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

Grateful Plant

 My card today is for the Freshly Made Sketches and Time Out challenges.  I thought of this Reverse Confetti paper and the Altenew plant as soon as I saw the Time Out inspiration photo and figured they'd work perfectly with the sketch.  The most time consuming part of making this card was deciding on the sentiment but I got there in the end!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White, Black) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper:  (Cheerful and Kind 6x6) Reverse Confetti

Stamps:  (Plant from Potted Plants) Altenew, (Sentiment from More Essential Sentiments) My Favourite Things

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Lime Rickey, Eucalyptus) Catherine Pooler

Embossing Powder:  (Opaque Bright White Super Fine) Wow

Other:  (Nuvo Rhubarb Crumble Crystal Drops) Tonic

Mother's Day Bird

Today's card is for the Freshly Made Sketches and Colour Throwdown challenges.  I have a pile of this Memory Box bird die cut in many colours sitting on my desk and the Throwdown colours gave me the perfect chance to put one to use.  Once I'd picked her out the rest of the card basically put itself together!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Blushing Bride, Lucky Limeade) Stampin' Up, (Coral mulberry paper)

Stamps:  (Sentimnt from Extra Special) Altenew

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Dies:  (Meadow Bird, Small Circle Burst) Memory Box, (Leaves) Reverse Confetti 

Other:  (Nuvo Oyster Grey Crystal Drops) Tonic

Gems:  Recollections

More Bright Birthday!

I'm on a patterned paper roll this week!  This card is inspired by the photo challenge at Just Us Girls.  I took my inspiration from all the bright colours including the pink flowers, green boots and blue sky.  The paper is by Reverse Confetti and I'm really loving the bright colours and fun patterns in this set - all very spring-worthy!  I'm also going to play along with the Simon Says Wednesday Anything Goes challenge.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper:  (Paper Bliss 6x6) Reverse Confetti

Stamps:  (Flower from Blooms 'n Buds, Sentiment from Birthday Wishes) Reverse Confetti

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Party Dress, Lime Rickey) Catherine Pooler

Dies:  (Hemstitch Rectangles) Spellbinders

Other:  (Nuvo Oyster Grey Crystal Drops) Tonic

Bright Birthday

I've got a card for the Fusion challenge today.  It might be considered a bit of a stretch but I took my inspiration from the colours of the flowers.  I've been trying to make use of more patterned paper and this bright, cheery yellow felt like a good backdrop for my bright, cheery flower!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper:  (Paper Bliss 6x6) Reverse Confetti

Stamps:  (Flower from Blooms 'n Buds, Sentiment from Birthday Wishes) Reverse Confetti

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Party Dress, Lime Rickey) Catherine Pooler

Dies:  (Stitched rectangle) Mama Elephant

Other:  (Nuvo Oyster Grey Crystal Drops) Tonic

CASology #387

 

Welcome to Week 387 of CASology!  Take a look at the cue word for this week:

So many ideas came to mind when I saw this week's cue word - the animals I've had in my life (who are always a source of comfort), cozy pajamas, a comfy sofa - but in the end I went for the card I needed in the moment which was, unfortunately, a sympathy card.  I like this sentiment as an alternative to "With sympathy" as it feels a little less formal (although now that I look at it I ended up dressing it with a rather formal frame).  

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

Karen Haman

Melissa Chipperfield

Milka Gubo 

Nancy Elrick

Sandie Munroe

Sue Symens

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

Link your creations to the CASology blog by 9am Monday, 12 April (CDT).

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White, Soft Stone) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper:  (Penny Lane 12x12) My Mind's Eye

Stamps:  (Sentiment from Heartfelt Sentiments) Altenew

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Dies:  (Frame) Paper Smooches, (Leaves) Reverse Confetti

Gems:  Recollections

Rainbow Ridin' By

 

Today's card is for the Just Us Girls Rainbow Colors challenge.  These fun wavy dies screamed out at me to make a funky rainbow so I obliged.  I white embossed the Reverse Confetti bike and speech bubble on black cardstock so they wouldn't get lost against the rainbow colours.  They're popped up on foam tape and I managed to use a few large gems that have been haunting my craft space for years.  In fact I was so proud of using those embellishments that I made 3 cards just to use up different coloured gems!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  Reverse Confetti

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Opaque Bright White Super Fine) Wow

Dies:  (Wavy lines) Papertrey Ink

Gems:  Doodlebug

Hot Diggity Dogs

 

Today I have cards for the Paper Players challenge to use something new.  I've been wanting this adorable Essentials by Ellen pooch set for ages and finally got my hands on it thanks to a sale.  I coloured the dogs, skateboards and balloons with Copics and then fussy cut the sweaters from Reverse Confetti paper.  The Lil' Inker Designs speech bubble was the perfect size for the sentiment.   

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Rose Red, Cucumber Crush) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper:  (Paper Bliss 6x6) Reverse Confetti

Stamps:  (All from Clever Sausage) Essentials by Ellen

Inks:  (Memento Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko

Dies:  (Speech bubble) Lil' Inker Designs

Markers:  (R85, Y17, G05, G14, BV13, E33, E35) Copic

Other:  (Nuvo Oyster Grey Crystal Drops) Tonic

Merry & Bright Trees

 I've got a card today for the photo inspiration challenge at Just Add Ink.  I love those bright and cheery Christmas trees in the picture and went straight for these Reverse Confetti tree dies.  Initially I had them placed centrally on the card but thought they needed a bit more pizzazz so I dug around until I came across the Ride the Wave die from MFT and that gave me the idea for some snowy hills.  The WPlus9 Sentiment fit perfectly across the front of them and it comes with a matching die - so cool!  

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Tempting Turquoise, Soft Suede, Smokey Slate, Basic Black, Glitter) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Sentiment from Holiday Trimmings) WPlus9

Ink:  (VersaMark) Tsukineko,

Embossing Powder: (Opaque Bright White Super Fine) Wow

Dies:  (Trees) Reverse Confetti, (Ride the Wave) My Favourite Things

Other:  (Nuvo White Crystal Drops) Tonic

Christmas Bulbs

 

Today's card is for the Paper Players sketch challenge.  I seem to be making cards in threes lately but I guess it just makes sense to do it while all the supplies are out.  I love the richness of these Catherine Pooler inks - they definitely make the cards merry and BRIGHT!

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (All from Merry & Bright) Reverse Confetti

Ink:  (Memento Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko, (Rockin Red, Tiara, Lime Rickey) Catherine Pooler

Cie:  (Stitched rectangle) Mama Elephant

Markers:  (W3) Copic

Twine:  (Licorice) The Twinery

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

Party Pooch

 

It's been a good few weeks since I've spent time in the craft room.  I'm usually a hide-in-the-air-conditioning kind of girl in the summer but for some reason this year I've been wanting to spend more time outside.  The weather's been gorgeous for the most part and my friend, Michael, basically told me, "If you're not going to make use of your waterfront then I will!"  He planned a birthday dock party for me and comes around regularly to drag me out for a swim.  I'm loving it.  We practically lived down at the dock when I was a kid but in the last few years, especially since our last two dogs haven't been interested in swimming, we haven't been down there much.  I'm glad that has changed this year.

The casualty of that change is that I'm making fewer cards but the weather will turn eventually and cards will take priority again.  I managed to make a few cards today.  This one is for The Card Concept and I think it fits into the Clean and Layered category.  The adorable pooch in the inspiration photo spoke to me immediately and I dug out my Tim Holtz Crazy Dogs and these fun sunglasses from MFT.  This guy definitely looks ready to party so I thought the Reverse Confetti sentiment was perfect for him.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Real Red, Pacific Point, Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper:  (Oh Happy Life 6x6) Amy Tangerine

Stamps:  (Dog from Crazy Dogs, Hat from Crazy Things) Tim Holtz, (Sentiment from Birthday Wishes) Reverse Confetti

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

Dies:  (Sunglasses) My Favourite Things

Markers:  (R17, R20, R22, Y17, E33, E35, E37, E53, C7) Copic

Other:  (Nuvo White Crystal Drops) Tonic

The Snuggle Is Real

Today's card is for the colour challenge at the Paper Players and the Stock Your Stash (baby) challenge at Reverse Confetti.  The RC onesie stamps are my favourites for baby cards especially this one that says "The snuggle is real." I layered it on a pierced circle from Lil' Inker Designs and combined a Simon Says die with an Altewnew stamp to create the sentiment.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (So Saffron, Marina Mist, Smokey Slate) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Onesie from Cute As A Button) Reverse Confetti, (Little One from Baby Zoo) Altenew

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Bashful Blue) Stampin' Up

Die:  (Pierced circle) Lil' Inker Designs, (Welcome) Simon Says Stamp

Other:  (Nuvo White Crystal Drops) Tonic

Colour Throwdown Guest Designer

I'm excited to be guest designing at The Colour Throwdown this week!  They have a bright and cheery colour combo for us to play with and I took my inspiration directly from the  photo.  How yummy and refreshing do those popsicles look?  My little popsicles are from a fun Reverse Confetti set and remind me of popsicle day at school.  In the summer term Friday was popsicle day and at lunch time you could buy one for 50 cents.  It never failed to entertain us watching each other's tongues turn red and orange and purple and someone always ended up with popsicle drips down the front of their uniform.  (Usually me if you ask my mum!)  

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Gumball Green, Crumb Cake) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (All from Hey, Sugar) Reverse Confetti

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Other:  (Nuvo Ripened Pumpkin Crystal Drops) Tonic

Happy Bird-Day!

Today's card is for the Seize the Birthday Totally Tropical challenge.  I used to love visiting the flamingos at the zoo when I was a kid and remember the big excitement on the island when one escaped.  It was spotted in several areas around the island (including at the airport) before it eventually settled in the Spittal Pond nature reserve.  Smart bird.  Anyway they definitely conjure up tropical vibes for me and so I though this Reverse Confetti flamingo would make for a fun birthday card.  I wanted a green background for him and was excited to find this Basic Grey paper that had a smattering of pink in the green.  This is why we hoard the patterned paper...

  

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Flirty Flamingo, Strawberry Slush, Basic Black) Stampin' Up

Patterned Paper:  (Obscure 12x12) Basic Grey

Stamps:  (Flamingo & sentiment from Fabulous Flamingo) Reverse Confetti, (Party hat from Beary Special Birthday) My Favourite Things

Inks:  (VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko

Embossing Powder:  (Opaque Bright White Super Fine) Wow

Dies:  (Flamingo) Reverse Confetti, (Speech bubble) Paper Smooches

Washi Tape:  Me & My Big Ideas

Other:  (Nuvo English Mustard Crystal Drops) Tonic

Congrats Banners

I've got a card today for Freshly Made Sketches and Just Us Girls (Use 2 or more different patterned papers).  I knew I wanted to use dies for this sketch but I spent quite awhile digging around before I finally came across these Reverse Confetti banners.  I paired them up with some of my favourite My Mind's Eye papers and then added this Honey Bee congrats.  Originally I planned to use black cardstock but then I went for Bermuda Bay which really made the turquoise in the papers pop.

Supplies Used:

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

Patterned Paper:  (Reunion 6x6) My Mind's Eye

Dies:  (Banners) Reverse Confetti), (Congrats) Honey Bee Stamps

Other:  (Nuvo Ebony Black Crystal Drops) Tonic, (Glossy Accents) Ranger

Scoops of Birthdays and Thanks

I was having trouble getting my mojo going the other day so I assigned numbers to my stamps, used a random number generator to pull up a number and then had to make a card with the corresponding stamp set.  This Reverse Confetti set was the first one to come up so I made a birthday card for the RC Stock Your Stash challenge.  Super simple with some of my favorite colours of cardstock.  Since I had the set out I also made a thank you card - same layout but with a bit more going on in the background.

The number thing really worked to get me going.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with choice when I'm looking at my supplies and don't know where to start so taking the choice out of my hands really helped.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock:  (White) Papertrey Ink, (Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Coastal Cabana, Crumb Cake) Stampin' Up

Stamps:  (Sentiments from Love & Ice Cream) Reverse Confetti

Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Granite Grey) My Favourite Things

Other:  (Nuvo Caribbean Ocean Crystal Drops) Tonic