Fun Challenges!

There are a few challenges out there this month that is right along with my CAS style. I had to join in~

My first card is for Happy Little Stampers August CAS Challenge with masking.  I also entered this into Virgina's August Challenge #17; embellishments.

I don't normally do masking - I don't have the patience.  However, using sentiment to mask over is pretty easy.  I love easy.  I used Inspired By Stamping Water Colored Sentiments, along with Flower of the Month; Poppies.

Since I'm at HLS, I decided to go ahead and join in the Christmas Challenge; Sparkle. 

I sponged my background, added some stenciled embossing paste and sprinkled glitter on it before it dried.  My sentiment is from a freebie Verve put out about 3 years ago, and the mittens are Spellbinders.

I went on to play in Less is More #236; one layer card - The eyes have it.

I absolutely adore this image!  By coloring the eyes green, this image just pops off the card!  It also extremely qualifies for the LIM challenge. Yay me!  This image is from Innovative Stamp Creations; Friendship and Foliage.

Another fun challenge day~

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Thanks for stopping by~

Guestie at the Sisterhood

I am the Guest Designer over at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers for Challenge #37!  It runs for the next 2 weeks, and the challenge is wine.

Timing could not of been more perfect!  Some friends are retiring and they are moving to Mexico and will be living at the beach.  [So exciting for them], perfect challenge for me to make them a retirement  card!

My beach background is Innovative Stamp Creations, Serenity, along with a sentiment from STAMPlorations, Celebrate, and my trusty label maker.  I had to down load a digi wine glass - I can not believe I have no wine glasses in all-my-stamps!  [really??] - thankfully, the digi worked.

Okay, it's your turn - come on over to the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers and join in the challenge.  I can't wait to see how you are inspired by wine.

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Thanks for stopping by~

Just Us Girls #257 & Addicted to CAS #47

It's Word Week over at Just Us Girls, and Cheryl has chosen leaves.  Unfortunately, it is becoming the leaf time of year - I prefer Summer.  Here in Arizona we don't get the beautiful color changing of the leaves, we get brown.  Not to much to get excited about there.

With that in mind, while I was perusing my stamps, I came across this rather fabulous quote from Gina K Designs stamp set, Great Sayings.  At this point in time, this quote is a good reminder [for me], so I framed it, and it is sitting on my desk. 

I used the leaves from another GKD set, Tropical Nature.  I like the dual stamping of these leaves.  I am also entering this into the Curtain Call Challenge; leaves.

We would like to also welcome our September Guest Designer, Barbara Hagen!

Pop on over to Just Us Girls #257 and play along!  Leaves is an easy one.

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It is also a new week for Addicted to CAS #47 - oriental. There was a small snafu with dates from last week, but this challenge is back to the regular 2 weeks.  We are being sponsored by;

 

I love this image from Innovative Stamp Creations, Friendship. Actually, I love all of this company's stamps - it's just they are unmounted and a pain in the butt to use the glue etc.  I do have an entire notebook filled with these stamps though!  [Gosh, I think I need to start using them again.]

Anyway, pop on over to Addicted to CAS #47 and see what the rest of the team did with this word -- fabulous cards!  Get yourself some ideas and then play along!

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A NOTE:  Joanna over at Inspired By Stamping is running a fabulous sale!

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Thanks for stopping by~

Just Us Girls #180 - Color

The colors this week are so popular!  2 of my Teams are using them, along with the One Layer Wednesday challenge.  Trust me, I have no problem - I love this combination!

I made this card for the OLW 131 challenge -

and then, I added a few [layers] embellishments for the Just Us Girl Challenge:

I used [some much needed love] Innovated Stamp Creations image from Nature Silhouettes I.  I really love these stamps, I just need to use them more! [Can you say rut? :)] Anyway, I inked the image and while still on the acrylic pad, I spritzed it with water.  I do love the outcome this gives.  My sentiment is from Inspired By Stamping; Big Notes.

I hope you pop on over to Just Us Girls Challenge and play along.  We love seeing your creations!

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Thanks for stopping by~

For Your Inspiration

Isn't this just stunning! Living in Arizona, I can tell you, this screams Sedona, Arizona. Those gorgeous red rocks -- beautiful place to visit if you ever get the chance. Meanwhile, here is my card:

Ahhhhhhhhh, just heaven~ being able to use my favorite turquoise! I used big daubers for my sponging [they make for much easier blending], and my stamp images and sentiment are from Innovative Stamp Creations.

Pop on over to For Your Inspiration Challenge, and play [if you are so inspired] :). While you are there, check out the rest of the team. You are in for a huge treat!

Thanks for stopping by~

Featured Stamper Cards

Again, I didn't know the featured stamper but her cards were gorgeous!  I once again used the newly released Innovative Stamp Creations Rose Sketches.  Is this rose stunning or what! [ I'm telling you they are the best realistic stamps I have ever seen!]  The background - no dp- that is part of the stamp set!  Love this set~

This is also ISC - Fall is Near.  I will be honest, I was playing with this stamp - kind of stumped me actually - I love it, I just still am not quite sure how to color it - so, I sponged...a lot.  I cut the swirl out of foam (!) with a TIm Holtz die cut.  I was happy how well that cut the foam.  The sentiment was a little dark so I did some faux stitching to try and balance it out.  Still not sure about this one.  The "Architects"  (the DT's) did a BEAUTIFUL job with this image.  I will probably end up CASEing one of theirs when I use this stamp again.  When in "not sure" mode - CASE - works for me! lol
Thanks for stopping in -

Inspiration, C4C, & Playdate Challenges

I was totally inspired by the green in these earrings from Destiny's Creations, the site picked by Stef for our peruse..

I used the newly released Innovative Stamp Creations, Foliage.  I am not sure how many times I have said it, but I adore these stamps!  They color and stamp just beautifully!

 This one is for Crazy for Challenges - Silke had this great sketch.  Now that I uploaded these 2 cards I realized the sketch for both is very similar (no, I didn't plan THAT - lol) Anyway, the colors are for Play Date Cafe #53 - black, white and touch of burgundy.   Again, I used ISC newly released  images- Fall in New England.

Just an FYI - do you notice the card base?  It looks textured right?  Well guess what?  That is FREE digi paper from Stamp TV! (called Summer Fabrics- 3 different "textures")  I found it on my computer and thought I would try it.  I have to tell you, you will be seeing this again!  I REALLY love this stuff.  I have had it for MONTHS and have never used it! (sound familiar?) So funny the way this hobby is such a collector craze-- how much stuff do you have that you have never used??  I know you have something~~ lol.  Use it~ you can't take it with you. On that note, I am off.
Thanks for stopping in -

Featured Stamper Cards

I didn't know the Featured Stampers work  - but it is wonderful!  A lot of CAS cards - up my alley lately!!  I used the newly released Innovative Stamp Creations card 1 Flair of Summer and card 2 Sketch of Roses.. Gosh I adore her stamps.  I am a "Contracted Designer" for the owner Betsy.  When she contacted me for the releases this month I did the happy dance!  I just adore working with these images.  Card 2 was also made for Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #20.
Thanks for stopping in - I need to get some other work done today!  C Ya Later ~

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Crazy 4 Challenges 58

I am so addicted to stamping - I just love challenges - finishing off my cards - not so much!  So, I procrastinated by making another card. for the Crazy for Challenges - a birthday card.  I used another fabulous image from Innovative Stamp Creations - Nature Silhouettes II.  In order to upload them to the website [for the challenge], it needs to be on your blog...so another card for Saturday.  I am awful~~ nothing else gets done around my house... Seriously, I need a intervention hee hee~~  Thanks for stopping by - and this will be (should be) my last post for Saturday....hopefully.. 

Sets for Craft Fair & a Couple of Challenges

I love it when cards come together with no stress.  I used the SU set Very Merry (colors from The Playdate Cafe 50 on one and PTI Signature Christmas on the other.  These sets were so fun and easy~~  I was going to make a holder, but changed my mind - I will just group together as sets  for sale. My only problem?  What to charge!  To my friends I only sell my cards for $2.50 each - should I up my price to $3 each and the sets for $11.00?  I need to ask you all - would you pay that much?  I'll be honest. I doubt I would - but than again, I can be cheap (on certain things anyway. lol)  Or, should I just stay with my $2.50 and sets for $9.00?  A little poll taking here.  (Thank you for your opinion!)

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 This is a sneak peek for Mark's Finest Papers Snowman Country, to be released October 12th.  I made this for the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.  I took this sketch literally since I had the tree.  This is also for Moxie Fab World, a Holiday Card.  I have never played in this site's challenge so many thanks to Julia for the link!  The colors are for Color Dare #79 - I used aqua, sage and brown - that was the closest colors I had to the listed colors.  I am hoping you can see the glitter on the leaves.

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This last card is from Innovative Stamp Creations, Nature Silhouette III.  Gosh I love the realisticness of these stamps!  I used the Saturday Sketch #124 sketch for this.  [What a fun sketch!!]  Again, this is a first for me with this site. (Thanks Daily Dare)

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Now, I need to get busy finishing off my back stash of cards for the craft fair - its NEXT week end and I have a ton to do!!  - I wish I would finish my cards when I first make them!  - Sure would save me a lot of time!!  LOL 

Thanks so much for stopping by - and thank you sincerely for your comments! They are my validation~~

Featured Stamper and Something New

The Featured Stamper today was Kathy.  She has an awesome gallery - so much so I did 2 cards!  I used Innovative Stamp Creations Nature Silhouettes II on both cards. [SideNote:  I was trying out to be on the Design Team~~ I semi made it -- Betsy the owner/ creator of these fabulous stamps, has told me she will use me as an on-call person.  This is perfect!  I am finding time running out and the fun gets taken away when you try to do to many "assigned" cards.  I need to get back to more detailed cards - CAS is fun, but I find I am not challenging myself enough for lack of time.] -























This first card, I also used SU Floral background stamp.  I tried the Linen Technique - didn't really work with this stamp, but I will try it again..eventually.  I also tried a new scrunch flower method - I used dp - you spray it with water - scrunch it - open it - let dry.  Forms into a stiff flower - kind of cool actually.  But, there again, it won't mail ~~  They are fun to make though.

For this 2nd card, I was drawn to Kathy's image and her ribbon - love both  of these.   I used the ISC image - which is the closest I have [to Kathy's] but I left the original ribbon.  I adore this black striped ribbon.
Just a couple of fun CASE cards today.

Now, the something NEW - What do you all think of my new SELF CREATED watermark?  Which one do you like better - left is clean and the right one has my initials.  I used that one today, but I am not sure about it.  All else fails - ask my followers!!












I have been debating paying for a watermark - but, you know there are so MANY helpful sites in cyberland that I turned there instead.  Kind of a personal challenge - make it myself.  Obviously, I figured it out - and actually, once I did I was beating myself up FOR NOT DOING IT SOONER!!  It's really easy.  If you are interested in making one for yourself, feel free to leave a comment to let me know - If there is enough interest I might attempt a tutorial (now that would be a challenge) here on my little blog.
That's it for today~~ thanks so much for stopping by and commenting - I do love to hear from you!

 

 ps - if you haven't signed up for my blog candy yet, check out the picture on the right sidebar!

Inspiration and Clean & Simple Layout

I played in the Inspiration challenge over at SCS and I choose the "theme" of relaxing - the beach is totally relaxing to me.  I also found this Clean & Simple sketch.  I LOVE IT!  Even with CAS cards I struggle for the layout - I know I know - it should be easy, but this challenge site just made it easier!!  LOL - I used Innovative Stamp Creations Picturesque.  I love this beach scene - I added the sun with a punch out circle that I sponged in.  Thanks for stopping by - I am on a roll, so I am off to stamp some more...

Don't forget to check out my blog candy - click on picture to the right...

Saturday Cards

I made this card for the Inspiration Challenge over at SCS.  I haven't played there for awhile so I am glad I took the time.  I was inspired by these wonderful colors.

The layout is for the sketch challenge over at Stamp TV.

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 This next card is the challenge that Anne Ryan started over at SCS - Queen for the Day - choosing members who leave encouraging/ sincere comments for fellow stampers.  While I do leave sincere comments, mine ar short and sweet.  I spend WAY TO MUCH on the computer - I want to be stamping.~~ LOL  Anyway, the QFTD this week is Marilyn.  What an amazing gallery!! All about butterflies - so pretty!  Here is my CASE and Marilyn's card.













I used Innovative Stamp Creations - Serenity.  LOVE THIS STAMP!  Bfly is Hero Arts - I picked up the white gel pen highlighting somewhere in blogland... fun effect!




I gotta go - shoot I have a going away party to go to MY BOSS IS TRANSFERRING - OMG that is so sad!  The man is so fun to work with -- I will miss him for sure!!  Thanks for stopping by.. Vicki