Countryside and Comfort Cafe for Monkey Challenge #112

This has been such a fun week! But first, let's talk about A La Card Monkey Challenge #112: Father's Day + Sketch. Focus on Dad - yours or your kids'. Old trucks always remind me of my dad. He's always had several vehicles around, and even mashed them for scrap metal at one point in his life. I used the Countryside stamp set, along with a sentiment from Best Dad Ever. The designer paper is from the Comfort Cafe pack, and that big button is Natural Wood! The two tones are so pretty in real life. Unfortunately, the words are cattywampus. Here's the sketch I followed:

 

Now about this week - I feel like it's been my birthday all week long. I've been treated to lunch a couple of times, plus dates for future lunches, a box of Stampin' Up! NEW stuff, balloons, cakes, scratch tickets, a vintage suitcase (beautiful - I'll take a photo of it tomorrow when I'm at the studio), a gorgeous clothesline purse, unexpected visits, and more. It's great! I'll share some of the hand-stamped cards later. I've heard from so many friends and family, it's been really wonderful. So thank you! I'm feeling the love!!!

Graduation card for Monkey Challenge #111

I have a large, extended family, so it seems as if someone is graduating from high school just about every year. I had no graduation cards on hand, so I was more than ready to make one using the A La Card Monkey Challenge #111: Graduation + Sketch.

Here's the whole card. I used a piece of Patio Party dsp, along with a Brights Button, linen thread, and Midnight Muse and Summer Starfruit inks. I hand cut the graduation cap and then ran it through the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. For the bottom, I got the curve from the Curly Label Punch. The tassel was made by cutting 1/8" Basic Black taffeta ribbon (for the string) and Basic Black dotted scallop ribbon for the tassel. The "congratulations" is from the Curly Cute stamp set.

Here's the sketch that you can follow. You don't have to make a graduation card. It can be whatever you need!

Stamps: Curly Cute;

Ink: Summer Starfruit; Midnight Muse;

Paper: Patio Party dsp, Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, and Whisper White card stocks;

Accessories: Curly Label Punch, dimensionals, 1/8" Basic Black and Baja Breeze ribbons; Basic Black scallop dotted ribbon; Neutral brads; Brights button; sponge dauber, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Scallop Border Punch.

Stamp show photos & Monkey Challenge #109

What a long day! There was a lot of driving and lifting and setting up, but I think my Stampin' Up! booth looks fabulous. Look for a few photos at the bottom of this post. Because it's time for another A La Card Monkey Challenge #109: Pure Joy + Sketch.

My photo didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped and it's getting late, so this will have to do. I stamped the popsicle from Mouthwatering in Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder and Calypso Coral on coordinating designer series paper. I also used each of those colors in linen thread for the little bows at the left. Simple, but sweet, I think. And, at least for my kids, with the summer coming up and many popsicles in their future - Pure Joy!

How cute is that elephant? If that isn't joy, I'm not sure what is. So you've seen my card. Now it's your turn! It's a simple sketch - just three rectangles with a sentiment (and you can add whatever embellishments you like!).

Now I promised some photos of the booth Kim B. and I are sharing all weekend.

Pretty cool, huh? Our booth is just inside the front door! We have loads of stamp sets (wood and clear mount), jumbo wheels, and much more. Hopefully you can come down to the Puyallup Fairgrounds (Pavilion Building) to take it all in and buy a bunch of stuff!

Here are ribbons, fabric personal tissue holders, mini albums, paper purses and notecards, stitched felt, black jewels, and glitter. 

Here's a stamp lamp I made using a mason jar. It holds two full stamp sets and is an actual working lamp. I also made the Twitterpated fabric flower headbands, and some chalkboard tags. The Twitterpated-covered oatmeal container and the tags were ideas I gleaned from Pinterest. I store hair clips with fabric flowers inside the oatmeal container.

Kim B.'s green door looks great with four ribbon wreaths I made on it.

I've got cards to add tomorrow in the card racks. My van was so packed with furniture there wasn't room for the containers of cards. Kim's purses are clipped onto the chicken wire frames with clothespins, her small resin table covered with new catalogs next to her tall card rack.

I made four chicken wire frames (a few were hanging on the lattice screen), but most of the room is filled with stamps. We had stamps everywhere. They were in bins Kim brought that made it easy for everyone to flip through the sets to easily grab the ones they wanted.

Kim and I received so many compliments on the set-up because it was so different from every other booth.

The next event where I'll have a booth will be the last weekend in July at Kingston's Mike Wallace Park on the waterfront. It's the Kitsap Arts and Crafts Festival.

It's all girly-girl for Monkey Challenge #108

Being a girl is a lot of fun. I mean you can do anything you want, like wear your prettiest dress, put a fun hat on your head and stand on an alligator! Check out the sketch first, for A La Card Monkey Challenge #108: Girly + Sketch, then look at my card under that.

Can you imagine having your daughter pose like this? It's crazy, but oh what stories you could tell! lol

I had to start my girly card with a Vintage Wallpaper-embossed Pink Pirouette card front, some pretty designer paper, a Victoria crochet trim bow held on with a vintage trinket safety pin, and pearls.

I was thrilled to get the Patio Party dsp FREE as part of a bundle for recruiting during Stampin' Up!'s Sale-a-Bration event earlier this year. In another FREE bundle - this time for having the title of senior manager - I received Betsy's Blossoms and the new 2012-2014 In Color Markers (see the Raspberry Ripple on the bird from that stamp set, along with Midnight Muse on the Itty Bitty Banner sentiment. The second largest Label Framelit is what I used to diecut the shape behind the bird.

I stamped the bird twice, cut out his wing and added dimensionals underneath. Then I replaced his vacant-looking white eye with a pearl. All of the above may be found in the new 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! Catalog! I have boxes and boxes here at home, so if you want one, let me know. My club members will receive a special spiral-bound catalog - my treat! There's still time to place a $50+ order online through my website (click on the icon in the left-hand column) to get a free new catalog. It'll be shipped separately from your order - but via priority mail.

One last thing: I went to a garage sale with my hubby and a neighbor today and found the stuff pictured above. I love old things - especially stuff used in the kitchen and that still have a little paint left on them. I also love the wood-handled screwdriver and the cast-iron fan. The only thing I'm not sure of is the domed metal container on the left. It has thin metal handles on the top and bottom and pulls apart. Do you know what it was used for? Please let me know, if you do! I'd appreciate it. Have a wonderful weekend... and a Happy Mother's Day.

Fruit & Flowers for Monkey Challenge #107

This close-up of my card for the A La Card Monkey challenge this week is to show that I stamped off on the flowers for the Curly Label sentiment from Friendly Phrases.

This is the first time I've used the Fruit & Flowers stamp set. I had to mount it so I could use it for this card. I was going to stamp the strawberry in the circles, but figured they were too big, so I went with a flower in the stamp set instead. Then there's a big rhinestone in the middle of each for a little bling.

Here's the sketch! It's pretty cute, right? My card came together quickly (once the stamps were mounted). I've had a nice day. I got more crafting done for the May 19-20 Heirloom Rubber Stamp and Paper Arts Festival in Puyallup, some labels made for retired punches I have to sell, and made a batch of chocolate donuts for my hubby and kids. It's the first time I tried making the chocolate icing. They said it tasted good. It just used powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa, water, honey, and vanilla. Here's a photo of the donuts, made with a can of Pillsbury Grands refrigerator biscuits:

I got this idea off of Pinterest! I'm diggin' that site. Okay, enough about me and my day. I hope you have a great day.

It's a blue, blue time for Monkey Challenge #106

I'm feeling a little blue. Probably because A La Card Monkey has Challenge #106: Something Blue + Sketch. I used the water pump from Countryside, along with a sentiment from Delightful Dozen.

I love monochromatic cards! This one is Bashful Blue, with a 2-1/4" x 5-1/4" piece of Beau Chateau dsp. I punched three 1-3/4" Marina Mist circles and ran them through the Square Lattice Embossing Folder, then added a knot of scallop dotted ribbon. The water pump was stamped in Marina Mist on Bashful Blue card stock and punched with the 2-1/2" circle punch.

You can see the sketch I followed below:

Have a wonderful day!

Something Borrowed for Monkey105, and my newly organized stampin' area

This isn't a Stampin' Up! image. It's rare that that happens on my blog. And the reason why is this week's A La Card Monkey Challenge #105: Something Borrowed + Sketch.

I used Paisley Petals dsp on a Whisper White card base. I borrowed the stamps from a friend of mine. I wasn't sure of the color for the mice, but I ended up using an aqua painter and watercolor crayons. The mice are More Mustard and Pumpkin Pie with Pretty in Pink cheeks. I used a stamp-a-ma-jig for the words, punching them out with the 1-3/4" circle punch and added an Itty Bitty flower with a rhinestone. Have a wonderful weekend!



I almost forgot! I pulled the retiring Stampin' Up! stamps from my shelves and took a photo of what's left. It looks pretty organized right now.

This is where I create. It's the landing at the top of the stairs in my house. I'm a very visual person, so I need to see what I have in order to remember it's there and to use it. I love using punches, which is why they're all within arm's reach. I had my hubby pull out some of the shelves on the wall so I could fit the stamps on them with the cases. Previously, I had to store the cases in a cabinet and line up the stamps because the shelves were so close together. This works better for me, and it's freed up room in a cabinet! All of the words are near the middle where they're easy to see. Scissors and ribbons are behind the fan and Ott Light (a must-have since I stamp at night). A caddy with my brads and buttons is out of the photo on the right.

I love having all of the Stampin' Up! ink pads - including two years' worth of In Colors, StazOn and VersaMark pads - at my side. I keep card stock in a filing cabinet just below the countertop, which is only 2 feet deep.

This built-in bookshelf is on my left, and it looks so much neater now. It holds mini catalog sets, more punches, all of my clear blocks (in the tin on the bottom shelf), and the rest of my clear stamp sets. The top shelf holds extra markers for my kids to use, sponge daubers, hobby blades, adhesives, glitter, shimmer paints and empty brad containers I use for punched pieces when I have classes.

A sweet cupcake challenge for A La Card Monkey #104

There's a great sketch I made for A La Card Monkey for you this week for Challenge #104: Cupcakes! Cupcakes are all over the place - in movies, on TV, on tables at farmers' markets and little shops around town. So the challenge to you this week is to create a cupcake card using the sketch at the bottom of this post.

I wanted my cupcake to look bright and cheery and ready for a party! I used the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set, stamping on card stock and Big Top Birthday dsp, then cutting out the parts and adhering them with dimensionals over a 2-1/2" Real Red circle that I faux stitched around using a paper piercer and white gel pen. The sentiment is from the Sweet Cake set in the Occasions Mini. There are only a couple more weeks to buy from that mini, so if you want something, buy it NOW before it's gone. I added mini silver brads on either side of the Modern Label punched greeting.

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes, Sweet Cake;

Ink: Tempting Turquoise marker, Basic Black pad;

Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie;

Accessories: Tasteful Trim die, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder; dimensionals, 2-1/2" circle punch, paper piercer, mat pack, Modern Label Punch, mini silver brads.

Zoo Review giraffe with Summer Smooches for Monkey Challenge #103

This week it's all about Animals for A La Card Monkey Challenge #103. This card features four designs from the Summer Smooches designer paper (a new catalog item that's available on an April promotion), along with a Brights button, and a greeting from Happiest Birthday Wishes.

I debated about whether to emboss the main image or not, and obviously decided to do it with the square lattice embossing folder. So what do you think? I've included the sketch below:

Have a great weekend!

Everybunny loves Easter for Monkey Challenge #102

Wow! Do these colors scream Easter eggs or what? lol I love the Everybunny stamp set. The bunnies in it are so adorable. I used a blender pen and ink pads to color the image, and cut 5/8" strips from Melon Mambo and Pumpkin Pie dsp (Brights Pattern Paper Pad), while embossing the 5/8" Tempting Turquoise strip with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. I created this card using the A La Card Monkey Challenge #102: Easter + Sketch. You can see the sketch below. Isn't that bunny the cutest?

 

Stamps: Everybunny;

Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, and Pumpkin Pie, Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride;

Paper: Whisper White, Brights Pattern Paper Pad, Tempting Turquoise;

Accessories: Brights Brads, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, dimensionals, blender pen.

Fresh Vintage for Monkey Challenge #101: Spring

Spring has sprung around here! It was such a pretty day, with the sun shining brightly. Coincidentally, Spring has sprung at A La Card Monkey, where there is a new Monkey Challenge #101: Spring + Sketch.

 

I love the Everyday Enchantment dsp. I made four different accordian scrapbooks with that designer paper and coordinating card stock. I'll show one of those this weekend. This card starts with Pool Party card stock. I separated the dsp and embossed Whisper White pieces with a strip of Poppy Parade. I paper-pierced it, but then added rhinestones when the piercing didn't really pop out at me.

The pennant (also embossed) and the scallop circle layers are from the Pennants Die for the Big Shot. I added some ruffled Pool Party ribbon on Sticky Strip at the top of the pennant. The Fresh Vintage stamp was inked with markers. You can see the sketch below. I actually borrowed it from one of my downline's swaps a couple of weeks ago.

Have a fabulous weekend!

A La Card Monkey blog hits 100th challenge

This week, for A La Card Monkey Challenge #100: Celebrate! + Sketch, I made a really simple sketch that I rearranged slightly. Instead of having scallops around my circle, I added them to the designer paper. Obviously, with celebrating the 100th challenge, there's got to be BLOG CANDY! To be eligible, you can 1) upload a creation of your own using the link above; 2) become a Follower of our blog; or 3) leave a comment with your email address. It's that simple!

Here's what I'm providing for the BLOG CANDY: Two stamp sets, a Thank-You note kit, 8mm pearls, Chunky Baja Breeze Glitter, a flower keychain, Daffodil Delight Pom Pom Trim, Whisper White Baker's Twine in a container I customized with a paper flower, Sweet Stitches Designer Buttons, a photo book to alter, Scallop Trim Border Punch, and Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details. Now that's some terrific BLOG CANDY!

Now for my card:

It uses the new Summer Smooch dsp (everyone will be able to order some April 1), along with the Kidoodles stamp set. The card is Pacific Point card stock, and I used a blender pen and Pacific Point ink to color the image. The banner is from the Petal Cone die, and I added a few Brights Glimmer Brads. Here's my sketch:

Thrift stores and Love & Sympathy for Monkey Challenge #99

Stamping is a nice way to end this Friday. I've been looking for some great pieces for my sister's vintage show in May, and found all kinds of fun stuff at area thrift stores. I found a record cabinet (those round flat things we used before CDs became the norm - hee hee) for only $12 and a couple of other items, including a little wagon, a white picket shelving unit that folds flat, another shelving unit where the three shelves come all the way out and are each a different color, two little picket fence Tchotchke holders, and a bunch of doilies.

Now to the stamping portion of this post! I love the colors of this Love and Sympathy Twitterpated card. I focused on Baja Breeze for the card, ribbon and buttons, and chose to keep the main image very simple so it wouldn't compete with the floral patterned paper behind it. I like the Ticket Corner Punch for a touch of sophistication to an otherwise simple card. I made this card for the A La Card Monkey Challenge #99: Flowers + Sketch.

I used the sketch below that I made in My Digital Studio to make my card.

Need for Speed for Monkey Challenge #98: Happiness!

This week's A La Card Monkey Challenge #98 is all about Happiness. So I thought I'd choose a stamp set that would make two of my nephews - who have birthdays this month - happy! That set is Need for Speed. I made one card using the ATV and a second with the racecar.

I love this sketch because it's nice and simple. It was easy to add texture with the Houndstooth embossing folder. I used a sponge dauber with Early Espresso ink to make the embossing stand out. I also used a sponge dauber to burnish color onto the vehicles. You can see the sketch below:

Stamps: Need for Speed, Birthday Wishes;

Ink: Early Espresso, Basic Black, Marina Mist;

Paper: Very Vanilla, Marina Mist, Beau Chateau dsp;

Accessories: 1-1/4" Marina Mist striped grosgrain, jumbo brad, Houndstooth embossing folder, Big Shot, dimensionals, sponge dauber, largest circle punch.

Aviary card for Monkey Sketch Challenge #97

I finally cracked open my pack of Nursery Nest dsp and found these adorable patterns. The little owl in Aviary matches the paper, but I got the cake from Gnome Sweet Gnome and the sentiment from Send Me Soaring.

I kept true to the sketch with the addition of the LOVE tag (Hearts Trinkets) tied onto the dotted scallop Marina Mist ribbon with Whisper White Baker's Twine. There are three Pear Pizzazz Decorative Label punched pieces cut in half and adhered to the top and bottom of the strips.

I've designed almost 100 sketch challenges, so be on the lookout for Blog Candy!