Brand New! The Four Seasons Challenge -- September

There's a new challenge in town and I think you're going to like it!  It's The Four Seasons Challenge, and the idea is that every three months the challenge will change with the seasons.  September, October, and November are the fall months, and so that's our current challenge -- anything fall.  I love fall cards!  We have a different inspiration board each month, but you're not required to use it.  I think a lot of us really do enjoy having that board for sparking ideas.  I know I do!  Have a look at this month's board:

There's a lot of pretty fall inspiration on that board!  I chose apples for my card:

I hope to use this challenge as an excuse to really play with the things in my stamp room.  Today I chose one of the many sketches from my Pinterest board and layered up some die cuts and designer papers to support the colorful crate full of apples (Power Poppy digi).  I even added ribbon (oh, happy day!) and some linen thread.  It's important to note that I used 65 lb cardstock for the card base so I could avoid a too-heavy card with the layers.  I like to keep the overall mailing weight no more than an ounce.

I traced and hand cut the circle with the image going slightly out of the box.  Coloring was done with Tombow markers and my homemade blender pen on watercolor paper.

Come and play with us.  It's going to be fun!  See fabulous team samples on The Four Seasons Challenge Blog, and while you're there do say "hi" to Darlene and Diane -- the blog owners/dreamers/administrators.  Happy fall y'all!

Stamps:  Power Poppy All Things Apples digi and Feeling Fall clear stamp set (sentiment)  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah 110 lb white for chicken wire, SU Whisper White for sentiment flag, Studio Light Wonderful Autumn DP for background, BasicGrey Scarlett's Letter DP for striped panels, Neenah 65 lb white for card base  Ink:  Printer, SU Close to Cocoa for sentiment  Coloring:  Tombow markers and homemade blender, Copic E08 for coloring chicken wire  Other:  Ribbon, linen thread, Cheery Lynn Chicken Wire Frame, Die-namics Stitched Cover Up Companion, Spellbinders Nested Pennants, circle die for tracing image panel

Dragonfly Delight

So, here we are, practically the end of summer and I've got summer stamps yet to be colored.  No matter.  I'll be making fall and winter cards with spring and summer sprinkled in between.  Sound good?

Today's card is using a Creative Expressions Designer Boutique stamp called Dragonfly Delight.  I bought my first Creative Expressions stamp earlier this year, colored it, loved it, and went back for more.

I used my MISTI for stamping the image and sentiment simultaneously.  Embossed with Princess Gold EP and colored with Tombow water-based markers and my homemade blender solution.  I left the background all clean and white, but drew a border with an ultra-fine tip Sharpie.  These flowers look like daffodils, but the leaves are definitely not daffodil leaves, so maybe they're something else.  Any guesses?  Nevertheless, they're beautiful and this was a quick and fun image to color.

I never plan on being late with a birthday card, but, in fact, I was late with one this month.  Now I'll be ready in case it happens again.

Sending my dragonfly over to Darnell's NBUS Challenge #29 (never before used schtuff).

Wishing you a wonderful week full of all the things you love.  See you soon!

Stamps:  Creative Expressions Dragonfly Delight  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor  Ink:  Versamark  Coloring:  Tombow markers and homemade blender  Other:  Ranger Princess Gold embossing powder, ultra-fine tip Sharpie for border

Final Twofer Challenge: Dog/Cat

I just had to put everything else aside and make time to play in Darnell's Final Twofer Challenge.  We all know how Life requires us to step back from extra responsibilities now and then, and Darnell has made the most wise decision for her.

The theme this month is Dog/Cat.  I recently searched Amazon for oldie Inkadinkado woodblock stamps and purchased a small variety.  I could not resist this Golden Retriever puppy because it looks exactly like both Wally and LuLu at that age.  I'm using it for the first time here.  I have a hugs/thinking of you card and a new puppy card.

I'm making an effort to use more of my patterned papers.  I just finished going through every bit of it, sheet by sheet, pulling out the sheets I don't care for, and keeping only what I love.  I could not believe all the fabulous papers I've been overlooking, tsk tsk.  The puppy hugs card below is a quite mix of patterns.  I used a sketch I saved on Pinterest... easy and fun and a favorite thing to do in my stamp room.

The new puppy card below is not my most favorite card ever.  I like the idea of a new puppy card, but this one is too much of a good thing.  Just saying... things happen and then no time to start over, you know?

I'm not listing supplies because the list for two cards would be forever long.  I do, however, have three things that are being used for the first time:  Inkadinkado Puppy, Amy Design Baby Carriage, and Cottage Cutz Picket Fence Mini.

Twofer Challenge #41, Final Challenge -- Dog/cat

NBUS Challenge #29

Thanks so much, Darnell, for 4 years of a unique and fun challenge, and thank you everyone else for dropping in.  It's been fun!

CAS Mix Up Reminder -- Stamping Through Stencil

Welcome, friends!  Due to home circumstances I missed out on the initial post for this particular CAS Mix Up, but I'm here for the reminder today.  This is stencil month for us and Jenny is hosting a cool technique -- stamping through a stencil.  It's a lot like masking, which has always felt magical to me.  I love the moment I lift that mask and see how things turned out.

Check the CAS Mix Up blog for instructional video links.

When I made this card my stamp room was still a disheveled mess from our renovations and everything I pulled out made things worse.  However, one day I was visiting a friend and, long story short, I ended up making it at her house with her things and, goodness, was I ever grateful!

I'll admit I made this in a hurry -- quick choices, quick work -- but that just goes to show it doesn't have to take all afternoon to make a card (the way I so often do).  I used two different splatter stamps because, honestly, I couldn't get any of my other choices to stamp through the stencil.  It was just a bit too thick.  This is a definite "try again" technique!  You'll be inspired to try it, too, when you see all the team samples.

We're fortunate to have two very talented guest designers sharing their skills this month -- Bobby and Michele.  Thanks so much for visiting today!  See you again soon!

Stamps:  SU Gorgeous Grunge and French Script sets  Paper:  SU Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Basic Black  Ink:  Distress Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, and Peacock Feathers  Other:  Memory Box Hello Banner

Sunny Day Sunflowers

Oh, my goodness, I can't believe I forgot about this card, and I had such fun making it!  It's the last of the sunflower cards I made with my Stampendous Sunflowers set.  I used quite a few of the stamps on this one, including those little ladybugs.  So cute! 

I embossed with Ranger Princess Gold, then watercolored with Stampin' Up inks.  The Mintay papers include ephemera that can be cut out and used however you desire, and in this case I stamped the sentiment on a little framed piece.  It may take a while longer than a CAS card, but I have to say that the design process has always been one of my favorite aspects of card making. 

I'm going to send my jar of sunflowers over as a second entry in the Double D Mason Jar Challenge.

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope we can do this again real soon.

Stamps:  Stampendous Pop Sunflowers  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah card base and cross stitched mat, SU Bordering Blue, Mintay Bloomville designer paper  Ink:  Versamark, various SU inks for watercoloring, Memento Tuxedo Black sentiment  Other:  Ranger Princess Gold embossing powder, SU slot punch for scallop border, Memory Box Cross Stitched Frame Borders, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Mason Jar Challenge at Double D

Happy Monday to you!  I have a card today that speaks "summer" in the most refreshing way.  I made it specifically so I could play along in the Double D Mason Jar Challenge.  I have several stamps that could play in the challenge, but glad I remembered this Graciellie digi that's been printed up and sitting in my digi box for... oh, I don't know... maybe a year or so, sheesh.  It's called Mason Jar Watermelon.

It's just a fun stamp you don't have to get too serious about.  I colored it with Copic markers and added a designer paper border with real ric rac.  I'm super pleased about that!  For embellishment I have some cute flower sequins that match the flower print in the ric rac.

Pictured below is the pretty mood board for the Double D Challenge.  They always inspire me!  I'm also sharing at Darnell's NBUS challenge because of the not-yet-used Mason jar digi.

Double D Mason Jar Challenge

NBUS Challenge #29 (never before used schtuff)

 

I've been enjoying a little card making the last few days, even though my new desk is not yet put together.  It will be soon.  First I have to clear the floor so we can work on it.  So many things to do!

Stay safe and well, please.  You are loved.

Stamps:  Graciellie Designs Mason Jar Watermelon digi, Power Poppy sentiment (retired)  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, My Mind's Eye 'Notable' designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Ric rac, Queen & Co flower sequins

Flower Frame on Wood

Hello, there!  Popping in to say... I haven't stamped in forever, but I still have some cards to share.  A while back I bought a bunch of new Stampendous sets and so far have played with only two of them.  However, I made several cards and sure had fun doing it!  Pictured below is Flower Frame.

Earlier I shared another card with this set, entirely different, but also very fun.  Today's card uses the full frame, quickly colored with Copics and laid out on some cute wood grain paper.  I surprised myself by remembering to use a couple of my screw brads.  They're not just for guy cards!  I also applied Wink of Stella shimmer to the petals and Viva Decor Glass Effects Gel to the flower centers and all those little floating dots.

I can't remember which sentiment I used on the inside.  Probably "Have a happy day".  I don't see the card in my card box, so I must have mailed it already.

I'll be so glad to get back to normal stamping activities.  Wally and LuLu are both doing well.  LuLu will probably always have a slight disability in her leg, but she manages quite well.  I have ordered a new stamp room desk from Wayfair.  Still waiting.  Also, I have early carpal tunnel in my right hand.  Makes it difficult and/or painful to type or color or do most anything for any period of time.  I won't go on about it because it seems like there's always something lately and I'd rather focus on happier things -- such as sorting out my room to get ready for my new desk!

Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Stampendous Flower Frame  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 110 lb, Polkadoodles Peeling Paint designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Screw brads, Wink of Stella, Viva Decor Glass Effects Gel, Spellbinders Classic Ovals Small

Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge -- August

Is it really August already?  Time flies and we're going to get earnest about fall cards soon, but I'm feeling more ready because I've been in a monthly Halloween groove all year thanks to the Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge.

Today's card is fun and girly in a witchy kind of way.  I colored a new-to-me Bugaboo digi and gave it a non-Halloween sentiment which seems to work pretty well with the shoe.

The inspiration board gives us a nice variety of jumping off points.  I based my card loosely on the cupcake photo because I had a hankerin' to color the shoe.

The "fantastic" is cut from orange glitter paper.  The zigzag stitch is an old Hero Arts stamp.  I added blue and orange gems, a glitter resin dot, and some Wink of Stella which doesn't show in the photo.  Coloring was done with Tombow markers and a blender pen.

Come see us at Two Old Bats and share your Halloween card or project in the gallery.  We were so pleased to have an increased number of players with lots of fabulous entries in our July challenge.  Have a fantastic day! 

Stamps:  Bugaboo Heels Witches Shoe digi, Verve Simply Amazing, Hero Arts zig zag stitch  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, orange glitter cardstock, other white card base, DCWV Happy Halloween mat stack  Ink:  Printer, SU Not Quite Navy  Coloring:  Tombow markers and blender pen  Other:  Rhinestones, Doodlebug Halloween Sprinkles (glitter resin dot on tag), Wink of Stella, Verve Amazing Adjectives die, Sizzix Fancy Tags