Eat Cupcakes!

I'm finally getting my stampin' mojo back. This card really came together nicely for me. From the sketch, which is this week's Freshly Made Sketches challenge, to the Birthday Basics DSP, I finally felt like things were flowing, instead of forced.

I've been so inspired by other's challenge cards and the people interested in my cards. It's a great feeling to know something you created made someone smile. Thank you for your comments. I truly appreciate them.

Enjoy!

Better Late Than Never

I missed a challenge deadline a few weeks ago, and never posted the card I made. It was a nice layout and I needed a masculine thinking of you card. Like a lot of stampers, I struggle with masculine cards. I kept this one simple, and relied on the fresh Afternoon Picnic DSP.

Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!!

It's been too long since I last posted. Blogging is much more time consuming than I ever imagined. I have a new found respect for all the blogs I read on a regular basis. I'm trying to find my groove with everything. Forgive me!!

I played along with the Less is More challenge this week: String or Twine.

Hope you get plenty of treats in your goodie bags tomorrow. Happy Halloween!

Christmas Creating Begins

I decided to start making a few Christmas cards every couple weeks because it never fails that December gets here and we're crazy busy. I never have enough time to make the cards  I want to send, and drive myself a bit crazy trying to get everything finished before the holidays.

I thought of the Christmas ornament stamps when I saw this week's retro sketches challenge. I hope you like it!

Oh, Happy Day

Just a quick post tonight! We had a busy week going to several Pirate games, and saw the Bucs take over first place in the MLB. It's been a long time coming, but baseball is alive in Pittsburgh! My son, a fan through thick and thin, is loving it.

I participated in two challenges with this card, ColourQ and Freshly Made Sketches. I'm a sucker for banners in a layout, and the inspiration image was so great and lively I couldn't wait to get to my supplies.

               

The card isn't quite how I pictured it, and I'm not so sure I really like it, but if I only posted cards I loved, it might be even longer between my posts. I can be my own worst critic!

Let me know what you think. Until next time, let's go Bucs!!

Card Recipe
Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Bloomin' Marvelous (retired), Fresh Vintage (retired)
Ink: Midnight Muse
Paper: Old Olive, So Saffron, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Accessories: Retired So Saffron ribbon, rhinestones

Finding Inspiration Everywhere

I saw the challenge at retro sketches, and loved the simplicity of the sketch. While The Play Date cafe challenge has a great color combo, the little leaves on the tea cups got me connecting the two challenges. It's funny how you can find inspiration in the little things all around you.

Keep your eyes open for your next bit of inspiration. Who knows where you'll find it!

Card Recipe

Stamps: Secret Garden, Petite Pairs, French Foliage (retired)

Inks: Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz, Sahara Sand

Paper: Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Antique Brads, ribbon (retired)

The Little Things

As soon as I saw this single stamp from Stampin' Up!, I knew I had to have it. It puts a smile on my face every time I hear it. This little phrase has wonderful memories for me. From my mom singing to me, to rocking my own babies and singing to them. While they're not babies anymore, we still sing the song together sometimes. And I hope it's a song they will sing to their babies in the future.

I joined in the Less is More challenge this week, and hope my sunshine can still count as a handmade flower! I used the Boho Blossoms punch and incorporated one of the Vintage Faceted buttons to give it a little more sparkle.

When I added the Dazzling Details, the ink started to bleed, but I really liked the effect. So I took my paper-piercing tool and swirled the details with the ink to color in the rest of the letters. It added another feature without having to add another color or layer.

Have a great day!

Card Recipe
Stamps: Sunshine
Colors: Pacific Point
Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Dazzling Details, Vintage Faceted Buttons, Boho Blossom punch

Oh, Hello!

Forgive my absence. Finding time to stamp has not come easy lately. However, I did get to spend some time in my craft room today to create! I love when you have an afternoon to just stamp, not a project for someone or a card you quickly need, but to just sit and remember why you like this hobby so much. That was my day to day. I hope you all find time like that for yourselves and that you truly enjoy your time. I sure did!

Card Recipe
Stamps: Oh, Hello!
Colors: Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry
Paper: Pool Paper, Whisper White, DSP Sycamore Street (retired)
Accessories: Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Bitty Butterfly and Elegant Butterfly punches

Taking Direction

I joined the Retro Sketches challenge this week, and I had a little helper making my card.

It's a Father's Day card for my son to give his dad. He was in charge of picking the stamp set and choosing a main color.  It's like have a mini art director at home with me! I had to have him approve the sketch and my ideas, but the smile on his face when he saw it all come together
was awesome!

This particular stamp set, Moving Forward, is retired now, but it was the Stampin' Up! Ronald McDonald House Charities set. For every set purchased, SU donated $3 to RMHC. This year's set is a really cute group of tag stamps called Tag It, and again SU will donate $3 for every set purchased. Check it out below. You can order your set through my store.

© Stampin’ Up!

 Card Recipe

Stamps: Moving Forward (retired)
Colors: Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade (retired)
Paper: Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, DSP Summer Smooches (retired)
Accessories: Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Stripes embossing folder

Challenging Myself

I'm back, and I've figured out how to add a few more blog features plus I have a new card to share with you. Determined to create my own card creations more often, I decided to play along with a few card challenges, Fab Friday and The Paper Players. Some times it's helpful to have a piece of the puzzle started for you like the colors or a sketch. They can kick start your creativity if you need a little focus.

I liked the sketch challenge at Fab Friday because I have been wanting to try the Out of the Box technique where your stamped image comes outside the edge of shape. I just wish I had let more of them pop out. What can I say it was my first attempt! Next time, there will be more.

And, I can't lie... I'm a sucker for any color combo that has Pool Party so The Paper Players was right up my alley this week. I was the girl who was so excited when Pool Party became a permanent color this year. It's my favorite!

Card Recipe
Stamps: Pleasant Poppies, Trust God
Colors: Calypso Coral, Pool Party, So Saffron and Early Espresso
Accessories: Fancy Fan embossing folder, Antique brads

Getting My Feet Wet

I've talked about having a creative blog for so long. I've finally found some time to actually make it happen.  There is still a lot I want to add to it, but let's call it a diamond in the rough. You have to start somewhere, right?

Enjoy the card below while I figure out a little more about this blogging stuff. I'll be back, I promise!