{SSSC152 & CTD179} Thanks So Much!

Oh Happy Sunday!   Today I'm playing along with my favorite Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge combined with the Color Throwdown Challenge!   These are perfect colors for a Valentine, but Happy ♥ Day is past and I needed a thank you card instead.

 

Aren't these pretty colors for a baby girl's room?  I think so!

The base of my 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" card is crumb cake.  I stitched a piece of gingham designer paper (K & Company Brenda Walton) on top of poppy parade. On top of this is the blushing bride cardstock that I've embossed (Stampin Up! Square Lattice).   My little squares and the sentiment are stamped with Versafine Vintage Sepia.  This is the same ink pad I use when distressing.  I simply take an inked sponge to the edges.   Stamped squares are from Stampin Up set ~ Cute by the Inch.

 The inside is finished to coordinate with the front.  Stamped sentiment:  You're too Kind. (Stampin Up! Whimsical Words.

Thanks SO Much to all of you who stopped by today!  I'm going to get these linked up to the challenge blogs and spend the rest of my afternoon reading.  I got a Kindle for Christmas and find myself reading more and more.  Love it!  

Have a wonderful week everyone! 

{MTSC91 & CTD109} Just Swingin' by to Say Hi!

Combining a sketch challenge and a color challenge is becoming a habit and that's what I've done again today!   This is the Color Throwdown Challenge colors teamed up with Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge.   I hope you like it!

The card is a 5" square.  I've stamped the pear pizazz with a retired background stamp and certainly celery ink (because I don't have all the in-color ink pads yet).  The strip of designer paper is from a small Basic Grey "Urban Prairie" pad.  It seemed to have just the perfect color challenge colors, but somewhat muted.  I cut the 3-1/2 circles of tempting turquoise and daffodil delight with the Cricut. 



yes, this is the sketch...just turn your head to the left 90 degrees :)



This sweet little Pure Innocence gal is from My Favorite Things ~ "Start Each Day with Whee"!  I opted to leave off the sentiment for now, but I may add it later.  Another saying that would work is "Swingin' by to Say Hi!"  Can you think of any others? 

the inside...using a scrap strip of designer paper

♥ ♥ ♥
Now you'll want to swing on over and see the
simply A M A Z I N G cards

Mercy's Muses have created this week:

Cindy Haffner ~ Cindy Haffner's Corner
Crystal Birr ~ The Messy Stamper

Jackie Pedro ~ The Scalloped Edge

Pam Varnell ~ The Stamping Addict

Julie Lacey ~ Stamps and Taxes

Jessica Diedrich ~ The Whimsical Butterfly

Mercy Kerin ~ Lord Have Mercy {Queen Muse}
and last, but certainly not least,

our September Guest Muse...

Lori Tecler

from Inking Aloud!

You're all encouraged to play along with these challenges and we certianly hope you will! 

 Happy Stamping!

Quote for Today ~

My childhood may be over, but that doesn't mean playtime is. ~Ron Olson

{CTD108} Something Different!

Color Throwdown #108

I've got something a little different for you today.  This is another one of my "new" stamps from the estate sale.   I have no idea what the symbol means, but the famous quote is by Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu.   This is a fairly large image so I made the card 5-1/4" square to accomodate it.    If you're wondering, this is a wood block stamp by Comotion Rubber Stamps, Tuscon, AZ.   I may never use it again, but I wanted to make at least one card with it.   

I used the Color Throwdown trio of colors for my card.  The base is chocolate chip, layered with so saffron and crumbcake (kraft).   It was a challenge to get a good photo tonight as the lighting seemed to distort the yellow.  You'll have to visualize the so saffron!  : ) 

Notice my "ribbon treatment"? I thought it needed something and a bow was too much. So, I opted for a simple loop of ribbon. Please notice the "brilliant" way in which I tore the paper and stitched over it. (That's my story and I'm sticking with it. ; )

Just a quick post tonight.  Thanks so much for blogging by!  

Quote for Today ~
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment. ~ Lao Tzu

{CTD #106} A Star is Born!

It's awhile since I've created a baby card so this was especially fun to make!  It's for one of my coworkers and his wife who had a baby boy this week.  What a blessing & JOY for them!  

My inspiration came from a couple different sources.  First of all, these soft sweet baby boy colors are from the COLOR THROWDOWN #106 Challenge.  And the idea for using the Picture This Stampin' Up! set came from a wonderful card I found on Splitcoaststampers that was designed by Alystamps.  I did change the layout, but I used her idea for the die cut stars and unique ribbon treatment.

 It was a challenge for me not to add some designer paper and stitching, but I refrained and kept it super simple.  Please tell me what you think!   Does it need something else?  You know I love hearing from you and sincerely appreciate your suggestions and feedback.  ♥

the inside...with this sentiment: 

twinkle, twinle, little star

darling baby, here you are!  ♥

Have a WONDERFUL smile-filled weekend, my friends!  Happy Stampin'!  ~ Pam ♥

Quote for Today ~

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.

~Franklin P. Jones

{MTSC86 & CTD104} Hello Friend!

Double or nothing today!  I've combined Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge layout with the Color Throwdown Color Challenge and this is what transpired...

These are the oh so pretty Color Throwdown colors for this week...

and here is Mercy's super sketch

that I'll be using again and again ... 

This cute little "hello" daisy is from a clear stamp set by Stampendous ~ an Archiver's exclusive set called April Shower Flowers.  I stamped it first on the whisper white cardstock and then again on the colored cardstock so I could cut it out and layer it.  The flower and the little tag are popped up on dimensionals.  The designer paper is an oldie ~ Haiku ~ from my Stampin' Up! stash that just happened to have the perfect CTD colors!   Gotta love it when that happens!  ♥   It's not very noticable in the photo, but I used the polka dot texture plate on the daffodil delight strip behind the image.  The buttons and tag are tied on with linen thread. 
 

the inside...

Be sure to blog on over and see what

Mercy's Muses have created for you this week!

Cindy Haffner ~ Cindy Haffner's Corner
Crystal Birr ~ The Messy Stamper

Jackie Pedro ~ The Scalloped Edge

Pam Varnell ~ The Stamping Addict

Julie Lacey ~ Stamps and Taxes!

Jessica Diedrich ~ The Whimsical Butterfly

Mercy Kerin ~ Lord Have Mercy {Queen Muse}

and last, but not least,

our extra special August Guest Muse...

Angela Thomas

from Sparkle and Bling!

 You're ALL invited to play along with these challenges and we really hope you will! 

Have a smile-filled great week and happy stamping!  Smiles, Pam  :)

{MTSC84 & CTD102} Double Your Pleasure, Double Your FUN!

I'm a "day late and a dollar short", but I'm going for it because these are two of my FAV challenges!  The terrific sketch is from the one and only Mercy Kerin of Lord Have Mercy, and the beautiful color combination is from last week's Color Throwdown Challenge, hosted by my friend LeAnne Pugliese.

This is a standard 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" card with Not Quite Navy as the base.  I've layered on the beautiful blue Marina Mist and a piece of Basic Grey designer paper from my stash.  The second Marina Mist layer has been rolled with the Very Vintage jumbo wheel and the piece of Wild Wasabi was embossed with the NEW Stampin' Up! textured empressions embossing folder.

The stamp set is Watercolor Trio ~ one of the most versatile floral sets!  This set includes three sentiments and "From the Heart" is one of them.  There is also "Birthday Wishes" and "Thanks so Much".  If you don't have this lovely set, you really should!  ;)

I thought you might like to see

 how I've finished off the inside too...

How's your week going so far?   The days fly by for me, that's for darn sure!  I have an ongoing "Want To Do" list that never seems to end, but then that's what makes LIFE worth living, right?  : )   

In my next post, I'll share a few photos I took of my mother's quilts at the Tilden Prairie Days Quilt Show on Sunday.   Stay tuned!

Happy Stamping & Smiles 2 U!

Quote for Today ~
It takes time to save time.  ~ Joe Taylor

{SSSC78 & CTD101} The Bluebird of Happiness!

Once again, I'm combining two of my favorite challenges ~ Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge and the Color Throwdown Challenge.   When you have limited time for stamping, consider using the challenges to give you the inspiration you need to get started!

First of all, I pulled out a sheet of each of the Color Throwdown Challenge colors . . . oh yeah!  I *love* these colors together! 

Next, I printed off Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge layout and contemplated which stamp set to use for the main image.

The stamp I chose is from All Holidays by Stampin' Up!  It was stamped in black on whisper white cardstock and clear embossed.  The base is kraft cardstock or "crumb cake" is the yummy new name for it.  I used crumb cake ink to stamp it with the linen background stamp.   The baja breeze piece was stamped with the polka dot background stamp and the Kiwi Kiss piece was stamped with the Very Vintage Jumbo wheel using inks of the same color.

This color combination presented a challenge as to what to do for embellishments.  While blog surfing this morning, I saw some fabulous creations using the Two-Step Bird Punch and it reminded me that I haven't used this punch much at all since I purchased it.  So....a bluebird it is!  : )  You wouldn't believe how hard I tried to add ribbon, but it just didn't work for me.   I also thought it could use some brads or buttons, but for once I simply left well enough alone!

Below is how I finished off the interior using the same colors.   The sentiment is from a Whimsical Words, which was a Sale-A-Bration set.

