Birthday Wishes - TESC126

Hello and happy Saturday all,

I spent the morning making a card for Taylor's Friday sketch challenge #126. This afternoon we are heading to Redondo Beach to visit friends and have dinner. I have a few minutes to get this post done before I need to get ready.

So, I certainly took some "creative license" on this sketch. When I was thinking about what to make, I was leaning towards a fall-ish card with 3 pumpkins or fall leaves. As I was looking through my stamps, I came upon my TE Beary Special set and totally changed my mind. :)

But, how to use the set and fulfill the sketch elements? Hmm? Here's what I came up with:

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Supplies

Stamps: Taylored Expressions Beary Special set and Beary Special Accessories

Card stock: Taylored Expressions red and choice buttercream

Patterned paper: Early Bird by Cosmo Cricket

Ink: memento tuxedo black and Copics

Other: SU corner rounder punch, Seeing Spots embossing folder, the Big Shot, sewing machine, embroidery thread and dimensionals.

I hope everyone has a fab weekend. Thanks for stopping in,

Colleen

Taylored Expressions "Blast From the Past" Blog Hop Today

Hi stampers,

Today's the day for the latest Taylored Expressions' "Blast From the Past" blog hop.  We are seeing some amazing cards along the way, that's for sure. This month, Taylor sent us a fun sketch to follow created by the very talented Sankari Wegman, and here it is:

I've made two cards for you today:

My first card is made with the Halloween set called "Spooky Expressions".  All of the embellishments used on this card comes from the 2009 Halloween Key Ingredients kit. The spider web was stamped with memento tuxedo black ink, cut out with circle Nesties then sponged with memento cantaloupe ink. The web was traced with glue and sprinkled with black sparkly fluff.  The large scary spider is also sprinkled with the fluff.  The skull and bat are buttons from the KI kit, and I placed red rhinestones in the eye sockets of the skull for an even creepier look. Black fuzzy ribbon separates the patterned papers. The scalloped edge is made with Die-namics jumbo scalloped scalloped border die. Here is card #1:

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The second card I made using the very first Taylored Expressions stamp set that I purchased called "Fresh Flowers".  The card stock, patterned paper and ribbon are from the 2010 August Key Ingredients kit.  The pitcher, flowers and table cloth are paper pieced. I again used the circle Nesties as well as the big scalloped circle Nesties and the Die-namics jumbo scalloped scalloped border die. I placed several pink rhinestones around the card and used candy dots for the centers of the flowers in the pitcher. The greeting and paper flowers complete the sketch elements.  Here is card # 2:

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Supplies

For card One

Stamps: TE Spooky Expressions set

Card stock: Taylored Expressions

Patterned paper: Basic Grey Eerie collection

Ink: memento tuxedo black and memento cantaloupe

Other: bat and skull buttons, black ribbon, red rhinestones, "Sparkle N Sprinkle" dimensional glue, black sparkly fluff, classic circle Nesties, Die-namics die, the Big Shot, and dimensionals

For card Two

Stamps: TE Fresh Flowers set

Card stock: Taylored Expressions

Patterned Paper: "Walk In the Park" by Echo Park

Ink: SU bravo burgundy, memento rich cocoa and memento tuxedo black

Other: candy dots, pink rhinestones, pink ric rac, classic circle and big scalloped circle Nesties, Die-namics die, paper flowers, the Big Shot, and dimensionals.

Aren't these blog hops fun? I think so. Thanks for looking in today,

Colleen

Be sure to visit all of the talented ladies who are participating in todays "Blast From the Past" blog hop.  

Happy Birthday for SSSC#82 and CCCC#44

Hello all,

I have a very happy, colorful card today that I made for Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge and Stacey's Curtain Call Color Challenge.

I used one of my favorite Stampin' Up sets called "Happy Moments." I love all 4 images in this set. The SU DSP "Sunny Garden" was perfect for the color scheme and I thought that the stripes in the paper was a perfect complement to the "Seeing Spots" embossing folder.

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Supplies

Stamps: Stampin' Up "Happy Moments" set

Card stock: SU tempting turquoise, daffodil delight, poppy parade and whisper white

DSP: SU Sunny Garden

Ink: memento tuxedo black, SU basic black, tempting turquoise, daffodil delight, poppy parade and certainly celery

Other: Die-namics scalloped scalloped border die, classic circle Nesties, Cuttlebug's Seeing Spots embossing folder, yellow candy dots, SU corner rounder punch, the Big Shot, the aqua painter, and dimensionals

Have a wonderful Sunday afternoon and evening,

Colleen

Feelin' Groovy - TESC#125

Happy Saturday afternoon stampers,

I have a quick post to show you the card I made for Taylor's Friday sketch challenge.  This was a really fun sketch with the circle elements, and I love how my card turned out. (I guess it's okay to say that).  I used Taylor's stamp set "Feelin' Groovy" and paired it with the "That 70s Project Pantry Kit" for the papers and peace sign brads. The large daisy paper flowers are made with the Stampin' Up die Daisies, Flowers #2. A little stitching on my sewing machine and the Die-namics large ric rac die for the bottom border and it's done.

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Supplies
Stamps: "Feelin' Groovy" set by Taylored Expressions
Card stock and patterned paper: That 70s Project Pantry kit
Ink: memento tuxedo black, SU tangerine tango, Copic markers
Other: peace sign brads from That 70s Project Pantry kit, SU Daisies, Flower #2 die, Die-namics large ric rac die, sewing machine, the Big Shot, classic circle Nesties, and dimensionals

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Thanks for looking in,
Colleen

Off You Go, A CASEed Card

It's Happy Hump day and I hope everyone is having a good week.  My card today was totally inspired by Becky Robert's green card on this post here. Becky's blog is Inking Idaho and if you need some SU inspiration, head on over to check out her art work.  It's gorgeous!

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I gave this card to a young friend who is going very far away from home for college.  Since I didn't have a stamp with an appropriate greeting, I computer generated the greetings that I used on the front and inside of the card.  Other than that, all stamps are from the SU Just Believe set. By the way, it's one of my favorite sets from the new SU catalog. (I'm just sayin')

Supplies
Stamps: Stampin' Up "Just Believe" set
Card stock: SU blushing bride, rich razzleberry and whisper white
DSP: SU raspberry tart, retired
Ink: regal rose and rich razzelberry
Other: SU scallop trim border punch, SU 1 1/4" circle punch, SU beautiful wings embosslits die, fruit punch stickles, small pink pearls, the Big Shot, and dimensionals

Happy stamping everyone,
Colleen

"Wish Big" With Some Paper Piecing and Paper Piercing for SSSC81

Happy Tuesday afternoon,

Here is my entry for Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge #81.  For this week's card, I used a new stamp to me, Winobella, from Stamping Bella.  I love Bellas! They make me laugh. This card is for my sweet friend Lisa's 50th birthday. Lisa is a crafter too, so I know she will appreciate getting this card for her birthday.

This week's sketch is pretty simple, and I thought a really fun one to work with. When it came to the four side elements, I immediately thought flowers, but then I remembered that I had a bag of these wine glass charms that I must have ordered years ago.  They are popped up on dimensionals, and I think they did the trick to fulfill the sketch element and to add a little extra zing to the card.  What do you all think?

The coloring is very minimal since I paper pieced Bella's dress to match the long side panel.  I also did some piercing in opposite corners with my SU Crafter's Tool Kit for added dimension.  All in all, a pretty quick card to make.

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Supplies

Stamps: Winobella from Stamping Bella and the greeting is from SU Short and Sweet set (retired)

Card stock and patterned paper: From Taylored Expressions Garden Party Project Pantry kit.  The patterned paper is We R Memories 72 and Sunny

Ink: memento tuxedo black and Copic markers

Other: Stampin' Up large scalloped circle punch, SU crafter's tool kit, Embellish It wine glass charms, and dimensionals

Thanks for checking in today,

Colleen

Warm Wishes for TESC124

It's Saturday and I have two of my favorite pastimes planned, stamping and watching baseball.  Of course, I have to do some chores also, but the laundry can go while I'm doing the fun things.

What will I be working on?  Well, once a month, a few of my crafty friends and I get together on a Sunday afternoon and craft.  (I think I've mentioned this group in a previous post) Tomorrow is this month's get together. Sometimes, I will plan one or two "make and takes" for the gals, and while I didn't plan anything for tomorrow, I just may surprise them.  Also, this will be the last time our youngest  crafter is with us, for quite awhile at least, as she is on her way to college in Edinburgh, Scotland. So, my first stamping priority today will be to make a "bon voyage" card for her.

For today's post, I have a fun, cheery card that I made last evening for Taylor's Friday sketch challenge, TESC 124.  This is not a size that I make often, so it was fun to do something a little different. The cups of hot cocoa are paper pieced, the cocoa is expresso dimensional pearls and the whipped cream is liquid applique.  A few randomly placed rhinestones and crinkled ribbon finish off the cheery look.

Supplies
Stamps: Sprinkled With Love set by Taylored Expressions and Warm Wishes (retired) by Stampin' Up
Card stock: green and choice snow white by Taylored Expressions
Patterned paper: Christmas Mint and CC Jolly by Golly
Ink: memento tuxedo black and SU real red
Other: Die-namics Jumbo scallop die, classic circle and big scallop circle Nesties, TE red ribbon, SU sticky strip, red rhinestones, dimensional pearls in expresso, white liquid applique, the Big Shot, and SU dimensionals

I hope you all have a fab Saturday afternoon,
Colleen

Hay There

My second post is a card that I made last night. This one will be sent to my cousin who actually does own and work on his ranch in northern California. He's a fun guy with a great sense of humor, so I think he will get a kick out of this tractor (he's spent many hours on one).

I used Mercy's Tuesday sketch for the layout, and since the base is kraft card stock, I will also submit it to Jeanie's Krafty Thursday challenge.

Supplies
Stamps: Udderly Sweet stamp set by Taylored Expressions and Teeny Tiny Wishes by Stampin' Up
Card stock and patterned paper: Taylored Expressions Udderly Sweet Project Pantry kit
Ink: memento tuxedo black, memento cantaloupe for sponging, SU real red and Copic markers
Other: Labels Three Nesties, SU large oval punch, SU polka dot embossing folder, red candy dots, the Big Shot, and dimensionals

A Flamboyant Happy Birthday for Color Throwdown 105 and SSS 68

Hello Stampers,

I had the opportunity to do some stamping the last couple of evenings after work.  (I am finally back to work this week after five weeks off for my broken arm, and I couldn't be happier.) I made two cards to share with you.  For the first one, I used the Sweet Stop sketch for the layout and this week's Color Throwdown for the color scheme.

What inspired me to use the retired Voila SU stamp set was the new  Funky Four SU stamp set.  I was playing around with the mushroom stamp making rows of mushrooms.  I thought they would make a good background for something and that's what reminded me of the Voila set.  You know, chefs and mushrooms.  Any way, you see how it turned out.  Since the color scheme is kind of "dark" I added the bling on chef's smock to brighten things up a bit. Chef's smock and hat are paper pieced with the DSP and I used the aqua painter to color the neck cloth, cuff and pants.

Supplies
Stamps: Stampin' Up sets Voila and Funky Four
Card Stock: SU elegant eggplant, soft suede, always artichoke and whisper white
DSP: SU Autumn Traditions, retired
Ink: SU elegant eggplant, always artichoke, sahara sand, and basic black; Copic markers for chef's face and hand
Other: SU soft suede ribbon, SU Ice round brads, SU white brads, SU 1 3/8" circle and scallop circle punches, aqua painter, and dimensionals

My second card will be in a separate post.  Thanks for looking in,
Colleen

Mojo Monday 151 - Goblin Greetings

My final post today is a card for today's Mojo Monday sketch #151.  I  decided to get started on making some Halloween cards.  I love the Greeting Card Kids from SU, so I inked up the Halloween stamp in the set today.  Lot's of coloring so I got in some practice with my Copics.  The DSP is retired SU Halloween paper.

Supplies

Stamps: SU Greeting Card Kids and SU Grateful Greetings sets

Card stock: SU lovely lilac and whisper white

DSP: SU Creepy Crawly, retired

Ink: Memento tuxedo black, Copic markers

Other: SU dotted scallop ribbon border and scallop trim border punches, SU pumpkin pie striped ribbon, kaiser black dots, and dimemsionals.

That's it for me today.  Thanks so much for stopping by my blog,

Colleen 

Happy Bird Day

Greetings again,

This is my second post today. This card was made using the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #9.  I came across this challenge while viewing Laura Fredrickson's blog, Scrapnextras this weekend.  (I find Laura's work SO beautiful and I check her blog daily)

While I don't have any Waltzingmouse stamps (yet), I decided to play along anyway.  This was an interesting layout and while a layer of flowers seemed the logical choice to put the card together, I went for a different feel.  I kinda like the way it turned into a fun, birdie, birthday card.

Supplies

Stamps: SU Aviary set and SU Picture This set, retired

Card Stock: Whisper white, basic gray, and regal rose

Patterned paper: Basic Grey's Olivia pad

Ink: SU basic black, sahara sand, basic gray, rose red, regal rose, and baja breeze

Other: Die-namics jumbo scallop and scalloped scallop dies, SU 3/4", 1 1/4", 1 3/8" round punches, the Big Shot, and dimensionals

I'll be back with one more post today, a card for this week's Mojo Monday sketch,

Colleen

Have A Great Day - SSSC80 and CCCC;A42

Hi all,

I had a fun weekend stamping.  I managed to get cards made for some challenges, including one this morning.  I have 3 posts to get them all in today.

