You are a special color!

Ok, I am making it blog official.  I am in love with Magenta Madness.  Crafting with it makes me so happy, it is so fun and vibrant!  So when I saw the challenge over at Color Throwdown included a pink, I knew it was go time!  Here is the color challenge:

So I decided to play with the Tasteful Textures Bundle.  I was excited to use some gold to glitz it up a bit.  Here is my creation:

I started with a Magenta Madness card base and added some Coastal Cabana that was embossed with the Scripty 3D embossing folder.  I layered some Magenta Madness ribbon on some retired white burlap like ribbon.  For the stamping, I used Versa Mark and used my heat tool on gold embossing powder on the white tag I cut from the Tasteful Labels Dies.  I colored in the flower with my Magenta Madness Stampin' Blends.  I layered that on some gold foil and finished the card off with some gold metallic pearls and some retired Coastal Cabana Glitter Enamel dots.  

What a fabulous color combo, right?  I was so happy to get some time to create today on this beautiful day!  Thanks for checking out my project and I hope you have a fabulous day!

Let's Celebrate Sunflowers

I am back with a goal to create and blog a little each day!  To get initially motivated I am going to be entering some online creative challenges.  I found a perfect color challenge and mixed it with a fun sketch challenge.  

I decided to use some new toys.  For the colors here is what I picked:

I just love the new in color Misty Moonlight!  I thought it would pair nicely with Granny Apple Green.  Then for the lighter shade of blue I chose Pool Party...mostly because I want to go to one!  And for the purple color, I went with Rich Razzleberry.  

I knew I wanted to play with the Celebrate Sunflowers bundle.  It is an absolute MUST HAVE.  The dies cut beautifully, the stamps are gorgeous and the sentiments are perfect!  Here is my card:

I started with a Misty Moonlight card base and added a layer of the Misty Moonlight DSP paper with the words as a background.  I stamped my big sunflower in Rich Razzleberry on Whisper White then colored it with some Stampin' Blends.  When I die cut it, I didn't have it lined up perfectly so there was some white around the edges...so I sponged the edges with Rich Razzleberry ink.  I also cut the intricate flower in Rich Razzleberry and layered it on top.  For the leaves, I did the same thing with Granny Apple Green.  I stamped my sentiment in Pool Party and added some retired Pool Party shimmer ribbon underneath it.  Finally I took my Pool Party Stampin Blends, colored some pearls and added a few for a little extra.  

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

An Encouraging Mermaid

Today I have a card from you that is inspired from two challenges; a sketch at the Paper Players and a color challenge over at Color Throwdown.  

Love the sketch, its simple and oh my goodness, those colors are so pretty!  Here is my card:

I did an awful lot here and I had so much fun doing it.  The mermaid is from the stamp set Magical Mermaid and she is stamped on vellum with Stazon and colored with Stampin' Write Markers.  I used Mint Macaron, Petal Pink and Flirty Flamingo.  Then for the tri-colored background I used the Bokeh Dots stamp set and got out my Stampuratus.  I used the hinge method where you ink up your stamp, stamp, clean, re-ink then move the plate down.  Its SO easy!  I used Mint Macaron, Balmy Blue and Highland Heather.  Its a mermaid so I had to used some silver glimmer paper underneath,  The card base is Balmy Blue with a layer embossed with the High Seas embossing folder.  I dug up the sentiment from a retired stamp set, because it was so perfect.  I finished it off with some sequins and a coral vellum piece from the most recent Paper Pumpkin.  Here is the inside:  

I just used the mermaid silhouette and the sentiment from Magical Mermaid to finish off my encouraging card.  

Thanks for visiting!    

June Color Challenge

It is the first Monday in June so that means we have our color challenge over at SSI!  Check it out:

This using one of our fabulous new in colors; Berry Burst!  It is a fun bright pink and I just love it!  Here is my card:

I used LOTS of new goodies for this card.  I just love all my pre-order stuff and my first big box of stuff will be here today, so I am so very excited.  I started with some Whisper White and added the Color Theory DSP in the Daffodil Delight Ombre sheet.  I added a strip of Pear Pizzazz that was embossed with the Petal Burst embossing folder.  Layered on that I added some of the Berry Burst 1/2" Fine Cotton Ribbon.  I grabbed my sentiment from the Just Add Text stamp set and colored it with my markers.  I cut it out with the Layering Ovals Framelits and added a Pear Pizzazz Scallop Oval underneath.  I finished my card off with some Daffodil Delight Enamel Shapes.

Aren't these three colors fabulous?  I can't wait to see what You can come up with.  Link up your creation over at SSI!

    

May Color Challenge

I am so excited it is May!  The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, the new annual catalog for Stampin' Up is closer to getting released.  So many exciting things.  We are starting off the month of May with a fun color challenge with a retiring in color unexpectedly combined with a color from our Brights collection.  Check it out:

I knew I wanted to use the Happy Celebrations stamp set since I bought it awhile ago but hadn't gotten any ink on it yet.  Here is my card:

I love the brightness of the Pacific Point paired with the richness of Delightful Dijon.  I used the Celebrations Duo Embossing Folder and stamped over it with the fun "smudge" stamp.  I also stamped the rest of my sentiment right on the DSP because there is no rule saying you can't!  That is one of the things I love about crafting...there aren't any rules!  I knew it needed something else, so I added a balloon with some baker's twine twirled up.  This card was definitely quick and easy.

I hope you will take part in our weekly challenge.  Head over to SSI for more cards to INKspire you and upload your creation!  

April Color Challenge

I love creating handmade cards, but I have to admit, I am not always great about sending them.  This month, I am making a pledge to send/give a card a day.  I have so many stockpiled from creating for my blog, so it really shouldn't be hard.  Plus I think a hand-stamped card would brighten anyone's day!  The first card I sent out was the one I made for today's color challenge over at SSI.  Check it out:

  

I treated myself to some high ticket goodies over Sale-A-Bration and so I am just getting to using some of them.  I grabbed the new Flourishing Phrases stamp set for this card:

I did a gate fold card.  I grabbed some of the Daffodil Delight floral paper from the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack for one side and a piece of Cucumber Crush embossed with the Petal Burst folder for the other.  I stamped the big flower in Daffodil Delight and fussy cut it.   Then I layered it over some stamped leaves and then matted that on some Chocolate Chip.  Of course the flower needed a rhinestone.  I stamped the sentiment in Chocolate Chip as well.  Here is a peek at the inside:  

I took the large flourish and stamped it off twice to give a very light appearance.  I added some of the floral washi tape in Cucumber Crush from the Affectionately Yours Designer Washi Tape.  Of course I made a custom made envelope as well:    

This card came together super quick and it was so easy.  I love the bright colors.  I am looking forward to hearing what the recipient thought of it!  I am also looking forward to seeing what you can create with these three colors.  Head over to SSI and upload your project today!

March Color Challenge

As a Stampin' Up demo, I am pretty in the know with their fabulous products.  And one thing that I am excited about is a new catalog on the horizon, because June will be here before you know it!  But one thing that has me terribly sad is the inevitable retirement of the 2015-2017 In Colors.  Some of these colors are so near and dear to my heart (Mint Macaron!!!!).  In the new few months we will be grouping these retiring colors up with other core colors for the SSI Color Challenge.  Check out this week's:

Oh Tip Top Taupe...you became my go to brown.  You gave Crumb Cake a well deserved break.  You were pretty much an awesome neutral that went with everything.  Anyways, here is my card with these colors:

I will be honest, this card came together very quickly.  I decided to grab a stamp set that hasn't seen a lot of ink, Watercolor Wings along with the Bold Butterfly Framelits.  I like how the colors work together to create such a bold butterfly.  I used a strip of the Brights Designer Series Paper Stacks in Melon Mambo over some Perfect Plum embossed with the Brick Wall folder.  I used the sentiment from the same stamp set and punched it out with the a circle punch and used a Tip Top Taupe doily underneath.  I love those In Color Doilies and I plan on using them more often in the next few months!  

Thanks so much for visiting my page today.  Did you get a chance to see the other designers creations using these color over at SSI.  And more importantly, did you get a chance to make you own and upload it?  I can't wait to see what you can do!  

February Color Challenge

I love stealing away some time and heading down to my studio to create.  My part time job has become very involved, so it is nice to have an opportunity to create something of my own.  But sometimes I need a little help, so that is why I love participating in online challenges.  Or in this case, providing some INKspiration for those wanting to participate in the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration challenges.  The first Monday of the month is our color challenge.  Check it out:

This is great because I am trying to really give those retiring In-Colors (Watermelon Wonder, Cucumber Crush, Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe and Delightful Dijon) a proper send off with lots of use.  Plus, I can't remember the last time I used So Saffron.  Oddly enough, after the colors were choosen, I determined the sketch of my card by grabbing a piece of Old Olive from the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack.  Then the rest of my card took shape:

I love the Designer Series Paper Stacks...you get so much paper in such great universal patterns.  I have the Brights Collection and the Neutrals Collection.  With my card, I started with a So Saffron card base and added some Whisper White embossed with the Petal Burst embossing folder.  I added a strip of the script Old Olive DSP.  I decided to use the Lift Me Up bundle, so I die cut the large intricate hot air balloon in Watermelon Wonder.  I used some of the Striped Watermelon Wonder ribbon and layered on my sentiment.  I finished my card off with some rhinestones on the balloon and one accenting the sentiment.  Here is the inside:

I added a few more balloons and another piece of the Old Olive DSP.  I really like these colors together, I would have never thought of them!  Now its your turn to create with them and upload your project over at SSI!

   

January Color Challenge

2017 is already underway and we have some new and familiar faces returning to the always INKspiring SSI Design Team.  We also have an awesome color challenge for you to start the new year with!  Maybe one of your resolutions is to use all of your Stampin' Supplies?  If so, then our weekly challenges can help with that.  Check out this month's set of colors:

Ok, so you had me at Mint Macaron.  I absolutely LOVE this color.  I had been thinking about this color challenge for awhile before I actually had the time to sit down and create with it.  I think what I had envisioned was actually more complicated than how it ended up, but I am still happy with the end result:  

I decided to bust out one of my favorite stamp sets, Kinda Eclectic.  It is the perfect set to have for quick and easy collage stamping.  I started the card off with a Crumb Cake card base and added the words sheet from the Neutrals Designer Series Patterned Pack.  I did all my stamping on some Whisper White and layered it on a bit of Mint Macaron.  The butterflies are stamped and punched from some scraps of Whisper White.  I love how simple this card is!  It would be perfect for a product based class showing off this fabulous stamp set.  

I can't wait to see what the other gals came up with using these colors.  Head over to SSI for more INKspiration and then create your project and upload it!  

  

December Color Challenge

First Monday of the month which means I am sharing some inkspiration for the Color Challenge over at SSI.  Check it out:

Oh man, Darcy made this one a bit of a challenge.  I was tempted to make a Christmas card but instead I grabbed a stamp set I got from the Stampin' Up event that will be featured in the upcoming 2017 Occasions Catalog.  Here is my card:

The stamp set is called Cool Treats and it does have a set of framelits to go with it along with yummy DSP, washi tape and some sprinkles embellishment (and they should be at my house the middle of this week).  So you will be seeing more of this set for sure.  The colors made me think of yummy ice cream or frozen yogurt and I knew that Sahara Sand could double as a cone.  For the cone and ice cream, I did some two-step stamping, first stamping off for the first layer for a lighter shade of color.  If you haven't gotten the Stitched Shapes Framelits, they might be on back order now.  But let me tell you, you do need them so be sure to put them on the top of your wishlist.  They pair perfectly with the Layered Ovals (Squares and Circles) here.  I used some Flirty Flamingo envelope paper and ruffled ribbon.  

I can't wait to see what the other designers at SSI created with these colors.  And I would love to see what YOU can do!  Create and project using these colors and upload it to our page!  

November Color Challenge

Another Monday is here and so is another fabulous challenge over at SSI.  This week we have a color challenge for you.  I was in major Christmas Card-making mode so these colors had me take a break from that.  Check it out:

This one had me stumped for a bit.  Then I grabbed a bundle that I bought but hadn't really used to much.  Here is my card:

This is definitely more of a clean and simple card...very different from my usual over embellished and crazy style.  But I really like how it turned out.  I used a Smoky Slate card base and layered on bit of Island Indigo, then some Whisper White.  I used the Weather Toegether bundle to create a cute little rainy day scene with Smoky Slate clouds, Island Indigo rain drops and a cute Tangerine Tango Umbrella.  That fun print is from the Designer Series Patterns pack in the brights collection.  I did add a touch of silver underneath the umbrella that might be hard to see.  Here is a peek inside:  

Another umbrella stamped on the inside with the sentiment stamped in Island Indigo.  I think I could make a whole pack of these cards perfect to have on hand to send to someone who needs a pick me up!  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Be sure to check out the other designer's projects using these colors and then create your own and upload it over at SSI.  

October Color Challenge

Can you believe it is October already?  I feel like the days are so long but the weeks fly by.  If it is the beginning of the month, that means we have a wonderful color challenge for you at SSI.  Check it out:

Oooo...I would have never thought of pairing these colors together.  Here is what I came up with:

I decided on making a birthday card with the Sweet Cupcake bundle.  I did a lot of triple step stamping here but used the same colors and just stamped off beforehand.  I also added some Wink of Stella on the cupcake and the flame of the candle.  I added some Sweet Sugarplum accessories with the enamel shape and the glitter ribbon.  This was a fun card to make and I love playing with this bundle!

Now its your turn to create a project using these three colors and upload it over at SSI.    

September Color Challenge

Monday is here already, but hopefully you are off from work and enjoying some time with your family.  Maybe you can take some time to join in on the Color Challenge we have going on over at SSI.  Check it out:

I had started this card wanting to use Lovely as a Tree but ended up going another route.  Here is my card:

This was a quick card to make...just ink and paper with a little gold metallic enamel star.  Here is the inside:  

I added the bicycle inside because it is so cute.  I can't wait to see some more cards with these colors.  It made me realize I don't really play with the Regals as much, although with Christmas coming, I am sure I will be using Garden Green!  Head over to SSI for more INKspiration and then upload your creation!

August Color Challenge

Hello there!  Are you just loving the new 2016-2018 In Colors from Stampin' Up!?  I love finding new color combos with these fabulous hues.  And this month's color challenge at SSI happens to use one of them with some of our core colors.  Check it out:

Since losing Blackberry Bliss, I am sure I will be reaching for Rich Razzleberry a lot more now.  I had an intial idea with these colors using the Botanical Blooms stamps, but I ended up going a different direction.  Here is my card:

I have to give credit to Tobe for showing off the In-Color Envelope Paper, which is the Peekaboo Peach background paper.  I am so glad she did because I just love it now!  I decided to pair the Moroccan Nights stamp set with Thankful Thoughts.  If you are wondering how I made that scallopped Pear Pizzazz layer, I just used the 3/4" circle punch.  I added a gold metallic enamel star inside my lantern.  Here is a peak at the inside:

I like the idea of stamping more than just the sentiment in the inside.  For the large medallion, I stamped off in Pear Pizzazz first for a light shade.  And I added some Peekaboo Peach washi tape from the Playful Palette Washi Tape.  My goal this year is to use up all my washi tape!  :)

Thanks so much for checking out my card!  Head over to SSI and upload your project using these three fabulous colors!   

July Color Challenge

Happy 4th of July to you!  We have a perfectly patriotic color combo for you today over at SSI:

When Dapper Denim came out, I knew it would pair well with Real Red and it does.  Check out my Anniversary card for my husband.  We were married on July 4th:

I think that the Sunburst Die has a patriotic vibe to it.  I used the Number of Years stamp set (and dies) here but I had to alter the sentiment which is stamped on vellum and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I changed it to "the number of years my world has been a better place because you're in it.  I added the MY from a stamp in Suite Sentiments.  I added some of the beautiful ruched ribbon.  Here is a peek at the inside: 

Just a Happy Anniversary and a Dapper Denim enamel heart.  I have to leave room for a personal message to my amazing husband!

Let's see what you come up with now!  Use these three fabulous colors together and upload your creation at SSI today!

June Color Challenge

A very Happy Monday to you!  We have a great color challenge for you over at SSI.  Check it out:

I love this new green, Emerald Envy!  And I don't really use these other colors very often so I am have a chance to play with them  Here is my card:

I knew that Emerald Envy would be a great color for leaves so I decided to make some luscious greens to go with that pale pink using the Botanical Builder framelits and Botanical Blooms stamp set.  I paired that with the Perfectly Wrapped stamp set.  I created this card to thank a very special couple who are helping me and a good friend enjoy a very awesome girl's weekend!  Here is a peek at the inside:

These are such great colors together!  I can't wait to see what you guys can create now.  Head over to SSI to upload your project!

You Are My Happy Place

I love the color challenge over at Color Throwdown, check it out:

I decided to use some new colors; Sweet Sugarplum, Peekaboo Peach along with Pool Party and Watermelon Wonder for these colors.  Here is my card:

I used the Swirly Bird stamp set along with the Swirly Scribbles Thinlits dies.  I used a Pool Party card base with a layer of Sweet Sugarplum.  I water-colored some Pool Party on the Shimmery White card stock and layered the fun Pool Party swirl die with some clear sequins to act as bubbles.  The sentiment is from the All About Everything stamp set which was from the April Paper Pumpkin set.  Thanks for checking out my card today!   

May Color Challenge

It's the first Monday of the month so that means we have a new color challenge for you over at SSI. Check it out:

So I never use Always Artichoke, so this challenge was a great excuse for me to bust out that ink pad.  Here is my card:

I made this card at a crop with some friends and they thought I was truly insane.  It definitely took some time which might be hard to tell from just looking at it.  I used the Rose Wonder thinlits three times; one for the Wisteria Wonder rose, one for the Always Artichoke leaves and one for the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper (sponged in Wisteria Wonder) insides of the rose.  It was a little puzzle to put together, but honestly, I felt like it was totally worth it.  I added some additional collage stamping with Timeless Textures and instead of putting the leaves back inside, I just sponged the ink inside them.  Here is the inside:  

The Rose Wonder Bundle will be in the next catalog, but that great bundle price will not be, so get it now while it is 15% off.  Thanks so much for looking at my card today.  I can't wait to see what you can create with these three colors!  Head over to SSI to upload your project today!

April Color Challenge

It is the first Monday of the month so we have our Color Challenge for you over at SSI.  Check it out:

I wanted to make a masculine card because I always need those.  And I had just gotten some new goodies, so I couldn't wait to use them as well!  Here is my take on this color combo:

I just order the starburst die and was so happy at how easy it was to use.  I can't wait to play more with it.  I kept this card pretty simple.  There is a Marina Mist card base with a Crushed Curry burst that is mounted onto some Whisper White.  I stamped the swirly lines on, but if they weren't close enough I just added some extra swirl with a Stampin' Write Marker.  I stamped the world onto some Marina Mist card stock with some Pear Pizzazz ink.  I layered that onto a Pear Pizzazz scalloped circle.  I added some of the burlap ribbon for some extra manly texture under the sentiment.

Thanks for looking!  Let's see what you can do with this color combo.  Head over to SSI and upload your project!