Two cards-Two Challenges

I was super busy yesterday, but I really wanted to participate in the color challenge over at SCS, so I made a card last night. The challenge was to make Yo-Yo Yellow look *good*! I had to laugh because I rarely use yo-yo yellow, so I was on board. I struggled with which stamps I could use that would pull off this challenge. I thought about birthday, because it is bright and fun, but opted for something a little more classy. I hadn't used Happy Harmony for a *long* time and thought it could use some love. The other two neutrals to use were going gray and basic gray. I had fun making this card. I think I *may* pull yo-yo yellow out a little more often.

My second card is for today's sketch challenge. When I saw the sketch, I knew a little mouse from The Saltbox Studio would be perfect. The set that I used is called Celebration Companion. It features this mouse and a variety of fun sentiments. I stamped the image with Brilliance Graphite Black ink and then punched it out with my large marvy circle punch. Since I was in the mood to continue using a bright yellow, I punched a marvy scallop with a yellow Amuse notecard and layered the circle onto that. I also used an Amuse notecard for the background polka-dot piece. I then colored the image with an assortment of Copic and Prismacolor markers choosing to bring in some other bright colors. It was from the image that I completed the card, choosing red and blue to make it pop. I added some stickles to the balloon and a few Amuse twinkle gems to bring the yellow into the card for consistency. I stamped the sentiment that is included in the Celebration Companion set and punched it out and raised it with dimensionals. I had a lot of fun using this sketch and these great images! Have you ordered yours yet? I hope so. I can't wait to see what you all come up with!!!!

A Tasty Treat

I absolutely love to cook. I absolutely love to stamp. I love it when I can combine the two. I made these cookies and decided I would surprise a friend with a bag of them. Of course it needed a tag, so this is what I came up with. I *love* this color combo. I wanted something a little elegant, so I used Carte Postale, one of my most beloved stamp sets. I also added the scrumptious chocolate chip ribbon that was featured in the holiday mini. I love using it, but I will admit...I am pacing myself so that I can have it for those special projects. I also stamped French Flair BG with Cotton White StazOn on a sheet of acetate, frosted the edges as well and then layered that for some dimension. Since I was using decadent ribbon, I added some bling and a piece of aged copper hodgepodge hardware to finish it off! Thanks for fluttering by!

Comfy * Cozy

I *so* wanted to reach for my snowmen stamps again today, but decided on this darling image from the set Candle Glow by The Saltbox Studio! If you could see outside my house right now, you would know why I chose this. We have high winds and snow, which equals blizzard like conditions!!! I thought this image would be perfect for a day like today. Now...I wasn't going for a Christmas card even though I used burgundy and green. I was just trying to get a warm feel, which I think I captured. These candles are so fun to color and I love the berries and stars. How fun! I am still getting used to coloring with alcohol based markers, so please bear with me as I learn each day. I have some fun SU! projects that I will be posting soon! I recieved some more fun goodies the other day with my club order and I am itching to play! I have guests coming for dinner, so I have tidying up to do and dinner prep. Hope you all have a comfy*cozy day!

K.I.S.S.

Do you every have those days when you want to sit down and stamp but don't have much time? Today was one of those days for me. So...today's post stands for {keep it simple, stampers} For today's card I went with what worked; a fabulous printed Amuse notecard, a darling stamp and a coordinating sentiment. This particular set is called Winter Wonders from The Saltbox Studio. Isn't it darling? I love it because it has a variety of line art images, accents and sentiments. It is one of those *go to* sets because everything is there. Sets like these are the ones that usually are always on top of the stack because they get used so much. I can tell that I will be using these images all winter long. I must be in love with these colors, too, because I have used them all week. I think they work so well for this time of year. I hope you have enjoyed seeing my creations from The Saltbox Studio as much as I have enjoyed making them.

P.S. BLOG CANDY COMING SOON! I HAVE A TON OF GOODIES I CAN'T WAIT TO SEND YOUR WAY!!!!!

Launch Day

Hello! Isnt' this the cutest stamp? I love it! I wish I had this exact banner to hang outside of my home. The day is finally here! It is launch day over at The Saltbox Studio! Run, don't walk, to go and order your sets. You wouldn't want to be without would you? Here is the link:http://www.thesaltboxstudio.com/thesaltboxstudio/home.html I chose a festive card for today's card and for the launch day. This card features the set(s) A Banner Year and February Banner. I colored it with copic and prismacolor markers. I added a touch of Amuse ribbon and cut a notecard for some visual interest. I thought the circles worked perfectly with the snowman. Thanks for fluttering by.

***ALSO***** There is a CONTEST going on over at The Saltbox Studio to win FREE STAMPS, so head on over NOW!!!! Yes...you could be a winner! Wahoo!!!!!

*sneak peek* #3-Thank Ewe

Hi! I chose to use the same sheep from my first sneak peek card on monday, to show how versatile these images are. I absolutely love this image and it is so fun to color. I used the layout from Today's Sketch Challenge on SCS. I thought that the Amuse note card would look great cut into the panels. I decided to mat the panels onto black to really make them pop. I knew I would be adding gray to the sheep, so I added a background of gray as well. I then went back and colored my sheep, choosing colors to work with the papers. Sometimes pattern papers can overtake your project if they are not chosen carefully. I usually like to pick my papers first and then color my image. Also, I have added links to The Salt Box Studio on the sidebar under the Design Team. Please go check it out! Go check out the other designers as well, because they have been using some of the same images as well, and it is fun to see them used in other ways! Thanks so much!

Stamp Set: Sheep-The Saltbox Studio

pattern paper and twinkle stickers- Amuse

Copics and Prismacolors

*sneak peek* #2- Live Simply

Hello! yes...I am back again! The day just wouldn't be complete without another sneak peek from http://www.thesaltboxstudio.typepad.com/ The Saltbox Studio's fabulous new stamp sets. This card features the set(s) A Basket Celebration and Deck the House companion. I absolutely love coloring the baskets from this set. I also added a few Amuse twinkle star stickers for the fireworks shooting out from the basket. I distressed the edges to give this card a true Americana feel. I also tried to distress the ribbon a bit as well, so it didn't look to crisp against the distressed cardstock. I also made this card for today's color challenge over on SCS.