Grateful Friend

Hi there and welcome back!  Fall has turned pretty spectacular here in Western Oregon, which helped inspire the card I'm sharing with you today.  That and the wonderful color challenge at Sunday Stamps and fabulous sketch from Freshly Made Sketches!

SSC189

FMS358

Once again I pulled out my current favorite fall stamp set, BB Fall Friends.  I can't get enough of the cute images that are just perfect for fall.  I colored the images with Copic markers then die cut them with companion dies.

The background panel was die cut from retired So Saffron textured card stock, then adhered to a white card base.  On a separate piece of Bristol card stock I ink blended the background for my little scene then die cut with a Stitched Shape Circle framelit.  The primary images and sentiment were adhered then it was popped up on the card base with foam tape.  A couple of leaves evidently floated off the pile behind the girl and her little squirrel, and ended up below the scene. :-)

Thanks for visiting, I really appreciate it!  I hope you'll use the links above and check out both challenges!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Birdie Brown Fall Friends (MFT)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Pumpkin Pie, Textured So Saffron, Koh-I-Noor Bristol
Ink:  Gina K Amalgam, Versamark, Distress Inks:  Tumbles Glass, Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade
Other:  Stitched Rectangle Die (SugarPea Designs), Stitched Shapes Framelit (SU), MFT Cloud stencil, Brutus Monroe Alabaster embossing powder
Copics:  Coat, boots, leaves:  R08, YR07,12 BG 11,13; Pumpkin: YR18,07,14; Skirt, Scarf, Hat:  BG 11,13,09; Hair:  E23,25,29; Skin: E00,11,50, R20; Squirrel:  E51, 53, 37
 

Gratitude

Hello again!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Pam is hosting this week and she has chosen the lovely combination of Real Red, Garden Green and So Saffron, with a "dessert" option of stenciling. I'm also joining the SCS Free For All challenge to make a small or long tall card. 

I'm also joining the current challenge at The Paper Players, with a theme challenge of leaves or trees. 

PP413

Originally I was going to make a Christmas card with the challenge colors but when my first attempt ended up in the trash bin, I decided an autumn themed card would work perfectly.  I used a Tim Holtz stencil and Festive Berries, Mowed Lawn and Scattered Straw Distress Inks to sponge the leaves through the stencil on a Bristol panel, then lightly added Antique Linen over the background and Walnut Stain around the edges.  It was trimmed down in order to fit a tall and skinny card, then gold embossing powder was heat set around the edges.

The sentiment was also heat set with gold embossing powder on Very Vanilla card stock, then adhered to a Real Red layer, both of which die cut with Tags & Labels Framelits.  After wrapping the panel with gold cord and popping the sentiment up with foam tape, the stenciled panel was adhered to the card base and a few Nuvo Crystal drops added.

Are you like me, making loads of cards but sending them infrequently or not at all? I recently decided to start mailing cards more often to family and friends, just to let them know I was thinking of them, and this card will be going to a special friend.

Thanks for visiting, I appreciate it so much!  I've added links above to The Paper Players and SCS above, so be sure to check out all the challenges.

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Peaceful Place (sentiment/SU)
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Real Red, Early Espresso, Strathmore Bristol
Ink:  Festive Berries, Mowed Lawn, Scattered Straw, Antique Linen, Walnut Stain, Versamark
Other:  Tim Holtz Autumn Leaves Layering stencil, Tags & Labels Framelits (SU), Altenew Antique Gold embossing powder, Gold Cord, English Mustard and Woodland Green Tonic Nuvo Crystal Drops
 

Good Idea!

Hi there and welcome back!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Barbara is hosting this week and she has chosen the Old Olive, Fresh Fig and Pumpkin Pie for her colors this week, with a dessert option of "Halloween". 

I'm also joining the current challenge at The Paper Players, where LeAnne has given us a fun Tic Tac Toe challenge.  The elements I used are die cut, pumpkin and green.

PP 412

Normally I would love to make a Halloween card with this week's challenge colors, but I received my new Art Impressions/Simon Says Stamp collaboration stamp and could not resist coloring it up! 

