Just For You

Hello again!  Can you believe it's the last day of March already???  A quarter of 2019 already flown by, but I am happy because the weather will be warming up and all the flowers in our yard will begin their blooming season!  Already we've had hellebore, crocus, hyacinth and volunteer primroses. Love it!

I'm sharing a card that carries one symbol of spring that I'm waiting to see in our yard soon, and it was made for three challenges:  Freshly Made Sketches, the Color Throwdown and the Tic-Tac-Toe for The Paper Players.  Links to all the challenges are added below.

FMS 381

ctd536

PP435

The colors for CTD are described as Mauve, Mossy Green and Cream, and I had a hard time settling on a color for mauve, but after a couple of failed attempts, finally found the color I was looking for, not too purple and not too pink.  For the Paper Players Tic-Tac-Toe challenge, I used a die-cut for my sentiment strip, embossing and a floral image.

I really love how these tulips turned out and think I've found a new favorite Copic color combination!  After coloring on Neenah Solar White, I remembered that the color challenge included cream not white, so I ended up fussy cutting the bouquet and used foam tape to mount on the Ivory card stock panel.

A strip of embossed Crumb Cake card stock was added to the side, then linen thread wrapped around the panel next to it and a little bow tied on.  Since I didn't have any card stock that matched well with the flower colors, I used a Copic marker to color a strip of card stock, then heat embossed the sentiment.  A few sequins finished things off.

 

So glad you came by to visit!  I hope you have a great week!

Stef


Stamps:  Sketched Tulip Bouquet (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Crumb Cake (Stampin' Up), Ivory (SSS)
Ink:  Gina K. Black Amalgam, Versamark
Other:  Sentiment Labels die (SSS), Brutus Monroe Alabaster embossing powder, Corrugated embossing folder (SU), Sketched Tulip Bouquet matching die, Linen Thread
Copics:  Flower:  RV66, 55, 63, 52; Leaves:  YG67, 63, 61; Sentiment Strip:  RV52
 

Hey There!

Hello!  The card I'm sharing was made with the current challenge at The Paper Players where Joanne has created a fabulous sketch. I'm also entering my card in the Anything Goes challenge at the SSS Wednesday Challenge (links below to both).

PP 434

SSS Wednesday Challenge

I made a very simple, easy card with some fabulous patterned paper that I made the star of the show, so to speak. I trimmed the patterned paper to 4" x 4.25" for the background, then used 1/8" strip of the reverse side pattern on each side, then layered on a Desert Storm card base.  I am so totally smitten with that scene with all the mushrooms, leaves and acorns, and the gorgeous color palate.  I kind of surprised myself because the red is Poppy Parade, one of my least favorite SU colors, but with this paper design it is perfect.

The Lumber embossing folder was used to create some texture on the strip of Poppy Parade, which was added to the panel with foam tape.  Next the sentiment strip was stamped and adhered on top with a cute wood acorn.  The final step was to wrap some hemp twine around the top.  Easy peasy!  I like this card because it could be sent to anyone for a number of occasions.

So glad you were able to come by visit!  Have a great week!

Stef


Stamps:  Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White & Desert Storm, Poppy Parade, Painted Seasons dsp (SU)
Ink:  Early Espresso (sentiment)
Other:  Lumber embossing folder (Tim Holtz), Hemp Twine, Wood Element (ret. SU)
 

Friend

Hi there, it's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Barbara is hosting this week and she has chosen Powder Pink, Soft Sea Foam and Early Espresso with a dessert option to use Designer Series Paper.  I was so excited to use my new peony background stamp that I forgot about dessert. 

I used Copic markers similar to the challenge colors to color the panel, starting with the dark background so I didn't go through the effort of coloring all the floral images only to mess them up with the dark ink that I would not be able to fix.  After that was complete I die cut the sentiment 3 times for dimension, adhered it to a vellum banner, then added adhesive only behind the die cut to add the banner to the colored panel.  After using foam tape to add to the white card base, I added a few iridescent jewels for a little sparkle.

I was inspired to create a dark background, both by the challenge colors and by Lydia at Understand Blue, where she created a beautiful card with a black background in this post.

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  I've added a link to SCS above, so I encourage you to check out this week's Color Challenge!

Stef


Stamps:  Pretty Peony Background (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Vellum
Ink:  Gina K Black Amalgam
Other:  Big Friend die (SSS), Lucy's Iridescent Jewels
Copics:  Flowers:  R32, 30, 00; Leaves:  G02, 00, 0000, YG03, 91, 95, 97, 99; Background:  E49
 

Hello Spring!

Hi there friends!  I'm back with a card made for the current challenge at The Paper Players.  Jaydee has challenged us to make a CAS one layer wonder card.  I had a panel with a floral bouquet I'd water colored a while back and this seemed the perfect time to use it! 

The Paper Players

I'm also joining the Ways to Use It challenge at Splitcoaststampers, where our card should include something that can be planted in a garden, such as flowers or vegetables. 

I've had this stamp set for a while and used other images from it, including the butterfly used on this card, but not this pretty bouquet.  After stamping on a panel of Arches cold press watercolor paper with Versafine Onyx Black, I water colored it with various Distress Inks.  I love them because the colors are nice and bold, and blend beautifully. Basically I used a light wash to color each flower and the leaves, then when dry, went back in with more ink and less water to add shadows and then a light blue wash in the background. 

I found what I thought was an appropriate sentiment given that today is the 2nd day of Spring, stamped in VOB, then die cut the panel with an A2 size stitched rectangle die.  Strong adhesive was added to the back as the panel was a bit warped, then adhered to an ivory card base.  No embellies, enough white space (I think?) and adhering directly to a base without dimension for a one layer card.

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

Stef


Stamps:  Fragrant Flowers (Penny Black), Sketch Tulip Bouquet (sentiment/Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Arches #140 Cold Press, Ivory (card base)
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black; Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Wilted Violet, Broken China, Peeled Paint (I think), Gathered Twigs
Other:  Card Front Element Build Stitched Rectangle die (SugarPea Designs)
 

I'd Pick You

Hi there!  I was thrilled that my card Hello Friend was randomly chosen as the Featured Stamper for Color Throwdown challenge #533.  As a result, I was asked to be the Guest Star Stamper for the current challenge, and of course I said yes!  Along with the CTD challenge colors of red, yellow, soft green and white, I used the current Mojo Monday sketch, plus I'm also joining The Flower Challenge, where the theme is Anything Goes.





Color Throwdown

 

Mojo 511

The Flower Challenge #30

I was totally inspired by the gingham plaid in the CTD inspiration photo, but changed things up a bit by using the yellow for the plaid and red for the springtime tulips.

I started with the tulips from a new set from Simon Says Stamp.  They were colored with Copic markers, die cut with matching dies, then set aside as I worked on the rest of the card.  The background plaid is from Stampin' Up, inked up in SU Daffodil Delight dye ink, a stitched rectangle die used to trim it down, then adhered it to a white card base.

 
I used kraft as a neutral, embossing the horizontal panel with a woodgrain folder, added a scallop border on the bottom, tucked the sentiment in the top, then added the circle and tulips.

Thanks so much for visiting, it's always so appreciated!  Be sure to use the links above to check out all the challenges.

Stef

Product details
Stamps:  Sketch Tulip Bouquet (SSS), Buffalo Check (SU)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm, Daffodil Delight (SU)
Ink:  Gina K Black Amalgam, Versafine Onyx Black, Daffodil Delight
Other:  Sketch Tulip Matching die, Stitched Shapers and Layering Circles Framelits (SU), A2 Stitched Rectangle Stax die (MFT), Scallop Border punch (SU), Lumber embossing folder (TH),Tiny Hearts Sprinkles (Doodlebug), Copic Markers
 

Spring Wings & Flowers

It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Jeanne is hosting this week and she's chosen the lovely combination of Lemon Lime Twist, Pacific Point and Flirty Flamingo, with a dessert option to add "wings".  I'm also joining the current challenge at The Flower Challenge.

 

The Flower Challenge #30

 

I chose a stamp set with lots of pretty leaves and stems, plus a couple of flower images to I could incorporate the challenge colors.  I colored everything with Copic markers then die cut them with matching dies.

 



 

To create the background a cover die was cut from white card stock and adhered onto the white card base.  The butterfly was die cut from Lemon Lime Twist card stock and painted with an aqua shimmer pen.  I layered the leaves, stems and flowers to create a spray in the corner, popping the main flower up with foam tape.  After adding the butterfly, also with foam tape, a few sequins were scattered about for a bit more bling.  I decided not to add a sentiment to the front so the card could be used for a number of occasions.

 

 

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

 

Stef

 

 

Stamps:  More Spring Flowers (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Lemon Lime Twist

Ink:  Gina K

Other:  More Spring Flowers matching dies, Marilyn cover die and Leanna Butterfly die (SSS), Tonic Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen, Sparkling Clear (PPP) and Chameleon (SSS) sequins, Lucy's Iridescent Jewels

Copics:  Flowers:  R35, 32, 30, B39, 26, 24, 21; Leaves:  YG17, 23, 01

 

Hellebore Birthday

Hi there!  The card I'm sharing was made for the current Freshly Made Sketchs and Seize the Birthday challenges.  For STB, the "toppings" theme is to include dots and stripes.

FMS 379

Seize the Birthday - Dots and Stripes

I recently acquired a sweet Hellebore stamp and the size worked great for the sketch.  It was Copic colored similar to the Hellebore flowers we have in our yard, purple with a yellow green center and stamen.  After fussy cutting, it was foam mounted on a white circle die.

The Black and White Basics paper pack from MFT made it easy to add the strips and dots, letting the flower be the star of the show.  The sentiment was tucked in behind the horizontal panel, then silver and sparkling clear sequins added for the final touch.

Thanks so much for dropping by!  I've added links above to both challenges, so be sure to check them out!

Stef


Stamps:  Cling Small Hellebore (Stampendous), Circle of Spring (sentiment/Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Black & White Basics Patterned Paper Pack (MFT)
Ink:  Gina K Amalgam black, Versafine Onyx Black
Other:  Stitched Shapes Framelits (SU), A2 Stitched Rectangle Stax die (MFT), Sakura White Gelly pen, Copic Multiliner, Copic markers
 

Happy Birthday Old Dog!

It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Karen is hosting this week and she has chosen the combination of Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Night of Navy and Poppy Parade, with a dessert option to add feathers.  Truthfully, I forgot about dessert so my card definitely does not contain feathers.

I scratched my head over this color combination for a while but then realized it would work perfectly for a birthday card for my BIL using one of the Crazy Dogs.  Old Bowser wanted to make sure and join the party, so he donned his polka dot party hat.  I colored both Bowser and the hat with Copic markers then die cut them with matching dies.  Separately, I lightly ink blended a bit of Fossilized Amber Distress Ink on a panel of Bristol paper, die cut it with a Wonky Stitched rectangle die, popped it up with foam tape on a navy card base, then adhered Bowser, party hat and the sentiment.

Thanks for visiting, and I hope you'll join the Color Challenge this week!

Stef


Stamps:  Crazy Dogs, Crazy Things, Crazy Talk
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Strathmore Bristol, Navy (SSS)
Ink:  Gina K Amalgam, Fossilized Amber Distress Ink
Other:  Wonky Stitched Rectangle and Sentiment Labels dies (SSS)
Copics:  Y11, 15, YR24, 27, R89, 29, 14 BG09, 15, 32, 10 C5, 3, 1, W3, 0, B39, 37, 45
 

Hello Friend

Hi there and welcome!  I have a card to share that I made for two challenges, the current one at Color Throwdown and the Free For All challenge at Splitcoaststampers, where the theme is to CASE a card from your SCS gallery.  I found one I made for my first month as part of the SCS Dirty Dozen Design Team last April and thought it would be a fun one to create anew, using the gorgeous CTD colors.

ctd533

I do love purples so I was immediately drawn to this week's colors of gray, purple, lavender and kraft, which also worked perfect for the cute kitty stamp from Waffle Flower.

I started by using Copics to color the main image, die cut it with the matching die and then realized I hadn't lined it up properly.  Sigh, back to square one recoloring the image.  However, I was able to rescue the kitty from the first version and since I like how it was colored, I fussy cut it then popped it up over the 2nd version.  Our sweet kitty and flowers were adhered to a die cut circle of vellum then set aside as I used a stencil to ink blend clouds with Distress Inks on the background panel. 

The bottom of the panel was lightly covered with Dusty Concord, then I switched to Shaded Lilac to stencil the clouds.  The panel was die cut, added to the Desert Storm card base, then vellum circle with the kitty was adhered.  The sentiment die was cut 3 times, stacked, then ink blended in a kind of ombre fashion with the same Distress Inks.  I didn't have gray card stock that matched nicely with the color of the kitty, so I used C5 Copic on white card stock and when dry, heat embossed the word friend. 

Here's the card from my SCS gallery that I cased:

That's it, thanks for visiting!  Above are links to both challenges, so be sure to check them out!

Stef


Stamps:  Smiling (Waffle Flower), Tiny Words (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm, Strathmore Bristol, Vellum
Ink:  Gina K Black Amalgam, Versamark, Shaded Lilac, Dusty Concord Distress
Other:  Smiling matching die, Wonky Stitched Rectangle and Sentiment Labels dies, Stitched Shapes Circle Framelit (SU), Hello die (MFT), Cloud Stencil (MFT), Copic markers
 

Chirping You On

Hi there!  I'm sharing a card made for two separate challenges, both with the theme of "Make A Scene".  The first is this week's Teapot Tuesday Challenge at Splitcoaststampers and the second for the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

The scene I created for my card is relatively modest but my larger desire was to bring some cheer to the recipient, who has been having health problems the past few months and unable to make the scene cards she it known for on SCS.  So I found a cute stamp from a long retired Stampin' Up stamp set and created a little scene around it.

I used Copic markers for the scene, actually coloring the ground, grass and sky before tackling the wagon of flowers. I did that because I didn't want to inadvertently pull the red used for the wagon into the background, as reds are almost impossible to "erase" or move.  Once the coloring was complete, the scene was die cut and mounted on a slightly larger scallop circle die.  The card base was stamped with a floral background stamp using Versamark ink to keep it subtle.  After adhering the main image, cloud die cuts and the sentiment were added with foam tape.

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

Stef


Stamps: For the Birds (SU), Spoken Bird (sentiment/Hero Arts 2/18 card kit), Modern Rose Blooms Background (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Lipstick Red (SSS)
Ink:  Versamark, Versafine Onyx Black, Gina K Amalgam
Other:  Simple Puffy Clouds die (Lawn Fawn), Stitched Shapes and Layering Circles Framelits (SU), Small Oval punch (ret. SU), Sakura White Gelly Roll pen
Copics:  B05, 02, 00, 000, 0000, C9, 7, 5, 3, 0, 00, YG01, 03, 17, 63, 67, E27, 23, 21, 000, 01, Y02, 06, 11, 26, 17 YR16, R34, 29, 14, RV66, 63
 

Spring Flowers

Hi there and welcome back!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  I am the host this week and have chosen the colors Granny Apple Green, Pool Party, So Saffron and Melon Mambo, with a dessert option to include a Spring image.  My Spring images are flowers, as you may have guessed by the blog post title!  I'm also joining the current challenge at The Paper Players, where the theme is "Spring Fever".  I think everyone in the US and Canada is sooo ready for Spring!

SCS CC729

PP431

I used another one of the fabulous Suzy's Watercolor Prints from Simon Says Stamp for my card.  While on watercolor paper, the prints can be colored with a variety of mediums, so I used my Copics.

After the coloring was complete, the panel was trimmed down sufficiently so I could use some striped So Saffron patterned paper in the background.  After wrapping with some Baker's Twine, it was added to the base and a small sentiment circle adhered.

Thanks so much for visiting, I really appreciate it!  Be sure to use the links above to check out both challenges.

Stef

Stamps:  Circle of Spring (SU)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, retired SU dsp, Suzy's Watercolor Prints (SSS)

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black

Other:  Hero Arts Nested Infinity Rectangle and Circle dies, MFT A2 Stitched Rectangle Stax die, White Baker's Twine, Sakura White Gelly Roll pen

Copics:  RV17, 09, 06, 04, 02, Y21, 26, YR24, YG03, 17, 25, 67, BG10





Coral Petal Birthday

Hello, I hope you had a great weekend!  I used the time to make a few cards, including the one I'm sharing here, which was made for the challenges at Color Throwdown, CAS(e) this sketch and Just Us Girls.

ctd532

cts311

Just Us Girls #477

The flowers and leaves were Copic colored in coral and green, with the centers a mix of a light brown (kraft like) and dark brown, then dotted with a white gel pen.  For the blue panel I started with a larger panel of watercolor paper, which I saturated with water then dropped in a couple of blue Distress Inks.  I used a heat tool to dry, then sprayed it with shimmer spray, let it dry, then added Distress Resist spray.  When those layers dried completely I layered on an additional watercolor layer which darkened up the areas not sprayed with the Distress Resist.  The contrast wasn't as great as I'd hoped but I liked it paired with the other challenge colors, so I decided to work with it as is, trimming it down with a square die to add to the card front.

Before assembling the card I used the center panel to determine where to stamp the sentiment, the added the center panel, flowers and sequins for a bit of sparkle!

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

Stef


Stamps:  Perfectly Perfect (Altenew), Happy Birthday Gorgeous (sentiment/Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm, Canson XL
Ink:  Gina K Amalgam,Versafine Onyx Black, Distress Inks Salty Ocean and Mermaid Lagoon
Other:  Tim Holtz Distress Resist Spray, Tsukineko Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spray, Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), Perfectly Perfect matching dies, Square Framelits (ret. SU)
Copics:  R27, 24, 22, 20, YG67, 17, 25, E31, 29
 

Birthday Yay!

Hello friends, and welcome back!  The card I'm sharing is one I made for a long time friend of mine.  He lost his old doxy boy back in November but now has a very sweet new rescue pooch that is a doxy mix, so I knew he'd enjoy the card. 

I've used the sketch from the current Fusion challenge and am also joining Just Us Girls Word Week Challenge of "Birthday", the Anything Goes challenges at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and Seize the Birthday, although my card might also capture the STB toppings theme of "Make Us Laugh" just because the pup is so darn cute!

 Fusion Challenge

Just Us Girls #477 

 SSS Wed Challenge

 Seize The Birthday

I used one of my favorite Crazy Dogs images from Tim Holtz to make this birthday card.  I stamped and Copic Colored this cute pooch and a birthday present from Crazy Things, and die cut them with matching dies.  I ink blended a background with Distress Inks, die cut it and adhered it to a white card base, then popped up the dog and present with foam tape.

For the horizontal piece I layered a strip of patterned paper on a slightly smaller piece of card stock to give it stability, popped it up with foam tape, then added the stamped sentiment rectangle.

Thanks for visiting, it's always appreciated!  I've added links to all the challenges above so you can check them out.  Enjoy the remainder of your weekend!

Stef


Stamps:  Crazy Dogs, Crazy Things (Tim Holtz), Stylish Sentiments: Birthday (ret. PTI)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Strathmore Bristol, retired MFT plaid patterned paper
Ink:  Gina K Amalgam, Versafine Onyx Black, Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon Distress Inks
Other:  Stitched Rectangle and Wonky Stitched Rectangle dies (Simon Says Stamp), Crazy Dogs and Crazy Things Matching Dies
Copics:  E29, 19, YR27, 24, N6, 4, 2, C9, 7, 5, BG09, 05, 02, 01, YG07, 01, G09, Y11, 15