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!

 EASY CAS on Friday Embossing Challenge!

Hi all!

It's time for another challenge with CAS on Friday!  For our challenge this time, you need to do some EMBOSSING.  Heat embossing or emboss with a folder or ANY other means you choose!  Your creation just needs to include some type of embossing.

I used my trusty ole' scrap bins again for this challenge.  I tend to make multiples of everything when I'm creating, and if they don't end up on a card, then into the scrap bins they go.  I have 4 bins, geometric shapes and frames, sentiments, floral or stamped items, and background panels.  It's so easy to put together cards with these bins when life is crazy.

The monstera leaf was created a year ago when I was applying for DT positions...it didn't make the cut then.  It is so cute and it caught my eye so that was my starting point.  Next, the background panels.  The bin has stamped, embossed, painted, die cut, etc....pieces of crd base panels in it.  This is one from an Altenew virtual card class from November.  As I'm looking at it...I'm realizing I've attached it to my card on the wrong side...*sigh*. 

The sentiment was created in bulk when I was a guest designer with Altenew in March.  It's from a fantastic sentiment stamp set called Classic Greetings.  Highly recommend!  Then I added 3 little enamel dots in matching colors and 'perfecto'!  A CAS card is that easy!  Won't you try my fool-proof easy CAS formula?  If you do, be sure to share them with us in our gallery!

Have a colorful day!

Tic Tac Toe Guest Designer

 Trying something NEW with Pinkfresh Washi!

Hi all!

I'm excited to share that I'm the guest designer again this week at the Tic Tac Toe Challenge!  I love their challenges, so many different ways to participate to fit any designer's style.  Check out the challenge board and see what you can create!

I chose to go down the left side; layers, die cuts, and patterned papers.  It also fits in the diagonal right to left, with layers, fun fold and gems too!

This card is made of 3 card bases, 5 pieces of patterned paper, and 2 strips of Lemons and Blueberries washi tape.  

The card bases were assembled together accordion style.  Then the patterned papers were placed on the sides that would be visible.  The hard part was die-cutting through all the layers of card stock!  Altenew's Halftone Circle die set was used for the graduated die cuts, using a smaller die for each layer.  That way you can see all the way through to the last page of the card.

Then came the fun part...decorating!  The sentiment banner is from The Stamp Market along with the sentiment stamps.  Each layer of the card has the banners placed in the same location.  The trick to do it was that the back side of the banner was stamped on for 2 of the strips so you wouldn't see it from the front of the card....that took a while to figure out!  

Next, the washi die cuts were added ensuring the back sides were covered by die cuts on the front side.  Does that make sense?  Once it was completed, the gems were added to the front, but glitter glue was used for the inside to add sparkle and the card would still lay flat.

So that's it for me!  I hope you'll join the Tic Tac Toe challenge this week, its a great board!

Have a colorful day!

I love my scrap bins!

 Scrap bins come in handy!

Hi all!  It's time for another AAA Cards Challenge!  This time we have a sketch challenge...and I was able to use items from my scrap bin to make it!

Do you have a scrap bin?  When I mean scrap, I mean extra-made pieces.  For example, I tend to make multiple sentiments for a card and pick the best one.  The rest go into my sentiment scrap bin.  I also stamp multiple images for a card and try different color combos.  The ones I don't use, off to the stamp images scrap bin.  Yes...I have multiple scrap bins.  4 to be exact.  It does come in handy when life is INSANE and I need to make a card super quick!  Since life is SUPER crazy for us, the scrap bins came to the rescue!

This flower from Altenew's Japanese Cherry was stamped on vellum paper with embossing ink and heat embossed with white powder.  It was then colored on the back side with alcohol makers which gave it a soft color.  This is a simple stamp set with coordinating dies for less than $15.  A total bargain.

The sentiment is also from Altenew called Essential Sentiments.  It's a foil set with a coordinating die, so you create 6 sentiments at once!  My kind of set...  This sentiment was foiled with gold foil.

So what about you?  Can you create a card for our challenge using casted-off items like I did?  I'd love to see them in our gallery.

Have a colorful day!

EASY CAS card with an Altenew Craft Your Life kit!

 EASY CAS card with an Altenew Craft Your Life kit!

Hi all!  What a crazy start to summer!  In the last 5 days, I brought my oldest daughter home from college this week, hosted a cookie decorating class which meant I needed to bake 12 dozen cut-out cookies, it was my youngest's last day of school yesterday and I left today for the holiday weekend with my hubby to camp in Petoskey Michigan.  It will be nice to get a little break from life, but it's hard to leave when there is so much that needs to be done around the house to prepare for the summer!

CAS card designs are PERFECT for a busy mom.  This is for our new challenge at CAS on Friday BIG HUGS.  To make this card even easier to whip out in no time...using Altenew's Craft Your Life kit.  Seriously, it comes with EVERYTHING you need to make gorgeous cards....dies, stamps, embossing folders, and stencils.  I just love them!

This card uses Altenew's Sunshine Flowers CYL kit.  Perfect for this challenge since the sentiment in the kit has 'big hugs' in 2 different sizes included...total score.  Altenew's Molded Lines stencil was ink blended with Warm Sunshine onto the card base for the background.

Using the kit's stamp and coordinating stencil, the flower was created with Altenew's Wisteria, Hydrangea and Ultra Violet for the petals; Buttercream and Warm Sunshine for the center and Minty Mint; Volcano Lake and Lagoon for the leaves.  After stenciling, the black outline stamp was added and die cut with the coordinating die.  Finally, it was also embossed to give it some subtle texture with the matching embossing folder.

After the flower was finished, it was cut in half...gasp....and added to the bottom of the card.  To finish the card, the bigger 'big hugs' sentiment was stamped with Obsidian ink and 3 enamel dots were added.

Now go make a huggable CAS card and share it in our gallery now!  We love to see your work!  Have a colorful day!

 Tic Tac Toe Guest Designer with CREATE finds!

Hi all!  I'm excited to announce I'm the guest designer for the Tic Tac Toe Challenge blog this fortnight!  I was lucky to have gone to Simon Says Stamp's CREATE event earlier in the month....which was AMAZEBALLS btw....and was able to pick up some fun items.  I had to break them out for this challenge!

The challenge is focused on masculine cards, and I really don't have much in the way of masculine items...except for this lovely die I picked up!  We have a Jeep Grand Wagoneer, so I had to get it to use for our Christmas cards this year.  This is a possible design...thanks TTT!

Following the challenge of the diagonal from right to left the card started with gold mirror paper from Altenew that was die cut using Concord and 9th's Sunburst Card Front die.  Christmas cards need a bit of shimmer or shine, don't you think?

When I spotted this Simon Says Stamp die at CREATE called Vintage Christmas Station Wagon, it went straight into my basket!  Since our Woody is ivory colored, this cardstock was the closest in color.  It was a mistake because it did NOT take to alcohol makers.  As you can see, the red bled terribly.  If this is the design for our cards this year, a different cardstock will need to be chosen.  All the pieces and parts of the car were done with alcohol markers and the silver bits were done with a paint marker.

Finally, the banner is from The Stamp Market called Layered Banner Die and the sentiment from Simon Says Stamps Circle Sentiments Christmaswas heat embossed with gold.

Are you going to join in the fun?  I hope you do!  Have a colorful day!

Happy Birthday AAA Cards Challenge!

 TONS of GIVEAWAYS for AAA Cards Challenge’s 10th Birthday!

Hi all!

I am very excited to share. We are celebrating AAA Cards Challenge blog 10th birthday today!  Isn’t that exciting! 10 years of continued inspiration… I am honored to be a part of the design team.

For the celebration, the design team has assembled, not only beautiful cards to inspire you, but also fantastic products for you to win! After all, what’s a birthday without presents? to qualify, make sure you share your CAS designed card with us in our gallery.  Be sure to head over to the challenge blog to see all the fantastic, fantastic goodies we are giving away! In the meantime, here is my inspiration for you.

One of my favorite companies, Altenew, is giving away a $25 gift card to one of our lucky winners! I decided to use one of my favorite Altenew kits, their Craft Your Life Splended Bouquet kit. Altenew CYL kits are my favorite subscription. They literally come with everything you need to create gorgeous cards! And boxing folders, dies, stamps, and stencils are generally included in these kits.

For my card, I use the stamp set, and it’s coordinating stencil set. I only used pinks, yellows, and blues to create this rainbow flower. The color, families of cherry blossom, pocketful of sunshine, and Sweet dreams blend together perfectly to create the rainbow.  The rock collection color family was used for the leaves.

Finally, Enamel dots were added from the same collections for a little shine.  I kept my card CAS in design by keeping it one layer. A piece of Post-it note was cut to mask where my sentiment was going to go when I did my stamping and Ink blending.

All right! Let’s see what kind of CAS cards you can come up with! Have a colorful day!

CAS on Friday May 10

Spellbinders NEW Leafy Helix and Sprigs BetterPress plates!

Hi all!

It’s time for another CAS on Friday Challenge!  I have another project sharing some new Spellbinders product.  The theme is FLOWERS!

The card started with using the new Sprigs BetterPress plate.  The cool thing about this set, is they are solid images that you can ink in various different ways.  I opted to use a blending brush with my Altenew fresh dye inks to add ink to the plates in various colors.  Sprigs also has coordinating dies To easily cut out the images! I also die cut a few out of vellum as well.

Next, a panel from Spellbinders Petal Labels dies was cut, then embossed with the Leafy Helix embossing folder.  This piece, along with the sprig pieces were then assembled on the front of the card.  Splatters using watercolors and matching colors as well as gold metallic Add some interest.

 The fabulous Hello wax seal was created with the same colors used for the inking with added gold paint marker to help make the word pop.  Even made a few blobs To match!

Now let’s see your creations! Be sure to link it to our gallery so we can check them out. Have a colorful day!