MOXIE FAB: The Wonder of Watercolor Challenge

Hola friends!

Phew!  I’ve had a very productive weekend, and it feels so good!  I am officially caught up and have worked ahead enough that I finally had some time to just “play.”  I feel like I haven’t had much of a chance to just stamp for the sake of stamping lately, and I miss it . . . .  As much as I love all of my design teams, sometimes I just want to stamp what I want to stamp!  KWIM?!  So that’s just what I did!

Where does one go when one wants to stamp just for the sake of stamping?!  The Moxie Fab World, of course!  I adore, adore, ADORE Cath’s challenges and have missed playing along with her!  Her challenges always stretch me creatively and force me out of my little stamping bubble that I live in.  The Wonder of Watercolor Challenge was no exception!  I’m not a huge colorer . . . so I feared that I was going to hate whatever I created.  But I’m happy to report that this watercoloring thing is a freakin’ BLAST!  Here’s what I came up with for the challenge.

I’m sure you’re not surprised that I chose to work with a cityscape.  The image is from an A Muse Studio set that I got in January and hadn’t had a chance to ink up before now.  I stamped it in VersaMark on water color paper, and then heat embossed it using Charcoal embossing powder.  I didn’t own any watercolor pencils, so off to Michael’s I went with my 40% off coupon.  I happened to have one of those Tim Holtz water pens in my stash - it worked like a dream!  I honestly had no idea what I was doing, but I just dove right in.  I chose three colors of blue water color pencils, and colored them directly onto the watercolor paper, darker to lighter.  I masked off the moon and colored the pencils around the mask.  I then filled up the water color pen and just started painting the water onto the penciled areas.  OH MY GOSH – it’s like magic when that water starts blending those colors together!!  You seriously need to try this!  I feel like this technique is relatively idiot proof and has the potential for amazingly beautiful results!  There’s still time for you to play along, so I hope you give it a try.  You can find the challenge HERE.

I wanted the focal image to pop and still retain a clean and simple/graphic look.  So I created a panel with my Silhouette that included a cutout for the image to peek through.  The sentiment was stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed with the same Charcoal EP.  I adhered a few rhinestones for stars, mounted the image panel onto a charcoal card base, and called it good!  What do you think?  I’m pretty stinkin’ happy with the results and will most definitely be doing this watercolor thing again!  Thanks for challenging me (as always), Cath!

That’s it for me today, friends.  I’m off to join my Women Who Wine group today – it’s Cinco de Mayo, so I think we’ll be tasting wines of Mexico . . . hmmmmm.  It ought to be interesting.  LOL  Hope you have some lovely Sunday plans.  Thanks so much for stopping by today – you all make my heart smile.




PRODUCTS USED:
STAMPS:  Love Is In the Air (A Muse Studio), Square Sayings (Simon Says Stamps)
INK:  VersaMark (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Steel Gray CS (My Favorite Things), Watercolor Paper (Strathmore), White OP CS (Bazzill Basics Paper)
OTHER:  Rhinestones (Stampin’ Up!), Silhouette Cameo Electronic Die Cutting Machine (Silhouette America), Watercolor Pencils (Derwent), Watercolor Pen (Ranger), Charcoal Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts)

CAS(E) This Sketch #8–Peace On Earth

Hello Friends!

I’m popping in today to share the latest CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge.  This week’s sketch was created by Lisa, and I think it leaves whole lot of room for interpretation, don’t you?  I had a ball with this one.

 

I used a stamp set from A Muse Studio that I’ve never inked up before.  The swirls on either side of the sketch reminded me of birch trees in the winter.  I stamped the silhouette of the deer in VersaMark.  The snow on the outside is also a new A Muse Studio snow backgrounder.  I cut the aperture in the card front with my Silhouette Cameo . . . oh how I adore my Cameo!

PRODUCTS USED:

STAMPS:  Peace on Earth and Snow Day Background (A Muse Studio)
INK:  Unicorn Pigment and Black Dye (Hero Arts/Memories), VersaMark (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Going Gray CS (Stampin’ Up!)
OTHER:  Silhouette Cameo (Silhouette America)

 

The other ladies on the CAS(E) This Sketch team have created some stunning interpretations of this sketch for your viewing pleasure, as well – be sure and pop in to see for yourself, and leave them some love while you’re there.  I know they’d really appreciate it!  Can’t wait to see what you come up with for this sketch!

