Sketch Fever

I definitely have the bug for sketches.  This fabulous sketch is from Hand Stamped Sentiments.  I started this card with a Crumb Cake base and then added a yummy piece of Calypso Coral polka dotted paper is from the Tea For Two DSP pack.  With markers I colored the greeting from Feel Goods and layered that on a Window Framelit piece of Calypso Coral and a scrunched doily.  To follow the sketch I used the Pool Party ribbon and buttons from the Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button Pack.  One single rosette from the Flower Trim Ribbon and I was done.

Saturday Sketch Challenge Reprise

It's time for my favorite of all challenge types--a sketch challenge!  This is the last challenge for the Spring Occasion Edition at Create with Connie and Mary and it is so clever and unique.  I love the layers of this challenge and how they are grouped.  It's a layout that I have never seen.

To put my stampin' skills to the test I sat down with the You Rule stamp set to tackle this challenge.  I also grabbed the Tea for Two DSP and the Flower Trim Ribbon.  Once I got going I realized the crown was going to need lots of shimmer.  I pulled out Basic Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, and Illuninate ink pad, and Iridescent Ice embossing powder.

Splashy Spring Hues

These are such fashion forward splashy Spring hues and they are Create with Connie and Mary's challenge colors for this week.  I love the addition of the Basic Grey.  For me it's that color that brings out the charm of the Melon Mambo and the Daffodil Delight.  

The greeting on my card comes from the Oh Hello stamp set which by the way is a great set.  I mixed packs of Designer Series Papers which is something I don't normally do.  But, for this card I thought why not?  So, for the Daffodil Delight panel I grabbed the Summer Smooches DSP.  And, for the two Basic Grey panels I used two Twitterpated DSP patternss. 

I Love This Card

I don't know if it's the colors, or the greeting image paired with the bicycle, or the embellishments that make me love this card, but I just do.  The main greeting image is from the Feel Goods stamp set.  That's a set that every stamper should have in their collection-it's amazing.  The bicycle image is from Feeling Sentimental which is a Sale-a-bration free selection.  The DSP to the left of the card is also a free selection, it's called Sycamore Street.

For the flower embellishment I punched the 7/8" Scallop Circle ONE time from Summer Starfruit card stock.  I distressed the punched scallop with bone folder to break the fibers of the card stock down enough to pull it apart into two pieces.  Then I crinkled them a bit and glued them together for a soft flower.

This One Grew On Me

Yes, this color combination grew on me and now it's a keeper, seriously you will see me use this again.  This cool and refreshing combo is brought to you by the letters C and M, that's Connie and Mary.  Here is the link to click over to check out the Design Team's cards.  By the way I stamped with the Oh Hello set and embellished the card with the new 7/16" Natural Trim Ribbon--that stuff is cool.

Have You Ever Made Something Ugly?

Well, I definitely have and on more than one or two or more occasions.  And guess what, that was the case for this week's sketch challenge at Create with Connie and Mary.  My first take on this very cool and sleek sketch had been hit so hard with an ugly stick it was only worthy of the round file!

So, I was off and running to make a much better card and after I felt my finished project turned out kind of cute.  I found myself using Sale-a-Bration products and a few leftovers from the Boutique Boxes Kit.  The sketch calls for a greeting in the bottom left corner, but I opted for a blank card and stamped the border image from the Madison Avenue stamp set.

There are some fabulous cards made by the Design Team at Create with Connie and Mary using this sketch as a guide.  Hop on over and check them out.  Also speaking of Connie and Mary don't forget that it is never too late to join the Spring Edition.  The projects this week have been totally unique and replicable.  Mine for tomorrow charming, quick, and sweet, literally sweet!  That's all I can say.  To see it you'll need to join us :0)

Hey Mambo

Hello and welcome to another beautiful day for a color challenge.  This color combo is super sweet--literally sweet when you mix cherry and melon it's yummy.  Hand Stamped Sentiments is hosting this fun color challenge and you too can join along.  I mean come on.  You need to make a Valentine so go create one with these colors and post it over on the HSS site!

I started with a 6"x 6" piece of Melon Mambo and then folded it in half.  I used a Whisper White ink pad and swiped ink across my card base for a little interest.  Then I added a short strip of the doily lace tape from the Spring Catalog and a paper doily.  Again, I thought I had one and low and behold there were two.  For the focal point I punched a cupcake with the Create a Cupcake Punch and added a small greeting from Petite Pairs.  Since it's a girly type of birthday card I just couldn't help but add some sparkle with a sprinkle of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  To top the whole thing off I tied the entire card with a piece of 1/4" Pretty in Pink Stitched Ribbon.

Create a Treat!

I love a fun way to give a simple treat to a friend.  Treats are the theme for the Saturday challenge at Create at Connie and Mary.  Using any of the new kits in the Spring Occasions Catalog the designers were to come up with a treat holder/container.  I made mine using the  cards from the Boutique Boxes Kit.

Here is what I did:

1.  Take two matching cards from the kit and trim down the non-printed side to be 3/4" wide.

2.  Glue the two 3/4" sides together to form the bottom of the treat holder.  Bring the printed sides together to form a trifold holder.

3.  Take one of the doilies from the Boutique Boxes kit and fold it in half over the top of the cards.

4.  Use the bakers twine from the kit and wrap around the trifold holder four times.  Secure the twine by bringing the ends through a button from the kit and tying a bow.

5.  Decorate the button side with more elements from the kit, a scrap of Crochet Ribbon, Flower Trim, a Ribbon Slide, Basic Rhinestones, and a "thank you" stamped from Itty Bitty Banners and cut from the Bitty Banner Framelits.

6.  Slide in two Ghirardelli chocolate carmel  squares.

Say Hello to my Little Friends...

...Connie and Mary.  Today's card features an electric combo of hues for the Create with Connie and Mary's Thursday color challenge.  As you see from my card and their logo the colors for this week are Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, and Lucky Limeade.  I like the colors together as they conjure up a party like atmosphere.

I started with a Lucky Limeade base and then added flags made with Calypso and Indigo.  The diagonal striped DSP is from Sycamore Street.  And the Indigo skinny satin ribbon is part of the Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button Pack.  I really like my flower.  I used a piece of Flower Trim layered on a Paper Daisy and then I finished the center with an In Color Brad.  The "hello" greeting is from Oh Hello stamp set and I just omitted the word "oh."

 
So on a completely different topic I wish I could share my project for week three at Create with Connie and Mary, but I can't because it's only posted on the private site.  You can join and be a subscriber to see what I made and everything we have posted so far, it's not too late.  I will tease you and let you know it is an interactive gift card holder and it's AWESOME.  I promise if you join us for the Spring Occasions Edition of Create with Connie and Mary you will be super inspired :0) 

Saturday Sketch Challenge

I am totally lovin' all these textures and colors.  Because of the sketch and the Sycamore Street DSP this card took in a direction I would never have thought.  That is why participating in sketch and color challenges is so beneficial--they take you out of your comfort zone.  This sketch is for the Saturday Create with Connie and Mary challenge.  Do click over to the site and check out what each of the design team members have whipped up.