Can You Case it? Design Team - Sketch Challenge CYCI #72

Good morning!  Just popping in to share with you a fun card for this weeks Can You Case It? Sketch challenge and make one last appeal to you to make sure you don’t miss out on a truly awesome product from the Occasions Catalog that will not be available after June 2, that’s the Adventure Abounds Designer Series Paper Stack.  This package has a ton of super awesome graphic prints, as well as photographic prints that are AMAZING!!!  Plus since this is a small package it’s inexpensive and perfect for card making (as well as home décor pieces).  It’s also great for “dude” cards so run, don’t walk, out to make sure you  have this paper in your crafting toolbox.  This paper is perfect for guys so I decided to use it for a Father’s Day card today.

I started with Island Indigo cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of the Adventure Abounds DSP (this woodgrain is beautiful!). Instead of adding embellishment accents I decided to stamp directly on the DSP using the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set to mimic these elements.  For the main stamped image I used the Traveler stamp set (it’s perfect since Chris shares and supports my love of travel) and stamped it with Island Indigo ink and then sponged around the edge using Soft Suede ink before matting it with Early Espresso cardstock.  I used a couple different patterns from the DSP stack for the flags and used the new Banner Builder Punch (you will love this!!) to punch the tails on the flags.  The final touch was to stamp the greeting in Mossy Meadow ink using the Guy Greetings stamp set (I was so excited to see that this set is carrying over to next years Annual Catalog.

 

 

 

I love the colors and textures in this card that that you can really achieve with the DSP, it’s a simple and elegant card, plus it’s mailable, and it’s always a great thing to get a head start on those Father’s Day cards!  Make sure to check out the other design team creations for further inspiration and then come play along, we love to see what others create.

 

 

 

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

                                                          

I hope you enjoyed today’s card and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: Perfect Blend

Good morning!  It’s Friday and for the first time this month, I don’t have a race and we’re keeping things nice and quiet here at some so we can just relax and recharge (of course Aidan is already planning on some visits to the pool, big shock!)  Of course since it’s Friday it’s time for another Sketch Frenzy Friday sketch challenge and I’ve also combined this with the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog retiring favorites post.  This week I’m sharing the Perfect Blend stamp set, one that I wasn’t sold on when it was first released but it’s come to be a fun favorite. 

I started with Soft Suede for the cardbase and then added a piece of Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler DSP from the Regals Designer Series Paper Stack (retiring).  For the main stamped element I started with Very Vanilla cardstock and I wanted to make it look like there were coffee stains so I started stamping some splotches using Crumb Cake ink and the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set.  For the cup rings I decided to do something crazy and used my water glass and stamped the bottom of it in Soft Suede ink and then “stamped” it on the cardstock so I got these fun rings.  I stamped the greeting using Cherry Cobbler ink.  Some of the corners were rounded on the different DSP and cardstock layers using the Project Life Corner Rounder Punch.

Of course I had to make a super cute coffee cup so I stamped the cup multiple times, on Whisper White (cup lid), Crumb Cake (cup body), and Garden Green DSP (for the coffee sleeve) and cut out the different pieces using Paper Snips and glued them together.  I used dimensionals to attach to the coffee cup to the cardfront. 

Even though I don’t drink coffee, I know lots of friends who love it and this card is so warm that it’s fun to let those special people in our lives how much they mean to us (and you can always have hot cocoa at coffee shops which I do enjoy!).  You check out the other design team cards for further ideas and their retiring favorite items and then play along.

 

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Have a great weekend,

Diana

Fab Friday Sketch Challenge: Cheery Hello Wishes

Good morning!  While it was definitely hard to head back to work yesterday after the long holiday weekend the fact that we’re already at Wednesday and the midpoint of this week is a little bonus. Today I decided to change things up and have a little fun with a sketch challenge over on the Fab Friday blog, this is one of the challenge blogs I love to play along with and it’s been awhile so this is fun.  Since we only have a week left to enjoy all the fun things in theis years Occasions catalog, as well as the retiring products I decided to use several of the items in this card for fun. 

I started with Tangelo Twist for the cardbase and then layered a piece of Hello Honey cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and Tiny Triangles Embossing Folder.  Next I cut a piece of the Birthday Bash Speciality Designer Series Paper and attached it along the side of the card.  I took another of the DSP prints (this is one of my favorites from this package and matted it with Old Olive cardstock.  I added a bow using the White/Tangerine Tango Two-Tone Trim (love how soft this is). 

 

 

For a little fun, instead of stamping the greeting I used one of the dies from the Label Card Thinlit Die (retiring) and cut it out using Bermuda Bay cardstock.  Since the die doesn’t have a dot for the “i” I thought it would fun to use one of the Bermuda Bay Sequins from the trim as the accent to my “i”.   

What do you think, this card is so bright and cheery, it’s in your face and you can’t help but smile.  Perfect to lift anyone’s day! 

 

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Happy Stamping,

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Masculine Monday: Blue Ribbon

Happy Memorial Day! It's going to be a beautiful day to relax, spend time with friends and family, and remember those service members who have and continue to sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy, we are forever grateful!

Today on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog it's all about the guys in our lives and once again the designers have come up with some great ideas to share.  I will admit this was a little last minute for me so I decided to make a graduation card and used lots of retiring products which I've been showcasing this month.

I started with Baked Brown Sugar for the cardbase and then added piece of Hello Honey cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and Alphabet Press Embossing Folder, and then I sponged all over it using Baked Brown Sugar ink.  I added a piece of 1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon and 3/8" Mossy Meadow Stitched Satin Ribbon for texture.

Next I stamped on another piece of Baked Brown Sugar cardstock using the Truly Grateful stamp set and Mossy Meadow ink and then sponged it with the same Baked Brown Sugar ink.  The greeting is from the Blue Ribbon stamp set and we used Stampin' Write Markers and Very Vanilla cardstock and then punched it out with the  1 3/8" Circle Punch.  A mat was created with Basic Black cardstock and the Scallop Circle Punch.  Dimensionals were used on both stamped layers for lots of lift and pop.

I love the text of this stamp set and the aged look it provides, perfect to wish the new graduate lots of success in their next adventure.  Make sure to check out the other great cards the design team shared for lots of fun.

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

Diana

Can You Case it? Design Team - Sketch Challenge CYCI #71

Happy Sunday!  The start of the holiday weekend has been going great and ready to enjoy two more days.  I know this may shock you but I have another race this morning (I know, after this one there really is a break for awhile, but I couldn’t pass up this opportunity so we’ll see how today goes, at least it’s cooler than last Sunday!  For this weeks Can You Case It? Sketch challenge we were given a color challenge to use at least two of the 2013-2015 In Colors (they will be retiring on June 2) along with gold, and you know my love of bling so this was fun to see what I could come up with, I also used LOTS of retiring products in this card, just because I can!

I started with Baked Brown Sugar cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Pistachio Pudding cardstock that I embossed with the Big Shot and the Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder (this was one of the first embossing folders we ever came out with and I love it and crying inside that it’s retiring (thankfully I not only have mine but a backup so I’ll be polka dot crazy as long as I want!!)  Next I added a piece of Lullaby Designer Series Paper (it’s great using DSP for more than the presented theme) and matted it with Hello Honey cardstock.  I wrapped a piece of Coastal Cabana Thick Baker’s Twine around the DSP layer for fun.

For the main stamped image I used the Bootiful Occasions stamp set and stamped the boot in Baked Brown Sugar ink on Whisper White cardstock and colored it in with Stampin’ Write Markers before cutting it out with the Big Shot and the Label Collection Framelits (also retiring).  I cut a mat for the stamped image using the same framelits and some Gold Foil Cardstock and then embossed it with the Fancy Fans Embossing Folder.  The final touch was to add the greeting; it’s stamped on So Saffron cardstock and punched out with the Large Oval Punch and then matted with Baked Brown Sugar cardstock and the Scalloped Oval Punch. 

I love the colors in this card, these have been some of my favorite in colors as a set and are sad to say goodbye but we have some fun new one’s coming that we will love just as much. Make sure to check out the other design team creations for further inspiration and then come play along, we love to see what others create.

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

I hope you enjoyed today’s card and have a Happy and Safe Memorial Day!

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: Chalk Talk

Good morning!  Yeah, I’m so excited for this holiday weekend!  Anytime you have extra time off to spend with friends and family, and relax is always a good thing so this should be a great weekend.  Before the fun can get started we have to get through work and I have some fun to share with you.  It’s Friday so I have a new Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge and once again I combined it with the Stylin' Stampin' INKspirationblog Retiring Favorites by using the Chalk Talk stamp set.  For this weeks sketch challenge, I was the designer and it’s always fun to see what people come up with using your layout.

I started with Lost Lagoon for the cardbase and then added a piece of DSP from the Flowerpot Designer Series Paper (the patterns in this DSP are so soft and classic using a fun mix of colors, that I’ll admit I wouldn’t have thought of mixing together).  I used another strip of the DSP in a coordinating print for the flag along the bottom, along with a piece of Crushed Curry Chevron Ribbon.

For the main focal piece I used the Chalk Talk stamp set and stamped the frame piece of Blushing Bride cardstock with the same color ink and cut it out with the Big Shot and Chalk Talk Framelits.  The greeting is from the same set and was colored in using Stampin’ Write Markers and I punched it out with the Extra Large Oval Punch before using dimensionals to attach both stamped layers to the cardfront.  For a final accent I punched  little flower out of the DSP using the flower from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack and added a rhinestone to the center.

The Chalk Talk stamp set is one of my favorites and the fact that it has matching framelits is awesome so I’m sad it’s retiring but glad I have it in my studio to use in the future.  Please go check out the projects the other designers are sharing on both blogs and then come play along (you have extra time this week so hope you have some crafting fun!)

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have a great weekend,

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Scrapbook Sketch Challenge: SSInkLS21

 Good morning!  We're starting another week and looking forward to the upcoming Memorial Day weekend (holiday weekends are always better).  Since it's the third Monday of the month, you know that it's time for another scrapbook challenge over on the
Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog.  I had another race this weekend which was a lot of fun but since I'm working on trying to finish up my 2013 and 2014 digital albums before the end of the month when My Digital Studio and digital print products are retired I decided to use this months sketch for a race I was in last year.  I like to include all these pictures in my yearly album to remember how far we've come an each moment and since a lot of these layouts really highlight just a picture or two it's perfect.  I loved the Nike Women's Half Marathon last year in DC (unfortunately they're not having it in DC this year). At the end of the race instead of getting the usual race medal you get these beautiful Tiffany necklaces by these charming hotties (who wouldn't want to run 13.1 miles if you knew this would be at the end??)

I was able to use lots of different DSP prints and colors for the elements on this page.  It is nice that even after My Digital Studio is retired I'll still be able to use the program and all the downloads I've purchased to continue making projects, just working to make sure I've back ups of everything!  Don't forget to make sure you have this program and any downloads you want downloaded before the end of the month so you can continue using this great tool for your future project (and if you have any projects in work finish them up so you can get them ordered before the print products services are no longer available).

Below are the list of supplies used on this page:

Punches
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Sweet Shop - designer series paper\Sweet Shop - 12
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\Flirtatious - designer series paper\Flirtatious - 6
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\Script\Basic Black Script
    Basics\1.25 Circle Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\Large Polka Dot\Basic Black Large Polka Dot
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\Howlstooth & Scaringbone - designer series paper\Howlstooth & Scaringbone - 10
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\Script\Basic Black Script
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\Patterns\2011-2013 In Color Playful Patterns - pool party 1
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\Flirtatious - designer series paper\Flirtatious - 6
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\Patterns\2011-2013 In Color Playful Patterns - pool party 1
    Basics\1.25 Circle Punch

The designers have all shared some great ideas using this months layout sketch so go check them out and then play along using the sketch as inspiration for your next project!

Have a great week!

Diana 

Can You Case it? Design Team - Sketch Challenge CYCI #70

 Happy Sunday!  It’s another race day (can’t believe I booked these back to back but this moring I’m running with the Marines down in Fredericksburg at the Historic Half so I’m excited, let’s see if I can conquer Hospital Hill!!)  I had a little bit of time yesterday in the studio and am loving the new In Colors and new catalog products I’ve gotten to see so far (you will love them too!)  The Can You Case It? Design team is changing things up so this week I’m not one of the design team members but just playing along for fun with everyone else.  This weeks theme was flowers and boy is that wide open for interpretation and creation!  I decided to mix it up with several different prints and stamps so it’s full of color and fun.

