CASology Challenge - North

Hi there, blog friends ~ I've been nursing a 'Stye' (in my good eye) so this will be a quick post. I always enjoy playing along with CASology, so I hope my ice skating polar bear fits the bill for this week's cue ~

 That's what polar bears do in the north pole, right? Everything on this card is from MFT except for the snowflakes. I colored the bear with Copics and used Stickles on the icebergs for sparkle...the ice pond was created with a shadow die and shaded with distress inks.

Did you notice my new gorgeous 'backdrop'? My special thanks to Loll...I really love it!!!

Have a great weekend, everyone ~ Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Polar Bear Pals; WPlus9 - Iconic Christmas (snowflakes)
Dies: MFT - Polar Bear Pals,, Hit the Slopes, Oval Shadow, Icebergs
Misc: Copic Markers; Stickles - Star Dust; Tim Holtz -  Peacock Feathers

Fusion Card Challenge - Christmas Eve Ride

Hi there blog friends ~ It's time for a new challenge at Fusion and this time our prompt is 'Christmas Eve Ride'. 

You expected a Christmas card, right? Sorry about that...I needed a card for my 12 yr old granddaughter, so I went with the sketch and created this card for her :) I colored MFT Bitty Bears with Copic markers and popped each one up on a snowy hill with a sky background...of course, the sentiment is perfect for her! 

Don't forget the best thing about the Fusion Card Challenge is that you can choose between the sketch and the inspiration photo, or both! My teamies have created some beautiful cards to inspire you, so feel free to stop by the challenge blog and play along with us!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Bitty Bears
Dies: MFT - Bitty Bears, Inside/Out Stitched Squares; Mama Elephant - Landscape Trio (snowy hills)
Misc: Copic Markers; MFT - Mini Cloud Stencil

CAS Christmas - December Challenge

Hi there blog friends ~ It's a new challenge over at CAS Christmas, and this month the theme is 'Stars'! I love the movement in this starry stamp, so I was happy to ink it up again and play along! 

I started by stenciling the cloudy sky, then die cut this NBUS Christmas Angel with white glitter cardstock. I stamped the stars and sentiment with Liquid Platinum EP and placed the panel on to an A2 card base.

So, that's it for me...head on over and check out all of the gorgeous cards Loll, Bonnie and their team created for this month's challenge ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Uniko - Reach for the Stars; MFT - Hand Lettered Christmas (sentiment)
Dies: Stamplorations - Christmas Angel
Stencil: MFT - Mini-Clouds
Misc: SSS - White Glitter Cardstock; Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder

You WOW My Heart

Hi there ~ When I saw the cue card for this week's CASology Challenge, I knew that I had the perfect stencil, which is from Sarah Gray's (Funky Fossil Designs) Folksy Shop called "Elegant Lady"...Thank you, Sarah! 

This is a large stencil, so my card is 6.5 x 7.5". I've decided to frame it and send it to my step-granddaughter, who is a grad school student...I think she'll like it!

I used distress inks for the stencil and added the stamped sentiment from MFT and the die cut word (also inked with DI's) from Reverse Confetti. I also added sparkle by spraying Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray before lifting the stencil, and to the die cut...very pretty IRL. Lastly, I placed a few clear sequins and slapped my hand before I added too many, keeping the design truly CAS!

I would also like to enter this card in the challenge over at Addicted to Stamps & More for the theme 'CAS'

So, that's it for me...I hope all of my U.S. blog friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I hope everyone is taking advantage of all the great Black Friday sales :)

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - From the Heart
Dies: Reverse Confetti - Lovey Words
Stencil: Funky Fossil Designs - Elegant Lady
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Spiced Marmalade, Fossilized Amber, Black Soot
Misc: Imagine - Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray; Lucy's Little Things - Diamond Sequins

Fusion Card Challenge - Christmas Chair

Hi there, blog friends ~

It's time for a new challenge at Fusion and our prompt is 'Christmas Chair'. As always, we can use the sketch, the inspiration photo, or both and for this challenge,  I was inspired by the photo to create my card.

