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

 

Dahlia Celebrate

Hi there and welcome back!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Pam is hosting this week and she has chosen the vibrant colors of Calypso Coral, Pineapple Punch and Pear Pizzazz, with a dessert option to include a tropical treat on your card.

I love this color combination but instead of a tropical treat I decided to watercolor a new-to-me Dahlia image from Hero Arts.  I painted each petal first with an intense amount of Calypso Coral at the base, pulled the ink part way up the petal, then added Pineapple Punch to the tip and used a damp brush to blend.  I loved how the colors mixed and while the water coloring was a little time consuming, I love the process and the end result.  Using good quality watercolor paper also helped the colors from bleeding outside of the area being water colored.  I say this because I only recently started using Arches Cold Press and I am so very pleasantly surprised at how it holds water.

After the floral image dried, it was die cut with the companion die.  In the meantime, I was so happy to find in my stash a card base of Calypso Coral already layered this long retired Stampin' Up Designer Series Paper.  I used a scrap of watercolor paper to create the horizontal panel, layering on Calypso Coral and Pineapple Punch inks with lots of water mixed with Perfect Pearls.  After drying with a heat tool, I used a punch on one end, wrapped with twine and added the sentiment tag.  After mounting to the card base with thin foam squares, the floral image was adhered on top and a few bright yellow Nuvo drops added.

Thanks for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've included a link to SCS above, I hope you'll be able to join the Color Challenge this week!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Hero Florals Dahlia Stamp & Cut, Happy Birthday Gorgeous (SU)
Paper:  Calypsos Coral, Very Vanilla, Arches Cold Press watercolor, retired SU dsp
Ink:  Versafine Claire Nocturne Pigment ink, Calypso Coral, Pineapple Punch, Pear Pizzazz
Other:  Perfect Pearls, Eyelet Border punch (ret. SU), Hero Arts companion die, Linen Thread, Tiny Tag punch, Tonic Nuvo Dandelion Crystal Drops
 

Rockin' Birthday for The Paper Players

Hello friends!  I've got a post tonight with a card for The Paper Players 400th challenge!  Woo Hoo!  Love this challenge and the awesome design team, so I knew I wanted to join in this party!

In keeping with the "Celebration" theme, my card was made for my middle grandson's birthday.  Sigh, who turns 16 later this week.  Where does the time go?  I made him a "rockin" grunge card I'm pretty sure he'll like.

Starting with a panel of Bristol paper, I ink blended several Distress inks, sprayed with water, flicked with black Gesso and when dry, heat embossed various images from an old Inkadinkado stamp set with silver embossing powder.  Next I inked up a couple of images from Stampin' Up's Timeless Textures and Gorgeous Grunge Black Soot Distress Ink and stamped them around the panel.  Finally, I distressed all the edges, used Black Soot to ink blend around the edges and adhered to a black card stock base.

Thanks so much for coming by and visiting, it's so appreciated!  I've added a link to the PP challenge above, so be sure to head over there and enjoy the great inspiration, plus there are still a few days to play along and there are prizes to be won!  Have a great week!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Rock Star (Inkadinkado), Timeless Textures, Gorgeous Grunge (SU)
Paper:  Black card stock, Strathmore Bristol
Ink:  Versamark; Distress Ink:  Salty Ocean, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire, Hickory Smoke, Black Soot
Other:  Hero Arts Silver Embossing Powder,Black Gesso
 

Happy 4th!

Hello again!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers and I am hosting this week.  In honor of Independence Day, I chose Real Red, Blueberry Bushel and white or vanilla with a dessert option of an Americana or July 4th theme.

I didn't have any stamp sets with Americana or celebrating Independence Day so I remedied that recently by acquiring a really cool grunge flag image.

The flag stamp is 4x6" so I stamped it on a slightly larger panel of Very Vanilla card stock with the red and blue inks, then trimmed it down slightly to 3 3/4" x 5 3/4", then distressed the edges.  Next I die cut the word "happy" and the number 4 three times, adhered together then covered with a shimmer pen then crystal glaze.  While those dried I wrapped the stamped image with jute twine and adhered to a Desert Storm card base.  I searched my sentiment stamps to fin the right size birthday stamp, stamped it in red ink, then trimmed down the "th" to be added behind the 4.

