keep calm and keep on...

ridin' on... Ha... did you think it would be a Harley.... well, I could understand! Well, maybe that was out in "left field" for some of you! Have been lovin' this car for a while from The Crafts Meow Antique Rides and have been wanting to participate in the monthly sketch challenge.... squeaking in at the last minute!

Changed a couple things... my exhaust is the sentimet and just a bit of twine for the bow combo. Colored with copics and added some shine to the windows and headlights. The "road" is from Typically Teen.

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ISSC31-thank you!!

It's Friday morn' and time for another I Spy sketch!! Y'all created fabulous cards last week.... keep 'em coming!! This is the sketch challenge where we look for YOUR cards for Inspiration!! ISSC31 is from Karen Dunbrook ( k dunbrook @ SCS) and is based on this card. Gorgeous!!

'Kay... little bit easier sketch this week, LOL!! I pulled out my Verve set Dream Big...has been on my mind this week.... since Julee's recent release included Scalloped Flower dies that work with a new set Brighter Days and the two smaller flowers in Dream Big...WOOT WOOT!! I have been wanting/bugging/wishing for dies for these flowers {for a little while, just using my first amendment rights??} as my fussy cutting skills are a bit lacking!! I stamped the medium flower in versamark onto SU's crumbcake and heat embossed with clear. Love how this stands out. Added a sentiment from the same set, die cut with Verve's Embossed Oval die, layered on an oval cut with a die from SU and popped up with foam for added dimension. Added a seam binding ribbon {Ribbon Carousel} with button/twine bow. Haveta' tell ya I was thinking of Moe {Maureen Plut at Buttons & Bling} as a while back she talked about using a hair straightener to iron her ribbon and it would have been perfect tonite... trip to the drugstore or Target is in order!! Verve has sale going on and so does Ribbon Carousel... just sayin'!!

So.....have fun and get to Stampin!! Make a card using the sketch- and link it up.... we'd LOVE to see what you create!! Make sure and stop by the blog to see what the other Special Agents created-serious creativity and inspiration!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

Colorthrowdown Wednesday!!

Hoop..Hoop...Hooray! It's wednesday and the week is half way over AND we have a long weekend {for most} here in the states!! My final card as the Guestie at Colorthrowdown... this week Lori is the hostess and she has chosen.. melon mambo, barely banana, gable green, and peach parfait. Here are the colors and inspiration pic....

My card....

"Kay... my barely banana is BANANA and I added a bit of black!! Just fessin' up early, LOL!! Stamped this adorable Lulu from Kraftin Kimmie Stamps.... how many of you grew up in the hoola hoop craze? I did!! Peach parfait was embossed with a circle CB EF. Colored Lulu with copics. Added some ribbon and seam binding from the Ribbon Carousel {great sale going on until the end of August}. Double stacked buttons with twine and sentiment labels to finish. Sentiment labels are a MFT die, which I love, but there is a smaller set out now that might have worked better... only I don't have that set... yet, DANG!!

Just wanted to say THANKS to all the Colorthrowdown girls/DT for having me this month!! Had a blast and enjoyed the color challenges!!

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J'adore

Good Monday evening... hope your week is off to a good start! Mine is.... I finished a card! Waltzingmouse sketch challenge and the CR84FN61 colors..whoo hoo... I thought this was a wonderful combination.  The Waltzingmouse sketch is Mona's and she is also the "boss" of the CR84FN challenges!!

The CR84FN colors are aqua, tan, and cream. I layered baja breeze onto a crumbcake base. The next layer adds a topper of crumbcake stamped with the dots from WMS Offbeat Backgrounds above a WMS Heirloom pattern stamped in crumbcake. Added some stitching on both ends. My crumbcake pad is a new one from SU... do any of you use SU colors? These new pads are very different.... lightly touch to get your pattern! The center is a crocheted edge paper circle that I bought from pixiepetals on Etsy a couple years ago (hoarding), layered with an image from WMS Vintage Circles small in baja breeze. On top I stamped the smallest bloom from WMS Roses in Bloom twice, color with copics, cut out, and popped a smaller cut portion on top for dimension. I also rolled the ends of the flowers with fingers for a little more dimension. Added the sentiment and some score lines.... the left lower corner looked empty! Link to Waltzingmouse Stamps.

