Walk in the Wild - Masculine

11/02/2016 Update: Top Three in AHSC #183

Using challenges for inspiration, I made this a masculine card for one of my brothers. One of the challenges required a kinetic card and the sketch could easily have been adapted for a spinner card but I chose to use a fun fold design called a Pivot Pop Up Card. There are plenty of You Tube videos, but I found these to be most helpful. One of them is made using the Cricut, the other is made by hand. Click HERE for free Cricut files. Click HERE for original handmade method. Click HERE for handmade method with revised and improved measurements.
For the card front, a panel of cardstock was adhered to the card base. Another panel was die cut with stitching, stamped, backed with foam and popped up on the card front. The pivot pop-up mechanism was a little tricky making it for the first time. The first three panels that pop up are stamped with outdoor images. The fourth panel is stamped with a simple sentiment to permit room for a signature. The card is bulky and will probably require extra postage and perhaps a larger envelope than the usual A2 size.



I am submitting my card to three challenges:
1. Atlantic Hearts Sketch
Challenge #183:





2. Cardz 4 Guyz #143 (Kinetic Theme):




3. Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #91:

Techniques: Fun fold, stamping, sponging, die cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamps: Moon Lake, Wetlands, Walk in the Wild
Inks: Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Lost Lagoon
DSP: stash
Misc.: Dimensionals Foam

Other Materials
Die: Lil' Inker "Silly Stitched"

Signs of the Season

11/01/2016: Artist Pick in the HSS Challenge #249!

As a youngster living in a cool climate, I remember my mother always using Indian Corn as part of her décor in the fall, both inside and out. Today's card was made for two challenges, one a color and the other a sketch. I will also use it in a few weeks to mail to a family member for Thanksgiving. (The National Day of Thanksgiving in the USA falls on Nov 24 this year.)

Two panels of cardstock were adhered to the card base. The white was stamped with some small swirly leaf images. A die cut "twine" was adhered along with a banner, in keeping with the sketch. The focal image is a bundle of Indian Corn and was colored with markers. It was fussy cut, then adhered to cardstock and fussy cut again. Two die cut ovals were adhered and the focal image was adhered. Five leaves were stamped, fussy cut and adhered to the lower portion of the oval. This was backed with foam tape and popped up for dimension on the card front. The button and folded tab decoration were added. The inside of the card was lined in white cardstock decorated with matching leaves.

The card has been submitted to the following challenges:
1. Hand Stamped Sentiments Sketch Challenge #249:






2. Color Throwdown #416:









3. Happy Little Stampers October Challenge Anything Goes with Dies:

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

Stampin' Up! Materials
Inks: Crumb Cake
Stampin' Write Markers: Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Cherry Cobbler, Peach Parfait (retired)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Cherry Cobbler, Peach Parfait (retired)
Misc.: Dimensionals foam

Other Materials
Stamps: Power Poppy "Maize for Days" (focal image) & Lil' Inker Modern Mehndi
Dies: Gina K Designs stacking ovals; Pretty Pink Posh Twine
Misc.: Button from stash

Sent with Love

Today's card is a birthday card for one of my sisters-in-law. I was inspired by a few challenges in making the card. I will have to mail it a slightly larger envelope to accommodate the fat bow, but I didn't want to skimp. The required colors are: cream, brown, red, blue-green. Click on the photos for a closer view.

The card base is vanilla. A panel of brown DSP was adhered, then a panel of red DSP trimmed on the left edge with a die cut scallop and a strip of cream cardstock. The frame was die cut and matted with cream cardstock. It was adhered using foam tape for dimension. The sentiment was stamped with brown ink on cream cardstock, two pearls were added and it was also adhered with foam tape. The quadruple loopy bow was adhered. The inside of the card was stamped in brown with a Happy Birthday sentiment and decorated with a coordinating scalloped edge.

This card is being submitted to:

1. Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #182:









2. Color Throwdown #415:






3. Happy Little Stampers October Challenge:

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

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamp: "Curly Cute" (inside sentiment)
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Very Vanilla
DSP: Real Red, Lost Lagoon and Chocolate Chip prints from stash
Punch: Modern Label
Misc.: Dimensionals foam, Pearls

Other Materials
Stamp: Lil' Inker Designs "Modern Mehndi" (sentiment)
Dies: Impression Obsession (scallops), Pretty Pink Posh (frame)
Misc.: Paper Sweeties Crinkled Seam Binding (Frosting)

Everyday Elegance - CAS

10/25/2016 Update: This card "rocked the watercooler" challenge with a first place win.

This challenge was fun! There were so many choices as to which direction to take using only black on white. The REAL challenge was following the rules (paraphrased):

This is a return to basics - one single stamped layer or a base with one layer. No embossing folders, embellishments, tags, or additional layers. Masking, heat embossing, stenciling and sponging permitted.

Using heavy weight cardstock, the card base was stamped with two different stamps. I usually stamp or decorate the inside but decided to leave it blank until I am ready to use the card.

The card was made for the Watercooler Wonder Simply Stamping Challenge #90:

Technique: Stamping, CAS
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials:
Stamps: Lavinia Stamps "Cherry Blossom" & Stampin' Up! "Gifts of Kindness (sentiment)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White Heavy Weight
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Autumn Leaves Stencil Technique

The season is the primary inspiration for this card. It is my prototype for the cards I will be mailing to family but I also saw the opportunity to submit it to a challenge. Using this same stamp set, I created a card using a watercolor technique, seen HERE, but decided to do this one differently.


Using the coordinating dies, I created stencils. After stamping the leaves onto the cardstock, I used the homemade stencils as a mask to sponge the colors. When finished, I stamped a few small dark sprigs to provide some depth. The corners were rounded and the art piece was

adhered to the card base. The
sentiment was stamped, punched, backed with foam tape and a few green gems were added. The inside of the card was lined with cardstock and decorated with stamped leaves.



The card is being submitted to The Paper Players Theme Challenge #317:

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

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamps: "Blooms & Wishes" (small brown branches)
Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Daffodil Delight, Watermelon Wonder, Wild Wasabi, Mossy Meadow
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip
Punch: Petite Curly Label
Misc.: Dimensionals foam

Other Materials
Stamps: Wplus9 "Autumn Leaves"
Misc.: Gems (green)

Breast Cancer Awareness

10/24/16 Update: Sapphire Award winner at Color My Heart: Color Dare #215

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) so I was inspired to make my card with that in mind. My own family has not been affected by breast cancer but my husband's five sisters were all treated for this disease. I read that 8% of women in America will be diagnosed with breast cancer. With that in mind, remember your examinations and mammograms, ladies!

I downloaded a digital image, resized and printed it on white cardstock. I colored it with Copic markers that most closely matched the challenge colors. I decided to add pink ribbons in her hair. I finished the image with clear glitter glue so it would sparkle. Any colors other than pink are due to the light refraction of the glitter.

The sentiment was also computer generated and decorated with a tiny awareness ribbon in pink. The inside of the card was decorated with a strip of the same DSP pink stripe as the front of the card.



The card is being submitted to:
1. Color My Heart: Color Dare #215:





2. Aud Sentiments Theme Challenge #166:

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

Materials
Digital Stamp: Lavinia Stamps "Lady Rose Garden"
Ink: Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: SU! Whisper White, Basic Black
DSP: My Mind's Eye "Sugar Plum" Collection
Misc.: Studio G Glitter Glue (clear), ribbon from stash

Miss You - CAS

Time is running out for my weekly submission to a favorite sketch challenge, so I hustled about this afternoon to make it. I included it with two other challenges. For the color challenge, I selected black for the neutral color.

Varying sizes of cardstock panels were adhered to the card base. The inside was lined with Smoky Slate and decorated with a die cut branch. To the top panel, a die cut frame was adhered, along with the tiny corner squares of the frame. The sentiment was die cut from two colors and adhered to give it shadow. The die cut leafy branches were partially adhered to give them movement and the ribbon was added. The flower in the lower right corner was punched

and adhered with some hand cut leaves. A gem was added for decoration.





