A Serene Silhouettes Birthday

Today I thought I would play with some circles and do a monochromatic card.  I'm not a big fan of those types of cards.  They just seem a bit blah to me.  

I used Early Espresso ink on the butterfly image.  I used Sahara Sand decorative paper and card stock.  I textured the card stock using the Dotted folder.

The words are from my computer and they are layered using a piece of Sahara Sand and Early Espresso.  It was a simple card to make but not one of my favorites.  I just can't get into these types of cards.  So making this card was a huge challenge for me.  I don't like challenges like this!!! LOL

In the future I will probably not step out of my box!!!  Ok, I might but  it will be a long time before I do this again!!!  You give it a try and see if you enjoy making cards like this!  I like color on my cards.  I like to see a bit more variety.  I challenge myself now and then but am always disappointed!!  I just can't do these!  But I will admit, it was a quick card to do!!! LOL

Thank you for stopping by today,
Wanda

Fabulous Florets Mojo Monday Challenge MOJO202

I actually had time today to play with the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge.  I had such a busy morning cleaning up "stuff" from the weekend.  Not just the usual every day stuff but the mess I always seem to make in my workroom.  I would LOVE to have someone following me all day long putting the stuff away that I take out and set aside to put away "LATER"!  Wouldn't that be great to have someone do that for you?  Well, in the real world it doesn't happen so I had to do that stuff today.  But after I got done with it, ok I didn't actually get done with it, I got tired of cleaning, I opened email and the Mojo Monday sketch was in there so I opened it and decided to play along.

I used the Fabulous Floret set to make my card.  I also got to play with the new pennant punch too.  I had not played with it yet.  I've been too busy doing other things.  So it was kind of nice to be able to play with it.  I hope to use it again before it retires!!! LOL

Anyway, this is my card for the sketch.  I did have a lot of fun making it and I especially like the pink!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Easy Events Mojo Monday Sketch

I have never done the Mojo Monday sketch.  Well, not knowingly anyway.  I'm sure I've seen some of the sketches and copied them because I like the way they were laid out on the card.  This is the first time I thought I would play along with them. Why now?  Well, I REALLY liked this layout and I wanted to work on a masculine card that was just pretty enough but yet could pass for masculine!  I think I did it!

I had some paper left over from the "Well Worn" decorative paper I had printed out. As it was sitting next to my paper cutter waiting for me to put it away I kept thinking how masculine this paper did look and how fun it would be to make a masculine card with it.  Well, it was fun and it does look great as a masculine card.

As I was finishing this up I realized I have no ribbons in the Pacific Point color!  I just looked in the catalog because I was going to write myself a note (before I forgot) and I have no Pacific Point ribbons because there aren't any!   Bummer.  I guess I will have to dye some white ribbons so I have the color I want when I need it.  The closest thing I could come up with was some 1/4" More Mustard (retired) grosgrain ribbon.  But that's ok, for you seasoned stampers who only use current products you should know how to add the colors you need to make the whole card current.

Anyway, I got to play with the new "Easy Events" set.  It's a fun set and I can't wait to play with it some more.  I think I will challenge myself to make a card or something using this set until I have done something with all 8 images.  I rarely use all the images in a set.  This one looks like I can do it!  It doesn't have any images that I know I will get stuck on.  So in the next couple of weeks I will be adding a card or something using this set!  That's going to be fun.

Oh and I know I told you I was going to show you the new project I was working on.  Well, I just HAD to do the Mojo Monday sketch so the project got moved into tomorrow.  It will be posted tomorrow, I promise!!!  Thanks for your patience, it will be worth it!

Thank you ever so much for visiting today,
Wanda 

Autumn Days Wednesday Sketch Challenge

It's Wednesday again and that means it's time for this weeks Sketch Challenge over at SplitCoastStampers.

I do like the layout of this weeks challenge but I don't like what I did with it.

As I started out with my colors I was happy. I decided to use Cajun Craze for the base of the card. I had found some DP that is retired but it was fall looking and it went with the Cajun Craze. Though I think the color on the DP is Really Rust.

Anyway, I got all of my layers on and I liked what I saw.
Next I went to my Big Kick with my oval Nestabilities and cut out the oval and the scalloped oval.

Back at my worktable I colored on the rubber with markers. Direct to Rubber technique. After I stamped the image on the oval I added the wheat on the left side. I stamped that in More Mustard and then I thumped on some Sahara Sand and Cajun Craze. I stamped that on and then sponged the edges with Cajun Craze. I assembled the card and was NOT thrilled with it at all. Turning it like that sort of boxed me in with it. I didn't have any room for verbiage, ribbons or anything else. I think I will give this sketch another try next week and see if I can't improve on it. I don't think I'll be changing the orientation though. I'll just keep it the way it is and go from there.

So I show you that all of my cards are not winners!

Play with this layout if you have time. It was a pretty simple one. See if you can come up with something fun by turning it. Maybe I was just too tired to think about it!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge

I can not believe it's Wednesday already. My how these days are flying.

I have actually now used the two images from the Stampin' Up! "Spring Song" set. I bought this set because I LOVED this bird. And it sat in the container until a few weeks ago when I used the hummingbird for one of the Wednesday Sketch Challenges.

This challenge was fun. I LOVE that big piece in the background. It kind of sets the mood for the card. I also LOVE the "To the Nines" textured decorative paper. It's SO rich looking plus it's a GREAT paper to use on masculine cards.

Materials used here are:
Basic Black card stock
Very Vanilla Card stock
Stampin' Up! 1-1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches
Stampin' Up! Scallop circle punch
Martha Stewart branch punch
Stampin' Up! button
Stampin' Up! To the Nines Decorative Paper
Blender Pen
Markers
Stampin' Up! "Spring Song" stamp set
Sponge
Sage Shadow ink pad

There's lots of pieces on this card but that is what I LOVE to do when making cards. Ok, I love it only when I am making one card. If I had to make anymore than this I don't think I would have enjoyed all the layers! LOL

Oh, the words on the card were done on the computer. I set it up to make 4 columns and I repeat the words until the page is full. Making sure I leave space between them for punching out. Then I print the page on usually Whisper White card stock but sometimes I print it out on Very Vanilla at the same time. Then when I need it I just go to my pile of words and punch it out.

Anyway, back to the card. It's even a great masculine birthday card. You could even remove the "happy birthday" and make it into a Father's Day card. That is coming up quickly too. First I need to get to the Mother's Day ones and Graduation!! And I have few birthdays in between there too!

I do like my card this week. It's rare I say that!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge Vintage Vogue

When I saw this sketch I was thrilled. LOTS of layers. Just what I LOVE to do! And I even added a few more by doing the flowers and the oval wording! I just never know when to quit!!

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this sketch. This was not what I had in mind. As I was looking through my stamps I thought I'd give the new "Vintage Vogue" set by Stampin' Up! a try. I was informed by a fellow stamper on Monday that I had the set. Here I thought it was on back order and I was waiting patiently for it to come in. Now I have to go look at what is really on back order! LOL

So onto this card. Firs I cut the Rich Razzleberry and Crushed Curry at the same time so they would line up when I put the two colors together. I used the new "Very Vintage" jumbo wheel on both of them. Then I sponged the edges. But that just wasn't enough for me so I took the long stamp from the "Vintage Vogue" set and stamped on the edges. Now I was pleased with those pieces.

Next I had to decide what color to make the #4 piece. I ended up going with Basic Gray and I was glad I did. Oh and of course I had to sponge the edges on that piece too.

The focal piece (#5) I knew I wanted it to be Very Vanilla. I used the stamp from the "Vintage Vogue" set all over it and then again sponged the edges. I was on a roll with the sponging and any piece I added would now need to be sponged or it would look out of place. Fortunately for me I like to sponge!

I stamped the flowers and sponged the edges of them after I cut them out. And the same with the leaves. I used the rhinestone brads for the flower centers and set them in place using Dimensionals. I'm thinking a pop up glue dot might have been a better choice. I can see the Dimesnional between the leaves. I stamped some leaves, cut them out and sponged them. I taped them in place under the flowers. And I set all three flowers on top of the card. The center looked so open so I thought I might cut more flowers but then I thought some small words would be perfect in there.

I did struggle with the color for that center piece. I was going to go with Old Olive. I thought it would tie that color into the design a bit more but it was just too much. SO I went with the Rich Razzleberry and I liked the final outcome.

