Scary Challenge

Wow, another hot day today.  I beat the heat by playing some doubles tennis this morning super early. We met up for a bit of coffee before tennis---and later realized that Irish Iced Coffee is probably better after tennis!  Hard to top that for a nice social tennis match with the girls. After tennis, I had lunch with a friend, then a focused on some work--down to the home stretch on closing this deal!

I finished this card yesterday, but was able to take the photo this afternoon.  The inspiration came from two different challenges:  

CASE This Sketch #133 for the design...

And the colors from Your Next Stamp Color Challenge #19.  The YNS Color Challenge requires you to use at least 3 of the 5 colors, so I focused on the Waxed Lips (red),  Grapefruit  (yellow) and Taffy (greyish).  

I just love this guy from the Silly Monsters set from Your Next Stamp.  I colored him with my copic markers cut him out along with some fun foam and adhered him to the taffy card stock.  I stamped some different size hearts around the monster, the inspiration from the CASE sketch and stamped the sentiment underneath!

The taffy card stock gives this a bit of a masculine feel, which I like as it seems I'm always in need of a few cards for the guys!  Let me know what you think!

Supplies:

• Bazzill Cardstock:  Taffy, Waxed Lips, Marshmallow
• Your Next Stamp Set:  Silly Monsters
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Avery Elle Pigment Ink:  Mimosa
• Versafine Ink:  Satin Red

Go Boldy Challenge

What a beautiful Sunday!  A perfect day for some outside exercise...with the heat wave approaching tomorrow, I had to get some tennis time this morning.  I played with my husband and his friend.  Everyone was on their A game, so it proved to be a great tennis morning.  And according to the FitBit some good cardio time---though not as good as my normal Sunday bike ride!


I didn't think I was going to have time to come up with a card for the most current Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #196.  I really like the sketch, and had so many ideas, that I found it a bit hard to narrow it down.  But a little focus this afternoon allowed me to make and submit this card to the challenge.

Here's what I came up with...

I started off by using a bit of distressed ink for the background.  I then stamped and colored the various elements with Copic markers, cut them out and adhered them to the card stock.  I used silver embossing powder for the sentiment to match the glitter stars that I cut out.

I've been enjoying using my wave die to add some interest to the cards---and have really liked how it adds a bit of dimension and interest.  My new favorite technique!


Supplies:

• Bazzill Card stock: Marshmallow, Grapefruit Bliss
• Glitter Paper
• Distressed Ink:  Sapphire, Picked Raspberry
• Paper Smooches Stamps:  Space Cadet
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Versamark Ink
• Hero Arts Silver Embossing Powder
• Lawn Fawn:  Wave Dies
• Lawn Fawn:  Polaroid Die
• Fun Foam (which I used to pop the entire white panel)

Beach Challenge

Well a busy day today. Started with some tennis with the husband.  We tried the new drill from Tuesday, and unfortunately, I was a bit off the mark today.  Not my best showing...oh well. There's always next week :)  At least the work out was good...my FitBit recorded 2 hours and 10 minutes...with over 1 hour 10 in cardio!!!





Less is More has a Beach Challenge.  I'm excited about this one because I love my newest stamp set from My Favorite Things, which is perfect for this challenge.



Okay I know this looks like lots of layers, but in fact it is only one.  I created this entire card with the inlaid die technique.  So in fact, it is only one layer.  This is the first time I used this technique with the entire card and was quite surprised at how easy it was to create.

Basically, I cut out each of the elements with my Cuddlebug.  I colored the penguin and the tree with Copic markers.  I used a bit of distressed ink for the sky and sand and then put them together like a puzzle.

Actually it was quite simple.  My favorite part of the card is tummy of the penguin---I gave him a light sunburn ;)



Supplies:

• Bazzill Cardstock:  Marshmallow, Banana Split. Lime Crush
• My Favorite Things Stamp Set:  Tropical Penguins
• Simon Says Die Cut:  Relax
• Lawn Fawn Die Cut:  Polaroid
• Distressed Ink:  Broken China, Antique Linen
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink 
• Copic Markers

Silly Monster - Color Challenge #18

As most Tuesday's start...a bit of tennis practice with the husband.  He created a new practice session today and boy was it tricky...and fun, of course!  We were out there for quite some time.  According to my FitBit, we were practicing for 1 hour and 57 minutes....nice practice!  After that, I munched on some sushi, then purchased our garden furniture!  Yeah!  It will be delivered next week!





I have been dying to try the cutest stamps in the world from "Your Next Stamp".   I have to say this card was so fun to make.  I've decided to enter into the Color Challenge #18 at Your Next Stamp.

For this challenge, you have to pick at least 3 of the 5 colors listed.  I focused on the first three from the left.

As I mentioned this card was so fun to make---I can't wait until the next challenge to use the next stamp!

I stamped the cute monster on white card stock and used my Copic Markers to color.  I then cut out different circles from card stock to most closely match the color challenge.

Simple...and I really like the results!





Supplies:

• Neetha White Card Stock
• Bazzill Cardstock
• Your Next Stamp:  Silly Monsters
• Lawn Fawn: Wavy Die

Tag Your It Challenge #26

No tennis or bike riding today.  My husband and I are heading up to San Francisco for a meeting. On the way home, we are going to stop by a patio store and hopefully pick out a new out door lounge set.  We have an old garden set and would like to update it with some lounge seating to better enjoy our outdoor space.


It is time for another new challenge at Tag Your It!  This inspiration tag was designed by Marybeth.  I like the simple design as it provides lots of opportunity to get creative.

I'm hope you choose to play along, as I would enjoy seeing what you come up with.

Here's my tag:

I was inspired by the simplicity of Marybeth's design. I focused on the die cut image and ran with that idea.

For my tag, I used this tree die and cut the tree and leaves in different shades of green.  I then stamped my sentiment with pigment ink.

I created my own patterned paper for the shadow tag.  I used the same shade of green as the tree and used clear embossing powder over the image to give it a tone-on-tone look.

In the end a very clean and simple tag!




Supplies:

• Bazzill Cardstock:  Caramel, Spearmint
• Simon Says Dies:  All Seasons Tree
• Impression Obsession Stamp:  Vines
• My Favorite Things Stamps:  Simply Fab Sayings
• Avery Elle Pigment Ink:  Fog
• Hero Arts Clear Embossing Powder

Hey Chick - Challenge

I didn't go for my normal bike ride today, because I had a tennis match in the afternoon.  While I didn't win, I did learn somethings which is the next best thing to winning!  Next time!  My match ended just in time for the Women's World Cup Finals, US v. Japan.  It wasn't the type of game I anticipated, but lots of exciting goals, with the US pulling out a decisive victory!






Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #193 ends tomorrow, so I quickly finished up this card after the soccer match. The sketch just calls for a shaker card--though I'm beginning to see a shaker card in every sketch ;)

Here's my take on the sketch...

For this card, I used several of my favorite techniques.  I used molding paste for the background. I like the white on white as it gives a little bit of interest in the background without taking away from the main image.

My second favorite technique is making my own shaker elements with the little chicks---so cute.  I stamped the little nests in the background of the shaker portion so when the chicks aren't shaken, there is an image in the background.

All the coloring was done with my copic markers.




Supplies:

• Bazzill Cardstock:  Marshmallow, Rock Candy, Grapefruit Bliss
• My Favorite Things Stamps and Dies:  The Whole Herd
• Lawn Fawn Dies:  Stitched & Scalloped Borders
• My Favorite Things Stencil:  Cow Print
• Liquitex Flexible Molding Paste
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Copic Markers
• Avery Elle Ink:  Mimosa

Exciting News!!!

I'm pleased to announce that I have been invited to join the design team at Tag Your It Challenge! I'm excited about the prospect of working along side some very talented ladies, and thrilled at the opportunity to be part of this team.

I hope you choose to play along with us for as many challenges as you can!  I have to say, playing along can be very addicting!








With that being said, Challenge #25 starts today!

Here is the inspiration tag from Erin Thiem.  A very elegant design that I'm sure will stimulate your creativity!  I'm looking forward to see how this tag will inspire your design!








I would love to hear how you like to the challenge...so drop you a note if you have a moment!