Joy - Inkspirational Challenge

I saw the inspiration photo at Inkspirational Challenges and immediately was drawn to the pillow with "Joy" on the front of it.  I have a die that I've been playing around with and some pattern paper scraps from a recent virtual crop.  I mashed them together for today's card.  

I used the pattern papers for my background, and the back of a pattern paper that was solid (with a little variation in the color) for my "joy" die.  But I continued that pattern paper theme to cut the small dies within my large sentiment die.  You can see the tiny variation in color on the inlaid pieces.  I used a red buffalo plaid which had three variations of reds, a sweater print for my greens which had two different tones and those tiny white pieces of some flecks of cream. 

This was a fun card for me, as I love piecing dies together.  

I hope you find some time to create today!  

Debbie

Supplies Used - Joy

Stamps and Dies:  Holly Jolly Dies (Concord & 9th);

Paper: Ivory Cardstock (Neenah); Cozy Christmas Pattern Paper (Fancy Pants);

Other: Enamel Dots (Fancy Pants);

Never Before Used

Guilty!

That's me.  Guilty of seeing a stamp set, die set, technique involving product and jumping to buy but not use for months and sometimes years.  Does that sound familiar to you.  

When I saw the NBUS challenge at Little Red Wagon, I looked at my craft space and there was a jar of Transfer Gel Duo and and Deco Foil on a side table.  They've been there for months with the intention to create a card, and so I did.  

I do love mixing products from different companies.  For this one I used a stencil with that gel, let it dry, and then ran the foil through my die cut machine.  I was surprised by the result and a little sorry I hadn't tried this technique sooner.  Look at that shine! 

I paired this up with a stamp from a different crafty company.  Love the end result.  

And I won't lie . . . I have a "hot foil" system which is also unboxed.  If I could only quit my day job.  

I hope you find some time to create today.  

Debbie

Supplies Used - Shine

Stamps and Dies:  Mug Shots Stamp Set and Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight, Pixie Dust and Garden Party Ink (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: Solar White Cardstock (Neenah);

Other: Loveladies Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs); Mugs Stencil (Newton's Nook); Transfer Gel Duo (Deco Foil); Lime Craft Foil (Deco Foil);

P is for Patterned Paper

I took a break from creating for challenges for a while.  A new job has been getting in my way the last couple of months.  But I'm back with a card using pattern paper, inspired by the challenge at Alphabet Challenge Blog.  I used 8 sheets of a 6 x 6 pad for this one . . . 

I love a paper pack with the same pattern in a variety of colors.  

I hope you find some time to create!  

Debbie

Supplies Used - So Thankful for You

Stamps and Dies:  Front Porch Stamp Set and Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs); Cornerstone Seal Die (Memory Box);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight, Icing on the Cake, Lemongrass, Orange Peel, Rouge, Sage, Queen for a Day (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: Premium White Cardstock and Urban Plaid Paper Pack (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Other: Crater Lake Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs);

 

Hey Happy Camper!

 I took a few days off and was able to do some crafting.  Created this card inspired by Time Out Challenges where the challenge was to use a colored card base.  

I had card bases left from my Concord & 9th summer camp session, so I paired them up with some of the stamps to create this card.  

I had a blast creating this card and pairing all the colors together.  Such a fun set! 

I hope you find some time to create today.  

Debbie

Supplies Used - Hey Happy Camper

Stamps and Dies:  Happy Camper Turnabout Stamp Set and Dies (Concord & 9th);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: Midnight, White, Honeysuckle, Stardust, Clover, Evergreen, Peacock, Mushroom, Wheat Cardstock (Concord & 9th);

Other: Sequin Mix (Concord & 9th);

Splish-splash - Play in the Puddles

I had my eye on a number of challenges this past week, so I had to play around with the prompt at The Daring Cardmakers to create a card with a water theme.  I went with water in the form of rain and puddles, and I squished them on a slim line card so I'd have some height for those rain clouds. 

I stamped my critters (large and small) on brown cardstock and paper pieced their little umbrellas. I used a white gel pen to highlight a few areas on them.  They are all posed in their puddles. And that poor bear doesn't stand a chance of staying dry with that tiny little umbrella. 

Rain in the form of sequins.  

I hope you find some time to create!  

