Tuesday, September 30, 2014

CASology #115


Welcome to Week 115 of CASology!  Take a look at the cue word for this week:


Lots of delicious ideas popped into my head when I saw this week's cue word.  Betty Crocker Devil's Food Cake being the number one drool inducing option.  Yes, you read that right.   Betty Crocker.  Out of a box. I'm pretty picky about cake.  Nothing too fancy or too chocolately or too dense or too rich.  Simple simple simple.  And then I thought of Maltesers which are my favourite chocolates.  Again, not too chocolately - just enough.  Mmmmm…  Anyway despite all these visions of sweet things dancing in my head I ended up going in a totally different direction.  Given my job there's another type of chocolate that I see a lot of and that is Chocolate Labs!  While I have a lot of dog stamps this was the only one that I thought really resembled a Lab and given that he seems a little sad to me I thought he'd do well starring in a Miss You card.    

And now it's your turn to inundate us with chocolatey goodness!  Go and check out the gorgeous creations from the Design Team and then get to work!


May Sukyong Park (on a break)

And this week's guest designer:

Link your creations to the CASology blog and remember that the deadline for entries is Monday at noon (CST).

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Kraft) Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper:  (Darling Dear 6x6) Studio Calico
Stamps:  (Dog from Oliver) Kelly Purkey, (Sentiment from Type It) Mama Elephant
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Chocolate Chip) Stampin' Up

Monday, September 29, 2014

What's Up, Dreamer?


Hi there!  I've got two cards to post today for three different challenges. First up is this adorable Avery Elle giraffe.  I used the palette from ColourQ and the Cuddly theme from Addicted to CAS.  I paper pieced him and then popped him in a Lil' Inker frame.  I thought the fun font of the Paper Smooches sentiment was a perfect match for this happy guy.







Next up is a card for the CASE Study challenge which just happens to be their final one.  I strayed pretty far from Debby's elegant, white creation but it makes sense in my brain.  Whenever I looked at Debby's card the hanging feathers and berries made me think of a dreamcatcher (maybe I still had Debby's card from the week before stuck in my brain).   Anyway it led me to this stamp set from Market Street Stamps (which, sadly, is no longer in business).  I'm still watching videos from the Watercolour Class (ridiculous, I know) and tried playing around with creating a watercolor background.  I tried the iron off embossing technique with the stars.  I didn't quite get all the embossing powder off so I need to try this again.  I had fun with this first attempt though!  :)



Supplies Used

Cardstock:  (Kraft) Papertrey Ink, (Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Night of Navy) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Giraffe & clouds from What's Up?) Avery Elle, (Sentiment from Good Gab) Paper Smooches
Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukinko, (Unicorn) Hero Arts
Embossing Powder:  (Seafoam White) Ranger
Dies:  (Stitched Polaroid) Lil' Inker Designs

Cardstock:  (Distress Watercolour) Ranger, (Elegant Eggplant) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (All from Dreamcatcher) Market Street Stamps
Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukinko
Embossing Powder:  (Clear) Ranger
Watercolours:  Loew Cornell
Gems:  Recollections

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Red Wreath


After being so pleased with myself last week for finally making a Christmas card I decided to keep going with it.  The Merry Monday Challenge was one of the first things that popped up on my Feedly page this morning so I went to check it out.  And then I almost left.  It was a dreaded Bingo challenge!  I usually avoid these like the plague.  Too many options = too much stress for Jen.  But then I decided to stop being a baby and actually challenge myself - a novel concept!  I went with the first column - sparkle, die cut, red.  Not sure why but I decided on a backwards wreath - red leaves and green berries.  Hey, if I'm gonna step outside of my comfort zone then I'm gonna step allll the way out!  I just hope I can find my way back in…




Supplies Used
Cardstock:  (Kraft) Papertrey Ink, (Real Red) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Dots from Rustic Wreath) Paperteey Ink, (Sentiment from CL619) Hero Arts
Inks:  (Unicorn) Hero Arts
Embossing Powder:  (Seafoam White) RangerDies:  (Rustic Wreath) Papertrey Ink, 
Sequins: Doodlebug

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

CASology #114


Welcome to Week 113 of CASology!  Take a look at the cue word for this week:


A number of fluttery things came to mind for me this week but in the end "a heart all aflutter" won out!  This was the first inky outing for these Lil' Inker stamps and I paired them up with a Lil' Inker stitched heart.  I tend to centre a lot of my designs so I decided to be a little more adventurous with this card and place my images off centre.  Kind of fun huh?  And now it's time for you guys to have some fun!  Check out the fabulous creations from the design team and then get crafting'!


