Dancin' through the Milky Way

8/2/2015 Update:" Dancin' through the Milky Way" was a Design Team Pick in the Can You Case It? #79 Challenge!



My Milky Way card was going to be the original submission for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #117 but I decided to set it aside and submit THIS card. But this morning, while tidying my work space, I retrieved the card from the heap on my table and decided to finish it. So now I have two submissions to the AHSC challenge. This card also works for two other "Anything Goes" challenges. One is at Can You Case It #79 and the other at Aud Sentiments #136.

I love the way that it is possible to tessellate certain shapes, especially bicentric hexagons. I specifically placed them so that there is a stellated shape created by the six triangles surrounding one hexagon.

First a panel of white cardstock was sponged with five shades of blue for an ombre effect then heat embossed with clear powder. The shapes were die cut using a hexagon. The

hexagons were backed with Dimensionals and adhered to white glimmer paper cut with curvy edges freehand. On a white card base, a panel of glimmer paper was adhered then covered with a piece of blue glitter paper that had been punched with star shapes. The wavy panel was adhered to the blue paper.

Tiny stars left from punching blue glitter paper along with a few star punches of white glimmer paper were adhered on the hexagons. Three stars were punched and adhered to the upper right of the card. A sentiment was masked and stamped on white, adhered to blue glitter paper, then to white glimmer paper with a hexagon and a blue star. The inside was decorated with two die cut hexagons.

Visit Aud Sentiments and CYCI blogs for lots of card styles, and be sure to view the array of hexagon creations at AHSC #117!

Techniques: Stamping, masking, punching, heat embossing, die cutting, sponging, freehand cutting

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Stamp: Fabulous Four (masked sentiment)

Inks: Soft Sky, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Midnight Muse, Night of Navy, Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Whisper White, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper, blue glitter paper from stash

Dies: Spellbinders Hexagons

Punches: Star Confetti, Itty Bitty Shapes (star)

Misc.: Dimensionals, clear embossing powder

Never Forget...

The card I made for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #117 provided the inspiration for my card.

 

 

 

The image of an Indian elephant was stamped onto a grid of hexagons. The coloring was done using Spectrum Noir markers highlighted with clear Wink of Stella. The hexagons were backed with craft foam and popped up on a panel of yellow glitter paper. This was adhered to a white card base covered with a panel of turquoise glitter paper.

 

A larger hexagon was stamped, die cut  and colored, then backed with the

yellow glitter paper and craft foam and adhered in the lower left corner. In
keeping with the sketch, three pink gems were added to the top right corner. The inside of the card was stamped and colored to match the sentiment.

For challenge fun, visit the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge blog.

Techniques: Die cutting, coloring, fussy cutting
Size: A7 (5" x 7")
Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Marching Elephant from "A Taste of India" by Sheena Douglass
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Spectrum Noir markers
Cardstock/Paper: Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper; turquoise and yellow glitter paper from stash
Dies: Spellbinders Hexagons
Misc.: Gems from stash, craft foam

Flowers for a Friend

My card was inspired by the color challenge at colourQ #299. I struggled with how to place these colors together without going for the obvious, which would have been lots of tiny flowers! I did not have any Rich Razzleberry cardstock so used Blackberry Bliss and no Blushing Bride cardstock so used Pink Pirouette.

 

Flowers were stamped with white ink on cardstock of the four required colors, die cut and then adhered to four panels of white embossed cardstock. The edges of the squares were sponged with Rich Razzleberry ink. A panel of Summer
Starfruit patterned DSP also sponged with the Rich Razzleberry ink was adhered to a card base of Summer Starfruit cardstock. The card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and trimmed with flourishes that were "negative" leftovers from the die cut flowers.

The four floral squares were backed with craft foam for dimension and adhered to the DSP panel on the card base. The center was cut from a die and popped up with thin foam tape and adhered to the card. Another die cut from the embossed white cardstock was adhered, then a heart that was punched from the pink cardstock and sponged with Rich Razzleberry ink.

For lots of creative card ideas, visit colourQ!

Techniques: Die cutting, sponging, stamping
Size: 5" x 5"
Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise indicated:
Stamps: Choose Happiness stamp set
Inks: Rich Razzleberry and White Craft ink
Cardstock: Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss, Calypso Coral, Pink Pirouette, Summer Starfruit
DSP: Sycamore Street Collection (retired)
Dies: Spellbinders Marvelous Squares; Punch: Itty Bitty Accents punch pack (heart); Embossing Folder: Lacy Brocade
Misc.: Craft foam, thin foam tape

Big Smile

This card was initially inspired by Pals Paper Arts #260 Sketch Challenge but when I saw the Inkspirational #87 Kraft Challenge I decided to combine them along with Can You Case It #79, Anything Goes.

I've had some dot circles dies for a while that I was unsure how to use and I thought this card would be the perfect opportunity. Starting with a card base of Kraft paper, various circles were cut from three DSP designs and one solid colored cardstock. The designs were layered and adhered, mixing colors and designs.

The red focal design is a negative leftover piece. It is backed with cardstock for rigidity. A circle and dots were adhered along with the little banners on the left. The sentiment was die cut twice and adhered using a shadow effect. This was backed with craft foam to add dimension and adhered to the card base.

The inside was lined with a piece of white cardstock and trimmed with a circle border.

Join in the challenges at PPA #260, Inkspirational #87 and CYCI #79 for some card making fun!

Techniques: Die cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")
Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Kraft paper
DSP: various from stash
Dies: Lil' Inker Designs "Smile," Verve Award Banners and Scalloped Trim Border (inside), Simon Says Stamp Dot Circles

Misc.: Craft foam

Watercolored Inlay

The card was inspired by the sketch at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #116. I enjoy doing the inlay technique and felt in the mood to make something colorful. The card is also eligible for two additional challenges so has also been entered in Aud Sentiments Challenge #136 and Can You Case It? #79.

Using watercolor paper and refill inkers I created the colorful design and ensured it was dry. An eyelet circle was die cut from black cardstock then a circle was cut from the watercolor design. The colored circle was adhered to the black circle, then the flourish was die cut from that double layer. Another flourish was cut from the glitter paper. Another circle was die cut from black cardstock, covered with tape and the glitter flourish and pieces of circle adhered, ensuring everything fit together.

The scallops were die cut and adhered to blue cardstock.  A strip of purple
cardstock was added and then a strip of the watercolor design. In keeping with the sketch requirements, a sentiment was added. The circle design was backed in craft foam and adhered to the blue panel.

A panel of purple cardstock was adhered to a black card base and the finished card front was adhered. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with the flourish that was cut out of the watercolor paper.

I also oriented the card to open from the side. I enjoy standing my cards when I receive them and landscape cards that are oriented this way seem to stand better than those that open at the bottom edge.

To view creative cards, check out the challenges at Atlantic Hearts, Aud Sentiments and CYCI for challenge fun!

Techniques: Watercoloring, die cutting, cardstock inlay
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Inks: Refills in a variety of bright colors
Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper, purple from stash, Strathmore watercolor paper
Dies: Spellbinders Eyelet and Classic Circles, Taylored Expressions "thanks," Lil' Inker Design "Fanfare Scallops," MFT "Leafy Flourish"
Misc.: Craft foam

Posies and Pearls

The idea for this card developed from the color challenge at The Paper Players #253.

 

On a piece of Smoky Slate cardstock, I stamped white flower bases in two sizes. Once dry, I drew the circles with a Mint Macaron marker and highlighted the edges with a white gel pen. The leaves were cut freehand from the same cardstock and drawn with the same marker. The flowers were backed with craft foam.

The banner edges were run across the Sahara Sand ink pad. The Smoky Slate banner was stamped with a sentiment using white craft ink. The banners were adhered to one another and backed with craft foam.

On a panel of Sahara Sand, white lines were drawn with a ruler and a gel pen. The panel was cut at an angle. A piece of Mint Macaron DSP was also cut at a coordinating angle and the two panels were adhered to the Mint Macaron cardstock. Coordinating ribbon lace was festooned across the seam. This was all adhered to the white card base.

The flowers, leaves and banners were adhered and pearls added. The craft foam on the banners and flowers pops them up to add depth to the card. The inside was decorated with flowers stamped in Mint Macaroon.

Drop by The Paper Players to join in  the challenge!

Techniques: Stamping, freehand cutting, fussy cutting

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Favorite Flowers

Inks: White Craft, Sahara Sand, Mint Macaron

Markers: Mint Macaron, Uniball Signo Gel Pen (white)

Cardstock: Whisper White, Mint Macaron, Sahara Sand, Smoky Slate

DSP: In Color DSP Pack (Mint Macaron)

Misc.: Mint Macaron Ribbon Lace, pearls

Hello to Grunge

The theme challenge at Inkspirational #86 is Grunge. I am not a fan of the grungy look but here's a card I put together this evening. I was unsure exactly how to execute a pretty card with grunge but took a stab at it.

A piece of dictionary paper was wrinkled up, torn, and sponged with earthy colors to age it a bit. A circle stain was added along with some green and orange splatter. Once aged and stained, it was adhered to a green card base. A piece of burlap was adhered. The sentiment was handwritten. A piece of hemp was tied around the top of the card.

The flower pot and flowers were drawn freehand and fussy cut. They were backed with Dimensionals. The stems and leaves were drawn directly on the paper. The corners of the card base were rounded. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with a zig-zag border.

Drop by the Inkspirational blog and join in the challenge!

Techniques: Sponging, stamping, freehand drawing, fussy cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge stamp set
Ink: Garden Green, Sahara Sand, Tip Top Taupe, Pumpkin Pie
Markers: Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie
Cardstock: Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
DSP: Dictionary paper from stash
Misc.: Burlap, hemp, Dimensionals

Just for You

7/18/2015 Update: This card won a Design Team Pick at CYCI78!

The latest challenge at Can You Case It? #78 is a color challenge requiring black and white plus one other color. I am also submitting this card to the Aud Sentiments Challenge #136, "Anything Goes."

 

The black and white DSP was colored and highlighted with a yellow marker. Then an oval was die cut from the middle. Three oval frames, two black and one yellow (scalloped) were stacked onto the opening in the DSP. The sentiment was added by stamping then stacking three oval die cuts.

The card base was created from black cardstock with a yellow panel adhered to it. The DSP with the framed oval was backed with craft foam for height and adhered to the yellow panel. The sentiment stack was also backed with craft foam and adhered.

In the center of the open cut oval, a white oval die cut was popped up and adhered with a stamped butterfly adhered to it. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and a banner for trim along the right inside edge.

Join the fun at CYCI #78 and Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog.

Techniques: Stamping, coloring, die cutting, fussy cutting

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Stamps: Watercolor Wings

Inks: Daffodil Delight, Memento Tuxedo Black

Stampin' Write Markers: Daffodil Delight, Basic Black

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight

DSP: from my stash

Dies: Verve "Scalloped Trim Trio Borders," Gina K. Designs Classic and Scalloped Oval dies

Misc.: Craft foam

Tweet Wishes

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 has presented Sketch Challenge #2-61 and here is the card I am submitting. The focal image and sentiment were digital downloads DigiStamp Boutique who is the sponsor of the challenge. In addition I decided to add this card to the Aud Sentiments Challenge #136, "Anything Goes."

The image was printed on white cardstock and colored with non-alcohol markers. Three sets of layers were cut from DSP, a ribbon was tied around the layers and the layers were adhered to the card base. The top layers was popped up on craft foam for dimension. A die cut sun was added and also raised to the level of the focal layers.

