Inspired By... Black & White With a Splash of Colour

I realized yesterday, that I posted our KCRR challenge a day early... All week I've been thinking one day ahead. So unfortunate! This makes the week feel that much longer. However, on the bright side, I have been so motivated this week, both at work and home! Let's hope that continues...

Here is the new inspirational photo challenge a day early this week as well :) 

IB #41

I came across this photo on Pinterest. Not only does it look delicious, but I love the pop of colour against the black and white! And teal happens to be one of my favourite colours! 

Always Playing With Paper has a fabulous sketch this week! I just had to play along :) 

I LOVE these flowers from Fabulous Florets stamp set. They are so elegant! I popped them up to give the card some dimension. The leaves are also popped up. I gave them a watercolour effect by using blender pens to colour them. It gives that extra pop of colour against the black and white. Ruffled ribbon is wrapped around the card front and pearls embellish the card.

Thanks for stopping by! Check out Karly's Creations to see how this photo inspired Karly! 

Card Ingredients:
Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Petite Pairs
Paper: Island Indigo, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Modern Medley DSP, 2010-2013 In-Colour DSP
Ink: Black Staz-On
Tools: Blender pen, Small Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch
Accessories: Island Indigo ruffled ribbon, pearls (Michael's)

A Matching Wedding Card

Yesterday I promised to share with you a wedding card that I made to go along with the bridal shower card (to see this post, click here). I used the same colours (lime green, black and purple) and created a tri-fold card.

I love this fold! It's fun to decorate and looks fantastic in the end! I used Lucky Limeade DSP to cover the inside panels and the two outer panels were embossed with Elegant Lines embossing folder (I often turn to this embossing folder for wedding cards). Candy dots embellish the inside panels and rhinestones adds that extra detail to the embossed cardstock.

Thanks again for stopping by!

Card Ingredients:
Stamps: Bloomin Marvelous, Petite Pairs
Paper: Basic Black, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, 2011-2013 In-Colour DSP
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Lucky Limeade
Tools: Delicate Doilies die, Circles nestabilities, Elegant Lines embossing folder
Accessories: Elegant Eggplant candy dots, rhinestones (Michael's), purple grosgrain ribbon (Michael's), Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon (ret.)

KCRR #23 & RetroSketches #72

I'm excited to share today's card with you! It's one of my favourites! I used 3 elements from our new KCRR challenge and a fabulous sketch from Retro Sketches!

Markers

Mixed Bunch Stamp Set

Regal Rose

 

 

 

This is my kind of sketch! It gives an opportunity to use lots of embellishments. I used a combination of Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Early Espresso and Whisper White and here's how it turned out:

 

 

I find it quite challenging to use markers on my cards, but it worked out quite well with this design! I used Early Espresso and Regal Rose markers on the stamp from Flowering Flourishes, as well as the sentiment. The butterfly was created using one of the flower stamps from Mixed Bunch. I used the Rock 'n Roll technique and simply cut out two of the petals. Pearls and linen thread are added to embellish it.

 

 

What do you think?

 

Make sure to drop by Karly's Creations to see what she's created with these 3 elements.

Join us tomorrow with a new "Inspired By..." challenge!

 

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Petite Pairs, Flowering Flourishes

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso, Regal Rose, Whisper White

Ink: Early Espresso, Regal Rose

Tools: Blossom Punch, Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Apothecary Accents framelits

Accessories: Pearls (Michaels), Linen Thread, Regal Rose 1/4" taffeta ribbon, Early Espresso 1/4" taffeta ribbon, Blushing Bride buttons





Inspired By... A Sea Shell

I can't wait to sit in the sunshine today! We are supposed to get sunny warm weather with temps in the 20's (Celsius) for the next week! This has been a long time coming and I hope it sticks around! Last night, I pulled out all my summer clothes that have been stored away for months and packed away my winter clothes - I love this time of year!

Onto today's challenge....

It was my pick this week. I find a lot of inspiration from many different sources including magazines, papercrafting blogs, and Pinterest, which is where I found this photo:

I love how vibrant the aqua blue is against the soft and subtle neutrals. The seashell and coral remind me of the ocean and the beach - one of my favourite places to be!

I decided to use Pool Party, Crumb Cake, and Soft Suede as the colour combo for my card. And right away I thought of the "By the Tide" stamp set. I'm so glad I have another excuse to use it -- it's becoming one of my favourites.

I love using card sketches to get me started, so this time I turned to one of my favourite card challenge blogs -- the Deconstructed Sketch. This week it is their 2nd anniversary, as well as their 100th sketch! I just had to play along!

And here's how my card turned out:

 

I absolutely love the end result! It took me a bit of time to make it as there are quite a few elements in this card. I used the emboss resist technique with the coral image. I love this technique! It really makes the image stand out. Burlap ribbon and designer paper create the layers for the card front and add some texture and patterns to the card. I stamped images of a seashell and seahorse and fussy-cut them. The seahorse is popped up to give the card some dimension. A button, bakers twine, and crochet trim ribbon embellish the card.

 



Card Ingredients:
Stamps: By The Tide, Petite Pairs, French Foliage
Paper: Soft Suede, Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
Tools: Clear embossing powder, Heat Tool, Distress Tool
Accessories: Pool Party button, Bakers Twine, Crochet Trim ribbon, Burlap ribbon

KCRR #15 {Rosettes and Brayering}

Happy Friday!

I placed my "retired" Stampin Up order tonight! Surprisingly there weren't too many stamp sets or accessories that I just had to get before they were gone. However, I did buy the Family Reunion stamp set, the Little Additions stamp set and the Two by Two stamp. I think I will make great use out of these ones! There aren't too many baby-themed images in the catalogue, so I thought Little Additions would be an essential part of my stamp collection. Family Reunion has a lot of useful words that can be used for cards or scrapbooking. And Two by Two is such an adorable image, I couldn't resist! One accessory I just had to get was the Spider Web embossing folder. This will be a fun one to use around Halloween! I also picked up Wisteria Wonder bakers twine -- I'm kind of happy this colour is included in the new Stampin Up colour collections for 2013-2014!

Friday is not only one day closer to the weekend, it is the day we install a new KCRR challenge!

The two elements that were randomly chosen are:

Rosettes

Brayering

At first I wasn't too sure about these two items. Rosettes take some time to put together and brayering is not one of my favourite techniques. But I sketched an idea, put my creative cap on and this is what I came up with:

I absolutely love it! I first made the rosette using polka dot Melon Mambo designer paper. I covered the center with a punched out circle with the sentiment "happy Birthday wishes" stamped on it. Rhinestones are added to embellish it. I wasn't too sure what to do about the background... I know I wanted to do something 'swirly'. I deviated from my original sketch and pulled out my French Filigree background stamp and decided to try the emboss resist technique (I was inspired by Karly's recent card). I stamped it in Versamark Ink, embossed it with clear embossing powder and brayered over it with Melon Mambo ink. It turned out exactly how I pictured it!

To make the rosette, simply cut a piece of designer paper at 1" x 12". Score at every 1/4". Accordion/fan fold and attach the ends together. "Push" down flat and secure it with hot glue in the centre (I find hot glue works the best). Add an embellishment or sentiment to the front and secure to the card with glue dots. 

Isn't it fun? I love how full of colour it is! It is sure to brighten someone's birthday! :)

I am also entering this card in the Just Add Ink challenge this week and the CAS-ual Friday challenge. Just Add Ink's challenge is to add a fun background and CAS-ual Friday's challenge theme is Birthday Bash.

Just Add...a FUN background!

Make sure to hop on over to Karly's Creations to see what she has created using these two elements. Her card is gorgeous!

Thanks for visiting!

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: French Filigree (ret), Petite Pairs

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Brights DSP

Ink: Versamark, Melon Mambo

Tools: 1-1/4" Circle punch, Simply Scored Board, Heat tool, Clear Embossing Powder

Accessories: Rhinestones (Michael's)

Inspired By... Springtime Party Decorations!

I had an early start to my Saturday morning. Ended up having to take my hubby to the airport. He is on his way to Ontario today. Unfortunately, his Oma passed away a couple days ago. :( I didn't know her very well, but from what I heard she was a wonderful lady. Kevin has very fond memories of her and Opa. Wish I could go along to Ontario to celebrate her life with his family.

 
On a brighter note, time for a new challenge!

For today's challenge, Karly chose a colourful, springtime photo of party decorations.

 

What a fun inspirational photo! I knew right away that I would use the colours in the tissue paper decorations - Gumball Green, Wisteria Wonder and Melon Mambo. The picture also looks like a set up for a spring birthday party. So I decided to make a colourful birthday card! I pulled out a die that I hadn't used yet (still in its original package) -- the pinwheel die. This was a good investment! It's so easy to make pinwheels with this die! Here's how my card turned out:

 

I like the simplicity of it. I wanted to keep the pinwheels as the central focus I used Certainly Celery for the card base and coordinated it with Gumball Green. I added the sentiment "happy Birthday wishes" and Gumball Green stitched satin ribbon to embellish the card.

 

 

 

I am also entering this card in Simon Says Stamp. Their challenge this week is "Anything Goes". 

 

Thanks for visiting! Stop by Karly's Creations to see how this photo inspired her!

 

Card Ingredients:

 

Stamps: Petite Pairs

Paper: Certainly Celery, Gumball Green, Whisper White, 2012-2013 In-Colour DSP, 2012-2014 In-Colour DSP, Brights DSP

Ink: Gumball Green

Tools: Pinwheel Die

Accessories: Silver brads, Gumball Green stitched satin ribbon, toothpicks

KCRR #7 {Elements of Style and...}

Am I ever glad it's Friday! Yesterday was one of those days...By the end of the day I was happy to go home to my puppy who always has a way of cheering me up! Here's hoping today is much better!

I have to get used to a quiet house again! Makes a difference when my hubby isn't home. The last I heard from him was a text as he was boarding the plane from Vancouver to QCI. He will be on a boat all week which means no cell reception.. :( I made a long to-do list for myself, so that should hopefully make the week go by quickly!

Now for today's KCRR Challenge...

The two elements that were randomly chosen are:

Elements of Style Stamp Set

French Filigree Stamp Set

 

At first, I thought 'two stamp sets? how is that going to work?' But, these actually coordinate quite well together! French Filigree makes a great background stamp. I don't use it often enough! Elements of Style has that same type of elegance. Here's what I came up with:

 

KCRR #7

 

French Filigree was stamped in Crumb Cake for the background. I kept the flowers and humming bird as the central focus of the card. They are stamped in Early Espresso. The flowers and leaves are coloured using a blender pen. I love how this 'technique' makes it look like it was painted in watercolour! The humming bird is popped up to give some dimension. I added Early Espresso taffeta ribbon and the sentiment "happy Birthday wishes" with pearls to complete the card.

 

 

 

Make sure to hop over to Karly's Creations to see how she creatively incorporated these two elements in her card!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: French Filigree (ret), Elements of Style, Petite Pairs

Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla

Ink: Early Espresso, Rose Red, Old Olive, So Saffron marker

Tools: Scallop Circles nestabilities, Circles nestabilities, 1" Circle punch

Accessories: 1/8" Early Espresso taffeta ribbon, Pearls (Michael's)

Monochromatic Teal Blues

As we were driving to work yesterday morning, the sky was gorgeous! I knew it was going to be a beautiful day!

It also turned out to be a very productive day! I tackled all the piles of paperwork on my desk at work and am now down to 1 small pile! I love days like that. I came home feeling like I accomplished something. Often my days consist of many incomplete projects. I love being able to complete tasks and move on to the next.
My evening was spent catching up on writing messages to a couple friends and getting my dose of exercise at Zumba Fitness.

I say goodbye to my hubby this morning for a week. :( He gets to go to southern Queen Charlotte Islands for work - lucky guy! We had the opportunity to go there a couple years ago and I absolutely loved it there! It's so beautiful! Here's a couple of my favourite photos from our trip:

Bonanza Beach

 

Sunset on North Beach (view from Toe Hill)

 

 

Today's card was created for Kevin's coworker/friend, Melissa, for her 30th birthday. She loves humming birds, so I thought I'd use the Bloomin Marvelous stamp set, which is becoming one of my favourites!

 

I played along with two card challenges: Dynamic Duos and Retro Sketches.

 

Dynamic Duos has my ultimate favourite colour combo for their challenge this week:

 

 

It is the 52nd challenge at Retro Sketches. This week we get to pick our favourite sketch to re-do!  I chose the following sketch:

 

I thought the flowers in the Blooming Marvelous stamp set would be perfect for this sketch! Here's what I came up with:

 

I randomly stamped the flowers in Island Indigo and Pool Party on the left side of the card. I extended the flowers a bit further than what the sketch suggests, only because I didn't like the white space at the top of the card. I also added stamped leaves in a neutral colour (Crumb Cake). Some of the flowers are popped up to add some dimension.l It's easier to see in this picture:

 





I also popped up the humming bird to make it stand out against the flowers. Island Indigo bakers twine is wrapped around a strip of cardstock and tied in a bow. I added the sentiment "happy Birthday wishes" and rounded the corners of the card base to complete it.

 

 

 

I love how this card turned out! As I said earlier, this colour combo is my absolute favourite! I'll be sad to see these colours retire this summer :(

 

Thanks for visiting! Make sure to stop by tomorrow for a new KCRR challenge!

 

Card Ingredients:

 

Stamps: Blooming Marvelous (Sale-A-Bration); Petite Pairs

Paper: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Whisper White

Ink: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Crumb Cake

Tools: Corner Rounder Punch (Creative Memories)

Accesories: Island Indigo bakers twine

PP131 {Sending Sympathy and Prayers}

It's been a great weekend! Unfortunately, the weather was kind of gloomy most of the weekend, so I didn't get out much. But, I did get caught up on house cleaning, laundry, and greeting card orders! I also had some great chats with family members (including a skype call with my dear sister, Esther). Hoping I have the motivation to get caught up at work this week also!

The Paper Players has a theme challenge this week:

A handmade card is sometimes the best way to show your love and support to someone who has lost a loved one.

For my card I chose an older Mojo Monday sketch. I love the layers in this layout! I struggled a bit with the colour combo in this card, but it came together in the end.

I chose the beautiful flowered designer paper from the Comfort Cafe collection and picked out my colours based on that paper. So Saffron is the colour of the card base and I chose Soft Suede for the card front. The Pool Party cardstock is embossed with Perfect Polka Dots and a strip of Pool Party designer paper and a scallop border in Night of Navy is layered on top. I stamped the sentiment in Soft Suede and punched it out using the Curly Label punch. The card needed a little something extra, so I added the leaves and small pearls to complete it.

 

Card Ingredients:

Stamps: Petite Pairs
Paper: So Saffron, Soft Suede, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Night of Navy, Comfort Cafe DSP
Ink: Soft Suede
Tools: Curly Label punch, Scallop Border punch, Leaves sizzlit die, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder
Accessories: Pearls (Michaels)

Thanks for stopping by!

Inspired By... A Purple Flower

Hope you are enjoying the weekend so far! Friday night was a crafting night for me since my hubby is out of town for work. While I do love to go out occasionally on the weekends, I also enjoy those weekends where I get to hang out in my comfy clothes, watch a couple movies and create!

Saturday means it's time for another new challenge of:

This week, Karly chose a beautiful nature photo for inspiration:

IB #3

 

I like how this single purple flower is growing amongst all the stones. I thought of how I would incorporate this into a card and this is what I came up with:

I don't use purple very often in my cards, so this photo inspired me to pull out my Elegant Eggplant ink pad and cardstock. I paired it with Wisteria Wonder and Basic Gray. The flower is stamped with a two-step process--one stamp for the inside of the flower and the other to outline it. Of course, me being a perfectionist, I had to pull out my Stamp-a-ma-jig (the best 'tool' ever!) to line it up perfectly. The center of the flower is embellished with small rhinestones. I popped up the flower using dimensionals and bordered it with a doily die. To make the doily stand out against the dark gray background, I cut a large circle  in Whisper White from Circle Nestabilities and put it behind the doily. I think it adds some elegance to the card.  I realized just today that I used the same sentiment as my last card (KCRR #3)... didn't mean to do that! Just goes to show how much I love that stamp! :)

 

 

Make sure to head on over to Karly's blog to see how this photo inspired her! 

 

Card Ingredients:

 

Stamps: Fancy Flower (ret.), Petite Pairs

Paper: Wisteria Wonder (in-colour), Whisper White, Basic Gray, Elegant Eggplant

Ink: Elegant Eggplant

Tools: Circle Nestabilities, Delicate Doilies Sizzlit, 1-1/4" Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

Accessories: Rhinestones (Michael's)

 

Thanks for stopping by!