This card is for a couple challenges. First, the theme (you are what you eat) is from the Res-Q-Challenge blog (resq33). I probably should have done some sort of chocolate/peanut butter card, but I do drink tea more than anything else.

The layout is based on a scrapbook sketch I found on the Sketches blog (sketch175).

I did the inside of this card. (Probably because I feel the outside is a bit plain.) Just a simple strip to hold the tea bag and a repeat shape inside for the writing area.

Most cards I make don’t have “purposes” (well, besides fulfilling a challenge), so I’m always happy to send a card (less stash, means I need to stamp more ). I recently was able to send a card home with my sister for her to give to the guy watching her doggie while she visited us. I was so happy to use a card I really didn’t think I would send, ever. But silly me didn’t do the inside of that one and it had a dark blue base. Ugh! So doing the insides of my cards is becoming a bit more “need” instead of “want” – that way I can give my cards away without thinking about it.

Oh. My. Goodness! I had some horrible blog problems last night and I just now got it fixed. I think I may have missed a couple deadlines for my challenge cards, but I’m just glad my blog is functioning again!

OK, I’m breathing now. On to the card!

This lovely is for two challenges – a sketch, and a color. The sketch is from the Clean & Simple blog (ftl79). The colors are from Just Us Girls (jugs21).

I’m still trying to figure out how to use my PTI cupcake set to create something I like. I think I need to do more stamping/cutting instead of straight stamping. That way I can layer things a bit more. That said, I’m still very happy with this one!

So while mom was here on vacation, I did some work for her We finished up all the cards for the February Newsletter and the March Stamp Camp! We even got a few ideas going for April (shocking I know!).

First up is a card I made for the February Newsletter. This is a technique I’ve been wanting to show folks for awhile. When Stampin Up first came out with their “Patterns” DSP (the ones that are different patterns in one color), I wondered why they had plain solid color paper in the pack. Then I realized that (a) it is lighter weight than cardstock and thus better for layering; but more importantly (b) it is white-core paper! White-core paper is ideal for doing dry embossing because you can then sand the embossing and have the white core show. Fun technique!

Next up is a card for Stamp Camp. I’m not too fond of it…but it isn’t horrible. Mom brought me a sample of all the new Satin Ribbon – wonderful stuff! This card had a few requirements to meet – use the new glittery DSP, an epoxy brad, and the “With All My Heart” stamp set. I got all the required elements in and even tossed in a pleated ribbon border

Next, another camp card. I really like how this turned out. It is simple but pretty. We originally had thought we’d use the new Shades of Spring DSP but I couldn’t get it to work. So I switched things around and used Tea Time. Once I did that, the rest of the card fell in place.

I wasn’t overly fond of the “Whimsical Words” set until I started playing with it. There really are some great thoughts in that set. I made sure I got it with my next order!

Finally, another camp project. We normally do all cards when we have stamp camp and then every once in a while we’ll do a 3D camp where all the projects are non-cards. But this camp needed something fun, so mom decided to do a treat bag using the new glassine bags. A quick run through with an embossing folder and the bag is all spiffy! I decided to do a belly band instead of the traditional topper. I thought I was done but then went back and added the scallop border and it really finished it off!

Have you been Res-Q’d? It’s a challenge blog dedicated to rescuing your mojo! Last week’s challenge was Faux Snake Skin (RESQ32).

I don’t have a lot of western stampage, so I went with blues when I created my background. When I was done I thought it looked like it could be water, so that is the direction I went with the card. I had stamped some blue fish, but that wasn’t poppin’ so I made orange fish instead. They really take the focus now.

The layout is also a challenge – this time the weekly Sketch challenge at SCS (sc268).

So I found out today that I made it to round 2 of the SCS CAS DT challenge! There were so many great entries I was very surprised and very excited! The next challenge to meet is to make a card inspired by the Olympics – but the twist was you have to chose a sport that involved a slope. ACK! I am not fond of winter, so I don’t really have much in the way of stampage except for a few snowflakes. But I had an idea and went with it (as opposed to not going with it and thus having nothing).

My idea – make a card the embodies the determination needed to make it to the Olympics. I wasn’t sure what to do for the card itself until I figured ‘why not just slopes?’ – kinda obvious now that I said it, eh? I love Bermuda & White together, so color was a very easy decision. I wanted the rest of the card to be understated, so I went with white organdy ribbon and pearls.

So you may notice that the slopes are all embossed. That comes from the other good thing that happened today. My mom is slowly converting me to all things Stampin Up I own a Wizard and it does great – except for a few sizzlets that just don’t want to work right. And then those really cool embosslits just get eaten by the Wizard. So I was convinced to get a Big Shot. It came today!! I love this thing! Thanks Ma!!! xoxox

So wish me luck for the CAS challenge!

** Oh boy, lots of acronyms in that first sentence, eh? SCS = SplitCoastStampers (my favorite online home); CAS = Clean & Simple (a type of card that I enjoy making); DT = Design Team (a few gals that help Jenn, the CAS hostess, with posting challenges and samples each week).

I was surfing the ‘net looking for inspiration so I could complete a past CAS challenge (a requirement for their DT challenge – wish me luck!). The Pairs Figure Skating came on and I noticed the side boards had these cool curving waves in great colors. There was a past CAS challenge to use curves (CAS45), so I went with it!

I hand drew my curves and played around with how to intertwine them. Once I got them settled I looked for something as a focal point. I decided on the circle sentiment from the CTMH set called Free Spirit. The stars just made sense after that

I stamped this background originally for the ladybug card but it didn’t work out. The card was lying on my desk and it was turned sideways (originally I had planned it portrait) and I thought, that looks like a branch – which would work perfectly for the current CAS challenge “wishing for spring” (CAS54).

I added the words and the punchies and the card was done. Very quick. (Yay!)

Last week’s CAS challenge on SCS was an inspiration challenge (CAS53). I found this adorable ladybug gift basket and knew I had my inspiration piece. I paired the inspiration with the current sketch challenge as SCS (SC267).

The sketch was perfect for the little ladybugs that I chose to use, but I kept the background monotone to help keep the focus on the little bugs.

I’m not really an overly emotional person, so Valentine’s Day has never been really big in my house. When the kids started school and they exchanged cards with their friends, I decided to do a little something for them at home too.

Now they are older and don’t do exchanges at school, but the tradition has started, so I continue to make them cards. This year I was a bit behind in stamping and the cards were made late the night before, so simple was the answer! I do like how they turned out – the button really makes this card.

The school held a valentine candy fundraiser that culminated in candy distribution this past Thursday. I didn’t participate in that because I don’t like the girls eating sugar at school. Instead, I stuck this cute little card in their lunch box to let them know I was thinking of them.

I made this card for this week’s Clean And Simple challenge on the SCS forum (CAS52). We were supposed to be inspired by a card, but I ended up using it as a sketch challenge.

I love how this card turned out, though I’m not sure when I’ll use it. I want to do something on the inside, but I haven’t had much time to stamp. Hopefully in March I’ll get into a routine again and stamp more often