Pretty Flutterbys!

I have removed many of my wood mounted stamps from their wood bases so that I can use them with my MISTI. But recently inherited a box of SU wood mounted stamps from a friend, including several sets of the two-layer stamps. Stamping with them reminded me why I never got into two-step stamping. I like to color… and these stamps are made to use ink pads vs. markers, pencils or chalks. Plus… they are tedious! (I know… the person that loves to fussy-cut and spend hours making specialty cards with front&back stamps and other detailed images calls this tedious?! Ha!)  But, it really IS tedious, especially because the wood mount stamps make it really hard to match up the layers. This is my second attempt to make this card… and it still needs help! I definitely prefer using the clear stamps and MISTI tool so many of the SU stamps are going to be donated to Goodwill in the near future.

PS- I made the background by cutting a cloud template from a scrap of cardboard and using a makeup sponge and robins egg blue chalk to add the summer sky. 

Entered into: 

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Monochrome                (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Anything Goes        (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

Another attempt at using a wood mounted SU two-step stamping set. Not well aligned, but think that it looks all right a little off-kilter. Perhaps the effect is to show that the butterfly is moving its wings at hyperspeed?  Yeah. That was my intention!

Entered into: 

Less is More Challenge- Stamp Layering          (simplylessismoore.blogspot.com)

This third card was created using my Hero Arts Stamps& Cuts Butterfly set. Was soooo much easier than using the wood mounted stamps. Still not a fan of this stamp layering thingee, but it works. And, with this set I can still use the butterfly outline and color the image. THAT is a way more relaxing way to stamp for me! The sweet little butterflies and sentiment are included in the set. 

 

Entered into: 

CAS-ual Fridays- Think Pink          (CAS-ualfridays.blogspot.com)

             

                 

A Bit of Nature

Found several skeleton leaves in my stash and decided to use one to create a Thanksgiving Card. Created the monochromatic background with paper strips in shades of yellow/orange using a tutorial that I found via Pinterest (stampinpretty.com/2016/01/strips-of-love-blossoms-valentine-card.html). Since this background would overpower the delicate leaf, I layered a piece of rusty orange vellum with an oval cutout over the background and adhered it with clear photo corners. Then, to adhere the skeleton leaf, I cut a larger oval from a sheet of clear laminate. Laid the leaf on the card and then very carefully placed the oval of sticky laminate so that it covered a large portion of the leaf. With gentle pressure, it held the leaf in place and provided some protection.  

Entered into: 

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Monochrome                       (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Make a Background     (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

Found a sweet dearie dolls image (freedeariedollsdigistamps.blogspot.com) to make my final card to enter into the current Give Thanks challenge at SumMoreFun (formerly Victorines.) The sentiment is from a fall sticker pack for scrapbooking.

 

Entered into: 

SumMoreFun  Challenge- Give Thanks      (summorefun.com) 

Another card made using my Hero Arts Stamps & Cuts Butterfly set. Used the 3-step butterfly plus one of the sentiments. This time I used a color scheme so that I could enter the card into two PINK challenges in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Entered into: 
CAS-ual Fridays- Think Pink                (CAS-ualfridays.blogspot.com)

Calling All Sista’s- Color Challenge     (callingallsistahs.blogspot.com)

Monochrome Fun

Used a wonderful image from TLC Creations (createwithtlc.blogspot.com) to make this monochromatic Christmas card in shades of brown. Printed the Santa image on kraft brown paper, sponged brown ink in from the edges to the center to focus the attention to St. Nick, then used a white gel pen to fill in the beard, plus add a bit of fur on the hat and cuffs and a few sparkly snowflakes. The sweet little tags are from Lili of the Valley.

Entered into: 

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Monochrome                        (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

Doing Life- Create with TLC Challenge                                     (desiref.blogspot.co.za)

Christmas Cards All Year Round- Monochromatic Brown   (christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.co.uk)

Cute Card Thursday- Vintage/Distressing                               (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- Anything Goes   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk) 

Since I had my paper cutter and small scrap box out, I created another background with paper strips using this tutorial (stampinpretty.com/2016/01/strips-of-love-blossoms-valentine-card.html). The image is Bugaboo image named Expresso Yourself Cups and the sentiment is a freebie from Kelli Winnell's blog (she offers a wonderful free sentiment every Friday! kelliewinnell.typepad.com/blog/freebie-Friday) Took a bit of work, but made a flip card so that I didn't waste any of the background pieces. 

Entered into: 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Make a Background     (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

I have discovered so many wonderful digi stamp artists during the last few years. One of my favorites is Beccy's Place. This is one of my newest images and I had fun creating with this adorable little gnome (from the Gnomes in my Garden set.) Paired him with a free scripture bookmark from courtneydefeo.com/the-brightest-lights-in-orlando.

           

Entered into: 

Beccy’s Place Challenge- October                                        (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge                                          (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

Recently won the Hero Arts Stamps& Cuts Butterfly set and was fun to play with it this weekend. Took me a little experimenting to find the right ink shades but other than that, stamping this 3-step image is quick and easy to use.  Printed off a sentiment to fit the sad look on the little fishy's face. Doesn't he look forlorn? 

Entered into: 

Less is More Challenge- Stamp Layering                           (simplylessismoore.blogspot.com)

Critters

My final Halloween card this year… and it's a cute one! I used Bugaboo Spider Trio image and was inspired by a card made by one of the Design Team cards posted on the Bugaboo Blog last month. Liked my first card so much that I made a second, similar but horizontal vs. vertical.  Am entering them into several challenges, one requires "monochrome" them. I used shades of gray, with black, white and silver accents. Also, wanted to share a blingy trick. I picked up some rhinestone alphabet sticker sets in JoAnn's clearance aisle for super cheap. When needing itty-bitty bling (like I added on these cards to resemble dew on the web) I use an Exacto knife and cut up the letters that I'll never use- x, q, z, etc. and since they are stickers no need to mess with glue! (I added a pic of the alphy sets so you could see what I'm talking about.) Also, both greetings are from TLC Creations (createwithtlc.blogspot.com)

Entered into: 
The Paper Shelter-#315 Halloween                              (thepapershelter.blogspot.com.ar)

Deep Ocean Challenge- Halloween                               (deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au)

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Monochrome           (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

QKR Stampede- Anything Goes                                     (qkrstampede.blogspot.com)

Doing Life- Create with TLC Challenge                        (desiref.blogspot.co.za)

Recently purchased the Hero Arts Stamps&Cuts Butterfly and was fun to play with it this weekend. Although, I have to admit that I'm so used to using digis that I couldn't remember where I store my MISTI and I figured I'd need it for this card since the butterfly is a 3-step layered image. (Love that the stamp for the bottom image is actually polka dotted and that the antenae are stamped on seperately.) However, this set was so easy to use that I could get a good image just using my clear blocks. Was fun to use the little hello sentiment that is in the set to make the butterfly trail. And, I left a little bit of room between the hello's to draw a whisp of a heart with the fine tip of my marker. So pretty!

Entered into: 

CAS-ual Fridays- Think Pink                                 (CAS-ualfridays.blogspot.com)

Calling All Sista’s- Color Challenge                      (callingallsistahs.blogspot.com)

Less is More Challenge- Stamp Layering            (simplylessismoore.blogspot.com)

A Blog Named Hero-Calling All Critters              (www.ablognamedhero.com)

A stamping friend recently gifted me with a nice new set of stamps that included this beauty! This time I did use my MISTI to get a crisp image since I was stamping on vellum. Created the background with paper strips using a tutorial that I found via Pinterest (stampinpretty.com/2016/01/strips-of-love-blossoms-valentine-card.html). Provided a great way to use up all those little bits and pieces of paper that accumulate in this craft! And, was fun to find so many scraps that worked for the peacock color scheme! 

Entered into: 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Make a Background          (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

We Craft Cards Wednesday Challenge- Make a background   (wecraftcards.com/forum)

Pixie's Snippets- Week 305&306                                                    (pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com)

                               

Fall & Winter Cards

Another CAS entry into the AAA Inspired by a Film challenge (which has been my favorite challenge since I've started blogging in February!). This card depicts my all-time favorite movie; the inspiring, hope-filled "It's a Wonderful Life." Most people will recognize the saying and bell that accompanies is. Fewer will recognize the book as the one that Clarence the angel was reading when he rescued George Bailey from drowning. And so many lives were then changed. Ahhh… wonderful!

Entered into: 

AAA Card Challenges- Inspired By A Film                           (aaacards.blogspot.com/)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- Anything Goes   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

A while ago I received this adorable pumpkin holder in a stamped image exchange. Found it when cleaning my craft room earlier this month and put it aside to use this fall. Just learned it is from Whimsey Stamps… and it is now on my wishlist! Was so much fun to color with watercolor pencils, Tombow markers, and gel pens. Added a touch of distressing to the card by layering the background paper onto torn edged kraft paper and attaching the papers to the card with a standard stapler. Provided me with the rustic feeling that I was working for! I added the inside sentiment, and am setting this aside to send to my MIL next month. 

