Spring will come.....

We may have a fair number of Sunday Stamp days until we get there - but Spring will Come!

This week we have a fun sketchy at Sunday Stamps from Tara.  I should have thought more about the sketch before I started stamping though.  When I went to put my little flags on the card - and I tried a number of sizes - I decided that I had to adjust where they were on the card so that they didn't take away from the flowers.

I took the colours for my card from the Colour Throwdown this week - Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White and Crumb Cake.

I'd love to see what you come up with for our sketch challenge this week - Here are some things to keep in mind...

1. Please provide a Link back to us in your Post.

2. Please link directly to your blog post for the challenge.

3. Feel free to use any Brand of product.

4. Deadline is Friday January 25th @12pm EST.

5. Have FUN!!

Have a Super Sunday!  Thanks for visiting.

Joan

Wish Big Bow Ties

It's been a very busy day - cleaning, finally getting rid of the big fish tank and a bit of crafting.  Two challenges in one card - 

I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches this week - tweaked a bit and I've used the colours from the Colour Throwdown.... Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla and Kiwi Kiss.  

I like these bow ties from "Dapper Dad" - new in the Spring Catalogue.  They make me think of my husband who is working towards a different tie for every day of school.  I've also used the new Natural Trim Ribbon again - I just love it's texture.

I created this page a couple of months ago, in my altered book - I had started out with stamping the flourish from "Elements of Style"  It didn't end up stamping very well on the book pages because they were a bit bumpy from being glued together - so I sorta embellished the stamped images with more doodles.  For the colour I added some drops of re-inker to the page and then spritzed in with water.

I'm planning on making some little hand bound notebooks with our Stampin'Up! paper so that the ink acts "properly".  I never know what result I'll get  on published book pages.....but I have fun anyway.

Hope you're day was eventful - thanks for stopping by.

Joan

Easter Crosses

This card went through a bit of an evolution  through it's design.  I've used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches, colours are from Color Throwdown - (Regal Rose, Lucky Limeade, Basic Black, Basic Grey) and the Easter theme is from Hand Stamped Sentiments.

I struggled with the sketch a bit, just because I was trying to add two pieces of coloured DSP in the background, and it just wasn't working - so I opted for simplicity.  The two background crosses were initially stamped grey on white.  I like this effect much better - white craft ink stamped on black.

Today holds bag prep for stampers and movie watching.  Later, I'll do some sweater knitting, and movie watching.  It's just that kind of day.

Hope your day pans out the way you like!  Thanks for stopping here for a visit.

Joan

Summer Camping

Wow - I'm not sure about all the redness in this card - but it'll have to do.  There are three different challenges incorporated in today's card:

Color Throwdown - Using the rainbow palette....so we have very colourful sleeping bags today.  I used Elegant Eggplant, Marina Mist, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango and Poppy Parade.  I had started out with Bear being Tangerine and Daffodil (thank goodness for watercolour paper!!!!!)  Once he was on the card though, there was just too much red going on - so I dirtied him up with some crumb cake.

I had to give Bear a pair of Sock Monkey's glasses so that he didn't look so angry about camping. His teeth have been whitened with gel pen.

The sketch comes from The Paper Players this week.  I told Nance that I was going to try and think outside the box for the two circle areas (where the sleeping bags are)....but I still ended up using paper. :(       Ooops!!!  I just noticed on the Paper Players blog that this is suppose to be a Clean and Simple Sketch - Sorry - this may be a little overdone for that.

Finally, the summer theme of the card comes from Hand Stamped Sentiments.

We have a beautiful day outside so I think I'm going to go for a walk - I walked SOOOOOO much when I was in Ottawa - I need to make it a better routine.  We're also excited in our house tonight because we're going to see WICKED!  WoooooHoooooo!!!!!!

Hope your day is full of sunshine and excitement!  Thanks for visiting - Joan

Askew Trees for Dad

I know I've mentioned, from time to time, my aversion to plain paper. I usually feel the need to spritz it, distress it - something. I do occasionally leave it blank - but I am absolutely loving this square lattice embossing folder for adding texture without "messing up" the whole look of the card. Just as I did the other day - I attached the coloured stripes to a black background and then put it through the Big Shot.

This card falls under two challenges this week - the Color Throwdown - Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz and So Saffron. Also, Stampin' Royalty is looking to celebrate Dad this week.

My concert is over - I feel it went very well and got quite a lot of positive feedback from parents. I awoke this morning with the realization of another way the kids at my school ROCK! Once the concert was done, they started dismantling everything (grades 5 & 6) to take back to the music room without even a word from me. It wasn't until this morning that I realized that the music room had been put back exactly as it should be - everything in it's place. Yes, I am anal about things, and yeah I know the kids know it (although that's not the term they'd use, I'm sure) It's just comforting to know that there are youth who take the initiative to do what needs to be done and to do it well. I appreciate that so much.

Anyway - I'm a happy camper - and a campfire with camp songs is the next thing on my agenda before the end of the year. Hope you have something worth appreciating in your day today. Thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit.
Joan

Grrreat Camping

Camping season has begun for many - I camped EVERY weekend as a child with my Dad - always had to be someplace Educational too. We were living in Chicago at the time, so ventured to the neighboring States. They were enjoyable times - but, aside from taking Brownies and Girl Guides camping, I haven't camped since returning to Canada. However, you don't have to go camping to enjoy stars, eat S'mores - or get bitten by mosquitos!!!

The sketch for this card is from Stamping 411 and the colours are from the Color Throwdown which was a "Pick a Combo" - Baja Breeze, Old Olive and So Saffron were part of the palette and I added the Chocolate Chip.
The Bear was stamped on Watercolor Paper with StazOn and I used ink with the Aquapainter to colour him in.
I still have a couple tubes of Liquid Applique that I used for the marshmallows in the S'mores. I keep it especially for marshmallows, beer foam, and the occasional cloud. LOL

Hope you are continuing to have a wonderful day - Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Lime Guitars

The Color Throwdown this past Wednesday was to use Black, Grey and Lime Green. None of our current greens are very limey right now - so I went to my stash of scrap DSP and found an old piece with Green Galore.

I used the "Music Notes" wheel to create the side piece. It's fun when you don't have to worry about keeping images straight!!!! Randomness can be a good thing!

Tonight my husband and I are invited to our son's house - where he lives with a number of other people - they are holding a "Parents Party" - so that all the parents of the house members can meet. We're looking forward to it!
Hope your holiday weekend has been enjoyable so far - thanks for stopping by!

Thanks for Being a Friend

Wow, it took a while to get this card put together - LOTS of rearrangements and discarding of various things. Still not sure that I'm totally happy with the end result - but that's how it goes sometimes.

I've used the Splitcoast Wednesday Sketch Challenge (with some adjustments) for this card and have used the Color Throwdown - Rose Red, Aqua, and So Saffron - Yeah, well...I NOW notice that in all the rearranging & discarding of pieces, the Saffron section that ran through the centre is no longer there - LOL!!!!!! The background paper does have a saffron hint to the design - but it's a stretch. Sorry about that!

So, I guess that indicates I should quit for the night. It was a busy day with teaching, helping to judge science fair projects, helping to lead the school in singing Happy Birthday to our provincial Premier, and tallying some of the judging papers.

Busy-ness keeps us out of trouble somewhat though - right???? Hope you, too, are keeping busy in a good, healthy way! Thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit!
Joan

Sailboat Imagining

Wow - I lucked out on the watercolours today - if I do say so myself.
I was working through the Colour Throw Down - which is Navy, White and another colour. I pulled out all sorts of scraps to gain the second colour, but wasn't satisfied with what I was seeing. I knew I wanted to use the striped piece from the Regals Patterns DSP, and I knew I wanted to use the Sailboat image from the upcoming Summer Mini......so I finally decided to use Marina Mist as my second colour and tried creating a sky scene.

I just happened across a challenge that included a Nautical theme this week - over at Raise the Bar Challenge Blog. I had been looking for some sort of sketch challenge through the "Daily Dare" - and clicked on Raise the Bar's link - I was happy to join their challenge this week since I already had my sailboat in mind. They are looking for Blue/White/Stripes in the creations for this week.

I've also found a new Challenge Blog using mostly SU designs - Stampin' Royalty - and they are looking for "wet" watercolour cards this week.

The sailboat is stamped on watercolour paper with Staz-On Ink and being inexperienced in watercolour, I was excited to see how the clouds sort of formed by themselves through the ink. I was working with an aqua painter and just a dab of re-inker in the lids of the inkpads. For the sails, I used my aqua painter to apply Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint.

I got our taxes done today too - so I'm clear for the rest of the weekend to relax and craft.

Thanks for stopping by - Joan

Sale-a-Bration Card

I absolutely love this Sale-a-bration set. Too bad it will never make it into the catalogue....which is a good reason to earn it for free!!!!!

I've used it exclusively on this card to meet the challenge over at SUO Challenges this week which was to use a SAB set. I've also incorporated the Color Throwdown Colors for this week which were Not Quite Navy, Pink Pirouette and Baja Breeze.

I SERIOUSLY plan on getting some stuff created in the stamp room this weekend.....I just can't let myself get distracted with other things!!!!

Hope your weekend is well planned....thanks for stopping by! Joan

Stamp Set - Bliss (SAB)
Paper - Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Not Quite Navy, Elegant Soiree DSP, Blueberry Crisp DSP
Ink - Not Quite Navy
Other - Oval Punch, Oval Scallop Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Basic Pearls, Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals






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Paris Amour

I had this card all ready to upload and post yesterday but my ph0to program refused to work. Thankfully, it booted up today - don't know what the problem was - but glad it's back.

