Grow with Love

10/03/2016 Update: Emerald Award at Color Dare #212.






Today's card was made for three challenges. The color challenge was most
difficult because nowhere did I have the color Pansy until I saw the glitter paper in my stash. The talented Design Team was a big help in combining these colors. And the sketch challenge provided a layout that I loosely interpreted to create the end result. I will be mailing this to a family member in Florida who has an October birthday.

Click on the photos for a closer view. In this photo, the Wink of Stella did not photograph well.



On a white card base, a panel of glitter paper was adhered and framed. Next, a panel of DSP with tiny hearts and stamped off with the floral design was framed and adhered with foam tape. The focal point was made by heat embossing the image in black, adding color with an Aqua Painter and dye inks and adding a coat of clear Wink of Stella. It was backed with a panel of black cardstock and also popped up for dimension. Sequins were added. The inside of the card was decorated with stamping the flowers with black ink and coloring with an Aqua Painter and dye ink.

My card is going into three challenges:
1. Color My Heart: Color Dare #212









2. The Paper Players #314









3. Happy Little Stamper September Anything Goes with Dies

Techniques: Heat embossing, stamping, watercoloring, die cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

CTMH Materials
Inks: Thistle, Eggplant
DSP: Penelope Collection

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamps: "Helping Me Grow"
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black
Misc.: Dimensionals foam tape

Other Materials
Ink: Stazon Jet Black, black journaling pen
Paper: The Paper Studio Lilac Glitter (sub for Pansy)
Dies: Reverse Confetti "Fancy Words" and Simon Says Stamp "Double Stitched Rectangles"
Misc.: Wink of Stella (clear), Pretty Pink Posh sequins

Hello Fall

9/28/2016 Update: Top Three winner in AHSC #178.


9/26/2016 Update: Emerald Award winner in Color My Heart: Color Dare Challenge #211.












In Arizona, autumn is not very obvious except to those of us living here. The cooler nights are the first sign and we are beginning to enjoy sitting outside in the evenings again. The trees don't have the beautiful foliage of New England. Inspired by a few challenges, I made this card using a fall theme.

Click on the photos for a closer view.

On a panel of white cardstock, three panels of colored cardstock, stamped with tiny images, were adhered vertically. A panel of vellum with images die cut from it was placed over the cardstock. A die cut frame was adhered. This unit was adhered to a white card

base decorated with a die cut leaf inside. Using white cardstock, a circle motif was die cut and adhered. Die cut images of different leaves were backed with foam tape and adhered. The sentiment was die cut in black cardstock and adhered. Clear Wink of Stella was applied to a few of the smaller leaves and the sentiment.

This card is being submitted to the following challenges:
1. Color My Heart: Color Dare #211








2. Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #178








3. The Paper Players #313









4. Aud Sentiments #164
Fall colors + a sentiment




5. Happy Little Stampers September Challenge


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

CTMH Materials
Inks: Fern, Poppy, Saffron

Stampin' Up! Materials
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz (sub for Fern), Calypso Coral (sub for Poppy), Crushed Curry (sub for Saffron), Vellum
DSP: Hello Honey stack
Misc.: Dimensionals foam

Other Materials
Stamps: Verve "The Buzz" (tiny leaf), Lil' Inker Designs "Really Rosemaling" (tiny starburst and flower)
Dies: My Favorite Things Die-namics "Fall Leaves"; Spellbinders "Fall Foliage"; Simon Says Stamp "Bubble Parade" (retired); Reverse Confetti Designs "Wheat", "All Framed Up" and "Fancy Words"
Misc.: ZIG Wink of Stella (clear)

Let's Fiesta with Kokopelli!

Living in Arizona, I frequently see images of Kokopelli. I have a metal likeness of him on the wall of my screened porch and he always makes me smile, reminding me of serendipity, the occurrence of events by chance in a happy way. More about the legend of Kokopelli can be found HERE. The card layout is taken from a sketch.

On a white card base, a panel of copper glitter paper was adhered. The inside
of the card was stamped with a cactus for decoration. The cactus and Kokopelli images were stamped on white cardstock, fussy cut and adhered using Dimensionals foam. The sentiments were heat embossed using copper embossing powder. A strip if glitter paper was adhered to ground the images. After liberally sponging the edges of the panel, it was backed with craft foam and adhered to the card base.

