What is a "CAS" card?

I have asked this question and have finally received the answer! This is copied from Jenny Charboneau (known as Miss Boo at Split Coast). She is the CAS Challenge Hostess at SCS...so is definitely the expert answering "what is a CAS card?".....

"What is CAS?CAS is an acronym for Clean and Simple.

There are different ways people view CAS. It is very subjective. There is no list of rules that will fit everyone’s personal definition. The following are possible guidelines, only. Please do not feel afraid of playing in the CAS challenge or debate with yourself if you’ve created a CAS card. If it is a CAS card to you, put CAS in the keyword box.

1. Clean: the design is uncluttered with lots of white or open space. Simple: having a clear focal point without a lot going on to detract from it. OR

2. simple in design regardless of the number of embellishments or how long it takes to color, stitch or to use a special technique. OR

3. can be copied and mass produced fairly quickly… usually without a lot of coloring, layers, embellishments, tools and/or techniques. OR

4. any combination of the above"....

There you have it! You can check out her beautiful examples by clicking on her name above...now that I am clear on this....off to CAS ...:)... LOL

the Deer

Needed to make a masculine birthday card - absolutely no ribbon, brads, bling, scallops, soft corners....nothing! not even a big ole "Hap-py Birthday" on the inside....tough request!

This set from Stampin Up finally came to mind!.....bingo!!...used markers on the stamp to give the image some color. The first thing I stamped, using the grey marker, was the mountain scene. Thought that would give the whole scene some depth. Then colored the tree stamp with markers ...and last is the deer, in black.

If you've never used your markers on your stamps, give it a try...just remember to "huff" .... (just breathe on stamp in hard short bursts - it moistens the marker on the stamp)

Stamps: from SU - Nature Silhouettes, Circle of Frienship, small script from ACM, mountains from Blue Ridge Impressions, little leaves from unknown
Paper: from SU - Burgundy, old olive, hunter green, plaid is from scraps, white
Ink: Memento Black
Markers: from SU - Grey, Burgundy, Choc Chip, Hunter Green, Old Olive
Technique: Huffing, matting

Those masculine cards are tough! I so wanted to add some gold brads or adhesive nail heads to the small green area under the image....or at least a cute little plaid ribbon :( sigh.....

Have a blessed day,

a "favorite" challenge

for the potluck challenge this week, Geri asked us to CASE something created by one of DT ladies at STV! The challenge was to try an choose just one.. LOL! we were to change two things. I chose to CASE the top card in brown that was done by Melanie from Gina K Designs (her blog is on my sidebar).

I changed the colors, sentiment, and placement of leaves and the butterfly! My butterfly is also clear embossed.

I love her card...and love her Inspiration Mosaic stamp - as you all must know by now :)....Really like purple and green together ....hope you like it! doesn't really do Melanie's card justice...but I'll keep it LOL
Really need to keep practicing my sponging...still very "smeary"...

Stamp set: both from Gina K -Inspiration Mosaic, Autumn Stamp Kit
Paper: Neena's white
Ink: SU hunter green, Vivid's purple, colored butterfly with matching Copics
Technique: clear embossing of butterfly, piecing, matting, sponging

Have a blessed day,

Blog Candy Alert - ends Sept 6th

Jennie at Stampin Away the Day
is turning 84 ...and is giving away blog candy while she can still remember what blog candy is..... hurry over and leave her some love...you know anyone still stampin at her age deserves all the love we can give...

ignore her picture when you get there - was taken years and years and years ago!!!!

Happy Birthday!!! BFF love ya!

vintage lady on beach

This is a different type card for me. I love looking at the vintage sites but have never tried one. BUT, blog surfing I came across a blog Clearly Vintage and while looking came upon this image.
THREW ME BACK TO MY CHILDHOOD!
This picture has to be my Grandmother's much younger sister, Aunt Laura !! as a child, Aunt Laura was always impeccably dressed and always had the most perfect manners. It was as though my dear Grandmother was always trying to "please" Aunt Laura. As a very young child, my Grandmother and her sisters would stay at a place on the boardwalk of Ocean City. When I saw this picture, I stopped dead in my tracks! I could actually see her sitting on the beach, with her fashion magazine (I can even remember a dress she wore that was very close to these colors) and she was always completely dressed on the beach. (She was also stick thin and always commented about my weight, even as a young girl I was "chunky"...oops, that's a story for another day) LOL I added the pearls at the top of the card because when Aunt Laura looks up from her magazine.....you know she will be wearing her pearls !!

