Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Skipping Stones Sketch 113

Hello and Happy Tuesday!

Today we start another fabulous sketch challenge at Skipping Stones Design.  This month's sketches were designed by Pamela Young. I used Garden Stamp Kiss and Always Here to create my card:

Beautiful Birthday

Using a palette of grays, green blue and rust, I started by stamping the script image from Garden Stamp Kiss multiple times on the background of the large circle.  Next, I stamped the large butterfly from Always Here onto light gray cardstock and I cut out the image and adhered it to the circle.  

I used dark gray buttons in place of the circle accents on the sketch and the sentiment (also from Always Here) went in the top right corner. 


One more look at the entire card. 


Here is a look at one the sets I used today: 



And here is a look at this week's sketch!


 Wanna try this one right away?? Go ahead, get crafty! You have my permission. :o)  Be sure to link up your take on the sketch to the Skipping Stones blog by next Monday for your change to win a free stamp set from SSD!

Be sure to visit the our guests, Candice Fields, Emily Leiphart Julie Day, and Pamela Young for more Skipping Stones inspiration using this sketch1  This is our last week with these ladies (sniff, sniff) and it's been an awesome month!  Also, stop by and visit the Skipping Stones DT gals for even more fabulous ideas. 


Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day!


Katie 

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Skipping Stones Sketch #112

Hello there!

Just wanted to share a card I made for Skipping Stones Design sketch 112 by Pamela Young.


With Valentine's Day approaching, I thought I would make a card that I could give to my daughters.  We have always loved the book, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein, so I used that book as inspiration for my card.  I love that book so much, that it is rare that I make it through a reading without sobbing (at which point my hubby looks at me like I have lost my mind, but I know I can't be the only one, right???).

I used several SSD sets to create this card including Garden Stamp Kiss, Grunge and Pumpkin Seeds.  On a rectangle of cream cardstock, I stamped the script image from Garden Stamp Kiss repeatedly to create the background.  I thought this could be a tricky proposition, but it was really quite simple.  I used a banner topper die cut for grass to "ground" the rectangle.  To make the tree, I die cut a scallop oval from the same cream cardstock and stamped the circle image also from Garden Stamp Kiss several times.  This was followed up with some sponging of chalk ink to give it a nice green hue. I cut the tree trunk from a piece of brown cardstock and trimmed the top with my pinking shears.  I stamped the woodgrain pattern from Grunge on the trunk to make it give it more depth.  I adhered the tree top and trunk to the cardstock along with several buttons and a die cut heart.

Here's a close up of the tree:

The strips of color you see below and behind the focal image are paper tape (similar to washi tape) from Martha Stewart.  The sentiment (from Pumpkin Seeds) was stamped in Dark Chocolate ink.  I added just a few more buttons to finish it off, and because I really like buttons. :o)


Here is this week's sketch: 


Link your take on the sketch to the Skipping Stones blog and you could win a Skipping Stones set of your choice.

Don't forget to visit the other Skipping Stones Designs gals and our guests for more great takes on this week's sketch!  Our guests this month are Candice Fields, Emily Leiphart and Julie Day.  Pamela Young is our amazing sketch artist.  


Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a great week! 


Katie

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #111

Good morning!

It's Tuesday and time to introduce a new sketch for Skipping Stones Design! First, here is my card based on the sketch:


I used 2 Skipping Stones sets to create this card.  From the Grunge 1 set, I stamped the woodgrain pattern  below the ribbon on the balsa wood and the circles are stamped with scalloped pattern also from Grunge 1. 
  

The sentiment is from Sentiment Frames stamped in Dark Chocolate ink.  For a finishing touch, I added some metal flowers (Maya Road) with pearls in the center (Queen & Co.).


Here is this week's sketch, by Pamela Young:


Create a card based on this week's sketch and upload it to the Skipping Stones blog for a chance to win a Skipping Stones set of your choice!  I would love to see what you do with this week's sketch!

