Happy Little Stampers ~ May Watercolour Challenge

Happy May! We have a new challenge for you at Happy Little Stampers ~ Watercolour Challenge

Well, I didn't include any flowers on my card as I didn't incorporate the optional theme of flowers on my card. Here's my card

For my card, I started with an A2 panel of 130 lb Strathmore watercolor paper. I used Impression Obsession's Cover-A-Card Flourishes stamp, Versamark ink and white embossing powder which I heat set. I lightly sprinkled Ken Oliver Craft's Color Burst powders - Lemon Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, Pthalo Green. I then spritzed water and watched the magic happen. The colors blended in some areas and in other areas the colors stayed very concentrated. I used a paper towel to remove any excess pools of water. When I was happy, I left the panel to dry. Of course, the panel didn't dry flat, so I placed it under some heavy books to flatten it. For the sentiment, I used Simon Says STAMP's Thank You wafter dies with a scrap of light teal and vellum. I adhered the layers of the sentiment and then adhered it to the card panel. To complete my card, I used double sided tape to glue the watercolor panel to a white A2 card base.

We'd love to see your watercolor cards in our gallery this month. Your choice - with flowers or no flowers. 

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Die Cut Divas ~ Altenew Cornflowers

Our sponsor this month at Die Cut Divas is Altenew.

They will be awarding our winner an Artist's Watercolor 24 pan set, valued at $49.99. Thank you so much for your generosity.

Our challenge this month, in line with Altenew's amazing prize for our winner is

WATER COLORING

Here's my card

For my card, I used Altenew's Build-A-Flower: Cornflower Layering Stamp set. Although, I only stamped the outlines with Versafine Onyx Black ink on 96 lb bristol. I watercolored the images by smooshing some ink from the cubes onto a plastic place mat. I picked up some ink with a slightly wet paint brush. I find that when I use a water brush, there is too much water and I can't seem to control the amount of water. So I use a paint brush that I can dry off, if necessary. I used distress inks - fossilized amber, spiced marmalade, carved pumpking, ripe persimmon, picked raspberry, twisted citron, mowed lawn. When the images dried, I die cut them using the coordinating Altenew's Build-A-Flower: Cornflower die set. For the background, I used Provocraft Cuttlebug's Chicken Wire embossing folder with green cardstock. I chose to use the debossed side of the paper. I adhered the flowers and popped one flower up with dimensionals. For the sentiment, I used a stamp from Altenew's Sweetest Peas stamp set, stamped on a scrap of light pink cardstock. I die cut it with a My Favorite Things Skinny Strips Die-namics die. I used double-sided tape to adhere the green panel to a white A2 card base to complete my card.

Today's the last day for you to add your watercolor creation (please be sure to add a die cut) to our gallery to be eligible for the fabulous Altenew prize.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Try Stampin' On Tuesday ~ Challenge #604

I got lucky. I chipped a tooth yesterday eating pita chips. My dentist was closed yesterday so first thing today, I called to see if they could squeeze me in. They could! YIPPEE! Then, I wondered if the tooth would be pulled and then I'd need a super, expensive implant. I only saw dollar signs. However, my dentist was able to repair it with minimal pain and expensive. I'm counting my blessings! 

Enough about me. It's time for a new challenge at Try Stampin' On Tuesday.

Optional Theme: brads/eyelets

Here's my card

I started with an old Stampin' Up 6x6 paper pack called Cherry On Top for my color inspiration. I used Hero Arts Pary Confetti Stencil that was part of the Crop & Create Delivered Fall 2022 kit. I added color, randomly, using that stencil on a white A2 card panel with distress inks (saltwater taffy, evergreen bough, fossilized amber, mowed lawn) applied with oval ink blending brushes. I cut strips which I cut into fishtail banners from paper in my color inspiration pack. For the sentiment, I stamped it using Simon Says STAMP's It's Your Birthday stamp set and Concord & 9th's Oceanside and Parsley inks on white cardstock. I trimmed the white cardstock to 3 1/2" x 1 3/4". I adhered the sentiment panel using brads. I dusted off my We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile to punch the holes for the brads. 

Looking forward to seeing how you were inspired by our sketch this week. We'd love to have you add your creation to our gallery.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to CAS ~ Challenge #236

We have an awesome challenge starting now at Addicted to CAS.

Isn't the code word great? It sure made me think. Here's what I came up with

I love stained glass windows and when I saw this Cathedral Die from The Greetery, I just knew I had to have it. I die cut the "frame" twice using black cardstock. I glued the two layers together to get a bit of dimension. I then die cut a piece of vellum and colored each piece of "glass" on the back side with Sharpie markers. I carefully kept all the pieces in "order" on my craft table. I chose a light gray A2 card panel as my background. I glued down the window "frame" and then adhered the pieces of "glass". For the sentiment, I used Lawn Fawn's Wavy Sayings stamp set and die cut it out using the coordinating Lawn Fawn's Simply Wavy Banners die set. I popped up the sentiment for a bit more dimension.

We'd love to see how you're inspired by our code word this fortnight. Looking forward to seeing your creations in our gallery.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #444

Sadly, it seems like I'm knowing more and more people who are passing away. Is it because I'm "old"? One of my co-workers passed away unexpectedly a couple of weekends ago. Before that, it was one of my neighbours who passed away a couple of months ago. I'm finding that I'm needing more Sympathy cards than I did before. 

We have a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More!

This challenge was a great one for a sympathy card. Here's my card

I remember my mom telling me that she preferred a simple card when shopping for sympathy cards. I feel that the clean and simple style really works for sympathy cards. For my card, I made a circle mask using a Sizzix circle die. For the  background, I used Stampin' Up's French Script background stamp. My background stamp is one of those on a wooden block. I found it easiest to place the wooden block on my desk, stamp facing up. I inked up the stamp with Versafine Onyx Black ink and then placed the white card panel with the mask in place and rubbed to help transfer the ink. I added the silhouette of little flowers using Technique Tuesday's Growing Wild stamp set. I carefully removed the mask and then stamped the sentiment using Clear Besotted's Many Mini Messages stamp set. I trimmed the panel down slightly so that I could mat with a black A2 card panel. To complete the card, I adhered the black panel to a white card base.

We'd love to see your "any occasion" card in our gallery this next fortnight.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #521

Happy Monday Crafty Friends! We have a new sketch for this week's challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

Here's my card

For my card, instead of using strips of colored cardstock, I chose instead to incorporate lines of color using a stencil. I used STAMPlorations' All Swirls stencil and distress inks - wilted violet, blueprint sketch, mowed lawn, mustard seed and spiced marmalade, applied with oval ink blending brushes on a white A2 card panel. For the sentiment, I used Simon Says STAMP's It's Your Birthday stamp set with Concord & 9th's Dove ink. I matted the wide sentiment with blue carstock to help it stand against the colorful background. I added some die cut balloons using Paper Smooches' Balloons dies and W Plus 9's Whole Lotta Happy dies. I added some silver thread (which clearly came off a spool) for the balloon string. I guess it looks like it's windy! LOL!

We'd love to see your interpretation of our sketch in our gallery.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Try Stampin' On Tuesday ~ Challenge #602

I guess it's back to the grind today after a four day weekend for Easter. It's definitely getting more difficult waking up early to go to work! The night owl in me that has been absent for decades seems to be making a comeback. 

It's time for a new challenge at Try Stampin' On Tuesday.

Here's my card

For my card, I combined both rainbow (with the colors I chose) and the sketch. I started with a scrap of 96 lb bristol that I had watercolored with picked raspberry and a waterbrush. I love the different tones of color achieved with watercolor. I die cut it as the base for the gift using STAMPlorations Gift Builder #1 while I used a silver shimmer cardstock for the fun top die cut layer. For the inked panel, I used Pink & Main's Celebrate Stencil with distress inks - picked raspberry, spiced marmalade, mustard seed, mowed lawn, peacock feathers, blueprint sketch and wilted violet. I inked blended each colr on a bit of a diagonal, working to blend the colors where they overlapped. I cut the panel down to 2 3/4" x 4 1/2". For the sentiment, I stamped using Clearly Besotted's Many Mini Messages on a scrap of teal cardstock which I then die cut using a My Favorite Thing's Skinny Strips die. I attached all the elements on a mid-tone gray A2 card panel which was then adhered to a white A2 card base to complete my card.

We'd love to see your creations in our gallery. Will you be inspired by "rainbow" or the sketch or both?

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Die Cut Divas ~ Watercoloring with Altenew

Our sponsor this month at Die Cut Divas is Altenew.

They will be awarding our winner an Artist's Watercolor 24 pan set, valued at $49.99. Thank you so much for your generosity.

Our challenge this month, in line with Altenew's amazing prize for our winner is

WATER COLORING

Here is my card

For my card, I used Altenew's Hello Sunshine stamp set. I stamped the various flowers and foliage randomly wiht Versafine Onyx Black ink on 140 lb Strathmore watercolor paper. I added color with distress inks (fossilized amber, carved pumpkin, picked raspberry, wilted violet, blueprint sketch, peacock feathers, twisted citron, mowed lawn), some water and a paint brush. I smooshed the ink on a plastic place mat and with a slightly wet paint brush, picked up some color and added it to the flowers and foliage. I think it looks best when you leave a little white space here and there. Once the panel dried, I "flattened it" under some heavy books. For the sentiment, I used Altenew's Floral Shadow stamp set, silver embossing powder and vellum. I heat embossed the sentiment and the die cut the sentiment using a Kat Scrappiness' Mini Slimline Embossed Edge die. I adhered the vellum element onto the panel and then adhered the watercolor paper to a white A2 card base to complete my card.

We'd love to see your watercolor creations in our gallery - just be sure to use water on your card and don't forget to use a die!

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Happy Little Stampers ~ April Anything Goes with Dies Challenge

Grab your favorite die(s)! It's time for a new challenge at Happy Little Stampers ~ Anything Goes with Dies

Here's my card

I decided to go with an inlaid die cut card this month. For my card, I used Memory Box's Aubrey Bloom die set. I used the die to die cut some white cardstock. I added color with distress inks - ripe persimmon and bundled sage and mini oval ink blending brushes. I used the same die to die cut a light blue A2 card panel on the left side of the panel. I stamped the sentiment using Clearly Besotted's A Little Sentimental stamp set and Versafine Onyx Black ink. I trimmed the panel slightly and matted with a royal blue A2 card panel. I inlaid the inked up die cut, applying glue to the "opening". 

We'd love to see how you use your favorite die(s) or maybe a new die or maybe just the die that's been missing that you just found.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to CAS ~ Challenge #235

Hi Crafty Friends! It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to CAS. For the next fortnight, our challenge will be

Here's my card

When I think of a garden, I think of flowers. For my card, I used Simon Says STAMP's Slimline Floral stencil. I used scraps of printer paper to help me keep the colors separate - although there are some places where that didn't work perfectly. I used distress inks - mowed lawn, peacock feathers, ripe persimmon applied with oval ink blending brushes. For the sentiment, I used a STAMPlorations' clear sticker from Inspirational #1 Clear Sticker pack to complete my card.

We'd love to see your garden-inspired card in our gallery.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Happy Little Stampers ~ April Stencil Challenge

I love crafting with stencils. They are relatively easy to use, they are relatively inexpensive and when storing, they take up very little space. I have quite the collection. 

We have a new challenge at Happy Little Stampers ~ Stencil Challenge. 

Here's my card

For my card, I started with an A2 panel of 140 lb Strathmore watercolor paper. I grabbed a Simon Says STAMP's Simple Patterns Trio stencil. With some scrap paper to mask the various stripes so that inks didn't overlayp, I added color using distress inks - shaded lilac, dried marigold, scattered straw, old paper, speckled egg, pumice stone, victorian velvet, applied with oval ink blending brushes. I then spritzed the inked area with a little water to add the impression of some texture. I let the panel dry. I then stamped the floral bouquet and sentiment using Gina K Design's Wild Blossomos stamp set and Versafine Onyx Black ink. The panel wouldn't lay flat, so I left in under some heavy books overnight and then adhered the panel to a white A2 card panel to complete the card.

We'd love to see your stenciled creations in our gallery this month. Let's get inky!

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #443

It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More! For the next fortnight, our challenge is

Here's my card

For my card, I used Taylored Expressions' Create-in-Quads Layering Stencil - Birthday. Each layer is set up so that you can add one color at a time, without having to mask. Layering stencils make adding multiple colors so easy. It's just a bit of an arm workout - LOL! For this card, I used picked raspberry, twisted citron, mermaid lagoon distress inks, applied with oval ink blending brushes. For the sentiment, I used PinkFresh Studio's Scripted Greeting die set. To be sure to match the pink, I ink blended some white cardstock with picked raspberry distress ink and die cut the word from it. For the shadow layer, I used vellum. 

We'd love to see your birthday creations in our gallery.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Happy Little Stampers ~ April Christmas Challenge

I don't know about you but for me, it's never too early to start on Christmas 2023 cards. You may think it is. However, you're going to blink and it's going to be November. At least, it's that way for me. We have a new challenge this month at Happy Little Stampers ~ Christmas Challenge that might get your creative juices going.

Here's my card and I didn't use the optional theme of Jingle Bells.

I love snowmen and this image from Colorado Craft Company's Sweet Snowman stamp set doesn't disappoint. I stamped the image using Memento Tuxedo Black ink on a white card panel. I made a mask using a large post-it note by stamping the snowman again and fussy cutting it out, extending the ground a little to both sides. I placed the mask over the stamped image. I made a large circle mask, again using a large post-it note and a Sizzix circle die. I placed this around the snowman. I then inked up the sky behind the snowman using distress inks - tumbled glass and blueprint sketch, by lightly ink blending with oval ink blending brushes. I carefully removed both masks. I added the sentiment using Create-A-Smile's Cool Buddies stamp set. I trimmed the white panel slightly and masked with a blue A2 card panel. I adhered the completed panel to a white A2 card base to complete my card.

We'd love to see your Christmas cards in our gallery this month.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #519

Happy Monday crafty friends. It's time for a new challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

Here's my card

To be perfectly honest, I didn't know what a step card was. I checked the internet and found some instructions. I think it turned out pretty good, for my first step card. For the critters, I used Your Next Stamp's Bitty Bugs. I stamped the critters on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added color with Copic markers - B00, BG05, BG72, BV02, BV13, C5, C7, G14, R29, Y15, Y38, YG23 and then fussy cut the critters. For the background, I inked up a white A2 card panel using Simon Says STAMP's Clouds for Days stencil and distress inks - Mustard Seed, Picked Raspberry, Wilted Violet and Blueprint Sketch. I cut the A2 panel into the sizes I needed for the middle panel and two side panels. For the sentiment, I used a scrap of pink cardstock and the same Your Next Stamp's stamp set. I die cut the sentiment using a die from My Favorite Things' Skinny Strips Die-namics. to make the critters feel like they are flying, I attached them to the card using strips of acetate and some glue. 

Here's another photo

We'd love to see your step cards in our gallery. Hoping you're feeling inspired!

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Happy Little Stampers ~ April Birthday Challenge

April Showers? I hope not. I'm hoping for lots of sunshine! Enough of the rain and dreary weather! It's time for a new challenge at Happy Little Stamper ~ April Birthday Challenge. Our challenge is

Here's my card. It's actually a card made for my friend with whom I'll be traveling to France later this year.

For this card, I used Tim Holtz' Stampers Anonymous Euro Elements Cling stamp set and a cream colored A2 card panel. I stamped the background stamp with Hero Arts Cup O' Joe ink. I then stamped the Eiffel Tower with Versafine Onyx Black ink. For the sentiment, I used Clear Besotted's Many Mini Messages using Hero Arts Pale Tomato ink. I inked the edges with Brushed Corduroy and Ground Espresso distress inks applied with oval ink blending brushes to give it an antique look. I trimmed the panel slightly to mat with black cardstock. I adhered the finished panel to a white A2 card base to complete the card. By the way, my friend loved the card! He's a history buff and is looking forward to seeing the places, one has only read about. 

We'd love to see your Birthday cards in our gallery this month. 

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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