Wednesday Sketches on Monday Again

Hello Stampers!

I am busy catching up on cards for this year's goal:  complete all sketches from Splitcoaststampers and Freshly Made Sketches.  Today, I have two FMS challenges, which means I am caught up with just 3 more Wednesdays left in the year.  It's going to take a lot more for me to be caught up with the SCS sketches!  Hopefully more VSN cards will help with that.



First is this week's Freshly Made Sketch, combined with a Colour Me challenge from last month.  Not that I *need* to do all of the CMCC, but it's fun to try!

My card base is smoky slate.  I added a layer of "All is Calm" Christmas dsp.  I stamped the "Happiest Birthday Wishes" sentiment in Stazon jet black, but I see that my pewter embossing powder stuck to it when I embossed my Serene Snowflakes.  I actually like the effect!  The basic black is detailed with my scallop trim punch, then popped that layer up.  I added enamel dots from The Paper Studio.  Very quick and simple!








Now I have FMS#213, along with this recent Colour Me palette.  I started with an old olive base.  The very vanilla is embossed with the plenty-of-petals folder.  The horizontal strips are from a long-retired Simply Scrapin kit; I had to add some additional adhesive since their kinda old!  The colors work well for a traditional Christmas card...and I am WAY behind!  I think this card will be easy to duplicate (I generally make 12 of each design.)  The sentiment is from "Word Play."  I added some retired Christmas DSP for matting (can't remember the name) and candy dots for the last detail.

The challenge badges are not showing up where I place them.  Perhaps Blogger is telling me to stop combining so many challenges!!  Ha!  Never!

Have a great day!


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

A Few Fresh Sketches

Hello Again!

Two posts in one day...what's up with that?  Well, if I had my act together, I would have put a couple of cards in one post, but that didn't happen.  I did my farewell to the Colour Me challenge earlier, and now I am doing this week's Freshly Made Sketches challenge, plus last week's to help me catch up.  I'm getting very close to finishing my goal!

This first card is for the current FMS challenge, just barely on time.  I combined it with  CMCC99, just for a push to wrap up as many of those as I can before the end of the year.  I realize snowflakes are not pink and purple, but I thought these colors would still be cute with a snow theme.

My card base is thick whisper white.  I embossed regular whisper white with the Northern Flurries folder, then sponged perfect plum over the pattern.  I outlined the panel with my melon mambo marker.  Both sentiments are from "On Your Birthday," stamped in rose red and rich razzleberry.  I had a scrap of melon mambo dp for the pennant.I also stamped some "Serene Snowflakes" on the pennant.  Rich razzleberry satin ribbon and a string of basic rhinestones finish off this girly winter card.














While the next sketch shows a snowflake, I paired it with CMCC98 which has a more autumn palette.  I needed a masculine card quickly to send to one of my brothers-in-law.

The base is cherry cobbler, layered with soft suede and very vanilla that is embossed with the wood grain folder.  Scallop circle punches and markers accentuate the sentiment from SU's "Word Play."  Suede ribbon and candy dots are the final touches.

Whew!  Feels good to be blogging again!  Now I need to concentrate on this weekends Virtual Stamp Night samples (I'm hosting a challenge Friday night!)

Thanks for stopping by!



Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Colour Me Blue

Hello Stamping Friends!

 
It has been quite a while since I have posted.  Lots of non stamping things going on in my life these days.  My mom broke her hip in early November, and needed a partial hip replacement.  She lives in South Carolina, I live in Illinois.  My husband had two surgeries for kidney stones in November, so I couldn't rush down to see mom.  After Thanksgiving, my brother Mark & I went to SC for a few days to work around mom's house while she is in rehab.  Meanwhile, I was doing some writing and studying.  I had a column published in our diocesan newspaper, and I made my temporary profession as a Lay Dominican!  I realize that might not make sense to some of you, but it's a pretty big deal.  I'm quite excited about it!


So, when I got home from SC, I checked out some of my favorite blogs...and I saw the announcement that Colour Me...! is closing up shop.  BooHoo!  I found them last summer, and tried to do all of last year's challenges...came very close.  I did several this year too.  So I found my mojo under an exhausted pile of projects and made this wintry birthday card.  I am also submitting this for The Paper Players challenge "Let it Snow." 

I used the thick white card stock from SU for my base.  I generously sponged soft sky ink directly onto the front.  It's such a light color, I had to keep adding more ink.  This piece of glimmer paper already had the snowflake cut out from a previous project.  I trimmed it down, then popped it up with dimensionals.  The bakers twine is actually pool party...close enough.  The sentiment is from SU's "On Your Birthday" stamped in soft sky, punched with a scallop oval, and lightly sponged.  Clean and Simple...and sparkly!

