Wishing you Joy

I won a set of stamps and dies by Neat & Tangled over a year ago and finally inked it up and made a card. the background is the smooshed ink technique and I colored the stamps (Floral Frame stamps and die set) with markers, then added a few sequins. Quick and easy, but with lots of color.

SSS Neat&Tangled Stamptember collaboration
Cardz TV challenge 99
Addicted to Stamps challenge 177, for a lady or girl
SSS Wednesday challenge, AG

Dream Catcher

I took the Brutus Monroe stamp set, Catching Dreams to my daughter's house last week for a card-making session and had a lot of fun with the embossed resist technique. The dreamcatcher image was heat embossed in white, and I used three shades of ink for the background. The sentiment is by Altenew (Thinking of You set), and the postage stamp frame is by Avery Elle. I plan to send this as a sympathy card to a neighbor of mine.

SSS Stamptember Brutus Monroe collaboration

Stamplorations Summer Theme and Sketch challenge

SSS Avery Elle Stamptember Collaboration
Cardz TV challenge 99, AG
Stick It Down September Sketch challenge

SSS Altenew Stamptember collaboration
SSS Wednesday challenge, AG

Cards und more challenge 40, sketch inspiration

Snow Flurries

I used the Flurry Frame die by Poppystamps, and the deer image and sentiment from Origami Happy Holidays by Hero Arts for this card. The stitched oval is by Gina Marie and the origami deer is  embossed in white. The actual sentiment stamp has a second line to it but I just stamped the part that I wanted to use. A few rhinestones add to the wintery snow feeling . Because I have trouble adhering intricate die cuts with lots of narrow lines, I left some of the negative bits in the die cut , which made it easier to glue. 

SSS Stamptember Hero Arts Collaboration
September Rudolph Challenge
ABC Christmas challenge, S is for sparkle
Poppystamps challenge PSC60, AG with Poppystamps
TCP Tuesday challenge 361, lots of layers
SSS Monday challenge, stitching
Crimbo Crackers 194
A Blog Named Hero September challenge. I was inspired by Kristina Werner, who used heat embossing and shades of blue in her card

Butterfly Birthday

I made this card with the intention of entering into a specific Butterfly challenge, but lost track of the time and missed the deadline. That doesn't mean that I can't still enjoy it..and send it out to a friend for her birthday, right? I used the Trendy Butterflies stamp set by Stamplorations, tag dies by Pretty Pink Posh and Taylored Expressions, and medallion die by Spellbinders. Added a few little rhinestones as well.

Pixie's Snippets challenge 361: this card gave me lots of opportunity to use bits and pieces from my stash to die cut.
Creative Fingers challenge 171, AG
SSS Monday challenge, stitching
DL.Art September linky
SSS Wednesday challenge, AG
Repeat Impressions Tic Tac Toe challenge S1119. I used winged things, gems and die cut
Stamplorations Summer cutplorations challenge, die with Stamplorations product
Stamplorations Summer Tagplorations challenge
Stamplorations AG challenge, use Stamplorations product

Addicted to Stamps challenge 177, feminine

Thanksgiving Blessings

Well, it's officially fall but the weather here has been close to 100 degrees! Nonetheless, I started on some of my Thanksgiving cards since the next two months will be filled with activities and I don't want to end up trying to craft through the night in order to finish mine. I used the Gina K wreath-building stencil (LOVE this stencil), and the Autumn Greetings stamp set to make this. All it needed was a stitched square die and some rustic twine.

 SSS Gina K Stamptember Collaboration
Let's Craft and Create challenge 151, lots of layers
Stamplorations Summer Theme and sketch

TCP Tuesday challenge 361, layers
SSS Monday challenge, stitching
Crafty Hazelnut's Sept PP challenge
DL.Art Sept linky
Creative Fingers challenge 171: AG

Warm Winter Wishes

Simon Says Stamp is doing a number of collaboration challenges for Stamptember, and it's been really motivating me to pull out those stamps and dies that I sometimes neglect. This Meadow Road Oval frame die by Memory Box works for any season, depending on what colors you use. I went with white against royal blue, and then added a little deer image from the Snowglobe Wishes stamp set, also by Memory Box. The stamped, heat embossed sentiment is by Gina K from the Holiday Wreath builder set. I added several rhinestones for sparkle as well.

 SSS Stamptember Memory Box collaboration
Memory Box September challenge, use a frame. I used the Meadow Road oval frame die
ABC Christmas challenge, S is for sparkle
Cut It Up challenge 183, Into the Woods
Papercraft challenge #46, no designer paper
Creative Fingers 171, AG
DL.Art September linky

Thank You Turnabout

When I received a Many Thanks Turnabout stamp set by Concord & 9th as part of a blog prize, I thought it was a rather odd stamp set. There were a number of Thank You images and sentiments in the set, but they were scattered over a large, flat clear stamp and there were several larger sentiments that were separate from the main image. I put it aside and didn't use it right away.
Then, when I saw the Simon Says Stamp Stamptember collaboration with Concord & 9th, I took out that stamp set and looked at it again. That was when I realized that it was to be used by stamping the image four times, in different ink colors, by turning the base card stock each time you changed colors. The result is a four-color stamped background. I was actually able to stamp it without looking at a video tutorial or reading a detailed explanation of the procedure, which shows that it's pretty user-friendly. I used kraft , peach, tangerine and teal to stamp the different layers. The stitched oval die is by Gina Marie and I added some enamel dots.

SSS Stamptember Concord & 9th collaboration
MFT Color Challenge: kraft, peach, orange, teal

Papercraft Challenge 46, no designed paper
Word Art Wednesday
Aud Sentiments 236, AG with sentiment
DL.Art September linky
Cards und more challenge 40, sketch inspiration

Stick It Down September Sketch

Painted Birthday

One technique that I like to use with embossing folders is adding ink and/or paint to the folder before running a sheet of card stock through it. I often forget to use this technique, so decided to pull out some ink and paint today and give it a try. The fun with this technique is that you never know how it's going to turn out, so it can be hit or miss. Nevertheless, I will go ahead and use it as either a base, or as tags or die cuts. This one uses both ink and acrylic paints. I used an embossing folder (Petal Lace) and sentiment stamp set by Brutus Monroe, and label dies by Spellbinders.

SSS Stamptember Brutus Monroe collaboration
DL.Art September linky
Stamplorations Summer theme and sketch, AG with stamping

Repeat Impressions challenge S1119, tic tac toe. I used the row, embossing, twine and purple or blue
SSS Work It Wednesday, Celebrate
Aud Sentiments 236, AG with a sentiment

Scandinavian Christmas

I've been pulling out a lot of stamp sets that I've never used this last week, and am having so much fun with the wreath builder stencil and stamp sets by Gina K. This one uses stamps from the Holiday Wreath builder, along with stamps from another set that I have. I used the colors red, white and kraft, and a simple geometric design in the Scandi style. I also used an embossing folder for the Scandi border. Stitched square dies are by Cottage Cutz and the stitched circle is by MFT.

Christmas Kickstart Challenge 19, Scandinavian Holiday
SSS Stamptember Gina K collaboration
CHNC challenge 455
Word Art Wednesday
Aud Sentiments 236, AG with a sentiment
TCP Tuesday challenge 361, layers

Foxy Celebration

I've had this adorable stamp set by Reverse Confetti (Freida Fox) for years but never inked it up until this week. My son bought it for me for my birthday back when I didn't color in my images so it sat, gathering dust. It was time to pull out this cutie and make a card! I used some fun plaid paper, and a sentiment by Verve Stamps. A little twine and a tag, and I was done.

SSS Reverse Confetti Stamptember Collaboration
Reverse Confetti Stock your Stash Challenge 10, Fall
Stamplorations Summer Tagplorations challenge

Double Trouble #38. I used Thing 1 (plaid), thing 2 (tags) and Thing 3 (enter at Use Your stash)
Word Art Wednesday
Crafty Hazelnut's Sept PP challenge
DL.ARt September
Use your Stash challenge, tags or frames
MFT Color Challenge 125, use kraft, peach, persimmon and teal
SSS Work it Wednesday, celebrate
TTCRD Challenge, AG
Addicted to Stamps 177, for a lady/girl

Coffee Fix

This guy always makes me chuckle (Blah Bunny by Honey Bee stamps) and he's a lot of fun to build a scene around. I combined him with a sentiment by TCP Studios, window die by Impression Obsession, and tag die by Spellbinders. I left the card base unadorned, to represent the way I feel every morning before I have my first cup...devoid of energy or motivation to do anything (except to pour myself some coffee!). One reason this bunny makes me laugh is because he always kind of looks like he's got his tail on backwards to me. He's on his tummy, with his head turned sideways but I keep seeing him on his back, with his fluffy tail on the front, and his feet on the wrong way..eek!

SSS Honeybee Stamps Stamptember Collaboration
Word Art Wednesday
DL.ARt September linky
Lost Coast Designs chall 84, funny

Stamplorations Summer CAS challenge
Stamplorations Summer Tagplorations challenge

Crafty Hazelnut's Sept PP challenge
Double Trouble challenge 38. I used thing 1 (plaid), thing 2 (tags), and Thing 3 (enter at Use Your Stuff)
Use your Stuff challenge 375, tags and frames
Repeat Impressions DCCS419, Things that start with "B"

What's Up?

