Starburst for Fall-Themed and Sketch Challenges

With the beginning of fall just a few days away, I found that a lot of the challenges in which I've been participating are inspired by this change of seasons.  This card is based in part upon a theme and sketch challenge offered by the fine folks at The Friday Mashup.  With Friday Mashup, we get to choose to follow one of the challenge ideas or mash them both up and create a project using both.  In this case, we were offered this sketch:    

We could "mash" it up by adding a fall theme to our project.  Speaking of fall, the lovely challenge blog, 365 Cards, of which I so often write, challenged us to use five of something and to make it fall-themed in the Five for Fall challenge.  I chose five colors:  So Saffron, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede and Early Espresso.

This card was thus inspired.  I *LOVE* the French script (it's very subtle in this picture), which I inked with So Saffron and stamped on So Saffron card stock.  

**STUDIO SUGGESTION**:  A dusting with my sponge and some Early Espresso makes the punched piece stand out a bit more.

I chose So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon to clean up my edges and I used my Paper Snips to carefully clip out the leaf that I'd inked in Cajun Craze.

**STUDIO SUGGESTION**:  Paper Snips have smaller blades that are super-sharp, so cutting with precision is a snip snap!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  French Foliage (W120845, C121166)

Papers:  So Saffron (105118), More Mustard (100946), Cajun Craze (119684), Soft Suede (115318) and Early Espresso (119686)

Inks:  So Saffron (126957), Cajun Craze (126965), and Early Espresso (126974) Classics

Accessories:  Decorative Label Punch (120907), So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon (122982), Stamping Sponges (101610), Paper Snips (103579), and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

"Hello!" and a Birthday with a Bit of Bling and Sparkle

How 'bout a little bling on this fine Wednesday?  I created two of these cards this weekend...  One was a birthday card for my dear sister-in-law and then I made another with the "hello" sentiment from Tiny Teacup because I knew I could use another card of this design in the future.  The birthday card used the sweet sentiment from the Hostess set, Happiest Birthday Wishes that says "happy birthday dear you!"  I love that...

Anyhoo, I was enjoying my Color Coach this weekend and it helped me select the palette for these bright cards.  Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, and Pacific Point.  Bright and fun!

The background on the Real Red piece was achieved with the Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and my Big Shot (as was the polka-dotted piece in the lower left corner).  I punched out the Pacific Point piece using my Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (soon to be retired, by the by) and then ran it through my Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  The Pumpkin Pie piece layered over it is also from the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch.  I'll be sad to see that one go...

The sentiment, "hello" is inked in Pumpkin Pie and then punched with the Modern Label Punch.  I used a Stamping Sponge and my Pacific Point Classic ink to make it stand out a bit more.  White Organza Ribbon adds a touch more class.  Finally, for the bling, I added the Basic Rhinestones.

*HERE* is another look at Tiny Teacup and THIS ONE, as well.  Oh, and THIS POST, too!

Do you still need the {2012-2013 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog}?  Here's how to earn one for FREE...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Tiny Teacup (W118086)

Paper:  Pacific Point (111350), Real Red (102482), Pumpkin Pie (105117) and Whisper White (100730) card stocks

Ink:  Pacific Point (111837), Real Red (103133), and Pumpkin Pie (105216) Classics

Accessories:  Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119277), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (117335), Modern Label Punch (119849), Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (122464), White Organza Ribbon (114319), Basic Rhinestones (119246), Stamping Sponges (101610)