Hello Sunshine

Hi everyone.  I'm back with a card using a new stencil (Random Triangle Stencil (That's Crafty!) that I received from a dear friend for my birthday.  I sponged through the stencil with Distress Inks: Ripe Persimmon and Picked Raspberry (my favourite colour combo).  I thought the background was fun and summery looking ... perfect to add a couple of summertime drinks.

I stamped two drinks (Stampendous Fruity Drinks) in black and heat embossed with clear before watercolouring.  I fussy-cut them out and popped them up over the stenciled background.  To finish, I added a cute sentiment (Stampendous Spring Sentiments) to the bottom of my main panel.

Close-up ...

Since this is a new stencil, I'm sending this over to the NBUS Challenge #41.  

Thanks for stopping by!

If you would like to subscribe by email,

please fill out the subscription form in the upper right sidebar.

Make sure to add "subscribe" to the message.

It is also important to add SWL1subscribers@gmail.com to your contact list

so Google recognizes the address and delivers the updates.

To unsubscribe, please use the same form making sure to add

"unsubscribe" to the message.

Thank you.

Stamps:  Fruity Drinks (Stampendous); Spring Sentiments (Stampendous)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Festive Berry) Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Random Triangles stencil (That's Crafty!); sponges, Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour paint brushes

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #41

Sending Sunshine

Hi everyone.  I'm sharing a card I made for my sister.  I'm sending her some "sunshine in a card" and hope that it brightens her day.

I made another card with this set here, (Pop Sunflower - Stampendous). I used the same designer paper background ... to me, it's just perfect for this image. :)  Now that I'm linking to the older card, I see that I used very similar colours too.  Oh well. :)  I know that my sister will enjoy the card, especially that little bird. :)

Close-up ...

I used snippets of mixed media paper (always keep any leftovers) to stamp my bird, vase, and sunflowers separately.  And another snippet of patterned paper for the background.  Sending this over to the Snippets Playground Challenge #422.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

If you would like to subscribe by email,

please fill out the subscription form in the upper right sidebar.

Make sure to add "subscribe" to the message.

It is also important to add sw1subscribers@gmail.com to your contact list

so Google recognizes the address and delivers the updates.

To unsubscribe, please use the same form on the right sidebar, making sure to add

"unsubscribe" to the message.

Thank you.

Stamps:  Pop Sunflower (Stampendous)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Coffee Archival Ink (Ranger); Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Mustard Seed, Crackling Campfire, Mowed Lawn, Gathered Twigs, Tumbled Glass (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   paint brushes, white Posca pen

Challenges:

Snippets Playground Challenge #422

Tumbling Shells

Hi everyone.  I'm back today with another summery card using a fabulous new background called Tumbling Shells (Simon Says Stamp).  This is a large 6"x 6" background that I coloured and then cut up into two smaller pieces to make two cards.  I find photographing pastel colours so difficult.  The background has a pearl sheen, which adds another challenge to photographing.

I started by wetting my mixed media card front and sprinking with perfect pearls.  Used a brush to brush over the whole surface of the card creating a lovely pearl sheen for the background.  Stamped the seashells in versamark and heat embossed in white.  Then used diluted deep colours of distress inks to paint some of the shells and starfish (salty ocean, wild honey, aged mahogany).  Cut up my card to create this rectangle panel and popped it up over a stamped sentiment (tumbled glass).

I made a second card using part of the same panel.  This time I framed it with a stitched rectangle.  Used a different sentiment for this one.

Had fun using this background as the main part of my card and just adding a sentiment.  This is a new-to-me stamp, so I'm heading over to add to the NBUS #18 gallery.  Hope to see you there!

Stamps: Tumbling Shells (Simon Says Stamp); Feel Sand - retired (Stampendous); Life's a Beach - retired (STAMPlorations)
Paper: Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink: Versamark; Distress Inks:  Salty Ocean, Wild Honey, Aged Mahogany, Tumbled Glass (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Perfect Pearls - Pearl; brush, water mister, white embossing powder, heat tool, water brush

Challenges:
NBUS #18 Challenge

Stay Chill!

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a summer card.  I got several stamp sets for my birthday that are summery sets, so I wanted to at least use this once before summer is officially over here. :)

I think these Chillin' Gnomes from Simon Says Stamp are the cutest!  And I love having a mushroom cap sun umbrella.  How fun!

I stamped the images in black ink and heat embossed in clear; then fussy-cut.  Coloured the images with zig w/c marker and set them aside.

Created the background with lots of ink and water with a large paint brush which gave me a soft sand and blue water background.  It was a little too subtle, so I took the same colours of ink pads and lightly did direct-to-paper.  This gave me some definition and interest to the background.  Adhered my large mushroom directly to my card front, and popped up the gnome and small mushroom.  Added a simple sentiment to finish the card.

Close-up ...

Fun card to make!

Hope to be back soon with more summery cards before the leaves start to fall. :)

Another never-before-used-schtuff ... heading with this card to the NBUS #18 gallery.

* * * * *

Doesn't Jessie look smart??!!

Alejandro got a new app. :)

Stamps: Chillin' Gnomes (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper: Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink: Black (Memento); Zigs; Distress Inks:  Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz)
Accessories: water brush, large paint brush, clear embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
NBUS #18

Let's Celetrate Summer

Hi everyone.  I bought this fun stamp set a little while ago and realized I had better use it before summer was over. :)  These stamps make for the most delicious looking summer drinks ... don't they look refreshing for a hot summer day??!!

This is a clean and simple design (my favourite) with just a little masking and some bright and fun watercolours.

Tip:  I saw a video by Fran (Stampdenous guru) where she uses a small 3" square post-it note pad.  She stamps her images on the pad, making sure the top is on the sticky portion.  Then she pulls off three post-it note sheets together, fussy-cuts the image and she now has a stack of the same masks to use many times.  She always uses the masks from the back of the stack, leaving the image on top where you can see it.  When she runs low, she can use the same image onto a new stack of post-it note sheets to fussy-cut some more.  So clever!

Close-up ...

Hope this brightens your day! :)

Products
Fruity Drinks (Stampendous)
Essential Sentiments (Maker's Movement)
Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media paper (140 lb.) - Blick Art Materials

Stamps:  Fruity Drinks (Stampendous); Essential Sentiments (Maker's Movement)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Festive Berries, Picked Raspberry, Carved Pumpkin, Fired Brick, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz); Smoky Slate (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories & Tools:  Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, water brush, masks

Butterflies

First I wanted to wish the best to all my fellow British Columbians who have been effected by the terrible forest fires in our province.  Over 45,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.  Saying it's devastating is an understatement.  Please keep them in your thoughts.

There have been hundreds of wonderful people volunteering and helping out to make life a little easier for those displaced.  People really come together in a tragedy.

Luckily my sister, husband and two pups made it out safe and are down in the Lower Mainland, staying with our Mom.  They will stay until it is safe to return home.

On to the card ... I used a set of die-cuts I bought while on my craft retreat with friends.  Love these three blocks with the butterflies and frames.

I started by spraying starch over a piece of mixed media paper.  I dropped in turquoise and orange re-inkers and let it spread on it's own.  Once dry, I die-cut the three butterfly squares from white card stock and the trimmed pieces of my watercoloured paper to fill the background.  I overlapped them slightly to create a fun design and stamped the sentiment in turquoise ink.  Fun and easy card to make.

I'm adding this to the CAS Watercolour July Challenge - Butterfly.  There's still a few days left to play along with our challenge, which closes end of day July 24th.  Come join us!

Edited to add:  Thanks to Aquarius, I'm entering my card into Mrs. A's Butterfly Challenge.  This month's challenge is "M for matching pairs and/or the colour of orange peel".  I definitely have the orange covered! :)  I think this is my first time entering this challenge.

Stamps:  Lots of Thanks (Simon Says)
Paper:  White card base and butterfly frames (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Spray starch, Bellina Butterfly Triptych dies (Poppy Stamps)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour July Challenge - Butterfly
Butterfly Challenge

Summer Sky

Hi everyone.  Sorry I have not been around much lately, but I've been working on a new project that I hope to share with you soon! :)

I did get another CAS Watercolour June Challenge - Summer card done before it closed. :)  I love my new Distress Oxides inks and have had fun playing with them. They are different than any other ink I've used before.  If you haven't tried them yet, why not pick up a couple or three colours and give them a try.

I created a watercoloured background by smooshing several layers of Distress Oxide inks, drying between each layer.  You can still see the different colours underneath those layers ... very cool!  I used a simple white die-cut flower that I HAD to buy after my dear friend Bonnie sent me a couple of samples cut from her die. :)  We do enable each other.    A simple thank you banner completes the card.

I hope you'll come play along with us if you haven't yet.  The challenge closes at end of day June 24th, so there still time to play along.

I'm also entering this card into The Flower Challenge #9 - Anything Goes.

Stamps:  Painted Butterflies - sentiment (Altenew)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah 110 lb. card stock); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Basic Gray (SU!)
Ink: Distress Oxide Inks:  Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz); Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Floral Stem Collage die (Poppy Stamps), white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour June Challenge - Summer
The Flower Challenge #9 - Anything Goes

CAS Watercolour June Challenge

Hi everyone.  Welcome to the start of the CAS Watercolour June Challenge.

