Color Throwdown Challenge #61

Happy Wednesday!! Happy Color Throwdown day! LOL Check out the amazing color palette that Tammy chose:

Awesome, right?!

This week we're so lucky to have Gina K. Designs as our sponsor. I used the versatile "Are We There Yet" stamp set for my card:

I can think of 10 different occasions this year that I could have used this set for! I can't wait to try out the rest of the images!

On my card I used the watercoloring with markers technique. Oh and I promise I used all of the colors! See the mustard on the headlight and tail light of the scooter? :) It's there! I kind of cheated on the scooter...I don't have the Regal Rose marker so I used Rose Romance (along with Rose Red). To keep the white sections of the scooter, I watercolored using the ink from the Sahara Sand lid...I did the same for the shadow under the scooter. I used PTI's artichoke Bitty Box Basics on my base layer (it's very close in color to Olive), and I used about a hundred dimensionals! I think the rest is pretty self explanatory.

I used Jen Del Muro's SFYTT sketch for my layout. It's not to scale (as usual) but this is the general idea :) Don't forget to check out the rest of the team's eye candy!

Barbara
Broni

Cathy
Danielle
LeAnne

Tammy

They are such a talented group of designers! I've really enjoyed creating alongside them this month!

If you upload your project to an online gallery be sure to use keyword CTD61. Don't forget to put a direct link to your post using Mr. Linky on the CTD blog...as soon as you do, you will be in the running to be named this week's featured stamper! You will also be entered into the random drawing for goodies from Gina K. Designs!!

ATC Transformation

Well, the weekend is over and some of us are back to work :( Blech. BUT, I found a little time yesterday to create a card for two challenges. Tammy Hershberger turned me onto Sharon Johnson's weekly Stamp Simply challenge ssnotime105, and the Crazy 4 Challenges team has another great sketch this weekend (C4C3). So, I used both for my card. The C4C3 sketch was a great layout for me to do another ATC transformation :O)

First my ATC:


And the transformation:

The C4C3 sketch:

Sharon's challenge: Clean and Simple, Black Ink Only OR Brown Ink Only. So clean and simple in style, with only ONE ink, black or brown, and NO coloring. We’ve done something similar before, but this time we are adding in the clean and simple element as well and allowing either black or brown ink. ANY papers or embellishmemts are A-OK. The idea here is to keep our effort to a minimum by doing CAS and limiting inks and omitting coloring, but allowing our papers and embellishments to give our project the POP and pizzazz.

I don't know that my card counts as CAS, but I think it does :O) I only used brown ink (on the pot of the topiary). My sentiment is a Martha Stewart rub on!! That counts, right?? I tied a bow with craft thread and punched holes to pull the thread through the paper and tie off in the back. I stitched the buttons directly to the cs using the same craft thread. I used ribbon on cs for the middle layer (trying to stay CAS) and embossed the bottom layer.

So, that's all I have for today. I will see you again at the latest, on Wednesday for another great Color Throwdown challenge!

Hope you had a wonderful, relaxing weekend. We sure did! This weather is amazing! Nice and cool, yet bright and sunny. LOVE it! I was actually cold at the wedding we went to last night! I love the beginning of autumn :O)

My Time to Color Challenge - MTCC06

Today is another My Time to Color Challenge (MTCC06) from Lauren Meader. Aren't these colors awesome?! I love this combination!!

Remember, this isn't an inspiration challenge, the photo is simply what inspired the color choice :) So, if you play along, feel free to go with anything that comes to mind, just using this palette! I used Papertrey Ink's, White, Scarlett Jewel, Dark Chocolate, and New Leaf Copic trio. The sentiment is SU! Chocolate Chip and Baroque Burgundy. Oh, and come to think of it, I colored the flower petals using Baroque Burgundy and Mauve Mist (watercoloring with markers technique) and the center with Barely Banana and Creamy Caramel.

