Love Grows Here

Oh yes, another fun challenge.  I love challenges!  When I don't have a lot of time to spend in my craft studio, creating from a challenge is the way to go.  You get the sketch, you get the colors and sometimes you get both.  Today I'm playing along with the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  I love the simplicity of the sketch and it showcases the blue rose I made using my new Spiral Floral Die.

Stamp Set:  Garden Shed (Taylored Expressions); Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Marina Mist and Etcetera Designer Series Paper Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Spiral Flower Originals Die, Extra Large Oval Punch, Stamping Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!)

This is the sketch that inspired my design.    HERE is where you can find all the challenge details and play along yourself.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Very Clean and Simple

And, that is exactly what this newest card turned out to be.  There was no ink used, no stamp used, just a die cut and a bit of fussy cutting around the little arrow sentiment.  It's the first time I've used the Cute Cameras 2 Die-namics die I purchased from My Favorite Things a couple of months ago.  You know you have too much stuff when you forget what you purchase.  Good thing I'm doing spring cleaning early.

Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Crushed Curry (Stampin' Up!), Here & Now Paper Pad (Echo Park); Accessories & Tools:  Cute Cameras 2 Die-namics (My Favorite Things), Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

I played along with two challenges today.  The colors I used are from the My Favorite Things Color Palette Challenge.  You can find all the details HERE or click on the image below.

The sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches.  For more details, just click HERE or on the image below.

Well, there you have it from me for now.  I'm busy creating some new projects for an upcoming hop in which I'm participating.  Stay tuned for further details.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Heartfelt Thanks

While I was waiting for our next round of rain, ice, sleet and snow to show up, I decided to play along with the current challenge at My Favorite Things.  Lately, I've felt like I've been neglecting my favorite color, blue.  I needed a thank you card to send to the instructor of the class I attended on Saturday afternoon, this was perfect.  The class was fantastic and I made a cute craft organization book which I'll show you in a post later this week.  For now, here is the card I made using the great sketch from My Favorite Things.

Stamp Set:  Heart Balloons (My Favorite Things); Ink:  Midnight Muse (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Whisper White, Soft Sky, Midnight Muse, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Staggered Heart Border Die-namics (My Favorite Things), Rhinestones, 3/16" Corner Rounder, Stampin' Dimensionals

Here is the sketch from the My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Red & Indigo Birthday

Would you believe I now have my birthdays made up through May?  This is totally unheard of for me, even though I'm usually a most organized person.  I think, now that I've retired and don't pay as much attention to time as I once did, that I have a tendency to put things off.  You know, like wait til the very last minute.  I can't say that's a good thing that has come out of retirement.

Today's card combines two challenges, a color challenge from Dynamic Duos and a sketch challenge from Retro Sketches.  I love how bright and cheerful this turned out.

Stamp Sets:  Gorgeous Grunge, Simply Sketched (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Island Indigo; Card Stock:  Island Indigo, Real Red, Whisper White, Real Red Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Chalk Talk Framelits, Itty Bitty Punch Pack Scallop Circle, 1/8" Silver Brads, 1/4" Island Indigo Ribbon - retired (Stampin' Up!)

Now here are the challenges from Dynamic Duos and Retro Sketches.

 
Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Thoughts of You

Today I'm joining in a new challenge.  I love the colors and the clean and simple sketch.  I needed a card to send to a friend I've been thinking a lot about and this just all came together perfectly.  One of my favorite stamp sets is Serene Silhouettes and I haven't used it much lately what with all the Valentine and Birthday cards I've been making.  Each little flower has a pearl in its center but they are hard to see in the photo.

Stamp Sets:  Serene Silhouettes, Loving Thoughts (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Rich Razzleberry; Card Stock:  Soft Sky, Blushing Bride, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  1-3/4" Circle Punch, Pear Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!)

