Color Dare #706

Today's card was made especially for the Color Dare Challenge #706. The two required colors are coral and pinkish purple (as I see it). As much as I love Stampin' Up!'s Calypso Coral, my ink is older and it seems to stamp a couple of shades darker than the paper. That wasn't the look I was going for, so I used a Memento Ink instead. In addition, I added a green to round out the flowers. I love this challenge, as coral is my favorite color and the Rich Razzleberry is a color that I don't use nearly enough.

Here's my Complete Supply List: 

• Michael's Kraft Card Stock
• Close To My Heart  Promise of Spring Stamp Set
• Stampin' Up! Birthday Backgrounds Stamp
• SU! Rich Razzleberry Ink & Card Stock
  
• SU! Granny Apple Green Ink
• Memento Morocco Ink
• Memento Toffee Crunch Ink
• Versamark
• White Embossing Powder
• My Favorite Things Die
• Papertrey Sentiment
• Michaels Rhinestones

This 5 x 7 card has a coordinating stamped envelope and is ready to go to someone who needs a hug!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great day!

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 670

Hi there stamping friends! Today's card was made especially for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #670.  One really cool thing that they did over there is that their design team doesn't post their creations right away. That gives us time to think about what we'd like to create without having any outside influences. Brilliant! Many times I don't scroll down on challenges for that very reason.

I have to confess, this card really was a challenge for me. Not because of the sketch, but I really don't feel I have enough Easter supplies, and I really wanted to make an Easter card. I finally settled on this bunny, but it really wasn't perfect for this challenge because you're supposed to put a sentiment on the side and he's holding a sign that needs a sentiment as well. So, I did my best and put two sentiments on. Hopefully it doesn't look weird! 

Here's my complete supply list:

• 
  Close To My Heart Spring Critters
• Newton's Nook Springtime Patterned Paper Pack
• Doodlebug Yellow Dotted Paper
• Offray Ribbon
• Amazon Generic Tag Die
• Memento Black Ink
• Stampin' Up! Daffodil Delight Card Stock
• SU! Cucumber Crush Card Stock
• SU! Hightland Heather Card Stock
• SU! Gorgeous Grape Card Stock
• Copics R81, E34, E11 & Y21
• Doodlebug Enamel Hearts
• Spellbinders Circle & Scallop Dies

I'm really pleased with how this turned out, and that's my biggest reason for doing challenges. I am always left with a card that I would have never made otherwise. Many thanks so everyone over at Atlantic Hearts who put this together. I'm sure they would love it if you headed on over and played along.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Sunday Stamps & Welcome Back Retro Rubber!

Today’s card was made for two challenges. First of all, I followed the sketch over at Sunday Stamps  (SSC377). And second, Retro Rubber Challenge blog (#RRCB263) is finally back! As many of you know, Typepad closed last year without giving anyone much notice. I’m so glad that they were able to save all of their old challenges and bring them over to a new platform. 

Right now it’s cold, even here in Florida. It was 38° last night. And now that Christmas is over, I have spring on my mind. So today’s card is an Easter card. The bunny is standing in front of a sunrise, and there are two eggs on either side of him. I’m hoping they look enough like Easter eggs so that the person who gets this will understand and not wonder what those weird blue ovals are.  😅

Here’s my complete supply list:

• CTMH Spring Critters Stamps and Dies (2016 release date)
• Memento Toffee Crunch Ink
• Micron Pens (to trace the ink that didn't do a good job!)
• Various Copic Markers
• Newton's Nook Patterned Paper in "Springtime"
• Big Box Rhinestones
• Gifted Yellow Ribbon
• White Card Stock
• Stampin' Up! Daffodil Delight Card Stock
• Spellbinders Dies for Sun and Scalloped Edge
• DCWV Glitter Blue Paper

And lastly, today’s happy thing is that it is my wonderful husband‘s birthday! He has the day off of work and is relaxing, but I wanted to share his picture here too.

It may seem like he’s got a ton of gifts, but they are all books, and thankfully, he’s fine with used ones.
He did however, get some Moon Pies, which our dog Bella tried to claim for herself!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Little Critters For 3 Challenges

The summer is quickly flying by, and for many the end of the heat will be a welcome change. My mind is already going to fun fall places like Autumn and Halloween. The pumpkin spice creamer is already in my fridge, and I'm starting on making some fall cards like this one.

I got the idea to use this older set of stamps when the Paper Players posted their Clean & Simple Critters Challenge. I was going to go with a more realistic critter, but hopefully these crazy little guys will count too. 

I loved the layout at Freshly Made Sketches, so I wanted to use that as a guideline. Does this remind anyone else of a Pokemon Ball? My kids loved that when they were little and I can't help seeing the design as that!

And the whole thing started when I chose the bottom row over at Retro Rubber's Tic Tac Toe Challenge (#rrcb261). I carefully coordinated the color of the enamel dots with the inks of each critter. But afterwards I realized I didn't watercolor anything, so I went with the left hand column, and since it's a clean and simple card, and that wasn't in my new column, I left them off. I was really proud of myself for thinking ahead though!

These enamels went so well with the 
little monsters. I'll have to go back and use
this color combo!

Here's my complete supply list:

• Close To My Heart Monstrous Halloween Stamps and Dies (2016)
• Stampin' Up! Fresh Freesia Card Stock
• SU! Azure Afternoon Ink
• SU! Parakeet Party Ink
• Memento Tangelo Ink
• White Card Stock
• Darice Embossing Folder
• Black Card Stock
• SU! Black & White Patterned Paper
• Newton's Nook Springtime Paper (Stripes)
• Misc. Ribbon
• Walmart Googley Eyes

As I frequently say, cards tend to take on their own shape, and while I had visions of this being a little more bold in color, I think it will make a really sweet card for a younger girl this Halloween. 

Thanks so much for playing stopping by and please stop over and see all the other cool cards at these challenges!

A Sunny Orange Flower

Today's card was made with one of my favorite stamp sets. I just love it's bright and bold look. Perfect for summer. One of my favorite go-to techniques is to throw some black into a project. It always seems to make it pop more. 

Here's my complete supply list:

• CTMH Promise of Spring Stamp Set
• Stampin' Up! Pumpkin Pie Card Stock & Ink
• SU! Daffodil Delight Ink
• SU! Parakeet Party Ink
• SU! Patterned Paper
• Memento Cantaloupe Ink
• Black Rhinestones
• Simon Says Stamp Pre-Printed Sentiment Strip

This was so quick and easy to make. the preprinted sentiment strip really helped with that. I'll have to get more of those. Despite it's simplicity, I'm hoping it will pack a lot of punch when someone gets it.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great day!

Father's Day Freshly Made Sketch

Tomorrow is Father's Day. It's 11:15 at night and I decided last minute that I wanted to make a card for a friend whose family is sick and they're not able to celebrate tomorrow. I know he must be down so I thought a card would cheer him up, even though he's not my dad.

Needing some quick inspiration, I turned to Freshly Made Sketches #690 to give me a starting point. My supplies were very limited as I only have this one stamp that says Happy Father's Day. The images I have for men are limited too. Thankfully this guy likes fishing so I think I've got a good combo.

Here's my complete supply list:

• Stampin' Up! By The Tide Stamps
• CTMH A Little Everything Stamps
• Core'dinations Patterned Paper
• Kaiser Kraft Patterned Paper
• Misc. Patterned Paper
• SU! Night of Navy Card Stock
• Memento Nautical Blue Ink
• SU! Blueberry Bushel Ink

I still have yet to make (or find a previously made card) for my hubby by tomorrow. I've spent way too much time cross stitching today and now I really have to hustle. I've even procrastinated on the gifts so we have to open them tomorrow night. Where were we before Amazon!?

Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful day whether you're celebrating a special guy in your life or not. Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Happy Independence Day for 3 Challenges

Hi there stamping friends! Today's card is made for three challenges. Retro Rubber #256 is a Sketch Challenge #rrcb256. Cardz 4 Guyz #373 is asking for cards that have shades of blue (and of course mine has a few reds too, but it's definitely a card made especially for a guy). And I'm also entering this over at The Neglected Stuff Challenge. 

First I started with the sketch. I went looking for a stamp that was vertical. Originally I was thinking of a tree, but when I was digging around in my Close

To My Heart stamp basket, I came across this sentiment stamp set that has certainly been neglected. In fact, I didn't even know that the sentiment "Independence Day" was a part of the set until today. I'm super happy to have discovered it!

Here's my complete supply list:

• Stampin' Up! Night of Navy Card Stock & Ink
• Speckletone Oatmeal Card Stock
• Memento Rhubarb Stalk Ink
• Close To My Heart A Little Everything Stamp Set (2018)
• Stampin' Up! Be The Star Stamp Set (2014) & Dies
• Photoplay Patterened Paper

This was a really fun card to make and I'm looking forward to sending it out for the 4th this year. I even stamped the matching envelope too.

I hope you can get in on the fun and play along with these challenges too! Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

Cardz 4 Guyz Challenge #367

We all need Guy Cards, and that's one of the reasons I love to play over at Cardz 4 Guyz. This round their challenge is to use men's clothing on your card. That can be a tough one, but after looking through my stamps I realized that I had several that would qualify. I chose this set that I have only used a couple of times and that was for girl cards. It has a sentiment with it that I just love. It says "Put On Your Big Girl Boots." I left that off, but just added a simple Happy Birthday that came with the set.

Here's my complete supply list:

• Close To My Heart "Life In Boots" Stamp Set
• Copics E19, E19, E26, E34 and E35
• Stampin' Up! Soft Suede Ink
• Misc. Patterned Papers

It was fun to make this one for sure. It's all ready to go in a kraft envelope that some guy out there will love. 

If you're up for the challenge, be sure to stop over at Cardz 4 Guyz and play along!

Retro Rubber Challenge 246

Wow, another year is upon us! This is my first post, and my first card, for 2025. What a perfect way to start it off with Retro Rubber's Challenge 246 (#rrcb246). The theme is Winter Fun!

I found the most wintry fun stamp set and made a slimline card.  Here's my complete supply list:

• CTMH's Snow Body Like You Stamp Set and Dies (from 2023)
• Copic Markers
• White Card Stock
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Stampin' Up! Balmy Bllue Card Stock
• SU! So Saffron Card Stock
• SU! Pacific Point Card Stock
• SU! Marina Mist Ink
• SU! Seaside Spray Ink
• Newton's Nook Sky Builder Dies
• Yellow Stickles
• White Glitter Paper (Joann's)
• 
  Silver Paper (Michael's)

The card measures 4 1/8 x 9 3/4, pretty big even for a slimline. But I had a clear envelope that was perfect
for sending it in and it gives lots of space for the fun little snowmen.

This one's leaving for Kansas tomorrow. I think these cuties will fit right in!

Be sure to check out all the cute cards over at Retro Rubber and play along!

NBUS Challenge #62

One thing I'm trying to do is to really dig deep in my stash and start using some of my NBUS items, and the NBUS Challenge Blog is perfect for that!

This small stamp set from Close To My Heart is the one I dug up yesterday. I believe I found it on eBay a while back. The reason it really jumped out at me is because of the sentiment "you're in our thoughts and prayers." I love that the plural was used and hadn't seen that elsewhere. I picked it up for not too much money and there it sat-until yesterday.

The name of the stamp set is called A Blossom (A1121). I struggled a little with it because there's not a middle to the largest flower, but I thought the enamels do a good job for that.

I also used a variety of inks from Stampin' Up! and Memento for this project. The paper is from my stash as well and the base is Pear Pizzazz from Stampin' Up! The enamel dots are from Doodlebug Designs.

Thanks once again Darnell for helping us dig around in our craft rooms and create something new! Be sure to hop over to the NBUS Challenge for some extra fun!

Hurried Hanukkah Card

My son is home now waiting to start school and we've been watching the show Master Chef. Contestants are asked to make specific dishes in a short amount of time. The best dish wins that round. They run around the kitchen like crazy as they make the most amazing dish they possibly can before the timer goes off.

That's the way I felt making this card!

It seems the older I get the quicker time passes. It seems like is should still be summer, yet here we are in the first week of December.

All year long I've been making mental notes of the Hanukkah rubber stamps and paper that I had. And I kept thinking, I've got everything I need to make the perfect card when the time comes. Well, yikes, it's here already and way too soon. 

It took me about 20 minutes just to find all the supplies. Once that happened, it came together nicely.

Here's my supply list for this card:

• Star of David Paper (from my stash)
• Stampin' Up! Blueberry Bushel Card Stock & Ink
• SU! Boho Blue Card Stock
• CTMH Festival of Lights Stamp Set
• Memento Danube Blue Ink
• Copic B21
• Silver Paper from Hobby Lobby

I really wanted to send this with a Hanukkah postage stamp, but didn't have one. Once again, I was at the post office so many times and saw them, but thought I had plenty of time to buy one. It was more important that it got in the mailbox today than have the right stamp, and it did make today's mail.

This year Hanukkah runs from December 7 to December 15. I'm pretty sure it will make it there by the 15th.

This hurried up card gives me new motivation to try and be more diligent and organized with all my cards this upcoming year. There's nothing wrong with making a Hanukkah card in July, which is what I'm hoping to do in 2024. I'll be good and ready next year!

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa to everyone!

Try Stampin' On Tuesday Challenge #628

Today's card was made just for Try Stampin' On Tuesday's challenge #628. (TSOT 628) . It’s been a while since I’ve been over there and I’m happy to be getting back to their challenges.

This time it's a sketch and inspiration challenge. You can go with just the inspiration, just the sketch, or both. I chose both. Although looking at the card now, I should have tried my hand at some of the unusual color pumpkins. But the traditional orange are always a hit.

Here’s my complete supply list:

• Close To My Heart's Autumn Blessings
• Memento Espresso Truffle Ink
• Copics YR15, YR07 and YG63
• Spellbinders Circle Dies
• Stampin' Up! Pear Pizzazz Card Stock
• SU! Early Espresso Card Stock
• SU! Pumpkin Pie Card Stock
• Pink & Main Cozy Critters Patterned Paper

Me at our pumpkin patch earlier this week!

This was a perfect card for today because tonight I'm off to our church's annual pumpkin patch to help sell pumpkins for a couple of hours. It's such a fun activity each year, and getting to know others during that time is such a plus too.

Thanks to everyone over at Try Stampin' on Tuesday for a fun challenge and thanks for stopping by my blog today. Have a Happy Fall!

Monstrous Birthday Greetings

What I love most about Halloween are the little kids that come around trick or treating. I loved it when my kids were little, and even though we're empty nesters now (at least for the time being) I still pass out candy. Our neighborhood has a carnival right down the street, and afterwards all the kids come by looking for candy. Most years we have around 300 kids. I can't wait!

And this little stamp set from CTMH reminds me so much of that night. It's a really fun set that also includes candy, but I didn't feel I had enough room on the card for that, so the little monsters will have to stand alone.

This card is going into the following challenges: NBUS, as this is the first time I'm using this set, and Shopping Our Stash, whose theme is Franken-Card.

My complete supply list is:

• CTMH Monstrous Halloween Stamps & Dies
• Stampin' Up! Parakeet Party Ink
• SU! Gorgeous Grape Ink & Card Stock
• SU! Poppy Parade Ink
• Memento Teal Zeal Ink
• Memento Tangerine Tango Ink
• Yellow Star Background Paper
• Doodlebug Designs Striped Paper
• Copics R32 & Y15

These cards (I actually made two the same) are going to two people who have Halloween birthdays. It's so fun to combine those things, especially when the stamps say just the right thing like here.

Thanks so much to everyone over at those challenge blogs who work so hard putting together these challenges for us, and thanks to you for stopping by today! Have a safe and fun Halloween! 

Retro Rubber 206-Tic Tac Toe Challenge

There's nothing like a challenge to get the creative juices flowing! I know that I would have never made this card if it weren't for Retro Rubber's Challenge 206  #rrcb206 to encourage me. This week it's a Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge. I chose to go across the top row and make a birthday card using a stencil and patterned paper.

The biggest challenge was to use both patterned paper and a stencil, since both have a similar effect. In order to pull it off, I chose to use texture paste that I colored with drops of ink. That way it would show up over the patterned paper, as opposed to using just ink from a pad.

My complete supply list is:

CTMH's Lovely Birthday Occasions (2016)

White Card Stock (Michaels)

Stampin' Up! Tropical Chic DSP

SU! Calypso Coral DSP & Ink

Ranger's Texture Paste

Memento Lulu Lavender Ink

SU! Gorgeous Grape Ink

Memento Cottage Ivy Ink

Copics YR02, V04, YG11

Heart Stencil from Simon Says Stamp

Spellbinders Circle Dies

I wanted the circle to sit below the textured purple squares, but I accidently cut the wrong size circle when I spread on the paste. Therefore, I had to pop the completed circle up. It still looks good, but it's not the exact look I was hoping for. I'll have to be more careful next time.

Here's a little diagram of my process:

I really like the kind of crazy look. I hope it makes someone's birthday a little more tropical, sunny and happy! Thanks to Jane and everyone over at Retro Rubber for another fun challenge! :)

Retro Rubber Challenge 205

Today over at Retro Rubber's 205th Challenge (RRCB205) there's a great sketch. As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to use two-sided patterned paper. What a cute way to show off both sides of these great sheets. Everyone on the design team did just that, except for Jane. All the cards are wonderful, but her card is so different! It took a totally different spin on it and used geometrics at the corner. It's such a fun and colorful card. I'm loving that new Parakeet Party color too. I've pinned it for inspiration later on. Be sure to check out their blog.

Anyway, the next thing I thought of when I saw this sketch is an animal popping out of the corner. I found just the critter from an old Close To My Heart Set from 2016. The card is a standard A2 size card, but with the rabbit popping out of the top, it's going to have to be mailed in a 5 x 7 envelope.

My full supply list is:

• Black Card Stock
• White Card Stock
• CTMH's Spring Critters (2016)
• CTMH's Spring Critters Dies
• Memento Black Ink
• Copics RV00, R20, BG72, YG61
• Misc. Black Button
• Stampin' Up! Blushing Bride Gathered Ribbon
• Jen Hadfield Flower Patch Patterned Paper from American Crafts

I own a "thank you" to a the owner of our antique mall who gave me a couple of really cute mini baskets. I can't remember if I thanked her. It's so embarrassing. Even though we're taking a break from selling antiques right now, I want to keep in good standing with her, and she deserves the thanks either way. Sometimes I get too caught up in my own thoughts that I fail to be kind and considerate to others. It's something that I'm working on. And at least it's a good reason to send out another card!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Get Well Wishes

This is a stamp from one of my absolute favorite sets from Close To My Heart called Promise of Spring. 

I started with Stampin’Up!’s Old Olive card stock as a base and then added a smaller piece which I embossed on the front. Then I stamped and fussy-cut the flowers and leaves.

The colors I Used are Calypso Coral, Old Olive and Pineapple Punch (one of my favorite In Colors)!

The sentiment is from Papertrey.

I’m hoping that whoever gets this card will be cheered up and well soon! Thanks for stopping by today!