You're Flippin' Awesome!

Hello all,

I hope that you've had a fun and relaxing weekend. I certainly did. Yesterday some weekend chores in the morning, Little League BB in the afternoon and Big League BB in the evening. Today, Mr. Personal Chef and I walked into our little town for the Spring Street Faire. We bought some new wine tools that look pretty cool. In fact we also bought a set for our friends. Since we just happen to be going to dinner there this evening, I came home and made a card to go with the gift. Our friend Jai is an awesome cook and we eat there frequently. (His son Nic is the Little League player.)

Using Amy's awesome sketch at Freshly Made Sketches, here's the thank you card.

This is kind of a one layer card. Just the die cuts make a "second" layer. The card base is SU heavy weight card stock. I stamped the images on X-Press It Blending card stock with Memento black and colored them with Copies. Using the MFT set dies I cut them out and placed them around the SU wreath, cut from black card stock. I decided to embellishment with the scored lines, using my Score-pal.

Here's the inside. The Thanks sentiment is Lawn Fawn.

I really like how this one turned out.

Have a wonder week everyone and, as always, thanks for checking in!
Colleen

Supplies
Stamps: Recipe for Happiness set by My Favorite Things
Paper: SU heavy weight, SU Basic Black and X-Press It Blending card stock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copics
Other: MFT Recipe for Happiness dies, the Big Shot, dimensionals, SU mini glue dots

Thank You

Hello peeps!

Mr. Personal Chef asked me to make him a card to send to his group's admin for "Administrative Professionals Day," which is on Wednesday of this week. I asked if he wanted flowers, graphic, animals or just sentiment and he said flowers. Using the last Stamp, Ink, Paper challenge (challenge was already closed so I couldn't link up) I made this card.

Super bright and fun and I, unlike many, like the tilted panels. For the sentiment element, I cut the Die-nemics zig-zag circle die then lined up the stamp in my Misti. Before stamping, I placed a scrap piece of paper under the circle so I didn't stamp over the flower underneath. This works well. After stamping the two flowers onto the circle, I stamped the sentiment in Memento black. I used three layers of ink to make it nice and dark. I finished it off with a cutout butterfly from the stamp set, matted the white panel with Real Red, and some Pretty Pink Posh clear glass beads.

Since I don't have a stamp that says "Happy Administrative Professionals Day," I printed the sentiment from my computer, cut the printout to size then stamped the flower.

It will be one of a kind, and hopefully she'll like it.

Have a great Tuesday and thanks,
Colleen

Supplies
Stamps: Fab Flowers set by Lawn Fawn
Paper: SU Daffodil Delight, Real Red, and X-Press It Blending card stock and MFT gingham patterned papers
Ink: SU Watermelon Wonder, Real Red, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Rich Razzelberry, Sweet Sugarplum, Daffodil Delight, Summer Sun, Emerald Envy, Peekaboo Peach, Pumpkin Pie, and Memento tuxedo black
Other: Die-namics Zig-zag Circle die, Lawn Fawn Fab Flowers dies, Pretty Pink Posh clear glass beads, the Big shot, dimensionals

From Me to You

Hello and good morning,

Since the Linky closes this afternoon for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge, I'm doing a quick post before I head off to work this morning. I made a couple of cards last night after dinner, just in time to make this challenge's deadline.

I got a new set from Concord & 9th called Many Mandalas a few weeks ago and hadn't played with it yet. Since medallions seem to be "in" right now, I ordered this one because it has lots of possibilities. It also comes with a template to help line up the layers, although I didn't actually use it this time.

The colors I choose come from this week's Sunday Stamps challenge. This week is colors week, and they have a pretty spring palette.

I began with a light green card base and stamped the background images in the various green shades. The center panel is Wild Wasabi card stock embossed with a We R Memory Keepers EF. The two focal images are stamped on X-Press It Blending card stock with Pistachio Pudding and Peekaboo Peach inks and cut out with the set dies. The top small flower is Peekaboo Peach card stock. The center sentiment is cut out with a Die-namics banner. I trimmed off the flag ends and then popped up the center. Enamel dots in Peekaboo Peach added for embellishment.

Here's the inside greeting using a sentiment from Hero Arts.

I'm off to work and it should be a relatively easy day. Just a couple of customer meetings today to check in with them. Nothing that will take too long. A relaxing way to start the work week. I hope you have a great day!

Thanks for stopping in,
Colleen

Supplies
Stamps: Many Mandalas set from Concord & 9th
Paper: SU Pistachio Pudding, Peekaboo Peach, Wild Wasabi and X-Press It Blending card stocks
Ink: SU Pistachio Pudding, Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Mossy Meadow and Peekaboo Peach
Other: We R Memory Keepers EF, Concord & 9th dies, Die-namics Fishtail Flags die, SU enamel shapes, the Big Shot, dimensinals

Celebrate! It's Your Day

Hello and a good Sunday to you,

Yesterday was a hot one here for mid-April. I did the usual weekend chores in the morning, then went to my friend Nic's Little League baseball game. They are 10 and 11 year old kids and SO much fun to watch.

Before I left I started this card using inspiration from two of my favorite weekly challenges. The sketch comes from this week's CAS(E) this Sketch and the colors are from this week's Color Throwdown. The colors this week are purple, red, yellow and orange.

Here's what I came up with.

Before I left for the game, I stamped the "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" sentiment, a Mama Elephant stamp, in the challenge colors to create my background. The inks are Tim Holtz Distress Oxide. Lining up the the stamping is so easy using a Misti Stamping tool. I allowed the panel to dry while at the game, then finished the rest of the card when I got home later in the afternoon. The balloons are Lawn Fawn dies, the star cover plate die is Hero Arts and so is the "Celebrate" sentiment. The white sentiment banner is Die-namics.

I think it turned out pretty much how I imagined it in my mind, a bright and cheery birthday card.

I'm planning on doing more stamping today as there are more challenges to catch up on and, it's my favorite way to spend Sundays.

Thanks for checking in today,

Colleen

Supplies

Stamps: Woodland Gifts set by Mama Elephant, Birthday Celebration set by Hero Arts

Paper: SU Lovely Lilac, Real Red, Daffodil Yellow, Pumpkin Pie, X-Press It Blending card stocks

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks Wilted Violet, Spiced Marmalade, Fossilized Amber, Fired Brick

Other: Hero Arts Star Confetti die, Lawn Fawn Balloon dies, Die-namics Pierced Fishtail Flag STAX die, the Big Shot, SU yellow, orange, red candy dots, dimensionals

Make A Splash!

Hi again,

I had planned on posting this one tomorrow evening, but then saw that the Inspired By All the Little Things challenge ends later tonight. Since I had made this card using the inspiration photo, I wanted to get it posted. I used several elements from the photo. The rainy scene, the black and white stripes and the pink color. The sketch comes from this week's Mojo Monday.

The background patterned paper and the papers used to piece the umbrella are from We R Memory Makers "Chalkboard" 6X6 pad. Abby is stamped with Memento tuxedo black on X-Press It Blending card stock and colored with Copics. She, the rain puddle and the umbrella are cut out with the corresponding SSS dies. the other dies are all Die-namics. I've used sequins for the "rain" drops.

Thanks again for looking in, and have a very happy Friday!
Colleen


Supplies
Stamps: Abby's Spring Showers set by Simon Says Stamp
Paper: SU Blushing Bride, Basic Black and X-Press It Blending card stock and We R Memory Makers Chalkboard patterned papers
Ink: Memento tuxedo black and Copics
Other: Abby's Spring Showers dies, Die-namics Pierced Circle and Fishtail Flag dies, the Big Shot, black sequins, dimensionals

Peace-Love-Happiness

Hello,

It's been a gorgeous day here in San Diego, but unfortunately, I had to be in a big laboratory with no windows all day. I think that the inland areas will be super warm this weekend, but here at the coast, it should be perfect. I'm really looking forward to the weekend!

Until then, I have this week's card for The Paper Players. LeAnne is hosting this week with a fun CAS theme challenge called "On the Go." I thought of the perfect stamp set in my collection to use, called Feelin' Groovy.

Since this is a CAS challenge, I kept layers and embellishments to the minimum. Just the card base in Lovely Lilac and the image panel of water color paper. I stamped the bug in SU archival black ink then masked it with a post-it. I made a few masks of the flower and went about stamping it behind the car and out to the sides of the card. Everything is colored with Zig Real Brush Markers and a paint brush.  The sentiment is stamped with Tim Holtz Distress Oxide ink. It gives such a great solid image. The little daisy flower is from the set, stamped in the same Oxide ink, allowed to dry and fussy cut out. I placed a very small yellow enamel dot in the center. After the stamping and painting were completely dry, I washed the back ground very lightly with distress blue ink and water.

The set also has another bug image and I've used it on the inside of the card. Since the license plate had room to personalize it, I used a Copic Multiliner pen and wrote PLH (peace, love, happiness).

I had a 1967 VW Bug that I drove in college. It was baby blue and I loved it! My dad and I bought it used from an older lady who must have been a prolific smoker because the inside was stained with smoke and tar. I spend days scrubbing everything and when I got done it looked new. My grandmother recommended a mixture of vinegar and some thing else to get the odor out and it worked too. Other than having to clean the smoke stains from the inside, the rest of the car was spotless and not one scratch! I thought my little car was super cool!

That's all from me tonight. Our good friend, from college days, is coming over for dinner tonight. Should be fun. Mr Personal Chef is making grilled salmon.

Thanks for looking in,
Colleen

Supplies
Stamps: Feelin' Groovy by Taylored Expressions
Paper: SU Lovely Lilac card stock and Strathmore water color paper
Ink: Su Archival black, Tim Holts Distress Ink and Distress Oxide Ink, Zig Real Brush Markers
Other: Paint brushes, enamel dot

Under the Weather?

Hello,

I hope you are all have a good week so far. I had to do a fair amount of driving today for work, and the freeways were NOT fun. But, I made it there and back without issue other than the stop and go.

I made this card on Sunday evening using some new Lil' Inker stamps and dies. Turned out pretty cute! The sketch is the current Sunday Stamps challenge. The theme is Banner Love Take Two and the sketch is a good one.

I started with some bright and cherry patterned papers for my get well card. One of my long time customers had an appendectomy on Saturday, so I thought this would help to cheer her up.

The owl is stamped with Memento and colored with Copies. I cut it out using the corresponding set dies and popped it up using dimensionals. The cross-stitch circle die is from Die-namics and the scalloped circle die is Spellbinders. I thought the scallops went well with the flower shapes in the patterned papers.  I tried bending the sentiment so it stamped along the edge of the white circle.

Here's the inside:

Since the theme is "banner love," I kept it on the inside too.

"Hump Day" tomorrow which means the end of the week is close.

Thanks for looking in,
Colleen

Supplies
Stamps: Hootie Patootie set by Lil' Inkers
Paper: SU Rich Razzleberry and X-Press It Blending card stock; My Mind's Eye Happy Go Lucky patterned papers
Ink: Memento tuxedo black, Copics, SU Rich Razzleberry
Other: Hootie Patootie dies, Die-namics cross-stitched circle and Fishtail Flag STAX dies, Spellbinders Scalloped Circle die, enamel dots, Wink of Stella, the Big Shot, dimensinals

a latte Birthday Wishes

Hello again,

This is my second post this afternoon. I'm posting to the challenges that end this afternoon, and just in time too. I made this card using this week's Mojo Monday #492 challenge. As with my first post today, I'm using more new Lil' Inker stamps.

Last weekend when I was doing some re-organizing of my supplies, I found this pad of patterned papers behind some boxes on the floor. I put it in the front of my patterned paper bin, and so when I was looking for some papers for today's card, being in front, it was the first pack that I grabbed. The dark blue with the pink roses piece was the first page and that's as far as I went. I love the pink and dark blue together. Since I needed another piece per the sketch, I picked this co-ordinating piece, which I think was page two in the pack. Sometimes it takes me forever to decide on papers!

I love Julie's Mojo sketches because they usually have layers, as this week's does, and I love me some layering! I used several dies to cut out the layers and the coffee cup. The inside uses more stamps and another sentiment from the same Lil' Inker set. The coffee cup here is the second of the two in the set and I've paper pieced it with the same patterned papers.

I love how this card turned out and I'm going to save it for a friend whose birthday is in June. She loves coffee!

Thanks again for stopping by. I hope your week is a happy one!
Colleen

Supplies
Stamps: Latte Love set by Lil' Inker
Paper: Taylored Expressions textured dark blue, SU Blushing Bride and X-Press It Blending card stocks; Carta Bella Hello Again patterned papers
Ink: SU Night of Navy, Blushing Bride, Baked Brown Sugar, Memento tuxedo black
Other: Latte Love dies, Die-namics Wonky Stitched Rectangle, Stitched Square and Double Stitched Square dies, Taylored Expressions Burlap EF, My Mind's Eye enamel shapes, the Big Shot, foam tape

Live, Love, Laugh

Happy Easter to all,

No eggs hidden at my house today so I'm having a very relaxing day catching up on some weekly blog challenges and watching baseball. I couldn't ask for a better way to spend my day.

I haven't played along with the Stamp, Ink, Paper challenge in awhile and LeAnne has a fun Tic-Tac-Toe challenge this week. I'm almost late, but I'm able to squeak my card in. I chose the top horizontal option of pink, flower and lace.

For the lace element I've used the SU Sale-a-bration set Delicate Details stamping each lace border in a different shade of pink going lightest to darkest then darkest to lightest in an ombré-ish pattern. The flower element is the Wreath of Roses stamp set and die by Lil' Inker. The wreath is stamped in VersaMark on Mambo Melon and heat embossed in White EP.  I glued a piece of white card stock behind the center of the wreath and stamped the sentiment, also in the set, with VersaMark and heat embossed with Mambo Melon EP. I can't remember when I've used ribbon and a large bow last, but this card just seem to call for it. I found this pink gingham ribbon in my box.

The inside greeting is also from the Wreath of Roses set, and the flower is another Sale-a-bration SU set, but from last year.

A very girly card, for sure. Thanks for looking in,
Colleen

Supplies
Stamps: Wreath of Roses set by Lil' Inker, Delicate Details set by Stampin' Up, What I Love set by Stampin' Up
Paper: SU Pretty in Pink, Mambo Melon and X-Press It Blending card stocks
Ink: SU Blushing Bride, Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Strawberry Slush, Melon Mambo, and VersaMark
Other: Wreath of Roses die, SU White and Melon Mambo EP, heat tool, Mini Misti, ribbon, foam tape, the Big Shot

Hello

Happy Thursday peeps,

I'm almost late getting my card posted for this week's Paper Players challenge. For some reason I couldn't come up with an idea for Joanne's color choices. I was mulling it around lying in bed last night and thought of this Altenew set, so this morning I put it to paper to see how it would look. Kind of pretty, actually.

As you can see from the graphics, I used the new Freshly Made Sketch as my layout. I actually have a paper cutter that cuts in a wavy line and that was perfect for the bottom of my panel.

I began by stamping the outline of the flower in Memento tuxedo black randomly on X-Press It Blending card stock. Then using the Mini Misti, I stamped the stem in Mint and the flower in layers of Perfect Plum. I thought it needed a few fills around the flowers, and the stamp set has several small images that worked well for this.

The card base is Sahara Sand. I cut another small piece of Sand card stock and used the TE Burlap EF and layered the top panel over it using fun foam.

The "hello" sentiment is Avery Elle, which after I placed it, I realized it's not in the right place according to Jen's sketch. Of course, I had to add some embellishments, this time in the form of light green enamel dots.

Here's the inside using Joanne's color theme.

We're almost to the end of the week. That makes me happy! I'm working late this afternoon, which is why I had time to do this card this morning. Have a great rest of your day.

Thanks for coming by,
Colleen

Supplies
Stamps: Altenew sets Peony Bouquet and Beautiful Day
Paper: X-Press It Blending, SU Sahara Sand, Mint Macaron, Perfect Plum, and Whisper White card stock
Ink: Memento tuxedo black, SU Sahara Sand, Mint Macaron, Perfect Plum
Other: Taylored Expressions Burlap EF, Avery Elle Hello die, Mini Misti, the Big Shot, fun foam, enamel dots

Rainbows (and a unicorn)

Hello and Happy Sunday all,

I hope you're having a great weekend. Yesterday I spent about half a day rearranging some of my stamping room, which lead to doing some rearranging out in the garage. Nothing to involved, however. I made a few more Easter cards using this design that I made a few weeks ago. This time I used colors instead of browns.

For todays post, I've made a birthday card suitable for a little girl using the current CAS(E) this Sketch! layout. The patterned paper was my inspiration for the design.

I cut the "Rainbow" die about five times out of heavy weight card stock and twice out of the patterned paper then glued them all together for a thick sentiment. After gluing it to the card front I use several layers of Wink of Stella to make it glittery. The unicorn is stamped in Memento and colored with Copics then cut with it's die. All in all, another simply put together card and very fast to make.

Here is the inside, even more simple.

I now need to get all of those Easter cards addressed so they can be mailed tomorrow.

Wishing you all a nice Sunday afternoon and evening. Thanks for stopping in,
Colleen


Supplies
Stamps: Winter Unicorn set by Lawn Fawn and Rainbow of Happiness set by MFT
Paper: SU Daffodil Delight and X-Press It Blending card stock and Pink Paislee "Take Me Away" patterned paper
Ink: Memento tuxedo black, SU Watermelon Wonder, Copics
Other: Lawn Fawn Winter Unicorn die, Die-namics Rainbow of Happiness dies, Wink of Stella, enamel shapes, the Big Shot, dimensionals

Happy Spring

And, Happy Friday everyone!

I'm always so glad when the weekend rolls around!

I'm still making a few Easter cards and the color combination at Color Throwdown this week works well for a Spring themed card. In fact, I used the inspiration photo for the subject as well as the colors.

Cecile's Freshly Made Sketch works perfectly for the stamps that I used, as they are square shaped stamps. They actually have a square black line around the flower images, but I chose to cut it off with the stitched dies.

The patterned paper is Lawn Fawn. The images are stamped in Memento tuxedo black and colored with Copics. I cut them out with Square Stitched dies and arranged them according to Cecile's sketch. The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp and I used my Misti to get the placement just right. All in all, very simple.

Have a fabulous weekend and as always, thanks for coming by my blog.

Hugs,
Colleen

Supplies
Stamps: Single wooden tulip stamps by Impress (very old) and Abby's Spring Showers set by SSS
Paper: Textured blue card stock by Taylored Expressions, X-Press It Blending card stock, Lawn Fawn Plaid patterned paper
Ink: Memento tuxedo black, SU Real Red, Copics
Other: Die-namics Square Stitched dies, enamel shapes, the Big Shot, dimensionals

Wishing You a Day That Blooms With Happiness

Hi and Happy Thursday afternoon,

I have a split work day today, so I'm currently home watching baseball. I will be driving up the Interstate 5 to Orange County for an evening meeting a little later. Since I have time, I thought I'd post another card that I made for the 50th Inspired By All the Little Things challenge. This is actually the first card that I made for this challenge. I made and posted this on Monday, which was the second card made for this challenge. (does that make any sense?)

This is an older Taylored Expressions bouquet set. Very fun to color.

For this card I've used the peach color and, of course, the flowers for inspiration. The inside uses the Avery Ellen Mother's Day stamp set.

The images are all stamped in Memento tuxedo black and colored with Copics.

Thanks for looking in today,
Colleen

Supplies
Stamps: Mixed Bouquet set by Taylored Expressions and Mother's Day set by Avery Elle
Paper: SU Peekaboo Peach and X-Press It Blending card stocks
Ink: Memento tuxedo black and Copics
Other: Sequins

Happy Easter

Hello,

I have my card for this week's Paper Players Challenge. Laurie has a fun themed challenge this week. Easter Bunnies!

I've used a couple of Lawn Fawn sets to make my card.

I started with some Lawn Fawn spring patterned papers. The green were cut with the Lawn Fawn grassy hills dies. They were layered on the blue plaid and then all were cut with a scalloped border die. I wanted the reverse of the scallops along the edges. The card base is SU Crumb Cake.

The bunny and sentiment are from the Happy Easter Set. The jar and jelly beans are from the How You Bean set. The images are stamped in Memento tuxedo black and colored with Copics.

Here is the inside with the bunny happily hopping away. Images and sentiment from the Happy Easter set.

Half our work week is done, YAY! Hope you're having a good week. Thanks for stopping by,
Colleen

Supplies
Stamps: Happy Easter and How You Bean sets by Lawn Fawn
Paper: SU Crumb Cake and X-Press It Blending card stock and Lawn Fawn patterned papers
Ink: Memento tuxedo black and Copics
Other: Lawn Fawn Grassy Hill and How You Bean dies, Avery Elle Scalloped Rectangle dies, enamel dots, the Big Shot, foam tape

Have A Sweet Birthday

Hello stamping friends,

I hope you all had a good beginning to your week. I got home fairly early from work this afternoon which means I have time to post a card that I made yesterday for the Inspired By All the Little Things 50th Challenge. Congrats! to the DT! I find it fun to play along each week with their inspiration photos and the DT certainly comes up with gorgeous cards each week.

This week's Inspiration Photo is an elegant party table with the flowers, desserts, and twinkling lights in the background. Being me, I focused right in on that plate of yummy looking macarons! Here's my card and the Inspiration Photo underneath:

Besides the tray of cookies, I was inspired by the background greenery and twinkling lights in the inspiration photo.

My macarons are stamped with VersaMark and embossed with white EP on water color paper. I colored them with Prismacolor watercolor pencils. They are cut out with the corresponding Avery Elle dies and layered onto a "tray" made from another set of Avery Elle dies and corrugated kraft and gold card stock. The tiny leaves in the background are stamped in two shades of SU green inks.

The sentiment and image on the inside of the card are from the same Avery Elle set.

I hope you have a chance to play along to help the DT celebrate the 50th inspiration challenge this week.

Thanks for stopping by,
Colleen

Supplies
Stamps: Bonjour set by Avery Elle
Paper: SU Pale Plum and X-Press It Blending card stock, Strathmore water color paper, SU Brushed Gold, Kraft corrugated card stock
Ink: VersaMark Craft ink, SU Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Spun Sugarplum
Other: SU white EP, Prismacolor watercolor colored pencils, aqua painter paint brush, Avery Elle Bonjour and Scalloped Rectangles dies, the Big Shot, clear rhinestones, SU bow die, Michaels lavender ribbon, foam tape