Chat & Challenge 110

Woohoo - another MOJO Night Cap Chat & Challenge on SUDSOL! This awesome sketch was used via permission of Taylored Expressions. Thanks Taylor! :) This is a simple sketch, that yields eye-pleasing results. As you can see by my design, I used ribbon to create the three bottom stripes. Others used Double-Sided Designer Paper, and others used solid color card stock strips. Some turned the stripes so they came from the top. Another made an 8 1/2 x 11 scrapbook page from this sketch. This is the beauty of sketches for cards and scrapbookpages - the MOJO or creative freedom is really allowed the opportunity to flow once a basic outline has been accepted.

Stamps: A Light Unto My Path

Colors: Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Blue Bayou & Naturals White.

Accessories: 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Blue Bayou Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets, Whisper White Eyelets, Cropadile, Dimensionals.

Now let's see what YOU can do with this sketch! Leave a link here to where we can see your design! ENJOY!

Bagalope Baskets

I found this cute idea on one of my favorite blogs : Stamp a Little Love Baby and knew I wanted to use it as a fun little gift for some of my Stampin Jewels, who were attending an all day stamp event together a few weeks ago. They will find this tucked in with their order - yep, candy included! You read the post title correctly - this is a Bagalope Basket designed by Cambria - each one is made from a Medium Whisper White SU! Envelope. (Click on her name for her tutorial!)

These are fast and fun - and wouldn't they make adorable May Baskets? Or how about party, shower or anniversary favors? I made mine using the Petals Jumbo Wheel, So Many Scallops Set (that you all got FREE during Sale-a-bration, right?), Scallop Punch, Tag Punch(larger one), and Groovy Guava and Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink and Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon. And of course my other two ESSENTIAL supplies - Mini Glue Dots & Dimensionals. ENJOY!

Easter Designs

One layout, three color combinations. LOVE Love, love the Prints Double-Sided Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up! I've always liked the DSPs, but don't find myself using them as much as I'd like (probably a familiar mantra for most of papercrafters! lol) If you haven't ventured into using the lovely DSP on your cards - give it a try! It's the perfect thing for cards that are quick to pull together - like Easter cards that need to go out in the mail in a day or two! :)

My layout was inspired by one of the original Scripture Chicks - Jami's Blog. Another fav of mine is the In Color Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon. Which color combo is your favorite?

Stamps: Garden Whimsy & (retired) Glorious Gift.

Color Combos: Groovy Guava, Lovely Lilac and Almost Amethyst Prints DSP; Purely Pomegranate, More Mustard & So Saffron Prints DSP; and Groovy Guava, Handsome Hunter and Certainly Celery Prints DSP.

Accessories: Scallop Punch, In Color Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals and Mini Glue Dots.

ENJOY!

Scripture Chicks

Finally - the pressure of not having gotten these projects done is lifted! ;) Here are my February and March Scripture Bookmarks to continue playing along with the Scripture Chick Challenge begun by one of my favorite bloggers Lori Craig. You can learn about it by clicking on her Divine Design category, or by checking out BVC08 in the SCS Gallery. It's never too late to begin your Scripture Chick year (or Divine Design for our gentlemen papercrafters! If you are a gentlemen crafter, please leave a link to your BVC08 designs in this post. I'd love to see what you've done so far.)

MARCH Scripture Bookmark

The Scripture I am working on for March comes from Philippians 4:6-7,

"Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

This a verse that, every time I see it, calls to me. There are four types of prayer: praise, thanksgiving, petition and confession/forgiveness. This verse from St. Paul tells how to pray a perfect prayer - "have no anxiety" = ask for His forgiveness (what else besides our sin and lack of trust in Him causes us true anxiety?) ; "supplication" = give Him honor, praise & adoration; "thanksgiving" = say thank you for something(s) ; and "let your requests be made known" = include a petition or request. And then there is a promise for this perfect prayer - "the peace of God" and "keeping my heart and mind in Christ Jesus." Memorization of this Scripture has been long overdue! ENJOY!

Stamps: One of a Kind.

Colors: Not Quite Navy,Gable Green & Bashful Blue.

Accessories: Build-a-Brad, Boho Punch, Soft Subtles Brads, Stampin Write Markers, Dimensionals & Mini Glue Dots.

This is my February Scripture Bookmark, which highlights the Scripture verse of II Corinthians 12:9 - "My Grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." This verse has been posted on a sticky note above my computer screen for years, and I have looked at it often, but never committed it to memory. I have found, in the midst of hurt, anger, resentment, loneliness - or any of a slew of the not-so-nice emotions, that this verse brings instant comfort. It also gives instant direction to where I should go or what I should do next when in the midst of these kinds of emotions.

The bookmark uses Bravo Burgundy & Creamy Caramel card stock, along with an Acetate overlay that has been stamped with the swirls from the Pricelss Stamp Set in White StazOn. The Bravo BUrgundy layer is stamped, tone on tone, with the Print Pattern Background Stamp. The top & bottom edges are covered with the Chocolate Chip Twill Ribbon from the Occasions 2008 Mini Catalog. It is finished off with an Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelet (set with the Crop-a-dile, of course!) and some Bravo Burgundy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon. ENJOY!

CreativePlayStamps FUN!

Sunday was CreativePlayStamps.com STAMP DAY! WOOHOO!! The owners, who happen to be our cousins, came out for the afternoon and Laura and I chatted and stamped while the hubbies and kids played (with giant carpet cardboard tubes nonetheless!) Don't forget to click on over to CreativePlayStamps.com to see what's new (and there's ALOT!) and take advantage of their First Anniversary Progressive Sale Coupon. there's even some items on sale, like GLITTER (yeah, baby!) ENJOY these samples, and share your own in their Gallery Forum.


This design uses the fun and whimsical Flowers, Bee and Butterflies set for the focal piece, as well as the NEW Thinking of You set. I wanted something bright and cheery to go ith set, so I chose colors that were bright and cheerful: Apricot Appeal, Lavendar Lace and Certainly Celery along with Whisper White. The butterflies along the right side didn't scan well, but they sure are cute in person in the tone on tone Apricot Appeal. I used Stampin' Write markers to ink up the flower focal piece image. The sentiment is stamped in Pumpkin Pie. 1/$" Grosgrain Ribbonin Apricot Appeal & Certainly Celery embellish the focal piece - and to finish it off, the flower and inside the leaves are coated with Angel Dust Ultrafine Transparent Glitter (adhered with the Two-Way glue Pen.) Images are, of course, CreativePlayStamps.com. Supplies are Stampin' Up.

Those Valentine stamp sheets aren't just for Valentine's Day! Think wedding and anniversary too - cards, wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift bags, favors, invitations, thank yous - the ideas are endless! This design uses one of my favorite 'neutral colors' combinations - SU! Naturals Ivory and Whisper White. The focal piece comes from the Valentine Circle set, and the butterfly comes from the Monarch & Swallowtail Butterflies set. Both images are heat embossed in Winter White Embossing Powder. Embellishments include the Ticket Corner Punch, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, and half pearls from the Pretties Kit. All images are CreativePlayStamps.com. All supplies are Stampin' Up.

This "Hi!" image is so cheerful on it's own that I couldn't help picking a cheerful color combination to compliment it! :) It's from the Big Hello stamp sheet. SU! supplies used: Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery and Tempting Turquoise card stock and Stampin' Write markers. Confetti White card stock. Tempting turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon and Certainly Celery Brads.

This design uses the friend image from the Big Hello stamp sheet as it's focal point. It was inked up using Pink Passion & Green Galore Stampin' Write markers for a two-color image. Then I punched it out using the Designer Label Punch, and backed it with a 1 3/8" Circle Punch. The Ticket Corner Punch finished off the Pink Passion bottom layer of the focal piece. I also used the Two-Way glue Pen and Angel Dust Ultrafine Transparent Glitter around the edges of this Pink Passion layer. The vine image is from the Swirls stamp sheet, and is stamped in Green Galore (my scanner is funny about some colors - but the vine color matches the ribbon) on Whisper White and finished off again with the Ticket Corner Punch. The focal piece is anchored with retired Apple Green 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, which runs through slots made with the Slot Punch. All images and glitter CreativePlayStamps.com. All other supplies are Stampin' Up.

Swans are symbols of love because they mate for life, so this image is perfect for a wedding or anniversary card. Here, I used the Swan Glides on Water image, stamped in Jet Black StazOn on SU! Naturals White cardstock, and watercolored using the SU! Aquapainter and the SU!Watercolor Wonder Crayons. Though it doesn't show upon the scan, the Swan is painted with a mix of Lumiere and Interference Gold PearlEx. Other SU! supplies used: Whsiper White Craft Ink for the Happy Anniversary sentiment, Brilliant Blue & Bashful Blue card stock, Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon(which compliments the pearl effect on the swan nicely), the Pretties Kit flower and half pearl, Mini Glue Dots & the retired Small Corner Rounder.

YOU DID IT!

Thanks to Sylvia M. for sending me these lovelies! The first uses a mix of retired and current SU! products like a retired Definitely Decorative set for the teacup image, the friend tag image and the Eggplant Envy dark purple color. Current items are the Almost amethyst Prinst Double-Sided Designer Paper and the Almost Amethyst Classic Ink for the teacup. Don't you just love the teabag idea with the white thread and the tag punch?

Sylvia's second design uses the fun set Pinch Proof (she's who I borrowed it from to make the cards I previously posted!) as well as the Weathered Background Stamp on the Scallop Punch. Also the 1 3/8" Circle Punch. Mellow Moss card stock and Gingham Ribbon. Old Olive Classic Ink and 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon - and the lovely Olive Press Double-Sided Designer Paper. Great job Sylvia! Thanks for sharing your creativity!! ENJOY!

Elvis..Or is it?

So...what do you think? Which one is the "real" Elvis? The handsome guy on the left is my DAD at 18 years old - this was his Senior picture. I absolutely adore the signature on the front of the picture! I have my MOM's Senior picture too (signature and all.)

So when I saw these new Cornish Heritage Farms on my friend Lori's Blog (click on her name to see her latest Elvis design) I thought immediately of my Dad. He's not a collector or anything, but he does like Elvis' music. I though tit would be fun to make Father's Day & Birthday Cards for him. Turns out an aunt of mine IS a collector, so my Mom asked me to make a birthday card for her - that's it above. Stamps: Elvis (Cornish Heritage Farms), Happy Birthday from Sincere Salutations set & Rough Edges Jumbo Wheel both by Stampin' Up! Colors: Mellow Moss, Basic Gray, Ruby Red, Whisper White & River Rock. Accessories: Crafters Tool Kit (for paper piercing), Ticket Corner Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Slot Punch, Designer Label Punch and Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon. ENJOY!

More Stampin O' the Green! ;)

I so enjoy when the MOJO flows freely - It really boosts the fun! So, I couldn't stop at just Glorious Green could I? The first card is glorious Green PLUS Gable Green and Whisper White. I stamped off twice on the green clover to create the background effect I wanted on the Whisper White circle. And the second design? Wild Wasabi! Ooo ooo, say it again, say it again - WASABI! (Anyone catch this ad libbed Lion King reference?!) :) And just like the Always Artichoke design in an earlier post, I chose another non-traditional but fun accent color for the Wild Wasabi - Elegant Eggplant. Lots of punches in this one too - layering up the scallop pinch proof image. And how about that Build-a-Brad in the center? Have you tried these yet? They are so cool! You can punch out the middle of an image, or use one of the many stamp sets, like Little Pieces and the 1/2" Circle Punch. Just adhere your punched out image to he brad base, then apply the self-adhesive clear top to it. Easy as pie!

With all these Pinch Proof designs, I have successfully used every stamp in the set! Woohoo! Versatile and fun are the two words that describe this set - don't you think? ENJOY!

St. Patrick's Day

Daylight Savings Time caught us this morning! So I had extra time while waiting for the next Mass to upload a couple of the designs I stamped last night (when I should have been setting the clocks forward an hour!) The stamping continues with this fun, fun, FUN Pinch Proof stamp set! With these cards, I had some fun with Garden Green, Brushed Gold & Confetti Cream. The key to these cards is the Stamp-a-ma-jig for getting the cute little clovers lined up inside the Print Pattern Background Stamp. Inside the the first card - under the Garden Green flap is the litlle, happy leprachaun, and to his right, under the Confetti Cream flap is the Lucky Me! I've got you! Sentiment. On the second card, I edged the 5/8" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon with the gold end of the Zig Painty Pen. ENJOY!

Pinch Proof Fun

This leprachaun is really growing on me!Thanks Sylvia - for borrowing me your set!! :) The first design uses Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla & Brushed Gold card stock - along with Dimensionals, Always Artichoke 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon and retired gold cord.

If you've visited my blog before, you may recognize the clovers made from the SU! Oval Punches. the larger clover was made using the Crimper. Colors: Glorious Green, Gable Green & Whisper White with White Tafetta Ribbon bows. ENJOY!

MOJO Sketch Challenge

This is the sketch from the Chat & Challenge I hosted on Sudsol this past Thursday. I love this sketch! As soon as I saw it on Erika's Blog - (one of my fav blogs to visit), I knew I had to ask permission to use it for Chat & Challenge. I didn't get my design done during the C&C, but did get it done tonight. Give the sketch a try - and leave a comment with where I can see what you came up with.

I used the new Pinch Proof set from the Spring/Summer Collection 2008 - stamping off on the clovers under the Happy St. Patrick's Day sentiment. Lots of punches too - corner rounder, 1 3/8", 1" 3/4" & 1/2" Circle Punches. Also used Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, Dimensionals and retired Apple 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon. ENJOY!