Just Us Girls #239 - Sketch Challenge

Welcome to sketch week at Just us Girls!  This week, Cheryl has provided us with a simple sketch you can dress up, keep CAS, or go in between.  Love a versatile sketch! 

I chose to dress the sketch up a bit as well as flip the orientation of the panel as my anal side likes going from right to left versus left to right LOL!  Pulled out an old Stampin' Up set called Vintage Vogue which I tripped across while deciding which set to use with the sketch.   The papers are from Echo Park's Hello Spring line and I fussy cut and popped up the flowers.

The rest of the  JUGS team, along with our May Guest Designer Barbara Campbell have some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so head on over to the Just Us Girls blog and check out what they've created.  Then put your creative genes to work and add your card/project to the challenge post on the JUGS blog for the chance to be chosen as the Chic of the Week.  Plus if you are chosen as Chic of the Week, you could be invited to be a Guest Designer.

Looking forward to sleeping as I am still catching up from not sleeping on the red eye flight back from Hawaii on Monday.  My body has never done well without sleep and I have been sorely reminded of it this week as I struggled through it in a daze LOL! 

Thanks for popping by today and have a fabulous weekend! 

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:  Vintage Vogue (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Hello Spring (Echo Park), Kraft (Stampin' Up)   
Ink:  Perfect Plumb, Pale Plumb, Black, Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Black (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Buttons, Twine, Purple Half Pearls, Dimensionals  

Just Us Girls #229 - Inspiration Challenge

This week's inspiration challenge is brought to us by Lisa and I just love those painted spools and the fabulous colour combination!  So many wonderful ways you can go with this inspiration photo.

Since I have been working at hubby's office all week, stamping time is very short so today's card is a "cheater card"....   I immediately thought of Stampin' Ups Season of Friendship set and it was a perfect match to the trees with the birds in them.   Think this is the fastest card I have ever made!  Nothing like taking an inspiration photo literally!

The rest of the  JUGS team, along with our February Guest Designer Melissa Hubert, have some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so head on over to the Just Us Girls blog and check out what they've created.  Then put your creative genes to work and add your card/project to the challenge post on the JUGS blog for the chance to be chosen as the Chic of the Week.  Plus if you are chosen as Chic of the Week, you could be invited to be a Guest Designer.  

Down time this weekend will only consist of Sunday afternoon as some friends are moving and we will be helping them unpack so they can get settled quickly.  Always remember how much I appreciated it when friends helped me move, so it will be a joy to have someone else be able to enjoy that same feeling :)

Have a fabulous weekend!

 
 
What's In It?
Stamps:   Seasons of Friendship (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Kraft, White (Stampin' Up),  
Ink:  Black, Sage Shadow, Only Orange (Stampin' Up)   
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lil' Inker Designs), Dimensionals  

Just Us Girls #206

This week Nancy is our hostess and she has chosen the grid technique found here as our challenge for this week.  It was a first for me, and I enjoyed using it on my card.

I pulled out Inspired by Nature as it was a nice big image that would work wonderfully with this technique.  I scored my linen paper,  stamped on the images and added a bit of sponging around the edges.  A tag and a few butterflies finished things off.

The rest of the  JUGS team has some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so head on over to the Just Us Girls blog, and check out what the Design Team has created.  Then put your creative genes to work and add your card/project to the challenge post on the JUGS blog for the chance to be chosen as the Chic of the Week.   In addition, there is a DT call out for some new members to join the Just Us Girls team! Check today's post for all the details.

Another busy weekend for us and it doesn't look to be slowing down until after Thanksgiving - eeek!  Life in the fast lane is very over rated LOL!  We are all adjusting to ramped up schedules and changes in schedules!  Just as get both kids back in the same school again, they are on different bell schedules due to the school being so over crowded.  And, as you may have guessed, I have one child on the early schedule who has to be out the door by 7:00 a.m. and the other one starts a few hours later and doesn't get home until 4:30 p.m.  Needless to say my crafting time is getting the bad end of the stick.  Hopefully it will settle itself out sooner than later so I can be a bit more consistent with my posting :)   

Have a fabulous weekend, and I'll be back on Monday with my Mojo Monday card.



