Butterfly Birthday for SCS Color Challenge

Hello and welcome!  Recently I had a wonderful surprise email from the SCS CC team leader, Mary Martinez, asking me if I'd like to be a guest designer for the month of April.  Of course I said yes, since it's been almost 2 years since I left the team and thought it would be fun to play along with my old (and some new) teammates.

This week the colors are a lovely combination of Misty Moonlight (such a dreamy blue), Old Olive and White, with a dessert option to add a fourth color.  I chose to use orange as the fourth color for my card.

I decided to use the lovely Botanicals and Butterflies stamp and die set from Pinkfresh Studio (actually almost all the products on this card are from PFS).  I debated about orange or blue flowers and ended up with blue so the butterflies could add nice pops of orange around the card.    The branch and butterflies were stamped, colored with Copic markers then die cut with the matching die.  

I love mixing organic images with geometric images, so I used the Geo Tiles cover die to cut a background from white cardstock.  I planned to adhere it to a panel of Misty Moonlight, but it was just too dark and the branch kind of got lost against it.  So I found a light blue ink that was a perfect match for Misty Moonlight and ink blended that on a panel of white and adhered the die cut to it. After that was added to a white card base, I used the Botanicals and Butterflies die to cut out two more layers, so everything could be have a bit of dimension against the background.  Once those were all in place, I found the sentiment that had previously been foiled and glued it across the main image, with additional die cut layers under just the letters off the edge.

Thanks for taking time to stop by!  If you want to see the Design Team's beautiful cards and perhaps join in the challenge, here's a link to Splitcoaststampers, where you can find the link to the Color Challenge on the front page.

Take care! 

Stef

Stamps:  Botanicals and Butterflies

Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Hammermill White

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Blueberry (Altenew)

Other: Botanicals and Butterflies matching die, Geo Tiles Cover Plate die, Fancy Script Words Hot Foil Plate and die, Gold Glimmer Hot Foil (Spellbinders)

Copics:  B97, 45, 41, YG97, 95, 93, E29, 37, 33, YR09, 07, 16, Y17, 15

A Bit of Sunshine for The Flower Challenge

Hello and welcome!  It's time for a new challenge at The Flower Challenge and this month we are adding hearts to our cards.  I hope you'll join us this month!

The Flower Challenge

For my card, I found a really lovely layering stamp with flowers in the shape of a heart from Kitchen Sink Stamps.   

I just love the depth the layering stamps give to the final image, although next time I might use inks that produce even more contrast.  But I used what I had for yellows and I think it's just so sweet.  I started by testing out a number of yellow and brown ink combinations until I found the one I liked.  And I have to say lining up the four stamp layers was a breeze using the stamp layering guide.  When the stamping was complete, a light blue ink was blended all around the image, then the panel was die cut with the Chunky Scallop die.

I decided to keep things fairly CAS, so I die cut the trellis from white cardstock and adhered to the white card base.  The sentiment, from the same stamp set, was stamped in brown and die cut with a label die, then I added the second part of the sentiment inside that says "to brighten your day".  The main panel was added to the base with foam tape, the sentiment attached with thin foam squares and a few crystals added for a little bling. The final step was to add shimmer to the flowers with an aqua shimmer pen, which of course doesn't show up in the photos  :-( .  

Thanks for taking time to stop by!  Be sure to use the link above to see all the gorgeous cards by the other DT members and don't forget to come back here on the 15th when I'll have another card to share for this challenge.

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Sweetheart Daises (KSS)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White

Ink:  Versafine Clair Acorn; Carmel Toffee, Chamomile, Citrus Burst and Sea Glass (Altenew)

Other:  Chunky A2 Scalloped Rectangle die, Garden Trellis Cover die (Altenew), Tonic Aqua Shimmer pen, Studio Katia Ocean Wave Crystals

You Are Loved for Sunday Stamps

Hello and welcome!  It's time for a new challenge at Sunday Stamps and this week I've created the sketch for this challenge.

Sunday Stamps

I'm also joining the current Color Throwdown challenge, where the challenge colors are purple, sage green and cream.

CTD 686

You'd think since I created the sketch, that it would be easy to make my card, but oh, no, I ended up having so many ideas I had to take time to sort them out.  However, when I saw the pretty CTD colors, I settled on this pretty floral.

