VC Rocks & SCS Challenge Card

This is a card that I made for 2 challenges - this week's challenge #5 for VCR and today's SCS Featured Stampers.  You can find the card I cased for today's Featured Stamper HERE.  For the VCR challenge card, you had to use 3 Regal colors, a brown from the neutral family and 2 embellishments.  Here's the card and the details:

Stamps: Just Believe
Inks: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
Papers: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper EF, More Mustard Brads, Metallic Brads, CAD, Paper Piercing Tool, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Distressing Tool, Sponge, Dimensionals

This Week's Creative Sketch

Hey Everyone - Hope you're doing well this Thursday!  Thanks for stopping by to check out this week's sketch challenge!  Here's the sketch:

And below is my card.  I cut a circle out of a piece of typing paper using a 2-1/2" circle punch and placed it over the stamped image of the sail boat.  Next I sponged Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Tangerine Tango inside the circle.  I then stamped the boat again on a scrap piece of white cardstock and then cut out just the sails.  I sponged the water with Pacific Ink and Daffodil Delight.  The saying was created in MDS using Early Espresso ink.  I got the idea for this card from the incredibly talented Mary Brown, and you can see her card HERE.  Below are the details:

Side View of the card

Stamps: Sail Away
Inks: Early Espresso, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango,
Papers: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Pacific Point
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Round Tab Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Sponges, Scissors, Dimensionals

Open Sea MDS 3-D Project

I saw an incredible project that Melanie Schulenberg posted on her blog using MDS and an image from the new summer mini, The Open Sea.  Melanie downloaded the image of the ship, enlarged it and then watercolored in the image - which you can view HERE.  Isn't her boat just incredible???  I downloaded the Open Sea Stamp digital images just the other day and when I saw her amazing project, I knew I wanted to give it a try!  I used a number of inks to watercolor in my ship as well, printed the image a second time and colored in the sails and then cut them out.  I mounted them with dimensionals and then placed black string in different areas on the sail using my paper piercing tool.

I tried to take a picture of what the sails looked like from underneath, but wasn't able to get that great of a picture.  But I think you can get the idea:

Images: MDS The Open Sea Stamp Brush Set
Papers: Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso, Confetti White
Inks: Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso, So Saffron, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Soft Suede
Accessories: MDS, Watercolor Brush, Sponges, Dimensionals, Black Thread, Paper Piercing Tool, Scissors, Adhesive, Picture Frame

Here is the downloadable images, The Open Sea Stamp Brush Set #124112

I Won This Week's VC Rocks Color Challenge!

I recently joined a Yahoo group called, VC Rocks.  This week's challenge was to make a card using subtle colors and Early Espresso.  This card is similar to the one posted earlier; I just changed the colors and the template up a bit.

Stamps: Sail Away, Just Believe (saying)
Inks: Early Espresso, So Saffron, Bashful Blue
Papers: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Silver Brads, CAD, Sponges, Dimensionals, Mini-Glue Dots, Scissors

Sail Away Case

I saw a card that the incredibly talented Mary Brown did on her blog, and knew I wanted to case this awesome card; which you can find HERE.  I have to admit I love how this card turned out!  The sun was sponged using the colors Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Tangerine Tango.  Very easy card to do, but very dramatic looking!  Thanks for the great idea Mary!  Here's the details:

Stamps: Sail Away, Warmest Regards
Papers: Whisper White, Pacific Point
Inks: Early Espresso, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Modern Label Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Silver Eyelets, CAD, Early Espresso Bakers Twine, Watercolor Brush, Sponges, Scissors, Dimensionals

LNS & VC Rocks Challenge

This week's LNS challenge was to case one of your own cards.  This is the card I cased:

I recently joined the Yahoo group, VC Rocks, which is a "virtual SU convention" site.  This week's challenge was to use Subtle colors along with Early Espresso.  I embossed the flower using a VersaMark pad, stamped the image into my Rose Red inkpad, and then heat set it with clear embossing powder.  The following is what I came up with:

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Thank You Kindly
Inks: Rose Red, Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso, VersaMark Pad, Rose Red
Papers: Whisper White, Early Espresso
Accessories: Early Espresso Brad, Paper Piercing Tool, Heat Gun, Clear Embossing Powder, Scissors, SAMJ, Dimensional

This Week's Creative Sketch

For this week's Creative Sketch challenge, we needed to make a card using this sketch:

I actually did 2 cards for this one.  The following is the card I ended up using for the challenge.  I thought the designer paper I put behind the flower image was too bold on the first card, so I changed it up.  I think it looks more balanced and compliments the flower image rather than take away from it.  I promise that for next week's challenge I will use a different stamp set!  I just love this set and seem drawn to it every time I want to make a card.........

Stamps: Fabulous Florets
Inks: VersaMark, Wild Wasabi
Papers: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Beyond the Garden DP
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Oval Scallop Die, Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die, Melon Mambo Emboss Powder, Heat Gun, Melon Mambo Ribbon, Jumbo White Brad, Paper Piercing Tool, Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals, Mini-Glue Dots, Scissors

And here is my first card - see what I mean about the Daffodil Delight DP being too busy against the flower image?  What do you think?

Graduation Card

The following is the graduation card I made for my daughter, Chelsie:

Stamps: Happy Grad
Inks: Real Red
Papers: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red DP, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Owl Punch, Graduation Embellishments

And here is the graduate!

Another LNS Father's Day Challenge Card

The following is another card I made for this week's LNS challenge.  I used the masked technique to place the trees behind the boaters.  My daughter, Chelsie, graduates from high school this afternoon, so I'm off to start getting ready.  Here's the details:

Stamps: Sail Away, Lovely as a Tree
Inks: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue
Papers: Basic Gray, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Accessories: Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Decorative Label Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Basic Gray Brads, Watercolor Brush, Sponge, Dimensionals, Post-it-Note

Sail Way LNS Card

This week's LNS challenge was to make a Father's Day card and this is what I came up with.  I used the set, Sail Away, from the new summer mini.  I watercolored in the image using Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Basic Grey and Not Quite Navy inkpads and my trusty watercolor brush.  I used a bone folder and a distressing tool to distress the cardstock.  Here's the details:

Stamps: Sail Away, MDS (saying)
Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Basic Gray
Papers: Basic Gray, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Accessories: Watercolor Brush, Early Espresso/White Baker's Twine, Cherry Cobbler Brads, Paper Piercing Tool, Designer Label Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Color Spritzer Tool, Bone Folder, Distressing Tool, Dimensionals, Sponge

SCS Color Challenge

Below is the card that I made for today's SCS Color Challenge using the colors So Saffron, Blushing Bride and Certainly Celery.  I love this soft color combo., and I wasn't sure how it would work on this card, but I think it turned out cute.  Here's the details:

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, SAB So Happy For You (saying)
Inks: So Saffron, Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery
Papers: Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polk Dot EF, Oval Punch, So Saffron Ribbon, Pink Corduroy Buttons, Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals, Scissors

Medallion Bliss Birthday Card

I made the following birthday card for a co-worker.  The butterflies are from the retired SAB set, Bliss, as well as the images along the edge of the Blushing Bride cardstock.  I double layered the Blushing Bride butterflies so they would "pop" off the card.  Here's the details:

Side view:

Stamps: Medallion Background, Retired SAB Bliss, Retired Watercolor Trio (saying)
Inks: Blushing Bride, Early Espresso
Papers: Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso
Accessories: Blushing Bride Ribbon, Sticky Tape, Pearls, Oval Punch, Distressing Tool, Scissors, Dimensionals, Mini-Glue Dots, Sponge, Paper Piercing Tool

Honoring My Mom

My Mom; Myrtle Kaput

Someone who modeled strength, purpose, courage, and

perseverance during her 11 month battle with lung cancer.

She was and will always be my hero♥

Yesterday was Mother's Day, probably one of the hardest days of the year for me.  My mom, Myrtle Kaput, passed away 5 years ago after an 11 month battle with lung cancer.  During that time, she endured 4 surgeries and lost her left leg due to complications from the chemo/cancer. She never was able to walk again, but during those 11 months she taught me so much about determination, perseverance, hope, courage and strength.  That was also a time that I will forever cherish as God brought about healing and restoration to not only our relationship, but to her relationship with God.  I can't wait to see her again when we'll walk together for an eternity!

Mother's Day Card

I made the following Mother's Day card for my Mother-In-Law, and also for this week's LNS challenge.  We needed to use 3 embellishments on a card, so I went to 3 Rhinestones each on the base of the cut-out butterflies.  I used my Digital Studio to create the saying.  I wanted the color for the saying to match the rest of the card and love how easy it to use MDS for this!  Here's the scoop:

Stamps: Strength and Hope
Inks: Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz
Papers: Whisper White, Poppy Parade
Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Rhinestone Jewels, Oval Punch, MDS, Poppy Parade Ribbon, Scissors, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip

This Week's Creative Sketch

Welcome to this week's Creative Sketch!  Here is this week's sketch:

And below is the card that I came up with.  I used one of my favorite retired sets, Pocket Fun, for my project.  I stamped the pocket on a piece of BAB Workshop Pawsitively Prints designer paper; cut it out and layered it on a piece of So Saffron card stock.  I then added an eyelet on each corner at the top using my Crop-a-Dile.  The flowers were watercolored using Poppy Parade, and the leaves were colored using Pear Pizzazz.  They were cut out and I added So Saffron brads to the center.  Here's the details:

Stamps: Pocket Fun
Inks: Basic Black, Poppy Parade, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Close to Cocoa, Blushing Bride
Papers: Whisper White, So Saffron, BAB Workshop Pawsitively Prints DP
Accessories: Silver Eyelets, CAD, So Saffron Brads, Paper Piercing Tool, Watercolor Brush, Oval Punch, Poppy Parade Ribbon, Dimensionals

LNS FS Challenge Card

Hope you don't mind all the Fabulous Florets cards I have been making lately!  I can't help it, I love this new set and how bright and spring-like it is!  I made this card for today's LNS Featured Stamper challenge.  The featured stamper today is Susan, AKA Late Blossom and you can see her awesome gallery HERE.  Thanks for stopping by, I have a pumpkin pie in the oven and I need to go see if it's done - yumm-o!

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Warmest Regards
Inks: Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz
Papers: Whisper White
Accessories: White Brad, Paper Piercing Tool, Scissors, SAMJ, Dimensional