Snowmen

This card is quite appropriate for today. Although the snow isn't really deep here in Chicago, it has covered everything outside. It's the time that snowmen start to appear.
It's also the time of year where many challenges want to see something "new" for the New Year. Since I didn't receive any new art products over the holidays, I decided to take this opportunity to try out a couple of my never-before-used products (ie. new to me). The background panel was done on a gelli plate. Not too long ago I ordered the smallest gelli plates, but I never got a chance to use them. For this card I used the 5"x 7" plate. I love the fact that it fits nicely in the tiny space I have on my table for working. The other new item is the snowflake border die (Cheery Lynn). There's also a little something old on the card. The snowflakes on the background were stenciled with Ranger's metallic pearl dabber paint. That's been around (and unused) for quite a while. The snowman stamp (Tim Holtz) and the sentiment stamp (can't remember) have been in my collection for a long time.
My card layout is based on the sketch challenge from Mojo Monday. I am also entering my card in these challenges: Kraft Journal--take your pick (die cut, white, snowman); Simon Says Wednesday -- something new; Frilly & Funkie -- anything goes; Dies R Us -- something new; Artistic Stamper -- new beginnings; Great Impressions -- snow friends; Mixed Media -- something new for the New Year; V's Sweet Ideas -- something new; Ink on My Fingers -- anything goes; Cheery Lynn Designs -- snowflakes.

Golden Autumn Days

My card today is based on the Mojo Monday challenge sketch layout.  My image and sentiment are brand new stamps (to me) from Serendipity stamps. I was really happy to be able to use them. I stamped my image on watercolor paper. I used the distress marker watercolor technique to watercolor the pheasants. The top layering panel was perfect for the sentiment. My background was made by layering leaves which were die cut  (Tim Holtz/Sizix) from an old book page onto a cardstock panel. The leaves were edged with distress ink. I think that the leaves, colors, and image make a wonderful autumn card.
I am also entering my card into these challenges: Ink on my Fingers Sunday Challenge -- add leaves; City Crafter -- leaves; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge -- use watercoloring; Word Art Wednesday -- anything goes; Fashionable Stamping -- anything goes; Frilly and Funkie --autumn colors; Great Impressions -- autumnal elegance; Serendipity Stamps -- fall.

Pumpkin Jack Goes Steampunk

Today I am sharing a wall hanging depicting Pumpkin Jack dressed in his Halloween costume. It seems that Jack is a great fan of steampunkery and chose his costume accordingly. I'll bet that he and his friends will have fun at all of the parties coming up.
I decided that I wanted to make a dimensional project. To create this piece, I started with one of the burlap panels. I then sprayed Dylusions over the panel in Halloween colors. The face was cut from Graphic 45 design paper, edged in spiced marmalade distress ink, and adhered to a matching piece of grungeboard for strength. The hat was a wooden embellishment that I had picked up at a craft store. I painted it with black soot distress paint. To make the eyes and monacle, nose and moustache, and goggles, I die cut the gears and moustache and followed the effect powders technique (p. 52 of Tim Holtz's book) from the current Compendium of Curiosities Challenge. I love how it adds texture to the items. The raven and owl and die cut using some of Tim's dies and colored using distress paints. The mouth is part of a Cheery Lynn Designs die cut.
I really enjoyed working on this project for the Compendium of Curiosities 3 challenge. This month the challenge is being sponsored by the generous Inspiration Emporium. There is also a great prize package from Tim and Mario. (See, even Jack has a big smile.)
This wall hanging works well with several other challenges: Take a word -- steampunkery; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge -- anything goes; Frilly & Funkie -- haunting Halloween; Great Impressions -- get your spook on; SanDee & Amelie's Steampunk Challenges -- steampunk stories.

Set It Free

My card today is a double side step card. I'm still in summer mode, so I went with butterflies, birds and garden flowers. My birds are seen in a cage, but the door is open so they can fly free.
After cutting the base card in a blue-grey, I added a scripted design paper. The butterflies are from Tim Holtz's Butterfly Frenzy decorative strip die. They were colored using alcohol ink. The birds and floral stamps are from SweetStamps and were colored using distress markers. The bird cage is a Cheery Lynn Designs diecut. The sentiment is typed on the computer.
 I am entering my card into these challenges: SweetStamps Blog Monthly Technique Challenge -- double side step card; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge -- use rubber stamps to celebrate Stamptember; Word Art Wednesday -- anything goes; Frilly and Funkie -- summer garden ( What says summer garden better than butterflies, flowers, and birds?)

Along the Beach

I had a very peaceful afternoon and this card is the result. I love it when I can mix and match stamps from different companies and everything works. My water and sand (both stamped twice), the birds and the sun are all Cornish Heritage Farms stamps. The children playing on the beach are Rogue Redhead Designs stamps. The quote is a Quietfire stamp.
The scene was stamped on watercolor paper. I used distress markers and a waterbrush to watercolor the images. The card base and sentiment panel frame are kraft cardstock.
I am entering this card into these challenges: Kraft Journal -- sun;  Word Art Wednesday -- anything goes; Marks Finest Papers Simple Salutations -- day at the beach; Frilly & Funkie -- cool water; Dies R Us Challenge -- Day at the Beach [spellbinders die].

Summer Tag

The current challenge at Frilly & Funkie challenges us to CASE one of Linda's tags from her 2013 Christmas tag challenge, but give it a summer flair. I chose the tag from Week # 6 (October 28, 2013). As you can see, I gave my tag a 4th of July theme. I started with a tag cut from kraft cardstock. I used designer paper from Graphic 45 for my background. OK, I admit that I don't sew anymore so I added faux stitching. For the top panel I stamped some fireworks (Northwoods stamps) and adhered the die cut number 4 and star. The die cut flag was adhered to the bottom of the tag. I made the bow from organza ribbon and topped it with sunshine (a small rosette stamped with the sun face (Rogue Redhead Designs). All die cuts are from Tim Holtz.
My tag is being entered into these challenges: Frilly & Funkie -- Just Case It; SweetStamps -- summer; Marks Finest Papers Colors Challenge -- red, tan/sand, blue; Addicted to CAS -- sun; Kraft Journal -- red, white, and blue; Work It Wednesday --patterned paper; Craft-Dee Bowz -- anything goes, but must have a bow.

Father's Day

It's Friday and that means it's time for Bloggers Challenge. I've been missing in action for a couple of weeks, but I'm back today! This week the challenge is masculine since June is the month of Father's Day.

Today's card is based on the Mojo Monday sketch challenge. My background panel is a piece of Tim Holtz design paper. The strip down the side is a Cheery Lynn die cut. The father's day stamp is from Club Scrap and is stamped on a Cheery Lynn die cut. The image and sentiment (stamped on a Spellbinders die cut) are stamps from Artistic Outpost.
I will be entering this card into these additional challenges: Dies R Us -- one for the boys/Father's Day; Frilly & Funkie -- for all fathers; Simon Says Wednesday Challenge -- Father's Day/masculine.

A-R-T

I've had this card in mind for quite some time. Last night, before I fell asleep, I realized that I had the perfect challenge to create for. CASual Fridays has the theme three thirds. The idea is to create a CAS card with three of something or on 1/3 of the card. I used the word art which has three letters; I used three sprays (blue, yellow, and red); and I kept the image to 1/3 of the card. The focal image is a word stamp which has a coordinating stencil (from Club Scrap).
I am also entering this card into these challenges: Mark's Finest Papers Friends of Speedy -- kraft and red; Frilly & Funkie -words, words, words (let a word take center stage).

Dreaming

When I saw this weeks inspiration photo for the Speedy Fox & Friends challenge, I immediately thought of shimmer sheets. These are plastic like sheets which look holographic and are gorgeously colored. The background of my card is a piece of shimmer sheetz which I dry embossed. (IRL the background shimmers and shines and  has beautiful purple and blue colors.) Frilly and Funkie challenged us to use neglected dies. The oval dies I used were some of the first dies(Spellbinders) I ever bought. Since they were purchased, I have acquired so many different dies and kind of forgot about these. I brought them out and dusted them off and here they are. This card is also being entered in Ink on My Fingers Sunday Challenge where Hels has the theme dream. All of the stamps used are from Rogue Redhead Designs.

