Sunday, July 24, 2011

UGH….I Have Creator’s Block

I had a really hard time being creative. Even though I had a wonderful sketch from Mojo Monday (Sketch 200) I just couldn’t find that creative side in me this week. I think it might have had something to do with the fact that I had a super stressful week and my A/C went out in the house in the middle of this heat wave. Regardless, I had “Creators Block”…..a stampers version of “Writers Block.” When writers get “Writer’s Block,” one of the techniques to overcome this challenge is to just start writing; even if it is words and sentences that do not make sense. I guess just the act of writing stimulates that part of the brain.

So, I followed a similar technique. Even though I had “Creator’s Block” I just started putting things together. I used stamps and materials that I hadn’t used in a long time. I ended up creating five cards. The first four are okay, but I like the last card the best. My technique for overcoming “Creator’s Block” seemed to work!

Card 1: Friends are Like Flowers
Something isn’t right about the card. I think it is the lack of variation of colors throughout the card. It looks like I used equal amounts of each color rather than focusing on one color and using two or three other colors for accent.

This card uses the Friends Never Fade stamp set from Stampin’ Up! For the paper, I used Greenhouse Gala DSP, Baja Breeze CS, Pear Pizzazz CS, Pumpkin Pie CS. The ribbon is Pear Pizzazz ½” Stitched-Poly Ribbon. For the sentiment, I embossed the image with white embossing powder. I made the flower with Daisy #2 die from Sizzix/Stampin’ Up!, and in the center I used a Pumpkin Pie Corduroy brad.

Card 2: Friends Never Fade
I like this card a lot better. I never would have thought to put these colors together. Thankfully, I have Stampin’ Up!’s Color Coach. I love the Color Coach. It really helps me when I get stuck.

This card uses the Friends Never Fade stamp set from Stampin’ Up! For the paper, I used Pink Flamingo DSP, Tempting Turquoise CS, Pumpkin Pie CS and Rich Razzleberry CS. For the background paper, I brayered a Texturz Plate with Tempting Turquoise and then ran it through my Sizzix machine with a piece of Tempting Turquoise cardstock. I really like the effect. The ribbon is Rich Razzleberry 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon and Pumpkin Pie ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon. I layered the ribbon for a unique effect.

For the sentiment, I embossed the image with white embossing powder. I also mounted it on a piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock that I had embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder from Sizzix/Stampin’ Up! I made the flower with Daisy #2 die from Sizzix/Stampin’ Up!, and in the center I used a Tempting Turquoise button. Rather than just using cardstock to make the flower, I used watercolor paper. I then colored each flower using an Aqua Painter, Pumpkin Pie reinker and Rich Razzleberry reinker. I’m really happy with how the flower turned out. I think it has a lot of character and dimension.


Card 3: Greetings Earthling
I’m not sure how I feel about this card. It didn’t turn out the way I had planned in my Mind’s Eye; but I like the idea of the card very much.

This card uses the Make a Monster; Greetings, Earthling; and Seeing Stars stamp set from Stampin’ Up! For the paper, I used Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, Whisper White CS, Rich Razzleberry CS, Pumpkin Pie CS and Daffodil Delight CS. To make the background paper, I stamped stars from the Seeing Stars stamp set. Instead of using ribbon, I decided to punch out stars from cardstock using the Star Punch from Stampin’ Up! I tried making something that resembled a planet. The circle element is a piece of transparency that I dabbed with alcohol inks.

I stamped a few monsters from the Make a Monster set and colored them in with Stampin’ Write markers. The sentiment is from a different stamp set, Greetings, Earthling.


Card 4: Herb Expressions with Lavender
I’m pretty happy with how this card turned out. Although, it does have an expiration date because I used real lavender in the knot.

This card uses the Herb Expressions stamp set from Stampin’ Up! For the paper, I used Cottage Wall DSP, Whisper White CS, Old Olive CS, Perfect Plum CS, and Elegant Eggplant CS. For the circle element, I punched out a piece of Whisper White CS. Using the Bojo Blossoms punch, I made flowers to adhere to the circle element. Then, I ran the circle piece through my Sizzix machine using the Square Lattice embossing folder. Finally, I mounted it on a scallop circle cut from Scallop Circle #2 Die.

The sentiment is from the Herb Expressions stamp set and the ribbon is Whisper White ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon. I cut a few pieces of fresh lavender from my garden and pulled them through the knot. This card smells great! Finally, I also used the Lace Ribbon Border punch. I hope Stampin’ Up! comes out with more of these punches because I love this one!


Card 5: Surf’s Up

I’m really happy with how this card turned out. I used several techniques/materials that I have never used before.

This card uses the Extreme Surfboard stamp from Stampin’ Up! I’m sorry that they retired this stamp. For the paper, I used Whisper White CS, Pool Party DSP, Pool Party CS and Island Indigo CS. The background is made using the shaving cream technique. I had never done this technique and it was a lot of fun. I used the Pool Party and Island Indigo reinkers. I love making my own background papers and this was the perfect effect for this stamp set.

I stamped the Extreme Surfboard stamp with Island Indigo. The rectangular element is made from silver microbeads from Martha Stewart. I had never used microbeads before. It was a little crazy with the beads bouncing all around while I adhered them, but I love the texture they added. I cut the “Surfs Up” sentiment using Island Indigo CS from the Billboard Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die from Sizzix/Stampin’ Up! Finally, I adhered three small metallic label rings. I thought it added a nice effect and almost looked like bubbles which fit in with the whole water theme.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Sketch Challenge 341 - Season of Friendship

Hi, my name is Sue and I'm addicted to pink. The past 3 or 4 cards I have made either were entirely pink or was accented with pink. For the next two weeks, I vow not to use any pinks in my cards.

Anyway, I made this card for the Splitcoast Sketch Challenge 341. The card uses Stampin' Up! Season of Friendship and Eastern Blooms stamp sets. The colors I used were Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Pink Pirouette, and Crumb Cake. Wow, that was a lot of colors!

I also decided to add some decorative stitching at the top and the bottom of the card. It has been along time since I added stitching to a card. I had a lot of fun making this card! And, it was the first time I have used the Season of Friendship stamp set. I am on a mission to use stamp sets that are still unmounted and have never been used.

Inspiration Challenge: 293 -- That Someone is Me

This card was inspired by the "Inspiration Challenge 293" from Splitcoast. The inspiration was Maggie Austin Cakes. Her cakes and cookies are absolutely beautiful. The cake that inspired me the most was her gradient frill cake (I have the image of the cake below). The colors and details were amazing.

For this card, I used a unique, pink batik fabric to create the layers. I love using alternative medias to make cards. The detail in the batik fabric reminded me of the gradient of the cake. I used a color wash with Stampin' Up! Rose Red on watercolor paper and then embossed it with Elegant Lines embossing folder from Stampin' Up!/Sizzix.

The sentiment is stamped with Rose Red ink and is from the Occasional Quotes hostess stamp set from Stampin' Up! I also used Nestabilities; which I am currently falling in love with. And, finally, I made the little flowers with the Floral Fusion die from Stampin' Up!/Sizzix and then sponged Rose Red ink around the edges.

That Someone is Me


Cake of Inspiration

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Mojo Monday 199 - Happy Birthday with Delicate Doilies

This was another card I made using the sketch from Mojo Monday -- click here to see. I am really falling in love with the Delicate Doilies and Hello, Doily stamp set from Stampin' Up! I made this card for my mom's birthday. I had gotten her some charms for her charm bracelet that were pink. I wanted a card to match the charms. Things have to match. :-)

For this card, I used Pink Pirouette and Rose Red ink and cardstock. I also used Pink Pirouette DSP from Stampin' Up! The sentiment is from the Up, Up & Away stamp set from Stampin' Up!

MOJO199 - Up in the Air with Pinwheel Flowers

Another great sketch from Mojo Monday -- click here to see. For this card, I was inspired by not only the sketch, but also a card I saw on Splitcoast. The card had a pinwheel on the front and it was absolutely gorgeous -- click here to see. When I saw the card, I just knew I had to make a card using a pinwheel. I found a template online for a pinwheel -- click here to see.

In addition to the pinwheel, I wanted to try a new technique. I brayered the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder with Daffodil Delight ink before running it through the BigShot. I love the results. I have always wanted to try this but never did. I'm glad I finally got around to trying this out.

For this card, I used Stampin' Up! - Up, Up & Away stamp set for the sentiment. The ink is Stampin' Up! Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight. The paper is Stampin' Up! Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade, Whisper White and Sunny Gardent DSP.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

I Was One of the Mojo Monday Winners

I'm totally excited. My boat card that I previously posted was one of the cards that was selected as a Mojo Monday winner. How exciting. It is the first time in a long time I actually won something. For proof of my win, click here and check out sketch challenge 198. A very special thanks to the Mojo Makers. You have got to check out the sketch challenges each week from Mojo Monday. They are some of the best sketches I have found and they always inspire me. Click Here to visit Mojo Monday.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

CASholidayJULY2011A : Strength and Hope with Beautiful Wings

The card below is my attempt to a clean and simple card sketch challenge. The link to the challenge can be found here. I'm not very good at clean and simple cards. I really like to use embellishments and have lots of detail. For this card, I used the Stampin' Up! Strength and Hope stamp set. I also used Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue, Marina Mist and Whisper White cardstock and ink. Finally, I embossed the large butterfly with white embossing powder and used the Beautiful Wings embosslit from Stampin' Up!

Here is my card:



















Here is the card sketch: