Happy Anniversary Birds

Hello, again!  As promised, I'm back with another card inspired by Tuesday Morning Sketches 500th Sketch! 

The beautiful bird image is from Gecko Galz The Art of Nouveau Collage Sheet, and I mounted it on black cardstock.  The fancy floral die is a Crafter's Companion Fancy Die'sire Edge'able.  This die has been in my stash for a long time and this is the first time I've used it.  The stitching along the edges of the turquoise strip is from MFT Die-namics Basic Stitched Lines.  I stamped an Anniversary greeting and finished off the card with some black sequins.

I was inspired by the following 5 challenges:
Carlin's Kaartenparadijs Bird and Photo Inspiration 3/3

Gecko Galz Customer Challenge Nouveau Garden UE

Pammie's Inky Pinkies AG 1/3 C5

The Outlawz Festive Fridays Anniversary 2/4
Tuesday Morning Sketches Sketch 500 3/3

Thank you for looking at my card!  Wishing you a joyful day!

Winter, Hello Snow

Hello, everyone!  Before I get started, I would like to welcome my newest follower - Susan - thank you for joining me! 

I wasn't planning to make another card yesterday but I was so inspired after completing the Tuesday Morning Sketches 500th Sketch Blog Hop that I ended up making two!  I'll be back with my second card shortly!  I really liked how Lori used a doily on her card for the sketch, so I had to try it!  I thought I wasn't going to meet my goal of making two holiday cards this month, and now I have!  Yay!

Except for the doily die, all images and papers are from the Crate Paper Snow and Cocoa collection.  The bunny is popped up on foam tape, and I added Stardust Stickles to the bunny's tail and the snowman's pompom. I really like these non-traditional colours!

I was inspired by the following challenges:
ABC Christmas I for Intricate UE
Christmas Kickstart Christmas Bunnies 2/3 C8
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas AG Optional For a Child UE
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper April UE
The Outlawz Festive Fridays Christmas 1/4

Tuesday Morning Sketches Sketch 500 2/3 (see below)
Winter Wonderland Cute Christmas 2/3
Word Art Wednesday 384-385 AG w Uplifting Sentiment 5/5 wk1



Thank you for looking at my card! Wishing you a joyful day!

Holiday Hello Bunnies

Hi, everyone!  Today I'm sharing a holiday card featuring bunnies!  My goal is to make two holiday cards a month but I think this might be my only one this month.  On a positive note, I made eight last month so I'm ahead of schedule.

Digital image:  Graphics Fairy Vintage Christmas Bunnies freebie (thank you!)
Die:  Crafts Too Snowflake Border
Patterned paper:  Lawn Fawn Snow Day (scraps)
Embossing folder:  Taylored Expressions Winter Flurry
Clear stamp:  Sentiment (Your Next Stamp)
Ink:  Your Next Stamp Mocha
Other:  Brown snowflake sequins
Sketch:  Tuesday Morning Sketches #500 - Congratulations on your 500th sketch!  I'm on my way to check out your celebration blog hop!



I was also inspired by these 7 challenges:
ABC Christmas I for Intricate UE
Christmas Kickstart Christmas Bunnies 1/3 C8
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas AG Optional For a Child UE
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper April UE

Rudolph Day April 1E C10
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes 5/5

Winter Wonderland Cute Christmas 1/3

Thank you for looking at my card! Wishing you a joyful day!

Relax...

Hi, everyone!  I'm back again with my third card featuring the same sailboat scene die.  You can see my other two cards here and here.

The die is Penny Black Out to Sea, and this time I layered it on an alcohol ink background for the sky and then paper-pieced the ocean using scraps.  The embossing folder is Sizzix Texture Fades Waves, and the sentiment is from Stampendous Kitty Silhouettes.

I would like to support the following challenges: Cardz TV 88 AG 3/3; Crafter's Castle AG Optional Spring or Distressed 2/3 C10; Creative Craft Cottage No Patterned Paper 3/3; Die Cut Divas Water 4/4; Jo's Scrap Shack AAG 3/3; Pile it On Lots of Layers UE; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes 4/5; STAMPlorations April CAS Card Challenge Dark Navy 3/3 ;Word Art Wednesday 384-385 AG w Uplifting Sentiment 4/5 wk1; Yes...Virginia Show and Share with Virginia April 2/4

Thank you for looking at my card! Wishing you a joyful day!