Ha ha I love these AI ladies, hanging out sipping their Pumpkin Spice lattes while seated on big pumpkins.  It wouldn't seem very comfy but they don't seem to mind in the least!  I used the packaging example to create the shading on the ladies, cups and pumpkins, then expanded it onto the ground and background.  For the "wall" in the background, it was colored with a light warm gray then I used a small textured square drenched in Colorless Blender to create a bit of textured design (you can see it better in the photo below).  After the panel was die cut with a wonky stitched rectangle die, the sentiment was adhered and the panel added to a Fresh Fig card base.

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  Be sure to use the links above to check out both challenges.  Have a great week!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Pumpkin Spice (AI/SSS), My Monthly Hero 0818 (sentiment/Hero Arts)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Fresh Fig
Ink:  Gina K Amalgam Black, Stazon Timber Brown (sentiment)
Other:  Wonky Stitched Rectangle die (SSS), Silver Sakura Gelly Roll pen, Copic markers: YR18, 12, 07, 04, R20, 21, 35, 39, 83 YG17, 91, 95, 97, C3, 5, W0, 1, 3, 5, BV20, 23, E00, 08, 11, 19, 29, 35, 37, 53, 55, 57
 

Cattails

Hi there!  Today I'm sharing a card made for the current challenge at Color Throwdown, using the beautiful combination of aqua/turquoise, green and gray.

ctd 512

I've had a wonderful Cattail triptych die for a while that has been begging to be used, so I thought this color combo would work beautifully, with the green and aqua ink blended behind the die cut images.  I used Distress Inks on Bristol to create the background, then added the die cut panel with foam tape, lots and lots of little pieces of foam tape....

Keeping things simple I added a Tiny Words sentiment and some sequins to finish things off.

Thanks for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added a link to the challenge above, so be sure to head over there and check out all the amazing inspiration!

Stef


Product details

Stamps:  Tiny Words (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Koh-I-Noor Bristol, Smoky Slate (SU)
Ink:  Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint, Peacock Feathers (Distress Ink)
Other:  Cattail Triptych die (SSS), Sparkling Clear Sequins (PPP)
 

Bundles of Hugs

Hi there and welcome back!  I have a card to share that I made for three challenges-the current sketch challenge at The Paper Players, the inspiration challenge at Just Us Girls and the current Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge.

PP #411

Just Us Girls #459

SSS Wednesday Challenge

For my card I decided to use images from the Fall Friends stamp set from MFT, just because I love these cute images and I knew the little girl and her squirrel buddy would fit on a circle that would work well for the sketch.

The stamped images were colored with Copic markers and die cut with the companion dies then set aside.  I also used a couple of colored pencils to darken the shading on the little girls's hat, jacket, skirt and boots.  The circle was die cut from Koh-I-Noor Bristol paper then sponged with Distress Oxide inks, the clouds created with a stencil.  I adhered the images to the circle then set to work on the craft panel.

After using a scallop stitched rectangle die to cut the panel, post it tape was used to mask off the scallop edges, then the leaf, pumpkin and acorn images were stamped randomly over the panel.  I then used a brown Copic marker to fill in some of the open spaces with dots and heat embossed the sentiment.  The panel was cut at an angle, then added to the card base with fun foam.  Lastly the circle with the main images and a few scattered Dew Drops were added.

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added links above to all three challenges, so I hope you'll go check them out.

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Fall Friends (MFT)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm, Koh-I-Noor Bristol
Ink:  Gina K Amalgamated Black, Crumb Cake; DO:  Tumbled Glass, Peeled Paint
Other:  Card Front Element Builder Sugarcut (scallop rectangle/SugarPea Designs), Layering Circle die (SU), Fall Friends companion dies, Hero Arts White Embossing Powder,
Dew Drops, Copic markers, Prismacolor Colored Pencils
 

Plaid Birthday

Hi there and welcome back!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  I'm hosting this week and have chosen Shaded Spruce, Mango Melody and Grapefruit Grove with a dessert challenge to use polka dots, stripes or plaid.

I've seen a few videos about making your own plaid pattern without plaid making stamps so I decided to give it a try since we are coming up to flannel weather.  I pulled out a panel of Bristol paper, took two strips of Post It tape to mark off the stripes (lining it up straight with the Stampin' Up grid paper underneath) then used a Ranger ink blending tool to apply the color.  I went across the panel alternating the colors, plus the size of the inked strips and white space in between.  I then turned the panel 45 degrees and went the other direction using the same colors and pattern.  Lots of ink on my fingers but it was fun to make!  After drying the ink with my heat tool, I used a stitched rectangle die to trim it down.

On two separate pieces of watercolor paper I did a watercolor wash of Shaded Spruce alone and one with Shaded Spruce and Mango Melody, being careful to add one color, let it dry then add the other so they did not mix and create mud!  Once dry, the leaves were die cut from them, adhered together at the top then wrapped with a bit of linen thread.  The sentiment die was cut three times from white card stock, layered and added to the plaid panel along with the leaves, and the entire then adhered to the Desert Storm layer with foam tape.  No embellishments since the plaid was so busy.

Thanks for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added a link to the Color Challenge above, so I hope you'll use it to check it out and hopefully join in this week!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  None
Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm, Koh-I-Noor Bristol, Canson XL watercolor
Ink:  Shaded Spruce, Mango Melody, Grapefruit Grove
Other:  Happy Birthday Script and Stitched Rectangle dies (Simon Says Stamp), Layered Leaves Die-namics (MFT), Linen Thread (SU), Ranger Ink Blending tools, Post It 2" inch tape
 

Magnolia

Hi there!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Karen is hosting this week and she has chosen the lovely combination of Berry Burst, Pool Party and Soft Suede, with a dessert option to use a solid stamp, which I chose to pass on this week.

The beautiful magnolia stamp was inked up and stamped on Neenah card stock, then colored with Copic markers in colors similar to the challenge colors.  For the leaves, the color is similar to Mossy Meadow and the halo around the flower akin to Pool Party.  The trimmed down panel was layered on a piece of Soft Suede card stock then popped up with fun foam on the scallop edged Berry Burst panel.  The sentiment is from the same stamp set as the magnolia (listed below).  The final touch was to add a few Ivory Seashell Nuvo Drops.

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I hope you'll use the link above to check out the Color Challenge and hopefully join us this week!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Magnificent Magnolia (Clearly Besotted/Simon Says Stamp Stamptember collaboration)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Soft Suede, Berry Burst
Ink:  Gina K Amalgamate Jet Black
Other:  Small Oval punch (SU), Card Front Element Builder (scallop die/SugarPea Designs), Tonic Nuvo Ivory Seashell Crystal Drops; Copic markers:  RV00,02,04,06,09,E33,35,YG61,63,BG1,B0000
 

Sending Hugs

Hi there, crafty friends!  I have a card to share that I made with the new Fall Friends from MFT.  This stamp set has so many cute images, I am just over the moon about it.  To create my card I used the current challenges at Color Throwdown and MFT Weekly Sketch Challenge.  I'm also joining the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge to "Pop it Up".

CTD #510

MFTWSC #402

SSS Wed Challenge "Pop it Up"

I started with a panel of Neenah Solar White, stamped the images with MFT Extreme Black ink then set about coloring with Copic markers, using the Color Throwdown colors.  Once colored I used the companion dies to cut out them.

To create a scene for our cute pumpkin sitter and her squirrel friend, I die cut olive card stock with a couple of hillside dies then added to a small panel with some stenciled clouds.  I then added the images and sentiment popping up the squirrel, sentiment and back of the girl with foam tape.  For the base I stamped a pumpkin, acorn and various leaf images, along with a dot stamp with Simon Says Stamp Barely Beige ink, then used foam tape to adhere the focal panel.

That finishes up my card.  Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added links to the challenges above, so be sure to visit and enjoy all the wonderful inspiration!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Fall Friends, Greetings Galore (MFT), Kind (3 dot stamp/SSS)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Strathmore Bristol
Ink:  MFT Extreme Black, Versamark, Barely Beige, Tumbled Glass
Other:  Fall Friends Companion dies, Stitched Hillside dies (Lawn Fawn), Hero Arts White embossing powder, Clouds stencil (MFT), Copic markers:  R14,20,24,29,35,37,39, YR04,07,12,15,18,21,23,24,27,Y0215,17, E00,11,19,31,35,37,50,51,53
 

Sticky Note

Hello there friends!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Jeanne is hosting this week and she has chosen the combination of Coastal Cabana, Flirty Flamingo, Granny Apple Green and Daffodil Delight.  The dessert option is "Make it Summer", a last fling with the bright colors of summer before the onset of fall in a week and a half.

I've been looking forward to coloring up these darling cacti from Penny Black and Jeanne's colors gave me the perfect reason to do so.  Using Copic markers, I followed the suggested coloring on the stamp set package because it was very similar to the challenge colors.  It also worked out to keep the vases white with a bit of gray to create shadows, so I could add the aqua and bright yellow background.  There wasn't much territory in the scene to add the flamingo color other than the small cactus flowers, so I stamped a different tiny flower with Flirty Flamingo ink next to the sentiment.

After the coloring was complete I trimmed it way down, mainly because the yellow was just so overwhelmingly bright!  Layering the panel on black and adding the black and white Baker's Twine helped tone things down a bit too, plus reducing the size of the panel provided room above to add the sentiment.

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added a link to SCS above so I hope you'll head over there to check out the Color Challenge and hopefully play along!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Happy Together (cacti/Penny Black), Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches), Smiling (flower/Waffle Flower)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Black
Ink:  MFT Extreme Black, Versafine Onyx Black (sentiment), Flirty Flamingo
Other:  Black Baker's Twine, Copic markers:  Y02, 06; YG01,13, 17, 67; BG 11,13,15;
B000; R32,22; C1,3,5
 

Happy Blooms

Hi there friends!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  I am the host this week and have chosen the colors Gorgeous Grape, Balmy Blue, Soft Sea Foam and Highland Heather, with a dessert option to use ribbon or twine.

I'm also joining the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge (link here), where the theme is Anything Goes.

I chose the challenge colors with the floral stamp I used in mind.  An area of our garden brims with these lovely purple flowers for much of the summer and I enjoy them so much.

I used Stampin' Up inks in the challenge colors to watercolor this panel, also including Mossy Meadow for shading on the stem.  I knew I wanted to create a blue butterfly and when looking online found out about a local one called Fender's Blue Butterfly.  They are pretty rare, currently on the Endangered Species list.  I used the online photos to get as close as possible to the real life color.

When the panel dried, I trimmed it down and mounted a scallop panel of Balmy Blue on the back.  After wrapping with a bit of Linen Thread, it was popped up on an embossed panel of Soft Sea Foam card stock. 

Thanks for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added links to both challenges, so be sure to check them out, and I hope you'll be able to join us for the SCS Color Challenge this week!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Happy Together (Penny Black)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Soft Sea Foam, Balmy Blue, Arches 140# Cold Press watercolor
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Balmy Blue, Soft Sea Foam, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape, Mossy Meadow, Crumb Cake
Other:  Layered Leaves embossing folder (SU), Card Front Element Builder scallop rectangle die (SugarPea Design), Simon Says Stamp Ultra Fine embossing powder, Linen Thread
 

Morning Aroma

Hello and welcome back!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Pam is hosting this week and she's chosen the wonderful combination of Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler and So Saffron with a dessert option of "Back to School".  My card isn't specifically for back to school but I think it would be an important component of any parent's early morning while getting the kids ready for school!

I'm also joining the current challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch.

CTS 286

When I saw the sketch I immediately knew my yet unused August Monthly Hero stamp set would work perfectly for both challenges.  The sentiment and coffee cup were stamped in Walnut Stain Distress Oxide ink.  When dried I colored it with Copic markers in colors similar to the challenge colors, plus a little gray to create a shadow and ground the coffee cup image.

The panel was cut with a wonky rectangle die and mounted with foam tape onto the Early Espresso card base.  The only embellishment was the addition of a bit of crystal glaze over the heart on the cup and a bit of white gelly roll pen for a few highlights.

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added links to both challenges above, so be sure to check them out!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  My Monthly Hero 0818
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Early Espresso
Ink:  Distress Oxide Walnut Stain
Other:  Copics:  Y11, 13, 15, B000, R35, 37, 39, E55, 57, 59, W0, 3; Wonky Stitched Rectangle die, Sakura Gelly Roll pen, Tonic Nuvo Crystal Glaze
 

Hello and a Color Challenge Contest!

It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  This week is very special because it marks the 700th SCS Color Challenge and there are going to be prizes!  The Design Team members have chosen their favorite color combination from when they hosted between the 600th and 700th challenge and will be giving away individual prizes for their favorite. 

In addition, there will be a grand prize winner to be chosen from those that make cards for all five of the DT members challenges.  It's very exciting and I hope you'll use the link above to join in this week!

For my favorite, I chose CC654 - Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry and Fresh Fig, with a dessert option to use metallics.  That challenge was my first time as a Color Challenge hostess.  Here are my cards from CC654...

...and my new card for CC700 using the same colors.

For my current card, I heat embossed the leaves in gold on Bristol paper, ink blended the 3 challenge colors, splattered with gold metallic paint then applied the same paint around the edges of the panel.  When dried it was added to a Fresh Fig card base.  After die cutting the sentiment from glitter paper, I used Score Tape to adhere to a strip of Gold Glimmer and added that to the card with foam tape.

A simple card but I think it really showcases all the colors.  Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated.  I hope you'll use the link above and join us this week for our 700th SCS Color Challenge!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Vintage Leaves (SU)
Paper:  Fresh Fig, Strathmore Bristol, Gold Glimmer, Glitter Paper Pack (SSS)
Ink:  Fresh Fig, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Versamark
Other:  Hello There die (MFT), Altenew Antique Gold ep, Gansai Tambi Starry Colors metallic paints

Friendship

Hello again friends!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.  Karen is hosting this week and she has chosen the lovely color combination of Rich Razzleberry, Berry Burst and Old Olive.  The dessert option to use a touch of gold, to which I say "Yes, please"!  I'm also joining the Free for All challenge at SCS (link here), where the theme is "Let's be Friends" and the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge (link here) to create your own background.

I used the new Sketchy Lotus Flowers stamp and die set from Simon Says Stamp for my card.  It was first stamped and heat embossed with gold embossing powder on watercolor paper, water colored with the challenge colors and when dry, it was die cut with the companion dies.

For the background I taped down a panel of watercolor paper to a hard board, added three pools of water then dropped in the inks and let it spread to a degree.  I purposely used a damp paintbrush to lighten the edges of the pink colors because I didn't want it to mix much with the Old Olive and create a muddy color.  I let the panel dry, splattered with metallic watercolor paint, let that dry, heat embossed the sentiment then die cut with a stitched rectangle die.

I wanted to highlight this sentiment, the words are so very true and the bonus is the wonderful font!

Thanks for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added links to SCS and SSS, so be sure to head over and check out all the challenges!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Sketchy Lotus Stamps
Paper:  Ivory (SSS), Arches Cold Press 140# watercolor
Ink:  Versamark, Berry Burst, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive
Other:  Altenew Antique Gold embossing powder, Gansai Tambi Starry Colors Metallic watercolor paints, Sketchy Lotus Flowers companion dies, Stitched Rectangle die (SSS), gold sequin mix
 

Be Merry!

Hello friends!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Jeanne is hosting this week and she has chosen Poppy Parade, Lemon Lime Twist and Garden Green for the colors this week.  As we did last week, the dessert option is again "Christmas in July", so we can continue to build our stash of holiday cards!

I was running short on time this week so I pulled out one of the cute Suzy's Paintable Prints from Simon Says Stamp and used mainly Distress Inks similar to the challenge colors to watercolor the print.  With the SCS Color Challenge team using Stampin' Up Neutral colors, which now include Mossy Meadow, Merry Merlot and Night of Navy, I used Merry Merlot and a Distress Ink similar to Night of Navy to watercolor my panel.

With the playful nature of this print, I kept my watercoloring very loose, not worrying about staying in the lines so much but having fun coloring the panel.  I started by adding a light background of Chipped Sapphire, then used the wet on dry method to watercolor.  When the panel was dried completely, I used a black gel pen to trace around all the images and the sentiment, a white gelly roll pen to add white highlights on the poinsettias, then splattered everything with white gouache.  When the gouache was dry the panel was trimmed down to 3.75" x 5", adhered to a slightly larger black panel, wrapped with gold cord, then popped up with foam tape on a Lemon Lime Twist card base.

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added a link above to the color challenge, so I hope you'll be able to join us this week!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  None
Paper:  Lemon Lime Twist, Black, Suzy's Paintable Prints
Ink:  Merry Merlot; Distress Inks:  Chipped Sapphire, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Twisted Citron
Other:  Gold Cord, White Gouache, Tonic Nuvo Midas Touch and Glitter Gloss Aqua Shimmer pen, Pilot Black Gel Pen, Sakura White Gelly Roll pen

 

Picked With Love

Hello friends!  I'm sharing a recent card made using the current sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.  I recently purchased the latest card kit from Simon Says Stamp with some delicious floral garden images and decided it would work great for this challenge.  I'm also joining the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

FMS 347

SSS Wed Challenge

The stamps used for this card includes a bunch of tulips in a mason jar and a cute picket fence, both colored it with Copic Markers then fussy cut as the dies won't be available until next month.

For the background I used a background stamp also included in the kit, the Modern Rose Blooms stamp.  I inked it up with Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide ink, stamped it off once, then dabbed it lightly with a paper towel before stamping to get a very light impression on the white card stock, which was then die cut with a stitched scallop rectangle die.. 

After the card was assembled I added a Jute twine bow and a couple of wood hearts, then used an aqua shimmer pen to add some sparkle on the flowers.

Thanks so much for visiting, I appreciate it so much!  I've added a link to the challenges above so be sure to check them out!

Stef


Product Details
Stamps:  Mandy's Flowers, Modern Rose Blooms (SSS)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Basic Black
Ink:  MFT Extreme Black, Versamark, Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide
Other:  Card Front Elements Builder dies (scalloped stiched rectangle die) (SugarPea), Stitched Shapes Circle Framelit (SU), WOW Super Fine Bright White embossing powder, Jute Twine, Copic Markers, Tonic Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Pen, Hearts & Stars Elements (SU)
 

Bearing Gifts

Hello friends!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Mary is hosting this week and she has chosen Berry Burst, Granny Apple Green and Smoky Slate for the colors this week.  The dessert option is "Christmas in July" which is always fun!

I decided to use one of my favorite Christmas stamps for this challenge.  I used Copic Markers in colors as close as possible to this week's colors.  I really liked using the markers because they are great for getting into tiny spots and this image has plenty.

After coloring the children, the wreath and the bear's Santa hat, I used a bit of brown to create some dirt to ground the image.  While the polar bear is white, I used some warm grays to add shadows.  Once the coloring was complete, the panel was die cut with a stitched rectangle die, then mounted onto a white card base.  I thought about using a snowflake cover die cut from glimmer paper for the background but it was just too busy, but I did decide to adhere the snowflakes and dots left over from the die cutting for some fun bling.  A bit of shimmer pen was used on the "fur" of the hat and a white gelly roll pen added a bit of brightness to the white polka dots on the gift bag.

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  Be sure to use the link above to the Color Challenge and hopefully join in the fun!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Bearing Gifts (ret. SU)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White #80 and #110
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Other:  Snowflake Confetti Fancy Die (Hero Arts), Stitched Rectangle die (Simon Says Stamp), Tonic Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen, Sakura White Gelly Roll pen, Copics:  Clothes: RV23, 25, 29, YG03,17, C 1, 3, 5; Bear:  W0,1,3,5; Ground: E35, 37, 29; Hair: Y02; BV17, Y17; Background:  B0000