This image was colored with copics! Anyone else have an "Aunt Laura"....

lots of love,

Day Lilies - STVCC27

Good day, this card was done for this week's color challenge at Stamp TV - to use orange, grey, white/vanilla.

OK - I'm ready :) I have been eyeballing these day lilies and here was my chance!

My image background was first prepared by sponging summer sun and pumpkin. Then I stamped where I wanted the lilies with their stalks and leaves. Colored the stalks and leaves with SU Grey marker - since it was done over the sponging, it has a green effect! My day lilies were colored with Copics, clear embossed and pieced onto card. Highlighted leaves with gold pen. Stamped sentiment in grey and distressed edge.
Added the beautiful ribbon and assembled. The image is raised on ....what? do you ask...three strips of a carry-out container! LOL

Stamps: A Year of Flowers by Melanie from Gina K
Paper: SU's Basic Grey, dp - Pumpkin Spice, Vanilla Confetti
Ink: Basic Grey, Memento Black
Embellishment: Grey ribbon from SU
Technique: Copics, clear embossing,sponging, paper piecing, matting

Done "with love" .....
Have a blessed day,

Basic Grey Challenge #2

Finally was able to put a card together for Basic Grey's Challenge. This challenge is to use pink, yellow and brown. Well, I love pink and brown...but the yellow didnt come to me ..thought about sunflowers..then big jump to this little happy dog!
Don't know how I went from sunflowers to dog....it is what it is, right!

Stamps: Dog and sentiment - Penny Black, dog print - Rubber Stampede
Paper: Basic Grey - Porcelain, SU Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, Choc Chip and dp
Ink: Memento Black, Vivid Coffee Bean
Embellishments: yellow ribbon from stash, pink ribbon is SU, colored white $1 store pearls with Copic R20, paw print brad from stash
Technique: matting

Have a dog-gone happy day LOL!

Isaiah 40:31

A favorite verse! The stamp with the eagle and verse has no name, sorry. It is mounted (using the tip from a few posts back) on a cut-out piece of a carry-out container. Love this - didnt use a jillion dots !!! The clouds don't show very well in the picture.

The background stamp is a huge stamp..so here is another

TIP: lay your stamp with its picture down and the rubber facing up..ink your stamp with the rubber facing up... lay your cardstock on top and then use your brayer and roll it over the cardstock (press down on one corner so your card doesnt move while running the brayer over it). You will get a clean stamped image with no blank spots. Much easier than turning your large stamp over and pressing it down on the cardstock, especially when the stamp is this big....you probably already knew this... but if not, try it !!

Stamps: eagle/verse unknown, Trees Backgrounder from Sonlight Impressions
Paper: SU Whisper White, Mellow Moss, Cranberry Crisp (wish that was still around)
Ink: Memento black, Old Olive, Border Blue
Eagle is done with SU watercolor crayons
Embellishment: SU Cranberry Crisp ribbon
Technique: Matting

Have a blessed day, :)

Fore-tee Birthday Card for golfer

Back to the Inspiration Mosaic stamp! Check out Melanie's blog from my sidebar...awesome cards with this stamp. She has a tutorial on using the two squares that come in the stamp set...so I tried it! I kept thinking of using this for a golf card...and here it is! love saying "Foooorrrrr-tee !!"....wish I was that age again....or maybe not LOL

Stamp Set: Inspiration Mosaic by Melanie from Gina K, golf bag from PSX 1999
Paper: SU whisper white, red, black
Ink: SU red, black
Colored with Copics: C1, C3, C5, C7, W1 and R29
Embellishments: SU black ribbon, puffy paint to make the golfballs
Technique: matting, masking

hope you can use this idea for a golfer you know...maybe I should do another one in "pink and black" for the ladies :)
Have a blessed day,

Embossed butterfly

Thank you for so many inquiries on these butterflys....they are from Gina K's "Take Flight" set and I didnt realize how much I used them!! I have a page of them stamped with Memento black, ready to be colored. I use all different mediums to color them- this one is done with SU markers. I didnt want the deep colors from Copics on this particular card. I sometimes go to the internet and literally lookup pictures of butterflys so I can get the colors spread as realistic as possible.

