Thank You

It's been a beautiful day here today and I had so much to do inside that I didn't get a chance to enjoy outside.  That's just the way it sometimes goes.  I did find time between everything else on my list to make this card for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and the Color Throwdown Challenge.  I rather like the way it turned out.

Stamp Sets:  Background Bits, Papillon Potpourri; Inks:  Basic Black Archival, Raspberry Ripple; Stampin' Write Marker:  Daffodil Delight; Cardstock:  Crushed Cucumber, Daffodil Delight, Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White; Patterned Paper:  5th Avenue 6x6 Paper Pad; Other:  Bitty Butterfly Punch, Bloomers 4 Dies (Taylored Expressions, Rhinestone Basic Jewels.  Stampin' Up! product unless otherwise noted.

The sketch I used is from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

The colors I used are from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #129 - Libby's All About Christmas Challenge

It's Christmas in July with this week's Watercooler Wednesday All About Christmas Challenge.  Getting a jump start on my Christmas cards makes it so nice when it's time to get them ready for the mail.  I don't have to stress about not having enough or having to make a bunch of them all at one time.  And, that gives me time to concentrate on all the other fun things to do at that time of the year.

Stamp Set:  Holiday Florals (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Peeled Paint Oxide, Worn Lipstick Oxide (both Tim Holt by Ranger); Cardstock:  Watercolor Paper (Strathmore), Watermelon Wonder and Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Other:  Joy Die (Taylored Expressions), Wreath Cutting Plate (Taylored Expressions), Golden Sunset Glitter Drops (Nuvo)

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, July 31st at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - Boys to Men

It's time for another challenge from The Sisterhood of Crafters.  It's a biweekly challenge and so much fun.  I do hope you'll come join us and share your creativity.

So, let's get on with this week's new challenge.  Hosting this week is Terri and she has us thinking about the boys and men in our lives.   So, whether it's a son, grandson, grandfather, uncle, nephew or a friend, masculine cards are the ticket.

You know I just had to play with those Distress Oxide inks again.  The background was done using a paint brush to apply the colors.  I just kept adding layers until I had just the look I wanted.  One thing to remember, though, is to dry each layer of color as you go so you don't wind up with a muddy background.  That is the voice of experience talking even after watching Tim's video.  Some lessons just have to be learned the hard way.

Stamp Sets:  Colorful Seasons, In the Meadow ( Images (C) Stampin' Up!); Distress Oxide Inks:  Faded Jeans, Peeled Paint, Wilted Violet, Worn Lipstick (Tim Holtz); Inks:  Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Soft Suede (Stampin' Up!); Other:  Seasonal Layers Thinlits Dies (Stampin' Up!)

For all the challenge details and to share your project at The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Peace on Earth in Non-Traditional Colors

One of the things I enjoy doing is using non-traditional colors for some of my Christmas cards.  The colors from the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge were perfect.  And, the theme from the Cut It Up Challenge gave me the opportunity to use the new Carols of Christmas stamp set and Card Front Builder Thinlits Dies.  I love how those pretty pink poinsettias from the Peace on Earth.

Stamp Set:  Carols of Christmas (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Blushing Bride, Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!); Cardstock:  Blushing Bride, Night of Navy, Soft Sky (Stampin' Up!); Other:  Card Front Builder Thnlits Dies (Stampin' Up!), Golden Sunset Glitter Drops (Nuvo)

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

The Christmas theme is from the Cut It Up Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Enjoy Your Day

To beat the oppressive heat we are experiencing here in Iowa, I've been spending a lot of my time in my craft room.  When you have temperatures in the 90 and 100 degree range along with heat indices of 100 to 115 degrees, you definitely need to stay out of the heat.

Today I was playing around with some of my Distress Oxide Inks and thought how would they look on Kraft paper?  So, I cut the bird out of Kraft paper and sponged him with Fossilized Amber ink, dropped some water drops on it and patted them off with a paper towel.  I love the way it looks.  It definitely gave a bit of dimension to him.  I did the same with the banners I punched from the Kraft paper.  For those I used Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint and Spiced Amber.    The sentiment was stamped in Vintage Photo.  Even the burlap paper layer has the color of Kraft.

Now I'm off to do my chores and get things ready for tomorrow when a sweet friend is coming over to spend some time crafting with me.  With her busy schedule, I know I'm going to totally enjoy my time with her.

Stamp Set:  Butterfly Basics - background on sentiment strip (Stampin' Up!), Zinnia Bouquet - sentiment (Taylored Expressions); Distress Oxide Inks:  Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz); Cardstock:  Kraft (DCWV), Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up!); Patterned Paper:  5th Avenue 6x6 Paper Pad, Burlap Paper Stack (DCWV); Other:  Caged Bird Die (Tim Holtz), Triple Banner Punch (Stampin' Up!), Rhinestone

The sketch I used is from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

The use of Kraft paper is from City Crafter Challenge Blog.   For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Thinking of You Embossed Flowers on Vellum

One of the things I really enjoy doing is heat embossing on vellum.  When I took a background class from Taylored Expression last month this is one of the cards we made.  We heat embossed on vellum using white embossing powder.  Then, we color the flowers and leaves using Copic markers.  I love the effect you get.  Sometimes I'll just stamp the image on the vellum and once the ink is completely dry, you flip it over and color on the back of the vellum.  The advantage to heat embossing your image is that you just color within the lines and don't have to worry about going outside the lines.  I think it's a very pretty card.  Don't you?

The heat embossing technique I used is from The Flower Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #128 - Heidi's Masculine "Anything Goes" Challenge

This week it's the Masculine "Anything Goes" Challenge at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  I'm really enjoying having a masculine challenge in our line-up as it gives me the chance to make up a stash of cards that are perfect to send to the men in my life.

Today I've used the High Tide stamp set by Stampin' Up!  I stamped the sandpipers and grass on a layer of Crumb Cake cardstock using Tim Holtz's Vintage Photo Oxide ink by Ranger.  I do like that lighthouse image.

Stamp Set:  High Tide; Inks:  Coastal Cabana - retired (Stampin' Up!), Vintage Photo Oxide (Ranger); Cardstock:  Coastal Cabana -retired, Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Whisper White (all Stampin' Up!); Patterned Paper:  Down By The Shore (Fancy Pants); Other:  Pool Party Baker's Twine, Sequins

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, 24th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Believe

After watching a Tim Holtz video yesterday, I decided to give the Distress Oxide inks a try on Glossy White cardstock. What you can't see in the photo is the overall shiny look to the card.  I must say that I do like the look of them on the glossy.

It was a bit of a learning curve for me but I am happy with the outcome.  One of the thing I discovered is once completely dry, the color will rub off on your fingers.  To eliminate this for the recipient, I simply went over it gently with a paper towel.  It took off all the "chalky" feel and left a very nice shiny look.  It's the only time I have known these inks to rub off.  On the other papers I've used them on that does not happen.  By completely dry, I mean that I dried each layer of color I applied with my heat tool then, set it aside to dry overnight.

Stamp Set:  Believe (Momenta); Distress Oxide Inks:  Faded Jeans, Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Vintage Photo, Wilted Violet, Worn Lipstick (Tim Holtz); Cardstock:  Always Artichoke, Glossy White (both Stampin' Up!); Other:  Sequins, White Blizzard Glitter Drops (Nuvo)

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

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Thinking of You in Pink & Green

It's it winter, yet?  I know!  I know!  You don't want to think about winter but when the temperatures are in the nineties with a tropical humidity here in Iowa, you can understand why I'm ready for some cool weather.  Right now our temperature is 86 degrees F but it feels like 93 degrees F.  To top it off, I had to go to the grocery store.  That heat and humidity just saps the strength right out of you.  It's a good thing I made my card before I left.

Stamp Set:  Colorful Seasons (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Pink Pirouette (Stampin' Up!), Strawberry Milkshake (Taylored Expressions); Cardstock:  Pistachio Pudding, Whisper White (both Stampin' Up!); Patterned Paper:  Nana's Nursery Baby Girl (DCWV); Other:  Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, Rhinestone Basic Jewels (both Stampin' Up!)

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

The colors I used are from the Color Throwdown Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Crafty Calendar July 15th Challenge - Theme "Anything Goes"

As mentioned in my July 1st post, we have two great sponsors for the month of July "Anything Goes" challenge at the Crafty Calendar Challenge.  I totally fell in love with this sweet Fancy Sunbonnet Cake image from Bugaboo Digi Stamps.  Doesn't that cake look scrumptious?

The little sunbonnet reminds me of the one my grandmother made for me for my hometown's centennial many years back.  I still have the dress and bonnet hanging in my closet.  Isn't it great when an image can bring back such a pleasant memory.

Stamps:  Fancy Sunbonnet Cake (Bugaboo Digi Stamps), Butterfly Basics - sentiment (Stampin' Up!), Inks:  Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!), Copic Markers; Cardstock:  Night of Navy and Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), Watercolor Paper (Strathmore); Other:  Sequins

For all the challenge details and to share your project at the Crafter Calendar Challenge, just click on our name.

Our other sponsor for the month of July is Bugaboo Digi Stamps.

So glad you stopped by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Peace on Earth

What do you do on scorching hot days?  Me?  I stay inside in air conditioned bliss and craft the day away.  Well, that's after all the household chores are done.

Today found me making a Christmas card.  Why, you ask?  I have new stamping goodies, that's why.  The new Carols of Christmas stamp set from Stampin' Up! caught my eye along with the Card Front Builder Thinlits Dies that compliment the stamp set and I just couldn't resist.  I didn't use the dies this time but you will be seeing those projects in the future. 

My original idea for this card was to use traditional Christmas colors.  As you can see, I changed my other mind.  I love the way Lost Lagoon and Rich Razzleberry colors look so well together.

The Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge is a new one for me.  One of my favorite types of challenges are the sketch challenges.  For me it's all about the layers and just what can I do with them.  They also afford me the opportunity to use up some of the patterned papers I have sitting on my shelf.   

Stamp Set:  Carols of Christmas (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Rich Razzleberry; Cardstock:  Lost Lagoon, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White (all Stampin' Up!); Patterned Paper:  Silent Night (kimemories); Other:  Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!), 1/4" Rich Razzleberry Cotton Ribbon (Stampin' Up!)

The sketch I used is from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #127 - Judy's All About Birthdays Challenge

Today's Watercooler Wednesday Challenge is all about birthdays.  It's one of the new challenges in our revamped line-up of challenges.  Who of us doesn't need birthday cards?  I know I seem to go through many of them between family and friends.  I have several I need to get in the mail this week and this card will be one of them.

Stamp Set:  Butterfly Basics - sentiment (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Tempting Turquoise; Distress Oxide Inks:  Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Wilted Violet; Cardstock:  Crisp Cantaloupe, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White (all Stampin' Up!); Patterned Paper:  Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack (Stampin' Up!); Other:  Bloomers 4 Dies (Taylored Expressions), Leafy Branches (Taylored Expressions)

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, 17th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Where in the World

Today I'm so pleased to share with you that I am a Design Team Member with The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge.  It's a biweekly challenge and I know it's going to be a lot of fun.  I do hope you'll come and join us.

So, let's get on with this week's new challenge at The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge.  Diane is hosting our challenge and she has chosen "Where in the World."  It's about anything that represents the part of the world, country and/or state where you live.  I can't wait to see where in the world you all are.

As you can see I'm from Iowa in the USA.  For my card I opted to do a collage.  To a die-cut of the country I added some of the things about Iowa that you may not know.  For the background, I used watercolor paper and added a wash of Distress Oxide inks.

Stamp Set:  None; Ink:  Black (ink jet printer); Distress Oxide Inks:  Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade (Tim Holtz for Ranger); Cardstock:  River Rock (Stampin' Up!), Watercolor Paper (Strathmore), Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), Teal (Unknown); Other:  Modern Label Punch, Postage Stamp Punch (both Stampin' Up!), Stars & Stripes Die (Taylored Expressions)

For all the challenge details and to share your project at The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge, just click on our name.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Just a Note

Time does fly when you are busy.  Top that off with not feeling well and that explains why it's been a while since I've been able to sit and create.  Today I'm sharing my water-colored butterflies with you.  I love those Distress Oxide inks and just can't seem to get enough of them.  This is another of my note cards that I like to keep on hand.

Now I'm on my way to watch the final episode of Downton Abbey.  I'm still not feeling too perky so I'm taking it easy today.

Stamp Set:  Simply Stamped - Butterflies (Taylored Expressions); Distress Oxide Inks:  Faded Jeans, Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz by Ranger); Ink:  Basic Gray; Cardstock:  Basic Gray, Whisper White (both Stampin' Up!), Watercolor Paper (Strathmore); Other:  Simply Stamped - Butterflies Dies (Taylored Expressions), Succulent Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!)

The theme I used is from the CAS Watercolour Card Challenge.  For my butterflies, which are the watercolor focal for my card, I stamped the images onto watercolor paper and spritzed them with water to get the water colored look.  The Distress Oxide inks work great for this.  The die-cut flowers were lightly tapped on the ink pad to give them a bit of color.

For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

So glad you stopped by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #126 - Fiona's Feminine "Anything Goes" Challenge

We are so excited here at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge!  We have a brand new look and are so proud to share it with you.  New banner and new badges and fun new graphics.  So, what do you think?  Fantastic, right?  You'll be seeing more of them throughout the month.

My card today is one of the cards I made when I attended a Distress Oxide Inks Class at Taylored Expressions last month.  The inks are a joy to use and there are so many ways in which they can be applied.  For this one, we stamped the different colors of ink onto our craft mats, spritzed it with water than swiped a piece of watercolor paper through it.  You keep adding layers of color until you get just the look your want but you have to let it dry between so yours colors don't become muddy.  I just love the way this turned out as it was my very first card made using the Distress Oxide Inks. 

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, July 3rd at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Celebrate Freedom

Tomorrow is the 4th of July so I just had to get a new card made to celebrate the occasion.  It's also fits the theme over at The Male Room Challenge.  One of the things that never photographs well is the little glitter drops I add.  The fireworks each have a few drops on them.  They picked up the blue color of the ink I used to stamp them with.  And, the ones that I added to the white, well, they are there but they are very had to see in the photo.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July everyone!

Stamp Sets:  Holiday Assortment (Inkadinkadoo), Stars & Stripes - sentiment (Taylored Expressions; Inks:  Night of Navy, Real Red (both Stampin' Up!); Cardstock:  Marina Mist (Stampin' Up!), White (Darice), Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Other:  White Blizzard Glitter Drops (Nuvo)

The theme I used is from The Male Room Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

So glad you stopped by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Crafty Calendar July 1st Challenge - Theme "Anything Goes"

For our July "Anything Goes" challenge at the Crafty Calendar Challenge, we have two great sponsors; Stamping Studio and Bugaboo Digital Stamps.  We're starting off the month on July 1st with digital stamps images from Miss Daisy Stamps at the Stamping Studio.  

One thing you may not know about me is that I love flowers.  Any and all flowers, even some on plants that might be considered weeds.  I think they are just one of the most beautiful creations.

As you can see, I picked this great digital image of a pot of flowers.  I'm calling them violets, as they are one of my favorite flowers.  This image is from Miss Daisy Stamps.  I love the flowers, and those vines trailing out of the foliage.  For me, flowers brighten up even the darkest days.

Stamp Sets:  Full Bloom 1 (Miss Daisy Stamps), Beautiful You - sentiment (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Elegant Eggplant (Stampin' Up!), Copic Markers; Cardstock:  Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), Watercolor Paper (Strathmore); Other:  Tear Drop Circles Dies (Spellbinders), Itty Bitty Punch Pack (Stampin' Up!), Oval Punch (Stampin' Up!), Golden Sunset Glitter Drops (Nuvo)

For all the challenge details and to share your project at the Crafty Calendar Challenge, just click on our name.

Our first sponsor for the month of July is Stamping Studio.

So glad you stopped by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha