The Beauty of Neutrals

 Over on Split Coast Stampers we are almost done with our August Creative Crew gone wild challenges!  My challenge to everyone this month was to take a step back to when it wasn't all about color and create a project using only our neutral color family.  You could add any accessory or embellishment you liked but still had to be in the same color family! So there was still plenty of bling to choose from!   Here is my masterpiece!

For my card I used Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla as my color scheme. The stamp set is one of my all time favorites ... Papillon Potpourri!!  For me it was the accessories that really made this card pop!!  They were the wide burlap ribbon, neutral chevron ribbon, linen thread, and vintage faceted buttons. And no project is complete without using the big shot; the decorative dots and fun frames embossing folders added just the right texture!.

I loved this challenge and I hope you do to!  There is a new crew starting next month so be sure to stop by and check out the new challenges each month!  Happy Stamping!

Creative Crew - April Holiday Focus

Here is my next creative crew project.

If you would like to join the challenge here is the info - CCREW0412HF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- Holiday Focus
Mom and Dad, Mum and Dad, Mom or Dad. Remember those that gave us life. Make a card, a scrapbook page or a decor item that honors Mom or Dad or both. Continue using the In Colors as your main colors.

I wanted to create a card for my Mom and Dad and since their anniversary is just around the corner. I used the set Elements of Style which is perfect for an anniversary card especially the sentiment "Life is a matter of Moments". I used concord crush since that was their color when they were married and then I paired it with pear pizzazz. I embossed the concord piece with the vintage wallpaper embossing folder. I watercolored the flowers to give it the shades as well as added a bit of shimmer paint to make it sparkle just a bit. I think they will love this card!! Happy Stamping!

Creative Crew - April Color Focus

Time for some more Creative Crew projects. Sadly this is my last month on the crew but there are some wonderful designers running the next 4 months but I'll still join in for the challenges!!

Here's the infor for the Color challenge if you would like to join us. - CCREW0412DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- Color Focus Use 2010-2012 In Colors and the sketch below (ignore the title of this sketch) for the color focus. Make sure you incorporate your Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack for these In Colors.

For this card I used the set Sweet Cake which is a great set to use with the bright colors. I used Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz and Poppy Parade. The card itself was pretty simple just stamped the image a few times and cut and layered it to give it more dimension. What's amazing to me is the card actually looked like the sketch ... I don't usually do well with sketches. I did add a little iridescent ice to the cupcake, it needed some sparkle. Happy Stamping!!

Creative Crew - March Catalog Focus

This next challenge is the Catalog focus where showcase something specific from the current catalog or mini.

Here-s the details if you would like to join us on this challenge - CCREW0312CF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- Catalog focus: We've used a lot of DSP but we haven't focused on page 216 of the catalog! So this month show us how you use the cork, magnet, On Board, wood or window sheets.

I decided to go with the magnetic sheets. I love this projects sooo much and it maybe my swap for a certain giftable exchange I do every year. I attached my dsp to the magnetic sheet which is already sticky on one side than ran it through my big shot with the clear scallop die. And it's done .... EASY!! Then I cut out additional magnets to use on the board with the Beautiful Butterfly, Blossom Party and Island Floral dies and added a few accessories! I swear I did this project in less than 5 minutes!! It's a perfect gift for anyone! Happy Stamping!!

Creative Crew - March Scrapbook Focus

This next project is for the Scrapbook Focus. The sketch for the page is to the right.

Here's the info on the challenge if you would like to join us - CCREW0312SF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- Scrapbook focus: Use the attached layout and show us a Bright, cheerful, happy page to celebrate spring's arrival. It doesn't have to be about spring, just colorful, cheery, and it just makes you smile.

For this page I used photos from Convention and I used the My Digital Studio software! I am getting better at using it but I still love traditional scrapbooking more, I fell I use too much when I make digital pages were I would normally take the less is more approach. But I love that you can change your mind in an instant with out having to take anything apart! The digital kits I used for this are For All You Do, Enjoy Every Moment and Summer Home. If you would like to try My Digital Studio for FREE for a month you can download if from my Stampin' Up! Website here. Happy Stamping!!

Creative Crew - March Color Focus

Ready for this months Creative Crew Challenges?!?! Well here is the first one

If you want to play along here's the criteria - CCREW0312DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- DSP/Color Focus: March Flower of the month: Daffodil & Jonquils - In honor of the March flower of the month, use this color combo: Daffodil Delight, So Saffron, Blushing Bride, with any neutrals of your choice.


I went with the colors Daffodil Delight and Blushing Bride. Pink and yellow how can you go wrong?! I decided to use the set Precious Butterflies which is a hostess exclusive set. I stamped the main image first and to get the different colors I used my markers. Then I stamped my butterflies and to get both colors on my butterflies I used the rock and roll technique. I attached them to my card using dimensionals. Put it all on some in color DSP from the last catalog hostess rewards and a bit of the taffeta ribbon. I used Soft Suede as the base which doesn't stand out as much as it does in this picture. Happy Stamping!!

Creative Crew - February Holiday Focus

Join us for this months Creative Crew challenges!! Here is the challenge for the scrapbook focus:

CCREW0212HF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- Holiday focus: What holiday do you love the most? What's your favorite accessory? Combine the two in a project. This can be anything, it doesn't have to be Valentines or any particular day, it could be your favorite season, something silly and goofy, or a particular tradition you have.

This was my favorite creative crew project I made this time around and it is sooo not me except that I used some purple in it. I like using the embroidery hoops to make little designer frames. This one is a smaller size I think 4" in diameter. I started with some felt then I started all the layers. I used cardstock, flirtatious designer fabric, silver glitter paper and some ribbon! The white piece is the flower center of the new Paper Doily sizzlet. I just love that new die!! The only stamping on this project was the little Be My Valentine flag which is a stamp from the Sweet Cake set. Happy Stamping!!

Creative Crew - February Catalog Focus

Join us for this months Creative Crew challenges!! Here is the challenge for the Catalog focus:

CCREW0212CF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- Catalog focus: Remember that stamp set that you just had to have? And then somehow it got tucked away on your shelf. Pull out a neglected stamp set and show it some love!

I am a purple freak and just had to make a monochrome card to showcase this set Growing Green. I stamp the flower image with white embossing powder and then used my aqua painter to wet the cardstock the ran my different markers shades throughout the images to get the color depth. Then I cut out the flowers. I wanted the ribbon to match so I used my taffeta white ribbon and ran my markers along the edge to die them .... I would use the lighter color first then the darker. I also used the new adorning accents and edgelits to create the bottom edge. I then stamped my saying and layered the flowers around it add a few pearls and the card was done!! I did also heat the ribbon with my heat gun to give it the crinkled look, just be careful not to burn it!. Happy Stamping!!

Creative Crew - February Color Focus

Join us for this months Creative Crew Challenges. here's the info for the color focus challenge:

CCREW0212DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- DSP/Color Focus: Twitterpated DSP has me, well, twitterpated! This month, use Twitterpated DSP on your project. Haven't gotten it yet? Use the colors: Pear Pizzazz, Basic Gray, Island Indigo, Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, or any combination of them.

I love love this stamp set Sweet Cake .... who doesn't love cupcakes?! The challenge was to use the twitterpatted DSP which is one of the few things I did not order so instead I went with some of the individual color; Island Indigo, Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze. This card if fun and I used lots of different textures! The base is embossed with Perfect Polka Dots EF, the Island Indigo piece is embossed with the Stripes EF, the cupcake cup is done using the paper crimper and the white piece I used the Oval shaped Designer Frame. I used my marker to darken the raised edges of the designer frame. To give the cupcake color I stamped it with blushing bride then watercolored inside the lines with my blushing bride marker and then I embossed it with clear embossing powder. I ran my marker along the crimped edges on the cupcake cup to give it dimension. Layered it all together added a bow and topped it off with some twitterpatted buttons and a rhinstone brad without the brad part. Happy Stamping!!

Creative Crew - February Scrapbook Focus

Join us for this months Creative Crew challenges!! Here is the challenge for the scrapbook focus:

CCREW0212SF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- Scrapbook focus: Create a scrapbook page or project that showcases someone/something you love! The sky's the limit here, listen to your heart and honor it!


I decide to use My Digital Studio to create this project. I'm trying to become more familiar with using this software for actual scrapbooking. Normally I use it to make flyers and recipe pages this is my second MDS page ever so it's still a bit out of my comfort zone. We went camping out at Dead Horse Ranch the other day so I decided you use those pictures since it features "a few of my favorite things" ... my Family, camping and toasting up some s'mores!! It's not a perfect page but I love it! The camping images are a MDS set called Happy Camper; I soo wish this was a stamp set! Happy Stamping!

Creative Crew - January Color Focus

Here is the info on the Holiday Focus if you would like to join us on this challenge:
CCREW112DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM – Color Focus: Use a color combination that you’ve never used before. Make your card with this color combo using the attached sketch.
Just upload your projects to the splitcoast gallery be sure to use keywords above that are in blue.



I love this card ... mostly because it's different then what I normally do. I'm not big on using pastels and figured I would start there when picking a color combo I haven't used before so I went with Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette and Old Olive. At first everything I tried to do with the sketch wasn't working out ... mostly because I DO NOT play well with sketches!! I can start with a sketch and my card at the end never resembles it; I have this thing with being different. Probably why I don't rarely CASE. Even when I get together with friends I always always have to change it up ... drives everyone else crazy. Anyways I finally after several attempts made a card that actually looked like the sketch. I added some of the pleated blushing bride ribbon from the new mini and button as they coordinated just enough, in the picture it stands out a bit more than in real life. Happy Stamping!!

Creative Crew - January Catalog Focus

Here is the info on the Holiday Focus if you would like to join us on this challenge:
CCREW112CF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM – Catalog Focus: My newest stampset. Use only stamps from a new stampset on a non-traditional card.
Just upload your projects to the splitcoast gallery be sure to use keywords above that are in blue.



My newest stamp set was Elementary Elegance from the Sale a bration catalog that goes live on January 24th, 2012. I really like the elegance of this set and isn't normally one I would get so it was perfect to get for free when I spent $50. This card is a bit smaller measuring 3 1/2 x 4 1/2. I stamped some of the smaller crowns around the cherry cobbler base and added some ribbon and rhinestones. A also punched out half circles in silver glimmer paper to run along the edge. To create the focal point I stamped the large image with versamark and then embossed with the cherry cobbler ep and cut it out. The early espresso piece I used the new label framelits to create it by tracing it to create the label shape I wanted then cutting it out by hand as I just wanted part of the curve. Then just added the hello saying which I punch out and layered to give it dimension and of course the little crown I stamped on glimmer paper. Happy Stamping!!

Creative Crew - January Holiday Focus

Here is the info on the Holiday Focus if you would like to join us on this challenge. CCREW112HF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM – Holiday Focus: Valentines Day. Make a card or a decor item using hearts in a new way to you—something you’ve never done with hearts. Just upload your projects to the splitcoast gallery be sure to use keywords above that are in blue.


I made this card with the dual border technique in mind. Instead of using a punch I used the heart from the movers and shapers set. I just made a "clear platform" with chipboard that would only cut half the heart. I'll have to do a tutorial to show you what I mean. I also used my elegant lines embossing folder to give it more dimension. As well as sponged around all the edges and added iridescent ice to give it a little dazzle. Topped it off with some lace ribbon and punched hearts using the heart to heart punch. Happy Stamping!!