Go For It!

Hi there!  My card today is one made for a couple of challenges at Splitcoaststampers plus the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where the theme is Anything Goes.

The theme of this week's SCS Teapot Tuesday is What is Your Animal? where our card should reflect non-domestic animals that we love.  The SCS CAS Challenge theme is Go Outside.

Like so many young girls, I was crazy about horses.  Black Beauty and The Black Stallion were my favorite books.  While I was never able to own a horse personally, as a girl and periodically into adulthood I had opportunities to ride horses (LOVE!).  A remarkable thing occurred in Oregon in 1977 when Kiger mustangs were identified in Southeastern Oregon as a separate type of Mustang directly descended from Spanish horses brought to North America in the 17th century.  These are wild mustangs that have a specific "dun" (ranges from light gray to tan to reddish) color and can have a dorsal strip along the back as well as dark manes, tails, and sometimes noses and stockings with other primitive markings on the legs.  I found several photos of these beautiful creatures on line and used them as a basis to create my card.

I used a multitude of Copic markers to get the color of the horse just right and create the sketchy background.  Once complete it was die cut and mounted on a base that was embossed with a woodgrain embossed folder.  A bit of twine was the final touch.

Thanks for taking time to visit!

Stef


Stamps:  Let It Ride (SU)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm
Ink:  Gina K Amalgam Black
Other:  Wonky Stitched Rectangle die (SSS), Jute Twine, Copics
 

Magnolia Thanks

It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Karen is hosting this week and has chosen Petal Pink, Soft Sea Foam and Crumb Cake, with a dessert option to add polka dots. 

I used the Magnolia stamp around the edge of the panel, leaving room for the sentiment.  Colored the flowers with Copic markers that I felt closely matched with the Petal Pink color.  Once the coloring was complete the panel was added to some black card stock and adhered to the embossed Petal Pink panel, which was mounted on the card base with foam tape.  A few sequins and I was finished!  Super easy!

Thanks so much for taking time to visit!  I hope you have a wonderful week and are able to check out this week's Color Challenge!

Stef



Stamps:  Magnificent Magnolia
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Petal Pink, Black
Ink:  MFT Extreme Black
Other:  Polka Dot ef, Sparkling Clear Sequins (PPP)
Copics:  R02, 01, 00; G43, 40; E44, 43, 97
 

CAS Birthday

Hello friends!  The card I'm sharing with you was made for the current challenge at The Paper Players.  The theme is to make a CAS card with plants.  Fun!

PP442

After stamping the row of cactus filled pots, I took my T-Square ruler and drew a line with a light brown Copic marker in order to create a "wood" counter for the pots to sit on.  I colored in the counter with the lightest marker, used long, sideways flicks with the medium and dark markers, and created shadows with the darkest marker, then blended it all out with the medium and light markers.

After coloring the pots and plants, I used a light blue-green marker to create the background.  While covering the plants with my hand I used a mini mister to lightly spray the background with Copic Colorless Blender which gave it a soft textured look (a little hard to see in the photo).  Once dry, the panel was die cut with a rectangle die and stamped with the sentiment.

To create the card base, I die cut a frame from white card stock three times to create a bit of dimension, layering on top of one another, then adhered to the light blue card base.  I then added the main panel in the center of the frame and called it finished!

Thanks so much for visiting!  For those of you in the US, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend!

Stef


Stamps:  Happy Together (Penny Black), Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Surf Blue (SSS)
Ink:  MFT Extreme Black, Versafine Clair Nocturne (sentiment)
Other:  Hero Arts Nexted Infinity Rectangle die, MFT Stitched Rectangle frame, Copic markers
 

Happy Thoughts

Hello again!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Mary is hosting this week and she has chosen the lovely combination of Poppy Parade, Mango Melody and Call Me Clover with a dessert option of a thanks or birthday card.  My card does contain the word "happy" and I think I might get away using this for a birthday card or an encouragement card.

I'm also joining the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where this week's theme is "Stitches", which I included with a couple of stitched die cuts.

I was trying to decide how I wanted to use this week's colors and remembered I had this print with those fabulous mushrooms and thought it would work perfectly.  I colored it with Copic markers, using neutrals of browns and a mossy green (a SU neutral used by the color team).  When the coloring was complete I used a Copic friendly pen to outline all the images and the sentiment in order to give it a bolder black outline.  After die cutting with a stitched rectangle die, it was mounted first on a slightly larger die cut panel of Poppy Parade, then added to a Desert Storm card base using foam tape.  I thought there was plenty going on in the print that I didn't need to add any embellishments.

That's it for my card.  Thanks so much for visiting and I hope you have a great week!

Stef


Stamps:  None
Ink:  None
Paper:  Suzy's Watercolor Prints (SSS), Poppy Parade, Neenah Desert Storm
Other:  Stitched Rectangle dies (SSS and MFT), Copic markers

Delicate Flowers for Heidi

Hi there, I hope you're having a great weekend!  I'm sharing a card made for a couple of challenges at Splitcoaststampers.  The The Teapot Tuesday Challenge this week is to make a card for the sister of one of our SCS members who is currently undergoing cancer treatments away from home.  I also used the current layout from the Sketch Challenge for my card design.

I started by Copic Coloring a few flowers and leaves from Delicate Flowers with shades to match the patterned paper I wanted to use in the background.  When done coloring, I fussy cut them and put together the background on the card base.

I die cut a white card stock circle, stamped a sentiment and a couple of leaf branches, and adhered to the card base.  I colored the branches with Copics, then layered the fussy cut flowers and leaves on top, popping up the largest flower with foam tape.  I used large scissors to trim off the parts overhanging the edge, then added a bit of white gel pen highlight on the flower centers.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you'll use the links above to check out both of the SCS Challenges!

Stef


Stamps:  Delicate Flowers (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Let Your Soul Bloom Collection (Moda Scrap)
Ink:  Gina K Black Amalgam
Other:  Hero Arts Nested Circle Infinity die, Sakura White Gelly Roll pen
Copics:  RV17, 34, 11, G46, 43, 40, E79, 77, 74
 

Home Tweet Home

Hello again!  I'm sharing a card made for the current color challenge at The Paper Players, where Joanne has chosen a lovely combo for us to play with.

PP441

I pulled out one of the Suzy's Watercolor Prints from Simon Says Stamp with a cute bird house and got to work with my Copic markers, which work fine on the Ranger water color paper the prints are on.

The print is A2 sized and after coloring, I decided to cut it down with a scallop frame die, then use washi tape on the back to keep the frame and panel intact.  That worked fine but unfortunately it was cut a little close to the sentiment at the bottom.  I was a bit disappointed but decided to go ahead since I really love the cute bird house and tweeties!  The Granny Apple panel beneath was cut with an A2 sized stitched rectangle die and adhered to a white card base.  For a little extra "something" I used Crystal Glaze to cover the hearts and a bit of Aqua Shimmer pen on the bow hanger.

Thanks so much for taking time to visit!  I hope you have a great weekend!

Stef


Paper:  Suzy's Paintable Prints (Simon Says Stamp), Granny Apple Green, Neenah Solar White
Other:  Stitched Rectangle Frame Die-Namics (MFT), Card Front Element Builder Stitched Rectangle die (SugarPea Designs), Tonic Nuvo Crystal Glaze and Aqua Shimmer pen
Copic Markers:  Y08, 06, 02, 11; YG17, 25, 01; BG13, 11, 10, 000, 0000; R39, 37, 35
 

Sweet Baby Girl

Hello again!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Jeanne is hosting this week and has chosen the combination of Blushing Bride, So Saffron and Pool Party, with a dessert option to create an event card, such as a birthday, wedding, baby...you get the idea.

These soft colors immediately brought to mind a baby card, so that's what I went with.  I pulled out the sweet Moon Baby stamp set, stamped the baby image with Copics, then set aside as I worked on the background.

I taped a piece of watercolor paper to a hard board, covered the panel with clear water, then used the paintbrush to drop Distress inks onto the panel.  I used the paint brush to help blend where the colors touched.  I sprayed the panel with shimmer spray, and once dry, I stamped it with the baby and stars, then die cut and edged and splattered with gold paint.  I fussy cut the baby and umbrella top, and adhered with foam tape.  The sentiment and sequins were added to the finished card.

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

Stef


Stamps:  Moon Baby (SU), Small Phrases (Verve)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Canson XL watercolor
Ink:  Gina K Black Amalgam, VersaFine Claire Nocturne (sentiment), Chipped Sapphire, Tumbled Glass, Worn Lipstick, Tattered Rose Distress inks
Other:  Wonky Stitched Rectangle die, Gansai Tambi Starry Colors gold Metallic watercolor paint, Shimmer spray, Aqua Shimmer pen
 

Crazy Friends

Hello there, friends!  The card I'm sharing is for the current challenges at The Paper Players, where Jaydee has given us the theme of celebrating friendship, and at Mojo Monday, where I've used the current sketch for my card design.  I'm also joining the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge with a theme of celebrating a special lady. 

PP440

Mojo 515

SSS Wednesday Challenge

I made this card for a friend that I've had for over 30 years, and while we don't see one another very often, when we do get together it's like we just pick up where we left off last time LOL!!  I'm sure most of you have friends like that too, and what would life be without them, right?

I recently acquired the stamp with these fun Art Impressions ladies and it was a hoot coloring them up with bright and zany colors using Copic markers, plus using a silver metallic gel pen for the earrings and bracelet for the lady on the right, along with a bit of white gel pen on her wild sunglasses.  When complete, the panel was die cut with a wonky stitched rectangle die.  The sentiment from the same stamp set was die cut and added to a strip of blue violet card stock at the bottom of the main panel, then the entire thing adhered to the card base with foam tape.  A little bling was added with a few clear sequins.

That's it!  I hope you have a great Mother's Day if you're a Mom, Grandma, Nana, etc. or if not, a lovely weekend nevertheless.  Thanks so much for visiting!

Stef


Stamps:  Crazy Friends (AI)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Blue Violet (Simon Says Stamp)
Ink:  Gina K Amalgam Black, VersaFine Claire Nocturne (sentiment)
Other:  Wonky Stitched Rectangle and Sentiment Labels dies (SSS), Silver Metallic and White Gelly Roll pen, Copic markers
 

Stencil Rose Birthday

Hello again!  It's time for a new Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers!  Chris is hosting this week and has chosen the wonderful combo of Crushed Curry, Granny Apple Green and Melon Mambo, with a dessert option to add stripes.  I'm also joining the SCS Ways to Use It challenge to use stencils, and the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge to make a birthday card.

My card came together very quickly!  I used a watercolor stripes background stencil on a piece of Bristol, die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle die to A2 card size and adhered to a white card base.  On a separate piece of Bristol I used the Bouquet of Roses stencil to create the floral images, die cut with a smaller stitched rectangle die and adhered to a slightly larger piece of black card stock.  Distress Inks similar to the CC colors were used for all the inking.

The floral panel was mounted to the base with foam tape, then I stamped and hand cut the Label Love sentiment, then added to the card.  The last bit was to add a few sequins for a bit of bling.

Thanks so much for visiting!  If you're interested in any of the challenges, I've added links above.  Have a great week!

Stef



Stamps:  Label Love (Altenew)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Black, Koh-I-Noor Bristol
Ink:  Fossilized Amber, Picked Raspberry and Shabby Shutters Distress Ink, VersaFine Clair Nocturne pigment ink (sentiment)
Other:  Card Elements Builders Stitched Rectangle die (SugarPea Designs), SSS Stitched Rectangle die, Bouquet of Roses (SSS) and Watercolor Stripes (Altenew) stencils, Sparkling Clear sequins (PPP)
 

Floral Mix Birthday

Hi friends!  I have a card to share that I made for the current challenge at Freshly Made Sketches.  I'm also joining the Happy Birthday challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and The Flower Challenge, where we are to use either dry or heat embossing.

 FMS 386

 SSS Wed Challenge

The Flower Challenge #32 

For my card I used the relatively new Floral Mix Background stamp from Simon Says Stamp, stamping on white card stock with Copic friendly ink.  I cut down the panel to fit the challenge, using a die to create the angle. 

I used a variety of Copic marker combinations to color all the beautiful flowers on this image, and added a very light yellow for the background.  Foam tape was used to mount the panel to the white card base.

 For the sentiment, I dug out an old birthday stamp set, used my Misti to stamp the word "happy" above "birthday", heat embossed with white embossing powder and trimmed down with a sentiment die.  It was adhered to two layer of scalloped die cut vellum and added to the card with both glue and foam tape.  The final touch was to add a few Lucy's Iridescent Jewels.

 Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Stef


Stamps:  Floral Mix Background (SSS), Endless Birthday Wishes (ret. SU)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Black, Vellum
Ink:  Gina K Black Amalgam, Versamark
Other:  Layering Scallop Circle framelit (SU), Sentiment Label die (SSS), Card Front Element Builder die (SugarPea Designs), Lucy's Iridescent Jewels, Copic markers
 

Every Bunny

Hello friends!  Today's card is probably one of my current favorites that I've made recently, because I am totally in love with the Sweet Bunny stamp from Impression Obsession.  It was a challenge to color (sharing my 2nd try) and I know I still didn't get all the shading and blending perfect but, nevertheless, I am happy with how it turned out.

I'm joining the current challenge at Color Throwdown, where Amy has given us the lovely combination of Pale Pink, Brown, Black and White.  I'm also joining the current Mixibility and Inspiration challenges at Splitcoaststampers (linked here to front SCS front page with list of challenges).

ctd 541

The Mixability challenge is to use your choice of 2 mediums, 2 or more colors, 2 layers at least, 2 or more stamp sets, or 2 squares, and then to use two of those choices.  For my card I used more than 2 layers and colors, plus two mediums.  The Inspiration challenge had several inspiration photos of different color combinations.  Here's the picture I chose, which includes pinks and browns in coordination with ctd.

After masking and stamping the bunny and floral wreath she is wearing on her head, I chose to color the images with Copic markers.  It's a big image so I worked in sections, trying to preserve the lightest areas of the bunny in the face and chest.  Even before coloring, the bunny looks fluffy and furry, so I played on that, building some shading in on areas along the legs and also lighter shading on the chest area where the artist has indicated layers.

The wreath was colored with pinks, browns that have a more grayish hue and cool gray markers (permitted neutrals).  After finishing the bunny and wreath, I added masks and lightly inked the background with Spun Sugar Distress Ink and splattered with some white gouache.  The ground was added with the same grayish browns used on the wreath, with a bit of darker shading under the bunny.  When the panel was finished I added a sentiment from the same stamp set.  In order to include a bit more white beyond the card base and subtle white gouache splatter, I wrapped a piece of white baker's twine around one corner and added white dots to the flower centers with a white gel pen.

Sorry for the long post, but I appreciate your visit!  I hope the rest of your weekend is wonderful!

Stef


Stamps:  Sweet Bunny (Impression Obsession)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Black
Ink:  Gina K Black Amalgam, Versafine Onyx Black (sentiment), Spun Sugar Distress Ink
Other:  White Baker's Twine, White Gouache, Sakura White Gelly Roll pen
Copics:  Bunny fur:  E50, 30, 31, 33, 37;  Nose and flowers:  RV11, 32, 34; Ground, large leaves and flower centers:  E70, 71, 74, 77; Small leaves C5, 3, 1
 

Old and New Combined

Hey there!  This new post shares a card for the current challenge at The Paper Players.  Claire has given us a fabulous sketch and I had lots of fun using a new sentiment and some patterned papers and rhinestones jewels I've had for years to make a card of encouragement.

PP439

I recently went shopping with the intent of buying some new sentiments that could be the focal point of a card and found three from Impression Obsession that fit the bill, one of which I used on this card.  When I saw the PP sketch, I knew the sentiment would work perfectly as the main focal piece but what to use for the background?  I decided to break out some of my long held (e.g. hoarded) patterned papers from Basic Grey.  I chose a design with butterflies and flowers on a grid background, trimming it down to 5 inches square, and adhering to a 5.25" square card base.  Both the vertical and horizontal strips were trimmed from other pieces of the paper pack.

The sentiment was stamped in SU Archival Basic Gray on a piece of yellow paper from the paper pack, die cut with a circle die, adhered to the slightly larger white die cut piece and popped up with foam tape on the base.  I punched the butterfly twice from pink patterned paper then glued them together so it would appear pink on both the top and bottom, the adhered with glue and foam squares.  As a throwback to the past, I added rhinestones to the butterfly center along with a few around the card.  I have rarely used rhinestones in recent years, but enjoyed the added sparkle on the card and butterfly.  After coloring the heart in the sentiment with a BG Copic marker, it still needed that little something more, so I covered it with some Tonic Nuvo Aqua Mist Glitter Drops.

Well, that wraps things up. I appreciate you taking a look at my simple card combining the old and new for this great sketch!

Stef


Stamps:  Wonderful (Impression Obsession)
Paper:  Neenah Solar White #80 and #110, Urban Prairie patterned paper (Basic Grey)
Ink:  Stampin' Up Archival Basic Gray
Other:  SU Basic Rhinestones, SU Petite Butterfly punch, Hero Arts Nested Circle Infinity dies, Tonic Nuvo Aqua Mist Glitter Drops