Butterfly Basics Birthday (with a Cat, of course :-))

Hi Stampers! 

Wow, this has been another very busy week, but I had a chance to design and create a card today for the PP238 Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge (using Flowers, Die Cuts and Yellow) along with the FMS179 Sketch Challenge and the JUGS286 Inspiration Photo! :-)

Again, if you have not stopped by any of the challenge sites yet, I hope you will find the time to do so- terrific inspiration from all!!

To create this card:

Open a blank document in My Digital Studio (MDS), position the Butterfly Basics floral (enlarging a bit), Honeycomb and Postage  images as well as the sentiment.  

Insert a punch image with a drop shadow (I used a square) and enlarge to fill the sentiment area, color fill with Whisper White and position the punch over the floral image.  Bring the punch to the “top” and position the sentiment over the punch, then bring the sentiment to the “top”.  

Print the arranged MDS images onto Whisper White cardstock.

Use the Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral and Old Olive (Light and Medium) Stampin’ Blendabilities™ to color the flowers and stems.  

Add shadows using a French Gray Derwent® Watercolor Pencil and add defining lines to the top and bottom of the sentiment using a Black Pitt Pen marker.  Use the White Pitt Pen marker to add a few highlights to the tall flower center.

Trim the panel, use the retired Crimper Tool to crimp the corners and round the corners using the 2 ½” Circle Punch.

Create the layered banner with Basic Grey, Basic Black and Whisper White cardstock (punching the banner points on each with the Hexagon Punch) and adhering the banner behind the focal image panel.

Mount the focal image panel onto a piece of Basic Gray cardstock (creating the rounded corners on the Basic Gray layer using the 2 ½” Circle Punch before adhering the focal image panel).

Mount a piece of Daffodil Delight Designer Series Paper (DSP) onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock, trim and mount onto the Basic Gray card base.

Add the focal image panel and mount the die cut cat from Basic Black cardstock.

Create a Basic Gray paper bow using the Bow Builder Punch with the Basic Black button in the center to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Butterfly Basics (MDS version)

Ink: Printer Ink- Black, Stampin’ Blendabilities™- Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive Light and Medium Markers, Derwent® French Gray Watercolor Pencil, Pitt Pen Markers- Black and White

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Basic Gray, retired Daffodil Delight DSP

Accessories: Big Shot™, Impression Obsession Cat Die, Punches- Hexagon and Bow Builder, retired Crimper Tool, retired Neutral Collection button

Thanks again for visiting- I hope all of you have a wonderful Monday!!

SUO119 Trust God- A Fun Fold with A Color Challenge :-)

Hi Stampers!   

It’s time for the new SUO119 “Fun Folds” Challenge and I decided to use the Gate Fold technique for my “fun fold” and incorporated the JustUs Girls JUGS285 Color Challenge. 

I hope you will find the time to check the both challenge sites and create your own Stampin’ Up! “Fun Fold” project!!

To create this card:

Create the card base from Basic Black cardstock- I used the Splitcoaststampers Gate Fold Card tutorial located here for my base.

Layer the pieces of Back to Black Designer Series Paper (DSP) to the front two panels and cut a piece of Whisper White cardstock to fit the inside main panel.

Ink the flower and leaf image from Choose Happiness with Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink and stamp repeatedly onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock as well as onto the Whisper White interior card panel (mask the flowers for the panel as you stamp).   

Ink the bird image with Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink and stamp onto a piece of Acetate, turn the Acetate over so that the wet ink is on the bottom and press onto the Whisper White cardstock (for a “mirror” image).  Use the Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker to darken the bird image.

Color the flowers using the Calypso Coral Light and

Showing the view when opened from the side :-)

Medium Blendabilities™ markers and use the Smoky Slate Stampin’ Write marker to add shadows to the leaves.  I added additional Basic Black to the stamped areas to darken, but this step may not be needed (I think I need to re-ink my Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink pad- note to self :-))    Add a few highlights to the center with the White Gel Pen.

Carefully cut out (“fussy-cut”) three of the flowers and leaf stems along with the bird image.

Stamp the sentiment from Trust God and the border from Choose Happiness below the sentiment with Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink onto Whisper White cardstock.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Chalk Talk Framelits™ to cut out the sentiment (cut another Chalk Talk Framelit™ the same size from Basic Black cardstock as well). 

Cut the Basic Black frame in half and adhere behind the sentiment.

Showing the view with the inside panel :-)

Mount the sentiment to the left “gate” panel, add the flowers using Stampin’ Dimensionals®, positioning the lower right hand flower to be used as the closure for the card.  Adhere the leaf stems behind the flowers and add the bird image to the lower left of the sentiment.

Stamp the large splatter stamp from Gorgeous Grunge and add a bit of “splatter” to the interior panel, mount the panel to the interior to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Choose Happiness, Trust God, Gorgeous Grunge

Ink: Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink; Stampin’ Blendabilities™  Calypso Coral Light and Medium Marker, Stampin’ Write Smoky Slate Marker, White Gel Pen

Paper/Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Back to Black DSP

Accessories: Big Shot™, Chalk Talk Framelits™

Thanks again for taking the time to visit – I hope that you will create your own Stampin’ Up! Only project and play along with our “Fun Fold” challenge!

Whispers of Smoky Wisteria- Pleasant Poppies for a Color and Sketch Challenge :-)

Hi Stampers! 

Here is the another card using the Pleasant Poppies background stamp for the Pals Paper Arts PPA244 Sketch Challenge and the CC522 Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge (Smoky Slate, Wild Wisteria, Whisper White and for “dessert” a touch of green)- see the details here and gallery here .

Sorry about the lighting (the card does look better IRL)- it was a bit difficult to photograph since the Wisteria Wonder has a grey tint and with the Smoky Slate, the Wisteria Wonder tended to wash out a bit in the photo...I color enhanced it a bit for the photo above :-)

Again, if you have not stopped by the challenge sites yet, I hope you will find the time to do so- fantastic inspiration from all!!

To create this card:

Adhere a piece of retired Wisteria Wonder Designer Series Paper (DSP) to a piece of Basic Black cardstock and mount onto a piece of Smoky Slate cardstock. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the retired Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss the layered panel, trim and mount onto the Basic Black card base.

Add the vertical strip of Basic Black cardstock to the center of the card.

Open a blank document in My Digital Studio (MDS), position the Pleasant Poppies background stamp image (re-sizing- this image was reduced a bit) and print out onto Whisper White cardstock.

Color the poppies using Stampin’ Write markers- Wisteria Wonder and Smoky Slate for the petals along with Pear Pizzazz for the stems. 

Carefully cut out the flowers (“fussy-cut”) and add a few white highlights using a White Gel Pen.  I had reduced the image a bit when I initially printed this out months ago to fill up my 8.5 x 11 blank document…if I had to do this over, I would use a larger image :-)

Punch out a piece of Whisper White cardstock using the 2 ½” Circle Punch.   Adhere all of the petals except the last one on the left using adhesive directly to the Whisper White layer. 

Layer the floral image circle onto a Smoky Slate cardstock circle (also punched with the 2 ½” Circle Punch and cut in half) and two Basic Black cardstock circles to create the layered frame for the petals.

Mount the layered circle directly to the card front and add the last floral image using Stampin’ Dimensionals®. 

Ink the sentiment using Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Punch out using the Word Window Punch and punch two additional Word Window shapes from Smoky Slate and Basic Black.

Create the banner points in all three punched pieces using the Hexagon Punch and cut the Smoky Slate and Basic Black in half.  Add the layers behind the stamped sentiment and mount the sentiment to the card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals®. 

Add a few Pearls to the sentiment layer to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Pleasant Poppies (MDS version), Moon Lake

Ink: Printer Ink- Black, Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink, Stampin’ Write Markers- Wisteria Wonder, Smoky Slate, Pear Pizzazz; White Gel Pen

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Smoky Slate, retired Wisteria Wonder DSP

Accessories: Big Shot™, retired Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Hexagon Punch, Pearls, Stampin’ Dimensionals®

Thanks again for visiting- I will be posting the new SU-Only Challenge early Tuesday morning so I hope you have a chance to stop by again soon! 

Traveler- Three Challenges in One!

Hi Again Stampers!

I hope all of you are having a great weekend so far!  I rearranged my stamping area this week and did not have a chance to stamp until last night, so I wanted to share one more card that I was able to complete for a few of my favorite challenges- the SR271 Sketch Challenge using the FM201 FridayMashup! Color Challenge and the Splitcoaststampers F4A260 Double, Triple Challenge (three inks, three elements- see the details here and the gallery here). 

Again, I hope you have the time to stop by the above sites to check out the terrific inspiration from the Design Teams as well as the other entries!

To create this card:

Ink the ship stamp from Traveler using the Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the MFT Stitched Rectangle Dies to cut out the image. 

Color the image using an AquaPainter™ with Pacific Point Classic Ink for the ship’s hull and the ocean. 

Create a mask using the 1 3/8” Circle Punch and sponge Pacific Point along with Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink over the sky area (using the AquaPainter™ to blend over the moon, etc.).  Add color using the Smoky Slate Stampin’ Write marker for the smoke, the Rich Razzleberry as well as Pacific Point markers to add additional detail to the ship and Basic Black to add waves and a few birds to the sky.

Sponge a bit of Pacific Point Classic Ink over the edges and mount onto a piece of Rich Razzleberry cardstock.  Add the bitty flag with a scrap of DSP (I did not line up the stamped image low enough on the die- oops!) :-)

Create the banners with the retired Banner Blast set using Pacific Point and Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink and punch out with the Banner Punch.

Add the banners to the back of the focal image along with another one from Rich Razzleberry cardstock.

Use the Big Shot to emboss a piece of retired High Tide Designer Series Paper (DSP) with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder and mount onto a piece of Pacific Point cardstock.  Trim and mount the panel onto the Rich Razzleberry card base.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Circle Collection Framelits™ to cut a portion of a large circle from the retired High Tide DSP as well as Pacific Point cardstock. 

Mount the circles onto the card front and add a vertical strip of the High Tide DSP (Smoky Slate with anchors adhered to Pacific Point cardstock).

Add the focal image using Stampin’ Dimensionals® and adhere the three retired Circle Brads to finish off the card (FYI- I removed the brad points and used Hot Glue to mount the brads).

Stamp Sets:  Traveler, Banner Blast

Ink: Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry; Stampin’ Write Markers- Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry, Smoky Slate, Basic Black

Paper:  Whisper White, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry; retired High Tide DSP

Accessories: Big Shot™, Circle Collection Framelits™, MFT Stitched Rectangular Dies, Banner Punch, retired Circle Brads, Sponge Dauber, AquaPainter™

Thanks again for visiting- now off to do some housework and get some rest :-)  Have a great day, my friends!

Thinking of You- Wetlands with Moon Lake :-)

Hi Again Stampers! 

Here is another card that I created this weekend using the CQC283 ColourQ Challenge along with the FMS178 Freshly Made Sketches Challenge. 

If you have not had a chance to do so, I hope you will find the time visit the above sites- wonderful Design Teams and inspiration from both galleries!

To create this card:

Using My Digital Studio, position the Wetlands Canadian Goose image onto a blank screen and print out onto Whisper White cardstock. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Circle Collection Framelits™ to cut out the image along with a circle the same size from Basic Black cardstock.

Color the image using an AquaPainter™ with Smoky Slate Classic Ink for the body (in place of Going Gray) and Stampin’ Write markers- Lucky Limeade (in place of Kiwi Kiss) for the grass and Basic Black to darken the neck and head areas as well as add a few more details on the feathers.

Split the Basic Black cardstock circle in half and adhere behind the goose image to allow just a bit of the layer to show.

Adhere two strips of retired Lucky Limeade Designer Series Paper (DSP) to strips of Basic Black cardstock and mount onto the piece of Moonlight DSP. Trim the panel and mount onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock, trim again and mount onto the Whisper White card base.

Add the two strips of Basic Black cardstock (I had these in my scraps and they were previously embossed with the retired Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder). 

Add the 1 ¼” Burlap Ribbon strips to the retired Antique Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware and secure with brads to the focal image.

Stamp the sentiment using Memento™ Tuxedo Black Ink onto Whisper White cardstock and punch out with the Word Window Punch.  Create the points using the Hexagon Punch and punch another Word Window piece from Basic Black cardstock, use the Hexagon Punch to create the banner, split in half and mount behind the stamped sentiment.

Mount the focal image onto the card front and add the sentiment with Stampin’ Dimensionals® to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Wetlands (MDS version), Moon Lake

Ink: Printer Ink- Black; Memento™ Tuxedo Black, Smoky Slate Classic Ink, Stampin’ Write Markers- Basic Black and retired Lucky Limeade

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Moonlight DSP, retired Lucky Limeade DSP

Accessories: Big Shot™, Circle Collection Framelits™, Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Punches- Word Window, Hexagon; 1 ¼” Burlap Ribbon, retired Antique Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware

Thanks again for visiting- have a great Sunday!!

Clean and Layered- Pleasant Poppies Sympathy "Stepped Up" Version

Hi Stampers! 

Here is the “stepped up” version of the previous card posted using the Stampin’ Celebration SC100 Photo for inspiration, the Hand StampedSentiments HSSSC207 Color Challenge and the Splitcoaststampers CAS313 Think Spring Challenge (see details here and gallery here).

 

Again, if you have not stopped by any of the challenge sites yet, I hope you will find the time to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!!

To create the Clean and Layered (CAL) version:

Open a blank document in My Digital Studio (MDS), position the Pleasant Poppies background stamp image (re-sizing if necessary) and print out onto Whisper White cardstock.

Color the poppies using Stampin’ Write markers- Blushing Bride for the petals, Wild Wasabi for the stems and Crumb Cake for shadows. 

Carefully cut out the flowers (“fussy-cut”) and add a few white highlights using a White Gel Pen.

Ink the sentiment using Blackberry Bliss Classic Ink and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Trim the panel and mount onto a piece of Blackberry Bliss cardstock, trim and mount onto the Blushing Bride card base.

Add the flowers using Stampin’ Dimensionals® to the card front.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Stylish Stripes Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss the triangular piece of Blackberry Bliss cardstock.

Mount the triangle onto the card front to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Pleasant Poppies (MDS version), Thoughts & Prayers

Ink: Printer Ink- Black, Blackberry Bliss Classic Ink, Stampin’ Write Markers- Blushing Bride, Wild Wasabi, Crumb Cake; White Gel Pen

Paper: Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss, Blushing Bride

Accessories: Big Shot™, Stylish Stripes Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Stampin’ Dimensionals®

Thanks again for stopping by-the Clean and Simple version wasin the previous post here….I hope all of you have a terrific Sunday!!

CAS Pleasant Poppies- A Floral Sympathy Card

Hi Stampers! 

As I created this weekend, I wanted to participate in CASOLOGY#138 Blossom Challenge incorporating the Hand Stamped Sentiments HSSSC207 Color Challenge and the Splitcoaststampers CAS313 Think Spring Challenge (see details here and gallery here).    

I decided to create a very Clean and Simple (CAS) card, then “stepped” it up a bit with additional layering and embossing for a Clean and Layered (CAL) card (see the next post here for the “stepped-up” version) :-).

Again, if you have not stopped by any of the above sites yet, I hope you will have time to do so- fabulous Design Team samples and so much inspiration!!

To create the CAS version:

Open a blank document in My Digital Studio (MDS), position the Pleasant Poppies background stamp image (re-sizing if necessary) and print out onto Whisper White cardstock.

Color the poppy image using Stampin’ Write markers- Blushing Bride for the petals, Wild Wasabi for the stems and Crumb Cake for shadows. 

Carefully cut out the flowers (“fussy-cut”) and add a few white highlights using a White Gel Pen.

Ink the sentiment using Blackberry Bliss Classic Ink and stamp onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Trim the panel and mount onto a piece of Blackberry Bliss cardstock, trim and mount onto the Blushing Bride card base.

Add the flowers using Stampin’ Dimensionals® to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Pleasant Po

ppies (MDS version), Thoughts & Prayers

Ink: Printer Ink- Black, Blackberry Bliss Classic Ink, Stampin’ Write Markers- Blushing Bride, Wild Wasabi, Crumb Cake; White Gel Pen

Paper: Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss, Blushing Bride

Accessories: Stampin’ Dimensionals®

Thanks again for stopping by-the next post will show the “stepped up” version :-)  I hope all of you have a wonderful, relaxing Sunday!!

TCC31 Birthday Wishes- A Mixed Media Monochromatic Card

Hi Stampers!!

It’s time for the new Card Concept #31 “Cupcakes” using our fun inspiration photo.  My Mixed Media card was inspired by the pink in the frosting as well as the beautiful crocheted lace doily.

The Card Concept is a bi-weekly challenge that has an inspiration photo along with a number of design styles that you can choose from to create your card- Clean and Simple, Clean and Graphic, Clean and Layered, Shabby Chic, Freestyle Collage, Classy and Elegant and Mixed Media.

I decided to combine our challenge along with the Splitcoaststampers Free for All F4A257 Challenge (see details here and gallery here) as well as the Mix-Ability MIX104 Pick A Color, Any Color Monochromatic Challenge (again, see details here and gallery here). 

So pull your supplies together and come join in on the fun!! 

To create this card:

Apply a layer of Gesso to a piece of Whisper White cardstock and allow to dry (or use a Heat Tool to speed up the process).

Using Gelatos®, apply color to the background and spritz with water to dilute and allow to spread.  Again, dry with the Heat Tool and repeat the colors as needed.

Apply additional color with Ranger® Tim Holtz® Distress Stains- Worn Lipstick and Festive Berries spritzing with water and allowing the stain to dilute and spread over the background, dry with the Heat Tool.

Background before adding the QR Die Paper

Ink the retired stamp, Bella Toile using Stone Gray Stāz-On Ink and stamp onto the background panel.

Once dried, de-static the background panel using the Embossing Buddy® and stamp the Hello, Doily background stamp using Versamark™ Ink.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool. 

Tear the Ultimate Crafts Quick Release Die Paper into small pieces and apply Mod Podge® over the background around the doily, applying the Release Die Paper and adding additional Mod Podge® over the paper.

Allow the panel to dry, use the Distressing Tool to add distressing to the edges.

Using My Digital Studio (MDS), print out the dress form image and the sentiment onto Whisper White cardstock. 

“Fussy-cut” the dress form image, color the image using the Sahara Sand Stampin’ Write marker and apply Mod Podge® to the dress form- set aside to dry.

Add the strip of crocheted lace trim along with the 5/8” Basic Black Triple Satin Ribbon bow. 

Mount the panel onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock, distress the edges with the Distressing Tool and mount onto the Pretty In Pink card base.

Use the XL Oval Punch to punch out the sentiment and mount onto two ovals from Basic Black cardstock (punched with the XL Oval Punch and overlapped to create a frame for the sentiment).

Mount the dress form and the sentiment to the card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

Create the rolled roses using the ⅞” and 1 ¼” Scallop Circle Punches (punch the scallop circles from Pretty in Pink cardstock, hand cut a wavy spiral toward the center of each scallop, roll up and adhere in the middle).    Add the rolled roses to the dress form and bow along with the Pearls to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Established Elegance, Watercolor Trio (both MDS Versions), Bella Toile and Hello, Doily background stamps

Ink: Stāz-On® Stone Gray Ink, Ranger® Tim Holtz® Worn Lipstick and Festive Berries Distress Stain, Gelatos®, Printer Ink- Black, Stampin’ Write Marker- Sahara Sand, Versamark™

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Pretty In Pink, Ultimate Crafts Quick Release Die Paper

Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder, Punches- XL Oval, Scallop Circle- ⅞” and 1 ¼”, Mod Podge®,  Pearls, ⅝” Basic Black Satin Ribbon, crochet lace from my stash

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday and find time to visit us at  The Card Concept and check out the rest of the Design Team samples  as well as pull out your supplies and play along!! 

FM200 Birthday Butterfly- A CAS Mixed Media Card

Hi Stampers! 

I had a chance to play around in my craft room this evening and decided to create another quick Mixed Media card for the 200th Challenge at the Friday Mash Up!  using the FM1 "Butterflies" with the FM5 "Nature with Embossing" Challenges  (plus- I was able to Mash It Up! for both challenges as well- woohoo! :-)) along with the Splitcoaststampers "Free For All" F4A254 "True Free for All" Challenge (here are the challenge details and the gallery is here)

If you have not had a chance to do so, I hope you will find the time visit both challenge sites to see the terrific Design Team samples as well as the wonderful inspiration from the galleries!

To create this quick card:

Apply the Sweet Sadie Washi Tape strips to a piece of Whisper White cardstock and use the Big Shot™ to emboss with the Honeycomb Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.

Trim the panel and mount onto a piece of Rich Razzleberry cardstock, trim and mount onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock, trim and mount onto the Basic Black card base.

Using My Digital Studio (MDS), position the Swallowtail image (reduce in size) as well as the greeting from Wetlands and print out onto Whisper White cardstock.

Color the butterfly using Stampin’ Write Markers- Daffodil Delight, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pear Pizzazz and Rich Razzleberry. 

Use a Faber-Castell® Black Pitt Pen Marker to darken the black areas of the butterfly, carefully “fussy-cut” the image and apply Mod Podge® with a foam brush.

Use a Faber-Castell® White Pitt Pen marker to add the white highlights to the wings.

Trim the sentiment and create the banner using the Hexagon Punch. 

Mount the sentiment onto a piece of Rich Razzleberry cardstock,  punch the banner points with the Hexagon Punch, mount again onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock and punch the banner points once more.

Stamp the large splatter stamp from Gorgeous Grunge using Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink over the embossed background panel and mount the sentiment using Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

To finish the card, use Stampin’ Dimensionals® under the wing tips of the butterfly (to give the wings dimension) and Tombow® Mono-Adhesive under the body to securely fasten to the card front.

Stamp Sets: Swallowtail and Wetlands (MDS versions), Gorgeous Grunge

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Printer Ink- Black; Stampin’ Write Markers- Crisp Cantaloupe, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry; Faber-Castell® Black and White Pitt Pen Markers

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Big Shot™, Honeycomb Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Foam Paint Brush, Mod Podge®, Sweet Sadie Washi Tape Collection, Hexagon Punch

Thanks again for visiting- have a fabulous Monday, my friends!!