Sunny Day

"Sunny Day" was inspired by two challenges: a sketch challenge at Can You Case It? #86 and a color challenge at The Paper Players # 262.

On white cardstock, the flower bucket image was stamped. The tulips were colored with a So Saffron marker then clear embossed to resist the ink when sponging the leaves. The bucket was sponged and touched up with a marker. Clear Wink of Stella was added to the tulips and the image was fussy cut.

The sun was die cut from So Saffron cardstock and lightly sponged with Tangelo Twist. The ledge was die cut from DSP with a scallop border die. The stone wall was dry embossed and randomly sponged with Tangelo Twist and So Saffron.




The sky was sponged with Lost Lagoon ink on white cardstock, using a cloud die as a stencil. Everything was adhered to a card base of Lost Lagoon. The ledge, flower bucket and sun were all backed with craft foam and popped up for dimension. The inside of the card was lined with a piece of white cardstock and decorated with a scalloped strip of matching DSP.

Stop by for a visit and see the beautiful cards at CYCI 86 and PP262!



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

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Flourishes April Showers (tulips), Paper Smooches Blossoming Buds (sentiment)
Inks: Lost Lagoon, So Saffron, Tangelo Twist, Stazon Black
Markers: Lost Lagoon, So Saffron, Tangelo Twist
Cardstock: Whisper White, Lost Lagoon, So Saffron
DSP: Scrap from stash
Dies: Lawn Fawn Stitched Scalloped Borders, sun, Mama Elephant Landscape Trio (used as stencil for clouds), Reverse Confetti (sun)
Misc.: Spellbinders EF, craft foam, Wink of Stella (clear), embossing powder (clear)

Zentangle Freehand Style

9/16/2015 Update: "Zentangle" finished in the Top Three at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #124!

We are preparing to go out of town for a few days so I barely made the AHSC challenge deadline, which provided the design inspiration. I don't like to be rushed! After I posted the photos I noticed that in my haste a piece of thread lint from the sewing machine was left behind and a tangerine smudge on the bottom edge, perfectly photographed for all to see - grrrrr!

I am entering the card in three challenges:
Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #124, Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge #267 and Hand Stamped Sentiments Color Challenge #220.

The Zentangled panel is totally my own design. In fact, it was a scrap of practice Zentangling and a friend suggested I use it for the challenge. The fun thing about freehand Zentangling is there are no restrictions or limits, no right or wrong. There is an excellent tutorial HERE. The Zentangled panel was adhered to yellow-toned cardstock and adhered to a panel of Pool Party. The same yellow-toned cardstock was run through the sewing machine and adhered to add a textured strip on each side.

The buttons were sewn on by machine because I don't like naked buttons! The top button has some bright hemp laced and tied through it. The "stamptangled" pumpkin was stamped, fussy-cut and adhered to tangerine cardstock, then fussy cut again to define the image. It was popped up with Dimensionals. The entire Pool Party panel was adhered to a white card base. The inside was decorated with the a stamped off pumpkin image in Tangerine Tango.

Don't hesitate to visit the challenge sites to see all the fabulous creations!
AHSC124, PPACC267 and HSSCC220

Techniques: Zentangling, stamping, stamping off, fussy cutting, machine sewing

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

 

Products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Stamp: Just for Fun Stamptangle Pumpkin (medium size)

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Black Journaling Pen

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party, Tangerine Tango, yellow from stash to represent Daffodil Delight and Crushed Curry

Misc.: Buttons and orange hemp from stash, Bernina sewing machine, Gutermann black upholstery thread

The Pachyderm Party

The stamp and die sets I used today always put a smile on my face - I just love these cuties!

The layout was inspired by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #123. There were so many possibilities with this unique sketch and I decided to use some cute critters.

The images except the banners were stamped on white cardstock then all of the images were die cut. Using cardstock that already had a pattern on it for the card base, a panel of Pool Party with a stamped sentiment was adhered. Next a panel of silver embossed foiled paper was added and a panel of white that was colored by using the DTP method so it would match the color of one of the stamped images. The oval was popped up with craft foam and the images were all layered on to the card. The inside of the card was stamped with a bird and a gift box.



For paper crafting fun, join the challenge at the AHSC blog.

Techniques: Die cutting, stamping, Direct to Paper
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")
Products -
Stamps: Lil' Inker Designs Party Pachyderms
Inks: SU! Pool Party & Pumpkin Pie, Memento Tuxedo Black, Ancient Page Amethyst
Cardstock: SU! Whisper White & Pool Party, Pebbles Basics Cardstock Pad, silver embossed foiled paper from stash
Dies: Lil' Inker Designs Party Pachyderms, Spellbinders Classic Ovals
Misc.: Craft foam

The Wish-Filled Trellis

9/02/2015 Update: The Wish-Filled Trellis was a Top Three winner in the AHSC #122!

This card was made for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #122. I like texture and dimension that comes with using simple tools like an embossing folder and pop-up foam products.

The top edge of the card base was sponged to look like clouds in a blue sky. A

panel of cardstock was texturized using an embossing folder, sponged with several inks colors then adhered to the card base. The bottom edge was created using two shades of green die cut cardstock. One piece was adhered directly to the card base, the other was popped up with craft foam.

Four thin strips of cardstock created the trellis. Five sets of die cut flowers were popped up with foam and rhinestones added to their centers. Five leaves were cut from scrap DSP and adhered. To fill in the large blank space on the right, a fern frond was stamped once and then again without re-inking. Usually stamping is done before the embossing but the fern was unplanned until the end.



The sentiment was stamped directly on to the card base. The inside was decorated with stamped butterflies. Stop by and visit the  AHSC blog to join in the challenge fun!

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

Products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: SU! Butterfly Basics stamp set
Inks: Mossy Meadow, Old Olive,Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue (retired), Delightful Dijon (inside), Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: Whisper White, Mossy Meadow, Sahara Sand, Grass Green, Basic Black
DSP: Scraps and gold glitter paper from stash
Dies: Mama Elephant Landscape Trio, Lil' Inker Perky Posies
Misc.: Spellbinders EF, Dimensionals, rhinestones

Hello... Missing You

The color inspiration for this card came from the colourQ challenge #304. Because Poppy Parade is a retired color that I do not have, I used Real Red as a substitute. I tried to keep the design CAS as I often struggle to limit embellishments. I enjoy making cards oriented in landscape to open from the left side rather than the top because they stand up more easily.




On white cardstock, the yellow flower was stamped three times then each was fussy cut to a different size. The edges were sponged and distressed and two leaves were stamped and fussy cut and adhered together with the flower images. The sentiment was die cut twice - once from cardstock and again from craft foam. The cardstock was adhered to the craft foam.



On a panel of white cardstock, the leafy border was stamped in three ink colors. A piece of red burlap was die cut to mimic the shape of the stem and adhered to the cardstock. The white cardstock was then adhered to the card base. The yellow flower image was backed with craft foam to pop it up and adhered along with the sentiment.



The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and a stamped red flower for decoration. The sentiment, Missing You, was also stamped to finish the card. Stop by the cQc challenge blog and see the creative designs!





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

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Beautiful Border stamp set, Studio G (inside sentiment)
Inks: Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana, Real Red
Cardstock: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana, Real Red, Basic Gray
Dies: SU! Greetings Thinlits, Mama Elephant Landscape Trio
Misc.: Red burlap, craft foam

Friends

8/26/2015 Update: This card was a "Top Three" winner in AHSC #121.

The following card was made for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #121.

A panel of Blushing Bride cardstock was die cut to achieve the scallops. That  panel and another of Lost Lagoon with navy dots (DSP) were both backed with Night of Navy cardstock. The sentiment was stamped on Blushing Bride and cut out with a coordinating punch.






The card base is Lost Lagoon cardstock with a panel of Night of Navy cardstock and another panel of tiny flowers in coordinating DSP. The top two panels were backed with craft foam and adhered to the card base. The sentiment was popped up with a Dimensional. The inside of the card was lined with pink cardstock and decorated with the same floral DSP.

Drop by the AHSC blog!

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

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamp: Tiny Tags
Ink: Night of Navy and Lost Lagoon
Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Night of Navy, Lost Lagoon
DSP: Flower Pot Collection
Die: Lil' Inker Dotted Scallops
Punch: Jewelry Tag
Misc.: Dimensionals & craft foam

Wonky Wishes Just for You

Today's card was made for the Hand Stamped Sentiments Color Challenge #218. The colors are Tangerine Tango, Lost Lagoon and Pool Party.

Three wonky squares were die cut from Tangerine Tango and Pool Party dsp. A panel of white cardstock was adhered to a panel of the Tangerine Tango dsp. I then pierced around the wonky squares three times using a halo quilting technique. A sewing machine does quite a nice job of piercing by not using any thread when stitching.


The stitched panel was then adhered to the card base of Lost Lagoon and one row of piercing was sewn around the perimeter. The wonky squares were backed with craft foam and adhered to the card front. The sentiment was stamped in Lost Lagoon ink.

Hemp was laced through the button and it was adhered to the card front. The inside of the card was decorated with a panel of Tangerine Tango dsp and a panel of white cardstock.

Stop by the HSS blog for card making fun!

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

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamp: Watercolor Wings (sentiment)
Ink: Lost Lagoon
Cardstock: Lost Lagoon, Whisper White
DSP: Tangerine Tango & Pool Party scraps
Dies: Lil' Inker Designs Stitched Wonky Squares
Misc.: Button, hemp, craft foam, Bernina sewing machine

Celebrate Your Day

Today's card is for colourQ challenge #303, which requires the use of certain colors.

 

I found it necessary to substitute Island Indigo for the Taken with Teal, which is a retired color, and because I don't have any Rich Razzleberry, I used Raspberry Ripple. The top panel was stamped with simple flowers, leaves and dots then a label shape was intentionally die cut to run off of the left edge. Naturals white cardstock was used because it works well with Early Espresso ink. A frame was cut from Raspberry Ripple cardstock using the same die set and adhered. On the right side of the panel, a strip of glitter paper that matches Island Indigo was adhered along with a strip of Pumpkin Pie cardstock. 

 

The sentiment was stamped in Early Espresso ink on the card base to align with the cut out on the top panel.  A strip of Raspberry Ripple was adhered toward the right side of the card base to align with the strips of color on the top panel.

 

The top panel was backed with craft foam and adhered to the card base. The inside was decorated in the right lower corner with the same flower, leaf and dot stamps as were used on the top panel. Happy Birthday was stamped on the inside of the card in Early Espresso.

 

Visit the colourQ blog for unique color challenges!

 

Techniques: Stamping, die cutting

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

 

Products are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Cardstock: Naturals white, Pumpkin Pie, Raspberry Ripple, teal glitter paper from stash

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Raspberry Ripple, Island Indigo, Early Espresso

Stamps: Lil' Inker "Really Rosemaling" and Verve "Poppy Birthday"

Dies: Spellbinders Label Four 

Misc.: Craft foam

Love Knows No Season

Sometimes it just happens... I had a different presentation in mind when I started this card - I was going to align five different leaf shapes in different colors, plus an acorn, to match the inspiration photo for the challenge at the Paper Smooches SPARKS August challenge. It's curious that while I was working on it, things changed.

 

The card base was stamped along the edge with a leaf design. A panel of Gumball Green cardstock was adhered and then another panel of DSP was adhered. On a panel of Whisper White the various leaf designs were stamped. This stamp set only has two matching leaf dies so the others were fussy cut.

I drew an acorn freehand, including the crisscross design for the acorn cap, added a computer generated sentiment, fussy cut the shape and sponged the acorn to give it a little definition. Some of the cut shapes were adhered to the card front and some were popped up with Dimensionals. The inside of the card was lined with a piece of white cardstock and stamped with a few leaves, using a stamping off (generation stamping) technique.





Visit Paper Smooches to view an array of creative cards and join in the challenge fun!

Techniques: Stamping, die cutting, fussy cutting, freehand drawing, sponging, generation stamping
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Paper Smooches products used:
Stamps: Leafy Greens stamp set
Dies: Loopy Leaf & Hickory Leaf

Stampin' Up! products used:
Cardstock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Gumball Green
DSP: Flowerpot Collection (retired)
Inks: Garden Green, Old Olive, Gumball Green, Mossy Meadow, Cajun Craze, Delightful Dijon, Pumpkin Pie, Crumb Cake
Misc.: Dimensionals, sentiment (computer generated)

Sweet to the Soul

Proverbs 16:24 tells us that, "Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." Whenever I use hexagons on a card I am reminded of a honeycomb and then those words come to mind.

This card has been created for the colourQ challenge #301, which requires using: Calypso Coral, Apricot Appeal (retired), More Mustard, Night of Navy and Whisper White. Similar colors are acceptable. Because the apricot is retired I used So Saffron as a substitute.

 

A panel of Irresistibly Yours emboss resist paper was sponged with navy ink and then wiped clean with a tissue to remove the excess ink, creating the stripes. It was adhered to a navy card base. A die with a wavy round shape was used to cut a piece of vellum and adhered to the blue stripe panel.

The larger flower was stamped in Calypso Coral ink and the smaller flower in More Mustard. They were fussy cut, backed with craft foam and adhered to the vellum.

A panel of So Saffron was die cut to create openings in a hexagon shape. It was then sponged with More Mustard and adhered to a panel of glitter paper in a mustard color. This panel was backed with craft foam and adhered to the card. The bee was stamped and colored using Spectrum Noir markers and its wings were embellished with clear Wink of Stella and Glossy Accents for shine. It was added with a Dimensional.

Finally, the sentiment was die cut from white cardstock, shadowed with navy cardstock and the word, "Sweet" was handwritten with a tiny heart using a Night of Navy marker. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock decorated with a stamped honeycomb in More Mustard and a tiny bee in black ink.

Check out the great cards at cQc #301!

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

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Backyard Basics, Simple Stems, Verve "The Buzz" (inside)
Inks: Calypso Coral, More Mustard, Night of Navy, Memento Tuxedo Black, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Stampin' Write marker (navy)
Cardstock/Paper: Irresistibly Yours emboss resist paper, Vellum, Night of Navy, So Saffron, Whisper White, mustard gold glitter paper from stash
Dies: Backyard Basics (bee), Spellbinders Hexagons, Verve Scroll, ODBD Delicate Doily (vellum)
Misc.: Craft foam, Dimensionals, Wink of Stella, Glossy Accents

Dancin' through the Milky Way

8/2/2015 Update:" Dancin' through the Milky Way" was a Design Team Pick in the Can You Case It? #79 Challenge!



My Milky Way card was going to be the original submission for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #117 but I decided to set it aside and submit THIS card. But this morning, while tidying my work space, I retrieved the card from the heap on my table and decided to finish it. So now I have two submissions to the AHSC challenge. This card also works for two other "Anything Goes" challenges. One is at Can You Case It #79 and the other at Aud Sentiments #136.

I love the way that it is possible to tessellate certain shapes, especially bicentric hexagons. I specifically placed them so that there is a stellated shape created by the six triangles surrounding one hexagon.

First a panel of white cardstock was sponged with five shades of blue for an ombre effect then heat embossed with clear powder. The shapes were die cut using a hexagon. The

hexagons were backed with Dimensionals and adhered to white glimmer paper cut with curvy edges freehand. On a white card base, a panel of glimmer paper was adhered then covered with a piece of blue glitter paper that had been punched with star shapes. The wavy panel was adhered to the blue paper.

Tiny stars left from punching blue glitter paper along with a few star punches of white glimmer paper were adhered on the hexagons. Three stars were punched and adhered to the upper right of the card. A sentiment was masked and stamped on white, adhered to blue glitter paper, then to white glimmer paper with a hexagon and a blue star. The inside was decorated with two die cut hexagons.

Visit Aud Sentiments and CYCI blogs for lots of card styles, and be sure to view the array of hexagon creations at AHSC #117!

Techniques: Stamping, masking, punching, heat embossing, die cutting, sponging, freehand cutting

Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Stamp: Fabulous Four (masked sentiment)

Inks: Soft Sky, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Midnight Muse, Night of Navy, Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Whisper White, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper, blue glitter paper from stash

Dies: Spellbinders Hexagons

Punches: Star Confetti, Itty Bitty Shapes (star)

Misc.: Dimensionals, clear embossing powder