Crazy for Sketches

 

It is the third Crazy4Chllenges challenge for May, so it is sketch week.  Barbara has a great sketch,  created by Frances, for us to play with this week. 

 

 

I used a fairly new Memory Box die to ccreate the negative blossoms.  The designer papers used are all froom Papertrey Ink along with the matching cardstock.  The sentiment is from Art Stamps.  I added a heart brad along with two smaller circle brads, and that is about it.

 

Be sure to stop in to the Crazies Blog to see the many ways that the DT used the same sketch and yet came up with fabulously varied results.

 

Crazy for Color

 

Rebecca continues as the Crazy4Challenges April hostess.  For this week she has given us a color challenge.  We were to use the photo above as our inspiration.  I ended up using two greens, white, and violet with a pop of black.

 

 

I have recently invested in some Sue Wilson dies and decided to play with them for this challenge.

 

Be sure to stop in at the Crazies Blog to see the fab designs by the DT and the guest hostess, Teresa Kline.



CCEEers Refresh with Lemonade and Lemons

 

 

 

Frances continues as our August hostess, and this is the challenge she has given for this week to the CCEE Stampers.

 

According to the Days of the Year web site today is Lemonade Day …. Let's celebrate by creating cards that features lemonade in some way. If you don't have anything Lemon or lemon related feature some other kind of beverage.

I used a very old set from SU.  I kept it clean and simple with some light coloring with my Copics.  I added a sentiment from MFT.  I also used a frame embossing folder.

Be sure to go to the CCEE Stampers Blog to get 'lemon fresh'.

The CCEE Stampers Play with Bleach

Vicky has been the hostess for the CCEE Stampers Challenge for the month of January.  For her last challenge this month she asked us to use the 'bleach technique'.  I have done this technique before and loved the results, so this was one technique challenge I did not dread......however, I should have known that things can still go wrong.

I heat embossed my image and started 'painting' the bleach on my petal areas.  I had chosen Pumpkin Pie as my cardstock as I had wonderful results in the past.  However, after applying bleach a few times and letting it dry or heat drying it, the bleached area is not very different from the original color.  I think my bleach may be old.  We rarely use bleach in our house, so it is probably several years old.  So when you see that my color difference is very small, please understand the problem.

However, I still like the effect and the technique, so thanks to Vicky for getting me out of my comfort zone once again.

Now be sure to go and see the fabulous results achieved by the rest of this wonderful DT at the CCEE Blog.

The CCEE Goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and our hostesses for the CCEE, Lynn and Liz, have asked us to make a pink card in its honor.  They added a second challenge, which was to send this card to a breast cancer survivor.  Unfortunately, there are many among us who fit that definition.  I visit an oncology practice each month as they also have hematologists in their practice which is what I need.  It always amazes me just how many people are dealing with cancer in their lives. 

I used a Penny Black image with a Stampin Up sentiment.  I just love this sentiment about HOPE.

Be sure to check out all the pinkness at the CCEE Blog.

Song Inspiration for the CCEE'ers

 

For her last week as hostess of the CCEE Stampers Challenge, Shirley asked us to be inspired by a song.  Well, I have had one song that seems to pop into my brain often and makes me smile.  It is an oldie but goodie that many of you have probably not heard.

 "High Hopes" is a popular song first popularized by Frank Sinatra, with music written by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Sammy Cahn. It was introduced in the 1959 film A Hole in the Head, nominated for a Grammy and won an Oscar for Best Original Song at the 32nd Academy Awards.

Here is a clip from the movie with Frank Sinatra singing the song.

When times are tough, this song reminds me to not give up.  There is strength in the belief that you can do something you once thought was impossible.

Be sure to visit the CCEE Stampers Blog to see the creations the DT created to match their inspiration songs.

CCEE Stampers Challenge -- CCEE1402

Sabrina is our CCEE Stampers hostess for January.  This week she asked us to use the bordered sentiment technique which involves masking the area to leave a blank space for the sentiment.

Be sure to stop in to the CCEE Stampers Blog to see a wide variety of fabulous creations using this technique.  We would love for you to join us in the challenge as well.  The team blog will also have the details on how to share your creations with us.

