Moments....

This is for yesterday's SCS Color Challenge(CC238)! We are to use pretty in pink, going gray, and sage shadow. I do not have any going gray so I substitued smokey shadow cardstock.

I am using a new release by Flourishes called Falling Leaves. I used the quote in the set.


This card is also for Mercy's sketch challenge(MTSC41)! Great sketch. I converted the size to my standard 5.5 square.

I did make a funky flower thingy using a flower punch. I added some Nouveau Chic dp and some retired pretty in pink dsp. I layered a MS border punch. I decided I like this punch layered better than alone as I have had it for quite awhile and rarely use it.

**** Shipping Note **** I do want to add that, since I normally make 5.5 squared cards, I get charged $.60 to ship just because it is not a standard envy. So, if I am going to be charged the amount anyway, I may as well add some layers. Shipping is usually $1.00 per card sometimes alittle more.

Stamps
Flourishes Falling Leaves
Paper
PTI smokey shadow, pretty in pink, PP dsp, nouveau chic, gp white, sage shadow
Ink
sage shadow, pretty in pink, smokey shadow
Accessories
Nestabilities, MS punches, fiskar punches, sizzix, silver pearls, foam circles, glue dots, large flatback pearl from pretties kit, texturz plates

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC35)!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tueday Challenge(FTTC35)! It is the last Tuesday of the month so we have a Guest Challenge Host for you. Please welcome Francie Gumprecht(Francie G) as our guest challenge host! Welcome Francie and thanks so much for hosting with us! Francie is challenging us to extend our creations outside the frame. Whether your want to make a dimensional piece or use subtle cut lines, the look is to go beyond the frame you choose for your card. We cannot wait to see what you create!!!


I am using the All that Glimmers and Sleigh Ride sets. I stamped the ornaments and greenery using Momento tuxedo black ink onto Flourishes classic ivory cardstock. I colored using Flourishes Copic Color Collections in Dusty Rose, Poppy, and Water. I used versamark and clear embossed the ornaments before I cut out to adhere on top and off of the edge of the oval frame to give them some depth and shine. I am using spellbinders flourish impressabilities for background textures, label eight, and label six die cuts. I finished my card with some sheer ribbon and red kaiser pearls.

I am also using the sketch designed by Cindy at Crazy 4 Challenges blog. Another fun and fabulous sketch, Cindy!!!

I have come to the conclusion that the new SU in colors may not look all that great when blended together(...some work some do not...my humble opinion...lol!!!). However, I have been playing around with other colors that work beautifully when mixed with the new in colors. My color combo here uses Always Artichoke, ivory, and Bermuda Bay. I threw in a pop of red for fun and contrast. I actually love this combo of not so normal colors together. Of course, it really is all about ratios for me.

I do want to add that the other day I mentioned that I was going to try and come up with ways to use the tiny gold pearls that I have left on several sheets of my gold pearl domes. I tend to use the big ones mostly. However,waste not want not...hmmm. So, today's ingenious(laughing loudly) idea by me is to use the tiniest die cut from the new label six spellbinders as corner layering accents. I added a red kaiser pearl to the centers...THEN added the tiniest gold pearls to the top and the bottom of each one. I am on the fence as to whether or not I like it or not. I left them on the card because by the time I placed those tinnie tiny things on those tiny diecuts.....I was NOT about to move them....lol!!! What are your thoughts on my layered diecut accents with pearls??? Really....I want to know!!! TIA!!!

Please check out what the other blog team designers created!!

Francie Gumprecht

Silke Ledlow

Cindy Haffner

Dee Jackson

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!!! Your comments are always appreciated!!!

Stamps
Flourishes All that Glitters and Sleigh Ride
Paper
Flourishes Classic Ivory Cardstock, Always Artichoke, Bermuda Bay
Ink
Always Artichoke, Ranger Antique Linen and Fired Brick, Adirondack Pool, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories
Nestabilities petite ovals, label six, label eight, impressabilites, sheer ribbon, gold cording, mini bowdabra, kaiser pearls, gold pearls, foam circles, glue dots, SU texturz template, sponges, Flourishes Copic Color Collection, fiskars border punch

Rejoice!!!

This card is for today's Feature Stamper Challenge(FS138)! Congratulations, Nancy!!! What an amazing gallery. Literally thousands of cards to choose from. Here is the one I chose to CASE.

I am using two sets that will be released October 1st from ODBD called With Heartfelt Sympathy and With Deepest Sympathy.

• I kept the basic layout and design and even made my card base the same. I did choose to use soft suede instead of chocolate chip as my colors.
• I kept the lightly stamped background panel even though I used a different image. Same for the cattails and scripture on my card.
• Instead of using gold pen around the edges, I opted for a soft suede base for my card and used some small gold pearls in the corners along with some stenciling. I finished with one band of ribbon and a bow instead of three bands of ribbon like Nancy.
  
  I must say this was the fastest card I have ever made. It is also very CAS for me.
  
  As always, thanks so much for stopping by!!!
  
  Stamps
  ODBD With Heartfelt Sympathy and With Deepest Sympathy
  Paper
  Ivory, soft suede
  Ink
  soft suede, ranger antique linen
  Accessories
  ivory satin ribbon, nestabilities, gold pearls, foam circles, sponges
  
  
  
  
  
  

Beautiful You Moments....VLVSEP05!

This card is for two challenges. First, it is for today's SCS Inspiration Challenge(IC199). This card is also for Verve's VLVSEP05 sketch with a twist challenge.

For the inspiration challenge, I chose this kid's bedding at The Pajama Squid.

For the Verve sketch with a twist challenge, we are to use specialty papers. I am using some of MME's Festive & Frost Christmas papers for a non Christmas card.

I did not use any silver or gold pearls in the making of this card...shocking I know. I also did not use any ribbon. I used my copics to alter the color of the pearls I used. I played around with a few colors to try and get a darker burgandy look to match my cardstock. I ended up using W7 and R59. Swirl alittle bit of W7 then alittle bit of the R59 and the two blend to make this rich scarlet jewel color.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and your comments are greatly appreciated!!!!

Stamps
Verve Beautiful You set
Paper
MME, PTI scarlet jewel, ivory, kraft
Ink
PTI scarlet jewel, pretty in pink
Accessories
Nestabilities, copic altered pearls, MS butterfly punch and border punch, SU texturzs plate, paper piecing template, permanent marker for faux stitching lines, photo corner punch

In Our Hearts.....

This card is for today's Limited Supplies Challenge(LSC239)! We are to make cards that are S.O.S. This is was a great challenge, Judy. I really worked at coming up with the SOSs!!! Thanks a bunch!!! This card also uses Mercy's sketch (MTSC40)! Thanks for a great sketch, Mercy!


I am giving you a sneak peek of an October 1st releases set from ODBD called with Heartfelt Sympathy.

For my challenge requirements, here is how the letters work....

S. Sympathy, Scene, Sketch, Sneak Peek
O. Circle sun, Circle button, tiny dots(circles)dsp, round silver pearl accents, round button
S. Sunshine, Silver pearls, Silver cording, Sponging, sky, Satin ribbon, sage shadow cardstock, smokey shadow cardstock

Stamps
ODBD with Heartfelt Sympathy
Paper
GP white, sage shadow, smokey shadow, noveau chic
Ink
momento black
Accessories
Nestabilities, satin ribbon, button, silver cording, silver pearls, copics, sponges, foam circles, dimensionals

Swan Song Verve VLVSEP04 Challenge!

This card is for Verve's weekly sketch challenges with a twist. This weeks VLVSEP04 twist was to make a black and white card. It is also for Penny's Challenges to us a bird!

I stamped all of the black panels with an Verve image in versamark and embossed with clear ep. It does not show up the best in the world, but I think it looks great IRL. I am using all Verve images. I am also using one of the new sets that I order that just came yesterday called Swan Song. LOVE it!!!

I stamped my swan in momento black twice and cut out. I must add that while this image looks very intricate it is really easy to cut out. Love that!!! I colored the top stacked portion with sakura gel pen which offer a nice sheen of sparkle. Hard to see with a camera, though. I took a close up shot, but you will need to click on it to see the sheen more vividly.

I have been using quite a bit of the larger silver and gold pearls lately. I am trying to come up with clever ways to use the tiny ones I generally leave on the sheet. So, I added a tiny silver pearl to the feather points and used one of the larger ones for the swan's head.

For the clear embossed background panels, I used images from Bountiful Backgrounds, Grateful Elegance, and Filgree Fantasy sets. For the sentiment, I stamped with versamark and embossed with black ep. I stenciled inside my nesties with smokey shadow ink. I have been stenciling just about everything with my nesties shapes lately. I love the look.

I added a foo foo sheer ribbon with stick pin detailing and a few more silver pearls and it was done!!! I am laughing because it was NOT that easy. LOL!!! I had a few MOMENTS while making this card.

I do want to ask if someone knows of a corner rounder punch that actually rounds and does not leave the corners jagged looking I would LOVE to know about it. I have tried several different brands and I always get a less than smooth look.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and your comments are always greatly appreciated!!!

Stamps

Verve Swan Song, Bountiful Backgrounds, Grateful Elegance, Filigree Fantasy

Paper

Black and gp white

Ink

Momento black, versamark

Accessories

Nestabilities, foam circles, silver pearls, C1 and 100 copic markers, sakura gel pen, thin satin and 1" wide sheer ribbon, corner rounder, label 4, sponges, glue dots. , SU pretties kit, mini bowdabra

Thank You!

This card is for yesterday's SCS color challenge(CC237)! We are to use crushed curry, rich razzleberry, and basic black. I added ivory cardstock as my neutral. This card is also the sketch designed by Cindy Haffner at Crazy 4 Challenges(C4C3).

I am using a September ODBD release set called Friendship. I love this flowy flourished dragonfly image. The set comes with wonderful sentiments and scriptures, too.

I generally love black, but for some reason I was having a fit incorporating it today with these colors. I ended up using a piece that barely shows behind the ivory cardstock background panel. I used two pieces at the top and bottoms of the horizontal panel. I used an EK Success border punch detailing on those. As for those two pieces, that is pretty much it with the black.

I textured the ivory piece with a SU texturz plate that mimics the flourishy look of the dragonfly image. I am using ODBD sunflower and ODBD bordeaux inks instead of the RR and CC which I do not own. These colors are a very close match. I stenciled inside the petite rectangle nestie using these colors.

I added a piece of crushed curry dpp. I finshed with a wide piece of burgandy ribbon that I got at Micheal's....which is a close match to the RR. I did a ribbon knot with it this time. I added a layer photo corner punch and some gold pearls.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Check out how you could win a blog banner for your blog

during my Blogaversary Blog Banner Contest!

Stamps
ODBD Friendship
Paper
crushed curry, rich razzleberry, ivory, black
Ink
ODBD sunflower and bordeaux
Accessories
Nestabilities, wide satin ribbon, EK Success border punch, gold pearls, photo corner punch, texturz plates, sponges, glue dots, foam circles

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC34)! And my BOW moment!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC34)! This week Silke Ledlow is our challenge host. Silke is challenging us to a technique. We are to try Stamp Misting. You ink the stamp, mist with water, then stamp. You can decide if you want your stamp mist image to be the background, focal image, accent element, or all three. We would love to see what you create!!! Check out the Flourishes blog for tutorial links.

I am using the Rejoice set. For the stamp misting challenge, I focused on the background. I also used an outlined image. I am not sure if this technique generally uses ONLY a solid image, but I figure I would do something different. I used alittle too much water, but I really love the effect and kept it. Once it was dry, I sponged the edges a lot with a mixture of Ranger antique linen and vintage photo. I felt like it need a little something more so I inked SU En Francaise background in the vintage photo ink and stamped off several times and stamped at an angle across the background image. The look is very subtle and I love it. I paper pierced and faux stitched the edges to finish that portion of the card.

I used the same image for the focal image. I stamped using bordeaux ink onto Flourishes classic ivory cardstock . I colored with Flourishes copic color collections in Dusty Rose and Evergreen. I stenciled the inside of the focal image nestie frame with the same antique linen and vintage photo inks. I removed the stencil and sponged the edges a bit so the contrast is not too stark. I ended up shadowing the image with the C1 copic marker. I finished with a another huge satin bow and a few tiny touches of bling!!!

The comment box is working now....finally!!! Sorry about that inconvenience!!!

Be sure to check out the other
Friends of Flourishes Blog Team Designers
to see what they created for you this week.
Cindy, Dee, Kim, and Silke

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!

*****I am editing this blog post for a special BOW moment/announcement. I have had many of you lately commenting and asking about my bows. A few weeks ago I purchased the mini bowdabra from Micheal's. I mentioned it in my LSC card I did since one of the requirements was to list and use a new tool. Today, I received a comment at SCS on this card. It is from Sandy, who is the inventor of the bowdabra. She is offering to all my friends/readers a free bowdabra.com VIP membership. This membership allows us access to special promotions, coupons, video tutorials, etc. It is over a $300 value as membership is 9.95 a month and lasts until 1013.

Use promo code: sandy - This promo code may be used by you or any of your readers/friends and it will give you a FREE bowdabra.com vip membership until 2013.

How cool is that!!! Thanks, Sandy!

