A Day of Firsts

Hello! Happy Monday! ;)

I have some "firsts" to share with you today. Did you notice my new blog banner? I made it myself! It was my "first" time digi scrapping! I went to Shabby Princess and downloaded one of their free collections, then I got busy! It took me most of yesterday afternoon, but I'm so happy with the result! I think I got the hang of it -- I just may try a digi scrapbook layout soon!

Another "first" -- my first time playing one of the Our Creative Corner challenges. Have you been there yet? What a fantastically talented group of ladies! They have a weekly challenge, and this week's is to use BasicGrey paper on your project.

I pulled out some Romani paper, which led me to another "first" -- my first time using the Papertrey Ink set Garden of Life, designed by Alli Miles. I got this set when it was first released, but it has sat with the rest of my uninked sets until now (why, I don't know!). The flower images coordinate perfectly with the paper, don't you think?!? I pulled out the Bloom Dots Cuttlebug folder, and it all came together from there!

This week is going to be a busy one! Wednesday I'll have the ATS Challenge for you. Also, Wednesday night I get to post my MFT Ambassador Challenge during the My Favorite Things release party at SCS!! I'm so excited!! I hope you'll stop by and play! :) Thursday I'll begin the previews of the July C.C. Designs releases! The images are so cute -- lots of summer fun! :)

Well, I have much to do -- I'd better get busy! Thanks so much for stopping by! :)

Stamps: Garden of Life (Papertrey Ink) Ink: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Pixie Pink, Basic Black (SU!) Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Romani (BasicGrey) Other: Cuttlebug, Bloom Dots embossing Folder (Provo Craft); Limeade Sugarcoated Brads (Doodlebug); circle punches, horizontal slot punch, Real Red 5/8" grosgrain, 3/16" corner rounder, silver cord, 1/16" handheld punch, dimensionals (SU!)

Bahamas on My Mind

As Dorothy would say, "We're not in Kansas anymore." We're not in the Bahamas anymore, either. I keep waiting for someone to offer me a fruity drink, but no one's lifting a finger. Aaaahhh, it's good to be home... ;)

I decided I'd make my own drink, but this one is the inky kind. The images are from the set Good Times by Whippersnapper Designs. So cute!!! I've long been a fan of Anna Wight and her adorable images, so when I saw this set I had to have it! I ordered it before I left for vacation, and it was waiting for me when I returned home! The sketch is Jen del Muro's Sketch for You to Try. I'll list the supplies -- just let me know if you have any questions!

I have a busy week ahead and lots to share with you, so I hope you'll stop back! Thanks so much for the visit today -- have a fantastic day! :)

Stamps: Good Times (Whippersnapper Designs) Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Barely Banana (SU!) Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Barely Banana, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Beachy Keen (Flair Design) Other: Copic markers; Cuttlebug & Swiss Dots folder (Provo Craft); flowers (Prima); Ice Circle Brad, Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain ribbon, horizontal slot punch, stamping sponge, dimensionals (SU!)

I'm Back!!

Hey, everyone!

We just returned from our vacation! I can't even say how wonderful our cruise was! If you ever thought about taking a Disney Cruise, DO IT!!!! All four of our kids, ages 4 to 15, had so much fun, as did Chris and I. I could go on and on, but I'll spare you all my blabbering for now. I hope to scrapbook our trip (yes, I'm gonna do some scrapbooking), so I'll show you those photos as I finish the layouts.

I hope to get my fingers inky this weekend -- I have lots I need to share with you in the next week! I do have one problem, though -- my camera got wet Wednesday while we were riding waverunners, so it may have taken its last photos. I need to get Chris's camera from his office before I can photograph anything!!! I'll be spending the day tomorrow catching up on my blog reading and making some cards, so hopefully I'll be back tomorrow night or Sunday with something to show you!

I hope you all had a great week! See you all later! :)

Today's the Day!!

Well, today we leave for our vacation! We're headed to Gatlinburg for a couple days with Chris's family, then we're off to Florida for our Disney Cruise! Woohoo!! Before I go, I have another Artful Inkables card to share with you. The images are from the set Friendship Flowers. I love the hand-drawn look of the image and sentiment -- as if it came straight out of a gardening journal. I had this piece of retired SU! Spring Flowers paper still lingering in my stash, and I thought it would be perfect with the daffodil. I stamped the image on watercolor paper and colored it with my Aquapainter and inks. I added a little Stardust Stickles to the flower center. I matted the image panel on two overlapping Marvy scalloped squares. It's a simple, springy design, keeping the focus on the daffodil image.

I was hoping to schedule a couple things to post while I'm gone, but that just didn't happen! While we're gone, I'll try to check in if I can! I'm sure I'll have lots of photos to share when we get home -- maybe I'll even do some scrapbooking (gasp!)!! I'll miss you all -- see you in a week!!!! :)

Stamps: Friendship Flowers (Artful Inkables) Ink: Basic Black, So Saffron, Summer Sun, Certainly Celery, Old Olive (SU!) Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Old Olive, watercolor paper (SU!) Paper: Spring Flowers (SU!) Other: Giga Scalloped Square punch (Marvy Uchida); Peony Dew Drops (Robin's Nest); Stardust Stickles (Ranger); dotted organdy ribbon (May Arts); Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain, 3/16" corner rounder, Aquapainter, stampin' dimensionals (SU!)

ATS Challenge #5: Background Stamps

Happy Wednesday, everyone! I hope your week has been a great one so far! We are enjoying some gorgeous, cool weather this week -- sunny and temps in the 70's! I'm lovin' it! :)

Today is ATS Challenge Day. This week's challenge is to use Background Stamps instead of patterned paper. If you visit me often, you know that I've become very attached to my patterned paper, so this was the perfect challenge for me!

On this card, I used the Hearts Big Ol' Background stamp by C.C. Designs. I stamped it in Chocolate Chip ink onto Barely Banana cardstock. The monkey and sentiment are from the Itzie Inkies set Monkey Love, and the heart is from Love Ya Lots. The monkey image was colored with Copics. I sponged Chocolate Chip ink around the edges of the white and banana cardstock.

Okay, you know how I just mentioned that I'm attached to my patterned paper? Well, this next card was actually the first card I made for the challenge. Only after it was finished did I realize that I not only used patterned paper on my card, but I actually stamped the background stamps onto patterned paper!! I really like it, even though I didn't follow the rules! But, I did make the monkey card, so I redeemed myself, right? ;) I used all four C.C. Designs Big Ol' Backgrounds on this card: Stripes, Polka Dots, Hearts, and Plaid. The image and sentiment are from Love Ya Lots. I colored Lulu with my Prismacolor pencils blended with OMS.

Wanna play along with us? Upload your projects to SCS or the All That Scraps Gallery, and use the keyword ATSDTC05. The Design Team projects will be posted on the ATS Blog sometime today, so you can link your creation to that post, too!

That's all for me today! Now I'm off to finish up our laundry and packing! I'll have more to share tomorrow before we leave, so I hope you'll visit again! Thanks so much for stopping by -- have a great day! :)

Monkey Card

Stamps: Monkey Love, Love Ya Lots, Hearts Big Ol' Background (C.C. Designs) Ink: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose (SU!); Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko) Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, Regal Rose (SU!); C.C. Designs White Cardstock Other: Ciao Markers (Copic); Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain, Photo Corners punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, stamping sponge, dimensionals (SU!)

Lulu Card

Stamps: Love Ya Lots, Big Ol' Backgrounds (C.C. Designs) Ink: Basic Brown, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive (SU!) Cardstock: Chocolate Chip (SU!); C.C. Designs White Cardstock Paper: Infuse 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Prismacolor Pencils; Turpenoid and blending stumps; Mega Square Punch, Giga Scalloped Square Punch (Marvy Uchida); Word Window punch, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain, stamping sponge, stampin' dimensionals (SU!); Peony Dew Drops (Robin's Nest)

Beautiful Hummingbird

I recently purchased my first stamps from Artful Inkables. Isn't this Hummingbird Set beautiful? I stamped it in Chocolate Chip Craft ink and heat embossed it with Iridescent Ice embossing powder. I love the look of that ink and EP together -- it gives a shimmery, coppery look to the image. I stamped directly onto the BasicGrey Perhaps paper. The sentiment is from the set Motivational Centers, from Mona Lisa Moments by Cornish Heritage Farms. I stamped it in Chocolate Chip ink. I rounded one set of opposing corners on the sentiment panel and mat, and I mounted it on Pop Dots. I machine stitched around the edges, then I added some ribbon and Dew Drops to finish the card.

Tomorrow is ATS Challenge Day -- I hope you'll stop back! Thanks so much for the visit -- have a great day! :)

Stamps: Hummingbird Set (Artful Inkables), Motivational Centers (CHF) Ink: Chocolate Chip Craft, Chocolate Chip Classic (SU!) Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Perhaps 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Iridescent Ice EP, heat tool, 3/16" corner rounder (SU!); Peony Dew Drops (Robin's Nest); brown scalloped satin ribbon, pop dots, sewing machine and brown thread

Why Not?

Today is my wedding anniversary. Chris and I have been married 18 years. It's hard to believe. Sometimes it seems like yesterday, and sometimes it feels like a lifetime has passed. I made this card to give to Chris. The photo is of us on our wedding day. Geez, we were young! ;)

The background is the Scalloped Tile Backgrounder and the sentiment is from Motivational Centers. Both are from Cornish Heritage Farms. Cardstock and brads are from SU!. The gorgeous 1" black organdy ribbon is from Flourishes.

You might think this is an odd sentiment for an anniversary card, but really it describes our marriage perfectly. Over the years, there have been a lot of "Why Nots" in response to our own questions: Is it time to start a family? Should we have child #2? Should I get my Masters Degree? Should Chris start his own business? Should we move to a new home? Should we have child #3? Should we try again after our miscarriage? Should we have child #4? Should I pursue my love of paper crafting? Should I apply for that Design Team? Each time we asked those questions (and many others), the only answer was "Why not?" -- all we needed to do was follow our hearts and put everything in God's hands. It has worked pretty well so far, and it has made for a very interesting life. :)

If you're still reading, thank you. :)

I'll have more for you this week as my countdown to vacation begins! Thank you so much for visiting today -- have a fantastic Monday! :)

For Dad

Hello! Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there! Here's the card I made for my Dad. The card size is 4.25" square. I used the stamp set King of the Grill by Rupa Shevde for Gina K. Designs. I paper pieced the golf bag and colored the stamp with SU! markers. To create the golf ball, I ran a piece of white cardstock through my Cuttlebug in the Tiny Bubbles folder. I punched out a 1 1/4" circle and flipped the cardstock over so the bubbles were inverted. It looks just like the dimples on a golf ball, don't you think? I matted it on a 1 3/8" Ballet Blue circle. The tabs were made with a SU! Large Oval punch -- I cut it in half to create the two tabs. Then I tied some natural hemp twine through them. I added some Rich Regals brads, and that's it! I like the clean, simple design -- just right for a masculine card.

Next week I'll be cramming a lot into a few days -- I'm going to create as much as I can before we leave next weekend for our Disney Cruise!! I'm already knee-deep in laundry, and I haven't even begun to pack! It'll get done, one way or another! ;) Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a fantastic day! :)

Stamps: King of the Grill (Gina K. Designs) Ink: Basic Black Cardstock: Really Rust, Ballet Blue, Whisper White (SU!) Tools: Cuttlebug & Tiny Bubbles embossing folder (Provo Craft), lg oval punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1/8" handheld punch (SU!)Accessories: natural hemp twine, markers (Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel), Rich Regal Brads, dimensionals (SU!)

Father's Day Projects

Happy Saturday! I have a couple of Father's Day projects to share with you. The first is a frame for my husband. I can't remember where I picked up this frame, but I think it was Michaels. It's the kind where the photo "floats" between two panes of glass. This is one of my favorite photos of my kids, taken in November on Anna's 6th birthday. All the embellishing on the frame is done on the top (front) glass.

On the left side of the glass, I partially stamped two backgrounders from Cornish Heritage Farms. I stamped Large Polka Dots in White Stazon, and I stamped Lined Paper in Timber Brown Stazon. I added a cluster of buttons in the corner. I tied some natural hemp twine through the clear button for some added texture. The buttons are attached with glue dots.

On the right side of the glass, I added some SU! chipboard accents. I covered the bracket with BasicGrey Stella Ruby paper, then I sanded the edges. On the letters, I covered them in SU! Chocolate Chip Craft ink, then I added a little White Craft ink to the edges. The chipboard is also attached with glue dots.

I actually CASEd myself on this card. I had made a similar one a few months ago, when this C.C. Designs set Handyman Jack was first released at All That Scraps. I made this one a pocket card with lots of "hardware" (SU! Vintage Brads and Jumbo Eyelets). I used the SU! Weathered background stamp to create the wood look, and I sponged all the edges. I stamped the nail image repeatedly on the BasicGrey paper to create my own "patterned paper." The images were colored with Copics.

You can see here how it pulls out to reveal a gift card. You could also just write a message there!

I'll have one more Father's Day card to show you tomorrow - it's my Dad's card. I hope you'll stop back! This morning we're going to an early Father's Day breakfast at my parents' house. My brother, SIL, and nephew are in town (they live in Charlotte, NC). I can't wait to see them! I hope you have something fun planned for today -- have a great one! :)

A Double Challenge and New MFT!

Hello! It's been a busy day! I spent most of it in my garden -- planting, weeding, and mulching. I finally sat down to make a card this afternoon, and I decided to play catch-up and combine this week's Color Challenge and Sketch Challenge at SCS. I didn't have to think too much about what image to use, since I got my order from My Favorite Things today! I really love the new My Favorite Things Presents! line. The florals are beautiful yet still have the whimsy that MFT is famous for.

To create the image panel, I stamped the image in Basic Black ink and watercolored with my Aquapainter and inks. I stamped Tres Chic on the cardbase in Regal Rose ink, stamping off once before stamping on the cardstock. For the other two layers I used different patterns of So Saffron Prints, from the 6x6 Prints Sampler. All the edges were sponged with Regal Rose ink. I added some brads and ribbon, and that's it!

Tomorrow is Friday already! I can't believe another week has flown by! I need to get my Father's Day projects finished (started, really), plus my anniversary is coming up Monday. Lots to do! I hope you'll stop back -- thanks so much for visiting today! :)

Stamps: Chamomile (MFT), Tres Chic (SU!) Ink: Basic Black, So Saffron, Regal Rose, Real Red, Old Olive (SU!) Cardstock: So Saffron, Regal Rose, Real Red, watercolor paper (SU!) Paper: 6x6 Prints Sampler Other: Aquapainter, Real Red brads, Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain (SU!); Red dotted organdy (May Arts); sponge, dimensionals

ATS Wednesday Challenge

Happy Wednesday, everyone! It's time for another ATS Design Team Challenge. This week the challenge is to make a gatefold card. They're super easy -- check out the tutorial on SCS HERE. The paper I used is SU! Cutie Pie. I inked up Froggie & Friends again -- I just can't stop using this little turtle! I colored him with my SU! markers, and I sponged around the circles and the sentiment. The balloons were stamped on more Cutie Pie paper and cut out. I added some Stardust Stickles to them for a little sparkle. I mounted everything on dimensionals, and I added some Dew Drops and SU! striped grosgrain.

We'd love for you to play along with us! If you post your card at SCS or in the ATS Gallery, use keyword ATSDTC04. The Design Team samples will be posted on the ATS Blog later on, so feel free to link your card there, too!

I'm glad you stopped by today -- thanks so much for visiting! Have a great day! :)

Stamps: Froggie & Friends (C.C. Designs) Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue (SU!) Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Cutie Pie (SU!) Other: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Bashful Blue striped grosgrain (SU!); Peony Dew Drops (Robin's Nest); Stardust Stickles (Ranger), white Gel Exel pen (Marvy), sponge, dimensionals

Springtini, Anyone?

It's hot today. Really hot. In the 90's, for about the fourth day in a row. I know some of you have hotter weather than this, but this is usually what we get in July or August. Not early June. I'm not a big fan of heat, so a nice cool drink would sure hit the spot. That got me thinking that I haven't inked up this image from Stamping Bella since I got it about a month ago! Today was the day! I colored it with Copics and sponged around the edges. I couldn't help using this sentiment from The Cat's Pajamas -- it makes me smile every time! :) The background is from C.C. Designs. It's stamped in white craft ink and heat embossed with white EP. I Cuttlebugged the half circle with the Bloom Dots embossing folder. The layout is Jen del Muro's Sketch for You to Try -- it's a fun one!

The girls are running through the sprinkler, and I promised them some ice cream, so I'm off to see what they're up to. I hope you stay cool today -- thanks so much for stopping by! :)

Stamps: Springtini (Stamping Bella), sentiment (TCP), Polka Dots Big Ol' Background (C.C. Designs) Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko); White Craft, Regal Rose, Basic Black (SU!) Cardstock: Summer Sun, Regal Rose, Old Olive, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: "V" Monograms (American Crafts) Other: Copic Markers; Cuttlebug and Bloom Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft); Old Olive and Regal Rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon (SU!); scallop circle punch and 1 3/8" circle punch (SU!); white Gel Exel pen (Marvy); scallop scissors (Fiskars); stamping sponge, dimensionals, heat tool

I'm a MFT Ambassador!

Hey, everyone! Just wanted to share some fun news! I was chosen to be a MFT Ambassador for July! Mothermark is the MFT Guest Designer, and Louisvillecards is the other Ambassador. Check out THIS post on the MFT Forum for more details.

As an ambassador I will receive the new mini set for July and a $10.00 off coupon redeemable for anything in the store. Plus I get to join in on the fun by hosting one of 2 Ambassador challenges posted during the release party in July! How cool is that?!?

Thanks for letting me share my news, and thanks so much for all your wonderful comments on my challenge entries! You don't know how much I appreciate it! Have a fantastic day!! :)

Let's Go Shopping!

Hello! Here's a little shopping tote I made as another entry in the MFT Guest Designer challenge. This idea just popped in my head yesterday afternoon, so I got busy right away (I have to do that or the ideas are gone -- must be an over-40 thing). Anyway, I think it turned out so cute! I got the template for this little tote from my SU! upline a couple years ago. It's 3 1/4 inches high, 3 inches wide, and 1 inch deep, and is made from an 8x6 piece of cardstock. I'll try to give you the template later on. I think it's really designed to be a mini note card holder, but I thought it would be cute filled with gift cards since it looks like a shopping bag! :)

The Regal Rose layer is Cuttlebugged with the Spots & Dots embossing folder. I colored the image with Copics. The tabs were made with a 3/4" circle punch. Of course I had to add a little bling to the bag! I crinkled and cut some more Regal Rose cardstock to be the filler.

Since this post has a shopping theme, I want to tell you about a sale Christine is having at All That Scraps. She needs to make room for new items, so some things have to go! Here are the deets from Christine:

We need to move out some of the slower moving items that are taking up space.

We are starting out at 25% on most items and will continue to discount them until they are gone. But once they are gone they are gone, they will not be restocked.

Some of the items are Cuttlekids, Disney Cuttlebug, Pattern Paper, Tins, Alterable Purses,

Cardstock (Bazzil and Prism), Big Shot.

Instead of having the items in the main category they have all been moved into the *Sale*Sale*Sale* category to make it easier to find the items that are on sale.

We will also have 4 or 5 -8 1/2" x 11" Paper Racks that we will be getting rid of. We will sell them for $45.00 plus you pay shipping. If you are interested please let me know.

Make sure to check back as we will be adding items.

New items in stock:

Hello Sunshine
Scor Pal

Coming Soon:

KI Memories Blooms
My Minds Eye Garden Party
K & Co Wild Saffron
Imaginesce's new collections
Adirondack Pigment Pads

Well, that's all for today! I hope you have something fun planned for your weekend! Chris and I are going to a wedding this afternoon, then tonight we're bowling with some friends from work. I haven't bowled in forever -- hopefully I don't hurt myself! ;) Have a great day -- thanks for the visit!

Stamps: Say Charge (MFT) Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Basic Black, Regal Rose (SU!) Cardstock: Basic Black, Regal Rose, Whisper White (SU!) Tools: oval punches, 3/4" circle punch, stamping sponge (SU!); Cuttlebug, Spots & Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft), paper crimper (Fiskars) Accessories: Ciao Markers (Copic); black brads, black grosgrain ribbon (SU!); black dotted organdy ribbon (May Arts); rhinestone, pop dots

A Garden Journal

Hello! Well, today was the last day of school for Anna. She's now officially a big First Grader! She was the last of my kids to finish. Each one finished on a different day -- two last week and two this week. Megan's 8th grade graduation was last night. I can't believe I'll have two in high school next year! Yikes! I guess we're in summer mode now -- no more waking up at 6:40 am! :)

Here's my project for the MFT Guest Designer Challenge. This month's challenge is to use black cardstock and a black embellishment on your project. In deciding what project to do, I spotted my SU! 5x5 chipboard journal in my stash of things to alter. I have been wanting to make myself a garden journal to keep track of new plants, vegetables that didn't do as well as I'd hoped, names of plants that have too many syllables for me to remember on my own, and other notes about my plantings. The logical choice for my stamp set was Can Ya Dig It?.

I had a lot of fun making this journal. I covered the front with Afternoon Tea paper. The images are colored with Copics. I paper pieced her gloves. To make it look like she is holding the flower, I cut the gloves apart, glued down her left glove, stamped the flower over it, then attached the right glove with a rolled up glue dot. I stamped "Love grows" on the Prima flower in black Stazon, then inserted a black brad through the middle. I made the scallops on the black cardstock with a 3/16" corner rounder (paper guide removed), and I punched 1/8" holes in each scallop. I stamped the sentiment in white craft ink and embossed it with white EP. Then I added ribbons and a tag -- I love how it turned out!

Cross your fingers for me -- I'd love to be the MFT Guest Designer!! Thanks for visiting today -- have a great day! The weekend is just around the corner! :)

Stamps: Can Ya Dig It? (MFT) Ink: Brilliance Graphite black (Tsukineko) White Craft (SU!) Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Afternoon Tea (SU!) Tools: corner rounder, spiral punch, circle punches, heat tool (SU!) Accessories: Copic Markers; Soft Sky stitched grosgrain ribbon, black gingham ribbon, black grosgrain ribbon, silver cord, Stampin' Dimensionals, white embossing powder (SU!); black dotted organdy (May Arts); flower (Prima)

ATS Wednesday Challenge

Hi, everyone! Happy Wednesday! I want to say a big hello to my fellow DT members and to all the ladies who chatted with us at the C.C. Designs release party last night! It was fun!!

Today is ATS Challenge day, and this week it's a color challenge: Summer Sun, Wild Wasabi, and Chocolate Chip. I used Froggie and Friends for this 4.25" x 4.25" square card. It's a pretty simple design, but I think it turned out cute! The images in this set are adorable and lend themselves to so many possibilities! I colored the images with my Aquapainter and inks. I didn't have any brown brads, and I wanted some, so I colored the Vintage Brads with a brown Copic marker.

Stop by the All That Scraps Blog later today to see what the Design Team did with these colors! Play along with us and link to that post, or upload your project to SCS or the ATS Gallery. Use keyword ATSDTC03. We'd love to see what you create! Thank you for visiting today -- I'm always glad when you stop by! Have a great day! :)

Stamps: Froggie and Friends (C.C. Designs) Ink: Basic Brown, Summer Sun, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip (SU!) Cardstock: Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Wild Wasabi Prints (SU!) Tools: Giga Scalloped Square Punch (Marvy Uchida), 3/16" corner rounder, Aquapainter (SU!) Accessories: Wild Wasabi stitched grosgrain, Vintage Brads, dimensionals, stamping sponge (SU!); flowers (Prima)

A Color Challenge Card

Hey there! Today I had a chance to play with the Color Challenge colors -- Real Red, Soft Sky, and Blue Bayou. I decided to do an all-SU! design, because I don't do that nearly enough anymore! All the images are from True Friend.

I inked the top of the flower with Soft Sky and thumped it with a Real Red marker. The bottom was inked with Blue Bayou. I added a Not Quite Navy brad to the flower center. For the sentiment, I used post-it notes to mask off the brackets before inking it with Blue Bayou. I knew I wanted to use a 1 3/8" circle punch, so I had to eliminate the brackets to make it fit. I added some dots to the scallops and faux stitching to the photo corner with a white gel pen.

I want to remind you to stop by the All That Scraps Message Board tonight at 10:30 ET for the C.C. Designs release party. The new stamps will be available at 12:01 AM at All That Scraps. I'll be back tomorrow with the ATS Wednesday Challenge. Thanks for visiting today -- I really appreciate it! :)

Stamps: True Friend Ink: Real Red, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou Cardstock: Soft Sky, Real Red, Blue Bayou, Whisper White Paper: Real Red Prints 6x6 Tools: 1 3/8" circle punch, scallop circle punch, photo corners punch, 3/16" corner rounder Accessories: brad, white gel pen, grosgrain, dimensionals, stamping sponge

Just Sittin' Around...

Hi there! Happy Monday! It is a gorgeous morning here -- sunny, clear blue sky -- and I'm sitting in my kitchen with the window open listening to my girls playing outside. My neighbor is mowing her lawn, and it smells so great. It doesn't get any better... :)

Oh, I guess I should get to the card, huh? This card was made with Froggie and Friends, one of the June C.C. Designs releases. I LOVE this set!!! There are 24 -- yes, 24 -- stamps in the set. I used six of them on this card: frog, lily pad, cattails, fly, hat, and sentiment. The others include a turtle, snail, hopping frog, dragonfly, and more sentiments and accessories. It's such a cute set with all the pond pals! The cardstock, paper, ribbon and brads are all part of the kit Christine put together to go with this set. It will be available with the new releases this Wednesday, June 4, at 12:01 AM.

I colored most of the images with Copics, but for the lily pad I used a combination of Copics and Prismacolor Pencils. I saw Julie Ebersole do it on THIS blog post, and it gives great depth and shading to your images. The Copic colorless blender blends the pencil color right into the Copic color -- it's so cool! I used Marvy punches for the circles, and I added dots to the scallops with a white gel pen. I drew in a water line and colored over Froggie's eyes with a black gel pen, and I sponged around the white circle with SU! Bashful Blue ink. The sentiment was punched out with a SU! Word Window punch and sponged with Bashful Blue ink. The hat was cut out and mounted on a rolled up glue dot.

Don't forget to visit the ATS Blog for Design Team samples and giveaways of the new sets! Also, please join us tomorrow night at 10:30 pm at the ATS Message Board -- we'll have a little party before the release at midnight! Thanks for visiting today -- have a fantastic day! :)

Ahoy There!

Hello! I hope you are having a great weekend! Just one thing before I talk about my card -- if you have a chance to see Jersey Boys, DO IT!!! It was fantastic!! :)

Now, here's Virginia. She is one of the June stamps by C.C. Designs, available June 4. I made this card with a kit I received from Christine at All That Scraps. Just like last month, she's offering supplies that coordinate with the sets, and they'll be featured with the new releases. All the cardstock, paper, and embellishments coordinate, so a lot of the thinking is done for you! ;) I colored Virginia with Copics and paper pieced her pants. I used a green marker to add some faux stitching around the sentiment. That's about it!

Be sure to stop by the ATS Blog for more samples and giveaways! Tomorrow I'll show you Froggie & Friends, so I hope you'll be back! I'm off to get my vegetable garden in order -- that means more homemade salsa this summer! Yum! Have a great day -- thanks so much for stopping by! :)