Confirmation Invitations: Let Hearts Rejoice

My youngest son is being confirmed in a few weeks.  In the Lutheran tradition, this is a truly major event - he is "affirming his baptism".  My son agrees that it is a big event, but for him, it is because he is done with three years of lessons and service events on Wednesday nights.

My family is throwing a joint open house with our good friends who also have a son being confirmed. We decided that our guest lists were 95% the same, so why not make it easier on our friends and have one big event?   We got together this afternoon and made forty invitations.  (Hey Carol and Jeanne - I had fun making all of our cards today!)  With forty invitations, it had to be easy to make and easy to send, plus it needed to be masculine since we each have sons.  Here's what I came up with.


I had started out thinking blues swooshes, but blues that were light enough to still see the sentiment, gave it a baby card feel.  Thank you to CAS Colours & Sketches for the color help. (The Smoky Slate is a small swoosh near the bottom.)

Guess how lucky I am?  The party is at my friend's house!  I don't have to clean!!!

• Stamps: Club Scrap Sacraments, Papertrey Ink Watercolor Wonder, WPlus9 Borders & Backgrounds 3
• Paper: black and white
• Ink: Stampin' Up Daffodil Delight, Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate, Memento Black

Come What May: The Impact of Sequins

A few days ago the latest challenge at Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge went live.  It's called Pretty & Pink and is being sponsored by Pretty Pink Posh.  (Notice the "pink" in the challenge title.)

Pretty Pink Posh sells lovely sequins, gorgeous ribbons and variety of other fun embellishments. I use sequins on virtually every card, but I struggled with this challenge.  I think it was because my sequin use is generally just a trio of sequins to highlight a sentiment or an image and to add a festive touch.  For the challenge, I wanted the focus to be on the sequins and I was thinking that it needed to be more than just a trio.  I wasted too many hours to admit trying to create that card.

At the end of those hours I had a light bulb moment - I was going to stick with my simple trio of sequins - but I was going to show you the card with and without the sequins. I wanted to demonstrate why I was happy with sequins.  Now that I was into my comfort zone, the card came together quickly. I got up the next morning to photograph the card and had a devastating realization - there wasn't even a hint of pink on my card.  Oops!  I got so carried away showing off the sponsor's products, I forgot about the challenge.

I did finally get two pink cards done for the challenge, and now I am going to show you  my "non-pink" demonstration of cards with and without sequins.

Before...


I like these charming little birds from Mama Elephant and I like the cloud speech bubble.  (The little clothespin is available at Pretty Pink Posh.)  But I like it better with a few sequins. After...

Such a simple touch, but I love the way it completes the card without changing the CAS look!  It kind of adds a "smile" and a happy look.  Of course, I do the same thing with serious cards to add an elegant look. Just a quick browse through my blog will show you 100+ cards with this same trio of sequins!
Using sequins in this way does require quite a collection - although you can often accomplish the same thing with some good clear sequins (check out this post for a variety of clear sequins).  I do use sequins from a variety of companies and I love them all.  
The sponsor for this challenge is Pretty Pink Posh and they have some really unique things that you might want to check out.  First, most of their sequins come in the traditional cupped look but a flat option is also available like the aquamarine and yellow sequins above. One of the fun things with the flat sequins is that they can layer with the cupped sequins (check out the second card in my actual Curtain Call card or this card).  I also like their 4mm sequins like the clear sequin above.  They came out with the 4mm sparkling clear sequins awhile ago, but they have just added them for their other colors!!  Can you imagine the cute little shakers you could make with these??!
I am going to add this card to the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp
Believe it or not, I am in the middle of final projects for my classes again.  I swear that I just typed that - but it's been two months. (This program runs two classes every two months instead of a more traditional college schedule of four classes for four months.)  I am in much better shape this time than I was the last time when the very difficult classes almost made me leave the program.  I've actually already turned in one paper early and the other one is going to practically write itself today.  Two new classes start right away on Monday. Then one more class in the fall and I officially have a second degree!!!  I guess I need to start thinking about resumes and job interviews and the more current terminology like "networking" and "elevator speeches".  
I definitely love this hobby and I thank all of my friends in the blog world for keeping me sane!!

• Stamps: Mama Elephant Just Hatched, True Friend
• Paper: Simon Says Surf Blue and Green Apple (they are actually both a little lighter than in my photograph)
• Ink: Memento Black, Copics, Simon Says Green Apple
• Accessories: Pretty Pink Posh Flat Sequins in Lemon Meringue and Aquamarine, and 4mm cupped sparkling clear sequins, Pretty Pink Posh clothespin, Mama Elephant Speech Trio dies, Lifestyle Crafts embossing folder, Hemptique 10-lb white twine

Curtain Call: Pink and Pretty

It's time for a new challenge at Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!  We're going Pink and Pretty!

 photo source: 100layercake.com

We have a fabulous new sponsor, Pretty Pink Posh.  The LEAD of this challenge will receive a gift certificate to the Pretty Pink Posh Shop!

Pretty Pink Posh has gorgeous sequins, fantastic ribbon and other embellishments.  It's a rare card that I make that doesn't have a trio of sequins.  But sadly, I really struggled with this challenge. I think it's because I wanted to make the sequins the centerpiece of the card instead of just using them to highlight the sentiment or image.  I started and discarded a number of cards, then finally got something that I liked.  The next day I went to photo it and realized that it didn't have even a touch of pink on it.  I showcased our sponsor product but totally forgot to play along with the challenge!!  (I'll show you that card at a later date.)

I did have a lot of fun with the Sequin Shaker Blog Hop sponsored by Pretty Pink Posh this past weekend. I made two for the hop - here and here - and decided to do one more in bold colors.

This card also let me show off the Chevron Twill ribbon that's also in the Pretty Pink Posh store.  I haven't used a lot of ribbon in recent years (I lean toward twine), but this ribbon is so soft that it's very easy to use. (I got the yellow ribbon as part of a birthday gift - and have since added black, celery, champagne and turquoise to my collection! I guess you'll be seeing more of this ribbon.)

My bow above is not actually tied.  I looped twine through the button with the ends sticking out the top and a loop below. Then I folded the ribbon into a bow shape and stuck it through the twine loop below the button.  I tightened up the twine and tied. A very quick and easy way to do a bow!

I want to show you one more card that is pink and uses Pretty Pink Posh. This one didn't make the "official" cut for the challenge because I just wasn't happy with the pastel flowers - to me, they seem too washed out. I did try again with slightly different colors, but in prying the original flowers off the card, I destroyed the whole thing.  However, I love these flat sequins and these tiny 4 mm sparkling clear sequins so wanted to show you the cascade of sequins (and the champagne chevron twill ribbon.)

Here are all of the rest of the designers for this Pink & Pretty challenge, or head over to Curtain Call! to see them all in one place.  Remember that you do not have to use Pretty Pink Posh products to play along - but you do get a chance to win a gift certificate.  Just make a Pink & Pretty card and link it up!

Pink & Pretty Designers

Leigh Penner, Guest Designer

Amber Kroening

Amy Kolling

Amy Tsuruta

Gayatri Murali

Kim Singdahlsen

Laurie Willison

Lisa Henke

Marisa Ritzen

Maureen Plut

Monika Davis

Sheri Gilson

Sarah Gough

Stacey Schafer

Tenia Nelson

Tracey McNeely

Hello Friend

• Stamps: Papertrey Ink Wet Paint, Watercolor Wonder
• Paper: Stampin' Up Melon Mambo CS and dsp
• Ink: Stampin' Up Melon Mambo, Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores, Hero Arts Lime Green
• Accessories: Pretty Pink Posh (PPP) cupped sequins from the Springtime Mix (the Pink Peonies, Aquamarine and flower sequins), PPP Mossy Green cupped sequins, PPP 4 mm sparkling clear sequins, PPP flat black sequins, PPP Black Chevron Twill ribbon

Blessings

• Stamps: WPlus9 Spring Blooms, Clear & Simple Icons Sentiments
• Paper: Papertrey Ink Fine Linen, Lemon Tart, Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette
• Ink: Papertrey Ink Fine Linen and Lemon Tart, Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette and Pistachio Pudding, Memento Toffee Crunch (sentiment)
• Accessories: Pretty Pink Posh (PPP) flat sequins in Pink Blush and Lemon Meringue, 4mm sparkling clear cupped sequins, PPP Champagne Twill ribbon, Papertrey Ink Lemon Tart button, WPlus9 Spring Blooms dies, Lil' Inkers Quilted Stitched Pattern die

Sunday Stamps: A Better Place

I had a crafty playdate with my Stampin' Up friend last week.  I always go through her stash and see what she has that I don't.  I found this Starburst Sayings set (I hadn't even noticed it before, but it's great!).  Then I went looking for a challenge and saw that the current challenge at Sunday Stamps would show it off very well.

Not a lot of chat from me today.  It's finals week - again!  In a program with two courses every two months, finals week seems to come around way too regularly.  I have two big papers due Sunday at midnight and I haven't even started (I keep getting distracted by my craft desk!)

• Stamps: Stampin' Up Starburst Sayings, Regarding Dahlias (thank you)
• Paper: Stampin' Up Pool Party, So Saffron, Baked Brown Sugar, Retro Fresh dsp
• Ink: Stampin' Up Tangerine Tango, Baked Brown Sugar, Versamark (for heat and stick)
• Accessories: Stampin' Up ribbon, scallop punch, button, twine, starburst dies, heat and stick powder, Ellen Hutson Daffodil sequins

Viva la Verve: Thank U

I seem to have had pastel colors out a lot lately - and I am really not a pastel person.  I just had to get a fix of rich, autumn colors.  So when I decided to play along with this week's Viva la Verve sketch, I immediately went to these gorgeous colors!


If I had all the time in the world (and unlimited supplies) - I would find a smaller doily for the background.  I can't tell you how much paper I wasted.  Every doily or decorative circle die that I have was too small or too big - but being a very visual person, I had to cut each of them and try it on the card before I knew it was wrong!  I closed in the space by adding some sequins, but I still feel like my poor little "U" is a little bit lost.

• Stamps: Verve You and I
• Paper: My Mind's Eyes Darling Dear 6x6, Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow, Simon Says Stamp Sea Glass, Stampin' Up Crushed Curry
• Ink: Stampin' Up Sahara Sand, Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow
• Accesories: Verve Heart U die, October Afternoon button, Lifestyle Crafts doily, Hemptique 10-lb white twine

Sequin Shaker Blog Hop with Dynamic Duo farewell

This is my second Sequin Shaker today!!!

Yep!  It's fun!  I was pretty convinced that I enjoyed sequin shakers when I posted my first card earlier today for the Sequin Shaker Blog Hop sponsored by Pretty Pink Posh and now I am totally convinced. You'll be seeing more from me!

I had planned to make a more masculine card.  In her Sequin Shaker Video Tutorial, Paulina showed a card using the Pretty Pink Posh Nature Embellishment Kit including the wood stars - it was so cute - and I have the kit.  

But I took a few minutes to catch up on some blog posts from yesterday and learned that Dynamic Duos is shutting down after this 100th challenge.  I had the honor of being on their very first design team starting in May of 2012.  I immediately changed gears with this card and made a card in farewell to Dynamic Duos - I have loved your challenges and will miss you!

The sequins are flat sequins from Pretty Pink Posh in marshmallow, lemon meringue and aquamarine, along with some tiny 4mm cupped sparkling clear sequins.  The ribbon is also from Pretty Pink Posh - it's the yellow chevron twill ribbon and is wonderfully soft!

The card uses the current wanna sketch from Lisa at dahlhouse designs.  Her sketches are wonderfully simple and fresh.

• Stamps: My Favorite Things Wood You Be Mine
• Paper: Stampin' Up Smoky Slate, So Saffron, Pool Party and Sent with Love dsp
• Ink: Stampin' Up Smoky Slate
• Accessories: My Favorite Things Accent It - Celebrate dies (love), Spellbinders square dies, Papertrey Ink Woodgrain Impression Plate and Soft Stone button, Pretty Pink Posh flat sequins in  marshmallow, lemon meringue and aquamarine, Pretty Pink Posh 4 mm sparkling clear cupped sequins, Pretty Pink Posh Chevron Yellow Twill and White Twine

Sequin Shaker Blog Hop: Panda Celebration

I have avoided shakers.  They feel a little too much like crafting, which I generally define as 3D type art...which any time that I try I end up with blogs of glue and crooked elements and utter frustration.  But my charming friend, Stacey Schafer, talked me into it - and even texted me words of encouragement as I was driving to Hobby Lobby for foam tape.  She also pointed out the Sequin Shaker Tutorial video by Paulina, the Pretty Pink Posh lady (among her many talents).  So I am giving it a try!

The event is a Sequin Shaker Blog Hop.

I went for a smaller shaker but have already realized the flaw with small and curved - foam tape is straight and wide - so it was a bit of a pain to seal up this shaker.  But I have to admit...I liked it...and I'll do it again....maybe even when I finish this post!

The blog hop is open until Monday around midnight PST.  After dragging my feet, I have seen the light and would truly recommend that you give it a try and enter!  Even if you don't, be sure to check out the gallery.
I'm off to try again...

• Stamps: My Favorite Things Party Balloons, Birthday Greetings, Mama Elephant Pandamonium
• Paper: Stampin' Up Pretty in Pink
• Ink: Memento Black, Stampin' Up Pretty in Pink
• Accessories: Pretty Pink Posh Springtime Mix and 4mm Sparkling Clear sequins, My Favorite Things Party Balloons die, Mama Elephant Landscape Trio die (the cloud border), Lil' Inkers Stitched Rectangle, Hemptique 10-lb white twine