Feb/19 - Orange Calla Lilies - ECD With Sympathy - For The Rest Of My Life

I'm continuing with coloring projects on light gray cardstock... Can you believe this is a one layer card...

I'm using a die "With Sympathy" 2pce set, "Flourished Oval Frame" and "Butterfly Flourish" 3pce set from Elizabeth Craft Designs, also available on Quietfire Design HERE, HERE and HERE

I'm using a rubber stamp quote from Quietfire Design ("For The Rest Of My Life...") 

Click on any card image to see al the details and descriptions etc. Enjoy

MC Sept/16 - Alcohol Ink Sky - Here and There - Deep Within

I was lucky enough to get a whole bunch of photo paper (the kind used in automatic photo printers at our local big box store - Superstore...). Wasn't sure how good it would work since photo paper is not recommended for alcohol techniques. But luckily this paper works beautifully - I think because it didn't have the traditional upper film layer yet, which it gets as it's going through the machine. So it's basically just a glossy paper - I think. Whatever, I'm happy I got so much of it. I can experiment to my heart's content without thinking of the expense of wasting regular glossy paper. So I tried the various techniques I love using with alcohol inks... I'll be giving some to the quilling gals at our next session and maybe doing a bit of a playday...

Anyway so far I've got 4 cards done with 2 more on my table, so I'll be uploading 1 per day for the next few days BIG GRIN.

Click on any card image to see all the details and descriptions. Enjoy

I'm using a couple quote stamps from Quietfire Design "Here and There..." and "Deep Within The Winter..."

And it fits or these challenges:
Crazy Hazelnut Challenge  monthly Sept anything goes Xmas
Crazy 4 Challenges  #351 any holiday
Createalicious Challenge  #98 anything goes
Christmas Cards All Year Round  monthly Sept anything Xmas
Dreamvalley Challenge  #139 monochromatic
Aud Sentiment Challenge  #163 anything goes + sentiment
Crimbo Crackers  #114 anything Xmas

MC Aug/16 - CAS - ECD Noel - Let It Snow

I got a couple new die sets by Dee's Distinctively. Love them. Today I'm using the "Pine Tee" 3 pce set

Also using one of the newest A Way With Words dies on the inside by Elizabeth Craft Designs "Noel" also available on Quietfire Design HERE

And I'm using a sentiment stamp from Quietfire Design "Let It Snow...large"

I side folded my white card (5.5"w x 4.25"h).  Cut a piece of glossy paper a bit larger than my card and created the sky by applying dots of blue alcohol inks on a felt pad and then just swiping it across the sky area. Dribbled a bit of blending solution. Adhered to card front and trimmed down.

Die cut a bunch of the pine trees from white cardstock, sponged Distress "Pine Needles" all over then hit them direct to paper with the pine needles and "Forest Moss". 

Tore a piece of paper to give me a contoured line to sponge some "Pumice Stone" and "Weathered Wood" to create shadow areas.

Adhered my pine trees. Spattered white gesso all over.

punched out a 3/4" circle and sponged a bit of the pumice and adhered to card - my moon...

Stamped the sentiment using Versafine Black Onyx and clear embossed.

On the inside stamped the trees (Deep Red "Winter Pines") using the moss all over and then the pine needles here and there.

Die cut the "Noel" from blue cardstock, inked with Versamark and embossed with Emerald Creek "Blue Sparkle" embossing powder.

Click on any image to enlarge. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Tuesday Throwdown  #309 CAS
Moving Along with the Times  #27 CAS
JW Scrapshack  #153 dies/punches (2nd entry)
Hiding In My Craft Room  #264 any holiday
Sweet Stampin Challenge  no DP

MC Aug/16 - CAS _ ECD Autumn - Is A Second Spring - Just For You

I was playing with my alcohol inks, stencils and my air gun making these funny air blown flowers and then some calligraphy... Then I was in a mood to create autumn leaves with the ink - didn't turn out how I wanted so ended up sponging the leaves through a die cut stencil... Love the colors.

It's a CAS card - rare for me. You can see all the details and descriptions by clicking on any card image. Enjoy

I'm using one of the newer A Way With Words from Elizabeth Craft Designs "4 Seasons - Autumn" also available on Quietfire Design HERE

I'm also using a quote stamp and a couple sentiment stamps from Quietfire Design. "Autumn is A Second Spring..."; "Just For You" 4pce set: "10 Tiny Sentiments" 10pce set;

And it fits for these challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Challenge  decorative border 
4 Crafty Chicks  #312 leaves
Melon Headz Friends  dies or punches
 

MC Aug/16 - CAS - ECD Winter - Wonder

I just got some new stamps from Frog's Whiskers - Rosewood stamps of various winter trees... As if I needed more, but I always say you can never have enough tree images... or flowers or butterflies etc. ROFL..

The card is white cardstock folded to 5.5"w x 4.25"h

Anyway I used the "Backwoods" stamp as the focal, inked with Distress Forest Moss" and clear embossed. The I used a water brush and some "Stormy Sky" on my craft sheet to add in the shadows. Sponged some "Tumbled Glass" in the sky area.

Voila the scene is done... 

I added a die cut word "Winter" (also available on Quietfire Design HERE) cut from white cardstock, inked with the stormy sky and embossed with Emerald Creek Hot Stuff "Turquoise Shimmer" embossing powder. adhered to card.

Stamped the "Wonder" (Christmas Cuddler 4pce set) using the same blue and clear embossed.

Die cut the snowflakes (Elizabeth Craft Designs "Mittens" 4pce set) from white cardstock, applied Quickie glue and sprinkled with Stickles dry glitter "Star Dust"

Click on image to enlarge. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Crazy Hazelnuts Challenge  Monthly Aug anything Xmas
One Layer Simplicity  #30  art themed (stamping, sentiment & painting)
Crimbo Crackers  #112 Xmas
Hiding In My Craft Room  #261  Xmas
MFP Stamps  #31 anything goes
Sweet Stampin Challenge  anything goes

MC Aug/16 - Brick Wall - Just Living Is Not Enough

My turn on the Quietfire Creations Blog today and must admit I was a little stumped as to what direction to go in. I'm in a little bit of a slump again... Nothing was inspiring me. I picked up this stencil (Crafter's Workshop "Tuscan Wall") the other day and decided to use it. I love the peek a boo kind of image it had of the brick wall. The card is a very simple one layer card, but I think it turned out ok. Didn't do anything on the inside yet... Those little butterflies all over the wall make me smile - which is good. I very, very rarely analyze my work, but I think the brick wall symbolizes my feeling like hitting a brick wall. Sorry for rambling on...

Anyway you can see all the details and descriptions by clicking on any card image. Enjoy or clicking HERE to go to my website.

I'm using a quote from Quietfire Design "Just Living is Not Enough..."

And it fits for these challenges:
Artistic Inspirations  #162 anything goes
Crazy Challenge  #227 sunny colors or a smile (definitely all the little butterflies...)
Crafty Sentiments Challenge  anything goes
TTCRD  #2 - 9 anything goes
JW Scrap Shack  #149 anything goes
Polka Doodle Challenge  #30 anything goes

MC June/16 - July 1 - Enjoy Your Day

So Canada Day is around the corner... July 1st - and I thought I'd use one of the newest Silhouette files from Suzanne available on the Silhouette onLine store HERE to celebrate the occasion.

Real simply made. Opened the file on my mat and increased the size to 5"h and cut from white cardstock. Colored and outlined portions of it using a Distress marker "Festive Berries"

Side folded a white card 4.25"w x 5.5"h. Adhered a piece of 2.5"w Sookwang tape to the center of the card, then adhered my cut file. Created some release paper masks for the edges of the #1 and carefully sprinkled a minute amount of Glitter Ritz micro fine glitter "Regal Red", burnished. Then sprinkled the rest of the card with Stickles dry glitter "Star Dust".

Stamped the sentiment with Versafine Black Onyx and pressed down solidly with my stamp to get a good impression.

Voila. It's now ready to mail to one of my Canadian Friends...

PS Suzanne also created some US files for the 4th of July. A Lantern & July Motif;

I'm also using a sentiment stamp from Quietfire Design "Twirl and Enjoy" 3pce set

And it fits for this challenge:
Craftin Desert Divas  red/white & blue (I omitted the blue since I'm Canadian...)

MC June/16 - Paper Bow - ECD With Sympathy - Perhaps They Are Not Stars

My turn on Quietfire Creations again this time with a sympathy card and making a paper bow with an envelope punch I haven't done this in over 2 years...

Anyway you can see all the details and descriptions etc by clicking on any card image or go to my website HERE. Enjoy

I'm using an A Way With Words Elizabeth Craft Designs die "With Sympathy" also available on Quietfire Design HERE


Also using a quote stamp by Quietfire Design "Perhaps They Are Not Stars..." and "Crackle Background"

And it fits for these challenges:
One Layer Simplicity  #28 stencil
Penny's Challenges  #281 favorite embellies (rhinestones)
Polka Doodle Challenge  #24 die cuts
Incy Wincy Designs  buttons & bows
Craft Your Passion  #317 anything goes

MC Feb/16 - Mushrooms - Fairy - Leave Room - HB

 OK here's the other card I made with that 2nd fairy I eCut the other day... Sorry Suzanne - I'll get around to using the other fairies. BIG GRIN which you can find HERE and HERE

I love mushrooms and so when I saw the mushroom stamps on Chocolate Baroque I had to have them... I've used some of them before but it's been a while... So paired everything up in a woodland scene.

Forgot to mention on my website that I had applied a piece of Sookwang tape to the back of the wing area and applied "Star Dust" glitter.

Love the inside too, with the spray of butterflies.

I'm using a couple quotes and sentiment stamps from Quietfire Design. "Leave Room in..."; Happy Birthday Plain and Simple" 7pce set; "Friendship Isn't a Big..."; "Twirl and Enjoy" 3pce set;

Click on any image to see all the details and descriptions. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Power Poppy challenge. Monthly Feb use a coloring medium you haven't used in a while (Tombows...)
Craftin Desert Divas  Natures Wonder
Crazy Challenge  #216  for a friend
Melonheadz Friends  Birthday
Scribbles Designs  #38 anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown  #281 layer it up
4 Crafty Chicks  #286 friends
Brown Sugar Challenge  #186 anything goes
JW Scrapshack  #126 anything goes
MFP Stamp Challenge  #301 block it off (hopefully this one meets the criteria...)

MCFeb/16 - Celtic - Lucky - Clover - May the Wings

 So we're getting close to St Patrick's and Suzanne Cannon from Quietfire Design came out with a couple of Celtic/StPatrick day Silhouette designs. "St Patrick's Day Card in a Box" & "Celtic Knotwork Card" I combined elements from both files...

Side folded my white card (4.25"w x 5.5"h). Sponged some Distress "Shabby Shutters" around the edges. Sponged "Lucky Clover" through a stencil (Crafters Workshop "Mini Microbial").

eCut the word "Lucky Clover" and the "Shamrock" from white cardstock, inked with the greens and clear embossed. Adhered to card front.

eCut the "Celtic Knotwork" and used it as a stencil on another card and since it had such nice green tones I decided to use it on this card... Applied a piece of Sookwang tape to the back and sprinkled with Glitter Ritz micro fine glitter "Peridot". Adhered the knotwork piece to the card front.

Added some green/silver Sari ribbon and tied a bow. Final touch added some green half pearls

On the inside: stamped the quote (Quietfire Design "Butterfly Circle - May the Wings..." 5pce set) using "Crushed Olive" all over and then here and there with "Forest Moss", huffed and stamped, then clear embossed.

Inked the butterflies ("Butterflies/Dragonflies" 7pce set) using Distress minis all over with the olive, then on the outside of the wings"Cracked Pistachio" and streaked the wings with "Lucky Clover", and the body with "Frayed Burlap".

Click on any image to enlarge. enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Artistic Inspirations  #150 anything goes
Dream Valley Challenges  #125 sparkle bling embellish
Stamps Fun Creativity  #272 dots
TTCRD  #16 - 22 anything goes
The Paper Shelter #236  use a digi image
Scrapy Land  #36 include a bow
Polka Dooodle Challenge  #6 lucky green
Southern Girls Challenge  #129 sparkle

MC Feb/16 - Heirloom Roses - Fairy - ECD Happy Birthday - Raindrops Are Like

 I was in a mood to do some single layer cards... plus I was making a bunch of yellow roses, so wanted to use a few, and found this nice fairy image...

I created a diffusing mat from a piece of mat board, cutting out the center rectangle which I didn't want embossed. Kept both pieces using the drop out as a mask.

Side folded my white card (5"w x 7"h) and ran through my embossing machine using Tim's "Gridlock" embossing folder, running through my machine a 2nd time to cover the whole card. Used a white wax crayon over the high points as a resist, hit the high points here and there. Masked off my center white area with some post it notes, then colored the border area with Distress Stain "Black Soot". Dried. Then sponged with a dirty yellow sponge. Cleaned off the resist areas with a damp paper towel. Used my score it board to create an embossed inner frame line.

Added the yellow gauze ribbon using Sookwang tape and pleating it.

Stamped the raindrops (Designs By Ryn "Water Effects") using Versafine Black Onyx.

eCut the fairy from white cardstock, inked with the soot and the little bird with "Mustard Seed" then clear embossed.

Roses (Die-Namics "Hybrid Heirloom Roses") die cut from Canson Ingres paper colored with the 2 yellow Dylusions sprays.

Stamped the quote (Quietfire Design "Raindrops Are Like...") using the black on a piece of tissue paper, clear embossed, then used a wet paintbrush around the quote and tore the excess paper away. Adhered to card with white glue.

On the inside: stamped the girl image (Ching-Chou Kuik "Come Softly") using the black Onyx and clear embossed. Colored the butterfly with various yellow Prisma colored pencils.

Stamped the words "Wishing You" (Hero Arts clear alphabet sets "Designer Alphabet" & "Happy Letters") using the black and clear embossing, then shadow colored with yellow colored pencil.

Die cut the "Happy Birthday" from my Brusho's yellow colored rice paper.

Click on any image to enlarge. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
My Time To Craft  #315  checks/gingham
Avenue 613  #162 anything goes
Sweet Stampin Challenge  CAS
MFP Stamps Challenge  #301 block it off
Catch the Bug  CAS
Simon Says Stamp Challenge  one layer
Hero Arts monthly Feb  Fabulous flowers

MC Jan/16 - Bamboo Oriental - ECD Thanks - There is Always

I came across an Oriental painting of Bamboo and it just hit me - BIG GRIN. I don't know who the artist is Sigh!! but you can see the pic HERE

I created my painting using Pan Pastels and rubber stamps on the smooth side of Soft Finish cardstock. The bamboo stocks were done with an altered glue stick spreader and a square edge Sofft sponge, double loaded with pastels and a manipulated/twisting action of the tool.

You can see all the details and descriptions etc, by clicking on any card image - enjoy

INSIDE OF CARD

I'm using a couple dies from Elizabeth Craft Designs  the "Thank" from ("Thank You") & an "s" from ("Congrats"), designed by Suzanne Cannon (also available  HERE & HERE). PS I do have a one piece Thanks die, but I couldn't find it...


I'm also using a quote stamp on the inside by Quietfire Design "Give Thanks" 2pce set

And it fits for these challenges:
Artistic Inspiration  #148 thanks
Melon Headz Friends   cool colors - green, blue, purple
Fashionable Stamping  #107 thanks
We Love 2 Create  #29 mixed media - anything goes
ANYTHING GOES:
Craft Your Passion  #295
Love to Scrap  #70
Stamps Fun Creativity  #270
TTCRD  #19 - 26

MC Jan/16 - Brocade Window - Hope Is The Thing - God Grant Me

At the last quilling session the gals put out a challenge to use your older dies... just found out about it yesterday BIG GRIN, so created this card... I'm using a favorite from a long time ago - Cuttlebug "Brocade Window" emboss and cut die.

I scored and folded my dark blue card (5"w x 7"h).

Painted a piece of white glossy cardstock using a blue Acrylic paint and then streaking in Viva Inka Gold "Silver" paint, moving everything around with a wet brush, dried and die cut the Brocade Window. Trimmed it down and adhered to card front.

Stamped the quote (Quietfire Design "Hope Is The Thing...") using Versamark and embossed with white embossing powder. Filled in the bird area with a Quickie glue pen and micro fine glitter "Star Dust".

Adhered a filigree butterfly (Memory Box "Viviene") from my stash cut from Paper Roots silver embossed paper adhered to white cardstock for strength. Adhered to card and used a Viva "Bronze" pearl pen for the body and antennae.

On the inside, stamped the stitching border (Stampers Anonymous Tim's "Spring Sprung" set) using Versamark and embossing with Emeradl Creek Hot Stuff "Turquoise Shimmer" embossing powder. 

Stamped the quote (Quietfire Design "God Grant Me...") using Versamark and embossed with the white embossing powder.

Created eCut files for the feathers, eCut then inked the stamps (Local King Rubber "Feather Pleasure" 6pce set) with various colors of Distress pads, misted with water and stamped. Adhered to card.

Click on any image to enlarge. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Hiding In My Craft Room  #234 Embossing
Sweet Stampin Challenge  Things with wings
Avenue 613  #159 Stylish/Elegant
Opus Gluei  #219 Sparkle & Shimmer
Alphabet Challenge  W for window (the cut/emboss folder is called Brocade Window...)
The Ssterhood of Crafters  #47 something old/new (the cut emboss folder is old and the feathers are new)
The Paper Shelter  #231 shades of blue
Scrap Creations  use something new (the feathers)
City Crafter  #294 butterfly (2nd entry)
Dies R Us  #41  stitching faux or real

MC Jan/16 - CAS - Seahorse - Thanks

So a few challenges were asking for "blue" and then there was a CAS and one thing led to another again...

I side folded my white card (4.25"w x 5"h. Created a stencil from some paper for my center rectangle and sponged Distress "Broken China" & "Faded Jeans". Stamped the water splash (Inkadinkado "Wellspring") using "Chipped Sapphire" and clear embossed.

Stamped the "Thanks" (Quietfire Design) using "Mermaid Lagoon" and clear embossed.

Dry embossed around the rectangle with Sizzix "Swirls" embossing folder.

Created an eCut file for the seahorse (Designs By Ryn "Sea Creatures 1" set), cut from Soft Finish 85# cardstock, stamped with the mermaid and embossed with Emerald Creek Hot Stuff "Turquoise Shimmer" embossing powder, colored with Pan Pastels. Adhered to card front.

Added various colors of blue rhinestones and then added a line around the rectangle using the mermaid  Distress Marker.

Click on card image to enlarge. Enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
Artistic Inspiration  #147  winter blues or anything goes
Incy Wincy Designs  #327 white a splash of +1 color
Lil Red Wagon  #323 thank you
The House That Stamps Built  #J0616 colors: navy, light blue & white
Aud Sentiment Challenge  #146 thank you
 4 Crafty Chicks  #280 tropical
QKR Stampede  #173 CAS
Designs By Ryn  Monthly Jan use Ryn's stamps (2nd entry)

MC Nov/15 - Encaustic Poppies - Thanks & Thinking of You

 I continued to play with my Enkaustikos hot sticks and creating encaustic paintings. Having fun with them These are a couple of poppy cards.

You can see all the details and descriptions by clicking on any card image. Enjoy

I'm using Quietfire Design sentiment stamps ("Thanks - cuddlers" 7pce set) ("Thinking of You" 2 pce set)  as well as a "Thanks" die available on Quietfire Design and on Elizabeth Craft Designs HERE

And it fits for these challenges:
MMM Challenge  #213 Thanks
One Layer Simplicity  #22 gratitude
Tuesday Throwdown  #270 Thanks
Crafty Creations  #302 Thanks
Sassy Studio Designs  #307  red, gold, orange, brown or green
Fussy n Fancy  #152 thankful
Simply Create Too  #98 give thanks
Catch the Bug  Thanks
Classy Cards n Such  #111 thanks

MC July/15 - Feathers - Hope is the Thing - Believe in Yourself

 I love feathers... and was in a mood to use some. Carved my own feather stamp. And when the front was stamped, decided to see what it would be like with an embossed design overlaid on it. I think its interesting...

Anyway you can see all the details and descriptions by clicking on any card image. Enjoy

I'm using a couple stamps from Quietfire Design - "Hope is the the thing..." and "If You don't Believe in Miracles..." 3pce stamp set

And it fits for these challenges:
TTCRD  #30 - 6 Anything goes
Digi Stamps 4 Joy  #114 anything goes
Frilly n Funky  put a quote on it
Pennys Challenge  #234 anything goes
Crafts 4 Eternity  #232 use some metal (the bird paper clip)
Sassy Studio Designs  anything goes
Trimmie's Craft Challenge   #318 wet or dry embossing