Butterfly Blossoms for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  It's color week over at the Paper Players and I'm hosting.  I chose some Spring-like colors.

Paper Players

I'm also joining in over at the Time Out Challenge.  This time we are to Pick Two, so I'm choosing floral and stencil.

TOC #286

As you could tell from the blog title, I chose to use flowers. I debated about making an Easter card because I think the colors would work equally well for that occasion, but the flowers won out.

The stamp set has three dainty flower stamps and four butterflies, so lots of variety.  I used the coordinating stencils to color the images and the dies to cut them out as well as the sentiment.

I lightly ink blended Salvage Patina Distress ink on a white panel the cut it down with a postage edge rectangle die.  The shorter flowers were adhered directly to the panel except for the largest flower in the group to which I added thin foam squares.  The remaining floral image along with the sentiment and large butterfly were layered on two additional die cuts before adding to the panel.  The right wing of the wee little butterfly was glued down and a small piece of foam tape added a little dimension to the left wing.  It's not visible in the photos but I used an aqua shimmer pen to add glitter to all the images, then finished things off using a white gel pen for the flower stamen.

What do these colors inspire you to create?  I hope you'll show us this week, we'd love to see what you come up with.  Do take a moment to pop over to the PP blog as my teammates have some lovely cards to provide further inspiration.  The challenge remains open until Friday, April 18th at 3pm EDT.  

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Simon Says Stamp Butterfly Blossoms stamps, dies and stencils
• SSS Postage Edge die
• Altenew Lemon Ice, Honeydew Glow and Lemonade Stand inks
• SSS Sprout, Fairway, Field, Lilac, Orchid, Amethyst and Mocha inks

Hello Friend for The Paper Players

Hello friends!  I'm here to share my card for the latest challenge at the Paper Players.  This time, the lovely Jan is hosting our theme week and she has chosen Travel.

The Paper Players

For my card, I used an older stamp set from Waffle Flower.  It is whimsical and it made me smile, which I hope it does as well for the recipient.  I had fun creating it and also coming up with a silly little back story for the scene.

Our little bear buddy, Fred, has been at the local Farmer's Market and is now traveling home, accompanied by his friends Bert the Bee and Veronica the Birdie, where he'll plant all the flowers he bought.  Fred is very fond of flowers and fills his yard with them every year. ;-)  

Do you ever create stories about cards as you're making them?  I don't always but this time it seemed so fitting.   

Aren't those images delightful? They were all colored with Copic markers then die cut with the coordinating dies.  I created a simple background for the scene by ink blending on a panel of Bristol, which is sized at 4" x 6".  It was mounted on a mat of Balmy Blue, then adhered to an A7 card base.  All the critters and the sentiment were added with thin foam squares.  For a scene card it was exceptionally easy to make.

As you see with my card, travel can take many forms, and we'd love to see what you come up with!  Before you head off to your crafty space, I encourage you to visit the PP blog where my teammates have some wonderful and varied ideas for this theme.  The challenge will remain open until Friday, April 11th at 3pm EDT.

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Waffle Flower Happy Day stamps and dies
• Honey Bee Stamps March 2023 "Free Bee" sentiment stamp
• Simon Says Stamp Marine, Sprout and Cappuccino inks
• Copics - Bear - E37, 35, 33, 31, R22; Wagon, Bike and Hat - B28, 26, 24, 21; Butterflies - B02, 00, 000, RV04, 02, FRV1; Bird & Bee - YR23, Y15, 11, R21; Flowers and Leaves - RV04, 02, FRV1, YG09, 05, 01

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Tulip Bouquet for The Flower Challenge

Hello friends!  Today is the start of a new challenge at The Flowers Challenge where this month we are to use Spring colors, along with the usual floral image.  Couldn't be more perfect for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere!

The Flower Challenge

I had a delightful tulip set from Hero Arts gathering dust and thought it was high time to put it to use.

I debated about what the color of the tulips should be and ended up with this pretty violet/purple, courtesy of my Olo Markers.  After coloring the image it was die cut with the matching die.  

Next a Pinkfresh Studio cover die was used to create a subtle pattern on a panel of green cardstock.  I have quite a bit of green cardstock and was happy to find one that was very close to the green Olo marker color. The panel was trimmed down and added to a white card base.  

