Cast A Spell for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  It's Sunday and we have a new challenge at the Paper Players.  This week, the amazing Elizabeth is hosting our sketch challenge and asking everyone to make a true one-layer card.  That's right, no layers allowed.

Paper Players

Since this is sketch week and not CAS week, the design I came up with is definitely not clean, although technically it is pretty simple.  Let's take a look!

Colorful, yes?  Also, cute, right?  I adore so many of the stamps from Whimsy Stamps, but especially this wizard with his little dragon and the cute frog!!  

Anyway, I started with a white card base and since I needed a landscape layout, it became a sidefold.  After stamping and masking the images, I opened the card, laid it flat and taped off the back so I could ink blend on the front, using Distress inks in green, blue and purple.

Next, the masks were removed and I colored the images with Copic markers.  I did lean on a couple of samples by amazing Jennifer Dove on the web site, for shading ideas.  Once the coloring was done, I put the masks back over the images, then splattered the background using a paint brush dipped in an iridescent spray.  

I love how this turned out.  The funny thing is that cutting out the masks was some of the most time-consuming things about the card.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  My fabulously talented teammates have lots of wonderful cards for your inspiration, so I encourage you to visit the blog before heading off to your crafty space.  The challenge will be open until 3pm EDT Friday, June 27th.  I hope to see your card in the gallery! 

Take care!

Stef

• Whimsy Stamps Cast a Spell and Create Magic stamp sets
• Hero Arts White Iridescent spray
• Chipped Sapphire, Wilted Violet and Twisted Citron Distress inks
• Copics:  Hats and robe - B39, 37, 34, 32, Y15, T4, 2, 0; Beard - C03, 01, 0; Wand - E77, 74, 71, YG67, 17, 05, 01; Book/Shoes - E79, 77, 74, 71; Dragon - V09, 06, 04, 01, YG05, Y15; Frog - YG67, 17, 05, 01, T2, 0

Wildflower Hello for Color Hues

Hello friends!  We have a new challenge at Color Hues and this time I am hosting.  I love this color combo and, as my talented teammates and our wonderful Guest Designer Teresa have demonstrated over at the challenge, it can be used for many different types of designs.

Color Hues

I decided to use some Distress products that I have long neglected for my card.  I watched a Tim Holtz Live video and was soooo inspired.  Although I only used a very simple technique with sprays for my card, the video gave me many more ideas I hope to use in the future.  I based my card layout on one by a Sizzix maker that Tim shared during the live.

I started with two A2 panels of Distress watercolor paper, textured side up.  On one I used Saltwater Taffy Distress Spray Stain, which is a nice pinky peach, and on the other used Salty Ocean.  I did the spray, water and dry method on both then repeated it a couple more times with the Salty Ocean, also smooshing color from my glass board mat.  To finish the Salty Ocean panel, I added splatter using the Distress spray along with water and white paint.  

When the panels were dry, the cobalt one was trimmed down then I used a distressing tool all around the edges.  I found a strip of white woodgrain cardstock to anchor the die cut wildflowers and then wrapped hemp twine all around before adhering everything to the card base.  The sentiment was layered three time the added to the card front.  

Thank you for visiting today and I do hope you'll join us for this challenge.  For further ideas and inspiration, I encourage you to visit the blog.  The challenge will remain open until Sunday, June 29th at 3pm EDT.  Hope to see you there!

Stef

• Tim Holtz/Sizzix Wildflowers #1 dies
• Altenew Versatile Greetings die
• Ellen Hutson Woodgrain cardstock
• Spellbinders Splatter White paint

Paper Posy Birthday for The Flower Challenge

Hello friends!  I'm back with a new card for our reminder post at The Flower Challenge.  This month we're using embossing on our floral cards.

TFC 103R

I'm also playing along with the SSS Wednesday Challenge where are cards are to feature fur, feathers or flowers, along with the AG portion of the challenge at Seize the Birthday.

For my first card this month I added dry embossing to the background. This time I added dry embossing to both the card background and to some of the flowers and leaves.

I used the relatively new Paper Posy set from Concord & 9th, which includes an embossing folder to use with some of the flowers and leaves.  All the elements for the floral spray were cut from Spellbinders gorgeous cardstock, with the exception of the yellow and white flower centers.  

After die cutting, I used the embossing folders on the dark green leaves and the petals of the largest flower, then assembled the spray on a panel embossed with Spellbinders Tiny Dots folder.  The sentiment and the label die are from the same set.  I referenced the packaging for some of my flower and leaf colors, along with arrangement, which I altered to fit the 5" square card and include the sentiment.  It's such a cute set with lots of ways to use some or all the elements.  I did notice that I neglected to add gems to the small flower centers, so I'll do that before sending.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you'll take a moment to visit the challenge; as always my talented teammates have some amazing inspiration for you.  I also hope you'll join us if you haven't yet or add a second card to the gallery, if you have already joined in.  Plenty of time left, the challenge ends Wednesday, June 25th.  

Take care!

Stef

• C&9th Paper Posy stamp, die and embossing folder set
• Spellbinders Sicily, Coral, Bellini, Rainforest, Fern, Blue Spruce and Breeze cardstocks
• C&9th Sunflower cardstock
• Spellbinders Tiny Dots ef

Christmas Berries for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  We have a new challenge at the Paper Players and this week the lovely Claire is hosting and has chosen a theme of fruit for our CAS week.  

 

Paper Players

 

I took a bit of a different turn with this challenge, creating two Christmas cards with berry branches, since I really don't have many fruit images, plus I always like to add to my holiday card stash. 

Both cards use the Gentle Berries dies by Kristina Werner at Concord & 9th.  This card was inspired by one of her samples on the web site, using a red background with the stenciled dashes.  The berry branch was die cut three times with white, red and green glitter cardstock then adhered as you see above to a base.  The sentiment was also die cut from white glitter cardstock.

I first tried to stencil the dash lines with white pigment ink but a combination of a rather dry ink pad plus the thickness of the stencil didn't yield a satisfactory result.  So I used a white gel pen, then I covered the dash lines with Distress Sparkle Texture paste so the dashes would also have some subtle sparkle.

The second card uses a different orientation of the branch and sentiment, along with a snowflake embossed background and a white glitter frame.  

I decided to go monochromatic with turquoise and light blue, although the photos look more on the blue side.  Both cards were super easy to put together and I think the sparkle lends itself to these CAS designs.  What do you think?  

My talented teammates have some wonderful and varied designs to inspire you, so please make a quick trip to the challenge before heading off to your crafty space.  The challenge will remain open until Friday, June 20th at 3pm EDT.  Hope to see your card in the gallery!

If you have a chance later today, come back and take a peek at my reminder card for The Flower Challenge.

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Kristina Werner/Concord & 9th Gentle Berries Dies
• KW/C&9 Kristina's Finishing Touches Stencils (card 1)
• Simon Says Stamp Flourished Merry Christmas die
• Lawn Fawn and SSS Glitter cardstocks
• Distress Texture Paste (card 1)
• Spellbinders/Simon Hurley Sparkling Snow embossing folder
• SSS A7 Nesting Frames

Blooming Delight for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  It's time for a new challenge at the Paper Players and this week I am hosting.  It's a color challenge for which I chose peach, light blue and green, plus you're welcome to use any neutrals.

Paper Players

While this trio of colors could be used for many types of designs, like a plaid or a nature/sky scene, I went with florals.

I used the Blooming Delight stamp, stencils and die for the floral image, which is large enough that I opted for an A7 card size.  I used the challenge colors along with neutral brown for the flower centers.  For the panel it is adhered to, Altenew Sea Glass ink was blended at an angle, the attached to a larger mat.  Both panels were die cut with matting dies, so they each have a nice impression around the edges.  

The panels were adhered to the card base, then I decided to add a bit of gold splatter to go with the foiled sentiment.  For the most part, I kept the paint on the white panel because I didn't want to go overboard with it.  When dried, the flower and sentiment were added with a bit of foam tape.

I hope you like this combination of colors and will join us this week!  My teammates have some beautiful inspiration on the blog, so I highly encourage you to go take a peek.  The challenge ends Friday, June 13th at 3pm EDT - I hope to see your card in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by and take care.

Stef

• Altenew Blooming Delight stamp, stencils and dies
• Spellbinders Everyday Sentiments Foil plate
• Spellbinders 5 x 7 Matting Basics A dies
• Pinkfresh Studio Apricot and Clementine inks
• Simon Says Stamp Peachy, Latte and Cappiccino inks
• Altenew Lime, Frayed Leaf, Reindeer Moss and Sea Glass inks
• Altenew Metallic Gold paint

Sweet Jasmine Thanks for The Flower Challenge

Hello friends!  It's a new month which brings a new theme to The Flower Challenge.  For June, we're asking everyone to use embossing, dry or heat, on their cards.  Easy peasy, right?

TFC 103

Oooo, so many ways to go about using embossing.  This time I opted to dry emboss a panel for my card background, but instead of an embossing folder, I used a foil plate with a geometric design.

I started with Altenew's Sweet Jasmine press plate and instead of black ink I used Altenew's Indigo Skies ink, which is also the darkest color used on the flowers.  The stencils made the coloring easy, then I came in with a gold pen for the stamen.  The press plate was also used to create the sentiment in the same dark blue.

To use a foil plate to emboss, simply follow the directions on your die cut machine for embossing with a die.  I used the debossed side of the white panel, but either way, it looked wonderful.

I didn't want to just plop my flowers into the middle of an embossed background, and I was inspired by my friend Michele's use of angled embossing on her card here, although I simply used a trimmer to cut the panel at an angle.  After mounting to a dark blue panel, I finished it off with a thin strip of gold.  I think I got a bit carried away with the gold baubles, which is funny since I don't often used embellishments these days.

So there's my sample for this challenge and I encourage you to pop over to the blog and see the amazing cards by my talented teammates.  The challenge ends Wednesday, June 25th and I do hope you'll make time to join us this month!

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Altenew Sweet Jasmine press plates, stencils and dies
• Pinkfresh Studio Geo Arches foil plate
• Simon Says Stamp Strips 1 die
• Altenew Water Hyacinth, Alpine Aster, Crystal Violet, Indigo Skies, Aloe Vera, Matcha Tea, Swamp Green and Oak Moss Fresh Dye inks
• Trinity Stamps Golden Baubles

Rose Peony for Color Hues

Hello friends!  How did it become June already ha ha?  What that does bring is a new challenge at Color Hues and this time the lovely Sheri has a wonderful pairing to inspire us.

Color Hues

Last time we had coral in our color combination, I struggled with it, so I became determined to find some inks that would work.  Subsequently, I happened to see a Jennifer McGuire live and she shared a trio from Altenew that I kept in mind and used on my card today.

The Lovely Rose Peony set from Altenew included stencils, so I dived right into using them with my new found trio of Pink Pearl, Coral Bliss and Coral Red.  It's more on the pink side of coral, which I prefer.  The matching dies cut both the floral image and the sentiment.

For the background I pulled out an old red rubber background stamp from MFT and inked it up both lightly and imperfectly with a light gray ink.  I liked the subtle variation it created.  Finished things off with a few gems from my stash.

What are you inspired to create with these colors?  I hope you'll show us by joining in - the challenge will be open until 9 am EDT Saturday 6/14.  Before then, be sure to pop over to the challenge where my amazingly talented teammates have plenty more inspiration for you.

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Altenew Lovely Rose Peony stamps, dies and stencils
• MFT Lined by Hand Background stamp
• Altenew Pink Pearl, Coral Bliss, Coral Red, Lime, Frayed Leaf, Reindeer Moss and Jet Black inks
• SSS Flannel ink

Shaker Birthday for the Paper Players

Hello friends! It's the first of June (what?!!) and we have a new theme challenge for you at the Paper Players.  The lovely Jan has chosen Recycling.  Lots of options for that, such as reusing cards you've received in a different configuration, reusing packaging or fabric with an attractive design or using clear packaging for a new purpose, as I have. Or many other options I haven't thought of but I'm hoping you'll share with us this week!

Paper Players

I'm also joining in at Seize the Birthday in their AG catagory.

STB #306

For my card, I used clear, lightweight packaging that originally held a stamp set to create a flat shaker card.  It was so easy, I made two.

I have a folder of backgrounds from prior crafty sessions, so I guess, in a sense, they are recycled too.  Anyway, I used one with a lovely feather design where I had inked up the flat side of an embossing folder, spritzed it with water, then ran it through my die cut machine.  It's a bit of a messy process but you can see the results are cool looking.  

I cut a piece of clear packaging to a rectangle about a half inch larger on all sides of the panel, then used strong double-sided tape on the back of the panel to secure three of the sides, leaving one end open to add the sequin mix, then securing it and cutting off all the extra. The sentiment was heat embossed on vellum, wrapped around the shaker, then the shaker was added to a slightly larger panel of copper with more strong double-sided tape. I was so pleased to use up some of my old sequin stash and this mix is really pretty with lots of copper and aqua sequins.

For the second card I used another of those panels, but for this card it was one with a floral embossed watercolor paper that had some messy watercoloring in pink with some gold splatter. I used pink, blue and gold sequins, then added a die cut sentiment on top.  After looking at this photo, I think I'll add a thin gold frame to finish it off a bit more nicely.

So glad you stopped by, and I hope you'll head over to the challenge where my teammates have some wonderful inspiration.  The challenge will be open until 3pm EDT on Friday, June 6th - I hope to see your card in the gallery!

Take care!

Stef

Come back later this morning to see my DT card for Color Hues!

• Simon Says Stamp Feathe Spiral and Floating Flowers embossing folders
• SSS Basic Box Card Happy Birthday die (card #2)
• Honey Bee Stamps Pickup Lines stamp set (card #1)
• Sequins from my stash

Botanical Blooms for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  Another Sunday means another new challenge at the Paper Players!  It's sketch week and this time the lovely LeAnne has given us a great sketch to work with.

Paper Players

 

I thought about many different ways to go with this but after taking a peek at my pattern papers, I found some from Paper Rose that I've been hoarding saving because they are just so beautiful.  And I usually don't make patterned papers my focal point, but I made an exception here.

The pattern papers are 6"x 6" and each design is just stunning.  I chose this one because it worked best in three sections.  In order to use most of the design, I created a 5" x 7" card.  Each panel is 2" wide but before cutting them, I trimmed a bit off the top and bottom, then layered them onto the black panel. 

The sentiment is from Altenew's Lovely Rose Peony and after white heat embossing was cut with the matching die and added to the card front with thin foam tape.  Lastly, some gems were clustered around the sentiment.  The hardest part of creating this was centering the 2" panels ha ha!

What are you inspired to create with this sketch?  I do hope you'll join us this week, the challenge will remain open until Friday May 30th at 3pm EDT.  Also, be sure to pop over to the challenge and take a peek at the beautiful cards created by the DT.

Thanks for visiting!  Have a great week!

Stef

• Paper Rose Botanical Blooms Patterned Paper
• Altenew Lovely Rose Peony stamp and die
• Honey Bee Stamps Winter Wonder Gem Stickers

 

Birthday Butterfly for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  I'm back with my card for the latest challenge at the Paper Players.  This week, the amazing Joanne is hosting our Clean and Simple challenge with a theme of things that fly. Keeping your card CAS just means lots of empty or "white" space, minimal layers and minimal embellishments.

Paper Players

I had one thing in mind for this challenge but ended up with something else entirely.  Does that every happen to you?  Even so, I like how my card turned out.

Not a unique choice, but I decided to use a butterfly for this challenge.  The wings were die cut from Bristol paper, the ink blended with a trio of yellow to orange inks, then added the body and the rest of the wings. 

I used a cover die for the background to give it some subtle texture and design, then layered on the new SSS Petal-Tipped Labels die cuts for the butterfly's landing place.  The sentiment was popped up on some thin foam tape and I finished things off by using a shimmer pen on all the black parts of the butterfly.

What comes to your mind when thinking of things that fly?  Birds, planes, fairies, butterflies?  For more inspiration, I encourage you to pop over to the challenge, where my talented teammates have some fabulous cards to share!  The challenge ends Friday, May 23rd at 3pm EDT.  Hope to see you there!

Stef

• SSS Exquisite Butterfly dies
• SSS Petal-Tipped Labels die
• Pinkfresh Studio Tulip Love Cover Plate
• Spellbinders Fancy Sentiments Betterpress plate and die
• Altenew Chamomile, Snapdragon and Terracotta inks
• Tonic Aqua Shimmer pen

Plum Happy for Color Hues

Hello friends!  We're at mid-month and that means brings us to a new Color Hues challenge.  This time, the amazing Karen is hosting and has chosen a wonderful pairing.

Color Hues

 

For my card, I went back to a die set that I used earlier this year for another CH challenge.  I saw a video here by Kelly Taylor using this die set and two others to create monochromatic cards and although we have two colors, it worked just the way I hoped it would.

I used Bristol paper for the background and all the flowers and leaves, which makes ink blending a little smoother.  Four inks from the Altenew Sugarplums set were used on the background and leaves.  I inked the background with the darkest shades around the outside of the panel, then did the reverse for the leaves, darker at the stem and lighter towards the end of the leaves.

The plums are very desaturated in color. I found some pinks for the flowers that I thought would play nice with the plums but the colors were just bit too bright.  Soooo, I took the second lightest of the three pinks and basically color glazed everything that was plum and it made all the difference.  

To finish things off, the panel was splattered with white paint and when dry, the die cut sentiment and a few sparkly gems were added.

Be sure to head over to the blog where my talented teammates and our lovely guest Rachel have some fabulous cards in a variety of designs for your inspiration.  I hope you'll join us for this challenge, it will remain open until 9am EDT Thursday, May 29th.  See you there!

Stef

On a personal note, earlier this month I traveled to spend a week visiting family and close friends that I hadn't seen in two years (and 8 years since I'd seen one cousin).  It just reminded me that time passes so quickly, that we all need to take every opportunity to be with the ones we love. 

• Spellbinders Fresh Picked Daisies die set
• Simon Says Stamp Basic Box Card Happy Birthday die
• Altenew Baby Pink, Puffy Heart, Purple Wine, Pale Mauve, Amethyst, Grape Agate and Plum inks
• SSS Taffy Dazzling Gems
• Spellbinders Splatter White Opaque Watercolor paint

Bouquet Birthday for The flower Challenge

Hello friends!  I'm back with my mid-month reminder post for The Flower Challenge.  This month we're adding strips or spots to our cards.

TFC 102R

 

I found myself looking through my Pinkfresh Studio stamp sets and came upon one that I hadn't used for a long time and it was perfect for this challenge with its striped vase.  I looked through the set and found the floral image already heat embossed and water colored.  What a great timesaver!  I did find a mistake I made in the coloring, so I think that's why I tucked it away, but that was easily hidden with a sentiment.  

ETA: Full disclosure - I realized after I posted this that I used this watercolor image (sans boo boo) for my TFC DT card a couple of years ago. Oh well, I hope you enjoy seeing it again on a different design LOL!  I would have created another card, but I was going out of town and ran into a time crunch.

The image was water colored with Altenew Artist 24-pan watercolors.  It was die cut with the coordinating die, then I heat embossed and die cut the sentiment from another PFS stamp set.  

The octagon was die cut from brushed gold cardstock and matted with a panel of SU Pacific Point cardstock and added to an antique ivory base.  The floral image was added with foam tape before adhering the sentiment.   Thanks to my younger self for saving that water colored piece!

The challenge remains open until May 25th, so plenty of time to play along or upload a 2nd card if you've already joined in.  My talented teammates have some gorgeous inspiration on the blog, so I encourage you to go take a peek.  

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• PFS Inky Bouquet and Joyful Day sets
• PFS Blanket Stitched Octagon die 
• Altenew Artist 24-pan watercolors

Meadow Swag Birthday for the Paper Players

Hello friends!  It's time for a new color challenge at the Paper Players and this week the lovely and talented Ann is our host and has chosen a beautiful color trio.

Paper Players

My card uses no stamping, just stenciling, die cuts and foiling.

I didn't have cardstock that was an exact match for the SU colors but I found pieces that were close.  The swag is actually made from two die sets.  After cutting from cardstock, I used a bit of ink blending to create some shading, but in the photos it's really noticeable on the pink flowers.

Next, a panel of white was stenciled with a light ink, with some areas darker than others.  The panel was added to a card base, then the swag was adhered after layering on the flowers and berries.  The sentiment is one created during a previous foiling session.  It's foiled in black, which gives it a shiny appearance.  Easy peasy card, but I think the sentiment font and the stenciling really step it up.

Please head over to the blog where my talented teammates have some wonderful inspiration for you, and hopefully you'll join us this week.  The challenge remains open until 3pm, Friday May 16th.

Thanks for stopping by and take care!

Stef

• Simon Says Stamp Meadow Swag and Lush Leaves dies
• Altenew Cascading Elegance stencil
• Your Are Everything BetterPress sentiment set

So Kind for The Flower Challenge

Hello friends!  It's time for May flowers at The Flower Challenge!  This month we'd like you to add spots or stripes.

The Flower Challenge

 

I went with spots this time, using an older Tim Holtz stencil that hadn't seen the light of day for some time.

Truth be known, the stamp set hadn't been used for over a year either.  I believe those flowers are camellia japonica, at least that was the photo they resembled in my search.  Anyway, I decided to use all three floral images from the set, along with one of the sentiments.

I colored them with Olo markers then die cut them with the matching dies.  For the background I moved the stencil around the panel to get  uneven coverage, then ink blended around the outside before splattering with gold metallic paint.  When that all dried the layered arch die cut was adhered along with the flowers framing the sentiment.  No gems, I thought the splatter was sufficient.

Well, we finally have some truly warmer weather and I think it's going to stick around.  How about you?  As the weather gets better, I hope you'll still find time to join us this month!  The challenge will remain open until Sunday, May 25th. But, before you head off, please be sure to visit the blog where my oh-so-talented teammates have some gorgeous cards to inspire you.

Take care and thanks for stopping by!

Stef

• SSS/Memory Box So Kind Stamps and Dies (Stamptember 2023)
• Tim Holtz Bubble Stencil
• SSS Nested Domed Arches Frame
• SSS Seafoam ink
• Gansi Tambi Starry Colors Gold Metallic paint
• Olos - RV0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.1, G1.8, 1.7, 1.5, 1.4
• Copics - E37, 33

Forest Sunset for The Paper Players

Hello friends and happy May!  It's time for a new challenge at The Paper Players.  This week the amazing Joanne is hosting our theme challenge and she's chosen a fun one!

The Paper Players

For this challenge, we need to pair something old with our newest crafty item.  I recently, finally went all in on the postage trend and bought some of Waffle Flowers Postage Collage dies and their latest stamps.  I paired those new items with one of my older and favorite sentiment sets, also from Waffle Flower.  Let's take a look!

I was quite enamored with these beautifully designed silhouette stamps and had fun deciding what each little vignette would contain.  I started by using the stencil that goes with the product line and used Distress inks for the sunset sky.  I then added a bit of white paint splatter to create stars in the sky.

When that dried, I stamped the various scenes, then layered on the Postage Collage Block die cut from black cardstock, which separates each scene.  The white heat embossed sentiment was added before adhering the entire thing to a black card base.  

Since I had everything out, I made a second card but substituted some brighter inks for creating the sky.  I like both cards and don't know if I have a preference.  How about you?

Won't you come join us this week and share what old and new products you paired? The challenge is open until Friday, May 9th at 3pm EST.  In the meantime, don't miss all the inspiration by my lovely teammates over on the blog!

Take care and thanks for visiting!

Stef

PS Come back later this morning for my new Flower Challenge DT card.

• Waffle Flower Postage Collage die, Blocks Die, Stencil and Forest Sunset Stamps
• Waffle Flowr Elegant Sentiments stamps and dies
• Card #1 - Scattered Straw, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Faded Jeans and Seedless Preserves Distress inks
• Card #2 - SSS Lemonade, Sweets, Galaxy and Amethyst inks
• Spellbinders Splatter White paint