First up is a card for Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge #80 and Stacey Schafer's Curtain Call Color challenge, Act 42.

Karen's sketch this week called for vertical panels, and so I went for something pretty simple.  Minimal stamping, patterned paper, and some funky stitching on my sewing machine for added dimension is pretty much it.  The color scheme is based on this week's Curtain Call Colors of early expresso, peach parfait, pear pizzazz and very vanilla, although my patterned paper looks more pinky than orange in the photo. The finished card is 5 1/4" square. Here is the finished product:

Supplies
Stamps: SU Apple Blossoms set, a level 2 hostess set in the new catalog, and Vogue Verses set, retired
Card stock: SU early expresso, pear pizzazz, and very vanilla
Patterned paper: Basic Grey's Olivia Paper pad
Ink: SU early expresso
Other: SU pear pizzazz ribbon, sewing machine, dimensionals

Thanks for checking in,
Colleen

Hello Friends - SFYTT

Good evening,

For my second Saturday post, I have a card for Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try.  I find these sketches fun to do and have been trying them more and more.

I've used another new set for me, Have A Seat by Stampin' Up.  When I made my first "cruise" through the new SU catalog and saw this set, I knew it would be one I would order.  I don't know what appeals to me about these chairs. I just like them! To make this card, I used all four images.  Starting with confetti vanilla card stock, I randomly stamped the three small chairs in various brown inks to make the long panel in the sketch.  I used some retired DSP that has a distressed look, so I went with it and scrunched up the DSP and the stamped panel.  I added a flower made with the SU scalloped circle punch and placed a new SU vintage brad in the center.  To complete the vintage look,  I used some new SU crochet trim on the punched cross piece.  After cutting out the larger chair image with an oval Nestie, I left the die on and sponged some Ranger Distressed Ink in corduroy over the image.  I also used the same ink on the ridges in the long stamped image that were made during crunching.  The greeting is made using the tiny tag punch and stamp set.  One side says "hello" and the other side says "friends."

This is about as "vintage" as I get.  It's not my style, but I sure admire the beautiful vintage cards that I see on everyone's blogs.

Supplies:
Stamps: SU sets, Have a Seat and Tiny Tags
Card stock: SU Early expresso and confetti vanilla
DSP: SU Autumn Meadows, retired
Ink: SU Early expresso, chocolate chip, soft suede and crumb cake, Ranger Distressed in brushed corduroy
Other: classic oval Nesties, SU vintage brad, SU Victoria crochet trim, SU linen thread, SU square steps corner punch, retired (used as a border punch), SU scalloped round punch, SU corner rounder punch, Die-namics jumbo scallop die, the Big Shot, and dimensionals.

That's it for me tonight.  Back tomorrow for the new Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge.  Thanks for looking in,
Colleen

Wishful Shrinking for TESC123

Happy Saturday afternoon fellow stampers,

I hope everyone is having a fun weekend so far. Last evening while watching (listening mostly) to the Padre game, I made a card for Taylor's Friday sketch challenge, TESC123.

I decided to try using cork on my card as an embellishment. I have used cork before, many years ago.  At that time, I would cut out a square or rectangle of cork with scissors, stamp an image on it, and usually layer with card stock and place it on the front of the card.  For this card, I wanted to try cutting the cork with my dies and Big Shot.  For some reason, I had a rather hard time getting my dies to cut through, so I'm thinking that the cork sheets that I have are too thick.  It finally worked, but I had to do some manipulation with the big shot "sandwich", and some trimming with my scissors. I like the look, so I will keep playing around to see if I have better luck.

On to the card, I finally inked up a new set from TE called Weigh To Go.

Supplies
Stamps: Taylored Expressions Weigh To Go set
Card stock, patterned paper, brads and candy dots:  TE Udderly Sweet Project Pantry kit
Ink: SU craft black and always artichoke, memento tuxedo black, Copic markers
Other: SU clear embossing powder, heat tool, SU 1 1/4" and
1 3/8" round punches, SU modern label punch, quickie glue pen, red glitter, classic rectangle and big scallop rectangle Nesties, Die-namics jumbo scallop and scalloped scallop dies, SU cork, the big shot and dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by today,
Colleen