My Upline, Tammy Fite, posted this sketch challenge for her Nacho Average downline members for March. 

I usually don't go searching for online challenges to participate in, but this one coming from my Upline, I knew I wanted to participate.

It can often help to have a challenge to get the creative juices flowing.

Here are the cards I came up for this challenge.

I wanted to use the scraps of paper I had on my work table.

As it happened, I had pieces of Peaceful Poppies and Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper left over from various projects.

I decided to let the DSP do the heavy lifting for me!

I really like the bright poppy watercolor design found in Peaceful Poppies DSP.  Spring just jumps off the paper!

For this card, I simply cut a piece of the DSP into a square using the Big Shot and one of the Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies.  I then made a Flirty Flamingo frame to go around it by nesting two of the dies and popping it up with Mini Dimensionals.

I embossed the Old Olive piece using the Big Shot and Subtles Embossing Folder.

The greeting is from Itty Bitty Greetings, stamped in Rich Razzleberry using the Stamparatus.

I added some Rich Razzleberry enamel dots out of my stash to complete.

Here's another take on the sketch I made using scraps of Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper.

This paper just makes me smile!

I used the Stitched Shapes and Stitched Rectangle Dies to cut out the paper for easy layering.

Then, the pieces left over from the card above where used to create this card.

One sketch morphed into three cards!

Easy, peasy!

Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper

Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper

Supplies Used:

Peaceful Poppies Card:

Stamp Set: Itty Bitty Greetings

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Paper:  Whisper White, Old Olive, Flirty Flamingo, Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Big Shot, Stitched Shapes Dies, Subtles Embossing Folder, Mini Dimensionals, enamel dots, Stamparatus

Bird Ballad Cards

Stamp Set: Itty Bitty Greetings

Ink: Soft Suede

Paper: So Saffron, Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Big Shot, Stitched Shapes and Stitched Rectangle Dies, Subtles Embossing Folder, Mini Dimensionals, Metallic Pearls, Stamparatus

I really like the simple sketch this week over at the Can You Case It? challenge site.

Here's my contribution:

For this card, I used 3 stamp sets: The Sale-A-Bration set Honeycomb Happiness (balloons) and Party with Cake (dots and sprinkles) stamped on watercolor paper using Basic Black Archival ink and then colored in using an Aqua Painter and Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry and Mint Macaron inks.  The greeting is from Celebrate Today.  It also was stamped on a piece of watercolor paper, then colored with Melon Mambo ink with an Aqua Painter.  The patterned paper is from It's My Party Designer Paper Stack. 

Honeycomb Happiness Clear-Mount Stamp Set [141291] $0.00	Celebrate Today Photopolymer Stamp Set [137138] $26.00	Party With Cake Clear-Mount Stamp Set [140672] $20.00	Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad [140931] $7.00
Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [126948] $6.50	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [131173] $6.50	Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad [138326] $6.50	Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138337] $7.00
Basic Black 12" X 12" Card Stock [124267] $6.00	It's My Party Designer Series Paper Stack [140552] $26.00	Watercolor Paper [122959] $5.00	Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00
Neutrals Candy Dots [130934] $6.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com

"Glitter" is this week's cue word over at the CASology challenge site.

Here's my contribution:

For this card, I started by cutting the butterfly image out of my Whisper White card front using the smaller Butterfly Thinlit and Big Shot and then stamping my greeting from Butterfly Basics.  I also cut out a butterfly from Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper.  I mounted a piece of Basic Black card stock onto my Whisper White card base and then mounted my stamped card front, popping it up using Dimensionals.  I then inserted the glimmer butterfly into the negative space on the card front.  I colored some rhinestones using a black Sharpie pen and added them to the card front to complete. 

Easy Glitter!

Butterfly Basics Photopolymer Bundle [138865] $41.50	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $8.50	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $7.00
Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper [140550] $5.00	Big Shot [113439] $110.00	Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments [119246] $5.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com

Love the colors for the current Sunday Stamps color challenge!

Here's my contribution:

This card came together pretty easy.  I was going through some of my retired designer series paper in an effort to clean things up a little and found a packet of Season of Style from a Christmas or two ago.  The paper had the challenge colors (Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake plus a touch of green).  I punched hearts using my Full Heart punch.  I adhered the hearts to my Crumb Cake card front and then paper pierced around them using my paper piercing tool and the heart template from the Essentials Paper Piercing Pack.  The greeting is from Bloomin' Heart stamped in Early Espresso.  I added a Early Espresso baker's twine bow to complete.

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Bloomin' Heart

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Season of Style DSP

Accessories: Full Heart punch, paper piercing tool, heart piercing template, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Mini Glue Dot

Couldn't resist playing along with the Can You Case It? Color Challenge for this week.  Love the color combo of black, red and a neutral!

Thanks Ladies for choosing my card!

Here's my contribution:

I'm loving the 4-step hummingbird image found in Picture Perfect in the 2016 Occasions Catalog from Stampin' Up!  There is a slight learning curve and it takes a little practice to get it right, but it is so worth it. 

Here are some tips that I have worked out:

1. The packaging is numbered with each stamp (1-4 for the hummingbird).  Also, each stamp has a tab at the top of it.  Use this tab for placement and alignment with each step.  To help me with the placement of the bird, I made a small tick mark on my card stock using a pencil.  I lined up the tab on the stamps with this tick mark.  Erase the mark when you are done.
2. Start with the lightest color.  For the hummingbird, I started with Smoky Slate stamped off once, then stamped the #1 hummingbird.
3. The 2nd stamp is the throat which I stamped using Real Red.  The shape of the throat matches the image of #1 stamped image.
4. I stamped the 3rd stamp using Smoky Slate full strength.
5. I stamped the 4th stamp using Tuxedo Black.
6. When aligning the stamps for the body of the hummingbird, remember to position it with the tip of the tab on your tick mark.  Other alignment points are the eye, the tail feathers, the beak and the line along the bottom of the body.

Picture Perfect Photopolymer Stamp Set [140520] $27.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad [131179] $6.50	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] $6.50
Basic Black 12" X 12" Card Stock [124267] $6.00	Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131202] $7.00	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $7.00	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650] $8.50

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com

There is a fun sketch challenge this week over at the Can You Case It Site?

Here is my contribution:

One of my all-time favorite stamping techniques is to use paint chip samples found in the paint department at our local home improvement store.  I recently found a vast treasure trove of paint chips with pretty images and color combinations printed by Behr.  I picked up a handful and have enjoyed crafting with them. 

Here is a photo of some of them I have collected.

When I saw this week's sketch challenge, I immediately thought of my stash.  Since Valentine's Day is around the corner, I picked the sample above with different shapes and colors of chocolate candy.  I punched a heart out of Love Blossoms Designer Series Paper and stamped one of the greetings from Picture Perfect.  By using this greeting, it could be used for Valentine's Day or as a thank you card.  The heart and greeting are strategically placed over the names of the paint colors. Perfect for the sketch!

Picture Perfect Photopolymer Stamp Set [140520] $27.00	Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974] $6.50	Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad [131172] $6.50	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119686] $7.00
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $8.50	Love Blossoms Designer Series Paper Stack [140548] $8.00	Full Heart Punch [119883] $16.95	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00
Stamping Sponges [101610] $3.50

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com

The challenge over at the Can You Case It site this week is Black, White and Elegant.

I decided that I'd create a simple card using the Lace and Glitter Technique.  Here's my contribution:

This is a super simple technique, but the results are really pretty and sparkly!

Here's how:

You will need a piece of lace, fine glitter and sticky backed paper.  I use a full sheet label from Avery (available at any office supply store). Cut it down to size and then peel off the backing exposing the sticky side.

Secure a piece of lace onto the sticky back.  I place the lace and label in a powder pal to help control where the glitter goes.  As we all know, glitter can end up everywhere!

Add a small amount of glitter to the top of lace and with the tips of your fingers, work it into the design of the lace as it starts to stick to the sticky background.  Start with a small amount of glitter to avoid big clumps.  You can always add more glitter if needed.

Once you've worked in the glitter, pick up the piece and gently tap off any loose pieces of glitter into the powder pal.  Carefully peel the lace off the sticky background, and you're left with a sparkly lace pattern!

Because the label paper is pretty flimsy, I attached it to a piece of card stock before trimming it down and adding it to my black matting. 

The greeting is from Sincere Salutations, one of my all-time favorite greeting sets.  Long time retired, but I still use it on a pretty regular basis.

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Sincere Salutations

Ink: Tuxedo Black

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: Powder Pal

Non Stampin' Up: Avery Full Sheet Labels, lace,fine glitter

I found this fun sketch over at the TGIF challenge site:

Here's my contribution:

For this card, I did a watercolor emboss resist background.  I stamped the sun and greeting from Kinda Eclectic on a piece of watercolor paper using Versamark ink and heat embossed it with Early Espresso embossing powder.  I then spritzed the watercolor paper with water and swiped Crushed Curry and Cajun Craze ink using an aqua painter.  After the paper dried completely, I stamped the speckles from Gorgeous Grunge using Cajun Craze ink. 

Kinda Eclectic Clear-Mount Stamp Set [135350] $20.00	Gorgeous Grunge Clear Stamp Set [130517] $18.00	Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [131173] $6.50	Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad [126965] $6.50
Versamark Pad [102283] $7.50	Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119686] $7.00	Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119684] $7.00	Watercolor Paper [122959] $5.00
Heat Tool [129053] $30.00	Early Espresso Stampin' Emboss Powder [128980] $4.95	Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com

My entry was picked as one of the Top Cups for this challenge!  Wow, thank you ladies!

I really liked the soft color combination for this week's Sunday Stamps color challenge.

So, I decided to play along.  Here's my contribution:

For this card, I did the emboss resist technique using watercolor paper and You've Got This stamp set.  I first inked up the large background stamp in Versamark, stamped it on watercolor paper and then heat embossed it with white embossing powder.  Then, I stamped the flower image over the background image using Versamark and heat embossed it with pewter embossing powder.  I then spritzed the watercolor paper with water and using an aqua painter, I swished on Melon Mambo, Crumb Cake and Blushing Bride ink.  I let the ink soak into the paper a little while, then buffed it off using a paper towel.  The embossing will resist the ink!  One of my favorite background techniques!

You've Got This Clear-Mount Stamp Set [139575] $28.00	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [126948] $6.50	Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad [126975] $6.50	Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad [131172] $6.50
Versamark Pad [102283] $7.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $8.50	Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [120953] $7.00	Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131198] $7.00
Heat Tool [129053] $30.00	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132] $5.00	Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder [109130] $5.00	Pewter Stampin' Emboss Powder [124114] $4.75
Aqua Painters [103954] $17.00	Hexagon Punch [130919] $16.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com

I'm feeling a little lost as 2016 begins.  The Nacho Average site is no longer offering weekly challenges.  As part of the Design Team, it was really nice to have challenges that I could work on in advance.  It gave me a purpose for blog postings.  Now, I'm on my own...

But with the help of Heather H. a very loyal Nacho Average challenge poster, I have a list of weekly challenges that I can follow and participate in.  She is a self described "challenge addict", so I asked her which ones were her favorites.  The first on her list was Can You Case It.  I checked out the site and I instantly knew I could play along with their first color challenge of 2016:

Here's my contribution:

 One of my goals is to use stamp sets that have been sitting on the shelf for awhile.  This was the case with Work of Art which I think I had only used once or twice.  This is a very versatile stamp set for creating shapes and abstracts.  I put the challenge colors right to work to create a fun flower using the larger solid image stamp in the set to create petals in Blackberry Bliss.  The center of the flower and greeting were stamped in Blue Lagoon.  Easy, easy as the color possibilities are endless.

Work Of Art Clear-Mount Stamp Set [134114] $22.00	Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad [133642] $6.50	Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad [133644] $6.50	Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133679] $7.00
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $8.50

Links by TheseAreMyStamps.com