Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Color Throwdown



It's another Wednesday and that means another Color Throwdown Challenge! Lori has some great colors for us - perfect for yet another Christmas card.


The largest banner flag has snowflakes stamped in Blushing Bride and Cherry Cobbler snowflakes along with script in Close to Cocoa ink.  Old Olive and Blushing Bride berries were stamped on the sentiment panel.

Remember...you don't have to have the exact colors.  Use something close and then link it up on the Color Throwdown blog using the linking tool at the bottom of the post.  If you post to an online gallery, please use the keyword, CTD266.

 For more inspiration, you'll want to check out the rest of the design team's creations!
                                                       Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits
                                              Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor
Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion
Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
Melody Rupple - A Paper Melody
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
Vickie Zimmer -  Smitten
                                    Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations (you are here)
Sankari Wegman (October guest designer) - Sankari's Sunshine Corner
A big thank you to Sankari for sharing her colorful creations with us this month!  Stay tuned next week when we announce our November guest designer!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Sending Joy



I'm feeling joy this morning - both in my card's sentiment and for realz! :-)  I'm loving my new and improved computer hard drive that just zips me from one page to the next without any spinning rainbow wheel appearing anymore!  The Color Challenge on SCS is being hosted by Peggy and she has these awesome colors that would have worked for one of my gazillion floral images, but I stuck with my plan to whittle away at my Christmas card list and went with that theme instead.  The dessert option is to use triangles, so I went with this fun triangular tree die by Impression Obsession.  The plaid background was created using MFT Plaid Background Builder stamp set with Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi and Baked Brown Sugar inks.  Not sure why my Wild Wasabi ribbon looks so washed out in the photo! :-(  The sentiment is a die set by Lil' Inker Designs.  I'm also playing along with the  current Paper Players Challenge - a great sketch by Anne Marie.    Thanks for stopping by...

Monday, October 28, 2013

Deconstructed Sketch



I created this card for Jen Shults' Deconstructed Sketch Challenge. The two tilted panels were pieces from a day of playing with my gelli plate several weeks ago - using fern, dotted and lattice design stencils. I used some copper, gold and rust acrylic paints - thus the decision to mat with copper metallic cardstock.  Some Studio Calico wood veneer embellishments seemed like a good fit...as did the gold cording.  The circle and sentiment are from Verve's "Happy Hello" set.

Thanks for stopping by....I'm glad to be back at blogging again after having my computer hard drive replaced.  It's so speedy now with double the memory and a solid core hard drive that is so fast I may just have to tie this desktop down - lol! 

Mojo Monday


Hi everyone!  My apologies for being late with my mojo card!  I just got my desktop back from the computer repair shop after needing to have the hard drive replaced. :-(  I've been without it since last Wednesday and tried to "fill in" with internet action on my iPad and iPhone, but it's just not the same!  I didn't have photo editing ability (or should I say I didn't have the brains to figure it out if it was capable of editing) with my iPad, so am just now getting my post finished.  

How can it already be the last Monday in October?!  That means it's time for a circle or square sketch. I love square cards, so I went that route again. Lots of patterns going on here...couldn't seem to stop using all the matching papers in MME's My Girl 6x6 pad - lol!

What did I use?
STAMPS: Artful Elegance by Verve
PAPER: My Girl DP by MME, White
ACCESSORIES: Sun Ray Die-Namics by MFT, Rainbows & Clouds die set by Lil' Inker Designs, Starry Night embossing folder by Craft Concepts, Studio Calico wood veneer stars, Grosgrain ribbon, Stitched Circle dies by Lil' Inker Designs.

For more inspiration, be sure to visit the Mojo Monday blog or go to the individual mojomaker's blogs below:



Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Color Throwdown




It's Wednesday and you know what that means! It's time for another Color Throwdown challenge and Joan has some fabulous colors for us!  I went with a sympathy sentiment from Verve's New Mercies set. Unfortunate that I need yet another sympathy card this week!  I stamped off first with the Baked Brown Sugar ink - not sure why it appears gold in the photo.  :-(

Remember...you don't have to have the exact colors.  Use something close and then link it up on the Color Throwdown blog using the linking tool at the bottom of the post.  If you post to an online gallery, please use the keyword, CTD265.




 
 
 For more inspiration, you'll want to check out the rest of the design team's creations!
                                                       Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits
                                              Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor
Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion
Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
Melody Rupple - A Paper Melody
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
Vickie Zimmer -  Smitten
                                    Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations (you are here)
Sankari Wegman (October guest designer) - Sankari's Sunshine Corner

PAPER: Not Quite Navy, Crisp Cantaloupe, Groovy Guava, Pistachio Pudding, White.
INK: Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Not Quite Navy, Pistachio Pudding.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Masculine Birthday



Had to dig into my retired stamps to revive this oldie but goodie pickup truck image from SU's Loads of Love and Accessories sets. I needed a masculine birthday card for an elderly friend of the family and thought the SCS Color Challenge (Sahara Sand, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive) would fit this card well.  I colored the image with Copics, then fussy cut and popped with foam dots.  I used a Wink of Stella silver glitter brush pen to highlight the ribbons/bows on the gifts.  Glossy Accents were added to the hubcaps, chrome, and windshield.  The cloud dies are by Lil' Inker Designs.  The "hills" were created with A2 Curved Borders One dies.  Thanks for stopping by...

Monday, October 21, 2013

Mojo Monday



Happy Monday everyone!  Are you ready for another great Mojo Monday challenge? I tweaked Julee's sketch a bit by grouping the poppies in place of the square element.  I added black enamel accents to the flower centers.  Lots and lots of circles going on, but loved the festive end result.

STAMPS: Poppy Birthday (Verve)
PAPER: Lime Twist "Fly a Kite" 6x6 pad by MME, White (PTI), Lucky Limeade (SU)
INK: Versafine Onyx Black, Lucky Limeade
ACCESSORIES: Stitched Circle die by Lil' Inker Designs, Scroll die by Verve, Ribbon by SU, Enamel dots by MME, Enamel Accents, Pennant trim die by Verve, Corner chomper.

For more inspiration, be sure to visit the Mojo Monday blog or go to the individual mojomaker's blogs below:


Friday, October 18, 2013

One Layer Christmas



TGIF and I'm in the middle of 4 days off work! I'm playing along with Jen Shults' Deconstructed Sketch challenge  - using snowflakes for the circle elements.  Snowflakes were embossed using white opaque EP, then the largest was die cut and popped with small foam dots.  A very simple one layer card and another one marked off my Christmas list!


STAMPS: Peace and Joy (ODBD) - snowflakes; Merry Wishes (Verve) - sentiment.
PAPER: Soft Sky (SU), White.
INK: Versamark, Versafine Onyx Black.
ACCESSORIES: Snowflake die by ODBD, Pastel sequin mix by Verve, Bitty banner framelit by SU, Corner chomper.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

CAS(E) this Sketch



My second post today because I couldn't resist the new CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge! I needed an excuse to ink up this new W Plus 9 set...LOVE it! Chalk up another Christmas card for my list!  I'm not one to enjoy mass production of the same design, so I create a variety of Christmas cards for lots of different challenges to get the job done.

Most of these images involve two step stamping - so great to add depth and dimension.  You can't have a holiday card without some shimmer, so...no big surprise if you follow my blog...I used my Wink of Stella clear shimmer brush pen to add strokes of glitter.


STAMPS: Woodland Wreaths (W Plus 9)
PAPER: White (PTI)
INK: Garden Green, Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Black
ACCESSORIES: Coordinating Woodland Wreath dies by W Plus 9, Gold glitter tape, Wink of Stella clear shimmer pen.
 

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Pumpkin Tag



I decided to use the layout for today's Sketch Challenge on SCS in a tag format.  I've always loved
this pumpkin image with matching die from Our Daily Bread Designs and it was past due to get inky!  The tag is the largest die in MFT's Die-Namics Traditional Tags die set.  Papers are from MME's Mischievous 6x6 pad and layered on a kraft tag base.

COPICS: YR12, YR15, YR18, YG21, YG23, YG25, E35, E37,E42.
ACCESSORIES: Twine by MME, Natural trim by SU, Button by SU, Jute twine, Enamel dots by MME, MFT Die-Namics Traditional Tags and Fishtail Flags, Circle punches.

Color Throwdown



The Color Throwdown challenge  has a great color combo this week...thanks to Broni - our hostess with the mostest!  I decided to create another Christmas card using these non-traditional colors in a snowflake collage.


I'm also playing along with Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.  After stamping the background, I embossed it with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.

STAMPS: Peace and Joy (ODBD)
PAPER: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Night of Navy, Silver glitter CS (SU)
INK: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Night of Navy
ACCESSORIES: Cuttlebug EF, Snowflake dies by ODBD, Dimensional bling stickers by Jolee's, Brad by MME, Grommet tag die by Spellbinders.

Remember...you don't have to have the exact colors.  Use something close and then link it up on the Color Throwdown blog using the linking tool at the bottom of the post.  If you post to an online gallery, please use the keyword, CTD264.



For more inspiration, you'll want to check out the rest of the design team's creations!
                                                       Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits
                                              Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor
Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
Vickie Zimmer -  Smitten
                                    Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations (you are here)
Sankari Wegman (October guest designer) - Sankari's Sunshine Corner

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Rosy Posy Time



Chupa has another great sketch for her Sketchbook Saturday Challenge, so I merged with the Color Challenge on SCS to create this floral card! I left it without a sentiment to be able to add a sentiment as needed.  I'll have to admit, Summer Starfruit is probably one of my least fave colors, but it's starting to grow on me!  Love being pushed to use it.  The lattice embossing folder is a new find at Michael's yesterday and perfect for that 50% off coupon!  There's a hint of some splatter images on the die frame - more use of my fave SU Gorgeous Grunge set!  You can also spot the Wink of Stella clear glitter brush used on the flowers.


STAMPS: Rosy Posy and Rosy Posy Step 2 by PTI; Gorgeous Grunge by SU
PAPER: So Saffron, Summer Starfruit, Soft Sky, White
INK: So Saffron, Summer Starfruit, Soft Sky, Old Olive
ACCESSORIES: Lattice EF (Lifestyle Crafts), Rosy Posy dies (PTI), Soft Sky ribbon (SU), Frame die by PTI, Fishtail Flags Die-Namics by MFT, Wink of Stella clear shimmer brush pen.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Deconstructed Sketch


I needed a baby card for an upcoming shower, so Jen's Deconstructed Sketch Challenge was the perfect layout to spotlight this adorable little Verve monkey from the To the Moon set!  It matches the pink and green colors on the gift bag which also happens to have a monkey in the design.  I colored the critter with Copics (E31, E35, E57) then fussy cut and popped him with foam dots.  I layered some die cut grass to "ground" the image.  Verve's new pastel sequins were perfect embellishments for the finishing touch! 

PAPER: Nana's Nursery Baby Girl by DCWV, White.
ACCESSORIES: Border punch by EK Success, Circle Nesties, Grass border Die-Namics by MFT, Label die Die-Namics by MFT, Grommet stickers by Jolee's, Fishtail Flags Die-Namics by MFT, Corner Chomper, Sequins by Verve. 

I'm Published!!



One of my New Year's resolutions was to submit some entries for publication. I was thrilled that one of my three cards that I submitted on my first try was selected!  I remember the day I got the happy mail from Susan Opel, the creative editor at Paper Crafts magazine!  There was an audible WOOHOO to say the least! :-)  What made it even more special was that I used a hand crocheted flower made by my mother.  She's been gone for 3 years now this month and I sure wish she was here to celebrate with me!  She was my biggest card fan!

For details, be sure and pick up a copy of Handmade Cards that is currently on the stands!  I'm on page 66! :-)  AND...there just might be a card from me in another of Paper Crafts special magazines that will feature masculine creations - due out in November!  Just sayin'...

Mojo Monday



Another week has rolled by and I'm geared up for Julee's newest Mojo Monday challenge! :-)  I knew I wanted to ink up my fave robot from Verve's latest release - isn't he adorable?  I used the gear BG stamp from MFT's Collage Backgrounds set - taking the easy way out.  You can create your own collage background using the individual images in the Geared Up set by Verve - a companion set to Birthday Bots.  Loved accenting with some tiny gear sequins - also available in the Verve store!  See that shimmery ribbon?  It was a freebie with one of my Verve orders and was perfect to pair up with this card!  I colored the "bot" with Copics and added some shimmer using a clear Wink of Stella brush pen.

So...for more inspiration, hop over to the Mojo Monday blog or go to the individual mojomaker's blogs below:
STAMPS: Birthday Bots (Verve), Geared Up (Verve), Collage Backgrounds (MFT)
PAPER: Simple Stories 6x6 pad, Black, White
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES: Metal Mix sequins by Verve; Award Banner die by Verve; Ribbon; Corner chomper
COPICS: C3, C5, C7, R22, R24, R27.

CAS(E) This Sketch



Rainy days are certainly good for stamping and playing along with your fave challenges! :-)  After creating a couple of Christmas cards earlier in the w/e, I went back to a fall theme with this Primitive Pumpkin set by My Favorite Things.  I made this for the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge and flipped the layout upside down.  While football games were broadcast on TV this afternoon, I had my kitchen counter filled with acrylic paints, stencils, brayer and gelli plate.  I "printed" about a dozen backgrounds and this was one of them.  I used a combination of yellow, orange and gold acrylic paints.  The pumpkins were stamped in Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango, and Old Olive inks by SU.  The card is 5 1/4" square - a little "tweak" of the A2 sketch.


Thanks for stopping by!  I always enjoy your comments...

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Retro Sketch



I've finally convinced myself that my stamp choices really need to consistently involve a Christmas theme until I reach my 50 card goal! I'm not sure where the days disappear to so quickly, but December will be here before I know it and I want to be prepared. Arielle has another great sketch on board for the Retro Sketches Challenge!  I let the designer paper take care of the sentiment and pulled colors from that pattern for the other layers.  The snowflakes were stamped on Bermuda Bay CS using Versamark ink then heat embossed with white EP.  They were then die cut. 

STAMPS: Peace and Joy (ODBD)
PAPER: Lost and Found Christmas Special Edition by MME, Old Olive, Black, Vintage Cream, Bermuda Bay.
ACCESSORIES: Jute twine, Button by SU, Snowflakes dies by ODBD, Border Die-Namics by MFT, Bitty Banners Framelits by SU.

It's been dreary and constantly raining for the past 3 days, so I am more than ready to see some sunshine which is predicted to show up tomorrow!  Thanks for stopping by...