Challenges for this card -
SCS Sketch Challenge - Sketch
Color Throw Down - Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip.

This card brings back the memories of the summer and the fantastic time I had there with my husband.

I wanted to add something to the card and finally settled on making my own little charms. I was pleasantly surprised that although the key, crown
and tower images were small, they still turned out okay with shrink paper. I had initially tried to stamp them with the chocolate chip, but the ink didn't really dry well on the plastic, and also didn't show up that well once shrunk.....so I opted for good old Staz On. I will definitely be shrinking more images in the future!!!!!

We have a wonderful sunny day here today - I hope your Saturday is going well and is also full of sunshine. Thanks for stopping by - Joan

Stamp Set - Artistic Etchings, En Francais
Paper - Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Neutrals Patterns DSP
Ink - Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Black Staz On
Other - Oval punches, Scallop Oval Punch, Sponge daubers
Non-SU - Shrink Art Plastic, wire

Three Cups of Hello

This was a fun card to create with Friday's Free 4 All Challenge on Splitcoast. It was to create a card with holes in it. The Olive layer has the circles punched out and is raised above the Vanilla section with the cups. I also incorporated the Color Throw Down for this past week - Riding Hood Red, Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie.

Just to let you know, I will be posting my usual Color Dare cards through the next while, but my posts may be sporatic after my knee replacement this Friday. It will all depend on my getting down into the basement. I'll be able to blog hop from my bed with the laptop so at least I'll be able to visit you.

Hope your Monday has been marvelous - thanks for dropping by. Joan

A Day of Triples

I think Saturday has got to be my favorite challenge day on Splitcoast. I love the sketch and colour challeges because the stretch me sometimes. But on Saturday, I anticipate which website is going to be the headliner for the challenge of inspiration - and whether it will be art, clothing, or food.
This week I visited Etsy's Geninne's Art Store. There were so many wonderful bird pieces to choose from but these three caught my eye right away. If I was more of an artist I'd have worked with these two-step punch birds a bit more so they did their "cousins" proud. I am happy with the way the card turned out though - except for the glistening glue spots. I've also used the sketch for this past week from Splitcoast on this card and the Ways to Use It Challenge which was to use an odd number
of things on your card; whether it was images or embellishments.

For my second card I used this week's Colour Throw Down
which was Blush Blossom, Sage Shadow, and Riding Hood Red. I've used the SCS sketch again but flipped it on it's side.

I should really try to get some school work done tomorrow - report cards are going to be coming out again soon. I can always reward myself with more stamping if I work hard.
Blessed Sunday to you all - thanks for stopping by -

Snowy Bear

Well.....we've moved away from hearts and pinks and moved back to snow. That's okay - it's still the last week of January.

This little bear comes as a freebie this past week over at Delightful Inspiration. I really liked her - sitting waiting to go skating with her friends; watching the snow float down.

The sketch I used, from Our Creative Corner (shown below), has a heart as the central feature - but I made my theme the little bear and "strategically" positioned the snowflakes in a heart-ish shape.







The colours are from Colour Throwdown
I may just use these colours again this week because I like them together and the only Celery I used in this card was the ribbon coming down.

I added Dazzling Diamonds to the little snowflakes in the image and for the snow she is sitting on. I just love how the camera catches the sparkle!

I hope you are having a sparkling day - thanks for dropping by -

Past and Present...(and Future)

PAST - I delved into some of my old stash to come up with these owls I had never used. They are fitting into today's "Ways to Use It" challenge - which was to add birds to your card. I also started out using this week's sketch challenge, but the card sort of re-designed itself along the way. You can't see the words in the small scallop oval - they're a rub-on and say "thinking of you". I thought it was appropriate with the way that the owls' eyes were going.

PRESENT - I used all current product for the second card - AND I kept to the sketch challenge for this week. The colours were taken from the Colour Throw Down - they're Mellow Moss, Garden Green and Rich Razzleberry.

I have been totally inspired by Theresa Momber over at Crafting the Web. What she does to the edges of her cardstock is simply amazing. I've taken a step away from using ONLY the ink which matches the cardstock and over the past couple of days have even used two colours along the same edge. Today her card has been air-brushed and she gives all the steps for colouring her central image and doing the airbrushing. Take a visit over there - I don't think you'll be disappointed!!!
FUTURE....Vancouver - next month....I downloaded two of the pictures I took yesterday of the Olympic flame. I was enthralled by how it went down the "carrier" looking as though it enveloped the whole top section. Our students were very very lucky today because one of our teachers knew one of the torch bearers who ran through town yesterday. She came to our school, with her torch, and the kids were able to touch it and ask questions. All of the "flame" elements had been taken out, but it was very cool to see.

Well, I'm off to visit some sites, eat supper and then try and get a few more pieces into that (stupid) 2000 piece candy cane puzzle I'm STILL working on. I WILL NOT GIVE UP!!!!!!!!! :)

Thanks for dropping by

Trio for You

Well, today was a day for triples! I created this card using three challenges...

First, I used the Sketch Challenge from Splitcoast, shown at the top.

Second, I used this week's colours from over at "Colour Throwdown" - Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip and Dusty Durango.

The third challenge is from "Stamp Something" which honored the "new" year by using something new for our card. I received a cuttlebug embossing folder from a Divine Secret Sister a while ago and hadn't used it yet - so....this was a great opportunity.

The week is almost over and I'm gearing up for a Stampin' Extravaganza on Saturday from my Team in Edmonton. I can't wait - 48 different projects - WOW.
Hope you're having a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by -

Dazzling to Plain

Wow, I must have used too much glitter these past few days (for me at least - as is evident by the slight dazzle to my stamping room rug)....I've gone from glitter to no dazzle at all today.
The first card is for yesterday's Colour Challenge - which I wasn't sure I'd be able to handle - Pumpkin Pie, Brilliant Blue and Garden Green - made me think of school colours for some reason. But I came up with the pumpkin flowers and just a wee bit of the blue. The tops of the flowers do have Dazzling Diamonds on them.

The second card is for today's Sketch Challenge, and also for the Colour Throw Down which is Very Vanilla, Mellow Moss and Baja Breeze. I couldn't find any of my SU stamps that peaked my interest for this sketch, or the colours (hmmmm does that mean I need more stamp sets??? - geeee) So, I went into my draw and found my Stamping Bellas. Don't really know about the lack of dazzle - this card is certainly missing
something to my mind - but I think I'm just too tired.

I've THOROUGHLY enjoyed being back at school this week - three months away is like 1.5 summers!!! I had physio on Monday and today, plus being on my feet in the music room has just caused a lot of pain and exhaustion for my knees - but I'm happy and glad to be back with the kids - so I'll just suck it up and know it will pass.

Thanks for stopping by - Happy Stamping - JOAN

Pink Scallops

Yesterday's Inspiration Challenge was from maXimio inc. and I chose the pink pillow shown here. I rarely ever use pink so that added to the challenge. I also used the Colour Throwdown which was Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive. By adding the "Lovey Dovey" sentiment I also fit into the challenge over at Our Creative Corner.

I may not be posting very regularily after today since I'll be having a house full of people for Christmas. I hope everyone has a blessed time with their
family and friends in celebrating the Christmas season.

God Bless - JOAN

Green Leaves

I'm late completing last weeks' Color Throwdown #8 ...maybe I'll use their new one today and be "caught up". Last week's colours were Certainly Celery, Old Olive and Cameo Coral. I ALMOST left this a monochromatic card because I had the two pieces and couldn't decide how to incorporate the coral. It's not flashy, but it's there.

I got the idea for the front frame from Julie over at Paper Pleasing Ideas on September 2. She has some fantastic ideas - this is using the new scallop punch on a 2-3/4" square piece of paper. She has fantastic pictoral directions on her blog.

I've been lucky so far this week - Tuesday and Wednesday I only taught half days at the two schools I'm at. Today - I go whole hog flying from one to the other and teacher all day. I may be tired by the end of the day - so I'm glad my husband hasn't started choir yet. I'm having a blast though -

I hope you have a fantastic day and thanks for dropping by. JOAN

Thinking of a Wonderful Friend

Yesterday's Inspiration Challenge was from Marimekko Petrooli Umbrellas - wow - what fun!!!!! I chose the one shown on the side.
I also used the sketch challenge from LAST WEEK's challenge at Our Creative Corner. (They now have a colour challenge up - so I'll have to work on that next.) I'm loving the new scallop punch!!!! Gone are the days of using the corner rounder to create scallops - wooohooo!!!
I added some non-SU bobbles on the bottom set of flowers. They are tinted pink, but you really can't tell in the photo. Oh well.
I decided this afternoon, that I had better give my Big Shot a try. What fun too!!!!!! I sponged the edges of the flowers and then used my gel pen to add the white dots. (I bought a couple of new ones so I'm not using white-out anymore!!!) At convention we saw how we could remove the rhinestones from the "brad" so I did that for the centres of the flowers.
The colours for this card are from over at Colour Throw Down (Ballet Blue, Bashful Blue and Apricot Appeal) - my apricot is a bit washed out in this photo. I think I must create a little photo corner for myself so that things turn out truer to life.

I'm off to do a bit more music planning. The count down is on, but the days are still passing relatively slowly - Yipeee!!!!
Thanks for stopping by,