a2z Scrapbooking & Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog Hop

So excited to have our team at a2z Scrapbooking join Coffee Loving Cardmakers for a blog hop! Glad that you're here to see what we have going on ...

Before we get to the projects, we have a fun announcement for you. The a2z Scrapbooking etsy store will now be carrying a new line of digital stamps. We are happy to welcome Sugartree Stamps to our inventory, and hope you will enjoy them too. Sugartree Stamps is brand new to the market and exclusive to a2z Scrapbooking etsy store. There are 6 new sets, just released and available now, the first of which happens to be COFFEE!

Here's my card

I was so happy to see this new digital stamp set by Sugartree Stamps - KN002 Hug in a Mug. Isn't it fun? There are so many possibilities. I loved the stacked cups. I printed them out with my inkjet printer and added bright colors to them using Copic markers. I matted the panel with black. The sentiment is from a Hero Arts digital kit - DK114 Caffeine Fix. As the colors I chose for the cups were so bold, I added a bold background color. 

Here's the list of those on the blog hop

a2z Scrapbooking Supplies blog 

Sue Nagata  <<<< you're here 

Kristina Beagle

Cindy Chiu

Arlene McClung

Niki Garcia 

Coffee Loving Cardmakers blog 

Amy Tsuruta 

Kerry Urbatch 

Helen Gullett 

Lisa Bzibziak

Robyn Jordan 

Dana Gong

Dana Warren 

Erin Thiem

Kathy Schweinfurth

Laurel Seabrook 

Katie Brooks

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Freshly Made Sketches #330

Greetings! I found out yesterday that two former co-workers are having health issues. So, I felt the need to create a get well card. When I saw the current sketch at Freshly Made Sketches, I was inspired. Here's the sketch




Here's my card

I had created a distress oxide background for another card and had some left over. I used this for the horizontal strip. I used glossy cardstock and distress oxides (broken china, salty ocean, faded jeans) smooshed on an acrylic sheet and spritzed with water. I heat-set between layers. I found this super cute whale from The Alley Way's Sea Mates stamp set. I stamped it with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and added color with Copic markers. I fussy cut the whale out. The sentiment is from Sunny Studio's Oceans of Joy stamp set. With a fine black marker, I dotted a water spout.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

The Merry Christmas Challenge # 13

As the spring flowers, like crocus and daffodils bloom, it's difficult to think about Christmas. However, I'm loving that I'm so far ahead as far as making my 2018 Christmas cards. Yeah, me and hopefully you, too.

At The Merry Christmas Challenge, the challenge is always

Anything Goes + Christmas

However, we also include an optional theme. This week's it's "bells".


Here's my card

I started with Simon Says STAMP Holiday Banners stamp set. When the set came out several years ago, I had to have it. This was the first opportunity that I used it ... shows me that what I think I need, I don't really have to have! My wallet likes to hear that! I stamped the banner with Hero Arts field greens ink and my MISTI, to be sure to get a good impression. For the bells, I used gold embossing powder and heat set the image. I found a fun printed paper for the card background and chose the pink and dark red for the banners.

We'd love to see what you create. Please join us.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

AAA Cards: CAS Game # 111 and Less is More Challenge #367

I was intrigued by the current challenge at AAA Challenge 



When I was writing up this blog post, I remembered the current challenge at Less is More 





My card would work for both challenges. Here's my card

I started by masking off an area (one third) of the card, just below the middle of the card. I picked up my STAMPlorations Ethnic Organic Two ARTplorations stencil, distress inks (mustard seed, spiced marmalade, picked raspberry) and an ink blending tool. I added colours, somewhat randomly through the stencil. I removed the stencil and the masking. I just love this color combination. For the sentiment, I used Hero Arts Color Layering Bouquet stamp set and Hero Arts Charcoal ink.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CAS(E) this Sketch #264

Another great sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch to inspire



Here's my card

I saw the rectangles as sort of bricks and thought about using the same background and changing up the foreground. I started by creating the background with a piece of glossy cardstock and distress oxides (broken china, salty ocean, faded jeans). I smooshed each ink pad, spritzed water and moved the glossy paper in the ink. I heat set each layer, giving the background some depth. I cut the background into rectangles, similar in size to the sketch. I stamped several fish using The Alley Way's Gill-Friend and Sea Mates using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added color with Copic markers and fussy cut the fish. I added glossy accents to the fish eyes to give them dimension. Here's a close-up.

I arranged the fish onto the background rectangles. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Best Fishes stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge

I was so sad to hear that Virginia Lu is stepping down from the Simon Says STAMP Wednesday challenge team. I love her work. She always inspires me to try new techniques and definitely enables me to do some online shopping!

The current challenge at Simon Says STAMP Wednesday challenge is

This week the challenge is

Floral Frenzy

We are showcasing Altenew 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 started with Altenew's Simple Flowers stamp set and some Hero Arts inks (Pale Tomato, Orchid, Tide Pool, Fresh Peach, Butter Bar, Field Greens). I used my MISTI to be sure to get a good impression. Although, I have to admit, I couldn't figure out how to stamp the very narrow stems with the MISTI. So, I used an acrylic block (after dusting it off, of course). The sentiment is from Altenew's Bamboo Rose stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #257

It's Monday and time for a new sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. Here's the sketch.





Here's my card

I started with Simon Says STAMP's Look for the Miracles stamp set. I stamped the flower and leaves with black ink and added colour with ink daubers and distress inks (ripe persimmon, mustard seed and twisted citron). I fussy cut the flower and leaves. I looked for some patterned paper that went with the colours of the flower and leaves and chose Basic Grey (I'm so sad they no longer make paper) Sugar Rush 6x6 paper pack. The cardbase is kraft. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Keep It Simple: Thank You stamp set.

We'd love to see what you create, starting with this week's sketch.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Tic Tac Toe Challenge #40

Haven't been playing at Tic Tac Toe Challenge for a bit. I checked out the board and was instantly inspired.




Here's my card

I chose the left column - Twine, Embossing, Polka Dot. I started with blue cardstock, Stampin' Up's Polka Dot Basic Textured Impressions Embossing folder and my Big Shot to create the background. Here's a close-up. I love the big polka dots.

The sentiment was heat embossed with silver embossing powder and STAMPlorations Fond Expressions 2 stamp set. To add a bit of colour, I added some blooms and leaves from Hero Arts Color Layering Graphic Flowers which I stamped, fussy cut and popped up with dimensionals. To complete the card, I added some blue and white bakers twine, wrapped around the card and tied into a bow.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Time Out Challenges #105

The current challenge at Time Out Challenges is a celebration of their 4th birthday and there is a quote to inspire





I chose to focus on the words "birthday" and "laughter". I love pun-ny sentiments. They make me giggle, and sometimes groan (LOL!). Here's my card

I used Ellen Hutson's Wish Big stamp set. I stamped the hippo, bird and balloon onto my card panel with Memento Tuxedo black ink. I added color with Copic markers. I made masks from post-it notes to cover the hippo, bird and balloon while I added distress inks (broken china, salty ocean, peeled paint). I created a mask from regular photocopy paper using Simon Says STAMP Stitched Slopes and Hills for the "ground/sky" border. The sentiment is from the same stamp set. I hand-drew the balloon string with a Copic Multiliner 0.3. 

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Muse Challenge #258

There's a super cute inspiration card at Muse by Kim Heggins





Isn't it adorable? I was inspired by:

• the pandas
• the balloons
• the double matted card panel
• the Happy Birthday sentiment
• the color scheme - black, white, shades of green

Here's my card

I started with Stampin' Up's Party Pandas stamp set. I stamped two pandas - one with the balloon and one with the party hat with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added a bit of color on the balloon and the party hat with Copic markers. I also stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set on the bottom left corner of the card. I matted the card with green and then added the panel onto the card base where a narrow border of the card base is seen.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

a2z Scrapbooking - March 25th post

Admittedly, I have a bit of a fascination with dragonflies. I love how they flit around and how they shimmer in the sunlight. When I saw the Hero Arts Dragonfly Fancy die, I knew that I just had to have it. 

Here's my card

I cut the outline part using some teal glitter cardstock. For the solid part, I used silver shimmer cardstock. I'm pretty pleased with how the background panel came out. It was the first time I tried using Distress Oxides (WHAT???). Yup, they've been sitting on my shelf. I was inspired to try them, starting with some glossy cardstock. I smooshed on an acrylic sheet, distress oxides (salty ocean, broken china, faded jeans) and spritzed them. I moved the glossy cardstock through the puddles of ink. I dried the layers using my heat tool. I saw that hint somewhere - to heat set layers to add more depth. When I was finished, I felt that it could be used for sky or even ocean. Need to file that info in my brain!

The sentiment is from Hero Arts DK116 Special Birthday digital kit. 

Won't you join us this month at a2z Scrapbooking for our monthly challenge



There are still a few days to add your card.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Twofer Card Challenge #3

I think that I've figured out this challenge. Well, at least for this month, I think I have. The main premise is to make two very different cards using either the same stamp or same die. This month, the theme is



Here are my cards

For the first card: I started with the spiral-y blossom from Simon Says STAMP Floral Bookmarking stamp set. I placed a card panel in my MISTI and started stamping the blossom across in a line using Hero Arts Tide Pool ink. I found an easy way (for me) to at least stamp the image in a straight horizontal line. I left the stamp on the "door" of the MISTI and moved the card panel from side to side. After I stamped four images, I flipped the panel upside down and felt that it looked like waves. So, I then reached for the My Favorite Things Seaside Seagulls stamp set. I picked a seagull stamp and placed it between the cresting waves. I added some color with Copic markers. I used a sentiment from the seagull stamp set.

For the second card: I used the spiral-y blossom as a blossom. Again, I left the stamp in place (both for the stem and leaves and the blossom) and moved the card panel horizontally in my MISTI. I used Hero Arts inks - Tide Pool and Field Greens. For the sentiment, I used Paper Smooches Salutations stamp set. The sentiment strip got lost on the card panel, so I matted it with a dark olive green.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CAS on Friday: Challenge #128

Gotta hurry. The challenge at CAS on Friday closes soon. Truthfully, I had completed a card and was going to post last night. However, I failed to read one very important detail - this was to be a celebration card! UGH! Back to the drawing board. The challenge is:

Celebration card with sequins

The challenge is: Here's my card

I used Unity Stamp's Family Tree



I covered all the "dots" with sequins, adhered with glue dots. WOW - there are a lot of dots to cover. Good thing I have lots of sequins! Here's a close up

I added color to the heart with a Copic marker, then added glossy accents for dimension and shine.

The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP It's Your Birthday 3x4 clear stamp set. I added a strip of black and white patterned paper to balance all the shine and color of the sequins.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CAS Watercolour Card March Challenge

I have a card for the current challenge at CAS Watercolour where the challenge is




To be honest, I guess my images don't really represent a "garden". Rather, it's a small bouquet, picked from a beautiful garden. I've noticed that it was mentioned that the card should include a garden, not just a flower. Well, my card has three flowers!

Here's my card

I used My Favorite Things LJD Peaceful Wildflowers stamp set and my MISTI. I used distress inks (seedless preserves, mustard seed, ripe persimmon, mowed lawn and peeled paint). After inking the stamp, I spritzed it with water for a watercolour effect. I added a little bow to complete the bouquet. The sentiment is from Hero Arts Color Layering Fuchsia.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CAS(E) this Sketch #263 & Addicted to CAS #132

While I was sitting at my craft table, reviewing all the current challenges out there on the internet, I realized that I could make one card that would fit the challenges for both CAS(E) this Sketch and Addicted to CAS






Here's my card - I rotated the sketch to make a landscape card.

I started with the horizontal strip of waves. To create this, I used Hero Arts SA110 Mermaid Sea Waves Stencil with distress inks (mermaid lagoon and salty ocean). I masked off the areas that I didn't want because I'm not too precise when adding color with ink blending tools. I love the Seaside Seagulls stamp set by My Favorite Things. So, I picked up this stamp set and chose one seagull for my card. I used my MISTI to help place the seagull where I wanted it and stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added some color with Copic markers. The sentiment is from the same stamp set. I matted the panel on some bright blue.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge

It's going to be Easter in a couple of weeks. So, just in time, the current challenge at Simon Says STAMP Wednesday Challenge is

This week the challenge is

Easter Inspired

Our lovely Design Team member Jenn created this mood board for our inspiration! Isn’t it gorgeous!! Thanks Jennxx

 

We are showcasing Your Next Stamp 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 started with Your Next Stamp's Bluebell Bunny, stamped the bunny with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added color with Copic markers. The sentiment is from the same stamp set. I trimmed the panel down enough so that I could add a strip of patterned paper on the left.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Muse Challenge #257

The inspiration at Muse this week was created by Tracey McNeely




I was inspired by:

• the two-toned pinkish flowers
• a bird
• a get well sentiment
• general layout of the card

Here's my card

I made a one-layer card. I started with Your Next Stamp's Spring Birds CYNS192 which has a branch of cherry blossoms with a cute bird, stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink. I added color with Copic markers, trying to use similar colors to those Tracey used on her card. The sentiment is from Hero Arts Color Layering Bouquet stamp set. 

Thanks for stopping by

sue 

CASology: Week 291

Another fun challenge at CASology this week. Here's the cue card.




Here's my card

I looked through my stamps for a "bug" or something that could be interpreted as a bug. I found a lady-bug like bug on the Newton's Nook's Beautiful Wings stamp set. I stamped the bug and the two parts of the sentiment with VersaFine Onyx Black ink. I added color to the bug with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers - I love how vibrant the colors are. Using a Copic Multiliner 0.3 pen, I added some hash marks to suggest a path through the sentiments.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Poppystamps PSC #42 - Clean and Simple

While surfing around the internet about a week ago, I found a challenge that was right up my alley. Over at Poppystamps, the challenge is 



Here's my card

I love clean and simple - if I have a style, that would be it. I prefer simple, straight lines, lots of white space. For my card, I started with Poppystamps Peony Stems and Blossoms. I stamped the single bloom with VersaFine Onyx Black ink and added color with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers and added some shading with a water brush. The sentiment is from the same stamp set. I added a strip of a black and white printed paper for some contrast.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

STAMPlorations - Typografia in Faith Release

So excited to be in on the release of new Typografia in Faith stamps at STAMPlorations. If you're looking for some faith-based stamps, check out this release and last year's release of Typografia in Faith stamps.

Here are my cards

For the left card, I started with STAMPlorations ARTplorations Just Squares stencil and added distress inks (mustard seed and pumice stone). I masked off a "cross" when adding the pumice stone and then alternated the mask, to add the mustard seed "cross". I stamped using the new Typografia in Faith's My Shepherd with Hero Arts Passion Flower Ink.

For the right card, I started with 96 lb bristol and added Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers in a lower left to upper right path. I then blended the colors with a water brush. I used vellum and silver embossing powder for the sentiment from the new Typografia in Faith's Jesus is the Way. I then adhered the vellum above the colored panel. 

Thanks for stopping by
sue

The Merry Christmas Challenge #11

There is a new challenge at The Merry Christmas Challenge where the theme is 

Always Anything Goes + Christmas

optional: Inspired by the Grinch Movie

Here's my card

For this card, I used silver embossing powder with Sunny Studio's Snow Flurries stamp set for all the snowflakes. For the blue background, I used some blue Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers and blended the colours with a water brush. The central sentiment is die cut from silver shimmer cardstock using STAMPlorations Peace on Earth  CUTplorations die. 

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #255

Hi! I have a new card for the new challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. Here's the sketch




Here's my card

I love the clean and simple look to this sketch. I started with flowers, die cut from scraps of light and bright pink using My Favorite Things Die-namics Flower & Leaf Trio. Using the same colours of cardstock, I cut two strips, using Stampin' Up's Scallop Trim Border Punch for the upper border of the light pink strip. The sentiment uses a stamp from Simon Says STAMP Lots of Thanks stamp set. I competed the card with an adhesive rhinestone at the centre of the flower.

We'd love to see what you create with this sketch. Please join us.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Muse Card Challenge #256

Loved the Muse card by Anita Bowden over at Muse Card Challenge




I was inspired by:
- the monochromatic (teal) colour
- the vellum strip with silver heat embossing
- an anniversary sentiment
- white heart with vine-like foliage

Here's my card

I started with Stampin' Up's Tempting Turquoise ink and cardstock. I stamped using Stampin' Up's Thoughts & Prayers 1 of 2 onto white cardstock. I die cut a heart using Memory Box's Cherub Hearts dies. I used silver embossing powder for the sentiment from Paper Smooches' Good Gab stamp set and heat set it on vellum. Like Anita, I folded over the vellum and adhered it to the back of the turquoise panel. I trimmed the turquoise panel and adhered it to a white card base.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

Less is More Challenge #366

When I think of monochromatic cards or at least black,gray and white cards, I somehow seem to be drawn to sympathy cards. Those neutral colors make me feel solemn and reverent. So, the current challenge at Less is More is



Here's my card

I started with Stampin' Up's Lovely as a Tree stamp set, stamped onto a white panel with Hero Arts Charcoal ink. I found some dark gray patterned paper for the card background and some dark gray ribbon. I tore the bottom edge of the white panel for a bit of interest. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Flower Friend stamp set, heat embossed with white embossing powder. 

Thanks for stopping by
sue

CAS(E) this Sketch #261

Here with another new card. This time, it's for the current challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch.



Here's my card

I scribbled some pink Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers on some 96 lb bristol and blended the colors with a water brush. I then die cut some flowers using MFT Die-namics Flower & Leaf Trio. I used the same dies to cut out some leaves from a scrap of green cardstock. I found some patterned gray paper for the background of the largest flower. The sentiment is from WPlus9 Fresh Cut Florals. I added some rhinestones for the center of the flowers.

Thanks for stopping by
sue