rubberFUNatics Weekly Challenge #409

 Good Morning, Stampers!

(click photo to enlarge)

It’s time for another rubberFunatics Weekly Challenge, and this week we’re getting a little sketchy! 

I love a good sketch challenge because it gives you a starting point without telling you exactly where to go. You can follow the sketch pretty closely or use it as inspiration and put your own creative spin on it.

At first glance, a sketch might look pretty specific, but that’s the fun of it! The shapes and placement give you a jumping-off point, while the papers, colors, stamps and embellishments are completely up to you.

I gave the sketch a Christmas twist with the Pretty Poinsettia bundle

from the Online Exclusives collection. 

The three poinsettias create a visual triangle across the card in keeping with the sketch. The layered flowers and leaves add lots of dimension, while the soft neutral plaid background gives everything a place to shine without competing with the flowers.

Use the sketch as your inspiration and create a card of your own. Follow it exactly, change it up, rotate it, or simply use it as a starting point. The goal is to have fun and get creating!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Pretty Poinsettias

Ink: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Peaceful Pine, Golden Glow

Paper: Basic White, Cherry Cobbler, Peaceful Pine

Accessories: Pretty Poinsettia dies, Metallic Gems

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

A Little Extra Creativity Just for You!

 Good Morning, Stampers!

What happens when four Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators put their creative ideas together? You get 12 days of exclusive card projects! Each demonstrator has brought her own ideas, style, and creativity to the project, making this a wonderful mix of inspiration. We’ve had so much fun creating it—and we can’t wait for you to experience it, too!

When you purchase the 12 Days of Creativity Advent Calendar, you’ll receive a FREE BONUS 12-Card Project Tutorial PDF. That’s 12 additional card projects to keep you creating long after you’ve opened all 12 days of your advent calendar!

Whether you’re looking for handmade cards to send to friends and family, ideas to add to your card stash, or simply an excuse to spend a little more time crafting, I hope you’ll love these extra projects!

And, as always, you can make the cards exactly as shown or use the designs as inspiration to create something completely your own.

The 12 Days of Creativity Advent Calendar is only available

while supplies last - grab yours HERE before they are gone. They make great gifts, too! 

Already have the 12 Days of Creativity Advent Calendar? 
You can purchase the 12 Days of BONUS projects PDF for $20 HERE

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Paper Craft Crew Weekly Challenge #690

 Good Morning, Stampers!

It’s time for another Weekly Paper Craft Crew Challenge, and this week we’re taking our inspiration straight from the pages of the Stampin’ Up! Mini Catalog! If you’re not familiar with the term CASE, it means Copy And Share Everything (or, as many crafters like to say, Copy And Selectively Edit! ). The idea is to find a project in the catalog that inspires you and then recreate it using your own supplies, colors, or creative twist.

There are SO many beautiful projects in the Mini Catalog that choosing just one can be a challenge all by itself!

I found my inspiration on page 68. I love the simple layout but I

didn't have the supplies in the sample so I used what I had on hand.

That’s one of the things I love most about CASEing catalog projects. You don’t have to copy every single detail or have every product used. Sometimes a catalog sample gives you the perfect jumping-off point for your own creativity!

SU!pplies:
Stamps: Web of Fun, Soiree Salutations

Ink: Craft White, Basic Gray, Basic Black

Paper: Basic White, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Spooktacular DSP

Accessories: Web of Fun dies, Everyday Arches dies, Triple Banner Punch

Stampin' Blends: Black Berry Bliss, Pumpkin Pie, Golden Glow, Granny Apple Green

Thanks so much for joining us this week!
Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Check out more ideas featuring this week's challenge!

Flash Sale Coming - 3 Days ONLY!

 Good Morning, Stampers!

Have you been waiting for the perfect opportunity to add the latest stamp sets to your collection? Well, we’ve got some great news! From September 16–18, you can get select stamp sets at 15% off! Grab stamps that have been on your wish list or use this opportunity to explore new stamp styles. Act fast—this stamp-tacular sale only lasts for three days!

The 15% discount will apply to select stamp sets, which are only available while supplies last. See and shop all qualifying stamp sets in the online store.

SHOP MY ONLINE STORE HERE

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

12 Days of Christmas - Just a Note

 Good Morning, Stampers!

Sometimes the best part of a new crafting collection is discovering just how versatile it can be!

Today’s card was created using the exclusive 12 Days of Creativity Advent Calendar stamp set. I love how this set is filled with fresh, everyday images and sentiments - perfect for crafting all year long!

The 12 Days of Creativity Advent Calendar is filled with exclusive crafting surprises designed to work together, but the products are also wonderfully versatile. The calendar contains (12) never-before-seen crafting products, along with this coordinating stamp set—and all these products can be used well beyond the holiday season!

Want to see a sneak peek of all the products

in the 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar? 

Check out the surprises HERE

Grab your 12 Days of Creativity Calendar 
in my online store while supplies last HERE

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

Hot Foil and Watercolor

 Good Morning, Stampers!

If frosty silvers and blues are your go-to for Christmas projects, this wintry card may just ski to the top of your “gotta CASE” list! Plus, with foil + watercolor, this technique is hard to resist.

Step 1: Hot foil the image onto a 4 -1/8" x 4-1/8" piece of watercolor paper. Note: Stampin’ Hot Foil System results will vary when used with watercolor paper.

Step 2: Cut out the Christmas Wishes sentiment using the coordinating die and set aside.

Step 3: Using a Water Painter, dampen the snowflake panel with water. Add watercolor touches using Balmy Blue, Misty Moonlight, and Night of Navy ink. Color the diamond shapes with Misty Moonlight ink.

It’s true what they say . . . no two snowflakes are alike! Watercolor effects will vary every time you try this technique, making it a fun one to play with again and again.

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa

CSF Saturday Blog Hop - Leaves or Trees

 Good Morning, Stampers!

Welcome to the Create With Stampin' Friends Saturday Blog Hop! This week's theme is Leaves or Trees, and I couldn't resist creating a card inspired by the beautiful colors of autumn. Even though the temperatures here in Arizona are still over 100 degrees, I love bringing those rich fall hues into my crafting room!

For today's project, I focused on creating a colorful background that captures the feeling of a forest transitioning into fall. The combination of warm oranges, reds, yellows, and greens creates a vibrant backdrop for a row of simple leafless trees. Sometimes the most striking scenes are created with the simplest images.

The background was created using a loose watercolor technique with plenty of splattering to add texture and movement. I love how the unexpected droplets create interest and give the appearance of falling leaves, drifting snow, or even a misty autumn morning. The organic look makes every card unique.

  (1) Add inks with blending brush      (2)  Add speckles with water painter

                                                      (3) Add speckles with Early Espresso ink

SU!pplies:

Stamps: Noel Tidings, Thanks and Giving

Ink: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Golden Glow, Craft White, Early Espresso

Paper: Basic White, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Golden Glow

Accessories: Water Painter, Blending Brushes, White Twine, Seasonal Cheer Mini Embossing Folder, Stylish Shapes dies

Happie Stampin'!

Ready to see more Leaves and Tree ideas?

Go NEXT to see what Connie created or

BACK to see what Libby created.

rubberFUNatics Weekly Challenge #408

 Good Morning, Stampers!

It’s time for another RubberFUNatics Weekly Challenge, and this week we’re getting creative with a sketch challenge! 

I always enjoy sketch challenges because they give me a starting point without taking away the opportunity to make the design my own. For this card, I decided to reach for the NEW Advent Labels stamp set and create a festive Christmas design filled with greenery, stars, hearts, and a little bit of holiday sparkle!

A sketch doesn't have to be followed literally. Think of it as a jumping-off point. Change the colors, switch up the stamps, rotate the design, or add your own little details. That's where the fun comes in! 

For my card, the sketch provided the framework, but Advent Labels stamp set gave me the opportunity to turn it into a whimsical little Christmas scene.

Thanks so much for joining me today!

Happie Stampin'!
~Melissa