Friday, February 28, 2014

Let's Chat



Just popping in to share a recent publication with you guys.

This card appeared in the Stamp It! Techniques Volume 2 issue.  The challenge was to use sentiments in multiple ways on the card.


I used a bunch of Paper Smooches sentiments from slang gang as the background.  These were mounted on to a long acrylic block and I just stamped it repeatedly, varying where I started on the card so that it looks really random.

The Let's Chat sentiment is from PS's Perpetual Bliss set.  After several attempts at this, I found that the trick was to stamp the Let's Chat first, and then build the background around it.

That's all for me today, but be sure to come back tomorrow for a fun blog hop!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The Best Grandparents



Another late night post from me.

I thought I would play along with a few challenges that are ending soon - Verve's February Diva Dare, Viva La Verve, and Glitz's February challenge (pink and gold).

The sketch is from the first Viva La Verve sketch of the month.  I really loved the modern feel of the sketch and the play of squares/rectangles and circles.



I used papers from Glitz's Uncharted Waters collection and a Plain Jane sentiment that I had sadly not yet inked up.  The Diva Dare this month is to make a 'perk up' card.  I don't have any Verve coffee stamps, but plenty of encouraging/pick me up sentiments.  I think this is such a great sentiment, and will surely make an appearance on some Grandparent's Day cards.

With a gold challenge, you have to pull out the Gold Delicata, no?  The stripes were created using the thinnest strip from Neat & Tangled's On the Strip 2 set.

I played around with some different mats for the sentiment piece, but ultimately decided on some vellum because I wanted something really subtle.

Finally, I finished it off with some gold sequins, because sequins make everything better right?

Thanks for stopping by and have a great evening!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  Glitz - Uncharted Waters 8x8 paper pad; Avery Elle - Kraft Cardstock; Recollections - Vellum
Stamps:  Verve - Promoted Plain Jane; Neat & Tangled - On the Strip 2
Ink:  Tsukineko - Gold Delicata
Other:  Neat & Tangled - Gold Sequins; Tombow - Mono Adhesive; CM - Custom Cutting System, Circles

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Papertrey Blog Hop




Sliding in under the wire with a card for this month's Papertrey Blog Hop.



I was inspired by the butterfly stationary in the bottom left corner.

I used the Happy Trails set and a whole bunch of different inks.  Some of the butterflies are stamped in first and some in second generation.  I did go back in with a few of the ink colors and some rock and roll stamping to add some definition to a few of the butterflies too.

That's all for tonight.  Need to clean up and get to bed!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  Avery Elle - Kraft and White Cardstock
Stamps:  PTI - Happy Trails
Ink:  CTMH - Sweet Leaf, Juniper, Tulp, Gypsy, Creme Brûlée, Heavenly Blue, Sorbet; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Other:  Tombow - Mono Adhesive

Monday, February 24, 2014

Birthday Cards



Hey everyone!  I've been slacking off a bit on the birthday cards for Andrew's kids, but thankfully I just received my recent PTI order which included the Birthday Text Block.

I pulled it out this weekend, along with some older papers, and whipped up a batch of cards.  At the risk of boring you, I'll share all five.  The one above uses vellum to soften some of the layers and the patterned paper is Little Yellow Bicycle.

This next one was colored with a combination of Spectrum Noir markers and Copics.  I literally just used one of each color (six markers total).  The blending could be much subtler if you used shades of color, but I was going for quick and easy.  Must look OK, since Ellie told me this one was her favorite.



Some BG and LYB on this next one.



Cosmo Cricket here.



And more LYB.



These were easy to do, the die really does most of the work for you....the hardest part is getting adhesive on all the little parts to glue it down.

That's all for me today.  I'm pretty wiped from the weekend and it looks like we might actually have to work/go to school all five days this week!









Friday, February 21, 2014

Love You - for WPlus9



Playing along again with WPlus9's birthday challenges.

This week Dawn identified a number of current trends and asked us to create cards in those themes.

My card actually combines two of the trends:  hand lettering/watercolor and and metallics.  What can I say, I'm a sucker for gold...but the inspiration photo had gold in the hand lettering/watercolor image, so I'm just following suit.

I started out with a panel of watercolor paper and I used my Inktense pencils and a paintbrush to add a wash of color using yellow, orange and red.

Once that was thoroughly dry, I stamped and embossed the frame from the Hope Seed Co. set and carefully cut out the center to create a window.

I stamped and embossed the large flowers on vellum, coloring them with Copics and Spectrum Noir markers (I color on the backside because then you don't really have to worry about the lines as much), and then fussy cutting them.  Not truly watercolor, but I think they definitely have that watercolored look.

I used the frame to trace some guidelines on the paper and then stamped the sentiment, from Valentine Wishes.  It actually says Love You Still, but I just brushed the embossing powder off.



To soften the card a little, I added a frame/mat of vellum adhered directly to the card and then arranged the flowers within the window and adhered them.  The watercolor panel was then popped up with foam tape.  It looked a little stark, so I went back and added some watercolor highlights to the sentiment.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you have a great weekend!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  Watercolor paper pad from Target kid's section; Avery Elle - White Cardstock; Recollections - Vellum
Stamps:  WPlus9 - Hope Seed Co., Valentine Wishes
Ink:  Versamark
Other:  Inktense pencils; Copic Markers; Spectrum Noir Markers; CTMH - Gold Embossing Powder and Dimensional Foam Tape; Tombow - Mono and Vellum adhesive.

Neat and Tangled Release Winner

Hey everyone!  Just popping in to share my release winner.

I used Random.org to pick a day, #1, and then a comment #9, and that comment is from......

TERESA GODINES!

Congrats Teresa!  Shoot me an email with your address and choice of On the Corner Additions or Stop and Go and I'll get it right out to you.

Thanks so much, and if you didn't win this month, maybe you'll get lucky next month....stay tuned...;)

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Neat and Tangled - Diamonds



Hey everyone!  Danielle is revealing the last stamp set in this release, Diamonds, today over at Neat & Tangled.  I had a lot of fun creating this card.

I stamped the diamonds with WPlus9 White Pigment ink twice.  Note that there are two half diamonds/triangles at the top and bottom.  In the middle, where the two patterns meet, I used a baby wipe to remove the ink on just those two triangles so that the pattern looks contiguous.

Next I pulled out my Inktense pencils and just started randomly adding color to the open diamonds.

I used some shiny foil thickets for the sentiment, added a very thin strip of silver foil cardstock which stitched over, and then finished it off with a few sequins.



I love the contrast of the kraft/pigment ink with the shine/sparkle of the foil pieces and sequins!

Thanks so much for coming by and for all your excitement about my new stamps!  Remember I'm giving away one of my new sets this week, leave a comment here and on the other release posts this week, and I'll announce a winner tomorrow.  Make sure you check over at Neat & Tangled too, Danielle is announcing her winners today.

And if you are in the market for any of my sets, you can order them all right now!  Note:  the On the Corner restock won't be in until next Wednesday, but Danielle has it set up so that if you want it, you can reserve it and it will ship (along with any additional sets that might just happen to fall into your cart) when it gets in Wednesday.

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  Papertrey - Kraft Cardstock; Recollections - Silver Foil Cardstock
Stamps:  Neat & Tangled - Diamonds
Ink:  WPlus9 - White Pigment Ink
Other:  Derwent - Inktense Pencils; American Crafts - Primrose Foil Thickers; Neat & Tangled - Magenta Sequins; CTMH - Dimensional Foam Tape, Liquid Glass

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Stop and Go



Hey everyone!  So excited to introduce you to my second set for this release, Stop and Go.

This set stands on it's own, but also coordinates with On the Corner.  It's the same font, so you can always pair it with the larger You/We sentiments in On the Corner.  There's a lot of mixing and matching you can do with the words to create different sentiment combinations.  There's both a hand and a walking guy for the cross walk, but you can also use the WALK/DON'T WALK sentiments in there.  There are even some very small STOP/SLOW/GO sentiments that fit into the traffic light circles.  I think you'll have a lot of fun playing with this one!

I made a quick little one layer card set today.



The stoplights are colored with Spectrum Noir markers, except for the green in the Go version which is a Copic.  To hang the stoplights I just used a circle template I have and traced it with a journaling pen, super easy.


Would you like to win a set?  I'm giving away the winner's choice of this one or On the Corner Additions.  All you have to do is leave a comment on any of my release posts this week, I'll announce a winner on Friday.  Danielle is also giving away a set at Neat & Tangled, so be sure to go over there and check out the great projects the DT made too.

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  CTMH - White Daisy Cardstock
Stamps:  Neat & Tangled - Stop and Go
Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black
Other:  Spectrum Noir Markers - IG8, IG10; Copic - YG09; American Crafts - Black 05 Journaling Pen

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

On the Corner Additions


Hey everyone!  Today Danielle is revealing one of my new sets, On the Corner Additions at Neat & Tangled.  When I designed On the Corner, I had a LONG list of sign pairings that I wanted to include, but we were space constrained, so I narrowed it down to my favorites.  I'm so excited to be able to bring you some expanded possibilities for the set.  The additions add versatility, flexibility, and they will carry you through a lot of holidays as well.

I created a couple new cards showcasing some of the new sentiments.



One of the things I love about the set is that it works so well for guys, so I wanted to be sure to have some additions that worked for them too.  For this card I used Fancy Pants' Swagger collection, don't you love those ephemera pieces?

This next card has a Thanksgiving theme, and I used Echo Park's Reflections Fall collection as well as one of my all time favorite N&T sets, Kindness Matters.  Here's a little tip.  If you're in a hurry and you don't read the labels on your embossing powder, never fear, you can totally emboss white over clear!



Ok, that's all for today.  Be sure to stop over at Neat & Tangled to see what the DT has created and enter to win an additions set there.  And remember, I'm giving away one of my new sets here this week too, winner's choice.  Just leave a comment on any of the release posts.  To find out what the other set is, come back tomorrow!

Supplies Used
Handsome/Charming
Paper/Cardstock:  Fancy Pants - Swagger Collection; Bazzill - Peanut Cluster Card Shoppe Cardstock
Stamps:  Neat & Tangled - On the Corner, On the Corner Additions
Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black
Other:  Fancy Pants - Swagger Clips and Ephemera Pack; Tombow - Mono Adhesive; CTMH - Dimensional Foam Tape
Generous/Gracious
Paper/Cardstock:  Echo Park - Reflections Fall Collection; Avery Elle - Silver Fox Cardstock
Stamps:  Neat & Tangled - On the Corner, On the Corner Additions, Kindness Matters
Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versamark
Other:  CTMH - White (and Clear) Embossing Powder, Dimensional Foam Tape; Tombow - Mono Adhesive

Monday, February 17, 2014

What's Shakin' Bacon?



I made this card last night, but didn't end up posting it in time for the Paper Smooches birthday challenge because I was too busy gabbing and crafting with my buddies JJ, Tessa, and Nina.  Luckily, it's Anything Goes week at SPARKS, so all is not lost!

I thought I would combine some of my favorite things:  shaker cards and bacon.  I mean, bacon makes everything better, right?

The great thing about crafting with friends is that you get to use their stuff, and this card is chock full of other people's stuff.  I used the Lawn Fawn card die along with a Reverse confetti tag to create the shaker itself.  The bacon was colored with copics, and there's a good helping of sequins in there too.

I created the sentiment using the Alphadot stamp set, and added a little frame of white cardstock to finish up the card.

OK, that's all for today.  I gotta get some extra sleep tonight since I was up waaaay too late with the girls yesterday!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  Avery Elle - White Cardstock; sorry I don't remember what patterned paper this was
Stamps:  Paper Smooches - Wake Up, Alphadot
Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black; Ranger - Antique Linen Distress Ink
Other:  Lawn Fawn - Stitched Journaling Card Die; Reverse Confetti - Tag Me Confetti Cuts; Avery Elle - Berry Blend and Kraft Blend Sequins; Tombow - Mono Adhesive; Adhesive Foam Squares (not sure which brand this was)

Neat & Tangled Release - Hope Anchors - and a Giveaway this week



Hey everyone!  It's another exciting week here....release week at Neat & Tangled, and I have two sets in this release.  Danielle was so sweet and sent me all the stamps for the release, so I thought I would join in the release festivities.

Today Danielle is showcasing this new mini, Hope Anchors.

I just love this sentiment, it's a great size and Danielle's signature writing.

For this card I cut a panel of watercolor cardstock, and then used a pencil to sketch in some waves.  Then I went over those lines with my Inktense pencils.  I started with just one color of blue, wet my paintbrush and activated the watercolor.  I later went back with a couple of the other blues doing the same thing to add some depth to the color.

Once this was thoroughly dry, I stamped the sentiment with Outdoor Denim ink and then went over it with a Wink of Stella pen to add some great shimmer.  Then I clear embossed over top.  I love the effect it gives.



OK, I mentioned a giveaway right?  Leave a comment on any of my N&T release posts this week and you'll be entered to win one of my new sets - winner's choice.  Comments will close Thursday midnight EST, and I'll post the winner on Friday.  Danielle will also be giving away sets during the release, so you'll want to be sure to head over to Neat & Tangled too.

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  CTMH - Outdoor Denim; Avery Elle - White; Target - Watercolor Paper Pad
Stamps:  Neat & Tangled - Hope Anchors
Ink:  CTMH - Outdoor Denim; Versamark
Other:  Derwent - Inktense pencils; Zig - Wink of Stella Pen; CTMH - Clear Embossing Powder; Tombow - Stamp Runner

Friday, February 14, 2014

Valentines for Friends with Flair



Well, we were supposed to be handing out these Valentines at school today, but alas, school was cancelled yet again due to the weather.  At least I get to share them here with you guys!

Our school district is rather communist strict, so we aren't allowed to bring in sweets for Valentine's day.  Since Ellie seems to be obsessed with all sorts of key chains/zipper pulls these days we decided to create them for her and Carina's classes, the Penguins and Puffins respectively.  Now let me tell you, I was really nervous we wouldn't find a Puffin stamp, but Unity came through for me.  In fact, I just saw that Paul the Puffin is on sale for $1 this weekend!

Anyway, the keychains were pretty straightforward to make, I used regular white shrinky dink material, stamping with Stazon.  The shrinky dink material is slippery, so be prepared for some duds, and you have to give it some time to dry too.  For Ellie's penguins, once the ink was set, I let her color the hats with Sharpie markers.  Note - the Sharpies will reactivate the Stazon, so color quickly and try not to touch any of the Stazon or it starts to get muddled.  I also used the Sharpies for touch up where the Stazon didn't fully cover.



Once the birds were dry, I added a hole punch, carefully cut around the figures and the hole punch, and baked them.  Then it was just a matter of adding the clip/ring.

The hearts were actually last week's free Silhouette cut file (heart marquee, Design #54960).  It was perfect since it has the holes for stitching.  I used Lawn Fawn's Milo's alphas for the sentiment, the to/from are written on the back of the valentine.  A little natural Divine Twine finished these off.

Hope that you have a happy Valentine's Day and a great weekend!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  CTMH - Holiday Red Yardstick
Stamps:  Unity - Paul the Puffin, You're Cool Itty Bitty; Lawn Fawn - Milo's Aphas
Ink:  Stazon; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Other:  Divine Twine - Natural Twine; Sharpie Markers; Jewelry findings; Silhouette cut file #54960



Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Thinking of You, Stepping Out with Hexagons



While waiting for work/school to get cancelled last night, I thought I would play along with the current Step it Up challenge at WPlus9 and combine that with Moxie Fab World's Happy for Hexagons challenge.

I used WPlus9's Quilt Cuts 1 dies as well as, you guessed it, Fresh Cut Florals and More Fresh Cuts.

I knew I wanted to have three layers to the card for the dimension challenge.  I cut one section of hexagons out of my front panel.  The outline of the hexagons was saved as I knew I wanted to use that on the card base.  

On a piece of scrap cardstock, I stamped the floral cluster.  This piece was trimmed down to fit beneath the front panel and the hexagon outline was adhered over top.  

I cut two more hexagon sets.  One was left plain, the second was stamped with another floral cluster (note I left the hexagons in the frame, and actually on my cutting plate, when stamping the flowers, so the framed got stamped too).  Also, I made sure that each hexagon had at least a little stamping on it.

I adhered a plain hexagon outline to the front of the panel. The stamped hexagons were aligned with this frame and popped out with foam tape.

The frame with stamping was then adhered to the panel at the top left.  I also added a few of the plain unstamped hexagons to the card, and then stamped the sentiment.

Finally, the entire front panel was adhered with dimensional foam tape.



I love how much depth there is in this one, but how CAS it is too.

Hope that you're having a great day, we'll be hanging out, watching the Olympics, and playing outside if it's not too windy.  

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  CTMH - WHite Daisy; Avery Elle - Vino cardstock
Stamps:  WPlus9 - Fresh Cut Florals and More Fresh Cuts
Ink:  CTMH - Cocoa, Gypsy, and Topiary; HA - Raspberry Jam, Butterbar, and Fresh Peach
Other:  WPlus9 - Quilt Cuts 1 Dies; CTMH - Dimensional Foam Tape; Tombow - Mono and Multi Mono Adhesive



With all my heart - MME February Challenge


I recently received a new My Mind's Eye 6x6 pad from my sweet friend Tessa, and thought I would put it to good use and play along with MME's February challenge, All You Need is Love.

If you've followed me for a while, you know that I love the quilted look.

For this card I chose two of the patterns from the Cupid's Arrow pad and using a punch, made four 1 1/2" squares of each.  

Using my scoreboard, I aligned the squares on an angle, like a diamond, and scored a line 1/4" to the right of center, and folded along the score line.

Then it was just a matter of arranging them together.  I butted up two opposing patterns together so that the folded back pieces created a square.  These were then assembled to create the focal point of the card.  Each of the pieces was 'tacked down' with a bit of adhesive and then I added the stitching.  


Two small squares of vellum and a wood veneer heart colored with a Spectrum Noir marker finished off the quilt piece.  To add some extra dimension, I popped that entire panel up with foam adhesive.

The sentiment is from Clear and Simple Stamps.

Sometimes it's just fun to play with punches and see what you come up with.

I'm also going to link this up over at Simon Says Stamp since their soon to expire challenge is to use hearts.

Thanks for coming by.  We're supposed to get some snow tonight, but we'll see....

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  MME - Cupid's Arrow 6x6 pad; CTMH - White Daisy and Slate Cardstock; Recollections - Vellum
Stamps:  CSS - Cupid Love
Ink:  CTMH - Slate
Other:  SC - Atlantic Wood Veneer Heart; CTMH - Dimensional Foam Tape and Liquid Glass; Sewing Machine

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Ribbon Carousel Challenge 90 - Washi Tape


Hey everyone!

This month's Ribbon Carousel challenge is Washi tape.  Everyone has a ton, right?

I thought I would take the opportunity to knock out a couple more birthday cards for Andrew's kids at  school.

