A Day and a Night of Cards and Challenges!

I made 4 cards yesterday and today, that is pretty much a record for me, at least this year! Each card had their beginnings at 365 Cards to use white space. From there, I designed each by leaning on other challenges to help me create my projects. Thanks so very much for blog challenges and the ones that understand the need of their assistance in aiding card makers in Mojo and Inspiration! Don't forget, when we use more than one challenge and post your name on our blog it is just one more way to advertise!

First card is Day 43 at 365 Cards. I want to thank Gloria and Rose for leading me in the way of breaking all the rules. And to my DD Kim for leading me back! OK, I did the white space by cutting out the oval (just like Gloria did) but by using a shadow box technique the focal point is in the oval. I also followed the challenge at 'Lil Red Wagon to embellish and emboss.  Frosted Designs asked for a tree in honor of Earth Day (peek through the window, big trees in there). And, The Secret Crafter is seeking cards with the theme, A Day Out. A walk in the woods to a secluded cabin is a priceless day out!

The 2nd card is based on the sketch at 365 Cards Day  #44. I thought it looked like a 'flag' at first, but I didn't go in that direction. I have a very good friend's daughter getting married this summer and so this will go with the shower gift. I used SU! Melon Mambo which is one of the colors of her wedding. I am entering this in Other Lovelies to use embellishments, I love the simpilicity of the pearls (hey Kim, I found a few more hidden under my 'stuff!)

And this is the finished inside.

This is for 365 Cards Day #45. Wasn't planning on doing this and then I thought, "Kimmy will be upset with me if I don't play along with her challenge at 365 this week". So I made a card for a new home. Don't really know anyone moving (in this economy) but I'll have it now, Just-In Case...love that commercial! It also goes with the challenge at Stamp Something to use layers. I haven't done many cards with triangles and they just looked so plain that I decided to layer them up. Cute Card Thursday requires 'touchy/feely' which is the tissue flower. This tissue paper is a little stiffer (thicker) than the packing tissue paper and works so much better for the fluffy flower look.

And this is the inside. The verse is pretty wide open so it could be a welcome to the neighborhood card, oh wait! that's the name of the SU! Designer paper!

And the last card is for 365 Cards Day #46. The sketch looked like an arrow pointing somewhere, so I decided to make it a grad card - pointing to the future! (Actually I just now thought of that...)

Paper Play Challenge asked for a sticker and that would be the graduate cap.

And this is the inside.

That's all for now, need to get busy and make Administrative Assistant gifts for office staff. Couldn't do my job without 'em.

Enjoy the rest of your week-end.

Stamping SAM aka Kim's MOM.

Snow Baby the Snowman Has Heart...Viola!

Challenges for 365 Cards, Days 262 - 266, so please keep scrollin' down!

Short post, except for the 5 card pics. It's late and I know I'll make tooooo many typos!

Day 266 - Color me with This. I used colored pencils w/OMS. Also used 'out of the box' technique with the rectangle nestie.

This is Day 265, Simply Put. Challenge was to use one DP, one embellishment and one sentiments. The DP is a carboard backing from a Mary Engelbreit bookmark package, the embellishment is ME and the sentiment is SU!

This is for Day 264 - Keep it To Yourself. The challenge was to make a congratulatory card without a sentiment. Can you guess what the congratulations is on this one??? The squares were punched out with a nestie and it punched through the CA and DP at the same time. Didn't think it would work but it did.

This shows the inside of the baby congrats card.
The heart and wheels are punched out of glitter paper.
I cased this from raiwolf on Splitcoast Stampers.

This is for Day 263 - Ad Inspired. I zoomed in on the picture on the right side of the picture. This is cased also, from Zindorf!
Wish I had a lighter touch on the shading like she does! If you haven't looked at her work please take some time to, she is inspirational. She is not 'just' a card maker (like myself) she is an artist!

This is for the last day, the 5th and final card I made today. It is for Day 262 - Color scheme challenge. I used all the colors but some are minimal - so look close!

That's all folks! Let me know if you need anymore deets. I was asleep 3 hours ago so it will be interesting to proof read this in the morning. You might want to check back and see all the changes I made!

Ok, I slept till 9 this morning and did find a few minor typos. I'll drink another cup of java and check again later! Hope you enjoyed my creations. By the way, I started making the 5 cards last night after dinner at 7 and completed them by midnight. Those that know me know this is a miracle of sorts!

Stamping by SAM

Royal Christmas Card

Quick card for Sunday, November 15 Day 260 - Super Sketchy Sunday.

This is the sketch...

Used a dimensional sticker by Pooch and Sweetheart, Hampton sentiment stamp, the tag is the cardboard backing from 'some package', lavender paper and ribbon. The inside is finished also, I'll try to get a picture in the morning...for now...going beddy bye!

Thanks for looking!

Stamping by SAM

Inspirational Mug Shot!

Made a quick card tonight, ya know, the 10 minute card that takes 60 minutes!

My inspiration was the mug in the photo. My DD Kim gave it to me some years back (Thanks Kimmy) and I have been wanting to make a card with the red stripes and snowflakes. This fits perfectly with 365 cards challenge for Monday, November 16, Day 261 - Card Recipe.

• 4x4 Card
• Red Background
• Snowflakes (pattern, embellishments, any #, and any variety)
• 1 ribbon
• stamped sentiment

I used clear embossing on the cuttlebugged snowflakes card base and to make the stripes. The snowflakes are embossed with white and glitter. The Merry and Bright is from Stampin' Up.

Wouldn't this be a great gift, mug with a card to match and fill it with goodies. Sorry my friends, this is my favorite winter mug for hot chocolate and Chai Tea Latte! Maybe, just maybe, I'll look for another mug to use for an inspirational gift!

Night all!

Stamping by SAM

Harvest Geese!

OK, I'm on a roll, 2 cards these week! No more until the week-end though - we have parent conferences till 7 pm the next two nights. Picture me sleepy!

This card fits the criteria for 4 challenges. Decided to keep it simple!



* The first, of course, is the free digi from There's Magic In the Air. Nina provides the digi along with a challenge. This was by Curt to use pop up dots to provide some 'pop'. I 'lifted' the pumpkins and basket.

*The second challenge is Day 234 - Tuesday's Trio at 365 Cards. This kind of challenge is fun because the trio on all the cards should be the same, but how you use them is remarkably different. The trio elements are: Pearl - Tag - Ribbon. It's hard to tell in the photo, but I lucked out and found an 'orangey' pearl to blend with the color scheme, which is the next challenge...

*from Monday, October 19, 2009 colourQ challenge #3. The colors are pumpkin pie, apricot appeal, certainly celery, pale plum with black and a neutral allowed.

*The last challenge I incorporated is the sketch from Papertake Weekly, Sketch #26 . A pretty simple clean sketch, just right for late night card making - well - late for me!

Not bad for a card I started after 8pm! Hope you enjoyed my Thanksgiving card and I hope to be back this week-end to solve a few more challenges. I'm glad I'm feeling better but now my DH is feverish and not feeling well. Gee Willies, I guess after all these years we can still share! SAM

Thanks...again!

Wow! Two thank you cards in a row for 365 Cards. Today challenge is Day 217 - Stampin' Saturday, to stamp a background pattern that is the same color as your card stock. I chose Soft Suede and Very Vanilla. I used my new Circle Circus set and the "Thanks" is the same stamp I used yesterday from the bundle of goodies from Pam. It is stamped on the inside of the card. Thought I had a plastic bubble to fit over the 'Thanks' but couldn't find them in all my mess.

That's all for tonight. I've been freezing all day with a sweatshirt on and now I'm burning up with my T-shirt on! This aging thing is getting on my nerves!!!
Till next time - SAM

A Simple Thanks...

This started out to be a Christmas card but somewhere I made a turn (go figure) and ended up with a Thank You card! LOL! This is for today's challenge
Day 216 - Ad Inspired. It is one ad inspired challenged I liked right away because it would be easy to do a CAS design, my favorite. The pic below is the tote bags that inspired us...

Below is my take on the sketch. The DP is SU! but I don't remember which one and it is paired with So Saffron CS. The stamp images are from Scenic Route clear Stamps part of my winnings from Pam last month. I really like the flower and it stamped so clearly, not always the case with clear stamps. I have been using a white eraser to rub the the stamp and then clean it with stamp cleaner and it seems to help get a better stamped image. I read that somewhere and it does seem to work. I added clear gel pen to the flowers for shine and green rhinestones for the centers.

