Christmas Present Card

Today I'm sharing a card featuring paper from My Mind's Eye. I used a die from Sizzix called "gift" and cut it once with green striped paper and once with red paper, then cut them out and pieced them together. A little chipboard flag is in the upper left corner with baker's twine threaded through it. 

The Mod Squad Challenge this week is to use chipboard. 

The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is to use the theme "Gift It." 

The Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday theme is "Use a die."    

MFT Sketch Challenge 311

This card is based on the latest sketch challenge from My Favorite Things. 

I had some little pieces of paper from Authentique that needed a purpose, so this sketch was great. 

MFTWSC311

I used Sizzix Valentine Flourishes to make the embellishment. So, this card gets entered in the Work it Wednesday Challenge "Use a die."   

The stamp is from the MFT Vintage Cameo set. 

Warm Winter Wishes

The 2016 Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop is in full swing. 

I'm adding my own contribution today with this card. 

The papers are from My Mind's Eye.  I inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

The stamp is "Winter Fox" from Lawn Fawn. I colored it in with Prismacolor pencils. 

Peace, Love, Joy

This card was made using cute holiday paper from American Crafts. No sketch here, just played with paper until it looked right. 

The Mod Squad Challenge this month is Trees and Snow. The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is "Let There Be Snow."  And the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is "Ice Inspiration." That's all great because I'm making Christmas cards this week.

I'm also entering this card over at the Sugar Pea Mix it Up Challenge. They made it easy this month with an Anything Goes challenge.

Stamp: Hero Arts
Paper: American Crafts
Ink: Hero Arts

Merriest Wishes

This card was made using cute holiday paper from American Crafts. I used an older sketch for the layout -- Freshly Made Sketch 205. 

The Mod Squad Challenge this month is Trees and Snow. The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is "Let There Be Snow."  That's just perfect because I'm making Christmas cards this week.

I'm also entering this card over at the Sugar Pea Mix it Up Challenge. They made it easy this month with an Anything Goes challenge.

Stamp: Hero Arts
Paper: American Crafts
Ink: Hero Arts

Jolly Christmas

This card was made using cute holiday paper from American Crafts. I used one of  my all-time favorite sketches -- Operation Write Home #217.

The Mod Squad Challenge this month is Trees and Snow. The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is "Let There Be Snow." That's just perfect because I'm making Christmas cards this week.

I'm also entering this card over at the Sugar Pea Mix it Up Challenge. They made it easy this month with an Anything Goes challenge.

Stamp: Hero Arts
Paper: American Crafts
Ink: Hero Arts
Embossing folder: Darice Snowflakes
Embellishments: My Mind's Eye.

Snowman Chirstmas

I'm posting a Christmas card based on Mojo Monday sketch 477. 

The bold prints on the paper required an equally bold stamped image. I used a snowman stamp from Hero Arts and colored it in using Prismacolor pencils. 

Mojo Monday 477

The papers come from a My Mind's Eye paper pad. The green button is from an embellishment pack designed to coordinate with the papers. I embossed red paper using a Cuddlebug buttons embossing strip for the strip of paper at the bottom. 

This card is being entered in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. This week's challenge is Ice Inspiration. 

Warm winter fox

I have been coloring stamped images as part of the 30 Day Coloring Challenge. They haven't been posted here because I don't usually post incomplete projects. Here's a sample...

This little guy is from a Lawn Fawn stamp called "Winter Fox"

I colored him in with Prismacolor pencils and then blended the colors using turpenoid (odorless turpentine). He'll be back later as part of a finished project. 

Sending a little sunshine

I'm having a lot of fun with one of the latest Viva La Verve sketches. This one is so versatile I just can't stop using it. 

For this card I used a sentiment from Kraftin Kimmie. I inked a Spellbinders die with yellow ink before cutting and embossing the white sentiment panel. The paper is from Heidi Grace Sunshowers. Some washi tape from Stampin Up is under the sentiment. 

Work it Wednesday at Simon Says Stamp asks us to post projects made using a die. Because the Wednesday Challenge at Simon Says Stamp and at Kraftin Kimmie this week is Anything Goes, I'm entering over there as well. 

Coral Thanks

The design for this card came from one of the Viva La Verve November sketches. Once I got started using this sketch I just kept on going. It's simple and easily adaptable. Switch out circles or squares. Use ribbon or washi tape. Turn it on its side. It still works.

This version uses paper from Authentique. The stamped sentiment is from Paper Smooches The little ribbon behind the sentiment is a sticker also by Authentique. Because the Wednesday Challenge at Simon Says Stamp this week is Anything Goes, I'm entering over there as well. 

Dance Like No One's Watching You

A social worker at the hospital told me about something called an "inspiration deck." Its a deck of cards, each printed with an inspirational sentiment or affirmation. Because I have so many stamps with great messages on them, I figured I could make my own deck and have fun making Artist Trading Cards (ATC) at the same time. 

ATCs are new to me and I'm used to making greeting cards. ATCs have fewer rules. They need to be 2.5" x 3.5" and that's all. No limits beyond that. 

Here's one of my first attempts. I used colors from the Mixed Media Monthly Inspiration Challenge.  



The sentiment comes from part of a Penny Black stamp. It says "dance like no one's watching you."

I stamped it with embossing fluid and then used a coral colored embossing powder. The flowers are from an old set from There She Goes Stamps (out of business) and I embossed them with green. I used a Prismacolor nupastel to color around the flowers. Liquid Pearls were used to make a few dots and Distressed Stickles in Brushed Corduroy were spread around the edges.  

Because the Wednesday Challenge at Simon Says Stamp this week is Anything Goes, I'm entering over there as well. 

Be Brave

I've been making cards with lots of positive sentiments lately. This one combines three sentiment stamps from My Favorite Things. I put "Be Brave," "love yourself," and "Own Your Story" together to make a single sentiment 

The color choices for this card come from the most recent MFT Color Challenge. Shades of grey accented with dark red make for a striking color scheme.


I used papers from Little Yellow Bicycle. The large circle was made with a Spellbinders die. The design for the card came from a November Viva La Verve Sketch. 

Bear with Stars

Sorry I have such a dull title for such a cute little bear. 

This little guy is from a Cats Pajama's stamp. I colored him in with Prismacolor pencils. 

I used papers from two different sets because I colored the bear first, then had to find colors to match. The orange starts are from DCWV All About Boys. The blue paper is from Heidi Grace Sunshowers. My craft room is a mess now from taking out tons of papers to find a match. 

I am entering this card in The Cat's Pajamas Challenge which is "Stars"

I'm posting this over at the Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge as well. 

Dance in the Rain

This card features a stamp with my personal motto: "Life isn't about how to survive in a storm but how to dance in the rain." I'm so glad My Favorite Things made a stamp with this sentiment on it. 

I used MFT sketch 306 for the layout. 

Paper: Heidi Grace Sunshowers
Hearts: Paper Smooches die 
Ink: Hero Arts shadow ink Charcoal

Thank you for being my Sunshine

This card started out as a way to use MFT Sketch 306. Well, I rotated some papers and changed sizes a little bit until it looked right for the papers and stamp I was using. It doesn't look exactly like the sketch anymore, but the basic elements are still there. 

This month many websites and blogs are focusing on gratitude. Making gratitude cards can be an emotionally uplifting experience. I recommend doing it all year. Both the Monday Challenge and the Wednesday Challenge this week at Simon Says Stamp are focused on thanks and gratitude. So, this card will be posted to both of those. 

Paper; Heidi Grace Sunshowers

Stamp: My Favorite Things Textile Rectangles

Hearts: Paper Smooches die

Ink: Stampin Up Melon Mambo

A Leafy Thank You Card

This thank you card includes leaves and fall colors. I used My Favorite Things Sketch 305 for the layout.
The leaves were cut and embossed using a die from Spellbinders. The scalloped oval was created the same way. The paper is from Amy Tangerine Ready Set Go. The stamp is from My Favorite Things from a set that I think is called Cameos. 

Other Challenges:

Kraftin Kimmie: Wonderful Wednesday Anything Goes

Soft Plaid

Who says you can't mix plaid with stripes, or polka dots? Mixed patterns go great together as long as they have the same colors in them.

Exhibit A:

I used My Favorite Things Sketch 305 for the layout. The oval paper seemed too harsh on its own, so I buffed a little bit of Distress Ink in Antique Linen onto it. The flower pot was stamped on paper from the same collection (Graphic 45 Baby to Bride) as the other papers and then cut out to paper piece it. The flowers were stamped in green, cut out, and then painted in using a water brush to apply ink from ink pads. All of the stamps used are from Newton's Nook Versatile Vases. 

Challenges:

Newton's Nook Inky Paws: Cozy Plaids 

Kraftin Kimmie: Lots of Layers

MFT Color Challenge: 56

Simon Says Stamp: Monday Challenge

 Daily Marker: 30 Day Coloring Challenge

Soft Color Bird

I put my own spin on Mojo Monday sketch 471 here. I used a mirror image of the sketch and used leaves in the corner instead of a banner. 

The paper is from the Graphic 45 collection called "Baby to Bride."

I really have to apologize for the poor photo. I need a new lightbox the photos are just not looking good without one. 

The color choices come from the MFT Color Challenge, but it's difficult to see them. Really need a new lightbox. 

Stamp: Close to my Heart. 

Ink: Colorbox Gold Brocade
Embellishments: Spellbinders die

This card is also part of the Kraftin Kimmie challenge #355 "lots of layers." 
Because the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is week is "anything goes," I'm entering it over there too. 

Couture Shoes

This card uses a fairly literal interpretation of Mojo Monday sketch 471

The paper is from the Graphic 45 collection called "Couture."I love this paper so much that I have been hording it for a couple years because I didn't dare cut into it. But it's time to live a little and enjoy using it. 

Shoe stamp: Close to my Heart. 

Ink: Hero Arts ombré Grey to Black
Embellishments: Graphic 45 Couture

This card is also part of the Kraftin Kimmie challenge #355 "lots of layers." 
Because the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is week is "anything goes," I'm entering it over there too. 

Monster Birthday Card

For this card I pulled out some paper I've had around for a few years. It's the DCWV Monsters and Robots paper. I was looking at the Your Next Stamp Color Challenge and the Monster's and Robots paper fit the color scheme perfectly.

My homemade light box was destroyed when I moved, so the lighting on this is not good at all. Sorry for that. The stamp is from Paper Smooches and the red ink is Hero Arts Shadow Ink.

I used the Viva La Verve sketch from this month for the design. If you're curious, the biggest circle has a 2" diameter mat and a 1 3/4" diameter circle for the image. The smaller circles have a 1 3/4" diameter mat and a 1 1/2" circle for the patterned paper. 

October Color Challenge Journal Page

I used color inspiration from My Favorite Things Color Challenge to create my latest journal page for October.

I didn't have the MFT inks they specified but found some Stampin' Up colors that came pretty close.

I used stamps from the Distressed Diamond set from My Favorite Things to add diamonds around the page borders. The sentiment is from a MFT Die-namics set called "Four Point Frame"

October Bullet Journal

I have been using a bullet journal technique to plan my days and keep track of tasks. My first pages were very practical and plain. After a few tries I started getting a bit more creative. These pictures show a little bit of the work in progress.

This page was made using the photo inspiration from the October Waffle Flower Challenge.

The colors may look a little different. That is only due to lighting changes. 

I am also entering this in the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge. It fits the mood of the board perfectly.