip
Paper: kraft, pretty in pink
Accessories: chocolate polytwill, styled silver hodgepodge, 3/4" circle punch

Geometric Inspiration

What an interesting inspirational challenge today! The Birch, Bark & Birds image is fabulous, geometric and modern. Here is my take on it:
Recipe:
Stamps: Always, Live Your Dreams
Paper: Home Again simply scrappin kit dp, brocade blue, chocolate chip textured, basic black, whisper white
Ink: bordering blue
Accessories: stampin write markers, white ric rac, white taffeta ribbon, paper piercer, stampin dimensionals

Memory Issues

I was planning on completing today's Limited Supply challenge and somehow I ended up with this. It violates most of the rules listed! I am not sure what I was thinking, this card is far from limited! :-) Oh, well....guess I will have to try it again!
Recipe:
Stamps: Sweet Celebrations
Ink: garden green, real red, pumpkin pie
Paper: garden green textued, summer picnic dp, bashful blue
Accessories: real red 5/8" ribbon, scallop punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1/2" circle punch, hibiscus rhinestone singles (Me&My Big Ideas)

Funky Technique

All the boys are asleep so I finally have some stamp time! :-) This card is for Monday's Try a New Technique challenge: Ink, Spray & Smash. I was a bit leery about how this would come out, it kind of reminds me of a tie dyed shirt. You spray glossy white paper with water, drop some ink, spray another white glossy paper and smash them together. I am limited in my reinker colors. I used real red and almost amethyst.
Recipe:
Stamps: always
Paper: basic black, glossy white
Ink: real red, almost amethyst, basic black
Accessories: paper piercer, black brads, color confetti ribbon (Offray)