It's been a long time since I've done a Sketch Challenge card that I actually liked and was happy with it when I was done! Now I don't want to give it away!!! LOL

If you have time try this card layout, it's a lot of fun. And head on over to SplitCoastStampers to see what other stampers came up with using this card sketch! I LOVE seeing what was made. It's amazing at all the talent out there!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Valentine's Day Card Game

Remember last month I had made a Christmas card with this concept? You can see that card by clicking here. I made this one with that very card in mind. My card was for the Stamp Share Card Challenge yesterday. The challenge was to make a card using the Stampin' Up! Sweet Treat Cups. Either the round or the heart. I had both and I was going to do the heart and use the word "love" on the inside and punch holes around the letters for the beads to fall in but the more I thought about it the more I was having problems envisioning it. SO I scrapped that and went with the round. I don't know how a ladybug came to mind but it did and this is what I ended up with. It looks like it's defying the laws of gravity! I took a picture of the card sitting on the floor. I wanted to show the beads and the dots at the same time. If I'd taken a photo of it sitting up all the beads would be at the bottom of the cup and that looked odd too. But not quite as odd as this!! I never said this was a "normal" blog, did I? LOL

It was a VERY fun card to make too! It's not just a card but a game too! I wanted to do it in red but I didn't have any current red decorative papers. SO I took this paper from the new 6" x 6" paper pack and went with the Ruby Red colors. They worked just fine.

First I cut all of my papers. I set the layers in place so I knew what I was looking at. Then I had to decide where I wanted the lady bug. I punched a hole in a piece of scrap paper and set that piece on top of my decorative paper to know where I wanted that hole to go. I traced around that circle and then punched out my circle. I set the paper over the cup and set it on top of my Ruby Red layer. I carefully removed the decorative paper while keeping the cup in place. I then traced around the cup so I knew where it would go when it was time to take the tape off and set it in place (permanently!!! - keep that word in mind when you are working with those cups!) After tracing that circle I removed the cup and drew a pencil line to mark the center. I took the Basic Black marker and a ruler and went over that line a couple of times until it was at a thickness I liked. I took the pencil and made the dots to be punched out. After I punched the dots out and set the Ruby Red card stock back in place the holes were white so I took the pencil and marked where they were. I took my black marker and colored over those pencil marks to the dots would appear to be black. Once I did that I was much happier with the look. Then I began to tape the layers together.

First I taped the Ruby Red card stock to the Whisper White. Then I took the Sweet Treats Cup and took off the tape. I set the beads in place and then the cup over them. I taped on the decorative paper and was then ready to finish up the ladybug along with the rest of the card.

I punched out a 1" circle using a piece of scrap paper. I took the other scrap circle I had and set it on top of the 1" circle. I eyed how big I wanted the head of the ladybug to be. I marked it and cut it out with a scissors. Punching that arch wouldn't work so cutting by hand had to be the way to go. When I got it to the size I thought looked good with the body size I then cut that size out of the Basic Black card stock.

Then I took the 1/4" circle punch and punched out two black circles for the ends of the antenna. The scary part was drawing in the antenna with the Basic Black marker. If I ruined it I'd have to start over. I wish those thoughts wouldn't enter my head the minute the marker goes on the paper! It happens every time too! Why Do I do that? But I just went ahead and it turned out just fine. I taped the little circles in place at the end of the antenna.

And finally I made the heart. I just couldn't leave the card as it was, it looked too plain above the ladybug. SO I punched out the "Love You Much" words from the Stampin' Up! "Well Scripted" set using the large heart punch. I sponged the edges of that heart. Next I punched out two 1-1/4" circles from Ruby Red card stock. Then I punched out two scalloped circles over the 1-1/4" hole. I clipped the circle and opened up the scallop so I could glue it to the back of the heart. A scalloped heart punch would be SO helpful here!!! But you make do with what you have and sometimes it actually works out! I set it in place with Dimenionals. And that was it! Pretty simple just a little time consuming.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge

I do believe I have made a Crazy for Cupcakes card for the Wednesday Sketch Challenge before. Oh well, one can never have enough birthday cards now can they??

This was another fun sketch at SplitCoastStampers. I look SO forward to playing along with these. I didn't think I was going to be able to post it last night, their website was a bit slow and the page just sat there. But I had "stuff" to put away from making the card so I just walked away from the computer and when I came back it was downloaded!!

