The Merry Christmas Challenge # 5

One of the best parts of being part of the design team at The Merry Christmas Challenge is that I get to create Christmas cards, year round. I love Christmas - the snow, the decorations, the sharing of gifts or cards, as well as remembering the true reason for Christmas. 

We'd love for you to join us this week for our challenge

Anything Goes + Christmas

Here's my card

I used Stampendous' Cling Merry Christmas stamp set. I used three different colors of ink - Hero Arts Strawberry, Green Hills, Emerald Green. Using a MISTI, made adding color really easy. I stamped the image three times, each time adding an ink color, being sure to overlap the colors slightly. I matted the panel on some bright green to complete the card. Another clean and simple card for you this week.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CAS(E) this Sketch #256

There's a super fun sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch this week




Here's my card

I liked the repetitive nature of the sketch. I thought about stamping an image multiple times. Then I pulled out my Simon Says STAMP Butterfly Drift die. I die cut some dark gray cardstock for the outline and also some 96lb bristol for the butterflies. I added colour using Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers and moved the colour around with a water brush. I adhered the outline and butterflies to an A2 card. The sentiment is from STAMPlorations Fond Expressions 2.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge - Layer It Up

When the challenge is "layer it up", it's an extra challenge for this clean & simple card maker. I find it easier to make a one-layer card than a multi-layer card. It's a good way to "stretch" my creativity. 

Here's my card

i started with a layering stamp set - good way to get layering, right? I used Hero Arts CL862 Color Layering Graphic Flowers and stamped with Hero Arts inks - Strawberry, Soft Cantaloupe, Ultra Pink, Summer Sky, Cup O' Joe, Field Greens and fussy cut the flowers and leaves. When assembling the flower, I used dimensionals between layers so I could enter my card here at Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge.

The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Keep It Simple: Thank you stamp set. I found some patterned paper that seemed to go with the flower.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #249

Ready for another challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. Here is this week's sketch to inspire you



Here's my card

For my card, I used the flower from Uniko Studio's Paradise Hummingbird stamp set, inked with Hero Arts Ultra Pink and Green Hills inks. I used my MISTI to help me align the flower. For the sentiment, I used Papertrey Ink's Keep It Simple Thank You stamp set. I felt that the card needed something else. I found a scrap of patterned paper, which included the ink colors, which I cut into a 3/8" strip and adhered to the right side of the card.

We'd love for you to show us how you're inspired by the sketch.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Time Out Challenges #101

The current challenge at Time Out Challenges is a "words challenge"




Here's my card

I focused on the word "gift". I had purchased the Simon Says STAMP Happy Meowday several years ago because I love cats. I felt that it was perfect for this challenge. I inked up the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and added color with Copics. I matted the panel with pink cardstock. The sentiment is from Paper Smooches Birthday Sampler stamp set. 

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Tic Tac Toe Challenge #032

I feel like I've wandered away from the great challenges at Tic Tac Toe Challenge. However, I'm back ...  I love the inspiration from the tic tac toe board while at the same time giving me a bit of choice. Here is this week's board



Here's my card

I chose the left column - polka dots, banner, sparkle. I found some polka dot washi tape for the horizontal banners. For the banner, I stamped the Happy Birthday using Simon Says STAMP Big Scripty Greetings and my MISTI. I added the colors individually using Hero Arts inks (Grape Juice, Strawberry, Orange Soda, Emerald Green), overlapping each color slightly. For the sparkle, I added some strips of silver sparkle cardstock to the banner.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CASology Week 284

Life seems like it's getting back to "normal" meaning that I'm finding time to craft - yippee! Excited to join in the fun at CASology this week where the cue card is




Here's my card

I need lots of these cards in my stash. I'm pretty good at remembering people's birthdays - I just don't remember in time to mail a card, which would arrive on time. Love the cute 
panda from Your Next Stamp's Jungle Critters stamp set and the corresponding "Oh Shoot" sentiment. I added the "belated birthday wishes" from Paper Smooches' Birthday Sampler stamp set. Found sound scraps of printed paper to make the banners and background strip. 

Thanks for stopping by
sue

a2z Scrapbooking - January 25th post

A couple more weeks and it's Valentine's Day, a day for Lovers. I created my card for a2z Scrapbooking with Valentine's Day in mind. 

Here's my card

I started with Hero Arts Words of Love DK031 Digital Kit. I selected the "LOVE" - flower love black image. I opened the file with MS Word, sized it and printed it on cardstock. I added colour with coloured pencils because I wasn't sure if the inkjet ink would bleed or not. I found some matching cardstock to mat the panel and added a few sequins for a bit of bling.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

STAMPlorations CAS - January 18 Reminder Post

My cards is on the STAMPlorations Blog today as a reminder of January's challenge




Here's my card

I was working on this card and was inspired by the elegant black and silver look. I used CUTporations Gift Builder #1 to die cut the gift using silver cardstock and silver glitter cardstock. For the sentiment, I used STAMPlorations Happy Birthday stamp set with silver embossing powder which was heat set. The card needed a little something else, so I added a strip of silver cardstock  on the left.

We'd love for you to join us this month - Anything CAS with the optional twist of silver.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

The Merry Christmas Challenge #3

Hi! Have you put your Christmas decorations away, yet? I needed the space, so my little artificial tree is packed up for another year. One of the best things about The Merry Christmas Challenge is that I get to bask in the Christmas spirit all year long. The challenge, the same every week is

Anything Goes + Christmas

Here's my card for this week

For this card, I used Hero Arts CM181 Bird Words. I chose 6 birds - stamped 5 of them with Hero Arts Field Greens and 1 of them with Hero Arts Pale Tomato. To ensure good a good image, I used my MISTI and re-stamped the birds. I loved the sentiment on each of these birds. I chose to put the focus on the "hope" bird as I like to believe that with some reflection on the true meaning of Christmas, we'll all enjoy more "hope" in our lives. I matted the panel on some gray cardstock.

We'd love for you to join us this week and showcase your Christmas creation.

Thanks for visiting
sue

TIME OUT Challenges: #100

Today, was my last day at work - I'm heading for retirement!  WOOHOO! Hopefully, I will be able to find serious time to craft. I found the current challenge at TIME OUT Challenges and how could I resist?




I'm good at making cards but not so good at mailing them or selling them or gifting them. I'm running out of space. I found a great charity which is grateful to receive "thank you" cards as they send them to their donors, who appreciate the "handmade" card. I feel that it's a win-win-win! Right? So "thank you" cards are my favorite card - because I have a way to donate them but also I love the sentiment of being grateful to someone else.

Here's my card

I used some Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers, which I arranged in rainbow order. I scribbled each color, in order, slightly overlapping the colors. Then I used a waterbrush to help the colors blend. For the sentiment, I die cut light grey cardstock with My Favorite Things Die-namics Thank You dies. For a bit of dimension, I also die cut some black fun foam. I adhered the cardstock and fun foam using Tombow Mono Multi Liquid glue. I added a few clear sequins for a bit of sparkle.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #247

Are you ready for a new sketch to inspire you? Here's the sketch from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge



Here's my card

I started by using Hero Arts Large Lotus Pattern stencil with distress inks (ripe persimmon, peacock feathers, peeled paint) applied with ink blending tools. I cut the panel into three strips to mimic the sketch and adhered them to a green panel. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Lots of Thanks stamp set. I added some black and white baker's twine to complete my card.

We'd love for you to join us this week. What will you create?

Thanks for visiting
sue

Twofer Card Challenge #1

There's a new card challenge that just started - Twofer Card Challenge. The premise is to create two different cards, for two different occasions using the same stamp or die corresponding to the given prompt. This month, it's 



Here are my cards

At first, I didn't think I owned any stamps with feathers. I found a feather die in my stash but couldn't figure out a "clever" way to use it, where it didn't necessarily look like a feather. I decided to look through my stamp collection and there is was - a feather. I used Avery Elle's Love Note Stamp set.

For the first card, I used the feather stamp and repeatedly stamped it with Versamark. I added clear embossing powder and heat set. I then added colours with distress inks (salty ocean, mermaid lagoon and faded jeans) with ink blending tools. The teal band has the sentiment from the same stamp set, heat set with silver embossing powder. 

For the second card, I thought I would use the feathers to possibly create a eight-petalled flower, stamped with Hero Arts Aquatic ink. Actually, it looks more like a propeller - LOL! For the center, I use the spiral from Simon Says STAMP Flower Friend stamp set, stamped with Hero Arts Butter Bar ink. The stamped panel is matted with dark gray. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Keep It Simple: Thank You stamp set, stamped with Hero Arts Charcoal ink.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CASology: Week 282

Yippee! I think my crafting mojo is back. Well, at least, I'm finding time at my craft table. This makes me happy. I know that I need crafting time - I can't say that I start twitching if I don't. However, I know that I'm happier if I craft.

Loved the cue card at CASology this week, that I planned to join in



Here's my card

I purchased the Simon Says STAMP Circle Friends stamp set and Tri Circle die collection some time ago. It was time to take it out of its packaging and use it. I chose the polka dots, cute bear, and sentiment to fill in the circles cut out with the die. The sentiment looked "too bland", so I added the stripes. I colored the bear with copics. 

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Muse Card Club #248

It's so frustrating not to have enough time to craft. I haven't really been able to craft since early December. I vacationed in Hawaii - I know, poor me, and just couldn't take enough craft supplies to make it worth while. Then it was Christmas/New Years with all the craziness that caused. Finally, so happy to have time to craft - I love playing with paper!

I loved this inspiration at Muse created by Anita Bowden




Here's my card

I was inspired by:

• the teal background
• the floral sprays on opposite corners
• the gold embossing
• the use of colored pencils to add color
• the birthday sentiment

I used the floral spray from Simon Says STAMP Floral bliss to stamp the opposite corners. I used gold embossing powder and heat set. I colored in the image with Prismacolor colored pencils. I was under the impression that the rich teal color would not "take" darker, bolder colors. However, I learned that that was not the case. While the light colors worked, definitely, the bolder colors worked best, in my opinion.

Hopefully, I'll continue to find time to craft. Thanks for stopping by.
sue

a2z Scrapbooking - January 5th post

Happy New Year a2z Scrapbooking family! I have a card that's not a Christmas card for you today! I'm finally moving on ... from Christmas.

It's a one-layer card. I masked off a 1.75" area with post-it tape. I used the Hero Arts Asian Flower Pattern stencil with distress inks (peacock feathers, cracked pistachio and mermaid lagoon - my favourite colours), applied with ink blending tools. I carefully removed the post-it tape. The sentiment is from Hero Arts DC215 Holiday Ornaments Stamp & Cut set, stamped with Hero Arts Tide Pool shadow ink. 

Thanks for visiting

sue

STAMPlorations January 2018 Post

Happy New Year! So blessed to be continuing on at STAMPlorations CAS as a member of their design team. For this month, our challenge is




Here's my card

I love this bible passage. It reminds me of Linus in a Charlie Brown's Christmas, who reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. It's a wonderful stamp, part of STAMPlorations Typografia in Faith collection - Glory to God. I used silver embossing powder to heat set the sentiment on vellum. For the background, I used 96 lb bristol and some yellow/orange/pink Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers. I scribbled each marker randomly and used a water brush to blend the colours until the background panel was covered. To adhere the vellum, I hid glue dots behind the rhinestones in the corners.

We'd love for you to join us at STAMPlorations CAS. A reminder to please keep your card, clean and simple (CAS) and use our optional twist of silver - or not!

Thanks for visiting
sue

The Merry Christmas Challenge #1

Happy New Year! Yes, I realize that Christmas has passed. However, who doesn't love a new Christmas card creation? Not me ...

We'd love for you to join I love this us at The Merry Christmas Challenge, where the weekly challenge is always

Anything goes + Christmas

Here's my card

I love poinsettias - for me, they are a symbol of the Christmas season. Growing up, I only knew the red variety. Now, I see speckled varieties, pink, cream, dark red and of course, the "original" red. I used Simon Says STAMP Poinsettia stamp set with Hero Arts Pale Tomato, Raspberry Jam and Field Greens inks. I would never have attempted a two layer stamp before the MISTI. Now, using the MISTI, I have less paper for the recycling bin and more successful images!

We'd love for you to join us.

Thanks for visiting

sue

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #245

I love having a sketch to start to get the crafting mojo flowing. Here's this week's sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge





I love the graphic look to this sketch. Here's my card.

I started with STAMPlorations Vignette: Art Deco Border Builders stamp set. Of course, I wouldn't attempt this sketch without my trusty MISTI which helped me to line up the stamps. I used Hero Arts inks (Indigo, Aquatic and Summer Sky). The sentiment is from Hero Arts CL943 Color Layering Bouquet.

We'd love for you to join us this week. 
sue

House of Cards - January 2018

Happy New Year! I had a great year in 2017 and am anxious to see what 2018 holds for me. New month means there is a new challenge at House of Cards

Mixed Media and/or Colors

Here's my card

For those of you who know me - mixed media isn't really my "thing". However, I took out some gelatos in the colours of the challenge and made a background. I randomly scribbled the gelatos and blended them with my finger. I also used a teal coloured metallic gelato and a chicken wire stencil from Tim Holtz' Mini Stencil Set 8. I think that it turned out nice - I just may try this again for another card. I used the gorgeous stamp Ask in Prayer from STAMPlorations Typografia in Faith collection with Versamark and silver embossing powder on vellum for the sentiment. I trimmed the vellum panel and adhered it to the background with glue dots, hidden behind the faux pearls.

Thanks for visiting
sue