Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #40

For this week's challenge, it's "Anything Goes" but Heidi has added a little twist.  Your project must have holly in somewhere within the design.  The Peaceful Wreath stamp set is full of holly.  The Lots of Labels Framelits Dies made for a nice little pot for the holly.  A few Home for Christmas Enamel Dots and Voila! it was finished.

Do join us this week and share your "Anything Goes" holly project with us. 

Stamp Sets:  Peaceful Wreath, Wondrous Wreath (sentiments); Inks:  Archival Basic Black, Mossy Meadow, Real Red, Wild Wasabi; Cardstock:  Mossy Meadow, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Lots of Labels Framelits Dies, Home for Christmas Enamel Dots, Dimensionals, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

For all the challenge details and to link up your project, visit Watercooler Wednesday Challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Thank You for Your Service

Each year around this time I start thinking of cards I need to make to send to those I know who have served or are now serving our country.  I loved the sketch from Taylored Expressions Share Joy Challenge this week.  It's a new challenge for me but you know me, I love those challenges.  Because it's such a white card, it's hard to see the stitched line on the left or the full curve on the right but they are both there.  :-)

Stamp Set:  Stars & Stripes (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Real Red, Night of Navy; Cardstock:  Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Stars & Stripes Die (Taylored Expressions), Hills Die Set (Your Next Stamp), Stitched Line Die (Your Next Stamp), Frosted Sequins, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Dimensionals, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

The sketch I used is from the Taylored Expressions Share Joy Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #47

Woo!  Hoo!  Another "Anything Goes" challenge at Christmas Card Challenges.  I used the retired Ornamental Pine stamp set that my friend and fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, Karen Huber, left with me when she visited in July.  I'm going to be sad when I have to return it.  It is a wonderful set.

Be sure to share your "Anything Goes" project with us and show us what you've got!

Stamp Set:  Ornamental Pine (retired); Inks:  Mossy Meadow (sentiment inside card), Soft Suede, VersaMark Watermark Ink, Whisper White Craft Ink; Cardstock:  Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Circle Collection Framelits Dies, Pewter Stampin' Emboss Powder (retired), 3/8" Ribbon (American Crafts), Glue Dots, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® unless otherwise noted.

For all the challenge details and to join our challenge, visit Christmas Card Challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

A Star on Top

It's just a simple green tree with a star on top.  I wanted to add more glitter and lots of rhinestones but once I saw it like this, I decided to leave it alone.  I think I sometimes go overboard on bling only because I love sparkly so much.  So, here is my simple green tree with a star on top.  :-)

Stamp Sets:  Christmas Lodge (retired), You've Got This; Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Mint Macaron; Cardstock:  Garden Green, Silver Glimmer Paper, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Itty Bitty Accents Epoxy Stickers, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Dimensionals, Multipurpose Liquid Glue.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

The sketch I used is from Freshly Made Sketches.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Last Call for 15% off Stamp Sets

It's almost gone!  Today is the last day you can order stamp sets from the Annual Catalog or the Holiday Catalog at 15% off retail.  So, don't delay!  Order now!  Don't miss out on this great sale!  It ends tonight at 12:55 a.m. Central Time.

When placing your order, please use Host Code:

CXRKC2H4 

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Thinking of You

It's lunch time here in my little corner of the world so I'm going to keep this post short.  I forgot to eat breakfast so I'm starving!  But, I wanted to share with you the card I made for The Paper Players Challenge and the Colour Me...! Challenge.  The theme is leaves and the colors are perfect for fall.  Well, the Watermelon Wonder is pushing it for a fall color but there are some leaves that do look a bit like it.  Sometimes when you pick up a leaf, it will have little nubs on it so I added the pearls for a bit of dimension as well as to reflect those little bumps.  :-)  At least my bobble head scarecrow is smiling!

Stamp Sets:  Butterfly Basics (background), Happy Scenes (sentiment); Inks:  Crumb Cake, Basic Black Archival; Cardstock:  Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla, Watermelon Wonder; Accessories & Tools:  Assorted Leaves Dies (Darice), Pearl Basic Jewels, Very Vanilla Thick Baker's Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

The theme I used is from The Paper Players Challenge.

The colors I used are from the Colour Me...! Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #39

This week Susan has given us a great color challenge at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges.  They are not colors I often work with so it took me a wee bit of time to come up with a combination I liked.  You'll notice there is no stamping on this one.  Totally unexpected and unplanned but I do like the way it turned out.

Now it's your turn, come join us at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges and show us what you designed using the challenge colors.  We'd love to see what you create!

Stamps:  None; Inks:  None; Cardstock:  Basic Gray, Home for Christmas, So Saffron, Watermelon Wonder; Accessories & Tools:  Hello You Thinlits Dies, Triple Banner Punch, Home for Christmas Enamel Dots, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

For all the challenge details and to link up your project, visit Watercooler Wednesday Challenges.

The sketch I used is from the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Save 15% off Stamp Sets starting Today!

The day has finally arrived!  Start saving on all those stamp sets on your wishlist!  From today through Friday, October 23rd, stamps will be discounted 15% off retail.  The sale only lasts for a few days, so get your order in today.  You don't want to miss out on this great sale!

When placing your order, please use Host Code:

CXRKC2H4 

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Crazy About You Birthday

Today finds me feeling very lazy and totally without ambition.  It's a beautiful Autumn day full of sunshine, blue sky and gentle breezes.  Before I turn into a complete vegetable, I wanted to share this card I made for two of my favorite challenges.  I think the great sketch from Freshly Made Sketches and the Cajun Craze and Hello Honey colors from Colour Me...! make for a very pretty card.  Don't you think those colors go great with my little bobble head scarecrow?  :-)

Stamp Sets:  Butterfly Basics, Crazy About You; Inks:  Cajun Craze, Hello Honey, Tuxedo Black Memento; Cardstock:  Hello Honey, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Flower Medallion Punch, Cajun Craze Regal Candy Dots, Iced Rhinestone, Dimensionals, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

The great colors I used are from the Colour Me...! Challenge.

The fantastic sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #46

Hello and welcome to this week's Christmas Card Challenges.  Don't you just love that inspiration photo?  I combined a couple of my favorite stamp sets, Holiday Home and White Christmas, for this scene with Santa and his sleigh and reindeer.  It's a wee bit foggy but sometimes Christmas Eve is just like that here in Iowa.  I love Christmas and am looking forward to dragging out all my decorations to make my home festive.

We'd love to have you join us this week and share the project inspired by our photo challenge.  Be sure to link up at Christmas Card Challenges.

Stamp Sets:  Holiday Home (retired), White Christmas; Inks:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Night of Navy, Smoky Slate, So Saffron, Soft Suede, Tip Top Taupe, Tuxedo Black Memento; Cardstock:  Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Word Window Punch, Dazzling Details, Pearl Basic Jewels, Dimensionals, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Blending Tool (Ranger), Stampin' Trimmer.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

For all the challenge details and to join us this week, visit Christmas Card Challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Save 15% on all Stamp Sets

That's right!  Starting Monday, October 19th through Friday, October 23rd, stamps will be discounted 15% off retail.  The sale only last for a few days, so don't miss out on this great sale!

When placing your order, please use Host Code:

CXRKC2H4 

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Wacky Watercooler October Holiday Round-Up Blog Hop

Welcome to the Wacky Watercooler October Holiday Round-Up Blog Hop.  The Watercooler gang has been hard at work creating some mighty fine new holiday projects featuring products from the Annual Catalog and the Holiday Catalog.  There are 13 of us so be prepared to be amazed with all the wonderful projects we have to share.

For my first project, I used the new Happy Scenes stamp set, the new Hearth & Home Framelits Dies, the new Woodland Embossing Folder and an old favorite, the Lovely As a Tree stamp set.  And, yes, Jean, I used a spider.  She knows how much I hate spiders.  I go running whenever I see one.  Sad thing is, I have to come back to do away with the critter.  It's really a funny undertaking and I'm sure you all would laugh until you fell off your chairs should you ever have the privilege of seeing me go into action.

Just for the record, no, I don't consider Halloween a holiday but my oldest son does.  I'm not sure where he gets that from but I can assure you it's not from my side of the family!  :-)   I made this card just for him.  It's going to be included in the care package I'm sending off to him in a few days.  I just have to finish getting the things I want to include. 

Stamp Sets:  Happy Scenes, Lovely As a Tree; Ink:  Basic Black Archival; Cardstock:  Basic Black, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Tangerine Tango, Timeless Elegance Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Woodland Embossing Folder, Hearth & Home Framelits Dies, Softly Falling Embossing Folder, Triple Banner Punch, Silver Cording Trim, Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Glue Dots, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Dimensionals, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

For my second project, I focused on Thanksgiving.  I think it is a nearly forgotten holiday other than you get the day off from work.  I'm one of those who waits until the day after Thanksgiving to start looking forward to Christmas.  The only exception is making Christmas cards throughout the year as a member of the Design Team for Christmas Card Challenges.  It's nice to have them all done and ready to go when the time comes.

These are the cards that I'll be sending out to my family.  I combined three of my favorite stamp sets, For All Things, Teeny Tiny Wishes and You've Got This.  The little label is made using the Festive Flower Builder Punch.  I stamped the Happy Thanksgiving sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes onto Whisper White cardstock then, punched it out using the Festive Flower Builder Punch.  As you can see, it fits perfectly in the punched piece.  Hey, no one told me it had to make a flower.  :-)

This is how I finished the inside of the card.

Stamp Sets:  For All Things, Teeny Tiny Wishes, You've Got This; Inks:  Cajun Craze, Delightful Dijon, Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie, Tip Top Taupe; Cardstock:  Cajun Craze, Delightful Dijon, Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie, Timeless Elegance Designer Series Paper, Tip Top Taupe, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Lots of Labels Framelits Dies, Boho Chic Embossing Folder, Corner Rounder Punch, Festive Flower Builder Punch, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Pearl Basic Jewels, Dimensionals, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

My final project is all about Christmas.  It uses the new Peaceful Wreath stamp set, the Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies and the new Brick Wall Embossing Folder.  It doesn't show up well but the stamped bow has a Gold Cording Trim bow added on top of it.  It probably would have shown up better had I used a different color of ink for the stamped bow.  Oh, and can I just say I love those Home for Christmas Enamel Dots!  I know, I got a little carried away.  :-)  I hope Stampin' Up!® comes out with more of those.

Stamp Set:  Peaceful Wreath; Inks:  Crumb Cake, Mossy Meadow, Real Red; Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Mossy Meadow, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies, Brick Wall Embossing Folder, Gold Cording Trim, Home for Christmas Enamel Dots, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

You next stop is the ever talented Heidi Weaver.  Click on the Next image below to be whisked away to see all of her wonderful projects.

To revisit the great projects by Debbie Spano, click on the Previous image below.

And, as always, you can go back to the beginning of our Wacky Watercooler October Holiday Round-Up Blog Hop and start all over again by clicking on the Home image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #38

This week at  Watercooler Wednesday Challenges, Buffy has given us a great Tic-Tac-Toe board to choose from.  For my card I chose to do the middle row given the fact I needed a thank you card.  And, yes, I did use vellum over the stamped images to tone down the colors.  I really wanted that gorgeous Delightful Dijon Dotted Lace Trim to stand out.  Oh, and I love those candy dots!

So, join us this week at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges and show us how you were inspired.

Stamp Sets:  Crazy for You, For All Things, Kinda Eclectic (sentiment inside card), You've Got This; Inks:  Delightful Dijon, Early Espresso, Tip Top Taupe; Cardstock:  Delightful Dijon, Vellum, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Candy Dots Brad Bases, Cajun Craze Regals Candy Dots, Delightful Dijon 1" Dotted Lace Trim, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Adhesive Sheets (Scrapbook Adhesives), Stampin' Trimmer.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

For all the challenge details and to link up you project, visit Watercooler Wednesday Challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #45

It's "Anything Goes" here at Christmas Card Challenges.  It's one of my favorites since I get to do whatever I want.  For today's card I stuck with a monochromatic color scheme of Tip Top Taupe.  What you can't see well is the embossing done with the Softly Falling Embossing Folder.  Don't you just love that Dotted Lace Trim? 

Stamp Sets:  Lovely As a Tree, Christmas Lodge - sentiment (retired); Ink:  Tip Top Taupe; Cardstock:  Tip Top Taupe, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Softly Falling Embossing Folder, Tip Top Taupe 1" Dotted Lace Trim, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Dimensionals.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

For all the challenge details and to join us this week, visit Christmas Card Challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

A Pumpkin Pie Thanksgiving

Ever have one of those projects that when you are done with it, it just doesn't seem right?  Well, this is one for me.  The design looked so much better in my mind.  Some how I just couldn't get those flowers and leaves to work for me but, I decided to share it anyway.  I do like the Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black together. 

Stamp Set:  Season of Giving (Hero Arts); Ink:  Basic Black Archival; Card Stock:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Festive Flower Builder Punch, Black Flowers (Prima), Orange Flowers (Daisy D's), Candy Dots Brad Bases, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Glue Dots, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer.  Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

The colors I used are from the Colour Me...! Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Grateful Heart for Freshly Made Sketches #207

Today I'm headed up to my son's to visit with his family but before I hit the road, I just had to share this card with you.  It's all about patterned paper.  While the patterned paper wasn't part of the challenge at Freshly Made Sketches, I have so much of it that it just seemed like the right thing to do. 

Stamp Set:  Happy Scenes (sentiment); Inks:  Antique Linen (Tim Holtz), Soft Suede; Cardstock:  Generations Paper Pad (Simply Stories), Soft Suede, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Satin Flower (from my stash), Rhinestones (from my stash), Blending Tool, Stampin' Trimmer, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Dimensionals.  Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

To find the great sketch I used and for all the challenge details, visit Freshly Made Sketches.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Anchors Aweigh Birthday

It's time to start making some masculine birthday cards for the guys who live in my apartment building.  One of the things I do, is volunteer to give each tenant a birthday card.  It's been a fun project for me and I enjoy sharing the cards I make with others.

Today's card combines the Sunday Stamps Color Challenge with the Fab Friday Sketch Challenge.  The Open Sea stamp set is a go to for me when I'm making a masculine card.

Stamp Sets:  Crazy about You, The Open Sea; Ink:  Soft Suede; Cardstock:  Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Timeless Elegance, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Triple Banner Punch, Gold Sequin Trim, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Dimensionals, Paper Snips, Stampin' Trimmer.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

The colors I used are from the Sunday Stamps Challenge.

The sketch I used is from the Fab Friday Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #37

This week Jackie has provided us with a very cool sketch for our Watercooler Wednesday challenge.  I used the Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper and added one of the Christmas trees that I fussy cut.  I added a wee bit of Dazzling Details to the snow on the trees and the candlelight on the Christmas tree.  It's hard to see in the photo but it's there.

We loved to have you join us for our sketch challenge.  Show us how you were inspired by the sketch.

Stamp Sets:  Happy Scenes (background snow), White Christmas (sentiment); Inks:  Mint Macaron, Real Red; Cardstock:  Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper, Mint Macaron, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Dazzling Details, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Paper Snips, Stampin' Trimmer.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise stated.

For all the challenge details, visit Watercooler Wednesday Challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunday Christmas Card Challenges #44

This week we have a beautiful color challenge for you at Christmas Card Challenges.  I love these colors together even though they are non-traditional Christmas colors.  We'd love to see how these colors inspired so make that project and link it up.

Stamp Sets:  Happy Scenes (sentiment), Reason for the Season; Inks:  Night of Navy, Perfect Plum, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder; Cardstock:  Night of Navy, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Accessories & Tools:  Lots of Labels Framelits Dies, 1/2" Pool Party Seam Binding (retired), Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Dimensionals, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Glue Dots, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

For all the challenge details and to join this week's challenge, visit us at Christmas Card Challenges.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Shades of Autumn

Fall has definitely come to Iowa.  Our daytime temperatures have been in the 60s and our nighttime temperatures have been in the 40s.  There is definitely a chill in the air and hints of even cooler weather yet to come.  It won't be long now and the leaves will really start to burst with color.  I'm hoping we have a lot of color this year.

Here is the card I made for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge.  I couldn't get the lighting just right and you can't see the shimmer mist well but it added just a wee bit of gold to the design.

Stamp Set:  For All Things; Inks:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso; Cardstock:  Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper Stack (retired), Crumb Cake, Delightful Dijon, Smoky Slate, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Assorted Leaves Dies (Darice), Crimper, Paper Snips, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Dimensionals, Gold Pearl Mist (Splash of Color).  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

The sketch I used is from Freshly Made Sketches.

The color inspiration came from Design Seeds.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Butterfly Trio

What do you get when you combine two great challenges, butterflies and the Inlaid Die Cut Technique?  A very pretty 5" x 5" card that is destined for my favorite oldest granddaughter who recently moved to Reno, Nevada.  To clarify, I have two granddaughters so I have a favorite oldest and a favorite youngest.  And, to further clarity, I have seven grandsons who are all my favorites.  :-)

For this card, I combined the Retrosketches Challenge sketch with Hayley's colors from the Colour Me...! Challenge.  I have really taken to the Inlaid Die Cut Technique.  It's fun and really quite easy to do.   

Stamp Sets:  Butterfly Basics, Kinda Eclectic, Nature's Perfection; Inks:  Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron, Sahara Sand; Cardstock:  Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron, Sahara Sand, Timeless Elegance Designer Series Paper, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Woodland Embossing Folder, Elegant Butterfly Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Circle Collection Framelits Dies, Mint Macaron 1" Dotted Lace Trim, Pearl Basic Jewels, SNAIL Permanent Adhesive, Dimensionals, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine.  All Stampin' Up!® product unless otherwise noted.

The sketch I used is from the Retrosketches Challenge.

The colors I used are from the Colour Me...! Challenge.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha