Grungy Petals

I sat down this evening fully prepared to cut into some of my newest Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up...."Retro Fresh".  I'm loving the colours that are included in this particular DSP and was fully prepared to make the first cut tonight....I couldn't do it!  More about that problem in a future post : )

Instead, this is what came out of my stamping session this evening.  The colour combination is based on the colours used in the Retro Fresh suite - Tangerine Tango, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight and Baked Brown Sugar.

I took inspiration from this week's CAS - Colours and Sketches Challenge blog.

Now, I know I've taken some liberties both with the sketch and the definition of "Clean and Simple" for this card.  While there are many elements to this card it did come together quite quickly.  That was, in part, because of the "Gorgeous Grunge" stamp set.....I'll admit it, I'm addicted!  I just can't seem to make a card without it : )  The flowers are from Stampin' Up's "Petite Petals" set with matching punch....so simple!

The sentiment comes from the "Yippee Skippee" stamp set.

Here is a complete list of supplies used:

Stamp Sets:  Gorgeous Grunge, Petite Petals (Occasions 2014), Another Thank You (Photopolymer).

Ink and Card Stock:  Tangerine Tango, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Baked Brown Sugar and Very Vanilla.

Punches and Framelits:  Petite Petals Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Banners Framelits, Chalk Talk Framelits

Other:  Pearls Basic Jewels.

Happy Stamping!

A Perfect Blend for ColourQ 225

If you're ever stuck for a colour combination for your cards I would highly suggest going over to the Colour Q challenge blog.   I love their tag line:  "Your weekly cue to challenge yourself...."!  This week's colour combination was certainly challenging:

Interesting choice isn't it?  Certainly not colours I would put together normally (or even use for that matter) but I was up for a challenge this week so I gave it a go.  

I wanted to do something other than flowers because that seemed like an obvious choice, so I pulled out the next obvious choice...."Gorgeous Grunge".  Originally I had a strip of Calypso Coral washi tape but it was too bold for the look I was after so I flipped my card stock over and started again.

I've been itching to use my "Perfect Blend" stamp set so I took this opportunity to ink it up.  Fun, eh?

Here's what you'll need to make this card:

Stamp Sets:  Gorgeous Grunge, Perfect Blend

Ink and Card Stock:  Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip,  Cherry Cobbler, Calypso Coral

Other:  Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips.

Happy Stamping!

One Layer Valentine for PP179

Wow!  This was a difficult card to come up.  I didn't realize how much I rely on layers to create interest in my cards until I tried this week's Paper Players Challenge:  One Layer Valentine.  It was all I could not to punch something out or add ribbon!!!  It took me 3 tries to settle on something I really like and here's the result:

I did a lot of "masking" to create this look.  I stamped the Real Red heart first then placed a cut-out of the same heart over it and sponged the Coastal Cabana heart.  Finally, I covered the Coastal Cabana heart and stamped the "Gorgeous Grunge" lines in Smoky Slate.  I'm really happy with the way it turned out and the simplicity of the card.  Take a closer look:

Here are the supplies you'll need to make this card:

Stamp Sets:  Language of Love (Occasions 2014 catalogue), Gorgeous Grunge, Express Yourself (hostess set).

Ink:  Real Red, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate

Misc:  Stampin' Pierce Mat, Paper Piercing tool, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, "masks" -- mine were from various cut-outs using the Hearts Framelits dies.

Happy Stamping!

Cheery Grunge

If you saw my previous post post you'll know that I'm all over the Dynamic Duos colours this week!  (Click here to see previous post).  I love the bold and cheery look that can be achieved using Real Red and Bermuda Bay together.  I added Smoky Slate to the combo too.

I just can't say enough how much I am enjoying my "Gorgeous Grunge" stamp set!  It is SO versatile.  Used with these colours it is a bright and cheery card that I think anyone would enjoy receiving.

I CASE'd this card from Pinterest.....what a great website!  This card is so simple to make and would look great with buttons too.

Check out and "like" my new Facebook page -- Idlewood Cards -- I'm aiming for 50 likes!

Happy Stamping!

Gorgeous Grunge Birthday

I had a great time last night running a workshop for my former upline.  She has a great group of friends who love to craft together.  Because she is no longer running her own Make and Takes they hadn't been together in a while.  We had a blast reconnecting and stamping!  I shared the first project, the Starburst masking technique, in my previous post (click here to see it).  This is the second card that we did at last night's workshop:

Have I mentioned that I love Stampin' Up's "Gorgeous Grunge" stamp set?  Well I do!  I find it so versatile.  Stay tuned in the coming days for how to use it for Christmas Cards!

While I made this card using the Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango and Chocolate Chip side of the "Sweater Weather" DSP,  I used the other side of the DSP last night and used a Soft Sky background.  It looks great either way!

The sentiment comes from the "Express Yourself" hostess set.  I really like the font of this set and it has many different sentiments which makes it a great set to have on hand.  Contact me to learn how you can earn this set.

Happy Stamping!

Six-Sided Grunge

Have I mentioned how much I love Stampin' Up's "Gorgeous Grunge" stamp set yet?  Well, I do!  It's just so much fun to use.  If you don't have it, it is a MUST have.  It's so versatile!

Here's my latest creation using it along with Stampin' Up's "Six-Sided Sampler" stamp set:

So fun! The colour combination:  Sahara Sand, Crushed Curry, Soft Sky and Tangerine Tango: if fun and fresh and is appropriate for any recipient!

Want to get in on more Stampin' Up fun?  Whether it's to get a great discount, meet new people or to support your habit, becoming a demonstrator is always a good idea!  Join my team from now until Oct. 21, 2013 for ONLY $25!!!!!  Click on the image below or contact me for more information.

Join my team for only $25.  Click on the image and go to "Join the Fun" for more details!

Also, check out Stampin' Up's new WEEKLY DEALS!  25% (that's 45% if you're a demonstrator)  off great products every week.  Check back each Tuesday for more great deals.

Happy Stamping!

Subtle Grunge for DD#70 and TSOT #135

It's been a while since I've participated in a blog challenge but tonight I've created a card to enter into both Dynamic Duos #70 and Try Stampin' On Tuesday #135 .  I've been following both of the challenge blogs for some time and I really like both of them.  Be sure to check them out for weekly inspiration!

This week's Dynamic Duo colour choice is So Saffron and Pistachio Pudding. 

I'll have to admit that at first I was leaning towards a "girly" card with this combo.  But I've been itching to use my brand new "Gorgeous Grunge" stamp set and just had to ink it up!  I used the template from Try Stampin' On Tuesday to set this one up. 

Check it out:

So much fun!  I LOVE this set!!!!!  I really like the effect that can be achieved using this set.....like I just spilled or threw ink all over my paper.  Honestly, I was surprised at how much I liked this colour combination for this card.   I made this card to give to my neighbours who took care of our house while we were on vacation this summer and I wanted something gender neutral and I like how this card does that.

I finished the card off with a sentiment from the "Six-Sided Sampler" stamp set, linen thread and Natural Trim ribbon.

Stay tuned for more Gorgeous Grunge in the near future.

Happy Stampin!