That’s it for me today, kids!  I so appreciate you stopping in and hope that you’ll come by again soon.

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #72–Toot Your Own Horn!

 

Hola Peeps!!

 

Can you believe that it’s Friday again?!!  Like I just don’t know where the days have gone.  I just need time to stand still for a little bit – do you think that’s too much to ask?!!  LOL  Ugh!

Oh well, I guess if I can’t get time to stand still, I’ll fill you in on the latest CAS-ual Fridays Challenge, which is to create a CLEAN & SIMPLE card that is inspired by your own blog header.  Fun, right?!  NOTE:  If you don’t have a blog of your own, you can use the blog header on the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog!

We have a brand spankin’ new sponsor on board for this week’s challenge – A Muse Studio!! I know, right?!!  I am a huge fan of A Muse Studio and own many of their amazing products – I especially ADORE their ink pads!  Like they are second to none in my opinion.  A Muse has very generously provided an awesome prize for this week’s TGIF Winner, but you’ll have to click on through to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog to find out what it is.  While you’re there be sure and peruse the delicious samples that the other Girl Fridays have designed for your inspiration.  Thank you, A Muse Studio!!

 

Okay, so this challenge inspired me like no other!!  I love, love, love my blog header!!  It was designed by THE Karen Baker – The Bald Dragonfly.  I told Karen what my “vision” was, and she freakin’ made it happen!!  If you’re in the market for a new look for your blog, Karen is your girl!!  Tell her I sent you – you can thank me later!  LOL  Anyway . . . I digress!  So, I love the bright, happy colors, the clean and graphic lines and patterns, and the delicious simplicity of the font.  It’s so ME!!

PRODUCTS USED:

STAMPS:  Venetian Background (A Muse Studio), Chevron Background (Savvy Stamps), Designer Woodgrain (Hero Arts), Heart-2-Heart #4 and Background Basics: Circles (PTI)
INK:  Black Dye and Unicorn Pigment (Memories/Hero Arts), Provincial Gray (Fresh Ink)
PAPER:  Solar White CS (Neenah Classic Crest), Robin’s Egg, Juicy Pear and Circus Peanut CS (Bazzill Card Shoppe)
OTHER:  Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), Linen Impression Plate (PTI)

 

Well, that’s it for me today, kids!  We’ve got a big weekend of packing planned –doesn’t that sound like fun?! NOT!!  LOL  But it is what it is – someone has to do it, so it might as well be me!  We hope to be in our new house by next weekend – crossing our fingers that that works out!  I’m hoping that you have plans for your weekend that are way more fun than mine!  LOL  Thanks for stopping by – the time you spend here means the world to me!

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #67–Flags & Banners!

 

Hola Peeps!

 

No time for a lot of chatter today – I have a sweet friend visiting for the weekend, and we are busy, busy, busy!!  We’ll be stamping, eating, laughing, a little more stamping, a little more eating, and a LOT more laughing!!  So you can see, I’m kind of in a hurry – let’s get to it, shall we?

This week’s CAS-ual Fridays Challenge is to create a CLEAN & SIMPLE project and include banners or flags in your design.  There’s a fabulous prize up for grabs for this week’s TGIF winner, but you’ll have to head on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog to find out what it is!  Oh, and while you’re there, be sure and check out the inspirational work of the other Girl Fridays – you’ll be amazed at their creativity!

 

I created this little project with a vision in mind.  I totally remember driving my bicycle around our neighborhood as a child, and I distinctly remember having a cool flag flying on the back – I loved it!  I used some washi tape for the road and for the flying flag.  Easy peasy!

PRODUCTS USED:

STAMPS:  Enjoy the Ride (A Muse Studio), Up, Up & Away (PTI)
INK:  VersaMark (Tsukineko), Unicorn and Black (Memories/Hero Arts)
PAPER:  Bashful Blue CS (Stampin’ Up!), Bazzill Yellow (Bazzill)
OTHER:  Road and Red Washi Tape (Freckled Fawn), Rouge Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), Daisy Border Punch (EK Success), Pearls (Stampin’ Up!)

Well, that’s it for me, kids!  I’ll be having some major league fun as of this post – wish you all could join us!!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  I so appreciate the time that you spend here and in leaving me some love.  I’ll be back tomorrow with the next Cameo Spotlight Challenge!!