Entered into: 

Whimsy Stamps Challenge- Anything Goes      (whimsyinspires.blogspot.com)

SumMoreFun  Challenge- Give Thanks              (summorefun.com)  

Di’s Digi Stamps- Halloween/Harvest                (disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Word Art Wednesday Challenge                          (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

Cute Card Thursday- Vintage/Distressing         (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

                  

Used an old SU stamp set to develop this card. Made the background by repeat stamping the image with a small stamp in deep navy ink. Stamped the focal image snowman with the same ink, layered him atop navy blue cardstock and attached to background. I like the card, but it seemed to be a little blah. So… decided to add a touch of chalks in several shades of blue (Plus a deep fuchsia that had a blueish tone). The results were too bold. So… I started to erase the chalks and stopped before they were completely gone.  Ended up with little wisps of color on the image. Perfect!

Entered into: 

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Monochrome                     (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Make a Background   (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

Received this stamp set from a friend last year, and was fun to pull it out and start using again as the cold weather approaches. This time, I paper pieced the little fox on brown patterned paper that has a fun flourish. Punched a circle from a piece of snowflake paper to place behind the little guy, using a small scrap to the same design to paper piece the little mug. After I assembled the card, decided that it needed more of a snowy feeling, so added a larger circle of vellum on which I had stamped snowflakes with white craft ink. The final touch was sketching the heat wisps rising from the mug with a fine line black Sharpie marker.

Entered into: 

Lawn Fawnatics Challenge #15- Clever gift packaging      (lawnfawnatics.com/category/challenges)

A Blog Named Hero-Calling All Critters                               (www.ablognamedhero.com)

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge 188                    (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

Bugaboo x4

Earlier this month I won a challenge at Bugaboo stamps and have been having such fun creating with their amazing images. This posting happens to high light four card in which I feature several of my wins!

The first is a sweet image that I just had to use for two challenges that recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The image is named "Lil Kidz Support Ribbon." Isn't she adorable?! And, the card allowed me to use more of my pearly pink vellum stash. Love it's subtle beauty. 

Entered into: 

CAS-ual Fridays- Think Pink                    (CAS-ualfridays.blogspot.com)

Calling All Sista’s- Color Challenge         (callingallsistahs.blogspot.com)

                               

Once again, am using one of the images from Bugaboo Stamp's Mini-Monster Blocks to enter into several challenges. I turned one of the monsters (I think it is Frankenstein) into a Vampire by cutting the bolts off of the image, and turning his spiked hair into a slicked back 'do' by filling in the spaces with black and gray markers, and adding a few white gel pen highlights. Used a sparkly silver gel pen to sketch in the blinking stars and added a bit of bling to qualify for the Bugaboo Bingo challenge. My card meets the requirements of  the bottom left diagonal: three layers, players choice (bugaboo image), and gem (sparkly stars and glowing bat eyes.) Am also entering this into two CAS challenges. One is called "Inspired by a Film." This card represents the popular "Twilight" series. The other features Monsters. So this is a perfect fit! Am putting together packages of assorted cards for gifts this Christmas and was short on Valentine's cards. So… I hand-lettered a sentiment on the front and inside of the card.

Entered into: 

Bugaboo Stamps- Bingo                                   (catchthebugblog.blogspot.com)

AAA Card Challenges- Inspired By A Film   (aaacards.blogspot.com/)

Less is More Challenge- Monsters                 (simplylessismoore.blogspot.com)

                             

Another adorable Bugaboo image, this one is named "Autumn Squirrel" and the card went together so quickly using odds and ends of things that were littering my craft table. (Right now, after spending many relaxing evenings there it is mounded with treasures!)  Am entering it into a few other challenges, including the Give Thanks Mood Board at SumMoreFun.com (which used to be named Victorines. They just expanded their stamp line, adding many, many new images from a number of companies. Check them out!)

Entered into: 

Word Art Wednesday Challenge                                  (wordartwednesday.blogspot.com)

SumMoreFun Challenge- Give Thanks                      (summorefun.com)  

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge 188         (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

My final Bugaboo image I'll share in this posting is appropriately named "Elf Peeker." The sentiments were printed off from the digi set "Gnomes in My Garden" from Beccy's Place.  One challenge in which I am entering it has the theme Vintage/Distressing.

So, I distressed the "wood door" with my ScorPal, plus used a scrap of wallpaper from a book that I rescued from my mom's craft stash after she passed away 6 years ago. Can't imagine how old it is… but since I inherited my packratism from my mom… I'm pretty sure it could be considered vintage. And Mom would have LOVED this card!

Entered into: 

Cute Card Thursday- Vintage/Distressing     (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

QKR Stampede- Anything Goes                       (qkrstampede.blogspot.com)

Beccy’s Place Challenge- October                    (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

Love my MISTI

Last Christmas my favorite gifts were a MISTI and this stamp called “Snowy Postcard” from Stampendous. I love how quickly I can create a stunning card with this stamp. Stamped the image on denim blue and white cardstock. Also stamped the holly portion on scraps of dusky green. Colored the images with chalks and Tombow markers, then finished the card with a dusting of polar white Flowersoft mixed with clear glitter. The sentiment is from Beccy's Place digi set, Seasonal Windows.

 

Entered into: 

Cute Card Thursday- Snowflakes                                           (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- Anything Goes   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Beccy’s Place Challenge- October                                           (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for Oct    (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com)

Seems like I never have enough masculine cards. So made this card with a Biblical Impressions stamp named Buck in the Forest (now available through www.stamponit.net) I've had the wood mount stamp for some time but seldom used it as I always have a hard time getting a good image with large stamps. After I got my MISTI, I removed the image from the wood and used an EZ Mount Foam Sheet (also available for sale through www.stamponit.net) that allowed me to use it with my MISTI. The hoof print is an old wood mount from Darcies. I didn't put a sentiment on it as I'll do that when I need to use it.

Entered into: 

QKR Stampede- Anything Goes                                      (qkrstampede.blogspot.com)

                                                                                         

Another entry for the current challenge at AAA Stamps! This one is dedicated to my favorite Christmas movie- Elf! Was fun to make his little green hat, complete with a feather made from a tiny scrap of red cardstock (I love my new EK Cutter Bee scissors). And of course, I had to hand cut some snowflakes. If you've seen the movie you will know why. Elf was a snowflake guru. (Once again, my new scissors helped to make these dainty beauties. Just put "snowflake templates" in the search bar on Pinterest and you'll find lots of patterns, both simple to super detailed.) The sentiment is a bit hard to see in the photo. It says, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." 

Entered into: 

AAA Card Challenges- Inspired By A Film       (aaacards.blogspot.com/)

Made another Monster card for the current Less Is More Challenge. Used another cute image from Bugaboo Stamps. A super easy and fast card to make. And, provides a great way to use of single wiggle eyes in varying sizes. (For some reason I have several of them!) 

Entered into: 

Less is More Challenge- Monsters                                  (simplylessismoore.blogspot.com)

Deep Ocean Challenge- Halloween                                (deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au)

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge 188            (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

Furry and Snowy Critters

The current Power Poppy Challenge is to create a square card less of than 4 inches on the side. I used a cute digi from Tiddlyinks named Snorkelbunny. Colored him with my Spectum Nior makers, and used a layer of blue vellum to add a watery translucency. So fun!

Entered into: 

Power Poppy- Mini & Mighty                                    (powerpoppy.blogspot.com/2017/10/october-power-spark.html)  

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge 188      (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

The Daddy Lion image is from Whimsy stamps, and the family sentiment background is a free digi that you can find at decossesdynamitedoodles.blogspot.ca

Am entering this sweet card into challenges at Whimsy and Whimsie Doodles Stamps.

Entered into: 

Whimsiedoodles Challenge- Anything Goes: Give Thanks    (whimsiedoodles.blogspot.com)
Whimsy Inspirations Challenge- Anything Goes                     (whimsyinspires.blogspot.com)

A free clip art cat silhouette on the web was my inspiration for another one of these fun Halloween cards. Sketched it out on black cardstock and fussy cut it out. Used an exacto knife for the eyes and nose. Taped a very small slip of pink paper behind the nose to peek out. Used a circle stencil to trace the moon and scrap of cardstock and my Scor Pal to create the fence. Attached the cat cutout so that the yellow moon shines through the eyes. The inside sentiment is a clear stamp, but has no name on it. 

Entered into: 

Deep Ocean Challenge- Halloween                            (deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au)

QKR Stampede- Anything Goes                                  (qkrstampede.blogspot.com)

Di’s Digi Stamps- Halloween/Harvest                       (disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

                             

Since August I've posted a few cards that I made from old roller stamps from SU that I turned into stamps that I can use with my MISTI. (Found the instructions on Pinterest… of course!) Was much easier to get a nice image this way. Am slowly converting many dozen roller stamps, one at a time. Here is my most recent. Couldn't resist adding the fun sentiment.

 Entered into: 

Cute Card Thursday- Snowflakes                                           (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- Anything Goes   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk) 

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for Oct   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com)