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Almost time to say goodbye…

May 21, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

to Almost Amethyst! I must admit that I haven’t been a big user of this purple but the Tea Party DSP has given me a new appreciation for this shade. Yesterday over at Stampin’ Celebration, they posted this fabulous inspiration:

Beautiful, isn’t it??!! As previously stated, I don’t have a lot of purple but Tea Party seemed to fit the bill nicely with the Saffron and Celery that are also in the paper. I saw the newest sketch from the OCC Sketch Blog, their OCCSC16. Love this one!!

The big flowers on the DSP and the sketch seemed to be made for each other. I cut out a couple of the flowers and pulled out my lovely Celery satin ribbon. The scallop border will be available again soon (I got it FREE during Sale-a-bration!!) and I really like the lacy look it gives. Here is the end result:

If your computer is like mine, the Amethyst looks a bit blue but I promise it really is purple!! Something about the afternoon lighting in my house, I guess. All the work on this card was really done by the DSP. I put a matching strip at the bottom of the inside and cut out another flower to put in there. Thanks for taking a look today (and don’t forget to give these challenges a try!). Have a great weekend!

Stamp: Short & Sweet; Paper: Tea Party DSP, So Saffron, Certainly Celery; Ink: Almost Amethyst; Accessories: Celery Satin Ribbon, Scallop Border Punch, Dimensionals

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Masculine Sage?

May 19, 2010 Jentimko 7 Comments

I tried to combine a few challenges today and the first was from Our Creative Corner. The challenge was to make a masculine birthday card. I also used the latest sketch challenge from Stampin’ Royalty, their challenge #20. Finally, I used the colors from Makeesha over at Inkspirations. Take a look at the colors and the sketch!

The colors pretty much “required” me to use the Nouveau Chic DSP. Now that Sage is retiring, I am using up my stock.

Without further discussion, here is my card (yes, the image panel does look crooked…I fixed it but didn’t have time to take a new picture):

I started with Oh, So Lovely (Ret) and tried to make it more masculine. The paper certainly did the job but I’m not so sure the image is “manly”. Oh well, challenges are jumping off points and I gave it the college try! I have really enjoyed this DSP…just think, when I first ordered it I thought it would be “out of the box” for me! I continue to find that the DSP’s from Stampin’ Up always exceed any expectation that I have!! I did a little sponging but otherwise the card is pretty straightforward. I don’t have a particular need for this card but it is always so nice to have some in the “stash” ready to go! Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!

Stamps: Oh, So Lovely (ret), Short & Sweet; Paper: Nouveau Chic DSP, Sage Shadow, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla; Ink: Sage Shadow, Basic Gray, Apricot Appeal, Going Gray; Accessories: Gray Corduroy button, thread (dyed Sage with the Marker), Blender Pen, Sponges

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One sketch, two cards

May 16, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

I made these a while ago and never posted them (not sure why). They use the beautiful Thoughts & Prayers set and the same layout. Sadly, I can’t remember the source of the layout so if you recognize it, please let me know so that I can give proper credit! These both have a clean and simple feel which makes them great for quick cards. I love a “go-to” layout when you need a card in a hurry and this is certainly a good one. It requires just a little designer paper to get a nice pop of texture and color. The first card uses the flower from the set that was colored using Stampin’ Write markers in Bordering Blue (a retiring color), Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip. The ribbon is retired SAB’09 grosgrain.

The second card uses the tree from the set. I LOVE this tree. Love it, love it, love it!! I colored the tree with Sahara Sand and Chocolate markers and then used the rock-n-roll technique on the top with a Not Quite Navy pad. The paper is Bella Bleu DSP.

I made these with a dear sister-in-law who was looking to have a set of cards for all occasions. I love how you can make very different cards with the same layout just by changing the colors. Thanks for stopping by to take a look. Don’t forget to talk to your demonstrator about Bordering Blue and all the other retiring colors!! Have a great Sunday!

Sweet Baja

May 12, 2010 Jentimko 6 Comments

Yes, oh yes, Baja Breeze is coming back!! I’m so happy that Stampin’ Up chose to include this color as part of its Color Renovation. This week’s Color Throwdown #92 includes this beautiful blue so I had to give it a try, of course. The colors are Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Old Olive and Kraft. I also wanted to give the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #68 a try. Take a look at this great layout:

Ever since I first saw the new Summer Mini, I have been wanting to try out the look of the bag on the front cover. It uses the Elements of Style stamped onto the Presto Patterns DSP. Wow, is this cool paper!! I stamped the flowers, then watercolored with my blender pen and finally sponged with Sahara Sand ink. I had intended to use some of my old Baja DSP for this card but once the stamped image was done, it just didn’t work. Instead, I pulled out an Old Olive piece from the Sweet Pea DSP (Occasions mini, ret). Much better! I also played around with Baja and Kraft paper layers but finally came to this arrangement. Yes, I added Chocolate Chip and hopefully no one minds too much. The image panel just didn’t pop enough against the lighter colors. I turned the sketch on its side and used some So Saffron wide grosgrain (SAB’09, ret), a Chocolate corduroy button and some thread that I dyed Old Olive. And here it is:

I wanted this to be an anniversary card and I think it has the right romantic feel for that. If you haven’t already tried this Presto Patterns paper, talk to you demonstrator. You will have a great time with all the possibilities! Glad you stopped by…have a great rest of your week!

Stamp: Elements of Style; Paper: Presto Patterns DSP, Sweet Pea DSP (Occasions mini), Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Whisper White (inside); Ink: Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Old Olive; Accessories: Blender Pen, So Saffron ribbon (ret), Chocolate corduroy button, Dimensionals, thread

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A new challenge and an old favorite

May 10, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

I was looking for inspiration for a thank you card today and I found it…times two!! First of all, I found a brand spankin’ new challenge from Stampin’ Celebration! You’ll recognize some of the names and faces, and you’ll be inspired by the fun colors. Just look at this picture:

Conveniently enough, there is a compatible challenge over at Pals Paper Arts (PPA41). For some reason I can’t link the picture so go take a look! I used the colors from Stampin’ Celebration and the cool birds from the Pals to get my card moving along. After I decided on the birds from Of the Earth, I played around with variations of using those squares. As I started putting the card together, I realized that I had settled on a version of the Pals sketch from a few weeks ago (PPA38). Well, a good sketch is one you can come back to over and over!! I used the Melon Mambo DSP from the level 3 hostess set Lovely Flowers. Can I tell you how happy I am that Melon Mambo is staying on as a new core color??!! I’m not much of a pink girl but this pink really works for me!

I’m using this as a thank you card for a friend. I hope she like the happy colors, too! Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon!

Stamp: Of the Earth (hostess); Paper: Lovely Flowers DSP (hostess), Taken with Teal, Melon Mambo, Whisper White; Ink: Melon Mambo, Taken with Teal, Pumkin Pie; Accessories: White Organza ribbon, Playground buttons, thread

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Brilliant Olive Pumpkins?

May 6, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

No specialty pumpkins here, just a cool color combination from Stampin’ 411! Their Color Inspiration calls for Brilliant Blue, Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie. I was a little skeptical at first but the colors are really fun together (and I need a fun birthday card!). I saw the sketch challenge over on Splitcoast yesterday (SC279) and had to give it a try. These colors seemed to call for using my Sweet Pea DSP (from the Occasions Mini). That paper pack has sure been great to use…so many super designs and so much paper! I pulled out the Big Shot and created some butterflies with the Beautiful Wings Embosslit (still available!). This card came together so quickly but it still felt like it was missing something. You know, when in doubt try ribbon or punch some holes for texture!! Ribbon didn’t work so out came the Mat Pack. A few holes later…here it is:

This is just the kind of card I was hoping for! I love the unique layout and these colors are a bit out of my norm. I have lots of Brilliant Blue so I am happy to have used some of it. Thanks for stopping by to take a look. Have a great day!

Stamp: Short & Sweet; Paper: Sweet Pea DSP (ret), Old Olive, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White; Ink: Old Olive; Accessories: Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Thread

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Mojo 137 – Bella Thank You

May 4, 2010 Jentimko 1 Comment

I have been doing some lobbying to prevent outsourcing of pilot jobs. Yes, even pilot jobs are at risk, if you can believe it!! The details of this are for another post but if you want to know more about the bill I am working for, it is H.R.4788 “Aviation Jobs Outsourcing Prevention Act”. In any case, I have been heading to Capitol Hill about once a week and helping with scheduling (this explains the lack of cards!). Tomorrow I am going to the office of Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from FL. Back in my March posts, I told the story of my Aunt Frances and her Congressional Gold Medal. Well, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen was one of the people instrumental in getting the legislation passed to honor the WASP. While I will be in her office on other business for a while, I asked the staff if it was okay to share my thank-yous with all those who worked on the WASP ceremony. I’m not a very political person usually so this may be my one opportunity to give my appreciation. As I step outside my pilot role and into my family role, it seems appropriate to bring a few pictures with me. And of course, what is a thank you without a card??!! So, off to work I went today trying to make something appropriate. I saw the Mojo Monday sketch and decided to give it a go.

I loved the idea of the vertical piece with different papers. In my continuing effort to clean out my retiring colors, I pulled out some retired Bella Birds DSP. I mixed up the sets a bit, too. The swirl comes from the new Elements of Style (Summer Mini), the flower comes from Vintage Vogue (still available…yea!!) and the word from Baroque Motifs. I added some Chocolate corduroy buttons and the Chocolate satin ribbon as the finishing touches!

I love how the swirl turns into a stem for the Vogue flower!! This was another fun sketch and I recommend you give it a try this week. Thanks for taking a look and I look foward to your thoughts!

Stamps: Elements of Style, Vintage Vogue, Baroque Motifs; Paper: Bella Birds DSP (ret), Chocolate Chip, Whisper White; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Bordering Blue, So Saffron; Accessories: Chocolate satin ribbon, Chocolate corduroy buttons, dimensionals

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A True Friend…

April 28, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

I am lucky to have a number of amazing, true friends in my life and this is for one of them. I guess there is double meaning since I am starting my fond farewell to some other “true” friends…one of which is Sage Shadow. I must admit that I was a latecomer to the Sage Shadow fan club. I could never make it work. Then this lovely Nouveau Chic paper came out and I am happy with every card!! But, I already have a sample of the newest colors that will be arriving in the Color Renovation (a wonderful perk of being a demo!) and I am sure that I will have new friends in no time. Until the new catalog, though, I will happily use my lovely retiring colors with reckless abandon! Yes, you’ll be happy to know that I am not at all that fickle when it comes to my real friends. They are rocks in my life and I don’t know what I would do without them!! So to my dear friend (she knows who she is), thank you for being a wonderful person!

The card uses the Splitcoast sketch challenge 278 which is a wonderful square card layout. This is another of those sketches that will become a go-to for me, I think. I used the retired SAB ’09 Botanical Blooms for the image and the words from Lovely Flowers (Hostess). While it isn’t a part of the promotion, I convinced myself that the two-step stamp was in the spirit of the Two-Step into Spring promotion (details on my side bar). The ribbon and the button just kind of came to me at the end when it didn’t look quite finished. That really seemed to put the right touch on the card.

The colors look a little washed out in the picture to me compared to the card but you get the idea. I’m so happy you dropped by. Have a great day!!

Stamps: Lovely Flowers (hostess), Botanical Blooms (SAB’09 Ret); Paper: Nouveau Chic DSP, Sage Shadow, Basic Gray, Watercolor; Ink: Going Gray, Sage Shadow, Apricot Appeal; Accessories: Gray Taffeta ribbon, Gray Corduroy button

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Ribbon of Hope in Pink and Cocoa

April 27, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

My card for today has a more CAS (Clean and Simple) look than some I have done lately. A wonderful woman who works at my older son’s school is putting together a “Pink Ribbon” donation basket to auction off later this year. Knowing how time can get away from me, I figured I better get to work on some cards for her basket. When I purchased this Ribbon of Hope stamp, I knew it would be something I would want to have on hand. This is my first card with it. I must confess that this isn’t my favorite card but I think that is because a card for such a great cause should be amazing. When I saw the Our Creative Corner Sketch for this week, it seemed like the perfect way to focus on the ribbon stamp. I pulled out some retired Pink Pirouette DSP and paired it with Close to Cocoa. Out came the Big Shot and popped out some ovals, tied on the beautiful Organza ribbon and here it is:

Hopefully I’ll be back to posting a bit more often. Thanks for stopping by today. Let me know what you think!

Sunshine and Window panes

April 23, 2010 Jentimko 10 Comments

First of all, I want to share with you a nice award sent to me by both Holly at Rubber Redneck and Heidi at RunningwScissorsStamper. If you haven’t been to their blogs, please stop by because their work is fantastic!! This is so nice of both of them and it really has made my day. The award is the Sunshine Award:

1. Put the Sunshine Award on your blog and/or within your post.
2. Pass the award to other bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award. The hardest part, of course, is narrowing it down!!

In no particular order, here are some of the blogs I love:

1. Margaret Moody – Margaret Moody

2. Ann Schach – The Stampin’ Schach

3. Monica – Monica’s Blog

4. Krystal – Krystals Cards and More

5. Julie – Paper Pleasing Ideas

6. Kristin – Sunshine, Smiles & Stamps

Please go take a look at these to see where I get so much of my inspiration!!

I do have a card today. It is another card using the new Presto Patterns DSP from the upcoming Summer Mini. I am in love with this paper!!! I used the window pane technique to make the card but the paper really did most of the work. I sponged Old Olive over this grid-style paper and then stamped the cone flowers from Inspired by Nature with Chocolate Chip. The ink comes right off of the “embossed” section of the DSP and you are left with this cool look. I cut the image apart, tied on some wide grosgrain ribbon and look at what I have!!

Cool, huh??!! Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to leave a comment…it really makes my day! Have a great weekend!

Stamp: Inspired by Nature; Paper: Presto Patterns DSP, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip; Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: Sponges, Chocolate Grosgrain ribbon

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