More Tiger Lilies ... and guest designer

First of all, thank you to all my family and friends that making my birthday so special.  I had a wonderful birthday, getting to spend the day with my family ... and over the past couple of weeks, have had several lunches out with friends to celebrate.  It's been so special being able to spend time with the people I love!  Thank you, thank you!!

Here's my card for today's SCS Free For All Challenge - (F4A123 - what a load of scrap!).  I have a ton of scraps ... I keep anything that's larger than one inch, so you can imagine!  I kept the designer paper scraps that I used on today's card ... I really didn't think I'd ever use them, because to me, the design is really meant to go horizonal and these were the end cuts and are vertical.  I was surprised when I tried them and they looked good. :)  I also used scraps of Kiwi Kiss cardstock for the border around the DP and the flourish ... I just love Kiwi Kiss and miss it so much.  I have only a few little pieces left, and have been hoarding them.  They match this DP so perfectly, I had to give-in and use some today.  Also, I hope you're not tired of seeing the Fanciful Flourish from Cheery Lynn.  Since I bought it about a month ago, I've had a hard time making cards with flowers than didn't include it.  I used my "go to" layout.  Hope you like.

"Fanciful Tiger Lilies"

Stamps:  Fifth Avenue Floral, Elements of Style - sentiment (SU!)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Kiwi Kiss, watercolor (SU!); Chic Indie DP (My Mind's Eye)
Ink:  Stazon Black, Cameo Coral, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Fanciful Flourish die-cut (Cheery Lynn), blender pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig, white gel pen

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So, you're probably wondering about my guest designer ... it's Jeremy.  He made me a card for my birthday and I just LOVE IT!!  He is always here to give me valuable feedback on my cards and I'm going to miss that with him moving to his own place in a couple of months :(

Gord has already agreed to pick up the slack in that department ... and for those of you who know Gord well, you know he's really putting himself out there to give me artistic feedback :)   He's a mechanical kinda' guy - and art is a bit of a struggle for him --- but he really took an interest once Jeremy made it his major at university.  I give Gord full credit for working hard at understanding art.  I, on the other hand, never made the effort to learn anything about mechanics ... so I didn't support Evan in the same way when he became an automotive mechanic - I should really work on that! :)

On to Jer's card ... he said it took him four hours to make ... now he knows why I spend so much time in my art studio :)  Sometimes the artistic process is a long one, especially if you're not used to making cards.  Another quick note - I call my craft room an art studio, only because at one time I had to share the space with Jeremy ... and since he was actually DOING art, we called it the art studio - not that I consider myself an artist in any way - I am a crafter, through and through.

"Happy Birthday Mom"

He used a gold and dark brown color scheme - so striking - the picture doesn't do it justice.  I love that he hand wrote "birthday" at the bottom in gold pen ... no happy, just birthday - definitely more hip and modern - just like Jer!  Thanks Jer for a beautiful card!

Poppies

Had to make another quick post for today.  Went out to Langley to Clipper Street Scrapbooking ... they are having a great sale right now ... 30% off all dies plus you can get 40% off one manufacturer.  Picked up a couple of new sets of Spellbinders and a new Memory Box die - looking forward to using them soon!  Decided to use my 40% off on Copics ... I made the plunge!!  Bought eight to start with ... just to see how I like using them.  Came home and started playing with the copics right away!  Definitely need some instruction or practice ... or both! :)  Here's a card using the fun sketch from this week's CAS Challenge at SCS - sketch by Miss Minx (Cary).  Hope you like my first copics card!

"Poppies"

Stamp:  Poppy Stems (Stampendous)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Old Olive, Haiku DP (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Black (SU!); Copic markers:  YR07, R29, YG95
Accessories & Tools:  Mistletoe ribbon (SU!), adhesives, sticky strip and dimensionals

Stamped the image in Basic Black ink and colored the flowers with copics YR07 and R29.  Colored the stems with YG95.

Mounted the image and the Haiku DP strip on frames of Old Olive cardstock.  Wrapped the Old Olive ribbon around the main image and tied a knot off to one side.  Mounted the main image, popping it up with dimensionals to add depth.

Easy and fun card!!  Had so much coloring with the copics!



Romance En Francais

Today's card is for two challenges - the Color Throwdown (#198) - Basic Gray, Pool Party, Tangerine Tango and Cameo Coral ... and ... Simplicity's OLW94 (make a one-layer card other than the standard size of 4 1/4" x 5 1/2").  Hope you like.

"Romance En Francais"

Stamps:  Bordering on Romance, En Francais (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Gumball Green (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  acetate sheet, Nestabilities Labels Two (Spellbinders), post-it note, masking fluid, sponge, blender pen, clear embossing powder, heat tool

I used my Big Shot to die-cut the shape of my card, using the largest Nestabilities Labels Two die.

I used my Big Shot to die-cut the second-largest Labels Two shape from the acetate sheet - this is my mask which I placed over top of my Whisper White card.  I stamped the main image in Basic Gray ink inside the label cut-out and embossed it with clear.  I stamped the image again onto a post-it note and cut out the main flowers to mask my main image.  I used masking fluid to mask the small flowers.

Once the masking fluid was dry, I stamped the En Francais stamp in Basic Gray over top and then sponged more Basic Gray ink around the edges (reverse masking).  I removed the acetate mask, post-it note masks and masking fluid.

I colored in the flowers with Stampin' Write markers and blender pen (watercoloring with blender pens ... or ... marker layering technique).

Wave of Blooms

Today's Color Challenge from SCS (CC381) is Pool Party, Island Indigo and Whisper White.  I don't have ink in the two blues, but did find some beautiful DP with Island Indigo ... it's from the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper at Stampin' Up!  Used the patterned paper to create a wave ... the dessert today is water, so I'm hoping that my "wave" will qualify!! :)  I punched hydrangea blooms, sponged the edges with Baja Breeze ink and glued them along top of the wave.  Easy card, just took a little time to make the flowers.

"Wave of Blooms"

Stamp:  Happiest Birthday Wishes (SU!)
Paper:  Summer Smooches DP (SU!); Bazzill White
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Versamark (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Hydrangea punch (Martha Stewart), hole punch, white gel pen, white embossing powder, heat tool, mat, stylus, glue dots, and adhesives

I punched out the flowers from white, sponged the edges with Baja Breeze ink, shaped the flowers with my mat and stylus, added a shaped small circle of Island Indigo paper on top (punched from the same designer paper), and added a dot of white in the center with my gel pen.

I hand cut a wave shape from the DP, mounted it to my Bazzill card front and then attached the flowers using glue dots.

The sentiment was stamped in versamark and white embossed.  I also added a small wave shape to the bottom of the inside panel.

Turquoise Flowers and a Dump Truck

Today I'm posting two cards.  The first is for today's CAS Challenge at SCS (CAS176 - sketch by Miss Minx).  Just love this sketch and will be using it again.  I used my Easy Events stamp set from SU! ... I have gotten so much use out of this set, even though this is the first time using this particular stamp.  I love the turquoise and bright green color combination.  Hope you like this quick and easy CAS card.

"Turquoise Flowers"

Stamp:  Easy Events (SU!)
Paper:  White, Tempting Turqoise, Everyday Enchantment DP (SU!)
Ink:  Stazon Black, Tempting Turquoise, Gumball Green (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  ticket corner punch, mat, stylus, glue dots, clear stickles, adhesives, and dimensionals

I stamped the image in Stazon Ink onto Whisper White cardstock (twice ... using the extra to create the flower layers).  I colored in the flowers and leaves with Stampin' Write markers.  I punched the corners of the main image and the Tempting Turquoise frame and mounted them together.  I added a second layer of flower heads on top which I colored, cut out, shaped with my mat and stylus and popped on top of my main image, using rolled glue dots to add the layers (paper tole technique).  I added clear stickles to the flower centers to add some bling.

I mounted everything as shown above, adding the same size horizontal strip to the inside of the card.

Easy, quick and fun card to make!

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The second card is for my great-nephew who is turning 2 tomorrow.  Happy Birthday Drew!!

"Drew is 2"

Stamps:  I Dig You! (SU!)
Paper:  White, Crumb Cake (SU!)
Ink:  More Mustard, Basic Black, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Cloud dies (Memory Box), sponges, toothbrush, water, adhesives, glue, and dimensionals

I stamped the truck onto Whisper White cardstock and cut it out.  I tore strips of Crumb Cake and then sponged the edges with Soft Suede ink.  I layered the strips, and mounted the truck on top, popping it up with dimensionals.  I slipped a scrap piece of paper under the top of the truck to protect the white space, leaving the truck and "dirt piles" exposed.  I added a drop of Soft Suede re-inker to a toothbrush, a small squirt of water and then worked it into the bristles of the brush using paper towel.  Once most of the moisture was absorbed, I pulled my thumb across the bristles, splattering the exposed parts of the card.

I die-cut three layers of each of the two sizes of clouds and then glued the layers together to form thick die-cuts.  I sponged the edges with Baja Breeze ink and mounted them to the front of the card.



Welcome Baby

Today's card is for a couple of challenges.  First, the Clean & Simple Sketch Challenge (FTL196) - I really love this layout and it went perfectly with the second challenge.

Here's the sketch from Clean & Simple (FTL196):

And the second challenge is an Inspiration Challenge (IC342) from SCS - My Sweet Muffin.  I choose this blanket from the website to use as inspiration for my card.



And ... here's today's card:

"Welcome Baby"

Stamp:  Short & Sweet, Every Little Bit (SU!)
Paper:  White cardstock (C.C. Designs); Duckies DP and Yellow polka-dot DP (unknown); Bashful Blue polka-dot DP, Bashful Blue striped DP (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Nestabilities Squares (Spellbinders), Crystal Effects, blender pen, glue, adhesives and dimensionals

I die-cut four Duckie DP and four blue polka-dot DP using the 1" Nestabilities Square die and my Big Shot.

I adhered the squares onto my card base.  Cut out two banners, stamped sentiment and mounted the layers together.  Added the banners on top of the squares, popping it up with dimensionals to add depth.

I stamped the duck in basic black ink onto whisper white cardstock and colored it with Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write marker.  I added a little shading with More Mustard SWM and a blender pen.  I cut out the duck and coated it with Crystal Effects to create a 3-D look.  Once dry, I mounted the duck onto the banner and added a strip of blue polka-dot dp to the inside of the card.

Quick and easy card!

Flourish Birdcage

Today I headed to Opus (artist's supply store) in Langley with Jeremy.  He wanted to pick up acrylic paints and canvasses ... he's planning on painting a set of three geometric design panels for his new apartment.  I found a nice piece of thin balsa wood and used it in today's card.  I wasn't sure if it was too thick to cut with dies, but after running it through a few times, the Big Shot compressed the wood enough that it was able to cut all the way through.  Just love the look of the wood pieces on the card ... and the great thing about balsa, is that it is extremely lightweight - perfect for embellishing a card.

Today's card is for the Color Throwdown Challenge (CTD197 - Crumb Cake, Calypso Coral, Cajun Craze, Kiwi Kiss).  I just love the combination of these colors!  I used mostly dies for my card (and again I used my newest toy, the flourish die from Cheery Lynn - it is my favorite die I have!!).  I also used the birdcage die (and bird) that I've had for a while, but haven't used yet.  I still have several unopened dies ... need to get on that!!  Hope you like today's CAS card.

"Flourish Birdcage"

Stamp:  Vintage Labels (SU!)
Paper:  White cardstock (C.C. Designs); Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Cajun Craze, Everyday Enchantment DP (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Kiwi Kiss (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Nestabilities Labels Two (Spellbinders), Fanciful Flourish die (Cheery Lynn); Birdcage and bird dies (Poppy Stamps), Hydrangea punch (Martha Stewart); balsa wood, mat, stylus, glue, and dimensionals

I ran the balsa wood through my Big Shot with the Nestabilities Labels Two and bird dies and then sponged both pieces with Crumb Cake ink.  I cut out the Flourish die from Kiwi Kiss cardstock and then sponged the edges with Kiwi Kiss ink.  I die-cut the birdcage from Basic Black cardstock.  The blossoms were punched from Cajun Craze cardstock and Calypso Coral DP from the Everyday Enchantment paper series and then molded using my mat and stylus.

I mounted all the pieces as shown, tacking down the flourish, birdcages and flowers with glue and popping up the bird to add depth.  The whole image was mounted on the cardbase and popped up for added dimension.

Stained Glass Window

Today's "Ways to Use It" Challenge from SCS (WT380) is windows and doors ... include a window, door (or both) on your card.  I just love the window die from Poppy Stamps ... so versatile and there are so many things you can do with it.  Today I created (hopefully) what looks like a stained glass window ... reminds me of all the wonderful houses in New Westminster, where I used to live.  I added to the old style of the card by adding some wallpaper and a chair rail.  Hope you like.

"Stained Glass Window"

Stamps:  Fresh Vintage (SU!); Leaf Sprig (Kittie Kits - Rubbernecker); Tranquil (sentiment) from ISC
Paper:  Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Certainly Celery striped DP, Vellum Paper, Watercolor paper (SU!)
Ink:  Stazon Black, Certainly Celery, Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Small Madison Window die (Poppy Stamps), Textile embossing folder (Cuttlebug), brayer, sponges, mini pewter brad, black sharpie, glue, adhesives, sticky strips and dimensionals

I stamped the design in Stazon Black ink onto vellum paper and colored using Stampin' Write markers.  I used my Sharpie to add some lines at the top and bottom of the design.  I cut the design to fit inside the top portion of my window, sandwiching the vellum between two window die cuts from watercolor paper (I find that the watercolor paper is stiff and holds it's shape).

I sponged Bashful Blue ink very lightly onto Whisper white, added some Certainly Celery leaf sprigs at the bottom, and mounted the "outside" behind my window, adding dimensionals in-between.

I created the bottom wallpaper by using my brayer to add Certainly Celery ink to the inside of my embossing folder, adding a Whisper White panel and then running it through my Big Shot ... this is called "Faux Letterpress" or "Belleek Inspired" technique - just love the look!

I mounted all the other pieces as shown in the photo to create an old-fashioned looking house.  I sponged around the edges of the sentiment, added a pewter mini brad, curled it for added interest and mounted with it popped up on a dimensional to add depth.

Butterfly Lucy

Today is the sketch challenge at SCS (SC390).  I really wanted to use the pretty patterned paper from Summer Smooches (vertical strip), and originally paper pieced Lucy dress with the same paper ... but it didn't stand out enough.  So I removed the DP and colored in her dress with ink and blender pen.  I definitely need more practice with coloring hair ... this didn't turn out very good.  But to be fair, I only have a couple of colors of ProMarkers, so I was limited and tried to add more colors on top using the Stampin' Write markers.  Something I learned ... Promarkers and SWM do not mix well ... :)  Next time I'll stick with one or the other.

Here's the sketch:

"Butterfly Lucy"

Stamp:  Butterfly Lucy (C.C. Designs)
Paper:  Real Red, Watercolor, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Summer Smooches DP (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Black, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede (SU!); Promarkers Ivory, Vanilla, Apricot (Letraset)
Accessories & Tools:  Clear embossing powder, heat tool, Big Shot, Oval die (Spellbinders), Butterfly embosslits (Sizzix), 1/4" Daffodil Delight grosgrain ribbon, Polka-dot embossing folder (Sizzix), Crystal Effects, blender pen, orange glitter glue, white gel pen, adhesives, sticky strips, glue dots and dimensionals


Here's a close-up of Lucy ...

I stamped the image in Basic Black onto watercolor paper and clear embossed.  I colored in Lucy's face, hands, legs and hair with Promarkers.  I used Stampin' Write markers to color the butterfly, Lucy's shoes, hair accessories and add more colors to her hair.  I used ink and a blender pen to color in Lucy's dress.  I added white polka-dots to Lucy's dress with the white gel pen.  I covered her hair accessories with Crystal Effects to make them shiny ... and added orange glitter glue on top of the butterfly.

The oval was die-cut with Whisper White and then run through the Big Shot with the polka-dot embossing folder.  Everything was mounted as per the photo above.

Happy Day

Today I'm in the studio with Heather and we're having fun!!  I made a card for today's Color Challenge from SCS - CC380 - Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke.  The "dessert" is to pop up all or part of the image - so I had dessert today! :)  I followed a video tutorial on how to make the fence three dimensional from Expressions with Heart (Pam Sparks).  I also used Pam's suggestion of gluing three layers of each cloud to make the die-cuts really stand out - thanks Pam!!!  Hope you like.

"Happy Day"

Stamps:  Woodgrain (SU!); Daisy Thanks - sentiment (Stampendous)
Paper:  White cardstock (C.C. Designs); Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Tangerine Tango (SU!)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze; Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Fence Border die and Flower Border die (C.C. Designs); Grass die (Cheery Lynn), Clouds die (Memory Box), scoring tool, sponges, glue, white gel pen, adhesives and dimensionals

I die-cut the fence border from Crumb Cake cardstock, stamped the woodgrain in Chocolate Chip ink and then sponged more Chocolate Chip ink around the edges and randomly over the whole fence.  I followed Pam's tutorial (see above for link) to add dimension to the fence.  I glued two layers of grass dies (from Always Artichoke cardstock) on top of each other and then glued along the bottom of the fence.  I die-cut the flower border twice - once from Always Artichoke cardstock and once from Tangerine Tango cardstock.  I cut off the Tangerine flowers, sponged the edges and middle with more Tangerine Tango ink and used my white gel pen to add white to the centers.  I glued the flowers on top of the Always Artichoke flower die base.  I attached the flowers on top of the grass die-cuts.

I die-cut three sets of two clouds, glued them together to make thicker die-cuts (almost like chipboard) and then sponged the edges with Baja Breeze ink.

I mounted the fence to the card base, stamped the sentiment in Always Artichoke ink and then mounted the clouds.

Fun card to make!!

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Update ... made another card with today's color challenge (CC380) - just love this combination.  This time I used the blender pen and ink to "watercolor" the lilies. 

"Tiger Lilies"

Stamps:  Lilies (Rubber-Art Stamps); Vintage Labels (SU!)
Paper:  Always Artichoke, Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  StazOn Black, Tangerine Tango, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip - ink pads and Stampin' Write markers, Barely Banana (retired) (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  blender pen, sponge, and adhesives

Stamped the image onto Whisper White card front in Black Stazon ink.  Colored the lilies and leaves using blender pen and ink.  Used the Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker to color in the stamens.  Sponged Barely Banana randomly over whole image to take away from the starkness of the white.  Mounted onto a card base of Always Artichoke.

3D Daisy Flower Tutorial

Just a quick post today to let you know that I did a tutorial on how I make the 3D Daisies (like the one I used for yesterday's card).

You can find the tutorial here .... or click on the Tutorial tab and scroll down past the brayering tutorials and you'll see a section on Special Construction, etc.  Hope you'll take a look!

Classic Black and White with Red

Today's card is made with the classic color combination of black, white and red.  Honestly, you can add almost anything to a card with these colors and it will look good! :)

I wanted to use a new die-cut I bought a few months back ... it's been sitting there collecting dust and so today is the day!!  It's the Curly Q Border die from C.C. Designs and right away you think, telephone cord, but I know I can do lots of other things with it, just need to experiment a little.  Today I used it for the border of my birthday card and am happy with how it turned out.  The only negative is that I made a small card (4 1/4" square) so you don't get to see much of the border, which also has the flower on top.  But, I did add an inside panel to the card that has a bottom border of 1" of black polka-dot, topped with the red ribbon and the black Curly Q Border, so you get a good dose of it when you open the card.  Hope you like this clean and simple card for the CAS challenge this week at SCS - CAS175 - inspiration photo of a black and white bathing suit ... I just had to add a little pop of red :)

"Polka-dot Birthday"

Stamp:  Happiest Birthday Wishes (SU!)
Paper:  Basic Black, Black polka-dot DP (SU!); Bazzill White
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Giant Daisy and Small Sun punches (Punch Bunch), Big Shot, Curly Q Border (C.C. Designs), mat, stylus, 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain ribbon, Embossing Buddy, White embossing powder, heat tool, sticky strips, glue, and dimensionals

I punched three giant daisies from Bazzill white cardstock, pinched them to shape the petals and then glued the layers together, offsetting the petals.  I punched nine small suns from basic black cardstock, molded them with my mat and stylus to break down the fibers to make the cardstock easier to manipulate, cut into each sun just past center and then rolled them into a cone shape.  I glued eight (on their sides) in a circle around the center of the flower, leaving a small space in the middle.  The ninth rolled sun is glued to the center space, standing upright.

I then mounted the polka-dot paper onto the white panel and added the red ribbon over top of where the two pieces meet and wrapping the ends to the back to secure.  I glued the Curly Q Border on top of the red ribbon, trimming the ends; and then mounted the panel onto my black card base.  I added the flower on top, popping it up with dimensionals to add depth.  After the card was done, I realized it was missing something, so I carefully added the sentiment in versamark and embossed in white ... normally I would have done that before adding all the layers.

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I was experimenting with making a poinsettia using my new flower making book.  I didn't have the punches they suggested, substituting my Cheery Lynn Small Leaves #2 instead.  I'm not completely happy with how it turned out ... but it was my first attempt.  I think it would look better with darker green leaves - maybe Always Artichoke instead of the Old Olive.  And next time I will add some sponging to the petals.  Here's my first attempt ...

Two more Grad cards

Today I'm posting a couple of grad cards I made for friends of Jer's that just graduated from university.  The first one is for Heather (my stamping friend), who just graduated with a degree in Atmospheric Science --- I hope I got that right! ... so that's why the owl is holding an umbrella :)

"Congratulations Heather!"

Stamp:  Love & Laughter (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Basic Black, More Mustard, Bashful Blue, Daffodil Delight polka-dot DP, Bashful Blue polka-dot DP (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Black, Sahara Sand (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  2-part owl punch, scalloped oval punch, sponge, mini More Mustard brads, Lemondrop Twine (The Twinery), Big Shot, Umbrella die-cut (Memory Box), glue, adhesives, and dimensionals

Punched out the owl, sponged the Sahara Sand pieces, and glued everything together.  Hand cut the cap and added a mini brad and twine.

Mounted all the pieces, popping up the umbrella and congrat banner with dimensionals.

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The second grad card is for Scott (my computer techie, who has helped me SO much with my blog).  Scott just graduated with a degree in Computer Science.

"Congratulations Scott!"

Stamp:  Outlined Occassions (SU!); grad cap (unknown)
Paper:  white cardstock, basic black (SU!)
Ink:  StazOn Black, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  adhesives

I stamped the sentiment in StazOn black and colored it in with Stampin' Write markers.   Stamped a grad cap on the "C" in basic black.  Mounted the panel onto a larger panel of Basic Black cardstock and then mounted onto the card base.  Easy and fun CAS card!

Flower Flourish

For today's card, I combined this week's Sketch and CAS Challenges from SCS to create another CAS card with the white-on-white technique.  Originally I made a white lily for my focal point ... and it looked really pretty on my card, but it is coned shaped and I just couldn't get it to sit nicely on the card.  A little frustrating after spending so much time making the flower from punches.  Sometimes it happens and I had to move on ... so I added a felt flower that I bought at my local $1 Store ... love the green bling in the center and actually, the color looks so fresh with the Certainly Celery flourish and white backdrop.  Hope you like.

Here's the sketch:

"Flower Flourish"

Paper:  White cardstock (C.C. Designs); Certainly Celery (SU!)
Accessories & tools:  Big Shot, Birds and Swirls embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Fanciful Flourish die (Cheery Lynn), felt flower ($1 store), glue, and dimensionals

I ran the small panel through my Big Shot with the Birds & Swirls embossing folder and then mounted it my white card front, popping it up with dimensionals to add depth.

I cut out the flourish die from Certainly Celery cardstock and glued the main stems to my front panel, leaving the rest of the flourish free-flowing.  I mounted my felt flower to the flourish, popping it up to add more depth.

Brick House

Today's color challenge at SCS (CC379) is Cajun Craze, Baja Breeze, and Cherry Cobbler ... with the dessert being - add Lucky Limeade as greenery (flowers, leaves, trees).  Well, those colors together were definitely a challenge for me!  I decided to go with a window flower box on a brick house ... I tried adding a distressed look to the window and flower box to match the distressed look from the brick embossing folder.  Hope you like.

"Brick House"

Paper:  Confetti Cream, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler (SU!)
Ink:  Cajun Craze, Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot; Small Madison Window die, Small Flower Box die, Wildflower Patch die (all from Poppy Stamps / Memory Box); Leafy Branch die and Leaves die (C.C. Designs), Brick embossing folder (Tim Holtz / Sizzix), Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch, sponge dauber, white gel pen, mat, stylus, glue, adhesives, sticky strips, and dimensionals

I ran the embossing folder through my Big Shot with Confetti Cream cardstock.  I used a sponge dauber to add Cajun Craze ink to the embossing (and a little Early Espresso ink).

I ran the flower box die and window die through the Big Shot with Crumb Cake cardstock (cut two flower boxes).  I took my Early Espresso ink pad and swiped it across all three pieces several times, pressing fairly hard and always pulling in one direction.  I added a piece of Confetti Cream cardstock behind the window, adding dimensionals in between and mounted it to the embossed card front near the top (my plan was to add a sentiment on the bottom - but I didn't like how that looked so left it off).

I find the easiest way for me to "build" the flower box is to add temporary adhesive to the back of one flower box and lay it on my work surface.  I ran the Leafy Branch die-cut and Leaves die-cut through my Big Shot with Old Olive cardstock three times (I didn't end up using all the dies).

I added a sticky strip along the top of the flower box and started adding leaves (or pieces of leaves) until I was happy with how it looked.  I then placed the second flower box on top, placing dimensionals in-between.  I mounted the flower box onto the bottom of my window.

I ran the Wildflower Patch die through my Big Shot with Baja Breeze cardstock and then cut the stems off all the flowers.  I punched several hydrangea flowers from Cherry Cobbler cardstock.

I used my mat and stylus to shape the flowers, added a white center to the Cherry Cobbler blossoms with a white gel pen and then randomly glued the flowers on top of the leaves.  I added two small leaf sprigs to the front of the box, tucking the ends under flowers.

I added an embossed brick panel to the inside of my card, with a Confetti Cream writing panel in the middle.

White-on-White

Today's CAS Challenge from SCS is CAS174 - White-on-white.  I have made several cards using white-on-white and I love the look - so clean and fresh!  Today I made two cards for this challenge ... one is a spring card and the other, a Christmas card ... I know, I know ... it's a bit early for me to start my Christmas cards, but I had this idea in my head and had to try it out!  :)

The first card uses a fun layout that I CASED from mamamostamps at SCS ... just love this CAS layout and plan to use it again!  I paper pieced the daisies.

"Trio of Gingham Daisies"

Stamps:  Daisies for Her (Clear Dollar Stamps Digital Images by Lisa Lara)
Paper:  White Cardstock (C.C. Designs); Pumpkin Pie polka-dot DP (SU!); yellow gingham (Making Memories)
Accessories & Tools:  Pumpkin Pie button, Lemondrop Twine (The Twinery), glue, adhesives, and dimensionals

I printed off my image and sentiment from my computer.  I printed the image twice more - once on yellow gingham paper, once on Pumpkin Pie polka-dot DP.  I cut out the flowers, and layered the orange centers on top of the yellow daisies and then glued them onto my card front.

I mounted all the pieces as shown in the photo above, popping up the main panel and adding the banners, button and twine.

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No stamping on this card ... just dry embossing and die-cuts.

"Snow Scene"

Paper:  White cardstock (C.C. Designs); Night of Navy cardstock (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Oval die-cuts (Spellbinders), Modern Landscape die-cut (Memory Box), Snowflake embossing folder (Cuttlebug), adhesives, and dimensionals

Die-cut the modern landscape and mounted it onto Night of Navy cardstock; then onto my white card base.  Cut an oval from my card front and then ran it through with the embossing folder.  Cut an oval border, mounted it on top of the opening and then mounted my card front to the card base, popping it up with dimensionals to add depth.

Two Cards the Same ... but different

Today I made two cards that are the same layout and design, both have a tree as the focal point ... and they both use the same sentiment.  These two cards also fit two challenges - SCS "Free For All Challenge" (F4A120) - hands free cutting - use a machine or punches); and CAS-uals Friday's CFC56 - polka-dots.  Hope you like.

"Flowering Polka-dot Tree"

Stamp:  Pendant Park (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White, Soft Suede, Certainly Celery polka-dot DP, Wild Wasabi polka-dot DP, Real Red; Brioche DP (Memory Box)
Ink:  Soft Suede (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:   Big Shot, Sheltering Tree die-cut (My Favorite Things), Hydrangea punch (Martha Stewart), sponge, white gel pen, mat, stylus, glue, and adhesives

I sponged the tree trunk with Soft Suede ink to highlight the embossing (hard to see in photo).  I mounted all the die-cut leaves, alternating colors, onto the tree trunk.  I used my mat and stylus to shape the punches flowers, added a white dot in the centers using my white gel pen, and then glued them to the tree.

Quick and easy card!

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The idea for the second card is from Poppy Stamps blog ... I wish I had thought of using clouds for the tree tops :)

"Cloudy Polka-dot Tree"

Stamp:  Pendant Park (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White, Old Olive, Everyday Enchantment DP (SU!)
Ink:  Old Olive (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Twiggy Tree die-cut and Puffy Clouds die-cuts (Memory Box), glue, adhesives, and dimensionals

I cut out several of each size of Puffy Clouds (there are three sizes) and glued some behind and some on top of the Twiggy Tree die-cut, popping up just a few clouds to add dimension.

Another quick and easy card!



Grad Card

Today I'm doing a quick post of a card I made a week or so ago.  I usually don't hold back on posting cards, but this was for a friend's son who is graduating from high school ... and I didn't want to post it until he got it in the mail.  I followed the owl as per instructions I saw on Mary Fish's blog ... thanks Mary.  And I called the school to find out the color of the grad gowns, just so I could make it special.  Hope you like.

"Happy Graduation, Alexander"

Stamps:  Woodgrain (SU!); sentiment - unknown
Paper:  Whisper White, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Pacific Point, Basic Black, More Mustard (SU!)
Ink:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  2-step Owl Punch, mini Sahara Sand brad, Cappucino Twine (The Twinery),  Itty Bitty punch, scalloped oval punchsponge, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals

I stamped the woodgrain in Early Espresso ink onto Soft Suede cardstock.  I sponged more Soft Suede ink overtop to darken.

I punched out the owl, scalloped oval and itty bitty circles (for the glasses).  I hand cut the grad cap and the arms of the glasses.  The "diploma" is a scrap of computer paper rolled up and tied with more twine.

Here's a closeup of the owl:

I kept the card clean and simple, just adding the woodgrain at the bottom with some twine wrapped and tied in a knot. 

Coneflowers from Punches

Today I made another card using my new punches (giant daisy, small sun) from Punch Bunch.  I'm having a lot of fun with these two punches and can't wait for my other order to arrive!

This time I made them into Coneflowers (Echinacea).  I punched the flowers from Pink Pirouette cardstock (pale pink) and then sponged around the edges with a more intense pink to give them interest and depth.  I used the sun punch for the centers of the flowers (like the card I made yeserday), only this time I didn't cut the sun rays in half, instead I sponged the edges of the Soft Suede suns with Early Espresso.  This gave the centers a more realistic look by having the two tones of brown.  Hope you like.

"Coneflowers En Francais"

Stamp:  En Francais (SU!)
Ink:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Regal Rose (SU!)
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Flourish die (Cheery Lynn), Nestabilities Labels Two (Spellbinders), Giant Daisy and Small Sun punches (Punch Bunch), sponges, mat, stylus, tweezers, glue, and adhesives

I made the flowers the same as yesterday's card (see instructions from yesterday's daisy card), changing the following:

• flowers are punched from Pink Pirouette cardstock; edges sponged with Regal Rose (two layers for large flower, one each for smaller flowers)
• petals were pinched "backwards" towards the back of the flower
• for the two smaller flowers, I cut out one petal from each and the pulled the petals together and folded in half before adding the centers
• nine suns for the large flower center; four for each of the small flowers, punched in Soft Suede cardstock, edges sponged with Early Espresso ink and then shaped.

I made a card base from Crumb Cake cardstock and then ran it through my Big Shot with the largest nestie from the Labels Two set, making sure the top of the card (fold) was above the cut line.  I cut out another large Labels Two to use as my card front.  I stamped the front with En Francais which has been inked with Soft Suede, and stamped off once to created a faded look.  I sponged all the edges with more Soft Suede ink to give it an aged look.

I cut out the flourish die from Soft Suede cardstock and sponged with more of the same color.  I glued the die to the front of the card, making sure the flourish went past the edge of the card for interest.  I glued the flowers on top.  I added one leaf branch from the flourish to the inside of the card.

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Yesterday, Nancy asked that I include a picture of my sun punch that I used for the center of the flowers.  I bought the small sun, which measures just over 1/2" wide (punches come in five sizes ---giant / mega, large, medium, small, mini).  The one on the left is how the sun is when it is first punched.  When making the center for the white daisy on yesterday's card, I cut each ray of the sun in half before shaping and making it into a cone shape - this made the center more "prickley" (middle sun).  For the centers on today's flowers, I punched the suns but did not cut the rays, instead I sponged a darker color around the outside edges before shaping.

Daisy with Love

So I have been playing a little with my new daisy punch that I bought yesterday from Country Lane Crafts.  LOVE IT!!  I used two punches to make the daisy below .... giant daisy and small sun.  And I also used my new Cheery Lynn flourish ... I have wanted this for a long time!  The card today is for the Color Challenge at SCS - CC378 - Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery, Pool Party.  A beautiful combination of colors.  Hope you like.

"Daisy with Love"

Stamp:  Field Flowers (SU!)
Paper:  Bazzill white; Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Daffodil Delight, Comfort Cafe DP (SU!)
Ink:  Marina Mist
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Flourish die (Cheery Lynn), Giant Daisy punch and Small Sun punch (Punch Bunch), sponge, mat, stylus (McGill), tweezers, Stamp-a-ma-jig, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals

To make the daisy:  I punched three of the giant daisies from Bazzill White (I like the added texture of this cardstock).  I "pinched" the tip of each petal to add shape.  I also used my mat and stylus to shape the flowers (pushing on the center of the flowers which bends the petals forward).  I glued the three layers together, offsetting the petals slightly.  For the center, I punched nine small suns from Daffodil Delight cardstock.  I cut the rays in half on each of the suns and also cut through 2/3 way into the middle of each sun at one point only.  I used the mat and stylus again to shape and break down the fibers of the cardstock.  I used the tweezers to grab the edge of the large cut section and then roll it into a cone shape, adding glue at the edge to hold it together - I repeated this with each of the nine suns.  I added more glue to the center of my white daisy and glued down an outter ring of eight rolled suns.  I glued the ninth rolled sun to the middle of the daisy center.

Here's a close-up of the daisy:

For the rest of the card I sponged the flourish with Certainly Celery ink to add some depth and then assembled all the pieces as shown in the photo above, adding the sentiment in Marina Mist ink and popping up the vertical panel to add more depth.

I added a 1 1/4" strip of the same DP, framed in Certainly Celery cardstock, to the inside Whisper White panel.

Summertime Fun!

This morning hubby and I headed to our son's townhouse to be there for some workers that were coming in to clean the vents.  Not very exciting, I know ... the exciting part was stopping at Country Lane Crafts in Cloverdale on the way home.  I had been there a long time ago and saw their collection of punches (Punch Bunch) for making different flowers, along with an instructional book.  I took the plunge today and bought four punches, the book and a McGill tool set for shaping the petals (different sized ball ends on stylus).  So excited to get started playing ... more to come on these flowers later!  :)

For today, I made a card for a "new-to-me" challenge at Paper Players.  Theme Challenge #98 is "Summertime" ... and I thought, what better way to celebrate summer than flying a kite.  Hope you like today's CAS (clean and simple) card.

"The Sky's the Limit"

Stamp:  Up, up & away (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White, Baja Breeze polka-dot DP (SU!); Brioche DP (Memory Box)
Ink:  Real Red, Basic Black (SU!); kite is computer generated
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Clouds die (Memory Box), Maraschino twine (The Twinery), Stamp-a-ma-jig, adhesives, glue dot, and dimensionals

I printed out the kite from my computer and then taped a piece of the multi-colored DP (Brioche from Memory Box) over top of the my image and ran it through the printer again.  I outlined the kite in black ink and then cut it out.  I attached a piece of twine to the back of the kite with adhesive.

I ran the cloud dies through my Big Shot with Whisper White cardstock and then used my Baja Breeze Stampin' Write marker to add stitches.

I mounted all the pieces, popping up the three polka-dot background squares and the kite with dimensionals.  Quick and easy card!

Long Live the Queen!

Today I made a card for several challenges ... first of all "Less Is More" - color challenge - red, white and blue to honor Queen Elizabeth's 60 years on the throne!  She is amazing!!

This card also fits for SCS "Free For All" Challenge (F4A119 - congrats or grad card without a cap, diploma or owl!).

And ... "CAS-ual Fridays" Challenge (CFC55 - add some bling!).  Whew!  I can't believe I hit all three challenges with the one CAS card!

"Congratulations"

Stamps:  Love & Laughter (SU!)

Paper:  Whisper White, Pacific Point polka-dot DP, Real Red striped DP (SU!)

Ink:  Pacific Point

Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder (Sizzix), three mini red gemstones, glue, and sticky strips

I cut the DP's into strips (Pacific Point - 1 3/4"; Real Red - 1", Whisper White - 3/4").  I ran the white strip through my Big Shot with the Square Lattice embossing folder.  I cut the "V" on the ends of the strips and then dry-fit them to see where I should stamp my sentiment.  I removed the strips, stamped the sentiment and then added the three mini red gemstones with glue.  I adhered the strips using sticky strips.  Quick and easy card!

If Friends were Flowers

... I'd pick you.  Love this sentiment I recently purchased (C.C. Designs).  It's part of a stamp set along with flowers, watering can, etc.  I am making another card for yesterday's SCS "Ways To Use It" Challenge (WT377 - Let's get negative! - use a negative die-cut).  This time I used Spellbinder's nesties to build a negative oval to highlight the sentiment.  I also added some fun felt flowers that I bought from my local $1 store.  I know I mentioned it recently, but I love my $1 store.  I had been thinking about making a Melon Mambo and Pumpkin Pie flower card - the colors are so fabulous together ... and when I saw these flowers, I had to buy them.  I gave them a little "umph" by adding a few layers ... punching out centers with my Boho Blossom punch (I used "extra" felt flowers for the punch-outs).  They looked so sweet, but needed something more ... TWINE!

I'm also entering this card for this week's challenge at Simon Says - "Anything Goes" - gotta' love that!  Hope you like this bright and cheerful card!

"If Friends Were Flowers"

Stamps:  Watering Can Logos (C.C. Designs)
Paper:  White cardstock (C.C. Designs); Melon Mambo (SU!)
Ink:  Gumball Green (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Ovals, Pink Sorbet twine (The Twinery), Boho Blossoms punch, adhesives, glue dots, and dimensionals

I mounted all the pieces, popping up the top panel with the oval cut-outs.  I layered the felt flowers (and centers that I punched), and used a rolled up glue dot to add a twine bow to each flower.  I also added a flower to the inside of the card for fun.