Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #36

Welcome to our 5th Week Special 3-D challenge here at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges.  Since it's the fifth Wednesday of the month, we thought a 3-D project would be just the ticket to add a wee bit of variety to the challenges.  It was perfect for the project I had in mind.

Remember the butterflies I made for last week's challenge?  Well, here are the little gift bags that go with them.  I matched up the Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper on the butterflies and the bags.  I haven't quite finished them as they need tags and I'll also add some embellishment.  I left the ribbon a wee bit long since I'll need to open them up to add the gifts I'm making for them. 

Cardstock:  Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Gift Bag Punch Board, 5/8" Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Fast Fuse Adhesive.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

To find all the challenge details, visit Watercooler Wednesday Challenges.  We'd love to see your 3-D projects.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #43

Good morning!  It's an "Anything Goes" challenge for you at Christmas Card Challenges this week.  So, let you imaginations run wild and show us what you've got!  Although a wee bit hard to see, Rudolph does have a red nose.  I love the Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper.  Several of the designs have images that you can fussy cut and add to your cards.  I couldn't resist Rudolph!

Stamp Set:  Wondrous Wreath; Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, Mint Macaron; Cardstock:  Chocolate Chip, Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies, Triple Banner Punch, White Perfect Accents, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Paper Snips, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

For challenge details and and more inspiration from our Design Team, visit Christmas Card Challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenge #42

Good Sunday morning to you all!  This week at Christmas Card Challenges we have a beautiful inspiration photo for you.  Because I love blue and because the inspiration photo featured blue, I used different shades of blue for my simple design with a star theme.  I do hope you can join us and show us what you were inspired to create.  Not only does the Confetti Star Punch make for a pretty border, it also gives you bunches of little stars that you can use for other projects.  They would be great for use in a shaker card.

Stamp Sets:  Christmas Bliss (sentiment), Christmas Lodge (sentiment on inside) - retired; Ink: Night of Navy; Cardstock:  Foiled Cardstock Stack (DCWV), Glitzy Glitter Cardstock Stack (DCWV), Marina Mist; Accessories & Tools:  Confetti Stars Punch, Lots of Labels Framelits Dies, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise note.

For all the challenge details and Design Team inspiration, visit Christmas Card Challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

The Friday Mashup Challenge 226

You know, trying a new technique can be fun!  The Friday Mashup has a great challenge and one of the options was to use the Inlaid Die Cutting Technique as part of your project, if you chose to do so.  I decided to try to mashup it up and used the sketch and the technique.  I've never done the Inlaid Die Cutting Technique so thought it might be fun to give it a try.  It's funny how you get to working and all of a sudden you realize you forgot to use one of the components such as the sketch in this case.  :-)  I improvised so I hope it kind of fulfills the sketch part of the challenge.

The card is destined for Reno, Nevada where my youngest son and his family are now located.  They moved in August and have just gotten into their new home.  I thought it would be fun to make a "happy new home" card to send to them.  I sure do miss them and can't wait until I get a chance to go for a visit.  I love it out west! 

Stamp Sets:  Garden Shed - sentiment (Taylored Expressions), Holiday Home, Sprinkles of Life; Inks:  Cajun Craze, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Night of Navy, Real Red, Soft Sky, Smoky Slate, Wild Wasabi; Cardstock:  Night of Navy, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi; Accessories & Tools:  Circles Collection Framelits Dies, Homemade Holiday Framelits Dies (retired), Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits Dies, Cupcake Builder Punch, Hills Dies (Your Next Stamp), Rhinestone Basic Jewels, 5/8" Night of Navy Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Glue Dots, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Dimensionals, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

The sketch and the inlaid die cutting technique I used are from the current Friday Mashup Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Wacky Watercooler Blog Hop The September Mix-Up

Hey!  Hey!  Hey!  It's time for another Wacky Watercooler Blog Hop.  This time we are doing The September Mix-Up!  You'll see projects that feature product from the Annual Catalog and the Holiday Catalog.  So hang on to your seats as the fifteen hoppers wow your socks off!

For my first project, I used the Wondrous Wreath stamp set and Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies.  I love this set.  I CASEd the design from Diana Carr but changed up the colors and the card stock.  I took the photo at night without benefit of my light tent so the white looks vanilla.  It really is white.

Stamp Set:  Wondrous Wreath; Inks:  Cucumber Crush, Melon Mambo; Card Stock:  Cherry On Top Designer Series Paper Stack, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Dimensionals, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

For this card, I used the new Happy Scenes stamp set and the Hearth & Home Framelits Dies.  I love making scenes viewed through the window.

Stamp Sets:  Happy Scenes, White Christmas (bird); Inks:  Basic Black Archival, Basic Gray, Crushed Curry (bird beak), Real Red; Card Stock:  Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Hearth & Home Framelits Dies, 5/8" Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Dazzling Details, Glue Dots, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® unless otherwise noted.

Woo!  Hoo!  My third project took just a wee bit longer than expected given the fact I had company show up at my door.  I have to say I love that Reason for the Season stamp set.  And, while not an advocate of the Lots of Labels Framelits Dies, now that I've used them, I think I'm loving them.  So, without further ado, here it is!

Stamp Set:  Reason for the Season; Inks:  Mint Macaron, Rich Razzleberry; Card Stock:  Cherry On Top Designer Series Paper Stack, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Lots of Labels Framelits Dies, Festive Flower Builder Punch, " Circle Punch, Softly Falling Embossing Folder, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

Next on our blog hop is the ever talented Penny Hanuszak.  She always offers up such great projects.

If you'd like to revisit the great projects by Jean Fitch, click the Previous button below.

To start at the very beginning, visit Wacky Watercooler Stamping Blog Hop by clicking the Home button found below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 285

My Labor Day was filled with making cards and scheduling posts.  How's that for "labor of love" on a holiday?  :-)  It was fun to devote my whole day to getting projects made for my Design Team commitments and for various other challenges that I enjoy.  It was a beautiful, late summer day with sunshine, blue skies and puffy white clouds floating around.  After lasts night heavy rains it was a welcome relief.

Here is the card I made for the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.  As you can see, I took the sketch literally.  It gave me the perfect opportunity to use one of my favorite photopolymer stamp sets called Banner Blessings.

Stamp Set:  Banner Blessings; Ink:  Night of Navy; Card Stock:  Gold Foil Sheets, Night of Navy, Soft Sky, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Star Confetti Border Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Star Framelits Dies, SNAIL Adhesive, Dimensionals, Paper Snips, Stampin' Trimmer.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

The sketch I used is from the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #40

Don't you just love this week's Christmas Card Challenges inspiration photo?  I know I do!  Some traditional, some non-traditional Christmas colors.  Friday I had to make a run to my favorite scrapbook store, Memory Bound, to pick up something I had special ordered and wouldn't you know I just couldn't resist the new Graphic 45, A Christmas Carol 8x8 paper pad along with the new Christmas Carol 6x6 paper pad.  This time I didn't horde it but put it to good use on my card. 

Stamp Sets:  Gorgeous Grunge, Sincere Salutations (retired); Inks:  Rich Razzleberry, Watermelon Wonder; Card Stock:  Lost Lagoon, Mint Macaron, Pool Party, A Christmas Carol 8x8 Paper Pad (Graphic 45), Christmas Carol 6x6 Paper Pad (Graphic 45); Accessories & Tools:  Hexagon Punch, Very Vanilla Thick Baker's Twine, Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer.  All Stampin' Up!® unless otherwise noted.

Come join us for this week's challenge.  You can find all the details at Christmas Card Challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #38

This week's Christmas Card Challenges is an "Anything Goes."  As you may know, I've been re-arranging and re-organizing my craft studio so everything is still in a mess.  I couldn't find what I wanted so, in frustration since I don't handle clutter well and that's what I have at the moment, I used up some of the bits & pieces I found laying around my desk.  There is no stamping on this card other than to ink up the edges with some Vintage Photo.

So, let your imagination take over and see where it leads you.  Have fun and be sure to link up to the challenge and show us what you created.

You can find all the challenge details at Christmas Card Challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Challenge #31

Our Watercooler Challenges has a great sketch from Heidi for your creative inspiration.  For me, the lazy, hazy days of Summer are slowly coming to an end as school starts this week and thoughts are drifting ahead to Autumn.  I used the For All Things Stamp Set and the wonderful colors from the Fab Friday Challenge to make this card that celebrates Fall.

Stamp Set:  For All Things; Inks:  Delightful Dijon, Old Olive, Tip Top Taupe; Card Stock:  Blackberry Bliss, Cherry On Top Designer Series Paper Stack, Tangelo Twist, Whisper White Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Banner Punch, In Color Accessory Pack - Tangelo Twist Baker's Twine (retired), Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer

You can find all the challenge details at Watercooler Challenges.

The beautiful colors I used are from the Fab Friday Challenge.

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

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #37

It's time for this week's Christmas Card Challenge.  We have a photo challenge for you and I'm looking forward to seeing how it inspires you.  For me, it was all about texture.  I pulled the colors from the photo and added the texture using my Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Boho Chic Embossing Folder and some die-cute felt embellishments.  In the center of my snowflake poinsettia is a little heart brad that I covered with Dazzling Details to give it some sparkle.  I spritzed the snowflake and poinsettia die-cuts with Radiant Rain Shimmering Mist them a little bit of sparkle, too.

Here is a close-up of the snowflake poinsettia.  It shows the shimmer just a wee bit better.

Stamp Set:  White Christmas (sentiment); Ink:  Crumb Cake; Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Banner Punch, Boho Chick Embossing Folder, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Snowflake Felt Die-Cut (unknown), Poinsettia Felt Die-Cut (unknown), Heart Brad (unknown), Dazzling Details, Radiant Rain Shimmering Mist (Creative Imaginations), SNAIL Adhesive, Dimensionals, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up! products unless noted otherwise.

For all the challenge details, visit Christmas Card Challenges.

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

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Happy Birthday Cupcake

It feels so good to be back in the craft studio and creating.  I still have more organizing to do but at least I have a clear tabletop to work on again.  Life is good!

For today's card, I used the Cupcake Builder Punch and pulled the colors from the Cherry On Top Designer Series Paper Stack.  It's such a fun punch.

Stamp Set:  Sprinkles of Life; Ink:  Cucumber Crush; Card Stock:  Bermuda Bay, Cherry On Top Designer Series Paper Stack, Crushed Curry, Cucumber Crush, Very Vanilla, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Cupcake Builder Punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch! Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Colour Me...! Challenge #84

Hello, everyone!  I'm back!  As you may have noticed, I've not done much creating and posting lately.  My youngest son moved his family to Reno, Nevada for a fantastic new job opportunity.  My oldest son returned to Afghanistan.  My favorite oldest granddaughter (she's the only oldest as I only have two granddaughters) also moved to Reno, Nevada.  To top it all off, while I was organizing my craft studio and putting things away in my new craft room cabinets, I bent over to put something into the trash bag and heard my back snap.  It sounded like a gunshot, didn't feel so good, either!  So, long story made a wee bit shorter, I've been down and out for nearly two weeks not able to walk very far, let alone sit for any length of time.  Thankfully, I have a really comfortable recliner that has been my friend for way too long.  Today, I'm pleased to say I'm up and about and was able to finally get a card made for the current Colour Me...! Challenge.

Stamp Sets:  Butterfly Basics, Flower Shop, Simply Sketched (sentiment - retired); Inks:  Cucumber Crush, Tangerine Tango; Card Stock:  Cucumber Crush, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Pansy Punch, Rhinestones (want2scrap), Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer.  All Stampin' Up! products unless otherwise noted.

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

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #36

This week's Christmas Challenge is an "Anything Goes" challenge.  Another simple design as I'm slowly getting my craft studio put back together.  It won't be long and things will be back to normal and I can create to my heart's content.  I hope you join us this week as we'd love to see what you create. 

Stamp Set:  Ornamental Pine (retired); Ink:  Soft Suede;  Card Stock:  Merry Little Christmas Paper Pad (My Mind's Eye), Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Chocolate Rhinestones (want2scrap), Rhinestone Swirl (want2scrap), SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

All challenge details can be found at Christmas Card Challenges.  We'd love to see what you create!