I have several stamp sets by Art Impressions but, as my coloring skills are still at the beginner stage, I have been reluctant to take on the larger, detailed images that involve coloring skin tones...eek! So I started out slowly by coloring up this dog image from "His and Hers, Flying High" instead. I used circle dies by Nellie's Choice and MFT, enamel dots by Tiles Play, and a cloud embossing folder by Darice. That dog is just so happy, that he makes me smile too!

Art Impressions challenge 266, use circles and AI product
SSS Art Impressions Stamptember collaboration
Word Art Wednesday
Lost Coast Designs challenge 84, make it funny
Stamplorations summer theme and sketch challenge, AG with stamping

Craft Stamper September challenge
DL.Art Sept linky
Papercraft Challenges 46, no designer paper
TTCRD challenge, AG

Rhino-corn

I won this stamp by Brutus Monroe as part of a blog prize, and have to admit that I had no idea what the animal depicted was, so I never inked it up. Then, I decided to google image of it, and found out that it's called Curvy Unicorn, and it's apparently a rhino-unicorn mix...(rhino-corn? Uni-rhino?). Either way, I just went for it, colored it up, and made this fun card. I used a sentiment by Cardz TV, and will send this one to a friend who will get a kick out of it. Even used some Stickles on the unicorn horn, but of course!

 SSS Brutus Monroe stamptember collaboration
DL.Art September linky
Cardz TV challenge 98
Stamplorations summer theme and sketch challenge

 Lost Coast Designs challenge 84, make it funny. This may not be a card that makes you scream with laughter, but it will at least make you go, "huh", and then smile!
Word Art Wednesday
SSS Wednesday challenge, bling
Craft Stamper september challenge
Crafty Hazelnut's Sept PP challenge

Holiday Hounds

I have been looking for this cute Newton's Nook stamp set for the past month and finally found it! I am just in love with these dachshunds and the punny sentiments that come in this set (Holiday Hounds) This card also gave me the chance to use some old DCWV papers that I've had in my stash for probably ten years. I used a tag die by Pretty Pink Posh, a brad and some hemp twine.

SSS Stamptember Newton's Nook collaboration
Penny Black and More, animals
Word Art Wednesday
Cardz Tv 98
DL.Art Sept linky
TCP Tuesday Sept challenge, layers
SSS monday challenge, stamping
CHN Sept PP challenge
CHNC challenge 455
Crimbo Crackers 193
Cards und More challenge 40, use the sketch

Stamplorations Summer Tagplorations challenge

Stamplorations summer theme and sketch

Seasons Tweetings

Had some fun today with this cute holiday stamp and die set by Lawn Fawn that I won from Pixie's Snippets challenge some time ago. Lawn Fawn is always a favorite of mine and these little birds are so fun to color up. I used some old paper by DCWV and stitched rectangles by Gina Marie. I inked the edges of the card and mat because I didn't have the right color card stock, then added a few rhinestones.

SSS Stamptember Lawn Fawn Collaboration
Lawn Fawnatics Challenge 60, make a scene
CHN Sept Patterned Paper
SSS Monday challenge, stamping
TCP Sept challenge, layers
DL.Art September linky
Stamplorations Summer theme and sketch challenge

 Crimbo Crackers 193
Word Art Wednesday
Cardz Tv challenge 98
CHNC Challenge 455
SSS Wednesday, Bling it on
Repeat Impressions DCCS419, Things that start with "B"

Hoppy Halloween

I've been so busy organizing my stamps and craft supplies that I haven't really done much stamping or card making lately so it was fun to just sit down with stamps and ink this week. Sorting through my stamps actually caused me to discover some stamps that I hadn't even inked up yet and this is one of them. I used Hoppy Halloween by Lawn Fawn, along with stitched flag dies by LDRS and a tag die by Gina K for this card. The patterned paper is by DCWV and the punched stars are by Fiskar.

SSS Stamptember collaboration with Lawn Fawn, use Lawn Fawn products
CHN Sept PP challenge
TCP September challenge, layers
SSS Monday challenge, stamping
Let's Craft and Create September challenge, layer it up
DL.Art Sept linky
Double D Inspiration challenge. I was inspired by the cute animals.
Penny Black and More September challenge, animals
Stamplorations Summer theme and sketch challenge

Stamplorations Summer tagplorations challenge

Lawn Fawn Challenge 60, create a scene 
Love to Scrap September challenge, AG

Thankful and Grateful

I've had the Wreath Building stencil, and Autumn Wreath-Building stamp set by Gina K for months, but this was the first time I actually took it out of the package and used it. I had to watch a video or two to figure out how to use the elements and stencil but once I got the hang of it I can see that this is going to be a favorite card-making technique. When I first made this wreath, I really hated it...ugh. I didn't like the way the colors came out, and all the foilage just looked messy. Since giving up this easily isn't in my nature, I added the stamped decorative circle and die cut it to cover most of the messiness. Then I added a little additional stamping on the wreath part..added the sentiment and some jute twine, and it was much better. I found a paper pad that my blog friend, Janis (or Her Peaceful Garden) sent to me two or three years ago, and realized that the colors coordinated perfectly! So...that became the card base and this is what happened! Added a tiny acorn because it was a little bit bare, and then added some rhinestones too.

SSS Stamptember Collaboration with Gina K. Make something with Gina K products
Crafty Hazelnut's Sept PP challenge
DL.Art September linky
SSS Monday challenge, stamping
Double Trouble challenge 37, I did Thing 1 (use leaves or a tree) and fall
Craft Stamper September challenge, AG with stamping
Word Art Wednesday
TCP Tuesday 361, use layers
Love to Scrap challenge Sept challenge, AG with stamping
SSS Wednesday challenge, Bling
Lost Coast Designs challenge 83, based on a song. I based this on the song, "California Dreaming" with the lyrics, "all the leaves are brown..and the sky is gray"
Let's Craft and Create challenge 151, extra layers
Stamplorations Summer theme and sketch

Birthday Pup

I've had this adorable stamp for years, and he still makes me giggle. I used a border stamp and sentiment by The Crafts Meow, which is no longer in business, and the main image is by Kitty B. Kitty B makes both digi and clear stamps, and this was one of her earliest clear stamp releases.
I stamped, then fussy cut all the images. Sorry for the poor image quality, but  sent this to my niece before I took a photo of it and asked my sister to forward a photo by email.

Penny Black and More September challenge, stamped animals
SSS Wednesday challenge, Stamp It
Love to Scrap September challenge, AG
DL.Art September linky
Double D challenge, photo inspiration. I was inspired by the bright colors and cute critters
Stamplorations Summer theme and sketch challenge

TCP Tuesday September challenge, use layers

Believe

I was kind of in a Christmas card-making mood yesterday so made another one as well.  I used some free papers from a magazine, and added a strip of paper from a paint sample booklet. Embossed the whole thing with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and embellished with a snowflake die by Spellbinders and some silver bakers twine. I have quite a few magazine freebie papers and find that embossing helps give the glossy papers more body and make them look better.

CHNC challenge 453
Word Art Wednesday
ABC Christmas challenge, T is for Texture
DL.Art September linky

Crafty Hazelnut's Sept PP challenge

Do Not Open 'til Christmas

I used a tag die by Pretty Pink Posh, and a fancy label die by Spellbinders for this card. The embossing folder is by Sizzix and the stamped sentiment and poinsettia are by Stampin'Up.

CHNC challenge 453
Word Art Wednesday
Crimbo Crackers 192
CHN September PP challenge
Love to Scrap challenge 125
DL.Art September linky
SSS Wednesday challenge, stamping
TCP Tuesday September challenge, use layers
Tagplorations Summer challenge

Deck the Halls

Here is another Christmas card that I made. I used a die by LDRS and sentiment by Stampin'Up. The die cuts were all cut from paper scraps. Then I actually used ribbon from my stash to make a bow. I almost always forget to use my ribbon so this made me proud, haha! The paper is from DCWV and I added a couple of rhinestones just for fun.

CHNC Challenge 453
Word Art Wednesday
Crafty Hazelnut's Sept PP challenge
DL.Art September linky
Crimbo Crackers 192
Pixie's Snippets challenge 360

Fall Bouquet

I often stamp images to keep on hand and color later, when I have a specific card I need to make. That means I have baggies full of stamped images piled up here and there in my craft room. As I've been organizing and sorting my stash, I came across this one by Mark's Finest Papers. I colored it up in fall colors with watercolor pencils, and combined it with scraps of patterned paper from my snippets pile. I cut the rounded tag shape with a Coluzzle (remember those?) and added my favorite jute twine.

 Mod Squad challenge, Fall
SSS Work it Wednesday, Celebrate
Crafty Hazelnut's Sept PP challenge
Love to Scrap Sept challenge, AG
DL.Art September linky
Stamplorations summer theme and sketch, AG with stamps

Fall Blessings

I used the same stamp and die set by Stampendous (Create Fall) to make a different type of card, but also with fall colors and themes. The background stamp behind the pumpkin is by Heidi Swapp, and I used a label die by Spellbinders. The die cut sentiment is also by Spellbinders and the stitched square is by Gina Marie.

Mod Squad Challenge, Fall
Word Art Wednesday
Crafty Hazelnut's Sept PP challenge
DL.Art Sept Linky
Love to Scrap Sept challenge, AG
Stamplorations summer theme and sketch. AG with stamping