Muse Card Challenge

Hi everyone ~
This week, my sweet blog friend and incredibly talented card designer, Cornelia (Fun Stamping) is Guest Muse for the Muse Card Challenge! So, when I sat down to create my card, my intention was to use acrylic paints to achieve the effect much like Cornelia’s card:

I love how she used a cake decorating tool to create her design...So unique! Since most of my acrylic paints are dried out, and I don't have any cool kitchen tools, I tried using water colors on my first card, which turned into a complete mess! So, I switched to pigment inks, which I smudged on my second card. The third card got trashed when I tried to add splatters...in the end, it looked more like a dirty window on a NYC subway! I wasn’t going to give up, so this is my 4th and final attempt: 

 

A few weeks ago, I finally broke down and bought a set of stamps that resemble paint strokes, and thought they would be perfect with Cornelia’s design. I stamped the colors in 'sort of’ a rainbow order, stamped the W & W sentiment, and added a little WOS clear glitter to the ‘hello’, just to give it some sparkle. I used Enamel Accents to create splatters with the end of a paint brush and a toothpick, and finally got the look I was going for!

The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is always fun to play along, and since this week's theme is 'Anything Goes', I would also like to enter my card there.

So, that’s it for me ~ Thanks so much for stopping by!

Barb


Supplies
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Positive Strokes
Ink: Ranger - Archival Jet Black; Mama Elephant - Bubblegum, Sunshine, Mint to Be, Ocean, Eggplant
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Select White
Misc: Inkessentials - Black Enamel Accents

New Goodies!

Hi everyone...I have 2 more cards to share today. The first one is for this week’s challenge at CAS(E) This Sketch.
The sketch was created by the Super Talented, Gayatri Murali, and there are so many ways to go with it! 

I chose to use another one of my ‘new to me’ stamp sets from Clearly Besotted to create this card called Elegant Butterflies. Before I stamped them, I used selective die cutting for the lilac butterfly, so that it would pop up off the top of the card. Then, I colored them in with Copics, stamped the small ones in black, and added Wink of Stella clear glitter to add sparkle to them. I stamped the sentiment in gray, because there’s so much black on this card, and added white pearls to the center of the images.

                                         *****************

My 2nd card is for this week’s challenge at Less is More...the recipe for this week is ‘Die Cut’!

For this card, I die cut the outline of the poppies in black, and used Copics to color in the flowers. I used the inlaid die cut technique and since I just received this Winnie & Walter stamp set, of course, I couldn’t wait to use it on a card (and that it was perfect for my son to give to his girlfriend)! I stamped it in black archival ink and used clear embossing powder to make it shiny. I wanted to keep this card really CAS, so I added a few sequins, and I was finished.

So, that’s it for me ~ Thanks so much for stopping by!

Barb

Supplies:

Heartfelt Thanks
Stamps: Clearly Besotted Stamps - Elegant Butterflies
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versafine - Smokey Gray
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Select White
Markers: Copics
Gems: Hero Arts - Small Pearls

Love You
Stamps: Winnie & Walter - The Big, The Bold, and The Happy
Ink: Ranger - Archival Jet Black
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Select White
Embossing Powder: Hero Arts - Super Fine Clear
Die: Memory Box - Darling Poppies
Gems: Pretty Pink Posh - Sparkling Clear Cupped (4mm)

Guest Designer at a2zScrapbooking Supplies

Hello Everyone ~ I’m back with another Guest DT post for the a2zScrapbooking Supplies Blog. Here is a sneak peek of my card:

Don’t forget, you have until the 31st to link up your Hero Arts project to the Linky Party for your chance to win a $25.00 Gift Voucher at the a2z Store! This month’s theme is ‘How Does Your Garden Grow’? Good luck!

By the way, the stamps and ink I used on my card are available at the a2z Store. Be sure to check out the store often, because new items are being added all the time! And...You are welcome to use the Coupon Code “BARB15″ to get 15% off your purchase!

Wishing you all a safe Holiday weekend, and I hope everyone takes a moment to remember the heroes who sacrificed so much for our freedom! Thanks for stopping by ~

Barb

Special Mother

Hi everyone...I'm one of those very blessed people who still have my mother, and I love to create cards for her for no reason at all! She loves flowers, and since they seem to be the theme this week for several challenges, I couldn’t resist jumping in. I would like to enter this card for the CASology Challenge and for my 2nd submission at Less is More Challenge.

And, here is my card:

I used my brand new Clearly Besotted stamps to create this card. I embossed the flowers in white, and for a change, I colored the flowers in Lilac (my mother's favorite color).

So, that’s it for me ~ I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Barb


Supplies:
Stamps: Clearly Besotted Stamps - Fresh Flowers
Ink: Versamark; Hero Arts - Silver
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Select White
Markers: Copics - V000, V 04, V15, YG06, YG07, YG09
Gems: Pretty Pink Posh - Sparkling Clear Cupped (4mm)

More Challenge Cards

Hi everyone...I have 2 cards to share ~
A few days ago, I found a new CAS challenge blog (thanks, Hannelie!), AAA Cards CAS Challenge, and for their third challenge, the theme is "INSPIRE" and CASE a card by Linda Beesom. Here is a photo of Linda’s card:

 And, here is my card:

 

It wasn’t until I was finished, that I realized there is no stamping on this card...so strange!!! So, to begin, I inked my Swiss Dot stencil with shadow inks, then die cut and embossed the black panel with the Linen/Canvas Impression Plate. I die cut the Dream Cloud in vellum and inked cardstock to create a matching gradient of colors for the positive alphas. I added a few sequins and enamel dots, and a coat of Wink of Stella clear glitter to the word dream. It’s difficult to see the sparkle on screen, so here is a close up:

This week’s challenge at Addicted to Stamps is ‘Anything Goes', so I would also like to submit my card there, as well!

 *******************

My 2nd card is for two challenges: CAS(E) This Sketch, and The Card Concept, for the theme ‘Coffee’:

 Ever since I bought Avery Elle’s Rounded Diamonds stamp and die set, I’ve been trying to think of a unique way to use them on a card. So, when I saw the hexagon on the sketch, I decided to go with what I had on hand and create a CAS design. I used just the die and created an aperture for the cup and saucer. I used the rock n’ roll technique on the image, colored pencils for shading, and gold embossing powder for the sentiment.

So, that’s it for me ~ Thanks so much for stopping by!
Barb  

Supplies:
Dream:
Ink: Hero Arts - Butter Bar. Orange Soda, Pale Tomato
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Select White, Lemon Tart, True Black, Vellum
Dies: Memory Box - Dream Cloud; MFT - Blue Prints 13
Impression Plate: Papertrey Ink - Linen/Canvas
Misc: Wink of Stella - Clear Glitter Pen
Gems: My Minds Eye - Enamel Dots; Pretty Pink Posh - Sparkling Clear Cupped (6mm)

Let’s Catch Up:
Stamps: Clearly Besotted Stamps - Warm Wishes
Ink: Mama Elephant - Winter, Ocean; Versamark; Hero Arts - Cup O’ Joe
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Select White; Simon Says Stamp - Surf Blue
Pencils: Prismacolor
Embossing Powder: Zing - Gold
Gems: My Minds Eye - Enamel Dots

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

Hello Everyone ~ Today is a very special day at the a2z Scrapbooking Supplies Blog! We are sending special Birthday Wishes to Elizabeth, owner and creator, and of course a girl with a love for all things “Hero Arts”! We would love it if you have a chance to stop by and say hello!

As a Guest DT gal for the month of May, I’ve created this card in honor of Elizabeth’s birthday using some of my favorite Hero Arts stamps and dies ~ I embossed the Butterfly on vellum with Hero Arts White Embossing Powder, die cut and colored it using Hero Arts Water Color Wheel Paints. I tucked in a little silver thread, added wire wings, and Medium Accent Pearls, then mounted it to a scalloped rectangle. Then, I stamped the sentiment with Black Dye Ink from the Hero Arts stamp set Perfect Day, which is currently sold out in the store, but may be special ordered by clicking on the 'Request Custom Order’ tab on the sidebar, and placed everything on to Lilac Layering Papers.

If you’re eager to get your hands on some of the newest Hero Arts products from the 2014 Catalog, as well as some of the 'classics’ (as I am), please feel free to use the discount code Mayflowers for 10%OFF your purchase of $25 or more on your total order (excluding shipping) at the a2zScrapbooking Store.

And, don’t forget, you have until the 31st to link up your project to the Linky Party (for the theme 'How Does Your Garden Grow') for your chance to win a $25. Gift Voucher in the a2zscrapbooking Store! Good luck, and thanks so much for stopping by!

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth! I hope all of your birthday wishes come true!

Barb

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts - Butterfly and Flower, Perfect Day
Ink: Hero Arts - Black Dye Ink; Versamark
Cardstock: Hero Arts - Snow Layering Papers, Lilac Layering Papers
Dies: Hero Arts - Butterfly and Flower; Mama Elephant - Type It
Embossing Powder: Hero Arts - White
Paints: Hero Arts Water Color Wheel
Gems: Hero Arts - Medium Accent Pearls
Misc: Coats and Clark - Silver thread; Artistic Wire (20 gauge)

With a Grateful Heart

Hi everyone,
Things are finally settling down for me, and even though I don’t have a water colored card to share (yet), I'm still a 'Challenge Junkie’, and have to get my projects in before the deadline!
So, I have a card to share for 4 challenges: Addicted to Stamps, which is a 'Photo inspiration', Addicted to CAS, for the theme ‘Off the Edge’, Less is More for the theme 'Flowers', and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge for the theme 'Die Crazy'.

I took out my PTI set, Birds & Blooms, stamped and die cut the branch, bird and nest; then with my Lawn Fawn ‘Penelope’s Blossoms’ set, I stamped and die cut the flowers. The pink and white striped panel along the side is Washi tape, and I used Delicata Gold ink for the bird nest and sentiment...love the shimmer of this ink! The heart was die cut in gold foil, but looks really dark on my screen...so frustrating! Here is a close up before I clicked 'auto adjust' on PicMonkey:

Well, that’s it for me...CAS with a ‘feminine’ twist! I hope everyone’s week is off to a great start ~ Thanks so much for stopping by!

Barb

Supplies:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Birds & Blooms; Lawn Fawn - Penelope’s Blossoms
Ink: Hero Arts - Bubble Gum, Green Hills; Delicata Golden Glitz; Simon Says Stamp - Audrey Blue
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Select White; DCWV - Gold Foil Cardstock
Die: Papertrey Ink - Birds & Blooms; Lawn Fawn - Penelope’s Blossoms

Watercolor for Cardmakers - Faux Hand-Painting

Hi everyone,
I’ve had a wildly busy week, and have only been able to create a few cards for Online Card Class - Watercolor for Cardmakers. So, now that all of my personal obligations are behind me, I’m finally ready to get back to playing! I really enjoyed the class, but found that I had to ‘pitch’ a lot of water color paper after ‘practicing’ the techniques! 

But, all is not lost, because on Day 8 of Class, the ‘Amazing’ Laura Bassen shared a video with us for watercoloring with our stencils. I recently bought the Memory Box ‘Darling Poppies’ die, so I decided to create my own stencil with it for this card!
 

I’m not crazy about the tiny branches on this die, so if I decide to try it again, I will use leaves from another die, or stamp. I used water color pencils and Inktense pencils to color in the flowers and stems, then ran it through my die cut machine with the stitched rectangle die (which also helps to flatten the card, by the way). I made my own banner, added a few gems, popped everything up on a purple card base, and that was it!

This weeks’ theme at Less is More is ‘flower’, so I would like to enter this card in the challenge.

Yesterday, I hosted the Hero Arts Flickr Group Scramble, and challenged everyone to create a 'One Layer Card'. Here are two of the cards I used as samples for the group:

 

 

 

 

 

And, This Card from a previous post. The next Scramble should be sometime during the week of May 26th, and we would love for you to join in the fun!

Well, that’s it for me...I hope everyone is having a relaxing weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Supplies for Congratulations Card:
Stamps: Avery Elle - Sentimental Swirls
Ink: Derwent - Watercolor Pencils, Inktense Pencils; Versafine - Onyx Black
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Select White; Bazzill Card Shoppe - Gummy Bear
Dies: Memory Box - Darling Poppies; Lawn Fawn - Stitched Scalloped Borders
Gem: Kaisercraft - White Pearls

Happy Birthday Sandie!

Hi everyone,
 Today’s post is very special ~ It’s a ‘Birthday Linky Party’ in honor of the fabulous Sandie Munro! 

Lynn and Nonni have organized a very special birthday party in her honor ~ And, what’s a party without some fun balloons, right?

Happy Birthday, Sandie! I hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends, and that all of your birthday wishes come true!!! Here is my birthday card for you ~
 

 

If you would like to join in the fun, please check out Nonni’s Blog for details.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day, and getting ready for a relaxing weekend! I’ll be back later to share some of my projects from online card class: ‘Watercolor For Cardmakers’!

Supplies:
Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Hello Sunshine; Papertrey Ink - Heart-2-Heart #2 (sentiment)
Ink: Mama Elephant - Blush, Bubblegum, Lollipop; Versafine - Onyx Black; Studio Calico - Clean Slate
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Select White
Patterned Paper: Lawn Fawn - Hello Sunshine
Die: Lawn Fawn - Stitched Scalloped Borders
Gem: Doodlebug - Cupcake mini pearls

Sunshine Daisies and Hand Stitching

Hi everyone,
I have two cards to share today...The first one is created with my new stamp set from the current Hero Arts Catalog called Hello Sunshine Daisies...I really ‘Love’ this set! Every one of the flowers and sentiments are so pretty, and I can’t wait to use them all!

This is a one layer card, using Hero Arts Shadow Inks and Wink of Stella clear marker in the center of the flower to make it sparkle! The flower and sentiment are both from Hello Sunshine Daisies stamp set, and I would like to enter this card in two challenges: Addicted to Stamps for the theme 'Clean and Simple, and Less is More Challenge for the theme 'One Layer Card’.

My next card has lots of stitching on it. I wanted to play in the latest Virginia’s View Challenge for the theme ‘Stitching’, so I dug out my really old Bazzill In Stitchz templates (remember them?) and chose this flower:

I die cut the stitched mat, followed the template for the flower, and added the french knot, and the sweet little butterfly and trail. It may be hard to see in the photo, but I also colored in the flower and leaf with Prismacolor pencils and blended with Gamsol to soften the colors.
Well, that’s it for me today...I hope everyone’s week is off to a great start ~ Thanks so much for stopping by!

Barb

Supplies:
‘Just Because’
Stamps: Hero Arts - Hello Sunshine Daisies
Ink: Hero Arts - Butter Bar, Orange Soda, Pale Tomato; Versafine - Onyx Black
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Select White
Misc: Wink of Stella - Clear Glitter Pen

‘You’re Special’
Stamps: Hero Arts - Hello Sunshine Daisies
Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Select White
Die: Lil’ Inker Designs - Stitched Mats: Rectangles ; Stitched Butterflies
Misc: In Stitch’z Template - Bring Me Flowers; DMC Embroidery Floss - Yellow, Pink, Green;
Prismacolor Pencils

Online Card Class - More Water Coloring!

After watching Shari’s video on Friday demonstrating water coloring on an embossed background with Distress Markers in the ‘Watercolor For Cardmakers’ class, I decided to create this card based on the current Hero Arts Spring Sketch Challenge (Sketch # 1).

After embossing the background with white EP, I used distress markers with water and a paint brush for the triangles. The leaves were inked on the Hero Arts Night Flower Stencil with Green Hills, and the sentiment is from my brand new stamp set, Hello Sunshine Daisies.

So, that’s it for me today...Sending you all my best wishes for a Happy Mother’s Day ~ Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts - Tiny Flags, Hello Sunshine Daisies
Ink: Hero Arts - Green Hills; Versafine - Onyx Black
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White, Spring Rain
Markers: Tim Holtz Distress Markers- Broken China, Squeezed Lemonade, Dried Marigold, Peacock Feathers, Victorian Velvet
Dies: Spellbinders - Large Circle
Sequins: Pretty Pink Posh

Online Card Class - Water Color For Cardmakers!

It’s Day 5 for Online Card Classes ‘Watercolor For Cardmakers’  and I’m still very behind on my projects, but really enjoying this class!

I created this card based on Shari Carroll’s tutorial on Day 4. I used one of my all time favorite flower stamps by Hero Arts, and I love the ‘dreamy’ feel of the flower using water colors. The sentiment is from the 'Enjoy Today’ stamp set, and continues on the inside of the card which reads: “You are so thoughtful”.

I used distress markers for the flower and leaves and after cutting the front panel on an angle, I placed it on an embossed card base. It’s difficult to see on screen, so here is a close up of the embossed panel:

I would like to enter this card into 2 challenges: Addicted to Stamps for the theme ‘Clean & Simple’, and Simon Says Stamp Challenge for the theme 'Spring Flowers’.

 

So, that’s it for me today...I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and that you have a Happy Mother’s Day!  

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!
 
Barb

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts - Painted Flower, Enjoy Today
Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink - Stamper’s Select White, Lemon Tart
Impression Plate: Papertrey Ink - Linen/Canvas 
Markers: Tim Holtz Distress Markers- Worn Lipstick, Squeezed Lemonade, Dried Marigold
Sequins: Pretty Pink Posh

Online Card Class - WaterColor For Cardmakers!

Well, it’s Day 3 for Online Card Classes ‘Watercolor For Cardmakers’ and even though I’m very behind on my projects, I’m really enjoying this class!

For my first card, I thought I would channel my inner ‘Laura Bassen’ ...well, I tried! I lost count of how many pieces of water color paper were trashed in the process, but it was still a lot of fun and I did manage to create a card: 

I can’t go into the specifics, but I used distress inks to create the front panel, and die cuts from PTI and Lil’ Inkers.

*****

For my next card, I used a soft water color wash background technique taught by Agnieszka Malyszek on Day 2. I found this very relaxing...

 

I wanted to create a scene for the horse and buggy images, so I tried to mimic grass and the sky behind them with just a hint of yellow from the sun across the top...not sure if I really achieved that, but I tried! I used my water color pencils (Stampin’ Up and Inktense) and the new Tim Holtz water color papers, which seem to hold up well to all the water I added to the colors.  

*****

My last card is based on a technique taught by Kristina Werner on Day 2. I used my Hero Arts Loop Flower background stamp, and my new SSS/Mama Elephant stamp and die set called ‘Summer Garden’ for the flower. The sentiment is from the Hero Arts set ‘Enjoy Today’.

So, that’s it for days 1 and 2...now, I would like to create something Day 3....onward and forward, as they say! 

I hope everyone is having a great week ~ Thanks so much for stopping by!
 
Barb