Whatever Wednesday - challenges

On Whatever Wednesdays, I share whatever is inspiring me, and hope you'll be inspired as well.

Today, I was inspired by two different challenges... FTL # 107 from the Clean & Simple Blog, and Colour Challenge #2 from the Utah Divas International. I added some Smooch Illuminate Top Coat to some of the embossed areas on the Chocolate Chip cardstock. I also embossed the image from Just Believe with Regal Rose Craft ink on the Regal Rose patterned paper (from the Brights DSP Stack).

Stamps: Just Believe
Inks: Regal Rose Craft, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron
Cardstock: So Saffron, Real Red, Chocolate Chip
Other: Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Modern Label Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Word Window Punch, Basic Pearls, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions folder, Smooch Illuminate Top Coat.

Mini Monday - French Foliage

In my Mini Monday posts, I feature a stamp set (or two) from the current Mini Catalogue.

This card uses the French Foliage stamp set from the Holiday mini, and the Scallop Squares Duo Big Shot die. The design of the card is based on a card sketch challenge on Stampin' Connection (a demonstrator message board & gallery). I rock 'n rolled the images on the background of the card, and heat embossed the main leaf image. The sentiment is from Fabulous Phrases.

Stamps: French Foliage, Fabulous Phrases
Inks: Peach Parfait, Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip Craft
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory, Peach Parfait, Wild Wasabi
Other: Linen Thread, Regals Buttons, Scallop Squares Duo die, Clear Stampin' Emboss powder

Fast & Fun Friday - Snowflakes

On Fridays, I share something quick & easy to make (under 15 minutes).

I saw this idea on a couple different blogs... I think the first one I saw was Tana Conley's card. Her card isn't very complicated, but I simplified it even more for my Fast & Fun Friday card...

I stamped the snowflakes (from Serene Snowflakes) in different colours (Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, Marina Mist) onto Whisper White textured cardstock. Then I ran it through the Northern Flurry embossing folder (hopefully you can see the texture) and tore the bottom edge. I tied a knot in the Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon and attached it to the top of the stamped cardstock with glue dots. Then I stamped the sentiment onto the Baja Breeze card base.

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Christmas Greetings
Inks: Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, Marina Mist
Cardstock: Whisper White textured, Baja Breeze
Other: Northern Flurry Texutred Impressions Folder, Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon

Try it Thursday - Wheeled Frame

On Thursdays, I try something new, and invite you to try it too!

I have to admit that I don't use my Stampin' Around wheels very often lately, and when I do, I just wheel them along to make a straight border or strip. Sometimes I'll do a whole background to add visual interest. I've never tried to make a mitred frame with my wheel... until today! It wasn't too difficult after a little trial and error. Post-it Notes were my friend (especially the longer ones) for masking the corners. I also needed to use my Wheel Guide to get nice straight stamping. My last tip is to cut a piece to go inside the frame to disguise any slight imperfections. Here's the card I came up with:
 

 
We'll be making it this weekend at my Technique Class (featuring Stampin' Around Wheels) this weekend. I still have some spots available if you're in the London, ON area and would like to make this card..
 
Stamps: Herb Expressions, Baroque Swirls Stampin' Around Wheel
Inks: Old Artichoke, Rose Red, Perfect Plum
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red
Other: Always Artichoke Seam Binding, Sweet & Sour DSP, Blender Pen, Wheel Guide, Rhinestone Brad

Two for One Tuesday - Sept Thank You cards

On Tuesdays, I share two projects that are linked in some way... stamp set, design, colours, etc.

Today I've been working on my September Thank You cards to include in all my orders this month. I have two versions with the same design and colours, but different stamp sets.

This card uses the Always Wheel (with So Saffron) on a Crumb Cake 3x3 card. Then I stamped the flowers from Silhouette Sentiments onto a 2 1/2" Circle of Very Vanilla. The sentiment (from Fabulous Phrases) is stamped with Soft Suede on a torn piece of So Saffron cardstock.

This version has the wheeled background and the same sentiment as the first card, but I stamped the flowers from Growing Green onto the Very Vanilla circle (So Saffron, Soft Suede and Riding Hood Red). Which would you prefer to receive?

Mini Monday - Paisley Christmas

In my Mini Monday posts, I feature a stamp set (or two) from the current Mini Catalogue.

This card was inspired by these cards by Julie Davidson. This is a swap reject... I'm still working on perfecting my card for the swap. Paisley Prints is one of those stamp sets that didn't really jump out at me when I looked through the Holiday Mini the first time, but it's definitely growing on me. I'm really finding that it is versatile, and I love that it includes so many holidays. On this card, I embossed a tree with Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss powder, and also stamped it lightly behind my embossed sentiment (from Seasonal Sentiments). I also used some Candy Cane Christmas DSP from the Holiday Mini.

Stamps: Paisley Prints, Seasonal Sentiments
Inks: VersaMark, Blushing Bride, Ceratinly Celery, Old Olive Craft
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Whisper White
Other: 2 1/2" Circle punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder, Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Basic Rhinestone, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker

Sketchy Sunday - #96

On Sketchy Sundays, I have a card or layout sketch to hopefully inspire you. I also have a project I've done inspired by the sketch.

Well, it's not Sunday anymore, but Blogger wasn't co-operating with me and I couldn't upload the images earlier. Here's the card sketch for this week:

For any Stampin' Up! Demos, this is also the sketch for this weeks' card sketch challenge at Stampin' Connection. You can see the challenge thread (and play along) by clicking here. If you are inspired to create something, I'd love to see... please link me up in the comments! Here's the card I created:

I chose the colour combination with the help of my Colour Coach. I wanted to use the Newsprint DSP, so I looked up Basic Black. It suggested using Old Olive and Daffodil Delight, and I thought I'd give it a try!

Stamps: Just Believe

Inks: Old Olive, Daffodil Delight

Cardstock: Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Other: Pear Pizazz Poly Twill ribbon, Eyelet Border punch, 2 1/2" Circle punch