Snowman on a Swing

Hi everyone.  Sorry I haven't been around much lately.  We have had an amazing amount of entries on the last HLS CAS challenge, and I've been visiting all the entrants and enjoying the creativity.  Plus we also had a DT call, so I've been spending some quality time poking through the blogs of the applicants.  So much fun!!  Just means less time right now for creating, so it's been over a week since I posted a card.  Time flies when you're having fun! :)

Speaking of time ... it's now time for the new sketch challenge at Happy Little Stampers. :)

I went in a different direction than the icons on the sketch :)  ... but I hope you can see that I kept the two tall elements, with the curved detail in the middle.  The sun is replaced with all the falling snow. :)

I used a digital image, printed it twice, fussy cutting one and colouring it with copics. I then coated it with Clear Wink of Stella so it sparkles ... can't see it in the photo above, so I'm including a close up below that shows it a little. :)

I paper pieced the fussy-cut snowman on top of the printed card front, after I glued down twine for the swing and added glossy accents to the light bulbs.    Dazzling Details clear glitter glue was added to the falling snow for a little more sparkle. :)

I hope you'll join us for our sketch challenge at Happy Little Stampers.  The challenge is open until the end of June ... lots of time to play along. :)

Stamps:  Snowman Christmas Lights Swing (Dearie Dolls); Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches)

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Real Red (SU!); Copics
Accessories & Tools: glossy accents, clear glitter glue, clear wink of stella

Challenges:

HLS June Sketch Challenge

Through the Garden Gate

Hi everyone. This is my final reminder of the Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge - Die-cuts / Punches.  I've used both on my card above. :)

I had so much fun making this card!!  I combined an arched window die-cut with a picket fence die-cut to create this pretty arbour.  I wanted to have a spray of flowers tumbling over the fence.  I think it turned out pretty well. :)

There are four die-cut leaf sprigs at the back of the arbour, some with their tips poking through the fence boards and some coming over the top.

I punched small hydrangea flowers, shaded and shaped them and added them to the leafy sprigs.  By turning the flowers in different directions and making some of them more closed than the others (buds), it looks more realistic.

I hope I've inspired you to play along with our challenge at HLS.  Add a die-cut or punch to your CAS card, and then link up to the challenge. :)  There's still a few days left to join in.

I'm going to join in the fun at the Playground again this week, as I used lots of little snippets for my greenery and blooms. :)

There's also a DT call over at the Happy Little Stamper's blog.  Three calls in fact ... one for the Sketch challenge, and one for the CAS challenge ... and one for the new Christmas challenge that will be starting at HLS in July.  We hope to see lots of entries for these fun Design Teams ... come join in!  The calls close at the end of the month. :)


I hope you've enjoyed seeing all the lovely CAS die-cut cards in the gallery ... and ones done by Bonnie, Kylie and me.  Thanks again to Bonnie for being our Guest Designer this month!!  Looking forward to our next CAS Challenge which will be posted June 3  at 6am (AEST) ... that's 1pm June 2 my time (PDST). :)

Stamps:  Happiest Birthday Wishes (SU!)

Paper:  White (Neenah); Regal Rose, Pear Pizzazz (SU!)
Ink:  Regal Rose, Pear Pizzazz (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Small Madison Arched Window die (Poppy Stamps), Picket Fence die (Memory Box), Olive Branch die (C.C. Designs), Hydrangea punch (Martha Stewart), sponges, stylus and mat

Challenges:

HLS CAS Challenge - Die-cuts
Snippets Playground - Week #178 & #179

Doggie in the Window

Hi everyone.  Time for the new Addicted to CAS Challenge.  This challenge is being hosted by the very talented Joanna (Harty by Heart).  Here's the fun word she choose ...

This challenge is sponsored by

I used our Sponsor's fun images to create a one layer card front.  I always add an extra layer to my cards, but the card front itself is one layer.  A little sponging over a stencil for the brick ... the rest is stamped and then coloured with Copics.

I stamped an extra dog, fussy-cut his head and feet, and popped them up for added dimension ...

Fun and easy card to make.  I love this little doggie in the window and had that song running through my head all day! :)

Monika is joining as our Guest Designer this month ... click HERE to see her sweet "Animal" card, along with the cards from the rest of our wonderful Design Team.

I hope you'll join in us!  Our challenge runs for two weeks, so there's lots of time to play along.

Stamps:  Your View (Create A Smile)

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Smoky Slate (SU!); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Brick Stencil cut with my Silhouette Cameo, sponge, post-it notes for masking

Challenges:

ATCAS #64 - Animal

Birch Tree Christmas

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with the Merry Monday #159 - Non-Evergreen Tree(s) Challenge.

I used a birch tree die that I've had a long time, but never used before.  There are quite a few NBUS items in my stash.  :)

I sponged the sky with three colours of distress inks.  Then I sprayed the card front with shimmer mist.  Once dry, I added some embossing paste through a falling snow stencil, and sprinkled a mix of white and glitter embossing powders over top.  Once the paste was dry, I heat embossed.

Added a few snowdrifts at the bottom, and the birch trees which I coloured with some diluted soft gray ink.  The little birds were added to finish the design.  I wanted the sentiment to match the colours of the sky, but because they were blended, I tried out a few inks and found that if I inked the sentiment in Bermuda Bay and then tapped it onto Marina Mist, the colour seemed to match! :)  Always good to try new things. :)

I'm also going to add this to the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge where they want stenciling added to the entries.

Stamps:  Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches)

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Distress Inks: Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz); Bermuda Bay, Marina Mist, Smoky Slate, Island Indigo (SU!)
Accessories & Tools: Sponges, Falling Snow Stencil (Simon Says), embossing paste (Dreamweaver), white embossing powder, ice glitter embossing powder (SU!), heat tool, birch tree dies (Impression Obsession), Snowdrift dies (My Favorite Things), shimmer mist

Challenges:

Merry Monday #159
Simon Says Wednesday - Stencil It!

Piecing Flower Die-cuts

Hi everyone.  Today I've made another card that is all about die-cuts. :)

This time I die-cut two hibiscus flowers, keeping one solid for the base, and cutting apart the petals on the second one.  I sponged and shaped the flower petals using the same techniques I showed in my video tutorial on adding dimension to leaves.

Then I added small pieces of pop dots on the underside of each cut petal, near the outside edge, and a small dab of glue at the inside of each petal and adhered it on top of the base flower.  That way the flower has even more dimension which will stay in place, even going through the mail.

The leaves are die-cut using my Silhouette Cameo, and I placed my card front with a die-cut circle aperture with some sprayed yellow frost in the background.

I used lots of snippets on my card, so I'm heading to the Snippets Playground ...

I'm also adding this to the CAS-ology Challenge (#147 - Wedding), as I think this would make a perfect wedding card. :)

And this is also a reminder of the HLS CAS Challenge - Die-cuts / Punches.

Stamps:  A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)

Paper:  White (Neenah); Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight (SU!)
Ink:  Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Hibiscus die (Memory Box), Circle Nestability (Spellbinders), die-cut leaves cut with my Silhouette Cameo, blender pen, sponges, stylus and mat, white gel pen, Yellow Frost spray made with yellow liquid watercolour concentrate (Dick Blick) and Frost white paint (Tsukineko)

Challenges:

Snippets Playground - Week 177
CAS-ology #147 - wedding
HLS CAS Challenge - Die-cuts

Stretching your Dies

Hi everyone.  Back with a reminder of Happy Little Stampers May CAS Challenge - Die-cuts and Punches.

I have been seeing some beautiful cards around with the layout above.  Love the split of the card front with pretty paper peeking out from underneath (coloured panel is made with brushos and lots of water).  I have so many techniques on my "to-do" list and this is one of them.  When I saw this card done by the very talented Angela (from the tool shed), it really inspired me to move this to the top of the list.  I hope you'll check out the link ... Angela's card is amazing!!

The reason for the title of this post ... it's always great when you can use a die for something other than it's original intended use.  This curved die is a snowbank die from My Favorite Things ... and it works perfectly for this design.

Bonnie is our Guest Designer this month, and she has made a fantastic die-cut card to share with you today. Check out the challenge blog to see.  Thanks Bonnie!!

I hope I've inspired you to join in our fun CAS challenge at Happy Little Stampers. The challenge is open until the end of the month, so there's still lots of time to play along.   Come join in the fun and add your CAS card with die-cuts or punches to the gallery.

There's also a DT call over at the Happy Little Stamper's blog.  Three calls in fact ... one for the Sketch challenge, and one for the CAS challenge ... and one for the new Christmas challenge that will be starting at HLS in July.  We hope to see lots of entries for these fun Design Teams ... come join in! :)

I'll be back again soon with a different way to use die-cuts.

I'm entering this card into ATS&M Challenge (#144 - CAS). :)

Edited to add:  I'm also adding this card to AAA Cards - celebrating a 1st birthday --- congrats to them!!

Stamps:  Happiest Birthday Wishes (SU!)

Paper:  White (Neenah); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Smoky Slate (SU!); Brusho Colour Crystals (emerald green, purple, turquoise)
Accessories & Tools:  Snowdrifts die (My Favorite Things), Moonlight and Kaldeiscope Butterfly dies (Memory Box), water mister

Challenge:
HLS May CAS Challenge - Die-cuts
ATS&M #144 - CAS
AAA Cards - 1st Birthday

Happy Birthday Sandie!

Hi everyone.  The party's started ... check it out!

Come join in the fun.  Make a birthday card for Sandie (London Days) and join the party.

LINK to Sandie's Birthday Bash

I know that Sandie loves to watercolour ... and she is partial to pinks and oranges, and also loves to add gold embossing to her cards.  So I made the card above with all of these features.  It is currently whisking it's way across the globe and hopefully she'll receive it soon. :)

Happy Birthday Sandie!!

Enjoy your special day!

The background is made with the Saturated Watercolouring technique with gold embossing for the flower image and sentiment.

Stamps:  Softly (Penny Black); A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)

Paper:  White card base and banner (Neenah); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Liquid Watercolour Concentrate (Dick Blick); water mister, gold embossing powder (Hero Arts) heat tool

Just a Note

Hi everyone.  Thought I'd make another card for the current CAS-ology challenge ...

For this card, I sprinkled brushos onto mixed media paper and then spritzed with water.  I soaked up the excess moisture with some paper towel, and ended up with this subtle and colourful background.  Love the look!

Wanted to keep it very CAS, so added a large music note that I die-cut with my Silhouette Cameo, along with a simple sentiment.

Hope you'll check out the CAS-ology challenge and play along.

This is also for the Happy Little Stampers Die-cuts (or punches) challenge that is running until the end of May.

Stamps:  A Little Sentimental (Clearly Besotted)

Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Brusho crystals - turquoise, lemon, orange
Accessories & Tools: water mister, musical note cut with my Silhouette Cameo

Challenges:

CAS-ology #146 - Music
HLS May CAS Challenge - Die-cuts

Guest Designer at CAS-ology

Hi everyone.  I'm so excited to be the Guest Designer at CAS-ology today!! :)  I was given this opportunity because I won a couple of weeks ago with this card.  Thanks Melissa!!

Here's the new challenge ...

I don't have a lot of musical stamps, but I did have this wonderful sentiment and every time I use it, I sing the song in my head. :)

I kept my card very CAS by making it a one layer ... well there's actually two as I almost ALWAYS add a smaller panel for my card front ... no exception here. :)  But the card front itself is one layer.  Just a little masking and sponging created my peaceful scene.  I added movement and interest with markers ... brown for the flying birds, and white for the waves of the ocean.

Please click HERE to check out the challenge and see the amazing cards from the Design Team.  I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge! :)

Stamps:  Sunny Sentiments (Amy R)

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Sponges, post-it notes for masking, circle stencil made with my circle nestabilities (Spellbinders), plastic acetate sheet

Challenges:

CAS-ology#146 - Music

Stenciled Christmas

Hi everyone.  Today I'm playing along with Merry Monday #158 - Stencils.

I do love playing with stencils ... and making Christmas cards.  This challenge was FUN! :)

I used a stencil from Memory box, sponging over the top of my card front with two shades of blue distress inks.  I die-cut the reindeer with my Silhouette Cameo and sponged around the body to add some interest and depth.  Then I ripped a piece of thick white card stock, turning one of the ripped sides over top of the other and then adhered them together.  Trimmed it all up and added the snow drifts to my card before adding some Shabby Frantage (white chunky embossing powder with gold accents) on top.  Added in the reindeer and the card was done.  :)

When I cut out my reindeer, I used a snippet ... and it suddenly dawned on me that I hadn't been for a visit to the Snippets Playground for a long, long time.  So I'm stopping by for a visit and entering this card. :)

And this also fits the May CAS Challenge at Happy Little Stampers - Die-cuts / Punches, too.

I'm having a day in the studio today.  Lots of cards on my list to make .. and lots of computer time as well.  Should keep me out of trouble and out of hubby's hair :)

Need to do my exercises, but have already been on the recumbent bike today.  Not sure if I mentioned before, but I have now progressed to walking around the house without my cane ... it's all good. :)

Have a great week!

Stamps:  Handy Christmas Greetings (Amy R)

Paper:  White (Neenah); Baked Brown Sugar (SU!)
Ink:  Distress inks:  Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz); Baked Brown Sugar (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Winter Snowflake Lace stencil (Memory Box), sponges, Silhouette Cameo, Reindeer cut file, Frantage Shabby White Embossing Enamel (Stampendous)

Challenges:

Merry Monday #158 - Stencils
Snippets Playground #175 & #176
HLS May CAS Challenge - Die-cuts

Happy Mother's Day

Hi everyone.  Wanted to wish all my readers that are mother's a Very Happy Mother's Day!! :)

This is the card I made for my Mom.  We are heading over to her place late this afternoon, along with my youngest son and his partner.  We are having dinner together, brought in from a local restaurant.  This afternoon my oldest son, his wife and their baby (my grandbaby) came by for afternoon tea.  It was so fun! :)

I kept my Mom's card CAS, using some saturated watercolouring for the butterfly. It's hard to tell, but there are a few different colours of inks used on this ... much prettier in real life and not all orange.  Don't you just love when the camera has a mind of it's own??!! :)  I stamped the background "splatters" in Versamark and the sentiment ... along with a sentiment inside the card that says "Happy Mother's Day, all embossed in gold.  I used gold card stock for the flourish and butterfly body.

This second card I made for Nikki (DDIL) ... she likes card that are not super CAS, so I wanted to make her something with a little more to it.  I watercoloured the background panel, added splatters and then stamped the flowers and watercolour them.  I do have fun with this technique.  I left it without a sentiment on the front ... there's one in the inside (Happy Mother's Day).  I thought she might want to frame it for a little picture to hang in their new home.  Nikki, Evan and Cooper will be moving into their new home at the end of May.  We are so happy for them.  They bought a three bedroom home with a large backyard. It's perfect for them. :)

I tried something different with this watercoloured panel to flatten it and it worked really well so will pass this along in case you might be interested.  I usually place my finished watercolour panels under some heavy books for a few days if it needs to be flattened.  With the above card, I used two brand new cutting plates and ran it through my Big Shot with a shim.  The pressure really helped to flatten it out.  Make sure to use new plates  because ones that have cuts on them will transfer a "design" of the cuts onto your card. :)  I also mounted it onto a thick white card stock panel that was the same size to make it completely flat. Worked perfectly! :)

That's it for me.  I really enjoyed making something special for both Mom and Nikki.

Have a wonderful day!

Butterfly card:

Stamps:  Gorgeous Grunge, Field Flowers (both from SU!); Mother's Day Bouquet (Annabelle Stamps ... sentiment on inside of cards)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Gold (SU!); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Liquid Watercolour Concentrate (orange, magenta, yellow) from Dick Blick, Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box), Flourish #6 die (Crafty Ann), Gold embossing powder (Hero Arts)

Daisy card:
Stamps:  Daisy Thanks (Stampendous)
Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Watercolour (Arches 140 lb. cold press)
Ink:  Archival Black (Ranger); Distress Inks:  Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Crushed Curry, Peeled Paint, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  waterbrushes, water mister, heat tool

Layering Diecuts

Second post for today.  If you're looking for my ATCAS Challenge card, please click HERE. :)

Hi everyone.  This is another reminder for the Happy Little Stampers May CAS Challenge - Die-cuts / Punches.

Today's card is a scene created with die-cuts.  From the white picket fence, to the pink and yellow flowers, the clouds and that fun stitched sun ... this cute little garden is all die-cuts.  The only stamping is the sentiment. :)  By layering die-cuts and adding sponging around the edges, you can create lots of depth and dimension.

I sent this to a friend a while ago.  She received it and sent me a note to say that it brightened her and her hubby's day.  :)  Hugs to you both, Brenda! :)

Bonnie is our Guest Designer this month, so check out the challenge to see her latest die-cut card.  I know you'll LOVE it!

I hope I've inspired you to play along with our fun challenge.  Make a CAS card using die-cuts and / or punches, and add your link to the gallery.   I'll be back next week with a different way to use die-cuts on your cards.


I'm also going to enter this (my third entry) into Virginia's View #14 - Layers and Dimension Challenge.  The challenge is running longer than usual and is open until May 18.

Stamps:  Where the Heart Is (Simon Says)

Paper:  White (Neenah); Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Pink Pirouette (SU!)
Ink:  Barely Banana, Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Stitched Sun die (Lil' Inkers), Puffy Cloud dies and Tiny Tulips dies (both from Memory Box), Picket Fence die and Wildflower Patch die (both from Poppy Stamps), stylus and mat for shaping, sponges

Challenges:

HLS May CAS Challenge - Die-cuts
Virginia's View #14 - Layers and Dimension

New Stamps

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of a new challenge at Addicted to CAS.  This challenge is being hosted by the very talented and creative Jan (LilyPuss Cards) and she chose this code word ...

This challenge is sponsored by

Prize:  $20 gift certificate

The timing of this challenge couldn't have been better.  :)  I just received my new Small Birds stamp set from The Bees Knees in the mail - Yay!  This set is designed by the creative Shirley-bee and sold through STAMPLORATIONS.

I love the scribble design of these birds.  So after sponging through a stencil for the branch and leaves, I tried to mimic that design element by adding some black outlining.  Tried is the optimal word here :) ... I definitely need more practice. :)

I sponged onto mixed media paper because I knew I wanted to add a bit of watercolouring to the birds.  Just a little distress inks with some water to give them some brightness.

I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge.  It's open for two weeks, so there's lots of time to play along.

This month we are excited to welcome Monika (Monika's Blog), as our guest designer.  Welcome Monika!  If you haven't visited Monika before, make sure to take some time to check out her amazing creations on her blog - you'll be glad you did!

Click HERE to see Monika's "birds" card and  rest of the fabulous cards from the Design Team.  Come play along with your CAS "bird" cards ... we'd love to see you in the gallery.

Do you love to make CAS cards??  And are you interested in joining our fun Design Team at ATCAS??  There's a DT call happening.  Please add DT after name on your entry this challenge for a chance to be on the team. :)


Just realized that STAMPLORATIONS challenge for May is Leaves.  So I'm entering this fun card.

Stamps:  Small birds (The Bees Knees); Chit Chat, Word Salad (Paper Smooches)

Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Distress Inks:  Vintage Photo, Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint, Squeezed Lemonade, Spiced Marmalade (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Branch stencil made with my Silhouette Cameo, sponges, water brush, Corner punch (We R Memory Keepers)

Challenges:
ATCAS #63 - Birds
STAMPLORATIONS - May - leaves

Embossed Snow

Hi everyone.  Today I spent a lot of time in my studio.  Had lots of fun and ended up making four cards ... that must be a record for me.  Will share the others with you soon.

This is for the current challenge at Merry Monday (#157) that is being run by my good friend Bonnie.

I used an embossing folder for the snowy background that my friend Susan lent me. Love this folder!!

I die-cut some snowbanks and added dazzling details (glitter glue) along the tops, but it doesn't show in the photo.  It adds a bit of sparkle.

I stamped the owl, coloured it with Copics, added white dots to his scarf with a gel pen and then fussy-cut him out.  Glossy accents were added to his eyes and once dry, he was popped up on the snow for added dimension.  Stamped the sentiment and added some twine and I was done.  Easy, peasy card and so much fun to make! :)

I'm going to enter this into this week's JUGS challenge (291 - word week) as well ... they are looking for cards with twine.

And also a reminder about the Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge - Die-cuts / Punches.  There's also a DT call going on. :)

Edited to add:  Just realized the challenge at ATS&M #143, is Holiday!  Perfect. Linking up to the challenge!  And thanks to my friend Sandie, for letting me know it fits the STAMPLORATIONS sketch challenge!


Happy to get another Christmas card added to my stash.  It's building ... slowly. Need to step it up a bit. :)

Have a great rest of the week!

Stamps:  Winter Owl (Lawn Fawn); Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches)

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Real Red (SU!); Copics
Accessories & Tools:  Snow embossing folder (unknown), Snowdrift Dies (My Favorite Things), white gel pen, maraschino twine (The Twinery)

Challenges:

Merry Monday #157 - Embossing
Just Us Girls #291 - Word:  Twine
HLS May CAS Challenge - Die-cuts
ATS&M #143 - Holiday
STAMPLORATIONS sketch challenge