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #54–Man, It’s Casual Friday!

 

Happy, Happy Friday!!

 

Phew!!  We finally made it back to Washington in one piece, but 26 hours in the car has taken a toll on this old bag!!  LOL  But I’m starting to feel back to my old self again, and look forward to a full weekend of stamping and crafting now that we’re all settled.

I’m here to share this week’s new CAS-ual Fridays Challenge – it’s a super fun one!!  This week’s challenge:  Create a CLEAN & SIMPLE masculine project and include patterned paper in your design.

We have an amazing sponsor for this week’s challenge – Gina K Designs!  Gina K is one of the most generous and brilliant stamp companies in our industry, and she shared some utterly fabulous designer paper with the Girl Fridays - it fits this challenge to a tee!!  Gina K Stamps has also provided a terrific prize for this week’s TGIF Winner, but you’ll have to click on through to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog to find out what it is!  Oh and while you’re there, be sure to check out the deliciousness that the other Girl Fridays have cooked up for you all – I know you’ll be blown away!!  Thank you, Gina K Stamps, for your kind generosity!!  You ROCK!!

When I received the Casual Friday paper pack, I literally swooned over these amazing patterns.  I don’t use much designer paper in my projects anymore . . . but this stuff was an absolute pleasure to work with!  The images look 3-D – incredible detail, I tell ya!  I’ve listed the other products used below, if you’re interested.

STAMPS:  A Pocketful and Super Star (WPlus9 Designs), Brief Notes (A Muse Studio)
INK:  Navy (Fresh Ink), Pebble (A Muse Studio)
PAPER:  Casual Friday DP (Gina K Designs), Desert Storm CS (Neenah Classic Crest)
OTHER:  A Pocketful Die (WPlus9 Designs), Vintage Labels Dies (A Muse Studio), Linen Impression Plate (PTI), Baker’s Twine (Divine Twine)

 

That’s it for me today, kids!  I hope you have an amazing Memorial Day Weekend.  As mentioned above, I plan to spend the entire weekend stamping and crafting.  How about you?!  Thanks so much for stopping by today – you all are my heart!  XO

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #52–Birds of a Feather!

 

Hello Stampy Friends!

It’s time, once again, for another CAS-ual Fridays Challenge.  Wasn’t last week’s birthday celebration super fun?!!  I loved checking out all of your beautiful creations – you all just blow me away!!  No doubt, you’ll be just as inspired by this week’s challenge, which is:  Create a CLEAN & SIMPLE project and include a bird in your design.  Inspiring, right?!

And with a new challenge, we have another fabulous sponsor.  Annabelle Stamps is this week’s brilliant sponsor, and they’ve provided a terrific prize for this week’s TGIF winner.  But, you’ll have to click on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog to find out what it is!  Thank you, Annabelle Stamps!!  Oh, and while you’re checking out this week’s prize, be sure and feast your eyes on all of the amazing eye candy that the other Girl Fridays have created for your inspiration – it’s delicious, I tell ya!

 

 

I actually created several samples for today’s challenge . . . just couldn’t get a groove going.  After several attempts, this is what I came up with.  If you look close (I think if you click on the pic, it’ll get bigger), you can see that I stamped my houndstooth background from Paper Smooches on the green panel behind the wood grain cardstock.  The die cut leaves and freakin’ adorable birdie are from W Plus 9 Designs.  I’ve listed the other products used below:

STAMPS:  Essential Sentiments (A Muse Studio), Houndstooth Background (Paper Smooches)
INK:  Chocolate and Basil (Fresh Ink)
PAPER:  Hot Fudge and Gum Drop (French Poptone), Berry Sorbet (PTI), Wood Grain CS (The Cat’s Pajamas)
OTHER:  Pearls (Kaiser Craft), Folk Art Floral Dies (W Plus 9 Designs)

 

Well, I hope you all will play along with us again this week – we so love it when you do!  Thanks so much for stopping my blog today.  I’ll be spending the weekend getting ready for the arrival of my daughters and my grandsons on Monday – be still my heart!!  Hope you have an amazing weekend, too!!

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #49–It’s A Sketch!

 

Hola Peeps!!

