Twofer - Leaves

I made myself sit down in my craft room and work on two cards for Darnell's Twofer challenge, which this month is Leaves.  

I don't know why I have such trouble thinking of two different ways to use the same stamps - but it seems to shut my creative mind right down!?!  Usually, I'm very good at multi-tasking -  but apparently not so good at multi-designing?!!!

But, I think I got it done.......

 I know at first glance, my cards look similar -  same colors, same grid background stamp, same dew drops, same leaf stamp, but on closer inspection, I'll show you how they are different!

For my first card I stamped this lovely leaf (retired set Season of Change from Sweet N Sassy) by inking the stamp first in Orange Zest and then 'rock n rolling' the edges (remember that technique??!) in Honey Nut Ink.  You can see all the lovely detail in the stamp.  Then I stamped the Distressed Grid background over the panel in Soft Stone and die cut the panel with Pierced Feature Frames from PTI.

My Thanksgiving card!

For my Twofer below - I used the same stamp but "inked' the stamp by coloring it with Tombow Markers, brown around the outside edges and orange on the inside of the leaf.  Then I stamped the leaf onto watercolor paper and brushed over the middle of the stamping with a slightly wet paint brush to move around the color - which also makes all the detail of the stamp disappear 

(although there wasn't much detail showing anyway since this is a textured watercolor paper.) 

I repeated the process for the second leaf. 

Then I die cut the leaves using the coordinated die and layered them with foam dots over a panel of watercolor paper stamped with the same grid stamp as my first card. I layered the panel to a scalloped die cut and onto a card base of Rustic Cream cardstock .

My Thinking of You card.

So, I hope I got it right sis?  Two different designs for different occasions using the same stamps!

Thanksgiving Card
Stamps: Season of Change - Sweet N Sassy (retired), Distressed Grid - Cornish Heritage Farm (retired), Sentiment -  Inky Antics.
Paper:  white, Honey Nut - PTI
Ink:  Soft Stone, Orange Zest, Honey Nut - PTI
Accessories:  Pierced Feature Frame dies - PTI, orange dew drops, foam dots, Tombow Glue.

Thinking of You Card
Stamps:  Season of Change - Sweet N Sassy (retired), Distressed Grid - Cornish Heritage Farm (retired), Sentiment Staples: Thinking of You - PTI
Paper:  Rustic Cream, Honey Nut - PTI, Arches Watercolor paper
Ink:  Soft Stone, Honey Nut - PTI
Accessories:  Tombow Markers Brown and Orange, water, paint brush, Season of Change leaf dies - Sweet N Sassy (retired), Scallop Stackers Medium die - PTI, foam dots.

Just Us Girls - I'm the July Guest Designer! Color Week

I'm back again as the July Guest Designer for Just Us Girls!

This week is Color Week and here is the challenge!

I often have trouble creating when I am told to use certain colors (!?) it can mess with my mojo!  But this week was a breeze because I just got out the same stamps I used last week on my JUGS card since they are perfect for these colors! 

I cut a panel of water color paper, masked an area to create my section of 'ocean' and pounced the panel onto my craft mat where I had rubbed Ranger Distress Cracked Pistachio and then spritzed with water.  When I had achieved the coverage I wanted, I removed the mask and dried the panel with my heat tool.  To define the edges better, I drew lines with my 01 Black Micron Pen.

Then I got out the PTI Salt Air: Fauna and Salt Air: Flora stamps and dies. (The stamps seem to be back in the shop but the dies are still back ordered).  I selected what fauna and flora I wanted and stamped them onto the die cuts using Pale Peony and Aqua Mist PTI Inks.  I layered them over the 'ocean' strip with foam dots, stamped the Psalm verse from an older Sweet N Sassy set called Beauty by the Sea and added 3 enamel dots.

I layered the panel to a slightly larger Hawaiian Shores panel and then to a white card base.

So being told what colors to use wasn't so terrible for me this time! 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer - getting outdoors and enjoying yourself - maybe even getting to the beach?!  Looking at this card makes me want to go there!