What's In It? 
Stamps:  Tiny Tags(PTI), Inspired by Nature and French Script (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, Early Espresso, Real Red (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen
Ink:  Black, Creamy Caramel, Rudy Red, Really Rust, Garden Green, Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up), VersaMark, Antique Linen Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   ScorPal, Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Medium Scallop and Tiny Tags Dies (PTI), 1" Green Sheer Ribbon (Michael's), Distressing Wheel (Stampin' Up), Twine, Brown Half Pearls 

Merry Monday #62

* This is my third post of the day!  If you are looking for my Mojo Monday post or this month's Diva Dare post, please see my two previous posts *

This week's Merry Monday sketch is another wonderful sketch to work with as the possibilities with the circle element are endless!

I decided to pull out Stampin' Up's Dasher - love this reindeer image!   I embossed him in gold and added some gold, half pearls to a few of the dots in the antler design for a bit of dimension. 

The paper is a piece I have been hoarding for some time from a Costco pack I got a few years back.  Today was the perfect day to bring it out again.  The card needed a little something so I added some gold twine with a snowflake in the middle, and Dasher is totally ready to travel to someone's home this Christmas :)

The rest of the Merry Monday Crew have fabulous samples of this week's sketch.  Below is a link to each of their blogs.

Allisa Chilton
Bonnie Klass

LeAnne Pugliese

Nina Forsyth

Wendy Aungst

Narelle Farrugia

Sue Joyce
Sherry Eckblad
Margaret Moody 
Vicki Burdick

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!! 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Dasher (Stampin' Up), Merry Christmas (Hero Arts)  

Paper:  Costco DP Pack, Cream Linen  

Ink: Black, VersaMark  

Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Gold Half Pearls, Gold Twine, Snowflake Punch (Marvy), Dimensionals

Mother's Day Card - Two Versions

I made two cards with the same layout and just switched up the colours and images on them.  The first card uses The Art of Life set by Stampin' Up.  It is a set I have always loved and haven't used in ages so it was good to give it some ink.  Just love this flower image! 

The second card uses Easy Elegance, another wonderful flower set by Stampin' Up.  This time I used my favorite pink and yellow colour combo - much like the colours of the tulips and cherry blossoms  in our neighbourhood right now.   Two quick and easy cards, and I just love that little PTI tag - so perfect for a Mother's Day card!

Back to work - still crazy busy here.  Thanks for popping by and have a great day.



First card:
What's In It?
Stamps:  Easy Elegance (Stampin' Up)
Paper:   Almost Amethyst, Mellow Moss (Stampin' Up)
Ink:   Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac, Mellow Moss (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Scalloped Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Tiny Tags Die (PTI), Crimper, White Half Pearls, Raffia, Dimensionals 

Second Card:
What's In It?
Stamps:  The Art of Life (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst Mellow Moss (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Regal Rose, So Saffron, Mellow Moss, Lovely Lilac, Almost Amethyst, Black (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Scalloped Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Tiny Tags Die (PTI), Crimper, White Half Pearls, Raffia, Dimensionals 

Just Us Girls #186 - Inspiration Challenge

Welcome to this week's Just Us Girls challenge.  This week, our newest DT member Nancy has provided this fabulous inspiration picture to work from.

I love pink and black together! Such a wonderful colour combination that makes a great statement.

I pulled out two Stampin' Up sets I have not used for a long time, Vintage Vogue and Bliss, and went to work.

I created a Damask Background and added the flowers and ribbon for the pops of colour.

The rest of the  JUGS team has some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so just hop on over to the Just Us Girls blog, and check out what the Design Team has created.  Then put your creative genes to work and add your card/project to the challenge post on the JUGS blog for the chance to be selected as Chic of the Week.  
 
Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
 


What's In It? 
Stamps:  Dream Big (Verve), Vintage Vogue and Bliss (Stampin' Up) 
Paper:  Black and White 
Ink:  Black, Marvelous Magenta, Positively Pink (Stampin' Up)  
Accessories:  Crimper (Fiskars), Circlel Punch, 1" Pink Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals 

A Simple Sympathy Card

I was in need of a sympathy card for a dear friend whose mother recently passed away and since I was crunched for time, this was the result.

