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Tropical Party SSSC75

As you know, I think it is so much fun to do sketch challenges.  I picked up this sketch over at Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge (SSSC75) and thought it looked fun.  I must say, though, the little icons at the bottom of the sketch did give me a little problem!  lol!

For my card, I wanted to use some of the new colors coming in with the next catalog!  I started with a base of the new color, Marina Mist,  because I knew I wanted to create a water theme with Stampin' Up!'s Tropical Party Stamp Set from the Summer Mini.  I added a layer of Wild Wasabi, one of the returning In Colors, that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder.

I cut a Large Scallop Circle with the wonderful new In Color, Poppy Parade!  I LOVE this new red!  It pops!  Inside, I cut a 3 3/4 circle from Whisper White, then half circles from Marina Mist and Sahara Sand so I could layer them across the bottom of the circle.  I spritzed on Sahara Sand Ink with the Color Spritzer Tool and Marina Mist spritz for the water.  I used a 1 1/4 circle template to create the sun with the new Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker.  The palm trees I inked up with Always Artichoke and Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Markers and stamped over the "sand" and background Whisper White. 

I added a row of the small flowers in Daffodil Delight and Poppy Parade, inked with the Stampin' Write Markers and cut out.  I wrapped Kraft Taffeta Ribbon around and tied (it's retiring!  Oh no!) and then stamped Just for You from Teeny Tiny Wishes and punched with the Small Oval Punch.  I'm pretty happy with how I worked the icons across the bottom!

CUSTOMERS – remember my ADHESIVE SALE going on now until June 30th!  Email me for more information!

Watercolor Trio

Wow…sorry this is posting so late.  I had major problems trying to get to my Dashboard to post!  It finally seems to be working ok. 

And another WOW…my count went over 500,000 blog hits without me even knowing it!  I guess I haven't paid attention since I got back from the wedding!  THANK YOU for visiting and for the nice comments you leave!  I know I appreciate knowing you are out there and checking in frequently.  I've been blogging now for 3 years…doesn't seem possible.

I used the square (rectangle) sketch over on Mojo Monday for the basis of my card.  I've had the idea for a red/white/blue card without using stars or a patriotic theme!  I think the red and blue flowers, although unusual, fit my idea nicely!

So for my card, I started with a base of Real Red cardstock.  I layered on a piece of Whisper White that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  Along the bottom on another piece of Whisper White, I stamped two of the flowers from Stampin' Up!'s Watercolor Trio stamp set in Real Red and Pacific Point randomly.  (I'm SO happy that Pacific Point is returning…I love the brightness of the blue color!)   I added a strip of Real Red cardstock to hide the seam between the top and the bottom.

I stamped Birthday Wishes in Pacific Point on Whisper White, then punched with the 1 3/8 circle punch.  I added a 1 3/4 circle of Real Red behind it.  I stamped the third flower on Whisper White by inking up the flower with my Real Red and Pacific Point Stampin' Write Markers.  It is layered on Real Red, too.  Finally, I punched the Butterfly from Real Red cardstock, added some Linen Thread for the body and popped it up with Stampin' Dimensionals on the front of the card!  I love how it turned out!

CUSTOMERS remember my STOCK UP ON ADHESIVE SALE going on now thru June 30th!  Don't forget to order NOW!

Stamping 411 –

I'm still suffering a little tummy upset from Cancun, I think.  Plus woke up with a sinus migraine, so my day didn't really get started until this afternoon!  I almost forgot to get my post ready for Stamping 411's sketch challenge today!  Selene created another fun sketch for us to try. 

I had one of Stampin' Up!'s Fifth Avenue Floral reinker rose "starts" on my desk that I hadn't used yet.  I made up a bunch of them several months ago.  This one was done with Summer Sun and Pumpkin Pie…making it an almost Cameo Coral color.  I love roses this color!

I used Stampin' Dimensionals to place the rose on top of the Whisper White layer, and that was placed on Cameo Coral.  I used a piece of Kaleidoscope Designer Paper in the background and placed on the base card of Cameo Coral.  I wrapped the Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon around and tied a knot.  I punched the leaves from the bird punch and ran them thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder for some texture.  Finally, I added "get together" from Stampin' Up!'s In A Word stamp set in the Summer Mini, inking it with Cameo Coral and Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Markers, then punching with the Large Oval Punch.  I placed it on the Scallop Oval punched from Cameo Coral. 

So, it turned out completely different that what started in my head, but I'm actually pretty pleased with it!  Make sure to check out the rest of the Stamping 411 Design Operators to see what they've done this week!  Then use the sketch to create your own card and upload it to Inlinkz over on Stamping 411…it's easy to play along!

Create with Connie and Mary Challenge – Together Forever

This week's Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge is a Sketch!  We've always had challenges for our subscribers, but now every Thursday we will offer a sketch, color or inspiration challenge for EVERYONE to try.  Just check to see what the challenge is for the week, then submit your entry via INLINKZ over on the Create with Connie and Mary blog.  Please state in your post that it is a Create with Connie and Mary Challenge and the corresponding challenge number (CCMC104 is today!)  Come play with us!

The retiring list has been out for several weeks and I'm trying to use my stamps a few more times before they retire.  This one, Together Forever, will go into my KEEP pile.  I love it for wedding cards!  I decided to mix the old with the new, by using Pink Pirouette cardstock…one of the returning In Colors in the new catalog!  I love the soft pink color!

I started by stamping the flower image in Basic Black on Whisper White and punching with the 1 3/4 Circle.  I used the new Pink Pirouette Stampin' Write Marker to color it in.  I layered it on the Pennant XL Die Scallop Circle I cut from Basic Black cardstock on the Big Shot.  I added it to a layer of Pink Pirouette that  I ran thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder…that was layered on another piece of Basic Black that I used the Scallop Trim Border Punch along the side.

I added a piece of Tea Party Designer Paper to the top of Pink Pirouette cardstock, then wrapped the White Satin Ribbon around twice to the back and secured.  The Pink Pirouette was layered onto more Basic Black, and then a base card of Whisper White.  I added a White Satin Bow on the front and used the Charming set to stamp Mr & Mrs. and Love in Basic Black Classic Ink on Whisper White.  They were punched with the Medium Jewelry Tag punch, pierced with a hole at the top and added to Linen Thread.  I wrapped the Thread around the bow and secured with Mini Glue Dots.

I love the softness of this card!  Pink and Black for weddings is really big right now…I think we saw two of them while in Cancun last week.  It was amazing at this resort…they have 1-2 weddings every day!  Big business!

Make sure to stop over at Create with Connie and Mary to see Mary's wonderful card this week!  Love the bright colors!

Wedding Favors

Here is a picture of Beth and I sharing a Mimosa toast before the Wedding.  Yes…she is TALL…I felt like a shrimp around her family all week…Beth is 5'11, her sister and mom around 5'10", and her dad is well over 6"5".  No wonder Beth played basketball…of course, her dad was the coach, too!  Being only 5'3", I looked up a lot this weekend!  lol!  My son, Adam, is 6'1" so they actually look great together!

I know most of you have seen the little straw baskets that are going around made with the Baskets & Blooms XL die!  I loved the Tropical look to them!  I wanted to make some in the wedding colors…Kraft, Cornflower Blue and White.  I thought the Kraft (now called Crumb Cake) made a nice beach basket.  I ran the two basket pieces thru the Big Shot with the Lattice Impressions Folder and I added the stripe trim pieces from the die on the front and back in the Shimmer Cornflower Blue (non-SU) and Shimmer White cardstock.  I made a little open-top box for inside to hold the Small Cello bag filled with Blueberry and Vanilla Jelly Belly candies.  I tied it closed with some Satin Kraft Ribbon (non-SU).

I printed the Beth & Adam, Riviera Maya, Mexico with the wedding date 6.18.2010 on the computer, then punched with the 1 3/8 Circle Punch.  I layered it on more Cornflower Blue Shimmer cardstock punched with the Scallop Circle Punch.  These were placed at the place settings at the Wedding Reception.

I was SO pleased with how they turned out!  Everyone loved them, too!  I meant to take a picture of all 55 of them, but forgot.  I took them flat with Sticky Strip adhered to the box inside, so all I had to do was peel off the tape and put them together and put in the bag of candy.  However, that night we were putting them together, I fell FLAT on my hands and knees when crossing a little wood bridge.  Banged up my knee pretty good…thought for sure I'd be limping for the wedding.  Luckily, the ice pack helped and kept the swelling down.  I was able to move around pretty good…except for going up steps!  I still have a nice bruise on my knee…my dress hid it, though.  But…that's why I forgot to take pictures of the finished ones!

Here is a picture of their first dance at the Reception.  It was held outdoors on the Boardwalk right next to the beach.  They had tables of 8 set up and a big area for dancing.  Behind them is the Buffet and bar set up…everything tasted great!

Tomorrow is a NEW Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge…don't forget to check it out and play along!

Because I Care

I'm BACK!  Wow…what a wonderful wedding on the beaches of Riveria Maya, Mexico.  My son and new daughter-in-law are SO happy!  Here is a picture of them the night we got to Cancun on my birthday!

And here is a favorite of mine from the pictures after the wedding!  The photographer had them jump…and I was able to capture the photo, too!  Adam and Beth are blessed to have wonderful friends and family who joined them in Cancun for their very special day!  I'm sure I'll be sharing more photos over the next few days…I took plenty! 

I usually don't do a lot of sneak peeks on my Blog…but because my hydrangea bushes are in FULL bloom, I wanted to share a card I made with the Because I Care hydrangea stamp image…a new hostess set in the upcoming Idea Book & Catalog!  I was a little concerned on what colors to use for the flowers since a lot of our blues and light lavenders are retiring at the end of June.  But, I found a couple of the new colors worked great…Marina Mist and Crushed Concord!

I started with the sketch layout from Card Positioning Systems (CPS172) that I thought looked fun!  I inked the hydrangea image from Because I Care with Marina Mist Classic Ink, then added highlights with my Crushed Concord Stampin' Write Marker and stamped it on Whisper White.  I also stamped a couple of the leaves with Wild Wasabi and then cut the individual pieces out instead of leaving it as a stemmed flower.  I colored them with my Pear Pizzazz Stampin' Write Marker.  The flower pieces were placed on a 2 1/2 circle of Pear Pizzazz cardstock cut with the Circle Scissors Plus tool.

The base of the card is Marina Mist and I added a layer of Crushed Concord cardstock that I ran thru the Big Shot with the new Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder and rounded the corners.  I added another layer of Greenhouse Gala Designer Paper with the Pear Pizzazz print on it and rounded those corners, too.  I stamped Thank You from Because I Care inked with my Crushed Concord marker on Whisper White, then punched with the Modern Label Punch.  I placed the flower element on top with Stampin' Dimensionals!

I'll leave you with one of my favorites of Beth before the wedding…what a beautiful bride!

 Don't forget to play along with the Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge! 

Stamping 411 – Tropical Party

Stamping 411 has a cool sketch this week!  I can't wait to see what the Design Operators over on Stamping 411 did with it (I know…I say that every week!)  But, I'm always surprised at how each of us intrepret the sketches.  I don't know how Selene keeps coming up with these neat sketches!

I wanted a tropical feel to my card, so I pulled out Tropical Party!  I started by stamping a few leaves along the bottom of the center Whisper White diamond piece with Old Olive Classic Ink.  I stamped the Coconut Drink on scrap White and cut it out, then placed it on the leaves.  I layered the Whisper White on Pumpkin Pie. 

I used a base card of Tempting Turquoise, then added the stripe pattern from Island Oasis, layered on Old Olive.  After I placed the diamond element, I stamped So Saffron, Rose Red and Pumpkin Pie flowers on scrap Whisper White, cut them out and secured on the front.  I added Mini Brads to the centers of the flowers.  I also stamped one of the leaves and cut it out to place under the flowers.  Finally, I stamped Cheers to You (from the set of that name) on Whisper White, punched with the Large Oval Punch, then layered on the Scallop Oval cut from Old Olive cardstock.  I colored the unbrella and straw with various Stampin' Write Markers.

So…cheers to my son and new daughter-in-law who just got married!!!! 

Make sure to check out the rest of the Operators on Stamping 411 to see their fabulous creations!

Bloggers Challenge – A Sketch

Another Friday and time for Bloggers' Challenge.  Lisa made up a sketch for us to use this week.  As you know, I LOVE sketches!  This one came together pretty quickly!

I started by cutting the Oval from Whisper White with the Ovals Die and the Big Shot.  I also cut the Sahara Sand piece at the bottom of the oval at the same time.  I tore the top edge and added sand granules with the Itty Bitty Backgrounds speckle stamp in Sahara Sand.  I used a sponge dauber to add some Tempting Turquoise water above it.  Then I inked up the palm tree from Tropical Party with Chocolate Chip and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers, stamped it twice.  I punched a 1 1/4" hole in a scrap piece of cardstock, then used a sponge dauber and Summer Sun to make the sun in the background.

