Happy Birthday, Brianna!

Recognize the colors and technique?  That's right - it's the same color combination and layout as my challenge card from last Thursday!  This was the card I made for my friend, Brianna, who just turned 40.  We celebrated her birthday with pedicures & shopping followed by a surprise party her husband had lovingly planned.  It was perfect! 

Supplies: Whisper White cardstock, Island Indigo ink & cardstock, Mint Macaron ink & cardstock, Sweet Sugarplum ink & cardstock, Endless birthday wishes, adhesive, a few adhesive rhinestones and a dash of Sweet Sugar Plum ribbon.

8/4/16 DOstamper STARS Thursday Challenge

I knew as soon as I saw these colors that I would do something with snowflakes - the colors just seem so crisp and clean with white & they scream serenity, don't they?  And I find snow to be serene.  Since I knew right away what the theme would be, I figured it didn't count as much of a challenge, right? So, I went ahead and tried a technique I had never tried before.  My upline calls it "Triple Time" stamping.  I've always thought it was pretty but just have never taken the time to figure it out.  I'm really glad I did because I think it was a neat effect here. Want to see more cards with the same color scheme?  Check out my friends' blogs here:

• Connie Plaumann
• Dawn Olchefske 
• Judy Strickling
• Miriam Bollinger  
• Sharon Bennett
• Cathy Peck
• Dawn Thomas

And if you decide to try this scheme yourself, post a link to your work in the comments - I'd love to come check it out!

Mint Macaron & Botanicals Card

I'm one of those people who sometimes avoids things with which I'm uncomfortable.  Can you relate? Case in point - I have been reluctant to use the color Mint Macaron since it came out over a year ago. Don't get me wrong...it's a beautiful shade of green...but I wasn't quite sure with what colors I should pair it.  So I laid the Mint Macaron ink pad out on my work table with other colors in a circle around it and rearranged them every time I walked by for a few days to come up with a few color combinations that I liked.  This is the first one: Mint Macaron, Rich Razzleberry, Sweet Sugarplum, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla and Perfect Plum.  Now, I'd admit it's a pretty safe color combo - it's hard to go wrong with pinks and purples, but it got me to play and now I'm really enjoying it.  You'll have to check back in the future to see if you can spy me using Mint Macaron with other colors...I have a few ideas up my sleeves.

Supplies: Rich Razzleberry ink &cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Mint Macaroon cardstock, ink & ribbon, Playful Pallette Designer Series Paper, Botanical Blooms framelits and stamps, Perfect Plum ink, adhesive pearls, Blushing Bride cardstock & ink, Sweet Sugarplum ink, Teeny Tiny Wishes stamps, bitty banners dies (retired).

DOstamper STARS Challenge DSC #191

Phew, wee!  This was a challenge for me!  I really wanted to honor the original sketch with an oval-type shape in the upper corner, but try as I might, I couldn't get it right.  So, instead, I swapped the oval for a heart.  Also, the Peekaboo Peach & some of the patterns of paper in the Playful Pallette suite have been out of my comfort zone.  But you know, I'm glad I played until I got a little more comfortable, because I think this one turned out pretty good.  It still honors the sketch to a degree: a shape in the upper left, flowers & a horizontal element more towards the middle.  So, get out something that has you stumped and play - that's my challenge to you this week!  

Supplies: Sweet Sugarplum, Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride and Peekaboo Peach cardstock; Sweet Sugarplum ink; Playful Pallette Designer Series Paper, hearts thinlits, adhesive pearls, dimensionals & snail adhesives; Number of Years stamps, Large Numbers Framelits, Botanical Builder Framelits.

Now - go check out how my friends interpreted the same sketch:

• Michelle Harrington (that's me - you're here)
• Joan Weidling
• Judy Strickling
• Miriam Bollinger
• Angela O'Neill 
• Cathy Peck
• Connie Plaumann
• Dawn Olchefske
• Dawn Thomas
• Sharon Bennett

DOstamper STARS Challenge: Product Spotlight DSC #186

This weeks challenge was to use the 2016-2018 In Colors.  Rather than trying to use them all at once, I zoned in on the Sweet Sugarplum, which is prominently featured in the new Playful Palette Designer Series paper.  I'm pleased with the results.  You'll have to keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks to see other In Colors in my work.

Be sure to check out more "Product Spotlight" inspiration from the DOstamperSTARS Team (click on their names below):   

• Michelle Harrington- you are here 
• Angela O'Neill 
• Sharon Bennett
• Jan Carlson
• Miriam Bollinger
• Cathy Peck
• Judy Strickling
• Robyn Rasset 
• Joan Weidling 
• Dawn Olchefske 
• Connie Plaumann
• Dawn Thomas

STARS Sketch Pad Challenge DSC #183

If you're a follower of the Stampin' Up! world, you know that today is a BIG day for us!  The new catalog is now revealed to the public (before it was just for demos) and it is all available for purchase. Needless to say, we are all pretty pumped to finally be able to share all of it with you and order anything we want.

Speaking of new, here are some new products I used to make today's challenge.The pink and green are two of the NEW In Colors: Flirty Flamingo (LOVE that name) and Emerald Envy (which is a totally delicious green).  I paired it with our old friend So Saffron.  The patterned paper is also new.

To see what my friends did with this same sketch, follow the links below!  And come back soon to find more new goodies from the new catalog.

• Michelle Harrington - you are here
• Angela O'Neill 
• Connie Plaumann
• Sharon Bennett
• Jan Carlson
• Cathy Peck
• Joan Weidling 
• Dawn Olchefske 
• Judy Strickling
• Miriam Bollinger