HOPE You Can Cling To Batch 2

Here's another batch of cards I finished up for the SplitCoast Challenges!

HYCCT1119 - Use Pressure Embossing

Stamps-Starvingartistamps; Ink-Stampin'Up Rose Romance, Memento Rich Cocoa (words) and Pink (sponging);

Sakura Stardust pen used on the letters; Cuttlebug EF Victorian

HYCCT1112 - Incorporate at least 1 Heart

Stamps-Penny Black bear, Hero Arts sentiment; Ink-VersaFine, Tombow Markers, Sakura Glaze pens on the rose;

Paper-K&CCompany, DCWV; Spellbinders Heart die; scallop edging scissors

HYCCT1124 - Thank you card for a caregiver

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-Stampin'up, Tombow marker; Paper-K&CCompany, DCWV; Sakura Stardust pen, ribbon

HYCCT1122 - Take Inspiration from your Happy Place

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-VersaFine, Tombow Markers; Stickles, Prima flowers, Sizzix Leafy branch die, MS edger punch

HYCCT1111 - Use Girly elements - bling, ribbon, lace, etc.

Stamp-Stampin'Up; Paper-DCWV; Ink-VersaFine, Tombo Markers; Stickles, Ribbon, Pink Lace, 1/2 Pearls

HYCCT1109 - Things you see when you look UP!

Stamp-Inkadinkado clear; Ink-Memento, Tombow markers; ribbon

On white paper, I sponged yellow ink, placed circle cutout down and sponged other colors to make a sunrise/set. Then I stamped, colored & cutout the bird image to pop up, covering some smudges : ) This was my first try at sponging a sunrise/set, after seeing this done so often by Theresa Momber. I didn't take the time to check out some of her stuff to refresh my memory, but I think I did alright for my spur of the moment, let's do this, first try. : )

HYCCT1121 - Use 2 different sizes of one shape

Stamps-JustRite; Ink-Stampin'Up, Memento; Paper-Hot off the Press, DCWV; Spellbinders dies, Pearls

HYCCT1106 - Looking in on you (window card)

Stamp-Hero Arts; Paper-DCWV Garden Party, Stampin'Up; Spellbinders Labels4, ribbon

This was an interesting challenge for me (esp at 1am), the first time I've tried a window cutting 3 times (base card and 2 layers) then stamping in the window, whew! It might have been easier to make the solid color frame to place around the window rather than do the recessed solid frame, oye!

HYCCT1118 - Use purple on the card (Survivor color)

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-Encore Metallic Purple; Paper-Hot Off the Press, DCWV; MS Edger punch, Rhinestones

HYCCT1126 - Send a little sunshine

Stamp-Inkadinkado clear; Paper-Hot Off the Press, Stampin'Up; Ink-Colorbox Chalk Ink,

Sakura Stardust pen; CM mini punch

HYCCT1120 - Make a card with a treat

Stamp-Inkadinkado clear; Ink-Colorbox Chalk Ink, Tombow Markers; Sakura Soufle pen(white icing),

Stardust pen, Cuttlebug EF Happy Birthday, Stickles, Rhinestone (cherry), ribbon

HYCCT1129 - Use words of encouragement (word, quote, or sentiment)

Stamp-A Country Welcome; Ink-VersaFine; Paper-K&CCompany; Ribbon, Heart buttons

Well that's all of them I finished & posted by the deadline Monday (11/7). So close, only 5-6 more to complete the challenges but even if I had stayed up all night and taken the 1/2 day off of work I probably wouldn't have been able to finish the last bunch and posted them by the deadline of 12 noon my time. Around 3 am I was feeling alittle creatively burned out and pretty tired. : ) I'm pretty happy that I got as many done as I did these past 2 weeks and I used some stamps I've had for years and hadn't used before!

Now, I really need to clean this place up before hubby gets home! It looks pretty neglected and Sissy thinks she has been to, silly dog. : )

HOPE You Can Cling To Challenge Cards

Splitcoast Stampers is hosting a full month of challenges in October to make cards for MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston TX for cancer patients and their families. 3 challenges were posted on Oct. 1 then one challenge a day has been posted for the rest of the month for 33 total. We have until Nov 7 to complete them and post pictures of the cards to the Splitcoast gallery, then we package up our batch, with envelopes and plastic bags and send them to MD Anderson. They make the cards available to the families there to use. In case anyone needs some extra motivation, there are tons of sponsors who are contributing stamping related prizes to those who participate in these challenges. They will be given out with random drawings.

I have made maybe 3 cards since January so I'm using these challenges to motivate me to make some cards for a great cause (prize or no prize)! I don't know that I can get all 33 done in this short of time, this late in the game, at the rate I make cards but we'll see! Scott is off to work for awhile so I'm trying to creatively manage my after-work time to get some made! Here's my first batch to post, made over the past 1 1/2 weeks, in no particular order!

HYCCT1107 - Colors of Hope - Use green, brown & yellow

Paper-DCWV; Stamp-Printworks; Ink-Memento; Sizzix Leafy branch,

Prima flowers, Stickles, mini buttons

HYCCT1101C - Make a circle card

Stamp-Inkadinkado clear stamp; Ink-Fresco Chalk Ink, Tombow Marker; tiny rhinestones,

mini button, ribbon, Spellbinders die

HYCCT1102 - Inspiration Challenge

Stamp-Stampin'Up balloon, JustRite alphabet; ribbon, Stickles

HYCCT1103 - Masculine card with pink

Stamps-PSX, Biblical Impressions (ToY); Ink-Memento; Paper-DCWV; Spellbinders die, brads

HYCCT1101A - Make any animal pink!

Stamps-vap scrap cow (Micheals $ bin), Hero Arts; Ink-Memento, Stickles on center cow,

tag punch, heart punch, ribbon

HYCCT1105 - Circles Sketch

Stamps-Great Impressions, JustRite (sentiment); Ink-Memento, Tombow markers;

Paper-K&CCompany; Spellbinders, Stickles

HYCCT1116 - Use a pink ribbon

Stamp-Starvingartistamps; Ink-Memento; Paper-Kaisercraft; Offray Ribbon,

Love dangly from JoAnn's wedding decor dept

HYCCT1114 - Pink Collage

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-VersaFine, Tombow Marker; Paper-Tim Holtz, DCWV; Stickles on butterflies,

Diamond Glaze on larger watch face

HYCCT1110 - Incorporate pink, ribbon & friend theme

Stamps-Rubber Stampede Cherry Blossoms, Stampin'Up sentiment; Ink-VersaFine, Tombow markers;

Stickles, MS Border punch, ribbon

HYCCT1128 - Primarily Pink Holiday Card and ODBDSLC82

Stamps-OurDailyBreadDesigns; Ink-VersaFine Smokey Grey, SU Rose Romance & Pretty in Pink,

Blender Pen; Cuttlebug EF Holly Ribbon; Sakura Stardust pen, Offray Ribbon

HYCCT1113 - Incorporate Butterflies

Stamp-Stampendous sentiment- stamped, sponged with pink, cut out and popped up; Ink-Memento;

Paper-DCWV Garden Party- background between butterflies sponged with pink ink

HYCCT1104 - (H)aving (O)nly (P)aper (E)lements (no bling, no ribbon, etc.)

Paper-Kaisercraft - too pretty to embellish anyway : )

HYCCT1127 - Pickled Tink Humerous CAS with touch of Pink

Stamps-Eureka Stamps ducklings, Hero Arts sentiment; Ink-Memento, Tombow markers; Corner rounder punch;

Stickles on pink duckling : )

HYCCT1123 - Bees, yellow or bee friendly environment

Stamps-Rubber Stampede bee, Hero Arts sentiment; Ink-Memento, Tombow Marker

HYCCT1101B - Use Bling

Stamp-Inkadinkado; Ink-Memento; Glittery Paper-sale bin at JoAnns; Stickles, Rhinestones, ribbon

I'm trying to think less as I work on these, helps me to make more than 1 per day now and then! : ) Now, Off with the TV, ON with the music and back to making some cards.

Manly Cards SSNOTIME156

It's September and I need some Masculine Birthday cards! Manly, Masculine, Guy thing - No bows, no flowery stuff, no frills. OK, fine then. No pressure, should be easy, and flat. Here's what I came up with - 1 stamp, 3 different cards using different papers and other non-frilly stuff. Funny thing, after I made these, I see that this is the theme for Stamp Simply this week!

The Tree stamped image filled the largest die I had. For the border circles, I was able to make the circle the size I needed by tracing the outside of the largest die then cutting just outside of that line with my deckle edged scissors (and erasing the line when done).

Stamps: Inkadinkado-Utopiary, Hero Arts-Happy Birthday (tag), Stampabilities-Happy Birthday

Ink: ClearSnap ColorBox Chalk Ink-Chestnut Roan Paper: DCWV The Fall matstack (from previous 2 yrs)

Accessories: McGill-tag punch, Martha Stewart-ZigZag border punch, EKSuccess-corner rounder punch; Deckle edge scissors, Spellbinders Classic Circle, Ribbon, Brads

Don't Be Anxious

Happy Monday, Day after Independence Day. What an encouraging reminder this verse is to not worry, to go to God in prayer when we feel the emotion arise in us and to continually thank God for all He has provided and will provide! Now why isn't it always as easy as it sounds to do this?! This morning I finished this card for the SNTODBD12 - Stamping in Time with Betty over at Our Daily Bread Designs Blog. LeAnne, the Challenge host, gave us a picture of a colorful handbag to be inspired by the colors, pattern, design, etc. I like the colors and flowery pattern so I had a few different ideas floating around but here's what I went with!

