Color Throwdown #442

I am super excited to be sharing this card with you today, created for Color Throwdown #442.  This particular challenge is a special surprise for my BFF, Barbara Anders!  Barbara and I have known each other for many years, and way, way back when the CTD was in it’s infancy, she joined the team.  And when I decided to step down from the team at the end of 2015, I did so with complete confidence that I was leaving the team in her very capable hands.  She does it all… creates those fabulous color swatch graphics every week, maintains the social media accounts for the team, and just keeps things running smoothly.  So, today’s challenge with these beautiful subtle colors that were picked by her is an extra-special “Thank you, Barbara!” challenge in her honor!  I love you, my friend!

For my card, I created a special get well card that I will need later this week…

I used some Blue Breeze card stock in the background that was die-cut with Blueprints 22, and in front of that I added a sentiment that was die-cut from good ol’ Barely Banana card stock with the Sending Hugs Die-Namics, all from My Favorite Things.  On the left side, I added some leaves that were die-cut with the Leafy Confetti Cuts from Reverse Confetti.  And on the Steel Grey card stock strip I stamped “get well wishes” from a really old Impression Obsession stamp set.  I added a fine Chevron background on the Cement Gray card stock in the background, and embellished with some black enamel dots.

Please be sure to stop over at the CTD blog for all the details of today’s challenge, and be inspired by the rockin’ design team!  I miss all those gals so much, and am just thrilled to be joining them again today!

Thanks for stopping by!

Curtain Call–Fa La La

Hey there!  It’s December 15th, which means two things, actually!  One… I’m crazy busy with it being only 10 days until Christmas!  Can I get an amen?  And two… it’s time for a new Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!  So, if you find yourself with some spare time in the coming days, please join us!

Here’s my project…

And our inspiriation photo for this challenge…

And I’m running SO short on time right now, that I’ll have to come back later and post details about my project, that was made with awesomely fun products from Reverse Confetti!

Until later… thanks for stopping by!

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge–At Home

Hi friends!  If it’s the 15th, that must mean it’s time for a new Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!  This week we have this fabulous rustic piece of home decor to inspire you…

I chose to keep my design a little clean and simple this week, based on our inspiration piece…

I used a piece of woodgrain designer paper for my background, die-cutting it with a Blueprints 24 die and mounting it to a piece of Whip Cream card stock.  I die-cut some Blu Raspberry card stock using the Prayers die from Simon Says Stamp, and added a sentiment from the matching stamp set on a yellow Pierced Fishtail Flags STAX flag.  Using the Leafy Confetti Cuts from Reverse Confetti, I die-cut some green card stock to add some foliage to the left side of my card, and finished with some enamel dots.

Please be sure to stop over at the Curtain Call blog for all the challenge details, and join us!  You could be in the running to be chosen as the “Lead” and be our guest designer for the next challenge!  And be sure to visit the Crew for plenty of inspiration…

Betty Wright
Kim Singdahlsen
Leigh Penner
Lisa Henke
Lori Tecler
Lynn Mangan
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Melody Rupple
Monika Davis
Sheri Gilson
Silke Ledlow
Stacey Schafer
Tara Godfrey

Thanks for stopping by!

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge–Glittery Gourds

Hello friends!  This is just a friendly reminder that there are a few days left for the current Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge based on the photo below…

How pretty are those glittery pumpkins!?  I started out with one idea for my card, but then it evolved into this one…

I used a traditional orange pumpkin, utilizing the Pumpkin Patch Confetti Cuts die from Reverse Confetti, and added some “glitter” with a gold glitter card stock flag behind my sentiment flag.  My sentiment comes from a retired Pure Innocence stamp set from My Favorite Things.  Also from MFT are the polka dot piece behind the pumpkin from Blueprints 22 Die-Namics and the Pierced Fishtail Flags STAX Die-Namics.

Be sure to stop by the Glittery Gourds challenge on the Curtain Call blog and join us!

Crazy for a Sketch

Hello friends!  It’s that time of the month when the Crazy 4 Challenges team has a sketch challenge for you to try, so I hope you’ll join us this week!  This is a cute little square sketch that I love!

For my card, I used some old patterned papers from Papertrey Ink, and this sweet new Happy Harvest acorn stamp set from Reverse Confetti, along with the matching Confetti Cuts dies.

I kept this pretty simple, adding some enamel dots around the image for embellishment, instead of the line of dots on the bottom right corner.

And speaking of Crazy 4 Challenges, last week’s challenge kind of came and went and somehow I just never got my card photographed and uploaded.  Life has been crazy lately… I’m working really hard the last few months trying to eat healthier, exercise and lose weight so lately my focus is more on going for a walk than stamping.  (Down 30 pounds since May!)  Plus I started a new job 2 weeks ago, so I’m really sidetracked.  Anyway, last week’s challenge can be found HERE.  The challenge was to choose your two favorite colors on the color wheel, then make a card using the colors opposite your favorites.  Trouble is, my most favorite color is orange, and my next favorite is aqua blue.  Those colors ARE opposite each other on the color wheel.  So what I did instead was just move around the wheel from orange to yellow, and from blue to purple.  (I’m NOT a purple fan so anytime I have to use it is a challenge!)  And here’s what I came up with.

I watercolored this Clearly Besotted sunflower from the Sunshine and Smiles stamp set, and added the die-cut thank you sentiment.

Be sure to stop by the C4C blog for all the challenge details today, and be inspired by the rest of the CrAzY girls…

Anja de Regt
Barbara Anders
Caz Counsell
Frances Byrne
Jessie Rone
Joanne Grzelak
Karen Aicken
Maryann Einem
Raquel Mason
Rebecca Ednie

Thanks for stopping by today!

I Said a Prayer…

I made this card this weekend… while it looks like it was probably pretty quick to make, it actually took a whole afternoon because it didn’t turn out quite how I envisioned.  I actually was going to add the Pumpkin Patch Confetti Cuts to it in addition to the Wheat Confetti Cuts, but the pumpkin was just too much, and I decided simpler was better.  This is a card for my husband’s former boss, who is battling cancer and unfortunately not doing well.

In also used the Leafy Confetti Cuts to add a pop of another color, and the sentiment is from the My Heart Trusts stamp set.  Stamps and dies are all from Reverse Confetti.

I had a productive weekend when it comes to being outside, getting some exercise, and spending time with my hubby… but not so productive with stamping.  But that’s OK… was still a great weekend!  And I hope yours was, as well!  Thank you for stopping by today!

Holiday Spirit

The Crazy 4 Challenges girls are back again this week with a new challenge… create anything holiday-themed!  Easy peasy, so please come and join us!

Here’s my card…

To create my card, I used the Pumpkin Patch Confetti Cuts, and the Thankful Pretty Panels Confetti Cuts from Reverse Confetti.

My blog post is VERY short and sweet today, because I took a slice out of one of my fingers at work the other day.  Yes…. OUCH!  Typing is not easy with a big, bandaged finger!

Be sure to stop by the C4C blog for all the challenge details today, and be inspired by the rest of the CrAzY girls…

Anja de Regt
Barbara Anders
Caz Counsell
Frances Byrne
Jessie Rone
Joanne Grzelak
Karen Aicken
Maryann Einem
Raquel Mason
Rebecca Ednie
Alexis Crossland-Smith, Guest Designer
Danielle Vincent, Guest Designer

Happy weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

Thanks So Berry Much

Hi there!  It’s time for a new challenge with the Crazy 4 Challenges team, and this week it’s time for a sketch!  Here you go…

It’s a good one, amiright?    I used my fantastic new stamps from Reverse Confetti to create this card…

Using the new In a Jam stamp set, I created the label for my jam jar which was die cut using the new Jam Jar Confetti Cuts dies.  Then I paired my jar up with some designer papers and enamel dots to finish my card.  I can already tell I’m going to get a lot of use from these new RC products!

Be sure to stop by the C4C blog for all the challenge details today, and be inspired by the rest of the CrAzY girls…

Anja de Regt
Barbara Anders
Caz Counsell
Frances Byrne
Jessie Rone
Joanne Grzelak
Karen Aicken
Maryann Einem
Raquel Mason
Rebecca Ednie
Alexis Crossland-Smith, Guest Designer
Danielle Vincent, Guest Designer

Happy weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

Curtain Call–Unicorn

Hello friends!  I’m so happy you’re here today because I have some really happy news to share!  I am THRILLED to be joining the hugely talented team at the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!  Squeeee!  I can’t thank Stacey and the team enough for asking me to join them!



And I hope YOU will join us, too!  Play along this week by creating something inspired by this darling photo…



Now, when I first saw this photo, I thought “what am I gonna’ do???”  I did not have any unicorn stamps, but please don’t let that stop you!  You can just be inspired by the colors!  Maybe an image of a princess since there’s a crown on the chair.  Maybe create something with a banner like the flags?  Think outside the box, and get creative because that’s what it’s all about!

