Transformating Fru-its

This card started out looking quite a bit different.  Cascading fruits, sentiment on vellum, washi.  Fun but not wow.

Then I saw this amazing card by Linda Trace over the weekend.

What, what?!  I can totally do that so I did.  These are fruit stickers (thanks, Amy!) so I pulled some little fruit stamps from my collection.  Worked a treat.  I think the Penny Black die (thanks, Tonya!) works wonders for this too.

I'm entering this in Cupcake Inspirations #368 and Simon Says Anything Goes.

The Details:  Paperchase stickers, Penny Black You're Sweet die and Cupcakes stamps, Lawn Fawn Here's the Scoop, The Ton Stand Tall, Memento Tuxedo Black, Recollections 110lb black cardstock

Hello, Hello, Hello

I saw this cute kitchen towel at JC Penney's and was inspired to make a card.  Because of a kitchen towel of all things!   Keep your eyes open, people.  You never know what you might see.

And thanks to The Heart Desires where I picked up the cute Lawn Fawn Flamingo Together set.  Adorbs!

I'm entering this in Virginia's View #22 Summer, Lawnscaping #134 Rainbow Colors, Addicted to Stamps and More #204 CAS

The Details:  Lawn Fawn Flamingo Together, American Crafts Sunny 6x6 Paper, Mark Richards gold dots, Doodlebug black enamel dot, Paper Studio washi, Waffle Flower Lacy Layers die, Copic RV00, RV02, RV04, RV06, RV09, BG000, BG01, BG02, BG05, BG07, Y00, Y13, Y15, Y17, Y38, C3, C5, C8, multiliner BS

Lawn Fawn Flamingo Together

American Crafts Sunny 6x6 Paper

Mark Richards 5mm Gold Dots

Mark Richards 3mm Gold Dots

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Relax!

I got together with some fab crafty friends on Saturday and actually managed to produce a card. Usually I'm Miss Gabby and just enjoy the company with aspirations to finish something so I'm quite proud of myself--LOL.

Here I did a watercolor wash background using Zigs.  Super easy to do and dried quickly as I used a watercolor brush very lightly.  I emphasized the sand using tiny gold dotty washi and placed those cute flipflops like they are walking into the scene.  The banner I created using my new MFT Stitched Banner die.  Soooooo cute.

Oh!  Notice how "relax" appears in bold?  All you need to do is ink up your sentiment and press a bit harder when stamping where you want that effect.  This is using VersaFine.  I don't know if it works with other inks.  Let me know!

I'm entering this in Crafty Cardmakers #169 Summer, Fantasy Stampers #67 CAS, City Crafter #321 Typically Tropical

Watercolor Hydrangea

I've had the idea of using Brushos with Julie Ebersole's Mondo Hydrangea for ages, absolute ages.   I love how it turned out!  Do you notice the C9 Tree Ring in the background?  I stamped and embossed multiples of that in stages.  AND I stamped and embossed the sentiment on top of the tree ring embossing.  Held my breath on that but turned out fab!

I'm entering this in  Crafter's Cafe #153 CAS, CAS Mix Up, Fantasy Stampers 67 CAS

The Details:  Purple and Cobalt Brushos, Concord and 9th Tree Ring, Zig water brush, Ellen Hutson Mondo Hydrangea, Versamark, Stampendous White and Black Detail Fine embossing powder, Copic 0 and YG97, Neenah 140lb white cardstock base, Scotch foam tape, Recollections washi

Concord & 9th Tree Ring

Brushos, Purple

Zig H2O Detail Watercolor Brush

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Some Kind of Magical

Stopping in with a card for the Curtain Call Unicorn challenge.   How could I not play along?  I love, love, love unicorns!

My favorite part of the card tho is the 3-D embossed gold cardstock background.  It is so very very cool.  No, cooler than cool.  Magical.

Join in at Curtain Call (unis!) and check out The Heart Desires store, why don't ya.

The Details:  Your Next Stamp Magical Unicorn, Hero Arts Hello Gorgeous, We R Memory Keepers Next Level Geometric Embossing Folder, Ranger Glossy Accents, Ranger Multi Medium Matte,  Versafine Onyx Black, Recollections Gold Mirror Cardstock, Martha Stewart Corner Rounder, Scotch foam tape, Wink of Stella Gold and Silver, Copics

Hero Arts Hello Gorgeous	Your Next Stamp Magical Unicorn	We R Memory Keepers Geometric Next Level EF	Ranger Glossy Accents
Ranger Multi Medium Matte

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Pink StRiPe Encouragement

I am so into all things pink and bright and fun lately!  It's the fault of those flamingos I'm seeing everywhere!

My design started out with the Doodlebug Fun in the Sun designer paper.  I love the pattern and colors soooo much!  The panel is rather bold, however, so I made the sentiment black (and glittery!) to really stand out.  I paired it with printed acetate for a fun shine.  I added some Lawn Fawn twine (I'm hoping it will be carried in The Heart Desires store soon.  It's fab--look how well it holds the bow shape!) and a few matte and shiny enamel dots.

While you're here, why not get the heck out and get craftin' so you can join us at The Heart Desires Challenge #2.   You know you want to!

The Details:  Doodlebug Fun in the Sun 6x6 paper and enamel dots (both shiny and matte), Neat and Tangled You Can Do Anything die, My Favorite Things Inside and Out Stitched Rounded Rectangle die, We R Memory Keepers 12x12 Clearly Bold Acetate Pad, Lawn Fawn twine, Memory Box card base

Stamplorations CAS July Challenge Reminder!

We're still rockin' the orange over at Stamplorations CAS Anything Goes challenge.  Come join in the fun!

The Details:  Stamplorations Bold Sentiments:  Believe, Stampin' Up World Traveler embossing folder, Hero Arts Neon Yellow to Orange, Doodlebug black enamel dots, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Recollections 110lb white cardstock

The Heart Desires Challenge #2 Midway Reminder

We're about halfway through The Heart Desires Challenge #2.  Come on over and join in the fun!

When I saw the Jen Hadfield Everyday paper pad over at The Heart Desires, I had to have it.  HAD to.  This will certainly become one of my hoarded, no-you-can't-have-any pads!  I also noticed Ken Oliver Color Burst paper.  What the heck?  It's cardstock that has printed designs created by Color Burst watercolors on it already!  Now I can have the effect I love without having muss and fuss and, best of all, NO WAIT.  Squee!!!!!

So I paired the two up on this fun summery card.  Also, can you see the gold dots?  Those are also new at THD.  So on trend and now!

I'm entering this in Cupcake Inspirations #367, City Crafter #321 Typically Tropical 

 The Details:  Pebbles Jen Hadfield Everyday Paper, Ken Oliver Color Burst paper, Ranger Glossy Accents, Mark Richards Gold Dots, VersaFine Onyx Black, Ellen Hutson Up the Happy, Doodlebug enamel dots, My Favorite Things Flamingo die, Simon Says Stitched Rectangle die, PTI cardstock

Brusho Palm Tree

I have been seeing some amazing backgrounds on cards lately (Cornelia's alcohol ink on Yupo, for instance) and wanted to riff on that in my latest card for The Heart Desires.

I sprinkled some Brushos on Tim Holtz watercolor paper (my fav for this type of thing!) then spritzed.  The more water there was in a section, the more blended the crystals became.  Cool, huh?

I was reminded of sand at the bottom with the specks of colors and water above so went with a tropical scene.  The Hero Arts die was calling my name!  I colored over the fronds with a Copic to spotlight the green.  I also used a Copic on gray enamel dots to create the coconuts.  I was so pleased with the unexpected results.  I'll definitely be coloring more enamel dots in the future.

I mounted the lot on black for a shadow effect after fluffing up the fronts and trunk with a pick.  I absolutely love how this card turned out and hope you do too!

If you haven't tried Brushos, do!  I loves them--loves loves loves them!

I'm entering this card in CAS Mix Up, Paper Players #304 CAS and Virginia's View #22

The Details:  Lemon Yellow and Turquoise Brushos, Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper, Doodlebug Birthday Girl Sprinkles, Hero Arts Paper Layering Palm Tree die, Waffle Flower Lacy Flower Border die, Memento Tuxedo Black, My Favorite Things Polynesian Paradise, Copic YG07 and E23

Brushos, Turquoise

Brushos, Sunburst Lemon

Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper

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More Inspiration for The Heart Desires Challenge #2

I've been a bit laid up but now that I'm feeling more like my old self, my crafting energy is baaaack.  Woo hoo!  I have THREE more cards for The Heart Desires Challenge #2 because the challenge pic is just that amazing!  I love the colors so I used those but the last card is different, rather a stretch for me really--so many layers and bits and bobs.  I hope you're inspired to join in the fun!

• I sprinkled Brushos on damp paper then spread it around some with a water brush.
• Flicked water after drying the panel with a heat gun.  Set aside.
• Stamped, cut, and colored cute mermaids and starfish.  OMG, so cute.
• Stamped sentiment.
• Diecut outline and awesome.  Carefully applied pen glue that refused to come out except in giant blops.
• I used two different thicknesses of foam tape to lift up the mermaids so the one in pink is a little closer visually.  Notice the difference in shadow?  Cool.

I'm entering this one in Addicted to Stamps and More #202 Make Your Mark, Fab n' Funky #313 Add a Sentiment, Simon Says Wednesday Create a Scene and Virginia's View #22

The Details:  Neat and Tangled Awesome die (which is awesome!), Tim Holtz watercolor paper, Turquoise Brushos, The Greeting Farm Little Mermaids, Memento Tuxedo Black, white pigment pen, Copics, Memory Box cardstock base, Waltzing Mouse stitched scalloped rectangle die

• I sponged the stencil using Distress inks then covered in Wink of Stella.
• Stamped, diecut, and lightly colored the pineapple.
• Stamped, embossed, and fussy cut the sentiment banner.
• Easy peasy.

The Details:  Clear Wink of Stella, Concord and 9th Pop Art Pineapple, Ranger Round Ink Applicators, Stampendous Tropical Pineapple, Distress Inks, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, PTI Hawaiian Shores cardstock, Hammermill 80lb color copy cardstock, Hero Arts Large Lotus stencil, VersaMark, Stampendous detail fine white embossing powder, Copics

• I chose a fab Authentique life card and diecut it so it would have stitch lines.
• The card beneath is full size.
• Embossed the EP paper with pineapples!
• Assembled using washi and clips. 
• My favorite details is the sequin and enamel dot flower in her hair.

I'm entering this in ColourQ #350

The Details:  Authentique Utopia Authentic Life Cards, Pink Paislee Pineapple Bliss embossing folder, Echo Park Splendid Sunshine paper, Waffle Flower Tiny Love Bubble, Recollections gold foil cardstock, Avery Elle Sweet Scallops die, Freckled Fawn washi tape, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Lawn Fawn washi, Impress flower sequin, Doodle white enamel dot

Stamplorations CAS July Challenge

I am so very excited that orange is the optional color for the Stamplorations CAS Anything Goes challenge starting today.  Woo hoo!  How I do love me some orange!

I stamped and masked the French Marigold - Large stamp then colored it in with Zigs.  Such a luscious orange.  I used red as the shadow and blended it a bit into the lighter orange for added pop.  I added bright yellow to the petal tips and blended that downward.  It's like the blossoms are alight--love the effect.  I diecut the sentiment in foam then added a layer of cardstock on top (I don't prefer how foam looks by itself).  I added the butterflies for added interest and balance--the sentiment looks lonely otherwise. :)

Ready to get your orange on?  Or not--totally up to you!  Come join us!

The Details:  Stamplorations French Marigold - Large, Simon Says Painted Hugs die, Memory Box Dancing Butterflies die, Zigs, Tim Holtz watercolor paper, Recollections 110lb white and black cardstock, Waffle Flower Lacy Layers die

Heart Desires Challenge #2

The second The Heart Desires Challenge starts today--woo hoo!  I cannot wait to see what fabulous creations you link up--sinceriously!  Notice this time there's a sketch you can use it you like.  I sorta but not really did!

For my card I sponged Distress Inks with a stencil to create a tropical mood.  Then I layered washi on cardstock and diecut it out in order to create the graphic frame--oh, how I love this!  My idea had been to create a pineapple wreath but it seemed too floaty so black and white to ground it . . . a LOT. I stamped and diecut the pineapple and multiple green stems with ombre--cool effect, zero effort. Layering the leaves at the bottom allows the welcome sentiment to pop and the little pink flower draws the eye there too, doncha think?

So there you have it.  Now come on over and join in the fun!!!

The Details:
 Concord and 9th Pop Art Pineapple Stamps and Dies, Doodlebug Striped Washi, Hero Arts Neon Yellow to Orange and Lime to Forever Green Ombre), VersaFine Onyx Black, Waffle Flower Flower Circles Inverted, Distress Ink Picked Raspberry, Squeezed Lemonade and Twisted Citron, Tim Holtz Blossom stencil