Summertime Silhouette for Color Hues

Hello friends!  We have a new, beautiful color combination for your inspiration at Color Hues.  This time the amazing Tracey has chosen something I think is perfect for summer, yellow and orange.

Color Hues

 

To me, these colors say either a beautiful summer sunrise or sunset, although fruit would be an equally good choice.  But I chose I sky scene.

I used an older Simon Says Stamp/CZ Design stamp set with these gorgeous colors to create a little summery scene.  Starting with the silhouette image, it was stamped with black pigment ink on a panel of Koh-I-Noor Bristol paper, then I ink blended a few Distress inks to create the background.  I put the paper back in my Misti and stamped a second time to darken the silhouette.

Because the stamp is narrow, a mini slimline seemed most appropriate, so the panel was trimmed down.  It was at this point that I decided to add some new Distress Spritz sprays in Spiced Marmalade and Fossilized Amber.  I add some light spray and also did a bit of splattering then set it aside to dry.  The sentiment from the same stamp set was white heat embossed on black and die cut along with two butterfly dies, also from the same set. The dried panel was added to the black card base, then the sentiment and butterflies were adhered with some foam tape.  To complete the look, three tiny gems were added to each butterfly.  My only regret is not restamping the silhouette image after the spray dried, but I tell you, in real life all the shimmer and sparkle don't really diminish the silhouette like the photo does.

This is such a great color combo, I hope you're inspired to create along with us!  I know you'll love to see what my very talented teammates have created, so head over to the challenge blog before heading to your craft room!  The challenge will remain open until 9 a.m. Thursday August 29th.

Thanks for visiting.  Take care!

Stef

• Simon Says Stamp Silhouette Sentiments Stamps and Dies
• Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade and Wild Honey Distress inks
• Spiced Marmalade and Fossilized Amber Distress Spritz sprays
• Spellbinders Aura Color Essential Gems

Summer Fun for The Paper Players

Hello friends!  I am thrilled to be here with my very first card for The Paper Players as a new member of their design team!  Also joining the team are the super talented Elizabeth Stewart and Jan Clothier.  After spending a year as a Guest Designer a few years ago (as did Elizabeth and Jan), it's a wonderful moment to be back as a permanent part of the team with the amazing ladies that have inspired us all for many years! ❤️ 

So, shall we get on with the challenge?  The lovely Claire has chosen Summer Fun for Theme week.

The Paper Players

So many options for that theme and I chose one of my favorite things to do in summer, which is hanging out by the ocean.

I decided to use a fun Anita Jeram illustrated stamp set to create a beach scene.  I began by stamping and coloring the images, including the buried cat and the sandcastles, then cut them out with the coordinating dies.  The sentiment was stamped and fussy cut.

The background was masked off as I created each section - sand, water, and sky.  Copics were used to color the sand so they would match the buried cat and sandcastles, then I used a light, medium and dark in Distress ink to create the sky and water, deliberately not fully covering the sky to give the illusion of clouds.  The water was enhanced with a couple of blue Copic markers, then I used a white gel pen to create the "seafoam".  

The row of walking friends was adhered directly to the background, then the buried kitty added with thin foam tape.  The sandcastle was then popped up on regular foam tape.  The sky to the left looked a bit empty, so I added three die cut birds and called it finished.

Won't you come join us and show us your version of fun in the summer?  We'd love to see what you're inspired to make!  The challenge will remain open until open until Noon PST on Friday, July 12th.

Take care!

Stef

• Anita Jeram/Colorado Craft Company Beach Life stamps and dies
• Hero Arts Cloudy Sky Scene Fancy Dies
• Tumbled Glass, Broken Chine and Salty Ocean Distress Inks
• Copics - CATS - YR27,24, 23, 31, N4, 2, 0, R21; NECKTIE and HAT - B16, 12, R39, 29, 24; DOGS - E27, 23, 21, C7, 5, 3, 1; SAND - E37, 35, 33, 31, 30; OCEAN - B26, 16, 12, 000; SHOVELS - YR26, 08, B16, 12; BUCKETS - R39, 29, 24, B16, 12, Y26, 08

Hello, Sunshine for Color Hues

Hi friends, welcome back!  It's time for a new challenge at Color Hues and this time I chose the combination of red and yellow because it is just so summery.  However, as you'll see if you pop over to the challenge blog, my amazing teammates used these colors in a wonderful array of designs!  

