House of Cards December Challenge

Hello and welcome to the House of Cards Bi-Annual Card Hop!  We have a lot of sponsors and even more inspiration for you.  It's the last challenge of the year and for me as a member of the HOC DT.  I'm going to miss my teamies!  Note there's also a DT Call going on so throw your hat in the ring if you're interested in working with a great bunch of people!

I'm using a digital image, Sweet Christmas, from Beccy's Place.  Isn't it fab?  I scaled it up and watercolored it.  Looooove the results.

Be sure to check out the creations of the rest of the DT--amazing as usual!  The list is below.  

House of Cards Challenge Blog

Mynn | Cohenna | Donna | Em | Heather | Jane | Judy 

Karen | Katarina | Katy | Leslie | Linda | Merethe

Michele | Paula | Rocky | Rosi | Ruza

Shawna | Shirley | Steph | Sue N. | Susan | Tina |  

Toni (YOU'RE HERE)

House of Cards November Challenge!

This month at House of Cards we invite you to choose between the colors or adding lots of layers.  I chose the latter because it's gray and dreary here in Seattle and I wanted to play with lots of colors and patterns which I achieved through lots of layers. Lots.

First I brushed on some Distress Inks onto my card base using Clarity brushes.  I love these!  I tend to push down too hard when using sponge type applicators but don't have that issue with the brushes.  I do have to practice patience tho because it can take a while to build the color up sufficiently.  I then splatted on some water and set it aside to dry.

Next I diecut the hills, grasses, elephants, and clouds.  Wow!  Lots of cuts.  Building the scene took a while but I'm very happy with the results.  So cute!

The Details:  American Crafts Sunny 6x6 paper, Avery Elle Dotted Border dies, Papertrey Ink Cloud dies and Mixed Messages sentiment, Bazzill Fig Swirl Cardstock, Memory Box cardstock base, Distress Ink Tumbled Glass and Peacock Feathers, Clarity brush applicators

House of Cards October Challenge!

This month at the House of Cards you're asked to create a gatefold card or use the colors from the inspiration photo.  I have to confess that I started out with an attempt at a gatefold card but my measurements were off, a lot, so I decided to stick with what I know and go with the lovely colors of the doors.

I used my Clarity brush to add layers of Distress Ink to cardstock.  I purposely made one side darker so I could have two different colored feathers when I cut them out.  But before doing that I spritzed the card with Minc Reactive Spray and embossed it with gold and teal Deco foil.  Ah, there we go.  I stamped the fab Stamplorations sentiment then used the PTI linen impression plate to give the card panel a distressed feel like the doors.

The Details:  Tattered Lace Feather die, Stamplorations Lotus Love sentiment, Distress Ink Mermaid Lagoon, Peacock Feathers and Evergreen Bough, Deco Foil Gold and Teal, Simon Says Stitched Rectangle die, Heidi Swapp Minc Reactive Spray, PTI Linen texture plate and kraft cardstock, Recollections 110lb white cardstock, Memory Box cardstock base

House of Cards September Challenge!

This month at the House of Cards you're asked to add a bird and/or use the colors in the inspiration photo.

I used a bird, orange and neutrals in my card.  Isn't that chicky cute?  I love the rosy cheeks lots.  Too bad chickens aren't that cute in real life; we'd all be vegetarians because who could eat such a cute thing?  I used a coverplate with artfully removed sections to add visual interest and to ground the chicken/sentiment. A bit of bright orange twine and gold hello makes me happy!

The Details:  PTI hexagon cover plate and kraft paper, Savvy hello die, Darice baker's twine, MFT The Whole Herd, Tiny Check 6x6 paper and Oval Shadow dies, Memento Rich Cocoa, Recollections gold foil cardstock, Memory Box card base, Copics

House of Cards August Challenge!

Time for the August challenge from The House of Cards!!!!!  You can use the colors or twine.  Come on over the join in the fun!

As you can tell, I decided to use twine rather the colors with my card!  :)  I wanted to create a nautical new home card for my kid sister who bought a condo and is decorating with a beach theme since that's her happy place.  I think she's going to love this!

I took the Carta Bella Anchors Away stencil and taped it over the top of my Tim Holtz watercolor paper.  I then sprinkled on some Brushos in ultramarine and spritzed with water.  See the blobby section in the middle--a bit heavy with the water but let's call it artsy.  Btw, I immediately took the stencil off and set aside the panel to dry.

I diecut the sailboat out of yellow striped paper and then used a Copic to brighten the yellow to match the frame.  Love that shade!  I used the wavy edge of a rectangle die to create the waves on the bottom panel.  The sentiment is stamped in VersaFine Onyx Black.  I punch a hole in the anchor of the sentiment then ran twine through it.  The anchor you see here is part of a string of ribbon anchors. I knew I'd find a use for those some day!  I also cut a tiny little red flag to fly on the sailboat's mast. So cute!

The Details:  Carta Bella Anchors Away stencil, Clear Wink of Stella, Ultramarine Brushos, Tim Holtz watercolor paper, Versafine, anchor ribbon (pieced), Darice baker's twine, Sweet Stamp Shop Sail Away, Fancy Pants Making Waves 6x6 paper, The Paper Company Primary Yellow cardstock, Copic Y06, Waffle Flower Lacy Layers die

Brushos, Ultra Marine

Carta Bella Anchors Away Stencil

Wink of Stella, Clear

Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper

InLinkz.com

House of Cards July Challenge!

The House of Cards July Challenge is all about some yum in the tum.  Come join us!

The Details:  Carta Bella Beach Day paper, Bo Bunny Sugar Glitter Paste, Top Dog Dies Party Drinks, My Favorite Things Soda Pop, VersaFine Onyx Black, Zig 2 Way Glue Pen, Copics, Cuttlebug Kitchen Weave embossing folder

House of Cards June Blog Hop!

It's hop time again at the House of Cards and we have lots of inspiration to share along the way.  

For my card I used a stamp set generously provided by one of our sponsors, Reverse Confetti.  I have to admit I was a bit stumped on how to use these cute apples with the inspiration pic.  (ha ha--get it?  stumped).  Didn't take me long tho since there is so much to draw from in the pic.  I chose gold, bright colors and round shapes.

So, are you ready to get hopping?!  Make sure you leave a comment at each person's blog along the way because the prizes are hidden and we'll be doing random drawings from the blogs where they are hiding! :) After you're done, make a creation to share with us here, too, for another chance to win!

Also, this blog hop is also a DT call!!!!   We're looking for crafters comfortable in any card making style and it might just be YOU!  Check out the House of Cards for all the deets.


HOC Blog | Mynn | Sue T. | Cohenna | Donna | Dotty Jo | Em | Emily
Heather | Jane | Judy | Karen | Katarzyna Ewa * | Katy | Leslie* | Linda

Merethe | Merlina* | Michele | Paula* | Rocky | Rosi | Ruza

Shawna | Shirley* | Steph | Sue N. | Susan* | Tina* | Toni  (You are here!)

The Details:  Reverse Confetti All Apples, Concord and 9th Tree Ring, Hero Arts Cup o' Joe, Neon Ombre Chartreuse to Blue and Red to Purple, Delicata Golden Glitz, Simon Says Stitched Rectangle die, Recollections 110lb white cardstock

House of Cards May Challenge

 

Why hello!  Time for a fab new House of Cards challenge!  We're asking you to use either vellum or acetate in your makes.  So fun!

For my card I went with a flat shaker.  I cut out 2 rectangular pieces of acetate then stitched them on 3 sides.  I then added the glitter to the resulting pouch and sewed up the remaining side.  I prefer stitching over glue--less messy--but that would have worked too.  The shaker allows the glitter to move but also keeps some in place like little bubbles.  Cute!

For the oval and coral I used a branch die on its side.  I had seen the die this way at the shop and hadn't realized it was a branch until I read the package when I got home.  LOL.  I glued the shaker to the front of the card then mounted that on blue card.  After the fact I thought of adding in some waves.  Next time!

The Details:  Memory Box Graceful Branch Oval die, Paper Smooches Surf and Turf, Bazzill Ocean Breeze cardstock, Recollections 110lb white cardstock, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic YG01, 05, 07, 09, Y02, BG02, 05, 07, 10, YR04, 07

I'm entering this in AAA #63 CAS shaker 

House of Cards April Challenge

We have a fabulous new challenge for you at House of Cards this month!  You can be inspired by the colors or include script on your card or be like me and use both!

I wanted to try Distress Ink lifting that I had seen in a Jennifer McGuire video.  Jennifer used a bright blue but I went the other direction and used Antique Linen.  I rubbed the panel liberally then dried it.  I then stamped my Penny Black background using Versamark and embossed it in clear.  I didn't worry that the embossing wasn't perfectly smooth since I wanted a vintage look anyway.  Next, I spread water over the non-embossed sections.  The ink quickly moved out of the way.  I colored the foliage using more Distress Inks.  A very soft look.  I set that aside to dry.

While I was waiting, I colored a piece of cardstock with Worn Lipstick and die cut the stem from it.  Wow, it was rave bright so I spread water all over it.  I had to handle it very carefully because it wanted to fall apart in my hands.  After I dried it with my heat gun, it was fine.  For the leafy diecut, I colored the cardstock with Peeled Painted, applied water, and dried it before diecutting it.  Much easier to work with that way.  I wet embossed the vellum panel with gold.  Dreamy.  Finally I colored seam binding with the Antique Linen (direct pad to ribbon).  That dried in like 5 seconds with the heat gun.

Next I ironed off the embossing from the main panel which also dried it fully.  It has a light suede texture now, just like the linen wallpaper look I was going for--tee hee!  After that assembly was a snap, especially with the Bow Easy to make my pretty bow.

I'm looking forward to seeing how you interpret the challenge.  Come join us!

The Details:  Penny Black Blissful, Inkadinkado Script, Memory Box Eva Stem and Botanical Stem dies, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Versamark, Ranger gold embossing powder, Distress Ink Worn Lipstick, Peeled Paint, Antique Linen, Mowed Lawn, Fired Brick, Hampton Art clear embossing powder, Hug Snug seam binding, Core'dinations 65lb vellum, Bow Easy

House of Cards March Challenge

It's cue word time at the House of Cards:  silhouette!  I think of all sorts of things like shadows, sunsets/sunrises, dusk, old timey profile silhouettes, even my Silhouette Cameo.  The possibilities abound so come join in the fun!

For my card, I created a powdered dye background which always turns out as a surprise.  This time I was reminded of a meadow at dusk where the colors are starting to deepen so I made that my theme.  And, unfortunately, I've depleted my supply of sympathy cards and thought this card would fit the bill nicely.  I added a black strip on the left because it felt right--I know you know what I mean--and used a soft gray base.


The Details:  Inkadinkado Meadow, Clearly Besotted Thinking of You, Tim Holtz watercolor paper, Recollections 110lb white cardstock base, pale gray mystery paper that I love, Versafine Onyx Black, Jacquard Acid Dyes

House of Cards February Challenge

This month at the House of Cards we're asking that you create a card that is not a square or a rectangle but anything else is fair game.  Circles, ovals, snowglobes!

I love snow globes and decided to create one with my Cameo.  I've included a pic for your reference.  The card is A2 in size.

I airbrushed the blue background, leaving the bottom white as snow.  I then colored and diecut the penguin and fire.  Isn't that penguin adorable?  I used a snow pen on his hat for kicks.  I assembled the rest of the card--double layer of foam tape, glitter mix, etc--but felt there was something lacking.  Note in the pic below how there's no shading on the base--very blah.   I was much happier after I added in some shading with Copics.

The Details:  My Favorite Things Toasty Greetings, Copics, Distress Ink Tumbled Glass, Recollections 110lb white cardstock, Stampendous Frantage Multi Crystal Glitter Mix, VersaFine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Scotch Foam Tape

House of Cards January Challenge!

We're back after a holiday break and hope you're as ready as we are to start crafting again!  This month at the House of Cards we have a picture inspiration and/or embossing challenge for you to have fun with. 

I colored up my card with Copics in as close to the challenge colors as I had--methinks I need some grayer tones in the green/blue-green family.  What, buy more Copics?!  Well, if I must. . . .  LOL.   I colored the green first then applied some blending solution on burlap to achieve the appearance of a tweedy coat.  For the trim I wanted shearling.  I squiggled to get that effect.  Squiggle--that's a fun word.  Around the fire I played with creating flame highlights on the rocks.  Tried anyway!  An embossed snowy background and sentiment were next. 

Confession time:  When I first took this pic, I hadn't added the snowflakes on the right.  It looked a bit too empty in that space so I added them and promptly dropped the block next to the flames with the last snowflake.  Story of my life, I swear.  Well, I Photoshopped that out but it's so there in real life.  Argh and ick!

I'm sure you won't have any such troubles when you join our challenge.  LOL!

Snowman Shaker

Hello!   We've having an ultra fun and inspirational holiday House of Cards blog hop with some really great sponsors for our December picture inspiration challenge.  I'm the last stop so if  you haven't already checked out Tammy's blog before mine, please do so.  If you've missed any of the other fab designers, you can head on back to HOC for a full list of participants!

For my card I'm using the cutest image from Great Impressions. I knew I wanted to use F251 Build a Snowman but wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with it.  When that happens with a Christmas card, I search through my box of crafty holiday goodness.  This paper was perfect--a little snow, lots of sentiments, and happy colors.  I colored up the image pulling in the reds, greens and blues from the DP.

I had also run across these instant shaker majiggers in my stash.  You just sprinkle a bit of glitter on the image, peel the backing off the instashaker and plop it right down on top of the image and pile of glitter.  So easy.  You then cut a circle in your top paper and pop it over.  I had cut the wrong size circle initially but no worries since that gave me the idea to turn it into a wreath.

Stamped Window

Today marks the start of the November House of Cards challenge where we ask you to use the stamped window technique. Super easy with lots of possibilities.

For my card I stamped the image then removed a portion with the rectangular die.  I did wet on dry watercoloring with some pigment ink work on the flowers.  For the interior I decided to add a black border to set off the sentiment more.  You can hardly tell but I used a stitched rectangle for that part.

The Details:  Peerless watercolors, Hot Off the Press Simply Susan stamps, Papertrey Ink Harvest Berries stamps, Memento Tuxedo Black, Scotch foam tape, Tim Holtz watercolor paper, Recollections 110lb white and black cardstock, Doodlebug Black Sprinkles, Sakura white pigment ink pen, Simon Says Stitched Rectangle die

Grateful

We have a fun House of Cards challenge for you this month.  You can choose to use texture on your card or be inspired by the colors of the photo or mix it up and do both.

I colored up a fabulous freebie from Marianne Walker of Copic fame.  Super easy one and she even has basic instructions.  Thanks, MW!  I diecut the panel and added the WPlus9 sentiment.  I like white space but it was so very plain jane that I decided to use my Paper Studio leaf embossing folder on the whole thing.  Love!!!!!

If you haven't already, check out the fabulous makes of my design teammates!

Barbara

Cohenna

Cornelia

Daen'Ys

Donna N.

Donna T.

Dotty Jo

Em
Emily

Heather

Jane
Joni

Judy

Karen

Katy

Lilian

Linda

Lisa

Merethe

Michele

Monika

Mrs Duck

Pat

Rocky

Ruza

Shawna

Steph

Sue T.

Sue N.

Tammy
Toni--you're here!

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

Feelin' Groovy

Time for a new House of Cards challenge--woo hoo!  This time your card must include a metallic element.  

In my card I used silver metallic embossing powder which is a combo I absolutely adore with green.  It was my first time coloring up a Some Odd Girl image (thanks to Kimberly!)--super fun.  Her hair was inspired by Julianne Moore from Still Alice.  I don't know who colors her hair but they do an amazing job making it look natural.  I popped her up on a bit of folded card; a technique that Lisa shared with me.  Now the card will be flat when mailed but little Mae will pop right up when she comes out of the envelope--surprise! 

The Details:  Some Odd Girl Music Mae, Lil' Inker Shiny Happy Sentiments, Copics, Versamark, Recollections silver detail embossing powder

Enjoy the Moment . . . Smile

The House of Cards is back from a little summer break and we have a brand new super fantastic challenge for you.  I personally love inspiration pic challenges because you have so many possibilities to play around with.  This time I chose to go with the citrus colors (yum!) on my wildflower background.  I wasn't sure how the "Enjoy the Moment" sentiment would show up but I stamped it a couple of times using the MISTI to make it really bold.  Love!

The Details:  Hero Arts Pale Tomato, Orange Soda, and Everything Flower Background, Memento Dandelion, Recollections 110lb white and black cardstock, PTI Reasons to Smile and Mixed Messages sentiments, Memento Tuxedo Black, Simon Says stitched rectangle die

I'm entering this in Inkspirational #85 Wild, Addicted to Stamps and More! #151 Anything Goes, Crafty Cardmakers and More 141 sentiment, Virginia's View #16 100% Stamped

House of Cards Spring Blog Hop

I hope you'll hop along and be inspired to join us for this month's House of Cards End of Term Blog Hop which runs until June 15th at noon CST.  We have lots of sponsors and prizes to win along with amazing cards from my teamies.  You can read all about them below my card details.  Btw, we're looking for a few new team members so feel free to throw your hat in the ring.  We'd love to have you join us!

For my first card I took the Stitchy Bear Shaded Flower Border VI and printed it large enough to run along the side of the card.  I love that you can resize and manipulate digis to your heart's content, don't you?  I colored it with my Copics using the yellow greens and deep coral pinks from the inspiration picture.  I wanted to pull in the strong horizontal lines in the pic but was stumped until I noticed that the black frame of the photo on the wall had shiny stripes.  Eureka!  I used removable tape to mask then applied a liberal coat of Versamark and embossing powder.  It was wonderful peeling the tape off (before heating!) and seeing that I had no stray powder.  Check out the second pic to see the stripes a bit better.  I also recreated the framed picture by mounting my sentiment on a black base.  I love how modern and elegant this turned out. 

For the second card, I kept it very simple for a masculine birthday card. Here I took inspiration from the horizontal shelving, pops of green, block letters and vertical lines of the stems.

The Details Card 1:  Stitchy Bear Shaded Flower Border VI, PTI Meadow Greens sentiment, Recollections 110lb black and white cardstock, Hammermill 80lb color cardstock, Hero Arts Soft Olive Ink, Versamark, Ranger clear embossing powder, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Copic 0, E18, E19, E39, RV11, RV13, RV14, RV17, Y11, YG61, YG63, YG76
I'm entering this one in Simon Says Wednesday Anything Goes, Moving Along with the Times Texture

Card 2: Cuttlebug embossing folder, Stampendous white detail fine embossing powder, Versamark, Hero Arts Operation Write Home sentiment, Technique Tuesday Happy die, mystery green cardstock, Recollections 110lb white cardstock
I'm entering this one in Mod Squad Masculine, Crafter's Cafe #118 One for the Boys, CAS on Sunday #59 Tic Tac Toe (birthday, male, off the edge), AAA Cards #40 For the Guys, Seize the Birthday Anything Goes

And now, here's your hop order~

House of Cards Challenge Blog

Mynn
Sue

Barbara

Cohenna

Cornelia

Daen'Ys

Dana

Donna N.

Donna T.

Emily

Gracie

Judy

Katy

Lilian

Linda

Lorry

Merethe

Michele

Monika

Mrs Duck

Pat

Rocky

Ruza

Tammy
you're here--Toni--you're here

Here are all of our fabulous sponsors.

Our team will be using a variety of products

from these amazing companies!

Deedee's Digis
Prize: Gift Card to the online store.

Eclectic Anthology
Prize: $50 gift voucher to the shop.

Great Impressions
Prize: Prize Package

Inspired By Stamping

Prize: Gift Card to Store

Stitchy Bear
Prize: $10 gift voucher to the shop.