Clean and Simple, Clean and Sweet

The challenge this week at the Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog is CAS, Clean and Simple. This is harder than it seems...to make a beautiful card, but make it CAS. 



I like CAS cards a lot but I have a big problem making them. So, while you look at my blog and see some of my fancy cards, know that this card took me longer to make than one of those "fancy" cards and feel free to shake your head in disbelief.  But, if you are like me and CAS cards are a challenge, nod your head so I know I'm not alone.

I dry embossed the top section of the white paper. For the flowers, I took one single stamp by Hero Arts.  I used Stampin Up Ink and Stamped the Red on the flower section and the green on the stems. Then I would go along the page and stamp 3 times before re-inking. The card is a three generation card. One generation is the brightest ink, the middle color is the second stamping and the lightest is the third stamping. It almost looks like different color pinks, doesn't it?   Then I mounted that sheet on red paper the length of my card and then stamped "Just for You" in the bottom corner.

This is my CAS card...and I prefer it to call it Clean and Sweet!

Our sponsor this month is a £10 voucher at The Ribbon Girl
 

 and
 

Our sponsor this week is a £10 Voucher at Lili of the Valley


Thanks for visiting my blog and please visit the blogs of the gals on the Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog to see some gorgeous cards and be totally inspired. I hope to see lots of cards in this challenge!

                                                                                    Hugs, Gail

Happy Mother's Day!

This is the card I made for my husband's mom for Mother's Day. Thank you, Lillian, for sending me this pretty flower stamp!

 

The yellow silk ribbon is May Ribbon, the paper is from my local craft store, the butterflies are a die by Poppy, the corner die is by Whimsy, the sentiment and die is from Stampin' Up and the yellow flower is from my stash. I colored the flowers and leaves with Copics and the light blue background is watercolored. And what's a card without some Star Dust Stickles!

                                      Thanks for looking and please leave a comment!
                                                                    Hugs, Gail

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Besties Challenge, Stamped Blessings, Kaboodle Doodles, Love to Create, Card Mania, Fussy and Fancy, Crafty Calendar, Fresh Brewed Designs, By the Cute and Girly, Natalie and Amy, Whimsy Inspires, Chocolate, Coffee & Cards

Me and My Teddy

I have the sweetest High Hopes image that I finally inked and colored. I can't find her name on the High Hopes site but know she's an older image. Anyway, I think you'll agree that she is a cutie pie.

I used the technique of paper piecing for her entire pajama outfit along with the bow in her hair. the rest of the image is colored in Copics. The paper is from my best friend, Lillian, who knows I love tiny prints. This card was made with all stash I had on-hand and if you need to know which die or who made the pearlized bling, send me an e-mail and I'll do the research as to who makes which die/punch/etc. Here's a close up of this little sweet image.

Here's a close-up picture of the flowers, dies and leaves. It's a combination of a couple of swirly dies.

And here's the tag with the satin bow and a flower button as the center. The teddy bear is from Lillian. I colored the silver with a brown Copic marker to make it gold color, which matched the card tones. The center of the teddy is a real pretty iridescent seashell. Thanks Lillian for the paper and the teddy bear!

Well, since she is a High Hopes image, I'm entering this card in the current challenge at High Hopes where the challenge is for paper piecing.

Thanks for looking at my blog, and please leave a comment so I can visit your blog!

                                                                    Hugs,  
                                                                    Gail

A Note For You!

Update: This card won the Ribbon Carousel Challenge!

The challenge at the Sweet Stampin' Challenge this week is "Anything But Birthday".  This sure is an easy challenge, so I'm looking forward to seeing all the entries!

This digital image is by Whimsy and named Katie. This card was featured on Whimsy's Facebook on April 13, 2013. I used the Whimsy Notables die and sentiment along with the Double Scallop Circle die. I used a crocheted flower behind the pink rose, and the flowers are from my collection. I used two Poppy leaf dies. The pink rhinestone swirl is by Prima and the two stacked laces are from my stash. The die on the bottom of the card is by Magnolia. The jewel in the middle of the bow is by Queen & Co. and the heart charm is from my stash of supplies. The paper is from a local scrapbook store. Phew.

Here's a closer look at Katie.

Our monthly sponsor at the Sweet Stampin' Challenge is The Ribbon Girl:

£10 voucher

Our weekly sponsor is Iva Nova Chest:



The Design Team have some wonderful ideas for you at The Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog, so please go and visit!

               Thanks for looking at this card, and please leave a comment!
                                                                      Hugs, Gail

This card is being entered in the following challenges: Forever Friends, Wags n Whiskers, Ladybug Crafts, Alota Rubber Stamps, Art Impressions, Creative Moments, Cupcake Craftroom, Left of Center Challenge, Paper Crafting Journey, Pause Dream Enjoy, Sparkle n Sprinkle, Whimsy Inspires, Love to Create (sentiment, ribbon, bling), Simon Says Stamp, Ribbon Carousel, Bunny Zoe's Crafts, Crafty Calendar Challenge, Bearly Mine, Stampin for the Weekend, Craft Door Magazine

Tilda With Wrapped Heart in Pastels

When the topic of Pastels was announced at Sweet Stampin' for this week's challenge, I was happy. This is Tilda With Wrapped Heart. She has been colored With Copics and then mounted on two ovals. I then mounted her on this beautiful die from Cheery Lynn. The paper on the left side of the pictures is my own personally made designer paper. I couldn't find a paper to match the green and white paper on the right so I made it. I took a very small Stampin' Up stamp that had a heart flower and some leaves/grass, and a Stamp By Judith of 3 little dots. I stamped them on cream colored paper with light green ink and then colored in the heads of the flowers with pink markers.

The bottom embellishment is a piece of fabric embroidery, with a pleated ribbon on top of it and then a string of pearls attached on top of that.  I also used a QuiKutz corner and a Stampin'-up sentiment.

Tilda is colored in Copics and mounted on two ovals and a Cheery Lynn Die. The flowers are a combination of Wild Orchid Flowers and Prima and the leaves die is by Martha Stewart.

Our monthly sponsor for this challenge is:

The Ribbon Girl

donating a generous £10 voucher!

Our weekly sponsor for this challenge is:

Cuddly Buddly

donating a generous £10 voucher!

The Design Team would love to share their ideas with you for this challenge. Please go to the challenge at Sweet Stampin'  and see what they've prepared to inspire you this week!

                                                 Thanks for visiting my blog!



Gail

This card is entered in the following challenges: 7 Kids Challenge Blog,  Kaboodle Doodles, Divas by Design, Crafting For All Seasons, Belli Challenge, Tilda's Town, All Sorts, Fab n Funky, Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog, Stamp and Create, Simon Says Stamp

Mo Manning's Ragged Angel

Update:  This card was chosen as one of the Top 3 at ABC Christmas Challenge!

When I found out the challenge at Christmas at Sweet Stampin' was going to be Krafty Kristmas, I knew what image I was going to use. I thought this Mo Manning digital angel would be perfect for the topic, and as I looked at her, I thought she'd be wonderful vintage-ized. That is a word, right?

I had a sheet of vintage stamps, which were a great addition to this card. I also raided my stash and found these round dark amber and red rhinestones.

I colored her with Copics and used Warm Glitter Ritz on her wings and petticoat. I used dark red metal flat adhesive brads around the edge of the Spellbinders die cut.

I used red velvet holly leaves, 4 red berries, two stick pins that I made, along with burlap ribbon as an embellishment. The entire card was distressed with chalk ink and my little Tonic Studios distressing tool. This card is 6"x6".

This month the sponsor at Christmas at Sweet Stampin' is My Mum's Craft Shop with a generous prize of a £10 voucher. 



And an additional sponsor, (our own Natali!), 

Iva Nova Chest

who is giving one lucky winner...

Please go and visit Christmas at Sweet Stampin' and see what beautiful inspiration the Design Team has made for this Krafty Kristmas challenge!

                                  Thanks for stopping by and looking at my card!

                                                          Hugs, Gail

                   Thanks for bringing me up to the 100+ Members!

This card is entered in the following challenge: By the Cute and Girly, Pause Dream Enjoy, Sparkle 'n Sprinkle, Stamp and Create, Stampartic, Kort O Mania, Cards Galore, Christmas Blog Challenge, Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge, Christmas Cards All Year Around, ABC Christmas Challenge

Tilda Sitting in the Cold

I love non-traditional Christmas colors. I think my favorite cards are those made with pink, anyway, so when I saw this paper and it was a soft turquoise and peachy/pink, I grabbed a piece of it at the scrapbook store. I don't know the name of this Tilda, but she's an "oldy but goody". I used Spellbinders and Sizzix dies. And, as usual, my lace and ribbons are just small pieces of my collection.

I'm entering this card in the challenges at Tilda's Town, Stamp and Create, Simply Magnolia, Christmas Blog Challenge, Jingle Belles Rock. Since this card was made just to use this pretty paper, I had some time and was able to even make the links color to the challenges I'm entering match the card! Oh, the little things that make us smile. :)

                                          Thanks for looking at my blog!

                                                    Hugs, Gail

I love GIRLY!!

Girly cards are my favorite--probably not a big surprise if you've looked at my blog before. Let's face it, girl images can be colored with every color in the crayon box, unlike boys who are usually browns, greens and blues.  I love flowers, sparkles, pearls, ribbon and lace! So, the topic this week at Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog is my most favorite challenge of the year: GIRLY!

I used one of my favorite stamps, Little Tilda, and colored her with Copics. I love her because of her striped socks. It is so much fun to color this little image so many different color combinations...and she's an angel and everyone knows I love fairies, angels and snowmen.

I used an assortment of punches by EK and Martha Stewart and dies by Whimsy and Spellbinders. My flowers are an assortment of Wild Orchid and my own stash. The paper doily is one of many that I've collected and the ribbon and tag are from my collection of supplies. I used Cool Glitter Ritz on her wings and Stickles on the lace of her dress as well as on the edges of the butterflies.

Our monthly sponsor is

http://www.ribbongirl.co.uk/catalog/
£10 voucher



This week's sponsor is

http://saturated-canary.myshopify.com/collections/all

The design team at Sweet Stampin' have some wonderful inspirational ideas for you, so please click on the blue link above and visit the site and let's see what you can do that meets the challenge of "Girly"!

                                      Thanks for visiting and please leave a comment!
                                                                 Hugs, Gail


This card is entered in the following challenges:
Magnolia-licious, Through the Craft Room Door, Midweek Magnolias, You, Me and Magnolia, 7 Kids College Fund

Decorating the Christmas Tree

I've made one of the mid-month inspiration cards at Christmas at Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog. This month is "No Red or Green" Christmas/Holiday card. Since pink and turquoise are one of my favorite combos, this was a fun card to make.

I used this cute Saturated Canary image which I bought in 2012 and colored it with Copics.

I used a gel pen to color the ornaments in dark blue (but it looks black in the picture--sorry) and then applied Ranger Glossy Accents on them. I put a dash of Stickles on the yellow star. The turquoise rhinestone swirls, lace and pearls are from my stash.

I made my ribbon snowflakes and then put a tiny brad and pearl in the center and then mounted them on white iridescent snowflakes. Stickles found their way on the ribbon snowflakes, too. The stamp sentiments are from Whimsy Stamps.

Our sponsor this month is Flat Friends and they're offering 4 of their outstanding digis!

The design team at Christmas at Sweet Stampin'  has some wonderful cards to inspire you, so please take a look and consider submitting a card for this challenge!

                                                 Thanks for stopping by!
                                                      Hugs, Gail

Precious Moments Easter

Update:  This card was chosen as one of the Top 3 cards at Ladybugs Crafts Ink Challenge!
This card won in the challenge at Crafty Calendar Challenge!

This week the challenge at Sweet Stampin' is Easter. This is a Precious Moments stamp made in the 1980's, which is when Stampendous distributed most of these stamps. If you're lucky enough to have any of these beautiful PM stamps, you're a fortunate person.

This little girl is wondering how to get this Easter egg out from under the frog, and I can't blame her if she doesn't want to touch him. Hahaha!  Here's a close-up of this sweet image.

I used Copics to color this image. I used a Double Scallop Doily die from Whimsy Stamps, a Magnolia border lace die and the tag die is Stampin Up (along with the sentiment). The daisies are Martha Stewart and the leaves punch is, also.  The metal corner is from Wild Orchid Crafts and I used white craft paint on the metal corner and on the button in the middle of the bow (which I cut off the shank). My paper is from a local scrapbook store and the lace is from my abundant collection.

Our monthly challenge is sponsored by The Ribbon Girl who is giving a £10 voucher!



AND

Our weekly challenge is sponsored by The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop who is giving away this:

Now that you've seen my card, please take a look at the other cards by the Design Team at the Sweet Stampin' Challenge! You won't be disappointed, I promise. So, get out those Easter stamps and let's see what you've got!

If you like what you've seen, please sign up as a Follower. I'd love to hear any comments about this post or my blog, if you have a minute.

                                                     Thanks for stopping by!
                                                           Hugs, Gail

This card is entered in the following challenges:
Live and Love Crafts, Lexi's Creations, Creative Card Crew, Crafty Calendar, Bunny Zoe's Crafts, Oozak, Ribbon Carousel, Crafting For All Seasons, Visible Image, Addicted to Stamps, The Squirrel and the Fox, Fab 'n Funky, My Mum's Craft Shop, Crafty Bloggers Network, Celebrate the Occasion, Ladybugs Crafts Ink Challenge, Penny's Challenges, Deep Ocean Challenge, Moving Along With The Times, Cute Card Thursday, Forever Friends, Creatalicious

Lili of the Valley - Kitten Cuddles

So many beautiful stamps, so little time. That's how I feel about Lili of the Valley stamps. This image is one from their latest release and she's named "Kitten Cuddles".

I colored this image with Copics and used an assortment of dies including Magnolia, Stampin' Up and Spellbinders. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts.  The beautiful button in the middle of the bow is from my dearest friend, Lillian, who sent me a sheet of these. All different words--all different colors, but all have the clear acrylic surface over the words. This one worked out perfect due to the colors of this card. Thank you, Lillian! You can always click on a picture on my blog and have it expand so you can see more detail.

Here's a closer view of her:

This was my first attempt at a card that was not square. Most of my cards are 5.5x5.5 or 6x6 and making a scallop edge on this was something different for me.

Thanks for looking at my blog, and if you like what you've been looking at, please join as a Follower! I'd love to hear your comments, too, so don't be shy.

                                                                            Hugs,

                                                                            Gail

Lili of the Valley "Woof You"

I've met some wonderful people through blogging on the internet. My dearest friend, Lillian, orders from Lili of the Valley and includes the stamps I want with her order and then sends them to me. It's wonderful and a treat for both of us!  She orders the stamps and I make her a card with one of the new stamps I get. This little pup with the roses grabbed my heart since I have 2 very pampered beagles. 

I used an EP punch for the hearts along the bottom, and Martha Stewart punches for the butterflies and leaves. The pearls are from Queen &  Co. The flowers are from Wild Orchid, my favorite place for paper flowers and the flower in the center of the bow was a button that I cut the back off. I picked up the frosted tag at a convention and the sentiment on the tag is by Stampin' Up. Oh, and the paper is from a pack from Wild Rose Studios.

Thank you, Lillian, for ordering these sweet stamps every time there's a new release!

                                                                  Hugs, Gail

This card is entered in the following challenges:
Crafty Ribbons
Totally Gorjuss
Ribbon Girls
All Sorts Challenge
Dream Valley Challenges
Challenges 4 Everybody
Card and Scrap
Cupcake Inspirations (my inspiration was cupcake #155)
Oozak
Love to Create
By The Cute and Girly (flowers)
Papertake Weekly
Fab 'n Funky
Catch the Bug
Creative Corner
Craft Your Passion
Bunny Zoe's Crafts

How Wonderful is Dry Embossing!!

The challenge for this week at Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog is "embossing". I decided to go the "neat and tidy" way and used embossing folders rather than embossing powder.  I used a polka dot embossing folder with Coordinations Whitewashed paper and sanded it. I then used an embossing folder by Couture and trimmed it to fit the space I wanted to use.

I added some pearls and some glitter along with baker's twine, a button and a butterfly charm. I saw a card on a blog and did a few twists and made it my own, but the layout and idea to trim the embossed image to fit the card has been borrowed.  I can't remember where so I'm sorry I can't give credit where credit is due.

Our Sponsor for the February Prize Draw is:

Ribbon Girl

Our Sponsor for the Weekly Prize Draw is:

Molly Bloom's Stamps

Sir Stampalot

There are some wonderful inspirational embossing ideas by the Design Team, so please don't miss out and please go visit the Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog and get your card entered!

                                           Thanks for visiting my blog!
                                                       Hugs, Gail

Congratulations Vivi!

My awesome friend, Vivi, has moved into her new house in Brazil after waiting months and months for the paperwork to finalize. Vivi LOVES purple. She lives for purple. All shades of it, too!  So, when it came time to make her a housewarming card, I had a tough time deciding what color to use. Hahaha!  Now that she's received the card, I can post it.



 

This is an image by Lili of the Valley. The corner dies are by LOTV and the butterfly punch along the bottom is by Martha Stewart. I made my stickpins. The paper is a picture of hydrangeas. I used plenty of glitter on her tutu and slippers for sparkle. The flowers were made with ribbon.

 



Congratulations on your new house, Vivi!

Hugs, Gail

Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge

My card posted on Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Blog won the challenge for "Fluffy White Snowflakes" on January 25, 2013.  You can see the winning card here.  I was invited to be the Special Guest for the challenge beginning February 25.  Here's my card using the layout from Janneke, which is the challenge for this month. Such a sweet Elisabeth Bell image and a wonderful layout. My papers are by Wild Rose Studios and my flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. I colored my image with Copics.

 Here's a little closer view. I used Cool Glitter Ritz on her wings which don't show the beautiful glitter very well. I glued three little flat back round top jewels next to the image. I was generous with Stickles on the flowers and butterfly. The "precious moments" sentiments are from Stampin' Up. I used dies from Poppy and from Stampin' Up. The lace is from my large collection.

Thanks for looking at this post and please leave a comment so I can visit your blog, too!

                                                                   Hugs, Gail

Stars and Stripes!

Update: This card made Top 3 at Paper Playtime!

Our topic for the challenge at Sweet Stampin' is Stars and Stripes. Our sponsor, Stamp Fairy provided this adorable image. I colored her dress with copics and then used a gel pen to texture her dress. I credit this idea to my friend, Julie P. who does this on many of her cards. I pieced her entire dress. I applied Stickles to the small stars around the image and her headband. I added 3 Kaiser dark blue pearls. I attached a US flag metal charm to the bow since this is for Abi of Sweet Stampin' who is visiting the USA right now! The buttons in the corner are from my stash. The paper is from Hobby Lobby.

I colored the large star balloon dark blue and then cut out a star from the background paper and glued it in the center. Then I used Glossy Accents and covered the entire star balloon. I used an EK punch for around the border of the striped paper. My flowers are from a combination of my stash, Wild Orchid Crafts and  Stamping Scrapping. I applied a little glitter to the petals of the flowers.

Our Sponsor for the February Prize Draw is:

http://www.ribbongirl.co.uk/catalog/

and our weekly Prize is from:

 http://www.stampfairy.com/

The challenge team have some wonderful examples for you so please visit them at the Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog!

                                                         Thanks for looking at my blog!

                                                                  Hugs, Gail

This card has been entered in the following challenges:

Bunny Zoe Crafts

Ruby's Rainbow

Paper Playtime