Freshly Made Sketches #128

I'll admit, I had this card sitting on my desk when I pulled up this weeks challenge from The Freshly Made Sketches blog.  It was almost too perfect.  This sketch by Rita Wright (fellow Stamp Crew Review stamper) is a go to card layout for me. 

So here is my interpretation of this sketch:

Colors: Strawberry Slush, Basic Black, Whisper White and Pink Pirouette.  Stamps: Sketched Birthday.  Punches: 1-1/4" Circle and 1-3/4" Scallop Circle.   Accessories: 2013-2015 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Dazzling Details.

I love bright pink and black together.  I'm not really a girly, girl.  But these colors just pop.  And I've had a lot of fun playing with the Sketched Birthday set recently.  It's a little hard to tell from the picture, but after I colored the cupcake, I added a layer of Dazzling Details to the frosting.  And now I want a cupcake!

The Friday Mashup Challenge #151

I'm kind of on a roll with the challenge thing.  If I keep this up, I'm going to have to post more than three times a week.  Today, it's The Friday Mashup Challenge:

The Friday Mashup usually combines the sketch with an additional challenge.  This week it was to make something with a rainbow on it.  The first thing I thought of was the Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper, even before I noticed that someone else had used it as well.  Here's my creation:

Colors: Crisp Cantaloupe, Whisper White, Gumball Green, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo.  Stamps: Starburst Sayings.  Big Shot: Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Starburst Framelits, Circles #2 Die.  Punches: Banner.  Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper, Gold Sequin Trim. 

Unscripted Sketches Challenge #247

Remember last week when I said I wanted to play in more challenges?  Well here's another one for you.  This time it's Unscripted Sketches. My friend and fellow Stampin' Addict Adriana Benitez is on the design team over there and they always have great sketches.  I just never (before) have gotten around to playing.  Here's the sketch:

And here is the card I made:

Colors: Bermuda Bay, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Crisp Cantaloupe.  Stamps: Sketched Birthday and Yipppee-Skippee.  Big Shot: Decorative Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Accessories: Blender Pens, Gumball Green Stitched Satin Ribbon, Birthday Basics Designer Series Paper.

You can see, I flipped the sketch and used the ribbon in the place of a title at the edge of the color block section.  This is such a versatile sketch too.  It would make a great scrapbook page.

This is also a card for my annual Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet coming up on March 21&22.  It's the one time a year that my class is only about birthdays. Hope to see you there!

Stampin' Addicts Challenges are Back!

It's been over a year since a new challenge has been posted on Stampin, Addicts.  But today we are bringing the challenges back in a new and different way.  For now, we are recycling the old challenges and adding a new twist to them:  Pinterest.  You can see all the details on that here: Stampin' Addicts Pinterest Recycle Challenge #1

The first challenge is the old Sketch Challenge 44.  I sat down yesterday to create a card with this sketch and here it is:

Colors: Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, Basic Black and Whisper White.  Stamps: Halloween Hello.  Punches: Label Bracket and 1" square. Accessories: Markers and Crystal Effects

It's a little hard to tell from the picture but there is Crystal Effects all over the candy to make it shiny like real candy.  Here is the sketch it's based on:

Don't have time to create this week but want to help pick a winner of the challenge?  Simply become a follower of Stampin' Addicts on Pinterest, then like or repin cards from the challenge board.  The creator with the most likes and repins gets to pick the following challenge. But it's even more fun to play along, so do that too!

Circle Easel Card for Baby

Baby cards can be a challenge for me.  I always want something neutral, but sometimes green and yellow just feel stale to me. This time, to freshen it up a bit, I added Crumb Cake to the mix and then did a really fun shape and fancy fold:

Colors: Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Pool Party.  Stamps: Easy Events and Delightful Dozen.  Big Shot: Scallop Circle, Clear Circle, 3" Circle,  Circle #2, Polka-Dot Embossing Folder.  Punch: 2-3/8" Scallop Circle.  Accessories: So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon, Many Marvelous Markers.

The shape and "easel" fold of the card were completely inspired by Yapha Mason.  She filled in for me a few weeks back on the Stampin' Addict Sketch Challenge 130 and this was the sketch.  She turned her cute card into an easel so I knew I had to try that too. 

This is another card that will be featured at my Spring Fling Stampin' Buffet.  Let me know if you would like to come and make one this Saturday.  I hope to see you there!

Summer Smooches: Take Three!

I have one more Summer Smooches preview ready to show you. It really is a cute set.  And the paper is full of bright colors that I don't use very often (Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise and Daffodil delight in addition to Rich Razzleberry, Real Red and Lucky Limeade which I do use more.)

Colors: Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade.  Stamps: Bright Blossoms.  Punch: Circle Punch from Itty Bitty Shape Punch Pack. Accessories: Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper and Designer Fabric Brads. 

Those fun fabric covered brads will only be available during the month of April.  They will not carry over to the new catalog like most of the rest of the product line.  So you'll want to get your hands on them next month for sure.

My goal for today is to hit the stamp room hard so send any spare mojo you have my way.  I have club tomorrow and next week no projects ready for them.  And a swap due next week as well.  Wish me luck!

P.S. This was Stampin' Addict Sketch Challenge 126.  It's never to late to play along. Come join the fun!

Another Summer Smooches Sneak Peek

I haven't had a lot of time to stamp lately.  I'd blame it on March Madness (because basketball is my other passion) only it just started today.  But here is another card I made with the Summer Smooches Collection that will be available starting April 1.

Colors: Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight and Rich Razzleberry.  Stamps: Bright Blossoms and Borderlines. Big Shot: Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  Punches: 2-1/2", 1-1/4", 1", 3/4" and circle from the Punch Trio.  Accessories: Mini Brads, Markers.

This was also Sketch Challenge 127 over at Stampin' Addicts.  We'd love for you to stop on by and play with us too.

Bright Blossoms is part of the Summer Smooches Collection.  However, Borderlines has been in the catalog this whole year.  A couple of weeks ago, I was combing the catalog looking for something else and noticed it for the first time ever. It was love at first sight.  How I had missed it for all these months is beyond me, but now it's my mission in life to point it out to every stamper I know.  It's on page 148 and it is three different long stamps (big enough to run the length of a card) and it looks like this:

You are going to want it once I get time to stamp and show you all the amazing things you can do with it. So contact me today and let's get it ordered for you.

Take a Spin

I have one more card to share with you from the Birthday swap I hosted a couple of weeks ago.  This one features a really fun stamp set called "Take a Spin."  I love that Stampin' Up! sells these cute little game spinners to go with this set too.  So fun!

Colors: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Indigo Island, Pumpkin Pie. Stamps: Take a Spin.  Big Shot: Striped Textured Embossing Folder.  Punch: 1/4" circle. Accessories: Markers, Game Spinners, 1/4" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon.

This is another card I'll be offering at my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet on March 9 & 10.  I'll be posting all the details on this class today or tomorrow so stay tuned for all the details.  And it double (or maybe that's tripled) as Sketch Challenge 125 on Stampin' Addicts this week too. 

And there is a really fun Stampin' Addict Blog Hop happening this weekend to mark the third anniversary of the site.  I simple had too much going on in my life to participate this time around, but be sure to check it out.  Each participating site is featuring a party theme to celebrate different occasions.  Click on the picture to visit the first site.

Masculine Birthday Card

Making masculine cards is tough for me.  You'd think given that I have no sisters or daughters, I'd be really good at them.  Boy cards, I can handle.  But manly man cards are not my strong suite.  I only own one current stamp set that works well for a masculine card (although I have others that would work for general birthdays for anyone - including a man). So why did I sign up to make a masculine card for my own swap?  This is what I came up with:

Colors: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Naturals Vanilla.  Stamps: The Open Seas, Happiest Birthday Wishes.  Accessories: Well Worn Designer Series Paper, brads and Early Espresso 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

The Open Seas was in last year's Summer Mini Catalog.  It is not featured in any current catalog, but it is still available to order.  It is perfect for masculine cards so I hope they never take it away.  And this Well Worn Designer Series paper is also perfect for manly cards.

