Happy Little Stampers ~ August Watercolour Challenge

Happy August! It's time for a new Watercolour challenge at Happy Little Stampers

Here's my card

For this card, I started with an A2 panel of 96 lb bristol. I smooshed distress inks - tumbled glass, salty ocean, faded jeans onto the panel. After the panel was covered, I spritzed water over the panel and dabbed any extra water with paper towel. The panel ended up a bit wavy from all the water, so I placed it under some heavy paper to flatten it out. I then stamped the fish using Rubbernecker Stamps Fish Group with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added color with Copic markers - B02, B12, R32, R35, Y38, YR04. I then fussy cut the fish and adhered them to the panel. The sentiment is stamped using Sunny Studio's Oceans of Joy stamp set. I used a fine black marker to add the "bubbles" to complete the card.

We'd love to see your watercolour creation.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Die Cut Divas ~ Last Day for July Challenge

Hi Crafty Friends! Our July challenge at Die Cut Divas is 

TONE ON TONE

Our sponsor this month is Birch Press Design. They will be giving our winner a $20 gift certificate.

Here's my card

One way to achieve a tone-on-tone look is to use Versamark ink. This is what I did for my card. Here's a close-up.

I stamped the dandelions repeatedly using Penny Black Flower Sparks stamp set onto a teal A2 card panel. The effect with the Versamark is quite subtle, yet noticeable in real life! For the sentiment, I used Birch Press Designs Hello Sugar Script die. I die cut using the same teal cardstock and also a few using black cardstock. I adhered the die cuts, stacking them to create a bit of dimension. I adhered the sentiment and felt it still need a bit of something, so I added clear Wink of Stella on the letters for a bit of shimmer.

There are still a few hours for you to join us and maybe win the $20 gift certificate.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to CAS ~ Challenge #203

Hi Friends! It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to CAS.

Here's my card

When I saw the code word for our challenge, RAIN, I knew that I had to use Newton's Nook Designs Spring Showers stamp set. I stamped the little duck with their umbrella with Memento Tuxedo Black ink in the bottom right corner of a white A2 card panel. I added color with Copic markers - BT10, C2, R22, V15, Y06, Y15, Y38. I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set on the lower right of the panel. I felt that something was still missing. So, I cut a mask from a post-it note of the duck and their umbrella. I placed the mask on top of the image and added some tumbled glass distress ink, applied with an ink blending tool. 

We'd love to see your RAIN-inspired creations.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #431

Hi Crafty Friends! Are you enjoying watching the Olympics? I am. I just wish we didn't have such a large time difference between Japan and the Pacific Northwest. I think that the gold medal pairings for surfing are scheduled for some time after midnight (my time, obviously). 

Anyway, it's Monday and that means that it's time for a new challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

I think that this is the perfect sketch to use up scraps of patterned paper. Here's my card

I like using 6x6 paper packs because I know that all the papers coordinate. I chose My Minds' Eye Six By Six Happy Day paper pack. I chose 6 different papers and cut 5/8" strips. They varied in length from 3 3/8" to 4 1/8". I arranged them on a light blue A2 card panel. Don't look too carefully because I am now realizing that I didn't weave the vertical strips like the sketch. Oh well, I think it still looks ok! For the sentiment, I used Papertry Ink's Keep It Simple Thank You stamp set.

We'd love to see what you do with this week's sketch.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #410

Hello Crafty Friends! It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More!

Here's my card

I must say that I'm loving layered stencils. Using them, makes it appear that I have some skill when in fact, I'm just adding color with stencils. For this card, I've used Pink Fresh Fancy Floral Print Stencils. Pink Fresh makes it so easy - there are marks on the stencils to show where a A2 card panel fits and the stencils are numbered so you know in what order to proceed, which way is up (LOL!) and how to align the stencil on the panel. I added color with Distress inks - abandoned coral, picked raspberry, mustard seed, mowed lawn, wild honey, bundled sage, all applied with an ink blending tool. I didn't want to cover the pretty panel, so I decided to make an eclipse card, using Birch Design Big Thanks Sugar Script die. I also die cut a piece of white fun foam to add dimension to the die cut. 

We'd love for you to join us - you can use a stencil or die or both!

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Try Stampin' On Tuesday ~ Challenge 516

It's time for a new challenge at Try Stampin' On Tuesday. Here's the sketch for the next two weeks.

Here's my card

When I made this card

I was inspired by Jennifer McGuire when she made these cards

So I gave her "Easy Faux Metallic Texture" technique a try. I started with some dark blue/purple shiny cardstock and Sizzix Tim Holtz Cirque embossing folder. After embossing, I lightly sanded with a sanding block to expose some of the underlying silver color. I had some more of the panel left after making the first card, so I cut a piece 2.25" x 2.5" for this card. I adhered it to a 3" x 4.25" of silver shimmer cardstock. I heat embossed with silver embossing powder the sentiment using Poppy Stamps Peony Stamps and Blossoms set. I then used my Stampin' Up's oval punch to punch out the sentiment. I used a scrap of dark gray cardstock to make a 0.75" x 3 7/8" strip. I found some large purple sparkly brads to add on the ends of the dark gray strip. I decided that the card panel showed best on a black A2 card panel. 

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to CAS ~ Challenge #202

Well, I'm glad that it has cooled down some and that I am back at my crafting table. We have a new challenge for you at Addicted to CAS

Isn't this a great code word? I was inspired. Here's my clean and simple and one-layer card.

I used Catherine Pooler's Geobuilders stamp set with Hero Arts inks - Green Hills, Butter Bar, Soft Cantaloupe inks. I dusted off my Fiskar's Easy Stamping Press. I remember it was one tool I had to have but that was before the MISTI. I thought that it would be easier for me to stamp this card with the stamping press. The disadvantage was that I wouldn't be able to re-stamp using this tool. I was ok with the weathered look that resulted. I added a sentiment with Hero Arts Soft Granite ink and Papertrey Ink's Keep It Simple: Thank You II stamp set. 

We'd love to see how you're inspired by the code word, GEOMETRIC.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Perfectly CAS ~ Challenge #17 July

Hello Crafty Friends! It's time for a new challenge at Perfectly CAS. This month our challenge is

Here's my card

I was inspired by Jennifer McGuire when she made these cards

So I gave her "Easy Faux Metallic Texture" technique a try. I started with some dark blue/purple shiny cardstock and Sizzix Tim Holtz Cirque embossing folder. After embossing, I lightly sanded with a sanding block to expose some of the underlying silver color. I trimmed the panel to 2.25" x 3". I adhered the embossed panel to a light gray A2 card base. I heat embossed with silver embossing powder the sentiment using Poppy Stamps' Peony Stems and Blossoms to complete the card.

We'd love for your to join us with your "embossed" card. Don't forget to only cover less than one-third of your card as that is the main premise of Perfectly CAS. 

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #429

It's Monday and it's time for a new sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. Here is the sketch which we hope will inspire you

I'll be honest with you. I stared at this sketch for some time. I put it down and went and did something else. I came back, hoping I was inspired - nope! I started looking through some stamp sets for some inspiration. I found this super sweet Gina K Designs' You're The Best stamp set and decided to use the cute flower.

I stamped the flower four times using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added color with Copic markers - BG09, C2, R05, Y38, YG63. I trimmed them down to 1.25" x 1.75" rectangles. I'll be honest, I found the scrap of striped patterned paper before I colored the flowers. So, I used the colors of the stripes to guide my color selection of my Copics. The sentiment uses Mint Owl Studio's Banner Sentiments I and was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Everything was adhered to a light gray A2 card base.

I'm looking forward to seeing how others were inspired by this week's sketch. 

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Die Cut Divas ~ July Challenge

Phew! So glad that the heat wave has moved on. I can get back to doing the things I love like crafting. We have a new challenge at Die Cut Divas. Our theme this month is 

Tone On Tone

Our sponsor this month is Birch Press Design. They will be giving our winner a $20 gift certificate.

Here's my card

It's a simple card. I found some tone on tone patterned houndstooth paper. I trimmed it to 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" and adhered it to a natural A2 card base. I die cut the sentiment from a scrap of natural cardstock using Birch Press Design's Big Thanks Sugar Script die. The card seemed a bit stark, so I added a paper flower with a gold brad.

We'd love to see your tone on tone creations.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #409

Yup, so I'm a bit late with my card. I know that Mother's Day was almost two months ago. Just thought I'd share though. We have a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More

Here's my clean and simple, one layer card

I stamped these pretty spring flowers using Clearly Besotted's Scene It Flowers with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added color with Copic markers. I really like the daffodils that have a bit of orange on them. I'm not sure if there is a similar daffodil in real life but in my mind there is - LOL! The sentiment uses Clearly Besotted's Happy Days stamp set and Hero Arts Charcoal ink. 

We'd love to see your "occasion" creation. 

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Happy Little Stampers ~ July Stencil Challenge

 Happy July! It's time for a new challenge at Happy Little Stampers ~ Stencil Challenge.

Here's my card

I started this card with one of Simon Says STAMP's Simple Patterns Trio stencils - the horizontal stripes. I added color with distress inks (worn lipstick, stormy sky, scattered straw) applied with an ink blending tool. I thought about stamping some kind of silhouette but decided on using Paper Smooches' dainty flowers die and black cardstock. I think it's quite striking against the pretty background. I added the sentiment from Poppy Stamps Peony Stems and Blossoms using Memento Tuxedo Black ink to complete the card.

I really like the simplicity of this stencil. I can see myself using it again and again and again.

We'd love to see your stencil creations.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Try Stampin' On Tuesday ~ Challenge #514

 It's Tuesday and that means we have a new challenge for you at Try Stampin' On Tuesday. Here's our sketch that hopefully will inspire you

Here's my card

I just donated 75 "thank you" cards to my favorite non-profit. They have received good feedback from their donors when they receive one of my handmade "thank you" cards. I figure it makes space for my next card creations - right? I think it's a win-win situation. So, I thought I'd start to replenish my "thank you" card stash. For this card, I decided to use kraft cardstock. I haven't played with it recently and it was time. I started by embossing a A2 card panel with Provocraft Cuttlebug Chicken Wire embossing folder. I found a scrap of polka dot cardstock that I cut into a 0.75" x 4.25" strip. For the scallop border, I used a Simon Says STAMP's Scallop Stitches die. For the sentiment, I stamped onto a scrap of natural cardstock the sentiment using Ink Blot Shop's Botanical Borders stamp set and Hero Arts Tide Pool ink. I then used Stampin' Up's oval punch to punch out the sentiment. I also used Stampin' Up's scalloped oval punch to punch out a mat using a darker kraft cardstock. I used some hemp twine to add a bit of texture to the card.

I hope you're inspired by this week's sketch. We'd love for you to join us.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Happy Little Stampers ~ July Christmas Challenge

After several days of scorching hot temperatures and humidity, with no air conditioning (I live in the Pacific Northwest and AC is pretty rare), it's feeling a bit more normal. It definitely doesn't feel like the beginning of July at all.

Anyway, it's time for a new challenge at Happy Little Stampers ~ Christmas Challenge

Here's my card

I went with something totally different for Christmas - no traditional Christmas color and no traditional "icons" - you know, Christmas trees, wreaths, Santa, holly. For this card, I used The Ton's Holiday Flourish stamp set with Hero Art inks - Ultra Pink, Lime Green, Summer Sky, Charcoal and Soft Granite. I added some sequins for a bit of shine and sparkle. Maybe, if it didn't say "Merry Christmas", people wouldn't recognize it as a Christmas card. What do you think?

We'd love to see your Christmas card.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to CAS ~ Challenge #201

We've been going through a bit of a heat wave here in the Pacific Northwest. People will laugh at us - we've had temperatures around 100 degrees fahrenheit. However, these temperatures are not common and most of us don't have air conditioners. In fact, there have been at least 65 sudden death calls, related to the extreme heat, in my city alone over the last few days. It's even too hot to craft (oh my)!

However, I did manage to make a card for the current challenge at Addicted to CAS

At least, thinking about winter and snow, helped to cool me down. Here's my card

I had my watercolors out and picked up my Simon Says STAMP's Chunky Christmas stamp set. I started out with an A2 panel of 96 lb bristol. I heat embossed the "MERRY" with gold embossing powder and added some distress ink (salty ocean, peacock feathers, twisted citron) with some water and a paint brush. I was trying for a bit of an ombre look. To complete the card, I heat embossed the word "Christmas" from the same stamp set onto a scrap of teal cardstock, again with gold embossing powder. That's my one layer, clean and simple Christmas card.

We'd love to have you join us.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Rainbow Card Challenge ~ July Challenge

UGH - I feel like I've lost several days due to a crazy heat wave here in the Pacific Northwest. Most of us don't have AC in our homes and some don't have AC in their cars either. My apartment was around 90 degrees F. It was impossible for me to craft; heck I could barely think. I'm grateful that it now seems that we're getting more comfortable temperatures and there is a nice cool breeze today. So, it's time to catch up.

We have a new challenge at Rainbow Card Challenge

Here's my card

My card highlights mostly patterned papers using Stampin' Up's Designer Series Paper Patterns Pack - In Color 2010-12. Yup, I collect patterned paper. I used Simon Says STAMP's Hexagon Tiles die to die cut the hexagons from a variety of patterned papers. I arranged them on a light gray A2 card panel and adhered them in a bit of an organic pattern, leaving a void for the sentiment. I die cut the sentiment using Simon Says STAMP's Just Words No. 1 from some "cherry" cardstock.

We'd love to see what you create

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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