I'm going to miss the gals at Colour Me, but I know that sometimes life takes us in different directions with new projects.  Since I saved badges from previous challenges, I may still try to finish them up. Last year I caught up by making Christmas cards with several unique colors! Stay tuned...


Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Good Morning, Monday!

Hello fellow stampers!
I am not often quite so chipper on a Monday, but it is GORGEOUS today!  It is a brisk 54 degrees, with clear blue skies and a soft breeze.  I slept in a bit, after having a full day yesterday with church and our annual picnic.  #LifeisGood!

I made this card last night, and I am trying to post it while my hubby makes pancakes (he spoils me!).  This great color palette from Colour Me...! was exactly what I needed for a teen boy's card.


I will post, eat breakfast, and come back with the details.








Breakfast was delicious!  Okay, so on to my card details.  It's a simple card that was quick to create.  My card base is garden green.  I added a tilted layer of basic black.  On whisper white, I stamped images from SU's "Extreme Elements" in the challenge colors, plus silver ink for some stars.  I stamped the "Extreme Guitar" in basic black, and sponged the whole panel with indigo.  I added a strip of black grosgrain ribbon (still have a bunch!) and used two punches for two sentiments.  The get well is from "Delightful Dozen," and U Rock is from "Perfect Words."  Both are stamped in pacific point; the latter one using a marker, so I could leave off "my world".

This card is for the 13-year old son of some good friends.  He has spina bifida, and with that various health complications.  He has been in and out of the hospital a lot this year.  Despite that, he has an amazing disposition...cheerful, smiling.  He even had his guitar with him at one point this summer, playing on the days between two surgeries!  He is home now, but I know his health is always at risk.  He also has two younger brothers, so his parents have their hands full...but never complain.  This is a family filled with faith and love...they inspire me so much!



One more thing before I go.  Last week, I posted a few cards for various Colour Me challenges.  One had a butterfly on it (seen here, 3rd card), and I mentioned that I actually cut out two butterflies.  Here is the card I made with the larger one.  The die is tricky to work with if you forget to include wax paper in your Big Shot sandwich.  Ask me how I know. *wink*

Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Colour Me Busy on a Saturday!

Hello Friends!

Yesterday was cool and breezy.  My husband had to work 3-11.  Those two facts combined for a perfect stamping day!  I decided to warm up with a few of the Colour Me challenges, since there were several I had wanted to complete was too busy.  One is combined with the Freshly Made Sketch.

This ColourMe combo has a lot of possibilities.  I did use a sahara sand card base...so versatile!  When I came across this DSP from the SU "Moonlight" stack, I thought about rain.  (Plus, it actually was raining when I made this.)  I used the SU stamps "Rain or Shine."  Everything is pretty self explanatory...I did use thick bakers twine in lost lagoon, an a bright red button.  This will either be hand delivered or will require extra postage.












Next, I am going back to the previous ColourMe challenge...monochromatic.  I used crumb cake and vanilla as neutrals to go with the mossy meadow.  I really like this color, and should stock up before I forget and it disappears next spring!

I needed a thank you card for a guy...perfect colors for that!  A friend made a video for me to use as a promotional tool for my speaking business.  He taped a speech I gave, then interviewed some audience members.  If you are curious, check it out HERE.  Here is his card...featuring "French Foliage" and "Thank You Kindly" stamps. I also pulled out my Top note die and the decorative label punch.  A single candy dot and thick bakers twine finish it off.


Finally I have a card that combines a recent ColourMe with the current Freshly Made Sketches challenge.   I went back and forth on this card...light base?  Dark base?  Square?  Circle?  I'm amazed that I got this card done!  LOL

 I ended up with a pool party base and added layer embossed with the cloudy day embossing folder.  I also sponged a bit of lost lagoon on the clouds.  Using sponge daubers, I made my own pattern paper, then cut out the two large butterflies from the SU framelits.  I chose this one, because the larger one is soooo wide.  Look for that to fly in later this week!  The sentiment is from "Thank You Kindly"  (I always need thank you cards!).  I added some satin ribbon for the final detail.

I really had hoped to make more cards yesterday, but this isn't too bad.  If I didn't have laundry  to do...well, you know how that goes!  Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Time for a Monochromatic & Fresh Sketch

Good morning!  Hope you had a great 4th of July weekend!  My husband and I were able to enjoy live music and fireworks over the lake in our town (we don't live on the lake.)  I thought I was going to stamp yesterday, but I was exhausted!  LOL

So this morning, I pulled out the 2 challenges, posted on Wednesdays, that I often play together on Monday mornings.  The Colour Me...! challenge was monochromatic, and the real red was in honor of Canada Day last Wednesday.  The Freshly Made Sketch has some great panels which are great for contrasting patterns.

When I saw the sketch, I knew I wanted to feature a mix of patterns, so the single color would still have lots of interest.  I had a piece of this polka dot ribbon on my table and the red patterned paper in a pile with recent scraps.  That gave me polka dots and subtle stripes, which led me to choose the diagonal stripe embossing folder. The greeting is from "On Your Birthday" which was also already on my table, and it is colored with real red and basic gray markers.  Initially I only had the greeting stamped, but it was just too plain for my sensibilities.  Needing something small and quick, I chose this kite from "Send Me Soaring."  The kite itself is cut out and popped up.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope to get a lot of stamping and blogging done this week.  Stay tuned!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Catching Up with Fresh Colours

Hello, and Happy Wednesday!

Last Wednesday, there was a new challenge over at Freshly Made Sketches and Colour Me...! so I decided to combine them.  I also took the opportunity to catch  up on a previous challenge from the same blogs.  There are a gazillion challenge blogs out there, and there is no way to participate in them all.  But these two are among my favorites!

Here is my first card.  I love the girly palette from Colour Me...!, and the clean Freshly Made sketch from Jen M..

I actually made one card for these challenges last night.  It started out great, but I wanted to add more of the perfect plum.  Oh, what a mistake that was!  Then my choice of embellishments went awry. I finished it, but REFUSE to post a picture!  LOL  I had to walk away, then re-do the challenges this morning.  I am much happier with the results!  My card base is pink pirouette.  I used a floral pattern from the Irresistibly Yours dp, and sponged the challenge colors generously.  I took this large flower from "Mixed Bunch" and colored it with markers.  After punching it out, I sponged the edges that were a bit too white.   The sentiment is from "You're a Gem," punched out and popped up.  I used a non-SU gem, and 3 different SU strips of taffeta ribbon.  Kinda looks like a ribbon for a County Fair, doesn't it?

And here is a card for last week's challenges.  I made this card Monday, but not in time to upload.  Still, I wanted to post.  I absolutely love the colors at CMCC#76 (elegant eggplant, old olive, and coastal cabana.)  The sketch was a bit tricky for me, because it is SO clean!  Even more than the one above!


I am not completely thrilled with  this, but here it is.  I actually made it LAST Monday, but missed the upload deadline.  Any who...the card base is eggplant, and I added two strips of coastal cabana.  On whisper white, I stamped the greeting from "All Holidays" and the flower from "Friends Never Fade" using my markers to color both.  Then things went bad!  I didn't like the blank space, so I added thick bakers twine.  I started with bows...yuck.  So I added some butterflies made with an embosslit, then stuck tiny pearls on the poor things..  I kept them because I had hoped to finish before the deadline.  Nope.  The eggplant butterflies look like they got stuck or something.  Oh well.  (And yes, I see the extra tiny hole.  Another oops.)  I could have redone this, but life is too short.  There are other challenges to complete!  LOL

I hope you like these cards and are inspired to jump into your favorite blog challenges too!  My advise...start them earlier so you can create a card with fewer mistakes.  *wink*



Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Colours for a Hero

Happy Monday!

Sort of...I overslept!  I must have been exhausted, because i also went to bed earlier than usual.  Could make for an interesting day!  And this means that I completely RUSHED to make this card.   I uploaded my card here, posted to the Colour Me...! challenge blog, and now I am filling in the details.  I nearly decided to just skip this, but I haven't finished a CMCC card for a while, plus I combined it with the Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  I just wanted to start my Monday off right!  *wink*

This card is nearly flat, because I am going to put it in a box of Hero mail for Operation Write Home.  They are wrapping up their organization, and will only be receiving cards until August 1, 2015.  I have a lot of space in my box, so I need to hurry up and get cards made!  This is very self-explanatory.  Night of Navy card base, real red patterned paper, Sizzix oval die, and SU's "Words of Courage" stamp set, using real red and navy ink.  The star buttons were in a drawer...I have had them for years.  I bought them at a big box store, but I don't have the original packaging.  I wish I had put twine in them but I had to RUSH!  LOL  I even tried to cut the horizontal strip like a banner at fist; it was messy.  I think I *need* the new punch from SU!

I really need to tweak this card before I duplicate it and mail to our military heroes.  But at least I had my adrenaline rush to kick off my day!  Thanks for stopping by!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim

Rainy Days and Mondays...

Good Morning, and Happy Memorial Day to all my fellow US citizens!

It has been windy, cloudy, and raining off and on all morning.  Every time I think it's going to clear up, the clouds roll in again.  Perfect day for stamping!  (My husband hopes the rain has stopped for the day; he drove to his brother's house and they plan to go golfing.  I think my odds of a good hobby day are better than theirs!

 The first card is for the Colour Me...! challenge.  I intended to pair it up with a SCS sketch, but opted to do this very quick design.  Why?  It's last minute, of course!

I already had this bermuda bay card base cut, folded and lined.  I must have planned to use it for a different project...long forgotten.  But it helped make this very quick!  I added a layer of so saffron.  On whisper white, I stamped swoshes from SU's "Work of Art" in the challenge colors.  I added this sentiment from SU's "All Holidays" along wit an old favorite silhouette image from SU's "Of the Earth."  Some pear pizzazz ribbon and non-SU enamel dots (forgot the brand) fill in a bit of the white space.   

Next, I have a card using the current SCS color challenge (hello honey, blackberry bliss, smoky slate, basic gray, and lost lagoon) along with the current Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  I took some liberties with the sketch (more layers!)

My card base is basic gray, with layers of slate, lost lagoon, and whisper white.  On the white, I stamped the 2-step image from SU's "Field Flowers."  I sponged the sun in the corner, sing a post-it to help me sponge some rays.  I added blackberry ribbon and the sentiment from the same stamp set.  The butterflies are from the SU embosslit. No fancy techniques, but I really like the final result.

Clouds are moving in again.  I should be able to get more cards made!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}
Kim

Colour Me with a Batch of Sketches

Hello Friends!

As promised, here are the three cards I made Saturday night.  I may even edit this post with 2 additional cards...we'll see!  Each of these cards takes a Colour Me...! challenge with a sketch challenge from Splitcoaststampers.

Monochromatic cards are tough for me, but I'm getting better at them (I think!)  CMCC#70 has crisp cantaloupe, which I paired with smoky slate.  I really like this sketch, as it combines circles and straight lines.  I also combined this with the Mini Virtual Stamp Night challenge to create a card for someone who makes you "Happy."

The dsp is from SU's "Sweet Sorbet."  I used my Sizzix circle die with the cantaloupe and whisper white card stock.  The stamped flower is from "Mixed Bouquet" cut out with the coordinating punch.  My sentiment is from "You're a Gem."  I added ruffled ribbon, then some sequins.  I have a horrible time getting those things on!  How do you people manage these?  I had glue in big globs, so I added my rhinestones...yada yada!  It took forever, though I am happy with the results.  Those sequins may last me a decade or more!

Oh my gosh...I just noticed that I left some rhinestones off.  I think I must have been too frustrated!  LOL  I will add them later...maybe.













Next, I have a card for the previous week's Colour Me challenge.  For CMCC#69, we had two choices; I opted for the cooler tones.  I added some black to make the colors pop.

My card base is coastal cabana.  I used stamps from SU's "Bliss" to make some easy patterned paper on whisper white, then layered it over basic black.  I combined cherry cobbler and rose red seam binding.  The main floral image and sentiment are from "Messages for Mom," stamped in Stazon jet black, then colored with markers.  My sentiment is a bit off, but my sister-in-law could still read it!  I sponged the edges before mounting it on basic black, then popped it up with dimensionals.  Coloring those flowers took a while, but otherwise,, this was a quick design!

The last card from last night is this funky one...for my nephew.  His birthday is today..oops.  I'll put it in the mail tomorrow.  Not too bad, considering my usual timing!  The melon mambo in CMCC#68 made this tricky, but I was determined to complete these challenges, and the other color combos were even less masculine.  With this sketch, the card is quite busy...not sure if I like it.  Maybe I will actually make something else in the morning!

My card base is night of navy.  I added a layer of whisper white.  The stamped images are from SU's "Clockworks."  I like the graphic look for a masculine card.  I added the melon mambo ink to the crushed curry with my marker before stamping.  This makes the melon less pink and more orange.  After stamping, I ran the white through my Big Shot with the argyle embossing folder.  The pattern paper is from the "Moonlight" stack. Both sentiments are from "Happiest Birthday Wishes."  Two simple enamel dots are the only embellishments.

It feels cluttered...but it will be mailed with a DQ gift card.  That will make him happy, right?

Well, that's it for now.  I had a busy day, but wanted to post at least a few cards.  It feels good to get back into my stamping routine.  I hope to create more tomorrow!

Inky {{{HUGS}}}

Kim