dynamic loving (but sad) birdie

3 Responses »
Apr 302014

Today’s post comes with a touch of sadness for me.  The ladies in charge of the Dynamic Duos challenge have announced that the current challenge, #100, will be the last one.  I was fortunate enough to get started playing along with the Dynamic Duos right from their very first challenge, and I’ve enjoyed participating in each and every one of them.  OK, there was one time where my internet crashed and I wasn’t able to get my card linked before the challenge closed, and then another time there was a kink in the system and the challenge closed earlier than usual – but I’ve made at least one card for each of the DD color combinations.

This week’s color combo is actually very much like DD #2.  They’ve simply added a third color to the combo.  So I’ve reprised the card I made for challenge #2.  🙂  The debossed strip on today’s card is, I have to confess, left over from the original card!  The layout is the same, and I’ve kept the love theme of the original but used different stamps to represent it.  This card will be donated to Operation Write Home, just as many of my other DD challenge cards have been.

I appreciate having the Dynamic Duos nudge me out of my comfort zone several times over the last two years to try different color combinations.  I’m also honored to have been featured as their Diva of the Week in May 2013 and twice as a Dynamic Darling (June 2013 and December 2013).  Thanks so much for the fun and creativity, ladies!

Supplies:
Stamps: A Birdie Told Me (Lawn Fawn)
Cardstock: Pool Party, Smoky Slate, Whisper White (Stampin’ Up)
Ink: Smoky Slate, So Saffron (SU)
Other: markers (Copic); Victoria embossing folder (ProvoCraft)

Posted by PH in VA at 3:00 pm Cards, Dynamic Duos, Lawn Fawn, Operation Write Home, Stampin' Up!

simple little flowers

1 Response »
Apr 272014

Here’s a quick late night post adding in a card to the AEIHeartU challenge just before it closes.  This time they have presented a color challenge.  I’ve used one of the Avery Elle digital images and kept my card very clean and simple.  I did print a couple extra of the flowers so I could color and fussy cut them and then adhere them to the card front, giving a bit of dimension, even though it doesn’t show well in the photo.

Challenge 5

Thanks for giving my card a closer look!  Have a terrific day!

Supplies:
Digital Image: Digi Stamp 2 (Avery Elle)
Cardstock: Pool Party, Bermuda Bay (Stampin’ Up); Pure Luxury White (Gina K. Designs)
Ink: printer ink
Other: markers (Copic)

Posted by PH in VA at 12:30 am AEIHeartU challenges, Avery Elle, Cards, Stampin' Up!

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - April stash challenge

9 Responses »
Apr 262014

Hello there!  I just realized that eight months from today will be the day after Christmas!  If you’ve been participating in the weekly challenges at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown, you’re already building up a nice supply of cards to send out during the holiday season, or to donate to an organization of your choice that collects cards to be used by others.

The fourth Saturday of the month is Stash Challenge week at 52{C}CT, and our challenge hostess, Deborah, has chosen glitter as the stash element to be featured.  Those of you who know me well know that glitter and I are not friends!  I do think that it can be pretty, but the mess of loose glitter makes me shudder.  Plus it’s a huge no-no for the cards I donate to Operation Write Home, because glitter that flakes off a card can be detected by night vision equipment and put our military members at risk of danger.  So I have to confess that I approached this challenge somewhat reluctantly.  This week’s Freshly Made Sketches sketch looked nice and pretty simple, so I used that for my card layout.  I decided to use some glitter paper (which has disappointed me because the glitter does flake off) for the banner element.  The tree image was inked using the rock and roll technique.  I considered trying to use Stickles glitter glue for the star on top of the tree, but decided against it because of drying time and because I didn’t think I could make a good star shape with it.  Although the glitter makes this card unacceptable for Operation Write Home, I’m sure I’ll find another use for it.

 

Go see the glittery goodness the rest of the 52{C}CT design team has made!  Then make your own glittery Christmas or winter card and share it with us on our challenge post.  You have until 1:00 p.m. Eastern time Friday, May 2 to link your card.  We’re looking forward to seeing what you create!

Supplies:
Stamps: Season of Joy (Stampin’ Up); Holiday Script (Lizzie Anne Designs for Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz, Gumball Green, Glimmer Silver, Confetti White (SU)
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Gumball Green (SU)
Other: Star Circles Nestabilities die (Spellbinders); dimensionals (SU); star brad (The Paper Studio)

Posted by PH in VA at 1:00 am Cards, Christmas Card Throwdown, Freshly Made Sketches, Nestabilities, Stampin' Up!

CAS - Colours and Sketches #71 (a/k/a dynamic thanks on a fence)

3 Responses »
Apr 242014

Hello!  Since it’s the fourth Thursday of the month, we have a sketch challenge for you at CAS – Colours and Sketches.  I’ve stretched the sketch out to a rectangular format and combined it with the colors for the Dynamic Duos challenge that ends later today.  I took a bit of liberty with the sketch by turning the long vertical rectangles into the boards of a fence, and I changed up the smaller rectangular panel into an oval.  I used a star-shaped flower for the star element of the sketch, but you can use any shape there.  The Dynamic Duos “dessert option” of gold is incorporated with the small gold brad for the center of the flower.

 

Thanks for stopping by today!  Be sure to check out the CAS – Colours and Sketches blog to see what the rest of the design team has done with this sketch.  Then make your own card and link it to the challenge post.  You have until 1:00 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday, April 30 to participate.  We hope you’ll join us!

Supplies:
Stamps: Grunge Borders (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps); Sincere Salutations (Stampin’ Up)
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry (SU); Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Other: Spring Bouquet Flower punch, tag corner punch, gold brad (SU); petite oval and petite scalloped oval Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders)

Posted by PH in VA at 4:00 am Cards, CAS Colours & Sketches, Nestabilities, Operation Write Home, Stampin' Up!, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

Cards in Envy - April Showers

1 Response »
Apr 212014

Hello again!  It’s time for another challenge at Cards in Envy.  For the next two weeks, we’ll be focusing on the theme of “April showers”.

For my card, I pulled out a stamp set I haven’t used recently.  I felt the image was pretty close to perfect for the theme, and I created a little scene with it.  The raindrops are dry embossed.  The chick and the umbrella were stamped on scraps of cardstock and cut out and paper pieced to the scene.  I used a marker to color in the chick’s beak.  I drew in the umbrella “pole” because it was easier than trying to stamp it in.  Even though the stamp set with the chick image includes a few rain-related sentiments, I decided to go with something different that I felt was more versatile.  The layout for this card is kind of a mirror-image reversal of Freshly Made Sketches challenge #132.

So what will you do with this theme?  Create your A2 sized card, remembering to keep it less than 1/4″ thick, and share it with us at Cards in Envy by 7:00 p.m. Eastern time Sunday, May 4.  We’d love to see your artwork!

Supplies:
Stamps: Singing in the Rain (Lizzie Anne Designs); Simply Said Hello (Avery Elle)
Cardstock: So Saffron, Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery (Stampin’ Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Other: Swiss Dots embossing folder (ProvoCraft); corner rounder punch (SU); marker (Copic)

Posted by PH in VA at 1:00 am Avery Elle, Cards, Cards in Envy, Freshly Made Sketches, Stampin' Up!

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - April theme challenge

6 Responses »
Apr 192014

Hello!  It’s time for another weekly challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown.  This time we have a theme challenge – “The 12 Days of Christmas”.

It took me a while to remember I had this designer paper depicting the partridge in a pear tree.  Once I rediscovered it, all I had to do was figure out a layout that showcased it.  OWH Stars & Stamps sketch challenge #220 fit that bill.  The Spring-y pastel colors in the designer paper make it seem a little less strange to be blogging about a Christmas card on the day before Easter.  🙂

Check out the 52{C}CT blog for more inspiration from the other members of the Design Team.  Then make your own card following this team and share it with us via the linky tool on the challenge post.  You have until 1:00 p.m. Eastern time Friday, April 25 to link your work.  We hope you’ll join us!

Supplies:
Stamps: Happy Everything (Lawn Fawn)
Cardstock: Pool Party, So Saffron, Whisper White (Stampin’ Up); designer paper from Fa La La 6″ x 6″ paper pad (Lawn Fawn)
Ink: Pool Party (SU)

Posted by PH in VA at 1:00 am Cards, Christmas Card Throwdown, Lawn Fawn, OWH Stars & Stamps sketches, Stampin' Up!

CAS - Colours and Sketches #70

3 Responses »
Apr 172014

It’s time for another color challenge at CAS – Colours and Sketches!  This week we have a classic monochromatic color combo for you – black, dark grey, and light grey.

I’ve modeled my card after this week’s Freshly Made Sketches layout.  I misjudged the size I needed for my fence panel and cut it smaller than I would have liked it.  Oh well.  I’ve added some highlighting to the fence and the butterfly with black ink.  The middle of the butterfly, where the body would be, is glued directly to the fence panel, but the wings are popped up with dimensional adhesive.

 

Be sure to check out what the rest of the CC&S Design Team has made!  Then create your own clean and simple styled card with these colors and link it to the CC&S site by 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 23.  We’d love to see what you make!

All supplies for this card are from Stampin’ Up.
Stamps: Hardwood, Three Little Words
Cardstock: Naturals White, Smoky Slate, Basic Gray, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Gray, Basic Black
Other: Beautiful Wings die, Bitty Banners die, dimensionals, sponge dauber

Posted by PH in VA at 4:00 am Cards, CAS Colours & Sketches, Freshly Made Sketches, Stampin' Up!

dynamic birthday sketch

3 Responses »
Apr 162014

Today’s card combines Dynamic Duos challenge #98 with Seize the Sketch challenge #18.  I’ve used them to create a birthday card.  I took the liberty of squashing the sketch into a landscape-oriented layout.  This card is a little more layered than most of the ones I make, and I had to use a double layer of dimensional adhesive to attach the punched flower, but that’s OK because I’ll be using this one personally instead of donating it to Operation Write Home.  It’s been a while since I’ve used this much thickness on a card!  I have to admit it felt good to do something different.

Thanks for stopping by today!  All comments are read and appreciated – and I apologize for my blog’s spam catcher program that tends to flag comments from outside of the United States.

Supplies:
Stamps: Birthday Greetings (Gina K. Designs)
Cardstock: So Saffron, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Tea Party designer paper (Stampin’ Up)
Ink: Wisteria Wonder (SU)
Other: Spring Bouquet Flower punch, Almost Amethyst stitched ribbon, dimensionals (SU); petite oval and petite scalloped oval Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders); mini brad (Making Memories)

Posted by PH in VA at 8:00 pm Cards, Dynamic Duos, Seize the Sketch, Stampin' Up!

CAS - Colours and Sketches #69

2 Responses »
Apr 102014

Once again, it’s sketch week at CAS – Colours and Sketches!  I’ve stretched the sketch out into a rectangle and turned it on its side.  UPS just delivered these stamps yesterday, and I wanted to put them to use right away!  The twine I used here set the color scheme for the card.  I’m not sure how well it will show up for  you, but the sentiment quote bubble is stamped on regular white cardstock, and adhered to a panel of textured white cardstock.

What will you create with this sketch?  Check out what the rest of the design team has made for further inspiration.  Share your artwork with us at the CAS – Colours and Sketches site by 1:00 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday, April 16.  We’d love to have you join us!

All supplies are from Stampin’ Up unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Banner Blast, Just Sayin’
Cardstock: Crisp Cantaloupe, Whisper White, Whisper White textured
Ink: Calypso Coral
Other: Calypso Coral twine, Banner punch, dimensionals; Icon Fill in the Blank balloon die (Avery Elle)

Posted by PH in VA at 4:00 am Avery Elle, Cards, CAS Colours & Sketches, Stampin' Up!

dynamic watercolored thanks

4 Responses »
Apr 092014

Just a quick post to share a card combining Dynamic Duos challenge #97 with AEIHeartU challenge #4.  I created a randomly watercolored background with the Dynamic Duos colors, added a sentiment and a couple die cuts with a brad, and corner mats – and there it is.  As much as I love the look of watercoloring, I don’t like the way the water makes the cardstock wrinkle, and I just wasn’t in the mood to pull out the iron to try to flatten it. Even if this isn’t one of my favorite cards I’ve ever made, it’s still a good one for Operation Write Home.

Challenge 4

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies:
Stamps: Fill in the Blank (Avery Elle)
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Naturals White (Stampin’ Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise ink refills (SU)
Other: Icon Fill in the Blank die (Avery Elle); black brad (Making Memories); dimensional adhesive (Scotch)

Posted by PH in VA at 8:00 pm AEIHeartU challenges, Avery Elle, Cards, Dynamic Duos, Operation Write Home, Stampin' Up!

Cards in Envy - Hippity, Hoppity

5 Responses »
Apr 072014

Hello!  I hope Monday isn’t getting you down, because it’s time for a new Cards in Envy challenge!  This time the theme is “Hippity, Hoppity, Easter’s on its Way”.  Interpret that however you like into an A2 sized card with no lumpy, bumpy embellishments, and you’ve made a card that would be perfect for this challenge!

I’ve decided to use a cute bunny image and springlike colors with a sentiment that helps keep this card from being strictly an Easter card.  That gives it a longer “shelf life” for Operation Write Home.  The layout for this card comes from the Freshly Made Sketches challenge that ends today.  I needed to use dimensional adhesive on the right side of the sentiment panel to accommodate the thickness of the image panels underneath the left side.  But the card is still less than 1/4″ thick, and it will still fit easily into an envelope for mailing.

Now it’s your turn! Check out the Cards in Envy site for all the challenge details and to see what the rest of the design team has made. Then share your creation(s) with us by 7:00 p.m. eastern time Sunday, April 20. We’d love to have you play along with us!

Supplies:
Stamps: Cute Critters (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray, Tea Party designer paper (Stampin’ Up); Pure Luxury White (Gina K. Designs)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Other: markers (Copic); Dahlia and standard circle Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders)

Posted by PH in VA at 1:00 am Cards, Cards in Envy, Nestabilities, Operation Write Home, Stampin' Up!, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - April sketch challenge

7 Responses »
Apr 052014

Hello!  It’s sketch challenge week again at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown, and we have a nice, simple sketch for you this time.  I’ve kept it very clean and simple, without adding a lot of layers, because I wanted to keep it easy to mail for Operation Write Home.  Instead of adding a ribbon to the “any shape” piece, I’ve taken creative license and dressed my snowflake up with a small rhinestone in the center.  There really isn’t much else to say about it, so here it is:

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to see what the rest of the design team has made.  Then share your own creation with us by linking it at the 52{C}CT blog by 1:00 p.m. Eastern time Friday, April 11.  We’d love to see what you make with our sketch!

All supplies for today’s card are from Stampin’ Up.
Stamps: Festive Flurry, More Merry Messages
Cardstock: Smoky Slate, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Winter Frost designer paper stack
Ink: Basic Gray
Other: rhinestone, Festive Flurry framelits, dimensionals

Posted by PH in VA at 1:00 am Cards, Christmas Card Throwdown, Operation Write Home, Stampin' Up!

CAS - Colours and Sketches #68

3 Responses »
Apr 032014

Hello!  It’s time for a new challenge at CAS – Colours and Sketches.  Jacqueline is our challenge hostess for the month of April, and she’s chosen some nice springtime-y colors to get us started this week.  The green with the delicate pink made me think of flowers, and I’ve added a vine to incorporate the dark brown.  I’ve added some sponging to the focal panel and matted it with the dark brown to help bring those colors more into play on my card.  These Prima flowers were just the right shade of pink.  I had exactly enough of these rhinestones to add one to the center of each blossom. The layout is based off a card I made several years ago, inspired by the awesome Taylor.

 

Go see what the rest of the design team has done with these colors.  Then show us what you can create with them!  You have until 1:00 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday, April 9 to link your card at the challenge site.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies:
Stamps: Just Vine, Always in My Thoughts (Stampin’ Up)
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Early Espresso (SU); Pure Luxury Ivory (Gina K. Designs)
Ink: Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz (SU)
Other: rhinestones (Bazzill); sponge

Posted by PH in VA at 4:00 am Cards, CAS Colours & Sketches, Operation Write Home, Stampin' Up!

seizing a dynamic toad

7 Responses »
Apr 022014

Just a quick post to share a card combining the current Seize the Sketch layout with the latest Dynamic Duos color combination.  Well, actually, the Dynamic Duos combo is half my own creation – because the challenge is from the fifth Saturday of March, the challenge team chooses one color and the participants get to pick a color to pair with it.  They gave us Gumball Green, and I’ve decided to use Real Red with it to create another love-themed card for Operation Write Home.

 

That’s it for today.  Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

Supplies:
Stamps: Unfrogettable (Stampin’ Up)
Cardstock: Kraft, Real Red, Gumball Green, Very Vanilla (SU)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Real Red marker (SU)
Other: Icon Fill in the Blank Die (Avery Elle); Premier colored pencils (Prismacolor); odorless mineral spirits (Hampton Arts); Heart Blocks embossing folder (ProvoCraft)

Posted by PH in VA at 8:00 pm Avery Elle, Cards, Dynamic Duos, Operation Write Home, Seize the Sketch, Stampin' Up!
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