Did you notice that I didn't use a single punch or the Big Shot on this card at all?  That almost NEVER happens.  I'm surprised the earth didn't stop turning.

This card is also this week's Sketch Challenge at Stampin' Addicts. Come check it out and play along!

Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge 123

In all the craziness of last week, I had four swaps and a sketch challenge to still do.  So what's a stamper to do?  Kill two birds with one stone, of course. (I hope you all know that's just a saying right.  I wouldn't really kill one bird, let alone two and I doubt I'd be able to hit one with a stone anyway because I throw like a girl).

Here is the card I made for the swap that turned into Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge 123:

Colors: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade.  Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes and Create A Cupcake.  Big Shot: Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Punches: Petite Pennants, 2-1/2" and 1" circle.  Accessories: Markers, In Color Designer Printed Brads and 5/16" Jumbo Brads.

This card will also be offered at my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet next month.  These swaps were due at my house on Friday so I didn't want to post this swap card for the challenge.  So I made a second card with the same sketch to post:

Color: Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Coral Calypso.  Stamps: Just Believe.  Big Shot: Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die. Punches: 2-1/2" and 1-1/4" circle, 1" square.  Accessory: Brad

Obviously, I'm very hooked on these In Colors right now.  I just can't stop using them.  I'm to the point I won't even really miss the 2010-2011 colors when they retire at the end of May, but I'm already dreading losing Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party and Island Indigo.

Anyone is welcome to play along on the Stampin' Addict Sketch Challenge. Come check it, or any of the other challenges out and get inspired.

Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge 119

So I'm a week behind on sharing sketch challenges.  This is actually LAST week's challenge on Stampin' Addicts but I've had so many fun things to share that I haven't posted it here.  But there is no time limit to the sketch challenge.  You can play at any time and in any order.  So head on over and check it out!

Sometimes when I'm putting the sketch challenge together, I start with a card and then draw the sketch.  This time, I just sat down with My Digital Studio and started playing with punches until I found something I liked.  Then I headed to my stamp room to make a card based on what I drew.  It's more of a challenge for me that way anyway.  Here is the first card I came up with:

Colors: Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze.  Stamps: Kidoodle. Big Shot: Circles #2.  Punch: 2-1/2" circle.  Accessories: Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper, Markers, Brads, Mat Pack,  Paper Piercer, White Gel Pen.

I think that little octopus is adorable!  And I love how the circles in the sketch mimicked the circles on the Just Add Cake paper.  To make the faux stitching on the ends, I just used the template on the mat pack and my paper piercer to poke the holes and then went over it with a white gel pen.  I know it's a bit early, but this will likely be one of my projects for my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet in March.

After I made the first one, I thought about putting a flower in the circle spot and this is what I came up with:

Color: Daffodil Delight, Basic Black and Whisper White.  Stamps: Curly Cute.  Big Shot: Daisy Die #2.  Accessories: Brights and Neutrals Patterns Designer Series Packs, Brights Buttons, marker.

I saw a card with this color combination on Pinterest last week. (are you starting to see a pattern with me and Pinterest?) And simple white daisies are my favorite flower so it just came together.  Doodling is not something I do a lot, but I decided to give it a shot.  This card is being offered at my Valentines/Sale-A-Bration Stampin' Buffet next weekend.  I know it is neither Valentines or SAB, but it seemed like such a bright cheery card for the doldrums of January.  There is still time to RSVP for the class so let me know if you would like to come.

Sneak Peek at Sale-A-Bration

Sale-A-Bration is a wonderful time for anyone who loves FREE stuff.  If you aren't familiar with the promotions, for every $50 you spend from the Stampin' Up! Catalog, you get to choose a free item from the Sale-A-Bration brochure!  Watch here for more details on this exciting promotion that starts January 24.

But today, I wanted to share with you a quick sneak peek at some of the products you can get free.

Colors: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Fresh Vintage and Loving Thoughts. Punches: Scallop, 1-3/8" and 1-1/4" circles.   Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and Ribbon & Brad Pack.

Paper and brads and ribbon!!  Oh my!  I have to say, that I just love this Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  It is just gorgeous!  I will be featuring more projects made with this paper in the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop coming up in about 10 days.  And the brads and ribbon that match it come in a bundle together. And the Fresh Vintage stamp set is just so beautiful too.

I made this card for a swap I was in last month to showcase the ribbon and brads and paper, but it also doubled as the Stampin' Addict Sketch Challenge last week too.  Come and play along with us!

There is an easy way to earn the stamp set, the paper and the embellishment kit as well as a fun shopping tote absolutely free -- host your own qualifying workshop during Sale-A-Bration.  So for a $400 workshop, you would get all of the above free, plus $65 in hostess dollars to spend on catalog merchandise and choose any one item 50% off item.  Contact me today and let's get you on my calendar.

A Yummy Recipe and Sketch Challenge

A big thank you to all the people who came to my Spook-tacular Stampin' Buffet this weekend.  I hope everyone had as much fun as I did.

I had a lot of requests for the recipe for the Chicken Enchilada Dip I served this weekend.  But before I share that, I figured since this is a stamping blog and not a cooking blog, I should share a card first.  This was last week's Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge.

Colors: River Rock, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede.  Stamp Sets: Thankful Thoughts.  Punches: Oval.  Accessories: Spice Cake Designer Series Paper, Spice Cake Buttons, and Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding.

And now for the recipe:

Chicken Enchilada Dip
2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 small can green chilis
1/2 cup sour cream
4 oz. cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheese (I use a four cheese Mexican blend)

Blend all ingredients together and place half of recipe in a "Little Dipper" crock pot.  Heat and serve with tortilla chips.  Refill crock pot as needed.

I've never done it, but I'm guessing your could used canned chicken in this recipe.  And if you needed a lot of it all at once, you could probably put it in a larger crock pot too. Just watch it, because it will start to burn after 3 hours or so.  I did use low fat cream cheese and sour cream in it this time too.

I know someone gave me this recipe, but I can't remember who and I'm fairly certain I modified whatever recipe they gave me to the one above.  I've served it now twice at Stampin' Buffets and it has been a huge hit both times. Enjoy!

Just Be Thankful

Colors: Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla, Basic Black. Stamps: Just Believe.  Punches: Decorative Label.  Accessories: First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, 1/4" Black Grosgrain Ribbon.

Earlier this week, I showed you a Thank You Card we'll be making at Susie's private Thank You Card class.  This is the other one.  Just Believe was my favorite new stamp set in the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog. Sometimes I get sooo busy using the new products, I forget about the older favorites so it was fun to pull this one out again.  I just love using this image as a silhouette like in this example, or coloring the stamp with markers for a more natural look.

It also morphed into this week's Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge.  Anyone is invited to play along in any of the great challenges we offer at Stampin' Addicts.  The site also has a wonderful Stampin' Up! only gallery organized by stamp set that anyone can visit any time.  Ever stumped on what to do with a particular stamp set, or just need new ideas for an old favorite, the Stampin' Addict Gallery will inspire you!

I also wanted to share with you a little sneak peek of a project I've been working on this week for my Spooktacular Stampin' Buffet.  Starting next week, you'll start to see a lot of Halloween Projects, including the rest of this fun project, posted here so stay tuned!!

And I'm trying out some new share it tools.  Try them out and tell me what you think!

Pin It

Sketch Challenge Inspiration

Last week, I had the opportunity to be at the Stampin' Up! home offices in Riverton, Utah.  I love going there because it is just so inspiring.  One of the things I love to look at when I'm there is the international catalogs they have in the lobby.

As I was flipping through the pages of the New Zealand Idea Book and Catalog, a particular sample caught my eye and I immediately thought, that would make a great sketch challenge.  Surely, it can't be in our catalog too because I would have noticed it.  Right?

Wrong!  There it is on page 128 with the Notably Ornate stamp set.  Not sure why I never noticed it before.  But it was the perfect inspiration for last week's Stampin' Addicts sketch challenge (sketch challenge 109 for those of you keeping track at home).  Here's the sketch:

And here is what I created with the sketch:

Colors: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Whisper White.  Stamps: Easy Events. Punches: 1-3/4" and 2-3/8" Scallop Circles.  Accessories: Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, Stampin' Write Markers, Crystal Effects

I needed to design a card for a private card class I have coming up next week and this one was perfect.  It fit the theme (Thank You cards) and it features the In Colors which I'm featuring a special on the this month.

If you would like to host your own private card class for you and your friends, let me know.  It's a great way to spend an afternoon or evening with your friends creating and having fun.Contact me today!

How a Sketch Challenge is Born

Coming up with a new sketch challenge for Stampin' Addicts isn't always easy.  After posting 106 of them, sometimes it seems like there are no new sketches in the world. But I look for inspiration constantly.  Sometimes it comes from a Stampin' Up publication.  Sometimes from the idea boards at convention or a swap I received. 

And sometimes, like this week, it comes from me just sitting at my desk stamping and putting pieces together until something clicks.  That's what happened this week.  I wanted to make a card that featured the Strength & Hope Campaign set.  Each time this stamp set is purchased, Stampin' Up! Donates $2 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  It's a beautiful set and it's only available through the end of August.  This is what I came up with:

Colors: Soft Suede, Pool Party, Pear Pizazz.  Stamps: Strength and Hope.  Punches: 1" Square Punch.  Accessories: Mini Brads, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack.

It seemed a little too basic for a sketch challenge at first.  But then I thought, what if I included the flourishes as part of the challenge, but not necessarily as flourishes.  So I made another card based on the same layout:

Colors: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade.  Stamps: Best of Everything.  Punch: Decorative Label.  Accessories: Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon & Designer Printed Brad, Filigree Designer Brad, Paper Piercer and Mat Pack.

Can you see the same sketch in both cards?  One of the things I love about a sketch challenge is that you can substitute slightly different shapes to give cards a whole new look.  In this one, I used the Decorative Label Punch to "bracket" the main piece where the flourishes were in the first card. 

The next step to posting the challenge is to sketch it out in My Digital Studio.  This is the actual sketch that was posted for yesterday's challenge on Stampin' Addicts:

I'd love to see what you come up for this sketch.  Head on over to Stampin' Addicts and play along.  And if you see a card or create one yourself that would make a great sketch challenge, please send the idea my way. 

Holiday Mini Sneak Peeks: Spice Cake Product Suite

Really not trying to rush us through the last month of summer, but I love Fall!  I love that first crisp morning and pumpkins and falling leaves and I could go on all day.

And this year, Stampin' Up's fall suite in the Holiday Mini is adding to my excitement for the season.  It's called Spice Cake and it is just as yummy as it sounds.  Featuring the most beautiful Designer Series Paper ever, a beautiful leaf stamp set as well as fabric and buttons, it is just perfect for Fall or anytime really.  And if digital crafting is more you speed, the paper will be available as a digital download too.  Here is your sneak peek:

Colors: Soft Suede, More Mustard, and Very Vanilla. Stamps: Gently Falling and Fabulous Phrases. Punches: Small Oval and 2-1/2" Circle.  Accessories: Spice Cake Designer Series Paper, Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz.

Remember last week, I promised one more card based on the sketch challenge?  Here it is.  Last week I was on a big Soft Suede kick.  Especially when I discovered how cool the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz looks on it.  You can't tell from the picture, but it gives it just a hint of coppery shimmer.  The Gently Falling set is designed for two-step stamping.  Six outline stamps are complimented by six "filler" stamps in all of the common leaf shapes plus an acorn and a maple seed pod.  I have a thing for leaf stamps, and I adore this one.

Colors: Pool Party, Soft Suede, More Mustard, River Rock.  Big Shot: Scallop Square Duo, Alphabet Simple Letters. Punch: 2-3/8" Scallop Circle.  Accessories: Spice Cake Designer Series Paper, Fabric and Buttons, 1/8" Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon.

I love to create banners, but I hate to take pictures of them.  They never look as good in the picture as they do in real life.  So you'll have to use your imagination a bit.  This also features the Spice Cake Designer Series Paper as well as the matching fabric and buttons.  I made this to hang in the entry way to my house, but it has already been requested as a buffet project for September.

Colors: Pool Party, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Delightful Dozen. Punches: Postage Stamp and 1" Square Punch.  Accessories: Spice Cake Designer Series Paper, Very Vanilla Seam Binding.

I mentioned before that this paper was really good for anytime and here's the card that proves it.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I love paisleys.  And when I saw this paper I just wanted to hoard it and pet it and call it George.  But I made myself cut into it.  (I can order another package of paper after all.)  I thought it was pretty enough that it didn't need too much so I kept it very simple.  But did you notice the 1" square punch?  Finally we have one and it layers perfectly with the postage stamp punch too.

The Spice Cake Product suite will be available to order starting September 1 when the Holiday Mini begins.  I know you will love it as much as I do.

A Dizzy Turtle

After I made my crayon-resist card the other day, I still needed a sketch challenge for the week. Or did I? Actually, my crayon-resist card became the Sketch Challenge for this week on Stampin' Addicts.  And by coincidence, it also met the requirements for this week's Accessories and More Challenge (use the new Pennant Die).

I could have stopped right there and called it good.  But I was in the juice on Wednesday.  So I made not one, but two more cards based on the sketch.  You  only get to see one today, but the other one will appear with some sneak peeks next week.

Colors: Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze.  Stamps: Turtle & Co. Big Shot: Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Perfect Pennants Die, Circle #2 Die.  Punch: Word Window. Accessories: Daffodil Delight 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Many Marvelous Markers, Crystal Effects, Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper.

"Hope you're back on your feet again soon!"  Get it?  I made this for a dear friend who is undergoing chemo right now.

And since I was still in the juice, as soon as I made this card, a big bright light bulb went off.  That turtle needs to spin so it can land on it's feet again.  I happen to really, really, really love spinner cards and this turtle needed to be on one for sure!

Colors: Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze.  Stamps: Turtle & Co. and Confetti.   Big Shot: Circle #2 Die.  Punch: Word Window, Modern Label, 2-3/8" Scallop. Accessories: Many Marvelous Markers, Crystal Effects, Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper, paper piercer, mini brads.

 You know you want to see it move.  Right?  I can play with these cards for hours.

(That's the very first video I've ever made and uploaded all by myself.  I can't believe it worked!)


I love this turtle. He's this year's Making a Difference set called Turtle & Co. When you purchase this set, Stampin' Up! donates $3 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.   Such a great cause!  And he makes perfect get well and other cards for the young and not-so young men in your lives (and he has cute little friends too - a snail and frog). 

And besides the challenges over on Stampin' Addicts, these cards also fit the theme of the monthly contest over on soshelli.com.  So they are my entries for this month.  Cross your fingers for me.

Stampin' Addict Sketch Challenge 104 & Color Challenge 108

I have A LOT of nicknames.  In my younger years I was also Paula Koala, PJ, and PaulaJo.  And because Californians tend to shorten everything (rad, bromance, vaca, Cali to name just a few famous terms) I was even just Jo for awhile.  Now I'm mostly just Mom, Paula, Pahlua (because I misstamped my name once and it stuck) or my online name, scrapshappen.

But I have another name not very many people know about: Challenge Master. When Stampin' Addicts first got started I took on coordinating the Challenges.  We have six every week: Monday's 3D challenge (with awesome video tutorials), Tuesday's Techniques, Wednesday's Accessories and More, Thursday's Sketch, Friday's Colors and Saturday's Scrapbooking.  If you are ever in need of some inspiration, be sure to check it out: www.stampinaddicts.com.

I've mentioned before that I host the Sketch Challenge and then a group of very talented stampers do the rest.   This week's challenge came straight off of page 104 of the Idea Book and Catalog. (Coincidentally, it is also Sketch Challenge 104).  One of the things I love about our catalog is it really has some great inspiration for creating at home -- substituting other stamps and colors for those shown. 


So here is the card I made based on the sketch for this week:

Colors: Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie and So Saffron.  Stamps: Daring Adventure. Accessories: Brads, Markers, Spritzing Tool.

I love the saying on this stamp set.  It makes me want to be brave and go climb a mountain or something. But after I made this card, I had an idea for another one:

Colors: Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade. Stamps: Delightful Dozen. Accessories: Designer Printed Brads, 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon.

 

Notice how the cards have the same sketch but the one on the bottom is flipped up so it looks completely different.  It was a happy accident actually.  But I was very pleased with the way it turned out.  (Sorry the Pool party ink didn't show up well in the picture, it looks much better IRL).

And because our usual color challenge hostess Crissy is vacationing with her family, I repurposed this card to be the color challenge this week too. That's color challenge 108 if you'd like to play along too.  Have I mentioned how much I LOVE the new colors?  I have?  Oh, sorry. Use them and you will too.  I promise.

So head on over to Stampin' Addicts and check it out!  You won't be sorry.

A New Look. A New Month. And a New Resolve!

I spent the better part of today playing with My Digital Studio to create this fun background and header for my blog.  Have I mentioned lately how much I love My Digital Studio?  I was really afraid it would be difficult, but it turned out to be a lot easier than I expected.  It helps that blogger has vastly improved it's user interface too.

The fun kit that I used is the Noteworthy Digital Content CD, exclusively available as a hostess item.  It has 12 different Designer Series Papers, 25 embellishments and 36 stamp images.  If you want a copy for yourself, ask me about how to earn it for free.  It features my favorite of the 2011-2013 In Colors: Pool Party, (But I reserve the right to change my mind about the favorite thing.  Really I love them all!) as well as Cherry Cobbler, So Saffron and Early Espresso.


And since it's the beginning of a new month, of course there is Stampin' Up! news as well.  During the month of August, Stampin' Up is offering lots of customers' favorite promotions: buy three packages of Designer Series Paper and receive a fourth package free!  I don't remember them having this promotion so close to the start of a catalog before -- but I love that!  I ordered mine today.  Don't wait to get yours!  For more information, click on the button on the right for the promotion.  Or click the Shop Now button on the top right.

And finally, a new resolve.  Seems like this blog has become an after thought to me. I only post when I have classes to share.  I have a list of excuses for that, but I know you don't really care about that part. So I am resolving today to make this blog a bigger priority.  I won't promise to post every day or even a certain amount of days each week.  But I will post several times a month.  (How is that for vague?)

I'll kick it off today with last week's Sketch Challenge over on Stampin' Addicts:

Supplies: Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper; Wild Wasabi, Poppy Parade, Whisper White and Baja Breeze Card Stock; Swirls and Curls Verses (from the Summer Mini Catalog); Boho Blossoms Punch and Itty Bitty Shape Punches; Mini Brads

You probably know that I host the sketch challenge over there but like so many other things this summer, it has also fallen through the cracks some weeks.  But I'm promising to be better about that too.  You can check them out and play along here: Stampin' Addict Sketch Challenge Forum.  This particular sketch is number 103.  It's a great way to use some of that Designer Series Paper that is on special this month. :)

Other quick tidbits of news:  I placed my Holiday Mini Catalog preorder this morning so hopefully I'll have some sneak peeks for you soon.  And I've added a new member to my team!  Welcome Sarah Crow!  She took advantage of the $99 starter kit special this weekend.  I'm so excited for her!

So let me know what you think of the new design and let me know what types of things you would like to see posted here!