Cheers (way to go) - Color Challenge (CCMC195)

I've been a long-time admirer of Mary Brown's work and have contemplated off & on to join in on the challenges she & Connie Babbert post each week.  No time like the present, eh?

This week was a color challenge (CCMC195)... Poppy Parade, So Saffron & Basic Gray.  The samples were inspiring so I decided to dive right in. Ta da!

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp sets: Delightful Dozen; Cardstock: Basic Gray, So Saffron;

Patterned Paper:  Poppy Parade DSP Stack;

Inks: Basic Gray;  Punches: Scallop Trim;  

  Ribbon: Basic Gray Satin, White Baker's Twine;  

Sizzix:  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder;  

Embellishments:  Everyday Enchantment Brads;  

Other: Pop Dots (American Crafts), Scotch ATG.

  

I likely would have never paired these colors so I'm glad I did it. Hopefully I'll find the time to keep doing some of these challenges.  

Thanks for taking a peek!

Colleen

Double Embossing

A few weeks ago, I saw this post/turorial by Angie Leach regarding double embossing and loved the look.  I had tinkered a bit with double embossing about a year ago and it worked okay.  But I think that the Designer Frame Embossing Folders that SU! released since I last tried this has really made the difference for me.  They help to finish off the look. 

So here we have the card I made using this technique.  I'll admit that I tinkered a lot with the sandwiches and finally found one that worked for me (each Big Shot is different so you have to adjust where needed).  For the oval frame, I semi-permanently (how's that for a contradiction) attached the chipboard template since I know I'll be using this technique a bit.  And because of that, I wound up ordering a 2nd set of the embossing folders to use as you would normally.  That way, I don't have to waste time finding the template, adhering it, removing it, etc. every time I want to use it.

Additionally, I wrote notes directly on my chipboard templates so it's easy for me to reference exactly the sandwiches I used for each one.  That'll be a big time saver for me when I reach for it to use them.

This card uses my two current favorite embossing folders... Vintage Wallpaper & Oval Designer Frame.  The combination of the two of them makes me quite happy.

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp sets: Teeny Tiny Wishes; 
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White;

Inks: Wild Wasabi;  Punches: Itty Bitty Shapes;  

Sizzix Dies:  Floral Fusion Sizzlet, Little Leaves Sizzlet, Beautiful Wings Embosslit;
Sizzix Embossing Folders:  Vintage Wallpaper, Oval Designer Frame;

Embellishments: Bitty Buttons; 
Other: Big Shot, Pop Dots (Recollections), Scotch ATG.

And since I had all the other butterflies after running the Butterfly Wings Embosslit through the Big Shot, I figured I'd add a few to the inside of the card....

The possibilities are endless with this double embossing; I tried it out with several other colors and it's oh so pretty!  So be prepared to see a bunch of variations on this. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Colleen

Easter Cards

I'm normally not someone who uses cutesy animals-dressed-in-clothes kind of stamps.  But I'm thinking everything aligned in order for me to not be able to resist the Everybunny Stamp Set when I saw this card by Melissa Davies.  It was just too adorable.  So, I made two versions... a boy & a girl.  It also helped that I needed a few Easter cards and the recipients would enjoy cutesy animals-dressed-in-clothes kind of images, too.

I used my trusty blender pen with my ink pads to color the images.  I love the blender pens so much that I have this fear of losing them.  So I did the only logical thing... I order another set of 3.  Because that's easier that training myself not to lose things.  :)  Oh... and I also added one of the smaller images from this stamp set to the inside of the card.  I've been on a kick lately to dress up the insides, especially when I don't add a sentiment inside.

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp sets: Everybunny, Delightful Dozen; Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party;

Patterned Paper:  Domestic Goddess DSP;

Inks: Basic Gray, Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery;
Punches: 1/8" Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers);  

Sizzix Dies:  Scallop Square Duo; 

Ribbon: Pool Party Seam Binding; 
Other: Big Shot, Blender Pen, Pop Dots (American Crafts), Scotch ATG.

 

 This is a close-up of the stamp on the inside of the card. 

Now all I have to do is get my act together to get these Easter cards mailed out!

Hope you enjoy these... thanks for stopping by.

Colleen


(**Edited to add that I just noticed a goofed up ribbon on the boy card.  sigh.  Wish I had noticed that when I was taking the pictures.  oy.**)

And even more Buffet cards... (the last installment!)

Tired of the Buffet cards yet?  I hope not!  I have a few more to go....


I've been anxious to use the Hello Doily stamp on a card for awhile now.  It embosses really beautifully.  I decided to do it in white on Melon Mambo for a good contrast.  Very simple card that could be used for a bunch of different occasions. 

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp sets: Hello Doily, Fresh Vintage (a Sale-A-Bration set); Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Whisper White;

Inks: Versamark, Melon Mambo;  Punches: Postage Stamp, Scallop Trim;  

  Ribbon: Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta, Melon Mambo Pom Pom Trim (retired); 
Other: White Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Pop Dots (American Crafts), Scotch ATG.

Next, I offered a Valentine's Day Card with a Gift Card Holder.  I've made a few cards with the gift card holder and really like them. 

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp sets: P.S. I Love You; Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red;
Patterned Paper:  Love Letters DSP (retired); 

Inks: Basic Black, Riding Hood Red;  Punches: Lace Ribbon Border, Word Window;  
Sizzix:  Hearts Collection Framelits;

  Ribbon: Riding Hood Red 3/8" Taffeta (retired); 
Other: Pop Dots (American Crafts), Scotch ATG.

Lastly (yea... this is the end of the card buffet cards... finally!), I saw this card that Leigha Rock made (which she adapted from a card made by Sue Bayliss; but I can't find it on her blog to link it).  I offered this card in either blue or pink for the buffet.  To color the images, I used SU! Markers for some and a Blender Pen & Ink Pads for others.  I ♥ my Blender Pen!!

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp sets: Baby Bundle; Cardstock: Pretty In Pink, Baja Breeze, Regal Rose, Whisper White;

Inks: Pretty In Pink, Baja Breeze, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo, Wisteria Wonder;  
Punches: Itty Bitty Shapes, Curly Label, Designer Label Large (retired);  

Embellishments:  Metallic Brads, Basic Pearls;
Other: Pop Dots (American Crafts), Scotch ATG.

So that wraps up the February Card Buffet samples.  I'm looking forward to the March class.  I've started narrowing down what cards will carry over and what new ones will be added.  I have a feeling I'll have more than 10 cards as options!  :0)

Thanks for stopping by!

Colleen

More Buffet Cards

Here are a few more of the cards from the Card Buffet last week.


I had a hankering to make a yellow & white card and came up with the card below.  The colors always look so fresh & clean.  It's a VERY simple card, too, which can be adapted for any kind of occasion.

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Cardstock: Whisper White;

Patterned Paper:  Domestic Goddess DSP, Paper Stack DSP;

Punches: Blossom Punch, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer, Bird Builder;  

Sizzix:  Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder; 

Ribbon: Daffodil Delight 5/8" Satin (retired), white thread (DMC);  Embellishments:  Daffodil Delight Button;
Other: Big Shot, Pop Dots (American Crafts), Scotch ATG.

Next up uses the Tea Shoppe stamp set in the Mini Occasions catalog that I've really started to love using.  I just wish I drank tea!  :0)  There's a small note card in the envelope in addition to the tea bag; so, you could make this without inserting the tea bag, too. 

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp sets: Tea Shoppe, Four Frames; Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Lucky Limeade;

Inks: Baja Breeze;  Punches: Decorative Label;  

Sizzix:  Scallop Envelope Die, Stripes Embossing Folder; 

Ribbon: Baja Breeze Seam Binding
Other: Big Shot, Sponge Daubers, Pop Dots (American Crafts), Scotch ATG.

Only a few more left from the buffet which I'll post later this week.  Thanks for stopping by!

Colleen

February Card Buffet - a new venture!

Last weekend, I introduced a new type of card class called a Card Buffet.  In a nutshell, I created 10 different cards (well... actually 9 cards and 1 little treat box seen here) and let the attendees choose which ones they wanted to make.  I got the idea from some fellow SU! Demonstrators and decided to give it a whirl.  It took me a few months to work out all of the details on how I wanted to run mine.  And then I had to come up with all of the different designs and then pull it off.   I did re-use a few of the card ideas I had from club for this first round (one very similar to the one posted here.  For each buffet, I'll rotate out some of these cards and rotate in some new ones.  Which ones will depend upon the current catalogs, who is attending, upcoming holidays, etc.  I was pretty happy with how it went and got some good feedback.  So, I'll definitely be doing it all again very soon.  

Here are some pictures of the set-up (oops... didn't get any pictures of the work tables where everyone made their cards).

And here are some details on a few of the cards....

This Orange Butterfly card was inspired by one by Cassie D'Ambrosio that I found on Pinterest.  I loved the butterflies showing through the window and how simple the card was.  Before I cut the smaller butterfly with the embosslit, I stamped the cardstock with the En Francais stamp using Versamark to give it a little more character.  The left side of the card front is also stamped using Versamark with the same stamp.  A little hemp twine gives the butterfly its body & antennas. 

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp sets: En Francais; Cardstock: Crumb Cake;

Patterned Paper:  Pumpkin Pie DSP Paper Stack;

Inks: Versamark;  Punches: 2 1/2" Circle;  

Sizzix Dies:  Beautiful Butterflies, Beautiful Wings Embosslit; 

Ribbon: 1/4" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain, Hemp Twine; 
Other: Big Shot, Sponge Daubers, Pop Dots (American Crafts), Scotch ATG.

Next up is the Field Flower card inspired by a project that's on the cover of the current SU! IB&C.  I've stared at it since last summer and thought it was about time I made one.  I'm really drawn to these colors together.... Calypso Coral and Soft Suede.  

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp sets: Field Flowers;  

Cardstock: Soft Suede, Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla;  Patterned Paper:  First Edition DSP;

Inks: Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake;   

Ribbon: Victoria Crochet Trim;  

Embellishments:  Old Olive Button
Other: Sponge Daubers, Distress Tool (Tim Holtz), Pop Dots (American Crafts), thread (DMC), Scotch ATG.

The Elephant Celebrate Card is one I stumbled upon while blog hopping.  It's by Brenda Anderson; I thought hers was adorable.

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp sets: Under The Big Top; 

Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Read;  Patterned Paper:  Big Top Birthday DSP;

Inks: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray, Basic Black;  

Punches: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, 3/4" Circle;  

Other:  Sponge Dauber, Blender Pen, Pop Dots (American Crafts), Scotch ATG.

I'll post details on some of the other cards later this week.  Thanks for taking a peek!  And a special thanks to those who blindly jumped into the first buffet and gave me their feedback!  It's GREATLY appreciated.  :0)

Have a great week everyone!  

Colleen

SU! January Card Club - part 2

Continuing on with the details on the other two things we made in January Card club....


The next project is a little treat box that holds whatever you'd like.  I used it for Hershey Hugs wrapped in cardstock stamped using the It's A Wrap Holidays stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  That set isn't currently available but there's another version in the IB&C called It's A Wrap Occasions.  Anyway.... it's a cute little treat box which could hold quite a few different things.

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Punches: Pinking Hearts Border;  

Stamp sets: It's a Wrap Holidays, I {Heart} Hearts; 
Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White; 

Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Crumb Cake; 

Sizzix Dies:  Bitty Box & Envelope;  

Other: Big Shot, Pop Dots (American Crafts), Scotch ATG.

And lastly.... a birthday card.  This is called a "Joy Fold" and I got the inspiration from Mary Fish.  It uses the new Labels Framelits Dies which I absolutely love using. 

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted): 
Stamp sets: Apothecary Art; Inks: Lucky Limeade, Crumb Cake;

Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla; 
Patterned Paper:  Everyday Enchantment DSP;
Sizzix Dies:  Labels Framelit;  Ribbon:  Baja Breeze Seam Binding;
Other: Big Shot, Pop Dots (American Crafts), Scotch ATG.

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek.  Hope you can get some inspiration from these.

Colleen

SU! January Card Club - part 1

I'm back!  Whew!  I'd say I was just gone for a long winter's nap but well... apparently it would have been a half-summer-all-of-autumn-and-half-winter's nap.  When really, I was simply remiss.  Sigh.

So, I'm off & running again and have been spending some time trying to get things a little more advanced on here.  A new labeling system... probably more for me than anyone else.  Some tweaks here & there.  Some color changes.  And some other things that I just felt like changing up.  YAY.

So.... here are the first 2 projects we did for SU! Club in January.  A little heavy on the heart/valentine theme this month but I mixed it up to have one card, one layout, one gift.  And then I fit in a birthday card, too.

First up.... This layout was inspired by a card by Leigha Rock which I absolutely swooned over.  Since I already had a Valentine's Day card picked out, I converted this to a 12 x 12 layout. This was the first I got to use the new Sizzix Edgelits and the coordinating folders & stamps.  LOVE them. 

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Punches: Heart to Heart, Jewelry Tag;  

Stamp sets: French Foliage, Bordering on Romance, Winter Post, Tiny Tags;
Sizzix Embossing Folder:  Adorning Accents;  
Sizzix Dies:  Adorning Accents Edgelit; Ribbon: Hemp Twine; 
Inks: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Calypso Coral; 

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Calypso Coral, 
Blushing Bride, Poppy Parade, Rose Red;  
Other: Big Shot, Sponge Daubers, Pop Dots (American Crafts), Scotch ATG.

Next up was a Gift Card Holder Valentine Card.  This was pretty fun to make; I had never done this one before.  (Apologies in advance for the inside photo; I shouldn't have picked a red gift card to display inside a red card.  My eyes, my eyes!)  There's a great tutorial by Natasha Hein explaining how to make a gift card holder.

Products used (everything is from SU! unless otherwise noted):

Punches: Lace Ribbon Border, Word Window;  Stamp sets: P.S. I Love You;

Sizzix Dies:  Hearts Framelit, Fashionable Hearts Embosslit; 
Inks: Riding Hood Red, Basic Black; 
Cardstock: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red;  

Patterned Paper: Twitterpated DSP;
Other: Big Shot, Pop Dots (American Crafts), Scotch ATG.

Stay tuned.... part 2 with the other two projects is coming next.