I layered the oval on polka dot pattern from Island Oasis Designer Paper and then Sahara Sand cardstock.  I ran a piece of Old Olive thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions folder.  I wrapped the 1" Chocolate Chip Ribbon around to the back and secured.  The entire piece was adhered to the base card of Tempting Turquoise.  Finally, I added two Kraft Corduroy Buttons and cut small slivers of Chocolate Chip cardstock to make the "thread".  I used Mini Glue Dots to secure to the front of the card!  I stamped Happy Birthday from Teeny Tiny Wishes in Chocolate Chip on Sahara Sand, punched with the Word Window and then punched the Modern Label from Chocolate Chip cardstock.

I like how it turned out!  Hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Create with Connie and Mary Father’s Day Challenge

Create with Connie and Mary's Thursday Challenge is a Father's Day card challenge!  Or masculine card challenge if you'd prefer!  We've always had challenges for our subscribers, but now every Thursday we will offer a sketch, color or inspiration challenge for EVERYONE to try.  Just check to see what the challenge is for the week, then submit your entry via INLINKZ over on the Create with Connie and Mary blog.  Please state in your post that it is a Create with Connie and Mary Challenge and the corresponding challenge number (CCMC103 is today!)  Come play with us!

Recently my Punch Classes made a card using the Punch Art wrench and they loved it.  Here is another idea using the Punch Art Wrench!  I combined with with the Happy Father's Day greeting from All Holidays.  I started with a base of Kraft cardstock and layered on Soft Suede.  I used a piece of stripe paper from Travel Journal Designer Paper and layered that on top.  I stamped Happy Father's Day once in Soft Suede and once in Pumpkin Pie on Very Vanilla, then cut out the Pumpkin Pie center and layered it over the Soft Suede.  I layered the Very Vanilla on Pumpkin Pie cardstock and placed on front.

For the punch art wrench, I used the Boho Blossoms punch and the 1" circle punch for the bottom, the 1 3/8 Circle punch and Word Window punch for the top.  The middle is just a rectangle piece of cardstock.  I sponged along all the edges with Soft Suede ink.  Finally, I added two Circle Designer Brads (retiring!) in the upper right corner.  I thought they looked a little like bolts!  Clever, huh? 

Make sure to check out Create with Connie and Mary to see Mary's delightful card this week!  

Create with Connie and Mary is looking for three Design Team Members to play along with our Thursday Creative Challenges each week!  You'll need to use Stampin' Up! only products, have a blog where you can post your Thursday Challenge card, and love to use sketch, color or inspiration challenges as a starting point in your creations!  See more details over on Create with Connie and Mary!  We'd love for you to join us each week!

Gardenia Punch Art

Here's another card my Punch Class did this month.  I originally made one of the Gardenia Flowers when the Ornament Punch first came out!  I made it in Pretty in Pink with some Regal Rose sponging.  I decided I wanted to make a soft white and yellow card, so pulled out my Whisper White Cardstock to make the flower!

I punched 5 of the Ornament Punch from Whisper White cardstock and sponged the center and edges of the punches.  I folded them in half for some texture.  I adhered them all together, then added a 3/4 Certainly Celery Circle punch in the center.  I added some adhesive and Clear Micro Beads to the center (hurry…these are on the retired list!  I love using them for centers of flowers.)  I also punched two Certainly Celery Ornament Punch leaves, folded them in half, and added Certainly Celery Classic Ink to the edges.

In the background, I used the Scallop Square with Whisper White cardstock and trimmed off two of the scallops on the left side.  I ran it thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  I wrapped So Saffron Striped Ribbon around and tied.  I adhered it the the Barely Banana base card.  I added a Barely Banana "hello" greeing from Tiny Tags and punched with the Medium Jewelry Tag punch.  It is attached to the ribbon with Linen Thread.

Finally, I added two Xs from Itty Bitty Punches and Certainly Celery cardstock.  I love how this Gardenia Flower turned out!  I think my classes loved it, too!

Remember…my 50th Birthday Celebration is going on NOW!  Check out the details HERE!