May CAS Christmas Card Challenge - Reminder

Hello friends ~ Just a reminder that there is still time to link up your card for the May CAS Christmas Card Challenge. Christine is hosting this month and she has chosen ‘Foliage & Berries’ for our prompt.

I wanted to use non-traditional Christmas colors for this card so I chose stone gray cardstock for the holly and stems and hot pink for the berries...I know they look red on screen, but I used Copic Marker - RV17 and it's truly hot pink :) I blended the background with Tumbled Glass DOX fading into white and splattered Gouache for a snowy effect. I also spritzed the holly and berries with Sheer Shimmer Spray for a little sparkle. The sentiment is from an old Hero Arts stamp set just because I love the elegant font. And, that was it ~

My teamies have created some beautiful cards to inspire everyone ~ Come on over to the Challenge Blog to check them out, and play along with us if you like! You have until the 24th to submit your card! I hope to see you there ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:

Stamps: Hero Arts - Merry Christmas Trees (sentiment)

Dies: MFT - Inside & Out Stitched Rectangle STAX; Penny Black - Holly Berry Branch

Stencils:

Misc: Imagine Crafts - Sheer Shimmer Spritz; Tim Holtz - Tumbled Glass DOX; Winsor & Newton - Gouache; Copic Marker - RV17; MFT - Stone Gray cardstock (retired)

Okay! Light the Candles!

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

                                                  

I really get a kick out of this stamp and I hope my sister likes it too...she'll be 69 next week and this card is for her. I stamped the image and sentiment onto a 5x7 panel and colored it with Copic markers. Then I traced an old Hero Arts speech bubble for the sentiment and die cut an oval shadow die to create a mask to ground the lady. Lastly, I used 2 post-its and a marker (BG10) to make it look like water was coming out of the nozzle.   

We would love to see how the code word ‘Birthday’ inspires you! If you would like to see more inspiration from the Design Team, and play along with us, come on over and check out the ATCAS Blog ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:

Stamps: Art Impressions - Fire Out

Dies: MFT - Shadow; Hero Arts - Speech Bubble

Misc: Copic Markers; Copic Multiliner

You've Got This!

Hi there blog friends ~ It's time for a new challenge at Fusion and this time our prompt is ‘Enough’.  For my card, I chose to combine the sketch with the theme from the inspiration photo... 

I started with ink blending all those pretty colors on the photo, then decided I would use navy blue for my card base. I stamped the Hero Arts Leafy Vines and finished with an encouraging sentiment and a few sparkly gems.

Don't forget the best thing about the Fusion Card Challenge is that you can choose between the sketch and the theme/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!

I hope you are all safe and healthy right now, and that we can keep it that way as we transition to returning to work and school ~ Sending big hugs to all! 

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today...it really means a lot to me!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts - Leafy Vines;  Papertrey Ink - Keep it Simple: Encouragement
Misc: Tim Holtz - Distress Oxide Inks; Lucy's Things - Clear Jewels; Versamark; Altenew - Crisp Pure White Embossing Powder

Addicted to CAS Challenge #172 - Birthday

Happy 7th Birthday, ATCAS!!!

Hi there, blog friends! Today starts a new challenge at Addicted to CAS  ~ Vicki is our Hostess, and since it is our 7th Birthday as a challenge blog, she is asking everyone to create a card using the Code Word ‘Birthday’.

Our Guest Designer is the super talented Charlotte (Lady Joyful). Charlotte was the winner of our 'Plaid' challenge, and she has created a fabulous card to inspire you.

I created a birthday card for my wonderful friend, Michele, and since she has already received it (and celebrated), I can post it here...

Michele frequently injects humor in her cardmaking, so I thought this card would be right up her alley :) I had a lot of fun creating it, too...I used Copic markers to color the image, and Grout Gray ink to stencil the brick wall and the oval shadow. I also added some Pico Embellisher for a glossy finish on the sunglasses.

We all need a few extra birthday cards for our stash, and we would love to see how the code word inspires you! If you would like to see inspiration from the Design Team and play along with us, come on over and check out the ATCAS Blog ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Art Impressions - Fire Out; MFT - Brushstroke Expressions (HB sentiment inside)
Dies: MFT - Elegant Rectangle STAX; Hero Arts - Speech Bubble
Stencils: MFT - English Brick Wall
Misc: Pico Embellisher (Gloss on sunglasses)

Fusion Card Challenge - Mermaid

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

For this challenge, I decided to combine the sketch with the theme. I used a waves background stamp and stenciled clouds in the sky. The images were colored with Copics and I added details with a silver Gelly Roll Pen.

                                        

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 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: MFT - Mermazing, From the Heart (sentiment); Hero Arts - Waves Background
Dies: MFT - Mermazing, Blueprints 33
Stencils: MFT - Mini Clouds
Misc: Spectrum Noir - Clear Sparkle Pen; Silver Gelly Roll Pen

October Twofer Card Challenge

Hi there ~ It's time to play along in the October Twofer Challenge and I am loving this month's prompt ~ Sweets! Here are the rules:

 I grabbed my 'Sweet' die and sentiments and got to work ~

For my first card, I thought these adorable Bitty Bears would work well for a fun birthday card. I colored them with Copic markers, placed them inside the peek-a-boo windows, and added my 'sweet' die and sentiment strip. It's hard to see on screen, but I also stenciled mini clouds behind the bears :)

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My 2nd card is for my step-granddaughter. She is working on her PhD, so we like to send her Starbucks gift cards once in a while, and since she is a very 'sweet' girl, it works perfectly for her.

I also colored this image with Copic markers and stenciled the brick wall and oval shadow. I thought she looked just right on this (new to me) Elegant Rectangle die.

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Here is the photo for the challenge blog ~

If you're looking for a fun challenge, head on over to Darnell's Twofer Card Challenge...she always has a great prompt, and why make one card when you can make a Twofer?

Have a great weekend, everyone...and thanks so much for stopping by ~

Supplies:
Card #1
Stamps: MFT - Sweet Sentiments, Bitty Bears
Dies: MFT - Sweet, Stitched Triple Peek-a-Boo Window
Stencil: MFT - Mini Clouds
Misc: Hero Arts - Detail White Embossing Powder; Altenew - Volcano Lake Ink (sentiment); Copic Markers; Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass (clouds); Nuvo Crystal Glaze (balloon)

Card #2
Stamps: MFT - Sweet Sentiments, Miss You A Latte
Dies: MFT - Sweet, Oval Shadows, Elegant Rectangle STAX
Stencil: MFT - English Brick Wall
Misc: Copic Markers; MFT - Cement Gray ink (brick wall and shadow)

Fusion Card Challenge

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

I decided to combine the sketch with the color palette on the inspiration photo. I embossed grout gray cardstock with a subtle texture, colored the images with Copic markers, and mounted everything onto a black card base.       

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 - Fall Friends
Dies: MFT - Fall Friends, Slanted Sentiments, Stitched Tag Corner Rectangle STAX
Misc: Stampin' Up - Subtle Dynamic Texture; Copic Markers; Winsor & Newton - Watercolors; Hero Arts Detail White EP

Addicted to CAS Challenge #158 - Contrast

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

Our Guest Designer is the uber-talented Kuni, and she has created the cutest card for this challenge...check it out here ~  

I had a hard time with this code word and eventually considered how bold bright colors work in contrast to black.....

Ah, yes...a rainbow of circles :) I wanted to add dimension to the design, so I used circle punches in various sizes (glad I saved them) and popped some of them up with one or two bits of foam tape. A white embossed sentiment and that was it ~

We would love to see how the code word ‘Contrast’ inspires you! If you would like to see inspiration from my amazing teammates and play along with us, come on over to the ATCAS Challenge Blog and check it out!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Keep It Simple: Friendship
Ink: Tim Holtz - Distress Oxide Inks; Versamark
Circle Punches: Martha Stewart
Misc: Hero Arts Detail White EP

Addicted to CAS Challenge #152 - Birds

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

Our Guest Designer is Sandie Munro  (winner of challenge #150) and she has created a beautiful CAS card to inspire everyone.

I have several bird stamps and dies in my stash so it was hard to choose, but I finally decided on this little guy:

I started by sponging the stencil then coloring the Toucan with Copic markers. I added a wonky stitched circle die cut in vellum and googly eyes (with eyelashes!).

Ok, now we would love to see how the code word ‘Birds’ 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 - Toucan Do It
Dies: MFT - Toucan Do It, Wonky Stitched Circles
Stencil: Hero Arts - Long Leaves
Inks: Hero Arts - Green Hills; Papertrey Ink - Green Parakeet, New Leaf
Misc: Copic Markers; Pretty Pink Posh - Sequins; Vellum cardstock; Googly Eyes

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

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

Fusion Card Challenge - Baby Shower

Hi there, blog friends ~ It's time for a new challenge at Fusion. As you know, the fun part of this challenge is that you can use the sketch or the inspiration photo, or both...I decided to go with the photo for my card ~

I love the pink color palette and how the flowers were placed on the lower half of the large block letters on the table...so, I stamped small flowers in 3 shades of pink and added a few leaves. I wanted to keep the design clean and simple, so I die cut the stitched scallop border and only added a short sentiment and a few gems to the design. Lastly, I mounted the panel on a ripe raspberry card base, and this card was done and dusted :)

My teammates have created some beautiful cards for this challenge and we would love to see your take on the new sketch and inspiration photo! Come on over to the Challenge Blog and play along with us!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Penelope's Blossoms; Waltzingmouse - Say It Loud
Dies: Altenew Bold Alphas; Mama Elephant - All Prettied Up
Ink: MFT - Ripe Raspberry; Hero Arts - Soft Pink; PTI - Hibiscus Burst; Altenew - Just Green
Misc: Lucy's Cards - Diamond Sequins

September CAS Challenges

Hi there, blog friends ~ Loll and Bonnie have launched their September Challenges, and I'm playing along with 2 of them today. My first card is for the CAS Christmas Challenge and the prompt is 'Wreath' ~

I started by stenciling the English Brick Wall in Grout Gray for a subtle background, then used my favorite SSS Chisholm wreath for my focal point. I die cut it twice and rotated it to add dimension. The birds and bow are part of this die set...I added the sentiment and a few clear sparkly sequins and that was it.

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My 2nd card is for the CAS Watercolor Challenge and the prompt for September is 'Tree'. 

I thought it would be fun to use an old Hero Arts stamp called 'Shari's Tree #2'...I stamped the tree with Archival Jet Black ink then used my Koi watercolors and Gansai Tambi Starry Colors for the tree. I really wanted to keep this card CAS, so I added a sentiment and a few snowy hills, and this card was finished. 

Both challenges end on the 24th, so there is still plenty of time to play along!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies
Card #1:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Holiday Wishes
Dies: SSS - Chisholm Wreath (includes bow and birds); MFT - Stitched Rectangle STAX
Stencil: MFT - English Brick Wall
MISC: Lucy's Things - Diamond Sequins

Card #2:
Stamps: Hero Arts - Shari's Tree #2; Clearly Besotted Stamps - Ornamental Style
Dies: Mama Elephant - Landscape Trio
Watercolors: Koi Watercolors; Gansai Tambi - Starry Colors (Star)

Fusion Card Challenge - Galaxy

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

I had a lot of fun creating this card...I used the sketch for the design and created the galaxy background based on the inspiration photo with distress inks, adding a few gold splatters with Gansai Starry Watercolors. I colored my little astronaut with Copic markers and embossed the sentiment on dark gray cardstock. 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 teamies 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: MFT - Space Explorer
Dies: MFT - Space Explorer, Wonky Stitched Circles
Ink: Distress Inks; Gansai Starry Watercolors; Copic Opaque White; Versamark
Misc: Hero Arts - Detail White Embossing Powder

June "Twofer" Challenge!

Hi all ~ It's time for Darnell's June Twofer Challenge, and this month the prompt is 'Trees'!

And, here are the rules:

I love playing along with this challenge, and I think it's because it really IS a challenge! I had an NBUS stamp set in my stash, so of course, it was the best excuse to ink it up :)

For my one layer 'Friendship' card, I created a mask with an oval die and did some ink blending fading out on the upper right. I deliberately kept it CAS by refraining from adding gems or enamel dots...

For my monochromatic Christmas card, I did more ink blending, this time in shades of blue/green. I stamped the trees, leaving them bare, and added a sweet little bird using the same colors.

And, here they are together ~

If you're looking for a really fun challenge, look no further than Darnell's Twofer Challenge...there's still plenty of time to play along, and I know she would love to see your take on her latest prompt!

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

Supplies:
Card #1
Stamps: MFT - Modern Trees; PTI - Keep it Simple - Friendship
Dies: MFT - Cross Stitched Oval STAX
Inks: SSS - Hot Lips, Duckling; Hero Arts - Orange Soda, Soft Vanilla; Versafine - Onyx Black

Card #2
Stamps: MFT - Modern Trees, I'm Tweet on You, Snow Globe Sentiments
Dies: Mama Elephant - Landscape Trio
Inks: TH Distress Inks - Blueprint Sketch, Mermaid Lagoon, Cracked Pistachio; Versafine - Onyx Black; MFT - Black Licorice Hybrid
Misc: Copic - Markers, Opaque White; Pretty Pink Posh - Sparkling Clear Sequins