Miss Crabby Pants.....

that's me!  Crabby because I have had NO stamping time in the last couple days!!!  Gardening, work, housework, company, vacation.....things that need to be done!  Enough griping!  I do have a couple things to share with you since I got a whole MESS of absolutely beautiful birthday cards this week!!  I'll do a few at a time, to make them last!

This beauty is from Elaine (sorry it is a little pale):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But here's the kicker:  the inside:

 

 

 

Yeah, that's about how I feel sometimes! :D

 

 

 

 

From fellow CTD team member Tammy:

And from my friend and customer, Linda:

Lovely cards, ladies!  I have enjoyed looking at them over & over.  There are more to come, but for now I am going to do some stamping of my own!  Til tomorrow!

Another Quick Hostess Gift

We went to a picnic over the weekend and I decided to make the hostess a little package of note cards......about 15 minutes before we were ready to leave....ooops.  So I got some Stampin'Up! note cards and envelopes---already cut & scored, that's a time-saver right there!  I pulled out Sweet Stems and stamped each image on some Whisper White cardstock, then colored them in quickly with some markers, blender pen and ink.  Then I punched them out with a circle punch and mounted each one on a scallop punched from a K&Co Berry Sweet mat pad, and adhered each one to a note card.

Here's a closeup of each one:

I packaged them up real quick in a little cello bag and wrapped some Baja Breeze ribbon around and made a little emblem with a sentiment from PTI's Mixed Messages.  Phew!  Made it just in time!  TFL!

Monochromatic Sympathy

For my second post today, I needed a couple sympathy cards, so I combined three challenges:

1. SCS Sketch Challenge 239 from Silke
2. Stacey's Stamping Stage Curtain Call Act 1
3. and Flourishes' Timeless Tuesday FTTC26

Stacey's challenge was to use Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy and Whisper White; she chose her inspiration from this bedding:

Gorgeous, huh?  And the Flourishes challenge was to make a monochromatic card, so this fit perfectly.   On my sample above, I used pearls in the lower right hand corner; on another, I used smaller pearls in the tree:

 

The set I am using is Thoughts and Prayers, a wonderful versatile set.  Papers and ink are Not Quite Navy and Night of Navy; the DP is retired Patterns from a Hostess Pack.  Ribbon is white taffeta, also SU.  Thanks for visiting today!

Color Throwdown #53

Welcome back to another Throwdown! This week our lovely hostess Danielle has chosen Pink Pirouette, Rose Red and Bordering Blue as her colors. I LOVE these colors together! I was a little concerned about the Rose Red, but if you use your strongest color just as an accent, it doesn't overpower the rest of your card---keep that in mind! I have really enjoyed the creations everyone has been making over the last few weeks....lots of creativity and thoughtfulness have gone into them! I hope this week we can see more of your "craftiness" with this pretty combo. Post your card on your blog or an online gallery using CTD53 as your keyword, then come back to the CTD blog and link it to our favorite Mr Linky! Be sure to use your exact post address, otherwise we'll have to delete it. Remember that you could be chosen as the Featured Stamper next week, or you could even have a guest spot for a month!

My card this week uses Julia Stainton's Sweet Bee set from Cornish Heritage Farms....oooh, I fell in love with this as soon as she showed it to us! I did sort of a collage-y type card and I tried to use as many of the images as possible! LOL! (I have to warn you that I am using Blogger instead of Live Writer, which I prefer, so my photos may not be as clear.)
I used Very Vanilla as my base, with Bordering Blue and a K&Co card from a Hannah cardstock pad as accents. A little piece of Bella Bleu peeks out from the left side. I just randomly stamped some bee and honeycomb images in Sahara Sand, and the bee & pussy willow image is stamped in Bordering Blue as well as the lace. I added a few accents here and there and overstamped the main images with Creamy Caramel and the SU retired Linen stamp. I diecut some swirls and a button in Rose Red, then added a WHOLE row of little heart-shaped bling! No hoarding! The sentiment was also stamped in Rose Red and I made it a little "shabby" looking by cutting it with a wavy edge. Lots of daubering for a vintage look, and some tea-dyed lace to finish the whole thing. I did not put a sentiment on the inside, as I am not quite sure for what occasion I'll use this---but I am going to try to send it out and not hoard this one as well!

