Bravo Breeze For All!

I know, the corny titles are getting a little old. At least it keeps ya guessing, right? ;-)

Sorry I was MIA yesterday...with my oldest off from school, I decided it was time to go to B'ham (nearest "big" city) for some miscellaneous shopping.  We ended up being gone most all of the day! Back in time for Pre-K for youngest, stop at a friend's, back home to read with 1st grader, pick up Pre-K'er, then back to the grocery store and a couple of other stops...yeah. Gone all day = no stamping.

So, you're wondering what today's post is about, aren'tcha?

I followed a color challenge today...and let me just say, it was completely opposite of this post, where I wasn't sure of the colors, but once I got going, LOVED them! lol  This time, I thought it was a fun & unique combo, but had trouble working with it! lol

I *think* I'm okay with it now, but by the time I finished, it's too late in the (rainy & dreary) day to get a decent pic...so color might be a bit off, even if I tried to fix it.  Sorry bout that. It actually looks decent IRL, in fact, the difference is really bothering me, now! lol  Maybe I'll retake it tomorrow and change it here...we'll see how lazy ambitious I am. ;-)

You ready?
Color Challenge: Bravo Burgundy, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizazz
Stamps - I used two different (but similar sets here) can you guess which ones?


















If you had trouble guessing, here's the info:
Flowers & stems - "For All You Do"
Sentiment - "Great Friend"

How did I get more than one color on the flowers? It's called the "Rock 'n Roll" technique. Ink up your stamp in the lighter shade, then rock and roll the edges in the darker shade. Make sense, or shall I make a video tutorial? :)

I might just add some dazzling diamonds glitter to the centers of the flowers...couldn't decide.

What do YOU think?

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Pretty Cherry Mambo!

Oh, I'm quite excited to show you today's project, and it's a 2-Fer! :)
Which means...you get to see 2 projects from one challenge! :)

I'll admit, when I first saw the Color Challenge at SCS, I was a little hesitant. I didn't really like it. It seemed like it would be "off"....but it wasn't, and I SO love it! :)

And that, my friends, is why you get to see 2 projects today. Cause I was havin' so much fun! I can't even decide which one to share first!!! lol

Oh wait. I forgot to tell you the colors.
Pretty in Pink
Cherry Cobbler
Melon Mambo
White/Vanilla

Card #1 - Pretty Cherry Truck 















This one is used a set I've had for-EVAH, called "Loads of Love"!  It used to be my go-to set for masculine cards, but I haven't used it in way too long. The main image is, of course, popped up on dimensionals. ;-)  I used shimmery white cs on this one, whisper white on the next.

Card #2 - Pretty Cherry Love

This card was made with the set "Love You Much", and I had fun with this one, too, but couldn't decide whether to place the main image like this, or turn the card horizontal and do something different than the norm...I'm so boring that way, lol.  Maybe I'll just make another one and do both! :)  (Main image is, of course, up on dimensionals)

Well, what do you think?  Do you have a favorite?

The Small Print (Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Loads of Love, Love You Much
Ink: Black Stazon
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Shimmery White
Accessories: Watercolor Wonder crayons, Aquapainter, SU markers, Ink pad lids, Dimensionals, Big Shot, Polka Dots EF, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, Melon Mambo gg ribbon
Technique: Watercoloring

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Wild & Krafty Thanks

Okay, so it's not exactly "wild," but there IS a reason I named this post as such.  I took part in a CAS (Clean & Simple) challenge on SCS, and the challenge (not only to be CAS) was to follow a specific color palette:

Wild Wasabi
Kraft (Crumb Cake)
Chocolate Chip
White

Are you ready to see what I came up with?  ok. :)

To me, it feels like something's missing on this 4.25" square card...what do YOU think?

The Small Print (all Stampin Up)
Stamps: Watercolor Trio, Warmest Regards
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Accessories: Dimensionals (of course - wink)

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Birthday Blessings

So, Tuesday was my birthday.  I *heart* birthdays. :)

This year was especially nice, as my hubby took the day off to spend with us.  He's a dairy farmer, so for him to have a day off, he has to TAKE it off.  No M-F/8-5 with weekends off job for him, lol! So, you seee....I am VERY thankful when he takes a day totally off. :)
THANK YOU HONEY!!

A "party" with my family the night before - mom STILL makes us each our own special meal - is she a gem, or WHAT? My family is so sweet & generous.
THANK YOU MOM/FAMILY!!

Phone calls, Cards, and FB messages...oh, I feel so LOVED! :)
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

The Saturday before was breakfast out with a girlfriend - I so treasure that time!
THANK YOU, BECKS! :)

Today's card is made using the stamp set I received from said friend: "Aviary".
I also made it to participate in this week's Color Challenge at SCS...use only Black, Red, & White.

The picture quality is poor, sorry about that.  It's a grey and dreary morning, and I'm too impatient to wait for better lighting, lol.

Well, what do you think (poor picture aside, lol)?

I'm sorry I haven't been on here much lately...life has just been so crazy busy!  This was actually supposed to be yesterday's post...but things happen and now I sit here finishing it today. ;-) 

I'm thinking one of my New Year's Resolutions will involve more frequent blog posting. ;-)

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day!!
Crystal

Chocolate Cherry Crumb Cake

Mmmm...sounds good, huh?  Well, I'm not really a fan of cherries, but chocolate and cake sound good in the same sentence, am I right? ;-)

Okay, so maybe this is a little misleading, lol.  I'm actually here to share a little (non-food) project with you.

I had another plan for today, but I saw the color challenge on SCS and had to participate.  I mean, Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, and Crumb Cake?  It's one of my most favorite color combos!

So I made this:


















Would you like to see see inside? OK. :)

A teabag holder! Complete with card (goes in other pocket) to write a note! :)  What a great little desk gift for co-workers, ladies in your Bible Study, bus driver, teacher...you get the idea! :)

Would you like to learn how to make a neat lil' gift such as this?  You would?  Great! :)

I'll be back later to share a tutorial with you on a related project...my first post in a SERIES!!
Here's a sneak peek:

I know, I know...that hardly seems fair. However, today didn't really go as I had planned, so I ran out of time.  I do have the pictures taken, I just have to put it all together for ya!

Here's the info on the CCCC Teabag Holder:
The background?  That's the "Take A Sip" wheel.
The main images?  From "Morning Cup" stamp set.
Sponged the edges...colored with aquapainter and ink pad lids.

Well, what do you think?

Have you checked out my review/giveaway yet on Living Well, Spending Less?  Run! :)  But not before commenting here about today's project...cause ya know how I love the love! :)

Back soon with a tutorial! :)
ETA: Here's the tutorial!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

It's a Color Challenge, Cupcake!

I completed another challenge at SCS!  WOO HOO!!!
Seriously, you have no idea how happy that makes me. :)  Back in the day (wink), I'd do them quite frequently...maybe 2-4 a week?

But then, I got busy and let that stuff slide...
Now, I'm still busy, but I also see how better my day can be, if I make time to stamp.  I'm totally serious here, people! :)

Anywho...I participated in a color challenge this time around...
Use ONLY the colors listed:
Kraft, Bermuda Bay, and Real Red (neutrals allowed)

A totally CAS layout...

















I personally like it a little better IRL...sometimes it's hard to capture stuff on film...where colors & shapes can get distorted. ;-(

The main image is stamped with Stazon Black ink on Naturals White cardstock, & colored with my SU markers and aquapainter...love that look! :)  I colored the "frosting" part with my SU white uniball gel pen to stand out a little more. :)  Oh, and of course I have dimensionals behind the red layer. ;-)

What I love about this card is that you could keep it simple as is, or dress it up a little! :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes
Cardstock: Kraft, Real Red, Naturals White
Paper: Thoroughly Modern DSP
Ink: Black Stazon
Accessories: SU markers, Aquapainter, Dimensionals, Signo Uniball White gel pen

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal