Enjoy Life!

I managed to carve out just a little crafty time this afternoon.  We've been on the go most of the weekend, so I didn't know when I would manage to create this retirement card for one of the guys at work.  But...I did :)

I'm playing along in 2 challenges.  Retro Sketches #70 and the Moxie Fab World Mixy-Matchy Style Challenge.

Since I needed to create a card that would be big enough for a lot of co-workers to sign, my card measures 5 1/2" x 8 1/2".

Since this is such a large card, I kept feeling that there was too much empty space.  I had to resist the urge to fill it up!  But since this card is for a guy...I tried kept the embellishments to a minimum.  Just a few of those fun wood veneer stars from Studio Calico.  I tapped them onto a red ink pad to color them.
The date that I stamped on that calender is the first day of retirement for the recipient...July 3rd.
I wish him all the best!

Thank for looking!

Supply list ~
Card stock: basic black, very vanilla, riding hood red (SU)
Stamps: calender stamp set (Precious Remembrance Shop)
Ink: poppy parade (SU), onyx black (Versafine)
Patterned paper: 5 & dime (October Afternoon)
Other: wood veneer stars (Studio Calico)

A Sympathy Card - Dynamic Duos #59

Hello!  I'm here with my card for Dynamic Duos #59 challenge.  This week is just a bit different.  Take a look at our graphic and you'll see what I mean ;)

Use Basic Gray & the color of your choice.  The possibilities are endless, right?
Well, I couldn't wait to use one of my new In Colors from Stampin' Up!, Crisp Cantaloupe. I thought it would be just the right color for the scene I wanted to create.

It's been a while since I've done some sponging to create a scene.  It's a technique that I love!
I cut a mask from printer paper, using a Spellbinders die, then sponged on Crisp Cantalope and Basic Gray to create the sky.  After that I tore a mask from cardstock, then sponged on Basic Black to create mountains.  I drew in a few birds, stamped a sentiment and added 3 gray gems to finish my card.  Oh, and added the Gray card base.
I hope you'll join me and my awesomely talented team mates this week at Dynamic Duos.  Links to their blogs are listed in my blog's side bar.  What color will you combine with Basic Gray?

Supplies list ~
Cardstock: basic gray (SU), white linen (Ellen Hutson)
Ink: basic gray, crisp cantaloupe, basic black (SU), onyx black (Versafine)
Stamps: flowers (Clean & Simple Stamps)
Other: gray gems (Recollections), die - for masking (Spellbinders)

Over the edge - with CAS-ual Fridays

Hi!  I finally had a little time this afternoon to play along with CAS-ual Fridays CFC1061: Over The Edge challenge.  I love their challenges, but just haven't had the time to join in lately.  Here's the challenge.

In this case "over the edge" refers to an element that goes off the edge of the card front.  Well, that's something I love to do.  So...no problem!  In fact, I created a set of 3 cards for a family member.  I'll show you my challenge entry first.  Then, a little further down in this post you can see the entire set.

I popped up a strip of patterned paper along the edge of  my card.  Then a leaf die-cut, a sentiment strip and some "candy dots" from SU.  The final touch was to do a little faux stitching with a marker.
Here's a look at the set of 3 cards...thank you, sympathy & birthday.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supply list ~
Card stock: kraft (PTI), very vanilla, midnight muse (SU)
Stamps: simple sentiments (PTI)
DSP: print poetry dsp stack (SU)
Ink: midnight muse, crumb cake (SU)
Dies: double ended banner die, turning a new leaf (PTI)
Other: regals candy dots (SU), foam tape, scor-tape, tombow runner

A Retro Card - Paper Smooches Cool Shades Challenge

I'm playing along with the current challenge at Paper Smooches.  It's my first time playing along, but it sure won't be my last.  Such a fun challenge!  This one is Paper Smooches Sparks: Cool Shades Challenge.

Great summer time colors, aren't they?  Well, I pulled out my PS stamp sets and was drawn to the Boob Tube set.  I already knew that I wanted to stamp my own background.  I've also been wanting to use some of my colored embossing powders on black card stock.  So.  When I saw the challenge colors on a black background, well...this is the result.

I used 3 different EP's on the black card stock. Citron, turquoise & pool party.  For the retro TV set, I placed the stamped sentiment behind a piece of acetate.  The antenna is a piece of silver cord.  Then I used a couple of the new Candy Dots from Stampin' Up! for the little knobs on the TV.
Lots of fun!  Let me know what you think.  Ok?
Later!

Supply list ~
Card stock: basic black, daffodil delight, lucky limade (SU), clear acetate from the packaging of a stamp set
Stamps: boob tube, sentiment sampler (Paper Smooches)
Ink: onyx black, versamark (Tsukineko)
Other: citron ep (Recollections), tempting turquoise, pool party (SU), green candy dots (SU), classic ovals large die (Spellbinders), silver cord (The Ribbon Store), corner rounder (Photo Max)

Happy Birthday - Dynamic Duos #58

Hey, it's Saturday...finally!  It's time for Dynamic Duos #58 color challenge.  Take a look at the colors Lesley chose for us this week.

I have to admit, when I first saw this combo I thought of autumn.  Very rich, warm earth tones.  But since summer just arrived, I'm not ready for autumn yet!  So I used the colors with a nice bright white cardstock for a light summery feel.

I was happy to get the chance to use my Stampin' Up! tangerine tango embossing powder.  For so long I had only neutral embossing powders - what was I thinking?  When SU introduced these fun bright colors, I had to snap them up!
Anyway, I colored in just a few hearts and loops with my cajun craze marker.  The sentiment is embossed in white. Then I added a few pearls and popped up the sentiment panel with foam tape.
I hope you'll play along with us this week.  Each week I'm so amazed at all of the beautiful entries in our challenges.  I would love to see what you create!
Thanks for taking a look today.

Supplies list ~
Card stock: white (PTI), cajun craze (SU)
Ink: cajun craze (SU), versamark (Tsukineko)
Stamps: quilled elegance (PTI)
Other: tangerine tango & white embossing powder (SU), white pearls (Recollections)

Flowers from the garden - Dynamic Duos #57

Hey, another Saturday post with Dynamic Duos!  This week it's Dynamic Duos #57.  We have a very striking color combo for you this week.  And...there is a "dessert" option.  Just take a look.

Uh huh.  I told you, didn't I?  So, if you choose to, you can use the Dessert Option of Plant Theme, along with these great colors.  I have a new die that I wanted to play with, and it fits this theme perfectly (I think so, anyway!).  I recently won a gift certificate from one of the online stores, so this die was one of the items I chose.
Here's my card.

I used a Spellbinders die to cut the rectangular opening in my card base.  The green panel was stamped using Versamark, then the die cut tulips were glued to it.  I adhered that panel behind the "window", after stamping my sentiment.  I felt the card still needed something.  I finally cut 3 very narrow strips of cardstock and adhered them below the window.
I hope you'll play along with all us at Dynamic Duos.  We love to see what you create!

The DD Design Team:

Anne Marie Hile

Alison Barclay

Debbie Henderson

Hayley Kew

Janet Bagnall

Janet Zeppa

Lori Turner

Michelle Folland

Susie Wittwer - that's me!

Tara Bourgoin

Tracey McNeely

 

Supplies:

Cardstock: basic black, pear pizzazz (SU)

Ink: versamark (Tsukineko), pear pizzazz (SU), onyx black Versafine (Tsukineko)

Stamps: in the background-flair (CTMH), flowers (CSS)

Die: tulip (Memory Box), long classic rectangle large (Spellbinders)

Other: tombow multi glue, scor-tape

Sharing a publication!

I can finally share a bit of news with you.  Over the Christmas and New Year Holidays, I had a bit more time to stamp.  So I decided it was time to take a close look at the latest Call for Submissions from Paper Crafts Magazine and jump back into submitting for publication.  I submitted 8 cards.  Well, my favorite of the bunch was accepted!  My card appears in the current issue...the July/August 2013 edition.  I might be just a little excited!

I'm allowed to show you one photo.  But, you'll have to buy a copy of the mag...or subscribe to the digital edition to see the details.  Anyway, here's my published card!

Edited to add:  I forgot to include a pic of the magazine cover.  Here it is!

And HERE is where you can click to order a copy of the magazine.  Or you can subscribe HERE.
Thanks for taking a look!