Poppy Field

Hi everyone.  Continuing on with my new found love of stenciling! :)  I've used two stencils for today's one-layer card.  I know it's actually two layers because I almost always include a card front that's just 3/8" smaller than my card base, but the card front is completely flat with no embellishments - so I consider this one-layer.

I have been inspired for a long time by an amazing card artist, and fellow Canadian, Karen Dunbrook.  Her use of stencils is second to none and she uses bold and bright colors on most of her cards, which are absolutely stunning.  If you haven't been to her blog Snippets, I suggest you check it out - you'll be glad you did!

My card today was inspired by this beauty that Karen made a few months ago.  I included a background stencil (drywall tape) of turquoise so this qualifies for the latest challenge at Less is More #166 - a touch of turquoise.  And because this is another stenciled card, this will be my third entry into Virginia's View Challenge #2 - stenciling ... I hope she's not sick of me! :)  And I'm going to include it in this week's challenge at ATS&M #89 - CAS.  Whew!!  Another bunch of challenges with one card - crazy! :)

As I mentioned above, I used a piece of drywall tape to stencil the grid background of turquoise (also included a strip on the inside of the card).  I cut my own stencil using my Silhouette Cameo ... and I learned something new today.  I had cut this before, but when I went to sponge, I'd end up with green ink from the stems in the flower heads or vice versa ... so I cut a new stencil, copying the image so I had two exact matches.  Then I ungrouped the images and deleted the stems from one and the flower heads from the other and cut it out.  I placed the stems down first, sponged with bright green ink, moved the stencil over so the flower heads lined up with the tops of the stems, and then sponged three shades of orange to give the flowers some depth.  Worked great!

Today the rain has come.  Hubby is having a quiet day for himself and taking a break from visiting his mom at the hospice.  He's been so tired and I'm glad he is taking a little break for himself.  Tomorrow is our family dinner to celebrate hubby's birthday ... we are so excited every Sunday when the kids (and grandbaby!) come over for the evening.  It's the highlight of our week! :)

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Gumball Green, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Drywall tape, sponges, Silhouette Cameo, Clear plastic sheets, Cutting file:  poppy field

Challenges:
Less is More #166
Virginia's View #2
ATS&M #89

Blushing Butterfly

Hi everyone.  I seem to be on a butterfly kick lately :)  This card is for several challenges, so I'll get right to the list ...

First, this was inspired by Diane, who was Queen For the Day at Splitcoast (QFTD209 - fionna51) last week.  I'm a little late to the party, but really wanted to honor her by CASEing (Copy And Share Everything) this beauty.  I changed up the colors, stenciled my background instead of using a patterned paper banner, and used splatters instead of pearls.  Congrats Diane ... I hope you enjoyed your special week!

This is my second entry into Virginia's View Challenge #2 - stenciling and Time Out Challenge #2 (Butterfly Motif).  I made my own stencil using my Cameo cutting machine, plastic clear sheet and a cut file from Silhouette America called "grid: diagonal".  To me it looked like lattice and made a great background for the flourish and butterfly.  You can just see a peek at the inside of the card, where I've added a strip of the same stenciling design for interest.

This is for the "Ways To Use It Challenge" (WT473 - New Beginnings) - this reminds me of the start of spring.  I also used a new product to make the card (my stencil).

This is also for the Free For All (F4A215 - tone-on-tone) ... I have three layers of tone-on-tone (white) in my card:  base, card front, butterfly and flourish.

And also for my first entry into this fairly new challenge - Card Concepts (#7 - include a butterfly).  I believe my style would be Clean and Layered.

And last, but not least ... this is for the current challenge at Simon Says - Happy Birthday, where they are celebrating their fifth year of challenges.  I made this a birthday card and used the butterfly dies that I purchased from SSS.  Happy Birthday to them!

I secured my stencil over my card front and sponged lightly with blushing bride ink, just filling in the top center area.  As mentioned above, I also added a strip of stenciled lattice to the inside of the card.

I removed the stencil and added splatters by tapping a paint brush dipped in smoky slate re-inker which had been diluted with water.  I die-cut the flourish and top layer of the butterfly from white card stock, and die-cut the solid butterfly image from vellum.  I stamped a simple sentiment to finish.

This has been a really nice day.  It's Gord's birthday and we headed to Crescent Beach for a walk and then out for a nice lunch.  The sun is shining and it's warm (but windy!) ... so nice to get out and enjoy the fresh ocean air! :)

Stamps:  Be Happy (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Vellum
Ink:  Blushing Bride, Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Silhouette Cameo, clear plastic sheets, sponge, paint brush, Big Shot, Flourish 6 die (Crafty Ann), Moonlight and Kaleidoscope Butterfly dies (Memory Box)

Challenges:
QFTD209
Virginia's View#2
Time Out #2
WT473
F4A215
Card Concept #7
Simon Says - Happy Birthday

Bermuda Bay Butterfly

Hi everyone.  I made this card to go to a fellow crafter that is going through a very difficult time.  I thought I'd use a few challenges as my starting point.  First, I used the layout and design from CAS(E) this Sketch! challenge #70 :)

I used the butterfly motif from the current Time Out Challenge #2 that is run by fellow design team member Sandie (ATCAS) ... and a former design team member Nonni (ATS&M).  Check out the challenge and join in ... lots of fun! :)

Ane I used stenciling on my card so am entering it into Challenge #2 at Virginia's View.  I have been madly cutting out lots of stencils with my Cameo and have a great supply on hand.  This particular design has a lot going on, so in order to keep it in the CAS style that I love ... I added a simple frame and plain butterfly so the pattern shows through.

I placed my stencil over a piece of Whisper White card stock from Stampin' Up!  I have mostly SU! inks and find that they blend really well on the Whisper White card stock.  The only problem is the WW is very lightweight, so I always cut a piece of heavy card stock and glue it to the back to make it sturdy.

I taped my stencil overtop and used a large sponge dauber to add the Bermuda Bay ink.  At first, I was going to add several shades of blue, but decided to make this card monochromatic.  I cut out a frame from white and then glued the stencil piece in-behind.  I also cut a strip from the stenciled panel and placed it on the inside for interest.

The butterfly is die-cut twice from Bermuda Bay card stock ... a little hard to see in the photo, but there are two layers.  I glued them together at the center only and then added a large dot of Crystal Effects to either side of the body ... when it dries, it holds the wings apart, even when it goes through the mail.  I did the same thing when I mounted the butterfly to the stenciled panel.  A simple sentiment and the card was finished.

Another beautiful day here.  Hubby and I went out in the back yard and cut down about half the lilac tree that was damaged in a wind storm a month or so ago.  It was overgrown and one of the large branches had died off.  We were planning on taking it down this year anyways ... Mother Nature gave us a head start. :)  With it being the first time out in the garden since sitting around for the winter, we decided that cutting down half the tree was enough for today ... need to work into a gardening routine gradually. :)  It was so nice to be out in the sun and fresh air --- ahhhh, I do LOVE Spring!

Edited to add:  Going to enter this into the ATS&M Challenge #89 - CAS - perfect! :)

Stamps:  Thoughts of You (Rubber-Art Stamps)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Bermuda Bay (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Silhouette Cameo, clear plastic sheets (Grafix), Starburst Shift Lace cutting file, Big Shot, Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box), Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Sponges, Crystal Effects

Challenges:
Time Out #2
Virginia's View #2
CAS(E) this Sketch! #70
ATS&M #89 - CAS

Silhouette Grasses for Kathleen

Hi everyone.  This card is for a fellow card maker at Splitcoasterstampers.com.  Kathleen is a lovely person who always takes time to leave encouraging and supportive comments on other's work on the site.  She is also a wonderful card maker and so I wanted to join in the current Teapotter's Challenge (MMTPT #296), where the group sends cards of encouragement to people who could use some extra support during a difficult time.  This week the group is sending cards to Kathleen as she gets ready for major surgery. This card will be making it's way to Kathleen shortly :)

I used the colors from this week's Color Challenge (#472 - Night of Navy, Old Olive, Bermuda Bay) to CASE (copy and share everything) this beautiful card, along with creating a tag card which Kathleen does often - so it is a combination of two or three of her cards.

I'm also entering this into the latest challenge at Addicted to Stamps & More (#89 - CAS).

The tag is made by sponging olive and Bermuda bay inks, spraying a fine mist of water ... and once dry, stamping the wheat grass in dark navy and then splattering larger drops of water on top.  I added some dark blue and olive twine to the top.  I'm happy with how the tag turned out and mounted (as usual) on my white card front and base.  I thought it looked a little stark, so removed the tag, masked off the edges of the card base and then splattered the card front with all three of the colors (olive, Bermuda bay, navy).  I like how it turned out ... it doesn't have all the beautiful white space that I adore ... so I'm really not sure which version I like better. :)  I'm trying to expand and start adding more background stamping, splattering and stenciling ... it's going to take me a little while to get comfortable :)

Gorgeous, sunny day here and hoping to head out for a walk around the neighborhood soon.  Need to enjoy the sun as rain is forecasted to be back with us by Friday.  Hope you're all having a wonderful week.

Stamps:  Silhouette Grass (Hero Arts); Love Bug - sentiment (Fiskars)
Paper:  White (Neenah), Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Night of Navy (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, water mister, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Twine (Midnight Blue, Honeydew), paintbrush for splattering

Challenges:
SCS Teapotter's Challenge (MMTPT #296)
SCS Color Challenge (#472)
ATS&M #89