Wacky Watercooler January Mini Hop Number One

Welcome to the our January Mini Blog Hop Number One.  Each month, on the third Thursday of the month, a group of us get together to hop and share projects from Stampin' Up!'s current catalogs.  It's always a lot of fun.  This month we are doing a two mini hops to showcase the new Occasions Catalog and the new Sale-A-Bration Catalog.

You should be coming to my blog from Jean Fitch.  After your visit with me, head on over to Marie Green.  That brings you full circle.  And, as always, our Hop runs in a circle.  Whether you start at the top and go forward or start at the bottom and go backward, you will always wind up where you started.

With all that has been happening since I got back from my holiday trip to Reno, Nevada, I only had time to create one project to share using the new High Tide stamp set found in the new 2017 Occasions Catalog.  It's a quick and easy card to put together even with fussy cutting the lighthouse.  I think it is going to be a very versatile stamp set.

Stamp Set:  High Tide; Inks:  Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Old Olive, Pool Party; Cardstock:  Island Indigo, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick

Marie Green is your next stop on your tour.  To see her wonderful projects, click the image below.

If you'd like to revisit Jean Fitch and see her great projects again, click the image below.

To go back to the Wacky Watercooler Stamping Blog, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #100 - It's a Celebration

It's good to be back home after a wonderful Christmas week spent at my oldest son's out in Reno, Nevada.  All three of my boys were together and that always makes this mother's heart happy!  While away, I wasn't able to create and share so it's time to get 2017 off to a great start.

This week the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge is celebrating our 100th challenge and all of the Watercooler Artists are super excited about that.  We're also excited that Bronwyn Eastley is back as a Guest Designer to help us celebrate.

And, the winner of this week's challenge will choose one of Bronwyn's great tutorials as a special thank you for participating in our challenge. 

Stamp Set:  Timeless Textures; Ink:  Smoky Slate; Cardstock:  Basic Black, Night of Navy, Whisper White; Patterned Paper:  Vellum Paper Set (Fiskars); Other:  Bold Butterfly Framelits Dies, Butterflies Thinlits Dies, Celebrate Dies (Taylored Expressions), Clear Wink of Stella Brush, Rhinestone Basic Jewels

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, January 9th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

To You and Yours

This will be my last post for 2016 as I will be spending Christmas with my family.  I wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of you the happiest of holidays and I will see you again in January 2017!

Marsha at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe.

It's Christmas Eve!

Flurry of Wishes

The challenge at What Will You Stamp gave me the opportunity to create with the Flurry of Wishes stamp set.  It's been a while since I've done so and I'd forgotten how much I like this set.  This is my last Christmas card for the year and I must say, as much as I do love Christmas, I'm ready for something different.

Stamp Set:  Flurry of Wishes; Ink:  Dapper Denim; Cardstock:  Dapper Denim, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Other:  Flower Medallion Punch, Snow Flurry Punch, Softly Falling Embossing Folder, Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, Rhinestone Basic Jewels

This week I was able to play along with the What Will You Stamp Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #99

It's our last Watercooler Wednesday Challenge of the year and it's my turn to host.  I'm hosting a Clean And Simple challenge this week but be sure you use those hearts.  I was ready to leave the Christmas cards behind and start on my Valentine's Day cards.  Here is the first of those I need to make.

We have made a change to our line up and are now featuring a CAS (Clean And Simple) challenge each month.  The rules for our Clean And Simple are very simple.  Create an uncluttered design with lots of open space and minimal layers and minimal embellishments.  It gives us a bit more leeway in creating those clean and simple designs.

Stamp Sets:  Jar of Love (tiny hearts),  Sunshine Sayings; Inks:  Night of Navy, Sweet Sugarplum; Cardstock:  Night of Navy, Sweet Sugarplum, Whisper White; Patterned Papers:  2016-2018 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack; Other:  Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder (retired), Sunshine Wishes Dies, 1/4" White Ribbon

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, January 2nd, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

With Sympathy

The other day I found out that our facility manager's father-in-law had passed away.  While I don't mind making sympathy cards, it is especially hard to do so right before Christmas.  The empathy I feel for anyone losing a loved one at this time of year is magnified by own sense of loss.  We buried my oldest brother, Lance Corporal Larry D. Borschel, 51 years ago on December 20th.  He was killed in Vietnam during that turbulent time in our country's history.

Here is the card I made for Denise.  I didn't have any bright orchid colors to use so I softened the color and made it pastel on my card.  I didn't think bright would be quite as appropriate for a sympathy card.  I really like how this came together.

Stamp:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink:  Night of Navy; Cardstock:  Gold Foil, Night of Navy, Whisper White: Patterned Paper:  Vellum Paper Sets (Fiskars); Other:  Botanical Builder Framelits Dies, Leafy Branch (Taylored Expressions), Petal Pop-Ups 2 (Taylored Expressions), Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, Triangle Screen Die (My Favorite Things), Pearl Basic Jewels

The colors I used are from the Just Us Girls Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Framed Calendar

As promised, here is the calendar I made for each of the men who are on staff at my apartment building.  I stamped on a piece of Serene Scenery Designer Series Paper Stack using Basic Black Archival ink.  The two stamp sets I used are Wetlands and Sunshine Sayings.  I love how these turned out.  The nice thing about them is that the frames can be reused once the calendar year is done.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Cute Little Easel Calendars

Each year I make a small gifts for the staff at the apartment building where I live.  I always make a calendar for their desks.  For the women in the office I made these cute little easel calendars.  I loved the look of the natural wood so decided not to paint them.  The sentiment I stamped on the frame is from the Sunshine Sayings stamp set from Stampin' Up!  I stamped it in Basic Black Archival ink.  The calendars I used are from Taylored Expressions.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing the framed calendars I made for the men.  Be sure to stop in and take a look.

My easel calendars have been entered in the Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Christmas Poinsettia

Today I was in the mood to do a wee bit of watercoloring.  I wanted to use the colors from the Retro Rubber Challenge and I needed a pretty flower for The Flower Challenge.  I think the three came together beautifully.

Bells & Boughs has been my favorite since I first joined Stampin' Up! in 2010.  It was one of my first picks from the Holiday Catalog that year.  One I chose in my starter kit is the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set which has been around since 2009. 

Actually, I thought I had all of my Christmas cards done for the year.  Nope!  I realized I need six more so this is the first of those six.  Now on to getting the other five created.  On top of that, I've need to get so many things done before I leave for a road trip to Reno to be with my sons for Christmas.  My number two son lives close to me and we are headed west for the holidays.  It will be so much fun to all be together again.  Life is good when you are busy!

Stamp Sets:  Bells & Boughs (2010), Teeny Tiny Wishes (2009); Inks:  Basic Black Archival, Garden Green, Real Red; Cardstock:  Real Red, Shimmery White, Whisper White Thick; Patterned Paper:  Serene Scenery; Other:  Frame in Frame 2 Cutting Plate (Taylored Expressions), Orange Wink of Stella Brush, Jewels Basic Rhinestones

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

I have entered my card in The Flower Challenge.  For all the challenge details, 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

Happy Bloomin' Birthday

Now that I have all of my Christmas cards done, it's time to start focusing on birthday cards for those fast approaching in the new year.  Three of my grandsons have birthdays one right after the other, three days in a row.  Add to that a dear friend's birthday on one of those same days and you know I need to get busy.  Here is my start on the birthday cards for 2017. 

Stamp Sets:  Bloomin' Birthday Stamp & Die Combo (Taylored Expressions), Timeless Textures; Inks:  Crumb Cake, Wild Wasabi, Wisteria Wonder; Cardstock:  Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi, Wisteria Wonder; Patterned Paper:  Serene Scenery Designer Series Paper Stack; Other:  Bloomin' Birthday Stamp & Die Combo (Taylored Expressions) , Flower Box Sprigs & Flowers Dies (Taylored Expressions), Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies

The sketch I used is from the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

 Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Christmas Gift Card Holder Tag

It isn't often that two challenges have the same theme at the same time.  I was thrilled to see that the Stampin' Royalty Challenge and the Just Add Ink Challenge both asked us to create holiday gift tags.  It gives me the opportunity to share a gift card holder that was one of the Make & Takes at the October 2016 Stamp Joy Event put on by Taylored Expressions.  There were tables set up for us to make ten different projects.  I loved this gift card holder that looks like an elf''s vest.  As you can see it holds a gift card beautifully.  I don't have a list of the supplies, as everything was prepped and ready to go for us.  I added the sentiment and the sequins after I was home.  The sentiment is from the Flurry of Wishes stamp set by Stampin' Up!    

My tag is entered in the Stampin' Royalty Challenge.   For all the challenge details, click the image below.

My tag is entered in the Just Add Ink Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

From Snowflakes to Snowman

When I realized I needed just one more Christmas card, I was at a loss as to what to design.  Factor in that I needed it within a few hours and you can understand my dilemma.  I was looking through my drawer where I keep pieces I've have done but not used on a card and the embossed snowman jumped right out at me.  He was done about three years ago when I was experimenting.  He's actually embossed on a piece of green cardstock then sponged with ink, the color of which I don't remember, then I added some glitter to the snowflakes at the base.  I figured he would due nicely for a quick card.  So, here you have it a very quick, simple card but I think it will do nicely.

Stamp Set:  Christmas Magic (sentiment); Ink:  Sweet Sugarplum, VersaMark; Cardstock:  Sweet Sugarplum, Whisper White; Other:  Snow Flurries Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), Snowman Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!), Holographic Embossing Powder (Ranger)

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

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #97

It's sketch week at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges and Penny has given us a great one with which to work.  I decided that I really should finish up the few Christmas cards I still need.  The list is getting shorter all the time.  Yay, me!

I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with our sketch this week, so be sure to link up your project.

Stamp Set:  Christmas Magic; Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Mint Macaron; Cardstock:  Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White; Patterned Paper:  Home For Christmas Designer Series Paper (retired), Serene Scenery Designer Series Paper Stack; Other:  Circle Die, Gilt Frame Die (Downton Abbey Collection), Clear Wink of Stella Brush, Green Wink of Stella Brush, Orange Wink of Stella Brush, Red Wink of Stella Brush

 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 12th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link your project.

 Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Joy

Today in Iowa, it is a cold, blustery one.  But, the sun is shining brightly and the sky is blue.  It's a good day to stay in where it is warm and work on Christmas gifts I still need to finish.

I took a break from gift making and made this card.  I combined the colors from CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge and the sketch from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  I think they came together well.

But, now, it's back to getting those gifts done.  Time is running out!

Stamp Set:  Holiday Florals (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Crushed Cucumber, Mint Macaron, Real Red; Cardstock:  Basic Black, Whisper White; Other:  Holiday Florals Dies (Taylored Expressions), Joy Die (Taylored Expressions), Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!), Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details (Stampin' Up!)

The colors I used are from the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

For the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge we were challenge to choose colors from one of the 2016 color challenges and make it seasonal.  I chose Challenge #163.  As you can see, I stayed with more traditional colors.

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Thanks

Today I combined the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches Challenge with the colors from The Color Throwdown Challenge.  I think they played well together.  And, surprisingly enough, I didn't even use a stamp set.  The order of the day was embossing folders and die-cuts.

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant; Cardstock:  Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Mint Macaron, Whisper White; Other:  Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!), Thanks Die (Taylored Expressions), Weathered Embossing Folder (Taylored Expressions), Splatter Embossing Folder (Taylored Expressions), Sequins

The sketch I used is from Freshly Made Sketches.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

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

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunflower Bouquet

When I attended the Stamp Joy 2016 Event in October, one of the classes I took was a watercolor class.  Today I'm sharing with you one of the cards I made in that class, which fits perfectly with the Watercolor Resist challenge at the CAS Watercolour Card Challenge.  The image was heat embossed then water colored.  I love the way this looks.  It's a wee bit of bright to counter the cold of an Iowa winter.

My card has been entered in the CAS Watercolour Card Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Elegant Birthday

Making birthday cards is something I love to do.  This one is going to a very dear lady who has become like a second mother to me.  She's such a sweet woman and I love her dearly.  I kept the design clean and simple and let that beautiful Elegant Birthday stamped image be the focal point.  The stamp set is retired but it's one I know I will use for many years to come.

Stamp Set:  Elegant Birthday (retired); Ink:  Night of Navy; Cardstock:  Night of Navy, Whisper White; Other:  Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, Sunshine Wishes Thinlits Dies, Itty Bitty Accents Heart Punch, Metal Rimmed Pearl

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

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #96

It's the fifth Wednesday of the month and here at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges that means a surprise challenge.  Gail is hosting and her surprise challenge for us is to make a special fold project.  I came across this cute "Box" Card by Chiaki Haverstick and just had to make it for my Design Team project.  It's cute.  It's easy.  It's quick to make.  If you'd like her instructions, you can find them HERE.

One of the things I don't often buy is ribbon.  I find I never get it used up before it's retired so I keep a stock of the 5/8" Whisper White Organza Ribbon on hand.  What I do, when I decide to add a ribbon, is color the organza to match my project.  I usually just use a blender tool but you can also use a brayer if you are so inclined.  I colored the ribbon in Sweet Sugarplum to match my project.

My youngest granddaughter turns 13 on Christmas Day.  It's a milestone birthday so I'm going to design a pair of earrings and matching bracelet for her birthday gift.  I think this will make the perfect package for them. 

Stamp Set:  Elegant Birthday (retired); Ink:  Sweet Sugarplum; Cardstock:  2016-2018 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack, Very Vanilla; Other:  5/8" Whisper White Organza Ribbon

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 5th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sparkly Thank You Pine

With all of my Christmas cards done, I turned my thoughts to the thank you cards that we all will need to send out.  Whether it be for a gift or the sharing of a meal with friends or family, I always like to have thank you cards ready so I can get them in the mail quickly.  I'm so glad that my mother taught me the value of sending thank yous.

For my "old" stamp, I picked Lovely As a Tree.  It's been around for as long as I've been a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.  The earliest date I could find on Split Coast was 2003.  I'm not sure, but I think it could be older than that.  Anyway, it's a tried and true wonderful stamp set that has endured and I, for one, hope it continues to do so.

While it is not showing up well in the photo, I used my Heat & Stick Powder and added some sparkle using Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder.  I covered the entire rectangle and it gives it a sparkly effect that looks like snow glistening at night as it falls from the sky.

Stamp Sets:  Lovely As a Tree, Rose Wonder (sentiment); Inks:  Night of Navy, Old Olive; Cardstock:  Whisper White; Patterned Paper:  Serene Scenery Designer Series Paper Stack; Other:  Heat & Stick Powder, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

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

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

It's a Celebration

Addicted to CAS is celebrating their 4th birthday and this is the card I made to celebrate the event with them.  Over time, I have become addicted to clean and simple as I love the uncluttered design.  Most of the time I use ink and paper with no embellishments when making a CAS (Clean And Simple) design.  Today, I glued the die-cut word celebrate inside the frame of that wonderful scalloped stitched die-cut.  The image to the left is stamped in Night of Navy then, I filled it in with a Silver Gelly Roll Pen.  I'm not sure that was a good idea.  I think I may like it better without but it did add just a bit of shimmer to the image.

Stamp Set:  Paisleys & Posies; Ink:  Night of Navy; Cardstock:  Sweet Sugarplum, Whisper White; Other:  Celebrate Die (Taylored Expressions), Frame in Frame 2 Cutting Place (Taylored Expressions), Silver Gelly Roll Pen

The theme I used is from the Addicted to CAS Challenge. For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha