Non-Winning Artisan Award- Every Moment Card

Here is the last card I made for Artisan Award this year. I really like the way it came out! (Click on the card to see it bigger!)

I used a few different textures and elements on this card including an embossing folder, sponging, linen thread, vellum card stock, brads, water color paper and dimensionals to give it the finished look.

Here is a close up picture of the stamped image. You can not tell what I did to image from looking at this picture, so I will tell you! I first stamped the image on to Vellum card stock using Black SatzOn ink. Then I flipped the vellum over and colored in the image using classic ink and blender pens, let it dry and then flipped it back over and mounted it onto a piece of water color paper.

Here you can see some of the texture, sponging and dimension of the card.

I like the masculine-earthy feel of this card. It was fun to create because this card just kind of came together as I made it and added each element.

Thanks for looking!
if you were at convention you may have seen this card on the display boards...it was there!

Non-Winning Artisan Award- Blue Spools

Here is another Artisan Award card I made. This one I wasn't going to send in, but then at the last minute I threw it in the box!

Just clean, simple and crisp! I stamped the spools onto watercolor paper and then colored the spools using a blender pen and classic ink. Then I paper pieced and sponged the colored thread onto the spools.

Thanks for looking!

if you were at convention you may have seen this card on the display boards...it was there!

Sailing Adventure- CCMC-SUM01

WOW...has it been an amazing first week over at the Create with Connie and Mary Summer Edition site! We have had lots of fun and unique project's (all with full picture tutorials) shared and this is only the first week! If you want to get in on the fun you need to head over to the Create with Connie and Mary site and subscribe! Don't worry, you will still be able to see all of the projects from this week as well as all the projects from the coming 4 weeks no matter when you subscribe! Oh by the way...the Saturday challenges are the only projects that we share with everyone...become a subscriber to see all the other projects and tutorials!

So here is my card for the Saturday challenge. This week we have a color challenge of using Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Grey and Not Quite Navy.

Our subscribers who participate in the Saturday challenges are entered to win one of two $75 gift certificates or one of two FREE subscriptions to Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition. Who wouldn't want either one of those?

More about my card...I used the Sail Away stamp set from in the Summer Mini and then of course the colors from this week. The stamp is so fun to watercolor! I also used the Travel Log stamp set for the "adventure" sentiment that I thought went well with the image.

I added a few Jumbo Eyelets to tie in the sailing/nautical theme. I also added a border of 1/4" Early Espresso Grosgrain ribbon around the Not Quite Navy card stock. If you look closely you can see it in this picture. I think that it helped with the sailing/nautical theme too.

Be sure to check out the other Design Team members projects using these colors this week too by stopping by the Create with Connie and Mary site!

Thanks for looking!
and I hope to see you over at the CCM Summer Edition soon!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! and don't forget the Summer Mini is now available to order from too!

Lovely Dad Tree- SCIC51

It's Thursday and that means time for another Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge! This week we have some masculine-ish colors for you to be inspired by!

We would love to have you join us! All you need to do it look at the inspiration picture, make something that the picture inspired you to make and then upload if to the Stampin' Celebration blog!

This week I focused on the colors from the inspiration picture for my card. I used Soft Suede, Old Olive and Marina Mist as the main colors and added a little Basic Grey for good measure!

I used the Lovely as a Tree stamp set for the main image and stamped it onto water color paper and then colored it using Stampin' Write Markers.

I also did a little masking on the main image to get the dirty edges to make the tree stand out a bit better.

I added a little bit of Basic Grey satin ribbon and a few strands of Linen Thread for some added texture.

I hope I inspired to you join us over at the Stampin' Celebration site this week!

Thanks for looking!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! and don't forget the Summer Mini is now available to order from too!

Elegant Nature Walk- SCIC44

It's Thursday and that means it is time for another Stampin' Celebration Inspiration challenge! This week we are going elegant, classic and earthy with the greens, golds, browns and vanillas.

When I saw the inspiration pictures this week I thought of the Nature Walk stamp set, so that is what I used!

I stamped both images onto watercolor paper using Black StazOn and then colored them in using my blender pens and classic ink (Pear Pizzazz, Chocolate Chip, and Crumb Cake).

I mounted the main images panel onto a piece of Crumb Cake card stock and then onto a whole piece of watercolor paper and then onto the Crumb Cake card base.

The sentiment is from the Say it Simply stamp set and was stamped in classic Chocolate chip ink.

Here are the inspiration pictures this week. Very clean and earthy I think.

I hope I have inspired you to join us this week! If you do, you have a chance at being our next "party guest" designer! Be sure to check out the other design team members creations this week too!

Thanks for looking!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! remember for every $50 you spend you get to choose a FREE Sale-A-Bration product from the SAB catalog!

Natural Bird- ccmc-om4

We had another great week full of awesome projects and tutorials over at the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition! The end is nearing for this edition, but it is NEVER to late to join! If you join now you will have access to all of the fabulous projects and tutorials we have shared over the past 4 weeks (that's over 20 projects!! and still one whole week to come!!!) This week we have been creating using all the products in the Botanical Gazette Suite from the Occasions Mini. What are you waiting for? Join us over at the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition and trust me....you will not regret it! Click here to subscribe and get in on all the fun!

Ok, on to this week's Saturday challenge which is a sketch challenge. Saturday challenges are for our subscribers to join in and every time they do they are entered to win a $75 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificate and a FREE registration to Create with Connie and Mary Summer Mini Edition!

For this week's sketch I decided to flip it on its side. And here is what I came up with.

I used the Nature Walk stamp set and the Botanical Gazette DSP. I stamped the branch onto water color paper using Black StazOn and then perched the bird on top the branch. I colored them in useing my blender pens and classic inks (Marina Mist, Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler).

I mounted the main image on to a few pieces of the DSP and added a piece of Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon. The card base is Early Espresso. The sentiment is from the Bring on the Cake stamp set.

Be sure to head over to the Create with Connie and Mary site to check out the other Design Team Members cards using the sketch this week. While you are there make sure you check out their blogs as well!

Thanks for looking!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! remember for every $50 you spend you get to choose a FREE Sale-A-Bration product from the SAB catalog!

Simply in Pink - cQc#71

This week's colourQ color challenge is so pretty I just had to make a card using the colors!

I was thinking the other day I haven't even used the cute little love kid in the Greeting Card Kids stamp set yet, so I pulled out the colors and the stamp set and here is what I came up with!







I just love coloring these little Greeting Card Kids on Stampin' Up's watercoor paper using my blender pens and the different classic ink colors that I need!

Very simple, but super cute I think!

Recipie:
Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Teeny Tiny Wishes.
Paper: Crumb Cake card stock and water color paper.
Ink: Black StazOn, Pretty in Pink, Blushing Bride, Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake.
Accessories: Very Vanilla Seam binding ribbon, blender pens, corner rounder punch.

Thanks for looking!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! remember for every $50 you spend you get to choose a FREE Sale-A-Bration product from the SAB catalog!

Sweet Birthday Wishes-ccmc-om2

What a week over at the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition! We have been creating using all the products in the Sale-A-Bration catalog (even the So Much to Sale-A-Brate Digital CD used in My Digital Studio) this past week and all of the Design Team members had such FABULOUS and SUPER CREATIVE ideas! Do you want to see these projects? Do you want easy to follow tutorials to make these projects? I bet you do! It is never to late to join the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition. Click here to find out how to subscribe and get in on all the fun!

Ok, on to this week's Saturday challenge, it is a sketch challenge. This is a challenge for our subscribers to join in and every time they do they are entered to win a $75 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificate and a FREE registration to Create with Connie and Mary Summer Mini Edition!

Here is what I came up with. Have I told you that I LOVE My Digital Studio? It is so versatile. What do you do if you do not own the actual stamp set that you really want to use? I pull out the So Much to Sale-a-Brate Digital Content CD (that you can get FREE from the Sale-A-Bration catalog) and print out the images that I want to use!! That is what I did for this card.

I printed out the images on Naturals White card stock I wanted from the Sweet Summer and So Happy for You stamp sets, colored them in, punched them out and added them to my card! I guess you could call this a hybrid card! :)

If the image lines look like they are a little thicker than they should be that is because they are! After I printed them out I traced them using the little side of an Early Espresso marker to give it just a little bit of a different look, I kind of like it for this card.

I like the way this card came together with all the different elements and details!

Be sure to head over to the Create with Connie and Mary site to check out the other Design Team Members cards using this sketch this week. While you are there make sure you check out their blogs as well!

Thanks for looking!

Click here to order Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7! remember for every $50 you spend you get to choose a FREE Sale-A-Bration product from the SAB catalog!

Little Lamb

Here is a simple simple card I made for some thank you cards I needed. The cute little lamb come from the Hand Knit stamp set and the sentiment is from the Fabulous Phrases stamp set.

I stamped the lamb using Black StazOn onto watercolor paper and then colored him in using a blender pen and classic ink. The colors I used were Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Early Espresso.

Be sure you check out the Create with Connie and Mary blog today.....today is the day the preview period starts for the upcoming Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition and there are some DEALS to be had in the next few weeks! And be sure to keep checking back here in the next few days for a chance to WIN a free subscription to the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition that I will have...details to come soon!

Thanks for looking!

Rudolph, Front and Center- SCIC32

It's Thursday and time for another Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge! This challenge will be up for TWO WEEKS!! That is a lot if time to create something and share it with us! We have traditional Christmas Colors to work with in these fun inspirational pictures.

I decided to use a stamp set I just got, Holiday Lineup. I have been wanting to get it for a while, but never did, until this year, I broke down and got it!

Here is what I came up with, very simple, but to the point. I stamped the reindeer onto watercolor paper using StazOn ink and then used the blender pens and classic inks to color with. Those cute little reindeer are so fun to watercolor, even though on this card I only did one in detail and washed the others with Crumb Cake ink.

Here is a close up of the reindeer and the sentiment. You can see I added googly eyes to Rudolph and then crystal effects to his nose to make it shine! I stamped the sentiment on the Crumb Cake card base and then used a blender pen to trace the letters to give them a softer glowy-er look. I think it added a nice touch to the card.

Again you have TWO WEEKS (until the 28th) to create something that was inspired by the inspiration pictures above!

Thanks for looking!

Dark Roses- SCIC28

It's Thursday and that means time for another Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge! I can not believe it has been 28 weeks already!! If you have not joined us yet, or even if you have, :) we would love to have you play along!

When I first saw the inspiration pictures, all the darker-ish colors stood out to me and decided I was going to do something with them. Here is what I came up with this week. I used the rose image from the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set and a mix of Stampin' Write Markers and the Blender pens to get the different colors of roses that are pictured in the lower right picture.

I started by stamping the rose image three times using the masking technique onto water color paper using Black StazOn ink. Then I started adding color to the roses. For the darkest rose I used Elegant Eggplant and Early Espresso. I outlined the stamped lines of the rose with both markers and then used my blender pens to blend and fill in the rest f the rose. I did the same thing with the other two roses except used different colors. For the brown-ish rose I used Chocolate Chip, Elegant Eggplant and Daffodil Delight. For the lightest rose I used Blushing Bride and Daffodil Delight.

I mounted the main image onto a piece of Early Espresso card stock and then on to a piece of Very Vanilla card stock that I sent through my Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. I added the sentiment, from the stamp set Fundamental Phrases, added a Very Vanilla Satin bow that I dirtied up just a little bit using classic inks and the card was done!

Be sure to check out the other design team members cards this week too on the Stampin' Celebration blog!

Thanks for looking!

And I hope I inspired you to play with us this week!

Bright Flowers- SCIC26

It's Thursday and that means it is time for another Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge! This week we are celebrating sweets in all shapes, sizes and colors! Look at all the bright fun colors in all those candies and I was inspired by just that...all the fun bright colors this week!

Here is what I came up with, Bright Flowers! I LOVE water coloring and these flowers from the stamp set Awash with Flowers is always a fun one to color! I chose to use only colors from the Brights Collection on my card this week to match the colors of the candies in the inspiration pictures. The colors I used were Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive.

I started off by stamping the outlines if the flowers onto Water Color paper using Black StazOn ink and masking a little bit to make the flowers look like they were overlapping. Then I took the markers in the colors I used and added color to the flowers and used my blender pens to color them in.

I added the sentiment from Curly Cute on a wavy banner then mounted it to the main image and mounted that onto a Very Vanilla card base and the card was done!

Be sure to check out the other design team members creations too and I hope I inspired you to join us this week!

Thanks for looking!

A Classy Christmas- CCMC-HM4

It's Week 4 over at the Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition and it is time for our Saturday Challenge! Do you want to be entered into a drawing for one of two $75 Stampin' Up! merchandise gift certificates or two FREE passes to the NEXT edition of Create with Connie and Mary? If so, then head over to the Create with Connie and Mary blog and subscribe to the Holiday Edition and play along with us in the Saturday Challenges! It is never too late to join...you will have access to all the past projects and tutorials no matter when you join us!

This week we have been creating using the "Vintage Christmas" suite in the Holiday Mini Catalog. Our Saturday Challenge this week is a double challenge! Part one is using the colors Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Always Artichoke and Crumb Cake and part two is to make a "one of a kind" (a card that you will probably only make one of!).

I decided to use the Bells and Bough's stamp set and the Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper for my card this week and here is what I came up with, A Classy Christmas! I had fun adding layers and embellishments this card!

I started with a Soft Suede card base and then added a piece of Soft Suede card stock that I sent through my Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder and then used a Sponge Dauber and Soft Suede ink on it to help the texture pop. Then I added a small piece of Designer Series Paper from the Deck the Halls pack, that I also sponged on, to make a base for main image on my card.

Next I stamped the Poinsettia stamp all over a small piece Water Color paper and colored it in using Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke ink and my Blender Pens. Then, after all of that coloring, I covered it up with a piece of Vellum to give it a softer look and mounted it onto a piece of Cherry Cobble card stock.

Next I wheeled the Music Notes Wheel over a piece of Very Vanilla card stock using Early Espresso ink and then sponged Soft Suede on it and crumpled it up to give it more texture. Then that piece was mounted onto the Poinsettia/Vellum piece.

Next I took the large scalloped circle from the Scallop Circles #2 die in Always Artichoke and crumpled it, sponged it and added paper piercings to the scallops. That was mounted on top of the music paper in the center of the card.

Then for the main image on the card, I stamped the Bells images onto Water Color paper using Black StazOn and then colored it in using my Blender pens and the Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede and Early Espresso ink. Then I punched it out using the 2 1/2" Circle punch and added some Champagne Glass Glitter to the edges using Multi-Purpose Tombow glue. That piece was mounted to the scalloped circle and the sentiment was cut out and mounted to the image.

I finished off the card by adding a few Crumb Cake brads.

I absolutely LOVE the way this came out, but I do not think this will be our Christmas card this year....maybe a simpler version of it though! :)

Be sure to check out the other design team members "One of a Kind" card too:

Connie Babbert- Inkspired Treasures
Cristena Bagne- Gettin' Crafty
Jenn Picard- A New Ink on Life
Mary Brown- StamperCamper's Corner

Thanks for looking!

Old School Love You- CCCCact51, SSC172

When I saw Stacey's Curtain Call Color Challenge today, So Saffron, Marina Mist, Whisper White, Basic Black and Crumb Cake, I instantly wanted to play! Then when I was poking around blog world I found a challenge blog, new to me, called Stamping 411 and this week they have a simple sketch. So I decided to combine the two and make a card!

Here is what I came up with, Old School Love You. I LOVE water coloring and this stamp set, Greeting Card Kids, is perfect for it!

I stamped the girl using Black StazOn onto Water Color paper and then used my Blender pens and the appropriate colors to color her in. I hand cut the individual letters from the designer series paper pack Newsprint and arranged them on the Water Color paper.

I used the Cracked Glass Technique on the main image to give it more of an "Old School" look.

I added black Satin ribbon, a Crumb Cake button and a little Linen Thread to finish it off!

Thanks for looking!

Circled Fellows- SCIC21

It's Thursday and that means it is time for another Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge! This week we are celebrating with these fun-bright-kind-of girly outdoor party inspiration pictures! Be sure to check out the Stampin' Celebration blog and the other design team members projects this week.

Here is what I came up with, Circled Fellows! As you can see I pulled the colors from the top left inspiration picture and used them on my card. I used Wild Wasabi, Pretty in Pink, Peach Parfait, Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake. The little animals are from the level 2 hostess set Long Fellows.

I stamped each animal onto water color paper using Black StazOn and then colored them in using the appropriate markers and then used my blender pens to blend and soften them. Then I punched them out using the 3/4" Circle punch and mounted them on to the Crumb Cake card stock using Dimensionals. I added a Very Vanilla Satin ribbon and bow to the card to finish it off!

Here you can see the dimensionals popping the animals off the card a little bit.

Thanks for looking!

I hope I inspired you to play along with us this week!

And be sure to check out the Create with Connie and Mary blog...the preview period and early bird special is going on now...you do not want to miss it!

Cute Little Witch- CCMC115

This week over at the Create with Connie and Mary blog they have a fun fall-ish color challenge! The colors are Tangerine Tango, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla. They said you didn't have to make a fall themed project, but I decided I wanted to and I knew what set I wanted to use, the new Greeting Card Kids! I haven been wanting to use this super cute new set and this was the perfect color challenge to use with it.

Here is my card! I love coloring on water color paper and this stamp set is perfect for it! I stamped the little witch on to Water Color paper using Black StazOn and then used the markers from this weeks colors to highlight areas on the image. Then I came back in with my blender pen to blend and fill in the rest of the image.

I added the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes in Early Espresso and then tired a piece of Linen Thread around the image in a bow. I created the card base background by stamping the sentiment over and over again on the bottom half of the card and then I used Crumb Cake classic ink and the retired Canvas background stamp for the top half.

Thanks for looking!

P.S. Be sure to check back here frequently in the next week or so.....I have one free subscription to the Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition to give away!! And be sure to check out the Create with Connie and Mary blog...the preview period starts today!

Trio of Potted Flowers- CCCCact46

Stacey has some fresh fun colors this week for her Curtain Call Color Challenge Act 46 they are Wild Wasabi, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Peach Parfait and Poppy Parade. I just love the inspiration picture this week...poppies!

Here is what I came up with, a trio of potted flowers! The image is from the retired stamp set Wagon Full of Fun and I stamped it onto Water Color paper using Black StazOn and the making technique for there to be three potted flowers together. I colored them in using the markers from this weeks colors and then my blender pen to blend and add shadows.

I mounted the main image onto a piece of Peach Parfait card stock and then that on to a piece of card stock I sent through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka-Dots embossing folder added the ribbon, Jumbo Brads and the sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp set and it was done!

Thanks for looking!

Dad's Brand New Yellow Four-Wheeler

Here is the birthday card I made for my Dad! My Mom and Dad have just gotten a new four-wheeler and it is yellow, so that is where my inspiration came from for this card!

The Woodgrain background stamp was stamped on to Sahara Sand card stock using Early Espresso ink. Then I cut it in to four equal chunks and sponged all the edges and put them on to the chocolate Chip card base.

I stamped the four-wheeler from the set Loads of Fun on to Water Color Paper in Black StazOn ink, colored it in using markers and my Aqua Painter Pen and then used the making technique to stamp the trees behind it in Always Artichoke classic ink and then blended them in a bit using my Aqua Painter Pen. I added a little Crystal Effects to the four-wheeler so it would shine.....remember....it is brand new! :)

Then I used the new 2 1/2" Circle punch from the Holiday Mini Catalog to punch put the four-wheeler and then popped it off the card using dimensionals. The sentiment is from the Fundamental Phrases stamp set.

Thanks for looking!

Happy Bird-day Line Up- Artisan Award Submissions 2010

Here is another one of my cards I made for Stampin' Up!'s Artisan Award. It uses the making technique and water coloring. I also used the Big Shot and a texture plate to texture the card base. I think it came out cute!

I love using Stampin' Up!'s Watercolor paper when I am coloring anything, it makes it easier to blend the colors together and to make shadows for your image.

Thanks for looking!

p.s. If you are a demo and were at convention, you may have see this on the display boards...it was there!