Autumn Leaves

Hi everyone.  This is for the new challenge at Mixed Media Card Challenge #3 - Autumn Colors with optional elements of metal or leaves.  I did both :)

We have a wonderful sponsor joining us today ...

Prize:  $15 Gift Certificate

I sponged with a leaf stencil on the left side only, fading out as I reached the edge and the center of the card front; and then stamped script in the same ink over top.  I randomly added embossing paste over a quatrefoil stencil on the right.

I used my copper sheets (not heated) to die-cut several leaves.  I LOVE these leaf die sets from Cheery Lynn because not only does it have a variety of beautifully shaped leaves, but it embosses the veins when being die-cut.

I then pounced the leaves with a mix of three colors of alcohol inks, leaving a little of the copper still showing through.  Love how the leaves turned out so I made several others to use on future cards.  And I also inked up a full 6"x6" sheet of copper ... so you'll be seeing more of this inked copper later :)

I added a simple sentiment banner and placed the leaves on top with a little twine bow to finish.

I hope you'll come and play along with us ... such a fun challenge and there are amazing cards for inspiration from the other members of the Design Team - click HERE to take a look.

The challenge is open until September 25th, so there's lots of time to enter.  Hope to see you in the challenge gallery! :)

Stamps:  En Francais (SU!); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz (SU!); Alcohol inks:  Honeycomb, Poppyfield, Botanical (Ranger)
Accessories & Tools:  Silhouette Cameo, leaves cut file, quatrefoil cut file, plastic sheets, embossing paste, copper metal sheet .005 thickness (K&S Precision Metals), Small #2 Leaf and Large #2 Leaf dies (Cheery Lynn),  Honeydew twine (The Twinery)

High Tea

Hi everyone.  Time for a new challenge at ATCAS.  This challenge is being hosted by the very talented Sandie (London Days) and she choose this fantastic code word ...

This challenge is being sponsored by

I started thinking about what I find is a luxury to me ... and I came up with going to High Tea with my girlfriends.  So much fun to get together, have some laughs, and be waited on with delicious little cakes and tea ... this is a luxury to me! :)

I printed off the sweet digital image of cakes and colored them with my Stampin' Write markers.  I added some dazzling details to give the icing some sparkle ... and added glossy accents to the hearts and cherry for dimension and shine.

I used a heart embossing strip for the background and added a simple sentiment to finish.

I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge.  I want to thank Lyndal for being our Guest Designer this month ... she has done a fabulous job --- her cards are so beautiful and inspiring - thank you Lyndal!!  Click HERE to see Lyndal's take on the code word ... and to see the other amazing creations by our very talented design team.

Just a note that this challenge is only open for one week (not the usual two), so please remember to get your luxury cards linked up within the next seven days. Looking forward to seeing you in the gallery!

Stamps:  Tea Time (DigiStamp Boutique); Sweet Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Black, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Real Red (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Gold Paint (Lumiere), dazzling details, glossy accents, heart embossing strip (Sizzix for SU!)

Mistletoe Wreath

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the current challenge at Merry Monday, hosted by my good friend Bonnie (Merry Monday #123 - use a wreath).

I so happy I finally had time to join in with Merry Monday challenge.  It's been a long time, but I need to get working on my Christmas stash and this photo inspired me!

My wreath is made with a stencil (using a cut file and my Silhouette Cameo), covered with embossing paste.  Once it was dry, I placed the stencil back on top and sponged with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink.  I thought these leaves looked like mistletoe, so added white pearl berries.  I added a die-cut sentiment from red foil paper (glued to white cardstock to add sturdiness before die-cutting).

The embossing paste wreath has texture and depth ... looks so much better in real life. :)

Paper:  White (Neenah); Red foil (unknown)
Ink:  Shabby Shutters Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Silhouette Cameo, wreath cut file, plastic sheet, embossing paste, palette knife, white half-pearls, Merry Christmas die (Simon Says)

Challenges:
Merry Monday #123

Happy Birthday Alex

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the CAS(E) this sketch! #89 ... such a great sketch that I use a lot!

I made a birthday card for Alex (Jer's partner).  He is from Puerto Vallarta and I wanted the card to reflect this beautiful city!  I googled and looked at the images of the gorgeous sandy beaches with palm trees swaying in the breeze --- ahhhh!! :)

I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out the sun, sand and palm tree ... and used a die for the waves.  I added a little shading to give the die-cuts some interest and then coated the sun and tops of the waves with Wink of Stella for some shine.

Right now we're having some hot days here so I feel like I'm in the tropics :) ... except for the humidity - yuck!  Supposed to cool down tomorrow and I'm looking forward to the break.

Stamps:  A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Gumball Green, Baked Brown Sugar, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Bermuda Bay (SU!)
Ink:  Gumball Green, Baked Brown Sugar (SU!); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Silhouette Cameo, cut files, sponges, Catch a Wave die (My Favorite things), Clear Wink of Stella