Winter Flourishes

Hi Friends! I hope you have a fun week planned. I don't have anything in particular in store, but I always take the fun wherever I go...a girl can't depend on the fun just showing up. LOL!

My card today was some of my fun for the week. I got to play along with some challenges & with some new toys.

My first challenge is the Flourishes Timeless Tuesdays #202 to make or use something new. I am so excited to be using new Flourish stamps! I received the Winter Blossoms stamp set as a Christmas gift; and I purchased for myself a Mystery Bag which was filled with the Summer Blossoms & Life Lines un-packaged stamp sets, a 6X6 paper pad & lots of other goodies. What a deal for $15!

The second challenge is the Color Throwdown #224 to use Almost Amethyst, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery and So Saffron. Love these soft colors. 

Next challenge is the Freshly Made Sketches #68 challenge. What a versatile sketch; you can 'dress it up' like I did here or leave it more CAS. It's definitely a go-to sketch! 

 

 Have a great week! Hugs, Marilyn

Happiness Blooms

IC

Happy Sunday! The weather has been gorgeous in St. Louis~ mild temperatures (70s) and sunny, blue skies. I've been able to drive the convertible with top down almost every evening this week. That makes me one happy girl!
My card today is for several challenges. The Splitcoaststampers Featured Stamper challenge (FS243) and the Inspirational Challenge (IC304). I chose this card of Dianne's & I chose this wallpaper from the IC site for this week. I also wanted to play along with ColourQ (CQC104). The colors were just delightful.

 

I mentioned I had been working a lot of hours at my job, and I knew it was impacting my creativity, but it wasn't until today that I realized that I made less than ten cards last month except for the sets for swaps. I think that is an all time low for me! I typically create every evening after dinner at least for a little while. Well, you can be sure I will be getting back to nightly time in the studio. I've had a hard time these past two weeks trying to create because I haven't been active...I get rusty very quickly if I don't create regularly. You may see more cases for a while until I get my mojo back. I so appreciate all your views and comments. Have a great week! Hugs, 

Marilyn

Moxie Fab Felt Flowers

Happy Labor Day, US friends! And here's another post for me today- how crazy is that!?! I made these flowers by using two different colored strips of felt. I put the strips back to back & then twisted while wrapping in a circle. I like the way these turned out. It would be fun to make candy cane mints this way with red and white, don't you think? 

I made this card for the Moxie Fab World challenge to use felt in a new, unique way. I don't know if anyone has ever made flowers like this, but I've not seen anything like this anywhere. I just love the Moxie Fab World and PaperCrafts magazine including the special issues. I just picked up the latest special issue Card Ideas for Paper Crafters. There are tons of great sketches, plus my friend Tenia has a card featured on page 85. Congrats, T on another publication & honor! If you haven't seen her work, check her out. She creates awesome CAS cards. 


Have a great evening! Hugs, 

Marilyn

Summertime Flowers

Hello friends! I hope each of you is having a nice start to your week.
My card today is for the Victorine Original Blog Challenge to create something based on the theme "summertime".  Check it out- there's a chance to win stamps.
Hugs,

Marilyn

Supplies:
Image: (2716-H- Flower Pot With Birdhouse) Victorine Originals
Paper: (Poppy Parade, Rich Razzleberry) Stamping Up; (Solar White) Neenah
Designer Paper: (Bright Florals) ColorBok
Ink: (Tuxedo Black) Tsukinko; (Rich Razzleberry, Poppy Parade, Gable Green, Crumb Cake markers) Stampin Up
Accessories: (white gel pen) Uniball; (ribbon) Michaels; (Scrapper Floss) Karen Foster; (Button) Oriental Trading

Friends are the Sunshine of Life!

Friends are the Sunshine of Life! Isn't that so true? I have been very blessed to have made friends during all the different phases of my life & I've been even more fortunate to have kept many of those friendships too. My girlfriends and I have laughed and cried together, but mostly laughed & sometimes laughed so hard we cried! I hope you have had the same blessings. I am going to send this card as a 'just because' friendship card to the first friend I met when I moved to St. Louis over 30 years ago  Recently she has taken up stamping and card making, so we are having a blast sharing this hobby too.

