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Blogger’s Challenge, Week 56

Wow!  This week’s Blogger’s Challenge was a true CHALLENGE!  Oh my gosh!  These colors were VERY hard for me.  Really Rust, Regal Rose, Sahara Sand, Blue Bayou and Mellow Moss!  I was ok with all of them except throwing in the Regal Rose with this combo.  But…I don’t think it turned out too bad…I just tried to minimize the amount of Regal Rose I used.  I’m anxious to see what the other Blogger’s did with these colors.

The background is Smackin’ Acetate…and oldie but goodie technique from Technique Junkies Newsletter.  I’ve gotten a lot of mileage out of this technique.  It is great when you have a lot of colors to use.  I used all the colors in the background except Blue Bayou, and I used that over the top with the Fresh Cuts stamp. 

I also am trying to use up my Hodgepodge Hardware since it is retiring.  This is the Pewter Color.  Don’t forget…it is on SPECIAL this month!  25% off!  What are you waiting for…call me today to get yours.  The colors available are Pewter, Antique Brass and Antique Copper.  I think they add just the right accent to your cards or scrapbook pages!  Note that I secured the holder with a Pewter mini brad on the right side, but just threaded Blue Bayou double-stitched ribbon thru the left side!

Each of the flowers were popped up with dimensionals and I added some white brads to the center.  I know…you didn’t think that Stampin’ Up! carried white ones, right?  They do!  I used White Craft ink and embossed them with White Embossing Powder…instant white mini brads!

I’m almost finished with one of my organized 3D swaps.  Whew.  I’ll finish tying the ribbon while I’m watching TV tonight.  I also have some cut-out work to do, nice to do it watching TV, too!

Enjoy the weekend.  It is HOT, HOT, HOT here…but I love it!

Wonderful You!

Oh, how could I have forgotten to post this?  Several weeks ago when Mary Brown, Karen Barber and Michelle Zindorf were at my home, these were Karen’s contribution for our Shoebox swap!  She used the Black Magic technique on them…aren’t they beautiful?  She sold me on that set…one of the free ones I earned for winning the June Stampin’ Up! contest.  Karen said she couldn’t decide between having us do the Blue one or the Pink one…so she had us do both!  We used the Pure Color Pencils…they certainly MAKE this technique.

I’m back from my quick trip out of town.  Enjoyed doing a couple classes for some friends where I used to live.  I miss them!  I’m going to be in FULL swap mode from now until Convention.  I just finished the prototype on my roomies’ gifts.  I think they will REALLY like them!  I’ll take pictures and post when I get back!

Don’t forget that the retired accessories list comes out on Monday.  A couple of the in-color ribbons have already SOLD OUT…the Pomegranate and Blue Bayou Double Stitched Ribbon.  So…don’t delay if there are ANY accessories you are wanting, email me NOW and I’ll get an order in for you.

Classic Backgrounds Scrapbook page

NOTE:  I’m extending the deadline for my CLASS KIT until I return on Thursday.  Hurry and order today!

Here is another Display Board scrapbook page I made for Leadership in January.  I used Classic Backgrounds on this one.  I love the large star in it.  When doing the displays, I had to hand-cut each of the large stars out…thankfully we now have a large star punch that I can use to punch them out…so much easier. 

This picture is my online friend Claire’s little boy…isn’t he sweet?  When I saw the Classic Backgrounds set in my display selection, I just knew that I had to use his picture with a 4th of July theme for a scrapbook page.  His little outfit matches just perfect!

The stars along the left are Whisper White Craft on Brilliant Blue.  I used Short Order Alphabet and Big Deal Numbers for the title and cut them out.  The large star is stamped in Real Red on Whisper White.  I ran a thin strip of Brilliant Blue cardstock thru a clear button and then curled the paper.  I adhered the button to the center of the star.  His picture is layered on a mat of Whisper White.

I’m headed out of town for a couple days to do a couple classes..catch you again when I get back!  Then I’ll be in FULL SWAP mode getting ready for Convention…two weeks from today!  Woohoo!!!

Sweet Celebrations

I found a couple more items from when I made Displays for Leadership that I hadn’t shown you.  This one uses the set, Sweet Celebrations.  My thought process when I’m working on Stampin’ Up! displays is to use each one of the stamps as a focal point on one of the pieces I submit…if at all possible. 

This 5 1/2" square card, of course, uses the small flower in each of the 1" circles and layered onto the 1 1/4" circles.   The words are from Everyday Flexible Phrases, stamped in Basic Black and fit inside the circles perfectly.  I used Always Artichoke mini brads for the centers of the flowers.  Looking at it now…I wished I’d have had the Old Olive 5/8" ribbon…but it wasn’t available when I made these samples.  The wider width of it would have set it off much better, I think.  Each of the circles is popped up with dimensionals.  Colors are Whisper White, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum and Old Olive.

Enjoy!  Hope you had a great weekend.  Don’t they go by fast?

Hi and Hello

I purchased this set a while ago, but really haven’t used it much.  Hi and Hello will go on the Dormant List with the new catalog.  What that means, you will still be able to purchase it, but will not see it in the catalog.  The circle flower in this set fits our 1-1/4 circle punch perfectly. 

Mary and I were doing challenges and had to use Amy Rysavy’s sketch.  I used Amy’s template to start this card, but instead of making a square card, I adapted it to a regular-sized card.  I used the Posy background stamp (LOVE it!) in Pixie Pink on Pixie Pink cardstock, punched the circles and stamped the flowers thru the circles onto the Whisper White so they lined up correctly.  Happy is from the set It’s All Good and I punched it with a 3/4 circle and popped it with a dimensional.  I added Birthday Wishes from Sincere Salutations and some Blue 5/8 grosgrain ribbon.  Oh, the base card is Gable Green!  Quick and easy birthday card!

Well…quick post today.  I’m off to run my errands!  Have a great weekend!

Blogger’s Challenge 55 – Bugs and Insects

When I first thought about this challenge, I really didn’t think I had any current Stampin’ Up! Bugs or Insects stamps.  I started looking and discovered I did have several sets with butterflies, snails, dragonflies.  I didn’t want a cartoon type bug…I wanted something a little more sophisticated.  So…I excitedly used my new Dreams du Jour stamp set!  I’m giving you a sneak peak at a set that will be in the NEW catalog next month!  I love the verse in this set and the butterfly was perfect.

Another personal challenge for me is to use up my "starts" basket.  What are starts?  You know…those backgrounds you "start" to do, the stamped images you "start" to make…those things that are only partially finished.  A have a whole tub of them.  This designer paper was from the Holiday Harmony pack last Christmas.  I had already stamped the Baroque Motifs swirl in Purely Pomegranate on the background…then set it aside.  So, today I stamped the verse in Purely Pomegranate on River Rock, and layered it on Purely Pomegranate cardstock.  I left some room on the left side and added three small crystal Rhinestone brads.  I stamped two butterflies on Naturals cardstock using Basic Brown and colored them with Summer Sun, cut them out and mounted them with dimensionals under their body only…I also stamped the butterfies directly on the designer paper.  Then I was able to fold their wings so they look 3D on the card.  Really such a simple card, but I think it looks elegant with the colors and papers.  So, even a BUG card can be elegant!  lol!

I’m anxious to see what the other Blogger’s have done with this challenge!  Enjoy your day!

Unfroggetable!

Can you believe this Unfrogettable set is retiring in less than a month!  I have used it so much on kids cards and cheer-me-up cards!  Call me to order your set today before it is GONE! 

This is another card that I finished due to a challenge between Mary and I.  We used the SCS sketch and had to use Taken with Teal and Wild Wasabi colors, along with Black and White.  I love how the black makes these colors pop out at you!  The background on the Taken with Teal I swiped some Taken with Teal ink across the cardstock, just to give it a little dimension. 

I also pulled out my black gingham ribbon (I have a feeling it may retire this year), but I wanted it to appear wide across the card, so I used two lengths of it.  I placed the Photo Corner punch with Pewter mini brads on two ends. Fun card!

I started working on my swaps for Convention yesterday.   At least I have a couple ideas percolating right now.  I need to work on my Technique Junkies assignments today and start prepping for a couple classes next week.  I know what designs I’m doing with them, just need to start cutting paper!

Have a great day!  We are having BEAUTIFUL weather!

Close as a Memory

Mary and I worked on challenges about a week ago and this was one of the cards I made from a sketch (which I absolutely cannot find now!) and we had to use Kristina Werner’s colors of Regal Rose, Purely Pomegranate, River Rock and Wild Wasabi.  

I really enjoyed this sketch and decided to use Close as a Memory since it fit in the oval so well.  The scallops surrounding the oval are 1/2" circles glued to the back.  I markered the flowers with Regal Rose and then highlighted with Rose Red.  Them stems were done with Garden Green since we don’t have In-Color markers (I wish!!!).  The background polka dot paper is from Cutie Pie.  I finished with the Purely Pomegranate double stitched ribbon and a trio of rose-colored mini brads below the words So Sorry from Fundamental Phrases.  Maybe it is a little bright for a sympathy card…guess I’ll have to keep it for the next time I tick off my hubby.  lol!

I’m going to get off here…I have a class coming in about 45 minutes.  And, thunderstorms are coming this way!  I’m always paranoid that my computer is going to get hit!

Enjoy the evening!

Don’t forget to check out my New Class Kit!

Cake Inspiration Part III

Here is the last Cake Inspiration (so far) that I’ve participated in.  There is some debate on whether or not the colors were White, Turquoise and Black or Brown.  I went with Brown…just because it seems to be the IN color right now…

I started with a base of Tempting Turquoise and added a layer of Whisper White.  Along the top I added strips of random width cardstock in Tempting Turquoise and Chocolate Chip.  I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to make the two rows of circles from Seeing Spots uniform and switched the colors between Tempting Turquoise and Chocolate Chip.  I placed a strip of satin chocolate ribbon (Theater Ribbon Collection) to hide the seam and topped that with White Taffeta Ribbon.  Then I punched 3 small stars from Tempting Turquoise.  The Circle frame is from Together Forever, cut out, and I used my partner’s initial C in the center, punched with the 1" circle punch and using Lovely Letters.  I made a larger circle by combining two Round Tab punches in Chocolate Chip cardstock.

I like how this turned out and think it is pretty representative of the inspiration cake!  What do you think?

I’m working on a couple things for classes coming up.  Then I have GOT to start on my swaps!  My pretty new things are just SITTING there waiting for me to open them up and play!  lol!  It is KILLING me!

Cake Challenge II

See the NEW Class Kit I’m offering!

One of my online group has weekly challenges that we can participate in.  You make one WOW card and mail it off to your partner for that week.  A couple weeks ago was the second in a series of cool cake challenges!  This was the cake we needed to use for our card inspiration.  (These cake challenges make me HUNGRY for cake!)

Here is the card I made that was inspired by the cake.  I started by using a base of Brushed Gold cardstock.  Then gold embossed the swirl and flower from the Priceless stamp set all over Real Red cardstock.  I cut that up for the background.  I used a center piece of Kraft cardstock and layered it onto Whisper White.  Then stamped Priceless in Black and punched with the large oval punch and punched a row of scallops with Brushed Gold cardstock to layer underneath.  I stamped the 5-petal flower from Ginormous Flowers in Yo Yo Yellow, punched them out and added a red Rhinestone Brad in the center of each flower.  I punched the leaves with the 5 petal punch using crimped Old Olive cardstock.  I added them to the focal piece with dimensionals.
  I wanted to add a butterfly, but it was getting too busy so I just decided to leave it off.

We enjoyed the fireworks last night…the weather finally cleared up enough late in the evening to go out on the boat.  I don’t recall such a COOL 4th of July…I think it only reached the mid-60s all day.  Brrrr… Our friends at the lake have a grandson about 10 months old.  He was wide awake and ohhh’d and ahhh’d at the fireworks!  He is just SO cute!

My box of NEW catalog goodies came on Thursday and I haven’t been able to play with them!  Hopefully after my son leaves today I’ll get a chance to sit down and stamp!

Have a great weekend!