Family of Deer

I had great fun with my PNW gal pals this past weekend.  We had a Stampin' Up holiday 2015 demo which was amazeballs.  Look at these beauties--even Frankie approves!  Thanks to Kimberly and Tonya for the make and takes, and to Amy for hosting.  If you are looking for a Stampin' Up rep, I highly recommend Tonya.  I placed an order for some of the latest SU holiday goodies--I mean who can resist these papers and dies?

For my card at the top I had stamped some extra trees on Saturday with this scene in mind.  Aren't the trees dreamy?  I just stamped them at different heights with some off-stamped to create a gorgeous forest scene in a blink.  For the base, I used a whimsical snow stencil.  Love!

The Details:  SU Wonderland, Impress sentiment, Memento Luxe Love Letter and Tuxedo Black, Hampton Art clear embossing powder, Hammermill 80lb color copy cardstock, PTI 140lb white cardstock base, Memory Box Tiny Snowflakes stencil and Deer Trio die, Simon Says stitched rectangle die

I'm entering this in Christmas Stampin' All Year Long #56 Lots of Layers or Texture,  Christmas Card Challenges #43 Anything Goes, Simon Says No Designer Paper

Coffee Lovers Blog Hop Fall Edition

Another card for the Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop! I used the same stamp set and watercolors.  I added leaves to the cups, one by hand and one by stamping in white pigment ink.

A reminder that I'm having a giveaway with the hop.  Be sure to leave a comment on my other post with a way to contact you to be eligible to win.

The Details:  Jane's Doodles Tea Time, Distress Inks, Stampendous detail fine embossing powder, Versamark, Simon Says stitched rectangle dies

You're My Cup o' Coffee . . . I Mean Tea

The Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop is upon us!  Run for your craft spaces and join the fun!  Amy has done a fab job pulling together a bezillion sponsors.  In the last hop I won a fun prize from SRM Stickers that included among other things this fabu stamp set.  I just had to use it for this hop, right?!

A little heat embossing and some watercoloring in autumnal shades is really all I did.  I did find a scrap of mystery ribbon that I cut in half and adhered to either side of the base. Reminds me of a man's tie so I went masculine in my design.  I'm planning on giving this to my sweetie who is a religious tea drinker.  He's so grumpy-pants if he misses tea time.  :)

GIVEAWAY
I have been collecting things since the last hop to giveaway this round.  Included are some adhesive sparkly bits, feather dies, a Christmas holly background die, sequins galore, and more.  Most of it is new and waiting for a new home.  If you'd like a chance to win, be sure to include your email address with your comment.  

The Details:  Jane's Doodles Tea Time, Hero Arts Soft Granite, Distress Inks, Versamark, Stampendous detail fine white embossing powder, Strathmore 140lb cold press watercolor paper

Happy Birthday, Tonya!

Tonya's birthday is today and we're celebrating along with her!   Be sure to check out what Amy, Katie, Kimberly, Laura, Vicki, Lisa Lara, and Lenae have created too!

Amy's inspiration pic and some mystery designer paper that I've wanted to recreate/ modernize for ages gave me plenty of inspiration.  I love the peachy tones with the aqua--who knew.  Things to note:

1. Hero Arts ink tends to "spread." This is a good thing for even coverage but I've found it sometimes removes the white space between petals with the Lacy Scrolls stamps.  I just drew them back in with a white pigment pen--I only had to do that with the top flower of this card.
2. To create the sentiment banner, I embossed the sentiment in white then use the HA inkpad directly on the cardstock for perfectly matched color.
3. I originally had a kraft border but decided I didn't like it so fished out the discarded diecut excess and glued it back on.  Dual stitching looks fancy.

The Details:  Altenew Lacy Scrolls, Avery Elle So Happy, PTI kraft cardstock, Recollections white 110lb cardstock, Hammermill 80lb color copy cardstock, Hero Arts Soft Pool and Soft Cantaloupe, Stampendous Detail Fine white embossing powder, Versamark, Doodlebug sequins, Simon Says Stitched Rectangle Die

I'm entering this in Simon Says No Designer Paper 

Sit for a Spell

Hello!  Time for another Great Impressions card for you.  I was totally bewitched (hee hee--get it? Yes, I am a dork!) when I saw the G433 Witches Brew and B217 Have Some Brew coordinating sentiment.  Again, I mucked with the sentiment by cutting it apart before stamping so it would look like it's blasting up from the cauldron.  I'm a lover of white space but the area above the sentiment seemed very lonely so I extended the stippling up and around to look like swirling, sparkly smoke.  I love how this turned out!  Btw, one of my favorites movies is Hocus Pocus; Bette Midler and those lips--LOL.

See you next week with another GI design!

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

Do More. Care More. Learn More.

Have you joined the Hop to Stop that the fabulous Becca is hosting to raise more awareness about domestic violence?  It will run between October 1-14 with lots of prizes and inspiration to be had.  Spread the word, people.  It's going to be fab!

The Details:  Power Poppy So Grateful, Stampabilities Do More sentiment, Hammermill 80lb color copy cardstock, PTI white cardstock base, Spellbinders die, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Copic G23, YG61, YG63, YG67, Y11, Y15, RV52, RV63, RV66, RV69, BV0000, BV00, BV02, V09, B23

I'm entering this in Simon Says Die Crazy, Addicted to Stamps and More #162 Make Your Mark, Mod Squad Flower as Focal Image 

Birthday Daisies

Did this weekend whiz by or what?  It probably doesn't help that I've discovered Peaky Blinders on Netflix and have been binging on that more than crafting.  I did manage to complete a card I've been thinking about this week.  I'm calling the style layered and elegant.  Pops of color, daisies everywhere,

The Details:  Hero Arts Everything Flower Background, PTI birthday die and Mixed Messages sentiment, Memento Dandelion, Doodlebug sequins, Recollections black and white cardstock, Hammermill 80lb color copy cardstock

I'm entering this in Curtain Call Pop Pop Pop, Card Concept #39 Daisies, Seize the Birthday Anything Goes 

I'm also entering this in A Blog Named Hero Die Cutting

Seattle in Watercolors

I was so inspired by Sandie's fab London skyline card that I immediately adapted it to funky Seattle.  It was so very easy to do.  I masked off the skyline then randomly added Peerless watercolors, working quickly to keep it nice and wet when I removed the mask and set the card vertically to dry.  I did create some wet lines below the skyline to encourage the watercolor to travel.  I grounded the scene with a black strip at the bottom.  Love!

The Details:  Savvy Seattle Skyline die, Impress sentiment, Peerless watercolors, VersaFine Onyx Black, Strathmore Cold Press 140lb watercolor paper

I'm entering this in Addicted to Stamps and More #162 Make Your Mark,  The Male Room #19 Neon Colors   

Glittery Cupcake

 

Hello!   Time for another Great Impressions card for you, this time covered in glitter goodness.  I was totally inspired by my design teammate, Donna's wonderful glitter card (if you haven't seen it yet on the GI blog, you will!).   I had some black vinyl stickers in my stash so I grabbed one of those and went nuts with glitter and Copics.  And do you see how well the E694 Sorry I Missed Your Special Day sentiment brings it all together?  Love!

You know, it just occurred to me the sentiment could be used for any occasion that you missed--wedding, graduation, etc, by omitting the bottom.  Versatility!!!!

And lest I forget, I included a pic of the sticker outline and what happened when I tried placing it on the glitter, a bit wonky but salvagable.  Next time I will lay the black sticker sticky side up then place the sticky paper carefully on top of it.  Very carefully :)

See you next week with another GI design!  Toni 

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

Dotty Birthday

I played around with transparent embossing paste over the weekend.  I wanted to see if I could emboss on it--yes.  It also changed the colors a bit but I think you can see the ombre still.  I love the shine on shine on shine.  I also love the palest of gray cardstock I was able to find at Stampadoodle.  I heart them so much!

The Details:  circle mask, PTI sentiment, Hammermill color copy cardstock 80lb, Distress Inks except for the purple which is Memento.  I think the yellow is Memento too--tangelo and dandelion.  Doodlebug enamel dots.

I'm entering this in the Male Room #19 Neon Colors, Cardz 4 Guyz #88 Embossing - Wet or Dry, Tuesday Throwdown #262 For a Child, Seize the Birthday Anything Goes

Weathered Chair

I'm rather pleased with the distressing I did on this chair to make it look like it's old and weathered by the elements.  I colored the entire image then decided that the background was too starkly white so I airbrushed it with E30 (Bisque) to age it.  Very charming scene now.

The Details:  Power Poppy So Grateful, Copics, Versamark, Stampendous white embossing powder, Recollections black cardstock, PTI kraft and white cardstock base, Hammermill color copy 80lb cardstock, butterscotch cardstock that I bought from the Paper Zone years and years ago, Memento Tuxedo Black

I'm entering this in AAA #48 Autumn Colors, Penny Black September Anything Goes  

Autumn Wings

September is my absolute favorite month here in Seattle.  It's still warm and sunny during the day but then gets crispy at night.  And the sound of leaves skittering along the ground--love it! 

The Details:  Amuse Studio Autumn Days, Distress inks, Versafine Onyx Black, Tim Holtz watercolor paper, PTI 140lb White cardstock base

I'm entering this in Addicted to CAS #72 Leaves, Fantasy Stampers #45 Autumn Leaves, Addicted to Stamps and More #161 Anything Goes

Be as a Bird

Hello!  It's time for more inspiration for you from Great Impressions!  We're pairing up with AUD sentiments so be sure to check out their anything goes with a sentiment challenge.

Here I used E737 Be as a Bird.  It's a beautiful sentiment isn't it?  I love the font too.  I really wanted to focus on the sentiment so I masked off part of a Crafter's Workshop stencil to create a lot of white space.  I used Distress Inks in Seedless Preserved, Chipped Sapphire and Faded Jeans to create an ombre effect for added interest.  Now wasn't that simple? 

See you next week!

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

Sweet Thoughts

Well.  As you can see I have 2 different versions of this card.  I had the idea of adding the new die I picked up over my apple image and sentiment and my first inclination was white.  What a surprise.  But I decided to sponge it green then changed my mind after everything was mounted with foam and Glossy Accents.  D'oh!  I did some reverse engineering and managed to cover up the icks with white foliage.  I like this so much better as it complements but doesn't distract from the colored image.  What about you? 

The Details:  Power Poppy Farmers Market, Memory Box Botanical Stem die, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Copics, Memento Tuxedo Black, Hammermill 80lb color copy cardstock

I'm entering this in Just Us Girls 309 Apple, TIME OUT 39 Make Your Mark, Simon Says Use a Stamp

Joy

My kid sis stamped this super cute image to color last year when I visited (I think that was September--wow!).  I wish I could remember what the card stock is because it took the color really well but is way thicker than my 80lb stuff.  I mixed up my usual style by adding plaid paper to the background.  That paper is at least a year old too.  Ever so slowly reducing the piles!


The Details:  House Mouse Candy Joy, Copics, Hammermill 80lb digital color copy cardstock, Doodlebug enamel dots, Simon Says stitched rectangle die

I'm entering this in Christmas Stampin' All Year Long #55 Anything Goes, Christmas Cards All Year 'Round Country Christmas, Holly Jolly Use a Die, Darnell's NBUS #5

Timber!!!!!

Lisa had a little accident so I made this card for her.   I tried to make it look like the gnome is falling off the mushroom but when I look at it now, it's like he's doing jazz hands.   Lol.   Hope you heal quickly, Lisa!

The Details:  MFT BB You Gnome Me, Deep Red sentiment, Copics, Memento Tuxedo Black, Hammermill color copy 80lb cardstock, Paper Studio green cardstock, PTI 140lb cardstock base, Simon Says stitched rectangle die

I'm entering this in Addicted to Stamps and More 160 inspiration photo, City Crafter 278 Feeling Flat, Penny Black Anything Goes,  TIME OUT 39 Make Your Mark

Witches and Trees, Oh My

Hello!  Today Great Impressions has a new challenge for you--Trick or Tree-t (use a Halloween or tree image).  This is the perfect opportunity for you to get a jump start on your Halloween cards. You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did! Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

For my card I stamped H246 Spooky Sayings Background multiple times and embossed it in white.  I then used my Cameo to cut out a witch from the resulting homemade paper.  Neat!   I used my airbrush for the moon and dark blue background.  I deepened some of the sky with sponged Distress Ink black soot (love how it blends).  I spattered the sky (and my monitor of all things!) with diluted white pigment ink for stars.  A few spooky diecut Impression Obsession trees for the witch to fly over and the scene is complete.

Be sure to stop by again!

Flower Forever

Hello!  Time for another Great Impressions card for you.  I absolutely love the simplicity of this card.  A Memory Box floral frame and a tiny corner flower (Martha Stewart greenery) is all the fab G455 A Flower sentiment needed.  Btw, you may recognize the "Smile and laugh" from our July challenge.  Again, the GI sentiments are perfect for a nip and tuck to stretch your stamp.
 
See you next week with another GI design!  Toni 

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

Wonderful Gerberas

I had such fun working this card up for the Happy Little Stampers CAS challenge this month which is all about coloring.  I love coloring.  I love flowers.  I love coloring flowers.  Hmm, that wasn't hard to figure out what would be the focus of my card, huh?

I chose a digi from Power Poppy, printing it out at default size.  I started out with the melon then yellow flower.  The burgundy flower?  Yeah, that started out bright pink.  Like what was I thinking pink (RV00, 02 and 04).  I first layered on R22 to tone it down but it was still too bright relative to the other flowers so I went way deeper with R37 and R39 shadow.  Now it looks like the bright pink is intentional highlighting.  Shh, let's keep it between ourselves.  :)

Now color up whatever your like and share it with us.  It is so fun and amazing to see what you create for our challenges--truly inspiring!

The Details:  Power Poppy Gerbera Daisies, Hero Arts tiny bee, Copics, PTI 140lb white cardstock base, Crafter's Companion 80lb cardstock, mystery green that I love because of the pebbly texture (Bazzil maybe)

Celebrating Your Birthday

Today marks a new challenge at House of Cards where we ask you to incorporate stitching into your design.  Come join us!

I used a stitched die as well as a stamp with stitching, keeping it really simple.  I surprised myself by liking the background designer paper.  I initially was planning to use a black and white stripe but this seemed very fresh and happy.

The Details:  PTI Movers & Shakers sentiment, Great Impressions Stitched Flowers, mystery DP, Copics, Doodlebug Designs sequins, Versamark, Stampendous detail fine black embossing powder, Memento Tuxedo Black, Simon Says stitched rectangle die