 

Black pearls were added for the canary's eyes and white pearls were colored with a yellow alcohol marker then adhered to the flower centers. Clear Wink of Stella was added to the canary and the sun. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock decorated with a yellow die cut border.



Be sure to stop by SSW2 and the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog for challenge fun!

 

Techniques: Die cutting, coloring

Size: 5" x 5"

 

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Stamp: Downloaded image from DigiStamp Boutique

Inks: Stampin' Write Markers in Mossy Meadow, Pistachio Pudding, Daffodil Delight, Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Smoky Slate; Spectrum Noir CT4 to color the pearls

Cardstock: Mossy Meadow, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight

DSP: Five patterns from All Abloom stack

Dies: Verve "Scalloped Trim Trio Borders," Reverse Confetti "Sun 'n Clouds"

Misc.: Recollections pearls, ribbon from stash, craft foam

Poppy with Delphinium

The inspiration for this card was provided by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #115. Typically the sketches call for layers of various shapes and this sketch is right on target!

 

The card was built on a white base by adhering a piece of Mint Macaron* cardstock to the base. Next was a panel of Irresistibly Yours embossing paper inked in Pacific Point. Panels of Strawberry Slush and Pretty Petals DSP were adhered to each other. I decided not to hide the floral paper with the next layer so used white vellum.


Using Mint Macaron* cardstock, a die cut flourish was adhered, followed by a punched/die cut Delphinium in blue, white and black cardstocks to match the DSP flower.

Three pieces were freehand cut from shades of pink cardstock and the edges sponged to match the poppy in the DSP. The pieces were stacked with thin foam tape. A punched center in white and dotted in black ink completed the poppy.

The die cut heart border in Mint Macaron* was adhered. A strand of thick twine was wrapped and tied and the stack was adhered to the card base. The inside of the card was decorated with a strip of Mint Macaron* cardstock. For more information visit the AHSC blog.

Techniques: Die cutting, fussy cutting, freehand cutting, sponging, punching
Size: A7 (5" x 7")

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Ink: Strawberry Slush, Pacific Point; Basic Black Write Marker
Cardstock: Mint Macaron*, Strawberry Slush, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Pacific Point, Basic Black, Whisper White, White Vellum, Irresistibly Yours (stripe) embossing paper
DSP: Pretty Petals
Dies: Verve Border, MFT Fancy Flourish
Punches: Circles - three sizes
Misc.: Thin foam tape, thick twine in Strawberry Slush

* This is not a misspelling. A macaron is a sweet meringue treat primarily served in France and is not related to our American macaroon biscuit-style cookie. Macarons are made in many lovely pastel colors.

You're How Old?

Here's the card I decided to make for two challenges: The Paper Players Theme Challenge #252, The Great Outdoors, and Aud Sentiments Challenge #135, Animals.

First, the goose was stamped on white cardstock with gray ink and sponged. It was cut with an oval die, adhered to a slightly larger gray scalloped oval cut and then a white oval cut to achieve the picot look. The sentiment was stamped on white cardstock with gray ink, fussy cut, adhered to DSP and fussy cut again.

On a card base of light gray, a panel of gray burlap cut at an angle was adhered with an angled cut of DSP. Textured silver foiled cardstock was adhered to cover the seam. Two banners were cut from coordinating DSP and another from the foiled cardstock then adhered to the burlap.

The focal element and the sentiment were then  popped up with a backing of craft foam and adhered. The card interior was lined with a panel of white cardstock trimmed with a strip of coordinating DSP.

I was inspired by THIS lovely card.

For challenge fun and inspiration, visit The Paper Players and Aud Sentiments.

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

Products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise indicated:
Stamps: Moon Lake and Just Sayin'
Ink: Basic Gray, Soft Sky
Cardstock: Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Basic Gray, textured Silver Foil from (stash)
DSP: Adventure Bound Collection
Dies: Gina K. Designs Classic and Scalloped Ovals
Misc.: Gray burlap, craft foam