Flowered Cake

It's a beautiful here in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  The sky is blue, the sun is shining and the snow is on the mountain tops.  Actually, there is more snow to come this weekend but at this time of year it will most likely stay on those mountain tops.  I have to say that does not bother me one bit.

Today's card was a bit of an experiment.  I tried to do some blending to show the different levels that are in the sketch below.  I did change to order of color from light to dark versus the dark to light in the sketch.  I think it worked.  The transition between colors is subtle but there.  I took a piece of Rococo Rose and ran it through the crimper after I had cut it out using the Rounded Rectangle Dies from Altenew.  Then, I sponged the edges with some Mulled Wine ink from Taylored Expressions.  The cake die cut was one in my stash.  I had stamped and colored several, cut them all out and had them ready to go when I needed them.  It's the Happy Birthday To You stamp set and the Birthday Dies from Stampin' Up!  For the finishing touch, I added a few clear gems that I had left over from a Paper Pumpkin Kit.

As of yet, I've not added a sentiment because I don't know if it will be a birthday, thinking of you or just a note card to send to someone.  And, you never know, I just might not add a sentiment.

Stamp Set(s):  Happy Birthday To You (Stampin' Up!)

Ink(s):  Strawberry Shake, Guava, Mulled Wine, Oreo (Taylored Expressions)

Stampin' Write Markers:  Rich Razzleberry, Blackberry Bliss, 

Curshed Curry, Wild Wasabi (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock:  Flirty Flamingo, Rococo Rose, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)

Patterned Paper:  Floral Romance Specialty Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!)

Die(s):  Rounded Rectangle Dies (Altenew); Birthday Dies (Stampin' Up!)

Other:  Clear Gems

The photo above shows the different levels of color a bit better.  These color blended together so well that, as I said, the transition between them is subtle.

The sketch I used is from the Paper Players Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

The theme I used is from The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Thinking of You

It's just a clean and simple stand of trees.  It's been snowing on and off here today so I spent the day in my craft room, watching it snow while I made a few more cards.  The sketch is from The Paper Players Challenge and the theme of 'trees' is from The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge.   I really like how this all came together.  Simple, easy and a card I can send to one of my grandsons.

Stamp(s):  Colorful Seasons (Stampin' Up!)
Ink(s):  Shaded Spruce (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock:  Shaded Spruce, Whisper White, Gray Granite (Stampin' Up!)
Patterned Paper:  Feels Like Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Evergreens Die (Taylored Expressions)
Other:  Subtles Embossing Folder (Stampin' Up!); Icy Sparkle Crystals (Studio Katia)

Here's another view of the card.  I did run the trees through the Subtles Embossing Folder from Stampin' Up!  It gave the trees just a wee bit of texture and made them look less flat.

I'm entering my card in the following challenges:

The Paper Players Challenge

The Sisterhood of Crafters

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Wishing You a Day

It's another day and time for another challenge.  The Paper Players Challenge had a wonderful inspiration photo this week and I just had to play along.  I love the colors found in it.

It's a clean and simple challenge but I think I got carried away.  There is a lot of navy showing so maybe that will be acceptable.  I do love this stamp set and the images it has.  It was fun to stamp and die-cut and put it all together.

Stamp(s):  Simple Flowers (Altenew); Woven Heirlooms (Stampin' Up!
Ink(s):  Seaside Spray, Granny Apple Green, Purple Posy, Highland Heather, Mint Macaron, Gorgeous Grape (Stampin' Up!); VersaMark
Cardstock:  Night of Navy, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Simple Flowers Die (Altenew)
Other:  Arctic White Ultra-Fine Embossing Powder, Faceted Gems

And here's a close up of that wonderful sentiment from the Woven Heirlooms stamp set.  I do so love that font.  It's such pretty cursive. 

The Paper Players have a Clean and Simple themed challenge with color influence from the North Pole.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Some Things

Today I had the chance to play along with two of my favorite challenges.  The Retro Rubber Challenge and The Paper Players Challenge.  The two combined beautifully to make this pretty silhouette.

The stamp set is Just Believe from Stampin' Up!  It's from 2010 and one of the first stamps sets I purchased when I became a demonstrator.  It's been a while since it has seen ink but it remains one of my favorites.

The colors I used are Bermuda Bay, Gorgeous Grape and Granny Apple Green from Stampin' Up! and used my blending brushes to add the color the the white cardstock.  For the silhouette and sentiment I used Jet Black ink from Altenew.  It's an overcast day here in the Sierra Nevada which means that photos in natural light won't be true to color.  The colors are much more vibrant in real life.  For the finishing touch, I added some rhinestone gems.  It's a great way to cover halos that just don't work in the design.

I've entered my card in the "anything goes" Retro Rubber Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

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

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Happy Birthday in Stitches

Rain and snow and ice, oh my!  Yes, that is what is on the weather agenda for me tonight, tomorrow and Saturday.  I am so ready for spring to get here.  I want sunshine and blue skies and windows open to let in the fresh air.  In the meantime, I'm playing along with challenges and keeping myself busy.

You know, I do love to sew but haven't done so in years.  I actually sold my high-end Pfaff sewing machine machine that did everything but the dishes and bought a simple, easy to use Brother sewing machine.  Sigh...I've never used it.  I think it's time to get it out of the closet and learn how to use it.  I want some new clothes for spring and I only have two huge totes full of fabric.  I think a new wardrobe is in the making!  

Stamp Set:  Sew Happy (The Craft's Meow); Inks:  Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!), Faded Jeans, Gathered Twigs, Vintage Photo (all Tim Holtz); Cardstock:  Chocolate Chip, Whisper White (both Stampin' Up!), Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions); Dies:  Sewing Elements Dies (Spellbinders), Stitched Rectangle Stacklets (Taylored Expressions); Other:  Harvest Sequins (Taylored Expressions), Mellow Ribbon (BasicGrey)

The theme is I used is from The Paper Players Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

I'm also entering my card in the Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies 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

Birds in Flight

It isn't often that I can combine three challenges all on one card.  I really like this clean and simple design and, after the day I've had, it was nice to have something go just the way I planned it.  In an already full day, others decided I needed to add more to my agenda.  Suffice it to say that I got it all done, survived the heat of the day and I'm taking the rest of the evening off.  I'm just here long enough to share my card with you.

Stamp Sets:  Background Bits - sentiment, Delicate Details, High Tide - birds, In the Meadow (all Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Night of Navy; Distress Oxide Inks:  Faded Jeans, Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint (Ranger - Tim Holtz); Cardstock:  Watercolor Paper (Strathmore), Whisper White Thick (Stampin' Up!)

The theme of birds is from The Paper Players Challenge. The line of birds flying through the air gave just the right finishing touch to my design.

For the summer theme at the CAS Watercolour Challenge, I tried to give the illusion of the trees swaying in the breeze.  So, no, it's not suppose to look blurry, just windy.

The sketch I used is from the Retro Rubber Challenge.  I loved the simplicity of the sketch.  The stamp I used that is older than one year is In the Meadow which was featured in the 2016 Occasions Catalog.

So glad you stopped by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

An Oxide Ink Background

Today finds me combining challenges and playing with my new Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks.  It's my first chance to do so since I purchased them.  They are a lot of fun.  I love that you can keep adding layers of color until you get the look you want or like best.  You have to dry them between applications to keep them from turning muddy but it's so worth the effort.

Stamp Set: Thankful Life - sentiment (Stampin' Up!); Distress Oxide Inks:  Faded Jeans, Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick (Tim Holtz by Ranger); Ink:  Dapper Denim (Stampin' Up!); Cardstock:  Dapper Denim, Shimmery White, Whisper White (all Stampin' Up!); Other:  Postage Stamp Stacklets (Taylored Expressions), Sequins

The sketch from The Paper Players Challenge was perfect for making my own background layer.  At first I wasn't so sure about it but kept adding layers of color and I finally had a background I liked. 

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

Adding a Taylored Expressions Postage Stamp Stacklets die-cut, which is part of The Male Room Challenge, let me showcase that great sentiment from the Thankful Life stamp set by Stampin' Up!  A few sequins and perfect guy card is created.

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

Blossoms and Butterfly

The sky is blue, the sun is shining and I'm in my craft room where I combined three challenges to make this clean and simple thinking of you card.  A day doesn't get any better than this! 

Stamps:  Jar of Love (Stampin' Up!), Simply Stamped - Butterflies (Taylored Expressions); Inks: Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Delightful Dijon, Pool Party, Smoky Slate (all Stampin' Up!); Cardstock:  Smoky Slate, Whisper White (both Stampin' Up!); Other:  Simply Stamped - Butterflies Dies (Taylored Expressions), Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!), Everyday Jars Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!), Sequins, Clarity Stencil Brushes

The clean and simple butterflies theme I used is from The Paper Players Challenge.   I love the Simply Stamped - Butterflies stamp set and dies from Taylored Expressions.  It has so many wonderful butterfly images from which to choose.

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

The sketch I used is from the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge.  I loved the simplicity of the sketch.  I don't often use squares in my designs, but the Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies from Stampin' Up! were perfect for the square layer.

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

The colors I used are from the Sunday Stamps Challenge.  Such pretty colors for this color challenge.  I used five of the colors but two of them looked different when I printed the graphic out so they are more in the yellow family than the green family.  The Bermuda Bay, Pool Party, Delightful Dijon and Crushed Curry inks from Stampin' Up! all worked so well together.

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

Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #98

Kath picked some great colors for her color challenge this week at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges.  I didn't have any silver paper so I cut out the flower from the Sunshine Wishes Dies, covered it with VersaMark and heat embossed it with Silver Embossing Powder.  I also dug out my retired Square Lattice Embossing Folder and used it for the first time in quite a while.

When I saw the colors for the current challenge at The Paper Players, I knew my card would fit theirs' as well.  A silver flower and gold butterflies all on white make for a pretty card, don't you think?

Stamp Set:  Sunshine Sayings; Ink:  Early Espresso; Cardstock:  Whisper White; Other:  Sunshine Wishes Dies, Square Lattice Embossing Folder (retired), Silver Metallic Thread, Decorative Label Punch

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit Watercooler Wednesday Challenges by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, December 19th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link your project.

