Ready for a fun sketch challenge?

What do you see?  I saw windows and thought the animals from the Animal Outing stamp set  would look so cute peeking out from the circles.

Didn't I do a great job coloring in the animals?  Are you thinking it looks too good?  Well, you would be right.  I actually cut those images out from the Animal Expedition DSP using the Animal Friends thinlits.  I knew I wouldn't be able to fool you.   My coloring is nowhere near that good but a girl can dream right?  The Animal Friends thinlits also cuts out the giraffe and a branch image from the Animal Expedition DSP.   I love this option of cutting out the images directly from the DSP.  

Product List

Animal Outing Clear-Mount Bundle [148324] $45.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144245] $8.50	Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146981] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75
Animal Expedition Designer Series Paper [146902] $11.00	Animal Friends Thinlits Dies [146823] $29.00	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705] $35.00	Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706] $35.00	Nature's Twine [146342] $9.00

 Be sure to stop by the Try Stampin' on Tuesday blog  and check out all the details on how you can play along with the challenge and be sure to check out what the other members of the design team created with the sketch.

Last week I posted a pocket card using the Varied Vases stamp set.   Today's card is a slight variation of that card which I am calling the half pocket card.  

Basically, I used the same card base as the pocket card  except I did not add the  triangle flap.  The card slips in to the half pocket.  The DSP I used is Animal Expedition, which is so fun and cute.  The rhino was cut out from the DSP using the Animal Friends Thinlits Dies.  

Product List

Animal Outing Clear-Mount Bundle [148324] $45.00	Dragonfly Dreams Photopolymer Stamp Set [142924] $21.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad [147145] $7.50
Call Me Clover Stampin' Pad [147139] $7.50	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.50	Call Me Clover 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146969] $8.50	Animal Expedition Designer Series Paper [146902] $11.00
Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705] $35.00	Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00

Because I had and extra triangle of the Animal Expedition DSP cut, I decided to make another card.  This time the pocket is at the top.  I used the same supplies except I used the Postcard Pals stamp set for the sentiment.

Tomorrow is the last day of the Buy 3 Get 1 free promotion.  The Animal Expedition DSP is one of the packs of DSP that is part of this great sale.  Be sure to check out the sale and save on some fabulous Designer Series Paper! 

Today the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge is a sketch.  When I saw the sketch i knew exactly the set I wanted to use, Postcard Pals.  This set isn't one I normally purchase but I couldn't resist the cute animals and sentiments.

Here's the sketch for Create with Connie & Mary Challenge #520

In addition to the Postcard Pals stamp set i used 2 different packs of DSP (Designer Series Paper).  Both the Wood Textures DSP and the Animal Expeditions DSP are part of the Buy 3, Get 1 Free promotion.  This promotion ends July 31, so you have just a few more days to get in on the savings.  

Product List

Postcard Pals Clear-Mount Stamp Set [146701] $20.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144601] $9.00	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [145058] $9.00	Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144045] $9.00
Old Olive Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144597] $9.00	Light Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends Marker [146878] $4.50	Pool Party Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144595] $4.50	Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [120953] $8.50	Poppy Parade 8-1/2" x 11"" Card Stock" [119793] $8.50
Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack [144177] $11.00	Animal Expedition Designer Series Paper [146902] $11.00	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705] $35.00

I hope you will join in this fun challenge.  Be sure to check out what the other members of the design team created for this challenge. 

Stopping by with a quick post.  We are heading out to one of our favorite spots for a hike, picnic, and a good book next to a waterfall.   

Bright and cheery card to hopefully brighten someone's day.  Poppy Parade and Basic Black always a good idea.

Want to make a pocket card of your own?  You can find a tutorial for this style of card HERE and for a slightly different pocket card HERE.   

That is it for me for today.  Summer is fleeting where I live and I need lots of memories of summer fun to reflect on when it gets rainy and gray. 

This week we are playing with a color combination on the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge.  

If this color combination looks familiar it is because it is the colors of the paper in the Tropical Escape card stock pack.   

I embossed the flower from the Graceful Garden stamp set with White embossing powder on Shimmery White card stock.  I used an Aqua Painter and the Blushing Bride, Granny Apple Green, and Shaded Spruce ink refills to color in the image.  This is one of my favorite ways to color.  

Product List

Graceful Garden Clear-Mount Stamp Set [143849] $19.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $8.50	Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [131157] $3.75	Granny Apple Green Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [147163] $3.75
Shaded Spruce Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [147165] $3.75	Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146981] $8.50	Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146990] $8.50	Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101910] $9.00
Tropical Escape 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146916] $11.00	Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132] $5.00	Whisper White 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon [146912] $7.50

I hope you will join in the challenge.   Go to the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge blog and get all the details on how you can join in the challenge.  Be sure to check out what the other design team members created for this challenge!

Today's Try Stampin' on Tuesday challenge is Tic Tac Toe.  What is that?  Well, it is kind of a pick your own challenge adventure.  You choose any line: horizontal, vertical or diagonal and those are the elements you use for this week's challenge.

I chose: Yellow. Geometric, and Circle.  I sure hope you could tell that was what i chose.

Product List

A Good Day Clear-Mount Stamp Set [145873] $19.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Pool Party Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144595] $4.50	Daffodil Delight Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144586] $4.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.75
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.50	So Saffron 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [105118] $8.50	Crushed Curry 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131199] $8.50	Regals 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [146965] $11.00	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00
Layering Squares Framelits Dies [141708] $35.00	1-1/4" Circle Punch [119861] $16.00	1-3/8" (3.5 Cm) Scallop Circle Punch [146139] $16.00	Basic Black Solid Baker's Twine [141682] $3.00

What way to tic tac toe will you choose?  

Welcome to the Stamper's Dozen Blog Hop!  This month's theme is Christmas in July.   Wait, I am not even ready to start thinking about Christmas.  I have a few Christmas stamp sets from prior years but somehow that didn't feel right, then an idea came to me.  

I just received the hostess reward set, Artfully Folded and thought it would be a  great set to use for Christmas.  Origami cranes are a symbol of hope and healing during challenging times.  It is believed that if you fold a 1000 origami cranes your wish will come true.  In fact when we got married (it will be 32 years this September) friends of mine folded 1000 gold cranes for us.  At our reception I had strings of gold cranes hanging from a white paper umbrella.  It was beautiful and full of so many wishes for a happy life.

All the images on the card are embossed in silver embossing powder.  If you look very closely you can see a few flecks of glitter in the swirl image (Star of Light stamp set).  I mixed in some Dazzling Diamonds glitter with the silver embossing powder.  I wanted to add just a little more shine to the star swirl.  Do you see the shimmer in the crane?  I first colored in the crane using Wink of Stella.  It was pretty but very subtle.  I had a Wink of Stella that was pretty much empty and one of my team members reminded me that I could add some alcohol to it and even some ink refill, so I did.  I filled the Wink of Stella pen with alcohol and added a drop of Smoky Slate ink refill.  The result is a silvery Wink of Stella shine.  Love it!

Be sure to check out all the projects on the hop.

Product List

Artfully Folded Photopolymer Stamp Set [146806] $10.00	Star Of Light Photopolymer Stamp Set [142110] $26.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $8.50	Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [131159] $3.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.75
Silver Foil Sheets [132178] $4.00	Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder [109131] $5.00	Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter [133751] $5.00	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $8.00	Silver Baker’S Twine [145569] $4.00

This week the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge is a sketch.   I like this sketch a lot especially once I turned it.

I am using this rich color combination of Merry Merlot and Mossy Meadow.  Both of these colors are now part of the Stampin' Up! Color Collections.  Merry Merlot is a Neutral and Mossy Meadow (a returning In Color) is a Regal.  

The stamp set I used is Vertical Greetings.  This is a great set to have in your collection as it is one of the few that have well, vertical greetings.  I also like topiaries and think they can also be used for a masculine card.   

Here's how I inked up the topiary.  I inked the whole image up in Mossy Meadow and then wiped off the stem parts with a swab and then used an Early Espresso marker to color in the stem parts.  If the green I am using for the greenery is fairly light I don't wipe it off and simply marker over it.   I punched out a pot from the 6" x 6"  Neutrals DSP pack using the Tailored Tag punch.  

I used the Subtle embossing folder on the Merry Merlot layer.  This folder is another must have. It really adds just a little texture  to the card.  Doesn't it look like I used textured paper?  

Be sure to go to the Create with Connie & Mary blog and check out what the other members of the design team created.  While you are there be sure to read all about how you too can play in the challenge!  I would love to see how this sketch inspired you.

I am so happy that Poppy Parade has returned to the color lineup.  It has been fun discovering the different color combinations.  Today I am using Poppy Parade, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive. 

Isn't it a great color combination?  I used the Abstract Impressions stamp set and love how easy this stamp set is to work with.  The flowers are either 2 or 3 step stamps.   I used just one color for each flower.  The trick is to "stamp off" the stamp once to create a lighter color.  I did this for all the bold images and used the ink full strength for the detail stamp.  

The Abstract Impression stamp set is a fabulous stamp set for everyone from beginners to experts.  I love when a set has both great sentiments  and beautiful images.  I also stamped the inside of the card which you can get a peek of in the picture above.  

So is this color combination a keeper?  Let me know what you think!

Remember the Buy 3, Get 1 Free on select Designer Series Paper.

Also don't miss out on this sweet deal!  I would love for you to be a part of the stamp ladies team!

So many new colors to play with!  Today's card is a simple one and uses 3 new colors and 1 In Color.  

Here are the colors I used.

This is a quick and easy card that looks quite dramatic.  The colored squares were cut using the smallest of the square Stitched Shapes framelits and they were layered on to the 2nd to the largest scalloped square from the Layering Squares framelits.  The large flourish is from the Flourish thinlits  cut in Basic Black card stock.   To create the Lemon Lime Twist berries,  I applied VersaMark ink on  Lemon Lime card stock and sprinkled a mix of Dazzling Diamonds glitter and Clear Embossing powder and heat embossed it.  I pulled the Silver and White Baker's twine through the Highland Heather ink pad to color it.   The sentiment is from the Varied Vases stamp set. Such a cute font.

What are your favorite color combinations?  I would love to know!

Product List

Varied Vases Photopolymer Stamp Set [146644] $26.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.75	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.50
Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144245] $8.50	Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146986] $8.50	Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146987] $8.50	Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146990] $8.50	Layering Squares Framelits Dies [141708] $35.00
Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00	Flourish Thinlits Dies [141478] $29.00	Silver Baker’S Twine [145569] $4.00	Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter [133751] $5.00	Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder [109130] $5.00