Seize the Birthday - This Way

 

Happy Monday!

I'm hoping this week will be a little more creative than last week.  I'm coming off of a very creative weekend, so fingers crossed I can continue it while balancing things in the office. 

I recently came across a new challenge called Seize The Birthday.  It appears they usually have sketch challenges, but this week was an "Anything Goes Challenge."

I decided to play along, and here is my design . . .

I used supplies from February's Simon Says Stamp Card set.  The paper was so bright and fun, it was perfect for a birthday card.  I stamped the sentiment using colors to match the dots on the paper.  The chipboard arrows were painted with white paint.  I then embossed them using Stampin' Up's Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  Two layers and I got plenty of sparkle and shine! 

Loving the colors, and I adore those arrows. 

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Bazzill from February Simon Says Stamp Card Kit

Pattern Paper:  Basic Grey from February SSS Kit

Stamps:  Thinking of You from February SSS Kit

Ink:  Stampin' Up and Versamark

Other:  Chipboard Arrows from Maya Road, Ranger Blank Canvas Acrylic Paint - both from February SSS Kit

Tools; Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

You Fill My Day With Sunshine - Freshly Made Sketches

This week's sketch at Freshly Made Sketches has been calling to me all week. 

 I just love the edginess of this sketch.  And my March Simon Says Stamp Card Kit had arrived, so it was time to break the seal and get busy.  Here is my design . . .

In addition to my new card kit, I had some new ink that I wanted to try out from Avery Elle.  It's a pigment ink, which is something I've not used in a long time.  My complaint has always been that pigment inks take forever to dry.  However, that said, in the last several months, I've rediscovered my heat gun.  In doing so, I am embossing everything under the sun.  So in an effort to dry my pigment ink, I'm just clear embossing while it's still wet.  So the pigment inks are making a revival in my card making. 

I would say that this sketch is a keeper . . . and the contents of my March kit will keep me busy this month. 

Supplies Used - Sunshine

Cardstock:  Bazzill from March Simon Says Stamp Card Kit

Pattern Paper:  Lawn Fawn from March SSS Kit

Stamps:  Color and Sunshine from March SSS Kit

Ink:  Versafine and Avery Elle

Other:  Sequins from SSS Kit; Clear Embossing Powder from Stampin' Up

Merry Christmas for Mojo Monday

Last week was incredibly busy at work.  I always notice that when I'm busy at work, and exhausted at night, there is no "creating" happening throughout the week.  It definitely leaves me feeling "blah!"

Yesterday I spent the day with friends at a crop, and it allowed the opportunity for me to get my crafting mojo back.  And today, what better way to celebrate my mojo return than creating a card for Mojo Monday.  Here is the sketch . . .

And here is my card . . .

  

I combined stamps from three sets to create this card.  The stitching is from Paper Smooches.  The candy cane is from The Stamps of Life.  The sentiment is from Precious Remembrance. 

 

Supplies Used - Merry, Mojo Monday

Cardstock:  Neenah

Pattern Paper:  October Afternoon

Stamps:  Paper Smooches, Precious Remembrance, The Stamps of Life

Dies:  Sizzix

Ink:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Button from October Afternoon, Cord Twine from Lawn Fawn

Triple Play for Heart 2 Heart

It was Triple Play time at Heart 2 Heart this week.  Since the challenge was released on the third day of the third month, the challenges is to use three of something on your card.

So I used three hearts and three sequins. 

I used items from the Lollydoodle Cardmaking kit to make this card, and combined it with the Wild About Love stamp set (super cute foxes).

Love the soft colors that coordinate with Lollydoodle. 

Supplies Used - Wild Thing

Cardstock:  Close To My Heart

Pattern Paper: Lollydoodle from Close To My Heart

Stamp:  Wild About Love from CTMH

Ink:  Close To My Heart

Ribbon: Colorless Seam Binding from CTMH

Other:  Sequins from Lollydoodle Card Kit (CTMH)

Kit Kraft Wednesday - ViewMaster Card

I've been so busy working, there has been little time to create.  But I definitely did not want to break my Kit Kraft Wednesday rule . . . because if I don't post something using my kits, then I agreed I would have to stop getting them (and we certainly can't have that).  

So this week I wanted to be sure to use my monthly stamps/dies from The Stamps of Life that arrived in February (yes, I know it's March).  I had an idea from the minute they arrived of doing a "ViewMaster" card . . . where you have a dial that spins and reveals different designs thru a window.  I actually include a little video below so you can see what I'm talking about (or is it typing about).


So I pulled up CAS(E) this Sketch and grabbed last week's sketch to create my design . . .

And here is my video (don't listen to the phone ringing at the end). 

Seriously fun, right?  I used my Copics to color the little images.  I am so glad to have that set, as I see some ViewMaster cards in my future. 

Supplies Used - Viewmaster Card

Cardstock:  Bazzill and American Crafts

Pattern Paper:  Little Yellow Bicycle

Stamps:  The Stamps of Life Spinner2Stamp and MoreSpinnerIdeas2Stamp

Dies: Spinner Dies

Ink:  Memento and Copic Markers

Other:  American Crafts Brad, Rhinestones from Eyelet Outlet

The Card Concept 4 - Faith, Courage and Strength

The Card Concept's fourth challenge is a floral one.  I decided to go with "Clean & Layered as my styled, although once I started inking up, painting, and exploring a "sprinkling" technique with my embossing powder, I may have fallen into the line for "Shabby Chic."  My recipient is going thru cancer treatment, and I really wanted something for her to study such as the messy edges, scattering of embossing powder and the shimmer of my flower centers.  If it takes her mind off her treatment for just five minutes, it's worthwhile. 

Floral seemed to be the perfect challenge to create a card of encouragement, so I pulled out my new Always and Forever set from Simon Says Stamp to use for a second time (just love this set) and paired it up with sentiment stamps from the Believe in Miracles set from a Scrappy Moms

I created a mask for the flower stamp in the set to layer three flowers and the leaves.  Once they were stamped in Memento ink, I used my Copic markers to color the flowers.  Once the petals were colored, I used some shimmer paint to paint the centers and illuminate outside of the circles a bit.  I then used Ranger Blank Canvas White Paint to paint the dots within the flower centers. 

I wanted my sentiment panel to have a bit of distressed chalkboard look around my sentiment.  So I chose a cardstock with texture, and I stamped in Versamark and embossed my sentiment in white.   Once the sentiment was finished, I sprinkled the area with additional embossing powder and did a mediocre job "tapping it off."  I then heat embossed the flecks of powder.  I also inked all of my edges with white pigment ink. 

 My inside sentiment . . . Cancer cannot conquer the spirit!

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Bazzill and Neenah

Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp and Scrappy Moms

Ink:  Memento, Versamark, Copic Markers

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Stampin' Up White Embossing Powder, Ranger Blank Canvas White Paint, Tsukineko Shimmer Paint

Tools:  We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge

This week is a sketch challenge at Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge.  Here is my design . . .

I stuck with some turquoise shades and used four different types of ribbon for this design to give some texture.  The vertical ribbon is Stampin' Up Ruffled Ribbon and the horizontal ribbon is Shimmer Trim from Close To My Heart, Whisper White Taffetta from Stampin' Up and White Mini-Pom Pom ribbon from Pretty Pink Posh.  

The stamp set is Swanky Snowdudes, which was used for the snowflakes, the snowman and the greeting.  Here is the sketch . . . 

 

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  American Crafts

Pattern Paper:  Cartabella So This is Christmas

Stamps: Paper Smooches Swanky Snowdudes

Ink:  Stampin' Up and Versamark

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up, Close To My Heart, and Pretty Pink Posh

Other: Embossing Powder from Stampin' Up 

Shabby Chic for H2H and Seize the Sketch

The final February challenge at Heart 2 Heart Challenges is a Shabby Chic challenge, and while it's not usually my style, I had a lot of fun playing along.  Here is my design . . .

The Skylark paper and chipboard elements are PERFECT for shabby chic.  I added some of the Color Ready Seam Binding, which I stocked up on when it was discontinued.  And I am absolutely in love with that zipper trim! 

All Supplies are Close To My Heart.  I used this weeks Seize the Sketch to create my card. 

Kit Kraft Wednesday - CAS(E) this Sketch

This week's Kit Kraft Wednesday found me creating with my Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit which had fabulous paper and somewhat matchy-matchy stamp.  I decided to use this week's CAS(E) this Sketch to create my design.  Here is the sketch . . .

And here is my design . . .

I created my stamped image first, and while it looks a bit like colored pencils, I used a second generation stamp to get a lighter effect on my flowers.  The outline was stamped first generation.  The sentiment was stamped with gold embossing powder on vellum. 

Loving that background paper, and loving the sketch! 

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Bazzill Cardstock and Vellum*

Pattern Paper:  Basic Grey "Fresh Cuts"*

Stamps:  Thinking of You from Simon Says Stamp*

Ink:  Stampin' Up and Versamark

Other: Gold Emboss Powder from Stampin' Up; Rhinestones from Queen & Co.    

* from Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit

Flourishes for Heart 2 Heart

Heart 2 Heart's third February challenge was Flourishes!  I was quick to pull out my Skylark Workshop on the Go kit which has a great flourish stamp and some gorgeous paper.  Here is my design . . .

I used some of the patterned paper from the kit, choosing a piece that had that awesome banner on the right side.  I added the green flourish stamp below that gorgeous zipper trim.  A sentiment added to the bottom, a resin flower, a heart with a flourish, and some flourish sparkle . . . simple but effective.

Always fun to play along! 

All supplies used are Close To My Heart.

Merry Monday Christmas Challenge - Holly

Holly was the focus for this week's Merry Monday Christmas Challenge.  I also used some "new" old items . . . items purchased a while ago, but never used.  It started with the holly embossing folder from Sizzix to emboss my main panel of my card.  Never before used . . . broken in!  Once embossed, I pulled out some shimmer paint from Tsukineko and sponged it onto the embossed panel.  It really added a nice shimmer. 

I added a ribbon border and colored the embossed holly at the bottom of the card using my Tim Holtz markers.  The heart was cut from some metal sheets I purchased a few months back.  And finally, a sentiment from a new stamp set.

Always great to use new items, and always fun to participate in a challenge.

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Bazzill

Stamps:  Precious Remembrance Shop

Dies:  Sizzix (heart)

Ink:  Tim Holtz Markers, Stampin' Up

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Sizzix Embossing Folder, Metal Sheet and Embossing Paste from Add A Little Dazzle

Anything Goes - Group Hugs

I absolutely love the Group Hugs set from Paper Smooches, and I wanted to use it to create my own background paper for the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge.  I chose three of the sentiments from the stamp . . . be brave, learn to swerve and stay positive . . . and I stamped them onto a cardstock panel.  Once I had the panel filled, I lightly sponged using the same ink color. 

My border is from the Hearts die set.  I stamped one of the hearts from the Sweethearts set onto some turquoise cardstock using Versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder.  Black cardstock, twine and rhinestones finish off the card. 

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Bazzill

Stamps:  Group Hugs and Sweethearts from Paper Smooches

Dies:  Hearts from Paper Smooches

Ink:  Stampin' Up and Versamark

Other:  Clear Embossing Powder, The Twinery Twine, Queen & Company Rhinestones 

Kit Kraft Wednesday - CTMH Stamp of the Month

This week's Kit Kraft Wednesday was all about using this month's Stamp of the Month from Close To My Heart, which I just fell in love with.  It's a trendy fox.  What's not to love about a trendy fox.  Now in order to get the stamp set for $5.00, I of course had to stock up on some paper, and my choice for a paper kit was Lollydoodle.  I just love those bright, springy colors.  I had already gotten the Lollydoodle card kit, so this time I set out to get the full paper pack.  I combined the paper with elements from the card kit (sequin and glitter tape).   

I also incorporated this week's Mojo Monday sketch to create my card.  Here is the sketch . . . 

And also incorporated into the card was last week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge which was "Hearts Galore."  Those little hearts remind me of those tasty conversation hearts.  

Adorable stamp set and only available until the end of the month. 

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Close To My Heart

Pattern Paper: Lollydoodle from Close To My Heart

Stamp:  Wild About Love from CTMH

Dies:  Spellbinders

Ink:  Close To My Heart

Other:  Glitter Tape and Sequin from Lollydoodle Card Kit (CTMH)

Monochromatic Pink for The Card Concept

This week's challenge at The Card Concept was . . .

I wasn't sure the style on this one, as Clean and Simple didn't seem to cover it when I was starting with embossing paste, so I may be somewhere between Clean and Simple and Clean and Layered (the paste could technically be a layer).  I started with a pink card base and used embossing paste and some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to decorate the front of the card.  The key was to get the glitter on while the paste was still wet. 

I created a border around the card by drawing lines around the edges of the card.  I die cut a label and my "hello" sentiment.  I punched holes in the label and the card.  I threaded my label into the card using twine and then tied a bow. 

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Bazzill and Simon Says from Simon Says Stamp January Card Kit

Pattern Paper:  Basic Grey from Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit

Dies:  Sampler Die from The Stamps of Life; Hello Words Dies from Paper Smooches

Other:  Twine from The Twinery, Stencil from Add a Little Dazzle, Dreamweaver Embossing Paste; Dazzling Diamonds from Stampin' Up

Tools:  We R Memory Keepers Cropadile

Merry Monday Meets "Stormy"

"Stormy" is a cute little stamp that I picked up to make some 2013 holiday cards, and I played around with it, but don't believe I completed one single card.  So thanks to this week's Merry Monday Challenge, I was able to use my stash!  This week's challenge was to create a card with an animal on it, and while I have a new fox stamp and plenty of other animal stamps, I just knew that I needed to be sure that I used "Stormy" on a card.  And here he is . . .

I stamped in Memento and colored using Copics.  The stamp has so much definition, it was easy to see where the darker colors should be placed.  I added some Stickles to the candy cane, just to add a little sparkle.  I also added some sequins to the left side of the card in place of the circles on the pattern paper.  

I kept the ribbon simple, with just some knots. 

One more holiday card down . . . and no doubt with Merry Monday I'm staying on track with getting my cards done early this year.  

Supplies Used - Merry Monday

Cardstock:  Bazzill

Pattern Paper:  Echo Park

Stamps:  Impression Obsession (Stormy) and My Creative Time (Sentiment)

Ink:  Memento and Copic Markers

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other: Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh

Tools:  We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

Shadow Stamping for Seize the Sketch

My StampNation group had a challenge a few weeks back to do some shadow stamping, so I set out to do some creating and made two cards. 

What's StampNation?  Well, it's an awesome group of creative stampers who commune together at StampNation, learn great technique, experiment together, share stories, sorrows . . . it's a great place to be creative and I highly recommend you check it out if you want to take your stamping and paper crafting to a new level.  There are over 400 videos as of this writing, they have a gallery that is loaded with samples from the membership, and there are plenty of tutorials on the site from the creative design team.

So first up is a card using this week's Seize the Sketch.  I wanted to shadow stamp with a second generation stamping of my image.  I started with a monochromatic base of some pattern papers from Basic Grey.  I stamped my red flower first, and then without re-inking shifted up and to the right a bit for that second generation stamp.  I did the same thing for all of the flowers, and then filled in with leaf images.  

The centers of my flowers are decorated with rhinestones and Stickles.  

My second card was totally out of my comfort zone, but I'm trying to step outside and challenge myself.  I had ordered a set of stencils which had an accompanying mask set.  Unfortunately, the masks showed up and the stencils were still on back-order.  I was itching to play with them, so patience was out of the question.  I secured the masks onto a background of Neenah Desert Storm cardstock to create a scene . . . the sun, two clouds, and two ground pieces.  I sponged with white ink over the entire surface, and then I lifted the masks and shifted them up and to the right just a bit.  I then inked the sky with Sky Blue Stampin' Up ink.  I removed the masks and anywhere where the Desert Storm cardstock was - not the blue or white - I colored with Tim Holtz markers.  I added a sentiment, cut some corners with my chomper and mounted on a white background. 

It's definitely not a technique I excelled at, but it was fun to try something new.  (And those darn stencils showed up the next day.)

Supplies Used - Seize the Sketch

Cardstock:  Bazzill, Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Basic Grey

Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp

Dies:  Paper Smooches

Ink:  Stampin' Up

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  K I Rhinestones, Stickles

Supplies Used - Masked Card

Cardstock:  Neenah Cardstock

Stamps:  Impression Obsession (sentiment)

Ink:  Tim Holtz Markers and Ranger Archival Ink

Other:  Simon Says Stamp Masks

Tools:  We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

Paws in a Paw for Paper Smooches Challenge

 

The inspiration photo for the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge was a mosaic heart created from triangle pieces.  My goal was to create a similar design using paw prints instead of a heart, and as I tested out the spacing and began to create my heart, I flipped my heart upside down and decided to create a paw instead.

Here is my design . . .
 

I used two shades of pink and a metallic gold for this creation.   I love to have this type of card on hand, but I never want to have to use them, as it's always sad circumstances. 

Here is the inspiration photo . . .

Supplies Used - Paper Smooches

Cardstock:  Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Little Yellow Bicycle

Stamps:  Paper Smooches Paws for a Cause

Ink:  Stampin' Up, Encore Gold Metallic

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  K I Rhinestones

Tools:  We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

Kit Kraft Wednesday - You are Missed

My Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit is up again for this little card.  The pattern paper on this one was just so beautiful, I couldn't cover it up. 

I am really enjoying this kit each month.  This was my third kit and each month is just so much fun to create.  The product coordinates so well.  This particular kit included Basic Grey paper, and the flower stamps in the stamp set coordinate with this particular paper, as you can see by that one single flower I stamped onto the peach paper.  I stamped on the paper, but also cut another one that I cut and popped onto the stamped image to give a bit of a layered look.  The kit also came with Ranger Blank Canvas White paint, and that's how I created the white dots and the flower center.  

I love that white paint center.  So fun.

Supplies Used - (All from kit except items in blue)

Cardstock:  Bazzill (from Simon Says Stamp Monthly Card Kit)

Pattern Paper:  Basic Grey Fresh Cuts (from kit)

Stamps:  Thinking of You (from kit)

Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Circle Card Border Die

Ink:  Stampin' Up

Ribbon:  Tim Holtz Linen Ribbon (from kit)

Other:  Ranger Blank Canvas White Paint (from kit)