Love Defined

It's been so long that I've forgotten how cool embossing paste is to use. My card background was made with almond colored embossing paste and a stencil.  My focal image was created using the trellis die, miniature rose die, and ivy corner flourish (all from Cheery Lynn Designs).The stamped sentiment and hearts are from the Tim Holtz collection. the result is a texture filled card.
My card is being entered into these challenges: Cheery Lynn Designs -- die cut flowers; Ink on My Fingers Sunday challenge --heart; Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge -- paste; Tuesday Throwdown -- anything goes; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge -- anything goes with pearls; Word Art Wednesday -- anything goes; Fashionable Stamping -- anything goes; and Frilly & Funkie -- stencils and texture.

Love

I love challenges that make me veer from my norm. This card is an unusual shape card. I used the Infinity Doily angel wing to make the base card in white. Then I adhered the Infinity Doily die cut in kraft as the front layer of the card. I cut the base and front so the result was a kind of diamond shape. I love the result. Along the bottom left side I added die cut leaves (flourish leaf strip), a handmade red rose (large rose), and several die cut violets (build a flower embellishments#2). All of the die cuts except the letters are from Cheery Lynn Designs. I cut the tag and stamped a flower flourish (SweetStamps). The letters for the sentiment are from Tim Holtz.
My card is being entered into these challenges: Cheery Lynn Designs -- shaped card; Kraft Journal -- use a die cut; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge -- get krafty; and Frilly and Funkie -- bloomin' marvelous (hand made flowers).

The Best Part of Myself

This Valentine is somewhat non-traditional -- no hearts, no pink or red, no lace. Yet, I think it is my favorite Valentine I made so far this year, and I have the perfect person to give it to.
I found this piece of designer paper in my stash and I have been waiting to use it. This wonderful sentiment stamp comes from Quietfire Designs Rubber Stamps as does the hugs and kisses. The kraft base and center panel is unusual for Valentine's Day, but works perfectly with the card. I like how the center diamond panel extends just a bit above and below the card. (Yes, it fits into a 5 1/2" square envelope.)
My card is being entered into these challenges: Ink on my Fingers Sunday Challenge -- Shine on You Crazy Diamond; Kraft Journal -- love; Frilly and Funkie -- Valentine's Day with a twist, no hearts.

Snowflake and Mittens

When will they make a scanner that will let ME scan white items clearly. My center snowflake is a SweetStamps stamp that I heat embossed with white detail embossing powder. I even highlighted it with a light touch of tumbled glass distress ink. If you look real hard on the image you can see some detail. The real image is very clear and effective. I used last week's Mojo Monday challenge as a layout base. However, a new challenge has been posted, so I won't post the sketch here. The under panel is designer paper stamped with mittens from Rogue Redhead's Candy Kisses stamp set. The background is designer paper from my stash. I am trying to use more designer paper in my work. Sometimes I even remember to do so.

My card will be entered into these challenges: SweetStamps -- winter blues; Tuesday Throwdown -- stripes; Frilly and Funkie -- warmth of winter; and Mark's finest Papers Thursday color challenge -- shades of blue.

This Day

Wow, it's been ages since I played with the Bloggers Challenge. My long hospital stayed sure played havoc with my art creation. However, this week the challenge is quotes and here is my card. One thing about the time I spent in the hospital -- I had lots of time to think. My New Year resolution is to appreciate life a lot more and to be more aware of my health. This quote by Goethe says it all.

I based my layout on the Mojo Monday sketch challenge 327. I started with a background of designer paper. The quote is done in the chalkboard technique from Tim Holtz. The flowers and leaves are Cheery Lynn die cuts. I added a ribbon of lace.
I am also entering my card in these additional challenges: Word Art Wednesday which is anything goes; Friends of Speedy (MFP) which is New Year's resolution; Simple Salutations (MFP) which is a sentiment plus black/white; and Frilly & Funkie which is New Year's resolutions.

Dare

Today I am sharing an ATC. I love this size (2 1/2 " by 3 1/2 ") format. I used to create so many ATC's, but I've kind of gotten away from making them. So, today's project was a lot of fun. I decided to give it a masculine flair. My background uses the wrinkle free distress stains technique. I highlighted the background with a stencil using distress ink. The dapper gentleman is a stamp from SweetStamps. The sentiments are from Tim Holtz as is the moustache.
I am entering my ATC into two challenges. SweetStamps has an ATC challenge. Frilly and Funkie has an anything goes challenge.

