VSN, Haiku and Mud

I know it's a strange title, but it covers most of the bases.  This card came about during VSN for a challenge that Faith issued.  The challenge was called Muddy Water.  The task was to create a card with watercolors and a good amount of brown.  I decided on yellow-orange flowers because I thought they looked like marigolds.  I had them already stamped on watercolor paper, so I just slopped on a few colors and found some matching retired SU paper to back it up.  I decided to mat the whole thing with brown and use brown to accent the piece.  I like the way it turned out!

I used a current sketch from Taylored Expressions to start off my card.  VSN would be painful if it weren't for all the fabulous sketches that are available!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Echoes of Kindness, Fall Flair; Paper: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, Watercolor paper; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal, Groovy Guava, Tangerine Tango, Versamark; Accessories: gold ep, heat tool, aquapainter, 1/4" circle punch, vintage brads, wide chocolate chip grosgrain, scor-tape, stampin' dimensionals, glue dot, distressed stripes ef; Techniques: embossing, watercoloring.

Tissue Paper Dreams

I made this little lovely as  a part of VSN this long weekend.  The challenge was called Paper Roses...Paper Roses.  The task here was to create a card with at least one hand made flower on it.  The roses looked too complex for me to try in 45 minutes and I am pretty sure that they would not fit nicely into an envelope.  However, these tissue paper flowers will squish nicely!

I went hunting today for more sketches to use as I worked on VSN cards.  I remembered Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketches and came up with this great sketch. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Live Your Dream; Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Afternoon Tea dsp, blue tissue paper; Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: Bazzill mini brads, Groovy Guava double stitched ribbon, Nestabilities, Boho Blossom punch, Vanilla smooch, glue dots, stampin' dimensionals.

Popping Up Friends

This is another design team application challenge.  I had it sitting on my desk ready to post on my blog about and my Mother-In-Law asked for it.  How do you refuse?

The challenge was to use pop dots to create height and dimension on my card.  Well, I popped up my embossed layer off the base, popped up the scalloped oval off the embossed layer and popped up the flower off the oval layer.  This is quite a few layers for CAS, but I think it still works.

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Because of You (Verve); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black; Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac; Accessories: Nestabilities, stampin' dimensionals, amethyst satin ribbon, scor-tape, distressed stripes ef, M's self-adhesive rhinestones, purple Sharpie.

I'm a Little Bit Country

Who am I kidding?  I am soooo not!  This reminds me of the dishes my father gave me when I moved into my first apartment and the decor or my girlfriend's last home.  Very cute, very sweet, but I can't pull it off.  I'll let you in on a little secret though, I like this! 

I made this card with the sketch from Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge this week and for the VSN challenge called Try Something NEW.  I had this new to me Ippity set waiting for ink in my craft room.  I had to oblige.  Bonus points are given in this challenge for using green (color or eco-friendly).  I whipped up my Always Artichoke marker for the leaves of the tree and done!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Simply Home (Ippity); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Recollections Autumn; Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke; Accessories: Scallop edge punch, heart to heart punch, paper snips, stampin dimensionals; Techniques: faux stitching.

Fall To Layout 92

I love when VSN rolls around so that I can collect a ton of sketches and go to town!  I used FTL92 from the clean and simple stamping blog for this one.  The VSN challenge from Kelly was called Watermarks and the task was to use a watermark ink, or Versamark, on your card for a tone on tone look.  The only embossing powder allowed was clear, so I used clear.  The tone on tone look wasn't quite as dark as I wanted it to be.

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Woodgrain (All Night Media; Paper: Kraft, BG Sugared; Ink: Versamark; Accessories: Clear ep, heat tool, BG Sugared Element Stickers, Chit Chat rub-ons.

We Interrupt Today's Regularly Scheduled Post...

with some VSN goodness!  I have been showing the cards that I have made for the Summer CAS DT, but VSN is happening right in the middle of the application process.  Here is an example of why I love VSN.  This card is made for the "Serigraph Technique" challenge.  The serigraph technique is something I have never heard of AND it uses a brayer.  Now, the brayer in my craft room is just for show.  The only thing I make with a brayer is a mess!  I said as much in the thread and one of the Aussie's there challenged me to "bite the bullet" and give it a try.  Here is my try and, you know what, I like it!

I got the sketch from the Pals Paper Arts group and modified it just slightly.  Don't send the challenge police, please!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: The Art of Life; Paper: Whisper White, Lovely Lilac; Ink: Sage Shadow, Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac, Handsome Hunter, Versamark; Accessories: Scallop Border punch, M's self-adhesive rhinestones, J's thin white satin ribbon, white ep, heat tool.

Summertime Hibiscus

I have had this hibiscus punch for ages and it is severely underused!  So when I saw the CAS challenge for this week was to make a summer-themed card, the punch popped into my mind.  Of course, this was the second challenge of the Summer CAS DT application. 

So I punched out and colored up my hibiscus parts.  I mounted them on a 1/2" vellum circle with flowers on top and leaves on the bottom.  I opted for a small strip of patterned paper that wouldn't compete with my flower and a simple sentiment.  Why did I distress the edges of the Olive mat?  Well, I either didn't get my patterned paper laid on there straight or I cut it crooked.  I distress to distract from that!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Blush Blossom, Barely Banana, Holiday Treasures dp, vellum; Ink: Versamark pen, Groovy Guava, Sakura Clear Star gel pen; Accessories: Two step bird punch, Hibiscus punch, Chit Chat rub-ons, glue dots.

Look Out Summer DT!

I am applying CAS DT!  This was my first of three challenges that I completed thus far.  The theme for this application process is Amusement Park and this challenge was to create a card with a focal image of a person, using bold bright colors and a bit of ribbon.  Here is what I came up with:)

And there was a second challenge card, the regular CAS challenge (I'll show you that tomorrow).  Then the field was narrowed.....and I made the first cut!  I'm so proud of myself.  There is a fourth challenge for me to do and I will work on it tonight.  VSN starts tomorrow and you know I have to play along with that!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Extreme Surfboard, Birthday Whimsy; Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, MME Surf's Up!; Ink: Versamark, Basic Gray, River Rock; Accessories: Nestabilities, mini glue dots, pumpkin pie grosgrain, stampin' dimensionals, corner rounder; Techniques: CAS, embossing.

The Party is Now Over

I had my daughter's birthday party yesterday and the preparations for it seemed to take over my entire crafting energies!  I whipped this up last minute to go with her present from her daddy and I.  Paper Crafts Connection is hosting another sketch challenge and I used this easy peasy sketch for this card.  Who wouldn't want this yummy card filled with chocolate chip cookies?

By the way, I asked my MIL to make chocolate chip bar cookies (to go with the chocolate chip party theme) and they were the hit of the party!  I will be making those again for sure!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details -

Stamps: You Warm My Heart (Stamps and Smiles), Mix Up of Cuteness (Unity)

Paper: Very Vanilla, Creamy Caramel

Ink: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: sponge dauber, 1" circle punch, stampin' dimensionals, paper snips

Is it CAS or is it Shabby?

That is the question!  I guess we will see what gallery gazers at SCS have to say about my card.  I am quite pleased with my result, even if it is neither.  Before I made this card, I perused much work by Melissa Phillips, as I think she does Shabby Chic so well.

I didn't case her, but tried to achieve some of the style that she uses!  I started with the button and then chose the Basic Grey Sugared paper to match the button.  I tea-dyed the vanilla taffeta for the card.  I also embossed the whole vanilla base and then flattened it a bit with my bone folder.

I played along with the Etsy Inspired Challenge this week and was inspired by this item.  The red heart on the left is where I derived most of my inspiration.   

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Paper: Very Vanilla, BG Sugared; Ink: Creamy Caramel; Accessories: sponge dauber, MM edge distresser, needle & thread, mat pack, paper piercing tool, wide vanilla organdy, vanilla taffeta, scor-tape, glue dots, random cameo button, Square lattice embossing folder, bone folder; Techniques: CAS, Shabby Chic.

Cake, Anyone?

Guaranteed to not put a bit of weight on you!  Ha!  That is just what I need.  I have been sitting a tad too much and enjoying too many tasty treats.  Summer is coming soon and I am going to be embarrassed if I don't change my ways, right away!

Look out body, here comes the water!

These little gems were fun and easy.  Check out the tutorial on SCS.  Super easy, I tell you and cute.  I need to figure out a different way to embellish this little darlings!  I gave my punches a workout!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Paper: DCWV, Razzleberry Lemonade (SU), SEI Madeline, Old Olive, Handsome Hunter, Basic Gray, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, ? blue; Accessories: liquid glue, scallop circle punch, flower trio punch, Bird & Branch punch, scor-tape, Smooch spritz (silver foil), M's self-adhesive rhinestones, Sharpies, stampin' dimensionals, mini glue dots; Techniques: tealight cake.

What Once Was Lost....

is now on the way to recovery.  Have you ever lost your Mojo?  I was gazing the gallery on SCS and reading my favorite blogs.  I saw amazing cards, techniques and products I wanted to try.  But...do you think that I could get to my craft room and crank anything out?  Not a chance.  Weird, I know.  And it was awful!

Today a bit of the fog lifted and I was able to play along with Mandy and the design team at Limelight Papercrafts.  Here is a link to the sketch challenge that asked crafters to incorporate a favorite flower.  I like these tissue paper flowers made with my scallop circle punch.  So easy and I sponged some ink on the paper to darken it up  a bit.  Looks like I could have gone a bit heavier.  I'm tea-dying some taffeta right now for another challenge and I think I will leave it in a bit longer than I originally intended.  I could practice being a bit more heavy handed with things.

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Tag Lines (Flourishes); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, SEI Madeline, turquoise glitter tissue (Verve); Ink: Basic Gray, Sahara Sand; Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, white organdy ribbon, filigree brad, pretties kit, blue and green Sharpies, mini glue dots, scallop circle punch; Techniques: CAS, tissue flower.

Sweet Pea's Turning 4

My daughter is turning 4 in a couple of weeks and this is what I am sending out for her birthday party invitations or "inbitations" as she would say.  Last year, she wanted sparkly strawberries and this year she wanted chocolate chips.  I took my inspiration from this card by Momis Mama.  I just love the way it turned out.  On the inside I used my printer to generate the specifics of the party.  I started it off with continuation of the sentiment on the outside.  I printed, "So Very 4!".

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: So Very, You Warm My Heart (Stamps and Smiles); Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Creamy Caramel; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red; Accessories: sponge dauber, mini glue dots, red satin ribbon, stampin' dimensionals, 3/4" circle punch, SAMJ.

Triple Take Action

Oh my goodness!  I love how this turned out!  This card was made for another Unity Second Anniversary challenge to use 4 different patterned papers, a sketch and a button or bling for an embellishment.  I chose neutral papers to go with the Versamagic inks that I used.  How am I doing on my patterned paper combination?  I didn't read the article I bookmarked by Julia Stainton.  I just tried to remember what she had suggested.  I guess I should go back and evaluate how I did. 

Not much else to this one!  Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: The Artist in You (Unity), Simply Said (Unity); Paper: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Print Patterns II dp, Ginger Blossom dp, Walk in the Park dp; Ink: Versamagic Wheat, Versamagic Sage, Basic Gray; Accessories: Curly Label punch, Basic gray taffeta, linen thread, oatmeal button, corner rounder, glue dots, stampin' dimensionals.

CAS May Flowers

This is an image I bought last Saturday while at my coloring class.  I used colored pencils to color it and think I need some work on achieving depth in my coloring.  I made the card for the Clean and Simple Challenge this week.  This week's task was to use flowers or make something for Mom.  It was an easy one for me after I saw this really fabulous card by Susan.  It's the 4th card down on this post.  She is the master of CAS, I would swear to it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Lockhart image, Kind and Caring Thoughts; Paper: Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant; Ink: Elegant Eggplant, StazOn Jet Black; Accessories: WC pencils, Nestabilities, lavendar grosgrain, mini glue dots, stampin' dimensionals.

The Return of the Dream Tree

I haven't used this stamp in what seems like such a long time.  This tree is the reason I began buying stamps from Unity Stamp Company (and shortly thereafter I discovered their fabulous service).  The tree is part of a set called Growing in Unity (I think), but was offered for a short time as a single.  That is when I picked it up.  I made this card for a challenge as part of Unity's second anniversary/birthday.  Carole, a long time customer of Unity, issued a challenge to use your very first stamp you purchased on a project.  I was more than happy to get the Dream Tree out and ink it up!

I used this opportunity to play along with Caardvark's challenge to create a monochromatic card.  I think I may have missed the deadline, but I still linked it up and had fun in the process. 

I'm pretty sure you can't see it in the photo, but I spritzed my card stock with Vanilla Smooch and punched out my butterflies.  I am really loving that stuff.  I need to break into another color and see if I love it even more!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Dream Tree (Unity); Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Almost Amethyst, Basic Black, Whisper White; Ink: Basic Black; Accessories: MS butterfly punch, Vanilla smooch, M's self-adhesive pearls, amethyst satin ribbon, glue dot.

Unity is Going to the Birds!

I, however, am possibly a day late and a dollar short here!  I made this card for the second of five anniversary challenges as Unity turns two!  Gretchen challenged folks to get out your Unity birds or trees and I managed to find both in this one little Unity stamp.  I left off a sentiment so that my card could be used for any occasion.  SCS is having gallery problems and I don't know if challenges will be extended or not.  I am going to submit it anyway and see what happens. 

I do know that I am too late to participate in Mandy's sketch challenge.  It is a great sketch and I couldn't just leave it.  Too bad I felt so crummy this weekend.  I colored my image yesterday and built my card today as I got sent home from work. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps:  Hodge Podge of Happiness (Unity); Paper:  Whisper White, Pacific Point; Ink:  StazOn Jet Black; Accessories:  Watercolor pencils, Nestabilities, red grosgrain ribbon, mini glue dot, M's glitter heart, Sakura glaze pen (doesn't show in the photo).

Learning to Color

I went to a class this weekend in Bellingham at a local stamp store where Karen Lockhart taught a colored pencil class.   I had a ton of fun.  These are the images that I colored, in order of how I practiced.  I think I can see progress and growth in each.  I learned that the paper I use is important, the pencils I use are important and that layering color is also important.

This will mean a substantial investment for me if I follow everything she suggested.  I am going to start small.  I plan to keep practicing, even though my colored pencil choices are really quite limited.  I really had a fabulous time and the 2 1/2 hours flew by!  Next time, I will stay for the second class that she teaches directly afterward.  An added bonus that the store offered was a discount for purchases made before or after class. 

Now, you know that I took advantage of that!  I picked up some Lockhart stamps to keep practicing, some gorgeous paper and a new set of Nesties.  Ssshhhh!  Don't tell my hubby!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Karen Lockhart, Hero Arts; Ink: Black, Pink Passion; Paper: Neenah Class White, Barely Banana, unknown dp, unknown notecards; Accessories: Prismacolor pencils, corner rounder, stampin' dimensionals.

An Attempt at Shabby Chic

Pardon my short post, my hubby has graciously given me his cold and I feel like my head is filled with oil!  I feel thick, yuck!  I think a nap might be in order.  But before that, I had a try at a few challenges for this card.  As part of Unity's 2nd birthday celebration, five challenges were issued. Maren issued a challenge to be inspired by something from a Paper Crafts magazine. Love this sketch by Kim Kesti!    Sharon Johnson also issued a challenge to make some  3D flowers.  Easy peasy, here it is!  This sketch is also part of a challenge put on my the Paper Craft's blog!  Woohoo, a triple challenge card!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Sentiments o' Simple (unity); Paper: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, MB Gossamer; Ink: Close To Cocoa, Creamy Caramel; Accessories: Nestabilities, Boho Blossom punch, 1 " circle punch, sponge dauber, Vanilla smooch spritz, Pretties kit. Techniques: distressing .

Miss Boo's Birthday

challenge was to create  a CAS card with orange.  I went so literal it wasn't even funny.  I used the sketch from the clean and simple stamping blog.  If you look at my previous post, you will see that the sketches from Card Patterns and the Fall To Layout are incredibly similar.  I was playing along with challenges, not being monotonous.  You know what they say, great minds think alike.

To jazz up my orange, I colored over it with my Sakura Clear Star gel pen.  It gives such a nice subtle shimmer!  Fun stuff!

Thanks for coming by!

Details - Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Mix Up of Cuteness (Unity); Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Summer Picnic dsp; Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: Sakura Clear star gel pen, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, stampin' dimensionals.

Feeling Sooooo Behind

Does anyone else feel that way?  I'm sure that everyone does from time to time.  This card is the prime example of what happens when I feel behind.  I bust out in a clean and simple style.  Now, I really like this.  I used a strip of the new SU color Marina Mist as it well perfectly with the inner circle of blue on my flower.  I also hit my card front with a new SU embossing folder called Square Lattice.  Boy, did that puppy emboss.  I swear I had the platform on the correct tab, but maybe I didn't.  I'll go with no tab next time!  I finally got  a new white gel pen that work too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Paper: Whisper White, Marina Mist; Ink: white gel pen; Accessories: Chit Chat rub-ons, Square Lattice ef, $ store dimensional sticker, corner rounder; Techniques: CAS, embossing.