Sending SOC Hugs with a card I've never shared!

Hi all!

Have you done this?  Created a card for something, then never got around to sharing it?  This was one of my favorite creations that I made for Altenew when I was a guest designer toward the end of last year.  I NEVER got around to sharing it on social media, and it's a perfect fit for today's Sisterhood of Crafters challenge HUGS!

This slimline card features Altenew's Folk Mandala foil plate and stencil set.  I loved the colors I chose, and the sentiment stencil came with the set...Those are always a double bonus in my book.

The mandala was foiled 3 times down the length of the card.  It isn't hard, just takes some patience and tape for perfect placement.  The mandalas were then stenciled with Altenew's Fresh Dye inks in Dew Drops, Fresh Lemon, Olive and Rose Quartz.

The sentiment strip was created by stenciling the top half of the 'hugs' in the pink and yellow hues, then moving the stencil down half an inch, then stenciling the bottom half of the sentiment.  Then the added mini sentiment strip over the space created finished it off.  That was all placed on a piece of olive cardstock and added a few coordinating enamel dots for a little more shine. 

I LOVE how it turned out!  What will you create for our challenge this time around?  We look forward to seeing you work... Have a colorful day!

Fun times with PINKFRESH STUDIO Create and Connect weekend!

Fun times with PINKFRESH STUDIO's Create and Connect weekend!

Hi all!

I think the only positive thing to come out of the Covid shut down, was the development of virtual card making retreats!  I just participated in my 2nd Pinkfresh Create and Connect event and it was AMAZEBALLS!  If you haven't done one of their events, or any other...they're worth the time and money. You learn from the best creators EVER, get fabulous products and can craft in your pj's!

Pinkfresh had amazing instructors and the super talented @Kristina Werner was one of them!  I had the opportunity to meet her at the Simon Says Stamp CREATE event this year...that's us with Gina K...and she is even more sweet and kind in person than she is in her videos...if that's even possible!

For the class, she showed us how to make this card...this is my copy of her card.

I decided to recreate it again, but to change the colors.  I decided to use all blues, it's my mom's favorite color.  Her 1st cousin passed away last week after a long drawn out illness, and I hope this will make her smile.

This card looks complicated, but Kristina made the instructions super easy and the impact is fantastic!  The stamp set is a yet-to-be-released one from Pinkfresh...one of the perks of attending...first dibs on the new stuff.  This cover stamp Modern Botanicals won't be released until 2025, but keep it on your radar.  It has a coordinating stencil and die so it makes card making FAST.

THe blues are Pinkfresh inks in Slumber, Storm, Sapphire and Stargazer.  The image was heat embossed with gold embossing powder then inked with the use of the stencil.  Each layer extends to the bottom of the card with just a strip of the ink blending done on the part that shows.  

After everything was inked, the flowers were die cut and tucked into each section.  Finally some bling...'cause I'm a sparkle addict... to finish it off.  I am entering this card in the Just Add Ink challenge this week.  It's been a couple months since I've done any challenges other than my DT duties.  It's fun to get back into the swing of it!

Have a colorful day!

Oh Crap…

 Super EASY card for our AAA Cards Challenge!

Hi all!

This is the end of summer for us…I’m leaving in a few hours to take my oldest back to college, and despite a ruptured ear drum, my daughter was able to start school this past Friday too!  The summer went by too quickly… but now I’ll be able to spend more time in the studio, baring anymore family emergencies!

My card for the new AAA Cards challenge perfectly depicts how July went for us…

I love this set by Simon Says Stamp and CZDesigns! It’s called Giggles And…  I laugh everytime I use it.  Poop humor is still my sister’s favorite so this will be sent to her when the time is right.

The background is from Altenew’s color blobs stencil and I just used my dirty blending brushes to stencil them.  The emojis were colored with Altenew alcohol markers the  die cut with the coordinating dies.  

Super fast and funny card!  What will you create for our challenge?  Hope to see your creations…have a colorful day!

Super quick CAS on Friday card!

 Hi all!

I haven’t been home much this summer.  Dealing with family issues and previously planned trips, have dominated the entire month of July and now the first part of August.  Thank goodness I planned ahead for my DT work in June!  God must have known what he was doing, giving me a few days of uninterrupted crafting time in the studio.  I didn’t however take the time to preschedule posts my for August so this will be quick!

Our challenge for CAS on Friday is 2 colors and white.  I opted for yellow and blue using an old Altenew Father’s Day stamp set.

It’s been coupled with and Altenew embossing folder and tag due.

Super easy card CAS card to make with just a few little enamel dots and some twine!

What will you make?  What are your favorite colors?  I can’t wait to see them, be sure to upload them to our gallery so we can send you some love!

Have a colorful day! 

 Vintage collage card with 'vintage' stamps!

Hi all!

How old is your oldest supply?  I cracked a few of my oldest stamps for my Sisterhood of Crafters DT creation.  The theme for this challenge is BALLOONS.  Any type or theme can be used to get creative!

For this card, I decided to create something for my eldest daughter.  She is moving into her first apartment in August...it's crazy to think she's old enough for this move!  The stamps I used are easily from 2004ish...I can tell by how old she is.  I started stamping when she was born in 2004. and the script stamp was one of my first SU! purchases as a demonstrator.

I inked the stamp using Simon Says Stamp Charcoal ink onto SU! kraft paper...also vintage since I haven't bought any SU! paper since 2010...  The next stamp set I used was an old Papertrey Ink stamp set called Postmark.  I'm not exactly sure when it was released, but I'd guess before 2010.  The wings and the air mail dashes are from that set.  I also added Altenew's Windsome Delight floral stamp...it's not vintage, but it's a simple image I thought went well.

Altenew's Raw Umber ink was used to add a bit of warmth to the card and the flowers. The vintage images were from a book I have had for a few years, and I haven't a clue where it is from.  They were trimmed up, and white gel pen was added to the little girl on the suitcase and flowers for some added highlights.  Finally, some khaki iridescent sequins for some sparkle.

Let us see your creations using balloons!  Be sure to add them to our gallery so we can come visit you.  Have a colorful day!

sending Hugs from SOC!

 Create a SIMPLE CAS card with ink blending!

Hi all!

This has to be the easiest card to create and it has limitless possibilities!  For the challenge at AAA Cards, the DT has created a sketch for you to follow.  Simple eh?  An added silhouette to the ink-blended panel makes it even more simple.  Check out all the DT cards for inspiration, and here is my simple CAS card...

See?  Easy Peezy!  To keep this sympathy card simple, a monochromatic ink blending was in order.  Pinkfresh's Mint, Meadow, Emerald City and Evergreen inks were used to create an ombre effect.

For the silhouette on the ink-blended area, Altenew's Botanical Line Art stamp set was used.  This set includes many sentiments for all occasions as well, so it was a great choice for this project.

Now this card IMO needs some bling...but I held back to keep it as CAS as possible...it's so HARD to control my bling urges!!!  

Alright, let's see your CAS creations with ink-blending and silhouettes...be sure to share them to our gallery so we can visit you!  Have a colorful day!

 SIMPLE card making with a circle die!

Hi all!

Welcome back to another challenge with CAS on Friday!  This time around we would like to see your CAS designed cards with circles.  For my card, I opted to make the circle the focal point.  You may chose to use circles however you'd like!

This card started with Altenew's Window Sphere Die.  There is a stencil of this die, but this is a new acquisition, and was begging to be used.  The die was cut from a card base of 110 lb cardstock.

 

After the die was cut, a scrap piece of paper from cleaning my ink blending brushes was used for the background.  It was adhered to inside the card to show through the die.  Using a piece of scrap cardstock to wipe off extra ink while ink blending is one of my most favorite tips...you can make beautiful background panels easily by doing this!

The sentiment was also from my scrap bin, and was added using foam tape to give it some dimension.  3 enamel dot stars were added for some interest and you have the easiest card to make with a circle die!

Now let's see your circle CAS creations!  Be sure to add them to our gallery so we can visit your blog.  Have a colorful day!

 Mixing up patterns and textures for beautiful results with the Sisterhood of Crafters!

 Summer fun with Spellbinders NEW Mini Die subscription set!

Hi all!

It time for another challenge with AAA Cards!  This challenge is an Anything Goes challenge with an optional twist of summer colors.

The newest Spellbinders mini stamp and die set had just arrived in the mail just begging to be inked up.  The key chain invokes thoughts of vacations in hotels.  Most of my vacations as a child were taken in Florida, a Palm Beach color scheme was a great solution!