Let's hope the photo downloads fine on Blogger and I will be happy here too!! Isn't it all about keeping me happy? I think it is, just ask hubby!!! LOL

To make this card I used the following materials:
Stampin' Up! "Crazy for Cupcakes" set
Cottage Wall Decorative Paper
Rich Razzleberry card stock
Basic Black Card Stock
Whisper White card stock
Crocheted flowers
Button
Rich Razzleberry ink pad
Markers
and my technique used here is layering and sponging.

I am SO amazed at how well the glue dots stick. I used to to put the flowers together (there are two of them here) and I used it to put the button on. Everything is stuck on very well too!!! Great stuff!!!

I had a birthday card for a friend but I am going to give her this one instead. I like it MUCH better than the one other one. I just LOVE these colors.

If you have time play with the sketch. I post them on here so you can see what it looks like. Th layers are numbered so you know which shape goes where!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

DIVA Challenge!

Every time the DIVA's meet Sue has a challenge for us. Some of them are pretty easy and some of them difficult. This one was in between!!!

She gave us a clear disk. It's the size of a CD. It probably came from a stack of CD's, one of those "things" that are put in for protection. And lucky Sue had a bunch of them to challenge us with!!!

I didn't think of making mine until the night before!!! LOL Nothing like procrastinating!!! I'm sticking with that one. It's actually that I totally forgot about it but let's go with procrastination!!! LOL

I took my disk and I heated it with my embossing tool. The same way you'd do on an old cd. When I could tell it was hot enough I cut it on my paper cutter. To tell if it's hot enough you just watch for color changes, warping or any other thing that caused the disk to look different. Be careful not to get the heat tool too close to the plastic, it will catch fire. And I don't mean burn, I mean igniting flames!!! If you have not worked with this much you may want to have a nice glass bowl of water very close to you in the event of flamage!!! I personally have not caught one on fire. YET!!! I did catch a guitar pick on fire once. Talk about stink!!!! And of course I was working with water close to me and I just dropped it in the water. Grabbed a new pick and started all over!!!

Ok, back to this challenge. After I cut the disk I heated it up again and I stuck it in my RubiCoil punch machine and punched the side holes. Now it would have been great to have my new circle cutter but it hasn't arrived yet so I had to trace the circle on copier paper and cut them out. And I also traced it on a piece of white chipboard and cut it out for the back of the "book" I was in the process of making.

I decorated the front using the Stampin' Up! "Circle of Friendship" retired hostess set. I had stamped the image on a piece of glossy white card stock, then I traced the circle. I wanted to make sure I got the image as centered around the hole in the middle of the disk as I could. Then I cut some of the decorative paper from the Sale-a-Brations offerings. I taped it on the glossy card stock. I colored in the flowers with markers and sponged the edges in Bashful Blue.

I did cut out the center of the glossy card stock so I could run the ribbon through and around. I brought the ends back up in front and tied the bow. As I was threading the coil through the holes I had to use my paper piercing tool to make the holes in the ribbon. It was pretty simple to do. I bent the edges of the coil to secure it and it was all done. A fun little notebook from a piece of recycled plastic!!!

You won't believe what she gave us this time!!! I had stopped over there to drop off my challenge project and I came home with the new challenge!!! UGH!!! We don't meet next month so it gives me two months to set it aside and work on it the night before!!! LOL This time I'll take a photo of the item BEFORE I alter it!!

Thanks SO much for stopping by,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge at SplitCoastStampers

Here is my card for the Wednesday Sketch Challenge over at SplitCoastStampers today. I am SO happy that I've had some time these past few Wednesday's to participate in this challenge. I LOVE to haven new layouts to play with.

To start out my card I usually look at the focal part of the sketch and find a stamp that best fits in that area and then I just go from there. I think with any sketch the hardest part is finding the stamp you want to use. This one happened by accident. I had opened up my inventory catalog and of course I open so I look at it from back to front and in the back was the Stampin' Up! retired set "Best Fiends." I still have this set because it's just TOO darn cute to give up yet. Until something else comes a long to take it's place or I completely run out of room I'll be hanging onto this one for a while longer. Oh and the Frankenstein and witch that are in this set are TOO darn cute too. And the little bat reminds me of the one from a Bugs Bunny cartoon where he was at a haunted house and singing some "abra catabra" song and Dracula would change into a bat with curly wings like the one in this set has.

Maybe I chose this set because I'm waiting for my new catalog to arrive and I since I can't play with anything new I subconsciously got out a retired set to entertain myself!!! LOL I have plenty of other sets that I have not used or used only once that I could be playing with!! LOL But I am anxiously waiting for my new catalog to arrive. I was doing ok with it at first and then I started seeing some of the items that will be in it and I started keeping an open ear for the UPS truck!!! It's SO sad, isn't it??? LOL

Ok, onto this card. I used some retired paper too. The "Halloween Night" decorative paper by Stampin' Up! I just followed the sketch for the size. If you click on the sketch you can then print it out and it should print out pretty close to exact size. Sometimes I've printed a couple so I can cut one apart or stamp directly onto one to see if I like the images there or somewhere else on the card.

Now I could have added some embellishments on the card but I chose to just keep it simple. The colors of the decorative paper and the cuteness of the image seem to carry the card without adding any frill to it!

If you get a chance stop by SplitCoastStampers and participate in the sketch. They are a lot of fun and they give you some fun new layouts to play with on your cards.

I'm off to work on a thank you card for my son's girlfriend!! She is such a sweet girl and don't tell my son but I really, REALLY want her for my daughter-in-law! I'm hoping within the next year (after he's done with his degree) that they at least get engaged!! It will happen!!! :o)

To see more of the Sketch Challenges I've done just click here.

This item was made entirely of Stampin' Up! products. To view more items made entirely of Stampin' Up! products click here.

Thanks SO much for spending time with me today,
Wanda

Altered Notebook Challenge From Sue!

At our last DIVA Day event Sue gave us each a little navy blue vinyl covered notebook to alter as our challenge.

When I make "patterns" for notebooks I usually just use copier paper. I took a piece of copier paper and cut it to the size of the notebook. I had one long strip the size of the notebook. I went from the front of the notebook to the back and around the sides back to the front for the cover. Once I got it wrapped around I folded the corners over and looked at the front to see how far I wanted to cut the flap back. I then measured my fold lines on the copier paper and proceeded to cut and fold my card stock accordingly.

I used the Stampin' Up! Boho Backgrounds set on Pretty in Pink card stock. Since I was going to be coloring in some of the details of the images I used the Basic Brown ink pad so the ink wouldn't lift off the paper. After coloring in the images I cut out the pieces I needed and began to create all the pieces to my cover. I had cut the card stock pieces 1/4" around smaller than the piece I was laying it on top of. It's difficult to give measurements since each notebook will vary in size.

I used the "One of a Kind" set and cut out the images. I had stamped them on Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip card stock. I used the white gel pen to put the dots in the center of the flowers. I sponged all edges and set them aside

Once I got all of my pieces cut out I sanded the notebook cover lightly. Then I took a piece of magnetic sheet and attached it to the notebook using the Sticky Strip tape. I needed something that I knew would hold. I put a piece on the cover of the notebook and one on the inside flap I created. I wanted the notebook to be able to stay shut but I didn't want to use a ribbon or fibers for that. I like the look and feel of the magnetic sheets on a notebook. It give the notebook a clean crisp look and a touch of "professional" too!!!

For some finishing touches I used some Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon and a piece of buckle hardware on the front. I taped this around the piece of card stock before I attached it to the front of the notebook. I then attached the "flower" pieces and the final thing I added was the half-round pearl from the "Pretties" kit.
This was a VERY fun challenge. I really enjoyed playing with this one!! Thanks SO much Sue

This item was made entirely of Stampin' Up! products. To view more items made entirely of Stampin' Up! products click here.

Thank you SO much for stopping by,
Wanda

Beate's Weekend Challenge WSC45

Once again I had time to make a card for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge. This one was a very fun sketch and it was perfect timing too. I am in need of wedding cards. It seems we have more weddings this year than we do graduation parties. And I need to make cards for those too!! I'll be taking advantage of the challenges that are out there!! It's a nice way to kill two birds with one stone!!!