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

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Grunge Flag (Joy Clair), Brushstroke Messages (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Desert Storm, Real Red, Blueberry Bushel
Ink:  Real Red, Blueberry Bushel
Other:  Happy sentiment die (Lawn Fawn), Bigz Alphabet Typeset die (ret. SU), Jute Twine, Tonic Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen and Crystal Glaze
 

Spread Your Wings

Hello friends!  I'm back with a card I made for the current challenge at The Paper Players, where Laurie has given us a great sketch to work with this week!  I'm also joining the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where this week's theme is anything goes.

PP399

 

SSS Wed Challenge "Anything Goes"

I recently bought some Penny Black stamp sets, including a mini set with lovely flowing branches, which I used to stamp around the edges of my white card base in the new Stampin' Up ink Soft Sea Foam.  I decided at that point to use the Spoken Bird stamp set and when I settled on the sentiment I knew how I was going to put the rest of the card together.

The center panel was created with a cloud stencil and some Tumbled Glass ink, and I discovered to my delight that the new SU color Balmy Blue is almost a near match to Tumbled Glass so I could create a slightly larger blue layer.  I used the Layered Leaves embossing folder for the small green panel, mounting both it and the center panel with a bit of Fun Foam.  The bird was stamped in Balmy Blue and die cut with a companion die, adhered to the sentiment circle then added to the card with foam tape.  Another happy coincidence is that I found a pack of sequins that were also a great match with both the blue and green.  I love how this turned out...I think I have a new favorite color combination!!

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've included links to both challenges above, so be sure to head over there and check out all the beautiful inspiration!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Spoken Bird (My Monthly Hero Feb 2018), Serene (Penny Black)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Balmy Blue, Soft Sea Foam, Koh-I-Noor Smooth Bristol
Ink:  Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, Balmy Blue, Soft Sea Foam, Versafine Onyx Black
Other:  Spoken Bird companion die (HA), Stitched Shape Circle Framelit (SU), Layered Leaves 3D embossing folder (SU), Spring Meadow Mix Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), retired SU heart button, Linen Thread
 

It's Time to Party and Enjoy a Peaceful Sunrise!

It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers and this week Jeannie is debuting as hostess!  She has chosen the lovely combination of Bermuda Bay, Flirty Flamingo and So Saffron with a dessert option of balloons.  I ended up making two cards for this challenge, entering one in the CAS and Free For All challenges at SCS (linked below). 

For my first card I used a new-to-me stamp set from Penny Black with these cute, cute critters.  I colored them with Copic markers and fussy cut them.  I ink blended the background with Distress Inks on Bristol paper, then popped everything up with foam tape.  In order to have the kitty floating down to the waiting dog, I made this an oversized card and will make a custom envelope when I send it.  The balloons were painted with a shimmer pen then covered with Crystal Glaze to make them nice and shiny.

Here's a close up that captures some of the shimmer on the balloon.

For this next card, it came together pretty quickly this afternoon.  I'd stamped the image a few days ago and decided to try some blending of reinkers, challenging myself to develop a variety of greens and in the end, the rust color for the tree leaves.  I started by using a light wash of color for the sky, first pink, then yellow and finally the turquoise, blending with clear water on my paint brush.  Next I began color mixing on a palette with a drop each of the yellow and turquoise, then kept adding yellow as I went along to get different green colors.

I waited to watercolor the leaves of the large deciduous tree until the last, first coloring with yellow, then mixing the pink and yellow to create the rust color.  I had so much fun doing this!  The only bit that I'm not fond of is the color of the stream, which is only Bermuda Bay ink because mixing yellow would make it green and mixing pink would make, well, mud.  However, my husband said he has been on streams nearly that color in some remote places in the Rockies, so I decided I was okay with it.  When dry I added white ripples in the stream with a Gelly Roll pen.

I kept the card pretty simple, adding the corrugated white die cut frame to a Flirty Flamingo card base, then added the die cut water colored panel with Fun Foam.  I didn't think any embellies were necessary and may add a sentiment if appropriate when I send the card.

 

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated! Below are links to the challenges at SCS.

