Scandinavian Christmas

Yep, I'm a woman on a mission.  Can you believe I am almost halfway to my Christmas card goal?  When I create a card I almost always make four.  I have a hard enough time deciding what card goes to which person.  If I had ALL different designs...well I don't need that kind of stress!  Hee!  Hee!

The sketch I used today comes from the ladies at Freshly Made Sketches.  Rita designed this one.

The other challenge I was very excited to participate in is jingle belles, "Scandinavian Christmas."  Stephanie and Lauren are two great gals helping us all get those Christmas cards done!

I can't tell you how many times I changed this card.  I think I changed every single element at least once before it came to this.  Those CAS designs are tough!  I always want to add MORE!

So, thanks for stopping by today.  I'm not really sure what challenges I'll be doing tomorrow.  I still need to make more Valentine's Day cards.  If I can't find a challenge that fits I may have to go solo!

Fine Flourish - Love Birds

Me again!  I have so many cards to share (all Valentines) I fear I won't get them all posted before next week.  I really need to step it up!  I made this one on Monday night and it immediately became one of my favorites so far this year.

I even managed to complete not one...but TWO challenges!  Yippee!

Pals Paper Arts - Red, Red, Red Challenge

Cute Card Thursday - Buttons & Bows Challenge

Tuesday will be a busy day, but I still hope to see you with another post!

Halloween Fun

I had to get some ink on this stamp right away!  Last Thursday was the kids first day of school.  I celebrated (not that I wanted them to go back) with a road trip to Mike's and a few quilt shops.  This stamp was the first to catch my eye.  Usually I can't resist  buying a few of these cheap thrills but this day I stuck with the ONE that spoke the loudest.

I also happened to pick up an embossing folder on clearance, so I had two new toys to play with.  I inked up my folder with a brayer and black ink before sending it through the Big Shot.  I've done this before with mixed results.  Today was no exception.  I probably did 5 "tests" trying to keep the ink from smearing.  Nothing totally fixed the problem, but once I started I had to include it in the card.  It fit the card so well!

I still love stitching on my cards and I should do more of it because it is so much fun.  So look out for more stitching!

Season of Friendship....Think Spring!

Today's card started with this inspiration photo. The Tuesday Trigger at Moxie Fab World. Such beautiful spring colors. How could you not be inspired? I was particularly drawn to the photo in the middle and to the right. It looks like a vintage tray. You may not know, I have another blog, Made or Found, that's is devoted to my love of vintage and my pursuits in home decor. So, I knew this would be the catalyst for my card.I used Season of Friendship with the colors: Sage Shadow, Real Red, So Saffron and Pretty in Pink. Very vintage feel, I think. The 3/4" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon adds to that feel. The button? You guessed it....vintage! What a fun card to make!This will also fit in nicely with the Paper Pal Arts challenge this week, "Spring." This is a challenge I can get riled up for....I am SO ready for Spring!
Plus, since I used the color green, I fulfilled The Pink Elephant challenge! My first time with this one! I've added to my list!I'm hoping to get a few cards made today. Remember, I will be posting my FIRST card for the Curtain Call Crew this Sunday! Please join us! Hope to see you then!

All U Need Is Love

Is it just me or is there crazy weather all across the country? Yesterday we had rain, freezing rain and snow...all in one day! Of course the kids had no school and I should have found time to stamp, but I did not! This morning I wake-up to find they have a two hour delay. Normally I take the opportunity to sleep in, but instead I got up and stamped!

I went right to Stacey's challenge over at Stacey's Stamping Stage. She posts them on Sunday, here it is Thursday, it's a color combo I love! Where has the week gone?
Anyway, I have been trying desperately to simplify my cards! Just a little! So, this is what I came up with:
I used the rub-ons Love & Happiness from Sale-A-Bration a few years ago. I still have TONS left! The sentiment is a dollar bin stamp. Then, I added my latest fetish, stitching on cards! You know I was a quilter LONG before I took up card making, so this really is a favorite of mine.

So, I hope I'm back on track for more posting. After that 10 day streak I needed a few days off, but I THINK I'm ready to go again!

Have a great day!

Red, Red, Red Valentine

I love red! So, Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to use LOTS of it! Today's card is red on steroids! OK, I did sneak in a little pink, but very little!

The challenges I tackled with this card are:

Our Creative Corner sketch.

Plus, Splitcoast Stampers Limited Supplies Challenge. Keyword: LSC254

I used the large heart from Always and embossed it in red. I don't have Real Red Kraft Ink or red embossing powder. So, I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, stamped in Real Red Classic Ink and without moving my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig stamped with Versamark Ink. Then, added Stampin' Emboss Clear Embossing Powder. It really pops! (Click on the image to get a better look.) The sentiment is a dollar stamp I just picked up this week.You may be wondering how I have a scalloped heart to mat the Always heart perfectly. If you'd like to know, e-mail me and I'll share my secret! It involves an image editing program and a certain cutting program.

So, I have an invitation to go scrapbooking down at the neighbors. I need to get my stuff together and go. Have a great day!

Crazy For Cupcakes

You know I was actually afraid to get on my blog and post today! I knew it had been quite a while since my last card, and boy was it ever! Three weeks! I don't know how other bloggers do it. Once I was done with my Christmas cards all my focus went to other holiday activities.

So here we are in the New Year and I am ready to go! I decided to get the mojo goin' by doing a challenge or two. First two cards were VERY so-so and I won't be sharing those......yet! I was much more pleased with my next two efforts. This one is from Taylor VanBruggen's Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge!
I just LOVE my Medallion background stamp (see last THREE posts!) and this sketch SCREAMED for it. I used some pretty bright colors, which I like a lot, but tend to use less frequently. I think Pink Passion and Pumpkin Pie look yummy together. I have a lot of birthdays coming up so Crazy For Cupcakes seemed like the perfect fit. I tried to be free with my coloring, not worrying if I completely filled in the lines. I'm particularly happy with the shading on the cupcake tops, using my Sahara Sand marker. It is a technique I've known about but never really used. It's a keeper!

It has been super cold here (-20°) in Iowa the last few days, so it's been great to stay home and STAMP! I have at least one more card to share soon and if this cold sticks around (and it's suppose to) I will have more posts coming!

Kristina's Color Inspiration #25

Did I say, "Hope to see you tomorrow on Monday?" Yes, I did and then I wasn't here yesterday! I should have known that might happen and plan a post ahead. I was running all day. Then, hubby and I broke down and did our taxes last night! There's 4 hours of my life I won't get back!

So, today I have a really cute card to share. This number 25 from Kristina's Color Inspiration. Some wonderfully sunny colors. It is so gloomy here today and they are talking snow for the weekend, so I need a little lift.

I did a little "surgery" on this card. I had a long strip of Ballet Blue not quite wide enough for a standard card. So, I sewed this strip of So Saffron DP on the side. It seems I've been using my sewing machine for card making more than quilting lately! I also sewed the center of the largest flower. My favorite part of the card? My clouds. See them in the background? I used a scalloped circle and sponged some ballet blue. It's the first time trying this technique and I think it's cute and fun! My sentiment is from Michael's dollar bin.

I have to admit, I'm ready to finish the Color Inspirations. Getting caught up has been a bigger job than I had imagined. I will be glad when I have finished and am able to participate in more than just this one. It's kept me pretty busy!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Now that I've talked with my mom and know that they got it, I can go ahead and post their card. Today is their 42nd anniversary! Love you Mom & Dad! I had a lot of fun with this one. I had cut the tag shape out probably two months ago, not knowing what it would be. When it was time to start their card I thought this would work well. I think I used a personal record of 6 different stamp sets on this card! But I like the idea of creating my own sentiments with combinations from other sets. The paper is a retired one, Spring Flowers. I'll have to use this layout again. I really like it!