Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Seedhead Stems

 Hello and Happy Tuesday!  My card of the day features the Simon Says Stamp Seedhead Stems 3-D embossing folder and alcohol marker coloring.


This embossing folder produces the most gorgeous image and makes for an easy card make.  I embossed a panel of Neenah Solar White Classic Crest 80 lb. card and touched with Spectrum Noir alcohol marker.  I matted with Olive Green card, stamped an Altenew Sentiment and mounted with foam pads for dimension.  Lastly, added enamel dots and called this card complete.

I like the soft color scheme and I suppose it can be called Sweet and Simple.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:






Saturday, June 26, 2021

AECP - All About Layering 2

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!  I'm back to share my 2 submissions for the Altenew Academy All About Layering 2 class.  This course continues with instruction on multi-layer stamping with different tones of inks to achieve visual impact and depth.  

For my first project, I used the Altenew Budding Thanks Stamp and Coordinating Die Bundle to create my A2 sized card. I stamped the solid leafy portion of the image on a snippet of card using a shade of teal green ink, matching up the outline portion and stamping over the solid with black ink.  I used black because I wanted high contrast against the green.  I matched up the floral bud portion to the leaf and stamped the 2 layers using a light and midtone yellow.  I did the same layered stamping for the stem.



I cut out the floral image and stem with the coordinating dies and aside to work on the focal panel, which I stenciled with Crackle Texture Paste tinted with yellow alcohol ink.  



After drying, the texture paste didn't have the deep cracks I'd hoped for, I think due to the alcohol ink I used to tint with.  The alcohol ink added moisture and prevented those deep cracks but it still cracked and looks nice nonetheless.

I stamped the sentiment from the Altenew Blissful Bud Stamp Set, trimmed out and mounted on foam pads along with the floral and stem; however the stem is only elevated at the top, the remainder is adhered flat to the textured card. Lastly, added my trusty sequins and this design is complete.

My 2nd project uses the Altenew Watercolor Blooms Stamp Set to create a one layer design.  I created a floral focal, slightly to the left of the card panel, stamp layering the floral buds and one set of leaves and branches.  I wanted a very colorful design so I choose a Pastel Color Scheme.


I have to admit, I started this panel 3 times as I just wasn't happy with the outcome of the 1st go, I dropped the black ink pad on the 2nd panel and as they say, the 3rd time is a charm...I like this one.



I stamped the sentiment from the Altenew Dearest Friends stamp set directly to the panel and the assignment is complete.  It was a great exercise in layering stamped images and now I'm ready to proceed to the next Course in Layering.  I hope you've enjoyed my post today, Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

Supplies Used:
Neenah Solar White Classic Crest 80 lb and 110 lb card
Catherine Pooler Inks
Ranger Crackle Texture Paste
Ranger Alcohol Inks
Versamark Onyx Black Pigment Ink
Art Glitter Glue Liquid Adhesive
Ocean Sequin Mix from Kat Scrappiness
Unbranded Stencil from Amazon

Challenges Entered:
As You Like It - Tip:  When not happy with the 1st try, keep going..it's only paper!



Friday, June 25, 2021

Faux Letterpress with Magnolia Branches

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Fri-YAY!  We've made it to the weeks' end and I hope you have great plans for something fun.  Today's card features embossing for a faux letterpress look.



To start my project, I inked the smooth or debossed side of the Simon Says Stamp Magnolia Branches embossing folder with Salvaged Patina and Antique Linen Distress Oxide Inks.  To get a smooth blend between colors, I used a brayer to roll over the inks where they meet and slightly above.  I placed the panel of Neenah Solar White Classic Crest 80 lb. card in the folder and ran through my die cutting machine.  




The result was ink on the debossed areas and no ink on the embossed areas.  I really like this technique, it makes for an impressive card front with little to no effort.  The tip is to use a brayer to create a smooth ink blend.  I stamped a small sentiment, added sequins and matted with black card and Voila!  Complete.

Thanks for stopping by.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:






Thursday, June 24, 2021

AECP All About Layering 1 - Budding Thanks

Hello Friends and Happy Thursday!  I have exciting news to report...I've been accepted to the Altenew Educator Certification Program and I'm over the moon about it.  I'm excited to start this journey of learning new techniques, re-visiting older ones and enhancing my knowledge and style.  So please bear with me, this is a long post :)

Today I began my first class titled All About Layering 1.  It's a great class and I will add that it's a Free class to everyone.  I have some knowledge of layered stamping however the class touched on tips and tricks I hadn't been using, which are helpful indeed. 

For my first project, I used the Altenew Budding Thanks Stamp and Coordinating Die Bundle to create my A2 sized card. To start, I organized the components of each layer on separate acrylic blocks and proceeded to stamp the images on snippets of card.  I used inks in shades of blues and teal greens to create 2 blooms and coordinating leaves.  I started with the lightest of the inks and worked up through a mid tone to a dark contrast.


I cut out with the coordinating dies and aside to work on the focal panel, which I embossed with a rope design embossing folder.  I wanted lots of white space but also wanted to highlight the rope pattern, so I ink smooshed with the same colors of blue used for the flowers.  I place a bit of ink on my glass mat and spritzed with water, taking my 3.75" x 5" card, I smooshed into the ink mixture.  After drying with my heat tool, I splattered with more ink and called it complete.


For assembly, here's a tip:  After arranging your focals, use Press and Seal Plastic Wrap to keep and pick up your arrangement in the order you have them.  I did this and it was awesome to only fiddle with placement once.  Once on the plastic wrap, I added liquid glue to the backs of the die cuts and placed on my focal panel.  I then carefully peeled off the wrap and Voila!  All set.

I stamped the sentiment from the same set, trimmed out and mounted on foam pads along with mounting the focal panel on a piece of fun foam cut slightly smaller than the panel, then placed all on the card base.  I almost called this assignment complete but once again I had to add something more...out came the sparkle...I placed blue sequins around for a final touch.  


The assignment is complete.  It was a great exercise in layering stamped images and now I'm ready to tackle assignment #2.  I hope you've enjoyed my post today, Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

Supplies Used:
Neenah Solar White Classic Crest 80 lb and 110 lb card
Catherine Pooler Inks
Embossing Folder by Cuttlebug
Glad Press & Seal Plastic Wrap
Art Glitter Glue Liquid Adhesive
Ocean Sequin Mix from Kat Scrappiness

**Challlenges Entered:
As You Like It - Use Press & Seal Plastic Wrap to hold arrangement together before adhering
Sweet Stampin' - B for Buds



Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Big Dreams of Tropical Locations

Hello and Happy Wednesday Crafty Friends!  Today's card is an easy one, made with dies and ink blending.  It's my take on a Sweet and Simple design...or possibly a Clean and Simple Design.


My card was created using only dies and ink blending.  I dug into the stash again to find these dies from Diamond Press and purchased on HSN a few years ago, the inks are Catherine Pooler.  I die cut the glasses and words out of black card 3 times and from ink blended card once to create a dimensional, drop shadow effect.

Summer is the time for Big Dreams and since we are slowly coming out of COVID lockdown, I'm dreaming of a Cruise to a Tropical destination.  The Cruise Ships are opening up soon but I'm still not comfortable cruising yet so possibly in the Fall or next Spring.  In the meantime, I'll settle for the pool at home.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:


Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Don't Make It Complicated

Greetings and Salutations My Crafty Friends and Happy Tuesday!  Today's Card of the Day is a Clean and Simple Design featuring Rose Blooms and Buds, double stamping and embossing.


I started my card by stamping the images from the Altenew Life is Beautiful Stamp Set.  I decided to stamp with colored inks and come back around to stamp the outline over top using Catherine Pooler inks and Versafine Onyx Black.  I embossed a panel with the Cuttlebug Mosiac Embossing Folder and arranged the Floral Bouquet and Vase in the lower corner.  The sentiment is from the same Altenew set and to finish, I've added Black Faux Gems.

Thanks for stopping by; until next time. Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:









Monday, June 21, 2021

Pammie's Inky Pinkies and Gerda Steiner

Hello Friends and Happy Monday!  I hope your weekend was enjoyable and you're ready for the week ahead.  Spekaing of which, today begins a new challenge at Pammie's Inky Pinkies with the wonderful Gerda Steiner as our sponsor.  For my design team project this week, I had the pleasure of featuring the Mouse with Drink Digital Image from Gerda Steiner.


I've created a 5.5" square card, coloring the image with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers.  The papers are from the Pink & Main Summer Spash 6x6 paper pad.

Please join us this week at Pammie's and enter for your chance to win some Gerda Steiner Digital images.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

New Challenge at Inspiration Station for 21 June 21

Hello and Happy Monday Friends!  It's the 3rd Monday of the Month and that equals a new challenge has started at The Inspiration Station.  Not to mention the date is 21 June 21 and the start of Summer Solstice!  The inspiration picture this month is:


This inspiration picture can be intrepreted in so many different ways and I found this challenge interesting.  I immediately knew what I was going to create for my design team project when I saw the picture.



I went with a Monochrome theme using images from the Altenew Trendy Circles Stamp Set and a sentiment from a Kelly Creates Stamp and Lettering Set.  A sweet and simple design that would be great for a masculine card and definitely worth repeating with color.

Please join us for the bi-weekly challenge at The Inspiration Station.  The Prize this round is a sweet Unicorn Coffee mini stamp set from Brutus Monroe. The inspiration photo is for your intrepretation so have fun with it and play along!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:



Sunday, June 20, 2021

Wildflower Bouquet

Hello and Happy Sunday Crafty Friends!  This weekend, I've dug deep into the stash to use what hasn't seen the light of day in some time to create some cards.  Today's card features Wildflower Die cuts, Embossing and Watercoloring.



Going through my stash of dies, I found these delicate wildflowers.  Using Strathmore water color paper, I cut and watercolored them, creating a bouquet.  I stamped the sentiment, embossed the panel using a Brick/Stone Wall embossing folder and mounted on foam pads. The mat of Ombre Paper is from the Pink & Main Summer Splash 6x6 paper pad.  Lastly, added a simple twine bow and Wink of Stella to the Bouquet.

I've enjoyed the re-discovery of products in my stash, I've also found items I'd forgotten about, which was a nice surprise.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

*Challenges Entered:




Saturday, June 19, 2021

A Sweet Hello

Happy Saturday Friends!  Today's card is one using dies to create a sweet, summer card featuring Strawberries.


I dug deep into the stash to create this card, using strawberry dies and panel dies from Cheery Lynn.  I'm not certain if the dies are available as I've had them a long time.  I die cut the berries and leaves from white card and colored using Catherine Pooler inks.  I lightly blended the panels with Antique Linen Distress Oxide Ink and mounted on the patterned paper.  The sentiment is from an older Cardz TV set which I stamped on a simple circle die cut.

I needed to dig into the stash and revive some of the older items I have.  It's fun and challenging to look through what we already have and let them see the light of day.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:





Friday, June 18, 2021

Be Mermazing

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Friday!  The weekend is here and my Fri-YAY card features a Mermaid, Alcohol Marker Coloring and Ink Blending.


To start my card, I stamped, colored and fussy cut images from the Not 2 Shabby's Be Mermazing Stamp Set.  I masked off a section of card and ink blended Catherine Pooler Inks to create an organic block of color, then spritzed water to create "bubbles".  I added white dots to the Mermaid using a white Gelli Roll Pen, then adhered the images, popping the Mermaid on foam pads for dimension.  Lastly stamped the sentiment and added sequins for shine.

Have a great Friday!  Until next time, Happy Crafting.

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
As You Like It - Tip:  When Fussy Cutting, move the image and not the Scissors









Thursday, June 17, 2021

Lotus with Lots of Love

Hello Friends and Happy Thursday!  Todays card features Lotus Blooms, Lily Pads, Watercoloring, Die Cutting and a Gelli Plate Background.


I stamped, heat embossed and watercolored the Altenew Lotus from the Paint-A-Flower Stamp Set for June 2021.  I die cut the focal image and mat using the Essentials Diagonal Stitched Circles from Pink Fresh Studios and placed on a background I created last year using my Gelli Plate.  The sentiment is from the Lotus set and has been heat embossed with fine detail white powder from Ranger.  Lastly, cream twine and sequins were added for additional interest.

Thanks for stopping by!  Until next time, Happy Crafting.

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Aud Sentiments
Outlawz Twisted Thursday
Cute Card Thursday
Sisterhood of Crafters
Happy Little Stampers Watercolor
Creative Moments
Creative Craft Cottage







Wednesday, June 16, 2021

We Make a Great Pear

Hi Crafty Friends and Welcome to Wednesday!  I have a quick post today that features Fruit, Stenciling, Ink Blending and Layered Stamping.

For my card today, I stamped 2 Pears from the Simon Says Stamp Organic Fruits stamp set with inks from Catherine Pooler.  The Sentiment is part of a mini stamp and die set from the Spellbinders Market Fresh by Debi Adams "The Pearfect Avocado" Stamp and Die Set.  


I like the stamp set because the fruits are supposed to appear whimsical; the ink layering is not meant to match up perfectly, giving it an organic and whinsical feel.

I stenciled the background with an Alina Crafts stencil, fussy cut the images, popped the front Pear and panel on foam pads for dimension, splatteredwith White Acrylic Gloss Spray by Dina Wakley and added clear sequins for sparkle. 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
A Place to Start - Card, Thinking of You or Encouragement, Stenciling





Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Layered Lily

Hello Crafty Friends, Happy Tuesday to you!  The Card of the Day features lovely Lily Blooms, layered ink stamping and die cutting.


I started my card with stamping the Layered Lily from Altenew using inks from Catherine Pooler.  I die cut and set aside to work on the card base.  I created a frame using Stitched Rectangle Dies from Kat Scrappiness and using papers from the American Crafts Everyday 6x6 paper pad, I layered a piece of vellum over the patterned paper, then stamped and heat embossed the sentiment.  The sentiment is also from the stamp set.

Lastly, added Peridot Faux Gems for added interest and shine, I called this card complete.  Thanks for stopping by today and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:





Monday, June 14, 2021

Magnolia Branch

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Monday to you.  Today's card is a Sweet and Simple card featuring a lovely Magnolia Branch digital image from Graciellie Designs.


This is a beautiful image, as all of Graciellie's images are and I've kept it sweet and simple, lightly adding colored details with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, a light blue ink blended background and ink splatters.  The Sentiment is also included in the digital set.

Have a beautiful day and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered: 



Sunday, June 13, 2021

Stella Says Sketch - Birthday Fishes

Hello my Crafty Friends!  Today begins a new Sketch Challenge at Bugaboo Stamps Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.  The sketch for the next 2 weeks is:


For my design team project, I used the sketch as inspiration to create a 5.5" square Birthday Card using the Make It Snappy Birthday Fishes image.  


I colored the image with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and mounted on a die cut Tag.  I also die cut Balloons, colored with alcohol markers and added Wink of Stella along with Judi Kins Diamond Glaze so they would have dimension, sparkle and shine.  The Image and Balloons are mounted on foam pads, the papers are from the American Crafts Everyday 6x6 paper pad and the additional sentiment is from a CTMH Petite Perks Treat Youself Stamp Set.

Please stop by Catch the Bug and join in the Sketch challenge this round!  Hope to see you there.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:











Saturday, June 12, 2021

You Were Born to Sparkle

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Saturday!  I have a make to share with you today using a stamped image and sentiment from the Spellbinders February 2020 Card Kit of the Month.


The Unicorn was stamped, colored with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, fussy cut and mounted on foam pads.  I then cut 2 sets of stitched frames using the rectangle dies from Kat Scrappiness and put the design together with papers and sequins that were also included in the kit.

I love the colors of this card, so bright and cheerful.  Thanks for visiting!  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:


 



Friday, June 11, 2021

Friday Freebie at Bugaboo's Catch the Bug

 Hello My Crafty Friends and Happy Friday Freebie!  Yes, it's Friday Freebie at Bugaboo's Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.  The following image will be available as a Freebie for 1 week so please stop by and get it while you can.



I needed a tag for a birthday gift and thought this image was perfect.  I resized the image, printed and colored with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers.  I then cut out the image with a large tag die from Gina K. Designs, added a ribbon and mini staples and called it complete.

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Colour Crazy Challenge - Lee Holland Art

Hello and Happy Friday!  Today begins a new challenge week at Colour Crazy Challenges with the fabulous sponsor Lee Holland Art.  The images are so adorable, I fell in love with this little Birthday Squirrel and had to use him for my design team project.


He's on the way to a Party, with Balloons and Gift ready for the recipient; warming up his singing voice as he walks along.  I've colored the image with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, designer papers from an older The Paper Studio 6x6 paper pad and gold mirror card from my stash.  This card measures 5.5" square.

Please join us at Colour Crazy this week for a chance to win some adorable Lee Holland digital images.
Until Next Time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:




Thursday, June 10, 2021

Just Because....

Hello My Crafty Friends!  It's Thursday and I have a make to share just because....it's Thursday!  This card features stenciling, ink blending, embossing and splattering.


I started this A2 card by stenciling the blooms and leaves, which are from the Altenew Greenwood Flowers Layering Stencil Set, with Catherine Pooler Inks.  I embossed a panel of Neenah 80 lb. Classic Crest with the Altenew Row of Squares 3-D Embossing folder and blended Catherine Pooler ink over top.  

I fussy the flowers and leaves, arranged on the card panel; popping up the front bloom with foam pads, splattered all with more of the blue ink and Dina Wakley White Glossy Acylic Spray and lastly, stamped the sentiment, which is from an older Hero Arts Sentiment set.

I truly love Blue, White and Yellow for a Summer palette...how about you?  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

I Hug You With My Heart

Hello and Happy Wednesday!  The week is coasting along and the weekend is just over the hill.  Today's make and share features a Yucca Flower and a Sweet Sentiment.


I've kept the card CAS, using the Yucca Flowering Plant stamp from the Gina K. Designs Stately Flowers 13 stamp set and sentiment from the Spellbinders Borders and Sentiments, which is the Clear Stamp of the Month for May 2021.  I've colored the image with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, dotted with a white Gel Pen, no other bells and whistles added.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
As You Like It - I prefer lots of color, layers and patterns but once in a while I experiment with CAS


Tuesday, June 8, 2021

You Are Lovely

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  Today's card features stenciling and stamping; 2 simpe technqiues that create a pretty card.


I started the card with a 5" square panel of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80 lb. card and a new stencil I recently received; the Sweet Spring Stencil from Altenew.  Using Mint to Be and Aquatini Dye Inks from Catherine Pooler, I stenciled the rose bouquet.  This is a 2 layer stencil and very easy to line up and blend through.

I stamped the sentiment from the Maymay Made It All About You stamp set onto the card base but wasn't happy with the "are lovely"..it wasn't straight but an easy fix, I stamped again on a banner cut with a MFT Stitched Sentiment Strips die.  It's still not as straight as I prefer but the card is Handcafted, not Hallmark..right?  Lastly, enamel sparkle dots added for additional interest.

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:









Monday, June 7, 2021

You Are a Beautiful Soul

Hello...Me again, back with my last post for this busy Monday to let you know today begins Challenge #19 at Make the Cards and it's a color challenge this round.  I've been invited to be a Featured Creator and I'm honored to participate in this fun challenge.  Following are the colors for this week:


I intrepret the colors as Gray, Navy Blue, Light Pink and White.  I seldom use the colors together as I'm drawn to bold colors so it was a nice challenge to use them in a design. I started my A2 sized card by stenciling a mat of gray card using the "Fizzy" stencil and Denim Blue Dye Ink from Gina K. Designs.  I set the panel aside to dry and proceeded to stamp and heat emboss a large bloom and leaves from the "Grand Garden" stamp set by Gina K. Designs.  I used Fine Detail Silver embossing powder and stamped the images on Strathmore watercolor paper.


I watercolored the images using Gansai Tambi watercolors and fussy cut the bloom and leaves.  I splattered the stenciled panel with White Gloss Spray by Dina Wakley, heat embossed the sentiment on vellum, mounted the images on foam pads and lastly added Gunmetal sequins for sparkle and shine.

Please stop by the challenge and have a look at the inspiration provided by the design team, they are a talented group!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
A Place to Start - Elements are Card, Thinking of You or Encouragement, Sequins, Vellum and Embossing