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Posts categoriezed as Challenges (Variable)

SUOC56 – Christmas Fun

SUOC56 – Christmas Fun published on 2 Comments on SUOC56 – Christmas Fun

Our theme this week at SUO Challenges is really fun!  Animals of all kinds!  So many wonderful animal stamps from Stampin’ Up and apparently I don’t own as many as I thought.  Now I seem to have lots of butterflies and birds but I was looking for something else.  Nothing, nada.  Hmmm….I might have to enable myself to fix that!  But for now, I went with birds.

I pulled out my Snow Much Fun set because I just love these little birds.  I haven’t used the snowmen yet this year and now that it is out, that will have to change.  But this week we can focus on these fun little fellows.  I used a sketch from  Create with Connie and Mary.  I missed their deadline but I just thought it was too fun not to play with!  The stamping in this was so quick.  I inked up the tree with Black Stazon ink and stamped.  Then I used my Stampin’ Write Black Marker to ink the little bird from the snowball stamp and the notes from one of the snowmen.  I drew in the little curve under the bird on the ground to make it match the tree.  I colored first with Wild Wasabi using my blender pen and then outlined with the Stampin’ Write Marker in the same color.  The birds are Riding Hood Red and some of the ornaments are Baja Breeze.  I used the Storytime DSP pack for the pennants.  This is one of those cards that would be easy to make in bulk and still feels special.  I might make some of these with the snowmen too!

Well, the check ride is complete and I am so happy to be done!!  It entails 3 days of academic review and simulators where lots of failures occur.  I always feel so tired after those three days since the are long and stressful!  The final check went as well as can be expected and our check pilot seemed pleased with the overall day for our crew.  That is always a great feeling.  I had yesterday to recover a bit and will be back to stamping today.  YEA!!

Make sure you go check out the rest of the team’s projects and the winners from last week’s Textures theme.  There is some amazing inspiration to see!

Back tomorrow with a new Freshly Made Sketch from one of our guest team members!  Make sure you plan to come back on Friday too because I will have an awesome guest dropping by with a fabulous project!  Until then, have a great day!

Stamps:  Snow Much Fun, More Merry Messages; Paper:  Storytime DSP, Whisper White; Ink:  Wild Wasabi, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze; Accessories:  Dimensionals, Blender Pen

SUOC55 – Leaves and Brocade

SUOC55 – Leaves and Brocade published on 5 Comments on SUOC55 – Leaves and Brocade

This week at SUO Challenges, we are all about Textures!  If it adds texture, we want to see how you use it!!  So many wonderful ways to use your Stampin’ Up products!
There are so many advantages to being a Stampin’ Up demonstrator!  One of them is the Stampin’ Success magazine that comes every month.  It is full of ideas from Stampin’ Up designers and from fellow demonstrators.  My card today is based on a card by Lisa Dolson.  I changed the stamp set and some of the elements to make it my own.  I used the Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder and the Labels Collection Framelits on the back panel.  The leaves are from French Foliage and are stamped in More Mustard, Cajun Craze, and Early Espresso.  After cutting them out, they were sponged with Early Espresso and the edges of the textured panel are sponged too.  It is finished with a Brushed Bronze Button and some Linen Thread.

The design team has such a variety of projects and you are sure to be inspired!  Can’t wait for you to join us!

I’ll be back tomorrow with the latest challenge from Freshly Made Sketches!  Hope you have a great day!

Stamps:  Day of Gratitude, French Foliage; Paper:  Naturals Ivory; Ink:  Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard; Accessories:  Big Shot, Lacy Brocade EF,  Labels Framelits, Brushed Bronze Buttons, Linen Thread

Birthday Banner

Birthday Banner published on 12 Comments on Birthday Banner

 

Like I said yesterday, I had a little extra stamping time this week and got to play along with some awesome challenges!  When I first saw the colors over at Fab Friday, I thought that Mindy and the team were a little crazy.  I mean really, Sahara Sand with Basic Gray??  Of course then I saw the team’s examples and knew they were on to something!!  I also saw that The Paper Players has a CAS challenge from Nance Leedy up this week for banners.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do!

I started with the base of Sahara Sand and put a layer of Basic Gray next to it.  Wow, they are so great together and I had no idea.  I don’t normally use Sahara Sand but this has changed my feeling about that!!  I had some strips of this Basic Gray polka dot paper left over on my table from yesterday’s card so I started playing around with the idea of the banner.  Funny enough, incorporating in the So Saffron was the hardest part.  I played around with all kinds of backgrounds to the banner before I had the inspiration to try a piece of First Edition DSP.  I used my Blender Pen to add a little bit of color to the flowers and knew I had found the answer!  I thought it would be fun to add some little elements to the banner and pulled out some buttons, punches and embosslits to see what I could come up with.  I am so happy with the result!  Now I have a card all ready for a special birthday coming up in a couple of weeks (one of my sisters-in-law).  I love it when I get ahead!

Well this is certainly a recent record.  Four posts in a row!!  Sadly the pace will slow back down over the next few weeks.  I have had September on leave from United (due to my husband’s deployment) but will be back to work in October.  I have a big check ride (flying test) during the second week and need to hit the books and get ready for that.  Of course I will have my normal challenge posts and hopefully an extra one in there somewhere.

Thanks so much for dropping in today.  I hope the rest of your week is fantastic!

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper:  Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP, First Edition DSP, Sahara Sand, Basic Gray; Ink:  Basic Gray, So Saffron; Accessories:  Blender Pen, Linen Thread, Neutrals Buttons, Subtles Buttons, Basic Pearls, Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslit

 

SUOC54 – For the Kids!

SUOC54 – For the Kids! published on 2 Comments on SUOC54 – For the Kids!

Our theme over at SUO Challenges this week is near and dear to my heart – For the Kids!!  Let’s face it, kid projects and cards are always such fun to make.  They bring out the kids in all of us who create, I think!  The team has come up with all kinds of awesome ideas so get ready to pin and CASE!

I went with a really clean card for this one.  Why?  Because these were mass produced!!  I made them as birthday thank you cards for one of my sons and needed to make quite a number of them.  The best part is that while it is clean, it still has some great little elements that make it special.  First of all, I am in love with this little alien from Blast Off.  My guys love this set and they actually helped me choose this fellow and his color (Lucky Limeade).  I stamped him and the planet on Whisper White and the punched them out with my 2-1/2″ Circle punch. Then I stamped another alien, fussy cut him and popped him up on a Dimensional.  I used the new Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack to pierce a circle and then put the punched circle up on some more Dimensionals.  The sentiment is from Made For You.

Making cards like this is fun, especially when the kids pitch in to help.  I hope you will share your projects for the kids with us this week!

Back tomorrow with a new Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  I hope you are having a great week so far.  See you soon!

Stamps:  Blast Off, Made For You; Paper:  Whisper White; Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Real Red, Daffodil Delight (all Stampin’ Write Markers); Accessories:  Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin’ Pierce Mat, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Fab Friday (on Thursday)

Fab Friday (on Thursday) published on 22 Comments on Fab Friday (on Thursday)

 

My friend, the oh so talented Mindy Backes,  has started up a brand new challenge called Fab Friday.  The design team over there are some stamping “rock stars” and are a group I admire so much.  So of course I had to play along on their first challenge!!  The first one is a sketch…and you know that I cannot resist a sketch!  This one is really great and I had such fun with it!

Here is the final proof this week that the Seasonal Stamper’s Disorder (my inability to stamp in anything other than the “seasonal” colors) has taken over completely.  Bring on the fall colors!  Naturally, with fall colors come the most wonderful set, French Foliage.  Love this one so much!  I found an old piece of Cajun Craze textured card stock in my stash and it was just the right size for a card base.  Meant to be!  I did some distressing and decided that adding texture to the More Mustard panel with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder was needed.  Perfect!  I love these leaves cut out so I just stamped, cut and sponged the edges a bit.  For the sentiment, I pulled out my new 7/8″ Cotton Ribbon from the Holiday Catalog (you didn’t think I could pass up a new ribbon did you?).  It is designed to be stamped on so I used it for my sentiment from Made For You.  I have to say that this card makes me happy!  Not sure why, but it does.  I LOVE, LOVE fall and I particularly love it in Virginia!

*Blog Candy*

In case you missed yesterday’s post, I am giving away some blog candy for coming up on 100,000 blog hits.  I will be giving away a clear mount Googly Ghouls stamp set.  All you have to do is comment on this post, Tuesday’s SUO Challenges post or yesterday’s Freshly Made Sketches post to be entered.  I’ll select one winner from all the comments (sometime after 6p Eastern Time on Sunday, Sep. 9th).  Feel free to comment on all of them for more chances.  Sorry but SU rules don’t allow me to ship outside of the U.S.

I mentioned stamping rock stars before.  Well, this card is also for another set of my favorite stampers…The Paper Players!  Their theme this week is Leaves Are Falling.  Awesome!

Make sure you take the time to go see what each of these groups has created.  You will be so inspired to join in!

Don’t forget to leave me a note!!  I can’t wait to send the Googly Ghouls to someone!!  Thanks for stopping in today.  See you again soon!

Stamps:  French Foliage, Made For You; Paper:  Cajun Craze Textured (ret), More Mustard, Early Espresso, Naturals Ivory; Ink:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Early Espresso; Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Eyelet Border Punch (ret), 7/8″ Cotton Ribbon, Neutrals Button, Linen Thread, Sponges

SUOC53 – Boxes and Bags

SUOC53 – Boxes and Bags published on 8 Comments on SUOC53 – Boxes and Bags

SUO Challenges has such a fun theme this week – Boxes and Bags.  With all the variations of these out there, I’m certain we will see all kinds of fun things!!  Look no further than the design team and you will know what I mean.  There are some awesomely fantastic examples posted!

When I saw the theme, the first things that came to mind was the Kraft Gift Boxes.  I love these things…love them!  They are easy to decorate, hold all kinds of cool things and the price is unbeatable!  I have seen lots of cute decorations for these so I wanted to take a different direction.  Sort of shabby chic.  I’m sure you know by now that this isn’t my normal stamping style but I love it and always admire those who do it well.  I wanted to go with the latest trend I’ve been seeing and use some burlap and combine it with different textures.  The burlap is a quick fabric store find and combines so perfectly with our Stampin’ Up products.

I cut out a piece that was 2″ x 13″ and started seeing how it could form a belly band around the Kraft Box.  After a bit, I figured out that I love the contrast of the new 3-1/2″ Scalloped Tulle Ribbon against the roughness of the burlap.  But how to attach it??!!  Here comes the funny part (you’ll have to pardon the length of the post).  At the beginning of the summer, my mom (who is a quilter) brought me a sewing machine…a really nice one that had been hers.  Way back when I was pregnant with my oldest, I had taken sewing lessons and learned some of the basics.  This is about the time frame where I discovered stamping too.  Well, I haven’t really sewn anything since then and my mom gave me some reminders and machine specific instructions while she was visiting.  Then I put the machine away and continued with the summer craziness.  Well, I realized that sewing was the best way to attach the tulle to the burlap and mostly had the machine set up right…mostly.  Had to call mom to figure out the last details, of course!  She reminds me that with flying airplanes, I should be able to handle a Bernina.  Uh huh.  I practiced on a few scraps and then committed to sewing the pieces together.  As my two boys and one of their friends “supervised” I did it!  I chose a zigzag pattern just to make sure more ribbon got attached and it worked pretty well.  I’ll even show you how it looked if you promise not to laugh too hard at the stitch variations (user error) but they are functional.

I knew I was planning on an additional layer on top of the stitching so the variations are ok.  You can see that I just bunched the ribbon in the middle to make the scallops the right width.  Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombo), I attached this layer to some Naturals Ivory Card Stock that had been distressed and sponged with Early Espresso.  I stamped the box with the flourish from Creative Elements in Early Espresso and then spritzed it with water to distress the ink a bit.

Finally I attached some Very Vanilla Seam Binding to the top of the Tulle Ribbon with Sticky Strip and tied on a bow made out of Seam Binding.  The butterfly is made using the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die and I cut the large full butterfly out of the burlap and out of some Naturals Ivory card stock.  Then I cut two of the smaller butterflies out of the Tulle Ribbon for layering.  The layers were attached using Crystal Effects.  Finally I added a rosette made from the Seam Binding and topped it off with a Basic Pearl.  The whole butterfly is attached to the belly band using Crystal Effects.

As usual with 3-D items, I had a hard time getting a picture that shows how pretty it is in person.  I didn’t put a tag or any sentiment on it yet since I haven’t figured out who it is for.  I think I will make a coordinating set of 3″ x 3″ note cards to put inside.

Thanks for sticking through the post.  The sewing thing really is pretty funny and the kids’ surprise that it actually worked cracked me up!  I know my mom will get a good chuckle when she reads this!  That said…it could be dangerous.  You may see more sewing (albeit on paper) in the future!!

I’ll be back tomorrow with a new sketch from Freshly Made Sketches!  Hope to see you then!  Thanks for stopping in today!

Stamps:  Creative Elements; Paper:  Naturals Ivory; Ink:  Early Espresso; Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Early Espresso 3-1/3″ Scalloped Tulle, Basic Pearls,  Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Crystal Effects, Sticky Strip, Burlap Fabric (fabric store), Kraft Gift Box

With Sympathy

With Sympathy published on 6 Comments on With Sympathy

I’ll start with saying that today’s card is one that no one should ever have to receive (or make).  It is for a family at my children’s school who are suffering the loss of their 9 day old baby girl.  Certainly no words can ever come close so I thought that making a beautiful card might be meaningful.  Again, not sure this comes close but I hope it will at least let them know that we are thinking of them and praying for them.

I had no idea how to approach this card and had been wanting to use the colors from this Stampin’ Celebration Challenge all month.  I am too late to link but I thank them for the inspiration.  Make sure you go see the winner’s card.  Heidi’s creation is beautiful.  I chose the hydrangea from the retired Because I Care since it is one of my favorite stamps. I hope the tone of this isn’t too “sunny” but it seems more subdued in person than in the picture.  I layered some retired Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon on top of the Victoria Crochet Lace and I think it gives a pretty effect.  The sentiment is from my old go-to Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Thanks for stopping in today.  I’ll be back tomorrow with the latest Freshly Made Sketches challenge.

Stamps:  Because I Care (hostess, retired), Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper:  Twitterpated DSP, Polka Dot Parade DSP, Very Vanilla, Basic Gray; Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray; Accessories:  Victoria Crochet Lace, Basic Gray Taffeta (ret), Neutrals Buttons, Dimensionals

 

SUOC51 – Designer Papers

SUOC51 – Designer Papers published on 4 Comments on SUOC51 – Designer Papers

It is SUO Challenges day and our theme this week will work for everyone!  Designer papers!  We all love them and they make stamping so fun and easy!  Stampin’ Up’s designer series papers really are amazing because the coordinate with our exclusive colors and stamps…makes it even easier to make fantastic cards!  The hardest part for this challenge was choosing which paper set to highlight.

It shouldn’t surprise you that I went with the Floral District DSP.  Let’s face it…I love it!  It just says summery and fun.  I thought I’d pull out a new set Daydream Medallions and see if I could make these work together.  I think yes!  Once I stamped the medallions, I went off to search for a sentiment and came back with the Convention stamp set I Am.  This one was exclusive to Convention and I love the sentiments in it.  I thought this was a fun way to show them.  I added a new Vintage Faceted Button (LOVE these) to finish it off.  See, the DSP did all the work of deciding the colors!  The sketch is courtesy of the Fall-to Layout 202.  It was just perfect for showcasing these pretty papers.

Now when you go over to SUO Challenges you will find two notable things.  First, you’ll see that I’m not the only one that loves Floral District DSP!  Second, and most importantly, you will notice a change in our design team.  We have added the most awesomely talented Connie Babbert of Inkspired Treasures.  The whole team is so happy to have her join us!  Make sure you go tell her welcome too.

I’ll be back tomorrow with a new card for Freshly Made Sketches. Until then, have a great day.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Stamps:  Daydream Medallions, I Am; Paper:  Floral District DSP, Basic Black, Whisper White; Ink:  Rose Red, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black; Accessories:  Stamp-a-ma-jig, Vintage Faceted Buttons, Thread, Dimensionals

Moving Forward

Moving Forward published on 15 Comments on Moving Forward

*My thanks to the PPA design team for choosing this as a Pals Paper Artist Pick!*

I debated many names for this post but it seems that the name of the Ronald McDonald House Charities stamp says it all!  For so many, the battle with a child’s health issue is all about looking to the future — future research, future good health, future dreams!  Ronald McDonald House Charities supports the families so that they can support the sick/hospitalized child.  I am incredibly proud to be part of a company that supports this amazing charity.  Stampin’ Up gives proceeds from a designated stamp every year and has so far donated over $1 million.  During Convention this year, Stampin’ Up gave every demonstrator there a free copy of this stamp.  I knew then and there that I wanted to do something amazing to pay this gift forward…but what??!!

I have been following the progress of a local Warrenton girl, Sydney Davies, who is strong and amazing.  Her big brother Tyler was an assistant coach for my oldest son’s soccer team this year and I became familiar with this remarkable family.  Sydney was diagnosed just over one year ago with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and has been in the hospital almost every day since.  She is working very hard to be strong enough for a bone marrow transplant.  Her family recently went up to the Minnesota Children’s Hospital in hopes that she would get her transplant.  Sadly, it was not to be and she needs a higher white blood cell count for this to be possible.  So she has come home to Virginia.  I read in her latest Caring Bridge update that the doctors feel she is doing well enough to spend some time with family and friends, leaving the safety of the hospital.  In her mother’s words, they are taking “baby steps” and moving over to a Ronald McDonald House in Fairfax.  Sydney is in need of a miracle and for now RMHC is helping her and her family to continue to fight for that miracle.

I knew immediately what I wanted to do.  So I am running a “stamp drive”!!  I want to sell as many Moving Forward stamp sets as possible so that the profits go to this amazing charity.  Please let me be clear.  I am NOT looking to profit on this.  In order for that to happen I will donate any and all commissions from the sales of this stamp to Sydney’s Children’s Cancer Research Fund.  Additionally, if the orders made directly through me add up to a workshop ($150) then I will randomly select one of those who ordered as the hostess.  You can order this stamp via my DBWS (click on the Shop Online airplane on the sidebar) or through me directly.  I prefer the second method so that I can give someone a great hostess benefit but I will celebrate the sale either way.  You can comment on this post, leaving your e-mail, and I will get back to you or you can email me directly at jentimko@gmail.com.  I’d like to run this stamp drive for one week so please contact me or order as soon as possible (but no later than August 1st).  If you don’t feel the need for this set and still want to help, I would love it if you donated directly to Sydney’s fund at the link above!!

Of course the card above uses this fun set.  How sweet is this little tricycle?  I used my Stampin’ Write Markers to color it in Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade and Basic Gray.  Then I added some Pumpkin Pie flowers from the set for the basket.  I stamped a second basket and cut it out for some dimension.  The prints are from Summer Smooches DSP and I added some of the new 1/4″ Stitched Grograin Ribbon in Rich Razzleberry across the middle.  Some Bright Buttons finished off this fun sketch from Pals Paper Arts.

Thanks so much for stopping in today.  I look forward to ordering a lot of Moving Forward stamps for this great cause and sending this little card to the Davies family with our donation!

 

 

 

 

SUOC 50 – Buttons and Brads

SUOC 50 – Buttons and Brads published on 3 Comments on SUOC 50 – Buttons and Brads

The theme for this week’s SUO Challenge should be perfect for just about everyone!! Buttons and Brads!  I love them and I know you do too!  The team has shown so many ways to use these wonderful accessories and I can’t wait to see what you create.

Remember how I told you I got A LOT of free stuff at Convention??  Well, this card uses some of it.  Because this was my first time at Convention, I was invited to a “First Timers Lunch”.  When we got there, they gave us the Storytime DSP.  How fun is that??!!  I cut a rectangle for the tag and then used the Adorning Accents Edgelit to cut the curve on the top and a Corner Rounder Punch for the bottom.  The image is actually cut straight from the DSP too…no stamping or coloring on my part!  How fun and easy!  I added some Basic Gray buttons tied with Linen Thread and the Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon.

This sketch is courtesy of Retro Sketches #21.  Fun isn’t it??!!  So glad I got to play this week.  I’m so glad you stopped in and I’ll see you again in just a bit since this is the first of two posts for today (due to the SUOC Convention delay).  Have a great day!

Paper:  Storytime DSP, Naturals Ivory; Accessories:  Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon, Neutrals Buttons Linen Thread, Dimensionals

 

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