Also, don't forget about Skipping Stone's PMS sale!  Details are in the post below.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a great week!

Katie 

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Skipping Stones- PMS Sale!!

Hello Friends!

Just popping in to let you know about a fabulous sale that Skipping Stones Design is running through next Sunday, January 22.  PMS stands for Purchase More Stamps!!!!


Here is how it works:

  • Buy 1 set and save 5% Enter PMS1 at checkout
  • Buy 2 sets and save 10% Enter PMS2 at checkout
  • Buy 3 sets and save 15% Enter PMS3 at checkout
  • Buy 4 sets and save 20% Enter PMS4 at checkout
  • Buy 5 sets and save 25% Enter PMS5 at checkout
  • Buy 6 sets OR MORE and SAVE 30% on every set you buy-no limit!!!- Enter PMS6 at checkout

All sets are included in this sale including the new and fabby Grunge #2.


Also, a personal favorite, Chic Martini.


Head over right now to the Skipping Stones Store and fill up your cart with all the awesome sets that you have on your wishlist!

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy shopping!
Katie

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Moxie Fab- Die Cut Challenge

Hello friends!

I wanted to share a card I made for the Die Cut Challenge that Cath is hosting over at Moxie Fab World.


Our challenge is to incorporate die cuts in an innovative way and well, my entire card is a die cut.  Using my Cricut and the Just Because Cards cartridge I cut the sailboat image at 6" from cardstock and patterned paper (Simple Stories- Celebrations).  To make the die cut a card, I cut 2 shadow layers and scored the second shadow layer below the flag and adding some super strong adhesive above the flag to hold the layers together.  

I stamped some swirls (PTI- Fancy Flourishes), and sentiment (Half Pint Heroes- Waltzingmouse Stamps) on the sails and added the star (another die cut) and some buttons for a little extra embellishment. (And because I really like buttons and twine. They are kinda my go-to embellies.)  

This card is going to my sweet nephew Carson who is turning 1 in just a couple weeks along with a whole boat-load (get it??) of bath time toys.  Do you think he will like it?

Can't wait to see you ideas for using die cuts!  Link up your project by Feb 13 to play along!  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a fabulous day!

Katie

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Runway Inspired Challenge- Gareth Pugh Spring 2011

Hello!

If you stopped by today to check out the Skipping Stones Design blog hop, click here or just scroll down.

Have you see the Runway Inspired Challenge blog?  It's a challenge blog dedicated to sparking inspiration through cutting edge fashion.  I have been wanting to play along the last couple weeks, but alas, it hasn't been in the cards, so to speak. :o) But this is the week, I had a chance to create a card based on this inspiration photo:

 
Here is my card:

I was inspired by the layers and criss-cross stripe action in the coat to cut several strips of striped patterned paper, which I adhered at a diagonal and overlapping.  The model is such a striking silhouette that I decided to represent her through a hero arts silhouette stamp.  The sentiment stamp is from Waltzingmouse Stamps- Tiny Trees set.  I added a little bling including a rock on the lady's necklace.  I finished the card with a little satin ribbon tied into a bow.

Want to play along?  The deadline is January 13 at 11:59 EST.  I am looking forward to checking out what everyone else has done with this amazing inspiration photo.

Thank you so much for stopping by!  Have a great evening!

Katie

Skipping Stones Design- Introducing Grunge 2 and sketch #110

Hello friends!

Welcome to Skipping Stones Sketch Challenge #110 and the introduction and release of Skipping Stones newest set- Grunge Two.


If you just came from Karen's blog, you are in the right place.  If you just happened along my blog today, start at the beginning of the hop at Skipping Stones Design.  The entire hop order is there and you can hop from blog to blog with ease.



Here is my card for today's hop:

Love You Dude

I took cues from the patterned papers I selected, the Amy Tangerine line from American Crafts, to create the above card.  I stamped the speckle image in gray on Fine Lined cardstock, and the zig-zag and fleur image at the bottom in blue.  I also stamped the film strip image on striped patterned paper with Lilac Posie ink.  The male and female icons were created using a dingbat font on my computer, printed and adhered to the project.  

I added a heart die cut to the female image (to show her love for the "dude") and added a few staples.  The completed stamped panel was adhered to a card based covered with patterned paper. I stamped the sentiment at an angle and added a button as a finishing touch. 



Here is this week's sketch: 



Create a card based on this week's sketch and upload it to the Skipping Stones Blog for a chance to win a FREE Skipping Stones set of your choice!

Be sure to hop along and leave comments on all the fabulous designers’ blogs.  This month we are welcoming Candice Fields, Emily Leiphart and Julie Day to our team as Guest Designers!  Pamela Young will be providing all the fabulous sketch inspiration this month including the sketch we're using in today's hop!

That's all for me today.  Thanks for stopping by! Head over to Candice's blog for some more Skipping Stones Design inspiration!

Thanks!
Katie

Friday, January 6, 2012

Feature Friday with Skipping Stones Design- Chic Martini!!

Hello and Happy Friday!

A few months ago, a little set called Chic Martini caught my attention in the Skipping Stones Stamp Store. This is the second stamp set that Skipping Stones released and it wasn't long before, I decided that it just had to come home to live with me.  This set is super versatile for lots of different occasions and I wanted to share just a couple ides with you today.

First up is a quick and easy card you can create to show someone how much you care.

Olive My Love

I started with a panel of aqua cardstock and stamped the little star and swirl in aqua ink on the cardstock. Next I created a white rectangle a little bigger than the card base and matted it with red cardstock at the top. I stamped the sentiment in black ink and the olive in green ink (Memento- Pear Tart). I die cut a heart border and added it to the bottom of the white rectangle, then I stamped the martini glass on white cardstock and cut out the image.  Some green ink and a gem finished off the martini glass and a added a little more ink to the olives in the martini glass to coordinate.

Here is a close up of the martini glass:

Next project is an idea for a fun party invite- perhaps for next year's New Year's Eve shindig.

Happy New Year Invite!

I cut a piece of cardstock to 5 x 7  and rounded the top corners. On the top portion, I stamped the martini glass and a couple starts and sentiments in red and black ink. Below the martini glass, I adhered strips of different patterned paper and ribbons.  These strips were literally scraps leftover from various holiday cards that I created earlier in the month.  I even threw in a strip of washi-type tape for good measure.  

All the party deets would go on the scalloped square that I cut with a Spellbinder's die.  The Chic Martini set is so thoughtful as to contain stamps for Date, Time Place, etc.  To save time, I lined them all up on a gridline acrylic block and stamped once- easy peasy! I stamped Happy New Year at the top of the scallop square and attached it to the invite with some totally adorable clothespins.  The clothespins and patterned paper are courtesy of our friends at Canvas Corp who helped us all throughout December to send out 2011 with a bang! 

Here is a look at the whole set:

There you have it- just two of the endless possibilities using Chic Martini.  Thank you so much for stopping by!  Have a great day!


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #`109

Good morning!

Thanks for stopping by for the first Skipping Stones sketch of the year!  Our sketch artist this month is Pamela Young and our guest designers are none other than the fabulous Julie Day, Emily Leiphart and Candace Fields- it's gonna be a fun month!  Check out the Skipping Stones blog post from yesterday to learn more about these fabulous girls.

Pamela put together a yummy sketch for us to try this week and here is my card:


And a close up of the ribbon button, pin, sentiment treatment. 


It's funny how quickly we change gears from Christmas to Valentine's Day!  I cut some patterned papers from the Love Me collection (My Mind's Eye) into banner strips. I inked the edges before lining up the strips of patterned paper.  The sentiment is from Pumpkin Seed sentiments.

Here is this week's sketch.


Create a card based on this week's sketch and upload it to the Skipping Stones blog.  You could win a free set of your choice from Skipping Stones Design!

Thanks for stopping by this morning!  Have a great day!

Katie