July 24, 2015

TGIFC13 - Clean & Simple!

Hello and happy Friday!  I'm so glad you're joining me today to check out this week's theme at TGIF Challenges, and I hope you're poised and ready to play along!


Today's theme is one of those tricky ones that looks SO easy.  But for me?  Clean and simple is one of the hardest things to achieve!  


My designs are typically neither clean nor simple - I'm all about layers and embellishments and bright colours and a big crafty mess.  I think this card went through about six versions before I finally settled on something! 


I love the sweet combo of Mint Macaron, Early Espresso, and Gold - so calming, like a spa.  Some stamping, some gold embossing, and a bit of Crystal Effects on the embellishment and this card was done.  It's a quick-and-easy five-minuter once I decided!

I'd LOVE to see what you come up with this week - please join us at TGIF Challenges by clicking the banner above to see what the other designers came up with and play along!  Cheers!

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July 22, 2015

Cucumber-Watermelon Curry

Wait, what?!  Cucumber-Watermelon Curry?  No, you didn't stumble upon a recipe blog by accident (and possibly the world's WORST recipe, for that matter!)  It's just Today's Crush!  


As a food, Cucumber-Watermelon Curry sounds totally repulsive... but as a colour combination?  Totally delicious.  

Here's what I whipped up with these ingredients.  


Too bad I just missed my big bro's birthday (well, I didn't MISS it - I just sent a different card!)  This smarmy little sentiment would've been perfect for the never-ending sibling rivalry.  :) 

See you again on Friday for this week's TGIF Challenge!

Have a fabulous day!
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July 20, 2015

Bombs Away - Birthday Gift Card Holder

It seems like ages ago that Stampin' Up started releasing monthly photopolymer stamp sets - initially, these sets were only available while supplies last.  Some sold out in record time - others, like Bombs Away, are still around!  



Bombs Away was one of the first photopolymer sets released, and it was an instant favourite of mine.  It was the first set I remember where Stampin' Up started to push the envelope into snarky sentiments, grungy designs, and stuff that was definitively more masculine and youthful than many of their previous offerings.  I was IN. LOVE.  I bought Bombs Away immediately because I was certain it would be sold out in a flash.

It wasn't.  It STILL isn't.  And I seriously don't understand why.  This set is awesome.  

I whipped up a quick gift card holder this weekend with Bombs Away and Go Wild DSP.  So quick and easy to do - why not make a gift card extra special the next time you've got one to give?  


Bombs Away is an easy miss - not in the catalog, old enough that it doesn't get featured often - so I wanted to make sure it's crossed your path!  If it's not in your collection yet, WHY NOT?!

Cheers!


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July 19, 2015

July Paper Pumpkin: Thanks A Latte!

July's Paper Pumpkin arrived on my doorstep this week and IT. IS. AMAZING.  Easily one of my favourites (and yes, I know, I say that every month - they're constantly outdoing themselves!)  It included two of my favourite things - succulents and tea (or coffee, if that's more your cup!)  My husband laughed and asked if they were taking a cue from our house - I have little sedum succulents and hens & chicks potted in teacups on my windowsill.  :) 

This kit included the supplies for 8 cards as shown below - with various sentiments and succulents (and some steam, a teabag, etc.)  So cute! 


And of course, I never make them ALL exactly the same as the kit - I always use the box of supplies to play on my own, too!


Shuffling those same pieces around creates a totally different card!  I'm going to have SO much fun playing with this stamp set.  

Want to get your own bright red box of fabulous craft supplies delivered each month?  Click the links below to shop online and add your Paper Pumpkin treat!

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July 17, 2015

TGIFC12 - Brand New (and an announcement!)

Happy Friday!  I've got more exciting news to share...


I've been biting my tongue all week and giddy with excitement - after a couple of wins and a guest star post, the fabulous, extraordinarily-talented ladies (and one gent!) at TGIF Challenges have invited me to join their design team!  I'm totally flattered and incredibly excited to start playing along this week, and I'd love to see my regular readers join me in the weekly challenges.  They are SO fun!

I got absolutely spoiled for my first "official" week - we have a theme challenge this week, and it's "Brand New."  Quite simply - choose your favourite brand-new products and create!


I started by pulling out all of my favourites from Stampin' Up's 2015-2016 Catalog... which quickly meant my desk was absolutely covered in product and while I loved all of it, it would all look horrendous together.  Ack!  I had to narrow it down.  It was agonizing - like choosing your team of 5 when you're friends with everyone in the class.  Or so I imagine.  I was never a cool kid.

Aaaaaaanyway.


So what made the cut?  Greetings Thinlits.  Watermelon Wonder.  Schoolhouse DSP.  Smoky Slate Thick Baker's Twine.  Envelope Paper.  "That Thing You Did."  "Sweet Stack."    I'm totally enamoured with these fabulous and totally-brand-new items (and Today's Crush!)

What are YOUR new favourites?  Show us this week at TGIF Challenges!  I can't wait to see what you come up with!
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July 16, 2015

Triple-Up Thursday: Sheltering Tree

Welcome back for another Triple-Up Thursday!  First time here?  Triple-Up Thursday is a weekly feature where I show you three 3x3" cards created with one stamp set and five colours - proof crafting doesn't have to be complicated to be beautiful! 

This week is possibly one of my favourites to-date.  This is the first time that I've used Sheltering Tree, and it is a total must-own.  My goodness - I've never felt so much like an artist than I did when creating with this set!  It's perfect for creating beautiful images and compositions that look like they were painted on canvas - without having to have any visual art talent at all.

My colour combination this week was chosen with colours I rarely use - based, oddly, around Rich Razzleberry!  This isn't a colour I use often so I wanted to work it in this week.  My go-to green is Old Olive and yellow is Crushed Curry, so I made sure to steer clear of those and spread the love around, too.  This is what I came up with:


It's different, but it works!  Check out my "art" below!





I really love how these ones turned out.  They're a personal favourite, for sure.  Sheltering Tree is a definite must-have set for beautiful, artistic cards - and with a whopping 14 different stamps, it's a great value, too.

Have a fantastic day and I will see you again tomorrow!
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