Happy Little Stampers ~ May Challenge

How is it possible that it's already May? I feel that March felt like an eternity and "poof" before I know it, April has come and gone?

It's time for a new challenge at Happy Little Stampers ~ Watercolour Challenge. This month, the challenge is

Here's my card

I started by heat embossing this darling image using STAMPlorations' Sketched: Tulips stamp set, which sadly was discontinued. I used clear embossing powder. I added colour with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers (Red, May Green) and a water brush. I love the effect! It almost looks like I know what I'm doing - LOL! I trimmed the panel and matted with a matching cardstock. The sentiment is from Paper Smooches' Chit Chat stamp set. 

We'd love to see how you are inspired by this month's challenge.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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CAS(E) this Sketch: Challenge #369

Had some creative mojo going on and am joining the current challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch! where the current sketch is

Here's my card

I started with iStencil's Repeat 27-00149 R SC stencil - unfortunately, it doesn't have a "name". I masked off each row of parallelograms separately and inked them up with distress inks (Picked Raspberry, Wilted Violet, Blueprint Sketch), applied with an ink blending tool onto a white A2 card base. The sentiment is from Ink Blot Shop - Botanical Borders stamp set. A one layer, clean and simple card. Ahhhh!

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #387

It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More! Our new challenge will be

Here's my card

I started by stamping Penny Black's Fresh cling stamp onto an A2 white card panel with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added color with Copic markers E47, YG63, YR04, YR07. The sentiment is from Your Next Stamp's Whatnot Sentiments Four stamp set. I trimmed the panel and matted with a dark orange cardstock.

We'd love to see what you create with our Make Your Mark challenge!

Thanks for stopping by
sue

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CASology : Week 366: Zodiac

When I saw this week's cue card at CASology, I was intrigued. Here's the cue card

I checked out the inspiration provided by the design team. I was pretty sure that I didn't have anything "zodiac"-related. That was until I remembered a Mama Elephant set - Lunar Animals that I had thanks to a friend who was downsizing her stash, which included both the stamp set and matching dies. 

Here's my card - well actually it's two cards. The dragon card for my sister because, well, she's born in the Year of the Dragon. The cow card is for my brother because, he's born in the Year of the Cow. Clever, eh?

I stamped the images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added color with Copic markers - C5, R11, W2, W3 for the cow; V06, Y15 for the cow's party hat; E37, Y15, Y17, YG06, YG09, YR07 for the dragon; R37, Y15 for the dragon's party hat. I used the matching dies to cut the images out. For the backgrounds, I cut a piece of light green using Creative Memories 12" decorative trimmer for the hills. I adhered the green to 2" squares of light blue cardstock. To make the images pop a bit more, I matted them with black cardstock. The sentiment is from Clearly Besotted's Say What? stamp set. 

Now, the challenge will be to put the cards somewhere safe because my sister's birthday is in August and my brother's birthday is in December!

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to CAS ~ Challenge #183

How are you doing? We're definitely living through some crazy times. I'm sort of obsessed with the daily updates from our Provincial Health Officer. She has such a calm demeanor and is reassuring and kind. 

We have a new challenge at Addicted to CAS

Here's my card

For my card, I tore some post-it tape longitudinally so that I would have "organic" edges masking the roughly 1.5" vertical area. I added distress inks (mustard seed, mowed lawn, faded jeans) with an ink blending tool. I carefully removed the post-it tape and stamped the silhouette image from Stampin Up's Just Believe stamp set with Versafine Onyx Black ink. The simple sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP's Lots of Thanks stamp set. I trimmed the panel down and matted with black cardstock to frame the panel.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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AAA Cards ~ CAS Game #163

The current challenge at AAA Cards was one I just couldn't resist. 

I loved the sketch - the possibilities were endless. I'm keeping this sketch in my back pocket - well, not literally but it'll be one that I'll use again and again.

Here's my card

So, I started with the sentiment, which I received in a pack of random stamps from Unity Stamps. I found that it's from a stamp set called Own Wings. I loved the sentiment. I used the tree and bird from The Alley Way's Trees Company stamp set. I used Hero Arts Cup O'Joe for the tree. I meant to stamp the bird with Memento ink but forgot and stamped with Versafine Onyx Black ink, which meant I used Prismacolor Premier colored pencils to color in the bird. A one-layer clean and simple card - just as I like!

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Less is More Challenge #417

I was intrigued by the current challenge at Less is More

I'm glad that the folks at Less is More mentioned bokeh, watercolor stamping, airbrushed backgrounds. When I read watercolor stamping, I knew what to do. Here's my card

I started with an A2 panel of 96 lb bristol. I used the fern leaves from Unity Stamp's Moments in Bloom stamp set. I placed the stamp and panel in my MISTI. I inked up the stamp with mowed lawn distress ink and spritzed the stamp before "closing the door" of the MISTI. I felt that it needed a bit more color, so I inked up the edges of the stamp with forest moss distress ink and spritzed the stamp before "closing the door" of the MISTI. The stamped image wasn't out of focus enough, so I used a brush with some water to blur the image a bit more. The sentiment is from Ink Blot Shop's Botanical Borders stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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CAS(E) this Sketch! Challenge #368

Phew! I made it. I'm good at intentions and not so good at completion. Last week, I made a card for the challenge here at CAS(E) this Sketch! Did I take a photo and write a blog post in time - of course not! However, this week, it's a different result. Here' is this week's challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch!

Here's my interpretation

I was looking through my stamp collection and found CAS-ual Fridays Big Thanks stamp set, which I've never used ... until now. I also pulled out my Ken Oliver's Color Bursts - Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue and Lemon Yellow. I pulled out some scraps of 96 lb bristol and with some water and the color bursts, made three panels. Once the panels dried, I stamped the three words, one per panel and trimmed the panels to 1.25" squares. I liked the "thank you thank you thank you" stamp for the sentiment. It felt like it needed something more. So, I added a thin strip of striped patterned paper.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #365

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

Here's my card

I started this card by choosing a 6x6 paper pack - I chose My Mind's Eye - The Sweetest Thing - Tangerine. When working with a 6x6 paper pack, all the colors coordinate. They've done all the work for me. I chose four patterned papers and cut 4.25" x 1.25" strips. I assembled them onto an A2 kraft panel. For the sentiment element, I die cut a circle from kraft cardstock using Sizzix circle dies and a scalloped circle using off-white cardstock using Spellbinders Scalloped Circles dies. For the flowers, I used My Favorite Things Flower & Leaf Trio Die-namics and scraps of cardstock. The sentiment is from Paper Smooches' Birthday Sampler stamp set. To complete the card, I added some rhinestones to the centers of the flowers.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

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STAMPlorations CAS April Challenge ~ Reminder Post

Have you had a chance to join us at STAMPlorations CAS for this month's challenge?

Here's a card to inspire you

So for this card, it's CAS and I used a bit of the "optional color twist" of lemon yellow. However, I added to it. For the background, I spread some mustard seed, carved pumpkin and spiced marmalade distress ink with a water brush on an A2 panel of 96 lb bristol. I then stamped a butterfly from STAMPlorations' Grateful Flutters stamp set. I added color with a paint brush, a bit of water and distress inks (worn lipstick, ripe persimmon, picked raspberry, hickory smoke) to the butterfly. To make some of the color more vibrant, I also used some Prismacolor Premier colored pencils. I stamped the sentiment, using STAMPlorations' Trendy Birds 2 stamp set and Versafine Onyx Black ink.

Hope this inspires you to join us. There is still time!

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Perfectly CAS ~ April Challenge

How is it the middle of April already? In some ways, March seemed to drag on forever and now it's already the middle of April. Does this mean that I'm getting used to this "stay at home" order? I know, that I haven't used the "extra" time wisely. So much I should be doing, instead I'm playing games and napping!

It's time for a new challenge at Perfectly CAS. Remember only cover up to one third of your card!

Here's my card

I started by cutting a mask using a repositionable label and a 2" Sizzix circle die. Onto an A2 white card base, I positioned the mask and added distress inks (mustard seed, mowed lawn, faded jeans) and also added some silhouettes using Versafine Onyx black ink and Technique Tuesday's Wildflowers stamp set. I carefully removed the mask and stamped the sentiment from Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments stamp set. Here's a clean and simple one layer card where I covered less than one-third of the card.

We'd love for you to join us this month.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge # 385

Hi Friends! How are things in your neck of the woods?  I went to the grocery store today. I knew that they opened at 9am so I arrived about 8:50. We were lined up around the corner - safely more than 6' apart! When the store opened at 9am, I got in and found everything I was looking for. There was no toilet paper. However, I still have enough - for now!

It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More! This week the challenge is a photo challenge.

