Time to trade in the flip flops

It's that time of the year. Time to trade in the flip flops for school shoes. Shoes that don't fit between your toes. I think flip flops are so much fun. They come in so many colors and fun designs. They can be utiliterian or dress up. They are cheap, so you can have multiple pairs.

The problem for me is the the thong between my toes. I have never been able to get use to that feeling. It just irritates me. I have been told it's like scotch or beer, it's an acquired taste. I have tried. I have spent money over the years on on flip flops and thong sandels, trying to get used to them. A few months ago, I had a pair of adorable flip flops in my hand to purchase for my trip to the beach. I looked at them and thought, "What are you doing? You know you will never wear them!" I reluctantly put them back.

Hey, that doesn't mean I don't subscribe to the whole "life is better in flip flops" idea. It's a sentiment that evokes, hot summer days, walks on the beach, vacations, a general slowing down of life for a few months.

For this last week of summer, I want to remind you that even though Labor Day looms, and the seasons move on, there is still time to "flip flop" and there is still time to join in the fun at Inky Paws  their summery color challenge.

My card today uses one of the new 2X3 mini sets, "flip flop life".  These new minis are economical and come in fun and whimsical designs. I kept my card very CAS. I didn't even try to do precision coloring on the flip flops because that is what flip flop life is all about. Keeping it loose and random. This card features a super easy design that you can easily use with different stamps. So if you are having trouble coming up with an idea for the challenge this week, copy my sketch and show me your interpretation with the color inspiration.  I can't wait to see what you might come up with!  

 

Head onto over to Inky Paws and join in this fun color challenge. We will cose a RANDOM entry to win a $20.00 Newton's Nook store gift certificate. We will highlight our favorite entries from each challenge the following Monday, so all entries have a chance to be featured on the blog.

The deadline to enter today's challenge is Friday August 3, 2018, at MN CST. the winners will be announced on the following Monday at Inky Paws.

Lastly let me know what you all think of flip flops?

 

Classic Peonies

Generally, I am a whimisical and cute kinda girl. So, a classy card is a leap for me. The "peony blooms set" from Newton's Nook makes classy easy.

The new challenge at Inky Paws is a color challenge.

Look at these bright summery colors! Fushia, orange, yellow and turquoise. These are happy colors that make me smile.

For my card today.  I pulled out my zig clean color pens. I tend to forget about them. Using cold press water color paper I created a watercolor wash with my zig pens using water to spread the colors around. I let the piece dry and I stamped the peony bloom. 

I die cut the peonies and layered them onto a tag  die cut from "fancy edges tag die set".  I layered the tag onto an embossed "framework die set". I kept the base of the card all white so the peonies would pop. A good tip for all of you stampers.

Head onto over to Inky Paws and join in this fun color challenge. We will cose a RANDOM entry to win a $20.00 Newton's Nook store gift certificate. We will highlight our favorite entries from each challenge the following Monday, so all entries have a chance to be featured on the blog.

The deadline to enter today's challenge is Friday August 3, 2018, at MN CST. the winners will be announced on the following Monday at Inky Paws.

Last hurrah.....

 Just sending a creative reminder about the awesome challenge over at Inky Paws. The theme is summer/ beach.

Todays card was soooo much fun to make, maybe not the most original but I love it!1 I created the waves with the seaborders die set, the sun (a reoccurring theme  for all my cards the summer!) was from the sunscape stencil and of course Newton relaxing in the waves is from the Newton's summer vacation. The contrasting colors of the aqua blue water and orangey, red, yellow sun just is so striking.

For those who follow me on Instagram (user name stampinsue) You know I spent the last weekend in the Poconos. One of my buddies has a house on the lake (think this stamp set and you arent far off!) and every August I head to the Nos for a stamping weekend with my best peeps. Its always a blast.

Here is the view from the porch:

We spend the weekend crafting with a long walk around the lake or up the mountain each day. It is so much fun to craft with others- you feed off of their creative energy.

The empty chair is where I sit. I get the whole long side of the table since I cannot stay in my own space. 

While I was there I worked ahead on some up coming challenges for Inky Paws.  Sneak Peek!!

There is still time to get your paws inky and to play along with this fun challenge at Inky Paws!

We will chose a RANDOM entry to win a $20.00 store credit to our Newton's Nook online shop! We will also highlight our favorites from each challenge the following Monday so all entries have a chance to be featured on the blog! 
 


 Deadline to enter  this fun challenge is Friday, August 17, 2018 at Midnight CST. The winners will be announced on the NND blog the following Monday. 

Starfish wishes

Hey everyone!! It's time for another challenge at Inky Paws! This week's challenge is a theme- 

How fun is this challenge?!!? Just look at all those beautiful shells in such contrasting colors. Doesn't get you creative juices flowing? My challenge card was inspired by the starfish in the photo.

I created a negative mask. Jennifer Maguire turned me onto this great masking paper from Amazon. Masking has never been so easy!! 😀 I stamped the star fish from Newton's Nook's "tranquil tides" in favorite color combo.I stamped the sentiment and removed the mask added some clear dots with glossy accents. It couldn't have been easier. In fact it was so easy that I went ahead and made two more in other color combos.

So fun huh? Get your paws inky and play along with us at Inky Paws!! We will chose a RANDOM entry to win a $20.00 store credit to our Newton's Nook online shop! We will also highlight our favorites from each challenge the following Monday so all entries have a chance to be featured on the blog! 
 


 Deadline to enter  this fun challenge is Friday, August 17, 2018 at Midnight CST. The winners will be announced on the NND blog the following Monday.