Autumn Leaves

It's been a long time since I've been able to blog. My computer hard drive crashed. Yes, the dreaded crash. Fortunately, I did have a lot of my stuff backed up, but of course, not everything was saved. I got a new computer, but it has Windows 8. Now, there's a whole new learning curve! I really wish that Microsoft would stop trying to tell me what I want and need, instead of me telling the computer. 
But now, back to my challenge card. This week the Blogger's Challenge is backgrounds (one of my favorite challenges). My layout is based on the Mojo Monday challenge sketch. To make my background, I started with a brown panel. I used one of my recently received stencils with yellow pan pastels. The leaves were die cut using paper from one of Tim's paper stash pads with a Tim Holtz/Sizzix die  and then inked with distress ink. I thought that the sentiment (Club Scrap) was so cool and very appropriate.
I am also entering my card into these challenges: Tuesday Throwdown has an anything goes challenge. Word Art Wednesday is always anything goes with an appropriate sentiment. Creative Belli is a color challenge looking for red, yellow, and orange. The Frilly and Funkie challenge  is also anything goes. The Artistic Stamper challenge has an autumn theme. Great Impressions is asking for fall colors.

All Packed and Ready to Go

Have packed suitcase, will travel. The top image shows the suitcase closed, with lots of travel stickers on it. When you open the suitcase, the clothes are all packed and ready to go. There's a bit of a story to my card. I started with kraft cardstock and cut out the suitcase using the Tim Holtz die. I made a second cut to cut out the trim. The travel stickers are pieces of scraps which I stamped using Stampsmith stamps. Of course the suitcase had to have lining inside. Once the suitcase was assembled, I started packing. For the clothing, I used the Stampsmith vintage paper doll set. I stamped the clothing pieces and parts of the two dolls on designer paper. I cut out the clothing pieces from the stamped images and highlighted parts with distress marker.

My card is being entered into several challenges. At Stampsmith the challenge is world traveller. Mark's Finest Paper Simple Salutations challenge is girl things. Frilly & Funkie has the challenge theme, my steamer trunk. Inspiration Journal's challenge is summer vacation. (While I actually spent my summer babysitting for grandchildren, a trip to Paris, or anywhere, would have been a wonderful adventure.)

Featuring London

I love it when I have some creative time for myself and things come together. I started this card with the sketch from Mojo Monday and three sets of London stamps from Artistic Outpost (London Elements, London Underground, and Loverly London). I wanted something eyecatching for my background. When I found this piece of copper, I decided to use one of my favorite techniques of embossing the metal and highlighting it with Staz-on ink. I stamped the images on white cardstock and cut them into the circle shapes. The bird is popped up using a foam dot.
I am entering this card into several challenges. The Artistic Outpost monthly challenge is anything goes. Simon Says Stamp and Show has metal-ology as its theme. Three Muses has the theme of time to time. Fashionable Stamping wants to see a bird. Frilly & Funkie has the theme layer it on and share a word (London).

Queen of Hearts

I went quite a ways off my comfort zone when I created my Queen of Hearts. My background is grungeboard die cut into a heart shape. I then used picket fence and pewter stains to color the heart. It actually is very silvery (the lighting today was very poor.) I embossed the heart for texture. The queen is actually an angel die cut, but I thought that she looked very queenly without the wings. On the right is a diecut heart with one of Tim Holtz's sayings stamped on it. "The heart has its reasons of which reason knows nothing. On the left are two diecut and rolled flowers. I think these are really cool flowers. The heart background is bordered in lace and stands on a diecut easel.
The queen is being entered into Bloggers Challenge with the theme of cut it out; into Creative Belli with the theme of Valentines/hearts; into Frilly and Funkie with the theme of lacy, heartsy Valentine project; and of course, into the Quietfire Queen of Hearts Challenge.

Spread Your Wings

My card uses the current Mojo Monday sketch as its layout. The challenge at Frilly and Funkie is to follow your muse. One thing my muse is encouraging me to do is to break away from my usual. This card uses several patterns of Graphic 45 design paper. I love paper, but I don't use the design pattern paper a lot in my art.  Since the Sunday challenge at Ink on my Fingers is come fly with me, this winged fairy paper was a perfect way  to begin. I think the sentiment (Dylusions) works well both for the card and for my muse's push.