Here's my card

I stamped the image using Penny Black's Floral Fusion stamp set with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on light gray cardstock. I added colour with Copic markers E21, R32, Y17. I trimmed the panel down and matted with black cardstock. I adhere the panel on a white A2 card base. The sentiment is from Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments stamp set. To complete the card, I added a shimmery gray bow to the corner.

Anxious to see how you are inspired by this week's photo inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Tic Tac Toe Challenge TTTC059

Who doesn't love a game of tic tac toe? I'm joining in at Tic Tac Toe Challenge where the current board is

Here's my card. I went with the vertical line down the center of the board - pink, orange, yellow.

I started by stamping the border on a white A2 panel with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added colour with Copic markers RV23, Y15, YR04, W2 and I added some additional shading with Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils. I added a simple sentiment from the same stamp set. I trimmed the panel down slightly and adhered it to a black A2 card panel to frame the original panel.

Thanks for stopping by
sue

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CAS on Friday ~ Challenge #177

I've missed participating in card challenges. Life just got in the way. However, I find myself with a bit more time (LOL!) to spend at my craft table. So, I was able to create something for the current challenge at CAS on Friday. The current challenge is

BLACK, WHITE AND ONE COLOR

*Please Don't forget to make it CAS!*

Here's my card

Clearly, it's mostly black and white with five little dots of yellow. I pulled out my Poppy Stamps Bubble Daisy Border die and die cut the border. With a scrap of yellow cardstock, I also die cut five centers of the daisy. On the main panel, I stamped a simple sentiment using Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments with Versafine Onyx Black ink. I adhered the main panel and the outline die cut to an A2 black panel. I then adhered the five yellow centers to the daisies to complete the card. 

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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CASology: Week 365

With all the "stay at home" orders, I'm finding that I have some more time at my craft table (well, and more time for naps, too!). I'm joining in the current challenge at CASology

Here's my card

Well, to be honest, I didn't think that I had a kite stamp. I dug through my "old" Stampin Up sets and found a kite stamp in the Little Layers stamp set. I started by masking off the top 2" of an A2 card panel with post-it tape. I then stamped the kite, three times in varying orientations. I also stamped the kite onto some post-it notes and cut the kite part to use as masks. I then inked up the top 2" using tumbled glass distress ink and then using Simon Says STAMP's Clouds for Days stencil, I added salty ocean distress ink. I carefully removed the post-it tape and masks. I added colour to the kites with Copic markers (B02, G05, R35, V15, Y15, YR16. For the sentiment, I used a clear sticker from STAMPlorations New Day clear sticker pack. 

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to CAS ~ Challenge #182

Well, one thing I can say for self-isolation and social distancing, that as an introvert, I'm enjoying "me" time. It gives me more time for crafting - which is a very good thing. Hope you and yours are safe.

It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to CAS




Here's my card

As I was searching through my stamp sets looking for an "animal", I came across this toucan. Reminds me of Toucan Sam, the mascot for Froot Loops breakfast cereal. I stamped the image, using the Your Next Stamp's Jungle Critters stamp set and Memento Tuxedo black ink. I coloured the image with Copics B02, R29, Y17, YG03, C5, E21 and fussy cut it. The sentiment is from the same stamp set. I however, covered the word "love" with a piece of post-it tape while inking the stamp and then removing it before stamping. The sentiment is actually "Here's a toucan of my love". Using the same Copic markers, I made a striped piece of cardstock from which, I die cut the sentiment using Simon Says STAMP's Just Words No. 1 dies. I used some washi tape (egads, I actually used some washi tape!) as a vertical border on the right and adhered the die cut below the stamped part of the sentiment. I adhered the toucan, on a bit of an angle - probably just because I could!

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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AAA Cards - Challenge #162

Found some creative juices and enjoyed some crafty time. The current challenge at AAA Cards is

Here's my card

I timed myself - just under 10 minutes. Pretty crazy, eh? Well, the optional twist of this challenge made this card so easy to do. I started with STAMPlorations ARTplorations Prim Triangles stencil and masked off part of the repeating pattern. I chose three distress inks (picked raspberry, blueprint sketch and wilted violet) and added them somewhat randomly with an ink blending tool. I carefully removed the stencil. For the sentiment, I used Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments, stamped with Versafine Onyx Black ink. That's it - so easy. A one-layer card in under 10 minutes. It can be done!

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Less is More Challenge #416 - OLC No Sentiment

It's nice to have some time to join in various card challenges, like Less is More where the challenge is 

Here's my card

On an A2 white card base, I lightly marked where the corners of my frame would be with a pencil. I then stamped a variety of small flowers inside the marks using Hero Arts Spring Hello by Lia, Hero Arts Garden Flowers by Lia and Gina K's Mini Wreath Builder stamp sets. I used Hero Arts inks (butter bar, fresh peach, tide pool, green hills, soft cantaloupe, soft pink). I erased the pencil marks and with a fine black marker, drew a frame around the flowers. 

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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A Blog Named Hero ~ March Challenge

So happy to have found time to join the fun at A Blog Named Hero where the current challenge is

So, I typically make cards so making "anything but a card" is a bit of a stretch but I was up for the challenge. 

Here's what I made

A bookmark - I'm finding that I'm having more "time" to read these days. I'm always needing a bookmark - I don't want to fold over the corner and having something prettier than a post-it note would be a great idea. I started with a 2" x 5.5" strip of white cardstock. I stamped flowers using Hero Arts Flowers for Coloring stamp set, with Memento Tuxedo black ink. I added color with Copic markers - B60, B93, BG13, BG15, R32, R35, V12, Y17, YG06, YG09, YR15. I have to say that I wasn't sure about the shading around all the flowers and the edge of the bookmark. However, I'm pretty happy with how it all turned out. I punched a hole with a hole punch and added some bakers twine to complete the bookmark.

Thanks for stopping by
sue


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Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #363

The world and this pandemic is super crazy! While I now have time to craft more, I tend to find that I'm continuously checking the stats to see how we and the rest of the world are doing - how many more cases of COVID 19 and how many more deaths related to it. I keep hoping for a "flatter" curve ....

We need distractions from the doom and gloom. Perhaps, this week's challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge will inspire you to sit down in your craft space

Here's my card

A friend of mine was getting rid of music books. I asked for a couple - I thought I'd find ways to use music sheets as patterned paper. So I cut one music staff and used it for my horizontal strip. I looked for some patterned papers with the same tones and used them for the rectangles. Since I was going with a music theme, I used CAS-ual Fridays Love Notes stamp set for the sentiment and the music notes, that I stamped with Hero Arts Soft Cantaloupe ink. I also added an eighth note, using CAS-ual Fridays' Hearts Note Fri-die cut from a bright blue. This same colour was used to punch a scalloped oval using Stampin' Up's Scalloped Oval punch. The sentiment was punched out using Stampin' Up's Oval punch. 

Hope you're inspired.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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CAS(E) this Sketch! Challenge #365

It's been awhile since I've been able to join card challenges. Lately, I seem to have "more time" on my hands to craft - thanks covid 19! I have a card for the current challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch!

When I first say this sketch, I thought - "nah, I have nothing"! However, I thought about it a bit more and thought, if I rotate it 90 degrees, what could I do. Then it occurred to me. Here's my card

Admittedly, I took some "liberties" with the original sketch. I moved the "triangle" and I moved the sentiment. So, my issue, was do I have an airplane stamp. Apparently, I do not or at least not one I could find! So, I recalled that I had an airplane die - Impression Obsessions' DIE186-G. I die cut a black airplane. Using the size of the airplance, I placed post-it tape to create the triangle area. I inked it with pumice stone distress ink, applied with an ink blending tool. I stamped the sentiment from STAMPlorations' Trendy Butterflies 2 stamp set. I then removed the post-it tape and added the "sky" using an ink blending tool and tumbled glass distress ink. I felt, it needed something more. I found my Simon Says STAMP's Clouds for Days stencil. Using it and salty ocean distress ink, I "made" some clouds in my sky. I made my sky seem "poof-y". 

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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STAMPlorations CAS ~ April Challenge

It doesn't seem right for April Fool's jokes with what is going on in the world with COVID 19. However, one thing that I'm appreciating is the staying at home, crafting. Well, it helps that I'm retired and don't have a job to have to go to.

It's time for a new challenge at STAMPlorations CAS. This month, our challenge is

Here's my card

It's a pretty simple card today. I used STAMPlorations ARTplorations Flutterby stencil, mustard seed distress ink applied with an ink blending tool on a piece of light yellow cardstock for a tone-on-tone look. I added antennae with a silver gel pen. The sentiment is from STAMPlorations Hope Blooms stamp set, stamped with Hero Arts Soft Granite ink. 

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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