colourQ 325!

Hello and happy Tuesday!  I'm back with a new card for colourQ.  This week the colors put me in mind of a Valentine so along with the Valentine challenge at The Paper Players and the sketch at retro sketches my card was born!

I was actually having a bit of trouble working the So Saffron in to my Valentine then I got the bright idea to layer it with some white using my new scribble heart die.  I wasn't sure how it would end up looking since these things invariably look better in my head than they do on paper, but I really like how it turned out!  Then instead of using sequins to float around the big hearts I used tiny little hearts.

Be sure to check out the cards from my colourQ teamies.  They are beauties, but you already knew that didn't you?  I hope we get to see you in the gallery this week!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies
Stamps: Fancy Word Coordinates (Reverse Confetti)
Paper:  Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals (SU); Solar White (Neenah)
Ink:  Scarlet Jewel (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories:  Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslit (SU); Blueprints 13 die (My Favorite Things); Scribble Heart die (Simon Says Stamp)

colourQ 321!

There are no mistakes in stamping.  This is a mantra that has been a part of my card-making world since I started playing around with paper and ink many years ago.  This card that I made for the latest colourQ challenge tested that belief!

I won't go into all the gory details but I had trouble with the inlaid circles and with the sketchy tree image.  After my trouble with the tree I really wanted to scrap the whole card and start from scratch but the inlaid circles took so long to do and even though I messed those up too I didn't want to start all over again!  So I took a chance that some white embossing powder would make everything better.  My save was not too bad!  The layout here is from the latest sketch at retro sketches and I'm also playing along with the challenge at Just Us Girls to use sequins.

We're taking a little break at colourQ so this challenge will stay up for two weeks!  Check out all the details at colourQ and while you're there you can see all the beautiful cards from the design team.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies
Stamps:  Sketchy Christmas (Precious Remembrance)
Paper:  Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Kiwi Kiss, Real Red, Whisper White (SU)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories:  Blueprints 13 die, Horizontal Stitched dies, Stitched Circle STAX (My Favorite Things); Wet Paint Holiday die (Papertrey Ink); white embossing powder

Hello JUGS281 and rs154

I'm in the middle of doing housework (blech) and needed a little break so I thought I'd pop in here and show you a card I made using the colors at Just Us Girls and the sketch from retro sketches.

I just love a square card.  Too bad they cost extra to mail.  I usually try to keep mine 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 so I can still fit them in an A2 envelope and avoid the surcharge but my favorite size is about a half inch bigger.

It's been a while since I used this whimsical flower and it somehow seemed appropriate for this fun layout.  I scribbled on it with some colored pencils but I couldn't seem to get the color as dark as I wanted to I ended up going over some areas with my Regal Rose marker.  I love the scribbled look of these flowers.

Well that's it for me.  Back to vacuuming for a bit then I'm off to the grocery store.  I wish the weekends weren't so jam packed with chores!  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Jofy 12 (Paper Artsy); Label Love (Altenew)

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse, Soft Sky, Whisper White (SU)

Ink:  Midnight Muse, Regal Rose (SU); Jet Black (Archival)

Accessories:  Pierced Square STAX, Fishtail Flags Layers STAX, Pierced Fishtail Flags STAX (My Favorite Things); Button Stacks II die (Papertrey Ink); enamel dots (My Mind's Eye)

colourQ 280

I can't believe it's been nearly a week since I've posted anything new here!  I found myself mojo-less this past week and despite attempting several times to spend some quality time with my stamps and ink the quality of what I was turning out stunk!

But I was determined to get back into the swing of things with the new palette at colourQ.  The colors are bold and could be monochromatic, but the addition of gold makes it just a tad more interesting!  The inspiration comes from this bracelet.

This is actually the second card I made for this challenge.  The first one I made on Sunday afternoon and was filled with flowers.  But when I woke up Monday I took a good look at it and decided it was't that good and scrapped it for this color block version.  I love how these colors complement each other and yet each have their own personality.

The layout of my card comes from the latest retro sketch.  I don't usually do vertical sentiments but that skinny vertical layer up the middle is perfect for it.  The flowers are actually adorable button dies and I "thread" a tiny sliver of white card stock through the them to mimic actual thread.

Well, it's back to work for me today.  Yesterday was a holiday from work (I really, really love three day weekends) and I put it to good use running some errands, doing my income taxes (boo) and getting caught up with blog stuff.  Thanks for stopping by and do pop on over to colourQ and see what the rest of the design team has got up to this week.  I hope you can join us in the gallery!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Live Love Life (Papertrey Ink)

Paper:  Blackberry Bliss, Raspberry Ripple, Wisteria Wonder, Gold Foil, Whisper White (SU)

Ink:  Wisteria Wonder, Blackberry Bliss (SU)

Accessories:  Button Stacks die, Button Stacks II die (Papertrey Ink)

colourQ 275

I don't know about you, but I find it hard to believe that it is January 13th already.  It's so cliche but time really does fly!  And speaking of time flying, it's now time for a brand new color palette over at colourQ.  This week the colors are inspired by this beautiful tapestry.

I had a grandiose idea that I could make a card that echoed the patterns and colors of the tapestry, but then I woke up from that dream and realized I'd never be able to pull that off!  LOL!

Instead I focused on the colors and combined them in a way that is familiar to me.  A few splatters, some card stock in the colors of the challenge and a big ol' flower.  Of course, I got some help from the layout at retro sketches.

We're off to a crafty good start this year at colourQ so I hope you'll join us!  The design team has, as usual, outdone themselves this week so there's lots of inspiration to be had there!  See you in the gallery!

And thanks so much for stopping by.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Gorgeous Grunge (SU); Funky Flowers (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Strictly Sentiments 5 (WPlus9)

Paper:  Classic White (Flourishes); Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White (SU)

Ink:  Wisteria Wonder (SU); Enchanted Evening (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories:  Blueprints 13 die, Pierced Rectangle STAX (My Favorite Things); enamel dots (My Mind's Eye)

Hello!

I have the somewhat unusual luxury of finding myself with lots of extra time to get crafty lately.  My design team work is on vacation for the holidays so my schedule is free to do whatever I want!  What a strange feeling that is.  Today I decided to play along with the inspiration photo at Just Us Girls and to combine it with the latest retro sketch.

I really loved the gray, pink and white colors of the JUGS inspiration photo plus you can see I was heavily influenced by the circles.  I randomly stamped some circles then added a button and a stacked die-cut sentiment.  You may notice that I sneaked in a little black on the die cut sentiment.  That is a little trick I learned from my friend Karren.  It really makes the die cut stand out and since this card is really just about the pink and gray, it really helped to make the sentiment get noticed.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps: Bokeh Dots (Essentials by Ellen)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White; Smoky Slate, Blushing Bride, Basic Black, Twitterpated DSP (SU)

Ink:  Smoky Slate, Blushing Bride (SU)

Accessories:  Happy Hellos die, Pierced Square STAX, Pierced Fishtail Flags STAX (My Favorite Things); button (SU); thread

colourQ 262

October is breast cancer awareness month, so it only seemed appropriate that there be color challenges to mark the event.  At colourQ we have such a challenge and the palette is inspired by this T-Shirt.

Some years ago I got this freebie stamp set from a.muse studio and it's perfect for when I need a card to send someone a positive vibe.  Like many of you, unfortunately I know one too many people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, my own sister included.  A card is a small thing in the face of all these brave ladies go through, but I also know the power of a hand written card and the joy someone can feel just by knowing that someone is "thinking of you."

The fun layout of my card comes from retro sketches, where they are hosting a "you pick the sketch" challenge.  We get to choose from any of their past sketches and I chose #133 because I loved it when I saw it and never got a chance to play along with them at the time.

The always amazing colourQ design team have got some beauties for you to see this week so be sure to pop on over there to check them out.  I hope you have time to join us in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Fight Like a Girl (a.muse studio)

Paper:  Classic White (Flourishes); Basic Black, Welcome Neighbor DSP (SU); White (Spectrum Noir)

Ink:  Pretty in Pink (SU); True Black (PTI)

Accessories:  Silver Basics button (SU); Midtown button (October Afternoon); black button (a.muse studio); Necessities enamel dots (My Mind's Eye)

Tis the Season 11

This week at Tis The Season is an inspiration challenge.  The colors and sparkly bits are what inspired me and once I saw the challenge at retro sketches this week was a gift tag I immediately that I wanted to combine these challenges.

I love making Christmas tags so putting these challenges together was a no brainer for me!  The silver glimmer paper provided the sparkle along with the rhinestone bling!  And since shimmery paper and snowflakes go together in my book, I added a couple of those too!

We'd love to see your Christmas inspiration at Tis The Season so come along and create with us!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Warm Words (SU)

Paper:  Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores (Papertrey Ink); Neenah Solar White; Silver Glimmer (SU)

Ink:  Hawaiian Shores (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories:  Snowflake Trio die (amuse studio); Maryanne Snowflake die (Simon Says Stamp); Stitched Circle STAX, Pierced Traditional Tags STAX (My Favorite Things); Banner Trio die (WPlus9); Basic Rhinesones, Pewter Jumbo brads, Pool Party seam binding ribbon, Pool Party baker's twine (SU); washi tape

colourQ 221

Christmas Eve is such a magical time I think.  Since I was a kid my family has always celebrated together starting on Christmas Eve.  There is always lots of food and visits with family before we go to midnight Mass.  After Mass we head to my aunt's house for more food and visits with family.  The night always ends with the "Portuguese Band" coming to the house and performing traditional Christmas songs.  I'm lucky if I make it home by 3:00 AM!

