Sunday, July 30, 2017

Overcoming Stampers Withdrawal- part 2

Love this sweet Whimsie Doodles image with a "Back to school" image. (You can nab it at whimsiedoodles.blogspot.com for FREE!)
Entered into: 
Victorine Challenge- Back to School      
      (vostamps.blogspot.com)                                     
Cute Card Thursday- Anything Goes                          
     (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

This card was developed for two challenges. The Simon Says Monday Challenge requires that we “focus on the edges of your creation and add some interest to them.” For this card I used an ornate die to frame the wildflowers that I picked and pressed when we lived in South Dakota. They are one of my treasures that I love to use for special cards. The die also adds interest along three edges of the card. 
Entered into:
Simon Says Monday Challenge- You’ve Got the Edge                           
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)               
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes                  
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

Have always loved this crab image. This inside sentiment reads, “…. a snappy birthday!”
Entered into:
Deep Ocean Challenge- A Day at the Beach                
     (deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au)
Di’s Digi Stamps- Just Add Water    
    (disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)
Artistic Inspirations Challenge- Anything Goes                          
     (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

Die cut several “Love” images for another challenge. Added a few other die cuts to layer these two cards. And provided a close up to show the pretty “Happy Anniversary” Ribbon (which replaces the need to use a stamped sentiment.)  

Entered into: 
Double D’s Challenge- B&W&A Pop of Color
    (daranddiane.blogspot.com)
CAS-usal Fridays- Dies only, No stamps                        

    (cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com)

Overcoming Stampers Withdrawal

I have been at a federal meeting in Washington DC all week and was going into stamping withdrawal! Returned Saturday afternoon and was able to spend many wonderful hours in my craft room until well into the evening (actually until the wee morning hours) and am feeling much better. Ahhh. Life is good!

Recently won this adorable image from Bugaboo Stamps (catchthebugblog.blogspot.com) and couldn’t wait to play with it! Challenges at AAA Cards and Victorine Originals provided the perfect opportunity! The inside greeting, that I found on Pinterest and created in a Curls font, is a great match for the playful image. Am entering it into a Rainbow Challenge at AAA Cards, and a photo inspiration challenge at Victorines Orginal (I was inspired by the rainbow colors of crayons in their Back to School Challenge.)
I also provided a close up to show that I added muted colors, and white gel pen highlights, on Uni's main and tail. Forgot to add sparkle... but am thinking I'll do that, too, so that it is a perfect fit for the sentiment.


 
Entered into: 
AAA Card Challenges- #95 Rainbow             
   (aaacards.blogspot.com/)
Victorine Challenge- Back to School      
    (vostamps.blogspot.com)                            
We Craft Cards Monday Challenge- Animals                   
     (wecraftcards.com/forum)
Cute Card Thursday- - Anything Goes                          
     (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

I’ve always loved the crisp look of B&W cards. This challenge required a pop of color. Love the result.
Note- the "You" wasn't stamped, but was printed from my computer. I font a font that matched the die cut perfectly!
Entered into: 
Double D’s Challenge- B&W&A Pop of Color
    (daranddiane.blogspot.com)
CAS-usal Fridays- Dies only, No stamps                           
    (cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com)
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes                  
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

Had fun making this card using scraps of patterned paper and scalloped strips cut from the edge of a square placement doily. It provides a nice edging for this pretty card. I also cut a small flower from the patterned paper to add to the sentiment card (from a pocket stamp packet.) I think it ties the card together. And the Hot Pink makes it rock!
Entered into:
Bugaboo Stamps- 3 Layers, Scallops and Hot Pink 
    (catchthebugblog.blogspot.com)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge    
    (craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com)
Simon Says Monday Challenge- You’ve Got the Edge                           
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

I love the look of watercolor, but don’t think I will ever “master” it. I’ve taken a few classes and the instructors tried to help me to overcome my tendency to overwork the paint and get a muddy/cloudy look. So this card was a challenge to make. I used a scrap of watercolor paper for the sky (chalk and cloud template) and ocean (sponged the water, then dragged a paint brush across the ink pad and added depth in the “waves.” Ripped the bottom of the card at an angle, distressed it with a distressing tool, and mounted it on Kraft brown card stock for a beachy look. Finished by writing the sentiment with a white gel pen (shadowed with tan marker), highlighting the tops of the waves with a white gel pen, adding a few "starfish" and a star charm on a strand of golden thread. 


Entered into:
Deep Ocean Challenge- A Day at the Beach                
     (deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au)
Di’s Digi Stamps- Just Add Water    
    (disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)
Artistic Inspirations Challenge- Anything Goes                          
     (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

Monday, July 24, 2017

Monday in My Craft Room (Part 2)

I had the day off and spent it in my craft room. This is the result of a happy afternoon of creatin'! 
Over the past few months, I’ve been learning about CAS cards from the talented DTs at AAA Cards, and more recently the More Is Less blogspot. Although the CAS style is still a challenge, I am appreciating the skill- and planning- it takes to create CAS cards. And I am liking the chance to step out of my comfort zone and made two cards for current CAS challenges.

The first requires that no stamps are used. So I cut a card in the shape of a onesie, added a few punched circles, an Elmo sticker, a small bow and scalloped edging. Simple and cute!

The second requires a rainbow. I printed a Unicorn (www.whimsiedoodles.com/) onto a half sheet of white cardstock, colored with alcohol inks and added a bit of glitter to his (her) mane and tail. Cut a pastel rainbow from scrapbook paper and mounted it below the leaping unicorn. The inside sentiment reads, “You are so amazing that even unicorns have trouble believing you are real!”

Entered into:
Less is More Challenge- #338 No Stamps         
    (simplylessismoore.blogspot.com)
AAA Card Challenges- #95 Rainbow                                    
   (aaacards.blogspot.com/)

I saw this sentiment on a T-shirt recently. Although it isn’t quite football season, in Wisconsin that doesn’t matter! Printed the sentiment on my computer, punched stars in various sizes, and added football stickers to create a pair of cards. Am entering them into the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge that requires stars, and the Cute Card Thursday Challenge that requires Summer Colors (In Wisconsin Cheese head Yellow and Lambeau Field Green are summer colors, and Fall, Winter and Spring colors, too!)
Entered into: 
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Seeing Stars                     
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)
Cute Card Thursday- Summer Colors                           
     (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

The Simon Says Monday Challenge requires that we “focus on the edges of your creation and add some interest to them.” For this card, I added a few layers of colored cardstock to frame the card. Plus, used patterned paper that has postmarked images that run off the edges, drawing the eye into the cards focal point- the antique watch. 

   
  
Entered into:
Simon Says Monday Challenge- You’ve Got the Edge                           
    (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge
    (craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com)
Artistic Inspirations Challenge- Anything Goes                          
   (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)


Monday in my Craft Room

Art Impressions new challenge focuses on text. I created a “chatter” background with differing fonts on my computer. Was planning to just add word bubbles with a few of the Art Impressions sentiments. However, the card seemed so empty without a few of the wonderful SI “oldies” characters. So… I adhered them to edge the card and placed the word bubbles near them.
Entered into: 
Art Impressions- Text Me                                             
     (artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com)
Simon Says Monday Challenge- You’ve Got the Edge                           
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

I am learning that I CAN do CAS cards, but the challenge at Less Is More this week was even more challenging as it doesn’t allow the use of any stamps! Am thankful it was also not a one layer card challenge as that would have been impossible for me!  For this card, I used a few glittery star die cuts, adhering a portion of a lovely Hanukkah paper napkin to the star cutout to add a punch of color. Finished the card with a 3-D dreidel sticker. I have several Jewish friends so will be making a few more of these cards to share during this years Hanukkah celebrations. (Also, since I’ve never seen Hanukkah in July challenges, I decided to enter this into a few Christmas in July challenges. Not sure if they will be allowed, but for me it is important to have these cards on hand to help dear friends know that I am remembering them over the Holidays!)
 
Entered into: 
Less is More Challenge- #338 No Stamps         
    (simplylessismoore.blogspot.com)
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Seeing Stars                     
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)
CAS-usal Fridays- Christmas in July                       
        (cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge                                        
     (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for July  
     (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk)

Since I still have a sheet of acetate on my work table, I printed another clip art image, this time a message in a bottle.  Trimmed around it then fussy cut white paper, glued it on the back of the acetate and “Ta Da”… a message! (Just realized that I also need to cut a small piece of tan paper to glue on top of the acetate for the cork. Or… better idea… I’ll cut a small piece of cork paper for the cork!  Right now the cork is transparent which looks odd!) I looked for a message to add to the card and couldn’t find one that said what I wanted so I developed my own. Printed it off, then tore around the edges and adhered it to an old calendar page of a beach scene. Stapled the whole things to light aqua paper. Trimmed it close then adhered to Kraft cardstock, adding a final beachy feel! This card will be sent to a dear friend who's going through health issues right now. Am thinking it will encourage her.
Entered into:
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #292-293 Anything Goes                    
     (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)
Cute Card Thursday- Summer Colors                           
     (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

I love the simple elegance of B&W cards. Was inspired by the challenge photo at Double D’s to create this card, that went together pretty quickly.
 
Entered into:
Double D’s Challenge- B&W&A Pop of Color
    (daranddiane.blogspot.com)
Artistic Inspirations Challenge- Anything Goes                          
     (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge    
    (craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com) 

Sunday, July 23, 2017

S cubed + bubbles!

This post is swirling with snow, stars, school and a volley of bubbles. 

First, a blizzard of frilly flakes. I recently received a snowflake stamp set from a sweet friend and couldn’t wait to break it in! Was inspired by a Pinterest card, and a few challenges with black backgrounds, to great this beauty. Actually went together pretty easily. Stamped the flakes with white pigment, re-stamping a few a second time to get that muted “second generation” effect. (Should have embossed a few of the bold images to make them stand out more because when I was finished didn’t think there was enough contrast. So when the pigment ink was dry I went back in and added some white gel pen on several of the images. It made them pop!
Entered into: 
We Craft Cards Wednesday Challenge- Black Out Christmas                
     (wecraftcards.com/forum)
Double D Challenges- B&W&A Pop of Color
      (daranddiane.blogspot.com)
CAS-usal Fridays- Christmas in July                                  
     (cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for July  
     (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk)
Deep Ocean Challenge- Christmas in July                    
     (deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge                                        
     (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Since I am out of graduation cards after sending out several this year, decided to make graduation cards for a few of this weeks challenge. This first one, for the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge, includes stars. Opted for a shaker card because graduation calls for a little something extra!
Entered into: 
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Seeing  Stars                    
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

My second graduation card is for the Victorine Originals new challenge that has a back to school theme. (Since graduation is the grand prize for completing school, it fits here!) The Dr. Seuss book “Oh the places you’ll go” is a favorite of mine, so it made sense to turn this sweet digi into a graduation card. The challenge inspiration photo includes a rainbow array of crayons. So I added a light rainbow above the quote. And, since the card contains a lot of white space, I’m entering into this week's AAA challenge, too. (Note- I discovered that I had some graduation “charms” in my stash. Was thinking that I could write the graduates name and date on the back with a Sharpie pen so that the charm could also serve as a Christmas ornament to commemorate the event! When I  found a scrap of the rainbow ribbon in my stash, I knew I had to slip this charm in the card!)

Entered into: 
Victorine Challenge- Back to School      
    (vostamps.blogspot.com) 
AAA Card Challenges- #95 Rainbow                                  
   (aaacards.blogspot.com/)

Had fun making a 3-D box birthday card for my great-niece. Her daddy was a little pollywog as a kiddo… and it looks like she inherited that gene. She loves pools, lakes, mud puddles and taking baths. (Where she begs for “lottza bubbles”!) For this card, I made lottza bubbles with vellum and glitter. I also used bright colors that also fit the requirements of two other challenges. They fit this card beautifully!
Entered into: 
Simon Says Monday Challenge- Get in Shape               
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)
Bugaboo Stamps- Color Challenge            
     (catchthebugblog.blogspot.com)
Artistic Inspirations Challenge- Summer Colors                        
     (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)
Cute Card Thursday- Summer Colors                           
     (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

Post #101!

I can’t believe I'm starting on my next hundred posts! Don’t know why I was afraid of blogging for so many years. It's fun and not nearly as techy as I'd thought (Thanks, Blogger!)  Now, on to the cards for posting #101. 

Wanted to make another card using this sweet image that I recently won from Di’s Digital Designs. For this card I colored Izzy with my new alcohol markers and chalks (for her face) plus added polar flower soft to frame her beautiful little face and add some depth and texture.  
Entered into: 
Di’s Digi Stamps- Christmas in July  
    (disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)
CAS-usal Fridays- Christmas in July                             
     (cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for July  
     (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk)
Deep Ocean Challenge- Christmas in July                    
     (deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge                                        
     (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

My next creation was inspired by Pinterest (http://www.stampingyearround.com/2012/03/pyramid-card-basic-construction.html)  Cut the base from white swirl vellum then added assorted glittery snowflakes (although you can't see that bling in this photo, but I think they will sparkle a bit when the tea light flickers inside.) Developed the sentiment on my computer printed it off on vellum- with blue ink- cut it into a circle and mounted onto snowflake scrapbook paper. (You can see the snowflakes if you click the photo to enlarge it). Will be sending it to my sweet MIL when winter arrives. (That gives me time to buy a battery operated tea light for her to tuck inside.)
Entered into: 
Simon Says Monday Challenge- Get in Shape               
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #292-293 Anything Goes                    
     (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge    
    (craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com)
Simon Says Works It Wednesdays Challenge-Add Sparkle       
    (simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/category/events/work-it-wednesday)

For this week’s Simon Says Wednesday Challenge I used a  6x6 book of Disney paper and pocket cards. Paired the background paper, “Wish upon a star” sentiment card, a silhouette that I fussy cut (a bit of work, but I do like the result) with a bow and little silver charm. Ahhh… magic!
Entered into:
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Seeing Stars                     
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

Have loved the Summer challenges during these past few weeks. This time I used an old Hero Arts stamp (still mounted on wood so I know the company name!). I stamped and colored a few of the images. So tried them out on different colored backgrounds. I think I like the black one best because the contrast with the bright red strawberries makes them pop!

Entered into: 
Artistic Inspirations Challenge- Summer Colors                        
     (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)
Cute Card Thursday- Summer Colors               
     (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com)