You bring sunshine!

I'm playing along with a brand new challenge today.  Since I love using dies, I had to find a little time to play along with The Cutting Edge Challenge #1 !

Here's the inspiration, provided by Jackie Rockwell.

I was inspired by those large circle in the background, first of all.  Yes...I did some stenciling, again.
Just had to, since I had so much fun with yesterday's card.  Click HERE to take a look.

I knew that I wanted to use summery colors.  So, after sponging on those green circles I looked for a soft blue to sponge a bit sky to go behind that photo frame.  I added 2 die cut clouds and then tucked in a tiny sun to compliment my sunshine sentiment.  That little sun is swirled with some clear Wink of Stella, just to add a little sparkle.
This was one of those cards that just flowed.  Don't you love when that happens?!?  So fun. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Supply list ~
Card stock: white (PTI), daffodil delight (SU)
Ink: pistachio pudding, soft sky (SU), smokey gray (Versafine)
Stamps: hello sunshine (PTI)
Dies: fabulous frames (PTI), cloud duo (Amuse), small pinking circles (Spellbinders)
Other: mini ink blending tool (Ranger), clear wink of stella (Zig)

Happy! Seize The Birthday with some cluster stamping!

Yes, it's time for a new challenge at Seize The Birthday!  Guess what?  There is no Toppings option for this challenge.  That means ANYTHING goes.  Well, as long as it's a birthday card, of course!

I used a technique called Cluster Stamped Sentiment.  HERE is the link to the video, if you'd like to try it.

The sentiment was heat embossed first, then lots of stamping.  Finally, wipe the ink residue from the embossing...and your sentiment pops!  It was a fun technique, even though it took me several tries to get it right. :)

Okay...follow the link HERE to see what my team mates have created to inspire you!  I hope you'll play along with us!

Supply list ~
Card stock: white (PTI), wisteria wonder (SU)
Stamps: wet paint, button boutique (PTI)
Other: clear embossing powder (SU), heat tool

Welcome Summer at Seize The Birthday

Hi!  It's time for a new challenge at Seize The Birthday.  The Toppings Option, if you choose to use it, is Summer Time!   As always, you don't have to use the Toppings...that's optional...as long as it's a Birthday card.

Summer Time!

 

I knew exactly what stamp I wanted to use when I saw the Toppings option.  Actually, this stamp hadn't even seen ink until now.  So, it was about time!

This card was inspired by some of the early morning skies I see when I'm out for my early morning walks.  I love sunrises and sunsets.  The colors can be amazing!

I sponged this background using distress inks and my Tim Holtz foam blending tool.  The clouds were created with a smidge of Black Soot distress ink, on the edge of the foam pad.  Then I used a white Signo gel pen to add a little dimension to them.  Next I stamped the tree and finally, I sponged onyx black ink over the edge of a torn piece of cardstock to create the ground.

For the sentiment panel, I sponged a piece of white cardstock with the same pink ink that I used in the sky.

Okay, now it's time for you to check out what my team mates at Seize The Birthday have created for your inspiration.  Just click HERE!
I hope you'll join us in this fun challenge...we love seeing what everyone creates.

Supply list ~
Cardstock: whisper white (SU), white (PTI)
Stamps: forever young (SU), wreath for all seasons (PTI)
Ink: black soot, faded jeans, stormy sky, victorian velvet (Ranger), onyx black (Versafine)
Other: blending tool and foam pads (Ranger), white gel pen (Signo)

Feel better soon - CTS#78

Hi there!  Just a very quick post to share a card I made for CAS(E) the Sketch #78.

You wouldn't believe me if I told you how many attempts (and how much card stock) it took for me to create this card.  Everything I touched turned into a mess.  Oh...poor me.  Ha!  Enough whining, right???

Anyway, I used a technique I saw recently in a PTI Make It Monday video.  This is what I finally came up with!

Edited to add:  I originally linked to the wrong video; I've corrected it now.  Yikes.  Another mess-up!

After stamping my leaves, I used an aqua painter to blend the inks out from the images.  I finished the card with a bit of ink splattering and a piece of bakers twine.  That's about it!

Thanks for taking a look!

Supply list ~
Card stock: 140# watercolor paper (Artist's Loft), white for the card base (PTI)
Ink: pistachio pudding, coastal cabana, lucky limeade, wild wasabi (SU)
Stamps: turning a new leaf,  inside & out (PTI)
Other: aqua painter (SU), water

Happy 90th - Seize The Birthday Tag Challenge

Hey, you know what day it is?  It's time for a new challenge at Seize The Birthday!  We have a Toppings Option of using a tag or tags on your card.  As always the Topping is optional.  Anything goes...as long as it's a birthday card!

Of course, I chose to use tags since I have some fun tag dies in my stash!

I made this card for a very sweet woman who rides with me to church every Sunday.  Yes...she'll soon be celebrating her 90th birthday!  She is SO sweet; such a joy to be around.  :)

Thank you for stopping by to take a look!  Don't forget to click over to Seize The Birthday and see what my team mates have created for your inspiration!  I hope you'll play along, too. :)

Supply list ~
Card stock: real red, crushed curry, wild wasabi, naturals ivory (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: onyx black (Versafine)
Stamps: birthday by the numbers, tiny tags, tiny tags II (PTI)
Dies: designer mini tags (Taylored Expressions), headline numbers (PTI)
Patterned paper: dear lizzy lucky charm 6 x 6 pad (American Crafts)
Other: natural/silver bakers twine (SU)

Watercolor Rose

Hi, a very quick post to share a card I created for one of the lessons at Online Card Classes: Watercolor for Cardmakers.  Even though I haven't had the time to try all of the techniques I'm learning (yet!), I'm enjoying these classes SO much.

This card was created using the Faux Hand Painting technique.

This technique looks so easy in the video tutorial, but it does take some practice.  It took me quite a while to color this image and I wasn't entirely pleased with it at first.  But, after it had completely dried...I love it!

I kept the rest of the card very clean and simple; just matted the watercolor panel on some cajun craze card stock.

If you've considered taking one of the Online Card Classes, I highly recommend signing up.  The instructors are fantastic and you absolutely get your money's worth!

Supply list ~
Card stock: cajun craze (SU), 140# water color paper (Artist's Loft)
Stamps: fifth avenue floral (SU)
Ink: vintage photo, spiced marmalade, wild honey, dried marigold (Ranger Distress Inks)
Other: paint brushes, water

I Adore you - Watercolor for Cardmakers Class - Day 5

Hey, another quick post to share the card I made for Day 5 of Online Card Classes: Watercolors for Cardmakers.  The tutorials for day 5 showed us various ways to watercolor stamped images.

I used my Derwent Watercolor pencils to color the image for my card.

The image stamp that I used from a Stampin' Up set that was retired long ago.  Summer By The Sea.
It was perfect for watercolor.  I have more ideas for using this set now!

Thanks for stopping by!