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #35

Hello and welcome to this week's Christmas Card Challenges.  This time we have a color challenge for you.  I kept my design very simple as my craft studio is in a mess and I had a 6"x6" space to work in and let me tell you, that is just not big enough!  I do hope you can play along this week!

Stamp Set:  Christmas Bliss; Ink:  Lost Lagoon; Card Stock:  Whisper White, Whisper White Thick, Winter Frost Designer Series Paper Stack (retired), Silver Paper (unknown); Accessories & Tools:  Stars Collection Framelits Dies, Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits Dies, SNAIL Adhesive, Dimensionals, Pink Rhinestones, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

You can find all the challenge details at Christmas Card Challenges.  We hope you join us and share how you were inspired by this week's color challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #34

It's an "anything goes" challenge this week at Christmas Card Challenges.  I've not had a lot of time to spend in my crafting studio due to migraines, company and totally redoing the studio so I'm so glad I was able to make some images up ahead of time.  When my friend and fellow Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator, Karen Huber, visited from Ohio, she brought along her Wondrous Wreath stamp set and the Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies.  We had fun crafting together and I stamped several images from the set to have on hand.  Here is one of the color combinations I used.

Stamp Set:  Wondrous Wreath; Inks:  Pear Pizzazz, Mossy Meadow, Watermelon Wonder; Card Stock:  Blackberry Bliss, Watermelon Wonder, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies, White Perfect Accents, Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Glue Dots, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

For all the challenge details, visit Christmas Card Challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Challenges #29

For today's Watercooler Challenge, Bev chose a "Special Folds" challenge for us.  There are so many different ones out there that it was hard to decide which one I wanted to do.  Then, I came across one featured over at Split Coast Stampers and I knew I had to give it a try.  Laura's Upright Diamond Fold instructions were easy to follow and the hardest part was trying to decide what designer series paper to use.  :-)  Since this is a birthday card for a friend who loves black, white and red, I used some of the papers from the Go Wild Designer Series Paper Stack.

Here is what the card looks like opened up.  It is hard to see all the folds with it being black and white but the one Laura did will show it off better.  It's a fun card to make and if you'd like to give it a try, click HERE for the tutorial.

Stamp Sets:  Best Day Ever (retired) Floral Wings, Endless Birthday Wishes; Inks:  Mint Macaron, Real Red, Tuxedo Black Memento; Card Stock:  Whisper White, Whisper White Thick, Go Wild Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Bold Butterfly Framelits Dies, Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits Dies, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, SNAIL Adhesive, Dimensionals, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

We'd love to have you join us and show off your favorite "special folds" creation.  You can find all the details at the Watercooler Challenges Blog.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #31

Hello!  It's time for another Christmas Card Challenge.  I had an idea for a really cool card (well, in my opinion) but time got away from me and I didn't get it done.  Let's just say that going on a cleaning frenzy just before out-of-state company arrives is not a good thing.  But, the cleaning is done, the company arrived safely and I came up with this alternative to what I had planned.

Hope you all had a safe and fun July 4th.  God bless America!

Stamp Set:  White Christmas; Inks:  Basic Black, Real Red; Card Stock:  Basic Black, Smoky Slate; Accessories & Tools:  Lucky Stars Embossing Folder, Silver Sequins, SNAIL Adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Dimensionals, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

For all the challenge details, visit Christmas Card Challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Happy 4th of July!

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Heartfelt Sympathy

Today I just have time to for a very short post.  I have friends coming in from out of state tomorrow so my focus has been getting my house in order and I'm happy to report that it is done!  The aftermath of a cleaning frenzy is that I'm extremely tired!  When my daughter-in-law said she needed a sympathy card, I offered to make one for her.  Here is the very clean and simple card I designed. 

Stamp Sets:  Serene Silhouettes, Simply Sketched (retired), You've Got This; Inks:  Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder; Card Stock:  Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Pearl Basic Jewels, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer

So, for now that's it.  I'm sure my posting here will be rather sporadic given all we have planned for the next four days.  I'm so excited! 

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha