Starfish - CAS

Several years ago I traveled to Alaska and visited a Giant Kelp Forest in a glass-bottom boat. These areas are considered the most productive and dynamic ecosystems on Earth.

On the sea floor there were vast amounts of starfish in every color and size imaginable. Having lived most of my life on the east coast, I decided to stick with a starfish more familiar to me.

"Clean and Simple" is the order of the day but I could not resist a small amount of layering. A strip of Pool Party cardstock was stamped with a wavy design, fussy cut and adhered to a card base of vanilla cardstock. A small scrap of Crumb Cake that had previously been embossed with a wood grain design and sponged was adhered next. Onto that, a scrap of shell-imprinted DSP was adhered. The starfish was stamped twice then covered with clear Wink of Stella. It was fussy cut and backed with foam to add dimension. The inside of the card was trimmed with a strip of the shell-imprinted DSP.


My card layout was inspired by CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge #178. Visit their blog to join in the challenge fun!

Techniques: Stamping, double stamping, dry embossing, sponging, fussy cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials
Stamp: SU! "Picture Perfect" and "Chalk Lines"
Ink: SU! Crumb Cake, Crisp Cantalope, Pool Party
Cardstock: SU! Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Crisp Cantalope
DSP: Paper Pizzazz
Misc.: SU! Dimensionals foam, Wink of Stella (clear)

Feel Better Soon - CAS

A stamp and die set that I've had for a while immediately came to mind when I saw the sketch for this challenge.

The images were stamped on Spectrum Noir paper, colored with markers and die cut. A panel of white cardstock was cut in half with a line to mimic a medical monitoring heartbeat line. This was adhered on a panel of black cardstock. The three "germs" were popped up with Dimensionals and arranged similar to the challenge sketch. The sentiment was stamped directly to the card front. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with an image and another sentiment, "Feel better soon." As an afterthought, the images were touched up with clear Wink of Stella.



The Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge #306 provided the design layout.







This has also been submitted to Happy Little Stampers "Anything Goes with Dies" Challenge for June 2016.




Visit the challenge blogs to see some very creative cards!


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

Materials
Stamps: Paper Smooches "Healthy Vibes"
Inks: SU! Tempting Turquoise, Memento Tuxedo Black
Alcohol Markers: Spectrum Noir
Cardstock: SU! Whisper White, Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise; Spectrum Noir white cardstock
Dies: Paper Smooches "Healthy Vibes" and "Heartbeat"
Other: SU! Dimensionals, Wink of Stella (clear)

Pinky the Pachyderm

My card was CASE'd from memory. I saw the original card ages ago and cannot find it to give credit. I actually made significant changes so the original designer may not even recognize the design.

In person, my card is so cute! Trouble is, it did not photograph well. I took at least a dozen shots but it seems I always have trouble with foiled or reflective cardstock. I need to take a class in photography!

A panel of navy cardstock was adhered to the card base. A strip of DSP was adhered to the top edge of the navy cardstock. A panel of the same DSP was die cut along one edge then adhered at the bottom edge of the navy cardstock. Gold foiled cardstock was die cut and adhered to create a path for "Pinky" as he dances along. A panel of white cardstock was die cut at its bottom edge and adhered.

The balloon was die cut from gold foil. The bird and banners were stamped on white and then die cut. "Pinky" was stamped with pink ink onto pink cardstock to brighten the color and his features were outlined with a white gel pen. This image was also sponged on the edges. The balloon, bird and "Pinky" were popped up with foam tape and a sentiment was stamped directly onto the card. The banners were stamped and die cut. Wink of Stella was added to the banners and bird. The inside of the card was decorated with another gold foil balloon.

I am submitting my card to the Hand Stamped Sentiments Color Challenge #240. Visit their blog for some challenge fun!



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

Materials
Stamps: Lil' Inker Pachyderm Party & Verve Poppy Birthday (sentiment)
Inks: SU! Pink Pirouette, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Cardstock: SU! Pink Pirouette, Night of Navy, Whisper White, DCVW Foil
DSP: SU! Birthday Bash (retired)
Dies: Lawn Fawn Landscape Borders, Lil' Inker Pachyderm Party & Fringe Scallop Borders
Other: SU! Dimensionals, Wink of Stella (clear), Uniball Signo Gel Pen (white)

Banner Framed Flowers

The layout of my card was provided by a sketch challenge (details below) and I also decided to enter into one other challenge. This is the second card in a row where I have not used any stamps. The only ink was the white gel pen and the sponging on the edges of the card. I enjoyed using five different patterns from one DSP collection.

Three coordinating panels of DSP cut in descending sizes were adhered together then adhered to a card base. Across the bottom edge of the card, three additional strips of DSP were adhered horizontally as well as a length of crinkled ribbon, shirred and tied in a bow. With a white gel pen, stitching was added to one of the strips.

The banner was die cut with two dies to create a banner shaped frame. A frame was cut rather than a solid banner so as not to cover up the DSP and the ribbon. The flowers were fussy cut from the same DSP. A coat of Glossy Accents was added to the banner frame and the flowers. Once dry, the banner was backed with foam tape and popped up on the front of the card. The flowers were added to decorate the banner frame and the bow. The inside of the card was also decorated with fussy cut flowers and Glossy Accents with sufficient space remaining for a personal note.



Challenges:
Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #165





Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies Challenge for June 2016

Card Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials
Ink: SU! Baked Brown Sugar (sponging)
Cardstock: SU! Very Vanilla
DSP: My Mind's Eye - Stella & Rose "Hattie Collection" (retired)
Dies: SU! Banners Framelits
Other: Ranger Glossy Accents, 3M Foam Tape, Paper Sweeties Ribbon, Uniball Signo Gel Pen (white)

Floral on Stitched Wood Grain

Having recently purchased a new bundle (stamp set and dies) I have been eager to use them. I used a color challenge for inspiration (and missed the deadline for that challenge). The colors are yellow, green and brown plus a neutral.


Six dies were used to create this card - no stamps and no inks.

The card base is lined inside with a panel of natural white cardstock decorated with die cut flower and leaves. The natural white cardstock has flecks of brown. There is sufficient space to write a personal note.

Stitching was die cut along the edges of a panel of natural white cardstock and adhered to the card base. A panel of brown cardstock was embossed with a stitched coverall die to provide some interest and the look of wood grain. The die cut pieces of green, yellow and white were adhered to the brown cardstock. The flowers and buds were covered in Glossy Accents to provide a bit of shine to the card and the white flower petals were curved upward. The white flower was decorated with an enamel dot. The upper right corner of the panel was rounded. The brown panel was backed with foam tape and popped up for dimension.

 

In the end I did not use any stamps from the bundle but I like the filigree look of the die cut images. The card was made with a small amount of dimension to allow for easy mailing.

I am entering this card at the Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies Challenge for June 2016.

Please visit their blog, You Tube channel or shop in their on-line store. They have fabulous products!

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials
Cardstock: SU! Natural White, Mossy Meadow, Wild Wasabi, Baked Brown Sugar
Dies: SU! Flourish Thinlits; Reverse Confetti Edge Essentials & Woodgrain Coverall
Other: Glossy Accents, SU! Dimensionals foam, enamel dot, WRMK Corner Chomper

Double Wreath Feminine Card

6/22/2016 Update: Atlantic Hearts Challenge Top Three Winner

My card started as something totally different with every intention of making it for two challenges, one Sketch Challenge, which inspired the layout, and a Tag Challenge. When I finished I realized the Tag Challenge would have to wait for another time because the tag on my card isn't even close to that theme's challenge.

I'm pleased with the pastel colors of my card and the wrinkled, crushed seam binding that I used for the triple bow. There's a part of me that wants to steam press that ribbon crisp and flat but I used it the way it is intended although it wasn't easy. (I'm a person who still likes my sheets and pillowcases ironed!)

A panel of white cardstock was stamped with a lacy floral background design. A panel of pink cardstock was die cut along the bottom to achieve the multiple scalloped edge and adhered. A panel of plaid DSP cut on the diagonal was adhered. A narrow strip of cardstock was added along that bottom edge.

Using a brush, a tag of vellum cardstock was dusted with pink ink. The bottom edge was die cut with scallops and a die cut swirly was adhered, then three punched flowers were added to the wreath. Foam was added to the back of the vellum to pop it up and to adhered it to the card. The triple looped bow was tied and adhered.

A smaller die cut wreath was added to the lower left corner, again with three punched flowers. The flowers were decorated with clear Wink of Stella and pearls. The finished panel was adhered to a card base. The card base was lined with a panel of white cardstock decorated with punched flowers and Wink of Stella.

The design for my card was inspired by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #164.

Techniques: Stamping, ink dusting, die cutting, punch cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials
Stamp set: SU! Touches of Texture
Ink: SU! Pink Pirouette
Cardstock: SU! Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Pool Party, Vellum
DSP: Lawn Fawn plaid stack
Dies: Reverse Confetti Swirlies & Impression Obsession scallops
Punch: SU! Itty Bitty Punch Pack (flower)
Other: SU! Dimensions foam, Paper Sweeties ribbon, pearls from stash, Judikins ink dusting brush, Wink of Stella (clear)

Some Kind of Awesome Birthday

6/14/2016 Update: This card was selected for the Artist's Pick at Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge #239 and an Honorable Mention at Watercooler Wednesday #71.

Click on the photos to enlarge them:

What better way to celebrate a family birthday than to tell someone how
awesome you think they are! I was inspired by several sources, listed below, as to the design layout and the colors.

The right edge of a panel of cardstock was die cut with a stitched zigzag design then stamped off with orange and lemon slices. The two panels of DSP were also die cut, staggered and
adhered, wrapped with a ribbon and backed with foam for dimension. The stamped panel was trimmed along the left edge with a berry colored cardstock and then this was adhered to a green card base. The small banners were punched and the larger were fussy cut. The sentiment was stamped and fussy cut and backed with foam. The inside of the card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with stamping.

My card was inspired by three challenges:
1. Pals Paper Arts #304:  (Sketch turned 90 degrees to the left.)






2. Hand Stamped Sentiments #239:







3. Watercooler Wednesday #71: (Selected the elements beginning with birthday and diagonally
downward to the right.






Techniques: Stamping, 2nd Generation Stamping, Die Cutting, Fussy Cutting, Punch Cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Inks: Cucumber Crush, Tangerine Tango, Hello Honey
Cardstock: Whisper White, Cucumber Crush, Rich Razzleberry
DSP: In-color Paper Stacks
Misc.: Banner Punch, ribbon, Dimensionals foam

CTMH Materials
Stamp Sets: Taste of Summer and Beyond Awesome

Other Materials:
Die: Lawn Fawn Border Die

Surf 'n Sea

I am liking new stamps I picked up last week so decided to use them again. (HERE is the card I first made with them.)

A panel of cardstock was texture embossed with ink to emphasize the background text. This embossing folder is all about the ocean and beach with words such as shark, surf, boat, flip flops and starfish to mention only a few. After adhering a scrap of cardstock stamped with dots, the other die cut or stamped elements were adhered with foam for

dimension. Items that were sponged before adhering were the kelp and the oval for the sentiment. Once everything was adhered, three clear droplets were added. This panel was all adhered to a panel of cardstock and to a card base. The card base was lined with white cardstock and decorated by stamping the coral image a few times.

Close up of the text:



Here are the challenges for the card:
1. Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #163: I changed the orientation without turning the sketch's basic design.






2. Inkspirational #110: The background texture fulfills the TEXT word prompt requirement.







3. Cut It Up #98: The theme is "Sun 'n Surf"
plus a die cut element.

4. Aud Sentiments #157: The theme is "Under the Sea" plus a sentiment.



Techniques: Stamping, sponging, dry embossing with ink, punch cutting, die cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Inks: Baked Brown Sugar, Pool Party, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango
Cardstock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Tangerine Tango
DSP: Maritime Collection (retired)
Die: Striped Scalloped Thinlit
Misc.: Dimensionals foam

Other Materials
Stamps: Hero Arts Pearl Strings background & Paper Smooches "Surf and Turf"
Inks: Stazon Jet Black
Dies: Gina K Designs Stacking Ovals; Hero Arts Goldfish Frame Cuts (kelp); Spellbinders (sentiment)
Punch: Fiskars Wave Border
Misc.: Pretty Pink Posh clear droplets; Sizzix TIEF "Ocean Script"

Hello Gorgeous!

6/11/2016 Update: This card was selected for an honorable mention at CAS(e) This Sketch!







Having recently purchased a new stamp set, I just had to use it right away. People who know me know I love everything about the seashore. I decided to use this pelican and his little crabby friend to make this card. I have never seen a crab this color, except for cooked crab, nor a pelican with a bill this color but when it comes to cards, I figure we can bend a few rules of nature.

On a card base of Very Vanilla, a panel of DSP was adhered. A panel of Crumb Cake was embossed with a

wood grain design and then sponged. The panel was cut into five pylons and backed with foam for dimension and adhered to the card base. The crab and the pelican were stamped and colored, then fussy cut. (I have dies but did not want a white border on the images.) The images were backed with foam and adhered to the card. The sentiment was stamped on a piece of vellum along with some tiny bubbles then die cut in an oval shape. The oval was adhered to the

card along with some water droplets. The inside of the card was decorated by stamping the lower right corner with a coral image, leaving sufficient space for a personal note.

This card is being entered into these challenges:
1. CAS(e) This Sketch #175:





2. Just Us Girls #346:








3. Creative with Stamps #3:



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

Stampin' Up! Materials
Inks: Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar, Tangerine Tango, Pool Party
Stampin' Write Markers: Sahara Sand, Tangerine Tango
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Vellum
DSP: Maritime Collection (retired)
Misc.: Dimensionals foam, TIEF

Other Materials
Stamps: Paper Smooches "Surf and Turf" & Hero Arts "Hello Gorgeous"
Ink: Stazon Jet Black
Misc.: Pretty Pink Posh Droplets

Huge Thanks! (Masculine)

6/08/2016 Update: This card was a Top Three winner at the Atlantic Hearts Challenge.






How many paper "collectors" are there besides me? I bought this paper collection when it was introduced and could not bring myself to use it for several years. Then a few months ago I decided to use old paper before purchasing new so this retired paper provided the nautical theme for my card. I have used it once or twice before in recent months and now it seems I cannot use it up quickly enough!

Because Pool Party is a shade of blue my card takes on a bit of a patriotic flair as red, white and blue.

I mixed five different paper patterns to make the card. I cut all the elements to cover a panel of Pool Party cardstock, including the cut out square at top center. On a card base of white, a panel of navy cardstock was adhered along with another paper pattern for the background of the whale. The Pool Party and adhered elements were added, popped up using craft foam.

The whale was adhered to white cardstock for stability, fussy cut and popped up with foam, then covered with Glossy Accents. The sentiment was stamped and adhered with craft foam. The clear droplets were added. The inside was stamped with little fish for decoration.






My card is being entered into four challenges:

1. Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #162







2. Creative with Stamps #3



3. Can You Case It? #123








4. The Paper Players #298







Size: A2 (4/25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Ink: Pool Party; Stampin' Write Marker in Night of Navy
Cardstock: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Pool Party
DSP: Maritime Collection
Misc.: Dimensionals

Other Materials
Stamps: Paper Smooches "Surf and Turf" (sentiment and interior)
Misc.: Pretty Pink Posh clear droplets, Glossy Accents, Craft Fun Foam