Raise the Bar features Saturated Canary

Good Friday everybody! Raise the Bar's challenge is being sponsored by Saturated Canary this week and this is my first time using one of Krista Smith's digi images...and it won't be the last!  I love her trademark eyes and adorable characters!  You'll want to check out all of her images HERE and try one for yourself!  Along with using a SC image, the challenge theme is birthdays.

This digi is called "Thank You" and  after a lot of deliberation, I finally chose this one for its versatility.  I'm still learning with Copic coloring and have found the new Annie's Attic "Copic Coloring Guide"- Level 3: People to be very helpful with color selection.  I was also inspired by the colors in the Tuesday Trigger photo this week...a gorgeous fall wreath!  I used Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge layout...one that I'll be using again and again!

Here's what I used:
STAMPS: Tiny Tags (PTI), Thank You digi image by Saturated Canary.
PAPER: Julianne DP by K&Co, White (PTI)
ACCESSORIES: Leafy Flourish die by Cheery Lynn Designs, Tiny tags die by PTI, Oval Nesties, Fishtail Flags Die-Namics by MFT, Flower Die-Namics by MFT.
COPICS: Hair-E23, E25, E29, E79
                Eyes-YG25, YG67, N2
                Skin-E50, E51, E04, E93 (cheeks)
                Shoes-E43, E44, E47
                Clothing-R56, R59, YG93, YG95Y13, Y15, Y17.

Come on over to the Raise the Bar challenge blog and join us!  For more inspiration, see what the other designers have created:

Joni

Thanh

Peggy

We also have a number of guest designers each week...it could be you next time!

ColourQ Thank You

I created this quick and easy card for the following challenges:
ColourQ Challenge - Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Kraft, White
Viva la Verve - sketch by Amber
Ways to Use It Challenge - make card of thanks

I stamped the wreath in Soft Suede and added berries in Daffodil Delight and Cherry Cobbler.  Another thank you card to add to my daughter's stash.  She uses them frequently as she goes through her nursing clinical rotations.  Have to hurry on as I'm meeting up with some retired nurses for lunch at 1:00 then will head on to work from there!  I'm hoping one girl who is battling Stage IV cancer will be able to be there.   I didn't work closely with her, but we flew to Las Vegas together several years ago for a series of workshops.  Sweet lady and I'm so sorry she's having to fight the fight of her life!  She's chosen not to take any chemo and has taken care of all business and is ready for eternity.  I admire her courage!  (I knew I couldn't write this without tissues).  Have a blessed day everyone...and I thank you for stopping by!

STAMPS: A Wreath for All Seasons (PTI), With Love (Verve), Borderline (Verve)
PAPER: On the Bright Side One by MME, Cherry Cobbler, Kraft, Soft Suede, White
INK: Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight
ACCESSORIES: Fleur de Lis square die by SB, Circle Nestie, Die-Namics Fishtail Flags STAX by MFT, Mega Oval Lg. Nestie, Large Dot EF.

Color Throwdown

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for another Color Throwdown Challenge! I just love these fabulous colors that Denise picked out!  As a matter of fact...I recently ordered a cargo style purse that is black and white with lime green monogram letters!  If I'm going to "pop" a color, it will generally be green! :-)  I'm also a scarf lover and my last purchase was a green scarf!  I'm thinking Denise must have channeled me on this challenge - lol!

Check out this chilly chum from Paper Smooches!  Isn't he cool?  I added a pompom-bedecked hat and a muffler from some Coredinations paper in my scrap pile.  I fussy cut the penguin and layered him over 2 snowflake dies.  This card uses the layout for this week's Retrosketches Challenge.

Be sure and check out the other design team members' creations on the Color Throwdown blog for more inspiration, and stop by to say "Hi" to Lynn Mercurio, who is our guest designer for November!  Welcome, Lynn!  She has a fabulous card you won't want to miss!

You know the drill...if you don't have the exact colors, it's no problem.  Use something close and have fun!  If you post to an online gallery, please use the keyword CTD217.

STAMPS: Chilly Chums by Paper Smooches
PAPER: Night of Navy, White (PTI), Coredinations (? green)
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
ACCESSORIES: CB 5x7" snowflake EF, Corner chomper, Scallop circle Nestie, Fishtail Flags Die-Namics by MFT, Stitched ribbon by MME, Snowflake dies by Spellbinders, Oval punches by SU, Copics.

To You and Yours

A quick post here before heading out to vote this morning! I used Jen's Deconstructed Sketch for the layout and chose one of Betty Wright's retro color challenges to honor her many years of faithful leadership in the Color Challenge on SCS!  She is stepping down from that responsibility and so I chose her CC306 - Bravo Burgundy, Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze.

I thought this DP from MME's "Merry" paper pad would be perfect.  Stamps are from the "Christmas Cottage" set by Waltzingmouse Stamps...colored with Copics and sparkling with Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

ACCESSORIES: Postage stamp edge Die-Namics by MFT, Doily lace punch by MS, Baja Breeze seam binding by SU, Vintage button by PTI, Dazzling Diamonds glitter by SU.

Mojo Monday

I had a lot of fun using this great Mojo sketch to create this Republican...errr...I mean baby card - lol! There was a donkey in the mojo gallery and I simply had to give equal time to the elephant! (grin)  I love the yellows and grays in this "Breeze" pad by MME!  Thought it would work well with Emery colored up with Copics!  The sentiment and sweet little stars are stamps from Verve's "To the Moon" set.

For more inspiration by the other mojomakers...head on over to the Mojo Monday blog and check out the lovely creations!  I hope you enjoy playing with Julee's sketch as much as I did!  To all my friends in the states, don't forget to exercise your privilege to vote tomorrow!

CASEing Jen

It's a lazy Sunday afternoon and perfect for a bit of stamping! I decided to create another Christmas card and I got my inspiration from today's featured stamper, Jen Mitchell! I chose to CASE her card HERE.  I kept the rich colors and basically the same layout, but used a Christmas theme instead.

What else did I use?
STAMPS: Merry Wishes (Verve)
PAPER: Cottage Wall DP by SU, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, White
INK: Versafine Onyx Black, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry
ACCESSORIES: Corner Chomper, Poinsettia dies by SB, Adhesive glitter dots, Picot Edge Circle Nesties, Fishtail Flags Die-Namics by MFT.

Raise the Bar

Good Friday to all! The bartenders have an "anything goes" theme this week at Raise the Bar!  I used Korin's layout for the Sketch Challenge on SCS and should have layered my 2 banners on black as they "got lost" on the floral BG!  Oh well...it's almost 1:00 AM and I'm not about to tear it apart now!  The flower base is a flocked piece of DP that looks (and feels) so much better IRL.  I layered a MFT Die-Namics rolled rose and added some branches from Cheery Lynn Designs.  I just love the varied fonts in Julee Tilman's Verve sentiments, so went with one from the new "Lean on Me" set.  It won't be new for long as there will be a new Christmas release tomorrow and I'm anxiously waiting to see all the new designs!  Join us in the Verve forum at 9 PM EST Friday night for the big release party!  I'll be at work, but hopefully it will be a quiet shift and I'll get to pop in and chat for at least a little while!  Enjoy your day!

PAPER: Chapter One paper pad by Kaisercraft, Black, White, Mellow Moss.