I used a SSS die for the gifts, separating the ribbon and bows by using white glitter cardstock to add sparkle to the design, then added striped papers to the border as a nod to the seat cushion on that gorgeous chair. Here's a close-up of the sparkly bows:

 My teamies have created some gorgeous cards to inspire you...come on over to check them out, and if you like, feel free to play along :)

Thanks so much for stopping by...I really appreciate it! To my blog friends in the U.S., I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! This is where you'll find me today ~

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Sweet Holiday Penguins (sentiment)
Dies: SSS - Brilliant Gifts
Misc: SSS - White Glitter Cardstock; MFT - Dots & Stripes Neutral Paper Pack

Challenge me a Christmas Card

Hi there blog friends ~ 

Several weeks ago, my Fusion teamie Michelle Lupton invited me to join her for her annual 'Challenge me a Christmas Card Series'. Michelle invites a guest to challenge her with a Christmas card theme, product or technique, then she and her guest post their interpretation of the challenge...

I've been eager to try the Alcohol Lift Ink Technique again, and Michelle agreed. I found an old Hero Arts stamp set with lots of details and created this card:

I started by inking the background from the top about 1/2 way down, and when dry I added the falling snow with Glimmer Paste. Then, I used alcohol ink on Yupo Paper in 2 colors and applied alcohol lift ink to the stamps. On screen, it looks a bit like emboss resist, but in person, the effect is rather unique. I wanted to keep the card as CAS as possible, so I fussy cut the trees, die cut the snow drift, and added the sentiment...and that was it :)

If you would like to learn more about this technique, Jen McGuire has a blog post and video tutorial...Here ~

I would like to take a moment to thank Michelle for inviting me to play along in her Challenge me a Christmas Card Series...I had a lot of fun creating my card and can't wait to see what Michelle created with this technique!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts - Merry Christmas Trees; MFT - Birdie Brown Greetings Galore
Dies: MFT - Surf & Turf (snowdrift)
Ink: Alcohol Ink - Pistachio, Turquoise; Versafine Onyx Black; Tim Holtz - Tumbled Glass
Misc: Tonic Nuvo - Glimmer Paste (Moonstone); SSS - Falling Snow Stencil; Tim Holtz - Alcohol Lift-Ink, Yupo Paper

November Twofer Card Challenge

Hi there blog friends ~  

I've been busy this week working on DT stuff, but Darnell's Twofer Card Challenge is one of my all-time faves, so I had to make time to play along. 

Check out the gorgeous texture on the front panel...My sweet friend Michele gifted me a few that she created with her new embossing folder, and I used them on both cards today. Thanks, Michele!

I started by watercoloring 2 layers of the wreath with DI's and colored the angels with Copic markers. I used MFT silver foil cardstock for the sentiment and added a few clear gems for some sparkle. Another Christmas card done and dusted :)

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The rules of this challenge are to create 2 different cards for 2 different occasions, using the same stamps and/or dies. I needed one more Thanksgiving card, so that's what I did ~

I love the elements in this stamp/die set and thought it would be fun to create an autumn wreath. I colored everything with Copic markers, stamped the sentiment, and added a few clear gems.

Here's a photo of both cards for Darnell's blog:

The deadline is the 24th, so there's still plenty of time to play along with Darnell's challenge...Check it out!

My warmest thoughts and heartfelt prayers are going out to the residents, Firefighters and rescue teams in California, as they continue to struggle with devastating fires along the coast.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Card #1:
Stamps: Hello Bluebird - Away in a Manger
Dies: Hello Bluebird - Away in a Manger; SSS - Chisholm Wreath; Reverse Confetti - Winter Words (Joy)
Misc: Stampin' Up - Subtle Dynamic Textured Impressions; Copic Markers; Pretty Pink Posh - Clear Droplets

Card #2:
Stamps: MFT - Fall Friends (sentiment); Pretty Pink Posh - Autumn Wreath
Dies: SSS - Chisholm Wreath; Pretty Pink Posh - Autumn Wreath
Misc: Pretty Pink Posh - Clear Droplets; Hero Arts - Detail White Embossing Powder

Be Merry!

Hello again ~ I'm back to share a card I created for the November CAS Christmas Challenge. I have lots of Santa stamps and chose this new set from MFT...

He's kinda cute, right? So, I colored him with Copic markers then die cut the white panel and cross stitch tag to serve as a mat. Then, I added the striped Christmas patterned papers, (which is way out of my comfort zone) and added the sentiment. And, that was it...CAS Christmas!

As always, Loll, Bonnie, and their team have created some really fabulous cards for this challenge...Feel free to pop over and check it out...Christmas will be here very soon!

Wishing you all a great week ahead...Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT -Sassy Santa, Snow Globe (sentiment)
Dies: MFT - Sassy Santa, Slanted Sentiments, Cross Stitch Tag, A2 Stitched Rectangle STAX
Misc: Copic Markers; MFT - Candy Land Paper Pack; Glaze Gel Pens (black & white)

Addicted to CAS Challenge #149 - Presents

Hello there, blog friends! It's time for our last challenge for 2018 at ATCAS. Our Hostess is Susan and just in time for the holidays, she is challenging us to use the Code Word 'Presents'.

Our Guest Designer is Chrissie Stokes (Co-Creator of Less is More Challenge Blog), and she has created a gorgeous card to inspire everyone!

Our Sponsor for this challenge is Happy Little Stampers and as always, Kylie is offering a stamp set to the winner!

I grabbed a set of MFT dies from my NBUS basket and created this card:

I started by ink blending Tumbled Glass ink behind my focal point, but it's so pale, you can barely see it on screen. Then, I used X-Press It Blending Card to die cut the gift bags and colored them with Copic Markers. I stamped the sentiment with Versafine, then sprinkled clear EP to add a little bit of shine...Lastly, I used the Wonky Stitched Rectangle die for a fun border. 

Ok, now we would love to see how the code word 'Presents' inspires you! If you would like to see inspiration from the Design Team, and play along with us, feel free to visit the ATCAS Blog ~ Our challenges run for 2 weeks, so you have plenty of time :)

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Cheerful Christmas Greetings
Dies: MFT - Wonky Stitched Rectangle. Gift Bags
Misc: Versafine Onyx Black ink; Ranger Clear EP; X-Press It Blending Card; Copic Markers; Lucy's Cards - Opalescent Diamonds Sequins; Tim Holtz - Tumbled Glass Ink

November CAS Watercolor Challenge

Hi there ~ It's time for a new challenge at the CAS Watercolor Challenge and I'm loving the prompt that Susan chose for this month...Christmas Florals & Greenery!

For this beautiful Poinsettia and holly branch, I thought it would be fun to channel my inner 'Loll Thompson'...isn't she amazing? 

Since I love playing with Brushos, I used several shades of blue and green for the background panel, drying it with my heat tool between colors. I wanted a white on white color palette and used linen cardstock for both elements, then added Prills to the center of the bloom and gold EP for the sentiment. A few gold sequins and this card was done and dusted! 

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Cheerful Christmas Greetings (sentiment)
Dies: MFT - Rectangle Peek-a-Boo Window; Penny Black - Layered Poinsettia, Holly Berry Branch
Ink: Brushos - Ultra Marine, Turquoise, Emerald Green, Leaf Green
Misc: Mini Prills - You had me at yellow; Pretty Pink Posh - Gold Sequins

Fusion Challenge - Wine O'Clock

Hi there blog friends ~

It's time for a new challenge at Fusion, and this time our inspiration is 'Wine'! Since we are able to use the sketch, the inspiration photo or both, I have used both for my card:

I started by creating a watercolored panel using liquid watercolors, and while it dried, I inked 3 small pieces of Bristol cardstock with distress oxide inks. Then, I die cut the wine bottle and glasses and used white glitter cardstock to die cut the sentiment. I also added a thin strip of glitter cardstock along the border...a few clear sparkly sequins, and this card was done :)

The Design Team has created some beautiful cards for this challenge, so I hope you'll check them out and consider playing along with us at Fusion! And, don't forget it's a 2-week challenge, so there is plenty of time to submit a card ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps & Dies: Papertrey Ink - Uncorked
Ink: Pinkfresh Studio - Watercolor Inks; Tim Holtz - Distress Oxide Inks
Misc: Pretty Pink Posh - Sparkling Clear Sequins; Bristol Cardstock; SSS - White Glitter Cardstock

12 Days of Christmas with Kylie & Friends

Hi there blog friends! It's that time of year, and once again Kylie (owner, Happy Little Stampers) is sponsoring her 12 Days of Christmas Card Challenge!

 Happy Little Stampers was created in 2015 by Kylie (owner of ATSM and ATCAS). Kylie wanted to bring out a line of stamps that were useful for everyday crafters. From cute to whimsical images, from every day to funky sentiments there is something for everyone!

So, in the spirit of Christmas, I created this card:

Back in August, I was inspired by this card created by Nancy Littrell and immediately ordered this die...I created the sky with watercolors and dotted it with a glue pen and fine glitter. I added the deer for interest and embossed the sentiment in silver.

Kylie is offering random prizes for a shopping spree at Happy Little Stampers, so if you're looking for some fabulous inspiration and would like to play along, join us! 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and a special thank you to Kylie for asking me to take part in her challenge!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts - Merry Christmas Trees
Dies: Memory Box - Stitched Circle Trees, Deer; MFT - A2 Stitched Rectangle STAX
Ink: Versamark; Peerless Watercolors
Misc: Quickie Glue Pen; Ranger Silver EP; PTI - Ultrafine Prisma Glitter

CASology Challenge #318 - Scary

Hi there ~ I'm back to share a card I created for this week's challenge at CASology. The cue card is perfect for Halloween, so I thought it would be fun to send a card for a sweet friend...

I started by stamping the spider web with grout gray ink, then I die cut the ghost and stamped the cute little mouth and eyes :) I also added some shading on the ghost with Copic markers (C1 & C0). The alphas were die cut with an old pack of DCWV glitter cardstock, which I popped up with fun foam. And that was it...done and dusted!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Corner Adorner: August (spider web); Hello Bluebird - Ghostly Greetings (ghost)
Dies: Hello Bluebird - Ghostly Greetings; Altenew - Bold Alphabet
Misc: DCWV - Glitter Cardstock; Copic Markers

Addicted to CAS Challenge #148

Hi all ~ It’s time for a new challenge at Addicted to CAS  Our Hostess is yours truly, and I've chosen the Code Word for this challenge :)

Recently, I bought my first set of stamps from Uniko, so that's what I used for my first card:

I started with a Grout Gray card base, and embossed the outline of the flowers and leaves with white EP, then stamped the details with different shades of pink and green. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment in cement gray, and that was it. I find one layer cards difficult because I love to add gems or enamel dots, but that would be cheating, right?

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While shopping the Uniko store, I also picked up a stencil and created a 2nd card ~

This is a very large stencil, so I decided to create a 5 x 7 card. I used Distress Oxide inks (Spiced Marmalade and Squeezed Lemonade) and spritzed it with a little bit of Sheer Shimmer Spray. The sentiment is from a really old Waltzingmouse set called 'Say It Loud'. And, that was it...of course, I'll have to create a custom envelope for it, but that's fine.

Ok, now we would love to see how the code word One Layer Card inspires you! If you would like to see inspiration from the Design Team, and play along with us, visit the ATCAS Blog HERE  ~

Don't forget, as always, Happy Little Stampers (HLS) is our Sponsor, and Kylie is generously awarding the winner with a $20.00 GC to the store!

  Happy Little Stampers was created in 2015 by Kylie (owner of ATSM and ATCAS). Kylie wanted to bring out a line of stamps that were useful for everyday crafters. From cute to whimsical images, from every day to funky sentiments there is something for everyone!

 Also, as the hostess for this challenge, I will be sending a crafty gift to the winner!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Card #1
Stamps: Uniko - Beautiful Blooms III; Avery Elle - Oh Happy Day (sentiment)
Ink: Altenew - Cherry Blossom Oval Set; Green Meadows Oval Set; MFT - Cement Gray; Versamark
Misc: Stampendous - Detail White embossing powder

Card #2
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Say It Loud
Stencil: Uniko - Pure Florals: Chrysanthemum
Ink: TH DOX - Spiced Marmalade, Squeezed Lemonade; Versafine - Onyx Black
Misc: Imagine - Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray (Sparkle)