This card was actually simple to make. I did use the Cuddlebug "Dotted Swiss" background folder. I just got it and this was the first time I got to use it!!! And this was the perfect card for that background

I used the Stampin' Up! "To Have and to Hold" set. I did have to add my own ampersand between the Mr. & Mrs. I ended up doing the one that looks like the backwards "E" because every time I tried the one in the line above this one it kept coming out like the musical symbol!!! I just couldn't get myself to make it right!!! LOL SO after ruining a dozen of them I decided to give up!!

I only colored in the flowers on the wedding couple. And I did add some glitter on the veil and dress.

Such a fun card layout!!! If you have time give it a try!!

Thank you SO much for stopping by,
Wanda

Beate's Weekend Challenge WSC44

I was able to find some time this weekend to play with Beat's Weekend Sketch Challenge. She has some fun sketches to play around with.

Her sketch was pretty similar to the one on SplitCoastStampers this past Wednesday. The background part was similar.

I REALLY wanted to use some decorative paper for my background but I did that on the Wednesday sketch. SO I decided I'd make my own background and just run with it. I used the flowers from the Stampin' Up! "Boho Backgrounds" set. I colored in the flowers with Pretty in Pink, the leaves in Certain Celery and white for the dots on the center of the flowers. I sponged all of the edges with Chocolate Chip.

For the flower I used the "True Friend" set and for the birthday part I used the "Think Happy Thoughts" set. I also used the corner rounder to make my scallops on the Chocolate Chip card stock strip. I added some 5/8" Chocolate Chip ribbon to the top of that and on top of that I added a piece of Pretty in Pink ribbon. Before I attached it I took my sponge with Chocolate Chip ink on it and ran it across the ribbon to "dirty" it up a bit. Adding it right off the spool was just too bright. Adding the ink to it toned it down and it just blended right in.

I tied a bow of the 5/8" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon to the top and it pretty much filled up the card. I didn't see any areas that I wanted to add any more to. Well, except for the center of the flower. I had colored it in with Pretty in Pink and added Chocolate Chip dots to it. Once I got it layered I didn't like what I saw so I got out the small round punch and punched out a circle and glued it in place on the center of the flower. It was just enough to "finish" off the card.

Thank you SO much for stopping by,
Wanda

Beate's Weekend Challenge #42

This is my card for Beate's "Weekend Sketch" challenge. It was a lot of fun but it sure took a lot of time for me do make this card. I had a mental block but muddled through it and this is the results.

I used Basic Black, Ballet Blue, Bashful Blue, Almost Amethyst card stock and watercolor paper.

I stamped the background on the Ballet Blue using the very tiny flowers stamp from the Stampin' Up! "Boho Backgrounds" set. I dotted each center with the gel pen. I then stamped the larger flowers stamp on the Bashful Blue and dotted each center too. The flowers on the Always Amethyst piece is the small stamp from the "One of a Kind" set and once again I dotted the centers. I sponged all the edges before I layered them.

The circle piece was done using the Coluzzle. The flower is from the "One of a Kind" set, stamped with Black Staz-on using watercolor paper and then cut out. I colored the flower in using Bashful Blue, Almost Amethyst and a blender pen. All the black dots were dotted with white to tone them down and stick with the dotted white theme I seemed to have going here!!!

I used a brad from the "Build a Brad" kit and a piece of Ballet Blue card stock with the same flowers from the Bashful Blue piece. It doesn't show up on here but in person you can see a tiny flower in the center of the brad. I added a triangle corner piece at the bottom right and added a white brad to tie it all together. The top I added a piece of 1/4" white grosgrain ribbon and tied a bow on it. That was pretty much it. It took me all of 3 minutes to describe to you what took me 2 hours to design!!! LOL I had no idea where I was going with this layout when I started and everything I did I didn't like. You should see my recycling basket!!! LOL

SO here you have it. If you have time try this layout and then post it on SplitCoastStampers and give Beate a link to it on her blog. It's fun to play with new sketches when you have time!! I think tonight I will get some sleep instead of staying up so late playing. The time just gets away from me when I'm stamping. Doesn't it always when you're having fun?

Click here for a few other challenges on my blog.

This card was made entirely of Stampin' Up! products except for the large scallop, I used a punch. I did replace the scallop with a circle I cut out using the Coluzzle so I can use the card to demo with. To view more cards/items made entirely of Stampin' Up! products click here.

Thank you SO much for stopping by,
Wanda

Beate's Weekend Challenge

Beate over at Fresh & Fun has a Weekend Sketch Challenge. I don't usually get to play but today I was able to have some fun with her sketch. I spent most of my day doing tax stuff. UGH!!! And I'm still not done. Another BIG UGH!!!! But sometime this week I should be. I tell myself every year that I will be more organized each month and I will start doing my tax stuff early. Well, I did get a bit more organized than last year. I had all the papers in one place this year so I didn't have to hunt for anything!!! Now all I need to do is keep monthly totals and I'd be in good shape for next year. I'll let you know this time next year how that went!! LOL

Ok, here's my card for Beate's sketch. I used the Stampin' Up! "Blooming With Love" set and the Accents & Elements "Flower Fusion" felt flowers. I haven't played with them much but they are a lot of fun!!

The decorative paper is from the "Picnic" designer package. And I used the floral Cuddlebug folder for the white background.

Plus I had some fun with brads!!

Beate didn't give any measurements, you pretty much make it up as you go along and make it fit the stamp you are using. There are more challenges found here and here.

Thank you SO much for stopping by,
Wanda

Beate's Weekend Challenge Birthday Card

I thought I'd give Beate's Weekend Challenge a try today. I haven't done one of these in a while. Finding new card layouts is always fun and to actually make a card with it (on your own) can be quite a challenge.

This is what I came up with for her challenge. I used the Stampin' Up! "Pun Fun" set. I also used two Cuddlebug folders to create the background texture on the Soft Sky card stock. I used the large scallop punch by Marvy. The whale was stamped on watercolor paper and colored in using a blender pen and sponging. The words are from "Everyday Flexible Phrases." I added the corners using Bayou Blue card stock. I did sponge over the top layer of the bubble embossed card stock so it would stand out more against the other textured Soft Sky background.

I did flip her sketch. I just couldn't get the "happy" and "birthday" bubbles to work right without flipping it.

So this is my take on her sketch. Now I'm to post it on SplitCoastStampers and then post a link to it on Beate's Blog.

I encourage you to try new card layouts. Always keep learning and studying how other people make cards. It's like any other thing you'd study for. The more you notice the more you learn!!!

It looks like this week I'll be offering up some Blog Candy. It seems that the "Chatty Cathy" blog candy is coming due. I'm coming up on 700 posts!!! WOW!!! Check back in to find out more.

Thanks SO much for stopping by,
Wanda

And Another Challenge Before Me!

My dear, dear upline Sue (*winks*) challenged me to make a Boho Christmas card. So here it is Sue. I hope I didn't disappoint you! It just seemed wrong to color a snowman anything but traditional colors.

I did get to play with my corner punch. I REALLY like it!!! Actually I used several fun punches here. The snowman is from the "Jolliest Time of Year" set. I am REALLY liking that snowman. Wait till you see what I do with him next week!!!! Can't even give you a hint, sorry!!

I also used the clear brads that came with the "Pretties Kit." I cut the prongs off on the back so they would lay better and I affixed them with Crystal Effects.

On the decorative paper I stamped in Blue Bayou using the Linen Background set. It toned it down just enough.

The colors of card stock I used here is Blue Bayou, Really Rust and Chocolate Chip. The snowman was stamped on watercolor paper and colored in using a blender pen and markers. Edges were sponged using Blue Bayou.

Thank you for stopping by,
Wanda

I Was Given a Challenge

A fellow demonstrator challenged me at our last meeting. It was an interesting challenge. She gave me a 5" wooden spoon and asked me what I could do with it. Stamping doesn't have to be limited to paper. You can stamp on a variety of mediums.

Well Cyndi, here it is. I had limited supplies here. I would have like to have added some tiny holly leaves and berries but I didn't have any. But this gives you an idea of what you can do with it.

Here I stamped the snowman from the "Merry & Bright set by Stampin' Up! on tissue paper and affixed it to the spoon with Crystal Effects. It's pretty much the same technique as the "Stamping on a Pumpkin" technique is. I just added some greens and a bow and you have a quick ornament or wall decor. This would also be adorable with a gingerbread boy in the center and affixed to a handmade cookbook!

There you go Cyndi!! I'm ready for the next challenge!

Thanks for stopping by,
Wanda