PPA38 & OCC Beautiful Butterflies Challenge

Today's card is a result of two challenges.  I decided to play along with Pals Paper Arts PPA38 sketch challenge and Our Creative Corner's Beautiful Butterflies challenge.  I love the simple layout of this sketch and using Stampin' Up!'s square punches make it a breeze to assemble a card such as this one.  When I saw Our Creative Corner's challenge this week, I automatically thought of the Beautiful Wings Embosslits die in the Occassions Mini Catalog.  (You still have until April 30th to purchase Occassions Mini products.  Wink!  Wink!) 

I actually thought I had an original thought this time combining the butterflies with this sketch challenge.  (You that follow my blog know that original ideas from me are sadly few and far between.  I'm a CASEr.  It's sad, but true!)  Imagine my despair when I popped over to Nancy Riley's blog ISTAMP only to find she had the same idea too!  Now, don't get me wrong.  I'm not overly upset about it.  I actually admire the great and wonderful Nancy and to think that I actually was thinking like her was a pure BLISS moment for me!  Although, I have to admit her card is much more wonderful than mine : )

Well, I must get back to the drawing board.  I'm working on a birdhouse card.  I've seen them everywhere and I'm trying to come up with my own pattern for one.  I hope to post it later this week.  Thanks for peeking in on me!  Hope your weekend was a great one!

Supplies:  (All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted.)  Stamps - Thank You Kindly; Paper - Sending Love Specialty Paper -  Very Vanilla, Real Red, Chocolate Chip; Ink, - Chocolate Chip Craft Ink, Real Red Classic Ink; Accessories - Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die, Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder, Big Shot Machine, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Real Red Corduroy Brad,  Sponge Dauber, Pop Up Glue Dots, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack; Punches - 1 1/4" Square, 1 3/8" Square

VERY VINTAGE

Okay, so one day I AM going to have an original idea in my head.  Guess what?  Today is not that day.  My card today was inspired by this card created by Ann Schach.  I love the Vintage Vogue stamp set in the Stampin' Up! Occassions Mini.  The best part is, is that this set is going to be in the new 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog.  Hooray!!!  I love, love, love vintage.  You just can't go wrong with it - know what I mean?

My color combination consists of Basic Gray, Kraft, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry.  I used  a Basic Gray corduroy brad  and some silver brads to jazz things up a bit.  (I'm also trying to quit hoarding and start using all these great products.)  If you look closely you might notice I used the Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch for the leaves of my flower.  The bird's wing in this punch makes excellent leaves.  Gotta love that!  I also pulled out my sponges to give the card a more vintage feel.

I'm glad to see that Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo will be returning as part of Stampin' Up!'s color collection in July.  I have to admit that the idea of retiring some of the current Stampin' Up! colors terrified me at first, but I am embracing the change.  I may be embracing the change slowly, but I am embracing it.  I actually think I'm going to be excited about it after I absorb it.

Well, that's it for me today.  I'm heading to Bible Study in a couple hours.  We're studying about the role of a family and the component that every individual plays in a family.  It's good stuff and really makes you think about your role in the family.  Well, that and it makes me realize that I need to step up to the plate a little more and try harder to keep my family a spiritual family.  Thanks for peeking in on me today!  Have a beautiful evening blogging friends!

SMALL WONDER

Today's card was made for a co-worker and his wife who celebrated the birth of their second baby girl last week.  My co-worker's wife also happens to be my husband's cousin.  (Boy, that sounded confusing : )  Aren't small communities great?

I used the Pals Paper Arts PPA24 Simple Sketch Challenge for the layout of my card.  I really like this layout and can see myself using it over and over.  I did, however, struggle making this card.  You see, I don't tend to make very many cards where pink is the main focus.  I live in the testosterone sea at my house - even my dog is a boy!  So, I don't get an opportunity to make "girly" cards very often.  You know what I did discover?  I REALLY like making "girly" cards.  They're fun.  This was also the first time I used the new clear blocks and unmounted stamps from Stampin' Up!.  I LOVE THEM!  I was instantly addicted!

I'll be back later to post the supplies used for this card.  I can tell you that this little card is chocked full of new goodies from the new Stampin' Up! Occassions Mini Catalog! 

BACK IN THE SADDLE AND A CHALLENGE TO BOOT

My, oh, my! Has it really been that long since my last post??? I've got a million excuses, but let me just give you the condensed version. I've been busy prepping for my 10 for $10 Christmas card class and dealing with the "Kiddie Crud". My class is now over and was a big success - thanks ladies! The "kiddie crud" is subsiding and life is getting back to normal. So on with the show!

The above card is one I created for my Christmas card class and also for the Pals Paper Arts PPA16 Challenge for this week. This week's challenge is a "Christmas Cheer" theme. Check it out here. This is the first time I've participated in the Pals Paper Arts Challenge and I'm pumped. From time to time I play along with challenges, but usually long after the challenge is over.

Well, that's it for me today. I'm going shopping with my little sister. Thanks for peeking in on me today. Oh, and a very "Happy Birthday" to my oldest brother, Eric. Love you big guy!

Supplies: Stamps - Winter Post, Snow Swirled; Paper - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Merry Moments DSP; Ink-Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Old Olive; Accessories - Mistletoe Ribbon, Big Shot Machine, Top Note Die, Dimensionals (All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted.)

Shop Stampin' Up! here.