Hoppers Sketch Challenge Blog Hop - Betsy's Blossoms

Welcome to the Hopper's June  Blog Hop!  This month, we're featuring a Sketch Challenge.  Whenever I need a little mojo I often like to start with a sketch.  Some sketches can be simple and some can be quite elaborate. But either way it's a starting point that will often get my creative juices flowing.

This month there will be a random drawing on June 30th and some lucky winner will receive the Stampin' Up! Everyday Elegance Card Pack.  Awesome!  All you need to do to enter the drawing is to visit all eight blogs on the hop and leave a comment at each stop.  Remember to leave your email if we can not reach you through your blog.  

You will find links to the other blogs at the end of this post.  Have fun...I know you'll be inspired by all the wonderful projects.  And when you get to the end of the hop take the sketch and see what you come up with. 

  

So... here's what I came up with using our June sketch challenge.  I thought it would be fun to create a Z-Fold Card. It's what first came to mind as soon as I looked at the sketch.  Now that's what I call Mojo!

The flowers are from the Betsy's Blossoms Stamp Set.  What a great set! I stamped and cut out the flowers and then added Rhinestones and Dazzling Details.

Here's a view of the card as you open it.

Stamp Set: Betsy's Blossoms (C126006) (126004), Friendly Phrases (C126151) (W126149)

Ink: Rose Red (126954), Daffodil Delight (126944), Lucky Limeade (126984), Chocolate Chip (126979)

Paper: Floral District Designer Series Paper (126919), Lucky Limeade (122926), Daffodil Delight (119683)

Accessories : Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246)

Shop 24/7 In My Online Store

Spring Inspired With Summer Smooches?

Today's card is one that I made for my Card Buffet this month.  I had the Hand Stamped Sentiments (#115 - Spring) Challenge in mind when I created it.

When I think of spring I think green. It's beautiful living in the North Georgia Mountains and I love to watch all the trees and plants sprout green in the spring.  And then of course all this greenery comes alive with beautiful flowers.   I had to laugh though when I realized I used the Summer Smooches Designer Paper for "Spring Inspired".

• Using a bold pattern like this one can be a bit of a challenge.  I met the challenge by using only two colors, and breaking the pattern up with the solid colored strip across the center of the card.

• I also wanted to keep the focal point simple but then I love clean and simple designs.

• The 5 Petal Flower Punch is one of my favorites.  It's retiring and will only be available until supplies last.  If if you've been thinking about adding this punch to your tool box order it now!

• The Summer Smooches Fabric Brad is gorgeous.  Oh please Stampin' Up! let big fabric brads be in our future this year. :) 

Stamp Set:  Short and Sweet (115060) Wood Only

Ink: Basic Black (101179)

Paper: Summer Smooches DSP (125409), Lucky Limeade (122926), Whisper White (100730)

Tools: 5-Petal Flower (119880), Scallop Trim Border (118402)

Accessories:  Summer Smooches Fabric Brads (No Longer Available)

Tomorrow is the last day to place an order for the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper and the other products in this suite. If you haven't ordered them by the end of the day you will need to wait until June 1. The Petite Purse is so cute for little gifts and candy. Don't wait...order now. :)  

Order 24/7 In My Online Store

Summer Smooches and More About the Retired Lists

Busy, busy, busy this week.  Here it is Friday and I'm finally getting around to posting the card I created for the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge.  What a fun card!  When I first saw the Summer Smooches DSP I thought wow this may be too bright and colorful for me.  But I have to tell you I have fallen in love with this paper!  Remember there are only 4 days left to order this Summer Smooches DSP.  After that you will need to wait until you can order from the new catty in June.

• The squares are 1-1/4 inch.  Using a 1-1/4 inch square punch is the fastest way to cut them.  Of course if you don't own that punch you can always cut them with your paper cutter.
• You will notice the sketch shows the squares with space between them.  It made me crazy trying to line them all up so I chose to butt them against each other.  (Remember, you don't have to follow the sketches exactly.)
• The fabric brads are gorgeous and I am so going to miss them.  If you haven't heard yet they are gone and no longer available!  I hope you ordered yours before they ran out.      
• I only had a small piece of the baker's twine left and thought it made the perfect antenna.

Stamp Set:  Fabulous Phrases

Paper : Summer Smooches DSP (125409), Daffodil Delight (119683), Tangerine Tango (111349), Very Vanilla (101650)

Accessories:  Summer Smooches Fabric Brads (No Longer Available), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Calypso Coral Bakers Twine (125573)

I changed the card some and made it part of my I Love Cards Buffet last night.  I wasn't sure everyone would have the patience to glue on all the squares. :)  Same big beautiful butterfly and brad.  I'm not sure which one I like better.  How about you?  Which is your favorite?  

Additional information about the Accessories Retired List

• You will notice that all the ink pads are on the retired list.  Like I said the day the list came out...not to worry...the colors are not changing.  The ink pads are getting a make over and it's exciting.  New firm foam pads will offer better ink coverage and therefore better stamped images.

• The Craft Ink Pads and Refills will be discontinued except for black and white.

• The Stampin' Write Markers are on the list because in the new catty only select markers will be available individually.  They will still be available in color collections

• 12" x 12" Textured Card Stock will no longer be offered

• 12" x 12" Smooth Card Stock will only be available in select individual colors and color collections.
• Two items were put on the retired list in error.  They were the Craft Scissors and Paper Snips.  Because they were included in error they will not be offered at a discounted price

I hope this clears up some questions you have about the retired lists.  If you have further questions please feel free to contact me by email or phone.

Have a wonderful Friday!

More Summer Smooches Designer Paper

Hi Stampers!

What do you do with some of the designer paper that is bright and busy? What was that you said...use the other side. :D  That's right... sometimes it's a real challenge.    
When I first saw the Summer Smooches DSP I really liked it but there were a few patterns that I thought might be a bit too busy for me.  So today I decided to challenge myself by making a fun colorful mother's day card with one of the cute busy flower papers in this collection.

My solution is to use it with one of the smaller patterns (which happens to be on the backside) and make sure I don't put a busy layer on top of it.  In fact today I decided on a simple layered flower.  To give the flower additional dimension I curled the bottom flower petals to the back the front petals forward.  Notice how the center of the flower mimics the small flowers in the DSP?  The rhinestones add some real pop that is difficult to see in the picture.  

I didn't have a current Mother's Day Stamp so I used the one from the retired set All Holidays.  Because it had flourishes and additional words that I didn't want to use I took my black marker and colored just the part I wanted.

I see that Hand Stamped Sentiments has a Mother's Day challenge this week so looks like I have the perfect card.  They would love for you to visit and join a challenge.  If not this one there will be a new one next week I'm sure.

Stamp Set:  All Holidays (Retired)

Paper: Summer Smooches DSP (125409), Tempting Turquoise (102067), Real Red (102482), Daffodil Delight (119683), Whisper White (100730)

Tools & Accessories:  Scallop Edge Border Punch (119882), Fancy Flower Punch (118073), Boho Blossoms Punch (119858), Basic Rhinestones (119246)

Shop 24/7 in my Online Store

Great customer service and a hand stamped thank you card for every order.

Hoppers April Blog Hop Begins Tomorrow

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!  I haven't had a minute to post the past couple of days or for that matter even make a new card. I finally finished the 75 post it note covers for a customer in PA and got the package shipped today...Yeah!

I'm so excited!   I was featured on My Crafty Picks and Hand Stamped Sentiments for my Tulip Peep Card last week.  Check out the other wonderful projects that were also chosen on both of those sites.  Some great ideas that I need to tuck away until next Easter.  Also...think about trying one of the challenge sites this week.  It's a lot of fun!

The Hoppers April Blog Hop begins tomorrow.  Here's just a little peek. :) Make sure you stop back tomorrow to see my project and participate in the hop.  Wait until you see what the prize is this month!

The winner for last months hop has been chosen and we will be announcing the results as soon as the winner has been contacted.  Hopefully that too will be tomorrow.  But just think you could be the next lucky winner.  I will be posting bright and early...hope to see you then.