I started with Pool Party cardstock for the cardbase and then added a layer of DSP from the Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper Pack.  I took a different pattern from the same package and matted it with Daffodil Delight cardstock and wrapped some Wild Wasabi Baker’s Twine from the Painted Blooms Cotton Baker’s Twine package before attaching it to the cardfront.

For the stamped image I used the Bloom with Hope stamp set and stamped the image in Wild Wasabi ink before coloring it in with Stampin’ Write Markers.  I punched out the flower with the 2” Circle Punch and then punched out the mat with Rose Red cardstock and the 2 3/8” Scallop Circle Punch and then attached to the cardfront with dimensionals.  The greeting is from the same stamp set and was stamped with Rich Razzleberry ink and then punched out with the Modern Label Punch.  Dimensionals were again used to attach the greeting to the cardfront and then I added a little bling with some rhinestones on the greeting piece.

I love birthday’s so this card has lots cheer perfect to celebrate a special day and flowers are everywhere this time of year so this reminds me of spring.  It also has lots of retiring products so don’t miss out on getting these before they go away! 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 
Have an enjoyable Sunday!

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: From the Heart

Good morning!  Another crazy work week is coming to an end and looking forward to some fun (and another race) this weekend!  I think summer is trying to shove spring out of the way, I wouldn’t mind the cooler weather staying around as long as possible.  My preorder goodies came yesterday from the new catalog so I’m looking forward to some play time in the studio this week (just wait you are going to love what’s in store in the new catalog!)  It’s Friday, which means it’s time for this weeks Sketch Frenzy Friday sketch challenge and I decided to combine this one again with the retiring favorites posts over on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog (so many great things are retiring I’ve got to enjoy them while I can (and maybe you’ll fall in love!)  I actually used five retiring items on this card but my favorite is the Flashback Designer Series Paper.

I started with Pool Party cardstock and then added a piece of Smoky Slate cardstock that I embossed with the Big Shot and Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder.  Next I added two different patterns from the Flashback Designer Series Paper and also added a piece of Smoky Slate Chevron Ribbon.

For the main stamped image I used the From my Heart Stamp set stamped it on Very Vanilla cardstock using Stampin’ Write Markers to color in the image before stamping.   Then I cut out the image using the Big Shot and Label Collection Framelits.  I used dimensionals to pop the greeting up over the ribbon for height.

This card is light and airy and the sentiment is really speaking to me given issues that I’ve encountered (so true!). Sometimes little pops of color are all you need to make you smile.  Make sure to check out the other design team members created for inspiration and then play along for some fun this weekend. 

 

 

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have an enjoyable weekend!

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Kit Projects: Hello Life

Good morning!  One of the great additions to our recent catalogs are Simply Created Kits, which provides cute project ideas with all the supplies, and instructions, and all preparation is complete.  It's a great way for anyone to make cute projects quickly, easily, and without a lot of supplies.  This years Occasions catalog is no exception and the one kit I instantly fell in love with was the Hello Life Kit.  Today over on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog we're providing some alternate project ideas using these great kits.

With the Hello Life kit you received twice as many elements as you needed to make the photo display so you have extras to either add to the display grid, or in this case I used several pieces to make this cute card.  All I added was some Smoky Slate cardstock or the cardbase,  piece of Basic Grey cardstock that I embossed with the Big Shot and Polka Dot Embossing Folder, and some Basic Black Baker's Twine.  I used the coordinating Hello Life stamp set for the greeting on the photo frame.

All the little elements are so cute on their own and the work equally well together for the perfect accent elements.  I still have lots of pieces left from the kit so I can't wait to make more cards with the elements so they don't go to waste.

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Happy crafting,

Dian

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog Card Sketch Challenge: Really Good Greetings

 Good morning!  After a whirlwind weekend full of Disney, fun, and running, I ended the trip on a redeye home last night and have just landed (boy I really need a vacation to recover from these vacations, but it’s back to work we go!)  It’s the second Monday of the month so over on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspirationblog it’s time for a card sketch.  I know I’ve said it before how much I enjoy card sketches as it allows you to change up your card layouts and really help stretch you creationally.  I really liked this month’s layout as it shows the On Film Framelits and love the photo look on cards right now.

I started with Smoky Slate for the cardbase and then added a piece of Pistachio Pudding cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and Beautifuly Baroque  Embossing Folder.  For the “picture frame” I used one of the extra pieces from the Hello Life Simply Created Kit (but you could also create one using DSP and the On Film Framelits).  For the “picture” I stamped the greeting from the Really Good Greetings stamp set (using Stampin’ Write Markers) and then used the Dotty Angles stamp set using Silver Encore Ink.  Next I wrapped a piece of Pistachio Pudding Thick Baker’s Twine around the “picture frame” and tied a bow.  The final touch was to add a little bling by punching out a butterfly using the Itty Bitty Butterfly Punch and then embossing it with the Big Shot and Fancy Fans Embossing Folder.  I used a blendabilities marker to color some rhinestones to attach for the body of the butterfly

 

 

 

The mix of soft color and bold black, which hints of silver are really fun and I was really surprised at how much I liked this card after I finished it.  The other design team members are sharing some great cards so please go check them out and then come play along and share what you create!

 

 

 

 

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Have a great day!

Diana

Can You Case it? Design Team - Sketch Challenge CYCI #69

Happy Sunday!  What an amazing time!  I’ve having so much fun this weekend at Disneyland and this morning I’m running my last race, the Tinkerbell Half Marathon.  It’s so much fun running through the parks, seeing the characters, costumes, spectators, and everything, it really makes for a memorable experience.  Of course since it’s Sunday it’s time for the weekly Can You Case It? Sketch challenge and I decided to pull out a new stamp set, From the Herd, and enjoy some time coloring with this card.

I started with Tangerine Tango cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Whisper White Cardstock with a piece of Birthday Bash Speciality Designer Series Paper along the bottom.  I used Black Memento ink to stamp the main image and then a mix of my Blendabilites markers and Stampin’ Write Markers to color in all the fun barn animals.  For the two little flags I not only used a different pattern of DSP from the same package but also used a piece of Pear Pizzaz Chevron Ribbon.  The greeting is from the same stamp set and is stamped on Night of Navy cardstock with Versamark ink and heat embossed with the Heat Tool and Whisper White Embossing Powder.

 

What do you think, too much?  These guys are too cute!!  I had been looking at this stamp set but hadn’t got it yet and then I received it free for a Stampin’ Up! event I went to last weekend (love being a SU demo) so I knew I had to use it, and come on we all used to love to color as kids and I’ll tell you it’s still as relaxing today!  The designers are sharing some other great cards so go check them out for further inspiration and come play along, you can use this for any project you need, card, scrapbook page, home décor, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Have an enjoyable Sunday!

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge & SSI Retiring Favorities: Starburst Sayings

 Good morning!  I’m greeting you today from the left coast as I’ve arrived safely in CA and looking forward to a fun day at Disneyland.  I’m starting the day with the race expo and packet pickup and then will head over to check out the parks (I haven’t been to Disneyland since I was a senior in High School so this will be fun) before the races start on Saturday.

Today I’m sharing a card that’s a combo using this weeks Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch challenge along with the Stylin’ Stampin’ INKspiration blog retiring favorites post (using the Starburst Sayings stamp set).  Kim gave us a really fun sketch this week that provides lots of fun with multiple elements.  As you know I’m a sucker for stamp sets with matching punches and/or framelits so I was excited when this set was released and have enjoyed playing with it.  I started with Pear Pizzaz for the cardbase and then added a piece of Basic Gray cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder.  Next I added a piece of Confetti Celebration Designer Series Paper across the center of the card and used different coordinating patterns in the DSP package for two of the three little flags.  For the center flag I used a piece of Pumpkin Pie Chevron Ribbon (I love this ribbon and am sad it’s leaving but I have a stash I get to work through). 

The greeting is from the Starburst Sayings stamp set (retiring) and I stamped it using Versamark ink on Smoky Slate cardstock and heat embossed it using the Heat Tool and Crushed Curry Embossing Powder (it’s interesting how when you start doing something it becomes fun and you use it for several projects in a row, in this case heat embossing).  To cut out the greeting I used the Big Shot and Starbust Collection Framelits and then attached it to the card with dimensionals.

I’ve been so interested in this DSP all year how it combines bright bold colors along with softer colors and it works (I wouldn’t have thought of that).  The design teams on both blogs are sharing some fun cards so make sure to check them out and then come play along with the Sketch Frenzy Friday ladies, we’d love to have you!

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have a wonderful weekend and happy crafting!

Diana