Dragonflies for Dad

I've got three challenges happening with this card today. I finally got one created after being in my backyard for 4 hours cleaning out my flower beds. I'm going to have to rethink my whole gardening life because I can't do it on my knees anymore - I think I'm going to have to do more containers and put less into the ground.

Didn't see any dragonflies today - a bit too early still I think (here anyway). I did come across a couple of earthworms though and an interesting looking ladybug. She had more spots than I'm used to seeing. ANYWAY - when I saw the wall decorations in the thumbnail below, I knew what I wanted to do for a card today. The wall art is from Dali Decals which is the source for the Inspiration Challenge over at Splitcoast. The sketch is this past week's Splitcoast Sketch challenge, and the masculine theme (or Father's Day) is the challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments.

So, it was a productive day today, and I'm hoping to get to a greenhouse tomorrow to add some extra colour to the yard. Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Pick a Number...

All these little games we play with ourselves....or at least I do sometimes. For this project I knew I would be using the Splitcoast Color Challenge and Sketch Challenge and Free 4 All Challenge - I just didn't know which stamp set I wanted to use; although I did want to use the new postage stamp punch for the bottom. So - for the stamp set - I picked a number and counted the stamp set on the shelf until I got to this one, "Simply Said". It's another set that I haven't used in FOREVER!!!

The Color Challenge was - Regal Rose, Rich Razzleberry and Vanilla.
The Sketch has not been adjusted from what was given (although I have three layers for the three spots along the bottom)
The Free 4 All Challenge was "Say What?" - to make a phrase the focal point.

Hope you're having a wonderful Holiday Monday - Thanks for visiting. Joan

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

Flowery Wishes

I usually stick to a sketch to the letter - but I moved things around a bit for this Splitcoast Sketch Challenge. To be totally honest - there was a tiny tear in the paper in the corner so I HAD to place the flower there. This is the first time I've used this flower die - I like the way the petals layer together.
I got the new Sneak Peak "Spring is Blossoming" promotion pieces in the mail today; so I used the one of the "Four Frames" stamps for the label.

I got my report cards all finished at school today - so that's one big job out of the way. WoooHooo. That will mean more play time this weekend with the new DSP ! Woo Hoo!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit!
Joan
Stamp Set/s - Four Frames, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper - Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Greenhouse Gala DSP
Ink - Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black
Other - Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon, Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Fun Flowers Bigz L Die, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers


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Linen Butterfly

I know I've been using this "Nature Walk" set quite a bit lately....and I'm not finished with it yet. I'm creating a number of different projects with the set for a display that will be up at our Extravaganza on January 22. I do, however, have to stop making cards, and move on to some different types of projects....this weekend.

I picked this stamp set to feature because I do like it a lot. I'm also doing a short and sweet demo on how to do the Faux Linen technique - so I've been doing a lot of that too!!! For this card, I scratched the glossy paper with sandpaper, and then used craft ink to stamp the butterflies and sealed them with clear embossing powder. Once dry, I sponged the Marina Mist onto the background and dabbed So Saffron onto the butterflies.

The sketch I've used is from Wednesday's Splitcoast Sketch Challenge.

I'm hoping that my son will have our new Mac up and running by the time I get home from school today. That will be the high point of the week for sure!!!!

Hope you have a couple of high points in your life too! Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Joan

Stamp Set/s - Nature Walk, Thank You Kindly

Paper - Old Olive, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Glossy White, Botanical Gazette DSP

Ink - Old Olive, Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, So Saffron

Other - Sand paper, Modern Label punch, Ice Square Rhinestones, Sponge Daubers

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

Busy Sunday

I was able to get quite a bit of stamping done yesterday so I was able to knock off a number of challenges.

This Faith card is for last weeks' Sketch Challenge on Splitcoast as well as the Colour Throw Down. The Colours were pale green, rust and burgundy. I realize now that I should have added some ink around the edges of the flower and the smaller letters. I can add it to the flower - but the letters will have to stay.

The teapot flowerpot is a free image this last week from Delightful Inspiration. I wanted to try
different colours for the flowers so ended up putting all three on the card - creating little doilies for them to sit on with my scallop oval punch. I've pierced the paper around the edges but it's hard to see.

The third is created for the Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoast Saturday from Lark. I have the thumbnail shown - they were cute little felt sparrows. I brightened them up a bit and was able to use some flower shaped brads that I've had for YEARS and forgotten about. The background for each bird is spritzed with the colours I used. The sketch for this card is from Sweet Stop. Over at Stamp Something they wanted you to make something with a "Touch of Spring", and the Corrosive Challenge this week is to use "Things with Wings".

Thank you for stopping by - I don't usually do two posts in one day - but I wanted to get these ones on. Hope your Monday is marvelous...

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 -

Totally Pink

Wow - I really have to say that pink is not one of my most favorite colours - but when the colour challenge says to use it - ya do. I just realized how washed out this photo ended up. (sigh)
The colours for yesterday's challenge were - Pretty in Pink, Mambo Melon and Blush Blossom. The only bit of blush I used was the second heart. I'm also disappointed that the words didn't show up as well on the photo as they do in real life. I was actually surprised - I stamped the Mambo Melon first and strategically placed it on the die to be put through the Big Shot. Amazingly, I didn't cut off any of the words.
I've included Pretty in Pink Ribbon on either side of the Mambo Melon polka dot ribbon.

The sketch is from Today's Sketch challenge. When I originally did the challenge I looked at it in black and white. I now notice that there is a 3a and 3b - oooops. Oh well. Pays to read instructions carefully!!!

Hope all is well your way - thanks for stopping by!

Old Mambo Music

Wonderful Wednesday -

I think sketch challenges and colour challenges are my most favorite. I don't mind being challenged to use different things, or try a new technique....but a sketch or colour challenge gives me a base to start with - and then I feel a bit better. Of course there are always those cards or projects which have a mind of their own - but that's always a different story.

Today is the sketch challenge day on Splitcoast Stampers and I took my colours from the colour throwdown #76 over at Stamp Happy.....So Saffron, Melon Mambo and Old Olive. The stamped piece is a left over from the Christmas Thank You cards I made for some of my kids at school. Ya just can't throw those bits and pieces away!

Hope you had a wonderful day - we're closer to the weekend than we were yesterday! Thanks for stopping by,

New Adventures and Chocolate.....

Well, let me tell ya......yesterday afternoon was pretty busy.

First, I got the news that I've been invited to join the design team for Sugar Creek Hollow - a brand new digital stamp company which will be opening it's "doors" on March 1st. Click on the badge at the right for the link. I'm really excited about this because it's a whole new avenue to go down. I'm also excited about being part of a team of women of faith!

Next on the agenda was to make a card from various challenges. I don't think this was exactly what I was expecting with this card. I had some of these bunnies stamped in Chocolate Chip and decided since it was one of today's colours for the Challenge, I would use one of them. ( The other colours are Rich Razzleberry and Pretty in Pink). Well, he changed from being a flat chocolate "chip" bunny to becoming a "crafty" glazed chocolate bunny. Once he was embossed I wondered what these hearts would look like - and vwala (how do you spell that???)

I used the sketch from over at Paper Works Co. - (PWCOSS#15). I liked using the ovals and Circles. Anyway - it became a wee bit "fancier" than I expected but I like it. I noticed that the gel pen spots I added around the oval soaked into the cardstock because of the fibers being roughened up by the sponge dauber. It's all okay - melted chocolate is just a good.

The weather has been wonderful here too - melting snow - not chocolate. Hope your day is filled with warmth and excitement! Our school gets to see the Olympic Flame today as it passes through town - talk about exciting!!!!

Thanks for stopping 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 -

Happy New Year!
Today's Limited Supply Challenge was to use the words from today's greeting. Happy - make the card in 15 minutes. Use something New that you received over the holiday, and have the card pertain to a Yearly event.

I used the sketch challenge from a couple of weeks ago and the Kaleidoscope DSP that I'm falling in love with. My New item is the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die - I love these little butterflies! I must say though, that the card took a wee bit longer than 15 minutes to make...but I'm still happy!

One of the reasons I love the Kaleidoscope paper is that it's so bold and bright. It fits perfectly with the day outside - Too bad it's too cold for butterflies - the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the snow is glistening - what a wonderful way to start the New Year.

Hope you're having a great day - JOAN

I incorporated yesterday's sketch challenge while creating these cards which go along with the Ways to Use it Challenge today.

The first card is for a very dear friend of mine who let me borrow her sewing machine in a pinch when mine decided to go on strike.

The second is truely for the challenges....the Ways to Use it Challenge was titled "It's About Time"...I decided that although I appreciate some of the technology that we have these days, I enjoy the artistry and personality of tools from days gone by.

I hope that you are all enjoying the last day of the year and that the New Year will bring you all you strive for.

Happy New Year - Joan

Razzlebird

Here is my card for this weeks Colour Challenge and Sketch Challenge from Splitcoast. The colours were Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry and Basic Black. I liked the combo!

My pieces for the sketch are a bit smaller than they "should" be. I took apart three clear rhinestones to attached to the circles in the corner....love how they caught the flash from the camera!

I didn't have a lot of luck with black ink on this bird image - a hostess set - Wings of Friendship. Instead, I did it with versamark and black embossing. You can't see in the photo, but I've also spritzed some black around the bird.

Hope you're having a razzleberry type of day. Thanks for stopping by - JOAN

Birthday Balloons

Good Evening Again ....I started this card after school but didn't get back to finish it until tonight.

I liked today's Sketch Challenge from Splitcoast today. It was a bit hard to keep it to just the three layers though. I knew I wanted to use this Rainbow Sherbert paper when I saw the sketch because the pieces are bright and fun.
I hope you have had bright, fun day. Mine was full of busyness and time challenges, but I made it through.....on to tomorrow!!!

Thanks for dropping by - JOAN

Gray Banana Cake

Here is the thumbnail of today's sketch challenge. I also incorporated some doodling stamps for the challenge over at Our Creative Corner from this past week.

On the gray triangle piece I tried using my Barely Banana Craft ink - I have had the box of Soft Subtle craft inks for a while - hadn't opened the pad so it took a while to juice it up. I used the word window punch to "highlight" the saying. It's actually a white piece stamped and punched and put on top of the yellow. I haven't used the Doodle This set for a while......it was fun.

The sky is clear, the sun is shining bright and the birds are singing - it's not warm, but ya can't have it all at once.....ha ha - you can't have your cake and eat it too!

Thanks for dropping by!
JOAN

Umbrella

This card incorporates the a Sketch Challenge and Colour Challenge. The colours are Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, and Perfect Plum. I haven't used Plum in ages!!! I'm trying to use some of my new stamp sets and couldn't find one that fit into the fourth layer of this mold - so again I cut out the image instead. The dew drops are from a Divine Secret Sister on Splitcoast a couple of Rounds back. You can't tell, but the main portion of the umbrella is put on with dimensionals

Raspberry Glitter

Here is a card for this past week's Sketch Challenge. I played outside the box though by not including the fourth layer as a square - instead I used the cut out flower. I so love this Raspberry Tart paper! I used Rose Red and Regal Rose paper and markers with the Kiwi Kiss. For the central dots of the flower I used the Tombow Glue (it "dots" so well!!!!) and added the Rose Pink glitter from the Cosmo Glitter set from SU. The buttons are from Fresh Favorites II. I'm going to have to leave this paper alone for a while and delve into my other packages.

Thanks for stopping by - JOAN

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