Enjoy

Hello friends!  I have a card to share that I made for the wonderful color combo at Color Hues.  I adore the combination of gray and peach.

TCH 45

I recently obtained the new Lovely Layers Magnolia dies from Honey Bee and thought they would work perfectly for with this color combo.  And yes, there are peach-colored magnolias (I had to look it up just to know lol!).

I began by die cutting all the flower petals and leaves, then coloring them by ink blending.  I also ink blended the centers in gray but I just didn't like it and since I planned to cut the sentiment from silver cardstock, I decided to do the same with the flower centers.  Once the ink was dried, it was a snap to layer the flowers.  

Next, I used the lightest and mid-tone peach colors and ink blended a panel of white, then splattered it along with the flowers and leaves with Silver Mica ink.  While that dried, I die cut the sentiment from Matte Silver and the Scallops Cover die from white cardstock.  I'd used an adhesive sheet on the back of the white panel to make my life much easier when adhering that delicate cover die to the ink blended panel.  Because it is A2 sized with a frame, I decided to layer it on a 5.75 x 4.50 inch panel, then add that to a white card base of the same size made using 12x12 inch paper white cardstock.  The larger size card also worked better for the large die cut flowers, which I adhered directly to the front panel, then added the sentiment below.

Thanks for visiting, I really appreciate it!  Take care and have a great week!

Stef

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Basic White (Stampin' Up), Smoke and Matte Silver (both Simon Says Stamp)

Ink:  Peachy, Grapefruit, Mandarin, Flannel, Earl, Charcoal (SSS)

Other:  Lovely Layers Magnolia dies (Honey Bee), Fancy Enjoy die and Scallops Cover die (both Altenew), Silver Mica ink (Kuretake)

You Are the Best for Sunday Stamps

Hello and welcome!  It's time for a new challenge at Sunday Stamps and this time it's with a sketch that the talented Heather created.

Sunday Stamps

I'm also playing along with the current Color Throwdown Challenge, using yellow, green, aqua and kraft colors on my card.

CTD702

I took a bit of "artistic license" with Heather's sketch (hope you don't mind, teamie!) and instead of slanted panels I have flowers at opposing angles.

I started by die cutting all the flower petals, stems and the one center, then ink blending them with various dye inks.  The layering is relatively easy and as I ink blended each petal I held up the previous and the next one to make sure there was sufficient contrast.  When that was complete, the flowers were adhered close to their centers, then glued to the leaves.  

The size of the flowers required making a 5x7 inch card.  I trimmed down a panel of white to 4.25 x 6.25 inches, then ink blended two yellows in the middle before adhering the flowers.  The panel was layered on two additional layers of thick scrap cardstock then added to the kraft card base.  The sentiment was stamped with brown pigment ink then cut out with a circle die and added to the card front with foam tape.  I dug through my messy embellishment drawer and found some sequins that matched perfectly for that final touch.

Thanks for visting, I really appreciate it!  Be sure to use the link above to see the gorgeous cards by the other DT members and hopefully join us for this great sketch challenge!

Stef

Stamps:  You Are Enough (Gina K Designs)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm

Ink:  Warm Sunshine and Maple Yellow (Altenew), Sprout, Fairway, Field, Seafoam, Surf, Ocean, Latte and Cappuccino (Simon Says Stamp)

Other:  Craft-A-Flower:  Garden Rose dies (Altenew), Nested Infinity Circle die (Hero Arts), E34 Copic Marker

Birthday Bash Slimline

Hello friends!  The Paper Players are celebrating their 600th challenge!!  WOO HOO!  I was so honored to be a 2020 guest designer and create beside these amazing women so of course I had to play along with this challenge!  I recently made a birthday card for my granddaughter, and I hope it's sufficiently CAS! ;-)

PP600

I'm also joining the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, where the current theme is For A Child.

I love this color combination of bold pink, light green and aqua, along with a little gold.  I started by using a turnabout confetti stencil on the background.  It's sized at 6x6 inches, but it wasn't hard to move down the long panel.  When the stenciling was done the panel was die cut with a slimline stitched rectangle die.

After the stenciled panel was adhered to a white card base, I went to work on the cake and candles.  Using my Misti helped achieve good coverage while stamping the cake layers, which were then die cut along with the gold embossed candles.  The sentiment was die cut, the word Happy from white cardstock and the Birthday from matte gold.  It doesn't show up too well in the photos, but I did an ombre ink blending on the letters.  Once I had the layout as I wanted it, the candles were added with thin foam squares then the cake layers with thicker foam tape.  The sentiment was glued to a vellum die cut shadow then adhered below the cake.  The final touch was to use a gold gel pen to color in the loops on the cake.

I'm so glad you took time to visit.  Take care and have a great day!

Stef

Stamps:  Birthday Bash (Gina K Designs)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Matte Gold (SSS), Vellum

Ink:  Versamark; Bubblegum, Sweets, Taffy, Celery, Seafoam, Surf and Ocean (SSS)

Other:  Birthday Bash and Birthday Trio dies, Slim Lacy Layers die (Waffle Flower), Confetti Stencil (Concord & 9th)

Hello for The Flower Challenge

Hello and welcome!  It's mid-month and that means The Flower Challenge DT members have more inspiration for you.  

The Flower Challenge

 

I decided to go with a mini-slimline size for my card.

The Seasonal Blooms stamp from Altenew is huge but it also works brilliantly for filling a corner of a smaller card.  I started by stamping the entire image, then trimming down the portion I wanted for my card front (roughly 2 7/8" x 5 7/8") then coloring with Copic markers.  I love the font for the sentiments in the stamp set and "hello" fit perfectly.  I used my Misti to ensure I didn't mess up the stamping after the time I'd spent coloring.

Two additional panels were trimmed down to just slightly smaller than the colored panel, then layered together for a bit of dimension and adhered to the white card base.  Lastly I added just three sequins for a tiny bit of embellishment and called it good.

I'm so glad you came by to visit!  I do hope you'll use the link above to see all the incredible CAS inspiration by the DT and hopefully join us - the challenge stays open through the 25th of the month, so there's still time.

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Seasonal Blooms (Altenew)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White

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

Other:  Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Copics:  YR27, 24, Y15, 11, V09, 06, 04, 01, YG67, 45, 17, 03, G29, 24, 21, BG96, 93, B05, 02, 00, E59, 57, 55

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

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

Sending Smiles for The Flower Challenge

Hello and welcome!  It's time for a new challenge at The Flower Challenge and this month the theme is CAS.

The Flower Challenge

We're very sad that two of our wonderful DT members, Jyoti and Dhruvika, have decided to leave the team, but thankfully we were able add two new very talented team members, Sathya Kala Sankaran and Nancy Penir! Please be sure to use the link above to see all the beautiful CAS designs by our team and hopefully join us this month.

I really enjoyed this challenge, and my card definitely came together very quickly.

I used one of the two floral images from the Altenew Floral Henna stamp set.  I stamped it around the edges of a white panel, taking my inspiration from one of the examples included with the stamp set.  The flowers were then colored with Copic markers.

After the sentiment was stamped with black pigment ink, the panel was trimmed down to 3 5/8" x 4 7/8", leaving a nice black border after adhering to the card base.  Super simple and aside from the time it took to color, very quick to make.

Thanks for taking time to stop by and I hope to see you in gallery at TFC this month!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Floral Henna (Altenew)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Pitch Black (Hero Arts)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Clair Nocturne

Other:  Copics - G09, 02, 00, B69, 66, 63, Y26, 15, 11

Hugs From Afar

Hello friends!  I've made a card to play along with The Paper Players because I just had to make something with this fabulous sketch that Joanne created.

PP 597

I think it would be terrific for a slimline card as well, but I stayed with a landscape A2.

I started by stamping the Climbing Leaves 6x6 background stamp on white, then ink blended from dark to light.  When the ink dried, the image was die cut with the coordinating die, then cut down further with a rectangle die.  A piece of vellum was trimmed down to 2" wide, then wrapped around the leaf panel before adhering to a black panel.  The next day after making the card the ink color had dried back quite a bit and seemed a bit flat, so I used two colored pencils to add some shading for more depth.  

The butterfly was die cut from white, then I used three colors of orange, from dark in the middle to light on the outside.  The body was die cut separately, so I just colored it was a black Copic marker before adhering the butterfly pieces together.  I used tape runner on the back of the butterfly to adhere to the vellum except for the top of the wings, where a foam square was added for a little dimension.  The die cut sentiment strip was left unused from a previous project, so it was added with foam tape across the middle.  Next I used a white gel pen to create more interest to the butterfly with some white dots, then lastly added some clear sequins.

Thanks for visiting!  I hope the remainder of your week goes well.  Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Climbing Leaves (Altenew)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Black (Simon Says Stamp), Vellum, Sentiment Strip (SSS)

Ink:  Limeade, Lime, Fresh Leaf, Green Opal, Sunray, Snapdragon, Marigold (all Altenew), Memento Tuxedo Black

Other:  Climbing Leaves die, Etched Butterfly die (SSS), Skinny Strips die (MFT), Nested Infinity Rectangle die (Hero Arts), Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), Black Copic marker

Big Birthday Splash

Hello friends!  Today I have a fun card that I made for my great niece's upcoming birthday and I'm sharing it with three challenges - Seize the Birthday, Festive Friday and Double D, all with summertime themes.

STB 241

FF0112

(cat, hearts, tree)

Double D Beach Time

I have four great nieces and one great nephew of various ages, but this card is for the youngest who is turning nine.

Oh my, I had so much fun making this card!  I just can't get enough of that sassy cat struttin' her stuff down the beach lol!  To begin, all the main images were stamped then colored with Copic markers.  After they were die cut, I started working on the scene.  I used masking paper atop a white panel to mark off the sections which were then ink blended, using a bit darker blue for the water than the sky.  A white gel pen was used to create "waves" and foam along the water's edge, and light brown Copic markers to create the dunes and dots for texture.  My wave drawing skills could probably use some work ;-) but I'm pretty sure my niece won't care!

As I was building the scene and adhering the images with foam tape, I used the same brown markers to create shadows.  Then I bravely put the panel in my Misti and stamped the sentiment just under the sun. I did test on a scrap piece of acetate to ensure the sentiments were straight before finally stamping on the panel.  After it was adhered to the white card base, I found some small, bright pink hearts that were saved after die cutting a cover die.  Three were adhered, then I covered them with Glossy Accents for shine and that was it.

I hope you're having a great week and are able to get yourself out and enjoy some summer activities!  Thanks for taking time to stop by!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Beach Best Friends (MFT), Rain or Shine (sun image/MFT), Summertime Birthday (sentiment/Colorado Craft Company)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Distress White Heavystock (Tim Holtz), Polished Pink (SU)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Clair Nocturne, Latte and Marine (Simon Says Stamp), Tumbled Glass and Antique Linen Distress

Other:  Beach Best Friends dies, Heart Cover Plate die (Gina K), Rain or Shine die, Glossy Accents (Ranger), Sakura White Gelly Roll pen

Copics:  Y26, 19, 15, 11, G09, YG07, 01, B05, 02, 00, RV06, 04, 02, 00, R59, 46, 27, 05, E37, 35, 34, 33, 31, 30

Happy Flowers for Sunday Stamps

Hello and welcome!  It's time for a new challenge at Sunday Stamps.  This week the lovely Claire has created this wonderful sketch that is just so versatile, I can definitely see myself using again it in the future.

Sunday Stamps

We are also introducing our newest Design Team member, Erin Simpson from Daily Dose of Craft! Erin's clever and creative card making will bring even more inspiration for our followers!  Welcome Erin!

For my card, I ended up combining both modern and vintage looks.  I hope you like it!

I had this floral image stamped out and finally decided to use it.  I colored both the flower and leaves with Copic markers then cut them out with the coordinating die.  You may notice that the top four petals and flower center are popped up.  This is because I messed up the flower center on the original image and it was not repairable (arrrggghhh).  So I stamped and colored just the four smaller petals and center, used a white gel pen on the ends of the stamen, fussy cut it and popped it up on the flower center with a thin foam square. 

Next I went looking for some patterned paper to match my images (you'd think after all these years of card making I'd do that before coloring but nope, not today lol!).  I did find a subtle pattern that matched, but it was on ivory rather than white.  But I've gotten over not wanting to mix my neutrals, so the paper was die cut, adhered to a Desert Storm card base, then I used a little bit of crochet trim from my stash for the horizontal strips in the sketch.  I pulled out a previously created foiled hexagon, adhered it and trimmed off the overhang, then layered the flower, leaves and two additional die cut leaves on top.  I tried to add a sentiment but I didn't like the placement, so I will wait until I use the card and add something to the inside.

Thanks for taking time to stop by, I appreciate it!  Be sure to use the link above to check out the amazing cards by the other DT members and hopefully be inspired to join us for this great sketch challenge!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Happy Flowers (Gina K Designs)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Desert Storm, Hammermill, Spring Flowers Collection (Moda Scrap)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Other:  Happy Flowers dies, Decorative Swirls die set (white leaves/Altenew), Diagonal Stitched Rectangle die (Pinkfresh Studio), Nested Hexagons Hot Foil Plate and Die, Venetian Crochet Trim (ret. SU), Sakura White Gelly Roll pen

Copics:  RV99, 69, 66, 55, 52, BG49, 15, 32, 11, E49, 59, 57, 55

Hello There for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge

Hello friends!  It's time for a new Tic Tac Toe Challenge and this week I am the Feature Designer bringing you a new tic tac toe board!  I hope you're inspired and will play along with us this week!

Tic Tac Toe Challenge

I'm also joining the Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies challenge for June.

HLS Anything Goes with Dies-June

I created this board without a specific card or design in mind, so I finally settled on coloring, bright colors and scallops.

I love these pretty, delicate and somewhat whimsical wildflowers and while there are several images in the stamp, it was fairly quick to color.  To get some of those bright colors, I mixed a few Copic markers that 1) I don't use very often and 2) I never use together.  I was quite inspired by a recent You Tube video that the lovely Kelly Taylor created here.  In it she showed how to mix just a small number of markers to get a variety of colors.  I used one of the combinations (RV4 and V4) on the purple and pink bell shaped flowers and on my, those colors are almost florescent together!

Once the coloring was complete, the image was die cut with the coordinating die.  Next I started working on the card base.  I used an A2 sized stitched diamond cover plate on a panel measuring about 3 1/8" x 8 1/8" running each end of the panel through the die cutting machine after lining up the design in the middle for the second run.  It was then attached to the back of the scallop frame and both were adhered to the white 3 1/2" x 8 1/2" card base.  I ran liquid glue up the main stem, added it to the card front, then used thin foam tape under most of the flowers and glued down the floppier leaves.  The sentiment was stamped in black pigment ink, die cut then added with foam tape to complete this card!

Thanks for taking time to stop by, I appreciate it!  Be sure to use the link above to check out the fabulous cards by the other DT members and I'd love to see your card in the gallery this week!

Take care!

Stef

Stamps:  Wildflower Slimline (Pinkfresh Studio), Circled Sentiments (Altenew)

Paper:  Neenah Solar White

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Clair Nocturne

Other: (all Pinkfresh Studio) Stitched Diamonds Cover die, Slim Stitched Scalloped Rectangle die, Nested Circle die, matching Wildflower Slimline die

Copics:  FV2, V04, RV04, 02, 00, BG45, YG17, FYG2, YG01, YR18, 16, Y17, 35