KA-POW, Gator Style {KKC02}

Look what I found...a new challenge!  It's the KA-POW Kreative Challenge over at my friend Carrie Gaskin's blog.  Carrie is just bursting with creative energy and I'm so excited to see what her challenge brings!  This week Carrie has this fabulous sketch for us to follow:

OK, before I show you my card...let me 'splain something.  This is a masculine card for a co-worker who LOVES football!  Specifically, GATOR football.  Gator colors are orange & blue, I mean straight up Orange and Royal Blue--yikes--not colors I use very often or ones that I even like together sooooo using Carrie's sketch and some Well Worn DSP, I made a Gator card Stampin' Up style:

Not being a huge sports fan either, LOL, I didn't have any appropriate stamps so I used My Digital Studio to color the football from the Touchdown set in Cajun Craze and print it onto Very Vanilla cardstock. I actually printed two of them so that I could layer each piece and give it some dimension:

A little Soft Suede sponging makes it gritty and a little dirty, just like it came off the field!

 The Two Tags die was a little too big for my needs so I just moved the paper down and ran it through the Big Shot again to make it smaller.  On the other end I added a Soft Suede circle, some twill and tiny tags attached with a vintage pin.

 And check out the button trim!  I threaded three retired buttons onto a single piece of linen thread and tied a knot at each end.  Glue dots on each button attached it to the card easy-peasy.

 And a quick look at the inside with another piece of Well Worn DSP and a Cajun Craze sentiment from Happiest Birthday Wishes.  And there you have it...Gator football, Stampin Up style.  I would love to hear what you think and encourage you to check out all the samples over at the KA-POW Kreative Challenge.  Best wishes to Carrie and the team!

supplies:

stamps: word play, happiest birthday wishes, tiny tags, french foliage (waterspots), touchdown (MDS)

ink: soft suede, not quite navy, cajun craze

paper: naturals ivory, soft suede, not quite navy; well worn DSP

xtras: two tags die; vintage trinkets; linen thread; designer buttons (earth--retired); medium jewelry punch; twill tape; 1 1/4" circle punch

Thankful Thoughts {CCMC169}

Happy Thursday, friends!  It's good to be back from a little break...in fact not just a break, I had a Stampcation -- yes!  A whole weekend of stamping, inspiration, prizes, make 'n' takes and fabulous Stampin Up product displays all dreamed up by the creative talents of Linda Heller and Shantaie Fowler.  I can't thank Linda and Shantaie enough for their support....I was honored and delighted to be asked to present at the event! 

I even had my very own board--so cool!  Don't I look giddy in this pic?!  So today's card is a big thank you to Linda & Shantaie for giving me such a fantastic opportunity and for planning such an amazing event--thanks gals, you ROCK!  Alright, on to this week's gorgeous color combination from Create with Connie & Mary, take a look:

Aren't they beautiful?! I combined these colors with Anne Marie's fabulous Paper Players sketch:

 and with thoughts of a Tiffany gift box in mind, I went for classic and elegant when I created this:

Oh these colors are so pretty together!  The bold background panels are from the Timeless Portrait DSP which I layered over Pool Party cardstock that was spritzed with homemade Champagne Mist shimmer spray...it's so difficult to capture the sparkle but take a look:

The flower is made from three fussy-cut Fabulous Florets images which I layered and embellished with Dazzling Details and seven, yes seven Basic Rhinestones...it is Anne Marie's sketch after all!  :-)

And since my Stampcation presentation was all about carrying the design through to the inside of the card, I had to finish this one too:

Thankful thoughts of opportunity, sharing what you love and friends made along the way...I am one lucky girl.  If you've made it to the end of this post, thanks for sticking with me.  I hope I've inspired you to ink up these gorgeous colors and make something pretty!  Be sure to check out the rest of the team over at Create with Connie & Mary where you are sure to find some yummy eye candy!  We would love to see your creation so link it up before Wednesday, October 5th at 12 noon (EST).  We can't wait to see your projects! Thanks for stopping by!

supplies:

stamps: fabulous florets,pursuit of happiness

ink: pool party, sahara sand, jet black stazon

paper: pool party, sahara sand, basic black, very vanilla CS; timeless portrait DSP

xtras: 3" circle die; circle scissors; basic rhinestones; dazzling details, bird punch

Paper Players break

Hiya friends! Just a quick post to let you know I will be on a little vacation from The Paper Players this week and the Sassy Substitute Stamper, Rita, will be stamping for me--thanks Rita!  I also wanted to show you Anne Marie's great sketch!

Be sure to check out all the fabulous Design Team inspiration over at The Paper Players and I  hope you'll play along this week.  I'll be back on Thursday with a new challenge from Connie & Mary.  Until then...have a great week friends!

Happy Pursuits {CCMC168}

Hiya friends! Happy Thursday...the weekend is almost here! Thursday also means another challenge week begins over at Create with Connie & Mary!  This week Connie & Mary have a sketch for us and boy....it's a doozy...at least I thought so, lol!  Here's the sketch:

and here is my flipped version of the sketch:

What do you think?  You can still see the sketch, right?  Mr. Brown just brought a pack of Well Worn designer paper and this sketch seemed like a good way to feature the colors and patterns from this paper.  I've used Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, River Rock and Not Quite Navy. 

I pulled out my two favorite fall leaf sets: French Foliage (water spots) and Autumn Splendor (oak & maple leaves) combined with Pursuit of Happiness to make the main sentiment panel.

The leaf was stamped in Soft Suede on Natural Ivory and fussy-cut.  I also sponged on some River Rock and added a few French Foliage water spots for a weathered look.

I repeated part of the sketch on the inside just to feature more of this wonderful designer paper!  My BIL & SIL will celebrate their 20th anniversary in a couple weeks--wow!  They were married outdoors in a nature preserve among the beautiful colors of a midwestern autumn.  The Pursuit of Happiness sentiment and the autumn theme of this card seemed like the perfect match for their anniversary.  (Noah, if you're reading this, don't tell!)  I hope they like it!

And I hope you do too!  Thanks for stopping by and be sure to pop on over to Create with Connie & Mary to check out the rest of the design team's inspiration--I'm sure it's gorgeous!  If you would like to tackle our sketch this week, please link up your creation to Create with Connie & Mary by Wednesday, September 28th at 12 noon (EST).  We can't wait to see what you create!

supplies:

stamps: autumn splendor, french foliage, pursuit of happiness, a word for you

ink: not quite navy, river rock, soft suede, cajun craze

paper: early espresso, cajun craze, river rock, naturals ivory, very vanilla CS; well worn DSP

xtras: square lattice embossing folder; linen thread; designer buttons (neutrals); corner rounder punch

Frosty and Fresh {FMS3}

Have you heard the news?  There's a fun, fresh and fabulous new challenge blog in town.  Yes, I'm talking about Freshly Made Sketches and today I am honored and delighted to be their Featured Designer!!  My fellow Paper Player and blog queen extraordinaire, Lesley Croghan lined up an all-star "Clean Team" to bring you a fresh and clean sketch every week.  What is "clean" you say?  Well, it's clean lines--no sponging, distressing or tearing but not simple style either--embellishments and layers are encouraged!  All the gals at FMS rock, hi girls(!), and I am tickled pink to be with them this week.    Here is this week's Freshly Made Sketch #3:

Fabulous, isn't it?  I wanted to get a head start on my holiday cards and had a "fresh" stack of Frostwood Lodge designer paper just calling my name:

Since I really bought this paper for the gorgeous woodgrain patterns (right, Rita?!), I surprised myself by actually using plaid!  I am not really a plaid girl--must be my catholic school girl roots--but paired with the birch background paper and the woodgrain background stamp (yes I used it again!), the Cherry Cobbler plaid just worked!  Here's few close-ups of the fun bits:

Love that birch patterned paper--another woodgrain, yay!  The trees from Plant Hope were stamped in Garden Green and outlined with dazzling diamonds....because who says you can't wear diamonds with plaid?  :) 

Even the inside got the fresh and clean treatment with this beautiful sentiment from Comfort & Joy.

So, what do you think....are you inspired?  Check out Freshly Made Sketches for even more inspiration--you won't be disappointed!  I hope you'll play along with the team!  Just make sure to link up your clean creation over at Freshly Made Sketches by Monday, September 26th at midnight (PST).   The Clean Team will be delighted to come visit you and offer an encouraging comment or two!  Thanks so much to Lesley and the Clean Team for inviting me on board this week...and thanks to you for stopping by! 

supplies:

stamps: plant hope; woodgrain; you're a gem; comfort & joy

ink: garden green, cherry cobbler

paper: cherry cobbler, early espresso, whisper white CS; frostwood lodge DSP

xtras: paper crimper; designer buttons (regals); dazzling diamonds; early espresso baker's twine

Thoughts of Thistles {PP64}

Happy Sunday, friends, and welcome to another fun-filled week with us at The Paper Players!  Ann is our hostess this week and she has a fun challenge for you.  It's our Clean and Simple week and Ann is challenging you to use either an animal or a plant on your card.  Any flora or fauna that you choose--have fun with it!

Trees, leaves, flowers and plants certainly fill up the bulk of my stamping arsenal so I reached for some brand-new rubber, Nature's Pace, and with this sketch from the gals over at Sketch Frenzy Friday in hand,

I made this for your inspiration:

My maternal grandmother, my Nana, was born in Scotland and emigrated to Canada as a young girl.  Thistles always make me think of her.  I loved listening to stories of her country and the longer she talked the thicker her brogue became--what a magical sound!  Knowing I wanted to use Rich Razzleberry for the thistle image, my card developed around those two elements.

For the main image I cut a circle with my Nestabilities and while the circle was still in the Nestie, I sponged a light application of Baja Breeze ink through the nestie.  When the Nestie circle is removed you get a nice matted edge.  The Rich Razzleberry thistle really pops against the Baja Breeze and coordinates well with this pattern from the Pocketful of Posies paper pack.

On each side I layered a piece of yummy Quilted Satin ribbon in Early Espresso and a Crumb Cake "button" made with the Sweet Buttons embosslit.

The sentiment that comes in this set is such a wonderful reminder in these hectic times.  Here's hoping that this inspires you to adopt the pace of nature this coming week--even if in only one area of your life.  Thanks for spending a little of your time with me today.  Please check out what the rest of The Paper Players design team has to inspire you:

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile

Jaydee

Julie Marshall

LeAnne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Nance Leedy

Tara Bilbao
Sandra Conner (September GD)

I hope you will play along with us this week.  If you do, please link up your creation to The Paper Players blog by Friday, September 23rd at midnight (PST) to be in the running for Headliner or A Cut Above.  Have a great day!

supplies:

stamps: nature's pace, woodgrain, sincere salutations

ink: early espresso, baja breeze, rich razzleberry, crumb cake

paper: early espresso, crumb cake, baja breeze, rich razzleberry, very vanilla CS; pocketful of posies DSP

xtras: scalloped envelope die; 2.5" circle punch; sweet buttons embosslit; early espresso quilted satin ribbon; scallop ribbon border punch; nestabilities

Bitty Boo Box {CCMC167}

Welcome to another Thursday challenge at Create with Connie & Mary!  Wow, the weeks are just flying by aren't they?  I hope you're not tired of Halloween projects because with it right around the corner and colors like these...

...it's hard to resist another Halloween project!  Today I have a Bitty Boo Box to share with you.  What it lacks in size, it makes up for in details!

Eek!  Isn't that Owl sweet?!   Not too much explaining to do here--the Matchbox die and some Frightful Sight designer paper made quick work of the box!  I do admit that the details took a lot longer than the should have, lol!  Wanna see?

It's a Wrap Holidays stamped directly onto Avery mailing labels and wrapped around some nugget candy.  4 fit perfectly in the matchbox in challenge colors of Old Olive & Cajun Craze.

 And look...when you eat take the candy out....eek!  Spiders!

I popped the owl up on a shimmer moon and a old olive decorative label.  Her little trick-or-treat bag was popped up too for a little more dimension! 

I hope you like my Bitty Boo Box today--would love to hear what you think!  Be sure to check out the rest of the design team over at Create with Connie & Mary.  I'm sure they will have some amazing projects!  We would love for you to play along with us...if you do please link up your project at Create with Connie & Mary by Wednesday, September 21st at 12 noon (EST).  Thanks for stopping by!  And don't forget, there's only one more day to take advantage of early bird pricing for the Holiday Edition of Create with Connie & Mary! 

supplies:

stamps: four frames, tiny tags, warmest of wishes, it's a wrap holidays, out on a limb (spiders)

ink: old olive, basic gray, cajun craze

paper: old olive, basic gray, whisper white CS; frightful sight DSP

xtras: old olive 1/8" taffeta ribbon; silver shimmer paper; decorative label punch; owl punch; medium jewelry tag punch; 1 3/4" circle punch; matchbox die; avery mailing address labels; nugget candy

Cloudy with a Chance of Cats {PP63}

Hiya, friends.  It's Paper Player Sunday and I'll get to that in just a minute.  First, I'd like to take a moment, on this day, to remember the tragedy that befell our country ten years ago and honor the memory of those that were lost.

...Thank you...

This week I am delighted to host The Paper Players color challenge and have chosen a warm and rich color palette for you:

Pretty, yes?  And the card I designed using these colors:

click to enlarge

I couldn't resist going Halloween and just had to ink up my new Out on a Limb set...oh how I love that kitty cat!

in Rich Razzleberry even!  The background was sponged with Basic Gray and a scallop circle to create a swirling, cloudy night-time sky.  The Basic Gray bats are from last year's Wicked Cool but all the other components are from Out on a Limb.  Isn't the crescent moon cool?!  I punched a circle from Silver Shimmer Paper and then moved the circle over slightly to create the crescent shape.

And I had more fun on the inside with a spooky sponged sky, some Old Olive bats and another kitty perched on a sentiment from Grateful Greetings. 

I hope today's color challenge card inspires you to play along with us.  Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team inspiration over at The Paper Players where you will find some gorgeous eye candy.  If you play along with us, be sure to link up your creation at The Paper Players by Friday, September 16th at midnight (PST).  I can't wait to see what you do with these colors...thanks for stopping by!

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile

Jaydee

Julie Marshall

LeAnne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Nance Leedy

Tara Bilbao
Sandra Conner (September GD)

 

supplies:

stamps: out on a limb, wicked cool, grateful greetings

ink: rich razzleberry, old olive, basic gray, jet black stazon

paper: basic gray, whisper white, old olive, basic black CS; frightful sight & pocketful of posies DSP

xtras: sponges; 1 3/8" circle punch; decorative label punch; spider web embossing folder

Leaves of Gratitude {CCMC166}

Hiya friends!  Welcome to another week of the Create with Connie & Mary Thursday Challenge.  It's a sketch week at CCMC and we know how you love sketches!  I think you're really going to love this one:

Cute, right?  Easy-peasy and a great sketch for showing off some beautiful patterned paper as in the gorgeous new Spice Cake designer paper featured in today's card:

click to enlarge

Oh, these colors are swoon-worthy!  Soft Suede, More Mustard and Pool Party that I've combined with the Day of Gratitude set.  Would you like to see some details?  I inked the large medallion from Day of Gratitude in Soft Suede ink and then dabbed on Champagne Mist shimmer paint for a sparkly effect:

The Pool Party & More Mustard leaves on the main panel were highlighted with Dazzling Details and the edges were embossed with gold stampin' emboss powder:

This is such as easy technique and really gives a cool effect!  Just drag the edges of cardstock on a Versamark pad, dip into embossing powder and heat set!  Makes a great gilded edge, don'tcha think?  And I can't let you go without a peek at the inside:

More designer paper to match--just scraps from the front--and a leaf that was rock-n-rolled in Pool Party and More Mustard.  Love this sentiment from an oldie but goodie: Falling Leaves. 

So, there  you have it!  I would love to hear what you think of today's card!  Be sure to check out the rest of the design team inspiration over at Create with Connie & Mary where it's also the Holiday Edition preview period.  We would love to have you join us this week and can't wait to see what you do with the sketch!  If you decide to play along, please link your project at Create with Connie & Mary by Wednesday, September 14th at 12 noon (EST).  Thanks for stopping by!

supplies:

stamps: day of gratitude, falling leaves

ink: pool party, more mustard, soft suede

paper: soft suede, very vanilla, more mustard CS; spice cake DSP

xtras: soft suede 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon; linen thread; champagne mist shimmer paint; gold stampin' emboss powder; dazzling details; pool party ruffled ribbon