UDI Inspiration Challenge - Has Anyone Seen My Mojo?

Hey folks! Well, I finally had some time to get back in the studio yesterday and managed to get one card made - the one for this post. In my defense, my time was cut short by a lot of interruptions including a quick trip to the grocery store - yeah, my favorite thing to do too! But I digress, as the title of my post implies - I have left my stamping mojo laying around somewhere and can't seem to find it! I haven't stamped in almost a week - yes, sad, but true- and boy was my lack of creative starting points evident yesterday.

Well, I might as well get on with it and show you my attempt at this challenge photo (be sure to visit the UDI Blog to see what the rest of the design team created, ok?):

And here is my card:

Now, before you ask, "Where are the butterflies?", let me explain that those butterflies in the photo did nothing for me, no, not one thing. BUT, that color combo was really intriguing so I went with that and still managed to add a little butterfly love to the bow accent.
This card is very basic and I'll give you the supply list below, but I did want to point out that there IS glitter on the flowers and the little butterfly - gotta have a little bling! Doesn't that make it all better?

Anyway, don't be too harsh with this one - I'll find my mojo somewhere - or if maybe you have some extra, you can send it my way?! Pretty please?!

Mark and I are headed back to Richmond today to see my Dad - after seeing him on Tuesday, he seemed to be improving, but I spoke with him last night on the phone and he was not himself and in obvious pain. Since he couldn't tell us what his doctors are saying, we need to travel the 2 hours to him and find out what is going on. I thank you again for all the prayers, keep sending them, we need every one.

Stamped love to you all,
~~Robin

Supply List:
Stamps: Awash With Flowers (sneak peek)
Inks: Black Staz-On, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Lovely Lilac, Almost Amethyst (I used markers directly on the stamps for the flowers) Garden Green
Cardstock: Ballet Blue, Whisper White
Accessories: Beautiful Butterflies Embosslit, Big Shot, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2-Way Glue Pen, Brocade Blue 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, Mini-Glue Dots

Mambo Upsy Daisy

Hi Stampers! Another quick post for you today - I have lots to catch up on in the studio today since I haven't stamped since last Friday! A quick update for you on my Dad, he is still in the hospital but improving after one procedure. We are still waiting to see when his surgery will be, but after seeing him yesterday, he looks and sounds 100% better than he did on Saturday. All my plans for the week are still on hold until we know more, but since he is stable, I'll deal with that!

Today's card was heavily cased from one of my stampin' friends Kay Kalthoff who is also one of my GoDivas swap group. When you view her original card at this link here, you will see that I didn't change much about this card at all - it was really eye-catching just like it was! Plus the gals at Just Cards class and my workshop last week just loved it!

Here is the supply list: Stamps: Upsy Daisy; Cardstock; Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Whisper White; Inks: Melon Mambo; Accessories: Black Gingham Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

Have a great day everyone! I'll be working in the studio today, sticking close by the phone, so I should have some new creations for you to look at for my design teams over the next few days, so be sure to come back!
And thanks for all the prayers for my Dad - we feel every one of them!
~~Robin

Fun Floral Birthday

Good Monday morning everyone! This is going to be a quick post today - just a fun little card that I cased from my friend Barbara Dondero. She is a great stamper and part of my GoDivas swap group too. I saw the card at this link here and just had to case it for my Just Cards classes last week.

If you look at both cards, you can see that I made a few changes, but it is very close to the original - why mess with a good thing? :) I'll put my supply list at the bottom of this post for you.

Just a note to let you know that my posts may be a bit sporadic this week - on Saturday when we went to Richmond for my cousin's memorial service, my Dad had to be admitted to the hospital there and he is expected to be there through the week at least. We will be traveling back there tomorrow and probably again later in the week, so my stamping will be catch as catch can. Thanks so much for all your thoughts, prayers, comments and e-mails - it is wonderful to know that there is a community of friends who care~!
God bless,
~~Robin

Supply List:
Stamps: Happy Moments (SAB)

Inks: Black Staz-On, Stampin' Write Markers: Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Pretty in Pink, Green Galore
Cardstock: Whisper White, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Big Shot with Circles #2 Die and Perfect Polka-Dot Embossing folder; 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Whisper White Taffeta ribbon, Linen Thread, 1/16" Hole punch, Scalloped Edge Border Punch (SAB), Corner Rounder Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2 Way Glue Pen

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge

Hello stamping friends - since it's Friday night it's time for me to post this week's Saturday Sketch Challenge from the Stamping 411 blog. The sketch this week I think has a lot of fun possibilities, and I have another idea for it that I will post later next week. But today I used it to make a very special card for my Aunt Theresa and Uncle Eddie.
Here is the sketch:

And here is my card: (details are at the bottom of this post)

I don't make sympathy cards very often, and I'm glad for that, but this card is for me to give to my aunt and uncle on Saturday at the memorial service for my cousin Tina. She passed away a couple of weeks ago and I have to say it's hit me harder than I thought it would. We were extremely close growing up, but in our late teens, we went our separate ways, living entirely different lives. She had a difficult life to say the least, but I believe she is happy and whole now and in heaven with our Grandma who loved us both so dearly. So if you would send a few prayers our way on Saturday, that would be great - I have a feeling that the service will be a difficult one and my heart is breaking for my aunt and uncle. I know they feel the loss tremendously.

Tina's favorite color was blue, in fact our bridesmaids dresses were a lovely shade of sapphire blue satin, so I used the blue ribbon and cardstock to honor her. The little butterfly is placed on the cross right in the middle because I choose to believe that she is resting in Jesus' arms right now.

I know this post has been more than a little personal, but my artwork comes from my heart and that is what is on my heart and mind today.
Hug the ones you love today and keep them close if only in your heart.
Blessings,
~~Robin

Stamping Supplies and measurements:
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" - folded to make an A2 card 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
Very Vanilla 4" x 5 1/4" texturized in the Big Shot with the Texturz plates and sponged lightly with Barely Banana ink
Not Quite Navy 2 1/4" x 3 1/4"
Very Vanilla 2" x 3" sponged on the edges with Barely Banana ink
Barely Banana scrap cut with the Butterfly Embosslit

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Stamp Sets: Refuge and Strength, Vintage Vogue, Thoughts and Prayers
Accessories: Ribbon from Elementary Originals Pack; Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot

Blogger's Challenge - Think Spring!

"It's a sunshine day!" Ok, quick, who sang that song on a popular TV show? If you know, you'll be showing your age - maybe - but that line is SO appropriate for this sunny Friday in VA! It's going to be over 70 degrees today and just perfect weather to go out and get a smoothie and drink it from an outside table! Yep, that's my plan anyway - wanna join me? :)

So, today's Blogger's Challenge was to Think Spring - that's not hard when it's beautiful outside! The project I created uses some unusual colors together, but the combo reminded me of the transition from winter into spring, mixing deeper tones with a touch of soft color just starting to peep out.

I created this little gift set for my hostess last night and she just loved it! These cute boxes made with the Big Shot Scallop Envelope Die have been so popular to make but they are just really stinkin' cute and make a great little gift set holder. Let me know if you'd like me to put together a photo tutorial for it - there is probably one already out there, but I can do one if you'd like to see it here.

My first photo is a close up of the cute box and satin bow on the front:

Once I cut the envelope pieces, I ran them through my Big Shot again with the Perfect Polka-Dot embossing folder and then sponged Barely Banana ink on the Barely Banana cardstock that I'd used to bring out the texture. I also sponged the scalloped edges too.
The ribbon for the bow is that yummy Old Olive Satin Ribbon that is in the Mini Catalog right now. Love it so much! You need an 11" length to make your bow this size. (on a side note: I've been asked by some of my clients to do a ribbon share for this satin ribbon - if you are a client of mine and would like to be part of a share, e-mail me and let me know - that way I can plan for the right amount to order!)

This photo shows one of the cards with the Kraft cardstock base. I used the DSP from the Welcome Neighbor pack that is a Sale-A-Bration Freebie until the end of March. My color combo is Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Barely Banana, Kraft and Very Vanilla. Again, unusual, but I really like the earthy blend of them.

The edges were all sponged with ink and I used the Upsy Daisy stamp set for my focal images - that's been seeing a lot of use in my studio lately! I have a card to show you later next week that I cased from my friend Kay Kalthoff that uses it too. It's really very versatile!
The greetings were stamped with the Short and Sweet stamp set and Teeny Tiny Wishes - more versatile sets!

For the simple Kraft Cardstock cards, I stamped the greetings on Very Vanilla cardstock, punched them out with the Small Oval punch and layered them on cardstock pieces punched out with the Large Oval punch. The were popped up on dimensionals for some oomph!

I hope you liked the project and the cards today - be sure to leave me a comment and let me know what you think! And while you're at it, check out the other Blogger's Challenge members and their creations by using the button on my sidebar. They never fail to inspire me!

I'll be back later tonight with the Saturday Sketch Challenge from Stamping 411! Be sure to come back so you can check it out and play along with us!
Happy Stamping and enjoy the sunshine!
~~Robin

Daisies Awash - UDI Inspiration Challenge

Hey there everyone! It's that time again - Thursday's UDI Blog Inspiration Challenge! This week our challenge mom, Maria gave us this picture of a daisy bouquet that honestly reminded me of weeds. I love daisies, but this particular photo with the dark background just didn't appeal to me right off, but that's why it's called a CHALLENGE, right? :)
So, here is the inspiration photo:

And here is my card:

I chose to go the Clean and Simple route and incorporated the colors, but in different percentages than the photo. My card base is Whisper White, with a layer of Basic Black and a layer of YoYo Yellow (another color that I NEVER use! I was so proud of myself!).

My card creation was made easier by the timely arrival of my pre-order of a sneak peek stamp set from the upcoming NEW Idea Book in July! This stamp set, called Awash with Flowers will be available next month as a little warm up for all the fabulousness that's coming with the new catalog! It is a beautiful set that is super easy to stamp with! I only used the outline images for my card today, but it is actually a two-step set with solid stamps to use for fill ins. Very cool! If you want it early, you have to get in April AND if you are a party hostess - you can get it for FREE!

So all I did for this card was ink up the outline images in Black Staz-on ink and stamp them on the Whisper White top panel. I then used my Stampin' Write Markers in YoYo Yellow and Garden Green to add a little color before stamping the greeting with the Hope Happens stamp set.

Now, I had to add a little bling, so I used my Big Shot and that adorable Butterfly Embosslit Die to make the two tiny butterflies. I sponged them in YoYo Yellow and added Dazzling Diamonds glitter with my 2-Way Glue Pen. The larger one in the lower right corner had it's wings curled slightly and was adhered with a Mini-Glue Dot.
And that's it! Clean, simple and EASY!

Be sure to check out all the other UDI Inspiration Team's projects by using the links provided on the UDI Blog. I know they will inspire you!
I'll be back tomorrow with a fun spring project for the Blogger's Challenge group!
Stamped blessings everyone!
~~Robin

Blue Vintage Toile

As I had hoped yesterday, the sun came out in all it's glory and gave us an absolutely gorgeous day. I'm watching it rise again right now as I type this and am so glad we won't have any rain for at least a few more days - the weatherman even predicted a 70 degree day for Friday! Hmmm, what excuse can I come up with to be outside on Friday?
I know, if I'm outside, I won't be stamping, but if I get busy and make a card as simple as this one today, I can have the best of both worlds! How's that for a segue?!

The card I'm sharing with you today is not green, but for you stampers that are celebrating St. Patrick's Day - "Erin Go Bragh!" I'm not sure what that means, but I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you so please don't pinch me, ok?!
This card is one that we made in Just Cards classes yesterday - aren't you sad you missed them? You'll just have to come next month, ok?
This beauty uses the Bella Toile Background stamp, inked in Brocade Blue and stamped on Whisper White Cardstock. I then used my 2-Way Glue Pen to highlight some of the thicker areas of the image and added Dazzling Diamonds to make it pop! This was then layered on to a piece of Brocade Blue cardstock and a piece of Basic Black 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon was wrapped around the front and secured behind the panels. Next I adhered them to a folded Whisper White cardstock base then I moved on to the greeting.

I am LOVING the Vintage Labels stamp set - which is a FREEBIE during Sale-A-Bration through the end of March - and I used it again here. The label was stamped in Basic Black ink on a Whisper White scrap and then I added the greeting using Brocade Blue ink. This was so easy to do using the New Clear-Mount stamps! I love being able to see where I'm stamping! Once I'd stamped this, I punched it out with the Wide Oval Punch.
To create the Brocade Blue cardstock border, I just used my Ovals Die and my Big Shot to cut the layer. These two were adhered together and mounted to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals.
Now, could a card be any easier than that? This is definitely a less than 10 minute card! When you need something lovely in a hurry, think about your background stamps and just pair them with a bold color mixed with white - your card will be finished in no time and will be gorgeous to boot!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone! I hope you'll come back tomorrow to see what I've designed for the UDI Inspiration Challenge this week. I'd give you a clue, but since I haven't made it yet, I can't! :)

Stamped blessings,
~~Robin