Dies from a Friend

The challenge this week at The Paper Players was to create a card using die cuts.  I knew the dies I was going to use as soon as I read this, although I knew I wouldn't meet the deadline.  But I still had to finish. 

So back during the holidays, before my life turned from fun and crafty to studious and stressed, I had participated in a bit of a crafty swap with my online friends at StampNation.  From a lovely member of StampNation named, Charlene, I received some stickers and glitter ribbon/tape that I was itching to use . . . and I used a few before school swept me away.  But I also received some die cuts.  Some of them were stamped and die cut using a Cricut.  When I saw this challenge, I knew exactly what I wanted to use.

So here is my card using four of the dies in the packet . . .two trees, a deer and a sentiment.

 

And it's a shaker card . . . the trees are in the shaker, and the deer and sentiment dies are on top of the shaker. 

My thanks for those die cuts from Charlene! 

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Neenah and Graffix Window Sheet

Stamps:  Close To My Heart from my friend Charlene

Dies:  Cut from Cricut using Close To My Heart Cartridge

Other:  Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh and American Crafts Wow

The Icing On My Donut

I hate another card to share with you today.  This one is in honor of a friend of mine who had close encounter with six and one-half donuts.  That's right . . . six and one-half donuts (because apparently seven would have been too much). 

So here is a little something for the My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge:

So I made fun of her donut eating prowess, but now I'm craving a chocolate frosted donut (and i don't really even like chocolate frosted donuts).  

 

I did enjoy finding the perfect colored sequins for this card.

Happy creating! 

 Supplies Used - Donut Card

Cardstock:  The Stamps of Life and Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Die Cuts With a View

Stamps:  LLD Donuts and Sprinkles from My Favorite Things

Dies:  Die-namics LLD Donuts  and Dynamics Stitched Jumbo Fishtail Banner from My Favorite Things

Ink:  Simon Says Stamp

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh. 

Frosting and Sugar for Fusion Card Challenge

I said there'd be an Easter card, and this is as close as I could get.  It's a card, with a cupcake, with a peep on it!

This one is for the Fusion Card Challenge.  A sketch and an inspiration photo . . .

 

I have always wanted to create a card with a cupcake where I literally would frost the cupcake with embossing paste.  Today was the day!  Here is the result . . . 

I created my cupcake liner by scoring a piece of paper by hand, I would go up every 1/8th inch on the bottom, but 3/16th inch on the top and score, and then repeat until I had my cupcake paper.  I then hand cut a piece that I glued on for frosting, and I frosted it with Dreamweaver embossing paste, before adding some Sprinkles Glitter from The Stamps of Life.

Now the chick was another story.  I stamped him, colored with a yellow Copic marker and then covered with Faber Castell Glass Bead Glitter Gel. 

It's a little busy, but the end result is fun.  Wishing I had a cupcake with a Peep on it to cap off my evening.

Hope you all had a fabulous Easter!

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  The Stamps of Life*

Pattern Paper:  The Stamps of Life*

Stamps:  eggs4easter and morechalksayings2stamp from The Stamps of Life

Dies:  Easter Framelits Die, Banner Die and Labels Ornate from Sizzix and The Stamps of Life

Ink:  Colorbox, Copic Marker

Other: Hello Washi Tape from The Stamps of Life, Dreamweaver Embossing Paste, Sprinkles Glitter from The Stamps of Life, Sequins, Google Eyes, and Foil Heart from Pretty Pink Posh, Faber Castell Glass Bead Glitter Gel

Circle Focals for Muse and Seize the Birthday

Happy Easter!

I have two cards to share with you today.  Both of them use circles for the focal points.  Love circles . . . they keep things so contained!

Embarassed to say that neither of them are Easter or Spring related cards . . . where is my head?  Perhaps I will create something later and share it tonight.  But in the meantime, here are two cards I created.

First up is a card created for Muse Card Club Challenge.  Here is their inspiration card created by the talented Kreative Kristie (hey . . . I know that crafty girl!) . . .

I was inspired to create something using masking for my focal point.  So I blocked off a circular area on my card then stamped away.  The best part of this technique is not the stamping.  It is clearly the fun in removing the mask to reveal that crisp circle. 

I used bright colors and made the decision to just overlap and let the colors all blend.  At first I was nervous about it, but as the yellows and pinks combined to orange, and yellows and blues became green, I really dove in to fill the space. 

And there is something truly awesome in finding sequins in a collection pack that match your ink colors. 

Second up is a card for Seize the Birthday which was an "Anything Goes" challenge.  Here is my card . . .

For this card I used the locket as my focal point, but I recessed it into that circle.  I love using metallic papers, and this one had a dull sheen to it.  It was perfect for that locket and key.  

After I meet up with my girls for an Easter dinner out, my plan will be to create a few Spring cards.  I hope you find time to spend with family this Easter holiday.

Cheers!

Supplies Used - Thank You

Cardstock:  Simon Says Stamp*

Stamps:  On My Mind*

Dies:  Fiskars Circle (to create mask)

Ink:  Colorbox, Hero Arts Black, Versamark, and Ranger Frost Embossing Powder

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins

*from Simon Says Stamp March Card Kit

Supplies Used - Unlock Your Dreams

Cardstock:  The Stamps of Life* and Bazzill Silver

Pattern Paper:  The Stamps of Life*

Stamps:  heartlocket2love and November Card Kit Stamp set*

Ink:  Colorbox

Dies:  Heart Locket from The Stamps of Life and Sizzix Scallop Circle

Ribbon:  The Stamps of Life Twine*

Other:  Little B Washi Tape, Black Zig Marker

*from The Stamps of Life November Card Kit

Two Kits/Two Cards

I have two cards to share with you today.  First up is a card I created for Colour Me Challenge.  This one started as monochromatic, but I somehow ended up adding the strip of black pattern paper so it would match my puffy stickers. 

Sometimes when I create cards, I will just pull a kit from my stash, open it, and get busy.  I ended up pulling a Studio Calico kit for this one, and once open realized that aside from a piece of blue cardstock and that blue paper clip, there was there was no other blue in the kit.  But I gave myself a secondary challenge to use that kit, and conquered that with the stamp set.  

The second card is for Freshly Made Sketches where I used supplies from February's Simon Says Stamp Card Kit.  The sketch is posted down with the supply list for the card.

One of the things I love about the set that came with the kit is the image of the paper clip heart.  I used silver embossing powder and they just pop on this kraft cardstock. 

I hope you can fit a little creation time into your day today! 

Supplies Used - Colour Me Monochromatic

Cardstock:  Bazzill* and Neenah*

Pattern Paper: Life.Love.Paper*

Stamps:  In A Creative Bubble*

Ink:  Stampin' Up and Hero Arts Black

Other:  Mini Paperclip from Doodlebug*, Puffy Heart Stickers from Twine + Ink*, Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh, Washi Tape from Little B

*from Cirque Card Kit by Studio Calico

Supplies Used - Paper Hug

Cardstock:  Simon Says Stamp* and Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Crate Paper's Kiss Kiss*

Stamps:  Paper Hugs SSS Set*

Ink:  Simon Says Stamp, Versamark and Ranger Silver Embossing Powder

Ribbon:  The Twinery

Other:  Doily from Stampin' Up

*from Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit

Holiday Cheer for Merry Monday and Paper Smooches

Today's card was Paper Smooches meets Merry Monday.  I combined my Paper Smooches stamps and dies with the color challenge this week from Merry Monday to use lime, turquoise and white on a Christmas card!  Love this color combo.

For this card I combined several sets of stamps and dies.  I love to mix and match my sets, which just stretches their use.  For the antlers, eyes and the heart on the tree I used Imagine Crafts Irresistible Pico Embellisher, which is a new product that I just received.  You can see the shine on those antlers below.  It's thinner than products I've used in the past . . . Liquid Glass, Crystal Effects, Ranger Glossy Accents . . . all of which I will still use and love. 

Great color combo and some great product! 

Now, go be creative. 

Supplies Used - Holiday Cheer

Cardstock:  Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Die Cuts With a View

Stamps:  Santa Paws, Warm Hearts from Paper Smooches

Dies:  Santa Paws Icons Dies and Christmas Words 2 from Paper Smooches

Ink:  My Favorite Things, Versamark, Ranger White Embossing Powder

Other:  Gem from Close To My Heart, Imagine Crafts Irresistible Pico Embellisher, Queen & Company Trendy Tape

                          

Positive/Negative Die Use

I am always wanting to use the negative space as well as the positive when I'm cutting dies, but often I set one or the other aside and never get around to using them.  I set out to actually use both for these two cards, and I coupled them with two StampNation challenges.

First up was a challenge to use red . . . which was the original challenge that had me cutting this die.  For this card I used three different colors of Ranger Distress Inks to create this bokeh technique card, but instead of circles, I used heart dies.  A bit of a different twist . . .

Love bokeh technique!  I used Stickles to enhance the word. 

So now I had this piece of white with "love" cut out.  The challenge . . . a tic tac toe challenge from StampNation . . . gave me inspiration.  I chose 1) Love You, 2) Die Cut, and 3) Sequin.

So hard to see in these photos, but I actually embossed images on the card.  I used a "frost" embossing powder from Ranger!  It has a nice subtle sparkle.  So hard to see in the photos . . . but there are some hearts and some X's and O's!   For this one, I used Wink of Stella to enhance the red hearts and the word "love".

Nice that I actually followed through with using a negative image right away.  I hope you find some time to create!

Supplies Used - Love - Bokeh - Positive Die

Cardstock:  Bazzill and Bee Watercolor

Stamps:  minis4circles, award2stamp, hearts2diefor and love2die for from The Stamps of Life

Dies:  Handwritten Love Die from The Stamps of Life

Ink:  Simon Says Stamp White Pigment Ink and Ranger Distress Markers

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins and Stickles

Supplies Used - Love - Negative Die

Cardstock:  Bazzill and Close To My Heart

Stamps:  hearts2diefor and love2die for from The Stamps of Life

Dies:  Handwritten Love Die from The Stamps of Life

Ink:  Versamark and Ranger Frosted Crystal Embossing Powder

Other:  Pretty Pink Post Sequins and Wink of Stella Clear

Direct to Paper Technique for Color Throwdown

I've been wanting to try out the direct to paper technique, which was a challenge thrown out at my crafty place, StampNation.  When I saw the color combination at Color Throwdown, I decided this would be my opportunity.

I used Avery Elle pigment ink for the technique, and I created a tag for a shaker card.

Hardest part was the placement of all the images and trying to find the perfect color for my sequins - easier said than done. 

 

Supplies Used - A Little Birdie Told Me

Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White

Stamps:  Wish Big from Ellen Essentials

Dies:  Stitched Duos 3 from Pretty Pink Posh

Ink:  Hero Arts Black, Avery Elle Pigment Inks

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins and Beads

Crossed the Border to Shabby Chic for The Card Concept

I swear this started Clean and Layered, but I think it borders on Shabby Chic with the addition of the doily, the banners, the twine and the heart stones. 

Here is the inspiration photo at The Card Concept . . .

I started out thinking I was going to cut all those little cupcakes out, but before I knew it they were creating their own little border  I went with it.  I just love this color combination . . . the desert storm cardstock with the white and the pink.  Right up my alley! 

And that Pretty Pink Posh die that cuts the little banners also cuts the little hearts and stars.  Be still my heart! 

So fun to play along with this week's challenge, even if I seemed to lose control at some point. 

Supplies Used - The Card Concept

Cardstock:  Neenah Desert Storm

Pattern Paper:  Crate Paper's Kiss Kiss

Stamps:  Happy Birthday Sentiments Collection from Whimsy Stamps

Dies:  Stitched Labels 1 from Pretty Pink Posh

Ink:  Versamark and Ranger White Embossing Powder

Ribbon:  Twine from The Twinery

Other:  Doily from Stampin' Up and Heart Gems from Prima

Getting My Craft On w/Colour Me Challenge

I spent the afternoon creating some cards for a few challenges.  One of those creations was for Colour Me, using Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana and a neutral color.  Here is my creation . . .

I used two new sets for this card, both from Stampin' Up.   I tried to stay as clean and simple on this one as possible, although I did layer with a card base. 

Afterword, I noticed the sharp contrast between clean and crisp on the top of the card, and a bit more abstract and random on the bottom. 

Love me some contrast.  And I love these colors together!  Great color combination.  So glad I got to play along.

Supplies Used - Thank You for Colour Me

Cardstock:  Bazzill and Stampin' Up

Stamps:  Painted Petal and Because You Care from Stampin' Up

Ink:  Stampin' Up

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Simon Says Stamp Pearls

Some of My Favorite Stamps

Two very different cards to share today, both of them using sketches, and both of them using stamps from two of my favorite stamp companies. 

The first is for Paper Smooches challenge.  For this one I stretched my card out a bit from a standard card by using a flip-it card from Sizzix.  The center of that flip-it card is a square, and that is where I used the sketch to decorate the focal point of the square.

I love how clean this card came out, with all that white space.

My second card was inspired by Reverse Confetti's sketch challenge. 

For this one I used two different stamp sets, two different die sets and three different pattern papers to create my design.

I stretched my tag out by cutting it where the rectangle of pattern paper would hide the gap.  I love the look of the tag, as it provides a different design element that also includes a ribbon tie.  I thought about sequins, but in the end went with the arrow clip for embellishment.

This one would work for a masculine card, even with the ribbon. 

Hope you found some time to create today, and if not, there is always tomorrow! 

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Bazzill

Pattern Paper:  Authentique "Classique Beauty"

Stamps:  Welcome Wagon from Paper Smooches

Dies:  Welcome Word from Paper Smooches

Ink:  Ranger Archival Black

Other:  Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Neenah Desert Storm

Pattern Paper:  The Paper Studio

Stamps:  Roundabout Additions and In a Big Way (inside sentiment) from Reverse Confetti

Dies:  Tag Me Too and Circles and Scallops Confetti Cuts from Reverse Confetti

Ink:  Versamark, Ranger Black Embossing Powder, Memento

Ribbon: Stampin' Up

Other:  Arrow Clip from Stamping Up and Glitter Tape from Close To My Heart

One Image - Two Ways

The challenge for Inkspirational was "She Art or Image of a Woman".  I played around with two designs using the same stamp set from Unity.  I colored the first card using watercolor paper and my Gansai Tambi watercolors.  

I'm still quite new to this technique, and my biggest difficulty is in the background and getting it to be smooth, and not so splotchy.  This one was particularly tough because my subject was hunting fireflies in the night, so a darker background was required. 

For my second shot, I went with some markers that I had in my stash from Close To My Heart.  I think they've since been discontinued and replaced with newer ones.  But I need to use what's in my stash - if I empty the ink in the markers, I gain about 32 square inches of space!

Same difficulty with this one . . . that darn background.  I think if I were to try this card again, I would go go the trouble of masking my image and sponging a background instead of using markers.  I do love this image from Phyllis Harris!  She's such a fun artist.  

Note to self . . . practice backgrounds!  Research!

Hope you find some time to create. 

Supplies Used - Card 1

Cardstock:  Neenah Desert Storm and Bee Watercolor

Pattern Paper:  The Paper Studio

Stamps:  Miracle of Light and Dark from Unity

Dies:  Fiskars Circle Die

Ink:  Versamark, Ranger Black Embossing Powder, Gansai Tambi Watercolors

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins

Supplies Used - Card 2

Cardstock:  Neenah Desert Storm

Stamps:  Miracle of Light and Dark from Unity

Ink:  My Favorite Things and Close To My Heart Alcohol Markers

Other:  Wink of Stella and Twine from The Twinery

Color Week Creation for Just Us Girls

I found this new challenge - Just Us Girls - and decided to play along this week.  Challenge #285 was a color challenge to use black, white and a third color.  I used my Simon Says Stamp Card Kit supplies to create my card, so of course I had to go with yellow.  I adore that color combination. 

My card was pretty simple - hardest part was getting that die to cut straight at the bottom.  

I said I like this color combination, as if it is one of the only ones I love.  Truth is there are a lot of color combinations that I love, and when I saw all the linked up cards at Just Us Girls . . . eye candy!  They're all fabulous. 

I hope you find some time to create! 

 

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Simon Says Stamp*

Pattern Paper:  Authentique Classique Beauty*

Dies:  Medium Line Dots*

Ink:  My Favorite Things

Ribbon:  Twine from The Twinery

Other:  3 x 4 journaling cards from Authentique* and Pretty Pink Posh Sequins

*from Simon Says Stamp March Card Kit