What could be more summery than a day at the beach??!! :)  I created the sand and sea by smooshing with acetate.  I do love this technique as I can control a bit of where the ink goes.  I used just two colours of Distress Inks for my background (Brushed Corduroy and Broken China).  I stenciled a flock of birds and stamped my sentiment in black.  Easy and fun card to make. :)

We are thrilled to have LeAnne (weeinklings) and Ksenija (Sweet Kobylkin) as are guest designers this month.  Welcome LeAnne and Ksenija!

And we are also excited to announce our new Design Team Member, Christine (It's a Card Day's Night).  Christine is bringing her own unique style to our team and we know you will be inspired.   Not only does Christine love to watercolour, but she also loves to try new techniques.  She has been card making for many years, but has only recently started a blog.  I hope you'll take a few minutes to drop by her blog and say hello.  Welcome Christine!

Stamps:  Feel the Sand (Stampendous)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Broken China; Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, acetate, Some Birds stencil (STAMPlorations)

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour June Challenge - Summer

Summer Sunflower

Hi everyone.  It feels like summer here, even though officially it's not summer for three more weeks.  The rain finally stopped a week ago or so, and we've had glorious sunshine and warm temps every since.  Today is supposed to get up to 25 C (high 70's F) ... but I think it will actually get even hotter than that.

What better flower to celebrate summer than a bright and cheerful sunflower.  I love this stencil that I got from my dear friend, Bonnie.  I have used it many times, and each time I find a different way to use it. :)  This time I used it with Lemon Yellow and Light Brown Brushos.  Even just using those two colours, you can see all the other colour pigments there are in the powders.  I sprinkled the Brushos over the stencil, sprayed with lots of water, and quickly removed the stencil. Let it sit for a bit and then lightly blotted with paper towel.  A simple stamped sentiment finishes the card.

I'm entering this card at Time Out (Challenge #84 - Flowers and friends make life a garden").

Stamps:  Thinking of You (Happy Little Stampers)
Paper:  Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Brushos:  Lemon Yellow, Light Brown; Baked Brown Sugar (SU!
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Mini Sunflower Stencil (The Crafter's Workshop)

Challenges:

Time Out Challenge #84

Summer Sunset

Hi everyone.  I really appreciate all of you who wished me a speedy recovery - thanks so much!! :)  Am feeling good today and hope that this nasty virus is finally on it's way.

I made a card for the SCS Color Challenge (#488 - pick three or more colors from this list:  blushing bride, daffodil delight, island indigo, lost lagoon, mossy meadow, pistachio pudding, strawberry slush) - dessert is to make it a summer card.  I decided to sponge a summer sunset - love this color combo.  I used distress inks that are my closest in color (mustard seed, tattered rose, worn lipstick).  I then misted it with water to give it some visual texture.  I didn't want to cover up the gorgeous colors, so used vellum for my leafy die-cut.  I stamped the sentiment on a cut-off from resizing my main panel.

This is also for the Fusion Challenge (July 17 - French Cupcakes) ... I thought the colors were the same as the flowers on the cupcakes.

Super simple, easy, quick ... but really pretty - I'm happy! :)  Hope you like it too.

Stamps:  Where the heart is (Simon Says)
Paper:  White (Neenah); 40 lb. vellum (Bazzill)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Mustard Seed, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick; Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Sponges, water mister, Fresh Foliage die (Memory Box)

Challenges:
SCS Color #488
Fusion - French Cupcakes

A Day at the Beach

Hi everyone.  Today's SCS CAS challenge (#282) is a day at the beach.  Wonderful way to spend a sunny, summery day! :)

I used a digital image from Sweet 'n Sassy, printing it onto watercolor paper and then simply used my water brush to pick up color directly from my ink pads and following along the lines of the image.  I added some Dazzling Details glitter glue along the horizon and along the wave lines of the ocean to give it some sparkle. Easy, and fun card to do that didn't take very long.

Stamps:  Ocean Paradise (Sweet 'n Sassy digital image); Beach Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah); Watercolor paper (Tim Holtz)
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar, Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Soft Sky (SU!); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Aqua Painter, Dazzling Diamonds (SU!)

Challenges:
SCS - CAS #282

Sweet Summer

Hi everyone.  I made this as a CASE of the Muse card by Laurie Willison - LOVE her card!  It was fun to pull out my summery dies and papers and make a cheerful card on a very dreary and rainy day here on the West Coast.  Don't get me wrong ... I am thankful that we've had a mild winter and I hope that the deep freeze and stormy conditions on the east coast of Canada and the U.S. ease soon.  I have missed having snow, though ... we only had one day a while back, where there was just a light dusting.  So for now, rain, rain and more rain - I always have my umbrella handy. :)

I mentioned before that I got a few crafty toys for Christmas, plus I just received an order from Simon Says in the mail today.  Lots of fun goodies to play with but no where to put them.  My studio looks like a bomb went off.  Jer stopped by today and asked how the organizing was going since he thought I had pulled everything out to get started.  Nope ... haven't started - it's just a mess. :)

Off to check out blogs and see what's new with my friends.  Hope you enjoy the card and check out the Muse #49 challenge and play along - so fun!!

Stamps:  Sweet Summer Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White, yellow gingham
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Sunshine Large die (Lil' Inkers), Puffy Clouds (Memory Box), washi tape, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals

Happy Summer!

Hi everyone.  Time for the another challenge at Addicted to CAS.  This time I paper pieced a sweet digital image from "by Lori Designs".  Her name is Lollipop and I just couldn't resist getting her!

Today's challenge is being run by the mega-talented Sue of Sue's Card Craft.  Sue has chosen this timely code word:

This challenge is sponsored by

Prize:  $20 gift voucher

(please follow the rules to be eligible to win)

I paper pieced Lollipop's dress, shoes, hair ribbons and watermelon, adding layers to give even more interest.  The watermelon is popped up for added dimension.  The rest of the image is colored with copics ... a little chalk to color her cheeks and a dot of white gel pen.  I wanted the polka-dots to really stand out, so didn't add any other embellishments.  A simple sentiment finishes the card.


Here's a close-up:

Stamps:  Lollipop Watermelon Smile; Beach Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Snap Color Vibe (Simple Stories); Kiwi Kiss, Melon Mambo (SU!)
Ink:  Black (SU!); Copics:  E00, E01, Y21, YR24
Accessories & Tools:  Red Chalk, white gel pen, glue, Crystal Effects, adhesives, and glue dots

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

Ocean Paradise

Hi everyone.  Today I used a sweet digital stamp from Sweet 'n Sassy :)  Love this relaxing and peaceful scene - wish I was there! :)

Actually, I will be there soon as hubby and I are heading off for a few days of R&R (not really sure why we'd need R&R as we are both retired!) :) ... but after this crazy year, we definitely need a peaceful setting to kick back and unwind.   We were hoping the whole family would get away together, but Evan and Nikki have to work, so it will be us and my youngest, Jer.  We are off to Galiano Island soon where there are quite a few artists ... so we'll be checking out their studios - can't wait!

On to the card ...

I'm entering this into the latest challenge at Color Throwdown (CTD250 - bermuda bay, crumb cake, melon mambo, so saffron).  Was so excited when I saw these colors ... LOVE!  Color Throwdown is celebrating it's 5th Birthday - congrats to them!!!

Stamps:  Ocean Paradise (Sweet 'n Sassy); Beach sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  Watercolor (Arches); Crumb Cake (SU!)
Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo, So Saffron, Soft Suede, Basic Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), blender pen, sponges, sticky strips, adhesives, and dimensionals


I used the same layout as yesterday's card, just changing the shape and size to a square ... do love the simple framing layout these days :)  I used the marker layering technique (using a blender pen to pick up ink from a stamp pad and blending it onto watercolor paper) to watercolor the sand, ocean, chair and umbrella.  I masked the umbrella and then sponged So Saffron and Bermuda Bay inks for the sky.   I removed the mask and then used my Aqua Painter to blend the sponged ink into the watercolor paper.  Easy, peasy.

As always, I found the perfect sentiment from Amy R (love her sets!).  Hope you like.

Here's a close-up:

____________________

Thanks to everyone that commented on my latest Card Candy Giveaway - #5 (Sunflowers).  I used the True Random Number Generator to pick the winner of the Card Candy:

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 16 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

... and the winner is ...

Valerie (Canonbury Creations)

Congrats Val ... please email your mailing address to me (click on the "Email Me" in the right-hand column near the top), and I'll send you the Card Candy. :)

Life's a Beach

Hi everyone.  I had so much fun making this card today!!!!  I used my new Surf's Up! Shapeabilities again to make the flip-flops and beach ball ... and rolled up a piece of bright blue felt for the "towel".  I made my own beach bag using the Square Lattice embossing folder, shaping and gluing the embossed yellow cardstock into the shape of a bag and adding orange suede strips for the handles.  I added a small flag with the only stamping on this card "beach" ... which qualifies this card for entry into the latest CAS-ual Fridays challenge (CFC104 - banners and flags).

Hope you like this card ... it's a hint of what's to come for my next card candy! :)

Stamps:  Beach Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo (SU!)
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Surf's Up Shapeabilities (Spellbinders), Linen Impression Plate (Papertrey Ink), Crystal Effects, 8 Petals & Branches die (C.C. Designs), bright blue felt, mini half pearls, orange suede strips, paper piercing tool, Mini Wavy Pennants die (MFT), Square Lattice embossing folder (Sizzix for SU!), hole punch, glue dots, glue, sticky strips, and dimensionals

Here's a close-up: