Punkydoodle Papers - Stamps, Ink, Paper and a Little Whimsy. . .

Forecast - Ice, Sleet, Snow and a True Blue Friend!

Today is Tuesday and despite the fact we are under an inch of ice and sleet, it's time to warm up for the weekly Color Challenge on Splitcoast.  Our sweet hostess is my stamping buddy  Jessie.  Jessie and I go way back.  We've been friends forever! Okay - not really F-O-R-E-V-E-R, I mean I've only been stamping a year. . .so we go back that far.  Anyhow - she's so amazingly talented and has become quite the stamping queen during the time I've known her. She has in just ONE short year become the DT Coordinator for Paper Pretties, a DT member for  My Favorite Things, a member of the  Splitcoast Dirty Dozen, not to mention she met me! LOL!  She's just wonderful. . .

Her Color Challenge was to use the following colors from Stampin Up!

1)    Baja Breeze
2)    Garden Green
3)    Pacific Point

Here's what I came up with. . .

I must admit, I went a little crazy with my Cuttlebug. . .

Here's a close up of that cutie patootie Ghost Heart from Heidi Swapp which can be purchased from My Favorite Things.

 

For those of you who haven't played along today - I Triple Dog Dare You  to head on over and join in the fun! 

Creative Details -
Stamps - Punches Three from Stampin Up!
Ink - Pacific Point from Stampin Up!
Paper - Baja Breeze, Garden Green, Pacific Point and Whisper White by Stampin Up!
Accessories - Cuttlebug, Embossing Folders, Scalloped Square Spellbinders Dies, Ribbon, Crop-A-Dile, Brushed Silver Brads and Heidi Swapp Ghost Heart

Inspired Cards For A Cause

Wow! It's week four already! I've been receiving some amazing cards for some wonderful causes and this week is certainly no exception! But before we get to the cause, let's talk about the cards.  This week I'm including a couple of pictures I want you to use for inspiration. 

These pictures were taken after the December 2007 ice storm that hit Oklahoma.  We were without power for days, but all was not lost - this was also the time I discovered stamping!  So here's your challenge - use the pictures to inspire you to make a card for encouragement/thinking of you/just because (etc.)  These cards will be given to a local shelter and will hopefully provide a little sunshine for someone - (sunshine through the storm)  Think blues, grays, browns, whites, etc. for your color scheme. 

Week 3 Winner of a Crop-A-Dile is.............................Anita! 

Just a reminder. . .cards should be sent to me at the following address:

Lesa Smaligo
PO Box 836
Owasso, OK 74055

Can't wait to see how you are INSPIRED!

Thank Ya Girls!

Wow! I can't say thank you enough! The cards I've been receiving for the weekly Cards for a Cause challenge are OUTSTANDING. . .take a look for yourself!

I"ll be back tomorrow playing with Jen's Sketch!  And, don't forget to check out my blog on Sunday for another wonderful Cards for a Cause Challenge!

Until then -  stay warm!  It seems there's a countrywide cold front on the way. . .

Wanna Be A SFYTT Girl?

I'm so ooey gooey excited!  Did you notice my new badge below my picture?

One of my favorite challenges each week (yes, I'm weeks and weeks behind right now) is the fabulous Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try!  Each Saturday morning Jen posts a sketch challenge along with samples from some fabulous stamping queens, including my Queen Diva Mentor. 

I highly recommend you check it out first thing on Saturday morning! I mean FIRST THING (before Krispy Kreme, but definitely AFTER Starbucks  ) And while you're there - you can become a SFYTT girl like me! Head on over to visit Jen and tell her Lesa sent ya! 

Lesa Sent Me!

onone for

Ready, Set, Continue - AGAIN!

Good grief - I'm a day late with Week 3 Cards for a Cause.  I have a good excuse though - I spent a long weekend with my DD.  You see, my work has a rather strange schedule with my busiest time being between February and May.  I work away from my home during that time and since it's a two hour drive one way and my hours are a bit unpredictable, I usually stay at my apartment on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights.  Which means that my DD and DH are home alone. . .

It's not easy, but we have adjusted to this crazy schedule and now it seems the norm.  So before the craziness set in, me and my DD spent a much needed weekend away. . .

We spent the weekend at a hotel, just us girls . . .

We worked through a Mother/Daughter book series . . .

 We painted pottery. . .

We shopped 'til we dropped. . .

We watched a movie . . .

We had lunch & dinner . . .

It was too much fun. . .

And what great memories!

Now let's move to the Week 3 Cards for a Cause Challenge.  You are asked to make Get Well Cards for the local Children's Hospital.  These should also be directed at kids ages 13 and under.  When you have finished the cards, please provide a link to the card in the comment section of this post and then drop them in the mail to me at the following address:

Lesa Smaligo
PO Box 836
Owasso, OK 74055

Remember, you must participate in all four challenges for this month to be entered for the Super Blog Candy!  I can't wait to see what you create!

Oh - and before I forget. . .we have Week 2 Winner!  Giovana - come on down!  You are the winner of two paper packs from My Minds Eye! Woohoo!

Serenity Now! I Mean Right Now!

I've been reading bills all day and needed a break. . .

I checked out a couple of the challenges on Splitcoast and thought I'd give 'em a whirl. . .

First - the My Favorite Things Who's That Girl Challenge #17 was to use the stamp set Serenity Now.  I bought this set during it's release party way back when and the poor little acrylic images had never seen the light of day, much less ink.  I was glad to get her out of the stamping dungeon and show her some love.  In addition to the required stamp set, we were also to use striped paper.  I have no idea where this paper came from, so if anyone out there in Stampingville happens to know, drop me a line would ya?  I also like to give credit where credit is due.

Second - the Ways To Use It challenge on Splitcoast was to Color Your World!  We had to hunt down a color wheel on line and use it as inspiration.  I absolutely loved this challenge!  Like my QDM, I adore lots of bright colors.  I don't wear 'em a lot, but I love 'em on a card!  I found Color Schemer on-line and had so much fun looking though page after page of color combos.  I settled on  this scheme.

Now I'm not saying my mojo is back, but it seems to be on the mend. . . .

Creative Details -
Stamps - Serenity Now from MFT
Paper - White Card from Paper Reflections, Coral Shimmer Cardstock from Bazzill, Whisper White from SU!, Stripe from "I Have No Idea!"  
Ink - Versafine Black
Accessories - Cuttlebug, Oval and Scalloped Oval Spellbinders Dies, Flowers from Floradoodle

What I'm Not Good At. . .

I realize I'm not supposed to end a sentence with the word "at" - but you get my drift.  I'm going to tell you a few of my issues. . .

1)    I'm not good at keeping up with sunglasses.  Over the course of two years, I lost several pairs of expensive      sunglasses.  After that last pair of Ray-Bans I left at a mexican restaurant,  I learned my lesson.  I now only purchase sunglasses from Target and they must be under $20.

2)    I'm not good at finishing a drink - ANY drink.  On my desk right now are a 1/2 empty bottle of water, an unfinished Starbucks skinny peppermint mocha, a warm can of Diet Coke that I think I took two drinks from. . .my car also has a collection of 1/2 empty bottles of various and a sundry drinks.

3)    I'm not good at telling myself no when it comes to all things stamping.  I swear I have a disease.  I just can't avoid the craft/stamping aisles at Hobby Lobby, Target and my on-line stamp shopping addicition is even worse!  I have bought more stamping stuff than I'll ever use!  When it comes new stamps, paper, ink, embellishments and ribbon, I'm the Ado Annie of Stampingville - I just can't say no!

4)    I'm not good at keeping up with the Splitcoast Challenges.  I check the challenge pages daily, print off the instructions and then typically, they end up buried on my desk.  My New Year's Resolution was to participate in at least four challenges a week - I've already failed miserably. . .

I DID participate in the Color Challenge this week. . .a super simple card, but nonetheless, here it is! We were to use Baja Breeze, Creamy Caramel and Not Quite Navy.  For my recently lacking mojo, I was pretty pleased with the outcome. . .

Tomorrow we'll talk about what I am good at. . .(it's definitely NOT English composition!)

Creative Details -

Stamps - Sentiment from Short & Sweet by Stampin Up!
Ink - Baja Breeze from Stampin Up!
Paper - Creamy Caramel, Baja Breeze & Not Quite Navy from Stampin Up!
Accessories - Ribbon from Hobby Lobby, Silver Heart Brads from The Paper Studio, Silver Eyelets from Making Memories, Heart and Tag Spellbinders Dies, Heart Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug

Ready, Set, Continue! Cards for A Cause Week 2

First things first - thanks to all of you who participated in Week 1.  The cards I received in the mail are so awesome!  I know the residents at a local nursing home will love them. 

Second things second - we have a winner from the week one participants! Congratulations to Chelle!  You will receive a $25 Gift Card to My Favorite Things! Here's a link to Chelle's card which will be on the way to a nursing home soon!  Chelle's Card for A Cause Week 1

Third things third - Today was the Featured Stamper Challenge on Splitcoast and the very talented JayDeKay was the chosen queen of stamping.  I chose this card from her gallery to CASE and here's what I came up with. . .

I chose to change the color scheme and the stamps, but I kept her layout - I loved it!  The birthday birdie, scrolling and present stamps are from Verve Stamps.  If you dont' own any Verve stamps you really should! They are excellent to work with!  Put them down on my "Highly Recommend List!"

Now - Last, but certainly not Least - It's time for Week 2 Cards for A Cause!  This week I have chosen a local children's shelter.  For those of you that tucked your kids in a warm bed tonight, fed them a good meal today and helped them with homework over the weekend, take a minute to think of the kids who have none of those benefits of a home.  Think of those who have never had a gift or a party to celebrate their birthday.  That's the cause for this week - birthday cards!

Same rules apply - make a new birthday card directed toward a child 13 and under.  Link your card in a comment on this post between now and midnight next Saturday night and then mail the card to me at the following address:

Lesa Smaligo
PO Box 836
Owasso, OK 74055

All cards will be distributed to a local children's shelter.

As a reminder, you must participate in all four weeks of the Card for a Cause to be entered in the final blog candy!

I can't wait to see what you create!

Where Did My Mojo Go Go?

I've been in such a slump lately - I sit down and my desk with true motivation to create a masterpiece and all that comes out is a pile of stuff that in no way resembles a card. .

Oh well, what's a girl to do?  I finally put something together today for Jen's Sketch For You To Try and while it would never qualify for Card of the Year, here's it is. . .

I used one of my Karen Stolper stamps entitled "Paper Hearts" - - isn't she s cutie patootie?  I purchased this one from American Art Stamps early in my stamping career.  I think I used it once before it started gathering rubber dust. 

The DP is from K&Company's Sweet Berry Collection - the whole collection is yummy in my tummy.  I highly recommend you pick some up for all your spring cards! You'll love it!

Until tomorrow, or whenever my mojo decides to make a comeback. . .

Thanks QDM!

As most of you know my Queen Diva Mentor (QDM) is fabulous!  I love her to pieces and deeply appreciate that despite the fact I reside in more than one her "boxes" in life, she loves me too.  I read her blog religiously and always say to myself "why didn't I think of that?"  Her cards are outstanding and her new gig with Cornish Heritage Farms is certainly impressive.  It's easy to see why a new stamper like me would have chosen her to be my QDM!  I always say "When I grow up in the stamping world, I wanna be just like her!" Well. . .be careful what you wish for. . .

One thing about wanting to be like someone else is that you also get to take the bad with the good.  Just the mere mention of a stomach bug on her blog the other day and I'm down with the crap too.  Good grief! No fear, medicine is on the way. . .

In the meantime, I had enough energy to pull my laptop over to the bed and do some work.  Thought I would post a quick card.  This was from a Splitcoast Challenge last week.

 

 This set from My Favorite Things is called Baby It's Cold Outside.  It's truly one of my favorite sets.  I used my Spellbinders to make the snowflake embellishment.   And, I loved using red without green. . .I'm ready to break away from the holiday color schemes!

Don't forget my anniversary candy! It's too much fun!

Until next time. . .hugs, crackers and Sprite!

Creative Details -

Stamps - MFT Baby It's Cold Outside
Ink - Versafine Black
Paper - White Card from Paper Reflections, DP from Rubber Soul, Whisper White from SU!
Other - Copic Markers, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Snowflake Dies, Pebbles Chalks, Liquid Applique, Ribbon from Hobby Lobby