Festive Fireplace for a Mojo Monday Challenge {12 Weeks of Christmas} Week 2

I'm at the tail end of a great weekend retreat, away with like-minded crafting friends and this is one of the projects I completed.  I didn't bring my usual photo-taking accoutrements with me, so it won't be until I am home that I can take proper pictures of this fancy fold card with a belly band.

Here's a quick look; I need to post it on the Mojo Monday blog, as I won't be home to do so by 7:00 PM (the deadline). Please check back for an updated post with the supplies I used, as well as alternative views at the parts and how it folds.  This was a fun card to make and I enjoyed playing with my new Festive Fireplace stamp set and Festive Fireside Framelits.

Host Set Note Card for Challenges!

I'm back! April was a fantastically busy month for my family with lots of lovely things happening, but I have just stolen a little time in the Studio! I only got one project completed so far, but here's what we've got for today.

I'm entering this project in the Mojo Monday MOJO395 and Colour Me Card CMCC69 Challenges.

I used the retiring Hello, There host set and 2013-15 In Color, Coastal Cabana, along with Real Red and Cherry cobbler.  The Burlap Ribbon and Cotton Ribbon add a bit of texture to the project. The Baker's Twine was just what I needed to finish the flag.

Since the 2014-15 Annual Catalog is in its final month (and things are selling out!), I'll be highlighting retiring items throughout the month.  Click {HERE} to read more about the retiring catalog, 

and 

click {HERE} to shop!

Say, are you on my mailing list? Drop me a line and I'll make sure you are! Are you a Studio Select Customer? If so, I'll be sending you a new 2015-16 Annual Catalog for free!

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!

Mason Jars for Mojo and Shabby Challenges

Today's project I enjoyed creating for the challenge provided by The Shabby Tea Room.  We were to be inspired by this photo:

I used the stamp set, About the Label and inked it in Coastal Cabana and Calypso Coral.  I used the Bordering Blooms set for the white flowers, which were inked in Versamark and heat embossed with Stampin' Emboss White Powder.

For a bit more flair, I've added the Natural Cotton Ribbon, Linen Thread, punched blooms from the Boho Blossoms punch and Pearl Basic Jewels.

This fun DSP is a Sale-a-Bration freebie called Best Year Ever. You can earn it for free with any $50 merchandise purchase!

A Crabby End to 2014 Plus an Exciting Invitation I Received!

When I wrote "crabby," I meant it!

In our state, the crabbing season ends at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day. As such, our friends must pull their crab pots one final time.  Last year was our first year accompanying them and this is what we were treated to:

A whole pod.  No lie.  Spyhopping, flapping their tails, swimming under our boat, etc.  We were motoring home (we live just north of this guy, up beyond his dorsal fin there) and came upon the pod.  We cut the engine and bobbed for 30 minutes or more, pointing and shouting at what we were seeing.  An added bonus was that my little sister and her children were visiting from Wyoming and this was a once-in-a-lifetime treat for anyone, especially the landlocked.

This year, we got to repeat the adventure (sadly, no whales), but we did get plenty of yummy crab and got to see sea lions, seals, a porpoise and lots of cormorants!

I created this card for my first Creative Crew challenge (that's the exciting invitation I mentioned above).  I'll be creating projects for the fun challenges released monthly at Splitcoast Stampers.  Check it out {HERE}!

I also entered this card in the Mojo Monday MOJO378 and Colour Me Card #52 Challenges.

Our charge in the Creative Crew challenge for this month was to create masculine projects.  This will serve as a Thank You note for our esteemed skipper!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  By the Seashore

Papers:  Soft Sky, Baked Brown Sugar, and Whisper White card stocks and All Abloom DSP Stack

Inks:  Baked Brown Sugar Classic

Artist's Flair:  Woodgrain TIEF, Stampin' Sponges, 2-inch Circle Punch, Burlap Ribbon

Check out the {Creative Crew Gallery}!

Don't forget:

Click {HERE} to shop!

Bonus! The All Abloom DSP Stack is a Weekly Deal through Monday, January 12! Click {HERE} to see the deals!

Another Thank You for {12 Weeks of Christmas} & a Mojo Challenge (Did Someone Say 'Online Extravaganza?')

I run through Thank You notes pretty quickly at my house.  I created this one for a past Mojo Monday Challenge (MOJO370).  I'm loving the luscious Lost Lagoon in this year's In Color rollout.  

I also love the fun (and *EASY!*) sparkle that Silver Glimmer Paper brings.  You can punch it, use it as a stand-alone layer, dye it different colors, and run it through your Big Shot (I give it an extra go to be sure it's cut, as it's thicker than normal card stock). Future {12 Weeks of Christmas} posts will highlight this fun Stampin' Supply.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Another Thank You Photopolymer

Papers: Very Vanilla card stock and Silver Glimmer Paper

Inks:  Lost Lagoon Classic Ink

Artist's Flair:  Boho Blossoms Punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Lost Lagoon Stitched Satin Ribbon


Stay tuned as next week brings the annual Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza! There are going to be great deals on all sorts of Stampin' Up! products, so please click back here for more information!

Endless Wishes in Week 1 of My Annual of {12 Weeks of Christmas} Series!

Welcome to the first installment of my yearly {12 Weeks of Christmas} Series! I love putting this series together each year, including posts about planning, cards, gifts, and fun holiday decor.  Each week, I'll give you a new idea to inspire or streamline your Christmas planning.  It's a super-fun time of year and I'm excited to give you our first taste!

This card was made with a great versatile sketch from the good folks at Mojo Monday. 

I used the Endless Wishes set from the Holiday Catalog.  Need a hard copy of the catalog?  Drop me an email.  Want to check it out online?  Click {HERE} to view it now.

This cute photopolymer set includes snowflake images with a ton of great Christmas-, winter- and holiday-themed sentiments.  *LOVE IT!*

The Designer Series Paper I used here comes in the fun Stack called Moonlight.  

I added a little extra pizzazz with Rhinestone Basic Jewels, the Decorative Dots TIEF, and Lost Lagoon Satin Stitched Ribbon.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Endless Wishes

Papers:  Moonlight DSP Stack, Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey, and Whisper White Card Stocks

Inks:  Lost Lagoon and Basic Gray Classic Inks

Accessories:  Big Shot, Decorative Dots TIEF, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Lost Lagoon Satin Stitched Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thank You and Birthday Cards for Shabby and MOJO Challenges

This is a quick post, as I'm off to our Relay for Life today and I need to finish packing...  These cards were created, inspired by the Mojo Monday MOJO353 and The Shabby Tea Room TSTR226 challenges.  Here are the sketch and inspiration photo.

Here's the scoop:

• I used the Large Polka Dot TIEF to mirror the boots' big dots in the photo.  

• The inspiration for the color palette comes from the photo, as well.  We've got Pool Party, Pink Pirouette, Pistachio Pudding and Crisp Cantaloupe.  

• Pearl Basic Jewels add a fun touch to the left edge (also my super-sneaky way of adhering my vellum -- I just snuck some Two-Way Glue in small dots beneath the pearls on the vellum), flower centers and on the sentiment.

• My Label Bracket punch gave the sentiments that extra touch on the sides.

• The Four You stamp set has really useful and fun sentiments.  Both of my cards' sentiments come from this set...

• I made simple tissue paper flowers by punching plain tissue paper with my 1-1/4" Scallop Circle punch and then sponged Pink Pirouette ink on them.  

These were fun and easy to make.  I love the shape of the Labels Collection Framelits.

Stampin' Up! 2014 Sale-A-Bration {Studio-Sara} Countdown: Banner Blast & Banner Punch

Welcome to another installment of my Sale-A-Bration Finale Countdown...  I *LOVE* the Banner Blast set (SAB page 13, 133551) and coordinating Banner punch (133519)!  Receive either for free with a $50 merchandise purchase or *BOTH* for a $100 merchandise purchase.

This card was created for the Runway Inspired Challenge #54 and Simon Says Stamp challenge.  Runway Inspired challenged us with a lovely Diane von Furstenberg dress.

I love a little peekaboo detail inside!

The little heart comes from the Owl Builder punch (AC page 183, 118074).  The fun flags are cut from Kaleidoscope DSP, found in the Occasions Catalog (page 27, 132995).

This project was made for challenges at The Shabby Tea Room and Seize the Sketch.

The DSP is from the In Colors 2012-14 Paper Stack (AC page 152, 130137).  The heart stamp and polka dot pattern (in the yellow flag) come from Banner Blast (SAB).

The Gumball Green card stock was run through my Big Shot (AC page 184, 113439) using the Arrows TIEF (OC page 26, 132187).  The Primrose Petals circle was run through my Big Shot twice; it was cut into a circle using the Circles Collection Framelits (AC page 186, 130911) and again to add texture with the Perfect Polka Dots TIEF (AC page 191, 117335).

My Simply Scored Tool (AC page 178, 122334) was used to make the flags' poles.

My Banner punch made perfect rays for my sun.  Read more about this project {HERE}.

I had so much fun making this card for the Mojo Monday MOJO337 and Colour Me Card Challenge #12.  Read {THIS POST} about it for more details.

Sale-A-Bration Freebie for MOJO and Colour Me Card Challenges

I had so much fun making this project!  It's my first entry in the Colour Me Card Challenge and I also used Mojo Monday's MOJO337 sketch to guide my design.  

With the Colour Me Card Challenge, we were given three colours plus a neutral.  We were asked to use Pear Pizzazz, Soft Sky and Coastal Cabana plus a neutral of our choice (I used Whisper White, obviously).

I used my super-fun Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper (AC page 154, #130131) along with the Sale-A-Bration freebies, the Banner Blast stamp set (SAB page 13, W133551 C133554) and Banner Punch (SAB page 13, #133519).  

The sentiment comes from the fun sentiment set, Hello, Lovely (AC page 22, W130340, C130243).

Baker's Twine (AC Page 173, #124262) finishes the project...

Studio Suggestions:

• I used an odd number of flags (use items in groupings of 3 or 5 for max impact).

• I inked the star image in Coastal Cabana and then inked the outline in Pear Pizzazz.  It was easier to line up the outline around the star than vice versa.  Also, be sure to stamp first and then punch or run through your Big Shot second.  So much easier!

Best of Birthdays Cards for Mojo Monday, Seize the Birthday and Freshly Made Sketches Challenges

Hello, Visitors!  Here are a couple of projects I've made for past challenges.  I'm sharing them with you today because the stamp used in both will only be available until March 31.

In honor of Stampin' Up! turning 25 this last year, we've been given a "Best of" set for each month. This stamp came in the Best of Birthdays set.  Purchase six of the sets and you can choose an additional set from the current 2013-14 Annual Catalog valued at $14.95 or less.  The Best of Sets must be purchased by March 31, 2014 and the free set must be redeemed by April 30, 2014. Click {HERE} to shop ("Best of" stamps are under the heading of Stamps)!

And now, for the projects!

This card was created for the Mojo Monday MOJO331 challenge.  I loved the layout and the chevrons in the Kaleidoscope DSP (OC, page 27 #132995) work well with the Basic Black 3/4-inch Chevron Ribbon (AC page 173, #130010) to mimic the shape of the Basic Grey flagged piece.

This project was created for the Freshly Made Sketches FMS125, Seize the Birthday STB308 and Dynamic Duos DD92 challenges.  I used Rose Red and Midnight Muse card stock (the colors set forth by the Dynamic Duos color challenge.  

Studio Suggestions:

• I stamped the image twice, fussy cutting the "Birthday" banner and popping it up with Stampin' Dimensionals.

• I used the Adorning Accents Edgelits (AC, page 188, #125595) to add a little interest at the top of the card.

Spring-y Watercolor for Challenges at Mojo Monday and The Shabby Tea Room

Today's project was created for a dear, dear friend for her birthday. A Sister Friend, actually. Unfortunately, we don't live in the same neighborhood anymore (or even the same state), but our friendship is one that will last a lifetime.

I love the promise of spring in this stamp.  I also love the gentleness of watercolor...

This card was entered in the Mojo Monday MOJO336 challenge as well as the Spring Is Near #309 challenge at The Shabby Tea Room.

This is the picture we were to use as inspiration from the talented gals at The Shabby Tea Room:

Here are some close-ups of the details:

I used my Aqua Painter  (103954) dipped in Soft Sky Classic Ink to brush color on the Whisper White card stock.  The image from Simply Sketched, a Hostess Benefits set (W129669, C129672), is inked in Jet Black StazOn ink (101406) so as not to smudge.  The doily makes for an easy frame.

A distressed blossom punched with my Pansy Punch (130698) is placed on the Black Chevron Ribbon (130010) and sentiment strip.  The Basic Black flower center was created using the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309).

Studio Suggestions:

• I used my Heat Tool (129053) to dry the Whisper White circle after I did the watercolor wash so that it was ready to receive the StazOn ink.

• The Soft Sky Pansy punch-out and the Basic Black strip along the right side are distressed.  Click {HERE} for a recent post using distressing and {HERE} for a post and video tutorial.

• The Sale-a-Bration freebie, the Decorative Dots TIEF (133520) was used with a piece of Soft Sky to add subtle texture beneath the sentiment and ribbon strips.

• From now until March 31, enjoy Sale-a-Bration freebies with each $50 merchandise purchase.  Click {HERE} to shop or click on the Sale-a-Bration catalog pic on the upper right side of this page to see what you can earn!