Warm Ocean Breeze

Hi, everybody!  As promised, I'm back again today with my second of three cards, all featuring the same die.  Stay tuned for my third card, which I will share shortly. You can see my first card here.

The die is Penny Black Out to Sea, and this time I backed it with a digital background paper from Nothing But Freebies called Outside My Window (sorry this freebie is no longer available).  I mounted it on yellow cardstock and rounded the corners.  Next I layered this panel with craft foam and adhered to a grey card base.  The sentiment is from Neat and Tangled Hello Summer.

I would like to support the following challenges: Cardz TV 88 AG 2/3; Crafter's Castle AG Optional Spring or Distressed 1/3 C10; Die Cut Divas Water 3/4; Jo's Scrap Shack AAG 2/3; Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG 3/3; Penny's Paper-crafty AG 3/3; Pile it On Lots of Layers UE; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes 3/5; Word Art Wednesday 384-385 AG w Uplifting Sentiment 3/5 wk1

Thank you for looking at my card! Wishing you a joyful day!

Sailboat Scene

Hello, everyone!  Today I am sharing three cards, all using the same die.  I will share each card in a separate blog post, so stay tuned for the other two.  For this card I placed an alcohol ink background behind the die-cut and mounted it on navy cardstock, then rounded the corners.  I layered this panel with craft foam and adhered to a turquoise card base.

Die:  Penny Black Out to Sea
Clear stamp:  Sentiment (MFT)
Inks:  Ranger Alcohol Inks in various shades of blue

I would like to support the following challenges: Cardz TV 88 AG 1/3; Creative Craft Cottage No Patterned Paper 2/3; Die Cut Divas Water 2/4; DL.ART April Linky AG UE 1/d; Jo's Scrap Shack AAG 1/3; Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG 2/3; Penny's Paper-crafty AG 2/3; Pile it On Lots of Layers UE; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes 2/5; STAMPlorations April CAS Card Challenge Dark Navy UE; Through the Craft Room Door AG 2/2; Word Art Wednesday 384-385 AG w Uplifting Sentiment 2/5 wk1

Thank you for looking at my card! Wishing you a joyful day!

Heron and Lake

Hi, everybody!  Before I get started, I would like to welcome my newest follower - Zacisze Lenki - thank you for joining me!

Today I am sharing a nature-themed card.  I used Impression Obsession Heron and Lake die along with a digital background paper from Nothing But Freebies called Outside My Window (sorry this freebie is no longer available).  For the sentiment, I recycled a tea bag tag with its wonderful inspirational quote by Lao Tzu (see close-up below) and then tied some blue twine.

Here's a close-up of my recycled tea bag tag:

I would like to support the following challenges: Cupcake Inspirations Inspirational Quote 1/3; Die Cut Divas Water 1/4; DL.ART April Linky AG UE 1/d; Get Creative AG No Twist UE; ITD Creative Playground AG 3/3; Jo's Scrap Shack AAG 2/3; Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG 1/3; Penny's Paper-crafty AG 1/3; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes 1/5; STAMPlorations TAGplorations April Challenge All About Recycling (the tag is the recycled item - a tea bag tag) UE; Through the Craft Room Door AG 1/2; The UnstampaBelles Krazy Kritters Optional Twist Bokeh 1/4; Word Art Wednesday 384-385 AG w Uplifting Sentiment 1/5 wk1

Thank you for looking at my card! Wishing you a joyful day!

Spring Garden Kitty

Hello, everyone!  Today I'm sharing an embellished card - I haven't made one in a while!  This card is for someone special and will be hand-delivered.  I had a lot of fun playing with my new stamps from Repeat Impressions and my new dies from STAMPlorations!  I coloured the gorgeous stamped image with markers and added lots of flowers and embellishments to make this card interesting and fun!

Rubber stamp:  Repeat Impressions 8201-P Home Without Cats (There is a sentiment frame on this stamp that says "A home without cats is like a garden without flowers," but I cut if off for this card because the recipient does not own a cat at this time.)
Dies:  STAMPlorations Flutter Zen 2 Layering Dies, STAMPlorations Bloomdala Bliss Festive CUTplorations, Cheery Lynn Flourish Leaf Strip, lacy border, stitched scalloped square
Patterned paper:  EnoGreeting Lots of Flowers 6x6 paper pack
Recycled item:  Tea Bag Tag (see image below)
Other:  Yellow Stickles applied to edges of butterfly, Dew Drops (blue and yellow), metal heart charm that says "Made with Love," ribbon bow, various flowers from my stash

I recycled the tag from my tea bag, with its wonderful sentiment:

I also finished the inside of the card.  First I did a simple watercolour wash with Distress Oxides (although the colour faded back and it is barely noticeable in the photo).  Then I stamped the sentiment and stencilled the flowers, also with Distress Oxides.  Finally I added some punched butterflies.

Rubber stamp:  Repeat Impressions 9206-H Beautiful Days
Stencil:  STAMPlorations Happy Flowers - ARTplorations Stencil
Distress Oxides:  Watercolour wash (Milled Lavender, Scattered Straw, Worn Lipstick), stencilling (Worn Lipstick, Scattered Straw, Cracked Pistachio)
Die:  Large double-stitched square
Other:  Recollections butterfly punch, flower sequins

My card was inspired by a number of challenges.  First, The House That Stamps Built has three challenges that provided inspiration:

Repeat Impressions DCC43 ~ Use A Stencil (see inside of card)
Repeat Impressions Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge ~ A1019 (I went with Pastel Colours, Spring, Dew Drops)

Repeat Impressions Inspiration Palette Challenge ~ A1719 (I was inspired by the flowers)

Second, STAMPlorations has five challenges this month that inspired me:

STAMPlorations April Theme and Sketch Challenge Stamps and Watercolours (see inside of card)

STAMPlorations April Mixed Media Challenge Use a Stencil (see inside of card)

STAMPlorations CUTplorations April Challenge Inspiration Graphic (I was inspired by the colourful stripes and rainbow colours - I went with the pastel version - see front of card)

STAMPlorations TAGplorations April Challenge All About Recycling (the tag is the recycled item - a tea bag tag)

STAMPlorations Never-ending Anything Goes Challenge Use STAMPlorations products

I also found inspiration at Mrs. A's Butterfly Challenge #121, where the theme is Spin The Butterfly Wheel with E for Easel.  I went with E for Edge as I applied Yellow Stickles around the edge of the die-cut butterfly's wings.  And since I used so many snippets and scraps for my die-cuts, patterned paper, and recycled tea bag tag, I am also linking to Pixie's Snippet Playground #350



One last look at my card:

I was also inspired by the following challenges: 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Critters - Furry, Feathered, Fantasy, Fairytale, Scaly, or Insect 5/5; A Gem of a Challenge AG 1/2; Allsorts Blossoms, Butterflies, Bugs 1/3; Ally's Angels AG 2/3; Cardz TV AG 1/3; Craft Stamper Take it Make It April AG Stamping 2/3; Crafting by Designs Color Challenge (I used pink, yellow, light blue, green, coral) 1/3; Crafty Calendar 1 Ribbon 2 or More Designer Papers 1/3; Crafty Catz AG w Optional Twist All Creatures Great and Small 1/3; Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper April UE; Creative Fingers AG 3/3; Creative Moments AG Optional Twist Spring or Easter 1/3; Die Cuttin' Diva's Animal Cruely Awareness 1/3; DL.ART April Linky AG UE 1/d; DL.ART Thankful ThursdayAnthing Spring Wk2 1/2; Fabrika Fantasy Flowers 1/3; Get Creative AG No Twist UE; ITD Creative Playground AG 2/3; Jo's Scrap Shack AAG 1/3; Kat Scrappiness Pastels UE; Let's Craft and Create AG Optional Beautiful Butterfles 1/3; Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG 2/3; Mod Squad Use a Stencil (MSC) 1/3; Papercraft Business AG Optional Easter 1/3; Penny Black and More Spring 1/3; Pile it On Lots of Layers UE; Polkadoodles AG 1/2; Scribbles Designs Pastels 1/3; Simon Says Stamp Monday Beautiful Blooms 1/5; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Spring Mood Board (I was inspired by the tulips, flowers, and spring theme) 1/5; SUYP Cats Only Furry-thing Goes UE; Tales from the Craft Room Spring or Easter 1E; The Artistic Stamper New Growth (tulips, butterfly) 1/3; The Cat's Pajamas Spring UE; Three Amigos Blog Hop Springtime UE; Wednesday's Creative Inspirations Easter Wishes and/or Animals UE; Word Art Wednesday 382-383 AG w Uplifting Sentiment 1/5 wk2; Yes...Virginia Show and Share with Virginia April 1/4 

Thank you for looking at my card! Wishing you a joyful day!

To Brighten Your Day

Hello, everyone!  Today I'm sharing an encouragement card!  I used my new Lighthouse stamp from STAMPlorations, and I dusted off my watercolours!  First let me say that I am not very good at watercolour, and this card was my second attempt.  I'm happy I persisted, but there are definitely some things I would change if I had to do it all over again (for a third time, haha).  I think this card would be suitable for a man or woman, but I made it for a man.

Clear stamp: STAMPlorations Lighthouse - Large

I stamped the lighthouse on watercolour paper and then proceeded to make a simple watercolour background.  I stamped the lighthouse a second time, coloured it with navy watercolour, and then fussy-cut so I could pop it up on foam tape.  Before adhering the lighthouse, I sponged some Mustard Seed Distress Ink at the top to simulate the light.  I created a sentiment in Microsoft Word and printed on yellow cardstock; it is also popped up on foam tape.  I layered the watercolour panel on to navy cardstock to finish off the card.

The STAMPlorations blog is full of inspirational projects, and my card was inspired by a Spotlight Project post, "Becca Takes on the Ocean."  I was inspired by the lighthouse theme as well as the watercolour.  I have a long way to go to come close to Becca's creativity, but it was fun to play with watercolour, and I will definitely be doing more in the future!  I'm linking my card to STAMPlorations Spotlight Project Showcase.



I was also inspired by the April Theme and Sketch Challenge at STAMPlorations, which is Stamps and Watercolours, as well as the April CAS Card Challenge at STAMPlorations, which had an optional theme of Dark Navy.  Also linking to STAMPlorations Never-ending Anything Goes Challenge.

By the way, STAMPlorations is having a Spring Fling event from April 1 to 12 so head over and check out the beautiful spring inspiration! There are 12 days of giveaways! I'm linking here.

I would also like to support the following challenges:  Ally's Angels AG 1/3; Craft Stamper Take it Make It April AG Stamping 1/3; Creative Craft Cottage No Patterned Paper 1/3; Creative Fingers AG 2/3; DL.ART April Linky AG UE 1/d; Double D Watercolours 1/3; Get Creative AG No Twist UE; ITD Creative Playground AG 1/3; Jo's Scrap Shack AAG 2/3; Lil Patch of Crafty Friends AG 1/3; Love to Scrap Male Call 1/5; Penny's Paper-crafty AG 1/3; Simon Says Stamp No Designer Paper 1/5; Through the Craft Room Door AG 1/2; Tuesday Throwdown AG 1E; Word Art Wednesday 382-383 AG w Uplifting Sentiment 1/5 wk1

Thank you for looking at my card! Wishing you a joyful day!

Deer and Bunny Warm Wishes

Hi, everyone!  Today I'm sharing a holiday card!  My plan is to make at least two each month and this is my first for April.  The background behind the die-cuts was a leftover from this card, and the technique was ink smooshing with Distress Oxides.

Die:  Spellbinders Layered Thinking of You Woodlands Scene
Clear stamp: Sentiment (MFT Warm Wishes)
Ink:  Ranger Archival Paradise Teal for sentiment; various Distress Oxides for background
Embossing folder:  Taylored Expressions Winter Flurry

I would like to support the following 8 challenges:
Christmas Crafts All Year 'Round Family and Friends (deer and bunny are friends) 1/5;

Christmas Kickstart Delectable Die-cuts 1/3 C8; 

Crimbo Crackers AG UE;

Cupcake Inspirations CIC467 Woodland Creatures 2/3; 

Double Trouble 25 Let's Get Groovy (Thing 1--Trees are wood, Thing 2--Link to Cupcake Inspirations challenge, Thing 3--Woodland Critters 2/4); 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Animal Antics 2/5;
Southern Girls Frame It 1/3 C10; 

Word Art Wednesday AG w Uplifting Sentiment 3/5 wk2





Thank you for looking at my card! Wishing you a joyful day!