The card base was inked with Frayed Green Fresh Dye ink from Altenew to give the key a background.  This stamp set comes with 3 options for the image on the key chain, since this is Florida inspired, the sun and ocean image was the perfect choice. 

The image was stamped with Permanent Black ink by Altenew then colored with alcohol markers.  The key however was colored with a gold paint marker to give it a metallic feel.  It was then die cut and added to the card front.

The sentiment came with the stamp set and a few gems were added to finish.  Thats it!  Super easy CAS card with a Summer color scheme!  I hope this and the other DT creations inspire you to join us for this challenge.  Be sure to link your card in our gallery…have a colorful day!!

SIMPLE Watercoloring for HUGE impact!

 SIMPLE Watercoloring for HUGE impact!

Hello all!

I’m here again today with another challenge with CAS on Friday!!  This time, we are asking for your CAS cards using WATERCOLOR.  Now, my design is pushing the CAS layout envelope, but I sure you, the technique is very CAS.

This card starts with Altenew’s absolutely gorgeous Billowing Peonies stamp set.  It was stamped with Altenew Obsidian ink then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I did not use watercolor paper, but I did use a 110lb cardstock.  Why?  No reason, it was within reach!  

This next part is super easy!  Brush the image with clean water…puddles of it.   Then, touch the puddles with your water color paints.  I chose use Altenew’s Watercolor Brush Pens in Lagoon and Midnight Violet.  Resist the urge to brush the paint on.  Just tap the brush to the paper.  You continue to repeat the process of water then paint until the paints have bled out to the edges of the embossed lines.

Once the paint is where you want it, allow the puddles to absorb into the paper.  Then use a detail brush to add depth where you want it to go.  Add a sentiment of your choice and thats it!  I can’t wait to see your creations!  Be sure to add them to the CAS on Friday gallery!

Have a colorful day!

Sisterhood of Crafters challenge with Simon Says Stamp and Altenew!

 Sisterhood of Crafters challenge with Simon Says Stamp and Altenew!

Hi all!

It's time for another challenge with Sisterhood of Crafters!  This time we are working with what's in your GARDEN.  If you're anything like me, you have a bazillion things that are floral, so this should be an easy peezy challenge for you to join us on!

I've had the amazing opportunities to be a guest designer for Altenew and Simon Says Stamp this last year!  This card is one I made for my SSS spot, but added in some new Altenew items with it as well.  Both items are available at Simon Says Stamp...its a fabulous woman owned and run business here in Ohio and ships all over the world.  They literally have EVERYTHING so be sure to stop by and check out what they have!

The front panel features a recent release from SSS called Celebrate.  This is from their Just A Note stamp set which was designed by Cathy Zeliske.  There are a great set of coordinating dies, and not card type stamps to go with this set.  This card uses her Noted Tag stamp and die set with it.  They are great for any reason...teacher cards would be fantastic with it don't you think?  

The note cards were stamped with Altenew's Sea Glass ink with the sentiment stamped with their Obsidian ink.  The garden element features a part of Altenew's Dynamic Duo stencil set Painted Blossoms.  It has sentiment stamps and a die set that coordinates with it.  They're Dynamic Duo sets are my favorite subscription they have, pretty and affordable!  The inks are from their Maritan Terrian and Green Meadows ink sets.  

After stenciling a background panel, the tags were laid out and flipped over face down.  Adhesive foam was added only to the front tag, around the edges of the back tag.  That way the back tag can be slid out to reveal the added sentiment!  It's a fun and easy interactive element to add to a card.  Pink velvet ribbon is a soft and perfect addition to the tags.  Finally, a few yellow enamel dots were added to add some shine.

That's it!  Now lets see your GARDEN themed cards and share them in our gallery.  Have a colorful day!

AAA Cards Queen Bee

 

Hello from CAS on Friday and ALEX SIBERIA

 Hello from CAS on Friday and THE TON

Hi all!

I hope you are staying cool so far this summer...I know!  Head into your craftin' space and join us for our CAS on Friday challenge this go around!  This time, we are asking for Clean And Simple cards based on nature.  Since I'm a flower kinda girl, I went for the obvious...

This stamp set from Alex Siberia is so lovely!  The open tulip just looks so graceful and regal, don't you think?