This card was made these challenges. The Crazy 4 Challenges (C4C95) to make a summer themed card- flowers and bright, fun colors scream summer to me. Plus it is always so much more fun to get out with friends when the weather is nice. The other challenge was today's Splitcoaststampers' Free 4 All (F4A73) to use twine. Not quite twine, but skinny and colorful is my embroidery thread. I tried some blue twine, but it didn't match or blend to my taste.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Your comments make me so happy! Please check back again soon. I have lots of new toys! :)

PS. The studio re-organization is almost done! Pictures soon.

Supplies:
Stamp: Studio g
Ink: Tuxedo Black (momento), SU Markers: Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Concord Crush
Paper: Solar White (Neenah), Pool party, Concord Crush (SU), DP- Summer Days (Echo Park)
Accessories: Purple Ribbon (Ribbon Boutique), Embroidery Floss (DMC), Pin (K&Co), Flowers(Making Memories), Rhinestone Circle "fire" Brad (SU), Eyelet Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders).

Hugs,

Marilyn

Daisy Power

Happy Sunday! I've been so lucky to have had lots of time in the studio these past days. As you know, I've been working on re-organizing after the new floor installation at our home. One of my major goals is to remove the wood from my wood stamps in order to make more storage room. I've developed a process that I am very happy with but it is time consuming. Basically I am taking the image sticker off the wood, trimming it to fit the stamp and then painting an acrylic top coat so the stamp sticks to the acrylic blocks. If you're interesting in hearing more, shoot me an email. Enough of me- let's get to cards...

This one was made for two challenges. The Featured Stamper, FS225, where Rosemary is our featured artist. I chose her "True Strength" card to CASE. This card is also for the ColourQ challenge #86. Here are the colors:

Aren't these fun colors?! and what a great picture! So happy and filled with summer. Thanks for taking your precious time to stop by. Have a great day!

Hugs, Marilyn

Supplies:
Stamps: Bold Blossom (SU), B-Day Greeting (Stampin Sensations)
Paper: Early Espresso, Real Red textured, So Saffron (SU), WHite (Neenah), DP-yellow small dots (Making Memories)
Ink: Early Espresso, Real Red (SU)
Accessories: Punches- 3/4" circle, 1" circle (SU); Real Red grosgrain ribbon (SU), eyelets (Paper Studio)

Blossoms for You

Hello friends! Here's a card I created for my SU! stamp club friends for our monthly swap. Since I make 12 cards, I try to keep them more on the clean and simple side. I cased this design from Splitcoaststamper 'moster'; her real name is Melissa & she's from St. Louis. Even though that is where I live I don't know her. Isn't it a small world? I used a new set from the SU! Occasions Mini Catalog called Bold Blossoms. I hope you like it & my stamp club friends like it too.
All supplies SU! except the ribbon
Stamps: Bold Blossom
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, White, DP- Kaleidoscope (retired)
Ink: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black
Accessories: Pearls, Ribbon- Offray

Have a great Friday!
Hugs,

Marilyn

Sweet Sunday

Here's another card for me today. This one is for the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge (SSSC109) and the Color Throwdown Challenge (CTD133).   The label is from GinaK Designs Lovely Labels 2 which coordinate with Spellbinder Nestabilities Labels; in this case Labels 14. I am really happy I purchased this set~ I find myself using it all the time.

Stamps: Lovely Labels 2 (GinaK Designs), Spring Mini (Inkadinkado)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi (SU!), Latte Matstack (DCWV)
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, More Mustard (SU!)
Accessories: Elegant Eggplant Ribbon, Sheer Ribbon (Horizon Fabrics), Small oval punch (SU!), Labels 14 (Spellbinders), Leaf Stamp & Punch (MS), Yellow Glitter Glue (Studio g).

Thanks for looking!

Marilyn

A Rose is a Rose

 

Roses have to be one of the most beautiful flowers in the world. I just love this retired DSP from SU! called Bella Rose- which my stash is almost all gone. As much as I have loved it; it has become an 'old toy' so it's time to move on to something new. For my card, I used different  papers for the upper and lower section from the  Bella Rose collection. I stamped the rose using the large rose stamps from the retired "A Rose is A Rose" set; first in "Pretty in Pink" followed by "Riding Hood Red ", then I cut the rose out and placed it on a nestie eyelet square die-cut with a "Pretty in Pink" center.  The white ribbon is from American Crafts & the pink ribbon from Michaels. I used the Bow-easy to created the double bow. I think this card would work for many occasions- Valentines, sympathy, birthday or 'thinking of you'. It's nice to have a few generic cards like this ready to go. I'll leave the inside blank until I'm ready to send. Thanks for stopping by to see me & I hope you have a great week! 

Hugs, 

Marilyn

Don't Give Up!

Beautiful scripture don't you think? I can always use to be reminded not to give up. Today over at SCS is the Featured Stamper challenge, where Julie from the UK is being featured. She puts so much detail in her cards, you ought to hop over to her blog if you've never been. I chose to case this card .  I know I promised to show off some of my new Valentine stuff, but then the FS challenge posted so I took a quick break to make this card. But really...the Verve stamp is new to me...Verve was having a nice sale so I purchased quite a few faith oriented stamps & sets. The next post will have some new Valentine things...promise. Don't give up!

Supplies:
Stamps: Galatians 6:9 (Verve)
Paper: Vanilla, River Rock (SU)
Ink: River Rock (SU)
Accessories: Ivory Roses (Prima), frond punch (MS), Labels Four Nestabilities (Spellbinder), Impression plate (Sizzix)

Soft Blue Flower

Good morning! I wasn't going to play in the studio this morning, but when I saw Julia's Way to Use It challenge to use tissue paper, I was hooked. Luckily, this card only took about twenty minutes. So I can quickly get back to my chores. I start my new job on Monday so I am trying to get caught up on household odds and ends including Halloween & Fall decorating. DD#1 (dear daughter #1) is coming home from college for the weekend & once she get home (around lunchtime), I will want to spend my time with her.

My card was made with Marine Mist as a base which I covered it with white tulle. I like the soft look. I've not made tissue paper flowers before; this was one of the reasons I jumped on the challenge. I was happily surprised at how easy it was. This flower was made with blue tissue paper and cut with the Nestabilities Dahlia die. I added a velvet floral brad.

Supplies:
Stamps: None
Paper: Marine Mist, Black (SU!), DP- B&W Intricate Swirls (the Paper Studio)
Ink: none
Accessories: White wedding tulle (Michaels), Blue lace ribbon (Wyla Inc), Velvet flower brad (Creative Imaginations), Gemstones (the Paper Studio)

Light of the World

This card was made for this past Sunday's Featured Stamper challenge on SCS where BobbiesGirl (aka Carol) was our chosen stamper. I picked this card to case. I will be making a gift set for my sister for Christmas. She is very involved with her church, so I am hoping that she will enjoy cards with some bible verses.

I'm sure you can see the similiarities to Carol's so I won't bother detailing what I changed and kept like we do for the SCS challenge. Instead, I'll share how I made the flower. For the bottom layer, I used my scalloped circle nestability; I pencil marked the center & then at every scallop, I cut toward that center mark to make the petals. The next layer was the Dahlia nestability die & the top paper layer was made with the SU scallop circle punch. The same petal making technique was used for all three paper layers. After cutting the petals, I spritzed with water and curled the edges a bit. I added the crocheted flower and used the sparkled lavender brad to hold the layers together.

Hope you like it! I have quite a few more cards from VSN (virtual stamp night) to post, so please come back soon.

For my US friends, have a wonderful Labor Day holiday!
Hugs, Marilyn

Supplies:
Image: Sentiment by B&B Cardstock COo.
Paper: Lavender Lace, Lovely Liliac, Gable Green, Vanilla (SU); Latte (DCWV)
Ink: Lavender Lace
Accessories: Nestabilities- oval, scallop oval, round scallop, dahlia (Spellbinders); Cuttlebug (Provocraft); punch- scallop (SU); lavendar ribbon (stash), Lace-hem tape (Wrights); Crocheted flower (Fancy Pants); sparkle brad (all kinds of happy-Imaginisce)

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)

Lavender Dreams

A little lavender floral card that I made a while back that I had not had a chance to blog it. Things are busy around my house- I am still stamping but not posting near as much. Hope you are enjoying your summer!

IC233

Today was a great day! I woke up a bit too early (around 4 am) and just couldn't get back to sleep. So instead of fighting it, I started organizing the studio. Really organizing! I removed from my file cubes' hanging pendaflex folders all the retiring SU! papers & put them in a big basket under my desk. I am going to use up as much as I can, but there is a lot there. I have every color in 8.5 X 11 card stock. So that's 24 packages of papers & some (like the purples/lavenders) are nearly full.

I filed some of the newer papers I purchased at the CK convention & a few good finds from other stores including the three local craft shops that I adore. (Red Lead, The Ink Spot, The Checkered Cottage). Each offers a little something different & I have to limit my trips because I always find way too much cool stuff.

Recently, I organized my nestabilites, my brads and embellishments, flowers and embossing powders into new places including some faux leather baskets in solid colors of bright green, an orange and a hot pink (From Hobby Lobby- multiple trips with the 40% off coupon).

I reorganized my stamps; and put my few current favorites sets, my birthday sets and my favorite sentiment sets into two baskets near my work area. I cleared off one side of my center island that serves as a second work surface (it was over-run with magazines, papers and other odds and ends). Now, I have a place for scrapbooking or other bigger projects where I can leave that current project out until it is done. Since I joined the SEI club where I receive a project each month this was a quite a necessity!

I am so thankful to have a studio room of my own where I can store all my wonderful crafting 'tools of the trade' and a place to craft. I would have never thought five years ago that I would have gotten so 'taken' by this hobby, but I love it and it seems I love it more with each passing year. I have met some marvelous women through SCS, here in St. Louis and more recently a few new friends through the CK convention. Life is sweet!

My first card:
Image: Matthew 7:7 (Stampabilities) & Innoscents 2 (Heartfelt Creations)- these fit blossom 2 nestabilities
Paper: Crushed Curry, white, DSP- Razzleberry Lemonade
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Momento); Copic Markers (I'm learning), white craft & summer sun for distressing
Accessories: Nestability Blossom 2, In stitches template (brazzil), Emboss & punch (fiskars), stickles

I posted a card yesterday in honor of Deborah, the Queen for the Day on Friday at SCS. I kept looking at it, not liking something but I decided not to fuss with it. Then when I woke up this morning, I knew exactly what to do. Out came the MS butterfly punch and I added the three little b-flys. I like it much better now. Below is the revised version. What do you think?

My mind must have worked over the problem while I was sleeping and gave me the answer when I woke up. Does that ever happen to you? It is sort of weird, but I am not going to think too much about it as I was just happy to have the improved version.

Floral Verse

A pretty floral card with an inspirational bible verse was what I made yesterday for the Inspiration Challenge (IC232) on SCS. I chose to case a pair of purple kitchen gloves from the Two Lumps of Sugar website.

I cased a card from CardMaker magazine, May issue, p62 by Michelle Woerner for the design.

Sentiment: Verse-Stampabilities, Flourish-Inkadinkado
Paper: Lavender Lace, Gable Green, Brocade Blue, Tempting Turquoise, White (SU!), Euphoria (Basic Gray)
Accessories: Purple Bling (Paper Studio), Punches-Boho Blossoms (SU), Frond (MS)

Daisies

Never before have I combined five challenges in one card...I certainly don't have the talent like Neva (aka n5stamper on SCS) but this week the challenges flowed together. If you've never run across Neva's work, check out her blog- she combines challenges like nobody's business. She's amazing!

Here are the five challenges I combines:
CC268- Old Olive, Barely Banana, Ballet Blue
MMTPT91- bring a daisy to the tea party
SC278- 'nuf said
WT268- use chipboard- my scallop frame is chipboard covered in barely banana
F4A10- make a floral card

You know, blue is my favorite color and there are six blues leaving the SU! color palette including ballet blue that I used as my card base above. I love change and new things so I won't whine {too much} especially since there are still lots of blues in the new colors- I count a total of seven. The blue shade faired better than purple; surprisingly only two purples remain~ and no pastel purple/lavender. I you haven't see this, Mary Fish has all the details on her blog, Stampin' Pretty.

I made my flower but using my 1-3/4 circle punch on white tissue paper; then stacked all the layers and free handed cut flower petals, added the corduroy button, and twisted the tissue paper so that the petals were not longer perfectly aligned, and a smooched it a bit.

I added Pearly Glimmer Mist (tattered angels) but it doesn't show up very well.

Have a great day, friends!