I played along with the CAS - Colours and Sketches Blog Challenge today.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Happy Birthday Blue

It was so exciting to be picked as Lisa's Rock Star over at The Friday Mashup!  Thank you so much, Lisa, for making me your Rock Star.  You can read all about it HERE.  I love playing along with their challenges and this week's had me playing with ink and water and stencil and sponge.  I tried something a bit different and while I'm not sure it went like I expected, it was fun to get inky.

Stamp Set:  Delightful Dozen (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Pool Party Ink Refill, Marina Mist Ink Refill, Night of Navy Refill, Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Primrose Petals, Night of Navy, Whisper White Craft Pad (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Pistachio Pudding, Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Manilla Tag, Blending Tool (Ranger), Bubbles Mask Stencil (Studio Calico), Clear Embossing Powder, VersaMark Pen, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!)

I decided to "Mash it Up" and use the sketch and do some sponging.  Here is the challenge over at The Friday Mashup.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Be My Valentine

With so many guys in my family, I needed to come up with another Valentine card that wouldn't offend any masculine egos!  :-)   The sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches was the perfect clean and simple sketch to keep one of my guys happy.

Stamp Sets:  My Little Valentine - retired, You Are Loved - retired (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Smoky Slate (Stampin' Up!), Tuxedo Black (Memento); Card Stock:  Smoky Slate, Champagne Glimmer Paper (Stampin' Up!), Maggie Holmes Patterned Paper (Crate Paper); Accessories & Tools:  Hearts Collection Framelits, Full Heart Punch, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!)

With just a touch of the glimmer paper, it kept it from being a rather dull card.  Sparkle helps every time whether it's for a guy or a gal.

Here is the sketch I used from Freshly Made Sketches.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

My Heart POPS for You

Whew!  One down and only eleven to go!  I'm in Valentine mode trying to get all of the cards done I need to send to my children and grandchildren.  I have three sons and nine grandchildren.  Looks like I'll be making hearts for a few days yet.  I may just wear out my new Heart Balloons Stamp Set before I'm done.  I had a lot of fun putting this card together.  I wanted to make it look like the balloon had actually burst and little hearts were floating out of it.  I'm not sure how well I pulled that one off but I do like the way the card turned out.  Bright, cheerful and very red and white!

Stamp Set:  Heart Balloons (My Favorite Things); Inks:  Real Red (Stampin' Up!), Tuxedo Black (Memento); Card Stock:  Whisper White, Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Delicate Doilies Die-namics, Heart Balloons Die-namics, Cute Cameras 2 Die-namics (My Favorite Things), Whisper White Baker's Twine (Stampin' Up!), Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!)

Today I played along with the sketch over at My Favorite Things.  Here is the sketch for this week's challenge.

 Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Petite Petals Thank You

The Friday Mashup Challenge this week was to use stars or make a thank you card set with matching envelopes or to make a set of thank you cards and envelopes using stars.  Easy, right?  Well, yes, if you have anything 'starry' to use.  I was at a loss until I remembered my paper pad of Mother Goose by Graphic 45.  It worked great for my set of 3" x 3" thank you cards.

Stamp Sets:  Petite Petals, Simply Sketched (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Bermuda Bay (Stampin' Up!), White (Bazzill), Mother Goose Patterned Paper (Graphic 45); Accessories & Tools:  Petite Petals Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!), Rhinestones

I wanted to add the star paper to the flap of the envelope but didn't have enough left.  Instead, I used a retired Stampin' Up! set called So Happy for You.  It had a shooting star stamp in it that I used to stamp the front left corner of the envelope.

To go check out The Friday Mashup blog, just click on the image below and it will take you right over there.

Now I have the last of my thank you cards done and can concentrate on the Valentine cards I need to get designed and sent.  Busy, busy, busy!

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

MFT Color Palette Challenge 1

Since I so rarely use pink, this was a challenge that I wasn't sure I could pull off.  But, adding the black and the white, I got through it.  :-)  Actually, it was fun.  It gave me a chance to use one of the cute little picket fences that my oldest son, Wayne, made for me.  He and I had gone to Michael's one day and I was going to buy a package.  He looked at me and said, "Mom, I can make those for you, save your money."  Okay, I'm game for saving my pennies.  He made several of them in different lengths for me, this being one of the shortest.  I can't wait to try one on a canvas.  I've had an idea floating in my head for ages and just needed the fence.  Hmmm?  I wonder what other goodies he can make for me?

Okay, on to the card.  This one is for the My Favorite Things newest challenge.  Since it was the first one, they opted to go with a classic color scheme of pink, black and white.  It definitely stretched me.  I'd rather do blue but I love how this thank you card came together.  It's for a new friend here at the new place I live.  She had a coffee for several of us newbies this morning and invited me to join in and get to know more of the other residents.  She is quite the lady.  She makes the yummiest cookies and candy.

Stamp Sets:Simply Sketched and Language of Friendship (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Strawberry Slush (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Whisper White, Basic Black and Blushing Bride (Stampin' Up!), Santa's List Patterned Paper (Teresa Collins); Accessories & Tools:  Bird Builder Punch, Boho Blossoms, Extra-Large Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, 1/8" Silver Mini Brads, Pearl Basic Jewels and Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!), Wedding Cake Acrylic Paint (Martha Stewart), Picket Fence (Wayne Reed)

The little fence is unfinished when I get them so I simply painted this one.  They don't take any time at all to cover and to dry.

To participate in the challenge yourself, just click on the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

It's Time To Vote!

Hello everyone.  It's time for you to vote for your People's Choice Guest Designer over at Flourishes.  They had a contest for their December Guest Designer spots and I decided to play along.  Now it's your turn to help that dream come true.  Click the link above or the image below to go to the voting booth!  You have until October 14th at 11:59pm CST to cast your vote.

Here is the card I submitted for the contest.

Until next time. . .happy creating!

Christmas with a Twist

It's Flourishes October Release Challenge and I can't wait to see what new Christmas themed stamp sets they will have for us.  So, the challenge was to create a Christmas design without using traditional Christmas colors thus, the Christmas with a Twist.  Okay, no red, no green; not a problem.  Since blue is my favorite, of course it was the first color that came to my mind.

Rather than add a sentiment to the front of the card, I put it on the inside.  I kept the design clean and simple and let the beautiful image be the focal point.  Flourishes Christmas Candles Stamp Set is another favorite.  It's the one I'm using for all the cards I'll be making and sending to family and friends this year.

Stamp Set:  Flourishes Christmas Candles; Ink:  Stampin' Up! Night of Navy; Card Stock:  Flourishes Classic White, Stampin' Up! Night of Navy, Bo Bunny Powder Mountain Collection; Accessories & Tools:  Spellbinders Tear Drop Circles Die, 1/4" White Grosgrain Ribbon, Clear Rhinestones

If you would like to join in for a chance to win the whole October Release, click the image below for all the specifics.  I can't wait to see the new stamp sets!

Until next time...happy creating!

Happy Thanksgiving

Today I'm playing along with a new, to me, challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays.  The challenge was to use a Fall color palette and at least one leaf in a clean and simple design.  It also gave me the opportunity to use one of the cut files I have for my Silhouette SD.

The leaves have now started to change here in Iowa.  The trees out my front door are adding a touch of golden yellow to their branches.  I think this weekend will be a good one to go check how much Fall color is out there.  Another week or two and should be beautiful.

 

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Tim Holtz Vintage Photo (Ranger), Soft Suede (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Whisper White, Soft Suede and Tangerine Tango (Stampin' Up!), Happy Harvest Patterned Paper (Doodlebug Design); Accessories & Tools:  Leaves Silhouette Cut File, Tim Holtz Candy Stripes Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder,  Large Oval Punch and Scallop Oval Punch (Stampin' Up!), Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Clear Gems, Pop Dots

The Glimmer Mist is hard to see in the photo but it gave the whole card a very pretty shimmer. Now it's time for you to go check out all the other talented designers.  Just click the image below to head over to CAS-ual Fridays.

For me, it's time to go make some bows.  I have my week all planned out and it's a busy one!  You'll find me most days and evenings sitting at my craft table inking and stamping and cutting and gluing and just plain having fun.

Until next time. . .happy creating!

Festive Friday Navy, White and Silver Color Challenge

When it comes to blue, I'll follow anywhere...well almost.  I love blue.  When I saw that Festive Friday was having a Navy, White and Silver Color Challenge, I knew I had to play along.  It's been a while since I last used my Snowflake die so it was fun to pull it out and make a double layered snowflake out of blue and silver glitter paper.  It's the kind of glitter paper that does not shed!  It makes using your dies so much easier.

For the inside of the card, I added a bit of color.  I originally planned to stamp the candles in blue and just leave them as an outline but just couldn't resist getting out those Copics.




I added a strip of the silver glitter paper to the bottom of the inside layer and I added Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details and Dazzling Details to two of the candles to give them a wee bit of a sparkle.  There is still plenty of room to write a little note if you choose to do so.

Stamp Sets:  Christmas Candles and Cowboy Christmas (Flourishes); Inks:  Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!), Tuxedo Black (Memento); Copics:  Y11, YR07, R22, R24, R27, YG11, YG13, YG17, E33, E37; Card Stock:  Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!), Classic White (Flourishes), Powder Mountain (Bo Bunny), Glitzy Glitter (DCWV); Accessories & Tools:  Snow Flurry Bigz Die (Stampin' Up!), Snowflake Brad, Dazzling Details and Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details (Stampin' Up!), Pop Dots, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Be sure to check out the Festive Friday Color Challenge.  Click on the image below and it will take you right to all the details.

I love the colors and really enjoyed making some snowflakes.  Now that the 90 and 100 degree temperatures have gone and it is only 74 degrees, it is a gentle reminder that cooler weather is fast approaching.

Until next time. . .happy creating!

Get in Shape - September Release Challenge

Flourishes is gearing up for another release and this month's release challenge is to create a Shaped Card or 3D Item.  To play along, click the image below to go right to the Flourishes blog for all of the details.

I love making non-traditional cards so I brought out Pumpkin Jack.  Thanksgiving is an often forgotten holiday but it and Christmas are my two favorites.  I remember all of the delicious smells coming from the kitchen and the beautiful table my mother used to set the those holidays.  The house was always full and it was a time to be thankful for all we had.  Here is the simple Thanksgiving card I made for this challenge.

Stamp Sets: Anemones (Flourishes), Thanksgiving Sentiments (Unknown); Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Tim Holtz Vintage Photo (Ranger); Card Stock:  Pumpkin Pie and Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up!), Classic White (Flourishes); Accessories & Tools:  Anemones Silhouette Cut File, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack (Stampin' Up!), 3/8" Lime Ribbon, Tim Holtz Pumpkin Jack Die (Sizzix), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Until next time. . .happy creating!

Flourishes August Release Challenge

It's hard to believe that summer is almost over!  School is starting up for most and Flourishes is sharing sneak peeks of their new stamp sets for August.  For a chance to win all three of the sets being released this month, click HERE and play along with their All About Color - August Release Challenge.

I love the colors in this challenge.  I used a very dark teal and Stampin' Up!'s Cajun Craze fit the bill for the Terra Cotta color.  For the cool neutral color, I used some of the new Gingham patterned paper I just bought.  And, of course, I used my Flourishes stamp sets!

Stamp Sets:  Anemones and Garden Fairies (Flourishes); Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Cajun Craze (Stampin' Up!), Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger); Copic Markers:  YR02, YRO7, YR09, YG11,YG13, YG17; Card Stock:  Dark Teal (Unknown), Cajun Craze (Stampin' Up!), Gingham (Creative Imaginations); Accessories & Tools:  White organza ribbon, Pearl Basic Jewels (Stampin' Up!), Butterfly Die Cut (Silhouette SD)

I love fall colors!  Autumn is my favorite time of the year.  While I'm not looking forward to cold and snow, seeing the beautiful colors of Autumn always fascinates me.

Until next time . . . happy creating!

Butterflies and Button

One of my favorite card stock colors is kraft or in this case, Crumb Cake.  I thought it would make a great background for these flowers.  Timeless Tuesdays #232 is all about backgrounds.  I kept the card very clean and simple.  The butterfly pins are actually clear and I simply colored these with my Copic Markers.

If you'd like to play along with the Times Tuesdays Challenge, click HERE and you'll go right to all the details along with the Challenge Rules.

Stamp Set:  Heard from the Heart and Unknown (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Cajun Craze (Stampin' Up!), Tuxedo Black (Memento); Card Stock:  Crumb Cake (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Linen Thread (Stampin' Up!), Button (from my stash), Butterfly Pins (colored with Copic Markers)

Until next time . . . happy creating!

Happy Birthday Flourishes!

It has been such fun participating in the birthday celebration challenges Flourishes has had over the past couple of weeks.  Today's is the Six for Six Challenge.  For all the details, just click HERE or on the image below.  It gives the recipe for this challenge.

It was hard to pick a stamp to use for my card.  I love my Swan Lake but I wanted to use one of the four great sets I had the privilege to win from the July release.  I decided on Dahlias.  It's such a gorgeous set.

Stamp Set:  Dahlias, Pinwheels and Popsicles (Flourishes); Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Copic Markers YG11, YG13, YG17, YR02, YR07, YR09; Card Stock:  Textured Peach (American Crafts), Hipster Patterned Paper (Basic Grey), Pear Pizzazz (Stampin' Up!), Classic White (Flourishes); Accessories & Tools:  Flower Lattice Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Limeade Twine (Doodlebug), Pearl Basic Jewels (Stampin' Up!)

Happy Birthday, Flourishes.  I look forward to many more years of creating with your beautiful stamp sets.

Until next time. . . happy creating!

Seize the Birthday

Okay, now that I've added several posts for today, I have one more for you.  Then, I'm going to take a couple of days off.  I've been playing catch up with all the challenges I wanted to join.  The Seize the Birthday: "Anything Goes" Birthday challenge is a new one for me.  I like that you can use any sketch and any colors we want for this one.

To find out all the details, just click HERE or on the image below.  You'll go right to their post about this challenge.  While you're there, be sure to look at all the great projects that have been shared.

For my birthday card, I decided to go a bit vintage.  These patterned papers from Graphic 45's Secret Garden are perfect for a vintage style card.  It puts me in mind of some of the pretty wallpaper my grandmother used to to brighten up her home.

Stamps Sets:  Sincere Salutations and God's Blessing (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Ranger); Card Stock:  Calypso Coral and Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up!), Secret Garden (Graphic 45); Accessories & Tools:  1/4" Tangerine Tango Ribbon, Pearl Basic Jewels and Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!)

Until next time. . . happy creating!

Festive Friday Color Challenge

Pink for a Christmas card.  Now that is one I would never have thought of on my own.  I suppose that's because blue is my favorite color so I tend to go down that 'blue' road when I'm thinking of colors.  There are many times when I have to talk myself into using other colors.  I think that is why I love all the challenges I've been participating in lately.  They are definitely getting me off that 'blue' road.

The current challenge for Festive Friday is a color challenge and all you have to be sure to do is use the colors of pink, white and silver.  It actually turns out to be a great combination.  You can find all the details about the challenge by clicking HERE or on the image below.

Here is the very bright and sparkly card I made for the challenge.

Stamp Set:  Cowboy Christmas (Flourishes); Ink:  Melon Mambo (Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Classic White (Flourishes), Secret Love Patterned Paper, Silver Glitter Paper (American Crafts); Accessories & Tools:  Decorative Label Punch, Extra-Large Oval Punch, Ice Cream Parlor Button (all Stampin' Up!), Pink & White Twine (American Crafts), White Doily (Bo Bunny)

The sparkle of the silver glitter paper doesn't show up well in the picture but it is very glittery in person.

Until next time. . . happy creating!