Celebrate New Goodies!

Hello hello!  I am celebrating today by playing with the new goodies my brother brought home for me!  I got stamps from Altenew, Lil' Inker Designs (and dies too!), Mama Elephant, Neat & Tangled and Sweet Stamp Shop.  It's like Christmas!  Here I inlaid some Lil' Inker dies and added a sentiment from Altenew.  I used the fun and bold colours from this week's Dynamic Duos challenge.  Enough chatting for now - off to play some more!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black, Brushed Gold) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Sentiment from Super Script) Altenew

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Clear) Ranger

Dies:  (Cover Up die - Stitches & Stripes, Stitched stars) Lil' Inker Designs

Stitched Flowers

***This is my second post for the day.  For my Curtain Call post please scroll down or 

click here!***

Man, it's feast or famine around here isn't it?  It's either a measly two posts a week or an excessive two posts a day!  I must get my scheduling a bit more under control.  (Story of my life!)  Anyway I'm here (again) with a card for two challenges.  I used the Dynamic Duos colours and the Stitched Faux or Real theme from CAS on Sunday. The dies and stamps are all NBUS (hi, Darnell!) and I'm wondering what took me so long especially with that fabulous Paper Smooches Hello. *Sigh*  So many products so little time…

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Flower from Stitches & Swirls) Papertrey Ink

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black), Tsukineko

Dies:  (Tri Circle) Simon Says Stamp, (Hello Words) Paper Smooches

Punch:  (Corner rounder) Marvy Uchida

Gems:  Recollections

Birthday Tag

Hello, hello!  I've got a bright and cheery tag on my card today courtesy of this week's Dynamic Duos colours and the sketch at RetroSketches.  I don't really use too many tags though so I used this one to embellish a card instead.  

Must dash off to work now… or should I say hobble!  Remember this post from Friday when I said I wasn't going to get involved with the power washer?  Stupidly I decided on Sunday that I'd actually help Luis out with part of the job - the cleaning out of the boat house. While carrying empty bottles to the trash bag I slipped on some sludge (left over from from the power washing on Saturday)  and took a real tumble.  I slammed my foot into a rock and somehow avoided falling on the bottles that shattered around me.  Not my finest moment…   Now the top of my foot is all scraped up and my big toe is pretty well smashed. *Sigh*  Lesson for the day:  Don't help hubby with outside "man" jobs.  Just stay inside and watch him from the safety of the Craft Cave!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Kraft) Papertrey Ink, (Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Small flower from Bold Blooms, Dots from Geo-Graphics) Paper Smooches, (Banner & sentiment from Basic Banners) WPlus9

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Wild Wasabi) Stampin' Up

Dies:  (Tag Sale #3) Papertrey Ink, (Flowes from Big Bloom, Leaves from Reflections Graphics) Paper Smooches

Gems:  Recollections

Retro Duos

Hi there! I've got a two for one challenge card this evening. I used the colours from Dynamic Duos and the sketch from RetroSketches.  I found these colours a little tricky so I broke them up with quite a bit of white.  I used a Sweet Stamp Shop stamp for the embossed hearts in the background and an Avery Elle sentiment stamp.  I was inspired by the scored lines on Laurie's card and added some to give my white panels a little more texture and interest.  Hope you've all had a lovely day!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Pink Pirouette, Pool Party) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Hearts from Drops Background) Sweet Stamp Shop, (Sentiment from Oh Happy Day) Avery Elle

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Seafoam White) Ranger

Die:  (Heart Prints) Papertrey Ink

Punch:  (Corner rounder) Marvy Uchida

Gems:  (Cupcake assortment) Doodlebug

CAS(E) This Sketch #50

Welcome to Week 50 of CAS(E) This Sketch!  Take a look at this week's sketch by Chrissy Larson:

I can't believe we're already at CTS #50!!  I joined the CTS team with Sketch #5 last November.  I was so nervous because I had always struggled with sketch challenges but after almost a year of being forced to use them I have overcome my "Sketch Allergy" and fear them no longer!  Dare I say it but I even enjoy them now.  :D  This week's sketch gave me the perfect opportunity to break out my Circle Burst die.  Actually all three of these dies are seeing the light of day for the first time so this is a real NBUS card.  I also used the colours from Dynamic Duos for my palette.  I can't wait to see how this sketch inspires you so check out the creations by the rest of the CAS(E) This Sketch design team and then get creating!  

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (So Saffron, Calypso Coral, Soft Suede) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Sentiment from You Said It Sister) Fresh Squeezed Stamps
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Dies:  (Small Circle Burst, Woodland Branch, Nestled Bird) Memory Box

Kraft Sympathy

Hello there! I'm finally coming back from a struggle with my mojo.  It completely abandoned me in the last week and is only just crawling back with it's tail between it's legs.  So frustrating!!  I finally managed to get a card made for this week's Dynamic Duos challenge and I even used the dessert option of wet embossing (just on the sentiment but still...).  Can you tell I'm loving these Simon Says dies?  They will be making plenty of appearances in the future I'm sure!  I'm also going to enter this at the Simon Says Stamp Stamptember Inspiration challenge.  As well as the Simon Says die the black cardstock is from DCWV and the embossing powder is from Ranger, both of which can be purchased in the Simon Says Stamp store.  Off to work now.  Have a lovely day!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (Kraft) Gina K, (Black) DCWV
Stamp:  (Sentiment from Think Big Favourites #3) Papertrey Ink
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Clear) Ranger
Die:  (Leaf Column Background) Simon Says Stamp
Punch:  (Corner Rounder) Marvy Uchida

Gems:  Recollections

Dynamic Birthday

Mornin' mornin'!  I've got a card for two challenges today - Dynamic Duos and CAS on Sunday.  I haven't gotten the new Stampin' Up In Colours yet so I had to substitute for the Crisp Cantaloupe.  I played around with my Paper Smooches Reflections stamps and dies and added a Lawn Fawn banner and sentiment.  I used VersaMark ink to stamp the flowers onto the die cuts - love that tone on tone look!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Calypso Coral) Stampin' Up, (Cantaloupe) Paperbilities

Stamps:  (Flowers from Reflections) Paper Smooches, (Banner from Bannerific, Sentiment from Happy Everything) Lawn Fawn

Ink:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Calypso Coral) Stampin' Up

Dies:  (Reflections Flowers) Paper Smooches

Punches:  (1/8" & 1/4" hole punches) McGill

Glossy Accents

Baby Squared

Good morning, all!  I was recently asked to make a card for someone who had twins and I thought the colours for this week's Dynamic Duos would work perfectly for it.  Initially I was a bit worried that the black base might be a bit heavy for a baby card but then I remembered this skull and crossbones baby card I made and I went with it.  There's something for everyone!  Since I was making this I decided to make a girl card too.  Gotta cover all the bases!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Pool Party, Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper:  (Sn@p! Colour Vibe) Simple Stories
Stamps:  (Bears &  blocks from Baby Basics) Market Street Stamps, (2 from Jessie's ABCs) Lawn Fawn

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Seafoam White) Ranger

Dynamic Duos Sympathy

Good evening!  A super quick post tonight as I am completely knackered and afraid I might fall asleep on my keyboard (which could make for a very bizarre post...).  I had a tough time with these two greens so I went very simple for my card.  Not sure if it's too simple to even count for the competition but I like the crispness of it.  Good night for now and I'll be back tomorrow!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (Garden Green, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Grey, Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Stamp:  (Sentiment from Think Big Favourites #3) Papertrey Ink

Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Die:  (Half & Half) Papertrey Ink

Gems:  Stampin' Up

Warm Thoughts

Hi there!  A super quick post before I dash off to work.  I'm playing along with Dynamic Duos here and their sweet, soft colour combo.  I've seen a lot of designs lately with stripes paired with flowers and I love the look so I thought I'd try it here.  I layered up the MFT flowers and curled up the edges for lots of dimension.  Hope you're all having a fabulous day!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Pink Pirouette, Sahara Sand) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Mason jar from Crystal Clear, Sentiment from First Aid Kit) Paper Smooches, (Stripe from Faux Ribbon) Papertrey Ink

Inks:  (VersaMark) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Black) Ranger

Die:  (Die-namics Flower & Leaf Trio) MFT

Punch:  (5/16" hole punch) McGill

Glossy Accents

CAS(E) This Sketch #30

Welcome to Week 30 of CAS(E) This Sketch!  Take a look at this week's sketch designed by N@ Ali:

I flipped the sketch upside down so that my safety pins would be right side up and stamped and embossed my sentiment in white.  I used the colours from this week's Dynamic Duos challenge - so perfect for a baby boy card!  I'm also going to enter this card in the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes challenge.  

I'm looking forward to seeing where this sketch takes you all.  Check out the rest of the DT designs here and then play along!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Bashful Blue, Midnight Muse) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Safety pins from Lovestruck) Amy Tangerine, (Welcome from CL352) Hero Arts, (Baby from Petite Cherub) Rusty Pickle

Inks:  (VersaMark) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Seafoam White) Ranger

Crocheted Mat

***This is my second post for the day.  For my CAS-ual Fridays/Paper Players post please scroll down or click here!***

Happy 1 year anniversary to Dynamic Duos!  How quickly the time flies - I can't believe it's their 52nd challenge already...  For this week's challenge we get to choose any past colour combo to use.  I went with Week #15 - Certainly Celery and Pretty In Pink (although my colours look quite a bit darker in the photo...)  Anyway I'm excited to show off the crocheted mat I used for this card.  The fabulous Jessi Fogan of onecraftymama makes and sells these fabulous layering mats.  They come in a few different colours and add a gorgeous touch of texture to your card.  Be sure you check out Jessi's blog - even if you're not shopping for crocheted mats reading a few posts will be sure to give you a good giggle!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Certainly Celery) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Vase & flowers from Gracious Vases, Sentiment from Fillable Frames #4) Papertrey Ink

Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Certainly Celery, Basic Grey)

Die:  (Nestabilities Standard Circles Large) Spellbinders

Gems:  Recollections

Dynamic RetroSketch

Good morning! Somehow it's Wednesday already and I'm here with a card for RetroSketches and Dynamic Duos.  I used Midnight Muse as my second colour choice for DD and broke out this Simon Says Stamp Bubble Dots die.  It's really fun and I'm going to need to play around with it some more I think.  That's it for me now.  Off to the dentist and then to work.  Have a lovely day!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Primrose Petals, Midnight Muse) Stampin' Up

Stamp:  (Sentiment from Botanical Silhouettes) Papertrey Ink

Ink:  (Midnight Muse) Stampin' Up
Dies:  (Bubble Dots) Simon Says Stamp, (Die-Namics Butterflies) My Favourite Things

Punch:  (1/4" hole punch) McGill

Gems:  (Lily White assortment) Doodlebug
Twine:  The Twinery

Unity Butterfly

**This is my second post for the day.  For my CASology post please scroll down or 

click here.**

Hello again!  I've got a two for one card this evening.  I used the colours from Dynamic Duos and the sketch from Unity's monthly challenge.  I love this oversized Unity butterfly.  There's so much texture on the wings and it embosses really well.  

We're off to the pub to see off one of my co-workers who is heading back to England after 6 years here.  :(  It won't be the same without her at work but I guess it's just one more reason to get over to the UK for a holiday!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Basic Grey) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Woodgrain, diamonds & sentiment from Feb '13 KOM - Let Love Grow, Butterfly from Sept '12 KOM - The Vintage Touch) Unity Stamp Co

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Seafoam White) Ranger

Gems:  (Swimming Pool assortment) Doodlebug

Sad Birdie

**This is my second post for today.  For my CAS-ual Fridays post please scroll down or click here.***

Hello there!  I'm back again with some more black and blue goodness for you.  This time I'm playing along with Dynamic Duos where we are to use Basic Black and Tempting Turquoise.  There is a dessert option to use clouds but I'm trying to cut back on desserts these days so I skipped them, tempting as they were!  :)  This is one of the first Papertrey Ink sets I ever got and I still love that little bird although I always thought he looked a bit sad.  Perfect for a Miss You card!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Bird & branch from Little Bitty Bird) Papertrey Ink, (Sentiment from Simple Salutations) Market Street Stamps

Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Dies:  (Nesties Standard Circles Large) Spellbinders, (Double-Ended Banner) Papertrey Ink

Gems:  Reflections

Washi Tape:  Crafty Basics

XO Love

**This is my second post for today.  For my CAS-ual Fridays/Hero Arts post please scroll down or click here!"

Hello!  I'm popping in with a second post today - Monday and Tuesday were very productive days in the Craft Cave.  I played along with quite a few challenges and got a bunch of special orders done so I'm feeling very virtuous!  :)  This card uses the sketch from RetroSketches and the colours from Dynamic Duos.  I'm continuing my love affair with Stampin' Up's Basic Grey.  It just makes all the other colours pop so beautifully!  

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Black) Pacon, (Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Basic Grey) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (All from Jan 13 KOM - All Hearts & Love) Unity Stamp Co

Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Die:  (Double-Ended Banner) Papertrey Ink

Gems:  (Beetle Black assortment) Doodlebug

Happy Flower

Saturday was grey and gloomy for the most part and we were incredibly lazy.  Luis vegged on the sofa and I worked in the Craft Cave.  It wasn't until we took Atti for a walk at 4:30 that I even changed out of my pjs!  I might have to wear my pjs to make cards more often because I managed to get quite a bit done. 

This card is a two-for-one challenge card.  It's a clean and simple card for Little Tangles using the colours from Dynamic Duos.  I was determined to be clever with the colours and not use a flower image but you know what?  If it works, it works and So Saffron and Certainly Celery just screamed flowers to me.  I paper pieced the leaves and flower and then lightly outlined them with coordinating Stampin' Up markers.  I love how everything pops off the Basic Grey background and the Doodlebug pearls I got while I was away are so fun!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Basic Grey Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (All from Fresh Blooms) Neat and Tangled 

Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Dies:  (Half & Half Die Collection) Papertrey Ink

Gems:  (Bumblebee assortment pearls) Doodlebug

Markers:  (So Saffron, Certainly Celery) Stampin' Up

Many Lawn Fawn Thanks

I've been selling my cards at work for quite awhile now (out of a shoebox!) but at the end of November I finally got a little rack to display them and sales have been fantastic!  Now that Christmas is done though I need to crank out more birthday, thank you, hello and thinking of you cards along with the seasonal stuff.  Thank goodness for blog challenges to spark some ideas!  Today's cards are the result of combining the CAS-ual Fridays challenge to make Thank You cards with the colours from the Dynamic Duos challenge.  I used Lawn Fawn stamps and some super fun speech bubble dies sent to me by the lovely Jenny of Crafting in the Country.  I cut each speech bubble in both colours so I could play around with placement and design.  Once it was sorted I made another card with the colours the other way around.  Always a bonus to get two cards done at once!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Melon Mambo, Island Indigo) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Sentiments from Many Thanks, Grand Greetings, Happy Everything, Claire's ABC's) Lawn Fawn

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Dies:  (XCut Speech Bubbles) Docrafts

Gems:  (Bubblegum & Swimming Pool assortments) Doodlebug, (Black) Reflections for Michael's

Markers:  (BG09) Copic