Wishing You Brighter Days

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card I made for a sweet friend that is not well.  I'm hoping these adorable hippos will make her smile. :)

This stamp set is called Rainy Day Play (Clearly Besotted).  This is the first time using the set, so I'm sending this card over to NBUS (never-before-used-schtuff) Challenge #36.

I stamped the images in black ink and heat embossed in clear before watercolouring with distress inks.  I added some soft stenciling of stripes in the background (to look like it's raining), brushed them with a wet brush to soften and added some lines of white overtop using my Posca pen.  I used the same pen to add polka-dots to the umbrella. :)

Close-up ...

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Stamps:  Rainy Day Play (Clearly Besotted)

Paper:   White card base (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black Ink (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Picked Raspberry, Salty Ocean, Pumice Stone, Black Soot
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, paint brushes, Stripes stencil (Tim Holtz), sponge, white Posca pen

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #36

Twofer Challenge #30

Hi everyone.  It's time for a new Twofer Card Challenge #30.  This time we are asked use a sun and/or moon on our cards.  As you can see from above, I went with the sun.  I was looking to make some cards that would not only brighten the day for the recipients, but it made me smile making these. :)

Remember to follow the rules below ...

First up, a summer day with a bright sun, rainbow and a little cloud ...

Each diecut has been watercolour.  I did add a second coat of colour to the rainbow so that it was bold and bright.  The Hello Sunshine seems like the perfect sentiment. :)

And using the same sun die as the above card, my second card is a happy card that will hopefully bring joy to someone under the weather.  

I die-cut the same stitched sun, watercolouring with distress inks.  The pot and leaves are stamped, fussy-cut and watercoloured as well.  I added some "seeds" to the center of the sunflower and popped it up over top of the stem and leaves.  The pot is popped up as well.

I hope you'll come and play along with this very fun challenge!  As always, the challenge is open for two weeks, ending on August 24th at end of day.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

This is the first time I've used my rainbow die ... so heading over to join the NBUS #17 Challenge (never-before-used-schtuff).

Products

Puffy Cloud die (Memory Box)

Our Friendship Grows (Lawn Fawn)

Spring Sentiments (Stampendous)

Card #1 - Hello Sunshine
Stamps:  Spring Sentments (Stampendous)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Spiced Marmalade, Squeezed Lemonade, Twisted Citron, Tumbled Glass, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Real Red ink (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories & Tools:  Large Stitched Sunshine die (Lil' Inkers - out of business); Magical Rainbow die (unknown); Puffy Clouds die (Memory Box), paint brushes

Card #2 - feel better
Stamps:  Our Friendship Grows (Lawn Fawn)
Paper:  Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. col press); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Versafine); Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools: paint brushes

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #30 - Sun / Moon
NBUS #17 Challenge

From the Garden

Hi everyone.  Another card that I made a while ago.  This CAS design has stamping, paper piecing, watercolouring, masking and sponging.  All of those techniques in this single CAS design. :)

Masked my card front and then sponged with Rusty Hinge distress inks.  Stamped and watercoloured the flowers before die-cutting with matching die.  Paper pieced the vase with crinkle paper that adds lots of texture.

Popped the flowers over top of the sponged background and stamped a simple sentiment to finish.

Close-up ...

Stamps: from the garden (Penny Black); sentiment - flower teddy (Penny Black)
Paper: Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Versafine Black ink (permanent); Zigs (Kuretake); Rusty Hinge Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, crinkle paper (gift from Mac), masking tape, sponge

Get Well Soon

Hi everyone.  Sharing a card using a beautiful Penny Black corner die that I received as a gift from my dear friend, Bonnie.

This die does two different things ... it has the usual areas of cut-out design, which are the scrolly silver bits of the card, but also has flowers and leaves that are partially die-cut leaving them attached.  Very cool!  I allows me to colour the flowers and leaves and then pull up the edge to add dimension.

I used zigs to watercolour the flower and leaves.  Silver foil paper is behind the die-cut that you can see through the cut-out scrolly bits. :)  So very pretty!  The sentiment is silver embossed to go with the silver foil paper.

Here's a close-up ...

The bright spring colours make for a happy get well card!

Speaking of Spring, there are two challenges currently wanting to see "Spring" or "Fresh Spring Colours".  I'm entering this card into CAS on Friday #155 - Spring.  And I'm also entering it into Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Fresh Spring Colours.

Stamps:  Eloquence (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); Silver foil paper (SU!)
Ink:  Zigs (Kuretake), Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, pop up floral corner die (Penny Black), silver embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS on Friday #155 - Spring
PB Saturday Challenge - Fresh Spring Colours

Get Well Soon

Hi everyone.  Back with a reminder for the CAS Stencil January Challenge.  Make sure to check out the challenge blog to see the beautiful reminder cards from our talented Designers.

I started by sponging over a honeycomb stencil onto regular card stock.  This is from my stash, so not sure the colours I used for sponging, but most likely Distress Inks:  Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed.  I only wanted the center to be sponged and so faded out as I got towards the edges.

I used a NBUS stamp set that I bought from AliExpress.  I stamped the image in Versafine Black (Permanent ink) onto a scrap piece of mixed media paper.  I set the colour with my heat tool and fussy-cut the image.  The image is watercoloured with zigs and popped up over the sponged card front.  I stamped the sentiment from the same set.

Here's a close-up ...

Here's a photo of the inside of the card.  I used more stamps from the same set.  The honey jar was stamped on a piece of scrap mixed media, fussy-cut and glued to the inside of the card.

I hope you'll come join us for the very first CAS Stencil Challenge.  If you haven't played along yet, there's still lots of time.  Challenge closes January 24th at midnight PDST.

Stamps:  Get Well Soon (AliExpress)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb. 400 Series); White (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Versamark Black; Zigs (Kuretake); Distress Inks:  Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Honeycomb stencil (cut with my Silhouette Cameo), sponge, water brush, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Stencil January Challenge - Sponging

Bamboo Rose

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card made with Altenew's Bamboo Rose stamp set.  LOVE this set! :)

I kept my card very CAS.  I started by adding some stamped splats for the background.  Used one stamp, changing the direction and stamping multiple times. The rose and leaves were stamped in Archival black ink onto mixed media paper.  I used distress inks to watercolour (abandoned coral, picked raspberry, festive berries for the rose; twisted citron, mowed lawn for the leaves).  I then fussy-cut and popped it up for added dimension. The sentiment is from the same stamp set.

Easy peasy and fun card to make.

I'm heading over to enter in the Altenew Ultimate Challenge Blog Hop.  Hope you've had a chance to check it out.  There are lots of different challenge blogs participating in the hop, including our CAS Mix UP! :)

Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps:  Bamboo Rose (Altenew); Paint Splats (Impression Obsession)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Archival Black (Ranger); Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Abandoned Coral, Picked Raspberry, Festive Berries, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  paint brush

Challenges:
Altenew Ultimate Challenge Blog Hop

Feel Better Soon

Hi everyone.  Here's my DT card is for today's challenge at Addicted to CAS.  The challenge is open for two weeks.

This challenge is being run by the super talented Sandie (London Days)  ... and she chose this fun words:

This challenge is being sponsored by

Prize:  $25 Gift Voucher

(please follow the rules to be eligible to win)

Stamps:  Chit Chat (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Snap Life (Simple Stories); Soft Suede, Basic Black, Red Glimmer (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Balloons die (C.C. Designs), 2-part Owl punch (SU!), Lemondrop Twine (The Twinery), white gel pen, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals

Here's a close-up:

I hope I have inspired you to join in our fun challenge ...  Addicted to CAS - Get Well. Come check out all the wonderful creations by the other Design Team members.

Snowy Mittens ... and Bird Balloon

Two cards to share with you today.  I'm playing catch-up on several challenges and my first card qualifies for four, count 'em ... FOUR challenges!! :)

I started with the colors in SCS Color Challenge this week (CC393 - Lucky Limeade, Primrose Petals, Pink Pirouette) ... and the dessert was to make it a Christmas card.  I thought these colors would make cute mittens, so started there.  It actually took me longer to figure out how to mount them ... I'm really pleased with the frame and snowflake embossed background - which qualifies this card for Simon Says Challenge - Emboss it! ... and Jingle Belles Challenge - Dashing through the snow.  And finally, this is for today's Less is More Challenge (LIM#86 - Take 3 - use three previous challenges).  The previous LIM challenges are:  #45 - Let it Snow; #55 - Punches or Dies; #77 - Sewing).  Whew!!  Here's the card ...

"Snowy Mittens"

Stamps:  Season of Friendship (snowflake on mittens) (SU!); Snowman Sayings (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Primrose Petals cardstock (SU!)
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss - retired, Whisper White (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Mittens die-cut (Sizzix), Snowflakes embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Rectangle nestie (Spellbinders), Honeydew and Blossom twines (The Twinery), white gel pen, glue, sticky strips, and dimensionals

I die-cut four of each mitten (one in Primrose Petals cardstock and three in white).  I layered two white and the Primrose Petal layers on top using glue.  With the remaining white mitten, I cut off just the cuff.  I added glue to the front and back of the cuff and wound twine around until it was completely covered.  I glued the cuff on top of the mitten.  This makes thick, mitten die-cuts that stand out nicely against the embossed background.

____________________

The second card is for this week's Hambo Hoedown Challenge 83 (Zig one Way, Zag the Other - Chevrons!).  I just love this bird ... he's the cutest image and makes me smile! :)

I got this digi free from Hambo for entering their challenge last week ... that's right, if you enter the challenge, you receive a free digi to use for the next challenge - so fun!!  Click on the link above to check out this great challenge site!

I also added a googley eye ... so this card qualifies for SCS's Free for All Challenge (F4A135 - The eyes have it!). 

"Looking Up"

Stamps:  Bird Balloon (Hambo digi stamp)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Citron DP (My Mind's Eye)
Ink:  Copics:  YR07, R17
Accessories & Tools:  Crystal Effects, googley eye, glue

I added Crystal Effects to the balloon to make it shiny and then paper pieced it onto my card front.  Quick and easy CAS card!

____________________

Finally, I've had some happy news over the past week.  My Piles of Fun card received an Honorable Mention on the Addicted to Stamps challenge blog.

And my Delicate Branches won as Headliner on the Paper Players challenge blog ... and also was in the SHOWcase at the Less is More challenge blog.  Woo Hoo!!  Great challenges ... click on the links to see these fabulous challenge blogs and join in!!

And, last, but not least, my name was picked and I won $25 shopping at Clear Dollar Stamps for participating in their September Blog Hop ... just loved all the wonderful creations from the Design Team - it was fun!!  Thank you to CDS ... I'll be shopping soon! :)



Feeling 'Ruff?

"OK Mom, enough with the puns!!" says Jeremy.  Can't help myself ... this adorable digi stamp and sentiment is from Hambo and I'm entering this card into their challenge this week ---  "Hambo Hoedown - You're my Beacon" --- include woodgrain on your card.  Inside the card reads "Hope you're feeling better soon".  Love the dog house with the bright red trim, window with shutters, and flower box ... too cute!

This card is also for SCS Free For All Challenge (F4A131 - Show us your colors!) ... I'm hoping the bright red trim and yellow flowers negates all the brown.  The polka-dot paper and yellow twine definitely adds lots of color.

"Feeling 'Ruff?"

Stamps:  Dog House (Hambo digital stamps)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Real Red polka-dot DP, watercolor (SU!)
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Basic Gray, Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Blender pen, Lemondrop Twine (The Twinery), sticky strips and adhesives

Printed the image and sentiment onto white card front and set aside.  Also printed a sentiment "Hope you're feeling better soon!" on the inside white panel and set aside.  Printed the dog house onto watercolor paper, colored with inks and blender pen, and cut the house out.  Adhered the house on top of the printed image on the card front, using sticky strips.

Added a strip of Real Red polka-dot DP to the top, wrapped twine around and tied a knot off center.  Secured the card front to the white card base.

Added a strip of the polka-dot DP to the inside panel at the bottom and secured to the white card base.

Fun and easy card to make!

Get Well Soon

Today is one of those boring days ... you know, housework - uggghhh!  But before starting that, I need to make a card - priorities, ya know! :)

Today's Color Challenge from SCS (CC375) is Night of Navy, Bashful Blue and Pumpkin Pie - a fabulous color combo!!  The dessert is Father's Day, but I decided to skip dessert today.  I used one of my "go-to" layouts ... clean and simple.  Hope you like this paper-pieced CAS card made from all SU! products.

"Get Well Soon"

Here's a close-up of the paper-pieced umbrella:

Stamp:  Ain't Love Grand (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White, Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie polka-dot DP, Night of Navy polka-dot DP (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Black, Night of Navy; Stampin' Write markers: Basic Gray, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Scalloped border punch, 1/4" Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon, sponge, glue, sticky strips and adhesives

I stamped the image three times; once onto Whisper White card front, once onto Pumpkin Pie polka-dot DP, and once onto a scrap of white (for cutting out the raindrops for on top of the umbrella).

I colored in the water puddles with my Bashful Blue Stampin' Write markers and the handle with Gray and Pumpkin Pie.  I cut out the top of the umbrella from the polka-dot DP and glued it onto my card front.  I colored the raindrops (from the scrap white), cut them out and mounted them on top of the umbrella.

I punched the scalloped border from the Night of Navy polka-dot DP.  Tip:  when punching borders, especially with darker colored patterned paper, I find that the cut edges show white - so I sponge them with the corresponding ink color - here I sponged the edge with Night of Navy to give it a cleaner look.

I mounted all the pieces as shown in the photo above onto the card front and then mounted the whole thing onto a card base of Night of Navy for stability (this also ensures that the ribbon is glued between the card front and base to hold it securely.

For the inside I used a Whisper White panel, adding the scalloped Night of Navy polka-dot border (same depth as the front), but mounted it at the bottom of the panel, adding a straight piece of Pumpkin Pie ribbon (no knot).