Near the Sea

For our Just Us Girls Challenge #681 CAS Card Week, our sweet Lisa E. chose Silhouette for the theme. I was excited to make this style of card and it is quite simple once you pick your focal point. If you wanted to make a set of cards as a gift, this would be a good technique to use.

Products I used: 

Stampin' UP!: Wetlands stamp set

PSX: wooden sentiment stamp

Versafine: Onyx Black ink pad

Concord and 9th: mini ink cubes

Blending brushes

I made my mini slimline card base, then cut a white panel slightly smaller and started ink blending the sand and sky. I stamped my sentiment stamp in the middle, then stamped half of the birds on the left and the other half on the right side of the sentiment. My sentiment stamp includes the flying birds, sea grass, shell, and little hills of sand all in one. I did a one layer panel but matted it with a sliver of black before putting it on my card base. These are old stamps that I have had for a very long time, but beachy stamps don't go out of style, right?!!

We sure hope you will join us this week. This challenge is as easy as making a background and stamping an image in black on it. Will you join us?

-Carol

Collect Beautiful Moments

I have been looking at Woodblock Wednesday over on Amy Tsuruta's blog, Tsuruta Designs, and decided to make a card using one of my MANY woodblock stamps for the current challenge.  I have TONS of these stamps and this challenge gives me a reason to keep using them amongst all the new stamps I am accumulating. Here is what I came up with as school gets out for the summer here today.

Products I used:

Woodblock of four beachy images by Embossing Arts Co. 1993

Tim Holtz Small Talk sticker sentiments

Versafine Onyx black ink

Patterned papers

I have been in a beachy mood and it probably shows in the cards I have been making lately. This was a simple card and I even stamped first on copy paper to see if I liked it if I colored the images...but I didn't. I popped up the images for dimension after I matted them with wave patterned papers.  I think that participating in Woodblock Wednesdays will help me uncover old favorites that I really should be using.

See you back here soon,

-Carol

It's a Boy!

My daughter's lifelong friend just revealed that she is expecting a baby boy, so I had an excuse to make a baby card today. I noticed that The Paper Players CAS Challenge PP641 is to use one (only) of something. I thought that someone could be knitting some baby booties or a sweater for the upcoming newborn and this lamb from Jane's Doodles is so cute that I went with it for my card.

I quickly crocheted a little "knitted" piece/made a yarn ball to cover the stamped ones. I don't know why it looks so knotted up and thick because it doesn't in person. It was a simple little detail I wanted to add. I figured that the little bit of texture on the front of the card would not matter if it is put in the box with the baby gift, without an envelope.

Products I used:

Jane's Doodles: Seamus stamp set

Baker's twine

Versafine Onyx Black ink

Pink and Main: Enamel dots

Distress inks for ink blending

Chalk for rosy cheeks

Prismacolor pencil for ear and hoof color

A fun make and I know that the mommy-to-be (and the grandmother-to-be who is my friend) will enjoy it.

See you back here soon!

-Carol 

Sail Away with Me

For our Just Us Girls Challenge #680 this week our teammate Bobby chose a beautiful photo/moodboard for your inspiration! My jumping off point was the map, obviously. I tried to pull out the moodboard's dominant colors (red, orange, yellow, green, teal, aqua, navy) and the painting behind the sofa (A sailing/beach scene? I often read "the beach" into things I see.) My map card is also inspired by our local islands off the coast and also by several of The Greetery's samples using this set.

Products I used:

The Greetery: Destination Summer map die/stamp/die sets; Postal die set

Concord and 9th: Mini ink pads

Ranger Distress inks

Stampin' Up!: Classic ink pads

Prismacolor pencils

In the past I have stenciled the map onto my card when using these sets. I think this is the first time I've made an inlaid map using one of the Destination map dies.  The inlay looks so clean to me. I first die cut the map on an A2 size piece of white cardstock. Then I cut around the resulting map with the postal die.  I removed the inner sections of the map and ink blended them to look like water, sand and grass areas. I stamped and die cut elements to add to the map, then arranged them on the map until I was happy with their placement. I adhered some with glue directly onto the panel and popped others up with foam tape. I used a smaller postage die from the same set as the larger one to cut around the stamped sentiment, but had to cut it twice, moving the die to end up with a smaller rectangle to fit perfectly around the words. I had to show you my favorite plate/dish that I use for tropical place settings and lots of my beachy card photos. I have only four of these dishes but wish I had bought eight.

We hope you will find something in our photo/moodboard that makes you want to play along this week. The colors alone are beautiful and fun to use! Hope to see you in our gallery!

-Carol

Use Your Wings

The Color Throwdown Challenge #742 is orange, aqua, lilac and black. As I was browsing Pinterest I saw a cool layout using tags. I just love tags of all shapes and sizes and decided to combine the challenge colors with the tag idea I saw here on the Dinky Doodles and Inches blog.

I used various tag dies that I own and ones from a friend's die collection. I used temporary adhesive to attach them to my glass mat working surface in this configuration.Then, I ink blended with distress ink, stamped in black with a variety of old wooden line drawing images from my stash. I adhered the tags to my card with foam tape for dimension. Finally I grabbed some Tim Holtz Small Talk stickers for my sentiments. I think this will make a good graduation card. I also think that using just one bigger stamp would look good covering most of the tags and plan to try that in the future.

Check back soon! I am adding cards often!

-Carol

Happily Ever After

Our talented teammate Lisa K. created the Just Us Girls Word Week #679: Wedding. My husband and I don't attend too many weddings anymore but our daughter is on the bridesmaid circuit of life, being Maid of Honor and Bridesmaid quite a bit these days. This gives me a reason to make wedding and shower cards more frequently. Here is my latest for our challenge.

Products I used:

Pinkfresh Studio: Built on Dreams stamp, die and stencil sets

Concord and 9th: Happy Day Dies, Mini ink cubes

Mini adhesive pearl hearts

Stampin' Up!: White ribbon

I fell in love with these stamps, dies and stencils quite a while ago. I have one project in progress for Christmas from last year, but I decided to stop and make this little house with stenciling for a wedding theme when paired with the Concord and 9th sentiments. There are 5 layering stencils and they are pretty easy to use! In order to "wedding it up" I added the tiny pearl hearts all over the front. I also stenciled a teeny bit inside to carry over the design from the front. I could have made a hinge for the two houses to be joined, but I wanted to have a pretty ribbon involved, so I used my Crop-o-dile to punch a hole on the side to thread the ribbon through and tie a bow. My card measures 5" x 4" but you could stamp directly on a card base or stamp and die cut the house to put on a card base.

We hope you will join us this week. Even if you don't need a wedding card, a "Love" card with some embellishments could work. Check our the design team's ideas and see you in our gallery!

-Carol

Thanks a Hole Bunch

The latest Inspired By #IB237 Breakfast Challenge has a yummy photo as well as a sketch. I ended up using both for my card...and while it may not be the healthy breakfast of champions, I used a donut with eggs for a reason. I didn't have a lot of breakfast stamps or dies sooo...the frosting die for the donut is what I also used for the eggs. (The donut could also be a bagel with pink shmear, too!) I used white and blue like the photo but had to add the tea color and the yellow for the lemon. I added pink frosting on the donut, so I made the ombré glasses and tea bag tag the same color. The neutral tablecloth in the background mimics the beverage in the cup. I stuck with pastels for a morning feel. The inspiration from the photo for me was the topic of breakfast and the white and blue behind the food.

Products I used:

My Favorite Things: Creature Comforts die set

The Stamp Market: Donuts stamp and die sets

Simon Says Stamp: circle dies

Distress inks

Versamark: Watermark ink pad

Gina K: Premium Dye Ink in Charcoal Brown, Fine Detail White embossing powder

The Greetery: Cozy Cup Coaster die

Vellum

Silver cardstock

I did most of the die cutting with white cardstock, then ink blended the colors I wanted. I heat embossing the swirly white frosting on top of the pink donut glaze and then my mouth was watering for the real thing! Next, I assembled the pieces that needed it, and started building the scene by adhering the cup/coffee/lemon, spoon and tea bag onto the saucer. To get the rim on the two plates, I ran a smaller circle die for each through my Big Shot with the cutting side up so that I got an impression instead of a cut. I placed the breakfast on its plate and arranged that on the white fringed coaster die. I assembled the glasses and found a place on the "table" for them. Last, I stamped my sentiment to complete the card.

This reminds me that a new donut shop JUST opened where another one had closed not too long ago. I am sure I can convince my husband that we need to try it out this weekend!

See you back here soon!

-Carol

 

Keeping It Wheel Bike Shop

This card has a little story behind it. About a week or so ago I was chosen to be a Surprise Party Guest over at Seize the Birthday #261 for the Wheels Challenge! So happy to be able to guest design with them! I also happen to have a friend whose son used to own a bike shop and still loves cycling. So I gave this card to that friend to give to her son for his next birthday. She loved it and I hope you do too. I am sharing it over at the As You See It Challenge #298, New Stuff because the most recent addition to my craft stash is this amazing pop up Shoppe die set  by  Concord and 9th.

Products I used:

Concord and 9th: Window Shoppe Pop Up Base Dies, Flower Shop Stamp set (brick stamp), Poppy/Dove mini ink pads

Ellen Hutson: Good Times stamp set (sentiments)

Versafine: Onyx Black ink pad

Metallic gold cardstock (mailbox slot, door handle)

Acetate (door and shop windows)

Patterned paper and cardstock (awning and the rest of the card)

Velcro (for the birthday sign to fold up and down to fit in A2 envelope)

I have loved the Concord and 9th Pop Up Shoppe dies and stamps sets ever since they came out. I slowly bought some of the components and now I braved it and made my first one. This set was not made to be a bike shop, but the bike IS included in one set so...

I did not know that I had any sentiments having to do with wheels or bikes until the card was ready for its sentiment. I was happily surprised to find one in an Ellen Hutson set I own. The birthday sentiment is velcro-ed on a hinge I made so that it can fold down to fit in the envelope. The shop is adhered to an A2 card base and folds into an A2 envelope (although I would mail it in a bubble envelope after all of this work!) On the Concord and 9th website you can watch videos on how to make one. Really fun with all the little details you have in each set. My favorite detail is the acetate in the window and door...it makes them seem real somehow!

Come by and play along with or without the "wheels" topping at Seize the Birthday! (There are other wheel ideas such as clock "wheels" and baby strollers, a shopping cart, vehicles, a ship's wheel, wheelbarrows,  doing a "wheelie" on your bike, ferris wheels, an interactive wheel card that you turn to reveal different images or sentiments...so many ways to play along! Hope to see you in the the STB gallery!

-Carol

Joy

For our May Challenge at Christmas Craft Creations our theme is No Stamping. I included simple die cutting and texture on my mini slimline card. My "Love You" sentiment is a sticker from my Tim Holtz Small Talk sticker book. My favorite part of this card is the wreath that I die cut three times, and then added rhinestones and a double bow for decorations.

Products I used:

Concord and 9th: Joyful Noel dies (I used the J, Y and wreath on this card)

Tim Holtz: Small Talk sticker

The Twinery: Red and white twine

Stampin' Up!: patterned paper

Red rhinestones

Dotted texture red cardstock

We hope you will join us this month with our "no stamping" challenge...it takes one step out of the cardmaking process for you! Hope to see you in our gallery!

-Carol

Rain or Shine

I noticed that The Paper Players #639 Challenge is Rainy Days and my last Reverse Confetti purchase has the same theme...so I got it out and played around a bit. Here is my card for PP639!

Products I used:

Reverse Confetti: Sealiously stamp set

Copics, Stampin Up! markers, Prismacolor pencils

Versafine : Onyx Black ink pad

Aqua Painter

Distress Oxide inks

Watercolor paper

Concord and 9th: Dew Drops

I cut an A2 card base from watercolor paper, then another panel a bit smaller. I watercolored the center area of the smaller panel, then dabbed it dry. On a scrap sheet of the same paper, I stamped my images, then colored them. Next I fussy cut the images, then played around with placement so that my sentiment would fit. I adhered the puddle and dark cloud directly onto the panel, then popped up the blue cloud, seal, rock, and umbrella images. I added dew drops and popped up my completed panel onto the front of my card base! The hardest part of making this card was getting the watercolor to sit and run in a way that I liked. Otherwise, it was not a difficult card to make.

I wish I had a bird's eye view umbrella to make a card like the one in the Paper Players photo above in the middle of the bottom row!!!

See you back here again soon!

-Carol

Anything is Popsicle

For our Just Us Girls Challenge #678 Color Week my very talented teammate Nancy chose Pink and Yellow. I thought a lot about what to make with the colors since it is spring and brighter colors are back out in the open in may ways. She accidentally bought this popsicle die set twice and offered me one of them recently. They are so cute!!!! I hope to make a watercolor popsicle version in many colors next! What do you think you could make with pink and yellow? Flowers? Candy? Gift packages? Birthday cake or cupcakes? Join us this week with your ideas...we love to see your cards in our gallery!

Product I used:

My Favorite Things: Pair of Popsicles die-namics

Poppystamps: Life is Sweet stamp set

Pink and Main: Clear Glitter Enamel Dots

Gina K: Fine Detail White embossing powder

Pink Fresh Studio: Diagonal Stitched Rectangles

Woodgrain cardstock

White glitter cardstock

Assorted cardstock in pinks and yellows

Wink of Stella pen

Versamark watermark ink pad

There isn't a lot to say about making this card. It is easy to piece together once you choose your colors. After completing each popsicle, I rubbed the left edge along the Versamark ink pad to get a shadow on it. Can you see it? Along the right side where the shine die cut is, I put a little Wink of Stella for sparkle...easier to see in person.  I used woodgrain cardstock for the popsicle sticks...I have had this particular woodgrain for years and have used it in so many different ways! Then I got the idea to pop these icy treats up on white glitter cardstock for even more sparkle. I decided to die cut the pink rectangle with the diagonal stitched edges for fun. Last, I heat embossed the sentiment and added glitter enamel dots. That's it!

Do join us this week!

-Carol

Time for Sun

The Freshly Made Sketches FMS583 Challenge caught my eye today so I made this CAS card for it using poetic license to make the cloud a sun and the rainbow became the diver's arc into the water.

Products I used:

Simpy Graphic: diver die

Simon Says Stamp: sun die, cardstock sentiment, Holographic sequins

My Favorite Things: wave die

Stampin' Up!: Classic ink pad

Ink blending brush

Foam Tape

I die cut my diver, wave and sun out of various colors of cardstock. I used Press N' Seal to pick up the sun rays off my cutting plate. After turning the Press N' Seal over and adding glue to the back of each ray, I pressed them onto my ink blended card where the sun was already adhered. I popped up my diver on foam tape, then adhered the wave below. I cut out the sentiment from the card full of many sentiments and popped it up on foam tape as well. I added a few water splashes (sequins) in yellow since the sun was shining on them. That is my take on the sketch!

See you back here again soon!

-Carol