AAA Cards: CAS Game #95 - Rainbow

Yeah - third post of the day. It's for the current challenge at AAA Cards



Here's my card

I started with 96 lb bristol. With a waterbrush, I applied distress inks (barn door, spiced marmalade, mustard seed, lucky clover, faded jeans, wilted violet). For each new colour, I would overlap a bit to blend the colours. Once dry, I stamped using STAMPlorations Say It Big: Congrats stamp. To complete the card, I added a few clear sequins.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge

Second post of the day. This time, I'm joining in at Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge.

This week the challenge is

Anything Goes

This week we are showcasing Wild Rose Studio Products. You don’t have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

I love "anything goes" challenges since I'm away at a retreat and don't have access to all my crap (I mean papercrafting supplies - LOL), I could make something that obviously fits the "anything goes" challenge. Unfortunately, I don't own any Wild Rose Studio Products so I thought, I'd do the next best thing and use a Simon Says STAMP product.

Here's my card

I used the Simon Says STAMP Star Medallion stencil I just recently purchased along with distress inks (ripe persimmon, picked raspberry, peacock feathers and wilted violet) applied with ink blending tools. I then cut out the inked panel (because I wasn't careful enough and got ink "outside" the stencil that I didn't appreciate). I added a banner with a sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Keep It Simple: Thank You Stamp set. 

Thanks for visiting
sue

Freshly Made Sketches #298

I'm at a weekend retreat and totally enjoying the opportunity to do nothing besides craft ... and eat! It's given me the opportunity to make some cards for various challenges. This card is for the current challenge at Freshly Made Sketches



Here's my card. I rotated the sketch 90 degrees.

i've noticed lately that there have recently been a few challenges with rainbows as the theme. I guess I still have rainbows on the mind, when I made this card. I used Hero Arts Tribal Shapes stencil along with distress inks (mustard seed, spiced marmalade, barn door, picked raspberry, wilted violet, faded jeans, mowed lawn and pumice stone), added with daubers. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Handlettered Encouragement stamp set. I added a few sequins, because it was just "too" CAS for me, today!

Thanks for visiting
sue

Muse: Christmas Visions

In the heat of summer, it sure is fun to think about Christmas in July. While, it took me the entire month to finally make a card, I'm so happy to be able to join in at Muse: Christmas Visions

Here's this month's Muse, created by Jessica Frost-Ballas





Here's my card

Her card is so lovely and festive. I was inspired by:
- the colours she chose (although my red isn't as bright as her's)
- the use of gold embossing 
- poinsettias
- general layout - sentiment on the left, poinsettias on the right
- scripty sentiment

Apologies for the photo, I'm at a retreat and the lighting isn't what I'm used to.  I started by using Simon Says STAMP's Poinsettia stamp set which I inked with distress ink (fired brick) and spritzed with water before stamping to give it the watercolour look. Once dry, I added gold embossing. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Peace on Earth stamp set, also gold embossed.

Thanks for visiting
sue

CASology: 5th Anniversary

Happy 5th Anniversary to CASology. To celebrate their anniversary, they're hosting a blog hop with fabulous prizes. Here's the cue card for this week.




Here's my card

While on the blog hop, I noticed that a few people created their own balloons with balloon-like images. I thought that was so clever and then thought, why don't I try something like this. So, I pulled this Hero Arts set - it's CM170 I'm A Puffer for You out (I love this set, by the way) and stamped the puffer fish onto 96 lb bristol. I added colour with a water brush and distress inks (carved pumpkin). For their lips (who knew that puffer fish had lips?), I coloured them with Stampin' Up's Real Red marker. I then fussy-cut them out. For the background, I smooshed distress inks (tumbled glass and salty ocean). I drew the balloons end, string and bow with a fine tip black marker. The fun sentiment is from the same stamp set.

Thanks for visiting
sue

a2z Scrapbooking - Hero Arts Mix and Match Monsters

Are you a child at heart? I am - I love the cute, adorable stamps and then try to make cute cards. Check out my post at a2z Scrapbooking

Here's my card

Aren't the monsters cute? who would be afraid of these monsters? I'll admit though, it takes a bit of time to stamp a monsters. For buddy on the left, you have to stamp in stages - first the body, then the arms and legs, then the eye and mouth. I found my MISTI to be very helpful for this. I coloured the monsters with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers and spread out the colour with a water brush. I added glossy accents to the eyes for a bit of shine and dimension. 

There's only a bit of time for you to join us for our current Anything Goes challenge at a2z Scrapbooking July Challenge.



We're looking for Hero Arts products to be the "star" of your creation. If you're looking for Hero Arts products, check out the a2z Scrapbooking etsy store. When your cart gets to $25, use my code Sue15 to get 15% off. 

Thanks for visiting
sue

Christmas Card Throwdown: July Colours Challenge

Love thinking about Christmas in July. Joining in at Christmas Card Throwdown for their 




Here's my card

I used Simon Says STAMP's Ornaments stamp set with Color Box Paintbox (12 colours). When inking up the stamp, I moved the stamp a bit to each colour to help the colours blend and not leave a distinctive line between the colours. I fussy-cut the ornaments. To make the ornaments pop, I chose black as the card base. For the ornament tops and the sentiment, I heat embossed with gold. To complete the card, I used some gold thread to "hang" the ornaments.

Thanks for visiting
sue

CAS(E) this Sketch #231

Joining in the fun at CAS(E) this Sketch this week, where the sketch is




Here's my card

I started with the shaped blue background which was made with distress inks (tumbled glass and salty ocean), applied with ink blending tools. I then die cut using a Spellbinders Labels One die. For the butterfly, I smooshed distress inks (spiced marmalade and wild honey) on a piece of 96 lb bristol. I then die cut using Paper Smooches Butterly Duet die. I used gold embossing powder for the sentiment from Clearly Besotted's Many Mini Messages stamp set. When finishing the card, I popped the butterfly up with dimensionals.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Tic Tac Toe Challenge TTTC007

Joining in at Tic Tac Toe Challenge this week. Here's the board




I chose the diagonal (upper right to lower left) for my tic tac toe. Here's my card

Using a light blue cardstock, I embossed with Stampin' Up/Sizzix Elegant Lines embossing folder. For the butterfly, I smooshed a piece of 96 lb bristol with distress inks (wilted violet and seedless preserves). I then die cut using Paper Smooches Butterfly Duet. Using a silver pen, I highlighted the butterfly's body. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up's Made for You stamp set. I trimmed the embossed panel a bit and added some black striped washi for added interest. 

Thanks for visiting
sue

CASology: Week 258: Diamond

When I saw this week's cue card at CASology, I initially thought about the gem stone. 




Then I thought about the shape, diamond - a parallelogram (gee, haven't used that word since High School). I made this card

I used Catherine Pooler's everyday Mod stamp set with my Colorbox Paintbox (with 12 colours). I was going for a rainbow look. I repeated the stamped image three times, total. I die cut the sentiment with MFT Happy Hellos from the stamped panel and also using fun foam. Here's a close-up.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Atlantic Hearts Challenge #221

There is a super fun sketch for the current challenge at Atlantic Hearts. It is so versatile.




Here's my card

I started with a faux metal look achieved by adding distress inks (spiced marmalade and fossilized amber), quickly followed by some Perfect Pearls (for the shimmer). I then placed the panel through my Big Shot with the WeRMemoryKeepers Geometric embossing powder. I trimmed the panel to size. I picked the Authentique Collection Strong 6x6 paper pack to choose some printed papers to make the small banners. I added a grey strip, stamped with the sentiment from Hero Arts CL943 Color Layering Bouquet. 

Thanks for visiting
sue

Muse Challenge #225

I checked out the current challenge at Muse Card Club. It's this great card by Kim Heggins



I was going to pass because I don't own a "clear dome" stamp or die. Then I thought about what other elements could I get my inspiration from. So, I made this card.

I was inspired by

• the general sketch of the card
• the colours
• the butterflies

I used MFT Blissful Butterflies and distress inks (peeled paint, crushed olive, peacock feathers, lucky clover, wilted violet, seedless preserves). I added one distress ink per butterfly, spritzed with water onto watercolour paper. I then added the "darker" colour for a bit of dimension on each butterfly and again spritzed with water. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP For a Friend stamp set. 

Thanks for visiting

sue

A Blog Named Hero - July Challenge

It's been awhile since I've "played" along with the gang at A Blog Named Hero. I always seem to run out of time at the end of the month. This month, I started early and yippee, I've finished in time and even in time to post before the deadline! Yeah, me!

The challenge is




Here's my card

I started with Winnie & Walter's Bed of Roses stamp set and Versafine Onyx black ink. I added some gelatos over each flower. Using my finger, I spread out the colour and blended a bit. To get more blending, I used a paint brush and some water. I placed the card on a bold background cardstock. The sentiment is from Hero Arts Happy Mother's Day stamp set.

Thanks for visiting
sue

CAS(E) this Sketch #230

Loving the current sketch for the challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch

Here's my card

I started by heat embossing with white embossing powder and Impression Obsession Cover-a-Card Flourishes stamp. I added colour using my two favourite distress ink colours - twisted citron and peacock feathers. I cut the panel into three pieces, to follow the sketch. I used Memory Box's paintbrush happy die and Simon Says STAMP Happy stamp set for the sentiment. 

Thanks for visiting
sue

Simon Says STAMP: Wednesday Challenge

Made a card for the current challenge at Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge. 

This week the challenge is

Use Plaid

You can use a designer paper with a plaid/tartan print or you can make your own using striped stamps and ink pads!

This week we are showcasing Lawn Fawn 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 was inspired by this card by Virginia Lu

I loved her plaid village. So I decided to make plaid palm trees and a plaid hammock. I used MFT Plaid Patterns Merry & Bright 6x6 paper pack. Gee, that hammock looks inviting. I used Lawn Fawn's Life is Good stamp set and coordinating dies. For the background, I smooshed some distress inks (tumbled glass, salty ocean and pumice stone) on some 96 lb bristol. 

Thanks for visiting
sue

Freshly Made Sketches #296

Joining in at Freshly Made Sketches for their current sketch challenge

Here's my card

I just love the Sneak a Peek stamp set by Taylored Expressions. I know that the stamps were intended for use on planners. I just love all the cute little critters peaking out.   For my card, I chose the one hanging upside down, the bat. I stamped it and coloured it in with copics. For the central panel, I smooshed distress inks (tumbled glass and salty ocean). The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Flower Friend stamp set.

Thanks for visiting
sue

CASology: Week 257

Just received this new stamp set (Monster Mania) from Cratin Desert Divas and was anxious to try it out. The current challenge at CASology gave me the opportunity. Here's this week's cue card




Here's my card - with monster-ous birthday wishes

I stamped one monster and coloured it in with copics. I trimmed the panel and matted with black to make it pop. The sentiment is from the same stamp set.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Muse Challenge #224

I loved the graphic look to this week's inspiration card at Muse, created by Tracey McNeely




I was kind of stumped - not sure what to do. That was until, I found the dylusions' raindrops small stencil at Joann's. 

I was inspired by:

• the drop shapes
• the colours
• the "hello" diecut
• the popped up sentiment

Here's my card

I used distress inks (tumbled glass, peeled paint, mustard seed, ripe persimmon, spun sugar, shaded lilac) and ink daubers to add colour to the raindrop shapes. I chose to place them randomly at the bottom of the panel. I used MFT Die-namics Happy Hellos to die cut the sentiment and the fun foam (to pop up the sentiment).

Thanks for visiting

sue

a2z Scrapbooking Post

It's my turn to be up at a2z Scrapbooking

Here's my card

I was so excited to get this stamp set, Hero Arts CM170 I'm a Puffer For You. The images are so cute and I love funny play-on-words sentiments. I stamped the puffer fish with permanent ink and added colour with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers. I fussy cut the fish and added googly eyes. For the background, I smooshed distress inks (tumbled glass and salty ocean) onto a piece of watercolour paper. The sentiment is from the same stamp set. I popped the purple puffer fish up for added dimension. 

We'd love for you to join us this month at a2z Scrapbooking for our current challenge

Just be sure to have a Hero Arts product as the focal image. If you need Hero Arts products, come shopping at the a2z Scrapbooking Etsy store. When your cart exceeds $25, please use my code Sue15 for 15% off your purchase.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Time Out Challenges: Challenge #87

Loving the current challenge at Time Out Challenges where the challenge is to CASE with your own twist this beautiful card by Cornelia

Here's my interpretation of Cornelia's card

For the background, I didn't have a "tree round" so I cut a 3" circle from masking paper and used a Hero Arts Sea & Sky Stencil pair with distress ink (pumice stone) to mimic the tree round. I die cut the branch using Memory Box's Woodland Branch die. The bird is from Tim Holtz's collection Stamp/Stencil Mixed Media 8 set. I stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink and coloured with copics. I added glossy accents for the eyes and fussy cut the bird. The sentiment is from STAMPlorations Fond Expressions2. I chose this sentiment because it was encouraging, like the sentiments on Cornelia's card. 

Thanks for visiting
sue

Christmas Card Throwdown July - Sketch Challenge

It's Christmas in July. Had some fun making a Christmas card for the current challenge at Christmas Card Throwdown





Here's my card

I used Hero Arts Stamp & Cut Ornament set for the three items of the card. I stamped using Versamark and WOW! Rose Gold embossing powder, which was heat set. Have you tried WOW! Rose Gold embossing powder - trust me, you need to. I love the colour - so pretty. I've always had difficulty lining up the dies with the stamped/heat embossed images. I saw a trick somewhere (can't remember where), to die cut a post-it note. Using the negative as a template, it helps me to align the die, as the die fits into the positive space of the post-it note. The sentiment is from the same stamp set. I used silver thread to "hang" the ornaments.

Thanks for visiting
sue

CAS on Friday: Challenge #111 - Flowers

It's a wee bit confusing - the challenge is CAS on Friday but the website is CAS on Sunday and the current challenge is

We have another FUN challenge for you .....

FLOWERS

*Please Don't forget to make it CAS!*

Here's my card

The stems were stamped using Simon Says STAMP Floral Bookmarking. I punched out circles - 3/8", 3/4" and 1" from three different colours of cardstock. I adhered the three sizes of circles to form the flower. Here's a close-up.

I trimmed the main panel to 4" square and popped it up on the card using fun foam, cut just a bit smaller than 4" x 4". The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Keep It Simple: Thank You stamp set.

Thanks for visiting
sue

CAS(E) this Sketch! #229

Joining in at CAS(E) this Sketch! this week, where the sketch is




Here's my card

I decided to use some Queen & Co. washi tape that I picked up at the Scrapbook Expo in Puyallup, WA for the background. I used MFT Fancy Flourish die-namics to diecut the black flourish. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Thanks stamp set.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Tic Tac Toe TTTC 005

Another fun challenge at Tic Tac Toe Challenge

For my card, I chose the center column - summer, die-cut, pattern paper. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I think of the sun when I think of summer. Here's my card

I used Reverse Confetti's Sun 'n Clouds Confetti cuts to diecut the sun. I added colour with ink blending tools and distress inks (squeezed lemonade and mustard seed). The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Bring the Sunshine stamp set. The patterned paper is from Echo Park's Happy Days 6x6 paper pack.

Thanks for visiting
sue

Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge

Made a card for the current challenge at Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge


This week the challenge is
Summer Sunshine 

This week we are showcasing our very own 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 Simon Says STAMP Bring the Sunshine stamp set. I stamped the sentiment with Hero Arts Shadow Ink - Charcoal. I added the sun and cloud using Simon Says STAMP Make a Scene stencil and distress inks (squeezed lemonade, mustard seed and hickory smoke). I matted the panel with yellow cardstock and popped the panel up using a piece of white fun foam.

Thanks for visiting
sue

MFT Card Sketch Challenge - Sketch 340

Woohoo - another fun sketch challenge. This time it's at MFT Card Challenges.



Here's my card

OK - So, I totally love MFT Seaside Seagulls stamp set. I've used it again and coloured the seagulls with copics. I cut masks and added the "background" with distress inks (tumbled glass for the sky and salty ocean and faded jeans for the water). I stamped the sentiment on white but I found that it got "lost" on the card. So, I decided to mat the sentiment strip - much better, in my opinion. I added some black and white diagonal striped washi tape on the left.

Thanks for visiting
sue