Another Experiment...Using Salt!

The CAS Watercolour challenge asked participants to use salt with watercolor paints and enjoy the variety of results. So I tried it and love the amazing texture, "splotchiness" and color washes I got!

It is so pretty that I didn't want to cover it up very much. I need men's cards right now so kept this one very simple.

I used regular (kids') watercolor paints and added sea salt, both a coarse and a fine type. I like how they both reacted. The stamp is from Graywolfgraphicsrubberstamps.com called "Big Sable Point Lighthouse" (near Ludington, MI).The ink is "Black Licorice" from FSJ; a little Stickles "Star Dust" to finish it off. Oh, the "Hello" die is Hero Arts.

Challenges I'm entering this one in:

http://caswatercolour.blogspot.com.au - August: Salt

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #72 AG

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

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #296-297 AG

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #128 Hey Dude

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #194 Under Sea or At Beach

http://www.cropstop.com/blog/cards/august-challenge-link-party-31

http://inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com -#141 Word Prompt: Wave

Experiments with Watercolors

Last night I got out my little plastic box of watercolors...just like the kids use in school! I had seen a couple different techniques online that I wanted to try: adding salt, and stamping over a watercolor wash. This card is the 2nd technique.

To make the watercolor wash background I placed drops of watercolor paint (Prange) on my craft sheet, spritzed it with water, then laid the white paper on it and pressed it with my fingers. If it seemed too light I did it a few more times then let it dry most of the way. I added splatters of the paint on the blank areas. I stamped the flower image (Paper Peddler "Pansies") after it was all dry and went back in and painted the leaves shades of green and touched up the blue flowers where needed. I added Stickles "Crystal" last, then trimmed my water-colored paper to fit the card front. The twine (FSJ ) was added before adhering it to the front. The Get Well sentiment (Stampabilities) is stamped in "Tuxedo Black" (Memento) then die-cut using a Spellbinders "Standard Circles Lg" die. The scalloped circle behind that is also Spellbinders..."Big Scalloped Circles Lg." KaiserCraft rhinestones were the final touch.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #30 July Challenge

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #71 AG

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - Splatter It

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #294-295 AG

You're A Star!

Now who would you send a card like this to? 

I'm trying to decide if this is a birthday card, a congratulations card or maybe just a "you're special" card. I guess I can use it for whatever I want!

I made it because I really liked the sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches AND the color theme at Catch the Bug. (I'm too late to enter the TMS challenge but just HAD to try that sketch!)

Once again I'm rather disappointed with the way my phone camera is distorting the colors I used. Last time it wouldn't capture pinks and reds and now its aquas and blues! This card is really not mint green...it is aqua! Really!

I'm entering this in a few challenges:

http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com - Color Challenge

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #30 July (Stickles)

http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com - String Theory

https://makingmemoriescrafting.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07 - AG, not a square

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge - Seeing Stars

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #292-293 AG

Ingredients:

Card stock - TPS, Georgia Pacific, Studio G

Stamps - FSJ "Star Marquee"

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, FSJ Pineapple Smoothie,

Stampabilities Lime green, TH Distress Peacock Feathers

Glitter Glue - Stickles Crystal

Metal charm -Jewelry Basics star

Twine - FSJ black licorice

Thinking of You.....Red, White and Blue

There are so many great challenges going on right now...I just have to participate!

Here is the card I made using a sketch and color requirements.

Ingredients:

Craft card stock is from Paper Studio, the print papers are Studio G

Dies used- FSJ "Tags-Pierced", Spellbinders "Rose Creations"

Star ribbon is from Hobby Lobby and the twine is FSJ

(the bow was made using my Craft-de Bowz bowmaker!)

The sentiment stamp is from a set called "Wistful Wishes", Clear Dollar Stamps

Button and mini stamps(heart and stars) are from my stash

Also from my stash is the white textures paper that the flower is die cut from,

I have no idea where I got it but I love it!

Challenges:

https://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - July, AG w/bow

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #192 Tic, Tac, Toe (ribbon, stamp, papers)

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - June Challenge #29

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #127 "Just Beachy &/or Red, White, Blue"

http://makingmemoriescrafting.blogspot.com - #7 AG...but not a square

http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #167 AG

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #69 AG

http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com - #310 "Flag Day"

http://paperplaysketches.blogspot.com - Sketch#46

Well, that's all for today! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Have a lovely evening!

"Just for You"

Several weeks ago I tea-dyed some seam binding and have been waiting for just the right card to use it. So here it is!

I'm not sure what the problem is with my phone camera but it is not taking true-color photos right now. It is either the bright daylight or I accidentally changed some settings. The "pink" print background paper (DCWV "Nana's Nursery- Baby Girl") is actually more of a coral which goes better with the tea-dyed binding.

To make this card I used Spellbinders dies "Fleur de Lis Square", "Make a Wish" & "Luscious Labels One". The flowers are die-cut using Sizzix TH "Tattered Flower Garland" and shaped with my McGill tool set. For the sentiment I stamped with my FSJ "Coffee Bean" ink using JustRite "Birthday Sentiments" & "Decorative Border Variety Set". The seam binding, lace and pearls are all from my stash. To make the double bow I made two separate bows using my Craft-dee Bowz bow-maker and sort of stacked them together and added the flower and leaves last.

I plan to participate in the following challenges with this card-

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

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #29 June Challenge

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com - #126 "Girls, Girls, Girls"

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #288-289

Thanks for stopping by today! Happy crafting!

Life is Wonderful

Talking with my good friend, Sherry, today I was reminded that we are both celebrating our 40th anniversaries this year. We were talking about special trips we'd like to take and bemoaning the extra medical expenses we've both had recently. But trip or no trip we have a lot to celebrate: 40 wonderful years of God's blessings!

For this little card I used TH Distrss Ink "Vintage Photo", Sweet Impressions stamp "Classic Couple", generic stamps: wonderful, etc., Spellbinders die "Fleur de Lis Square", FSJ natural twine, and "Chocolate" flatback pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty.

I'd like to enter this one in the following challenges:

http://stampinroyalty.blogspot.com - SR#368 Sketch

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com - #188 Add a Sentiment

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - April Challenge #27

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #280-281 AG

Birthday Greetings to Daughter #3

My 3rd daughter, Lindsey, is such  a nature lover...she will love this birthday card!  In fact, the little dried fern fronds are from a plant she picked out for me to add to my shade garden. They appear to be black in the photo but they're really a nice dark chocolate.

I made this card using a design I saw on someone else's blog...something that was entered in a challenge and I went to check it out. I saved a picture of that card and it has been hanging above my desk in my craft room for over a year. It is my very favorite card! The gal who made it is named Agnes B. If you know her, please tell her Thank You for me!! (Agnes is my mom's name too, so its even a bit more special!)

My list of ingredients follows -

Dies: Gina Marie Designs Lg Prcd Flower, Spellbinders Spiral Blossom 1, Fleur de Lis Acct, Foliage, Elegant Ovals, Cl Scal. Circles Lg, Joy Crafts Vintage Flourishes #32

Stamp: JustRite Birthday Sentiments

Adhesives: ATG tape, Zots, Glue Dots small and medium

Ink: FSJ Coffe Bean

Sequins: FSJ Blue Skies

Cardstock: K&Company Que Sera Sera, Paper Studio Ivory heavywt.

Challenges -

http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com - #331 AG

http://www.cropstop.com/blog - #20 AG

http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com - #117 Autumn Colors/Theme

http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #50 Happy Birthday

http://trystampinontuesday.blogspot.com - Sketch #289 (I used a circle instead of rectangle)

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #248-249

Hello, Butterflies!

Now here is a simple "Hello" greeting card that I left blank inside (well, I did add a butterfly!). I was inspired by a sketch I saw on "Cas(e) this Sketch". Great way to use up scraps too!

The die-cut butterflies are made using the FSJ "Butterflies" die set.

Challenges:

http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com - #326 Anything Goes

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #244-245 Anything Goes

http://imaginethatdigistamp.blogspot.com - #7 "Signs of Summer"

http://casethissketch.blogspot.com - #187 Sketch:

Spring Is In the Air!

Yes, Spring IS in the air! Especially today...the sun is shining and most of the snow has melted and even the mud has calmed down a bit! I took my car through the carwash today and it stayed clean all the way home...even on our gravel road! The neighbor children have been gleefully romping through the woods and the neighborhood. Its great to hear their happy voices again!

The children on my card are gleefully dancing together...I think it is because they, too, are so glad that Spring has arrived!

Ingredients

Spellbinders dies: Valiant Honor Card Creator

Digital image (children): FREE ViNTaGE DiGiTaL STaMPS

Ribbon: FSJ olive satin, and natural twine

Sentiment stamp: Clear Dollar Stamps 

Flower: StampingScrapping 

Cardstock: base- DCWV, green- Graphic 45, & my stash

Embellishments: Liquid Pearls "platinum", doily (my stash)

Challenges

http://digitallysweetchallenges.blogspot.ca - #148 Spring is in the Air

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #221 Anything Goes

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - March Anything Goes
http://imaginethatdigistamp.blogspot.com - March #2 Birthday
http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca - #136 Show me the Green
http://digitaldelightsbyloubylootips.blogspot.com - #7 Anything Goes
http://www.scrapyland-blog.com - #37 Anything Goes
http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com - March Anything Goes

Happy Birthday, Sara!

My dear DIL's birthday was Nov. 3...the same date as her due date for her first baby! Well, now she is overdue! She and my son, Jeff, are so anxious to meet this little one. They purposely did not find out the sex so we'll all be surprised! So if she's not in the hospital tomorrow we are going shopping to find her a birthday present. 

I used both the sketch and the color theme from the Creative Blooms challenge blog!

AND lots of Fun Stampers Journey products (listed below).

FSJ Products used:

Papers- Whip cream, Festive Patterns

Dies- Summer Bloom Minis, Doily

Stamps- Birthday Sketch (sentiment)

Inks- Green Olive, Huckleberry Fusion

Sequins- Blue Skies

Other Products used:

Dies- Spellbinders "Cherry Blossoms" (leaf)

Ink- TH Distress "tea dye"

Challenges:

http://creativebloomsjourney.blogspot.com - Colors and Sketch Challenge #10

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #208 Anything Goes

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - November Challenge

Thanks for the nice sketch, Kerry! It was fun and easy to work with!

And thanks everyone for stopping by today!

Birthday Greetings!

My granddaughter Pearl is turning 17 next week, so here is the card I made for her.

I used the sketch from the Creative Blooms Journey blog challenge for the month of October.

For this card I used almost exclusively Fun Stampers Journey products: dies, papers, inks, and stamps (6 different stamp sets!).

Any questions on what I used or how...just leave me a comment and I'll get back with you!

Challenges:

http://creativebloomsjourney.blogspot.com - Oct. Sketch #9

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #206 Anything Goes

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - Oct. Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by! Bless you!

A Christmas Tag

Here's a very simple Christams tag in traditional Christmas colors. I got a new set of alphabet stencils and "needed" to play with them! I used Fun Stampers Journey inks for the J and the Y (Sweet Berry & Green Olive) and silver Stickles + a layer of FSJ Sparkle Dust for the O. The base is kraft card stock; I trimmed the 2 ends, punched the hole, and finished it all with a tinsel bow.

I'm entering this in the challenges at 

Sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - #229 Christmas Tags

   www.thekraftjournal.blogspot.com - #232 Take Your Pick- 

(Sentiment, Tall & Skinny, Punch)

 http://quirkycrafts.blogspot.com - #14 Quirky Christmas in July

Happy Father's Day Brights

Another Father's Day card! I think this is the one I'll give to my hubby. The tropical leaves will undoubtedly remind him that we need to make plans for another all-inclusive or cruise to some place tropical! (I sure hope so anyway!)

The stamp set I used is from Fun Stampers Journey called "Hang in There" and the inks I used are the same ones I used on my last card which is posted just below this one. Same twine too. The background paper is FSJ "Whip Cream" which is a lovely just-slightly off-white.

Challenges:

http://www.creativebloomsjourney.blogspot.com - #5 June, Colors

http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com - #206 Out on a Limb (foliage)
http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - #226 For Dad
http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #188 Anything Goes

FSJ Summer Colors Card

This evening I'm posting a card I've been working on for a couple days now. I borrowed the stamps and dies from my friend Sherry, who ordered them at a card-making class I had a few months ago. I am a Coach with Fun Stampers Journey, a new and uber-creative craft company headquartered in Phoenix, AZ. This is one of my favorite sets of stamps with matching dies, both called "Flower Party".

The colors and layout of this card were inspired by the challenges at Creative Blooms...a challenge blog for FSJ products. It is the June challenge and goes until the end of the month.

Here's what I used to make this one:

Stamps- FSJ "Flower Party"

FSJ "Greet & Shout" (Smile!)

Dies- FSJ "Flower Party"

FSJ "Journey Circles" (corners)

Twine- "Journey Twine- Black"

Inks- FSJ "Blue Lagoon", FSJ "Sweet Berry", FSJ "Black Licorice",

Stampabilities "Lime Green", Stampin' Up "Sun"

Cardstock, foam squares and rhinestones are from my stash.

Challenges:

http://www.creativebloomsjourney.blogspot.com - June Color and Sketch cahllenges

http://inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com - #84 Photo Inkspiration

http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com - #206 Out on a Limb (foliage)

http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #188 Anything Goes

Happy Birthday with a Cherry on Top

Here is a fun little card I made for  a friend's birthday. I like the image of the cupcake with the cherry on top...an individual birthday cake! The cherry and the cupcake paper are colored with alcohol markers. Then I added glaze to the cherry so it is glossy! The frosting is solid fine glitter too.

Once again I've used several Fun Stampers Journey craft supplies:

cupcake image- FSJ "Birthday Sketch" set

glaze- FSJ Journey Glaze

Happy Birthday stamp- FSJ "Greet & Shout" set

banner dies- FSJ "Pennants" with stamps- FSJ "Banner Party"

I also used a couple Spellbinders dies: "Classic Scalloped Circles Large" and "Standard Circles Large".

The mottled lime green paper (at the bottom) is FSJ from the set called "Zombie Nights".

The light green polka dot and the red 'star' print papers are from Hobby Lobby.

The black card base is also FSJ cs "Black Licorice".

On the inside of the card I used all the same papers/cs and added a white shape to write a personal birthday greeting. That I decorated with a couple stamped banners from the "Banner Party" set using FSJ inks.

This month Fun Stampers Journey is offering a great Hostess Special for anyone hosting a qualifying party totaling $150 or more...a MYSTERY BOX containing $50 (or more!) worth of  "throwback" FSJ product! That means items no longer in the catalog like stamps, inks, accessories, + + +!! I've seen what a couple gals got in their boxes: a stamp set, 2 ATS stamps, ink, re-inker, and glitter/sparkle dust...wow! And every box is different! For those of you who do not live near me, you can have an "on-line party" that you host...you just invite your friends to look at the FSJ catalog on our website and order right there indicating they are "attending" YOUR party! Very easy! You can just send invites via emails, post to your Facebook friends, hand out postcards, etc. Interested? Let me know! Leave a comment or email me at Fivensandie@aol.com.

Challenges I'm entering this card in:

http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.com - #13 Anything Goes

http://ttcrd.blogspot.com - Anything Goes

wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #165 Anything Goes

http://dreamweaverstencils.blogspot.com - January 2015 Birthday Wishes

http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com - #282 Sketch