SCS Challenge Cards

Happy Thursday, everyone! I'm taking a break between MFT and ATS previews so I can share some other things I worked on this week!

This first card was for last Friday's SCS Limited Supplies Challenge to use black and white only. I had a lot of fun with this, although I so badly wanted to add a splash of color! :) The main image is Enjoy the Moment, from American Art Stamp. I stamped En Francais on the white flower from the SU! Pretties Kit, and I used a Stardust pen on her hat.

My second card is for this week's SCS Color Challenge. I decided to use more of my new SU! goodies to make an SU! only card. This tree image is just so beautiful -- I know I'll be using it a lot! Unfortunately, I needed a sympathy card this week, so the challenge was a good reason to make one.

Thanks for taking a look at my challenge cards! I'll be back tomorrow with previews of the new All That Scraps releases -- coming Monday, April 6!

Before I go, I wanted to let you know that Christine is celebrating the second anniversary of C.C. Designs, and she's having a SALE through April 6! Click HERE to find out more! :)

Thanks for stopping by today -- have a fantastic day!

Christina

Enjoy the Moment

Stamps: Enjoy the Moment (AAS), En Francais (SU!) Ink: Blackbird Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink (Clearsnap) Cardstock: Basic Black, white Paper: Rockabilly dsp (SU!) Other: Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft); Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders); black flower (Prima); eyelet border punch, Pretties Kit, organza ribbon (SU!); black dotted organdy ribbon (May Arts); black button (BasicGrey) Stardust gelly roll pen (Sakura); sponge, dimensionals

Praying for You (all products SU!)

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Paper: Bella Rose dsp Other: 5/16" brads, scallop edge punch, Riding Hood Red striped grosgrain ribbon, paper piercer, mat pack, sponge, dimensionals

Bittersweet Coffee

Happy Monday! This day, like every other day, began with a BIG ol' mug of coffee, in the same mug I use every morning. I *love* coffee. Sometimes I go to bed thinking about the next morning's coffee. No joke. :)

So, when I saw Friday's Limited Supplies Challenge to use only a sentiment, this one was an easy choice. It's from Coffee with Friends by Flourishes. I thought it paired well with the browns in this Bittersweet paper.

As the challenge suggested, I dressed up the card with papers, embellishments and punches. I embossed the brown paper with the Swiss Dots folder, and I machine stitched around the paisley panel.

I'm off to finish my coffee -- thanks so much for stopping by! :)

Have a wonderful day!
Christina

Stamps: Coffee with Friends (Flourishes) Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink (SU!) Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate (SU!) Paper: Bittersweet 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft); Obsession flowers (Prima); Bittersweet button (BasicGrey), scalloped ribbon (May Arts); Branch punch (Martha Stewart); pink fibers; sewing machine, sponge, dimensionals

Limited Supplies Card

Happy Saturday -- and happy St. Nick's Day! :) Today's card is for yesterday's Limited Supplies Challenge at SCS. The "list" to follow was: it had to be a monochromatic card, only snowflake images could be used, there had to be bling somewhere on the project, and the sentiment had to be one word.

It came together pretty easily, and I like the way it turned out! There's something I just love about brown snowflake cards!

I'm leaving soon for our annual holiday shopping trip with Megan, my sisters-in-law, and my nieces -- wish me luck! ;) I hope you have something fun planned today -- have a fantastic day! Thanks so much for stopping by! :)

Stamps: Snowflake Serenade (Papertrey Ink) Ink: Close to Cocoa (SU!) Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla (SU!) Paper: Garland (Scenic Route) Other: Cuttlebug, Snowflakes embossing folder (Provo Craft); brown dotted organdy ribbon (May Arts); Gemstones (Hero Arts); snowflake punches (Martha Stewart), 1/8" handheld punch, dimensionals (SU!)

Believe in the Magic!

Happy Saturday! Here's the card I made for yesterday's Limited Supplies Challenge at SCS, Single Blue Eye. The challenge was to use a single sheet of designer paper, blue somewhere on the card, and only eyelets and one ribbon as embellishments. You can click on the photo for a better view.

The image and sentiment are from the cling set Winter Wonderland by American Art Stamp. I am in love with Karen Stolper's leggy people! I recently purchased a few sets, so you'll be seeing more of them! :) I colored with a blender pen and SU! inks, and I sponged around the image and sentiment. The paper is BasicGrey Figgy. I distressed the edges of the paper and cardstock with my SU! Cutter Kit. I finished the inside of the card as well.

I have another busy Saturday ahead -- a soccer game and cross country meet this morning, and tonight we're co-hosting a gift gathering party for an upcoming fundraiser. Tomorrow I'll be back with my Sunday Supper recipe! Have a great day, everyone -- thanks so much for stopping by!

Stamps: Winter Wonderland (AAS) Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko); Soft Sky, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Close to Cocoa (SU!) Cardstock: Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Figgy 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Cutter Kit, Soft Sky stitched grosgrain, white eyelets, blender pen, sponge, dimensionals

Megan's Card and Some Awards

Hello! Happy Saturday to you! Here's a card I made for yesterday's Limited Supplies Challenge at SCS. The challenge was "A Little Something" -- something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. I made this card for Megan, who has her first Cross Country meet today. Go, Megan! Here are the "somethings" in my card:

Something Old: I stamped the shirt on old SU! paper, Spring Flowers.
Something New: I used my new set from Gina K. Designs, "Little Tees."
Something Borrowed: I "borrowed" THIS DESIGN from Carolyn King.
Something Blue: Megan's school colors are blue and gold, so I used blue cardstock and ribbon.

I used Circle Nestabilities around the image, and I used two Cuttlebug folders -- Spots & Dots and Swiss Dots. I used SU! oval punches on the sentiment. I'm really happy with it -- and I hope it brings Megan luck! :)

Now, I have a couple of awards to show you...

I received this award from two people. Mauna from Ink~Paper~Scissors gave it to me about a month ago, but I forgot to post it -- so sorry, Mauna!! I received it again this week from Denise at The Crafty Den. Thank you so much, ladies!!

This award came from my ATS Design Teammate, Jeanette Fincher. You can visit her at her blog, Lagniappe. She's very talented, and she's a sweetheart, too! Thanks, Jeanette! :)

That's all for me today! I hope you have a great weekend planned! Thanks so much for stopping by today -- have a fantastic day! :)

Playing Challenge Catch-up!

Happy Saturday! I hope you are having a good weekend so far! Here's a project I worked on last night. It seems like I haven't done any SCS challenges for a while, so I combined a few on this one! I did Thursday's Ways to Use It Challenge (Copics) and Friday's Limited Supplies Challenge (snowmen). I also did last week's Wednesday Tutorial (Diaper Fold Pouch).

I turned mine into a door hanger by adding some ribbon tied through Jumbo Eyelets. The images are from Baby It's Cold Outside by My Favorite Things. I paper pieced her coat and colored the rest with Copics. I added a little sparkle to the snow and her boot trim with some Stickles. There is a rhinestone in the center of the snowflake in the corner.

I filled this pouch with cocoa packets and peppermint stirrers, but my head is already spinning with other ideas. Halloween treats, a Christmas door hanger, birthday gift, Valentines candy -- so many possibilities! I think you may see another of these from me in the near future! ;)

I'm off to take Megan and three of her friends shopping for the day, since her birthday is tomorrow. An entire day with four 14-year-old girls -- wish me luck!! ;) I hope you have a great day -- thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Baby It's cold Outside (MFT) Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko) Paper: Winter Bright SS Kit - retired (SU!) Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Whisper White (SU!) Other: Ciao Markers (Copic); 1 1/4" circle punch, Bashful Blue Striped Grosgrain, Jumbo Eyelets, Soft Subtles brads (SU!); Frosted Lace Stickles, Stardust Stickles (Ranger); rhinestone, dimensionals

Alphabet Sentiments

Happy Friday!!! Geez, where do the weeks go? Here's a card I made today -- it was supposed to be for the Limited Supplies Challenge, but I kinda strayed from the challenge. The challenge is to use alphabet stamps as a sentiment and as the focal image of the card. Well, I used alphabet stamps for my sentiment (Playful Caps from CTMH), but it's not exactly the focal image! I needed a graduation card for my neighbor, and I HAD to use Diplomabella, so I guess the sentiment and the Bella are sharing the stage on this one! The school colors are -- you guessed it -- blue and gold. The paper is SU! More Mustard Prints, and the cardstock is SU! Night of Navy and Whisper White. I colored with Copics, sponged the edges with More Mustard ink, and added Xmas Red Stickles to the roses. I pierced around the edge and embellished with SU! brads and May Arts satin ribbon.

While we're on the topic of alphabet stamps as the sentiment, I have something exciting to share with you!! This card is in the June/July 2008 issue of Paper Crafts Magazine!! It's my first Paper Crafts pub!! WOOHOO!!!

Thanks so much for the visit today -- I hope you have a great weekend!! :)

Limited Supplies: No Tools!

Happy Friday, everyone! Ihave a card to share for today's Limited Supplies Challenge. The challenge is no tools -- that means no punches, no piercing tool, no Cuttlebug, no Crop-a-dile, no sewing machine -- you get the point. Any embellishments are those can be applied without the use of a tool. This was a good challenge for me -- I didn't realize how dependent I had become on my tools. So here's my "back to basics" card. This card is for my niece who will be one year old tomorrow -- happy birthday, Abby! :) I'm actually making her a birthday set to go with the card -- I'll share the rest with you later! The stamps are from Birthday Whimsy (Sale-A-Bration) and the paper is Spring Fling. I inked the cake stamp with markers, then I added a little sparkle with some Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I sponged around the panel with So Saffron ink. For my embellishments, I tied some ribbon through a Two Scoops button, then I stacked the button and Prima flowers. They are attached to each other and to the card with glue dots. I added some faux stitches in the corner with a white gel pen, and I created the "holes" with a Sage Shadow marker.

The photo doesn't do this card justice -- it is definitely prettier and sweeter in real life! I am having a hard time with my photos lately -- UGH!! Oh well...

I hope you're having a great day so far. Thanks for making me a part of it -- I really appreciate you stopping by! :)

All supplies Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Birthday Whimsy Ink: So Saffron, Sage Shadow Markers: Sage Shadow, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron Cardstock: Sage Shadow, So Saffron, Whisper White Paper: Spring Fling DSP Other: DD glitter, glue dots, dimensionals, sponge, flowers (Prima Marketing), button (BasicGrey), ribbon May Arts)

Using Up Leftovers

Today's Limited Supplies Challenge is to use leftovers -- scraps of paper, leftover ribbon, etc. -- on your project. Luckily for me, I haven't cleaned up my table for a while, so I had a lot of stuff to use! ;) The scraps of paper, cardstock and ribbon were left from previous projects, and I already had the image stamped and sitting there waiting to be colored. I colored her with Copics and added Stickles to the skirt and puddle. To create the scallop, I picked up my SU! Corner Rounder (also sitting on the table from a previous project) and scalloped the front edge of the card. The flowers are Sweets from Making Memories. I set white eyelets into the small ones and used my scrap of ribbon on the large one.

That's it! I made a card and used up leftovers -- two things accomplished! Maybe I'll get around to cleaning up the rest of my mess now! Thanks for stopping by -- have a great weekend! :)

Stamps: Rain or Shine (My Favorite Things) Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Basic Black Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Green Galore, Shimmery White (SU!) Paper: Romani (BasicGrey) Other: Copics, Baby Blue Stickles, Cotton Candy Stickles, corner rounder, Making Memories Sweets, Bazzill white eyelets, Marvy white gel pen, glue dots, dimensionals

Limited Supplies: Mini Focal Point

I didn't think I'd have a chance to post again today, but my little girls went to a neighbor's house to play, so I had some bonus stamping time! I checked out today's Limited Supplies Challenge -- using mini stamps as the focal point. The focal image had to be a stamp no bigger than 1.5 x 1.5". We had to limit the embellishments to one and tools to only two, plus limit the card layers. For my focal image, I used this little wreath from BasicGrey's Winterland set. I just got this set from Jacksonbelle Embellishments, and I *love* it! The images are beautiful -- you'll be seeing more of it in the very near future, I'm sure! The background is SU! En Francais. The cardstock is SU! Cranberry Crisp, Chocolate Chip, and Very Vanilla. The paper is Wonderland by Cosmo Cricket. I obviously love this combination, because it's almost identical to my Sketch Challenge card a few posts ago! Ink pads I used were Chocolate Chip, Cranberry Crisp, and Certainly Celery (to sponge around the image panel). I also used markers (Cranberry Crisp and Chocolate Chip) for the bird and faux stitching. My two specialty tools are a paper piercer and stamping sponge. My one embellishment is the 5/8" Chocolate Chip grosgrain. I sooooooo badly wanted to add Cinnamon Stickles to the wreath, but that would be another embellishment!!

I have a confession to make. The ribbon was originally placed higher on the card, but I totally screwed up when I stamped the sentiment, so the ribbon went to the bottom to cover it! I think I actually like it better down there! No sentiment anymore, but that's okay.

That's it for today -- please stop back tomorrow for my exciting announcement! Also, don't forget -- All That Scraps is releasing the new C.C. Designs stamps TONIGHT at midnight!!!

I think I might go downstairs and get the Cinnamon Stickles now... ;)

Sensational Snowflakes

Two posts in one day! Everyone in my family has been home today, so we just spent the day watching Christmas movies and playing games. I had lots of time to play with new stamps! I just received Snowflake Serenade from Papertrey Ink, and it was great that I could use it for today's Limited Supplies Challenge -- Sensational Snowflakes. I did the first card in browns, to follow the challenge guidelines, then I made another in greens. Let me tell you, I'm lovin' this set! The images are so elegant, and I can imagine so many color combinations on cards and gifts!

Chris and I are headed out to find a tree and decorations for his office -- I hope the crowds aren't too bad! I plan to get started on my decorations at home this weekend, but I'm sure I'll squeeze in a little stamping, too! ;) Have a great night!

Card 1

Stamps: Snowflake Serenade (PTI) Ink: Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Cranberry Crisp (SU!) Cardstock: Kraft, Cranberry Crisp, Whisper White (SU!) Other: cranberry stitched grosgrain, corner rounder, rhinestone, sponge, dimensionals

Card 2

Stamps: Snowflake Serenade (PTI) Ink: Sahara Sand, Mellow Moss, Cranberry Crisp (SU!) Cardstock: Mellow Moss, Cranberry Crisp, Whisper White (SU!) Other: cranberry stitched grosgrain, corner rounder, rhinestone, sponge, dimensionals

Halloween Stamps with a Twist!

Today's Limited Supplies Challege is to use Halloween stamps for something other than Halloween. This idea immediately came to mind. If you knew what kind of week it's been around here, you'd understand... :)

I used this adorable Bitzy Bugz Witchy stamp from C.C. Designs. You can find it at All That Scraps. It's in the Halloween Set, and it's also sold individually. I stamped her with Basic Black ink and colored her with a blender pen and color from the ink pad lids. The sentiment is computer generated. Nothing too complicated here -- just a fun card with a simple layout and embellishments, perfect for a limited supplies challenge!

I probably should give this to Chris, huh?? ;) Have a great day -- thanks for visiting!!

Stamp: C.C. Designs; Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black, Old Olive, Whisper White (SU!); Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, Certainly Celery (SU!); Other: blender pen, ticket corner punch, scalloped circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1/8" handheld punch, stamping sponge, stampin' dimensionals (all SU!), Cuttlebug and Spots & Dots embossing folder (ProvoCraft), ribbon (May Arts), black gel pen (Marvy), computer

Limited Supplies Challenge and a Tutorial

Today's Limited Supplies Challenge at SCS was Limited Layers. We were to use only 3 or 4 layers and minimal embellishments. For this card, I used the Make a Wish set from Gina K. Designs. It is the second of her Stamps for a Cause, and $7 of each set goes to the Make a Wish Foundation. The technique I used is Poppin' Pastels, and I have a tutorial to show you how it's done!

You will need your stamp, Versamark, pastels, and a sponge dauber (a regular sponge will work, too).

Stamp your image in Versamark on your cardstock.

Using your dauber, sponge pastel color onto the stamped image. It will "stick" to the Versamark. On this image, I used Barely Banana, More Mustard, Rose Red, and Old Olive. Sponge the color around the image as well to create a halo effect.

Add a sentiment or other elements to your panel. Here I stamped the sentiment in Chocolate Chip, sponged the edges with Old Olive ink, and added a bit of glitter glue. Mount the panel onto your card and finish any way you want! :)


I love the softness that this technique gives to an image, and it was perfect for this sympathy card I needed to make. Thanks for stopping to look today -- have a great weekend! :)

Stamps: Make a Wish (Gina K. Designs), En Francais (SU!) Cardstock: Barely Banana, Rose Red, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Stella Ruby (BasicGrey) Ink: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive (SU!) Other: Stampin' Pastels, Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain, Earth Elements brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, Photo Corners Punch, Stampin' Sponge, Sponge Daubers (all SU!), glitter glue (Sulyn Industries)

Sympathy in Blue

Friday the Limited Supplies Challenge at SCS was to make a sympathy card. But, being that it is a limited supplies challenge, there were a few rules: the main image is a flower, one background stamp, one sentiment stamp, NO Cuttlebug or designer paper (gasp!), and fewer embellishments that we would usually have. Jen70, the LSC hostess, also had a Saturday Challenge on her blog to use Bashful Blue. So, I decided to combine the two challenges!

For this card, I used Bashful Blue as the card base. The background stamp is En Francais, stamped in Old Olive ink. I sponged the ink onto the stamp instead of inking it on the pad -- it gave it a lighter, more uneven background. I also used Old Olive to sponge around the edges of the card base. The horizontal panel is Old Olive, and the image is stamped on Whisper White and matted on Old Olive and Chocolate Chip. For the main image, I used Old Olive, Bashful Blue, and Chocolate Chip markers on the stamp ("Blush", by Penny Black). I misted the stamp with water before stamping. I sponged around the panel with Bashful Blue ink. A Ticket Corner punch was used on all the panels. Since I had to "limit" the embellishments I would normally use, I went with Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon (I just *love* that stuff!). My paper piercer gets a workout on most of my cards, so I restrained myself and did faux piercing with a Chocolate Chip marker instead (that counts, right??). The sentiment is from last year's hostess set, Warmest Regards, and it is stamped in Chocolate Chip ink.

I really like this color combination -- soft and subtle, and perfect for the occasion. I don't like making sympathy cards, but this one will be nice to have if I need it. Thanks for visiting today -- have a great Monday! :)

All products Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Limited Supplies Kickstand Card

When I saw the Kickstand Card that Kirsten Dubosque (aka ked) created and posted on her blog, I thought it was the cutest thing! I've been dying to try one, so I combined it with today's Limited Supplies Challenge at SCS. I would have put more "stuff" on this card, but hey, it was a limited supplies challenge! :) I used SU! River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, and Naturals Ivory cardstock, and the patterned paper is BasicGrey Stella Ruby. The challenge had us use an image that we could color, so I chose Flowahbella from Stamping Bella. We had limited embellishments to use also, so I chose ribbon (Offray) and my ever-present paper piercer. We could use one sentiment, so of course I picked up this Stamping Bella sentiment to go with my Bella. I stamped with SU! Chocolate Chip ink and colored with Prismacolor Pencils. I blended the pencil with Turpenoid and blending stumps. Pretty simple and straightforward, but I like it! Be sure to check out Kirsten's blog -- she is so talented, and her Kickstand Cards are fantastic! :)

Tonight is our school's Corn Roast, sponsored by the athletic boosters. It's our end-of-summer festival, with grilled corn and other food, games, raffles, rides, and a live band! We'll be there all night, visiting with lots of friends and celebrating Megan's birthday! I hope you all have something fun to do this weekend -- enjoy! :)

Sensational Sentiments

Today's Limited Supplies Challenge at SCS was to use a sentiment as your card background. You could use other background stamps on your card also, but no Cuttlebug or designer papers. It was a fun challenge for me! I never think to use sentiments for backgrounds -- this got me to think out of my usual box.

Here's the card I came up with! I used Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White cardstock. Ink used is Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, and Chocolate Chip. The sentiment and animal images are from the Wild About You set. I also used the Polka Dot background stamp on the Pumpkin Pie panel. My Stamp-a-ma-jig got a workout on this one -- I didn't trust myself to eyeball the sentiment each time, so I used the SAMJ to position it. The Pumpkin Pie panel is matted with Chocolate Chip, and I used Scallop Paper Edgers (Fiskars) on the top and bottom. I used the Paper Piercer and Mat Pack to pierce around the image, then I sponged the edges with Wild Wasabi ink. I punched out a photo corner with the Photo Corners punch, sponged around it with Chocolate Chip, and added Vintage brads. I then added Chocolate Chip and wild Wasabi stitched grosgrain ribbon and mounted the center image and photo corner on Stampin' Dimensionals.

I think this will be a perfect birthday card for one of the many nephews I have! I love how it turned out! :)

All products Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.