Hoarding Paper for the Perfect Challenge

This week's cue card at Cas-ology was "Story", and I immediately knew the piece of paper that I'd be using for this card. I had a Simon Says Stamp kit that had one piece of pattern paper that spoke to me.  I've been hoarding it since that kit was released back in September waiting for the perfect card idea.  Today was the day, as it served as my background for this card. 

I just love the print on that pattern paper, the combinations of color in the different lines of text.  I created my bookshelf using some matching colors of ink, but went a little brighter on the blue as I really wanted that focal piece to pop.   Hard to notice, but my edges on that print paper are embossed on the edges at 1/8 and 3/4 inch . . . it just added a little extra interest. 

So drawn to these colors! 

Sadly - my sheet of colorful print paper is officially gone. Hope you will consider using up a piece of paper you've been saving for a special project.

Supplies Used -  True Story

Cardstock:  Neenah*

Pattern Paper:  Public Library from October Afternoon*

Stamps:  To Thine Own Shelf from Simon Says Stamp*

Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Stitched Circle Dies

Ink:  Simon Says Stamp and Stampin' Up

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Wood Dots by Teresa Collins*

*from Simon Says Stamp September 2014 Card Kit

Colorful Greeting for Paper Smooches

A colorful card for the Paper Smooches challenge which was inspired by this week's sketch.  

I love the concept of black and white cards that have a pop of color.  This one is a birthday balloon greeting.  

Hope you found some time to create today! 

Supplies Used -

Cardstock:  Bazzill and Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Authentique

Stamps:  Luminous Spring and Birthday Bash from Paper Smooches

Dies:  Streamers from Paper Smooches and Sizzix Circle Dies

Ink:  Stampin' Up and Hero Arts

Other:  Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh

Misti Stamping for Colour Q

Have you heard of the MISTI?  If not, I encourage you to do some research to see if the MISTI might be for you. 

I set out today to create a card for The Colour Q challenge, and my goal was to create my own background.  I used the MISTI for even spacing of my border stamp on the paper.  I was really pleased with the results. 

 I started by stamping all of my Coastal Cabana borders, then centered the Strawberry Slush images between them, and from there moved onto the Tangerine Tango and then Daffodil Delight.  The MISTI was awesome once I got comfortable with the distances I needed.

The MISTI is also great for mass producing cards and for making sure your ink coverage is great, as it allows you to stamp in the very same spot multiple times for great coverage when those ink pads are getting a bit dry. 

Highly recommend you check it out at My Sweet Petunia! 

Hope you find some time to create today. 

Supplies Used - Hello

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up

Stamps:  Because You Care from Stampin' Up

Dies:  Deco Labels from Stampin' Up

Ink:  Stampin' Up, Versamark and Ranger White Embossing Powder

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins, MISTI from My Sweet Petunia

Just Roll With It for AEI{Heart}U

I made some time for myself today to get in touch with my creative side, and I have two cards to share with you today.  The first is for  Avery Elle's challenge which was to create a "Spring" card.  As I read my friend's posts on Facebook, I'm seeing a lot about folks getting out for those first bike rides of season.  That is what inspired my card . . .

I had set out to stamp on pattern paper, and stamping on this grid paper was a challenge for me.  I'm much more of a "stamp on white" person.  I used a silver Signo Uniball pen to highlight some of the parts on the bicycle. 

And the sentiment was a very simple, "Roll with it!"  Important message with the amount of folks stressed with day to day life these days.

Supplies Used - Just Roll With It

Cardstock:  Bazzill and Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Stampin' Up

Stamps:  Roll With It by Avery Elle

Ink:  Stampin' Up and Avery Elle

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Signo Uniball Pen and Rhinestones from Close To My Heart

Keep Your Balance - Colour Me Challenge

Loved the color scheme at this week's Colour Me Challenge . . .

And here is my card . . .

 I used stamps and paper from The Stamps of Live to create my card.  The only additional color I added was in the flower sequins that appear in the bicycle basket.

Nice bright summer colors.  Summer is nearly here in the northeast!

Hope  you find some time to create today! 

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  The Stamps of Life*

Pattern Paper:  The Stamps of Life*

Stamps:  bicycle2stamp from The Stamps of Life

Dies:  Bicycle Club Die Set from The Stamps of Life

Ink:  Colorbox

Ribbon: The Stamps of Life*

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins

*from The Stamps of Life November Card Kit

Tying the Knot, Literally

Finding time to create can be quite the task these days.  My husband is back on first shift, so those "lonely" nights are gone as we are on the same schedule now.  My day starts earlier, which means my day ends earlier.  It's also hockey playoff season, and both my AHL and NHL teams are playing in conference finals.  It's causing quite a challenge for me to find time to create these days.

I did attempt to create a little something for The Card Concept.  Here is there inspiration photo . . .

And here is my card . . .

I started out clean and layered, and I'm pretty sure that I stayed in that space.  That is typically where I like to play.  But as I was pulling in glitter, sequins and tulle, I began to tip down the hill to shabby chic.  The tulle . . . with the knot . . . above that "tying the knot" sentiment was an afterthought. 

With the long weekend, I'm hoping to find time today and tomorrow to do a little more creating.  Don't tell my house, because I should be doing a little more cleaning with how absent I've been the last two weeks. 

I hope you find some time to create. 

Supplies Used - Tying the Knot

Cardstock:  Simon Says Stamp*

Pattern Paper:  My Mind's Eye Fancy That*

Stamps:  Congratulations* and On My Mind** both from Simon Says Stamp

Dies:  Simon Says Stamp 2 Flowers and 2 Leaves

Ink:  Simon Says Stamp* and Encore

Other:  Gold Shimmer Trim from Close To My Heart, Mesh from my fabric stash; Signo Uni-ball Gold Gel Pen; Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh; 

*from Simon Says Stamp May Card Kit

**from Simon Says Stamp March Card Kit

Mother of the Bride for Muse Card Club

A little something for the Muse Card Club.  Here is their inspiration photo. 

And here is my card . . .

I was inspired by the colors, the pink and the gold.  But I was mostly inspired by the recessed designs in the card and decided to create one of my own.  I have a friend whose daughter just recently became engaged, and I thought I would create a little congratulatory card for the mother of the future bride. 

For that recessed area, I also created a bit of a "rim" so that my banners would look tucked in. 

Go find some time to create! 

Supplies Used - Mother of the Bride

Cardstock:  Simon Says Stamp*

Pattern Paper:  My Mind's Eye Fancy That*

Stamps:  Congratulations from Simon Says Stamp*

Ink:  Simon Says Stamp* and Ranger Archival

Other:  EK Success Circle Punches; Stickers from My Mind's Eye Fancy That*

*from Simon Says Stamp May Card Kit

Merry Monday Inspiration

This week's Merry Monday Challenge was to use stencils on a card.  So I pulled out a stencil I had bought some time ago but not used, and then I pulled out some embossing paste and had some fun! 

 I started by creating the panel, and then the real dilemma began.  What next?  I remembered I had that glittery Santa sticker.  From there is was all red glimmer.  I also added some Wink of Stella once the embossing paste was dry. 

Love that "wink" of glimmer! 

Hope you found some time to create today! 

 Supplies Used - Ho Ho Ho!

Cardstock:  Bazzill and Neenah

Stamps:  Pink by Design (sentiment inside card)

Other:  Ho Ho Ho Stencil from Simon Says Stamp, Dreamweaver embossing paste, Wink of Stella Clear Pen, EK Success Stickers and American Crafts Glitter Tape

Winter Wishes for ShowCASe Your Style

I can't believe I'm still using winter paper from my Simon Says Stamp January Card Kit.  But when I saw the colors of this week's ShowCASe Your Style challenge, I knew I had to pull it out.  Here is their inspiration photo . . . 

Now when I saw that photo, I thought of one specific pattern paper from the January kit.  Here is my card . . .

 This was one of my favorite pattern papers from the kit, and I think I was hoarding it.  For what?  Well, I guess for this challenge!

Add to my total of holiday cards!  Cha-ching! 

Hope you find some time to create this week. 

Supplies Used - Winter Wishes

Cardstock:  Bazzill* and Simon Says Stamp*

Pattern Paper:  Bo Bunny Altitude Collection*

Stamps:  Hand Lettered Winter Wishes*

Dies:  Sizzix Circle Die

Ink:  Simon Says Stamp and Ranger Distress Markers

Ribbon:  The Twinery Twine

*from January Simon Says Stamp Card Kit

Hip Hip Hooray Dad!

My card today was inspired by Freshly Made Sketches. 

Here is the sketch . . .

And here is my card . . .

I had to stretch things out a bit, as I wanted to use the "DAD" cork element on my card. 

All of the supplies used were from my latest Studio Calico kit.  Love Studio Calico! 

Supplies Used - Dad

Cardstock:  Neenah*

Pattern Paper:  Studio Calico*

Ink:  Bronze Ink Pad from Studio Calico*

Other:  Sequins from Studio Calico*, Badge (Hello Forever for Studio Calico)*, "Dad" Cork Word from Studio Calico*

*from Studio Calico Carolina Moon Card Kit

A Merry Monday Embossing Challenge

I've been pretty absent the last week or so, which makes me feel accomplished to have sat down and done some creating.  This time it was for Merry Monday.  The challenge was to create a card using wet or dry embossing.

I created this card using some inlaid die cuts.  The snowflakes and the sentiment were embossed for a little added interest and sparkle.

Love that patterned paper.  The card is a little on the pink side, but it works!  

Hope to do a little more creating before this weekend is over.

Supplies Used  - Seasons Greetings

Cardstock:  Bazzill*

Pattern Paper: Lawn Fawn's Snow Day Collection*

Stamps:  Be Joyful*

Dies:  Snowflakes from Elizabeth Crafts

Ink:  Versamark, Ranger White Embossing Powder, Stampin' Up Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins

*from Simon Says Stamp November Card Kit