Thankful for The Flower Challenge

Hello friends!  I'm here with my reminder post for The Flower Challenge.  This month the theme is thanks. 

I'm also slipping in on the final day at Inkspirational, where the theme is to Layer It.

Inkspirational #328

I know sunflower season is done for the year, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, but I wanted to have one more go at using them for my floral card, so I used the lovely stamp set designed by Kelly Taylor for Honey Bee Stamps.

The stamp set has three flowers, one front facing and two side facing and I decided to incorporate all three on my card.  I used Copic markers to color them, then they were cut with the matching dies.  Next, a panel of white was ink blended with Salvage Patina Distress Ink, then adhered the card base.  It was topped with a Vintage Labels die cut from white, then I arranged the flowers and leaves, adhering them directly to the card front.  

The sentiment is from a set included with the Altenew Cozy Comfort Retreat products.  It has not yet been released but it will be sometime in the future.  It was die cut from gold metallic cardstock and twice more from white.  The card front was splattered with gold metallic paint and once dry, the sentiment was added to finish things off.

We would love to see your floral thank you card in the gallery, I hope you will join us!  The challenge remains open until Monday November 25th.  In the meantime, for some wonderful inspiration, please visit the challenge blog - my very talented team members have some beautiful cards to share!

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Honey Bee Stamps Bloom With Grace Stamp and Die set
• HBS Layering Vintage Labels die
• Altenew Stylish Greetings die set
• Gansi Tambi Starry Colors Gold Metallic paint

Shaker Snow Globe for The Paper Players

Hello friends!  It's Sunday and that means there's a new challenge at The Paper Players.  This week the lovely Claire is hosting our monthly color challenge and she's chosen some vibrant and beautiful colors.

The Paper Players

I decided it was the perfect time to make a fun shaker Christmas card.  While I tend to go towards using traditional reds and greens, I thought it would be fun to "shake" things up (sorry, not sorry, for the pun lol!).

The colors in the photo are a bit off, however I will admit I don't have any true turquoise paper so I got as close as I could with the cardstock I have.  I began by die cutting Twig & Stump from white velvet luxury cardstock and their apparel and the ornaments from colored cardstock.  The backer for the snowmen was cut from black.  The snow globe, tree and snowflakes were die cut from white glitter cardstock.  I also used the snow globe die to created a shaped card for something fun and unique.

I saw this snow globe design two years ago when Twig & Stump were first released, created by the talented Nichol Spohr and found it so clever, and since I rarely make shaker cards, decided to use it.  You can find her original post here.

The background was ink blended with purple and turquoise-ish ink then splattered with white gloss acrylic spray.  When dried I put the snow globe together, adhering the top white glitter layer to an acetate sheet cut to fit, then 3 more die cuts then the ink blended background, after adding the shaker bits.  After assembling Twig & Stump, they along with the tree, ornaments, snowflakes and white heat embossed sentiment were adhered on top.  The final step was to add glitter using Stickles to the ornaments. Definitely not a card for mass production but it was fun and I'll likely make a few more if time allows. 

This photo was taken flat so I could capture the shaker bits inside.

My wonderfully talented teammates have some terrific inspiration for you over at the challenge blog, so I encourage you to check it out.  I hope you'll join us this week with however these colors inspire you - the challenge remains open until Friday November 15th at 3pm EST.

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Tim Holtz Twig & Stump dies
• Honey Bee Stamps Snow Globe A2 Shaker dies
• Hero Arts December 2020 card kit (sentiment)
• Simon Says Stamp White Luxury Velvet and White Glitter cardstock
• Concord & 9th colored cardstocks

Snowflakes for The Paper Players

Hello friends!  The last Sunday of the month is upon us and that brings a new sketch challenge at The Paper Players!  This time the lovely and talented Ann has given us this wonderful sketch with lots of options.

The Paper Players

I'm also sharing my card over at Addicted to Stamps, where the theme is Any Occasion.

ATSM #479

Since I'm still working on Christmas cards, that is the direction I took.  I kept things very simple; so simple I made two cards!

I decided to pull out some patterned paper that I hoard rarely use but knew it would work perfectly with the snowflakes I created.  I love the bokeh effect and the pretty colors.  

The snowflakes were die cut from silver and white glitter cardstock using various snowflake dies, with the exception of one small snowflake that was cut from light purple glitter paper.  The same cardstocks were used for the die cut sentiment and the vertical strip.  No need for embellishments with all that sparkle and shine, plus I think they would get lost against the background paper.

What are you inspired to create with this sketch?  For more ideas and inspiration, be sure to visit the challenge blog to see what my talented teammates have come up with.  I hope to see your card in the gallery this week - the challenge remains open until Friday November 1st at 3 pm EDT.

Thanks for stopping by and take care!

Stef

• HoneyBee Stamps Lovely Layers: Snowflakes dies
• Simon Says Stamp Aidan and Sophie Snowflake dies
• SSS Handwritten Merry Christmas dies
• SSS Glitter and Matte Silver cardstock
• Whimsy Stamps Blurry Flurries 6x6 designer paper

Thinking of You for Color Hues and The Paper Players

Hello friends!  Today I have a card that combines two challenges.  At The Paper Players, the lovely Joanne is asking us to use spots or stripes and I managed to do both!

The Paper Players

 

Over at Color Hues, the wonderful Carol has chosen Rust and Green as her color combination. A note about the color Rust - it covers a range hues - from terracotta, bronze, ginger, cider, burnt orange, so there are lots of options. I really love this combo!

Color Hues

My card features a favorite stamp set, but one that I haven't used for a while, so I thought it was about time.

As you can see, the pots have both spots and stripes (albeit wavy ones!).  The plants and pots were all stamped then colored with alcohol markers, then die cut with the matching dies.  The sentiment is from a different stamp set and was cut with its matching die as well.

Next, the "floor" was die cut from white cardstock using a wood plank die then also colored with markers.  The die impresses embossed woodgrain detail, so I just followed those with my darkest brown marker then when over it with a shade lighter. It was adhered to a panel of light green cardstock and before added the plants I decided to make things look a bit more interesting by adding the die cut lattice.  

What are you inspired to create with these two challenges?  My teammates have so much inspiration to share with you, please be sure to use the links above for both challenges and check out their wonderful cards.

The Paper Players challenge is open until Friday, Sept. 6th at 3pm EST and the Color Hues challenge runs through 9am EST Saturday, Sept. 14th.  I hope to see you in both galleries!

Thanks for visiting and take care!

Stef

• Honey Bee Stamps Happy Plants stamps and dies
• Simon Says Stamp Graceful Flowers sentiment stamp and die
• SSS Wood Plank die
• Spellbinders Woven Lattice Texture die
• Copics: E19, YR18, 07, 04, E59, 57, W3, 1, 0
• Olos:  YG1.6, 1.4, 1.2, G1.8, 1.7, 1.5, 1.4

Beach Time for The Paper Players

Hello friends!  Today at The Paper Players we have an appropriate theme - Beach Time!  I'm hosting this week and would love to see your beautiful cards depicting time at the beach.

The Paper Players

I'm also playing along with Time Out Challenges and their words of inspiration "It's always summer somewhere"

TOC #269

I love the beach on the Oregon Coast, where I've spent lots of time, but today my card has a more tropical vibe and I would love to spend time on this beach too!

Isn't that little beach house the cutest?  It's one of three beach houses included in Honey Bee Stamp's Lovely Layers: Beach House die set. It also includes to two smaller palm trees; the larger one is from the Lovely Layers: Hammock set.

To start, every piece was die cut from white cardstock, then I used my Copic and Olo markers to color everything.  It's a bit more work but I find I get more texture in things such as the palm trunks and fronds.  Plus, many of the pieces are so small I find it easier to color than ink blend.  With the coloring complete, everything was assembled and I moved onto the background.

I kept the background very simple to keep the focus on the die cut images, just ink blending what might be perhaps a little lagoon away from the main beach, then adding the sand and the sky. I used a white gel pen to create the gentle waves and add a bit of detail to the flag.  The sentiment was stamped and then the scene was created.  I had created a second beach house but the scene just seemed to busy to I will hold onto it for another card, maybe on a 5" x 7" size - this one is 6" x 4.5".

So what do you enjoy when you're at the beach?  We would love to have you share your beach-y themed card this week.  The challenge stays open until noon Friday 8/9.  In the meantime, my teammates have some fabulous cards to inspire you at the challenge blog, so I encourage you to pop over and take a look.

Also, if check back later, I'll have a second post with my card for The Flower Challenge.

Take care!

Stef

• Honey Bee Stamps Lovely Layers: Beach House and Lovely Layers: Hammock
• HB Sunkissed Summer Stamp Set
• Altenew Sea Glass, Sea Breeze and Turquoise inks
• Simon Says Stap Latte Ink
• Sakura White Gelly Roll pen
• Olo markers - R2.4, 2.2
• Copic markers - BG07, E75, 55, 37, 33, 31, 30 YR23, Y13

Vintage Roses for Color Hues

Hello friends!  It's time once again for a new challenge at Color Hues, where the lovely Cindy has chosen a beautiful combination of peach and green.

Color Hues

 

To me, the obvious choice was to use florals and because I had a new die set with roses, it was the perfect match.  I did step out of my comfort zone with a more vintage style card, but I think that's a good thing to do once in a while and I love these roses - you'll be seeing more of those in the future!

This relatively new Lovely Layers: Sweetheart Roses die set was everything I'd hoped it would be, with such beautifully crafted layers.  I die cut the flowers and stems from ivory cardstock, then used Copic markers to color each layer.  After the first round of coloring on the roses, I decided there wasn't enough shading and dimension, so I went back and added more to emphasize the different layers.  I do think I got a little carried away with the leaves, however. ;-)

With the floral image adhered together, I moved on to the background.  I stamped the Vintage Flora Background Stamp on a light peach cardstock panel, then ink blended light peach around the edges.  The Vintage Labels  frame was die cut from ivory cardstock, then adhered to the peach panel, tucking the roses underneath a portion.  After adding the sentiment, the upper left of the card looked a bit empty, so I added some pretty metallic pearls that matched beautifully with the peach colors.

What do these colors bring to mind for you?  I do hope you'll share what you're inspired to create and play along with us this time!  As always, my wonderful teammates have created some beautiful and varied inspiration for you, so be sure to pop over the challenge blog and take a look.  The challenge will remain open until 9 am Sunday April 14th.

Take care!

Stef

• HoneyBee Stamps Lovely Layers:  Sweetheart Roses
• HB Layering Vintage Labels die
• HB Vintage Flora Background stamp
• Simon Says Stamp/Altenew Rose Reverie stamp set (sentiment)
• Concord and 9th Nectar and Grapefruit inks and Nectar cardstock
• Hero Arts Ivory cardstock
• Copics:  Flowers - E97, YR02, 01, 00, 000; Leaves and stems - YG67, 17, 03

Best Wishes for Color Hues

Hello friends!  It's time for a new challenge at Color Hues and this time the lovely Carol has chosen a beautiful color combination.

Color Hues

This combo made me think of cream colored flowers so I decided to use the pretty HoneyBee Stamps Lovely Layers: Magnolia for my card.

The flower petals were die cut from ivory cardstock, then I lightly inked the center of each layer and the ends of some of the petals before adhering together.  Originally I ink blended a brown center but I didn't like how it looked so I switched to matte gold.  I mean, can you ever go wrong with metallics lol?!!

Next the large vintage frame was die cut from cornflower blue cardstock and I found the foiled sentiment that had been created in a previous foiling session, which led me to creating this layout.  I had everything layered on the ivory card base but the card needed a little something more, so a panel of ivory was embossed with a beautiful and intricate folder from Paper Rose, then the frame, flowers and sentiment were adhered.  The final step was to add a few gold pearls.

So, what does this color combination bring to mind for you?  For more inspiration, my amazingly talented teammates and our guest designer Steph have some stunning card designs waiting for you over at the challenge blog!  I hope you decide to join us; the challenge will remain open until 9 am EST Friday 3/29.

Take care!

Stef

• HoneyBee Stamps Lovely Layers: Magnolia and Layering Vintage Labels die
• HoneyBee Stamps Foil Script: Wishes Hot Foil Plate and die
• Hero Arts Ivory, Simon Says Stamp Cornflower and Matte Gold cardstock
• Paper Rose Sweet Vines embossing folder
• Spellbinders Matte Gold Glimmer Hot Foil
• SSS Morning ink
• HoneyBee Stamps Metallic Mix Pearl Stickers

May It Be Happy

Hello friends!  Today I'm sharing a card that I made for the current color challenge at Color Throwdown.  The colors were too pretty to pass up and I actually had time this weekend to just play.

ctd 782

I'm also joining in over at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where this week's theme is Anything Goes.

I combined some new products with an older cover die to create my card.

I recently obtained the HoneyBee Stamps Lovely Layers: Rose die set and it seemed to fit the bill perfectly for the challenge colors.  All the components were die cut from white cardstock then ink blended.  The pinks were as close as I could get to rose and the green inks are definitely in muted, sage-like colors.  I also ink blended a white panel in pink.

The background element was die cut from Stampin' Up Merry Merlot cardstock using a retired cover die from Simon Says Stamp.  After adhering it to the pink inked panel, it was added to the card front.  With such a busy background I needed a place for the rose to be grounded, so a scallop circle was die cut from white, layered on the card, then the rose was attached.  It's a different kind of die from what I'm used to in that the bloom, bud and the leaves are all separate components, but they line up perfectly of course.  After layering on the sentiment, I added a few pink gem stickers for some sparkle.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you'll have a chance to swing by tomorrow when I post my card for the March challenge at The Flower Challenge!

Take care!

Stef

• HoneyBee Stamps Lovely Layers: Roses and Be Still stamp and die
• SSS Marilyn Full Card Cover die
• Hero Arts Scallop Circle Infinity die
• Altenew Silver Sage, Jade and Eucalyptus inks; Concord & 9th Carnation and Sweet Pea inks; SSS Carbernet ink
• HoneyBee Stamps Vintage Love Gem Stickers

Bountiful Banner for Just Us Girls

Hello friends!  I'm back with my final card as guest designer for Just Us Girls and this time we are having fun with stencils!

JUGs 711

 

At the last minute, I'm also joining the lovelies at Inkspirational with another stenciled edition to their gallery.

Inkspirational #307

I love stencils because they can make card creation so much quicker and/or add wonderful detail to card backgrounds.  Today I used them to color a floral image.

I have been eyeing the Honeybee Stamps Bountiful Banners suite since it was first released earlier this year, so when HB had their fabulous sale at year end, I decided to pick it up.  I started by stamping the image with black pigment ink, then using the stencils and a variety of inks to color it up.  I think this color palette is one of my favorite combos.  I know I am usually drawn to cooler colors, but I do love the pop of yellow-green along with the teal and pinky purple.  

After the stenciling was complete, I added some additional contrast to all the flowers and leaves with Copic markers, which is something I often like to do.  The image and sentiment were then die cut with the coordinating dies along with two additional pieces for layering to provide some dimension (although that's difficult to tell in the photos).  The final touch was to use my white gel pen to color the flower centers.

A big thank you to the entire design team at Just Us Girls, it was just a pleasure joining you this month!

Be sure to head over to the challenge blog for some wonderful inspiration and hopefully play along this week.

Take care!

Stef

Stamps, dies and stencils:  Honeybee Stamps Bountiful Banner

Ink:  Simon Says Stamp Taffy, Sweets, Bubblegum, Fairway, Sprout, Tropic, Tidepool, Orchid, Iris and Latte; Versafine Clair Nocturne

Other:  Sakura White Gelly Roll pen

Copics:  RV69, 66, BG49, 15, YG67, 17

Christmas Hats for Christmas Craft Creations

Hello friends, it's time for our reminder post at Christmas Craft Creations!  For our November challenge, we're asking you to add a hat to your design.

CCC

I decided to have some fun with this challenge and created an A7 card with lots of cute critters wearing hats.

I couldn't have had a more perfect stamp and die set in my stash that the Christmas Hats one from Colorado Craft Company and illustrated by Anita Jeram.  After coloring all the critters with Copic markers, they were die cut along with the trees in the background.

The next step was to create the background.  On an A7 panel, I ink blended Simon Says Stamp Galaxy for the sky, then added a panel of snowy hills that I hand cut from a panel of white.  Before adhering to the panel, I used a light blue ink both on the base of the piece and at the top of the hills, then glued it down.  The trees were die cut from dark green cardstock, then I used a dark brown Copic marker to color the trunks before adding to the background.  Next, the sentiment was white heat embossed, then the critters were adhered either with glue or foam tape.  Before adding to the card base, I sprayed the panel with shimmer spray then added "snow" with white paint.

Thanks for stopping by and I do hope you'll join us this month for this fun challenge!  In the meantime, please take a moment to visit the challenge blog, where my talented teammates have lots of inspiration for you.

Take care!

Stef

Stamps and dies:  CCC/AJ Christmas Hats, Honey Bee Stamps Pine Trees

Paper:  Neenah Solar White

Ink:  SSS Galaxy and Marine; Memento Tuxedo Black; Versamark

Other:  SSS Fine Detail embossing powder, Hero Arts White Iridescent Shimmer Spray, Dr. Ph Martins Bleed Proof White

Copics:  R89, 59, 29, 27, G99, 94, 82, 28, 09, 03, B28, 26, 24, 21, 0000, E47, 44, 43, 42, T4, 2, 0, YR27, 24, 23, Y21, C3, 1, 0, W5, 3, 1, 0

Hello Friend for The Flower Challenge

Hello friends!  I hope the first part of May brings flowers your way and it's also bringing us a new challenge at The Flower Challenge!  This month we are using our pretty pastels.

The Flower Challenge

There are several flowers that bloom in pastel colors this time of year and one of my favorites is from the dogwood tree.  When I saw that Honey Bee Stamps came out with their beautiful Lovely Layers: Dogwood dies and coordinating products, well let's just say I was totally smitten!

I started by die cutting all the dogwood branch components from white cardstock, then used my Copic markers to color them.  Next I followed the layering guide and put together all the pieces/parts.  It really didn't take an enormous amount of time and the branches are so, so pretty!  I put those aside and then worked on the card base.

Next, Seafoam and Surf inks were blended on a portion of a panel of white cardstock, then embossed with the coordinating Dogwood Blooms 3D embossing folder.  I trimmed it down and added to the card base.  Next I die cut the Spring Vine Layering Frame dies twice, took apart the various pieces and just used the frame and the interior.  Those were all added to the card before adding the dogwood branches.  The sentiment was stamped in Versafine Clair Morning Mist, a nice soft gray, die cut and added to the center.  The last step was to scatter about a few Ocean Wave Crystals from Studio Katia and the card was complete.

So what florals in your stash are calling out to be used for this challenge?  I know you have some lol!  In the meantime, for some amazing inspiration, be sure to drop by the challenge blog and see what my fabulously talented teammates have created.

Take care!

Stef

Copics:  RV23, 21, 10, E47, 44, YG17, G43, 40

Snowy Hugs

Hello friends!  I have a fun little card to share that I made for the current challenge at The Paper Players.  The lovely Ann has chosen a theme of tags and while I don't use them often, I do love using tags on cards as the focal image.  

PP622

I'm also joining the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, slipping in on the last day to play along with their theme of "Something New"

 

I'm still feeling the winter vibe here in Idaho, although our snow finally went away for now and we're in the "balmy" 40's this week lol!  Plus I wanted to use my awesome new stencil set from Taylor Expressions.

Wintery but not Christmas-y, with aqua, pink and purple.  The stencil set is called Create-in-Quads, with four 8" x 10.5" stencils used over a letter size piece of cardstock.  After the stenciling was complete, I cut the card stock into four panels measuring 4" x 5.25", and then cut the tag from the one that had the most stenciling.  Next, the hugs portion of the sentiment was die cut from white glitter paper, with the shadow from purple.

The diagonal stitched rectangle in aqua was layered directly onto the white card base, then before adding the tag with foam tape, a piece of white glitter ribbon was tied on to the tag with a piece of silver twine.  The hugs die cut was adhered directly to tag, then the sub-sentiment popped up on thin foam squares.  All the little glitter snowflakes and do-dads were cut out with a snowflake confetti cover die, then adhere randomly to the card for added sparkle.

Thanks for dropping by, I appreciate it!  Take care and have a great week!

Stef

Stamps: Honeybee Stamps Bitty Buzzwords

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Taylored Expressions Sugar Cube, Concord & 9th Aqua Sky, Simon Says Stamps White Glitter, Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grape

Ink:  Versafine Morning Mist, SSS Seafoam, Surf, Peony and Amethyst

Other:  TE Snowflake Create-in-Quads Layering Stencil, Honeybee Stamps Bitty Buzzwords dies, Ellen Hutson Tag Trio die, Pinkfresh Studio Diagonal Stitched Rectangle die, Hero Arts Snowflake Confetti Fancy die, Silver twine (ret. SU), May Arts White Glitter Ribbon

Happy Plants for Sunday Stamps

Hello friends!  It's time for a new challenge at Sunday Stamps and this time it's a lovely color challenge with lots of options.

Sunday Stamps

My original idea was to create a beach scene including a VW bus, but then I got sidetracked by a stamp set I've had for quite a while and never used.  I ended up using navy, bright blue, sage green and tan from the color board.

I just love the various plants and vases in the set and chose ones that would fit in my design plan.  They were colored with Copic markers, die cut with matching dies and adhered together.  The sentiment was stamped in black and also die cut with the matching die.  My plan was to make it look as though the vases were sitting on the floor in front of a wall.

After using the cover die the panel was trimmed down and added to a white card base.  I layered on a strip that was colored brown with a Copic marker and beneath that, a small panel of white.  The plants and vases were added in layers, the front ones popped up with foam tape, then I used a gray marker to create subtle shadows underneath.  The sentiment was layered on two additional die cuts then adhered directly to the panel and that finished things off!  This card is part of a group of cards that will be donated to Cards for Kindness at Scrapbook.com, where they have ongoing card drives, many of which are sent to seniors and others with serious illnesses.  

Thanks for visiting, I always appreciate it!  Don't forget to use the link above to check out the fabulous cards by the other DT members and hopefully join us for this great color challenge!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Happy Plants, Bitty Buzzwords (both Honey Bee Stamps)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Clair Nocturne (sentiment)

Other:  Happy Plants and Bitt Buzzwords matching dies, Intricate Stitched Ovals Cover die (Pinkfresh Studio)

Copics:  B39, 37, 34, 05, 02, 00, G28, 24, 21, 20, E34, 31, 30