Birthday Balloons

Another day has come and gone here in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  It was a beautiful one.  My craft desk sits right under the window and I love looking out on those mountains as I create.

Clean and simple was the order of the day for the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  I combined their sketch with the colors from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  I think they played well together.

I stamped the balloons from the Wish Big Stamp & Die Combo from Taylored Expressions.  Then, I fussy cut those balloons as the only dies in the set are for the words.  I hand drew the strings to the balloons.  Free hand is not my forte.  The word happy was stamped in Poppy Seed and cut with the die in the set.  For the finishing touch, I added to Drip Drops (yes, that is what they are called) to the happy.

The Drip Drops are iridescent but in this photo they look like they are clear.  They add just the right amount to sparkle.  I think I'm going to be using them often.

I played along with the following challenges.  For all the challenge details, click the image(s) below.

CAS(E) this Sketch

Color Throwdown

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Products Used

Wish Big Stamp & Die Combo by Taylored Expressions

Candy Corn, Pink Champagne, Poppy Seed and Sprinkles ink from Taylored Expressions

Whisper White and Whisper White Thick from Stampin' Up!

Drip Drops from Taylored Expressions

Sending You A Big Hug

Sunshine through my window is always such a welcome sight.  It's the nice before the snow which is coming later today.  It was an early morning for me so making a card and sharing it with you seemed like the thing to do.  Others in the house are still sleeping and it's a quiet way to begin my day.

For this clean and simple card, I started with a card base of Bermuda Bay and added a strip of Pretty Peacock.  I stamped the hibiscus flower from the Timeless Tropical Stamp Set in Calypso Coral ink onto Calypso Coral cardstock then, cut it out using the In The Tropics Dies.  I love the tone on tone look.  The leaves are cut out of Grapefruit Grove cardstock using the In The Tropics Dies.  For the finishing touch, I added some clusters of clear gems.

Here is a close up of the flower and those clear gems.  They are a favorite of mine as they pick up whatever color happens to be under them but still remain clear.

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

The colors I used are from Colour INKspiration Challenges.  It's a Facebook group for those who enjoy using Stampin' Up! products.  You can find more information about this group by clicking the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Products Used

Stampin' Up! Timeless Tropical Stamp Set

Taylored Expressions Simple Strips-Friendship Stamp Set

Stampin' Up! Calypso Coral Ink

Altenew Jet Black Ink

Stampin' Up! cardstock in Bermuda Bay, Pretty Peacock, Calypso Coral, 

Grapefruit Grove, Whisper White

Stampin' Up! In The Tropics Dies

Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Die

Studio Katia Clear Gems

Sending Love & Hugs

With Valentine's Day just a little over a month away, I thought it was time to get some cards made to send to family and friends.  I usually have a few on hand but not this year.

To start, I cut out the oval, then ran it through an embossing folder to add some texture.  I punched a red heart and a black heart and layered them together.  The sentiment was stamped on white using black ink.  I attached it to the hearts and popped it up using foam tape.

Stamp(s):  Best Sentiments (Altenew)
Ink(s):  Jet Black (Altenew); Real Red (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Stitched Ovals Stacklets (Taylored Expressions)

Punches:  Sweetheart Punch (Stampin' Up!)
Other:  Sheet Music Embossing Folder (Taylored Expressions)

Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen

I tried to show a close up of the heart to show off the shmmer but it just wasn't cooperating.  There is a very pretty shimmer to it thanks to my Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen.

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Merry and Bright

What better way to spend your time than watching movies and making cards.  Yes, I can multitask.  I keep saying that I have all of my Christmas cards made but I just keep adding to the stack.  This way I'll already be ahead for next year.  I do like to plan ahead.

This card was made following the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  It's another of those favorite challenges but it's been a while since I've been able to play along.

Stamp(s):  Holly Jolly Background, Simple Strips Christmas (Taylored Expressions)
Ink(s):  Jet Black (Altenew); Merry Merlot, Mossy Meadow (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock:  Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Simple Strips Die (Taylored Expressions)
Other:  Iridescent Gems; Foam Tape

And, here's a close up view of that great holly pattern.  What I love about this Holly Jolly Background stamp set by Taylored Expressions is that the background of holly and berries is a large rubber stamp and the stamp that fills in the outlines is a clear (photopolymer) one.  I also like that, if you don't get it positioned exactly right, it still looks good.

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

From My Two Lips

It's late and I'm falling asleep at the keyboard but I just had to share this card I made for the CAS(E) this Sketch challenge before I shut down for the night.

It was the perfect sketch for me to use with the Maymay's Two Lips stamp set.  I love all the different sentiments and lip images.  One image was stamped using Poppy Seed ink but I stamped off so it would leave just a soft image.  The red pair of lips was colored using Real Red ink.  I did fussy cut the red lips out and added them next to the sentiment and popped them up on dimensionals.  Clean and simple and just fun to make.

Stamp Set:  Maymay's Two Lips (Maymay Made It)

Inks:  Real Red (Stampin' Up!); Oreo Hybrid, Poppy Seed (Taylored Expressions)

Cardstock:  Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Other:  Sequin

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Thinking of You Shaker

Shaker cards are so much fun to make and I don't why I don't make more of them.  Guess I'm going to have to change that as I think my grandchildren would like them as well as the adults.  I wanted to do one with Fall colors to go with the new Harvest Sequins from Taylored Expressions.  The Pitcher Vase Die is perfect for a shaker card.  This one is going to my oldest favorite granddaughter.  Being as I only have two granddaughters and she is the oldest, she definitely qualifies as the oldest favorite.

Stamp Set:  Simply Stamped - Butterflies (Taylored Expressions); Ink:  Poppy Seed (Taylored Expressions); Cardstock:  Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions); Patterned Paper:  Playful Patterns - Harvest (Taylored Expressions); Other:  1" Cherry Cobbler Sheer Linen Ribbon,Bloomers 4 Dies (Taylored Expressions), Everyday Jars Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!), Foam Adhesive Strips, Glossy Accents (Ranger), Harvest Sequins (Taylored Expressions), Pitcher Vase Dies (Taylored Expressions)

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge. For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the images below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Thinking of You

It's been one of those weekends where everything needs done and nothing seems to get done.  Can you tell I've been meeting myself coming and going?  I finally just threw up my hands and headed for the craft room.  When nothing is going right the only therapy is to make a card which is why you are seeing two posts from me today.  Let me just say that it helps.  After my therapy session, everything that needed done got done.  I'm so happy!

Stamp Sets:  Colorful Seasons (sentiment), Flower Garden (The Craft's Meow); Inks:  Basic Black Archival, Crumb Cake, Garden Green; Cardstock:  Whisper White; Patterned Paper:  Golden Grove (Kaiser Craft); Other:  Sequins

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

The colors I used are from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Water Droplets Butterfly

What do you do when you are waiting for the storms to roll in?  Me, I spent the morning at my craft desk making a thank you card using the sketch from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  Now it's time to fix a late bite of lunch since I forgot to stop and eat earlier. 

Stamp Set:  Background Bits - sentiment (Stampin' Up!), Water Droplets (Designs by Ryn); Inks:  Always Artichoke, Basic Black Archival (both Stampin' Up!); Distress Inks:  Peeled Paint, Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade (Tim Holtz by Ranger); Cardstock:  Pistachio Pudding (Stampin' Up!), Watercolor Paper (Strathmore); Other:  Simply Stamped - Butterflies Dies (Taylored Expressions)

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge. The simplicity of the sketch was a wonderful way to showcase my pretty orange butterfly.. I had the water-colored rectangle laying on my desk left over from a previous project and it was perfect for this sketch design. 

For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

So glad you stopped by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Flourish & A Flower

Whew!  A migraine kept me out of the craft room until later this evening.  I loved the sketch from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge and my time was running out.  And, the colors from the Color Throwdown Challenge were perfect for it.  Now that the migraine is gone and I'm totally wiped out, it's time for an early night and I'll start fresh in the morning. 

Stamp Set:  Sheltering Tree - sentiment (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!), Victorian Velvet Distress (Tim Holtz); Cardstock:  Night of Navy, Whisper White (both Stampin' Up!); Other:  Flourish Stencil (Tim Holtz), Petal Pop-Ups 2, Stitched Oval Stacklets (both Taylored Expressions)

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  I loved this sketch.  It's simplicity and elegance were just right for some stenciling.

For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

The colors I used are from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  The gold I used is actually in the center of the flower where I placed a dot of Golden Sunset Glitter Drops by Nuvo.  I didn't have any other gold and thought this a perfect way to incorporate that color into my design.

For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

So glad you stopped by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Pretty Pink Flowers

You know, if I'd craft earlier in the day, I wouldn't have to stay up so late to share my post with you.  I sometimes schedule my posts ahead of time but haven't been doing that lately.  I kind of like just shooting from the hip when I write.  You just never know what I'm going to say.

Hope every Mom out there has had a great day.  I've heard from my three sons so I'm a happy one.  Now that they all live out West, those phone calls they make are so very important to me.

Anyway, here's the card I made for a couple of challenges.  I combined the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge sketch with the theme challenge over at the Retro Rubber Challenge to make this birthday card.  The stamp set I used is Butterfly Basics from Stampin' Up!  It was introduced in the 2015 Occasions Catalog.

Stamp Set:  Butterfly Basics (2015); Inks:  StazOn Black; Stampin' Write Markers:  Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette, Pretty In Pink, Wild Wasabi; Cardstock:  Whisper White Thick, Shimmery White; Patterned Paper:  Adorbs Paper Pad (My Mind's Eye); Other:  Sequins, Golden Sunset Glitter Drops (Nuvo)

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

The flower theme is from the Retro Rubber Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

CAS(E) this Sketch! 103 Colored by Fab Friday 56

Oh my, how I do love combining challenges!  I loved the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch! and the colors from Fab Friday.  It's a clean and simple birthday card that will be perfect for one of my grandsons.  I have three of them whose birthdays are one right after the other, three days in a row in January.

When I was stamping the image from the Holiday Home stamp set in Coastal Cabana, I noticed I had pressed too hard on the ink pad and the edge of the block left a line of ink on my card when I stamped it.  Rather than start over, I simply added more ink to the block edge and added some more lines.  Now how is that for incorporating a "mistake" into your stamping?  I'm one of those stampers who believes there is no mistake in stamping, just opportunities to stretch your imagination.

Did you notice that I flipped the sketch?  No, that wasn't a mistake.  I just decided to be a wee bit different.   :-)

Stamp Sets:  Four You, Gorgeous Grunge, Holiday Home; Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Coastal Cabana, Crumb Cake, Old Olive; Card Stock:  Bermuda Bay, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White; Other:  Dimensionals

The CAS(E) this Sketch! Challenge can be found HERE

The Fab Friday Challenge can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Bloom with Hope

Two challenges, one card.  It's all good.  I love combining a sketch challenge and a color challenge.  For me, it's creating made easy.  Fab Friday's color challenge uses colors I would not necessarily put together.  Coastal Cabana and Daffodil Delight, yes, but Strawberry Slush... now that one with the others I wasn't so sure about.  Can I just say, I've changed my mind?  I did stamp off the sentiment to give it a softer look.  I was afraid the fully inked stamp would be too much.  And, I loved the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch.  It was perfect for showcasing the flower.  So, here is the finished project.

Stamp Sets:  Bloom with Hope, Kinda Eclectic; Inks:  Coastal Cabana Blendabilities, Daffodil Delight, Strawberry Slush, Copic Sketch Markers Y13, Y19, Paris Dusk Memento (Tsukineko); Card Stock:  Whisper White, Strawberry Slush; Accessories & Tools:  Dimensionals

All Stampin' Up!® Product unless otherwise noted.

The Fab Friday color challenge can be found HERE.

The CAS(E) this Sketch challenge can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

A Birthday Card for Dustin

In all the birthday cards I made recently to send to family and friends, only one of them was for a guy.  This one is for my grandson, Dustin, who turns 14 next month.  Being a teenager means the cutesie cards are a thing of the past for this guy.  I thought the locomotive from the Traveler stamp set made for a great card.  I love how Lost Lagoon and Basic Gray compliment each other.

Stamp Set:  Traveler, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Inks:  Lost Lagoon, Basic Gray; Card Stock:  Lost Lagoon, Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Gold Sequin Trim, Ticket Corner Punch, Dimensionals

You can find the sketch I used HERE at CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Strawberry Slush Thinking of You

My friend, Heather, would be so proud!  She loves pink!  For some reason, it's really starting to grow on me, too.  I'll be honest, I've not been a fan of pink but lately, I seem to be grabbing it more and more.  Oh, and just to set your minds at ease, it does not replace my love of blue!  :-)

The CAS(E) this Sketch has a great sketch this week.  It was perfect for a stencil I bought months ago and have never used.  I even spritzed it with some Shimmer Mist, although that doesn't show up well in the photo.

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Strawberry Slush (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Strawberry Slush, Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch (Stampin' Up!), Splatters Stencil (Tim Holtz Collection), Radian Rain Shimmer Mist (Splash of Color), Silver Jewels, Dimensionals

You can find the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

It's a Before and an After View

When you just don't think it is looking right, try something different.  That's exactly what I did with this card.  The first photo shows what the card initially looked like.  Well, I didn't like it.  The design, yes; the colors, yes; the plain look of it, nope!  So, I jazzed it up just a wee bit as you can see in the second photo.  I wanted to leave the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge pretty much as it was since I really liked the look of it.  And, the colors from the ColourQ Challenge look so good together.

The Before

See what I mean?  It's just a bit dull and you can't see the sentiment that I stamped using Craft White as it just doesn't show up well at all on the Tempting Turquoise.  What to do!  Now here is the finished project.  I love that Decorative Dots Embossing Folder!

The After

Stamp Sets:  Work of Art, Everything Eleanor (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Pool Party (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Gold Foil Sheets (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Hexagon Punch, Owl Builder Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack Circle, Extra-Large Oval Punch, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder (Stampin' Up!), Dimensionals

In the second photo you can really see the gold of the hexagon.  Overall, I like the revised card best.  It has more character, wouldn't you agree?

For the ColourQ Challenge, click HERE.

You can find the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

It's a Work of Art

Have I ever told you how much I love challenges?  Well, I do.  They are a wonderful way to keep up on my card making.  This is the first year I've kept on top of all the birthdays, anniversaries and all the other days that require a card.  For today I'm again combining a couple of challenges, a color challenge from Fab Friday and a sketch challenge from CAS(E) this Sketch.

Stamp Set:  Work of Art (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Summer Starfruit, Smokey Slate, Crisp Cantaloupe, Early Espresso (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Gold Sequin Trim, Crystal Effects (Stampin' Up!)

You can find the Fab Friday Color Challenge HERE.

The CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge can be found HERE.

Two great challenges, one clean and simple card.  I totally love the look of this one.  I wasn't sure of the colors but I think they look so well together.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha