Lacy Butterfly Wishes

This week I'm concentrating on getting my Design Team cards made for January's Christmas Card Challenges but I'll still be playing along in some of my favorite challenges.  My Christmas cards go live every week on Sunday so I'll have plenty of time to share other projects with you.

I'm in a Valentine's Day card frenzy getting cards ready to post to my Etsy shop.  I've been kind of neglecting it lately.  I love the new Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper Stack from Stampin' Up!®  One side has great colors for Valentine's Day and the other side is black and white with a Valentine theme.  I'll be sharing the black and white side in the days and weeks to come, too.  It's one of the new papers featured in the 2015 Occasions Catalog that comes out on January 6th.  If you'd like a copy, email me with your address (US addresses only) and I'll get one out to you.

Today's card was made using the great sketch from Retro Sketches.  I love and enjoy their sketches.  They really challenge me to step out of my box since I tend to be a bit clean and simple in my designs with few layers.  I'm beginning to realize that I like lots of layers.  :-)

Stamp Set:  Butterfly Basics; Inks:  Real Red, Pistachio Pudding, Tuxedo Black Memento; Card Stock:  Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper Stack, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Butterflies Thinlits Dies, 5/8" Whisper White Ribbon (from a Paper Pumpkin Kit), Pearls Basic Jewels, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive

All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

You can find more inspiration and challenge details HERE at Retro Sketches.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Hearts and Flowers

One of the new papers coming out on January 6th in the 2015 Occasions Catalog is the Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper.  It is absolute gorgeous!  The designs are actually from hand painted originals.  The sketch from Pals Paper Arts was perfect for showing off some of the patterns.  All the colors used on the card can be found in the paper.  To add a pattern to the strip of Blushing Bride card stock, I used Blushing Bride ink to stamp the honey comb image from the Butterfly Basics Stamp Set.

Stamp Sets:  Bloom with Hope, Butterfly Basics; Inks:  Blackberry Bliss, Blushing Bride; Card Stock:  Blushing Bride, Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper, Wild Wasabi; Accessories & Tools:  2013-2015 In Color Sequins, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive

All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise stated.

You can find the Pals Paper Arts challenge details and more inspiration HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #4

With Christmas behind us, I know I've taken a big sigh of relief.  I love this time of year but I am always happy to see it wind down and the excitement of a new year build.  This week's Christmas Card Challenge is an Anything Goes, one of my favorites.

For today's card I've combined the colors from Colour Me...! Card Challenge #51 and the sketch from the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #167.

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink: Real Red; Card Stock:  Always Artichoke, Baked Brown Sugar, Real Red, Season of Style Designer Series Paper Stack (retired), Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Circles Collection Framelits Dies, Christmas Bauble Die (Marianne Design), Gold Sequin Trim, Gold Baker's Twine, Glue Dots, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

All Stampin' Up!® Product unless otherwise noted.

For all the details of the Christmas Card Challenge, click HERE or on the image below.

The details for the Colour Me...! Card Challenge can be found HERE.

Details for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

The Friday Mashup 190 and ColourQ Challenge 273

Well, it's one of those nights when sleep is not coming easy so I'm up making cards.  Actually, I'm getting very sleepy and that is a good thing but it will mean this is a very short post.  My card combines the challenge from The Friday Mashup and the color challenge from ColourQ.  It shows off more of the new products from the 2015 Occasions Catalog, Butterfly Basics Stamp Set and Butterfly Thinlits Dies.

Stamp Sets:  Butterfly Basics, Gorgeous Grunge; Inks:  Calypso Coral, Old Olive; Card Stock:  Hello Honey, Poppy Parade (retired), Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Butterfly Thinlits Dies, Frosted Sequins, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

The details and more inspiration for The Friday Mashup Challenge can be found HERE.

ColourQ Challenge details and inspiration can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Mojo Monday 377

It has been a busy few days and I've not spent much time in my craft studio.  I had such a good time with my family and was so glad that all of my boys were home this year.  It warms this mother's heart! Speaking of hearts, Valentine's Day is not so far off.  Here is a card showcasing some of the new Stacked With Love Designer Series Paper Stack you'll find in the 2015 Occasions Catalog coming out on January 6th.

Stamp Sets:  Work of Art, Punch Potpourri (retired); Ink:  Real Red; Card Stock:  Stacked With Love Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Hearts Collection Framelits Dies, Staggered Heart Border Die-Namics (My Favorite Things), Pearl Basic Jewels, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

The sketch is the current one from Mojo Monday.  You can find it and more details HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Merry Christmas from the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe

Twas the day before Christmas

As you can see, my focus has changed from Christmas to Valentine's Day and the hearts have it.  I love the new Stacked With Love Designer Series Paper Stack from Stampin' Up!®  It's one of the new products that will be available on January 6th but I thought you might like a sneak peek.  I can't wait to show you the new Occasions Catalog and the new Sale-A-Bration Catalog.  You are going to love them!

I loved the sketch over at CAS(E) this Sketch!  I stayed with Real Red and Whisper White as my main colors and added just a splash of Pistachio Pudding with the sequins and baker's twine.

Stamp Set:  Pictogram Punches; Ink:  Real Red; Card Stock:  Stacked With Love Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Chalk Talk Framelits Dies, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Pistachio Pudding Thick Baker's Twine, 2013-2015 In Color Sequin Assortment, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Dimensionals

You can find more inspiration and all the details for the CAS(E) this Sketch! Challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #3

It's Sunday again and time for another Christmas Card Challenge.  This week it's an inspiration challenge with a charming little penguin as the focal point.  Be sure to share your holiday or Christmas cards with us as we love to see all the beautiful projects you create.  Here is the card inspired by that cute little penguin in our inspiration photo.

Stamp Set:  Pennant Parade (retired); Ink:  Cherry Cobbler; Card Stock:  Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White; Other:  Top Note Bigz Die, Curly Label Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" x 5/8" Oval Punch (retired), Large Oval Punch, Little Labels Punch Pack, 1" Cherry Cobbler Sheer Linen Ribbon, White Gel Pen

You can fin all the Christmas Card Challenges details HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Color Throwdown 323 Along With Retro Sketches 145

It's a quick post today since I have to make an unexpected trip over to my youngest son's.  When I drove to my doctor's appointment today, the heater fan would not turn on.  It wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't been around 18 degrees Fahrenheit!  I was just a wee bit frozen by the time I got there and back.  Good thing the windows didn't fog over.  So, here is my card for today.

With so many Christmas gifts go get made, I've rather neglected my regular blog post schedule.  Today I combined a couple of challenges to make a birthday card that I know I'm going to need in a few weeks.  Funny, it's not like I don't have enough made but something peaks your interest and away you go, making something new.  Don't you just love it!

The colors for my card came from the Color Throwdown Challenge and the sketch is from Retro Sketches Challenge.  I loved the colors and the sketch just made it all come together.  They are two challenges that are a joy to follow.

Stamp Set:  Bloom with Hope; Inks:  Baked Brown Sugar, Calypso Coral; Card Stock:  Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Scallop Edge Border Punch, 2014-2015 In Color Sequins, Pearl Basic Jewels, Glue Dots

All Stampin' Up!® Products unless otherwise noted.

You can find the colors and the details for the Color Throwdown Challenge HERE.

The sketch and the details for the Retro Sketches Challenge can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #2

Hello and Happy Sunday, everyone!  Our challenge for this week is to make a card that is Clean And Simple (CAS).  Of course, the only real challenge is that your card be a holiday or Christmas one. Now how easy is that!  Hmmm?  I think I got a little "tilted" when I put this one together.  You know, that might be a good reason to not create in the middle of the night.  :-) 

Stamp Set:  God's Blessing (retired); Ink:  Mossy Meadow; Card Stock:  Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  3/8" Mossy Meadow Stitched Satin Ribbon, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

We'd love to have you join us for this week's CAS Design Challenge.  You could be a winner.  You can find all the details HERE.  Be sure to check out the other members of our Design Team.  You can find their links in the side bar on the right.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

CAS(E) this Sketch! 103 Colored by Fab Friday 56

Oh my, how I do love combining challenges!  I loved the sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch! and the colors from Fab Friday.  It's a clean and simple birthday card that will be perfect for one of my grandsons.  I have three of them whose birthdays are one right after the other, three days in a row in January.

When I was stamping the image from the Holiday Home stamp set in Coastal Cabana, I noticed I had pressed too hard on the ink pad and the edge of the block left a line of ink on my card when I stamped it.  Rather than start over, I simply added more ink to the block edge and added some more lines.  Now how is that for incorporating a "mistake" into your stamping?  I'm one of those stampers who believes there is no mistake in stamping, just opportunities to stretch your imagination.

Did you notice that I flipped the sketch?  No, that wasn't a mistake.  I just decided to be a wee bit different.   :-)

Stamp Sets:  Four You, Gorgeous Grunge, Holiday Home; Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Coastal Cabana, Crumb Cake, Old Olive; Card Stock:  Bermuda Bay, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White; Other:  Dimensionals

The CAS(E) this Sketch! Challenge can be found HERE

The Fab Friday Challenge can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

The Wacky Watercooler "Best of..." December 2014 Blog Hop

It's the Wacky Watercooler The Best of... December 2014 Blog Hop.  It's the "Best of..." a fellow blog hopper, a retired product, and a current product.  Of course, this is my take on what I think is the "Best of..."  It's been fun to see what others consider their picks for the "Best of..." and if you haven't guessed by now, I'm very attached to using the "Best of..." as many times as I can in this post.  :-)  Not really but it just seems to have gone that way.

The first card you see is one that Gail Allen designed for the first Watercooler Blog Hop of 2014.  I liked the way she used the Watercolor Wonder Washi Tape for the tree and chose this card as my "Best of..." pick from Gail.  I think it made for a beautiful Christmas tree, don't you? 

We were to CASE (Copy And Share Everything) the design we picked and what you see below is my take on Gail's card.  Instead of Washi tape, I cut strips from the Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack for my Christmas tree.  Bordered the tree on the four corners using the Confetti Star Punch instead of star sequins and added a Silver Glimmer Paper star and a Red Glimmer Paper star to the top of the tree.  Just call me star crazy!

Stamp Set:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink:  Cherry Cobbler Sahara Sand; Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Garden Green, Whisper White, Trim the Tree Designer Series paper Stack, Silver Glimmer Paper, Red Glimmer Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Confetti Stars Border Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Dimensionals

My next project features the Secret Garden Stamp Set and the Secret Garden Framelits Dies.  I really like Secret Garden and was very sad to see it retire which is why I chose it for my "Best of..." retired product.  It was also a great way to combine some die cuts that were laying around and crying out for a home.  I rather like the color combination.  What do you think?

Stamp Sets:  Bloomin' Marvelous (retired), Secret Garden (retired); Inks:  Blackberry Bliss, Calypso Coral, Wild Wasabi; Stampin' Write Marker:  Daffodil Delight; Card Stock:  Blackberry Bliss, Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Garden Green, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Top Note Bigz Die, Labels Collection Framelits Dies, Decorative Label Punch, Secret Garden Framelits Dies (retired), Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

For my final project, I chose for my "Best of..." current product the Work of Art Stamp Set.  From the time I first saw it, I have loved the images in the set.  With so many birthdays coming up next month, I made a Tic Tac Toe game board for one of my grandsons.  He's the gamer in the family and while they are usually video games, I know he'll get a kick out of this.

Stamp Sets:  Four You, Work of Art; Inks:  Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango; Card Stock:  Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Chalk Talk Framelits Dies, 2013-2015 In Color Sequins, Dimensionals

Next up is the ever talented Jeanne Kupsh.  Click on the image, to head on over to see what projects she has created.

If you'd like to revisit Kath Ricks, just click on the image below.  I'm sure you'll want to check out her great projects again.

And, to head back to the Wacky Watercooler Stamping Blog, click on the image below.  It's so worth looking everything over again.  You never know what you might have missed.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Pals Paper Arts 231

Here's another quick post for you today.  I'm on a roll getting projects done for some challenges.  I loved the colors from the current Pals Paper Arts challenge.  Funny thing is, I already had the Serene Silhouettes image stamped and the die cut done.  It's a watercolor wash using the challenge colors.  Now how cool is that!

Be sure to stop back this evening at 8 p.m. Central Time to take a tour of the Wacky Watercooler "Best of..." Blog Hop.  CASEing, retired and current projects are on tap for some great inspiration.

Stamp Sets:  Bloom with Hope, Serene Silhouettes; Inks:  Bermuda Bay, Pool Party, Soft Sky; Card Stock:  Bermuda Bay, Pool Party, Soft Sky, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Feathers Framelits Dies, Labels Collection Framelits Dies, Linen Thread, Silver Gelly Roll Pen, Thank You Set #4 Embossing Folder (Sizzix)

You can find the details for the Pals Paper Arts color challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Colour Me...! 50 Looks Good with Freshly Made Sketches 166

It's late here, or early, depending on how you look at it,  so I'm going to make this a rather short post.  I seem to be good at that lately, don't I?  Today I played along with two challenges, Colour Me...! and Freshly Made Sketches.  I think they look good together.  I also wanted to let you know that tonight at 8 p.m. Central Time, the Wacky Watercolor Blog Hop starts.  I'm know you're going to want to see all the great projects, so be sure to make a note to come see what we have in store for you.

Stamp Set:  Banner Blessings Photopolymer; Ink:  Night of Navy; Card Stock:  Brushed Silver, Night of Navy, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Lucky Stars Embossing Folder, Scallop Edge Border, 1/8" Silver Ribbon, Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, 2-Way Glue Pen

You can find the colors for the Colour Me...! Challenge HERE.

 The sketch from Freshly Made Sketches can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

ColourQ Challenge 270

Today was a good stay to stay inside and get some much needed designing and crafting done.  So, after church, that is exactly what I did.  With Christmas only a couple of weeks away, I've got plenty of gifts to get made.  I took time out to make this simple card for the ColourQ Challenge.  It took no time at all to put together and I really like these colors together.  I hadn't used my Work of Art Stamp Set for a while and it lent itself perfectly for this design.

