CFC103 - High 5

Hello, and happy Friday!  I can't believe it's already going to be June.  This year is just flying by so far!  I hope the rest of the year does too, because I have a very special visitor coming in November.  Rather than come right out and say it, let's see who can read between the lines and guess what I'm talking about (leave a comment with your guess and I'll send the first correct commenter a little prize).  I can tell you that congratulations will certainly be in order.  And speaking of congratulations, let's check out this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge:

The sponsor for this week's challenge is CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.  The winner will receive the stamp set of her choice from the store!  Woot woot!

Maybe I've been working around too many guys at the fire department, but instead of using the actual word "congratulations" on my card, I chose this sentiment for my paper yummy:

Giving high-five is synonymous with congratulations (at least on my crew) so I figured that would suffice for a card too.  I combined the high 5 stamp with the circle border stamp from the Woot Woot set, then placed Rain Dots in the centers of the circles.  Here's a close-up:

I hope you'll play along with this week's challenge.  You have until next Thursday at noon EST to do so.  Thanks so much for looking!

Supplies: card stock: Stampin' Up!; stamps: CAS-ual Fridays Stamps; ink: Tsukineko; rain dots: Fiskars; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

CFC102: Thanks for your service

Hello, and happy Friday!  I hope everybody has had a great week and is ready for the holiday weekend (at least in the US).  I, for one, could use a 3-day weekend.  And in honor of this commemoration, we're having a special challenge at CAS-ual Fridays!  Check it:

CFC102: Red, white & blue

Incorporate red, white, and blue into your clean and simple project.

And the sponsor for this week's challenge is the fabulous Simon Says Stamp.  The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to spend in the store!

While it wasn't specifically part of the challenge to create something patriotic or fit for military personnel, my mind went straight to the Paper Smooches Circle of Honor stamp set, and I couldn't NOT go that route. And now for the paper yummies:

First I stamped the sentiment using two different colors of Memento ink and some masking, then placed the stars around the sentiment in a diagonal cascading pattern.  I offset the star outline and stamped it in the opposite ink color for a fun look, then placed a rhinestone in the center of each one.  Here is a close-up:

I hope you have a safe and sound holiday weekend, and I hope you'll play along with this challenge!  You have until next Thursday at noon EST to do so.  Thanks so much for looking!

Supplies: card stock: Stampin' Up!; stamps: Paper Smooches; inks: Tsukineko; rhinestones: Hampton Art; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

CFC101 - Just thinking about you

Hello again, and happy Friday! I hope you had a chance to play along with the CAS-ual Fridays big birthday bash, because today we're comin' at ya' with another fun new challenge.  Check it:

CFC101: Create a clean and simple project featuring stamping on patterned paper

And the sponsor for this week's challenge is CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!  WOOT!  The winner will receive the stamp set of her choice from the store.  Awesome!

For this week's card, I used three different patterned papers, and stamped on all of them to create this paper yummy:

I used patterned papers from Echo Park along with stamps from the Calm & Gentle and Beanstalks stamp sets.  Here's a close-up of all the patterns and the stamping:

I hope you'll be inspired to play along with us this week.  You have until next Thursday at noon EST to do so.  Thank you so much for looking!

Supplies: cardstock: Core'dinations; patterned papers: Echo Park; stamps: CAS-ual Fridays Stamps; inks: Tsukineko; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

CFC99 - Like a boss

Happy Friday to all!  I'm here with an extra special CAS-ual Fridays challenge for ya!  Check it:

CFC99: Create a clean and simple birthday card

This challenge is extra special, because

1. It commemorates Michele's birthday,

2. You have 2 whole weeks to play along, and

3.  The winner will receive an extra big prize from our sponsor:

Yep, this week's winner will receive a whopping $45 to spend in the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps store!  Awesome!  And speaking of CAS-ual Fridays Stamps, those are what I used to create this paper yummy:

This card came together pretty quickly.  I used several patterned papers from Crate Paper along with stamps from the Rad and Woot Woot sets.  Here's a close-up of the sentiment:

I hope you'll play along with this special challenge!  Remember, you have TWO weeks to play along.  Thanks so much for looking!

Supplies: card stock: Georgia Pacific; patterned papers: Crate Paper; stamps: CAS-ual Fridays Stamps; ink: Tsukineko; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers

CFC98 - Hello

Happy Friday to all!  I'm here today with a fun new challenge from CAS-ual Fridays!  Check it:

CFC98: Use glitter on your clean and simple project

And the sponsor for this week's challenge is the wonderful Simon Says Stamp.  The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to spend in the Simon store.  Awesome!

For this week's card, I used one color of Stickles glitter glue over three different colored inks to create this paper yummy:

I started by stamping the solid butterfly from the Paper Smooches Flap Happy set in three different colors of Memento ink.  Then I added the dotted "trail" and the antennae in the same ink color.  I stamped the sentiment in black ink, then applied Diamond Stickles over the trails and the butterflies.  Diamond has got to be my favorite color of Stickles, because it takes on the color of whatever is underneath it and is very versatile.  Here's a close-up:

I hope you'll play along with this week's challenge.  You have until next Thursday at noon EST to do so.  Thanks so much for looking!

Supplies: card stock: Recollections (black), Stampin' Up (white); stamps: Paper Smooches; inks: Tsukineko; glitter glue: Ranger; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers

CFC94 - Happy birthday!

Hello, and happy Friday!  I'm so so sorry that this post is just now going live.  It appears as though Blogger ate my original post (HATE it when that happens!!), and I'm at work today so I haven't been able to re-create this post until now.  Oh well...whaddya gonna do?!?  On to the fun stuff...how about a fun new challenge from CAS-ual Fridays?

 CFC94: Use chipboard in your clean and simple project

And the sponsor for this week's challenge is CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!  The winner of this challenge will receive a $20 gift certificate to spend here.  YAY!

So for this week's challenge, I wanted to use some giant glittery chipboard letters that I've had for years, and find somewhat difficult to use simply due to their size.  But they worked perfectly for this paper yummy:

The base of this card is actually a  frosted report cover from an office supply store.  I love that it's frosted, so it's somewhat similar to a clear acetate card, without the glossy finish and potential for fingerprints.  Yet, it's transparent enough that the stamped "happy birthday" sentiment shows through the card even though the yellow card stock is adhered to the inside of the front of the card.  Cool, right?!?  Here's a closer look at the stamped sentiment:

Above the large glittery chipboard letters, I applied some star cardstock stickers, then applied some Stickles to bring in some more glitter.  Here's another view:

I really hope you'll play along with this week's challenge!  You have until next Thursday at noon EST to do so.  Thanks so much for looking!

Supplies: report cover: GBC; card stock: Core'dinations (yellow), Georgia Pacific (white); chipboard letters: Making Memories; card stock stickers: Basic Grey (stars); stamps: CAS-ual Fridays Stamps (WTF stamp set); ink: Tsukineko; punches: Fiskars (scalloped edge), We R Memory Keepers (corner rounder); glitter glue: Stickles by Ranger

CFC93 - Breathe (It will be ok)

Happy Friday to all!  I hope everybody had a great week!  I'm here today with a new challenge from CAS-ual Fridays:

CFC93: Color blocks

Use blocks of color on your clean and simple project

The sponsor for this week's challenge is CutCardStock.  The winner of this week's challenge will receive a $25 store credit to spend here!  Awesome!

Have you ever made a card for a challenge or for your stash, only to realize that the sentiment you've chosen is exactly the one you needed to hear?  That's exactly the case with this paper yummy:

I stamped the "it will be ok" sentiment in Versamark ink on each color of cardstock, then embossed the "breathe" in white to make it pop.  I added some little bling down the right side, and rounded two opposite corners of the card base.  Here's a close-up:

I hope you'll play along with this week's challenge.  You have until next Thursday at noon EST to do so.  Thanks so much for looking!

Supplies: card stock: Stampin' Up! (white), Core'dinations (all colored card stocks), stamps: CAS-ual Fridays Stamps; ink: Tsukineko (Versamark); embossing powder: Recollections; notebook paper die: Papertrey Ink; die cutting machine: Cuttlebug by ProvoCraft; bling: K & Company; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers

CFC91 - Just for the record...

Hello, and happy Friday!  I hope everybody had a great week.  I sure did!  We actually got SNOW here yesterday.  IN ARIZONA!  Snow!  That stuck!  I was pretty excited about that, since it really never happens.  And speaking of pretty exciting, I'm here today with a new challenge from CAS-ual Fridays!

CFC91: Incorporate silver into your clean and simple project

The sponsor for this week's challenge is Ribbons Unlimited.  This week's winner will receive a wonderful prize from this great new sponsor!

For this week's card, I incorporated silver in the form of a metallic embossing powder.  And now for the paper yummies:

So, it's difficult to see in the picture above, the word "AMAZING" is embossed with a silver embossing powder.  I stamped the entire sentiment using gray ink, used a VersaMark pen to selectively add embossing ink, then applied and heat-set the embossing powder.  All the patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye School Daze 6x6 pad, and the stamp and talk bubble die are from this Simon Says Stamp set.  Here's a close-up, showing the silver embossing:

I hope you'll play along with this week's challenge!  You have until next Thursday at noon EST to do so.  Thanks for looking!

Supplies: card base: The Paper Studio; patterned papers: My Mind's Eye; stamp, die: Simon Says Stamp; inks: Tsukineko; embossing powder: American Crafts; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

CFC89 - Three little birds

Hello, and happy Friday!  Today I'm here with a super fun challenge from CAS-ual Fridays!

CFC89: Love Song

Create a clean and simple project inspired by a song

This week's challenge is sponsored by CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!  The winner will receive a store credit to spend here!

For this challenge, I had so many songs that I wanted to translate into a card, but just didn't have the right stamp or a great idea for the card itself.  Then I saw it, just sitting there on my crafting table.  The perfect stamp for this paper yummy:

The three little birds made me think of the Bob Marley song, and I thought the sentiment "don't worry about a thing" would make a perfect card for someone needing some encouragement.  I stamped the three little birds and colored them in with Copic markers.  I stamped the sentiment using alphabet stamps by Hero Arts, then masked the birdies and stamped the Zig Zag background, also by Hero Arts.  I added a strip of patterned paper by My Mind's Eye to finish off the card.  Here's a close-up of the three little birds:

How will you be inspired by this challenge?  You have until next Thursday at noon EST to show us!  Play along here.  Thanks so much for looking!

Supplies: card stock, markers: Copic; stamps: Hampton Art (birds), Hero Arts (Zig Zag, alphabets); inks: Tsukineko; patterned paper: My Mind's Eye; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers

CFC85 - Awesome (you did it!)

Happy Friday to all!  I hope everybody had a great week.  Today I'm going riking with a friend of mine.  Don't know what that is?  Oh, that's probably because it's a word I made up.  It's hiking, but we run when we can.  Last time we went, we did a 14.5 mile trail.  Today, we were going to do a 21.5 miler, but a cold snap is coming through (which is supposed to be the longest one we've had since 1971!!), so we've decided to do a 7.5 miler instead.  Hope we don't freeze to death!!! Anyway, today I'm also bringing you this week's challenge from CAS-ual Fridays! Woo hoo!

CFC85: Round of applause

Create a clean and simple card that celebrates an accomplishment and features at least one circle

And the sponsor for this week's challenge is CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!  The winner of this challenge will receive a $20 store credit!  And guess what else?  There is a new release coming out on January 18th! Check out the stamp blog for sneak peeks January 14-17!

So, on this card, I gave you a little pre-sneak peek of a new stamp set that's coming out.  Can you spot the new stamp on this paper yummy?:

I used some Spellbinders Nestabilities dies on this card (the circle and the star).  I stamped the sentiment onto the circle, then embossed that cool dotted chevron border (Cuttlebug "Charles") above it.  I adhered the circle to the front of the card.  I temporarily adhered the star in place to use as a guide.  Then, using the same "you did it!" stamp that I used on the circle (from the Woot Woot set), I stamped repeatedly around the circle by curving the stamp on my acrylic block to match the curve of the circle.

To create the star, I cut a bunch of 1/8" strips of white cardstock.  I wanted to make sure the rainbow colors on the star matched the inks I was going to be using in the sentiment, so I colored each strip of cardstock using a direct ink-to-paper approach.  Then I place my star die on a separate piece of cardstock and traced around it.  I covered the area inside the tracing with double-sided adhesive, then adhered the colored strips diagonally until the traced outline of the star was completely covered.  Then I die cut that area using the same star die.  I applied some diamond Stickles around the edges of the star, and adhered it using dimensional adhesive.  Here's another view of the sentiment, embossing, and glittery rainbow star:

I hope you'll play along with this week's challenge!  You have until next Thursday at noon EST to do so.  Thanks so much for looking!

Supplies: card stock: Copic X-Press Blending card stock; stamps: CAS-ual Fridays Stamps; inks: Tsukineko (black), TPC Studios (all colors); embossing folder: Cuttlebug by Provocraft "Charles" border; dies: Nestabilities by Spellbinder; die cutting machine: Sizzix; glitter glue: Stickles by Ranger; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

CFC83 - Let it snow

Happy Thursday!  I'm here today with an extra special CAS-ual Fridays challenge.  Yep, on a THURSDAY!  Okay, here's the challenge:

Sounds festive, right?  Well, here's what makes it really special!  We're teaming up with the 10 Minute Craft Dash challenge, AND you get an extra week to play along:

So the challenge is to create a holiday card in 10 minutes or less.  Don't worry, you can gather all your supplies before you start your timer! Okay, now for the paper yummies:



I decided to single-layer with this one, peeps!  Which, as you know, is really not my cup of tea, but I'm trying!!  I also went with some non-traditional holiday colors, as the three ink pads were stacked on my shelf and I thought they looked pretty cool together (they are Close To My Heart inks in the colors Desert Sand, Hollyhock, and Smokey Plum)!  To create the large rings, I used the back side of a circular sentiment stamp from the Merry Kiss-mas set.  I stamped off each ring one time onto some scrap paper to lighten the color up a little bit.  Then I stamped a large snowflake from Snowflake Greetings in the center of each ring (again, I stamped off the snowflake over which I was going to be stamping my sentiment, to lighten it up).  Then I stamped the sentiment, lining up the small snowflake from the word "snow" with the larger snowflake in the background.  I added pink rhinestones to the centers of the Hollyhock snowflakes, and a purple rhinestone to the center of the Smokey Plum snowflake.  To finish off the card, I rounded two opposite corners.  BAM!  There you go.  Single-layer and under ten minutes (9:06 to be exact)!

I hope you'll be dashing through the holidays with us.  And don't forget, you have TWO weeks to play along with this challenge!  WAHOO!!!  CAS-ual Fridays Stamps is sponsoring this challenge, and the winner will receive $20 to spend in the store!

Thanks for looking!

Supplies: card stock: Stampin' Up!; stamps: CAS-ual Fridays Stamps; inks: Close To My Heart; rhinestones: Me and My Big Ideas; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers

8 Happy Nights - Night 6

If you've been following along at the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps blog, you've had a chance to see all the wonderful Hanukkah cards the other Girl Fridays have made.  Well tonight it's my turn to share a card made with the 8 Happy Nights stamp set!  Now for the paper yummies:

I started off by cutting my stamp (I know...EEK!  Even though I know it's okay, it still causes just a little bit of angst when I first start cutting a stamp apart!).  Since I was going to be stamping the 8 repeatedly, it just made more sense to cut the 8 away from the adjoining words than to mask the words every single time.  I used a white pigment ink to stamp the 8s on my kraft card base.  By a happy accident, I ended up with just enough room at the bottom of my card to fit the perfect sentiment (rather than a sentiment banner going across the 8s, as was my original plan).  I randomly stamped some blue Stars of David right on top of the white 8s, then added some Diamond Stickles to the stars.  I finished off the card with a seam binding bow.  If you don't mind the repeated stamping, this card would be super easy to reproduce, as it's basically a single layer card (plus ribbon).  And, the recipient of this card said it was the prettiest Hanukkah card she's ever received.  YAY!  Here's a close-up of the sentiment and glitter:

I hope all of you who celebrate Hanukkah are indeed having 8 happy nights!  If you haven't seen all the other creations, check them out here.  You can see the entire stamp set below, and you can buy it here:

Thanks for looking!

Supplies: card stock: Recollections; stamps: CAS-ual Fridays Stamps; inks: Joann (white), TPC Studio (blue); glitter glue: Ranger; seam binding: Hug Snug; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers

CFC80 - Season's Greetings/Happy Holidays gift tags

Happy Friday to all!  Since the last challenge at CAS-ual Fridays was a two-weeker and I didn't have any other pressing projects, I took a much-needed break and enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving with my family.  I did a 5K "turkey trot" race that morning (with my parents there to cheer me on!), complete with water jumps and hay bale hurdles.  It was a lot of fun!  I hope you all had just as wonderful a Thanksgiving as I!  I'm back with this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge:

And the wonderful sponsor this week is Bossy Joscie!  If you've never checked out her site, I highly recommend that you do.  The girl's got FLAIR!!!

So yeah, this week it's a gift card challenge rather than a card challenge (unless of course you make a card that incorporates a gift tag).  Fun, right?  I really liked this challenge because I was able to use something I've had in my stash for years, and never really had an idea for.  It worked out perfectly with my CAS-ual Fridays Stamps to create these paper yummies:

So, do you see that cute tree-patterned strip?  That's a decorative packing tape I found years ago (Tuesday Morning, maybe?) and have never really had a vision or a plan for.  It worked out so wonderfully on these tags, and made it super easy to make a bunch of 'em!  I just cut a piece of the tape and adhered it across the bottom of a pre-made kraft tag by Ranger.  I trimmed the excess from each side, then stamped the sentiment (from Snowflake Greetings) with Staz-On ink, since half of it would land on the slick surface of the tape.  I finished off the tags with some white dashed lines and baker's twine.  After I took the above picture, I had the idea to add a bit o' Stickles glitter.  Here's a close-up:

I love how these turned out!  I hope you'll play along with this week's challenge.  You have until next Thursday at noon EST to do so.  Thanks so much for looking!

Supplies: kraft tags: Ranger;decorative tape: craft supply; stamps: CAS-ual Fridays Stamps; ink: Tsukineko (Staz-On); white gel pen: Uniball Signo; baker's twine: Divine Twine; corner rounder: We R Memory Keepers; glitter glue: Ranger