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

Flowery Hello

Hi everyone.  Time for the next challenge at Addicted to Stamps & More.  This week we have this photo below for inspiration ...

Challenge is being sponsored by

Prize:  3 digital images

I focused on the wood floor and the ballerina's white dress that looks like a flower.  I used balsa wood to die-cut the postage stamp panel.  I added a small, white leaf sprig with white blooms and a hello die (three layers glued together for thickness).  I added three clear rhinestones to finish.

It took me a while to come up with my design, but I'm really happy with how it turned out.  Very CAS.  I LOVE this hello die ... can you tell??!! :)  I've only had it a short time and already used it on three cards. :)

I hope you'll come and check out the challenge ... click HERE to find out the details and to see the beautiful cards from the rest of the Design Team.

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Accessories & Tools:  Postage Stamp Nestie (Spellbinders), small hello die (Simon Says), Lavish Branch die (Memory Box), Hydrangea punch (Martha Stewart), balsa wood, clear rhinestones

Happy Birthday Nonni

Hi everyone.  Today is my friend Nonni's (Korttikarkuri) birthday and I'm joining in a linky party to celebrate, hosted by our friend Sandie (London Days).  The three of us were DT members on ATS&M a long time ago.  Sandie and I are still there, but Nonni  has moved on to other teams and is also co-owner (along with Sandie) of the very successful challenge blog, Time Out Challenges.

___________

Happy Birthday Nonni ... I hope you're having a wonderful birthday and you are enjoying your special surprise party!! :)  This card is for you --- I even included one of your signatures ... a doily! :)  The card is currently whisking it's way across the miles and hopefully you'll get it soon!

Thanks to Sandie for organizing this fun event!

I hope you'll drop by Sandie's blog and join the party!  :)

Stamps:  Fifth Avenue Floral; Happiest Birthday Wishes (SU!)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Pear Pizzazz (SU!); Vellum (Bazzill)
Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Raspberry Ripple, Pear Pizzazz (SU!)
Accessories & tools:  Doily die (Sizzix for SU!), liquid platinum embossing powder, heat tool, white embossing powder, sponges

Distressed Sunflowers

Hi everyone.  I'm back today with another watercolor.  This time I was inspired by the very talented and creative Dina Kowal ... Artist in Residence at Splitcoaststampers.  Dina is the Queen for the Day this week (#223).  I chose to CASE this beauty ... and I followed Dina's video tutorial that was posted on the Power Poppy website.  Check out the video to see the step-by-step instructions. FYI, Dina used Distress Markers on her card (hence the name of the post) ... but I used Stampin' Write Markers from SU!

Thank you so much Dina ... I learned A LOT from your tutorial.  I had so much fun doing this card! :)  Enjoy your special week - you deserve it! :)

I'm entering this into the current challenge at Crazy for CAS #51 - Watercoloring (my second entry)

This is also a reminder card for the current challenge at Mixed Media Card Challenge (#2 Summer with optional element:  burlap).  What better way to celebrate summer than with sunflowers??!! :)  The challenges closes on Aug. 25, so make sure to check it out soon ... we'd love to see you in the gallery! :)

Stamps:  Blooming Garden (Penny Black); Friendship Garden (Fiskars)
Paper:  Watercolor (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Staz-on Black; Markers:  Daffodil Delight, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, paint brush

Challenges:
SCS QFTD #223
Crazy for CAS #51

You Are So Sweet!

Hi everyone.  This card is for the Time Out Challenge #12 - Inspirational Guest Designer Anita.  I kept the color scheme similar and used watercolor for my background.  The difference is I used white embossing paste and a mesh stencil to add the vertical strip on my card.

Here's Anita's card that was the inspiration ...

This was a super quick card to make.  The background was made a while back when I dropped watercolor paper into leftover ink from a previous project.  I knew it would come in handy some day :)

I used the Little Leaves die to cut out one in vellum and one in Baby Blue metal (I just received a package from Add A Little Dazzle - love the colors of these sheets!).  I actually made a mistake and cut the wrong side of the metal sheet ... this left an embedded texture from my well-used cutting plate on the leaves ... I decided I liked the added texture --- love happy accidents. :)  The leaf sprigs are topped with a "You" die and sentiment stamped in smoky slate ink.  I added three sequins and two tiny rhinestones to finish.

I'm also entering this into the Crazy for CAS #51 - watercoloring and SCS CAS #286 - stencils.

Stamps:  All About You (Amy R)
Paper:  Watercolor (Tim Holtz)
Ink:  Smoky Slate; Tempting Turquoise, Garden Green, Pacific Point re-inkers (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Textured Mesh Stencil (Memory Box), white embossing paste (Wendy Vecchi), You die (Simon Says), Little Leaves die (Sizzix), Baby Blue metal sheet (Add a Little Dazzle), rhinestones

Challenges:
Time Out #12
Crazy for CAS #51
SCS - CAS #286

Geometric Hello

Hi everyone.  Time for a new challenge at ATCAS.  This one is being run by the very talented Harriet (Ally Cat Cards).  Harriet chose this amazing code word ...

This challenges sponsor is

Prize:  3 images

Lots of scope with this word!  I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out a geometric stencil, sponging over it with soft blue for the background of my main panel.  I added more "geometric" design using a mesh stencil and embossing paste, covering just a small section.  I die-cut three layers of the hello die and glued them together. The finishing touches were some white enamel dots that I made myself using a tutorial I found on Happy Little Stampers - so easy! ... and I added a tiny rhinestone for a little sparkle and a knotted ribbon.

I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge!  As always the challenge is open for two weeks, so there's lots of time to play along.  We are thrilled to have Lyndal (Ideas and Paper) as our Guest Designer this month ... please click HERE to see her beautiful "geometric" card, along with the cards from the rest of our amazing DT.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

____________________

I'm entering this into the Mixed Media Monthly Card Challenge (2 entry) ... where the challenge is to use stencils and modeling paste.

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Pool Party (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Silhouette Cameo for cutting stencil, plastic sheet, sponges, embossing paste (Wendy Vecchi), Textured mesh Stencil (Memory Box), Small Hello die (Simon Says), rhinestone, white enamel dots (melted perler beads), 1/4" Pool Party satin ribbon

Challenges:
Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #3

Pine Branches and Cones

Hi everyone.  Time for a new challenge at ATS&M (#108 - Holiday).  I need to get working on my Christmas card stash.  My plan was to make one or two a week for the whole year, but that hasn't worked out ... no surprise there :)

Today's card is a rarity for me.  I struggle with one layer cards ... but I decided I wanted to use this pine branch and cone set from SU! and everything just fell into place.

This challenge is sponsored by

Prize:  3 digital images

I stamped the pine branches several times in two shades of green distress inks, using a Stamp-a-ma-jig to line everything up.  I used the same shade of brown to stamp the 2-part pine cones; stamping off once onto scrap before stamping the inside detail of the cones, and then using it full for stamping the outline.  I then lightly sponged the pine cones to fill in any blank spots.

I used a small paint brush to add dazzling details (clear glitter blue) to the pine sprigs and pine cones, giving them a little sparkle.  To finish, I rounded the bottom corners of the card and added a sentiment stamped in the same brown as the cones.

I hope you'll join us for this holiday challenge.  Click HERE to check out the amazing cards from the rest of the Design Team.

ETA:  I've gotten a few comments about how the pine cones looked popped up even though I said this was a one layer card.  They were stamped, fussy-cut and popped up ... I still consider this a one layer card, with the pine cones being the embellishments

Stamps:  Watercolor Winter (SU!); Handy Christmas Greetings (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters; Baked Brown Sugar (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-jig, dazzling details, We R Memory Keepers corner chomper

Happy Anniversary!

Hi Everyone.  Yesterday was our family dinner and we were to celebrate the 1st anniversary for Evan and Nikki (DS and DDIL).  Next week will be their anniversary ... can't believe how quickly the past year has gone.  The years are flying by faster and faster as I get older!

In the end, we all got together, but there wasn't much of a celebration.  Hubby fell off a ladder yesterday, injuring his back ... so off in the ambulance to the hospital for tests.  Luckily, no major problems and they released him several hours later.  He's in terrible pain and it's going to be a long time before he's feeling good again.  I'm thinking of selling the ladder while he's laid up and can't protest too much :)

On the card above ... I used a sweet digital image from Bugaboo, covering up the original pot for the flowers and replacing it with a stitched pocket.  The hearts and leaves are colored with copics ... and the sentiment is from a digital stamp set from Lisa's Doodley Doos.  I scored two lines at both ends of the banner to fold it back and create some dimension.

I'm entering this into the challenge at Inkspirational #62 (use markers or pencils).

This card is for a number of challenges at SCS's Dare to Get Dirty Challenges (you must be a Fan Club member to join in).

____________________

Just a quick other thing ... haven't posted a picture of Cooper for a while so wanted to share this with you.  He's 7 1/2 months old now and able to sit up on his own and is starting to move around a bit, but not crawling yet --- it won't be long!

Also wanted to mention about the sweet baby bandana bib Cooper is wearing.  His mom (Nikki) is so creative and crafty and she has designed and sewn several bibs, teething rings, etc. and has started her own on-line business call "Cooped Up Creationz" ... isn't that adorable!! :)

CLICK HERE to find Cooped Up Creationz on Facebook ... or HERE'S the link to the Etsy shop.

Digital Stamps:  Flower Pot 4 (Bugaboo Stamps); Pal Penguins (Lisa's Doodley Doos)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Copics; Real Red (SU!)

Challenge:
Inkspirational #62

Sweet Summer Days

Hi everyone.  Today's card is a reminder for the Mixed Media Card Challenge (#2 - Summer - optional:  burlap).  The challenge is open until Aug. 25th, so there's still lots of time to play along.

MMCC has defined mixed media as stamps and ink plus two other elements, techniques, or products that add texture and dimension.

I cut out a new stencil with my Silhouette Cameo to use for the background.  I randomly sponged over the stencil with soft pastel colors that remind me of sherbet :)  I then added a little dimension to the background by covering some of it with dots of embossing paste (another stencil).  I just couldn't get my mind off the delicious colors of the background ... so I had to make an ice cream cone to go with it!  Yummy! :)

The waffle cone is die-cut from burlap.  I sponged on a little brown ink to give it some interest.  The ice cream is die-cut from pink card stock, sponged around the edges to add dimension, coated it with crystal effects (glossy accents), and once dry, a few dots of dazzling details were added for the sprinkles on top.

What better way to celebrate a hot, sunny, summer day than with a delicious ice cream cone!! :)

I hope you'll join us for the current challenge ... lots of fun and prizes too! :)

I'm entering this card into several of SCS's Dare To Get Dirty challenges (for Fan Club members).

Stamps:  Sweet Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Pink Pirouette (SU!)
Ink:  Pistachio Pudding, Barely Banana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pretty in Pink, Pool Party, Baked Brown Sugar, Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Sweet Treats Die (C.C. Designs), Burlap, Silhouette Cameo, plastic sheets, Fishscale Brick Overlay cut file, Polka-dot Lace cut file, sponges, Crystal effects, Dazzling Details, pink twine, tag die (Sizzix)

Summer Rose

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the Muse Challenge (#79 - Vicki Dutcher).  Vicki makes THE most amazing cards ... I love her style and her use of bright and bold colors.

Vicki's inspiration card

I used similar colors, same theme (flowers and leaves) ... and used the pouncing technique that Vicki used.  I have only done this a few times with alcohol inks (mostly experimenting) ... but wanted to try it with Vicki's idea of using re-inkers since I have lots of different colors of these.  Love the results.  It takes a little while for the blended ink to dry on the glossy paper, but it worked great.  Thanks Vicki!!

ETA:  Just talked to Vicki and it was alcohol inks that she used on her card :)  Now I know how she got the beautiful and vibrant colors ... mine are a lot more muted using re-inkers. :)

I kept my card CAS by cutting out the rose and die-cutting three leaves.  Five lines of scoring are added to anchor the flower and then a simple sentiment is stamped in black ink.

This close-up shows a better view of the scoring ...

I hope you'll join in the fun at Muse!!

Stamps:  Fifth Avenue Floral (SU!); Be Happy Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Glossy White (SU!)
Inks:  Tangerine Tango, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Garden Green, Gumball Green (SU!); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Blending tool, blending solution, Small Leaves #2 die (Cheery Lynn), ScorPal

Challenge:
Muse #79 - Vicki

Pink Hibiscus

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card I made as a sample for one of the challenges at SCS - Dare to Get Dirty 2014.  It's the annual challenges for Fan Club members (paid subscription) at SCS ... a week-long event with about 40 challenges in all and lots of prizes.

My friend Vicki (All I Do Is Stamp) is running one of the challenges and she asked me to make a sample card.  Thanks Vicki for thinking of me!

I was inspired by this photo ...

Don't you just love the colors??!!

I cut out two layers of my hibiscus die from whisper white card stock.  I sponged pink in the center and dark yellow on the outer edges.

I used one layer as my base.  With the second layer, I cut the petals apart, shaped them with my stylus and mat, and added veining with a white gel pen.  I then glued the inside tip of the each petal flush with the base flower, and added a rolled up glue dot to the outside tip of each petal, creating dimension.  I added a few sponged leaves and mounted everything on a strip of designer paper.

Stamps:  A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Whisper White and Pear Pizzazz DSP (SU!)
Ink:  Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry (SU!)
Accessories & tools:  Hibiscus Flower die (Memory Box), Tender Leaves die (Memory Box), sponges, white gel pen, stylus and mat

Golden Friendship

Hi everyone.  Time for the next challenge at Addicted to CAS.  Today, the challenge is being run by the mega-talented Deepti (Dee's Art Utopia) ... and she chose this brilliant code word ...

The challenge is being sponsored by:

Prize:  5 digital images

I had lots of fun making the card above.  I used a heavy clear gloss medium and tinted it with gold paint.  Then I spread it over my textured mesh stencil, just covering the center area of the card front.

Once dry, I layered some gathered gold thread on top, and then placed my butterfly on top of that.  The solid butterfly is watercolor paper that was used to soak up leftover ink on my craft sheet (yellow, orange, red).  I used gold foil paper for the top layer of the butterfly and for the sentiment (stamped with Staz-on ink).

It's the start of a new month, which means we have a new Guest Designer at ATCAS.  Welcome to Lyndal (Ideas and Paper) ... we're so happy to have her on our team!  Click here to check out Lyndal's amazing "Gold" card along with the rest of the fabulous cards from the DT.

As always, the challenge is open for two weeks, so there's lots of time to play.  Just remember to follow the code word and keep your entries CAS (Clean and Simple)! Hope to see you in the gallery! :)

____________________

Butterflies are all around us during the summer ... so this is a reminder card that the August challenge for Mixed Media Card Challenge #2 is ...

I hope you'll come play along with us!

I'm entering this card into the current challenge at Mixed Media Monthly Card Challenge (#3 - use stencils and modeling paste).

Stamps:  Friendship Messages (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper:  White, watercolor, gold foil
Ink:  yellow, orange, red; Staz-on Black
Accessories & Tools:  Moonlight and Kaleidoscope butterfly dies (Memory Box), Textured Mesh stencil (Memory Box), Heavy Gloss Gel (Golden), Gold paint (Lumiere), gold thread, palette knife

Challenge:
Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #3

Summer with Burlap

Hi everyone.  Can you believe it is already August??!! :)  Another month has gone by and it's time for the next Mixed Media Challenge (#2 - Summer:  optional element - burlap).  We had an incredible amout of participants for our first challenge (Touch of Nature) and the DT enjoyed looking at all the beautiful creations - thanks so much for playing along with us! :)

On to Challenge #2 ...

Reminder ... a detailed definition for Mixed Media for our challenges is outlined HERE. Basically it is defined as using stamps, ink and two other items (techniques, mediums, embellishments, special tools, etc.) that add texture and/or dimension.

For my card today, I thought what better way to celebrate summer than going to the beach! :)  Sun, surf and sand - awesome!!  I sponged Mustard Seed distress ink at the top of my main panel and overstamped with more Mustard Seed.  I sponged the bottom with Broken China and Peacock Feathers distress inks and then overstamped with Peacock Feathers.  Even though it's just stamping over sponging, it really adds a look of texture to the background - LOVE IT!

I cut a piece of burlap for the sand and added a thin line of embossing paste along the top to represent the sea foam.  I added some interest to the burlap by randomly swiping diluted Vintage Photo distress inks with my water brush.

For the finishing touches, I sponged more Mustard Seed distress ink onto white card stock and then die-cut a sun.  I coated the sun with granular gel which has pieces of clear plastic that give it dimension and catch the light for added sparkle.  I coated the wake with my Wink of Stella pen (also adding sparkle - although hard to see in the photo above), and attached a small shell.  The words are printed from my computer (using "Rub This!" font), cut-out and popped up over the water.

I hope you'll play along with us and have some fun with this great challenge. Click HERE to check out the amazing cards from the rest of the Design Team.

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

I'm entering this into the current challenge at Simon Says where Anything Goes.  And also a reminder that this week's challenge at ATS&M (#106) is also Anything Goes.

Stamps:  Mini Mixed Media Backgrounds (STAMPlorations); sentiment computer generated
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah)
Ink:  TH Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Broken China, Peacock Feathers, Vintage Photo
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, Big Shot, Sunshine Large die (Lil' Inkers), embossing paste (Wendy Vecchi), Granular gel (Golden), palette knife, paint brush, Aqua Painter, Clear Wink of Stella, shell