Mojo Monday

Another month comes to an end with this last Mojo Monday challenge!  I'm trying to encourage spring to get here and stay here by using my favorite spring colors - pinks and greens!  Loved Julee's fun sketch for the tall and skinny (this card is 3 1/2" x 5 1/2") challenge!  I paper pieced the sentiment and the flower.  I added some Copic shading to the flower with RV23, then brushed the petals with a Wink of Stella clear glitter brush marker.  A few enamel dots finished this clean and simple design.  

For more inspiration, check out the first 7 thumbnails on the Mojo Monday blog, OR...you can visit each mojomaker's blog listed below:

Debbie Carriere

 Julee Tilman (Owner)

 Marisa Ritzen 

  Mary Fish

  Sarah Bigelow

  Teresa Kline

STAMPS: Wonderfully Made (Verve)
PAPER: True Friends (Carta Bella), White
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
ACCESSORIES: Enamel dots, Oval Nestabilities.

Viva la Verve

It's been awhile since I've played along with the Viva la Verve sketch challenge, so decided to remedy that when I saw Stacy's fabulous sketch!
I already had this gray panel made with modeling paste applied over a hexagon stencil, so that was my starting point.  I love the colors in MME's Breeze 6x6 pad and thought it would coordinate well with the gray.  The leaves were stamped in Certainly Celery ink and die cut with Verve's Elegant Leaves die.  A tiny library clip and enamel dot added the finishing touch.

STAMPS: Notebook Paper Plain Jane (Verve), Hope Blooms (Verve)
PAPER: MME Breeze pad; So Saffron, Smoky Slate, White
DIES: Elegant Leaves and Rounded Scallop Frame - both by Verve

Bunnies and Blooms

This card is a "threefer"...i.e., made for three different challenges:
SCS Free 4 All Challenge - Use circles in the background.
Colour Q Challenge 
Sketchbook Saturday Challenge - sketch by Chupa.

I had happy mail earlier today - several stencils from Simon Says Stamp and
some new stitched dies by Lil Inker Designs!  I picked Tim Holtz distress inks that were close to the Colour Q colors and stenciled the background using TCW's Mini Well Rounded stencil.

Here's my enabler's list:
STAMPS: Rainbow and Clouds Sentiments (Lil Inker Designs)
PAPER: Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate, White, Calypso Coral, Groovy Guava
INK: Peacock Feathers, Spiced Marmalade, Weathered Wood, Dried Marigold - all distress inks by TH
ACCESSORIES: Stitched bunny and floral dies by Lil Inker Designs; Buttons by SU, A2 Curved Borders One by Spellbinders; TCW Mini Well Rounded stencil.

Cardabilities Sketch

I couldn't resist this fabulous sketch over on the Cardabilities blog! I love corner clusters and took the color cues from this SU designer paper.  The design is pretty straight forward with no special technique involved.  Here's what I used...

STAMPS: Off the Grid (SU)
PAPER: Fresh Prints (SU), Real Red, Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Early Espresso, White
INK: Baked Brown Sugar
ACCESSORIES: Sizzlets Little Leaves die by SU, Leaf Flourish Die-Namics by MFT, Hello die by Simon Says Stamp, Rolled roses and daisy Die-Namics by MFT, Enamel dots by Recollections.

Thanks for stopping by...I'm off to bed after 3 hectic evenings at work helping students fight a norovirus that has hit our campus!  I've decided our safety manager needs to add another alert color to our emergency protocol and that's the BROWN ALERT! LOL!  Holding my breath that my immune system carries me through this all without getting sick myself!

Color Throwdown

There's a new Color Throwdown Challenge on board and I really love these soft romantic colors that Broni chose for us!  Isn't that inspiration room gorgeous?!

I was totally inspired by the rug design (which led me to use the Kassie's Brocade embossing folder) and the vase of tulips on the ottoman.  It's been WAY too long since I inked up this tulip image from Flourishes - one of my faves to color with Copics!  I layered two of the Reverse Confetti tag dies to form an elongated tag behind the image. I struggled a bit with how to add a sentiment and finally went with this simple layering of punched ovals.

For more inspiration, you'll want to check out the rest of the design team's creations below:            

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

                                              Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor 
                                                   Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion
                                                          Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud

Melody Rupple - A Paper Melody

Monika Davis - M.A.D. Stamper

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

Vickie Zimmer -  Smitten   
Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations (you are here)
Gloria Stengel - (March Guest Designer) - Scraps of Life

Can't wait to see you in the gallery!  Remember, you could be our next guest star stamper for the following week's challenge if you play along! We've had some awesome samples from our star stampers since we added this feature in January!

 

STAMPS: Tulips for Friends (Flourishes)

PAPER: Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, X-Press It Blending Card

INK: Memento Tuxedo Black

ACCESSORIES: Tag It die by Reverse Confetti, Kassie's Brocade EF by Cuttlebug, Brad, Stitched circle and diagonal strip by Lil Inker Designs

COPICS: RV10, RV11, YG21, YG23, YG25, E40, E41, E42, C00.

 

 

Mojo Monday

Hey, hey, hey...it's Mojo Monday Challenge time and Debbie Carriere has a really fun layout with an angled panel that I always love! There's a real baby boom going on in my side of the family and I was needing another baby card for a niece and her husband.  Emery the elephant is always one of my "go to" Verve images for baby cards and this time he got paper pieced.  Because I had so many patterns going on, I opted for a die cut sentiment that was bold. I cut it out in two different colors and offset them a bit for some added interest.  I wasn't planning on sequins, but two tiny ink spots forced me into that option - lol!  I like to take a black Copic marker and run along the edges of my paper pieced images.  I wasn't patient enough to let it dry completely and yep...you guessed it...I smeared a bit on the yellow circle. I'm loving a quote I heard recently and it fits so well with this card: A mistake is not a mistake - it's an opportunity for embellishment! :-)

For more inspiration, check out the first 7 thumbnails on the Mojo Monday blog, OR...you can visit each mojomaker's blog listed below:

Debbie Carriere

 Julee Tilman (Owner)

 Marisa Ritzen 

  Mary Fish

  Sarah Bigelow

  Teresa Kline

STAMPS: Emery Plain Jane (Verve)

PAPER:  Dwell Six by Six by MME, Textured yellow CS (? Bazzill)

ACCESSORIES: Pennant Trim die by Verve, Baby die by PTI, Circle Nestabilities by SB, Sequins by Verve.

CASEing Penny

This was such a fun card to create - playing with some new Reverse Confetti stamps and dies! I am CASEing one of Penny Ward's cards from her gallery on SCS - check it out here. She's the new Featured Stamper and you'll want to check out her awesome gallery if you haven't done so yet! I'm also playing along with Reverse Confetti's March Color Challenge - love these fresh, happy colors!

I loved the way Penny created a vertical frame using a sentiment.  Of course, I had to use my fave tag die - layered up with an embossed navy flag, yellow arrow and some fun posies and leaves - all dies by RC! 

STAMPS: Petals 'n Posies (Reverse Confetti).
PAPER: Kate & Co "Oxford Lane" by MME, Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight, White.
INK: Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade.
ACCESSORIES: Tag, arrow, posies, leaves - dies by Reverse Confetti; Brad; Rhinestones (SU).

A Look Back...

Today we are taking a look back at Our Daily Bread Designs March release.  Here is the card I created using the Zinnia stamp set and two ODBD custom die sets -  Zinnia and Leaves and Fancy Foliage.

I wanted a softer look to the zinnia image this time, so opted to white emboss on vellum and layered it using a foam dot (the foam circle fit perfectly under the flower center!).  The card base is a ready made 5 1/2" square card with a great texture.  I used Coastal Cabana cardstock for the leafy flourish and mat layering. The embossing folder is by Sizzix.

For more inspiration using the March release, be sure to visit the ODBD blog and check out the rest of the bread sticks' creations!

Color Throwdown

Hey everyone! Know what day it is? :-) It's a new Color Throwdown Challenge day and Barbara has some fabulous colors for us - inspired by this gorgeous piece of pottery!

 

I was inspired by the blended "running" of colors in the pottery and thought I would try to go for a mixed media look.  Well...let's just say I need some more lessons - lol!  I started by placing a Plaid Folk Art Pebbles Background stencil on some watercolor paper and colored in a number of circles using 4 different shades of water soluble wax pastels.  I spritzed with water, then waited for it to dry.  I moved the same stencil to a different angle,  then lightly spritzed on 3 different Dylusions ink colors: London Blue, Vibrant Turquoise, Crushed Grape.  I'm also playing along with the Retrosketches Challenge this week.  Thought the CAS layout would work and not cover up much of the background.  Then again...maybe I should have found a challenge sketch that WOULD cover more of it up. :-) 

For more inspiration, you'll want to check out the rest of the design team's creations below:            

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

                                              Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor 
                                                   Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion
                                                          Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud

Melody Rupple - A Paper Melody

Monika Davis - M.A.D. Stamper

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

Vickie Zimmer -  Smitten   
Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations (you are here)
Gloria Stengel - (March Guest Designer) - Scraps of Life

Can't wait to see you in the gallery!  Remember, you could be our next guest star stamper for the following week's challenge if you play along! We've had some awesome samples from our star stampers since we added this feature in January!

STAMPS: Perfect Pennants (SU)

PAPER: Bermuda Bay, Brilliant Blue, Perfect Plum

INK: Bermuda Bay, Versafine Onyx Black

ACCESSORIES: Dylusions ink sprays (see above for colors), Stitched rectangle and star dies by Lil Inker Designs, Avery Elle sequins, Pebbles background stencil by Plaid, Banners Framelits dies by SU. 

ODBD Anniversary Release

Happy 6th anniversary to ODBD!  Kelley is celebrating with a special release featuring scripture verses, quotes, and sentiments suggested by the design team members.  To see what all the designers have created, head on over to the Our Daily Bread Designs blog and hop along!  Three winners will be randomly chosen from the comments left on the designers' blogs to receive a $25 gift certificate to the ODBD store, to be used toward the purchase of ODBD stamps. ONE lucky commenter will be randomly chosen to win the 2014 Anniversary Bundle!  You have until March 18, 2014 at 9:00 p.m. EST to leave your comments! The winners will be posted on the ODBD blog on March 19th, so be sure to check back to see if you won!

 
My first card features one of five quotes in the Quote Collection 4 stamp set.  This one - by Corrie ten Boom - reminds us we can feel a peace and calmness by looking to God.  This would make a great encouragement card for someone! (Click on the set photo to see it enlarged)

I used three different Spellbinders' dies: Spiral Blossom One, Oval Nestabilities and Fancy Tags.  The leaves are from ODBD Fancy Foliage die set.  The quote was stamped with Versafine Onyx Black ink then embossed with clear embossing powder.  Some jute twine and a hummingbird charm topped it off!

For my second card, I started with a background of a gelli plate print I created using aqua and gold acrylic paints and a fern stencil.  Since the quote made reference to "heart", I knew I wanted to pair it with ODBD Ornate Hearts dies.  I gold embossed the quote to bring out the hints of gold in the background, then couldn't stop there...had to add gold sequins, gold sticker leaves and a gold die-cut flourish - from ODBD Fancy Foliage die set.  

Thanks for stopping by!  Here's a quick link to head you over to the ODBD blog or you can click on the links below to see what the rest of the designers have created...
Julie * Wanda * Chris * Stacy * Lisa * Grace * Dawn * Diana * Sandee * Sabrina * Silke * Cathy * Angie * Linda * Lori * Cheryl * Audrey * Robin

Mojo Monday

Top of the mornin' to ya! It's time to get your mojo going with Teresa's great sketch for this week's Mojo Monday Challenge! I just love the color palette in this SU Retro Fresh designer paper pack! I fussy cut the two floral images and popped them with foam dots.  I decided to add a banner element for the sentiment.  The basketweave EF and the corduroy brad add some texture.  I kept wanting to throw some sequins on the card, but restrained myself - lol!

For more inspiration, check out the first 7 thumbnails on the Mojo Monday blog, OR...you can visit each mojomaker's blog listed below:

Debbie Carriere

 Julee Tilman (Owner)

 Marisa Ritzen 

  Mary Fish

  Sarah Bigelow

  Teresa Kline

STAMPS: Dream Big (Verve)
PAPER: Retro Fresh DP (SU), Tangerine Tango, Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Vintage Cream.
INK: Tangerine Tango, Coastal Cabana, Chocolate Chip
ACCESSORIES: Dreamy Leaves and Flourished Trim dies by Verve, Corduroy brad by SU, flag die by Reverse Confetti, Basketweave EF by Lifestyle Crafts.

Farm Fresh

Stacey has a fun theme - Farm Fresh - for the new Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge! I've had this little PI cowgirl colored up and paper pieced for some time, and this was the perfect challenge to put her in the spotlight!  The jute twine paired up with the fence dies, the gingham and the sunflowers just shouted out "farm fresh" to me!

STAMPS: PI Cowgirl
PAPER: Graphic 45 "French Country", White (PTI)
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES: Fence, Star and Fishtail Flag Die-Namics by MFT; Oval Nestabilities by SB.

Deconstructed Sketch

Oh yeah! New Reverse Confetti in the mail today! Just couldn't wait to play with the flowers in the new Petals 'n Posies set, so here I am at 2 AM writing this post after getting home from work!  Love the unique leaves and of course, who can resist these polka dotted posies?!  Lots of layering fun...topped off with enamel dots.  The tiny flags were stamped and fussy cut.  The layout is a really great sketch for Jens's new Deconstructed Sketch Challenge!

Here's what I used...
STAMPS: Petals 'n Posies, Arrows 'n Elements - both by Reverse Confetti.
PAPER: Retro Fresh DP by SU, Vintage Cream (PTI), Coastal Cabana (SU).
INK: Coastal Cabana, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Baked Brown Sugar, Chocolate Chip.
ACCESSORIES: Petals 'n Posies dies (Reverse Confetti), Doily Die-Namics by MFT, Enamel dots by Recollections, Basket weave EF by Lifestyle Crafts.

Baby Blues

Good Thursday morning everyone!  It's a chilly one here in VA with temps only in the 20s!  I'm posting a baby card that was rejected for a magazine submission, but it's now on its way to a nephew and his wife who are expecting a boy to arrive any day now.  They thought they had 6 more weeks before the grand entrance, but baby is deciding he has other plans and contractions are happening this week!

I watched a video on Jennifer McGuire's blog many months ago and when I went back to find it, it simply wasn't there!  I did find this video which is similar and describes how she uses patterned paper leftovers to create multiple strips for a unique card background.  I used papers from Echo Park's Bundle of Joy pad along with So Saffron and Chocolate Chip CS by SU.  I cut out 3 of the baby sentiment dies and adhered them together to give added dimension.  The stamp set (and matching die)  is Baby Button Bits by PTI. Baby sentiment die is also by PTI.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Color Throwdown

Hi everyone! It's yours truly hosting the Color Throwdown Challenge this week! Hope you'll enjoy playing with these colors inspired by this sweet little bathroom nook!  Here is what I came up with...

This was my first attempt at using Dreamweaver translucent embossing paste with a tweed pattern stencil by Hero Arts .  Love that it gives a tone on tone sheen to the background!  I didn't want to cover it up too much, so opted for a leafy flourish and some rolled roses with a tiny banner sentiment.

For more inspiration, you'll want to check out the rest of the design team's creations below:            

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

                                              Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor 
                                                   Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion
                                                          Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud

Melody Rupple - A Paper Melody

Monika Davis - M.A.D. Stamper

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

Vickie Zimmer -  Smitten   
Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations (you are here)
Gloria Stengel - (March Guest Designer) - Scraps of Life

Can't wait to see you in the gallery!  Remember, you could be our next guest star stamper for the following week's challenge if you play along! We've had some awesome samples from our star stampers since we added this feature in January!

STAMPS: Itty Bitty Banners (SU)

PAPER: Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango, Certainly Celery, White

INK: Old Olive and Tangerine Tango (to sponge the leaves and petals), Versafine Onyx Black

ACCESSORIES: Leafy flourish Die-Namics by MFT, Rolled roses Die-Namics by MFT, Tweed pattern stencil by Hero Arts, Translucent embossing paste by Dreamweaver, Avery Elle Winter Blend sequins, Pearls.

Retro Sketch Meets CC

Sallie has a great Color Challenge on SCS: Marina Mist, Always Artichoke and Pistachio Pudding with a dessert option to use die cuts.  I used multiple dies from WPlus9 and always love arranging the tiny floral and leafy selections from the Fresh Cut Florals set.  I had to sneak in the wee pop of Crushed Curry in the one flower to warm things up a bit.  :-)  I'm also playing along with Arielle's latest Retrosketches Challenge - based on one of Kasia's cards.  Love the CAS layout! 

STAMPS: Fresh Cut Florals, Just Geometrics: Triangles, Strictly Sentiments - all by WPlus9.
PAPER: Marina Mist, White.
INK: Marina Mist, Always Artichoke, Pistachio Pudding, Crushed Curry, Versafine Onyx Black.
ACCESSORIES: Stripes EF by SU, Fresh Cut Florals dies by WPlus9, Fishtail Flags Die-Namics by MFT.