12 Kits of Occassions - In the Navy

May is quickly closing to an end and June is just about here.  I'm looking forward to the warmer months spent outside - cooking on the grill, being lazy and watching the garden grow!  Today I'm posting my projects for the 12 Kits of Occasions.  This is a group of 12 friends / designers.  Every month we take turns providing a kit full of supplies to the rest of the group.  On the last day of the month we all post what we made with the kit.  It's always fun to see how different our projects look, and the creative ways the supplies are used.   There are always a few elements I'm not sure what to do with and look for in all the posts.  This time my tricky (say that like "my pretty") was the cork.  Mine kept breaking on me when I removed the adhesive.   If I could do it over I would keep the adhesive backing on and adhere it "as is".

Our hostess this month is Joyce from Cards by the Sea and our theme is "In the Navy".  This kit was a good reflection of Joyce's personality and style.  She is a very CAS gal (you might know her from CASology), so a very stream lined clean kit this time.  And Joyce is a California coast girl - so the nautical theme is something close to her heart.  Here's a peek a the kit - lots of stamped and die cut images from WPlus9, and Waltzingmouse with a few wood and cork accents thrown in .  I tried to keep with the elements she provided and only added a few trims (sorry!  I just couldn't resist!)  I made 5 cards so here goes...

Here's a list of the 12 Kits Of Occasions designers - we have a few guesties this month too!

Lindsey from Occasional Crafting

&

Sherrie from A Little Bit of Everything Me

Renee - It's a Patchwork Life

Marybeth - It's Time For Paper

Joyce - Cards By The Sea

Cathy Weber - Empty Nest Crafter

Kim - Cupcakes Cards & Kim

Kara - K & R Designs

Jessica - The Paper Parade

Sharron - On Papillon Wings

Tracey McNeely - In My Creative Opinion

Kellly Schirmer - Gingham Girl

Thanks for stopping by and here's to the start of a great summer!

You can see a complete list of products for the kit as well as names of designers and previews at the 12 Kits of Occassions blog.   Items I added include

Twinery Twine Midnight Blue, 1/4" Silver Ric Rac & 1/8 Navy Diagonal Stripe Ribbon May Arts, PTI Label 3, Border Punchs  EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace, Zig Zag Stitch Spellbinder Pinking Circle, Tags Trio, Nested Pennants, Enamel Dots, Embossing Folder Cuttlebug Baby's Breath, Button, Card Stock

CASE Study #193 - Hope

 Happy Thursday!  Time for a new CASE Study Challenge!  It's the last Thursday this month so it's your last chance to play along with our muse Wida Miller from Beachorado!   I really enjoyed CASE'ing her this month!  I was really struck with Wida's ability to balance the clean and detailed parts of her designs.  Her mix of dies, stamps and embellishments gave me a fun and unique way to approach products.   

Just look what she has for us this week.  Lots of things that I love on this one that make it unusual and interesting.  The different sized sequins, the mix of flowers with the unexpected arrows, the top layer just slightly offset at an angle.   I picked up on the pop of color from the sentiment.  Instead of layering the die cut on top of the stamped image I cut mine out and let the second layer peek through.   Instead of the scatter of different sized sequins I used buttons and enamel dots.    I layered on a few die cuts - instead of words I used images.    What do you see that inspires you?  Just focus on the things you love and just run with them.

Need a little more inspiration or just curious to see the inspiration transformed into all sorts of creations from fussy to CAS?  Just click on the CASE DT member names here to jump to their blog.

Chupa - Iwona Palamountain

Amy Wanford

Tasnim Ahmed

Silke Ledlow

Jill Foster

Gayatri Murali

Anja Curvers

Anna Kossakovskaya

Julia Stainton

Michelle Williams

Annika Lerche

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size:  4.25 x 5.5"
Stamp:  Serendipity Stamps English Rose
Dies:  Serendipity Stamps Hope, Memory Box Donnington Tendril, Poppystamps Cheviot Butterfly, Delaney Butterfly, Ribbon Banners
Card Stock:  SU Strawberry Slush, PTI White, Simply Chartreuse, Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores
Buttons, Sequins
Enamel Dots
Ink:  Avery Elle Raspberry

Fusion #11 Red & Wolfie Thanks for JJ

Hi and thanks for stopping by!  I have two posts to day with two great challenges.  Today begins a new two week challenge at Fusion Card Challenge.  Have you played here yet?  It's lots of fun - you get to work with  an inspiration photo and a sketch.  You can chose one or the other - or if you like you can integrate the two.    Most of the time I like to fit the two together, but not today.  I picked up on a few elements of the photo - specifically the red and white polka dot paper, music notes and a bit of bling.  I had lots of fun creating this sweet little scene with lots of different patten papers.

I couldn't wait to use my new Avery Elle Red and Goldie stamp set.   I made this one for JJ Bolton - that clever girl who designed this set.   The hills, sun, and tag are from the Custom Panels dies set (also by JJ).   I'm so proud of her and she's a wonderful friend!

Wait until you see all the fabulous designs created by the Fusion DT!  Inspiration is just a click away!

Betty J

Cathy Weber

Dannielle Robeson

Deepti

Julia Aston

Katie Brooks

Kelly Griglione

Kimberly Wiener 

Lyndal Higgins

Lynn Mangan

Michelle Williams

Michelle Lupton

Sindhu

Stephanie Severin

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a great day!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

Stamps:  Avery Elle Red & Goldie

Dies:  Avery Elle Red & Goldie, Custom Panels Poppystamps Fancy Clouds

Pattern Paper:  Echo Park "For the Record" Collection 12 x 12  Fancy Floral, Fabric Store, Borders

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Cottage Ivy, Copic Markers

Sequin Flowers:  Paper Sweeties

Gems

CASE Study #192 Butterfly Thanks!

 It's Thursday - you know what that means right?  A new challenge at Case Study Challenge Blog.  Are you  loving our muse this month?  It's Wida Miller from Beachorado!  Wida has such a fun, trendy style.  I've been really inspired by her wonderful designs to try doing things a little different.  Look what she has for us today.  I love looking at the world of cards through her eyes.

Wida has such a good sense of balance on her designs.  Look at that thick panel just packed with all sorts of embellishments, yet it still looks balanced from  the spatter on the white card stock.   I kept true to her layout - distributing the weight with some patterned paper.  Can you believe I used less embellishments?  (Go figure!).  I kept the glittery gold accents and added a butterfly too!  I had to use some Maggie Holmes paper for Wida too because I know it's one of her favorites.

Want to see what the rest of the team did with this one?  Just click on their names to jump to their blog.  I think you will be glad you did!

Chupa - Iwona Palamountain

Amy Wanford

Tasnim Ahmed

Silke Ledlow

Jill Foster

Gayatri Murali

Anja Curvers

Anna Kossakovskaya

Julia Stainton

Michelle Williams

Annika Lerche

Have a great day and I hope I see you at CASE Study Challenge!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

Dies:  Serendipity Stamps Thanks, Poppy Stamps Simple Banner, My Favorite Things Dienamics Blueprint 7

Pattern Paper:  Crate Paper Maggie Holmes

Card Stock, PTI Vintage Cream , Raspberry Fizz, SU Coastal Cabana, Gold Glitter Paper

Enamel Dots (melted Perler Beads)

Ink:  Ranger Distress Worn Lipstick

SSCB#31 Flowers!

We're half way through the monthly challenge at Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog.  Every first Wednesday of the month we start a new challenge - this time it's flowers.  Midway (the third Wednesday of the month) the DT provides a second project and asks you to join us in the challenge.  For a unified look the design team projects all feature different resist techniques.  

Without doing much research I decided on the wax paper resist technique.  As soon as I got to work on my card I ran into a little hickup.  This technique required that I use a glossy card stock.  Well.... I couldn't find any (does that sound better than "the dog ate it"?).  None to be had at  Michael's, Joann or Hobby Lobby and  I didn't have time to order on line (not much of a procrastinator am I?) .  What a good opportunity to do an experiment.  Here's what I did.   I took a piece of white card stock, layered wax paper on top of it and ran it through my embosser.  I removed it from the embossing folder, and ironed it between two sheets of white paper.  I figured the wax would stick to the raised parts of the embossing.   But when I started inking it up with distress ink I noticed that it actually melted into the recessed areas creating a weathered look.  

The doily on my project is from Cheery Lynn - and Serendipity Stamps is now stocking Cheery Lynn dies in the store.   The Queen Anne's lace is embossed in gold.

Serendipity Stamps has lots of beautiful flower images.  Chances are that if you are a customer you already have a floral image in your inventory.  If not you need to check out some of the beauties they have.  This week the sale is Buy 3 get your 4th Item Free.  Sale ends on May 28.  It might be a good time to get some of the new word dies that we featured last week in our blog hop!

Want to see more beautiful designs featuring flowers and a resist technique?  Here's a list of the DT members with projects today.

Miriam Napier

Pauline Pollington

Vickie Zimmer

Anya Schrier

Jenny Gropp

Julie Warner

Karen Amidon
Marybeth Lopez

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!










Supplies Used: Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps: Serendipity Stamps Hello Small, Queen Anne's Lace Small
Dies: Cheery Lynn XM7 Ovals, Lilith Doily, Spellbinder Tags trio
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Angel Pink, Worn Lipstick, Barn Door
Embossing Folder Lifestyle Crafts Tea Party
Ledger Paper Pink Paisley Secret Crush 6x6"
Ribbon: 5/8" Sheer Ruffle Edge White, 1/4" White Polka dot Grosgrain May Arts
Twinery Blossom Twine
Rose: Iamroses.com

Casology - Flowers

A new challenge begins today at CASology!  The cue word this week is Flowers!  And guess who's hosting this week?  Yep!  Serendipity Stamps.   They have some of the most beautiful detailed flower images you'll ever see.   Since I'm on the DT for SS I got the cue word early this time and was able to play.  So how to make a super detailed image clean and simple?  Here's what I did... 

I stamped this pretty violet bouquet in purple ink, die cut the sentiment on top of the stamped image, and then layered it on a darker purple paper so the sentiment would stand out.  I couldn't resist sprinkling on some purple gems.

If you're playing along this week and you're using your Serendipity Stamps you can double dip - enter it at CASology, and then enter it at Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog.  Our theme this month is (yep!  it really is!) FLOWERS!

Have a beautiful day!!












Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Serendipity Stamps Violets
Dies:  Serendipity Stamps Hello
Ink:  Avery Elle Sugar Plum
Card Stock:  PTI White, SU! Perfect Plum
Corner Chomper We R Memory Keepers 

Paper Smooches Sparks - Spring!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you had  a great weekend!  We did lots of yard work - my son cut the grass for the second time this year, and we cleared away lots of leaves and branches to make way for some new growth.  It's finally Spring here, birds are singing and the yard is filled with lilacs, bleeding hearts, and my iris have buds!  Oh Happy day and Happy Spring!!   I'm playing along with Paper Smooches Sparks today, and Anything Goes!   That means, no sketch, no colors, just about anything you want.   I think this chickie is too cute to bring out once a year for Easter - I hope you do too!

I double stamped the little chickie, colored up the background with copics, and then cut him a second time to add more dimension.  I was so tempted to give him some google eyes, but thought they were perfect "as is".  Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day!












Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Paper Smooches "Spring Fling"
Dies:  Paper Smooches Duo Die 1, Flag Tags
Embossing Folder:  Lifestyle Crafts "Whimsy"
Ink:  Copic, Memento Tuxedo Black
Pin:  Dritz
Card Stock:  PTI White, Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist
Twinery Twine Caribbean
Button
Pearls
5/8" Taffeta Iridescent Ivory, 5/8" Twill Ivory May Arts

Birthday Celebration!

I've got two posts today - we're celebrating a new die release at Serendipity Stamps and have a hop with some candy, and I'm posting on the Poppystamps blog  Here's a peek at my project today.

If you you want to see more, just click here to jump to the Poppystamps blog where you can find daily inspiration.  

Serendipity Stamps New Release Blog Hop!

Are you hopping with us today?  Serendipity Stamps has a brand new die release and to celebrate the design team is having a blog hop.  It's a great opportunity to see these new dies in action!  If you're hopping along you should have reached me from the amazing Anya Schrier's blog.  If you're just joining me and you want to start at the beginning you can get all the details at Mary's blog.  

So what's new?   Lots!  There are 8 new word dies, and a frame set.  Each DT member is working with two of the word dies so you'll be able to see something with all of them.  I chose "Dream" and "Believe".  I love that the letters are all connected so the die cuts in one piece, and they all end with  a pretty flourish.

My first project is a shaker card.  I'm a sucker for all the little sparkly bits inside a shaker and thought this was a good time to make one of my own.  I cut out a star shape and filled it with sequin stars and beads and topped it with a double "dream" die cut.

I also wanted to show you how easy it is to make some CAS cards using word dies.  

This one features "Believe".  I cut it in a panel of white card stock, and slipped some glittery paper beneath to peek through. 

A word die also looks fabulous layered over some stamped and colored images.

In addition to the new word dies there is the new "Floral Frame and Embellishment" die set.   It's a 5 die set - you can see all the pieces here.   The butterfly and dragon fly are "mini" versions of the originals and fit nicely inside the frame.  I thought the beautiful intricate frame die would look amazing as a wedding card.  I cut all my pieces in white card stock, gold embossed a beautiful rose for the center and added some white lace and floral trims. 

Here's the finished card.  Aren't those little corner die cuts perfect to anchor down the embossed image?

Want to see more?    The next stop on the hop is Jenny Gropp - she does beautiful colored and multi layered  projects that will make you swoon.  But before you go I hope you will leave me a comment.   Yes!  There's some candy to be had!  One commenter who visits ALL the blogs will be chosen to win a $20 gift code off their next order!  You have until Midnight on Sunday 5-18 to comment and the winner will be posted on Mary's blog on 5-19.  So LEAVE A COMMENT!!  

For your convenience here's a list of all the ladies with projects for you today!!  

Mary's Blog  (The hop starts here!  Mary has all the details!!)

Miriam Napier

Pauline Pollington

Vickie Zimmer

Anya Schrier

Jeanne Jachna  (That's Me!)

Jenny Gropp

Julie Warner

Karen Amidon
Marybeth Lopez

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Hopping!!

Supplies Used: Finished Size  4.25 x 5.5"

Believe

Stamps:  Serendipity Stamps Happy Birthday Small

Dies:  Serendipity Stamps "Dream", Spellbinder Stars 5

Border Punch:  EK Success Zig Zag Stitch

Card Stock:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist, White

Ribbon:  5/8' Iridescent Ivory Taffeta May Arts 

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black

Glitter Silver Star Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby), Wood Stars Studio Calico, Wood Banner Hampton Arts Jillibean Soup, Star Sequins Darice

Twinery Twine Caribbean

Oh yes.. that 3-D star - it's actually a plastic ornament that I found at Michael's for 90% off after Christmas.  I got a bag of 20 for about $1.50!!

CAS Believe  4.25 x 5.5"

Dies:  Serendipity Stamps "Believe"

Card Stock:  PTI White, Sequin Recollections (Michael s)

Sequins (Stars Darice, All others Neat & Tangled)

Floral Dream 4.25 x 5.5"

Stamps:  Serendipity Stamps Fern Garden

Dies:  Serendipity Stamps "Believe"

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Card Stock:  PTI White, True Black, Summer Sunrise

Bliss Finished Size 5 x 5"

Stamps:  Serendipity Stamps Bliss, Rose Square

Dies:  Serendipity Stamps Floral Frame and Embellishment Set, Spellbinder Nested Pennants

Card Stock:  PTI White

Lace 1 1/2" Lace, Pearl Lace May Arts

Embossing Powder Zing! Gold

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark

Bead Spray - Hobby Lobby

Ribbon Flower - Offray

Pearls Recollections

CASE Study #191 Happy!

Happy Thursday! I'm having a great week and doing well!  I hope that you are too!  My daughter just finished finals, and my son has two weeks of school left to go!  Wow!  Summer sure is creeping up fast isn't it?    Thursday always means a new challenge at CASE Study. This week is extra special because we have 7 new design team members posting with us today. It feels like a fresh start with lots of new styles!

Our muse this month is Wida Miller from Beachorado - and I absolutely adore her style! Look what she has for us this week!  So what grabs you?  The white on white die cut sentiment?  The pop of red and blue?  The enamel dots and sprinkle of glitter?    Work with whatever moves you and run with it!   Sometimes it's hard for me to explain where my inspiration came from.   What struck me most was the balance of this card.  The right side looks so clean  while all the color is weighted on the left side.  It totally works because the die cut letters add texture providing a little weight of their own.  I wanted to do a similar balancing act with mine.  I didn't want my die cuts to look like they were "floating" so I weighed them down by embossing the background and adding some stamping and a sprinkle of sequins and enamel dots. I also die cut three sentiments and layered them as a "nod" to the three sentiments on Wida's design.

I bet you can't wait to see what the rest of the design team did with this one! I hope you'll stop by to visit them and just say hello! I know our newest DT members will be looking forward to hearing from you!

Chupa - Iwona Palamountain

Amy Wanford

Tasnim Ahmed

Silke Ledlow

Jill Foster

Gayatri Murali

Anja Curvers

Anna Kossakovskaya

Julia Stainton

Michelle Williams

Annika Lerche

Thanks for stopping by this week!  I hope you'll join us at CASE Study!












Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  WPlus9 Basic Banners, Just Geometrics Triangles
Dies:  WPlus9 Happy, Banner Trio
Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug Love Triangle
Pin:  Ribbon Reel
Ink:  Memento Rosebud, Angel Pink, Morocco, Cantaloupe, Love Letter, Dandelion,
Card Stock:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, SU! Pretty In Pink
Enamel Dots:  Doodlebug
Clear Sequins:  Neat & Tangled