Bordering on Romance v2.0

Here is the second card I made using Bordering on Romance today.  This card is for the sketch challenge over at Stamping 411.

This time I used another color combo from the Color Coach.  I wanted to use Island Indigo so chose to pair it with Lucky Limeade and Daffodil Delight.

Looking at the photo now, I'm not so sure about the spikey bits of the Lucky Limeade ribbon.  Maybe I'll cut them a bit shorter.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamps:  Bordering on Romance
Cardstock:  Island Indigo; Lucky Limeade; 2011-13 In Color DSP; Brights DSP; Watercolor Paper
Ink:  Black Stazon
Accessories:  Island Indigo; Lucky Limeade; Daffodil Delight markers; Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon; Lucky Limeade Taffeta Ribbon

Cheers
Karren

Bordering on Romance v1.0

I just love the main image in the set Bordering on Romance - so much so that I used it for two cards today! Here is the first card, which is for the color challenge over at Create with Connie & Mary and the sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches.

I've said it before, but I really like circle elements on cards, so the stamped image was the first part to be completed.  After that, it took me a while to work out how to incorporate the Sahara Sand (although that is used to shade around the flowers, I thought it would be cheating if I left that as the only Sahara Sand LOL).  Finally I came up with the finished product and I'm quite happy with it.  I did make some faux brads using Sahara Sand 1/4" circle punches and Crystal Effects, but I was too impatient to wait for them to dry so I didn't follow the sketch faithfully.  Maybe the ribbon is enough of an element in that area.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamps:  Bordering on Romance
Cardstock:  Sahara Sand; Night of Navy; Peach Parfait; Just Add Cake DSP
Ink:  Black Stazon
Accessories:  Sahara Sand; Night of Navy; Peach Parfait; Always Artichoke; Early Espresso markers; circle cutter; Elegant Lines EF; Peach Parfait Ribbon

Cheers
Karren

Paper Players Sketch Challenge 92

This is my third post of the day!  It's great to get a day to stamp - especially in the middle of the week!

This is my submission for the Paper Players sketch challenge this week:

I started with the Beau Chateau paper which I've had all catalog year but hadn't used.  From there I chose the colors and the card naturally progressed to more of a masculine card, hence the sentiment.  Not sure if the crochet trim is exactly masculine, but I needed to cover the top of the scallop piece.

Here's the sketch, which I really like:

I ran the DSP through the Big Shot with the Finial Press folder, then sanded the embossed areas.  After that I gently sponged Crumb Cake ink over the embossing to "age" the paper.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamps:  Well-Scripted
Cardstock:  Crumb Cake; Marina Mist; Early Espresso; Old Olive
Ink:  Early Espresso; Crumb Cake
Accessories:  Finial Press EF; Little Leaves Sizzlet; Tasteful Trim die; Scallop border punch; Tags die; Wide Oval Punch; Crochet Trim

Cheers
Karren

Bella Toile

I just love Bella Toile and combining it with my favorite current In Color, Calypso Coral, makes me happy. This card is for two challenges this week - Friday Mashup to use Versamark Resist and also Create with Connie & Mary which was a sketch challenge.

Again, I used the Color Coach for my color combo - those people at Stampin' Up! sure know how to combine colors!  I would never have thought of putting these three colors together, yet they work.

I stamped Bella Toile on Whisper White with Versamark, then sponged over the top with Calypso Coral to reveal the stamped image underneath.  I made some DSP flowers using the Boho Blossoms Punch and mounted them onto the card with dimensionals.

Here is the sketch:

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamps:  Bella Toile; Petite Pairs
Cardstock:  Baja Breeze; Whisper White; 2011-13 In Color DSP; Brights DSP
Ink:  Versamark; Calypso Coral
Accessories:  Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon; Boho Blossoms Punch; Big Shot Tags Die; Wide Oval Punch

Cheers
Karren

Stamping 411 - Love and Care

I don't normally get a chance to stamp mid-week, but today is a holiday as it is ANZAC Day here in New Zealand.  Today is the day we remember the servicemen who played a part in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915 as well as all other wars our troops have been sent to.

I decided to spend some of my day off stamping (of course LOL).  I made a card for this week's Stamping 411 sketch challenge.  Here is the sketch I worked with:

I decided I wanted to do some emboss resist and chose Pear Pizzazz as my starter color.  From there, I used the Color Coach to decide on the color combo of Pear Pizzazz; Cajun Craze and More Mustard.  As Love and Care was already on my desk, I used that.  After embossing and sponging, I splattered some water on the cardstock to give it a bit more interest.  I found some old Earth Elements buttons to embellish the card.

Onto the card:

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamps:  Love and Care
Cardstock:  Pear Pizzazz; Cajun Craze; More Mustard; Whisper White
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz; Basic Black
Accessories:  Cajun Craze; Pear Pizzazz; More Mustard markers; bakers twine; buttons; sponge

Edited to Add:  This card was chosen as one of the operators Top Picks - how cool!

Cheers
Karren

Dexter's Surgery

Our 6-month old puppy, Dexter, was fixed on Friday.  While he was out of it, they also fixed a hernia he was born with.  The poor wee baby was not happy when we got him home and he's not back to his usual self yet.  I feel terrible because he looks at me as if I've betrayed him, but it's the responsible thing to do.  Even though he's a purebred, we have no plans to breed from him, so it made sense to have him neutered.

When we got him home on Friday night, he shot off across the room and hid behind the curtain.  He still spends a bit of time there even now.  We have tried the horrible "cone on the head" to try and stop him licking his wound, but he just stands there like a statue until we remove it.

Here's a page I did in MDS:

I used this week's Stampin' Royalty sketch as the basis for this page.

Love & Care

Here is a card I made to cover both the Color Throwdown challenge and Stampin Queens Sketch Challenge.  Melon Mambo is definitely not a favorite color of mine, yet somehow I quite like the finished card.

I used a retired set called Love & Care and colored the stamp with markers using all four of the challenge colors.  I then ran it through the Designer Frames EF.  As you can see, my Big Shot got a fair bit of use while making this card LOL.

Products used (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated):

Stamps:  Love & Care
Cardstock:  Melon Mambo; Pretty in Pink; Always Artichoke; Flirtatious DSP
Ink:  None
Accessories:  Melon Mambo; Pretty in Pink; Always Artichoke Certainly Celery markers; Adorning Accents Edgelits and EF; Designer Frames EF; Quickutz Doily die; Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon

Cheers
Karren

Apothecary Art Sympathy Card

I had this colored image lying around for a few weeks and thought I'd better put it to use before it got all mangled on my desk.  I copied the technique shown by Amy Celona who does gorgeous work.  This was my first attempt so I stuck to her colors, etc so I could compare at the end.  It's not as good as Amy's but I'm happy with it and will use this technique again.

I decided to use the Freshly Made Sketch challenge and the SUO Challenge to use something from the soon-to-end Occasions Mini.

On to the card.  I decided to keep a monochromatic look and in keeping with the look, went with a sympathy sentiment.

Here's the sketch I worked with:

Products used (all Stampin' Up!)

Stamps:  Apothecary Art; Warmest Regards (retired)

Cardstock:  Not Quite Navy; Whisper White; Regals DSP

Ink:  Black Stazon; Basic Black

Accessories:  Watercolor Wonder Crayons; Blender Pen; White Taffeta ribbon (dyed with Not Quite Navy ink); Pearls

Cheers

Karren

Branch Out

I love the Branch Out stamp set so decided to pull it out to use for this week's Stamping 411 sketch challenge:

I pretty much stuck to the sketch, but I didn't put a sentiment on the front as I don't know yet what this card will be used for.  Of course, it could end up like 90% of my other cards - sitting in a box LOL

Like the card in my previous post, this again uses more masculine colors, although I think the Adorning Accents edges tend it towards a feminine recipient.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!)

Stamps:  Branch Out

Cardstock:  Early Espresso; Cherry Cobbler; Baja Breeze; Very Vanilla

Ink:  Early Espresso; Cherry Cobbler; Baja Breeze

Accessories:  Adorning Accents Edgelits and EF; Baja Breeze Button; Linen Thread

French Foliage

I had some time this weekend to use the sketch from Sketch Frenzy Friday to make a card.  Here's the sketch I worked with:

And here is my card, using French Foliage and lots of sponging:

I really think my favorite cards to make are masculine, which I know is unusual.  Maybe it's because I don't have to fuss with them too much.  Of course it helps that my favorite colors are those that are traditionally used for masculine cards.

Products used:

Stamps:  French Foliage; Something to Celebrate; Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel

Cardstock:  Early Espresso; Always Artichoke; Cherry Cobbler; Crumb Cake

Ink:  Early Espresso; Always Artichoke; Cherry Cobbler; Crumb Cake; Basic Black

Accessories:  Sponges; Linen Thread; Mini Library Clip

Cheers

Karren

Wedding Card - and not a wedding in sight...

Here is my card for the current Stampin' Queens sketch challenge.

I wanted to use the Big Shot Timeless Type Alphabet for my main focal point.  The only thing I could think of was Mr & Mrs so it became a wedding card.  Who knows when I'll get to use it, but I liked how it came out.

Here is the sketch I worked from:

This card is pretty self-explanatory.  The only thing I did which might not be obvious was sponge some white bakers twine to try and match my color scheme of Very Vanilla and Basic Black.  I sponged with Crumb Cake ink.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

Cardstock:  Basic Black; Very Vanilla; Mocha Morning DSP

Ink:  Crumb Cake

Accessories:  Timeless Type Big Shot Alpha; Neutrals Buttons; Bakers Twine; Sponge

Cheers

Karren

Card for Anthea

I have got the week off from work this week, and someone very kindly sent me a text yesterday to let me know that one of our workmates has been selected as a para-equestrian at this year's Paralympics in London!  How exciting is that!

Anthea is a young woman who lost the use of her legs in an accident with her horse about 5 years ago. Rather than having that put her off horses, she has continued her riding and has been selected to represent New Zealand at the Paralympics.  Here's the announcement if you would like to read more http://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/Article.aspx?Mode=1&ID=1353&ESID=6084  (Anthea is the one in the second photo.)  I couldn't let this occasion pass without a card.

I used this week's Freshly Made Sketch challenge and an old Stampin' Up set called Bareback to make this card for Anthea.

I stamped the horse in brown Stazon and colored with inkpads and blender pen.  I then cut him out using oval nesties.  I went looking through my DSP stash for something with Cherry Cobbler in and was pleased to find this pattern from the Jolly Holiday DSP.  The rings are representative of the Olympic rings (in my mind, anyway LOL).  I really wanted to fit a Congratulations on here somewhere, but it just didn't look right, so I'll put that on the inside.

Here's the sketch challenge:

Products used (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamps:  Bareback

Cardstock:  Early Espresso; Cherry Cobbler; Jolly Holiday DSP; Watercolor Paper

Ink:  Brown Stazon; Early Espresso; Pink Pirouette (around the nose); Sahara Sand (shading)

Accessories:  Timeless Type Big Shot Alphabet; Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon; Oval Nestabilities

Easter Challenge Weekend

Wow, these long weekends are great for getting extra stamping in LOL.  Here's my last challenge card for the week, which covers this week's ColorQ and Stampin Queens sketch challenge:

This is about as CAS as they come!  A few punches; some DSP and matching cardstock; one stamp and a few pearls.

Here are the challenges:

Products used (all Stampin' Up!)

Stamps:  Curly Cute
Cardstock:  Whisper White Textured; Peach Parfait; Blushing Bride; So Saffron; Pear Pizzazz; In Color DSP; Just Add Cake DSP
Ink:  Basic Black
Accessories:  3/4" circle punch; 1" circle punch; pearls

Edited to add:  This card was chosen by Stampin Queens this week as a top pick.

Cheers
Karren

CAS Circle Circus

While I had out the colors from The Paper Players color challenge, I thought I'd play along with Sketch Frenzy Friday.

I stamped one of the images from Circle Circus on Certainly Celery; Pool Party and Not Quite Navy cardstock, which I then punched out with my 1" square punch.  I rounded opposite corners on each square.  I arranged these onto Whisper White cardstock, raising a couple of squares with dimensionals. 

Edited to add:  it wasn't until I was cleaning up my desk, that I realised I had pulled Night of Navy cardstock instead of Not Quite Navy.  Apologies to the Paper Players team!

Here are the challenge details:

Products used (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamps: Circle Circus; Petite Pairs

Cardstock:  Whisper White; Pool Party; Certainly Celery; Not Quite Navy

Ink:  Pool Party; Certainly Celery; Not Quite Navy

Accessories:  1" square punch; Border Punch

Cheers

Karren

Dots on Dots on Dots...

I used the colors from The Paper Players challenge and the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches to come up with a masculine card this week.

Here are the challenges:

Products Used (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated):

Stamps:  Dot Spot (PTI); Happiest Birthday Wishes

Cardstock:  Not Quite Navy; Pool Party; Whisper White; Regals DSP Stack

Ink:  Not Quite Navy; Pool Party; Certainly Celery

Accessories:  Seeing Spots Cuttlebug Folder; White Bakers Twine

Cheers

Karren

One Card, Three Challenges

This card is a threefer - it was made for Create With Connie & Mary #196; which was a sketch challenge

 Pals Paper Arts #132, which was a color challenge

 and SUO Challenges #42, which was to make a Congratulations card.  Here is my card:

This is probably the first time I've used Chocolate Chip since Early Espresso made its debut.  Prior to that Chocolate Chip was my favorite color!  I'm sorry I can't say the same for Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery - they've never been favorites so this was a real challenge for me!

After I cut the flowers, I sprayed them with Stampin' Mist and scrunched them up.  Then I layered them and used a brad to stick them together.  I then sponged all the edges with Pretty in Pink ink.  I also sponged the leaves with Certainly Celery ink to make them stand out a bit more.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamps:  Something to Celebrate

Ink:  Chocolate Chip; Pretty in Pink; Certainly Celery

Cardstock:  Chocolate Chip; Pretty in Pink; Certainly Celery; Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Fun Flowers Big Shot Die; Adorning Accents Edgelits and Embossing Folder; Square Lattice Embossing Folder; Little Leaves Sizzlet; Boho Blossoms Punch; Circle Scissor; Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel; sponges; Neutrals 5/16 Brads

Cheers

Karren

Everybunny

After wanting the Everybunny set since the catalog first came out, those cute little bunnies finally came to live with me this week - just in time to crank out one card for Easter.

This card combines the sketch from Stamping 411 and the inspiration challenge from Stampin' Royalty.

Here's the card I made using both these challenges as inspiration:

Products Used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamps:  Everybunny

Cardstock:  Peach Parfait; Very Vanilla; So Saffron; Watercolor Paper; Just Add Cake DSP

Ink:  Black Stazon

Accessories:  Markers; Blender Pen; Circle Scissor; Peach Parfait Ribbon

Edited to add:  I was lucky enough to have this card chosen as a top pick by both Stamping 411 and Stampin' Royalty this week.  Thanks so much, guys!

Cheers

Karren

Creative Elements

Here's a card I made a month or so ago.  I think it was for a sketch challenge, but I can't remember which one, so I thought I'd post it anyway!

For the DSP background, I ran some SAB DSP through the Big Shot with the Finial Press EF.  I then sanded the top to distress it.  I tore the top right hand corner and stuck some First Edition behind.  I then distressed and sponged the whole piece.

The flowers were stamped on Calypso Coral cardstock and then colored with the same ink and an AquaPainter.

Products Used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamps:  Creative Elements; Tiny Tags

Cardstock:  Soft Suede; Everyday Enchantment DSP; First Edition DSP

Ink:  Soft Suede; Calypso Coral

Accessories:  Finial Press EF; Big Shot; Vintage Tags; Antique Brads; Sanding Block; Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon

Cheers

Karren

MDS - Custom Background Papers

Following the instructions in Jan's latest video posted for the MDS Club, I tried my hand at making my own background papers.  Being generally lazy, I started off with whatever was already up in the Resource Palette, which happened to be the grid papers I used on my last page.

I took the Basic Grey Grid paper and on top of that I placed multiples of the circle pattern stamp from Big Bold Birthday.  The first paper I kept in just Basic Grey and Basic Black for a monochromatic look:

Then I decided to copy and paste all the stamps and change the color to Taken With Teal, one of my favorites of the retired colors:

This was fun and there are unlimited possibilities for making your own DSP.  One thing I did find though is that if I had too many elements on a page, MDS couldn't handle it and I kept getting error messages.  I think I had made my grouped image too small and tried to copy and paste too many times.

Cheers

Karren

MDS - March Enhanced Sketch 2

Here is my version of Jan & Wendy's 2nd March sketch.  I again used some of the photos taken by my 9 year old at her recent school camp.

I used the grid background papers for this layout and brightened it a bit using Summer Sun (which I absolutely hated when it was a current color LOL).

Products used (all Stampin' Up!)

MDS

FMS#28 and CCMC195

I again combined challenges from Freshly Made Sketches and Create with Connie and Mary and this time I struggled.  I'm still not happy with the final card, but after spending a couple of hours on it yesterday, I decided that enough was enough.  I don't know what it is about it that doesn't appeal, but I think that maybe the image panel is too big.

I'm also not too fussed on the rounded corners - but I was too lazy to re-do the panel.  Ah well, regardless of the outcome, stamping is always therapeutic for me, so it's worth it LOL.

So, after most likely putting you off reading any further, here's the card in question:

Here are the challenges I worked with:

Before I started, I knew I wanted the card base to look like it does and also to make some flowers with the Boho Blossoms punch.  From there, it was all trial and error.  My desk was a mess with discarded stamp sets and stamped pieces by the time I finished LOL.

Products used (all Stampin' Up!)

Stamps:  Elementary Elegance
Cardstock:  Basic Grey; Poppy Parade; So Saffron; 2010-12 In Color DSP Stack
Ink:  Poppy Parade; So Saffron; Versamark
Accessories:  Boho Blossoms Punch; So Saffron brads; White Embossing Powder; Basic Grey Taffeta Ribbon; Corner Rounder; Stripes Embossing Folder

Cheers
Karren