Pot o' Gold and the Luck of the Irish

Feeling a bit of the luck o' the Irish with this card.  I was working on a few challenge entries and this fun note card just came together. 

First, I've been looking forward to playing with the "swipe" image from the Sheltering Tree set in the Occasions catalog.  For the Colour Me Card Challenge (CCMC62), we were to use Pear Pizzazz and Garden Green, so I thought I'd highlight those two colors with this simple stamp.  They form the background behind the Gold Satin Ribbon (which I just fell upon as I pawed through my ribbon stash -- my original plan was to go with Whisper White ribbon of some sort).  This card also fits the monochromatic scheme of the Friday Mashup celebratory 200th (choose your own) challenge, so I chose #6: FM200.

The layout was provided by the Mojo Monday MOJO388 challenge.

Next, I have the "lucky" sentiment punched and clipped from the And Many More set.  I masked off the "you" and inked the stamp with Versamark before embossing it with the Heat Tool and Gold Embossing Powder. I punched the tag with my trusty Modern Label punch and clipped off one end.  Whisper White Baker's Twine finishes the tag. Simple and sweet!

Finally, I used the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack to approximate my lucky clovers. Easy!

Hope you have a fun St. Patty's day and that you find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Masculine Birthday for Mojo, Etc Challenges

This was a fun and easy card to make, suitable for the man in your life. I'm always on the hunt for those cards! The Seize the Birthday Challenge this time was for masculine birthday cards.

The Mojo Monday MOJO387 Sketch inspired my layout:

The leaves of the tree were stamped in Tangelo Twist, per the Monochromatic Challenge at Colour Me Card (CMCC61). Neutrals are allowed, so I used Early Espresso and Crumb Cake in addition to Whisper White.

To make the bicycle stand out more, I heat embossed it, using Versamark Ink and Early Espresso with Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. Doing this meant I could include this card in the challenges at Stampin' Royalty (SRC269) and Virginia's View (VVC13).

The sentiment, from the And Many More set, was inked in Tangelo Twist, punched with the Word Window and snipped at one end for interest. It was mounted on Natural Chevron Ribbon (turned around), which was tied with Linen Thread.

Rather than list items by type, I've included hot links ('kraut, anyone?).  Which is your preference? Drop me a line or leave a comment below, please!

Shabby Girly Lotus Blossom and the View from Today's Studio

Today's feminine project was made using the Retrosketches #156 sketch and will be entered at The Shabby Tea Room, for "Pop of Pink," TSTR247.  The color palette was inspired by the gorgeous gown seen here, at the Oscars:

Photo: oscar.go.com

The good people at Runway Inspired Challenge (RIC#79) invited us to use a variety of Oscars looks as our inspiration.  I loved the softness and the sparkle in this gown, so I used Blush Blossom and gold sequins from my Gold Sequin Trim to echo that.

I used the Lotus Blossom stamp (a freebie available with Sale-a-Bration) and inked it in Blush Blossom over Pink Pirouette. Soft and subtle!

To add a bit of texture, I used the soft Gold Satin Ribbon as well as some Pearl Basic Jewels.  Finally, I added scrunched strips of Pink Pirouette card stock that I'd cut using my Stampin' Trimmer. These little touches make it eligible for the Friday Mashup Challenge #200 (FM200), in which we're to pick two favorite Challenges from before (to celebrate the big 2-0-0!). I chose #7 (Feminine) and #14 (Flowers).

The Ornate Tag Topper Punch and White Baker's Twine add touches of class to the tag.

This sweet sentiment comes from the And Many More stamp set and was inked in Perfect Plum.  I also used it to sponge the edges of the punched piece (using the Modern Label Punch). A pearl ties it to the rest of the project. 

And here is the view from my Studio today:

What they say about Seattle is true.  It rains here.  A.  Lot.  Thing is, when the sun comes out, it's hard not to drop everything and head out to enjoy it.  

We've had *unseasonably* lovely weather for the last few weeks.  I have daffodils and hyacinth peeking up and blooming in the yard. My lilacs, blueberries and hydrangea are budding and some leaves are even beginning to unfurl. It's magic.  

For a mom whose kids play baseball and softball, this weather is sublime.  The kids have had so much fun practicing in this weather (let's hope we have some games on days like this).

As you can see, the sky is robin's egg blue right now, all over, with NO clouds in sight.  A PNW rarity, to be sure!

This is our deck, which we've waited forever to build.  It took all summer to be completed and I've been gazing longingly out the windows at it since October, but I've finally been able to enjoy some morning coffee and blogging out here.    

On the right side of this picture is our grill, where I've temporarily set the hummingbird feeder.  Anna's Hummingbirds (we love that name) are native, year-round residents here and I've got one who's been visiting the entire time I've been out here working.  

I hope Mother Nature lets up on you snowbound folks and gives you some respite from the cold and that the thaw is gentle and uneventful. We'll be back in the rain and gray soon, I'm sure, so I'm going to enjoy this sun and clear weather while I can!

Stop by tomorrow for my latest Mojo Monday entry (a masculine birthday card)...

Finally Back at It in the Studio...

It's been a LLLLOOOONNNNGGG time since I've been able to get down to the business of creating in my studio.  After a busy soccer weekend (and a week full of subbing as the school librarian and three Parent Nights), I got to enjoy some "Me" time.  Here's a peek at what I've been doing.  I'll flesh out each project in posts later this week...