SCSQ6: More Trendy Trees

I loved these trees so much yesterday that I made more for today! It is Wednesday and time for the Stampin' Queen's Sketch Challenge.  Here is the sketch we were following this week:

I have to admit, I struggled with this one a bit, Eventually I did settle on my card, and I 

think it's cute!I hope you like it too. Make sure to check out the Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge blog to see what the other ladies have made -- they are very talented!

My card uses 2 Technique Junkie Techniques: Curled Corners and Torn Frames. Enjoy!

LNS 140 - Fall s in the air

I am so woefully behind -- but I am happy to serve out my last week as a guest designer on the SU LNS group as a Guest Designer. This week's theme is "Fall is in the Air" - and I rediscovered this cute set from Stampin' Up Called Trendy Trees.  

I was out today and noticed that they trees are just starting to change color...as much as I love fall in Connecticut, I am a little sad about the lush summer green going away. 

For this card, I used Pumpkin, Daffodil, Cherry Cobbler and Espresso papers with a vanilla base. I also used the Word Window Punch for the "sunken greeting."

SQSC#5 Young Vermilion

Bird stamps just, well, sing to me. This one is particularly pretty, mainly because of all of the many ways I imagine coloring her in my head. I couldn't wait to use this for today's Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge card! I used the Watered Watercolor Pencils Technique from December 2003 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. I recently rediscovered the technique and it is my new favorite again! Look at that coloring -- so pretty and so intense. 

Here is the sketch we were working from:

I think I was pretty close to the original, right? Why don't you stop by the Stampin' Queens blog and play along with us?

Have a great day!

All stamps, paper, ink and supplies from Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Young Vermilion, In Wilderness, Wonderfully Worn

Ink: Early Espresso, Basic Black, Cajun Craze 

Paper: Well Worn DSP, Cajun Craze, Sahara Sand, Early Espresso

Other:  Seam binding ribbon, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Black Embossing Powder, Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils

LNS 139: Ohh Baby Baby!

I NEVER have a baby card ready when I need it. Ever. Nothing could have made me happier than this LNS Challenge! LNS 139 is Ohh Baby Baby! so I am happy to have made this for my stash (now I just hae to make one for a boy LOL).

I used the Out of the Box Nesties Technique from the Technique Junkie CD: Emboss or Die for my main image. I took my color inspiration from the Cheerful Treat DSP. Don't those dots work perfect with the balloon the elephant is holding? I colored the main piece with chalks, and added some pen work for whimsy. I also popped up a couple of the layers in back and front, they are a little hard to see from the photo, but fun to look at!

I hope you like it, and will play along!

All products used for this project are from Stampin' Up!:

Stamps:  Elebration, Petite Pairs

Ink: Craft Black, Melon mambo

Paper: Cheerful Treats DSP, Melon Mambo, Blushing Bride, Whisper White

Other: Lucky Limeade Marker, Brads, Large Oval Punch, 3" circle die, 3-1/2" die

BC230 Who's got the Button?

A Button Challenge from Blogger's Challenge! I like to be challenged, but sometimes I love the easy ones, too. Buttons are easy!

Today's card uses stamps and paper  from Mark's Finest Papers (colored with Copic Markers) over a Texture Duet Background (October 2010 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter). I love these pumpkin stamps -- so easy to color, and just the perfect size (don't forget to use the code TJFALL15 for 15% off your order, too!).

Make sure to visit the other Blogger's Challenge designers, then add your own card to the list below. Play along with us this week! Certainly you must have some buttons in your stash...

Try that Technique: Mulberry Magic

It has been a few weeks since I have participated in the Thursday Try That Technique feature from the TJ Design Team Blog, so I am very happy to be playing along today. Today's technique is Mulberry Magic from the February 2011 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter.

My card uses stamps from  I Brake for Stamps (remember, there is a TJ discount on my blog sidebar). I just love the way this technique looks in person -- so beautiful and rich.

Play along with us! Post your art to the TJ egroup. You might just end up on the group's home page!

SQSC4: Back to Back Elegance

I am thrilled to announce that I am now a Designer for the Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge!
The challenge is every Wednesday and the sketches are divine. I hope you will stop by here each week, then scoot on over to the Challenge Blog to see how the other designers interpreted the sketch. I am amazed by the creativity of the artists in this group. Make sure to play along, too!

This is the sketch we were working from this week:

As you can see, I changed my elements a little bit -- my layers are in a different order and the embellishment on the top layer (a butterfly in the sketch above) was moved to the upper left. Still, it is in the same spirit!

The background of my card uses the Back-To-Back Technique from the August 2011 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter, and the butterflies use the Cuttlebug Highlights Technique. All stamps and materials from Stampin' Up!:

Stamps: Established Elegance,French Filigree and Wonderfully Worn

Paper: Blushing Bride, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White

Ink: Blushing Bride, Riding Hood Red, Sahara Sand, Craft White

Other: Scallop Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslits die, Square Lattice embossing folder, Sahara Sand Marker.

Okay, now it is your turn! Go to the Stampin' Queens Challenge Blog and add YOUR creation!

LNS 138: In-Colors

Today's card is for the LNS 138 Challenge: to use two of Stampin' Up!'s In-colors on your creation. My card uses Pool Party and Lucky Limeade together -- I just love this combination of Blue and Green. The stamps I used for the card are all hostess sets: Happiest Birthday Wishes, Perfect Words and Precious Butterflies.

After I made the card, I sprayed it with some homemade glimmer spray -- Alcohol and a few drops of shimmer paint. It is sparkly in real life! Hope you can play along this week.

Guest Designing -- and remembering the fallen

I am thrilled to have been chosen as a Guest Designer for Stampin Up LNS for the month of September. It is such an honor for me! Each week the group is presented with a themed challenge. This is the first challenge for September: Remembering 9/11. 

Living close to New York, we know many families affected by 9/11; it is such a sad day in our history. It is up to us to remember those who have fallen and to celebrate the fallen heroes. I hope my card honors their memories appropriately.

My card uses Stampin' Up!'s Medallion stamp colored using the Non-Stick Color Technique from the June 2011 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. The sentiment stamp is from the Blessings from Heaven set.

LNS 136: Tear Into it!

I love this little goose from the Stampin's Up! Cherish Friendship set, and I have played with coloring him a few different ways. This card uses the Pencil over Marker Technique from the February 2005 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter (that is what I love about classic techniques -- they never really expire!). The LNS challenge this week was "Tear into it", so I used the Torn Frames Technique (December 2008 issue of the TJNL) on one side only. The background uses Burnished Resist.

Have a great weekend!

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Cherish Friendship, Pocket Silhouettes

Blogger's Challenge: I've got the blues

It's Friday, I finally have power, and life is good! I made this card for Blogger's Challenge this week. I actually stamped this by the light of batteries, so be kind about the color combo!  Our challenge this week was Monochromatic Blues. I took that a step farther -- and made a card for someone who HAS the blues!

My card uses the Out of the Box Technique from the October 2004 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter (yes, that was 7 years ago! How time flies!). All of the stamps are from Stampin' Up! (listed below). Want to play along? Simply follow the links below to play along (you might want to look at Lisa Somerville's Blog FIRST to read some qualifications (not much, but there are a few rules). Can't wait to see what you do!

Stamps: Creative Elements, Petite Pairs, Artistic Etchings
Colors: Not quite Navy, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Other: Bashful Blue Satin Ribbon, Not quite Navy Marker, Modern Label Punch, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder