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