Flowers for the CCEE Stampers

Anne is the hostess with the mostest for October, and she has another fabulous challenge for all of us.  This week she noted that October 17 is the anniversary of 'You Don't Bring Me Flowers'.  Therefore, she wanted us to make cards with lots of flowers.

I used one fabulous flower stamp from SU along with a Martha Stewart border punch with lots of flowers.  I added rhinestones to the centers of the border flowers and an SU sentiment to the flower image.

So....to view a beautiful bouquet of blooms be sure to visit the CCEE Stampers Blog.

On a personal note....I would like to wish my nephew Eric a Happy Birthday.....he is 33 today!!!

The Crazies Go Sketchy

It is the third Crazy4Challenges challenge for the month of April which means we are working with a sketch.  Above is the sketch for this week, created by our April hostess, Kelli.  A sketch challenge is always fun as each member of the team interprets it in unique and fabulous ways.

I used this sweet image from Penny Black and a sentiment from Flourishes.  I hope this brings a smile to the recipient.

The Crazies Blog will be full of inspiration this week, so be sure to stop by and see how the rest of the team used this fabulous sketch.

Challenges with the Stampin B's and CCEE Stampers

The CCEE Stampers were challenged to make a fun get well card.  I think this House Mouse image fit the bill.  I paired in with this 'cozy' sentiment which I think makes it even more fun.  There are times when you don't feel up to par when you just might want to 'jump into' a hot cup of chocolate or tea or coffee to get 'cozy'.

The CCEE Stampers  blog should be a fun stop in blogland with all the fun get well cards.  Be sure to stop by.

The Stampin B's challenge this week was to make a gatefold card.  I am not a fan of alternate fold cards, but that is what is great about challenges.  They make us do things we would totally avoid......lol!!!!

I used an old SU snowflake image and a part of another SU image for the sentiment.  I had a hard time photographing this card as their is a metallic effect to the dp AND to the image, as I embossed it in gold.

Now....be sure to check out some fabulous gatefold cards at the Stampin B's blog.

What a Day!!!! Saturday Rocked!!!

I have been very busy today......but no stamping was done.  I have a dear stamping friend coming to visit in the few weeks, and I am trying to make a path through my stamp cave so she can get in and see my work area.  Most of the time, when I go down to organize, my stamps call out to me and I make an even bigger mess rather than cleaning.  Well....I am proud to say that today I made some headway.....long overdue reorganizing.  Now, don't get me wrong, it still is a longgggg way from the pristine workshops I see in blogland....mine will never be that!!!!!

I also had such a delightful surprise in the snail mail today.  My middle nephew, who lives with his wife in Colorado, recently took a trip to Scotland, England, and Ireland.  While in Scotland at a conference, he was staying right across from a stamp store.  Well, in my package that arrived today were Scottish related stamps AND some wonderful Tartan plaid designer paper.  The store he visited was Stamper's Grove in Edinburgh!  I'm not sure they appreciate just how special this gesture/gift is to me........but it just warmed my heart!!!!  So. of course, later in the day I also had the pleasure of talking with him and hearing all about this latest trip as well as an earlier one to Japan.  Made my day!!!

Colorado must have been in good vibes with me today as I also had a long and fun conversation with a dear stamping friend......{well, actually a friend, not just for stamping}.......who also lives in Colorado.  Also made my day........

So...what do I have to share today????  Well, I have some cards that have been waiting to be shared....so here ya go......

This card was done for this week's Sketch Challenge on SCS.  It used Nurse Margaret from Totally Stampalcious.

This second card was created for the CAS Challenge on SCS which was to have partial images.  I used this retired Southwest set from SU.  The sentiment is from Taylored Expressions.  Inside sentiment says....'.I just wanted my card to stand out!'

Stampin B's and CCEE Stampers Challenges

Charlene is our August hostess for the CCEE Stampers Challenge.  She has been sharing a fun fact with us each week and here is the one for today.....

 "You burn 26 calories in a one-minute kiss."

So the keyword for this week is KISS.  Well, I (like most of you) have thousands of stamps......and I really struggled with this one.  Finally I found this ancient SU get well set.  The image has the word 'kisses' on it plus the horizontal panel has 'kisses and hugs' symbols.  Phew......was so happy to find that set!!!

Be sure to stop by the CCEE Stampers Blog to see our 'kiss' gallery.

Vicki D. is our hostess for the Stampin B's this week.  She challenged us to use distressing on our creations.  My struggle with distressing is that I often make smudges or rips that I just can't live with.......and that happened this time too, but I was able to cover the worst ones up.....and, in the end, I was somewhat pleased with the final result.  What do you think????  It is certainly out of my comfort zone.

I used a newly released set by Mark's Finest Papers called Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement.

Now....don't get yourself all distressed....we've done that for you......so come check out our distressed creations at the Stampin B's Blog.

This second card will also be entered into Speedy's Friends Challenge as it was distressing this week.

Totally Stampalcious Blog Hop AND Release

(If you are looking for today's CCEE and Stampin B 's Challenge post, go here.)


WELCOME!!
You've reached the Fourth STOP of the July Release Totally Stampalcious BLOG HOP!  It's time for another FUN and FABULOUS release from Totally Stampalicious and we are so excited to share the latest selections from our Bugaboo Line by the ever-impressive artist, Jodie Mackerell of Bugaboo Digi Stamps!

(Nurse Margaret set)

This month we are shaking things up and we have also added a new artist to our Totally Stampalicious family! Please give a warm welcome to Sylvia Zet of Wee Stamps!

(Violin Charlotte set)

ALL SIX NEW STAMP SETS  are available NOW at Totally Stampalicious!

As always we have some PRIZES that we want to give away to a few of our lucky Hoppers so be sure to comment on ALL of the DT's blogs for your chance to WIN one of these AWESOME treats!!

1st Prize - ALL SIX New Stamp Sets!
2nd Prize - $15 Gift Certificate
3rd Prize - $5 Gift Certificate

(Poppi Penguin set....card made for yesterday's Sketch Challenge on SCS)

(Hippie Dottie set)

These smaller pics are fron this week's sneak-peeks, just in case you didn't have time to stop by.  The first is another card from the Poppi Penguin set.  The second card is from the set called Friendly Dexter while the third is from the set called Lady Jane.

How exciting to have SIX fabulous sets being released this month!!!

After leaving a comment here, you will travel to the ever creative and fantabulous Joycelyn's Blog to see what she has created for your inspiration!!!





Now in case you get lost along the way here is the complete blog hop line up!

Totally Stampalicious
Lynda - Stamp Act
Stacy - Twinshappy
Joanne - The Inky Ocean Gazer
Joycelyn - Stamps 'n' Coffee
Becky - Stampin' For Fun
Laurie - On the Bright Side
Julie - Julie Makes Cards
Lori - Inkingly Yours
Cindy - Cindy Haffner's Corner
Sue - Coffeestamper on SCS

The Crazies are getting INSPIRED!!!

Lynda is our Crazy4Challenges hostess for the month of June, and she is starting us off with an inspiration challenge.  Isn't this handbag absolutely stunning????  Wowza!!!  I tried to recreate the vibrant colors, bird silhouettes, and branching found on the original.  I used the branch stamp by Stampscapes and the birds silhouette by I Brake For Stamps.  I also used some embossing folders on the orange and green layers, some black pearls, Prima roses, and Spellbinder diecute leaves.  I used a piece of scrap dp to break up the solid colors.  AND......that is about that!!!  Just love the purse and also my card inspired by it!!!  (Not to fluff my own feathers....... I just LIKE it!!)

If you are like me and can't wait to see what the rest of this fabulous team has been inspired to create, well then get on over to the Crazies Blog.  I am sure you will be dazzled.

AND....here is another card to share for today.....

Last week was my last challenge as a member of Speedy's Friends Blog Team.  However, I still plan to play along whenever possible.  This week, the challenge was to use a paper or silk flower on your card.  Well, I used ths beautiful water lily being sneak-peeked this week by Mark's Finest Papers.  It is a lovely set with a scene, swans, and water lilies along with fab sentiments.  Remember, if you want to play with Speedy's Friends you will see the challenge, details on how to play, and the samples made by the Blog Team HERE.

A Challenging Day......

Silke is our hostess for the Crazy4Challenges this week.  She issued a color challenge this week -- pink, kraft, turquoise, brown.  My immediate reaction was......'Ah, this should be an easy one'.....and it should have been......but somehow my pink, kraft, brown, turquoise mojo had disappeared.  Out of three cards I made, this was my fav, but......well.....can't say it is exactly my best....IYKWIM!!!!  I embossed the kraft layer to look like siding on a house, but not sure if that translates in reality.  Oh well....I love the window and the sentiment.....lol!!!

Be sure to check out some spectacular creations at the Crazy4Challenges blog.

As I have admitted in the past, I admire the shaped cards that everyone makes, but I rarely do a round or other shaped card.  So the Speedy's Friends Challenge this week, which was to make a round card with 3 pastel colors, 3 bling, and one image, surely challenged me.  Thanks, Karen for once again making me work outside of my comfort zone.  (As I posted this, I realized it looks like I have TWO images on this card........I just don't know where that butterfly came from?????.....LOL!!!!....sorry, I was a bad girl!!!)

The images and sentiment are from Mark's Finest Papers.  The set is called Brick Wall.

Now hop on over to the Speedy's post to see the wonderful round cards by the rest of the team.

CCEE and Stampin B's Challenges

Stampin B's Challenge  #77
Hostess - Vicki D.
Challenge - Paper Piercing

I used a new template by Ecstasy to accomplish the piercing on this card.  I LOVE paper piercing, so this one was an easy one for me.  The rose is from a rubber stamp sheet from Innovative Stamp Creations.  Other than that, I think you can pretty much see what I have done.

Now be sure to check out the Stampin B's blog to see the work of the rest of the team.

CCEE Challenge -- CCEE1038
Hostess - Frances
Challenge -  Celebrate the invention of the bandaid by making a Get Well card

I must thank Frances for this challenge.  I have had this set from SU for yearssssss and had never used it.  Well, the images in the set just make me smile....and this card really went together very easily.  The sentiment and fronds are from another set, forget the company, but it was a Changito set if that helps.

Now....be sure to check out the CCEE blog to see the fabulous  creations of the rest of the team.

AND....remember...both of these challenge teams would love for you to play along with us.

As an aside.......I want to say 'Hello' to two dear friends who are kind enough to stop in to check out my blog on occasion.  Carol and Pat were two of the many wonderful friends at a 60th birthday party for another dear friend tonight.  It warms my heart that they give of their time to check in with me!!!  Thanks, girls!!!  ( or I should say --with love of course--My Fellow Old Farts!!!)

Friends are our chosen family.......and I really do feel so very blessed!!!!

Tea Party Card.....Get Well 'Fishes'

As part of Muddamark's Teapot Tuesday Cheater's Club, I was able to post this pretty early today.  I am heading to the beach....well.....not exactly....am headed to a friend's cottage near the beach for a get together with our extended Old Farts Club.  I plan to do my swim exercise before heading there.  We shall see if I can get that done.....lol!!!

This week's Teapot Tuesday Challenge (can be found at this thread by clicking on the challenge with the blue circle with an arrow) has a Destination Station (meaning a place to be sent.)  An 8 year old received a bone marrow transplant from his younger sister but he is still sturggling with this challenge.  This little guy loves to fish, so we are making cards with rods, reels, hooks, worms, fish, and the sort to cheer him up.  And...if we have a girlie card in our stash (who doesn't????) we are also sending one to his very brave and generous little sister.  If you have a bit of time, you could play along......or just send a cards of encouragement.

This image is an unmounted, not labelled stamps.  The sentiment was computer generated.  The bubbles come from a recently released set, Flourished Sea Creatures from the Speedy the Cat Designer Collection from Mark's Finest Papers.  Other than that, it is pretty easy to see what I did.

Thanks for stopping by...have a great day!!!

Sunday Fun in the Stamp Cave

This first card was done for the Speedy's Friends Challenge which was to use embossing.  All images are by Mark's Finest Papers.

This second card was done for the WaltzingMouse Stamps challenge which was a sketch challenge.  My image (the egg) is by that company.

This third card was done for the Penny Black Challenge which was to make a card with 'summer' as a theme and to use at least one Penny Black stamp.

Thanks for stopping in......I LOVE visitors.  Now I have to go spend some time with a dog who is already feeling the effects of a thunderstorm that is still a long time away......animals can be so amazing....although this is a talent I wish he didn't have 'cuz he hyperventilates and cries long before the storm gets here and long after it has left.

Sending Sunshine with the CCEE and Stampin B's

Well.....this week I am the hostess for both the CCEE challenge and the Stampin B's challenge, so I combined my card to meet both challenges.  The focal stamp is one by Bugawumps Stamps.  The sentiment is an unmounted stamp.  I created the sun with my inverted scallop Nesties and did the sky with a sponge and a strip of ripped paper with Cool Caribbean ink.  (NOW.....why isn't SU bringing THAT in-color back????)

April 15 is tax day for most here in the US today, so not many people are wearing smiles....especially if they waited til the last minute to mail in their tax forms.  So, for the Stampin B's I challenged them to make a card with a sun and an encouraging sentiment for all those 'depressed' taxpayers.  For the CCEEer's, I challenged them to make a 'get well' card for all those taxpayers who feel a bit 'sick' today with the amount of money paid to the IRS. 

Hope you enjoy the creations of both teams this week.  Please visit the Stampin B's Blog and the CCEE blog to see the work of the teams.  Please also use my sidebar links to visit the blogs of the individual team members.  These talented ladies will dazzle you for sure with their creations.

I have been crazy busy this week with doctor appointments and outings with friends (kind of a mix of good and evil events....lol)!!!  And...this continues today(Thursday) as well. 

Wishing you a calm and successful week.  May there be sunshine in your life....either the warms, sunny, outdoors kind, or the warmth of a happy heart.

Hugs,
Joanne/jojot

ISC Sneak Peek --- CCEE Challenge -- Stampin B's Challenge

CCEE Stampers' Challenge 1011
Host - Tosh
Challenge - Inspiration

Tosh challenged the CCEE team to another inspiration challenge this week.  The picture to the left is from William-Sanoma.  As you can see, I took my inspiration from the nest of eggs.

 I colored my image with my Copics, used my Classic Oval Nesties to cut the image and the mat, CB'd my trio of mid panels, and paper pierced around my background layer.  I added some fabulous ribbon from Mark's Finest Papers and hung a charm I bought at Michael's.

Now please be sure to visit the CCEE blog as well as the blogs of the individual team members.  You will be dazzled and amazed at the talent!!!


Stampin B's Challenge #50
Hostess Nancyruth
Challenge - Monochromatic/Green

Nancyruth was our hostess for the week and she challenged us to make a card using any shade of green.  I must admit that I was totally influenced by these fab mint green rhinestones I purchased recently.  The sad thing is that they really don't show up very well in this photo.  I used some mint green cardstock from Mark's Finest Papers which matches perfectly.  I then used one of my absolute favorite stamps EVER, which is my fern set from SU.  I heat embossed it in white on the mint card stock.  I used my Nesties to cut out the sentiment and mat, added some piercing with my SU piercing tools, and used my fav scallop corner rounder on the corners on the right side only.  I used a new-to-me CB embossing folder on the background.

Now be sure to visit the Stampin B's Blog to see the wonderful creations of this fabulous team.  Remember there is more to see now that we have 8 team members rather than the original 6.  More fabulous creations for you to gaze upon.


Innovative Stamp Creations
Sneak Peek
Friends Are Special Set

Tomorrow is the release date for Innovative Stamp Creations' newest stamp sheets.  You will truly be amazed by them.  They are not only fabulous on their own, but they are sets that can be used in so many ways with some of the stamps you already own.  The sheet represented here uses the Friends Are Special sheet.  On this card I created the dimensional flower with two of the flower images, made the background with another large image, and added one of the fab sentiments from the sheet.  On the background I used the emboss resist technique.  I embossed in white on white and then sponged on olive ink.  Love the way it blends with the graduated colors on the ribbon.

I have also connected one or more of these cards to the following challenges.....
Divine Divas (first card in this post)
Susies Sassy Challenge (Easter/Spring......first card in post)
Twisted Thursday (Pastel colors)
Cuttlebug Challenge (Spring project...hope a card counts??)
Fab and Funky (sneak peek uses new stamps...lol)
Little Red Wagon (use Copics....first and third cards in post)
Pixie Collage Challenge ( use green......all three cards, but especially the fern card)
Stampotique Challenge (spring has sprung...all three cards)
A Spoon Full of Sugar (Easter...the first card)
Stash Challenge (flowers)