Confetti From the Sky

It's Saturday morning and that means Craft Roulette was last night. There is a whole new set of parameters for Episode #212. The guest last night was Nina, the owner of Waffle Flower Stamps. It was fun to "get to know her" during the conversation portions of the show.

Project: Card for a Coworker

Colors: Kites in the Sky

Element: April

Random: Sparkles

My little 5" x 5" card has an adorable bunny from Mama Elephant (Flower Shower), along with falling rain and a flower umbrella. 

This card is for a coworker of my former school district. 

My colors are blue, pinks, yellow and green like the sky and a pretty kite. 

The idea of April showers had me add the rain and color the bunny grey for the gloom that a rain brings temporarily. 

The sparkles are on the water, the tips of the flower and the flower center. I used a Wink of Stella pen for the sparkle. 

All images are colored with Copic markers and I used a Versafine Onyx Black ink pad for the rain and sentiment. (The word "confetti" didn't stamp dark enough along the bottom and the "I" looks like a T in the photo.) The clouds were ink blended with blue Distress ink. Those rain drops are Dew Drops from Concord and 9th. I love how they look like water.

Well, I survived a new set of parameters again...it's always a bit scary as they are rolled out! Have you watched an episode yet?

See you sooner rather than later,

Carol

A Happy Dance

It thought it was about time to break out this stamp and die set from Ellen Hutson that I looked at for a very long time before finally buying it. It was easy to color and stamped so well with one try. I am sharing it over at Seize the Birthday: Off the Edge with this card style by the same name. Here is Jennifer McGuire's tutorial on many ways to make this type of A2 card. (The dancer and mountains are part of the card front, not die cut and adhered to it.)

I used Copic markers and Altenew "Hawaiian Shores" (not on purpose) Brush and Fine Tip Pens to color my scene as well as Versafine Onyx black ink to stamp. I used distress ink to blend on the sand. The water droplets are Dew Drops from Concord and 9th. Can you guess why I decided to use dew drops? 98% because I had stray black ink marks, and 2% because they really do look like actual water droplets. Never fails.

As summer gets near, I plan to use this stamp set more with its Hawaiian greetings, tropical plants, cute pineapple, and a coconut drink. Come back to see what materializes.

Aloha and mahalo,

Carol

Thanks

Summer may as well be here because the temps are pretty warm, but the humidity has been low so that's a plus! I decided to make a tropical card this week for our Just Us Girls #724 Anything Goes with a Stencil Challenge. My whole card is stenciled. Then I added the die cut word Thanks.

For today's card I used the Pretty Pink Posh Hibiscus stencils and a Hero Arts background stencil with Distress Inks. The "thanks" die is from My Favorite Things. The card base and "thanks" are cut from charcoal cardstock and the holographic sequins are from Simon Says Stamp. I fussy cut the flowers and popped some of them up on foam tape. I die cut the "thanks" three times for a thicker, sturdier sentiment.

We hope you will join us this week with a stenciled project and check out the design team's  and guest Colleen's cards too! We'll be looking for you in our gallery.

See you soon,

-Carol

Sending You Sunshine

This week for Craft Roulette #211 I was not home to watch it live, so I watched it back in the morning. I first wanted to see the parameters and then I always want to hear how Mary talks through them to brainstorm ideas with her live guest and everyone watching from around the world. The people watching are also sharing their ideas in the chat. That's where I get ideas for any parameter that has me stumped. Here is what we must include this week:

Project: Good Tidings

Colors: Summer

Element: Mechanics/Mechanical

Random: Ties closed

First, Mary mentioned that we could make a card that moves, like last week. I was relieved. (Although people were giving ideas like camera, washing machine, car, etc.) Then she mentioned adding anything that tied or a bow. That helped me, too.

I happened to see this column card demonstrated by Rachel at Stamp Your Art Out. Super easy and I love the elements for her card in this video.

I ran across one of my favorite summer patterned papers first and grabbed it. I think it is from JoAnn Fabrics or Hobby Lobby. 

I got out my Ellen Hutson All Inside bear and sun. I also used Bear Wear 3 for the sunglasses and drink. I colored my stamped images with Prismacolor pencils and stamped them twice to be able to adhere them back to back. I wanted them to look nice on the back side that extends over the front edge of the column. 

I stamped my SugarPea Designs Tropic Like It's Hot sentiment and "tied together" some bakers's twine with a little holographic silver anchor around the card base. (The hole in the anchor was too small to I actually had to attach it with a glue dot.)

This card folds flat to A2 size which is the best part! (The card base is cut 5 1/2" x 10 1/8" and scored on the long edge at 4 1/4, 5 3/4, 7 1/4 and 8 3/4.  That is all you need to know for the base. I cut my patterned paper (3 pieces) at 5 3/8 x 1 3/8.)

Can't wait to see all the creative ideas everyone has at Craft Roulette this week with these parameters!

See you later,

-Carol

Life is Better with Sandy Feet

It's getting warmer and warmer now and before you know it, summer will be here. Vicki's moodboard for Just Us Girls #728 sure feels like summer, right? I took the bottom right photo and made my card based on it. What will you take from this board to make yours?

Products I used:

Hero Arts: Color Layering Waves stamp set

Stampa Barbara: Beach scene stamp (birds)

Waffle Flower: Nesting Rectangle Frames Die

Stampin' Up!: Ink pads for water, black marker

Distress Inks

Versafine Onyx Black ink

Prismacolor pencils

Concord and 9th: Dew Drop Assortment

I cut a white panel for my scene. I started with the water in case I messed up the alignment. The water takes three stamps to complete the look. Then I added a little more color to the water with pencils. Next, I ink blended the sand and sky. The sky and sailboat are freehanded. I die cut two white and one aqua frame and adhered them together. I made a top folding A2 card base, added the scene panel, then the frame to the front of it. Last, I had to add a few dew drops since it is the beach and water sprays at the shore.

We hope you will find something you like in this moodboard and make a card for our gallery. We love looking at your projects and reading how you made them. Be sure to add our challenge graphic in your post!

See you there!

-Carol

Coffee Shop

I have waited too long to make something with this die set. Craft Roulette helped me get it out and make something! Friday's parameters were:

Project: Include Action

Colors: Northern Lights

Element: Blackboard

Random: Oval

I am also playing along over at Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers #249 where Fold It is the challenge.  I added the sentiment "Something to perk up your day" to the inside of the card.

My card folds flat to go into an A2 envelope and the oval sign folds down and swings in the breeze, (It really does swing because it was hard to fold the "bracket" of the sign along its score line and it is loosey goosey hanging there now.) Also, the card pops out of the envelope and becomes a 1/2" wide store! LOL. 

The purple and green plants, as well as the holographic hanging lamp and the door hardware on my card mimic the Northern Lights. (Mary said holographic paper/cardstock would be suitable for Northern Lights.)

The sandwich sign out front is a blackboard! Can you see the acetate windows? The second photo shows them best.

I was baffled for a bit after the parameters were announced. Then this die set came to mind and I knew I also had some coffee shop stamps and dies too.

I have a coffee loving friend who will get this card. If she reads this before I see her, she will know in a second that she is the recipient.

Products I used:

Concord and 9th:  Pop-up Shoppe base Dies, Bake Shoppe stamp set

My Favorite Things: Make a Sign die set, Coffee Shop stamp set, Outdoor Décor die set, Floor to Ceiling Paper Pad

Versamark: Watermark ink pad

GinaK:  Detail white embossing powder

Versafine: Onyx Black ink pad

Simon Says Stamp: Heavy duty acetate

Here is the tutorial for how to create the Pop-Up shoppe. I added a little Versamark watermark ink to the door and it photographed a bit messy looking instead of a little shaded. I guess it's a really popular coffee shop and the door is a little worn.

Another FUNN week at Craft Roulette!

Have you checked it out yet? It's on You Tube Friday nights around 7:15 pm EST...the actual show starts at 7:30. You can see cards that people from all over the world sent in electronically the previous week. There are over 400 cards per week!

See ya later!

-Carol

Because It's Your Birthday

Saw it, had to make it. I saw this fancy fold tutorial the other day and wanted to try it out. It is quick and your papers can make it fun, fancy, bold, CAS, whatever. Here is my first make using Karen's tutorial. I am playing again at Inkspirational Challenges #313 with my card where there are lots of great fold ideas.

I am also playing along at Creative Creases, Anything Goes.

Products I used:

Stampin' Up!: Balloon Bash and Celebration Time stamp sets

Patterned cardstock

Black cardstock

Versafine: Onyx Black ink

You can make two card bases from one 12" x 12" sheet of patterned paper or cardstock! The two things that I think are important: use two-sided patterned paper or cardstock and make sure it is on the stiffer/heavier side. For my card I didn't like the pattern on the back (It had writing on it but it was printed upside down) so I added the striped paper on the front flap and some black cardstock on the back of the card to cover the print and make it sturdier.

The basic card base is patterned paper cut at  5 1/2" x 12" then scored on the long edge at 1 3/4", 4 3/4" and 7 3/4" to start. 

Fold the 1 3/4" flap toward you, the 4 3/4" section away from you, and the 7 3/4" fold toward you. From the top it should look like an M. 

Then adhere the 2nd and 3rd sections together on what you are calling your back side of the card base. It should look like my last picture now, minus the stamped and matted pieces. Those pieces are for you to choose and use on each page, making sure that when the card is closed, you can't see the next two matted images behind the first or second ones. They can all be the same size if you want. When closed, they should be centered on the card.

Watch the video. It is very clear there. The actual tutorial starts at 10:30. She has some cute examples of this card there. The last one she shows with flowers inspired my card.

I hope you try it out. It comes together easily and quickly!

See you again soon,

-Carol

Rain or Shine

Our creative hostess Lisa has chosen Rain for our Word Week #722 at Just Us Girls. I thought of April showers! Get out your umbrellas, rain boots, clouds, etc. for this spring topic. I know someone will come up with a really creative way to approach rain that I haven't even thought of, so the team and I will be looking forward to your creations in our gallery. The team and our special guest Colleen Begley have come up with great inspiration for you. Here is my card.

I am playing along with Inspired By #IB284 where I am inspired by the adorable boots and  pretty spring flowers!

And I am also playing along at The Paper Players PP684: Sunshine and Rainbows! See the bottom left picture? Rain boots...and the top center picture of a flower...my jumping off points!

Products I used:

Spellbinders: Rain Bouquet Small Die of the Month (March 2024 club)

Waffle Flower: Photo frame die

Sugar Pea Designs: Card Frotn Element Builder stitched rectangle die

Reverse Confetti: Sealiously stamp set

Versafine: Onyx black ink

Distress Ink

Ink blending brush

Lawn Fawn: Woodgrain cardstock

This card took a lot of die cutting and deciding on placement of the elements. Once I chose the patterned papers, I assembled the flowers in the boot and made my scene. There is foam tape in the tulip layers and behind the daffodil for depth. The little white flowers remind me of baby's breath for some reason. The clouds are for the passing rain.

We hope to see you in our gallery!

-Carol

Holly Jolly

At Christmas Craft Creations we are back with a fun theme: Non-Traditional Colors. I love seeing new color combinations and tried to put some together for today's card. The ornament hanger and stars are cut from silver cardstock. Even my holly berries are non-traditional! 

Products I used:

Concord and 9th: Ornament Stamp & Stitch dies

Stampin' Up!: Embossing folder, patterned paper, star border punch

Random cardstock scraps

Silver cardstock

The only hard part of this card was deciding on my colors. I love Concord and 9th ink and cardstock colors so I stayed with their palette pretty much. (I don't own any of their cardstock but I used what I had that is similar.) There is no stamping on my card. It is all die cutting.

We hope you will join our challenge this month where basicallly any colors go as long as they are not the traditional red and green.

See you back here really soon!

-Carol

Hey Chickie!

Last Saturday I made a card for Craft Roulette #209 and it was not one of the easier ones for me since I started doing their challenges. The parameters were:

Project: Tri-fold card

Colors: Sleigh ride

Element: Joke(s) or Funny

Random: Out of Proportion

I have always liked tri-fold cards and got busy making one. For the sleigh ride "view" as I saw it, I found patterned paper with white and blue for the snow and sky. Then I had to really dig through my mind and my stash for something funny and out of proportion. I didn't want to make a winter card at all now that it is spring. I got out my flower dies and made some in white and blue. I stumbled upon the sentiment stamp "Hey Chickie you're so fine" and thought I could add a bird, then add a line to the sentiment that reminded me (and hopefully you) of an old song. Look up Hey Mickie by Toni Basil on You Tube if you don't remember this song from the 80's. It's the cheerleader video. I thought it was funny to have a stamp with that old song's lyrics.

I punched the bird and butterfly (the butterfly is bigger than even this small bird, so, out of proportion). I added them to the card base on the "back side" if you can call it that.

I typed up the line "You blow my mind" on my computer and chose the color dark blue, then printed it on white cardstock. I stamped my sentiment above the printed line, then inked up/stamped just the first two words of the stamp, "Hey Chickie" That made it read: Hey Chickie you're so fine, you blow my mind, Hey Chickie." I also stamped Chickie by itself and put in next to the bird to show that that was its name.

I know that the "joke "and "out of proportion" elements I came up with are maybe a stretch, but it was all I could think of for the challenge. The flowers have nothing to do with a sleigh ride, they are just the colors in a sleigh ride's view, and green is for the trees along the ride. 

Of course I had the song stuck in my head all day after that. I decided that I am going to play along with Inkspirational Challenge #313 word prompt: Fold.

Products I used:

Papertrey Ink: Into the Blooms II dies

Stampin' Up!: Bird and butterfly punches, blue ink pad

Sentiment: Not sure...so old...possibly Inky Antics?

I might make another fun fold card for this challenge. My mind is racing with ideas.

See you back here soon!

-Carol

Beachy Thank You

I recently decided that I need to build up a stash of Thank You cards. Here is a little beach scene for our Just Us Girls Color Challenge #721: Purple, Orange, Mustard, chosen by our sweet hostess Ina. I guess you could call it a silhouette card.

Products I used:

My Favorite Things: Circle die

Lawn Fawn: Palm tree dies (and shells)

Spellbinders: Summer Birdhouse dies (birds)

Poppystamps: Simple Thank You dies

Concord and 9th: Mini ink pads

Catherine Pooler: Queen for a Day ink pad (purple)

Simon Says Stamp: Holographic sequins

I die cut a circle on white cardstock. Then I ink blended the three colors onto it. I cut the circle in three places and trimmed a tiny bit off a couple of them along the hand cut line. I reassembled the circle on an A2 white card base leaving a bit of white card base between the pieces. Next, I die cut the tree, birds and shells. I adhered them to the circle. I decided that I needed a few sequins for sparkle. Then this tiny sentiment die came to mind, so I ink blended some purple on a scrap and die cut the words. Once they were on the card, I was done!

Please join us this week and don't forget to check out the design team's cards along with our special guest, Colleen Begley's creative idea using these colors! See you in the gallery!

-Carol

Thank You

I have had this patterned paper for quite a while and in the spirit of not hoarding my favorite products, I cut into it today for The Paper Players PP683 Challenge: Tic Tac Toe. I chose the center column from top to bottom: die cut, fun fold, thank you. 

Products I used:

Spellbinders: Mini Blooms and Sprigs dies

Papertrey Ink: Into the Blooms II dies

Stampabilities: Thank You stamp

Random patterned papers and ribbon

Distress Ink: Fossilized Amber

Stampin Up!: Classic Brilliant Blue ink pad

I have been a big fan of the Criss Cross card fun fold and I bring it back every once in a while. It's quite easy. Here a tutorial for it by Robin Armbrecht. If you just want to see this card, it starts just past 35:00. She teaches a few similar styles of fun folds in the whole video.

It was fun matching the paper with the flower die cuts. The inner card pulls out for a message to be written on it. My pattered paper wasn't two-sided so I cut a "liner" out of a pretty coordinating yellow floral paper for the inside of the base card.

I might make a couple more of this fun fold while I have the measurements in my head. There is also a way to make a horizontal one. Here is a tutorial by Carolina Evans. I have made a lot of these over the years.

I hope you try this type of card. I think it has lots of uses. While taking these photos on the plate, I thought of a girlfriends lunch or a birthday celebration with these (and an envelope) on each of the place settings with Thank You or another occasion stamped on them for the attendees to take home to use for someone else. Just an idea.

See you soon.

-Carol