April Showers Bring May Flowers

Well, that's usually what happens! But what does April snow bring?

Hopefully even more flowers!

Here is Tilda enjoying a warm Spring shower.

Ingredients:

Stamps-  Magnolia "Tilda in Spring Rain", CDStamps "Wistful Wishes"

Ink- Memento "Tuxedo Black"

Markers- TH Distress, Copic, MEPXY

Card stock- K&Co. "Julianne"

Dies- Spellbinders "Fair Isle", "Fancy RibbonThreader", "Stnd Circles Lg",

& "Lg Scalloped Circles"

Embellishments- Stickles "Crystal", Jolee's stickers "Water Drops", ribbon from my stash...and I used my Craft-deebowz bowmaker to make my bow!

Challenges:

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - April Challenge AG w/bow

http://cropstop.blogspot.com - #38 April AG

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #209 "Water"

http://magnolia-liciouschallengeblog.blogspot.com - April "Rain"

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #88 AG

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - "Sparkle & Shine"

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #330-331 AG

Thanks for stopping by today and thanks so much for your kind comments!!

Much appreciated!

Two Cards, Same Stamp

Today I made another card with the FSJ bird stamp...the same stamp I used on my last card. One of the challenge blogs I follow asks for 2 different type of cards using the same stamp, so I made a sympathy card and a congratulations card. The theme this time was "Pets". Since we are "bird-sitting" our daughter's bird while she is off on vacation I decided that he would be my inspiration! His name is Pops and he is very vocal!

The sympathy card I have already described and explained in my previous post; the Congrats card is for a friend from my church who just sold her house (in just 24 hours!) so she can move to a "leisure village" where many older folks enjoy an easier, safer, more convenient home ownership experience.

To make the Congrats card I used the Memory Box "Catalina Wreath" die, Pearlescent Watercolor paints, FSJ stamp "Psalm 91:1", JustRite "Grand Handwritten Sentiments", gold glass beads, and raffia for the bow. The background DP is from a 12x12 pad called "Recollections".

The bird was stamped using the metallic watercolors, as well as the top wreath with the peachy-red flowers. (The bottom layered wreath was just a green DP)

Challenges:

http://twofercardchallenge.blogspot.com - #4 Pets

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #330-331

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #88 AG

http://mmmchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk - #69 In the Garden

http://cropstop.blogspot.com - #38 AG

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - April Challenge

http://caswatercolour.blogspot.com.au - April/Bird

Well, thanks, as always, for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

CAS Watercolor Card

Finally! A beautiful sunny day! Only a bit of snow left hiding in the shadows. My tulips are up 3-6 inches so far and my hosta plants are finally showing their little nubs above the ground. 

I'm doing just a quick post here before I go out to wash my muddy car!

Today I decided on trying a CAS card again...and wonder of wonders...I think I actually did it!

The background I created using the "Rubber Band Technique" as suggested on the CAS Mix Up blog. I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Antique Linen" on the rubber bands then did a metallic Pearlescent Watercolor wash over that. In the light it creates a nice shimmer. 

I even used the metallic watercolor paint to stamp the bird, then fussy-cut it, raised it with foam mini squares and adhered it to the background.

So now that I've posted this I'm thinking I may add 3 small metal studs or brown pearls in the bottom left of the background piece...what do you think? Do I need to?

Besides the TH ink and the paint I also used the FSJ  "Coffee Bean" ink, FSJ stamp "Psalm 91:1" (bird), sentiment stamps from StampingScrapping "Say it Your Way" set, and Paper Studio heavy weight white cardstock.

Challenges I'd like to join:

http://casmixup.blogspot.ca - Rubber band Tech+stamping+watercolor

http://caswatercolour.blogspot.com.au - April: Bird

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - Sparkle & Shine

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #330-331

Gate-Fold Guy Card

Good morning, friends! And happy Monday!

Anyone who has visited my blog often knows that I prefer creating lovely feminine cards far more than making masculine ones. I really struggle with guy cards...they never seem "done"...probably because I can't add bows, lace, sequins, flowers and "fluff"!

Well, yesterday afternoon I was working with a sketch and wanted to make it into a gate-fold card. That seemed complicated enough, so I chose non-feminine DP and left off the frills.

I dug out an old 6x6 paper pack by Webster's Pages called "Ladies & Gents" so all the colors coordinate perfectly...then I just had to find inks to match. My base cardstock is Paper Studio heavy weight ivory and the inks I used are: FSJ "Coffee Bean", Stampabilities "Lime", Studio G "Aqua" & "Turquoise". To get the right depth of color I used my Misti stamping platform and restamped the pale aqua several times.

The "Happy Birthday" sentiment on the front is an Inkadinkadoo stamp, the watch is from a set called "Time Travelers Memories" by Prima, the compass is Sandylion "Are We There Yet?"

And on the inside of the card the sentiment is a SweetStamps stamp, "Old Fashioned Wish", the Bible verse is from Our Daily Bread, "Scripture Series 3".

This was an interesting card to make, but as usual, took me far longer to make than it should have!

I'd like to enter it in a few challenges:

http://cheerfulsketcheschallenge.blogspot.nl - April Sketch

http://cropstop.blogspot.com - April #38 AG

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #330-331

Thanks for checking out my blog today! Come back soon!

Corner Floral: Best Wishes

I know that Spring WILL get here in Michigan some day soon, but today is cold, windy, grey and downright yucky! We had snow and sleet this morning, and now have warnings for ice tonight. So, a card with lovely flowers is much nicer to look at today...while trying to wait patiently for Spring! 

Here is the list of most of what I used to make this one:

Stamps: Stampabilities "Vintage Flourish", Stampin' Up "Best Wishes"

Ink: FSJ "Coffee Bean"

Punches: McGill "Floriano" & "Birch"

Die: Sizzix/Tim Holtz "Tattered Flower Garland"

Cardstock & Glass Beads are from my stash

Challenges I'm entering:

http://cropstop.blogspot.com - #38 AG

http://houseofcardschallenge.blogspot.com - April: Floral Corner + colors

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #87 AG

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - "Add Some Texture" (beads)

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #330-331 AG

Thanks for stopping by today! 

I hope you are enjoying sunshine and warm temps!

Have a great weekend, my friends!

Trio of Butterflies

Tonight I made a quick sympathy card using watercolor paper and Tim Holtz distress inks.

I brushed water on the paper and painted wide brush strokes using "Evergreen" & "Shaded Lilac" inks. Then I stamped the butterfly images with the same inks on moistened paper. They have a soft, smudged look that I really like. I added Stickles "Icicle" & "Crystal" for a bit more dimension.

The butterfly stamps and dies are from Fun Stampers Journey, and the sentiment stamps are StampingScrapping "Say it Your Way".

I want to enter this card in these challenges:

http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com - #331

http://mmmchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk - #68 Things with wings

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge - A Trio of Something

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #328-329

Pretty "Scraps" Card

Well, recently I've been in the "spring cleaning" mood so I've been sorting things in closets, cupboards, drawers...and my craft room! I actually sorted and got rid of at least half of the paper scraps that I save from card projects. I had a whole file drawer full! And now all the solids are separate from the prints...a lovely rainbow in an organized box. A few of my favorites were tiny, tiny scraps that I just couldn't part with, so I decided to make one last card with them. I had to piece the background papers and even some of the flowers. It took me probably 3 times longer than usual to make this card! Not sure those scraps were worth that! LOL

Here is a partial list of items used for this one:

Cardstock- DCWV "Holiday Collection" & "Indian Summer", Paper Studio

Dies- Tim Holtz "Tattered Flower Garland", Spellbinders "Scalloped Borders 2", Trimcraft "Tag Dies"

Punches- McGill "Birch"(leaf), Martha Stewart "Flower"

Stamps- StampingScrapping "Say It Your Way"

Ink- FSJ "Coffee Bean"

Embellishments- Basic Grey "Bling It -Greens", FSJ "Natural Twine", tea-dyed seam binding

Challenges:

http://cheerfulsketcheschallenge.blogspot.nl/  - April Sketch

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com/2018/04/april-challenge.html - AG 

http://cropstop.blogspot.com - #38 April  AG

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #87 AG

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #328-329 AG

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you enjoy your "spring cleaning" too!

Happy Easter

Just a quick post tonight...

So many of the challenge blogs are using "Easter" as their theme right now, I just had to make an Easter card! This one with the cute bunny will be nice for my granddaughter.

My list of ingredients...

Stamps: Stampin Up "A New Little Someone", StampingScrapping "Sentiments"

Dies: Spellbinders "Big Scalloped Circles", FSJ "Journey Circles", Sizzix Embosslits "Beautiful Wings"

Cardstock: Ki Memories "Growing Garden"

Ink: Memento "Tuxedo Black"

Watercolor pencils: Crayola 24

Glitter: Stickles "Icicle"

Twine: Karen Foster "bone"

Challenges...

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #135 March AG/opt. Easter

http://mmmchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk - #67 Easter Fun

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - Easter Inspired

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #326-327 AG

Two Different Cards Using Same Stamp

The Twofer Card Challenge asks its participants to make 2 different occasion cards using the exact same stamp or die. I thought that sounded like an interesting challenge so I gave it a try. The blue card I posted separately just now (previous post) and now I'll post both cards together.

 The stamp I used for both cards is a Tim Holtz stamp from the "Components Collection - Tattered Sparrow". The list of items used for the blue card is in my previous post. The other items used on the green card: FSJ ink - "Coffee Bean" & "Green Olive", A Stamp in the Hand stamp - "Get Well", a Gina Marie die - "Fern", I Am Roses pink paper flowers, and Basic Grey cardstock "Offbeat".

Challenges I'm entering:

http://twofercardchallenge.blogspot.com - #3 "Blossoms"

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #207 "Go Green"

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #135 March (opt: Easter)

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #326-327 AG

Early Spring

The Tuesday Morning Sketches blog has a great sketch this week so I decided to try it! This is one I will store away and use again, I'm sure. Here it is:

The only problem...I wrote down the wrong closing date, so I missed the challenge! Oh well, I still enjoyed using the sketch and like how the card turned out. 

 The ingredients I used:

Dies- Bo Bunny "Ornate Frame", Spellbinders "Valiant Honor"

Stamps- StampingScrapping "Sentiments", Tim Holtz "Tattered Sparrow"

Ink- Memento "London Fog", Stampology "Onyx"

Punch- Martha Stewart "Flower"

Flowers- StampingScrapping "Mini Blossoms"

Adhesives- Scrapbook Adhesives "Thin Squares", Stix2 Anything "1/4x1/4"

Glitter Glue- Ranger Stickles "Crystal", Ranger Liquid Pearls

Misti stamping tool

Challenges entered:

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #326-327 AG

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - Easter Inspired

Thanks for stopping in today! In my next post you can see another, different card I made using the same stamp!

Big Blue Daisies

Here is a birthday card I made this morning using a sketch that I thought was kinda difficult. I don't use so many circles usually! The sketch called for 5 circles of various sizes. I used the two large flowers as two of the circles.

Here's the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches:

Ingredients:

Flowers- Petaloo "Daisy Layers TK"

Dies- Spellbinders "Rose Creations", "Labels 29", "Standard Circles Lg.";

FSJ "Butterflies"

DP- K&Company "Que Sera Sera", "Citronella"; Imaginesce "Baby Powder"

Embellishments- Buttons from my stash, Ranger Stickles "Crystal"

Challenges:

http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com - #443 Sketch

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #324-325 AG

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #85 AG

One Flower...for Any Occasion

This evening I'm posting a CAS card, using a sketch from the CAS(E) this Sketch blog. I usually have trouble keeping it simple, but I think I did it this time! 

This card could be used for most any occasion...I didn't even add a sentiment.

Ingredients-

Die: Spellbinders "Labels 3"

Punch: Martha Stewart "Rose Leaf"

Flower: StampingScrapping "Color Me"

Cardstock: Jillibean-Soup "Neopolitan BB"

Embellishments: EK Success "Patterned Button Repeats" stickers,

Pizzazz Aplenty orange frosted gems & peridot rhinestones

Twine: Karen Foster "Bone"

Challenges-

http://casethissketch.blogspot.com - #261 Sketch

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #206 Floral Delight

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #135 March AG

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #85 AG

Special Card...Special Lady

This birthday card is for a very special lady so I put a bit more effort into making it pretty. She is known in my church as the Card Lady...because each year she gives every adult in our church a birthday card...and often anniversary & get well cards too, and we have a big church...over 200 adults! She prints them using a Hallmark program. Now it is HER birthday, and she has been having some pretty serious health issues, so she needs some encouragement, appreciation and prayers.

I really enjoyed making this one! Used a ton of different supplies, which I will try to put in a list here:

Dies- Gina Marie "Fronds", Sizzix "Beautiful Wings"

Punches- Martha Stewart "Doily Edge"

Embossing folder- Sizzix "Vine & Berries"

Stamps- Inkadinkado "Birthday", Stampin Up "Painted Harvest",

Our Daily Bread "Scripture Series 3"

Inks- FSJ "Black Licorice", Excelsior "Green"

Cardstock- American Crafts "Dear Lizzy", Paper Studio white base

Flowers- StampingScrapping "Gardenia Pk" & "Micro Rose Open",

I Am Roses "Cherry Blossom, white"

Embellishments- Ranger "Liquid Pearls, Platinum", ribbon from stash

Challenges I'm entering this card in:

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - March Challenge AG w/bow

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - February Challenge AG

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #206 Floral Delight

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #84 AG

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge - "In My Garden"

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - AG

http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com - #442

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #324-325 AG

 The birthday sentiment was computer generated, and perfect for the situation: birthday, but also health problems. I always like to decorate the inside a bit too...to carry through the "I made this special for you" idea. And an appropriate Bible verse, the ultimate "good cheer"!

Thanks for stopping by today! Happy March!

Spring is just around the corner now!

Welcome Baby Girl

Once again I bought a new die set and HAD to try it out!

This set makes a "spinner" card, i.e. a card with a small element that spins around as the card is tipped different directions. I thought that would be so adorable for kids' cards...something I always need with 13 grandkids!

For my first experiment with making a "spinner" card I decided on a baby girl card. The little teddy bear at the bottom has a penny attached behind it so it tumbles/rolls along the slot easily...and looks quite cute!

Ingredients:

Stamps- Milton & Co "Milton with Teddy", Stampin Up "Tiny Teddy" & "Welcome, baby"

Markers- Memento "Lilac Posies", Mepxy "C01"

Ink- FSJ "Coffee Bean"

Glitter- Stickles "Icicle"

Bow- Craft-dee Bows bow-maker with satin ribbon & twine

Die- Die-namics (MFT) "Straight & Circle Spinners"

Punch- EK Success "1 inch"

Challenges:

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - February Challenge

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - February Challenge

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #84 AG

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #322-323 AG

"Mom" Greetings

After just returning from a trip to Arizona where we visited my mom and brothers I wanted to send a quick "Hello, Mom" note. My mom has Alzheimer's and doesn't remember much of daily life, just details of her growing-up years. But she does like cards and pictures, which she sets out on display and is reminded of people and events...sometimes. Even  if she can't remember who sent her a card, I want her to remember she is loved.

Ingredients used:

Card stock- solids from my stash & patterned are Authentique "Winter"

Stamps- Stampin Up "Mom" & "Hello", Sweet Stamps "Riches in Glory", Simon Says Stamp! "Miracles"

Dies- Spellbinders "Labels15", "Pendants Fleur de Lis", & "Tudor Rose Card Front"; TH/Sizzix "Tattered Flower Garland"

Embellisments- Ranger Liquid Pearls "Platinum", Karen Foster "Charcoal" twine

Challenges entered:

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - Feb. Challenge, AG w/a bow

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #37 Feb. Challenge, AG

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #134 AG + Mothers

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #83 AG

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge - "Take Note" (the little "notes" attached are the simple sentiment)

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - "Add a Die Cut"

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #322-323 AG

Happy Birthday Calvin!

A quick post this morning before we head out on a 2-week vacation to Arizona! I tried a technique I saw on the 'CAS Mix Up' blog...using plastic wrap with any wet medium. I used Prang watercolor paints, dropped dots of watery paint of different colors onto plastic wrap then laid white cardstock over it and rolled it with a rolling pin. That paper is what I used for this card, but I also took the plastic wrap that still had the paint on it and put that on another sheet of paper and got a different watercolor background! I like both of them...this one is a bit brighter and seemed more appropriate for my grandson's b-day card.

Since our plane leaves in a couple hours and I'm kinda in a hurry, no list of ingredients!

Challenges:

http://casmixup.blogspot.ca - January/Birthday

http://caswatercolour.blogspot.com.au - Birthday

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - Add a Sentiment

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - AG #318-319

'Get Well' with Some Bling!

I gave this card to an older lady from my church today who recently fell and broke her hip. My mom did that several years ago and I know how disheartened she was for a while until she was really able to get around well again. And I know this lady loves my cards! So I just had to make a special one for her...with plenty of bling!

My list of ingredients-

Print Cardstock: K&Company "Julianne"

Ivory cardstock: Paper Studio, heavyweight

Die: Spellbinders "Labels 29"

Punch: Martha Stewart "Frond"

Stamps: Hero Arts "Get Well", Woodware USA "Leafy Swirls"

Inks: Memento "Bamboo Leaves", FSJ "Coffee Bean", Stampabilities "Lime", Excelsior "Green"

Embellishments: StampingScrapping flowers "Gardenia" & "Closed Rose Buds", KaiserCraft Rhinestones, generic sheer ribbon

Challenges-

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - January Challenge

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #36 Jan. Challenge

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #203 "Bling's the Thing"

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #133 AG

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #82 AG

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - "Add a Sentiment"

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #318-319

Using a Sketch

Good morning!

Last night I made a fairly quick card using a sketch I found on the CAS(E) this Sketch blog. Here's the lovely sketch, then my card. I must admit, I'm not sure I allowed enough "white space" on this card for it to be considered CAS...but thanks for the inspiration anyway!

Ingredients:

Stamps- "Fern Frond" by Posh Impressions, "Fern" by Prairie Peddler, "Leaf" & "Get Well Soon" by Stampin Up, "Lace Frame" by Hero Arts, "Fleur de Lis" by JustRite 

Inks- Color Box "Bronze", Stampabilities "Lime", Memento "Bamboo Leaves"

Die- Spellbinders "Valiant Honor-CC"

Layered Accents- K&Company watercolor flowers

Generic rhinestones

Cardstock- Paper Studio

Challenges:

http://casethissketch.blogspot.com - #254 Sketch (see above)

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #36 January Challenge

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #203 "Bling's the Thing"

http://inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com - #152 Photo Inspiration:

(inspired by pink roses and Victorian look)

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #133 Anything Goes

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #82 Anything Goes

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #318-319 AG

Thanks for taking a peek at my blog and my latest creation!
Have a wonderful week!