Neutrals challenge....

Recently I participated in a challenge with one of my yahoo groups where we had to make a card using only colors from Stampin' Up! Neutrals collection.  Here is the card I made for my challenge partner.  I used the Neutrals Patterns Collection in some of its colors.  You cannot tell from this shot (because it is laying on my counter) but the card is Soft Suede with a Very Vanilla layer on front.  I used white embossing powder to stamp and emboss the Mixed Bunch flower onto vanilla card stock.  Then I punched it out with the Blossoms punch and smudged it with Crumb Cake ink--inside the petals and around the edges.  Can you see the pearls I put on the dots in the center of the flower?  The sentiment is from the Sale-e-bration Elementary Elegance stamp set.  I hope my partner liked it!

 Here is the same card, photographed on a white background and without the pearls.  I think the pearls add to that flower, but it's OK without them, too.

This is the challenge card I received from Rhonda Sands.  She did a wonderful job and added pearls to hers, too.

My friend Rose Kerry also participated (she had another partner) but she graciously shared her card with me, too.   I love her layout!  I can't believe those beautiful flowers she made.  They even made it through the mail to me without getting scrunched.

 Here is the inside of Rose's card.  She always goes the extra "mile" to decorate her inside.  What a treat to receive TWO cards from this challenge!  Thanks, ladies!!

Stop in again to see what's doing.  Smiles, Laura

Sort of Herringbone but not....

While I was playing with the herringbone pattern, I wanted to try this two-layer card.  I saw one like this on someone's blog and saved the picture to try my own.  These stripes are also cut 3/8" wide but I didn not adhere them in a herringbone pattern, but just diagonally across the card front.  The smaller, top layer I just layered the opposite way.  I popped up the front smalelr layer with dimensionals and added ribbon and a purchased butterfly to it.  I love this technique, too.

 Here is a close up of the front.  I did not use SU designer paper on this one but it is SU cardstock.

 So I decided to make another card using Stamping' Up! designer paper and to add a flower I made.  Here is this one.  The card is Island Indigo and I used patterned paper in Island Indigo, Poppy Parade, Pool Party and Crumb Cake for my stripes.  I love that bright Poppy flowers---again using the Mixed Bunch stamp set.  The sentiment comes from the Sale-a-bration Elementary Elegance stamp set. 

 Now look closely at this one to see the difference.  For it, I decided I wanted the Indigo to be more subtle, so I flipped the Indigo designer paper over to its lighter side.  What do you think?  Which do you like better?

I hope these inspire you to make a striped card of your own. Remember the paper itself does not have to be striped.  You can cut narrow stripes and make hyour own stripe.  Have fun!!
Smiles, Laura

Hello again...

Where in the world have I been??? I hope you are asking that.  Well, here and there.  I don't know why I haven't posted in so long except to say that I've been creating rather than posting.  If you too have a blog, you know it takes time to write and post entries. I really mean to post every other day, but  I sometimes feel like I  really just want to stamp.  So I took a break and stamped (and do I have a bunch to share IF I can take time to write it all up!)

Oh, and I also had a birthday (this was a BIG one) and my hubby and I took a trip to TN to visit his sister and BIL for 5 days.  She had baked for me my favorite cake (Italian Creme) and it was delicious. And we stamped together (more to show you).   So that's another reason I've been away from the blog.  I hope all of you have not stopped visiting me!  If so, maybe you'll be back soon.

Today  I want to share with you a challenge card I made and also two made by friends who participated.

Here is the picture that we were given as our challenge inspiration.  We had to make a card that was inspired by this picture.  Isn't this luscious looking!!

Here is the card that challenge hostess made and sent to me.  Isn't it the most beautiful!!!  It was made by Rose Kerry.  Look at those flowers!! She put so much time and effort into the flowers.  Rose always does such BEAUTIFUL work.  I've shown you some of her work on here before.  Thanks so much to Rose for this beauty.  She nailed this challenge!!

Here is the card my challenge partner, Brenda Taylor, sent me.  I LOVE it!  It has inspired me by its simplicity.  After I got this one, I just HAD to order the Bordering On Romance stamp set she used.  I'll be "case-ing" this one!!

 Here is the card I made for my challenge partner, Melody Martin.  I used the sentiment from the new Sale-a-bration Elementary Elegance stamp set.  I also used the new Labels Collection dies for the green and pink on the front. 

I'm not sure what this layout is called, but my friend Judy Thompson (whom I stamp with frequently) taught me this one.  I just LOVE it and have made others by this layout. 

The top of the card flips up and the two sides at the bottom flip out to open.

Here is the card with the bottoms opened out.

And here is the card with both the top and bottom opened out.

To make this one, you start with a piece of cardstock that's 4.5" x 9". You score the top fold at 3.5" from one end, so when folded, the card is 5.5" long.  The bottom piece is 2" wide and 8.5" long. Score that one at 2-1/8" from each side and fold the sides inward.  Glue that onto the bottom of the card.  It's that easy. If you need a picture of this, leave a comment and I'll add it another day.

Thanks for coming back to see me.  I'll try not to be gone so long again, but you know how life can be.  I have more to share, so you know I'll be back!!

Smiles, Laura