A Zany Zoo Birthday

Before I share today’s project for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge, I want to give a big “thank you” to Linda, who chose my project as a “runner up” in this past week’s challenge. Thanks, Linda! If you missed my project for that challenge, you can see it here. I love to play along with online challenges for fun and the inspiration they provide – I never expect to be recognized, but it’s always wonderful when I am.

Today’s sweet-and-simple card is a fun birthday celebration (who doesn’t love a singing turtle?) I pulled together for this week’s Freshly Made Sketches Challenge that went live yesterday. I couldn’t wait to play along! Here’s my tall, slender 3-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ card for this week’s sketch challenge:

My card is [loosely] inspired by this Freshly Made Sketches layout from Linda Callahan:

You might be scratching your head and asking, “Brian, how does your card have anything to do with Linda’s sketch?!” Before I continue, please let me explain. I’ve been itching to play with the singing turtle in the Zany Zoo Bundle. When I saw her sketch, I immediately thought I would fill the big boxes with the huge “HAPPY” and “BIRTHDAY” sentiments from Biggest Wish. I knew I could add the turtle between the two large words. Yay! As I pulled out Biggest Wish, I realized the words are big – but not that big! I proceeded with the project and added the sweet, in-tune turtle on top of the words.

Here’s a look at the Biggest Wish stamp set that (yay!) continues into Stampin’ Up!’s 2023 Annual Catalog:

And here’s a look at the super-fun characters in the Zany Zoo Bundle:

I stamped the turtle with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Thick Basic White cardstock. When the black ink dried, I colored the turtle with Lemon Lime Twist Stampin’ Blends. So easy to add a little fun color to this happy character! Here’s a closer look:

So easy with the mix of light and dark green inks in the Lemon Lime Twist Stampin’ Blends. Here’s a look at the new Lemon Lime Twist Stampin’ Blends:

Including the five 2023-2025 In Colors, there are 16 new Stampin’ Blends in the 2023 Annual Catalog. Here’s a list of the eleven new Stampin’ Blends colors (outside of the In Colors):

• Azure Afternoon – #161672
• Berry Burst – #161681
• Blueberry Bushel – #161679
• Bubble Bath – #161675
• Fresh Freesia – #155518
• Lemon Lime Twist – #161682
• Lemon Lolly – #161673
• Lost Lagoon – #161680
• Misty Moonlight – #153108
• Pecan Pie – #161674
• Pretty Peacock – #161676

I’m SO HAPPY Lemon Lime Twist is back! I loved it for two years when it was an In Color – and I still love it! I paired my Lemon Lime Twist turtle with a Melon Mambo sentiment, a Melon Mambo card base and a Melon Mambo panel from the Brights 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Papers. Love these patterns! If you like this mix of Basic White, Lemon Lime Twist and Melon Mambo as much as I do, I hope you’ll save this for future reference:

Bundles: Zany Zoo Bundle  Stamps: Biggest Wish, Zany Zoo  Papers: Brights 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper, Melon Mambo, Lemon Lime Twist, Vellum Cardstock, Thick Basic White, Basic White  Inks: Melon Mambo, Stampin’ Blends (Lemon Lime Twist, Basic Black, Smoky Slate)  Accessories: Zany Zoo Dies, 2″ Circle Punch, Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Biggest Wish Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) – 155052

Zany Zoo Bundle (English) – 161315

Brights 6″ X 6″ (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper – 161643

Lemon Lime Twist Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack – 161682

Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 144245

Melon Mambo Classic Stampin’ Pad – 147051

Melon Mambo 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 115320

Vellum 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 101856

Basic Black Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack – 154843

Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack – 154904

Basic White 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 159276

Basic White 8-1/2″ X 11″ Thick Cardstock – 159229

2″ (5.1 Cm) Circle Punch – 133782

Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals – 144108

Stampin’ Dimensionals – 104430

I hope you’ll pop over to the Freshly Made Sketches site to see the designers’ project for this sketch and to play along with the challenge. ♥

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

The New Catalog Is Here!

Be sure to check out Stampin’ Up!’s 2023 Annual Catalog – you’ll get lost in the amazingness! Click on the image below to download it now:

DOWNLOAD IT HERE

CLICK HERE to learn more. about the colors or projects featured on the front cover of this amazing catalog.

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