AAA Cards - CAS Game #109

Last week, I thought I had made a card for the current challenge at AAA Cards and then, when I was going to write my blog post, I realized that I didn't have the challenge quite right.



I used a die cut but also stamped on my card. Then I re-read the theme this week and noticed that it said "die cut ONLY". Back to the drawing board. I created this card

I started with Memory Box's Large Olive branch die and white cardstock. I added colour with ink daubers using distress inks (mowed lawn and abandoned coral) and small pieces of scrap paper to prevent the colours from overlapping. For the sentiment, I used Simon Says STAMP's Just Words No. 01 die with some gray cardstock. 

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CASology Week 289

The current challenge at CASology is




This challenge really made me think. I don't have any fitness-inspired stamps, stencils or dies. So, at first, I thought I'd pass this week. Then I remembered a old Quickutz puzzle die I had (if I only knew where it was) because puzzle pieces "fit" together - right? I checked a couple of boxes and found it! I die cut with it using various bright colours of cardstock scraps. 

Here's my card

I "fit" together the puzzle pieces and adhered them to the card leaving one piece on the "outside". I didn't have a sentiment that went with "fitting in", so I instead chose this sentiment from Lawn Fawn's Color My World stamp set. I inked it up with some of the individual colors from my Color Box Paintbox, Classic Pigment Inkpad to mimic some of the puzzle piece colours.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

The Merry Christmas Challenge #9

After the snow we've had recently here in Vancouver, it's feeling like it's soon going to be Christmas. Yes, I know - there is a whole lot of spring, summer and fall before we get there. The snow sure was pretty though.

I have a new card for the current challenge at The Merry Christmas Challenge where the theme is 

Anything Goes + Christmas

Optional: snowmen

Here's my card

For this card, I chose a snowman from The Alley Way's Chill Out and stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I sure wish that stamp company was still around - I loved their stamps. I added colour with Copic markers. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up's Snow Much Fun. I added a few rhinestones for a bit of sparkle.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CAS(E) this Sketch # 260

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



Here's my card - I rotated the sketch and flipped the embellishment to the top.

I started with a piece of 96 lb bristol where I added colour with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers and blended the colours together with a water brush. I then die cut the panel with Stamps of Life's Happy Birthday word dies set 2. I die cut a balloon using Paper Smooches' Balloons die using a scrap of silver shimmer cardstock. I added the balloon string with a silver pen. I felt that the colours of the happy birthday popped best on black. So I chose a black background. 

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Addicted to CAS Challenge #130

Really loving the current challenge at Addicted to CAS where the code word is




I mean really, who could resist "cat"? I had several stamp sets to choose from. Here's my card

I ended up choosing Technique Tuesday's Kyle the Cool Cat stamp set. I stamped Kyle with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and added colour with Copic markers. I fussy cut Kyle. I found some printed paper for behind Kyle and matted it with black. The pun-ny sentiment is from the same stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Time Out Challenges #103

There's a super fun challenge at Time Out Challenges and I'm not to late to join (which is surprising!)




Here's my card

I used Waffle Flower's Notions stamp set with Hero Arts inks (soft brown, pale tomato, butter bar, orchid, tide pool, summer sky) and my MISTI. The sentiment is from the same stamp set. A clean and simple and a one-layer card for you today.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #253

OK - hoping this is the last Valentine's Day card for 2018. Here is the sketch for the current challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. 

Here's my card

.

I found this to be a challenging sketch - it's nice to be challenged from time to time. I wasn't sure how to set up the squares until I looked at Simon Says STAMP's All About Love stamp set. I stamped using Hero Arts Pale Tomato and both pink and white cardstock. I found some thin pink ribbon for the embellishment. 

We'd love for you to join us with your creation based on our current sketch.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

a2z Scrapbooking February 25th post

It's my turn to be up at a2z Scrapbooking today. Please forgive me for making another Valentine's card. Yes, I'm well aware that Valentine's Day has come and gone. Well, at least I'm ahead for next year - well, if I can find the card next February! LOL!