My card is also entered in The Paper Players Challenge. For all the challenge details, click the image below.

 
Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

The Paper Players #233

It's been a day full of new cards and multiple posts.  Now I'm ready to sit back, watch a movie or read a book and relax.

I made this card for The Paper Players Challenge.  I loved the sketch from Sandy!  I used the Blossom Punch to punch out the card front then, added the flower to the inside of the card that I punched from the Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper.  And, yes, that is a real feather.  I had picked it up quite some time ago and it's been laying on my desk ever since.  When I saw the sketch, I knew it would be perfect for my card.

Be sure to stop back tonight at 8 p.m. Central Standard Time to tour the newest Wacky Watercooler Stamping Blog Hop.  You'll want to see all the fantastic projects everyone will be sharing.

Stamp Set:  Bloom with Hope (sentiment); Ink:  Coastal Cabana; Card Stock:  Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper, Pool Party, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Blossom Punch, Coastal Cabana Thick Baker's Twine, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Dimensionals, Paper Snips, Stampin' Trimmer

The sketch I used is from the current Paper Players Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Current Hostess Code:  BDU2XPTT

Bird in a Gilded Cage

Just have time for a quick post tonight.  Tuesday nights are my night to watch my favorite TV programs.  I'm not a big TV watcher but Tuesdays have it!  I love the challenge over at The Paper Players.  It gave me a chance to use my Tim Holtz Caged Bird die.  It's one I've not used before even though it's been out for a while.  I actually won it in a contest when I worked at Archiver's.

Clean, simple and singing those wishes out to everyone!  

Stamp:  Butterfly Basics (sentiment); Inks:  Early Espresso, Tumbled Glass (Tim Holtz), Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz); Card Stock:  Gold Foil Sheets, Sunshine Paper Pad (My Mind's Eye), Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Caged Bird Die (Tim Holtz), Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Gold Baker's Twine, Pearl Basic Jewels, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

Here is the theme from The Paper Players challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Retro Sketches 152 Likes Paper Players 231

It's been a few days since I've felt much like creating.  I think it was the lack of coffee.  I ran out two days ago and was too lazy to go to the store until today.  I made a fresh pot when I got home and perked right up with my caffeine fix!  I only have two addictions these days; coffee and stamping.

You know, I just have to say it.  Although the flower looks rather orange, it's actually Real Red.  Since it's after midnight and I have another burnt out bulb for the light tent, things are just not looking as good as they could.  I really did use the colors from the challenge.  :-)

Stamp Sets:  Beautiful Bunch, Bloom with Hope (sentiment), Petal Potpourri; Inks:  Calypso Coral, Real Red, Tuxedo Black Memento; Card Stock:  Stacked With Love Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Flower Medallion Punch, 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Pearl Basic Jewels, SNAIL Adhesive, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Stampin' Trimmer

The sketch I used is from Retro Sketches Challenge.

The colors I used are from The Paper Players Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Hello

What do you get when you combine Crisp Cantaloupe, Lost Lagoon and Sahara Sand?  Well, I think you get a very pretty 'hello' card.  What say you?

I combined the sketch from Retro Sketches and the colors from The Paper Players challenge for this card and really like those colors together.  Of course, anything with blue in it is okay by me.  I kept the design very simple so the Crisp Cantaloupe flower would pop on the card.

Stamp Set:  Four You; Ink:  Sahara Sand; Card Stock:  Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper Stack, All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack, Crisp Cantaloupe, Lost Lagoon, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Pansy Punch, Petite Petals Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Dimensionals

You can find the Retro Sketches sketch challenge HERE.

You can find The Paper Players color challenge HERE.

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

Stars and Stripes USA

The sketch over at The Paper Players Challenge was a perfect design for my patriotic card.  It also gave me a chance to show off the new Decorative Masks from Stampin' Up!®  July 4th is just around the corner and it is my all time favorite summer holiday.  I've always enjoyed the parade, the funnel cake in the park and of course, the fireworks.  I'm thankful for the men and women who fought for this country and helped gain its independence.  I am proud to be an American!

Stamp Set:  Stars & Stripes (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Real Red, Night of Navy; Card Stock:  Naturals White, Real Red, Night of Navy; Accessories & Tools:  Stripes Decorative Mask, Stars Decorative Mask, Stars & Stripes Die (Taylored Expressions), Whisper White Baker's Twine, Dimensionals

All Stampin' Up!® product, unless otherwise noted.

You can find The Paper Players Sketch Challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

With Sympathy

When I started working on this card, I had no idea what it was going to look like.  I wasn't sure the color scheme would work for a sympathy card but, I really do like the way it turned out.  The red, white and blue made for a very nice combination.

Stamp Set:  Bloom with Hope, Gorgeous Grunge (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Real Red, Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Real Red, Night of Navy, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Pansy Punch, Petite Petals Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack Flower, 1/8" Mini Brads (Stampin' Up!), Dimensionals

The colors I used came from The Paper Players Color Challenge #199.  You can find it HERE.

You can find the sketch I used HERE at retrosketches.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha