Three Christmas Cards for June

Hi friends!  It's Christmas cards today.  I did better than last month in that I have three more to add to the box.  Loll's CAS Christmas Challenge is back and I was eager to play.  I'm not good at clean and simple as I tend to want to add that little something extra, but I always loved this challenge.  The theme this month is "Bird" -- yes, please!

My bird is colored with Tombow markers on hot pressed watercolor paper.  I painted the snow on the berries with white acrylic paint and then applied Stickles Stardust glitter.  I probably shouldn't have embossed the background as the guidelines say "no pattern", oops, but I sure do love the way it looks.  I used a double-sided adhesive sheet to apply thin vellum to cardstock before embossing it and was surprised at how white the embossed patterned turned out.

Stampendous Chickadee Holiday, Spellbinders Scallop Labels and Tag,
Spellbinders Pinecones & Berries 3D embossing folder, older retired Stampin' Up Joy die

CAS Christmas Challenge -- Bird

 

CAS Definition

- clean (uncluttered) cohesive design

- must include white "or open" space (no pattern)

- minimal layers and embellishments

************

The next two cards are not intended for the CAS Christmas Challenge. Pictured below is the same Stampendous bird set as the first card, called Chickadee Holiday.  I did not color them as Chickadees and that's just okay.  They're cute little birds that probably look like something, but I'm not sure what.  I carried on with the vellum and double-sided adhesive, this time on dark green cardstock.  It appears as though I applied white ink which smeared onto the non-embossed areas, too.   I'm flabbergasted by the whiteness.

Next, I switched to another Stampendous set called Heavenly Birds.  These plump little cutie birds and the starry background are all one stamp.  I stamped once in Ranger Archival Black for Tombow coloring, and once in white ink on navy cardstock for the white embossing.  Cut each with a frame die, mounted on navy, then white, and finally a navy card base.  Added the star and gem.  Definitely not CAS, but not too much, either.

Stampendous Heavenly Birds, Scrapbook.com North Stars die
Memory Box Oval Master Frame, Poppystamps Christmas banners with dies

Total Christmas cards in the box:  17

I may do more Christmas cards this month, but I'm not sure.  No pressure, just come what may.

Thank you so much for your time!

Treat Yourself

Hi again, friends!  Seize the Birthday's "Sweet Treats" prompt grabbed my attention and I was inspired to play along with another oldie or two.  I have baskets full of not yet used stamps and dies, but sometimes you just have to go with the flow.  I've used Stampendous Tiers of Treats with an Inky Antics sentiment.

The gingham is a lightweight cardstock from a 12 x 12 pad which I'll never finish off in my lifetime.  I made the whole card with it and lined the inside.  The cute loopy border trim begged to be used after too long a time, and then I just kept adding more.  I cut the image with a tag die and found the matching frame in my spare parts.  Coloring was done with Tombow markers on watercolor paper.

The inside sentiment is another Stampendous oldie:

I continue to struggle mightily with my new photo editing software.  It takes so long to get a photo to look right that I almost want to give up, yet I persevere.  Still working on the die sorting project, too.  Little by little.

Two challenges here:

Seize the Birthday -- Sweet Treats
Neglected Stuff -- My neglected stuff is the loopy border and the Tiers of Treats.  The last time I used this stamp was 2019... I looked it up.

 

Thanks for sparing me a few minutes of your time.  It's been some busy days here and I imagine it's the same for you.  Take care and we'll meet again soon!

Stamps:  Stampendous Tiers of Treats and Birthday Calories sentiment (inside), Inkyy Antics Pampered Benton Treat Yourself sentiment, SU Itty Bitty Backgrounds (sprinkles)  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb watercolor paper, gingham cardstock, other scraps, Neenah 110 lb white  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Close to Cocoa for sprinkles  Coloring:  Tombow markers  Dies:  Sizzix Fancy Tags, SSS Pretty Bows, Lawn Fawn Outside In Stitched Scalloped Rectangles, Taylored Expressions Ric Rac Borders, Frantic Stamper Livermore Loop Border, Spellbinders Standard Circles and Scalloped Circles

Double D Challenge: Color Red

Hello friends!  The Double D team is seeing red today... in a good way.  Everything in Blogland seems to be red or pink this month, and why not?  'Tis the month to let red have its way, so that's our challenge -- show us your red.  Here's a lovely mood board for inspiration if you so desire:

Creative winners are voted on by the team, and the prize pictured below will go to a random winner.

Penny Black Across the Miles premium 3.25" x 4.5" cardstock

For my sample I used Stampendous Mailbox Spring with a sentiment from another Stampendous set.  I colored with Copics and covered the card base with Echo Park Love Notes paper.  I'm sure this Valentine has been received by now, but no telling with the crazy weather it has to go through to get there.

I ink-sponged the edges of the image panel and flicked a little water.  Added Wink of Stella to the butterflies.

I love red and think it should get to come out and play more often.  I'll work on that.  In the meantime, I hope to see your red in our gallery at Double D.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Stampendous Mailbox Spring and Flower Frame sentiment  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 lb, scrap red, Echo Park Love Notes designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Bashful Blue, Pink Pirouette, and Old Olive for image edges  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Lil' Inker Silly Stitched Die Set, SU 3-in-1 Heart Punch, Wink of Stella on butterflies

Double D Challenge: Hearts

Hello, friends!  Double D is at it again.  A new challenge starts today and this time Diane is asking for hearts.  Little hearts, big hearts -- 'tis the month for hearts.  See the pretty inspiration board...

... and a prize for a random winner:

I'm still working my way through not-yet-used supplies, and that will go on for a long time.   You'd think I was a craft survivalist with the way I've stockpiled.  Today it's the cute little envelope with flowers from the Stampendous Mailbox Spring stamp set.  The large kraft heart was a spare part.  I embossed it with an old folder and tapped all over with a freshly reinked white pigment pad.

The glossy dots are punched cardstock circles with Diamond Glaze added.  The die cut sentiment  is two layers. I used the packing tape trick on the top layer -- applied clear packing tape to red cardstock, then die cut.  Instant glossy cardstock.  After I hand cut the stamped envelope and flowers I coated with Versamark and clear embossing powder.  Maybe sometime I'll try the packing tape on a hand cut image.

This little 4 3/4" card will be a Valentine for a friend.

My teamies have used their hearts in some clever and beautiful ways.  Come along and spread some love with us by sharing your hearts in our Double D Challenge.

Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Stampendous Mailbox Spring  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 110 lb, kraft, Cougar Vanilla, Stampin' Up Ridinghood Red and Groovy Guava, red glitter cardstock  Ink:  Memento Toffee Crunch, Stampin' Up White Pigment ink, Versamark  Coloring:  Copics  Dies:  Tutti Stitched Nesting Hearts, Impression Obsession For You  Other:  Cuttlebug Seeing Spots embossing folder, 1/8" & 1/4" circle punches, heart punch, JudiKins Diamond Glaze, clear packing tape, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Double D Challenge: Sunflowers

Hello, friends!  I'm back to my Double D Challenge duties today.  The DDs and team were very patient with me while I dealt with life stuff and I appreciate them so much.

Diane has given us a cheerful challenge today -- sunflowers.  You just have to feel good looking at those bright yellow blooms.  Here's our inspiration board:

The team votes for creative winners, and a random winner will receive the prize pictured below.  Please see the Double D rules for more specific information.

Yellow sunflowers and blue butterflies... I think you can see which corner of the board inspired me.  I've crafted a simple design with crisp white layering on an embossed card base trimmed with a strip of polka dots.

I colored with Copics on Neenah white, added black pearls to the butterfly bodies.  All supplies are well loved and oft used.

Come join us at Double D with your sunflower creations.  We'd love to see them and we hope you'll be inspired by the team samples.  Great stuff over there!

Thank you so much for dropping in today.  Happy crafting!

Stamps:  Stampendous Pop Sunflower  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80# & 110#, scrap SU Old Olive, scrap designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Black pearls, Tim Holtz Lumber 3D embossing folder, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets

Pumpkin Feast

Hi there!  One more Thanksgiving card just for fun.  I've had this Stampendous wood block stamp for ages and still use it every few years.  Today it's combined with a fall vine and an everyday wood frame.  I believe dies were not even a "thing" when I first bought the stamp.  Time marches on.

I did my usual coloring with Tombow markers on watercolor paper.  No blender this time, just the markers.  These days I'm comfortable with a looser coloring style -- not a lot of detail and shading.  I'm sorry about that in some ways, but better to ease up than to stop altogether.

• I'm playing along today in the Four Seasons Challenge.  They've got a super cute mood board and it's the last of the fall challenges.  After this they'll start up with winter.  Sad face.
• Additionally, the Sisterhood of Crafters has a Fall Harvest challenge.  I would say my chipmunks are definitely enjoying a fall harvest.

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Take care till we meet again.

Stamps:  Stampendous Pumpkin Feast, Hero Arts sentiment  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Cougar vanilla  Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Rich Cocoa for sentiment  Coloring:  Tombow markers  Dies:  Memory Box Autumn Border, Impression Obsession Small Leaf Set, Hero Arts Wood Frame, Spellbinders rectangle from retired set  Other:  Clear embossing powder, foam tape to pop up sentiment and single leaf

Double D Challenge: Sunflowers

 

'Tis the season for sunflowers and that's Darlene's Double D Challenge for us today.  The mood board is inspiring for sure.  Who doesn't love sunflowers?

I bought my Stampendous Sunflowers last year and played with them a lot.  Now here they are again because I still love the set and the darling little bird that comes with it.

I stamped in Versafine Onyx Black on hot press watercolor paper, then clear embossed and colored with Tombow markers and blender.  It looks like watercolor, but it's just pens.  A blank Copic marker filled with homemade blender solution makes it easy to just sit down and go for it.

Blank Copic marker filled with homemade blender solution.
2 tsp glycerin
4 tsp distilled water
1/4 tsp 70% rubbing alcohol
Shake in a small bottle to mix.  Use eye dropper to fill pen.

All the pretty pieces are hand cut.  The flowers are popped up on thinnish foam mounting tape.  I went to The Vast Hoard for designer paper because I really need to use it.  These papers are retired Stampin' Up and not necessarily favorites, but the colors worked well enough.

 

Inside is a combination of two sentiments in the set.  A cute font and a nice thing to say in a card.

Pictured below is a cute stamp set for a random prize winner.  The team votes on creative favorites.  Such a difficult task, but we're dedicated to the process.

Come on down to the Double D Challenge!  You know we love to see your stuff and we hope you'll enjoy our samples, too.

Wishing you a sunflower kind of day!

Stamps:  Stampendous Pop Sunflower  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White hot press 140 lb watercolor, Cougar vanilla, PTI Dark Chocolate, retired SU designer paper  Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Rich Cocoa (inside sentiment)  Coloring:  Tombow markers and homemade blender  Dies:  Hero Arts Wood Frame, Paper Smooches Hello Words  Other:  Tim Holtz Sizzix Lumber 3D embossing folder, detail clear embossing powder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Playing Cards with Michele

Oh, what fun, my bloggie friend, Michele (I Card Everyone), invited me to play cards with her today!  That means she gives us a to-do list and we each make a card following those specifics.  Then share on the assigned day.  It's the next best thing to being there!

Today is World Bee Day and here's our to-do list:

1. Make a card that includes a honeybee.
2. Flowers are welcome, but not necessary.
3. Add a honeycomb, the color yellow, or black and yellow stripes.

I had just the thing:  A never-been-used Stampendous Bumblebee Happy stamp set.  Yes, they're bumblebees, but I did my best to make them appear as simply very plump honeybees.

They're well fed and a fully stocked honeycomb is evidence of that.  Surely they're not getting all their sustenance from those little white flowers?

All coloring was done with Copics.  I added Wink of Stella to their wings, and Stickles Stardust glitter glue to the flower centers.  Maybe you can see how their eyes are glossy little bubbles.  That's from an approximately 20 year old bottle of JudiKins Diamond Glaze.  The dies are oldies -- a flower border plus flowers from another die set which is super cute in its own right.

You probably know Michele -- sweet, funny, kind, and a talented card maker with a lean toward CAS.  I've been waiting quite a while to see her card.  I'm sure it's a sweet make, a honey of a card, a bee-u-tiful design...  Let's go look HERE.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by.  I hope you had fun, too!

Stamps:  Stampendous Bumblebee Happy  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, black, Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Stickles Stardust Glitter Glue, Wink of Stella, JudiKins Diamond Glaze, Joy Crafts Happy Border die, Spellbinders Homespun (flower & leaves)

Two Birds on a Branch

Hello and welcome back!

It's time for another Christmas card.  I didn't think this one would survive the wastebasket, but I rescued it.  Suffice to say the bird oval was cut away from the original card and placed on this much simpler, cleaner card.  It's Stampendous Heavenly Birds stamp.

Lately I've had a distressing number of cards ending up in the round file.

After gold embossing the birds (last year) I colored (this year) with Tombow markers and homemade blender.  I added a dry embossed layer to the card base, then topped with the birds, a Lawn Fawn sentiment with banner, and gold and white branches for accent.  Everything is listed in the recipe below.

I'm playing along in two challenges today:

Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge #25 --  It's always anything goes, but they have a lovely inspiration board.
NBUS Challenge #43 -- Never before used schtuff.  It took a year to finish the card, but it's still a first time use.

 

Thanks ever so much for stopping by today.  I'm behind in visiting due to three days of taking care of business, then two days down with my back.  I'm pretty sure I hurt it in the garden when I lifted something that seemed easy enough at the time.  Sure fooled me.  Anyhoo, it's very difficult to sit at the computer for any length of time.  I'll heal soon and be back to business as usual.  Take care!

Stamps:  Stampendous Heavenly Birds, Lawn Fawn Winter Wavy Sayings  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, gold mirror, Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White  Ink:  Versamark, SU Rose Red  Coloring:  Tombow markers and homemade blender  Other:  Ranger Princess Gold embossing powder, Cuttlebug Heritage Collection embossing folder, SU Subtle 3D embossing folder (card base), Lawn Cuts (Lawn Fawn) Wavy Banners, Sue Wilson Delicate Fronds, Memory Box Hayden Twigs

Rose Teacup

Hi!  I'm playing in The Flower Challenge today.  They're asking for sparkle and I had this not-yet-used Rose Teacup set from Stampendous on my table.  What a fun combination.  It's only been in the basket for a year, I believe.  🙄

I white-embossed the stamps and watercolored with Spectrum Noir sparkle pens.  There's lots more sparkle than you can see here.  I love those pens!  The stick-on butterfly has glittery wings and a rhinestone body that refracts the light nicely, too.

White on white for the background with a delicately die cut oval frame.  I don't know the name of the frame die because it was in a package of die cuts sent by a friend.  All the images were hand cut.  The bouquet that fills the cup is popped up.

Two challenges:

The Flower Challenge #72 - Add Sparkle    My sparkle is in the watercoloring with Spectrum Noir sparkle pens, and in the glitter on the butterfly.
NBUS Challenge #42  The Stampendous Rose Teacup is out of the package for the first time.

 

Thank you for coming today.  Take good care and I will hope to see you again soon.