CASology: Run, Run as Fast as You Can!

I told you I'd be back with another take on this week's CASology RUN challenge, so here I am! What else came to mind with the RUN cue word?!  A classic children's story!

I remembered I had a digital gingerbread man image from The Stamping Boutique in my stash and printed it out.  I used Copic markers to bring it to life and then embellished the buttons a little.  I used a mini flower punch and a brown metal sheet from Add a Little Dazzle to create the base of the buttons and then added a little black gemstone to each one.  The arms of the gingerbread man are popped up to make it look as if he is beginning to peel himself off the card base.  The sentiment was stamped at an angle to match the orientation of the main image.

Beaches and blueberries are soon to be our experience.  Our annual summer family trip is fast approaching and we're pretty excited!  Before then, however, there is the packing to do.  I always figure if I can survive the prep work, vacation will be a breeze!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Inspiration

Inspiration for me usually comes out of the blue.  I can be driving down the road, shopping, reading a magazine or even just enjoying the great outdoors.  Usually something catches my eye, whether it be a color combination, a unique design or a fabulous pattern.  I don't usually intentionally go looking for it, but the gallery over at Splitcoast Stampers is a great place for creative eye candy!  For me, I love the thrill of noticing something totally unexpected!

This week over at The Stamping Boutique, we're having an inspiration challenge.  The photo is a flower garden with lots of spring flowers and a rustic wooden wagon.  For my card, I focused on the flowers, using the Boutique's Poppies digital image.  The sentiment is from SU.

This is my last official creation as a DT member for The Stamping Boutique.  I enjoyed my time with the team and will miss the gals over there!  They're a wonderful group!  :)

Hot Air Balloon

It's time for a new challenge over at The Stamping Boutique Challenge Blog and this time it's an Anything Goes theme!  Have fun with this and play along for the chance to win some free images from the store!

The DT used the fun Birthday Hot Air Balloon to create some great cards and gifts!  You need to go check them out!

I used my favorite color combination on my card, SU's Tempting Turquoise and Real Red.  I colored the balloon with Copic markers and then fussy cut it, popping it up with some foam dots & adding some little red gemstones to the image.  I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder for the background and added a button with baker's twine.

I am also entering this card into the April challenge over at Sundays with Crissy:  Use your favorite color combo.  Real Red & Tempting Turquoise has got to be my favorite!

Calorie Count

Hi, my name is Melissa and I'm a chocoholic.  Sometimes I hide a bag of milk chocolate candy in my craft room just so I don't have to share with the rest of the family.  I know this isn't very nice of me, but sometimes a girl just has to have her chocolate...all to herself.

Since it's been a while since I've created something featuring one of my daily vitamins (chocolate), I had to make a card featuring something sweet and chocolaty.  This week's Stamping Boutique challenge to "distress something on a card" was perfect!  After all, without chocolate (and coffee), this girl feels a little "distressed!"  :)

The cute cupcake image is a digital stamp from The Stamping Boutique called Cynthia Sliding off her Cupcake.  I distressed the DP (decorative paper) and main image circle with ink and a sponge.  I also distressed the brown matte with a distressing tool.  For embellishments, I added a button, baker's twine bow and pink gemstones.  The image was colored with Copic Markers.

Pastels

Spring brings with it a softness (a.k.a. pretty flowers...oh...and mud) and gentleness (a.k.a. rain) that is so appealing after harsh winter weather.  Although, this particular winter was not what I'd call harsh, by any means!

In the spirit of spring, I made a card using soft pastel colors to go along with this week's Stamping Boutique Challenge.  I also used this week's sketch over at Card Patterns.  Remember, there are freebies to be won over at The Stamping Boutique, so be sure to stop over and enter the challenge to qualify!

Supplies:
Stamps - The Stamping Boutique (Daisy Fairy - digi), Paper Trey (sentiment)
Paper - SU cardstock (So Saffron, ), DP
Ink - SU (Basic Black)
Accessories - pink pearls, corner rounder, SU scalloped border punch, Stickles (clear), paper flowers, Nestabilities (oval, scalloped oval), foam dots (popped up oval panels), SU grosgrain ribbon (So Saffron)
Coloring - Copic marker

Here is the sketch from Card Patterns: