Diva Inspiration with Altenew

Hello Diva friends - I'm part of the last of the month inspiration at Die Cut Divas. Our August challenge with Altenew and watercoloring ends today at 9pm Pacific time. There's still time to play along!!

Here's my inspiration card:

Supplies: Paper - DCWV Ms Sparkle A2 card;

Strathmore 140lb Watercolor Paper

Stamps - Altenew Book Club;

Sunny Studio Inside Greetings Birthday

Dies - Altenew Book Club;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop

Other - CZ Design Sentiment Strips Reverse Christmas; 

Distress Reinkers - Festive Berries, Tumbled Glass, Lucky Clover, 

Peeled Paint, Worn Lipstick

Parklane (JoAnn's brand) gems

Thanks to Arlene for sending me a stamped/die cut bookplate - love this image and it was so fun to watercolor!! I popped it atop another piece of the print I had made for my August 21st card. I had watercolored one of the rose layers, as well as leafy ones, on this piece. It also got a spritz from my bottle of green reinker/water/perfect pearl mist I had made years ago (still good!!).

The Happy sentiment strip came from a Christmas packet that includes words Merry and Happy to go along with Christmas, depending on what side of the pond you live. I simply put all the Happys with the birthday sentiment strips! I stamped the birthday from a cute Sunny Studio set - love the font on that one! Added some gems - done!

Please check at Die Cut Divas tomorrow for another challenge and then on September 3rd for the winner of our August challenge ($20 gift card courtesy of Altenew).

Thanks for stopping!

Red poinsettia on pink mini slimline

Hey crafty friends - Happy Monday, at least where I am in the world! Hope I'm not stretching the inspiration photo for the current Christmas Kickstart challenge but I was inspired to combine many elements, none too obvious, for my card. This is my third and final entry.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Hero Arts pine;

Momenta watercolor print; Paper Studio Holiday

Dies - Hero Arts Paper Layering Poinsettia;

A Jillian Vance Design Mini Slimline Backdrop Set;

My Favorite Things Blueprints 21 (retired);

retired alphabet, Taylored Expression, I think

Other - Park Lane gems;

CZ Designs Sentiment Strips Reverse Christmas

I spotted some pink ornaments on the tree so was inspired to use a pink background. The rich red in the striped packages directed me to a red poinsettia. I used the green from the tree banner for my circles (inspired by the hanging circles) with the pop of the white for letters. Thanks to Jo and elf Hilary for a fun challenge!!

That's it for today. I'll be back tomorrow with some last of the month inspiration for our Die Cut Diva watercoloring challenge - hope to see you in our gallery! Thanks for stopping by!!

Bee Happy Anniversary

Hey crafty friends - I'm back with an anniversary card for a friend and her hubby who love bee themed stuff. I've made them other cards with bees but I really had fun with this one!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white, Paper Studio solids

Cut & Emboss - Momenta Bee Happy

Dies - Spellbinders Hex Kaleidoscope Slimline

Stamps - Hero Arts Everyday Sayings

Other - Crystal Stickles, Stamp-on-it vellum,

Pink and Main enamel stickers,

Taylored Expressions Pineapple ink,

CZ Design Sentiment Strips Reverse Happy

Momenta (I buy at Hobby Lobby) has some fabulous cut and emboss sets with a ridiculously low price. Plus I got the Bee Happy on special 40% off when I was out shopping last month - yay! Still working off Let's Squash It's theme to emboss non paper, I embossed some golden vellum with a white panel behind for stability. Because the vellum piece was a smaller layer, some edges embossed into the white so I didn't really want to use it alone (suppose I could've trimmed it off, oh well). I simply colored the raised areas and used it behind my vellum for some interest.

The set comes with the hexagon, sentiment die, bee and some flowers - so fun. I had just rec'd my August Spellbinders kits and the Large Die has some hexagons - a bit bigger than the Momenta set but I just trimmed one of my test cuts. Thought the yellow would be fun with my gold vellum. The little Happy strip used to be Happy to be Alive - I cut the happy off of sentiments I won't use! I die cut two bees and backed the bodies with yellow and the wings with vellum, adding Stickles to the latter.

I'm adding this to Darnell's NBUS Challenge 29 since both my Bee Happy and Hex sets are getting first play today. I've already maxed out on entries to the current Let's Squash It!! Challenge but check it out if you've embossed anything unusual - you have til the 31st to play!

Thanks for stopping!

Embossing on vinyl

Hey everyone - I said I'd be back with an embossed piece of vinyl for my third & final entry to the current Let's Squash It!! challenge. Here it is:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio solids;

Sunny Studio Flirty Flowers

Vinyl - Paper Studio Bright Abstract

Embossing Folder - Sunny Studio Cable Knit

Dies - Sunny Studio Blooming Frame

Elizabeth Craft Design Small Butterfly (retired)

When I was out shopping for interesting materials to emboss, I specifically looked for leather and used it on card two**  (card one was on vellum). I'd gone to Hobby Lobby and found some gorgeous colors. They also have a large selection of vinyl, both in rolls and 12x12" sheets. Picked up this crazy abstract print in one of the latter. Embossed it adding a scrap piece of card stock for stability.

The vinyl has an adhesive backing which, when I removed it, was beautifully embossed! I used it for a bonus card.

Add'l supplies: Die - Hero Arts Nesting Oval Infinity Dies

Other - Pink and Main enamel dot

The material was tricky to adhere but the Tombow multi medium tacky glue worked perfectly, along with putting some weight on it. Same with the strip of vinyl, then the paper oval needed it to stick to the vinyl...

The loose piece of black card stock I tossed in with the vinyl also got embossed so I have a threefer!

Add'l supplies: Paper - Michael's Recollections Halloween

Stamps - Avery Elle Seasonal Simple Sentiments

Other - Park Lane gems

** Noticed that my card two for Let's Squash It!! was very similar to card one - sorry about that! Not to worry, the post for card two also contained a second card with another piece of embossed leather and a totally different design. And if that wasn't enough, I remodeled card two after posting it! I added some thin frames from Honey Bee for a more graphic look. What do you think of the update?

Thanks to Gail and Jo, plus guest Jane, for all the fun embossing uncommon materials this month!!

Thanks to you for stopping by - wishing you a crafty day!

Flower Bouquet for an Anniversary

Hey crafty friends - when my friend Rosemary (Hey There .... Rosigrl!) posted this beauty with a Hero Arts floral bouquet, I realized I hadn't shared the card I made on 8/15 with that image! Here's my version:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Momenta watercolor print

Stamps - Hero Arts Togetherness Flower Bouquet &

Everyday Sayings

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Mini Slimline Backdrop Set;

Hero Arts Togetherness Bouquet Frame Cuts;

Kat Scrappiness Mini Slimline Diamond Wire and Woodgrain Frame

Other - Copic Markers, foam tape

I made a mini slimline with white card stock then added a panel of rainbow blended patterned paper cut with an AJVD dot stitched rectangle. The black trellis layer came from my sister Diva Arlene (A Bit of This and That) - thanks again, Arlene!! I stamped, die cut & colored the bouquet with Copic Markers and added a few die cut leaves behind (from unknown - found in my bits box). My die cutting on the bouquet went a bit wonky so I trimmed the excess border on some areas. The sentiment comes from a 2010 Hero Arts set that continues to be available - it's in my "favorites" box in the crafty stash for all the occasions it covers. Love, love, love it!!

This card went to my dear friend-like-a-sister, Connie & her hubby who celebrated last Friday. I'd add it to Watercooler Wednesday but I've already hit the limit of 3 for their All Occasions Challenge which ends later today. But it does fit the current The Flower Challenge where I don't think I've played before. I see their sponsor is Rachel Vass who has sponsored us at Die Cut Divas - love her floral images!!

That's it for now - hope you have a crafty day!!

More CAS ornaments

How's your weekend going? I've been working on my Christmas cards & getting a bunch done. I thought I'd skate in with another entry for the current CAS Christmas Card Challenge with Decorations as the theme.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Tim Holtz kraft metallic;

Hero Arts Foliage Layering Paper (retired);

Paper Studio Holiday and green A2 card

Dies - Birch Press Design Ornament Basics &

Flicker Ornament Layer Set;

Sunny Studio Quad Window Circle (flowers)

Other - clear gems; foam tape;

CZ Designs Sentiment Strips Reverse Christmas

This is a similar design to my previous entry but I left off the bow and the sentiment landed below the ornament as Marcia did with her beautiful stenciled Radiant ornament. The green portion on my ornament is actually the leftover piece from cutting Flicker Layer A. I simply added it to a plain ornament diecut and popped the flowers atop. So quick & easy - very fun to put together! Here are a couple more with the same design:

Card at left only has Flicker Layer C (cut in glitter paper) atop a plain ornament cut in a soft variegated green. The card at right has all three layers.

That's it for today - thanks for stopping!

A Garden Pick Thank You

Hey there - I'm sharing today's card for inspiration at Die Cut Divas. You can find the supply list and card details below, plus a bonus card! We have Altenew as this month's fabulous sponsor with watercoloring as our theme.

Supplies: Paper - DCWV Ms Sparkle A2 card;

Strathmore 140lb Watercolor Paper (wcp)

Dies - Altenew Garden Picks 3D Die Set;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop

Other - Distress Reinkers - Worn Lipstick, Festive Berries

Squeezed Lemonade, Lucky Clover & Shabby Shutters;

Simon Say Stamp Sentiment Strips Thanks; foam tape;

Parklane (JoAnn's brand) gems

For this one, I simply watercolored an Altenew flower and some leaves (die cut from Strathmore wcp), using a large piece of Strathmore wcp as a work surface. Kathy from The Daily Marker calls this print-making coloring. So fun! I used Distress Reinkers - so easy to use full strength & mixed with water too! I also have some mini-misters filled with reinker/water & Perfect Pearls - gave the background a hefty spritz with a green one. I die cut part of my print with a stitched rectangle & adhered to a card. Added a sentiment strip, plus the assembled die cut flower & leaves - done! The flower has 6 layers and the littlest ones are a bit fiddly but I love, love, love this die set!! You can see a fave of mine from last year using the print-making coloring technique HERE, if interested.

Here's my bonus card:

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Dove A2 card;

Strathmore 140lb Cold Press watercolor paper (wcp)

Stamp - Altenew Poppy Arrangement 

Die - Altenew Poppy Arrangement

Stencil - Memory Box Diamond Texture (retired)

Inks - Tumbled Glass & Tea Dye Distress;

Taylored Expressions Salt Water Taffy

Other - Distress Reinkers - same as above;

Simon Say Stamp Sentiment Strips Thanks; foam tape

I stamped the poppies on watercolor paper and painted them using Distress Reinkers & a little water. Die cut them with the coordinating die. I held them above a top fold A2 card to eyeball placement. Blended Tumbled Glass onto the card and then stenciled some diamond texture where I knew it would show beyond the poppies. Adhered the poppies with glue on bottom half and foam tape on upper. Added a sentiment strip - done! I definitely need more practice watercoloring but I enjoy it!

I hope you were inspired to join our August Challenge at Die Cut Divas. You can use Altenew products but it's not required. However, you must use a die cut or embossing folder and watercoloring. The challenge ends at 9pm Pacific Time on August 31st so there's still plenty of time.

Thanks for stopping and have a Die Cut Diva Day!!

A Dachshund Twofer

Yikes - I'm back with another Twofer! I can't seem to get enough of the 41st & final challenge!! This time I played with a freebie die Simon Says Stamp sent me - a cute little dachshund, perfect for the Twofer Card Challenge Dog/Cat. I'll also add at NBUS Challenge 29 since Mr. Dachshund is getting his first outing today!

I previously made two sets of cards featuring kitties for the final Twofer so thought it was time to give dogs their due. Here's a closer look with supply list:

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders 8/2021 card kit,

Doodlebug, Lawn Fawn, Neenah

Dies - Simon Say Stamp Lil' Critters: Dachshund;

Honey Bee Bitty Buzzwords

Stamps - Penny Black Birthday Party

Other - Copic Markers, Stickles,

CZ Design Sentiment Strips Reverse Happy

Thanks again to my friend Jean (Right as Rain) who sent me a big box of crafty items she didn't need anymore, including the PB Birthday Party stamp set. I'll use everything eventually but it'll take quite a while!! I thought this cute mouse decorating a cake would be fun with the dachshund looking on. I created a boxy table with some strips of woodgrain paper, then fussy cut the cake image to sit on top, colored with Copics and added Stickles to the candle flames. I cut the dog in white and then cut again with a piece of Lawn Fawn bokeh that gave him a spotted look.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white,

Paper studio brights & kraft, Ms Sparkle A2 card,

Momenta watercolor print, Stamp-on-it vellum

Dies - Simon Say Stamp Lil' Critters: Dachshund;

Honey Bee Bitty Buzzwords;

Taylored Expressions Birch Tree Cutting Plate;

Lawn Fawn Grassy Border

Stamps - Hero Arts Let's Chill (retired);

Spellbinders August 2021 card kit (friend)

Other - Copic Markers, wiggle eye,

Hero Arts clear lacquer

If you see a shadow on the birch trees, yes - I cut one in kraft to add offset behind, plus the white is stacked twice. I gave the grass two offset layers too. The birdie is from the same set I used for the fish on my second kitty Twofer. I thought she'd be cute in the trees with Mr. Dachshund saying hello!

That's it for today! Many thanks to Darnell for hosting Twofer all these years and to her great team too!!

Thanks for stopping!

More Twofer Kitties!

Hi all - I didn't need Darnell's reminder about Twofer Challenge 41 - I'd already started my second pair! Twofer takes a final bow this month so I had to play a second time!! Go here if you missed my first pair of kitty cards. Darnell chose the theme of Dogs/Cats for her final challenge - yay!

I shopped at JoAnn's last week and found stamping supplies 30% off. Picked up a darling kitty in a teacup set thinking the kitty could be popping out of something else for a second card. Considered a box, peeking out from foliage (Darnell did it brilliantly here btw), etc. before settling on a window. Here's a closer look with supply list:

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders white A2 card;

Paper studio black, Neenah white;

various patterned papers

Stamps - Hero Arts Kit-tea Stamp & Cut,

All Occasion Msgs, It's All Good, & Let's Chill (all retired)

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 32

Other - Memento Tuxedo Black ink,

Copic Markers, foam tape

My thoughts went first to designing the card with the brown kitty I'd cut off its teacup. I had an MFT rectangle that I thought looked like a window so cut it & added kitty, then a backing & mat layer. The patterned papers were loose ones so I don't know their original sets - all I know is, I'm going to have to find different ones for an upcoming Die Cut Diva project. Oops! 

What to do with the rest of the window? Then it hit me - thought bubble with a fish in it & a "thinking of you" sentiment. I considered the fish in a bowl that I used for my previous Twofer but ended up with a free swimming fish from a tropical stamp set. So fun! The thought bubble came from a 2013 Hero Arts set - no dies for it so I fussy cut.

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders white A2 card;

Paper studio black, Neenah white;

Lawn Fawn Gotta Have Gingham 6x6

Stamps - Hero Arts Kit-tea Stamp & Cut,

Birthday Messages (retired)

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 18

Other - Memento Tuxedo Black ink,

Copic Markers, foam tape

I decided to make card two quick & easy. Simply added a gingham "tablecloth" to a white card, popped the kitty cup on top & added a sentiment - done! The inside of this card has a puny sentiments from the set - "Have a tea-rific birthday". The sentiment flag was let over from the "kits" my sister asked me to make up for her. She had fun putting the cards together on Sunday but I totally forgot to take any photos - oh well...

Since my kitty got first play here, I'm adding the thinking of you card to Darnell's NBUS Challenge 29. I have one last entry available at Watercooler Wednesday's All About Occasions so I'll add the birthday card there.

Thanks for stopping and happy crafting!!

 

Waffle Flower Irises

Hey crafty friends - I'm here with an anniversary card for my cousin & her hubby. Spotted Darnell's post linking to the current Waffle Flower Challenge where she's a Guest Designer/Co-host. I just had to play along!!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah White;

Momenta Watercolor Print

Stamps - Waffle Flower Iris You 

Dies - Iris You & Vine Frame Die

Other - Copic Markers, upcycled ribbon,

foam tape; Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Not sure how unexpected my project is but I put a flower bouquet atop a leafy frame - wouldn't normally use the bouquet this way without the challenge! Too much? Would love your opinion! Also, I flipped the die, using the banner at the top, rather than the bottom as Waffle Flower shows it.

We were also to go to our crafty stash and find something unused for a while. Full disclosure - I have used ribbon this year - about 4 times. But not this solid grossgrain ribbon that you'd find on a little girl's dress - it's so pretty and I have various bits that people give me from package wrappings & such to upcycle. Used some way back in January just to close a trifold card. So hopefully that's rarely enough!

I had fun with the Iris You stamps and dies & the Vine Frame Die by Waffle Flower. It took a while to inlay the bits in the vine but I kept reminding myself that it's relaxing - ha, ha. My Waffle Flower stash is limited but building! I just got both of these fabulous sets yesterday at my LSS, Anchor Paper Express. Because they're new, I'll also enter my card to Darnell's current NBUS Challenge 29. And since this is for an occasion, I'll enter the All About Occasions Challenge at Watercooler Wednesday.

** Update - was finishing off the inside and thought I'd share. I took the vine frame I'd cut for the inlay pieces, trimmed off the banner portion and used the remainder to trail around my sentiment! I can see many uses for this vine diecut in this version.

Stamp - Taylored Expressions

The Inside Scoop Anniversary

Thanks for stopping and thanks to Darnell for introducing me to the Waffle Flower Challenge!!

Boo Hoo - the final Twofer Challenge!

Hey friends - Darnell will close her Twofer Card Challenge after this month - sad, but understandable! So much work goes into a challenge blog and I've appreciated Darnell and her team these past four years!! Yes, I was there for Challenge 1 with my Feather cards and for many (sadly not all) subsequent challenges. I close my Twofer Chapter with this pair for Challenge 41 the Final Challenge to use a dog or a cat image:

And yes, I'm a cat lady!! I used the chunky kitty from an old Hero Arts stamp set as my common item. Here's a closer look at each card with supply list:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah White;

Paper Studio navy A2 card

Stamps - Hero Arts I Love My Cat, Frosty Wishes & 

Create your own Snowman (all retired)

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 13 (retired);

Kat Scrappiness Crafters Essentials Winter;

Dies to match snowman set

Other - Copic Markers; Hero Arts inks;

Tim Holtz Prize Ribbon Distress Ink;

Taylored Expressions Salt Water Taffy

Supplies: Paper - Neenah White; Paper Studio black;

Poppystamps freebie dotted

Stamps - Hero Arts I Love My Cat (retired) &

Everyday Sayings

Dies - Taylored Expressions Mini Slim Square Window Cutting Plate

Other - Copic Markers; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Had to laugh - those kitty paw prints look more like a wolf's but they were the only ones in kitty set! I saved the pieces cut out of the windows to make another poinsettia card like the second one on this post if you missed it. The fish bowl just had the fish in it but I added some "seaweed".

If you're still with me, I had to include another photo of my kitty niece Misty. She visited me for a couple weeks this summer and was very "helpful" with card making!

Misty has her eye on those little strips of white paper which she later pawed off the craft mat. Then she discovered the plastic cover to the scissors and she batted it off the table. She played with scissors cover for several minutes (I took video) before she went off for a nap - so entertaining!! Times like that I miss my two kitties who've been gone for over 10 years - time flies! One liked paper and the other liked ribbon when it came to crafty "help".

I'm adding my snowman card to the current Watercooler Wednesday All Occasions Challenge. I'm adding the kitty duo with fishbowl card to the current Sweet Stampin' Challenge to feature an animal.

Thanks for stopping and thanks again to all for fun challenges!!

 

Embossed leather floral

Hey there - I rarely post twice in the same day but I was inspired for Let's Squash It!! Challenge 11 to try embossing leather as Gail (Crafty Nomad) did in this post!!

After making my earlier card with embossed vellum, I went on my usual Target run for a Starbucks and some essentials. Our local Hobby Lobby resides in the next strip mall over so I headed there to look at their leather. Much of it was very thick and inappropriate for my idea, then I spotted this thin, gorgeous lime green stuff! I had so much fun with the Altenew 3D embossing folder earlier that I had to try it in leather. Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio black

Leather -  Hobby Lobby Asst Leather Bright Solids/Naturals

Embossing folder - Altenew Decorative Florals 3D

Dies - Whimsy Stamps Wonky Stitched Rectangles

Other - SSS sentiment strips

First I die cut a wonky rectangle from a leather strip trimmed off the large sheet. Next I embossed it with the Altenew ef & glued to my card. Popped on some sentiment strips - done! Do I ever love this card and it's no thicker than it would be with heavyweight card stock. Hobby Lobby had some other colors of this leather so I'm thinking my future holds a return visit!!

Here's a bonus card that I'm not entering at LSI because the limit is 3 and I've got some cool vinyl I'll try for my 3rd entry.

Supplies: Paper - Lawn Fawn plaid;

Paper Studio pink & black; Crate Paper Pretty Party

Leather -  Hobby Lobby Asst Leather Bright Solids/Naturals

Dies - Whimsy Stamps Wonky Rectangles;

Hero Arts Birthday Stamp and Cut;

Spellbinders Floral Oval (retired);

A Jillian Vance Design Mini Slim Backdrop Set

Sunny Studio Botanical Backdrop Die

Embossing Folder - Sunny Studio Cable Knit

Other - Honey Bee gems

I die cut & embossed this leather panel as a trial piece. The embossing folder I used is not a 3D one so you can see the detail is much softer but still present and lovely. The cable knit reminds me of leaves for some reason so I popped a flower onto it. I have a pile of Spellbinders and Sunny Studio flower pieces laying around, leftover from making "kits" for my sister Tami. She wants to make cards with me but requested pieces to be cut out for her already - she calls them kits. We'll be doing cards with kits on Sunday....

Well, I'd better get something done around the house today. Thanks for visiting - again!!

Embossed vellum

Hello crafty friends - hope your day is going well. I typically start the morning with breakfast at my laptop visiting my friends' blogs. Today I got busy on a card for an upcoming Die Cut Diva challenge (no hints - sorry) and forgot all about breakfast until that card was done!! 

Once in front of the laptop with my Cheerios I spotted Gail's Crafty Nomad post with inspiration for Let's Squash It !! (which is much further down the alphabetical blog list). Quickly finished breakfast and off I went. I made this simple card for August's Let's Squash It!! Challenge 11 - Not Paper, Not Card:

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Dove A2 card; Paper Studio black

Embossing folder - Altenew Decorative Florals 3D

Vellum - Stamp On It Irridescent Mix (sadly retired)

Other - Copic Markers (greys, golds and V05);

CZ Design Sentiment Strips Reverse Happy

Hi I'm Linda & I am a Paper Hoarder!! I have this lovely coverweight vellum purchased at a stamp expo many years ago and I use it sparingly, especially now that it's retired. Luckily I knew right where to find it in my stash - it works perfectly with embossing folders, giving a crisp image with little tearing. The piece I chose has a pale silver sheen to it - so beautiful. I embossed with the Altenew ef and added some Copics to the back. Glued to a black mat. Oops, some of my glue wasn't hidden good enough and showed through as grey. I took some grey Copics and tried shading it on top of the vellum. Looks much better in real life than in the photo (maybe I'm kidding myself...). I also applied a little more gold to the top of the vellum flower centers - done! Makes an elegant wedding card, I think.

The vellum pack contains assorted colors, including a gorgeous gold so I'm sure to be back with another card for this fun challenge. The vellum was a handy choice but I'd like to look around for some other mediums to try. How about you - what would you emboss if not paper or card?

Thanks for stopping!!