Clean and Simple Sunday #18-2017

Since our weeks start with a Sunday, we have a bonus week for April to use more die cuts.

Gracie is doing our 5th week and starts with this clean and simple card.

The overall challenge this week us to use a die cut for every card.  Time for the Silhouette, the Big Shot, and my Blue Baby.  Today' theme us anything goes.  I die cut the butterflies and the sentiment using plum cardstock and touched them up with Wink of Stella for shimmer.  The patterned paper is from a paper pad and card front is celery green cardstock.  The card base is white cardstock.  I added lavender enamel dots for accents.  I am unsure of the die sources since I have "organized" them (they are all now out of their packages). ~ Gracie

Thank you cards lend themselves to clean and simple, so that is what I did too.

My father suffered a stroke recently, but thanks to quick treatment he recovered completely with just a couple days in the hospital.  He asked me to make a couple of thank you cards to give to those who took care of him and this is one of those cards.  The image and sentiment are from a Unity stamp set called Karen Girl.  I stamped it with Versafine ink on watercolor paper.  I colored it by smooching various Distress Inks on my work mat then using a wet brush to paint the image and put a color wash around it.  I used one of my stitched oval dies on my Cuttlebug.  I use those nesting dies a lot.  I used foam tape to pop it up on a mat of striped paper from a 6 x 6 pad by My Mind's Eye called Cut & Paste. - Denise

Inspiration Saturday #17-2017

How would this picture inspire you?

Sue made this inspirational card -

For my card, I was inspired by bird (chick). I didn’t have much choice because I only own one bird die, the Penny Black Peaceful Wishes die. The sentiment is from CAS-ual Fridays Hope die. Both were cut out of gold cardstock. For the background, I inked up a piece of cardstock with distress inks (tumbled glass, stormy sky and faded jeans) to mimic a partially cloudy sky.- Sue

I used a new technique for my card -

When I saw the challenge picture, I knew that I had the perfect stamp for it from Unity called Grey Skies Happy I stamped the image with Versafine black ink on a red rubber sheet called gasket material (I bought mine at Lowe's in the plumbing department). I then laid my water color paper over it and rubbed to get the image to transfer. I used a Stamp-a-ma-Jig to line the image up and stamp with the actual stamp on the top. I used Distress Inks with water brushes to water color the image making sure to dilute the colors for the reflection. I cut around the image using an oval nesting die.  I stamped the sentiment from the same set and cut it with another nesting die and sponged around the edges with distress ink.  I popped both up with foam tape on top of the striped paper, which I in turn placed on a cream paper and finally on a kraft card base. I love this technique and will be using it again. - Denise

How to do this basic technique can be found here and here.

C.A.S.E A Card Friday #17-2017

There are some great cards out there to C.A.S.E. It is easy to make some changes and make them your own.

Here is a nautical themed card we chose to C.A.S.E.

Sue kept true to the theme 

For my version of the CASE card, I started by creating the “buoy” with two circle SIzzix dies. I wound red embroidery thread around the “buoy”, carefully adhering on the reverse side. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Happy Days stamp set. The anchor was die cut using Memory Box’s Majestic Anchor die. The card was completed using an antiqued cardbase and a piece of natural ribbon. - Sue

I also kept close to the original-

I used a stamp and cut set from Hero Arts called Anchor.  I decided to make my own background paper by stamping a couple of the different anchor stamps with Versamark on blue paper.  That makes a nice subtle design.  I cut the life saver on my Explore from a cartridge called Life is a Beach (they have some great beach images) and sponged the edges of all the papers with a light brown Distress ink. The sentiment was stamped in blue using a Pink by Design stamp from the set Cruisin'.  I decided to use some red, white & blue bakers twine that I had instead of the brown twine and used some star eyelets that I had.  To help it stick to the front of the card, I did put some Scrappy tape on the front before winding the twine around. I added the anchor stamped with another pattern from the set and die cut with the matching die using my Cuttlebug. After running the twine through the holes in the life saver, I attached it to the blue paper.  I popped that panel up with foam tape to account for the bulk created by the twine and eyelets.  I thought it made a really cute nautical card. - Denise

Technique Thursday #17-2017

We have been doing some different types of cards for our techniques on Thursdays.  Today we do a twisted easel card with a tutorial found here.

Sue makes a beautiful Thank You card.

Open

The twisted easel card was a first for me. I had not heard of this type of card. I followed instruction – not that difficult. The base pieces were from a piece of My Minds Eye cardstock. I die cut the dusty rose cardstock using Spellbinders Label one die. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Big Scripty Greetings stamp set, which was then die cut using a Sizzix circle die.The sprigs were die cut using Poppystamps leafy Sprig die. The center panel featured an inked heart using Hero Arts highlighting SA085 stencil. Unfortunately, I can’t remember which stamp set the sentiment is from – oops! - Sue

It was also my first time for a twisted easel card -

Open

I started with some card stock I picked up at unique paper store about an hour and a half from me that sells all kinds of different paper by the pound.  You never know what is going to be there and this features cream on one side and dark blue on the other with a really neat texture on both sides.  I cut it into a 5.5" x 11" piece and folded it in half for a 5.5 x 5.5 card.  After scoring diagonally on the front, I sponged the edges with Distress Ink.  The image and sentiment came from the Unity Kit of the Month kit for April 2017 called Be My Bird. I used Versamark to stamp the image and heat embossed with white.  Then I sponged in layers with Distress Ink (Salty Ocean) using a piece of cardstock that I just cut in a wave pattern.  I used Mowed Lawn for the bottom.  The embossing resists the ink so that it shows.  I highlighted the hearts with a red Flair pen.  I then cut it using a nesting stitched oval die. The sentiment was stamped and then cut with a stitched pendent die then sponged on the edges with Distress Ink.  It was mounted on foam tape to hold the front open.  I decided it looked pretty plain, so i added some red pearls by Want to Scrap. - Denise

Card Sketch Wednesday #17-2017

Card sketches are a great way to jump start your creativity for cards if you are stuck for an idea.

Today's sketch -

I started with CAS-ual Fridays Funky Round Fri-Dies die and a piece of green cardstock. The sentiment is from Paper Smooches A Blessed Christmas, applied using gold heat embossing powder. I used the circle die from the same Fri-dies to cut out the sentiment. The banner was a scrap of black cardstock where gold embossing powder was used with Impression Obsession Cover-a-card Flourishes stamp. The striped paper was a scrap piece of Christmas cardstock. The card was completed using some gold cord. - Sue

I am hit or miss this week, but found inspiration in this sketch.

I used a set of stamps and matching dies from Heartfelt Creations called Jars & Vines.  They are part of a larger collection called Farmers Market.  I was able to pick up several of the stamps and dies used on Ebay for a great price.  I also picked up the matching 12 x 12 paper called Farmer's Market Collection.  The jugs were stamped on velum with Versamark and heat embossed in black.  I learned it was easier to emboss first and cut after with the dies on my Cuttlebug.  I colored where the liquid would be on the back with three colors of Sepctrum Noir markers/  I cut the tag from the paper pack and grouped the jugs in place of the circle on the sketch.  The green and wine card stock that I mounted everything on has some wonderful texture to it.  The Thinking of You was also heat embossed in black. - Denise

Birthday Tuesday #17-2017

Happy Birthday this Tuesday as Sue brings us a rainbow inspired card perfect for April.

I started by cutting ¾” wide strips of coloured cardstock. I adhered the strips on a piece of 4.25” x 5.5” white cardstock. I then die cut using Simon Says STAMP Painted Happy die and also die cut a piece of black cardstock. I adhered the negative of the striped diecut onto a cardbase. Then, I inlaid the black sentiment die cut, carefully re-placing all the little bits.- Sue

Masculine Monday #17-2017

Masculine cards are sometimes hard for people to do, but Sue uses a technique called die-cut inlay to make a great one.

I die-cut a piece of black cardstock using Simon Says STAMP Mod Window craft die. I also used the same die to cut various scraps of cardstock. I adhered the black cardstock to a card base. Using the inlaid die cut technique, I added colour with the die cut pieces. The sentiment is from Simon Says STAMP Big Scripty Greetings which was heat set with silver embossing powder.- Sue

This card had a special meaning for me-

My son officially adopted his seven-year-old step daughter this month, so I made this card for them to help celebrate that.  The die cut comes on the front. I took a cut (using only the shadow part) from the cartridge Outdoor Life and sized it to be 4.25" across.  I then flipped it and welded it to a rectangle to make the card out of heavy cardstock on my Explore.  It gave the look of a sentiment across the image that could be flipped out of the way to see the whole image.  I then stamped my images using a stamp from Unity called First Love, First Hero and trees from CTMH called Always Grateful to make the scene.  I did use a mask of the figures before stamping the trees.  I used Distress Inks to watercolor everything.  I cut the image with two different colors of cardstock to attach to the front.  It really looks like them since they love the outdoors and both of them loved it, which I why I love sending cards. - Dense

Clean and Simple Sunday #17-2017

Sue starts out our fourth week of using die cuts.

This lovely card is a stunning example of using the negative part of your die cut.

I was in a scrapbooking store in WA and saw a card made to enable purchases – LOL! Well, it worked, I purchased Memory Box’s Reverse Butterfly Collage die. My card is my recollection of the card in the store. I die cut a piece of black cardstock with the die. On my card base, I added colour with ink daubers and distress inks beneath where the butterfly cutout were. The sentiment is from Altenew’s Floral Shadow stamp set which was heat set with silver embossing powder.- Sue

Inspiration Saturday #16-2017

If you are looking for the Stamp Set Showdown Blog Hop click here or scroll down.

Our inspiration for today 

..

Gracie gets us all set for those summer picnics with her cute card.

Today's picture looks so relaxing!  I'm ready for a picnic!  I used the picnic basket as my inspiration.  I had a pretty digital image I printed and colored with Spectrum Noir markers.  The sentiment is also a digital image and I colored the butterflies in the image 20th green to coordinate with the basket.  I made a card base of red cs and used a stripe of green cs for contrast.  I used my corner rounder on the edges and added some black enamel dots. ~ Gracie  

April Hop - Stamp Set Showdown

Welcome to A Year of Card Techniques Blog Hop where each month we’ll feature a different card technique. We’ve assembled a team of fabulous card makers who range from new to advanced, so you’ll see a wide variety of cards and ideas.

The month of April features a Showdown! A stamp set showdown, that is. We’re using one stamp set in various ways. Let’s face it, stamp sets are getting more and more expensive; so we’re here to inspire you by demonstrating how to s-t-r-e-t-c-h those stamps!

If you would like to check out our past technique hops, you can do that here:

• January - Shaving cream marbleizing
• February - So Sketchyl
• March-no hop

We have an amazing sponsor this month, Wilma Payne of Fun Stamper's Journey:

Please take a moment to check out the great products Fun Stampers Journey has to offer. To visit Wilma's blog, click here and her Facebook Group here.

And the awesome prize this month is:

We really appreciate feedback, so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in the hop today. One winner will be chosen from all comments on the hop as of April 28, 2017. The winner will be announced in our May hop; so be sure to come back next month.

You should have arrived here from INSERT LINK TO PREVIOUS BLOG. If you're visiting here first, you might want to start at the beginning so you don't miss a thing and increase your chances of winning by leaving a comment on each blog.

Card a Day Challenge has a wonderful design team and we are showcasing three of them today. 

We start with Gracie who used the same stamp set to do cards for both a girl and boy.

Gracie's stamp set

The stamp set I used for this hop came from Raisin Boat stamps.  I used the set to make cards for both baby boys and baby boys.  I stamped the images with Memento Luxe black ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  The images were colored with Spectrum Noir markers.  I used twine for the clothes lines and attached them with enamel dots to the card fronts.  Thanks to Sweet Petunia for making MISTI!!! ~ Gracie

Denise shows cards that can be used for Mother's Day or even given to your own children to let them know you love them.

Embossed on Velum

Spectrum Noir Markers

Watercolor with Distress Ink

Denise's stamp set

I chose a new set I purchased from Unity Stamp Company and designed by Gina K called Another Name for Love. It is made up of this lovely Peony and several sentiments.  I did the flower three different ways - embossed, alcohol markers and watercolor, which gives different looks.  I also used three different sentiments and ways of using them.  The top is velum mounted over a paper from a K & Company stack called Classic K.  The middle was colored with Spectrum Noir markers and backed with paper from an Authentique 6 x 6 pad called Latest & Greatest.  The final is watercolor using Distress Inks on watercolor paper.  I used an edge die and put a DCWV paper from their Le Tres Chic stack along the edge. - Denise

Sue shows how many different looks you can get from her chosen stamp set.

Sue's set

For the first card, I used Hero Arts Shadow Inks – Charcoal with the eight leaf branch and the swirl stamps. The monochromatic look makes this a good choice for a sympathy card. The sentiment is from Your Next Stamp’s Whatnot Sentiments Seven.

For the second card, I used a watercolor technique to create this card. I started with 140 lb watercolor paper and my MISTI. I used the same stamps as I did for the first card. For each impression, I stamped once with one color, spritzed with water then applied the stamp to the card. Without moving the stamp, I inked with another color, spritzed with water and then applied the stamp. This created a really fun effect. For the sentiment, I die cut using MFT Die-namics Happy Hellos. To complete the card, I added some Wink of Stella on the sentiment die cut to add a bit of sparkle.

For the third card, again using the same two stamps, I stamped with two colors, Hero Arts Shadow Inks Passion Flower and Lime Green. By choosing these two colors, it gives the card a fun, fresh Spring-like look. The sentiment is also from Your Next Stamp’s Whatnot Sentiments Seven. I finished the card with a few sequins to give it a bit of sparkle. - Sue

Now you’re off to visit with Rhonda. Hope you had fun and thanks for stopping by. See you next month with another technique!

Denise and the Card A Day Challenge team.

Here’s the full line-up in case you get lost:

• Sharon
• Claudia
• Kim
• Wilma
• Jearise
• Amanda
• Lisa
• Jodie
• Card A Day Challenge Team
• Ronda
• Sandy
• Candy

C.A.S.E A Card Friday #16-2017

Our card to C.A.S.E. today can be used in a variety of ways.

I love how Gracie made it her own with this card.

I LOVE Art Impressions stamps.  They just make me laugh!  Instead of using tags I chose to use my small dies from a rectangle set and cut 2 in yellow and white (the white were cut after I printed the letters to spell "howdy").  I stamped my image on white cs and colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers.  I turned the sentiment sideways and attached the letters to the larger rectangles with green brads.  The card base is yellow cs. ~ Gracie  

Technique Thursday #16-2017

The technique today is called a double Z fold.  It is a popular fold right now and a tutorial can be found here.

Gracie tried it for the first time and did a fabulous job.

 Today's technique is a double fold z card.  Sometimes I feel intimidated when faced with something I haven't tried and this card was one.  I don't know why!  I love how it turned out!  I started with aqua cs, orange cs, pink cs, and patterned papers.  I die cut flowers and leaves (Spellbinders) from cs and following directions in the YouTube video I constructed the card.  I added the sentiment (Technique Tuesday) to the inside.  I scattered the flowers on the front and back of the z. ~ Gracie  

Card Sketch Wednesday #16-2017

Today's card sketch is from cardztv.blogspot.com and gives the measurements of the different parts which is a real help if you are trying to create the sketch.

Gracie gives us a card with a Spring feel.

Today I used 2 die cuts; a circle and a Spellbinders butterfly.  The card base is a dark purple.  I used 2 different patterned papers.  The purple dots were used as a mat.  The 4 rectangles were cut with the pale lavender paper.  I embossed a piece of light blue cs before die cutting the circle.  The butterfly was cut using glitter paper.  The sentiment is from Sizzix Birds and Phrases.  I added 3 flat back lavender pearls. ~ Gracie  

A little different interpretation for my card.

I decided I wanted to do something with a tropical fish and so I chose this cut from the Cricut cartridge called Pirates and Mermaids. I was going to use glitter paper, but decided instead on foil paper from a DCWV 6 x 6 pad called Foiled.  I had played around with alcohol inks on silver foil paper awhile ago and saved them, so I decided this was a good use for it and cut it into the four rectangles and mounted those with foam tape on the same silver foil paper.  The fish was also mounted on foam tape.  I couldn't get a sentiment that I thought looked good on the front, so I left it plain and will add something to the inside later.  Since this involved so much foil, it was hard to photograph without a lot of reflection, but it does look pretty good in person. - Denise

Birthday Tuesday #16-2017

Birthday cards are always a lot of fun and Gracie gives us a party in a card.

For today's card I used dies to make the card base.  The center of the front is a circle and the edge of the front is cut using a Fiskars border.  I also used Spellbinders dies for the balloon, cupcake, and "party" sentiment.  I used patterned cs for the base and mint green cs for the inside of the card.  The die cuts are teal with Wink of  Stella.  I added some light green enamel dots. ~  Gracie  

I have another twist and pop card.

All the action (and die cuts) are in the inside of this card.  All of the papers came from a 12 x 12 pack from Pebbles called From Me to You.  The images were all cut on my Explore in vinyl and used a cartridge called Suburbia.  This has a lot of great images from the 50's.  Since this was for my sister-in-law who was born in the late 50's it seemed perfect.  The front and inside sentiment came from Just a Number by CTMH.  Using vinyl allowed me to use silver for the pay phone.  I remember that my mother gave me dimes to put in my penny loafers so that I always had enough to call home if I needed to.  Try to explain that to a teenage today. - Denise

Masculine Monday #16-2017

The designers have come up with some wonderful masculine cards this year and Gracie gives us another one.

One thing I love about this blog is the encouragement to make masculine cards!  I started with a gray cs base.  I used a mat of gray speckled paper and stamped a Tim Holtz image off center.  I accented the gray with burnt orange cs.  I used a Spellbinders die and cut the die with dark gray cs.  The center of the die I cut a second time with light gray paper and stamped my sentiment on the center piece (Technique Tuesday).  I added some bronze brads before adhering the panel to the card. ~ Gracie  

I had a simple approach to my card -

This used a cut from one of my oldest and favorite Cricut cartridges called A Child's Year. I took out the ripples in the "water" to be a true silhouette and cut it out of black cardstock.  I mounted that on a white wood-grain embossed card stock from Altenew and placed it on another piece of black cardstock.  The sentiment is from a CTMH set called Holiday Tags and was heat embossed in white.- Denise