Utah Divas Inspiration Challenge #97

Finally - I was able to get a challenge done and on time! Now when you see the picture that I used, you'll probably wonder how I ended up with what I did. It was simple though - since I haven't had a chance to stamp in awhile....I went really easy with this one. That is the best thing about challenges - you get to interpret how you want. :)

So, below is my card. I chose to go with 1 main color from the picture - hence the GREEN. Yes - my favorite color of all time, so like I said it was easy peasy!! We actually made this card at my Stamp Club this past Monday as well.

Things to Note:
-- I used the new Punch from the Punch Pack
-- The flower from the Itty Bitty Bits set fits perfectly over the flowers in this set

Below is the inspiration picture. Doesn't it just make you want to eat some fresh fruit!! I want a bowl of some fruit now so bad I can taste it!! Yum!!

So, what do you think? I know I haven't been a good blogger, but I'm really trying to do better! I have tons of cards to post - just finding the time has been the problem.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Thoughts & Prayers, Itty Bitty Bits (Summer Mini), Teeny Tiny Wishes
CS: Whisper White, Old Olive, Tall Tales DSP
Ink: Old Olive, So Saffron
Other: Scallop Punch from the Punch Pack (Summer Mini), Stamping Sponge, So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon (Retired - from SAB)

Be sure to check out the other design team members and what they created - just head on over to the UDI Blog.

Thank you for stopping by! See you again soon!!

Stampin' Hugs,
Karen

UDI Inspiration Challenge #93

It's Thursday, so you know what that means...it's Inspiration Challenge over on the UDI Blog. Below is the bright inspirational picture we were to use. Well, of course, this is right up my alley with the flowers!

Pretty obvious what I used for my inspiration, but just in case....I went with FLOWERS! :) I also added the grass amongst my flowers.

Things to Note:
-- I sponged the olive on the bottom of the stamped flower piece to shade in some for grass
-- I sponged around the greeting
-- En Francais was stamped tone-on-tone (Crushed Curry on Crushed Curry)

So, wondering what set this is?? It is a brand new set that will be released in the new SU! catalog - Awash with Flowers. It is a two-step set floral set. It is available through the end of April for order. After the 30th, it won't be available again until July.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Awash with Flowers, Inspired by Nature, Teeny Tiny Wishes, En Francais Background
CS: WW, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry
Ink: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Old Olive Black Stazon
Other: Stamping Sponge, Modern Label Punch, Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads (Yellow), Stampin' Dimensionals

Be sure to make a stop over at the UDI Blog to see what the other team members created!!

Thank you for stopping by my blog! Hope you enjoyed today's share and come back!!

Stampin' Hugs,
Karen

UDI Inspiration Challenge #92

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. I started a new job and it has me drained by the time I get home. I love it and am having fun, but it is early and longer hours than I was working before.

Anyway - on to the good stuff! This week's challenge was a bright and fresh picture. Reminds me of a beach cottage room.

I went with the white and blue color scheme for my card. I actually CASEd this card from another stamper. I only changed the stamp set. When I saw the inspiration picture and was scanning for a sketch to use, I came across the card and knew it would be perfect!

The coloring is off in the picture, but where it looks like a 'tinted blue' - that is really Whisper White card stock.

Things to note:
-- stamped the image and greeting in Craft Black ink
-- embossed with Black Embossing Powder
-- the butterflies are up on dimensionals

Supplies:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Teeny Tiny Wishes
CS: WW, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay
Ink: Craft Black
Other: Black Embossing Powder, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by!! Be sure to check out the UDI Blog to see what the other Inspiration Team Members came up with!

Stampin' Hugs,
Karen

UDI Inspiration Challenge #89

Another challenge has been issued to us this week. Below is my take on it. I actually CASEd the layout of the card from another stamper (I apologize because I don't remember who). When I find out who - I'll edit my post.

Things to Note:
-- the bottom right piece is popped up on dimensionals
-- each stamped piece is layered on a square of Razzleberry Lemonade DSP

Here is the picture we were given for inspiration. I went with the flower aspect - I know easy way out. :)
Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh Cuts
CS: Melon Mambo, WW, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Ink: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry
Other: 1/16" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, 1 1/4 Square Punch, 1 3/8 Square Punch, Flower Brad

Be sure to stop by the UDI Blog to see what the other design team created!!

Stampin' Hugs,
Karen

UDI Inspiration Challenge #88

This week we had butterflies as our inspiration. Well, I knew right away what I wanted to do. I had seen a CAS (clean and simple) card that was perfect for this! It was posted on the LNStampers yahoo group and I saved it in my files. Glad I did because I went right to it for this card!

The original card was made my Julie Davison and was a birthday card. I went with a 'thanks' card because I had a few thank yous I wanted to send out to some people who have done some special things for us. So, while this card is definitely simple - it really packed a punch for me and was quick to mass produce.
Supplies:
Stamps: Thankful Thinking (earned Free through SAB)
CS: WW, Pixie Pink, Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore
Ink: Stazon Black
Other: Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die, Stampin' Dimensionals

Be sure to stop by the UDI Blog to see what the other team members created. While you are there, post a comment to let us know you stopped by!

Stampin' Hugs,
Karen

UDI Inspiration Challenge #87

Sorry for my late post this week! It's been a rough week - this time 2 sick kids. I totally forgot about stamping and posting. I'm glad for the warmer weather - I've been airing out my house and spraying Lysol. I'm ready for a sick-free summer!!

This is the picture for us this week. Perfect for Spring!!
Here is my take on it. Sorry for the shadow on the card.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Inspired by Nature
CS: WW, Crushed Curry, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Ink: Old Olive, Soft Suede
Other: Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Old Olive Markers, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamping Sponges, 1/16" Circle Punch, Fire Circle Rhinestone Brads

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!! Let the sun keep shining!!

Happy Stampin',

Karen

UDI Inspiration Challenge #86

This week our challenge was to use the clover image for inspiration. Definitely a perfect choice with St. Patrick's Day right around the corner!

Below is my take on the challenge. Not a whole lot of stamping, but nonetheless - still a great card!

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Heard from the Heart
CS: Certainly Celery, Handsome Hunter, Crushed Curry
Ink: Handsome Hunter
Other: Simple Flower Sizzix Embosslit, Textured Impressions Elegant Bouquet, Silver Brads, 1/16" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals (used under each flower)

Sorry for the short post today. I'm tired from not enough sleep - another sick child in my house. This time, it's my oldest. We didn't get much sleep last night, she came home from school early today, and doesn't look like she'll make it tomorrow. She has what everyone else has had in our house at one point - the dreaded cough. Wouldn't be bad, but nothing seems to help.

Anyway - be sure to check out what the other design challenge team members created!! You can find links to their blogs at the UDI Blog.

Stampin' Hugs,

Karen

UDI Inspiration Challenge #85

This will be a quick post for now. I'm fighting a head cold and didn't get this post scheduled last night like I wanted to. So, I'm trying to get it done now before I take my son to preschool. I'll also apologize for the horrible picture - I can't figure out how to take a good picture of a mainly white card. Any help would be appreciated!!

On to the challenge - below is the picture we got to use. Doesn't it look YUMMY!!!

Below is my CAS (Clean and Simple) card. I went with the colors for my inspiraton. Since the ice cream cones were set against a white background - I used that as well for my card.

I stamped each of the squares with the coordinating color (ie: Chocolate Chip on Chocolate Chip CS). The only difference is the Vanilla CS piece - I stamped it with Creamy Caramel ink 2nd Generation (stamped off once). I put all of the squares and the flower on a Stampin' Dimensional. I really like how this card looks IRL. Too bad my photo stinks and doesn't show how cute it really is.

Thanks for stopping by!! Be sure to check out what the other challenge team members did - UDI Blog.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Four Square (can be earned FREE through SAB)
CS: WW, VV, Rose Regal, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Rose Regal, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel

Other: Stampin' Dimensionals, Stitched Felt Sweet Pea

Happy Stampin',
Karen

UDI Inspiration Challenge #84

I go in spurts when doing challenges it seems. I love challenges because they can jumpstart your creativity. However, by the time I get a challenge accomplished - a new challenge has been posted (usually 2 or 3 really).

You may remember me posting a few months back for the UDI Inspiration Challenge. Well, with my laptop issues and such, I haven't participated in awhile. Happy to say that I am back and posting!

Below is the picture for our inspiration. Isn't it great - bold colors and the big flowers. Yep - it was great when my idea jumped right in my head for this one!

Here is my card. I went with both the colors and flowers. I used the SU Sizzlits Flower Blossom for the main flowers. The centers of each petal are actually 'cut' when running them through the Big Shot. So, I popped them out of each flower and then repositioned them into a different color flower to achieve the look from our inspiration picture. I used a flower from Eastern Blooms as a filler. I used a silver brad for the center of each Flower Blossom. The greeting is from the SAB set Whimsical Words. (Want to get this set for FREE? Be sure to contact me.)

Because the base of my card was black, I decorated the inside too. Just a little simple design, but definitely adds the right touch I think.


So, there you have it. Be sure to check out what the rest of the UDI Inspiration team did! You can get the links to their blogs by going to the UDI Blog. While you're there, check out the other challenges we have. Be sure to leave us a note to let us know you were there - we love to read your comments!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Whimsical Words (SAB)
CS: Basic Black, Barely Banana, Real Red
Ink: Real Red
Other: Sizzlit Flower Blossom, Big Shot, Paper Piercer, Silver Brads

Stampin' Hugs,
Karen

UDI Inspiration Challenge #70

This is my long ago post that I haven't been able to post. Shortly after my last post, my laptop essentially died. Well, it is back - I use that term lightly though. As I type - my screen is flickering and I'm worried it will shut down again. I seriously need to get it checked out, but it needs to be on when I take it in because once it's off....it may not come back on.

Anyway - back to this post. The picture below was given to us to use as our inspiration. To see the Inpsiration Challenges (among others, such as Sketch Challenges) - go check out the UDI Blog for more ideas from other talented SU! demos.

Things to Note:
-- I went with the brown (sepia look) and the daisies for my inspiration
-- To 'color' the embossed flowers, I used Shimmer Paint

I made this for a friend/co-worker whose FIL passed away. I was really pleased with how it turned out. The flowers definitely 'shimmer'. This was the first time I've used the Shimmer Paints and will definitely use them more!!

Hopefully I'll have more to post and that my laptop will continue to work and I'll be able to get things posted.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Stampin' Hugs,
Karen

UDI Inspiration Challenge 69

It's been awhile, since I've been able to participate in the UDI Inspiration challenges. A wide varitey of issues, but I finally was able to take part this week! Of course, I come back to a week that was hard for me. I had different ideas running through my head, but none actually worked out. Below is the inspiration picture.

Here is the card that I made for the challenge. It didn't turn out exactly like I had wanted, but I left it as is. I went with a couple different things from the picture - the swirl, the tree trunk lines, and the speckled look (to me at least).

The swirl didn't actually come out on my card. I have a baby shower to go to this coming weekend, so thought I would make a card for it. I also used this past weeks UDI sketch challenge on this card.

Be sure to check out the other challenge team members to see what they came up with. You can find their blog links at the UDI Blog. Also you can check out the cards on SCS using keyword DivaIC69.

Supplies:
Stamps: Curvy Verses, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
CS: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, WW
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery
Other: Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Large Oval Punch, Designer Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamping Sponges

Thanks for stopping by!!

Stampin' Hugs,
Karen

UDI Inspiration Challenge #63

Yes - it is now Sunday and I'm posting my challenge card that should be posted on Thursdays. With my laptop issues, it has driven me crazy - not to mention put me behind on many things. I truly can not live without my laptop - sad, but true.

So, onto the challenge....I see now that I posted my pictures backward, but I'm going to keep it this way for the post. Easier than having to rearrange everything.

Things to Note:

-- Brayer used to get the 3 colors on the card stock
-- Used scrap paper that I tore to get the 'waves'

Supplies:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy
CS: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Whisper White
Ink: Black Stazon, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede
Other: Soft Suede Polka Dotted Grosgrain Ribbon

Below was our Inspiration Photo. Isn't it beautiful? I love the bright Fall colors displayed here. I guess you can guess how I went with my card - the colors and how they were layered.

Be sure to check out the other member's of the challenge team to see what they came up with. You can find their blogs on the UDI Blog - on the sidebar under Inspiration Challenge Members.

UDI Inspiration Challenge #62

Ok - this was supposed to posted on Thursday, but I've been having more computer/internet problems. I think I've got most of the issues fixed - still something going on with my laptop, but that is minor. Sorry this is late!

The inspiration came from the picture below. I decided to go with the earthy color scheme and the 'polka dots' on the giraffe. Be sure to check out what the other girls came up with over at the UDI Blog.

Things to Note:
-- the trees were stamped in So Saffron, then 'rolled' in Soft Suede
-- the 'grass' is actually one of the tree top stamps in the set
-- the base card is Whisper White and sponged with Soft Suede

It's hard to tell from the picture, but the Designer Paper is from the Tall Tales DSP. It is So Saffron polka dotted and is punched on the one side with the Scallop Punch. I made this for my niece who recently had surgery. She's still recovering, but hopefully will soon be up and about!

Supplies:
Stamps: Trendy Trees
CS: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Tall Tales DSP
Ink: So Saffron, Soft Suede, Old Olive
Other: Scallop Edge Punch, Soft Suede Polka Dotted Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge

Sorry for the short post tonight!

Stampin' Hugs,
Karen

UDI Diva Inspiration Challenge #60

Well, it's Thursday and that means it's time for the UDI Inspiration Challenge. Isn't this a great picture! I love the different stripes going on here - the curtains, placemat, coffee mug, and flower pot - are each unique, but flow so well together.

So, with the different stripes - that is what I ended up using for my inspiration.

I just got this set on Tuesday with my latest club order. It is the Level 2 Asian Artistry set. I normally don't use the hostess sets, but I was really drawn to this set and can see me using it quite a bit.

Things to Note:
-- Sponged the WW card stock edges with Soft Suede
-- Main image is pop dotted

This card also follows along with the Diva Coffee Break Designs Challenge #144 - it was a color challenge this week. I liked the colors and decided to pair them up with our challenge.

This is just the inside of the card. I normally don't 'do' the inside of the card - not sure why I don't though. However, tonight I was inspired to 'do' the inside. I stamped off once on the image, so that it wasn't as stark and if needed could be written over. I also sponged the WW edges with the Soft Suede ink.

Supplies:
Stamps: Asian Artistry
CS: Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberyy, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Ink: Soft Suede
Other: Markers - Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry; Soft Suede Polka Dotted Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge

Be sure to check out the other Diva's blogs for their take on this week's challenge. To see all that participated - just go to the Utah Divas Internationals blog. You can also see all the ideas on SCS that linked to the keyword DivaIC60 - just do a search in the gallery using the keyword.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Stampin' Hugs,
Karen

Diva Inspiration Challenge #58

Can you believe it is Thursday already?? I'm glad though because that means we are one day closer to the weekend! Today is another UDI inspiration challenge for you. I missed playing along last week due to my son being in the hospital - not a planned visit. He is fine and doing good now, but that meant I wasn't able to participate last week.

So - on to today's challenge! The picture below was our inspiration. Isn't it a beautiful pot of flowers? I love the green!! You would think that I would have chose that to jump start my card, but nooooo.....

Here is what I came up with. Now I will tell ya - I am not pleased with this card. Not sure what it is, but it just doesn't do it for me. I think I've lost my mojo (the past couple cards I've made haven't turned out the way I wanted them to).

Things to Note:
-- Circle Clear Rhinestone brads were used in some of the flower centers
-- I stamped the flowers once and stamped again without reinking
-- The 2 individual flowers are cut out and popped on dimensionals

Supplies:
Stamps: Eastern Blooms
CS: Bermuda Bay, WW, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay DSP
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Other: Markers - Close to Cocoa, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Circle Clear Rhinestone Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge, 1/16" Circle Punch

Thanks for stopping by! I have some other cards to post later - they are the club cards from this week. Also - be sure to stop by the UDI Blog to see what the other challenge team members came up with!!

Stampin' Hugs,
Karen

Utah Divas Inspiration Challenge #56

Sorry this is late - I had intentions of posting sooner, but my day filled up quickly. Of which - 2 hours was spent getting my hair done. Yep - finally had it cut and colored...it's been at least 1 year or more since I've had it cut. It feels so much better!!! Now I'll need to update my picture - that didn't even look like me. I had long hair - all one length.

Ok - enough about my hair....on to the UDI Challenge this week. Below was our picture to use for inspiration. Of course, the first thing I saw was a rose (besides the obvious shoe). So, I went with the rose theme.

Things to note:
-- Filigree brad was inserted inside the Jumbo Grommet
-- Flower was colored with the new In Color marker
-- I used the sketch from this past Saturday over on the UDI Blog
-- Rich Razzleberry used for DTP on the WW

Sorry for the bad picture - I wanted to get it posted tonight though. I'll try to retake the picture tomorrow if I get a chance. Trying to get ready for a yard sale this weekend, so not sure when I'll get a chance.

Supplies:
Stamps: Fifth Ave Floral
CS: Rich Razzleberry, WW, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Ink: Palette Noir, Rich Razzleberry
Other: Rich Razzleberry Marker, Jumbo Grommet - White, Filigree Brad, Razzleberry Polka Dotted Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by!! Stop by tomorrow for some more Razzleberry fun!!
Stampin' Hugs,
Karen

Diva Inspiration Challenge #53

This was actually a tough one for me. I wanted to do something with the rainbow, but just couldn't get anything to happen. Instead I went with the waterfall and nature theme. I really think this is a beautiful and serene picture - love it.

Here is my take on it. I used the new In Color Bermuda Bay to represent the 'water' theme and then of course, flowers for nature. I decided to go with a monochromatic color scheme then as well. I just got the Bermuda Bay DSP in the mail today from a trade (thanks Marisol!) and had to open it right up!

Things to Note:
-- The stamp was inked with the Bermuda Bay and Soft Suede markers
-- New Bermuda Bay Polka Dotted Grosgrain Ribbon

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Eastern Blooms
CS: Bermuda Bay, WW, Bermuda Bay DSP
Ink: None
Other: Bermuda Bay & Soft Suede Marker, Bermuda Bay Polka Dotted Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Hope you are enjoying the new In Colors as much as I am!! Be sure to stop over at the Utah Divas Blog to see what the other Inspiration Team members came up with.

Stampin' Hugs,
Karen

Diva Inspiration Challenge - DivaIC48

It's Thursday, so that means it is Diva Inspiration Challenge over on the UDI Blog. Today's challenge was to use the picture of the purse below for our inspiration. Well, I really liked the bold design to it. I tried to do that here, but my brain wasn't quite functioning right tonight. Not sure if I really like this card or not. I'll be mailing it in the morning though to my best friend regardless. :)

For the card, I used Eastern Blooms and Garden Whimsy (the sentiment). I picked out my DSP first (Brocade Blue), which is part of the Level 1 hostess DSP pack. I wanted a touch of bold brightness, so I grabbed the Rose Red. After I started stamping and putting it together - I realized how Patriotic it looked. That's ok though. I used a sketch from Stamping 411 - SSC103.

Above is the picture of the purse - isn't it a cute purse! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Garden Whimsy
CS: Brocade Blue, WW, Brocade Blue DSP
Ink: Brocade Blue, Rose Red
Other: Brocade Blue marker, Rose Red marker, Stampin' Dimensionals (under the flower)

Just a short post today - I've been super busy this week with some personal family things, so I'm going to head to bed now. Be sure to check out the UDI Blog for the other Divas take on this challenge!

Utah Divas Inspiration Challenge #47 (DivaIC47)

Today's challenge can be seen over on the UDI blog. I went with the color scheme - purple and also the dots.

I used the Big Shots Texturz for the dots to make my background. On the raised portion, I took a q-tip and colored them with the Basic Gray ink. The flower was stamped twice on WW card stock. The first one I only colored the edges of the flower, since I layered another flower on top. The second one was colored and cut out. I adhered it with Stampin' Dimensionals for added dimension to the card. The message was also adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals. I colored the flower with a Blender Pen and the ink pads (just squeezed the pad to the lid and dipped my blender pen in the lid then to pick up the ink).

This is the inside of the card. Since I used Basic Gray card stock for the base of my card - I decided to add a piece of WW card stock inside, so my message can be easily seen. I stamped the flower in Pale Plum ink.

This is just a close up of the flower, so you can see (hopefully) the dimension. It isn't the best picture, but hoping you can get the jist.

I had fun with this challenge! Hope you take part and make something using the image for #47 as inspiration. If you do, be sure to post back here, so I can check it out and leave ya some love. If you post to an online gallery, be sure to use DivaIC47 as a keyword.

Thanks for stopping by!! Be sure to stop by the UDI blog and check out what the other Inspiration Creative Team made for the challenge!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Fifth Ave Floral
CS: Basic Gray, Pale Plum, WW
Ink: Basic Gray, Pale Plum
Other: Blender Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot Texturz Background, q-tip