Suicide Awareness Week using

 Hi all,

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Suicide Prevention Card Hop. During Suicide Prevention Week, we aim to spread messages of hope and support. We encourage friends, co-workers, and loved ones to use the resources shared this week to help those in need. If you're struggling, please contact #988 for 24/7 support via call or text.  

Together, we can help #StopSuicide. You are not alone. If you’re struggling, reach out to @800273TALK, text TALK to 741741 at the @crisistextline, or get involved with your local AFSP chapter.  If you think someone is struggling, trust your gut. Ask directly and listen.

I’m happy to be a part of this hop this week.  Suicide touched the life of one of my BFFs and my heart continually bleeds for her and her family.  Mental health is no joke…

For today’s card I pulled out @pinkfreshstudio Rare & Beautiful stamp set.  I have had this for a while and love the sentiments that are included in the set.  I chose a creative fold for this card as well so both the sentiments can be viewed together.

A special “Thank you” to our special guests! Today, Claire Timko @claires_card_on and Kim Taylor @touchofmagik are joining us to share their voices and creativity to support our mission.

Please visit the other designers to see more messages of encouragement!  You can visit the hop on Instagram.

Have a colorful day...

Suicide Awareness Week Hop using ALTENEW

Hi all,

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Suicide Prevention Card Hop. During Suicide Prevention Week, we aim to spread messages of hope and support. We encourage friends, co-workers, and loved ones to use the resources shared this week to help those in need. If you're struggling, please contact #988 for 24/7 support via call or text.  Together, we can help #StopSuicide.  Not sure how to start a #RealConvo about mental health? Check out @afspnational’s #RealConvo Guides at https://afsp.org/realconvo!  If you think someone is struggling, trust your gut. Ask directly and listen.

I’m happy to be a part of this hop this week.  Suicide touched the life of one of my BFFs and my heart continually bleeds for her and her family.  Mental health is no joke…

I chose to use an @altenewllc Craft Your Life set called Zero-Waste Flowery Pattern.  This set has beautiful sentiments directed toward reaching out to someone you haven’t talked to or someone needing an invitiation to talk.  This set, along with their Botanical Brilliance Fresh Dye Ink bundle released this summer, creates a soft welcoming card to reach out to someone in need.

A special “Thank you” to our special guests! Today, Libby Hickson @createwithlibby and Kelly Santi @createwithkas are joining us to share their voices and creativity to support our mission.  Please visit my Instagram page here for list of other designers to see more messages of encouragement!

I plan on posting all this week to bring awareness.  Please visit our hop on Instagram starting here.

May you all be blessed and have a colorful day!

Simon Says Stamp’s STAMPtember GIVEAWAY and hop party!

Exciting GIVEAWAYS and Hop party for Simon Says Stamp’s STAMPtember event!

Hi all!

I am so excited to be a part of Simon Says Stamps’ STAMPtember Event! All of the people involved at SSS have been working incredibly hard to make this 15th anniversary event the most exciting one yet… So many fantastic collaborations and products being released, get ready with your checkbooks… They’re going to take a hit!

Yesterday at noon, Heidi showcased all of the NEW Simon Says Stamp branded products on the YouTube live event and they are AMAZEBALLS!!  She even gave me a shout out…EEEKKK!… and shared three of my projects for the adorable Pumpkin To Talk About stamp set.  Check out the video below for all the inspiration, my cards are featured at the 35 minute mark…

Since she shared those three cards…the black and white one was my favorite btw…I will focus on one of my other favorites that I made for STAMPtember.

I loved how this one came out! The image was stamped onto black card stock and embossed with gold embossing powder.  Each of the pumpkins were then painted with Altenew metallic watercolor paints.

Using the watercolor paints on black paper, really makes the shimmer so much more intense!  If you are looking for a huge impact with your metallic paints, try it on Black paper. You won’t be sorry…

The perfect pumpkin-y puns are included with this stamp, and it even has a matching die set. These pumpkins are sassy and definitely have something to talk about!  They definitely needed to be finished off with a bunch of sequins to match… I am a sparkle girl, and I need lots of sparkle in my life!

Now be sure to visit the Simon Says Stamp blog every day at noon for new product and giveaways. Speaking of giveaways… How would you like to get a free embossing folder?

Follow the instructions on the image above to receive your FREE… with $30 qualifying purchase… embossing folder.  I know I can hit 30 bucks super quick… So this is an easy free thing to get!  This link is only good until midnight on September 3rd so ACT FAST!

Now go find other blogs and social media Participants for other free items you can have the opportunity to get as well.  And stay tuned every day for more exciting STAMPtember Inspiration!

Have a colorful day!

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