Happy Birthday - UR GR8

It's time to enter a card into the color challenge at colourQ.

On a panel of white cardstock, geometric images were stamped using Night of Navy and Marina Mist inks. A die cut of geometric design was adhered to the stamped panel, craft foam was added to the back and it was adhered to the navy card base. The craft foam lifts the panel to add dimension.

A banner was cut from Soft Sky and stamped with a sentiment and some hearts and the edges sponged. A yellow heart was cut freehand and stamped with a small sentiment and the edge sponged. The heart was adhered to the banner. A piece of navy seam binding was tied to the banner with a simple square knot. The banner was backed with craft foam and adhered to the card.

The inside of the card was lined with a panel of yellow and stamped across the bottom edge with simple hearts.

Techniques: Stamping, sponging, die cutting, freehand cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: What's Your Type? stamp set for background, Simon Says Circle Sayings for sentiments
Inks: Night of Navy, Marina Mist
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Soft Sky, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Die: Reverse Confetti Geometric Design
Misc.: Night of Navy 1/2" Seam Binding

Bluebirds Make Me Smile

6/30/2015 Update: This card was selected as an Artist Pick in Hand Stamped Sentiments #214!

6/28/2015 Update: This card was selected as a Favorite of the Week at Splitcoast Stampers!

The deadline for submitting a card to the Hand Stamped Sentiments Sketch Challenge #214 is approaching so I spent some time today thinking about the sketch. Here is my submission:

A die was used to embellish the yellow panel. Dotted DSP was also die cut
and adhered to provide a round frame for the focal images. A strip of blue was added to the right edge. The yellow panel was backed with craft foam for depth and adhered to the gray card base. Coordinating DSP with birds in flight was adhered to a blue panel. A tiny sentiment, Smile, was added in gray ink then the panel was adhered to the card base with foam at the left edge to lift it to the same height as the yellow panel.

The birds and large flower were stamped with gray ink, colored with Spectrum

Noir alcohol markers, fussy cut and edges sponged. They were backed with craft foam to give them dimension then adhered to the card. The small flowers were punched from blue and yellow cardstock, edges sponged, adhered to the card and decorated with pearls.

The inside of the card was lined in yellow cardstock and decorated with flowers punched from dotted DSP and blue cardstock. Visit HSSSC214 for creative card ideas.

Techniques: Stamping, coloring, fussy cutting, sponging, die cutting

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Close to My Heart "Happy Birds"
Ink: Basic Gray, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers
Cardstock: Soft Sky, Basic Gray, Barely Banana (retired)
DSP:  Modern Medley Collection (retired)
Dies: Circles Framelits, Avery Elle Burst Die
Punch: Flower from Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack
Misc.: Basic Pearls, craft foam

Nautical

When I saw this challenge I was fairly sure I would go with a masculine card because I knew I wanted to use the compass charm I had found. This is my submission to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #113.

Three panels of white cardstock were cut and the edges sponged with navy ink. Three strips of DSP were cut and adhered to the white panels. Craft foam was adhered to the back of each white panel and they were adhered to a panel of Coastal Cabana cardstock.

Hemp was used to string the charm and a few knots were tied in the hemp to add to the nautical look. The loose ends of the hemp was attached to the back of the panel. The sentiment was added along with a medium metal stud stick-on. The layers were all adhered to the navy blue card base. A white panel was adhered to the inside then decorated with strips of coordinating paper.

Consider joining in the challenge fun at Atlantic Hearts!

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")
Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Computer generated sentiment
Inks: Night of Navy
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White
DSP: Maritime Collection (retired)
Misc.: Metal stud stick-on, compass charm, hemp, craft foam

Hello Sweet Friend

This card is my submission to The Paper Players Theme Challenge #250. The theme is clean and simple (CAS) "Summer Treats."



The image "Poppy Sundae" was downloaded from A Day for Daisies onto white cardstock and colored with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers. Clear Wink of Stella was added to the glass dish and cherry then finished with Glossy Accents. By clicking on the close-up photo, one can see the sparkle mimics an icy dish. Sequins were added. 

Dies were used to cut the ovals. The sentiment is computer generated using the Harrington font. It was popped up with foam tape. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and strips of matching cardstock and DSP.

Visit The Paper Players for challenge fun!

Techniques: Die cutting, coloring
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials are Stampin' Up unless otherwise indicated:
Stamps: A Day for Daisies "Poppy Sundae" digi-stamp
Inks: Spectrum Noir alcohol markers
Cardstock: Coastal Cabana, Whisper White
DSP: Birthday Bash Collection
Dies: Spellbinders Classic Ovals & Lacy Ovals; Lawn Fawn scallop border
Misc.: Blushing Bride sequins, 3M foam tape, Wink of Stella (clear), Ranger Glossy Accents

Congrats - You Did It!

Occasionally I use digital stamps. I downloaded this one from A Day for Daisies to use in the Can You Case It? Sketch Challenge #75.

Using a pink card base, a panel of blue cardstock was adhered to the front. The inside was decorated with a white cardstock panel stamped with a border design.

The image was printed on white cardstock and colored with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers. The sentiment was stamped and the right edge of the panel was cut using a cloud border die. The panel was backed with craft foam to lift it off the card. The white panel was adhered to the card base and a blue pearl was added next to the sentiment.

For some lovely digital images, visit A Day for Daisies and for challenge fun, drop by CYCI#75.

Techniques: Stamping, coloring, die cutting, sponging
Size: A2

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: A Day for Daisies "Umbrella Dreams" digital, Altenew "Hennah Elements"
Inks: Bashful Blue (retired), Memento Tuxedo Black, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers
Cardstock: Whisper White, Soft Sky, Pink Pirouette
Die: Lawn Fawn Puffy Borders
Misc.: MS pearl, craft foam

Triple Banners

The Pals Paper Arts Challenge #256 provided inspiration for this card. I recently purchased Spectrum Noir colored pencils so this is my first time using them. I think I need a little practice.

Three banners were cut from DSP in varying widths and lengths and trimmed up a little differently, The banners were adhered to gray cardstock strips, backed with craft foam for depth and adhered to the pink panel. A strand of pink sequins was adhered across the banners and three pieces of strand were left free to partner with the three banners. This was all adhered to the gray card base.



Three flowers were stamped on vanilla cardstock, colored with Spectrum Noir colored pencils and fussy cut. They were popped up on craft foam. Pink pearls were added to the flowers. The inside of the card was decorated with a panel of Very Vanilla cardstock stamped with coordinating flowers.

Be sure to visit PPP for great challenge fun!

Techniques: Stamping, fussy cutting, coloring
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Altenew "Hennah Elements"
Inks: Pink Pirouette, Spectrum Noir colored pencils, Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla
DSP: Black & vanilla print from stash
Misc.: Sequin trim in Blushing Bride, MS pale pink pearls, craft foam





Chevron Thanks

This card was selected as a favorite for the Featured Stamper of the Week.

This card was made for the colourQ challenge #295 (cQc295). I did not have any Blushing Bride paper or ink so substituted Pink Pirouette.

 

Using navy cardstock, chevrons were designed with a pencil and a ruler, hand cut and adhered to a panel of white cardstock. Designs were stamped in pink ink and the panel edges were sponged with navy ink. The sentiment was die cut from gold foiled cardstock and adhered. The pink and gold sequins were added and a piece of gold cord was wound around the panel and tied in a double bow.

The panel was backed with craft foam to lift it and adhered to a panel of pink cardstock. This was all layered onto the navy card base. The inside of the card was decorated with a white cardstock panel stamped with a border design in pink. Be sure to visit colourQ for beautiful card designs.

Techniques: Stamping, sponging, fussy cutting, die cutting

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Stamps: Altenew "Hennah Elements"

Ink: Pink Pirouette

Cardstock: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Pink Pirouette

Specialty paper: DCWV Gold Foiled cardstock

Die: Taylored Expressions "thanks"

Misc.: Gold cord, sequins, craft foam

Sweet As Cherry Pie

Update 7/02/2015: This card was a Top Five winner at Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog, Challenge #134.

Today's "Clean and Simple" card was made specifically for the Atlantic Heart Sketch Challenge #110 and then a few days later, it was entered into Aud Challenge #134.

The focal point of the card was made by stamping the cherries on white cardstock, coloring them with alcohol markers and then fussy cutting. The frame was cut from a die, colored and adhered to the focal base. The cherries were backed with foam to left them above the frame.

Panels of DSP were cut on the diagonal and adhered to a white card base. The focal piece was backed with foam for dimension then adhered to the card base. The sentiment was stamped and the gems added as shown in the sketch. The inside of the card was decorated along the bottom edge with a thin panel of the DSP.

Visit AHSC and Aud Sentiments Blog to see the creative cards on display!

Techniques: Stamping, die cutting, coloring, fussy cutting
Size: A7 (5' x 7")

Products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Close to My Heart "Sweet Life"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Spectrum Noir alcohol markers: CG1, DG2, DG3, JG6, DR3, DR5, DR7, CR10, FS2, BG6, BT1
Cardstock: Whisper White, Wild Wasabi
DSP:  Sweet Taffy (retired)
Die: Memory Box "Jasmine Frame"
Misc.: Gems from stash, craft foam

Flowers in the Spotlight

For this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #112, I decided to try a Spotlight technique as demonstrated HERE. The point is to start with a plain design, mine is gray on white, then choose a spot on the card to highlight the image with color.

 



                                                                                                                       To begin, I die cut a piece of lattice and used it as a stencil, sponging the design in gray ink on white cardstock. Borders from several stamp sets were added for the horizontal elements, also using gray ink. Four flower images were stamped in gray ink on white cardstock and fussy cut.

Next, a cluster of four flowers, three in gray ink and one in black ink were stamped on white cardstock. These were placed so that they would fit inside of the circle die. They were colored with alcohol markers, cut with the die and backed with another die cut in gray.

The panel of white cardstock was adhered to a piece of Tangerine Tango cardstock then onto a gray card base. The spotlight flowers were popped up with craft foam and adhered. The four plain flowers were adhered to the card - three were tucked under the spotlight to match up with the three partial flowers and one was placed on the lattice.

A circle of gray was cut using a 1/2" punch and popped up. A butterfly was punched and decorated with clear Wink of Stella then adhered to the popped up circle. The sentiment was added. The inside of the card was decorated with a white panel stamped with flowers.

 

Try having some fun by entering a challenge. Visit AHSC to learn more!

 

Techniques: Spotlighting, stamping, punching, die cutting, stenciling, coloring, fussy cutting

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

 

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Stamps: Choose Happiness, Watercolor Wings, Altenew "Hennah Elements"

Inks: Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango, Memento Tuxedo Black, Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers

Cardstock: Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Hello Honey

Dies: Circles Collection, Spellbinders Lattice

Punches: 1/2" circle and Bitty Butterfly

Misc.: Wink of Stella (clear), craft foam



Mehndi Flowers

 
6/21/2015 Update: Mehndi Flowers won a Top Cup in Challenge #103.


The Sunday Stamps Color Challenge #103 features some gorgeous colors!

First, the large flowers were stamped on white cardstock, colored with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, sponged on the edges and set aside.

The blue panel was stamped by using the MISTI tool. The stamps were carefully placed so they would stamp in the lower right hand corner of the panel with white ink. The card was turned 180 degrees and
stamped again with white ink. Once the white ink was dry, the panel was moved up inside the MISTI by 1/16". Crumb Cake ink was applied to the same stamps and applied to the card. The card was turned 180 degrees, adjusted by 1/16" and stamped again. The blue panel was adhered to a dark panel, then to the card base.

The large flowers were backed with craft foam and adhered to the card. Pearls were added to the two large flowers and two small flowers. The inside of the card was decorated with a panel of white cardstock stamped with the small flowers.




Visit the challenge blog at Sunday Stamps to see the beautiful cards.

Techniques: Shadow stamping, coloring, fussy cutting, sponging
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stamps: Altenew "Hennah Elements"
Ink: SU! Crumb Cake and White Craft Inks, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers
Cardstock: SU! Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Bashful Blue (retired)
Misc.: Craft foam, SU! basic pearls, MISTI

Butterfly Swirl

6/16/2015 Update: This card was selected as an Artist Pick for HSSCC#213!

Today's card was inspired by two challenges: Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #111 and Hand Stamped Sentiments Color Challenge #213.

Color Challenges typically permit color substitutions if they're similar in color. It was necessary to use a substitute in place of Bermuda Bay so I chose Lost Lagoon. The gold cardstock is from my scrap stash in place of Crushed Curry.

In addition to the inspiration from the challenges, I viewed a card the other day HERE that provided ideas for this card.

A panel of gold cardstock was embossed and adhered to the white card base. A panel of Lost Lagoon was die cut with scallops on each edge, embossed, then adhered to the gold embossed panel. A strip of embossed gold cardstock was added onto the scalloped piece. The floral design was stamped three times on white cardstock, punched with a scalloped edge and attached to die cut circles. They were adhered with craft foam to give them depth.

The butterfly was stamped in three steps using the MISTI tool and then fussy cut. On a piece of white cardstock, using round dies, the swirl shape was sponged off center. The fern fronds were added. This panel was adhered to another panel and popped up with craft foam. The butterfly was also adhered with craft foam to lift it off the paper.

The inside of the card was decorated with fern fronds and two floral images along the lower right corner. The front of the card was finished by adding pearls to the floral rounds and clear Wink of Stella to the butterfly wings.

Visit the challenges for AHSC #111 and HSS #213 for creative ideas!

Techniques: Stamping, die cutting, embossing, punching, fussy cutting, sponging
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Watercolor Wings, Awesomely Artistic
Inks: Crushed Curry, Calypso Coral, Mossy Meadow, Lost Lagoon, Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Mossy Meadow, Lost Lagoon, gold from scrap stash
Dies: Circles Collection Framelits, Lawn Fawn border die
Punch: 7/8" Scallop Circle
Misc.: Pearls, craft foam, Wink of Stella (clear); Embossing folders: Decorative Dots and Polka Dots

The Wabash Cannonball

When I saw that the new challenge at The Paper Players required a masculine card, I thought this would be my opportunity to make a birthday card for my son, who is in his 40s. I went searching for a specific image of a man on a riding lawn mower. I still have not found the desired digital image but I fell in love with this dear old man reliving his dreams from the past. That said, here is my card for the PP248 Theme Challenge.

After downloading The Engineer from Mo's Digital Pencil, I printed it on white cardstock, masked the image to sponge the background, then removed the mask and colored the image. I thought that this man would keep his train polished, so I heat embossed the locomotive with clear powder to make it shiny. I cut the image freehand into two overlapping circular shapes.

The background was sponged on white cardstock and embellished with some stamps. The clouds were sponged using the edge of a cloud die as a stencil. The sentiment was computer generated and both tags were die cut and pierced to include the brad. The tags and the focal image were backed with craft foam and lifted up. The inside was stamped with a few trees using generation stamping.
For great card ideas visit the blogs for The Paper Players and Mo's Digital Pencil.

Techniques: Masking, stamping, generation stamping, coloring, die cutting, sponging, heat embossing, fussy cutting
Size: A7 (5' x 7")

Products:
Stamps: Mo's Digital Pencil The Engineer, SU! Lovely As a Tree, Wetlands, computer generated words in Magneto font
Inks: Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Crumb Cake, River Rock, Versamark
Markers (alcohol): Spectrum Noir
Cardstock: SU! Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Night of Navy
Dies: My Favorite Things Stitched Rounded Rectangles, Mama Elephant Creative Cuts (cloud die used as stencil)
Misc.: Brad, craft foam, SU! clear embossing powder