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

Butterfly Love you

Remember that Lotus Blossom stamp set from Sale-A-Bration?  Remember the cool little tabs it had to help you align the images easily when you stamped them?  Well, have I got news for you!  The new Floral Wings Hostess stamp set has those same little tabs.  It makes it absolutely a breeze to stamp the flowers and leaves within the butterfly.  You have got to try it!

The vine from the Floral Wings stamp set is actually a bit curvy but the beauty of photopolymer stamps is you can change the orientation of some of them.  I straightened out the vine to eliminate the curves to make a picture frame for my Lost Lagoon butterfly.  This one is all stamping and a way to showcase the challenge colors with just a bit of embellishment with the rhinestones.  I love how it turned out.  I even managed to use all of the colors from the challenge.

Lydia Fiedler has a great video on how she uses the Floral Wings stamp set.  It's exactly how I stamped my images and it was so easy.  Just click on her name to watch her video.  Thanks, Lydia!

Stamp Sets:  Crazy about You, Floral Wings (sneak peek); Inks:  Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Tuxedo Black Memento; Card Stock:  Lost Lagoon, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer

The gorgeous colors I used are from the current Colour Me...! Challenge.

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

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

Pals Paper Arts 231

Here's another quick post for you today.  I'm on a roll getting projects done for some challenges.  I loved the colors from the current Pals Paper Arts challenge.  Funny thing is, I already had the Serene Silhouettes image stamped and the die cut done.  It's a watercolor wash using the challenge colors.  Now how cool is that!

Be sure to stop back this evening at 8 p.m. Central Time to take a tour of the Wacky Watercooler "Best of..." Blog Hop.  CASEing, retired and current projects are on tap for some great inspiration.

Stamp Sets:  Bloom with Hope, Serene Silhouettes; Inks:  Bermuda Bay, Pool Party, Soft Sky; Card Stock:  Bermuda Bay, Pool Party, Soft Sky, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Feathers Framelits Dies, Labels Collection Framelits Dies, Linen Thread, Silver Gelly Roll Pen, Thank You Set #4 Embossing Folder (Sizzix)

You can find the details for the Pals Paper Arts color challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #44

It's an 'anything goes' challenge for us this week at Sunday Christmas Card Challenges.  You get to choose the design and the colors.  I chose a clean and simple (CAS) design for this one.  I also used one of my favorite techniques.  I attached my squares of paper, stamped the sentiment, then used an embossing folder to dot up the whole layer.  I used one of my favorite retired stamp sets for the sentiment.

Stamp Set:  Heard from the Heart (retired); Ink:  Cherry Cobbler; Card Stock:  Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Trim the Tree; Accessories & Tools:  1" Square Punch, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

You can find the details for the Sunday Christmas Card Challenges HERE.  We do hope you will join in and share your projects with us.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Retro Sketches 133

A quick, short post for you today to share the card I made using the sketch from Retro Sketches.  I know, there is nothing like waiting until the last minute.  Considering I've had the card made for several days, I just can't figure that one out.  Anyway, here's my take on this weeks' sketch.  The sentiment was stamped on the inside since it is such a large one. 

Stamp:  Fancy Thank You (Hero Arts); Ink:  Blackberry Bliss; Card Stock:  Hello Honey, Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Corner Rounder, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Brights Buttons (retired), Rhinestone Basic Jewels

You can find the Retro Sketches 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

Paper Players 214 and Pals Paper Arts 220

My oldest son, Wayne, has a birthday coming up soon.  With his recent move back to Tennessee, I won't get to hand him his birthday card.  That meant I had to get it made and in the mail so he gets it on time.  The Paper Players CAS (Clean And Simple) Masculine Birthday challenge and the sketch from Pals Paper Arts were the perfect combination for his card. 

Stamp Sets:  Four You, Traveler; Ink:  Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Soft Suede, Whisper White, Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Circles Collection Framelits Dies, In Color Sequin Assortment, Dimensionals, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

You can find the sketch challenge from Pals Paper Arts HERE.

The masculine birthday card challenge from The Paper Players can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

I'm Taking the Day Off

But I wanted to share a very special picture with you.  It's one that is from an album that my dad gave to each of us for Christmas many years ago.  All of the pictures were taken by him and he found appropriate prose or poetry to tell the story of the photo image.  It's a wonderful album and a cherished treasure.

Today just happens to be the first day of Autumn and Iowa is totally gorgeous in the Fall.  I don't remember the exact location but this photo was taken somewhere near my aunt's farm.  The photo is old as it was taken sometime in 1960.

Enjoy your first day of Autumn and thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenge #43

Wow!  I don't know about you but this week has just seem to fly by!  Of course, it has been a busy one for me so maybe that explains it.  Anyway, it's time for another Sunday Christmas Card Challenge!  I loved the inspiration photo this week and made a cup of hot chocolate to share with you.  I'm sorry but I forgot the marshmallows!

Stamp Sets:  Christmas Bliss (for the sentiment), Holiday Home (for the snowflakes); Ink:  Early Espresso. Whisper White Craft Pad; Card Stock:  Early Espresso, Real Red, Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Stampin' Trimmer, SNAIL Adhesive, Dimensionals

You can find the Sunday Christmas Card Challenges inspiration photo HERE.  I do hope you will join us this week.

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

Wacky Watercooler September Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our September Wacky Watercooler Stamping Blog Hop.  It's time to show off the new Holiday Catalog and believe me when I say, you are going to love it!  It is full of great new products that you are just not going to want to do without!  :-)

You've arrived at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe from Priscilla Ivler's blog.  Didn't she have some great projects to share?  The creativity of my fellow Stampin' Up!® Demonstrators never ceases to amaze me.

My first project uses the new Four Feathers Stamp Set and the Feathers Framelits Dies from the Holiday Catalog.  While browsing the other day, I came across this card design and knew I wanted to CASE (Copy And Share Everything) it.  I'm afraid I forgot to write down the original designer's name but I do thank her for this great clean and simple design.

Stamp Sets:  For You, Four Feathers; Inks:  Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Soft Sky; Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  2013-2015 In Color Sequin Assortment, Crystal Effects, Corner Round

For my second project, another CASE, is a design I saw from Justin Krieger and totally fell in love with it.  It was all I could do to wait for my order to get here so I could make it.  The sentiment is from the Pictogram Punches Stamp Set.  Thanks, Justin, for the inspiration for this very cool card!

Stamp Sets:  Four Feathers, Pictogram Punches; Inks:  Elegant Eggplant, VersaMark; Card Stock:  Elegant Eggplant, Tangelo Twist, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Vellum; Accessories & Tools:  Confetti Stars Punch, Feathers Framelits Dies, Mustache Die, Chalk Talk Framelits Dies, Wild Wasabi Embossing Powder (retired), Dimensionals

With the cool days and nights we've had in Iowa lately, you know that Fall is fast approaching.  We are already seeing some color changes in the trees.  My next card uses the new For All Things Stamp Set from the Holiday Catalog.  I fussy cut three of the oak leaf images and made a fall leaf bouquet.  The colors I used are from the current Paper Players color challenge.  They are perfect for fall colors.

Stamp Sets:  For All Things, Gorgeous Grunge; Inks:  Always Artichoke, Baked Brown Sugar, Blackberry Bliss, Cajun Craze; Card Stock:  Cajun Craze, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Baked Brown Sugar, SNAIL Adhesive, Glue Dots, Blending Tool

You can find The Paper Players Color Challenge HERE.

Well, there you have it from me, now it's time to head over to see what Marie Green has in store for you.  Just click the button below to move forward.

To revisit Priscilla Ivler, you can click the button below to fall back.

To head back to where it all began, click the following button.  It will lead you to the Wacky Watercooler Stamping Blog.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

SU-Only Challenge 105 - Featuring Embellishments

As I sit here looking out my craft studio window, there is a blanket of fog giving a blurred version of the world outside my window.  With the official start of Autumn coming on Monday, I'm not surprised.  Fog seems to be more prevalent in the Fall than at any other time of the year.  Fall is also my favorite time of the year.  I love the crisp air and the changing colors of the trees.  Some of those pretty leaves made their way onto the card I designed for the SU-Only Challenges.  The challenge was to make a project using one of the embellishments found on pages 209 and 209 in the Stampin' UP!® Annual Catalog or similar types of products found in the Stampin' Up!® 2014 Holiday Catalog.  I used the Mini Brads from page 209.  You can find the SU-Only Challenge HERE.

The leaves and sentiment are from the new For All Things Stamp Set.  I fussy cut them, attached them to the Moonlight Designer Series Paper then, ran it through the Big Shot using the Decorative Dots Embossing Folder.   I love that Mossy Meadow Stitched Satin Ribbon!

Stamp Set:  For All Things; Inks:  Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Blackberry Bliss, Bake3d Brown Sugar, Tangelo Twist; Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Labels Collection Framelits Dies, 3/8" Mossy Meadow Stitched Satin Ribbon, 1/8" Mini Brads, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Be sure to stop back later to take a tour of the Wacky Watercooler September Blog Hop where we will feature holiday and Autumn projects inspired by the 2014 Holiday Catalog and the 2014-2015 Annual Catalog.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

RetroSketches #132

Have I told you how busy my week has been and it is only Wednesday.  I've been on the go since Sunday and not had a lot of time to spend in my craft studio.  It's late afternoon, I'm ready to put a movie in the DVD player, kick back and catch my breath.  It's not often I sit down and do a little of nothing but before I go I wanted to share a new card I made for the Retro Sketches challenge.

Stamp Sets:  Kinda Eclectic, Four You; Ink:  Basic Black; Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack, Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Elegant Butterfly Punch, Dazzling Details, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer

The Retro Sketches challenge can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenge #42

Hello and welcome.  It's an optional color challenge this week at Sunday Christmas Card Challenges.  Of course, the only real requirement for the challenge is to make a holiday or Christmas card.  I love those little houses and Santa flying through the night sky.  I am so looking forward to Christmas and all the hoopla that goes along with it!  What do you want Santa to bring you this year?  :-)

Stamp Set:  Holiday Home; Inks:  Smoky Slate, Night of Navy, Rich Razzleberry, Real Red, Blushing Bride; Card Stock:  Whisper White, All Is Calm Specialty Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Homemade Holiday Framelits Dies, Silver 1/8" Ribbon, Silver Dazzling Details, Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

You can find all the details for the Sunday Christmas Card Challenges HERE.  We would love to have you join us.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Pals Paper Arts #219

Okay, so I'm procrastinating.  I'll admit it!  I should be finishing up three sets of swaps I need to have done within the next two weeks.  Instead, I'm playing along with the great color challenge over at Pals Paper Arts.  I totally love these colors and, thanks to Angie Crockett, I have a wonderful single layer card design to CASE (Copy And Share Everything).   To see her card, you can visit her Body, Mind, Spirit, and STAMPS!

For my 'clouds,' I made a template using the Cloud Punch from My Digital Studio.  I printed it out then, cut around the clouds.  Using the cloud mask, I first sponged Crushed Curry over the entire area.  Then, sponged Cajun Craze to give the varying definitions of color.  I used Always Artichoke to stamp the image and sentiment from the For All Things stamp set found on page 41 of the 2014 Holiday Catalog.

Stamp Set:  For All Things; Inks:  Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry; Card Stock:  Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Sponge Dauber

Clean and simple and full of wonderful Fall colors. You can find the Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Green and Gold and Purple, Oh My!

A few months ago, someone asked me if I would help with invitations for a birthday party, to be held in February of next year, that had a Mardi Gras theme.  When I first saw Justin Krieger's card, it was perfect for the birthday invitation.  So, I knew I was going to CASE (Case And Share Everything) it.

I wanted the traditional colors of Mardi Gras and with a little research, I found those colors to be green, gold and purple.  I didn't have a current sentiment stamp that I liked for my card so, I dug out my retired Define Your Life.  It's one of the few sets that I have kept from those that have retired since I've been a Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator.

Stamp Set:  Four Feathers, Define Your Life (retired); Ink:  Elegant Eggplant; Card Stock:  Elegant Eggplant, Wild Wasabi, Gold Foil Sheets, Vellum; Accessories & Tools:  Confetti Stars Punch, Four Feathers Framelits Die, Mustache Framelits Die, Chalk Talk Framelits Dies, VersaMark, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, PEARLustre Amethyst Embossing Powder(non-Stampin' Up!®), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

All Stampin' Up!® Product unless otherwise noted.

This was a really fun card to make and I want to thank Justin for the inspiration.  Here is the card that Justin designed.  I love the black and orange he used.  Click on his name above or the photo below to see his blog post about his card.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

The Paper Players 212

Fall is my favorite time of the year.  I love the changing colors of the trees, the cool, crisp evenings and the huge beautiful harvest moons.  Consequently, I loved the challenge this week at The Paper Players.  It's a Happy Fall, Y'all theme challenge.

The leaves are from the new For All Things stamp set and I fussy cut them so they looked more 3-dimensional.  And, that tag...it's one of the little houses from the Holiday Home Framelits Dies. 

Stamp Set:  For All Things; Inks:  Baked Brown Sugar, Hello Honey, Real Red, Tangelo Twist; Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Circles Collection Framelits, Holiday Home Framelits, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Button (from my stash), Glue Dots, Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

All Stampin' Up!® Product unless otherwise noted.

You can find the inspiration photo from The Paper Players HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

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Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Post Stamping Cafe,

Marsha