So Thankful...Color Throwdown #167

Hi everyone.  I'm here to share my Color Throwdown card for the challenge Joan is hosting (CTD167).  She chose an awesome, vibrant palette this week:

I celebrated my birthday last week while I was in San Antonio for work...and I was lucky enough to have a very good friend who just so happened to be there at the same time.  He and I and some fellow, FUN co-workers, went to dinner.  We enjoyed some amazing steak and margaritas at a fab restaurant, and my friend was soooo sweet, he picked up the tab for my dinner!  Totally unnecessary and I argued with him, but he just would not let me pay on my birthday :]  I really appreciate his thoughtfulness...and I really don't feel deserving, but I'm SO THANKFUL to have such a great friend. I owe him so much more than a simple thank you card, and hopefully I can find a way to return the kind gesture.

As you can see, I kept my card very simple, and tried VERY hard to make this palette masculine!  The easiest way for me to do that was to recolor some of my plaid paper from last year around this time.  This sheet came from the Candy Shoppe collection.  I also started two other cards using two other recolored sheets from the same collection.  I hope to share those this week...I simply didn't have it in me to finish three tonight.  I got home pretty late and I'm feeling under the weather.  So...keep an eye out...I may be back tomorrow ;]  My leaves are from the Old Oak Leaf and Marvelous Maple Leaf cut files, the green tartan pattern was recolored from the Fresh Fabric Collection 2, and my sentiment came from my Sentimental Occasions stamp set.  The card was cut on my Cricut using the Creative Cards/Envelope 1 cut file. The button and twine are from my stash and I used a SU punch to cut out the word "thank".  I also sponged the edges of the green patterned paper with white acrylic paint.

That's all I have for you today, but swing by our very talented DTs' blogs for a great sampling of inspiring projects!

Bar

Broni

Danielle

Joan

Kerri

Keva

Lori

Lynn

Tammy

Wanda
Lydia Fielder ~ November Guest Designer

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you're hitting mid-week on a great note!!

Color Throwdown Challenge #166 & MTME Release

Happy Wednesday, my friends.  Welcome back to another edition of the Color Throwdown ;]  Today, Danielle is our talented hostess, and she chose this awesome palette:

Beautiful, huh?  LOVE the cool colors together.  I kept my card CAS for the most part and focused on some fun digi paper (FREE 12 Days of Snowflakes, Fresh Cut Expressions Collection 1, and Trendy Forest) and some super cute cut files.  The sentiment is stamped on a Tag You're It cut file and the other, more prominent cut file was released yesterday at My Time Made Easy.  It's the bell in the spotlight called, Ring in the New Year.  Isn't it adorable?  I scaled it 50% and then another 25%...so it's pretty big in the original form...but thankfully for cut files we can have any size we want!  Check out the MTME store to peek at all of the new products! They're sure to inspire you for the holidays.

My layout was inspired by the MOJO Monday sketch (MOJO213):

You can also check out the MTME Gallery and DT for even more inspiration ;]  Be sure to swing by the Color Throwdown DT for some amazing inspiration on the fresh palette Danielle chose:

Bar

Broni

Carole

Danielle

Joan

Kerri

Keva

Laura

Lori

Lynn

Tammy

Wanda

Welp, I need to get going for now.  Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you found a little inspiration to get crafty this week :]

Hi friends!  I’m popping in to share a project I made for the My Time Made Easy November release.  Lauren and Sara came up with a great collection of templates, images, cut files, paper and stamps this month!  This release is chock full of fun, versatile products that you can use for the holidays or throughout the year.  I chose to go with a holiday theme when I saw the Tri-It template.  It immediately reminded me of some gold colored “cones” I hang on my Christmas tree.  My entire tree is decorated in white and gold ornaments – no exceptions.  So, I thought it would be fun to recreate the gold cone and put my own twist on it.  I kept it simple and pretty…just like my tree :] 

I scaled the template to 50% before cutting and then stamped my pieces with Fanciful Flourishes using VersaMark and embossed in gold.

I created my handle simply by trimming about a 6”x1/4” strip of paper and wrapping the metallic ribbon around it until it was covered.  Neat, huh? 

I trimmed the extra “closure” strips off of the base (that ended up being my top), lined the edge with gold/white ribbon and a couple of pretty bows, and cut a tiny hole in the point.  Here I threaded a gold bell with some metallic ribbon and tied a small knot inside the cone to hold it in place.  I then tied a small bow above the bell (can we ever really have too many bows?!  I think not). 

Now if you’re wondering what this “ornament” would be used for on my tree…think goodies, like chocolate or a tiny present.  Either will look adorable with the white marabou lining the interior.  I love how it gives my ornament an ethereal look…because that’s the look I’m going for on my tree :]

Okay, that’s all I have for you today, but check back tomorrow – I have a quick and easy card to share for the release.  Remember, everything is live in the store NOW, so go fill your shopping carts!!  Take a gander at the rest of our talented DT for some more inspiration!  They never fail to amaze ♥

Lauren Meader

Debbie Marcinkiewicz

Kathryn Berthiaume

Katie Cotton

Lisa Kind

Monique Hansen

Tangii Crain

Thanks for stopping by today.  Hope the rest of your week is spectacular!!

Color Throwdown #164

Hi friends.  I'm popping in to share a card I made this morning for the Color Throwdown (CTD164) challenge.  I didn't get my card done for the challenge on Wednesday because I was out of town this week for work (and I'm a procrastinator).  Broni is our hostess and she chose a pretty Halloween palette for us! 

Of course, I decided not to make a Halloween themed card, and recolored the same paper I used last week instead, Fresh Cut Expressions - Collection 1.  I used Chupa's Sketchbook Saturday Challenge #34 as the inspiration for my layout:

I didn't want to cover my bold print with my sentiment (MTME Sentimental Occasions) so I went with vellum (again).  I added some black sewing trim and a piece of black lace and stiched my small layers together. 

I also randomly stitched my vellum to secure it to my paper and to add interest.  Other than that, it's pretty self explanatory :]

You have until 11:59 pm on Sunday to link to your card and be eligible for our Featured Stamper badge.  Be sure to check out my fellow DT creations also!  I'm being lazy tonight, so I'm going to refer you to their blog links over at the Color Throwdown site ;]  I WILL be back this week as usual.  Check in with me again on Wednesday if you're looking for a fresh palette of inspiration!!

Hope you're having an awesome weekend.

Color Throwdown Challenge #163

Hi friends!  It's Wednesday which means I'm here to share my Color Throwdown card!!  Bar is our fab hostess who chose this stunning palette.

I didn't realize it until I uploaded my card, but apparently I channeled my card from two weeks ago when I was getting crafty!  I kept thinking something felt familiar, but I dismissed it and kept right on going.  Oh well...I love the colors and I adore this paper I recolored to fit the challenge palette (MTME Fresh Cut Expressions - Collection 2).  I also used a sheet from my Romance pack and recolored a sheet from my Cheerful Musical Magic pack.  My sentiment is from the MTME So Sentimental stamp set.

My bird, sentiment panel, round layer, and branch are all cut files (Branching Out, A Little Birdie, Framed Elegance, and What's My Fortune? Cookie).  I ran my Poppy marker around the edge of my bird and also dotted her eye.  I did the same for my sentiment panel.  The vellum layer is dry embossed, and I added some cool, dark brown hemp twine to show off my button.  The ribbon layer is the same as the layer on my card two weeks ago (of course).  That lace trim just sings to me every time I get busy in my craft room! 

My layout was inspired by Chupa's Sketchbook Saturday challenge #32...which was inspired by a card our guest designer, the talented Ms. Amy sheffer created not long ago.

That's pretty much all there was to my card (other than a BUNCH of dimensional tape)...but be sure to check out our new DT!  You'll find a LOT more inspiration each week with our awesome designers ;]

Bar

Broni

Danielle

Joan

Keva
Laura

Lori

Lynn

Tammy

Wanda

♥ Amy Sheffer ~ October Guest Designer ♥

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you are having a wonderful, short week ;]

Swimming for Katie Renz ~ Blog Hop and Fundraiser

From October 10-12 some of the best stampers are joining together to support and encourage our friend and fellow stamper, Katie Renz, who is currently battling inoperable gastric cancer. If you're not familiar with her, Katie’s cancer story started just before Christmas last year. This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of 3 with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, virtually overnight. A few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer. Her first post about it is here. The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post here.

This exclusive stamp used in my sample, designed by Becky Oehlers is available as a clear stamp, as well as a digi or a digi and SVG cut file (I used the svg cut file to trim around my digi image...if you haven't used digis with cut files before, Lauren Meader has an awesome tutorial HERE...the digi papers I used came from my MTME Blue Skies collection). 100% of the profits go to Katie's fund to help her and her young family. Her husband Kevin and her three young children need our help and support. 

In addition to the Keep Swimming Octopus, Marianne Walker and True =D Doodle Designs both also donated digis that are for sale. Direct donations are also being accepted. Information central is HERE. This is a permanent page that will stay active at i {heart} papers with current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as the donation button.

Here are all the items available for sale.

Keep Swimming Octopus Peachy Clear stamp $5.50 with free shipping

Keep Swimming Octopus DIGIstamp $3.00 with instant download

Keep Swimming Octopus DIGIstamp with SVG cut file $3.50 with instant download

Keep Swimming Mermaid DIGIstamp $3.50 with instant download

Keep Swimming Ribbon Fish DIGIstamp and DIGIpapers $5.00 with instant download

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation.  If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:

Katie Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

The following is a list of everyone who has projects posted today. I hope you will be inspired by them and moved to purchase or donate.  

Thank you!

Ashley Harris
Clare Buswell
Jessica Diedrich
Lisa Somerville
Charlene Merrick
Eva Dobilas
Judy Rozema
Sharon Doolittle
Tifany DeGough
Windy Robinson
Ashley Cannon Newell
Connie McCotter
Heidi Van Laar
Karen Maldonado
Lori Craig
Melissa Phillips
Tosha Leyendekker
Amy Kolling
Angela Thomas
Angelica Suarez
Angie Blom
Becky Oehlers
Betty Wright
Bev Gerard
Brenda Weaver
Carolyn King
Chari Moss
Charlene Driggs
Cindi Bisson
Claire Brennan
Corinna McGregor
Craft Critique
Karen Hunsaker (Rubbernecker Stamps Designer)
Keely Yowler
Kelly Schirmer
Keri Lee Sereika
Kim Hughes
Kimber McGray
Kittie Caracciolo
Kristin Eberline
Wendy Price

Color Throwdown Challenge #162

Hi friends!  I'm here to share my card for the Color Throwdown Challenge (CTD162) that Tammy is hosting this week!  BUT, before I get into my post I have to apologize to everyone who played along last week.  I was the hostess and I set aside Monday night to comment on everyone's cards and type the Featured Stamper post, but unfortunately I've had MAJOR CONSTANT issues with my wi-fi router.  Sometimes it works like a charm for a good length of time, and others, well it just doesn't allow me to do anything for a good length of time.  The latter was the case last night.  It took me over two hours to comment on one blog post.  Eventually I had to give up because 5 am comes way too early.  Fortunately, my sweet friend, Broni, stepped in and saved the day!  THANK YOU BRONI!!!  I owe you girlfriend.  Okay...onto Tammy's awesome palette!  Check it out:

I chose to work with my MTME Romance paper since the palette was so similar to the challenge colors!  I hand-stitched my three base strips together (1.5" x 4" each) and added a strip of some pretty, brown lace trim I picked up at Hobby Lobby a while ago.  I used my Sentimental Occasions stamp set, my Occasional Labels and Flutters and Flowers cut files for my focal points.  I punched "happy" with a SU punch, and secured it with a button.  I layered about four pieces of the daisy cut file after inking the petal edges with a Copic and curling them with my fingers.  I secured them with a button also.  My card shape is also a cut file from MTME, Cornice Trimmed Square.

My layout was inspired by Chupa's Saturday Sketchbook challenge.