The colors...

The sketch...

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ISSC30- best of luck!!

It's Friday morn' and time for another I Spy sketch!! Y'all created fabulous cards last week.... keep 'em coming!! This is the sketch challenge where we look for YOUR cards for Inspiration!! ISSC30 is from  Jacquie Southas ( Jacquie J @ SCS) and is based on this card.

Here's the deal... yes, this is a challenging sketch... 

Lots of panels.... For the larger panel I laid out several scraps {good way to use scraps} onto a basic gray layer. For the middle panel I cut a gray panel, a bit smaller, and laid out some matching scraps in a diagnonal... adhered and die cut with a SB nestabilitie labels 23 {love this shape}. Once this was done I wanted to make the panels pop against the background so I cut another larger label 23 die to place behind. Sentiment, from WMS Compact Sentiments, don't you just adore the different fonts.... and this set has some fabulous sentiments!! The sentiment was stamped in basic gray onto an oval nestie and layered on top of a smaller labels 23, the corners were stamped with versamark using a small leaf image from WMS Teeny Trees!! Claire always adds/fills her sets with images... hence, the little leaf image here that was tucked into the set. Waltzingmouse Stamps link here.

Here's the sketch....







Remember....I said it was a toughie but,......as I did, you can take a bit o' liberty for the diamonds....make the sketch your own!!

So.....have fun and get to Stampin!! Make a card using the sketch- and link it up.... we'd LOVE to see what you create!! Make sure and stop by the blog to see what the other Special Agents created-serious creativity and inspiration!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

follow your dream!!

Here's my card for this week's Watlzingmouse sketch challenge! I did a bit of understated {image not colored} with a bit of girly {plaid background, flowers, lace, and bows}!! Have made some cards with a "naked" image before... it's been awhile though!

Not the best pic... need to learn how to make those light/pastel colors come out! The sketch this week is Julia's and she challenged us to stamp a background! I used the images from WMS OffBeat Backgrounds to make my pink plaid... you can make colored plaids with this set!! Topped it with an image from Half Pint Heroines {love the sentiments and images!} Added some cotton lace, bow, and flowers! Reminds of me of snuggling in my little ones and wishin on stars... on dreams!

Julia's sketch... I flipped it... in my card and literally for you...

Tomorrow is Friday and I'm soooo excited!! Need a break... even for a couple days...maybe a little cruise on the boat {weather permitting}... a little stamping.... and I'll be a relaxed happy girl!!

Here's the link to WMS... BTW... Claire is releasing a bunch of new stamps tomorrow and a set that coordinates with her very own Spellbinders set... they're all fabulous!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

Celebrating You- Colorthrowdown 206

Good Wednesday morn"!! Starting the day with the Color Throwdown challenge and the hostess this week is Kerri.  Kerri picked Pretty in Pink, Cameo Coral, Cetainly Celery, and Tempting Turqoise. Well, I have to admit that the two pinks "threw me a little" as I normally don't use two colors in the same color family BUT, a challenge is a challenge, right!

Gorgeous color story... love those flowers in the jar!!

Here's my card...

The easiest way for me to do color challenges is to select the paper colors or ink colors and just lay them out. Then just a bit of thinking- image, arranging the papers etc. Those two pinks are lovely together, aren't they!!! I used Calypso Coral as my SU Cameo Coral "bit the dust".... I miss several of the colors that SU retired that were my favs! Used several The Crafts Meow sets on this card. The stem and flowers are from Flower Garden. Stamped the flowers twice, fussy cut, and popped up with foam to add a little dimension. There a couple different leaves in this set but, I decided to go without. The sentiment is from Celebrating You. The Pretty in Pink panel was stamped with an image from Retro Foundations in versamark. Doesn't show up well in the pic but, IRL it adds a nice little sumthin' to break up those layers.

A little close up so you can see the pattern. Goes wonderfully with the modern flair to the flowers. The sentiment and flower sets were designed by Nina B and Retro Foundations was designed by Karen Baker.

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More Anni-VERVE-sary!!

Verve is celebrating their 5th Anni-VERVE-sary with some fabulous new stamps and dies along with some challenges and opportunities to win some of those goodies!! You can participate in the SCS challenges, CARD Carnival, and leave comments on the DT blogs to win.... links for information to follow!! Bad side to not feeling good last week.... not feeling good.... Good side is by the time I felt better the weather was rainy and we didn't go out on the boat so this Missy got to play a bit!!

This card is for the Anni-VERVE-sary challenge to use pink, brown, and green. Loosely used the sketch below. Started out with an early espresso base and then layered. The ivory banners layered over the olive banners was stamped with the grid pattern from Verve's Making a Statement {Verve's Banner Die}.  The grid pattern was also stamped on the vanilla panel. Die cut a circle nestie and layered over the scallop border (MFT's die-namic). Stamped a flower from Verve's Sunny Days and die cut with Verve's floral circles dies- popped on top of the nestie and added a button. Sentiment from Verve's Hope Blooms.

The next project was for the Anni-Verve-sary challenge to make anything but a card!! I made a Birthday giftie bag and dressed it up. Used those Verve banner dies again {was playing with these a lot!} topped with a ribbon/flower/button combo and combine two sentiments from Verve's Wishing You set.

Here's the link to the challenges on SCS and here's the link to the Verve blog {with details and links too!} Ohhh... and if you want to shop a little... here's that link.

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Anni-VERVE-sary cards!!

It's Verve's 5th Anniversary and they are celebrating!! The Divas are hosting 5 challenges... complete all 5 and you in the running for some prizes!! There are other chances to win prizes.... details on the Verve blog! Here are two for me.

The first is a CAS challenge hosted by Charmaine and Tosh.

This card was made using Verve dies... not stamping. The heart was cut out of felt using Verve's Jotted Heart Die and the "u" was cut with Verve's I Heart U die. Added a couple buttons from my stash.

My next card is for Moe's and Andrea's Anniversary challenge to make an Anniversary card and use silver and/or wood!! Yes... there is silver in there and the Websters' bling!!

I used an older Verve set {fabulous BTW} that I have had and hasn't seen ink... shameful I know. Embossed the background with a CB swirl EF and added a little stitching.  The banner was made using Verve's banner die {just leave the end out of the cutting sandwich}! 

Here's the link to Verve's blog to get all the details!!
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WMS Blog Party-- Celebrate!!

Celebrate Birthdays!!

Perfect for me this month- my oldest just CELEBRATED one yesterday (on my anniversary to boot...) She's a girly girl... frou frou and bling... here's her card

Paper is authentique Uncommon, doily is Cherry Lynn, lace is from Wild Orchid crafts that I tea dyed. Waltzingmouse Stamps--Sentiment is from Say It Loud and the small circle was stamped with an image from Asian Gardens in Versamark.

You have until tomorrow US time 1:30 pm, I believe, check out all the details here,

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

ISSC29--Time to HIT the Beach!!

It's Friday morn' and time for another I Spy sketch!! Y'all created fabulous cards last week.... keep 'em coming!! ISSC29 is from Renee Matarese ( Renlymat @ SCS) and is based on this card.

Another card using Waltzingmouse Stamps (WMS) My Island.... I am sooo in love with this set!! There are so many images and sentiments for the beach lover... and Claire has cut files to go with, actually Claire has several cut files for different stamps sets and other giftie type things. The Cameo is on my B-Day or Xmas list (hubby knows) and I can't wait!! The sun image was stamped in riding hood red (stamped off/second generation ink) along with the bottom sand panel in basic gray. Papers are Authentique Fresh. Did a little stitching and added a sentiment cut out with an oval nestie, some pom poms, twine, and buttons for fun!!

Here's the sketch....

It's your turn....have fun and get to Stampin!! Make a card using the sketch- you can take a bit o' liberty and link it up.... we'd LOVE to see what you create!! Make sure and stop by the blog to see what the other Special Agents created-serious creativity and inspiration!!

This is also for the Ribbon Carousel Challenge (yeah, finally able to play!) RCC66 Summertime! And... there is a fabulous sale going on.... you get to pick... it's not just ribbon (although there is an excellent selection but, Corrinna also has the new Bazzil paper, patterned paper, buttons etc.!
LOVE when you stop by and appreciate all the sweet comments!!

Hugs!

It's Thursday evening and I'm sneaking in my Waltzingmouse sketch challenge card! Picked up a bug this week and didn't know if I'd get it finished. Did most of the layout last WE and last nite I thought I was going to change it a bit but, no energy and no energy tonite either!!

When I started working on this I was playing with a background patterned paper from MME with doilies on it and... "doh".... I can make my own background patterned doily paper using the exact colors I want with WMS's Large Doily set... honestly, I about slapped my forehead!! The gray panel was created using the chevron in Off Beat Backgrounds with versamark on basic gray paper (versamark shows up a lot stronger on darker colors). The last panel was made using Heirloom Patterns. That sweet fairy (Heroines Fairy Princess) was stamped on XPress It blending cardstock and colored with copics and fussy cut. Added glitter to the wand and wings. Sentiment is from Teeny Trees. Added a seam binding bow (Ribbon Carousel), bloom, and bling. Here's the Waltzingmouse Stamp link.

Laurie's sketch

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soar. dream.--CTD 205

Good Wednesday morn"!! Starting the day with the Color Throwdown challenge and the hostess this week is Joan . Haveta' tell ya' purple always throws me!! I went with a CAS card "with a twist" ... at least that's what I'm calling it!!

The colors....

See those butterflies on that gorgeous cake... well, mine are hearts with wings!!

I was itching to play with Verve's Wings of Love set... my fav heart with wings.... aren't they wonderful!! Stamped and fussy cut the heart with wings and then stamped/die cut another heart in the set with using the Wavy Hearts A Cut Above die. The Pumpkin Pie and Pool Party hearts were popped up for a little dimension. Added some stitching.. down the middle with the ends hanging.. and rounded the corner for a little bit of sumpin'!

Hope your week is going well so far!! We've had some cooler weather here... 70's in the am and 80's/90's in the pm.... it helps!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

I Spy sketch 28!!

It's Friday morn' and time for another I Spy sketch!! Y'all created fabulous cards last week.... keep 'em coming!! ISSC28 is from Mary Brown (stampercamper @ SCS)  and is based on this card. Yes, I love banners.. and bows... and buttons!! Perfect for me!!

I have this problem of always wanting my first layer to be white or ivory... not sure why? Looking at this card (posting) I think it would have been better to use the dp straight on the gray. No time to start all over so... I'll keep that in mind for the future. (Thinking out loud via computer... sorry!). Used some MME Indie Chic papers for the background. The banners were made using MFT's Flag Stax die-namics. The middle panel was made using Verve's A Cut Above Die- rounded rectangle, one in the orange/pink color and one in gray. Stamped the smallest bloom from Verve's Joyful blooms on the orange/pink panel in versamark. Sentiment is from Verve's Small Phrases. Added a seam binding bow (ribbon carousel), button (SU), and some halfback pearls from Pizzazzaplenty. 

Here's the sketch... 

 







It's your turn....have fun and get to Stampin!! Make a card using the sketch- you can take a bit o' liberty and link it up.... we'd LOVE to see what you create!! Make sure and stop by the blog to see what the other Special Agents created-serious creativity and inspiration!!

LOVE when you stop by and appreciate all the sweet comments!!

Birthday Wishes...WMSC109!!

Thursday eve' and posting my card for this week's Waltzingmouse sketch challenge!! Not my usual totally bold colors... although, I did throw a little orange in there... just softened it a bit with some blue and crumbcake.

The big circle just screamed doily to me so... that's what I used. Stamped a doily from WMS Large Doily onto XPress It blending cardstock using SU crumbcake ink and colored with copics. Adhered on top of a Wilton doily from Michaels. Border was made using MFT's medium scallop die-namic. Added a sentiment from WMS Teeny Trees with a crumbcake seam binding ribbon on top.  Link to Waltzingmouse Stamps here... go browse...fabulous stamps!!!

The sketch this week is from Bonnie Sharp...

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miss you!!

Good Wednesday morn"!! Starting the day with the Color Throwdown challenge and the hostess this week is Broni and she's picked a gorgeous color combo this week!! If I was twenty years younger, I'd be searching the internet for that gorgeous top, just sayin'!!

Here are the colors...

Here's my card...

