Inspired by ... with Bonnie

Hi everyone.  My dear friend Bonnie contacted me about a current challenge at "Inspired By".  There are a couple of inspiration photos to choose from, but the main part of the challenge is to ask a friend to play along.  I am so excited to join this challenge with Bonnie!!  

Here's the inspiration photo ...

You can see that I HAD to include the beautiful black and white check pattern. Don't you love it??!! :)  I also created a 3D wreath like the one hanging on the wall of the photo.  I included two different leaves in different shades of green (also shaded with ink) and white half pearls to represent the white flowers on the wreath.

I gave a nod to the galvanized steel containers with my matte silver strip beside the check pattern, as well as the matte silver sentiment banner.

For the wreath, I used two leaf dies to alternate around a circle frame.  I shaped the thicker leaves with my stylus to give it more dimension.  Both sets of leaves have been sponged with darker shades of green ink.  I used white half pearls to add the finishing touch.

Close-up ...

I hope you'll visit Bonnie to see her amazing design from in the inspiration photo.  

Thanks to Michele from Inspired By for this fun challenge!!

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Stamps:  Snowglobe Sentiments (My Favorite Things - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Old Olive card stock (SU!); Always Artichoke card stock (SU!), matte silver card stock (unknown)
Ink:   Black Soot distress ink; Old Olive and Always Artichoke inks (SU!); Versamark
Accessories:   Plaid stencil (Tim Holtz), sponges, circle nestabilities (Spellbinder - retired); Leaves die (C.C. Designs - retired); Pine Needles die (unknown), white half pearls, white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
Inspired by Challenge #IB189 - All the Peels

The Flower Challenge #61

Hi everyone.  Welcome to the start of The Flower Challenge #61.  This is a special month as we are celebrating 5 years at The Flower Challenge.  Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing cards from our Designers and Guest Designer, Emily (Sixth Street Sundries).  As well, check out the prizes which are part of our celebration!

This month, the challenge is to use a shape.  I used a piece from my stash that is distress inks with embossing folder stamping, Diamond in the Rough (Cuttlebug).  Love the soft shades of purple and blue ink!  I die-cut it with a Point Street tag die (Poppy Stamps).  It was the perfect shape and size for the lovely flower on top that is watercoloured with distress inks.  The flower die-cut was a gift from a sweet friend so I don't know the name or brand.  (Butterfly Kisses - Mama Elephant ... thanks Colleen!)  The flower is popped up on top of the tag background, which is popped up on top of the card base.  

Please help us celebrate our 5th birthday.  Hope you'll come play along!

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Stamps:  Brushed Wishes (Stampendous - retired); Butterfly Kisses (Mama Elephant)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Wilted Violet, Salty Ocean, Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Diamond in the Rough (Cuttlebug - retired) embossing folder, water mister, Point Street tag die (Poppy Stamps - retired), Watercolour paint brushes, white Posca pen

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #61 - Use a Shape

CAS Christmas October Challenge

Hi everyone.  Start of the CAS Christmas October Challenge.  Not long now before we need to have our cards in the mail! :)  

Today we have a colour challenge, hosted by the talented Marcia (Marcia's Stampin' Pad).

Wonderful colour combination for Christmas cards.  I started by creating the poinsettia.  Stamped the image on mixed media paper, heat embossing in silver.  I watercoloured using Real Red dye ink (Stampin' Up!).  Mustard Seed distress ink was used for the center of the poinsettia.  Once dry I fussy-cut the flower and set aside.

For the card front, I sponged Smoky Slate dye ink (Stampin' Up!) through a stencil.  I then cut off a strip and attached it to my card front.  I used a thick metallic silver marker to add the silver line.

The sentiment is stamped and heat embossed in silver before securing the poinsettia to the card.

Close-up ...

We are excited to have Darnell as our Guest Designer this month.  Welcome Darnell!!

Please check out the challenge blog to see the beautiufl Gray and Red cards from our Designers and wonderful Guest Designer, Darnell.

Then come join us!

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Stamps:  Create a Poinsettia (Stampendous - retired); Art Deco Celebrate Christmas (Poppy Stamps - retired)

Paper:   Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Real Red, Smoky Slate (Stampin' Up!); Versamark
Accessories:   Silver embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour brushes, Wander & Find stencil (Carta Bella - retired), blending brush, thick silver metallic marker (Pilot)

Challenges:
CAS Christmas October Challenge - Gray and Red

CAS Mix Up October Challenge

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the CAS Mix Up October Challenge.  This month is hosted by the talented Bonnie (Stamping with Klass).  She wants us to incorporate plant material in our cards ...

I have to admit that I made this print a long time ago.  We did a lot of botanical prints during our last Crafting Retreat.  The process was fairly simple.  Forge outside for leaves and flowers.  Place them single layer on a piece of watercolour paper, then place another piece of watercolour paper over top.  Run through the Big Shot.  Let it dry before separating the two pieces.  You end up with two botanical prints. :)

I love the purple and green leaves together.  I layered them over top of a strip of burlap and then placed it on a woodgrain embossed background (gift from a friend).  The sentiment (Lace Leaf - Altenew - retired) is stamped in Archival Shadow Grey (Ranger).

Close-up ...

We are so happy to have Izzy (Izzy Scrap) as our Guest Designer this month.  Welcome Izzy!

Please check out the challenge blog to see the amazing botanical print cards from our talented Designers and wonderful Guest Designer, Izzy. 

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Stamps:  Sentiment - Lace Leaf (Altenew - retired)

Paper:   Arches Watercolour Paper (Hot Press); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Archival Shadow Grey (Ranger
Accessories:   Burlap sheet, Woodgrain embossing folder (Tim Holtz)

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up October Challenge - Botanical Prints