The tulip was first stenciled with the Pink Pearl, Blush and Coral Bliss for the bloom. Then the stem was inked with Dew Drops, Bamboo and Parrot inks, all from Altenew.

 

The outline of the tulip was stamped with gold pigment ink.  It was then heat set in luo of using embossing powder, to keep the image as simple and graceful as possible.  Just a touch of gold was perfection!  The sentiment strip is also from Altenew and was found in the sentiment scrap bin.  The card was then finished with gold enamel dots.  Perfect CAS!

Now go stay cool...grab some stamps...grab some inks and join us in this challenge!  Have a colorful day!

Altenew's GORGEOUS Rustic Rose and Burlap!

BetterPress and Watercoloring with Altenew's Rustic Rose and Burlap!

Hi all!

It's been a hot minute since I've posted something on the same day...life is hectic with the unexpected addition of our 19 month old Goddaughter and juggling the logistics of the Child Welfare system.  They certainly keep one jumping through hoops.  We've also added 2 brand new kittens into the house, so to say there is chaos is an understatement!  I've made the commitment to be in the studio daily from 9-1pm for some me time to lower stress...and it's been lovely being out here in the peace an quiet!  It's been only 2 day so far, but I'm on a roll!

I'm joining in the Time Out challenge this week with this quote:

Being a former art teacher, I love quotes from artists...I feel they are very insightful.  This card starts with a yellow back panel which was run through my BetterPress system with Altenew's Rustic Burlap plate.  It was inked with Altenew's Sunray Fresh Dye ink, which works wonderfully with the BetterPress plates.

Next, the Rustic Rose stamp was heat embossed with white powder on watercolor paper.  The image was painted with layers of watercolor to give the flower depth and dimension.  The process was repeated with the little sprig with purple flowers.  The stamped images were die cut and the edges were colored with Altenew's Dew Drop Alcohol marker.

Finally, the sentiment from the stamp set, was also heat embossed on vellum paper and die cut with Altenew's Halftone Circle dies.  Placement of the sprig went behind the vellum to make it peek out so you kind of have to look for it...hence the quote!  The rose was placed in the front for a huge pop of color and white enamel dots to finish off the card.

That's it for today!  I hope to be posting more often now that I have a 'work schedule' in the studio.  

Have a colorful day!

Wedding Card with Sisterhood of Crafters and SPELLBINDERS!

Hi all!

It's another challenge with Sisterhood of Crafters!  This time, we are focusing on WEDDINGS.  It is the season for weddings after all.  I was an event designer and florist for over 15 years in my misspent youth...lots of LONG hours and hard physical labor.  It was completely worth it!  I loved doing the work and still do it on occasion for friends and family.

For this card today, I used a recent Spellbinders Better Press product from my guest designer spot in May.  Its called Arched Messages.  This card was inspired by an event I did 10 years ago when we hung various LONG panels of silver paper from the ceiling for an event.  It was so pretty and elegant. 

The arches were added some with inks, some were heat embossed and some were added just for the texture.  I then used an arched die set to add the panel of silver glitter paper for some sparkle.  It didn't photograph as well as I had hoped...it's really pretty in person! 

The sentiment was added with silver embossing powder then die cut as well with a silver glitter shadow.  Finally, adorable enamel dots, some even in the shape of hearts for some extra love!  Now let's see your wedding cards, be sure to share them in our gallery!

Have a colorful day!

Another EASY CAS card with AAA Cards challenge!

 Another EASY CAS card with AAA Cards challenge!

Hi all!

I’m here with another EASY card with AAA Cards challenge!  This challenge is anything goes but has a masculine twist.

This is another card I created using items from my scrap bins.  This time items were pulled from the panels and stamped images bins.

I will be using this card for my hubbies birthday for sure since we have a similar car in the same colors.  This stamped image is an old one from PaperTrey Inks and it’s been in the bin a LONG time.  It was time it saw the light of day!

The panel was cut to add a little interest to the card without distracting from the main image.  An inked shape would have been great too.  

Finally, a sassy sentiment and some enamel dots were added to finish it off!  See what I mean by easy!  It couldn’t be easier than this card.

Now let’s see what you can create for us!  Be sure to add your work to our gallery!

Have a colorful day!