What makes You Happy?

Cold is settling in back here in Iowa.  So, I'm doing more of what makes me happy, making cards and entering challenges.  It's a great way to while away the winter days.

For today's card, I used an Elegant Eggplant base.  The color layer on the left is from the new Perfectly Artistic Designer Series Paper found in the 2016 Sale-A-Bration Brochure.  I have to say I just love that paper.  To the right side, I added of layer of Whisper White that uses the new Splatter Embossing Folder from Taylored Expressions.  The sentiment on the center layer is from the Hello Life stamp set.  It's stamped in Crumb Cake.  To add a bit more color to the mostly Whisper White card front, I punch Elegant Eggplant flowers using the flower punch from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack.  For the final touch, I added Rhinestone Basic Jewels to the center of each little flower and to the bottom left corner.

The sketch I used is from Freshly Made Sketches.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Shades of Autumn

Fall has definitely come to Iowa.  Our daytime temperatures have been in the 60s and our nighttime temperatures have been in the 40s.  There is definitely a chill in the air and hints of even cooler weather yet to come.  It won't be long now and the leaves will really start to burst with color.  I'm hoping we have a lot of color this year.

Here is the card I made for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge.  I couldn't get the lighting just right and you can't see the shimmer mist well but it added just a wee bit of gold to the design.

Stamp Set:  For All Things; Inks:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso; Cardstock:  Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper Stack (retired), Crumb Cake, Delightful Dijon, Smoky Slate, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Assorted Leaves Dies (Darice), Crimper, Paper Snips, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Dimensionals, Gold Pearl Mist (Splash of Color).  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

The sketch I used is from Freshly Made Sketches.

The color inspiration came from Design Seeds.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Remembering

While not the traditional red, white and blue, I think the Lost Lagoon and Real Red colors from the Colour Me...! Challenge worked well for a tribute to those we remember each year on September 11th.  It's hard to believe that it has been 14 years.  As with many of you, I remember that day only too well.

Stamp Sets:  Flower Shop, Gorgeous Grunge, Wetlands (sentiment); Inks:  Lost Lagoon, Real Red;
Card Stock:  Real Red, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Bold Butterfly Framelits Dies, Pansy Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Pearl Basic Jewels, Glue Dots, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

The colors I used are from Colour Me...! Challenge.

The sketch I used is from Freshly Made Sketches.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping  Cafe,

Marsha

Monochromatic Butterfly

There is just time for a quick post before the next round of thunder storms rumble through.  I always shut things down and unplug the computer when there is lots of lightning.  It's just safer that way.  Please forgive my lousy photo taking.  I've not had the change to set up the light tent so the pictures come out a bit darker and less clear when taken at night.  I've been redoing my craft studio and changed my other mind about how the cabinets should be set up.  Remind me not to do that again.  :-)  Big chore but it's so worth it!

So, on to the card I made for the Colour Me...! Challenge and the Freshly Made Sketches.  I love being able to combine challenges.  With several birthdays on my calendar, I thought the monochromatic theme would make a beautiful birthday card.  What do you think?

Stamp Sets:  Bloom with Hope (retired), Kinda Eclectic, Swan Lake (Flourishes); Ink:  Mossy Meadow; Card Stock:  Mossy Meadow, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Elegant Butterfly Punch, Banner Punch, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Green Button (from my stash), Pearl Basic Jewels, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

The monochromatic theme I used is from the Colour Me...! Challenge.

The sketch I used is from Freshly Made Sketches.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Freshly Made Sketches #200 - It's A Celebration!

Woo!  Hoo!  One of my favorite challenges, Freshly Made Sketches, is celebrating their 200th sketch!  It has been so much fun to participate in their challenges and at times they have really challenged me.  I'm looking forward to the next 200 sketches!

For my card, I chose three of my favorite stamps sets, Butterfly Basics (sentiment), Floral Wings (vine and flowers) and Perpetual Birthday Calendar (butterflies).  Flowers, butterflies and pretty colors.  I think the candy dots and rhinestones just set it off.

Stamp Sets:  Butterfly Basics (sentiment), Floral Wings, Perpetual Birthday Calendar; Inks:  Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Perfect Plum, Wisteria Wonder; Card Stock:  Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Regals Candy Dots (Perfect Plum), Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Dimensionals, Stampin' Trimmer

You can find all the challenge details at Freshly Made Sketches.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Freshly Made Sketches #183

Well, I finally found some time to spend in my craft studio.  I've been doing some spring cleaning and that always means less time to craft.  Today's card found me using up scraps that have accumulated on my desk.  I love the Calypso Coral with the Night of Navy and I can't get enough of that Painted Petals stamp set.

It's late here, just after midnight, so I'm off to get some sleep.  I'm headed over to Perkins in the morning to enjoy some coffee and work on getting a whole bunch of cards addressed and in the mail.  I'm so far behind on thank yous and thinking of yous that it's going to be an all morning project.  Good thing Perkins has some mighty find coffee!

Stamp Sets:  Endless Birthday Wishes, Painted Petals; Inks:  Night of Navy, Wild Wasabi; Card Stock:  Calypso Coral, Night of Navy, Whisper White;  Accessories & Tools:  Square Lattice Embossing Folder (retired), All Is Calm Washi Tape (retired), Frosted Sequins (retired), Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Glue Dots, Stampin' Trimmer

The sketch I used is the one found at Freshly Made Sketches.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Lotus Blossom

It's been a rainy day here so I spent it in my craft studio working on Design Team projects, challenge projects and birthday cards.  So, I'm keeping this post very short and simply sharing a card I made for a couple of challenges.

Stamp Sets:  Key to Heaven (Our Daily Bread Designs) (sentiment), Lotus Blossom; Inks:  Perfect Plum, Wisteria Wonder, Pistachio Pudding, Pear Pizzazz, Tuxedo Black Memento; Card Stock:  Lost Lagoon, Whisper White, Soft Sky, Perfect Plum, Here & Now (Echo Park Paper); Accessories & Tools:  Modern Morocco (MFT), Lost Lagoon Buttons, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

The colors I used are from the current Our Daily Bread Designs Shining Light Challenge.

The sketch I used is from the current Freshly Made Sketches Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Through the Window

Today had me ending it with a very special treat!  My grandson, Nic, came over and had some supper with me while Dad went to check on one of his projects for work and Mom rode along.  It gave them a short kid break and gave Grandma a grandson fix.  It's been a few weeks since I've seen them so it did make my day!

As you may have seen lately, I'm going through a Spring, flowers and butterflies phase.  Today, the butterflies got a break but bright Spring colors and flowers made the lineup.  I can't wait to see flowers through my windows.  I'm thinking this will make a very nice thank you card.

Stamp Sets:  Best Day Ever, Painted Petals, Petal Potpourri; Inks:  Baked Brown Sugar, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Rose Red; Card Stock:  Baked Brown Sugar, Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper, Soft Sky, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Picture Window Die (Taylored Expressions), Extra-Large Oval Punch, 2013-2015 In Color Sequins, Pearl Basic Jewels, SNAIL Adhesive, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

The sketch I used is from the Freshly Made Sketches challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Current Hostess Code:  BDU2XPTT

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

Colour Me...! 50 Looks Good with Freshly Made Sketches 166

It's late here, or early, depending on how you look at it,  so I'm going to make this a rather short post.  I seem to be good at that lately, don't I?  Today I played along with two challenges, Colour Me...! and Freshly Made Sketches.  I think they look good together.  I also wanted to let you know that tonight at 8 p.m. Central Time, the Wacky Watercolor Blog Hop starts.  I'm know you're going to want to see all the great projects, so be sure to make a note to come see what we have in store for you.

Stamp Set:  Banner Blessings Photopolymer; Ink:  Night of Navy; Card Stock:  Brushed Silver, Night of Navy, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Lucky Stars Embossing Folder, Scallop Edge Border, 1/8" Silver Ribbon, Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, 2-Way Glue Pen

You can find the colors for the Colour Me...! Challenge HERE.

 The sketch from Freshly Made Sketches can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Freshly Made Sketches 165

Will wonders never cease!  My plans for today changed which means I have more time to play in the craft studio.  Do I need to tell you just how happy that makes me?  No?  I didn't think so.  :-)

It's a beautiful day here and the sun shining through my window makes me so thankful that my craft studio is such a bright, cheerful place.  The desk is right under the window with the craft table to the left of it and, well, you get the idea.  It's the perfect place to put me in a happy mood!

For today, I've used the great sketch from Freshly Made Sketches and I'm thinking ahead to the next big day we will celebrate, Valentine's Day.  The cut out heart makes a nice frame for the sentiment from the Banner Blessings Stamp Set.

Stamp Sets:  Banner Blessings, Gorgeous Grunge, Kinda Eclectic; Inks:  Pistachio Pudding, Rose Red, So Saffron; Card Stock:  Baby Girl Patterned Paper (DCWV), Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Elegant Butterfly Punch, Hearts Collection Framelits Dies, Pearl Basic Jewels, Dimensionals

The details for the Freshly Made Sketches can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Colour Me...! Creative Challenge 48 and Freshly Made Sketches 164

The Reed family had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I was so pleased to have my three sons all together this year.  Family fun, food, and football... it doesn't get any better than that!  My son, Matthew, and his wife, Michelle, hosted this year.  He makes a delicious champagne turkey.  There is never much left when we get done with it.  I'm still "stuffed" from yesterday!

Today I was back in the craft studio pairing up challenges for my card.  This one uses the colors from the Colour Me...! Creative Challenge and the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  Along with the new Banner Blessings Stamp Set, they all made for a rather pretty card.  I think it will be perfect to send to Matthew and Michelle for bringing us all together for Thanksgiving.

Stamp Set:  Banner Blessings; Ink:  Rose Red; Card Stock:  Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Adorbs (My Mind's Eye); Accessories & Tools:  Coastal Cabana Thick Baker's Twine, In Color Sequin, Dimensionals

The Colour Me...! Creative Challenge details can be found HERE.

You can find the Freshly Made Sketches challenge details HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

A Mustache Birthday

In just two short weeks my baby boy will be celebrating one of those milestone birthdays.  Yes, he will be forty!  As his mother, I'm finding it rather hard to believe that I am old enough to have three sons who have reached the forty year mark!  No, I am not old!  I just started having my little ones when I was a baby!  :-)  My boys are the joys of my life and I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of them.  I've watched them grow into wonderful men and I am so blessed to be their mother. 

I loved the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches.  As you can see, I flipped it so I could add three of the mustached die cuts. 

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Inks:  Island Indigo, Rich Razzleberry; Card Stock:  Island Indigo, Rich Razzleberry, Smoky Slate, All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack, Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Mustache Framelits Die, Baked Brown Sugar In Color Sequins, Dimensionals

  You can find all the details for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Freshly Made Sketches 160

Whew!  Time has definitely not been on my side these days.  It's a case of the hurriered I go the behinder I get.  :-)  The week has been filled with making birthday cards, designing my Design Team Christmas cards for Christmas Card Challenges and the cards for my upcoming Christmas Card Aplenty Class.  I need a vacation!  Not really, it just sounded (is that a word?) good.  I love the creative outlet card making gives me.

Today's card was made using the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  It worked perfectly for a masculine card that I needed.  Circles and dots do abound here.

Stamp Set:  Four You; Ink:  Basic Gray; Card Stock:  Basic Gray, Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Chalk Talk Framelits Dies, 1" Circle Punch, Frosted Sequins, SNAIL Adhesive, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

You can find the Freshly Made Sketches challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Freshly Made Sketches 159

Today's card uses the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches and some of the "scraps" that have been laying around my craft table.  I thought it was time to use some of them up and this is what happens when you use what's on hand.  The sentiment comes from the Beauty of the Season stamp set and, although it's technically it's one of our Christmas stamps, I think this sentiment is great for a non-Christmas card.  What say you?

Stamp Sets:  Flower Shop, Kinda Eclectic, Beauty of the Season; Inks:  Coastal Cabana, Blackberry Bliss, Perfect Plum; Card Stock:  Whisper White, Real Red; Accessories & Tools:  Labels Collection Framelits Dies, Pansy Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Stampin' Trimmer

You can find the Freshly Made Sketches challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

FMS157 Pairs Up With CMCC41

Okay, who turned off the heat!  According to my local weather station, it's only 52 degrees out there and overcast and just plain gloomy.  Well, at least it's not snowing... yet!  I'm so glad I can stay inside, turn on the heat and enjoy the pretty view of color changing leaves from my studio window.  Staying inside also gives me more time to craft so today I made this card for Freshly Made Sketches and the Colour Me...! Challenge.

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink:  Cherry Cobbler; Card Stock:  Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Flower Punch Board (We R Memory Keepers), Antique Brad, Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip

All Stampin' Up!® Product unless otherwise noted.

You can check out the Freshly Made Sketches HERE.

You can find the Colour Me...! Challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Freshly Made Sketches 155

It has been a cloudy, rainy, cold and gloomy day here in Iowa.  As much as I love Autumn, I prefer the sunny days of fall.  To cheer myself up, I made a springlike card for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  It also gave me the opportunity to use up some paper scraps that were laying around.  I love it when that happens.  The pretty Strawberry Slush flower is an extra left over from another project and it looks so good with the  flowered paper from the All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack. 

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink:  Mossy Meadow; Card Stock:  Daffodil Delight, Mossy Meadow, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White, All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack, Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack Scallop Circle (retired), Pistachio Pudding Thick Baker's Twine, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals

I loved the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  There is still time for you to play along, too.  You can find all the details HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Freshly Made Sketches 154 Meets Fab Friday 50

Combining challenges is something I really enjoy doing, usually because I have a  deadline and one challenge will close before the other but I want to play along.  With Design Team obligations for Christmas Card Challenges, upcoming events to prep for and custom orders coming in, it's no wonder I like the two for one.  It simplifies my life and still keeps me creating all of the time.

Today's card comes from the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and the colors from Fab Friday, two of my favorite challenges.  It's been a while since I used my Beautiful Wings Embosslits and I was in the mood for some pretty butterflies.

Stamp Set:  Four You; Ink:  Tuxedo Black Memento; Card Stock:  Whisper White, Gold Foil Sheets; Accessories & Tools:  Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Watercolor Wonder Washi Tape (retired), Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

The sketch challenge from Freshly Made Sketches can be found HERE.

The color challenge from Fab Friday can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Pals Paper Arts 218 and Freshly Made Sketches 152

You know how I love to combine challenges, right?  Well, this week these two challenges were made for each other!  The color challenge at Pals Paper Arts and the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches come together wonderfully.  Add the images from the For All Things Stamp Set found in the new Holiday Catalog and you have a clean and simple Autumn card.

Today was the first day I felt like being in my craft studio.  It's been a sad week for me as my 83 year old friend who lived across the hall from me passed away last Saturday.  I didn't want to make a sympathy card so I went with a Fall card.  I will miss him.  He loved the cards I make so this is a tribute to Bill.  I know he is again with his wife and happy now.

Stamp Set:  For All Things; Inks:  Blackberry Bliss, Crumb Cake, Hello Honey; Card Stock:  Blackberry Bliss, Crumb Cake, Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Corner Rounder Punch, Large Oval Punch, Stampin' Trimmer, SNAIL Adhesive, Dimensionals

All Stampin' Up!® Product unless otherwise noted.

The Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge can be found HERE.

The Freshly Made Sketches Challenge can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Freshly Made Sketches 151 and Color Throwdown 307

It's been a while since I've contributed to the Color Throwdown Challenge so I combined it with the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches.  I don't recall ever using Pacific Point and Crushed Curry together but I do like the effect.  While my creating time has been a bit limited lately, I finally had a chance to play with some of my new product.  The little die I used for the leaves came with a magazine I recently purchased.

I didn't add a sentiment because, at this time, I don't know if it will be a birthday, thinking of you or thank you card.  It's one of those cases where when I need it, it will fit.  :-)

Stamp Sets:  Beautiful Bunch, Kinda Eclectic; Inks:  Pacific Point, Crushed Curry; Card Stock:  Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Arrows Embossing Folder, Fun Flower Punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Dazzling Details, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Dimensionals, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Floral Die (unknown)

All Stampin' Up!® Product unless otherwise noted.

The colors for the Color Throwdown Challenge can be found HERE.

The sketch from Freshly Made Sketches Challenge can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha