It's Sunday and time for a new challenge over at The Paper Players, where this week Claire has the following challenge for us:

I also used Rita's sketch layout over at Freshly Made Sketches for my card this week. Now this week's card caused me some mild consternation, as anyone who knows me knows that I've never really had a pet and so I have been known to get myself into all kinds of trouble with friends for under-estimating the depth of their feelings towards their two-and four-legged friends. I am not intentionally insensitive, it's just that I don't 'get it' - so the idea of creating a Valentine's card for or from a pet sent me into quite a spin! Both James Juniors have had goldfish as pets previously, but since I used fish on my card last week I thought today's card needed an alternative, altogether more fluffy friend - so this is what I came up with:

I created a custom sentiment using my 'Back to Basics' alphabet stamps and added a selection of banners using patterns from the 'Stacked with Love' DSP stack. For the heart-shaped centrepiece, I stamped a pair of adorable bunnies and coloured them in with my Smoky Slate Blendabilities. Do you recognise the bunnies, or should I say, bunny? The bunny on the right is from the 'Baby We've Grown' stamp set. I stamped him once, then having masked him off with a post-it note, I then stamped him again onto a piece of window sheet and using the reflection technique transferred this image onto my cardstock, overlapping the legs slightly. The tiniest drag line on the ear resulted in a cute fold-over look, so I left it, as it made the bunnies a little less symmetrical. Don't they make such a cute pair? I finished this centre piece by framing the bunnies in a Real Red heart-shaped frame cut using my Big Shot and Hearts Framelits and added a tiny punched heart with a rhinestone to the centre. If I had a bunny rabbit, I would be happy to send him this Valentine - job done! I'm also linking up with SUO Challenges today too, where the theme is 'Valentine's Wishes' - very appropriate.

Before you reach for your ink pads, do visit the other design team members to see what interesting ideas they've had this week:

I look forward to seeing your projects in the gallery this week.

I'm looking forward to a quiet day today: the hockey pitch is frozen as a result of the sub-zero temperatures we've been having this past week and poor Ben is struggling to shake his cough and cold that he's had for weeks now, so he is going to have a rugby-free week too, as running around a freezing pitch for a couple of hours is certainly not going to improve things. Rebecca and I will be completing the masterpiece that is her ancient Greek theatrical mask, the result of two weeks of paper mache and modelling clay - all being well it should be dry enough to paint. We may even manage to squeeze in another family movie afternoon; last week we watched Malificent for the first time, which was hugely enjoyable and an interesting alternative take on a classic.

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Baby, We've Grown	Back To Basics Alphabet Photopolymer Stamp Set	Hearts Collection Framelits Dies	Stacked With Love Designer Series Paper Stack	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine
Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Real Red A4 Card Stock	Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Smokey Slate Assortment	Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Cherry Cobbler Assortment	Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Calypso Coral Assortment
Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents	Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack	Stamp-A-Ma-Jig	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

This has to be the quickest post ever amidst some incredibly busy days; I'll pop back with more of an update later, but meanwhile I'm just squeezing in today's creative post with my entry for this week's challenge over at Less is More, where we have the following sketch to work from:

I'm also linking up to Colour Q, as I've used their colour palette on my card today. 

When I saw the sketch, I immediately knew what I wanted to do with it; the circle was asking to be a balloon. Here's my card:

I masked off the vertical panel and sponged it in Smoky Slate, to look like a cloudy sky. For the balloon itself, I inked the balloon stamp from the new 'Celebrate Today' set in Calypso Coral, then took a sponge dauber and added some Strawberry Slush ink to one edge, to add some dimension. I stamped the stars on top using Cherry Cobbler ink. I cut the balloon out with the co-ordinating framelits (gotta love marching framelits!) and fussy cut a balloon 'tail' before adhering to the card. A Strawberry Slush twine bow and my sentiment stamped in Cherry Cobbler and finished - wouldn't it brighten your day to see a colourful balloon like this floating across a cloudy sky?

I'm off out to host a Stampin' Up! party for the lovely Jacky tonight, so I'll pop back and update the details on my card later (edited - now done!) - happy stampin'!

 Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Celebrate Today Photopolymer Bundle	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad	Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad	Strawberry Slush Thick Baker's Twine
Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Sponge Daubers

Today I have a card inspired by this week's sketch over at Pals Paper Arts:

Today's card is a super simple card, using a few offcuts from a card I made a couple of weeks ago. You can see that card here; this is today's card:

I saved the negative die cut from my original card (I am such a hoarder - I can't bear with anything that I think will come in useful at a later date!) and used it for the panel across the bottom of my card. I used the same colour combination as my original card too, so that I could use up some of the Lost Lagoon offcuts in my box - waste not, want not and all that! I think the negative die cut can make just as much of a statement on a card as the thinlit itself, as this card shows.

I mounted the 'Just Sayin'' on Lost Lagoon and popped it up on dimensionals and added a little punched flower with a candy dot to finish. A super simple card and a great way to use up the bits and pieces leftover from another project.

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Crazy About You Photopolymer Bundle	Big Shot Magnetic Platform	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack	Subtles Candy Dots
Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad	Lost Lagoon A4 Cardstock	Sahara Sand A4 Card Stock	Card Stock A4 Crisp Cantaloupe	Whisper White A4 Card Stock

Today its Monday and I have a card for this week's Freshly Made Sketches challenge; I am also linking up with the Friday Mashup, where the challenge is to create a baby card, a card in brown aqua and tangerine - or as in my case, a mashup of both:

I decided that the 'any shape' allowed in the sketch was a great opportunity for me to use probably the only stamp that has never been inked up in my 'Something for Baby' stamp set - the pram. Here is my card:

I chose to use some retired 'Retro Fresh' DSP for my card, as it featured the mashup colours. Once I'd decided on my layers, this card came together surprisingly quickly, even leaving time to stamp the inside and decorate the envelope. I've not used this pram stamp previously as it's quite large - this type of sketch layout is just perfect for it though. I finished my pram wheels with a couple of candy dots for added interest and done! 

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Something For Baby Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Baby's First Framelits Die	Baby, We've Grown	Baked Brown Sugar Classic Stampin' Pad	Card Stock A4 Baked Brown Sugar
Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad	Card Stock A4 Coastal Cabana	Very Vanilla A4 Card Stock	Neutrals Candy Dots	Big Shot Magnetic Platform
Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

I'm just popping in to share with you a card that I made for this week's Mojo Monday challenge; I was going to share this yesterday, but was so tired when I got in from taking the James Juniors to their swimming gala I just wasn't awake enough to type! So here is this week's challenge sketch:

This is a great sketch for a feature sentiment; I built up my layers and took the opportunity to showcase not one but two of the great free gifts that you can earn with a £45 order during Sale-A-Bration: the stamp set 'Simply Wonderful', and the 'Irresistibly Yours' Speciality Designer Series Paper. Here is my card:

I stamped my sentiment in Island Indigo then added the flower stamp from the same set and a punched Itty Bitty flower finished with a candy dot centre. I layered this central circle to echo the colours and layers on the base of my card and used the central section of the base layer to feature the beautiful 'Irresistibly Yours' Specialty DSP. This white paper with its pre-embossed glossy white patterns could easily be overlooked in the Sale-A-Bration catalogue, yet when you colour it, it really brings it to life. For my card today, I chose to sponge mine with Crisp Cantaloupe ink to show the embossed flowers - isn't it pretty? the stamp set or the DSP could be yours with an order of £45 - or since you get to choose one free gift for each £45 spend, why not splash out and treat yourself to both? Sale-A-Bration runs until 31st March, so you have plenty of time to take advantage. 

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Irresistibly Yours Specialty Designer Series Paper	Simply Wonderful Clear Stamp Set	Circles Collection Framelits Dies	Big Shot Magnetic Platform	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine
1-3/4 Inch Circle Punch	2" Circle Punch	Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad	Card Stock A4 Crisp Cantaloupe	Pistachio Pudding Classic Stampin' Pad
Card Stock A4 Pistachio Pudding	Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad	Island Indigo A4 Card Stock	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Sponge Daubers

It's Sunday and time for a new challenge over at The Paper Players. Last week we were truly overwhelmed with the response to LeAnne's CAS challenge. This week Jaydee has a great sketch for us - and you know how much I love a good sketch! Here is the sketch:

My card today is a cute Valentine, where I finally got around to use some of the bokeh-patterned paper in the Best Day Ever Sale-A-Bration pack - take a look:

