Keep Calm & Shop On

Hi Friends! How are you? All is well in St. Louis. Our weather has turned cooler; probably like your neck of the woods. My DH and I are doing some re-decorating of our home- wallpaper removal, new paint, & new decor. We've also been downsizing. Since we started mid-summer, we've made three trips with a filled SUV to our local Goodwill. Since I am home full-time now, I thought I'd be creating cards & on-line checking out galleries & challenges, but I haven't been. I am having a lot of creative fun in our home though but I feel a little rusty with my card making...whenever I get away from creating daily then I am much slower & also more indecisive about the details. Let's see if I can get back into the daily routine. I enjoy it so much when I play in the studio every day!

My card today is for the CR84FN challenge. The colors are light blue, yellow and green. I chose to use River Rock as my background base to coordinate with my focus of green. I rarely use River Rock so I thought it would be good to switch it up. My DP is from my 6x6 pad of Basic Grey Picadilly. I just love this color combo from CR84FN- my Studio is painted in colors similar to Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery so I wanted to challenge myself to use a different green. I was so indecisive about the big brad, ribbon and blue floral embellishment that the card stayed on my desk for two days- I changed the embellishments numerous times & finally just made a decision on what you see here. Below is a close-up. What do you think?

Thanks for stopping! I'll be back later tonight to see your galleries,
Hugs, Marilyn

Supplies:
Stamps: Carry On (SU!)
Paper: River Rock (SU!), White (Neenah)
DP: Picadilly (Basic Grey)
Ink: Bashful Blue, Daffodil Delight (Sponged edges of nestie shape) (SU!)
Embellishments: Jumbo Grommet in white, Vintage Flower in Blue, 3/8" Old Olive ribbon (SU!), White Large Glitter Brad (hiding under flower) (Americal Crafts), Labels 4 Nestability (Spellbinders)

Denim & Burlap

Hi Friends! How are you? Happy Friday!
This card was made for two challenges. First, the CR84FN63 challenge (below) to use the colors denim, tan and brown. They are having an open call for Design Team members. I'm all over that! Wouldn't that be a blast to be a part of that awesome DT?!!

Several months ago I purchased two pairs of toddler jeans at the local Goodwill. I intended to make some denim flowers but I never got around to it. So when I saw the CR84FN challenge, I knew exactly what I wanted to do- make those flowers after all! I was struggling with the design when I decided to look out on blogland at some of the sketch challenges & found this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge, PPA143 (below) which was perfect for my flower idea! It's a great sketch, very versatile- I'd like to use it with my blossom punch later.

Hope you like my off-beat creation!
Hugs, Marilyn

Supplies:
Stamps: Vintage Labels (SU- retired)
Paper: Basic Brown textured, Very Vanilla (SU!)
Designer Paper: Basics Manilla (Basic Grey)
Ink: Vintage Photo Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Denim, Burlap material; Corduroy Brad (Eyelet Outlet), Dahlia nestabilities (Spellbinders), Pop-Pom ribbon (stash), Curly Label punch & 1" circle punch (SU)

Tweet-Tweet!

Hi Friends! Hope you are having a great week. My card for today was made for two challenges. The first is the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge 400. Wow! How did that happen? The challenge was to pick a sketch from the past, so I picked the very first sketch challenge that I ever played. It was SC126 as shown below. It is a very versatile sketch that is perfect for lots of cards, don't you think? 

The second challenge is for the Basic Grey challenge #75 where "anything goes" this week. I used papers and stickers from the "Offbeat" collection. The stamps are a retired set from SU! called "Cheep Talk". Card-stock and inks are SU!- Bordering Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip.  
Thanks for stopping! Hugs, Marilyn

Masculine Birthday

Happy Memorial Day to my American friends! A special Thank You to all who do serve & those who have honorably served in our military &  their families who have made their own sacrifices for their loved one to do so.

My card today is for two challenges. The sketch is from Card Patterns #167 (see below) and the theme from Hand Stamped Sentiments to make a masculine card. This card also fits the Simon Says card challenge to make a 'special male card'.

I used the "Just My Type" stamp set from SU! This one didn't make it to the new catalog so I am glad I purchased it. I used my black pigment ink for the typewriter and embossed it with black embossing powder. I distressed the edges with black ink. The paper is basic gray and poppy parade with white. The DP is from Basic Grey. The ribbon and brads are also SU! supplies. Even though there is ribbon on the card, I don't think it looks girly. Hope you like it!

Have a great week!  Hugs, Marilyn

Birthday Mouse

I made this card for two challenges. First, the Victorine Originals (VO) blog challenge #14 to make a birthday card. I used my VO stamp called "Mouse with Balloon". Stop by & play...you don't have to use VO stamps (of course we'd love it if you did)...we just want everyone to have fun! Anyway, today I chose to make the mouse masculine & I used my Basic Grey Marjolaine plaid paper. (I'm already thinking about a little girl mouse with some feminine colors like pink and yellow). My sentiment is also from VO; you should check out their All Occasions set (10512X)~ it's a super value. There's 38 Occasions and 8 descriptive words like Merry and Happy making a total of 46 stamps for less than $10 when you chose the unmounted rubber option.

The second challenge is the Pals Paper Arts (PPA) #105 challenge  where we were to use the colors below.

I just love this new SU! color "Island Indigo". I'll be using a lot of it over the next two years. Yea- it is a blue & you know how I love blue.

Thanks so much for coming over to my place. Have a great week!
Hugs,

Marilyn

Supplies:
Stamps: (Mouse with Balloon & All Occasions Set) Victorine Originals
Ink: (Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Basic Grey, Blushing Bride, Not Quite Navy) Stampin' Up; (Tuxedo Black Memento) Tsukineko
Paper: (Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo) Stampin' Up; (Solar White) Neenah
Designer Paper: (Marjolaine) Basic Grey
Punches: (1-1/4 square, 1-3/8 square) Stampin' Up
Accessories: (Blender Pen) Stampin' Up

Kitty, Kitty

Happy Saturday! To my US friends, Happy 4th of July weekend! I am really going to enjoy having an extra day off this weekend. I hope you do too!

Last night, I made this card for the WT329 challenge on Splitcoaststampers to use something old and something new. My old item is my Basic Grey Max & Whiskers papers; my new is the cat image from SU! Touch of Kindness stamp set in the Summer mini catalog. I just love this cat...the very reason for purchasing the stamp set! I do love cats but I've never had one. :(  As a kid, my mom was allergic & now as an adult, my daughters are allergic. I suspect that I probably am too, so I just have to play with my cat stamps. I also made this card for the Inspirational challenge, IC291. I chose this print from the Oopsy Daisy website.

Have a great Saturday! Stay safe out there!
Hugs, Marilyn

Delight Yourself

Happy Friday! I hope you have a nice week; I know I have. And I'm really looking forward to the weekend. Tonight I will be meeting a girlfriend at our Archivers for Scrap Night. My bag is all packed~ a scrap-booking project and a card project. Then on Saturday, it is another monthly crafty girlfriend get together. Two evenings in a row of papercrafting with friends...I am so lucky! Then Sunday is our Father's Day celebration where we will be taking lunch to my FIL and step-MIL's home. They are in their 80's so every family celebration is truly a blessing. I hope you will have time to honor those special men in your lives.

This card was made for two challenges. The Ways to Use IT challenge (WT327) on Splitcoaststampers to use vellum. I used silver vellum. The second challenge is Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO195). Below is the sketch

I love this sketch. I hope you like my version! Since my weekend is busy, I may not be back to blog-land until Sunday night, so...have a fabulous one!

 Hugs,  Marilyn 

Supplies:

Stamps: Psalm 37:4 (Verve)

Paper: Basic Black (SU), Solar White (Neenah), Silver Vellum-scored (Michael's), DP- Meadow Lark (My Mind's Eye)

Ink: Black

Accessories: Scallop circle punches (Marvy), Black bling Swirls (want2scrap), black hem tape (Wrights), white pen(Uniball) 

Miss you, little one!

This card was made for the Featured Stamper challenge over on Splitcoaststampers where Sue (aka Coffeestamper) was our honored stamper. I chose this card of her's to case. Sue has a fab gallery & I just love her Splitcoaststamper name. I made this card with my younger daughter in mind. She won't be able to come home from college for Easter but we were fortunate to see both our daughter's this weekend at the older daughter's college. We sent the little one back to her college with her Easter basket wrapped up with instructions to not open until next Sunday. So I wanted to send a non-Easter card to her. It struck me as we were saying goodbye how much I miss those girls. I guess I just suck it up when they aren't home because there isn't anything that can be done about it. But man, life is so sweet when we are all together. The little one is in a 'elephant phase' so I'll send this card to her tomorrow. I hope you have had a great weekend!
Here's a little detai for you

Supplies:
Stamps: Elephant(Studio g); sentiment (SU- retired-all year cheer)
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Perfect Plum (SU), DP_Green at Heart (Basic Grey), Solar White(Neenah)
Ink: Perfect Plum (SU)
Accessories: Twine (the Twinery), buttons (stash), Green flower (Michaels), Purple flower (Prima)

Have a happy week!

Marilyn

Hi Chickie!

Hello friends! I took some time today to make a few cards. I have been working on reorganizing, cataloging and consolidating my stamp collection. I've taken the plunge to take all of my wood mounted stamps off the wood. It is taking me quite some time but the downsizing & organizing will be good. I am also putting aside stamp sets that I don't think I'll use again for sale later. I really admire those who have clean out each season...I just can't seem to part with so many of my stamps, but the longer this process of downsizing continues the more likely I'll say 'goodbye' to many more sets.  I have a deadline as we are having hardwood floors put in the upstairs rooms including the studio, so that is what has been keeping me away from daily card making and more frequent posting.

This card was a fun one...made in honor of Irene, the Featured Stamper over on Splitcoaststampers. I cased this card of hers. I hope she likes it! I started with a base of white Neenah paper & topped it with three panels of Basic Grey's Offbeat paper mounted on SU! retired YoYo Yellow {I think this is the first time I've used that since it retired!} The bottom nestability is Label 10 in SU! Baja Breeze. The next layer was made using the retired SU Paisley background stamp in YoYo Yellow and then cut with a Scalloped Oval Nestability. The image is one from the Michaels $1 spot. I colored this cute Chickie with SU! markers & sponged the edges with Baja Breeze.

Have a great week,

Marilyn

Hello- I'm back!

Hello, friends! I'm back after a several week absence...all is well. I've been very busy with my professional work life so I haven't been able to spend much time in the studio. Boy, does it feel good to be creating again! I'm a little rusty...this card took me forever & I fussed over it last night and again this morning. I'm not sure how much I like it but I carried on anyway as I was making it for the Color Throwdown #129 challenge.

The colors this week were ballet blue, light and dark green. The light green is Certainly Celery and the dark green is Wild Wasabi. The sketch is my own & I chose some coordinating Basic Gray DP from the Euthoria collection for my panel. The horizontal strips are Wild Wasabi cardstock that was cut with small scalloped scissors and topped with Marina Mist 1/8 inch taffeta ribbon. The image is from the set Sweet Summer in the SU! Sale-a-bration catalog- a super cute set. I used Nestabilites scalloped circles for the main image and layer. I kept the die in place while I lightly sponged with Ballet Blue the background of the main image.

Thanks for stopping by after so long!

Marilyn

VSN Challenge Cards

Here are my cards for tonight's Virtual Stamp Night (VSN) Challenges over on SplitcoastStampers. I am so excited to play as I haven't been able to play for several years. I have this evening and all day tomorrow open. Nothing better than stamping all day!

I really need a lift too. This past week I started meeting with my career coach since my position at work was eliminated with a restructure. Last Friday, 8/20, was my last day. I received a good severance package so I won't have to worry about income for a while which is quite reassuring. I'm optimistic that I'll find a rewarding position. Keep me in your thoughts, please.

Back to the cards. I missed the first challenge, but hopefully I can start early tomorrow and make a card for it too. My first pictured was for the "B" challenge ( AUG10VSNB); the challenge was to incorporate a window. The second card was for the 'C" challenge (AUG10VSNC); we were to use the wax paper cuttlebug resist technique.

Our challenge on the third card, "D" (AUG10VSND), was to be inspired by the camping theme. I don't really care for camping. Here in the midwest, I get eaten alive by mosquitoes if I stay out past dusk. Plus I'm not a big fan of all the other creepy, crawly things. But I do love nature, the outdoors & I love to stay in the cabins or lodges at the state & national parks. We took our daughters on a 'western states" vacation & one of our stops was the Grand Canyon. How beautiful! We stayed in a cabin there. Each morning right outside our cabin was an Elk grazing on the tree's foliage. That is one HUGE animal; downright intimadating when you are only six feet away. Thus the inspiration for this card.

My last card was for the last challenge for the evening ( AUG10VSNE) and we were to be inspired by summer vacations. We took some vacations when I was a kid, but mostly we stayed home. We rode our bikes everywhere. One of my best girlfriend's family had a tandem bicycle which is what inspired my card.

That's it for tonight! I'll post the rest of the VSN cards on Sunday. Hugs!

AUG10VSNB supplies:
Image: Sweet of You (SU-retired) {I still love this set}
Paper: Pear Pizazz, Rich Razzleberry, White (SU), DSP- Green at Heart (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Momento), Pear Pizazz, Rich Razzleberry,Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: 1/2" Pear Pizazz poly ribbon (SU), Cha Ching brad (Brazzill), Velvet flower (7 Gypsies)

AUG10VSNC supplies:
Image: A Little Bit of Happiness (SU-retired)
Paper: Barely Banana, Soft Suede, Glossy (SU)
Ink: Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz-Distressed-Ranger)
Accessories: Wax paper, Iron, Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), Cuttlebug, Twine.

AUG10VSND supplies:
Image: Yukon (SU-retired)
Paper: Mellow Moss, River Rock, Vanilla, DSP-Fall Traditions (SU)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Accessories: Thread, Twine, eyelets (SU!), oval punches (SU), Zipdry glue.
Info:

AUG10VSNE supplies:
Image: Pedaling Past (SU)
Paper: Ballet Blue, Old Olive, DSP-The Paper Stack (DCWV)
Ink: Old Olive (SU)
Accessories: Bling Flourish (Want2Scrap)

Plaid Flowers

Isn't this a pretty color combo? It was this past Tuesday's color challenge on SCS. The colors are from SU! new in-colors and new pallet; specifically they are Crushed Concord, Pear Pizazz, and Daffodil Delight. I even included the challenge's dessert option to add dew drops. I combined the color challenge with today's TLC challenge. Joan Ervin shared a new technique called Plaid Silhouette. Joan's has a nice tutorial on her blog.

Have a great day!

Supplies:
Image: Office Accoutrement, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Crushed Concord, Daffodil Delight, White (SU!), DSP- Sugar Rush (Basic Grey)
Ink: Crushed Concord, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizazz (SU!)
Accessories: Velvet flowers (7 Gypsies-Eggplant), Dew Drops (orchid-Robin's Nest), Oval punches (SU!) Rose leaf punch (MS)