But before that all happens I've got to go to work and when I get home, take a nap!  And before that happens I must show you the card I made for the newest colourQ challenge.  This week the colors are inspired by this ornament.  

I'm sure I should have been inspired to make another Christmas card but my Christmas mojo is only working sporadically so I made this thank you instead following the latest retro sketch.  You might think that a blue starburst is kind of weird and I thought so too when I was assembling this card.  But once I had put it all together I thought it looked pretty nice.  So I kept it.

I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas, if you celebrate it, with your family.  And if Santa brought you some new crafting goodies you should head over to colourQ on Thursday to try them out as you play along with our challenge!

Merry Christmas!

Supplies:

Paper:  Neenah Solar White; Coastal Cabana, Baja Breeze, Midnight Muse, Baked Brown Sugar (SU)

Accessories:  Sunshine die, Thanks die (Simon Says Stamp)

Love Potion with PP175 and RS93

I should be working on Christmas cards and Christmas tags but as soon as I saw the new color challenge at The Paper Players I became convinced that a Valentine's Day card was in my future.  Pair that with the totally awesome sketch from retro sketches and I was off and running!

This lab beaker and fun sentiment from the brand new Bubbling Over stamp set from The Alley Way Stamps is just perfect for a Valentine.  Who wouldn't love to be overcome by the smoke emitting from the beaker as it points to the way to their own true love!  

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Bubbling Over (The Alley Way Stamps)

Paper:  Solar White (Neenah); Raspberry Ripple, Pink Pirouette, Old Olive (SU); X-Press It Blending Card

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Copics

Accessories:  Pierced Circle STAX (My Favorite Things)

Merry Christmas DD#79 rs90

I tried to knock out another Christmas card using the colors at Dynamic Duos and the sketch from retro sketches.  This one looked better in my head than in the execution.

I used Brushed Silver card stock instead of Smoky Slate because I wanted this to be a bit more sparkly.  I had a bit of trouble getting the "merry" die cut out of the die before I remembered that putting some wax paper between the die and the card stock helps to get it out.  It worked really well.

My mother is taking me bowling with her tomorrow (she's in a league and practices on Mondays).  I'm a little afraid because I think I've been bowling a total of three times in my life and once was when I was a little kid so I'm not counting that one.  What's worse is that we're bowling candle pins and according to my niece, who went bowling with my mother a few weeks ago, Nana is a hard task master when she gets in the lane.  Oh boy.  Wish me luck!

Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies:

Paper:  Basic Black, Brushed Silver, Vellum (SU)

Ink:  Onyx Black (Versafine)

Accessories:  Expressions Thinlets (SU); Burlap stencil (Tim Holtz); silver embossing paste; Midnight Blend sequins (Avery Elle)

BE Inspired 39

I'm so glad it's Friday for a couple of reasons.  First it means a bit of free time off from work and second it means there's a new BE Inspired Challenge at The Alley Way Stamps blog!  This week the challenge is clean, simple and colorful!

If you've been traveling around blog land this week you will undoubtedly recognize the layout of this card as the sketch from retro sketches.  I was a bit afraid of it when I first saw it, but after a bit I realized it would be a great sketch to highlight the beautiful, bright colors of the inspiration photo.  Among the strips of washi are the pig and companion sentiment from Bacon Bits.

Don't forget that just for playing along with the BE Inspired Challenge you have a chance to win a free stamp set from The Alley Way Stamps!  All you need to do is play along with the challenge by creating a project inspired by the photo and using an image from The Alley Way Stamps.  If you don't have any stamps you can find FREEBIES here!  One lucky person who participates will be randomly chosen and one will be hand picked to win a free stamp set!

So don't dally and come play along with us!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Bacon Bits (The Alley Way Stamps)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White; Melon Mambo DSP (SU)

Ink:  Onyx Black (Versafine)

Accessories:  Gingham Garden washi, Witches Brew washi (SU); other washi; Dimensionals (SU)

Welcome! For DD#68 and rs79

My first reaction when I saw the color challenge at Dynamic Duos was to combine Perfect Plum with something like Old Olive and do up some flowers.  But then I had second thoughts and decided to use Lavender Moon from PTI and do a little monochramatic card.  Once I decided on colors it was a short leap to the challenge at retro sketches and the fab new stamp set from The Alley Way Stamps called Calypso.

I was trying to create the "brick wall" effect by sponging around the edges of the horizontal layers, but I don't think I applied enough "sponge!"  I also went off sketch when I decided to round the edges of these layers of card stock.  But the rounded edges just  looked right with these softly doodled images.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Calypso (The Alley Way Stamps)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White; Lavender Moon (Papertrey Ink); Whisper White (SU)

Accessories:  Perfect Plum button (SU); crochet thread