Dreaming of a Pink Christmas

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a Pink Christmas card. :)  As many of you know, pink is my favourite colour, so I just had to play along at Christmas Kickstart. :)  I'm a bit late to the party ... just haven't found my mojo yet after taking a long break from card making.  Today's card is a CASE of one I saw on-line.  Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out who made it as the watermark was missing.  I LOVED the design and copied it exactly, with one exception of switching out the original blue sky for pink. :)  Sometimes when I have trouble being creative, it helps to CASE a card to get me back on track.

One other thing, is it me ?? ... or have you noticed over the past few years, that many of the new thin die sets are full of teeny, tiny pieces.  This was a challenge to make because of the size of ... the windows, the door, the roof, the lamp posts.  But it all came together and I'm so happy with how it turned out.  There's also lots of dies within the set, so you can choose what to use in your winter scene (or use them all!). :)  I placed the finished snow globe onto a card base dry embossed with beautiful snowflakes.

Close-up ...

As mentioned above, I'm sending this card to the Christmas Kickstart Challenge #106.  Thanks to Jo and her wonderful Guest elf Chris, for this fun challenge!  And because this is the first time using this sweet snowglobe die set, I'm sending this card to NBUS Challenge #82.

Edited to Add:  I meant to add another challenge - If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge #212 - Cabin in Winter.  Mine is not a cabin, but a house ... hope that's OK.  

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Spun Sugar, Rusty Hinge (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:   Simon's Snow Globe Etched Dies (Spellbinders), Filigree Snowflakes Folder (Simon Says Stamp), sponges

Challenges:

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #106

NBUS Challenge #82

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge #212 - Cabin in Winter

J-O-Y #7

Hi everyone.  I'm back with my seventh card using the Immense JOY die from Penny Black.

Today's card uses the Poinsettia stamp from Holiday Bouquet (Avery Elle - retired).  I love this stamp set and have used it many times in my cards over the years.  I stamped in black ink, clear heat embossed and watercoloured using my Zigs.

I finished the background of the card by die-cutting the JOY die three times from green card stock and layering to create dimension, then pieced the "O" with the watercoloured Poinsettias.  The image is mounted onto a white background which was dry embossed with Scenic Poinsettias (Spellbinders). 

Close-up ...

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Holiday Bouquet (Avery Elle)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Green Gumball card stock (SU!)

Ink:   Black (Memento); Zigs (Kuretake)
Accessories:   JOY die (Penny Black); Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool; watercolour brushes, Scenic Poinsettias embossing folder (Spellbinders)

Christmas cards using Elegant Writer

Hi everyone.  A couple of months ago I posted a card using Elegant Writer to create the background behind my pine branch.  It's an interesting pen that contains dye ink (mix of green and red) to create a black marker until you add water.  Then the other colours appear. :)  Magical!  I used the pen for my three cards for today ...

I kept the colour palette simple by using red and green inks, along with one that uses just the writer pen to colour my main image.  It was so much fun!  

Close-up ...

The above card uses a Magenta stamp (floral holiday trio),stamped in shadow grey archival ink (very light colour) onto cold press watercolour paper.  I outlined the squares and main images of each panel using my Elegant Writer.  I added water to activate the outline of the three images and carried that colour to the background of each square.  Once dry, I used Distress Inks (Fired Brick, Mowed Lawn) to add colour to the images.  I splattered with diluted white acrylic paint and set the panel aside.

I stamped the sentiment (Believe from Penny Black) in white pigment ink and heat embossed in white onto my black card panel.  I used this same sentiment on all my cards today. :)

I tore a second piece of black card stock and popped it up on the black card front before fussy-cutting the three squares and popping them on top of the torn strip.  I love how it turned out.

Sending the above card to Peace on Earth Challenge #53.

And then ...

Repeated the same technique using Berry Wreath (Memory Box - already retired - haven't had it very long) on cold press watercolour paper.    I tried to leave more white space, but I definitely need practise with that. :)

And last, an interesting poinsettia using just the Elegant Writer.

