Salt on the Rim - Skipping Stones Designs

I love stripes and dots, and I had this fun Imaginisce paper that I picked up from my LSS.  When I saw the sketch from Skipping Stones Design, I thought it would be perfect for a fun "party" card.

The sketch was unique in that it was very long.  I decided to go with a taller card . . . you know like those Hallmark ones that you find in the stores.  Mine is around 4 x 9" folded, and there are envelopes that come a bit larger than this so it all will work.   

Here is my design . . . perfect for an adult celebration . . .

And check out that "salt" on the rim!  

Mmmm . . . I need me some lime! 


Supplies:

Bazzill Cardstock
Imaginisce Pattern Paper
Stazon Black
Copic Markers
American Crafts Black Brads
Diamond Stickles
Ric Rac from my stash

Great Minds!

Whenever I do a sketch challenge or a challenge inspired by a photo, I try to just look at the sketch or the photo so that I'm not swayed in any direction by the work of designers.  I like to look after, or as I'm posting my work so that I can see how different my interpretation of the inspiration, whether it be a sketch or a photo or an idea.  I am always jealous of everyone's great work, and rarely do I see that my work is close to someone else.  But I was quite close on this one. 

The KOTM Sketch from Unity was the sketch below . . .

And my design . . .

 And one of their design team members, Jimmi, created this . . .

Great minds think alike! 


Supplies: 

Cardstock - Bazzill;
Pattern Paper - Scraps from my Stash!
Scallop Circle - Stampin' Up;
Stamps - Unity March KOTM;
Ink - Stazon
Twine - The Twinery
Buttons - Clear and Simple Stamps

A Little Mojo Leads the Way

With a challenge as my road map, I created the card below for a friend who recently lost a pet.  I used some scraps left from the Glitz Laced With Grace line (from last year, but I still love it).

The sketch is from Mojo Monday . . . 

And my design . . .

The little paws with the angel wings was a stamp I picked up somewhere, and I embossed it onto the Glitz pattern paper in each of the dark green squares.  You can see it a little better in this picture . . .

And on the inside . . .

Sad occasion for a card.  Those darn pets leave us way too soon, but the amount of love they give is insurmountable!

Supplies:  Cardstock - Bazzill; Pattern Paper - Glitz; Ink - Stazon Black and Clear and Simple Embossing Ink; Sticker - Glitz; Brad - Bo Bunny; Die Cut - My Creative Time Tag; Stamps - My Creative Time Tiny Tags, RubberHedgehog (paw w/wings), My Favorite Things Clearly Sentimental About Pets.

Paper Smooches

My remedy for a stressful day is to find a card challenge and create. I love creating cards because they are like little scrapbook layouts. And I love a challenge because it provides direction for me, much like following a map.

Today I turned to the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge . . .

There inspiration pictures was an interesting stretch for me . . .

One would think you would need a design with many words in blue and orange hues. Not me. I saw one orange word amongst the blue and remembered I had some paper with rows of butterflies in blue and orange. Why not single out one orange butterfly in the row of blue ones!

And a little color on the inside . . .

Supplies: Cardstock - Bazzill; Pattern Paper - KaiserCraft (butterfly and blue) and Little Yellow Bicycle (orange stripe); Stamps - Paper Smooches Healthy Vibes; Inks - Stazon Black

Shut the Front Door!

One of my favorite Unity Stamps and perfect for their monthly challenge which was to create a card using a flap, window or door. I created a few of these in different designs, but this one was my favorite.

And inside the door . . .

I punched holes for ribbon, so the ribbon can be seen on the inside as well. It adds a nice touch.

Supplies: Cardstock - Bazzill; Pattern Paper - Doodlebug; Stamps - Unity Shut the Front Door, My Creative Time Turn that Frown Upside Down; Inks - Stazon Black; Embellishments - Doodlebug - Ribbon - May Arts

Unity KOTM Sketch Challenge

My March Kit of the Month arrived from Unity, and I just loved the graduation caps. Remembering their monthly sketch, I knew I had to use those little caps.

The sketch . . .

I went all black and white for this one, but I included lots of glitter, jewels and embossing.

And yes . . . I used twine! My ribbon stash continues to rebel.

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Supplies

Bazzill Cardstock/Unity March KOTM/Versamark/Queen & Company Jewels/The Twinery Twine/Zing Embossing Powder

Spring Silhouette

I spent the last few weeks coming back to this inspiration photo for the Jay Gee Nook Challenge.

So many colors, I'm not sure I knew where to start. People have asked me, where do you even begin when you look at those inspirational photos. In this particular case, because there were so many colors in the inspirational photo, I went for paper first. The stamp set came second, because it needed to be Easter theme. Embellishments came third.

Here is my design shown from two angles (one shows the dimension).

The silhouetted bunnies were a bit of a stretch. I believe the stamp was intended to be one of those "egg wrappers" that you put around an Easter egg. I wasn't sure how they would look on my card. I found them to be adorable, and even more so when I put those little tails on their behinds (which I snagged from my "Pebbles" chalk set).

Now that's innovation!

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Supplies:

Cardstock - Bazzill/Pattern Paper - Authentique Splendid 6 x 6 pad/Stamps and Die Cut - My Creative Time Hello Spring/Ink - Clear and Simple/Ribbon and flowers from my scrap jars.

The Play Date Cafe #124

Tough colors for me . . .

I recalled a paper pad with those colors . . .

And a little splash of color on the inside (the bird is on the inside too, but you can't see him in his pic) . . .

And the ribbon revolt in my crop room continues with my twine usage. I can hear the spools singing their own version of Barbara Streisand and Neil Diamond right now . . . "you don't use your ribbon anymore" . . . with sniffing sounds.

No worries ribbon!

Supplies

Cardstock - Bazzill/Pattern Paper - KaiserCraft/Stamps - Unity Stamp/Ink - Stazon/Markers - Copic/Ribbon - The Twinery/Punch - Fiskars Border and Stampin' Up Word Window

Wobbling Mickey

I have not used an Action Wobble in a very long time and it was definitely time! If you don't know what an Action Wobble is . . . you simply must check it out.

Mickey's hand (o.k., glove) is blurry on this card because it is wobbling with an Action Wobble. It's an action shot . . .

So . . . Freshly Made Sketch . . .

Plus Disney fun in the form of Queen & Company . . .

And even more fun on the inside . . . Q & Company's Trendy Tape which is at my LSS, New England Scrapbook Company.

I love this tape because it is super easy and super fun. However, lately I am using Trendy Tape and Twine, and no ribbon. My ribbon is very jealous of the Trendy Tape and the Twine and is plotting either a strike or revenge in my scrapbook room right now! Step back everyone, it could get ugly in there.

Supplies

Cardstock - Bazzill/Pattern Paper - Queen & Company/Stamps - My Creative Time Teeny Tags Greetings and Pink By Design Animated Greetings 2/Die Cut - My Creative Time Tag/Inks - Stazon Black/Embellies - Queen & Company Trendy Tape and Rhinestone Hand, Stickles/Ribbon - The Twinery Twine (although my ribbon believes that twine is not ribbon and should have it's own category)

Ladybug Hugs for Mojo Monday

I have been so super busy that I had little time to play this weekend, but with my coffee in hand this morning I made up a couple of cards for some challenges. I have to say that making cards is a definite stress reliever for me. I use up my scraps . . . I get to play, and cards can be done in small spans of time which is all I have lately.

So last year I had scraps of this lady bug paper left from a project, and it seemed perfect for a Spring card. With the Mojo Monday sketch in hand, I went to work.

The sketch (which I love) . . .

My design outside (ladybug made from punches and paper) . . .

My design inside (the bug moves as you open it to reveal the "Ladybug Hugs" sentiment . . .

I love black, pink and white . . . and I love ladybugs when they're on paper. In general, they're cute little bugs until they invade your crop room . . . which they did two years ago (I still find the dead ones now and then in a container of paper, a drawer of ribbon, etc.). I can assure you the ones on this card are paper only.

Those crazy little bugs!

Supplies
Cardstock - Bazzill/Pattern Paper - Best Creations/Stamps - My Creative Time Teeny Tags Greetings, Pink By Design Simply Everything
Die Cut - My Creative Time Teeny Tag
Inks - Zig Marker, Stazon Black
Ribbon - The Twinery
Punch - Fiskars Circle, Stampin' Up Word Window

Chickin' Up on Denami Challenge

I've always been a fan of the Denami Stamps, especially those cute little chick stamps, so when I saw their recent challenge, I couldn't wait to go dig out my chicks and start stamping.

I wanted to go for something a little different, and while I really struggled with this layout on my card, it grew on me. I find I will often struggle with something, get frustrated, but then like it the next day. Sometimes you just have to walk away for a bit to get a new perspective.

So here is the design . . .

And little color for the inside too . . .

This was a color inspiration, and here was the palette . . .

Here chickie!

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My supplies . . .

Cardstock - Bazzill Cardstock
Pattern Paper - KaiserCraft
Stamps - Denami
Inks - Stampin' Up and Close To My Heart
Ribbon - Stampin' Up
Punch - Fiskars

Trendy, Indeed

I saw a cute challenge . . . wanted to try it, and yet knew I would likely miss the deadline. However, I had a new product I wanted to try, so I went to work regardless.

The inspiration was super cute . . . I posted it further below. I wanted to make a doghouse version and use my new Trendy Tape purchased from my LSS, New England Scrapbook Co. in Canton.

Check out that Trendy Tape!

Here is where I got the inspiration:

Cute on the inside as well . . .

And it comes in loads of cool colors . . . including Disney!

Trendy, indeed!

Cardstock - Bazzill
Stamps - Inky Antics
Die Cut - Sizzix Doghouse
Inks - Stazon Black and Stampin' Up Marker
Embellies - Queen & Company Trendy Tape
Ribbon - The Twinery

Freshly Made #26 - Glitz Scraps Take Two

With my scraps of Glitz still out on the table, I decided to use them for another challenge . . . Freshly Made #26.


Here is the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches:

And here is my design . . .

And the inside (which leaves just enough space for a little note) . . .

There is something satisfying in using those extra scraps and pieces!

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Cardstock - Bazzill
Pattern Paper - Glitz Laced With Grace
Stamps - My Creative Time Teeny Tags Greetings
Die Cut - My Creative Time Teeny Tag
Inks - Close To My Heart Cocoa
Embellies - Glitz
Ribbon - Stampin' Up
Punch - Fiskars Circle

Mojo Monday 232 - Couldn't, Shouldn't, Wouldn't

To my scraps and extra pieces bags I go to find some coordinating items. We all have them . . . those scraps of paper from projects gone by . . . bags of little embellishments we couldn't . . . shouldn't . . . wouldn't part with.

I had some scraps left from a layout I did last Spring. It was Glitz paper from their Laced With Grace line. I loved the colors then and was just as stoked about using up some of my scraps (only some . . . there are still more).

The sketch from Mojo Monday:

And my design . . .

With a little decoration on the inside too . . .

I challenge you all . . . use up those scraps!

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Cardstock - Bazzill
Pattern Paper - Glitz Laced With Grace
Stamps - My Creative Time (Teeny Tags Greetings)
Inks - Stampin' Up
Embellies - Glitz
Ribbon - Stampin' Up

Be Brave

Still using up my scraps, and having colors pulled from a color challenge, I decided to put something together for another challenge . . . and combined two this time (something I've not yet tried). Here is my inspiration . . .

Card Patterns Sketch #156 . . .

. . . which I mixed with CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #43 . . .

With the sketch in hand, I tried to focus on the focal point being the message, which was the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge.

Here is my design . . .

"Be Brave" is a great message for someone going through some troubling times.

My supplies . . . Bazzill Cardstock, scraps of pattern paper and ribbon from my stash, Stamp from Unity - She Sprouted Wings, Twine from The Twinery, Embossing Folder from Sizzix and ink from Momento, Die Cut from Quickutz.