Let's see what the other designers came up with this week:

• Broni - Splashes of Watercolor
• Tammy - Stamp Happy
• Cathy - Crafty Thoughts
• Barbara - Paper Pursuits
• Danielle – Wild Dragonfly Designs
• Our Guest Designer, Juliana - Stampin with Inky Fingers

• Stamps: Sweet Bee, CHF; Linen, Retired SU
• Paper: Very Vanilla, Bella Bleu DP, K&Co Hannah, Bordering Blue, Rose Red
• Ink: Creamy Caramel, Sahara Sand, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Bordering Blue, Rose Red
• Acc: Big Shot, Buttons diecut, Swirls diecut, lace, bling, circle punch, daubers, dimensionals
  

Thoroughly Modern Falling Leaves

This is my last Falling Leaves post for a little while, until I make some more samples!

I had a "play date" at my upline Pennie's and she cranked out lots of new things with her Big Shot and dies, so I hope tol be playing with them along with my Falling Leaves set!!! Meanwhile, let me show you what I made for HER as a little hostess thank you before I went to her house. This only took me about an hour to do!!! A relatively quick little gift and FUN to make! So here
we go:



The pattern for this box is found at SCS here. The paper is Melon Mambo and Thoroughly Modern DP. I also used the Leaves and Lots of Tags die cuts as well as the oval and scalloped oval punches. The lid of the box merely tucks behind that little tag. The leaves die cut covers the front and the top of the box....I used my Tombow glue to make sure it stayed glued! A little corduroy brad added a little extra oomph!








Do you want to see what's inside? Here you go:













Even though my camera's lighting doesn't show it, these colors do match! The leaves are stamped in Melon Mambo and Sahara Sand, then mounted on the little cards. Then I stamped the envelopes:









and so Pennie could choose her own sentiment to add to each card, I stamped several from Teeny Tiny Tiny Wishes, punched them with the small oval punch:









And then bagged them up in a little cello bag which fit right into the box along with the cards and envelopes:

















She really liked it and I had lots of fun making it, too! This little project lends itself to all kinds of images; I loved the fresh color combo that was in the Thoroughly Modern DP and just went with it! Now you try one!
Just a little hint about cutting out patterns: if you choose not to print the pattern right on your cardstock (my printer does NOT like to do that), you can trim your regular paper pattern close to the edges, then use paper clips to fasten it to your cardstock. You can then cut around the edges easily with your Paper Snips, moving the paper clips as you go around. You don't need to trace anything, and you can use that pattern over & over again! Just a tip that Pennie gave me a long time ago!!! TFL!

Ribbon of Hope

I squeaked out a quick Clean & Simple card this morning (that's what I LOVE about CAS--they're FAST!) before I go out to the garden and mess up my new manicure by picking beans...lol!  The CAS challenge at SCS is a sketch; you can see the details here.  I just got SU's new Ribbon of Hope stamp---I hope they keep this one for a long time!  It's a single stamp--you can see it on page 208 of the new catalog.  Stamped in Pretty in Pink ink, it was perfect with this sketch:

The cardbase is SU's Textured Whisper White cardstock; the pink is some retired Hostess pack DP.  My sentiment is from a cute set from Simon Says called Simply The Best Sentiments. Thanks for looking today!

More Falling Leaves

 

I promised a couple more Falling Leaves samples this week from the Catty Cruise, so here is one more card:

I used Autumn Traditions DP and the Modern Label and oval and circle punches as well as Lots of Tags Die Cut for this simple card.  A little bit of linen thread adds a rustic touch.

I also wanted to share with you a RAK I received from my friend Nika in Russia.  We met via my blog; she has a Christian ministry to young women in Russia and she teaches them stamping and cross stitch.  It is difficult to get these kinds of crafts in Russia, so I had sent her a large box of donated materials last year, and she sent this cross-stitched wall hanging as a thank-you:

 

This has really touched my heart and I will treasure it!!!  It will hang in my craft room as a memory that we are sisters in Christ even though we are miles apart.  On a similar note, my MIL sent me a little plastic canvas cross and pocket that the children in my FIL's Sunday School class made (I didn't even know my FIL HAD a SS class--have to get the deets on that!), along with a wonderful little poem:

I carry a cross in my pocket, a simple reminder to me, of the fact that I am a Christian, no matter where I may be.

This little cross is not magic, nor is it a good luck charm.  It isn't meant to protect me from every physical harm.

It's not for identification, for all the world to see.  It's simply an understanding between my Savior and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket, to bring out a coin or a key, the cross is there to remind me of the price He paid for me.

It reminds me, too, to be thankful, for my blessings day by day, and to strive to serve Him better, in all that I do and say.

It's also a daily reminder of the peace and comfort I share, with all who know My Master and give themselves to His care.

So I carry a cross in my pocket, reminding no one but me, that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life, if only I'll let Him be.

Isn't that a wonderful little reminder?  The little cross slips into the little purple "pocket".  You could use this for any little item that triggers a memory for you.  Feel free to copy and paste it for yourself!

I am going to be visiting my dad and sis for a couple days but will try to have some Blogger posts set up!  I'll be back for the next Color Throwdown Challenge, though, don't worry!

Catty Cruise Is Here!!!

Come aboard for a wonderful cruise around the new Stampin' Up! catalog, affectionately known as the Catty! This blog hop Catty Cruise will take you from "port to port" where you'll be able to sightsee the many wonderful creations made by a talented group of SU demos using a variety of just-released sets and accessories! So grab a cool drink, put on your sailin' duds and climb on board!

This is a circular hop, so there is no real beginning or end! You can start anywhere! You can go here to read more details and see all the "ports" or just click on our little friend the seagull above! If you arrived here from It's A Stamp Thing, I hope you enjoyed Vicki's creations made with the new Greenhouse Garden stamp set and Cottage Wall DP. At the end of this post, you'll be directed to the next port o'call!

I chose to highlight the new stamp set, Falling Leaves (page 27 in the catty). I love fall and the cool crisp nights, the warm colors, the smell that fills the air; fall has wonderful memories for me! I like that this set has fun and funky leaf images as well as some "thankful" and Thanksgiving sentiments. Stay tuned next week as I will continue to highlight this set with a few more goodies! But enough chatter, on with the tour!

I'll start with a couple of cards: the first one above uses some unusual colors for a "fall" card: Bermuda Bay, Creamy Caramel and Soft Suede. It also uses a new Texturz plate, Perfect Details. Layering with punches gives a strong focal point to this card. I turned the square scallop a quarter turn to create a different look, and I cut the designer label in half and "spread" it to make a wider layer on the back! The Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon complements my polka dot leaf! My second one is a clean and sophisticated square:

It uses Kraft, black and white to make a bold statement! The jumbo grommet is a cool embellishment and offsets the geometrical look of the To The Nines DP. The gingham has been "dyed" with a Creamy Caramel marker to make it less stark white.

For a more traditional use for these images, I made a 6x6" scrapbook page:

I am not much of a scrapbooker, but I love this photo of me and my dad, and with the fall foliage in the background, it seemed a natural choice for this set. More Kraft cardstock was first wheeled with the new jumbo wheel, Cornelli Lace----LOVE it! I wheeled my background piece of Soft Suede with it as well. The Earth Element colors of Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Old Olive and Ruby Red really look great stamped on the Kraft CS. I sponged the edges with Close to Cocoa to give it a rustic look. The "T" from Defining Alphabet emphasizes the "thankful" leaf and gives my page its theme. The date & place was punched with the cool new Modern Label punch! Buttons from the new Playground series add some fun and a little punch of color.

I love to figure out new ways to use images, and I thought it would be fun to make a basket charm for Christmas out of one of the leaf stamps:

To make this cute little charm, I cut a "wreath" from Handsome Hunter using two Nesties. (Use whatever size fits your basket best). I then stamped several leaves in HH and cut them out, and randomly glued them to my wreath. A 1/4" circle punch makes quick work for Real Red berries! I used a toothpick to add glue to the back of each one, and then added a white gel pen highlight. Doesn't the new Polka Dot Stitched Ribbon look great on this little charm? To tie the charm to my basket, I used Crystal Effects to attach some gingham ribbon on the back. My DH is anti-glitter, otherwise I might have added some Dazzling Diamonds, too!

My final project is a little fun thing I've been wanting to do for a while:

This is a small fabric pin; the oak leaf is stamped in More Mustard Craft ink on a piece of tea-dyed muslin. I hand-stitched it with some batting on to a little piece of felt and added a Playground button again. I sewed a little pin to the back, but in a pinch you could just use a safety pin! This took hardly any time at all; just make sure you iron your image after the ink dries to set it properly! I can't wait to wear this on my jacket this fall!

Thanks for visiting my "tourist attractions" and allowing me to be your tour guide! I have so many more ideas in store for you, so be sure to stop back next week! Your next destination is the totally amazing LeeAnn Greff at Flowerbug's Inkspot. She is the QUEEN of punch art--her creations are amazing! She'll be highlighting the great set, For All You Do, as well as the new Movers & Shapers dies. You can click on the logo below and it will take you to your next cruise destination! Thanks for visiting with me today!

Grateful Card:

• Paper: Bermuda Bay, Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Thoroughly Modern DP
• Ink: Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede
• Acc: Perfect Details Texturz Plate & Big Shot; Large Oval, Designer Label, Square Scallop, Scallop Edge and 1/16" Punches, BB Polka Dot Ribbon, Vintage Brads, Linen Thread

Thankful Card:

• Paper: Kraft, Basic Black, To the Nines DP
• Ink: Craft White, Stazon Black
• Acc: 1/2" Circle Punch, Jumbo Grommets, Black Gingham, Creamy Caramel Marker

Scrapbook Page:

• Paper: Kraft, Soft Suede, Ruby Red
• Ink: Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Old Olive, Ruby Red, Soft Suede
• Acc: Cornelli Lace Jumbo Wheel, Modern Label Punch, Playground Buttons, needle, Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers, computer

Basket Charm:

• Paper: Handsome Hunter, Real Red
• Ink: Handsome Hunter
• Acc: 1/4" Circle Punch, Circle Nestabilities & Big Shot, Polka Dot Stitched Ribbon, Glue Dots, White Gel Pen, Gingham Ribbon, Crystal Effects

Fabric Pin:

• Ink: Craft More Mustard
• Acc: Felt, Muslin, batting, needle & thread, Playground button, Linen thread, pin back, iron

Get Your Motor Runnin'!!

A quick post for a quick card today.  The Limited Supply challenge at SCS was to use an image you could "rev up"!  I have used this vintage truck image from my Home set by Artistic Outpost several times, and it seemed a good choice today also. 

I pulled out a couple of pieces from a fun BG paper called Recess and stamped right on the DP in Chocolate Chip ink.  Since the DP had a Sage Shadow tone to it, I made my card base of Sage Shadow.  I added a sentiment from the Picnic Basket sentiments by PTI which very conveniently fit SU's new Modern Label punch!  My Nesties Label One fit nicely behind that; I added a little shading, some eyelets and my limited supply card was done!  This will make a great masculine card, don't you think?  I made it 4x6" so it will fit some yard sale envelopes I got!!!

And don't forget--tomorrow is the CATTY CRUISE!  Woohoo!  You can begin here at my blog to follow the Stampin'Up! catalog blog hop or start at the Cruise headquarters here.  So be sure & stop back!

Fresh Cuts Mojo

For this week's Mojo Monday 96 sketch, I chose to use a set that has been gathering dust, Fresh Cuts, and paired it with some Razzleberry Lemonade DP.  Here's the sketch:

 

 

And here's the card:

 

I used the rock & roll method to ink the stamp, using Rose Red and Rich Razzleberry, then sketchilly (is that a word?) filled in some of the images with a blender pen and Crushed Curry ink.   I cut the circles with my Nesties, added some satin ribbon, tied with organdy ribbon and finished it with a vellum tag cut from Lots of Tags diecut.  This is a hostess thank-you card and will go out in the mail tomorrow!  TFL!

• Stamps:  Fresh Cuts
• Paper:  WW, Vellum, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry, Rose Red, Razzleberry Lemonade
• Ink:  Rose Red, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry
• Acc:  Blender Pen, Nesties & Big Shot, Satin Ribbon, Organdy Ribbon, Lots of Tags diecut, dimensionals

A Little Boo to You!

BOO!  It's really too soon to think Halloween, except if you're like me and you love all those spooky images, so when I saw the Sketch Challenge this week at SCS, I just had to use this cute little single stamp from page 208 in the new SU catalog!  At $6.95, you can't go wrong!

This card came together FAST!  Rich Razzleberry cardstock and Razzleberry Lemonade DP forms the base; the little ghost is stamped in RR, Pumpkin Pie & Always Artichoke.  Defining Alphabet and All Holidays provided my words.  Those jumbo brads really pack a punch in a hurry, too!  Thanks for looking!  And don't forget, on Saturday the Catty Cruise begins!  Check out my link at the side!

Color Throwdown #52

Barbara is today's hostess, and her colors of Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery and Chocolate Chip, were perfect for my creation!  Today's sponsor is Clear and Simple Stamps, and the stamp set I am using is called Fresh from the Garden.  They are wonderful clear stamps---I had a lot of fun using them!  We would love to see what you can come up with using these colors, and if you have any Clear and Simple stamps, feel free to use them!  Remember that if you don't have the exact colors, use something similar, and since we do have a sponsor this week, there are some guidelines, as well as a prize being offered, so be sure to check out ALL the details on the CTD blog!

Since my stamps were of a garden theme, I used them to make a simple recipe card.  I didn't want to add a lot of embellishments which would make my card too thick, so I simply did some layering, typed out my recipe and then embellished the card with a scallop and a stamped eggplant colored with a Perfect Plum marker.  The tab, which was punched with SU's Tab Punch, was stamped in Perfect Plum, as was the little seed packet and the word "eggplant" on the scallop.  Because these are clear stamps, I could curve the word to fit the shape of my scallop!  I finished my recipe on the other side and added another little sentiment and some more veggies at the bottom.

When having a potluck or covered dish, it is nice to have a little sign to tell people what your dish is!  For the little salad "poke" sign, I simply stamped the lettuce image in Perfect Plum and colored it with a Certainly Celery marker, and adhered it to some layers.  To make the poke itself, I diecut a circle in Perfect Plum and used the horizontal slot punch to make two slots:

 

 

Stuck in a wooden skewer and added some dimensionals: 

And adhered my stamped image:

 

For the "flag", I used my computer to print out my salad name, then trimmed and folded it; I added a glue dot right at the fold and glued it to the poke.   Now lets see what the others have created:

• Broni - Splashes of Watercolor
• Tammy - Stamp Happy
• Cathy - Crafty Thoughts
• Barbara - Paper Pursuits
• Danielle – Wild Dragonfly Designs
• Juliana - Stampin with Inky Fingers

Details:

• Stamps:  Fresh from the Garden, Clear & Simple
• Ink:  Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip
• Paper:  Very Vanilla, Perfect Plum, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery
• Acc:  Scallop Punch, Circle Punches, Tab Punch, Dimensionals, Skewer, Dauber, Horizontal Slot Punch, Markers