I tried to use a different shape behind the bouquet but the circle worked best.  After adhering it to the card front, the flowers and sentiment were added with foam tape, and I used a little bit of hemp twine around the flower stems, like they had to be held together lol!

April brings Spring flowers and we would love to see yours in Spring colors this month!  In case you'd like more inspiration, my lovely, talented teammates have plenty to share over on the challenge blog.  The challenge will remain open until April 25th and I'll be back on the 15th with a new card for my reminder post.  

Thanks for stopping by and take care!

Stef

• Hero Arts Tulip Bouquet stamp and die
• Waffle Flower Elegant Sentiment stamp and die
• Pinkfresh Studios Fold Edge Circle and Floral Tiles Cover Plate dies
• Olos - G1.7, YG1.6, 1.4, 1.2, V2.6, 2.4, 2.3, 1.1

Thinking of You for Color Hues

Hello friends!  No fooling, the first of April has rolled around and we have a new challenge at Color Hues! (I apologize for the old groaner, I just couldn't resist.) ;-)  

This time the amazing Jules is hosting and has chosen a delicious color combination.

Color Hues

After enjoying using an older Emily Midgett illustration for our first challenge this year here, I decided to use another one for this challenge.

I started by shading the white flowers with cool grays then moved on to the remainder of the panel.  I can't tell you how much I love this color combination.  I could have used darker orange colors for a little more drama but I went with something a bit lighter, maybe because it's Spring?  I don't know but I like how it all turned out.  I used a lighter shade of teal to color the background, the trimmed down the panel.

Some gold metallic paint was used around the edges of the panel, and lest you think my hands have gotten shaky, the imperfection was intentional.  I followed that up with some splatter and after it dried mounted it onto an orange panel adhered to a white card base.  I used a white gel pen for the stamen then finished things off with the foiled sentiment from my stash.

Thanks for visiting and I encourage you to head over to the challenge blog where my wonderfully talented teammates and Guest Designer Renate have some spectacular inspiration to share with you.  The challenge will remain open until 9 am EDT Monday 4/14 and we'd love to see YOUR card in the gallery!

Take care!

Stef

• Emily Midgett Illustrated panel
• Poppystamps Your Are Amazing Foil & Cut set
• Gansi Tambi Starry Colors Metallic paint
• Copics - 
•    Flowers - YR69, 65, 01, 00 and C02, 0
•    Berries - YR07, 16, Y17
•    Leaves - BG78, 49, 45, 01
•    Background - BG000

Chicken Chatter for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  I am so happy Spring is here, although after having 3 days of glorious 70+ degrees, we're back to cold and rainy March.  It was a nice taste though and I look forward to better weather soon!

But that's not why you're here, so let's get to the card and the latest Paper Players challenge.  Since this is the fifth Sunday of the month, it's time for Tic Tac Toe and the lovely LeAnne has created a great grid with lots of options.

Paper Players

 

I was definitely thinking of the top row or left column (flowers, you know), but I ended up choosing the middle column - diecut, animal, green.

I have to say, I was smiling the entire time I was putting together those chickens.  Aren't they cute?  When this set was released I realized I didn't have anything like that in my crafty collection and I was totally smitten with these cute chickens.  There is a coordinating stamp set with layered images and sentiments, one of which says "still a spring chicken" and was used on the inside of the card.  

The chickens and the chick are all pretty easy to put together, using the packaging for guidance, then I added black enamel dots for the eyes of the two larger ones.  Once that was done, I ink blended a simple background for them to land on, along with die cut the sentiment from Simon Says Stamp.  The card ended up being an A6, 4.5" x 6" size.  

I hope you'll join us this week, there are lots of fun ways to use the TTT options!  In the meantime, I encourage you to pop over to the challenge blog to see what my talented teammates came up with.  The challenge ends Friday, April 4th at 3pm EST.  Come play along!

Stef

• Concord & 9th Chicken Chatter die and stamp set
• SSS Happy Birthday Brush Script dies
• MFT Grassy Edges stencil
• Altenew Black Enamel Dot
• Salvaged Patina Distress Ink
• Altenew Grassy Fields ink

Birthday Gardenia for The Paper Players

Hello friends!  Another Sunday rolls around and it's time for a new challenge with the Paper Players!  This week, the lovely, amazing Ann is hosting and has created a wonderful sketch.

Paper Players

I found myself looking through my numerous patterned paper pads and happened upon a very old one.  It is from BasicGrey, which has been out of business for years, and is from 2008.  I was inspired by the colors for my card.

The pattern is obscured a bit by the flower and sentiment; it is a leafy floral with dragonflies.  I loved the soft palate and was happy to find inks to match.  The flower components and leaves were die cut from white cardstock, then ink blended with the chosen inks.

The paper was trimmed down to A2 size before adhering to the base, then a die cut gold frame was layered on top.  The flower and leaves were  assembled, then added to a scallop circle.  The last thing was to decide on a sentiment, which I found in my foiled sentiment stash.  

Thanks for visiting and I hope you're inspired to join us! Ann's sketch is certainly wide open for many design choices.  My very talented teammates have created some beautiful examples, so I encourage you to take a moment and visit the challenge blog.  The challenge will remain open until Friday March 28th at 3pm EDT.

Take care!

Stef

• Altenew Gardenia Layering die set
• Pinkfresh Studio Fancy Script Words Foil plates and dies
• Simon Says Stamp A2 Nesting Frame dies
• Hero Arts Infinity Scallop Circle die
• Altenew Water Hyacinth, Alpine Aster, Silver Sage, Jade, Eucalyptus and Forest Fern inks
• BasicGrey Wisteria 6x6 paper pad

Hugs for Color Hues

Hello friends!  I'm here today with my card for the new challenge at Color Hues.  This time the lovely Julie is hosting and has chosen wonderful pair of colors.

Color Hues

I'm also sharing over at Just Us Girls, where Bobby has chose the word green for their word week challenge.

JUGS #766

My intention in the new year was to limit buying of crafty products but this die set was too fun to resist.

I can't grow them but I sure have fun creating them with paper!  I chose three shades of lime-y cardstock along with yellows for the flowers and grays for the pot.  I then ink blended each die cut to create a bit of dimension, then put everything together to create my hanging houseplant!

When my husband and I bought our current home a few years ago, we were delighted that it had nicely textured walls and that's what inspired me to emulate it with an embossing folder.  I used a rectangle die to cut the white panel before embossing it.  I layered it on a panel of the same yellow that was used for the flowers, then "hung" the house plant and added the sentiment, which is part of the die set.  Lastly, I added a gold pearl as a "hanger".  

What does this color pairing bring to mind to you?  For more inspiration, head on over to the challenge (link above) where my super talented teammates and Guest Designer Michele have their lovely creations to share with you.  The challenge remains open until Saturday March 29th at 9am EDT and I hope you will join us!

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Altenew Houseplants Layering die set
• Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics Rectangle die
• Stampin' Up Painted Texture 3D embossing folder (retired)
• Altenew Honey Drizzle, Lime, Moss and Silverstone inks

Joy to the World for The Paper Players

Hello friends!  Today the Paper Players have a fun Clean and Simple challenge for you, hosted by the amazing Joanne.  She is asking that we use a single stamped image on our cards.  

The Paper Players

I'm also playing along with the Krafty Chicks and their Christmas challenge this week.

Krafty Chicks #759

Stamping a single image made creating my card super quick and easy.  In fact, I made two and both are Christmas cards.  

During the holidays I bought a stamp and die set from Whimsy Stamps with several cute penguins enjoying the holidays/winter, so I used a couple to whip out two Christmas cards.   I first cut two white panels with rounded rectangle dies then stamped two penguin in the lower right corners.  After coloring with my Copic markers, I restamped it and a sentiment with a pigment ink (thank goodness for stamp positioners!).

For the first background I used a pine branch embossed folder with a panel of green cardstock and the second used a panel of two-toned glossy red cardstock with a snowflake folder.  Both were adhered to the card base, then the main panels added after layering on two additional rectangles cut from scrap paper.  While keeping it all CAS, the cards needed a wee bit more, so I added a trio of pretty gems to finish them off.

Aren't those penguins so very cute?  Even my husband, who is not typically of "cute" cards really like the one above, so that made me happy and means I'll make a few more in different colors.

The challenge will remain open until Friday March 21st at 3 pm EDT and I sure hope to see your card in the gallery this week!  In the meantime, I encourage you to visit the challenge blog for our CAS guidelines and to check out the amazing CAS cards my wonderful teammates have created.

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• -Whimsy Stamps Penguin Winter Holiday stamps
• -Simon Says Stamp Delicate Pine Branches and Snowflake Visions embossing folders
• -Hero Arts Rounded Rectangle die
• -SSS Color Blend Holiday Assortment glossy cardstock
• -Picket Fence Candy Cane Gem Mix
• -Copics - C0, 1, 5, 7, 9, T0, 2, R20, 35, 37, 39, 59
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-Olos - YG1.6, 1.4, 1.2, RV1.7, 1.5, 1.3, 1.1

Especially for You for The Flower Challenge

Hello friends!  We're halfway through the month and I'm back with my reminder card for The Flower Challenge.  This month, along with florals, we're adding circles to our cards. And because it's our 100th challenge, there are prizes to be won! 

The Flower Challenge

 

I'm also joining the Anything Goes option at Seize the Birthday.

STB 301

This time I opted for a pretty die cut floral that needed a little love, since it's been a long time since I last used it.

I started with the embossed background and used a large blending brush to softly add some light green to the raised areas of the panel.  It's not easy to see in the photos but it's there.  Then I trimmed the panel down to leave a nice frame around it from the A7 card base.

The flowers were die cut from white cardstock, then ink blended.  I really love the peachy colors with the muted greens and the metallic gold center.  A white circle was added as a landing spot for the die cut flowers then before adding the foiled sentiment, I splattered the card front with gold metallic paint. 

So many ways to add circles, what is your favorite?  I hope you'll show us by posting your card to the gallery!  The challenge is open until Tuesday March 25th, so there's plenty of time to join in.  I encourage you to visit the challenge blog (linked above) to see what my super talented teammates have created to inspire you and get all the info about the prizes to be won.

Thanks for stopping by and take care!

Stef

• Simon Says Stamp Divine Peony dies
• Spellbinders Origami Folds embossing folder
• Pinkfresh Studio Folk Edge Circle die
• Spellbinders More Sentiments Foilplate and die
• SSS Cabbage, Artichoke and Kale inks
• Altenew Peachy Glow, Golden Honeycomb, Amber Blaze and Melted Butterscotch inks
• Gansi Tambi Starry Colors gold metallic paint

Just a Note for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  It's Sunday, so you know what that means, it's time for a new challenge at the Paper Players.  This week the lovely Jaydee is hosting our monthly color challenge and is asking us to use only pastels.  Couldn't be more perfect for this time of year with Easter and Spring just around the corner!

The Paper Players

In hind sight, I should have worked on Easter cards but instead I used one of my older favorite Altenew flower stamps.

I love pastels but they are not my usual color choices, mainly because I love the drama of the contrast and shading I can achieve with darker colors, but I enjoyed the change. I thought it would be fun to go with pink, mint and aqua, with a dash of yellow.  I colored the floral image then went around the edges of it with a light blue marker, and used a rectangle die to trim it down.

A panel of mint cardstock was added to the middle front of the card base, then the main image popped up with foam tape.  The thing that took me the longest in making this card was choosing the sentiment and in the end I used one from the same stamp set and added it with thin foam squares.

I so look forward to seeing all the beautiful pastel cards in the gallery this week - I hope yours is one of them! Do visit the challenge blog (linked above) where my wonderfully talented teammates have some beautiful inspiration for you.  The challenge will remain open until Friday, March 14th at 3pm EDT.  

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Altenew Fragrant Florals stamps
• Altenew Featured Sentiment die
• Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics A die
• Copics - RV91, 21, 10, BG34, 32, 11, G16, 02, 00, Y08, 00, B0000

Peruvian Lilies for The Flower Challenge

Hello friends!  It's a special time over at The Flower Challenge because we are celebrating our 100th challenge!  And there are prizes to be won!  All you need do is create a card featuring flowers and using our theme this month which is Add Circles.

The Flower Challenge

To go along with the theme, I decided to use a Waffle Flower cover die behind my flowers.

I love this new Peruvian Lily set from Altenew, the floral bouquet is so pretty.  Did you know that the scientific name for these flowers is the Alstroemeria?  I kept looking at the stamp, thinking I didn't have any lilies such as this in my garden (and we have many!) so I looked it up.  Alstroemeria are used extensively in cut flower arrangements because they are long-lasting.  And very pretty too.

So, on to the actual creation of the card.  After stamping the image, I used the simple coloring stencils with two colors per petal and leaf to create some dimension, then it was die cut with the matching die.  The sentiment is also from the same stamp set and was die cut with its matching die as well.

The Ring Panel cover die was cut from a panel of white and layered on the card base.  I tucked the end of the stem underneath a corner of it, then added foam tape under the flowers and the sentiment.  The final touch was to add some sapphire gems.

I hope you're excited to play along and share how you add rings to your card, and for further inspiration, look no further than my very talented teammates over on the challenge blog (linked above).  More information about how the prize winners will be chosen is over there along with photos of the prizes. The challenge will remain open until Tuesday, March 25th. Hope to see you there!

Thanks for visiting and take care.

Stef

• Altenew Peruvian Lily stamps, dies and stencils
• Waffle Flower Ring Panel cover die
• Altenew Water Hyacinth, Indigo Skies, Honeydew Glow, Lemonade Stand, Firefly and Mountain Pine inks
• Lucy's Little Things Dark Sapphire gems

Best Day for The Paper Players

Hello friends!  Here we are at the first Sunday in March and the Paper Players have a new challenge for you.  The lovely Claire is hosting our theme challenge and she has chosen spring flowers.  You know I'm here for that!

The Paper Players

 

I decided to use a stamp set I have had for at least a year and I don't believe I've ever used it.  Anyway, with lots of flowers, I thought it would work great for this challenge.

The stamp was specifically designed for the matching oval dies, as you can tell (unfortunately, it's no longer available).  The wreath was stamped and colored with Copic and Olo markers in my favorite bright colors.  Before die cutting I stamped the sentiment on the same piece and thought I had it straight but after die cutting I realized, even using my stamp positioner, I managed to stamp it crooked lol!  So, the oval was cut and matted on a pink oval, then I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of white, fussy cut around it and added it with foam tape.

Next a white panel was embossed with a wood planks folder, adhered to the base, then I added a bright yellow strip that matched the yellow flowers.  The oval was popped up on foam tape and I decided there was enough going on with all the bright flowers that embellies weren't needed.

So, for my northern hemisphere friends, are you as ready for spring as I am? No matter what hemisphere you're living in, we'd love to have you pull out your favorite spring flowers and share them with us this week!  For more inspiration, my wonderfully talented teammates have a some gorgeous cards over on the challenge blog (linked above).  

I do hope you'll play along - the challenge will remain open until Friday, March 7th at 3pm EST.

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Spellbinders Stylish Oval Birthday Wishes stamps (retired)
• Spellbinders Stylish Oval dies
• Honey Bee Stamps Wood Plank embossing folder
• Copics - BG49, 13, 23, 11, YG 67, 63, 61, V09, 06, 04, 01, YR23, 15, 13 (yellow), YR18, 16, 09, Y17 (orange)
• Olos - RV 1.7, 1.5, 1.3, 1.1, BV 1.7, 1.4, 1.2, 1.1, YG 1.6, 1.4, 1.2

 

Especially For Color Hues

Hello friends!  Here we are at the first of March and we have a new challenge for you at Color Hues.  This time the amazing Carol is hosting and has chosen a lovely color combo as we edge closer to Spring.

Color Hues

I'm also sharing over at Seize the Birthday, where my CH teammate Jules is hosting with a toppings theme of No Stamping.  I used dies and a foiled sentiment on my card.

STB #100

Today I have another one of the modern floral die cuts to share, this time it's one from Spellbinders.

The leafy vines were die cut from sage cardstock, then I used Copic markers to add shading.  For the flowers, I added a light of amount of shading before adhering the matte gold centers.

Next came the background.  For that a panel of Neenah Natural White was die cut with the Simon Says Stamp Double Plaid Cover die.  It's an off white paper and stands out a little more against the white card base, and I like that the die cut looks like a trellis.  The floral die cuts were adhered to the card, then the sentiment and some sparkly gold gems were added to finish things off.

What are you inspired to create with these two colors?  If you need more ideas, then pop over to the challenge (linked above) where my immensely talented teammates and wonderful guest designer Nance have loads of beautiful cards to inspire you!  The challenge remains open until Friday, March 14th at 9 am EST and I hope you'll take time to join us!

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Spellbinders Fresh Picked Daisies die set
• SSS Double Plaid Cover die
• Spellbinders Fancy Sentiments Press Plate 
• SSS Sage and Matte Gold cardstock
• Honey Bee Stamps Marvelous Moments gems
• Copics - YG67, 45, 41, W1

   

Sweet Jasmine Birthday for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  It's time for a new challenge at the Paper Players and this week I am hosting and have created a sketch that I hope will inspire you to play along.

Paper Players

 

I'm also playing along with the Anything Goes portion of the challenge at Seize the Birthday.

STB #299

I kept it fairly simple to give everyone lots of creative options.  For my card I used....drum roll....flowers!  What, not surprised? 😅

The floral spray was stamped in a very light brown, then I used the matching stencils to color it in.  They are simple coloring stencils so I added shading to the leaves, flower centers and the part of the bud closest to the stem.  

For the kraft panel, I ran it through my Betterpress with a wood press plate, using that same light brown ink.  I trimmed it down then used a slightly darker ink around the outside edge before adhering to the card front.  The flower image was layered on two additional die cuts for a bit of dimension, then the sentiment added with thin foam tape.  I rummaged through my box of twine and found a hemp twine for a bow to finish things off.

So, what are you inspired to make with this sketch?  It could be used innumerable ways and I look forward to seeing your interpretation in the gallery! But before you run off to your craft room, please head over to the challenge (linked above) to see how my super talented teammates have used it.  The challenge will remain open until Friday, February 28th at 3pm EST.

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Altenew Sweet Jasmine Stamp, Die and Stencils
• Altenew Essential Textures:  Wood Press Plate
• Simon Says Stamp Silhouette Sentiments stamp and die
• SSS Latte and Cappuccino inks
• Altenew Baby Pink, Fuchsia, Magenta, Citrus Burst, Honey Drizzle, Lime and Green Onyx inks

Whimsical Flower Vine for Color Hues

Hello friends!  Yes, a second post for me today because it's time for a new challenge at Color Hues. (If you're here for my DT post for the Paper Players, you can find it here)  The amazing Bonnie is hosting this week and has chosen the color combo of coral and yellow.

Color Hues

I love nearly all colors, but I have to admit coral is a bit of a struggle for me, and I have no idea why.  But nevertheless, I made a fun little card using my default - flowers!

Last fall I'd purchased a couple of these modern floral design die sets and thought I'd use this one from Altenew (watch for the other one from Spellbinders, it will be coming soon!).  It certainly was easy to put together once the die cutting was complete and I added it to a panel where I'd inked up a bit of light yellow ink blending so the white leaves would be more visible.  But the card needed a little somethin' somethin' since die cut doesn't fill a full card front, so I layered up a frame and the helped a lot.

Since the frame was black I thought a black sentiment strip would work well along with a few black enamel dots.  But still...it needed something more, so I added the Baker's Twine and called it good!  

We'd love to have you join us for Bonnie's challenge and I encourage you to visit the challenge blog for loads of wonderful inspiration from my very talented teammates and our guest designer,  Teresa.  The challenge remains open until Thursday 2/27 at 9 am EST.  I do hope you'll play along!

Thanks for stopping by and take care!

Stef

• Altenew Whimsical Flower Vine and Picture Frames dies
• Simon Says Stamp sentiment strip
• Concord & 9th Sorbet cardstock
• SSS Lemon Chiffon cardstock
• Altenew Lemon Ice ink
• Altenew Essential Black and White enamel dots