Oh Yea!

Hello and happy day after Christmas,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Day with family and friends. I traveled the length of California to spend a few days with my mom and brother. We had a very low key and quiet day, which was perfect.

Before I left, I had made this card for Mr. Personal Chef and left a little goodie for him. We don't typically do a whole lot for each other on Christmas as we like to do fun things throughout the year instead. But, since I was leaving for a few days, I thought he needed a little treat.

I used Jen's Freshly Made Sketch for the layout.

Have a nice week and thanks for looking in,
Colleen


Supplies
Stamps: Figure Of Speech set by Reverse Confetti
Paper: SU Heavy Whisper White, Cucumber Crush, Real Red card stock and Taylored Expressions patterned papers
Ink: SU Cucumber Crush and Real Red
Other: Reverse Confetti Figure Of Speech dies, Die-namics stitched frame dies, enamel shapes, the Big Shot, diemensionals

From Our House To Yours

Hi stamping friends,

I saw the sweet inspiration photo on the Inspired By All the Little Things challenge blog this week and immediately had a thought. After a few tweaks from what my mind's eye was seeing and I came up with this card.

I used the Avery Elle Christmas Chalet set and dies. The papers are from a bag of random papers that I got at a local store several years ago. They are all kraft with either white, red or gold patterns. I loved them when I purchased them, but have rarely used them. I think they were perfect for this challenge's theme.

The chalets are stamped with VersaMark ink and heat embossed with white EP. I used the corresponding dies to cut them out, then arranged them on the card base, which is another piece of paper from the same group.  (The white dots reminded me of snow).

Supplies
Stamps: Christmas Chalet set by Avery Elle
Paper: Whisper White card stock and kraft patterned papers (company unknown)
Ink: VersaMark and SU Real Red
Other: Christmas Chalet dies, Lawn Fawn small banner die, SU white EP, heat tool, the Big Shot, dimensionals


Some non-paper crafting: Since I've been taking a "stay-cation" from work the last few weeks, I made a quilt for the 2 month old little guy next door. He was born on Halloween evening. I finished the quilt last night and took some pictures of it outside this morning. I'll give it to his mom and dad later this week. I'm not an exceptional seamstress, but this one turned out pretty nicely. (For anyone that's interested, this is a Fig Tree quilt pattern)

Thanks for looking in and enjoy the rest of your day,
Colleen

Extra Yummy!

Hi and Happy weekend,

It's been a very stormy few days here in southern California. I know, I know. Nothing like the snowy and freezing Mid-West and North East. Even the North West has seen some snow. Still, we've had rain for about 24 hours and last night more rain and strong winds. Since I'm on vacation and doing a "stay-cation" I spent all day Friday stamping and listening to the rain on my windows. It was very enjoyable!

I made a few cards. The one here is made using the current CAS(E) this Sketch! layout designed by Leigh Penner. Very fun! I tried to stay true to the way she drew the images larger at the top to small at the bottom. The stamps are from a couple of older Taylored Expressions sets called Build A Treat and Build A Treat Border.

All of the inks are Stampin' Up and I did tons of masking on this one. The finished card turned out just how I pictured it, which is always a nice outcome. Here is the inside. Images are from the same sets.

 I love the fork in place of the I in seize!

Have a great weekend everyone and thanks for stopping by,
Colleen

PS: stay warm and safe if you're in the areas with harsh weather.

Supplies
Stamps: Build A Treat and Build A Treat Borders sets by Taylored Expressions
Paper: SU Whisper White and Flirty Flamingo card stock
Ink: SU Flirty Flamingo, Peekaboo Peach, Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar and Archival Basic Black
Other: Sequin, water brush

Let's Get Fizzy- Color Throwdown # 423 Guest Star Stamper

Good Morning Fellow Stampers,

I played along with the Color Throwdown Challenge #421 a few weeks ago and my lucky number 13 card was chosen by random.org as the "winner," which means that I get to play along with this week's Color Throwndown #423 as the Guest Star Stamper. How COOL is this!

This week's color palette is a bright and fun one!

I took my inspiration not only from the colors, but also from the beverages in the inspiration photo to make my card. I received my Monthly Hero kit in the mail just a few days ago and one of the "add ons" is a super cute beverage set called Cocktail Party. The sketch is the current CAS(E) This Sketch.

I started with some watercolor paper that I smooshed with bright pink Distress Ink using an acrylic block and water. While it was drying, I stamped the three daiquiri glasses on X-Press It Blending card stock with Memento Gray Flannel ink then stamped the beverages using Real Red, Melon Mambo, and Lime Green inks. The glasses are shaded with N1 and N2 Copics. I arranged the glasses on the card front and marked where the straw should be, then removed them and stamped the straws using Memento Gray Flannel. I lined up the glasses again and adhered them with dimensionals. The card base is SU Smoky Slate.

For the inside, I used another of the Monthly Hero add-ons called Martini Fancy Die, keeping with the challenge colors.

I'm telling you, these dies are super fun and have so many possibilities. I'm thinking some felt coasters for gifts.

I hope you have a chance to join us using this bright and fun color combo this week. Thanks to the ladies at Color Throwdown for inviting me to play along.

As always, thanks to you for stopping by my blog, and have a great Wednesday.
Colleen


Supplies
Stamps: Cocktail Party set by Hero Arts
Paper: Fabriano Grans Fina cold pressed water color paper, X-Press It Blending card stock, SU Smoky Slate, Melon Mambo, Real Red, Bright Green (retired) card stock, and vellum
Ink: Memento tuxedo black and gray flannel, Copics N1 and N2, SU Melon Mambo, Real Red, Lime Green, Distress Bright Pink
Other: Hero Arts Cocktail Party and Martini Fancy dies, Wink of Stella, sequin, the Big Shot, dimensionals and glue dots

Thanks For Being So Sweet

Hello all,

As I write my post today, I'm filled with much gratitude (and a little sadness) because it's my last post as a Paper Players Guest Designer. My challenge card today is made especially to thank these PRETTY AMAZING LADIES,  LeAnne, Jaydee, Nance, Sandy, Claire, Laurie, Joanne, and and my fellow Guest Designers for 2016, Linda and Hannelie. It's to thank them for the AWESOME time that I've had being included in this wonderful group for the past twelve months. I have enjoyed every week more than I can say! I'd do it again "in a heartbeat" as the saying goes. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, ladies for inviting me to be a part of your fabulousness!

So, onto this week's challenge. Jaydee is our hostess for the final challenge of 2016. Her theme this week is a color challenge. Here you go:

I made a CAS thank you card using the challenge colors and some Avery Elle stamps and dies. The card base is SU Brushed Gold card stock. The top layer is SU Shimmery White card sock. I cut the Avery Elle Sentimental Thanks die from SU Brushed gold paper. Using the same die, I cut it from the Shimmery White panel then pushed the gold die cut in place like a puzzle. I stamped the small macaron cookie and the bow from the AE set, Bonjour, with VersaMark craft and heat embossed with SU silver and gold EP, then cut them out with the corresponding dies. The sentiment is from the same set, heat embossed in silver. I added a small clear gold enamel heart and dot, and a glittery silver enamel dot for embellishments.

For the inside of the card, I typed the names using my Mac computer and printed them onto a piece of Shimmery White card stock in a gold font. I trimmed it down to size then heat embossed the MFT sentiment in silver and added another clear gold heart.

You'll find more silver and gold sweetness here on their blogs:

The Paper Players Design Team

Claire Broadwater

Jaydee

Joanne James

Laurie Schmidt

LeAnne Pugliese

Nance Leedy 

Sandy Mathis

Linda Callahan

Hannelie Bester

The Paper Players will be on Holiday for a few weeks and start back up in January. While I won't be on the DT next year, please be sure to look for my entries as I will be playing along every chance I can. 

Again, thanks so-so much ladies! I've truly enjoyed being part of this group for the past year! Hugs to you all. To you, and all my blog visitors, have a wonderful Christmas holiday and a very Happy New Year!

As always, thanks for stopping by,

Colleen

Supplies

Stamps: Sentimental and Bonjour sets by Avery Elle, Complementary Greetings by My Favorite Things

Paper: SU Brushed Gold and Shimmery White card stock

Ink: VersaMark Craft

Other: Silver and Gold EP, heat tool, Avery Elle Sentimental and Bonjour dies, the Big Shot, enamel shapes, dimensionals

Oh What Fun!

Hi all,

I hope your weekend is going well. Since it's Sunday, it time for a new Paper Players Challenge. Nance is our hostess and she's continuing with winter/holiday themes with a Snowflake theme this week. I know we are going to see lots of "cool" cards in our gallery for this one. (sorry, I couldn't resist.)

I've been doing lots of water coloring lately and this week is no exception.

Isn't this moose the cutest! I started by stamping the moose on water color paper with black craft ink embossed with clear EP. Using Tim Holtz distress inks and a paint brush, I water colored him using some bright shades. After drying with the heat tool, I cut him out with the corresponding die.

For the top panel, I stamped the snowflakes using white craft ink embossed with white EP. I then smooshed the panel by mixing a few of the bright and light blue shades onto a large acrylic block with water. After it was dried, I cut out the circle using a Die-namics Inside and Out Stitched circle die.

