Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Stamp, Ink,.Paper Challenge - Add Some Ink!

Hey everyone!  Hope you are having a good start to your week so far!  Today brings an all new Stamp, Ink, Paper Challenge and this time it's a color challenge!  These are true "challenges" for me.  I like to pick my colors, not have them picked for me.  :)  Nonetheless - here they are!  This is not a bad combo to work with in my opinion!
 
 
I was planning a nautical themed card since we're currently renting a house a mile from the ocean, but when I saw this set I knew the cherries were perfect for the pop of Real Red.
 
 

I did some snacking too! I love cherry season! :)
 
 
I hope to see your creation this week over at Stamp, Ink, Paper!  Come join the fun!
 
See you Friday :)
-Holly
 
 
Supplies I Used:


Sunday, June 28, 2015

CYCI76 - New In Color Challenge

Hey everyone!  I'm sorry that I haven't been posting as much as I normally do.  We are finally done with our move!  All that is left is cleaning the house and having the landlords do the walk through.  I cannot wait to be done!  And my sister and family are visiting this week!  I am beyond excited!! :) I'm ready to relax after these past few weeks.
 
Sorry - enough jabbering...
it's Sunday which means there is an all new challenge over at Can You Case It? 
 
http://wp.me/p4g33G-wr
 
This week we are working with the new in colors.  I decided to actually challenge myself and use 2 of the colors I'm not a fan of (yet) - Cucumber Crush and Delightful Dijon. 
 
I chose one of the new hostess sets called Floral Wings and paired it with Gorgeous Grunge. 
 
 
To add more detail, I only taped in body of the butterfly so that I could lift the wings a little.  I added the new gold thread and some dimension to the roses.
 

 
This new thread is great and thin enough for the inside of the card!

 
And wouldn't you know, I took the picture outdoors at our new home and there are these itty bitty pink roses (?) that were such a coincidence!  The perfect backdrop =)

 
Come join us this week.  It's a perfect chance to test out the new in colors!  I confess - I'm liking the Cucumber Crush and Delightful Dijon a little more now.
 
:)
 
-Holly

 
 

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Stamp, Ink, Paper Challenge #2 - Definitely Dahlia

Hey everyone! It's Tuesday which means we have a new challenge for you over at Stamp, Ink, Paper!  If you missed my post 2 weeks ago, I have been invited to be on the design team for an all new challenge site started by the talented Justin Krieger! 

Here is the next challenge! Make sure to click the image below to take you to the challenge!
www.stampinkpaper.com
I chose one of the newer background stamps called Definitely Dahlia.  I was a big fan of the Regarding Dahlias stamp set and made sure to order this one right away!
 
 
I love this look of stamping the same image twice and giving the accent piece some dimension.
 
You should try it - and then thank me for persuading you! :)
 
My color choices were two of the new in-colors: Watermelon Wonder and Tip Top Taupe

 
I sure hope this makes you want to get stampin' and play along!  We let the first challenge go a little longer since it was the first one. (We had over 40 entries!)  However, challenges will run for a week, so head on over now and get some inspiration so you can play along!


-Holly

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog


Sunday, June 21, 2015

CYCI75 - A Sketch Challenge by Terri

Happy Sunday everyone!  This has been such a busy week for me.  We are in the process of moving but I was able to move what stamps that I am keeping. 
So fear not! I'm still here to share with you my card for this week's challenge at Can You Case It? ;)
 
This sketch was made by the very talented Terri that is on the design team with me.
 
 
When I sat down to make a card, I had the intentions to make a Father's Day card but then realized my boys needed to be the ones making their dad a card.  So this gave me a chance to play with a new stamp set I got last Monday!
I wanted to try the new framelits and Watercolor Wings stamp set.  I stamped the body of the butterfly a little to high though and the framelit didn't line up quite right. 

 
If you don't have the new framelits, you can still fussy cut the butterfly and it looks just as nice!


 
 
I hope that you take time this week and play along with us at Can You Case It? ! In the meantime, head on over and get some inspiration from the other talented members of the design team!
 
Happy Stamping!
-Holly

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Stamp, Ink, Paper - Challenge Extended!

