Smile! (WT314)

The Ways To Use It Challenge is called, "Miles of Smiles", and we are to use smiles on our projects, either the word "Smile" or a smiling face on an image. We could draw or write smiles, too. This is really a fast card to make. I used the XL Flower Folds Die and die cute the flowers in three sizes using three papers. I used a 1" Circle Punch for the flower center and drew the smiley face. The sentiment is from "Picnic Parade" (retired hostess set) and is punched with the small oval punch. I used Melon Mambo and Whisper White card stocks and Ice Cream Parlor DSP (SAB). Clean and simple, quick and easy! Everything used to make this card is from Stampin' Up! Thanks for stopping by!!!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail! (SPRINGSC11)

The Spotted Canary Challenge is to make cards that represent spring. The Easter Bunny sure does! I purchased one of Kim Score's instruction sets from her blog. Her instructions called for using Close To Cocoa card stock and make a brown bunny, but I used Whisper White card stock and made a white rabbit. I sponged the white edges with Bashful Blue ink. The polka dotted DSP is from the Brights Collection and I used retired Sweet Pea DSP for the basket and old SAB DSP for the eggs. The ribbon is retired gingham ribbon. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. Everything used to make this card came from Stampin' Up! Thanks for stopping by!!

I Cheated! (SC324, SPRINGSC11)

Why do I say I cheated? Well, I could have used a butterfly die or embosslit, I could have stamped and punched a butterfly, I could have stamped, colored and cut out a butterfly, or I could have just punched a butterfly, but I chose to use a butterfly sticker from the Dollar Tree Store. I have two or three packages of these stickers for scrap booking, but I don't use them that often. They came seven to a package in various colors and each package had butterflies ranging in size from about 1-1/2" wide to almost 3" wide. This is an easy sketch, too. I like it. I used Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla card stocks along with Springtime Vintage DSP. The sentiment is from "Happiness Shared" stamp set. Everything is from Stampin' Up! except that butterfly sticker. Thanks for stopping by!!

Out West (CC314, MMTPT137)

This week's Color Challenge is to use Soft Suede, Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake with any neutrals. The dessert option is to make it glossy, glittery, flower soft, etc. I made it glossy by embossing the main image, the frame and the sentiment with Clear Embossing Powder. The frame is Soft Suede, but when you emboss it, it looks much darker. The Teapot Tuesday Challenge is to use a frame on the card. This goes to a little girl who is battling cancer. She loves art and horseback riding, and her favorite color is blue. It worked out to combine these two challenges. Everything used here is from Stampin' Up! Thanks for stopping by!!!

Trellis Card (TLC316)

This is for the Technique Lover's Challenge which is to build a trellis. There's no stamping here. I decided to leave the sentiment for later, maybe just on the inside. The base card is Naturals White, but you can't see it. I covered the whole front with Springtime Vintage DSP. I used Spellbinders Labels Nesties for the cut-out and the frame. The Whisper White panel is embossed with the Square Lattice folder, and those "slats" are 1/8" wide Whisper White pieces. The flowers were actually in a jar and had been punched with the Flower Trio Punch. I embossed them and added gold Stickles to the centers. The leaves were die cut with the Little Leaves Sizzlit. Everything except the Nesties is from Stampin' Up! Thanks for stopping by!!!

Fancy Flower (QFTD51)

This is for the Queen For The Day Challenge as well as the Spotted Canary Challenge. The QFTD challenge is actually a Friday challenge, but I never remember it on Friday. Usually, by Saturday, I see lots of cards in the galleries honoring the reigning queen, so I make a mental note to make a card for that one. This week's queen is Quillister. Jill has a fabulous gallery, so I had a hard time deciding which card to CASE. I finally settled on her Flower For You card. I used a die cut flower instead of a stamped one (Flower Folds XL Die), changed the stamped beetle to a die cut butterfly (Beautiful Wings Embosslit), used the sentiment from "Fresh Cuts", changed the base card from white to Daffodil Delight Textured Card Stock and changed the ribbon to Melon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon. Everything here is from Stampin' Up! Thanks for stopping by!!

CASEing Bridget (FS214)

The Featured Stamper this week is bfinlay. Bridget was a great choice because she has so much talent, and it shows in her awesome gallery. I chose to CASE her "My Well Loved Friend" card. I changed stamps, ribbon and ribbon treatment, colors, papers and theme. The bunny image was sent to me by an online friend. I believe it's a retired SU! stamp. I colored it with SU! Markers, cut it out and popped it up. Instead of a plaid bunny, I have a plaid background. I used SU! punches and a sentiment from "A Good Egg." The ribbon is from Mark's Finest Papers. Everything else is from Stampin' Up! Thanks for stopping by!

This Is The Day (ODBDSLC52)

The Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge is to use leather or pearls on a card. I used tiny gold pearls on the mat behind the verse. The verse is from "Daffodil Tag Set", and the Nestie is an ODBD exclusive Spellbinders die set. After cutting the Whisper White piece (already stamped with More Mustard), I used the same die and traced around it on Soft Suede and cut it out for the mat. The flower was made with the Flower, Daisies #2 Die from Stampin' Up! The leaves were hand cut, moistened and crumpled using Old Olive card stock. The base card is Soft Suede and the DSP is retired SAB paper from a couple of years ago. Everything is from Stampin' Up except for the ODBD verse. Thanks for stopping by!!!

Friends (C4C78)

This week's Crazy 4 Challenges challenge is to have a tree on our cards. I used "Forest Friends", and used the tree, owl and bunny. My card is 4.25" square. I kept it simple. The card stocks I used are Crumb Cake, Garden Green and Whisper White. I masked the owl and stamped the tree over it a little. Everything was stamped with Crumb Cake, and then I went over it with Crumb Cake and Garden Green Markers. I masked a cloud and sponged the background with Bashful Blue. The sentiment from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" was stamped with Black Stazon. Everything here is from Stampin' Up! Thanks for stopping by!!

Rejoice! (CCEE1110, SNTODBD30, SPRINGSC11)

This is for the CCEE Stampers Challenge which is to create a monochromatic card with blues. I used Not Quite Navy for the base card, mats and ink, and I used some retired DSP that is mainly Baja Breeze. The ribbon is Baja Breeze Ribbon Seam Binding as well. The Our Daily Bread Designs Stamping In Time challenge is a theme: Glass/Crystal/Clear. We could use embellishments, a technique or verses that convey the theme. We were to use ODBD stamps, too. I used "He Will Rise" and "Tulip Tag Set" stamps. I also used SU!'s Basic Jewels in the corners for the theme. I used the new ODBD exclusive Spellbinders Nestie and Stampin' Up! punches. The Spotted Canary challenge is to make a card that represents spring. The Easter celebration certainly represents spring. Everything here is from Stampin' Up! except for the ODBD stamps. Thanks for stopping by!!!

Spring Birthday (SPRINGSC11, TSC0311, WT313)

This is another card for the Spotted Canary challenge which is to make a card that represents spring. My mother's birthday is in the spring. Next month, she will be 96 years old! The Twisted Sistahs Challenge is to "Think B's" as in Buttons, Bows, Borders and Brads. We were to have at least two of those items on our card. I have three; Brads, Borders and Bows. Finally, this is for the Ways To Use It Challenge which is to use felt. I have some "Accents and Elements" Felt Flowers from Stampin' Up! I layered the flowers and used a Glimmer Brad in the center. I used two Martha Stewart Border Punches: Doily Lace and Ribbon Slot. The Nesties are exclusive Our Daily Bread Designs dies from Spellbinders. The ribbon is the retired pink gingham from SU! and the stamp is from "Sincere Salutations". Thanks for stopping by!!

Psalm 7:4 (SC323, SPRINGSC11)

This is for today's Sketch Challenge and for the Spotted Canary challenge. The more entries you have in the Spotted Canary challenge, the more chances you have to win $500 in EK Success products, so I'm entering as often as I can. We just have to make cards that represent spring. I used two of my new Our Daily Bread Designs stamp sets. The first one is the Tulip corner stamp. I stamped with Black Stazon and colored with Water Color Pencils and a Blender Pen with Baby Oil. The verse is from the Tulip Tag Set. I used the Cuttlebug Frills Border for the diagonal piece and SU!'s Framed Tulips EF for the Lavender Lace layer. The base card and matting are Basic Black. Thanks for stopping by!!

Hen Party at the Roxbury (MMTPT136, SC208)

This week's Tea Party is at the Roxbury. We're all supposed to be movin' and groovin' in honor of Rox71. Roxie is our Sketch Challenge hostess. She has brought over 320 sketches to us to inspire us. This sketch is #208 from 2008. I guess the old hens came to do the "Funky Chicken". From left to right: Mothermark (Cindy), the leader of the pack and holding the biggest drink! Next is MrsBoz (me) blabbing. Then comes Rox71 wondering why SHE is in the spotlight! Finally, there's irishgreensue (Sue or Greenie) on her cell phone!! LOL! The base card and mats are Basic Black, there's a layer from DCWV's Glitter Pack, there's Lavender Lace on one tilted rectangle, and finally, there's the main image that was sent to me by Kokirose (Pat). I colored with SU! Markers, then with a Versamarker, and then I embossed with Clear EP. After that I did the sponging. Down in the lower right corner, under that purse, is a "208" which is the number of Roxie's sketch challenge that I used.

Springtime Smiles (SPRINGSC11, TLC315)

The Technique Lovers Challenge is to make a card in any shape except for square or rectangle. There's also a special challenge on SCS to make a card that represents spring. When you follow the directions and link to the thread, your name is included in a drawing for $500 in products from EK Success Brands. You can enter as many times as you like, and this will give you more chances to win. I'm going to make as many spring themed cards as I can for the challenge. I'd sure like to win those products! I used the Circle, Scallop Die from Stampin' Up! plus the Elegant Lines folder to make this card. The sentiment from "Easter Blossoms" was embossed with Heat & Stick Powder and the retired Stampin' Flock was added. I wanted to see how that flock works on a sentiment. It works fine, but SU! hasn't carried that product in years. My little flowers and leaves were pre-punched with the Flower Trio Punch and MS Leaf Punch. The bow is made from Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon. The butterfly was pre-cut as well using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit. I added a Basic Pearl for the butterfly's head. Everything is from Stampin' Up! except for the leaf punch. Thanks for stopping by!!

What Mess??! (CAS109)

I was asked to be a Guest Designer for the Clean and Simple Challenge!! What an honor!!! Actually, I tried out for a spot on the CAS Spring Design Team and didn't make it, BUT I'm one of the Guest Designers, so I'm pretty proud! Now the very first CAS Challenge for spring is tomorrow, so I'm on. The theme is "Humor". The challenge is to make a clean and simple card that is humorous. Well, my card is kind of dirty and simple because this little doggie has been into some mischief. Inside is more sponging and more paw prints with a sentiment that reads, "What Mess??!" This card will go to my friend who loves her little doggie very much and he is on the mend from a back injury that was so severe that he was dragging his hind legs. She will love this. The doggie is a Rubber Stampede stamp that I bought several years ago at Michael's. In fact, one of the first cards I ever posted online was done with this little guy. The paw prints are from a Recollections set called "Woof" which I also got at Mike's but more recently. I water colored the dog, cut him out and popped him up on Naturals Ivory card stock, added a little sponging, and this card was done! Thanks for stopping by!!!

Let Me Do It Now (ODBDSLC51, CCEE1109)

The challenge over at Our Daily Bread Designs Blog is a color challenge. We are to choose two colors from pink, blue, yellow or ivory. My two colors are blue and ivory. The challenge for this week at the CCEE Stampers Blog is to use swirls. The stamped image above the quote has swirls as well as the die cut pieces on either end of the main image panel. I just got my order of new stamps from ODBD. I used the "Eternity" set for this card. The base card is Naturals Ivory, and the DSP is Springtime Vintage from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I stamped the quote with Black Stazon. Then, I stamped the frame with Versamark and embossed with Silver EP. I stamped the scroll above the quote with Versamark and again embossed with Silver EP. The die cuts on the ends were cut from Not Quite Navy card stock with the Cuttlebug Ornamental Die which I received as a gift from Pat Smethers. I may have gone a little overboard with those silver pearls, but when I put three on each end, I had four left, so I just used them all! LOL! The little flowers were punched, sponged and embossed, and tiny silver pearls were added to the centers. The leaves were punched with a Martha Stewart Leaf Punch and sponged. The whole panel was popped up. Thanks for stopping by!!!

Just Chicken (QFTD50, TSC0304)

This is for the Queen for the Day Challenge which is to honor one of our stampers by CASEing one of her cards. This week's queen is Luv Flowers. I enjoyed browsing through Kim's gallery and decided to CASE her cute penguin card. My main image is die cut instead of stamped. I changed the colors, theme and sentiment. This is also for the Twisted Sistahs Challenge presented by wannabcre8ive. She asked us to use a chicken on our cards. The sentiment was given to me by an online friend. I used Ruby Red, Real Red and More Mustard for the die cut pieces and I used Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory and DCWV DP for the rest of the card. I embossed the top panel with the Tim Holtz Tree EF. Thanks for stopping by!!

March 2011 Club Projects

For this month's club, I'm featuring items from the Sale-A-Bration Brochure and the Occasions Mini Catalog. Project #1 is a CASE of a card in the Sale-A-Bration Brochure. The one in the brochure is made with Melon Mambo instead of Pacific Point. My ladies will be doing either one, Melon Mambo or Pacific Point. The stamp set, ribbon and buttons are all items that are free with $50 purchases until March 31st.

Project #2 is from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I CASEd the card on page 14. I accidentally used Melon Mambo instead of Rose Red, but everyone else will be doing theirs with the Rose Red mat. The flowers were cut out from the Springtime Vintage DSP. The base card is Crumb Cake stamped with Always Artichoke leaves. The embossed panel is Baja Breeze. I used Certainly Celery Taffeta Ribbon instead of the Seam Binding they used in the catty. I stamped that shape that the ovals are on with the Baby Blossoms set on some of the same DSP as the flowers. I used the retired "Elegant Cheer" set for the sentiment, stamping it on Naturals Ivory and punching it out with the Scallop Oval punch. It's matted on Crumb Cake punched with the Wide Oval Punch. One of the roses is popped up on a Dimensional as well as the ovals. One of my ladies requested that we make this card. Everything used for both projects came from Stampin' Up! Thanks for stopping by!!!

Owl Punch Rose (CC312)

Two challenges in one day!! This is for the Color Challenge on SCS which is to use Marina Mist, Certainly Celery and Rose Red. I also used Whisper White. I forgot the dessert part which was to use a banner, but that's optional, I think. The rose petals are formed from the owl punch. I found this video tutorial on another blog which gives step-by-step instructions for making the rose. I used the Celery ink instead of card stock and stamped the 2-step leaves from "A Rose is a Rose" set (retired). I sponged the edges of the leaves with Celery and Rose Red inks. The ribbon is White Organza and the sentiment is from "Water Color Trio". Everything is from Stampin' Up! Thanks again for stopping by!!!

D-Fence! (MMTPT135)

I've missed the last two tea parties for one reason or another, but I was able to find time to do this week's challenge. We are to bring sports related cards which can be sent to a young man (age 19) who was badly burned over 65% of his body. He's making progress but still needs encouragement. He loves sports - all kinds. I don't really have much in the way of sports related stamps, so I went online and found a coloring page of a football player in his three-point stance. I printed the image on card stock, colored it with Water Color Pencils, blended with a Blender Pen and baby oil, and cut it out. The base card is Basic Black and the embossed layer is Glorious Green (retired). I used the Cuttlebug Forest Branches embossing folder. The "D" was die cut using a Sizzix alphabet set (Round-a-bout), and the fence was punched with the Martha Stewart fence punch. I added Crystal Effects to the helmet to give it a shine. Thanks for stopping by!!!