Stamps Flourishes Rejoice Paper Rich Razzleberry, Flourishes classic ivory Ink bordeaux, ranger antique linen and vintage photo Accessories satin ribbon nestabilities, copics, sponges, foam circles, glue dots, piercing template, gems, mini bowdabra

DD/DDA Challenge: Dirty Dinners!

This card is for September's DD/DDA Monthly challenge(DCDINNERS0909)! This month I am hosting and I assigned everyone to share a "Dirty Dinner" recipe. This recipe is one where we must prepare the food and cook it. The main thing was that the recipe works. The whole family loves it and eats it when you serve it. The recipe I have chosen for this challenge is one of those southern you either LOVE it or HATE it meals.

One of the requirements is to give alittle bit of the history of this dirty recipe

This recipe is something I have eaten all of my life. I was taught how to roll out the pastry, cut strips, and hang over the sides of many bowls to air dry a bit before cooking. I have never used a recipe to prepare this meal. It is just one of those meals that is just learned. Many in the south call this Chicken and Dumplings. My family has always called it Chicken Pastry. Dumplings are round and really thick and another recipe altogether in my family.

I have been redoing many of my recipes and started putting them into clear envelops which allow me to use the recipe without getting them dirty. I have finally found a wonderful source for all types of clear envelops. Check out the link here. Amber sends cards to the troops and buying from her supports a wonderful cause.



Nothing says southern comfort food like a warm meal and gingham. I am using Recollections Autumn paper pack. The red gingham was perfect for this dish. I sponged it to warm it up a bit. The recipe was typed and printed and cut out and stenciled around the edges with more sponging. The only stamp I used was the chicken from an old set I have called Best of Cluck. I colored with copics.

I used minimal embellishements and tried to keep this recipe card fairly flat. This measures 6 X 6.

Pressure Cooking!!!! I do want to say something about pressure cooking. I was brought up with pressure cooking happening in my home. I have heard horror stories about pressure cooking and food being sprayed all over the kitchen. I was terrifed of the stove top pressure cookers. I simply could not bring myself to use one. However, four years ago, I purchased a free standing counter programmable pressure cooker from QVC that I am still using. Oh, my word!!! I have sold so many of these to my friends and family. Here is a link to what QVC currently offers and I cannot sing the praises enough for one of these very safe and programmable machines. In the time it takes to get the keys, drive to the drive through, order, pay, and come home, I can have FROZEN meat cooked and ready to serve. It is that fast!!!

Please check out this gallery link for more Dirty Dinners!

Stamps
SU Best of Cluck
Paper
PTI dark chocolate, ivory, Recollections Autumn collection
Ink
PTI dark chocolate, ranger antique linen and vintage photo
Accessories
songes, circle punches, scallop border punch, nestabilities, ribbon, foam circles, sponges, brown pearls

TWO Verve!!! Beauty of Dreams and Abundant Blessings!!!

This card is for a couple of challenges. It is for today's Limited Supplies Challenge(LSC238). We are to use spooky colors; although, we do not have to use them in a spooky way. This challenge was just in line with ine's Verve Color Challenge(SEP09B)! Charmaine is challenging us to use teal, burnt orange, olive, and deep purple. Thansk for the fab challenges Jeanne and Charmaine!

I stamped everything you see. No dp was used in the making of this card. I would like to say I used a BUTTON!!! So proud as I have a hard time with this embellishment. I used ribbon, gold pearls, button, and punches as my four embellishments.

*****Edited to say that I wanted to participate in more of the Verve release challenges, but I ran out of time. I had a lunch date with a friend today, another friend came over to chat for a bit this afternoon, then my parents came over for awhile. After that I was packing for my ds and dh to go off for a beach weekend together. So, it is now after 7pm and I do not have all of my Verve done..bummer!!! Of course, I did wait until the last minute thinking I could do all 5 in one day. What was I thinking?

I was rushing around this morning so I never did get to finish all of my card commentary. I stamped the leaves in different colors. I sponged with antique linen and the edges with pumpkin and eggplant. I stamped the dots from the bountiful backgrounds set in old olive. After layering the card and looking at it, I felt that it needed alittle something more. I stamped the En Francaise background in pumpkin pie. I stamped off a couple of times before I stamped the script at an angle. I used the same stamp with no more ink added to do the dotted image as well. I sponged the dotted image with tonal ink to make the dot effect alittle more neutral. After all of this was done and the card layed out, I kept thinking it need alittle more. I ended up getting out my canvas background stamp, inking in taken with teal and stamped the large die cut with tonal ink to give the look of texture. I did not want to add texture at this point as I lose my frame embossing when I do that. I then cleaned and inked the canvas with pp, stamped off 5 times, then stamped off to the side a bit the focal image and sentiment. I love this look so I went with it.

I added the bow and felt it need a button. I tried string, but knew I wanted to use gold pearls so I added the gold cording. The card needed the corner punch detailing in the top right because I felt it needed balance.

Stamps
Verve Abundant Blessings, Bountiful Backgrounds, Plain Jane Leaf sprig, canvas and en francaise bg
Paper
ivory, taken with teal, elegant eggplant, pumpkin pie, old olive
Ink
taken with teal, elegant eggplant, pumpkin pie, old olive, ranger antique linen
Accessories
Nestabilities, MS butterfly punch, gold pearls, button, ribbon, gold cording, sponges, foam circles, SU scallop border punch, photo corner punch.

Abundant Blessings

****EDITED****I took my advice and added a little mellow moss butterfly. That is all I did and it really finished this card for me.


This card is for Michelle's Verve Color Challenge(SEP09C)! Fabulous colors, Michelle!!!

I stamped this background, too!!! I really wanted to keep this more neutral and I must say after I took the picture and saw it on my screen, I really thought I had used more mellow moss color than I did. This card evolved. I had initially stamped the focal flower in mellow moss for the background. It was too busy. At least from my point of view. I chunked that idea. To keep the card warm and neutral, I ended up going with the cattails image from this set. I stamped around the edges to keep a flowy look, but trying not to be too busy with it. I wanted to add another stamped panel, but I opted for just texture. I sponged this panel with some of the mellow moss, pp, and dark chocolate inks. I really love the warm earthy feel to this card. Of course, I did finish with this dark chocolate bow and some touches of gold pearls. Could not help myself with these two items. I probably should have added some mellow moss embellishment...one butterfly like I did in the top card....hmmm. Still thinking about that one.


Stamps
Verve Abundant Blessings
Paper
dark chocolate, pumpkin pie, ivory, mellow moss
Ink
dark chocolate, pumpkin pie, mellow moss, Ranger antique linen
Accessories
Nestabilites, ribbon, gold pearls, 1/4" circle punch, sponges, foam circles, texturz plate

Get Well!

This card is for today's SCS Sketch Challenge(SC246)! Thanks, Roxie for another great sketch!

I am using one of the newly release sets this month by ODBD called Get Well. I love this flourished triple butterfly image. This set has this wonderful image, great get well sentiments, and scriptures.

I just wanted to say that I am so proud of myself. I have used dusty durango! WooHoo!!! I am still on the fence as to whether or not I like this color, but I am still proud that I used it. And, I do like this card. I combined dark chocolate, ivory, and dusty durango dpp as my color combo. I think this color combo and design could lend itself to a man card as well.

I do want to say that I do not own the dusty durango ink pad so I compromised and used really rust and rocked and rolled the dark chocolate. I added a SU texturz template for some texture. I use a paper piercing template and faux stitched. I cut out the little butterflies to create some added dimension. I sponged the edges using some really rust, dark chocolate, and ranger antique linen inks.


Stamps
ODBD Get Well
Paper
dark chocolate, ivory, dusty durango, dusty durango dpp
Ink
Really rust, dark chocolate, ranger antique linen
Accessories
dark brown satin ribbon, sponges, gold pearls, paper piercing mat, texturz plates, nestabilities, permanent marker

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC33)!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC33) ! This week I am hosting!! I am challenging us to Mix It Up!!! We are using stamps, dp, textures, or a combination of all three to mix different patterns. You can blend subtle patterns for a conservative look or go all out with bold and daring patterns for an extreme look. The choice is yours!!! We would love to see what you create!!!

For my Mix It Up take on the challenge, I wanted to incorporate many flower designs. For this card I am using Sweet Peas, Gerbera Daisies, Nasturtiums, and Sweet Violet stamp sets. Aside from the fact that these sets have just gorgeous designed flowers, they each come with a mini design which allowed me to stamp a smaller version of each in the opposite corners of the sentiment panel.

I am using Flourishes classic white cardstock which is supreme for coloring with copics. I stamped all of my flower images using Momento Tuxedo Black ink. I am using Flourishes Copic Copic Color Collections in Water, Sky, Daffodil, Violets, Tiger Lily, Poppy, Dusty Rose, Hollyhock, Evergreen, and Cool Neutrals. I added my sentiment and a polka dotted bow to complete my card.

This card is also for the Crazy 4 Challenges(C4C2). This week's is a sketch designed by Cindy Haffner!!! Great sketch as always, Cindy!!!

This card is for SCS Color Challenge(CC236) I am hosting today!!! Whisper Pretty Soft Suede! We are to use Whisper white, pretty in pink, and soft suede on our card.

Be sure to check out the other
Friends of Flourishes Blog Team Designers
to see what they created for you this week.
Cindy, Dee, Kim, and Silke
As always, thanks so much for stopping by!

FS136 Blessings....

This card is for today's feature stamper challenge(FS136)! Congratulations, Shannan!!! A wonderful gallery to choose from. I chose this card to case.

I changed the colors a little bit, kept the basic layout. I added a few more cream colored layers. I chose a different ribbon. I used flowers and a sentiment.

I am using two sets from Sweet'n Sassy Stamps. The flower is from a set called Special Women and the other is a digital set called Showers of Blessings.

MY DIGITAL TIP: I must confess that I am a newbie to digital images. I wanted a sentiment that worked with a quote type sentiment like Shannan used. I opted for one that was in the digital set called Showers of Blessings. I copied and pasted just the sentiment in my software window. I played around with sizing a bit. I printed just the sentiment off onto regular printer paper. Once I had the size that I wanted. I took my already cut and colored focal image...I know...newbie here..remember...lol. I put mono adhesive on the back and adhered it by eyeballing over the same printed sentiment. I removed all of the printer paper and added this full sheet again with my image adhered on top. I hoped for the best and it worked the first time!!! I was thrilled!!! Thought I would share this moment with you. Doing this allowed me to position the sentiment exactly where I wanted it. Now, I am not sure if I was supposed to print first, then do my stamping and coloring or not. I am learning as I go.

What do you think of my stamped and digital card?


Stamps
Sweet 'n Sassy Special Women and Showers of Blessings
Paper
ivory, soft suede, ripe avocado, pure poppy
Ink
soft suede, ripe avocado, pure poppy, ranger antique linen, momento black
Accessories
Fiskars border punch, SU texturz plate, 1 inch cream grosgrain ribbon, gold pearls, copics, printer, foam circles, sponges, piercing template and tool

Simple Pleasures...VLVSEP03!

This card was made for two challenges. It is for today's Inspiration Challenge(IC197)! Thanks so much, Stef. I chose my inspiration picture from a little girls dress and tights look seen here.


I am also using the VLVSEP03 sketch with a twist challenge. The twist is to make it for a lady in my life. I think I have a special person in mind for this one.

I am using all Verve stamps. I am using the Bountiful Backgrounds, Abundant Blessings, and Floral Whimsy sets. NO dp was used in the making of this card. Everything you see uses stamps from these sets. I actually focused on recreating the look of the outfit alittle.

I used the vertical line image from the bountiful backgrounds and stamped a bordeaux ink and creamy caramel. I sponged some ranger antique linen all over and soft suede around the edges.

For the little tiny horizontal print, I used one of the little images from the Floral Whimsy set to stamp different colors. Again, I sponged ranger antique linen all over and used soft suede on the edges.

For the rectangle top pattern, I used the larger fern image and stamped bordeaux, soft suede, hibiscus burst, and creamy caramel. I sponged ranger ink and edged with soft suede.

I embossed and sponged the ivory background panel and faux stitch including the horizontal tiny print panel.

I used the sentiment from Floral Whimsy. I softly stenciled inside the circle. I added a few tiny gold pearls. I added three little flowers to mimic the dress and topped with some gold pearls.

I love this color combo. Rich razzleberry, creamy caramel, ivory, and soft suede. I did use alittle hibiscus burst sparingly.

Stamps
Verve Bountiful Backgrounds, Abundant Blessings, Floral Whimsy
Paper
Rich Razzleberry, soft suede, ivory, creamy caramel
Ink
Rich Razzleberry, soft suede, ivory, creamy caramel
Accessories
sponges, piercing template and mat, gold pearls, nestabilities, permanent marker for stitching, glue dots, foam circles, SU embossing folder

Happiness for Hostesses....with some tips!!!

Okay, so I have this catered family reunion to go to on Sunday afternoon. In the south, catered could be anything from a seafood feast to fried chicken and BBQ. Anyway, the hostess was asking many to bring desserts. So, when I asked what she wanted me to bring, without hesitating she said your salsa and some chips. So, I am making salsa for 40 plus people. I will probably just make a huge pitcher full and leave it at that. I thought I would make the hostess a special container for her to have for her very own later on. I did heat seal the lid.

This project was inspired by the Verve August Project Parade. The theme is Happiness for Hostesses. All who participate have a chance to win a stamp set of choice from the Verve store. How fabulous is that?

I created a 4 x 4 x 3 square container to house my quart jar of salsa. Just wanted to do something alittle different. I stamped the vertical paper using the Bountiful Backgrounds set. I love this overstamping look of blending two or more colors. I love this effect with this particular image. I used all Verve stamps in the making of this project. Here is the top of the lid. I did it alittle differently, too, because I wanted to use my new Spellbinder shapes as well as keep that shape continuous throughout.

TIPS

I make salsa. It is what I do. I consume large quantities of salsa and I have come up with a few tips.

• If you have children who will not eat vegetables, get them started on salsa. Eventually, you can chop up carrots, broccoli, and green pepper and the kids will probably not taste the difference.
• I love Snyder corn or white corn tortilla chips because I can have the most of those with fewer weight watcher points.
• I do make my own tortilla chips from time to time. Take a corn tortilla and cut into pie pieces. Spray both sides with Pam and sprinkle with salt. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees. You have to watch these as they start to get crispy and brown fast.
• I never like to give salsa without giving some Junior mints. Face it, the garlic and onion content is pretty intense. Of course, I learned that if I suck on a stainless steel spoon that it dissipates the aroma. Also, if you get garlic or onion on your fingers rub your hands on a stainless steel pot.
  
  

Stamps

Verve Bountiful Backgrounds, Kindred Spirits, Enjoy

Paper

gp white, regal rose, so saffron, soft suede
Ink

regal rose, so saffron, soft suede

Accessories

Nestabilities, MS border punch, soft suede ribbon, EK success border punch, sponges, foam squares

Wishing You.....and some blog awards!!!!

This card is for two challenges. Today's SCS Ways to Use it challenge(WT235) to use red. I opted to use some ruby red which I do not think I have used in quite awhile. I actually found some retired ginger blossom dp, so saffron, and old olive dp in my stash. This card also for yesterday's SCS Sketch Challenge(SC245). I did turn it to fit my image alittle better.

I am using ODBD newly release set Thinking of You. This card is pretty simple and straight forward with no major bells and whistles. I followed the sketch and added a scallop border at the top and bottom of the focal panel. I layered a 1/4" circle punch with gold pearls. I sponged the focal image edges and added a few tiny gold pearls. I added photo corner punches to create some balance. I finished with two ribbon tabs on the bottom right side. I love this color combo eventhough I have not used it in awhile. I think the layout, colors, and patterns used could work for a man, too.




Stamps
ODBD Thinking of You
Ink
So saffron, ruby red
Paper
So saffron, ruby red, black, gp white, old olive dp, so saffron dp, and ginger blossom dp Accessories
scallop border punch, photo corner punch, glue dots, 1/4" hole punch, sponges, gold pearls

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I interupt this blog post to show you a couple of blog awards I have received. I received them a month ago, but with my computer crashing and school starting back I have been alittle slow at getting these posted

The first award is from Crystal!



The second award was given to me by Bev(Beestamper)




Thanks so much Crystal and Bev!!! Please check out these ladies blogs for some wonderful inspiration!!!

The rules for this award are that I must list five things I love to do and then pass it along to five other people.
1. I love to stamp and make cards. I bet you did not know that? LOL!!
2. I love to spend time with my family. We especially enjoy watching movie. Right now we it is fun to watch movies from the 80s.
3. I love to READ! I am so glad my kids love to read, too. I litterally walk around with a book most days.
4. I love to decorate. I actually love to do room redesigns for people. I have done this several times. Using what you already have....just moving it.
5. We seem to entertain quite a bit. It is nothing formal or anything. We just often have friends and family over for cookouts.


I am passing both of these awards to the following bloggers. These are ladies that inspire me with their gift of crafting in some way. Thanks so much!!!!

Cheryl

Francie

Michelle

Kelley

Shawne

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC32) and CC235!!!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesay Challenge(FTTC32)! This week Cindy Haffner is our challenge host. She is challenging us to a sketch she has designed. As far as sketches go, there is not much of an explanation necessary. You can turn it and modify the shapes to fit your size card, but in the end, it should still look like the sketch. Good Luck!!! We cannot wait to see what you create!

For my card I am using Flourishes Rejoice and Waterlilies sets. I am using Flourishes Classic Ivory cardstock and Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Water, Sky, Daffodil and Cool Neutrals. My goal when I set out to make this card was to use a Flourishes Christmas set to make a non Christmas card. I have been really wanting to use this color combo for awhile. As soon as I saw this angel, I thought it would be so beautiful to color like I added color to a black and white photograph. I really love how soft and serene the angel looks.

For my soft embossed background I am using one of the new Spellbinders Impressibilities Flourish. I love how deep and rich the impression is with this very delicate template. In keeping with the sketch, I needed to find a sentiment that would work. I ended up using the one from the Waterlilies set. I used one of the new ornate Spellbinders fancy tags for my sentiment. I stenciled my sentiment with the aqua mist and a touch of the smokey shadow ink. Love that look.

I added a Spellbinders pinking nestabilities to the top corner and layered with a cuttlebug swiss dot folder for some added texture.

I used one of the images in the Rejoice set to stamp a background panel for the aqua mist horizontal panel. I used aqua mist ink and sponged the edges to blend the look.

I added some silver cord that I threaded through the ornate sentiment fancy tags, silver and cream pearls, and ivory satin ribbon to complete my ephemeral design. It does have an old kind of dreamy quality to it to me. I love how it turned out! Which is why this sentiment works for me.

Be sure to check out the other
Friends of Flourishes Blog Team Designers
to see what they created for you this week.
Cindy, Dee, and Silke
As always, thanks so much for stopping by!

Stamps
Flourishes Rejoice, Waterlilies
Paper
smokey shadow, aqua mist, so saffron, Flourishes classic ivory cardstock
Ink
Aqua mist, smokey shadow, so saffron, ranger antique linen
Accessories
nestabilities, MS border punch, sponges, silver pearls, cream pearls, satin ribbon, silver cording, fancy tags, impressibilities, Flouirshes Copic color collection, cuttlebug ef, foam squares, glue dots

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Faith

I interupt this blog post with another card! This card is for today's color challenge(CC235)!!! Thanks, Emily for some wonderful colors. This card is also for the Flourishes Feel of Fall sketch challenge.

I am using Flourishes Sweet Peas (for background) and Timeless Quotes for the sentiment. First, I stamped the large sweet pea image in old olive to create an outline background. I love this look and need to do it more often. I sponged ranger antique linen around the edges to soften. I layered two of the same EK Success border punches.

I used one of my new spellbinders impressabilities template. I now have two of these. WooHoo! One I used on the first card in this post and now I am using the Floral and Stone design. I love the deep impressions made with this delicate metal template.

I used a rectangle spellbinders and the swiss dot embossing folder. Next, I used a spellbinders label five shape to frame out the layered oval sentiment . All of the Flourishes classic ivory cardstock was sponged with ranger antique linen ink. (I must say that while this cardstock is fabulous for coloring with copic markers I am equally amazed at how beautifully it accepts sponge detailing on the edges. Wonderful product). The oval sentiment was stenciled. I added some ivory sheer ribbon to keep the colors soft and a layered flower with a halfback ivory pearl. I finishes with some gold pearl accents.


Stamps
Flourishes Sweet Peas and Timeless Quotes
Ink
Old Olive, eggplant envy, ranger antique linen
Paper
The paper company, black, Flourishes classic ivory, eggplant, old olive
Accessories
EK Success punch, nestabilities, organdy ribbon, layered primas, spellbinders impressibilities, foam squares, glue dots, sponges

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FS135 with a Raspberry Suite 16!

Congratulations, Lori!!! This card is for today's Feature Stamper challenge!! It took awhile for me to choose, but I decided to go with this card.

I kept the layout
I tried to give the same horizontal pattern look with a texturz template
I used three little pearls in the bottom right corner instead of brads.

I changed colors, stamps, and I used NO dp....stamped my background and embossed the other panels. I did add some ribbon with hardware and a corner accent.


This card is also for the Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #16. The required colors are dark chocolate, summer sunrise, vintage cream, and kraft. Wonderful warm colors choices, Dawn!!!

Please check out these other blog posts to find out more about dry sponging and to see other samples.

Dry Sponging

Enjoy

Thinking of You

Stamps
PTI Life, Mailbox Greetings, Spots and Dots
Paper
PTI dark chocolate, vintage cream, kraft, summer sunrise
Ink
PTI dark chocolate, vintage cream, kraft, summer sunrise, Ranger Antique Linen
Accessories
Nestabilities, cuttlebug ef, SU texturz plates, EK Success border punch, photo corner punch, dark chocolate twill ribbon, ribbon slide, gold pearls, sponges, glue dots, word window punch, foam squares