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