Flamingo Birthday

 Today's cards are for Addicted to Stamps (Birthday), Seize the Birthday (Anything Goes) and Shopping Our Stash (Tropical Delights).  I broke out of my usual CAS style today with bright card bases and patterned paper.  It's 12x12 paper that's been kicking around for ages so I was excited to make use of it.  The flamingos are oldies but goodies from Reverse Confetti and I snagged the second sentiment from an MFT set.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper:  (Margarita 12x12) American Crafts

Stamps:  (Face, legs & sentiment from Fabulous Flamingo) Reverse Confetti, (Sentiment from Tickled Pink) My Favorite Things

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Opaque Bright White Super Fine) Wow

Dies:  (Flamingo) Reverse Confetti, (Speech Bubble) XCut, (Scalloped Rectangle) WPlus9

Other:  (Nuvo English Mustard Crystal Drops) Tonic

Nautical Birthday

I was flipping through my 12x12 paper stash yesterday and came across this American Crafts paper that I thought would be perfect for the Seize the Birthday nautical theme birthday challenge.I pondered a few different layouts but in the end decided to keep it simple and let the paper be the star of the show.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White, Black) Papertrey Ink, (Textured White) Bazzill

Patterned Paper: (Margarita 12x12) American Crafts

Stamps:  (Sentiment from Essential Sentiments) My Favourite Things

Inks:  (Suede Shoes) Catherine Pooler

Dies:  (Sailboat) WPlus9, (Squares) Essentials by Ellen

Other: (Nuvo English Mustard Crystal Drops) Tonic

CASology #391

 

Welcome to Week 391 of CASology!  Take a look at the cue word for this week:

Polaroid frame dies are so fun to use and are such a great way to frame a simple image and add a little extra pizzazz to a design.  Because my panda is black and white I went for a fun patterned frame and coloured his hat to make one of the patterned paper colours pop!

Looking forward to seeing what direction the cue word takes you.  Check out the gorgeousness from the rest of the design team then play along!

Deepti Stephens

Deidre Payne

Jacquie Southas 

Jen Wills

Joyce Mehrberg

Melissa Chipperfield

Milka Gubo 

Nancy Elrick

Sandie Munroe

Sue Symens

This week's guest designer:

Marieke

***You've got 2 weeks for this challenge!***

Link your creations to the CASology blog by 9am Monday, 7 June (CDT).

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper:  (Lucky Charm 6x6) American Crafts

Stamps:  (All from Peek-a-boo Pals) Avery Elle

Ink:  (VersaFine, Memento Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko

Dies:  (Polaroid Frame) My Favourite Things

Markers:  (R05, C7, 100) Copic

Other:  (Nuvo English Mustard Crystal Drops) Tonic

Ham It Up

 

Today's card is for the Fusion and the Seize the Birthday challenges.  I used the sketch from Fusion and took inspiration from the pig in the photo.  I had this little piggy stamped, partially coloured and ready to go in my scrap bag so I'm playing along with the Use Your Scraps topping at STB.  I found some fun and festive patterned paper for the background and die cut a few Reverse Confetti flags for the top corner.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Calypso Coral, Mint Macaron) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper:  (Saturday 6x6) American Crafts

Stamps:  (All from Hog Heaven) My Favourite Things

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko

Dies:  (Flags) Reverse Confetti, (Stitched rectangle) Mama Elephant

Markers: (RV23, R17, G000) Copic

Sentiment Cakes

Hi there!

I've got another Just for the Heck of It post today.  This time I'm using these adorable sentiment cakes from Lil' Inker Designs and pairing them with lots of patterned paper and Lil' Inker stitched and pierced dies.  The papers are a mixture of American Crafts and My Mind's Eye and I used Nuvo drops for some of the candle flames and Stickles for others.  Mixing and matching patterned paper is a struggle for me.  Some people make it look effortless like Heather Hoffman does here and here and here (fox card).  I often go to her for inspiration. 

CASology #316

Welcome to Week 316 of CASology!  Take a look at the cue word for this week:

I really should make a stack of these to keep on hand because I rarely seem to get birthday cards in the mail on time if at all.  I've been especially bad this year but am trying to get back on track.  

Looking forward to seeing what direction the cue word takes you.  Check out the gorgeousness from the rest of the design team then play along!

Anna Uhras

Bharati Nayudu

Deidre Payne

Jacquie Southas 

Janet Ribet

Jen Wills

Joyce Mehrberg

Karen Haman

Marcie Sharp

Melissa Chipperfield 

Rachel Bergfeld

Sue Symens

This week's guest designer:

Raga

This week's sponsor:

Your Next Stamp

** We're back to weekly challenges now that the summer is over!**

Link your creations to the CASology blog by Monday, 15 October at 9am (CDT).

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Bermuda Bay, Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Sentiment from Seriously Awesome) Lil' Inker Designs

Inks:  (VersaMark) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Opaque Bright White Super Fine) Wow

Stickers:  American Crafts

CASology #310

Welcome to Week 310 of CASology!  Take a look at the cue word for this week:

I was working ahead on my design team cards and made this one in the middle of the World Cup madness.  I don't really follow any sports but I do enjoy World Cup time and getting caught up in the excitement.  Sadly England (my team) and Portugal (Luis's team) didn't make it to the final but it was still an exciting one.  I was rooting for Croatia and even though they didn't win they fought hard until the end.  

Looking forward to seeing what direction the cue word takes you.  Check out the gorgeousness from the rest of the design team then play along!

Anna Uhras

Bharati Nayudu

Deidre Payne

Jacquie Southas 

Janet Ribet

Jen Wills

Joyce Mehrberg

Karen Haman

Marcie Sharp

Melissa Chipperfield 

Rachel Bergfeld

Sue Symens

This week's sponsor is:

Stamplorations

**This is a 2 week challenge!**

Link your creations to the CASology blog by Monday, 27 August at 9am (CDT).

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Cherry Cobbler) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Football from All Star) Skipping Stones Design

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Stickers:  (Roosevelt Letter Stickers) American Crafts

Yeti for Christmas

Another Christmas card!  Yay!  Today's card was inspired by the sketch at Just Add Ink which I turned 90 degrees to the left.  I have a big box full of Christmas patterned paper (mostly 12x12s that I bought years ago) and I'm trying desperately to put a dent in it.  This pattern is from American Crafts and I managed to get a few cards out of it.  I felt like it was a good backdrop for this happy Christmas yeti.  How cute are his little fangs??

That's it for now.  Have a wonderful day!   

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Early Espresso) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper:  American Crafts

Stamps:  (Yeti & sentiment from Beast Friends) My Favourite Things

Inks:  (VersaMark, Memento Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Opaque Bright White Super Fine) Wow

Die:  (Stitched circle) Lil' Inker Designs

Markers:  (R27, YR04, Y15, G05, B29, V17, C1, W1, W3, W5, W7) Copic

Glitter:  (Clear Wink of Stella) Zig

Gems:  Recollections    

Adventure Awaits

Hi there! 

Time Out has a photo inspiration challenge at the moment.  The map and trunk made me think of traveling so I made a couple of goodbye/safe travels/new adventure cards.  I love these Lawn Fawn hot air balloons and the Reverse Confetti sentiment is the perfect companion to them.  I dug out some fun patterned papers for some adventurous skies.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Blue) Paperbilities, (Rich Razzleberry) Stampin' Up, Vellum

Patterned Paper:  (Little By Little 6x6) American Crafts

Stamps:  (Balloon from Blue Skies) Lawn Fawn, (Sentiment from My World) Reverse Confetti

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Clear) Hero Arts

Marker:  (V06) Copic

Gems:  Recollections  

SaveSave

Bear & Rose

Hi there!  How's your weekend going?  Today was my first day off in 12 days so I was excited to not have to set the alarm last night.  However, I don't think I ever need to set it again because the Ella alarm was right on time purring in my face at 5am and demanding her breakfast.  Ugh!  No rest for the wicked around here...

Anyway Luis and I did some errands and then I got a little crafty time so I have 2 cards to share.  First up is for Freshly Made Sketches.  This MFT bear is one of my favourite birthday images - probably because I wish he was delivering that gorgeous cake to me!  He's coloured with Copics, fussy cut and popped up on foam tape inside the stitched circle.  The background paper is from American Crafts.  I'm also going to play along with the No Toppings portion of the challenge over at Seize the Birthday.     

 

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper:  (Dear Lizzy Neapolitan 6x6) American Crafts

Stamps:  (Bear & sentiment from Beary Special Birthday) My Favourite Things

Inks:  (VersaMark, Memento Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Opaque Bright White Super Fine) Wow

Die:  (Stitched circle) Lil' Inker Designs

Markers:  (R00, R02, R20, R22, RV42, YR00, E00, W1, W3, W5, 100) Copic

Glitter:  (Clear Wink of Stella) Zig

My next card is for the Muse challenge.  I was inspired by the rose, colours, layers and die cut sentiment on Jenni's card.  The rose is from an NBUS Clearly Besotted set and the pink striped paper is from Doodlebug.  The sentiment is a combo of a Mama Elephant die and a Fresh Squeezed Stamps stamp.  I'm also going to enter it in the Simon Says Wednesday Anything Goes challenge. 

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Textured White) Bazzill, (Pink Pirouette) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper:  (Cupcake Stripes 12x12) Doodlebug Design

Stamps:  (Rose from English Rose) Clearly Besotted, (Sentiment from Mother Knows Best) Fresh Squeezed Stamps

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Frosty Pink, Coral Berry, Ruby Red, Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades, Evergreen) Altenew

Die:  (Happy) Mama Elephant, (Tag) Avery Elle, (Panels) Papertrey Ink

Gems:  Recollections

Christmas Duo

Hi there!  I've got two cards to share this evening for three challenges.  First up is for the CAS(E) This Sketch challenge.  I've had this Technique Tuesday sentiment for ages and today it finally got it's moment to shine (or twinkle even)!  I have lots of American Crafts glitter tape kicking around and thought it would compliment the sentiment well.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink

Stamps:  (Sentiment from Twinkle On) Technique Tuesday

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Tape:  American Crafts

Gems:  Recollections

This card is for two challenges.  Lawnscaping is having a CAS challenge and I took inspiration from the photo at Inspired By All The Little Things for my design.  These Lawn Fawn stamps are all NBUS too.  I ordered them last year but they arrived too late for the holidays.  Saves me from having to order Christmas stamps for this year.  

Ha ha ha ha ha!  

Yeah right...  

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Textured White) Bazzill, (Real Red, Always Artichoke) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper:  (Wood Designer Cardstock Paper 6x6) My Mind's Eye

Stamps:  (Holly & sentiment from Deck the Halls, Bow from Ornate Ornaments) Lawn Fawn

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Real Red, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede) Stampin' Up

Glitter:  (Clear Wink of Stella) Zig

Gems:  Recollections

Party Cats & Dogs

The other day I got busted by a lady who buys my cards from the animal hospital:  

"Jen, I love your cards but you've been on a bit of a flower bender lately.  More dog and cat cards please!"

She's right.  I have tons of animal stamps  but I keep reaching for easy, often used images especially flowers and balloons.  For some reason I'm always apprehensive about using stamps for the first time which is pretty silly.  It's not like you can use them incorrectly.  Does anyone else feel this way?  Anyway I steered myself to the animal stamps and pulled out Party Grumplings - a Taylored Expressions set that was totally NBUS despite me being desperate to get my hands on it.   How cute is that grumpy kitty?  I paper pieced him but used a colour as the base layer (instead of my usual white) to make him pop a bit more.  I got that idea from Courtney Kelley who is my fussy cutting and paper piecing idol (see here and here specifically).  I LOVE her style!  

I'm going to enter this card in the Seize the Birthday Anything Goes challenge.    

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Pink Pirouette, Poppy Parade, Soft Suede, Basic Black) Stamping' Up

Patterned Paper:  (Flags & light beige from Dear Lizzy Neapolitan 6x6, Textured beige from Mayberry 6x6) American Crafts

Stamps:  (Cat & sentiment from Party Grumplings) Taylored Expressions

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Opaque Bright White Super Fine) Wow

Die:  (Stitched Arch Stax) My Favourite Things

Sticking with the animal theme I made this card using the current design at Freshly Made Sketches.  This time I used some Lawn Fawn stamps and some Echo Park papers.  Now that I'm looking at it on the screen I'm kind of wishing I'd put a party hat on the pooch.  May have to go back and do that...  

That's it for now.  Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper:  (This & That Graceful 6x6) Echo Park

Stamps:  (Dog from Critters at the Dog Park, Cupcake from Bake Me a Cake, Sentiment from So Much to Say) Lawn Fawn

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Die:  (Stitched Rectangle) Mama Elephant

Gems:  Recollections