CASology Challenge - Smile

Hi there,

This week's Cue Card at CASology is 'Smile', so I couldn't resist gathering my stamps and dies and play along!

I started by stamping the blooms using a free stamp set I received from Altenew during the holidays, then I used the camouflage die-cut technique for the sentiment.

I hope you are all having a great weekend ~ Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Altenew - Billowing Blossoms
Die: Lil'Inkers - Smile
Misc: Altenew - Inks; Lucy's Things - Sequins

Fusion Challenge - Penguin Love

Hi there blog friends ~ It's time for a new challenge at Fusion and this time our prompt is Penguin Love. I have a few cute penguin stamp sets, so I decided to go with the photo!

I started by using my MISTI to line up this little guy, then created a mask for each one before softly inking the background. I stenciled the snow with Glimmer Paste to add sparkle, then colored each penguin with Copic markers.

* Heads Up ~ I used some of my Christmas gifts (cash) and finally treated myself to the Picket Fence Studios Life Changing Blender Brush Set...and, I'm in heaven! No streaks or blotches, like I've gotten with sponges. The ink goes on very lightly so it would take quite a while to get a dark background, but since I prefer a soft finish anyway, these brushes are working out beautifully!  

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 teammates have created some amazing cards to inspire everyone, so feel free to stop by the blog...we would love to see your take on the challenge!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps & Dies: MFT - Snow Special
Stancil: SSS - Falling Snow
Ink: TH - Salty Ocean; Gina K Designs - Amalgam Ink (Black)
Misc: Nuvo - Glimmer Paste (Moonstone); Copic markers

ATCAS Challenge #151 - Friends

Hi there, blog friends! Today starts a new challenge at Addicted to CAS! Our Hostess is Jaydee and she is challenging everyone to create a card using the Code Word ‘Friends’.

Our Guest Designer is Izzy  (winner of challenge #149) and she has created a really cute card for our challenge.

In an effort to ink up my NBUS stash, I used this new MFT stamp set ~

I stamped, die cut and colored the images with Copic markers. I added stitched hills and a little Glossy Accents to the hearts.

Ok, now we would love to see how the code word ‘Friends’ inspires you! If you would like to see inspiration from the Design Team and play along with us, we would love to see your creation at the  ATCAS Blog ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Sweet Somebunny
Dies: MFT - Sweet Somebunny; Mama Elephant - Landscape Trio
Stencil: Mini Cloud Edges
Misc: Glossy Accents; TH - Tumbled Glass Distress Inks; Versafine - Onyx Black Ink; Gelly Roll Pen - White

Twofer Card Challenge #12 - Birds

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.

For my birthday card, I stamped and die cut this sweet little bluebird and after coloring him with Copic markers, I popped him up on the galaxy sky panel (leftover from a previous project). I used wood veneer cardstock for the branch and watercolored the leaves ~ 

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The rules of this challenge are to create 2 different cards for 2 different occasions, using the same stamps, stencils and/or dies. So, I stamped another bluebird and invited his girlfriend to join in the fun ~

For this ‘Love’ card, I stenciled a cloudy sky, created a mask to add some grass, then stamped and colored both images. The gold foil heart and musical notes tie into the sentiment, and I thought the stitched scalloped frame added a little charm to the theme. And, that was it!

Here's a photo of both cards for Darnell’s Challenge Blog

Darnell and her team have provided lots of beautiful inspiration on the Challenge Blog so be sure to check it out...Here are the rules of the challenge, if you would like to play along...deadline is the 24th!

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

Supplies:
Card #1
Stamps: MFT - Tweet Friends, Greetings Galore
Dies: MFT - Tweet Friends, Cross Stitch Oval Die; Memory Box - Branch; SSS - Mini Flowers and Leaves
Misc: Stash - Galaxy Sky (TH Distress Inks); Gansai Tambi - Starry Colors; Crafter's Comanion - Wood Veneer cardstock; Imagine Sheer Shimmer Spray; Peerless Watercolors

Card #2:
Stamps: MFT - Tweet Friends
Dies: MFT - Tweet Friends, Blueprints 27, Surf & Turf (to create the stencil)
Stencil: MFT - Mini-Clouds 
Misc: Stash - Gold foil heart

CAS Stencil Card Challenge - Reminder

Hi friends! I'm back with a reminder for anyone who would like to join us at the CAS Stencil Challenge...Here is my card:

For this 5x7 card, I used a scene builder set of stencils from Honey Bee Stamps. The water was created with Distress Oxide inks and for the images, I used white pigment ink. The fishes and sentiment are from MFT.

Our challenge is open until the 24th, so there is still plenty of time for you to join us! Hope to see you there ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stencils: Honey Bee Stamps - Ocean Scene Builder
Stamps: MFT - Gillfriends
Inks: TH Distress Oxide Inks - Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers; Memories - Unicorn Pigment Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Misc: Ranger Super Fine Detail Clear EP; Copic Markers

CAS Mix Up Challenge - Bokeh

Hello all ~ I haven't played along at the CAS Mix Up Challenge in quite a while, so when I saw that Loll and Bonnie are asking us to use the Bokeh Technique on our cards, I had to jump in :)

Meet Poindexter...isn't he CUTE?! He has a girlfriend too, so I'll be showcasing her in a future post :) 

I started by ink blending the front panel with DOX ink, and after it dried, I used Unicorn ink and a stencil to create the Bokeh effect. Since a lot of kids are walking around with purple, or blue, or pink hair these days, I thought it would be fun to give him aqua hair with my Copic markers. I also used a small piece of an old washcloth that I soaked with '0' Various Ink and blotted his jeans to add texture to my card. Lastly, I added Pico Embellisher to the beakers and his glasses, and a few PTI Rain Stones...a fun little card, using:

Bokeh Technique

Stamping
Stenciling

Ink Blending

Die Cutting

Adding texture with Various Ink and washcloth

Loll, Bonnie and their DT have a lot of fabulous inspiration and a few videos explaining the Bokeh Technique...go check it out at the CAS Mix Up Blog, and play along, if you like...there is still plenty of time!

I hope everyone is having a great week ~ Thanks so much for stopping by, and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment...I really appreciate it!

Supplies:
Stamps & Dies: MFT - Cute Chemists
Stencil: MFT - Shapes (Circles)
Misc: Tim Holtz - DOX ink; Memories - Unicorn; Copic Markers & Various Ink; Pico Embellisher; Altenew - Gold Border Washi

Fusion Card Challenge - 5th Anniversary Post!

Hi there, blog friends! It's our 5th Anniversary at the Fusion Card Challenge, and we are celebrating by asking a guest to join us! It will probably be no surprise to you that I've chosen Michele Ferguson to be my guest and she has accepted :) Be sure to check out her blog...she has created a gorgeous card!

I decided to go with the inspiration photo this time...

I started by softly sponging Tumbled Glass ink on the background, then I created the ombre effect with my inks on the butterflies. To jazz it up a bit, I added gold foil to the borders, Shimmer Spray to the butterflies, and clear EP on the sentiment for shine...and that was it!

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 teammates and their guests have created some amazing 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 & Dies: PTI - Life is Beautiful
Ink: Tim Holtz - Tumbled Glass; Versafine - Onyx Black; PTI - Bright Buttercup, Harvest Gold, Lemon Tart, Hibiscus Burst, Lovely Lady, Sweet Blush, Tropical Teal, Hawaiin Shores, Aqua Mist
Misc: Ranger - Super Fine Detail Clear Embossing Powder; Imagine - Sheer Shimmer Spray

CASology Challenge - Frozen

Hi there blog friends ~ I've been lucky enough to be asked to Guest Design for CASology again and of course, I jumped at the opportunity.  The cue word for this weeks challenge is 'Frozen', which is perfect for this time of year for those of us living in my neck of the woods :)

I love the cute little penguins in this set...they're so sweet! I used my new waves stencil to add some soft blue water, stamped the sentiment (with a coat of clear EP) and popped up the image to add dimension to this card. I also thought the wonky stitched border and dots of Glossy Accents (water droplets) added a little charm to the design without adding bulk. And, that was it!

I want to thank Melissa and the DT at CASology for the honor of being their Guest Designer this week! If you have a few minutes, go check out the gallery...As always, the DT has lots of inspiration for you! 

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Snow Special, Pure Innocence - Ice Skater (sentiment)
Dies: MFT - Snow Special, Wonky Stitched Rectangles
Stencil: MFT - Making Waves
Misc: Copic markers; Ranger - Super Fine Detail Clear EP; Glossy Accents; TH - Tumbled Glass Distress Inks

Addicted to CAS Challenge #150 - Snowflake

Hi all...Kylie and the DT have had a break for the holidays, and today starts our first challenge of the new year at Addicted to CAS! Also with the start of the new year, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our four new DT Members:

Vicki Dutcher
Angie Cimbalo
Toni Maddox
Raga Senthil

Our Hostess is Angie and she is challenging everyone to create a card using the Code Word ‘Snowflake’.

Our Guest Designer is Hillary (winner of challenge #148) and she has created a beautiful card to inspire everyone!

As a Christmas gift to myself, I bought an older set of MFT Snowflake dies, which are the most gorgeous snowflakes I've ever seen...hands down! 

The elegant details in this set of dies are truly amazing...check them out Here. I layered a small snowflake and gold sequin to the center of the large one and placed it on the stitched scallop border. The gold striped patterned papers are from PTI and the sentiment is from a new stamp set by MFT.

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

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - Snowfall of Blessings (sentiment)
Dies: MFT - Stylish Snowflakes, Stitched Scallop Basic Edges
Misc: PTI - Glod Luxe Foil Patterned Paper (retired); Ranger - Super Fine Gold EP

CAS Stencil Card Challenge - Sponging

Hi there blog friends...Happy New Year!!!

Today is the start of Loll's brand new card challenge - CAS Stencil and I am honored to share that I have been asked to join the DT! I'm a big fan of stencils, so this is going to be an exciting adventure ~

Loll is our Hostess, and she has chosen  'Sponging' for our theme. She has also shared several links to videos on the Challenge Blog, so feel free to check them out! 

I used a brand new stencil that I bought from Sarah Gray's Folksy Shop called 'Surfer' and sponged the details with Distress Oxide inks. The sentiment was stamped with Versafine ink and embossed with clear EP. I also spritzed the images with Sheer Shimmer Spray, but it's hard to appreciate it on screen. Clean & Simple with pretty shades of blue is all that was needed for this card ~

So, check out all of the beautiful cards my Teammates have created on the CAS Stencil Blog and go dig out all of your old stencils and join us for a really fun challenge! I will be back on the 18th with another card and a reminder if you should need one :)

  

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Avery Elle - Handwritten Notes
Stencil: Funky Fossil Designs - Surfer
Ink: TH Oxide inks - Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean
Misc: Imagine Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray (Sparkle); Ranger - Super Fine Detail Clear EP