Stamped the background with Waltzingmouse Stamps (WMS) Offbeat Backgrounds... not intending to have the colors crisp, a little faded. Used WMS Vintage Labels 25.... again a little faded, cut out with a Labels 25 nestabilitie, sentiment from WMS Compact Sentiments, stamped the flowers a couple of times-colored with copics and layered one on top with foam dots for some dimension. The nestie panel was layered on top of a stitched circle using foam dots. About that poppy parade/gray panel... was trying to emboss/deboss on the same panel and a Quikkutz dots/lines EF was a good idea but, didn't work out quite like I envisioned... it happens, right!?!? I used Jen's Deconstructed sketch as the springboard but... changed it up a titch!!

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You Make Me Smile...

with my heart!! Is that a fabulous sentiment or what??? It's Friday morn' and time for another I Spy sketch!! Y'all created fabulous cards last week.... inspired me!!

ISSC27 is from Toni Storie (ravengirl @ SCS) and is based on this card . Perfect for ribbon or washi tape. If only I hadn't wanted to play with my new Carta Bella papers, LOL!!

The sentiment is from WMS Compact Sentiments.... if this one makes you smile... check out the rest!! Added some felt hearts using dies and felt from The Cats Pajamas, buttons from SU, and divine twine (The Cats Pajamas). Planned on sewing a little and got distracted with supper (steak kabobs) ... once the tape/adhesive is adhered it's a "titch" difficult ... depends on how many needles you have or how many times you want to redo the card :))

The sketch...

It's your turn....have fun and get to Stampin!! Make a card using the sketch- you can take a bit o' liberty and link it up.... we'd LOVE to see what you create!! Make sure and stop by the blog to see what the other Special Agents created-serious creativity and inspiration!!

LOVE when you stop by and appreciate all the sweet comments!!

Wishing!!

Wishing to be cavorting on the Islands in comfy clothes or a bathing suit and my toes "squishing" the sand! Yes... I am definitely a beach/water baby!! This WMS set My Island just makes me happy!!

Tried to give it a soft, faded feel....a little vintage postcard.

Here's the sketch I used... WMS weekly sketch challenge, designed by Belinda Chang Langner from the WMS DT.... you have until Friday at noon. And... there is a prize... one entry is picked randomly... the prize... a WMS stamp of your choice...SO MANY to chose from...the rules on are on the link above.

Belinda's sketch...

Even added a little inspiration pic.... for my red/pink sunset!! I was dreaming about Hawaii and gorgeous sunsets... what can I say!!

Had to laugh/chuckle... my blogging friend Marisa made an adorable tag card last week, the 25th, and I commented about tags on cards not being easy for me... and then, the WMS sketch was posted on Saturday with a tag... dang!!

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Ingredients
Stamps: WMS My Island
Paper: crumbcake, very vanilla (SU), Fresh (Authentique)
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Soft Suede (SU)
Accessories: Twine (The Cats Pajamas), pop/foam dots (jodymorrow @ confessionsofaribbonaddict.com), Sponge (stash), label die (MFT)

Birthday Wishes.... Color Throwdown style!!

Have a 'bit of exciting news... my sweet blogging friend Wanda Cullen contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I would be the August Guest Designer at the Color Throwdown challenge.... I said "Heck Yes"!! Bar picked out the colors for the first week of August #203- Garden Green, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight-Only Orange and Kraft. Here's the inspiration pic...

I had this adorable Lulu from Kraftin Kimmie stamps latest release (ADORE Ms. Lulu) and had to ink her up!! Paper pieced the cupcake liner, colored the image with copics, cut out with circle nestabilities, andstitched. Popped it on top of a background wonky stitched kraft panel with a few banners die cut with MFT's flag stax die-namics. Added patterns on two of the banners (same color on same color) with Waltzingmouse Stamps Offbeat Backgrounds and added a bow in the corner. A titch of bling for the cupcake and sentiment finished it off.

Here's the connection to the COLOR THROWDOWN... check out what the CTD DT has created for your viewing pleasure.... lots of "eye candy"! Hope you join in this week!!

Thanks to the CTD DT for letting me play along this month!! This fits the Dare to Get Dirty Challenges on SCS....Sew Happy Together... DTGD12pinkgirl76.... I' link up later-- either my blogger or SCS is acting up.

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!