Saturday, June 30, 2012

A whole gaggle of challenges for a Saturday

I got all the teacher stuff ready *phew* and will dole most of it out in pictures over the coming week - some of them are for things I can't show you yet *squeal!* Crafty secrets are so much fun!

I didn't get a chance to play along with several challenges last week due to the stupid sewage adventure (no sign of the backhoe yet, but we had a lot of rain this week as well.) I was determined to get in there & play this week, and so I have 4 to share with you today (for 5 challenges).

First up, Tuesday Morning Sketches #152 - as always, their linky is open until Sunday night. Here's the sketch, which I rotated to vertical:

Supplies: papers & die cuts from Kaisercraft "Class of 87;"
twine from Paper Smooches;
letter stickers from Basic Grey
This was for Riley's French teacher - he wanted for her greeting to be en francais. The checkered layer and apple notepaper layers are each on foam tape. 

Next up, IBSIC #15, which is to be inspired by this photo's colours:
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Being in Canada I don't have any need for a fourth of July card, but I still loved the celebratory feel of the window display. I thought the striped cupcake wrapper was a fun substitute, and the Stardust pen & gemstones are my nod to the stars! IBSIC #15 is open until Wednesday.

Supplies: Autumn Leaves cardstock;
'you take the cake' from MFT;
'birthday wishes' from AmyR Designs (CC Designs);
cupcakeabella from Stamping Bella;
Palette Noir ink;
Sakura Stardust pen;
standard small circle Nesties; various size circle punches
Next is my card for Do You Stack Up #78, where *my Barbles* is a new design team member! This week we're to use blue skies & clouds- and my Simple Stories Summer Fresh pad is perfect for this - I am in love with this card!

Supplies: Simple Stories "Summer Fresh;"
white clouds stamp from The Greeting Farm;
Palette Noir ink;
buttons from Dress it Up
The extra gingham cloud is fussy-cut from another sheet of the collection. It's hard to see in the formatted photo, but the top 3 buttons are stars, and the bottom 3 are flowers. (You can clickit to bigit). I'm also entering this card over at Moxie Fab World's gingham challenge (which has been extended to Monday July 2).

I find it hard to put away my Summer Fresh (given that it's summer and all, lol), so I kept it out to play along with Crafty Creations Challenge #176,  to use at least 3 types of embellishments on your card. I've fussy-cut paper embellishments (the 'happy' card, the banner at upper left), used alphabet stickers, twine, and buttons. This card turned out super busy, but I love the patterns all mixed together. I hope to get a chance to play along again with this challenge -it's a fun one! It ends on Tuesday night.
Supplies: All the paper embellishments from Simple Stories "Summer Fresh;"
letter stickers from October Afternoon;
buttons from stash;
kraft twine from Paper Smooches
Off to tackle the neverending mountain of laundry, and have a nap! I was up at 3 AM this morning...no one remembered to let the dog out before bedtime last night. On top of that, I began day one of the Couch to 5K running program. I hate running. I plan on only running in the dark, so that the fewest people possible have to hear me gasp and sputter like a landed fish. My Zumba instructor is off for the summer, but I've got to keep moving - so it's worth a shot. I figure by putting it out on the blog, that may be enough to keep me doing it - whether or not I keep it up after Zumba resumes depends on whether I start liking it. I can do anything for two months. (well, not ANYTHING, and that's not a dare or a challenge, Lord, so don't get any ideas. Thank you!). I'm still pretty impressed with myself that even after getting up at 3, I still did what I said I would do, rather than using the early wake up call as an excuse not to run. Yay, me (that means I can have a donut now, right?)

Oh yeah, lots of coffee to make up for that early hour. 
xoxo,
Jessi



18 comments:

Theresa said...

Hi Jessi - all of your cards are wonderful! I love the Merci!! But I would have to say my favorite is the You are my sunshine...I miss my sister very much and that song reminds me of her. Great collection as always. Thanks for joining us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches.

Unknown said...

awesome cards Jessi! Great take on all the challenges but that sunshine card IS my fave...LOVE how you combined the elements and your layout rocks. Smart girl to keep moving too! You never know, the more you do it, running may become something you look forward to. The stats shows that walking helps you lose pounds while running helps you lose dress sizes (meaning MUCHO pounds). You can do it!!!

Cheryl said...

I love reading your "adventures!" I really get a chuckle out of them! Great cards, too! Hmmm, my fav would have to be the gingham card. I just love all the different elements--fussy cut clouds, fun papers, cute buttons.

Annette Allen said...

wow these are all so fun...I love all the fun designs...great cards..

kingstonmama said...

Hi Jessi, I'm getting caught up on your blog! All of your cards are great but I LOVE the sunshine card. Your layout is just beautiful and all those papers are so summery. Love the red gingham! Ann Y.

Unknown said...

love the paper mix

kitten - DYSU team

~amy~ said...

Wow...you are a busy chickie! Love them all...especially the Simple Stories card..LOVE that.

So explain how this couch to 5k thing works? Made me LOL about running in the dark:)

happy july!

Dana said...

Wow!! Awesome cards!!! I don't know how you do it!! All these cards for all the challenges!!

Colleen Dietrich said...

Yes, these colors work for a birthday, definitely! I like the chick sitting on a cupcake -- so fun!

Thank you so much for playing with us at Inspired By Stamping this week. We're so happy you played!

Angela said...

Wow, you have been busy...this is a great batch of cards! I love that your style is varied; sometimes I think it is hard to switch things up a bit but it appears you have that mastered.

~Tammy~ said...

More darling designs!!

You managed to squeeze in a log if creativity ! Yay you!!! You rocked it girl!

Awesome job on your running!

lostinpaper said...

Oh my how will you cope without zumba... I'm addicted! And I certainly can't (won't) run... you are amazing! ps another fab collection of cards, love all those gorgeous DP's!

Melissa Craig said...

Fantastic line up Jessi. Your cards are so colorful and so much fun. Thanks for joining us at Tuesday Morning Sketches.

Debbie said...

These are all great cards!! I think the last birthday card is my fave! I love all the 'busy'ness of it!!

walchowDesign said...

Fab cards! My fav of the day would be you are my sunshine! Love all the layering of the clouds and gingham is my fav too!

Keep up with the running program and reward yourself with a big cup of coffee with that lovely donut!

Handmade Cards by Archana said...

Wow!!all your cards are Fabulous!!...but gingham and cloud card i found the best.Thanks for joining us at DYSU this week.
Hugs
Archana

Jen W. said...

Awesome colours on the first card - totally cheery! (Although the word "cheery" does not come to mind when I think of any of my French teachers but whatever...)

Totally diggin' the punch red circles and scattered gems on the second card.

Thought the first one was going to be my fave but this one has stolen first place! Love the dotty sunshine, the patchwork balloon and the teeny flower buttons!

Busy but perfect and I love the pop of primary colours.

I keep hearing about the C2K thing and perhaps I need to jump on that with you. Although if you just keep coming up with phrases like "gasp and sputter like a landed fish" I may laugh enough to get my abs in shape!!

Deb Hickman said...

Such a fun collection of CAS, thanks for joining us at IBSIC. Deb xxx