CC 693

Free For All "Just Over the Holler"

CAS "Water Works"



Stef


Product detail
Card #1
Stamps:  Time to Celebrate (Penny Black)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Audrey Blue (Simon Says Stamp), Koh-I-Noor Smooth Bristol
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Inks:  Frayed Burlap, Peacock Feathers
Other:  Cloud Stencil (MFT), Hillside Border die (Lawn Fawn), Paper Snips, Tonic Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen and Crystal Glaze, Sparkling Clear Sequins (PPP), Copic:  W1, 3, 5; R20, 22, 30, 43; Y11, 02, 08; BG11, 13, 15

Card #2
Stamps:  Peaceful Places (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Canson XL, Flirty Framingo, White Corrugated
Ink:  Stazon Timber Brown, Flirty Flamingo, Bermuda Bay, So Saffron, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Hickory Smoke Distress Ink
Other:  Stitched Rectangle Frame (MFT), Hero Arts Nested Infinity Rectangle die, White Gelly Roll pen
 

Gardenia Birthday

Hello, friends!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.  Karen is hosting this week and she has chosen the soft combination of Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron and Very Vanilla, with a dessert option of vintage. Be sure to use the link above to check out the challenge and hopefully play along with us this week!

I'm also joining the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, where this week's theme is "Frame It". 

SSS Wed Challenge "Frame It"

I like using frames, most of the time as a way to ground my image and sentiment rather than actually frame anything, because it still acts to bring the eye to the center of the card.

The Gardenia is a layering stamp from Altenew and since I was only using Blushing Bride for the flower, I had to make sure I had enough contrast between layers.  So I skipped the solid base layer and stamped the first shading layer but using 2nd generation stamping so I had a very light color for the petals.  Then, when I added the next shading layer, I stamped it 2-3 times full strength.  I then stamped the outline stamp to pull it all together.  I used a similar process to stamp the leaves.  I do know that I'm stretching my artistic license with this flower since most Gardenias are white, and those few that are a very light pink are not this same shade.  But hey, it's card making not fine art, right?

With the soft challenge colors I knew I needed more contrast to the base, so I chose a neutral, using Desert Storm card stock, then layered on a piece of vanilla card stock die cut with the Marilyn cover die.  I dithered between Mint and Blushing Bride for the frame, but in the end the pink looked so much better with the craft card base.  After adhering the frame, flower and leaves, and sentiment, I added some clear sequins and iridescent jewels for a bit of bling.  I also used a shimmer pen on the flower but my photos don't pick up how sparkly it is IRL.

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I hope you'll use the links above and head over to both challenges!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Build-A-Flower: Gardenia (Altenew), Watercolor Trio (ret. SU)
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride, Desert Storm
Ink:  Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron, Soft Suede
Other:  Marilyn Cover Die (SSS), Stitched Rectangle Scallop Edge Frame (MFT), Stitched Shapes Oval Framelit (SU), Gardenia companion dies, Lucy's Little Things Iridescent Jewels, Sparkling Clear Sequins (PPP), Tonic Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen
 

Flower Cluster

Hi there friends!  Today I'm pleased to share with you a card made for reminder post for The Flower Challenge, where I am honored to be a guest designer this month! Be sure to use the link below to check out all the beautiful inspiration by the Design Team.

The Flower Challenge #21

This month the challenge is to use any previous challenge, so for my reminder card I chose to use Challenge #14, which was to create a CAS card.  Over the years I have found myself creating more CAS type cards, without too many design elements.  For my card today, I used the Flower Cluster die, and inlaid leaf and petal pieces colored with Zig markers.

 
I die cut the image 3 times, once from white card stock and twice from Bristol paper, which I find works best for blending Zigs.  I adhered the white card die cut onto a white panel, colored the flower center pieces with a yellow marker, and then, after the Bristol colored pieces were dry, I transferred them into the main panel.  The remainder of the card construction is pretty self-explanatory, and the finishing touch was to add some iridescent jewels.

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I hope you'll be able to join The Flower Challenge this month, it's fun to be able to choose your own challenge.

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Watercolor Trio (long retired SU)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Black, Strathmore Bristol
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Other:  Flower Cluster die (Simon Says Stamp), Stitched Shapes Oval Framelit (SU), Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers, Lucy's Cards Clear Iridescent Mix jewels, score board
 

Just For You

Hi there friends!  Today I'm pleased to share with you a card made for The Flower Challenge, where I am honored to be a guest designer for the month of June!  We will be posting again mid-month, so I hope you'll check in to catch the latest inspiration from the wonderful design team.