So please join us over at Just Us Girls showing us your creation using aqua, pink and white!  You have until 9 pm EST July 26th to link up your card.  I'll be back next Saturday with my last creation as Guest Designer for JUGS.  What a fun month I've been having creating along this talented team!

I'm also linking my card to:
CAS Watercolour Card Challenge 

 

Stamps:  Salt Air: Fauna, Salt Air Flora - PTI, Beauty by the Sea (retired) - Sweet N Sassy.
Paper:  Water color paper - Canson, white, Haraiian Shores - PTI
Ink:  Hero Hues Black, Pale Peony and Aqua Mist - PTI, Ranger Distress Cracked Pistachio.
Accessories:  Eclipse Tape (for mask), craft mat, water mister, enamel dots, 01 Black Micron Pen, foam dots,  Salt Air: Fauna Die set and Salt Air: Flora Die set - PTI.

The Seas and Everything that Moveth Therein

Today I'm playing along with the June CAS Watercolour Card Challenge.  The theme is OCEAN.

I've been wanting to learn more about watercoloring on cards and this challenge is a great way to do it with all of the inspiration from the design team and links on the challenge blog to techniques!

For my watercolor background I used a pouncing technique where I rubbed Ranger Distress Inks onto my craft mat, spritzed the colors with water and pounced the watercolor panel into one color at a time - drying with my heat tool between colors.  The first color I used was Cracked Pistachio, the second Broken China and then Seedless Preserves (which I just pounced along the bottom edge).

Then I stamped one of the fish from Sea Life from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous over the panel.  I layered the panel over a cream Bazzill card base using form dots.  I stamped the Psalm from Beauty by the Sea from Sweet N Sassy on a piece of watercolor paper and adhered it below the watercolor panel.

CAS Watercolour Card Challenge

Just Us Girls

CropStop: June Link Party

Word Art Wednesday

Anything Goes

Stamps:  Sea Life - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous, Beauty by the Sea - Sweet N Sassy (retired).
Paper:  Water color paper - Canson, cream Bazzill.
Ink:  Ranger Distress Cracked Pistachio, Broken China and Seedless Preserves, Hero Hues Black.
Accessories:  craft mat, water mister, heat tool, foam dots.

My Heart Sings of the Beauty of Autumn

For the next two weeks of October - the members of Eileen Hull's Sizzix Design Team are making cards using her dies and embossing folders to show that  Eileen's dies are not just for making 3D items! 

Today I have a card that I made using Eileen's Spring Leaves Die and  her Honeycomb Embossing Folder.

First I embossed a white panel with the Honeycomb folder, then I used a stitched edge rectangle die to cut out the center .  I adhered the inner piece to the card base.  Then I die cut the Spring Leaves out of a piece of Brushed Copper metal sheet.  I colored the leaves with Adirondack Alcohol Inks - using Butterscotch, Cranberry and Lettuce.

I layered the leaves onto the center piece on foam dots.  Then I adhered the outer frame on thick foam dots so it sits higher than the center piece.

 

I stamped a sentiment on white, punched it with an oval punch and layered it over the frame with foam dots.  I added 3 rhinestones for a little extra bling!

Please be sure to check out Eileen's blog to see how you can use her dies to make cards - I think you'll be inspired!

I'm linking my card to:  

Anything But Cute - An Autumn Day

Happy Little Stampers - Mixed Media

Stamps:  Autumn Bounty - Sweet and Sassy
Paper:  white - PTI
Ink:  True Black - PTI
Accessories: Spring Leaves Die - Eileen Hull/Sizzix, Honeycomb Embossing Folder -Eileen Hull/Sizzix,  Adirondack Alcohol Inks Butterscotch, Cranberry, Lettuce, oval punch - SU, Rhinestones - Kaiser Craft, Brushed Copper Metal Sheet - Add a Little Dazzle, Stitched Edge Rectangle Die - Lil'Inker Designs,

Mixed Media Card Challenge #3 - Autumn Colors

It's the first of the month and time for a brandy new Mixed Media Card Challenge!  The theme is Autumn Colors with the optional elements of metal or leaves. Perfect for September for those of us who live in those parts of the world where the seasons change and fall is near!  You'll find the challenge here.

This month we are teaming up with Add a Little Dazzle - and using owner Monica's craft metal on our cards.  The thin flexible metal cuts so easily with your dies - it's a dream to work with!

I stamped my panel with Ornate Dots using 3 colors of Archival ink - Red Geranium, Fern Green and Orange Blossom and sponged the edges in Bundled Sage and Wild Honey Distress Inks.  I stamped an Art Parts leaf stem with Reverse Dots using the same 3 Archival inks then brushed Distress Crackle Paint over it and let it dry.  You can see the wonderful crackle on this photo below.

I die cut a piece of Dark Chocolate Brown Craft Metal with Tender Leaves Die, pounced over them with Rusty Hinge Distress Paint layering them over a die cut stitched rectangle.  I added a little twine bow and some sequins scattered around the card. The sentiment is from Sweet N Sassy.

And once again - a full view of my Mixed Media Card.  Autumn colors, metal and leaves!

You have until Sept 25th to link up your mixed media card creations - check out all the details here.  Remember - we are looking for texture, dimension and techniques!  I look forward to seeing your inspiring creations!

I'm also linking my card to:
 Split Coast Stampers Mixability Challenge - Naturally Elements -  I used Earth elements: Earth = harmonious and peaceful (brown, tan, yellow, russet, green) 

 The Curtain Call Challenge 

and a new challenge I just found -  Papercrafting Challenges #17 - Sequins

Stamps:  Ornate Dots, Reverse Dots - Wendy Vecchi/Studio 490
Paper:  White - PTI
Ink:  Archival Red Geranium, Fern Green, Orange Blossom, Potting Soil; Ranger Distress Bundled Sage and Wild Honey
Accessories:  Avery Elle Sequins - Kraft Blend and Lemonade Blend. Stitched Mat Rectangle Die - Lil'Inker Designs, Tender Leaves Die - Memory Box, Ranger Distress Paint Rusty Hinge, Art Parts/Leaves - Wendy Vecchi/Studio 490, Distress Crackle Paint - Ranger, Blending tool, Ranger. foam tape, twine, dark chocolate brown craft metal - Add a Little Dazzle.

A Winner, a Branch and Winter!

A little business first -   here is the randomly chosen winner from all the lovely comments left on my Creations by AR post yesterday.  

A Touch of SOL said...

WOW...what a treat! Especially love the glitter tag...thanks for sharing your artwork!

Congratulations Marisol!  you've won your choice of one of the four templates I used yesterday.  Please e-mail Adela at  creationsbyar@sbcglobal.net  to let her know you were the winner from Julia's blog post and which template you would like!

And please check out Lyn Bernatovich's blog today - she is posting more inspiration using the templates and you could win one by leaving a comment on her blog!

Moving on to some of this week's challenges - I have two cards to share today.  First up is an anniversary card.  My design was inspired by the Cas-ual Fridays Challenge - Out on a Limb

 My tree branch is Woodland Branch from Memory Box and my sentiment stamp is from Sweet N Sassy.  I used my new Tipped Tops Die from PTI for the panel and added flower sequins for a little sparkle.  Inside I stamped 'Happy Anniversary'.

 My second card's design was inspired by the Freshly Made Sketch. 

 

I just got these beautiful snowflake stamps in the mail this week.  They are from a set called Sophisticated Snowflakes designed by Mona Pendleton for My Favorite Things - and they are just lovely - don't you think?!  I stamped them in 3 different Memento blue inks and added white sequins to some of the centers.  The Noel is from Starry Christmas - also from MFT.

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.  I'm off this morning to a little musical concert that my 2 1/2 year old grandnephew, James, is in with his day care class (how cute will this be!)  Then we'll go to James' parents for a pizza lunch.

Love is Like a Tree

Stamps:  Love is like a Tree - Sweet N Sassy

Paper:  white, vintage cream - PTI, DP Cappella Paper Pad/Basic Grey

Ink:  Archival Coffee

Accessories:  glue pen, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive, flower sequins - Cartwrights, Tipped Tops Die - PTI, Woodland Branch die - Memory Bos

Noel

Stamps:  Sophisticated Snowflakes, Starry Christmas - My Favorite Things

Paper:  White, Hawaiian Shores - PTI

Ink:  Memento Nautical Blue, Teal Zeal, Paris Dusk

Accessories:  sequins - Neat and Tangled, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive.

... but naught changeth Thee

I made today's card for the Cas-ual Fridays challenge -  to use fall colors and at least one leaf.

 and here is my CAS card -  using fall colors of orange, red and green and exactly ONE leaf!

My sentiment and leaf stamp are from Seasons of Change by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  I used the matching leaf die to cut the leaf.  I stamped the leaf using red, green and orange and also sponged the edges to give it a little more definition.  It's popped up on foam dots.  I added some enamel dots and drew a border with my brown Micron 01 fine tip pen.

I'm also entering this in Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes.

Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy - Seasons of Change
Paper:  White - PTI
Ink:  Memento Lady Bug, Bamboo Leaves, Tangelo, Versafine Vintage Sepia.
Accessories:  enamel dots - My Mind's Eye, foam dots, brown Micron 01 Fine Tip pen.

A Bird Bath in the Garden

Since we've been having 80 degree weather in March here in Massachusetts - it seems perfectly normal to make a card with a summertime birdbath in it!!

This pretty little birdbath is a digi image called Birdie Bathtime from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  I cut the image with a rectangle Nestability sponging the edges with Ranger Distress Tumbled Glass and Shabby Shutters before removing the image from the die.  Then I colored the image with Copics.  The pretty papers are Amy Butler by K& Co and the wave border is a die from MFT.  My sentiment is a rub on by Stampin' Up.

This card was made for the following challenges:

Raise the Bar RTB97  In the Garden - to use an image of something you would see in a garden.
SCS Ways to Use It Challenge - to use Rub Ons
SCS Queen for the Day - Korin was this weeks queen and I cased this card of hers.
SCS Free 4 All challenge - to use 3 or more of something -  I used 8 rhinestones!
 

Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy - Digi Image Birdie Bathtime

Paper: White, Ocean Tides - PTI, DP Amy Butler Designer Mat Pad - K&Co

Ink: Ranger Distress Tumbled Glass, Shabby Shutters

Accessories: Copics - BG32, B00, E59, E35, E33, YG95, Y38, Rub Ons - Hidden Garden/SU, rhinestones - Bazill Basics, aqua mist saddle stitched ribbon - PTI, catch a wave die - MFT, rectangle Nestability

Season of Gratitude

I wanted to share a couple of cards I recently made using stamps from Sweet 'n Sassy.  My 6 month term of being on the SNSS Design Team is drawing to a close and I have greatly enjoyed using Korin's lovely stamps and sentiments on my creations.

This card was made using a recent Split Coast Stampers sketch.   The stamps are from Forest Silhouettes and Autumn Bounty.

 I used the Square Lattice embossing folder from SU on both cards. I love the texture it gives to the cards.

I made my second card for a recent SCS Inspiration challenge.  This was my inspiration - a wall hanging from the  Handscapes Gallery web site.

and here is the card I created using Serene Silhouettes and Seeing Spots.  The background strips are pieces of weathered wood grain patterned paper by Fancy Pants.

Hope you are having a happy stamping day!

Oh - and just looking ahead -   The Waltzingmouse Design Team will be having a Stamp of Approval Parade Nov 1-4 using prior release Christmas stamp sets -  so please stop back then for lots of holiday inspiration!!

Wishing you a season of:
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy - tree from Forest Silhouettes, sentiments from Autumn Bounty

Paper: Kraft, Dark Chocolate - PTI, DP Pyrus Paper Pad/Basic Grey
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Potters Clay
Accessories: Square Lattic Embossing Folder - SU, foam tape, wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, tiny twinkles - Taylored Expressions

Thinking of you:
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy - Serene Silhouettes, Sentiment from Seeing Spots

Paper: Kraft, Orange Zest, True Black - PTI, DP Fancy Pants/Papa
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Old Paper
Accessories: 3/4" circle punch - EK Success, square lattice Embossing Folder - SU, foam tape, twine - PTI

Sweet 'n Sassy Meets the Twinery - Blog Hop!

Today I'm excited to be participating in the Design Team blog hop between Sweet n' Sassy Stamps and the Twinery!

You should start the hop at The Twinery  if you came here from Tifany DeGough then you are in the right place!

See below how you can have a chance at winning a prize!

This little lady bug makes ME smile - isn't she the cutest!  I stamped her on white, die cutting with a circle Nestability.  I colored her with Copics and added some tiny twinkles to her smile and antenae!

I wrapped the twine to get 3 loops on each side, then adhered it to the back of the lady bug circle.  I layered that to a black scallop die cut circle.  I embossed another circle on the card and layered the image onto the frame with foam tape.  I thought the loops of twine gave the impression of wings, although I didn't try to make them even or in a straight line.  Then I simply stamped the sentiment directly on the card.

So here are the details on how and what you can win!

There will be TWO prizes awarded from those who leave comments on all participating blogs. 

The Twinery will give away to one winner:

One Ultimate Color Sampler Pack (retail value $25)

Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps will give away to one winner:

One Season of Change Stamp & Die Set (retail value $28)

Deadline to hop/leave comments is 11:59 EST, Saturday Oct 22nd
Winners will be announced at the Sweet 'n Sassy Blog  and The Twinery on Sunday, Oct 23rd.

Next stop on the hop is  Hera Frei

Thanks for stopping by -   and Good Luck!

Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy - Some Buggy Loves You

Paper:  Pure Poppy, White, True Black - PTI

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

Accessories:  Copics - R37, 100, Mandarin Bakers Twine - The Twinery,  tiny twinkles - Taylored Expressions, circle and big scallop circle Nestabilities, foam tape.

Thanksgiving Blessings and Fanged Pumpkins!

I made this pretty fall card for the Color Challenge over on Split Coast.   Betty's challenge was to use the SU colors of Pool Party, Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso.

I didn't have those exact colors - so I used Pool Party (the one SU color I had) a Tim Holtz Coredinations Walnut Stain for the lacey edge panel, and a Bo Bunny Harvest Dot for the leaves (the back side is plain red).

I used my new Sweet 'n Sassy leaf dies to cut my leaves - so easy peasy!!  I stamped the sentiments from Autumn Bounty  right on the leaves and added a little bling to accent them.

And I just had to share my little fanged pumpkins -  I found the idea in the October 2011 Martha Stewart Magazine

Don't these just CRACK YOU UP!?!?  Martha used little white pumpkins and red map pins - but all I could find right now were little orange pumpkins - I got the teeth at a seasonal Halloween shop - they were just 15 cents a set!  I don't know how long they will last once you cut them but I'll be making more of these for sure!

We're celebrating my son Joshua's 34th birthday tonight and I'm going to have these little critters as the centerpiece on the table!

Stamps:  Sweet n' Sassy - Autumn Bounty

Paper:  Pool Party - SU, Cordinations Tim Holtz Walnut Stain, Kraft and Dark Chocolate - PTI, Bo Bunny Harvest Dot.

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Foam Tape, square lattice embossing folder - SU, leaf dies - Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, tiny twinkles - Taylored Expressions, lacey punch - Martha Stewart.

Sweet 'n Sassy Christmas Treat Box

Hi friends!   I'm sneaking in to let you know I've got a post on the Sweet n' Sassy blog today of this sweet little Christmas Treat box.  I used the cute set called Rhubarb's Christmas.

I'd love to have you check it out over there -  there are more pics and details on how I created it!

I'll see you at 2 pm EST for the WMS Sept Release Blog Waltz!

Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy - Rhubarb's Christmas

Paper: Vintage Cream - PTI, DP Modern Homemaker October Afternoon
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Antique Linen
Accessories: foam tape, scor tape, trio labels Spellbinders, Skotch quick dry adhesive, lace - Joanne's, ribbon - Michaels, wooden box - Michaels, rhinestones - Kaiser, Copics E31, E34, YG17, R37, R00

Sweet 'n Sassy Sweet Peek Day #4 - Jolly & Sweet!

Hi Friends!  are you loving Korin's Sweet Peeks so far???   You can see all of them over at the Sweet 'n Sassy blog....  Today I have a card using this fun new snowman/Christmas set 'Holly Jolly Christmas"

I used the fun little snowman and one of the many sentiments in this cute set.  My sketch is from this week's sketch challenge over at Split Coast (sort of!!)

If you scoot over to the Sweet 'n Sassy Blog - you'll find links to the other design Team members, Sandy, Taylor and Monika, who have made cards using this new set today!(available 9/15/11)

This weekend I'm busy, busy doing a major cleaning at my home -  my stamping/blogging friend - Charlene (Lilluvsstampin on SCS) is traveling from Michigan to Boston this week and will be staying with us for two nights!  whoo hoo!!  Nothing like having company to get you inspired to clean up!!

ETA:   Please see this note from Korin -  owner/designer of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps:

"On September 7th, 2011 much of Eastern PA experienced major flooding due to continued rain over the course of several days. One of the communities affected by the flooding is my home town of Pine Grove. I grew up in this small rural town and it is very near to my heart. Many of my family and friends still reside there. My heart broke as I saw the devastation of the flood waters to this small community. Many homes and businesses have been completely destroyed and the clean up is sure to take months if not longer. I am burdened to help out in any way that I can, so I have designed this stamp set in honor of my home town, Pine Grove. I drew the "pine grove" image in honor of the town's name and I came up with the sentiments as I pondered what I might say to the flood victims....many of whom are my friends and family. "


All proceeds from the sale of this set will be donated to the Pine Grove Disaster Relief Fund & the Operation Hugs & Kisses Organization to help the many, many flood victims of Pine Grove.

Here is the link to the set: 

Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy - Holly Jolly Christmas
Paper:  white, Hawaiian Shore, Text Style Rustic Christmas - PTI
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Copics - R05, B02, E35, B00, BG10, YG91,  Scallop circle and circle punches - SU, wrinkled seam Tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, foam tape, rhinestones - Kaiser, Tiny Twinkles - Taylored Expressions

Sweet 'n Sassy Sweet Peek Day #3 - A Sweet Wish for Christmas!

I'm excited to share my card for Sweet Peek Day #3 of the September release of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!  Korin has created a wonderful Rhubarb's Christmas stamp set for us this month!

 I used Rhubarb holding a gingerbread man cookie from this set and layered him over my die cut gingerbread man!  I wove together two pieces (red and white) of jumbo rick rack to make my 'candy cane pole'.

Because my card is black - I lined the inside with a slightly smaller white card base - which allows me to stamp a sentiment, sign the card - and also covers the ends of the rick rack!

I hope you'll take a peek over at the Sweet 'n Sassy Blog to find links to fellow DT members,

Taylor, Bridget and Jessica who are also showing Sweet Peeks of  Rhubarb's Christmas set today!

I'll be back tomorrow with another Sweet Peek so I hope you'll stop by!

Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy - Rhubarb's Christmas (available 9/15)
Paper:  Tan Bazzill, White & True Black - PTI,  DP Bo Bunny Harvest Dot.
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distess Antique Linen
Accessories:  Scor Tape, foam tape, glue Pen, jumbo rick rack -Wrights, Square Lattice embossing folder - SU, gingerbread die - Tim Holtz Alterations, black gelly roll pen - Sakura, Copics E33, E35, E53, YR24, 100, R14, Modern Label punch SU, scallop oval punch - SU, rhinestones - Kaiser, tiny twinkles - Taylored Expressions.