To You and Yours

This will be my last post for 2016 as I will be spending Christmas with my family.  I wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of you the happiest of holidays and I will see you again in January 2017!

Marsha at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe.

It's Christmas Eve!

Flurry of Wishes

The challenge at What Will You Stamp gave me the opportunity to create with the Flurry of Wishes stamp set.  It's been a while since I've done so and I'd forgotten how much I like this set.  This is my last Christmas card for the year and I must say, as much as I do love Christmas, I'm ready for something different.

Stamp Set:  Flurry of Wishes; Ink:  Dapper Denim; Cardstock:  Dapper Denim, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Other:  Flower Medallion Punch, Snow Flurry Punch, Softly Falling Embossing Folder, Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, Rhinestone Basic Jewels

This week I was able to play along with the What Will You Stamp Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #99

It's our last Watercooler Wednesday Challenge of the year and it's my turn to host.  I'm hosting a Clean And Simple challenge this week but be sure you use those hearts.  I was ready to leave the Christmas cards behind and start on my Valentine's Day cards.  Here is the first of those I need to make.

We have made a change to our line up and are now featuring a CAS (Clean And Simple) challenge each month.  The rules for our Clean And Simple are very simple.  Create an uncluttered design with lots of open space and minimal layers and minimal embellishments.  It gives us a bit more leeway in creating those clean and simple designs.

Stamp Sets:  Jar of Love (tiny hearts),  Sunshine Sayings; Inks:  Night of Navy, Sweet Sugarplum; Cardstock:  Night of Navy, Sweet Sugarplum, Whisper White; Patterned Papers:  2016-2018 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack; Other:  Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder (retired), Sunshine Wishes Dies, 1/4" White Ribbon

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit Watercooler Wednesday Challenges by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, January 2nd, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

With Sympathy

The other day I found out that our facility manager's father-in-law had passed away.  While I don't mind making sympathy cards, it is especially hard to do so right before Christmas.  The empathy I feel for anyone losing a loved one at this time of year is magnified by own sense of loss.  We buried my oldest brother, Lance Corporal Larry D. Borschel, 51 years ago on December 20th.  He was killed in Vietnam during that turbulent time in our country's history.

Here is the card I made for Denise.  I didn't have any bright orchid colors to use so I softened the color and made it pastel on my card.  I didn't think bright would be quite as appropriate for a sympathy card.  I really like how this came together.

Stamp:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink:  Night of Navy; Cardstock:  Gold Foil, Night of Navy, Whisper White: Patterned Paper:  Vellum Paper Sets (Fiskars); Other:  Botanical Builder Framelits Dies, Leafy Branch (Taylored Expressions), Petal Pop-Ups 2 (Taylored Expressions), Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, Triangle Screen Die (My Favorite Things), Pearl Basic Jewels

The colors I used are from the Just Us Girls Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Framed Calendar

As promised, here is the calendar I made for each of the men who are on staff at my apartment building.  I stamped on a piece of Serene Scenery Designer Series Paper Stack using Basic Black Archival ink.  The two stamp sets I used are Wetlands and Sunshine Sayings.  I love how these turned out.  The nice thing about them is that the frames can be reused once the calendar year is done.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Cute Little Easel Calendars

Each year I make a small gifts for the staff at the apartment building where I live.  I always make a calendar for their desks.  For the women in the office I made these cute little easel calendars.  I loved the look of the natural wood so decided not to paint them.  The sentiment I stamped on the frame is from the Sunshine Sayings stamp set from Stampin' Up!  I stamped it in Basic Black Archival ink.  The calendars I used are from Taylored Expressions.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing the framed calendars I made for the men.  Be sure to stop in and take a look.

My easel calendars have been entered in the Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Christmas Poinsettia

Today I was in the mood to do a wee bit of watercoloring.  I wanted to use the colors from the Retro Rubber Challenge and I needed a pretty flower for The Flower Challenge.  I think the three came together beautifully.

Bells & Boughs has been my favorite since I first joined Stampin' Up! in 2010.  It was one of my first picks from the Holiday Catalog that year.  One I chose in my starter kit is the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set which has been around since 2009. 

Actually, I thought I had all of my Christmas cards done for the year.  Nope!  I realized I need six more so this is the first of those six.  Now on to getting the other five created.  On top of that, I've need to get so many things done before I leave for a road trip to Reno to be with my sons for Christmas.  My number two son lives close to me and we are headed west for the holidays.  It will be so much fun to all be together again.  Life is good when you are busy!

Stamp Sets:  Bells & Boughs (2010), Teeny Tiny Wishes (2009); Inks:  Basic Black Archival, Garden Green, Real Red; Cardstock:  Real Red, Shimmery White, Whisper White Thick; Patterned Paper:  Serene Scenery; Other:  Frame in Frame 2 Cutting Plate (Taylored Expressions), Orange Wink of Stella Brush, Jewels Basic Rhinestones

The colors I used are from the Retro Rubber Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

I have entered my card in The Flower Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #98

Kath picked some great colors for her color challenge this week at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges.  I didn't have any silver paper so I cut out the flower from the Sunshine Wishes Dies, covered it with VersaMark and heat embossed it with Silver Embossing Powder.  I also dug out my retired Square Lattice Embossing Folder and used it for the first time in quite a while.

When I saw the colors for the current challenge at The Paper Players, I knew my card would fit theirs' as well.  A silver flower and gold butterflies all on white make for a pretty card, don't you think?

Stamp Set:  Sunshine Sayings; Ink:  Early Espresso; Cardstock:  Whisper White; Other:  Sunshine Wishes Dies, Square Lattice Embossing Folder (retired), Silver Metallic Thread, Decorative Label Punch

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit Watercooler Wednesday Challenges by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, December 19th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link your project.

My card is also entered in The Paper Players Challenge. For all the challenge details, click the image below.

 
Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Happy Bloomin' Birthday

Now that I have all of my Christmas cards done, it's time to start focusing on birthday cards for those fast approaching in the new year.  Three of my grandsons have birthdays one right after the other, three days in a row.  Add to that a dear friend's birthday on one of those same days and you know I need to get busy.  Here is my start on the birthday cards for 2017. 

Stamp Sets:  Bloomin' Birthday Stamp & Die Combo (Taylored Expressions), Timeless Textures; Inks:  Crumb Cake, Wild Wasabi, Wisteria Wonder; Cardstock:  Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi, Wisteria Wonder; Patterned Paper:  Serene Scenery Designer Series Paper Stack; Other:  Bloomin' Birthday Stamp & Die Combo (Taylored Expressions) , Flower Box Sprigs & Flowers Dies (Taylored Expressions), Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies

The sketch I used is from the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

 Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Christmas Gift Card Holder Tag

It isn't often that two challenges have the same theme at the same time.  I was thrilled to see that the Stampin' Royalty Challenge and the Just Add Ink Challenge both asked us to create holiday gift tags.  It gives me the opportunity to share a gift card holder that was one of the Make & Takes at the October 2016 Stamp Joy Event put on by Taylored Expressions.  There were tables set up for us to make ten different projects.  I loved this gift card holder that looks like an elf''s vest.  As you can see it holds a gift card beautifully.  I don't have a list of the supplies, as everything was prepped and ready to go for us.  I added the sentiment and the sequins after I was home.  The sentiment is from the Flurry of Wishes stamp set by Stampin' Up!    

My tag is entered in the Stampin' Royalty Challenge.   For all the challenge details, click the image below.

My tag is entered in the Just Add Ink Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

From Snowflakes to Snowman

When I realized I needed just one more Christmas card, I was at a loss as to what to design.  Factor in that I needed it within a few hours and you can understand my dilemma.  I was looking through my drawer where I keep pieces I've have done but not used on a card and the embossed snowman jumped right out at me.  He was done about three years ago when I was experimenting.  He's actually embossed on a piece of green cardstock then sponged with ink, the color of which I don't remember, then I added some glitter to the snowflakes at the base.  I figured he would due nicely for a quick card.  So, here you have it a very quick, simple card but I think it will do nicely.

Stamp Set:  Christmas Magic (sentiment); Ink:  Sweet Sugarplum, VersaMark; Cardstock:  Sweet Sugarplum, Whisper White; Other:  Snow Flurries Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), Snowman Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!), Holographic Embossing Powder (Ranger)

The theme I used is from The Paper Players Challenge.  For more all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #97

It's sketch week at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges and Penny has given us a great one with which to work.  I decided that I really should finish up the few Christmas cards I still need.  The list is getting shorter all the time.  Yay, me!

I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with our sketch this week, so be sure to link up your project.

Stamp Set:  Christmas Magic; Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Mint Macaron; Cardstock:  Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White; Patterned Paper:  Home For Christmas Designer Series Paper (retired), Serene Scenery Designer Series Paper Stack; Other:  Circle Die, Gilt Frame Die (Downton Abbey Collection), Clear Wink of Stella Brush, Green Wink of Stella Brush, Orange Wink of Stella Brush, Red Wink of Stella Brush

 For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit Watercooler Wednesday Challenges by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, December 12th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link your project.

 Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Joy

Today in Iowa, it is a cold, blustery one.  But, the sun is shining brightly and the sky is blue.  It's a good day to stay in where it is warm and work on Christmas gifts I still need to finish.

I took a break from gift making and made this card.  I combined the colors from CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge and the sketch from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  I think they came together well.

But, now, it's back to getting those gifts done.  Time is running out!

Stamp Set:  Holiday Florals (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Crushed Cucumber, Mint Macaron, Real Red; Cardstock:  Basic Black, Whisper White; Other:  Holiday Florals Dies (Taylored Expressions), Joy Die (Taylored Expressions), Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!), Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details (Stampin' Up!)

The colors I used are from the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

For the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge we were challenge to choose colors from one of the 2016 color challenges and make it seasonal.  I chose Challenge #163.  As you can see, I stayed with more traditional colors.

The sketch I used is from the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Thanks

Today I combined the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches Challenge with the colors from The Color Throwdown Challenge.  I think they played well together.  And, surprisingly enough, I didn't even use a stamp set.  The order of the day was embossing folders and die-cuts.

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant; Cardstock:  Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Mint Macaron, Whisper White; Other:  Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!), Thanks Die (Taylored Expressions), Weathered Embossing Folder (Taylored Expressions), Splatter Embossing Folder (Taylored Expressions), Sequins

The sketch I used is from Freshly Made Sketches.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

The colors I used are from The Color Throwdown Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Sunflower Bouquet

When I attended the Stamp Joy 2016 Event in October, one of the classes I took was a watercolor class.  Today I'm sharing with you one of the cards I made in that class, which fits perfectly with the Watercolor Resist challenge at the CAS Watercolour Card Challenge.  The image was heat embossed then water colored.  I love the way this looks.  It's a wee bit of bright to counter the cold of an Iowa winter.

My card has been entered in the CAS Watercolour Card Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Elegant Birthday

Making birthday cards is something I love to do.  This one is going to a very dear lady who has become like a second mother to me.  She's such a sweet woman and I love her dearly.  I kept the design clean and simple and let that beautiful Elegant Birthday stamped image be the focal point.  The stamp set is retired but it's one I know I will use for many years to come.

Stamp Set:  Elegant Birthday (retired); Ink:  Night of Navy; Cardstock:  Night of Navy, Whisper White; Other:  Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, Sunshine Wishes Thinlits Dies, Itty Bitty Accents Heart Punch, Metal Rimmed Pearl

The sketch I used is from the Sunday Stamps Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha