Lakeside Birthday for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  The Paper Players are back with a new challenge and since this is the 5th Sunday of the month, the amazing Jaydee is hosting our Tic Tac Toe challenge.  She's created a wonderful board with lots of great choices.

Paper Players

I'm also joining in with Seize the Birthday, where the toppings is to use a silhouette on your birthday card.

STB #308

From the TTT board, I chose the center column - something that flies, die cut and layers - but it could easily go across the bottom row as well.

I'm quite smitten with these Waffle Flower Postage Collage products, so this won't be the last you'll see in the next few weeks.  When I lived in Oregon, our house was about a mile from a National Wildlife Refuge, so my husband and I would frequently walk the 3.5 mile path around it. There were always herons, storks, ducks, geese, hawks, eagles, deer, frog, etc. (depending on the time of year, of course) and when I saw this particular Lake Sunset stamp set, it reminded me of those times (except no waterlilies there). I also used a couple of bird stamps from two other PC sets. 

I used the Postage Collage Blocks die, which cut out the little panels, that were then ink blended before adding the silhouette images.  The Postage Collage die was cut from a white panel and then the little panels were added using foam tape.  The sentiment is from an Altenew mini stamp set.  The postage panel was matted with an aqua panel then added to the card front.  I didn't add any of the postage elements, such as first class or the cancellation mark, because I just love the wildlife scene as is, but it's always an option for another card.

The Tic Tac Toe challenge is always fun, with so many options for creating, I do hope you'll join us this week.  The challenge will remain open until Friday, July 4th at 3pm EDT (Happy Independence Day to those in the US!).  But before you head off, please take a minute to pop over to the challenge blog for a bevy of inspiration from my talented teammates.  

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Waffle Flower Postage Collage Lake Sunset, Forest Sunset and Wild Birds stamps
• WF Postage Collage die and Blocks die
• Altenew Regal Frame sentiment stamp
• Altenew Aloe Vera, Matcha Tea, Dew Drop and Aqualicious inks

Cast A Spell for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  It's Sunday and we have a new challenge at the Paper Players.  This week, the amazing Elizabeth is hosting our sketch challenge and asking everyone to make a true one-layer card.  That's right, no layers allowed.

Paper Players

Since this is sketch week and not CAS week, the design I came up with is definitely not clean, although technically it is pretty simple.  Let's take a look!

Colorful, yes?  Also, cute, right?  I adore so many of the stamps from Whimsy Stamps, but especially this wizard with his little dragon and the cute frog!!  

Anyway, I started with a white card base and since I needed a landscape layout, it became a sidefold.  After stamping and masking the images, I opened the card, laid it flat and taped off the back so I could ink blend on the front, using Distress inks in green, blue and purple.

Next, the masks were removed and I colored the images with Copic markers.  I did lean on a couple of samples by amazing Jennifer Dove on the web site, for shading ideas.  Once the coloring was done, I put the masks back over the images, then splattered the background using a paint brush dipped in an iridescent spray.  

I love how this turned out.  The funny thing is that cutting out the masks was some of the most time-consuming things about the card.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  My fabulously talented teammates have lots of wonderful cards for your inspiration, so I encourage you to visit the blog before heading off to your crafty space.  The challenge will be open until 3pm EDT Friday, June 27th.  I hope to see your card in the gallery! 

Take care!

Stef

• Whimsy Stamps Cast a Spell and Create Magic stamp sets
• Hero Arts White Iridescent spray
• Chipped Sapphire, Wilted Violet and Twisted Citron Distress inks
• Copics:  Hats and robe - B39, 37, 34, 32, Y15, T4, 2, 0; Beard - C03, 01, 0; Wand - E77, 74, 71, YG67, 17, 05, 01; Book/Shoes - E79, 77, 74, 71; Dragon - V09, 06, 04, 01, YG05, Y15; Frog - YG67, 17, 05, 01, T2, 0

Wildflower Hello for Color Hues

Hello friends!  We have a new challenge at Color Hues and this time I am hosting.  I love this color combo and, as my talented teammates and our wonderful Guest Designer Teresa have demonstrated over at the challenge, it can be used for many different types of designs.