Stamp Sets:  Four You, Work of Art; Inks:  Blush Blossom, Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Pistachio Pudding; Card Stock:  Island Indigo, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Pistachio Pudding Thick Baker's Twine, 2013-2015 In Color Sequin Assortment, Dimensionals

You can check out the ColourQ Challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenge #1

Can you believe it's time for a new year of Christmas card making here at Sunday Christmas Card Challenges?  Today marks the first challenge of that new year and it's a color challenge.  I decided to stay pretty true to the color choices but it just had to have a little glitz to it and that is were that Silver Ribbon and Brushed Silver card stock come in.  It doesn't show up well in the photo but the card does have a  pretty shimmer to it. 

Stamp Set:  Beauty of the Season, Christmas Lodge (retired); Inks:  Basic Gray, Garden Green; Card Stock:  Basic Black, Brushed Silver, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  1/8" Silver Ribbon, Dimensionals

Join us HERE for the Sunday Christmas Card Challenges color challenge.  We would love to see what you create!

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Freshly Made Sketches 165

Will wonders never cease!  My plans for today changed which means I have more time to play in the craft studio.  Do I need to tell you just how happy that makes me?  No?  I didn't think so.  :-)

It's a beautiful day here and the sun shining through my window makes me so thankful that my craft studio is such a bright, cheerful place.  The desk is right under the window with the craft table to the left of it and, well, you get the idea.  It's the perfect place to put me in a happy mood!

For today, I've used the great sketch from Freshly Made Sketches and I'm thinking ahead to the next big day we will celebrate, Valentine's Day.  The cut out heart makes a nice frame for the sentiment from the Banner Blessings Stamp Set.

Stamp Sets:  Banner Blessings, Gorgeous Grunge, Kinda Eclectic; Inks:  Pistachio Pudding, Rose Red, So Saffron; Card Stock:  Baby Girl Patterned Paper (DCWV), Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Elegant Butterfly Punch, Hearts Collection Framelits Dies, Pearl Basic Jewels, Dimensionals

The details for the Freshly Made Sketches can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Mojo Monday 374

Since I have a really busy weekend ahead of me, I decided to share this with you now.  I loved the sketch on the Mojo Monday Card Sketch Challenge this week.  I paired it with Blackberry Bliss and Lost Lagoon, two of my favorite 2014-2016 In Colors.  The snowflake doesn't show up well but can you believe I still haven't bought new bulbs for the light tent set up?  I keep forgetting them.  They are at the top of my list for my next shopping spree!

Stamp Set:  Christmas Bliss; Ink:  Lost Lagoon; Card Stock:  Blackberry Bliss, All Is Calm Specialty Designer Series Paper, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  All Is Calm Snowflake Embellishments, Linen Thread, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Dimensionals

You can find all the details for the Mojo Monday Card Sketch Challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Color Throwdown 321 and A Sneak Peak

Today I get to tease you will a preview of a new stamp set called One Tag Fits All that is in the new 2015 Occasions Catalog.  It's coming in January and it is full of absolutely wonderful "stuff!"    Wednesday night was the Catalog Kickoff Event and it's the stamp set we were given for attending the event.  You are going to love the new catalog and the new Sale-A-Bration catalog.  They both launch on January 6th.

With a full schedule, I'm going to keep this short so I can get my Christmas cards addressed, my blog hop projects done (it starts December 11 at 8 p.m.), get my card made for the Design Team at Sunday Christmas Card Challenges, enter more challenges and of course, get those Christmas gifts made.  Whew!  I'm tired all ready.  I do have to say, I love this time of year.

Stamp Set:  One Tag Fits All; Inks:  Early Espresso, VersaMark; Card Stock:  Early Espresso, Whisper White, Gold Foil Sheets, Silver Glimmer Paper, Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels, In Color Sequins, Heat & Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals

You can find the Color Throwdown Challenge details HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Pal Paper Arts 230

So much to do and so little time in which to do it!  I'm making gifts for my friends and family for Christmas and time is definitely moving too fast.  Today I took time to join in the color challenge over at Pals Paper Arts.  I love these colors.  So, it's a short post again, but tomorrow I'll have a bit of a surprise for you in the way of a sneak peak at one of the new stamp sets from the new 2015 Occasions Catalog.  See you tomorrow!

Stamp Sets:  Gorgeous Grunge, Pictogram Punches; Inks:  Baked Brown Sugar, Cherry Cobbler; Card Stock:  Baked Brown Sugar, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

You can find all the details for the current Pals Paper Arts challenge HERE.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha