Living in the desert, I LOVE Retro Rubber #84's rainy inspiration pic - wish we had more of it, lol!  I'm using this lovely sketch from Paper Craft Crew #287 to help me along, and I think I'll toss in Color Throwdown #488's colors, too!
I decided to start with my retro stamp set for this one, and I went straight to 2016's My Hero, a great little collection of mixed shapes and sentiments.  The umbrella came with a second sentiment, too - I'm loving seeing more of that trend!  From there I did a quick search of papers in the right colors, and finished off with a few rainy details - so fun!  I even resurrected my Itty Bitty Flower punch, and gave it a black Sharpie colored pearl center to go with the DSP!  I'm so matchy-matchy today, lol...
My Hero (retired) & Weather Together Stamp Sets; Whole Lot of Lovely DSP (retired); Whisper White, Pool Party & So Saffron CS; Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, Pool Party & Memento Tuxedo Black Inks; Itty Bitty Flower Punch (retired); Layering Circles & Bunch of Banners Framelits; Basic Jewel Pearls; #RR84; #PCC287; #CTD488.

We have a super cute sketch from Paper Craft Crew #277 this week!  I'm combining with this color combing from Just Add Ink #393!
How to show off these colors, and deal with all the layers?  This one was a toughie for me.  I finally hit on Flourishing Phrases - I'm finding that the pretty winding vines and buds are perfect vehicles for adding just touches of colors, when you want to keep things from going too far.  Of course, it also lends itself pretty heavily to OEI (over-embellish-itis), so I have to be firm with myself, too, lol.  I added a few stamped background elements and fussy cut a few leaves, in the end, I'm stoked with how this came out!  Even the sequins work out great!
Flourishing Phrases & Hardwood Stamp Sets; Whisper White, Crumb Cake & Lemon Lime Twist CS; Tranquil Tide, Lemon Lime Twist & Crumb Cake Inks; Lots of Labels & Stitched Shapes Framelits; Linen Thread; Lemon Lime Twist Sequins; #PCC277; #JAI393.

You know what I need today?  Another Fabulous day!  Thanks goodness it's Fab Friday #129 time!
So, I know it's bitter cold most everywhere else, but here in Arizona, it has been unseasonably warm even for us.  I've worn long pants twice so far this winter, and my poor garden doesn't know what to do:  I have dying plants with tomatoes on them, hope they can make it to harvest!  Just yesterday, I saw a beautiful and bright butterfly snacking on the chili flowers.  I suspect he was an escapee from Butterfly Wonderland (we get far more varied butterflies around here since they opened, lol) and I was inspired to feature this stamp, in bold butterfly colors that I don't usually focus on.  This will be a great get well card!  And hope my winged visitor brings buddies next time!
Beautiful Day Stamp Set; Whisper White, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight & Pumpkin Pie CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Pumpkin Pie & Daffodil Delight Blends; Decorative Dots EF (retired); #FabFri129.

Woo!  There is a LOT going in in this week's Try Stampin' on Tuesday #337's sketch!  I think I'll try to squeeze in TGIF #123's sweet color combo, too!
Once I looked over these colors a bit, I realized they could be a good palette for our still awesome Coffee Cafe suite - there's even some DSP sheets that fit right in!  I picked a couple sheets to stand in for my larger blocks of color from the sketch, and then set about creating the right combo for a tasty little short cup of brew.  When I considered what extra shapes I wanted to include, I hit on including the little "Perk Up" piece from Merry Cafe, making this into a kind of caffeinated get well card, lol.  Maybe cough medicine tastes even better from a mini coffee cup!
Coffee Cafe & Merry Cafe Stamp Sets; Coffee Break DSP; Whisper White & Soft Sky CS; Early Espresso, Peekaboo Peach & Soft Sky Inks; Banners (retired) & Coffee Cups Framelits; Peekaboo Peach Ruched Ribbon; #TSOT337; #TGIF123.

Let's Get Messy 2 on Sep 14 & 16!
I've had quite a few requests for another edition of our "Messy Class," and I can hold out no longer, lol.  Let's do it again!  This class will feature fun new techniques and products that might be just a little bit "messy" to play with - and we'll all get messy together while we learn how to tame them!  We'll make 5 all-occasion cards that you will love creating!  No apron required! (But maybe don't wear white!)
Class will be held on Thursday, September 14 at 630 pm or Saturday, September 16 at 3 pm, and will include all supplies needed (bring your own snips and adhesive!), plus drinks and snacks, and a special gift from me, all for $25!  This class can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!   RSVP today!

OK, I am intrigued by the line-art effect of this week's Case This Sketch #235!  I'm adding in these rustic and bright fall-ish colors from In{k}spire Me #313, too!
After I thought about it a bit, I decided I wanted some brayer action today, to make a lovely sunset-y background to show off my new Sorry for Everything set.  I had to turn the card sideways to fit in the giant "sorry" that comes with this set, but I so love the final result!  A few black sequins to go with and I'm done!
Sorry for Everything Stamp Set; Whisper White & Basic Black CS; Cherry Cobbler, Tangerine Tango,  Elegant Eggplant & Memento Tuxedo Black Inks; Black Baker's Twine; Black Sequins; Stripes EF (retired); #CTS235; #IM313.

Love the slant to this week's Case This Sketch #232!  It's also a good one to showcase how I "get my mojo back" for As You See It #155!  I'm throwing in Retro Rubber #68's inspiration pic and colors, too - let's go for it!
So, my number one way that I boost my mojo is with coloring and fussy cutting.  I know, I know - my mojo must be pretty messed up, right?  Lol.  Seriously though.  When I'm really stuck, I look for something to color, and once I start coloring I start thing about how cool it would look cut out all pretty, and before I know it, I have a card idea in my head and on the desk in front of me.    Today's little example counts as coloring too, because I inked up my Take Care branch with markers!  Then I had myself a time coloring in the nest and eggs, and snipping the whole shebang out - simple and beautiful!
Take Care (retired, 2012) Stamp Set; Crumb Cake, Bermuda Bay & Whisper White CS; Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz & Bermuda Bay Inks; Crumb Cake Candy Dots; #CTS232; #AYSI155; #RR68.

Coffee Cafe Class Aug 10 & 12!
I'm so excited we finally get to play with our beautiful new Coffee Cafe bundle!  This class has been so much fun to design - almost too much - I think I can get caffeine from DSP now, lol.  This class will feature 5 cards and a gift item all made from this "perky" suite, and even includes a card using the sneaky-peeky Merry Cafe set in our soon-to-released Holiday Catalog!  I sure hope I see you all there!
Class is offered Thursday, August 10 at 630 pm, and Saturday August 12 at 3 pm, and includes all supplies needed (bring your own snips and adhesive!) plus snacks, drinks and a special treat from me, all for $25!  This class can also be free when you place an order for $30 or more!  RSVP today to save your spot!

We sure have a fun diagonal sketch this week from Match the Sketch #178!  And I think Global Design Project #89's colors will be a great addition, as well!
This time, I actually started with the colors - somewhere in the back of my mind, I remembered a DSP that had all these colors (and a few more of course, lol) - could I find it?  Why, yes!  Our old Pretty Petals DSP was one I loved for all the colors and patterns, and hardly EVER used - don't you hate that?  Well, at least I have a well-stocked stash, sigh.  From my paper choices I jumped out to a nice floral combo to go with, which just seemed natural with Olive and Calypso together.  I'm so happy with the result!
Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set; Pretty Petals DSP; Very Vanilla CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Calypso Coral & Old Olive Inks; 1 1/2" Circle Punch; Calypso Coral Candy Dots (retired, and my last ones - woo!); #MTS178; #GDP89.

We have a beautiful layout this week from Case This Sketch #221!  I'm combining the sketch with this week's theme from TGIF #107 - sympathy or get well - great idea!
I suspect I went a little bit overboard today, but I REALLY wanted to play with our new In Colors - every other year or so, it seems like they could all actually go well TOGETHER, and this seems like one of those years to me, lol.  I also got to play with the new ribbon a tiny bit, too - it's awesome!  Soft enough to tie and use on a card, enough body to stand up on its own - perfect!  A little eclectic, but a fun color day!
Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set; Eastern Palace DSP; Whisper White, Tranquil Tide, Lemon Lime Twist, Berry Burst & Powder Pink CS; Tranquil Tide & Fresh Fig Inks; Flourish Thinlits; Fresh Fig Finely Woven Ribbon; Basic Jewel Rhinestones; #CTS221; #TGIF107.

Love the floating panel in this week's Sunday Sketch Challenge #140!  I'm adding in What Will You Stamp #91's Teeny Tiny Wishes challenge, too!
I decided I wanted to have a go at the awesome detailed balloon in the Up & Away Thinlits set that go with the Lift Me Up stamp set - the thinlits include several "bands" intended to fit behind the balloon, so you can color it with paper!  So ingenious!  I ditched the floating square from the sketch altogether, and used a cloud as my little dangling shape - which was also a perfect vehicle for my sentiment!  I love it when it all comes together like this!
Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set; Carried Away DSP (2017 SAB); Whisper White, Night of Navy, Mint Macaron, Peekaboo Peach & Watermelon Wonder CS; Night of Navy Ink; Up & Away Thinlits (2017 Occasions.)

Check out these rich colors from Create With Connie & Mary #432!  I think I'll combine them with this fun layout from Match the Sketch #150!
Well, wouldn't you just know it - today's challenges seem to fit right in with another couple preview items I can share!  Yay!  This lovely stamp set is called Lift Me Up, and features a couple fancy hot air balloons, with airy sentiments.  There's also a WONDERFUL thinlit set that goes with, that includes an even larger ornate cut-out to use for a focal point, that I didn't feature today.  Bonus side?  Our upcoming Sale-A-Bration has a gorgeous 12 x 12 DSP pack that is all about getting "Carried Away" with balloons!  A perfect pairing!
Lift Me Up Stamp Set; Carried Away DSP; Whisper White & Night of Navy CS; Versamark & Night of Navy Inks; Copper Embossing Powder; Up & Away Thinlits.