The bokeh effect on the DSP reminded me of light rippling through the clear blue water of the Caribbbean seas, so the fishes were an obvious addition! I stamped the fishes in Memento Black ink on Whisper White, then coloured them in with my Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Crumb Cake and Bermuda Bay Blendabilties pens. I layered this circle on top of two more to echo the bubbles in the water, then stamped the sentiment from the same 'Hey. Valentine' stamp set on a strip of Pool Party across the bottom, having masked off my stamp first. All of the images in this stamp set are perfect for this - they can all be used for non-valentine's cards too. In fact, this was one of the things that appealed to me about the set - it will make some great children's birthday cards too. I added a strip of Bermuda Bay sequins to the sentiment strip for a little extra sparkle and my favourite embellishment is the little Crystal Effects added to the spotty fish for his spectacles - here's a close up:

However cute are they?! I hope you like today's card - I love the way that the circular patterns are echoed throughout. Before you reach for your ink pads, do visit the other design team members to see what interesting ideas they've had this week:

I look forward to seeing your projects in the gallery this week. Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Hey, Valentine Clear Stamp Set	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Stampin' Blendabilities™ Alcohol Marker Color Lifter	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Bermuda Bay Assortment Stampin' Blendabilities Markers
Pink Pirouette Assortment Stampin' Blendabilities Markers	Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Crumb Cake Assortment	Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Melon Mambo Assortment	Card Stock A4 Bermuda Bay	Pool Party A4 Card Stock
Card Stock A4 Coastal Cabana	2" Circle Punch	2-1/2 Inch Circle Punch	Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper	Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim
Crystal Effects

Past the mid-way point - we are nearly at the end of the 'working week'! Today I'm sharing a cute little card that I made using the sketch over at Retrosketches this week, with a certain young man in mind:

 I turned the sketch clockwise through 90 degrees for my card, which is a cute little Valentine's card for someone foxy! Take a look:

I bought this little Valentine's set called 'Hey, Valentine' because it has some great little stamps in it, many of which can be stamped without their Valentine-themed sentiment and would work really well on a children's birthday card (especially the little pirate and the fish!) Today's card is my Valentine offering for my youngest James junior - I think he will love the adorable fox and the bright colours of today's card. I coloured the fox with my Pumpkin Pie Blendabilities and used a Pumpkin Pie card base to tie in the colour, highlighting around the edges with one of the lighter skin tone Blendabilities. I punched the tag out with my Note Tag punch and mounted it onto a piece of Real Red cut out with one of the Chalk Talk framelits and trimmed across the bottom to give a straight edge. I sponged hearts onto the corner of my Whisper White layer using Real Red ink and my hearts stencilling mask, to add to the Valentine's feel. A leftover piece of red satin ribbon (the current red cotton ribbon would work just as well) finishes my tag. Cute, eh? Plus the Chalk Talk Framelits and Skin Tone Blendabilties are both available on weekly deals this week so can be picked up at a fraction of their usual price. Why not treat yourself? You know you want to :-)

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Hey, Valentine Clear Stamp Set	Note Tag Punch	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Chalk Talk Framelits Dies
Hearts & Stars Decorative Masks	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad	Real Red A4 Card Stock	Pumpkin Pie A4 Card Stock
Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Pumpkin Pie Assortment	Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Skin Tone Assortment	Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Cherry Cobbler Assortment	Real Red 1/4" Cotton Ribbon

Today's card is for this week's sketch over at CAS(E) This Sketch, where Chrissy has this rather intriguing sketch for us to work with this week:

Whilst musing the best way to create a pattern with diagonals that had a readable sentiment and used a design that was different from the designers' inspiration (some lovely plaid patterns there), I remembered this lovely card by Heather Klump that I saw on Pinterest the other week and I decided to combine both inspirations to come up with my card today. Here it is:

Using my stamp-a-ma-jig, I carefully stamped rows of love hearts from the 'You Brighten My Day' Sale-A-Bration set in Strawberry Slush, Pink Pirouette and Pool Party, aligning them to re-create the diagonal pattern of the sketch. I used a silver foil 'you' cut with my Big Shot and my 'Hello You' thinlits, popped up on rolled glue dots, for the final piece of my sentiment. 

I love this card - another pink and pretty affair this week! Looking forward to my first Project Life class of the year this morning and catching up with some of my lovely ladies who I haven't seen since before Christmas. Back with you tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Hello You Thinlits Dies	You Brighten My Day Clear Stamp Set	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack	Paper-Piercing Tool
Stampin' Pierce Mat	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Card Stock A4 Strawberry Slush	Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad
Pink Pirouette Classic Stampin' Pad	Silver Foil Sheets

Today I have something a little different to share with you, having take this week's sketch over at Pals Paper Arts and the colour palette over at Create with Connie and Mary this week as my starting point:

I decided I needed to feature a sentiment in the rectangle running across the front of the sketch and was about to go off in search of some nice DSP to use for the background, when I remembered an idea I had when perusing through my Project Life cards recently. I love Project Life and generally don't use my PL supplies to make cards, because I can't bare the thought of not having them to use in my album (weird, I know - I could just buy more, right?!), however I have a box of the PL Love Story cards that I won at Stampin' Up! Convention last November that I haven't used as I'm not even close to using them to PL my wedding (or anyone else's for that matter) and had been looking at recently to see what else I could use them for, particularly with Valentine's Day and my wedding anniversary coming up. I decided to take a couple of them and use them for my card today:

My card is quite an unusual size, as I wanted to use most of the 4" x 6" Project Life card on the central panel, so I shaved a little from the width and then measured my mat and base card from there. All of the cards in the Love Story PL set are in black, white and shades of grey, although as my card shows it's not tricky to introduce a little colour. I used my inks and sponge daubers to sponge in some colour around each of the flowers on the central panel, then for my sentiment cut the top off one of the square PL cards and used a cotton bud (cue tip, for my US readers!) to add a little colour to the flower head and used my Bermuda Bay marker to colour in the leaves. I then finished my card with three narrow flags, one in each of the challenge colours, and a piece of Calypso Coral ribbon from the Best Year Ever Sale-A-Bration accessory pack. 

So no stamping on my card today and quite a different use for my Project Life cards - the sentiment is sufficiently generic it could be used for a variety of occasions. Right - I'm off to the opticians again; I've been trialling new contact lenses this week and need a final fitting. Don't worry, I'm not about to change my look - they are for occasional use only as deep-down I'm a committed specs wearer. Vanity is just not my thing :-)

Back tomorrow with a new set of weekly deals and another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Love Story Project Life Card Collection	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad	Card Stock A4 Bermuda Bay	Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad	Calypso Coral A4 Card Stock
Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad	Card Stock A4 Crushed Curry	Basic Black A4 Card Stock	Sponge Daubers	Best Year Ever Accessory Pack

I have another card to share with you today - a double-post day, woohoo! You can see my earlier card here. This one is quite different!

It started out as my card for this week's challenge over at Less is More, where the challenge this week is 'friends'; I started out thinking of something cutesy or animal-themed, then remembered a stamp set I have that I've used only one stamp from (the #Ijustloveyou stamp I used a couple of times last week) and thought it was about time to ink up a couple more stamps in this set. This also resulted in a complete change in design direction! Since this definitely counts as 'NBUS' (never before used schtuff!), I'm also going to link up with CASology and the lovely Darnell with her third NBUS challenge (go Darnell! Thanks for encouraging us to actually use ALL of the stamps we buy!!). I also used this week's sketch over at The Paper Craft Crew as my inspiration (check out Justin's awesome card this week - you are definitely going to want to CASE it!!). Edited to add: At Sarah's suggestion over at LIM, I am also linking up with Uniko Studio's current challenge where the theme is 'love and friendship'. So five challenge links in total, which is something of a record and entirely unplanned, given that I already made today's card and this one was supposed to be for Thursday! So here are all the badges:

After all that - if you're still with me! - I'm guessing you might like to see my card!! Well, here it is:

A very clean and simple card, with a slightly masculine feel to it I think due to the colour scheme, which I took from the Moonlight DSP which is peeking through under the Chevron border punched piece. I popped the ampersand up on dimensionals and layered with the hashtag sentiment and arrow to finish. Super simple - easy enough to recreate for a friend, male or female, just to let them know you care. Better still, both the chevron border punch and What's Up arrow punch are on this week's Wednesday Weekly Deals, so you can pick them up even more cheaply than usual!

That really is all from me today; back tomorrow with another project. until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

(Hashtag) Hello Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Chevron Border Punch	What's Up Punch	2" Circle Punch	Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack
Hello Honey Classic Stampin' Pad	Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad	Lost Lagoon A4 Cardstock	Card Stock A4 Smoky Slate	Basic Gray A4 Card Stock
Whisper White A4 Card Stock