I stamped the poinsettia (Radiant Red by Penny Black) with vintage photo distress ink and then outlined with the Elegant Writer.  I added a poinsettia dry embossed background (Scenic Poinsettia Embossing Folder - Spellbinders) and black sentiment banner to finish.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Card#1:

Stamps:  Floral Holiday Trio (Magenta); Believe (Penny Black)

Paper:   Cold Press Watercolour Paper (Arches - 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Shadow Grey Archival Ink (Ranger); Distress Inks:  Fired Brick, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Elegant Writer pen, watercolour paint brushes, fine mister

Card#2:

Stamps:  Berry Wreath (Memory Box - retired)

Paper:   Cold Press Watercolour Paper (Arches - 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Shadow Grey Archival Ink (Ranger); Distress Inks:  Fired Brick, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Elegant Writer pen, watercolour paint brushes, fine mister

Card#3:

Stamps:  Radiant Red (Penny Black); Believe (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Cold Press Watercolour Paper (Arches - 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Vintage Photo (stamping image); Fired Brick, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Scenic Poinsettia Embossing Folder (Spellbinders); Elegant Writer pen, watercolour paint brushes, fine mister

Challenges:

Peace on Earth Challenge #53

The Flower Challenge #58 Reminder

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder that we are half way through the month for The Flower Challenge.  Still lots of time to play along ...

I added both spots and stripes to my card today.  Started by adding a dotty border using the Hemstitch Rectangles die (Spellbinders).  I then stamped my flower (Birthday Blooms - SU! - retired) in princess gold embossing powder and heated it to melt.  I watercoloured using distress inks (Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness).  I fussy cut my image and set aside.

I bought some corrugated card stock from AliExpress a while back and wanted to add some to my card (the stripes!).  I used a dark brown which worked really well with the colours of my bloom.  Added a piece that fit just inside the dotty frame and then popped up the flower over top.  I stamped the sentiment (part of the stamp set) and also heat embossed in princess gold.

Close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the amazing reminder cards from the Designers.  Make sure to take a look at the gallery ... it's filled with lots of amazing spots and / or stripes cards!

Thanks for dropping by!

Product Links

Hemstitch Rectangles dies (Spellbinders)

Stamps:  Birthday Blooms - retired (Stampin' Up!)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Corrugated Brown card stock (AliExpress)
Ink:   Versamark; Distress Inks:  Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Princess Gold  Embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, water brush, Hemstitch Rectangles (Spellbinders)

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #58 - Spots and/or Stripes

CAS Challenges June Reminder

Hi everyone.  Time for reminder cards for both CAS Mix Up and CAS Christmas for June!

Viv is our host.

Starting with CAS Mix Up, the above card was a simple and easy card to make.  I sponged a piece of mixed media paper with angled horizontal strips of yellow, red, and purple.  Misted the paper with water and took a large brush to go back and forth over the colours, washing my brush in-between colour changes.  This is an easy way to make a watercoloured background.  I let it dry and then splattered with drops of water and blotted to add some texture.

The birds stencil (STAMPlorations - Some Birds) is sponged in black ink.  Added a simple frame and black sentiment (Many Everyday Messages - Hero Arts) to finish the card.

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Hideko is our host.

Here is the reminder card for June's CAS Christmas challenge - Snowman.  I love this sweet image from Gerda Steiner (Little Snowman).  I created some backgrounds using Brushos (Turquoise, Violet, White).  I always sprinkle way too much, so just kept adding water and ended up with six backgrounds. :)

I added two torn snowhills on top.  Then stamped my image onto my card and also onto a piece of mixed media paper.  Fussy cut the image and watercoloured using distress inks.  Added some dots with a white acrylic pen and red chalk for his cheeks.  Glued him on top of the image stamped on my card.

Added a simple sentiment (Simple Celebrate Winter - Lawn Fawn) stamped in black and clear heat embossed to match the image.

Quick, fun card to make.

Close-up ...

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I hope you'll check out the challenge blogs to see the amazing cards from our Designers, Guest Designers, and participants.  If you haven't had time to play along, there's over a week left before both challenges close on 24th at midnight PST.  Come join us!

CAS Mix Up Reminder - Hello There
Stamps:  Many Everyday Messages (Hero Arts)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Candied Apple, Wilted Violet, Black Soot (Tim Holtz); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Sponges, water mister, paint brush, Some Birds Stencil (STAMPlorations), Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)


CAS Christmas Reminder - Little Snowman Greetings
Stamps:  Little Snowman (Gerda Steiner); Sentiment - Simply Celebrate Winter (Lawn Fawn)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Brushos:  Turquoise, Voilet; Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Carved Pumpkin, Wilted Violet, Salty Ocean, Tumbled Glass (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, clear embossing powder, paint brush, White Posca pen, red chalk


Challenges:
CAS Mix Up June Challenge - Flight
CAS Christmas June Challenge - Snowman

CAS Mix Up August Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of a new CAS Mix Up Challenge.  This month is all about Watercolouring!  I'm hosting this month, so I hope you'll pull out your paint brushes and join us!

And we are thrilled to have Brenda (Inkspired to Stamp) as our Guest Designer this month.  Welcome Brenda!!

I started by smooshing blue and green inks for the background.  Once dry, I stamped overtop with a Word block stamp in Versamark, heat embossing in clear.

For the card front, I die-cut a circle and stamped a sentiment underneath, in the same blue ink I used in for the background.  The sand, pail, and shovel were stamped in permanent ink, watercoloured with distress inks, and then fussy-cut and popped up inside the circle.  I made a second one that I added to the inside of the card as well.

Close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the amazing cards posted on the challenge blog from our Designers and our wonderful Guest Designer, Brenda.  I know you'll be inspired!  Hope to see you in the gallery!


Products
Word Block Seaside - Darkroom Door

Stamps:  Word Blcok Seaside (Darkroom Door); Life's better at the beach (STAMPlorations - retired)
Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.);
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Salty Ocean, Mowed Lawn, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs (Tim Holtz); Real Red (Stampin' Up!); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, clear embossing powder, heat tool, paint brush, Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up August Challenge - Beach

Guest Designer for Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Hi everyone.  I'm so happy to be Guest Designing at Penny Black Saturday Challenge.  Thanks Helen!

I love Penny Black stamps and dies and really have fun playing along with PBSC's monthly challenges.

The challenge is always Anything Goes with an Optional Twist.  This month the Option is Nature.

PB stamps are all about nature, so this was an easy one. :)

I started by stamping the Unforgettable image in Versafine Black onto mixed media paper  I heat set the image with my heat tool and then watercoloured with distress inks.  I fussy-cut the image, just keeping the center part of this flower spray.  A watercoloured background from my stash was just the right colours so I added a white card stock piece on top which has been die-cut with an oval.  Popped up the flowers over top and added a sentiment to finish.

Close-up ...

I hope you'll come join us for this wonderful challenge.  Hope to see you in the gallery.

I've used summer colours for this card, which is the challenge at The Flower Challenge this month (summer / winter).  Adding my card to the gallery ...

Products
Unforgettable (40-734)
Special Sentiments (30-574)

Stamps:  Unforgettable (Penny Black), Special Sentiments (Penny Black)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Versafine); Distress Inks:  Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Mustard Seed, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Candied Apple (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools: heat tool, paint brushes, Oval Nestabilities die (Spellbinders - retired)

Challenges:
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - July
The Flower Challenge #46 - Summer / Winter

Monochromatic Sympathy

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder card for CAS Watercolour November challenge - Monochromatic, hosted by the lovely Karen.

Today is all about gray.  I used a beautiful Penny Black flower stamp called together, inked it lightly with smoky slate ink, spritzed with a little water, and stamped onto mixed media paper.  I repeated the process, this time using a darker shade of gray (basic gray) to give some contrast.  The watercoloured panel was adhered to a light gray card base and framed with the same gray.  I thought this would be a beautiful sympathy card, adding my sentiment in versamark and heat embossing in white.

Close-up ...

It's been fun trying out monochromatic designs, something I have rarely done.  I hope you enjoy it too!

Check out the reminder post for more inspiration from our Designers and Guest Designer, Birgit.  There's still over a week to play along before the challenge closes.

Hope to see you in the gallery!

Stamps:  together (Penny Black);
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Smoky Slate card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Smoky slate, basic gray (SU!); Versamark
Accessories & Tools: water mister, Rectangle frame die (Spellbinders), white embossing powder heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour November Challenge - Monochromatic

Things with Wings Inchies

Hi everyone.  One more Inchie card before the CAS Mix Up September challenge closes in three days.

These small butterflies are part of a larger stamp set called "Winged Things".  I stamped them in black and heat embossed in clear ... over top of a stencil monoprint that was in my stash.  I used distress inks to colour the butterflies and then added thin white frames and popped them up on my card front.  Rather than having the four squares layout, I opted to use my sentiment in place of one of the squares.

Close-up ...

Thanks for coming by for a visit!

Stamps:  Winged Things (STAMPlorations); Brushed Wishes (Stampendous)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, water brush, Square Nestabilities (Spellbinder), Mini Dots stencil (The Crafter's Workshop)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up September Challenge - Inchies

Twofer Challenge #17

Hi everyone.  Time for Twofer Challenge #17 - Bees!  Turns out I didn't have one bee stamp or die in my stash ... I think I need to go shopping! :)  I borrowed this sweet bee stamp set from my friend Trina.  Thanks Trina!

As always, you need to create two cards using this month's prompt (Bees), following the rules in the badge below.  Make sure to take a picture of the two cards together and use that image when linking to the challenge.

I used the same bee stamp for my two cards.  The card above is stamped in the corner with fun flowers.  I watercoloured them using distress inks and then added more ink in-between the flowers, blending them with water, hoping it looked like more flowers in the background.  I don't think I succeeded but the background still is pretty. :)  I popped up a frame over the image for some dimension, as well as adding a pop dot to the back of the bee.  The tiny sentiments are adorable.  This makes one happy birthday card.

Next up ...

I used the same bee stamp as the above card, along with these delicious looking strawberries from the same stamp set.  I love this time of year when the fresh, local strawberries are in season.  Yummy!!  I used a piece of acetate to add some blue smooshed sky to the background.  Stamped my images in black and heat embossed in clear; then watercoloured with Distress inks and added a horizon line with brown ink.  The "bee happy" sentiment is so fun and makes me think of that song ... now I have it stuck in my head! :)  I hope this sweet card will make the recipient happy.

We are thrilled to have Coni (Which Craft?) as our Guest Designer this month.  Please check out the challenge post to see the fantastic cards from Coni and our Twofer Designers.  Then come play along.  The challenge is open for two full weeks from June 10 - 24.

Hope to see you in the gallery!

Stamps: Bee Happy (Hello Bluebird); Flowers (AliExpress)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card bases (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Black (Versafine); Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry, Tumbled Glass, Broken China (Tim Holtz); Tombow markers (red, black, brown)
Accessories & Tools:  clear embossing powder, heat tool, water brush, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), acetate, Crystal Glaze (Nuvo), Clear wink of Stella, iridescent glitter

Challenges:
Twofer Challenge #17 - Bees

CAS Mix Up May Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of a fun new challenge at CAS Mix Up.  This month, Bonnie has us using a ...

There are several ways to use baby wipes with card making.  A few videos are on the challenge blog to get you started.  Or you can come up with your own idea.

I started by finding this die-cut leaf in my stash.  It's made with a leftover piece of paper towel with yellow and purple inks.  Paper towel was glued onto white card stock for stability, and then die-cut with the leaf.  It's been sitting there for a while.  Before adding it to my card, I sponged more purple on the tips of the leaves to darken them and make them stand out.

The background is sponged purple and yellow distress inks randomly on mixed media paper.  By using similar colours as the die-cut, it really brought the design together.  These colours are opposites on the colour wheel, so I was careful not to blend them together too much.  A scrunched up baby wipe was pounced over top of the sponged inks.  It removed some of the colour in a random pattern.  When dry, it looks like suede to me.

I die-cut a small rectangle window for my card front, placed the "suede" piece in the background, and then popped up the die-cut leaf.  A simple stamped sentiment finishes the card.

Here's a close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the amazing cards from our talented Designers.  And also take a look at the gorgeous card from our wonderful Guest Designer, Berry (Berry's Bramble).  I know you'll be inspired.

Make a CAS mixed media card using baby wipes and join us!

Stamps:  Remarkable You (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Bristol (2 ply); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Oxides:  Ground Espresso, Gathered Twigs; Distress Inks:  Barn Door, Aged Mahogany, Walnut Stain (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, baby wipe, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), clear embossing powder, water brush, Heavy Matte Gel (Golden), palette knife

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up May Challenge - Baby Wipe