Fab Friday Color Challenge and 30-Day Gratitude Card Challenge: Happy Watercolor

 Good morning!  We had a great evening watching the Eagles game last night, great game!  I'm back with today's gratitude card and today I decided to play along with the Fab Friday color challenge.  I love the colors the design team selected for this month, perfect for fall, but I decided to use some items that don't immediately make you think fall for a fun twist.  The cardbase is Cajun Craze and then I added layers of Blackberry Bliss and Crushed Curry under the Very Vanilla card front.  For the stamps I used the Happy Watercolor and stamped the different stamps using the challenge colors, nice and simple.  For the fun accent I added a piece of Chevron 5/8" Ribbon that I trimmed along both edges and pulled some of the strings to help distress the ribbon and then added a strip of the Gold Sequin Trim for some bling.

Here's the color combo we provided, I love checking out all the other cards entered in the challenge, it's such a wide variety of ideas using the same inspiration.

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today's card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Have a great day and enjoy!

Diana

My Just Cards Class: There's Still Time to RSVP!

Good morning!  Just a reminder that the May Just Card's class is this Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 2:00 PM.  Below is a preview of four of the cards we'll be making, it's time to say our last farewell so several of the stamp sets that are retiring at the end of the month as well as get a sneak peak at some new products. The class fee is $15 or FREE with a $30 catalog order. I'm saving the last card which is a sneak peak of items from the new catalog as an exclusive for class attendees so you'll have to attend to get in on all the fun.  Also, just a reminder, you can add on the Christmas card option and make 3 Christmas cards for an additional $5.

 

You need to RSVP by Friday, May 16 to reserve your spot.

 

 

 

 Hope to see you on Sunday!

Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: Happy Watercolor Mother's Day Greetings

Happy Friday!  What a crazy week, it started with the fabulous catalog premier event for the new Stampin' Up catalog (I'm going to tease you and let you know the new products are fabulous and you're are absolutely going to love it), then after several days of heavy rain we've finally seen the end and now we're enjoying nice weather (I love it!) and we're looking forward to a great weekend of baseball, softball, and hopefully a little relaxing crafting time.  Since it's Friday I'm here to share my design time card for the Sketch Frenzy Friday sketch challenge.  Jennifer created a really fun sketch that I enjoyed using as inspiration.  I decided to channel springtime flowers and the Watercolor Wonder products suite from the Occasions catalog for this bright and cheery card, perfect for Mother's Day.

The cardbase is Smoky Slate cardstock and I added a piece of Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper for the background.  Next I added a coordinating strip of DSP that was matted with Tangerine Tango Cardstock and I cut out the half oval with the Big Shot and Oval Collection Framelits.

For the main stamped image I used the Happy Watercolor stamp set (I'm going to give you a heads up, this stamp set is not carrying over to the new catalog so you only have until the end of the month to purchase this stamp set).  I love how you can use the splotch stamp to "color" in the flower for a really simple and fun look.  The flower was stamped in Island Indigo ink and the splotch is Daffodil Delight, that I stamped off first for a softer effect.  I used the Oval Collection Framelits to cut out the flower and dimensionals were used to help the oval pop off the page.

The greeting is from the Delightful Dozen stamp set (which is retiring this month and I believe is only available in wood mount at this time) and used Stampin' Write Markers to color in the greeting and then sponged around the edges with Gumball Green ink.  The final touch was to tie a pretty bow using Daffodil Delight 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (this ribbon is also retiring and is currently on sale as one of the weekly deals and is a steal!)  I've included links for all the products used on this card for easy ordering, so have fun.

I'm still working on finishing up my Mother's Day gifts this weekend (nothing like waiting for the last minute, I know) but this card is definitely a contender.  What projects are you working on this weekend?  We would love for you to join us with this sketch challenge, I would love to see what you come up with.

Have a great weekend and happy crafting!

Diana

Happy Watercolor

$21.95

Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper

$10.95

Big Shot Die-Cut Machine

$99.95

Ovals Collection Framelits Dies

$26.95

Delightful Dozen

$32.95

Daffodil Delight 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

$4.95

Tangerine Tango 8-1/2X11 Card Stock

$6.95

Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$6.95

Many Marvelous Markers

$109.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Quick and Easy Watercolor Wonder Cards

I don't know about you but I'm constantly on the go, between work, school, kids activities, stamping events, and race training I don't really have much time to sit still and just be.  I have also made a goal this year to work on actually sending out cards to friends and family for occasions, and just because to help spread the joy and love but am frequently rushed for time.  So I was really excited when I saw the new Watercolor Wonder suite of products in this years Occasions catalog, I knew they would be perfect for making quick and easy cards for any occasion that are absolutely stunning, using the Watercolor Wonder Designer Note cards as the base.  These note cards are perfect since they come as a set with envelopes with the cardbases already designed and just waiting to be accessorized.  I was able to make all these cards in a snap and for each of the cards I used products from the Watercolor Wonder Product Suite a the key elements and have listed the items used in each card below.

Stamp Set(s):  Happy Watercolor, Remembering Your Birthday
Cardstock:  Smoky Slate, Island Indigo
Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo
Accessories:  Ovals Collection Framelits, Fancy Fans Embossing Folder, Mini Metallic Clothespins, Silver Baker's Twine

Stamp Set(s):  Happy Watercolor, Million & One
Cardstock:  Tangerine Tango
Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo
Accessories:  Pearls, Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die

Stamp Set(s):  Happy Watercolor
Cardstock: Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper
Ink:  Smoky Slate, Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight
Accessories:  Rhinestones, Ovals Collection Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Daffodil Delight 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

I have to say, I really like how these note cards turned out and they would make an equally great gift and since there note cards come in a set of 20 you could make a huge supply of cards and gifts in little time, perfect for those of us on the go.  Don't forget Sale-a-bration is ending at the end of the month so you only have a few more days to take advantage of this sale and you can purchase the products used in these samples and be on your way to earning FREE product.  Ask me how I can help you save!

Have a great day and enjoy!

Diana

Fab Friday Sketch Challenge: Happy Watercolor

Good morning!  What a crazy start to the week, after snow on Monday I woke up yesterday not feeling well.  I thought I could get up, work out and shake of the yuck feelings I had.  Instead I just kept getting worse and stayed home and preceded to sleep all day (I haven't done that since I can't remember), hopefully I start feeling better soon.  Thankfully I had already made my card for this weeks Fab Friday sketch challenge.  To help shake off the winter blues I decided to make a bright and springy card and the Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper was the perfect inspiration for my color selections.  I started with a Smoky Slate cardbase and then added a piece of Watercolor Wonder DSP that was matted on Gumball Green.  For the greeting I used the Happy Watercolor stamp set and used my Stampin' Write Markers to color in the stamp before stamping on Smoky Slate and cut it out with the Big Shot and the Chalk Talk Framelits.  I also added a little bow of Island Indigo Chevron Ribbon as an accent.

 

For all the little accents I decided to use butterflies and the Beautiful Wings Embosslit die was perfect for making lots of little butterflies of different sizes in Smoky Slate, Tangerine Tango, and Daffodil Delight.  The final touch is one of the Mini Metallic clothespins for a whimsical touch.

 

This card is so bright and cheery, it'll definitely brighten someone's day.  I hope you enjoy!

 

Diana

Creative Inspiration: Happy Watercolor

Good morning!  I'm excited to share an extra special bonus card with you today for some added spring inspiration.  There are some beautiful product suites in this years Occasions catalog and the Watercolor Wonder is so bright and cheery, I love it.  This card is actually really simple but is so pretty due to the extra little touches.  I started with Smoky Slate cardstock for the cardbase and added a layer of Whisper White cardstock.  Along the left side I added a piece of Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper and some Crisp Cantaloupe Stretched Ruffled Ribbon. 

 

On the right side I used the Happy Watercolor stamp set and stamped with the watercolor image along a line with Daffodil Delight, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Garden Green classic ink. The flower image is from the same stamp set and is stamped in Basic Black.  For the greeting I stamped on Smoky Slate cardstock with Garden Green ink and punched it out with the Oval Punch.  This layer is matted on a piece of Island Indigo cardstock that was punched with the Scallop Oval Punch and attached with dimensionals.  The final touches was to add some pearls along the bottom of the greeting and a small butterfly that was embossed and cut with the Big Shot and the Beautiful Wings Embosslit die (I folded up the edges of the wings and used a glue dot to attach the butterfly so it has more dimension).

 

This card is so soft and pretty, I love all the little elements and it's perfect for the springtime weather we are having these next few days.  I really like this product suite and I'll be creating several other projects with these items this month for some added inspiration and to help convince you that these items are "must haves."

 

Enjoy,

 

Diana