I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge (MTSC39) for the layout...though it's not exactly to scale :[ The ribbon is PTI's Scarlett Jewel Grossgrain, and the patterned paper is from their Green Tea Leaves collection. The pearl brads and the brown adhesive pearls are from my stash. Can you see the embossed vine and birds on the white panel? I love that Cuttlebug embossing folder! It's so pretty to me :]

Hope you can play along with our challenge this week! If you do, be sure to use keyword MTCC06 in the online galleries and post the direct link to your project using Mr. Linky on Lauren's blog! We love to check out the amazing talent you show us every week! Don't forget, you might be selected as a My Time to Shine Top 5 designer!

Why not soak up a little more inspiration from our wonderfully talented design team to get your creative juices flowing?

Lauren - Team Leader

Alicia

Dana

Kendra

Lisa

MacKenzie

Maria

Odette

Pam

Tamara

Tracey

Hope you have a wonderful Saturday! We are headed to a wedding today so I won't have much time to craft :( BUT, I'm going to try and play along with the Crazy 4 Challenges sketch or Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply Challenge on Sunday!

Color Throwdown Challenge #60

Today marks my third week as the September Guest Designer for the Color Throwdown team! I'm still super excited to work with the team this month! What an absolutely fantastic group of talented ladies. They really have the small challenge details worked out perfectly :) Love the organizational methods of their team!!

Anyway, I digress...before I even got started! LOL This week's colors are definitely unique and I've seen some amazing creations using them:

For some reason, I struggled! I told myself going into this month that I would give each challenge my all (I DON'T like to let people down) and do my best to make WOW cards every week. I made TWO cards this week and I still don't have that completely satisfied feeling, but I like the unique differences in each card.

We were so lucky to sample some adorable stamps from our sponsor, Simon Says Stamp! I LOVE this "You Rock Guitar Hero Music Instruments" stamp set! It's perfect for the teenagers in my life (my daughter, my niece, many of my daughter's friends...), and when I received it, I thought immediately that I wanted to make the images girly! So, my first card...

I made this card using Jen Del Muro's sketch challenge (SFYTT) as my layout. I created the patterned circle paper using a border stamp from the set, and colored the drums using a blender pen and ink pressed into the lids of the pads. I highlighted the rims of the drums using a white gel pen, and made them girly with punched flowers and pearls! These pearls and the felt flower are sold at Simon Says Stamp also. Oh, and I have to tell you, these pearls (by Kaisercraft) are sooo pretty in person! You can see them next to some no-name pearls on my next card and the difference is so apparent! These look like real pearls vs plastic white dots :) My ribbon is from the Martha Stewart collection (pretty good match to the Bermuda Bay, huh?)

...and two days later I decide I no longer like the card above :O) LOL...seriously, I do that ALL the time. My problem this time? It's my submission for the CTD challenge! TRAGEDY! LOL

I created another card...

I envisioned this one being elegant despite the "funkiness" of the stamp set. I challenged myself to make it fancy :O) I felt like the Bermuda Bay and Barely Banana pieces needed something to "connect" them, so I stitched a unique design. I adhered pearl rhinestones to the center of the thread where it crossed (NOT Kaisercraft pearls like the one on the right).

For the main panel, I used my black marker to outline the image while it was still snuggled tight in the nestie. EASY, QUICK impact :O) I colored the trumpet using the same method I did on the first card. I used Crushed Curry to darken the shaded areas and added a shadow with Going Gray ink. I really like how simple the main image is. I could have added a ton of different embellishments, but I wanted it clean. That gorgeous ribbon with the flower are eye catching enough...I didn't want to lose the image entirely! No sentiment on this one, but perfect for that student who has a musical ability (whether they play the trumpet or not) or the band teacher...just to write a simple note!

...and today. I kind of like both cards! LOL I'm so indecisive this week!

Okay, that's it for over-explaining :O) Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out the Color Throwdown design team's creations! They are FAB!

Barbara
Broni

Cathy
Danielle
LeAnne

Tammy

Also, use keyword CTD60 in the online galleries and be sure to post the direct link to your creation using Mr. Linky on the CTD blog.

Hope you're having a wonderful week so far! You're half way there... :)

My Time To Inspire Challenge...MTTI06

Wow, I can't believe it has been a week already! It's time for the Lauren's My Time to Create Saturday challenge. This week we are hosting an inspiration challenge...check out this cute inspiration piece:

So the idea is to take from the piece whatever inspires you and create a project based on that inspiration. I took the colors, naturally, because they contrast! LOVE LOVE LOVE contrast. I also took the white flowers and the brown outlined flowers on the blue bedding as inspiration. Last but not least, I was inspired by those throw pillows! LOVE them too :O)

I decided I would make an ATC this week and post the before and after pics. Here's a shot of the ATC:

And here it is made into a full card:

The most unique thing about my card (to me anyway) is that I created all of the patterned paper! I rarely create patterned paper, but I was just feeling it for this project so I let the ideas flow. I created the striped paper using my Chocolate Chip and Bliss Blue markers and a ruler. The inspiration was based on that front throw pillow.

I couldn't get that brown pillow with the thatched look out of my mind, so I went to work to replicate the design on paper. I used a 3/4" square punch and cut out the sticky part of post it notes. I positioned them on my PTI Dark Chocolate cs in a checkered pattern and used the fine tip of my Versa Mark marker to draw lines using a ruler.

Click on image to enlarge

Once I finished drawing the horizontal lines, I switched the squares and drew vertical lines.

Click on image to enlarge

I created the daisy background using PTI's Floral Frenzy stamp set, Fresh Snow ink and SU! Chocolate Chip for the centers.

Click on image to enlarge

Oh! I have to mention the popped up daisy. I don't own circle nesties, so I struggle sometimes to get the exact size circles I need. Well, for this daisy, I only have two hole punches that are within a 1/4 inch in size (the two displaying my popped up daisy). BUT, I wanted to use my three colors on this layer. What to do?! :O) I took an old circle stamp that was a little bigger than my smallest punch, and a little smaller than my largest punch and stamped chocolate chip on white cs. Result? 2 layers, plus 1 faux layer = 3 layers! Just had to share that tip :]

The rest of the card is pretty obvious, so I'll spare you the details :O) I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge (MTSC38) for my layout. It was perfect for my ATC before and after!

Okay, so Lauren is SUPER swamped with the PTI release next week so she asked me to host today's challenge :] Speaking of which...have you seen her PTI projects this week? ULTRA cute!! She is the queen of creativity!!

If you can play along, be sure to post a link directly to your project using Mr. Linky (so that we don't have to search for it :). Also, use keyword MTTI06 in the online galleries so that everyone can view your amazing projects in one place! Oh and don't forget, you have a chance at being highlighted as one of Lauren's My Time to Shine Top 5 designers!

Hope you can play along and have fun with the inspiration piece. I have a feeling it will be one of the last "summery" type cards most of us will make this year. That's okay though because I think I'm finally ready for holiday cards. Maybe next week! You never know with me...just depends on my mood :]

Don't forget to check out the rest of the team's awesome projects! They always inspire me...each and every lady is so talented and uniquely creative in her own way! I love seeing what they come up with every Saturday... You will find links to their blogs in my left sidebar <--------

Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you have a wonderful, RELAXING weekend!!

Thanks for Being You

Ahh...it's hump-day already and it's my "Monday" at work :O) Gotta love a weekend that is longer than your work week! This is the life...if only it was the norm. Anywho...being Wednesday means another awesome Color Throwdown challenge (CTD59)!! This week we bring you some great autumn colors and adorable images from our sponsor, All That Scraps.

I used CC Designs, Swiss Pixies' Pippi stamp! Isn't she the CUTEST?! I have lots of ideas for her! Okay, so lets get down to business...I know, I know. What's with all the orange? Especially considering orange and I avoid each other like the plague. Well...it just so happens that I came across these two orange patterned papers and they fit the bill (...err...card) perfectly. So, I went with them! Oh, and I don't own Pumpkin Pie so I used Dusty Durango on Pippi. If you can't tell, I used the watercoloring with markers technique. I colored the wings very lightly with Soft Sky, and thought about making them sparkly, but I really liked how they turned out looking almost "clear". That was the look I was going for so I left well enough alone!

Oh...let me explain my sentiment. I couldn't decide which sentiment to use with Pippi, so I picked up an Inkadinkado stamp set at Michaels today that had this cute font and a perfect sentiment. I can't say I'm the biggest fan of Inkadinkado...I love their designs, but I struggle to get a clean image when I ink it up. I'm not sure if I need to do something to the stamp first and then ink it or what, but mine rarely comes out clean. So, with this sentiment I carefully went over the 'broken' letters with my Ruby Red marker. Hence, the dark and light areas...

Last but not least, I saw a GORGEOUS card that Mercy Kerin made when I was perusing the SCS gallery the other day. Well...this led me to a brand new challenge blog - Crazy 4 Challenges - that provided the sketch that Mercy used. This is the very FIRST challenge the new blog has offered (C4C1)! You MUST check it out if you haven't already. The ladies who joined forces to create this team are VERY well known in the papercrafting community and offer some AMAZING eye candy! I just know this blog is going to be a hit! They already have 46 entries since Saturday! AWESOME, huh? Anywho, just thought I would share what promises to become a swift fave :)

Don't forget to check out the ultra-talented CTD design team's projects! They're sure to WOW you!!!

Barbara

Broni
Cathy

Danielle

LeAnne
Tammy

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a short week like me :O)

Happily Ever After

I made a card this morning for a couple who is getting married in two weeks. I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge (MTSC37) for the layout (LOVE LOVE LOVE Mercy's sketches!!! Do yourself a favor and check them out!!).

The flowers and sentiment are from Papertrey Ink's Everyday Classics set (not available for purchase...this was a FREE set they sent me early this year! Read here for details on how to receive their FREE set next year.)

I stamped the flower nine times and cut out the three layers for my three flowers (yes, my fingers hurt! LOL). I'm trying to find ways to prepare different elements of my card in my family room when possible. This allows me to spend time with my husband...and my 15 year old daughter if she graces us with her presence, and less time hidden in my craft room. That being said, I cut the flowers while watching tv with my husband last night :) Two birds...one stone!

I used dimensionals to make my floral layers pop, and added pearl rhinestones to the centers (to match the pearl brad on my bow).

The patterned paper is from PTI's Green Tea Leaves set. I used an overall monochromatic Ocean Tides color palette. I wanted untraditional colors as far as wedding cards go...I think I achieved that with the Ocean Tides :)

When I pierced my bow through the tag on my card, it went in tilted like this and I really liked the way it looked so I went with it! The connectors were exposed also, so I trimmed them with wire cutters. I adhered the tag using glue dots (they seem to stick better than the normal adhesive on an embossed layer).

Here's a quick tutorial on this very simple bow. I can't take credit for the technique, I found it on Nichole Heady's blog months ago.

Step 1: Take a section of ribbon and cross it over to resemble the ribbon magnets you see on car bumpers.

Step 2: Pinch the top middle of the loop down to where the ribbon crosses and trim from spool...leaving a little excess to work with later.

Step 3: Use craft thread to tie the center of the ribbon in a knot. Trim excess thread and turn bow over.

Step 4: Use a brad large enough to encase the center of the bow. Open connectors and pinch closed around bow, covering craft thread.

Step 5: Finished! Use on cardstock by piercing through the paper or trimming brad connectors using wire cutters and adhering with dimensionals or hot glue.

Thanks for checking in! Hope you're finding craft time like me :O) Have a SAFE weekend!

My Time to Create - Sketch Challenge!

Well, the "back to school" break is over, and the My Time to Create team is back with an awesome sketch from Lauren :]

I chose not to make a card this week, and instead I made a journal (which will turn into my "to-do" book at work). Sooo...it's not exactly to scale with the sketch, but it's close. I bought a handful of journals from Michaels for $1 each. This is one of them. Here's a before shot of the disassembled journal.

I added some DSP and adhered it using Scor-Tape (strong stuff...perfect for the abuse I will put it through :O) I gave it a finished look by adding SU! Vanilla cs.

The other day I decided I wanted to cross stitch an image for my project. I chose to use this flower from Lisa Johnson's Papertrey Ink Flower Garden set. I stamped the flower onto a piece of linen using Memento, Tuxedo Black ink, and stitched it using craft thread. DISCLAIMER: I've only cross stitched a couple of times before...about 10 years ago...sooo, the cross stitching on this panel is nothing to zoom in and check out ;)

After I finished the flower, I pierced a "border" and used the holes as guides to stitch it to a piece of card stock. I gently pulled the loose threads on the outside of my stitches to create the frayed look.

I sponged the fray and the thread with Tim Holtz Antique Linen distress ink to give it a more vintage feel. For the bottom panel, I used the same ink to stamp PTI's Background Basics: Text Style. I distressed the edges of both pieces of cs and sponged the vanilla with the Antique Linen. I added some black hemp twine, two brads and some ribbon to the spine, stamped "happiness" at the bottom, and put everything back together! Wah-lah! My journal...err..."to-do" book for work.

I won't use this until I fill up the book I'm already using at the office, so it might sit in storage for a while or even become a gift for someone else! Who knows?

So, this week is easy - a sketch!! If you want to play along, we would LOVE to see what you come up with, and you will also be in the running to be featured as a "My Time to Shine, Top 5" designer!! Be sure to use keyword "mytimess35" in the online galleries and don't forget to post your project using Mr. Linky on Lauren's blog so that we can check out your work! Hope you can play along this weekend! Swing by the rest of the team's blogs for some added inspiration! They're sure to WOW you! Their links are in my left sidebar <----

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have an extra long, SAFE, craft-filled, Labor Day weekend :O)

Exciting News!! :)

I'm sooooo excited to share that the Color Throwdown team chose me to be their September Guest Designer!!!! ME! Who would have ever thought? Not me...that's for sure! I'm completely honored that they featured two of my cards, much less chose me to be a designer for an entire month! To the CTD Team - THANK YOU!!! I'm thrilled to be a part of your team this month :O)

Today's challenge, CTD58, offers an awesome color palette! I had so much fun with this one :]

This is the card I made for a friend of mine who recently got promoted.

The Color Throwdown sponsor this week is an Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Denise January, so I chose one of my favorite SU! sets for my main image. I couldn't seem to get away from the Papertrey Ink products though :O) The text and Celebrate stamps, the patterned paper, the brown, artichoke and white cs, the ribbon and button are all from PTI. I love how they complement the main image though. I love the sophisticated yet girly look of the card.

I stitched the patterned paper and the main image by first punching holes and using craft thread to sew. Notice all my stitching is done by hand...I still have no idea how to use a sewing machine, and I don't own one to practice with...so manual labor until that changes :O) LOL

To color the flowers, I simply used my Stampin' Up! markers and was careful not to let the colors run into each other. I huffed on the stamp and pressed it to the cs. That's it! Easy stuff. Both panels are popped up on dimensionals and I punched a hole on the left side of the top panel to nestle my button in :) I really like that small touch.

Be sure to stop by the Color Throwdown blog and check out the rest of the team's projects! They have some amazing eye candy for you today :O) Also, if you play along be sure to use keyword CTD58 in the online galleries and post a link to your project using Mr. Linky on the CTD blog.

Thanks for stopping by! Can't wait to see what you come up with :O)