WWC330 - Heidi's Challenge: All About Occasions

Wow!  Can you believe that Christmas is only a few weeks away?  This year has flown by for me with lots of changes.  But change is good, right?  Anyway, Heidi is hosting our All About Occasions challenge over on the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  Hope you can join us.

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, December 13th at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

WWC295 - Karen's Challenge: All About Occasions

And, Wednesday has rolled around again.  Karen is hosting our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge and it's All About Occasions.  It gave me the chance to play with some new stuff from Taylored Expressions.  I used the Seasonal Spring stamp set, the Seasonal Sprig Mini Slim Stencil and the Stitched Rectangular Stacklets.  There is also a Seasonal Sprig Cutting Plate but that one I did not use this time.  You'll see it in upcoming Christmas cards.

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking HERE.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, November 2nd at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

WWC260 - Karen's Challenge: All About Occasions

You know, it's Wednesday.  It's time for a new challenge at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  This week Karen is hosting our All About Occasions challenge.

It's the last challenge of the month and again I'm sharing a Christmas card.  I plan to have all of my cards done before they are needed.  I was a little lax last year and found myself needing to make more and more and more.  Well, maybe not that many more but more than what I already had made. 

Stamp Set: Holiday Florals; Mini Strips Holiday (Taylored Expressions)

Ink: Lime Zest, Sweet Basil, Guava (Taylored Expressions); Jet Black (Altenew)

Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)

Dies: Holiday Florals; Mini Strips (Taylored Expressions)

Other: Modern Holly Layering Stencil (Taylored Expressions)

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  You'll see all the great projects from our Watercooler Artists.  We’d love to have you take the challenge and link your project.  You have until Monday, March 2nd at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Merry Christmas

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #348

It's time for a new sketch from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  Today I have my final Christmas card of the season.  All that I need are made and await a written note, an envelope and a stamp.  It will be a fun afternoon of getting them ready for the mail.

I used the same Holiday Florals stamp set along with the Pine Clipping Die.  This time I used Real Red, Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Soft Sea Foam, Pear Pizzazz and Soft Suede for the colors.  I cut the circle from the front of the card base and added the pine boughs to the inside of the card so they show throw the opening. 

Stamp(s): Holiday Florals (Taylored Expressions)
Ink(s):  Real Red, Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Soft Suede (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock:  Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Soft Sea Foam, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Holiday Florals, Pine Clippings (Taylored Expressions); Standard Circles (Spellbinders)
Other:  Iridescent Gems; Orange Wink of Stella Brush (Zig)

This is how I arranged the pine clippings on the inside of the card.  I was going to put them around the circle opening but thought they would hold up better placed on the actual card.

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Sunday, December 29th at 8:39 p.m. Pacific Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

With Love at Christmastime

You know, I thought I had all of the Christmas cards made I needed and here I am sharing another one.  I love this big poinsettia.

I already had the poinsettia stamp so I took my Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes and blended Cherry Pop ink all over it.  I added some Gold Embossing Powder to the center and, having forgotten to use my anti-static brush, the powder got all over the flower.  I decided to leave it and heat embossed it.  I like the way it added some texture to the flower.  I did fussy cut the poinsettia and popped it up with foam tape.  For the finishing touch, I added a few Iridescent Gems.

Stamp(s):  Big Blooms:  Poinsettia, Shiplap Background, Simple Strips:  Christmas (Taylored Expressions)
Ink(s):  Cherry Pop, Earl Grey (Taylored Expressions); Jet Black (Altenew)
Cardstock:  Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Patterned Paper:  Lily Impressions Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Simple Strips Die (Taylored Expressions)
Other:  Gold Embossing Powder (Ranger); Iridescent Gems

I'm entering my pretty poinsettia in the following challenges: 

Day of the Month Card Club Challenge

The Sisterhood of Crafters

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #346

It's time for a new sketch from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  I'm still making Christmas cards and only need a couple more.   I love how this one came together.

Traditional colors are my favorites so I used Poppy Parade and Mossy Meadow for my colors.  The silver you see is from the Feels Like Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper.  I cut it out using the border die from the Everything Is Rosy Dies.  The pine branches are cut from the Pine Clippings Die.  I love that die!  The poinsettias were stamped using Poppy Parade.  They are from the Holiday Florals stamp set by Taylored Expressions.  There are three Vellum branches but they don't show up well on the Whisper White cardstock.  The sentiment is from the Holiday Florals stamp set and stamped with Mossy Meadow ink.  For the finishing touch, I added silver sequins with a rhinestone placed in the center.

Stamp(s):  Lovely Lattice (Stampin' Up!); Holiday Florals (Taylored Expressions)

Ink(s):  Poppy Parade, Mossy Meadow (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock:  Mossy Meadow, Poppy Parade, Whisper White, Vellum (Stampin' Up!)

Patterned Paper:  Feels Like Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!)

Dies:  Every Is Rosy Dies (Stampin' Up!); Holiday Florals Dies (Taylored Expressions)

Other:  Silver Sequins;  Rhinestone Basic Jewels (Stampin' Up!)

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Sunday,  December 15th at 8:39 p.m. Pacific Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

We Wish You

Today I'm playing along with a new challenge to me.  It's the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown and I'm looking forward to participating on a regular basis so I can have my Christmas cards all ready for next year.  It makes life so much easier when you have them all done and just have to write a note and put them in the mail.  So much less stressful.

Their challenge was a technique challenge of watercolor.  It's been a while since I've done any watercoloring and I really enjoyed coloring this poinsettia.  I started by stamping the poinsettia and leaves with VersaMark and heat embossed with Gold Embossing Powder to make my outline.  Then, I filled in with watercolor.  It's a simple but effective technique.

Stamp(s):  Big Blooms-Poinsettia, Mini Strips Holiday (Taylored Expressions)
Ink(s):  Cherry Pop, Cilantro (Taylored Expressions); Iceberg, Jet Black (Altenew)
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Watercolor Paper (Strathmore)
Other:  Icy Sparkle Crystals (Studio Katia)

I've entered my card in the following challenges:

52 Christmas Card Throwdown

Merry Little Christmas Challenge

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

Season's Greetings

This past week it has been fun to catch up with some of the challenges I love.  Today's card was made for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge.  I only have a few more Christmas cards to make and my list will be complete.

Stamp(s):  Mini Strips Holiday (Taylored Expressions)
Ink(s):  Jet Black (Altenew)
Cardstock:  Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Patterned Paper:  Feels Like Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Mini Strips Die (Taylored Expressions)

Punch:  Gleaming Ornaments Punch Pack (Stampin' Up!)
Other:  Snowy Gems

The sketch I used is from the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

As it so happens, I found a new challenge today, Perfectly CAS (using one third or less) and decided I just had to play along.  It really is a new challenge as this is only the third challenge they have had.  It's a Christmas theme this time and the challenge for me was keeping the design to only using one third of the card.  It's not as easy as it may seem but I must say I love this challenge and plan to participate on a regular basis.

The stamp set I used is a new one from Taylored Expressions, Holly Jolly Background.  What I love about this set is that the background part of the stamp is a 4.5" x 5.75" rubber stamp but the holly and the berries are a photopolymer stamp which allows you to easily line up the stamp and fill in the outline image.  What an ingenious idea!

Stamp(s):  Jolly Holly Background, Simple Strips Christmas (Taylored Expressions)
Ink(s):  Old Olive, Real Red (Stampin' Up!); Jet Black (Altenew)
Cardstock:  Old Olive, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Simple Strips Die (Taylored Expressions)

And, here is what it looks like standing up.  I rather like it this way and think I just may have to make a few more like it.

Be sure to go check out the new challenge Perfectly CAS (using one third or less).  I'm going to enjoy challenging myself to staying without the one third or less.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #340

It's time for a new sketch from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  As Christmas approaches, I've been busy making my Christmas cards.  Here is one I made using the new Classic Pine Stencil from Altenew.  It's a layered stencil.  The pine needles are one stencil and the pine cone stencil is another.  I love the background you can create with them.

Stamp Set:  Gleaming Christmas (Stampin' Up!)

Inks:  Milk Chocolate, Mocha, Sand Dunes, Grass Field (Altenew); Rich Razzleberry (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Granny Apple Green (Stampin' Up!)

Dies:  Stitched Shapes Dies (Stampin' Up!)

Punches:  Gleaming Ornaments Punch Pack

Other:  Iridescent Gems

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Sunday, November 3rd at 8:39 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

WWC243 - Heidi's Masculine "Anything Goes" Challenge

Hello!  It's time for a new challenge at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  This week Heidi is hosting our Masculine "Anything Goes" Challenge.  I decided to make a masculine Christmas card.  It's a four-fold card.  I love this fold technique and plan to make more in the future.

Stamp Set:  Christmas Gleaming  (Stampin' Up!)

Ink:  Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!)

Patterned Paper:  Feels Like Frost Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!)

Other:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels

This is what the four-fold card looks like from the inside.  I followed a video by Dawn Griffith which you can find HERE.  I love that patterned paper and how it looks so realistic.  It reminds of snow on the pine trees back home. 

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, October 21st at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

WWC242 - Marsha's "All ABout Occasions" Challenge

The Toile Christmas stamp set and dies are my favorites from Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Catalog.  It is such a realistic cardinal and such fun to color.  It was perfect for this weeks' Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  I'm hosting the "All About Occasions" challenge and I've been working on Christmas cards.

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, October 14th at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

WWC240 - Kath's "All About Occasions" Challenge

Hello and welcome to the next installment of the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  This week Kath is hosting our "All About Occasions" challenge.  We'd love to have you join us and share your project with us.

Usually by this time of the year, I have lots of my Christmas cards done but this year I didn't keep up with my demand.  ☺  So, now, I'm playing catch up and only have a few dozen more to go.  Here is one made with one of the new sets from the Stampin' Up! 2019 Holiday Catalog.  It's called God's Peace.  I heat embossed it on vellum using gold embossing powder and colored it with colored pencils.

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, September 30th at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

WWC205- Donna's Holidays "Around the World" Challenge

Hello and welcome back to Wednesday and the next challenge at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  This week, Donna, is hosting our Holidays "Around the World" challenge.  You will be amazed at the wonderful creations the team has shared.

This card is a simple one done with stamping and one die.  I love that Pine Bough Background from Taylored Expressions.  There is a matching die, too, and I love the different looks you can get with this set.  pine boughs are not just for Christmas.  The Merry Christmas Die from Cheapo Dies is one of my favorites.  It's intricate but so pretty.

 

Stamp Set:  Pine Bough Background (Taylored Expressions)

Ink:  Cilantro (Taylored Expressions)

Cardstock:  Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions); Real Red (Stampin' Up!)

Dies:  Merry Christmas Die (Cheapo Dies)

Other:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, January 28th at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Christmas at Sweet Stampin'

Hello everyone!  It's time for another challenge at the Christmas at Sweet Stampin' Challenge.  The challenge is always about Christmas, so every month you can make a Christmas card and have plenty in your stash come time to send them all out to your family and friends.  I love making my Christmas cards throughout the year.  It sure does eliminate the stress of making last minute cards.

Today is my last post for the Christmas at Sweet Stampin' Challenge as a member of the Design Team.  I'm sad to go but I have so much coming up that I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up.  I will miss you all on the team and you, the participants and your wonderful creations.

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Christmas at Sweet Stampin; Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Merry Branch

Hello and a Happy Friday to all of you!  Today I'm sharing a card I made using a new die from Cheapo Dies.  I'll be here every Friday to share a new die with you so I hope to see you again.  In the meantime, be sure to take time to check out all the different dies they have available.  I'm having so much fun with all of the dies I've been sharing over the last several weeks.  They are good quality and you can't beat the price.  I know you'll love them as much as I do.  You can see them HERE.

The die featured today is the Merry Branch.  I cut out four of the Merry Branch and glued them together since I wasn't going to be able to use foam tape.  It added just the right amount of dimension.  I used one of the negatives as a stencil and added a touch Coral Berry ink on the card front.  Then, I added the layered die-cut.  On each berry, I added a rhinestone I colored with a Copic marker.  Stamped a sentiment and viola! the card was done.  I love the clean and simple look of this.

Stamp Set:  Holiday Florals (Taylored Expressions)

Inks:  Coral Berry, Jet Black (Altenew)

Cardstock:  Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Dies:  Merry Branch (Cheapo Dies)

Other:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels (Stampin' Up!), Copic Marker R27

Merry Branch

To find out more about Cheapo Dies, be sure to click on the links below. 

Cheapo Dies Store

Cheapo Dies Blog

Cheapo Dies Facebook 

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

WWC198 - Gail's "All About Holidays" Challenge

Guess what?  Today is Wednesday is it's time for a new Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  This week Gail is hosting our "All About Holidays" challenge.  Most of the time I opt to make a Christmas card as I do send out quite a few and I love to get them all made before I really need them.  I love those poinsettias!

Stamp Sets:  Make It Merry, Merry Mail

Inks:  Cherry Pop, Oreo

Cardstock:  Cherry Pop, Sugar Cube

Dies:  Double-Ended Flag Stacklets, Merry Script, Merry Script Backer

Other:  Caramel Drizzle Designer Felt

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, December 5th at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha