Happy Little Stampers ~ August Watercolour Challenge

August? Already? It's crazy! I guess time really does fly when you're having fun! I'm having fun, especially when I make time to play with paper. Well, with the start of a new month, comes a new challenge at Happy Little Stampers ~ Watercolour Challenge. Our August challenge is

Here's my "Happy" card

I started with an A2 panel of 96 lb bristol. I added color, roughly in sections with distress inks - Worn Lipstick, Spiced Marmalade, Salty Ocean, ensuring that there was a bit of color mixing where two colors came together. I stamped with one stamp from Stampin' Up's Simple Stems stamp set. Instead of stamping with ink, I spritzed the stamp and applied it to the ink blended panel, repeatedly. When I stamped "enough", I also spritzed the panel with water and used paper towel to pick up any extra water droplets. There was some color transfer as I didn't clean the stamp between impressions. I may try this again one day, cleaning off the stamp between impressions. I die cut the word using a Simon Says STAMP's Happy Holidays die from some black cardstock. I stamped the word "birthday" using Clearly Besotted's A Little Sentimental stamp set on some orange cardstock, which I trimmed into a rectangle. I adhered the panel to a white A2 card base to complete my card.

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

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Die Cut Divas ~ Happy Happy Happy Birthday with My Favorite Things

It's the last day of our July Challenge at Die Cut Divas. The challenge is

BIRTHDAYS

We selected the Birthday theme as it's the birthday month of our July sponsor, My Favorite Things who will be giving our winner a $25 prize.

Here's my card

So, one of the things that's hard to do is to keep a current inventory of stamp sets and dies of our sponsors. There are just so many awesome companies that I just can't keep up. My card makes use of a retired My Favorite Things' stamp set, Celebrate You. I stamped the row of gifts using several inks - Lawn Fawn's Sugarplum, PinkFresh Studio's Bubble Gum, Gina K Designs' Lipstick, PinkFresh Studio's Apricot, Sunshine, Key Lime, Aquamarine and Blue Jay. I masked off the gifts using scraps of paper. I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Concord & 9's Dove ink. I die cut the white panel using a My Favorite Things I & O Stched Rec STAX die-namics die. I matted the white panel with yellow cardstock, die cut with a Waffle Flower Additional A2 Layers die. I glued the panels to a light gray A2 card base to complete my card. 

We'd love to see your Birthday card creations in our gallery. It's the last day of our July challenge.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to CAS ~ Challenge #243

For me, there is nothing better than listening to great music and playing with paper, ink, glue. I find there is something so soothing about getting lost in my paper-crafting. I especially love the clean and simple look to cards. Simplicity - I like that! If you're like me, we have a new challenge at Addicted to CAS for you. For the next fortnight, our challenge is

Here's my card

I chose circles as my "shape". I used one of Simon Says STAMP's Simple Patterns Trio stencils. When you see certain colors, do they remind you of someone? I know that these colors I used on my card, distress inks - abandoned coral, festive berries, picked raspberry remind me of my favorite Aunt, Florence. She loved bright colors, especially in the pink/red family. I added these distress inks with oval ink blending brushes. I stamped the sentiment using Simon Says STAMP's Happy stamp set and Versafine Onyx Black ink. I realized after I finished my card, that this could have been a one-layer card if I had started on a white A2 card base. Instead, I started with a white A2 panel, which in my case, I adhered to a white A2 card base with double-sided tape. 

What shape will you incorporate onto your clean and simple card? We'd love to see your creations in our gallery.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #451

How's summer going for you? It seems to be flying by for me. I'm looking forward to a crafting retreat at the end of the week. Can't wait to hang out with crafty girlfriends for the weekend. 

We have a new challenge for you at Addicted to Stamps and More! For the next fortnight, our challenge will be

Our "Make Your Mark" challenges mean use markers, paints, inks, colored pencils to make marks! Here's my card

For my card, I inked up some white cardstock, roughly 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" with distress inks - worn lipstick, salty ocean, dusty concord applied on the diagonal using oval ink blending brushes. I then stamped the balloons using Brutus Monroe's Birthday Tags stamp set from the Crop & Create Delivered Spetember 2022 event with Versafine Onyx Black ink. I trimmed the panel to 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" square and added a black mat. I stamped the sentiment using Papertrey Ink's Keep It Simple - Birthday stamp set on a purple A2 card panel. I added some Wink of Stella to the balloons for some subtle shimmer. Here's a close-up.

To complete the card, I adhered the panel to a white A2 card base with double sided tape.

We'd love to see how you make your mark. Please add your creations to our gallery.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #535

We got some welcomed rain today in the Pacific Northwest. It's not enough to put out wildfires or to prevent wildfires. However, it just felt great. I'm sure the plants, trees and grass loved it! It's been really dry and hot. It would have been a great day to spend at my craft table. Alas, I had to go to work! Ugh, I have to fund my crafting somehow - right?

We have a new challenge which we hope will inspire you at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.

Here's my card

For my 8 1/2" x 3 1/2" slimline card, I started with Memory Box's Large Olive Branch die. I die cut two branches and placed one up and one down on my card. I added flowers die cut using Paper Smooches Flowers 2 dies and various scraps of pink and purple cardstock. For the sentiment, I stamped using Concord & 9's Dove ink and Papertrey Ink's Keep It Simple - Birthday Stamp set on a scrap of white cardstock. I trimmed the sentiment into a double sided fish-tail banner. To make the banner stand out, I matted with the darker pink cardstock. I glued all the pieces down and adhered the panel to a white slimline card base with double-sided tape. 

We'd love to see how you're inspired by our sketch.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Try Stampin' On Tuesday ~ Challenge #616

It's Tuesday. You know what that means. It's time for a new challenge at Try Stampin' On Tuesday. Here's our sketch, which we hope will inspire you. The challenge will run two weeks.

Optional Theme: Summer Drinks

I changed up the sketch. Instead of using a circle for the focal point, I used a square piece of cardstock with a circular design. While I don't have a summer drink on my card, it does contain a phrase that is often used by friends of Bill W's - one day at a time. Here's my card

I started by making the background which would become the central square. I started with some 96 lb bristol. I smooshed some distress inks (salvaged patina, worn lipstick, wilted violet) on a plastic place mat and picked up the ink with a slightly wet paint brush. I added color randomly on the bristol and used extra water to help the colors blend. When I was happy, I put the bristol aside to dry. When it was dry, I stamped the focal image using Unity Stamp's One Day at a Time with Versafine Onyx Black ink. I looked through my stash of patterned papers for some that went with the distress inks I used. I made the strips 0.5" x 4.25". I adhered them to a white A2 card base. I also stamped the sentiment, from the same Unity Stamp's set with PinkFresh Studio's Sky Blue ink. I used a My Favorite Things Stitched Square STAX die-namics die to trim the bristol panel. I adhered this bristol panel to the card base using double-sided tape to complete my card.

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

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to CAS ~ Challenge #242

It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to CAS. For the next fortnight, our challenge is

Here's my card

I love making clean and simple cards. There is something about all the white space that I feel is calming and relaxing for me. For this card, I used (for the first time) Candles 4 Birthdays stamp set by The Stamps of Life. I stamped the row of candles and sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on a white A2 card base. I added color to the candles, in rainbow order, of course, with Copic markers - B29, BG05, R22, R29, V15, Y06, Y15, YG03, YG09, YR02, YR04. 

We'd love to see how the code word of "WISH" inspires you. Please add your cards to our gallery.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #450

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 this card, I did all the "work" when creating this card. When using a Taylored Expressions Triple Slimline Layering Stencil, you create three panels at the same time. In this case I used the Taylored Expressions Triple Slimline Layering Stencil - In The Garden with distress inks, abandoned coral, mustard seed, dusty concord, peeled paint applied with oval ink blending brushes. This card uses the second panel. I added the die cut sentiment using Simon Says STAMP's Simply Thank You die. I matted both the panel and sentiment with an olive cardstock. I attached the panel to a white mini slimline card base (3 1/2" x 6") to complete my card.

We'd love to see your die cut &/or stencilled cards in our gallery this fortnight.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #533

How was your weekend? It was sunny and warm here in the Pacific Northwest. While it was nice outside, I do prefer to spend my time, at my craft table, playing with paper. We have a new challenge for you at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge that started today. It will be up for two weeks.

Let me start out by saying that I'm not a multi-layer type of card maker. I prefer the clean and simple, sometimes one-layer card, type of card. However, I enjoy these sketches because sometimes they just push me outside my comfort zone - that's good, right? Here's my card

You can see that I didn't all the thin white horizontal strip - that was just too much for me - LOL! I started with an old Stampin' Up paper pack called Cherry on Top which was a 6x6 Designer Series Paper Stack. I chose three different patterned papers from the pack and added some matching cardstock that I had on hand for the other papers. For the sentiment, I used Paper Smooches' Stamptember 2014 stamp set with PinkFresh Studio's Aquamarine ink on light teal cardstock. I cut the circle shape using a Sizzix circle die and trimmed it to the shape I needed. For the balloon, I used the same stamp set, Paper Smooches' Stamptember 2014, stamped it also with PinkFresh Studio's Aquamarine ink and then fussy cut it. For the balloon's party hat, again, the same stamp set. This time the hat was stamped with Hero Arts Pale Tomato ink and then fussy cut. The horizontal sentiments were stamped with Clearly Besotted's A Little Sentimental stamp set using both the Aquamarine and Pale Tomato inks and then die cut with a My Favorite Things Skinny Strips die. I think that the finished card looks rather festive and cheerful.

We'd love to see how you're inspired by our sketch this week.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Die Cut Divas ~ July Challenge with My Favorite Things

Over at Die Cut Divas, our challenge for the month of July is

BIRTHDAYS

We selected the Birthday theme as it's the birthday month of our July sponsor, My Favorite Things who will be giving our winner a $25 prize.

Here's my card

For my card, I used a retired My Favorite Things stamp set, Smitten Kitten. My Favorite Things has so many adorable critter stamps. One could easily replace this kitten with another critter. I stamped the kitty with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and added color with Copic markers - C5, E21, E50, E71, R32. I can't remember where I found the party hat but I did stamp it also with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and added color with Copic markers RV14, V15. I then fussy cut it and added an adhesive sparkly dot. For the kitty, I die cut with a My Favorite Things Stitched Circle STAX die-namics die. For the sentiment, I used the same stamp set and Versafine Onyx Black ink. I die cut the sentiment with a My Favorite Things Skinny Strips die. I found some patterned paper that went with my purple theme, which I cut with a Waffle Flower Additional A2 Layers die. I adhered the panel to a light gray A2 card base to complete my card.

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

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Happy Little Stampers ~ July Anything Goes With Dies Challenge

There's a new challenge starting at Happy Little Stampers ~ Anything Goes with Dies today.

Here's a card I made that I hope will encourage you to pull out a die or some dies and be crafty today.

For my card, I was inspired by this card by I'm in Haven

For my card, I die cut twice with Simon Says STAMP's Simple Stems with white cardstock. I adhered the two outlines together to give a bit of dimension. For the insides of the leaves, I colored them with Copic markers - B24, BG05, G05, R29, V06, Y06, YR16. Yes, the tips of my fingers did get some ink on them - LOL! I stamped the sentiment on a white A2 card base using Clearly Besotted's A Little Sentimental stamp set and Concord & 9's Dove ink. I glued the outline to my card base and then glued each leaf in place in rainbow color order. So, the outline is two layers thick and the leaves only one layer thick. 

Hope you'll pull out some dies (or a die), play with them and some paper and post in our gallery this month.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Happy Little Stampers ~ July Stencil Challenge

More July fun over at Happy Little Stampers ~ Stencil Challenge. Here's our July Challenge, which to be honest is the same challenge - anything goes, every month.

Here's my card

For my card, I started with Taylored Expressions' Triple Slim Layering Stencils - In The Garden. If you not familiar with Taylored Expressions' Triple Layering Stencils and Create-In-Quads Layering Stencils, you don't know what you're missing. Granted, it's an arm workout - so you could miss arm day at the gym - LOL! The stencils are set up so that you create either three (triple) or four (quads) card panels at the same time with the same ink choices. It's really quite amazing. I used distress inks - abandoned coral, mustard seed, dusty concord, peeled paint applied with oval ink blending brushes. I created three panels at the same time. I cut them into three panels and used one for this card. I stamped the sentiment using Simon Says STAMP's Thanks stamp set with Concord & 9th's Dove ink and matted with an olive/green panel. I adhered this all to a white mini-slimline card base to complete my card.

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

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Happy Little Stampers ~ July Christmas Challenge

Christmas in July! It's time for our July Challenge at Happy Little Stampers ~ Christmas Challenge.

Here's my card

For my card, I started by making a circle mask using a Sizzix circle die and a large post-it note. I placed the mask on a white A2 card panel and applied tumbled glass distress ink, applied with an oval ink blending brush in the central area. I left the mask in place and stamped the trees using Hero Arts Winter Silhouettes stamp set and PinkFresh Studio's Sky Blue ink. I carefully removed the mask and then stamped the little deer from the same stamp set with Versafine Onyx Black ink. To add the "twinkle" to my card, I used a Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust Glitter silver gel pen and "decorated" the trees. The sentiment is from the same Hero Arts stamp set and was heat embossed with silver embossing powder. I trimmed the A2 card panel slightly and matted with a silver shimmer cardstock. I then adhered this panel to a white A2 card base to complete my card.

We'd love to see your Christmas cards in our gallery. Will you incorporate "twinkle" onto your card?

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Try Stampin' On Tuesday ~ Challenge #614

Anyone else's days all mixed up? It happens to me whenever there are long weekends. I almost forgot to post my card for Try Stampin' On Tuesday. We have a new challenge for you for the next two weeks.

Here's my card

For my card, I started with this cute monster using Your Next Stamp's Way Cool Monsters. I'm sad that Your Next Stamp is closing and I wish their owner all the best in whatever her future endeavours may be. I stamped this monster with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on some white cardstock. I picked out the paper for the stripes so I tried to match as best I could with my Copic markers. I used BG49, E71, G07 R17, Y17 and added glossy accents to the eyes. I think monsters should have bulging eyes, right? Once the glossy accents dried, I used a die from Echo Park Stitched Oval Nesting die set to die cut the oval. I glued the strips of patterned paper to a white A2 card base and then adhered the oval with the monster in place to complete my card.

We'd love to see how you're inspired by our sketch. Please add your cards to our gallery.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Happy Little Stampers ~ July Birthday Challenge

Lately, I've sent a bunch of birthday cards. It's time for me to re-stock. Our July Challenge at Happy Little Stampers ~ Birthday Challenge helps me to do that.

Here's my card

For my card, I used Your Next Stamp's Celebrating You stamp set and die. I received these items in the kit for Crop and Create Delivered March 2021. I was sad to read that Your Next Stamp is closing after 14 year. There's a big sale there, in case you're interested. Best of luck to them in whatever they do next! 

I stamped the image using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and added color with Copic markers - B02, B12, BG13, BG15, RV21, RV23, V12, V15, YR04, YR16. I used the coordinating die to die cut the image. On a white A2 card base, I stamped the sentiment and added a "blob" of salvaged patina to provide a bit of a background for the die cut. 

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

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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Addicted to CAS ~ Challenge #241

Happy Canada Day to any Canadians visiting my blog today. It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to CAS. Here's our challenge

Admittedly, I'm pushing the clean and simple a little bit with this shaker card.

I used supplies that I received in my Crop and Create Delivered - Spring 2022 box, specifically Honey Bee Stamps' Celebrate dies, sequins and Layering Streamers - stencils (3). I used the layering streamers,my Wendy Vecchi's Make Art STAY-tion and PinkFresh inks Sunshine, Sparkling Rose, Grassy Knoll, Blue Jay and Sky Blue applied with oval ink blending brushes. I die cut the star from the panel and made a shaker area behind it with some acetate and dimensional adhesive. On a scrap of white cardstock, I applied residual ink on the oval ink blending brushes in rainbow order and die cut the word "celebrate" from it. It's a trick I learned from one of the Crop and Create Delivered events to perfectly match the colors on the ink blended/stencilled panel. 

We'd love to see your "celebrate" cards in our gallery this fortnight.

Thanks for stopping by

sue

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