SSCB #45 - Monochrome! Part 2

Monochrome is the theme this month for the 

Serendipity Stamps Blog Challenge. We're looking for projects - 
any theme - any occasion with a monochrome  color scheme - 
you can use any color you like - but one color only!  
 Just make sure you include at least one 
Serendipity Stamps image on your design.
Our favorite design will receive our winner blog badge 
and one random winner will receive a $20 discount 
off their next order from Serendipity Stamps.
The deadline is midnight US Eastern Standard Time on
 August 10 to link your project. The winner and our 
next challenge will be posted on August 12.
 
 I have two cards to show you today.

When I saw this great US Map stamp I knew I wanted to do a line joining
Atlanta and San Francisco! I was born there and have 2 sisters that live there.
This would be a good "miss you" card.

Here is the perfect sentiment for the States stamp!
Finished size is 5" x 3 3/4"

I'm dreaming of FALL after so many days with temperatures in the 90's here in Atlanta!
I paper pieced the leaf with patterned paper to keep this card monochrome.

Finished size is 4 1/4" square.

Check out what the rest of the Design Team made:

Mary's Blog

Julie Warner

Karen Amidon

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Vickie Zimmer

Jeanne Jachna 

Jenny Gropp

The 50% off stamp of the month is Winter Doe:  

 http://www.serendipitystamps.com/product/297H.html

• Stamps: Serendipity Stamps - Sending Smiles Cling Set 1361QCL, Maple with Quote 389G
• Ink: Versafine - Vintage Sepia, Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Neenah - Natural White, Black, Brown, Authentique - Harmony 6x6, SU! patterned paper
• Other: MFT rectangle & square dies, misc ribbon, May Arts Natural Twine, black brads, Bow Easy, Mini Perfect Layer, Copic BG11

Serendipity Stamps - Monograms & Verse

With the new month (can you believe it is APRIL already?!) 
we are starting a Monograms & Verse challenge 

for you from the  Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog.

 Just create a monogram card or a card that features a verse. Just make sure you include at least one Serendipity Stamps image on your design.

I just LOVE this verse for spring or garden cards.  
It is also good for someone who is going through a big change. And, I've been wanting to use this cute little $1 butterfly stamp for ages!  It's perfect with the sentiment.

 

 Here is a closeup of the butterflies and even though I put some Wink of Stella on them, you can't see the shimmer.  So hard to photograph!

For the inside I stamped the butterfly on the liner then again on the patterned paper.  I cut out the peach butterfly and glued it to the liner.

Finished size is 5.25" x 5.25".

Feel like shopping?  We're trying something new - a  "stamp of the month".  This time it's the Jar Label.  You can purchase the stamp of the month all through April for 50% off.  You can see it here.

Check out what the rest of the Design Team created!

Karen Amidon
Jenny Gropp
Jeanne Jachna 

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier (me!)

Julie Warner

Vickie Zimmer

• Serendipity Dies and Stamps:  Butterfly Doodle 0902SALE, There's Nothing In A Caterpillar 732E
• Ink: Versafine: Onxy Black, Cat's Eye - Charcoal Chalk Ink
• Paper: Neenah - Solar White & Black Linen, Stampin' UP! - misc DSP
• Other:   Spellbinders - Labels 25, SU! ribbon, Wink of Stella - Clear, Mini Perfect Layers

CTD 287 Easter Card

I needed to make some Easter cards and wanted to use my IO Bunny, Cloud and Grass dies to make a scene.  The Color Throwdown had the perfect Easter colors for their challenge this week so I decided to play along.

I needed a frame for my scene so rather than just cutting an open square, I used Spellbinders Captivating Squares die.

For the details, I used some tiny brown pearls for the eyes, a tiny leaf punch for the eggs and a Sizzix embossing folder to give texture to the clouds.  Finished size is 4 1/4 square.  

Here are the colors for the challenge:

 

• Stamps: SU! Happy Easter
• Ink: Cat's Eye - Creamy Brown, Versafine - Vintage Sepia
• Paper: SU! Barely Banana, Soft Sky, Pistachio Pudding, Neenah Solar White, PTI Kraft
• Impression Obsession Dies: Bunny Set, Grass Border, Clouds
• Other: Spellbinders - Captivating Squares, pearls, leaf punch, VIVA Glass Effect Gel - Crystal Clear, oval punch, Sizzix embossing folder, Corner Chomper

Mirror Valentine

With Valentine's Day coming on Friday I thought I'd post another Valentine.  I CASE'd myself from another Serendipity card I made here.  I just love the embossed layer behind the fancy open frame.

I used red mirror paper which is very hard to photograph.  

 The red layer behind the heart die is mirror paper as well.

Inside I stamped my sentiment and added a little embossed heart.

Finished size is 5 x 5.

• Stamps: Serendipity Stamps & Dies - Sending lots of love, Heart Scroll Stamps & Die set
• Ink: Versafine - Crimson Red
• Paper: Neenah - Solar White 110#, misc red mirror
• Dies: Cheery Lynn - Square Lace Frame, Spellbinders Labels 15
• Other: Herringbone Embossing Folder, SU! ribbon, SU! heart die, corner rounder

Graphic 45 - MOJO327

I really liked this week's MOJO Monday sketch challenge so I made a card with some Graphic 45 Typography Paper.  I've had it out on my desk lately because I am designing a new card class with it.  I just love the bold colors.

It was fun breaking out some new and old dies for this challenge.  The hearts are from an old Stampin' UP! die and the black curved piece at the bottom is from Verve Stamps.

 Here is a close up of the little hearts.  I just love that they are embossed!  The edges are inked up with a Cat's Eye Chalk Ink in Blackbird.

I used scraps to decorate the inside and the banner and sentiment are from Flourishes.  Finished size is an A2.

Why not play along in this week's challenge?

 

• Stamps: Flourishes - From the Heart (inside)
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black, Cat's Eye - Chalk Inkpad in Blackbird
• Paper: Graphic 45 - Typography 8 x 8, Neenah Black Linen card stock, SU! Riding Hood Red
• Dies: SU! - Embosslits Fashionable Hearts, Verve Stamps - Flag It Die Set
• Other: Perfect Layers

Graphic Mother Goose

Let's take a break from holiday cards!

When I made those G45 Mother Goose ABC tags I made a few cards too.  I just love the color scheme of this paper line!  Strong primary colors with a touch of black...I'm in creative heaven!  I stacked some of the punch out flowers with a tiny circle of chipboard.

There were so many leftover scraps it was easy to decorate the inside of the card.

Enjoy your week!

• Stamps: None!
• Ink: Cat's Eye - Blackbird chalk
• Paper: Graphic 45 - Mother Goose 8x8, SU! Real Red, Neenah Solar White & Black Linen
• Other:  Graphic 45 - Mother Goose Chipboard & Flowers, Perfect Layers

Prickley Pear #2

Here is another kitty card I've made with Prickley Pear Stamps.  They have selected me to be their guest Designer for October and November and this is my second post.  My cards will be posted on their blog every Thursday.

Here is a close-up of the popped panel and kitty.  The white lace is part of the paper and the cream is actual lace I added to the card.  I let the paper do the work on this card!  All I did was cut out the center panel from the paper and wrap some lace around the bottom.  No need for lots of layers and embellishments here.

Inside my card I stamped the small version of the same stamp.  Isn't she cute?!  

Finished size is 6 1/4 x 4 1/2.

• Stamps: Prickley Pear - Scribble Kitty, Scribble Kitty, Sm
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black
• Paper: MME - All is Bright 6x6, black linen cardstock
• Other: SU! lace, foam tape

Color Throwdown Celebration!

I'm here to help the Color Throwdown Challenge celebrate their 5th year!  I was a past Guest Designer for them and was thrilled to be invited to play along this week. They have some bright, summery colors for you to use.

I think this Art Impressions image is hilarious and plan to make a bunch of cards with it.  Inside the sentiment finishes...."when it's your birthday, not mine!

Check out the Color Throwdown blog for a list of all participating alumni and Guest Designers, and for a list of all the prizes that are available for you to win if you participate in the challenge!

• Stamps: Art Impressions - Golden Oldies UMU1484, What a Feelin' UMG1942
• Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black, Versafine - Onyx Black 
• Paper: Neenah Solar White, SU! DSP & Bermuda Bay, PTI - Kraft
• Copics: BG11, 13; Y13, 21; E00, 01, 41, 43; RV32, 34;  C1
• Other: Perfect Layers, PTI die 

 

Graphic 45 & ColourQ 194

This week's ColourQ challenge has some very bright colors!  They just happen to match Graphic 45's new Bohemian Bazaar paper!  Perfect for summer.....

I just layered some circles and fussy cut the ornament.  A little ribbon and a banner sentiment and its done.

Finished size is 5 1/8 square.

• Stamps: Flourishes - Ferns and Fiddles
• Ink:  Distress - Mowed Lawn, Versafine - Onyx Black
• Paper: Graphic 45 - Bohemian Bazaar 12 x 12, Neenah - Solar White, SU! poppy, coral & turquoise
• Other: Spellbinders - Ribbon Banners, Splendid Circles & Classic Circles, rhinestones, SU! ribbon

Happy Birthday Sue!

I sat down to make a card for my friend Sue with the pretty rolled and layered flowers I made and this is what came of it.  I was inspired by a blogger over in Poland named Klaudia.  Her work is fantastic!  

 I used LOTS of dies for this one!

The smallest rose was made using MFT Rolled Roses.  The medium rose has a MFT Rolled Rose in the middle and Spellbinders Rose Creations dies on the outside.  The BIG rose has Spellbinders Rose Creations dies on the outside and a Bitty Blossoms die on the inside.  

The finished size is 5.5 square.

• Stamps:  Serendipity Stamps - Happy Birthday 093D, SU! - Bella Toile, ALL NIGHT MEDIA - Sharyn Sowell text stamp
• Paper: Neenah - Classic Crest Natural White, green card stock
• Ink: Distress Ink - Faded Jeans
• Spellbinders: Labels 20, Rose Creations, Bitty Blossoms, Elegant Ovals
• MFT: Rolled Roses
• Memory Box: Chloe Stem
• Other: May Arts twine, cream lace

BACKGROUND Berries

 We have a fun and easy challenge this week for Serendipity Stamps!  Use a regular stamp to make a background for your card or project.  I hadn't used my blackberry stamp set yet and I thought it would make a pretty background.  As you can probably tell, I stamped it randomly on my paper.

 Using the "direct to rubber" technique, I pulled out some water-based markers and used them to color up my berries.  I used a bunch of dies to create my card and all the layers.  The finished size is 5 inches square.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the team made:

Anya, Cathy, Jenny, Jeanne, Marybeth, & Pauline

We'd love for you to play along and be eligible to win a prize. 

 The link to play is HERE.

The sale for the next 2 weeks is 40% off the highest priced item in your basket! Runs April 17 through May 1.  Enter the code “40fromhigh413” to get the discount.

• Stamps: Serendipity Stamps:  Blackberries 1257QCL (cling set)
• Ink: Versafine - Smokey Gray, Color Box - Chalk Ink - Charcoal
• Paper: Neenah - Solar White, SU! Wild Wasabi, Rose Red 
• Markers: SU! Wild Wasabi, Rose Red, Daffodil Delight
• Dies: Spellbinders - Grand Labels 1, Opulent Ovals
• Other: Bow Easy, SU! Wild Wasabi ribbon, pearls

Triple Stamping

I have another example of Triple Stamping to show you today.  I think I am up to about 10 cards made with this technique!  If you want to give it a try the tutorial is found HERE.

The finished size of the card is 4 7/8 square.

• Stamps: Serendipity Stamps - English Rose, unknown sentiment
• Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black, Versafine - Onyx Black
• Paper:  Neenah - Solar White, SU! Garden Green, black
• Other: Copics, Perfect Layers, SU! ribbon

Color Throwdown 223

Happy New Year!  This is my third week as Guest Designer for the Color Throwdown Challenge and I love the earth colors Joan Ervin gave us to use.

I colored my chair with a rarely used Copic group, by me at least.  The E80's are brown with a green undertone.  Perfect for nature scenes!  The finished size is 5.5 inches square.

