Kissed by Nature

Here is another 'Kissing' card from tonight's Technique Tuesday class ... we used the Inspired by Nature stamp set in Pink Pirouette which was kissed with the En Francis in Early Espresso and featuring a 'framed' Labels collection ... and a little Framed Tulips and the Tasteful Trim in Baja Breeze.

I used my Color Coach for the palette and the layout was inspired from over at 'Just Us Girls' which was a nice simple but elegant layout. 

If you have a moment hop on over and check them out ...

 Just a reminder that this month Stampin' Up is offering paper crafters a chance to try out the My Digital Studio Express for FREE for 30 days so that you too can fall in love with everything it has to offer ... check it out here!

Happy Stampin'
Margaret

Inspired by Challenges

Nothing like a good challenge blog to get the creative juices flowing in the ole craft corner ... and this week has been full of a few ... I combined the Stamping 411 Color challenge of Island Indigo, Pool Party, Coral Calypso and Lucky Limeade with the Friday Mash Up use Pastels on a Birthday themed challenge and finished it up with the Just Us Girls layout sketch challenge to come up with the following offering!

 

The Inspired by Nature stamp is so fun to use the pastel chalks on ... the cone flowers just pop right off the page!

The new stamp set Take it to Heart has a little ribbon stamp that I just LOVE as a sentiment accent for a card. I can see myself using this on a scrapbooking layout too! 

The Loving Thoughts stamp set in the Occasions mini was designed to fit perfectly inside this which is awesome! However the other great thing about Stampin' Up is our coordinating products - cause it fits so many of our other sentiments neatly inside it as well so if you do not have the Loving Thoughts stamp set yet - not worries ... I used the Wish Big sentiment from Short and Sweet stamp set and added some pearl accents to balance it off.

The paper piercer is also a marvelous tool - my card felt a little 'lopsided' to me so I added some subtle paper piercings up in the corner - which helped to balance it out for my anal mind!

I am just loving this color palette of the Sale-abration Everyday Enchanted paper .... if you love it too you can earn it FREE with a $60 order as of January 24th or you can book a workshop during Sale-abration and you can earn hostess dollars AND free Sale-abration products ... win win! 

In the mean time hop on over to the following blogs and check out the wonderful offerings other card designers have come up with using these challenge inspirations!

The Friday Mashup

 Just us Girls

Stamping 411

Happy Stampin'
Margaret

Just Us Girls Technique Challenge

Over at "Just Us Girls" the challenge this week was to share a 'centre step card' so I am sharing this gorgeous one inspired by Nancy from my team!

Featuring the Pennant Builder punch and coordinating stamp set for the 3D tree ... the picture does not show it but there are some dazzling diamonds on the string of lights there for the lights - some clear and some angles of the 3D I did red ink under them.

Happy Stampin'

Margaret

 

Playing with Bleach ...

This weekend I was playing around with both the Foxy Oxi and various bleaching techniques in preparation for class on Tuesday ... and combined my playing with this weeks Just Us Girls Challenge .... 

The color combination which was inspired by the Stamping 411 Color Challenge of Poppy Parade, Pink Pirouette and Basic Black.

I bleached out a Dasher on a piece of Pink Pirouette and while he is very subtle I just love how it looks in real life - the texture of the embossing folders really add depth and character to the card.

The flash plays havoc on the image which really pops more in real life - but I added some Dazzling Details and Pearls helped to accent Dashers antlers!

Thanks for stopping by...
Happy Stampin'
Margaret

Just Us Girls gift box challenge

Over at Just Us Girls they raised the challenge of creating a set of cards and matching holder ... and I thought what an awesome way to showcase our Kraft Gift Boxes and the Holiday Bouquet Designer Series Paper!

So I made a Poinsettia adorned offering with the Kraft Gift boxes from the Holiday Mini and than created 12 matching 3x3 gift cards with envelopes!

 Featuring the Ornament punch and Delightful Decorations ...

 As well as the Tree Trimmings stamp set and an ornament made with the Blossoms Punch...

 Stop on by the Just for Girls challenge blog and check out the offerings from the Design team and other stampers offerings!

Happy Stampin'
Margaret

Cardinal Bliss ...

Just loved this inspiration over at JUST add INK ... the minute I saw it a Bird Builder Punch Cardinal popped into my head flying over some Pine trees this time of year!

I also just loved this one over at Stampin' Royalty blog and wanted to play along with this one with visions of glittery paper coming to mind at the back and the above sketch incorporated into the circle on this one!

And well being that I am preparing for Christmas the traditional color inspiration over at Just Us Girls was still in my head ... 

And well here is my challenge inspired offering ... A Christmas Cardinal using the Bird Builder and the Lovely as a Tree Stamp set with some 'berries' from the Cupcake Builder and well BLING from our red and silver glitter paper and a sentiment from the Many Merry Messages to tie it all together!

Happy Stampin'
Margaret

A La Monkey JUG Challenge ...

Love that I had lots of time in the craft room this weekend to PLAY and therefore to play along with some of my favorite challenge blogs!

Over at A La Monkey Card they had this layout inspiration ...

 Over at JUG'S they had the following color inspiration ....

And here is my offering based on these inspirations .... Holiday Line Up Snow friends on a blanket of glittering snow with some half back pearl accents ... Seasons Greetings!

 Up close ... I love coloring ...these dudes they are so whimsical!

 Click the link below to get awesome savings on our Hot Holiday Deals including huge discounts on the Stampin' Score Board AND our Holiday Cookie Stamps .... both amazing products ... plus 20-60% off many more amazing products!

If online shopping is not your cup of tea - no worries you can still get the deals on these products just drop me a line or give me a call as I am placing an order this evening at 9pm!

Happy Stampin'
Margaret