"Holly-day" Card for the Monkeys

I was so honoured to be chosen "Monkey Princess" for Monkey Challenge 84 over at A la Card Monkey.  Part of my "reward" was to be a guest designer for this week's challenge.  I had fun playing with my new Big Shot dies (thanks CB for your gift) and creating a holiday card.

Here is the sketch for this week's challenge:

Monkey Challenge 86

 And here is my version:

"Holly-day Card for Monkey 86.

I'm getting to the end of my creativity with Christmas cards as well as to the end of my supplies of DSP.  I decided to stick pretty closely to the colour scheme provided in the sketch.   Here are the details:

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Real Red, Whisper White and Chocolate Chip card stock.  Holly Berry Bouquet DSP and Red Sparkle paper.

Ink:  Wild Wasabi Garden Green and Real Red

Stamp sets:  Bright Hopes

Embellishments and extras:  Ornaments Bigz Die,  Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Circle 2 Bigz die, Scallop punches

Be sure to check out all of the other creations for this week's challenge at A la Card Monkey.  I've also added this card to Shirley's Christmas Blog Hop...so check it out : )

Happy Stamping!

Hobby Horse Thanks....

....for the Monkey Challenge 85.  I have to admit, I really, really like A la Card Monkey's weekly challenges.  I find the sketches so inspiring and even if I don't get my card posted in time each week I usually complete the sketch.  This week is no different, and look, I'm even posting on a Wednesday!  I must be doing something right this week to be early : )

This week's sketch was for a "Thank You" card and I took that as my inspiration to do a long overdue thank you to a family friend.  Here's the sketch:



And here is my version:



Hobby Horse Thank You

About a month ago, a close family friend made up a bunch of sock hobby horses (like a sock monkey but a horse instead) for her granddaughter's 3rd birthday party and made an extra for my son.  I've been meaning to send her a thank you card and I finally got some inspiration this week with this sketch.


I really needed a break from Christmas cards and colours so I chose to use the "Just Add Cake" DSP colour scheme for this one.  I also decided to go with lots of texture for the backgrounds and had lots of fun with my Big Shot and new scallop circle punch.  Here is a close-up of the hobby horse



Isn't he cute?!!!

 To make him (or her) you need the Stocking Builder Punch and then just turn the stocking part upside down.  I used lots of toe bits from the punch to make the ears and mane.  The only stamp I used is the "thank you" sentiment from "Family Phrases" which, sadly, is now retired.

Here are the other details:

Paper:  Poppy Parade, So Saffron, Marina Mist, Whisper White and Early Espresso card stock.  Just Add Cake DSP

Ink:  Marina Mist, Early Espresso

Big Shot:  Circles #2 Bigz Die, Square Lattice embossing folder, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

Punches:  2 3/8" scallop circle, Stocking Builder Punch

Embellishments: Poppy Parade 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon, Dimensionals, googly eyes, Subtles brads, sponges

Before I sign off for the evening I want to brag a little bit....I've been waiting all week to do this and this seems like a fitting time to announce that I am a PRINCESS!!!!!   A "Monkey Princess" to be exact! 

I was SO thrilled to be chosen as last week's challenge winner.  Thanks to Shirley and Terry for choosing me and to DF for the great idea.  If you missed it check out my "Medallion for Monkey" post : )

Happy Stamping!!

Soft Suede Christmas

It's snowing (finally)!!!!  We've had so much rain the past few days and it's finally decided to snow!  YAY!!!!!  Can't wait to go and out and play in it tomorrow morning with my son : )

I stayed inside this evening, however, and created a card for a couple of challenges:  Stamping 411's SSC 232 and the Paper Players Challenge 75.  I really liked the sketch on Stamping 411 and the idea of using non-traditional holiday colours for it.

Here is the sketch:

And here is what I decided to do with it:

Soft Suede holiday card

 The non-traditional holiday colour scheme I chose is Soft Suede, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla.  The only stamp set I used on the front was for the sentiment.  It is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  This is a really simple card to make actually.  The Very Vanilla card stock is embossed using the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and then sponged with Soft Suede ink.  I used the Modern Label and Decorative Label punches for the sentiment and then embellished with basic pearls and Early Espresso quilted ribbon.

Circle Circus interior

 For the interior of the card I used one of the stamps from the Circle Circus sets and again lightly sponged the edges with Soft Suede ink.  Super simple but elegant nonetheless.

Happy Stamping!

Medallion for the Monkeys

Well, here I am again, entering a Monkey Challenge at the very last minute.  I think what happens is I get all inspired by the weekly sketch and then think about it rather than actually doing something about it.  Story of my life : )  In this case, however, I am really glad I waited because I was also really inspired by a friend's card that I saw on Tuesday evening.  In fact, I basically copied her idea and added a couple of elements to fit the sketch.  So thanks, DF, for the great idea!

Here's the sketch from A la Card Monkey:

Here is my version:




Spice Cake Medallion

I just love the medallion in the centre of big medallion.  I decided to go back to my Spice Cake DSP tonight for 2 reasons: 1.  I promised my faithful friends that I wouldn't do all Christmas cards at my Make and Take next week and 2. While I'm sad to see it go, I have to move on to the new and exciting product coming out in the new Occasions Mini in January and my crafting space can't take too many more "left overs". 

Here's a close-up of the medallion which, by the way, are super easy to make using the Simply Scored tool!

Medallion close-up

So pretty, if I do say so myself.  I finished it off with a Vintage Brad.  Here are the particulars:

Papers:  Pear Pizazz, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla card stock, Spice Cake Designer Series Paper
Stamp Sets: Day of Gratitude, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Pear Pizazz and Soft Suede
Ribbon and Embellishments:  Chantilly Lace, Spice Cake Fabric, Neutrals Brad, Vintage Brads
Tools: Simply Scored, Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, Modern Label Punch
Other info:  I used TONS of sticky strip/pages to adhere the fabric, ribbon and medallion.

I'm excited to take this idea and run....stayed tuned for a Christmas version.

Happy Stamping!