Ways To Use It: Stripes

I had this stenciled striped background done some time ago and just never got the card completed to post until I saw the Ways To Use It Challenge on Splitcoaststampers was to use stripes as the focus. That got me to finally finishing this project up!
Stamps: Comforting Commands (The Greetery)
Accessories: Stitched Blooms and Layered Leaves dies by My Favorite Things; Comforting Commands dies by The Greetery.
Thanks so much for stopping by....                          ~Wanda

Let It Snow!

Oh the weather outside is frightful...but the fire is so delightful! Well...it's actually too cold to snow and the wind has blown fiercely all day long with a high of 22 and wind chill much lower!  I had to venture outside for a doctor's appointment this morning then another run in the afternoon to the high school to pick up fresh oysters sold by the band students!  We don't have a working fireplace, so the closest thing I had to a fire was the warmth of my oven while making mock turtles!  I'll share this really easy Christmas treat at the end of my post.

I created this quick card for two challenges.  SCS Ways to Use It Challenge was to let a song inspire our card, so the old classic "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" was my inspiration.  I used the current layout for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge...adding some leftover snowflakes that were die cut for previous projects.  They matched designer papers from Recollections' Blue Christmas 6x6 pad and I chose this gorgeous font in a sentiment stamp from Reverse Confetti's Christmas Blessings stamp set.  

 

Here are the ultra quick and easy pretzel bites I said I would share.  I have a hard time even calling it a “recipe”, when it only has three ingredients…Rolo (store bought chocolate/caramel candies), pretzels and pecan halves. 

Lay your pretzels on a baking sheet (I use parchment paper to line the pans to make clean up a breeze!) and top each one with an unwrapped Rolo.

Bake in the oven at 250*F for 4-5 minutes (no longer).

When you remove them from the oven, the Rolo will still be in the same shape as when it went in the oven. Place a pecan half on top of the Rolo and press down a bit.

Place the entire baking sheet in the freezer for about 5-7 minutes to allow the Rolo to cool.  Since it's so cold, my sun room is kept closed off during the winter and it's like having a second refrigerator.  I placed the cookie sheets on the table in the sun room until cooled. These are so delicious!  A great sweet-salty combo.

Inspired by Ads

Sabrina has a fun Ways to Use It Challenge on SCS - be inspired by ads!  I needed a birthday card for my son and I kept hearing the Disney commercial theme song in my brain "When you wish upon a star...makes no difference who you are".  It fit right in with the current As You See It Challenge #131 where they're asking us to use splatter, tape, diagonal, light blue and star elements.  Edited to add: I missed the deadline. :-( And as they say...the rest is history and my son's birthday card was completed!

After choosing the diagonal striped DP (from Doodlebug Design's Sugar Shoppe pad), I then splattered Heidi Swapp's Color Shine in gold.  The sentiment die and stamp is from WPlus9's Whole Lotta Happy set.  Stitched stars and rectangle are by Lil' Inker Designs and Stitched Fishtail Flags STAX Die-Namics die for the sentiment banner is by MFT.  

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

Hay There!

I'm playing along with the SCS Ways to Use It challenge to celebrate National Pet Sitters Week by including a pet on our card. The layout uses the current Retrosketches Challenge. 

For years, when our 3 children were young, we had a pet miniature goat!  There are countless stories of the times Smoky got himself into trouble!
He was a salt and pepper color - gray/white and black - and extremely smart!  So, he is the inspiration for my card today. 

STAMPS: The Whole Herd (MFT); Timeless Textures (SU).
PAPER: Crushed Curry, White.
INK: Crushed Curry, Memento Tuxedo Black.
ACCESSORIES: Stitched Fishtail Flags, Stitched Rounded Rectangles, The Whole Herd and Traditional Tags STAX Die-Namics by MFT; Burlap ribbon and jute twine; Gold glitter enamel dots; Copics.

Christmas Stocking

A quick gift card holder completed for both the Curtain Call Inspiration challenge which has a Dear Santa theme and also for SCS Ways to Use It challenge to use a stocking.  I don't have Santa stamps in my stash - surprising, I know - but this old world style designer paper was perfect to showcase some vintage Santas!  This SU Bigz "Holiday Stocking" die by Sizzix makes a perfect GC or money holder. Once again, I reached for Reverse Confetti's holly die and added a couple of jingle bell berries.  It's such an easy and versatile Christmas embellishment!

PAPER: Old World Winter by the Paper Studio.

I have to share one of my favorite Dear Santa letters that suits me to a tee - lol!

Hehehe!!!
Have a great day...and remember to be a blessing to someone!

3 in 1

I have a crisp and clean, layered card (my favorite card style) for 3 different challenges: 

Freshly Made Sketches #188

Colour Q Challenge 

Ways to Use It - use favorite tool.  

I would say my Big Shot is probably my favorite tool since I love using dies on the majority of my creations!  This card uses the Diagonal Stripe Pretty Panels Confetti Cut by Reverse Confetti,  Spring Blooms dies by WPlus9 that coordinates with the stamp set by the same name, and my fave Stitched Mats: Rectangle die by Lil' Inker Designs.

STAMPS: Spring Blooms (WPlus9), Banner Blast (SU).

PAPER: Coastal Cabana (SU), White (PTI).

INK: Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Strawberry Slush.

ACCESSORIES: Spring Blooms dies by WPlus9, Diagonal Stripe Pretty Panels die by Reverse Confetti, Banner punch by SU, Silver button by SU, Stitched rectangle die by Lil' Inker Designs.

May Flowers

 I simply couldn't pass up the May flowers challenge for the Ways To Use It challenge on SCS! Normally, I use use lots of color in my creations (especially with flowers), but I'm needing to add some wedding cards to my stash, so went with white, gold and black for a more classy and formal look.  

I gold embossed these gorgeous peonies - Peony Scrolls by Altenew - on vellum then fussy cut and layered on another stamped peony on white CS.  I popped two of the flowers with foam dots for more dimension.  I die cut two Large Marianna Vine Background branches - one in brushed metallic gold and one in vellum.  The sentiment is a combination of die and black embossing from Simon Says Stamp Sending and Wishing set.  I adhered these elements to a stitched rectangle die (Lil' Inker Designs) base in white.  

TGIF and I'm ecstatic to have a 4 day weekend off work!  Woohoo!
 

Flutter By, Butterflies

The SCS gallery is filling up with butterflies today for the Ways to Use It challenge! I'm using the newly released Fancy Fritillary die by Our Daily Bread Designs as the focal point.  I used yellow and orange paint on watercolor CS for the butterfly base.  The top layer was die cut from vellum.  I layered up 3 of the Layered Lacey Square dies by ODBD and popped that over a herringbone embossed Vintage Cream CS card base.  The sentiment tag is by Jen Hadfield (Pebbles). Papers are from My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose "Mabel" 6x6 pad.

It's a gorgeous May day here in Virginia!  Hope it's sunny and glorious in your part of the world as well!

Fusion Challenge

I created this quick card for 2 challenges: SCS Ways To Use It challenge to use the theme "April Showers" (note the "shower" of gold color shine in the background) and for the Fusion challenge where I incorporated elements from the photo (elegant shine and florals) with the sketch.  I spritzed gold color shine on the card background after lightly stenciling the splatter design with Falling Star ink.

STAMPS: Bitty Bouquets (PTI), Banner Blast (SU).
PAPER: Lemon Tart (PTI), Snow White Linen CS (PTI), Metallic gold CS, White (PTI).
INK: Bo Peep, Beanstalk, Blossomsberry, Falling Star - Pure Color inks by WPlus9.
ACCESSORIES: Scribble Circle die (PTI), Bitty Bouquet dies (PTI), Banner punch (SU), Gold button (SU), Heidi Swapp gold color shine, TCW Mini Texturized stencil; Stitched rectangle die by
Lil' Inker Designs. 

Soft Scarf Inspiration

Awww...I'm a scarf lover and it's the best thing about winter when I get to wear them!  There's a new Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge up and Stacey has this great scarf photo for our trigger, so I knew I had to play along.  The Ways to Use It challenge on SCS is to use only foreign language words on our creation.  I immediately went to this old but loved retired French Script BG stamp by SU.  After stamping several swoosh images in Tumbled Glass and Chipped Sapphire distress inks on watercolor paper, I then took the Walnut Stain ink pad and dabbed it on portions of the BG stamp.  I didn't want a solid look.  I finally got around to using my new to me Memory Box die in Old Olive and Raspberry Fizz CS.  A few clear sparkling sequins from Pretty Pink Posh and I was done.

STAMPS: Work of Art (SU), French Script BG (SU).

Fusion Anniversary Challenge

I'm playing along with the SCS Ways to Use It challenge to use something new - the ODBD "Sing Thy Grace" stamp set released today - and the Fusion Card Challenge celebrating their 1 year anniversary.  I combined both the sketch and the inspiration photo into a 5 1/2" square card format.

The guitar, sentiment and musical note were all stamped in

Versafine Onyx Black then clear embossed.  The chipboard frame by Bazzill has been in my stash for a long time and thought it would work perfectly for this card.

STAMPS: Sing Thy Grace (ODBD).
PAPER: Blushing Rose Collection (ODBD), Blushing Bride, Vintage Cream.
ACCESSORIES: Pennant dies by ODBD, Mini Tags die by ODBD, Pearls, Jute twine, Antique Frame by Bazzill Basics Paper, Paper doily.

