colourQ 331!

It's Tuesday so that means it's time for a brand new palette at colourQ!  This week we've got the blues so I took that as a sign that I should make a more masculine card than I normally do.

Last week I mentioned that I wanted to use more of my patterned paper stash so I'm happy to report that every card I've made for posting this week has some on it!  Yay me!  It felt good to cut some of that paper, I'll tell you.  One small step for me, one giant leap for the crushing weight of the shelves holding all that paper!


I got some help with my card from the sketch at Fusion and also from Friday Mashup where I chose to use a stencil on my card and create a big horizontal layer with embossing paste.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you've got some time to join us at colourQ this week.  Hop on over there to check out the beautiful cards from my fellow teamies!

Supplies
Paper:  White (Spectrum Noir); Pacific Point, Island Indigo, Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate, Beyond the Garden DSP, Island Indigo DSP (SU)
Accessories:  Pierced Rectangle STAX, Pierced Square STAX, Happy Hellos die (My Favorite Things); A Birdie Told Me die (Lawn Fawn); Chevron stencil (Heidi Swapp); white embossing paste (Dreamweaver)

Freshly Made Sketches 219!

Hello there!  Wednesday is, of course, new sketch day at Freshly Made Sketches.  This week our hostess is Cindy Hall and despite her awesome sketch, I managed to mess up the layout on my card a bit!

I have a bad tendency to not pay close attention to a sketch I'm supposed to be following.  In this case I was all set to use a star shape with a sentiment stamped in it in the spot where the star "any shape" is but changed my mind at the last minute.  I decided to put the sentiment on the lower right corner of the horizontal layer then proceeded to forget all about that star.  It wasn't until the card was photographed and edited that I realized my mistake.  So I polled my fellow FMS teamies and we decided by majority vote that the superhero's head was a good substitute for that shape!  LOL!

I got lucky this week with the superhero challenge at The Friday Mashup because the color block layout of this sketch was perfect for this little superhero guy.  And bonus points for me because I've had this stamp for a while and had never inked it up.

I hope you've got a chance to check out our sketch and all the wonderful inspiration from the Freshly Made Sketches design team.  I hope to see you in the gallery!  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies
Stamps:  Super Boy (My Favorite Things)
Paper:  Sweet Tooth (My Favorite Things); Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Night of Navy, Whisper White (SU); X-Press It Blending Card
Ink:  Black Licorice (My Favorite Things); Night of Navy (SU); Copics
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle STAX, Blueprints 13 die (My Favorite Things)

Imagined Life

A funny thing happened on the road to making this card.  When I saw the CAS(E) This Sketch challenge I knew immediately that I wanted to use Tim Holtz's "umbrella man" image.  I don't know why I just knew that was what I wanted to use.  Then yesterday I checked out the Friday Mashup challenge and guess what they wanted on our projects?  If you guessed an umbrella you win the prize!  That's what I call serendipity!

I used the colors again from Color Throwdown for no other reason than I LOVE them!  There's just something about black, white and a pop of color that really appeals to me!

Well, that's it for me.  I've got a sick kitty in the house and I may need to take him back to the vet this morning so I've cleared my schedule.  I was going to go in to Boston to see my nephew's band play at Faneuil Hall later today, but depending on how things go with the kitty I may or may not go.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Jumbo Abstract Art (My Favorite Things); Grunge Me (Papertrey Ink); Mini Mixed Media Backgrounds (Stamplorations); Life's Possibilities (Tim Holtz)
Paper:  White (Spectrum Noir)
Ink:  So Saffron, Hello Honey (SU); Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories:  enamel dots (Freckled Fawn)

colourQ 264

Hello there!  Today is the reveal of a new color palette at colourQ and it just so happens that the colors, inspired by this table runner, are perfect if you are in the mood for a Halloween card or, as in my case, you would like to try something new.

The challenge this week at Friday Mashup is to try something that I'd never heard of called the Galaxy Technique.  You basically create a card where the background looks like some of the views you've probably seen from the Hubble space telescope.  They've got a couple of links to video tutorials on the challenge post - one using watercolors and one using Distress Paints.  And both are very cool.

This is actually the second version I attempted using this technique.  The first one I made was using watercolor paints and since me and watercoloring are barely on speaking terms you can only imagine the hot mess that followed.  For my second attempt I wanted to try something more like the Distress Paint version even though I didn't have any paint, Distress or otherwise.

I started out by tapping some Distress Ink on my craft sheet in the orange, green and purple colors.  I misted them with water then smooshed my cardstock in the mess I created.  Then I took some black dye ink and tried the same thing.  The black didn't look so good.  (Note to self, put black Distress Ink on my wish list).  Not to be deterred I dried the cardstock with my heat tool then set about sponging black ink all over it.  The darker areas you see are actually the smudgy effect of using the black dye ink misted with water so even though I thought it looked terrible when I first did it, I ended up liking how it gave my little corner of the universe some depth.

I added some little splatter stars by dipping a brush in some shimmer paint and tapping it against my finger so that it would leave splatters all over the place.  I heat embossed, in white, some bigger stars and something I like to think of as a comet tail to finish off the look.

I'm quite pleased with how it came out except for the part where I messed up and used Wisteria Wonder ink and Vintage Violet cardstock.  You've already stuck with me this long so I won't bore you with THAT story, I'll just thank you for stopping by.

ETA:  I'm also submitting this card over at City Crafter Challenge Blog where the challenge is to add a piece of sky.  Thank's LeAnne for letting me know about that!

The colourQ gang have again made some outstanding cards using these colors so please pop on over there to check them out.  We always love to see you in the gallery!

Supplies:

Stamps:  So 80s (WPlus 9); Mini Stamp Brilliant, Mini Stamp Right Now (Heidi Swapp)

Paper:  Vintage Violet, Whisper White (SU); White (Spectrum Noir)

Ink:  Crushed Olive, Spiced Marmalade, Dusty Concord (Distress Ink); Wisteria Wonder, Basic Black (SU); Versamark

Accessories:  white embossing powder

colourQ 256 Bokeh

Hi everyone!  It's time for a brand new palette at colourQ and I'm so excited by the card I made for this challenge.  I recently signed up for a watercolor class for cardmakers and I've learned so many new things by watching the videos. The Friday Mashup challenge this weekend called for a bokeh technique and had a link to a video tutorial which combined bokeh with some watercoloring.  I loved the look so much I used what I learned to make my colourQ card this week.

The background of my card is watercolored and made up of Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze and Old Olive.  I swished the colors around to create an interesting, colorful background then once dry went back in with some white ink and sponged the circles to create the bokeh effect.  I cut the sentiment die three times and glued them together to create a little dimension.

I mentioned yesterday that the sketch at CAS(E) This Sketch inpsired me to make more than one card and this is the second one.  The layout is so perfect for a million ideas though I've only got two now!  

The ladies at colourQ have got some great ideas to show you using these colors.  Check them out!  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies

Stamps:  Simple Shapes (SU)

Paper:  White Pure Luxury (Gina K); Pacific Point (SU); Distress Watercolor Cardstock (Tim Holtz)

Ink:  Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive (SU); White (WPlus9)

Accessories:  Thanks Script (Savvy Dies); Wink of Stella pen

Hello Tag

I love to make tags.  I love them by themselves and I love to stick them on cards too.  Once upon a time I mused that it was too bad that there wasn't a challenge out there in this crafty blogland that was all about tags.  Well the stamping godmother has waived her magic fairy dust because there's a brand new challenge on the block called Tag You're It and, you guessed it, it's all about tags!  They're having a bit of a mini challenge to start things off so I thought I'd play along.

The colors on my tag come from the pretty challenge at Color Throwdown.  I did some sponging after I embossed the leafy image with clear embossing powder.  I stamped a few other images to create some texture then added the sentiment, which fits the Hello challenge at Friday Mashup.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Beautiful Botanicals (a.muse studio); Hand Lettered Hello (WPlus9); Feather Finery (Papetrey Ink)

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Whispher White (SU)

Ink:  Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette (SU)

Accessories:  Traditional Tags STAX, Pierced Traditional Tags STAX (My Favorite Things); Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon, linen thread (SU)

Joy to the World!

Happy Christmas Day!  I couldn't resist sharing this tag with you today because it has a sentiment that is very special on today of all days!

I chose the colors from the Friday Mashup challenge and this wonderful sentiment from Jolly Holiday for this gift tag.  The tag was attached to a gift to my brother-in-law which he opened last night.  I have no idea if he liked the tag or the gift because I'm composing this post on Monday!  Oh, the joys of modern technology!

I hope that your Christmas day is fun, relaxing and filled with joy!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Jolly Holiday (The Alley Way Stamps)

Paper:  Kraft (Avery Elle); Real Red, Gumball Green, Bermuda Bay (SU); Neenah Solar White

Ink:  Onyx Black (Versafine); Gumball Green, Real Red (SU)

Accessories:  Tag Your It die (My Favorite Things); Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon (SU); baker's twine

Freshly Made Sketches 109

It's time for a brand new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and this week I'm the hostess!  I designed the sketch to be full of squares and rectangles with lots of room for creative interpretation.  For my card I decided to combine the sketch with the leafy challenge at Friday Mashup, which conveniently gave me an excuse to use these awesome new leaf dies.

I have secretly admired the sponged color effect that you get using Distress Inks so when there was a recent sale at Joann I decided to buy a bunch of colors and try my hand at it.  I watched a few videos on You Tube and went to work using some orange, green and brown colors.  I'm a novice but I think these nicely resemble leaves as they turn colors at this time of year.

As usual the amazing Freshly Made Sketches design team have created some awesome cards this week so be sure to check them out.  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Gorgeous Grunge (SU); Meadow Greens (Papertrey Ink)

Paper:  Pure Ivory (Gina K); Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Well Worn DSP (SU); Neenah Natural White

Ink:  Early Espresso (SU); Vintage Sepia (Versafine); Spiced Marmalade, Mowed Lawn, Walnut Stain (Distress Ink)

Accessories:  Stitched Leaves die (Lawn Fawn); Grove Branch die (Memory Box); Pierced Rectangle STAX (My Favorite Things)

colourQ 204

I really love it when Arielle challenges me with super cool colors at colourQ.  It makes me think outside the box and use colors together that I never would have thought of using on my own.  This week the palette is inspired by this spoon rest.  

At first I had a bit of trouble deciding how to fit in the Concord Crush and Bermuda Bay so I used those bolder colors as anchors for the focal image.  There's a hint of Concord Crush behind the flower layer and by stamping the sentiment on the Bermuda Bay I added a splash of color contrast to the front.  I wasn't sure if I would like the end result, but I do.  I even stamped a few splotches of Bermuda Bay on the flower layer to soften the look.  And I must give credit to Friday Mashup for drawing up this awesome sketch that I used as my layout.  

The ladies at colourQ have got some great projects to show you this week, so be sure to check them out.  I hope you can join us in the gallery too!  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Summer Silhouettes, Gorgeous Grunge (SU)

Accessories:  Banner Trio die (WPlus9)

Butterfly Happiness for FM119 and DD#62

I had some time yesterday to stamp for fun so I decided to make a card for the Friday Mashup and Dynamic Duos challenges.

I added in the Dynamic Duos dessert option to use a butterfly theme.  The butterflies and sentiment are from PTI's Beautiful Butterflies stamp and die set.  I added some black rhinestones and now I wish I hadn't.  They're a little crooked and it bugs me (no pun intended) every time I look at it!

Well our seven day heat wave has supposedly broken with a rather wimpy thunderstorm that passed through yesterday afternoon.  It's still pretty hot and sticky but I think the temperatures are finally supposed to dip below 90!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Beautiful Butterflies (Papertrey ink)

Accessories:  Chevron wood veneer (Studio Calico); black rhinestones (KasierCraft); Beautiful Butterflies die (Papertrey Ink)

Friday Mashup 105 and Fab Friday 16

The colors this week at the Fab Friday challenge are really pretty.  I know I'm in the minority when I say that I like Summer Starfruit, but I do like it and I think it gets a bad rap!  I like that it's not quite yellow and it's not exactly green, but somewhere in between.  Anyway, I paired all the colors in the challenge with this great sketch from Friday Mashup.

I thought a nice, soft Crumb Cake background would look good with these bright colors and I think I'm right!  A nice springy card, I say to myself!  And spring would be a welcome change around here.  It's been quite chilly here the last few days, but I think warmer weather is on the horizon.  I've got my fingers crossed anyway!

Well that's it for me.  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Funky Florals (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories:  Sentiment Strips die (My Favorite Things); Scallop Border die (The Stamps of Life); Witch Hazel button (October Afternoon); crochet thread; dimensionals

Friday Mashup 90 and Unscripted Sketches 191

The post holiday season always finds me in need of some thank you cards, so I took advantage of the color challenge of Midnight Muse, Pool Party, Basic Black and Whisper White at Friday Mashup and the sketch at Unscripted Sketches to make a simple card.

I can't believe that it's December 31st and that 2012 has come to a close in what seems like record fashion.  I'm looking forward to the new year and whatever mysteries it has in store and I hope that you are too!  For right now I'd like to send you heartfelt wishes for a fun and safe new year celebration, as well as a happy and healthy new year.  

And I'd also like to thank everyone who takes the time to visit my little corner of the blogging world and leaves kind words and encouraging comments.  I'm so thankful to be a part of this marvelous crafting world populated with generous, kind people who give me so much inspiration.  I learn something new each and every day and I look forward to a fantastic, crafty 2013 with you!

Christmas Has Gone to the Dogs!

So the challenge this week at The Friday Mashup was to use a stamp that has nothing to do with the holidays and make a holiday card with it.  Heidi encouraged us to get a cup of coffee and think about the challenge before grabbing a stamp set, so that's exactly what I did.  It was good advice because after a bit I remembered I had a punny stamp set that was pretty much tailor-made for this challenge.  I liked the sketch at iSpy so I used that as my layout.

My sister and her family recently adopted a pooch, so I think I'm going to send this to them!  I used some Holiday Treasures DSP to create this fun houndstooth and striped background.  The row of "buttons" at the top were stamped with the aptly named Button, Button and sort of resemble candy to me more than buttons.  (Think sugar plums dancing in my head)!

I'm so glad that I remembered this stamp because it's always fun to make non-traditional cards!  Thanks for stopping by!