This has been a busy day and I didn't get to spend as much time stamping as I would have liked, but it sure feels good to have the car washed, the lawn mowed and the laundry done!  Yes!  

I hope you've had a great weekend!  Thanks so  much for blogging by to see me and I do hope you'll stop back again soon!  

Happy Stamping & Smiles 2 U!

Quote for Today ~

There is no effect more disproportionate to its cause than the happiness bestowed by a small compliment. ~Robert Brault

Announcing Winners in Color Throwdown #100!

Thank you SO much for making our Color Throwdown #100 Celebration such a smashing success!  There were 357 participants who created a card or papercraft project and posted the photo on the Color Throwdown blog.  In addition to that, there were thousands of comments left on all the prize-giving blogs!   Woo Hoo!  Here's to the next 100!

All the random numbers have been drawn for the Color Throwdown #100 prizes and a complete list of all the winners can be found on the Color Throwdown blog.

As for MY blog prizes, the winners are:

{ d r u m  r o l l  p l e a s e }

#1  Wilfreda
from Wennie in Wonderland
Below is the cute card Wilfreda created for the color challenge:

Wilfreda, you have won Birthday Bliss by Stampin' Up!

and

#2 Savitri
from Savitri Wilder: This is My Life
Below is the beautiful card Savitri entered in the challenge:

Savitri has won Picture This by Stampin' Up!

Congratulations to both of you

and to ALL the Color Throwdown prize winners!

Winners have until Monday, July 19th at 11:59 p.m. EST to respond and collect their prize. You should email colorthrowdown@yahoo.com. Please put YOUR name and the prize you are claiming in the subject line. (example: Wilfred/Birthday Bliss or Savitri/Picture This)  Also, it may be helpful to mention you are the winner at Stamping with Serendipity! 

Special thanks to ALL of U who left comments on my CTD #100 blog post.  I was amazed and sincerely appreciate all your kind and thoughtful comments.  You're the BEST!

Happy Stamping & Smiles 2 U!  :)



Quote for Today ~
Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally. ~David Frost

Celebrating with the Color Throwdown #100

Today is a FUN FUN day for those of us in rubber stamping, cardmaking blogland, as it is the COLOR THROWDOWN #100 CELEBRATION!!!

To celebrate this special occasion, we are having a BLOG HOP with all the past CTD Guest Designers.  You can color me EXCITED to participate!  :D

First, I'll show you the card I created

with this unique color combination.

This is a 5-1/4" square card with Baja Breeze as the base cardstock.  I've used the linen background stamp (retired) and the *new* Crumbcake ink pad to distress.  The stamp set is Watercolor Trio, a very beautiful and versatile set now available in the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog. 

--this photo shows the inside of my card.

Now back to the CTD #100 CELEBRATION!  . . .

Tammy, Laura, and the CTD Team have been planning for weeks to secure sponsors and there are numerous PRIZES to be given away! {Read details below on just how easy it is to WIN!}

Right here at Stamping with Serendipity you have a chance to WIN 2 very popular wood block stamp sets by STAMPIN' UP!   The sets are Birthday Bliss and Picture This.

Prize #1 ~ Birthday Bliss (above)

Prize #2 ~ Picture This (above)

Oh My!  There are PRIZE give-a-ways on each of these blogs too!

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Danielle Kennedy - Wild Dragonfly Designs

LeAnne Pugliese - Wee Inklings

Anna Havanka - Anna's Creations

Carol Longacre - Our Little Inspirations

Deb Horst - Sendable Sentiments

Debi Southard - Debi's Crazy Life

Elise Durenberger - MamaCow Creations

Juliana Swanson - Stampin With Inky Fingers

Lisa Kind - Kind Creations

Makiko Jones - Makink Studios

Maria Gurnsey - Scraps By M

Sylvia Nelson - Sylvia's Stamp Corner

Teresa Kline - Enjoy the VA Sunshine

Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

All you have to do is make a paper-crafted creation - card, scrapbook page, 3D item, upload it to your blog or an online gallery, direct link it on the Color Throwdown blog, AND leave comments on these blogs to be entered in the drawings. The entry deadline is Monday, July 12th at 11:59 pm. Winners will be selected at random by the CTD design team members.  {Please see the Color Throwdown Blog for more specific "rules" and all the details.}

If this is the very first time you've visited my blog, WELCOME! and please come back again soon!  If you want to become a "follower", just click on the Google Friend box above and you'll receive automatic updates.  Thanks SO much for blogging by!  I hope you'll join us in this super celebration!

Happy Stamping!!! 



Quote for Today ~
Though the circular round-and-round of routine be the bulk of life's affairs, make an occasional jutting diversion - of fun, love, or something that will outlast you - so the shape and motion of your life shall resemble the round lifegiving sun with bright rays shining forth from all directions. ~Terri Guillemets