Inside the circle I layered Lawn Fawn Stitched Mountain Border dies over a plain white panel. Both the back panel and mountain panel are dry embossed with TE Falling Snow EF. I dotted the top of each round snowflake with some Diamond Stickles for a frosty look. The snowy mountain tops are cut from some of the left over trimmings of the front snowflake panel.

The sentiment is on a Lawn Fawn Stitched Circle tag and I found a very small wooden snowflake in my stash of embellishments and I added a turquoise rhinestone for more sparkle.

The rest of the scene can be found on the inside of the card:

All of these little critters are having "Snow Much Fun" in their Winter Wonderland. I love how this turned out and I think it will go to one of my nephews for his Christmas card.

You'll find more "cool" cards when you visit the rest of the Design Team's blogs:

The Paper Players Design Team

Claire Broadwater

Jaydee

Joanne James

Laurie Schmidt

LeAnne Pugliese

Nance Leedy 

Sandy Mathis

Linda Callahan

Hannelie Bester

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a fabulous week!

Colleen

Supplies

Stamps: Snow Much Fun set by Avery Elle

Paper: X-Press It Blending card stock and Fabriano Grans Fina cold pressed water color paper

Ink: SU Craft Black and Memento Brilliance Moonlight White Craft inks, Tim Holtz Distress Mini ink pads, SU Watermelon Wonder ink pad

Other: Avery Elle Snow Much Fun dies, Lawn Fawn Stitched Mountain Border and Stitched Circle Tag dies, Die-namics Inside and Out Stitched Circle die, Taylored Expressions Falling Snow EF, SU White and Clear EP, heat tool, Diamond Stickles, small paint brush, the Big Shot, dimensionals

You're A Spoonful of Sugar

Happy Saturday,

I have a quick post before I start packing for my vacation. Last night, while I should have been packing, I sat down and made a quick card for this week's Freshly Made Sketch Challenge. Since I mailed my holiday cards yesterday morning, I decided to do something totally different than a winter theme. Here you go:

This is the Concord & 9th set called "Let's Chat." I stamped the saucer and cup images both on Whisper White card stock and on SU DSP then fussy cut them out so I could paper piece them. Instead of using the banner element for my sentiment, I thought the spoon image would look good there, so I placed the sentiment under the focal image.  A few enamel hearts for embellishments and it's done.

So, I better get to it as I'm leaving tomorrow morning. My Paper Players post is all set to go for tomorrow, so be sure to check back. We have a fun theme challenge this week for you. Tomorrow is my second to last post as a Guest Designer, and I'm feeling a little sad about that.

Have a great rest of your weekend and thanks for stopping by,
Colleen

Supplies
Stamps: Let's Chat set by Concord & 9th
Paper: SU heavy weight Whisper White card stock and SU Love Blossoms DSP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Blushing Bride, VersaMark, Memento Brilliance White Craft, Copic T3 and T4 Sketch markers, Hero Arts Cup O' Joe
Other: Pebbles enamel hearts, SU whisper white EP, heat tool, dimensionals

Happy New Home

Happy Friday!

For me it is indeed a happy Friday. My last official day of work for a month! And to be honest, I'm not doing a whole lot of work today either. I worked some longer hours this week in order to finish all of my reports, etc., so today is just taking care of things that come in.

A good friend recently moved to a new house and tomorrow she is having a combo Christmas and House Warming party. Last night after dinner I made a card for the occasion. Using inspiration from this week's Color Throwndown colors and the sketch from CAS(E) THIS SKETCH, I put this together.

The three colored houses are heat embossed with black craft ink and clear EP onto water color paper. Using Distress ink pads and a paint brush I water colored them in the challenge colors. After dry, I cut them out using the corresponding dies.

For the white background panel, I stamped the houses onto X-Press It Blending card stock using Memento tuxedo black and the Mini Misti to get them perfectly aligned. The sentiment is heat embossed using black craft and clear EP. 

The banners are water color paper smooshed with the Distress inks and cut with Die-namics dies and the heart is cut with a Lawn Fawn die.

I used fun foam to raise the white panel for dimension.

This may be a little "busier" than the Sketch intends, but I think it turned out pretty cool. 

The ladies over at Stamp, Ink, Paper have an embossing theme this week, so I'm playing along with it as well.

Have a great Friday afternoon everyone and thanks for looking in,

Colleen

Supplies

Stamps: Holiday Home set by Stampin' Up

Paper: SU Basic Black, X-Press It Blending card stock, Fabriano Grans Fina cold pressed water color paper

Ink: SU Craft Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads

Other: SU Holiday Home dies, Die-namics Pierced Fishtail Flags dies, Lawn Fawn Heart die, rhinestones, the Big Shot, fun foam, dimensionals