The three challenges are:
1. Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #181:




2. Color Throwdown #414:
     (lime, gray, aqua + neutral)








3. Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies October Challenge:


Techniques: Die cutting, punch cutting, hand cutting, CAS
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5/5")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Cardstock: Smoky Slate, Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise
Punch: Five-petal flower
Misc.: Ribbon

Other Materials
Cardstock: Bazzill Lime Green
Dies: Penny Black "Deco Frame" (including sentiment) & Reverse Confetti "Wheat"
Misc.: Studio G gem

You Are a Blessing

After looking over some challenge sites, I decided to make a card for submission. The artwork of this stamp set is often called henna art and is usually painted on one's body. It is a custom in India and other countries for brides to have these intricate designs applied to their arms and hands before the wedding.
A panel of white cardstock was stamped with a leaf design in two colors. The third color was achieved by second generation stamping with the taupe ink. A panel of blue cardstock was also stamped with a tiny leaf design in matching ink and applied to the card base. Another panel was adhered, offset toward the lower left and then the focal panel was adhered. In keeping with the sketch, three strips of banners were added, two with stamped designs on them. A blue leaf was stamped, heat embossed with a sentiment in silver powder, fussy cut and applied. It was intended to be applied over the center stamped leaf but due to a taupe thumbprint, it had to be used for cover up instead. A happy accident? I'm not so sure! Finally the three silver sequins were added. The inside of the card base was lined with white cardstock and decorated with stamps.

To enlarge the photos, click on them.

The card is being submitted to

1. Watercooler Wednesday Color Challenge #89








2. CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge #194

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

Stampin' Up! Materials
Inks: Tip Top Taupe, Soft Sky
Cardstock: Whisper White, Tip Top Taupe, Soft Sky
Misc.: Dimensionals foam, embossing powder (silver)

Other Materials
Stamps: Lil' Inker Designs "Modern Mehndi"
Misc.: Sequins

Hey - It's Fall!

The mornings are so pleasant now that fall has arrived in Arizona. I enjoy sitting on the screened porch with my coffee while my pretty cat watches the birds come to the feeders. Today I made another fall card for a few challenges.

On vanilla cardstock, the wreath was stamped in two steps then die cut and backed with foam tape. The card base interior was lined with vanilla cardstock and decorated with three leaves die cut from scrap DSP. On the front of the base, a panel of Elegant Eggplant cardstock was adhered, then a panel of Very Vanilla. A fancy rectangle was die cut and adhered at an angle. Onto the card, the wreath was popped up for dimension. The bow and sentiment were die cut from the Eggplant cardstock, coated with glossy accents and adhered to the card. The sequins were also added.

1. Watercooler Wednesday Sketch Challenge #88:







2. Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge #321:

Techniques: Two-step stamping, die cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamps: Wondrous Wreath
Inks: Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant, Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze
DSP: SU! paper stash
Dies: Wonderful Wreath Framelits
Misc.: Dimensionals foam

Other Materials
Die: Paper Smooches "Hello Words" (sentiment) & Reverse Confetti "Lacy Scallop Frames"
Misc.: Glossy Accents, sequins

Into the Woods

10/12/2016 Update: Top Three winner in the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #180.

This paper collection has been stowed away in my stash and I decided it was time to use it for a challenge card. I consider the card to be gender neutral but it could easily be categorized as masculine.

A panel of spotted DSP was adhered to a green cardstock card base. The inside of the card base was lined with white cardstock and decorated with a strip of DSP. The next layer was created by adhering the acorn print to a panel of cardstock, backing it with foam tape and adhering to the card base at an angle. The next layer was made by adhering the wood grain design onto a cardstock panel, backing it with foam tape and adhering. A small bit of copper glitter

paper was tucked behind this panel in keeping with the sketch design. The leaves were made by heat embossing with white powder onto white cardstock then sponging color on and wiping it off with a tissue. A bundle of copper thread was added to the top panel and then the leaves were adhered. The sentiment was stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with copper powder. It was punched and adhered to another multi-punched shape then adhered to the card. The sequins were also added.

Click on the photos to enlarge. To learn how to use the same punch (or die) to create a larger mat, click HERE.

Close up view of the leaves using an embossing resist technique:

This card is being submitted to:
1. Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #180:






2. Cardz 4 Guyz Nature Theme Challenge #140:


3. Aud Sentiments Anything Goes + Sentiment Challenge #165:


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

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamps:  Vintage Leaves
Inks: Mossy Meadow, Baked Brown Sugar, Pumpkin Pie
Cardstock: Whisper White, Mossy Meadow, Chocolate Chip
DSP: Into the Woods Collection
Punch: Petite Curly Label
Misc.: Dimensionals foam, embossing powder (white), Metallic Thread (copper)

Other Materials:
Stamps: Sugar Pea Designs "Fall Fox" (sentiment)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: The Paper Studio Solid Glitter (copper)
Misc.: Ranger embossing powder (copper), sequins