Color Hues

I had many possibilities running through my mind when I chose these colors, but ultimately I just had to go with sunflowers!

When Simon Says Stamp released both the Bountiful Sunflower and the Little Sunflower Bloom in June, I knew that's what I'd be using for this card.  The flowers were die cut from Distress Watercolor paper, then colored with Distress Watercolor pencils.  However, the colors just weren't vibrant enough for me, so I added color and shading using Copic markers.

After toying with various different options for the background, I ended up using a trellis cover plate die cut in white over a panel of dark brown card stock that was adhered to a white card base.  Before adhering the background together, the panel of brown along with the three sunflowers were lightly splattered with gold metallic paint.  While the paint dried, the sentiment was die cut from matte gold paper and added to a white shadow die that had been layered on two additional die cuts.  The card was then assembled and I called it done!

So what will you be inspired to create with these colors?  I hope to see your card in the gallery - the challenge remains open until 9:00 a.m. Monday, August 28th.

Take care!

Stef

Dies:  Simon Says Stamps Bountiful Sunflower Blossom, Little Sunflower Bloom and Hello, Sunshine sentiment dies; Altenew Garden Trellis Cover die

Paper:  Distress Watercolor, Neenah Solar White, SSS Dark Chocolate and Matte Gold

Distress Watercolor Pencils:  Mustard Seed, Fossilized Amber, Lumberjack Red

Copics:  YR27, 24, Y15, 11, R59, 46, 27, E59, 47

Other:  Gansi Tambi Starry Colors Metallic paints

Super Sunflowers

Hi, friends!  Thought I'd pop in with a quick post sharing my card for the current challenge at Color Throwdown.

CTD 755

These colors worked perfectly for a new die set I received earlier this week!

I am so smitten with the delightful Simon Says Stamp Super Sunflower Plate.  Love all those cute sunflowers!  Initially I planned to use Distress Watercolor pencils for coloring the sunflowers, so I die cut a panel from Distress Watercolor cardstock.  But after testing the colors on a scrap, I just wasn't achieving the vibrance that I wanted, so I ended up using my Copic markers, which work fine on w/c paper.

 

For the background, I ended up die cutting a trellis cover plate from Neenah Desert Storm (sorry, it looks gray in the photos), adhered that to the card base then added the sunflower panel.  I then used the Super Sunflower die to cut another panel from white cardstock, snipped off everything (which I saved), leaving just the frame.  It and the die cut sentiment were colored with a red Copic marker, then the frame was stacked on card front.  Glossy Accents was added to both the frame and sentiment, and when dry, the sentiment was added to the card front atop a vellum shadow.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you're having a great weekend.  I'd love for you to come back on both Wednesday, where I'll have a reminder card for The Flower Challenge, and Thursday, where I'll share another sunflower card for the new challenge at Color Hues!  Hope to see you then!

Take care!

Stef

Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Super Sunflower Plate and Hello, Sunshine dies; Altenew Garden Trellis Cover die

Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm, Distress Watercolor, Lawn Fawn Pearlescent Vellum

Other:  Ranger Glossy Accents

Copics:  R46, YR27, 24, Y15, 11, E59, 37, YG67, 17, 03

Ocean Silhouettes for Sunday Stamps

Hello, friends!  We have a new challenge for you over at Sunday Stamps and this time we bring you a colorful palette to spark your creativity!

Sunday Stamps

I'm also joining the current challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where the theme is Summer.  

After thinking a bit about the colors, I felt they would work well for a tropical sky just after sunset, using the turquoise, yellow, orange and a little bit of purple. So here's what I came up with.

I started with an A2 sized panel of Ranger Distress Heavystock, which is wonderful for ink blending, and masked off where I wanted the horizon line to start and inked up the sky.  I began with a light yellow ink and went from up about 2/3rds of the way, then came down with the orange, and blending back and forth so I had a thin line of light yellow up to the dark orange.  I then blended some purple into the very top of the orange to add a bit more depth to the color.  Next, I reversed the masking and used a beautiful turquoise color for the ocean.

The panel was then place in my Misti and I used black pigment ink to stamp the lovely scene and sentiment with Gina K's Ocean Silhouettes stamp set.  When the ink dried, I used a white gel pen to create some waves in the water, minimally trimmed down the panel, then adhered directly to a black card base.  Ta da!  All done!  I love this silhouette stamp set - I used it for a couple other cards that I hope to share in the future.

I hope this has given you a bit of inspiration and for even more, please head over to the blog where my talented teammates have a bevy of beautiful creations to share with you!

Take care.

Stef

Stamps:  Gina K Ocean Silhouettes

Paper:  Hero Arts Pitch Black, Distress Heavystock

Ink:  Simon Says Stamp Surf and Orchid, Altenew Lemon Ice, Citrus Burst and Mandarin, Versafine Clair Nocturne

Other:  Sakura Gelly Roll White Gel pen

You're the Coolest

Hello friends!  The Paper Players has a fun CAS challenge this week, so I thought I'd play along.

PP649

I love Anne Marie's choice of Bon Appetit! but I don't have many stamps or dies of food, but I did remember one I bought last summer and never got to use.  So, this seemed like the best perfect time to try it out

I was debating whether to die cut and ink blend the popsicle layers or just use multiple colors of cardstock when I spotted an unused panel that I'd ink blended then covered with an iridescent spray, and I thought that would be a fun way to make the popsicles.  We'll just pretend that the spray is frosty-cold goodness lol!  As a child I spent many a hot summer day eating a popsicle or two and those first cool licks were the best!

For the fudgesicle, I originally used a cream cardstock for the ice cream portion but it looked rather blah next two the popsicles, so I ink blended it with Picked Raspberry.  The fudge layer was die cut from brown cardstock, then I added two layers of Ranger Glossy Accents to make it nice and shiny.  Once the sticks were created and everything was adhered together, the sentiment was stamped on the deckled die cut layer which was added to the white card base with foam tape, then the popsicles and fudgesicle were glued on and my CAS card was complete!

Thanks for visiting!  I hope you're able to stay cool and safe in this miserably hot summer.  Here in Idaho. we'll be up around 105 degrees for the next few days.  All the better to stay inside and make more cards!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  MFT Pair of Popsicles

Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm, Stampin' Up Early Espresso, Strathmore Bristol

Ink:  Simon Says Stamp Amethyst; Distress ink in Chipped Sapphire, Wilted Violet, Pick Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade and Fossilized Amber

Dies:  Pair of Popsicles, Altenew Mix and Match Frames

Other:  Hero Arts White Iridescent Shimmer Spray, Ranger Glossy Accents

Lighthouse Birthday for Color Hues

Hello friends!  The start of a new month brings about a new Color Hues challenge and this time the lovely Jules P. has chosen the fabulous color combo of red and aqua.

Color Hues Challenge

I'm also sharing my card over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where this week's theme is Anything Goes.

I love this color combo and had fun using it with another die set, this time from Hero Arts.

Rather than try to do an inked background or even color the individual pieces of the cover die, I opted to inlay multiple colors of cardstock - white for the frame and clouds, three aquas for the water and sky, red and gray for the lighthouse and cream and black for the sailboat and birds.  Once everything was cut out, it was pretty simple to inlay all the pieces.  

I kept the sentiment simple, stamping in Altenew Obsidian then die cutting with the coordination die.  Once that was adhered the card was finished.  With a large number of summer birthdays coming up, I was happy to have another card in my stash.

So what are you inspired to make with these colors?  I do hope you'll join us for this challenge, it will be open until 9:00 am Wednesday June 14th.  In the meantime, be sure to slip over to the challenge blog where the other DT members have a fabulous assortment of cards to spark your creativity!

Thanks for visiting!  Take care.

Stef

Stamps:  Waffle Flower Elegant Sentiments

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Hero Arts Ivory, Concord and 9th Oceanside and Aqua Sky, Simon Says Stamp Sea Glass, Fog and Smoke,, Stampin' Up Real Red and Black

Dies:  Hero Arts Lighthouse and Sailboat Cover Die, WF Elegant Sentiments matching die

Let's Chill Soon!

Hello and welcome!  The awesome DT at the Color Hues challenge have teamed up with my friend, the fabulous Michele Ferguson, for a fun Color Hues Playing Cards with Friends!  How could I resist playing along with that match up? 

TCH #44

While not required for the Color Hues challenge, Michele also asked everyone to include stripes and/or stars, so I did manage to get one star on my card.

I don't know why, but I am just smitten with these little beach huts, and this color combination is perfect.  I did add a "kraft" color for the sand and a small bit of gray for neutrals.  I started by ink blending the background with a couple of Simon Says Stamp inks on Bristol paper.  In my first attempt, I tried to add a bit of ocean in front of the huts but it just didn't work for me with the A2 size, so I moved on and just gave this a "beachy feel" to it and you can imagine the ocean is just over the sand waiting to be played in.

I used two colors of blue along with the red to color the huts and towels, then used a small amount of tan and gray markers for the surfboard and fence.  After trimming the background panel to 4" x 5.25", the colored images were die cut and adhered to the panel, some with foam squares.  I used my Misti to line up and stamp the sentiment along with the birds, added the panel to a white card base and I was done!

Thanks for taking time to stop by!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Beach Hut (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Koh-I-Noor Bristol

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Clair Nocturne (for the sentiment and birds), Marine and Latte (SSS)

Other:  Beach Hut dies

Copics:  B39, 37, 34, 05, 02, 00, R59, 46, 27, 05, E34, 31, 30, W5, 3, 1

Sunshiny Birthday for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Hello friends!  It's time for a new Tic Tac Toe Challenge and this week Carol has created this fabulous board that is absolutely perfect for summer-themed cards!  

The Tic Tac Toe Challenge

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

STB 242

For my card, I used another older but new-to-me stamp set and hit both the row across the top (something round, outdoors, stencil) and the middle column (outdoors, blue, water).

Birdie Brown designs are always so cute and this one is no exception! The first step was to stencil the swimming pool on a panel of white.  I used an MFT stencil for the shape and topped it with a second stencil to get the sun reflection look.  I also used an Altenew artist marker to outline the pool before lifting the stencil.  Once that was done, the panel was die cut with a rectangle die.

Next the images were all stamped, colored with Copic markers (listed below) and cut out with the matching dies.  I used a panel of magenta cardstock to matte the white panel before adhering to a white card base.  The sentiment was white heat embossed on a scrap of the same paper then die cut with sentiment label die.  The fronds were glued directly to the panel, then the sentiment, bird and our charming little girl were all added with foam tape and squares.  Lastly, I used a white gel pen to add polka dots to her bandana.  I almost did it on the swimsuit too but decided that would be a little over the top.  Anyway, this is such a fun and easy card to make.

Thanks for taking time to stop by, I appreciate it!  Be sure to use the link above to see what fabulous creations the other DT members have to share and hopefully be inspired to join us this week!

Stef

Stamps:  Drink Up the Sunshine (MFT)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Magenta Madness (SU)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, Ocean Waves (Altenew)

Other:  Drink Up the Sunshine dies, Fishtail Foundations dies (MFT), Mix and Match Frames die (Altenew), Pasture, Ponds & Pools stencil (MFT), Waterflow Slimline Stencil (Hero Arts), Detail White embossing powder (SSS), B204 Altenew Artist Marker, Sakura White Gelly Roll pen

Copics:  Skin - E13, 11, 21, 51, R20; Hair - E08, YR18, 14; Swimsuit & Bandana - G09, YG07, 01, C2, 1; Drink - YR16, Y38, 35, FYG1; Flower & Round Floaty - RV06, 02, FRV1, BG45, 53; Bird & Fronds - G09, YG07, 01, YR16, Y38, 35

Sunshine and Love for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Hello friends and welcome back to a new Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  This week our board has some great options for creating summer themed cards!

Tic Tac Toe Challenge

I'm also joining Double D Challenges, where the current theme is Signs of Summer.

Double D Signs of Summer

For the Tic Tac Toe challenge I went diagonal left to right (beach, big sentiment, red).

I had a hard time deciding which way to go - underwater scene, sailboat, etc. and finally decided on this lighthouse scene because it worked well with the big sentiment from the same stamp set.  I stamped and colored the scene with Copic markers, then used my Misti to stamp the sentiment straight onto the panel.

I decided to keep things CAS. The panel was die cut with a rounded rectangle die, leaving a wide border for the Desert Storm card base.  I upcycled some nice twine that had been used for a clothing tag, cut it in half then wrapped both around the back of the panel where I secured them with tape.  The panel was adhered to the card base with foam tape, then for the final touch I used a white gel pen for the ocean waves and a silver gel pen for the top of the lighthouse and some of the railing.

There you have it, my super CAS card for this week's Tic Tac Toe Challenge!  Be sure to use the link above to check out the fabulous cards by the other DT members and hopefully play along with us this week!

Stef

Stamps:  From the Vault Beach & Sea (Hero Arts)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Clair Nocturne

Other:  Rounded Rectangle die (HA), Marvy Reminisce Silver gel pen, Sakura White Gelly Roll pen, twine

Copics:  B37, 34, 000, 0000, R46, 24, 14, G29, 21, 40 YG45, E47, 44, 43, 27, T2, 0

grill.all.the.things for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Hello friends!  I hope you're doing well.  It's time for another Tic Tac Toe Challenge and this week Claire has given us a fun board that would be perfect for Father's Day or a masculine card.

tttc115

I'm also joining Addicted to Stamps ATSC #406  and the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, where the theme is Anything Goes

For my card, I went diagonal - die cut, twine/ribbon, texture.

A while back, Ellen Hutson had a wonderful sale on all her Essentials by Ellen products, and I used the opportunity to scoop up some stamps and dies I have had my eye on for over two years.  I LOVE this cute bear and all the accessories you can use to create fun scenes! I started by stamping and coloring the barbeque, bear, sun and hot dog, using Copic markers.  After die cutting with the matching dies, I moved on to creating the background.

I used stencils to create the ink blended grass and clouds. Next a panel of Desert Storm cardstock was embossed with the Corrugated 3D embossing folder, then the stenciled panel was trimmed down and adhered to it.  Before adding to the Desert Storm card base, I wrapped some hemp twine around the panel and tied on a bow.  The BBQ, bear, sun and sunglasses were adhered directly to the panel.  The grilling fork was glued under the bear's paw (the die cuts the paws away from the body so he can hold things) but I used a small amount of foam tape to pop up the wienie portion.  The sentiments were stamped, die cut and added to the card front with foam tape, then the last step was to use my white gel pen on his sunglasses.  This will be perfect to send to one of our grill-loving friends!

Thanks so much for visiting, I really appreciate it!  Be sure to use the link above to check out the fabulous cards by the other DT members and hopefully join us this week!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  All Inside and Bear Ware 3 (EH)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Versafine Clair Nocturne; Fire Fly, Grass Field and Sea Glass (Altenew)

Other:  All Inside and Bear Ware 3 matching dies, Skinny Strips die (MFT), Grassy Edges and Rolling Clouds stencils (MFT), Corrugated 3D embossing folder (ret. SU), Hemp Twine

Copics:  E79, 57, 35, 33, 31,30, 29, 09, R59, 46, 24, 05, 22, 20, Y26, 19, 15, 13