Saturday, March 31, 2012

Birthday Banner



Hi Stampin' Friends! This evening I made a fun little card using stamps from Unity's March Kit of the Month. Each month Unity sponsors a KOTM sketch challenge. And it's hard to believe that the month is nearly over.
 My designer papers are from K & Co & the twine from The Twinery. My 1" circle punch & small star punch from SU! fit the popped up shapes just perfectly. I spent most of the day outdoors enjoying the weather, so that's it for me today. Hope to see you again soon.
Hugs, Marilyn


Friday, March 23, 2012

Spring Wishes

Happy Spring! I know, I've said that phrase on almost every post since the beginning of March, but I just can't help myself! 
I am so happy for the warmer weather, nature's colors and the promise of driving the convertible on a regular basis. LOL! 
Back to stamping...my creation is for two challenges. The first a sketch challenge from the Clean & Simple Blog (FTL182) ; the sketch is below. When I saw this sketch I knew exactly what I wanted to do. 
I recently purchased a small package of the pink felt flowers at Michael's $1 spot. At the time I did not have anything in mind, but I thought they were cute & the price was right. The second challenge is the CAS-ual Friday (CFC45) challenge to use pastel and black.

I probably wouldn't have used black if it weren't for this challenge, but I like the way it turned out. I'm really happy I got a few hours of play time in the studio. It is going to be a busy weekend with the family so I probably won't get much more stamping time, but my family time is even better than stamping. Thanks for stopping to see me~ your comments & encouragement mean so much to me. I'll get by your blogs by Monday or Tuesday. 
Here's hoping you have a fabulous weekend!
Hugs, 
Marilyn
 Supplies: Stamps: Spring has Sprung by Rupa Shevde (Gina K); Paper: White (neenah), Black (SU!), Pink- from retired DSP-Berry Bliss (SU!); Ink: Tuxedo Black Momento (Tsukineko); Accessories: Circle & Scallop punches (SU!), pink felt flowers with rhinestones (Michaels).

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Peach Limeade Party

Spring Greetings, friends!
I hope you are enjoying your Spring as much as I am. Every year when Spring arrives, I undergo an internal rejuvenation & a renewal of energy which is accompanied by a giddy happiness. I'm so happy to be done with winter even if it was a mild one here in the Midwest. I love the smells & the colors of Spring too. And speaking of colors, aren't the colors in this card wonderful? They are Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, & Peach Parfait which are the colors in the Create with Connie & Mary Color Challenge (CCMC193)
I used the sketch from a fairly new challenge blog & brand new to me called Retro Sketch; below is the third sketch (RS3).

My supplies are all SU! except for the white embroidery floss used with the buttons and for the tuck in the ribbon. The stamp is from the cute little set called "Everybunny". All the images in that set are just adorable. The DPs are Everyday Enchantment (from Sale-a-bration) & the 2010 In Color Paper Stack (Peach Parfait strip). There's Peach Parfait ribbon & Pumpkin Pie designer buttons. I colored my image using ink & blender pens. Lastly, it is likely difficult to see but the white background is subtly embossed with small dots Texturz plate.  

Thanks for stopping by! I treasure your comments and our friendship. 
Have a great week! 
Marilyn

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

A happy hello to you! I am over the top happy because Spring has arrived in my world; here in St. Louis. The daffodils are blooming & the red-bud and ornamental pear trees are showing their gorgeous colors. The weather has been unseasonably warm (70s) & so I've been able to put the convertible top down. In my world, it doesn't get any better.

My card today was my swap card for monthly club this past Friday. I used all Stampin' Up products except for the half pearl & the white cardstock. I strictly use white Neenah papers, both heavy weight & regular weight. I got the idea for this sketch, somewhere on blog-land or on Splitcoaststampers, but I don't recall whether this idea came to me as a result of an inspiration or if it is more of a copy.

The colors are Poppy Parade and Peach Parfait. I love the Blossoms punch and the Mixed Bunch stamp set from the SU! Occasions Mini Catalog. I have used this set and punch so much- and I see new ideas every time I'm on-line. On top of the punched flower is a 3/4" circle in Poppy Parade topped with a big half pearl. I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to get the sentiment aligned. The sentiment is from the "Just Believe" stamp set.

Have a great day, Hugs,

Marilyn

3/18/12 UPDATE: I ran across where I got this idea & it really was a CASE. Credit goes to Sandy Mathis; her Splitcoaststampers post can be found here:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2111906

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Gray & Rainy

Hi Friends! I hope you are having a super weekend! My card today is for two challenges; the Play Date Color Challenge & the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge.


The colors are very fashionable~ I was shopping earlier today & there were two displays featuring these colors in household items & another display with clothes. The colors I used are So Saffron, Going Gray and Basic Gray from Stampin' Up. The designer papers are from a retired series called "Walk in the Park". My umbrella stamp and rain background stamp is from Unity's February Kit of the Month. I stamped & masked the umbrella & then stamped the rain using Going Gray ink. I stamped the umbrella again on So Saffron & paper pieced it. I went over the handle with a black marker so it would show up better. The sentiment is from a retired SU! set called "And Everything Nice". 

Thanks for stopping! Hugs,
 Marilyn

Monday, March 5, 2012

Daffodil Day

Hey there! How's it going? I'm having a great week & I hope you are too. I made this card for two challenges~ my favorite combo- a sketch and a color challenge! The sketch is from Clean & Simple's FTL180 & the color challenge is from CR84FN49 challenge to use gray, craft & yellow.


























For my image, I used SU! "Just Believe" stamp inked in Basic Gray on Daffodil Delight cardstock. I outlined the image using a crushed curry marker. The large dots gray panel was made with a new purchase of the Quickutz Polka Dots embossing folder that I'd been seeing out there in Blogland. Love it! The DP, ribbons and button is all SU!'s Daffodil Delight. And to think I almost didn't purchase this Daffodil cardstock when it first came out because I don't consider yellow a favorite color. So why then would I have buttons, DP, several spools of ribbon?

Hugs,

Marilyn

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Home Sweet Home


Hi Stamping Friends! Where does the time go? I just returned from a short business trip & I got to see some friends and my sister...now that's a GOOD trip. I can hardly believe how long it has been since my last post...I'll quit promising to be here more often & just enjoy when I can be. I can tell you that I enjoy reading your blogs and seeing your creations. I get a little more time to hop on the internet than I get to create. Well anyway...

Above is my latest creation that I started before my trip. I'm glad I was able to finish it before the challenge was closed. The challenge is one of my favs- Trigger Tuesday on the Moxie Fab World Blog. Below is the "trigger".

This card was a bit unusual for me as I usually don't do a literal translation of challenges, but I really loved this sweet little home. I used my Unity stamp from January's Kit of the Month  for my house image. I just signed up for the Kit of the Month in January & I am enjoying the trendy images that are also the perfect images for the season. 

My door was made using an oval punch and woodgrain background stamp with the addition of a red brad for the door handle. Several punches were used: a tiny flower, MS bird, MS grass, MS edge & tiny heart. The grass and flowers are under the bordered transparency from K&Co. & everything else is on top of the transparency. I used a die from CC Designs for my felt clouds. The papers are SU! from the designer series paper packs (bashful blue, real red, pear pizzazz), and crumb cake.

I just loved playing this trigger challenge. It was fun to spend 10 minutes here and there over several days to create this card. Thanks for stopping by- I love reading all your comments.

Hugs,


Marilyn