Dragonfly Dreams

Hi there and welcome back!  I have another card to share tonight, this time for the sketch challenge at Fab Friday. 

FabFri 119

I decided to use the lovely Dragonfly Dreams stamp and die set from Stampin' Up.  Starting by ink blending Distress inks (listed below) on a small rectangle of Bristol paper, adding water drops using a mister of Perfect Pearls and then drying it with a heat tool.  Since I was planning on adding a dragonfly die cut out of Copper Foil paper, I thought it would look really pretty atop shades of green and blue. 

In lieu of adding a circle or doily under the inked panel, I used one of the Gorgeous Grunge stamps to create a splatter image, stamping in Versamark and heat setting with Copper embossing powder.  The sentiment was also heat set with the same embossing powder after stamping it on a strip of black card stock.  After adhering the dragonfly and sentiment to the inked panel, it was popped up on foam tape and added to the panel, and finally the sequins were glued into place.

That's it!  Thanks for visiting today, it's always appreciated!  I've added a link to the challenge above, so be sure to take a look and enjoy all the wonderful inspiration.

Stef

Product details

Stamps:  Dragonfly Dreams, Gorgeous Grunge

Paper:  Basic Black, Neenah Solar White, Copper Foil, Strathmore Bristol

Ink:  Versamark, Cracked Pistachio, Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon

Other:  Copper embossing powder, Tim Holtz Mini Ink Blending Tools, Perfect Pearls, Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear sequins.

Woodland Birthday

Hello again!  Tonight I'm providing a sample for the Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.  This week Mary has given us options to use Tranquil Tide, Tangelo Twist and Soft Sky or Tranquil Tide, Crumb Cake and Soft Suede, either with Very Vanilla.  I chose the later combination in order to create a masculine birthday card.

SCS CC650

I started by stamping the elk image from Wilderness Awaits with Soft Suede ink on Crumb Cake, trimmed it down to a small rectangle and layered it on a larger piece of Soft Suede and set it aside.  For the background, a panel of Tranquil Tide was run through the Big Shot with the Woodland embossing folder, trimmed down to 4 x 5.25 inches and layered on a slightly larger piece of Very Vanilla.  It was then wrapped with Linen Thread before adding the entire panel to the Soft Suede card base.

I took the stamped image, adhered the die cut sentiment, put Dimensionals on the back of the small panel and sentiment oval, then added it to the card.  Very simple, but I think the recipient will like it.  I really liked these colors together for a masculine card.

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

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Wilderness Awaits, Simply Sketched (sentiment)
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Tranquil Tide, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
Ink:  Soft Suede, Tranquil Tide
Other:  Linen Thread, Woodlands embossing folder, Layering Ovals Framelit

Elphie Hello

Hello and welcome back!  Today I had fun playing with cutesy images from the Lawn Fawn set Elphie Selfie.  LF makes the most adorable stamp sets, and this one in particular was one I could not resist.  I used the current challenges at Freshly Made Sketches and Color Throwdown as inspiration for my card.  I'm also joining the current challenge at Addicted to CAS, where this week's code word is "Friend".

FMS 302

CTD 457

ATCAS #118 - Friends

Since I decide to watercolor with Zig markers (love the large selection of gray markers), I stamped the images onto Bristol paper, then used a waterbrush to color.  I have a love/hate relationship with water brushes.  For me, they seem to work the best with Zig markers in terms of my ability to move the ink around, although I still have frustrations with inconsistent water flow.  So after I worked through my issues ;-) and completed the watercoloring, the images were die cut with the companion Lawn Cut dies and set aside. 

For the base, I cut Bristol paper to the size of an A2 card, added some "ground" for Elphie and her friend Birdie to stand on with another Zig marker, then stamped the sentiment on the front.  The flower was adhered directly to the base, then Elphie and Birdie were popped into position with foam tape.  Since I decided to keep things very simple and forgo embellishments, I scored 1/4" all around the edge of the card.  Then, to finish off the card, I added hearts and an additional sentiment to the inside.

Thanks for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added links to the challenges above, so be sure to head over there and enjoy all the amazing inspiration.

Stef

Product details

Stamps:  Elphie Selfie (LF), You + Me (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:  Strathmore Bristol

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black

Other:  Elphie Selfie Lawn Cuts; Kuratake waterbrush; Stampin' Up Simply Scored board; Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers:  Light Gray, Gray Brown, Light Pink, Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Bright Yellow, Oatmeal

Great Friend

Hello Friends!  So glad you could come by and visit my blog.  Today I have a card to share that I made for the latest Fusion Challenge.

Fusion Card Challenge

I considered using both the sketch and the photo as inspiration for my card, but in the end I decided to go with florals and just use the sketch.

The flower and leaves from More Spring Flowers were heat set with white embossing powder on Bristol paper, then watercolored with various Zig markers (listed below) and die cut with companion dies after they dried.  While drying, I created the white card base, adhered the strip of black and white patterned paper, and die cut the white card stock circle.  I used glue dots to layer the leaves and rose onto the circle, with just one Dimensional under the right side of the flower, then the decorated circle was attached to the card base with foam tape.  After adhering the sentiment strip, a few Nuvo drops were added as the final touch.

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

Stef

Product details

Stamps:  More Spring Flowers, You + Me (both Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:  #110 Neenah Solar White, Basic Black (Stampin' Up), Stacked with Love patterned paper (SU), Strathmore Bristol

Ink:  Versamark

Other:  Hero Arts White Embossing Powder, Ebony Black and Morning Dew Tonic Nuvo Crystal Drops, More Spring Flowers companion dies, Stitched Shapes Framelit (SU), Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers:  Green, Pale Green, Mid Green, Bright Yellow

Peony Greetings

Hello there, my friends!  I hope your week is going well.  This week The Paper Players has a fun challenge to create a CAS card with coloring.  Well, that's one challenge I could not pass up since I love to watercolor so much!  I'm also joining the current challenge at The Flower Challenge, where we are to create our own background.

PP 358

The Flower Challenge #11

I recently acquired the Gansi Tambi Starry Colors Gold Metallic watercolor paints - soooo beautiful, and especially when used on dark card stock, which is a technique that I just fell in love with after viewing cards by the very talented Nichole Spohr (Things That Really Matter).  For my card I started with an A2 size panel of Slate card stock, heat set the small bud images from Peony Bouquet with gold embossing powder, then used a waterbrush to color the images with the metallic watercolor paint.  I was really pleased with the beautiful shimmer.  It's even more shimmery in real life but it's really hard to capture on camera.

The paint set comes with several different shades of metallic gold, including the silvery looking White gold, so I used those various colors to add contrast between the flowers, stems and leaves. After the watercoloring was complete, I used my Misti to center and stamp the sentiment that was also heat set with gold embossing powder.  Next I added Score Tape to both sides of a panel of Fun Foam cut slightly smaller than my watercolored panel, adhered it to the back and then onto a card base of the same card stock.  Letting the metallic floral images take the spotlight, I didn't add any embellishments to the card.

Thanks so much for your visit, it's always so appreciated!  I've added links to the challenges above, so be sure to head over there and enjoy all the beautiful inspiration.

Stef

Product details

Stamps:  Peony Bouquet, Painted Greetings, Blooming Bouquet (all Altenew)

Paper:  Slate, Neenah Solar White (interior)

Ink:  Versamark

Other:  Hero Arts Gold Embossing Powder, Gansai Tambi Starry Colors Gold Metallic watercolor paints, #4 Silver Black Velvet paint brush, Fun Foam

Live More

Hi there and welcome back!  My card today uses the current sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and no stamps!  I used some Pinkfresh Studio designer paper and stickers from the August Simon Says Stamp kit to create a fun card.

FMS 301

I started by choosing two of the designs in the paper stack, then cut them for the sketch and to preserve the message on the base piece.  They were layered on the white card stock base and the sticker adhered to the downward side of the top dsp layer.

I just love the message on the dsp and sticker - good reminders on keeping in mind what is really important and to be in the moment.  Sometimes easier said than done, but I guess that why I like reminders such as this.  Three arrow stickers were adhered on the lower left of the card, then Rosewater Nuvo drops were added around the card.  Probably the quickest card I've ever made, but still one with a bit of punch due to the fun colors and message.

Thanks for coming by to take a look, 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:  None

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Pink Fresh "Live More" dsp

Ink:  None

Other:  Pinkfresh Studio stickers, Tonic Nuvo Rosewater Jewell drops

Blooming Border

Hello again and welcome back!  Tonight I'm sharing a card made for the current Fusion sketch challenge, and the color challenge at The Paper Players to use Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral and Pear Pizzazz.

Fusion Card Challenge

PP 357

When I saw the sketch I knew I wanted to do a flower border.  I picked various smaller stamps from the Blooming Bouquet stamp set to use.  They were stamped and heat set on watercolor paper, watercolored with Distress inks in colors similar to the Stampin' Up colors in the challenge, then fussy cut.  For the curvy line down the middle of the sketch, I used a pencil to hand draw the curve on a piece of Bermuda Bay card stock and cut it with scissors.  Before adding the panel to the white card stock base, the sentiment was heat set with gold embossing powder, then the flowers and leaves were added with glue dots.  After everything was adhered,  I added some (okay, a lot) gold splatters and clear sequins.  I always think of metallics as a kind of neutral, and like to add them even if it's just some kind of embellishment.  But in this case I thought the splatters added some nice interest.

That's it for my card.  Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added links above to both challenges, so be sure to head over there and enjoy all the beautiful inspiration!

Stef

Product details

Stamps:  Blooming Bouquet (Altenew)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Bermuda Bay, Canson XL watercolor

Ink:  Versamark, Abandoned Coral, Peacock Feathers, Peeled Paint

Other:  Hero Arts Gold embossing powder, Gansi Tambi Starry Colors paints, Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear Sequins

Hello Friend

Hi there and welcome back!  My post tonight is nearly last minute for the 300th challenge at Freshly Made Sketches, which I did not want to miss.  I love FMS, with the amazing DT and the great sketches week after week.  If you haven't checked them out you need to (link below).  And now they have reached this great milestone of 300 challenges. 

FMS 300

For my card I decided to use a stencil for the longer vertical piece, then layer on top a rectangle of designer paper.  The dsp had a great color combination of lime green, light pink and gray, and that was the basis of the colors I used.  The chevron stencil and a Clarity Stencil Brush were used to add Twisted Citron on the white card stock panel.  I was hoping to use the new Lemon Lime Twist from Stampin' Up but my purchase delivery didn't happen until after the card was underway.  I then cut a rectangle of dsp, adhered it to a slightly larger panel of Basic Gray card stock, then popped it up on the panel with foam tape.

 

By the time I was at this point in making my card, my delivery from SU was finally delivered, so I decided to use some of the In Color card stock for the rest of my card.  The Lovely Words oval thinlit with the word "friend" was die cut from the new Powder Pink card stock (definitely the brighter and lighter sister of Blushing Bride), layered on an oval of white card stock with a light layer of Ranger Multi Media Matte adhesive, which allows some final adjustments before drying.  This was also popped up on the white card stock base with foam tape.  The entire panel was then mounted on a larger piece of Lemon Lime Twist card stock that was then adhered to the white card stock base. 

  

A few Tonic Nuvo drops and sequins were then added to the front but it didn't seem quite finished.  I decided to add the word "hello" to the sentiment, which was heat set on a piece of Basic Gray card stock, trimmed down to a small rectangle and added to the die cut oval.  That seemed to balance everything and complete the card.

Thanks for visiting, I really appreciate it!  Be sure to use the link above to the challenge and check out all the beautiful inspiration!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Circle of Spring
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Lemon Lime Twist, Basic Gray, Live More dsp (Pinkfresh Studio)
Ink:  Versamark; Distress Ink Twisted Citron
Other:  Hero Arts White Embossing Powder, Lovely Words Thinlits, Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear sequins, Rosewater Tonic Nuvo Jewel Drops, Tim Holtz Chevron Layering Stencil, Layering Oval Framelit

Ombre Happy Birthday

Yup, post #2 today.  I've made a lot of cards this week and am running into deadlines to post!  This time I'm sharing a card made for the current Seize the Birthday Challenge, where the topping is to "tie one on".  Admittedly, I rarely use ribbon anymore, although I do like adding Baker's Twine or Linen Thread periodically, so it was kind of fun to put this together.

STB Tie One On

I began by ink blending Melon Mambo, Peekaboo Peach and Crushed Curry on a scrap of Bristol paper, then die cut them with the Happy Birthday thinlit.  Then I thought I would be clever and do an inlay of the ombre die cut sentiment into a panel of white card stock.  Mission accomplished but I think I did everything backwards, so it was a harder process than it needed to be LOL (duly noted after I then re-reviewed a Jennifer McGuire video of the Inlay Die technique on You Tube).  :-)

After the inlay was complete I ran the panel through the Big Shot with a Wonky Rectangle die, wrapped the panel with ribbon and added it to the Melon Mambo card base.  Clear Wink of Stella was painted on the die cut sentiment and a few sequins were scattered around to complete the card.

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 enjoy all the beautiful inspiration.

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  None
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Melon Mambo, Strathmore Bristol
Ink:  Melon Mambo, Peekaboo Peach, Crushed Curry
Other:  Melon Mambo 1/8" Stitched Ribbon, SU Metallic Sequins, Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear Sequins, Sweet 16 Sequins (Simon Says Stamp), Wonky Rectangle die (SSS), Happy Birthday thinlit (SU), Clear Wink of Stella

Heartfelt Sentiment

Hello again!  Today I'm sharing a card made for the current challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch.  It's a wonderful sketch with tons of possibilities. 

CTS 234

I started by watercoloring another Suzy's Paintable Prints, this one with a bouquet of flowers in a mason jar (which represents the circle in the sketch).  So cute!  I used Distress Inks (listed below) and traded out my waterbrush for actual watercolor paintbrushes.  I was a bit frustrated with the waterbrush (too much water, too little water) which is most likely entirely user error (ha!), but using the paint brushes made moving the ink around much easier. 

After the panel was completely dry, I trimmed it down and layered it on a white card stock base with a little strip of yellow card stock on the right edge.  The sentiment was stamped with Versamark and heat set with white embossing powder on a strip of black card stock.  The last touch was to had some Clear Wink of Stella to the flowers, which is more visible in the photo below.

Thanks so much for your visit, it's always so appreciated!  Be sure to use the link above to the challenge and enjoy all the beautiful inspiration.

Stef

Product details

Stamps:  Heartfelt Sentiments (Altenew)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Banana (Simon Says Stamp), Basic Black (Stampin' Up), Suzy's Mothers & Flowers Paintable Prints (SSS)

Ink:  Versamark; Distress Inks:  Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Seedless Preserves, Worn Lipstick, Broken China, Tumbled Glass, Hickory Smoke

Other:  Hero Arts White Embossing Powder, Clear Wink of Stella, Sharpie Extra Fine Point White Paint

Suzy's Paintable Prints

Hello and welcome back!  I hope you've had a good week!  I thought I would be posting these two cards earlier this week but you know, life happens, so here I am at last.  For both cards I've used Suzy's Mothers & Flowers Paintable Prints, available only through Simon Says Stamp (there are several selections for different occasions).  The prints are on Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor paper and have whimsical and sweet scenes.  For this first card, I've trimmed out a flower from the print after watercoloring and added it to my card front.  I used the entire print for the second card.

I fell in love with this big tulip that was part of one of the prints but wanted to use this large sentiment from the Big on Birthday stamp set from Stampin' Up, so I used Distress Inks to watercolor it then, and after it dried, fussy cut it and put aside.  Next I started with the background panel of Bristol paper, where I ink blended Tumbled Glass ink then heat set the sentiment in gold embossing powder.  To give it more interest I also splattered it with water drops and small flicks of gold watercolor paints.  When the paint dried, the flower was popped up on foam tape, the panel wrapped with gold cord, then adhered to the Royal Purple cardstock base.  Last touches were to add sequins and Nuvo drops in gold and dark violet.

For this card, I used the sketch challenge from a couple of weeks ago over at Splitcoaststampers (SC 655) as my layout inspiration.

The second card was more time consuming due to layers of watercoloring plus I took some time to get the butterfly wings blended with these very bright colors.

I actually started with the background in light blue, which helped me avoid dragging any of the brighter colors into the background when adding background ink.  Plus I knew the bright colors would cover up any stray bit of light blue.  I LOVE this sentiment and every bit of Suzy's design and enjoyed watercoloring it.  I tried to do an ombre from light to dark on the words "YOU" and used some of my very favorite Distress Ink colors, Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade, Wilted Violet and Mermaid Lagoon on the butterfly.  Getting the pink to blend into the orange was work and actually looked very continuous until I splattered water drops on the card when it was done and one landed right on that wing!!  Had to laugh about that.

I decided to go a bit bold and used a paintbrush to flick metallic black watercolor paint dots on the panel.  I got a little carried away but was able to use a paper towel to soak up some of the larger ones, so now they look like a faint gray.  After the panel dried, I added a few sequins and adhered it to the Island Blue card base.

Thanks for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I hope to be back this weekend with a couple more posts, so stop by if you have a chance.

Stef

Card #1

Stamps:  Big on Birthdays (Stampin' Up)

Paper:  Strathmore Bristol, Royal Purple and Suzy's Mothers & Flowers Paintable Prints (both Simon Says Stamp)

Ink:  Versamark; Distress Inks:  Wilted Violet, Shaded Lilac, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass

Other:  Hero Arts Gold Embossing Powder, Yasutomo Watercolor Paints, Silver Black Velvet #4 round paintbrush, Gold Cord (SU), Paper Snips, Violet Galaxy & Bright gold Nuvo Crystal Drops, Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear Sequins, Clear Wink of Stella

Card #2

Stamps:  None

Paper:  Island Blue (SSS), Suzy's Mothers & Flowers Paintable Prints

Ink:  Distress Inks:  Cracked Pistacho, Mermaid Lagoon, Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn, Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade, Wilted Violet, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed

Other:  Yasutomo Watercolor Paints, Silver Black Velvet paintbrush, Chameleon (SSS) and Sparkling Clear (PPP) sequins

Abstract Triangles

Hello again, my friends!!  I had some great fun yesterday making a couple of cards for the annual Dare to Get Dirty Challenges at Splitcoastampers (SCS home).  Twice a year SCS chooses a group of elite card makers to become members of the "Dirty Dozen", who have monthly challenges that they then share with SCS fan members (there is a modest annual fee to be a fan member, but you don't have to be a fan member to visit SCS).  In the annual challenges, the Dirty Dozen members create challenges that the fan members participate in (there were 35 different challenges this year) and there are prizes!  It's simply amazing to see all the beautiful and clever creations that are made.  I've added the link to SCS above, so if you haven't ever visited or haven't for a while, you should head over there and check out all the resources and daily challenges.

So having said all that, let's get to the cards, both of which use the wonderful Abstract Triangles background stamp from Simon Says Stamp.

For this first card I started by heat embossing the background stamp with white embossing powder after stamping on watercolor paper with Versamark ink.  Next I used Painter's Tape to adhere it to a board and did a watercolor wash with various Distress Inks.  While still taped to the board I dried the panel with my heat tool in order to minimize warping due to the amount of water used.  After drying, it was trimmed down to 4 1/8" x 5 3/8".  Next I die cut the large sentiment from Neenah Solar White card stock three times, layered them together and adhered to the panel using Ranger Multi Medium Matte.  Next I heat set the other part of the sentiment with white embossing powder on gray card stock, trimmed it down and popped it up on the panel with foam tape.  Nuvo drops and Pretty Pink Posh Clear Droplets were added after the panel was adhered to the Sea Glass card base.

The process for the background for my second card was much the same as the one above but I used this gorgeous Cloud 9 Glitter embossing powder from WOW that I received as part of the last monthly kit from Simon Says Stamp.  I think it looks gorgeous and really adds an extra something to the background.  I also went back to the panel with some additional ink on a few triangles before I dried it, giving it a bit of variation

The panel was added to a white card stock base, the sentiment again die cut 3 times, layered and adhered to the vellum circle.  I then used the retired Owl Builder punch from Stampin' Up to create the glimmer hearts, also adhered to the vellum.  After the hearts and sentiment were securely adhered, I added small pieces of foam tape to the back side, hidden under the die cut so it would not show through the vellum. 

That's it for both cards.  I hope to complete a couple more of the DTGD challenges, so watch for those posts in the next couple of days.  In the meantime, thanks for visiting and I hope you have a great week ahead!

Stef

Product details

Card #1

Stamps:  Abstract Triangles (SSS), Happy Birthday Gorgeous (SU)

Paper:  Canson XL watercolor, Neenah Solar White, Sea Glass (SSS), Basic Gray (SU)

Ink:  Versamark, Cracked Pistachio, Peacock Feathers, Salty Ocean, Dusty Concord

Other:  Happy Birthday thinlit (SU), Hero Arts White Embossing Powder, Pretty Pink Posh Clear Droplets, Tonic Nuvo Simply White Crystal Drops and Blue Lagoon Glitter Drops

Card #2

Stamps:  Abstract Triangles

Paper:  Canson watercolor, Neenah Solar White, Vellum, Silver Glimmer (SU)

Ink:  Versamark, Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves

Other:  Thanks die (SSS), Owl Builder punch (SU), Stitched Shapes framelit (SU), 1" Stroke & #10 round Princeton paint brushes, Wow Cloud 9 Glitter embossing powder

Whimsical Adventure

Hello again!  Recently I won the Stampin' Up Dare to Dream stamp set as blog candy (thank you Susan!) and thought I should use it because it's pretty cute.  It's one of the current Host sets in the annual Stampin' Up catalogue with several fun sentiments and cute, whimsical images.  I'm pairing it with the current sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.  This one threw me a bit until I settled on using this stamp set and some cute retired SU designer paper.

FMS 299

Starting with the dsp, it was trimmed down to fit the vertical pieces in the sketch and because it has retired colors in it, I was pleased to find I still had a bit of Taken with Teal card stock and a marker.  The dsp was layered on slightly larger pieces of teal card stock and adhered to the card base.  Next, cute little clouds and a balloon were stamped on a separate piece of white card stock and fussy cut.  The balloon is a two step stamp, so the outline was stamped in Chocolate Chip and the balloon interior in Pretty in Pink.

The word "adventure" was inked up with the Taken with Teal marker and fortunately I used my Misti, as it took 3 times to get a solid image.  I then fussy cut it as I really didn't have a die that fit the size.  The other part of the sentiment was stamped on the teal card stock and heat set with white embossing powder.  As I was laying out out the elements to decide where to adhere everything, I felt like twine was needed to really finish things off, so after the stamped images were all popped up on Dimensionals, I found that Island Indigo Baker's Twine matched almost perfectly with the teal and was wrapped around the base and tied with a bow.  The last touch was to lightly add Clear Wink of Stella to the pink balloon. 

That was a quick and fun card to make, and I appreciate that Kim gave us a different kind of sketch to work with.  Thanks for visiting, it's always appreciated!  Be sure to use the link above to visit the FMS challenge and check out all the wonderful inspiration!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Dare to Dream
Paper:  Thick Whisper White, Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Sweet Pea dsp (retired)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal (ret.), Pretty in Pink (ret.), Versamark
Other:  Clear Wink of Stella, white embossing powder, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Paper Snips

Lucky Me

Hello again!  I hope you're having a good week!  I've had some fun in my craft room this week, and the card I'm sharing with you here is for the Stamp Ink Paper current challenge to use primary colors, the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge to "Splatter It" and The Challenge, to use one of the Keywords, of which I chose "friendship".

SIP 110

SSS Wed Challenge - Splatter

The Challenge #93

Making this card was definitely outside my wheelhouse as I am not a primary color type of girl, but it's always good to stretch and do things that are outside one's comfort zone.  Plus, I finally used a super cute stamp set that was part of the GENEROUS blog candy I won at SIP's 100th challenge post (thank you DT!!).  I've been waiting for the right time to use it and this was it!

I started with a panel of Bristol paper and blended Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink around the middle.  Next the word "lucky" was cut twice from yellow card stock and the larger version from navy card stock.  The other parts of the sentiment were heat set with white embossing powder on red card stock.

Before all the words and embellishments were added to the inked panel, it was die cut with the largest Wonky Rectangle die, then splattered with white gouache and water.  The wood hearts were colored with a red Zig marker, then topped with Ranger Glossy Accents to make them nice and shiny.  Both the hearts and panel were left over night to dry, after which the panel was added to a red card base, and the die cut and embossed sentiment and hearts were adhered to the front, and the card was complete!

Thanks so much for visiting, as always, it's so appreciated!  I've added links to the challenges above so be sure to use them to check out all the amazing inspiration!

Stef

Product details

Stamps:  Lucky Stamp Set (Concord & 9th)

Paper:  Strathmore Bristol, School House Red and Soft Navy (both Simon Says Stamp)

Ink:  Versamark, Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink

Other:  Lucky companion dies, Wonky Rectangle die (SSS), Hero Arts White Embossing Powder, Hearts and Stars Elements (Stampin' Up), Red Zig Clean Color Real Brush Marker, Winsor & Newton White Gouache, Ranger Glassy Accents

So Sweet Birthday

Hi there, I hope your week is going well!  Today I'm going to share with you a card I made for the fun Tic-Tac-Toe challenge at The Paper Players, and using the sketch from the current challenge at Sunday Stamps.  I'm also entering this into the "Anything Goes" challenge for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

PP355

SSC158

SSS Wed Challenge - Anything Goes

I thought the July My Monthly Hero stamp set would work perfectly for this sketch, with it's lovely small images of flower bouquets and various containers to hold them.  I decided to use the pretty Sweet Pea bouquet image along with the watering can.  I stamped the flowers and a sentiment from the set on a square of Tim Holtz watercolor paper.  The watering can was stamped on a separate piece and die cut with the companion die after I finished water coloring it with Hickory Smoke Distress Ink.

The flowers were water colored with a combination of Wilted Violet and Shaded Lilac.  I love the blue color that results when those two colors blend.  Because the image is so small, my water coloring was pretty basic, covering the flowers first with lilac, then dropping in the violet color at the base and spreading it into the lilac but not worrying about blending it perfectly.  Once the flowers dried I added Shabby Shutters ink to the stems and leaves.

To give the watering can something to rest on, I added a but of Pumice Stone ink in the lower background.  Tumbled Glass ink was lightly spread around the flowers, and then the watering can was added to the panel using Dimensionals.   I searched through my stash and found this beautiful Basic Gray designer paper that worked perfectly with the image - a little old fashioned and a bit of distress around the edges.  After adding the dsp and focal image to the white card stock base, it was embellished with the banners, Galaxy (purple) and Morning Dew Nuvo drops and the cute wood flower.  Then I realized that my card was supposed to be a birthday card in order to complete the top row of the Tic-Tac-Toe challenge, and the sentiment on the front wasn't a birthday sentiment (oops).  I found a sentiment from the Dragonfly Dreams stamp set by Stampin' Up with a font that seemed complementary to the one on the front of the card and added that to the inside along with a couple of other flower images from the HA stamp set.  So I hope that qualifies me for the challenge :)

Well, that's the story about this card creation!  Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added links to the challenges above, so be sure to head over there and enjoy all the amazing inspiration!

Stef

Product details

Stamps:  Hero Arts July My Monthly Hero stamp set, Dragonfly Dreams (SU)

Paper:  #110 Neenah Solar White, Tim Holtz water color, Wisteria Wonder (SU), Vellum, Wisteria 6x6 dsp paper pad (Basic Gray)

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black; Distress Ink:  Hickory Smoke, Shabby Shutters, Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet, Pumice Stone, Tumbled Glass

Other:  Eyelet Border punch (SU), Polka Dot embossing folder (SU), My Monthly Hero Arts companion die, Touches of Nature Elements (SU), Galaxy and Morning Dew Nuvo Crystal Drops, #4 Silver Black Velvet and #00 Grumbacher watercolor paint brushes