Countless Beautiful Reasons for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Hello friends!  It's time for a new Tic Tac Toe Challenge and this week Jeanne has created a wonderful board with plenty of inspiring combinations.

Tic Tac Toe Challenge

I really thought I was going to make a Halloween card for my DT card, but then I was drawn to a beautiful Stamptember stamp and die set I managed to snag before it sold out.  I was also so inspired by the amazing fall colors that Nichol Spohr used here for her DT sample, that I CASEd her card, using mostly the same colors but a different card layout.

I started by stamping with Copic friendly brown ink, coloring the images then restamping them with brown pigment ink for a nice dark outline.  I left the stamp in the Misti after the first stamping, then slipped the colored panel back in there for the 2nd stamping before die cutting.  The sentiment was also stamped with the brown pigment ink and die cut.

 Next I used a lattice embossing folder on a panel of white, then gently ink blended with a light blue ink on the debossed side, so the lattice indentations remained white.  I trimmed it down then added a horizontal strip of Matte Gold cardstock.  It sure doesn't look very metallic in the photos, but I assure you it is metallic cardstock!  The ink panel was added directly to the 5" x 7" natural white (looks ivory) card base, then the colored images and the sentiment were added with foam tape.  The last step was to use my gold gel pen to color the berries in the flower center.

Thanks for visiting, I always appreciate it!  Be sure to use the link above to check out the wonderful cards by the other DT members and hopefully be inspired to join us this week!  Also take a minute to pop over to Nichol Spohr's blog, she is such a super talented artist!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Beautiful Moments (Memory Box/Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Natural White, Matte Gold (SSS)

Ink:  Gina K Chocolate Truffle Amalgam, Versafine Clair Pinecone Pigment, Altenew Sea Breeze

Other:  Beautiful Moments dies, Gina K Lattice embossing folder, Waffle Flower A7 Layers rectangle die, Altenew gold gel pen

Copics:  YR18, 27, 24, 23, 07, 14, 21, 31, E19, YG97, 95, 91

Thinking of You for Sunday Stamps

Hello and welcome!  It's time for a new challenge at Sunday Stamps and this time we have a fabulous sketch by Amy.  It's pretty wide open, leaving you lots of options for design, so I hope you'll come join us!

I had some dies and a foiling plate that I'd purchased this summer and hadn't used it, and this sketch was perfect for putting them to use.

To start I used Glimmer Gold Hot Foil to create the background panel.  I love the delicate lines of the patterns, which make it eye catching but remains subtle for a background.  I trimmed it down then mounted it with thin foam tape on a white card base.  

The sword fern and flowers were die cut from white cardstock, then various inks were blended over the pieces.  When the ink dried, I adhered them to the foiled panel popping up just the flower heads with thin foam squares.  I created a bow from gold twine and added it to the stems, then the last step was to gold heat emboss the sentiment, die cut it and add it with foam tape.  

Thanks so much for visiting, I appreciate it.  Please be sure to pop over to the Sunday Stamps blog and check out all the beautiful cards by the other DT members and hopefully join us for this challenge!

Take care!

Stef

All products are from Simon Says Stamp unless otherwise noted

Stamps:  Best Friend Ever (sentiment)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Hammermill

Ink:  Versamark; Peachy, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Carnation, Peony, Rose, Seafoam, Surf, Sage, Pine, and Fairway 

Other:  Bohemian Background Foil Plate, Blossom Vine dies, Alstroemeria dies, Sword Fern die, Nested Infinity Rectangle die (Hero Arts), Sentiment Label die, Gold Twine (ret. SU)

Thankful Wreath for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Hello and welcome!  It's time for a new Tic Tac Toe Challenge and this time Carol has given us some great inspiration with this board!

Tic Tac Toe Challenge

I'm also joining the current Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge where the challenge is to use die cuts.

I dallied around with several card design ideas but finally decided to go down the left column - Fall/Halloween theme, plaid, die cutting, although I did get wreath in there is well.

I love this pretty wreath and it was so fun to color with some of my favorite fall colors like purples and red violets in combination with yellows and oranges, plus a bit of green and brown thrown in for good measure.  There are several images to color but they are small and completing it wasn't as time consuming as I thought it would be.  The coordinating die was used to die it, plus I also used sentiment dies, cutting from gold and white card stock.  The sentiment was layered with two white beneath the gold then adhered to the white shadow die cut.

My original plan was to create my own plaid background with an A2 sized plaid stamp and stencil set, but I just didn't like how the wreath looked being cut down.  So, I went through my 6x6" paper pads and found The.Perfect. plaid. I was thrilled to say the least!  I used a square die to trim it down the cut a gold frame with two square dies.  I was going to add the frame on top but sadly found it was noticably uneven on one side, so it became a layer on the card base and under the plaid paper.  I die cut the wreath two more times out of white cardstock, layered them all together, then added the sentiment across the middle with a bit of foam tape it the cut out section.  Lastly, a few gold glitter crystals were added for that bit of sparkle and I was done.

Thanks for taking time to stop by, I appreciate it.  I do hope you'll check out the fabulous cards by the other DT member (link above) and also are inspired to play along with us this week!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Thankful Wreath (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Matte Gold (SSS), Plaid Tidings dsp (ret. SU)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Other:  Thankful Wreath die, Thanks Dies (SSS), Gold Sparkle Crystals (Studio Katia), Layered Square dies (Pink & Main)

Copics:  YR27, 24, 23, 18, 07, 16, 14, 31, 30, Y19, 17, 15, G28, 21, YG 67, 45, 17, 25, 03 RV69, 66, 63, E89, 87, 84, 81, 49, 47, 44, 42, 19

Sketchmarker Brush Pro: V60, 61, 62, 54

Hello Friend for The Flower Challenge

Hello friends!  It's the 15th of the month and time for our reminder cards for The Flower Challenge.  This month we've had lots of beautiful sparkle in our gallery and I hope you're inspired to join us - you have until the 25th of September to play along.

The Flower Challenge

 

For my card, I kept things relatively simple, adding sparkle with a pretty die cut sentiment but also some sparkle on the flower as well.

We've been enjoying some beautiful sunflowers from our yard, so I was inspired to use this large image from Colorado Craft Company.  It came out last spring in support of Ukraine, but I hadn't had a chance to use it until now.  It's so large my card ended up being 4.5" x 6.25", which fits perfectly in an A6 envelope.  Anyway, I began by stamping and coloring the flower with Copic markers then die cut it with the coordinating die.  

The large friend word was die cut twice from white and once from non-shedding white glitter paper that I colored with one of my brown Copic marker to get a better color match.  I hadn't tried that before but saw other card makers successfully do it and I was pleased that it did not harm the nib of my marker.  The layers were adhered together and then to the shadow die cut from Neenah Natural White.  I also use Natural White for the card base, then added a panel of white woodgrain paper.  The sunflower was adhered directly to the panel, then the sentiments added, the sub-sentiment popped up with foam tape.  Lastly, I used my aqua shimmer pen and covered the entire flower, although the photo really only picks up the sparkle in the middle.  With all that sparkle, I didn't think anything further needed to be added to the card.

Please be sure to use the link above to see all the beautiful reminder cards from the other Design Team members and hopefully join us this month.

Thanks for visiting!  Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Ukraine's Sunflower (Colorado Craft Company), Itty Bitty Basics (MFT)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Natural White, Woodgrain Embossed White (Ellen Hutson)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Clair Pinecone

Other:  Ukraine's Sunflower die, Master Layouts 9 dies (friend and sentiment label/Gina K Designs), Aqua Shimmer pen (Tonic Nuvo)

Copics:  YR27, 24, 21, Y19, 15, 11, E29 37, 39, 34, 33, 31, 30, YG67, 17, 25, 03

Celebrate You!

Hello friends! Today I'm joining two special challenges, both celebrating the 2nd birthday of the Color Hues Challenge.  The endlessly talented Nancy Leppek started this challenge two years ago and it has become a smashing success!  The Color Hues' sister challenge, Seize the Birthday, is celebrating along with them.  I'm getting in at nearly the tail of the challenges; it seems the last week has been chockablock full of other things to do besides playing in my craft room.  However, I finally carved out some time in order to join the celebration!

TCH #48

 

STB #246

These colors seemed to be perfect for a masculine birthday card, but in the end I think this card would work for anyone.

First step was to use the Interlocking Circle stencils to create the background.  I used a mixed media paper for ease of laying down color and inked up the 4 layering stencils.  Once the ink was dry, I centered a rectangle die on the piece and die cut it.  

Next the sentiment was stamped and cut out with the matching die, along with two additional layers that were added for some dimension. The vellum circle was die cut with double sided adhesive on the back and added to the stenciled panel.  I used thin foam tape to adhere the panel to the white card base, then glued the sentiment on the vellum circle. The final step was to add holographic stars to all the green squares and around the sentiment, which made it so much more festive!  

Thanks for taking time to stop by, I appreciate it.  Have a great week and take care!

Stef

Stamps:  XL Birthday Greetings (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Vicki Boutin Mixed Media, Lawn Fawn Pearlescent Vellum

Ink:  Lime, Tanzanite (both Altenew)

Other:  XL Birthday Greetings die, Interlocking Circles Stencil (SSS), Oh My Stars Confetti Mix (Trinity Stamps), Hero Arts Nested Infinity Rectangle and Circle dies

Poinsettia Christmas for The Flower Challenge

Hello friends!  Today I'm sharing my design team card for The Flower Challenge.  This month our theme is sparkle and I hope you'll join us!

The Flower Challenge

This is my second blog post today - you can view my fall themed DT card for Sunday Stamps here.

I'm also joining the current Time Out Challenges where the theme is Festive, Addicted To Stamps and More for their Christmas challenge and the CAS Christmas Card Challenge with a September theme of Sparkle.

TOC #221

ATSC #437

CAS Christmas Card Challenge

I decided to create a Christmas floral and let the sentiment provide the sparkle.

I used three of the lovely poinsettia stamps from Waffle Flower, stamped and colored with Copic markers.  I also added some silver to the flower centers and the little berry branch with a gel pen.  Before die cutting with the matching dies, I popped the stamped panel back into my Misti, where I'd left the stamp and restamped, this time with black pigment ink.

I used a large panel of Bristol paper, ink blending around the edges with Salvaged Patina Distress Ink, then using Transparent Texture paste through a snowflake stencil along the bottom third.  When that dried, it was just too transparent, so I lightly swiped a white pigment ink pad across the raised portions to help it stand out just a wee bit more.  The sentiment was die cut twice from white cardstock then once from silver glitter and layered together for dimension.  After the background was dried, trimmed down to 4.5"x 6" and adhered to a white cardbase, the flowers and sentiment were added.  The last bit was to add a few snowflake embellishments.

I'm so glad you stopped by and I do hope that you'll join us this month at TFC, you have until the 25th of September.  In the meantime, do be sure to use the link above and look at all the beautiful cards created by my fellow DT members.

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Poinsettia (WF)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Koh-I-Nor Bristol, Silver Glitter (Simon Says Stamp)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Clair Nocturne, Salvage Patina Distress, Shark Tooth White (Ink on 3)

Other:  Poinsettia dies, Merry Christmas Poe Script dies (Poppystamps), Delicate Snowflake stencil (SSS), Texture Paste Transparent Matte (Ranger), Vanilla Sugar Snowflake Embellisments (Trinity Stamps)

Copics:  R59, 39, 35, 37, G28, 27, 03, Y17, 03, BG72, 70, 57, 53, 11

Fall Foliage for Sunday Stamps

Hello and welcome!  It's time for a new color challenge at Sunday Stamps and this one is perfect for your Autumn style creations.

Sunday Stamps

I'm also joining Ann's Fall Fun challenge at The Paper Players, the Anything Goes challenges at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and The Four Seasons Fall Challenge.

PP607

The Four Seasons Fall Challenge

That SSC color board made it very tempting to reach for one of my sunflower stamps but I had a new foliage stencil and die set from Pinkfresh Studio that I was dying to ink use, so that's what I did.

The stencils are layering stencils and line up easily.  I made sure some leaves were in greens and others the shades of yellow, orange and burgandy.  Once the stenciling was complete, the leaves were die cut with the coordinating die.  Next I used the Fancy Circles dies, cutting it twice from white and once from copper metallic paper, then adhered them together.  

Much of the yellow that was ink blended on the leaves kind of got overtaken by the dark oranges, so I decided to ink blend a panel of white with Fossilized Amber and Wild Honey Distress inks, leaving the center very light.  In all honestly, I went back and forth about it, because it seemed so bright but I went ahead and built the layers (the base is Cajun Craze) and stamped the sentiment and ultimately really liked how it turned out.  I will admit to getting carried away with the leaves but it was hard to leave any out because I kept finding spots for them lol!  Anyway, the final step was to add some gorgeous bronze gems.

Be sure to use the link above to see the beautiful cards by the other DT members and hopefully join us for this pretty fall-ish color challenge!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Sunny Harvest (sentiment/Power Poppy)

Paper:  Hammermill white, Cajun Craze (Stampin' Up), Metallic Copper (Tonic)

Ink:  Moss, Green Opal and Honey Drizzle (Altenew); Fossilized Amber, Carved Pumpin, Wild Honey and Aged Mahogany (Ranger Distress); Versafine Clair Acorn

Other:  Fall Foliage Stencil and Die set (PS), Fancy Circles dies (PS), Marvelous Moments Gem Stickers (Honey Bee)

Hello for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Hello and welcome!  It's time for a new Tic Tac Toe Challenge where we're using a board that I created.  I hope you like it and will join this week!

Tic Tac Toe Challenge

  

I'm also joining The Four Seasons September Fall Anything Goes Challenge.

Four Seasons Challenge - September

I had so many card design ideas for this card but in the end went down the middle column - red, leaves/trees, CAS.

The cute Fall Borders stamp set from Pretty Pink Posh was calling out to me so I used two of the leaf borders across the lower part of the card panel.  There's also a pumpkin border and I originally planned to use it but ended up liking just the leafy orders.  I colored them with Copic markers in various fall colors then die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle die.  The panel was adhered to two additional panels of scrap cardstock for a small bit of dimension, the added to the white card base.

Next I used the same red makers that I used to color some of the leaves to color a panel of white in a light to dark red ombre, then used a hello die to cut it out.  To add a bit more interest, I covered the sentiment with Glossy Accents and when dry, adhered above the leaf borders. I love this CAS look!

Thanks for taking time to stop by, I appreciate it!  Be sure to use the link above to check out the fabulous cards by the other DT members and hopefully play along with us this week!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Fall Borders (PPP)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Accent

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Other:  Sentiment Suite: Hello die (Pinkfresh Studio), Stitched Rectangle Stax die (MFT), Glossy Accents

Copics:  R59, 56, 46, 27, 05, 83, RV34, G28, 17, 03, YG67, 17, 03, YR27, 24, 23, 21, E49, 47, 44, 43

Be Merry

Hello friends!  I was working away on my Christmas cards when I saw Anne Marie's terrific sketch at The Paper Players this week and decided to use it for another holiday card.  I'm also joining Addicted to Stamps and More with a Christmas theme and the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. 

PP606

ATSC #437

I decided to make a cute Christmas card for one of my many dog loving friends using one of the images from the new Anita Jeram/Colorado Craft Company stamp sets.

I just love this fluffy golden retriever with his hat on (can you say good boy?).  I stamped and colored him with Copic markers, then used the matching die to cut him out, then he was mounted onto a white die cut oval with thin foam squares.  I'd searched through my cardstock to find a blue to go with the striped pattern paper and came upon this previously die cut scallop oval. Yay, I love it when that happens!

I added the piece of patterned paper to my white card base, then found a strip of Stampin' Up Real Red card stock that worked beautifully for the cross piece (it's like the perfect true red - I always have some in my stash).  The focal image was adhered to the card and then the sentiment was stamped die cut and popped up on thin foam squares.  Then I decided it really needed some sparkle, so I found the previously die cut zig sag strips of Glitter White paper, added them above and below the red horizontal strip, plus found a few stars from the same glitter paper that I'd punched out last year and didn't use.  A little bit of shimmer was painted on the white "fur" on the dog's had as the final touch.

Take care and have a great remainder of your week and stay cool if you're suffering through the many heat waves around the country right now.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stef

Stamps:  Christmas Hats, Happy New Year (both Anita Jeram/CCC)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Sea Glass (Simon Says Stamp), Real Red (SU), Glitter White (SSS), Cool Collab Patterned Paper (MFT)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Clair Nocturne

Other:  Christmas Hats die, Scallop Oval die (Spellbinders), Essential Ovals dies (Ellen Hutson), Stars Border punch and Zig Zag Border die (both ret. SU)

Copics:  R59, 46, 27, 17, YR27, 24, 23, 31, 30, W9, 7, 5, 3, 1, 0