Color Throwdown and Simon Says: Hugs

I'm playing along with two challenges that I thought worked perfectly together!  First is the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - it's "anything goes" but they are showcasing Concord & 9th products.  Then I saw the colors at the Color Throwdown and knew they would be wonderful with Concord & 9th's Wreath Turnabout.


I absolutely adore the Turnabouts!  It does take a bit of time to line it all up and stamp in multiple colors although the Jig and the Alignment Aids are an amazing help.  Don't get me wrong - it's so much easier than the old fashioned way!!  But when I got this wreath all done - then stamped the word "hugs" (and only the word "hugs") - I realized it was just too high.  I tried a bunch of ways to fill in the space (instead of just restamping everything which might have been easier). I even added a big bow (I can't remember the last time I tied a bow - I even had to find instructions to relearn how to use my Bow-Easy to tie it!)  I finally realized that the stamp set with "hugs" also had a stamp that said "your way" - that clearly filled in the space.  But then the next challenge was that the die (which comes from the Season of Cheer set) actually said "sending you" and "sending you hugs your way" didn't make sense.  So a little fussy-work with only the edge of the die going in to cut off the "you" and, even though "sending" is a bit off-center, I decided I was done!


I'm not sure this card was worth my struggles - but I love the wreath and especially in those fresh colors.  Thanks to both challenges for the inspiration and to Concord & 9th for the brilliant concept!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Concord & 9th Wreath Turnabout, Hugs
Dies: Concord & 9th Season of Cheer
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy with coordinating patterned paper (both retired)
Ink: Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy, Taylored Expressions Lime Zest, My Favorite Things Pineapple, Papertrey Ink Harvest Gold
Accessories: Hero Arts Ombre Sunshine Sequins, Stampin' Up retired ribbon

Taylored Expressions: Fresh Florals Three Ways

Sometimes with my card-making purchases, I seem to have squirrel-syndrome moving from shiny object to shiny object.  I have to have this set and before it even arrives in my mailbox - I've seen the next set I have to have.  It's all led to a fairly massive stash - many of which I haven't used and may never use.  It was starting to become overwhelming so I've gotten much better over the last few years at requiring a "waiting-period" for all of my purchases.  If I still love it a week or a month later, it'll end up in my stash.  I've also seriously de-stashed although take that with a grain of salt.  We moved a year ago and instead of a craft corner, I actually have a craft room - and it's still full - vaulted ceilings with built-ins - and there's no decorations, it's all filled with stash!!  Not to mention the 5 Elfa drawer stacks, a few IKEA Raskog carts and the two large work spaces, one of which has shelves underneath.

Given all of that, I am also making a huge effort at trying to use every set in multiple ways.  In the past, if a set was ever used - it was probably used once and stashed away.  That's just silly.  There are such wonderful products available.  Today - I'm going to focus on one of those - Fresh Florals by Taylored Expressions.

Fresh Florals is full of fun, bold flowers but it can take on so many looks, styles and techniques.  It's one of those sets that makes sense to have in your stash.  As proof, I have three cards today - but it's not the first time the set has been out on my desk - check out here and here.

My first card is clean and simple, bright and modern.  

The bold flowers work well with the graphic sentiment.  Some subway tile in the background and it's a quick and easy encouragement card.

My second card is also clean and simple, but uses an easy technique.

I laid out most of the images on my Misti - I had to fill in a couple later because they didn't all fit at the same time - but it was easy to tuck them in at that point.  Stamp the images tone on tone.  Then very slightly move your cardstock and stamp again in Sugar Cube.  This gives it a carved look that works nicely with these bold images.

I didn't want to hide any of it - so I layered a vellum panel with a simple Hello.

My last card is sweet and soft and also very clean (but perhaps not so simple).  

I stamped and cut a variety of the Freshly Floral images and created an entire bouquet.  I laid it out and then pressed down on it with Press 'n Seal so I could pick it all up and adhere it all at once.  The sentiment on this one is cuter and lighter than the first card, but still works beautifully with the solid flowers.

I added a simple frame for the flowers to cluster around then a few floral sequins to soften the entire look.

I am very happy with this trio of cards.  The stamps are interesting enough for just a few of them to work on a simple card - but you can create full bouquets.  And I love the technique - it's not new, but I hadn't done it in awhile and was thrilled at how well it works with this set.

SUPPLY LISTS

I Know It's Tough...

Hello

Bouquet for a Friend

Freshly Made Sketches: All the Pieces

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and it's my week to bring you the sketch!!  I'm not sure I could have gone much simpler.

I did have an ulterior motive for this one - I knew exactly what I was going to do before I ever created the sketch!!


These Nordic dies were sitting on my desk and seemed to layer perfectly.  Obviously I wanted the sketch to be more broad - so I drew the rectangle and circle, then used a flower and a bird!! The sentiment isn't the right fit from a design perspective.  It needs to be a bit bolder so that it holds its own with the dies.  But it is the right fit for the person who will be receiving this card. I know it's a little small to read...
Eventually all the pieces will fall into place. Until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moment & know that         everything happens for a reason.

I am very much looking forward to seeing what each of you does with this sketch.  What shapes will you be using???
SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Papertrey Ink A Little Inspiration
Dies: Spellbinders Nordic Floral, MFT Blueprints 13
Cardstock: Taylored Expressions Gumball

Stamplorations: Thinking of You

I don't do a lot with stencils and I have absolutely no idea why.  Particularly with my clean and layered style - they are perfect to add a hint of a background.  Sadly, I often think of it after a card is done and everything is glued down - then it occurs to me that a bit of pattern in the background would have added interest.

In a recent order from Stamplorations, I threw in some stencils.  I got one especially for cards that I need quickly but still have to be special.  I knew I was challenging my stenciling and blending skills with this one - but the stencil and a die cut sentiment is exactly what I needed!!  And you know what?  It turns out it's easy to use!


I am not a pro at blending.  There are definitely some edges on this guy that I could have/should have blended out.  But what I am a pro at is getting exceedingly messy when I'm doing inky things and then getting fingerprints and smudges on my card. I had ink all over my hands and then the stencil slipped - so I decided discretion was the wise choice and I stopped.


I feel like this stencil could go a number of directions.  It could be soft and feminine.  It could be "misty" (there's a reverse stencil so you could ink the bird then use the reverse to add some softness around it.)  I went with dark navy for my masculine bird because of the current challenge at Stamplorations.  I think he's gorgeous!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Cutplorations Thinking of You (by Stamplorations)

Cardstock: Bristol Smooth, Taylored Expressions Blue Corn

Ink: Distress Oxides in Vintage Photo, Spiced Marmalade, Tumbled Glass, and Faded Jeans, then I brushed on a bit of Taylored Expressions Blue Corn

Other: Artplorations Perched Bird Stencil, Pretty Pink Posh Starry Sky Mix (for the eye)

Easter Blessings

Wishing you a joyous Easter and a happy spring!!

My 'clean and layered' card is 100% inspired by The Card Concept.  The colors, the bunny, the greenery, the hint of dark plaid, even the circular plate and rectangular napkin.  Thank you Card Concept!!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Tutti Designs Floral Bunny; Frantic Stamper Elegant Blessings; Taylored Expressions Petite Scallop Circle Stacklets, Stitched Circle Stacklets, and Flower Box Sprigs and Flowers (retired)

Freshly Made Sketches: Let Your Joys Stack Up

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Linda.

When I was sitting down to do this last weekend - it was snowing!!  It was a beautiful light snow with big flakes - but it was still snow in April which just seems wrong  (And it's in the forecast for this week too.)  So I went overboard with spring!


It was one of those cards that almost didn't happen.  Every last one of you will be able to relate to this although maybe you are smart enough to walk away before frustration sets it.  Here's my process on this card...

• See the sketch and immediately know it will be on kraft with soft patterns and flowers.
• Pick the perfect stamp and plan ahead - stamp the solid base in the a.m., let it dry, and  in the p.m. add the detail with embossing powder.
• Oh no.  Where's the coordinating die for it?  Because I do NOT fussy cut.  Spend incredible amounts of time looking for the die.  Even consider paying $7 shipping just to get a replacement die.
• Give up, walk to the mailbox for a break and realize there's a stamp order there - and one of them is a great replacement!
• Try inks from four different companies looking for matches to the background paper - including a retired ink stashed way in the back of the stash.
• Success!
• Find the perfect sentiment.  Lay the actual stamp on the card - then refill coffee.  Sidetrack a bit on the computer and tidying up a very messy workspace.  Turn back to the card. Oh no - the stamp is gone!  (And I'm fairly certain the cat hasn't wandered by - stamps and dies are favorite play toys.)
• Look.  Look again.  Look in the sink under the empty coffee cup.  Dig through the garbage.  Crawl around the floor feeling the rug.  Track the cat down.
• Tidy some more including putting away the retired ink that's stashed far way in the back of the stash.
• Give up.  Find an acceptable alternative stamp.
• Stamp it.  Oh no.  It's crooked.  Re-cut the rectangle and reach for the stamp positioner - on top of which is the packaging for the new stamp set that came in the mail - that I would swear up and down I haven't touched since about the day before when I stamped the flowers.  But clearly I had because from the bottom falls the missing sentiment.  Joy!!
• Ink it up. Realize the acrylic block is a little messy, but I'm getting a little tired of this card so decide I'll just stamp carefully.  Sentiment looks good. Oh no.  The messy block got ink on the tulip.
• Dig the ink back out of the retired ink box that's stashed in the back of the stash so I can restamp the tulip.  
• Finished.  Seriously and truly finished - and I'm not convinced I like the card after all of that.  I'm sure it's the trauma of it all.
• Do something a little easier - - - like submit my taxes!!!

And..yes...I do know the stripes are crooked.  Tough!!


I hope to see you playing along - and I hope your experience is better than mine!!!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Bitty Bouquets, Choose Joy (sentiment)

Dies: Papertrey Ink Bitty Bouquets, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets

Cardstock: Taylored Expressions Toffee, Stampin' Up Apricot Appeal

Patterned Paper: Sunny Studio Dots & Stripes Pastels

Ink: Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow, Taylored Expressions Granny Smith, Simon Says Stamp Hollyhock, Stampin' Up Apricot Appeal, Peekaboo Peach and Lucky Limeade

Other: Pretty Pink Posh Valentine Mix Gems

Freshly Made Sketches: Thank Ewe

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jen Mitchell.

I recently spontaneously purchased a stamp.  I'm very deliberately not "spontaneous" these days. I used to be - but the sheer volume in my craft room shows the results of those days. So I've had a rule for the last few years that I put something in my wishlist and if I'm still in love with it in a month or two - then I buy.  It's amazing how many things drop off my radar and never get purchased.  Consequently, only those things that I truly love find a home in my stash.  It works.  But a few weeks ago, I was due to work in about 1/2 hour, enjoying my last sips of coffee - and I saw this post for Simon Says Stamp.  I fell hard for the Tim Holtz Funny Farm stamp set (BTW - Jo's blog has many more samples).  I also fell for the Wildflower card immediately above it.  Within five minutes, I had both items in my cart and on the way to me!!!

Here's the Funny Farm...


I figure it was meant to be.  My oldest son came down from college a few weeks for my belated birthday celebration.  His gift to me was a beer or two (or more) at the neighborhood brewery.  And more importantly - he was my designated driver!  Obviously that required a thank you.  How perfect is this set going to be for me for many situations over the years as I'm surrounded by males.  Not that it's just a masculine set - but it works perfectly and it has a bit of fun to it without being cutesy.


I found an old paper pack that had just the right colors and then used those colors to do some limited coloring on the image (totally inspired by Jo (link above)).  I am thrilled with everything about this.  I'm still tickled by those images (no buyers-regret at all!). And the fun sketch added just the right amount of detail for a card for my son!  Hope to see you playing along this week.
SUPPLY LIST Stamps: Tim Holtz Funny Farm Dies: Taylored Expressions Stitched Square Stacklet, Sweet & Sassy Hearts & Stars Scallop Borders (retired) Paper: We R Memory Keepers Indian Summer, Taylored Expressions Confetti Cake Ink: Copics

CAS(E) this Sketch: Stained Glass

I have been waiting for inspiration to use a gorgeous set from Altenew that's been sitting in my not-yet-used stash.  It's a big circular image - so the current sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch! is just perfect.  Here's the card...


And the sketch that inspired it...

The results from this stamp set are incredible - I love that all of that colored detail came with stamps, although there are some gorgeous samples on the Altenew product page that don't use the stamps but markers.  I used a cheerful yellow combo, but on that same product page, there's a beautiful sample using grays and pinks.  I love all of the different moods that you can get from this single set.


I didn't use a positioner to do the layers and the only one that I found slightly difficult to line up was the second layer of the leaves.  You can see it on my card with the greens going slightly off the leaves.  However, for this simple looking tulip, you have to stamp 17 times - so I wasn't starting over when the rest of the image turned out so well.  (Each color is two stamps and I counted the single circles separately as they are stamped separately.)

I work with someone who loves to garden and this is just the perfect style card for her.  Her birthday is in a few months so I'll tuck this away.  Hmmm...I can't remember the last time I wasn't pushing out a birthday card the night before I needed it!!!

Thank you to CAS(E) this Sketch!

Simon Says Challenge: Animal Antics

This week's challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog is Animal Antics and they are showcasing Hello Bluebird.  I only recently discovered Hello Bluebird just in time to pick up a number of Winter/Christmas sets so that's what I'm using.  There may not be "antics" on this card but there are definitely absolutely charming "animals".


This uses the Quiet Christmas stamp set and dies. Besides these three there's a sweet bear and a huge variety of pine boughs and holly and leaves and presents.  There's also a die for every single piece.  (A quick search on Pinterest will show you some amazing wreaths that have been made with this same set.)

There have been a number of designers lately sticking with black and white images and the color in the background.  I love the clean look so I played with the concept and added color only in the scarves and the tree decorations.  I also used a mix of regular and chunky glitter to give it a frosty look.


I'm clearly going to have to add to my collection because these are truly a joy to work with.

Thanks to the Simon Says Stamp challenge for inspiring me to pull out this beautiful set!

Taylored Expressions Release Day: Wild, Free and Brimming with Love

It's the big day!  All of the Taylored Expressions products that you've seen through sneak peek week are now available - and I have a few more to show you. Be sure to head over to the Taylored Expressions blog for a few more peeks - and to see if you've won a prize!

I have two more samples to show you of this fabulous release.  First is an addition to the Simply Stamped line of layered images - Simply Stamped - Feathers.  Plus a sentiment from Wild and Free.  They are wonderful sentiments in a great font.


Yet another fun thing with this release is the Grid Background.  It can be a basic grid or it coordinates with the previously released Buffalo Plaid Background like I did.


I kept my feather colors subtle to match my Toffee Background and I did them a little differently.  They don't actually use the solid background stamp.  I cut the feathers out of solid cardstock, then I used coordinating ink to add the accents.  The blue is Salt Water Taffy cardstock with Sprinkles ink.  The yellow is Pineapple cardstock with Pineapple ink. The green is Mint Julep cardstock with Spearmint ink. Finally I sponged the edges with Sugar Cube ink including my Frayed Edge layer.
This is the supply list for this card but keep reading for a final peek.
SUPPLY LIST


Brimming with Love and Brimming with Love Sentiments are a wonderful set that allows you to to easily make a variety of cards.  All the colors on this card are their own stamp - so you stamp the jar and flowers (one stamp) and then start stamping in the colors!


The Brimming with Love die cuts out the whole bouquet.  It's a little difficult to see but I cut my front panel a bit smaller, edged it with the polka dot paper, then layered the jar off the edge. (The plaid is on the inside panel.)


For my sentiment, I stamped it in Sprinkles then stamped right over it with Versamark so that I could emboss with Clear Fine Detail Embossing Powder.  I didn't worry about any of the embossing powder sticking to the stamped color on the mason jar because I thought it would give it a hint of glassy look. The mason jar had dried for a bit so just bits of embossing stayed on it.
No more chatter from me - the TE store is open!

SUPPLY LIST

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek 3: Marriage, Babies, Anniversaries

It's day 3 of sneak peeks for the April release from Taylored Expressions and today I have the life events starting with marriage, babies and an important anniversary!  Everything you see this week will be available on Thursday, April  4th. Be sure to check out each of the creative team members' blogs for all of the sneak peeks - starting with the Taylored Expressions blog.  

Let's start with the wedding card.  There's a fabulous new Framed Script die - Mr. & Mrs.  These are wonderful because there's a gorgeous cutting plate that they fit inside for a full card front - but they are lovely enough to work on their own.


I loved the detail in the font - so I kept the background simple with the previously released Cherry Blossoms Cutting Plate in pure white and a few pink butterflies in Little Bits - Butterflies.


It's quick and easy and wonderfully elegant!

Here's the supply list for this card.  Keep reading because I have another sneak peek and a chance to win prizes!

SUPPLY LIST
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.

Taylored Expressions is celebrating Release Week with a a giveaway during each day of sneak peeks! Visit the TE blog to answer Taylor's Question of the Day for a chance to win one of the latest products before you can buy it!

Sometimes next on the life list are babies.  I used the new Color My World in soft Peaches 'n Cream.  I used letters from the previously released Initially series to create the word "baby" right out of the background.  The sentiment "Hello My World" from Color my World was the perfect finishing touch.


You can go so many ways with Color My World - it certainly doesn't have to be a soft baby card.  There's also a separate soft outline - World Map Background that coordinates with it.

To keep my card sweet and gentle - I cut the Floral Eyelet Border - then used half of it at the top and bottom of the panel for lace.


Here's the supply list for this card. I have one more card for you - my favorite of the bunch - so keep reading!!

SUPPLY LIST
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.

Finally we have an anniversary.  There's a fabulous new die in this release - Love Story. Isn't this just the most charming couple you have ever seen?


I used the previously released Gardon Arbor & Gate and the Arbor Accessories along with some softly brushed ground in Spearmint and sky in Salt Water Taffy to create this sweet background for our couple

The sentiment is also new from The Inside Scoop - Anniversary.  I've always loved that saying.  And give the sentiment is from the "inside scoop" series of stamps, I also created a coordinating inside with two other stamps from the set.


After 30 years of marriage (this October), I'm sure I could give this card to my husband!!  I'll keep it in my stash.



Today was all about life events.  Tomorrow, I have two very different cards - we are "wild and free" and brimming with love!   Head over to the TE blog for more sneak peeks, then I hope you come back tomorrow.

SUPPLY LIST
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.