My card is being submitted to CAS(E) This Sketch #190:




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

Stampin' Up! Materials
Inks: Wild Wasabi, Lucky Limeade, Cajun Craze
Cardstock: Whisper White
Other: Dimensionals foam

Other Materials:
Stamps: Paper Smooches "Southwestern Charm"
Ink: Versamark
Glitter Paper: The Paper Studio Solid Copper (Hobby Lobby)
Other: Hero Arts copper embossing powder

Just Saying

Back from vacation and ready to make some cards! My card was inspired by a challenge and two new die sets.

On a yellow card base, a panel of black and white designer paper with small hearts was adhered. The inside of the card was decorated with a leaf sprig and stamped. On a panel of white cardstock, a background was created with some texture stamps using yellow and black inks. The red cardstock frame was die cut and adhered. The leaf spring was die cut from red and the outline from yellow cardstock. The leaf sprig was backed with foam for dimension and adhered. The sentiment was stamped. The white panel was backed with craft foam and
adhered to the card base.

I am submitting this card to two challenges:

1. Just Us Girls Color Challenge #361







2. Happy Little Stampers Anything with a Die September Challenge

Techniques: Stamping, Die Cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamps: Timeless Textures
Ink: Daffodil Delight
Cardstock: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Real Red
DSP: Everyday Chic (retired)

Other Materials
Stamps: Paper Smooches "Hello Sampler" (sentiment), Lil' Inker "Greetings & Salutations" (inside)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Dies: Reverse Confetti "Lacy Scallop Frames" & "Wheat"
Misc.: Craft foam

Persian Motifs

9/21/2016 Update: Top Three at Atlantic Hearts #177.



9/19/2016 Update: Ruby Award winner at Color Dare #210.










My card is the result of two challenges - a sketch challenge and a color challenge. A few days ago, I received a new stamp from Altenew. (Note to self: How many floral stamps does one person really need?)

On a panel and using a MISTI, the images were stamped with Versamark and heat embossed in white. Using an Aqua Painter, the ink was added using a light hand because this is not watercolor paper. The ink was applied directly from the dye ink pads onto the image. The sentiment was stamped directly onto the card front and the sequins were applied. The focal panel was then trimmed with die cut scallops, adhered to a panel of white and then directly applied to the card base. The card base was lined with a scalloped panel of white and decorated with a colored floral image.

The card is being submitted to
1. Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #177


and

2. Color My Heart: Color Dare #210

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

CTMH Materials
Inks: Eggplant, Fern, Peacock
Cardstock: Eggplant

Stampin' Up! Materials
Cardstock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Island Indigo
Misc.: White EP, Aqua Painter

Other Materials
Stamps: Altenew "Persian Motifs"
Ink: Versamark
Die: Impression Obsession Border
Misc.: Pretty Pink Posh sequins

Black Magic Technique

9/12/2016: Winner of the Sapphire Award at Color My Heart: Color Dare #209.

A BIG Thank You to the ladies at Color Dare for selecting black as one of the challenge colors. Black is rarely a color seen at the challenge and I enjoy using black on my cards! This color challenge was the perfect opportunity to try out the Black Magic Technique. There are numerous tutorials available using either white embossing powder or white craft ink. I've been wanting to try this so here's the first attempt using the white ink. HERE is my favorite tutorial.

I may stop using Wink of Stella until after I have the photos completed. The Stella I applied to anything in a Pomegranate color photographs lighter in color.

The images were stamped using the MISTI with white craft ink onto the black cardstock. The craft ink took about 30 minutes to dry, after which I stamped it again with another heavy coat of the same ink and allowed it to dry again. I chose to not use my heat tool to dry the ink because I have seen white ink turn yellow from the application of heat.

Using colored pencils, the white images were colored to match the

challenge colors. A white gel pen was used to add some dots and swirls around the flourishes. The sentiment was die cut in gold foil and white cardstock and adhered. Gold glitz was added to the center of three flowers and after the sentiment. A touch of clear Wink of Stella was also added to the flowers. On the white cardstock, two diagonal panels in different colors were adhered. The black cardstock was backed with a panel of craft foam to pop it up and adhered to the card base panels. The inside of the card was decorated with a matching black flourish.

The card is being submitted to Color My Heart: Color Dare Challenge #209. Be sure to visit their blog!

Techniques: Black Magic, stamping, coloring, die cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

CTMH Materials
Cardstock: Sorbet, Pomegranate

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamps: Flowering Flourishes
Inks: Whisper White Craft (pigment)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black
Misc.: Dazzling Details (Gold Glitz)

Other Materials
Colors: Derwent Inktense Pencils
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (inside)
Cardstock: DCWV Gold Foil
Die: Spellbinders Phrase Set #1
Misc.: Craft foam, ZIG Wink of Stella (clear)

A Birthday Hello

9/14/2016 Update: Top Three winner at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge!

Because my family is loaded with October birthdays, I've been concentrating on getting them made ahead of time. Here's another one!

Have you ever noticed how poorly Wink of Stella photographs? It can make a card look dirty. My flowers have loads of "Stella" on them so here's hoping they're OK. Click on the photos for a close-up view.

Using a sketch as a guide for the design layout, The roses were rough cut from designer paper, adhered to cardstock for support, then fussy cut. They were also brightened by adding two ink colors with a brush, sponging the edge and adding clear Wink of Stella. The leaves were die cut in both light green and dark green, with the dark green providing a shadow effect. The veins were accomplished with a sponge. A square of dotted designer paper was adhered to the yellow card base, then a square of watery colored paper was adhered. The flower was backed with foam tape and the leaves were adhered. The sentiment was stamped, punched and adhered to another punched shape and popped up with foam. The "hello" was die cut twice and adhered to the card front. Three gems were added. The inside of the card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with a smaller rose touched up with ink, Wink of Stella and two leaves.

Here's a final view... the Wink of Stella is getting in the way:

We're headed out for a week in Denver so my card is being submitted early to the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #176. Be sure to drop by the blog!


Techniques: Die cutting, fussy cutting, punch cutting, stamping, sponging
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Inks: Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Mossy Meadow
Cardstock: Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Mossy Meadow, Pistachio Pudding
DSP: Watercolor Wonder Collection (retired)
Punches: Modern Label and Word Window (for sentiment)
Misc.: Dimensionals foam

Other Materials
Stamp: Wplus9 "Hand Lettered" (sentiment)
Die: Hero Arts (hello)
Misc.: Gems from stash, Wink of Stella (clear)

Celebrate!

9/07/16 Update: Top Three winner at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #175.








There are numerous birthdays approaching in October so I made another card for one of my sisters-in-law. The design layout is from a sketch challenge.

Click on the photos for a close-up view.

A panel of cardstock was adhered to the white card base. The next panel was one of designer paper. Using a couple of tiny stamps, both the gray and the green banners were decorated and adhered to a larger banner with a scalloped die cut edge. Another banner made from designer paper was coiled with silver cord, backed with foam tape and adhered. The sentiment was stamped onto coordinating designer paper, die cut in an oval shape and adhered to a larger die cut oval. This was backed with foam and adhered. Four flowers were die cut. Three were stacked and popped up on the card and a rhinestone was added to the center. The inside of the card was decorated with the fourth flower and a few stamped leaves.

The card is being submitted to The Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #175.

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

Stampin' Up! Materials
Inks: Island Indigo, Smoky Slate, Lucky Limeade
Cardstock: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Smoky Slate, Pistachio Pudding
DSP: Watercolor Wonder (retired)
Misc.: Silver cord, Dimensionals foam

CTMH Materials
Stamp: Firework Fun (sentiment)
Misc.: Rhinestone

Other Materials
Stamps: Verve "The Buzz" (tiny leaf) & Lil' Inker "Really Rosemaling" (tiny starburst)
Dies: Gina K Designs stacking/nesting ovals, Lawn Fawn scallop border, Lil' Inker Designs "Perky Posies"

What's Your Number? Birthday - CAS

A few years ago I made a card for a family member but I was not yet photographing cards or blogging at that time. It was also CAS because I had very limited supplies back then. When I saw the challenge I searched my stash for this paper with numbers and voila! I found a scrap. This is like the original card to the best of my recollection.

On a card base, a panel of cardstock was dry embossed and adhered. Next, a strip of cardstock was adhered with a strip of the numeric designer paper. The sentiment was stamped, adhered to another piece of

cardstock, backed with foam tape and popped up for dimension. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with a large question mark and the sentiment, "What's your number?"

My card is being submitted to Crafty Creations Challenge #323 - use a number

Techniques: CAS, dry embossing, stamping

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamp: ?
Ink: Bravo Burgundy
Cardstock: Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy, Lucky Limeade
DSP: Numeric paper from stash
Misc.: Dimensionals foam, Argyle TIEF