THINKING OF YOU, TRUE FRIEND

Oh boy, do I ever love this color combination from Stacey Schafer's Curtain Call Color Challenge #34! ... Sahara Sand, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Gray, Dusty Durango and Whisper White. Too bad my card doesn't represent this spectacular color combo as I had hoped it would. I'm not 100% pleased with this design, but have tried just about everything I can think of to make it better with no success.

I was pleased to use the soon-to-be retired stamp set, True Friend, again. It's funny how I haven't touched this stamp set for a very long time but can't get enough of it after learning of it's July 1, 2010 retirement!

I was also thrilled to try this ribbon technique for the first time. I remember seeing a tutorial for this ribbon technique somewhere but can't remember where. If you know where I can find one, I'd love to add a link to it here on this post! ... just let me know! Knowing the name of the ribbon technique would be nice too! LOL!

RECIPE
Stamps: True Friend, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Dusty Durango Patterns DP, Basic Gray, Dusty Durango, Rich Razzleberry, and Sahara Sand CS
Ink: Versamark, Basic Black
Embellishments: Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Pewter Brads
Tools: 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Word Window Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip
All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

TRUE FRIEND for SWEET SUNDAY

This week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge card uses the soon-to-be-retired stamp set, True Friend and the colors of Dusty Durango and Soft Suede. If this design looks familiar, it's because it is very similar to my card HERE. The layout of that card was so similar to this week's sketch, I just couldn't get it out of my head! This is one of the stamp sets on the retiring list that I'll surely miss! To see other cards I've designed with True Friend, click HERE.

See what the other Sweet Sunday Stampers have created for Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #72 ...

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

RECIPE
Stamps: True Friend
Paper: The Write Stuff DP, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Dusty Durango and Soft Suede
Embellishments: Antique Brass Brads, Chit Chat Rub-Ons
Tools: 1 3/8", 1 1/4", and 1" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by! Summer is here ... so I'm hoping to be able to do some more creating and blogging in between summer school and other family stuff!

MOROCCAN SLIPPER INSPIRED

I'm constantly amazed over the creative people I come across in blogland. I've been stalking Tina's blog, Travelingmama for quite some time, and yesterday she started a new challenge based on photos from her travels and future readers' photographs, Traveler's Inspiration Challenge {one}.

I love Tina's photo of colorful Moroccan slippers with all their sparkle and bling! The beaded medallion on the slippers immediately reminded me of the Stampin' Up! stamp set, True Friend. My eyes were drawn to the three slippers on the right in the red, light pink, and dark pink. My Stampin' Up! color translation is Riding Hood Red, Melon Mambo, and Regal Rose.

Each medallion is cut out, and raised up on Stampin' Dimensionals. I added Stickles glitter glue for paper crafting (non-SU) to each medallion ... X-mas Red for Riding Hood Red, Fruit Punch for Melon Mambo, and Cotton Candy for Regal Rose.RECIPE
Stamps: True Friend
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Melon Mambo, and Regal Rose
Supplies: X-mas Red, Fruit Punch, and Cotton Candy Stickles (non-SU), Stampin' Dimensionals

TRUE FRIEND

Thanks for all the encouraging comments about my blog makeover! The polka dots really aren't my favorite but there's not a whole lot of choices when you're looking for FREE 3-column layouts.

This card uses Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #55 of Basic Gray, Really Rust, More Mustard, and Very Vanilla ... along with Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #73. I used the stamp set True Friend with Autumn Vine Designer Paper. The sentiment is from the new stamp set Teeny Tiny Wishes found in the new '09-'10 Idea Book & Catalog. Again, I used the Scallop Edge Medallion technique to frame the main image. You can find a tutorial for this technique HERE.RECIPE
Stamps: True Friend, sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes ('09-'10 Idea Book & Catalog)
Paper: Autumn Vine (retired), Basic Gray, Really Rust, More Mustard, and Very Vanilla CS
Ink: More Mustard and Really Rust Stampin' Write Markers, Basic Gray Ink Pad
Embellishments: Basic Gray Corduroy Brads
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

CHRISTMAS THANK YOUs

Have you ever found sketch you love so much that you use it over and over again? Well, this one from Taylor VanBruggen's Cupcake Sketch Challenge #44 seems to be that one for me. I love this sketch because it shows off several patterns of designer paper and uses the versatile "circle within the scallop circle" that I use all the time. I've used this sketch HERE and HERE and again for this Christmas thank you card. I had been struggling with a design for a Christmas thank you card all week until I saw THIS CARD this morning by Gretchen Clark at This n' That ... bingo! RECIPE
Stamps: True Friend
Paper: Ski Slope DP, Baja Breeze, Real Red, Old Olive, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Real Red
Embellishments: Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

THANK YOU, TRUE FRIEND

Today's card uses Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge #33 using the colors of CHOCOLATE CHIP, PUMPKIN PIE, TAKEN WITH TEAL, CERTAINLY CELERY, and WHISPER WHITE, along with SCS Sketch Challenge #205. I've been thinking long and hard about these colors ever since Kristina posted the challenge a couple of days ago. I just kept coming to a dead end with these colors but finally decided to tackle them this afternoon. I would have liked to have played more on the button theme from the inspiration photo but managed to include only one button in my design.

I used Stampin' Write Markers (Taken With Teal, Certainly Celery, and Pumpkin Pie) to create the True Friend medallion background. The felt flowers are from Flower Fusion and Flower Fusion Too, and the sentiment is from the stamp set, Upsy Daisy (I like how the dots on the sentiment mimic those on the medallion image.).

RECIPE
Stamps: True Friend, Upsy Daisy
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Taken With Teal, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Certainly Celery, Taken With Teal, and Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Markers, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pad
Embellishments: Flower Fusion and Flower Fusion Too, Certainly Celery Button
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

ELEGANT EGGPLANT, TAKEN WITH TEAL, OLD OLIVE

If you're a frequent reader of my blog, you know I often lack confidence in my finished artwork, and am always saying something like "I almost didn't post this" ... "Not sure if I like it" ... "This didn't turn out like I had planned"? Well, this card didn't turn out like I had planned BUT I know that I like it !!! I've had this color combination in my head for quite some time, and had a chance to work with it last night ... ELEGANT EGGPLANT, TAKEN WITH TEAL, and OLD OLIVE. I've never had a favorite color, but am very much inspired by color combinations. I'm finding this color combination one of my favorites, and one that I can see myself using ALOT!

Besides the obvious, here are the details of my card ...
* I used Taylor VaBruggen's Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #24 ... and FLIPPED it.
* I also used the stamp set, TRUE FRIEND, and the "FRIEND" sentiment from FUNDAMENTAL PHRASES.
* The flowers were inked using Stampin' Write Markers ...stems in Old Olive, flowers in Taken With Teal, and the edges of the flowers in Elegant Eggplant.
* The small circle medallion image from the True Friend stamp set was stamped in Versamark onto the Elegant Eggplant CS background.
* The three dots scattered between the flowers are paper pierced holes. Long ago, when I scrapbooked regularly, I would make three dots randomly between stickers, die cuts, etc. Those three little dots, randomly placed, pulled the floating images together for a more flowing look.
* There is also a double paper piercing line on the horizontal Taken With Teal CS strip.
* The circle medallion was stamped twice (once in Taken With Teal, and once in Eggplant Envy) with an Old Olive background piece and Old Olive brad. The top circle is raised on stampin' dimensionals.
RECIPE
Stamps: True Friend, Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Whisper White, Eggplant Envy, Taken With Teal, and Old Olive CS
Ink: Old Olive, Eggplant Envy, and Taken With Teal, Versamark
Embellishments: Old Olive Brad
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack, Word Window Punch, 1", 1 14/" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

SCS SKETCH CHALLENGE 139

One of my favorite blogs, and bestest blogging friends, is Fran Sabad, Franticstampers. I've admired THIS CARD of Fran's since she posted it the end of August. I absolutely love this layout! I think it lends itself well to so many Stampin' Up! stamp sets. So I thought I would try to apply some of my stamp sets to it (which is also SCS Sketch Challenge 139).

Here's the Sketch 139:

SEASON OF JOY

This first card is very similar to Fran's card... just different colors, DP, ribbon, etc. The bling star on top of the Christmas tree was a Target $1 Spot find back in July. The center dots of the poinsettia were punched with a 1/8" circle punch (Old Olive CS) and adhered with Crystal Effects. The Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon was wrapped around the card, and stays in place with a few small pieces of Sticky Strip. The seam of the ribbon is hidden under the center horizontal CS panel. The bow is adhered with a glue dot.RECIPE
Stamps: Season of Joy (pg. 2-3 Holiday Mini 2007)
Paper: Dashing DP, Old Olive, Real Red, Very Vanilla, and River Rock CS
Ink: Old Olive, Real Red, and River Rock Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Misc. Non-SU Star
Tools: 1/8" Handheld Punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Crystal Effects, Glue Dot

PERFECT PRESENTATION
This next card turned out to be my favorite ... I'm LOVIN' the Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit! Such fun colors for the holidays, reminding me of the colors you see in the movie, "The Grinch". The Pretty In Pink Star on top of the tree, the blue scallop circle, and the striped vertical strip are die-cut stickers from the Winter Bright SS Kit. The Wild Wasabi and Purely Pomegranate Circles in the medallion are punched from the DP in the Winter Bright SS Kit.

RECIPE
Stamps: Perfect Presentation (Level 2 Hostess...pg. 20), "Merry Christmas" sentiment from All Holidays (pg. 143)
Paper: Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit (Bashful Blue, Purely Pomegranate, Pretty In Pink, Wild Wasabi)
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: 1/4", 3/4", 1" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Glue Dot

TRUE FRIEND
RECIPE
Stamps: True Friend (pg. 18 Holiday Mini '07)
Paper: Apple Cider DP (pg. 19 Holiday Mini '07), Really Rust, Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Close To Cocoa, and Very Vanilla CS
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pads, Versamark
Embellishments: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brass Brads
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, 1/16" Handheld Punch, 1", 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dot, Sticky Strip

HEATHER SUMMERS' FUNDRAISER FOR CANCER SOCIETY

I'm defenitely on the "Band Mom Sleeping Schedule"! Although Allie didn't have an early morning marching band practice this morning (because of last night's practice), I was wide awake at 5:00 a.m. So, I got some stamping time in this morning before she and Drew woke up for school.

I made this card for Heather Summers, Stamping With Heather. Heather has provided me with an incredible amount of inspiration since discovering her blog a few months ago and she is a very sweet person! Heather, along with her 7 year old daughter, Emma are hosting a card-making fundraiser to raise $1,500 for the Cancer Society in honor of Heather's father who passed away 3 1/2 years ago of Gastro Intestinal Cancer. Those of you who don't live near Heather can still participate and help Heather and Emma meet their financial goal for the Cancer Society ... they're selling the card-making kits that can be mailed to you! The kits include 11 projects (6 cards - 2 each of 3 designs, 3 tags, 2 packages). More information about Heather's fundraiser for the Cancer Society can be found HERE and HERE.RECIPE
Stamps: True Friend (Holiday Mini pg. 18)
Paper: Apple Cider DP (Holiday Mini pg. 19), River Rock, Close To Cocoa & Naturals Ivory CS
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Really Rust, and Close To Cocoa
Embellishments: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brass Brads
Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, Ticket Corner Punch

TRUE FRIEND and APPLE CIDER

I just couldn't wait to play with my very favorite stamp set, TRUE FRIEND, from the new HOLIDAY '07 MINI COLLECTION, and my favorite Designer Paper, APPLE CIDER. If you're one of my local customers, you'll be receiving this catalog in the mail within the next couple of weeks. It is full of stamp sets and everything you need to enhance your Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holidays. The very BEST part ...... every stamp set in this mini catalog is already DIE CUT!!!! Yep, you heard it right ... no need to cut around the rubber of your new stamp sets -- it's already done for you! RECIPE
Stamps: True Friend (Holiday '07 Mini), Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Apple Cider DP, Really Rust, Wild Wasabi, and River Rock CS
Ink: Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip
Embellishments: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brass Brad
Tools: Horizontal Slot Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch