52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - September stash challenge

8 Responses »
Sep 272014

Hello!  At 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown we’re closing out the month with stash challenge week, where we invite our challenge participants to use particular items from their crafting stash to create a Christmas or wintry card.  This time it’s a double item find – diamonds and pearls.  OK, so we honestly don’t expect anyone to actually use real diamonds, but rhinestones make a perfect substitute for them.

I’ve decided to use one of my favorite Christmas themed digital images, of Rhubarb the teddy bear decorating his Christmas tree.  I’ve used rhinestones and pearls to cover up the ornament shapes in the image.  I also added a star-shaped brad to the top of the tree.  The sentiment is a Lawn Fawn stamp.

52CCT 09-27-2014

The layout for this card is Splitcoaststampers.com sketch challenge #507.  However, I can’t share the card on the site there yet because it just might be giving you a sneak peek of one of the SCS Hope You Can Cling To challenges coming up in the month of October!  😉

Now it’s your turn to show us how you can make your card sparkle and shimmer!  If you’d like some more inspiration, be sure to see what the rest of the 52{C}CT design team has made.  Then share your card with us, linking it at the 52{C}CT site by 1:00 p.m. Eastern time Friday, October 3.  We’d love to have you join us!

Supplies:
Digital Image: Rhubarb Trims the Tree (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)
Sentiment Stamp: Pa-Rum-Pa-Pum-Pum (Lawn Fawn)
Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Basic Black (Stampin’ Up); Pure Luxury White (Gina K. Designs); designer papers from Nordic Holiday 6″ x 6″ paper pad (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); printer ink
Other: markers (Copic); rhinestones (SU); Pearl and Blush half pearls (KaiserCraft); star brad (The Paper Studio)

Posted by PH in VA at 1:00 am Basic Grey, Cards, Christmas Card Throwdown, Lawn Fawn, Splitcoast challenges, Stampin' Up!, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

CAS - Colours and Sketches #93

2 Responses »
Sep 252014

Hello!  It’s time for another sketch challenge at CAS – Colours and Sketches.  This one has some interesting banner shapes that can be interpreted in a variety of ways.

I just received some new stamps in the mail on Wednesday.  As I was trying to figure out what to make for my design team sample with this sketch, I had a lightbulb moment and saw the vertical strip and the banners as a sort of tree shape.  And bingo – I decided to make a tree with branches for the little birdies to sit on.  To give myself enough space to carry out the idea, I stretched the sketch into a rectangle.  I used a background stamp on the brown cardstock to help it resemble tree bark.  Then I cut the tree trunk shape and stamped and fussy cut the branches.  I took artistic license and trimmed one branch shorter so they wouldn’t all look identical.  The tree trunk was edged with a black pen to help it coordinate with the black outlines of the stamped images.  I’m not sure how well it shows in the photo, but I snipped into the top edge of the green strip to help it look like blades of grass.  The birds were stamped on yellow cardstock, and I colored their beaks with a marker before fussy cutting them.  The leaves were also fussy cut after they were stamped on a scrap of the green cardstock.  So yeah – there was a lot of fussy cutting involved in creating this card, but I think it’s still clean and simple in style.

CASCAS93

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you’ll join us over at CAS – Colours and Sketches with your own take on this sketch!  You have until 1:00 p.m. eastern time Wednesday, October 1 to link your card at the challenge website.

Supplies:
Stamps: Feathered Friends [for Simon Says Stamp] (Lawn Fawn); Weathered (Stampin’ Up)
Cardstock: Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Baked Brown Sugar, Daffodil Delight (Stampin’ Up)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Other: marker (Copic)

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

bunny greetings

3 Responses »
Sep 242014

Here’s a quick card I made tonight, combining the Lawnscaping challenge that ends in a little bit with the Freshly Made Sketches challenge that started today.  I wanted to use this bunny for the Lawnscaping critters challenge, but because of the way he’s facing, I felt it would look better if I used the mirror image of the sketch.  And now I have another any occasion, any recipient card for the box I’ll be sending to Operation Write Home soon.  Yay!

FMS155

Thanks for stopping by today!  Comments are always read and appreciated very much!

Supplies:
Stamps: My Silly Valentine, Chit Chat (Lawn Fawn)
Cardstock: Old Olive, Kraft, Season of Style designer series paper (Stampin’ Up); Pure Luxury White (Gina K. Designs)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Other: Tag Set die (Sizzix); markers (Copic); Cherry Cobbler seam binding (SU); cherry twine (Really Reasonable Ribbon)

Posted by PH in VA at 11:00 pm Cards, Freshly Made Sketches, Lawn Fawn, Lawnscaping challenges, Operation Write Home, Stampin' Up!

birthday piggy

2 Responses »
Sep 222014

This is just a quick card I made to squeeze into the current Freshly Made Sketches challenge right before it closes.  I noticed my Operation Write Home stash is lacking birthday cards suitable to send to kids, and our curious kitten found this little piggy image on my desk, so I put the pig into the sketch and made a birthday card.  Yay!  This card also works for the current Lawnscaping challenge.

FMS154

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies:
Stamps: Critters on the Farm, Hats Off to You (Lawn Fawn)
Cardstock: Naturals White (Stampin’ Up); designer papers from Ambrosia 6″ x 6″ paper pad (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Other: corner rounder punch (SU); marker (Copic)

Posted by PH in VA at 2:30 pm Basic Grey, Cards, Freshly Made Sketches, Lawn Fawn, Lawnscaping challenges

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - September theme challenge

8 Responses »
Sep 202014

Hello!  Once again, it’s time for a new challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown.  Asha, our hostess, has chosen an interesting theme for this week:  Nordic Christmas.  To borrow some of her words from the challenge description:  “It’s rustic, minimalistic, cool, cozy, calm and peaceful… the look: homespun, handmade.”  Check out the 52{C}CT site for more information and to see what the rest of the design team has made.

It took me a while to figure out what to make for this challenge.  My first attempt fell very very flat, so since I wasn’t very happy at all with that card, I went on to try it again.  The “homespun, handmade” part of the description called out to me, so I thought that maybe I should try a simple cross-stitch design.  Off to Google I went, and my search turned up quite a few patterns, including some pretty but simple snowflakes.  So I stitched up one of them on some 14-count Aida cloth.  I borrowed this week’s CAS(E) This Sketch! layout for my card, turning it on its side and tweaking the placement of the sentiment.  Although I had a hard time getting the stitched panel and its mat trimmed as precisely as I would have liked, I’m overall a lot more pleased with this card than with my first attempt.

52CCT 09-20-2014

What will you do with our theme?  Please show us by linking your own Christmas or wintry card at the 52{C}CT site by 1:00 p.m. Eastern time Friday, September 26.  We’d love to see your artwork!  Thanks for stopping by today.

Supplies:
Stamps: Short & Sweet (Stampin’ Up); Happy Everything, Critters in the Snow (Lawn Fawn)
Cardstock: Real Red, Naturals White (SU)
Ink: Real Red (SU)
Other: embroidery floss (DMC); Aida cloth (Charles Craft)

Posted by PH in VA at 1:00 am Cards, CAS(E) this Sketch!, Christmas Card Throwdown, Stampin' Up!

CAS - Colours and Sketches #92

3 Responses »
Sep 182014

Happy Thursday!  The weekend is almost here!  It’s time now for a new color challenge at CAS – Colours and Sketches.

I have to confess that at first, these colors made me think of bees.  I also briefly considered doing something with a sunshine image, but this yellow isn’t quite right for sunny thoughts.  So I decided to just stick to a bold sentiment in black, highlighting one word with a swoosh of the yellow.  The ribbon started out white, but I dyed it by swiping my ink pad across it a few times.

CASCAS92

The Stampin’ Up color names are only for reference; you do NOT need to use Stampin’ Up products to make your card for this challenge.  Simply use whatever you have in your craft supplies that is closest to these colors.

Now it’s your turn! You have until 6:00 p.m. GMT/1:00 p.m. EST Wednesday, September 24 to share your artwork with us. We’d love to see what you create!

Supplies:
Stamps: Incredible (Technique Tuesday); Work of Art (Stampin’ Up)
Cardstock: Hello Honey, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Hello Honey (SU)
Other: ribbon (Offray)

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

Cards in Envy - EnTWINEd

3 Responses »
Sep 152014

Hi there!  Today marks the start of another fun challenge at Cards in Envy:  EnTWINEd.  For the next few weeks, we want to see your cards using twine as an embellishment.  Just remember to keep your card A2 size (4.25″ x 5.5″) and flat enough to mail in an envelope at the standard first class postage rate.

I’ve created a rather clean and simple birthday card for this challenge.  I wrapped some twine around a scrap of designer paper and added a twine bow to create a present.  It’s mounted on a textured cardstock background.  The layout for this card comes from the current Freshly Made Sketches challenge.

CIE 09-15-2014

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Cards in Envy design team has made!  How will you use twine on your card?  We’d love to see your creativity!  Share your card using the linky tool at the Cards in Envy site by 7:00 p.m. Eastern time Sunday, October 5.

Supplies:
Stamps: Cake & Candles (Avery Elle)
Cardstock: Pool Party, Very Vanilla textured, Everyday Enchantment designer series paper (Stampin’ Up)
Ink: Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz (SU)
Other: Pool Party twine, Subtles candy dots, dimensionals (SU)

 

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

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - September color challenge

7 Responses »
Sep 132014

Hello! This week is color challenge week at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown. Our September challenge hostess, Asha, has chosen a fun color palette that each participant can choose to customize.  Black and white are required colors, plus either blue or red, and either silver or gold.

I’ve chosen to go with the red scheme in a cherry shade.  I added some gold pen to the dotted part of the embossing and embellished the corners of the focal panel with gold mini brads.  There’s really not much else to say about this card so I’ll just go ahead and share it:

52CCT 09-13-2014

Which colors will you play with?  Create your Christmas or winter themed card and share it with us at the 52{C}CT site by 1:00 p.m. Eastern time Friday, September 19.  We’re looking forward to seeing what you make!

Supplies:
Stamps: Cozy Friends (Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps)
Cardstock: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler (Stampin’ Up); Solar White (Neenah)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Other: markers (Copic); mini brads (Recollections); gold paint pen (Zig); Snowflakes embossing folder (Sizzix)

Posted by PH in VA at 1:00 am Cards, Christmas Card Throwdown, Stampin' Up!, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

CAS - Colours and Sketches #91

2 Responses »
Sep 112014

Hello, and happy Thursday!  It’s sketch week at CAS – Colours and Sketches, and our challenge hostess Louise has drawn up an interesting one for us.

I’ve stretched the sketch out to a landscape-oriented rectangle.  I’ve added a few mats to my layers, so I guess technically my card is more “clean and layered” than “clean and simple”, but I think it’s close enough to count!  🙂  I’ve used some of my long-retired Lizzie Anne Designs stamps and designer paper here along with one of Stampin’ Up’s newest In Colors. I figure this is a good any occasion card for Operation Write Home.

CASCAS91

If you need further inspiration for this challenge, go see what the rest of the design team has made!  Then create your own clean and simple card using this week’s sketch and link it to the challenge blog by 1:00 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday, September 17.  We’d love to see what you can do!

Supplies:
Stamps: Jolies Fleurs, Everyday Sayings (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Cardstock: Pure Luxury Ivory (Gina K. Designs); Tangelo Twist (Stampin’ Up); French Floral Pretty Papers (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Other: markers (Copic)

Posted by PH in VA at 4:00 am Cards, CAS Colours & Sketches, Lizzie Anne Designs, Operation Write Home

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - September sketch challenge

6 Responses »
Sep 062014

Hello!  We’re starting off another month of challenges at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown with a sketch challenge.  This one has some fun circles as well as rectangles and the chance to add a ribbon bow.

During September our challenges are being sponsored by Deedee’s Digis, and I’ve used one of their image sets for my card.  The set comes with an outline version of the image as well as a pre-colored version.  Because our color printer is out of ink, I’ve used the outline version and colored it myself.  Since I put a sentiment in one of the circular elements, I added a few rhinestones where the sketch suggested to put the sentiment.  The rhinestones started out clear, but I colored them with a Copic marker to coordinate with the deep red designer paper I’d used for the mats.

52CCT 09-06-2014

Now it’s time for you to show us what you can do with this sketch.  If you need more inspiration first, be sure to check out the 52{C}CT site to see what the rest of the design team has made.  Then link your card there by 1:00 p.m. Eastern time Friday, September 12.  We’d love to have you join us!

Supplies:
Digital Images: Meowy Christmas (Deedee’s Digis)
Cardstock: Naturals Ivory (Stampin’ Up); Pure Luxury White (Gina K. Designs); designer papers from Fruitcake collection pack (Basic Grey)
Ink: printer ink
Other: rhinestones (Bazzill); markers (Copic); standard circle and big scalloped circle Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders); Pear Pizzazz seam binding (SU)

Posted by PH in VA at 1:00 am Basic Grey, Cards, Christmas Card Throwdown, Digital images, Nestabilities

CAS - Colours and Sketches #90

5 Responses »
Sep 042014

Hello!  It’s time for a new color challenge at CAS – Colours and Sketches!  Louise is the challenge hostess this month, and she’s picked some rich, bold colors for us to work with.

In a kind of rare twist for me, I literally used only the challenge colors.  Normally I add a neutral but this time I just didn’t think it would look right to add one in.  The sentiment looks black, but trust me, I used my blackberry ink pad for it.  The layout for this card is from CAS(E) this Sketch!, but with a few small tweaks.

CASCAS90

Be sure to check out what the rest of the CC&S Design Team has done with these colors!  Then share your own card with us by linking it to the challenge post by 1:00 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday, September 10.  We’d love to have you join us!

Supplies:
Stamp: Cake & Candles (Avery Elle)
Cardstock: Lost Lagoon, Blackberry Bliss, Tangelo Twist (Stampin’ Up)
Ink: Blackberry Bliss (SU)
Other: Beautiful Bows die (My Favorite Things)

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

Cards in Envy - School Colors

Comments Off on Cards in Envy – School Colors
Sep 012014

Hello there!  With so many schools starting back up again this time of year, Cards in Envy is starting a new challenge today with the theme of School Colors.  Use the team colors of your favorite school to create an A2 sized (4.25″ x 5.5″) card that can be mailed at the standard postage rate.  Any embellishments should be less than 1/4″ thick.

I’ve chosen the colors for my sons’ high school.  The “official” school colors are blue and white, but the marching band and the athletic teams also have a lot of black on their uniforms.  I didn’t want to make yet another penguin card, LOL, so I decided to go with a music theme and came up with this very simply styled thank you card.

CIE 09-01-2014

Now it’s time for you to show us your school colors!  Share your card with us at the Cards in Envy site by 7:00 p.m. Eastern time Sunday, September 14.  We’d love to have you join in the fun and creativity!

Supplies:
Stamps: Musical Score (JudiKins); Picture This (Stampin’ Up)
Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Basic Black, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Posted by PH in VA at 1:00 am Cards, Cards in Envy, Stampin' Up!
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