Sweet Scoops Sketch Challenge

I saw this sketch being used by various stampers whose work I like--Nancy Riley, Vicki Burdick, and Laura Fredrickson. It's the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 68 by Karen Giron, and I thought I'd see if I could use it with the Sweet Scoops stamp set that's new to the Summer Mini. There's inspiration abundant on the internet, and crafters are among the most generous people I know.

I started with a base of Pretty in Pink and layered Rose Red on it. Then I pulled out the Thoroughly Modern File Folders again and cut pieces from my scraps to create the layout. Love those and will miss them when they're gone!

I have a friend who doesn't like ice cream. I'm not sure how we're friends with this ginormous obstacle in our path, but we manage to get along somehow. The only ice cream she'll eat is called Blue Moon, made by Sherman's, an amazing ice cream maker in southwest Michigan. I know she'll smile when she opens this card, because she'll know which ice cream I'm evoking by my image. And it IS that blue, folks. I can't describe what it tastes like, but it's a little bit like cotton candy. I'm partial to Chocomania, but I'll have to just dream about it, since I'm 80 bazillion miles away from the source.

One detail stamp that's a great addition to this set is a small stamp that allows you to create the rippled effect that comes from the scoop. It makes it more realistic, even though it's BLUE!

Thanks for the sketch, Karen, and thanks for the beautiful samples, Nancy, Vicki, and Laura! Bring on summer!

I Scream, You Scream...

we all scream for ICE CREAM! Summer is just around the corner, and nothing screams summer more than ice cream. Stampin' Up!'s newly released Summer Mini Catalog features a set called Sweet Scoops that captures all the fun and whimsy associated with the summertime treat.

My favorite way to eat soft serve ice cream is to have it dipped in chocolate! Makes me want to drive over to my local DQ right now. That's what inspired this card. I stamped the twist in Versamark on Close to Cocoa card stock and embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder to mimic the shine that that chocolate coating gives the cone. The sugar cone, my favorite choice of delivery mechanism for ice cream, is stamped in Versamark on Creamy Caramel card stock. Looks pretty real, doesn't it?

The layout for this card was inspired by this card, that I saw on Karin and Julie's blog, Two Friends Stamping. I turned it and modified it a bit to better suit my images, and to keep one of the cones a surprise until the card is opened by untying the Close to Cocoa ribbon. The base is Pretty in Pink, with some long-ago retired Designer Series Paper, Whisper White, and Close to Cocoa card stock also used.

This card will go to my friend and former boss who is busy scooping ice cream at Graham's Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream in Wheaton, IL. I spent six summers building my forearm muscles (we didn't make soft serve) scooping the world's best ice cream. If you get a chance to stop by, be sure to order Wild Cherry on a sugar cone for me!