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)

Happy Birthday with Colour Q and Just Add Ink

I was scrolling through Facebook yesterday and saw this fabulous card made by Tracey McNeely for the Colour Q challenge.  I absolutely love what she did with her background and the colors she chose, so I had to play with the color combo myself.  It's a very soothing combination that works well for masculine cards.

I didn't have a couple of these colors, so I used the next closest ones.  I already had a stamp set and sketch in mind because I wanted to play along with the JUST add INK's 300th sketch challenge!!!

My card doesn't come close to some of the amazing design team samples, but I sure had fun!  It was completely accidental that I used so many Sale-A-Bration items on this card.  I just kept pulling things out that I thought would work for these 2 challenges.  :)  Now you know how much I spent with my last SU order.  lol.

  I'm already thinking ahead and planning to make something similar to this card for Father's Day.

Stamps: Perfect Pairings (SAB), Sky is the Limit (SAB), Timeless Textures (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Island Indigo, Smoky Slate (SU)
Paper: Island Indigo, Perfect Pairings DSP (SAB), Smoky Slate, Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Grey and White Twine

Totally Fabulous ~ CTS #160

Sorry this post is going up a little late today.  For some reason my computer wasn't playing nice with my camera and I had trouble getting the video loaded.  Thankfully a restart of both devices seemed to do the trick.  ;)

This totally fabulous card was inspired by the new challenge at CAS(E) this sketch.  As soon as I saw the sketch I wanted to try making some chevron stripes.  It would also look cute with solid stripe stamping or even large striped paper.  I would like to try this sketch again with a soft gray stripe and a trio of butterflies or flowers in place of a sentiment.  

There are few things I learned in the process of making this card that I share in the video below.  Clicky to watch on youtube.

Stamps: (mentioned, not used) Legendary (CASual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Cracked Pistachio, Mermaid Lagoon, Picked Raspberry, Squeezed Lemonade, Wilted Violet (Distress)
Paper: Marshmallow (Bazzill)
Accessories: Totally Fabulous (Essentials by Ellen) Zigs and Zags Stencil (Penny Black)

Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies, Totally Fabulous by Julie Ebersole

Penny Black Stencils, Zigs & Zags

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Mermaid Lagoon

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Cracked Pistachio

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Squeezed Lemonade

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Picked Raspberry

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Wilted Violet

Ranger Multi Medium, Matte With Brush, 1 oz.

Ranger Multi Medium, Matte Mini, 1/2 oz.

Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Marshmallow, 10 pk

Calling All Sistahs

It's that time of the month.  Last month I forget, but this month I am back on track.  On the 17th of every month I am (striving to) join Michelle Gross, from CASual Fridays Stamps, in her Calling All Sistahs campaign to remind  you to do your monthly breast self-exams.   Early detection is so key and that is why I am committed to sharing this call out each month.  I also bring you a card so you can CASE it to send to one of your girlfriends reminding them to do their exams or to encourage them if they are battling cancer.

This month I have a very clean and simple card with lots of little details.  I used a Zig marker to color my white dazzling diamonds glitter paper, then layered the pink ribbons onto black glitter paper.  The mat for my ribbon parade was sponged with distress ink, then sponged again with a stencil covering it.   The sentiment was double stamped to match the ribbons, but I think I would like it better if it was just in black or pink.  

My card is based on the new StampNation challenge.  I flipped it on its side.  

Here is a sneak peek of my Design Team card.  You are going to want to check out what the rest of the amazing team has come up with.

Stamps: Calling All Sistahs (CASual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: 025 Clean Color Real Brush Marker (Zig) Ripe Raspberry Dye Ink (My Favorite Things) Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: Black Glimmer, Dazzling Diamonds, Whisper White (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Scrolled BG Stencil (My Favorite Things) Ribbon Die (Verve)

Affiliate links used when possible.  This is at no cost to you.  Thank you for helping me buy more supplies to inspire you.

Ranger Multi Medium, Matte Mini, 1/2 oz.

Ranger Multi Medium, Matte With Brush, 1 oz.

My Favorite Things Stencils, Scrolled Background

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 025, Pink

American Crafts Specialty Paper, Silver/Gold/Black Glitter, 6x6 Paper Pad

Memento Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Picked Raspberry

Hooray It's Your Day ~ SOA Sneak Peek ~ Video

The new Stamp of Approval Young At Heart collection is being released next week and I just can't stop playing with my box of goodies!  When I saw the layered circles in the Ring in the Celebration stamp set by Winnie & Walter I knew I wanted to create a CAS card with the Rings as the star of the show.  

I have teenage boys and I'm in need of cards that they can give to friends. I ended up created 2 cards.  The one above is a more masculine version that my teenage boys could give to a friend.  The one below has a "slightly" more feminine look with the soft yellow glow and pink frosting.

I captured these cards on video so you could see how easy it is to pull off these looks, plus you'll get a peek at the soon-to-be-released SOA collection.  ;) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HBdVx5n2QU

CAS(E) this Sketch has another fabulous sketch this week.  It fits the design of my cards, so I am linking up with them and sharing it with you to play along too!  I love how using sketches helps me focus my design.   This is especially true when I am overwhelmed by all the possibilities a collection, or even a single stamp set, has.  

CTS157

Stamps: Ring in the Celebration (Winnie& Walter for SOA)
Ink: Coastal Cabana, Tempting Turquoise, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Melon Mambo (Stampin' Up) Tuxedo Black (Memento) Squeezed Lemonade (Distress)
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Pacific Point, Whisper White (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Circle Punch, Dimensionals (SU)

Clicky to get on the waiting list for the new Stamp of Approval collection.

Color Burst Trial ~ SC121 ~ Video

Stampin' Celebration is back with a new sketch challenge!  I went with a winter theme on this one, in part because the news on the west coast was all about the winter blizzard hitting the east coast.  Praying all my friends on the other side of our country are safe and warm.

This week's sketch is super quick to put together.  Punch or die cut your favorite shape and group them in the corner.  You could use solid colored cardstock, patterned paper, stamped images or make you own custom pattern like I did.  Rotate the sketch or flip it for more possibilities.

Last week was quiet on my blog because I was preparing for the new Stamp of Approval release, as well as the stencil class at StampNation.  I had the video set up and I was playing with my new camera.  That means I have videos to share again!  Woot-Woot!  This card was originally going to be for the SOA release week, but the background did not turn out the way I envisioned it.  Luckily I was able to re-purpose it into this card and another card I will share later.   Plus, I caught it on tape, so I have video for you.

https://youtu.be/HOB-q1jZlcE

Be sure to clicky and see what the design team has linked up.  There will be a new DT call soon, so if you are interested in joining now would be a great time to start participating.  <hint-hint>

Stamps: A Dozen Thoughts, Perpetual Birthday Calendar (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Pthalo Green, Merlot, Violet, Ultramarine Blue (Ken Oliver Color Bursts) Versamark, Bermuda Bay (Stampin' Up!)

Paper: Whisper White (SU) Woodgrain Cardstock (Ellen Hutson)

Accessories: 1" Circle Punch, Embossing Buddy, White Embossing Powder (SU)  Short Round 4 Brush (Silver Brush Company)

***Sale-A-Bration is going on NOW.  Choose a free SAB item for every $50 you spend in the Stampin' Up! store.

Sunday Share ~ In Memory of Andy

When it comes to making sympathy cards I usually do them on an as-needed basis.  It can be nice to have a few on hand that I can send when it is too difficult to make them, but as I rule I make them for the family as they are grieving the loss of their loved one.  It gives me time to process the grief.   If I did not know the person, then I spend that time praying for the people they left behind.  If I did know the person I also think about them and what they meant to me.  I remember the good moments and try to smile at the funny ones.  Grief is a difficult thing to deal with and we all go through it in different ways.  Making cards is one thing I do to help me through that process.  Unfortunately I have been making cards this week for my friend, my son's friend & his brother who lost their husband/dad early this week.

CTS 154

Even though making these cards is part of the process, I always head to the stamp room and stare at my table not knowing where to start.  Thankfully I had seen the Facebook post from CAS(E) this sketch and thought it was a perfect sketch for my needs.

The background was sponged with distress inks and then stamped with a scripty stamp.  I tried to match the colors, but wasn't concerned if they overlapped.   The mat behind my sponged piece was colored with the direct to paper technique.  It gave it a darker shade than sponging does so that the piece has a noticeable frame.  The stamp I used has been retired, but any script stamp, like Defining Words from Wplus9, will work


Next I stamped the sentiment and heat set it to avoid smearing.  This also helps the sentiment to stand out from the background sponging.  My last step was to add the vellum die cut to represent the butterflies in the sketch and some enamel dots.  I had planned on using butterflies when I started, but the vine called to me.


Stamps: French Foliage (Stampin' Up!) Forever In Our Hearts (Verve)
Ink: Dried Marigold, Squeezed Lemonade, Wilted Violet (Distress) Onyx Black (Versafine)
Paper: Solar White (Neenah)
Accessories: Geneva Vine (Memory Box) Now & Then Enamel Dots (MME) Blueprints 20, Blueprints 24 (My Favorite Things)

My Favorite Things Die-namics, Blueprints 20

My Favorite Things Die-namics, Blueprints 24

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Dried Marigold

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Squeezed Lemonade

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Wilted Violet

VersaFine Ink Pad, Onyx Black

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pk

Poppystamps Dies, Beverly Vine

WPlus9 Design Studio Clear Stamps, Defining Words

Golden Deer ~ Video

How are your Christmas cards coming?  Have you sent them yet?  I haven't even made out my list yet.  Yikes!  I better get to work on that.  My card today is super simple to mass produce if you need to still make a few more.

Check out my video for some tips and bloopers.

https://youtu.be/nOeDuqfeMUk

My card was inspired by the new Stampin' Celebration challenge.  Even if you have already sent all your cards this year, you can use the photo collage for inspiration for any type of card. The card I made today could be used for any occassion if you changed the sentiment and image.   Happy Father's Day (keep the deer) Congratulations, Graduation, Wedding, Birthday, Thank You.

SC118

I was also inspired by last week's sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch.  The gold and white buttons paired with the sketchy circles perfectly, don't you think?  I love it when 2 challenges work together like they were meant to be.  

CTS 151

Be sure to check out both challenges and play along.  :)  It's good to take time for your creative self during this busy holiday season.  

Stamps: White Christmas (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Black (Staz-On) Golden Glitz Delicata (Tsukineko) Soft Suede (SU)
Paper: Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Aquapainter (SU or Tim Holtz Distress) Blueprints 24 (My Favorite Things) Pattern of the Rings Stencil (Winnie & Walter for SOA)

Ranger Ink Blending Tool, 1 Inch Round

My Favorite Things Die-namics, Blueprints 24

Delicata Ink Pad, Golden Glitz

Stazon Solvent Ink Pad, Jet Black

Ranger Tim Holtz Water Brush, Detailer/Fine Brush Nib

Sponge Applicator, Sponge Dauber 3 pk

Sponge Applicator, Sponge Dauber w/ Airtight Cap

Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue, 0.88 oz.