Fishy Thoughts

Happy Friday y'all!  We're going to be hitting the road this morning for a road trip to the Netherlands, but before that, I have a card to share.  Take a peek:

I busted out some retired stamps for this one, what do you think?  I had fish on the brain thanks to the inspiration picture from the Color Throwdown:

I used Tangerine Tango, Blushing Bride, and Coastal Cabana as my colors, though maybe I should have done Tahitian Tide but I didn't think of it when I was up in my craft room.  For the background layer, I smooshed (it's a technical term) my ink pad on my largest acrylic block, spritzed it with water, and then smooshed that on a piece of white cardstock.  That gave me a subtle color variation and looked nice and watery once I dried it out with a heat tool.

Check out the latest sketch from CAS Colours & Sketches:

That Stitched Nested Labels die was the closest shape I had to a hexagon, and the longer shape worked with the sentiment I chose to go with it.

That's it for me, peeps.  See you on Sunday for a new Paper Players challenge!

Supplies, all SU! (some retired)
Stamps:  Ocean Commotion, Perfect Pennants
Ink:  Coastal Cabana, Starry Sky, Tangerine Tango, Blushing Bride
Paper:  Thick Basic White
Accessories:  Stitched Nested Labels, Dimensionals, Polished Dots

Nachos: Wonder Womaaaaan!

Happy Tuesday, Nacho fans!  We have a super fantastic sketch challenge for you today, check it out!

You can see the other design team members' cards on the Nacho blog.   I had an idea for what I wanted to do with this sketch, but it took me a couple tries to get it right.

At first I was just going for red, white and blue, but then I thought hey, we could turn this into a card homage to everyone's favorite Amazon warrior.

So the blue panel looks better, but it's not quite right yet.

Theeeerrre we go, it's WONDER WOMAN!!!

And the card works that direction, too.  I loved this sketch and I think you will too, so don't forget to upload your creations on the Nacho blog.  In the meantime, I think I'm gonna go watch some classic Wonder Woman...

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  Perfect Pennants, Sheltering Tree, Flower Patch
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, Whisper White, Pacific Point
Paper:  Real Red, Whisper White, Pacific Point, So Saffron, Glimmer Paper (silver, red, and gold)
Accessories:  corner rounder punch, white EP, Neutrals & Brights Candy Dots

Friday Flashback: Simply Stars

Happy Friday, peeps!  I hope lots of you have this Friday off to make for a long Independence Day holiday weekend.  Today's Friday Flashback is themed appropriately:  I grabbed a whole handful of stamp set names for the next 20 Flashbacks or so, and I was happy that Simply Stars was one of them so we get to be starrily festive today!  My sister-in-law and both my parents have July birthdays, and they all love stars and stripes, so this just worked out all around :D  Let's get started!

Also features Perfectly Penned

Uh, you know you're going to see a whole lot of red, white, and blue today.

Also features July Fourth

And some turquoise!  Because fun.  This was a layout from the last set of baby books I made, which was two years ago.  I'm about to start another set, which is also for twin boys.

Also features Perfect Pennants

 I love bright orange and blue together :)

Also features Banner Greetings

Pretty sure this was for a sketch, and I like using the negative shape from the circle Framelit so the patterned paper peeks out.  I should do that more often.

Also features Words of Courage

One more stars and stripes card...

Also features Perfect Pennants, Positively Chevron

And last (and probably also least), this one that has way too much Soft Sky.  I dunno, Soft Sky just kinda looks dirty to me sometimes.  So are you ready for today's new creation?  Here it is!

Now I just need to decide which of my July birthdays gets this card, I think it would work for all three of them :)  Oh, see the striped paper?  Originally it was horizontal stripes (or vertical, depending on how you hold the paper) but I wanted angled stripes, so I did a little creative paper trimming.  Just what I was looking for!

I used this week's monochromatic color combo from Colour Me...!

And I used last Saturday's Retro Sketch:

Though of course I replaced the bow on the sketch with my star element.  Oops, I just noticed that the ribbon was supposed to extend to the edges of the card.  Too late now...

That's it for me this week, peeps.  Have a wonderful holiday!

Supplies, last card only:
Stamps:  Simply Stars, Word Play
Ink:  Real Red, Early Espresso, Tip Top Taupe
Paper:  Real Red, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Cherry on Top DSP Stack (what?  It's the only current DSP I have)
Accessories:  large star punch (retired), Early Espresso taffeta ribbon (retired), rhinestone, Dimensionals

Thinking of...Hawaii

It's not even 6:00 p.m. here in 'Bama, but it's pitch black outside and it feels a lot later than it really is.  So for today's card, I'm gonna channel some nice island breezes and bright colors...