Merry & Bright

The countdown is on! Only 2 more working days and then I'll be off for THREE glorious weeks! Can. Not. Wait. So, I decided I would multi-task with another Christmas card this morning which fits 4 different challenges:

Retrosketches - mine is a flipped version.
Tag, You're It challenge - inspired by the the clean, white tag and die cuts.

SCS Ways to Use It  - use office supplies (I used staples and a paper clip).
Just Us Girls - word week: "Sparkle" (I used glitter tape and glitter CS).

STAMPS:  Bring on the Merry (Reverse Confetti)
PAPER: Trim the Tree (SU), Garden Green, Early Espresso, White, Silver glitter CS (SU).
INK: Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler.
ACCESSORIES: Tag, tree and snowflake dies - all by Reverse Confetti; Silver confetti, Staples, Heart-shaped paper clip.

Thanks for stopping by...

What Does The Fox Say?

Believe it or not...he says MERRY CHRISTMAS! :-) Yes, this is a Christmas card for a co-worker who dressed up as a fox for Halloween! I saw the idea of creating a fox from star dies (I used ODBD Sparkling Stars dies) on Pinterest.  The card base is Cajun Craze and the lighter rust CS is from my scrap pile - not sure of the color.  The SCS Ways to Use It challenge is a "Get Fired Up" theme, so I went with the faux burnt edges technique by sponging Old Paper, Vintage Photo and Black Soot distress inks on white CS then die cut the border with Lil Inker Designs stitched scallop die.  The layout is using the current sketch on the Retrosketches Challenge blog.  The sentiment is computer generated.  The foxy nose has Glossy Accents added.

Thanks for stopping by...

Aqua Stars

I was burning the midnight oil after getting off work last night and created this card for two challenges.  First off, I have to give Amy Kolling the credit for inspiring me after seeing her gorgeous card on Pinterest!  I used a solid CS instead of DP and stamped stars instead of snowflakes, but the layout is the same.  This is a sneak peek of a new set being released by Our Daily Bread Designs on Nov. 1. There are 4 different sized stars and I've used all but the largest size to create the background.  Today's Ways to Use It challenge on SCS is to use our favorites and for me, it's the color and the use of embossing - both dry embossing for texture and heat embossing for the shimmer and shine!  It's also for Susie's HYCCT challenge to create your own background.

STAMPS: His Birth (ODBD)
PAPER: Coastal Cabana, White
INK: Coastal Cabana, Versamark
ACCESSORIES: Tag die by WPlus9, ODBD Sparkling Stars dies, Snowflake EF by SU, Silver cording.

Remembering

September 11 brings back a flood of memories every year when we remember that day 13 years ago
when the US was hit by overwhelming sadness as acts of terrorism changed so many lives forever. The SCS Ways to Use It challenge is to "make it monumental"....meaning we are to honor our heroes by incorporating elements of stone, granite, marble, etc.  on our creations.  I went with some Ferro Special Effect Paste by Creative Imaginations that has actual natural ground stone in the mixture and added it to Soft Stone cardstock using a TCW mini basketweave stencil.  It has a very hardened and rough texture IRL and I thought it would be perfect for this challenge!  I'm also playing along with Jen's Deconstructed Sketch Challenge.

STAMPS: ODBD Old Flag Background, ODBD Not Forgotten.
PAPER: Soft Stone by PTI, White, Real Red.
INK: Night of Navy, TH Distress markers - Barn Door and Faded Jeans.

Back to School

It's back to old school with a chalkboard theme over on SCS Ways to Use It challenge! I white embossed this MFT sentiment, sponged some white ink to make it appear smudged with chalk then stamped a notebook page image (also by MFT) on the card base. A die cut apple from Reverse Confetti and a Memory Box "Pepita" die border completed this CAS one layer-ish card. I'm entering this into Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where "Anything Goes".  It's being sponsored by Memory Box so that explains my border choice.

Seize the Sketch

This card is for the following challenges...
Seize the Sketch #22 - fabulous layout by Lori Tecler!
SCS Ways to Use It - incorporate twine/rope on a card.

I adhered a vellum rectangle (hard to see in photo) below the die cut sentiment using spray adhesive.  I sponged some Cool Caribbean ink on the sentiment panel before removing it from the die.  The vellum feathers were heat embossed using Stampendous' Detail White fine EP and adhered using clear Kool Tak foam adhesive squares.  I shaved a tropical gelato color and mixed the bits of color with some light modeling paste, then added it to the card base using a Tim Holtz' Bubble stencil.

PAPER: Cool Caribbean, White, Vellum
STAMPS: Fine Feathers by Waltzingmouse Stamps
ACCESSORIES: Labels Three Nestabilities, Modeling Paste, Bubble stencil by TH, Feather dies by Waltzingmouse Stamps.

Thanks for stopping by...