MFT Color Challenge #212 and FMS587 Sketch Challenge

Made this card using the colors for the MFT Color Challenge. Am entering this for both that challenge and the Sketch Challenge at FMS. I stamped, colored and fussy-cut the beer stein and pretzels, then used dies to cut the circles, numbers and sentiment. The background was embossed as well as each of the circles. Please note how well the embossing matches up - this was no easy feat! Trying to figure out exactly where the embossed circles fit on the background was quite the challenge. I wish I would've planned the layout better because then I would've embossed four 4.25 x 5.5 panels, then cut one circle and use the negative to place the embossed circle on top of the background. Sigh. Next time will be easier! 

Also, I was very excited that I own the inks that matched the Color Challenge, but I only had 2 of the colors of card stock. Thankful that MFT had all the matching color card stock I needed in stock so that I could take advantage of the 40% off sale. Woo-hoo!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Funny bones by Riley & Company: Beer Stein; Stamps by Judith: Pretzel
Inks: Copics 
Dies: MFT: Cheers, Nestabilities: Circles; Concord & 9th: Double-cut Numbers Dies 

Paper: MFT: Grapesicle, Something Blue, Poppin' Pink; Unknown: Purple

Other: TPS: Medium Polka Dots EF; Glossy Accents; SNO Marker

Go Cubs Go!

I just bought the super-fun double-cut alphabet dies from Concord & 9th. I've wanted them for so long but every time a sale would come up, they were out of stock. So happy that Hallmark was able to deliver! The CUBS logo was so easy thanks to those dies as well as two nested circles cut into a 'C'. That Doodlebug dp was so fun to use I just HAD to make a few more cards. Go Cubbies!!

Supplies Used:
Dies: Concord & 9th: Double-cut Alphabet, Spellbinders-Nestabilities: Circles 
Paper: Doodlebug Design: Home Run Collection

Billiards Card

Masculine birthday cards are challenging in and of themselves, but as my 'little' nephews grow up (now in their thirties!!) it is getting harder and harder to find just the right design for their cards. One can make only so many guitar or basketball cards! Luckily my soon-to-be-thirty-year-old son came up with a great suggestion: Pool!

Not having any stamps remotely close to the game, I spent some time googling pool tables, billiard balls, cue sticks, etc. Then I spent more time unearthing every circle die/punch I could find in order to find the perfect sizes for those tiny little billiard balls. All the numbered balls represent my nephew's birthdate and age ('32' on 4/5/89). (I did have to point this out to most, but my clever nephew did figure it out with very little coaching.) One of the trickiest tasks was to make the 'stripe' on the No. 9 ball. The table was easy enough and so was the cue stick. A bit of blue ink for chalk, white pencil for the tip and a few strokes of brown copic markers for the bottom made it look rather realistic. 

A fun card to make and I thought of another good idea for these young adult men: Poker! I'm ahead of the game for next year! YAY!

TFL!

Supplies Used: 

Dies:  MFT: Hot Cocoa Cups Die-namics (larger circle die), standard hole punch (circles for numbers); corner rounder punch; Concord & 9th: Double-cut Alphabet;

Stamps: SSS: You Matter

Pretty Blooms

When I saw the colors for this week's Color Challenge #358 at CAS Colours & Sketches, I knew I just had to make some cards using the Blooms Fill-in Stamp Set. This background stamp set is rather time-consuming, and since I tend to mess up sometimes, I decided to make several backgrounds at once - and I only messed up ONE. YAY! I'm glad I had a not-so-perfect panel to cut this bloom from because how can you destroy a perfectly stamped background?? I also created several plaid background panels to coordinate with the blooms panels. I used one to mat my front panel (which is really three separate pieces -- I accidentally cut the Tangerine Tango paper too short, but then I realized if I cut it in half, I could place the patterned paper over the gap between the two smaller pieces. Save!). I popped up the blooms with foam, added the die cut 'You' and finished with a green sentiment. Hoping to make a few more cards with the other panels...stay tuned!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Concord & 9th: Blooms Fill-in and Plaid Background, Simon Says Stamp: You Matter

Dies: Concord & 9th: Blooms Fill-in, Simon Says Stamp: You

Ink: Stampin' Up: Pear Pizzazz, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight

Paper: Stampin' Up