Taylor's Cupcake Challenge

Yesterday I had a wonderful opportunity to stamp just for fun! And I managed to create six cards in just a few hours...It was delightful! Soon I'll have to pack up all of my supplies for our move. My goodies will be moving into a lovely but smaller studio. Our plan is to build in storage and counter space. However, that will probably leave much of my supplies packed so...I'm hard at work creating cards and projects to share during the transition. Last night I inked up some stamps I've never used and am looking forward to showing you the results! The card above is also using a brand new stamp, part of a new Stampin' Up! set called, Fifth Avenue Floral. It is a delightful set that I've had my eye on for awhile...I'm thrilled that it's now part of my collection! The paper used on the card coordinates with the stamps in the set and it can be found here. I used Copics to color in the flower, which has been cut out and attached with dimensional tape. The center of the flower is covered in tiny rhinestones, purchased from Taylor's store, Taylored Expressions. They're much sparklier (is that a word??) in person! :-) The layout comes from Taylor and was her weekly cupcake challenge. I thought this was a wonderful layout, simple, clean lines and super versatile! Go to Taylor's blog to check out her amazing work and follow links to other stampers who have participated in the challenge. Enjoy!

Triple Play with a Special SALT & Sketch Challenge

Lots, lots, lots to share this evening! I've got a sketch challenge to share, news on a special SALT posting, and finally some sad news. I first want to highlight the special SALT challenge post from yesterday. Working with Anne over at A Faith Perspective and SNR, we've put together a sponsored post on friendship with Anne giving away a free three month subscription to Scrapbook News & Reviews online magazine! Please head over to the SALT blog to read the write up and leave a comment so you will be entered into the drawing for the subscription. And also be sure to check out our amazing new designers that were just recently added to the team! I'll do a separate post to highlight their blogs but in the meantime journey on over to the SALT site to check out their work! Next, I decided to incorporate Taylor's Friday cupcake sketch challenge with my SALT challenge card! Adore the sketch, isn't it fun?? My card is sporting all Stampin' Up! products and images. Since this card was oh so easy to create I think it would easily fit under my Keep it Simple Sunday post as well! And lastly, the reason I'm running behind on my SALT post, is the sad news. Friday evening we had to put down our 13-year old cocker spaniel, Max. He developed some troubling symptoms early in the week and by Friday collapsed. It was heart breaking as he'd been such a healthy dog. For 13 years he had only one minor issue involving a bit of surgery to remove a benign tumor. He was never sick, never had an ear problem (a miracle for a cocker), never chewed up anything other than dog toys, was house broken in one week (I kid you not!), was as friendly as could be, and adored our children even though he'd been the only baby in the house for nine years. So..it was very sad to see him so sick and struggling so much. He was definitely starting to show his age over the past few months but I guess I thought we'd have him for a little longer. We're thankful for the time we had with him and fondly remember all of his silly ways. Here he is snuggled under a blanket...one of his favorite places to be! Hope you enjoyed tonight's triple play!! :-) Be sure to check back in during the week as I'll have another SALT challenge and will share more of the chipboard projects I created in my video post.