 
If you joined me last Monday, you may recall there is a new challenge in the card making world.  Justin Krieger has quite the following and decided to start a challenge site.  I am so blessed to be a part of the design team!  We will be extending the first challenge by a week, so now you have no excuse to skip the fun!
 
The challenge is the same - create a card that shows us your style as a stamper!  Favorite colors, stamp sets, etc.
Now, this card that I made today is completely opposite of last week's card.  My favorite color collection from SU! is the subtles.  This card is BOLD and eccentric.  But I want to show you that I am a simple card kind of gal.  As a mom of three little ones - I prefer the quick cards. 
And well, so does my schedule and budget! 
 
 
This is more bold of a print than I am used to, but I love the colors!  To get the ombre look of the sentiment, I used my Bermuda Bay, Island Indigo, Rich Razzleberry and Blackberry Bliss Markers to color the stamp.
 
 
A little bit of Linen Thread and it's complete! 
(Btw, this could be a Ten Minute Tuesday card for sure!)
 
I hope you take time to join us over at Stamp, Ink, Paper.  We are moving to Tuesdays! Our beloved boss Justin was chosen this past week to join the Mojo Monday design team!  How cool!! 
 
This also means Ten Minute Tuesday will be moving for me.  I'm thinking Fridays :) Stay tuned!
 
-Holly
 
 
 
 

TGIF Throw Down - Guest Designer!

Today I have an exciting post to share!  I am beyond honored to be a guest designer over at TGIF Challenges and I can finally let the cat out of the bag!  James (the Stampin' Stud) asked me a few weeks ago if I would like to be a guest designer for their new Throw Down Challenge in June.  Do you think I would say no?!  I even unpacked some moving boxes so I could play! (kidding!)
 
Here's the scoop - and I hope you're inspired to join the fun.  If you have watched the food show Chopped, this is kind of like the "stamping" version of the show.  (I personally LOVE the show and actually auditioned once for a military special.  I like to think I cook as well as I stamp, but I'll leave the judging to you!)  And I'm not sure if this idea was from James or Mercedes, but kudos either way!
 
 
So here it is!  The first TGIF throw down!  Your "basket ingredients" are listed below and you must use at least 4 of the items shown.  There is also a list of "pantry items" here.  I think the limited pantry items is what threw me off. 
 
 
 
I chose 5 of the "ingredients" - I left out the Butterfly Thinlits.
 
If you don't quite see the Work of Art Stamp - you can scroll down... but not too far!
 
 
I used my aqua painter and Blackberry Bliss Ink pad to make the splatter.  I cut an additional hello out in the Gold Foil as a layer. It adds some extra glitz! :)
 
 
 
I also sponged a doily to bring in extra color. (Doilies, whisper white twine and aqua painters are approved "pantry" items.)
 
 
To get the look of the Hello thinlit, I used Blushing Bride & Blackberry Bliss inks and stamped the larger "smear" looking stamp.  (I apologize for not having a better term to describe it!) Haha!
I stamped the Blackberry Bliss off once so the splatter would show a little darker.  Once I cut the thinlit out, I decided I would save the scraps and make a second card.
 
Now you can see where the Work of Art ties in.
:)
 
 
I hope this has inspired you to think outside of the "basket" and that you join the TGIF Throw Down Challenge.  The winner moves on to the finals!
 
Thanks to the TGIF Design Team for making me feel special!  It's an honor to play along with you all!  Thank you to my readers for stopping by! :)
 
-Holly
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, June 14, 2015

CYCI74 - Summer Fun Edition


Welcome back for another Can You Case It? Challenge! If you are new to this challenge, I hope you are inspired to join us!

www.canyoucaseit.com

This week's theme is Summer Fun!

When I think of summer here in Rhode Island, I think of the beach!  Beachy colors, the ocean, being together with family...  So here it is all thrown on a card!


I love the pop of Calypso Coral fish among all of the Lost Lagoon fish.  To start, I inked the stamp with Lost Lagoon and then wiped off two of the fish and colored them with my Calypso Coral marker.


The card below is actually the original card that I made.  I love it too, so I wanted to share!


The Lost Lagoon fish are cute too. :)


I added Calypso Coral buttons to each card.  Love the ridged texture of the larger one and the smooth side of the small one.  They both work!


Which one is your favorite?


I hope this makes you think Summer and are inspired to play along! 
Head on over to Can You Case It? and see what the other Design Team members have for you!

Happy Sunday and happy stamping! :)

-Holly




Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog


Saturday, June 13, 2015

Banana Cream Trifle

One of my favorite things to do other than stamping is bake.  It's something my mom instilled in all of her daughters.  Today our neighbors are having a cookout and I said I would bring dessert.
Then I realized, 80% of my baking stuff is packed and it's too hot to bake anyway.  I didn't pack my trifle bowl because it's my go-to summer dish.  Layers of fruit, dessert, salad... you name it!  So today I made this yummy Banana Cream Trifle. 

And it wouldn't be "me" to not add some kind of stamping! :)
(more on the tag later)

First layer the crushed up Nilla Wafers on the bottom of your dish.  Then take the full Nilla Wafers around the side and add the bananas. 


Pour in a layer of pudding. 
(I used an entire box per layer.)


Add a layer of Cool Whip and repeat.


Look at the layers of banana goodness!!


I wanted to add a label for the dessert since we are heading to a neighborhood get-together.  I'm sure most people could figure it out by looking at it, but what the heck, why not? :)  Makes the dish look even more appealing, don't you think?

For the tag I took Daffodil Delight and Whisper White CS, added the watercolor stamp from Work of Art, some brown (Crumb Cake) banana spots with Gorgeous Grunge and you guessed it, my (ever so loved) Alphabet Rotary Stamp! I added some extra detail with some linen thread and Daffodil Delight cotton ribbon.
Wish you could enjoy this with me!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!
(come back tomorrow for CYCI Sunday)
-Holly

Banana Cream Trifle

Prep: 35 minutes Chill: 2+ hours Total: 2.5+ hours Serves: 10-16
3 (3.4oz) boxes instant vanilla pudding
2 (11oz) boxes of Nilla Wafers
2 (8oz) containers of Cool Whip (I only used about 1.5 containers)
6 cups milk
4 large bananas
In a food processor, crush one full box of Nilla Wafers.  Prepare pudding as directed on the box.  (I prepared one box at a time which helps when layering.) Layer wafers, bananas, pudding, cool whip and repeat.  Chill in refridgerator for 2 hours or until cooled to your liking.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

OSAT Blog Hop - Father's Day




Welcome to the monthly OSAT blog hop!  This month we are featuring Father's Day or Masculine themed cards and projects and I'm so excited to show you what I have made!  If you came from Marisa's page, thank you for stopping by!  She's one talented lady and a hard blog to follow!
(I'll try not to disappoint!)

Let's rewind a little bit so I can show you my inspiration!  Two days ago we traveled to Boston Center so that I could finish my medical clearance for the FAA.  This was a long morning of appointments so my husband and the boys went hiking.  After they picked me up for lunch, the boys insisted that we go hiking again.  I'm so glad we went.  This was one of the prettiest hikes I had been on in awhile. 


I can only imagine how this park looks like in the fall! Looks like we will be venturing to New Hampshire again!


Looking through the pictures, I was remided of one that I took of my father and Eli late last year.  I printed it a few weeks ago to make a scrapbook page with, but I decided on this card instead.


The quote (by J.R.R.Tolkien) was made using the Alphabet Rotary stamp.  This is one of my favorite go-to stamps and it's on this week's Weekly Deals! 


I used Lovely As A Tree to "spruce" up the inside.  Spruce - get it?? :)


And what's a hike without the trail mix? :)  We made Eli's Pap some trail mix to send next week.


That's of course, if we don't eat it all!

:)

I hope that you enjoyed the projects today on the OSAT Hop!  Please make sure to VISIT all the blogs, PIN your favorites & FOLLOW everyone's pages!  Most of us are still new to the blogging world and it would mean a lot to us!
Click the next button below and head on over to the talented Miss AJ! 
http://rutabagapiedesigns.blogspot.com/2015/06/osat-june-blog-hop-happy-fathers-day-or.html
Below is the list of supplies and the list of hoppers!
Have a wonderful Thursday!
-Holly
(me)
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog




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