Color Hues

I decided to use some Distress products that I have long neglected for my card.  I watched a Tim Holtz Live video and was soooo inspired.  Although I only used a very simple technique with sprays for my card, the video gave me many more ideas I hope to use in the future.  I based my card layout on one by a Sizzix maker that Tim shared during the live.

I started with two A2 panels of Distress watercolor paper, textured side up.  On one I used Saltwater Taffy Distress Spray Stain, which is a nice pinky peach, and on the other used Salty Ocean.  I did the spray, water and dry method on both then repeated it a couple more times with the Salty Ocean, also smooshing color from my glass board mat.  To finish the Salty Ocean panel, I added splatter using the Distress spray along with water and white paint.  

When the panels were dry, the cobalt one was trimmed down then I used a distressing tool all around the edges.  I found a strip of white woodgrain cardstock to anchor the die cut wildflowers and then wrapped hemp twine all around before adhering everything to the card base.  The sentiment was layered three time the added to the card front.  

Thank you for visiting today and I do hope you'll join us for this challenge.  For further ideas and inspiration, I encourage you to visit the blog.  The challenge will remain open until Sunday, June 29th at 3pm EDT.  Hope to see you there!

Stef

• Tim Holtz/Sizzix Wildflowers #1 dies
• Altenew Versatile Greetings die
• Ellen Hutson Woodgrain cardstock
• Spellbinders Splatter White paint

Paper Posy Birthday for The Flower Challenge

Hello friends!  I'm back with a new card for our reminder post at The Flower Challenge.  This month we're using embossing on our floral cards.

TFC 103R

I'm also playing along with the SSS Wednesday Challenge where are cards are to feature fur, feathers or flowers, along with the AG portion of the challenge at Seize the Birthday.

For my first card this month I added dry embossing to the background. This time I added dry embossing to both the card background and to some of the flowers and leaves.

I used the relatively new Paper Posy set from Concord & 9th, which includes an embossing folder to use with some of the flowers and leaves.  All the elements for the floral spray were cut from Spellbinders gorgeous cardstock, with the exception of the yellow and white flower centers.  

After die cutting, I used the embossing folders on the dark green leaves and the petals of the largest flower, then assembled the spray on a panel embossed with Spellbinders Tiny Dots folder.  The sentiment and the label die are from the same set.  I referenced the packaging for some of my flower and leaf colors, along with arrangement, which I altered to fit the 5" square card and include the sentiment.  It's such a cute set with lots of ways to use some or all the elements.  I did notice that I neglected to add gems to the small flower centers, so I'll do that before sending.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you'll take a moment to visit the challenge; as always my talented teammates have some amazing inspiration for you.  I also hope you'll join us if you haven't yet or add a second card to the gallery, if you have already joined in.  Plenty of time left, the challenge ends Wednesday, June 25th.  

Take care!

Stef

• C&9th Paper Posy stamp, die and embossing folder set
• Spellbinders Sicily, Coral, Bellini, Rainforest, Fern, Blue Spruce and Breeze cardstocks
• C&9th Sunflower cardstock
• Spellbinders Tiny Dots ef

Christmas Berries for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  We have a new challenge at the Paper Players and this week the lovely Claire is hosting and has chosen a theme of fruit for our CAS week.  

 

Paper Players

 

I took a bit of a different turn with this challenge, creating two Christmas cards with berry branches, since I really don't have many fruit images, plus I always like to add to my holiday card stash. 

Both cards use the Gentle Berries dies by Kristina Werner at Concord & 9th.  This card was inspired by one of her samples on the web site, using a red background with the stenciled dashes.  The berry branch was die cut three times with white, red and green glitter cardstock then adhered as you see above to a base.  The sentiment was also die cut from white glitter cardstock.

I first tried to stencil the dash lines with white pigment ink but a combination of a rather dry ink pad plus the thickness of the stencil didn't yield a satisfactory result.  So I used a white gel pen, then I covered the dash lines with Distress Sparkle Texture paste so the dashes would also have some subtle sparkle.

The second card uses a different orientation of the branch and sentiment, along with a snowflake embossed background and a white glitter frame.  

I decided to go monochromatic with turquoise and light blue, although the photos look more on the blue side.  Both cards were super easy to put together and I think the sparkle lends itself to these CAS designs.  What do you think?  

My talented teammates have some wonderful and varied designs to inspire you, so please make a quick trip to the challenge before heading off to your crafty space.  The challenge will remain open until Friday, June 20th at 3pm EDT.  Hope to see your card in the gallery!

If you have a chance later today, come back and take a peek at my reminder card for The Flower Challenge.

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Kristina Werner/Concord & 9th Gentle Berries Dies
• KW/C&9 Kristina's Finishing Touches Stencils (card 1)
• Simon Says Stamp Flourished Merry Christmas die
• Lawn Fawn and SSS Glitter cardstocks
• Distress Texture Paste (card 1)
• Spellbinders/Simon Hurley Sparkling Snow embossing folder
• SSS A7 Nesting Frames

Blooming Delight for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  It's time for a new challenge at the Paper Players and this week I am hosting.  It's a color challenge for which I chose peach, light blue and green, plus you're welcome to use any neutrals.

Paper Players

While this trio of colors could be used for many types of designs, like a plaid or a nature/sky scene, I went with florals.

I used the Blooming Delight stamp, stencils and die for the floral image, which is large enough that I opted for an A7 card size.  I used the challenge colors along with neutral brown for the flower centers.  For the panel it is adhered to, Altenew Sea Glass ink was blended at an angle, the attached to a larger mat.  Both panels were die cut with matting dies, so they each have a nice impression around the edges.  

The panels were adhered to the card base, then I decided to add a bit of gold splatter to go with the foiled sentiment.  For the most part, I kept the paint on the white panel because I didn't want to go overboard with it.  When dried, the flower and sentiment were added with a bit of foam tape.

I hope you like this combination of colors and will join us this week!  My teammates have some beautiful inspiration on the blog, so I highly encourage you to go take a peek.  The challenge ends Friday, June 13th at 3pm EDT - I hope to see your card in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by and take care.

Stef

• Altenew Blooming Delight stamp, stencils and dies
• Spellbinders Everyday Sentiments Foil plate
• Spellbinders 5 x 7 Matting Basics A dies
• Pinkfresh Studio Apricot and Clementine inks
• Simon Says Stamp Peachy, Latte and Cappiccino inks
• Altenew Lime, Frayed Leaf, Reindeer Moss and Sea Glass inks
• Altenew Metallic Gold paint

Sweet Jasmine Thanks for The Flower Challenge

Hello friends!  It's a new month which brings a new theme to The Flower Challenge.  For June, we're asking everyone to use embossing, dry or heat, on their cards.  Easy peasy, right?

TFC 103

Oooo, so many ways to go about using embossing.  This time I opted to dry emboss a panel for my card background, but instead of an embossing folder, I used a foil plate with a geometric design.

I started with Altenew's Sweet Jasmine press plate and instead of black ink I used Altenew's Indigo Skies ink, which is also the darkest color used on the flowers.  The stencils made the coloring easy, then I came in with a gold pen for the stamen.  The press plate was also used to create the sentiment in the same dark blue.

To use a foil plate to emboss, simply follow the directions on your die cut machine for embossing with a die.  I used the debossed side of the white panel, but either way, it looked wonderful.

I didn't want to just plop my flowers into the middle of an embossed background, and I was inspired by my friend Michele's use of angled embossing on her card here, although I simply used a trimmer to cut the panel at an angle.  After mounting to a dark blue panel, I finished it off with a thin strip of gold.  I think I got a bit carried away with the gold baubles, which is funny since I don't often used embellishments these days.

So there's my sample for this challenge and I encourage you to pop over to the blog and see the amazing cards by my talented teammates.  The challenge ends Wednesday, June 25th and I do hope you'll make time to join us this month!

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Altenew Sweet Jasmine press plates, stencils and dies
• Pinkfresh Studio Geo Arches foil plate
• Simon Says Stamp Strips 1 die
• Altenew Water Hyacinth, Alpine Aster, Crystal Violet, Indigo Skies, Aloe Vera, Matcha Tea, Swamp Green and Oak Moss Fresh Dye inks
• Trinity Stamps Golden Baubles

Rose Peony for Color Hues

Hello friends!  How did it become June already ha ha?  What that does bring is a new challenge at Color Hues and this time the lovely Sheri has a wonderful pairing to inspire us.

Color Hues

Last time we had coral in our color combination, I struggled with it, so I became determined to find some inks that would work.  Subsequently, I happened to see a Jennifer McGuire live and she shared a trio from Altenew that I kept in mind and used on my card today.

The Lovely Rose Peony set from Altenew included stencils, so I dived right into using them with my new found trio of Pink Pearl, Coral Bliss and Coral Red.  It's more on the pink side of coral, which I prefer.  The matching dies cut both the floral image and the sentiment.

For the background I pulled out an old red rubber background stamp from MFT and inked it up both lightly and imperfectly with a light gray ink.  I liked the subtle variation it created.  Finished things off with a few gems from my stash.

What are you inspired to create with these colors?  I hope you'll show us by joining in - the challenge will be open until 9 am EDT Saturday 6/14.  Before then, be sure to pop over to the challenge where my amazingly talented teammates have plenty more inspiration for you.

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Altenew Lovely Rose Peony stamps, dies and stencils
• MFT Lined by Hand Background stamp
• Altenew Pink Pearl, Coral Bliss, Coral Red, Lime, Frayed Leaf, Reindeer Moss and Jet Black inks
• SSS Flannel ink

Shaker Birthday for the Paper Players

Hello friends! It's the first of June (what?!!) and we have a new theme challenge for you at the Paper Players.  The lovely Jan has chosen Recycling.  Lots of options for that, such as reusing cards you've received in a different configuration, reusing packaging or fabric with an attractive design or using clear packaging for a new purpose, as I have. Or many other options I haven't thought of but I'm hoping you'll share with us this week!

Paper Players

I'm also joining in at Seize the Birthday in their AG catagory.

STB #306

For my card, I used clear, lightweight packaging that originally held a stamp set to create a flat shaker card.  It was so easy, I made two.

I have a folder of backgrounds from prior crafty sessions, so I guess, in a sense, they are recycled too.  Anyway, I used one with a lovely feather design where I had inked up the flat side of an embossing folder, spritzed it with water, then ran it through my die cut machine.  It's a bit of a messy process but you can see the results are cool looking.  

I cut a piece of clear packaging to a rectangle about a half inch larger on all sides of the panel, then used strong double-sided tape on the back of the panel to secure three of the sides, leaving one end open to add the sequin mix, then securing it and cutting off all the extra. The sentiment was heat embossed on vellum, wrapped around the shaker, then the shaker was added to a slightly larger panel of copper with more strong double-sided tape. I was so pleased to use up some of my old sequin stash and this mix is really pretty with lots of copper and aqua sequins.

For the second card I used another of those panels, but for this card it was one with a floral embossed watercolor paper that had some messy watercoloring in pink with some gold splatter. I used pink, blue and gold sequins, then added a die cut sentiment on top.  After looking at this photo, I think I'll add a thin gold frame to finish it off a bit more nicely.

So glad you stopped by, and I hope you'll head over to the challenge where my teammates have some wonderful inspiration.  The challenge will be open until 3pm EDT on Friday, June 6th - I hope to see your card in the gallery!

Take care!

Stef

Come back later this morning to see my DT card for Color Hues!

• Simon Says Stamp Feathe Spiral and Floating Flowers embossing folders
• SSS Basic Box Card Happy Birthday die (card #2)
• Honey Bee Stamps Pickup Lines stamp set (card #1)
• Sequins from my stash