Say Hello to My Little Friend

How fun is this "Red Carpet" challenge from the Girl Fridays at CFC38?  I know it's just really simple - but, I have a ton of things to do today - and oh, where is the time?  But, what a tickle to the imagination to think of a line from a movie and use that in a card.  I never expected Scarface to be inspiration for this cute Stampin Up set:  Furry Folk.


When I saw this challenge at SCS:  CFC38  I had to quickly put them together.  So, next to my proverbial plate (you know the one that seems to fill up so quickly), I decided to put these towels (the IC from SCS).

Gotta wren. 
Later I hope to post the projects from the latest stamp camp. 

Have a cheery day,
Luci

Sunny Gerbera Daisy

Tucked behind a few things, my daisy die cut sat lonely and abandoned.  I'm not sure why... sometimes I get stuck on using one thing and forget about my cherished other tools.

Anyway I saw a challenge to celebrate Gerbera daisies - what a perfect die cut for this.  I made the center a little darker than the larger petals and included a vintage-y looking button for the center.  Here's the challenge at Stampin Celebration #52. 





 

I found the layout from Clean and Simple Challenge Blog #154 so I thought I'd use this bold daisy in this design.  Easy and fun!

Now the colors - I just love how these gals can put together colors at CR84FN #36.  Yellows are simply not my thing, but look how pretty their challenge picture is?!  I think I was attracted to the cake and the rest is history... 

Thank you for your visit.
Have a Sunny Day!
Luci

If You Zoom In - It's One Layer!

Stamping time yesterday was such a gift.  Thanks to some sweet friends, a stamping get-together was simply delightful.  Events in this year have been nothing short of continuous challenge, but in everything, I am grateful for the blessings that have come about through every struggle.  So, who am I to complain?  Instead, let me share a comforting quote for anyone who is feeling burdened - certainly something I have reflected on over and over:

Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall.

Psalm 55:22 

So, if casting my cares is what I am to do - then cast away I shall.

And, here I am.

Ready to stamp.   

I turned to the Less is More Challenge (LIM #28) to find that there is a one-layer challenge going on there.  WOW.  I cannot be a one layer gal.  I've tried.  

I give you... my attempt of simplicity.  I was so excited to try this technique from this gorgeous card, that my sweet friend, Stephanie posted.  What fun!  

The background is made of a glorious blend of colors and shimmer spray.  I inked up my acrylic block with Certainly Celery and Pacific Point.  In the corner I spritzed some Log-cabin smooch spray, followed with spritzes of water to make the inks a beautiful wash of color.  Onto Whisper White cardstock did the block go.  If you try this, I guarantee that you will hardly contain your excitement, as the inks blend together before your very eyes.

Now, as for the one layer... I tried, really.  It started off that way, but ribbons, embellishments and punches were all looking at me with those puppy-dog eyes.  Naturally, I caved.  Here is my result.  I did try to keep it simple... I did not even add a ribbon!  (But, isn't that vintage brad simply something?!)

Thank you for visiting.

Wishing you a moment to cast away your cares.

Luci

Heaven Must Be Shades of Lavender

Though, looking a little blue, the project here highlights shades of lavender.  This dreamy color, comes courtesy of this challenge - CR84FN35:




I enjoyed adding all of the little shapes together with this one.  I added a small scalloped border to the sides of my ribbon-like banner.  Then used 2 sides of the Top Note to accent the sides some more.  What a great way to use up scraps!

I wanted to use a delicate image with these colors.  I thought the beautiful swirls of the butterfly from Stampin Up's Hope and Strength campaign, along with the sentiment tag on the bottom would add to the gentle theme I was looking for.

To get just the words I wanted, I used a marker to color the stamp and used one of my millions of white paper strips on which to stamp.  Clipped the corners (there must be a punch for that shape, already?!) and popped everything on dimensionals.

Thanks for visiting!
Hope you find your slice of heaven today.
Luci

It's OK to Stop

Today I had but a moment to create a clean and simple card - and with my tendency to keep adding, I had to remind myself that it really is OK to stop.  I have to say, I loved making this card.  I think the little flower at the top is my favorite.  It's for my sweet niece who is just beginning her teenage years... oh, the ride so begins (again) for her parents!

I found these wonderful challenges to guide me in picking colors, choosing the layout and designing the image:

At the Creative Corner, I tried their red and aqua challenge - and I loved how they suggested to use the pink, 'cause I could not find a color for the base of the card.  I think I like how the Pink Pirrhouette surrounds the focal image.

 

The super-fun layout was lifted from the folks at Clean and Simple.  What a great sketch challenge!  I will be sure to try this simple and sweet sketch again!

And, since I keep using the same stamp set over and over (not like I don't have a few more...LOL), I needed to find an image inspiration.  Over at SCS, the Saturday Challenge - IC295 was just the right amount of inspiration I needed to get these cute little stem stamps in my hands.  I found this pretty image on the site, L'Affiche Moderne.

And isn't this a cute little flower (if I say so myself)?  I created it with the Boho punch and a black paper fastener for the center.  

Thanks for visiting!
Hope you have a sweet and simple day!
Luci

Adding CAS-Tastic Summer Ink

So morning coffee in hand and a brief opportunity to travel the blog-o-sphere, I came upon these lovely challenges:  Over at Just Add Ink (JAI 78), they pulled out of their magic color wheel, one of my favorite color combinations:  Certainly Celery, Not Quite Navy, Sahara Sand and Chocolate Chip... yummy!  And, over at SCS, there is the Summer CAS-tastic challenge (F4A75) that craves those summer colors.  And at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog (#150) there was an adorable, CAS sketch to try!

Completely inspired, stamps practically jumped into my hand and away I went... until, of course, the phone rang and all that reminded me that this day has many tasks ahead.  Yes, it was a brief moment of creative bliss.  So before I tend to the things that need to get done, let me share my CAS-tastic (SCS term) moment with you.


I know I cannot get enough of this Sail Away stamp... I just adore it!  I love how every time I add the sails with designer paper or cardstock (Certainly Celery here), the image seems to pops off the page.  The waves were sponged until I had some movement under the boat.  Hardly able to see, but I choco-chipped some color on the actual boat.

Thanks for visiting.
Have a CAS-tastic Summer Friday!
Luci

Non-Convention Goer Swap

Not being able to attend this year's Stampin' Up's Convention, I decided to participate in a non-convention goers swap - so I would not miss out on the fun of swapping!  I am so looking forward to receiving the rest of the swap back.

The flowers were masked with the script background and colored using a tool I have put aside for a while - I don't know why - 'cause it was one of the very first supplies I purchased when I started to stamp:  The Blender Pen!  Not the same pen that I started with (went through a few since the early days), but certainly a loved device.  I dabbed it in the ink and water-colored it around the flower, giving some areas a certain amount of light and dark.

And, can you tell I am absolutely loving those Teeny Tiny Wishes?  They are the sweetest little sentiments (as seen above:  "just for you") that add just a little something to any size element on the card.

So, this card started out for a special person's milestone birthday.  I enjoyed the card so much, I decided to make a few more.  Here is the full version of my card.

 

It took me longer than I expected, as there were more pieces to work on than what I imagined in my head (as I always seem to do).  And, of course, making multiple copies of the same card... well, you understand.  I don't know how some stampers make 100s and 100s of swaps...

I added a little card to the front envelope for an extra surprise.  Those Curvy Verses are too wonderful, too:

Supplies Used:

• Stamps:  Fabulous Florets, Curvy Verses, En Francais,  Teeny Tiny Wishes

• Ink:  Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Basic Black

• Big Shot Supplies: Flower Garden Textured Embossing Folder, Scallop Envelope Bigz Die, 

• Other Supplies:  Pearl Jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Blender Pens

• Techniques:  Masking, Sponging, Water-coloring


Here's another version of it with a pink/purple color scheme.  I think I still favor the red and black colors, though.



Thanks for visiting.
Have a wonderful day,
Luci