I absolutely love Stampin' Up's Thoughts and Prayers sympathy set.  The images in the set just make me smile and have such a nice flow to them.  Plus the sentiments are wonderful.

I tend to like to use white or cream with a pop of colour on my sympathy cards, and pink was the "pop colour" of choice this time round.  An embossed background, some silver pearls and the ribbon jazzed it up just the right amount.

Thanks for dropping in today :)



What's In It?
Stamps:  Thoughts and Prayers (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Pretty in Pink, White
Ink:  Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink, Going Grey
Accessories: Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, 5/8" Pink Satin Ribbon, Button, Silver Twine, Silver Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Just Us Girls #158

Vicki is our host this week and the challenge is to use the emboss resist technique. You can find the tutorial here if you need it.

I pulled out Pocket Silhouettes (love the images in this set!), stamped and embossed the image three times and then sponged the image with various inks to create the colour pattern in the background.  My initial thought was to have a trio of the image across a card, but the panels were a bit too wide for all three to fit, even after trimming, so I opted to make three individual cards instead.  It never ceases to amaze me how you can change things up in a significant way by just switching the colour of the card stock.

Here are the individual cards.  First up, white on white.   Just realized you can see the dimensionals through the paper on the left side due to the sunlight...sorry!

Second version, cream on cream textured card stock.

This last one is made with Sahara Sand and I added texture to the base panel because the cream and the kraft twine didn't work on it and I needed a little something. 

Which is your favorite? 

The rest of the Design Team has some wonderful inspiration over on the Just Us Girls blog, so pop on over and check them out.  Then put on your creative genes to work and link your card it to the JUGS blog for the chance to be selected as Chick of the Week :)

Thanks for popping by and have a wonderful weekend!

   

What's In It?
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes (Stampin' Up!) 
Paper: Glossy Paper (SU), Sahara Sand, Cream Linen, Early Espresso 
Ink:  VersaMark, More Mustard, Rudy Red, Old Olive, Garden Green, Really Rust 
Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder, Lattice Embossing Folder (SU), Black Half Pearls, Twine, Dimensionals

Retro Giraffe

Gave this week's Retro Sketch a go and not overly pleased with the results.  Not sure if it's the lack of white space that's throwing me off or what, but posting it anyway.  Sometimes you just gotta go with the good, the bad and the ugly ;)

I never tire of this cute giraffe from Stampin' Up's Wild About You set.  I don't think I will ever part with it as it always makes me smile :)  The DP is from retired paper I won on Christine's blog so it is very close to a Stampin' Up only card.

Thanks for popping by today.  I'm going to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts as the rain is a comin'....no!!!!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Wild About You and Shot and Sweet (Stampin' Up)
Paper: Kraft, So Saffron and Stampin' Up DSP
Ink:  Close to Cocoa, Black
Accessories:  Corner Rounder, Twine, Button, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Just Us Girls #157

This week's Just Us Girls sketch challenge is brought to us by Andrea.  Lots of options with that nice big panel :)   In the essence of time and a busy weekend ahead, I opted to use designer paper for the large panel and focus on highlighting the sentiment. 

Love this Making Memories paper I found in my stash.  Lots of wonderful fall colours on it that just make me swoon :)  Better yet, you get a fall card with no leaves on it - yes, miracles still happen LOL! 

The rest of the Just Us Girls design team have some great samples to get your inspiration going.  Simply pop over to the JUGS blog and check them out.  Then simply create a card using the sketch and add it to the link at the bottom of the post and you could be selected as Chic of the Week!

To all my Canadian friends, Happy Thanksgiving!! May you enjoy good food and great times with family and friends this weekend.

We have a busy weekend ahead of us with my son's soccer tournament tossed into the mix.  Thankfully the weather will be fabulous so no having to watch soccer in the rain - yeah!!

Amidst the busyness of the weekend, I am looking forward to taking time apart to reflect on all I have to be thankful for.  I recently came across Ann Voskamp's blog, A Holy Experience.   She is the author of One Thousand Gifts, and her book has been on the New York Times best sellers list for 50 weeks!  I have been deeply moved and blessed by her writing and blog posts.  In addition, each month she provides a daily list of three types of things to be thankful for every day so you can keep a journal and accumulate your list of one thousand gifts.  It's a powerful exercise and a great way to slow yourself down and truly "see", "feel" and "be touched" by all you have to be thankful for, regardless of the circumstances life has brought your way.  And so....I rejoice.  With thankfulness.  For all my gifts.



What's In It?
Stamps: Happy Everything, French Script (Stampin' Up) 
Paper: Autumn Splendor (Making Memories), Kraft 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Stamping Up Only Card

When I first saw this sketch I ran for the hills!  But then I won some paper on Christine's blog and sure shootin', there was a piece in there that was perfect for this sketch!

I went for a more masculine card due to the bold circles.  Even dug deep into the bowls of my stamp cupboard and found this great Stampin' Up set that hasn't seen ink in years!!  Must say it was tough lining the sentiment parts up as I am so used to using clear stamps where you can see where you are stamping!  Couldn't find my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line things up so practiced on a scrap piece of paper and then stamped it for real on a hope and prayer.  Lucky for me, the stars were aligned as it was straight LOL!

As I was typing up this post, I realized this is a Stampin' Up only card!  Don't remember the last time I made one of those!  Nice to pay tribute to the company that got me into stamping :) 

 

What's In It?
Stamps:Happy Everything (Stampin' Up)
Paper: Sahara Sand, Stampin' Up DSP
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Crimper, Black Half Pearls

Just Us Girls #153

 

This week's technique challenge is brought to us by Vick and it is Stamped Line Art.  Basically, all you have to do is find a detailed image and stamp it - letting it do the talking :)   A great technique for a CAS card.  The link to the technique video can be seen here should you want to view it.

I pulled out an old CPS sketch and rotated it.  Had great fun using this Stampin' Up set that hasn't seen ink in some time.  The flower dress has always been a favorite of mine.  I "jacked it up" (as Randy on Say Yes to the Dress would say) by adding some black half pearls to the dress to make it stand out.

Kept to a black and white card as they make such a statement and I purposely omitted the sentiment so I have the flexibility of using it for various occasions (graduation card, wedding shower card, wedding card, black tie event - not that I go to them but one can always dream LOL !)

The rest of the Design Team has some great samples to get your inspiration going.  Just pop over to the JUGS blog for a peek at their wonderful creations/

We'd love to have you play along with us this week.  Simply create a card using this week's technique and link it to the JUGS blog and you may be selected as Chick of the Week :)

I think the family is going to have a relaxing weekend as soccer games don't begin until next weekend - phew!  Good thing, as the first week of school is now behind us, our ramped up schedule has come back full force and the early rising times have caused us all to be on the tired side.  A new school year has definitely begun! 




What's In It?
Stamps:  Blooming With Happiness (Stampin' Up) 
Paper: Black and White 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:Lacey Circle and Circle Nesties, 5/8" White Satin Ribbon, Black Half Pearls, Button, Glue Dot Dimensionals

Thinking Of You Friend

 
This is the third Verve sketch for August and my last card to complete all the August sketches which qualifies me for the draw to win $100 of Verve Stamps :)  Hello!   

The background paper is a bit wild for me, but I managed to cover most of it up :)  I cut one of the PTI doily dies in half so I could mat the sentiment panel on both sides.  I then cased Diva Maureen's addition of a second, sentiment tab which compliments the focal sentiment on her card.  Such a great way to add a little something to a card.

Now I just have to wait and see who the lucky winner will be this month.  One of these times I hope it will be me!  Until then, I can't complain too loudly (okay....I can but I won't LOL) it's a great way to get four or five cards made a month!

Thanks for popping by today ((hugs))

 

What's In It?
Stamps: All Year Cheer (Stampin' Up), Text Notes (Verve) 
Paper: Garden Florals (Recollections at Michael's), Kraft, Night of Navy 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Doily and Mat Stack Dies (PTI), 5/8" Yellow Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Retro Sketch 14

This week's Retro Sketch is fabulous for a CAS card.  I took the sketch very literally - no need to ask me if I want to use a butterfly on a card LOL!  Bonus: it qualifies for this week's  Crazy for Challenges.

Found a great Recollections paper pack at Michael's and this paper came from it.  A pink and green color combo in any hue makes me happy so this card was great fun to work on :)

Just love the script of this Stampin' Up sentiment and it was the perfect fit for this card.  Kept wanting to add something to either the top left or top right corners and finally settled on rounding the right corner.

Thanks for sharing a part of your day with me!

 

What's In It? 
Stamps: Best Yet (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Recollections DP, Mellow Moss, Rose Romance, Pretty in Pink 
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Sizzix Butterfly Die (SU), Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo 242 Happy Birthday

Loved this week's Mojo Monday sketch.  It's nice and straight forward and one you can dress up or keep simple.  The Shabby Tea Room's inspiration picture challenge fit this card as well. 

I had a bit of this lovely K & Co paper left so I used it as the basis if my card.  After a bit of tricky punching to get the right sized rectangle for the sentiment panel I was on my way.  I just love SU's French Script background stamp and don't think I'll ever get rid of it.  It was the perfect touch for the background panel.  More practice rolling roses and called it a card.

We had some fabulous family time with my aunt and cousin.  Lots of good food, conversation and laughs.  Just wish we lived closer together (darn 3,000 miles) as they are the only relatives we have on my side of the family and we don't get to see each other that often.  But, lots of good memories to tide us over until the next visit :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Elegant Greetings (Stampin' Up)
Paper: K & Company, Mellow Moss, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Cream Linen
Ink: Black, Sahara Sand
Accessories:  Heart Border and Leaf Punches (Martha Stewart), Rolled Rose Dies (MFT), 5/8" Pink Satin Ribbon, Scalloped Border Punch (SU)Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Half Pearls, Bling, Dimensionals

JUGS 3D/Template Challenge

 

I must say it was delightful to be able to stamp again!  With the kids home for a two week Spring Break my stamping time has taken a back seat.  I am also guilty of filling any down time with some reading - a treat I don't get very often when we are running full tilt with kids' activities etc. during the school year.  Thank you JUGS for the Guest DT spot as I very much enjoyed being in my stamp room after a week off! 

This week's JUGS challenge is to make a 3D/Template Decorative Clear Box with a simple note card set (flat), customizable with sentiment tags/labels (see sample ).

When I first saw this challenge I was a bit worried...okay a lot worried LOL....as I don't do many 3D things and I had to get into CAS mode, but once I got into it, I had a lot of fun.  There is just something satisfying about making something with your hands that looks great in the end :) 

Since the challenge stipulated making a flat card (aka CAS one layer card), I went with one of my all time  favorite Stampin' Up sets, Terrific Tulips.   Tulips are my favorite flower, and with them starting to push through the ground in my front flower bed I'm giddy with excitement.  Not wanting to wait until they bloom, I decided to bring them to life  in my stamp room.

My five card set contains tulips in different colours.  I used a Martha Stewart border punch along the bottom and added an itsy bitsy knot in my ribbon along the top of the card to balance things off.  The sentiment tags are stamped onto Labels 10 nesties and I ran my Tim Holtz Antique Linen distress ink pad around the edges  for a bit of definition against the card.  You simply need to select the sentiment you want to add to it.

We'd love you to join us!  It's the perfect way to get a hostess gift or year end teacher gift made.  Simply link your project to the JUGS Challenge Blog for a chance to be selected as this week's winner.  If you don't have a blog, you can use an on line gallery with the keyword JUGS130.

Kids are back in school next week so hope to be able to enjoy my stamp room a bit more!  Until then, have a fabulous weekend and thanks for stopping by!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Terrific Tulips and Sincere Salutations (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: White and Pretty in Pink
Ink:  Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Positively Pink, Only Orange, Almost Amethyst, Lavender Lace, So Saffron, More Mustard, Real Red
Accessories:  1/4" Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Labels 10 Nestie