POPPY PARADE/CALYPSO CORAL STIPPLED BLOSSOMS

This card combines two challenges: Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #187 and Colour Q Challenge #194 (Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, Gumball Green, and Tempting Turquoise). I just recently received the beautiful Stippled Blossoms stamp set, and couldn't wait to use it!  For the roses, I stamped off with Calypso Coral on the base image and stamped the overlay image in Poppy Parade. The base image for the leaves were stamped off in Gumball Green, then the overlay image stamped in Gumball Green. 

 





RECIPE
Stamps: Stippled Blossoms, Petite Pairs
Paper: Poppy Parade, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White CS, Poppy Parade Patterns DSP (retired), Pawsitively Prints II DSP (retired)
Ink: Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Gumball Green 
Embellishments: Pearl Basic Jewels 
Tools: Scallops Circles #2 Die (retired), Paper-Piercing Tools & Mat, Paper Snips 
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

REASON TO SMILE

Here's a simple card using two fabulous challenges: Create with Connie & Mary Color Challenge 206 and Freshly Made Sketch Challenge 39. I used the Reason to Smile stamp set which will be available to Stampin' Up! customers in July for only $5!

RECIPE 

Stamps: Reason to Smile, sentiment from Petite Pairs

Paper: Island Indigo DSP, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Island Indigo, and Very Vanilla CS 

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Island Indigo 

Embellishments: Cherry Cobbler Brads 

Tools: Scallop Circle Die, Circle Cutter, Houndstooth Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Paper Piercing Tool, 1/4" Circle Punch 

Supplies:  Stampin' Dimensionals

TOP NOTE BIRTHDAY

I've been wanting to play along with the Retro Sketches for quite awhile, and this Retro Sketch #15 sent me over the edge! I love the use of the Top Note Die!

RECIPE

Stamps:  Delightful Dozen

Paper:  Just Add Cake DSP, So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Peach Parfait CS

Ink:  Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze, Peach Parfait, and So Saffron

Embellishments:  Silver Brad, Baja Breeze Buttons, Peach Parfait 1/2" Poly Stitched Ribbon

Tools:  Top Note Die, Star Punch

Supplies:  Stampin' Dimensionals

FIRST OF THE SUMMER

I'm a week into my Summer Break, and am working at getting back into the groove of stamping and creating.  I appreciate those of you who are still reading my blog, despite my sporadic posts.  This card is the result of my first efforts, and I've used two challenges that are new to me ... Freshly Made Sketch #38 and Dynamic Duos Color Challenge #6 of Regal Rose and Basic Gray.

RECIPE

Stamps:  Mixed Bunch, sentiment from Because I Care

Paper:  Walk in the Park DSP (retired), Basic Gray, Regal Rose, and Whisper White CS

Ink:  Regal Rose and Basic Gray

Embellishments:  Basic Pearls, Rose 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

Tools:  Blossom Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Adorning Accents Edgelit
Supplies:  Stampin' Dimensionals

BE MY VALENTINE

Oh, it's great to be on Winter Break!  I'm loving this relaxed stamping time!  Today, I was inspired by two challenges: Create with Connie and Mary Challenge #183, a color challenge of Blushing Bride, Pool Party, and Soft Suede, and Stampin' Queen Sketch Challenge #20.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well Soft Suede compliments Blushing Bride and Pool Party.  I had never played along the the Stampin' Queens challenges before, and enjoyed this unique sketch.

RECIPE

Stamps:  Delightful Dozen

Paper:  Blushing Bride Designer Series Paper, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Blushing Bride and Whisper White Cardstock

Ink:  Soft Suede

Embellishments:  Blushing Bride 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon

Tools:  Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die, Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Supplies:  Stampin' Dimensionals

SWEETHEART for VALENTINE'S DAY

I hope you had a joyous and blessed Christmas! Mine was great, and certainly very busy!

If you're wondering where iPICKS has been .... I've been having difficulties with Clipmarks and haven't been able to post. As soon as it starts working again, I'll get caught up with the iPICKS posts.

On to a card...
I am really hoping that this card is the first of many during my Winter Break! I used the Create with Connie & Mary Sketch Challenge #182, and the stamp set Sweetheart. I love the non-traditional Valentine's Day color scheme!

RECIPE
Stamps: Sweetheart, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Berry Blossoms DP, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Early Espresso
Embellishments: Wisteria Wonder Designer Printed Brad
Tools: Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die, Big Shot, Small Heart Punch, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

TAKE CARE

This card was inspired by two challenges; Sketch For You To Try June 2011 and Create with Connie & Mary CMC-SUM03 of Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, and Wild Wasabi. I inked up the new Level 2 Hostess stamp set, Love & Care, found in the 2011 Summer Mini Catalog -- LOVE that set!

RECIPE
Stamps: Love & Care (Level 2 Hostess Summer Mini Catalog)
Paper: Uptown DP (retired), Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Pacific Point, and Daffodil Delight CS
Ink: Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, and Wild Wasabi
Embellishments: Wild Wasabi Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Daffodil Delight Button
Tools: Scallop Circle #2 Die, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

INSPIRED BUTTERFLY for CREATE WITH... and COLOR THROWDOWN

This is one of those cards that I'm not going to disclose how long it took me to design it! I fiddled and fiddled with it throughout the day until finally coming up with an acceptable overall design that I'm pretty happy with. I combined two challenges: Create with Connie & Mary Sketch Challenge #106 and Color Throwdown #1oo of Real Red, Regal Rose, Baja Breeze, and Certainly Celery. I have always loved Real Red and Regal Rose together ... add some blue and green and you've got one terrific color combo!




RECIPE
Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Flight of the Butterfly, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Sweet Always DP (retired), Whisper White, Real Red, Regal Rose, and Baja Breeze CS
Ink: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, and Real Red
Embellishments: Baja Breeze Buttons, 1/4" Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Word Window Punch, Circle Cutter, Corner Rounder, Butterfly Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

Thank you for stopping by today!

FOR ALL YOU DO on SWEET SUNDAY

This week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #77 is straight out of the new Stampin' Up! catalog (US) on pg. 10. It's unique size (6 1/2" x 3 1/4") and layers made it really fun to work with! I hope you'll play along this week too!

For more inspiration, see what the Sweet Sunday Stampers have created:

Joanne Basile:...just a little something
Karen Motz: Paper Playhouse
Laura Fredrickson: Scrapnextras
Sarah-Jane Kale': Janeybell
Vicki Burdick: It's a Stamp Thing
Lynn Put: The Queen's Scene
Jen Tapler: Jen Tapler Designs

My card uses the stamp set, For All You Do which is not new to the new catalog, but is new to me. I earned it for free with my Sale-a-Bration rewards! Sweet! I used colors from Just Add Ink Color Challenge #25 of Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, and Elegant Eggplant.

RECIPE
Stamps: For All You Do
Paper: Thoroughly Modern DP, Very Vanilla and Elegant Eggplant CS
Ink: Soft Suede, Rose Red, and Elegant Eggplant
Embellishments: Silver Brads, Rose Red Button (retired), Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Hemp Twine
Tools: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Scallop Border Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

LIMITED SUPPLIES for CHEEP TALK

I came across Julie Davison's Limited Supply Challenge and was inspired to play along.

The only supplies that could be used include:

Cheep Talk stamp set and/or Bugs & Kisses stamp set
Bermuda Bay, Chocolate Chip, and Pumpkin Pie ink pads
Scallop Circle Punch
Paper Cutter
8-1/2" x 4-1/4" Bermuda Bay CS,
8-1/2" x 1" Bermuda Bay CS,
6" x 1-1/2" Sweet Pea DSP
(Chocolate Polka Dot Design on one side with Pumpkin Pie design on the other)
2" x 2" Pumpkin Pie CS
5-1/2" x 3" Whisper White CS

You are allowed to cut, tear, or omit any of the cardstock and paper, but could use no more than one of each piece.

Fun challenge and great color combo too! The Cheep Talk images get me every time! :) Thanks so much for stopping by today!

CELEBRATE the 4TH OF JULY

Today's card was inspired by a design by Barb Mann ... and also inspired by a couple of online challenges; Stacey Schafer's Curtain Call Color Challenge #36 of Real Red, Night of Navy, Kraft, and Whisper White and Create with Connie and Mary's 4th of July themed challenge (CCMC105).

It's blistering hot here in Phoenix, and I'm really wishing I was back in the Midwest where they know how to celebrate the 4th! On the other hand, I just finished up summer school yesterday, and am just happy to be starting my summer even if it is indoors!

RECIPE
Stamps: Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Real Red Prints DP, Kraft, Night of Navy, Real Red, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Night of Navy
Embellishments: Star Designer Brad, Silver Brad, Night of Navy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Scallop Border Punch, Star Punch, Large Star Punch, Word Window Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

LITTLE LEAVES for READER'S CHOICE

This card uses Kristina Werner's Reader's Choice Color Inspiration Challenge #3. I chose the colors of Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Orchid Opulence, and Very Vanilla. The leaf images in the four 1 1/2" squares were created using the Little Leaves Sizzlits Die.

RECIPE
Stamps: Sincere Salutations
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, and Very Vanilla CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Embellishments: 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo Brads
Tools: Little Leaves Sizzlits Die
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Anywhere Glue Stick
All products used are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

CELEBRATING WENDY

Each Sunday, Mary Jo Price-Williams hosts a Featured Stamper Challenge on Stampin' Connection, an online community for Stampin' Up! demonstrators. Today's Featured Stamper #18 is my friend Wendy Janson !!! She is one incredibly talented stamper, and I just love her creations! I've had the pleasure of meeting Wendy, and have been lucky enough to get together with her a couple of times during her visits to Phoenix! Wendy is busy creating samples for the upcoming Stampin' Up! Convention as a display stamper with top secret products. She is celebrating milestone hits on her blog, and is offering some blog candy HERE.

Unfortunately, I'm not able to link Wendy's card that I CASEd, as it is not on her blog. If you are a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, you can find Wendy's gallery on Stampin' Connection, the the card I CASEd is called "Mojo42".

My card was also inspired by the color combo from Just Add Ink #19 of Melon Mambo, Taken with Teal, and Elegant Eggplant. The butterfly was created using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die. I layered two of the large butterfly images with two mini glue dots down the center and slightly bending the wings of the top butterfly for depth. The center of the butterfly was created by punching Elegant Eggplant CS with the Horizontal Slot Punch.

RECIPE
Stamps: A Little Birthday Cheer
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Melon Mambo, and Bermuda Bay CS
Ink: White Craft
Embellishments: 5/16" Silver Jumbo Brads
Tools: Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Horizontal Slot Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

ENJOY YOUR MEMORIAL DAY !!!!

CHRISTMAS JINGLE DASHER

Here's another little card I put together over my three-day weekend. I used Cindy Haffner's Crazy 4 Challenges Sketch #1 and my new Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit.

* The scallop circle Dasher image and the sentiment are self-adhesive die cuts from the Christmas Jingle SSK, and the designer paper and textured cardstock are also from the kit.

* The beautiful Old Olive 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon can be found in the Mistletoe Ribbon Originals in the new '09 Holiday Mini Catalog.

* The overall card measures 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". The "tent" portion of the card measures 4 1/4" x 6", and is scored at 3".

* It's difficult to see in the photograph, but there are dots of metallic glitter glue (made for papercrafting) added to antlers of the Dasher image.
RECIPE
Images: Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit
Paper: Christmas Jingle Designer Paper, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive Textured CS from Christmas Jingle SSK
Embellishments: Old Olive 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon from Mistletoe Ribbon Originals ('09 Holiday Mini)
Tools: Circle Cutter
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Glitter Glue for papercrafting (non-SU)

THANKS A BUNCH

Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #9 uses the colors of Grass Green, Black and Cream. My personal Stampin' Up! interpretation of the green is Certainly Celery, and I accidentally used Whisper White instead of Vanilla. I don't think I've ever used Certainly Celery with Basic Black, and I kind of like it!

This card is very similar to THIS Scallop Border Medallion card I posted a couple of days ago. I just couldn't resist using this technique again --- it's so easy! In case you missed it, you can find the tutorial for the Scallop Border Medallion HERE. My Certainly Celery Scallop Square is 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" and bordered by a Basic Black piece that measures 2 7/8" square. Overall card size is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4".
RECIPE
Stamps: A Little Somethin' (Level Two Hostess)
Paper: Certainly Celery Prints DP (retired), Basic Black, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Certainly Celery
Embellishments: Black Brad
Tools: 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Circle Cutter, Trio Flower Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

I'll be back tonight with this week's iPICKS!

MY TIME PARISIAN BREEZE VASES IN VOGUE

I could really get used to this summer gig of stamping almost every day! I'm in heaven! This card uses Lauren Meader's My Time To Create Sketch Challenge 33. I've used two retired hostess stamp sets - Vases In Vogue and Best Yet, along with the current Parisian Breeze Designer Paper. The Baja Breeze Corduroy Brads are currently available through the Occasions Mini Catalog.

This is my first attempt at this kind of ribbon treatment. It took some trial and error, and I still wonder if there is an easier way to do it but I really like the end result! I used a small piece of hemp twine to tie the two ends of ribbon together, then punched a hole through the ribbon and cardstock with my Handheld 1/16" Circle Punch near the tie for the Corduroy Brad to go through.
RECIPE
Stamps: Vases In Vogue (retired), Best Yet (retired)
Paper: Parisian Breeze DP, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze
Embellishments: Baja Breeze Corduroy Brads, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Blender Pen, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

GARDEN GREETINGS SFYTT & RASPBERRY SUITE COLOR CHALLENGE

I was excited to see that Dawn McVey started hosting a color challenge on her blog, My Favorite Things. She always has the best color combos in her designs, and if Week 1 is a taste of things to come, her color challenges are sure to be very popular among the stamping community! I used Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try with Dawn's Week 1 Raspberry Suite Color Challenge of Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Pink Passion, and Whisper White. I tried to make my design as close to the sketch as possible but struggled with the top panel/star, and ended up tying the ribbon across the width of the card.
RECIPE
Stamps: Garden Greetings
Paper: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion, Pumpkin Pie, and So Saffron
Embellishments: Chocolate Chip 5/16" Jumbo Brads, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: 1/2" and 3/4" Circle Punches

SWEET SLUMBER WITH PIZZAZZ

I've been in a creative slump all week and thought I'd give it another try this afternoon. My day job leaves me wiped out in the evenings so I was thrilled to have this three day weekend! Hopefully, there will be much more stamping happening!

I paired today's OCC Sketch Challenge hosted by Laurie Schmidlin with the stamp set Petal Pizzazz and the new textured designer paper, Sweet Slumber. I think everything is pretty self-explanatory, but did want to point out that I used alot of stampin' dimensionals to give different depths to the flower arrangement.
RECIPE
Stamps: Petal Pizzazz, Sincere Salutations
Paper: Sweet Slumber textured DP, Baja Breeze and So Saffron CS
Ink: Ruby Red, So Saffron, Baja Breeze, and Basic Black
Embellishments: Ruby Red Brads, So Saffron Button, Flower Fusion Too
Tools: 1" and 3/4" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

TRENDY TREES IN HAWAII PAPAYA

Trendy Trees was the first stamp set on my wish list from the new Stampin' Up! Spring-Summer '09 Idea Book & Catalog. I HAD to have it, and after working with it last night I love it even more! I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #29 and flipped it on it's side without layer #5. Hope I didn't stray too far! I used the retired designer paper, Hawaii Papaya with the colors of Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, and Kiwi Kiss. The Stamp-A-Ma-Jig is a must with this stamp set!
RECIPE
Stamps: Trendy Trees
Paper: Hawaii Papaya DP (retired), Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, and Kiwi Kiss, Versamark
Embellishments: Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon
Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Word Window Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

I still have one spot left in Embellishment Share, group #6 and Designer Paper Share, group #5. E-mail me to reserve these spots ... nrileycm@cox.net. This is the last call, and I will not be forming any new groups after these are filled.

COURTNEY'S 1st BIRTHDAY CHALLENGE

This little sweetheart is Libby Hickson's daughter Courtney, and she's celebrating her first birthday today! For the past year, Libby has been holding "From Courtney's Closet Challenges" each week on her blog, Libby's Little Addiction, where she dresses Courtney up in one of her cute outfits, and encourages others to use it as inspiration for a card. It's about the cutest idea I've ever seen for a stamping challenge! It has been so much fun seeing photos of Courtney each week during her first year, and am thrilled to help Libby celebrate this special event, along with these other talented ladies ...

Carole Burrage, Mother's Little Helper
Leslie Miller, Running With Scissors
Maria Gurnsey, Scraps by M
Melissa Sauls, In Stamping Mode
Rose Ann Reynolds, Paper Delightz
Sue Kment, Sue's Stamping Stuff

Libby has some amazing and generous blog candy to give away too! Check it out HERE!

Here's my card inspired by Courtney's "Cute As A Cupcake" shirt ...
RECIPE
Stamps: Simple Birthday Thanks, Think Happy Thoughts
Paper: Tempting Turquoise Prints DP (retired), Green Galore, Pink Passion, Real Red, Close To Cocoa, Yoyo Yellow, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Basic Black, Pink Passion
Embellishments: Tempting Turquoise and Green Galore SU Brads, Yellow and White Brads (non-SU), White Taffeta Ribbon
Tools: Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, 3/4", 1 3/8", and 1 1/4" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, COURTNEY !!!