The Flower Challenge

This month the challenge is to use any previous challenge, so I decided on Challenge #13, which was to use your favorite flower.  My current favorite flower stamp set is Beautiful Day from Altenew.  I love all the images and they are wonderful to color regardless of medium.  I am learning to use Copic markers after years of mainly using watercolor with paints or inks, so I'm not an expert by any means.  But I'm learning as I go, and enjoyed coloring these images with them.

Using Neenah Solar White, the images were initially stamped with Copic friendly Memento Tuxedo Black, then restamped with Versafine Onyx Black after the coloring was complete to enhance the black outlines.  When dry, I used the companion dies to cut the images.  I put together the card, adding a layer of white card stock die cut the beautiful Marilyn cover die before adhering the flowers, leaves and sentiments.  Ebony Black Nuvo drops were added to the flower centers and Crystal Glaze to the ends of the stamen.  In retrospect, I wish I would have done the center a different way, it just makes the images more stylized than realistic.

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added a link the The Flower Challenge above, so I hope you'll head over there and join us this month!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Beautiful Day, Label Love (both Altenew)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
Other:  Marilyn Full Card Cover die (Simon Says Stamp), Beautiful Day Coordinating dies, Sparkling Clear Sequins (PPP), Tonic Nuvo Ebony Black Crystal Drops and Crystal Glaze, Copics:  R24, 37, 46, 59, 81, 85; YG01, 03, 07, 17; G14,17,28
 

Hi Kitty

Hello friends!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers! Barbara is hosting this week and she has chosen the bright and beautiful color combination of Tempting Turquoise, Cucumber Crush, Daffodil Delight and Berry Burst, with a dessert option to add flowers. 

For my card I decided to use an image of a kitty walking through the flowers from Waffle Flower.  I used this same stamp a couple of weeks ago, but thought the charming image would work perfectly with the challenge colors.  I also used Copic Markers to color the scene.  I am just learning to use these markers so my blending still needs some work on larger images, but I am enjoying the process of getting acquainted with a new media.

Isn't she cute?  I started by stamping the image on Bristol paper with Copic friendly ink, created a mask to cover the cat and large flowers, then used Distress Inks to create the grass and use with a cloud stencil for the sky.  Using Bristol paper with Copics is not optimum because they are harder to blend and the paper absorbs more ink, but I chose to use it because Distress Inks blend so much better on it, and most of the images were small, requiring minimal ink.

Once that was done, the masks were removed and I used Copic Markers to color kitty and the flowers.  I left the stamp in my Misti so prior to die cutting the panel, I put it back in the Misti and inked up the stamp in Versafine Onyx Black ink to get a nice crisp line.  A wonky rectangle die was used to trim down the panel, which was then adhered to a slightly larger panel of Tempting Turquoise.

The sentiment was die cut 3 times, layered and adhered to the panel, then an aqua shimmer pen was used to add some glitter to it as well as the flowers.  Lastly a few white Nuvo drops were added to the panel.

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

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Smiling (Waffle Flower)
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black, Mermaid Lagoon and Mowed Lawn Distress Inks
Paper:  Thick Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Strathmore Bristol
Other:  Copics, Hello There die set (MFT), Wonky Rectangle die (SSS), Tonic Nuvo Simply White Crystal Drops and Aqua Shimmer pen, Clouds for Days stencil (SSS)
 

Watermelon Birthday

It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  It's my turn to host this week and I've chosen the colors Watermelon Wonder, Old Olive and Smoky Slate, with the dessert option to use a die cut sentiment/shape/image.  A link has been added above, I hope you'll be able to join us this week!

Recently, Altenew sent a beautiful floral stamp to customers as a free gift for shopping with them, so I decided to use it for my color challenge card.  It was stamped on Ranger watercolor paper then watercolored with Distress Inks, Stampin' Up ink and colored pencils. 

I initially covered the petals with Abandoned Coral, then used Barn Door for the shadows, which are clearly detailed on this pretty stamp.  Finally, I deepened the shadow more with a Crimson Prismacolor pencil.  Old Olive was used for the petals and a light bit of Smoky Slate painted around the edge of the image.  Once dry, a white gelly roll pen was used to color the stamen, a shimmer pen was painted on the flower petals and then I fussy cut the image so it could be popped up on foam tape over the die cut border.

The sentiment was die cut once each from Watercolor Wonder and Basic Black, then layered just offset with the black acting as a shadow, then covered with crystal glaze.  Simply White and Ebony Black Crystal Drops were added as final embellishments.

I've used the current sketch challenge at Fab Friday as inspiration for my card design.  I've added a link below, so be sure to head over there and check it out!

Fab Friday 137

Thanks for visiting, it's always so appreciated!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Altenew free gift
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Watermelon Wonder, Basic Black, Ranger watercolor, A Little Foxy paper pack
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black; Old Olive; Distress Inks:  Abandoned Coral, Barn Door
Other:  Prismacolor Premier colored pencil; Flourish Thinlit border die; Brushstroke Birthday sentiment die (MFT); white Sakura Gelly Roll pen; Tonic Nuvo:  Aqua Shimmer pen, Simply White and Ebony Black Crystal Drops, and Crystal Glaze
 

Spring Kitty

Hello, friends and welcome back!  Today I've got a quick post with a card I made for the current challenge at Freshly Made Sketches.  It seems like forever since I've had a chance to join this challenge, however the timing worked out this week and here we are!

FMS 337

To accommodate the stamp I wanted to use today, I flipped the sketch 90 degrees so that the smaller panel was on the bottom of the card.  I stamped one of the darling kitties from the Waffle Flower Smiling stamp set on a panel of Bristol paper and colored with various Zig Markers.

Ms. Kitty looks very smart in her hat and bows, strolling amongst the flowers and a couple of snails, so I thought the sentiment worked perfectly.  I stamped two extra flower images, die cut them and added them to the panel with Dimensionals  Grass was added to ground the images, then a light blue was scribbled on the sky portion and spread around with a waterbrush.  The Bermuda Bay panel was embossed with a retired SU clouds embossing folder to complete the "scene".  The flowers were painted with an aqua shimmer pen but I didn't have the right light to capture it when I took my photos (it looks sparkly and pretty IRL!).  I didn't have the right color of paper to go under the sentiment circle, so I use the Purple Zig marker, scribbled it on a scrap of Bristol and blended it with a waterbrush.  It's turned out a bit florescent but adds a fun pop of color.

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

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Smiling (Waffle Flower), Circle of Spring (SU)
Paper:  Thick Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Strathmore Bristol
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black
Other:  Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers, Cloud ef, Layering Circle and Stitched Shapes Circle dies, Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pne, Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear sequins
 

Swinging By at Sunset

It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.  Karen is hosting this week and she has chosen the lovely combination of Calypso Coral, Peekaboo Peach, Crushed Curry and Pear Pizzazz, with a dessert option to include a pocket.  I wasn't quite sure how I was going to add a pocket but finally came up with a plan to create a pocket for tag with the sentiment.

I started with a panel of Bristol paper, stamping the silhouette images from the latest My Monthly Hero card kit, then used ink blending tools to create the sunset and hills in the background.  When done, the angled top was die cut and the remainder of the panel trimmed down to fit on the card front.  The card base was layered with a panel die cut from Peekaboo Peach card stock, then the ink blended panel was added with foam tape, making sure to leave room for the tag.

 
The sentiment on the tag was stamped along with a couple branches, then peach ink was blended around the edges.  Peach ribbon and Baker's Twine was added to the top and a few sparkling sequins finished things off.

Thanks so much for looking!  I hope you'll use the link above to check out the Color Challenge and join us this week!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Tree of Life (My Monthly Hero Kit 5/18)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Peekaboo Peach, Strathmore Bristol
Ink:  Crushed Curry, Calypso Coral, Peekaboo Peach, Pear Pizzazz, Versafine Onyx Black
Other:  Ranger Mini Ink Blending tools, shipping tag from my stash, Peekaboo Peach Ruched Ribbon and Baker's Twine, Papel Picado Confetti Cover die (HA), Card Front Element Builder die (SugarPea), Sparkling Clear sequins (PPP)