BUILD A BLOSSOM MOJO 179

My card today was inspired by the Mojo Monday's Week 179 Sketch.  Well, I guess I should say that it is "sorta" inspired by the sketch.  I exercised some liberty with the sketch.  But that's what it's all about, isn't it?  Sketches were designed to springboard our creativity.  Plus, I knew this sketch would be perfect to use with my Build a Blossom stamp set and punch.  I purchased this set about a month ago but hadn't taken the time to ink it up.  I must say that I'm pleased with the outcome. 

So, here's the story behind the card.  It was designed for a woman I've never met - Julie.  I truly hope she likes it.   I attend church services with her husband's cousin, Robin.  Robin had asked me if I would send Julie a card to cheer her up.  Currently, Julie is fighting breast cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy treatments.  I was told she really appreciates receiving cards and carries them with her to look at during her chemo treatments.  Can I let you in on a secret?  I've never designed and sent a card to someone I've never met.  Let me tell you, it feels really good.  For reasons I can't explain, I wanted this card to be a little special.  I really wanted to pay attention to detail.  I hope Julie knows that even though we've never met, I still hold her close in thoughts and prayers.  I just hope my card reflects that.

That's it for me today.  Thanks for peeking in on me!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  I challenge you to bless a stranger with a handmade card.  Who knows?  You may just make his or her day.

THANK GOODNESS FOR WONDERFUL FRIENDS

I don't know about you, but I'm so beyond thankful that it's Friday. My hubby, son and I are going out to eat with some of our best friends and their daughters this evening. My friend's daughter is having a birthday in a couple weeks. So, I'll think I'll order the cake and ak the waitress/waiter to bring it out to her tonight. Happy B-Day, Miss Abby! My husband also suprised me at work with an amazing bouquet of fresh flowers for Valentine's Day. Oh, I'll have to get him to take a picture of it and share it here with you.  Any whoo..........onto the card!!!

My card today is inspired by Mojo Monday's Week 119 Sketch from way back in December.  I saved it in my sketch folder on my computer and just now got around to using it as my card layout.  I was pretty happy with the way this card took shape.  I don't know what's up with the Mambo Melon again.  I guess my camera just insists on making it much brighter than it really is.  Oh, well...  This card is chocked full of goodies from the Stampin' Up! Occassions Mini - stamps, felt pieces, designer series paper and the new scallop trim corner punch.  Love 'em all - especially the felt pieces.  I wasn't crazy about the way the leaves piece was laying on my card.  So, I just took a pair of paper snips and snipped the leaves in half and attached them separately.  Voila!  Oh, just in case you're wondering, Stampin' Up! also has the coordinating scallop trim punch to go with the scallop trim corner punch.  You can get it for free during Stampin' Up!'s Sale-A-Bration.  Just ask me how!

Well, that's it for me today.  Thanks for taking time out of your day to peek in on me!  Have a wonderful and happy Valentine's Day.

Supplies:  (All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted.)  Stamps - All Holidays, Dot, Dot, Dot; Ink - Pretty in Pink, SU! Markers - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Mambo Melon; Paper - Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Sweet Pea DSP, Old Olive Patterns DSP; Acessories - Circle Scissor Plus, Big Shot Machine, Scallop Circle #2 die, Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Chocolate Chip 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Tombo Adhesive, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Scallop Trim Punch 

GOODNIGHT, JOHN BOY

Last week I attended funeral services for the kindest and most humble man I've ever met.  John was well known throughout my community and was a friend to many.  He was never quick to anger, never arrogant or boastful and most certainly never mean spirited.  His absence will be felt not only by his family, but also those who were fortunate enough to call him friend and acquaintance.  John fought the good fight for many years, but finally succumbed to cancer earlier this month.  I pray that God will comfort his family and bring them peace.  Goodnight, John Boy.  You will be missed. 

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  God be with you.

Supplies:  Stamps-Thoughts and Prayers; SU! Markers - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Real Red; Paper - Kraft, Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Old Olive Designs DSP; Accessories - Scallop Trim Punch, Circle Scissor Plus, Big Shot Machine, Scallop Circle #2 Die, Real Red Corduroy Button, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grograin Ribbon, Vintage Brads, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

(All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted.)

This layout was inspired by the Mojo Monday Week 121 Sketch Challenge. 

Bird Nouveau

Okay, here's the scoop. I'm totally terrified of Stampin' Up!'s Soft Subtles color palette. Don't get me wrong. The colors are beautiful. I just tend to shy away from them. So, every now and then I try to push myself outside my comfort zone and let's just say my deodorant was working overtime this time around. You see I was sweating a little when I pulled out the Apricot Appeal and Sage Shadow card stock for this card. I'm not sure why the apricot looks a little banana colored in this photo. Perhaps, the saturation was tweaked a little too much on my photo editing program. You'll just have to trust me. It is truly apricot in real life. Even though it is hard to see, I embossed my bird with embossing powder to give it a little more dimension. By the way, I think the bird would be beautiful water colored in with bold colors. It would give it a little something, something. I also tried to do a little "faux embossing" by adding the tone on tone circles to the Sage Shadow section of the card. (The actual name of this technique is escaping me at the moment. Feel free to leave me a comment if you know the name of this technique.) The button is just a clear Stampin' Up! button with Designer Series Paper behind it. I used the Mojo Monday Sketch 103 for the layout of this card. That's it for me!



Thanks for peeking in on me today!



Supplies: Stamps - Very Thankful; Ink - Basic Black Craft Ink; Paper - Nouveau Chic DSP, Apricot Appeal, Sage Shadow, Basic Black; Accessories - Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Eyelet Border Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Black Gingham Ribbon, Clear Button

SEEING DOTS

Hurray for me! I actually made the deadline to play along with the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge this week. It's a new world's record folks! If you're looking for a springboard to get your creative juices flowing then you should head over to the Mojo Monday blog. (After you check out my blog, of course.)

As I was coloring in my tree with my Stampin' Up! Marvelous Markers (love 'em), I was vaguely reminded of the giant swirled lollipops that you could buy as a child. I loved those things. It took days to eat them. What flavor were they? Cherry, maybe? Come to think of it, I don't remember them tasting all that great. Okay, enough already. Thanks for stopping by and checking in with me today. If you were kind enough to leave a comment, bless you. We bloggers love comments!

Supplies: Stamps - Trendy Trees; Ink - Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, SU! Markers - Old Olive, Real Red, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Basic Brown Journaler; Paper - Tall Tales DSP, Textured Old Olive, Textured Real Red, Textured Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Whisper White; Accessories - 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Vintage Brads

HERE FOR YOU

Have you tried the poppin' pastels technique? It's been around for a while, but I've never tried it. It's a really cool technique. Just stamp your image using Versamark ink and then rub colored chalk over the image. I used the baroque image from the Friends 24-7 stamp set along with Old Olive and Rose Red chalk on this card to replicate the technique. Okay, maybe I'm easily amazed but I like this technique. (I already said that didn't I?) I also ran my Rose Red cardstock through the Big Shot machine using the polka-dot texturz plate and then sponged Very Vanilla craft ink over it to make the dots pop out a little. This was the first time I tried out the eyelet border punch too and I'm loving it! To be honest, I wasn't crazy about this punch at first, but now I don't see this thing collecting much dust.


Supplies: Stamps - Friends 24-7; Ink - Versamark, Soft Suede; Paper - Natural Ivory, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Rose Red Designer Series Paper; Accessories - Very Vanilla Hodge Podge Hardware, Chalks, Sponges, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Big Shot Machine, Texturz Plate, Designer Label Punch, Eyelet Border Punch

Stinkin' Sweet

I don't know what it is about this little skunk that I find irresistible. It kind of reminds me of Pepe' Le Pew! Remember how he would chase that poor cat around? Okay, I'm dating myself here! I've noticed I have been using yellow on just about all of my cards. So, just to mix it up a bit I thought I'd try pink along with the Mojo Monday Week 82 sketch. I'm not really a pink girl, but nevertheless, I think I didn't do too bad. Besides, I'm waiting for my new Stampin' Up! order. Can't wait to get it so I can use the new Designer Series Papers.

Supplies: Stamps - Pun Fun; Paper - Sweet Always DSP (retired), Raspberry Lemonade DSP, Shimmery White, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo; Ink - Jet Black Stazon, Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Pretty in Pink, SU! Marker - Melon Mambo; Accessories - Blender Pen, Pretties Kit (brad), Melon Mambo Polka-Dot Ribbon, Boho Blossoms Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Fresh Favorites II Buttons

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

It seems like I've been making a lot of sympathy cards lately. I find sympathy cards to be a challenge because you really want the receiver to feel like you've put your heart into making the card. My dear friend, Allie's, father-in-law passed away unexpectedly last month. This is the card I sent to her husband and her.

Thanks for visiting me today!

Supplies: Stamps - Thoughts & Prayers; Paper - Basic Gray, Blue Bayou, Whisper White, Urban Garden Designer Series Paper, Ink - Basic Gray, Sahara Sand; Accessories - Blue Bayou Corduroy Buttons, 3/4" Circle Punch, Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon

ALWAYS ON MY MIND

I don't really know what I was thinking when I pulled all these colors together for the Mojo Monday Week 92 Sketch. Looking back I think I should have swapped the pumpkin pie card stock for more of an old olive color. Oh well, like I said in an earlier post, I'm kinda in a weird funk. I really do love the bird image from this set but I can't seem to find the right combinations for him yet. I guess I'll just have to keep trying.

Thanks for checking in with me today!

Supplies: Stamps - Always; Paper - Sweet Always DSP(Retired), Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Ink - Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, SU! Markers -Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive; Accessories - 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, Scallop Square Punch, Flower Fusion Felt Flowers, Vintage Brads, Paper Piercer, Sponges

The Big 7 - "OH!"

This is the card I gave my father-in-law for his big "70th" birthday! He used to tease me and say I was his "favorite" daughter-in-law. Of course that's when he only had ONE daughter-in-law. That's okay. I always tell him he's the best father-in-law I've ever had. (Maybe it's because he's the ONLY father-in-law I've ever had!) I have to admit he is a great father-in-law though!

I stamped the chef on several pieces of card stock and patterned paper and "paper pieced" them together for all the different colors and patterns. The cake is colored in with markers, watercolor pencils and a blender pen. Of course, this card is inspired by the Mojo Monday Sketches. It just happens to be Sketch Week 93.

Thanks for stopping by and peeking in on me today!

Supplies: Stamps - Voila, Sincere Salutations; Paper - Very Vanilla Old Olive, Riding Hood Red (retired), So Saffron, Good Morning Sunshine DSP (retired), Patterns Pack I (retired), Washington Apple DSP (retired); Ink - Staz On Jet Black, SU Markers - Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, So Saffron, Read Red, Summer Sun, Watercolor Pencil; Accessories - 1/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Earth Elements Brads, Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon (retired), Blender Pen

Perfect Pear

Okay, corny title! This card makes me think of my good friend, Doris. I'm really not sure why. Maybe it is because the card is bright and cheery and she always has a way of cheering me up.

I used the pear from Stampin' Up!'s "Cheep Talk" stamp set as my main image. As you can tell, if you click on the picture for a closer look, I went a little crazy with my paper piercer. I love that thing. My piercer looks like it's been to Mars and back - not sure how it ended up like that. I colored in the pear images with markers and traced the outside edge of the pears with the Old Olive marker. Again, I used my favorite color - chocolate! It just makes everything better! I also used the Mojo Monday Week 94 sketch for the layout of my card. Be sure to check back with me this week. I'll have more cards to show you. Thanks for peeking in on me today.

Supplies: Stamps - Cheep Talk; Paper - Good Morning Sunshine DSP (retired), Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss (retired), Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip; Ink - Whisper White Craft Ink, SU! Markers - Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive; Accessories - Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, White Embossing Powder, Sahara Sand Watercolor Crayon, Blender Pen, Vintage Brads, Photo Corners Punch, Designer Label Punch, Word Window Punch, 1" Circle Punch

EARTH HAS NO SORROW. . . . . . .

. . . that Heaven cannot heal. How true is that? My boss lost his uncle over the weekend. My co-worker asked if I would make a card to send to him from our office staff. So, I put together this quick card using the Mojo Monday Week 68 sketch.

The picture is a little dark. Sorry! I asked my husband to photograph this at 6:00 a.m. this morning. So, there was not much natural light. I was in a rush to get a picture of it as I wanted to mail it to my boss today.

I used the tree from the Thoughts and Prayers stamp set and the saying from the Close as a Memory stamp set for this card. Once again, I am trying to use up my stash of retiring Stampin' Up! products.

Hope you have a good evening. Thanks for stopping by.

Fly Away, Fly Away, Fly Away Home . . . . .

Well, I did manage to mount one of my new stamp sets yesterday, but that's as far as I got. My uncle called to tell me that my Aunt Sue fell and broke her hip. So, I went to the hospital to visit her. She didn't complain any during my visit. She just said her neck hurt from lying in bed. She was scheduled for surgery this morning. Please pray for her. Not only has she broken her hip, she has multiple sclerosis. So, walking is already a difficult task for her.

Today's card is one I made last week using the Mojo Monday Week 72 sketch. I wanted to use up some of my stash of retiring Stampin' Up! products and retiring stamps. Sadly, I just discovered I like the retiring Tangerine Tango (orange) "In Color". I actually hadn't used it much until now. This card reminds me of my sister, Sarah. She loves ladybugs. She even dressed up like one for Halloween one year.

I sponged several of my layers on this card and added dots to the middle of the flowers using the Summer Sun marker. To get my sentiment straight, I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig. It's such a handy little tool to have. I see Stampin' Up! is offering a paper piercer in the upcoming catalog. It's going first on my first order on July 1st. I have one, but is has been severely abused. LOL!

Thanks for stopping by and for all the kind comments, too!

Stamps - SU!'s Darling dots, Sweet Little Sentiments; Paper - Washington Apple, Bella Rose, Tangerine Tango, Summer Sun, Kiwi Kiss, Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White; Ink - Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Real Red, Basic Black, Black Journaler, SU! Markers - Summer Sun, Old Olive, Real Red; Accessories - Black Grosgrain Ribbon, White Jumbo Brads, Sponges, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1/2" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals

HELLO THERE!

Good Saturday morning to you! I got my box of new Stampin' UP! goodies last night and I can't wait to use them. Plus, I got a copy of the new Stampin' UP! catalog due out on July 1st! LOVE IT! I got my catalog, I got my catalog - oh, yeah! Oh, yeah! Anyway.........I decided to try to use up some of my retiring Stampin' Up! stash on today's card. I wanted to use bright, summery colors for this one. This is just a simple card - kinda streamline, but I kinda liked the way it turned out. I stamped the bird on a piece of Baja Breeze card stock, cut the wing out and popped it up to give the bird more dimension. I used the Mojo Monday Week 89 sketch for this one. Hope you like it! Thanks for looking!

Sorry for the blurry picture - not sure what happened!

Supplies: Stamps - SU!'s Cheep Talk; Paper - Good Morning Sunshine Designer Series Paper, Pacific Point, Summer Sun, Kiwi Kiss, Read Red, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White; Ink - Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, SU! Markers - Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie; Accessories - Chocolate Chip Jumbo Brads, Pacific Point Striped Ribbon, Circle Scissor Plus, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Dimensionals

DREAM A LITTLE

Have you ever envisioned something in your head and then when you put it to paper it doesn't turn out quite like you'd hoped? Well, that's what happened to me with this card. This card was inspired by the Mojo Monday Week 88 sketch. I actually call it my Mojo Monday Blunder card. It is so not what I envisioned at all. I guess we all have days like that. I actually thought about not posting this card, but I decided to go ahead. Sometimes you hit the mark and sometimes you miss by a mile. I used the rock ' n roll technique on the flower, double stamped it, cut out the center and popped up the center with a dimensional. I then added Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the edges of the flower using a Zig two-way glue pen. I also ran my white card stock through the Big Shot Machine using the polka dot texturz plate.

I do have a new card to share with you later this week. I'm a little happier with the way it turned out. I'll post it as soon as my dear husband photographs it for me.

Supplies: Stamps - SU!'s Dream A Little; Paper - Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper, Kiwi Kiss, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White; Ink - Rose Red, Cameo Coral, Not Quite Navy SU! Marker, Garden Green SU! Marker, Real Red SU! Marker, Chocolate Chip SU! Marker, Black Journaler; Accessories - Button Bouquet Buttons, Circle Scissor Plus, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Brads, Big Shot Machine, Backgrounds I Texturz Plates, Dimensionals

Flight of the Butterflies

Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday. It is absolutely gorgeous here in Southern Ohio. Today's card is inspired from the Mojo Monday Week 86 sketch. I love butterflies and I am really starting to like the orange and red combination together. I like the look of distressing, so I went crazy sponging this card. I sponged the card base, sponged the red pieces and then sponged clouds on the butterflies' background panels. I made clouds using the scallop circle punch as my cloud template, bashful blue ink and a sponge. I also cut my orange butterfly out and popped it up with dimensionals. Okay, now, get out and enjoy the sunshine!

Supplies: Stamps - SU's Flight of the Butterfly; Paper - Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red, Washington Apple Designer Series Paper, Ink - Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Black Journaler; Accessories - Paper Piercer, Sponges, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Small Oval Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch, Circle Fire Rhinestone Brad, Dimensionals

JUST BUZZING BY

First of all, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day. Don't forget to thank a Veteran for your freedom today or take time to remember those that lost their lives for our freedom.

Today's card is last week's Mojo Monday Sketch Week 87. If you haven't checked out the Mojo Monday blog, you can check it out here. Here's my take on the sketch. I just love the little bee. Shamefully, I've had this "Just Buzzing By" stamp set for some time and this is the first time these images have been inked up. I used my watercolor pencils with the blender pen to color in the bee and the honey pot. I just had to add the Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the wings and honey. Love that stuff - can't live without it. The sentiment is stamped in craft ink and heat set with white embossing powder.

Would you like to see another take on this sketch? Buzz on over to Dee's blog and check out her card. (All puns intended.)

All Stampin' Up! Supplies: Stamps - Just Buzzing By; Card Stock - Whisper White, So Saffron, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Watercolor Paper, Bella Rose DSP, Patterns Pack DSP II; Ink - Jet Black Staz-On, Whisper White Craft Ink, Pumpkin Pie marker; Accessories -

Punches - Scallop Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, 1" Circle, Scallop Edge; Circle Scissor Plus, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Vintage Brads, Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Natural Hemp Twine, Dimensionals