CASing and Cruising

Some of you may not know about CASE - it means Copy and Steal Everything and it is what we card-makers say when we are inspired by someone else's design. There is a fine line between CASE and total copy.

When I saw this adorable cruise ship card by Teri Anderson in the current issue of Paper Craft magazine, I knew that I would have to try making one for my friend who is heading out on a cruise. Paper Crafts even provided the templates!

I added my own twist to the design based on what I had (I used a die for the portholes, so they are larger) and what I was willing to do (I couldn't cut out that tiny anchor, so I made mine larger).I added some waves, too.

I wouldn't normally post this because it is not an original design, but I want to show you all that is available in Paper Crafts. And, even though there are already over 800 entries, I am submitting this (with crossed fingers!) to the current Simon Says Stamp "Anything Goes" Challenge.

Is this cute or what? I added a "Bon Voyage" sentiment inside.

Thanks for cruising on by!

Anything Goes!

When Simon Says Stamp has it's Anything Goes Challenge there are hundreds of applicants. But, I am determined to win someday, so I continue to participate. Anyway, it gives me a chance to spotlight cards that just don't fit in anywhere else.

This is a card I made for a friend with whom I have a running joke about joining his "golden key" club. It is a long story - and you have to be there.

Anyway, there is no stamping here. I used some great Bo Bunny paper, a Hero Arts Frame Cuts and a key from my stash. 

Thanks for checking in and have a great week! We are having some wonderful summer weather.

Fruity!

Have you been to the CASology site? What a fun place! The challenges are based on words - pretty unique! Since I am struggling to do "Clean and Simple", it is a good place for me. Also, one of my most inspiring blogging buddies, Jen, is a designer there - she totally rocks the CAS stuff (actually ALL stuff) and is a great blogger, too!

This week's challenge is fruit:

 

This card literally took me 15 minutes to make! I used my new Distress Markers to ink up the stamp (N-1987, A Stamp in the Hand), spritzed it with water and stamped it onto water color paper! It did take 3 tries to get the right amount of water, but it was still fast and I love the results! The sentiment is Hero Arts CL140. It is so difficult for me not to "fuss up" a card, but I do love this look.

I am also submitting this for Simon Says Stamp's current challenge, "Anything Goes".  That challenge always brings in hundreds of applicants, but maybe someday I'll be lucky!

Thanks for looking and thanks to Jen for all you have done to inspire me to try CAS! I will see you all next week.

Back in Black

Okay, you know how I struggle with CAS (clean and simple) cards. And I am not a big fan of black. But I have been inspired by several of my blogging buddies to rally to the current CAS-ual Fridays Challenge, Back in Black.

For this card I used one of my all-time favorite Hero Arts images ( G5416 ), some red metallic paper (it really does shine and shimmer in person), A Stampin' Up punch, a Pearl Pen by Viva and a Lifestyle Crafts embossing folder.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Glow On!

Folks have asked me what I mean when I say that neon takes me back to the 1960's. They obviously weren't there - or just don't remember - ha!

I was heavily into neon, with all the psychedelic designs, "flower power" and the day-glow rock & roll posters. I also did lots of crafting back then, including neon paper mache and painted rocks.

Here is a photo of how I decorated my bedroom in 1968. Groovey, eh?

Now that neon has become big with card-making, I am right on board! This month's contest at the Hero Arts blog includes using neon and they have new inks to provide the glow. I made this card because it reminds me of the crafts I did in the 1960's.

Hero Arts stamps CL512, CL495 and CG330 were used. The brilliance is difficult to photograph.

Thanks for checking in and have a mellow week!

Home-Made

Good morning! A quick post this morning to enter this week's Simon Says Stamp challenge, which is a sketch by Dawny. Check it out and play along!

My dear crafting pal Antoinette stamped off this image for me, so I don't have the details. Not my usual style, but I had such fun coloring it - amazing what years of studying architecture will do for crafting. Sorry, there is no sun this morning for my photo. The sentiment is Hero Arts CL572.


Thanks, Antoinette, you are such a great friend! I'm sending YOU warm thoughts.

I am off to my volunteer job this morning, then we're calling it the weekend. It will not be too hot, so I think a bike ride and some bocce ball will be happening! Wishing you a wonderful weekend, whatever your plans may be. Thanks for the visit!

Fishy Washi

I finally got some washi tape and I am struggling to get the hang of using it. Not easy for me to "hang loose" and use the torn edges.

I need an ocean-themed thank you card and had fun with a couple of challenges.

Paper Smooches Sparks has a cool shades challenge this week.  Great marine colors!


And, CAS-ual Fridays has a "Let's Strip" Challenge to use strips of color and/or pattern. All good!

This card uses paper Smooches "Surf and Turf" and "Pretty Phrases" sets, Glitter Ritz (loving that stuff!),a googley eye and some cute dew drops that I found in my stash.

Wishing (or fishing) you a wonderful day! Thanks for dropping by.

Pit Stop

As we drove home from Southern California Saturday we saw lots of wonderful fruit stands. The Santa Clara valley is just full of ripe cherries. Yum!

So, keeping in mind the current challenge at Simon Says Stamp,  "Let's Get Fruity" I came home and played around with some Glitter Ritz. The cherries are from Elizabeth Crafts and this perfect paper is from Cratepaper's Farmhouse Collection - love it!

The result is a clean and simple design with lots of shine. Now I must go and scrape the glitter off of my face - it gets everywhere - and wash some cherries!

Happy Monday and have a glorious week!

Paper Smooches

make me grin!  Aren't the designs just so fresh and cute?  This card is for the current challenge at Paper Smooches Sparks for the Designer's Draft.  Here is the sketch.  There is plenty of time for you to play along!

I knew that I had to use my brand new "Space Cadet" set - a July release. It is so versatile and just packed with fun images. I also wanted to go neon.

I also used "Surf and Turf" (my astronaut is actually a FISH!!!) and "Sentiment Sampler". A Cuttlebug embossing folder provided the perfect planet texture!

We will be heading to my Dad's, so I will be unplugged for the rest of the week. Hope yours is a good one!

Thanks for checking in.

Maureen

Streeeetching

into Summer!

This card is the result of inspiration from many sources (other than great long sunny days, beautiful sandy beaches and the ocean, which is my second home).

First there is the current challenge over at A Blog Named Hero to stretch our stamps. For this card I used the same stamp as a background stamp and as the feature element. Double-duty!


I was reminded of using the technique of repetition from my amazing bloggin' buddy Virginia Lu who is doing a wonderful series on "How I Stretch My Stamps" and it worked well for this background, which I stamped with Hero Arts Soft Brown Shadow Ink.

       In addition, one of the current "Stamp It!" challenges over at Moxie Fab World is the Hello Card Challenge which reminds us to make and send a card just to say hello, check in and stay connected. Thanks, Cath!

Finally, this month's contest at the Hero Arts blog is about summer adventures and using neon (there are touches of neon on the flip-flops and the reflection on the sunglasses), so this card fills the bill. The stamps are Hero Arts CL512 and CL456 and, yes, that is real sand (thanks, Gary!).

WORLD PEAS

We just returned from a wonderful several-day celebration of our nation's birthday. There was an adorable parade, wonderful fireworks, lots of swimming, the Farmer's Market, bike riding, barbequing, bocce ball, visiting with friends, relaxing......all in such a beautiful setting - California's Napa Valley. Loved it!

I returned to find my brand-new "Space Cadet" set from Paper Smooches in the mail. The challenge this week at Paper Smooches Sparks is a Trends Watch featuring this Food Fresh image - I knew that I had to be quick to make the deadline. Since I have no food-themed Paper Smooches stamps and I wanted to use this new set, I reached back to my hippie roots from the 1960's to "give peas a chance"!

I got out some felt and started snipping! I love how the leaves curl up just like the real thing. A great Cuttlebug embossing folder provided the texture. This was a real quickie, and certainly not my normal style, but I like it. 

 Thanks for looking - have a great week - I'll see you tomorrow for some stamp stretching!

Maureen