Happy Birthday with Sprinkles

In continuing to replenish my stash of birthday cards I chose to use SU's Sprinkles of Life set again.  The current Splitcoast Stampers sketch challenge 632 is a perfect fit with the stamps and colors.  I love how this card turned out with the fun colors and matching the DP.

Recipe:

Stamps:  Sprinkles of Life, Party This Way - SU

Paper:  WW, Gumball Green, Crumbcake, Crisp Cantaloupe, Island Indigo, DP

Ink:  Crisp Cantaloupe, I sland Indigo, Gumball Green, Close to Cocoa, Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Buttons, Ribbon, Brother Scan N Cut II, Punches

Storms of Life

This is one of the first card I made with my new Chameleon pens.  They are alcohol markers like Copics or Spectrum Noirs but the difference is that you can get several different tones of a color from one marker.  Like all alcohol markers, there is a learning curve to these but its not that difficult to get a beautiful shading effect.  Chameleon pens can be used with other brands of alcohol markers.

I dug out one of my MFT Flopsey stamps to practice coloring with the Chameleon pens.  The background paper is something I made several years ago with my sister's Tim Holtz re-inkers, alcohol drops, and metallic pens.  This piece does look like a heavy rain storm.

The sketch is from is from Split Coast Stampers SC597 and SC600.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Rainfall Flopsey - MFT
Paper:  WW, Glossy Paper, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Summer Starfruit, Handmade DP
Ink:  Color Box Wicked Black archival dye, Tim Holtz re-inkers
Accessories:  Chameleon Pens, Nestabilities, Metallic Butterfly embellishment, Stick on Gems, Ribbon, Corner Rounder Punch, Embossing Folder

Isaiah 26:3

I am so thankful for God and His promises that never fail.  This is one verse of many that I meditate on when I am troubled.  Trusting in God is the only way to find peace in all situations.  Often I get distracted by what is going on around me and forget that I am not alone and don't have to handle it myself.  God didn't just create the world then set it spinning and leave us to figure out life on our own.  He has always called out to us, wanting us to acknowledge Him.  He even gave us His very own Son, Jesus Christ, as the one and only perfect sacrifice to reconcile us to Himself.  If I didn't know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior I know I would be totally lost today.

This card was made using Flower Shop stamp set from SU and Scripture Collection 7 from Our Daily Bread Designs.  The sketch is from Split Coast Stampers SC 469 and the color combo I just came up with on my own.  It has been a while since I participated in a card challenge.  I hope to get back to making more cards more often.

Recipe:
Stamps: Flower Shop - SU, Isaiah 26:3 Scripture Collection 7 - ODBD
Paper:  WW, River Rock, Garden Green, Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantelope
Ink:  Strawberry Slush
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder, Flower Punch, Nestabilities, Shapeabilities, Stick on Gems, Silver Beads

Just Because You're You

My Water Lilyz table has been very blessed to meet at the same restaurant since we started almost 3 years ago.  The managers and the wait staff have always been so kind and attentive to us.  The staff always have our favorite table ready and waiting for us each Wednesday evening.  They even bring us our favorite beverages when they see us come in.  We regularly pray for the staff and ask them if they have any needs that we can help with or pray with them about.  So the sad news we got last week is that one of the managers is moving on to another job.  We are all so happy for her but we will definately miss her and her warm smile and greeting. 

This card is made for the manager whom we will dearly miss.  I used this stamp because of the waterlily and chose the DPs for the purple which is the Water Lilyz official color.  I used SCS Sketch Challenge 244 which was originally posted about 3 years ago.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Waterlily - My Favorite Things, Circular Sayings - Verve
Paper:  WW, Early Espresso, DP
Ink Memento Tuxedo Black, Calypso Coral
Accessories:  Spectrum Noir Markers, Nestabilities

Potted Daffodils

I have many great retired and non-retired stamp sets that I have collected but have not played with much or even at all.  (Yes, I am a stamp hoarder.  There, I admitted it!)  This is one that I have used once, maybe twice before.  I colored the image with my Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and picked the paper colors from that, which are colors in the current ColourQ Challenge #145.  I used last weeks SCS Sketch Challenge 392.  The doily in the background is a Cricut cut out.  The frame for the image was dry embossed and then sponged with matching ink.  I left the sentiment off to keep it generic for whenever I may need a card for any given occasion.  The last generic card I made I used for a sympathy card a few days later.  I hope that will not be this one's fate.

Below is a picture of the SN colors I used.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Always in My Thoughts
Paper:  WW, Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, DP
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Daffodil Delight
Accessories:  Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, Cricut Ornamental Iron II, Cuttlebug, Nestabilites

Hello Baby

A friend of mine just had a bright and beautiful bouncing baby boy.  I decided to make another baby buggy card for the occasion and SCS Sketch Challenge 391 is just the perfect sketch for the design.  I dipped into my stash of retired SU cardstock colors and DP.  I love the bright colors in the DP and they are just right for a summer baby boy.  I really miss Gable Green, Green Galore and Marigold Morning, but I'm glad Tempting Turquoise is still around.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper:  WW, Marigold Morning, Green Galore, Gable Green, Tempting Turquoise, DP
Accessories:  Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Nestabilities, Buttons

Cutie Patootie Birthday

This card is a combination of 3 challenges:  SCS Sketch 383, Color Throwdown 187, and SCS Clean & Simple 167.  I am so behind on the list of birthday cards I need to make.  The combination of these 3 challenges instantly formed this card in my mind.  The design of this card is perfect for a little boy, however I don't have any little boys in mind who have birthdays coming up in the next couple of months.  My youngest niece, Little Munchkin, will be turning 2 early next month so I may make a card like this for her using more girly colors.

One note about this sketch, I love it!  It noticed that it is similar to other sketches that I have used and I love all the layering of colors.  

Recipe:

Stamps:  Fox & Friends, Party this Way, Riveting - all SU

Paper:  WW, Chocolate Chip, Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, DP

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Lavender Lace, Creamy Caramel

Accessories:  Twine, Button, SU Markers, Circle Punches, Lacy Ribbon, MS Balloon Punch

Simply In My Thoughts

The SU retirement list is up and I realized that I have some stamps that are retiring that have not seen ink yet.  I wanted to make a card for one of the ladies at my Waterlilyz table who is going through some very difficult trials.  I used the Simply Soft set and a few 2010-2012 In Colors that are retiring.  I used SCS Sketch Challenge 382 and the color combo I came up with on my own.  The flowers were colored with SU markers.  You can find the SU retirement lists here and if you would like to purchase these products before they go you can connect to my online store here.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Simply Soft, Always in My Thoughts
Paper:  WW, Chocolate Chip, Blushing Bride, Wild Wasabi, DP
Ink:  Blushing Bride, Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi
Accessories:  Circle Punches, Ribbon, Cuttlebug, Glimmer Mist, Stickles, SU Markers, Sanding Block

Get Well Wishes

My card making mojo has been in a slump for a few weeks but it did come out to play a little bit last night.  This card is way over due for a Water Lilyz friend who has been suffering from back to back physical ailments including a major surgery requiring a long rehabilitation.  This card is a combination of SCS challenges: Clean and Simple Challenge 165, Sketch Challenge 381 and Color Challenge 368.

Recipe:

Stamps:  Bright Blossoms, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Melon Mambo, Elegant Eggplant, Concord Grape, Garden Green

Paper:  WW,  Melon Mambo, Elegant Eggplant, Concord Grape 

Accessories:  Border Punch, Nestabilities, Sizzix Folder, Word Window Punch, Ribbon Punch, Stick on Gem, Markers 

Rainy Days

It's another rainy day on my night off so that means I can stay inside and be creative.  I tried something different by coloring on kraft cardstock with Prisma pencils.  I didn't like what I did with the background so I cut out Flopsy and his umbrella.  I'll keep playing around with this technique to see if I can get better at it.  The sketch is from last week's Split Coast Stampers Sketch Challenge 377 and it is entered into the Crafter's Companion Challenge 22

Recipe:
Stamps: Rainfall Flopsy - MFT
Paper:  River Rock, Concord Crush, Bermuda Bay, Crumb Cake, DP - SU
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Ribbon, Prisma Pencils

Owl Birthday

This is another card using SCS Sketch Challenge 357.  This time I used the color combo from SCS Color Challenge 347.  I need to make some masculine birthday cards and I loved the easiness of the sketch so I used an owl instead of a butterfly.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Punch Bunch, Warmest Regards - SU
Paper:  WW, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, DP
Ink:  Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard
Accessories:  Nestabilities, Owl Punch, Dew Drops, Stick on Pearls

Baja Razzle Island Birthday Butterfly

The title is quite a mouthful!  I'm running out of creative titles for each card I post.  This card is a Stampin' Up Only (SUO) which I haven't done in a long time.  I gave up my demoship in my second semester of nursing school because I had to focus on my studies.  I have rejoined again particularly to take advantage of the free Big Shot offer and to get a discount on supplies for my Cards of Encouragement ministry that the Lord is leading me in.  If you would like to help support me in this ministry and need quality paper crafting supplies, please visit my SU website at www.elizabeth_challenor.stampinup.net to make a purchase.

This card uses the colors from SCS Color Challenge 346 and SCS Sketch Challenge 357.  I love this sketch because the butterfly is one of the required elements!

Recipe:
Stamps:  Fabulous Phrases - SU
Paper:  WW, Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry, Island Indigo, DP
Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosilit, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Rhinestone Gems

Soft Sympathy

It feels like I have sent out a few too many sympathy cards over the past week.  This one is for a friend who had a close family member die very unexpectantly.  The sketch is from last weeks SCS Sketch Challenge 355.  The colors I pulled from the DP.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Upsy Daisy, Beautiful Borders - SU
Paper:  Mellow Moss, VV, DP
Ink:  Mellow Moss Craft, Crumb Cake
Accessories:  Clear EP, Heat Tool, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Mulberry Paper Flower

Be Still

This card was made for SCS Sketch Challenge 353 and Color Challenge 343.  I have been so busy lately that I feel like I rarely get a moment to take a breath.  In the busyness I get frustrated when things do not go my way and think all my time and effort have been wasted.  Psalm 46:10 reminds me that God is God and in control of everything and I am not.  The trials of this life are not wasted time but lessons and building blocks to prepare us for even greater challenges that God has prepared for us.  I believe that through these challenges, He is teaching me to rely on Him and His power and not on my own.

Recipe:
Stamps: Psalm 46:10 from Scripture Collection 3 - ODBD
Paper:  Tangerine Tango, More Mustard, Soft Suede, VV, DP
Ink:  Soft Suede
Accessories:  Nestabililties, Paper Piercer, Ribbon, Mulberry Paper Flower

Cherry Sunshine

This card was made using SCS Sketch Challenge 345 and Color Challenge 335. It also fits with the Our Creative Corner Challenge for this week Fun with Fruit. The color challenge was to use kraft, any yellow, and any red. I used Summer Sun as my yellow and Cherry Cobbler as my red. To create a highlight effect I first stamped the sentiment in Summer Sun and then stamped it again in Cherry Cobbler. The band has piercing which is hard to see in this photo.

Recipe:

Stamps: Tart and Tangy, Friend to Friend

Paper: WW, Cherry Cobbler, Kraft, Summer Sun

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Summer Sun, Green Galore

Accessories: Cuttlebug, Sizzix, Paper Piercer

Serenity

This card is a combination of SCS Color Challenge 334 and SCS Sketch Challenge 344. At first I wasn't sure how the colors would go together but the combination worked very well with this sketch.

Recipe:

Stamps: Serenity - Verve

Ink: Tempting Turquoise

Paper: WW, Tempting Turquoise, Going Gray

Accessories: Border punch, Butterfly Sizzlet, Butterfly Sizzix Die, Ribbon, Stick on Gems

Home Going

Yesterday I started out on a card that has taken me more than a day to complete because I am very rusty and most of my craft stuff is still in boxes. However, today I received very sad news that a friend’s husband suddenly died. These are friends from church. I’m sorry to say that I didn’t know Steve as well as I would have liked. The times that I did talk with him he was full of humor and the conversations often lead to us agreeing on how good God is. Steve knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He knew that the only way to know the Father and have eternal life with Him is through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice and resurrection. Even though we who knew Steve are grieved, we know that he is seeing Jesus face to face and worshipping him. We will miss him but we know that our hope in having eternal life with Jesus Christ has now been fulfilled for Steve. My prayers and heart goes out to his wife Kathy, their kids, grandkids, and other family and close friends. This card is for Steve’s family. The crystal in the cross symbolizes hope, light, and new life in Jesus Christ. What we can only see dimly, Steve now clearly sees and knows. 1 Corinthians 13:12

Recipe:
Stamps: Notes of Prayer - Verve, Close as a Memory - SU
Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, SU DP
Ink: Old Olive - SU
Accessories: corner rounder, stick on crystal, copper brads, SU border punch

Sympathy for Neighbor

One of my neighbors passed away last week and I made this card for his widow. I chose the colors from SCS Color Challenge 230 and the sketch from SCS Sketch Challenge 277. Since it is such a beautiful day outside, I took the photo from my back deck with the camera on my Moto Droid.


Recipe:

Stamps: Close as a Memory, Beautiful Borders - SU

Ink: Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa

Paper: Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa, SU DSP

Accessories: Cuttlebug, Shapeabilities, Ribbon, Brad, Prima Flowers

Sympathy card for a co-worker

This card is for one of the nurses I work with who lost her mother last week. She is fairly new to the hospital doesn't know many others well yet. I used SCS sketch 266 and color challenge 257.

Recipe:

Stamps: Close as a Memory, Thoughts and Prayers - SU

Ink: Sage Shadow Craft, Dusty Durango

Paper: Dusty Durango, Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip, Confetti White

Accessories: Cuttlebug, Embossing folders, Nestabilities, Paper Flower, Button, Pearls

Hope

This card is a combination SCS Inspiration Challenge 187 and SCS Sketch Chalenge 235. I found the verse in my sister's stash and it fit perfectly in the sketch. I learned that one of my fellow Graduate Nurse's has already taken the NCLEX and passed! I am so excited for her and I feel a little calmer to know that someone who took the same classes with same instructors as I did was successful.

Recipe:
Stamps: Always in My Thoughts, Pocket Sillhouettes - SU; Jeremiah 29:11 - unknown
Paper: VV, Soft Sky, Cranberry Crisp, Soft Suede, River Rock
Ink: Cranberry Crisp, Ranger Distress Inks, Stazon Black and Olive, Bravo Burgundy Craft, Garden Green Craft
Accessories: Square punches, Scor-It, Clear EP, Heat Tool, Butterfly Punch, brads, Sponges, Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder, Colored Pencils, Goo-Gone, Blending Stump