Fusion Card Challenge #9

Welcome to Fusion Card Challenge #9...each week the cards submitted for our challenges keep getting better and better...here's a link to last week's favorites...hope you see your card in our gallery!

Every two weeks we post a new challenge with three different ways to play along:

                                           1) Use the sketch

                                           2) Use the Inspiration Photo

                                           3) Combine them and use a little bit of both (Fusion)!

Here is your inspiration for Week #9:

This week I combined a little of both.

I loved the black, yellow and white combination from the photo as well as the banners from the sketch.   I used Lil Inker Spring Flowers Die Set and created some very dimensional flower embellishments.  Once I started layering them, I had to force myself to stop.  Can't you just see those flowers done in red and whites for a beautiful dimensional Christmas poinsettia?  I can't wait to give that a try next holiday season.  I also used a Stitched Mat Square as the flower pot and the great big "Hello" sentiment from Darling Diamonds Stamp Set.
Still need a little more inspiration?  The Fusion Design Team would love for you to visit and see what we all have created for you.  You have two weeks to play along with our challenge...the challenge ends on Monday, May 19th at noon PST.  Have fun!

Betty J

Dannielle Robeson

Deepti

Jeanne Jachna

Julia Aston

Katie Brooks

Kelly Griglione

Kimberly Wiener

Lyndal Higgins

Lynn Mangan

Michelle Folland

Michelle Lupton

Sindu

Stephanie Severin

4 of a Kind: April with Kim

It's been a long time since we had a 4 of a Kind post...and this month will be our last for awhile...lots going on with everyone in our group, so I tried to make the most of our last kit.  This month's hostess is Kim Heggins of Cupcakes, Cards & Kim.  No surprise that Kim went way, way overboard with all of our supplies for a Coffee and Tea themed kit.  Here's a peek of the kit ingredients:

You can't see it from the picture, but there is a gigantic stack of patterned papers to choose from and lots of other little embellishments too.  One of the cutest things in the kit was a "Ready to Assemble" Tea Caddy.  Despite Kim printing out very detailed instructions, pre-cutting all of the pieces and a tutorial link from Renee, I still managed to screw mine up and wrecked it.  So....here are the four cards I made minus the tea caddy.  So sorry Kim...it was cute!

The first card is all sparkly and shows off the cute steam swirl Kim gave us to use.

My second card highlighted all the cute tag, ribbon and flowers from our kit.  Don't you love that sentiment?

I used some Lil Inker Stitched dies for my third card along with one of the cute speech bubble sentiments from our kit.

My last card was the most fun to make.  I loved all of the patterned papers from the kit and mixed and matched them to create the chevron background.  Lots of glue on my fingers with this one!

We have a special guest joining us this month...you all know her, love her and CASE her cards all the time...Tracey McNeely of In My Creative Opinion.

Thank you Kim for a fabulous kit this month!

Kim Heggins

Joyce Mehrberg

Renee Lynch

Tracey McNeely

Four of a Kind April 2014 Kit

Card Stock: SU – Pear Pizzazz, Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Ivory PTI – Hawaiian Shores, Harvest Gold, White, Canyon Clay

Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey – RSVP

Ink: SU – Pear Pizzazz, Calypso Coral, Baked Brown Sugar, VersaFine – Black

Stamps: Reverse Confetti – Be a Barista, The Alley Ways Stamps – Breakfast Club and Paper Smooches – Cyber Café

Dies: Lawn Fawn - Speech Bubbles, Reverse Confetti – Tag Me

Ribbon: Britex

Bakers Twine: The Twinery

Buttons: PTI – Hawaiian Shores and Simply Chartruese

Cuttlebug:  Embossing Folder - Swirls

Sweet Bunny

I'm sneaking in one last Easter card before I pack away the bunnies and eggs until next year.  This weekend I had the chance to use Lil Inker's new bunny die cuts...the cutest bunnies I have ever seen! 

I made my bunny of the chocolate variety and added a pink bow and pom-pom for the fluffy tail.  The "Sweet" sentiment is a die cut from TCW.  I also used a die from Simon Says Stamp "Flag On A Line" and added a few strips to bring out the pink a little more.  The white panel is embossed with the PTI Line and Canvas impression plate.

Not much chatting today...trying to post this during my lunch break.  Hope everyone had a great weekend!

CASology#87: Blush (The First I love You)

First thing Tuesday morning, I always check to see what the new cue word for the CASology challenge is for the coming week.  When I saw this week's word: BLUSH...I thought I was going to have a tough time coming up with something.  At first all I could think of was the color Sweet Blush, but there were already examples of that in the gallery and I wanted to come up with something a little different for my card.   I'm not sure how different this is, but here's my take on the cue word BLUSH...The First I Love You!

I know I should, but I honestly don't remember where we were or when it happened the first time my husband said "I love you" to me, but I am sure that I must have blushed just a little when he said it to me all those years ago.  I used some stamps that are from Fresh Squeezed Stamps, one of my favorite companies that are unfortunately no longer in business.  Those cute little "potty people" and the speech bubble are from Breath of Fresh Flair.  I used some Paper Smooches stamps(Sweet Hearts) for the I heart You sentiment and the cute arrow with the heart inside.  The larger sentiment stamped on the Lil Inker Instant Camera Die is brand new from My Favorite Things Stamps (Magical Memories).  

So...what does "blush" mean to you?  I am really looking forward  to seeing what makes everyone blush!

Magical Memories

Sweet Hearts

Instant Camera Die

InLinkz.com

Fusion Card Challenge #6

Welcome to Fusion Card Challenge #6.   We have had so many people playing with our challenge...it is almost impossible to choose a favorite, much less a winner!  Have you seen if your card was a winner for Challenge #5?  Here's a link to find out...I sure hope you see your card there!
Today's challenge is going to have you thinking GREEN.  Check out the sketch and photo we have for you to work with this week:

What do you see?  Those green flowers stamped in the pretty pattern...or do you see the square frame of the sketch?  Even better...do you see a combination of both, because that is all you have to do to play the Fusion Card Challenge.  Make a card based on either the sketch, the photo, or fuse them together and make a combination of elements of both.  Easy, right?  Here's what I came up with:

I went graphic this week and fused both the sketch and the green color from the inspiration photo.  Who couldn't use a little good luck card to give them some encouragement when they need it the most?  This card was made using a cut file from the Silhouette Store (Checkerboard Edge Shadow 2).  I added one of the newest dies from Serendipity Stamps (Shamrock Die) as my focal point.  Isn't that the greatest detail on the shamrock die?  The sentiments are from Lil Inker (Rainbows and Clouds Sentiments), just right to let someone know you are thinking of them and wishing them well.  

Time for you to check out the rest of the cards made by the Fusion Design Team and then you can get going on your own card based on this week's sketch or photo.   You have two weeks to play...the challenge ends on Tuesday, March 25th at noon PST.   I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Betty J

Dannielle Robeson

Deepti

Geri Freeman

Julia Aston

Katie Brooks

Kelly Griglione

Kimberly Wiener 

Lyndal Higgins

Lynn Mangan

Michelle Folland

Michelle Lupton

Sindu

Stephanie Severin

Serendipity Shamrock

Rainbows & Clouds Sentiment Stamp Set

InLinkz.com

Seize the Sketch #15

Very quick post today...just wanted to share a card I made for Seize the Sketch #15.   I saw the sketch and had an idea I wanted to try.  Unfortunately, I started it right before I had to get ready for work and so now I am rushing to get it up and posted while the clock is ticking away.  Here's the sketch:

I thought it was a very versatile sketch...almost any stamps or dies could work with it, but I chose to go with all Lil Inker stamps and dies.  It's almost St. Patrick's Day and I had all of my green inks out on my desk, so I decided to make my own shamrock.  It shouldn't be too hard with all the Lil Inker dies I have collected.  Here's what I came up with:

I used several Lil Inker sets today.  First, that shamrock...they are hearts from Of the Heart dies.  Perfect little shamrock, don't you think?  The little stem is a piece punched out from the Fanfare Scalloped Border die.  It has just the right size and curve of a stem.  The background of my circle element is from Circles and Diamonds Stitched Pattern die and the sentiment is from the Darling Diamonds stamp set.  I added some scattered sequins and I think this is a cute card to leave out for my daughter on St. Patrick's Day.  What do you think?

Circles & Diamonds Stitched Pattern Die

Darling Diamonds Stamp Set

Fanfare Scalloped Border Die

Of the Heart Dies

InLinkz.com

Hang In There

I am playing along with two challenges today...the first is a just for fun sketch challenge by 

Lesley Croghan of Always Playing with Paper.  It's a cute sketch and we can make anything we want, any stamps or dies we want as long as we base our card on the sketch.  I combined the sketch with some Paper Smooches stamps I just received and made an Anything Goes card for the 

Paper Smooches Sparks challenge.

