Dotty Birthday

 Hello and welcome back! Here's today's card:

This card was inspired by the challenges at As You See It, Just Add Ink, and Tic Tac Toe Challenges (right column - die cut, squares, free).

There's no stamping on this card (except for the inside), but my Big Shot got a workout! And I did use some ink for accents. For the center panel, I used Coastal Cabana ink with a blending brush to create the base, then used one of the masks from the Foursquare Decorative Masks and some Pretty Peacock ink to create the pattern (the little squares in the mask were just what I needed for the Tic Tac Toe challenge!). The Lemon Lolly layer was embossed using one of the Basics 3D embossing folders. My son thought it looked liked the candy dots on the paper strips so I decided to try and bring that out a bit by dragging an ink pad across the raised dots. Of course, nothing ever goes as planned! Some of the ink "splotched" in between, so I figured I'd just go with it and add more splotches to make it less obvious that there was a mistake.

The vellum circle was embossed with another of the Basics folders, then I popped up the die-cut birthday sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Paper - Basic White Thick Cardstock; Basic White, Lemon Lolly, Coastal Cabana, Pretty Peacock Cardstock; Vellum Cardstock

Ink - Coastal Cabana, Lemon Lolly, Pretty Peacock

Tools - Big Shot, Wanted To Say Dies, Stylish Shapes Dies, Basics 3D Embossing Folders, Fourquare Decorative Masks, Blending Brushes, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

Woven Rainbow Birthday

 Hello and welcome back! Here's today's card:

I was able to combine three challenges to create this card: the "use your scraps" challenge at SUO Challenges, the rainbow challenge at Shopping Our Stash, and the "spring cleaning stash" challenge at As You See It.

My cards often have several layers and when I cut those layers, I end up with lots of skinny strips. I used to throw them into the recycling bin, but about a year ago, I decided to start saving them. I didn't have a plan, but thought I might find a way to use them at some point. The challenges this week were the perfect excuse!

I took strips in as many rainbow colors as could find and wove them into a square. I die cut a large circle out of a layer of Basic White and adhered the woven piece onto the back, trimming off the overhanging bits. I added the Basic Black frame by using the same die and the next larger one from the old Circles Collection dies and added that to the front layer. This whole layer is popped up on the card base. I stamped the greeting and used one of the banners from Stylish Shapes to cut it out, then layered it onto a strip of Gorgeous Grape cardstock before popping it up on the front. Every card needs a bit of bling, so I added a few Gold Glitter Enamel Dots.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!0:

Stamp set - Occasionally Funny

Paper - Basic White Thick Cardstock; Basic White, Basic Black, and Gorgeous Grape cardstock; Assorted colored strips - all Stampin' Up colors

Ink - Gorgeous Grape

Accessories - Gold Glitter Enamel Dots

Tools - Big Shot, Circles Collection Framelits, Stylish Shapes Dies, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

Cherry Blossoms Anniversary

 Hello and welcome back! Here's today's card:

This card was inspired by the recipe challenge at As You See It and the challenge at Shopping Our Stash.

I have friends who live near Washington, DC with an anniversary coming up. A card with cherry blossoms is perfect, and fits this challenge, too!

I pulled out some "vintage" Primrose Petals Core'dinations cardstock, ran it through my Big Shot with the Timeworn Type 3D Embossing Folder, then rubbed it with a sanding block to expose the color inside. The cherry blossoms are colored with Pink Pirouette and Old Olive Stampin' Blends and I added a Primrose Petals bow and some Heart Pearls to embellish the card.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp sets - Forever Blossoms, Milestone Moments

Paper - Basic White Thick Cardstock; Blushing Bride and Basic White Cardstock; Primrose Petals Core'dinations cardstock

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Primrose Petals; Stampin' Blends: Pink Pirouette Dark and Light, Old Olive Dark and Light

Accessories - Primrose Petals Satin Stitched Ribbon, Heart Pearls

Tools - Big Shot, Cherry Blossoms Dies, Stitched Nested Labels Dies, Timeworn Type 3D Embossing Folder, Sanding Block, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Birthday Cake Celebration

 Hello and welcome back! Here's today's card:

This card was inspired by the challenges at As You See It and Just Add Ink.

This is another pretty straightforward card. The DSP was layered onto Night of Navy cardstock, then the ribbon was wrapped around and tied in a knot. (The navy scalloped circle was cut from the base layer before adhering the DSP. It's a great way to conserve your cardstock!) The cake was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Stampin' Blends before die cutting the circle and layering it onto the navy circle. The sentiment is stamped in Night of Navy.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp set - Birthday Delivery

Paper - Basic White Thick Cardstock; Basic White and Night of Navy Cardstock; Tea Boutique DSP

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Night of Navy; Stampin' Blends: Daffodil Delight Light, Polished Pink Light, Sweet Sorbet Light, Tahitian Tide Light and Dark

Accessories - Night of Navy Gingham Ribbon

Tools - Big Shot, Layering Circles Dies, Stylish Shapes Dies, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Is It Christmas Yeti?

 Hello and welcome back! Here's today's card:

This card is for the challenges at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown and As You See It.

Every year I say I'm going to start my Christmas cards earlier and every year I don't! So this year I'm going to try to enter as many challenges as I can at Christmas Card Throwdown, and that should give me a head start. We'll see how long this lasts!

This was an interesting color combination for a Christmas card, but I think I made it work with this cute yeti set. I might have to work on the placement though, because the scarf is hanging off the edge. There will be some tweaks coming up, but overall, I'm pretty happy with this.

The colors limited what I could do, but I'll probably try something else with this set later in the year.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp set - Yeti to Party

Paper - Basic White, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, and Tahitian Tide Cardstock

Ink - Early Espresso, Tahitian Tide; Stampin' Blends: Crumb Cake Dark and Light

Accessories - Silver/White Metallic Ribbon

Tools - Big Shot, Yeti Dies, Deckled Rectangles Dies, Stitched Shapes Dies, Wintry 3D Embossing Folder, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

Festive Flurry Speed Challenge

 Hello and welcome back! Here's my third card for today:

This design was inspired by the challenges at As You See It, Christmas Card Throwdown, and Paper Craft Crew.

My time for the speed challenge was 8 minutes, 55 seconds. I think that's pretty good considering I did some heat embossing, die-cutting, and had to tie a bow! And when the rhinestones and dimensionals didn't want to cooperate, I thought I'd blow through my limit. But I got it done with a minute to spare!

For the tic tac toe challenge, I used the left column and the center row. 

Darn it, I forgot to use my embossing buddy!

That's it for today - got to get to bed for an early day at church tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp sets - Festive Flurry, Ringed With Nature

Paper - Basic White and Night of Navy Cardstock

Ink - Versamark, Night of Navy

Accessories - Blue Adhesive-Backed Gems, White Organza Ribbon, White Embossing Powder

Tools - Big Shot, Circles Collection Framelits, Stitched Rectangles Dies, Heat Tool, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

I'm a Guest Designer!

 Hello and welcome back! A couple of weeks ago I created a card for the As You See It Challenge and was selected as a Featured Artist. So now I get to be a guest designer for this recipe challenge! Here's my card:

And here is the recipe for this week's challenge:

I'll be the first one to admit that masculine cards are difficult for me. I love to use bling and flowers and ribbon - all the girly stuff! That's why I decided to try a geometrical design instead. The blue squares were die cut using the squares from the Stylish Shapes Dies. I rotated each one to create this quilt block-type focal point. I brought in the earth tones in the Crumb Cake card base and Early Espresso layers, along with the sentiment piece. The twine is linen thread wrapped around the larger sentiment layer.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp set - Cottage Rose

Paper - Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Balmy Blue, Pacific Point, Early Espresso Cardstock; Neutrals DSP

Ink - Early Espresso

Accessories - Linen Thread

Tools - Big Shot, Stylish Shapes Dies, Stitched Rectangles Dies, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

You Are The Best!

 Hello and welcome back! The choir director at my church is celebrating a special birthday this week and I was asked to make a card for the group to sign. Here's the card:

I used the color challenge at As You See It for inspiration.

I wanted to make a slimline card because it has a bit more space for folks to sign it, so I pulled out my Slimline Dies. I originally thought about just using blending brushes to create the colored background behind the black chevrons, but then decided to cut that piece out of all of the colors and piece the brighter colors back in. The good news is, I now have enough parts to make 3 more cards, just with different combinations!

The chevrons alone were a little boring, so out came the Pierced Blooms Dies! I really like this color combo!

I had originally created a bow for the card front but couldn't really find a place where it fit, so since this card will be hand delivered, I figured, why not put it on the envelope? :)

Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp sets - In Bloom, Alphabest

Paper - Basic White Thick Cardstock; Basic Black, Mango Melody, Parakeet Party, Starry Sky Cardstock

Ink - Starry Sky, Parakeet Party, Mango Melody

Accessories - Iridescent Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Parakeet Party and Starry Sky Metallic Woven Ribbon

Tools - Big Shot, Slimline Dies, Pierced Blooms Dies, Stylish Shapes Dies, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Day of Gratitude

 Hello and welcome back! Here's today's card:

This design was inspired by the sketch challenge at As You See It, the autumn challenge at The Paper Players, the "no sentiment" challenge at TGIFC, and the board at Tic Tac Toe Challenges (top row - leaves, ribbon, autumn colors).

I used the large stamp from Day of Gratitude in my Stamparatus. I first stamped the image with Daffodil Delight, then added Mint Macaron, Cajun Craze, and Pumpkin Pie with sponge daubers and stamped the image again to get the different colors.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp set - Day of Gratitude

Paper - Very Vanilla Thick Cardstock, Cajun Craze Cardstock, Gilded Autumn Specialty DSP

Ink - Daffodil Delight, Mint Macaron, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories - Elegant Faceted Gems, Mint Macaron Sheer Linen Ribbon

Tools - Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Welcome Talia!

 Hello and welcome back! Today's card is for a new baby in my extended family.

The design was inspired by the "babies" challenge at As You See It and the die-cutting challenge at SUO Challenges.

This was the first time I've used these Layering Alphabet Dies. They are easier than I thought! The "welcome" was die-cut 4 times and layered to make it stand out. The little "stuffies" are from Moon Baby, and were fussy cut and layered onto Tailor Made Tags that were altered to be a bit shorter.

I made three tags but couldn't fit them all on the front. I didn't want to waste it, so I put it inside! :)

Little Talia came 6 weeks early, and she's tough but could use some prayers. Her big sister is anxiously awaiting her homecoming!

Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp sets - Lined Alphabet, Moon Baby, Happy Happenings

Paper - Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, and Magenta Madness cardstock

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Magenta Madness; Stampin' Blends: Pink Pirouette Dark and Light, Crumb Cake Dark and Light, Natural Tones SU 700 & SU 800

Accessories - Iridescent Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Very Vanilla Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon, Pink Pirouette Seam Binding Ribbon

Tools - Big Shot, Layering Alphabet Edgelits, Well Written Framelits, Tailor Made Tags Dies, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Amazing Silhouettes Birthday

Hello and welcome back! Here's today's birthday card.

This design was inspired by the challenge at Freshly Made Sketches and the color challenge at As You See It. 

The tree was stamped on a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock before embossing with the Brick & Mortar folder. I used a sponge dauber and some Calypso Coral ink to highlight the embossing around the tree before adding the ribbon and adhering it to a layer of Calypso Coral cardstock and attaching it to the card base. The sentiment is stamped in Evening Evergreen ink on a scrap of Soft Succulent cardstock and die cut with a label from the Seasonal Labels Dies.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp sets - Amazing Silhouettes, Inspired Thoughts

Paper - Crumb Cake, Calypso Coral, and Soft Succulent cardstock

Ink - Evening Evergreen, Calypso Coral

Accessories - Soft Succulent Open Weave Ribbon

Tools - Big Shot, Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder, Seasonal Labels Dies, Sponge Daubers, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

Awesome Otters Birthday

 Hello and welcome back! Here's today's card.

This design was inspired by the sketch challenge at As You See It, the "pick two" challenge at Just Add Ink, and the challenge at Tic Tac Toe Challenges (diagonal from lower left to upper right).

Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp set - Awesome Otters

Paper - Basic White Thick Cardstock; Basic White, Balmy Blue, and Early Espresso Cardstocks; Simply Marbelous DSP

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Balmy Blue; Stampin' Blends: Balmy Blue Light, Poppy Parade Dark, Pool Party Light, Daffodil Delight Dark, Bermuda Bay Light, Soft Suede Dark, Natural Tones (SU300, SU800, SU900)

Accessories - Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Silver and Clear Epoxy Essentials, Clear Wink of Stella

Tools - Big Shot, Layering Circles Dies, Seaside Embossing Folder, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

Speedy Snowflake Wishes

 Hello and welcome back! The Christmas cards will be coming quickly now, since I've put it off for far too long!

The newest challenge at As You See It is a speed stamping challenge with a snowflake theme. I was able to create this card in 9 minutes and 25 seconds. 

And this is what my workspace looked like when I was finished! 

One of the best things about a speed challenge is that you don't have time to do a lot of fancy stuff, so this is just a little die-cutting and a bit of stamping. Very simple, really, but pretty!

Thanks for stopping by, and happy stamping!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp set - Snowflake Wishes

Paper - Balmy Blue and Basic White cardstock

Ink - Balmy Blue

Accessories - Blue Adhesive-Backed Gems

Tools - Big Shot, So Many Snowflakes Dies, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals