Happy Thoughts

Created this card using the sketch at Fusion. Several different blues going on here: Background is a blend of Distress Blueprint Sketch, Salty Ocean and Faded Jeans. I first stamped the flowers in a random pattern with VersaMark then embossed with Clear EP & heat set. The individual flower die cuts were also embossed but with Sparkle N Sprinkle's Royal Blue EP. The sentiment was stamped using Simon Says Stamp's Happy Stamp Set and heat embossed with White EP. The word Happy was die cut from a Spellbinders Sentiments One 'Happy Birthday' Die. I glued three of them together for added dimension. Added some flourishes, a blue brad, scroll border & ribbon & done! TFL!

Supplies Used:

Paper: Ranger Specialty Stamping Paper & Royal Blue & White cardstock

Ink: Distress: Blueprint Sketch, Salty Ocean, Faded Jeans

Embossing: VersaMark, Sparkle N Sprinkle Royal Blue EP, Clear & White EP

Stamps: Heartfelt Creations Botanical Floral1 & 2, Simon Says Stamp Happy

Dies: Spellbinders Labels Eleven, Rose Creations, Sentiments One, & Twisted Metal Tags & Accents

Punch: EK Flourish Scroll

Bubbly Birthday

Made this birthday card using the  Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 287. Thankfully, that challenge is always open, as I didn't upload it before the next sketch was posted. Inspired by my paper pad from We R memory Keepers, I set out to use a bubble stencil & my distress inks to make my own version of their dotted paper. Only AFTER painstakingly sponging individual circles, I realized I should have just sponged the whole stencil in one color, then repositioned the stencil & sponge a second color - this would provide random colored dots much, much, faster than coloring the dots individually. Then the saddest realization hit me: why didn't I just USE the dotted paper provided in the paper pack?!! Ugh!!! Although, I did have fun sponging/stenciling and as practice makes perfect, my future attempts will now be easier & nicer (hopefully). 

I used an embossing folder for the background, embossed a cake image and colored it with the coordinating distress inks, added a border, sentiment & enamel dots. TFL!

Supplies Used:

Paper: We R Memory Keepers: Happy Campers

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint, Peacock Feathers, Mustard Seed, Walnut Stain

Stamp: Hampton Art

Dies: Spellbinders: Circles, Classic Edges One, Sentiments One

Stencil: Heidi Swap

Embossing Folder: Darice Diagonal Stripe

Other: Recollections Enamel Dots 

The paper that inspired me to make my own version

Flippin' Out

Here is another Camp Card. I am totally flippin' out trying to get these cards out to my girls before the mailman arrives and of course I missed him so now I have to run to the post office and hope the cards arrive before camp is over! I failed miserably at creating a quick & easy card in a quick fashion. However, I did manage to make two of the exactly same card, so I am rather proud of myself for that! Experienced some frustrations with this one: I have such a hard time using the Stampin' Up Ink Pads. I don't know if they are too big or too juicy or what, but I always end up getting ink all over. Also, I decided to use a non-VersaMark watermark ink pad and I think I am going to toss it. It doesn't work with embossing powder and I when I tried it to do watermark, you could barely see the ink. Maybe it's dried out, but I think I will stick with VersaMark because it has worked so much better for me. (If you look closely, you can see the sentiments I stamped on the pink panel.) I also learned that Ranger's Multi Medium Matte is the best liquid glue on the planet (thanks to Jennifer McGuire, I bought some and I just LOVE it). 

I am entering this card in the following challenges: Freshly Made Sketches #196 and CAS Colours & Sketches Challenge #133 Colours. 

Supplies:

Stamps: TSOL sandals4summer

Ink: Stampin' Up Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay

Dies: Stampin' Up Flower Flair, Sizzix Scallop Frame

The Great Outdoors

Loving the We R Memory Keepers "Happy Camper" Paper Pad. It is so perfect for my daughters' camp cards! The papers coordinate so beautifully and the element sheet makes card design so much easier. I wish I could say that it was done in a snap, but for whatever reason, it takes me forever to make even one card. I love using sketches to at get me started (used MOJO407), but I spend way too much time fussing over which piece/color goes best where. 

Supplies:

Paper: We R Memory Keepers Happy Camper

Dies: Classic Edges One, Labels One

Other: Twine

Quick Hello

This card was made some time ago using the left over Hello from another in-lay card that I made. I used a wood grain embossing folder then inked the design before cutting out the word. I added a bit of washi tape and some other left over paper pieces and I was done - quick & easy. It came out okay, but I think it is lacking some pizazz...but, I just love this Hello Die.  I am sure I will make many more versions of a 'hello card' in the future. TFL!

Supplies:

Dies: Simon Says Stamp Big Hello

Ink: Walnut Stain Distress Ink

Other: Darice Wood Grain EF, washi tape

Pink and Blue Butterfly Birthday

This is a card I made using an embossed panel I made awhile back. I love how the peacock blue and pink colors work together. I love the delicate butterflies, too. Added a few sequins for sparkle. TFL!

Supplies:

Stamp: Penny Black, TSOL,

Dies: Nestabilities Circles, A2 Curved Borders One, Simon Says Stamp! Leanna Butterfly

Inks: Distress, VersaMark, white ep

Other: Ribbon, sequins from my stash

Blue and Gold Graduation

Made another grad card using my Dreamweaver stencil and distress inks. I am entering this in the colourQ challenge #296. I paper pieced the graduation cap and tassel and added extra shine with the Wink of Stella pen. Thanks for looking!

Supplies: 

Paper: Ranger Speciality Stamping Paper

Dies: Spellbinders Sentiments One, Labels One & Circles, Sizzix Stars

Stamp: Northwoods

Ink: Distress Faded Jeans, Mustard Seed

Other: Wink of Stella Pen

Blue Grad Card

Love the new Dreamweaver stencil I picked up the other day. I don't have much experience with stencils yet, but I did learn that there is an enormous difference when you use the right paper with distress inks. The Ranger Speciality stamping paper (matte coated cardstock) allows the colors to glide over the paper so beautifully. Definitely going to have to stock up on that paper!

Supplies Used:

Paper: Ranger Specialty Stamping Paper, teresa collins Everyday Moments

Dies: Spellbinders Sentiments One, A2 Curved Borders One, Labels One & Circles, Sizzix Stars

Stamp: Northwoods

Ink: Distress Faded Jeans & Salty Ocean

Other: Sapphire ep, Dreamweaver Stencil

Hot Air Balloon Card

I'm happy that I got to create another card for Summer School! I am entering this one in MFT's Focal Point Challenge. It is also another father's day card, so I am entering it into the Challenge at Classy Cards 'n Such, too. I was inspired by the beautiful card created by cards4joy, which I have posted below.

Thanks for looking!

Supplies Used:

Paper: teresa collins Everyday Moments

Stamps: TSOL hot4balloons

Ink: VersaMark

Dies: A2 Curved Borders One, Labels Eleven

Other: Sapphire and Denim embossing powders

Challenges:

Classy Cards 'n Such

MFT's Summer School: Focal Point

Card inspiratin can be found at Splitcoaststampers from cards4joy:

Rule of Thirds

So glad to have the chance just to play and create this weekend! Am excited that there is still time to participate in MFT's Summer School. I am entering this card in their "Rule of Thirds" Challenge. This card will be sent to my daughter when she is at camp. I know she has fun playing BINGO there so I thought this card was perfect. Thanks for stopping by!

Paper: Happy Campers by We R Memory Keepers

Dies: Classic Edges One, Sizzix Lollipop Letters, SU Beautiful Wings

Inks: Distress Peacock Feathers, Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint

Other: Recollections Enamel Dots

Father's Day Cards

I fell in love with this "Happy Campers" paper pad by We R Memory Keepers because my husband's family is a camping family - perfect for Father's Day cards! I am entering this card into the Father's Day Challenge over at Classy Cards 'n Such

http://classycardsnsuch.blogspot.com/2015/06/ccns-challenge-89-fathers-day.html 

Thanks for looking! 

Supplies Used:

Paper: Happy Campers by We R Memory Keepers

Dies: Classic Edges One, Labels Four, SU Punch, SU Flower Fair

Stamp: SU Tag Talk

Inks: Distress Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Walnut Stain, Peeled Paint

Other: Sparkle N Sprinkle Autumn Medley

Supplies Used:

Paper: Happy Campers by We R Memory Keepers

Dies: Classic Edges One, Labels One

Inks: Distress Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Walnut Stain, Peeled Paint

Other: Sparkle N Sprinkle Autumn Medley, Heidi Swapp Stencil

Spring Beauties

Almost identical cards (yay me!) except for two very important details....the first card has sequins, and the second card finally gave me an opportunity to use my air brush gun (that I got last MAY). Since I colored the second card's tulips a bit darker than the first, I wanted the label to match, so I tried out the air gun. A good chance to practice air brushing without worrying about ruining a huge background or anything. One thing I've learned about sequins, is that it isn't as easy as it looks to get them to stick. Luckily I later researched another tip from Jennifer McGuire about applying Ranger's Matte Medium with super-fine brushes and that works very well! TFL! 

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Penny Black Spring Beauties, TSOL sentiments
Inks: Copics, Distress Inks
Other: Tim Holtz Lattice Stencil, Nestabilities Labels One, CM Ovals, Sequins

Bright Butterflies

Can't believe it's the end of March already....many cards have been made since my last post, but I so many other things have kept me busy that I haven't been able to keep up. Here's hoping this post will be the first of many more to come SOON!

This card started with the thought of using the freebie sparkly purple butterflies my sister shared with me (see 'Planned Card' photo below), but, as usual, it kind of grew a mind of its own and, well, the final version is more colorful. Am loving my new sentiment dies and am grateful to Jennifer McGuire's tips for adhering these delicate die cuts (Ranger Multi Medium (Matte) applied with micro brushes is awesome!). 

SUPPLIES USED:

Paper: SEI

Stamps: Hero Arts Brush Strokes

Dies: Simon Says Stamp HB, Edgeabilities Classic Edges One, SU Beautiful Wings

Inks: Distress Inks: Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves

Inside

Planned Card