However, I couldn’t resist ordering some new stamps, and I’m so thankful to Jen at Reverse Confetti for rushing these right out her door to me!  From Texas to Northeast Ohio… order placed Thurdsay morning, stamps in my mailbox before noon on Saturday!  How’s that for awesome customer service?!?!?!  So here’s my card…



I went with a unicorn for my main image as you can see, by using the Unicorn Wishes stamp set and matching Confetti Cuts dies from Reverse Confetti.  I used the Double Scallop Gardland Confetti Cuts to mimic the banner flags in the photo, and added the peach sentiment flag along with some gold sequins for embellishment.  On the background panel, I stamped a striped background with Versamark ink, then embossed with white embossing powder to reflect the wall behind the chair.

Please be sure to stop over at the Curtain Call blog for all the challenge details, and join us!  You could be in the running to be chosen as the “Lead” and be our guest designer for the next challenge!  And be sure to visit the Crew for plenty of inspiration…

Anni Lerche, Guest Designer
Betty Wright
Kim Singdahlsen
Leigh Penner
Lisa Henke
Lori Tecler
Lynn Mangan
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Melody Rupple
Monika Davis
Sheri Gilson
Silke Ledlow
Stacey Schafer
Tara Godfrey

Alright, that’s all for me today!  Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by today!  And thank you again to Stacey and Lisa and the whole Curtain Call Crew for welcoming me to the team!

Color Throwdown #392

Hello friends!  Happy Wednesday!



Have you seen the newest Color Throwdown #392?  I spotted it yesterday afternoon on Facebook and was instantly intimidated.  If you know me well, you know I don’t work well with blue!  But I also spotted this card by Kimberly Crawford that I had saved to one of my Pinterest boards, and my wheels got to turnin’!  So here’s what I came up with…



On a piece of Cement Gray card stock from My Favorite Things, I stamped the BG Thin Chevron background, then die-cut with Pierced Rectangle STAX Die-Namics.  Then I pulled out some Reverse Confetti products and die-cut "birthday" two times for dimension from the Fancy Words Confetti Cuts from Lush Lagoon card stock.  Then I used my Leafy Confetti Cuts and die-cut two branches from Sweet Tooth and Kraft card stocks.  I added the word "wishes" (from what stamp set I can't remember!) and embellished with a few black enamel dots!

Thanks to the Color Throwdown girls for another great challenge... I miss you, chicas!  Thanks for stopping by today!

Garden Bunch Birthday Wreath

Hi there, friends!  A big thank you to those of you who left me comments the other day!  It’s nice to know I still have some blog readers even though I’ve cut back on stamping and design team commitments.  You really blessed my day!

This is really odd for me lately but I actually have another card to share already this week!  Lately I’ve only been making one card a week, if that!  But I have several birthdays coming up (including my Mom… eeep!  THAT card has always got to be uber-special!)  So here’s another card to share with you today, for my Aunt Phyllis who has a birthday this coming Monday!



I. JUST. LOVED! the new Garden Bunch stamp set and matching Confetti Cuts dies that were recently released at Reverse Confetti, so I couldn’t resist ordering.  I’m such a sucker for flower stamps with matching dies!  (Yes, I have too many!)  And Kay Miller’s card here was so inspiring, I just ended up CASE’ing her design!  Unfortunately, I had to restrain myself from buying too much so I don’t have the same wreath that Kay used on her card, but instead used this Chisolm Wreath die that I have from Simon Says Stamp.  The leaves on my wreath are from the Reverse Confetti Love Blooms stamp set and were die-cut with the matching Confetti Cuts dies.  I lightly stamped a woodgrain on the background, and embellished with some sequins.

Thank you SO MUCH for visiting my blog… I appreciate it so much!

Birthday Flower Wrap

Oooh, I got happy mail today in the form of new stamps and dies from Reverse Confetti!  And since I needed a card for a co-workers birthday tomorrow, I got busy using that happy mail!

Here’s my card using the new Flower Wrap Confetti Cuts dies…



I die cut the wrapper with some natural card stock, and die cut another piece from vellum to put some “tissue” inside the wrap… hard to see though with all the posies I added!  I used the colors for the current Colour Q challenge, adding a gold tag on the flower wrap.  For the sentiment, I used the Fancy Words Confetti Cuts, and got the “HAPPY” sentiment from the Fabulous Flamingo stamp set.  This was fun to make… I know you’re going to be seeing more of this Flower Wrap die!

Happy, happy Friday and happy (almost!) Valentines Day!

Valentine Treats

I decided to surprise some of my co-workers today with some Valentine treats!  My oldest daughter graciously helped me make some chocolate, and sprinkle -covered pretzels last night, and then we bagged them up in cello bags, and tied on some tags I've been working on for a few weeks!  Here's a sampling of the tags with product links under each photo!  For all the tags, I used the Pierced Traditional Tags STAX and the Traditional Tags STAX Die-Namics from My Favorite Things.

 

LLD Accent It - Feathers and Arrows Die-Namics, Hearts Stencil

("Love Struck" sentiment from a retired set)

 

LJD Scribble Roses, LJD All My Love

 

Hearts background and "xoxo" are retired from MFT.

 

BB I Knead You and matching Die-Namics, BG Tiny Hearts background

(Thanks for the loan, Kirsty!)

 

 

The "love" and "sweet" dies are Lovey Words Confetti Cuts from Reverse Confetti, with Lovey Words Coordinates stamps, as well as the Double Heart Garland Confetti Cuts, and the Whole Lotta' Hearts stamp set.  Also used here are stitched clouds from the Rainbow & Clouds die from Lil' Inker Designs.

 

I'm feelin' the love!  :)

Sending You Prayers

Hello friends!  I’m back today with another card I just made.  I’m still struggling with a lack of motivation for stamping so this time around I CASE’d this card from one of my talented stamping friends… Lisa Henke!

I combined two challenges on my card.  The first one is a challenge I just discovered, the Word Art Wednesday challenge.  Their challenge #217 is Anything Goes, as long as your creation is family-friendly and includes words of encouragement.  And I used the colors for Color Throwdown #375, as well.  Here’s my card…



The gray tag was die-cut with a retired die from My Favorite Things, and I added two flags of patterned paper also from MFT.  The “sending you prayers” sentiment is from the Hero Arts Exclusive Prayers Stamps and Dies set from Simon Says Stamp, and the large Grid Background stamp is also from Simon Says.  On the tag, I added a white Double Garland Confetti Cuts banner from Reverse Confetti.  I embellished with some plaid ribbon (NO idea where I got that ribbon, but it’s perfect for the Throwdown colors!) and some golden yellow sequins.

Sending this card to my aunt in Florida who had a pacemaker placed today!

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Favorites for 2015

Hello friends!  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday, and are ready to begin a new year!

I don't know if this is the "trendy" thing to do anymore, but I've always loved looking back through the past year and picking out my favorite cards from each month.  I found this year to be a little easier to choose from, probably because I just don't find myself doing much stamping anymore.  Not sure why, but if you see my mojo, please tell it to come back home!

But anyway, here are my favorites from 2015!  I hope you like them, too!

In January, I created this card with the To Thine Own Shelf stamp set from Simon Says Stamp...

 

 

For February, without a doubt my favorite card(s) were these beauties made with the Delightful Dahlias from Papertrey Ink...

 

 

 

In March, I just couldn't resist this cute card using Whale of a Time from The Cat's Pajamas.  (This stamp set may no longer be available, as I can't seem to find it on the TCP website.)

 

 

 

In April, there was no other choice but this card made with my beloved Kitchen Sink Stamps!  There is always going to be a really soft spot in my heart for KSS as it was the very first design team I was ever asked to join, and Maria (the owner) could not be a sweeter person!  Plus, the bicycle I used on this card comes from the Multi-Step Bicycle stamp set that I had a hand in designing!

 

 

 

I CASE'd a card from the fabulous Betsy Veldman back in May, and created this card using the Text Block Birthday die from Papertrey Ink.  The sweet co-worker I gave it to still has it on the bulletin board in her office!

 

 

 

The Birdie Brown You Gnome Me stamp set from My Favorite Things was definitely a good purchase this past year, and helped me make this fun card back in June...

 

 

 

SO much of my stamping budget got spent at Simon Says Stamp this year!  (DON'T tell my husband!)  I couldn't resist the fun leaf-shapes in this new One With Nature stamp set, used on this card I made back in July...

 

 

 

My word, did Tim Holtz ever hit a home run with the release of those Crazy Birds this past year, or what?  I resisted the urge to buy them for a month or two, but I finally gave in.  I paired one of those Crazy Birds with this seriously fabulous Seriously die from Lil' Inker Designs for this card that was sent to my youngest as she began her first days in college back in August!

 

 

 

This little giraffe from Wplus9 Design Party Animal stamp set was also one I couldn't resist this past year!  And since my oldest daughter loves giraffes, this card was perfect for her 23rd birthday back in September!

 

 

 

In October, I tried my hand at some no-line coloring with my Copics.  Have to say, I love how it looks and there are a few people out there who do a spectacular job with it, but I'll just stick to coloring within the lines!  But here's a favorite using another darling Birdie Brown stamp set, the Harvest Mouse...

 



 











In November, I CASE'd this card from Lindsay Amhrein using the Smile Circle die from Simon Says Stamp...

 

 

 

And finally, without a doubt my favorite card from December was this one using the Merry & Bright stamp set and matching Confetti Cuts die from Reverse Confetti.

 

 



 

I hope you've enjoyed this stroll through the past year with me!  Thank you for stopping by, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!





Color Throwdown #373

Hello friends!  The weeks and the year are just flying by, and here we are on another Wednesday and it’s time for another Color Throwdown challenge!  It’s our last challenge for the year, and so we’re taking it easy on everyone this week…

For today’s challenge, all you have to do is create something Christmas-y in any colors!  You can even share something you’ve already made and posted in the past month.  BUT, please be sure to check out all the details for the challenge this week on the CTD blog because there are a few modifications to the guidelines this time around.

So, I’ve been dying to show you my card for today… I actually made it way back on the first weekend in November when I was away on a stamping retreat weekend!  I was so happy with how it turned out!

I found this sketch from September on my Pinterest board as inspiration, and used the fabulous new Merry & Bright stamp set and matching Confetti Cuts die from Reverse Confetti for my card design.  The watercolor wash in the background uses Ranger Distress inks…. I think I used Pine Needles and Iced Spruce, but like I said… I made this about 6 weeks ago!  LOL  I also used the Reverse Confetti Winter Words Coordinates stamps to complete the “Joy to the World” phrase.

Please be sure to visit the CTD blog today for all the details, and please visit my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration….

Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Jodi Collins
Lori Tecler
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Torico, December Guest Designer
Kandi Phillips, Guest Star Stamper

Have a great day!

Color Throwdown #370

Hi there, and happy day-before-Thanksgiving!  It's time for another Color Throwdown challenge, and today Vickie has some fun colors for you!

Now, you'll see on the Color Throwdown blog that the team members all thought "snowman" but I was more original than that, as you can see here!  (Bahahahahaha!)

 

 

I saw the orange and immediately thought of my Reverse Confetti Fresh 'n Fruity stamp set!  Maybe I'm just wishing to be in the tropics instead of preparing to deal with snow?  I completely forgot to take a picture of the inside of my card, but on the inside I stamped the "it's your birthday" sentiment, and added another orange.  Behind the oranges I added a vellum tag cut with the Tag Me Confetti Cuts die.  And my Grid Background comes from Simon Says Stamp.

 

 

Please be sure to visit the CTD blog today for more inspiration, and visit my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration….  Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Jodi Collins
Lori Tecler
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Karolyn Loncon, November Guest Designer
Mona Pendleton, Guest Star Stamper


Wishing you all a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving holiday!  "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever!"  1 Chronicles 16:34

Color Throwdown #369

It’s time for another Color Throwdown challenge, and I’m your hostess this week!  I’ve got a nice warm and cozy Fall color palette for everyone today.  What will you create with this rusty orange, rich burgundy and pear-like green?

For my card, I pulled out my sweet Wreath Confetti Cuts die from Reverse Confetti to make this birthday card for my wonderful friend, Beth…

I started by stamping the background with my Wide Stripes background stamp from Simon Says Stamp, and die cut the wreath from kraft card stock.  (Remember, neutrals are OK!)  Then I added a Fall Florals  bouquet to the side, and stamped a birthday sentiment from the Totally Happy stamp set (both from My Favorite Things.)

Please be sure to visit the CTD blog today for more inspiration, and visit my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration….

Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Jodi Collins
Lori Tecler
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Karolyn Loncon, November Guest Designer
Annie Rosenstiel, Guest Star Stamper

Your visits and comments bless my day… thanks for stopping by!

Color Throwdown #368

Hello friends!  It’s Wednesday and that means it’s time for another Color Throwdown challenge.  This week, Lori is our hostess and with this combination of colors she picked, you can go in quite a few directions with your creation…

I chose to create a Christmas card with these colors, utilizing some fun products from Reverse Confetti…

I die-cut the word merry from pink card stock using the Winter Words Confetti Cuts, then applied some Glossy Accents for dimension and shine.  I completed the sentiment by stamping “Christmas” from the Winter Word Coordinates stamps on a strip of dark gray card stock, embossing with detail white embossing powder.  The Christmas tree was die-cut using the Branch Out Confetti Cuts.  My layout was inspired by the Freshly Made Sketches #211 from last week.

Please be sure to visit the CTD blog today for more inspiration, and visit my Throwdown sisters for more inspiration….

Barbara Anders
Broni Holcombe
Joan Ervin
Jodi Collins
Lori Tecler
Vickie Zimmer
Wanda Cullen
Karolyn Loncon, November Guest Designer
Andrea Whisman, Guest Star Stamper

We hope you’ll join us this week for the Color Throwdown!  Thanks for stopping by today!