Hello Friend for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Hello again! It's time for a new Tic Tac Toe Challenge!  This week the lovely Jeanne has created this wonderful board to spark our creativity.

Tic Tac Toe Challenge

I'm also joining the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge with the Anything Goes theme.

For my card, I decided to go on the angle - embossing, coloring and flowers, although it ended up I could go across the bottom as well.

I started by stamping and coloring the two coneflower images.  Using Copic markers I find it hard to shade light pink for true contrast, so this time I used three Polychromos Colored pencils in Magenta, Fuchsia and Pink Madder Lake (light pink) to create the contrast.  Look at the difference below.

The leaves between the bottom pencil on the right up to the top pencil were shaded with the colored pencils and you can see the difference it made.  IRL the shading appears darker.  So anyway, it then could stand up with the other coneflower, where I was able to achieve dark shading with the red-violet markers.

With the coloring complete, the flowers were die cut with matching dies.  For the base, I adhered a scallop die cut panel of Desert Storm, then added a white embossed strip, then stamped the sentiment in black.  The flowers where adhered together at the very bottom of the stems, which was also glued to the card front.  The pink flower was slightly popped up with thin foam squares, the regular foam tape was used to pop up the dark pink flower and leaves.  And that finished my card!

Thanks so much for visiting, I really appreciate it!  I hope you'll take a moment to use the link above and check out the other DT member's beautiful cards, and hopefully join us this week for tttc111!

Stef

Stamps:  Build-A-Flower: Coneflower (Altenew)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm

Ink:  Gina K Obsidian Amalgam, Versafine Clair Nocturne

Other:  Coneflower dies, Scallop A2 Honey Cuts die (Honey Bee), Layered Leaves 3D embossing folder (ret. SU)

Copics: [T6, V06, RV66, 55, 52] [RV91, 21, 10] [G28, YG45, G21], [E39, YR27, Y19, 13]

Polychromos Colored Pencils:  133 Magenta, 123 Fuchsia, 129 Pink Madder Lake

Spring Flowers Birthday

Hello again!  I hope you're doing well.  Today I'm sharing a card that I made for three challenges - Seize the Birthday, The Flower Challenge and Addicted to Stamps (my second entry for this current challenge).

STB #212

TFC #55

ATSC #403

One of my favorite spring flowers is the cherry blossom, so I thought no better way to go than to use Ellen Hutson's Mondo Sakura. I decided to watercolor these big, beautiful blooms using my Karin markers.  I use the term "watercolor" loosely as what I did was such an simple technique.  

After gold embossing the floral image on watercolor paper, I used a #8 round brush to bring water to each petal, use the marker to drop in some color at the petal base, then mostly let the water do the work, with a bit of help with my brush to get the color moving.  After the petals and leaves were done, water was added around the image and water colored in light blue.

When dry, the panel was trimmed down, splattered with the pink marker color and white gouache (both watered down), then added to the Ivory card base with foam tape.  The large sentiment was die cut from gold once and white twice then layered together and added to the panel.  I trimmed down a sentiment strip and adhered above the die cut, then added a few sparkling clear sequins for the final touch.

Thank you for taking time to visit, I really appreciate it!  Take care and enjoy the remainder of your weekend!

Stef

Stamps:  Mondo Sakura (EH)

Paper:  Ivory (Simon Says Stamp), Arches Cold Press watercolor, Gold Pearl (Tonic), Reverse Sentiment Strips (SSS)

Ink:  Versamark

Other:  "You" die (MFT), Rose Gold embossing powder (Altenew), Karin Brushtip Pro markers, White Gouache, Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Sweet Birthday Wishes

Hello friends, I hope you're doing well!  Today I'm sharing a card made for two challenges - Addicted to Stamps where the current theme is birthdays and with The Paper Players, were the challenge is to make a CAS birthday card.

ATS #403

PP537

I essentially made a one layer card with some embossing and just a bit of splatter for a little added interest.

In my stash I had two components of this card, one the embossed background and the other a piece of Bristol previously ink blended with shades of Distress Oxide Ink.  I decided to keep it simple, in line with the challenge, with just one die cut image.  I used a leaf die to cut it out, maximizing the as much color difference as I could.

Next I adhered the embossed panel directly to the white card base, then gently added the black and gold splatter, first to the panel alone, then a bit more after laying the leaf die cut on it.  When the splatter dried, the leaf branch was glued to the base just along the main stems so the leaves could pop up a bit.  The sentiment was gold embossed on black paper, die cut then added to the base with foam tape. The last touch was to add three sequins.  Very simple and easy, especially using things from my stash!

Thank you for taking time to visit, I appreciate it very much!  Take care and have a great week!

Stef

Stamps:  Sentiment Strips (Altenew)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Black, Strathmore Bristol

Ink:  Versamark; Cracked Pistachio, Peacock Feathers and Mermaid Lagoon DOX

Other:  (All Altenew unless otherwise noted) Just Leaves die, Featured Sentiment dies, Modern Squares 3D embossing folder, Antique Gold embossing powder, Jet Black Ink Spray, Starry Colors Gold Metallic Paint (Gansai Tambi), sequins

More Happiness for Sunday Stamps

Hello friends! I hope you're doing well.  It's time for a new challenge at Sunday Stamps!  This time we are bringing you a color challenge with some beautiful colors.

Sunday Stamps

Well, with these colors, I just could not resist using florals for my card lol!

I started by stamping the flowers and leaves.  The stamp set is a layering stamp set, so rather than use my ususal Copic coloring, I inked up the multiple stamp layers to get the contrasting colors, adding the dark center with a W9 Copic marker. Coloring will always be my number one love, but using these layering stamps is pretty darn nifty!  The flowers and leaves were die cut with matching dies, then I went to work on the background.

Using two shades of blue ink, the Deco Wallpaper design was stenciled on a panel of white cardstock.  I then fiddled around with the flowers and leaves for what seemed like forever until I could get a layout I was happy with.  All the leaves and the flower on the right were adhered directly to the panel, with the other flower added with foam tape.  

Unfortunately, while I was gluing down the first flower and the leaves, I smeared glue on the panel below the flowers and it look terrible.  I tried using an adhesive eraser to remove it but that didn't work.  I was NOT going to put this in the trash, so I decided to trim around the leaves and cut off the bottom of the panel and it worked! I was so happy.  Next, the panel was added to the card base with foam tape, which I also used under the leaves hanging off the panel bottom.  In the end, I really loved how this looked and was so happy I didn't give up on it.  The heat embossed sentiment was die cut and added to the panel with foam squares, then the final step was a bit of sparkle with some iridescent jewels.

Thanks for taking the time to visit, I appreciate it so much! Be sure to head over to the blog to check out all the amazing inspiration by the other DT members and hopefully join us for this challenge! 

Take care and I hope you have a wonderful week ahead!

Stef

Stamps:  Airbrushed Flowers (Altenew)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Island Blue (Simon Says Stamp)

Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne, Versamark; Fresh Pair, Key Lime, Olive, Summer Shower and Seaside (Pinkfresh Studio); Buttercream, Warm Sunshine, Carmel Coffee and Paper Bag (Altenew)

Other:  Airbrushed Flowers dies, Featured Sentiments die (Altenew), Deco Wallpaper stencil (Altenew), W9 Copic marker, Fine Detail White embossing powder (SSS), Iridescent Jewels (Little Things from Lucy's Cards)

Stenciled Floral

Hi friends and welcome back!  I hope you're doing well.  Today I have a card to share that I made for two challenges - the sketch challenge at Fab Friday and the Trend Week challenge at Just Us Girls.

FF211

Just Us Girls 579

I thought the sketch would be perfect as a mini-slimline card measuring 3.5" x 6.25".

To start, I used a layering stencil to create the rose and leave background.  I worked with three shades of pink for the roses, using the darker two towards the center.  Switching to the leaves stencil, two shades of green were used.  After the panel was trimmed down, I wrapped a layer of vellum around the middle, then matted it on a panel of black cardstock. 

For the sentiment I used the Apothecary Labels stamp and die sets.  I stamped the label in the darkest pink, used my heat gun to make sure the ink was dry, then white heat embossed the sentiment.  When that cooled, the label was die cut then matted on a slightly larger black label.  After the main panel was adhered to the white card base, I made a little nest of silver thread on the vellum, then added the sentiment label on top with foam tape.  Lastly a few jewels were added for a bit of sparkle.

I also made a second card in more earthier peach tones.  Which one do you like better?  Personally, I like them both, but I seem to be more drawn to cool tones rather than warm.

Thank you for taking the time to visit, I appreciate it!  Take care and have a great weekend!

Stef

Stamps:  Apothecary Labels (Altenew)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Black, Pearlescent Vellum (Lawn Fawn)

Ink:  Versamark; Pink Diamond, Pinkalicious, Rubellite, Pastel Sunrise, Canyon Clay, and Burnt Red (Altenew); Grassy Knoll and Olive (Pinkfresh Studio)

Other:  Bed of Roses Layering Stencil (Trinity Stamps), Apothecary Labels dies, Fine Detail White embossing powder (Simon Says Stamp), Bridal Mix Jewels (Little Things by Lucy's Cards), Gold Glitter Gems (Studio Katia), Gold and Silver thread (ret. SU)

It's A Shower for the Tic Tac Toe challenge

Hello, friends!  I hope you're doing well.  It's time for a new Tic Tac Toe challenge!  This week Annie has given us this wonderful board for inspiration.  I'm also joining the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where the current theme is CAS.

Tic Tac Toe Challenge

For my card, I went across the bottom row (blue, polka dots, cute critter), but I also could have done the left diagonal down (umbrella, baby theme, cute critter) or left diagonal up (blue, baby theme, CAS).

When I first saw the board, I didn't think I had an image of an umbrella, but then I remembered this cute little ducky splashin' in the rain!  I began by lightly ink blending blue polka dots with a stencil in the upper left corner of white panel, then stamped the duck in the bottom right.  Copic markers were used to color the image, then I added white polka dots with a gel pen.  The panel was trimmed down and adhered to a base of Neenah Desert Storm.

For the sentiment I used one of my favorite sentiment stamp sets from Verve, white heat embossing two sentiments then die cutting in small strips.  Those were added to the card with foam tape and that finished things off!

Thanks so much for visiting, I really appreciate it!  Take care and enjoy your weekend!

Stef

Stamps:  Showers & Flowers (Simon Says Stamp), Small Phrases (ret. Verve)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm, Island Blue (SSS)

Ink:  Gina K Obsidian Amalgam, Versamark, Tumbled Glass Distress

Other:  I Like Small Dots stencil (SSS), Featured Sentiments die (Altenew), Sakura White Gelly Roll pen

Copics:  Y26, 19, 13, 00, B05, 04, 02, 00, BG000, E59, 57, TR18, 07, 16

Folk Garden Birthday

Hello friends!  I hope you're doing well.  Today I'm sharing a card made for two challenges - Color Hues and Seize the Birthday (no toppings for me this time).

TCH #15

STB #211

For me, pink and green normally indicates a floral design, so naturally that's what I made.

These flowers and leaves are all produced by one large stamp.  I used layering stencils that coordinate with the stamp to ink blend with dye inks.  They're pretty easy to line up and are all numbered so you know what order to go in.  Next, I used the coordinating die to cut out all the images.  I left the die cuts in the die, laying it on my desk face down so I could add foam tape to the back of the cut images.  It was definitely a test of my patience, but I do love the results! With all the foam pieces attached, I took a panel of white cardstock and adhere to the back, flipped it over then removed the die and all the cut pieces, leaving just my floral images attached.

Since the panel to which the images were adhered was A2 size, I decided to rim it with gold metallic paint to add a border.  I didn't worry about doing a "perfect" job as I wanted to give it an organic feel to go with the floral images.  I also used a few colored pencils to add a bit of shading to the flowers, then the panel was adhered to a white card base.  The sentiment was die cut from gold pearl metallic paper, then I finished things off by adding gold glimmer gems.  I love how this turned out with those graceful floral images!

I really appreciate you taking the time to come by and check out my card!  Take care and have a great weekend!

Stef

Stamps:  Folk Garden (Pinkfresh Studio)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Gold Pearl metallic (Tonic)

Ink:  Versafine Clair Morning Mist, Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry Distress, Grassy Knoll and Olive (PFS)

Other  Essentials Sentiment Strip die (Altenew), Folk Garden coordinating die and stencils, Gansi Tambi Starry Colors metallic paint, Gold Glitter Gems (Studio Katia), Sakura White Gelly Roll pen, Polychromos Colored Pencils

Spring Blooms Birthday

Hello friends!  I hope you're doing well.  Today I'm sharing a bright floral bloom card that I made for four challenges. My card design incorporates the colors of orange and green from Inspire By, the sketch at Fusion, the Springtime Flowers theme at The Paper Players and the Happy Birthday theme at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

Inspired By 168

Fusion - Bee Kind

PP535

For my card, I used one of my favorite vivid color combinations to create some bold blooms.

I absolutely love orange when paired with strong pinks or purples and for this card I was in a purple mood I guess LOL! The image is part of a gorgeous floral 6"x 6" background stamp drawn by the incredibly talented Emily Midgett for Honey Bee stamps.  I decided to narrow down my coloring to just the section that would fit the bottom half of my card, otherwise I might still be at the coloring!

With the coloring complete, I put the panel back into my Misti, then restamped with black pigment ink for a bolder black outline, since the Copics can sometimes mute the stamped lines.  The panel was then trimmed down to 3"x 4.25".  For the top half of the card I wanted something more than just plain white, so I used a debossing cover plate die on a panel of white for a subtle design.  The colored portion was adhered below, then a strip of orange card stock added just above that.  The sentiment was heat embossed in white on black then cut with a fishtail die.  I trimmed off the right end and added it to the card base with foam tape.  The final steps were to add the look of white stamen ends on the orange flowers with a white gel pen, then scatter around a few clear sequins.

That's my card for today. I really appreciate you stopping by and taking a look!  Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Spring Blooms Background, Pickup Lines (both Honey Bee)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Black, Orange Peel (SSS)

Ink:  Gina K Obsidian Amalgam, Versafine Claire Nocturne, Versamark

Other:  Dotted Scales Debossing Cover die (Altenew), Fishtail Foundations die (MFT), Fine Detail White embossing powder (SSS), Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), Sakura White Gelly Roll pen

Copics:  YR09, 16, Y17, RV69, 66, 55, 52, YG67, 17, 03, W9, 7, 5

Bold Birthday for Sunday Stamps

Hello friends and welcome back!  I hope you're doing well!  It's Sunday and that means it's time for a new Sunday Stamps Challenge.  Claire is hosting our sketch challenge and she's given us a very fun and trendy one to use.  

Sunday Stamps

 

I'm also joining the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, where Anything Goes is the theme.

I thought this sketch was the perfect opportunity to use a stamp set I've had for a number of months but had not yet used - do you do that?  I try not to but sometimes it happens.  Anyway, the set has a number of large slimline sentiments and since our family birthday season is coming up (numerous birthdays between April and August), I thought I'd make this a birthday card.  The sentiment was stamped in black on white card stock, then colored with Copic markers.  I left the stamp in my Misti, so when the coloring was done, I was able to re-stamp with black pigment ink and clear heat emboss.

The patterned papers are from a 6x6 pad from Honey Bee, which has heaps of great colors and designs. I think this combo will work well as a birthday card for either a male or female recipient.  I used a stitched rectangle die to cut the panel of Lemon Lime Twist, then adhered two paper designs.  I used a strip of Bermuda Bay to hide the seam.  The sentiment was die cut with a slimline die then matted on a slightly larger piece of Bermuda Bay.  After adding to the card with foam tape, the final step was to adhere some gold stars for just a bit of shine.

Thanks for visiting, I appreciate it so much!  Be sure to head over to the challenge blog to check out the fabulous cards by the other DT members, and hopefully be inspired to join us!

Take care and have a great week!

Stef

Stamps:  Slimline Greetings (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Bermuda Bay, Lemon Lime Twist, Birthday Bash 6x6 paper pad (HB)

Ink:  Gina K Obsidian Amalgam, Versafine Claire Nocturne

Other:  Lacy Layers Stitched Slimline Rectange die (Waffle Flower), Slimline Nested Rectangle die (SSS), Clear embossing powder (Hero Arts), Gold Stars (ret. SU)

Copics:  BG13, YG01

Birthday Wishes

Hello friends, I hope you're doing well! Today I'm sharing a card made for the current challenge at The Paper Players, where the lovely Anne Marie has given us this great sketch to play with.

PP534

 

I'm also joining the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where the current theme is Anything Goes.

I thought Anne Marie's sketch would be a perfect opportunity to use up some of my patterned paper, so I chose ones with some muted greens and blue greens.

After deciding on which patterned papers to use, the main panel was cut with a rounded rectangle die and adhered to the white card base.  The two strips were trimmed down to size then I used a corner rounder punch on them and the white mats they were adhered to.  The white horizontal strip was cut with a lacy scallop die before adding to the card, then the two vertical strips where adhered over it. I really love the look of the lacy scallops!

The flower and leaves were colored with Copic markers and cut out with the coordinating dies.  I also die cut a white circle and added the floral image with foam tape.  The circle was popped up over the vertical strips with foam tape, then I used a white gel pen to color the ends of the stamen.  Last but not least, a few enamel dots were added to finish things off.

Thank you for taking time to visit, I really appreciate it!  Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Book Engravings (Altenew), Mini Everyday Messages (Mama Elephant)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Spring Flowers 6x6 paper pack (Moda Scrap)

Ink:  Gina K Obsidian Amalgam, Versafine Clair Nocturne

Other:  Book Engravings coordinating dies, Rounded Rectangle die (Hero Arts), Nested Infinity Circle die (HA), Slimline Lacy Layers die (Waffle Flower), Corner Rounder punch (ret. SU), Sea Shore Enamel Dots (Altenew), Sakura White Gelly Roll pen

 

Rainbow Florals & Butterflies for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Hello friends!  I hope you're doing well!  It's time for a new Tic Tac Toe challenge!  I'm hosting this week and have created this board with lots of fun options for spring.  I hope you'll join us this week!

Tic Tac Toe Challenge

 

I'm also joining the current Watercooler Wednesday Challenge, where the theme is All About Occasions.

WWC312

For the Tic Tac Toe challenge I went across the top row (butterfly, scallops, slimline) and created a card reflective of spring, using a soft rainbow palette of pink, purple, green, blue (background panel), yellow and orange.

I started with the flowers, stamping on white cardstock then using layering stencils to apply the colors, using an assortment of Altenew dye inks and small blending brushes.  After the inking was complete the image was die cut with the coordinating die.  Next the butterflies were stamped on watercolor paper and water colored with two Altenew Woodless Watercolor Pencils.  These are new products to me so I am just trying small things to get a feel...honestly I haven't watercolored much for the last four years and I am definitely rusty LOL!  The butterflies turned out fine but some of my other attempts, well let's just say they are definitely practice pieces! Coordinating dies were used to cut them out after they dried.

Next, two shades of blue ink were blended on a panel of Bristol paper, then one edge was die cut with a scallop border die.  The upside of that are all the sweet little blue hearts I now have for use on future projects!  The white card stock base measures 3.5" x 8.5", but I trimmed down the card front so it wouldn't show when the blue panel was adhered to it.  I added the floral image directly to the blue panel, then used foam tape to adhere the sentiment and the butterflies.  The last touch was to add a few iridescent gems for some sparkle.

Thanks so much for visiting, I always appreciate it!  I hope you're be inspired to join us this week at the Tic Tac Toe Challenge; be sure to use the link above to check out all the beautiful cards by the other DT members!

Take care and have a great weekend!

Stef

Stamps:  Floral Notes (Pinkfresh Studios), Beautiful Day (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Strathmore Bristol, Canson XL watercolor, Reverse Birthday Sentiment Strips (SSS)

Ink:  Versafine Claire Nocturne; Puffy Heart, Rubellite, Wisteria, Ultraviolet, Firefly and Grass Field (Altenew); Summer Shower and Sky Blue (PFS)

Other:  Floral Notes and Beautiful Day coordinating dies, Slimline Borders & Edges die, Woodless Watercolor Pencils (Altenew), Iridescent Jewels (Little Things by Lucy's Cards)