Pretty proud of myself keeping up this week with getting the cards done faster. Now I'll actually have to do some work around the house tomorrow and get caught up on that! Stamping is just so much more fun! Till next time. SAM

A kinda-sorta Feng Shui designer card! (LOL)

Promised myself I wouldn't make a card today but the challenge at 365 Cards for Thursday, October 1, 2009 Day 215 - 4 Elements was a most difficult challenge making it a difficult challenge to pass up! The challenge is to "Divide your card into 4 parts representing the 4 basic elements: water, fire, earth, and air." Sound simple? Not quite, but this is my take on it.

And this is the inside, not much design but needed it with the black card base. I picked 4 different colored designed papers from The Green Stack Mat Pack, cut in 1" strips for the front to represent the 4 elements, made a embossed metal thank you tag, black grosgrain ribbon knotted down the front.

I'm anxious to see what everyone else comes up with on this one, although not many have entered yet! Must be a lot of thinking going on! Till next time, signing off - SAM

Sweet Missouri Dogwood!

This is my entry for the last day of September for the challenge at 365 Cards, Wednesday, September 30, 2009 Day 214 - White Space. Below is the sketch Pam gave us to follow, to only place stamping and embellishments in the black space.

I used the SU! Just Vine set, a set I bought on E-Bay but haven't used, for Sunday's sketch and fell in love with it! So here it is again...

It reminds me of Dogwood trees that bloom in the spring here in the Midwest. You always see the blooms first and when they fall off the tree produces leaves. It is always the first sign of spring and gets everyone excited for warmer weather. The small dogwood flowers are from a small flower punch. Use a soft mat, an embossing tool and push down in the center to give the flower dimension. The large white flower I bought at a local Farmington store called the Red Rooster. A local lady is making them and selling at the store. It would be pretty easy to copy except I have never seen the center punch with the tulip shape flowers. If you have let me know where you found it. I think a snowflake punch would work for the center also and make a nice winter card. Of course it had to have bling so I used stickles for the flower centers.

Well, that's all for tonight and this month, can't believe tomorrow is October 1st. Friday is Farmington's Homecoming so we only have a half school day, then I'm planning to go to Desloge (yes, it really is on the map!) to help with the traveling Vietnam Wall. Take care and Good Night! SAM

Pumpkin In Pieces...

and put back together again! Must be a relative of Humpty Dumpty!
This card completes a challenge for today, which is, Day 213 - In Pieces. Probably could have done more (or better) with this one but still feeling a little under the weather. Not bad enough to stay home from work as my daughter suggested (Gee - where did I get these work ethics?!?!) but bad enough I think I will go on to bed!

I didn't follow the pumpkin pattern exactly, just could not cut out the little vine and the leaf just didn't look right. Other that, used SU! DP So Saffron, lovely lilac CS and the bat paper is a DP I bought at Micheals.

Well take card where a mask so germs aren't spread, wash your hands, don't breath and lay low! SAM

Bling! Bling! Who's There?

Get it? Bling! Bling! Who's there? OK, it's late and I tend to get a little silly when I can't keep my eyes open...So let's change it to the Blooper show! I don't know why we always show our 'bestest' cards - why not show our bloopers and prove to the world that we are human beings with kind and compassionate hearts? So that's what I am doing tonight. I started on the 365 Cards, Day 211 - Super Sketchy Sunday on Sunday night and loved what I was making until I tried to put the sentiment on and '''blooper'''! Smudged the ink, had it all over my hands and stamped the sentiment 3 times! I quit and went to bed...scroll down to see the card I started this morning and finished after work tonight before my low impact aquatic exercise class.

And this is the finished product, oh no! wait! could it be? yes it is! another smudge! And I really do like this card...oh well, let's keep scrolling down to see the finished card...

This is the real card (please stand up!) for my entry at 365 Cards, Day 211 - Super Sketchy Sunday! (Applause, applause!) It is also for Splitcoast Challenge CAS34 to use pink, green, blue, white and chocolate if you wish.

YES! I DID IT! I covered the smudge with a butterfly, I love butterflies coz they cover smudges! Now every time you see a butterfly on my card you will guess there is a smudge under it. Maybe - maybe not!

The next card is for today, Day 212 - On the Fringes. This week's challenge at Card Patterns Bringing you Sketch 34. And for Splitcoast Challenge To Try a New Technique, Foil Embossing. Wow! A trio of challenges on one card, wait, didn't I just do that last week at 365 Cards?
.
Now can you see where I got my title? Both cards have lots and lots of bling, bling!
That's all for tonight, gotta wind down so I'll go to sleep. :) Everyone have a great Tuesday!

signing off - Stamping by SAM

5 Cards posted for 365 Cards, please keep scrolling, or is it strolling down?

This card is for Tuesday, September 22, 2009 Day 206 - Tuesday Triplets. The challenge is to make 3 of everything you put on the card except for the sentiment. OK I'm a reader that skims the text so I thought it had to be only one thing in triplet form. That is, until I sent a preview to my DD and she informed I would need 3 sets of leaves! Good thing she is a better reader than me! So 24 hours later I finished the card (it was just too-too late that night).The stamped images are from Flourishes Strawberries set.


This card is for Wednesday, September 23, 2009 Day 207 - DIY: Patterned Paper , challenging us to make our own background paper. I used a wax paper resist technique that I have done before. (You can see it here.) And this is a link to Gina K stamp TV that shows you how to do to make it. or you can find it at Splitcoast Resources. Basically, wad up wax paper, smooth it out, place between 2 glossy CS, dust off your iron (place paper on bottom and top to protect iron) and iron away. Then brayer on color. I've seen this done with embossing folders too.I'm disappointed how this picture turned out, the resist piece is really a nice shade of green and goes so well with the dusty durango and animal theme. It is the most creative background I like to make. ps I made this the night before Pam challenged us with a jungle theme. We must have been on the same wave length! LOL


This card is for Thursday, September 24, 2009 Day 208 - Challenge Combo and Saturday, September 26, 2009 OCC Challenge - Monochromatic Mania. For 365 we were to look through June, July and August and pick one challenge from each to combine on one card. Well, I have noticed some over achievers on this challenge (LOL) but it's not me today! I picked only picked 4: Day 180 - to go Vintage,
Day 149 - Try a Technique: Sponging, Day 127 - the Sunday Sketch, and Day 114 - Lovin' Lavender! Which I just had to do with the August card kit from Mackenzie Mae Designs (Thanks Pam!) for being the August winner at 365 Cards! So exciting and what a wonderful additional supply to my card making supplies. You can see how beautiful it is...


This card is for Friday, September 25, 2009 Day 209 - It's a Jungle Out There. A jungle theme! I considered using the other card I made 'Wild Thing' wax paper resist for this challenge since it was already made but decided I needed it for the DIY DP since I really couldn't think of anything better to do. So using the same stamp set, IngueBoutique - Safari, I made another jungle theme card for the week.



This is for today's challenge, Saturday, September 26, 2009 Day 210 - Try a Technique - Sanding. I pulled out a sheet of Core'dinations black CS, a fiskars embossing plate, MS jack-o-lantern punch, tag punch, MS fence punch, ribbon, buttons, cuttlebug letters, kraft CS and a generic dark brown CS to make a Halloween theme card.

That's all for today Folks! Need to rest, have a sore throat and my DH says I look like the stuff in the pasture and I should go back to bed! To late for that, he'll expect dinner in 1 hour! Have a great and safe week-end...

Many Thanks!

Before I post my card, I would like to congratulate my daughter Kim for her second win as a member in the Top Trio at 365 Cards for the past week! Way to go Kim! She made the top trio with this sketch for Day 197. She is quite the creative artist, check out her blog for some really good card making techniques.

Now on to my card for Monday, September 21, 2009 Day 205 - Color Scheme. Which is shown below. It's hard to tell the true colors so I used most of the current in-colors in SU!

Then I followed the sketch below MoJo Monday to design my card. I knew I wanted to use the set of stamps I received with my demo kit, Circle Circus. I decided to use only one of the circles after stamping the whole variety in the set but it was too much, so I went back to stamping some more. Thanks Kim for you guidance!

And this is the finished card. Hope you like it. I'm having fun trying out the new in-colors, they really compliment each other.

Have a great day tomorrow, smile, it takes less muscles and you won't be so tired at the end of the day! SAM

In the Pink Birthday!

This card is for Sunday, Day 204 - Super Sketchy Sunday at 365 Cards using the following sketch. I combined it with the OCC Challenge - A Yummy Color Combo of pinks, white and brown.

Cute sketch, but I made a small card and had to 'squeeze' my layout to get it to fit so I couldn't put all the flowers on it that it needed.

All card stock and stamps are SU! The rest is embellishments I have bought elsewhere. I ended up with lots of bling and even used some stickles that I haven't used for quite awhile. First time too that I didn't touch the stickles before they dried. Put the stickles on and went to bed! Must be the only cure for me, just sleep through the drying process!

Well, best get ready for work. It's my paperwork day so a lot is piled on top of my desk...
Have a great Tuesday! SAM

One layer Mosaic

This card is for Monday, Day 198 - Make a Mosaic. I've seen stamped images like this before and wanted to try it myself. I know there is a mosaic stamp, but, alas I didn't have it in all my gear! (Maybe the only stamp I don't have! LOL)
So I went to Microsoft Word and made my own. I drew various square shapes in a 5" x 5" square and made the line bold for each square. I printed that on Whisper White CS. Using the latest SU! In Colors, I masked and sponged each area.

Before removing the post-it note paper I stamped the image. Removed the paper and moved on to the next square. Really easy to do!

I used SU! stamp sets Essence of Love, Gentler Times, and Etruscan.

If you need anymore on this technique just let me know. Was going to start the hexagon card but I think I'll call it a night! Sweet dreams all and don't let the bed bugs bite! SAM

Fall Tree

This card is made for Sunday, September 13, 2009 Day 197 - Super Sketchy Sunday. On Saturday nights before I go to sleep (you know, the time period your brain is still awake and your body isn't?) I decide what theme card I will make for the Super Sketchy Sunday challenge. Last night decided on a fall card. I had just bought some fall DP at Mikes, so I wanted to use it. This is the sketch...

And this is my take on the sketch...

And this is the inside of the card...

I always try to finish the inside when I use a dark color card base. Operative word here is TRY! Want to thank Pam for an easy sketch this week that tied in with my goal! The card base is from Textured CS Neutral from the Paper Studio. The DP is Tim Coffey Fall Gold Leaf Scroll. The tree stamp is Fall Season by Inkadinkado stamped on Very Vanilla and popped up. Ribbon and corner punch. Viola! Done!

So why did it take me 5 hours to make? Hmmm, surfing through all your blogs, looking at new techniques to do, adding more blogs to my list, eating breakfast, starting the laundry. 2 cups of coffee (didn't spill it this time!), watching TV, relaxing - well, isn't that what a day off is all about? Did I mention I'm still in my PJs? Now I'm going to get busy and cram 10 hours of work into the next 5 hours!

Have a great day and just forget that tomorrow is Monday! SAM

Oh, No! A Nature CD?

Please scroll down, 3 days of 365 Cards challenges posted below!

My title tells it all! The first card is for Day 194 - Imagine This: Technology. Well, to be honest, I didn't feel any inspiration from technology. It is a convenient evil that now makes our world spin! The evil part is how it is ever changing everything we do and without it, everything stops. For instance, I have made this card for Judy, a wonderful, tech savvy secretary at my school. That is, until this year...our district updated the program that manages ALL students. Without it, we know nothing! Judy has been working from July to learn how this program works. Matter of fact, her first week back she could not do her job because she was told "it just isn't ready to use yet." Well, she has done everything short of pulling her hair out, the program has so many glitches that she just can't control and nobody knows what to do to help. Therefore, Judy is my inspiration! I just hope this card gives her a reason to smile again.

The card base is Bravo Burgundy, River Rock sentiment panel and the DP is Sparkle Climbing Flowers by Cloud 9 Design. The CD is a freebie that I scored with a razor blade, heated with my embossing gun and as it cooled I bent it to crack and break it (be careful if you try this and protect your eyes!) The hammer I stole off the birthday card our daughter Kim made for her dad. (You can see it here) Sorry Kim, I can't put it back, would you send another one? Thank you!

The second card is for Friday, Day 195 - Pretty Pattern. We were challenged to create a piece of clothing using gingham. I love gingham, grew up wearing a lot of it and even used it to make curtains. I wanted to make a Santa in gingham but couldn't find an image to work. I finally found this clip art image that worked with the gingham. I actually did some more piecing which I am becoming more comfortable with. Don't know why she's saying "Oh, No!" My first thought was a zit, then I thought maybe chicken pox, and then I decided she was surprised to be wearing gingham! I guess I'll decide when I finally give it to someone. Oh, by the way, she does look like my DD.

The last card is for today's challenge, Saturday, September 12, 2009 Day 196 - Just a Touch of Color. I kept this card very simple. Kraft CS card base, whisper white for the panel, colored the flower with a gold color pencil, sentiment and ribbon. Took all of 10 minutes and that included deciding what to do! Wish they could all be that way.


Hope your enjoying your week-end. We are having beautiful weather here and I'm wishing I could 'can' it to take out for the winter. Keep a smile on your face, people will wonder what you're up to! SAM