For some additional inspiration check out what the Throwdown Design Team created:


Barbara Anders Broni Holcombe Denise Marzec Joan Ervin Kerri Michaud Lori Tecler Lynn Put Wanda Cullen
Tammy Hershberger


• Stamps: Serendipity Stamps - Adirondack Chair 712G, Summer Flower Background 579H, Mini Sentiments
• Ink: Memento - Espresso Truffle, Color Box - Chestnut Roan, Versafine - Onyx Black
• Paper: Neenah - Natural White, SU! - Kiwi Kiss, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, DSP, Basic Black
• Spellbinders - Labels 15, Classic Circles
• Copics: YG23, YG91, YG93, YG95, V25, V93, E41, E43, E44, E51, E55, E81, E84, E87, YR31, YR23
• Other: Perfect Layers, Bow Easy, twill ribbon, Corner Chomper

Simple Christmas Cards - OWH

Recently one night I felt like making some simple Christmas cards for Operation Write Home.  One way to make a simple & quick card look elegant is to use shiny papers or embossing.  I pulled out an old K & Company holiday paper pad and found this pretty gold embossed paper.  Perfect for an elegant holiday card. 

I also found some 8.5 x 11 pearl sheen cardstock in cream with a matte white backside in my stash. Perfect for the base of these cards because OWH prefers A-2 cards!

I also made some with blue paper.  Stampin' UP!'s Lovely as a Tree is a classic set and I decided to use the pine tree from it.  Again, trying to keep it simple I stamped the tree in Versafine Olympic Green ink and colored the trunk with a brown marker.  After edging the image in chalk ink I matted it and added it to the cards. 

A holiday sentiment is stamped on the inside of each card.

• Stamps: Stampin' UP! - Lovely as a Tree
• Ink: Versafine - Olympia Green, Color Box - Chestnut Roan chalk ink
• Paper: Neenah - Natural Ivory, K & Company 12x12, pearl cream cardstock
• Other: brown marker

Haunted House - MOJO & CTD

I decided to play in two challenges this week and make a Halloween card.  The first is Mojo Monday 264 for the layout and the second is the Color Throwdown for the colors.

Basic Grey's Eerie paper was just perfect for this color challenge.  I had to add a little yellow for the moon and windows.  Now I am thinking I should have colored them amethyst!

• Stamps: SU! House of Haunts, Teeny Tiny Wishes
• Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black, Cat's Eye - Lava Black
• Paper: Basic Grey - Eerie 6x6, SU! Almost Amethyst & Basic Black
• Other: Spellbinder - Classic Circles, SU! Summer Sun marker, Eerie stickers, Perfect Layers, SU! black ribbon

Haunted Forest

One last Halloween card for you to see!  I used a few new products by Memory Box that I just love.  I die cut the embossed image with Labels 22 and while still in the die, I ran a Micron pen around the inside of the die.  After taking it out of the die I ran a reddish Copic marker (E08) around the border, a tip I got from my friend Jenny.  


The fun swirl in the corner is a new die by Memory Box called Elegant Scrollwork.  I think I'll be using this one a lot!  Finished size is 5.25 square.

• Stamps: Haunted Forest - Stampin' UP!
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Memory Box - Nightfall, Neenah Natural White, PTI Black cardstock
• Dies: Spellbinders - Classic Circles & Labels 22, Memory Box - Elegant Scrollwork
• Other: Copics, clear embossing powder, Micron pen

Halloween PPA116

I LOVE this week's Pal's Paper Arts sketch challenge so I decided to play along.  I do so many square cards I just couldn't resist this one.


I took SU!'s Haunted Forest stamp, embossed it, airbrushed it and colored it with Copics.  Paired up with Authentiques' Glowing paper made for a great Halloween card.

Here is the inside.

• Stamps: SU! - Haunted Forest, Penny Black - Bats, Northwoods web, Studio G - Hey Pumpkin
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Color Box Chalk Charcoal
• Paper: Neenah Natural White, SU! Naturals Ivory, PTI Black, Authentique - Glowing
• Spellbinders: Labels 16, Iron Works Accent border
• Copics - W2, W4, W5, E08, E09
• Other: clear embossing powder, Perfect Layers, Glitter Glue, ABS
•