Going Out With a Bang!

Today is the third Wednesday of the month, and it is my final Ready, Set, Go Challenge Card!  The 3 of us, Kelly, Jeanette and me, are back with our final  challenge--this one for December, our 56th month!  That means we are ending in year #5!  There have been some great cards made over this time and some very fun challenges too!   This is the last challenge that we are doing and Jeanette gave us a good one to go out in style!

Jeanette provided the final challenge for us: I don’t know about you but I’m getting a little sentimental thinking about this being our last Ready Set Go Challenge. Kelly, when you came up with this idea back in 2017, Barb and I quickly jumped onboard and it has been so much fun! THANK YOU for including me!

Now we’re at the end. This will be our 56^th and final Ready Set Go Challenge. I have tried to think of something that could make it memorable and challenging. Perhaps I was overthinking, but I kept telling myself that I wanted us to go out with a bang, as my Grandpa used to say. Though it was a common phrase and not original to him, I always knew it was his way of telling me to give it my very best. Don’t give up. Don’t slow down. End well.

Nothing I was coming up with seemed like a good ending… then it kind of hit me. Why not go with the idea of the word “Bang” for our last Ready Set Go Challenge. Define it how you’d like…

·       Include something on your card that makes a Bang, like fireworks or an old jalopy that backfires.

·       OR include something on your card that begins with each of the letters in the word B-A-N-G.

·       OR, since the word Bang has four letters in it, include four of something on your card.

·       OR… ???

No restrictions. You decide. But be sure to let us know how you defined Bang while making your card.

Ready. Set. Go!

I thought about this challenge for a bit and decided to go out with a bang by making 2 cards! Each of the depicts a bang!  First when a skier falls down, it is with a bang. And, in my days of skiing for many years, I did fall down and did bang.  In fact one time while skiing in college, despite the directive from my college basketball coach to not go skiing-I fell and broke my thumb. I did get it taped up and never missed a game, but telling her what happened was not fun!  The second card showcases an old truck that I am sure does backfire with a bang!  Both images are from some Unity Holiday Stamp Sets and some additional winter cards are always fun to make!

For the skier card, the image and sentiment are from the Unity set called Pain and Pride.  I colored the penguin with my Copic Sketch Markers.  The image was die cut from Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 2 and the sentiment cut from Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2.  I did some brush blending around the edge of the skier die cut.  The background paper is from Echo Park Paper called Winter Magic.  I also added a layer of Silver cardstock from The Paper Cut.   I added some blue bakers twine along with Lawn Fawn Prisma glitter and Chunky glitter for the final touch.  

For the red truck card, the image and sentiment are from the Unity set called Christmas Magic.  I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  The image and sentiment was die cut from Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2.  The background paper is from Simple Stories Sample Vintage Line Rustic Christmas-Wrapped With Care. I tried to add some enamel dots and sequins but either looked right, so I left the card front plain to showcase the fun image.  

Here is the inside of both cards with another strip of the patterned paper:

Please be sure to check out the other Ready, Set, Go cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card.  I really hope you have enjoyed following along with us the past 5 1/2 years as we create with our Ready-Set-Go Challenges!  It has been Great Fun!

Image/Sentiment:  Unity Christmas Magic/Pain and Pride

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:   The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, Silver Mirricard; Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler Mossy Meadow, Night of Navy, Balmy Blue; Echo Park Paper Winter Magic:  Simple Stories Simple Vintage Rustic Christmas-Wrapped With Care

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Lawn Fawn Prisma and Chunky Glitter; Gina K Master Layouts 2; Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 2; Blue Baker's Twine

Ready, Set, Go a bit late

Today is not the third Wednesday of the month, but it is my Ready, Set, Go Challenge Card! For the third month in a row, I am late............  The 3 of us, Kelly, Jeanette and me, are back with another challenge for November, our 55th month!  That means we are into year #5 for us.

And--just a note about 2022.  We will not be continuing this challenge next year--we will be ending this as 5 1/2 years of cards!  There have been some great cards made over this time and some very fun challenges too!   This is the last challenge that I will provide for us and it is a combination of our first challenges.

Yes I provided the challenge for us this month: I looked back at our first challenges we did back in 2017 when we started.  Kelly started off in May of ’17 and asked us to create a card using our oldest stamp and newest stamp for a card.  The following challenge that I gave in June was to use the first letters of each of the words in of Ready-Set-Go and use something on your card that starts with the same letter.  For my final challenge, I am going to combine a variation these two themes

First—pick a stamp or set that you have had for more than 5 years as a tribute to our 5+ year challenge. Then, pick another stamp or set that you have had less than 5 months-one of your most recent ones. Then—use the letters R-S-G as a guide for at least three elements on your card that start with those letters.  Your card will showcase 2 different stamps or sets—an oldie and newer one, along with three special elements, reflecting the words Ready-Set-Go. 

I have truly enjoyed our monthly challenges and let’s go out in style with card #55, our second to last card!  Ready?  Set? Go!\

I picked a Stampabilities wood mounted stamp that I think I have had forever that I use often around Thanksgiving called Eat Beef.  The sentiment is from a Simon Says Stamp monthly kit that I bought recently--it is from a sheet of sentiment strips.   I colored the turkey with my Copic Sketch Markers and flagged the ends of the sentiment. The background paper is also from the same Simon Says Stamp kit from P13-The Four Seasons Autumn. A few more S's!  I added a layer of gold Mirricard for some glimmer and a G!  The gold ribbon was placed under the sentiment--a use of the R.   I added a few orange enamel dots for the final touch.

R--Ribbon        S--Simon Says Stamp, Stampabilities        G--Gold

Please be sure to check out the other Ready, Set, Go cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card. Jeanette is up for the final theme, so be sure to check back to see what we finish our challenges with on December 16th. 

Image/Sentiment: Stampabilities Eat Beef/Simon Says Stamp Thanksgiving Sentiment Strips

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:   The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, Gold Mirricard; Stampin' Up Cajun Craze, Early Espresso; P13 The Four Seasons Autumn

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Orange Enamel Dots; Stampin' Up Gold Ribbon

One Day Late!

Today is not the third Wednesday of the month, but it is my Ready, Set, Go Challenge Card! For the second month in a row, I am late............  The 3 of us, Kelly, Jeanette and me, are back with another challenge for October, our 54th month!  That means we are into year #5 for us.

And--just a note about 2022.  We will not be continuing this challenge next year--we will be ending this as 5 1/2 years of cards!  There have been some great cards made over this time and some very fun challenges too!   This is the last challenge that Kelly will provide for us and it is a good one!

Kelly provided the challenge for us this month: My Santa Wishlist 

Nope.  Not A Santa image with a wish list! YOUR wish list 

Please create a card that shares with us something that you are dreaming of or longing for. Are you hoping for a vacation?  A new car? Some new stamp toys?  Peace and quiet?  Whatever reflects your heart’s desires, let your card reflect what you are wishing for. 

Ready Set Go! 

Yes- I do have a few items on my wish list. I just did buy a new car and pick up Bebe on Saturday.  So, that is checked off!  Vacation?  We have canceled our Ireland trip twice and the tentative plan is to go in May--hoping.........  New Stamp Toys?  I think I am set for awhile, but I am sure there will be something I need!  I decided that what I am really, really, really wishing for is a "normal"  Thanksgiving as we did not celebrate with our families in last year. We spend Thanksgiving day with my family in a Chicago suburb and then travel to Chicago on Friday for a celebration with Rebecca's family. None of that happened in 2021 and even though we have seen all of our family members during the summer at  various times, nothing compares to the Thanksgiving get togethers!   I love Thanksgiving--all of the food, the fun, the football and the blessings for the past and future!  Bring it on!

Back to my card--I picked 2 older, wood mounted Whipper Snapper stamps about Thanksgiving.  Neither have a name on them and I looked on the site and they are not there--so yes they are older.................  I colored the turkey with my Copic Sketch Markers and fussy cut him out.  I also colored in a couple of the letters of the sentiment.  The background paper is from Heritage Makers and is in the Thanksgiving package.  I added a few orange enamel dots for the final touch.

Please be sure to check out the other Ready, Set, Go cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card. I is up for the next theme, so be sure to check back to see what we are up to on the 3rd Wednesday in November.  Pressure is on as it will be my last theme for this challenge!

Image/Sentiment: Whipper Snapper Designs--turkey and sentiment

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:   The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Crushed Curry; Heritage Makers-Our Memories For Life Thanksgiving Patterned Paper Pack

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Orange Enamel Dots

Change is Good?

Today is not the third Wednesday of the month, but it is my Ready, Set, Go Challenge Card! The 3 of us, Kelly, Jeanette and me, are back with another challenge for September, our 53rd month!  That means we are into year #5 for us-WOW!

Jeanette provided the challenge for us this month: Change!  

It’s hard to believe that the 9/11 attack happened 20 years ago this month. It has changed us as a nation and it has most likely changed us as individuals, too. I remember in those first days after the attack, amongst the tears and frustrations, the heartache and anxiety, we gathered close to those we loved and reached out to others who were impacted by the attack, as well. Church attendance increased (briefly, at least), and people reflected more on their mortality. Neighbors checked in on neighbors. People helped one another. Life took on new meaning.

So. Many. Changes.

 

This month’s challenge will be about “Change”. I want you to look back at your cards from the past year or so and choose one of them as your starting point. (FYI – it will be best if you choose a card you didn’t absolutely love.) Now… I want you to make changes to that card and make it even better.

 

Obviously, you won’t have the same papers and such that the original card had. Sheesh! You might not even have the same stamps, though you might. Using that card as your starting point could simply mean you’ll use the same overall design (sketch).

 

Oh, and one more thing – please show us the “starting point” card, too (or link us to the blog post featuring it) when you post your card.

 

 Ready Set Go! 

This was a struggle this month and I am not sure why. I started this card more than three weeks ago and I am still not happy with it.  Maybe I need to Change It!

This is the card I picked to change--

I decided to pick a card that had an interesting background that I could recreate.  I also decided to make a slimline card for another change.  I used a WOW Stencil I just won in an IG giveaway called Lots Dots.  I used my Brutus Monroe Velveteen Glaze in Fresh Kale for the dotted background.  I then layered with green and black cardstock on the white card base.  I also just got the very large word Celebrate die from Picket Fence in the Scallop Framed Die Set--it is perfect for a slimline.  I die cut it from White Glitter Cardstock for a bit of sparkle as I did not thin I was going to add any embellishments-and I did not.  I layered the word three times for added dimension-though it is hard to see all of the sparkle in the picture!

I hope my new card is a positive change!

Please be sure to check out the other Ready, Set, Go cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card. Kelly is up for the next theme, so be sure to check back to see what we are up to on the 3rd Wednesday in October.

Image/Sentiment: Picket Fence Scallop Framed Die Set-Celebrate

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:   Stampin' The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White, Silver Glitter Cardstock, Gamma Green, Black

Ink:  None

Accessories:  WOW Lots Dots Stencil; Brutus Monroe Velveteen Glaze-Fresh Kale

Love is Kindness

Today is the third Wednesday of the month--so this is my Ready, Set, Go Challenge Card! The 3 of us, Kelly, Jeanette and me, are back with another challenge for August, our 52nd month!  That means we are into year #5 for us-WOW!

I provided the challenge for us this month: Woodstock!  

Today is August 18^th and that was the last day of Woodstock in 1969 (no, I was not in attendance…)   So—the theme is the word Woodstock.  You can think of the 60’s and go that route.  Or music and create a project with that theme.  Or, use part of the word Woodstock and make wood your theme.  Your Card—Your Project—Your Choice!

Have Fun Creating!

I hope you have fun with the theme. Ready Set Go! 

I picked the Wood theme and chose my Stampin' Up Pinewood Planks Dynamic Embossing Folder.  I then used Early Espresso ink and brayered it on the embossing folder before placing Early Espresso cardstock in it.  I like the bit of dark color it added to the woodgrain.  I then picked one of my favorite retired Stampin' Up stamps called Love is Kindness, stamped it with the same Early Espresso in on Very Vanilla cardstock and colored with my Copic Sketch markers.  I think Woodstock was all about Kindness and Love--lots of love from what I heard.......................  I also believe the flowers were a significant part of that time period.  I added some linen thread behind the image and a few tan enamel dots as the added touches.

I think my card is fun and reflects Woodstock in a number of ways.

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of washi tape:

Please be sure to check out the other Ready, Set, Go cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card. Jeanette is up for the next theme, so be sure to check back to see what we are up to on the 3rd Wednesday in September.

Image/Sentiment: Stampin' Up Love Is Kindness 

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:   Stampin' Up Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake

Ink:  Stampin' Up Early Espresso

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Pinewood Planks Dynamic Embossing Folder, Linen Thread; Tan Enamel Dots

Ready-Set-GO! Delayed!

Today is NOT the third Wednesday of the month--BUT this is my Ready, Set, Go Challenge Card! I messed up this month and went up north for a few days and did not make my blog post.  Cards were done--just not posted.  But--I am here now!  The 3 of us, Kelly, Jeanette and me, are back with another challenge for July, our 51st month!  That means we are into year #5 for us-WOW!

Kelly provided the challenge for us this month: Cut It Out!  

I don't know about y'all but that was a popular saying in my house growing up!  My mom was constantly telling my brother and I to knock it off or cut it out!  So your challenge is to use that phrase, literally! 

Your July RSG challenge:  Create a card or project with 'cutting it out' as the main focus.  You can be as creative as you like!  You can use a simple die like an oval or get fancy schmancy and REALLY cut up your card - it's up to you!  BUT! Because we are 3 and we 3 like being 3, you must use at least 3 cuts on your card! I will leave it up to you how you interpret where those cuts will be :)  Everything else is as you wish - colors, theme, etc!

I hope you have fun with the theme. Ready Set Go! 

I went with a fun Birch Press Designs trio of dies called Fiori Plate Blueprint Craft Dies. Each panel was cut with a different color of cardstock. The bottom was White, the middle is Pink Pirouette and the top is Pink Mirricard. The card base is a silver sparkle cardstock. The die cut is a newer fun die set from Concord & 9th called Everyday Sayings--love the boldness! This was also cut from white cardstock and layered three times for added dimension.  

So--my three's are 3 layers of Birch Press Blueprint Dies along with 3 layers of the word HI.

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of washi tape:

Please be sure to check out the other Ready, Set, Go cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog.  Remember--they probably did post on the scheduled date of the 21st so be sure to look back........   I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card. I am up for the next theme, so be sure to check back to see what we are up to on the 3rd Wednesday in August.

Image/Sentiment:  Concord & 9th Everyday Sayings Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White. Pink Mirricard, Silver Sparkle Cardstock;  Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette; 

Ink:  None

Accessories:   Birch Press Fiori Plate Blueprint Craft Dies

50th Anniversary

Today is the third Wednesday of the month and this is my Ready, Set, Go Challenge Card! The 3 of us, Kelly, Jeanette and me, are back with another challenge for June, our 50th month!  That means we are into year #5 for us--50th post--WOW!

Jeanette provided the challenge for us this month: It’s hard to believe, but this is our 50^th Ready, Set, Go! post so in celebration of this momentous occasion I’m challenging us to celebrate each other and this fun challenge group. How? (I’m glad you asked.) Because there are three of us, I want you to use three of something on your card – three colors, three layers, three designer papers, three whatever. I also want you to include something on your card that starts with the first letter of each of our names – so something that starts with a K, something that starts with a B, and something that starts with a J (I’ll admit my name may be the most challenging).

Oh, and one more thing… because this is our Golden Anniversary, please add some GOLD to your card, too.

I hope you have fun with the theme. Ready Set Go! 

I first decided on the items that matched each of the letters of our names:

K--a Kite

J--Just Jade Cardstock

B--Bumble Bee Cardstock

Then, the three of something was pretty easy--three layers of colors--the two I already listed plus Misty Moonlight.  The image is a fun Whipper Snapper Designs wooden stamp called Peyton.  I colored it with my Copic Sketch markers and added some gold cording behind the image and layer--there is the Gold! The fun sentiment is from a sweet Gina K Designs called Happy Mail.  The background is embossed with a fun folder from Quickutz called Swirls--looks like wind swirling for the kite!  

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of washi tape:

Please be sure to check out the other Ready, Set, Go cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card. Kelly is up for the next theme, so be sure to check back to see what we are up to on the 3rd Wednesday in July.

Image/Sentiment:  Whipper Snapper Designs Peyton/Gina K Designs Happy Mail

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White;  Stampin' Up Bumble Bee, Misty Moonlight, Just Jade

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:   Copic Sketch Markers; Quickutz Swirls Embossing Folder; Gold Cording; Circle Punch and Dies