It Will Be Ok CAS18

Back when I used to scrapbook I LOVED using sketches.  That carried on to my cardmaking.  My favorite challenges have always been sketches.  So, you can guess my excitement when I discovered the Calling All Sistahs Encouragement Challenge is a sketch!  Check it out.

Imagine my surprise when I ended up with a Fall card instead of pink and glitter like I had planned.  I guess Fall is in the air.  If you check out the rest of the Encouragement Squad inspiration, you will quickly notice my card is not like the others. 

I started with a tag for this card by stamping the acorn, and coloring it with a blender pen.  Then making a mask for the acorn out of a post-it-note and stamping the leaves around it.  The little scallops needed something and I was going to use a marker to make dots, then I remembered the Candy Dots from Stampin' Up I have.   They are likely retired, so it was tempting to hoard them, but it was time they got used so I added one to each of the little scallops.  Then I was faced with what to do with the background to match the sketch.  I thought about pulling out one of my woodgrain embossing folders.  I also considered just putting down a strip of ribbon to mimic the line in the sketch.  In the end I remembered I have woodgrain paper so I pulled that out.  Then the jute ribbon on the wall caught my eye and I tried laying it on the paper.  Instant perfection.  

Now the top of my tag looked too plain.  I didn't have any ribbon to match the colors of my leaves and the brown ribbon faded into the background.  So, I tried a little scrap of red ribbon and bam! my card was complete.  Here is a little bit of my inspiration for this card.

Driving up to Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park last weekend.  Gorgeous and sunny Autumn day. 

Drive around the Hood Canal on our way to Port Angeles, WA. It was raining so I had difficulty getting good pictures, but we so enjoyed the driving!

Head on over to CAS18 to see what my talented Sistahs have created and be inspired to add your own ENCOURAGEMENT card to the challenge!  Don't forget to use our coupon code when shopping.

Stamps: Autumn Blessings, Breathe (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, So Saffron (Stampin' Up) Lime Rickey, Sauna (Catherine Pooler)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Woodgrain DSP (SU)
Accessories: Blender Pen, Jute Ribbon, Neutral Candy Dots (SU) Scallop Tag Fri-Die (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)

CAS12 Encouragement Challenge

You know that feeling when you open your mailbox and there is a handmade card of encouragement inside?  That is the feeling we want to help you give your friends and family.  Join the Calling All Sistahs encouragement challenge and make a card to bring a smile to the mailbox of the person you send it to.  In the process you can build up your stash of encouragement cards and have a chance to win a cool prize from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.

CAS12

For today's card I had some fun playing with ink and water to make a floral explosion. 

Head on over to the Calling All Sistahs blog to see the beautiful springtime creations from the rest of the talented encouragement squad and then get started on your own masterpiece to link up with the challenge.

Stamps: Breathe (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)

Ink: 031, 034, 036, 092 (Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers) Be Mine, Midnight, Party Dress, Tiki Torch (Catherine Pooler Designs) Emerald Envy (Stampin' UP)
Paper: Bristol Vellum Cardstock (Strathmore) Distress Watercolor (Tim Holtz) Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: 4 Petals Fri-Dies, Bubble Box Fri-Dies (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) 

CAS07 Soothing Green

Who could use a little encouragement today?  I think all of us have days where we need our friends to lift us up.  What better way to do that than with a beautiful handcrafted card?  That's why Michele Gross of CASual Fridays Stamps started the Calling All Sistahs Encouragement Challenge, to challege us each month to make cards and send them to those who could use a little lift in their spirits or spring in their steps.

My card was completely inspired by the green and white of this picture.  I planned on stamping out a white flower from on of my many CASual Fridays floral stamps, but then I saw the casual trees dies and knew I needed to shift gears.  The small doily die was a perfect substitute for the round floral shape.

I must admit, I am smitten with the classy, clean and simple card.  First I sponged the background in my new Catherine Pooler Spa inks and then I sponged another piece of cardstock so I could die cut my branches.  I purposefully sponged half the cardstock in a lighter color and the other half in the darker, then cut out my trees from various parts of that paper.  Next I stamped my sentiment, ties a few of my little trees with some linen thread and mounted it with foam tape onto my lightly sponged card base. 

Now it's your turn to be inspired and create an encouragement card.  Head on over to CAS07 to see the amazing creations from the Encouragement Squad and get crafting.  We can't wait to see what you create!

Stamps: Breathe (CASual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Black Jack, Green Tea, Eucalyptus (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Paper: Whisper White (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Casual Trees Fri-Dies (CASual Fridays Stamps) Small Doily Die (Catherine Pooler Designs) Linen Thread (Stampin' Up)

Faux Painting with Gelatos ~ Inspired by Masterclass

Have you had a chance to check out the Faber-Castell Masterclass over at StampNation?  I'm learning so much about mixed media and getting lots of inspiration.  Today's card uses a tutorial from the first day of class.   Members can check it out here.  I knew I wanted to dry out the blowing technique for this month's Calling All Sistahs encouragement challenge.  It fits PERFECTLY!

My card was inspired by two other bloggers, Kristie Goulet and Gwendolyn Goh.  Click on their names to check out their fabulous creations!

There is still time to play along with this challenge.  Clicky to check it out and add your pictures for a chance to win big!

One more thing before I go.  Zigs and Zags is retiring and on sale at a DEEP discount.  Grab it quick because once it is gone, it's gone forever!

Stamps: Breathe, Zig & Zags (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Midnight (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Accessories: Gesso, Gelatos (Faber-Castell)

Gelatos Designer Set, Tropical

Faber-Castell Gelatos Designer Set, Pastels

Faber-Castell Gesso