STUMPED

It's so much fun stamping with girlfriends! I'm blessed to be able to get together with a group of 5 talented stampers. We all have different styles which is what makes it extra fun! During our most recent get together, we each designed a card, and without showing the others the card they were given the supplies to construct their own. At the end of the night, we revealed the real design and the participant that created a card closest to the original was gifted an embellishment goodie. This is the one I created to share. I thought it would be very simple for the gals to figure out, but I stumped them all! They all did come up with cute sketches of their own though!

Here's the recipe for my Stumped card:

Stamps: SU Falling Leaves and Woodgrain BG

Paper: SU in-colors of Soft Suede, Curry and Dusty Durango

Ink: Same as paper colors, plus Sakura White Gel Pen and Versamark

Accessories: SU punches, SU in-color ribbon

NEAPOLITAN WISHES

When I think summer, I think icecream. And since summer is my fave season, I will be stretching it out until the first cold, rainy day. Which, in SO CAL, might be a while! Sorry to rub it in . . . anywho, I decided to create in neapolitan today - so yummy!

I had a lot of fun creating this card. I CASEd it from Shannon Teubner (aka steubner on SCS) who was the featured stamper on SCS this week. Isn't this layout great! Nestabilitiies were used to create the circle layers and the butterfly is a Martha Stewart punch. Here are more deets:

Stamps: SU Heard From The Heart

Paper: SU Pretty in Pink, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Papertreyink DSP

Ink: SU C. Chip and Blush Blossom

Accessories: Pearls, SU Ribbon, Nestabilities, MS Punch

PURITY AMONG THE MEADOW

Paper tole is among my favorite techniques to design with. It's an effortless method to use for getting dramatic 3D and textured results. Basically all that is needed is multiple shapes of the same image stacked with dimensional adhesive one on top of the other. In the design above, I punched a butterfly four times and layered them with dimensional tape. My inspiration for this card was triggered by the white butterflies that have been frequenting the Latana bush in my backyard. They look delightful as they dance around the greenery. I entered this card in the CAS31 challenge on SCS (pop it up!) Here are more details and have a great day1

Stamps: SU Inspired by Nature

Paper: SU Mellow Moss, WWhite

Ink: SU Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, True Thyme

Accessories: SU Ribbon, Silver Nailheads, Silver gel pen

WHOA NELLIE

This week's IC challenge on SCS is to draw inspiration from
a website called Moyna Bags. I was drawn to the ALL DONE IN RED category and from there it was real easy to choose an inspiration piece:
http://moynabags.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/products/gx1073.html?L+scstore+zszd3024ffe973e9+1257877326
The sketch is done up from this week's SCS SC244 which I really like. I'll definitely return to this layout. The images are from Cornish Heritage Farms and SU. The ribbon is SU and the bling is from a muse. All layers are popped up with dimensionals. I'll postal this card over to my DGD who loves horses along with some trinkets and goodies of course!

Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Papertrey White, Cranberry Crisp, BBlack
Paper: Paisley BG, CHF Chicken Wire BG, CHF Happy Trails
Ink: SU Cranberry Crisp, Momento Black
Accessories: SU Ribbon, A Muse Bling

BEE AND BLOOM

This card is a CASE from one of my favorite stamper artists, sleepyinseatle on SCS. Her is full of projects of perfection! If you click on the title of this card you will be linked to her gallery!

I like the strong color scheme in this design, The image was colored with the new in-color markers from SU. In fact, all supplies are SU!

Our neighbors have bees in their attic which lends to lots of the critters working busily amongst our lavender. They are interesting to watch - so industrious! I need more of their energy. Maybe I should eat more honey!

Stamps: SU Bloomin' Beautiful, Simply Said

Paper: Wild Wasabi DSP, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, WWhite

Ink: Same as above, Barely Banana, Sage Shadow

Accessories: Pretties Kit half pearls, 3/4 inch circke punch, SU scallop punch, Dimensionals

COLOR SPLISH

See, this is why I *heart* the challenges on blogs as well as SCS - they can force you out of your box! This design is not my usual style but it was tons of fun to create! Today's WT challenge is to design using variegated. I immediately thought of this SU Baroque background stamp and didn't look back twice. I inked it using Kaleidacolor Bouquet on glossy paper - voila - instant variegated! I used South Pacific flowers from Prima and a zinnia sticker flower from MS gifted by Kathleen - TU! I added a row of variegated Flame Robin's Nest dew drops. The final touch to the design is the fluffy bow which is from a spool of special value ribbon, purchased a Mike's and a sentiment punched with the new SU tag punch.

Here's more deets and thanks for looking!

Stamps: Baroque, Short and Sweet
Paper: Glossy White, Melon Mambo
Ink: Kaleidacolor Bouquet, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Primas, MS Floral, RIbbon from Mike's, SU punch, Robin's Nest Dew Drops

FALL IN CHOCOLATE

I am addicted to chocolate. I have to have some every day even if it's just a small Hershey's kiss. My favorite is the dark stuff. It can have nuts or gooey, creamy filling, I'm not fussy. It just needs to be chocolate. How come I don't crave apples or carrots, or spinach? I guess it could be worse . . . I could be addicted to stamping. . . oh wait, Im so there as well. The older I get, the more addictions I have. Please tell me this is all a part of menopause! Just about everything else is!

This is my submission for the Clean and Simple Challenge (CAS27) on Splitcoast to use bling and for the Limited Supply challenge (LSC232) to use a food theme and only inks and paper that have food names. Both of these challenges are among my faves to play. Can you believe I got to play with bling and chocolate stamps! Yummy! This is a 5 1/4 inch square tent topper design.

STAMPS: Inky Antics and Gelatins Chocolate Bliss
PAPER: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel
INK: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
ACCESSORIES: Choc. Chip GrosGrain Ribbon, Cherry Rhinestones

YOU MOOVE ME

HEY! This card is my submission for this week's sketch challenge on SCS (#240). There were tons of wonderful cards - mine is sortta simple. I also played Mothermark's Teapot Tuesday challenge #58. Here's the inspiration teapot:

Cindy (aka Mothermark) and her faithful followers were invited to a tea party on Tosh's dairy in California. We had fun designing cow images cards. I'm sure I didn't win a prize for "Babe" but I had fun playing.

Here are the deets:

Stamps: SU Flannel Plaid, Saltbox Studio Farm Friends

Paper: SU Brocade Blue, BBlack, WWhite, Riding Hood Red

Ink: Brocade Blue, BBlack, Real Red

Accessories: Markers, Nailheads, Circle Punches, Heart Punch, Dimensionals

HE'S MY BEACON

Did ya miss me? After a 7 month hiatus, I doubt I have any followers left! No excuses, I've just been a bad blogger. I'm gonna pretend like I just skipped a couple of days, and move on.

I just love lists. And what fun this LSC226 was on SCS - to choose one element from 3 lists!!!! My choices are: Neutral Image, Reds and Blues, Grommets and Rope! My image is colored with watercolor pencils. I used white and silver sakura pen to add texture to the lighthouse. The DSP is from a long time ago Sizzix paper pad. Other elements include Grommets from the 99 cents store *insert: love a bargain!*, SU card stock and SU rope. I like to design with offset layers - they are becoming a trademark! This card will be gifted to my DH - The inside sentiment reads YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE, which he truly does!

Stamps: Lockhart Lighthouse, Penny Black Sentiment

Paper: Sizzix DSP, SU BBlack, Riding Hood Red, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Watercolor Pencils

Accessories: Grommets, Rope

Techniques: Watercolor

THREE DAYS OFF

In our culture a new parent can get at least 6 weeks off from a job for the birth of a baby, but only 3 days off when a loved one dies. It seems that we rush the process of death. Is it because it's uncomfortable? Awkward? Untimely? Too heinious to deal with? My friend lost her husband and I made this card for her. But I know it's not enough. What else can I do? I know she won't ever "get over it"; especially in 3 days! I want to be a good friend to people during grief and sorrow. It's easy to be a friend through joy and happiness. But we're needed most through the "ugly" stuff. Here's a list that God has impressed me to do: Allow my friend to talk, cry, be angry, whatever; guard against offering "cliches" of sympathy; invite her places, do things with her; offer practical help and follow through; avoid suggestions; be patient with her process; talk about her spouse and don't be afraid to help her remember the good stuff; pray for her. Lord help my friend through her pain. Give her a hug today that will provide comfort and security. Help me be a good friend - guide me through this process and may we both grow in You.

Products Used for this Design:

Stamps: Well Wishes by Hero Arts, SU Curvy Verses
Paper: Papertrey White, SU Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: B.Black, Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green, Spica Pens
Accessories: SU Ribbon, Dimensionals, Spica Pens, Mini Dew Drops

SHE'S ALL ABOUT THE CHERRY ON TOP

This week's 100th Featured Stamper on Splitcoast (SCS) is Julie HRR, aka Her Royal Rubberness. Julie was my first introduction to SCS - she politely PMed me to let me know I was doing something wrong! LOL. I was too naive to be mortified at the time as I did not know she was royal! Since our first encounter, however, I have been blessed to come to know her uncanny humor and helpful tidbits. She once gave me constructive critism on a card which was oh so helpful! Anyhoo, the way to play FS is to CASE (copy and share everything) a card from the honoree's gallery. This is the one I chose of Julie's. I am happiest when I stamp clean and simple. The analogy for me in this new year is to be ready and open for God's refinement. He simply wants good things in my life and if I allow Him to, He will clean up the bad and refine it into joy!

Products Used for this Design:


Stamps: SU Goody Goody Gumdrops, Essential Ovals from A Muse
Paper: Papertrey White, SU Summer Picnic
Ink: SU Whild Wasabi, Rose Red, Palette Noir Black, Spica Pens
Accessories: Ribbon from Pink Hedgehog

SIMPLY A KING

The message of Christmas is fairly simple: God sent His SON, Jesus to be the substitution for the fall of man. He was born without sin, lived without sin and died without sin. That's why He is able to be the only substitution for sin. I hope, during this upcoming Christmas season, that many recognize the true gift that is bestowed to us . . . He has made it so easy to have a relationship with Him. So much easier, in fact, than even believing in santa!

Products used for this design:

Stamps: A Muse Mary and baby Jesus, King is Born, CHF Starry Night BG, A Muse Essential Ovals Set
Paper: SU DSP from Prints Pack, Basic Black, Kraft
Ink: SU Real Red, Palette Noir Black, SU Craft White, Sahara Sand
Accessories: A Muse Ribbon, SU Oval Punches, Dimensionals

EVER WISH YOU WERE THE QUEEN BEE?

Wendy Wixler was recently selected as a featured stamper on SCS. Wendy's DD was one of the first peeps I met on SCS. She showed me how to post my creations! LOL Thanks, Amelia, I often say It's all your fault! LOL. Anyhoo, Wendy's work is exquisite. She has definite talent with coloring, die cuts, and sketchwork. She gives alot of practical tips with her design write-ups too, and a lot of her work is done with scraps which is way kewl! Please visit her gallery soon and don't forget to leave a comment on some of your faves! Here's the link:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=79179

I CASED a card of hers that had these same stamps in the design. I changed the theme to "Queen Bee" which is appropriate for the person that the card will be sent to. Come on now . . . who wouldn't want to be queen bee for the day?

Products used for this design:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Honey Bees

Paper: SU So Saffron, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Ink: Palette Noir Black, SU Craft Almost Amethyst and So Saffron, Classic Old Olive, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango

Accessories: SU Scallop Edge Punch and 2 sizes of Oval Punches, Tangerine Tango Ribbon, Stampendous and K and Company Bling Adhesives, Dimensionals

MILLION DOLLA' MEDALLION

I bet you can't say the title of this card out loud even one time! At least I couldn't! Aren't these medallion punch images eye candy??? The tutorial I found compliments of BeccaStamps is so helpful - you will be able to create one of these the very first time you try, I promise! Here's the link to Becca's Blog where you will find the tutorial!

I fussy cut my designer paper to fit into the medallion center. The sketch is my own, but I bet others have created it as well. Sometimes we think we are originals only to find out we're carbon copies! There must be a lesson in this somewhere, but I'm not sure where I'm headed with this one! Okay, how about this thought: God makes only originals - there are no two humans exactly alike and yet He says we are all made in His image. WoW!

Products used for this design:

• Stamps: SU One of A Kind
• Paper: SU Pacific Point, Whisper White, Bali Breeze DSP
• Ink: SU Pacific Point
• Accessories: Nesties, SU Punches, SU GG Ribbon, SU Gem Brads

FUN FRIENDSHIP AFTERNOON

I think I've mentioned this before, but it's worth repeating - I am blessed with a great group of friends! This is a card that a group of us made together one afternoon, getting together to chat, laugh and do a bit of stamping. Laughter is something feels so good, doesn't it?

This set of rubbah will be a fave of mine for a long time, I'm sure. I'll be posting more cards using it, for sure!

Products used for this project:

• Stamps: SU Season of Friendship
• Paper: SU Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Whisper White and Autumn Vine DSP
• Ink: Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Really Rust
• Accessories: SU Brass Hodgepodge, So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Piercer, SU Leaf Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals

DAINTY SILHOUETTES

Here's a great sketch challenge from Rox71 on SCS. The challenge is posted every Wednesday - this is sketch numbef 200!!! Just think - we have a link to 200 free sketches!!! I also combined a color challenge on this design. Color challenges are great for me to play because they combine colors that are out of my comfort zone. And being stretched in various areas of our lives is a good thing, right!!??!!

Products used in this design:

• Stamps: SU Pocket Silhouettes


• Paper: SU Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Pixie Pink, Very Vanilla, Bali Breezes DSP


• Ink: SU Markers, Versamark, and Kiwi Ink Pad


• Accesories: SU Pretties Kit for Pearls, Kiwi Double Stitched Reversable Satin Ribbon, Scallop Punch and 1 3/8 Round Punch, Sakura White Gel Pen, , Winter White EP, Dimensionals

LIVE WITH PASSION

Random musings today . . . My adult sons and their spouses all live with passion. They are passionate in their vocations, their marriages, their hobbies. I'm not sure if it's their generation or the way we raised them (of course I'd like to take some credit) but I'm in awe of the amount of energy they put forth. I am proud of all of them!

Being intrigued with etymology (the study of words) I looked up the definition of the word "passion" in the Hebrew language. I was curious to find out if that word is used in the new testament. I learned it basically means being dedicated to something to the point of sacrifice. The subroot of the translation is used in the text that describes Jesus suffering on the cross. WOW is about all I can say to that!

I designed this card for my son and darling daughter in law as an anniversary card. The main floral is double stamped to add some dimension. The colors are ones that they have chosen for decor in their home.


Products used for this design:

• Stamps:Inspired by Nature
• Paper: SU Really Rust, Kiwi Kiss, Confetti Cream, Basic Black
• Ink: SU Really Rust, Kiwi Kiss, Black Craft
• Embelishments / Accessories: Picot Satin Ribbon, Autumn pack of Gems, Ticket Punch and Corner Rounder Punch
  

CHIRPIN' BY . . .

We just got done with packed week of activities at work. I am reminded of how great it is to have friends who pick up the pace and dig in to help out. I have a bunch of thank-yous to do this weekend to let my friends know how much they are appreciated. I am blessed beyond belief, with such supportive friends!

This design was inspired by the SCS IC152 and Beate's Weekend Sketch 62.

Products used in this design:

• Stamps: SU Always, Short and Sweet
• Paper: SU Kraft, Tangerine Tango, Baja Breezes, Autumn DSP, Papertrey White
• Ink: Tangerine Tango, Versamark, EP's
• Embellisments / Accesories: MS Edge Punch, SU Curly and Curvy Punch, SU Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Mounting Tape, Cuttlebug A2 Folder.

HOW BIG?

This is the largest single stamp I own. I actually was stumped for a while, not certain how to actually put it to use! In playing along in the WCMD challenge on SCS this weekend, we were challenged to CASE an artist named sherryLc05. What I noticed about Sherry's gallery was that she used a lot of large images which inspired me to try using this Bella Blossom by Stampin' Up. I'm happy with the results and can't wait to try it in a different color scheme.

I'm reminded that oftentimes I let God kind of lurk in the background - He seems TOO BIG to tap in to! In reality, He cares about the minute stuff - He is a real and personal God - BIG but not TOO BIG, KWIM???

I found a good read that I'd like to share: "God is in the Small Stuff . . . And It All Matters" co-authored by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz. I like books that help me see everyday life in a different way. Hopefully you will be inspired by it too!


Products Used in this design:

• Stamps: SU Bella Blossom Stamp
• Paper: SU Bella Rose DSP, Kiwi Kiss and Pink Pirhouette CS
• Ink: SU Riding Hood Red
• Embellishments / Accessories: SU Scallop Punch and 1 3/8 Circle Punch RRH Ribbon

WINDS OF GRACE

I am becoming more aware everyday that, grace is something that is all around me everyday. It's like the wind - ever present but sometimes you can feel it's strength, and sometimes you can't even though logic reminds you that there is no such thing as "no wind". My part in experiencing grace is to raise my sail and receive it. . . .

Products used in this design:

• Stamps: SU Winds of Grace, Riveting
• Paper: SU Blue Bayou, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Autumn DSP
• Ink, SU Craft Chocolate Chip, Embossing Powder
• Embellishments: SU Rope Twine, Circle Punches