Three Challenges Card

Today's card challenged me to incorporate three different aspects: color combination, sketch, and retiring products.  Actually the card was made for June's Stamp Club HW.  Our instructor challenged us to the color combination and I added the sketch and retiring products.

Card #1

Color combination

Retiring product

• Eastern Elegance DSP
• Express Yourself Stamp Set

My version

Description: I'm still on a mission to use my retired DSP in some great and creative ways.  When I started to make this card, I realized that I don't really have So Saffron, but my upline said we could use the closest.  So, I went with Crushed Curry as featured in the Eastern Elegance DSP.  The DSP also features Coastal Cabana instead of Pool Party, but in just the little bit that you see, it's not a big difference.  I kept the card base in Pool Party.  I then added some random stamping to the base to give some visual interest.  Simple card, but great use of color.

• Stamps: Mosaic Madness; Express Yourself (retired)
• Inks: Pool Party; Basic Gray
• Cardstock: Eastern Elegance DSP (retired); Pool Party; Smoky Slate
• Accessories:
• Tools: Hexagon Punch (banner ends)

Card #2

Color combination

Sketch

Retiring product

• Eastern Elegance DSP
• Express Yourself Stamp Set

My version

Description: My second card is again using the Pool Party, Smoky Slate, and Crushed Curry (instead of So Saffron) color combination.  I also aimed to again use my Eastern Elegance DSP.  But for this one, I added a Mojo Monday sketch.  I love how the circle patterns blended into each other.  However, I probably should have stuck to a Crushed Curry sentiment instead of adding the Pool Party.  Oh well...

• Stamps: Express Yourself (retired)
• Inks: Pool Party
• Cardstock: Eastern Elegance DSP (retired); Pool Party; Smoky Slate
• Accessories:
• Tools: 2" Circle Punch; Hexagon Punch (banner ends)

Card #3

Color combination

Sketch

Retiring product:

• Eastern Elegance DSP
• Banner Greetings Stamp Set

My version

Description: I think this is my favorite of the three cards  I love the combination of patterns and colors.  I think this design really does balance itself out.

• Stamps: Banner Greetings (retired)
• Inks: Pool Party
• Cardstock: Eastern Elegance DSP (retired); Smoky Slate; Pool Party
• Accessories:
• Tools: Hexagon Punch (banner ends); 2" Circle Punch; 1 3/8" Circle Punch; 1 1/4" Circle Punch

Sunday Haul #1

Warning: This post is incredibly long and picture heavy.  I may have a bit of a crafting supply addiction...Every Sunday I will be highlighting the crafting products that I bought/received from the previous week. This first haul encompasses the craft purchases from the month of April and the first part of May.

Obligatory Michael's visit.  I run in to get snail, and look at all the stuff I bought!  (Not shown: Door prizes for my crafting open house a few weeks back).  I grabbed a cute desktop organizer that fits some of my PL cards, snail, pack of Amy Tangerine designed cardstock (really good weight), and the Inspirational PL Theme Pack.

I also received two RAKs in the mail.  I'm especially loving the alphabet stickers.  Can never have too many of those.

I received my PL Rain partial that I ordered from the FB group.  So pretty! Finally I have some cards with purple in them.  And I finally picked up a partial Midnight kit.

This past month I became a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  That also means that I had to order my starter kit.  $125 worth of product for $99!  I got my total down to having $0.25 left.  I'd say that I spent my money wisely.

• Island Indigo Ink Pad -- How do I not own this ink pad yet?  I have the marker and adore the color.
• Glue dots -- I use these a ton.
• Glue sticks -- Bought for classes and workshops.
• Embossing Buddy -- I have no idea where mine disappeared to...
• Polka Dot 8" x 8" Album -- Thinking about making this my Daily December album for this coming year.
• Green Dot 6" x 6" Album -- Not sure what to do with this one yet, but it was on clearance for a great price.

• Letters to Santa DSP -- Clearance and retired, but such a cute pattern that I couldn't resist.
• Epic Day This and That Stickers -- To go with the journal.  I already own the washi tape.
• Blender Pens -- Been wanting these for awhile.  Figured I should finally buy them.
• Basic Black Ink Pad -- My black ink pad is one of the old designs.  I know they've reformulated the ink, so I thought it was time for a new one.
• 2013-2015 In Color DSP -- I really need to highlight these gorgeous colors more.

I also put in my April club order to snap up some retiring items.  All the items from my April club order are retiring and all but the markers are now completely gone.

• 2012-2014 In Color 12x12 Cardstock
• 2012-2014 In Color 8.5x11 Cardstock
• 2012-2014 In Color Markers
• Primrose Petals Reinker
• Gumball Green Reinker
• Summer Starfruit Reinker
• Midnight Muse Reinker

I made another $150 order to get my 30% off in the first 45 days.

• Birthday Cake Stamp (Retired)
• Rich Razzleberry Ink
• Calypso Coral Ink
• Mosaic Madness Stamps
• Mosaic Punch
• Dimensionals
• Daydream Medallions Stamps
• Subtles 8.5x11 Cardstock (2 packs)
• Project Life Card Collection -- not pictured
• Project Life Accessory Pack -- not pictured
• Project Life Stamps (both sets) -- not pictured

i stopped in at Big Lots randomly one day and snapped up some glue runner and paper packs.  My total for three paper packs and glue runner was $10.  Very cheap!

I took advantage of the tail end of SU's free shipping event to place my May club order early.

• 2013-2015 In Color Core'dinations 12x12 cardstock
• Retro Fresh This and That Stickers
• Basic Pearls
• Chalk Marker
• Silver Glimmer Paper

I won a RAK of 5th and Frolic cards from one of my FB groups.  They finally came in the mail this weekend.

And I took advantage of RUKrisitin's Mother's Day Sale to snap up this box of goodness:

Archives: Cards #23

Originally published on June 23rd, 2013

Waiting until the last moment, I scrambled to finish my stamp club homework last week.  I got on a roll and made four variations.  My favorite is the first one.  I love the subtle colors and play on pattern. The last one was my second attempt at negative image using a brayer. This one turned out much better than my first attempt.  I love the watermelon colors and the simplicity of the star stamps.

This beauty of a card was made by my Stamp Club friend Sara.  She made each of a us a pretty card.  Of course, I got a new baby card with a nice little message inside.  I love the simplicity of this card.  Although I can't believe that she cut out that kangaroo.  So nice!

At stamp club, we made three awesome cards.  I always love Pam's designs.  I love the ruffled ribbon on the first one, but don't think I would use it enough to justify the cost from Stampin' Up.  The second card makes great use of washi tape to add extra fun to the butterfly.  The third card was sent through Pam's trading program.  The lady cut out each of the inserts.  So time-consuming!  But it does make for a gorgeous card.