Horizontal Oriental Flowers

 Hi all!

Today has been my slowest day in about 10 weeks!  I spent the day taking care of some things for my BFF's dad's estate, altered my daughter's homecoming dress, visited with my parents and re-organized half of my stamp sets...oh and made a card!

This card is for a new-to-me challenge blog I found called Papercraft Crew Challenges.  They seem to have been around for a while?  I'm glad I found their challenge, as the sketch inspired me to pull out an old stencil I have collecting dust!

The stencil is Altenew's Sphere Stencil.  Works pretty well for this challenge eh?  

I used Limestone ink for the stencil and added a die cut stamped flower from Altenew's Cupped Flowers set.  I like the combo of coral, red and gray together.  Unexpected and it gives me an Orient vibe.  I do struggle with this particular stamp set, not sure why?  It's super cute!

I finished the card off with some splatter and the stamped sentiment.

That's it for today!  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a day filled with color!

Shine On

 Hi all!

Sometimes life is crazy...really CRAZY.  When things are at their craziest, that's when I tend to excel, is anyone else like that?  .  Life has been so incredibly crazy since early July for me and I'm still plugging away, making things happen!  Maybe it's the ADHD I have...who knows.

This sentiment really spoke to me today when I was creating, so with the AAA Cards Challenge this week, I thought I'd use it to apply for their DT call.

The background color was created using layers of watercolors.  Simple to do, just add colors and let dry, then repeat.  The dry time allowed me to work on administrative things in the studio, so it's a win-win.  After the paint was dry, I added a few gold metallic splatters...which got a bit crazy...to give it a galaxy feel.

The mountains are from Altenew's Wanderlust set.  I haven't used this set in YEARS and am surprised it's still in circulation!  I added some of the stars from the stamp set to the background with gold embossing powder, and the mountains are stamped on cardstock then fussy cut.  I would normally stamp right on the card base, but was afraid I would mess it the gorgeous galaxy sky!

Like I said before, the sentiments with this set spoke to me today, so I also added it with gold embossing powder.  Simple card with a powerful message!

Thanks so much for visiting me, I hope you have a colorful day!

Die cut flowers

 Hi all!

I'm cramming a bunch of posts while I have the chance...its late at night, everyone's sleeping...except me.  Darn menopause...  Instead of staring at the inside of my eyelids pretending to sleep, I thought I'd head out to the studio to create and post.

This is another card for the September Flower Challenge and the Triple B Challenge, and while it does not match the inspiration image, it is a flower.....  I'm absolutely ADORING Altenew's Craft-a-Flower dies sets!  The Bellflower from Augusts release is AMAZING!  It's so cute!

I die cut the flowers and used my Altenew Alcohol markers to add color and texture to them.  Not the smoothest color job, as I'm still getting used to creating with markers, but the colors are *chef's kiss*.

The background is a simple ink blending with yellow to make the blooms pop right off the card.  The stem I adhered right to the card front, but used foam tape for the blossoms.

The card is finished off with a few splatters, sequins and a foil sentiment from Everyday Sentiments.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you have a colorful day!

Playing with Stencils and Water - TIC TAC TOE #226 DESIGNERS CHOICE!

 Hi all!

Super quick post here...I've been helping a friend capture feral cats at her dad's house and while transporting it to a shelter to be fixed, one got out in my yard!!!  I've got to trap it before it reproduces...

 

This card is for the Tic Tac Toe challenge this week, and I'm using the stencil, free and foliage diagonal combo.  I just realized I tend to use the same diagonal each time I'm at their challenge...at least I'm consistent!  I am also entering this in this month's Happy Little Stampers Watercolor + Layers Challenge for September. 

This card uses Altenew's August Build-a-Garden Bougainvillia bundle.  I started with the background, using a light color to stamp the image, then inked it with the coordinating stencil and blending brushes.  I then lightly brushed water over to the image to soften the edges and give it an atmospheric background look...I think it worked?

The foreground flowers were created the with the same ink colors, stamp and stencil, but I didn't add water to give the illusion it was in the foreground.  The image was die cut and popped up on foam tape to give it dimension.

It's finished off with the coordinating sentiment from the stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you have a colorful day!

Sneak Peek Shaker

 Hi all!

Don't you all just love a sneak peek?  Kind of like the previews of movies...it's just a little taste of what is yet to come and it gets you excited.  I hope this card will do that for you...AND it's now featured on the Altenew site...EEEKKK!!!

This is a sneak peek for Altenew's October Monthly Series, Dynamic Duo - Snowy Delight.  It's so adorable, and I love anything snow related.  This bundle will be release mid-October, so keep your eyes peeled for it...OR better yet, sign up for the subscription so you won't miss out on it!  They always sell out fast.

These snowmen and the coordinating stencil for the background are wonderful for any winter-themed project.  I also used Altenew's Create a Wreath die set to make the window for my scene.

I have to thank the Shop Our Stash challenge post for inspiring this layout.  Shakers are not really something I do often, but I love how they come out.  I should really do them more often....  I am also entering this into the Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Snow Globe....it's snow and its round, perhaps it will count?

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you have a colorful day!

Wood Cookies

 Hi all!

I am a obnoxious cookie baker for the holidays...and when I mean obnoxious...I bake over 6,500 cookies for a party we host the second Saturday of December.  I have already started, and yes, I have MANY freezers and ovens to complete my task and keep them fresh until they are served.  Do you have a favorite cookie recipe you make for the holidays?

  

When I saw this set from Altenew and the name...Wood Cookie....I knew it had to be mine!  It's adorable and the name is perfection for me.  I think this year my signs for the party may have to made from this die set this year...

I went with a very soft non-traditional color pallete, and added the Rainforest Leaves Wreath Builder set for some leaves to go with the wood slice.  I love the colors, they were inspired by my wedding colors since the card base is left over paper from it...yes, I save everything....

That adorable little lady bug goes with the die set too!  I decided to add this card to Just Add Ink - Wildlife....bugs are wildlife aren't they... the Happy Little Stampers Die Challenge, as well as the Sisterhood of Crafters challenge this week, Die Cuts-Anything Goes.  

Have a colorful week!

Altenew September 2023 Marvelous Monthly Series Release Blog Hop + Giveaway ($300 in Total Prizes!)

 Hi all!

Welcome to Paperfiori, I'm so glad you're here!  Today I'm honored to be participating in Altenew's September 2023 Marvelous Monthly Series Release Blog Hop + Giveaway!  You should have arrived here from the amazing Virginia Lu, but be sure to hit all the AMAZING artists on this hop by starting here.

I LOVE each and every piece of Altenew product I have, from stamps, to dies, stencils, pencils, SCISSORS (I really love those, can you tell?), papers, markers...I could go on forever!  What brought me over to this fantastic company were the flower dies and stamps.  I've missed out on so many and have had to wait for re-stocks, but with Altenew's monthly subscription options, I don't miss out on any more of their luscious flower products!  Being a former florist, I adore flowers, and Altenew's September Craft-A-Flower Japanese Camilla completely fills my flower hole!

The design of the completed die cut flowers look complex, but they're actually a breeze to assemble.  Especially with the new registration system Altenew developed, it seriously makes it so easy.  I had so much fun creating with this set and I'm still making more!

These flowers can be uber realistic or more 'artsy' which I posted about earlier this week here.  The flowers on this project are a mix of the two techniques.  The blossoms themselves have a little ink blending, then are highlighted with Altenew's Alcohol markers to give them a more realistic look.  The leaves I took creative liberty with and made them gray with some ink blending and finished off with markers.

The flowers hug either corner of the Simple Frame embossing folder and the script sentiment from Sweet Sentiments...which is amazing, a must have!  I guess they're all must haves...tee hee.  

That's it here!  Don't forget to comment here and on each stop of the hop for a chance to win a part of the $300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $40 gift certificate to 5 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 09/25/2023 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 6 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 09/27/2023. Now head on over and visit the talented Agnieszka Maylszek!

Have a colorful hop!!

Kristin

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Ink Blending NEW Flowers! - TRIPLE B TOP WINNER!!

 Hi all!

Hi, I'm Kristin.  I'm addicted to flowers.  It all started when I picked a bouquet of pretty leaves for my mom. I handed her the bouquet, and she declared they were beautiful...as moms do... I was pleased to have given a gift that brought a smile to her face!  It was however the gift that kept on giving....as it included poison sumac.  BUT....the happiness she showed when she received the bouquet is what I relate flowers with!

 

This is my second card for the Tic Tac Toe challenge this week, and I'm following the same diagonal line.  Ink blending, die cuts and leaves.  I am also adding this to the Happy Little Stampers Birthday Challenge this month and Triple B challenge.

These flowers are from the soon to be released Altenew Craft-a-Flower Japanese Camellia (the link won't work until the 18th, but save it because they will go FAST)!  This card came about because I cannot let ANYTHING go to waste, especially ink. So, when I work with stencils or ink blending, I scrub off my brushes onto an other piece of card stock as to not waste the ink (you can see more about it here). These flowers were created from one of those scrap papers!  

Admittedly, the green leaves are not from that scrap paper....but the blossoms are! (obscure Goonies reference here)  Not bad for a scrap piece of paper?  Use up that ink and make scrap papers as you craft, I use mine ALL the time!

A little splatter of metallic gold watercolor and white acrylic paint just makes it so fun.  The sentiment is from Sweet Sentiments die set, which I also use all the time.

That's it for today!  I hope you've had a colorful weekend!

Mandala Holiday Tags

Hi all!

One of my favorite things about gift giving is the gift wrap!  Even if you give a simple little gift, you can make it special with a fabulous wrap job.  A beautifully wrapped gift makes the receiver feel incredibly special.  I love to make special tags for my gifts, like this one or these.  What kind of gift wrapping do you make?

 

The AAA Challenge this week could not come at a better time!  I planned on making some tags for Altenew's Marvelous Monthly Subscriptions release so this challenge helped me get them done.  This subscription set also comes with a coordinating die, so I thought I'd enter them also into the Happy Little Stampers Stencil challenge.  They offer their subscriptions individually or get them all! 

These tags feature the soon to be released, Altenew's Spark Joy subscription for September, Folk Mandala (this link will not be active UNTIL September 18th, so mark your calendars!).  The Spark Joy subscriptions always comes with a foil plate and coordinating stencils.  Nice, eh?

I kept these tags fairly simple...at least simple for me...and made them holiday themed.  I think the mandala looks like a snowflake, so I ran with it.  I also love using non-traditional colors for my holiday crafting, I'm not a green and red combo kind of gal.

Both cards were cut using Altenew's Terrific Tags die set, a go to for my tag making.  This pink one was foiled in rose gold foil and inked with the Cherry Blossom ink family.  I added a sentiment from the Holiday Tag stamp set embossed in gold and inked with markers.  The embellies are gold sequins with a pink enamel dot in the center.

The blue tag was created with silver foil and the sentiment is from the Holiday Script Words die set, layered 5 times with the final one cut from silver cardstock.  I finished it off with some silver cording.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the release for September 18th!  

Have a colorful day!

Favorite Flavor - TIC TAC TOE DESIGNERS CHOICE!

Hi all!

Is there one flavor you love?  Like...you would eat ANYTHING if it was that flavor?  I will have anything that is lemon flavored.  Drinks, cookies, pasta, fish, candy, veggies, chocolate...its a thing, I promise!  I even have some minimal amounts of lemons in my décor, just here and there, nothing over the top...yet.

This card is for the Tic Tac Toe challenge this week, and I chose the diagonal combo of ink blending, die cuts and leaves.  

When I saw this set and the rest of Altenew's Lemonade Party collection, I knew I HAD to have it!  Lemonade is my FAVORITE drink of all time, so it was fitting.  The ink blending on this is simple, only the leaves and the lemons have it on it, but I used 4 colors on those lemons and 3 on the leaves.  I'm a bit obsessive...

After I completed the blending, I added little dots to the lemons with an alcohol ink marker.  I love that detail!

The background was stamped on navy blue card stock and then splattered with some white acrylic paint.  Now looking at it in the picture, I'm not sure I like the sentiment on the white paper...oh well!

That's it for today, have a colorful week!

Now I'm craving lemon chocolate...........

EEK! Honors and another challenge - THE FLOWER CHALLENGE - HM!

 Hi all!

I was SO excited to discover this morning I was the winner of the Flower Challenge for August!  That just makes me feel so giddy!  I love flowers...I mean I was a florist and event designer for over 15 years...flowers are in my blood.  If its your thing, check out my blog post with the winning card HERE.

So this is my entry for this month's Flower Challenge, to use a die.  Since I use flowers in just about EVERY card I make, I'm sure I'll have more than 1 entry for this challenge....tee hee... 

This is a new die set from Altenew called BellFlower.  Its a GREAT die set, and with the new die assembly system with Altenew dies, it's a BREEZE to put together.  And this one was even easier to create, I used pre-printed papers and I LOVE them!!  There are lots of bolded words because I'm passionate for this set...

After I assembled the flowers and attached the to the black card front, I added white acrylic paint splatters to add a little interest and break up the black a bit.  The 'hope' sentiment is from Versatile Greetings 2 and smaller one I can't remember for the life of me which stamp set that's from...ugh... I did create another card with this die set, and I'll share that one soon!

I hope you have a colorful day!

I need a new die cutter... - DT for CAS on FRIDAY!!!

 Hi all...

It's official.  I need to invest in a new die cutter.  I have the Sizzix Big Shot, which I've owned for years and abused it for much of that time...  If you had an unlimited budget...what would you get?  Not that I do mind you, but I like to think big!

This die set is why I need a new die cutter.  Its a great set from Altenew, just released in August.  It's called Whimsically Wild and is so fun, it even has a matching stamp set and stencil.  I used just the die set for this card and it nearly killed me...

This delicate die set is perfect for the idea I originally had for this.  HOWEVER...my die cutter was NOT cooperating!  1,000 different shim combinations, and it was 80% cut out.  I just used my scissors for the rest.  Incredibly frustrating!

I love the simple layout with the simple image, I am entering it in the DT call for CAS on Friday, and the current Less is More challenge

Have a colorful day!