Here's Lesley's sketch:

Since I wanted to use my new stamps from Paper Smooches (Hang-Ups), I was determined to come up with some way to use those stamps with this sketch.  Here is what I came up with:

The three branches represent the three stripes in the sketch and I added the cute squirrel hanging from the middle branch.  It's not obvious in the picture, but his eyes have glossy accents on them and are very dimensional.  I punched a few flags using a new Stampin Up punch, layered the whole thing on some Lil Inker Stitched Mat rectangles, added some copic coloring and that was it.  If you would like to play along with Lesley's challenge...here's the link.  There is still a few days left for you to play along.

Hang Ups

Stitched Mats: Rectangles

InLinkz.com

Addicted to CAS: Baby

I almost never miss an opportunity to make baby cards whenever I come across a challenge with baby as the theme.  This week's Addicted to CAS #33 has the code word: BABY!  Yay!  It didn't take long for me to bring out a new Impression Obsession die I just received with the cutest stork and baby bundle.

I've got a baby shower to attend in a couple of weeks and think that this will be the card I take along with my gift.  Isn't that the cutest stork?  I die cut him in white and colored the legs and beak with a marker.  Everything else is Lil Inker...Stitched Mat Circle, Rainbow, Scalloped Border and Sweet Baby Girl sentiment.  I have a feeling this little stork is going to see a lot of use this year...both my sons have promised me a grandchild this year and I can not wait!

Impression Obsession Stork

Rainbows & Clouds Die Set

Stitched Mats: Circles

Stitched Scallop Border Die

Pinwheel Sentiments Stamp Set

I'm entering this card into a giveaway by Vicky who is sharing the Inlinkz tool which I just recently learned how to use myself.

InLinkz.com

Merry Monday #95: Use an Animal on your Card

I have a funny card to share today...at least I think it's funny according to my sense of humor.  This week's Merry Monday #95 challenge is to Use an Animal on your Holiday card.  I just received Fresh Squeezed Stamps Close Your Ear Deer stamp set last weekend and it was still sitting on my desk...great timing.

This cute little deer silhouette has so many possibilities...he can be dressed up for almost any occasion.  I almost put a Santa hat on him, but really wanted to use one of the cute sentiments that comes with the set, so I decorated his "rack" with a string of holiday lights.  The lights are from Cheery Lynn (Christmas Light Swag) and instead of the lights that come with it, I used sequins.  He is a very festive deer, so he got a rhinestone collar, nose and eye too.  I mounted my deer on an Instant Camera Die cut from Lil Inker Designs.  The sentiment is stamped on another Lil Inker die cut (Gift Bow Topper Die) and the "ho ho ho" is from PTI's Tiny Treat Christmas, the perfect scale.  

I have quite a bit of time to decide who is going to receive this Christmas card...has to be someone with a good sense of humor or else a slightly warped one like me!

Close Your Ears: Deer	Tiny Treats: Christmas Stamp Set	Christmas Lights Swag	Instant Camera Die	Gift Bow Topper Die
RUBY RED METALLIC SEQUINS	EMERALD METALLIC SEQUINS

InLinkz.com

For My Sweetheart

Happy Saturday morning!  Still sitting here in my pj's trying to decide if I want to do the responsible thing by getting dressed and doing a little grocery shopping...or, the more fun thing by staying right where I am now and making something crafty!  Hmmm...which one do you think I will choose?  While I go back and forth with my very difficult decision, I am sharing a tag I made for the anniversary gift I gave Warren last week.  Nothing like a cute little romantic tag attached to a rake.  Yes, I said a rake.  Aren't rakes the traditional 34th anniversary gift?  Well, they are at our house and it was a huge success too!  I guess the thrill is gone a bit, but he is outside using that gift this very minute!  LOL.

Wish I had snapped a picture of it attached to the rake, but I guess you will just have to use your imagination for that one.  Everything is from Lil Inker Designs...Folding Tag Die original, Rainbows and Clouds Die Set, Of the Heart Die set and Of the Heart Stamp Set.  So...just for fun, I'd love to hear the funniest anniversary gift you have ever given or received?  Hope I hear something funnier than a rake!

Card Concept Challenge #3 - Monochromatic Pink

I am so excited to be a part of the Card Concept Challenge...can you believe we had 119 cards submitted for our last challenge?  If you're wondering if your card was one of the favorites chosen by the design team...get right over to the Card Concept blog and check out the challenge winners!  Today, we are opening up Challenge #3...one that I personally LOVED because it is all about the color pink! 

 Monochromatic pink to be exact, something I use often, but especially right about this time of year when Valentines Day is close upon us.    Here's my card representing the Classy and Elegant style:

Pink, pink, and more pink.  Everywhere you look there is an explosion of some shade of pink.  To get my card started, I embossed a white panel with Lil Inker's Circles and Diamonds Stitched Pattern die.  The die coordinates with the Lil Inker Darling Diamonds stamp set.  I had such a good time coming up with the right shades of pink ink to use and once I had them, I just stamped solid circles every other layer.  I stamped the inside of the solid circles with one of the centers...this one has a heart in the middle, just perfect for Valentines Day.  I used a border punch to cut a hot pink topper to my card.  One of the elements of the Classy and Elegant style is to use an elegant sentiment, so I looked through my stash and found the swirliest, love-themed sentiment I have and embossed it in white.  I also used a layer of lace, a layer of circular ribbon and gathered it over the seam.  I went to town with the little pearls on this one too.  I put one just about everywhere I could find a blank spot.  The last touch were those cute little glittery cupids.  They are from Impression Obsession (Cupids) and I only wish I had some reason/excuse to use them at other times of the year...Christmas Cupids?  We'll see about that one a little closer to next Christmas.

Need more information about the Card Concept Challenge or about the different card styles?  Here's a little explanation:

Card Concept Styles Defined

So...what is your card style?  I guarantee you will find something that is just right for you when you check out the other cards made by the Card Concept Challenge Design Team.  Challenge #3 lasts for two weeks,  plenty of time to make and post your card in our gallery.  The challenge ends on Feb. 17th at noon PST.  The winners will be revealed on Wed. Feb. 19th.  I hope to see your card in the gallery very soon!

We also have a new guest designer for the month of February...Laurie Willison who is representing the Clean and Simple style.  Please stop by her blog and see what her version of Monochromatic Pink looks like!

12 Kits of Occasions: January with Sharron

The last day of the month is always a fun day...the posting day for our 12 Kits of Occasions card kit group.     To learn more about our 12 Kits of Occasions group...you can find us on our blog, Facebook and Pinterest where we have all of our cards from through the year pinned, all ready to give you lots of inspiration!  This month our hostess is Sharron of On Papillon Wings.  We all received a beautiful kit, full of so many beautiful elements with a "I think I Love You" theme.  When I say a large kit...I am not exaggerating.  Take a look at the kit photo:

Photo courtesy of Kara

It's a beauty, isn't it?  I bet you can just imagine all the cards you could make with such a kit.  I ended up making 5, with enough left overs for many more too!

This card is my favorite...I used the sweet elephant patterned paper and die cuts to make a baby card.  I love the "hello" die cut and the pretty twine that Sharron sent us.

Everything on this card except the bow and enamel heart are from our kit.  The patterned papers we received were so much fun to work with.

Isn't this the cutest angel image?  I colored her with colored pencils and glittered the cloud, wings and hearts with prisma glitter.  The tag is from Lil Inker (Love Tags Die Set) and has a beautiful embossed heart pattern all around the outside edge.

 I have never used any stamps with a typewriter theme before...but they are FUN!  I added a few little hearts to the keyboard and popped the typewriter up with dimensional foam.

This card is all Lil Inker.  Every. Single. Element.  It started with the Floating Hearts Die that Sharron sent us.  I layered it over a Cover Up Die: Stitches and Stripes, added a Balloon String Die to the hearts (Of the Heart Dies) that Sharron sent us and used a Stitched Mat Rectangle stamped with a sentiment from Love Things Stamp Set.  The balloons look so cute with a few sparkly sequins attached, don't you think?

We also are lucky to have a guest designer playing along with us this month.  In addition to the rest of the 12 Kits of Occasions designers...please check out Michelle of Pretty Periwinkles who was the winner of the extra kit Sharron put together.  I can't wait to see what everyone created!

Joyce

Renee

Tracey
Sharron (Our hostess)
Marybeth
Christina
Jeanne
Kim
Kara
Kelly
Jessica