Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Thanks so Much



The new challenge is underway at Try Stampin' on Tuesday. This is challenge #397 and runs until Monday, March 11, 2019. In addition to the sketch, we are partnering with the Retro Rubber Challenge #105. A rubber stamp is NOT required but a retro stamp is - so check their guidelines to play along. For this challenge I flipped the sketch horizontally then gave it a landscape orientation instead of portrait.

 


Onto a gray card base, a panel of yellow patterned paper was adhered and then a smaller panel of the same gray cardstock. The floral panel was then adhered. The bird image and the sentiment were stamped and die cut using several sizes of oval dies. The bird was simply colored using Copic markers. The stamped images were adhered to the stacked oval cuts and then adhered using foam tape. In keeping with the sketch, three slim strands of cardstock were added rather than banners. A few yellow gems and the card front was finished. The inside was lined with white cardstock and trimmed with a little yellow patterned paper.


In keeping with the requirements at Retro Rubber Challenge, my stamp was a Stampin' Up! hostess stamp set sold in 2014, making it more than one year old.


Take a look at the challenge blogs for TSOT #397 and the Retro Rubber Challenge #105 and submit your creative project!

Materials
Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Simply Sketched" (2014)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics for bird image
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White & Basic Gray
Paper: Jillibean-Soup "You Make Miso Happy"
Dies: Gina K stacking and nesting ovals
Misc,: Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape) & gems from stash

Sunday, February 24, 2019

You're the Best


At the last minute I decided to make a card for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #304. This is one of my favorite sources for inspiration - they have great sketches!

The stamping was done using two ink colors on white cardstock. This stamp set has a matching punch so I used it for the sentiment. The foliage and bow were die cut from cardstock. On a gray card base, a die cut scalloped frame was adhered. To this, a dry embossed panel was adhered using foam tape for dimension. The surface and edges of the embossed panel were smudged and dusted with ink using a brush. The sentiment and foliage was adhered using foam tape. The inside of the card was lined with white cardstock with a scalloped edge and decorated with leftover foliage pieces.

My photo was taken outdoors. It is a bright sunny February morning here in Arizona. After several days of rain, the desert foliage has turned from brown into many shades of green. Such a pleasure to sit outside and soak up the sunshine.


Be sure to stop by and visit AHSC #304 to play along. It's always fun to give it a try.

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

Materials
Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Label Me Pretty"
Inks: Stampin' Up! Smoky Slate, Crisp Cantaloupe
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Crisp Cantaloupe
Dies: Frantic Stamper "Wreath and Swag", Poppy "Double Stitched Scalloped Rectangle Frames"
Punch: Stampin' Up! "Pretty Label"
Embossing Folder: Spellbinders "Gridiron"
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape); Judikins ink brush

Friday, February 22, 2019

Sympathy with Silhouettes II



Crops can be fun and inspirational. I attended one this past weekend with a plan to complete a card for an upcoming color challenge and also four sympathy cards. In the end, two of my sympathy cards worked for the color challenge and two of them will be added to my personal card stash. (It's so much better to have a sympathy card already made when someone passes.) Following is what I made that are not for the color challenge and have been added to my personal stash. The challenge cards made at the crop can be viewed HERE.


A panel of embossed cardstock was added to the black card base. Using a masking technique the circle was sponged. The image was stamped over the moon, die cut then backed with scalloped die cut circles. This was adhered using foam tape for dimension. The sentiment was stamped, trimmed, backed with a scrap of black cardstock and popped up with foam tape. Two black gems were added. The inside was decorated with coordinating paper plus a stamped design and sentiment.
 
Techniques: Stamping, die cutting, dry embossing, sponging, masking
Size: A2
 
Materials
Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Serene Silhouettes" & "Simply Sketched" (sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! Crisp Cantaloupe
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Crisp Cantaloupe
Dies: Gina K stacking & nesting dies
Misc.: Stampin' Up! TIEF, Dimensionals (foam tape); black gems from stash

Sympathy with Silhouettes I



Crops can be fun and inspirational. I attended one this past weekend with a plan to complete a card for an upcoming color challenge and also four sympathy cards. In the end, two of my sympathy cards worked for the color challenge (one portrait, one landscape) and two of them (both portrait), which did not suit the challenge, will be added to my personal card stash. (It's so much better to have a sympathy card already made when someone passes.) To view the additional cards made at the crop go HERE.

Here is another photo with portrait orientation:


The color challenge can be found at the Color My Heart Color Dare blog. This is #331 and is open now through Thursday, March 7, 2019. The required colors are brown and white plus another of the maker's choice. I selected Lost Lagoon.
A panel of embossed cardstock was added to the card base. I then embossed a smaller panel of Lagoon cardstock using my scoring board and a bone folder. The image was stamped and die cut than backed with scalloped die cut circles. This was adhered using foam tape for dimension. The sentiment was stamped, trimmed, backed with a scrap of Lagoon and popped up with foam tape. Three candy dots were added. The inside was decorated with coordinating paper plus a stamped design and sentiment.

Here is the second card in landscape orientation:


The color challenges at Color Dare are always fun and the Design Team appreciates your participation. Be sure to visit!
 
Techniques: Stamping, die cutting, dry embossing, hand embossing,
 
Materials
Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Serene Silhouettes" & "Simply Sketched" (sentiment)
Ink: Stampin' Up! Baked Brown Sugar
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar, Lost Lagoon
Dies: Gina K stacking & nesting dies
Misc.: Lawn Fawn EF; Stampin' Up! candy dots, Dimensionals (foam tape)

Monday, February 18, 2019

Magical Unicorn Valentine



Over at the Double Trouble Blog Challenge #22 we are partnering with Use Your Stuff Challenge #347 through March 3, 2019. The DTC #22 is based on a Tic Tac Toe grid shown below. I used the center row (sentiment, stamped image, sparkle). To achieve the "Magical" theme, I used this cute card that I made after taking a Copic class. The Copic instructor provided the image for coloring along with a variety of die cut panels and frames to be used as each individual student wished.


The panels were embossed and layered onto the white card base. The heart borders were added for color. The label die cut was raised using foam tape. The Copic-colored, die cut unicorn and the fussy cut shooting star were adhered using foam tape. Finally, the pink heart was adhered to the unicorn along with the die cut sentiment and rhinestones were added for sparkle. Afterwards, I added Wink of Stella to the shooting star.


Be sure to visit the challenge blogs for Double Trouble #22  and Use Your Stuff #347. Join the challenge fun!


Materials
Stamp/Die Unicorn Bundle: Paper Smooches "Spectrum"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pool Party & Sweet Sugarplum
Other Dies & Embossing Folder: Provided by Copic instructor
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape); ZIG Wink of Stella (clear); rhinestones from stash

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

It's a Girl!



Baby cards are something I rarely make but I recently found some pretty patterned paper in my stash and decided to use them for Try Stampin' on Tuesday Sketch Challenge #395, with the optional theme to use ribbon or twine. The challenge runs through February 25, 2019, so take a few minutes to visit the blog and join in.



A panel of cardstock and two panels of patterned paper were die cut to achieve the lacy scalloped edges. These panels were adhered to the white card base. Two strips of glittery ribbon were added. The focal image was cut from patterned paper and adhered using foam tape for dimension. In keeping with the sketch, three rhinestones were added along with a satin bow. The inside was decorated with coordinating patterned paper and the word Congrats! was die cut and adhered.


Be sure to visit Try Stampin' on Tuesday for the sketch challenges. There is a new challenge each week lasting for two weeks.

Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe
Paper: Lawn Fawn "Birthday Candles" (blue) & Graphic 45 "Cuddle Time" (plaid and focal image)
Dies: Peachy Cheap "Congrats!" and Lawn Fawn Fancy Scalloped Rectangle Stackables (LF1322)
Misc.: CTMH glittery ribbon (Glacier) and Stampin' Up! ribbon ( Whisper White); rhinestones from stash

Friday, February 8, 2019

Criss Cross Birthday



It's time for a new challenge at Color My Heart Color Dare #329. The requirement is to select at least three colors from the grid below. Gray and white are permitted to be used as neutrals if desired. The bi-weekly challenge continues for two weeks, closing on February 21, 2019.

I selected Peach, Smoothie, Mint and Gold for my card, matching the challenge colors closely from my existing stash. I used dark gray and white as permitted for neutrals. A leaf stamp with mint ink was used on the mint card base to add interest. The gold criss-cross background was die cut and adhered to the card front. The flower was stamped and colored with Copics using several markers to achieve a blend of Peach and Smoothie. Gold glitter glue was used for the center of the flower. The flower was fussy cut and adhered with foam tape to the
gold die cut background piece. The sentiment "best wishes" was die cut from cardstock in three colors - charcoal, peach and white and adhered to the card front.

 
The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock, stamped with a few leaves and decorated with a partial image of the same flower used on the front of the card. In addition, I added a die cut "Happy Birthday" in peachy cardstock.
 
 
The Color Dare Design Team invites you to play along at the challenge. Visit our blog to learn about us and Challenge #329.
 
Materials
Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Bloom with Hope" (flower); Uniko "Originally Organic" (leaves)
Ink: Stampin' Up! Mint Macaron; Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Mint Macaroon, Crisp Cantaloupe; CTMH Charcoal; P-E-T textured foil (gold)
Dies: Paper Smooches "Criss-Cross"; Peachy Cheap words
Misc.: Stickles (gold); foam tape

Monday, February 4, 2019

Floral-in-Oval Birthday



Thank you for stopping by! I have made this card for two challenges. Double Trouble Challenge #21 requires a floral design to include a "B" item. I selected a butterfly but a bee, bug or bird would have worked just as well. In addition, Double Trouble, a biweekly challenge, is partnering for the week of February 4 through 10, 2019, with Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #302 and then the following week of February 11 through 17, 2019, with Sketch #303. This card meets the conditions of Sketch #303. To view the card for Sketch #302, click HERE.


A panel of cardstock was dry embossed for texture and then an oval opening was die cut. This panel was adhered to a card base using foam tape for depth. The flower was stamped, colored and fussy cut with the center decorated with gold glitter glue. The flower was adhered inside the oval with doubled foam tape for height. The leaves were die cut, touched up with a white gel pen and added under the flower. The butterfly was punched from cardstock, decorated with Stickles and adhered. The sentiment was stamped and backed with cardstock. The inside was stamped with a birthday sentiment and decorated with a punched butterfly.


I hope you'll visit the challenge blogs and play along at DTC #21 and AHSC #302 and #303. You could be eligible for a prize!


Materials
Stamps: Stampin' Up! "Bloom with Hope"; Hero Arts "Find Joy"
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Lost Lagoon, Crisp Cantaloupe
Die: Stampin' Up! (leaves); Spellbinders Classic Ovals
Punch: Stampin' Up! Elegant Butterfly
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape) & TIEF; Uniball Signo Gel Pen (white); Stickels (gold)

Floral Birthday



Welcome to my blog! I have made this card for two challenges. Double Trouble Challenge #21 requires a floral design to include a "B" item. I selected a honey bee but a butterfly, bug or bird would have worked just as well. In addition, Double Trouble, a biweekly challenge, is partnering for the week of February 4 through 10, 2019, with Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #302 and then the following week of February 11 through 17, 2019, with Sketch #303. This card meets the conditions of Sketch #302. To view the card for #303, click HERE.


Panels of cardstock and patterned paper were trimmed along one edge with a scalloped border die then adhered to a white card base. The center of purchased flowers were colored with a yellow Copic marker and adhered to the card front. The leaves were cut freehand and lined with white ink then tucked under the flowers using foam tape on several of them. The honey bee was fussy cut from patterned paper and adhered with foam tape. The sentiment was stamped then backed with a die cut mat and adhered using foam tape. The inside was stamped with a birthday sentiment and a flower fussy cut from coordinating patterned paper.


I hope you'll visit the challenge blogs and play along at DTC #21 and AHSC #302 and #303. You could be eligible for a prize!


Materials
Stamps: Altenew "Shadow Play" (front) &Uniko "Originally Organic" (inside)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Alcohol Marker
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Lost Lagoon
Paper: Dare 2 Be Artzy "Honey Bloomz" Collection
Die: Mama Elephant stitched scalloped border
Misc.: Flowers from stash (white); Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape); Uniball Signo Gel Pen (white)

Sunday, February 3, 2019

A Silver Celebration



Here's a card for a couple who are celebrating a silver anniversary. The layout was inspired by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #301. AHSC is my favorite source for sketches and taking part in the challenge is always fun. I made this card while at a cardmaking crop.


The gingham panel was cut using a scalloped border die borrowed from another crafter at the crop. The floral panel was trimmed and backed with cardstock. These panels were adhered to a vanilla card base. A strip of vellum with tiny silver foil hearts was adhered. I added a silver foil die cut heart using foam tape and attached a taffeta bow. The sentiment was also die cut and added. The inside was decorated with a strip of gingham paper and a silver foil heart.


Join the challenge at Atlantic Hearts and you'll be glad you did!


Materials
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Wisteria Wonder, Silver Foil
Paper: Stampin' Up Silver Fancy Foil Vellum & Jen Hadfield "Simple Life"
Dies: Spellbinders Scalloped Hearts; Stampin' Up! Large Scalloped Border; Peachy Cheap Celebrate
Misc. : Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape) and Taffeta Ribbon (Smoky Slate)

Friday, February 1, 2019

Teddy Bear Valentine



The February monthly challenge is available at Brown Sugar Challenge Blog through February 26, 2019! Our theme this month is "Love and/or St. Valentine's Day". There are no restrictions as to the brands of products. Our sponsor, Morgan's Art World, has provided us with the digital images.



A panel of patterned paper was adhered to a Pool Party card base. Another panel in a woodgrain pattern was adhered at an angle directly to the patterned paper. A strip of cardstock was added for color. The image was downloaded, resized, printed, colored with Copics then trimmed into a rectangle. It was backed with patterned paper, then with foam tape and adhered to the front of the card. The inside was lined with white cardstock and trimmed with woodgrain paper. A sentiment can be added at any time.


Morgan's Art World has an ongoing challenge and a store so be sure to visit Morgan's blog. The Brown Sugar Design Team would be so pleased if you visited the Brown Sugar Challenge #287 to take part in our challenge. You could win a prize!


Materials
Stamp: Morgan's Art World "Teddy Home #10"
Inks: Copic Alcohol Markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Pool Party; Spectrum Noir for alcohol ink
Paper: Carta Bella "Flora" Collection & Bo Bunny "Felicity" Collection
Misc.: Stampin' Up! Dimensionals (foam tape)