Here's my card

I used Hero Arts DK031 Words of Love digital kit. I grabbed the "heart candy" digital stamp. I changed the colour to gray and copied and pasted multiple times. I printed out the background panel with my inkjet printer and added colour with Copic markers. The sentiment is from the same set.

Well, that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.
sue

Less is More Challenge #365 - Happy 7th Birthday

It's a nice snowy day here in Vancouver. It's a great day to stay in and craft. The challenge at Less is More was too good to pass up. 




Here's my card.

I started with some watercolour paper, scribbled some pink and red Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers and blended the colours with a water brush. I then used Darice's Chevron embossing folder to give the panel some texture. Here's a close-up.

The sentiment was die cut from silver shimmer cardstock with Simon Says STAMP Painted Thanks die. The dry embossed panel was matted with the same silver shimmer cardstock. I added a few rhinestones for a bit of sparkle.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

The Paper Players PP381

Interesting challenge at The Paper Players




I wasn't sure that I had anything that I could make that would fit the criteria. Then, I remembered the Notions stamp set by Waffle Flower - it would be perfect. Here's my card.

It's a one-layer card. I stamped the images using my MISTI, which helped with stamp placement. I used Hero Arts inks (soft brown, soft cantaloupe, pale tomato, butter bar, soft pool, fresh peach, summer sky). 

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Twofer Card Challenge #2

Made some time to join in at Twofer Card Challenge where the current challenge is 



The basic concept of this challenge is to use either a stamp or die in two different ways for two different occasions.

Here are my cards

I started with Memory Box' Cherub Hearts dies. 

For the card on the left, I die cut hearts with pink and red cardstock using the smallest die. I arranged the hearts making a vertical "stripe". The sentiment is from Technique Tuesday's Heartfelt Thanks stamp set.

For the card on the right, I die cut hearts with red, printed pink and blue cardstock using the two smallest dies. I folded the hearts in two and arranged 6 of the same into a flower shape. I adhered them onto the card, adding a rhinestone at the center of each flower. The sentiment is from Hero Arts You're So Lovely stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CAS(E) this Sketch #259

Another fun sketch to inspire me at CAS(E) this Sketch




Here's my card

At last year's Stamp and Scrapbook Expo in Puyallup, WA, I won a $10 gift certificate at Queen & Co. I bought washi tape - although it was a pretty tough decision. I decided to use some of this washi tape to make the rectangle. I felt that ripping the bottom edge made it more "organic". For the sentiment, I used Simon Says STAMP Lots of Thanks stamp set. I added a few flowers from Hero Arts Spring Hello by Lia stamp set and Hero Arts Tide Pool, Orchid, Bubble Gum. I added a scalloped circle to mat the sentiment circle.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Heart Card #2

There are currently two challenges where the theme is "heart" - Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge and CAS Watercolour Card Challenge. I posted one card here. I have another card today.





Here's my card

Starting with a piece of watercolour paper, I scribbled red, pink and purple Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers and blended the colours with a water brush. I die cut the panel with Simon Says STAMP Heart of Flowers die being careful to keep all the little pieces around. I used the die cut panel to assist with the placement of all the little pieces when gluing them onto my card. It was a bit tedious. i was grateful that I didn't lose any pieces in the process. The sentiment is from SImon Says STAMP Lots of Thanks stamp set. 

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge

I have a card for the current challenge at Simon Says STAMP Wednesday challenge

This week the challenge is

Add A Die Cut  

We are showcasing Penny Black Products this week. You don’t have to use them to join in but if you have them we would love to see them used.

Here's my card

I grabbed a scrap of watercolour paper, scribbled some green, blue, aqua Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers and blended the colours with a water brush. I die cut this coloured panel with Penny Black's Flower Frolic die. For the sentiment strip, I used some black cardstock and silver embossing powder with Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments stamp set. I adhered the elements to a cream speckled panel.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Tic Tac Toe Challenge 035

I haven't stopped by Tic Tac Toe Challenge for awhile. So happy, that I had time this week to join them. Here's the board.



Here's my card

I chose the diagonal from upper right to lower left - Baby, Plaid, Enamel Dots. I used the Baby stamp set from Clearly Inspired by Paper Inspirations. I found it on a Clearance table many years ago. I just tried to "google" the company just now and nothing came up. Anyway, I stamped the diaper pins, baby bottle and hand prints with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added colour with Copic markers. For the handprints, I added a small pink mat. The sentiment is from the same stamp set, stamped with Hero Arts Lime Green ink. The plaid paper strip was from a random 6x6 paper pack I found in my stash. I added a few enamel dots to complete the card (and the tic tac toe line).

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CASology: Week 287: Together

Hi! It's been a couple of days since I've been here. I've been watching too much of the Olympics and not playing at my craft table. I did find time to play with the gang at CASology. Here is the cue card.



Here's my card

When I thought of together, I pulled out my Paper Smooches We Connect stamp set and matching Ampersands die set. I started with the background using STAMPlorations Zen Hearts ARTplorations stencil, inked up with distress inks (spun sugar and shaded lilac). On a scrap of watercolour paper, I scribbled using blue, purple and pink Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers and blended with a water brush. When dry, I stamped the ampersand from the stamp set and die cut using the matching die. I stamped the "you" and "me" from the stamp set, using the MISTI to properly place the words on the background. I popped up the ampersand with dimensionals to make it "pop".

Thanks for stopping by
sue

The Merry Christmas Challenge #7

Hi there! I have a new card for the current challenge at The Merry Christmas Challenge where the challenge is 

Always Anything Goes + Christmas

optional: Reindeer

Here's my card

I started with Echo Park's Magical Plaid stencil and inked it up with distress inks (mowed lawn and candied apple) for the background. For the focal panel, I used Technique Tuesday's Holly stamp set and Catherine Pooler Design's Candy Cane Lane with Hero Arts field greens and pale tomato inks. I matted the focal panel to help it "pop".

Hope you'll be able to join us this week. It's never too early to start your Christmas cards!

Thanks for stopping by

sue

Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge

The one thing about being retired, is the amount of time I get to play at my craft table. I worked for over 26 years to be able to do THIS! I'm joining in at Simon Says STAMP Wednesday challenge where their challenge is

This week the challenge is

It Must Be Love 

We are showcasing our very own Simon Says Stamp Exclusive Products this week. You don’t have to use them to join in but if you have them we would love to see them used.

Here's my card

I used Simon Says STAMP's Heart Parade die to die cut various printed papers. Instead of also die cutting the outline, I adhered the hearts onto black cardstock with no outline. The illusion is that there is a black outline. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Favorite Flowers stamp set and heat embossed with silver embossing powder.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #251

Hi ... back with another card for the current sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. Here's this week's sketch




Here's my card

I'll admit it. This one was a real challenge. I wasn't sure how to start. In the end, I started with a scrap of Christmas patterned paper. I punched out a 1.5" circle and built the card from there. Found some green and red cardstock which matched the patterned paper. Used Paper Smooches Holly dies for the holly leaves and berries. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Holiday Hellos.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CASology: Week 286: Butterfly

I'm loving all the Olympics telecasts on TV. Go CANADA Go! I have the TV on while sitting at my craft table. I'm joining in at CASology this week where the cue card is



Here's my card

I started by inking up a piece of 96 lb bristol with blue and purple Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers. I blended the colours with a waterbrush. I die cut using Memory Box's Vivienne Butterfly craft die both the inked up panel and a dark gray cardstock for the outline. I carefully adhered all the small pieces to create the butterfly on a neutral textured card panel. For the body and antennae piece, I added a bit of sparkle with a Wink of Stella pen. The sentiment is from My Favorite Things Blissful Butterflies.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Less is More #364 - 7th Birthday: Music

Over at Less is More, they are celebrating their 7th Birthday. Who doesn't love a party - not me! The theme for this challenge is 



Here's my card

I have a couple of stamp sets from CAS-ual Fridays - Big Treble and Love Notes which feature music symbols and music-inspired sentiments. I reached for Big Treble for this challenge. I used my MISTI for this card. For the treble clef, I stamped using Hero Arts inks (strawberry, grape juice, deep ocean, emerald green). I also picked up some of the same inks to colour in the treble clef. Before I could finish the panel, I accidentally knocked it off my craft table. When I picked it up, I noticed that some of the ink had run. UGH - so much for a clean and simple look. Then I saw the sentiment, stamped with Hero Arts Charcoal ink and thought - why not? So I added a few more "smudges" to add to the character of the panel. I matted with black to complete the card.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge

Joining in at Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge where this week's challenge is

Anything Goes

Here's my card

I started with Pinkfresh's floral Background stamp set. I stamped with Antique Linen distress ink (thought I'd try the no line watercolouring) on watercolour paper. I added colour with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers and a waterbrush. Since there was a lot of bright colours, I added a neutral striped strip of patterned paper to balance out all the colour. For the sentiment, I die cut using Simon Says STAMP Painted Thanks die, which I covered in a layer of Wink of Stella for a bit of sparkle.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Heart Card #1

There are two current challenges where the theme is "heart" - CAS Watercolour and Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge. 





Here's my first card

Using Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers, I scribbled on a 96 lb bristol panel with various red and pink markers. With a water brush, I blended the colours around. I die cut this panel with Paper Smooches Linked Hearts, as well as a piece of dark gray cardstock. I adhered the outline and small heart pieces with a glue pen. The sentiment is stamped with Simon Says STAMP Lots of Thanks stamp set with Hero Arts Pale Tomato ink. 

Thanks for stopping by

sue

AAA Cards: CAS Game #108

Seeing that Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I guess it's not surprising that the current challenges have been focusing on hearts, love, Valentine's Day. The current challenge at AAA Cards is once such challenge




Here's my card

I made this one layer card starting with some masking paper die cut with roughly a 2 5/8" heart. I stamped small flowers from Hero Arts Spring Hello by Lia and Hero Arts Garden Flowers by Lia using Hero Arts inks - Ultra Pink, Strawberry, Pale Tomato, Bubble Gum). I carefully removed the mask. For the sentiment, I used Simon Says STAMP All About Love stamp set with Versamark ink, silver embossing powder and heat set. 

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CAS(E) this Sketch #257

Don't you love it when you see a sketch and instantly, you know what you want to do? It does't happen often to me. When the inspiration hits, my main dilemma is "can I find that stamp set"? This time - yes! I actually found the stamp set. WOOHOO!

Here's this week's sketch



Here's my card

Using Stampin' Up's vellum, I inked up Hero Arts Tall Flowers cling stamp set with Versamark ink and gold embossing powder, which I heat set. I added colour on the reverse side of the vellum with Copics. The sentiment was also gold embossed and is from Papertrey Ink's Keep It Simple: Thank You stamp set. I matted the sentiment strip with gold cardstock. 

Thanks fro stopping by
sue

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #250

Congrats to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge on reaching 250 posts! WOOHOO! In honour of this milestone, I'm playing along with the "even number" team as I'm regularly a member of the "odd number" team.

Here's the sketch




Here's my card

I decided to use an American Crafts 6x6 paper pack. I chose three printed papers and cut out the pieces. To further emphasize the diagonal lines and the horizontal line, I added some gold cord. For the sentiment, I used Simon Says STAMP Lots of Thanks stamp set. I punched out the sentiment with a 1.5" punch and matted it with gold cardstock, punched with Stampin' Up's scalloped circle punch. I found some gold coloured ribbon, tied into a bow to complete the card.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

a2z Scrapbooking - February 5th post

Time sure flies by. I can't believe that it's my turn to be up at a2z Scrapbooking. This month I chose to work with a digital stamp set. I find that it's easiest for me to open the digital stamp set, copy  (Ctrl C) the stamp and paste (Ctrl V) onto a MS Word document. I can adjust the size of the stamp and then print it on cardstock with my inkjet printer. Through trial and error, I have found that Copics work best to add color. I find that my water-based markers make the inkjet ink bleed. So, I added color on the balloons with Copics. I matted the balloons panel and the sentiment panel with colored cardstock.

Here's my card

Thanks for stopping by
sue