WWC159 - Marsha's "All About Christmas" Challenge

It's the middle of the week and that means it's time for another Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  This week I'm your host for our "All About Christmas" challenge.  Today was my first time getting play with some Brusho.  I find it to be fascinating stuff.  I love to watch it react to water.  You never know what you are going to get.

Stamp Sets:  Big Blooms - Poinsettia (Taylored Expressions), Christmas Magic - sentiment (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Poppy Seed (Taylored Expressions), Vintage Photo Distress Ink(Tim Holtz); Brusho:  Emerald Green, Scarlet, Yellow; Cardstock:  Emerald Envy (Stampin' Up!), Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions), Watercolor Paper (Strathmore), Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Dies:  Stitched Tags Dies (Unknown); Other:  Nuvo White Blizzard Glitter Drops (Tonic Studios), Whisper White Baker's Twine (Stampin' Up!)

For all of our 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, March 5th at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time to link up your project.

I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

Sweet Stampin' Christmas February - Anything Goes

Winter Wonderland Challenge Blog - Anything Christmas Goes

Merry Monday Christmas Challenge #279 - Poinsettias

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - (CAS) Clean and Simple

Hi everyone!  It's time for another challenge from The Sisterhood of Crafters.  This week, our host,  Nancy has challenged us to design a CAS (Clean And Simple ) card.  I sometimes struggle with clean and simple given the fact that I like to add too many layers and a few embellishments.  I now have a mantra I keep in mind as I'm making a clean and simple card and that is, as much white space as possible.  It seems to be working.  The Design Team has some wonderful projects to share.

Stamp Sets:  Colorful Seasons - sentiment (Stampin' Up!), Lots of Lavender (Stampin' Up!); Distress Inks:  Black Soot, Fossilized Amber, Peeled Paint, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Cardstock:  Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions); Dies:  Stitched Oval Stacklets Dies (Taylored Expressions); Other:  Sugar Cube Enamel Dots (Taylored Expressions)

For all the challenge details and to share your project at The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge, just click the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Sunday, March 11th at 7:00 p.m. Central Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

CAS Colours & Sketches #261

This week we have a sketch challenge at the CAS Colours & Sketches and the Design Team has some wonderful inspiration to get you started.  I finally had the chance to play with the Party Pandas stamp set and I must say I love it.  Those are the cutest little critters.  With the threat of more rain and snow this week, I needed to make a bright and cheerful card.  This little fella fits the bill.

Stamp Set:  Party Pandas (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Basic Black Archival, Melon Mambo (both Stampin' Up!); Cardstock: Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions); Patterned Paper:  Rainbow Brights 6x6 Paper Pack (Taylored Expressions); Dies:  Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!); Other:  Sequins

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, March 5th at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

You're a Perfect Friend

Today I just have time for a quick post.  My car battery has decided to die and I've been checking around and getting quotes for a new one.  I've found the right one and have to get going to get there on time.  Here is the card I made for the Addicted to CAS challenge using their Code Word "Cat."  I saw this design somewhere but don't remember where or by whom but I do thank them for the inspiration.

Stamp Set:  Stitch by Stitch (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Cookie Monster, Poppy Seed (both Taylored Expressions), Cardstock:  Cookie Monster (Taylored Expressions), Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Patterned Paper:  Hello Happiness 6x6 Paper Pack (Taylored Expressions); Other:  Cookie Monster Enamel Dots (Taylored Expressions)

The cat theme is from the Addicted to CAS 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

Happy Birthday in Stitches

Rain and snow and ice, oh my!  Yes, that is what is on the weather agenda for me tonight, tomorrow and Saturday.  I am so ready for spring to get here.  I want sunshine and blue skies and windows open to let in the fresh air.  In the meantime, I'm playing along with challenges and keeping myself busy.

You know, I do love to sew but haven't done so in years.  I actually sold my high-end Pfaff sewing machine machine that did everything but the dishes and bought a simple, easy to use Brother sewing machine.  Sigh...I've never used it.  I think it's time to get it out of the closet and learn how to use it.  I want some new clothes for spring and I only have two huge totes full of fabric.  I think a new wardrobe is in the making!  

Stamp Set:  Sew Happy (The Craft's Meow); Inks:  Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!), Faded Jeans, Gathered Twigs, Vintage Photo (all Tim Holtz); Cardstock:  Chocolate Chip, Whisper White (both Stampin' Up!), Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions); Dies:  Sewing Elements Dies (Spellbinders), Stitched Rectangle Stacklets (Taylored Expressions); Other:  Harvest Sequins (Taylored Expressions), Mellow Ribbon (BasicGrey)

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

I'm also entering my card in the Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies 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

WWC158 - Helen's Masculine "Anything Goes" Challenge

Hello and welcome!  It's time for a new challenge at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  This week Helen our host and it's our Masculine "Anything Goes."  As you can see, my card has a little twist to it which is why it's called a Twist Pop Up Card.  When you open it, the inside spreads out and reveals what's inside.  They are super easy to make and I know my kids and grandkids will get a kick out of it.  The tutorial I followed can be found HERE.

Stamp Sets:  Epic Celebrations (Stampin' Up!), Wetlands (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Cookie Monster (Taylored Expressions), Poppy Seed (Taylored Expressions); Cardstock:  Cookie Monster (Taylored Expressions), Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions), Whisper White - for the twist mechanism (Stampin' Up!); Patterned Paper:  Hello Happiness (Taylored Expressions); Other:  Postage Stamp Punch - retired (Stampin' Up!), Sugar Cube Enamel Dots (Taylored Expressions)

For all of our 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, February 21st at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time to link up your project.

I've also entered my card in the TGIF Challenge.  I showcased the wonderful Epic Celebrations stamp set from the 2018 Sale-A-Bration Brochure.  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

CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge #260

This week we have a color challenge at the CAS Colours & Sketches and the Design Team has some wonderful inspiration to get you started.  It's a beautiful winter's day here in sunny Iowa with temperatures in the 50s.  Don't get too excited, though, come tomorrow the rain and snow and ice are back and power could be iffy at times.  Sigh... is it spring, yet?

The colors for our current challenge had me stumped.  How was I ever going to put them together?  Here's what I did.  I started with a Sugar Cube card base.  For the Sweet Sugarplum, I cut a stitched rectangle out of the Succulent Garden patterned paper.  To that I added a strip of Marina Mist cardstock and added a strip of the Myths & Magic Specialty Washi Tape.  The sentiment is from the Apron of Love stamp set and stamped using Poppy Seed ink.  For the flower, I stamped it from the Amazing You stamp set in Peekaboo Peach ink onto a piece of Peekaboo Peach cardstock and fussy cut the flower.  For the finishing touch, I added a Glitter Gem.

Stamp Sets:  Amazing You, Apron of Love (both Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Peekaboo Peach (Stampin' Up!), Poppy Seed (Taylored Expressions); Cardstock:  Marina Mist, Peekaboo Peach (both Stampin' Up!), Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions); Dies:  Stitched Rectangle Stacklets Dies (Taylored Expressions); Patterned Paper:  Succulent Garden Designer Series Paper - retired (Stampin' Up!); Other:  Myths & Magic Specialty Washi Tape, Glitter Gem

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, February 26th 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time to link up your project.

I've also entered my card in the Sundays Stamps 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

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #252

Hello and welcome to another sketch from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  Today's card was so much fun to make.  It's a Twist Pop Up Card.  As you see, the front looks quite normal but when you open it, out pops the inside of the card.  This one it for my oldest granddaughter's birthday which isn't until May but I do like to plan ahead.  I like to get all of my cards done and filed by month.  When needed, I add a personal note and send them on the way.  It's an easy way to never forget a birthday or anniversary.  You can find the tutorial I followed HERE.

Stamp Sets:  Amazing You, Beautiful You - sentiments (both Stampin' Up!), Stitched Stems Stamp & Die Combo (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Crumb Cake (Stampin' Up!), Poppy Seed (Taylored Expressions) ; Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist, Sweet Sugarplum, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi (all Stampin' Up!); Patterned Paper:  Curtain Call 8x8 Paper Pad (Graphic 45); Other:  Frame in Frame 2 Cutting Plate (Taylored Expressions), Leafy Branch (Taylored Expressions), Stitched Stems Stamp & Die Combo (Taylored Expressions), Clear Wink of Stella Brush, Rhinestone Basic Jewels

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.  You have until Monday, February 26th at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time to link up your project.

I'm also entering my card in the  Retro Rubber challenge.  The Beautiful You stamp set is from the 2017 Occasions Catalog.  And, while the photo doesn't show it well, the patterned paper I used has dots all over it both the front panel and the inside panels.  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

Daisy Thank You

Today I'm playing along with the Color Throwdown Challenge.  It's been a while since I've done so and I loved the colors they had for this challenge.  I decided to do a one layer card so the first thing I did was emboss the image of my Big Blooms - Daisy from Taylored Expressions with white embossing powder.  Then, I used my Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks to watercolor it.  I was pleasantly surprised that the Crumb Cake cardstock from Stampin' Up! held up to the water as well as it did.  The sentiment is actually stamped in Basic Gray ink but it looks black in the photo.  I love those oxide inks.

Stamp Sets:  Big Blooms - Daisy (Taylored Expressions), Background Bits - sentiment (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Basic Gray; Distress Oxide Inks:  Black Soot, Peeled Paint, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Cardstock:  Crumb Cake; Other:  Whisper White Embossing Powder (Stampin' Up!)

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

WWC157 - Heidi's "All About Occasions" Challenge

Wednesday has rolled around again and that means it's time for a new Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  This week Heidi is hosting our "All About Occasions" Challenge.  When spending some time looking over various blogs I follow, I came across a wonderful design done by Nance Leedy.  She made her own designer paper which you can see HERE.  I loved it so much, I just had to give it a try.  I didn't have some of the colors she used so I substituted and I changed up the images. 

Stamp Set:  Timeless Textures, Sunshine Sayings (both Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Blushing Bride, Flirty Flamingo, Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry, Sweet Sugarplum (all Stampin' Up!); Cardstock:  Whisper White; Patterned Paper:  My Own Designer Paper; Dies: Sunshine Sayings (Stampin' Up!); Other:  Pearl Basic Jewels, Silver Embossing Powder

For all of our 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, February 19th at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time to link up your project.

I'm also entering my card in the following challenge:  Unicorn Challenge Blog

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge

Hi everyone!  It's time for another challenge from The Sisterhood of Crafters.  This week Terri is your host.  She has challenged us to use a banner or a pennant or a flag in our designs.  It should be so much fun to see how everyone interprets that challenge.  Be sure to check out all of the Design Team projects for some inspiration.

Stamp Set:  Oh So Succulent - sentiment (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Poppy Seed (Taylored Expressions); Cardstock:  Calypso Coral, Old Olive (both Stampin' Up!), Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions); Patterned Paper:  Succulent Garden Designer Series Paper - retired (Stampin' Up!); Dies:  Delightful Daisy Dies (Heartfelt Creations), Sunburst Thinlits Dies (Stampin' Up!)

For all the challenge details and to share your project at The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge, just click the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Sunday, February 25th at 7:00 p.m. Central Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge #259

This week we have a sketch challenge CAS Colours & Sketches and the Design Team has some wonderful inspiration to get you started.  As you can see, rather than place my sentiment at the lower right, I put it on the tag.  I wanted to keep it as clean and simple as I could.  What you can't see in the photo are the two strips of sparkly washi tape on each end.  It just does not want to photograph well.  And, on top of that my digital camera is no longer working.  I used my new cell phone and it didn't do a very good job.

Stamp Set:  Colorful Seasons - sentiment (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Dapper Denim (Stampin' Up!); Cardstock:  Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions); Other:  Tags, Scallop Combo #2 (Sizzix), 1/4" White Ribbon, Myths & Magic Specialty Washi Tape (Stampin' Up!)

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, February 19th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

The Hearts Have It

Whew!  A new challenge that has you make two different designs using the same stamp or die and different occasions.  The Twofer Card Challenge should be a fun one.  I played along with it as well with the CAS Watercolour Challenge and The Paper Players Challenge.

The card on the left is done using Candied Apple and Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide inks to make a watercolored background for the heart.  Actually the heart was cut out of my first attempt and I didn't like it but it did beautifully as a die cut.  The stamps I used are both from Stampin' Up!  The sentiments are from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and the other is the Amazing You stamp set.  They were stamped using Poppy Seed ink from Taylored Expressions.

For the card on the right, I used the colors from The Paper Players.  I made my own background paper by stamping Real Red ink and Crumb Cake ink using the little heart from the Jar of Love stamp set by Stampin' Up!  I stamped it off so the colors would be softer and stay in the background.  The sentiment on the bottom right is from the retired Stampin' Up! Oh So Succulent stamp set.  It was stamped using Poppy Seed ink from Taylored Expressions. 

The hearts were cut using the Sunshine Wishes Dies by Stampin' Up!  For the labels I used the Modern Label Punch and the Word Window Punch both retired from Stampin' Up!.  The finishing touches were adding some Nuvo Winter Blizzard Glitter Drops to the birthday card and Pearl Basic Jewels to the anniversary card.

Both of my cards have been entered in the Twofer Card Challenge.  I've also entered the card on the left in the CAS Watercolour Challenge and the card on the right in The Paper Players Challenge.  For all the challenge details and to share your projects, click the images below.

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

WWC156 - Penny's Feminine "Anything Goes" Challenge

It's a snow covered Wednesday here in Iowa but that doesn't stop this week's new Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  Penny is our host this week and it's time for our Feminine "Anything Goes" challenge.  For my card I decided to try my hand at a never ending card.  I know they have been around for a very long time but it is my first attempt.  I still have some things I want to add to it but am not certain what occasion it will be for so I'm going to wait for those.

I tried to make a video of how it looks on the move but it just didn't work out.  I don't have a stand for my phone and my digital camera has quit working.  I hope the photos give you somewhat of an idea.  I followed a tutorial by Dawn Griffith and you can she how hers opens up HERE.

Stamp Set:  Sunshine Sayings (Stampin' Up!); Ink:  Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up!); Cardstock:  Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla (both Stampin' Up!); Patterned Paper:  Once Upon a Springtime (Graphic 45); Other:  Lots of Labels Framelits Dies (Stampin' Up!)

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, February 12th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge #258

It's time for a color challenge at CAS Colours & Sketches and the Design Team has some wonderful inspiration to get you started.  By the time you read this, I'll be covered in snow so I thought I'd like to make some pretty flowers to help me forget that's it still winter.

Stamp Set:  Stitched Stems Stamp & Die Combo (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Poppy Seed (Taylored Expressions), Wild Wasabi (Stampin' Up!); Cardstock:  Berry Burst and Powder Pink (Stampin' Up!), Sugar Cube (Taylored Expressions); Dies:  Stitched Stems Stamp & Die Combo (Taylored Expressions), Square Lattice - retired (Stampin' Up!), Rhinestone Basic Jewels

For all the challenge details and to share your project, visit the CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge by clicking the image below.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, January 12th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #250

Hello and welcome to another sketch from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  Today's sketch turned into another thank you card as I'm still in need of several.  I love how bright and cheerful this one turned out. Stripes are so much fun.

Stamp Set:  Jar of Love - sentiment (Stampin' Up!); Inks:  Cookie Monster, Poppy Seed (both Taylored Expressions); Cardstock:  Cookie Monster, Sugar Cube (both Taylored Expressions); Patterned Paper:  Rainbow Brights 6x6 Paper Pack (Taylored Expressions); Other:  Pool Party Baker's Twine (Stampin' Up!)

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.  You have until Monday, February 12th at 6:00 p.m. Central Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Crafty Calendar February Challenge - Two or More Layers

Wow!  Where did January go?  Here we are in February and ready for the next challenge at Crafty Calendar.   The challenge this month is to use two or more layers on your card.  Our sponsors this month are Dr. Digi's House of Stamps and Crafty Ribbons.

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

So, let me introduce you to Keith the Cool Koala from Dr. Digi's House of Stamps.  Don't you think he is adorable?  He was such fun to create.  I printed him onto a piece of Smoky Slate cardstock and a piece of Shimmer White then, fussy cut the inside of his ears and belly from the Shimmer White and added those to the Smoky Slate image.  Then, I fussy cut the whole image.  Oh, his nose was fussy cut from the white one and colored using a Black Wink of Stella Brush.  His nose does have a wee bit of sparkle.  I also added a touch of SU Blush Blossom to his ears.  I added Keith to the card using a Mini Wobble Spring.  He's such a jolly koala!

I started with a card base of Taylored Expressions Sugar Cube cardstock.  I used the TE Splatter Embossing Folder to add texture to the layer of TE Cookie Monster cardstock and added a piece of patterned paper from the Hello Happiness 6x6 Paper Pack from TE.

The sentiment is from the Epic Celebration stamp set by Stampin' Up! and stamped on Whisper White cardstock using Poppy Seed ink from Taylored Expressions.  The banner was made using the Triple Banner Punch.  The finishing touch was adding some TE Cookie Monster Enamel Dots and some TE Sugar Cube Enamel Dots.

Here's a short video I made to show the wiggle and the wobble.  It's my very first video and I have no idea what I'm doing.  ☺  Hopefully, it works and you all get to see Keith's moves!

Our sponsors for the month of February are Dr. Digi's House of Stamps and Crafty Ribbons.  You can click on the images to check them out.

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

Thinking of You

Well, it looks like I'm going to be forced to get a new camera.  I'm not sure if it's the battery, the charger or it has simply worn out for all the use I give it.  I'm headed for the camera store in a day or two to have them check it out for me and I'm hoping it will be an easy fix, like a new battery.  In the meantime, I'm using my cell phone.  It's not doing too bad a job but I much prefer the camera.

My card today is a very simple one.  I used my Water Droplets stamp set by Designs by Ryn and stamped directly on the TE Sugar Cube card base using Marina Mist ink from Stampin' Up!  I cut a strip of Marina Mist cardstock and added it to the card front.  The sentiment was stamped on TE Sugar Cube cardstock using Poppy Seed ink from Taylored Expressions.  It's from the Colorful Seasons stamp set by Stampin' Up!  Next, I punched the ends using the Banner Punch from Stampin' Up!  The finishing touch was the Rhinestone Basic Jewels.  As I said, simple but I think pretty.  I love those water droplets.

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