Feathered Hello

One of the things I've been doing is keeping busy making cards to send to family and friends.  I can't see them so the next best thing is to send them a special note to let them know I'm thinking of them.  It's hard for all of us to be away from each other.

Today found me playing along with a couple of challenges.  The theme from the Just Us Girls Challenge gave me the perfect opportunity to use one of my new Mini Delight:  Strength stamp set from Altenew.  It's one of their mini stamp and die combos and I love the feather outline and the little stamp that colors just the tip of the feather.  The colors of pink, gray, green and Kraft, from the Color Throwdown Challenge, worked well for the feathers. 

I've entered my card into the following challenges.  For the challenge details, click the image(s) below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Products Used

Mini Delight:  Strength stamp set from Altenew

Hello stamp from Taylored Expressions

Toffee, Pink Champagne and Lime Zest inks from Taylored Expressons

Jet Black ink from Altenew

Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick cardstock from Stampin' Up!

Mini Delight:  Strength Die and Rounded Rectangles Die Set from Altenew

Drip Drops from Taylored Expressions

Just For You

Well, there is nothing like making a card for a couple of challenges, then thinking you have linked it up to those challenges and realizing you haven't.  So, it's going to be a short post today as challenges are closing soon.

I think it was probably the snow that fell on us yesterday.  We got a couple of inches here in the valley and now the Sierra Nevada Mountins surrounding us are covered with snow again.  It's beautiful against the blue sky and the sunshine.

In looking through my cards, I saw that I need to replenish my supply of thinking of your cards for the guys in my life.  I think this one will do nicely. 

The sketch I used is from the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

The colors I used are from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Products Used

Altenew's Gradient Sunset Stamp Set

Stampin' Up! Inks in Melon Mambo, Cookie Monster and Crumb Cake

Stampin' Up! cardstock in Crumb Cake and Whisper White

Altenew's Gradient Sunset Dies

A Big Hug

Today I'm sharing a card I made for another couple of challenges.  The CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge and The Color Throwdown Challenge.  It's been a while since I've been able to play along with them and the sketch and colors combined together beautifully.

Stamp Set(s):  Leaf Canopy (Altenew); Simple Strips Background (Taylored Expressions)

Ink(s):  Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather (Stampin' Up!); Jet Black (Altenew)

Cardstock:  Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)

Patterned Paper:  Perennial Essence Specialty Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!)

Dies:  Simple Strips Die (Taylored Expressions)

Other:  Jelly Donut Enamel Dots (Taylored Expressions); Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen

The sketch I used is from the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

The colors I used are from The Color Throwdown Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Floral Thanks

Just a quick post for you tonight as it's late and I'm fading fast.  It's been a long day but a productive one.  Now it's time to share the card I made for the Color Throwdown Challenge and then get myself to bed.  I had a lot of fun playing with some new stamps and dies.  I love the bright colors and cheerful flowers.

Stamp Sets:  Floral Elements, Rustic Linen (Altenew)

Inks:  Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Coastal Cabana (Stampin' Up!); Poppy Seed, Cookie Monster (Taylored Expressions)

Cardstock:  Oreo, Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions)

Dies:  Floral Elements Die (Altenew); Thanks Die (Taylored Expressions)

The colors I used for today's card 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

Happy Birthday!

You know, sometimes when life throws me a curve, the best thing I can do is spend time in my craft room.  Making cards is therapy for me and I always come away with a much better perspective.  The result of my therapy is this pretty poppy card I made for the Color Throwdown Challenge.

Stamp Set:  Painted Poppy (Altenew); Beautiful Birthday (Stampin' Up!)

Inks:  Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!); Oreo Hybrid (Taylored Expressions)

Cardstock:  Sugar Cube

Dies:  Painted Poppy Die (Altenew); Cross-stitched Rectangle Dies (Unknown)

Other:  Copper Embossing Powder (Stampin' Up!); Jewels (Bead Landing)

Today's card was made using the colors 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

Daisy Thank You

Today I'm playing along with the Color Throwdown Challenge.  It's been a while since I've done so and I loved the colors they had for this challenge.  I decided to do a one layer card so the first thing I did was emboss the image of my Big Blooms - Daisy from Taylored Expressions with white embossing powder.  Then, I used my Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks to watercolor it.  I was pleasantly surprised that the Crumb Cake cardstock from Stampin' Up! held up to the water as well as it did.  The sentiment is actually stamped in Basic Gray ink but it looks black in the photo.  I love those oxide inks.

Stamp Sets:  Big Blooms - Daisy (Taylored Expressions), Background Bits - sentiment (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Basic Gray; Distress Oxide Inks:  Black Soot, Peeled Paint, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Cardstock:  Crumb Cake; Other:  Whisper White Embossing Powder (Stampin' Up!)

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

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #248

Hello and welcome to another sketch from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  Today's sketch said it was perfect for a thank you card, of which I need quite a few.  I'm behind in sending out cards to family and friends who helped me through my recent surgery.  And, it was perfect for the color challenge over at the Color Throwdown Challenge.

To follow the colors of the challenge, I used Crumb Cake (Stampin' Up!), Soft Sky (Stampin' Up!) and Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions) cardstock.  It's a Crumb Cake base with a layer of Sugar Cube and I followed through with it for the squares cut from the Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!)  The flowers and the little sprig, were cut out of Crumb Cake and Soft Sky cardstock using the Bloomers 4 Dies (Taylored Expressions) and the Flower Box Sprigs & Flowers Dies (Taylored Expressions).  The sentiment is a stamp I received from Taylored Expressions as a thank you when I placed an order.  It was the perfect size for the area available to stamp.  And, for the finishing touches, I added some Soft Sky Twine and blue sequins.

I'm very pleased with the way the sketch and the colors all came together to make such a clean and simple thank you card.    

For all the 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.

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 in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Silver Thanks

There's nothing like waiting until the last minute to get a card made and challenges entered.  I'm not usually a procrastinator and I really can't say that's what happened here.  I've just got a lot going on and haven't had a lot of time to spend in my craft room.

When looking for my silver paper, it suddenly occurred to me that I didn't have any.  I'd used up the last of it on another project quite some time ago and it never made it to my shopping list.  So, I had to improvise.  I stamped the background image from the You've Got This stamp set using VersaMark and heat embossed it using Silver Embossing Powder then, cut it out.  It's not completely filled in as that background is not a solid one.  I rather like the way it looks with just a wee bit of white peeking through.

Stamp Set:  You've Got This (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  VersaMark; Cardstock:  Marina Mist, Soft Sky, Sugar Cube; Dies:  Hills Die Set (Your Next Stamp), Thanks Die (Taylored Expressions); Other:  Silver Embossing Powder

The sketch I used is from the CAS Colours & Sketches 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.  The colors are blue, light blue and silver.  Fun colors for me as blue is my favorite color and silver has always been my preference.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

You Make Me Smile

Well, today dawned bright and sunny and I dawned with the start of a cold.  I'm so not happy but to make things better, I headed for my craft room for some therapy.  No matter how lousy I feel, I always find comfort creating.

Today, I combined the sketch from the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge with the colors from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  The colors were rust, green, orange and aqua so I pulled out my Cajun Craze, Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie and Pool Party.  The Pumpkin Pie is hard to see but it is on the center of each flower.  I think the glitter gems covered too much of it up but you can see some of it peeking out.  I really like the way this came together.

Stamp Sets:  Colorful Seasons (Stampin' Up!), Delightful Daisies (Heartfelt Creations); Inks:  Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Timber Brown StazOn, Wild Wasabi; Cardstock:  Pool Party, Sugar Cube; Other:  Chicken Wire Embossing Folder (Taylored Expressions), Delightful Daisy Dies (Heartfelt Creations), Glitter Gems (Triveni Crafts), Stitched Rectangle Stacklets Dies (Taylored Expressions)

The sketch I used is from the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the images below.

The colors I used are from the Color Throwdown 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

Thank You

It's been a beautiful day here today and I had so much to do inside that I didn't get a chance to enjoy outside.  That's just the way it sometimes goes.  I did find time between everything else on my list to make this card for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and the Color Throwdown Challenge.  I rather like the way it turned out.

Stamp Sets:  Background Bits, Papillon Potpourri; Inks:  Basic Black Archival, Raspberry Ripple; Stampin' Write Marker:  Daffodil Delight; Cardstock:  Crushed Cucumber, Daffodil Delight, Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White; Patterned Paper:  5th Avenue 6x6 Paper Pad; Other:  Bitty Butterfly Punch, Bloomers 4 Dies (Taylored Expressions, Rhinestone Basic Jewels.  Stampin' Up! product unless otherwise noted.

The sketch I used is from the Atlantic Hearts 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

Hot Pink Butterfly

Talk about a fun card to make!  We have sunshine and blue skies so what could be more perfect than to create a bright, beautiful butterfly card.  I've finally dug out my stencils and modeling paste and have been adding more dimensional to my designs.  While this stencil is called Mini Bubbles, I thought it made a lovely flower for this butterfly to hover over.  The purple, mint green, hot pink and teal colors from the Color Throwdown Challenge all blended together well and made for a very nice background for the stenciled imaged.

One thing I have found using the Clarity Stencil Brushes, is that the colors are always much lighter and a bit softer then they really are.  The colors I used for the background are Perfect Plum for the purple, Mint Macaron for the mint, Melon Mambo for the hot pink and Bermuda Bay for the teal.  The butterfly was stamped using Strawberry Shortcake from Taylored Expressions.  When I tried it with the Melon Mambo, it came out way too dark.  Believe when I say, this butterfly is much prettier than the other one.

Stamp Sets:  Wetlands-sentiment (Stampin' Up!), Simply Stamped Butterflies (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Mint Macaron, Perfect Plum (all Stampin' Up!); Cardstock:Whisper White, Mint Macaron (both Stampin' Up!); Other:  Mini Buble Stencil (Balzer Designs at Crafter's Workshop), Simply Stamped Butterflies Dies (Taylored Expressions), Light Modeling Paste (Liquitex)

The colors I used are from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  They are fantastic colors and I had fun creating the background using my Clarity Stencil Brushes and adding some Modeling Paste.

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

Happy Birthday

Well, so much for good intentions.  My day was to be spent continuing to sort and re-organize my craft room.  As you can see by the card below, this is how I did that.  What can I say?  Those scraps laying on my desk were just too inviting.  Here's the birthday card I made for the Color Throwdown Challenge using those bits and pieces.

Stamp Sets:  Simply Stamped - Butterflies (Taylored Expressions), Beautiful Birthday (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Emerald Envy, Smoky Slate (both Stampin' Up!); Cardstock:  Emerald Envy, Smoky Slate, Whisper White (all Stampin' Up!); Other:  Simply Stamped - Butterflies Dies (Taylored Expressions), Ariana Sprig Die (Memory Box), White Blizzard Glitter Drops (Nuvo), Rhinestones

The colors I used are from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  I wasn't sure there were green butterflies but I googled it and sure enough, there are many and some are quite beautiful.

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

Thanks

So much to do and so little time in which to do it.  Here is a clean and simple card that was another of my rainy day projects.  Hopefully, by the time this one goes live, the rain will have stopped and gone away.  I'm so ready for some warm temperatures and sunshine.

Stamp Set:  Jar of Love - sentiment (Stampin Up); Ink:  Cucumber Crush; Cardstock:  Cucumber Crush, Elegant Eggplant, So Saffron, Whisper White; Other:  Postage Stamp Stacklets Dies (Taylored Expressions), Bloomers 4 Dies (Taylored Expressions), White Blizzard Glitter Drops (Nuvo), Martha Stewart Scalloped Punch

The White Blizzard Glitter Drops by Nuvo don't show up well in the full card photo so here is a close up.  They look just like glittery clear enamel dots. I also added it to the center of the flower to give the green some sparkle.

The sketch I used is from the CAS Colours & Sketches 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 in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Freshly Made Sketches 168 Loves Color Throwdown 324

With Valentine's Day just over a month away and because it is just to frigid outside for me to want to even go any where, I'm almost done with the cards I plan to send to family and friends.  How's that for being ahead of the game!  This is a very clean and simple design and while you can see it in the photo, the white heart is raised to give just a bit of dimension to the card.  I love that new Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper Stack!  Check it out in the new 2015 Occasions Catalog.

Stamp Set:  Delightful Dozen (retired); Ink:  Real Red; Card Stock:  Red Glimmer Paper, Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools: Hearts Collection Framelits Dies, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

The sketch and more inspiration from Freshly Made Sketches can be found HERE.

The color challenge and more inspiration from Color Throwdown can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Color Throwdown 323 Along With Retro Sketches 145

It's a quick post today since I have to make an unexpected trip over to my youngest son's.  When I drove to my doctor's appointment today, the heater fan would not turn on.  It wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't been around 18 degrees Fahrenheit!  I was just a wee bit frozen by the time I got there and back.  Good thing the windows didn't fog over.  So, here is my card for today.

With so many Christmas gifts go get made, I've rather neglected my regular blog post schedule.  Today I combined a couple of challenges to make a birthday card that I know I'm going to need in a few weeks.  Funny, it's not like I don't have enough made but something peaks your interest and away you go, making something new.  Don't you just love it!

The colors for my card came from the Color Throwdown Challenge and the sketch is from Retro Sketches Challenge.  I loved the colors and the sketch just made it all come together.  They are two challenges that are a joy to follow.

Stamp Set:  Bloom with Hope; Inks:  Baked Brown Sugar, Calypso Coral; Card Stock:  Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Scallop Edge Border Punch, 2014-2015 In Color Sequins, Pearl Basic Jewels, Glue Dots

All Stampin' Up!® Products unless otherwise noted.

You can find the colors and the details for the Color Throwdown Challenge HERE.

The sketch and the details for the Retro Sketches Challenge can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Color Throwdown 321 and A Sneak Peak

Today I get to tease you will a preview of a new stamp set called One Tag Fits All that is in the new 2015 Occasions Catalog.  It's coming in January and it is full of absolutely wonderful "stuff!"    Wednesday night was the Catalog Kickoff Event and it's the stamp set we were given for attending the event.  You are going to love the new catalog and the new Sale-A-Bration catalog.  They both launch on January 6th.

With a full schedule, I'm going to keep this short so I can get my Christmas cards addressed, my blog hop projects done (it starts December 11 at 8 p.m.), get my card made for the Design Team at Sunday Christmas Card Challenges, enter more challenges and of course, get those Christmas gifts made.  Whew!  I'm tired all ready.  I do have to say, I love this time of year.

Stamp Set:  One Tag Fits All; Inks:  Early Espresso, VersaMark; Card Stock:  Early Espresso, Whisper White, Gold Foil Sheets, Silver Glimmer Paper, Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels, In Color Sequins, Heat & Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals

You can find the Color Throwdown Challenge details HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

MOJO366 along with CTD313

Let me just say it's been a rough week evidenced by my lack of posting here.  Migraines are no fun but a migraine due to caffeine withdrawal is extremely painful.  Yes, I love my coffee and I'm happy to say I'm back swigging that wonderful stuff and feeling quite perky!  :-)  Enough so I was able to get a card done for a couple of challenges.  Mojo Monday has a great sketch and using the colors from Color Throwdown proved to be rather interesting.  I just didn't know how to make them look good together.  Here is what I finally decided on so you be the judge.

The pineapple is part of my brass collection.  I love to collect the stuff and I love the patina of unpolished brass.  Actually, I find that interesting given the fact that I love sparkle and shine.   All I do is wipe them off with a microfiber cloth and that's it. 

Stamp Sets:  Bloom with Hope, Four You; Inks:  Daffodil Delight, Perfect Plum, Tangerine Tango; Card Stock:  Daffodil Delight, Perfect Plum, Tangerine Tango, Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer

The Mojo Monday Card Sketch Challenge can be found HERE.

The Color Throwdown Challenge can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha