Just a Note . . Showers Bring Veggies!

I'm in my crafty mode this week. Today I created a card inspired by Cupcake Inspiration. 

I wanted to create that underground look for the root vegetables in this set. I had a bit of trouble with the blending of my dirt but love how my little veggies came out as they grow in a rain shower. 

Vegetables . . . inspired by cupcakes? What's not to love about that?

Craft away and eat your veggies! 

Debbie

Supplies Used - Garden Just a Note

Stamps and Dies:  Gardeners Greetings Stamp Set and Dies, and April Showers Stamp Set and Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Copic Markers; Midnight and Aquatini (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: Baked Brown Sugar and Early Espresso Cardstock (Stampin' Up); Desert Storm and Solar White (Neenah); Vellum (Close To My Heart);

Other: Cloud Stencil (My Favorite Things);  Diamond Stickles (Ranger);

Inspired by a Sketch . . . Happy Holidays

My card today is inspired by As You See It Challenge. I decided to create a holiday card, and with quad inspiration, I went with some postage stamp magic.

I used my Newton's Nook items to create this card. 

I love a good sketch, and getting a jump start on holiday cards is an added bonus.

Thank you As You Like It for the inspiration.

Debbie

Supplies Used - Happy Holidays

Stamps and Dies: Holiday Cheer and Holiday Postage Stamp Sets and Dies (Newton's Nook); Santa Stop Here Stamp Set and Dies (Taylored Expressions);

Ink & Embossing:  Jet Black (Lawn Fawn); Copic Markers; Black Jack (Catherine Pooler Ink);

Paper: White Cardstock (Scrapbook & Cards Today); New Black Cardstock (My Color); Solar White Cardstock (Neenah);

Other: Dyllusions Stickles (Ranger);

From Our Home to Yours

Nothing like a little Christmas in July! That was the inspiration at Just Add Ink, and I had to play along.

I pulled out some pattern paper, stamps and dies from several years ago to create today's creation. I mixed up a few crafty companies for this card. I wanted to give the illusion of red trucks leaving the tree lot with their picks for trees.

This reminded me of Christmas, 1987, when my husband had just had surgery, and my brother took his red truck out to pick out our tree. My brother did all the work, loaded our truck and came back to the house to get it set-up for us. Family is the best. 

It's August, but still celebrating the Christmas in July. 

Cheers.

Debbie

Supplies Used - From Our Home to Yours

Stamps and Dies:  Layered Holiday Truck Stamp Set and Dies (Avery Elle);

Ink & Embossing:  Peppermint Scrub, Rouge, Sage, Spruce, Twilight and Black Jack (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: Opaque White Cardstock (Accent); Patterns and Pine Pattern Paper (Catherine Pooler Designs); White Glitter Paper (Close To My Heart);

Other: Snowflake Sequins (Close To My Heart); Diamond Stickles (Ranger);

Inspired by Sunday Stamps on a Sunday

Alright, admittedly created this card on a Saturday, but posting on a Sunday using the inspiration at Sunday Stamps. I'm not sure I've ever played along here before, but the color palette . . . LOVE!

I can never pick a favorite color, but I do have some favorite color combinations. This one has a been a favorite of mine for years, and in fact, my daughter's room was pink with roses bordering below the ceiling when she was little. She was a fan of pink! 

Shhhh . . . she's 40 now. But I haven't aged as quickly. I'm on a slower track - ha!

Several shades of pink and several shades of green. I think this floral design from Pinkfresh is beautiful.

This is actually the perfect sentiment for my daughter. She's been my wild child. 

Make some time to create something creative!

Debbie

Supplies Used - One Day . . .

Stamps and Dies:  Darling Dahlias and Floral Bunch Stamp Sets (Pinkfresh Studio);

Ink & Embossing:  Bellini, Samba, Lime Rickey and Garden Party (Catherine Pooler Inks); Jet Black (Lawn Fawn);

Paper: Distress White Heavystock (Ranger); Accent Opaque Cardstock; Black Cardstock (American Crafts);

Other:  Clear Loose Gems (Close To My Heart); Darling Dahlias Stencil (Pinkfresh Studio); 

P is for Pink at Little Red Wagon

My card today was inspired by the prompt of pink at Little Red Wagon, and my need to want to create a watercolor background to cut my shaker window from. I used some older product in my stash to create this baby card. 

I used a small cover die to create my shaker, and this one has a maze design that adds some extra interest. I placed the pieces back into the design on top of the shaker window. 

How dare my husband say I don't use my old stuff!

Shake it up for a little celebration. Welcome baby!

Debbie

Supplies Used - Welcome Little One

Stamps and Dies:  A-Maze-ing Mini Cover Plate Die and Oh Baby Stamp Set and Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Kitsch Flamingo Distress Ink (Ranger); Midnight and Be Mine Ink (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: Solar White (Neenah); Watercolor Cardstock (Ranger); Acetate Sheet (Judikins);

Other: Flamenco Beach and Crater Lake Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Waving Hello

My card today was inspired by the prompt at Time Out Challenges, and I had so much fun creating this scene. 

I've been revisiting some of my Avery Elle stamps and went in that direction for today's card.

I just love the little critters all swimming together. My water was created with pattern paper, which I fussy cut along the waves and then ink blended the top edges.   

I have a love/hate relationship with textured cardstock. As a scrapbooker, I always loved the extra interest it added to a page. But as a card maker today, I don't always love it for ink blended backgrounds, and yet it doesn't stop me from going in that direction. This one felt right, especially when I added the sun, so I stuck with it.  

The baby ducks just make me smile.

Find something that makes you smile today!

Debbie

Supplies Used -  Waving Hello Fox and Chicks

Stamps and Dies:  Outside In Scalloped Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lawn Fawn); Make a Splash Stamp Set and Die (Avery Elle);

Ink & Embossing:  Cummerbund, Fiesta Blue, Chiffon, Limoncello and Midnight (Catherine Pooler Inks); Jet Black (Lawn Fawn); Copic Markers; Clear Gloss, Black and White Gel Pens (Sakura);

Paper: Lily White Cardstock (Bazzill); Solar White (Neenah); Scraps of pattern paper from stash;

Other: Corner Rainbow and Slimline Cloudy Stencil (Lawn Fawn); Confetti (Pretty Pink Posh); Crystal Stickles (Ranger); 

More Christmas in July - Lawn Fawnatics

More Christmas in July, but this time from Lawn Fawnatics! 

I had to go mouse theme . . . and why not do some fun folds using an interactive die.

The front of my card was an aerial view, but then the inside . . .

A little bit of picture window magic with some additional skating mice. My fave is the mouse doing the jump and staying mid-air (or at least that's the story in my head). 

I hope you find some time in July to play with your Christmas products. Keep it merry!

Debbie

Supplies Used - Happy Holidays

Stamps and Dies:  Center Picture Window Frames, Mice on Ice Stamp Set and Dies and Say What Christmas Critters Stamp Set (Lawn Fawn);

Ink & Embossing:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Copic Markers;

Paper: Knit Picky Pattern Paper (Lawn Fawn); Red Cardstock (Papertrey); Solar White (Neenah); Diamond Stickles (Ranger)

Christmas in July

It's Christmas in July at Sweet Stampin', and I'm always up for creating a holiday card to increase my stash. 

I went simple for this card, unless you count the masking to get that tree in the pick-up. 

A simple card with lots of stamping. 

Happy Christmas in July to you and your crafty supplies.

Debbie

Supplies Used - Jingle All the Way

Stamps and Dies:  Sleigh Ride Stamp Set and Merry Mini Cover Plate Die (Catherine Pooler);

Ink & Embossing:  Rockin' Red, Grass Skirt, Midnight (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper:  Premium White Cardstock (Catherine Pooler) and Black (American Crafts);

Other: Silver Stickles (Ranger); 

Hoppin' on the Holiday Train

My card today was inspired by the Stars and Stripes prompt at Jingle Belles challenge. I created my background using the Peppermint Stripes stencil from Lawn Fawn. 

I used a mix of products for this card and had so much fun creating my striped background for this scene. I bought this stamp a few years ago and never got around to using it. Avery Elle . . . love their stuff and so sad they are no longer bringing all the craft goodness to us. I celebrate their amazing products with this adorable train image. 

Get on the holiday train, and keep crafting along!

Go be creative!

Debbie

Supplies Used - Merry Christmas

Stamps and Dies:  Peek-a-boo Christmas Train Stamp and Die (Avery Elle); Outside In Stitched Rectangle Die (Lawn Fawn); Sentiment Strips - Christmas (Pretty Pink Posh);

Ink & Embossing:  Rockin' Red and Grass Skirt (Catherine Pooler Ink); Jet Black (Lawn Fawn); Copic Markers; Versafine Black Onyx Ink; Clear Glaze Pen (Sakura);

Paper: White and Black Cardstock (Scrapbook and Cards Today);

Other: Peppermint Stripes Stencil (Lawn Fawn); Stardust Stickles (Ranger); Salem Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Hap-Bee Anniversary

 Who does not love playing with paper, and who doesn't love summer or love? The Paper Players challenge installed a tune from Grease in my head for a bit. It also inspired me to create an anniversary card. 

Yellow is one of those colors that screams summer to me. It's sunshine and brightness. It has a sense of warm summer heat. As for the bees, they are adorable on paper. I actually admire their color as they buzz around my patio . . . but my dog tries to hunt them down. She's not been stung yet . . . it my be my resounding "No!" (the neighbors must love me). 

I love how this card came out. I hope you find some time to create today.

Debbie

Supplies Used - Hap-Bee Anniversary

Stamps and Dies:  Henry's Jr.'s ABC's, Henry's Build-a-Sentiment Stamp Set, Scalloped Fringe Border Die (Lawn Fawn); Large Sentiment Strip Dies and Sweeter Than Honey Stamp Set and Dies (Pink & Main);

Ink & Embossing:  Jet Black (Lawn Fawn) Copic Markers; Versafine Black Onyx Ink;

Paper:  White Cardstock (Scrapbook & Cards Today); Pint-Sized Patters Summertime (Lawn Fawn);

Other: Star Dust Stickles (Ranger);

Sunny Retirement Card Inspired by "Summer Splash"

I had some time last night to get inky and creative and was inspired by the Lawn Fawnatics challenge.

I am a beach person, but not so much about the water. For me it's about the sunshine, relaxation and the sounds of the waves. 

I have some friends who are coming up on retirement, and one in particular loves to spend time at the beach, so I created this card with her in mind. I wanted it to depict all that warm sunshine.

I created my watercolor background first and then used the Sunburst Backdrop die for my sun. I ink blended over the watercolor on the sun, and then popped it back into it's spot. 

My sentiment serves as the sand.

I really love how this background came out. I hope you get creative with some of the products you love soon.

Cheers!

Debbie

Supplies Used  - Have a Relaxing Retirement

Stamps and Dies:  Modern Damask Background Stamp (Catherine Pooler Designs); On the Beach Stamp Set and Dies, Fancy Banner Die, and Sunburst Backdrop Die  (Lawn Fawn);

Ink & Embossing:  Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade Distress Oxide Ink and Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink (Ranger); Versafine Black Onyx Ink; Jet Black (Lawn Fawn); Copic Markers;

Paper: Watercolor Cardstock (Ranger);

Other: Yellow Sequins (Simon Says Stamp);

Taking the Positive with the Negative - Take 8

Another Positive/Negative card . . . this one using the negative image of a stencil.

I love that Inspirational's word prompt was perfect for my messy desk. I had quite the creative weekend, and one thing that I have an abundance of after is leftovers.

I don't know about anyone else, but I have a hard time giving up the ink that's on my stencils. I'll usually try to create a watercolor background that will be hit or miss and could end up int he garbage. A couple days ago I created the background for this card, then created a watercolor piece using the stencil. So this is the negative image of the stencil in watercolor.  

I love the subtle background; my one wish is that I had stamped off the dots in the stamp set. I did try to keep colors grouped together on this piece. 

And a bold sentiment . . . 

Cheers to creating with leftovers.

Debbie

Supplies Used - Hello Friend

Stamps and Dies:  Hello Daisy Stamp Set and Dies and Paper Confetti Layered Stencil (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Samba, It's a Girl, Tiki Torch, Limoncello, Grass Skirt and Something Borrowed (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: White Cardstock (Scrapbook & Cards Today); Black Cardstock (Concord & 9th);

Distress Watercolor Cardstock (Ranger);

Other: Mount Pearl Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Snowman Themed Card for Christmas Card Throwdown

 Oh my goodness . . . where have I been? It's been almost five months since I posted anything. The facts:

Work has been chaos and my brain has been too fried to organize myself to do challenges and post.

I'm still creating, and sometimes use the challenges for inspiration, but I've not been posting/entering.

I'm certainly still buying all the stuff!

But today I decided to create a card for a challenge, and I chose Christmas Card Throwdown. 

I created my cards using a number of different supplies that were within reach. 

I used stamps and dies from Lawn Fawn, along with some other supplies leftover from a kit I had done. I love the monochromatic background on this card. And come on! Penguins making a snowman in their own likeness? Genius.

I hope you found some time to get creative today! 

Debbie

Supplies Used - Stay Fa La La . . . For the Holidays

Stamps and Dies: Cross-stitched Rectangle Stack Die (My Favorite Things); Snow Cool Stamp Set and Dies and Fa La La La La Scripty Border Die (Lawn Fawn);

Ink & Embossing: Jet Black (Lawn Fawn); Copic Markers; Aquatini and Midnight (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: White Cardstock (Scrapbook & Cards Today); Atlantic Shore Cardstock (My Colors); White Glitter Cardstock (Close To My Heart);

Other: Sparkling Clear Confetti (Pretty Pink Posh); Dyllusions Stickles (Ranger);

Friendy Flip Card (is "friendy" a word?)

Some blues were the inspiration for my card today, and specifically the inspiration from Inkspirational.

I had a card kit that had a pattern that came right to mind.

I do go a bit from the blue to a bit of blue violet, but tried to keep my elements all in blue!

And I do love this inside sentiment! I want to sing it to a particular tune. 

Lots of Pink & Main supplies for this card. 

Get creative!

Debbie

Supplies Used - Hello My Sweet Friend Flip Card

Stamps and Dies: Circle Flip Card Die and Hello Sentiments (Pink & Main); Everyday Sentiments Banner (Lawn Fawn);

Ink & Embossing: Mardis Gras, Fiesta Blue, Suede Shoes,  and Serenade (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: White Cardstock, Watercolor Pattern Paper and Specialty Paper (Pink & Main); White Glitter Cardstock (Close To My Heart);

Other: Exclusive Confetti Mix  (Pink & Main); Frostbite Astro Base (Ranger Simon Hurley);

Snow-rific Birthday, Inspired by "Cold"

A chilly winter card inspired by the Inkspirational challenge. The prompt there was cold, and what's colder than snowmen and snowflakes.

Lots of sparkle and shine on this card. I used a Catherine Pooler set that was perfect for winter birthdays. 

Included a window to capture the inside sentiment. 

Challenge for your day . . . create something sparkly and cold! 

Debbie

Supplies Used - Snow-rific Birthday

Stamps and Dies:  Snow-rific Party Stamp Set and Dies, Frosted Window Die, Party Tags Die, (Catherine Pooler Deisngs);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight, Party Dress, Rockin' Red, In the Park, Something Borrowed (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: Premium White Cardstock (Catherine Pooler Designs); Blue Glitter Cardstock (Stampin' Up);

Other: Diamond Stickles (Ranger); Mykonos Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Until We Meet Again . . .

My card today was inspired by the color inspiration at Color Dare. I had used a stencil to create a bullet journal page, and when I do that I like to spray the panel with water and try to create a watercolor background fitting for a card. I never want waste all that excess ink. This particular stencil was lengthy, so I created a slimline card. 

I turned this one into a sympathy card for a pet, as it seemed like the perfect rainbow bridge card. I'm always needing some of those, and while I don't love the occasion, I do love how this card turned out. 

I love how the sweet little dog is just sitting on the cloud. I may have to intentionally create some additional panels like this one. 

Give this a try when you have your next inky stencil. It will often surprise you.

Debbie

Until You Meet Again Slimline Watercolor Rainbow

Stamps and Dies:  Rainbow Bridge Stamp Set; Top Dog Stamp and Die Set (Pink & Main and 2Cute);

Ink & Embossing:  Versafine Black Onyx Ink; Party Dress, Orange Twist, Tiara, Lime Rickey, All That Jazz, Flirty Fuchsia, Twilight (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: White Cardstock (Scrapbook & Cards Today); Watercolor Paper (Canson);

Other: Clear Confetti (Concord & 9th); Rainbow Confetti (Pretty Pink Posh); Over the Rainbow Stencil (Catherine Pooler Designs); Diamond Stickles (Ranger); Silver Shimmer Trim (Close To My Heart);

Let's Have a Ball

I needed to break out of Christmas card mode, so I made a winter themed birthday card and knew just the stamp set to make that happen. The colors and snowy theme were inspired by Cupcake Inspirations. 

This little snow dude is surrounded by snowflakes and loads of glimmer which I tried to capture below.

Who wouldn't want a juggling snowman to celebrate a birthday?

Glitter something today!

Debbie

Supplies Used - Let's Have a Ball

Stamps and Dies:  Snow-rific Party Stamp Set and Dies, Party Tags Die, Snow Many Flakes Dies (Catherine Pooler Deisngs);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight, In the Park, Something; Borrowed (Catherine Pooler Inks); 

Paper: Premium White Cardstock and Snowday Birthday Pattern Paper Pack (Catherine Pooler Designs); Glitter Cardstock (Close To My Heart); 

Other: Diamond Stickles (Ranger); Mykonos Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs);