Floral Tweets

While attending a crop this week I was encouraged to make a card for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #293 (AHSC). This is one of my favorite challenges because they have a great variety of sketches.

The flowers were stamped onto white cardstock using several stamp layers and inks to achieve the color variance. Onto a white card base, a panel of patterned paper with pink dots was adhered. Then a panel of paper with birds was adhered. The sketch has a vertical strip or ribbon so cardstock was trimmed up to include that element. A scalloped frame was die cut from gold vellum and adhered to mimic the top panel. The stamped flowers were fussy cut and adhered with foam tape. The inside was decorated with two remaining flowers and a strip of the dotted paper. A sentiment can be added later.

Take a look at the AHSC Challenge Blog and play along!

Techniques: Layered stamping
Size: A2 (5.5" x 4.25")

Materials
Stamps: Uniko Studios Beautiful Blossoms II
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Distress Oxides
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Lemon Lime Twist
Paper: WRMK vellum (gold), Echo Park "Stripes & Dots"; American Crafts "Tweets"
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape)

Let It Snow

Call it inspiration. I was in a popular craft store and was not shopping for paper. Then I saw this 6" x 6" paper pad and I knew it was perfect for the pastel card I was going to make for the Color My Heart Color Dare Combination Challenge #322 - #323. This blog post represents Challenge #322. Challenge #323 will be posted on Friday, December 14 and will be able to be seen HERE on and after the 14th.

On a blue card base, a panel of blue starry paper was adhered. A strip of white glitter paper was adhered across the card. A smaller panel of trees was cut from the paper collection, matted with white glitter paper and adhered over the horizontal strip using foam tape for dimension. Three white holographic snowflakes were adhered. For the sentiment, a strip of continuous words, "Let it snow," was cut from the paper, backed with foam tape and adhered. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and three more snowflakes with a stamped sentiment, "We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."

Please join us for the Color Dare Challenge #322 with your "pastels" creation, followed by Challenge #323 with your "brights" creation. Challenge #322 opens on Friday, December 7 and Challenge #323 opens Friday, December 17. These challenges overlap, both closing on December 30. We'd love to have you join us and there is plenty of time to create and submit your work!

Materials
Stamp: Stampendous "Merry Little Christmas" (inside sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Marina Mist, Whisper White, White Glimmer
Paper: Craftsmith "Ice Crystals" Collection
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape); holographic snowflakes from stash

Christmas Coffee

Today's card satisfied the requirements of four challenges including the 2018 Fall/Winter Coffee Challenge Blog Hop.

First, my card has been posted at Try Stampin' on Tuesdays #387, which has an optional theme (use embossing) along with the required sketch challenge.

Next, I posted my card at Double Trouble #16. To include required elements and options, I used a winter theme, included snowflakes, added a coffee element and posted my card to the Three Amigos Challenge #21, which requires embossing on a holiday card.

Onto a white card base, a panel of green cardstock was adhered and then a panel of Kraft paper patterned with snowflakes. A strip of white cardstock was embossed with coffee beans and lightly sponged. The embossed strip was backed with coordinating green cardstock. The image was stamped, colored with Copic markers, fussy cut and then adhered using pop-up foam tape. The frothy topping was created by using a fake snow product. Gems from my stash and a computer-generated sentiment completed the card front. The inside of the card was decorated with the coordinating paper and stamped with a Christmas sentiment.

Please visit these fabulous challenge blogs for some paper crafting fun! Here they are again:

Double Trouble Challenge #16

Try Stampin' on Tuesday #387

Three Amigos #21

 

Coffee Lovers

 

Materials
Stamps: computer-generated sentiment on front; Stampendous "Merry Little Christmas" (inside sentiment); Pink & Main "Mermazing Coffee" (mug)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Alcohol Markers; Stampin' Up! Soft Suede
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Garden Green
Paper: Echo Park "Celebrate Christmas" Collection
Embossing Folder: Elizabeth Craft (coffee beans)
Misc.: Aleene's True Snow, Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape), gems from stash

Noel in the Pines

This card is for a Tic-Tac-Toe color challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare #321, which begins on Friday, November 30, 2018 and is open for two weeks. (Your project does not have to be for Christmas.)  Although the camera did not pick up the metallic very well, the card really sparkles.

From the grid below, select a row of colors for your card and then feel free to add any other colors from the grid. The color reference is from Close to My Heart brands but you may use any colors from your stash that are closely aligned with these. I initially selected a diagonal row - red, gold, white - then added both greens, charcoal and silver, resulting in other rows as well.

I selected patterned paper that included most of the colors. A panel of red print paper was adhered to a white card base. Next, a panel of white pine cones with two tones of green, charcoal and red was adhered. To tone down the busy background paper, a panel of die cut vellum was adhered. After die cutting the pine cones in silver and gold, I hand embossed them with a stylus to show the woody scales found on pine cones.  Onto the vellum, each set of die cut pine cones and pine branches in silver and gold were arranged and adhered. The die cut sentiment was added. The inside of the card was decorated with matching patterned paper and a stamped Christmas verse.

Please visit us at Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge Blog and see the other projects made by the Design Team.

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Vellum
Paper: Metallic (silver & gold) from stash; green glitter paper; CTMH Collection: "Tis the Season"
Dies: Waffle Flower "Lacy Layers" (vellum panel), Frantic Stamper "Layering Noel", Studio Light ""Winter Days" (pine cones and branches)
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape)

Merry Christmas (Plaid with Stags)

11/28/2018 Update: Top Three winner at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #291.

Inspired by both a sketch and a color challenge, I put this card together quickly late last evening. After completing the card, I realized that this could only be submitted to the sketch challenge because the challenge dates were not compatible. I elected to submit it to the weekly Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #291 and not submit to the color challenge.

Panels of white cardstock and plaid paper were adhered to a red card base. A small strip of gold foiled cardstock was cut and added. The focal point (a strip of two deer) was cut and matted with gold foiled cardstock then added to the card front using foam tape for dimension. The sentiment was added. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock, a sentiment and an image of the deer.

Don't forget to check out the weekly sketches at AHSC #291!

Materials
Stamp: Clipart "Happy Holidays" and Stampendous "Merry Little Christmas" (inside sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Real Red
Paper: Recollections "Noel Ice Crystals", plaid from stash, The Paper Studio Glam Glitter "Brights"
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape)

Christmas in Rose Gold

The new challenge at Try Stampin' on Tuesday starts today, November 20, 2018. You have two weeks to submit your entry. Challenge #385 challenges you with a sketch as well as an optional theme: "Non-traditional holiday/Christmas".  Visit our challenge blog - we'd love to see your interpretation of our sketch along with unique colors.

I rarely use stickers or images that match a collection of paper, preferring to stamp, color and die cut my own. This 6" x 6" paper pad caught my eye because of the rose gold foil and pink papers, which is a nice departure from traditional holiday colors. The pad also includes a few panels of stickers and tags.

The foil did not photograph well, especially on the right-hand side of the card.





A panel of gray cardstock was adhered to the pink card base along with a panel of patterned paper with rows of foiled trees. A smaller panel of variegated pink paper was matted with black cardstock. A banner shaped strip of paper was adhered using foam tape. Cutouts from the paper pad in the shape of snowflakes and trees were adhered to the banner shape. The inside of the card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with a strip of rose gold foil and a scalloped edge of patterned paper. I used a coordinating sticker for the inside sentiment that says, "It's the most wonderful time of the year" in rose gold embossed on black cardstock.

The rose gold foil snowflake on the right did not photograph nicely.








To recap, we have a new Try Stampin' on Tuesday challenge each week and the challenges run for two weeks. Check the TSOT blog for details and join us for some challenge fun!






Materials


Cardstock: Stampin' Up Whisper White, Basic Black, Smoky Slate, Blushing Bride
Paper & complements: Kaiser Kraft "Sparkle" Collection
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape)

Sweet Wishes for Christmas

11/26/2018 Update: This card was a double winner at Splitcoast Stampers Favorite of the Week ending 11/24/2018!

Although I love traditional Christmas cards best, it's fun to make a few that are whimsical and sweet. After attending a Copic coloring class, I decided to use one of the provided images for two challenges. The instructor provided a selection of die cut panels and pieces plus I added some materials from my own stash.

Please take a look at these fun challenges where I am posting my card. Use Your Stuff #338 has a Mood Board for you to use and Double Trouble #15 has asked for a theme using sweet holiday treats with some sparkle. These challenges go live on Monday, November 19, 2018, and run for two weeks.

Use Your Stuff #337 "Mood Board"

A panel of pink foiled cardstock was adhered to a white card base. The embossed, die cut panels (two white and one pink pattern) were adhered. The image colored in Copic class was fussy cut, some clear glitter was adhered to the candy cane and the image was backed with foam tape and adhered. Two die cut words (sweet) - one in pink and one in black were adhered with the black offset like a shadow. The sentiment was stamped onto white cardstock and backed with black cardstock, then adhered using foam tape. The inside was decorated with a panel of the pink foiled cardstock and a tag that says, "Believe in the magic of Christmas."

I hope you'll take a look at the challenge blogs and consider submitting a creative project of your own. You could be eligible for a prize! Visit Use Your Stuff and Double Trouble for all the details.

Materials
Stamps: Whimsy "Penguin Candy Cane"
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: SU! Whisper White, Basic Black, Strawberry Slush; P-E-T textured foiled cardstock (pink); white scalloped panels supplied by class sponsor.
Paper: Doodlebug "Milk and Cookies"
Dies: Waffle Flower
Embossing Folder: Lawn Fawn
Misc.: SU! Dimensionals (foam tape); clear glitter from stash

Moonlight Scene for Christmas

There are so many challenges asking for Christmas designs - except Color My Heart Color Dare #319! All that is expected of you is to "Choose Your Blues" and create a monochromatic card. This challenge begins on Friday, November 17, 2018 and is open for two weeks.

My bulk Christmas cards for 2018 are the result of experimenting with masking and creating a sponged design. After completing the design, I used my laser printer to produce the design multiple times on cardstock. Each oval design was cut cleanly with a die. Next, I made a template to use with the embossing folder. I wanted the card front to have the embossing but wanted to leave the area for adhering the scene to remain smooth. So the template was made from two layers of cereal box cardboard with an oval cutout. Placed through the Big Shot with each card and the embossing folder gave the result I was seeking. Using a stippling brush, I lightly dusted the embossed surface with blue ink, keeping it a bit lighter toward the center of the card.

I adhered the scene directly onto the flat area of the embossed cardstock. Onto a white card base, a panel of blue cardstock was adhered, then the embossed panel with the scene. The sentiment was computer generated and printed in blue ink onto white vellum and adhered to the card. The inside was stamped with a sentiment. The front was finished off with a white gel pen to add a few stars and some clear glitter.

Note that the glitter did not photograph well. It looks like debris on the card face.

Please take a look at our Color Dare Challenge #319 and view the Design Team creations. We'd really like to have you play along with this challenge. You could be eligible for a prize!

Techniques: Masking, sponging, ink dusting, dry embossing
Size: A2 (5.5" x 4.25")

Materials
Stamps: Rubber Stamp Tapestry Co. - Peg Stamps (leaves, twigs, branches)
Inks: Stampin' Up! Pacific Point, Soft Sky, Island Indigo
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Pacific Point, White Vellum
Die: Spellbinders Classic Ovals
Embossing Folder: Stampin' Up! TIEF "Swirls & Curls"
Misc.: Uniball Gel Pen (white), clear glitter from stash

Winter Snowman

11/11/2018 Update: My happy little snowman was selected on three occasions as a "Favorite of the Week" at Splitcoast Stampers for the week ending 11/11/2018.

Join in the Tic-Tac-Toe challenges at a joint venture with Double Trouble #14 and Try Stampin' on Tuesday Tic-Tac-Toe #6. On the grid below, you can see that I selected the third vertical column - Foil, Winter, Plaid. The possibilities for more variety are in the grid! The Double Trouble "twist" is to include a hanging item, such as lights, Christmas stockings, an ornament, etc.

Try Stampin' on Tuesday

The Double Trouble Challenge goes live on Monday, November 4, 2018. Although TSOT usually starts on a Tuesday, the challenge is also going live on the same date and both will run for two weeks.

Panels of patterned paper were cut to size and adhered in layers to the black card base. There is a soft pattern to the red patterned paper which does not show well in the photograph. The plaid panel was backed with black cardstock. The snowman square was cut from patterned paper, matted with black cardstock and adhered using foam tape for dimension. Fake snow was added for texture. The sentiment and snowflakes were die cut from silver foiled cardstock. The inside of the card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with a sentiment sticker adhered to a die cut circle. I drew a string, added a silver foil hanger and a red foil bow. This satisfies the "twist" because it represents a hanging ornament. A strip of red paper and three snowflakes also adorn the inside of the card.

Please visit our challenge blogs and give the challenges a try: DTC and TSOT welcome you and you may be eligible to win a prize!

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic Black and Whisper White; P-E-T Textured Silver & Red (inside bow)
Patterned paper: Photo Play Here Comes Santa Collection "Countdown" & Kaiser Craft ""Sparkle" (inside sentiment)
Dies: Peachy Cheap - bow (inside), sentiment and snowflakes, Spellbinder's Classic Circles (inside)
Misc.: 3M foam tape, Aleene's "True Snow"

Be Strong, Be Happy, Be You!

Another card for another challenge! Visit Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #317 to view the inspiring creations presented by the Design Team for these colors. If you don't have the exact colors, it is perfectly acceptable to create a design with materials that are close in color. This challenge begins on Friday, November 2, and runs for two weeks.

On a Sapphire card base, a panel of Pomegranate cardstock was adhered and then a panel of Saffron patterned paper. Two pieces of grosgrain ribbon were adhered and then a panel of floral patterned paper backed with white cardstock was adhered. A square of Saffron paper was added and the stamped sentiment was backed with foam tape and adhered . The red gems were added. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and trimmed along the right edge with cardstock and patterned papers.

Come on over to Color My Heart Color Dare #317 and share your art with us. You could win a prize!

Materials
Stamp: Stampin' Up!
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Dapper Denim & Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Stampin' Up! & Sunny Studio
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape); gems from stash