 

Phew!  What a week this has been at my house!!  Lots of cropping, shopping and general chaos going on around here.  But it’s Friday, so I’m looking for a bit of a slower pace now that it’s the weekend.  Oh, and it’s gonna be HOT, HOT, HOT!!  It’s supposed to break 100 every day this weekend.  Woohoo!  I’ll be floatin’ on my floatie at the pool, if you need me! 

Okay, so we have a brand spankin’ new CAS-ual Fridays challenge for your crafting pleasure.  It’s a sketch this time . . . I love sketches, don’t you?!  And it’s a really good one, leaving lots of room for interpretation!!  Oh . . . and if you look really closely at the above graphic, you’ll get a little “sneak peek” of a fun new “look” being debuted today on the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog.  So, you should totally pop on over to see the whole look after you’re done here.  It’s amazing!!  (The new design was created by Karen Baker, the brilliant mind behind MY blog design – she’s a genius, I tell ya!)

 

This week’s sponsor is Theresa Momber, an amazing illustrator and designer for Gina K. Designs.  Theresa has supplied a wonderful prize for this week’s TGIF Winner, but you’ll have to click on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog to see what it is.  Oh, and while you’re there, be sure and check out the yummies that the other Girl Fridays have created for your inspiration.  Thank you, Theresa Momber!

 

I love looking at a sketch and thinking about it in unique ways – I flip it, I turn it, I think of other shapes – anything to make it “unexpected”.  KWIM?  So, of course, I had to flip the sketch.  Then I had to remind myself that I didn’t have to use two squares for the elements.  They could be anything!!  Right?!  So, I cut a window and frame with my Vintage Labels 2 dies, and stamped the sentiment on the inside of the card.  I’ve listed the other products that I used below, if you’re interested.

PRODUCTS USED:

STAMPS:  Friends (Hero Arts), Pretty Peonies (PTI)
INK:  Grapefruit and Burano (A Muse Studio), Onyx Black VersaFine (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Lily White and Sour Apply CS (Bazzill Basics Paper), Solar White CS (Neenah Classic Crest)
ACCESSORIES:  Vintage Labels 2 Dies (A Muse Studio)

 

That’s all I have for you today, kids.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  You all rock!!

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #47– Let the Hunt Begin!

 

Hola Peeps!!

 

Can you believe that Easter is THIS Sunday?!!  Oh my gosh – how time flies!!  We plan to spend the day with my mother-in-law, going to church and then out to breakfast.  We don’t have any other plans, so it should be a pretty low key day.  How about you?

So, let me just say that the projects we saw for last week’s CAS-ual Fridays Challenge (Name That Tune) were so amazing and had me singing in my head all week long!  LOL  You all did such a great job, that I just KNOW that you’re going to rock this week’s challenge!  Your challenge:  Create a CLEAN & SIMPLE project using anything that you’d find in an Easter basket.  Fun right?!!

This week is also the week where you get a chance to be a Guest Designer with the Girl Fridays if you’re the TGIF Club Winner.  Not only that, but you will win a fabulous prize from our sponsor extraordinaire – Simon Says Stamps (one of the most wonderful online retailers of just about any stamping and scrapbooking product known to man – seriously, they have amazing stuff!).  But you’ll have to click over to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog to see what that prize is.  Thank you Simon Says Stamps!!

So, of course, my first thought when I think of the contents of an Easter basket is chocolate.  Lots and lots of chocolate!!  And in spite of the picture above, my first thought was of those delicious chocolate Easter bunnies.  I always ate the ears off first.  You?!  LOL  I don’t know what happened when I edited my photo, but the bunnies in my project are brown – and so is the sentiment.  They just look like DARK CHOCOLATE.  Ugh!  I cut them out using my amazing Silhouette.  Cute, right?!

PRODUCTS USED:

STAMPS:  Say It With Style (A Muse Studio)
INK:  VersaMark (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Mud Pie and Snow CS (Bazzill Basics Paper), Polka Dots (Memory Box)
ACCESSORIES:  Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!), Honeydew Baker’s Twine (The Twinery), Chestnut Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), Silhouette Electronic Die Cutting Machine (Silhouette America)

 

Okay, that’s it for me today, kids!  I so hope you’ll play along with us this week!  Also, I believe that Michele has an update on the Design Team Call for CAS-ual Fridays, so you’re going to want to hop on over to find out what that is, as well as see the other Easter deliciousness that the other Girl Fridays have in store for you.  Thanks so much for dropping by today . . . wishing you and yours a very blessed Easter.

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #46–Name That Tune!!

Are any of you old enough to remember that show?!  I totally remember it – and I SUCKED at it!  LOL  I usually couldn’t figure out what the song was until way too many notes . . . good thing I never had to play in real life!  LOL

But we’re playing Name That Tune this week at CAS-ual Fridays!!  Your challenge:  Create a CLEAN & SIMPLE project and be inspired by a song.  Great idea, right?!

This week’s sponsor is the UBER talented Melanie Muenchinger, illustrator,author and designer extraordinaire for Gina K Designs!!  Melanie has very generously provided a fabulous prize for this week’s TGIF Winner, but you’ll have to click on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog to find out what it is.  Thank you Melanie!!

Well, since I’ve already admitted that I’m old enough to remember Name That Tune, I guess it’s not so far fetched that I’d admit that Debby Boone's version of You Light Up My Life was one of my most FAVORITE songs in high school.  I knew that song, word for word, and sang it at the top of my bloody lungs every time it came on the radio!  LOL  Come on – sing it with me! 

Amazing, right?!  LOL

PRODUCTS USED:
STAMPS:  Eureka Light Bulbs (Maya Road), Grunged Sunrays (A Muse Studio), Smoocheroos (Paper Smooches)
INK:  VersaMark and Onyx Black VersaFine (Tsukineko), Fresh Snow (PTI)
PAPER:  Lemon Drop CS (French Poptone), White CS (Neenah), Cherry Cheesecake CS (Bazzill Basics Paper), Linen Vellum (PTI)
ACCESSORIES:  Lemon Drop Baker’s Twine (The Twinery), Bright White Embossing Powder (WOW!), Linen/Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!), Heart (Silhouette Studio)

I seriously had a blast with this challenge.  You so need to pop into the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog to see the eye candy that the other Girl Fridays have cooked up for your inspiration.  It’s some great stuff, I tell ya!

Oh, and if you haven’t done it already, I hope you’ll consider applying to the CAS-ual Fridays Design Team – we’re looking for some new designers!  So if, clean and simple is your go-to card style, you really should apply!!  You can get all the details HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I’m so appreciative of the time that you take to pop in and say hello.  I have a very busy weekend ahead of me, but I’m hoping to get some crafty time in there, too.  I haven’t really gotten inky since I got back from Seattle and Boston on Monday – it’s killing me not to get my stamp on!!  Hope you have a great weekend, too!!

Moxie Fab Challenge–The Map to Your Heart!

 

Hey!

Popping in really quick with a card that I made for the Moxie Fab World - Map to Your Heart challenge!  We were to use maps in our design.  I had this idea in my head, and thought that I could execute it using an old Road Atlas that I was just sure we had in our car.  Yeah . . . apparently it went to the car dealership when we traded that car in for our new car.  Bummer!!  So, off to Barnes & Noble I went, straight to the travel section.  Oh, they have some delicious maps there, but all of them really looked the same.  Kinda boring, really.  That is, until I came across a map of the Caribbean.  Oh my goodness – the colors were vibrant and fun, and just exactly what I had in mind for my project.

 

I used the Swallow Dies from A Muse Studio to die cut several birds, all in different colors.  I used a new Life Style Crafts embossing folder for a little bit of a whimsical sky, and the sentiment is from the Up, Up & Away set from Papertrey Ink.

STAMPS:  Up, Up & Away (PTI)
INK:  Onyx Black VersaFine (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Spring Rain CS (PTI)
ACCESSORIES:  Swallows Dies (A Muse Studio), Dainty Embossing Folder (Life Style Crafts)

 

Thanks, Cath, for another super fun challenge!!  There’s still a bit of time to play along if you’ve got some spare time on your hands – the deadline is Monday at midnight (EDT).  That’s it for me today.  I’ve got a huge pile of TO DO’S on my plate today.  I hope I can cross a number of them off by the end of the day.  Thanks so much for stopping by today!

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #36–Penguin Suit!!

 

Hello Sweet Stamping Friends!!

It’s Friday – YAY!!  That means it’s time for another CAS-ual Fridays Challenge!  Can I get a WOOT!  WOOT!!  This week’s challenge is another goody – create a CLEAN AND SIMPLE project using ONLY black and white!!  No other color – nada, zilch, nuttin’ honey!!  LOL

We have another wonderful sponsor this week – Cindy Coutts, who is a Stampin’ Up! consultant, as well as an amazing stamper and designer.  Cindy has very generously offered up a yummy prize for this week’s TGIF Club winner, but you’ll have to hop on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog to find out what it is (and I assure you, you’re going to want it!!  Just sayin’ . . . .)

I had a BLAST with this challenge, mostly because I love color, but it’s so nice when the color decisions are made for me.  LOL  I actually used one of my  most fave-a-lave A Muse Studio stamp sets called Let’s Chat.  I stamped the “blah blah blah” stamp in VersaMark and heat embossed it with white embossing powder.  I die cut the frame using two different die cuts.  That adorable telephone was stamped again in VersaMark and heat embossed with black embossing powder (I think I got a little embossing happy for this project . . . hehehe).  The rest is pretty self-explanatory, right?!

STAMPS:  Let’s Chat (A Muse Studio)
INK:  Onyx Black VersaFine and VersaMark (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Raven CS (Bazzill Paper Basics), Ultra Smooth Solar White CS (Neenah)
ACCESSORIES:  White and Black Embossing Powder (ZING/American Crafts), Baker’s Twine (The Twinery), Self-Adhesive Rhinestones and Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!), Mat Stack 4 and Rectangle Label Dies (PTI)

 

I can’t wait to see what you all come up with for this week’s challenge!!  Reviewing your submissions is my most favorite part of my job as a Girl Friday – seriously, you all blow me away with your creativity!!  So, what are you waiting for – get busy!!  LOL

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I have a very busy and full weekend planned.  There are some stamps in my craft room that are calling my name, some challenge samples to make, as well as some submissions for the current Paper Crafts publication call that are due soon.  How about you – any fun plans for the weekend?  Whatever they are, I hope you have a great one!

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #30–Tic Tac Toe!!

Hello Again!!

Did you all have an amazing Thanksgiving?!  Ours was really quiet, but kind of nice, too.  Just the two of us . . . no mess!  LOL  Anyway, I’m back today to share the latest CAS-ual Fridays Challenge, which is to create a CLEAN AND SIMPLE design and choose the elements of your card from the above Tic Tac Toe grid.  I just LOVE these Tic Tac Toe challenges because there are so many fun combos and possibilities.

 

Our fabulous sponsor this week is The Paper Temptress.  They provided the Girl Fridays with some awesome cardstock to try out, as well as an amazing prize for this week’s TGIF Club Winner.  But, I’m sure you know you’ll have to drop in at the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog in order to find out what it is.  Thanks, Paper Temptress!!

 

I chose the line for Scallops, Green and Stripes, but really had a hard time choosing which direction to go – they’re all super fun, right?!

PRODUCTS USED:

STAMPS:  Winter Wishes (A Muse Studio), Holiday Greetings (Flourishes), Background Basics: Retro (PTI)
INK:  VersaMark and VersaFine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Simply Chartreuse (PTI), White (Neenah), Black Licorice (French Poptone)
ACCESSORIES:  White Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), Honey Dew Baker’s Twine (The Twinery), Embossed Scallop Border Punch (EK Success), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

 

That’s it for me today, kids.  I’m so happy that you dropped by today, and I hope that you’ll play along with us this week.  This girl will be getting inky all weekend long – how about you?  Any fun plans for the weekend?  Either way, have a great one!

You Had Me At Merlot . . . Random Fun Challenge!

 

Hey!

 

In early November, I spent an amazing long weekend in San Francisco and Napa with my Women Who Wine (that’s “wine,” not “whine”!  LOL) group.  Oh my goodness, we had such a great time!!  One of the women is a travel agent and is so incredibly organized and generous with her expertise.  She planned the entire trip for us, and let’s just say she knows her stuff.  So I wanted to thank her for all her efforts in putting together a weekend that I will not soon forget.

Enter the Moxie Fab World: 365 Cards Week:  Random Fun Challenge!!  The challenge is to create a project featuring mustaches, buttons or an alcoholic beverage – fun, right?!!  First of all, let me just tell you that the special issue 365 Cards is AH-MAZING!!  There are so many awesome projects that are seriously so clever and unique.  So, when you get a chance, you so need to add it to your collection.  It’s really one of the best issues I’ve seen so far.  And, Cath at the Moxie Fab World Blog has several super fun challenges that were inspired by that special issue.  And I’ll be darned if I’m not gonna play along, because we all know how much I love Cath’s challenges!!

PRODUCTS USED: 

STAMPS:  Drinks In A Row (Savvy Stamps), Fine Wine (A Muse Studio)
INK:  Blackberry (A Muse Studio); VersaMark (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Rich Razzleberry (Stampin’ Up!), Snow (Bazzill Basics)
ACCESSORIES:  Rich Razzleberry Satin Ribbon (Stampin’ Up!), Frame Die (PTI), Buttons (PTI), Self-Adhesive Gems (Kaiser Craft), Canvas Impression Plate (PTI)

 

I love it when a challenge actually coincides with an occasion that I need to create a card – don’t you?!  The sweet lady that planned our trip loved the card, so that made me happy.  Thanks for another fun challenge, Cath!!  And thank YOU for stopping by today.

 

Before I go, I just thought I’d remind you that the current CAS-ual Fridays Challenge is a TWO week challenge, so you have until next Wednesday to play along with us.  Nice, right?!!  You can find all the details of the current challenge HERE.  I also want to wish each and every one of you a very blessed Thanksgiving holiday.  I am so very thankful for all of you.

Autumn Blessings . . .

Good Morning, Stamping Friends!

Popping in really quick to share a card that I created for two different challenges:  The CARDS Gallery Challenge (fall cards), and the A Muse Studio Challenge (buttons).  I received some new A Muse Studio stamps yesterday, and just had to immediately get them inky.

PRODUCTS USED:
STAMPS:  Autumn Beauty (A Muse Studio), Dash Pattern (Hero Arts), Fillable Frames (PTI)
INK:  Chocolate, Nutmeg and Mango (Fresh Ink), Pumpkin (A Muse Studio), VersaMark (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Kraft and Vintage Cream CS (PTI), Pinecone CS (Bazzill)
ACCESSORIES:  Acorn Die (Lifestyle Crafts), Thanksgiving Baker’s Twine (Trendy Twine), Button (stash), Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!), Canvas Impression Plate (PTI)

That’s it for me today, kids.  I’m off to run some errands and then back for more stamping!  Have a great day!

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #16–Embossing!

 

Hola Peeps!

 

Did you miss me?!  LOL  I bombarded you with projects last week, and then kinda disappeared for a few days.  Sorry about that.  I’ve been super busy getting daughter #2 off on her way to a one year internship, babysitting my sweet little bug as often as daughter #1 will let me, and preparing for a visit with a couple of my stamping buds next week.  I hope to get caught up on more challenge cards in the next few days, and will share with you just as soon as I do!

In the meantime, I’m back to share this week’s CAS-ual Fridays Challenge, in the hopes that you’ll join us!  This week’s challenge is to create a CLEAN AND SIMPLE project and include embossing – wet or dry – in your design.  Fun, right?!

This week’s sponsor is one of my absolute faves – The Stamps of Life.  I adore these stamps and have quite a few sets in my collection, but was thrilled to pieces when Stephanie Barnard, the brilliant mind behind The Stamps of Life, provided a stamp set for each of the Girl Fridays to use for this week’s challenge.  She has also offered up a very generous prize for this week’s TGIF winner, but you’ll have to pop on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog to find out what it is – be sure and check out the eye candy provided by the other Girl Fridays while you’re there.  Thank you Stamps of Life!!

 

Oh my gosh, these stamps are so much fun to work with.  I was lucky enough to get the Friends4Ever stamp set.  The images stamped like a dream and sparked boatloads of mojo as soon as I opened up the package.  As for the challenge, I dry embossed the card base with a PTI Impression plate, after I stamped the large vines.  I then heat embossed the smaller vine images with white EP.

PRODUCTS USED:

STAMPS:  Friends4Ever (The Stamps of Life)
INK:  Lichen Pigment Ink (A Muse Studio), VersaMark and Onyx Black VersaFine Dye Ink (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Solar White Ultra Smooth CS (Neenah Classic Crest), Orange Zest and Spring Moss CS (Papertrey Ink), Sno Cone CS (French Poptone)
ACCESSORIES:  Canvas Impression Plate, Buttons, and White Satin Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!), White Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), White Embroidery Floss

I so hope you’ll join in on all the fun this week – we’d love to have you!!  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I am so appreciative of your kind words and visits.  Have a great weekend!