Coloring Down The Lines -- Tempting Turquoise

It's coloring down the lines blog hop Wednesday again.  That's right, already.  Where oh where does the time fly off too.  You probably arrived from Pam's blogsite where she had a very nice creation for you.  She makes such pretty things, and I love to follow her blog.  This week we were challenged to use Tempting Turquoise as our main color and then from the Color Coach we could use either Real Red and Tangerine Tango OR Rich Razzleberry and Pumpkin Pie.  I chose the latter. 

For this card I wanted to use some of the spritz you can make from reinkers.  Stampin'Up! has some wonderful sprayer bottles (pg 179 126185).  You use whatever color reinker you want.  You can use water or you can use alcohol, or a combination of both.  Alcohol dries faster and so I mixed alcohol in one bottle with Pumpkin Pie and alcohol in another bottle with Rich Razzleberry.  I didn't know if I wanted to keep a whole bottle full right now, so I filled about half way with alcohol in each and 2 drops of Pumpkin Pie, but only 1 drop of Rich Razzleberry because it is so dark.  Then I spritzed on Whispering White cardstock with a piece of netting so that I could have a little bit of interest in the background.  I like this technique and want to practice some more.  I also like using my home made spritz so that I may have any SU color to match anything I want.  I'll be getting more of these bottles and keeping colors on hand.  That is what I have been doing with the Dazzling Details too.  I make my own matching colors by dropping 2 drops in a clear bottle of Dazzling Details and mixing it up.  I have several colors now.  This is especially nice since SU discontinued the colored glitter and the colored Dazzling Details takes its place for me.  Speaking of glitter, I added a little of the one color of glitter left -- Dazzling Diamonds -- to give a little shimer to the flower.

For the inside I again spritzed a little of the Pumpkin Pie mixture using the netting, and I stamped another flower. 










Here are the supplies I used:
Stamps:           Fabulous Florets, Field Flowers
Papers:            Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White cardstock
Inks:                Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive
Accessories:    Spritz bottles, alcohol, aqua pen, glue, Dazzling Diamonds glitter,
                        Apothecary Accents Framelits, Big Shot, Dimensionals

I hope you like my card today using the challenged colors.  Now be sure to coninue on the hop and jump on over to Teri's blogsite to see what interesting creation she has for you.

Come back to see me again, and hopefully you'll join our chat group over at Butternut Sage blogsite, where the gals who get together in chat started this color challenge.  We'd love to talk with you too.

Crafy Hugs,
Sandy

Baker's Twine Challenge

Two posts from me today, I believe that is a first.  I mistakenly thought our challenge over at Butternut Sage blogsite was for next weekend, but it is due today by midnight.  We were challenged to use Baker's Twine as our main focus.  I decided to try my hand at spirelli, which is something I have not done.   I have a Stampin'Up! order coming in this Wednesday and there is green Bakers Twine in there, so I thought I would wait to finish my card until I had green bakers twine for the leaves.  The flowers were done, but the leaves I kicked out just a little while ago when I realized today is the day!  Whew!  I finished in time.  This is one of those times when what was in my head did not quite translate to paper.   A little more practice and I think I may like working with spirelli. 

Please head over to the Butternut Sage blogsite and see what the other gals did with their challenge.  And if you want to see a really nicely designed spirelli flower, Teri has an awesome one.  There are some other awesome Baker's Twine designs, so don't miss them.  Just go to the site and click on the top bar where it says Morning Chat Challenge.  You'll love what you find.

Until next time..........

Crafty Hugs,
Sandy

Kindness Matters

I'm on a roll with posting.  Perhaps I should space myself.  I created about 8 cards the other day and once I post them all, the well may dry up again for a while.  Oh well, here I am again today.  Look what I have for you.  The Kindness Matters stamp set is one I earned FOR FREE during Sale-a-bration.  But this is the first time I have inked it up.  Such a pretty little set.  Did I ever say how I love butterflies?  No, well I LOVE butterflies!  

This time I turned around my selection process a little.  Instead of deciding what color I wanted to use and then coordinating supplies -- and SU really makes it easy to coordinate everything from the stamps right to the paper and ink --  I wanted to use the Comfort Cafe designer paper.  Once I had that in hand all I had to do was pull the colors from the paper and my selecting was done. 

The butterflies were colored direct to the stamp with my wonderful SU markers.  This is a technique I use a lot, I mean A LOT!  I don't often watercolor with markers direct to paper, as I prefer watercoloring with the  SU crayons and an aqua pen when coloring on paper.  But when I use markers I love to color directly onto my stamps and that is what I did this time.  For each butterfly I used 2 coordinating colors.

Here is the inside of the card and the envie.  This time rather than stamp an image I just put a couple strips of the designer paper, and left lots of room to write a note.  Or, I could still stamp a sentiment.







Here is what I used:
Stamp:           Kindness Matters
Paper:            Soft Suede, Island Indigo, Very Vanilla
Ink:                Island Indigo, Marina Mist, Perfect Plum, Wisteria Wonder, Daffodil Delight,
                      Cajun Craze, Midnight Muse
Accessories:  Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, Dimensionals

I hope you like my card today.  Drop me a note and let me know what you think, I love to hear from you.  And come back soon.

Crafty Hugs,
Sandy

Thank You -- Take 2

My post today is yet another thank you.  This one makes me smile.  It is cheery and easy to do.  I may make more than one of these so that I have a couple on hand for those times when I need to send one but don't have time to sit down and start from scratch.  I've seen other gals use this set but can't remember if I have seen something just like this.  I would give credit to the original designer if I knew someone else made one like this.  However, I think I'll take credit here.

The large, pink, flower is on Dimensionals, so in person there is some depth that you can't see here.  I also added Dazzling Details to the center of that raised flower for a little more interest. 

This inside and the envelope for this card is a couple more of the smaller flower from the set, stamp a time or two, and done.  Fun, colorful, card.






Here is what I used:
Stamps:       Mixed Bunch, Afterthoughts
Paper:          Whisper White, Island Indigo
Ink:              Island Indigo, Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, Gumball Green
Access:        Blossom Punch, Dazzling Details, Dimensionals

I set this post up early because by now I am probably on my way to, already at, or on my way home from, a scrapbook convention in Virginia.  Some friends and I are heading up the road about 100 miles to attend the convention where we hope to see new product, find more ways to use existing product, and to do some make n takes.  And, of course we plan to do a lot of chatting, some snacking, and to stop for dinner on the way home.  In other words, a fun day.

Hope to see you back here again soon.

Crafty Hugs,
Sandy

Using the Scraps

I've really been busy the past few days, making all those thank you cards, birthday cards, and miscellaneous ones.  So I should be able to post a little more often over the next couple days.  Today I have 2 very simple 3 x 3 thank you cards.  Although I most likely won't be mailing these, I was trying to use up some scraps and decided these could go with a little thank you gift.

Here is what I used:
Stamps:    Bright Blossoms, Petite Pairs
Paper:       Summer Starfruit, Raspberry Ripple, Comfort Cafe DSP
Ink:           Midnight Muse, Gumball Green
Access:     Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon

Hope you like my little cards for today.  Come back to visit soon.

Crafty Hugs,
Sandy

Coloring Down the Lines -- Pacific Point

It is Wednesday once again, and that means it is time for our Coloring Down the Lines color blog hop.  You probably arrived here from Pam's blogsite.  I love to look at all the pretty things Pam does at her craft table.  This week we are challenged to use Pacific Point.  We can then add either Melon Mambo and Pumpkin Pie OR Daffodil Delight and Rich Razzleberry.  I chose Daffodil Delight and Rich Razzleberry.  I also chose to make a standard size card.  However, rather than a single fold opening, I decided to do a gatefold opening in the front.   The opening is held closed by the Daffodil Delight Seam Binding in the middle.  I also used the stamp sets Four Frames and Kindness Matters on the front, and Creative Elements on the inside.  I added a little butterfly cut from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit.   This was a fun card to put together. 

Here's the inside, with a little butterfly from Creative Elements and another butterfly on the envelope.











I've been working hard on my thank you cards and have managed to get 9 done.  You'll be seeing them over the next couple days.  One I may copy a couple times, because I like it.  Now I have only about 7 more to go.  Then I have 2 birthday cards, 15 swaps, 2 sympathy, and..................   Oh my, I better get back up to my craft room.  Hurry on over to Teri's blogsite now to see what she did with Pacific Point.  I know you will enjoy her creation.

Come back here soon, and especially next Wednesday for our next color challenge.  And you can join us color challengers and our chat group by going over to the Butternut Sage blogsite on weekdays from 10:00 until 11:00.  You will have fun -- we do.

Until next time...........

Crafty Hugs,
Sandy

Thanks -- Take 1

Probably just about everyone I know should get a thank you card from me.  Either because of a birthday present, or just something nice they have done recently.  So I have been creating in my craft room and most everything coming out of that room lately says "Thanks," "Thank You," or something like "You Are So Sweet."  Well, maybe more like "You Are So Nice."  Again, since most of my word stamps retired last year, there is very little to pick from if I want to use current.  But, hey, if it is to my friends, I can use what I want, right?

Here is one card which came off my craft table.  I hope as I progress through the something like 15 cards I need to create, that they get better.  I am hoping along the way I zero in on something that I just love and want to at least octo-plicate (did I ever tell you I make up my own words?).  A while back I found one I liked and I believe everyone I know received one at some point or other.  But now I have to find another.  In the meantime, I'm doing one at a time until I find that special one.

This card just didn't seem to have a finish.  Any ideas what I could have done to give it that finished look?  The top part was dull.  So I sponged it a little, distressed it a little, and I still don't like it.  Maybe a different color?  This one will probably end up in a box unless I can build on it -- I don't want anyone I know to get it.

This is the inside and also the envelope.  Very simple, but it gives plenty of room to say something nice.










I believe my hubby also needs a thank you card.  The other day we went out shopping for a new microwave.  I didn't break our current one, he did -- or the cat did it.  (We don't have a cat)  Anyway, before we finished we had our microwave, looked at and picked out a new fridge, decided on the kind of new stove we want soon, and looked at washers and dryers.  Not sure whether he is hinting that he wants me to cook more, do more laundry, or whether he plans to do more and wants new stuff.  Our current appliances went in when the house was built, and although not avocado green or harvest gold, they are roughly 20 years old and getting pretty scruffy.   So, I think we'll be getting some new appliances over the next several months.  How many thank you cards do you think he deserves?

So I am off to my craft table again to see if I can come up with another design that I like better.  Don't forget to come back soon to see what develops.  And don't forget, Wednesdays are the color blog hop.  This week we are challenged to work with Pacific Point.  Come see what everyone creates for this challenge.

Until next time............

Crafty Hugs,
Sandy

Coloring Down the Lines -- Rich Razzleberry

It's Wednesday blog hop again and you must have arrived here from Pam's blogsite.   Did you like what she showed you?  She has really nice ideas and great cards.  This week we were challenged to make something with Rich Razzleberry.  According to the Color Coach, which we are to follow, we could add either Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie OR Pretty in Pink and Early Espresso.  I just could not see how to add bright Pumpkin Pie to the more subtle Rich Razzleberry and Old Olvie.  So I chose the hard challenge for me with that Pumpkin Pie thrown in.

I started by inking up a piece of glossy white cardstock.  I did this by dropping a couple drops of Rich Razzleberry and a couple drops of Old Olive on a plastic surface.  I then misted some water and laid my paper on the color and moved it just a bit.   You can see the multi colors on my background.  What I love about this technique is no two are ever the same, and no matter what color designer paper you need for background, you can make just what you need.

The stamp sets I used were Fabulous Florets and Up in the Air.  Oh my, I just realized Up in the Air is retired.  I am having such a hard time putting away my favorite sets and finding replacements.  Forgive me this time and I'll do better next time.

 For the inside of the card I again used the Fabulous Florets and Up in the Air.  And I added Petite Pairs -- well, this one is current.  Out of 12 new words stamps I bought last year, 9 retired.  I'm trying really hard to replace those sets this year with ones that won't retire.






 It's pretty obvious where one Pumpking Pie color is on the front of the card, but if you look really close you will also see the little bird in the nest is Pumpkin Pie, and the other two birds are a combination of Pumpkin Pie and Rich Razzleberry.  I hope you like my interpretation of our color challenge for this week and hope you come back next week for our next color challenge,.   Now hop on over to the next site, which is Teri's blogsite.  She will have something really pretty for you.

Come back soon.

Crafty Hugs,
Sandy

Father's Day Challenge

Here is my card for the Butternut Sage blogsite bi-weekly challenge.  We were to do a masculine and/or Father's Day card.  I chose Rich Razzleberry with Perfect Plum and the new Gumball Green, with a little Whisper White thrown in too.  The stamp set is a new set this year, Layered Labels.  The coordinating Apothecary Accents Framelits die works really well with this stamp set and many others.  There are four dies in the framelit set to give you options for creating labels in many ways.  Love it!  The little "Happy Father's Day" sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes -- everything is in that set!  And the die is another new one, Bitty Banners Framelits.  There are three dies in this set.  Another new, wonderful, set. 

The ribbon is also new this year. It is Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon. Watch for my offer in July for a ribbon share. You will get to try each of the 5 new in-colors and not have to buy all the spools. How fun is that?

I also used another new product, Summer Smooches designer paper.  This is such pretty paper.  I'm going to be offering a paper share, so watch for that too.   Oh, and on the top part of the card I used the stripes embossing folder.  New, new, new, that is what is happening on this card.  It is a rather simple card but a lot is going on.  I had fun creating it.

So come on over to the Butternut Sage blogsite to see what everyone else did for their Father's Day/Masculine card.  Just click on the top button "Morning Chat Challenge" and scroll down to the Father's Day challenges.  You will see some great entries.  And don't forget, every morning from 10:00-11:00 Eastern we have a great morning chat with some wonderful ladies, and a guy or two.  We have fun.  Click on the side bar "Click to Join Us" and come on in and talk.  We'd love to meet you.

Hope to see you here on my blog soon.  Until then.....................

Crafty Hugs,
Sandy

Coloring Down the Lines -- Real Red

It's another Coloring Down the Lines Wednesday challenge, and our weekly blog hop to show you what everyone does with the challenges.  You probably arrived from Pam's blogsite and I am sure you loved what she had to show you.

This week our group is challenged to use Real Red. According to the Color Coach we may use Real Red with Bashful Blue and Crumb Cake, OR Real Red with Early Espresso and Pumpkin Pie.   Since I just used bright colors on my last couple cards, and because I wanted to ink up my new Field Flowers set, I decided to use the soft flower stamp set and the softer colors.  It's difficult to keep a card soft looking when you add a blaze of red, but I hope this was just enough red to keep it still a bit soft. 

I used current colors and a current stamp set, but I snuck in last year's Mocha Morning designer paper.  Since I made the card last week at the end of May, I believe I can get away with it.  Starting next week, however, you will see new paper, some new inks and new or at least current stamps.  I hope you are as excited about the new catalog as I am.  I can't wait to get my hands on some of that beautiful paper and the new and very interesting stamps and dies.  If you don't have a catalog be sure to let me know and I will get one to you.  And if you dont' have a demo, well, just give me call or an e-mail and I will be happy to chat with you.

Speaking of chat, if you want to join our fabulous, and very friendly chat group, just log on to the Butternut Sage blogsite any Monday - Thurs at 10:00 a.m. Eastern and click on the side bar for the group.  We love to get to know new people.  So, come join us.

I have plenty of birthdays in June, but I also need several thank you cards.  So I kept the sentiment simple so that I could choose whether to say thank you inside or happy birthday.    I hope you like my color challenge today.  Be sure to come back soon, but at least by next Wednesday for the next color challenge.  Now hop on over to Teri's blogsite to see what beauty she has.

Until next time.........

Crafty Hugs,
Sandy