I started by stamping and Copic coloring the large dahlias, then fussy cutting as there are no coordinating dies.  It's a relatively easy image to fussy cut and I left the section in the middle, because first of all it would be tricky to cut out, and secondly, I knew I'd be mounting the florals on a white circle so it wouldn't be obvious.  The next step was to emboss at panel of Natural White (which is a nice ivory/cream color) and die cut the scalloped strips from white.  The skinny strips of green were die cut from a scrap of white cardstock that I colored with a couple of green Copic markers, in order to have it match the flower stems.

With all the components ready, I put the card together, adhering the embossed panel to the white card base, adding the scallops and green strip, then layering two white die cut circles in the middle before popping up the floral image with foam tape.  The silver foiled sentiment was one of many left over from a prior foiling session.  It was glued to the floral image except for a couple letters hanging off the right side, which had foam tape added to them.  The final task was to add a few silver baubles and I was done.

Well, there you have it!  The team has created some lovely cards, so be sure to head over to the challenge (link above) for more inspiration and hopefully play along with us!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Dahlia Bright Eyes (Altenew), Celebrating You (Pinkfresh Studio)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Natural White

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Other:  Blossom Field 3D embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp), Slim Lacy Layers die (Waffle Flower), Stripes 1 die (SSS), Nested Infinity Circle die (Hero Arts), Celebrating You Hot Foil Plate and matching die (PFS), Silver Glimmer Hot Foil (Spellbinders), Silver Baubles (Trinity Stamps)

Copics:  BV08, 17, 13, 01, 01, 000, G28, 46, 24, 21, 20

Happy Flowers for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Hello and welcome!  It's time for a new Tic Tac Toe Challenge and this week Claire created this fun board for us to play with.

Tic Tac Toe Challenge

I'm also joining the current Make Your Mark Challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More and the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

ATSC #426

I had a hard time deciding but ultimately chose to use the right-hand column - flowers, coloring, green.

I saw this beautiful floral stamp set at Gina K and it was definitely a must have!  I colored it with Copic markers, then die cut it with the matching die.  It took a full afternoon to complete, but what a labor of love!  I also had some fun with the colors, deciding to use both a green and blue-green for the foliage.

I wanted to keep the background very simple, die cutting a cover die from white cardstock then adhering it directly to the white card base.  The flower image was added at an angle using foam tape - it is a really big image!  The sentiment was stamped then die cut with the matching die, then adhered directly to the flower except for the word "well", where I used a bit of foam tape to have it level with the flower.  I waffled about adding any embellishments but finally decided to add a few gold sequins.

Thanks for taking time to drop by, I appreciate it!  Be sure to use the link above to see all the wonderful cards by the other DT members and hopefully join us this week!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Happy Flowers (Gina K), Just a Note Floral (sentiment/Pinkfresh Studio)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White,

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Clair Nocturne

Other:  Happy Flowers and Just a Note Floral dies, String Panel Cover die (Altenew), Antique Gold Sequins (Altenew)

Copics:  RV69,66, 55, 52, BG09, 15, 11, YG45, G21, 40, YR23, Y15, 11

Happy Spring for Sunday Stamps

Hello friends!  I hope you're doing well!  I know I am so happy today is the first day of Spring and I've brought you a card to celebrate that.  It's time for a new color challenge at Sunday Stamps, with a bright and pretty palette to inspire you.

Sunday Stamps

I'm also joining the current As You See It Challenge, where the theme is spring flowers and The Paper Players where the lovely Laurie has given us a great CAS challenge with "Blooms".

Challenge #270

PP583

I used a stamp with two early Spring flowers.

I love all flowers, but I have to say crocus are my favorite early spring flowers, with daffodils and tulips a close second.  The image was stamped, Copic colored and die cut with the coordinating die. To properly highlight the flowers, I decided to use a frame, which was die cut three times from white cardstock. They were adhered together then I popped the flowers through at the bottom, trimmed off the excess then adhered the bottom of the flower image to the bottom of the frame.

Next a panel of white was debossed with an A2 size cover die and adhered to the white card base.  As I was determining if the main image should be tilted or straight, I realized that the debossed background looked a little busy behind the flowers.  So I trimmed down a panel of light yellow cardstock and adhered that to the back of the frame, using foam squares behind the two daffodils to keep them level with the frame.  I decided that a bit of a jaunty tilt would be fun, adhered the main image to the card, then added the sentiment.  The final touch was to add a few clear dew drops. (I realized as I was writing this blog post, the lower right corner of the frame hadn't adhered properly to the card front, which I have now fixed lol!).

I am so glad you visited!  Don't forget to use the link above to check out all the amazing cards by the other DT members and hopefully join us for this springtime color challenge!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Spring Stems (Simon Says Stamp), Happy Easter (Anita Jeram/Colorado Craft Company)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Yellow Chiffon (SSS)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Other:  Spring Stems die, Scalloped Stitched Frames die (Poppystamps), Dotted Scales Debossing Cover die (Altenew), Small Clear Dew Drops (Honey Bee)

Copics:  V01, Y15, 11, 000, RV29, 25, 23, 21, YG67, 17, 15, 03, 45 G29, 21, 40

Hoppy Easter for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Hello and welcome! It's time for a new Tic Tac Toe Challenge and this week Silke has given us this fun board to spark our imagination!  

Tic Tac Toe Challenge

I chose to go across the middle row - die cuts, coloring, Easter Bunny, but actually it would also work for the right column or the upper left to bottom right diagonal.

I'm also joining the current challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, where the current theme Use Your Favorite Things.  Well, by far, my favorite things include Copic markers and dies. ;-)

I love these gnomes and have only used this set once, so it was high time to ink it up again!  Besides, my daughter and grandkids will get a kick out of it!  

The gnomes were stamped, colored with Copic markers and die cut with coordinating dies.  The Easter eggs are from another stamp set and were fussy cut after coloring.  For the background, I lightly ink blended Distress Oxide inks and after they dried, the panel was die cut then the sentiment stamped.  

The rest of the card was pretty easy.  The peacock layer was die cut and adhered directly to the white card base, then the embossed strip of light green added.  The inked panel was added using thin foam tape other than over the embossed panel.  Two of the gnomes and the Easter eggs were adhered directly to the inked panel, then our Easter Bunny gnome added with foam tape to finish things off!

Thanks so much for visiting.  Be sure to use the link above to check out the awesome cards by the other DT members and hopefully play along with us this week!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Spring Gnomes, Sunny Studios Chubby Bunnies

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Peacock and Sprout (Concord & 9th)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Clair Nocturne, Twisted Citron and Peacock Feathers DOX

Other:  Spring Gnomes dies, Hero Arts Nested Infinity Rounded Rectangle dies, SU Spring Flowers embossing folder

Copics: BG07, 45, 53, YG17, 23, 01, E74, 71, 70, 13, 11, 21, YR24, Y15, 11, RV25, 23, 21, 00, R000, W3, 1, 0

Bold Bouquet for The Flower Challenge Reminder

Hello and welcome! It's mid-month, which means it's time for our reminder post at The Flower Challenge! This month we are using scraps (paper scraps, unused bits for other projects, you get the picture) and you have until the 25th to upload your card.  I sure hope you'll join us!

The Flower Challenge

For my first DT card here, I added a metallic die cut sentiment and a die cut slimline panel that had been unused from prior projects.  For my card today, I pulled out an alcohol ink background that I'd created some months ago and never used, and stenciled a large floral image on it using embossing paste.  I saw Mindy Eggen do this same technique with the same stencil here on You Tube and thought it would work beautifully for this challenge.  The sentiment was also a leftover that I found tucked in with the die set.

The alcohol ink panel was created using Ranger Amethyst, Tranquil Pearl and Silver Mixative.  The large flower at the bottom unfortunately covers up most of the Tranquil Pearl but you can see it bit of it midway up the right side.  I used a new-to-me embossing paste and it had a rather thick, gooey consistency but since my other embossing paste had dried up, I forged ahead. It didn't come out absolutely perfect but then using embossing paste rarely does (at least for me lol!). After the stenciling was done, the panel was set aside to dry. 

I decided to mat the image on silver so a panel of Matte Silver cardstock was die cut with one of the Mix and Match Frame dies.  When the stenciled panel was dry I trimmed it down but felt like it needed another layer between it and the silver.  So I used nested rectangle dies to cut it down along with a slightly larger panel of black glossy cardstock.  All three layers were adhered directly to the white card base, then the sentiment was added using foam tape, and that finished things off!

