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

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

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)

Fusion Card Challenge - Fall Porch

Hi there blog friends ~ It's time for a new challenge at Fusion! If you're enjoying the cooler temperatures and beautiful autumn colors like we are right now in most of North America, then you'll be inspired by the photo, just as I was...

I'm really loving this wreath, so I decided to use it again for this challenge. This time, I used the color palette in the photo and linen cardstock for my card base. I stamped the wreath onto X-Press It cardstock and colored all the images with Copic markers. I embossed the sentiment with gold embossing powder, added a small enamel dot to the bloom, and a touch of WOS to a few of the images for some sparkle.

My teammates have created some really beautiful cards, and I hope you'll check them out and join us for this challenge...whether you find your inspiration in the sketch or the photo or both, we would love to see your creations in the Fusion Gallery!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps - Pretty Pink Posh - Autumn Wreath; MFT - Fall Friends (sentiment)
Dies: Pretty Pink Posh - Autumn Wreath
Misc: Wink of Stella - Clear Sparkle Pen; Ranger Super Fine Gold embossing powder. My Mind's Eye - Enamel Dots; Uniball Signo White Pen

October Twofer Card Challenge - Harvest

Hi there blog friends ~ I always enjoy playing along with Darnell's Twofer Challenge and as soon as I saw this month's prompt, 'Harvest', I ordered this cute stamp set from Pretty Pink Posh: 

My first card (left) was stamped on Blending Card and colored with Copic markers in autumn colors. To keep it CAS, I added a sentiment with copper embossing powder with a touch of WOS and Glossy Accents on the flower. 

For my 2nd card, I wanted to create a monochromatic color palette and stamped the images with cement gray ink on a stone gray panel. I stepped outside my comfort zone and stamped a few images in a random pattern, then die cut the panel with the stitched scallop border die. I added a scripty sentiment and a few sparkly sequins, and this card was finished. 

The rules for the Twofer Challenge are: We can interpret the prompt however it inspires us, but we must use the same stamp or die on both cards and they must be for 2 different occasions.

Darnell and her team have provided lots of beautiful inspiration on the Challenge Blog, so be sure to check it out...I also have a badge on my sidebar with 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:
Stamps: Pretty Pink Posh - Autumn Wreath; SSS - Big Thanks
Dies: MFT - Stitched Scallop Basic Edges
Ink: MFT - Cement Gray, Licorice Hybrid Ink; Versamark; SSS - Soft Granite
Misc: WOW - Copper Embossing Powder; Pretty Pink Posh - Copper Sequins; Little Things by Lucy - Diamond Sequins; WOS - Clear Sparkle Pen; Glossy Accents

Always & Forever

Hi there ~ I'm back with a quick post to share a card before CASology closes their doors for this weeks' challenge:)

Here is what I came up with...

Hubby and I will be married 44 years in January, so I thought combining the ampersand and sentiment would work well for an anniversary card. I used gold embossing powder for all the stamping, dry embossed a border to create a frame, and added a few gold sequins...and that was it :)

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

Supplies:
Stamps: SSS - Forever and Always; Paper Smooches - Ampersand
Dies: Paper Smooches - Ampersand
Misc: Ranger - Super Fine Gold EP; Pretty Pink Posh - Gold Sequins; Scor-Pal; WRMK - Stylus

CASology Challenge #315 - Gratitude

Hi there blog friends ~ I thought it would be fun to play along at CASology this week with this card...

I started with a stitched panel, then created the background with a stencil, but I think I got a little carried away with the circles :) I love the shadow on the thanks die, so I included that along with a stamped subscript. Lastly, I placed the panel on a black card base for a strong contrast...and that was it!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: SSS - Big Thanks
Dies: SSS - Big Thanks; MFT - A2 Stitched Rectangle STAX; Slanted Sentiment
Stencil: MFT - Circles
Ink: Versamark; Altenew - Cotton Candy; SSS - Audrey Blue; MFT - Spearmint

Addicted to CAS Challenge #146

Hi there ~ It's time for another fun challenge at Addicted to CAS and Ceal has chosen a fabulous code word for everyone ~ Diamond! 

Happy Little Stampers is our Sponsor, offering a $20.00 GC to the shop, and we have a super talented Guest Designer for this challenge...Carol G. 

Several weeks ago, I bought the Altenew Cube Builder Stencil, which is a layered stencil of diamond shapes.

I started by sponging the diamonds to create a border, then inked the flower, stems and sentiment. I embossed the word 'always' and finished the card with a few clear sparkly sequins...and that was it!

I wasn't sure about this card, so I decided to re-create it in 'portrait' view, and I like it better:

Check your stash for diamonds, then come over and check out the ATCAS Challenge Blog for lots of inspiration..and to play along :)

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT - From the Heart
Dies: Roses in Bloom (free with $60.); PTI - Inspired: Love
Stencil: Altenew - Cube Builder
Ink: DI's - Twisted Citron, Picked Raspberry; Versamark; Altenew - Ocean Waves
Misc: Hero Arts - Detail White EP; Lucy's Things - Diamond Sequins

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

Guest Designer CASology Challenge #313

Hi there blog friends! I am honored to share with you that as the winner of the CASology Challenge in April (cue card: Parent), Melissa has asked me to join them this week as Guest Designer for the cue card 'Dress'!

I have one of the original Silhouette Cameo's, and I never know if it's going to cooperate when I need a die cut...this week, I got lucky and found this lovely image in their store for my card ~

  

I started by die cutting the stitched scalloped mat, and to keep things really clean & simple, I sponged a light background, popped her up on foam squares, and added a scripty sentiment, which I embossed with clear EP. Lastly, I added the dots with my gel pen...and that was it! 

Be sure to stop by the CASology Challenge to see all of the beautiful cards created by their amazing Design Team...I think you'll be inspired to play along :) 

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Keep it Simple: 'Just Because'
Dies: Mama Elephant - All Prettied Up
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass; Versafine - Onyx Black
Misc: Silhouette Store - Pretty Girl with Flower (#76635); Black Glaze Pen; Ranger Super Fine Detail Clear embossing powder

Twofer Card Challenge #9 - Leaves

Hi there ~ I always enjoy playing along with Darnell's Twofer Challenge, and as soon as I saw the September prompt, I ransacked my stash for my leaves...I decided to use a die from the MFT Fab Foliage set.

The rules are: We can interpret the prompt however it inspires us, but we must use the same leaf or leaves stamp or die on both cards for two different occasions ~

Here is my first card ~

I started by embossing the top panel with PTI Linen/Canvas Impression Plate, die cut the border, then the rose and leaves using PTI felt. I added a sentiment, a large pearl, and a few gems, and that was it! 

For my 2nd card, I decided to create a wreath with the leaves ~

For this card, I die cut the leaves with Bristol cardstock, then sponged them with distress inks. I also spritzed the leaves with Shimmer Spray, then embossed the sentiment and added a few red gems from my stash. Here is a close-up of the sparkly leaves:

So pretty in person...

And, here is a photo of both cards for the Twofer Challenge Blog

Darnell and her team have provided lots of beautiful inspiration on the Challenge Blog, so be sure to check it out...I also have a badge on my sidebar with the rules of the challenge, if you would like to play along!

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

Supplies:
Card #1
Stamps: MFT - From the Heart (sentiment)
Dies: MFT - Rolled Rose, Fab Foliage, Stitched Scallop Basic Edges
Misc: PTI Felt - Autumn Rose, Aqua Mist, Linen/Canvas Impression Plate; Lucy's Cards - Diamond Sequins

Card #2
Stamps: MFT - Hand Lettered Christmas
Dies: MFT - Fab Foliage; Mama Elephant - All Prettied Up (scallop border)
Ink: Versamark; Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn
Misc: Stash - Red Gems; Ranger - Super Fine Gold EP; Imagine - Sheer Shimmer Spray

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)