Playing Along with the Paper Craft Crew, Paper Players, and SUO

Hello and welcome back! It's been ages since I posted, but I have been busy recently. Three weeks ago, I got a new knee! Rehab has been grueling, so I'm glad to have an outlet for relaxation, but it's been hard to get motivated. This week's challenges at Paper Craft Crew,  Paper Players, and SUO Challenges inspired me to create this evening.

With Thanksgiving over and Christmas right around the corner, it was time for a holiday card. Here's what I came up with:

The color palette was inspired by the Paper Craft Crew. I created a background paper using that cute moose from Jolly Friends stamped in Crumb Cake. I added a piece of the Candy Cane Lane DSP and a Garden Green banner tied with the red and white Candy Cane Lane bakers twine. The greeting is from Tin of Tags set stamped in Garden Green and cut out with the Stitched Shapes framelits. Pretty quick and easy!

I'm hoping to get working on my Christmas cards this week, if I survive my physical therapy! :)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used:
Stamp sets: Jolly Friends, Tin of Tags
Paper: Crumb Cake, Garden Green, Candy Cane Lane DSP
Ink: Crumb Cake, Garden Green
Accessories: Candy Cane Lane Bakers Twine
Tools: Stitched Shapes Framelits, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Stampin' Dimensionals

Playing Along With the Paper Craft Crew and Freshly Made Sketches

Hello and welcome back! Today's card is another combo for the sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches and the color challenge at Paper Craft Crew.

I'm a little behind on birthday cards this month, but these are going out today.

I used Crushed Curry for the card base and made my own "DSP" with stamps from the Sunshine Sayings stamp set stamped in Crushed Curry and Tangerine Tango. The sentiment is stamped with Emerald Envy on Whisper White and layered with an Emerald Envy cardstock strip. The word "congrats" is also cut from Emerald Envy using the Sunshine Wishes Framelits and is adhered using the Fine Tip Glue Pen. I added a little bling with some rhinestones and Clear Wink of Stella. You can see it a little better in the photo below.

I hope my friends like these cards, even if they are a little late!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used:

Stamps: Sunshine Sayings, Endless Birthday Wishes (inside sentiment)

Paper: Crushed Curry, Emerald Envy, Whisper White Cardstock

Ink: Crushed Curry, Emerald Envy, Tangerine Tango

Accessories: Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Clear Wink of Stella

Tools: Sunshine Wishes Framelits, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Tombow Liquid Glue, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform

Playing Along with What Will You Stamp? #80

Hello and welcome back! Today's card is for the Swirly Bird challenge at What Will You Stamp?

This bundle was one of the first things I ordered from the new catalog, and though I've used the thinlits several times, I hadn't yet inked up the stamps. Well, that changed today! Here's today's card:

As you may have noticed from several of my posts recently, it has been wedding season in our family. In the past year, two cousins, two nephews, and my son have gotten married, and tomorrow, it will be my niece's turn! Add in a couple of family friends, and we've been busy.

We're hoping for beautiful weather tomorrow, but no matter what, this is a sunny card! 

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used:
Stamp sets: Swirly Bird, Floral Phrases
Paper: Whisper White Thick cardstock; Whisper White, Watermelon Wonder, Mint Macaron, Flirty Flamingo cardstocks; Affectionately Yours Specialty DSP
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Cucumber Crush, Flirty Flamingo
Accessories: Delicate White Doilies, Watermelon Wonder dotted lace trim (retired)
Tools: Swirly Scribbles thinlits, 1-3/8" circle punch, 1-3/4" scallop circle punch (retired), Paper Piercing Tool, SNAIL adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Mini Glue Dots

Playing Along with Freshly Made Sketches #250

Hello and welcome back! Today's card is for this week's challenge at Freshly Made Sketches. 

And here is my card:

I needed an anniversary card and a wedding card this week, so I planned on using the same card for both. This is what I originally created:

Which is close to the sketch, but not exactly. :)

Both cards use the Flourish Thinlits, the retired Gold Foil Vellum paper, and a little bit of Clear Wink of Stella on a Very Vanilla card base. The sentiments have been stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with gold embossing powder. The Wink of Stella and embossing didn't show up very well in the photos, but it's there!

I'll be putting these cards in the mail today, and I hope they are appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used:

Very Vanilla card stock
Gold Foil Vellum paper
Gold Foil paper
Versamark ink
Flourish Thinlits
Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder
Pearls Basic Jewels
Clear Wink of Stella
Mini Glue Dots

FMS247 & PPA311 - Another Combo Challenge

Hello and welcome back! Today's card is for two challenges - the sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches and the color challenge at Pals Paper Arts.

I'm working on my August birthday cards for #imbringingbirthdaysback, so here's what the first ones will look like:

I tried not to get too carried away this time - it's a pretty simple card - one stamp set with matching framelits and a retired punch.

These will be going into the mail this week, along with an anniversary card that will be in my next blog post.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used:
Stamp set: Celebrate Today
Cardstock: Smoky Slate, Marina Mist, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Ink: Marina Mist, Pink Pirouette
Tools: Balloon Framelits, Washi Tape Punch (retired), Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

It's Wedding Season!

Hello and welcome back! Today's card is not for a challenge - it's one I made for my husband's cousin who got married yesterday! This was the third wedding we've been to this summer!

I took my cue from the colors used at the bridal shower last month. I've used wedding invitations for inspiration in the past, but the invitation for this wedding was - what can I say? - unique! The bride and groom are into online gaming, so the invite looked like an old style Nintendo game cartridge. There was no way I was coming up with something like that!

Funny thing is, the flourish from the thinlits used on the card kind of resembles the centerpieces that were on the tables at the reception. Who knew? :)

Congratulations and best wishes for a happy life, Ben and Dri!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used:

Stamp set: Flourishing Phrases
Cardstock: Cucumber Crush, Elegant Eggplant, Shimmery White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Cucumber Crush dotted lace trim (retired)
Tools: Flourish Thinlits, Tags & Labels Framelits, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Precision Base Plate, Die Brush, Stampin' Dimensionals 

SUO#152 - Delight in Nature Challenge

Hello and welcome back! Two posts in one day may be a record for me! My earlier post had the card I'm sending out for July birthdays (a couple are belated wishes) but I realized last night that I missed one. The challenge at SU Only provided me an opportunity to create a special card for my cousin in New Jersey.

Here is today's (second!) card:

I purchased the Botanical Blooms stamp set and matching framelits when they were in the Occasions catalog this past spring, but hadn't yet used them. This challenge provided the perfect opportunity. I also used colors that for some reason don't normally appeal to me and even "decorated" the inside.

I used the leaf border to trim the edge for a nice finish. The little flowers are there because I used the "Press'n Seal" method to create my layered look on the front and I ended up with a couple of exposed glue dots. So I covered them up with the small punched flowers!

I hope you like this card and I hope my cousin will too!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

--Cindi

Supplies used:

Stamp sets: Botanical Blooms, Endless Birthday Wishes

Paper: Early Espresso, Whisper White, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Pool Party, Cajun Craze, Delightful Dijon cardstock

Ink: Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze

Tools: Botanical Builder Framelits, Layering Squares Framelits, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (retired), glue dots, SNAIL adhesive

CCMC#414 - Color Challenge

Hello and welcome back! Today's card is for the color challenge at Create with Connie and Mary.

I was a little surprised to see Tangelo Twist as one of the colors, since it was retired at the end of May, but I still have some cardstock in my stash, so I was able to pull it out to use for this challenge.

Here is my card:

I used the Tangelo Twist for the card base and added the Peekaboo Peach as the sunburst. The sunburst is stamped with Peekaboo Peach as well. The Cucumber Crush is added with the sentiment and the punched circle underneath. I used some Whisper White bakers twine and wove it around the center of the sunburst, then added a few rhinestones for some bling. This card is my July birthday card for Shannon West's #imbringingbirthdaysback movement. She posted this week on Facebook that she has already mailed out 1,000 cards so far this year and is now pushing for 2,000! My list isn't nearly that long (thank goodness!).

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi

Supplies used:
Sunburst Sayings stamp set - 140725
Tangelo Twist cardstock - retired
Peekaboo Peach cardstock - 141417
Cucumber Crush cardstock - 138335
Whisper White cardstock - 100730
Cucumber Crush Classic Stampin Pad - 138324
Peekaboo Peach Classic Stampin Pad - 141398
1-1/4" Circle Punch - 119861
1-1/2" Circle Punch - 138299
Sunburst Thinlit - 140617
Big Shot - 143263
Magnetic Platform - 130658
Whisper White Bakers Twine - 124262
Rhinestone Basic Jewels - 119246
Multipurpose Liquid Glue - 110755
Stampin' Dimensionals - 104430

PPA#308 & CAS#181 - Combo Sketch and Colour Challenge

Hello and welcome back! Today's card is for two challenges - the sketch challenge at Pals Paper Arts and the colour challenge at CAS Colours & Sketches.

And here is the card:

The sketch was the easy part, but combining these colors was a little bit of a challenge for me. I used Whisper White Thick Cardstock for the base and added a layer of Elegant Eggplant DSP from my stash of retired paper. The next layer is Irresistibly Floral Specialty DSP that has been sponged with Soft Suede ink. I wrapped it with retired Cucumber Crush Dotted Lace Trim and added the Whisper White oval and leaf and flower cut with the Flourish Thinlits.

Notice there is no sentiment on the front of the card. I was not sure what I was going to use it for, but it will be going in the mail tomorrow as a belated anniversary card for a high school friend. The sentiment has been stamped inside. 

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day! 

--Cindi


Supplies used:
Flourishing Phrases stamp set - 141534
Whisper White Thick Cardstock - 140272
Regals DSP - retired patterns
Irresisibly Floral Specialty DSP - 141644
Whisper White Cardstock - 100730
Cucumber Crush Cardstock - 138335
Elegant Eggplant Cardstock - 105126
Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad - 126969
Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad - 126978
Cucumber Crush Dotted Lace Trim - retired
Pearl Basic Jewels - 119247
Flourish Thinlits - 141478
Big Shot - 143263
Precision Base Plate - 139684
Die Brush - 140603
Sponge Daubers - 133773
Stampin' Dimensionals - 104430
Multipurpose Liquid Glue - 110755

CYCI #126 - Die Cut Challenge

Hello and welcome back! It's been way too long since I posted. There's been lots of stuff going on in my personal life, and I feel like my mojo was gone for awhile, but I'm back with a special wedding card for my nephew who is getting married this weekend. After I made the card, I realized that it is perfect for the challenge this week at Can You Case It. 

This week is a die challenge, and I've used a few of them on this card. First, here is a photo of the wedding invitation that provided the inspiration:

And here is the card:

As soon as I saw the invitation, I knew that the new Jar of Love stamp set and matching framelits would be perfect for this card. Unfortunately, I don't own them, but my upline does, and was gracious enough to let me borrow them. Thanks, Laura! :)

For the card base, I pulled out some retired Baked Brown Sugar cardstock, and used it for all the other elements as well. The branches, jar, and holder are all stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black, and the sentiment and fireflies were stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with white powder. I used a chalk marker to add the dots, and the edges of the card front and the added elements are sponged with Baked Brown Sugar ink.

I also heat embossed the inside sentiment and added a few more fireflies. I used the Envelope Punch Board to make an envelope using the retired Baked Brown Sugar backgrounds DSP.

I think this card really reflects the inspiration of the invitation, don't you?

I'm looking forward to the wedding this weekend, and I hope my nephew and his bride-to-be like the card. I hope you like it too!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi

Supplies used:
Jar of Love stamp set - 141587
Happy Happenings stamp set - 139381
Baked Brown Sugar cardstock - retired
Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad - 132708
Versamark ink pad - 102283
Baked Brown Sugar ink pad - retired 
White Stampin' Emboss Powder - 109132
Heat Tool - 129053
Stampin' Sponges - 141337
Everyday Jars Framelits - 141490
Big Shot - 143263
Magnetic Platform - 130658
Basic Black Baker's Twine - 134576
White Stampin' Chalk Marker - 132133
Stampin' Dimensionals - 104430
Multipurpose Liquid Glue - 110755

CYCI #104 - Sketch Challenge

Hello and welcome back! Today's card is for the sketch challenge at Can You Case It?

And here is my card:

The most amazing thing about this card is that I created it because (unfortunately) I had a need for some sympathy cards. It has been a rough month around here. And I created it without considering entering it in a challenge, so I hadn't even looked at any sketches. Then I pulled the one for this week's CYCI challenge and the sketch was almost exactly like my card! What are the odds?!

Anyway, here are the details. The card uses a Crumb Cake base, and the edges are sponged with Crumb Cake. The scallop circle and smaller circle use older patterned DSP in Soft Sky with a Tea Lace Doily in between. The butterfly was die cut from Soft Sky cardstock, then a small scallop circle of Old Olive and a flower cut from some vintage trim were added on top. The sentiment is from Petite Pairs and is stamped in Early Espresso.

I'm headed to the post office to mail a couple of these cards, and will distribute the others at upcoming funerals. :(

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi

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PCCCS #178 - Sketch Challenge

Hello and welcome back! Today's card is inspired by the sketch challenge this week at Paper Craft Crew.

And here is my card:

I wanted a soft, feminine birthday card for a certain someone and I think this qualifies. I created it on a Whisper White Thick cardstock base, embossed a layer with the Modern Mosaic embossing folder, then used a sponge dauber to add a little Soft Sky to enhance the embossing. The Bermuda Bay taffeta ribbon and Soft Sky seam binding came from my stash. The sentiment is from Endless Birthday Wishes and was die cut with the Deco Labels framelits. I added the little flower punched with the two smallest scallop circle punches, and snipped some petals, then added the glimmer paper center for just a touch of bling.

Can you see just a hint of the birthday cake under the sentiment? It was stamped with Soft Sky.

This card is part of the "challenge" posted by Shannon West to take back birthdays from Facebook and start sending cards again. I've got a list of people who want cards from me - if you'd like to be added, you can send me a message through Facebook or comment below - but at least I don't have as many as Shannon. At last count, I believe she is up over 900 requests! You can join us too! We're using this hashtag (#imbringingbirthdaysback) so you can check our progress on social media.

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

--Cindi

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

TGIF Challenge #38 - All About Pets!

Hello and welcome back! Today's card was inspired by the challenge at TGIF. It's all about pets today!

We have two cats at my house - Grace and Arthur - who make us crazy sometimes, but we love them! Here's a picture of them together - not an easy task!

And here is my card:

I don't know why, but there are no cat stamps in my stash. Hard to believe, since I own so many stamp sets! So I decided to try some punch art. It's not something I do often, but I found lots of inspiration on Pinterest. This was inspired by a card made by Jen Shults, which you can see here. And now that I've just linked that post, I notice that I have forgotten to add the whiskers! Oops! I'll have to edit this, but I need to get it done in time to enter in the challenge.

Hope you like my whisker-less kitty! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

--Cindi

Added after midnight!

Here's a new photo with the whiskers added!

And now I have time to describe how I made this cute little fellow!

The base of the kitty is Soft Suede cardstock, the accents are Crumb Cake, inside of the ears is Blushing Bride and the nose and eyes are Early Espresso. I used the Circles Framelits to cut out the body and head and the white part of the eyes, the center of the eyes is the 3/4" circle punch with little 1/16" holes for the accents. The area around the mouth was punched with the XL Oval punch and then notched with the old small oval punch. The nose was punched with the Triangle punch, then I rounded the corners with my snips and drew the mouth with the brush end of my Early Espresso marker. The pointy "stripes" on the sides were punched with the old 5-point flower punch, then the petals were cut apart. The feet are punched with the old small oval punch as well. The ears were punched with the old Pennant Builder punch. I sponged the edges of every piece with matching ink before assembling the kitty.  Oh, and the whiskers are thin strips of vellum attached with a glue dot. I had originally planned to make this kitty into a card of its own, but decided I liked it better on a standard card base. He/she reminds me of my cats when they lay down on the floor and tuck everything in. You can't see their tails or their back paws, and sometimes you can't see the front ones either!

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SIP #29 - Sketch Challenge

Hello and welcome back! It's been quite a while since I posted - December was a very busy month! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! But now the holidays are over and it's back to real life. Today's card is for the sketch challenge at Stamp Ink Paper.

And here is today's card:

Unfortunately, I've had a need for sympathy cards recently, so I thought I'd use this sketch to make a few. Thoughts & Prayers always seems to be my go-to set for this type of card, even though there have been new sets since this one came out. I stamped the tree in Perfect Plum directly onto a doily, then stamped the sentiment in Versamark on vellum, embossed it with silver powder, and punched it out with the 2" circle punch and layered it on top. (I used some non-SU Tombow Vellum Adhesive for this. Just rolled it on behind the words so it would be invisible.) The banners are cut from "vintage" DSP from my stash. Although this color is still in the collection, I liked these more muted patterns from the past for this card. I added the "vintage" 1/4" taffeta ribbon from my stash as well.

That's all I have for today. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog