Double D Challenge: Tea or Coffee

Hello friends!  It's Double D Challenge time again and for this go around Darlene is asking for tea or coffee themed projects.  The pretty inspiration board is designed to help warm us up and get started.

 

The prize for a random winner is two packs of very pretty peel off stickers -- butterflies and teapots & cups.  I think I would love to color those teapots!

The team votes for creative favorites.  As always, there's more information on the Double D blog.

Let's play!

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Did I make a bird card or a coffee card?  Well... both, and it was a lot of fun!  I considered making this for our previous "Humor" challenge, but then I knew the "Tea or Coffee" challenge was coming up, so I saved it for now.

Simon Says Stamp Birdies met up with Cottage Cutz Cup of Love and opined with Art Impressions See You with a Latte sentiment.

I chose the very old BasicGrey Phoebe designer paper to play with because the swirly pattern from which I cut the frame loosely reminds me of a fancy latte.  In fact, the birds, cups, branch, and flower accents were all cut from the Phoebe paper.

The white eye dot was made with white acrylic paint and a very skinny brush.  Sometimes I forget the eye dot, but it really does add more life to a character.

A little note about using the designer paper for die cuts:  I like to glue a layer of designer paper onto cardstock before cutting.  It firms up the DP and saves cutting twice and then trying to match up the layers.  That was especially helpful with the branch and the birds' beaks and legs.  Maybe you do this, too?

I hope you'll visit the Double D blog, enjoy the team's cards, and then play along with yours.  Have fun, and have a beautiful day!

Stamps:  Art Impressions See You with a Latte  Paper:  Hammermill 100 lb premium white, BasicGrey Phoebe designer paper  Ink:  Ranger Archival Jet Black for sentiment, various SU inks for shading die cuts  Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Birdies, Cottage Cutz Cup of Love, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets  Other:  White acrylic paint for eye dot

A Tisket a Tasket A Bunny in a Basket

One more Easter card before the weekend.  I would have liked to do more, but I dallied too long.  Thankfully my bunnies will still be good for next year.  They're the only things I purchased exclusively for Easter, and I'll wager they could make the occasional appearance throughout the year as well.

This card is a mix of Simon Says Stamp and other brands.  The bunny and embossing folder are new to me from SSS.  The flowers are older, but a new-to-me find on Amazon when I was looking for something else not even craft related.  See, that's what happens.  Surely you understand.  They're by Sizzix and I like them a lot.  I thought about draping them across the top of the basket, but then remembered the Easter Eggs.  Now I have both!

About that basket -- I cut it in two shades of gray, but didn't like it for Easter so I smooshed all over with white pigment ink and embossed with some very old Stampin' Up Winter White embossing powder.  Sort of a creamy white.  You can see the powder gave it some texture, too, and now I think it's okay.

As for the embossing folder... well, it's a pretty thing that gives you all those flowers with a space in the middle to use however you like.  It provided just enough non-busy white space to highlight the bunny basket.  Also, you can see it's brushed with color.  I used pink and light orange, but it turned out disappointingly dark... so here comes that white ink pad again.  Smooshed all over and came up with it looking all soft and pretty.

Darnell has started a new month with her 85th NBUS Challenge (never before used schtuff), so I'm linking there with my SSS Fable Cute Bunny and Flower Frame 3D embossing folder, and my Sizzix Woodland Borders (flowers).

Thank you for your visit!  Happy Easter Weekend!

Stamps:  Retired Power Poppy sentiment  Paper:  Hammermill 100 lb premium white, two shades of gray, BasicGrey Sugar Rush designer paper  Ink:  Various Stampin' Up, Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Ink blending with brushes  Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Country Basket Bouquet (basket only), Fable Cute Bunny, Nested Eggs, Poppystamps Lovely Gift Bow, Sizzix Woodland Borders (flowers), Impression Obsession Grass  Other:  Simon Says Stamp Flower Frame 3D embossing folder, SU Winter White embossing powder (very old)

Easter is Coming

Yes, Easter is coming and I just now mailed my Easter cards.  I made only three this year, but had three left from last year.  I'm lagging behind, but it seems there's so much going on outside my craft room lately.

Today's card is one that made me very happy as I brought all the parts together.  I splurged on a few things from the SSS Beautiful Moments collection and this card represents several of them:  Country Basket Bouquet, Sweet Bunny, Double Loop Bow, Leaf Spin 3D embossing folder.  The tag and sentiment are from my toybox.

I'm delighted with all my new toys but, ohhhh, that Leaf Spin embossing folder... it does speak to my leaf-loving heart!  It made the prettiest background for the basket.  Every bit of color comes from ink blending with brushes.  The card is 4 1/2" x 6".  That little bit extra allows a lot more play.

Linking up with Darnell's NBUS Challenge #85.  Everything except the tag and sentiment is never before used schtuff.

I have little time to linger today as there are many other things that need doing, but I'll be back with one more Easter card shortly.

Enjoy your day, and happy upcoming Easter!

Stamps:  Retired Power Poppy sentiment  Paper:  Hammermill 110 lb premium white, gray scrap  Ink:  various Stampin' Up  Coloring:  Ink blending with brushes  Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Country Basket Bouquet, Sweet Bunny, Double Loop Bow, Poppystamps Stitched Main Street Tags  Other:  Simon Says Stamp Leaf Spin 3D embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Micey Nice

Hello and welcome to Monday!

Big surprise, more never-been-used crafty goodies came out to play today.  At Can You Handle the Pressure the optional theme is sewing or sewing related, and wouldn't you know I just happened to have a brand new-to-me Stitching Sampler embossing folder from SSS, and a nearly vintage but never-been-used Penny Black Especially Micey stamp set.  I think they were just waiting for each other!

As always, the supporting players get used over and over again, and so everything else on the card has been with me for a good long while.

I used Tombow markers and homemade blender solution for coloring.  It looks like watercolor because the blank Copic marker filled with solution is similar to using a water brush.  The recipe and a picture can be found on this post.

Circle punches, designer paper layered on cardstock, and glossy glaze made the buttons.  Much more mail friendly than real buttons.

You know I love my Penny Black critters.  There's a lot more yet to use in this set so it's still in the PB NBUS basket.

Challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Anything goes or Four-legged Friends

Can You Handle the Pressure -- Anything goes with a twist of sewing or sewing related.
NBUS Challenge #84 -- My never before used schtuff is the Penny Black Especially Micey stamp set, and the Simon Says Stamp Stitching Sampler 3D embossing folder.

 

I'm so glad you dropped in.  Have a mice day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Especially Micey  Paper:  Fabriano Extra White 140 lb watercolor, Hammermill 100 lb premium white, pink Bazzill base, designer paper from The Vast Hoard for buttons  Ink:  Ranger Archival Jet Black, Ranger distress Antique Linen  Coloring:  Tombow markers and blender  Other:  Memory Box Cross Stitched Frame Borders, Precious Marieke Flower Border, SSS Stitching Sampler 3D embossing folder, 3/4", 1/2", 1/4" circle punches for faux buttons, Judikins Diamond Glaze, linen thread

Flowers and Fronds

Hello friends!

I made a mostly green card for two challenges today.  This one was quick seeing as how the SSS Feathery Fronds background was already embossed and brushed with green ink.  I'd accidently smudged a spot on the very edge of the card and that's how the sentiment flag came to be there.  With that simple design being my basic layout it needed some flowers against the fronds, and a birthday sentiment for Seize the Birthday, and I found both, plus the butterfly, in my SSS Butterfly Blooms stamp set.  It's only been in the not-yet-used basket for about a year, I believe.  It's still there because I won't put it away until I've used every flower and butterfly.

Say it with me now, "What was I waiting for?!"  The flowers in this stamp set are all so pretty and very easy to color.  I did this with a few simple strokes of Tombow markers, not aiming for perfection, but a loose and simple look.  The flowers and butterfly are hand cut.

As for the challenges:

1. I cannot resist the Triple B Challenge -- Birds, blooms, butterflies.  They always have such a beautiful inspiration board.
2. Seize the Birthday is asking to see green as your main color.  Optional anything goes.
3. Of course, I have to share in Darnell's NBUS Challenge #84 again.  My never before used schtuff today is the Simon Says Stamp Feathery Fronds 3D embossing folder (brand new) and the Butterfly Blooms stamp set.

 

That's all for today!  I'm glad you dropped in.  Take care and have a perfect day!

Stamps:  SSS Butterfly Blooms  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb watercolor, Hammermill Premium 100 lb white, green Bazzill  Ink:  Ranger Archival Jet Black, Stampin' Up Certainly Celery  Coloring:  Tombow markers  Other:  Sue Wilson Pierced Flags, Simon Says Stamp Feather Fronds 3D embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Halloween Birds

Hello again and happy Wednesday!  I've made another fun card with Simon Says Stamp Ocean Horizon today.  This time I've paired it with SSS Birdies who look a little nervous to find themselves out on Halloween night.  The sentiment, ghost, and stamped bats joined in from elsewhere in my stash.

Nothing but make believe here, and a whole lot smiles in the process.  I used a different method this time for the background.  I blended the inks first, and then cut.  Just experimenting.  There are endless things you can do with this background die.  Use all or part of it, flip it upside down for a sunrise, make a funky rainbow, color it any which way.  Not selling, just saying.  Today I blended green at the lower edge to suggest land rather than ocean.

I'll be playing along here:

Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge -- Year 'round Halloween.  Anything Halloween goes, but inspiration board is provided.

Darnell's NBUS Challenge #78 -- My SSS Birdies are 'never before used schtuff'.

 

Thanks for visiting!  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Stampin' Up Halloween Backgrounds (bats)  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 & 110 lb, black cardstock  Ink:  Stampin' Up Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Memento Tuxedo Black  Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Birdies and Ocean Horizon, Memory Box Ghosts in the Forest, Impression Obsession Happy Halloween

Endless Summer

Hi there!  Back to card making today and happy to have a good play with some of my newer NBUS.  I started with the Simon Says Stamp Ocean Horizon die which I thought was the coolest thing.  Who knows what will appeal at any given time, but this one really got to me.  I couldn't help but combine it with one of my recently purchased Cottage Cutz super sale items -- Surfer Van.

The Endless Summer is a 1966 semi-documentary film about surfing.  I've never watched all of it, but my Rich has watched it a few times over the years and still watches clips on YouTube now and then.  He was a surfer guy in his youth and he enjoys reliving the thrill of it.  Naturally, I made this card with him in mind.

l tried using this background die three different ways and as far as the application of color goes, this is my favorite.  I cut the die -- it comes out in 16 pieces, including the skinny frame -- then I glued each piece to a separate white panel, and commenced brushing on the inks.  I like the way the edges of each die cut section grabs the ink.  It's subtle, but it makes a difference.  The colors I used are similar to those on the die package.  All Stampin' Up inks.  I'll list them below.  I hand cut a sandy beach on which to park the van.

I'll be sending my endless summer over to the following challenges:

A Cut Above -- Anything goes with dies.
NBUS Challenge #78 -- Never before used schtuff.  As mentioned, the Surfer Van and Ocean Horizon dies are NBUS.

 

Wrapping up now... I'll be back shortly to share what I've made.  Things are hopping here with lots going on and I'm surprised to have made any cards at all, but glad I'm able to manage it somehow.

Take care, and stay cool!

Dies:  Cottage Cutz Surfer Van, Simon Says Stamp Ocean Horizon
Inks:  Stampin' Up (top to bottom) Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Pixie Pink, Melon Mambo, Purely Pomegranate, Cool Caribbean, Not Quite Navy, Creamy Caramel, Gable Green.  Memento Tuxedo Black for sentiment
Coloring:  Ink blending with brushes.  Small parts of van colored with Copic markers

Double D Challenge: Frames

Hello there!  It's Double D Challenge time again, and to kick off the month of June Diane is asking us to design with frames.

As always, there's a prize for a random winner, and creative favorites are voted on by the team.

The inspiration board is full of vintage loveliness, but I went a different direction with the Woodland Whimsy set (Simon Says Stamp) which was still on my table from another project.  This oldie set packs a lot of cuteness.  You know how I love critters!

My bear is resting happily on the edge of Impression Obsession's Birch Tree Rectangle frame.  Isn't he a handsome fella?  Maybe he's waiting for his Valentine to come along.  I brushed inks on the background and stamped some sprinkles.  Coloring is with Copic markers.  The plaid around the edges makes his home appear all the more cozy.

Check out the team's inspiring samples at Double D.  I hope you'll have time to play along!

Have a happy June day!

Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Woodland Whimsy, SU Itty Bitty Backgrounds  Paper:  Neenah 110 lb white for die cuts, 111 lb woodgrain white for card base , brown scrap for layering, Mintay Wilderness designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Bashful Blue, Old Olive and Close to Cocoa  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Impression Obsession Birch Tree Rectangle

Bunny Smiles

I wouldn't want you to think I was done with the bunnies yet.  Well, here's another one, and it's a cutie.  It had me smiling and I hope it does the same for you.

She's from the Simon Says Stamp Woodland Whimsy set.  We go back a few years and I've loved the set lots, but I'm not sure I've used the bunny before.  Isn't she pretty with her flowers?

The flowers come with the set, and I've combined some stitched circles with butterflies, gems, and Mintay designer paper from my stash.  All older stuff that still brings me joy.  That's why we do this, isn't it?  She's colored with Copics and popped up on foam tape.  I added stamped sprinkles with the very old SU Itty Bitty Backgrounds set.  Heaven forbid I should ever be without my Itty Bitty Backgrounds!

Enjoy your day!

Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Woodland Whimsy, Penny Black Thinking of You, Stampin Up Itty Bitty Backgrounds (sprinkles)  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 lb & 110 lb, yellow scrap, Mintay Farm Life designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black & Rich Cocoa  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Lil' Inker Silly Stitched Die Set, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers, Impression Obsession Butterfly Set, gems, linen thread, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Chickadees

Hello and happy Friday to you!

One recent day I was at Simon Says Stamp looking for something else entirely when I spotted the Chickadee Gathering embossing folder.  Well, it had to come home with me as birds are one of my many weaknesses when it comes to craft supplies.  I embossed on hot pressed watercolor paper and watercolored with Tombow markers and Stampin' Up reinkers.

There's a die for the birds which gives slightly more dimension.  When the coloring was finished I had another go at the white splatters.  I didn't want it to look as if it was snowing, but with the splatters and the large white sentiment I hoped to lighten up the overall appearance.  The Thinking of You sentiment is an older one, also Simon Says Stamp.

I'd like to play along in some favorite challenges today:

Triple B -- Birds, blooms, and butterflies.  Use one or all.  It seems I almost always use birds for this challenge.

NBUS Challenge #74 -- Never before used schtuff... that's my Chickadee Gathering embossing folder.

 

 

I'm heading out to the garden now.  The weather has been beautiful and I'm planting pots and puttering in the backyard where the deer can't go.  There's much to be done in the rest of the garden, too.  I'm hoping this spring and summer will be better than last with no unfortunate surprises.

Take care and enjoy your day!

 

Tweet Embossed Birthday

Hello, and happy Monday!  I have a very pastel birthday card to share today.  I'm still enjoying the March kit from Simon Says Stamp.  The embossing folder here, the stamps, the silver cord are all from the kit.  Honestly, this embossing folder was a huge selling point for me.  It's so pretty!

For this card I embossed on hot pressed watercolor paper and colored with Tombow markers and blender.  I kept it very pastel because if I was going to use it as a background I didn't want it to compete with the focal image.  Silly me, this folder deserves to be the main image with only a sentiment, perhaps.  However, the little bird and birdbath looks cute, too.

 

This angle shows how the "birthday" sentiment and the little music notes are silver-embossed to match the silver cord.  The bird and birdbath were embossed in white so they wouldn't be too stark a contrast.  The sentiment and music notes are cut with the matching dies (not included in the kit), but I hand cut the bird and birdbath.

Surprise(!) -- I used a bit of lace from my shoebox-sized container of lace and trims.  That's not counting the drawerful of ribbon.  Most of the lace and trims are from my days of sewing dolls and doll clothes and stuffed critters.  It was fun while it lasted.

I'm going to send my card to the following challenges:

Can You Handle the Pressure -- The current optional theme is "weather".  I think this card suggest a pretty spring day with blossoms blowing in the breeze... that's the weather outside my window as I type this.  The wind through the cherry tree is sending pink snow across the garden.
NBUS #73 -- Never before used schtuff.  First time use of the embossing folder.

 

Supplies are listed below.

Wishing you a beautiful spring day!

Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Tweet Friend with dies  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah white card base  Ink:  Versamark, SU Tempting Turquoise  Coloring:  Tombow markers with blender  Other:  SSS Drifting Flowers 3D embossing folder, lace, silver cord, silver embossing powder, white embossing powder, misc. rectangle die from stash, Scotch brand foam mounting tape to pop up bird and birdbath