I'm a Cut Above for The Paper Players challenge...

I was out and about today, running errands and dropping off my kids for a couple of hours of quality time with their grandma when I saw that I'd won over at The Paper Player's Challenge.

Here's what one of the design team members (LeAnne) had to say about my card: "Oh my, when I saw Terry's card, I was in love! The colors she used were what caught my eye first; so very pretty! But when I zoomed in and saw that lovely flower stamped on the newsprint and colored so delicately, the butterfly perched above and that antique brad, I was doubly smitten! Very, very pretty creation---congrats on being my Cut Above, Terry!!! Thoroughly enjoyed it."

Here's the card:

Thanks, LeAnne, for the kind words!

We have a blog candy WINNER - Congrats to Ivy!!!

Congratulations to Ivy over at http://stampinivy.blogspot.com/. She left a nice comment and became a new follower and WON this terrific blog candy when my 10-year-old daughter randomly selected her name.

Ivy will receive a brand new Cute by the Inch stamp set, Sweet Summer stamp set, Basic Pearls, and Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon.

Thanks to all who left comments and became new followers. I appreciate you!

Baby Steps for A La Card Monkey Challenge 54...

This is for A La Card Monkey Challenge #54. In the close-up photo above, you can see that I stamped and cut out extra elephant ears from the single stamp Baby Steps, and added Dazzling Diamonds glitter and googly eyes to make the elephants stand out more. I think this would make a sweet Mother's Day card, as well as a cute baby card.

The card is Concord Crush, Whisper White and Basic Gray. Edges were distressed with the cutter kit. The sentiment is from You're a Gem stamp set, which is only available till the last day of April (hello! That's Saturday!).

Aw, did you see that adorable puppy and kitty? Make your own project! You can select a puppy, kitten, or any animal. Use the sketch, or not. It's up to you. Just have fun with it and play along. I'll be adding blog candy shortly to sweeten the deal.

Stamps: Baby Steps, You're a Gem (Occasions Mini);
Ink: Concord Crush;
Paper: Level 1 hostess In Color dsp pack, Whisper White, Concord Crush, Basic Gray;
Accessories: Googly eyes, Mini Glue Dots, 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, 3-1/2" circle die for the Big Shot, Cutter Kit, Scallop Border Punch, 1" and 1-1/4" circle punches, dimensionals, 1/8" Whisper White taffeta.

Rich Razzleberry Proud Peacock...

I really need to look at deadlines for challenges! Once again this week, I made a card for a sketch challenge, only to find the Linky tool closed when I went to upload my card! Oh well.... I'll share the card anyway. I stamped this peacock from the Summer Mini stamp set Proud Peacock in Rich Razzleberry ink, then used markers to color in some areas before adding Dazzling Diamonds glitter with a 2-way glue pen. A tiny pearl makes a nice eyeball.

I love a monochromatic card. I used Brights dsp - the patterns shown on the card are both sides of the same sheet - as well as Rich Razzleberry satin ribbon. I made this card using the sketch shown below for Stamping 411.

Stamps:  Proud Peacock, Happy Greetings (both Summer Mini Catalog sets);

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz;

Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Brights dsp pad;

Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, 5/8" Rich Razzleberry satin ribbon, dimensionals, 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, basic pearls, small oval punch.

Watercolored Every Moment for sketch challenge...

I finally found time to make a card for the Paper Players. I've been wanting to join these gals for quite awhile. Lesley came up with a really nice sketch for the challenge this week. I started with a Crumb Cake card and Every Moment stamp set, along with First Edition and Paisley Petals dsp. I used an aqua painter and ink pads to color the flower and butterfly. You can see the sketch below. Click here to see what everybody else created.

Stamps: Every Moment, Teeny Tiny Wishes;

Ink: Poppy Parade, Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake;

Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Paisley Petals dsp, First Edition dsp;

Accessories: Antique brad, scallop trim border punch, aqua painter, dimensionals, Curly Label Punch.

1,300 posts, blog candy, and Playful Polka Dots Simply Scrappin' Kit for sketch challenge...

I've got a few things to celebrate today - 1) This is my 1,300th blog post (nearing 4 years of blogging); 2) I actually got a challenge done this week; and 3) I am getting a post up in time for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday!

First, the blog candy: Leave me a lovely comment on this post and you could receive a pack of pearls, Sweet Summer and Cute by the Inch stamp sets, and Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon. I'd love to have you become a Follower too, if you're not already. It's that simple.



Second (and third, since this is what's on my desk) is my submission for the Create with Connie and Mary sketch challenge this week. I used textured Old Olive card stock, with dsp from the Playful Polka Dots Simply Scrappin' Kit (coming up May 1 in the Summer Mini Catalog). The sentiment is from Trendy Trees. I added dimensionals under the yellow flower, with a jumbo brad, and a bow of Peach Parfait ribbon. You can see the sketch at the bottom.

That's it for me! Don't forget to leave a comment with your email address in it. I'll have one of my kids choose a name at random on Friday night, and will post the winner this weekend! Thanks!

An additional note: I didn't get my card done in time for the sketch challenge. The linky is closed. *sigh*

Marie's egg-stra special Easter card for monkey challenge...

Marie used a lattice punch for the basket, threading through pieces of grosgrain ribbon and held together with mini glue dots and a solid backing of paper. The eggs in the basket were stamped on a separate piece of card stock, decorated with markers, cut out and glittered. Marie used markers on the greeting and the Four Frames stamp set (which fits perfectly with the Decorative Label Punch). Entries will be taken till midnight Thursday. I'd love to have you come and play! I'm giving away blog candy.

Marie's glittery cross card for monkey challenge...

Marie created this card for the latest A La Card Monkey Challenge 53. The top background paper is Paisley Petals dsp, and the new Four Frames stamp set was used too. She used Rich Razzleberry ink, including using a marker that color on the ribbon. There's glitter on the cross. You can see the challenge below: Easter + a sketch.

A Good Egg Easter card with Four Frames...

Happy Easter to you and your family! I love the chick in the egg from A Good Egg stamp set. I paper-pieced his shell with Play Date dsp, which is also on the front of the card. I stamped the bottom of the chick on the polka-dot frame from Four Frames and then stamped him on Whisper White card stock, colored and cut him out. He's adhered over his legs with dimensionals. The sentiment is from Teeny, Tiny Wishes. It was punched out with the Word Window Punch and then I added a Tempting Turquoise glimmer brad.

The Four Frames stamp set will be in the big new catalog coming out July 1, but you can purchase it this month! Click on the flyer at the top right of my blog under Spring is Blossoming.

Enjoy your day!

Petal Cone carrot favor for Easter...

Our punches make layering like this so easy! They're a nice way to add dimension and color to a project.



The "carrot" shape is from the Petal Cone die for the Big Shot. I cut off one of the top rounded flaps, and adhered a scalloped one in Garden Green (also cut with the Petal Cone die) after stamping the entire Tangerine Tango carrot with the Sanded background stamp. I used Sticky Strip to hold the carrot together.

Easter Blossoms springtime card with Marina Mist...

Marina Mist is easily my favorite color in the new Stampin' Up! collections. And you can pair any color nicely with Crumb Cake. It's my favorite neutral! So when you put the two together with the gorgeous Springtime Vintage dsp and the Easter Blossoms stamp set, I think you get a winner every time.

I first saw a card similar to this on Shelli Gardner's blog. I believe she made it for a regional, though I could be mistaken. I used a square punch to make the angle on the strip. The photo makes it look like the punched dsp strip hangs down past the card bottom, but it doesn't. It's an optical illusion! lol I sponged the Scallop Trim Border-punched edges of Crumb Cake with the same color ink, as well as the oval scallop greeting. The vanilla rosette is adhered with a Mini Glue Dot. The ribbon and color of ink for the sentiment is Marina Mist.

We're quickly coming to the end of April, when items like the Easter Blossoms stamp set, Springtime Vintage dsp, and vanilla rosettes will no longer be available to order! If you'd like anything from the Occasions Mini Catalog that isn't being carried over (see my April 20 post below), please contact me and I'll place your order, or you may order online yourself. Have a terrific Saturday!

Serene Spring bunny hops into action for A La Card Monkey Challenge #53 with its bling on

It's easy to see why I've hung onto this bunny set for several years - it's so freakin' cute! I mean, look at that face.

This card is for the latest A La Card Monkey challenge - #53. You can see the Easter theme/sketch below. The rhinestones on this tag shine so brightly!

I love challenges like this because they stretch your creativity. I can easily say I've never created a card like this. And I like it!

It was fun to lay down the Baja Breeze seam binding on Sticky Strip across the top of the Greenhouse Gala dsp. When I didn't like what I'd done, I pulled it up and re-stuck it.

I hope you and your family enjoy a warm and wonderful Easter. We'll be dying eggs, helping the Easter bunny with an egg hunt, and hosting some grandparents for brunch.

Stamps: Serene Spring (retired hostess set from approx. 2007), All Holidays;

Ink: Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue;

Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Greenhouse Gala dsp;

Accessories: Decorative Label Punch, Vintage Trinkets, Basic Rhinestones, white gel pen, sponge, medium oval punch, Baja Breeze seam binding, Sticky Strip, dimensionals, Scallop Trim Border Punch, aqua painter.

Strength & Hope Beyond The Garden...

My club members made this card this month. It uses the Strength & Hope stamp set and gives another sneak peek of a Summer Mini dsp called Beyond The Garden. Two dollars from every Strength & Hope set hold go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This stamp set would make an excellent gift for your favorite crafter! Back to the card - I CASE'd it from Lianne Carper. I think it's beautiful even with fewer things on it. My version uses 5/8" Whisper White satin ribbon, different dsp, and we used the thumping technique on the butterfly.

Fabulous Florets, Happy Greetings, The Open Sea, Recess, and Touch of Kindness Summer Mini sneak peek...

I had fun today at my 10-card class using upcoming Summer Mini Catalog items. This card above uses a stamp set called Fabulous Florets. I love the sentiment. It's the only word stamp in the set.

Touch of Kindness is the name of the stamp set used above.

Above and below are two versions of the same card using the Recess stamp set with the Brights dsp pad and either Tangerine Tango or Wild Wasabi card stock.

The upcoming mini catalog features some great man stamps, including The Open Sea, shown here, Nautical Expedition dsp, Espresso/White Baker's Twine and a sentiment from the Best Dad Ever stamp set.

For the fifth card, we used the Flower Garden embossing folder and Happy Greetings stamp set. Baja Breeze, Old Olive and So Saffron were sponged on using sponge daubers, with 1/8" Baja Breeze taffeta knotted at the top.

Michelle, Kim and Barb came to class today, as well as Marie and Mary Lee below.

Also there were Donna, Gaila, Christy, and Mary Ann.

Click here to what Occasions Mini Catalog items will be available AFTER April 30

The Occasions Mini Catalog ends April 30, but Stampin' Up! has a flyer of products that you'll still be able to order, including Trinket Keys, Trinket Crowns, Game Spinners, punches, seam binding and more!

Click on the title of this post to see the flyer. It has photos, item numbers and prices.

If you have something on your Wish List from the Occasions Mini Catalog that won't be carrying over, please call or email me with your order! Once it's gone, it's gone!!!

Have a great day!

New digital downloads available...

If you click on the title of this post, you'll see the latest digital downloads. If you would like to view our complete list of My Digital Studio download offerings, go to the customer homepage at http://www.stampinup.com/, click on Store, then Digital Designing.

Have a great day!

Cheryl's Monkey Challenge 52 tea card...

Cheryl created this cozy tea card for the A La Card Monkey Challenge 52. There are lots of details, from the lacy ruffle to the flowers, cut-out teacups of flowers, ric-rac, scallop trim borders and more! You can see what the challenge is all about by clicking on the link and adding your own stamped creation.

Marie shares a Coke and a smile for Monkey Challenge 52...

Marie's favorite beverage is Coca-Cola, so she created a card with that theme - hence all the red and white. She used multi-colored glitter to show the effervescence of the Coke. And she drew by hand the glass and straw. Here's the A La Card Monkey Challenge 52:

10 card class: From A Good Egg and Inspired by Nature, to Aviary and Herb Expressions...

I hosted a 10-card class with these five card designs. Above, A Good Egg with some Tangerine Tango dsp (from the Brights pad), 5/8" Old Olive satin ribbon and faux stitching (paper piercing holes first then connecting them with a white gel pen). I saw a smaller card like this on Diana Gibbs' blog.

Inspired by Nature has always been one of my favorite sets, but I haven't used it for months! We used Old Olive, Poppy Parade and Early Espresso markers to ink up the stamp. The sentiment is from the Level 3 hostess set Occasional Quotes. The rubber was resisting the Poppy Parade ink, so while my flower looks a bit mottled, I used an adhesive eraser on the rubber that worked wonders for my customers! The ink went on smoothly.

I started with the flower pattern from the Pawsitively Prints II dsp pack and added the Poppy Parade ribbon and butterflies. The smaller butterfly and curly sentiment are from Flight of the Butterfly. The big butterfly is from Butterfly Prints. Of course the big butterfly had to have a big rhinestone on it!

I cut a half-inch from the top right of this card, then used the Scallop Border Punch and ran it through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. There's a 1-inch strip of Sweet Stitches dsp adhered inside the card. I used the 3" circle die for the Big Shot for the front layer, stamping the cage and bird from Aviary. Everyone could select a sentiment from Teeny, Tiny Wishes.

I started with Lap of Luxury dsp on this Easter card. The sentiment is from Something to Celebrate, a Level 2 hostess set, and the main stamp set is Herb Expressions. This card also uses the Scallop Trim Border Punch and 3/8" Pretty in Pink taffeta.

On The Grow card for new challenge...

Hopping on a scooter and enjoying some sunshine and flowers sounds wonderful about now. We've been having alot of rain and temperatures in the 50s at best. But the next best thing is stamping a card with a scooter and flowers for this week's Bloggers Challenge Sketch Challenge. I chose to stick exactly to the sketch, though it'd really be easy to pump up this card with embellishments! The stamp set, On The Grow, is available to everyone May 1.

Stamps: On The Grow (Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog 2011 - starts May 1);

Ink: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Bashful Blue;

Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Poppy Parade, So Saffron, Pawsitively Prints II dsp;

Accessories: Aqua Painter, dimensionals.

Ah... This Monkey Challenge 52 is A Slice of Life...

Bear with me here. My close-up photo was horizontal when I took the photo and when I uploaded it. The thumbnail looks correct too. But when I add the photo to this post, it turns it on its end! I took the close-up to show the Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the middle drink, the highlights made with the white gel pen, and the tiny pearl in the middle of the flower on the first mug. Oh, and I used a red Sharpie to color a tiny pearl for the "cherry" on the middle drink whip too. Yum!

Here's the A La Card Monkey Challenge 52 - it's your favorite coffee/tea/beverage of choice, along with my sketch.

I was thinking coffee shop, a newspaper with your coffee... that's what got me started. I sponged Newsprint dsp (top) and Elegant Soiree dsp (bottom) with a luxurious knot of 5/8" Very Vanilla satin ribbon separating the two. I used an image from A Slice of Life. It's a Level 1 hostess set in the Occasions Mini Catalog, which is only available till the end of April. To the left of the cups, I used the Tiny Tags stamp set with the Medium Jewelry Punch and Vintage Trinkets (those adorable looking button brads!) to add a "love 4 you" greeting. I enjoy an occasional mocha with a little coconut and whipped cream. The drink is called "The Hollywood Star" at the bowling alley espresso stand. I call it pure bliss!

I hope you'll create a card for this challenge. Why? 'Cause it's fun, silly!!! If you're not sure where to start, you'll want to visit http://alacardmonkey.blogspot.com/ to see all the wonderful ideas. You'll have to visit the monkey blog anyway to upload your card. Love ya!

Team swaps from Strength & Hope to A Flower for All Seasons and Crosses for Hope

Kim's swap uses Strength & Hope and Four Frames with Paisley Petals dsp.

Barb's swap gives you a sneak peek of the Summer Mini products Hello Blossoms (flower stamp) and the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch.

Frankie's swap uses Crosses of Hope

Mary Ann used A Flower for All Seasons and a sentiment from Something to Celebrate

Purple's swap used The Nicest Things, A Flower for All Seasons, and words from Something to Celebrate