Brush Stroke Birthday

Hi there, crafty friends!  I haven't posted for a while as things have been hectic on the home front but tonight I will have two posts for you.  The first is for the current challenge at Freshly Made Sketches, where Jen T. has given us an awesome sketch to play with.  I'm also joining the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.  I recently received the latest Simon Says Stamp Monthly Card Kit and was excited to use a few of the products to create my card.

FMS 307

SSS Wed Challenge - Anything Goes

To start, I chose one of the luscious pieces of patterned paper for the background, which was adhered to a Soft Navy card stock base.  Next I took another piece of the patterned paper that was half covered with Rose Gold Foil and die cut the scallop circle and one of the spiral flowers from that portion.  The polka dot strip was cut from a 3rd piece and layered on the base, then the rose gold circle was popped up over it with foam tape.

Next, I stamped the sentiment from the awesome Brush Stroke Messages stamp set with Versamark on Ivory card stock and heat set it with Steel Navy embossing powder.  After cutting another spiral flowers from navy card stock, I adhered it under the rose gold flower, slightly offset so the blue would should, then adhered the layered flower to the metallic circle.  I didn't have any Nuvo drops or other embellishments that matched the colors of the paper or the rose gold, so I made my own by punching out three small dots from the patterned paper with a 1/8th inch hand punch and added them to the upper left corner.

Thanks so much for visiting and commenting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added links to both challenges above, so be sure to visit and enjoy all the beautiful inspiration!


Stef




Product details
Stamps:  Brush Stroke Messages (SSS)
Paper:  Soft Navy, Ivory, My Mind's Eye Blush 6x6 paper pad (all SSS)
Ink:  Versamark
Other:  Spiral Flower Wafer die, Steel Navy embossing powder, 1/8" Circle hand punch, Layering Circle Framelits (Stampin' Up)

CAS Sympathy

Hello friends!  Welcome back!  Tonight I have a card to share that was made for the current challenges at Freshly Made Sketches and Stamp Ink Paper. 

 FMS 305

 

SIP 116

The focal point design came about rather by accident than intent.  I was going to make a collage of leaves surrounding the sentiment in the middle of the card, but after I stamped the script and single leaf, I really liked the simplicity of it.  I did decide to add some embossed gold splatter (more details below), then popped up the heat embossed sentiment.  After adhering the panel to the Cajun Craze card base, a die cut scallop frame was added around the edge.

To make the random gold embossed splatter, I flicked a paint brush wet with plain water onto the panel, poured gold embossing powder over it, then heat set it.  I just saw that technique yesterday on the blog of Jennifer McGuire (link here).  I always thought sticky ink like Versamark was necessary to adhere embossing powder, so I was thrilled to learn this new trick.  Flicking water with a paint brush creates a more random pattern, plus doesn't require a splatter type stamp.  Okay, maybe I'm easily pleased, but I love learning new little techniques like this.

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

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  French Foliage (Stampin' Up), Heartfelt Sentiments (Altenew)
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, Gold Foil
Ink:  Versamark, Cajun Craze,
Other:  Hero Arts Gold embossing powder, Die-Namics Stitched Rectangle Scallop Edge Frame (MFT)
 

Blooming Hello

Hello again, and welcome back!  Today I'm sharing a card made for 3 challenges:  CAS(E) this Sketch, Fab Friday (a beautiful color challenge) and The Daily Marker 30 Day Challenge.  While I haven't faithfully been coloring and uploading to the 30 Day Challenge everyday, it has incented me to focus on coloring on the cards when I have time in my craft room.



CTS 238

FabFri 120

30 Day Coloring Challenge

I had fun playing with the colors in the Fab Friday challenge.  I knew the orange and peach colors would blend well (I had to substitute Tangelo Twist as I don't have Tangerine Tango ink) but the two greens blended so beautifully on the leaves, I also used a blend of those colors as a small wash under the floral image.

I started with two panels of Canson watercolor paper, stamping and heat embossing the flowers and leaves on one, leaving the other for the background.  Once the water coloring was complete and fully dried, the flowers and leaves were die cut with the Blooming Bouquet companion dies.

I prepped the background panel with the blended green wash, dried it with my heat tool, then added a splatter of diluted Black Soot Distress ink (okay, maybe I got a little carried away ;-) .  Once the splatter was dry, the leaves and flowers were layered near the upper right corner.  The sentiment was die cut (also with a stamp set companion die) from black card stock three times, glued together with Ranger Multi Medium Matte, then adhered to the panel, which was then popped up on foam tape on the Tranquil Tide card base.  Orange Marmalade and Morning Dew Nuvo drops were then added to finish things off.

Thank you so much for visiting, as always, I sooo appreciate it!  Please be sure to use the links above to the respective challenges and enjoy all the beautiful inspiration!

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Blooming Bouquet (Altenew)
Paper:  Canson XL watercolor, Tranquil Tide, Basic Black
Ink:  Versamark, Black Soot Distress Ink, Peekaboo Peach, Tangelo Twist, Lemon Lime Twist, Tranquil Tide
Other:  Blooming Bouquet Companion dies, Tonic Nuvo Orange Marmalade Jewel Drops and Morning Dew Crystal Drops
 

Bella Friend

Hello again, friends!  My card today was made for the current challenge at Freshly Made Sketches.  I am also joining the Kathy's The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge.  I've added links to both challenges so be sure to use them and head over to check out all the wonderful inspiration!

FMS 304



 

30 Day Coloring Challenge

 

 





For my card, I decided to use one of the super cute images and sentiments in the Bella & Friends stamp set from Stampin' Up.  Floating Bella was stamped on Bristol then water colored.  I used a Zig marker and a watercolor paintbrush to color the dog's fur, then switched to Distress Inks for the other parts of the scene, mostly because the Distress Ink colors better matched the patterned paper I planned on using.  Once the water coloring was complete, I used a heat tool to dry the panel completely, then die cut it.

Originally I was going to have a white card base, but then I remembered the beautiful Royal Purple card stock in my stash and sure enough it went well with the patterned paper.  I think it also helps pop the main image, which was layered on a slightly larger scalloped oval.  The cross panel was cut in white card stock then a border punch was used to cut the scallops along the bottom edge.  Once the patterned paper was adhered, the panel was added to the card front, and then foam tape was used to add Bella.  For a bit of sparkle, Clear Wink of Stella was used on the balloon, and of course I had to add some sequins!

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I hope you and your family are well and safe, and prayers to those dealing with Harvey and Irma.

Stef


Product details
Stamps:  Bella & Friends (SU)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Strathmore Bristol, Royal Purple (Simon Says Stamp), Plaid Patterns 6x6 Paper Pack (My Favorite Things)
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black; Distress:  Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers, Dusty Concord
Other:  Layered Ovals Framelits (SU), Scallop Trim punch (SU), Mustard Zig Clean Color Real Brush Marker, Wisteria Mix sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), Chameleon sequins (SSS), Clear Wink of Stella
 

Peachy Hi

Hello and welcome back!  The card I have to share tonight was made for this week's Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.  Karen chose Peekaboo Peach, Pool Party and Black for this week's colors, and the "dessert" option is to use a green of our choice.  I chose to use Lemon Lime Twist for my green.  LOVE this color combination!  Here's a link to the challenge SCS CC 651.

The flowers and leaves were stamped on watercolor paper with Versafine Onyx Black and water colored with Peekaboo Peach and Lemon Lime Twist.  When done, I fussy cut the images and then spread Ebony Black Tonic Nuvo Drops around the middle of the flowers, and left that to dry while I worked on the other card components.

Next I took a panel of white card stock and used a stencil and ink dusting brush to lightly add Pool Party to the panel where I planned to add my die cut sentiment.  It was adhered to a slightly larger piece of black card stock, and a strip of MFT patterned paper was layered on the left side of the panel.  After wrapping the top with Baker's Twine, the entire panel was mounted on the Pool Party base with foam tape.

I ended up letting the flower centers dry overnight, then added them to a die cut circle along with the leaves.  The sentiment was die cut three times, glued together then adhered to the card.  A few sequins were then added as the finishing touch.

Thanks for visiting!  I hope you're able to join us at the SCS Color Challenge this week, I've added a link above so you can check it out.

Stef

Product details

Stamps:  More Spring Flowers (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Pool Party, Basic Black, Canson XL water color, Black & White Basics 6x6 Paper Pack (MFT)

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Peekaboo Peach, Pool Party, Lemon Lime Twist

Other:  Halftone Stencil (Altenew), Hello There Die (MFT), Stitched Shapes die (SU), Black Baker's Twine, Metallic Sequins (SU), Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), Clarity Stencil Brush, Ebony black Tonic Nuvo Crystal drops

Season's Tweetings

Hi there! I'm sharing a card using the sweet Winter Sparrows stamp set from Lawn Fawn.  It's been available for a while but I just recently purchased it because I just love the cute birds.

This was a really easy card, with the birds being simply water colored, then die cut along with the branch and sentiment.  After the patterned paper was layered on red card stock and adhered to the card base, the bird, branch and sentiment were added.  I used some Clear Wink of Stella on the scarf, hat and ear muffs, making them nice and shimmery.

The current challenges at Freshly Made Sketches and Color Throwdown (where I'm just scooting in under the deadlines!) provided the layout and color palette used in the card.  I've added links below to each challenge, so be sure to use them and enjoy all the beautiful inspiration!

FMS 303

CTD 458

Thanks for visiting!

Stef

Products details

Stamps:  Winter Sparrows

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Real Red (SU), Warmth & Cheer designer series paper (SU), Tim Holtz Water Color paper

Ink:  Versamark Onyx Black; Early Espresso (SU); Distress Inks:  Festive Berries, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade

Other:  Winter Sparrow Lawn Cuts, Clear Wink of Stella, Gift Card Envelope Accessory Framelit (sentiment banner) (SU), Snow Flake embellishments (SU retired), rhinestones