Diva Tic-Tac-Toe final day!!

Hey crafty friends - I'm part of the end of month team at Die Cut Divas where we're playing tic-tac-toe with products from our May sponsor, CAS-ual Fridays. Especially note Arlene's beautiful birthday card - I was the lucky recipient!! Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - BoBunny; Paper Studio

Dies - CAS-ual Fridays Merry Christmas;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle

Other - Crystal Stickles; wooden shape from Target;

clear enamel dots; Black Soot Distress Ink

Here's the grid we're using:

I used the top row because I wanted to emboss using a CF die. Since it was a Christmas die, picking the  row with red made total sense! To make it stand out even more, I carefully traced the embossing with Stickles. For my uneven edge, I simply tore the designer paper and sponged some Distress Ink on it. Added embellishments - done. I've been hording my package of the little wooden reindeer, bought years ago in the Target Hot Spot - only $3!! They don't seem to have as many fun crafty items they used to, darn it!

Hope to see your card in the gallery - you have until 9p Pacific Time on May 31st to upload at our linky HERE. Thanks to CAS-ual Fridays for a fun month and for the $20 prize; we'll award it on June 3rd by random draw from May entries.

Happy crafting & thanks for stopping!! Check back at Die Cut Divas tomorrow for another challenge with a new sponsor.

Smile!

Hey there crafty friends - I'm the featured designer today at Die Cut Divas!! We're doing Tic-Tac-Toe with our fabulous sponsor CAS-ual Fridays. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Ms Sparkle & Co A2 card;

Momenta Watercolor & Gemstone prints;

Paper Studio glitter; Neenah white

Stamps/Dies - CAS-ual Fridays Sassy Smiles Duo 

& Flower Duo;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop

Stencil - CAS-ual Fridays Tin Roof

Other - Wilted Violet Distress Ink;

Taylored Expressions Oreo Ink; Michael's gem

Here's the grid we're using:

I went with the middle horizontal row: Yellow/Friendship/Glitter because I definitely wanted glitter and my new Sassy Smiles set had the perfect friendship sentiment. If you know me, you know I love stamp & cut sets. CAS-uals Fridays came out with some fabulous new ones and I bought 3!! You'll see more in upcoming posts...

I've seen many tin roof style crafty items but this CF stencil really caught my eye. I applied Distress ink unevenly over a piece of gemstone paper (from Hobby Lobby - love it!!). Cut it into a stitched rectangle and stamped the text. Next I cut the SMILE in pink glitter and then cut the outline over the negative. I cut & inlaid a white one (saving the glittery one for later) and backed it with a black one. I cut a second thicker white one and popped atop the first. Next I stamped & cut a flower and leaves from the Hobby Lobby watercolor printed paper - love this too (don't ask how many pads I'm hoarding). Tucked them behind the smile label and glued above the stamped sentiment. Adhered to A2 card. Done!!

And here's a second card using the spare glittery SMILE (with no tic-tac-toe in mind):

Supplies: Paper - Momenta watercolor print;

Paper Studio blue & glitter; Neenah white

Dies - CAS-ual Fridays Sassy Smiles Duo;

My Favorite Things Blueprints 26 (retired)

Stamps - Hero Arts CM136 Birthday Messages

Other - Rustic Wilderness Distress Ink

I used the white negative from card one's SMILE as a stencil to ink it onto a green watercolor print. Next I cut it with the outline die and then popped the glittery SMILE offset on top. The set comes with a bitty heart, star & flower die - so cute - and I used a heart for the I's dot. I die cut an MFT balloon from the pink page of the watercolor print paper and added the SMILE label. Die cut the bow and string from pink glitter paper & stamped It's Your Birthday on a white strip and hand cut flag ends. The Hero Arts stamped sentiment actually says It's Your Birthday on one line and Treat Yourself on the second line. I did some surgery to snip them apart since I liked the size and font on line one & didn't want line two in the way :) This is a mini-slimline 3.5x6" which seemed the perfect size for my elements. Very CAS for me but I like it!

I hope card one gives you some inspiration to play along with the Divas! We'd love to see your cards in the gallery!! Deadline 5/31 at 9 pm Pacific Time. No need to use sponsor products but you must include a die cut or embossing folder in your design, along with a tic-tac-toe column.

Thanks for stopping & have a crafty day!!

Squashed with Space and Bling!

Happy almost the weekend - yay!! I'm here with a card for the current Let's Squash It!! challenge to use an embossing folder but include space and bling too. Fun, eh?!

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts, BoBunny, & Paper Studio

Cut and Emboss Folder - DoCrafts Xcut Rose Border

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle

Stamps - CAS-ual Fridays Flower Duo;

Taylored Expressions Linen Background

Shaker elements - Sunny Studio and Darice

Other - Copic Markers; SSS sentiment strips

I first cut the stitched rectangle and then embossed it. Rubbed ink on the raised parts to get more texture, then stamped the linen in the corner with a lighter ink. Decided to make a shaker so backed it with acetate, added foam tape and shaker elements (the bling is in there), then the patterned background panel. Added to an A2 card. The bitty hearts were open and my foam tape showed on some so I cut a gold panel and inlaid the hearts. Why is the acetate cloudy, you ask... Well, there was static despite my use of a powder pouch. Tossed in some baby powder and it coated the acetate; barely helped with the static too, oh well...

Since I had the gold panel, I added it to an ivory card with an anniversary sentiment for a second card:

Sorry for the bad photo - I tried hard not to get glare off the metallic cardstock. Love how it embossed though!! Sentiment die is from Creative Expressions.

That's it for today, friends! I hope you'll stop back tomorrow when I'll be sharing at Die Cut Divas with more items from CAS-ual Fridays.

Santa and Friends!

Hey crafty friends - it's been a while!! I managed some crafty time yesterday and today to work on a card for the current Christmas Kickstart challenge (#50 Santa and Friends). 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White; Paper Studio kraft and red

Stamps - Taylored Expressions Santa and Friends (with dies);

Hero Arts Let the Angels Sing (sentiment - retired)

Dies - Kat Scrappiness Crafters Essentials Winter;

Cottage Cutz Reindeer Barn

Other - Copic Markers; Hero Arts Lacquer; 

Stickles; Wobble Spring; star gem

I was ordering some stuff from Taylored Expressions when Jo announced the Santa and Friends challenge at Kickstart. Found a cute Santa, elf, and reindeer set designed for wobble springs so I ordered it. Only put the wobble on the reindeer head for this card. All heads and bodies in the stamp set are separate so you can do wobbles on any. I thought Rudolph would be cute with his head popping out of the reindeer barn (used on this Merry Monday card from 2018). You can better see the RUDOLPH door on that card...

That's it for now. Thanks for visiting!!

Mini Slimline Frame Thank You

Hey crafty friends - I was enabled again by the talented Rosemary (Hey There....Rosigrl!) to get another A Jillian Vance Design (AJVD) die. This time it was the Mini Slimline Frame Die Set. You can see Rosemary's gorgeous card with it HERE.

When I checked the product page at AJVD, Jillian shared a video about using regular slimline coverplates behind the mini slimline frame. Such fun, so I promptly ordered the frame. I already owned a suggested slimline coverplate to put behind it. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Momenta Watercolor & Gemstone Prints;

Neenah White; Paper Studio Brights

Dies - AJVD Mini Slimline Frame Die Set &

Slimline Stitched Plaid Coverplate Die;

Sunny Studio Botanical Backdrop;

Hero Arts Autumn Bouquet;

Poppystamps Fern and Daisy Pop up Easel Set

Other - Simon Says Stamp Thanks Sentiment Strips;

Studio G black gem

I die cut the frame in a green watercolor print and the coverplate in an aqua-ish gemstone print. Layered them and backed in a rainbow piece of watercolor print. Layered a flower from bits I had die cut earlier and added a leafy stem. Quick and easy!

I'm adding this to Darnell's NBUS Challenge since my frame die is new. And to Watercooler Wednesday for Marsha's challenge All Things Feminine.

Thanks for stopping - hope you're enjoying the week!!

 

Happy Mother's Day!!

Happy Mother's Day to all celebrating!!

Just popping in with a quick trio of Mother's Day cards. Lacking time, I changed up the colors and a few details but kept to the same design. These went to my mom, her sister (my second mom) and the Queen Mum - my former lead singer's mom & our quartet (retired now) coach.

Supplies: Paper - Momenta Watercolor Prints;

Paper Studio A2 cards & black cardstock

Stamps - Hero Arts Celebrate Everyday

Dies - Sunny Studio Botanical Backdrop

Other - Michaels gems

I'm celebrating with my parents - our typical Sunday of take-out Chinese food. Hope you have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping!!

April Card Chain Reveal

May 2nd already - before you know it Memorial Day will arrive!! It's time to reveal the cards that went round the world for the Card Chain Challenge - you can see the entire chain of 30 HERE. I sent this card to the amazing Robyn (Waterlily Cards by Robyn) in Australia. Sadly, she hasn't received it yet - sorry for going ahead and publishing... ** UPDATE ** Robyn recd my card May 12th - yay!!

Supplies: Paper - Lawn Fawn Watercolor Wishes;

Paper Studio solids; Ms Sparkle & Co pastel woodgrain

Stamps - Hero Arts Scribble Bold Prints (retired) &

Color Layering Water Lilies (sentiment, retired)

Dies - LDRS Creative Slimline Corner Scallop Die Set

Embossing Folder - Darice Woodgrain

Distress Inks - Walnut Stain, Peacock Feathers 

& Rustic Wilderness

Once again I used the colors and sketch, plus the theme of friendship. 

I was pretty literal in using the sketch but I added some stamped texture to the pale lavender background panel. I combined two inks to get the "jade" color I desired on the scribble background which I cut into the strips. I embossed the strip behind the flower for some additional texture, then kept the rest simple. For overseas mail it's all about keeping it light and low on layers!!

I received this cutie from the delightful, cat loving Janis (Her Peaceful Garden) in Idaho USA:

Nary a cat on it but Janis also sent a kitty embossing folder - her gift to a random winner (me, me, me!) at Let's Squash It!! Thanks for the ef, Janis, and the extra die cut bits too!! Thought I'd share the card I made with the ef to thank her:

The embossing folder is Cats by Darice. Can't remember where I got the cute little paw print tag...

If you'd like to sign up for May's Card Chain, you have until May 6th HERE. You make and send one card and get a handmade card from the next person in the chain - always a joy!