Blossoming Buds Birthday

3/14/2016 Update: Blossoming Buds was a Sapphire Award winner at the Color Dare
Challenge #183.





With a family birthday coming up next week, I decided to use the Color My Heart: Color Dare Challenge #183 as inspiration for my card. I keep a matrix of upcoming challenges that I may be interested in, so this was perfect to combine with the Just Us Girls Challenge #333. A friend of mine told me about another challenge a few weeks ago, so this is my first time participating in a Craftin' Desert Divas challenge.

Little did I realize that the birthday gift I received from a friend a few months ago would come in handy for this challenge. She gave me the CTMH DSP collection called "Penelope." The papers and colors are lovely and I used four different designer papers on my card.

A panel of DSP was adhered to a card base. Another panel of white cardstock was adhered. A light spatter of blue ink was added to the white cardstock. The flourishes were die cut and adhered. The frames were die cut and backed with foam tape to pop them up. The flowers were stamped and colored with markers and touched up with clear Wink of Stella then fussy cut and adhered to the frame. The sentiment was stamped and layered and backed with foam tape. The inside was lined with white cardstock and a strip of the blue DSP.

Visit the Color Dare, JUGS and CDD Challenge blogs!




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

Close to My Heart Materials
Cardstock: Pear
DSP: "Penelope" Collection

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamp: Balloon Celebration (sentiment)
Ink: Bashful Blue
Cardstock: Whisper White
Dies: Squares Framelits
Misc.: Dimensionals Foam

Other Materials
Stamp: Paper Smooches "Blossoming Buds"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Spectrum Noir Markers
Die: My Favorite Things Die-namics Fancy Flourish
Misc.: Wink of Stella (clear)

The Chocolate Bunny

This card was selected as a favorite for the Featured Stamper of the Week.

It was easy to make a chocolate bunny with a challenge that uses brown and knowing Easter is less than a month away. It resulted in the combining of two challenges:

1. Can You Case It? Sketch Challenge #110 (weekly):








2. Sunday Stamps Color Challenge #121 (biweekly):

A panel of white cardstock was die cut with a coverall die and adhered to a card base. A die cut tag was cut in three colors of cardstock and stamped with a bunny. The butterfly and gems were added and the tag was backed with foam tape. The banners were stamped on white cardstock and backed with brown cardstock. The banner to the front was backed with foam tape. The pieces were all adhered to the card. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock and decorated with two butterflies.

Be sure to check out the CYCI110 and SSC121 challenge blogs!

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

Stampin' Up! Materials:
Stamp: "Crazy About You" (sentiment)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink
Punch: Bitty Butterfly
Misc.: Dimensionals foam

Other Materials:
Stamp: My Favorite Things "Easter Bunny"
Dies: Lil' Inker Designs "Diamond Lace" & Pretty Pink Posh "Decorative Tag #1"
Misc.: Studio G pink gems

God Is Good - Masculine Card

Needing a masculine card offered the perfect opportunity to use the sketch at Pals Paper Arts Challenge #290 for inspiration.

A panel of white cardstock was adhered to a card base then three pieces of DSP were adhered to that panel. A square of DSP was matted, backed with foam and adhered to the card. A stamped die cut was matted, backed with foam and adhered. All of those pieces were sponged along the edges with ink. A bird was die cut, backed with foam and adhered to the card. The inside was lined with a panel of white cardstock and a die cut bird was adhered.


Be sure to check out the challenges at PPA290!

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

Stampin' Up! Materials:
Cardstock: Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder
DSP: from stash
Ink: Night of Navy
Die: Apothecary Accents Framelits
Misc.: Dimensionals foam

Other Materials:
Stamp: Reverse Confetti "God Is Good"
DSP: from stash
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Die: Memory Box "Nestled Bird"

Always Look for Rainbows

Making a card for three challenges is a challenge in itself!

1. Sugar Pea Designs Sugar Sketch #43 (monthly)








2. Color Throwdown #382 (weekly)









3. The Paper Players Theme #285 (weekly)











I've had this stamp set for a long time and have been wanting to use it. When I saw the Rain or Shine theme, I was reminded of this cute stamp set.

A panel of pink was texturized with an embossing folder to look like falling rain. The banner was stamped, colored and matted, then adhered to the pink panel. The chevron ribbon was added. The sentiment was stamped, die cut and sponged with a pink and lagoon rainbow, then adhered to a mat and fussy cut. It was backed with foam to pop it up and add dimension.

The focal stack was adhered to a panel of white and then to a white card base. The card was lined with white cardstock and decorated with three strips of cardstock. No verse was stamped to leave space for a note.

Drop in and visit the three blogs for challenge fun: SPDSS43, CTD382, PP285.

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

Stampin' Up! Materials:
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Island Indigo, Pretty in Pink
Inks: Pretty in Pink, Island Indigo, Lost Lagoon
Die: Apothecary Accents Framelits
Misc: Island Indigo 3/4" Chevron Ribbon, Dimensionals foam, TIEF

Other Materials:
Stamps: Cats Pajamas "Look for Rainbows"
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers

Sending Happy Thoughts

Time for another March monthly challenge. This card was inspired by the Sugar Pea Designs Sugar Sketch #43. That has a ring to it - makes me think the cards should be made of candy. No candy here, but lots of candy colors!

I recently purchased one sheet of DSP in spring colors in an Argyll design. When I saw the sketch background is sort of a Harlequin or Argyll, I used the new paper. The reverse side of the DSP is pink with cream doilies, which is used for the banner.

Flowers and leaves were die cut in colors to match the DSP. Two circles were die cut, a band of cardstock was dry embossed in a doily design and the triple-layered banner was trimmed with scallops. A panel of cardstock was adhered to the card base, then the DSP was adhered. The banner was next, followed by the embossed band. The two circles were backed with foam and popped up on the card front, The sentiment was stamped, die cut and adhered. The flowers and leaves were adhered in coordinating colors. The inside was lined with a panel of cardstock and decorated with die cut flowers.

To join in the monthly challenges, visit the SPD blog.


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



Stampin' Up! Materials:
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Coastal Cabana, Rose Red, Daffodil Delight
Ink: Rose Red
Misc.: TIEF (retired)

Other Materials:
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp "Circle Sayings" (sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
DSP: Authentique "Fancy"
Dies: Spellbinders Classic Circles, Lacy Circles; Lil' Inker Designs "Perky Posies"
Misc.: Craft foam

Father's Day Card for Husband

3/09/2016 Update: "Top Three" winner at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge!






Today's card was inspired by two challenges, one a sketch and one a theme, but I missed the theme by five minutes because I did not pay attention to the time zone. Therefore, it is being entered only at the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #149. Next time I'll be more careful about the time!

I turned the challenge sketch on its side so the banners would be flowing in the direction of the steam and flag of the ship. The sentiment was moved to the bottom edge of the card.

A panel of white cardstock was stamped with a ship image, then sponged for the water and foggy look. Some clouds were stamped off, then stamped at the top of the image. The panel was sponged and adhered to two more panels, then backed with craft foam to pop it up on the base. A panel of cardstock was adhered to the card base, then a panel of DSP was added. The image stack was adhered to the card base. The banners were cut and adhered. The sentiment was stamped and the metallic gems were added. The inside of the card was lined with a panel of white cardstock, stamped off and then stamped with a globe. A verse was stamped over the globe, leaving sufficient space for a personal note for my husband on Father's Day.

For challenging sketches, visit the AHSC blog!

Techniques: Stamping, sponging, stamping off
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials:
Stamps: "Traveler" (ship and globe), "You're Wonderful" (sentiment)
Inks: Night of Navy, Lost Lagoon, Basic Gray
Cardstock: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Tempting Turquoise, Vellum


Other Materials:
DSP: Lil' Inker Designs Dip Dyed Ombre Paper Pad
Misc.: Studio G gems, craft foam

Mixed Media with Tassel

Several friends and acquaintances enjoy creating mixed media cards and items. I've had a mild interest in it for a while so decided to try something when I saw the Design Team samples at Lessology Challenge #55. Besides the primary requirement, which was to include a tassel, entries also needed to include one upcycled item in their creation.

Using a small stretched canvas, here is my first attempt at this clever art form. It's not as easy as it looks. Once finished, I saw things I should have done differently with better planning so it's a lesson well learned.

The canvas was covered with a thin coat of gesso to seal the canvas. A few pieces of torn paper in a peacock feather design were added and adhered with gesso. As I started to layer, the peacock feathers were covered. Several colors of acrylic paint were added, a little bit of chunky glitter, a painted wood bird, a treble clef and an eighth note were stenciled, the corrugated "M" adhered and painted or sponged or daubed with colors. The old drawer pull, my upcycled item, was adhered with a glue gun and the tassel draped over it. Lastly, some gold paste wax was added here and there for a bit of shine.

Mixed Media is not a requirement to participate at the LESSology Challenge!

I usually add detail about materials when I post card photographs. I did not do that here because everything used is a common craft supply. If you wish to ask anything specific, let me know in the comments below or via my email address by clicking on the "Contact Me" tab at the top. Thanks for looking!

Springtime Hello in Watercolor

After reading about the Can You Case It Color Challenge #109, I decided to make another spring card. The colors are a lovely combination. When I use a landscape orientation, I like the card to open from the side rather than at the bottom. If the recipient wants to stand the card, it provides more stability.

A panel of watercolor paper was stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with aqua embossing powder. The panel was then water colored, dried, cut to size and edge sponged. Then it was adhered to a panel of white and a card base of Tempting Turquoise cardstock. Making a paste with water and white craft ink, a brush was used to splatter a very small amount of white on the card. Also on the watercolor paper, an area of stripes were painted and another area of flowers, which were cut away from the adhered panel. The stripes were die cut into a tag and adhered to two additional layers of tags. The tag was decorated with a smaller tag, the die cut greeting, a gem and the ribbon. It was then backed with foam and adhered to the front of the card. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with the spare watercolored flowers after they were fussy cut.

Close up of embossed flowers:

Visit the CYCI blog for fun challenges and clever creations!

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

Stampin' Up! Materials:
Cardstock: Watercolor, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise, White Craft
Misc.: Dimensionals foam

Other Materials:
Stamps: Lil' Inker Designs "Inky Flowers"
Dies: Lil' Inker Designs "Dotted Tags" & Paper Smooches "Hello Words"
Misc.: Recollections embossing powder (aqua), Studio G gem, ribbon from stash

Plain and Fancy CAS

Today's card is for Color My Heart: Color Dare #182. I named it "Plain and Fancy" because of the fancy flourishes in the background and the somewhat plain circles used to decorate it. I wanted it to be clean and simple so purposely did not use a sentiment. The card can be used merely for catching up on correspondence or perhaps an occasion.

On a panel of white cardstock, the flourishes were stamped. The circles were die cut and hole punched in various ways and backed with foam tape to pop them up for Dimension. Touches of Glossy Accents were added randomly. The panel was adhered to another panel and then to a card base. The inside of the card was decorated with stamped flourishes.

Visit the Color Dare blog for weekly color challenges!

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






Materials:
CTMH
Cardstock: Smoothie


Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Flowering Flourishes
Ink: Watermelon Wonder
Cardstock: Whisper White, Lost Lagoon
Punches: 3/8",  1/2",  1/8", 1/16" circles
Misc.: Dimensionals foam

Other:
Dies: Spellbinders "Classic Circles" & Simon Says Stamp "Dot Circles"
Misc.: Glossy Accents

Watercolored Mehndi

"Intrigued" is probably my reaction to the beauty of intricate Mehndi designs. Henna is applied to the skin, staining it temporarily. It is worn for weddings and other festivals, usually by women from India and Pakistan. It is quite beautiful to see up close. The stamp set I used for my card is a take on Mehndi design but in a less intricate way.

My card was inspired by the Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge #289.

Using an Aqua Painter, the navy ink was painted on watercolor paper, cut to size and set aside to dry. The pink and green inks were then painted on watercolor paper. Once dry, the images were stamped with navy ink, fussy cut, and the edges sponged to darken the navy. On the panel with navy ink, the flowers were backed with foam and adhered. The leaf bases were adhered flat with a tiny piece of foam at the points so they would curl. Additional decorative stamping in green was added and the sentiment was stamped in navy. The finished panel was adhered to a panel of navy and a card base of green. The inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with a fussy cut flower.

For creative card ideas, visit the PPA289 color challenge!

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

Stampin' Up! Materials:
Inks: Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, Night of Navy
Paper: Watercolor, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Night of Navy
Misc.: Dimensionals foam, Aqua Painter

Other Materials:
Stamps: Altenew "Modern Mehndi"