June Twofer Card Challenge

I really enjoy playing along at the Twofer Card Challenge and I was so happy to see the prompt for June. I pulled out all of my stencils with circles and bubbles and settled on the MFT set with several sizes.

I started by watercoloring an A2 panel with distress inks and let it dry. To create the Bokeh effect, I used 4 sizes of circles with white ink. I finished with a bold sentiment and an antique frame.

For my 2nd card, I chose a monochromatic color palette in blue to create a background for my hummingbirds.

I colored the hummingbirds with Copic markers, stamped a sentiment, and added a stitched border.

Here is the photo of both cards for the Twofer Challenge Blog:

You have until the 24th if you would like to play along with the June Twofer Challenge...it's a great way to add to your stash! Here are the rules ~

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Card #1
Stamps: Altenew - Crafty Greetings
Dies: Penny Black - Antique Frame
Stencils: MFT - Basic Shapes - Circles
Misc: MFT - Sweet Tooth Ink; Tim Holtz - Distress Inks, Watercolor Cardstock; Pretty Pink Posh - Clear Sequins

Card #2
Stamps: MFT - Happy Hummingbirds
Dies: MFT - Happy Hummingbirds, A2 Stitched STAX
Stencils: MFT - Basic Shapes - Circles
Misc: Altenew - Inks

Happy Mother's Day

Hi there blog friends ~ It's time for a new challenge at Fusion and this time our prompt is ‘Let Us Remember’.  For my card, I chose the poppies on the inspiration photo... 

I chose this single poppy from MFT's 'Painted Poppies' stamp set and colored the flower petals and leaves with Copic markers. I splattered the background with distress inks and Peerless Watercolors and added a Mother's Day sentiment from WPlus9.

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!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:

Stamps: MFT - Painted Poppies; WPlus9 - Mother's Day Bouquet

Dies: MFT - Painted Poppies

Misc: Peerless Watercolors; Tim Holtz - Distress Inks, Watercolor Cardstock

Addicted to CAS Challenge - Blessings/Blessed

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

Our Guest Designer is the super talented Elizabeth Stewart.

I decided to send some Christmas Blessings ~  

I  used gold sparkle cardstock, gold EP, and added a strip of gold Washi along the bottom, To add a little dimension to this card I used distress inks to watercolor the holly and added a few red gems from my stash...and that was it!

  

We would love to see how the code word ‘Blessing/Blessed’ 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: PTI - Keep it Simple: Christmas
Dies: MFT - Blessings; PTI - Holly Jolly
Misc: Distress Inks - Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn; MFT - Gold Sparkle Cardstock; Gems - stash

November Twofer Challenge - With a Twist!

Hi there blog friends ~

As you probably know, Darnell's Twofer Challenge is one of my all-time faves, and this month we get to play with our holiday greenery! Here are the rules:

For the month of November, Darnell has included a twist ~ she is suspending one of the rules and we are allowed to create two cards for the same occasion ~ Woo-Hoo!!! I am really far behind on my Christmas cards, so I'm thrilled! I kept both of my designs very CAS and plan to create several more of each for my stash :)

The common element in my cards is the greenery in this wreath. For my first card, I watercolored the sprigs with DI's and splattered with gold and white metallic pigment ink from Gansai Tambi. The die-cut sentiment is from last years' release and the red gems are from my stash. The simple white card base is embossed with SU Subtle Dynamic Textured Impression Folder. I die-cut the wreath twice and layered it a little offset, but I think it looks wonky...when I duplicate this card, I'll have to sort that out :)

Another CAS design...I created the background with Twisted Citron and Peacock Feathers DOX then splattered with Winsor & Newton white paint and spritzed with clear shimmer spray. The sprig was cut from the wreath with white glitter cardstock and I used silver foil cardstock for the sentiment and border.

And, here they are together ~

Thanks so much for stopping by...I really appreciate your visits and your sweet comments ~ I read every one of them :)

Supplies:
Card #1
Dies: MFT - Joyful Wreath, Joy (Sentiment)
Misc: Dynamic Textured Impression Folder; Distress Inks; MFT - Gold Foil Cardstock; Stash -  Red Gems

Card #2
Dies: MFT - Joyful Wreath; Impression Obsession - Peace
Misc: PTI - Linen Cardstock (Dove); SSS - White Sparkle Cardstock; MFT - Silver Foil Cardstock; Sheer Shimmer Spritz; Tim Holtz - DOX Inks

Addicted to CAS Challenge - Daisy

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

Our Guest Designer is the amazingly talented Chrissie Stokes.

I watercolored some of my new AliExpress dies with Peerless Watercolors. and to keep this 5x7 card CAS, I added a gold embossed sentiment and a few gold sequins. 

We would love to see how the code word ‘Daisy’ 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  ~

Earlier this month the  CAS Watercolor DT Girls celebrated Darnell's birthday and this time, everyone is also sharing Hapy Birthday wishes for our sweet friend Bonnie! So...this card is already on its' way to her, and I am adding it to their challenge blog to join in the celebration.

Happy Birthday, Bonnie! You deserve the best on your special day! Thank you for being such a sweet blog friend and for being such a wonderful Mentor to us all!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Calligraphy Classics
Dies: AliExpress - Daisy Blossom; Winnie & Walter - In Bloom: Addie's Garden (leaves)
Misc: Peerless Watercolors; Ranger Super Fine Gold EP; Pretty Pink Posh - Gold Sequins

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

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

October CAS Watercolor Challenge

Hello there blog friends! CAS Watercolor Challenge is celebrating their 2nd birthday, and as always, I am excited to play along! For the October challenge, they have chosen a beautiful autumn color palette for us...and here is my take ~

I wanted to watercolor a flower, so I chose this lovely Gerbera Daisy from Winnie & Walter using my brand new liquid watercolors. I also painted a strip of dark green on the left with Glimmer Metallic Ink, and added a touch of Wink of Stella to the center of the bloom...here is a close-up ~

It's a little difficult to see the sparkle on screen, but I love the effect of all the shimmer and flecks of gold in the green metallic ink on the border. I mixed it with a little water and brushed it on...yummy! I'll be adding more colors to my collection asap.

Check out THIS VIDEO by Jen McGuire using the Hero Arts Glimmer Metallic Inks. 

Happy 2nd Birthday to Loll, Bonnie and their amazing DT at the CAS Watercolor Challenge! 

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies:
Stamps: Winnie & Walter - In Bloom: Addies Garden
Dies: Winnie & Walter - In Bloom: Addies Garden; SSS - Painted Hugs Wafer Die
Ink: Pinkfresh Studio - Liquid Watercolors (flower, stem, leaf); Hero Arts - Glimmer Metallic Inks; Versafine - Onyx Black Ink
Misc: Hero Arts - Clear Embossing Powder; Lucy's Things - Diamond Sequins; Wink of Stella - Clear Shimmer Pen 

Addicted to CAS Challenge #146 - Tweet

Hi all...it’s time for a new challenge at Addicted to CAS Our Hostess is Carolyn and she has chosen the Code Word Tweet.

Our Guest Designer is Susan Bridgman

Our Sponsor is Happy Little Stampers and as always, Kylie is offering the winner a generous $20. GC to the store!

I used Happy Little Stampers stamp set called 'Wish You Were Here' for my card:

Ok, now we would love to see how the code word 'Tweet' 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: Happy Little Stampers - Wish You Were Here
Ink: Versafine - Onyx Black; Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Peacock Feathers, Salty Ocean, Blueprint Sketch, Twisted Citron
Misc: Tim Holtz Watercolor Cardstock; Altenew - Enamel Dots

CAS Watercolor August Challenge

Hi there! All of Loll & Bonnie's Challenges are real favorites of mine, so once again I'm playing along with their CAS Watercolor Challenge. I rummaged through my stash and found an old sunflower stamp, and I think it's perfect for watercoloring (even though it's not labeled and I have no idea which company makes it).

I started by embossing the sunflower with white EP on watercolor paper, then colored the petals, stems, and leaves with Koi Watercolors. I embossed the sentiment, added a few sequins, and mounted the panel onto a white card base...and that was it!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I really appreciate your visits and all of your lovely comments ~

Supplies:
Stamps: Sunflower (unknown); MFT Brushstroke Expressions (sentiment)
Die: MFT - Stitched A2 Rectangle Set 1
Ink: Koi Watercolors; Versamark
Misc: Stampendous - Detail White EP; Altenew - Rose Gold EP; Pretty Pink Posh - Sparkly Clear Sequin Mix

July CAS Watercolor Challenge, Muse Card Club

Hello again, blog friends! I'm playing along with a few challenges, so I'm back to share my entries...My first card is for the July CAS Watercolor Challenge, and the theme is 'Splash Watercoloring'.  

I started by watching Loll's Video on the Splash Watercoloring technique, and I was so happy that it looked like an underwater scene. I wanted to keep it CAS, so I added one of my NBUS Mermaids reaching for a sparkly sequin...and that was it - no foliage or schools of fish :)
I am also entering this card in the current CAS on Friday Challenge for the theme 'Watercolor'.

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My 2nd card is for this week's challenge at Muse Card Club, where Anita created this beauty to inspire us: 

I really love Anita's card...to the extent that I actually CASE'd it!

I used the same Distress Inks except I didn't splash it with water and I used a different bloom.No imagination here, guys...but you know what they say...'Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery'! 

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies

Card #1:
Stamps: MFT - More Essential Sentiments
Dies: Impression Obsession - Mermaids; MFT - Stitched Tag Corner Rectangle
Ink: Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean, Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers; Versamark
Misc: Pretty Pink Posh - Clear Sequins, WOW - Super Fine EP

Card #2:
Stamps: Altenew - Wildflower Garden
Ink: Shaded Lilac, Salty Ocean, Cracked Pistachio; Versafine Onyx Black
Misc: Black Gel Pen

A few more CAS Challenges

Hello again, blog friends ~

I'm back to share a quick post for 2 of my favorite challenges. First up is the CAS Christmas June Challenge, and the theme is Masculine

I love, love, love this Stag Stencil and I think it's perfect for a masculine Christmas card. I inked the stencil with Delicata Gold and added a thin gold foil border before mounting it on a black card base. 

If you are interested, you can buy this and other stencils at Sarah Gray's Folksy Store.

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Next is a card I created for the CAS Watercolor June Challenge for the theme 'Ocean':

I started by creating a wash with Peerless Watercolors in a few shades of blue and aqua. After stamping the fish and seaweed, I colored the mermaid with Copic markers and added a few bubbles with PTI Rainstones. And that was it!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Supplies
Christmas Card:
Stamps: Clearly Besotted Stamps - Ornamental Style (sentiment)
Stencil: Stag from Sarah Gray's Folksy Shop

Watercolor Card:
Stamps and Dies: MFT - Mermazing, Stitched Rectangle STAX #1
Watercolors: Peerless - Joanne Palette