Happy 9th Birthday!

A cupcake with a cherry on top.  Now that's the way to celebrate a 9th birthday, don't you think?  My card today is one I made for the challenge at Taylored Expressions.  It's bright, it's cheerful and it makes me want to celebrate.  I'm so thankful that I live so close to Taylored Expressions.  It affords me the chance to attend some of her classes and learn different techniques and try our new products.  I wish them many more years of success.

Stamp Set:  Iconic Wishes - Birthday (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi; Cardstock:  Dotted Vellum, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Patterned Paper:  Rainbow Brights Paper Pack (Taylored Expressions); Other:  Iconic Wishes - Birthday Dies (Taylored Expressions), White Blizzard Glitter Drops, Sequins

The sketch I used is from the TE 9th Birthday 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 #134 - "Anything Goes"

Hooray!  It's an "Anything Goes" challenge at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge which means it's the fifth Wednesday of the month.  I'm so glad we have this challenge in our line-up.  It gives me the change to share some of the things I work on that might otherwise never make it to my blog.

This is a card I did in my Distress Oxide Inks class at Taylored Expressions.  Don't those butterflies just seem like they are going to fly right off the card?  The colors are so vibrant and you don't always have to use water with the 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, September 4th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #133 - Penny's All About Christmas Challenge

This week Penny is hosting our All About Christmas challenge.  I love that we've added this challenge to our lineup at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  I now have one more Christmas card done for the year.   

Stamp Sets:  Christmas Magic and Father Christmas (Stampin' Up!), Holiday Florals (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Baked Brown Sugar (Stampin' Up!); Watercolor Pencils:  Real Red (Stampin' Up!); Stampin' Write Markers:  Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight (both Stampin' Up!); Cardstock:  Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla (all Stampin' Up!); Other:  Holiday Florals Dies (Taylored Expressions), Ribbon (Basic Grey)

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, August 28th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - Anything Goes

Hi everyone!  It's time for another challenge from The Sisterhood of Crafters.  Vickie is our host this week and it's an Anything Goes.  I do love those anything goes challenges as you can share whatever you are working on.  So, create something beautiful and share it with us on the challenge.  We'd love to have you join us.

It's no surprise that I've once again used those addictive Distress Oxide inks.  I took an afternoon last week and created several different backgrounds so I'd have some ready to use at a moment's notice.  This is one.  I love the way those colors blended so well together.  With trees being a favorite of mine, I had to use a long neglected stamp set called Build A Tree by from Fiskars.  It has all the different little images for the four seasons so you just might see more of it in the future.

For this one, I decided not to make a card but put it in a frame.  I love the way it looks with the silver of the frame.  Now do I want to keep it for my desk or gift it to someone.  Decisions, decisions! 

Stamp Sets:  Build A Tree (Fiskars), Colorful Seasons - sentiment; Distress Oxide Inks:  Faded Jeans, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Wilted Violet, Worn Lipstick; Inks:  Basic Black Archival, Garden Green; Cardstock:  Watercolor Paper (Strathmore), Whisper White; Other:  Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies.  Stampin' Up! product used unless otherwise noted.

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

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Pause Dream Enjoy Challenge #187 - Get Well

Today I'm pleased to share that I'm a Guest Designer for the Pause Dream Enjoy Challenge.  The theme for the challenge is get well.  Using my Clarity Stencil Brushes, I created the background on the card base.  Then, stamped the Leafy Branch image from Designs By Ryn and the sentiment from Fancy Phrases by Waltzing Mouse in Mossy Meadow and Wild Wasabi.  A clean and simple one layer card.

Stamp Sets:  Fancy Phrases - sentiment (Waltzing Mouse), Leafy Branch (Designs by Ryn); Inks:  Mossy Meadow, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi (all Stampin' Up!); Cardstock:  Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Other:  Clarity Stencil Brushes

The theme is from the Pause Dream Enjoy 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

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #226

With several Autumn birthdays fast approaching, this week's sketch from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge was a perfect time to bring out some Autumn colors and make a new birthday card.   Autumn is my favorite time of the year and, while it's a wee bit early for the leaves to start changing color, I love all the different contrasts of colors when they do. 

Stamp Set:  Bloomin' Birthday (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Cajun Craze, Peekaboo Peach, Soft Suede; Cardstock:  Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie; Patterned Paper:  Golden Grove (KaiserCraft); Other:  Bloomin' Birthday Dies (Taylored Expressions), Mellow Ribbon (Basic Grey), Mini Bloomers 2 Dies (Taylored Expressions), Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Thinking of You Pansies

Sketches and colors and inky fingers, oh my!  It was fun to bring out some of my older stamp sets and make another thinking of you card for my stash.  All but one of the stamp sets I used is a year old or older which is a requirement of the Retro Rubber Challenge.  Don't you think the pansies are pretty in the colors from the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge?

Stamp Sets:  Background Bits (2017), Flower Shop (2013), In the Meadow (2016), Sheltering Tree - sentiment (2015), Timeless Textures (2016); Inks:  Basic Black Archival, Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry; Cardstock:  Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Other:  Pansy Punch, Pearl Basic Jewels

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 sketch I used is from the Retro Rubber 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 #132 - Marsha's Masculine "Anything Goes" Challenge

This week I'm hosting our Masculine "Anything Goes" challenge at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  It was the perfect opportunity for me to use a couple of new stamp sets.  Leafy Branch and Water Droplets are from Designs By Ryn and I love them!  The water drops look almost 3-D.

Stamp Sets: From Land to Sea (Stampin' Up!), Leafy Branch (Designs By Ryn), Oh So Succulent - sentiment (Stampin' Up!), Water Droplets (Designs By Ryn); Inks:  Night of Navy, Mossy Meadow (both Stampin' Up!), Tuxedo Black (Memento); Copic Markers:  E33 - Sand, E37 - Sepia, E39 - Leather; Cardstock:  Mossy Meadow, Naturals White (both Stampin' Up!), White (Darice);  Other:  Clarity Stencil Brushes

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, August 21st at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link up your project.

I've also entered my card into these challenges.  Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge,  C.R.A.F.T. Challenge, Stamping Sensations Challenge and Creative Fingers Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click on the challenge name.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Might As Well Dance

The other day I was playing around with some Distress Oxide Inks making backgrounds to use at a later time except none of the colors matched well with the colors for The Paper Players color challenge.  So, what to do?  It really was a simple solution since I have all of the Stampin' Up! ink pads and could get a perfect match with those inks.

For this background, I smushed the ink onto my craft mat, added a bit of water and with a brush washed it across the watercolor paper.  The Calypso Coral center blended well with the Bermuda Bay at the top and the Pear Pizzazz at the bottom.  The sentiment is from the Beautiful You stamp set by Stampin' Up! and the image is from the Water Droplets stamp set by Designs by Ryn.  I love those droplets.  They look so real.

Stamp Sets:  Beautiful You (sentiment), Water Droplets (Designs by Ryn); Inks:  Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz, Smoky Slate; Cardstock:  Bermuda Bay, Watercolor Paper (Strathmore), Whisper White Thick; Other:  Calypso Coral Baker's Twine.  Stampin' Up! product unless otherwise noted.

The colors I used are from The Paper Players 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 Butterfly

For today's card, I definitely got my fingers inky.  Distress Oxide Inks, smushing, and water make for a messy combination.  But, the results can be amazing.  Actually, I made several backgrounds using different colors and you'll see those in the days to come.  But for today, here is the background I created for the CAS(E) this Sketch and the Sunday Stamps challenges.

The background colors are Candied Apple, Fossilized Amber and Spiced Marmalade.  Each layer of color was applied separately and dried between each application.  If you don't, you wind up with an ugly, muddy color that just has no future.  When I reached the point where I liked what I saw, I stopped adding colors.  I just simply like the way things just happen with those inks.

To make the butterfly, I first added some Fossilized Amber to a piece of watercolor paper then, stamped the butterfly from the Butterfly Basics stamp set.  I used the Butterflies Thinlits Dies by Stampin' Up! to cut it out.  The body of the butterfly is cut from Basic Black using the Simply Stamped - Butterflies Dies by Taylored Expressions. The sentiment was stamped on the strip that was cut off of the background layer and stamped in Basic Black Archival ink.  It's from the Colorful Seasons stamp set by Stampin' Up!  A few yellow sequins and it was finished.

Stamp Set:  Butterfly Basics, Colorful Season (sentiment); Distress Oxide Inks:  Candied Apple, Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade (Tim Holtz by Ranger); Ink:  Basic Black Archival, Calypso Coral; Cardstock:  Calypso Coral, Watercolor Paper (Strathmore), Whisper White Thick; Other:  Butterflies Thinlits Dies, Simply Stamped - Butterflies Dies (Taylored Expressions). Stampin' Up! product unless otherwise noted.

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.

The colors I used are from the Sunday Stamps 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

Life is a Beautiful Thing

Today I'm playing along with The Flower Challenge.  It's a focus on background stamping.  On a layer of white I randomly stamped my images in Basic Black Archival ink and Tangerine Tango ink,  then I added the die-cut over the top.  I've had that die-cut in the drawer for quite some time and it was just shouting at me to finally dress up a card.  It's cut from Pistachio Pudding cardstock and added a bit of color to the black and orange.  I can't remember the name of the die but it's from My Favorite Things but I think it's now retired. 

Stamp Sets:  Colorful Seasons, Farmer's Market (BasicGrey), Flower Shop, Jar of Love, Petite Petals; Inks:  Basic Black Archival, Tangerine Tango; Cardstock:  Pistachio Pudding, Whisper White Thick; Other:  Clear Wink of Stella Brush, Golden Sunset Glitter Drops (Nuvo), Pansy Punch, Petite Petals Punch, Stitched Oval Stacklets (Taylored Expressions)  Stampin' Up! product unless otherwise noted.

The theme at The Flower Challenge is a focus on background stamping.  For all the challenge details and to share your project, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Pink Flowered Thank You

Would you believe this card took me most of the day to complete?  Rarely does that happen but two of the elements had to dry thoroughly before proceeding with the next step.  What doesn't show up well in the photo is the sparkle to the swirls and the crackle to the flower.

To the modeling paste I added some Holographic Embossing Powder then, applied it to the stencil for my background.  Over the flower image, I added a layer of Distress Crackle Paint to give the pink flower and the lavender wash a bit of interest.

It was a fun card to make even though it was a long process, I really like the way it turned out.  In between wait time, I watched a movie, did some chores and chatted on Facebook.  Life is good!

Stamp Sets:  Background Bits (sentiment), You've Got This; Inks:  Basic Black Archival, Jet Black StazOn; Stampin' Write Markers:  Pink Pirouette, Wisteria Wonder; Cardstock:  Coastal Cabana, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Other:  Capricious Stencil (The Crafters Workshop), Corner Rounder Punch, Distress Crackle Paint (Ranger), Holographic Embossing Powder (Ranger), Light Modeling Paste (Liquitec), Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies

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

Congratulations!

It's a short post for me tonight as it's late and I really need to get to bed.  But, I had to play along with Freshly Made Sketches 300th challenge.  It's a milestone achievement.  Way to go and thank you for a great sketch challenge!

And, the What Will You Stamp? Challenge stamp set is High Tide and I just happen to have that set so I was able to play along with them.  It's been a while as the sets that have been used are ones I didn't have.

Stamp Sets:  High Tide, Made with Love (sentiment); Inks:  Marina Mist, Rich Razzleberry, Smoky Slate; Cardstock:  Marina Mist, Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Other:  Seaside Side Embossing Folder, Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, White Blizzard Glitter Drops (Nuvo)

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

The stamp set I used is a requirement of the What Will You Stamp? 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 #131 - Kath's All About Birthdays Challenge

For this week's All About Birthdays Watercooler Wednesday Challenge, I used the Iconic Wishes - Birthday stamp and die combo I received in June when I attended the Taylored Expressions Studio Anniversary Party.  I love cupcakes and what better way to say Happy Birthday than to give someone a bright and cheerful cupcake, right?

Stamp Set:  Iconic Wishes - Birthday (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Strawberry Milkshake (Taylored Expressions), Tempting Turquoise (Stampin' Up!); Cardstock:  Pink Pirouette, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White (all Stampin' Up!); Patterned Paper:  Rainbow Brights Paper Pad (Taylored Expressions); Other:  Iconic Wishes - Birthday Dies (Taylored Expressions), Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!), 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, August 14th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Harvest Hoedown

Hi everyone!  It's time for another challenge from The Sisterhood of Crafters.  Darlene is hosting this week and it's a Harvest Hoedown.  Create something related to the harvest such as tractors, scarecrows, apples, cornstalks or sunflowers.  Whenever I think of harvest, I think of Autumn and pumpkins and leaves changing colors and Thanksgiving.  It's my favorite time of the year.

As you may be aware, I have an obsession with Distress Oxide inks.  I seem to grab them first these days.  For the pumpkins and leaves, I painted the colors since I didn't want to smoosh the image through all the colors and have purple pumpkins. 

Stamp Set:  Bushel of Blessings (c) Taylored Expressions; Distress Oxide Inks:  Candied Apple, Fossilized Amber, Lucky Clover, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Wilted Violet, Worn Lipstick, Vintage Photo; Inks:  Basic Black Archival, Jet Black StazOn; Cardstock:  Burlap Paper (DCWV), Whisper White, Whisper White Thick; Other:  Bushel of Blessings Dies (Taylored Expressions), Golden Harvest Glitter Drops (Nuvo), Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies

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

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #224

Today I have an exciting announcement to make.  Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge has honored me by having me join their Design Team.  I'm so excited!  I love to work from sketches and am looking forward to sharing my take on our sketches.

With Autumn just around the corner now that August is here, I thought I'd get started on my Thanksgiving cards I like to send to family and friends. 

Stamp Set:  Bushel of Blessings (Taylored Expressions; Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Copic Markers:  Y13, YR07, YR09, YG17, E39; Other:  Bushel of Blessings Dies (Taylored Expressions), Triple Banner Punch, Home for Christmas Very Vanilla Enamel Dots.  Stampin' Up! product unless otherwise noted.

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Thinking of You

It's been one of those weekends where everything needs done and nothing seems to get done.  Can you tell I've been meeting myself coming and going?  I finally just threw up my hands and headed for the craft room.  When nothing is going right the only therapy is to make a card which is why you are seeing two posts from me today.  Let me just say that it helps.  After my therapy session, everything that needed done got done.  I'm so happy!

Stamp Sets:  Colorful Seasons (sentiment), Flower Garden (The Craft's Meow); Inks:  Basic Black Archival, Crumb Cake, Garden Green; Cardstock:  Whisper White; Patterned Paper:  Golden Grove (Kaiser Craft); Other:  Sequins

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.

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

With Sympathy

A good friend's sister passed away recently and today found me in the craft room making a sympathy card.  I know she loves orange, so I included it in the design.  She's a redhead so wearing orange, other than in her shoes, is out of the question.  So, I always use orange somewhere in each card I design to give to her.  It's a tradition and this card for her was no exception.

Stamp Sets:  Background Bits, Flower Shop, God's Blessings (inside sentiment), Teeny Tiny Wishes; Distress Oxide Inks:  Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint, Salty Ocean, Spiced Marmalade; Ink:  Soft Suede; Cardstock:  Watercolor Paper (Strathmore), Whisper White; Patterned Paper:  Golden Grove (Kaiser Craft); Other:  Pansy Punch, Golden Harvest Glitter Drops (Nuvo)

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 in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Shaped Card

It's the first Saturday of August and you know what that means.  It's time for our August challenge at Crafty Calendar and the challenge is to make a shaped card.  Today the Design Team is showcasing some wonderful digital designs from SheepSki Designs, sponsor for our August challenge.

When I saw that wonderful bumble bee on the flower, it brought to mind the dog we had when I was a child.  Dodie was a red cocker spaniel and was named such as I couldn't say doggie well enough for everyone to understand what I was trying to say.  Anyway, one of the things Dodie loved to do was to chase down bumble bees and eat them.  We were never sure how she avoided being stung, or if she didn't, how could she handle the sting.  She was such a sweet puppy and whenever I see a bumble bee, I think of her.     

Digital Design:  Bumble Bee Blossom (Images (c) SheepSki Designs); Stamp Sets:  Butterfly Basics, Sheltering Tree (Images (c) Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Marina Mist; Copic Markers:  E33, E37, E39, V12, V15, V17, Y11, Y17, YG11, YG13, YG17; Cardstock:  Watercolor Paper (Strathmore), Whisper White; Other:  Hearth & Home Framelits Dies, Labels Collection Framelits Dies, Seasonal Layers Thinlits Dies, Golden Harvest Glitter Drops (Nuvo), White Blizzard Glitter Drops (Nuvo), Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Here is what the card looks like when it is open.  I stamped the inside with a honeycomb image but there is still a wee bit of room for you to write a small note if you wanted just above the thinking of you sentiment.

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

Our sponsor for the month of August is SheepSki Designs.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #130 - Gail's Feminine "Anything Goes" Challenge

Our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge this week is our Feminine "Anything Goes" Challenge.  I've made another card for my note card stash.  I like to keep several on hand and whenever I think of someone, I grab a card, write a wee bit of a note and send it off to let them know I've been thinking of them.

If I told you all the things that went wrong while I was making this card, you'd be shaking your head, too.  But, all in all, I think it turned out rather well.  What say you?

Stamp Set:  Anemones - sentiment (Flourishes); Ink:  Fossilized Amber Oxide(Tim Holtz by Ranger) , Spiced Marmalade (Tim Holtz by Ranger), Jet Black StazOn; Cardstock:  Basic Black, Peekaboo Peach (both Stampin' Up!), Watercolor Paper (Strathmore); Other:  Butterflies Thinlits Dies (Stampin' Up!), Simply Stamped - Butterflies (Taylored Expressions), Belle Brocade Stencil (Layers of Color), Light Modeling Paste (Liquitex), Pearl Basic Jewels

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, August 7th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha