Mix-a-style challenge!

I've given myself a personal challenge - successfully mix strong, bold prints with watercolor/softer images. I decided to start with two of my favorite sets. And here's my logic.... if this mind of mine is drawn to both of these styles - then they HAVE to find a way to fit on paper together! If they fit ok together in my head then let's bring it to life! You tell me... what do you think of this? (Click on image to enlarge, of course.)

I used the markers to ink up the tree set (Old Olive, Certainly Celery and Close to Cocoa). Then I sponged on more color at the top and bottom of the white layer to give depth (Old Olive, River Rock, Certainly Celery and Soft Sky). The bold baroque swirl is stamped w/ Wild Wasabi to match the ribbon.

Now - the reason for this card? I'd like to share that I made this card for my DH. We are in the planning stages of putting our house on the market to sell. I think he's a bit overwhelmed with all of the work at hand. So I wanted to pen some thoughts to him about what's in store for our future... this will be OUR first house. As in, the first house we buy together. I owned the home we currently live in before I met him - so this new adventure, it's a huge dream for us! But I digress...

Details, details...
Stamp sets: Baroque Motifs, Lovely as a Tree and Happy Harmong (retired)
Colors: River Rock, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Basic Brown and Confetti White
Other: Sponge, Wild Wasabi double-stitched ribbon

Thinking of you...

Well, this one was F-U-N! I stamped the black image first. Then I sponged on a touch of Mellow Moss, Perfect Plum and Burgundy to add subtle color to the image. Then I had fun w/ the Dazzling Diamonds embossing technique. (WOW - this technique really pops!)

I just fell in love with this stamp set - but, this is the only card I've made with it so far. I really need to carve out some time to play with this more! Don't I?!

Details, details...
Stamp set: Essence of Love
Colors: River Rock, Bravo Burgundy, Basic Black, Mellow Moss, Perfect Plum, Whisper White and Confetti Cream
Other: Dazzling Diamonds embossing technique and River Rock double-stitched ribbon

One for the men...

So, I've been using pink a lot lately... and needed to break out of the mold. So, while I was playing with my new Nestabilities dies I thought I'd make a masculine card. This card will simply get set aside in the box of cards to have on hand. But still had to share... SUPER EASY!

Details, details...
Stamp set: All Holidays
Colors: Chocolate Chip, Kraft and Confetti Cream
Other: Cuttlebug/"Diamonds in the Rough" folder, Nestabilities scallop die, 5/8" chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon, and River Rock Prints Designer Series Paper

Following the lead!

I took a lead from a friend Jenny with this design. She did a post a while back... and I love the simplicity of this design. It was about time for me to try it out for myself. Jenny's blog entry: http://jennyzanelli.blogspot.com/2008/02/loving-this-card-sketch.html

Details, details...

Stamp set: It's Your Birthday

Colors: Tempting Turquoise, Purely Pomegranate and Whisper White

Other: Cuttlebug/"Stylized Flowers" folder, Nestabilities scallop die, Apricot Appeal grosgrain ribbon, and Bali Breeze Designer Series Paper

You are what you eat!

I'm hosting game night at my house on Saturday... and wanted to send these cards out to those coming just to say "looking forward to seeing you". Cute, eh?!

Details, details...
Stamp set: Tart & Tangy and Smarty Pants
Colors: Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery, Real Read, Only Orange and Whisper White
Other: black gingham ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds embossing technique

Baby shower favors

So, LOVING these! Tomorrow we are throwing a baby shower... and these are the favors we will send everyone home with! Aren't they adorable?! They are filled w/ 6 Hershey kisses each...

Tutorial for the 'sour cream container' from the trusty SCS...
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/sour_cream_container/

Special wedding gift

CONGRATS to my friends Eddie and Kellye who just got married on Monday, 5/12. My friend Debbie and I had something up our sleeves within days of hearing of their engagement. We decided to make a very special gift for them. But first let me tell you about this card. I wanted to play with these colors - and it matched the gift bag for the special gift.

Details, details...
Stamp set: Baroque Motifs and Happy Harmony (retired)
Colors: Purely Pomegranate, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, and Confetti White
Other: clear embossing powder

So, the special gift? Well, months ago a friend and I started contacting both Eddie and Kellye's family members (and some close friends who just so happen to make miracles hapen in the kitchen). Our goal was to compile some family recipes for her, and to add to her already amazing collection of some kick-a** recipes! (What an amazing and creative cook our friend Kellye is!)

We gathered recipes for desserts, appetizers, salads, soup, entrees and more! And Debbie and I had so much fun making all of this. The binder was a tricky one. We knew we wanted to be able to put the pages in protectors - so they wouldn't get splattered on. So until Kellye wants to add some of her own recipes and grow her collection we decided to start this off in a 1 1/2" 3-ring binder... yes, the kind in the school supplies aisle. Hey - no one ever complained of my resourceful tendencies! So, shoosh...

Oh, just in case you're wondering... yes, we put the Dessert section first! Just because we know Kellye would love that!

Details, details...

Stamp set: Voila, Watercolor vine jumbo wheel

Colors: Confetti Naturals, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky

Other: clear embossing powder, tag punch, spiral punch, soft sky double stitched grosgrain

Baby Shower Invites

Well, here's the latest baby shower invite. My best girlfriend Debbie is having her second child... and first daughter! Her name is going to Karina... and we'll welcome her to our world sometime in August...

I have to confess. This was supposed to be a group project... along w/ Debbie's sister, Lisa. However, I was having so much fun making the sample that I just went ahead and "banged them all out" all on my own! So sorry, Lis. But you get it... once you start, you just can't stop!!!

Details, details...
Stamp set: Garden Whimsy, Holidays & Wishes, Hugs & Wishes and Whimsy jumbo wheel
Colors: Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate, Certainly Celery, Basic Black and Whisper White
Other: black gingham ribbon, dazzling diamonds glitter