Thanks for so much for visiting!  Be sure to use the link above to enjoy all the gorgeous creations by the other DT members and hopefully join us by the 25th of the month!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  None

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Simon Says Stamp Matte Silver and Glossy Black cardstock, Ranger Heavyweight Yupo, Black

Ink:  None

Other:  Ranger Alcohol Inks - Amethyst, Tranquil Pearl and Silver Mixative, Pastillage Texture Paste, Altenew Mix and Match Frames dies, Gina K Bold Bouquet Stencil, Altenew Essential Sentiment Strips die, Hero Arts Nested Infinity Rectangle dies

Birthday Hugs

Hello and welcome!  I have a card to share that I've made for the challenges at Fusion, where the theme is Turquoise Rose Bouquet, Time Out Challenges, where they are celebrating their 8th birthday (happy birthday DT!), Addicted to Stamps, where the theme is Any Occasion and The Paper Players, where the lovely Jaydee has chosen the theme Spring is in the Air.

Fusion - Turquoise Rose Bouquet

TOC 8th Birthday!

ATSC #424

 

PP581

I chose to use a beautiful rose stamp set from the latest Altenew project kit that had not yet been inked up and colored the flowers using a member of my favorite color family (teal, turquoise, aqua, love it all!).

Starting with the floral image, it was stamped and colored with Copic markers, then die cut with the coordinating die.  I also stamped, colored and die cut an extra flower bud. I searched through my patterned papers and found a light aqua panel that matched nicely and trimmed it down to a 1.25" strip.

The background was created using the coordinating 3D embossing folder.  The panel was trimmed down to cover an A2 card base.

With the background adhered to the base, it was time to add the rest of the elements.  I cut a slightly smaller strip of white cardstock to give the aqua strip more stability before adhering to the card base.  

I decided roughly where I wanted the floral image to be on the card front, then used the matching die to cut another image from white cardstock.  That was trimmed down and glued to the back of the floral image, but only to the portion of the flowers not adhered to the paper strip, which kept it all level (hope that all makes sense). The additional bud was adhered at the bottom right to give the image a more balanced look on the card front.

The sentiment was white heat embossed on black, die cut and glued to two additional die cuts for dimension.  A few black enamel dots finished things off.

Thanks for taking time to stop by, I appreciate it!

Take care!

Stef

All products are from Altenew unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Craft Your Life Project: Never Stock Dreaming, Sentiment Strips 3

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Black, Enjoy the Ride 6x6 Paper Pack

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark

Other:  Never Stop Dreaming matching die and 3E embossing folder, Featured Sentiment die, Essential Black and White Enamel dots

Copics:  BG99, 96, 93, 90, 07, 45, 53, 000, 0000

Thinking of Ukraine for Sunday Stamps

Hello and welcome!  It's time for a new challenge at Sunday Stamps, and this time Melissa has given us a wonderful sketch to work with.

Sunday Stamps

I'm also joining the Color Hues challenge, where the amazing DT decided to make the new challenge #cardsforukraine using blue and yellow, the colors Ukraine's flag. This was a late addition to the originally planned Green and Gold challenge, so it is a special double challenge for those that want to do both.  I hope to join in with a green and gold card as well. 

TCH #36

I'm also sharing with the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge with a theme of adding a die cut.

For my card, I chose to use sunflowers for the circle elements in the sketch, because sunflowers are the national flower of Ukraine.  You'll also notice that I flubbed up and made my card a square rather than rectangle, but my sweet teammates said to use it anyway. 💛💛

I began by stamping and Copic coloring the sunflowers, then die cutting them and the stamped sentiment with their coordinating dies.  The white circle was die cut three times with the beautiful Folk Edge Circle die, adhered on top of one another, then the flowers and sentiment were added with foam squares of different sizes to get the variation in dimension.   Then I began working on the background.

I originally used Distress reinkers to watercolor a background panel, but didn't like how it turned out.  Next came ink blending, but again, it didn't work and just seemed out of proportion to the circle.  So then I had the idea to use a frame in yellow on blue cardstock and it was about that time I decided a square card would work better, forgetting that the sketch is a rectangle 😲.  The blue square was debossed with a cover die, then adhered to a 4.5" square white card base.  The thin frame was die cut and gently adhered to the base so it wouldn't lose it's shape.  Finally, the main image was added with thin foam squares to finish things off.

I'm so glad you took time to visit!  I hope you'll use the link above to check out all the fabulous cards by the other DT members and hopefully be inspired to join us.

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Big Thanks Autumn (Simon Says Stamp), Hibiscus Blooms (sentiment/SSS)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Daffodil Delight (SU), Island Blue (SSS)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Clair Nocturne

Othe:  Hibiscus Blooms and Big Thanks Autumn matching dies, Folk Edge Circle die (Pinkfresh Studio), Essential Squares dies (Ellen Hutson), Dotted Scales Debossing Cover die (Altenew)

Copics:  YR27, 24, Y19, 15, 11, E59, 57, 55

Feathered Lilies for The Flower Challenge

Hello and welcome! It's a new month at The Flower Challenge!  This month the theme is to "Use Scraps".  

The Flower Challenge

Scraps are defined as just that - paper scraps/partial pieces, but also unused leftovers from prior projects such as backgrounds, die cuts, or stamped images.  Just be sure that flowers are the main image on your card.

For my card, I incorporated a leftover slimline die cut panel and an unused sentiment die cut.  I was also excited to include a new floral stamp that hadn't been inked up yet.

The lilies are from the Feathered Lilies stamp set that is part of the Altenew stamp kit released in January.  They are just so beautiful plus I love the flourished leaves.  The stamped image was colored with Copic markers and die cut.  The colors of red, kraft and gold were inspired by a January challenge at Color Throwdown that I wasn't able to participate in at the time.  A gold gel pen was used to color in the stamen, then I used a Copic Multiliner to add back some of the lines that were covered up by that process. 

I decided on making a slimline card and found the leftover cream panel that had been die cut with the Slim Lacy Layers die, which I adhered to the white card base.  I was looking through my sentiment dies, pulled one out and found the gold hello already die cut!  Love it when that happens.  The sub sentiment is also from the Feathered Lilies stamp set and was inked up with black and die cut with a sentiment strip die.  After fiddling around with different layout options, I decided to place the flowers on one end and cut off the overhanging bits. The sentiments were added, and I was done!

So glad you came by to visit!  Now use the link above and pop over to the challenge to see all the gorgeous cards by the other DT members, and hopefully be inspired to join us this month!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Feathered Lilies (Altenew)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Cream, Gold Pearl Mirror (Tonic)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Other:  Feather Lilies die, Hello Beautiful Gorgeous die (Simon Says Stamp), Slim Lacy Layers die (Waffle Flower), Gold Gel pen (Altenew), Skinny Strips Sentiment die (MFT)

Copics:  R59, 46, 27, 14, E31, 30

Irish Blessing for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Hello and welcome!  It's time for a new Tic Tac Toe Challenge and this time Jeanne has given us this very fun board to play with!

Tic Tac Toe Challenge

I'm also joining the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where the theme is to add a die cut.

For my card I went diagonal from bottom left to upper right - good luck symbol, Spring, ribbon/twine.

While I don't normally send cards for St. Patrick's Day, I couldn't resist this Anita Jeram set from Colorado Craft Company.  Plus I do have a dear friend that is of Irish descent and she will love receiving this.

I started by stamping the guinea pig in the field of shamrocks and the large sentiment on a panel of white, then lightly ink blending with green and blue inks.  I then used Copic markers to color the guinea pig and surrounding shamrocks, then stamped and colored a couple additional shamrocks to add around the sub-sentiment.

Next the colored panel was die cut with a deckled edge die, then added to a white panel that had been die cut with the slightly larger frame die.  I wrapped gold twine around both, tied a bow and secured it all the the white card base with adhesive.  The sub sentiment was stamped, die cut and added to the panel with thin foam squares and the two remaining shamrocks were added to the top and bottom to finish things off.

Thanks for visiting! I hope you'll use the link above to check out the fabulous cards by the other DT members and join us this week!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  4-Leaf Clover (Anita Jeram/Colorado Craft Co)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Clair Nocturne, Ocean Waves and Firefly (Altenew)

Other:  4-Leaf Clover die, Mix and Match Frames die set (Altenew), Gold Twine (ret. SU)

Copics:  YG17, 05, 03, E33, 31, 30, 0000, R20