Gillian Ross (on a break)
May Sukyong Park (on a break)

And this week's guest designer:


Link your creations to the CASology blog and remember that the deadline for entries is Monday at noon (CST).

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (Cream) Handy Hippo, (Real Red) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Hearts & sentiment from Stay Beautiful) Lil' Inker Designs
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Real Red) Stampin' Up
Dies:  (Stitched Hearts) Lil' Inker Designs

Monday, September 22, 2014

Simply The Best



Hi there!  I'm popping in this evening with a card for the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge.  I love this gorgeous wishing well and my card is a pretty literal interpretation of the picture.  I found the brick paper in an Allison Kreft for Webster's Pages Christmas collection.  I had been trying to get my brain in Christmas mode but when I saw this paper it ground to a halt and switched gears back to summery flowers.  I haven't used these Paper Smooches Reflections stamps and dies too often but they were exactly what I needed for this design.  Yay for dusting off unused goodies!  




Supplies Used
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Basic Black) Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper:  (Allison Kreft It's Christmas 6x6) Webster's PagesStamps:  (Flowers & sentiment from Reflections) Paper Smooches, (Sentiment from Wallflower) Cas-ual Fridays
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Bubble Gum, Pale Tomoato, Fresh Peach, Butter Bar) Hero Arts
Dies:  Reflections Flowers, Graphics & Leaves) Paper Smooches
Gems:  Recollections

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Fabulous Day



Hello and Happy Sunday!  I have to say that I really love the Hennah Elements flowers from Altenew.  They're gorgeous and versatile - great for every technique from paper piecing to watercolouring.  Using the ColourQ palette this card came together so easily and I love the simplicity of it.  

Yesterday after work we decided to skip the cleaning and instead Luis and I went to the beach with some friends and did some cliff jumping.  I haven't done that in years and I felt like such a kid!  Definitely need to do stuff like that more often.  :) 



Supplies Used
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Maroon) Paperbilities, (Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Summer Starfruit) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Flower & leaves from Hennah Elements) Altenew, (Sentiment from Signature Greetings) Papertrey Ink
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Gems:  Recollections
Glitter:  (Wink of Stella) Zig

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Peace & Strength


My card today was inspired by Marion Vagg's gorgeous card at the Muse challenge and uses the colours from the Colour Me… challenge.  I love how Marion's card is dominated by those beautiful flowers.  Isn't the shading on them perfect?  I went the paper piecing route for my flowers.  Nice and simple.  I'm not all that confident in my shading skills.  I'm hoping the upcoming Copic class with help to remedy that and I can try and be a bit more brave.  :) 

I'm working this morning and the afternoon will probably include some house cleaning and swimming Attiucs.  What are you up to this weekend?
  
Supplies Used
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Blushing Bride, So Saffron, Pool Party) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Flowers from Magnolias for Her, Sentiment from Ori Kami) Altenew
Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Gems:  Recollections
Glitter:  (Black Diamond Stickles) Ranger

Friday, September 19, 2014

Holiday Cheer


A Christmas card!  Yes!  I finally got around to making one thanks to the inspiration at The Challenge.  I know that nothing about the sketch or colours is particularly Christmasy but somehow it sent me off in that direction so I went with it.  Thank goodness.  The first Christmas card is always the hardest for me.  Once that one's out of the way I can really start cranking them out.  And maybe next year I'll actually join in with one of those weekly Christmas challenges.  I look at them dutifully every week and then proceed to ignore them. Perhaps next year will be different…


Supplies Used
Cardstock:  (Real Red, Bermuda Bay, Crumb Cake) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (All from Holiday Cheer) Papertrey Ink
Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Crumb Cake) Stampin' Up
Dies:  (Holiday Cheer Trees, Double Ended Banners) Papertrey Ink, (Nesties Standard Circles Large) Spellbinders
Gems:  (Ladybug assortment) Doodlebug

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Bundle of Joy


Hi there!  I'm popping in today to play along with three challenges.  My card uses the sketch from Wanna Sketch?, the colours from The Colour Throwdown and it uses a tag so is eligible for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.  This came together pretty quickly as it's basically just layered die cuts.  I thought the only stamping would be the sentiment but then I decided the card base needed a little something else so I stamped the polka dots in watermark ink.  Subtle but enough to add some interest.  Hope you all have a fabulous day!   



Supplies Used
Cardstock:  (Rustic Cream) Papertrey Ink, (Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Coastal Cabana, SMokey Slate) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Polka dots Basics III) Papertrey Ink, (Sentiment from You Said It) Fresh Squeezed Stamps
Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Dies:  (Beautiful Blooms II #1, Tag Sale #3) Papertrey Ink, (Small bow) Lil' Inker Designs
Button:  Basic Grey

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Celebrate With Cake


Hi there!  I'm going way out of my CAS comfort zone with today's layered card.  I was inspired by both the pink in the photo and the sketch over at the Fusion challenge.  I'm joining the Seize the Birthday Sweet Treats challenge thanks to my sweet little cupcake.  The patterned paper allows me to play along with the current Virginia's View challenge.  And finally, because almost everything on this card is Never Before Used Schtuff I'm joining Darnell's 2nd NBUS challenge.  This particular Avery Elle sentiment was the whole reason I bought the set but, of course, hadn't used it yet.  The October Afternoon paper pad had to be dusted off before I cracked it open and The Craft's Meow cupcake is seeing ink for the first time.  I love how the flowers on the paper almost match the flower on the cupcake.  So perfect!

Supplies Used
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Daffodil Delight) Stampin' Up
Patterned PAper:  (Farm Girl 8x8) October Afternoon
Stamps:  (Cupcake & swirl from Sweet Birthday) The Craft's Meow, (Sentiment from Cake & Candles) Avery Elle
Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Red Royal) Hero Arts
Die:  (Nesties Classic Scalloped Squares Large) Spellbinders
Markers:  (R17, R20, R29, YG95) Copic

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

CASology #113


Welcome to Week 113 of CASology!  Take a look at the cue word for this week:



I had a ball looking through all of your "Three" creations last week - so much gorgeousness!  This week's cue word is a little tougher.  I should know because it took me ages to come up with an idea!  In the end I went with sea grass and while I'm pretty happy with the final result this card went through a LOT of changes before I got here.  I was actually considering giving up and calling in sick on this one before things finally came together.  Now it's time for you to check out the amazing designs from the rest of the design team and then get crafting! 




Gillian Ross (on a break)

And this week's guest designer:


Link your creations to the CASology blog and remember that the deadline for entries is Monday at noon (CST).

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Soft Sky, Basic Black) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Sea grass from Under the Sea) Sweet Stamp Shop, (Fish & fantastic from Briny Blue, You're from Surf & Turf) Paper Smooches
Ink:  (Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Bermuda Bay) Stampin' Up, (Forever Green) Hero Arts
Marker:  (Stampin' Write Always Artichoke) Stampin' Up
Dis:  (Stitched Circles) Lil' Inker Designs

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Retro Runway


Hi there!  I've got a card for two challenges today - RetroSketches and Runway Inspired.  I love the simplicity and versatility of this sketch and I have a feeling I'll be using it again.  I took my colours and patterns from the Runway outfit.  I love how the bright flowers pop against the black and white suit.  I used my PTI houndstooth stamp for the first time and was surprised at how easy it was to line up.  I had avoided using it for ages because I didn't think I'd be able to make it look seamless.  Guess I should have tried sooner instead of letting it collect dust.  And speaking of dusty things, that's a velvet brad in the middle of the flower which I'm sure has been in the Craft Cave for at least 7 years! Whoop whoop for using stash!


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Concord Crush, Basic Black) Stampin' Up
Patterned Paper:  (Lakeside 6x6) Pebbles
Stamps:  (Background Basics: Houndstooth) Papertrey Ink, (Sentiment from Cake & Candles) Avery Elle
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Bermuda Bay) Stampin' Up
Dies:  (Big Bloom) Paper Smooches
Brad:  Crate Paper 

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Thankful Fall Flower


Hi there!  I'm popping in with another two for one challenge post.  I'm playing along with the inspiration picture at Curtain Call and with the Happy Fall, Y'all challenge at The Paper Players.  We don't have leaves changing colour here and it doesn't feel particularly fall like just yet but I was inspired by all the gorgeous reds and oranges and yellows in both the photos.  I dusted off an unused WPlus9 die and created a fall coloured flower. I cut some extra "petals" to use for leaves and added a thankful sentiment which seemed appropriate for a fall card.  That's it for me now.  Hope you all have a wonderful day!


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Sentiment from Calm & Gentle) Cas-ual Fridays 
Ink:  (VersaMark) Tsukineko
Embossing Powder:  (Super Fine Opaque Bright White) Wow
Dis:  (Quilt Cuts 1) WPlus9
Gems:  Recollections

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

CASology #112


Welcome to Week 112 of CASology!  Take a look at the cue word for this week:


Okay, folks.  I expect to see a TON of cards in the gallery this week because this word is wide open to interpretation.  I went with three die cuts for my card.  I used the Simon Says Cloud Bank die and cut it from Basic Black, Basic Grey and Smokey Slate cardstock.  I staggered them, added an embossed sentiment and I was done!  Head on over to the CASology page to see all the fabulous inspiration from the design team and then get crafting!  



And this week's guest designer:

Link your creations to the CASology blog and remember that the deadline for entries is Monday at noon (CST).

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Smokey Slate, Basic Grey, Basic Black) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Sentiment from Weather Through) Fresh Squeezed Stamps
Ink:  (VersaMark) Tsukineko
Embossing Powder:  (Super Fine Opaque White) Wow
Dis:  (Cloud Bank) Simon Says Stamp

Monday, September 8, 2014

Colour Me & Colour Throwdown



Hello, Monday!  I've got a couple of cards to share with you today for two different challenges.  


The first is for the Colour Me Monochromatic challenge.  I used Daffodil Delight ink and a Studio Calico mask to create the background.  The sentiment is CAS-ual Fridays, the butterfly is Papertrey Ink and the sequins are Doodlebug. I love how the yellow peeks through from behind the butterfly.  It's quickly becoming my most used die!





Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Basic Grey, Basic Black) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Sentiment from Wonderful Words) Casual Fridays
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Daffodil Delight) Stampin' Up
Dies:  (Butterfly) Papertrey Ink
Stencil:  (V-Oattern Mask) Studio Calico
Sequins:  Doodlebug




Next up is The Colour Throwdown challenge.  I love this colour combo and the fabulous bottles in the photo would brighten up any room.  How cool would they look with some bright white daisies in them?  Anyway on to the card...  I used the Papertrey Ink stamp version of the die I used on the card above.  I rock and rolled the stamp it in the three challenge colours and then added an embossed sentiment below it.  Unfortunately the sequins I added look a bit purple in the photo but they're actually a Melon Mambo colour in real life! That's it for today.  Hope you have a lovely week!     






Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Basic Black) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Butterfly from Life Is Beautiful, Sentiment from Think Big Favourites #12) Papertrey Ink
Ink:  (VersaMark) Tsukineko, (Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight) Stampin' Up
Embossing Powder:  (Seafoam White) Ranger
Sequins:  Doodlebug

Friday, September 5, 2014

Cutting Edge Colour


Hi there!  I'm back with a two for one challenge today.  I was inspired by the card at the Cutting Edge Challenge and I used the colours from the ColourQ challenge.  I love the flowers on Lisa's card - they're pretty high up on my wish list at the moment.  However, since I don't have those I dusted off some severely neglected Marianne Design dies and put them to work.  I love the layered look of the flowers and the leaves can be embossed which is awesome!  At some point I want to make another card with the ColourQ colours.  I love how the flowers pop off of that rich blue background.  So gorgeous.


Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill, (Strawberry Slush, Lucky Limeade, Bermuda Bay, Night of Navy) Stampin' Up
Stamps:  (Sentiment from Cake & Candles) Avery Elle
Ink:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko
Dies:  (Flowers & leaves) Marianne Design
Gems:  Recollections