But no matter how I do them - they all get clear embossed and paper pieced onto card. Love that look! It's easiest for me to stamp the butterfly on the card, especially the head and antennaes. Then when I cut out the butterfly, I dont have to cut those out also..but just line them up with the stamp. Hope this was clear to those who asked :))

Stamp sets: Gina K's Take Flight, unknown sentiment stamp

Paper: Gina K's Green Apple, SU's - cream confetti, black, and dp

Embellishments: black SU grosgrain

Technique: Matting, cuttlebug, sponging, paper piercing, clear embossing

Have a blessed day

(this is an automatic post so I hope it really did post, will find out when I check Mon am :))

postage stamp flowers n butterfly

another flower card, I know! but it will probably be my last "summery" one for awhile. I am tired of the pastels and ready for Autumn!!!
I love the different seasons and have put my pastels to the back of my paper stash. Ready to move on to pumpkin pie, green apple, (we are talking card colors LOL)...all the beautiful fall colors....hmmmm..and the pinks and blues with brown....and the teal and banana...oh and the celery and rose..oh heck! is there a color combo I DON'T like ??? LOL
This is my last card for a few days - we have homecoming at church tomorrow so will be cooking tonight, hoping daughter with 2 grankids will come spend all day tomorrow (wooohooo), work and jail bible study Monday night, work and exhaustion Tuesday night, work and church Wednesday....wow! I'm tired already... just kidding :)))

Have a blessed day,

Good Tip in this post :)

This is for the STVCC26 color challenge to use black, white, and green. I'm trying to teach myself to do simpler cards by entering a few CAS challenges over at SCS. For this one, used Basic Gey dp and embossed the wonderful seahorse from STV's Eclectic set. Matted image and background onto Hunter Green, black, white and used black card base, little ribbon and..hopefully, this works as a CAS!

(trying to get a picture that showed the colors took longer than making the card, grrrrrrrrr..now I have to get out of here and up to work)

TIP: This image is raised on the card but not with a ton of dots - I used a foam take-home container from carry-out and cut out size I wanted....now the seahorse is raised evenly and I didn't use half my SU dimension dots :))))...when I washing the container DH asked me "why?" and when I said I can use it for my cards and to save his from now on...he just shook his head...grin...

Have a blessed day,

Beautiful White Cat - great CAS card!

Love this stamp and wish I could tell you who its from - won it off Ebay several years ago and there is no name on the wood block. It is a huge stamp, as you can see. This card shows you that your large stamps don't need much... gave her a little collar heart charm with fibery-yarn collar. The rest is mostly shading with the exception of her eyes! added a dash of gold glitter pen to her eyes...

Stamp Set: Large cat - unknown
Paper: Night of Navy, Elegant Eggplant, White base
Ink: Memento black
Copics: eyes B24, shading C1, background BV000, nose/ear R20
Embellishment: heart charm from Michael's jewlery-making section

I can hear her purring...although her stare is "dead on" at something - have any mice around LOL

Have a blessed day,

follow your heart - pink roses

felt like doing something different - haven't used the "tear" technique in forever!! lol ...purple background is stamped and cuttlebugged..green bkgrd is double stamped (script and leaf)..roses have been watercolored and tips are lacquered (doesn't show in pic)...I love roses so this card makes me smile :)

Stamp sets: Year of Flowers by Melanie - Gina K, sentiment unknown, background stamped with SU Script, Autumn Stamp Kit leaves stamp from Gina K
Paper: SU Perfect Plum and pink dp, lavendar with sentiment from paper stash
Ink: Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke, Memento black with clear EP
Watercolors: Pearlescent
Technique: Matting, tearing and piecing

Hope you love roses LOL
Have a blessed day,

Inking Cuttlebug Folder

Really enjoying the Autumn Stamp Kit from Gina K...this card was done by inking the inside of the cuttlebug folder for the STVTC26 challenge. I also did a reverse mask where the image is set. Jump over to Stamp TV from my sidebar to view the wonderful tutorials on how to do both of these techniques. I could try and explain it here, but Gina's videos are excellent - and seeing is (for me) easier than reading instructions.

Stamp Sets: Autumn Stamp Kit, sentiment from Tropical Flowers-both Gina K's
Paper: SU's Apricot Appeal, Garden Green, Black, white base
Ink: Garden Green, Creamy Caramel, image stamped in Memento Black on glossy cs
Copics: YR04, YR09, YR68, E09
Ribbon: plaid is $1 Michael's bin, Orange is from SU
Technique: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities

Have a blessed day,

STVSC25 Early Rooster

Spent Saturday trying to get my challenge cards done - here is mine for STV's Sketch Challenge ending August 20th. If you haven't looked at STV's challenges yet, hop on over there from my sidebar and check them out. You could win a stamp set!!!
I was so glad to receive the Signs of Autumn Stamp TV kit. You know what getting new rubber is like .. LOL! I have so many ideas for this set and already love the dp that came with it!!! Decisions, decisions...but the rooster won out as being the first stamp I used out of this kit (had to make one with the Inspiration Mosaic stamp- but that's for another post :)))).

So for this card, kept it simple and followed the sketch very closely.

Stamp set: Signs of Autumn Stamp TV Kit (rooster and the sentiment), my mini-mini grass stamp from unknown
Paper: Green Apple, Pumpkin and dp all from kit, card base is SU's Ruby Red
Ink: Adirondak - lettuce, butterscotch, latte and Vivid - coffee bean
Embellishments: from same kit (brad is from stash)
Technique: cuttlebug background, light sponging

This is my first purchase of a STV kit. But it won't be my last... just hate to use it all up and then not have any more of the beautiful dp and ribbon, sigh!

Listen to me...I have enough dp and ribbon to last me a year!!!!
Have a wonderful day,

STVPF26 Seahorse in pastels

I did this card for the color challenge at STV - I was just able to purchase this set (had to pace myself after a recent trip to the Enchanted Cottage and Stamp Tour) and couldnt wait to use the seahorse! Have made several cards with this little guy which I will post later.

This one is done with:
Stamp set: Eclectic Summer from STV, large Reed from Stampscapes
Paper and ink: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and Saffron, Dp is from SU.
Sentiment: Rubber Stamp Tapestry
Technique: Color Resist, cuttlebugged background
Embellishments: sparkly stickers from $1 store, stickles (doesn't show well in pic)

Using all pastels was a tough challenge for me because my mind is already thinking about autumn and Christmas!!!

Have a wonderful day,

hi there - my little goldfish

Can you believe it!! I didn't use the inspiration mosaic stamp! Big Smile! I was starting to see everything in grids - thought I may need a break.
This is my favorite little goldfish - I love him! The label on the side says it's from a stamp company called Anita's.
Used Iridescent Gold and Sea Glass glimmer mist on white card stock. Colored him with copics YR04 and YR09 (outlined with C1). The sea grass is stamped in Tempting Turquoise and Hunter Green. One of the stamps used for the sea grass is the large Reed stamp from Stampscapes, the little one is a mini stamp I found somewhere...I just keep stamping it over and over to build up and fill out the sea grass. Image is matted on Taken with Teal then onto Basic Grey's Lime Ricky. The card base is Cool Caribbean (hate to run out of that,it's a favorite...sigh!) Ribbons are from Michael's $1 bin. The sentiment is from Rubber Stamp Tapestry. This card is really bright and sparkle-ly (is that a word?) ...doesn't show that in the picture.
Just felt like a Caribbean color card - haven't made it to the beach yet (like some people I know...smiling here)

long time to grow friends - true true true!

another card using the awesome Inspiration Mosaic stamp by Melanie from Ginak K and the Tropical Flowers set, and Tree Silhouettes -both also from Gina K.
Now understanding that my cardstock is already cut - this card took FIVE MINUTES !!! (not including time for stickles to dry) even the inside is stamped on the side with the same background stamp..... Got to love that!

just sponge, stamp stamp stamp, adhere .. and step back ...because the card is
DONE!
I don't often have as much time as I've had recently to stamp - so time is important.
My tip of the day LOL Take the time to precut your cardstock in various mat sizes - so nice to just pluck out your colors - this leaves you time to "design" !

Welcome to the INSPIRATION MOSAIC Blog Hop

I am very happy to be a part of this hop! Love this stamp ...it's name fits it perfectly! My Inspiration Mosaic has its own acrylic block :) it sits to my right and those of you who follow my blog know that since receiving it two weeks ago, haven't made a card without it!!!! Don't know why, but this stamp takes your stamping to a whole different level - really makes your work stand out. Hope you like what I have for you below. Couldn't decide between these two for tonight, so here they both are......





They were both done with, of course, the Inspiration Mosaic stamp. The top card has also used the poinsetta and leaf from Melanie's A Year of Flowers stamp set and the bottom card has also used the Tree Silhouettes by Gina K. Both simple cards, just designed to make you "think" they were difficult...colored top card with copics + masking and used sponging + masking on the bottom card.
Hope they make you realize you NEED THIS STAMP!!!!! LOL, come join me in my Inspiration Mosaic addiction.... but be forewarned, this stamp sold out when it was last shown ... so don't wait!! Now....

For even more inspiration, be sure to check out Melanie's blog.


Melanie also has several guest designers joining in on the hop tonight:

Jennie Harper, Tina Gilliland, Linda Payne, and Jenny Charboneau

These GinaK's Senior DT members have Inspiration Mosaic projects on their blogs as well: Cathy, Emily, Erika, Jessica, Lee, Theresa , and Donna Baker and founder of StampTV Gina Krupsky

and finally, don't forget to check out our CenterStage DT members:
Shannon Bracken and Brenda Turner

Don't end the hop without getting over to Melanie's....She is celebrating half a million visitors! Can you imagine that???(and I had to leave my name in this post, love seeing it joined with these fabulous stampers)

Enjoy the Blog Hop!

Bug Me Anytime

Wanted to pop in this quick card - I am NOT a spider fan ..but this little one is so cute. You can find him in the Bug Me Anytime set by Rupa from Gina K and of course by now you know where to go to purchase the Inspiration Mosaic stamp by Melanie from Gina K

...gotta get out of here and head home for tonight's BLOG HOP....tonight 10pm cst ...come on back and see what the creative Design Team and Guest Designers have done with Melanie's stamp and celebrate with her the half a million visitors to her website.... need to leave and try to get a jump on the rush hour traffic...see ya tonight :)

a reminder DON'T MISS THIS !!!! AUG 12th at 10PM cst

Be here at 10PM - you don't want to miss any of this!! I am so excited to see what's been done with this stamp!!! But be forewarned...it sold out almost immediately when it was released, but it's back in stock for NOW! join in the "Hop" and be prepared to be WOWED !! and to be online ordering .... hint-hint ....you're going to want this for the holidays .. LOL .... lalalalalala- lala-la-laaaaaaaaaaaaa (that was supposed to be a tune) Big Smile here :)

I'm off to work but have my new cards ready to share with you for tonight's hop! See you tonight ....AND Melanie is having some blog candy to celebrate ....drum roll, please ..... a half a million hits! oh my! can you imagine that, Have a wonderful day LOL

For you - everyone who entered my 1st blog candy!

During my visits to everyone's blog, I found myself in other countries. Enjoying the different cultures...it was so nice!

With a different culture in mind, I made this card. I have had these little people for years and never used them (from very old retired SU set).

Of course I pulled out my trusty Inspiration Mosaic stamp by Melanie from Gina K and then went to work!!

I first used a stencil and gold glimmer mist for the background on red cs. Let it dry, then stamped with the Inspiration Mosaic stamp. Made two of the large rectangles from white cs, stamped them with gold pigment ink using a stamp that gives a marbelized effect and adhered to background. Stamped my little people, colored with copics and gold glitter pen, cut them out and mounted onto the white rectangles. Stamped sentiment on scrap piece of cs. The flowers are two layers- one is made from punches using scrap piece of the red background that had the gold glimmer mist, the other is stamp/punch on white cs that was lightly sponged red - pearl to center.....matted onto gold then black then on red....done!!!

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to stop by ....
Best wishes,

WINNER OF CANDY BLOG!!!

Thank you everyone! I feel like I'm now a world traveler. Had no idea there are so many "stampin sisters" all over the world. Tried to go to each of your blogs and leave some "love" (hope I didnt miss anyone)...and it was wonderful - some had no translator but I enjoyed the pictures!! This made me realize that I needed to add the Translator to my blog so everyone from other countries can read it as well as look at the pictures.....this was great fun! I know you want to know WHO is the winner, so here it is.....drum roll...the winner picked out of my bowl (DH doesn't have a hat...actually, neither do I) ..... IS

cajitasdecorativaskuin said...
oh waw whata beatiful candy , i have linked your blog on my site ,i hope to win ,thanks for the canche ,regards and hugs from peru =)

August 8, 2009 9:47 PM

Congratulations, please let me know your mailing address and I will send this right out.

Loved doing this and will be doing it again - I am already setting aside items for when I get to 5,000 visitors! Thanks again and please stay in touch,

quick cards with Melanie's new Inspiration Mosiac stamp

see the Inspiration Mosaic stamp by Melanie I made these this evening and just decided to post them all. (trust me, more are coming)
It's perfect to create illusion, do matting, masking, and so much more. Hope you like some of the cards I've done with it and hop over to Gina K and get this stamp for yourself!! Also, check out Stamp TV for some of the most beautiful creations, done by super talented ladies, using this stamp. You can go directly to Melanie's blog from my sidebar and see what she has made.... they are incredible! Get some coffee or your favorite "kick back" beverage...and go check them out! Enjoy...LOL