Card Sketch Wednesday #42-2016

The sketch for today is simple, but mighty.

Sue took on the challenge with this radiant card.

Let me start by saying that one of my favorite stencils is Tim Holtz’ Latticework stencil. When I’m stuck for inspiration and need a bit of a fun background, I reach for this stencil. I added colour with ink blending tools and distress inks (mustard seed, spiced marmalade, picked raspberry, peacock feathers and seedless preserves). I cut the panel in thirds, to match the sketch, keeping them oriented in the right order and adhered them to a piece of complementary blue cardstock. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink’s Keep it Simple – Thank You stamp set, matted on a scrap piece of pink. - Sue

This is a great sketch to use a pretty paper you want to highlight or make your own just like Sue did.

Color Challenge Tuesday #42-2016

Muted colors such as these can be a little more challenging

 

Sue really rose to the challenge with this great card-

The colors of this challenge seemed to suggest a sympathy card. It just seems that lately, so many friends have experience the loss of someone dear to them. I started with a 2” mask to create a moon-like image. I used Stampin Up’s French Script with Hero Arts Shadow Ink – Charcoal to stamp through the mask. To further emphasize the circle, I used an ink blending tool with pumice stone distress ink. I added the silhouette from Stampin Up’s Serene Silhouettes stamp set. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Flower Friend stamp set. I completed the card with printer paper (matching a couple of the colors of this challenge). I used natural cardstock to also match one of the colors of this challenge. - Sue

Mistletoe Monday #42-2016

Our last Glitz & Glamour Mistletoe Monday-

Sue adds gold and silver glamour with this card.

Love gold and silver – makes me feel elegant and fancy. I chose to use both gold and silver shimmer paper with Simon Says STAMP Lined Trees die. I felt that the gold and silver shimmer paper looked best on a black background. I used gold embossing powder and the sentiment from Paper Smooches Christmas Sampler stamp set. To continue the thin gold border feel, I matted the black background with gold.- Sue

Clean and Simple Sunday #42-2016

Leaves, trees or silhouettes - it must be Sunday in November-

Sue's card is simple but quite lovely.

When someone mentions silhouettes, I find myself often choosing a card with this general sketch, sometimes it’s a one layer card and sometimes, like this time, it’s not! I inked an area, approximately 3” x 3”, keeping in mind that I would be cutting a 2.5” circle from the panel and that I wanted a sunset-like feel. I used distress inks (mustard seed, spiced marmalade, picked raspberry and faded jeans) applied with ink blending tools. For the silhouette, I chose Stampin’ Up’s Lovely as a Tree stamp set. I set the 2.5” circle on a scalloped circle to emphasize the focal point. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Lots of Thanks.- Sue

Inspiration Saturday #41-2016

Here is our inspiration today

The leaves and colors were what inspired this card -

I decided to use the leaves as inspiration, even though it seems I did a lot of cards with leaves this fall.  The paper is from a 6 x 6 paper pad byDCWV called Sweater Weather.  The owl stamp is from Unity called Woodland Owl.  I tore the paper around the stamped image and then distressed the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  I like puns, so the sentiment was perfect for a pick-me-up for someone recovering from surgery. - Denise 

C.A.S.E A Card Friday #41-2016

Can you C.A.S.E. this card?

I went with a guy card-

Inside

I made this card for a gentleman in our church who collects old phonographs and music boxes.  The paper is from a set by Echo Park called Times & Seasons.  I distressed each of the panels in a different Distress Color, Fossilized Amber, Aged Mahogany, and Forest Moss.  The greeting was cut in vinyl using my Explore and a cartridge called Stork’s Delivery.  The inside sentiment is called Everyday Fairytales by Unity and some more images from the same paper as the front also distress with the three colors. I added washi tape instead of a ribbon and put a car clip on the side. Making the insides special too is something I learned from another designer and I really try to do it on most of the cards. I love doing cards for the guys as they always seem to appreciate them. – Denise

Technique Thursday #41-2016

Thursday's technique for November is negative space coloring.  You can find a way to do this technique here.

And inside

I really like this technique because it is quicker than coloring an image and can make just as big an impact.  I stamped the girl with Versafine black ink on two pieces of white cardstock.  I made a mask out of one of those by fussy cutting around the image and then putting some adhesive on the back.  I stuck it on my hand a couple of times to take some of the stickiness away and then put it over the image on the first stamped piece making sure to line it up.  I used a blender tool to rub Distress Ink over it starting at the top with Tumbled Glass, then Peacock Feathers in the middle and Pine Needles at the bottom making sure to blend one into the other.  When the mask is removed, the white stamped image remains.  I stored the mask with the stamp to use again. I used the Pine Needles to edge the edges of a white card base and used a patterned paper from a 6 x6 pad made by American Crafts called South of Market since the colors worked well with my inks.  I angled the panels of both and added a few enamel dots.  The woman is from Unity and called Hello Love.  The sentiment is from Altenew and is from a set called Painted Greetings. The sentiment on the inside is Happy Everything from CTMH. Right after I made this card, I lost the birthday greeting.  I think it is probably stuck to something else I had on my craft table, so I am hoping it shows up one day when I least expect it and should probably teach me to not have so many things out at once. Lol. – Denise

Card Sketch Wednesday #41-2016

Card sketch for today

Here is my version of the sketch-

I used three different colors to stamp leaves on a kraft paper card base in a random pattern.  I then stamped the same leaves using black dye ink on cork paper.  I found that using dye ink on the cork works better since it seems to go into the cork and dry, while pigment ink sits on top and is more easily smeared.  Some scraps of yellow cardstock with sentiments, a green piece along with three gold dots and the front was finished.  The stamps were all from Unity.  The leaves were from the set Moments Between Moments and the sentiments from the Miracles Happen set. This was a card for a man who is fighting cancer in Arizona and so is not in Ohio to see the fall colors. – Denise

Try a sketch today.

Color Challenge Tuesday #41-2016

These are the muted colors of today's challenge-

Here is my card-

This was a card I did for my future daughter-in-law just a few weeks before the wedding.  The papers came from a 6 x 6 pad by Authentique called Hope.  The sentiment is from Club Scrap called Moroccan Spice, Borders and Background. I heat embossed the sentiment to give it some sheen.  I added a shape that I cut to resemble a house. A few pearls and it was done. I used a sketch from a previous challenge because it makes putting together a card such a quick process.- Denise

Mistletoe Monday #41-2016

Glitz and Glamour is our challenge all month for our Christmas cards

These cards are two variations of the same technique.

I don’t do a lot of glitz, but do love how gilding flakes look.  I used a couple of stamp sets from Unity – O Joyous Season and Believe in the Magic.  I stamped the trees and sentiments using two different methods.  On the first I applied Zig 2 in 1 glue wide pen on the stamps and stamped while the glue was still wet.  This glue remains tacky even after it is dry.  The second card was done using the same method, but applying Aleene’s Tack It Over And Over glue thinned with just a bit of water using a sponge brush. This also remains tacky after drying.  Make sure to wash your stamps immediately after stamping so that the glue doesn’t remain on the stamps.  Once the glue is dry I applied gilding flakes and rubbed them in with a Scrub-it.  To make the back grounds, I used the Zig 2 in 1 pens (wide and narrow depending on the size of the areas I wanted to do) and some double sided tape for single lines.  Gilding flakes were then applied to those areas.  I also ended up cutting the sentiments apart so that they would fit on the cards better. Both of these glues worked well, so you can use whatever you have on hand. – Denise

Glitz and glitz some more.

Clean and Simple Sunday #41-2016

Our Sunday challenges this month are to use trees, leaves or silhouettes.

I had this embossing folder of a tree and thought it would be good for the challenge. I played around with a lot of techniques and this embossing folder, but didn’t like most of them.  As I was running out of time, this is what I ended up with.  The embossing folder is by Darice and is called Falling Leaves.  You can usually get these folders on sale for a very reasonable price and they can add such dimension to cards.  I then rubbed three colors of Distress ink over the embossed image.  A sentiment from Moments between Moments by Unity finished off the panel.  I then mounted that on a piece of foam and attached it to the card base. – Denise

See what trees or leaves you can add to your card.

Inspiration Saturday #40-2016

If you are looking for the Give Thanks Blog - go here.

Let's see what inspiration do we have today.

Tantalaya brings in the feel of the season here-

For this photo inspiration I took the colors that most stand out for me and used them on the coloring of these pumpkins. The golden yellow with tones of orange and tan throughout and then the green in the leaves and the reddish brown for the stem. All I saw was pumpkins and knew that was what I wanted to draw with these colors that I was seeing. I took a pumpkin stamp from Gina K and using a mask I tamp these pumpkins to look as though they were on top of eachother. I then colored them with Spectrum Noir Color Pencils. I thought about adding stickles or sequins but in the end I was happy with just the coloring. - Tantalaya

Gracie was so inspired that she did two great cards.

The photo inspirations usually give me starting points for colors.  I made 2 cards using purchased digital images.  I water colored the images with Crayola watercolors and added ore dimension with Crayola pencils.  I used SU Crystal Effects on the fairy's globe.  I added touches of Wink of Stella to both images.  The fairy is double matted on Orange and yellow and is on a gold card base. The pumpkin is mounted on the gold cardstock and is on a brown cardstock base.  I added some twine and some glitter enamel dots. ~Gracie 

I hope that the picture gives you some inspiration today - Denise

Give Thanks Blog Hop

'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding. 

Alice Walker

Welcome to the Give Thanks Blog Hop!  You should have arrived from Jearise or if you are lost start at the beginning (Alicia's blog).  As we approach the holiday season, I think it is appropriate we should reflect on things for which we can be thankful.  We can be grateful for the little things and we should be grateful for the big things.  We should take the time to give thanks for all the persons and moments that make our lives so special.  

Sooooo, we would like to say a HUGE THANKS to our sponsor today.

Scraps by Gracie

Theresa is giving away a $20 Stampin' Up Gift Certificate to one lucky winner AND

take 10% off any order placed through her (not available on website) by November 30th. 

Email her at scrapsbygracie@gmail.com with your order. 

All you have to do to win this fabulous prize is comment on each of the blogs.

That's it! It really is easy.  

Of course, we would love it if you became a follower too. 

Comment buttons can be found at the bottom of the post (on most of the blogs).

Now on with the hop!

The whole team participated by making Thank You cards-

Tantalaya's card

After all of the Fall colors for this I went to the other side of the wheel. I want a light and pretty card to say thank you. I used BoBunny paper and took this card to the next level with the embellishments. Fun with sequins and brads and then to top it off we added a beautiful ribbon. simple stamping and great embellishments make this a fun and vibrant Thank You card.- Tantalaya

Gracie's Card

My granddaughter just had a birthday and she needs to send thank you notes.  I made her some easel cards with a large area for her to write.  I used a purchased digital image and colored it with Spectrum Noir markers.  I added a heavy black outline and fussy cut the bear.  He is mounted on yellow cardstock and I added some brown metal dots.  The card base is brown cardstock. The inside panel has pop dots behind it to help the easel stand.  I had to make 10 so they had to be simple! ~ Gracie 

Kimberly's car

This month we were asked to create a Thank you Card.  I created a clean and simple design that can be made in multiples using different colors.  It is great to have extra cards ready to use at any time.  Both stamp sets used are from SOA Beautiful World Collection.  I used light blue dye ink to stamp the cheveron images (by Catherine Pooler).  There are two in the set, each stamped twice. I stamped the Thank You (by Casual Fridays) in a darker blue, to creat contrast.  A sliver of silver glitter paper adorns the left side of the card.  Easy Peasy, right? - Kimberly 

Robbie's card

We all need thank you cards.  I have a quick one for you today.  All supplies are Stampin’ Up.  I began with a card base of Very Vanilla that measure 5 ½” x 8 ½” and scored on the long side at 4 ¼”.  Cut a piece of  Petals and Paisleys Designer Series Specialty paper at 4” x 5 ¼”.  Attach to the card base.  Using the Copper Foil sheets and the Hello You Thinlits, cut out the word “Thanks”.  Use your Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue to apply small dots to the back of the word.  Set aside to dry.  Use the Paisleys and Posies bundle to stamp the flower using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  Use the Cajun Craze, Delightful Dijon, and Mint Macaron markers to color the flower.  Use the coordinating framelits to cut out the flower.  Use a Stampin’ Dimensional behind the flower to attach the flower to your card.  Take the sentiment and attach to your card.  You now have a cute Fall Thank You card!- Robbie

Sue's card

For my Thank you card, I started by inking a portion of The Crafters Workshop’s Mini Chickenwire Reversed stencil with pumice stone distress ink. I then stamped the sentiment from Simon Says STAMP Many Thanks stamp set, stamped with Hero Arts Shadow Ink Pale Tomato. I added images from Paper Smooches’ Reflections stamp set, stamped with Hero Arts shadow inks (Lime Green and Pale Tomato). I matted the card with pink cardstock to add a bit more pop.- Sue

Denise's card

My brother has suffered from chronic pancreatitis for several years and recently had it removed and the insulin producing cells implanted into his liver where they are producing insulin.  He wanted to send several thank you cards to all those who cared for him and have continued to help as he heals.  The color associated with Pancreatitis and Pancreatic cancer is purple, so I embossed a white card using a folder from Sizzix.  I then used a blending tool to rub Dusty Concord Distress Ink over it.  I cut the ribbon and did the writing using my Cricut Explore.  It is based on a tattoo that my brother has and it has become his motto. - Denise

Up next is Theresa

Here is the entire line up in case you get lost:

Alicia - http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/
Sue - http://suek86401.blogspot.com/
Kim - http://katydidcards.com/
Lisa - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/
Amanda - http://salnclts76.blogspot.com
Connie - http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com/
Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
CADC - http://cardadaychallenge.blogspot.com/
Theresa - http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for stopping by!

C.A.S.E A Card Friday #40-2016

This card is a great one to C.A.S.E.

Autumn comes through with Gracie's card -

I started my card with a brown cardstock base.  I found a tree stamp in my stash (AI WCTree Set) and it was brand new - forgot I even had it!  I stamped it and the sentiment with Memento Richard Cocoa ink on whisper white cardstock twice.  I cut the panel from the center then overlaid the panel lining it up with the first image.  I sponged Tim Holtz Distress inks Mustard Seed, Dried Marigold, Fired Brick, and just a little of Peeled Paint.  I mounted the stamped panel on yellow cardstock, added the "hugs" sentiment and some brown metal dots.  This one is going out in the mail today for a get well to a special lady. ~ Gracie 

Tantalaya flips the card in more than one way with this charming card-

So for this card which is a Case card. I changed the direction of the card making it a vertical design. I then used the very same set from Stampin' Up! except this time I cut the leaves under the tree which is what I lifted off the page. In the end I added the sentiment at the bottom of the tree trunk and then put ribbon across the front and then tying a knot.  - Tantalaya

I challenge others to C.A.S.E. this card and post it to our Facebook page.  Just search for Card A Day Challenge Blog.- Denise

Technique Thursday #40-2016

Our month-long Tuesday Technique Challenge is negative space coloring-

Today Tantalaya came up with these beauties-

This fun technique from Jennifer McGuire was super fun. I decided to use distress inks for the negative space coloring. It really does make a very elegant card that doesn't need a lot of embellishments I used  the Tim Holtz Flower Garden stamp set and I embossed it with Ranger super fine detail gold embossing powder. I then used the Inkadinkado masking paper and cut a mask for each flower and then proceeded to color using the distress color mini cubes and blending tools. When I removed the mask I was left with this vibrant and simply gorgeous card.- Tantalaya

Gracie also did two impressive cards-

This is an easy technique and is limited only by your colors and imagination!  My images were stamped images received from an image swap; they're both stamped with Versa Mark ink and clear embossing powder.  On the Oriental background I used 3 shades of lavender Spectrum Noir markers and on the flowers I used 3 shades of coral.~Gracie 

As you can see, the designers thought this was a easy technique that makes very impressive cards, so try it on your next card.- Denise

Card Sketch Wednesday #40-2016

Today's sketch has a lot of possibilities- 

Gracie has this colorful and fun card-

Art Impressions stamps just make me smile.  I stamped the image & sentiment with Versa Mark ink and black embossing powder.   The image is colored using Spectrum Noir markers. I mixed papers from different 8x8 paper pads.  It's a little busy!~Gracie 

This soft and sweet card is from Tantalaya-

The sketch challenge , this one was a little harder for me only because at first I couldn't see it. In the end it turned out better then I thought. I used paper from vintage rose paper collection from couture creations and really pretty lace from Cindy Rozeck. and I used the 3 circles in a slightly different pattern and added the Hearts. Creating a great friend card for anyone's stash.- Tantalaya

I love the ways the sketch can turn out by using different papers and embellishments. - Denise

Color Challenge Tuesday #40-2016

These subtle colors of Autumn are the inspiration today.

Tantalaya chooses a different layout of leaves and some great coloring skills with this wonderful card -

This color challenge was super fun. I really wanted to use my zig markers. So I used the Beyond Baskets stamp set from Gina K. and the vintage leaves from Stampin' Up! I did use some masking on this because I wanted the leaves to look like they were inside and a few had fallen out. so I used the colors that matched the closest to the colors in the challenge and to me I used the golden color to create the more fall tones that the intensity of the zig markers is hard to get. - Tantalaya

Gracie shows how the colors can really compliment a simple card-

My color challenge card is rather simple.  The image is a purchased digital image.  I colored the image with Crayola pencils.  I cut and oval from the yellow cardstock base and placed the tree behind the oval.  I added 3 mustard enamel dots.   I added a white panel inside to personalize the card. ~Gracie 

Grab some markers or pencils and try coloring some cards today.-

Denise

Mistletoe Monday #40-2016

Glizty and Glamorous describes our Mistletoe Mondays 

this month!

Gracie has done an outstanding job with this card-

Glitz and Glamour!  If you want to try a fun technique get some glue and guilding flakes!  I die cut my ornaments with some scrap cardstock, covered them with Nuvo Glue, and made a mess on my table with gold flakes.  Gather up the mess, you can reuse them!  I mounted them on black cardstock with a strip of red cardstock, die cut a snowflake from vellum, and the Noel sentiment and guilded it as well. ~Gracie 

Tantalaya wows with not one, but two creations-

I have two card for this one because can you really have enough glitter? I used the large medallion stamp from Stampin Up!, and on the 1st card which is the thick Gold on the kraft cardstock I used heat and stick powder to attach the glitter. Just make sure you heat it a second time to make sure the glitter is set in. The second version is on white card stock and on this one I used an embossing powder that had sparkle but wasn't fully glitter. Now this one is nice but I have to admit I like the chunky better even though you can have a major mess with the glitter. As the wise Jennifer McGuire has said get you some swiffer clothes it really does pick up the glitter. - Tantalaya

What fun to add all this glitz to the holiday.  Try adding some to your cards - Denise

Clean and Simple Sunday #40-2016

Clean and Simple using leaves, trees, or silhouettes. 

Tantalaya starts with this elegant example-

I loved the simplicity of this card. I used Vintage Leaves from Stampin' Up!, Versafine ink, sentiment from penny black Treasured Sentiments set, and clear embossing powder and you get a high impact with little work. I think this card would make a great gift set. I could see doing a leaf or two on the envelope to match. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did making it.- Tantalaya

Now comes Gracie with this lovely card-

Clean and simple means I get to play with the distress inks :) I stamped the tree limbs (Inkadinkadoo Delicate Branches) with Me mentor Luxe Richard Cocoa ink.  The sentiment is also stamped with the same brown ink (sorry-can't remember the source).  I masked the sun with a cut out circle and sponged Tim Holtz Distress inks Dried Marigold, Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed, Fired Brick, Salty Ocean and Weathered Wood.  I lightly spritzed with water. I love the Fall look. ~ Gracie 

I really like nature in cards, so the cards the designers are doing really speak to me.  Great job Tantalaya and Gracie.

Inspiration Saturday #39-2016

A different kind of inspiration photo today-

Let's see what part inspired Kimberly- 

I have a surprise for you today!  Since I live in New England, I thought the children on the swing should have a nice fall harvest scene to look at.  Fall is in full swing here in N.E. with all of the harvest fairs and fall festivals.  The stamp is by Northwood.  It is stamped with versafine onyx black ink on bristol card stock.  I colored the images with water based markers and a waterbrush.  I added some shimmer to the focal points with a Spectrun Nior Clear sparkle brush pen.  I adhered the image to yellowish card stock.  The card is just short of an A2 as I cut it down to the image size.- Kimberly

Robbie found different inspiration- 

This is a great photo to highlight a special friendship so that is what I went with for my card.  All supplies are Stampin’ Up.  When I looked at the picture besides the special friendship I saw the grasses and the purple in the dress.  So I went with that idea.  I used the flourish from the First Sight stamp set and stamped in onto a piece of Whisper White card stock that measures 4” x 5 ¼” using Wild Wasabi ink.  I stamped it several times to fill in the space.  I attached this to a Wild Wasabi card stock that measures 5 ½” x 8 ½” and is scored on the long side at 4 ¼”.  I took a strip of Whisper White card stock that measures 1 ½” x 4 ¼” and using Perfect Plum ink I stamped the sentiment from the set.  I cut it out and used the Trio Corner punch to punch the opposite corners.  I cut a piece of Perfect Plum card stock that measures 1 ¾” x 4 ¼” and punched the same opposite corners as the sentiment piece.  I mounted the sentiment piece onto the Perfect Plum piece.   Take a piece of Tear & Tape and adding it to the back,   Cut a piece of Gold Thread and loop it  on the back using the Tear & Tape to hold it in place.  This was added to the card base using dimensionals.  A great card for a special friend!- Robbie

I just love the inspiration days because the designers come up with such different cards based on what they see or feel looking at the photo.  Kimberly and Robbie have done a great job this week and I look forward to seeing them next month with more of their designs.- Denise