I made an 8.5x11 background paper using a Floral Flourish Stamp from an Inkadinkado clear set and some of the colors I saw in the picture. For this card, it is matted on a very dark purple (it matches the Currant ink color I used for the verse, border and some flowers tho it looks almost black in these pics) then on gray cardstock.

I love the Ironworks Borders stamps used here to frame the scripture stamp from Our Daily Bread. It was also fun to break out some of my old (eksuccess flowers) and new punches (MS branch) and dies to embellish with. Sponging a brighter pink onto the paper flowers really helps them to stand out.

Stamps: Our Daily Bread-Scripture Collection 4, Ironworks Borders; Inkadinkado-Floral Flourishes clear set;

Ink: SU-Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, Hot Pink, Going Gray; Adirondack-Currant;

Accessories: EKSuccess flower punches, Spellbinders Flourish Accent, Martha Stewart Branch punch, Stickles-Cotten Candy Pink

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Here's another card I had made using the same materials as the one above. This is actually the one I made first. I think I overdid the sponging on the verse, just a tad.. : } The satin ribbon really matches the green cardstock border but it's reflecting the light here.

Again I sponged alittle ink (Currant) on the pale pink flowers here to help them stand out. Boy, I guess I went alittle sponge crazy on this card!

Stamps: Our Daily Bread-Scripture Collection 4, Ironworks Borders; Inkadinkado-Floral Flourishes clear set;

Ink: SU-Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss; Adirondack-Currant;

Accessories: Spellbinders Flourish Accent, Martha Stewart punches-Branch, Embossed ZigZag border; Kaiser paper flowers, Offray Ribbon & large circle brad from JoAnns

This maybe it for my creativity for a few days. My Hubby and inlaws are coming in Friday evening, so lots to do to get ready....nah...just some cleaning (as if that's not alot)...well, I'm alittle optimistic at the moment, but I'm sure I'll (and Scott will) think of lots to do! Until then the pooch and I are going for a hike to enjoy the sunny, breezy weather here today, after almost a week of clouds and scattered showers!

Be Strong in the Lord!

Hubby left for Washington on Saturday and realized after he got there he had forgotten to take his keys for his truck there! Oops! Neither of us thought of them before he left, tho they were right there on the counter, blending in with everything else : ) Since I needed to mail them and he couldn't think of anything else to send with them, I felt I needed to make a card : ) I usually try to make a small card to slip into his bag before he leaves, but that didn't happen this time. So no "not even a note?" with this padded envy! I'm happy and thankful, I made this within a couple of hours, rare for me! It helps not to overthink a card and just do it. (Imagine that?!!) And I had to get to the PO before they closed...

I love the Scripture Collections stamps from Our Daily Bread Designs, they have many of my favorite Bible verses in rubber! I hope this verse encourages my hubby while he is away from home working these next few weeks.

Stamps: verse-Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Collection 3, silhouette-Inkadinkado Garden Delight (clear stamps)

Ink: verse- Versafine Olympia Green, silhouette-VersaMagic Chalk Ink Sage, Distress-Tim Holtz Antique Linen

Paper: patterned-BasicGrey Mellow Ebb ; Other: Ribbon-JoAnns (autumn); Scor Pal (embossed lines on green paper, highlighted with distress ink)

Happy Father's Day!

A quick, simple card. No frills for the men here : ) Hope Dads everywhere feel appreciated and have a great, fun, relaxing day.

Paper: Colorbok Punch-out Pak - Jewel Stamp: Inkadinkado Ink: Stampin'Up-Old Olive Other: lt blue brads

White on White, with a little shine

White on White always seemed a challenge for me in the past. I had seen others do beautiful things with white on white in the past but I had never tried it myself. Since I've increased my collection of Cuttlebug embossing folders I wasn't as intimidated when this came up as a swap. I think the embossing helps so much, giving it texture & dimension for wonderful layering.

I used the same snowflake stamp and white glittery embossing powder as I did on one of my Winter Scene cards in the previous post.

Liking how this embossing turned out I had to do it again but with a different background pattern.

I added some more shimmer and shine to random snowflakes in the background by using Sakura's glossy and Clear Stardust glitter pens. This card can go either landscape or portrait. Actually they both can but this one seems to lend itself to either direction for some reason. : )

Stamp: Snowflake-Inkadinkado; Ink: Versamark; Cuttlebug Embossing folders: Herringbone (1st card), Snowflakes (2nd card); Other: Winter Ice EP-Creations Unlimited, White brads, Offray sheer ribbon, Spellbinders Nestabilites Classic Scallop Oval, Sakura Gellyroll Stardust pen- Clear, Sakura glossy pen-white

Winter themed cards

To motivate me to make some cards this month I'm participating in a few card swaps for a couple of groups I'm in. The first swap I'm attacking this week is a Winter Scene "Thinking of You" card. I made a few cards using some of my favorite winter themed stamps.

In the effort to stretch myself, go outside my comfort zone, I used a couple of different papers from the DCWV Holiday Collection - Winter matstack. These penguins from Art Impressions look like they're having some winter fun! I stamped them on scraps of white paper then cut them out after adding color and sparkle using markers and a glitter pen. I also used Crystal glitter glue on the snowflake side to show the hill the red hatter is sliding down, you can't quite see all of it in this pic.

Stamps: Penguins-Art Impressions, ToY-Endless Creations; Ink: Stampin'Up Classic Black, Adirondack Stream (ToY); Paper: DCWV Holiday Collection-the Winter Matstack, cardstock; Other: Tombow markers, Sakura Stardust Clear glitter pen, Stickles Crystal glitter glue

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This card isn't as busy looking, more my style. It started out as more of a curiosity as to how well the snowflakes would show up on this light blue printed paper using white glittery embossing powder. I kinda like it, tho it looks better in person than in this pic. All of the blue cardstock does match the blues in the printed paper, up close.

Stamp: Snowflake-Inkadinkado; Ink: Versamark; Embossing powder: Creations Unlimited-Winter Ice; Paper: DCWV Holiday Collection-The Winter Matstack, Cardstock; Other: Ribbon-JoAnn's Santa Collection, Fiskars wavy scissors

Now I just have to decide which to send as the swap card and who to send the other card to : )

Cards - Birds & Butterflies

August is typically our rainy season here in the valley. Since I don't have to go out to mow the lawn (!) and I have some birthday & anniversary cards to make for August, I've been working on a few cards this past week.

With a person in mind who likes birds, I chose to use a stamp of a couple of birds from the "Best Friends" acrylic set by Inkadinkado. They were colored with Prismacolor pencils and layered on patterned paper from BasicGrey, the Sugared collection. I lightly sponged on some distress ink to help tone down the white cardstock and also edged it with the same ink. This is the first time I've used decorative Twill tape; I like it but it'll be a bit lumpy for mailing in a standard envelope.

It takes me awhile to pick a layout let alone colors so I've gotten into the habit of making more than one at a time, using at least a couple of different layouts, seeing what I like better, sometimes liking all or none.

As I made the Birthday card, it dawned on me that the stamp of the 2 birds would be good for an Anniversary card too.

I think this patterned paper looks antiquish, good for an Anniversary of say, more than 14 years? : ) Ours is next Thursday, 15 years!! Lots of love and prayers, thru the highs & lows. Ok, back to cards... The shade of brown used for matting matches the orangish brown dots on the patterened paper, tho you may not be able to tell from this small picture.

Stamps: Birds-Inkadinkado "Best Friends" acrylic set, Happy Anniv.-Stampin' Up, Happy Bday-Stampabilities

Ink: Colorbox Chalk Ink-Charcoal, TH Distress Ink-Antique Linen; Prismacolor Pencils

Paper: Solid-DCWV; Patterned-BasicGrey Sugared Collection

Twill-Creative Impressions

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After a few of those, I moved on to someone else's Birthday. She likes purple. Even tho I had a color picked out - Purple - I was kind of overwhelmed by the paper and image choices so I tried to get back to keeping it simple in my mind. I chose the butterfly from the same acrylic stamp set as the birds and some fun, not too big, bold or busy background paper that actually matched my Birthday wishes for her - Love, Laughter & Happiness (that happened to be in purple!) : ) I didn't have a small Happy Birthday that I liked for the tag so I went with ol' reliable (and true) - Thinking of You. I stamped a big Happy Birthday inside.

The purple Stickles used to highlight the stamped image reflected the camera flash a little brightly! I didn't realize how bright till I had the pics loaded. I think you get the idea of how Stickles adds bling! I like Stickles! (It's a brand of glitter glue that comes in many colors and in small bottles, found in most stamp & scrapbooking stores.)

Stamps: Butterfly-Inkadinkado "Best Friends" acrylic set, ToU-Endless Creations

Ink: VersaMagic Chalk Ink (DewDrop)-Eggplant; Stickles-Purple

Paper: Solid-DCWV, Patterned-Hot Off the Press "Purple Happiness"