 

That's all I have to share today, other than the links to our fabulous DT!  Swing by and take a look at their fab creations :]  You'll definitely receive a HEALTHY dose today...we've expanded our talent - take a look ♥

Bar

Broni

Carole

Danielle

Laura

Tammy

~ Newbies ~

Keva

Lori

Lynn

Wanda

don't forget our HUGELY talented October guest designer:

♥ Amy Sheffer ♥

We certainly hope you can play along this week!  You don't have to use these exact colors (obviously, because I didn't :)...just come close.  Thanks for stopping by today.  Hope your week is off to a great start and you're on a swift downhill slide ;]

Color Throwdown #161

Happy Wednesday, my friends!  I'm hosting the Color Throwdown (CTD161) this week and I chose what I think is a fun and easy palette for you to work with!  Check it out:

It's based on my new digi paper pack at My Time Mady Easy called Trendy Forest.  HUGE thanks to the CTD gals who were able to use it on their cards this week!  They made it look fantastic!!  I used three of the sheets on my card, and also recolored some Wistful Musical Magic paper in chocolate for my circle panel.  I cut it on my Cricut using my Cornice Trimmed Circle cut file resized to 3".  I cut my flag panel using the flag piece from the What's My Fortune? Cookie cut file.  My sentiment and the bird cage are from the Singing Silhouette stamp set.  I stamped and embossed the cage on the vellum panel I cut using the Caged cut file.  My cute little bird was cut from the A Little Birdie cut file and resized to fit on my birdcage :]  Oh my...evertime I think I'm done sharing the supplies I used, I realize there's yet another cut file!  Last but certainly not least, the pretty branch that I cut from my plaid lime paper used the Branching Out cut file.  My white, ruffled trim, melon ribbon, and chocolate brad are from Hobby Lobby.

My layout was inspired by Chupa's Sketchbook Saturday Challenge #30.

Okay, I think that covers everything!  Don't stop here though, we have a TON of inspiration from our very talented DT.  Be sure to check out their goodies :]

Bar

Broni

Carole

Danielle

Tammy

♥ Julee Tilman ~ September Guest Designer ♥

Thanks for stopping in today!  Hope your week is awesome so far, and finishes up on a nice and easy note ;]

Color Throwdown Challenge #160

Hi all...I'm back from the work trip I took to New Mexico last week, and am happy to be playing along with the CTD today!  Danielle is our hostess and she chose a timeless color combo that I adore.  Check it out:

So pretty ♥  Fortunately, I have some paper that jives well with this palette, MTME All Steamed Up and one sheet from my Coffee Beans collection.  I really wasn't trying to plagiarize our fab guest designer, Julee Tilman's concept on her MOJO Monday card when I use her sketch, but maybe the coffee theme spoke to me subliminally :] 

Total bonus that my paper just so happens to be coffee themed.  I used one of my newest label cut files, Frame Me to provide a base for my cup.  I stitched my sentiment tag to my handle, and added a pretty, pearl flourish for my "steam"...along with my chocolate twine and pink button.  I'm planning to send this card to my kiddo at college with her next care package because I do, miss her a "latte" :)

Okay, friends.  That's all I have to share with you today, but be sure to swing by the rest of our team's blogs for a healthy dose of inspiration.

Bar

Broni

Danielle

Julee Tilman ~ September Guest Designer

Thanks for stopping by today :]  Hope you're having a fabulous week!!

Color Throwdown Challenge #158

Hi everyone.  I'm back today with my card for the Color Throwdown (CTD158).  Broni is our hostess today and she chose a perfect palette for the masculine card I needed to make!  Check it out:

I realized recently that CAS is my friend when my mojo is on vacay.  I think I may have left it on the cruise I took in August...not exactly sure, but it's M.I.A!  So, today I used my new digital stamp set at MTME, Happy Hallows.  I layered the solid, abstract circle in a pale gray (80% transparent), the plaid in Peach Parfait (also 80% transparent), then layered my open faced leaves at full opacity in Island Indigo.  The trunk of my tree is Basic Gray.  I inserted my tree "photo" into a Word document, added the "happy" sentiment, and printed. 

I recolored the multi-striped paper from my Shutt-erfly collection to match this week's palette, layered my white, embossed 'birthday' sentiment from So Sentimental, stitched on some peach colored buttons, and layered it on gray cs.  That was it...all finished.  Almost too simple (in execution and appearance)...but the recipient won't mind.  It's going to a teenage boy ;]  LOL

Find some real inspiration at our DT's blogs...and our fabulous September guest designer, Julee Tilman!

Bar

Broni

Carole

Danielle

Laura

Tammy

♥ Julee Tilman ~ September Guest Designer ♥

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you had a relaxing, LONG weekend ;]