Challenges (Variable)

Two for one

April 5, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

Happy Monday to you all! I hope you had a beautiful weekend. I know my family had a wonderful Easter…what a blessing! I actually have two cards for you today. The first is a birthday card for a 7 year old boy who is a friend of one of my sons. The second was a card for a swap that I did with Stampin’ Addicts. I received my swaps on Saturday, so I feel safe in finally posting my card.

The first card uses a sketch from Stampin’ 411, their sketch challenge 145. I also followed this week’s Our Creative Corner challenge to “Break out the buttons”. The sketch seems to lean towards using a button so this was an easy combination.

I had some left over DSP from the Hand Drawn hostess bundle that has been retired. It is such a kid-friendly paper so I seem to always use it on cards where I need something quick and easy. This sketch is perfect for that Happy Birthday paper in the bundle! I used the lined paper to stamp the hat and words from Party Hearty. The celery ribbon is from the ribbon bundle in last year’s Sale-a-bration. Sometimes it is nice to use up some of those oldies but goodies!! The button is from the Sherbet button set.

My card for the swap uses a variation of a sketch from Taylored Expressions. Her sketches are always wonderful. This swap was for thank you cards and the cards I got back are just super. For swap cards (especially a demonstrator swap), I like to stick to one stamp set and one DSP. In this case, the stamp and the paper are all from the Lovely Flowers level 3 hostess bundle. I hope they are as happy with this card as I am with theirs!!

Easter break has begun with the kids and the weather remains perfect in Northern VA. My garden is sprouting with spinach, peas and sugar snap peas! Yea, yea, and yea!! Hope you have a great day. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Card 1: Stamp: Party Hearty; Paper: Hand Drawn DSP, Certainly Celery; Ink: Ruby Red, Certainly Celery; Accessories: Sherbet button, Celery ribbon (SAB ’09), Dimensionals

Card2: Stamp: Lovely Flowers; Paper: Lovely Flowers DSP, Chocolate Chip; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry; Accessories: Chocolate satin ribbon

That Oh, So Lovely Nouveau Chic!

April 1, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

I had so much fun with my last Nouveau Chic card, I wanted to make another one. This time, I used a sketch from Our Creative Corner chosen by the very talented Silke Ledlow. I love the big scallops in this layout!

I tried to stay true to those scallops by using my 1 1/4″ and 1 3/8″ circle punches. The stamps are all retired SU stamps but they remain some of my favorites! I just planted some poppy seeds (along with loads of other flowers) so I was reminded of this set. This is another anniversary card for another special couple in my family. I used the same ribbon treatment as this card, and all the details on it are there. Without further discussion, here is my take on this sketch:

It is a glorious day here in Northern VA and I am off to play outside with the kids! Hope you are having spring weather too!!

Stamps: Oh, So Lovely, Happy Harmony (both retired); Paper: Nouveau Chic DSP, Basic Gray, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla; Ink: Basic Gray, Sage Shadow, Apricot Appeal; Accessories: Basic Gray Taffeta ribbon, blender pen

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Happy card for a happy friend!

March 26, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

I have a dear friend who has gotten some good news and this card is for her. I just love it when I get to make a card like that…don’t you??!! This week’s challenge over at Diva Coffee Break Design is a color challenge.

Hmm…pretty, pretty spring colors! Love them! Then I went over to see what Makeesha came up with for her challenge this week. Yea…a great layout posted on her blog, Inkspirations. I love how much you can do with this one!

I went back to my Tea Party paper for this one…still just loving the fresh look of it for spring. I cut out some of the flowers that fit the bill for the color challenge. Maybe that is why I love this paper so much. There is so much you can do with it! I added the beautiful word from Well Scripted and tied on some Celery satin ribbon with a Button Latte button to finish. I hope this brings a smile to my friend’s face!!

Click on the picture to enlarge if you want to see it closer. I hope you have a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp: Well Scripted; Paper: Tea Party DSP, Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White; Ink: Close to Cocoa; Accessories: Celery Satin Ribbon, Button Latte, Thread, Dimensionals

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Easter lilies

March 23, 2010 Jentimko 4 Comments

I was quite a slacker last week when it comes to posting. Sorry about that! I was madly finishing cards for a Thank You card swap with Stampin’ Addicts. I’ll post that a little later so that I don’t release too much of a spoiler. In my last post I was ready to head out to the garden and that is what I did. My peas and sugar snap peas are planted, along with spinach and some early flowers. Can’t tell you how happy I am about that! Now I am prowling about the garden looking for little green sprouts (that aren’t weeds…ugh!). Such fun! My boys helped me plant some Italian parsley and basil inside so, of course, they are on sprout patrol too. I love this time of year!

My garden lilies are starting to show signs of life and they were part of the inspiration for this card. I used the Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge for the week and turned it. I also wanted to do another Easter card for the Our Creative Corner challenge to create an Easter/spring card. I have been really using this Lovely Flowers (hostess) paper a lot lately. The Rich Razzleberry really is a great Easter purple!! This uses the Fifth Avenue Floral set which will be 20% off in April as part of the Two-Step into Spring promotion.

I watercolored these lilies with Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry on the watercolor paper. Don’t forget that you can see the picture larger by clicking on it. Thanks so much for dropping by!!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Well Scripted (Occasions mini); Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Lovely Flowers (hostess), Watercolor, Very Vanilla; Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Old Olive; Accessories: Vanilla satin ribbon, dimensionals, blender pen

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A great day!

March 12, 2010 Jentimko 13 Comments

My thanks to the OCC Stampers for choosing me as their Featured Designer! Thanks for visiting!

“We shall not forget the accomplishments of our women fliers and their contributions to the fulfillment of our mission. And we shall always keep and remember
the brave heritage of the women who gave their lives.
It is the heritage of faith in victory and faith in the ultimate freedom of humanity.” General Barton Yount, Commanding General, Training Command, Army Air Force, 1944

Yep, in 1944 they were told that their contributions would not be forgotton. But forgotten they were. Now, over 65 years after the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) were disbanded, they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal!! Finally! It is not because they looked for glory but because they answered their country’s call. They paid their way to training and, after selfless service, paid their own way home when they were done. They passed around a hat when one of their sisters died to ensure a proper burial. They were (and are) proud, brave pioneers that paved the way for many who have followed in their footsteps.

On March 10th, my son and I were there at Emancipation Hall in the Visitors Center of the Capitol Building. The crowd was standing room only and the pride in the Hall was touchable. Our country’s Congressional leadership stood up and told the story of service, professionalism and heroism. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson talked about this being one of the final steps of recognition, likening the WASP to the Tuskegee Airmen and the Code Talkers. Others talked about this being long overdue. Almost too long overdue since only about 300 of the 1,074 are still alive. But the day was not about regret. Instead it was a day of thanks and tribute…beautifully done. I was privileged to be there. The medal itself is fantastic and I am so proud of my Aunt Frances for earning it!!

Frances Rohrer Sargent was in WASP class 43-W-4. After training, she was assigned to Camp Davis Army Air Field, Holly Ridge, NC. She mostly flew tow target missions. An enlisted man would reel out a long sock of muslin on a cable as a target for antiaircraft gunnery practice. She was checked out in 10 different kinds of aircraft. She also did searchlight practice missions which were very disorienting for the pilots. More on this is available in the book Women in the Wild Blue in her own words. This is her WASP graduation photo. Records are kept on the WASP, including oral histories, by Texas Woman’s University.

I owe at great deal of thanks to my cousins for helping my son and I attend. Here is one of the cards I made for them. I started with the Pals Paper Arts challenge 33 using the colors Garden Green, Certainly Celery and Kraft. Using these colors means that it also meets the Stampin’ Royalty “Green” challenge criteria. I used the OCC Weekly Sketch number 6. This uses some retired items but I still love the set Branch Out and it will stay with me as a favorite for a long time! We have a cloudy day so the colors are not quite true. The leaves are Celery and Garden Green.

Now for some pictures from the ceremony…

First, the medal itself.

Next, my son and I with my cousin and the medal!

I hope you can, in some way, share in my excitement over this great event. Thanks for stopping by!!

Stamps: Branch Out (ret), Short & Sweet; Paper: Kraft DSP (Hostess, ret), Garden Green, Kraft; Ink: Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand; Accessories: Twine, Sponges

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Passionate about flying!

March 9, 2010 Jentimko 8 Comments

“The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who, in their grueling travels across trackless lands in prehistoric time, looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space, at full speed, above all obstacles, on the infinite highway of the air.” Wilbur Wright

This card is for a very special woman, my Aunt Frances. Tomorrow, March 10th, is a proud day for the United States. We are finally honoring a group of women who answered their country’s call during WWII. They are called the WASP, Women’s Airforce Service Pilots, and my aunt is one of them!! Tomorrow, one of my sons and I have the priviledge of going to Washington, DC to see these women get a Congressional Medal of Honor, one of the two highest honors that can be given a civilian. I know you came to see the card but please stay for the history of these great women. I’ll give you the card first.

I used the phrase from Inspired by Nature because it sums up my aunt. The sketch is from Makeesha over at Inkspirations. I knew it would be perfect with the butterflies and flying is, after all, the theme! The colors came from a color challenge at Splitcoast, CC261, and are Melon Mambo, Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue. These were hard colors for me but they are such a happy combination! Of course with the butterflies and these colors, it feels like spring and meets the Spring Theme from Pals Paper Arts this week (hopefully I meet their deadline). I used some Celery DSP from a hostess pack (I love that it had a butterfly, too). The butterflies from my Big Shot embosslit, Beautiful Wings, are the star of the show. I added a Celery button from the Sherbet set and the new Celery satin ribbon to finish it off.

Stamp: Inspired by Nature; Paper: Lovely Flowers (hostess), Celery DSP (ret), Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Bashful Blue; Ink: Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo; Accessories: Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Celery satin ribbon, White thread, Sherbet buttons

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Back to the history….

The WASP were formed around 1943 (there were precursors that were joined together) in order to train women to fly military aircraft. This would allow the men to be moved into combat duties while the women would do ferry flights, target and spotlight training and other “behind the lines” jobs. When applications opened, over 25,000 women applied for the job and only 1,830 were chosen. Of those, 1,074 earned their WASP wings. Most of the training was done in Sweetwater, TX at Avenger field. After getting their wings, these women flew almost everything in the inventory at the time! While they took the military oath, they were not given military privileges. In fact, when a WASP was killed in duty, she was not allowed even a flag on her coffin. After the WASP were disbanded, the files about them were sealed and classified…almost as if their flying had never happened. It was only when the US was about to start training women to fly in 1977 that these files were unsealed and the WASP were given veteran status. Tomorrow, our country will finally thank them properly for serving their country in a time of war. It is only because of these ground breakers, and other early women pilots, that I had all the opportunities to fly in my career.

Thanks for staying for “the rest of the story”! I appreciate any comments, as always!

Inspiration challenges and a wonderful sketch…

March 4, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

That is what I used today to make a card for the daughter of a dear friend! I started with Marie McClellan’s Inspiration Challenge #5 over at From Combat Boots to Rubber Stamps. Check out the cool color choices in this picture:

I was also thrilled to see that the Pals Paper Arts Challenge this week was a theme challenge. Spring!!! Yep, my last few posts have been borderline obsessive about spring so it is nice to know some others are celebrating it too! The birthday girl is turning three so I went back to the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #58 with the three little squares. My first card with this sketch made me so happy that I wanted to try another. The end result doesn’t look too much like a card for a 3 yo, I’m afraid, but I know her mom will appreciate it (she is one of my loyal group of stampers!). I turned to the Lovely Flowers stamp and DSP again since Marie’s picture had the colors from that paper. And yes, I have made two Rich Razzleberry cards in a row. My color palette must have officially switched to spring!

For some reason, the watercoloring looks washed out in the picture but I can’t seem to get better lighting today. Thanks for dropping by…hope you have a great day!

Stamp: Lovely Flowers

Paper: Lovely Flowers DSP, Basic Gray, Melon Mambo, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Gray, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Going Gray

Accessories: Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Gray Corduroy Buttons, Blender Pen

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Stampin' Addicts Birthday Blog Hop

February 20, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

Happy Birthday, Stampin’ Addicts!! I’m thrilled you stopped by for the Birthday Blog Hop!! Stampin’ Addicts is one of my favorite sites and a go-to place for tons of creative ideas! I’m stop #20 so if you have missed any, please go here to see all the links. For those coming over from Kandi’s blog, My Sweet Stampin’ Spot, weren’t you completely wowed by her fabulous “green” ideas??!! My theme for this hop is “limited supplies”. All stampers have to start somewhere and many don’t have tons of accessories (yet!). My goal was to use basic card stock, stamps, ink and only one extra item. I find that I lean on designer paper a lot for my stamping and it really sparked my creativity when I went back to basics! Don’t forget, if you click on any picture, you can see a closer view.

My first card showcases the lovely Hostess set, Of the Earth, and some of my favorite colors. The simple addition of Stampin’ Up’s new satin ribbon (Occasions Mini) really makes this card special! I’m in love with the Well Scripted word set, too. The framing effect of the Chocolate Chip card stock steps up a simple layout.

Color blocking is another wonderful way to add some “wow” to a card. I love how the Basic Black layer really makes these colors pop! I cut a second cupcake top and put it on dimensionals to add additional depth and added a Real Red corduroy button. Such an easy card to put together and I love the strong colors with this set (Party Hearty)!!

Well, I said it at the beginning, I LOVE designer series papers! Since I couldn’t use them…I created my own! And because I created my own, I was able to make a card in two colors that have sat dormant in my stash for far too long. I really love the combination of Blush Blossom and Close to Cocoa. The softness of the colors led me to the wonderful new set Vintage Vogue and the card almost made itself! I used the vine to stamp on the Blush Blossom paper and create the texture of a designer paper. I cut out the two flowers and used the Very Vanilla satin ribbon to make the center (the how-to on that center is in my post dated Jan. 20, 2010). It was still missing something and I realized this card had a shabby chic feel to it…so I did a little distressing and here it is! The layout started with a challenge from Stampin’ 411 (SSC138) which I modified slightly.

Thanks so much for stopping by! All of these cards qualify for the Pals Paper Arts challenge this week to Keep It Simple, Sweetie (KISS)! Your comments are most welcome and definitely appreciated! Now, your next stop on the hop is a visit to Linda at Olive Stamps. You’ll love her quick and simple birthday cards!

Card details:

1. Stamps: Of the Earth (Hostess), Well Scripted (Occasions Mini); Paper: Mellow Moss, Bordering Blue, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White; Ink: Mellow Moss, Bordering Blue, Chocolate Chip; Accessory: Chocolate Chip satin ribbon

2. Stamp: Party Hearty; Paper: Taken with Teal, Real Red, Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Whisper White; Ink: Taken with Teal, Real Red, Crushed Curry; Accessory: Real Red Corduroy Buttons (Occasions Mini)

3. Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Well Scripted (both Occasions Mini); Paper: Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom, Very Vanilla; Ink: Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom; Accessory: Very Vanilla satin ribbon

Love is in the air!

February 11, 2010 Jentimko 12 Comments

Update: The Valentine’s card was chosen as a Goddess pick at Stampin’ Royalty and an Inkspirations winner for the week! Thanks to both for the complement!

We have been snowed in and what better to work on than Valentine’s Day cards?? Of course, the snow has really gotten in the way of my stamping. My 4 and 6 year old sons have only so much tolerance for Mommy’s projects before it is time to go sledding!! Ok, even I feel the need to go sledding. After all, if we are going to have record snows I want to take advantage of the opportunities for fun! Today, though, I really needed to finish my card for my dear husband. While I have made quite a few Valentine’s cards this year, I always feel bad if he doesn’t get his own unique card. He certainly deserves it!! I found this layout from Makeesha at Inkspirations and knew it would be perfect!

Then I used the colors from the Curtain Call Color Challenge: Act 16 which were Real Red, Very Vanilla and Kraft. I just received my new Satin Ribbon this week and finally got to use it. It is so beautiful…I might have to order it in all the colors!! The hearts are from the I {Heart} Hearts set from the Occasions Mini. Just a reminder that $2 from every one of those sets sold until Feb 28th goes to the American Red Cross in support of the Haiti earthquake victims. I really like that the Kraft on this card gives it a more masculine feel! Because this card follows a Love/Valentines theme, it also qualifies for the Stampin’ Royalty Challenge #6! Their challenges are wonderful…make sure you check out the cards their Goddesses made this week!

Card details:

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Well Scripted

Paper: Christmas Cocoa DSP (ret), Kraft, Very Vanilla

Ink: Real Red

Accessories: Jumbo Brads, Vanilla Satin Ribbon

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Earlier this week, I was supposed to work with a 2nd Grade class from my son’s school (he is in 1st Grade) to make cards for their parents. Since school is apparently cancelled until the spring thaw, the teacher came over to help me make the cards for her kids (thanks Shelly!). This project turned out so cute that I just had to post it. It is another project with the I {Heart} Hearts set and the Hugs Sending Love Notes from the mini. I am so sad that the kids didn’t get to do the project but I know the parents will love them when they finally get them. I put another Whisper White sheet on the back where the kids can sign them. Thanks for stopping by! I value your comments…have a great day!

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Well Scripted

Paper: Hugs, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Heart to Heart punch

The snow took my mojo!

February 5, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

Well, as the big storm marches up to VA, I am standing by for snow-blowing and shoveling! The impending work involved seems to be getting in the way of my stamping. And that, my friends, is simply unacceptable!! In an effort to jumpstart some creativity, I used not one but two challenges. You see, they chose my layout and my colors allowing me to focus all my energy on learning how to make this cool flower! The layout is courtesy of Diva Coffee Break Designs and it is their sketch challenge #163. I liked that this layout was a bit more clean than some of the cards I have made lately. I did alter it into a square just because it seemed to work better for me. The colors are from the Pals Paper Arts weekly challenge. PPA28 asked for cards using Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink and Basic Black. I love that the black provides relief from all that pink! Finally, I have been seeing these “puffy” flowers lately and had to try one. I used the instructions from Corie at Creations by Corie. They really are super easy…just what I needed today! I used seven layers and alternated the paper — Mambo paper from Lovely Flowers (a hostess DSP), Sweet Pea, and the center is Mambo cardstock. After I got it all together, I sponged a little Basic Gray on the edges. The paper on the card is the same as the flower. It is hard to see in the picture but the Pretty in Pink panels have a subtle design from the DSP.

I afraid I can no longer deny that the snow is coming but at least I was able to make a card with spring colors and a cool flower!! Thanks for dropping by…wish me luck with snow-a-palooza!!

Stamp: Well Scripted (Occasions mini)

Paper: Lovely Flowers DSP (Hostess), Sweet Pea DSP (Occasions mini), Melon Mambo, Basic Black

Ink: Basic Gray

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Jumbo Brad (center of flower), Paper Piercing tool

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