CAS Pixie Post

I was in the mood to create a CAS card, so I could let these beautiful papers be highlighted. I used the Fall to Layout sketch and will enter this into the Verve Fan Hop - deadline tomorrow at noon. I had such a fun day shopping with my good friend, Teresa, today! I laughed until tears ran down my face...the 2 hour trip seemed like 20 minutes with so much to talk about and share! The papers and lace were some of the fun new supplies I found - lace at Hobby Lobby...papers at Scrapdoodles. The flower was stamped using Early Espresso ink, cut out and popped with foam dots.
STAMPS: Dream Big (Verve) - sentiment; One Person (Verve) - flower
PAPER: Pixie Post by Graphic 45; Stella & Rose "Hazel" paper by My Mind's Eye (flower); Stella & Rose Gertie "You & Me" paper by My Mind's Eye (leaves).
INK: Early Espresso
ACCESSORIES: Corner chomper, Brad, Lace, Chocolate satin ribbon, Die-namic by MFT.

Seeing Spots

This card is for 2 challenges:
Ways to Use It - use polka dots
Our Creative Corner - sketch (This is when I know I should have gone to bed...I used OCC's sketch and forgot that distressing was part of the challenge!). So I get an F for this card!
This was another quick and easy card...some scrap DP (? source) from my scrap pile...a doily tag by MS layered over a black circle Nestie, a prima, some leftover leaves from a previous project and a bit of bling.
STAMPS: Accent Notes (Verve)

Look Out World!

It's been a couple of busy days without stamping, so had to whip out a card to prevent withdrawal symptoms - lol! This card uses Claire's CAS sketch for the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge and the colors are from the Color Throwdown Challenge to use Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze & Pink Pirouette. I thought these papers from Tim Holtz's Vintage Shabby paper stack worked well. The stars were punched from Not Quite Navy CS then star eyelets were added. I'm looking forward to a day trip tomorrow with Va.Sunshine! Scrapdoodles and Hobby Lobby...here we come!
STAMPS: To the Moon (Verve)
INK: Not Quite Navy
ACCESSORIES: Small star punch (SU), Star eyelets, CB tag die, Ribbon, Twine

For Your Inspiration Challenge - IT"S NEW!

Welcome to the 1st challenge on the For Your Inspiration blog!

My first love in crafting is making handstamped cards, so that is primarily what you'll be seeing from my DT entries. I was inspired by the diamond grid on the unusual architecture (isn't that just the coolest building ever?!) and knew I wanted to create a recessed diamond BG by scoring at 1/2" intervals, then rubbing Marina Mist ink over Marina Mist CS. The gently curved buildings reminded me of the long leaves that shoot up when my irises are blooming. I also took the sky colors to inspire my colors - the dark blue with a hint of lavender in the sunset. This challenge is supposed to be fun and that's exactly what I had - fun! I'm anxious to see what you might be inspired to create with this lovely scene as your starting point!

STAMPS: Siberian Iris (Flourishes), Happy Hello (Verve)
PAPER: Marina Mist, Bazzil textured white (large diamond panel), Neenah Solar White
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, Marina Mist
ACCESSORIES: Diamond Nestabilities, CB, Scor-Pal, Circle Nestabilities, New Leaf ribbon (PTI), Lace trim, Square lattice EF, Copic sketch markers (YG11, YG13,YG17, BV00, BV01, B91, B93, B95)

Easter Chicks w/Bird Punch

I combined the sketch for ODBD Shining Light Challenge with colors from Stacey's Curtain Call Challenge (So Saffron, More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake) to create this spring card. This was my first time using the 2-step bird punch to make Easter chicks (go to my tips/tutorial heading at the top of my blog to find the link to Ann's blog) and they were so easy and fun to make! I used tiny black pearls for the eyes instead of the punched eye that Ann used. The lilies were colored with Copics, cut out and glued to the card. Yellow Stickles were added to the centers. The white oval was embossed to add a bit more dimension. I was stumped by these colors at first, but was happy with the end result. I wanted to add a sentiment to the front, but ran out of room, so it will go on the inside. Thanks for stopping by!
STAMPS: Easter Blessings (ODBD)
PAPER: Cherry Cobbler, Kiwi Kiss, Crumb Cake, Jolly Holiday DP by SU
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, Barely Banana (to sponge the edges of the chick pieces)
ACCESSORIES: 2-step bird punch (SU), Grass Die-namic (MFT), EK Success scallop border punch, Stickles, Copics, Oval Nesties, Foam dots, EF (? name)

Big News!

I have a BIG announcement! At least it's big to me! There's a new challenge on board for all you crafty people...AND there's a new design team and I'M SO HAPPY TO BE ON THE FIRST TEAM for the next 6 months! Click on the blinkie in my sidebar to be taken to the FYI challenge blog. Here are the other talented team members that I'm so happy to be working with:

Steph (our coordinator) "Where'd All My Money Go"

Brenda "Rose Blossom Legacies"

Corina "Stampin With a Java Junkie"

Debbie "Live, Life, Loud"

Valerie "Paper & Cookies {creative pursuits of a crafty suburban mom} "

This challenge is meant to be fun and is a chance for you to explore different mediums (papercrafting, sewing, baking, jewelry making, etc.) to interpret an inspiration picture chosen by our fearless leader, Steph. The lotus flower is known as a symbol of creativity and the winner of each bi-weekly challenge will be able to proudly display the Lovely Lotus award on their blog. If you want more details, check out the For Your Inspiration blog. I'll be looking for all my blogger friends to join in with this new bi-weekly venture starting this Thursday!

Teapot Tuesday

Julia has picked some awesome colors for this week's Color Challenge on SCS: Rose Red, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery with the dessert option to use banners. I cheated and picked out DP with banners in the pattern. This is also for MMTPT Challenge to create a sports related card with the destination being a young man in Farmington, New Mexico who is recuperating from severe burns from an accident. His faith and his coaching are top interests in his life and I'm hoping this great verse from Psalm 3:3 will be an encouragement to him. I really dug into my stamp archives for this OLD sports stamp by Delafield Stamp Co. Some distressing, twine, pearls and ribbon tabs completed this card.
PAPER: Fine & Dandy (My Mind's Eye), Neenah Solar White, Certainly Celery
INK: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red
ACCESSORIES: EK Success border punch, MFT die-namic star border, Kaiser silver pearls, Baker's twine, Distressing tool, Spiral border punch (SU), Sponge, Corner chomper, Certainly Celery ribbon (SU)