Sweet Sunday Sketch and Color Dare

I found another really good sketch blog while surfing this week.  The Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge looked like it would be fun to try so I gave it a whirl - SSSC71.  I also used this week's challenge from Color Dare - CD68.  The colors for the challenge were Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Old Olive and Soft Suede.  I used the stamp sets Fifth Avenue Floral and Teeny Tiny Wishes.  The background was done on Presto Patterns DSP.  I sponged a little Soft Suede and then stamped a few random flowers.  On the focal image I embossed the oval with the Square Lattice folder and then spritzed with a little Log Cabin Smooch. 

Paper Pal Arts Sketch - PPA44

Here's a bright cheerful card I made for this week's Paper Pal Arts sketch - PPA44.  I pulled out an old set for this one, Pick a Petal.  I have a feeling this set might be retiring with the new catalog in July so I thought I'd use it one more time.  I also used a little Island Oasis DSP.  The colors for this card are Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, So Saffron and Old Olive.  Another great sketch!

Presto Patterns DSP

Here's a really quick card I made using the Presto Patterns DSP.  I used sponges to dab on the ink in a random pattern. For ink I used Soft Suede, Bravo Burgundy and Old Olive. Finally I sprayed the whole thing with Log Cabin Smooch Spritz.  I really like the effect and it was super easy!  For the sentiment I used the SU set Oval All. 

ColorQ and Mercy's Tuesday Sketch

Here's my card for a couple of this week's challenges.  The color combo at ColorQ is Ballet Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip and Certainly Celery - cQc34.  I paired this with Mercy's Tuesday Sketch  - MTSC75.  For stamps I used the SU set Cheep Talk.  The DSP is Pawsitively Prints.  This was a quick fun card.  Cheep Talk is one of my go to sets!!

Diva Coffee Break Designs Sketch Challenge 177

Here's my card for this week's sketch challenge at Diva Coffee Break Designs - DCBD177.  For this card I used some Sweet Pea DSP with Chocolate Chip, So Saffron and Pink Pirouette.  I stamped the border from the Vintage Vogue set in Whisper White.  The little tags were stamped with Tiny Tags.  The flower embellishment was cut with the Island Floral die and then embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder.  This is a great sketch to use up some of those DSP scraps!!

Mercy's Tuesday Sketch - MTSC 74

I made this card for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge - MTSC74.  For stamps I used Greenhouse Garden and Sincere Salutations.  For the stamped panel under the greeting, I stamped a bunch of flowers then I ran the piece through my Big Shot using the Square Lattice embossing folder.  It creates a texture that's almost linen like.  Then I sprayed it with Smooch Spritz.  For colors I used Perfect Plum, Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette.  I'm psyched Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette are returning but I'm a little sad to see Perfect Plum go.  It's not a color I use a ton but I think it's a beautiful shade.

Mojo Monday 139 and Color Dare 67

Here's a card I made for a couple challenges this week.  I really liked the sketch at Mojo Monday - MOJO139.  I rarely put anything on a slanted angle but this came out nice.  I also used the color challenge from Color Dare - CD67.  This is the first time I've played along with Color Dare.  The combo was a stretch for me - Mambo Melon, Bermuda Bay, Elegant Eggplant, and Old Olive.  I wouldn't normally use Old Olive and Bermuda Bay together.  For stamps I used Greenhouse Garden and Well Scripted. 

Sweet Scoops Color Throwdown 93

I was blog surfing the other day and came across another great blog.  Color Throwdown is a weekly color challenge and I thought I'd give it a try.  The color challenge was Pink Pirouette, Mambo Melon and Baja Breeze - CTD93.  What a great combination!!  I decided to use my current go to set - Sweet Scoops.  I happened to have just a little Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette left in my stash.  I'm really glad both of these colors will be returning with the new catalog in July.

In order to achieve the shading on the ice cream and cone, I inked the stamp in a lighter shade, stamped off once and then sponged on the darker color directly on one side of the stamp.  For the ice cream I started with Pink Passion and sponged on Mambo Melon.  For the cone I inked Crushed Curry and then sponged More Mustard.  This technique adds a ton of depth to a solid image stamp. 

Birthday Card for Beth

Here's a quick card I made for my friend Beth.  The design is pretty simple.  I used the new set Itty Bitty Bits.  This set combined with the punches and buttons from the Summer Mini makes for quick and easy embellishments.  The color combo is this week's challenge at ColorQ - cQc33.  The colors are Bermuda Bay, Kiwi Kiss, Soft Suede and Summer Sun.  It's a nice bright combination!

My One Year Blogging Anniversary!!

I just realized that today is the anniversary of the day I started my blog!  I can't believe it's been a year already.  So, in celebration I thought I'd post this cute ice cream card using the Sweet Scoops set.  I'm really falling in love with this set!  I used the colors Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose and So Saffron.  The buttons are from the new Summer Mini.  I was pleasantly surprised to realize the smallest heart from the Heart to Heart punch fits perfectly under these buttons.  Way to go SU!

Diva Coffee Break Designs Color Challenge 176

Here's a card I made for this week's color challenge at Diva Coffee Break Designs - DCBD176.  These are colors I wouldn't normally use together so I thought I'd give it a try - Rose Red, Mellow Moss, Blush Blossom.  I like the end result.  It's very soft and vintage.  For stamps I used Vintage Vogue and Tiny Tags. 

New Island Floral Big Shot Die

I'm really loving the new tropical line in the Summer Mini.  The bright colors of the Island Oasis paper are so much fun.  For this card I also pulled out the new Big Shot die Island Floral.  I was a little surprised by the size of these flowers.  They're a little on the large side but I still really like them.  I think they will also be great for scrapbooking. 

Mercy's Tuesday Sketch - MTSC 73

I'm just lovin all my new Summer Mini goodies!  For this card I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge - MTSC 73.  The stamp set is a new one called Tropical Party.  I used a little Island Oasis DSP and the Square Lattice embossing folder for background texture.  I love all these bright colors together!

Mojo Monday Sketch - MOJO138

I haven't played along with a Mojo Monday sketch in ages so I thought I'd pull out my new Summer Mini goodies and give it a go.  For this card I used a new set called Sweet Scoops.  Too stinkin cute!!  I also went with bright colors from the new DSP Island Oasis.  Finally I used a new embossing folder from SU called Square Lattice.  It adds great texture.

More Returning In Colors

Here's another card with a couple great In Colors that will be returning with the new catalog in July.  This card uses Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red, both of which will be coming back!  I used stamps from the Crazy for Cupcakes set.  This is a really fun set to color!

A Little Pun Fun in Wild Wasabi

Here's a quick card I put together with a set I haven't used in ages - Pun Fun.  This set is a lot of fun to color.  For this card I used reinkers and an aqua painter.  I also pulled out some old retired DSP and In Colors.  The green on this card is Wild Wasabi.  Wild Wasabi is one of the retired In Colors that's making a come back in the next catalog.  It's my all time favorite green!!  I'm psyched!