Later Gator

When I first saw the See You set in my preview of Stampin' Up's Sale-a-Bration catty, I never I had to have it. The stamp that says "See You Later, Alligator" warms my heart. So I naturally couldn't wait to use it once I got my preorder. It seemed as though no challenges came up where I felt like it was the right stamp. That is until I saw Pals Paper Arts #185 Sketch Challenge. 

A sweet and simple sketch perfect for a little alligator. 

Choosing the stamp set was easy, but the colors and other embellishments, not so much. I started with a Pistachio Pudding base, but then I thought it looked too much like my Perfect Starburst card from the other day. So I got our my new DSP, specifically Sweet Sorbet (also a Sale-a-Bration pick) which is quickly becoming a favorite for me. I found this piece with mostly black and splashes of color. This then helped me to decide on a black card base, something I never do. 

A quick stamp of the alligator and a run through the Big Shot with the new Banner framelits, and I was good to go. 

I am in love with this card. It helped me see that not all CAS cards have to be mostly white space, but just open space. I am thinking of making a friend of mine a set of cards using the other stamps in the See You set. Looking forward to using "You are my Sunshine when skies are grey" stamp as well. Happy Monday!

Oh, Happy Day

If you've been browsing some of my past creations over the last week or so, you will notice that a new obsession for me in the Starburst framelits. Well, surprise, surprise, there is a matching stamp set called Starburst Sayings. It is adorable and was also a perfect match for the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #200 from The Sweetest Thing. 

I jumped at a chance to open my new Retro Fresh DSP. I love the color combo of Baked Brown Sugar, Tangerine Tango, and Coastal Cabana. It is definitely retro and very cool. 

This card was a bit of a labor of love. I went a little nuts adding mini rhinestones to all the dots inside the word "Happy." I think it has a cool impact, but I certainly would not want to do this for very many cards. 

I liked the first on so much that I made a second and just reversed the colors and this time, no rhinestones. It is a beautiful card for any occasion. Thanks Karen for a great sketch!

Red, White, and Kraft

I love the red, white, and kraft color combo for Christmas. I know those these colors are typical for Valentine's Day, but they are so clean and fresh. Fusion Card Challenge combined my love of these two colors and a sweet little sketch. 

The beauty of the Fusion challenges is that you can pretty much take inspiration from any part of their challenge and make it your own. I tried my hand at both the picture and sketch challenges this time. 

I used layers upon layers for this card. I started with a solid Real Red base and added some Fresh Prints DSP to the back. Then I embossed a piece of White cardstock with the new Arrows embossing folder. I love that it looks a bit like a chunky cable knit sweater. Then I used my Big Shot and the Banner framelits to cut out some flags from more Fresh Prints DSP. 

I used the Hardwood stamp to give my circle more depth and then stamped over it with the sentiment, "Love You More." Before adhering the sentiment and flags to the card I wound up some red baker's twine and regular twine into a messy nest and stuck it down to my card. Last, but not least, I added a couple silver sequins for a bit of sparkle. 

Do you have a favorite color combo that you turn to when crafting or making cards?

Countdown to 2014

When I first saw that Cas-ual Fridays had a Happy New Year Challenge, I instantly had the idea of a countdown. 

Pair this with a bright and fun color selection from the Friday Mashup using Real Red, Gumball Green, Bermuda Bay, and Crumb Cake with a sprinkle of shimmer (thank you Watercolor Washi tape)

and you have what Cas-ology would call a PARTY!

No, but in all seriousness, my brain automatically went to countdown. I used the Morning Post stamp set to start a number countdown down the side of the card. I am absolutely in love with the Watercolor Washi tape. It reminds me of  confetti. I didn't have a great sentiment to pair with this card so I used, "Hip Hip Hooray" from the Hip Notes stamp set. 

You know how sometimes you have this great idea and in your head it is gorgeous, but once you make it, it isn't quite what you dreamed. That was this card for me. It's a perfectly fine card, but it didn't meet all the hype I created in my head for it. 

Have you ever had one of those cards/projects that just didn't meet your expectations or dreams?

Enjoy the New Year

I've been under a bit of self-induced pressure. I made a quilt for each of my nephews for Christmas and all my Owen nap time lately has been devoted to cutting, ironing, and sewing. (Pictures of quilts will be posted in a future post.) Don't get me wrong, I love it and the results were awesome, but it left little time for anything else. I'm glad to get to craft how I want to during naps over this winter break. Now if only our dog would quit waking up the baby. 

I went back to my tired and true challenges and whipped up a card to ring in the new year. Thanks to Cas-ual Fridays #124 New Year, Cas(e) This Sketch #58, and Cas-ology #76 Party for the fabulous inspiration today! 

The DSP is a Sale-a-Bration pick called Sweet Sorbet. I love the polka dots. They reminded me of confetti falling after the ball drops in New York City. All these sweet little dots are broken up by a white piece of cardstock and the simple word "enjoy" stamped in Basic Black. To add a bit more sparkle and shine I randomly balled up some new Silver Baker's Twine and punched out star and one single sequin. This was my nod at the ball drop. 

I love this sweet little card and the fact that it could be used for so many different occasions. I love that inspiration comes in many forms. Thank you to all that visit and pin our projects. We hope to have more to share throughout the new year. Happy New Year!

Perfect Sunburst

Before Christmas I was able to do a Stampin' Up pre-order for the new Occasions catalog and             Sale-a-Bration items. I'm so glad I did because over winter break I have begun playing with my many amazing toys. 

My Favorite Things Challenge #156 was a perfect match to a few goodies I received in my Stampin' Up box, like the Starburst framelits. So excited about these. 

Instead of taking the sketch too literal, which I usually do, I decided to think outside the box this time and I think it paid off. I decided to cut the circle out using the Starburst framelits. Genius, right? Yeah, but then what to do. Since I had removed most of the front of the card, I figured I better add a bit of interest to the inside. I did this by stamping Smokey Slate ink on Smoky Slate cardstock using the new Hardwood stamp. Swoon!

It was coming along nicely, but now what. Well I went back to the Starburst framelits and cut out the next smallest. Then I embossed it using the new Dots Embossing folder (another Sale-a-Bration pick). I added a strip of Basic Gray cardstock to the front to make a spot for my sentiment. 

Again, I went back to the Starburst framelits and went one smaller again. Last, but not least, I picked the perfect saying for a friend dealing with a break-up. This comes from the new set Perfect Pennants. 

Simple and sweet. Nothing could be better!

Paper Pieced Sunburst

So I've been a smidge obsessed with the paper pieced sunburst cards since I first started seeing them on blogs and Pinterest. I wanted to make one so bad, but it looked like too much work. Make a pattern, cut paper, reassemble. Seems like a lot for one little card. Don't get me wrong, the look is worth the time, but I just couldn't force myself to sit down and do it...until now. 

This week sketch from Retro Sketch Challenge #95 gave me the courage to give it a shot. It looks simple and adorable. I just got a new mini pack of paper from Stampin' Up called Fresh Prints, so why the heck not?

I made my pattern, traced it on to the Fresh Prints DSP, and reassembled it on my cardstock. A bit tedious, but it would be better now that I have created a pattern. Now for the sentiment. I hadn't used this one yet, and man does it sound like me. I added a few silver sequins for fun and sparkle and there you have it...my first paper pieced starburst card. Not bad for a first attempt. 

I can't wait to give this to a family member. They would know it was from me before ever reading the inside. Happy stamping and enjoy the holidays!

A Little Bit Country

A short drive from our house brings you out into the country in the middle of farm fields, barns, and beauty. I made this card for my last stamp group and realized right away that it fit CAS-ology's Challenge #67 Country Theme. 

I love the Hexagon punch, but what I think adds a little country is the patterns within them. The cross-hatch looks like a pair of faded denim jeans and the other like a gingham shirt. A touch of coral chevron for a modern touch and it's a card that's a little bit country. 

Happy weekend!

A Treat for my Boys

I love Halloween. It is the beginning of fall and the air is crisp and cool. Living in Wisconsin means that usually you need to find, make, or create a costume that can fit over a jacket or snowsuit. This year Owen is going to be a silly little monkey. Not far from the truth!

I posted yesterday and shared the cute little treat bags I made for our neighbor kids. I made treat bags for all my nephews as well. I think it is a cute little something that is special to each of the boys. I wanted to make each tag unique, but easy to mass produce. 

These tags fit perfectly with CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #118 Tags and Bags

and again with Pinspired Challenge #20 Halloween

I used some glassine bags I purchased from a store on the internet, but you could use any type. I made my tags from leftover designer paper, corduroy buttons, and my chalkboard marker. I stamped the date on the tags with my rotary stamp.  

Happy Halloween everyone!

Trick-or-Treat Bags

These cute bags are no trick, but all treat. Since Nick works nights during the week, Owen and I are on our own for Halloween. And as much as I would love to sit home and pass out candy (not!), I would much rather be tromping around the neighborhood with my little man. 

We created these cute little bags for some of our neighbor kids. They each get their own personalized bag and a bit of candy. This saves me from sitting at home and spending oodles on candy. 

These cute bags fit the CAS-ual Friday Challenge #118 Tags and Bags

as well as the Pinspired Challenge #20 Halloween

I used some small kraft bags from Michael's and some leftover designer paper from last Halloween. A super easy and super cute little gift for the neighbors. I can't wait to let Owen deliver these. 

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Time

It is no secret that fall is my favorite season. I love the cool nights, baked goods, craft fairs, and leaves turning color. We also love visiting the pumpkin patch. We bought several pumpkins last weekend for cheap and we plan to do all our photo op stuff at the patch. 

This card was inspired by my serious love of pumpkins and fall. I combined a bunch of challenges for a seriously simple Halloween card. 

Color Throwdown #263 provided the perfect fall color assortment. 

Freshly Made Challenge #107 provided a super simple layout. No frills! 

Friday Mash-Up #131 with Spooky and Cas-ology #65 provided the inspiration. 

Last, but certainly not least, CAS-ual Fridays #117 provided a small finishing touch. 

The result is a spooky little card with lots of white space and a few fabulous details. I'm a bit obsessed with the weird white/cream colored pumpkins right now, but for my card I made a gray one. I love Stampin' Up's Jack of All Trades set...too bad it's retired!

Happy Fall y'all!

Color Wash Thanks

Archiver's and I have become pretty good friends lately. I am hooked on Project Life and can't help myself from going there to by more goodies and expansion cards (that I really don't need.) They're so adorable though, so I go anyway. (Currently I am just putting my wedding pictures into the album from almost 10 years ago...maybe I try scrapping each week after the first of the year.)

Anyway, as I was wandering around I found this really cute polymer stamp set by Pink Paislee called Color Wash. It gives three brushstroke options and many sentiment outlines. So I decided to challenge it up again and combine a few to make the perfect card. 

First, Paper Pal Arts Challenge #174 provided the color selection this week with Pumpkin Pie, Pear Pizzazz, and Baked Brown Sugar. I was a little unsure about this color combo until it all came together. Now I think it is gorgeous!

Cas(e) This Sketch Challenge #48 provided the perfect keep it simple layout. 

I love how it looks like I wiped ink across the page. I also love how much open white (vanilla) space I have on this card. 

These are exactly the kind of cards I love to make.