Wednesday 31 May 2017

Christmas Card Throwdown - May Colours

What??? Working on Christmas cards in May? Is that crazy talk? I don't think so - I will probably be grateful in December when I'm scrambling trying to get my Christmas cards made before the man in red visits.

Joining in at Christmas Card Throwdown for their colour challenge



Here's my card



When I think of traditional Christmas colours, these aren't it. However, it was fun to try to create a Christmas card with untraditional Christmas colours. I used Simon Says STAMP Lined Trees dies to cut the trees out of both gold and yellow cardstock. I carefully adhered the gold outlines and yellow "little bits"  onto a piece of kraft cardstock. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Ornaments stamp set, heat embossed with gold. I cut the panel down a bit and adhered it to my white card base.

Thanks for visiting

sue

Monday 29 May 2017

Inkspirational: Challenge #135

One more card tonight. This time, it's for the current challenge at Inkspirational where 



Here's my card

 

Using a circle die, I cut out a 2.5" circle from some masking paper. I placed the mask over a card base and stamped using the cityscape from MFT You're Super stamp set with black ink. I felt that this cityscape was close to the "urban" feel, I was going for. I cut a 1" circle from a post-it note and placed it (it will form the sun). I added distress ink with ink blending tools - mustard seed closest to the sun and finishing with spiced marmalade. I decided to not put a sentiment on the card so that it could be used for a variety of occasions. I usually hesitate to make one layer cards, because inevitably, I mess it up. However, pleasantly surprised, it turned out!

Thanks for visiting
sue

Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge

Love that I'm finding time to create at my craft desk. I couldn't resist the current challenge at Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge 


This week the challenge is

Furry Friends 

Most of us love our little furry friends, whether you are a cat, dog or wild animal lover we will be looking forward to seeing what furry friends you choose to feature on your creation!
This week we are showcasing Paper Smooches Products. You don’t have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

So, I thought that I had some Paper Smooches stamps with furry friends. I looked but couldn't find any. So, instead, I picked up Unity Stamps Meow.Purr.Baa. and stamped the cute mouse on a piece of scrap cardstock. I coloured in the mouse with Copics, R22, W2 and W3. Then I took a piece of kraft cardstock, punched a 1 5/8" hole in the center (horizontally) and closer to the top. I used Stampin' Up's Woodgrain embossing folder. I positioned the mouse to peek out throught the hole. I couldn't decide where to put the sentiment, so I left one off - LOL!

Here's my card




Thanks for visiting
sue

a2z Scrapbooking - Hero Arts E6217 Purring Kitty card

I'm up again at a2z Scrapbooking with this card.



For those who know me, I love kitties. When I saw this cute Hero Arts kitty, I knew I had to have it, even if it is a woodblock stamp. I find it more difficult to store woodblock stamps - however, I just couldn't resist. 

I stamped the kitty and coloured it with Copics W2, W3, R22 and R35. I matted the panel using Spellbinders Nestabilities Label 8. For the background, I used distress inks (stormy sky, tumbled glass, shaded lilac and hickory smoke) for the background panel. I found a scrap of a complementary piece of cardstock for the horizontal piece. I popped the kitty panel up with dimensionals. I couldn't decide on a sentiment so left it without one for now. It will be a nice card for one of my kitty-loving friends.

It's a bit ironic that my card doesn't have a sentiment because the current challenge for May at a2z Scrapbooking is


We'd love for you to join us. There are a couple of days left. Just be sure to use a Hero Arts product prominently on your card. If you need some Hero Arts products, be sure to check out a2z Scrapbooking etsy store. When your cart exceeds $25, be sure to use my code Sue15 for 15% off.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Sunday 28 May 2017

Freshly Made Sketches #289 & Less is More #330

So happy to have found my card-making mojo. I'm back to join the gang at Freshly Made Sketches, where the sketch is




Here's my card



I'm a little obsessed with Perfect Pearls. For my card, I used a faux-metal technique I saw Jennifer McGuire do. I masked off a small rectangle area with post-it tape. I added distress inks (peacock feathers) with an ink blending tool and then added some perfect pearls with a small brush. I then carefully removed the post-it tape and put the panel through my Big Shot with the WeRMemory Keepers Geometric embossing folder. I also inked up small areas with distress inks (mustard seed, spiced marmalade and peacock feathers and added perfect pearls to each. I stamped the jewels, using Winnie & Walter's My Precious stamp set. Frankly, I wasn't sure if I should have stamped the jewels first, then add the distress ink and perfect pearls. However, it worked out fine in the order i did it. I fussy cut the jewels and added them to the embossed panel. Here's a close-up.



I decided to leave the card without a sentiment because I couldn't figure out where to put it and how to do it!

Edited to add: I noticed that the recipe over at Less is More is



I think this card qualifies as there is a lot of shimmer. So, I'm adding it there too.

Thanks for visiting
sue

CASology Week 250: LOUD

Now that I'm back to working regular hours, instead of crazy overtime hours, I'm finding that I'm having more time to craft. Good for me; not so great for the pocketbook! I was inspired by the current challenge at CASology, where the cue card is



Here's my card



I guess after watching on the news, how law enforcement is starting to go after the loud motorcycles, I thought that I'd make a card with a motorcycle. The motorcycle is from Stampin' Up's Rev Up the Fun stamp set. The flame, which I stamped with my MISTI, once with Hero Arts Butter Bar ink and then with Hero Arts Orange Soda, where I lightly dabbed the flames, is from CTMH's Born to Ride stamp set. The sentiment is from CTMH's Finish Line stamp set. I matted the card with black cardstock.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Thursday 25 May 2017

Addicted to CAS - Challenge #111 - Pink

Joining in at Addicted to CAS for the current challenge


Here's my card



I used Tim Holtz's Latticework stencil and applied distress inks (spun sugar and picked raspberry) with ink blending tools. I matted the panel with bright pink cardstock. The sentiment is from STAMPlorations Fond Expressions 2 stamp set and the ink I used was Hero Arts Ultra Pink. I added a few sequins for a bit of bling.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Less is More Challenge #329 - Geometric

Made a card to join the fun at Less is More where the current challenge is 






Here's my card



I used Catherine Pooler's Stamp of Approval - Beautiful World Collection's Geobuilders stamp set and Kaleidacolor Spectrum Raised Rainbow Dye Inkpad to create the left side of the card. I love the way this inkpad adds so much colour with the one inkpad. In order to "blend" the colours, I move the inkpad slightly to the left and right to ensure that the colours blend. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Flower Friend stamp set and stamped with Hero Arts Grape Juice ink cube.

Thanks for visiting
sue


Paper Players PP345: Clean and Simple: Butterflies

It's so great to have some time to craft. It makes me feel so much better when I get to play with paper! I saw the current challenge at The Paper Players and knew that I wanted to join in. 


Here's my card



I started with a piece of My Minds Eye Indie Chic Collection Ginger "Relax" Mellow paper because I wanted to try stamping on printed paper - although, the print isn't too pronounced. LOL! I stamped using MFT Blissful Butterflies stamp set with Hero Arts inks (Soft Cantaloupe, Butter Bar, Fresh Peach). To add a bit of interest, I masked off the left panel and added distress inks (antique linen) using ink blending tools.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Monday 22 May 2017

Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge

Had some extra time in my craft space to play. I liked the current challenge at Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge so joined in.


This week the challenge is

A Bit Of Sparkle 

This week we are showcasing our very own exclusive Simon Says Stamp Products. You don’t have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.


Here's my card



I started with sparkly silver paper, which I die cut with Simon Says STAMP's Heart of Roses die. Then, I inked up a light pink cardstock with distress inks (picked raspberry and field berries) with ink blending tools. I also die cut using the same die, being careful not to lose any of the "small bits". I adhered the sparkly silver heart to the card and then carefully, added all the small pink pieces. Here's a close-up.




The sentiment is from STAMPlorations Fond Expressions 2 stamp set.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Freshly Made Sketches #288 - A Sketch by Jen M

Love long weekends - I have more time to craft! I'm playing along with the gang at Freshly Made Sketches this morning. Here's their great sketch



Here's my card



I wanted the Echo Park Magical Plaid 6x6 stencil after I had seen some examples online. It sure beats trying to stamp your own plaid paper. I initially tried to mimic plaid with straight lines of colour - the result was kind of blah. So, my next attempt was to add colour in random pattern using distress inks (cracked pistachio, ripe persimmon and salty ocean. I arranged the panel on a piece of blue cardstock, following the sketch. For the embellishment, I used Simon Says STAMP Lots of Love stamp set, Stampin Up's 1.5" circle punch and Stampin Up's scalloped circle punch.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Thursday 18 May 2017

STAMPlorations CAS Monthly Challenge - May 2017 Revisited

The current challenge at STAMPlorations CAS is



Here's my card



I started by inking up a panel in a bit of a random fashion using distress inks (ripe persimmon, picked raspberry and cracked pistachio) and ink blending tools. I spritzed water on the ARTplorations Shower of Flutters stencil and then placed the stencil, spritzed side down, onto the inked panel. I pressed the stencil down to be sure that the water was "mixing" with the distress inks. I carefully removed the stencil to reveal the butterflies where the colours were "diluted"; almost a ghost-like appearance. Here's a close-up.



The sentiment is from STAMPlorations Fond Expressions 2 - Shery Russ Designs stamp set. I added a few sequins for a bit of sparkle.

We'd love for you to join us for our May CAS challenge.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Sunday 14 May 2017

a2z Scrapbooking

It's my turn to post a card over at a2z Scrapbooking. I'm loving this time of year as the flowers are in bloom, the trees have beautiful blossoms and the world seems to be waking up from a long, cold winter. I thought that I'd make a floral card for today's post.

Here's my card



I started with Hero Arts CL124 Color Layering Fuchsia stamp set and Hero Arts AF392Color Layering Ink Cubes Fuchsia. Hero Arts has taken the hard work out of creating a multi-layer stamped image. The layered stamps are easy to position - there is some "wiggle room" and the ink cubes are already chosen. I find that I just need to take my time to get good impressions - I use my MISTI, so that just in case the impression, isn't quite right, I can re-ink and stamp again. I cut the image into an oval, popped it up with a slightly smaller oval cut from fun foam for added dimension and adhered it to a piece of dark purple cardstock. For the sentiment, from the same stamp set, I head embossed using silver embossing powder.

We'd love for you to join us at this month's challenge at a2z where the challenge is



Just be sure to use a Hero Arts image as the focal image. If you need some Hero Arts supplies, check out the a2z scrapbooking etsy store. If your cart gets over $25, use my code sue15 for 15% off your purchase.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Saturday 13 May 2017

AAA Cards

It's been quite some time since I've been over at AAA Cards. When I saw the inspiration image, I just knew that I had to make time to create a card for the challenge.



Aren't the colours, yummy? LOVE colour - makes me so happy to see bright colours. 

Here's my card


I started by lightly marking off an area about 2.25" x 3" with a pencil. I used Hero Arts Lia Griffith's Garden Flowers by Lia stamp set for all the small flowers and leaves and stamped them within the marked off area. I used Hero Arts inks (Ultra Pink, Pale Tomato, Cornflower, Grape Juice, Emerald Green and Lemon Yellow) as I felt these colours were in the inspiration image.  The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP's Lots of Thanks stamp set. I hand-drew the frame around the flowers to complete the card.

Thanks for visiting.
sue

Sunday 7 May 2017

Muse Challenge #214

It's been quite awhile since I've joined the group at Muse Card Challenge. I saw the stunning Muse card by Anita Bowden and I knew that I just had to find time to play at my craft table.

Here's Anita's card




I love this card. Surprisingly, the inspiration came quite easily. 

Here's my card.




I started with one of my recent purchases, Simon Says STAMP Cora Background. I stamped the image with Versamark ink and used clear embossing powder. Using a dry brush, I brushed away some of the embossing powder outside the "frame" of the background to leave some "open space". I heat set the powder. Using ink blending tools, I added colour - distress inks (seedless preserves, blueprint sketch and mermaid lagoon). The sentiment was die cut using Memory Box's Paintbrush Happy die.

Edited to add: I forgot to mention how I was inspired, although it might be obvious.

I was inspired by:
 - the large image
 - the three shades of inking
 - a "scripty" one word sentiment
 - the general layout of the card

Thanks for visiting. So happy to be participating with the Muse "family".
sue

Thursday 4 May 2017

STAMPlorations CAS Monthly Challenge - May

Well, hello new month. Hoping that May brings much more sunshine and much less rain. It's time for a new monthly challenge at STAMPlorations CAS. For the month of May, the challenge is



Here's my card




I used the ARTplorations Ethnic Organic One stencil with distress inks (picked raspberry, ripe persimmon, peacock feathers, seedless preserves, cracked pistachio). I'm now wondering if there isn't enough white space to be CAS? Well, there is a little white space, left behind from the stencil. The sentiment is from STAMPlorations Fond Expressions 2 stamp set. I added a few sequins to add a bit of sparkle to the card.

We'd love for you to join us at STAMPlorations CAS. 

Thanks for visiting
sue

Monday 1 May 2017

House of Cards - May Challenge

It's the 1st of May which means that it's time for another card challenge at House of Cards. The challenge is 


Add Sequins and/or Colors


Here's my card




I was inspired by the beautiful colours of this month's challenge. I started by lightly marking a 3" by 2.25" rectangle, with a pencil. I used Hero Arts Garden Flowers by Lia and Hero Arts Shadow Inks (Passion Flower, Lemon Yellow, Tide Pool, Soft Cantaloupe and Green Hills) and stamped, somewhat randomly within the rectangle. I erased the pencil marks and hand drew the frame with a black fine line marker.

The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Lots of Thanks stamp set. I matted the card with a green which matched the leaf colour.

Thanks for visiting
sue