Debbie

Supplies Used - When Life Gives You Rain Slim Line

Stamps and Dies:  Puddle Play Stamp Set and Dies and April Showers Stamp Set and Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Black Jack, Cummerbund, and Midnight (Catherine Pooler Inks); Tuxedo Black (Memento); Copic Markers;

Paper:  Premium White Cardstock and A Little Drizzle Pattern Paper (Catherine Pooler Designs); Soft Suede Cardstock (Stampin' Up); Solar White (Neenah);

Other: Uniball Signo White Gel Pen; Portland Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs);

H is for Happy!

I was inspired by The Alphabet Challenge to create a card with the word "happy".  And so here is a little dose of happy . . .  

A mix of all things in my stash from all the varying companies. 

 Lots of color for this one.  

I hope you find some time to create!

Debbie

Supplies Used - A Little Dose of Happy

Stamps and Dies:  Stitched So Sweetly Dies (Stampin' Up); Random Act of Cardness Stamp Set (Close To My Heart);

Ink & Embossing:  Royal Treatment (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock and Black Glitter Cardstock (Close To My Heart); Peaceful Poppies DSP and Ridh Razzleberry Cardstock (Stampin' Up);

Other: Cincinnati Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Rise & Shine

Today's card was inspired by Time Out Challenges where the prompt was "Hungry"!   For this one I created breakfast for two on a gingham table top.

I will not lie, I had a great tie creating this one.  I used pattern paper for the tablecloth and plates.  I used a black glitter paper for my cast iron skillet. 

I used Nuvo drops for my syrup and Liquid Glass for my egg yolks.  

And I didn't have to do dishes after this one.  

Rise & shine crafty people!  I hope you find some time to create.  

Debbie

Supplies Used - Rise & Shine

Stamps and Dies:  Rise and Shine Stamp Set and Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs); Let's BBQ Stamp Set and Dies (Lawn Fawn);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight, Sauna, Shea Butter, Rouge, Juniper Mist, Eucalyptus, Icing on the Cake (Catherine Pooler Inks); Izink Titanium Pigment;

Paper:  Premium White Cardstock and Great Start Paper Pack (Catherine Pooler Designs); Black Glitter Paper (Close To My Heart);

Other: Liquid Glass (Close To My Heart); Limoncello Jewel Drops (Nuvo);

Sky and Sea for Just Add Ink

This current challenge at Just Add Ink is to create a card choosing two from the prompts sky, sea and trees.  I went with sky and sea for this card, and created a scene across three panels.  

I started by creating the sea and sky across all of my panels which were sized for an A2 card.  I tried to keep them well-aligned.  My front scene has the sand castle. 

You can just see that puffin peeking out from behind the castle as he flutters in the air. 

I adore that little crab!  Peeking behind that panel is another little puffin on the beach. 

So sea and sky!  

I hope you find some time to create today.  

Debbie

Supplies Used - Happy Birthday Level Fold

Stamps and Dies:  Puffin Party Stamp Set and Dies and Rocky Cove Die (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight, Tiara, Orange Twist, Over Coffee, Flirty Fuchsia, Rockin' Red,  Aquatini, Lime Rickey, Something Borrowed, Twilight (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: Premium White Cardstock (Catherine Pooler Designs); Gingersnap Cardstock (The Stamps of Life);

Other: Ocean Wave Stencil (Lawn Fawn); Cloud Stencil (My Favorite Things); Portland Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs); Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (Stampin' Up);

Sunshine!

While making this card, I wondered why I don't have a wheelbarrow of flowers in my front yard. This card was inspired by the prompt at Little Red Wagon which was "Walking on Sunshine". 

I turned this into a shaker, and while no one is walking, I want to walk here!  I don't have a green thumb, or I might consider this for my yard.  

Can you tell I love sparkle?  

I hope you find some time to create today.  

Debbie

Supplies Used - Sending a Little Sunshine Shaker

Stamps and Dies:  Sunshine Mini Cover Plate Die, Gardeners Greetings Stamp Set and Dies, Grass Border Die and April Showers Stamp Set and Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Copic Markers; Izink Titanium Pigment;

Paper: Wheatgrass and Black Cardstock (American Crafts); Solar White (Neenah); Great Start Pattern Paper (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Other: Williamsburg Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs); Diamond Stickles (Ranger);

CAS Card w/Flowers

A CAS card for CAS on Friday.

 I've had these stamps and the coordinating punch in my stash for a long time.  Seemed perfect for a CAS card.  

I always struggle with CAS.  I have a need to put stuff everywhere.  I did my best to refrain. 

Whatever you do, make time to create!  

Debbie

Supplies Used - You Are Simply the Best

Stamps and Dies:  Varied Vases Stamp Set and Punch (Stampin' Up);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight, Grape Crush, Mardi Gras, Coral Cabana and Limoncello (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: Pitch Black Cardstock (Hero Arts); White Daisy Cardstock (Close To My Heart);

Other: Paisley Park Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Puffin Get Well Card for TGIF

TGIF Challenges this week was a technique challenge to have a peek-a-boo window.  I had some fun fashioning this get well card from a stamp set with critters and colorful pieces, a sentiment set with some cool dies, and a cover plate die with windows.  My card starts with a puffin in flight . . . 

And ends with the little guy on his feet (well, at least on one foot). 

Those puffins are just too fun.  And that little crab is so cute.  

I hope you find some time to create!

Debbie

Supplies Used - Hope You're Back on Your Feet Soon

Stamps and Dies:  Puffin Party Stamp Set and Dies, Doodle Window Slimline Die, Typed Up Sentiments and Sentiment Banner Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight, Tiara, Orange Twist, Over Coffee, Flirty Fuchsia, Rockin' Red,  Aquatini, Twilight (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: Premium White Cardstock and Best Friend Paper (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Other: Portland Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs); Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (Stampin' Up);

Happy Birthday to One Fineapple!

Inspired by Little Red Wagon, I pulled a card kit and created this card. 

 

I used pattern paper to cut my shadow pieces, and the grain of the pineapple was cut with black cardstock that was embossed with some Wow powder.  I do love that you can see the patterns within that pineapple. 

A sentiment - and clean and simple.  

I hope you are able to find time to create today!  

Debbie

Supplies Used - Happy Birthday to One Fineapple

Stamps and DieHappple2stamp dies (The Stamps of Life)

Embossing Powder (Wow), Clear Embossing Powder (Ranger);

Paper: Cardstock and Pattern Paper(March Card Kit from The Stamps of Life)

 

Easy Simple Card for Alphabet Challenge Blog

The challenge at Alphabet Challenge Blog was E is for Easy Simple Card.  

 

I don't do a lot of easy cards, but I'm always reminded that they can be just as effective to the recipient, so I didn't have a problem pulling it off.  I grabbed one of my old card kits from the stack and created a little something.  I only had to add ink and use a paper trimmer for this one.   The kit included some puffy bow stickers, and so I created some gift boxes from the pattern paper, inked the edges, and popped the bows on. 

 

 

A stamped sentiment . . . and DONE!  A birthday card ready to go. 

 

I hope you found some time to create today, and if not, there is always tomorrow.  

 

Debbie

 

Supplies Used - On This Special Day

Stamps and Dies:  Sentiment Stamps*

Ink:  Icing on the Cake (Catherine Pooler Inks)

Paper: Cardstock and Pattern Paper*

Other:  Bow Puffy Sticker*

 

* From The Stamps of Life February 2019 Card Kit

 

 

Merry Christmas - Gnome Shaker

I have a few gnome stamps, but decided to go holidays for this one.  This card was inspired by Shopping Our Stash.  And not just one gnome . . . but three.  Two are posing as elves.  One is posing as an elf in a tree costume?  

I decided to angle them and pop them into a shaker as if they are all trying to give silly greetings.  

 

I hope you find some time to create.  

Debbie

Supplies Used - Merry Christmas Shaker

Stamps and Dies:  Gnome for the Holidays Stamp Set (Simon Says Stamp); Picture Frame Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight (Catherine Pooler Ink); Copic Markers;

Paper: Kringle & Co. Pattern Paper (Photoplay); Schoolhouse Red Cardstock (Simon Says Stamp); Midnight Cardstock (Catherine Pooler); Solar White (Neenah);

Other: Acetate (Newton's Nook); Merry Confetti Mix (Pretty Pink Posh); Very Cherry Sprinkletz (Buttons Galore & More);

Faithful Friend

 There was still time to play along with The Card Concept.  When I saw the inspiration photo, I immediately thought of one of my go to boxes for masculine cards which has an anchor die in it. I've had this box of supplies for over three years, and I'm still creating cards with it.  I went for a clean and graphic look for this one . . .

Of course I was inspired by the anchor in that red pillow . . . well, and all that red in the pillow.  I used that as my guide.

After I finished the card, I had wished I bordered it in navy glue to get to the true look of the pillow.  But it was "too glued down" at that point.  So here we are!  

I hope you find some time to create today.  

Debbie

 

 

Supplies Used -Faithful Friend/Sure Anchor

Stamps and Dies:  Sayings4Sailboats and Sailboat Dies (The Stamps of Life)

Ink & Embossing: Versamark; White Embossing Powder (Ranger);

Pape:  Cardstock and Pattern Paper from The Stamps of Life February 2018 Card Kit

Other: Ribbon, Twine and Wood Embellishments  (The Stamps of Life February 2018 Card Kit); 

 

Inspired by a Cookie

 I think this may be my first time playing along with If You Give a Crafter a Cookie.  I knew I had a stamp that fit the image, so I got to work stamping and paper piecing my sloth.  I was inspired by the sloth cookie in the picture. 

And I used one of my favorite techniques which is paper piecing to crate my little guy from pattern paper. 

I hope you find some time to create today.

Debbie

Supplies Used - Wishing You a Chill Birthday

Most supplies from The Stamps of Life Card Kit - July 2018

Additional supplies:  Midnight and Icing on the Cake Ink (Catherine Pooler Inks); sloths2stamp Stamp Set and Dies (The Stamps of Life); Onyx Pearl Liquid Pearls (Ranger);

Favorite Birthday Guy

I created my own background for Cardz 4 Guys. This one was created on regular cardstock using a baby wipe that I had used to clean a background stamp.  I didn't use the background stamp on this card, just the baby wipe and ink that was cleaned off.    I bunched it up and smooshed it on my white cardstock and kept shifting and pressing. 

Once dried, brought in a stencil and used some glitter gel to add some additional texture. 

And then it was all sentiments from there . . . stamps and a die.  I stacked my die, and have one layer of green that is slightly offset. 

I struggle with masculine cards, so this was a win!  

I hope you find some time to create today.  

Debbie

 

Supplies Used - Favorite Birthday

Stamps and Dies:  Favorite Word Die and My Favorite Sentiments Stamp Set (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight, Lime Rickey, Something Borrowed, and Fiesta Blue (Catherine Pooler Ink);

Paper: Premium White and Midnight Cardstock (Catherine Pooler); Green Pattern Paper from scrap stash;

Other: Star Stencil (Catherine Pooler Designs); White Glitz Glitter Gel (Gina K Designs); Cats and Bats Dots (Close To My Heart);

 

 

 

 

 

Taking the Postive with the Negative - Take 5

It's time for another positive/negative die creation.  I just can't throw out the parts. 

The prompt at Inspirational Challenges is "Triangles".  I decided to play with a die in my stash that is a circle, but has triangles in the design of the die.  Hard to know what was truly positive and negative on this one.  But here is where I ended up.  

First, I created a background  using watercolor paper and a large background stamp.  I used distress oxide inks and created some "generational" backgrounds.  This is one of the three.  I trimmed it down and then my used my die to create that focal point. 

Love the colors of the ink on this one.  I married it with other embellishments in my stash and some sentiments and dies. 

And of course, I can't throw away "the pieces"!  And so a second card . . . 

Love them both, but the second one!  LOVE!  

Want to see more examples of positive/negative creations, check out these posts.  

I hope you find some time to create today.

Debbie
 

Supplies Used - Hello - Happy Day

Stamps and Dies:  Simple Greetings Dies, Party Print Circle Die, Cottage Garden Background Stamp and Pick Your Pot Stamp Set (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Wilted Violet, Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide (Ranger); Midnight (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Paper: Pixie Cardstock (The Stamps of Life); Watercolor Cardstock (Ranger); Solar White (Neenah);

Other:  Romance Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs); Grape Shimmer Trim (Close To My Heart); 

 

Supplies Used - Thank You

Stamps and Dies:  Simple Greetings Die, Layered Greetings Stamp Set, Party Print Circle Die, Cottage Garden Background Stamp (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Wilted Violet, Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide (Ranger); Midnight (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Paper: Premium White Cardstock (Catherine Pooler); Watercolor Cardstock (Ranger);

Other:  Romance Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs);

 

 

 

 

Just Add G . . .

 It was Just Add G at Just Add Ink.  I managed to add some G and some ink!  

 I went with gumdrops for my card.  And I added a lot of sparkle because gumdrops are sparkly with sugar! 

And some extra G''s for Goody, Goody! 

I also dug and used some old items in my stash.  I hope you found some time to create today!  

Debbie

Supplies Used - Goody, Goody Gumdrops

Stamps and Dies:  labels4jars, sayings4jars, jars2stamp Dies (The Stamps of Life); Step Up Dies (Sizzix);

Ink:  Various Markers (The Stamps of Life); Midnight and Orange Twist (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper:  Cardstock and Pattern Paper*, Silver Cardstock (Bazzill)

Other:  Stickles (Ranger), Twine and Epoxy Dots*

 

* From The Stamps of Life January 2019 Card Kit

Always Fun - Old and New

 I combined old and new, which was the inspirational prompt at Always Fun Challenges.  This creation will be presented to my mom for Mother's Day.  

The old is the Deco Label Frame dies (which I still love to use).  I think they've been in my stash a good eight years.   

The new is the Wrapped Bouquet stamps and dies.  

Really love the way that frame die showcases my bouquet of flowers.  

I hope you find some time to create today.  

Debbie

Supplies Used - Happy Mothers Day

Stamps and Dies:  Deco Labels Dies and Wrapped Bouquet Stamp Set and Wrapped Flowers Dies (Stampin' Up);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight Ink (Catherine Pooler Inks);

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock (Close To My Heart); Oh So Ombre DSP (Stampin' Up); Rockin' Red Prints (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Other: Big Apple Sequin Mix and Cookies and Cream Twine (Catherine Pooler Designs); Simply White Crystal Drops (Nuvo);

"Float" Inspired at Just Us Girls

The inspirational quote at Just Us Girls was Float.  I decided to play along with stamps and dies in my stash from The Stamps of Life.  And so two cards with "floats" . . .

For this one I used some pattern paper to encourage cheerfulness and went with a fairly solid colored dragon float that I stamped on pattern paper. 

For my second card, I went with a busy pattern paper design and the unicorn flat.  The bright colors in the paper seemed perfect for a unicorn! The sentiment was tucked into the float. 

I hope you find some time to create today!  

Debbie

 

Supplies Used - Just Keep Swimming

Stamps and Dies:  Floaties Stamp Set and Dies (The Stamps of Life);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight (Catherine Pooler Ink);

Paper: Guava Cardstock and Cheerful Pattern Paper (The Stamps of Life);

Other: Flamenco Beach Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs);

 

Supplies Used - You've Got This

Stamps and Dies:  Floaties Stamp Set and Dies (The Stamps of Life);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight (Catherine Pooler Ink);

Paper: Midnight Cardstock and Cheerful Pattern Paper (The Stamps of Life);

Other: Tybee Island Sequin Mix (Catherine Pooler Designs);

 

Thinking of You - Inspired by a Rose

Little Red Wagon's challenge this week was to smell the roses.  So I stopped for a bit to create some roses. 

But there was no rosy scent to take in . . .  

 

I do love the lift of those rose dies and the border they created.  

For the scent, I ended up in my kitchen and took in the scent of my Meyer's Clean Day Rose Scented  Multi-surface cleaner.  My kitchen counter is clean.  

I hope you find some time to create!  

Debbie

Supplies Used - Thinking of You

Stamps and Dies:  Pair of Roses Dis, Sealed with a Kiss Stamp Set and Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs);

Ink & Embossing:  Midnight (Catherine Pooler Inks); Copic Markers;

Paper:  Premium White Cardstock (Catherine Pooler); Red Pattern Paper from my scrap stash (using crap I have);  Silver Foil Paper (Close To My Heart);

Other:  Valentines Day Sparklets (Buttons Galore);