Yep, that's good stuff.  I even know exactly who I'm going to send this to, and I'm gonna try to get it out in the mail tomorrow.

I told you I wanted to do another card for the Nacho sketch challenge this week:

Having the smaller panels be a flower and a leaf was actually my first idea with this sketch, so it makes me happy.  The color combination from the lovely peeps at the Color Throwdown also makes me happy:

I interpreted this as Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush, Pink Pirouette (though Pretty in Pink might technically be closer, but I was using all current colors) and Wild Wasabi.  That inspiration photo is gorgeous too :)

That's it for me today; the hubs is about to start dinner, which is a frozen pizza so nothing complicated.  I just wish I could say it was a Hawaiian pizza ; )  Cheers, peeps!

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  Flower Patch, Perfect Pennants
Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Strawberry Slush, Wild Wasabi
Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White, Best Year Ever DSP
Accessories:  Flower Fair Framelits, Neutrals Candy Dots, Dimensionals

It's a Wonderful Life

With a title like that, you'd think that I'd be posting a Christmas card today, wouldn't you?  Nope.  Like Mary Mary, I like to be quite contrary, and today's card features one of those cockleshells Mary had in her garden.

But no silver bells.  When I was little, I don't know why, but I thought "cockleshells" was a bad word.  Anyway, I love that sentiment stamp from Perfect Pennants and I'm so glad I got Gorgeous Grunge, even if I waited about a year after everyone else bought it before I jumped on the stamp wagon.  I also love me some purple, so I was happy to see the palette provided by Colour Me...!

Not just one, but TWO purples, and Coastal Cabana to boot.  Be still my heart ;)  My coral stamp is inked in Perfect Plum and rock 'n' rolled in Elegant Eggplant, and I used Candy Dots in both colors too.  Because I love Candy Dots.  Man, this card is just full of things I love.

Speaking of that, here's one of my favorite sketch challenges, Freshly Made:

I think the thing that took the longest in making this card was fussy cutting the seashell.  Other than that, easy peasy!

Well, I've got a laundry list of things to do today so I'd better get with it.  Cheers, peeps!

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  By the Tide, Gorgeous Grunge, Perfect Pennants
Ink:  Coastal Cabana, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Rose Red
Paper:  Coastal Cabana, Perfect Plum, Whisper White
Accessories:  Regals Candy Dots, white baker's twine, Dimensionals

Positive Vibes

Monday again already, but that just means it's even more important to start the day off with some positive vibes.

I think that'll just about do it!  I used the color challenge from Pals Paper Arts:

And the sketch from Retro Sketches:

And my card was done in no time!  Super quick, and it's totally flat so easy to mail.  Win.

Hope your week is off to a good start!

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  Fall Fest, Perfect Pennants
Ink:  Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso
Paper:  Crushed Curry, Whisper White
Accessories:  None

Nachos: CAS Sketch

Hey there Nacho fans!  It is time for another sketch from the Nacho Average Challenges team, so here it is:

It's a nice CAS sketch with lots of possibilities!  Once I picked some patterned paper, my whole card was put together in under five minutes.  Lookie:

Yep, it's just that easy!  I bet you could have a card done in well under 10 minutes too with this fab sketch :)  Check out the Nacho blog for more stampy inspiration, and then get to crackin'!

Cheers, peeps!

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  Perfect Pennants
Ink:  Lost Lagoon, Tangerine Tango
Paper:  Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Flowerpot DSP
Accessories:  Banner Framelits, Lost Lagoon ribbon

Nachos: Retro Ride

Hello, Nacho fans!  It's time again for another Nacho Average Sketch Challenge, and here it is:

 I had a couple ideas swirling around for this sketch, but here's the one that ended up on paper:

Obviously I moved the banners up to the top since that's where they worked best with my image.  The bicycle is from Timeless Talk, which I've had for months and this is the first time it's seen ink.  Looking forward to making more fun cards with it!  Also, of the DSP paper stacks I think this chevron pattern is my favorite.  I'm exploring a few color combinations with the new In Colors; this time I paired a bit of Blackberry Bliss with Coastal Cabana (that goes with everything, right?) and Melon Mambo.  I was going to do Strawberry Slush, but went with Melon Mambo to have the matching Candy Dots :)

So now it's your turn.  Check out the Nacho DT creations and link up your own on the Nacho blog!  Cheers, peeps!

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  Timeless Talk, Perfect Pennants
Ink:  Blackberry Bliss, Melon Mambo
Paper:  Coastal Cabana, Melon Mambo, Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White, Coastal Cabana DSP
Accessories:  Circle, Starburst, & Banner Framelits; Circle punch, Brights Candy Dots, Dimensionals

Nachos: Just Because

Mornin', Nacho fans!  And happy tax day?  Maybe that's not a thing, wishing people a happy tax day.  Guess it's a happy day if you're getting a refund.

I digress.  Are you ready for a brand new Nacho sketch?

I peeked at some of the other Nachos' cards and I think I might be the only one who got the sentiment in the wrong place.  Oops.  But here's my card:

Apparently I'm still stuck on the idea of teal, orange, and butterflies from last Friday : )  And this card may LOOK all simple and easy, but it took me three tries to get the stamping right.  Even with the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  Because I'm special like that.  I think it was worth it in the end though, I rather like this one.  Hooray!

Your turn!  Check out the Nacho Average Challenges blog for the rest of the Design Team beauties, and then try it out yourself.  Have fun!

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  Papillon Potpourri, Perfect Pennants, A Dozen Thoughts
Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
Paper:  Whisper White
Accessories:  Elegant Butterfly punch, Dimensionals

Wish Upon a Star

I don't know what the deal is lately, but I've been having a hard time making cards that I really, really like.  Except I did like yesterday's card.  But anyway, here's a new one for today:

I used a Splitcoast color challenge--Soft Sky, Bermuda Bay, and Midnight Muse--and I can't help thinking that Soft Sky looks kinda dishwatery and this card would be better with Baja Breeze.  Because everything is better with Baja Breeze.

I'm afraid I didn't quite do justice to the Seize the Sketch challenge:

Well, I gave it a shot.  And the only way to get my mojo back is to keep trying, and since I post here five days a week I don't get any time to slack off (especially since that stupid exam used up almost all of my draft posts while I was too busy studying to create stuff).

Thanks for stopping by.  Cheers, peeps!

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  Simply Stars, Perfect Pennants, Positively Chevron
Ink:  Soft Sky, Bermuda Bay, Midnight Muse
Paper:  Soft Sky, Midnight Muse, Whisper White, retired Bermuda Bay DSP because I'm still using up scraps
Accessories:  retired star punches, Dimensionals, corner rounder punch

Happy Nautical Nachos!

Happy Tuesday, Nacho fans!  This week, we have a sketch for you at Nacho Average Challenges.  Behold!

My first thought for the three skinny bits was birthday candles, but then this happened.

This card kind of makes me want to sing "We all live in a yellow submarine!" at the top of my lungs.  As usual, I could not resist buying Every. Single. Patterned. Paper. in the Occasions catalog.  I have an overflowing shelf full of DSP and I still keep buying more, so clearly I have a problem.

I'm okay with that though.

Go check out the other Nachos' creations on the Nacho blog, and then let's see your take on the sketch!  Cheers, peeps!

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  Perfect Pennants
Ink:  Calypso Coral
Paper:  Pacific Point, Whisper White, High Tide DSP
Accessories:  Banner Collection Framelits, Subtles Candy Dots, Dimensionals.  Wacky Beatles song karaoke optional.

Nachos: Happy Bouquet

It's Nacho day!  This week's Nacho Average Challenge is a sketch:

And here is my slightly liberal interpretation of the sketch, rotated 90 degrees to the left:

This all started because I had that "You make me happy" banner already stamped and cut out because it was supposed to go on another project and just didn't work, so then I thought heyyyy I can use it on this sketch!  So then I broke out three different flower stamp sets and coordinating punches and went to town.  And dude, Hardwood is making me love background stamps again.  I think I need to convert my backgrounds to unmounted--the retired background stamps are the only ones in my collection that are still wood-mounted.  Anyway.

Head on over to the Nacho blog to see what the rest of the design team has in store for you and then get yo stamp on!  Cheers, peeps!

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  Hardwood, Perfect Pennants, Petite Petals, Flower Shop, Mixed Bunch
Ink:  Sahara Sand, Rich Razzleberry, Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana
Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Accessories:  Banner Framelits; Blossom, Pansy, & Petite Petals punches, Dimensionals, Rhinestones

Nachos: Make a Wish

Are you ready for another hot Nacho sketch challenge?  'Cause here it is!

I admit, I was stumped by this one for quite a while, but eventually I came up with this:

Weirdly, I think this one looks better IRL than it does on your computer screen.  It just looks kind of plain in the photo and I thought it was kinda cute when I was looking at the actual card, hmm. 

So c'mon and show me how it's done with this sketch, I wanna see what you can do with it!  Check out the other Nacho cards and then give it a shot yourself : )

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  Perfect Pennants, Simply Stars
Ink:  Versamark, Pacific Point, Coastal Cabana, Tangerine Tango
Paper:  Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Coastal Cabana DSP
Accessories:  Banners Framelits, White EP, Dimensionals

Nachos: Good Thoughts

Good morning, Nacho fans!  I forgot to write this post and schedule it before I went to bed last night so I'm a teensy bit tardy getting this online, but this week the Nachos have a great color challenge for ya!

Love those colors.  They're kinda summery, don't you think?  Here's what I did with them:

It's really simple, but I kinda like it.  I thought the Woodgrain EF made a good sorta wavy background to go with my seashells.  I love Perfect Pennants and the matching Framelits...and now that my giant comprehensive exam is over and done with, I can play with all my stampy goodies guilt-free 'cause I don't have to study anymore.  Wheeeee!

Ok, so now it's your turn!  Head on over to the Nacho Average Challenges blog to see what my fellow Nachos cooked up, and then go make something pretty!

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  By the Tide, Perfect Pennants
Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Chocolate Chip
Paper:  Bermuda Bay, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Watercolor Wonder DSP
Accessories:  Pennants Collection Framelits, Woodgrain EF, Dimensionals

Perfectly Wonderful Nachos!

Happy New Year, peeps!  Can't believe it's already time for my last blog post of the year.  Well, we're ending on a high note with a wonderful color combination courtesy of Nacho Average Challenges!

Who doesn't love pink and green together, amirite?  So here's what I came up with:

 I kinda feel like I threw the kitchen sink at this card, but the sketch I chose was pretty involved.  Still, three sets of Framelits, two stamp sets and two different packs of patterned paper, ribbon and Candy Dots...there's lots going on here.  I don't have any Strawberry Slush ribbon, so I rooted through my stash and found some kind of pink grosgrain...not even sure if it's SU, but probably.  It's not an exact match for the Strawberry Slush cardstock but I thought it worked okay.

Anyway, when my family was out here in July, we went to Paris and I saw a sign taped in a shop window that had that same sentiment on it.  I loved it so much that I wrote it down so I'd remember it, and then when I saw Perfect Pennants I was so excited to have it in stampy form :)  So now you know why I paired it with an Eiffel Tower.  And how cute is that hearty Eiffel Tower?!

Check the Nachos blog for more beautiful projects, and then let's see what you've got!  Have fun and Happy New Year!

Supplies, probably all SU!
Stamps:  Follow My Heart, Perfect Pennants
Ink:  Basic Black, Strawberry Slush, Old Olive
Paper:  Basic Black, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White, Kaleidoscope DSP (coming up in the Occasions catty!), Season of Style DSP (get it fast, it retires on January 2!)
Accessories:  Ovals, Decorative Labels, & Perfect Pennants Framelits, retired pink grosgrain, Neutrals Candy Dots, Dimensionals

Nachos: Good Thoughts

Get out your sunglasses and flip flops, 'cause the Nachos have got a fun summery color combo for you today!

Ya know, in case you're suffering from Christmas card overload like me.  So here's my card with more new stuff from the Occasions mini!

The only thing I'm not sure I love on here is the different color Candy Dots on the flower centers.  I kinda like that one little pop of Bermuda Bay but I think the Basic Black ones are too much.  Hmm.  Anyway, the watercolor wash background was not done by yours truly, it's from the Watercolor Wonder DSP which is truly fabulous and looks even better in person than it does in the mini catalog, and this piece is the least wow-y of them but I needed a good yellow background for my card.  You'll be seeing lots more Watercolor Wonder stuff from me, I'm sure.  The flip side of that pattern is totally specfabulous and I kinda want to marry this paper.  Ok, maybe not marry it, but maybe wallpaper my craft room with it.  Yeah.

The stamps are brand spankin' new as well, two new sets called Petite Petals (all flowers that fit in a coordinating punch) and Perfect Pennants (almost all sentiments and matching Framelits, thought I didn't use those).

So now it's your turn!  Head on over to the Nacho Average Challenges blog to see what your other favorite Nachos have done with this color combo, then give it a shot yourself!  Have fun with it!

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  Petite Petals, Perfect Pennants (coming to a craft room near you in January!)
Ink:  Basic Black, Melon Mambo
Paper:  Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Watercolor Wonder DSP
Accessories:  Petite Petals Punch (say that three times fast), Brights & Neutrals Candy Dots, Dimensionals