Freshly Brewed Friendship

Do you ever get overwhelmed with all of your ideas for cards and don't know where to start?  I've been stuck in that boat lately and decided to step back and go back to basics of stamps, ink and paper.  And an embossing folder, because I just can't be THAT basic :-)

Freshly Made Sketches is my go-to challenge site for amazing sketches to get me started.  I love that they are always clean and simple designs that you can add your own artistic flair to.

Part of my feeling overwhelmed was due to all of the new stamp sets from the Occasions Catalog that I've been trying to use while the catalog is active.  I do this so often and forget about all of the amazing products in the Annual Catalog, so I pulled out one of my favorite stamp sets and had some inky fun times!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Sahara Sand, Grapefruit Grove, Mint Macaron, Nature's Poem DSP

Ink ~ Grapefruit Grove, Mint Macaron, Soft Suede, Petal Pink, Tranquil Tide

Stamp Set ~ Coffee Cafe

Other Supplies ~ Polka Dot Basics, Coffee Cup Framelits

I wanted to add some bakers twine and sequins, but I took a deep breath and walked away.  Sometimes less is best, especially when you are trying to simplify your stamping!  I'm feeling a lot less overwhelmed and back in a happy, crafty state of mind...perfect Friday feeling!

Wishing you a happy Friday and a weekend of happy stamping!

#tgifc156- Because Kindness Matters

Happy Friday stampers!  It's Friday and that means it's time for an all new TGIF Challenges!  This week we are sharing some Random Acts of Kindness ideas with you.  Isn't it a great feeling when someone is kind to you?!?   It's an even better feeling when you share kindness with others!  

As I drop my boys off at school each day, I tell them that I love them and ask them to do something kind.  It's fun to have them share their acts of kindness when they get home from school...makes my heart happy!

My twins and many of their friends have discovered a love for Starbucks this school year.  It is a big treat for them to walk downtown to get their favorite drink and spend time hanging out in the coffee shop.  I thought it would be fun for my boys to find a couple of people at school who looked like they could use a little friendly pick-me-up, so I sent them to school this morning with these fun gift card holders, inspired by the amazing Erica Cerwin of Pink Buckaroo Designs.  They LOVED this idea and could not wait to get to school and find some classmates to hand them out to. 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Garden Green, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Coffee Break DSP
Ink ~ Garden Green, Early Espresso

Stamp Set ~ Coffee Cafe

Other Supplies ~ Coffee Cups Framelits, Layering Circles Framelits, Copper Trim

I am so happy to see that this stamp set and framelits are carrying over to the new 2018-2019 Annual Catalog!  And there is a VERY good chance that I ordered a couple packs of this DSP to hoard!

What will you do that is kind today?!?!

Have a fabulous Friday!

Happy Stamping!



#tgifc154 - Color Challenge

Hello from warm and sunny Las Vegas!!  I'm soaking up the sunshine for the weekend and meeting up with some of my favorite Stampin' Up! Demonstrators for OnStage :-)  This means I'll also get to hug a few of my favorite TGIF Challenges Design Team members too!  

Speaking of TGIF Challenges, we have a pretty color challenge for you this week!

I had thought about doing something with flowers first, but after looking through the super cute Tutti Frutti DSP, I was inspired to make a cool glass of pink lemonade...perfect for the warm weather here!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Whisper White, Sweet Sugarplum, Vellum, Tutti Frutti DSP

Ink ~ Basic Black, Flirty Flamingo, Sweet Sugarplum

Stamp Sets ~ Jar of Love, Coffee Cafe, Cool Treats

Other Supplies ~ Everyday Jars Framelits, Starburst Punch, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Oh My Stars Embossing Folder, Flirty Flamingo Bakers Twine, Glitter &  Clear Epoxy Shapes

We are off to explore the craziness of Las Vegas today...wish us luck!  I'm still not sure what to think of everything here!

Be sure to check back next week as I will be sharing my display board samples!

Happy Stamping!

Freshly Made Coffee Cafe Birthday and FREE Shipping

Happy Cyber Monday stampin' friends!!!  How many of you are cyber shopping today?  Today is certainly the day to take advantage of Cyber Stampin' Up! shopping because there is FREE SHIPPING!!!  Click on the link below to make sure you don't miss out on this great deal!

 

 

I have the perfect card to share with you today too! We all need extra coffee on Monday's right?!?  With the help of the latest Freshly Made Sketches sketch, I created a fun card for a friend who is celebrating her birthday this week!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Soft Suede, Whisper White, Vellum, Coffee Break DSP

Ink ~ Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky, Garden Green

Stamp Sets ~ Coffee Café, Happy Birthday Gorgeous

Other Supplies ~ Coffee Cup Framelits, Soft Sky Classic Weave Ribbon, Corrugated Elements, Regals Enamel Shapes

 

I hope you all have a fabulous Monday and an even better week!

 

Happy Stamping!

 



Hand Stamped Sentiments #272 Inspiraiton Challenge

Hello stampers and happy Tuesday!

 

Summer break has officially come to an end and I ended it on a very happy note!  I spent the weekend at Disneyland running the Disney 10K and Disney half marathon.  It was VERY hot, but the races were so much fun that we almost forgot how hot it was...ALMOST!

 

I have had an amazing summer with my family and enjoy many summer fun days, but I will say that I am ready for some cooler fall weather to come our way.  I think we are still a ways off from it cooling down much, but I know it's coming!

 

This weeks Hand Stamped Sentiments Inspiration Challenge has me dreaming of fall for sure!  Look at all of these yummy fall images!

With fall comes all things pumpkin spice...my favorite!  So of course I had to make a pumpkin spice coffee card!

 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Tangerine Tango, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Painted Autumn DSP, Vellum

Ink ~ Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango, Versa Mark

Stamp Sets ~ Merry Café, Coffee Café, Timeless Textures

Other Supplies ~ Coffee Cups Framelits, Layering Ovals Framelits, Copper Trim, White Embossing Powder

 

I hope you all have a fabulous summer and made some fun memories with your family! 

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

 

Happy Stamping!



#tgifc116 Sketch Challenge Week!!!

It's Friday and that means it's time for an all new TGIF Challenge! 

It's sketch challenge week at TGIF Challenges and I'm loving this sketch!  I always love a sketch that has some layers and is a little wonky!  I'm using the Coffee Break Suite again...because, who doesn't love coffee?!?!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Soft Suede, Whisper White, Coffee Break DSP

Ink ~ Soft Suede, Garden Green, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip

Stamp Set ~ Coffee Café

Other Supplies ~ Coffee Cups Framelits, Triple Banner Punch, Linen Thread, Sweet & Sassy Framelits

 

Thank you for stopping by today!  Be sure to check out the creations from the amazing TGIF design team and then join in the fun and WOW us with your creation too!

 

Happy Stamping!

 

 

 

 



#TGIFC114 Designer Spotlight - Elizabeth Price

Happy Friday!!!  It's time for an all new TGIF Challenge and we are spotlighting the amazing Elizabeth Price!

I have followed Elizabeth for a long time, and even had the amazing opportunity to be an Artisan Design Team Finalist with her a few years ago.  Her talent blows me away and I can always go to her for inspiration!  I am always drawn to Elizabeth's use of layers and fun embellishments, which is where I drew my inspiration from for today's card.

 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Coffee Break DSP

Ink ~ Early Espresso, Garden Green, Soft Sky, Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede

Stamp Set ~ Coffee Café

Other Supplies ~ Coffee Cups Framelits, Soft Sky Classic Weave Ribbon, Corrugated Elements

 

I can't believe it has taken me this long to use this stamp set!  I LOVE coffee and was so excited to see this bundle in the new catalog!!!

 

Be sure to visit Elizabeth's blog for some inspiration of your own and share you creation with us over at TGIF!

 

Happy Stamping!