Treats for someone Sweet!

 How many of you knew this was coming? LOL! So far I've made carrots, strawberries and now watermelon wedges! I knew when I saw the carrot treat box die that I would definitely get my money's worth because the creative possibilities are endless! I experimented with different techniques to achieve the look of an actual watermelon, but ultimately decided on this. I woke up this morning and noticed that the new Color Throwdown Challenge was up and so I quickly finished my project so that I could play! How fitting is this photo??? LOL!

 I was only planning on one, but then when I imagined how cute a half circle of melon would be, I got to work and made 2 more. I actually have 3 people who I wanted to give a little treat to anyway, so I'm excited to have this project done!

 As I was digging through my stash of stamps to find the perfect sentiment, I was thrilled to find that the So Sweet stamp set that was released at the same time as the carrot treat box die, had some fabulous sentiments that work year round! They also coordinate perfectly to fit inside the included tag dies as well. I die cut my tags out of true black cardstock and then heat embossed the sentiment using pink embossing powder. My daughter was looking through my stash the other day and mentioned that I never use pink...she was thrilled that I used it here!

 To begin, I die cut 6 of the carrot treat box die because you use two pieces per box. I added some 1/8 inch scor tape to the tabs to connect the pieces together and then got started with my sponging. 

 I used Fired Brick at the point and then blended in some Worn Lipstick as I worked my way up the box. I ended so that I could leave enough white space like a real watermelon has. I then blended in the cracked pistachio at the top. I expermented with a few water splashing techniques but decided that I liked just spritzing the water directly onto the paper using my spray bottle. 

 I was so excited to make the watermelon seeds! I knew that I could make some very realistic looking seeds by using some Ebony Black Nuvo Drops. I had done some direct to paper seeds on an earlier attempt and realized that they are just too tempermental to risk on something that takes a lot of time. I decided to just make them on some plastic so that I could create them just as I wanted. I ended up making a whole army of seeds! LOL! I needed 12 for each box so I ended up making A LOT because they didn't all end up looking like seeds. 

 I adhered the seeds before I assembled the boxes so that they could dry flat. I used Tombow Mono Multi Glue because it dries clear. That is always a plus! 

I picked up some boxes of Sour Patch watermelon candy at the dollar store which worked out great because they are packaged in a cello bag inside the box. I simply took them out of the box, folded them in half and then stuffed them inside. They barely fit! Whew! I added the gingham ribbon and tag to finish them off! I had so much fun putting these together! Thanks for fluttering by!

The Challenge #87 Always here for you!

I'm back today sharing my card for this week's color challenge from The Challenge! As you can see, my mind didn't translate the blue color as well as I thought~ LOL! My mind said "Mint" so I used Mint, but it's definitely a little bluer. Maybe I'll get a chance to make a  new card this week using the right color! Anyway, I really hope you take the time to play along this week! You can read all about it HERE! You won't want to miss what the other designers have created as well!

Anita Madden

Claire Broadwater

Kim Heggins

Lee Ann Barret

Lori Tecler

Nance Salkeld

Nina Forsyth

Rachel Bergfeld

Vicki Finger

I've been doing a lot of watercolor backgrounds and things lately so I decided to work on something nice and clean. I started by stamping the leaves from Brushed Blooms in Mint Julep and the shadows in Vintage Jadeite. The flowers were stamped in Cameo Coral and Melon Mamba inks.

The mint cardstock was die cut using the You've Been Framed; Oval die. It brought in just the right amount of color for balance and contrast.

The two sentiments are both heat embossed using Copper powder. I really wanted to keep the sentiment as near to the challenge colors as well, and I thought copper was a great choice!

I added some crystal clear Nuvo drops and sequins to finish it off, as well as a tiny spritz of cameo coral ink here and there. Thanks for fluttering by!

A note of thanks color challenge

I wouldn't even want to venture a guess at how long it has been since I have participated in a color challenge. I just know it has been a really long time. I decided to change up my daily routine a bit and sit down and stamp as soon as the kids left for school. I usually feel this impending need to get the house all put together for the day and such, but I have found that this, in all reality, could and does take me all day and then I never get a chance to do the things that I really want to do. I think laundry, dishes, bed making, etc. is the Stay At Home Mom's version of "Going Postal"! I always think to myself, "didn't I just do this?". LOL! I guess it is every woman's version whether you stay home or not, because it needs to be done regardless.

So...the colors for today are Chocolate Chip, Real Red, and Kraft. Easy peasy. I chose to use a retired "Simply Sent" kit for my images; simple delights. I used a different sentiment even though I love the ones that come with that set. I am in serious need of some thank you cards to send out since my birthday. I am a little behind. While I was at Michael's the other day picking up some adhesive, I spied these silver gem stickers that ended up in my basket. I thought they were a nice addition to give it some shine. In the end I think this card wound up looking a little like a western burlesque girl; soooooo not the look I was going for. Oh well.... I had fun anyway.

As I mentioned last week, my son had his first football game of the season on Saturday. I felt bad for the team since it was so stinking hot. This Saturday is looking to be 95 degrees, which is cooler than last, but still hot to be wearing all of those heavy pads, uniform and helmet. My computer ate the photos I had with my son in them, but I still thought that this picture of the partial line up was cute. I think my son as well as all the players pictured would probably die if they knew I just used the word "cute" to describe them. Anyway, they ended up winning 33-0. My son had a fumble recovery and ran about 8 yards before he was tackled. He said that he was so nervous he was running the wrong way. LOL!

My daughter had her first day of dance yesterday. She gave me this totally cheeser smile, but is such a cutie, I guess I can forgive her. I took Ballet growing up and it has been my desire for her to try it as well. I finally found the perfect studio that caters to Classical Ballet and so I know she will get good training. Anyway...I guess I have been rambling. Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments on yesterday's post. Thanks for fluttering by!

Background Check

Hello! I am so pleased that I am here two days in a row! Can you see me smiling? LOL! The girls (my daughter and the girl I babysit) are out of school for 3 days while they do Kindergarten testing, so I decided to stamp this morning. I haven't participated in the SCS color challenge in ages, so I decided to give it a try. I haven't used *any* background stamps for such a long time I opted to use those rather than any pattern paper. I chose to use "Bella Toile" and "En Francais". I really don't have that many backround stamps anymore that haven't retired. Once I had the background done, I didn't know what focal image I should use. As I sat there deciding, I realized that the "Bella Toile" Background stamp had a great focal image on it.

I just inked up a portion and stamped it onto my oval that I cut using my nestabilities. I had fun coloring it with re-inkers and prismacolor markers. Once I had it colored, I added a touch of crystal effects to parts of the flowers and then sprinkled it with chunky essentials glitter. I was afraid that the large glitter would distract from the flowers and all of the detail, but it worked out nicely.

I decided to add a few pearls to the corners once I had punched them with the ticket corner punch. I also added a vintage button replica threaded with linen thread and adhered it with a glue dot.

My son has his last baseball game tonight, so I will be putting together coach treats. I will share them with you when I am done! Thanks for fluttering by!

Color Challenge

Yesterday I decided to skip housecleaning, skip stamping and spend the day with my kiddos! They returned to school today after a long break, so I wanted to have one last outing before they went back. We had fun together and now I am ready to send them back. I hope they have a good day! Maybe some Chocolate Chip cookies are in order!
I decided to participate in today's Color Challenge on SCS. I wanted to run the other direction when I saw what the colors were, but I decided to give it a try; after all, that is why they are called challenges, right? Mr. Brown delivered this "Great Friend" set yesterday, so I decided to use that as a starting point. Once I had stamped the butterfly image in the three challenge colors, I was set. They really do look pretty together. I think that the polka-dot paper, may in fact be Wild Wasabi. Oh well. This card is SUO, which I haven't done in a while.

I stamped the label image using Ballet Blue ink onto Whisper White cardstock and then attached my trimmed butteflies with dimesionals. I decided to add a little bling to the centers of the butterflies using Crystal Effects and chunky sprinkles glitter. I added some piercing, ribbon, and a button for some dimension and detail.

Thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies~Stamps: Great Friend

Ink: Ballet Blue, Cameo Coral, Whisper White

Paper: Cameo Coral, Garden Green, Ballet Blue, Whisper White, Prints Pattern DSP

Accessories: Ballet Blue 5/8 inch grograin ribbon, dimensionals, button latte, crochet thread, crystal effects, chunky sprinkles, paper piercer and mat pack

Here for You...24-7

If you could see my stamping desk, you would be amazed that this card even exists! LOL! I almost took a picture for you to witness the horror, but decided against it! I decided that I would combine a couple of challenges today; this week's mojo monday sketch challenge and today's color challenge on SCS. I thought this week's sketch looked like fun and the layout worked well for many stamp sets that I have, but decided to pull out the "Friends 24-7" set that I love. I haven't used it in a while so I thought it would be a nice fit.

I started out by stamping the flower image with black ink and then coloring it with re-inkers and a blender pen. Mine are almost dry now, so I think a new pack is in order. There is nothing better than coloring with a new blender pen. I first colored the flowers completely with Pink Pirouette and then added Riding Hood Red on top. The leaves were colored with Certainly Celery and then a little highlighting with So Saffron.

My first thought was to use Bella Rose DSP, but decided on Candy Lane since it was already out in my horrific mess. I thought it looked cute with this image, too! I matted each piece except the base piece onto Riding Hood Red cardstock for contrast. Once I had the card all put together, I spritzed the focal piece and circle image with the Color Spritzer Tool and my Chocolate Chip marker.

I finished the design off with a bit of piercing at the top and then added three vintage brads to the side as the sketch had. I added some crystal effects to the flowers for some shine. This card will be headed directly into the donation pile!

As for my personal life, we finally got my son's birthday party plans figured out. He decided on a bowling party which should be super fun. Now I just need to get the invitations figured out and put together. I don't have a bowling stamp, so I will be getting creative! Also, this is the last day of my guest designer position for Verve Stamps! I have had so much fun! I will be participating in the project parade, so I will have a project upcoming! I will be working on that today and hopefully getting it all photographed, etc! Thanks for fluttering by!


Friends 24-7 Stamp Set
Paper:Candy Lane DSP, White, Riding Hood Red Cardstock
Ink: Black, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Circle Punches, scallop punch, vintage brads, riding hood red taffeta ribbon, paper piercer and mat pack, scissors, crystal effects, blender pen

You make this world a better place

I have some fun and exciting news to share. I have a card posted on the Verve Blog today....I am one of the March Guest Divas! Isn't that fun! I was so thrilled to be asked and I have had so much fun working with all of the new images. I will also be a guest with Jodi Collins (aka. Kharmagirl) . I guess I can share the news since Jodi's sneak peek card was shown yesterday and mine today! I have been wanting to share the news, but of course had to keep quiet until today. The official release will be on March 8th...there are so many darling images!

Today's Color Challenge was to use Kiwi Kiss, Pink Passion and Chocolate Chip. I thought they sounded pretty fun, so I thought I would give it a go. This was my third and final attempt and I am not that pleased with the results. I wasn't going to *not* post it though....after all that!

I have been itching to use this darling cupcake image from Lockhart Stamp Co. I got it last month and it has sat un-inked. I thought that it would be perfect for today's challenge. What could be better than a chocolate cupcake with yummy pink flowers! I have always wanted to try my hand at candied edible flowers. I paired it with Bella Rose DSP because it had chocolate chip and kiwi kiss in it. I thought the polka dots worked well with this design. I used one of my Verve sentiments from the set "All About You".

I watercolored the images with an aquapainter and ink refills. I added a little crystal coarse glitter to mimic a candied flower. Of course I had to do some distressing and add some buttons. Thanks for fluttering by!

Stamps: Cupcake image from Lockhart Stamp Co. , All About You by Verve Stamps
Ink: Palette Noir, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Passion, Pink Pirouette
Paper: Naturals White, Bella Rose DSP, Pink Passion
Accessories: Foam Squares, sponge, Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon, 1 3/8 inch circle punch, buttons from the Paper Studio

Dazzling Citrus

I am seriously behind on this week's SCS challenges. Normally I would just forgo them, but I really wanted to try and get them done this week. I decided to combine yesterday's sketch challenge and Tuesday's Color Challenge. I haven't used Tart and Tangy for some time and I thought it would work well for both challenges. I couldn't find a way to make this fit into today's WT challenge or I would have! LOL! This card is clean and crisp...I was in the mood. I have been doing a lot of vintage lately.

I started out by stamping the fruit images onto white cardstock and then punching them out with my 1 1/4 inch square punch. I then mounted them onto a piece of "Good Morning Sunshine" DSP. I added crystal effects to the center of the lemon and orange and the peel of the apple and then poured dazzling diamonds glitter over the top.

I also used my texture plates from SU!. If anyone has any tips for getting them to work in a Cuttlebug I would love to hear them. This is what I did: A plate, texture plate face up, cardstock, two tan rubber mats from Spellbinders, B plate and then I ran it through my cuttlebug. You can hardly see it, but I used it on the back Pumpkin Pie layer. It is super subtle, but in real life you can see it better. Everything else is pretty self-explanatory, but I did add a corduroy button that I love. I really need to get a few more colors.

I really liked making this card because I used a set I haven't used in a while as well as the pumpkin pie cardstock. The top pieces were completely faded. Hmmmm....that is not so good! LOL!

Thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies:

Stamps: Tart and Tangy, Best Yet

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Summer Sun

Paper: White, Pumpkin Pie, Good Morning Sunshine DSP

Accessories: Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain ribbon, corduroy button, linen thread, dimensionals, dazzling diamonds glitter, crystal effects, 1 1/4 inch square punch, SU! Texture Plates

Get Well Soon

Today's Color Challenge over at SCS was to use More Mustard, Kiwi Kiss and Rose Red. I decided to use the new Thoughts and Prayers set from SU! hoping that it would be a good fit with these colors. I love this set, but didn't want to use any of the Sympathy sentiments, so I opted for the "Get Well Soon" greeting instead. It is not uncommon to find one or more people sick this time of year, so I thought it would be a good one to have on hand or add to my *give-away* stash. These colors actually reminded me of the Disney version of "Sleeping Beauty", especially adding black into the mix. I was really wishing I had some type of Renaissance set or something that I could recreate that same feel. Oh well...!

I am seriously in love with the tree from this set and I am hoping to get the Decor Elements with this same image for my living room. This card is pretty straightforward. I did add a little piercing and I used my Textile Embossing Folder for the background. It is one of my favorites, yet I haven't used it in a while. I also used my color spritzer tool to add some black ink flecks. I am throwing together a last minute stamp club for tonight, so I better run and figure out some projects! Thanks for fluttering by!


Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Palette Noir
Paper: PTI White, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, More Mustard, Rose Red DSP (retired)
Accessories: Slot Punch, Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon, Vintage Brads, Mini Library Clips, Foam Squares, Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, Cuttlebug and Textile Embossing Folder

Mojo Thanks!

I have decided that if I am going to participate in all of the challenges that I enjoy, I am going to need to combine them on occasion. Since I never got the energy to stamp yesterday, I decided to comine today's Color Challenge from SCS and this week's Mojo Monday sketch. I really liked the springy colors and it gave me an excuse to use the one image from "Friends 24-7" that I haven't used yet. I hope you aren't getting sick of this set, because it is one of my new faves. I thought this card really showed the versatility that this set has. I also paired it with the "Friendly Words" Jumbo wheel (surprise, surprise)!

I used a blender pen to color the image using Old Olive, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette and Perfect Plum. I used the "Bella Toile" BG stamp using Pink Pirouette ink on Pink Pirouette cardstock. I used a button from the Button Bouquet assortment, using linen thread to thread it. I secured it with a glue dot. I tied a simple bow of white taffeta ribbon and added some piercing to finish it off. There was a time when *every* card I made had piercing on it somewhere. I rarely pierce and more, so I thought it was time to add a little.

This card is *almost* SUO. I used PTI white and foam squares, but those things could be swapped out easily to make this 100% SUO.

Since being sick, I got a little behind on Valentine's projects. I will probably be posting only Valentine's designs for the rest of the week. I have things I would like to make for my kid's teachers and such. Thanks for fluttering by!

Stamps: Friends {24-7}, Friendly Words jumbo Wheel , Bella Toile BG
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Perfect Plum, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive
Cardstock: PTI White, Perfect Plum, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Paper Piercer and Mat pack, sponge, brayer, white taffeta ribbon, button bouquet, linen thread, foam squares, blender pen, crystal effects

Season of Friendship

I was bound and determined to use this set and make it work. I have tried countless times to use this set with the tree base and the snowflake, but it never looked right. I decided to give it another try but this time using the leaves and the flowers. Things went much smoother this time. I used the Color Challenge over at SCS for a starting point. The colors are perfect for this card. I took some inspiration from Dawn's card she sent me (see yesterday's post). I used the multi colored sentiment and button on the side. I love her card. I have it sitting right here. I also poppped up the flowers with dimensionals. I stamped most of the flowers with regal rose and some were stamped off with regal rose and then rolled in bravo burgundy. I added chunky sprinkles to the center of each flower for some sparkle. I decided that since this was a springy card, the bird really needed a nest. I created the nest by cutting Kraft cardstock strips super thin with my big SU! paper trimmer. I tied them in a knot and then knotted it again. I trimmed the ends and then applied it to the tree with a glue dot. I paper pierced the bottom with my mat pack and paper piercer. I had fun making this card! Thanks for fluttering by!

Stamps: Season of Friendship
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip Craft
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose, White, Kraft
Accessories: Slit Punch, Regal Rose brad, Kiwi Kiss button, Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon, linen thread, chunky sprinkles glitter, liquid glue

Birthday Blues

Today's Color Challenge over at SCS was to use Kraft, Not Quite Navy, and Baja Breeze! I started out using "Season of Friendship" but when I was on my second try, I decided to get out a new stamp set. I chose "Wow Flowers" because I thought these colors would work well for a birthday card. My friend's birthday is on the 18th and I want to give her a bunch of handmade cards as part of her present. She mentioned that she was in need, so I thought that it would be a great gift. She mentioned that she needed a lot of thank you cards and birthday cards, so this will be one that I will add to her growing stash.

The card is pretty straightforward. I just used a lot of punches for the raised image. Quick and easy with some fun details! I recently did something to my back and it has been sore for a while. It was on the mend and then something seriously went wrong yesterday, so it is hard for me to sit in a chair for too long. Hopefully I will be back

tomorrow with a better back. Thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies: Wow Flowers stamp set

Ink: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Vintage Photo distress ink

Paper: PTI White, Kraft, Baja Breeze, Not quite navy

Accessories: Paper Piercer and Mat Pack, 3/4 inch circle punch, 1 inch circle punch 1 1/4 inch circle punch, 1 3/8 inch circle punch, scallop punch, kraft taffeta ribbon, dimensionals and foam squares, cuttlebug and embossing folder

Butterfly Thanks

Today's color challenge was a little difficult for me. I usually don't gravitate towards these color combinations, but that is why it is a challenge, right? LOL! Anyway, I reached for my "Flight of the Butterfly" set that I recieved at convention. I wanted to use flowers, but there wasn't any green in the challenge, so that wouldn't work. I thought that these butterflies would look cute in these colors. I made it quick and simple, but adding a little dimension by using two different cuttlebug embossing folders. I decided to make it a Thank You card, since I will be needing quite a few in the next few days! Unless...I am getting coal this year! LOL!

My Orchid Opulence cardstock has been seriously neglected...it had some fading around all of the edges. I know that they say it is best to keep cardstock out of the light, but I prefer to have mine out where I can see it. I guess I should use ALL of my colors more! I was excited to use some of my retired orchid ribbon as well. I hang on to all of the retired ribbon and accessories for such an occasion. I find that I use alot of my retired colored accessories when I do the color challenges.

I am still on a dead run trying to get everything done before Christmas. I guess we are on the final countdown, now! I made some caramels last night and when I woke up they were hard as a rock. I guess I missed that "soft ball" stage and went right into the hard ball stage! Oh well...they are easy enough to redo. I make them every year and they usually turn out perfect. I will stop rambling....thanks for fluttering by!

200th Post

I promised something fun...but I ran out of time. I am supposed to be getting my safety and emissions done on my car and a whole bunch of other things! LOL! Tis the season to be busy! Hopefully I can take some time to put together a fun project. I have something in mind, but it is going to take some time. I did sneak some stamping time today to do the SCS color challenge. I noticed that most people were making snowmen cards and winter themes, so I decided to go for a birthday card to change it up a bit. However, after I was done, I really was wishing I had made a winter card! Go figure! Anyway...I got the idea to give the bugs a hat from the talented Valerie Stangle. She did this a year or more ago and I thought it was darling. I have hung on to my small sayings stamp set and I will never part with it. I love the sayings and the cute small images that come with it. I also paired it with some of the Muirfield DSP. I thought these patterns worked well for a birthday card. I added some piercing, brads and ribbon and called it good! Thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies:]

Stamp sets: small sayings, bugs and kisses

ink: taken with teal, baja breeze, riding hood red, going gray

paper: taken with teal, baja breeze, riding hood red, muirfield dsp

accessories: paper piercer and mat pack, clip assortment, silver brads, foam squares

Wanted!

It is now 2:00 and I finally got a chance to stamp! I have a few ladies coming over for stamp club tonight, so I really should be prepping for that. I decided to use the colors from today's Color Challenge over at SCS. I thought they would work well with Bronc Buster and Wanted from SU! (Sorry about the double pictures...I uploaded it wrong and I am too lazy to fix it!) I used my cuttlebug and the Paisley embossing folder for the background. I also used the star and Paisley image from Wanted as well. I sponged, distressed and pierced. Poor card! Thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies: Wanted, Bronc Buster stamp sets

Ink: Sahara Sand, Black

Paper: Vanilla, Black, Sahara Sand

Accessories: star punch, sponge, gingham ribbon, star brads, paper piercer and mat pack, paisley embossing folder, cuttlebug, foam squares, silver brads

Today's Color Challenge

I haven't participated in any of the challenges over at Splitcoaststampers lately, so I decided to check out today's color challenge. This is the card that I created for the challenge. I really love this set...as you can tell, since I used it yesterday as well. I have a new box of SU! goodies coming tomorrow and I will have some new stuff to play with. So...until then...I used some of my faves. I used *touch of nature*, sanded bg, floral bg, and *hugs and wishes*. I really like how this card turned out. I never would have thought to put these colors together. That is why I love the challenges so much! Thanks for dropping by. Stay posted for some exciting news and some BLOG CANDY!!!!