Butterfly Friends Watercolor

What a lovely photo to use for inspiration on a card!

For close ups of the photos, click on them. Using watercolor paper, Inktense pencils and an Aqua Painter, the card was randomly painted with color. The fairy with butterflies image was downloaded, resized and printed on vellum cardstock. The image was also watercolored, then decorated with --- to add a fantasy look. The vellum was die cut and then

backed with foam tape to pop it up on the watercolored panel. This panel was adhered to the card base, which had a panel of black cardstock adhered to it. The inspiration photo has feathers so a few brightly colored "fluffs" were added along with a butterfly punched from a scrap of the watercolored panel and backed with a butterfly punched from black cardstock. The inside of the card was decorated with two punched butterflies as well.

This card has been entered into the Just Us Girls Photo Challenge #358.

Techniques: Watercolor Size: A7 (5" x 7")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Vellum, Watercolor Paper
Punch: Bitty Butterfly
Misc.: Dimensionals foam, Aqua Painter

Other Materials
Stamp: A Day for Daisies  "Butterfly Friends" (downloaded image)
Die: Lil' Inker Designs "Fringe Scallop Rectangles"
Paint: FolkArt Extreme Glitter Hologram #2796E Glitter Finish Acrylic Paint
Misc: Derwent Inktense Water Pencils; "fluffs", black gimp, sequins from stash

Having a RRRuff Day?

8/31/2016 Update: This card was a Top Three winner in Challenge #174 at AHSC!

8/30/2016 Update: This card was a Top Three winner in Challenge #134 at Cardz 4 Guyz!

My card was inspired by challenges whose themes were pets and furry friends. The sketch challenge works perfectly for the layout. One of the challenges is strictly for masculine cards but I know that my brother would enjoy receiving the card because he has a female Labrador Retriever whom he adores! I think interpreting whether it is a gender neutral card is a matter of personal taste. And there is no pink - that's cantaloupe.

The card base is black, lined with a panel of cardstock and stamped with a paw print and the sentiment, "Having a RRRuff day?" The card front has layered panels, one of which is embossed with hearts. Frames were die cut and adhered. The dog was stamped, fussy cut, decorated with a bit of color then popped up with foam onto the small panel. The small panel was backed with foam and adhered. Ribbon was also adhered to the front. A tiny bow was added to the dog and her nose was covered in Glossy Accents.

Challenges:
1. Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #174









2. Can You CASE It? #134








3. Cardz 4 Guyz #134

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

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stampin' Write Marker: Crisp Cantaloupe
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe
DSP: Birthday Bash Collection (retired)
Misc.: Ribbon, Dimensionals foam

CTMH Materials
Embossing Folder (hearts)

Other Materials
Stamps: Inkdinkadoo "Dogs"
Ink: Stazon Jet Black
Die: Reverse Confetti "All Framed Up"
Misc.: Glossy Accents

Love You to Pieces - CAS

A gender-neutral card for someone special inspired by three challenges...

On a white card base, stitch lines were die cut on four edges. A panel of cardstock was cut with stitched spirals using a die and a portion was cut away at a slant. Using printed paper, a panel was cut to fit at the base to create a complete panel for the card front. Using dies, three openings for puzzle pieces were cut from this panel and it was adhered onto a white card base. Three puzzle pieces were die cut and backed with foam and aligned over the open spaces. Three more puzzle pieces were cut and used to decorate the inside of the card. The sentiment was
stamped directly onto the stitched panel.

This card is being submitted to these challenges:

1. CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge #186









2. Just Us Girls Color Challenge #357






3. Aud Sentiments Challenge #162 - For the Men + a sentiment

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

Stampin' Up! Materials
Ink: Baked Brown Sugar
Cardstock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake
DSP: from my stash
Misc.: Dimensionals foam tape

Other Materials
Stamp: Lil' Inker Designs "Piece of Me"
Dies: Lil' Inker Designs "Puzzle Pieces" & "Stitched Spirals", Reverse Confetti "Edge Essentials"

Happy Birthday, Mary Ann!

8/30/2016 Update: Mary Ann's birthday card was selected to be the Diamond Award winner at the Color Dare Challenge!




Another family birthday is coming soon so I made a card with inspiration from two challenges, one color and one tic-tac-toe.

The card base is a panel of cardstock cut at 4.25" x 12" and scored on the long edge at 1.5" and 6.75". I elected to use the card in portrait orientation but it can be turned to landscape if desired. The finished size of the card is 4.25" x 5.25", just a bit smaller than an A2 envelope.

The two panels that are
folded to the front were embossed with a die in a stitched spiral design to give the butterfly movement. The longer front panel was die cut and trimmed with gold foil cut from the same die. The butterfly was created by die cutting the butterfly and using a variety of tiny stamps to create a pattern. The edges were sponged and the butterfly was adhered, including a pair of die cut gold foil antennae. The butterfly wings were backed with Kool-Tac clear foam to raise them. The foam is not visible because it is clear. Glossy Accents were added to the body of the butterfly. A gold foil banner was

adhered with a foam backed banner stamped to match the butterfly. A clothespin was added holding a tiny tag with a heart. Three white sequins were colored with a Copic marker and adhered. The inside of the card was decorated with a butterfly, die cut from DSP. The sentiment was stamped onto a tag of die cut cardstock, stamped to match the butterfly on the front of the card. The card will stand up like an easel card but that was not my intention.

This card is being entered into two challenges:

1. Color My Heart: Color Dare #207








2. Tic-Tac-Toe #16 (Banners, Tiny Stamps, Clothespin)

Techniques: Stamping, sponging, die cutting, fun fold
Size: Slightly smaller than A2 (4.25" x 5.25")

CTMH Materials
Ink: Saffron
Cardstock: Canary

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamps: Tiny Tags (heart)
Cardstock: Whisper White
DSP: From stash
Die: Bold Butterfly Framelits

Other Materials
Stamps: Lil' Inker "Really Rosemaling" (tiny flower & starburst), Hero Arts "Fanciful Swirl" (tiny bird), Verve "The Buzz" (tiny bee, leaf & butterfly) & Verve "Poppy Birthday" (sentiment)
Ink: Stazon Jet Black (inside sentiment)
Cardstock: DCWV Textured Foil (gold)
Dies: Lil' Inker Stitched Spirals, Reverse Confetti Edgers, Paper Sweeties Sweet Borders
Misc: Kool-Tac clear foam, clothespin, sequins

Happy Birthday, Kathy!

Three of my sisters-in-law plus my sister have October birthdays so I decided to use two challenges for inspiration in making one of the cards.

On the card base, a panel of green cardstock was adhered. The inside of the card was decorated with DP that coordinates with the front of the card. On a panel of pink cardstock, embossing paste was used with a stencil to create texture for the background. An oval die cut lightly edge-sponged in pink was adhered. A banner was cut with a scalloped edge and backed with cardstock. A smaller banner

was cut, edge-sponged and decorated with tiny bows and pearls. The banners were slightly overlapped and backed with It was also stamped with little dots of ink the same color as the larger banner but it photographed differently. This was backed with foam tape and raised for dimension. Three additional pearls were added to the vellum oval.
foam tape to add dimension. The sentiment was stamped and die cut and adhered to a larger die cut in green DP.










The card is being submitted into three challenges:
1. Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #173







2. Color Throwdown #406










3. Happy Little Stampers August Challenge

Techniques: Stencil with embossing paste, stamping, sponging, die cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials
Stamp: Stampendous "Soaring Sentiments"
Inks: Stazon Jet Black, SU! Pumpkin Pie, Pistachio Pudding
Cardstock: SU! Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Pumpkin Pie, Pistachio Pudding
DSP: SU! from stash
Dies: SU! Framelits Label Collection
Misc.: Ribbon, pearls, Dreamweaver Glossy White Embossing Paste, Waverly stencil, Dimensions foam

An "A" for the Teacher

It's back to school time across the country and what better way to show appreciation to your child's teacher than with a handmade card. This is not just any card - it's in the shape of a pencil that is actually a box of treats. The complete directions for this pencil and other treat cups are available at The Cutting Café. This online shop is a treasure trove of stamps - digital and photopolymer, as well as
print files and cutting files designed by Regina Easter. Regina is one very clever designer and paper crafter.

I downloaded the files and printed the sheet of directions. I also viewed the video on how to assemble the box and card so they form one unit. And best of all? Your recipient will not have to tear the card apart to enjoy the treat because on the inside flap of the card front is a sliding door that gives access. Such a great idea!

Although I did my own, included is a collection of sentiments and greetings. And there is a template for a box that is perfectly sized for presenting this card to the recipient.

The colors I chose were directed more for a male teacher but it could also go to a woman. Take a look at the Treat Cup Templates that are available individually or bundled and the video. The inside of the card was decorated with a strip of coordinating plaid paper to leave sufficient space for a note.

Be sure to visit The Cutting Café Blog for lots of creative ideas and inspiration. Thank you, Regina, for inviting me to be a guest on your Design Team!

Materials:
Stamp: Stampin' Up! Tiny Tags ("4 You")
Ink: Stampin' Up! Island Indigo and a black journaling pen
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Island Indigo; green from stash
DSP: Lawn Fawn Plaid Stack
Dies: Simon Says Stamp Dot Circles
Misc.: Hemp by Hemptique, Studio G metallic adhesive studs, foam tape, m&m candy, Sizzix TIEF (diagonal), Window acetate

Watercolored Birthday Wishes

8/24/2016 Update: This card was a Favorite for the Week at Splitcoast Stampers.

8/23/2016 Update: My card won Honorable Mention at Watercooler Wednesday #81!

Having lived in Florida for a long time, I am very familiar with the Hibiscus. The flower grows in many colors and there are more than 600 species. It is also the Hawai'i State Flower and grows abundantly in temperate zones around the world. I have a few in my yard here in Arizona. This stamp set has been in my stash for a while and I decided it was perfect for two challenges today. One is a color challenge and the other is a "Trend" challenge.

On a card base of white, a panel of cardstock was adhered as a mat for the focal panel. The focal panel was made from water color paper. It was colored using an Aqua Pen and water color pencils. Once dry, it was adhered to the card. Also on water color paper, the
flowers and leaves were stamped and water colored using the same method. Once dry, the elements were fussy cut, popped up on foam tape and adhered. Clear Wink of Stella was applied to the flowers, Glossy Accents was applied to the anthers of the stamens. Clear droplets were added and the card was stamped with a birthday sentiment. The inside of the card was decorated with a stamp and colored with a Stampin' Write marker.

The challenges are:

1. Just Us Girls Challenge #356


and




2. Watercooler Wednesday #81


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

Stampin' Up! Materials
Inks: Watermelon Wonder Stampin' Write Marker (inside)
Paper: Whisper White, Peach Parfait (retired) cardstock; watercolor paper
Misc.: Dimensionals, Aquapen

CTMH Materials
Stamps: "Hawaiian Hibiscus"

Other Materials
Stamp: Lil' Inker Awesome Blossoms (sentiment)
Ink: Stazon Jet Black
Colors: Derwent Inktense Water Pencils
Misc.: Glossy Accents, Pretty Pink Posh clear droplets, ZIG Wink of Stella (clear)

Sweet Fun Fall Tag - CAS

Today I decided to make a tag instead of a card for two challenges. I thought this might be nice to use when gifting pumpkin bread or ginger snaps once autumn arrives. The idea of a double card was inspired by one challenge and the other influenced the layout on the tag.

A panel of cardstock was embossed with a die to create the stitched wood grain texture. The tag was cut from that panel. DSP was cut with a zigzag die, backed with foam and popped up on the tag to make a band. The pumpkin was stamped and fussy cut from white cardstock, backed with foam and adhered. The words were die cut twice from two colors of cardstock, then adhered to the band. Another matching tag was cut from DSP, adhered to white cardstock for strength and attached at the top with the with the tab and hemp. The pumpkin and the words were coated with clear Wink of Stella.

The tag is to be submitted to:
1. Fab Friday Sketch Challenge #93








2. Tag You're It Challenge #53




Techniques: Stamping, sponging, die cutting, fussy cutting

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamp: Fall Fest
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Baked Brown Sugar
Cardstock: Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar, Chocolate Chip
DSP: Paper stack (orange dot), Sweater Weather (plaid, retired)
Misc.: Dimensionals

Other Materials:
Dies: Lil' Inker Designs Stitched Wood Grain Cover Up, Reverse Confetti Tag Hang Ups, Momenta Cutting Templates (words)
Misc.: Hemptique Hemp, ZIG Wink of Stella (clear)

Thanks - CAS

8/22/2016 Update: This CAS Thanks card was the Diamond Award winner in the Color My Heart: Color Dare Challenge #206.


Six colors required for a color challenge is often difficult. With help from a CAS sketch challenge, I managed to use the required colors while trying to keep it CAS.

On a card base, a panel of DSP was adhered and the inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with a stamped flourish. On a panel of white cardstock, two-step stamped flowers were added along with some dots. The sentiment was die cut in two colors with the darker used as a shadow for the lighter. A strip of cardstock and a strip of DSP were added to the right side of the panel. The white edges were sponged with color. The panel was backed with foam and popped up onto the card base.

I am entering the card into three challenges:
1. CAS(E) This Sketch #185  









2. Color My Heart: Color Dare #206   









3. Happy Little Stampers August Challenge





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

CTMH
Inks: Poppy, Ruby, Saffron
Cardstock: Flaxen, Peacock

Stampin' Up!
Stamp: "Flowering Flourishes" (inside of card)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Smoky Slate (sub for Whisper)
DSP: My stash
Misc.: Dimensionals foam tape

Other Materials
Stamps: Wplus9 "Summer Blooms"
Die: Spellbinders Phrase Set #1
Misc.: Uniball Signo White Gel Pen