A very Wryn weekend!

Happy weekend, my friends. Glad it is finally here, and the weather is gorgeous!

I'm sharing two cards today that I made with a few challenges in mind. Turns out they both ended up being the darling Wryn from Tiddly Inks, so I'm going with a theme.

Berry Sweet Wryn for Tiddly Inks ("So Sweet) and Sunday Stamps (which I totally missed the deadline for!):

Check out the sketch from Sunday Stamps:

Wryn the Mermaid for Freshly Made Sketches:

Check out the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches:

Thanks for stopping by this week!

-Tara

xox

Supplies - Berry Sweet Wryn

Stamps: "Berry Sweet Wryn" Digi (Tiddly Inks), "From the Garden" (Stampin' Up!)

Ink: Memento

Paper: Marshmallow (Bazzil), Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), Daffodil Delight CS (Stampin' Up!), "Neapolitan" Dear Lizzy (American Crafts)

Tools: Dotted Scallop Border Punch (Stampin' Up!)

Embellishments: Subtle Button (Stampin' Up!), White Baker's Twine (Stampin' Up!)

Copics:

  - Berry: R11, R14, R17, R29; Yg11, YG13, YG17

  - Hair: Y23, E31, E33, E15

  - Dress: Y11, Y13, Y15; YG11, YG13, YG17

  - Mushroom: E11, E13, W1, W3, Y11, Y13, Y15

  - Grass: YG61, YG63, YG67, G29

Supplies - Wryn the Mermaid

Stamp: "Wryn the Mermaid" Digi (Tiddly Inks), "...And Many More" (Stampin' Up!)

Ink: Island Indigo (Stampin' Up!)

Paper: "Our Lil' Monster" DSP (BoBunny), Pool Party CS (Stampin' Up!), Marshmallow (Bazzil)

Embellishments: Moonshine sequins (Simon Says Stamp)

Copics:

  - Skin: E000, E02, E04, E11, R20, R22

  - Shirt: R20, R22, R24

  - Tail: YG11, YG13, YG17

  - Accents: Y13, Y15, Y17

  - Hair: BG10, BG15, BG18, BG75

Some exciting news and a dandy candy card!

I'm so excited to finally share some news! I was asked to created some projects for Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine blog using the fabulous Stampin' Up! set From the Garden and the equally awesome Handpicked framelit set (which can be conveniently bundled for savings!)

You can check out my projects (and the fabulous creations of Heather Summers as well!) over at the SCT blog! Here's a sneak peek.

I also spent some time yesterday playing with a few challenges. Woohoo!

First up I played along with Tiddly Inks "Anything Goes" challenge... which gave me the perfect opportunity to use my brand new set "Dandy as Candy". I am so in love with this lollipop-toting sweetheart! Can't wait to play around some more with other colour combinations. 

I used the great sketch from Freshly Made Sketches as well:

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

Supplies:

Stamps: "Dandy as Candy" (Tiddly Inks)

Ink: Memento

Paper: "Planetarium" - Super Stud collection (Bella Blvd), "Summer Days" (Echo Park), "Marshmallow" white (Bazzill), "Solar White" (Neenah), Bermuda Bay CS (Stampin' Up!), Melon Mambo CS (Stampin' Up!)

Embellishments: Strawberry Slush Bakers Twine (Stampin' Up!), Enamel Dots (Recollections)

Copics:

  - Dress/Candy: R32, R35, R39

  - Skin: E000, E02, E11, R20

  - Shoes: C1, C3, C5, C7

  - Lollipop: Y11, Y13, Y15

  - Hat: YG11, YG13, YG17

  - Hair: E15, E07, E19

Playing along with a few challenges today!

I had a bit of extra time today and I wanted to play with some new goodies. I made two cards to play along with two challenges. Whoah!

The first is the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches. After I cut my papers, I realized that I had to shift the sketch a bit to the left so you could still read the text around the moon. Oopsies!

I'm also linking this up to the Tiddly Inks challenge "All About the Boys!". I have recently come across Tiddly Inks and I'm SO excited! Such lovely images... I want them all.

Check out the sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches:

The second card I made using the awesome colours from Color Throwdown.

I thought these colours were so darling! The background was made using Ranger distress stain in Faded Jean. Afterwards, I splashed a few drops of water on it to give it the dotted look. Reminds me of  a pair of jeans that had an accident with the bleach :)

Check out the colour challenge at Color Throwdown:

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

Supplies - To the Moon & Back:
Stamp: My Batty Hero digi (Tiddly Inks). 
Paper: Smoky Slate CS (Stampin' Up!), "Story Time" (Studio Calico)
Copics:
  - Skin: E000, E02, E11
  - Hair: E31, E33, E19
  - Clothes: C1, C3, C5, C7
  - Cape: Y13, Y15,Y17

Supplies - Happy Easter:
Stamp: Somebunny Loves You digi (Tiddly Inks), Teeny Tiny Wishes (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Stazon, Faded Jean Distress Stain (Ranger), Fathered Twigs Distress Ink (Ranger)
Paper: Sahara Sand CS, Blushing Bride CS, Whisper White CS, Watercolour Paper, Vellum
Embellishments: Enamel Dots (Recollections)
Copics:
  - Skin: E000, E02, E11, R20
  - Hair: E31, E33, E15, E37
  - Shirt: R81, R83, R85
  - Pants: B21, B24, B29
  - Bunnies/Ears: W1, W3, R81, R83, R85
  - Shoes: C1, C3, C5

Retro for Freshly Made Sketches

Hello, and happy Saturday!

I wanted to play with some new stamps, so I went to my go-to sketch challenge for some inspiration; Freshly Made Sketches. This is what I came up with:

The stamp set is "This & That" by Lily bee Designs and I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it! Those sweet little girls (sisters? friends?), were just perfect for that retro/vintage feel I've been craving the past few months.

To give them that 'vintage' feel, I did a base on their skin in Y21... That hint of yellow that we love so much ;)

Check out the sketch this week:

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Supplies:
Stamp: "This & That" (Lily Bee Designs)
Paper: Blushing Bride CS (Stampin' Up!), Whisper White CS (Stampin' Up!), "Baby to Bride - Unforgettable" DSP (Graphic 45), "DIY Shop - Crafty" DSP (Crate Paper)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Copics:
  - Skin: E000, E00, E02, E11, Y21, R20
  - Hair: E31, E33, E37
  - Dresses: YRoo, R81, R83, R85
  - Stool: E70, E74

Some weekend fun!

This weekend I found some time to play in my craft room a bit. I played along with two challenge (woohoo!)

First up, the fun sketch from 'Tis the Season

I start with a piece of Blackberry Bliss cardstock that had been sitting on my desk for weeks, just calling my name. Then, I sponged Night of Navy, Blackberry Bliss and Strawberry Slush onto the Irresistibly Yours DSP (love this paper!). When it came to the sentiment, I sponged the same colours onto the stamps to give it a gradient

Check out their challenge this week - I love this sketch, and I never need extra encouragement to use stars ;)

Supplies:

Stamps: Wishing you a Merry Christmas (Stampin' Up! ' Paper Pumpkin kit')

Ink: Night of Navy, Blackberry Bliss, Strawberry Slush

Paper: Whisper White CS, Blackberry Bliss CS, Silver Glimmer, Irresistibly Yours DSP

The next card I created was for Freshly Made Sketches:

I was super excited about this little pig stamp. It's from On the Farm by Stampendous. I coloured him in with Copics and then picked out some papers to go along with it. The background was sponged in Sahara Sand over a chicken wire (hexagon) stencil from Memory Box.

Here is the sketch this week:

Supplies:

Stamps: On the Farm (Stampendous), Just Saying (Stampin' Up!)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sahara Sand

Copics: Pig R81, R83, R85; Grass YG61, YG63; Word Bubble W1; Outlining W3

Paper: Whisper White CS, Sahara Sand CS, Strawberry Slush CS, Monster Medley DSP, Polka Dot Parade DSP

Tools: Texture Chicken Wire stencil (Memory Box), Word Bubble Framelits (Stampin' Up!), 2" Circle Punch (Stampin' Up!), Scallop Punch (Stampin' Up!) 

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

K is for Kindness... And Koala :)

Good Monday morning!

Today I'm super excited to share with you my little friend Harrison. The past few months I've been seriously thinking about drawing my own images for my cards. So, I started with this little guy. He's Harrison, and he likes to play dress-up :)

I'm hoping to eventually move into the digitally stamping world, but for now I'm enjoying just doodling away and using the images on my own cards.

I used the I Am Me Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up! (There is still some on the clearance rack if you love it and want to pick some up). Harrison in his Koala suit was traced with Pigma Micron marker. I have the original image stored (which was first draw with pencil and then cleaned up with marker) and I just trace it when I need it.

He was coloured in with Copics and Stampin' Up Blendabilities:

• Koala costume: Copics - C1, C3, C5, C7, W4, 0 (for the ear, belly and nose fur)
• Face: SU Blendabilities - Ivory, Nude and Blush
• Hair: SU Blendabilities - Daffodil Delight
• Outline: Copics - C1

I need to keep practicing with drawing, colouring, etc... but I'm hoping this turns into something regular :)

This week I played along with the super sweet sketch from Freshly Made Sketches:

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

"fun ride" for Freshly Made Sketches

It has been absolutely forever since I played along with a challenge! I had a clean desk, some extra mojo and a free night... so I had fun with my new Copic markers and this great little scooter/moped thingy from Stampin' Up!

Well, this is new territory for me! This is my first time colouring with Copic markers. I have a lot to learn, but I had fun breaking them in. Now I need to go out and buy more. Every. Single. Colour. 

I played along with the great sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Good Luck for Freshly Made Sketches

I wanted to make a good luck card for someone really special who is going to be doing a series of interviews on Monday/Tuesday. I knew that I wouldn't be able to mail the card and have it get there in time, so I decided to make something digitally.

I used the new Sweet Sorbet DSP from Sale-a-Bration as well as a few other pieces of this digital kit.

The sketch was from Freshly Made Sketches this week, and I absolutely love it!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Match-y, Match-y!

This weekend we had fun celebrating my brother's birthday with him. I wanted to make him a really special cake, so I decided to go with this Petal cake design. Nice white cake and a delicious buttercream icing.

Once the cake was done, I just had to make a card to match (naturally!). I used the 1/2" Circle Punch to punch out Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana and Very Vanilla. I made a border for the Chalk Talk framelit with another of the same - a quick snip in the middle and extended it out the ends slightly.

I stamped the cake image from Sketched Birthday and coloured with Blender Pens. Afterwards, I cut out a scrap cake and masked the original so that I could sponge around it with Daffodil Delight. The Happy Birthday banner is from the same set. I finished it off with a few rhinestones to mimic the bigger and smaller circles from the Freshly Made Sketches sketch I used for this card. 

Check out the sketch I used from Freshly Made Sketches:

Thanks for stopping by (again) today :)

-Tara

xox

Supplies:

Stamps: Sketched Birthday

Ink: Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate

Paper: Bermuda Bay CS, Coastal Cabana CS, Very Vanilla CS

Embellishments: Rhinestones

Tools: 1/2" Circle Punch, Chalk Talk framelits, Blender Pens

Thank You notes with Envelopes!

Good morning

Today at The Friday Mashup, Lisa is out hostess and she has a great challenge for us to help us get up-to-date on our Thank You cards (thanks Lisa! I needed that).

The added challenge this week is to add some Stars and to have a matching envelope. Woohoo! Another excuse to use my Envelope Punch Board. 

I started with the colours from Sunday Stamps (Midnight Muse, Strawberry Slush and Silver) and the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches to create these little notecards (3-1/2" x 5"). The envelopes were made to size in Strawberry Slush cardstock. Is there anything more fun than getting a pink envelope in the mail!? :) .... Just in case you're wondering, the answer is 'no'!

There are three of these notecards. I've used the Off The Grid stamp for the background and topped it off with a matted banner of Whisper White and Silver Glimmer Paper (yum!). I stamped stars from Simply Stars in Midnight Muse and Strawberry Slush and fussy cut them out. 

Finish off with some happy little rhinestones and the 'thank you' sentiment from Delightful Dozen, et voila! 

Check out the challenge this week at The Friday Mashup and please come on over and play along!

1. Create a project with "Stars"
2. Create a set of "Thank you cards with Matching Envelopes"
3. Or Mash it Up and create a set of "Thank you cards & Envelopes using Stars"

I've also played along with Sunday Stamps and Freshly Made Sketches

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

A very special post for Freshly Made Sketches

I am SO excited about this post and card today, as it was created to help Freshly Made Sketches celebrate their 100th challenge!

I was very fortunate to be a guest designer at Freshly Made Sketches back in May 2012, and was super thrilled to be invited to participate in their anniversary celebrations :)

To celebrate, the ladies over at FMS have gone retro and are resurrecting their very first sketch - How fun is that? Especially when you see how awesome and versatile it is:

Please stop by Freshly Made Sketches for a list of all the fabulous designers participating in the celebration, and to check out the fun prizes that can be won for participating in this challenge!

What a wonderful milestone - Congratulations, Freshly Made Sketches! Here's to 100 more weeks of inspiration, creativity and awe-inspiring projects!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

List of Supplies:
Stamps: Timeless Talk, Off the Grid
Paper: Soho Subway DSP, Crisp Cantaloupe CS, Whisper White CS
Embellishments: Island Indigo Chevron Ribbon, Island Indigo Designer Button, Island Indigo Candy Dots

Happy little box-in-a-bag!

Oh, hi again!

It's funny, I go into hiding almost all week, and then from Fri-Mon you can't get rid of me ;)

It's time for a brand new challenge at Sunday Stamps. Check it out:

Hayley's is our talented hostess with the mostess this week, and she's got this wicked colour combination for us! At first I was afraid (I was petrified) - I get really intimidated by brights. I love the look of them, but I just never know how to use them without feeling like I'm blinding everyone.

Fortunately, our design team came up with some awesome non-blinding samples! And looking at them all makes me feel so happy. This may be the beginning of what I'll refer to from here on in as my "Brights Movement". Kind of like Picasso's Blue Period ;)

I'm also playing along with Freshly Made Sketches this week because I just had to try out the great sketch they had!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Tara
xox

Miss you!

It seems like forever (and a day) since I've played along with any challenge... least of all one of my favourites - Freshly Made Sketches.

I'm anxiously awaiting my new goodies from the Spring/Sale-a-Bration preorder (that's right! Go ahead and get excited!) so I'm trying to distract myself with some sets I haven't used nearly enough. "Moving Forward" is quickly becoming a go-to, it's just to cute and fun! Check back tomorrow for another card made with this set :)

I had a lot of fun making this card. The waves are made with the Adorning Accents edgelit dies and Tempting Turquoise and Pacific Point cardstock. I had done something similar before with the scalloped edge (used the negative) and it was really cute, but I wanted some 'fuller' waves this time.

Here's the wonderful sketch from FMS this week:

Thanks for stopping by!

-Tara
xox

List of Supplies:
Stamps: Moving Forward, For the Birds
Paper: Crumb Cake CS, Pacific Point CS, Tempting Turquoise CS, Calypso Coral CS
Tools: Adorning Accents Edgelits, Chevron Embossing Folder
 

Jacks turns one!

I knew someday I would write these words... it just doesn't feel like I should be writing them now. Not yet...! Our baby boy, Jackson, is 1 today.


Happy birthday to my sweet baby Jacks. We are so grateful to have you in our lives - you're a hoot.

List of supplies:Stamps: Owl Occasions
Paper: Early Espresso Core'dinations
Colours: Early Espresso, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie
Tools: 2-1/2" Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle punch, Sanding Blocks, Woodgrain embossing folder, Big Shot

 

Photo: Becka Yates (http://www.miaouphotography.com)

Edit to add:
In the excitement of my baby's birthday, I forgot to enter this card into the Freshly Made Sketches challenge! The lovely ladies over at FMS are celebrating 1 year!! I'm so excited to play along with them this week. I credit Freshly Made Sketches with helping me to develop a more 'clean' style. I tended to make more vintage and 'worn' looking cards in the past, and FMS challenged me to put down the sponges and find beautiful in the 'clean'. "Step away from the sponges!".

I chose to use sketch number 44. I played along with that challenge when it was going on, and I wasn't 100% happy with the results, so I wanted to give it another go. Here's the sketch:

Be sure to visit tomorrow for a really fun new Friday Mashup challenge!

-Tara
xox

Hosting Sunday Stamps!

Hello and happy Sunday!

It's my turn this week to host at Sunday Stamps - and this week we've got a colour challenge! Let me start by saying that I love Sahara Sand. It's one of my very favourite 'colours', and definitely my favourite Neutral - though Crumb Cake runs a very close second ;)

So, that being said, here's my card for this week:

**See the end of this post for a list of supplies used to make this card**

And the challenge colours... Sahara Sand, Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade!

 

I recently discovered, through the awesomeness that is blogland, that you can use just the top of the cupcake from the cupcake punch to create virtually perfect clouds! Colour me excited. And, what are 'storm clouds' without a bit of rain? That's right... not storm clouds ;) I added 'rain' on the Wisteria Wonder panel by spritzing Wister Wonder ink with the Colour Spritzer Tool.

That fabulous DSP is actually Christmas paper from Candlelight Christmas specialty DSP - Available in the Holiday Catalogue. I thought the patterns looked like little suns, which fit the sentiment perfectly.

The boot was coloured with Blender Pens... never leave home without them.

I've used the fab sketch from Freshly Made Sketches as a jumping off point this week. I was totally having 'sketch'-block, so I headed over to my safety net of FMS. Never disappointed by their sketches!

That's it for me today. Please check out what the other fabulous ladies on the Sunday Stamps design team have come up with this week and then link up your own creation. Can't wait to see it!

-Tara
xox

List of Supplies:
Stamps: Bootiful Occasions
Paper: Sahara Sand CS, Wisteria Wonder CS, Lucky Limeade CS, Candlelight Christmas DSP
Embellishments: Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon
Tools: Colour Spritzer Tool, Cupcake punch, Blender Pens

Winter Memories

There are so many items in the Holiday Catalogue that I fell in love with immediately... Then there are those I didn't even realize were in the catalogue at all until my 4th of 5th time through it! I've used a little bit of everything on this card, and I love it!

Merry Christmas

 Stamps: Winter Memories, Greetings of the Season

Colours: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, Very Vanilla

Paper: Snow Festival DSP, Early Espresso Core'dinations cardstock

Embellishments: Brushed Bronze buttons, Cotton Ribbon, Linen Thread

Tools: Woodgrain embossing folder

I was using the superb sketch from Freshly Made Sketches... Yet another from FMS that I will be hiding up my sleeve ;)

I love the woodgrain embossing folder. I've been wanting SU to come out with one for so long, and I nearly fell off my seat when I saw it. And that Winter Memories set?! Don't get me started - such a wonderful collection of stamps that make me feel  nostalgic and cozy :)

-Tara

xox

A new challenge at Sunday Stamps!

Good morning!

It's time for another challenge at Sunday Stamps. Each week we alternate between a colour challenge and sketch challenge, and this week we're throwing some earth tones at you!

 Stamps: Blooming with Kindness

Colours: So Saffron, Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red

Embellishments: Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon, Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon

Tools: 1-3/4" Circle punch

I just love this set. Love it. I guess flowers are growing on me these days. I stamped the flower in So Saffron, but then added some highlights with Soft Suede and a blender pen. It gives the gorgeous flower a little more depth, I find.


Check out what the rest of the design team has to show show you!

 

Holly Endress

Lisa Johansen

Monica Hornof

Hayley Kew

Joan Jeffery

We would love to see you join us this week at Sunday Stamps! Get out your brown, yellow, and red and show us what you got!! :)

The next card is a card for Freshly Made Sketches. I'm so happy I found some time last night to make a few cards. I had a hard time with the sketch this week - I never know how to use circles! haha. But, I love that it challenged me!

With Sympathy

Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colours: Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit

Papers: Comfort Cafe DSP

Embellishments: Pearls

Tools: Decorative Label punch, 2-1/2" Circle, 1-3/4" Circle

Thanks for dropping in today!

-Tara
xox