I love how versatile washi is.  It's a great alternative to using patterned paper or a background stamp



For the card above I put down a mix of washi tape diagonally.  Then I used a scrap of cardstock and laid down several rows of black and white polka dot washi from which the 'happy' was die cut.  I die cut the 'birthday' from regular cardstock, adhered it to some vellum, and then adhered that to the card using some very strategically cut and placed pieces of foam tape.  I wasn't sure how my adhesive would work on the washi, but Tombow Multi Mono works like a charm.



I figured while I was at it I would make another card with an extra die cut sentiment I had, so I just randomly added some strips of washi to a cardstock panel and adhered the sentiment on top.




Now it's your turn.  Create a project using washi and link it up over at the Ribbon Carousel.  One random participant will win a set of 12 spools filled with 4 spools each of seam binding, baker's twine, and May Arts ribbon.   

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardsotck:  CTMH - White Daisy and Black Cardstock; Bazzill Card Shoppe - Candy Hearts and Banana Split Cardstock; Recollections - Vellum
Stamps:  Papertrey - Wonderful Words Additions
Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black
Other:  Papertrey - Wonderful Words Dies, Birthday Trio Die Collection; Various Washi Tapes; Silhouette Studio Happy Birthday Die Cut Design #44052; Tombow - Mono and Multi Mono Adhesives; CTMH - Dimensional Foam Tape 

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Let your dreams take flight for PTI birthday celebration



I've been meaning to play along with the PTI birthday celebration challenges this week, but just haven't managed to make it happen until yesterday night.

Yesterday's challenge was to make a Monthly Moments Trading Card/ATC/3x4 Pocket Page Insert.

I took a plain 3x4 piece of cardstock, rounded the corners, and then masked off the center.  Then I added color with a foam tool.  Once this was dry (and I used a heat tool to speed it along), I stamped the feather with white pigment ink, removed the masking, and stamped the sentiment.

This was quick and easy and I love how the white ink looks over the distress ink.

Thanks for coming by!  Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  CTMH - White Daisy cardstock
Stamps:  PTI - Happy Trails
Ink:  Ranger - Iced Spruce Distress Ink; WPlus9 - White Ink; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Other:  Eclipse - Masking Tape

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Baby Boy Blog Hop for Jinny


Hey everyone!  I'm excited to be participating in a blog hop for my sweet friend Jinny to celebrate the birth of the latest addition to her family, Kaden Matthew.

I realized in creating this card that I really don't have a ton of baby stamps, so this card is stamp free.

I used patterned paper and a tag from Elle's Studio's Cameron collection and die cut alphas to create the sentiment.  I added some die cut stars, adhering them first to the tag and then stitching over them to create a banner effect at the top of my tag.



The trim is May Arts, I just love this Chevron Twill and have it in several colors.  Rather than wrapping it around the patterned paper, I just folded the ends over and stitched it to the patterned paper piece.



Anyway, I won't blather on, I want to make sure you are able to check out all the great projects and please go leave Jinny some love too.  I know she'll appreciate it!

Here's the full hop list in case you get lost:

Lynn Mangan - www.themangoboysandme.blogspot.com

Laurie Willison -www.soapboxcreations.blogspot.com

Angi Barrs - http://cokiepopaper.blogspot.com

Jennifer Turner - www.withlovefromsophienme.blogspot.com

Tracey McNeely - http://inmycreativeopinion.blogspot.ca

Annette Allen - myclevercreations.blogspot.com

Lisa Elton - http://mypapertales.blogspot.com/

Ashley Horton - ashleyhortondesigns.com

Miriam Prantner - http://mprantner.blogspot.com

Monika Davis - www.stampnmad.typepad.com

Leslie Germain - thememorynest.blogspot.com

Julie Tucker-Wolek - http://thetuckerwolekclan.blogspot.com/

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  Elle's Studio - Cameron; Avery Elle - White, Silver Fox, and Fog cardstock
Other:  Elle's Studio - Cameron Tags; Lawn Fawn - Cole's ABCs Dies; Poppystamps - Superstar border; May Arts - Butter Chevron Twill; Xyron 1 1/2" sticker maker; Tombow - Mono Adhesive

Friday, February 7, 2014

Hello Darling




I was able to finish up one more quick card yesterday, this one for the current Mama Elephant Challenge.

I embossed that gorgeous doily stamp with white detail powder, then added a wash of color using Pickled Raspberry Distress Ink and a water brush.

After the panel was fully dry, I stamped the sentiment and then used a Versamark marker to color select portions of the doily.  After restamping the doily, I added silver embossing powder.  I wish you could see how cool it looks in real life!




Some tiny clear gems finished it off.

Have a wonderful Friday!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  Avery Elle - Silver Fox Cardstock; CTMH - White Doily Cardstock
Stamps:  Mama Elephant - Filigree
Ink:  Distress Ink - Picked Raspberry; Versamark; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Other:  Versamark marker; Water brush; CTMH - clear gems

Thursday, February 6, 2014

WPlus9 Comfort Zone Challenge


I was able to get some stamping/crafting in today and decided to play along with WPlus9's birthday Comfort Zone Challenge.  My comfort zone tends to be CAS and when it comes to WPlus9 it involves Fresh Cut Florals.  On this card I used the original as well as the More Fresh Cuts set.

I played around with colors and flowers until I found the right mix.  I wanted to balance the size of the flowers/colors.


Another little detail, to add some extra depth to the card, I stamped a few of the leaves in white pigment ink on the card base and then then stamped over them, slightly offset, with my dark green leaf color.  Just adds a little more dimension.

The banner was cut from the same kraft as the base and them stamped with the white pigment ink.  I tried it first with a what cardstock banner, but that seemed a little too jarring.

OK, short and sweet tonight.  Have a great evening!

Supplies Used
Paper/Cardstock:  PTI - Kraft; CTMH - White Daisy
Stamps:  WPlus9 - Fresh Cut Florals, More Fresh Cuts, Basic Banners
Ink:  CTMH - White Daisy, Gypsy, Amethyst, Ponderosa Pine, Lagoon, Pacifica, Creme Brûlée; Hero Arts - Soft Pink and Raspberry Jam; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Other:  Wplus0 - Fresh Cut Florals, More Fresh Cuts, and Basic Banners Dies; CTMH - Dimensional Foam Tape; Tombow - Mono Adhesive 

I haven't stamped in days.....

Because we've been away on vacation.  We left for Orlando last Friday evening and got back yesterday tired but very, very happy.  It was a great trip, the girls' first to any big amusement park let alone four.  Thought I would share some highlights.

With the penguins at Sea World


Furry friends at Sea World (dressed up for the country concert that evening)


Petting stingrays


Checking out the dolphins in the underwater viewing area


Legoland:  I might have had an ulterior motive in going to Legoland.  I begged my parents to take us growing up and they refused to!  Of course at the time there was only one Legoland and it was in Europe, but still!

Carina and I got to go on a lot of rides together at all the parks since she's too short to go on roller coasters and I don't ride them.  Andrew and Ellie were roller coaster buddies.


Carina is a crazy driver....


Figured all of you fox crazy ladies would like these


There are some serious lego statues around!


Disney - of course we had to see princesses.  Ariel is Ellie's favorite.  The wait was 60+ minutes, but she did it without complaining, cheerful the whole time, and she still says it was worth it even though Andrew and Carina went on a couple rides and saw Clarabelle while we were waiting.


Cinderella's castle with Minnie ears.


Epcot - for whatever reason Ellie really wanted to meet Pluto so she was thrilled to see him first thing when we got into Epcot.


While Andrew and Ellie went on another 'tall' ride, Carina and I got to see Mickey, Goofy, and MINNIE!


And another princess.....


It really was wonderful despite long days, really warm weather (80's the whole time we were there), no naps, and no stroller (that's right, we went stroller free).  There was lots of joy, lots of happy, and I'm pretty sure that we have definitively proved that liberal use of gummy snacks makes everything better.

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope to have something a little more creative to share soon.  :)