Pretty Pears in a Row

We've been outside enjoying the sunshine this morning and now that it is nap time, I have a little minute to post a quick card! Today's card is inspired by a new color challenge on Dawn McVey's blog! Her stuff is so fresh and cute and I love the colors she picked! Here they are:



And here is the card I made!




Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Cheep Talk set; Cute and Curly set
Ink: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, and Chocolate Chip classic inks
Paper: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, and Chocolate Chip cardstock; Sweet Always DSP
Accessories: Curly Label punch, Scallop Edge punch, Dazzling Diamonds, Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig

I definitely couldn't have gotten these little pears stamped straight without my Stamp-a-ma-jig! It is a must have for projects like this. I've been wanting to use this little pear stamp since I got it last month- I finally found the right project for it! I added a little Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the center of each pear for a little more sparkle.

Hope you are all out enjoying your day! Thanks for stopping by!

-tessa

Pink Petal Pizazz

Today is rainy and yucky outside which means that my two wonderful, adorable girls will probably turn in to monsters in about an hour... Luckily I got my cards for a swap that I participate in done last night! I think I may love my new Petal Pizazz set that will be in the new SU! catalog! I was really sad to lose my favorite large flower set (Fabulous Flowers) to the retired list last month and was hoping a new, larger set would take it's place! Sure enough, Petal Pizazz to my rescue! Hee! Here is the card I made with it last night:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Petal Pizazz set
Ink: Pink Pirouette Classic Ink, Versamark
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Regal Rose card stock; Sweet Always DSP
Accessories: Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, White embossing powder, Circle Rhinestone Brads

I embossed the smaller flower with White embossing powder. It really pops off of the Regal Rose paper!

They recently announced the retiring accessories list and I am happy to say that my most used DSP, Sweet Always made it to the new catalog! I just love this color scheme and it works with so many stamps that I have!

Well, I hope all of you have a great day! I am going to try to sneak in a a quick card before the girls go stir crazy!

Thanks for stopping by!

-tessa

No Layers

Today I am posting a card I made last night as a challenge to myself to use only one layer on my card! I've seen so many great, simple, one layer cards lately, This is my cousin's birthday card for next week but I may have to revamp it a little... I'm not sure if this "no layers" thing is for me!! I do love the colors though, and the way the balloons turned out (my first try with my SU! markers!) so we'll see... Here is the card, anyways:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes set, Big Deal Alphabet set, ABC Alphabet Lower set
Inks: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze Classic Inks; Black Staz On; Pretty in Pink marker
Paper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze card stock
Accessories: none! I'm kind of sad...

Ha Ha! After editing the first picture, I HAD to add something!! Here is the revamped version...



I also found a home for the heart embellishment that just didn't work for this card. Here it is on it's new card:



Goodies:
All product by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Little Something set
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic ink
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Regal Rose card stock; Sweet Always DSP
Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, Pewter Build-a-Brad, Rhinestone Brads, Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals

Yesterday's Dutch Baby was definitely worth the drive out!!



It came covered in powdered sugar and had loads more on the side along with butter and lemon... SO Good! Their regular pancakes are yummy, too! My girls cleared their plates quickly and we all left happy and with full bellies!

We are taking it easy today... I want to work on some scrapbook pages and check out QVC... I know... pretty nerdy but I swear Lisa Bearnson will be on! Hee!

Have a great day!!

-tessa

Valentines Leftovers

When I started building this card I was planning on using my new stamps from Stampin' Up! As a demo we are allowed to order some sets early and I am dying to show them off!! I stamped out a pretty heart from one of the sets and matted it out... taking lots of time to get it just right! Then I set it down on the base of the card (already decorated with the stripes, the scallop edge, and the ribbon) and it just didn't fit! I racked my brain trying to think of ways to make it work but in the end, I ended up using some of my left over paper from yesterday's card and my brand new Hearts Trio punch instead! Here it is:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Love You Much set, Happy Heart set
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic ink
Paper: Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip card stock; Sweet Always DSP
Accessories: Dimensionals, Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, Heart Trio punch, Corner Rounder punch

I layered the hearts so that some of them popped up a bit to create some dimension...


I also made another quick project. A Valentines binder clip photo holder. I am planning to send it to my Mom with a current picture to set on her desk. Here it is:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Love You Much set
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Paper: Candy Cane Lane DSP
Accessories: Dimensionals; ribbon by Lasting Impressions, Binder Clip from Office Depot

We're off to the National History Museum today... I've been wanting to go since it reopened in November but I've had to wait. I am looking forward to seeing what they did with all the exhibits! It is sunny here and looks like it will be a beautiful day so I know we will have lots of fun!

Hope you all have a great day, too! Thanks for stopping by for a peek!

-tessa

The first Valentine of the season...

I always love making Valentine cards and this year, I am starting a little early! Partially because I have new stamps and I want to play!! Here is what I made last night:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Love You Much set, Happy Heart set
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, Regal Rose Marker
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Whisper White card stock; Sweet Always DSP
Accessories: Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, Pewter Build-a-Brad, Dimensionals, Scallop Edge punch

The size of this card is 4x4". I like it because it allows the heart to really stand out! Sometimes it is fun to play with the size of cards... I always try to keep it a size I have an envelope for though! A lady came into Recollections once looking for an odd sized envelope for 70 wedding invitations she had made with out thinking about the size... she ended up having to make 70 envelopes! Yikes!!

I am planning some more stamp time this afternoon... I love having my hubby home! He takes the girls outside to play everyday and that means some quiet time to myself!! I love it! I always break out my secret stash of See's Chocolates, too!

Hope you are having a great day!

-tessa

A Crazy Color Challenge...

Today, Kristina Werner posted a new color challenge! She is forever posting cool stuff on her blog! Here is this week's inspiration:



So, Taken with Teal, Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White! I think these work great together but I was a little shy of them at first... Teal always scares me a little... Here is what I came up with!

My mom's birthday card (I actually made it on time!):



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Season of Friendship set; Cute and Curly set
Ink: Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Taken with Teal classic inks
Paper: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal card stock; Sweet Always DSP, watercolor paper
Other: Scallop Edge punch, Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

The idea for this card came from the December WICKED challenge on Splitcoast. I thought the sketch was perfect for the Season of Friendship set! I typically don't use ovals but I'm glad I tried it out... I stamped the tree and leaves onto the oval. I stamped the bird and flowers onto white card stock and cut them out. I added them next, using some dimensionals under a few of them. I wanted to bring some more teal into the card but the card stock itself was sooo dark! I decided to use some residual ink and my aqua painter to watercolor onto watercolor paper. When it was dry, I stamped my sentiment and punched it out. I think the rest is pretty self explanatory but if you have questions, just ask! I'm always happy to explain anything I make...

Here is my nephew's birthday card (a little late...):



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes set; Sprinkles set; Cute and Curly set
Ink: Certainly Celery, Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip Classic inks; Versamark; Timber Brown Staz on
Paper: Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery card stock; Summer Picnic DSP; Bella Rose DSP; watercolor paper
Other: Scallop Square punch, Scallop Edge punch, Curly Label punch, Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

So, after failing many times at watercoloring on Whisper White card stock, I finally bought some of the watercolor paper. I am soo glad I did! It really makes a big difference in the blending! I love it!

For this card, I wanted something a little funky and a little less girly since all my cards end up pretty foofy! I think I did OK... The only thing that isn't very easy to see how I did is the scallop around the square in the center. I used the Scallop Square punch to punch four pieces out. I didn't know how big my center should be for them to line up but I guessed at 2 1/2" and it worked perfectly! I just stuck them to the back and lined up the corners and voila!

So, I hope you are having a great day! It is gray and cold here and we are stuck inside today... At least I had time to stamp! Hee!

-tessa

Little Hedgie Card

For this week's color inspiration challenge on Kristina Werner's blog she challenged us with some great colors! Here is her inspirational piece:



Aren't those great colors together! When I am sitting down to make a card, I never think to put them together but I just love this scheme! I think I may end up doing a couple more cards with it for Thanksgiving... I'll post them if I get them done! Hee!

Anyways, here is my card for this week:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted...

Stamps: Fun and Fast Notes set
Ink: Timber Brown Staz On; Close to Cocoa, Elegant Eggplant Classic inks
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, So Saffron, Close to Cocoa card stock; Sweet Always DSP; Close to Cocoa DSP (from last year); watercolor paper
Other: Scallop Edge punch, Aqua Painter, Dimensionals, Piercing kit; ribbon by Morex Corp.

I've found that watercolor paper really does help when watercoloring... The color blends just perfectly! And I like the orange peel texture! I stamped my little hedgie on the watercolor paper with Timber Staz On and colored him in using the residual inks from my classic ink pads and an aqua painter. I matted him onto the eggplant card stock and pierced around him. Then I did a little distressing. My favorite tool for this is not the distressing tool, it is my little tool for applying the Design Elements! It bends and texturizes my paper just perfectly! Hee! I love it when I find another use for a silly tool!

Next I cut the pumpkin patterned paper out and distressed the edges with the piercing tool and some sand paper... I matted that with the cocoa card stock and again with the saffron card stock, tearing one of the edges. I added a strip of cocoa DSP and a scallop of saffron before putting my main image down with dimensionals. Last, I added the bow for a last little pop of white. The card is 51/2" square, all finished; one of my favorite sizes!

Anyways, I'm off to post this over at Kristina's website and to check out everyone else's entries! So much fun!

Thanks for peeking!

-tessa

Wishing You a Happy Heart...

So, I bought this set out of the current SU! mini catalog about a month ago... Here I am, finally using it! I have always loved dandelions so it is right up my alley! I am hoping to make lots of cute Valentines cards with it in February. Today I am using it for Kristina Werner's latest Color Inspiration Challenge! I am so thankful every time she adds a new one to her blog... they are my favorite! Hee! And, if you want to see something funny, check out her pictures and video from Halloween at Stampin' Up! It cracked me up this morning!

Edited to add: I missed the time period... I swear it said Friday!

Anyways, here is her inspiration for us:



And, here is what I made!



Goodies:
All Products by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: A Happy Heart set
Ink: Sage Shadow, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Paper: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie card stock; Holiday Treasures DSP, Autumn Vines DSP
Other: Buttons and thread- basic craft supply; Scallop Edge punch


I made another, too but added Kraft to the mix:



This is the inside. I wanted to put a Starbucks card in it for my sister.



Goodies:
All Products by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Bitty Basics set; Best Yet set (both Hostess sets; Always set
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Ruby Red Classic Ink; Versamark
Paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Sage Shadow, Ruby Red card stock; Sweet Always DSP
Other: Scallop Edge punch, 1" Circle punch, hemp twine; ribbon by Martha Stewart Crafts

Well, hope you all have a great weekend! If you get a chance, please enter in my blog candy contest in the post below! Thanks again for checking out my cards!

-tessa

One of those weeks...

This week I've just felt like I'm five minutes behind the rest of the world. Hopefully I'll catch up soon! Until then, here are a few quick cards I made last weekend!



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes set
Ink: Basic Brown, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, and Real Red Classic Stampin' Ink
Paper: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip card stock; Sweet Always DSP
Other: Stickles, by Ranger; ribbon by Making Memories, Dimensionals



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Owl Together Set
Ink: Creamy Caramel, Old Olive, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa Classic Stampin' Ink; Black Staz On
Paper: Kraft, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red card stock
Other: Scallop Edge punch, Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon, Dimensionals



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Stamps: Classic Christmas set
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Ink
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Confetti card stock; Holiday Treasures DSP
Other: ribbon by Martha Stewart Crafts; dimensionals



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Live Your Dream set; Best Yet set
Ink: Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Ink
Paper: Kraft, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla card stock
Other: Old Olive wide grosgrain ribbon, Pewter Build-a-Brads

Anyways, hope you enjoyed my cards! I am planning to relax a little this weekend and work on some Halloween stuff. Hopefully I'll have something to post on Monday! Hee!

-tessa

Some Simple Cards...

I made some quick cards last weekend at a crop and thought I'd share today! Here they are!


Sweet Hello Card:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Say it With Scallops set
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Pink Pirouette Classic Ink
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip card stock; Sweet Always DSP
Other: Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Square punch, 1/2 Circle punch, Dimensionals

Pretty Orange Heart Card:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Always set
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Apricot Appeal Classic Ink
Paper: Kraft, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White card stock; Sweet Always DSP
Other: Scallop Edge punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Dimensionals

Fall Friendship Card:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Season of Friendship set (from the new mini!!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Sage Shadow Classic Ink
Paper: Sage Shadow, Really Rust, More Mustard, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip card stock; Autumn Vine DSP (from the new mini!!)
Other: Crystal Effects, Antique Brads, Dimensionals

Ruby Flowers Card:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Embrace Life set
Ink: Ruby Red, Always Artichoke Classic Stampin Ink; Versamark
Paper: Always Artichoke, Baja Blue, Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Ruby Red card stock
Other: Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, White Embossing Powder, White Signo Gel Pen, Antique Brads, Dimensionals


I got them all done in one night so I was pretty excited! Sometimes I can go crop and only get one done!! Too much chatting and not enough stamping...

I had some good news today on Kristine Werner's blog! I made her top 15 this week! Yeah! After stalking her blog all weekend to see who she picked, it is a great surprise!

Hope your week is going great! Thanks for stopping by!

-tessa

It's Color Challenge Day Again!

Last night while I was uploading some new cards onto SCS, I thought I'd check out some of my favorite blogs including Kristine Werner's. I was so excited when I saw she put up a new color challenge!!

Here is her Inspiration for us:



So, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose, Rose Red, and Whisper White?? I can't wait to see what everyone else did because this was hard for me! Here is my card:



Goodies
All products by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Sock Monkey set, Polka Dot, A Little Birthday Cheer set
Inks: Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Regal Rose
Paper: Pacific Point textured card stock; Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose, Rose Red card stock, and Sweet Always DSP
Other: Eyelet and Ribbon by American Crafts; Stickles by Ranger; Dimensionals

I started with the Sock Monkey stamp. I've been wanting to piece together one of these since I got it so today I tried! The patterned paper is from the Sweet Always DSP pack. After piecing him together, he needed somewhere to sit so I made him a little paper box. Then I got to work on the back grounds! For some reason, this color scheme was screaming polka dots to me! So, that is what I used! I had some larger ones on the Kiwi piece to start with but it was a little too much so I opted for the cute cupcakes instead. I added a cupcake to the monkey's hand, sprinkled with a little stickles! Over all, not too bad. I can't wait to see what everyone else posts!!

Since you are all into Color Challenges as much as I am, you can understand how sad it is when a card goes bad, only minutes before the deadline... Here was the card I made for Kristine's last challenge, which was a great color scheme- I just messed it up totally!



I had this really great idea to distress the roses so I crumpled them up. Then I realized you really couldn't see the color any more. So, I distressed them a little more with some light ink. Then, they were just brown and you still couldn't see the color any more. Then I thought maybe I could save them with some watercoloring with a darker pink. So, I did, and it was awful. Then, just in case it would hide all the other flaws, I added some crystal effects- I was going for that morning dew look... it looked like snot! Poor little rose card!

Well, a few days later, I re stamped and cut out all the flowers again. This time I left them plain! Here is the redone card:



What can you do, right? At least I can still use it as a great sample of some two step stamping! Hee!

Thanks for looking!

-tessa

Crazy for Cupcakes Card

I thought I'd post a card I created last night. I was so excited when I saw this set in the new catalog- who doesn't like cupcakes! I ordered at the beginning of August and finally used it yesterday! I took the colors from the Sweet Always DSP and the design is courtesy of the September WICKED challenge on SCS- here it is:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes set
Inks: Basic Brown, Pumpkin Pie, Pink Pirouette, Apricot Appeal, Regal Rose Classic Stampin' Pad
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White card stock; Sweet DSP
Other: Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds, Scallop Edge Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Paper Piercer, Dimensionals

I Paper pieced the cupcake together by stamping it 3 times- once on the patterned paper, once on Apricot Appeal card stock, and once on Whisper White card stock. I cut the candle out of the Whisper White image and watercolored the flame with Apricot Appeal ink. I cut out the frosting from the Apricot Appeal card stock and inked around the edges softly with Pumpkin Pie ink. I colored in the sprinkles with Chocolate Chip ink and Regal Rose ink and then added Dazzling Diamonds over the top. Last, I cut out the cup cake wrapper from the patterned paper and inked the edges with Pink Pirouette ink. Paper piecing is a great way to add dimension to a project!

I wanted to share a picture of my sweet Natalie today, too! She is getting so big! I snapped these as I was taking pictures of my cards today:




Hope you have a great day! Thanks for peeking at my blog!

-tessa