Some Ombré Cards

Hey there - hope you're having a great week! Last night I watched Card Chaos Episode #32 where Irene Smith and a guest took turns making a card in 15 minutes. The theme was ombré & I had to play along! Here's my first card - made it in just under 15:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio pastel A2 card

Stamps w/dies - Inky Stamper Dragonfly & Butterfly;

Stamps - Spellbinders 2024 Advent Calendar Day 2

Dies - Hero Arts Tag Frames Infinity Dies

Other - foam tape; Copic Markers;

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink;

Broken China & Faded Jeans Distress Inks

I started with a pale blue A2 card and applied a medium and a darker blue ink to form an ombré background. I already had the dragonfly and butterfly stamped in the stash. Same with the sentiment label which, by the way, is from the 2024 Spellbinders Advent calendar. I'm making each daily item from 12/2024 during February & had stamped it earlier in the day yesterday. I'm really trying to use that NBUS!! The bugs are also used for the first time here.

I colored the previously stamped images very quickly since I was under the time crunch. After deciding where the bugs would go, I stamped the dashed trails & popped the bugs onto the card with foam tape, then added the sentiment.

Card two went a lot quicker:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card; scraps

Stamps - Hero Arts CL402 Valentine Sayings (retired)

Stencil - TCW Texture Love (retired)

Dies - Hero Arts Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies;

Poppystamps Vintage Scalloped Heart

(retired at PS but still HERE at Frantic Stamper)

Other - foam tape; Worn Lipstick, Barn Door 

& Fired Brick Distress Inks; EKSuccess puffy hearts

For this one, I started with a pink ombré card base, then stenciled over it with ombré reds. Next I die cut an ombré pink heart and a dark pink scalloped heart and layered them. Stamped the sentiment in red and added some red puffy hearts. Popped the heart onto the card with foam tape and trimmed the overhang. Only took 10 minutes to create!

Card one will go Darnell's February NBUS Challenge #83 & also followed her IDEAS project (I for inks this week) since I made the inky background. Card two was made with Color Hues Challenge #126 in mind - Red and Pink.

That's it for today. Thanks for visiting and have a crafty day!!

A Bee Pair for an Anniversary!

Hi everyone - hope you're having a great week! For Darnell's IDEAS program this week, it's D for Dies. I went all in with a mostly die cut creation!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Authentique (collection name unk); scraps

Stamps - Hero Arts Bring on the Merry (retired)

Dies - Birch Press Design Large Cosmos Contour Layers

(retired but still HERE at Frantic Stamper) 

 & Lush Leaves Contour Layers;

Spellbinders 2024 Advent Calendar (Day 6);

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Press Plate w/dies - Spellbinders A Little Messages Sentiments

Other - Foam tape; Copics; white gel pen

I needed an anniversary card for my friend & her hubby who love bees. I'm trying to dip into more of the 2024 Advent calendar items & remembered the sweet bee die set from Day 6. I also had more Memory Box from a recent sale bundle. I die cut everything yesterday and finished assembling today; also shaded & detailed with Copics & a white gel pen. I wanted to make one bee look like a little girl so stamped and fussy cut a bow. Oh - a note on the leaves - the veins cut as negatives w/an outline, leaving the positive veins as waste. I preferred those so trimmed them and added to the solid leaves. Arranged two stitched rectangle onto a white A2 card and added the rest of the elements.

Note on the sentiment. I had one pressed with yellow ink all layered up with shadows. Decided the yellow script didn't show up well so I topped it with one pressed in black that also had a shadow layer adhered. Turned out coordinating with the bees - a happy accident!!

It's still Die Week at Just Us Girls Challenge #791 so I'm playing there for the second time.

I'll also add my card to Darnell's September NBUS #78 since the bees, flower & leaves are all newly used.

That's it for today, friends. Thanks for visiting & have a crafty day!!

Adding to Christmas Stash!

Hi everyone - hope you're having a great week! I'm popping in today with a couple of cards. First up - something for Christmas Kickstart #102 - Santa in September. I always need a vintage Santa in my stash:

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 card;

Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor;

American Crafts Christmas plaid

Stamps - Stampendous Jolly Santa

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Distress Inks; Glossy Accents; foam tape;

printed sentiment strip (SSS, I think);

Tim Holtz Christmas Snippets ephemera; 

stars are EK Success, I think

Stamped the Santa on watercolor paper and watercolored with Distress inks. Fussy cut and added to a buffalo plaid paper (yes, Betty - from our hoarded Target paper pad). Adhered the sentiment strips. What to add to finish the card? It look bare with just the Santa. Since vintage, I dug through my Tim Holtz stash and found some ephemera to add, plus some stars. Yay, that did it!! I'm not really happy with the watercoloring I did (some of the black ink smeared a bit) - oh well...

Next I have another winter wreath card, this time 4.25" square. I wanted to play along at Darnell's IDEAS - this week: Inks.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White;

scraps of silver, red glitter & green

Stamps - Recollections Mini Bows

Stamps with Dies - MFT Winter Wreath 

& Winter Songbird (retired/NIB)

Dies - Poppystamps Merry Christmas Moonlight Script

(retired but found HERE at Frantic Stamper)

Other - foam tape; Copics; Hero Arts inks

Stamped, die cut and colored the birds & wreath. Stamped, colored and fussy cut the bow. Trimmed an A2 card down to a 4.25" square and inked in from the edges, leaving the center palest. Die cut the sentiment, including a second outline in silver as a shadow. Assembled the card using foam tape on the sentiment and behind the bird heads. Sort of a lame use of inks to just ink the background but that's what I was feeling... I'll also share this card at Merry Little Christmas #64 where Anything Goes.

Two more cards for the Christmas stash - I'm up to 51 which isn't too shabby! Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a crafty week!!

Z-fold with Floral Pitcher

Welcome crafty friends! I'm here with inspiration for the Die Cut Divas August Challenge: Z-Fold Cards!! You can see my Diva post HERE, if desired; all the details, extra views and a bonus card can be found below.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Passion Flower;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

MFT Orange Sherbet & Watercolor Wash

Stamps - Altenew Fresh Bouquet

Die/Embossing Folder/Stencil - Altenew Pitcher Vases Bundle 

Die - Altenew Mix and Match Frames

Inks - Hero Arts Amethyst & TH Distress Iced Spruce

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

We're sponsored by Altenew this month; they've given us a $20 gift card for our random winner to be drawn from eligible August entries on 9/3. Thanks so much!!

I had been eying the pitcher vase combo since released and, thanks to Darnell & her 75th NBUS Challenge prize, was able to get it. It just arrived & is getting its first play here! First I die cut then embossed & stenciled this darling pitcher vase. Next I searched through my Altenew stamps - most are too large for the vase but I found a gift mini set Altenew sent me in December called Fresh Bouquet. I stamped & colored it, then trimmed some parts off to rearrange atop the vase. 

Next I formed a simple Z fold by folding back the front of an A2 card. Added mat panels to front and inside. Die cut a deckle panel to overlap the Z on the front. Masked off the bottom and ink blended some Iced Spruce to be my "table". Stamped a sentiment from the same stamp set and matted it. Assembled everything on the card. I'll add a white panel for the inside sentiment later. Here are a couple more views - standing front & top:

Thanks again to Darnell - I'll add this card to her IDEAS E for Embossing this week and to her NBUS Challenge #77 since the vase is newly used. So is the floral stamp, now that I think about it! I'll also add my card to the August We Love Stamping Challenge using the Flower Theme. My bouquet is hand stamped and colored; this is my second of three possible there.

Ready for a bonus? Skip if not! Please note - my bonus card, while a Z-fold, wouldn't work for the Diva Challenge since it doesn't have any die cuts, nor did I use an embossing folder. Kinda forgot that, so that's why it's a bonus - LOL.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Lawn Fawn Petite Watercolor Wishes;

scrap of patterned paper (brand unk)

Stamps - Altenew Little Mushroom;

magazine freebie gnome set

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

I was shopping at Barnes & Noble earlier this month and found issue 148 of Creative Stamping magazine containing a cute gnome stamp set plus the Altenew mushroom stamp set! Since we're using Altenew products this month, I decided the set should come home with me. I formed the Z-Fold same as above but this time I trimmed the front into a diagonal. Matted with patterned and watercolor wash papers. Stamped the images (gnomes are fussy cut) and colored with Copics. Stamped the sentiment & assembled. Here's a standing view:

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping and we hope to see your Z-Fold in the gallery, remembering to include a die cut & or use an embossing folder!

Happy crafting!!

Another Christmas Wreath

Hi everyone - it's the second week of the month and Darnell has some gorgeous inspiration for her D = Dies IDEAS program! I decided to combine some NBUS dies to play along and also create another card for Christmas Kickstart #101 Let's Wreath it Up! Here's my second of three possible at CKC:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card;

Doodlebug Home for the Holidays; scraps

Dies - Birch Press Design Adornment Wreath

(retired but found HERE at Frantic Stamper);

Memory Box Wreath Sprigs & Petite Poinsettias

(retired but found HERE at Frantic Stamper)

Poppystamps Grosgrain Bow (retired)

Other - Graphic 45 Merry & Bright pinecone;

printed sentiment strip (maybe SSS?)

This one involved die cutting and assembling. Very quick to put together once I'd decided what to use & how to arrange it. Since the wreath & flower dies are new, I'll also add my card to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge #77. Plus I'll play at Merry Little Christmas #63 where Anything Christmas Goes; this is my 6th of a possible 8 entries there.

Still with me? I'm also sharing my card for Craft Roulette Episode #279 which aired Friday night. I spent the weekend at a Sweet Adelines regional music camp so had to watch CR on replay yesterday, then quickly made a card.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio green A2 card;

Neenah Solar White; Doodlebug Home for the Holidays

Stamps - My Favorite Things Christmas sELFies (retired)

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Merry Rockin' Horse Bundle

(retired but found at Frantic Stamper HERE)

Dies - MFT Polaroid Shaker Frame (retired)

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape; sentiment from bits box

Host Mary had Alicia/Crafty Al (@CallMeCraftyAl) who was making her 13th solo appearance. She's also been on Craft Roulette a few times jointly with her daughter. Crafty Al is known for her Sheetload of Cards series. As usual, the wheel was spun four times for the parameters to use on our cards:

• Project - Kid's Card: I made a Christmas card with kid elements like Santa & toys.
• Colors - Theater: Used movie theater treat colors - white & yellow for popcorn and red, blue, orange, yellow, green & brown for M&Ms.
• Element - Picture(s): I used a polaroid die and added a "photo" of Santa & friends.
• Random - 1/2 & 1/2: My card front is 1/2 patterned paper and 1/2 solid card stock.

I quickly decided on a Christmas card with some stamps that reminded me of kids. The MFT sELFie set was perfect for a picture element so I pulled out the coordinating polaroid die. Stamped, die cut and colored the elements. For the 1/2 and 1/2 parameter, I just trimmed a panel of patterned paper to 2 1/8x 5.5" and added to the left half of an A2 card. Assembled the picture into the polaroid die cut and adhered to the card. Glued a sentiment to the bottom of the die cut. Added the toys to the bottom - done!

That's it for today, friends! Besides doing some yard work and laundry already today, I need to work on my music for chorus tonight. Thanks for visiting & happy crafting!!

Coffee Beans for Aliens?

Hey friends - hope your week is going well. Since it's the first week of the month, Darnell is doing I = Inks for her IDEAS program. See her beautiful inspiration cards HERE. Thought I'd play along and create a galaxy background for a cute alien stamp I got at Paperganza. Coincidentally, at Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers #265, A is for Alien so I'll play there too!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White; 

scrap of green

Stamps - Trinity Espresso Terrestrial;

MFT Perk Up (retired)

Inks - TH Distress: Black Soot, Blueprint Sketch, 

Shaded Lilac, Chipped Sapphire, 

Mustard Seed, & Squeezed Lemonade

Other - Paper Studio stars; white gel pen; 

foam tape; Hero Arts Shimmer Spray; Copic Markers

First I took an A2 panel of Neenah and blended 3 inks: Shaded Lilac, Blueprint Sketch & Chipped Sapphire, then edged with Black Soot. Sprayed with shimmer mist. When dry, I added star gems and white gel details, then added to an A2 card base. Adhered a green strip to the bottom & stamped the "Bean Me Up" along with some coffee beans. 

Next, I stamped the alien in the coffee cup space ship onto a scrap of Neenah white, extending the rays with a sharpie. Masked and inked the rays, then colored the rest with Copics. Fussy cut and stamped the coffee beans beaming up in the ray area. Stamped the ship with the company name "Espresso Terrestrial Coffee Co". Adhered the space ship to the card.

Finally, I stamped and fussy cut a thank you sentiment to match the coffee theme. Thanks Trinity Stamps for the adorable alien stamps which are getting first play here! Since NBUS, I'll add to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge #77. I'm also playing at the August We Love Stamping Challenge using the Anything Goes option (other theme is flowers).

If you missed it, I made a cute crocodile card with products from Riley and Co. Just learned that, starting tomorrow, R&C will carry closeout items from My Favorite Things!! I can't wait to pop over and see what they'll have. Frantic Stamper & Simon Says Stamp have some items too; maybe other places, but these are the ones I know best. None of these are affiliate links, I just list for your convenience.

Thanks for visiting and have a crafty day!!

Last Day for July 2025 Diva Birthday Challenge

Hey crafty friends - If you need a quick birthday project and are using dies &/or an embossing folder, check out our July Die Cut Diva Birthday Challenge! You have until 9pm Pacific Time today to link up. 

Our end of month team has some inspiration at DCD where I'm sharing my gift box below. You can only find the details and a bonus on this personal post.

Supplies: Paper - My Favorite Things

Watercolor Wash & Orange Sherbet; scraps

Stamps - MFT Mini Messages & More

Dies - MFT Everyday Gift Box,

Arched Happy Birthday,

Die Cuts and Scraps,

Fundamental Florals

Other - Hero Arts Grape Slush ink

We were to be sponsored by My Favorite Things which sadly has closed. We'll still be offering a $25 gift card randomly drawn from eligible July entries; just to a different store than MFT.

I will miss MFT very much! I've said before how much I love their Blueprints but I also love their boxes! This sweet gift box fits a gift card or a small jewelry box.

I die cut the box bottom & top, plus a scalloped layer & the tag, all included in the gift box set (link is to Frantic Stamper where they still have one left as of this writing). Assembled the box with the layer. Stamped a sentiment on the tag. Die cut a bday sentiment and outline layer, plus some flowers from various sets. Very quick and easy! Here's a view with the box lid off where you can see the gift card inside:

Ready for a bonus? This time I made an A2 sized birthday card:

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card;

My Favorite Things Watercolor Wash;

Neenah Solar White; scraps 

Stamps - MFT All Occasion Scripted Greetings

& Let's Celebrate

Dies - MFT Stitched Center Strip,

 Die Cuts and Scraps, Drink Décor,

Party Décor, Long Stem Barware,

Garnish

Other - Hero Arts enamel dots; foam tape

Die cut all the elements and assembled. The frame was cut four times and stacked. I backed one and stamped before I stacked the rest. Added the elements and dots, trimming any excess & adhered to an A2 card. Quite easy, even the sprinkles on the cupcake.

I will add my card to Darnell's IDEAS (Anything Goes this week) and to her July NBUS Challenge #76 since my drinks and décor are newly used here. Also to Seize the Birthday #310 using the Anything Goes option. My fave color (purple) is on the box, not the card...

Thanks for stopping by and please link your final projects to our July Diva Birthday Challenge! (limit 4 max) by 9pm Pacific Time! Happy crafting!!

Embossed Circle Snowflakes

Hi everyone - This week Darnell is doing E = Embossing for her IDEAS project. I thought I'd play along, plus combine it with something round for Christmas Kickstart #100 (third & final card). The Spellbinders July 3D embossing folder just arrived in the Spellbinders box and it's perfect for CKC.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white and silver;

My Favorite Things Very Merry & Black Licorice

Embossing folder - Spellbinders Starry Snowfall (3EOM-Jul25)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Hero Arts Nesting Circle Infinity Dies;

My Favorite Things A2 Stitched Circle Stax

Other - foam tape; Taylored Expressions sticker seal;

Spellbinders Christmas Puffy Sticker

First I die cut a white stitched rectangle. Inked the inside of the 3D ef with a pale blue ink and ran it through my Platinum 6. Matted the panel in black and added it to a silver A2 card. Next I put a Taylored Expressions Merry sticker on a scrap of white and die cut it with a circle. Added a black mat that I'd die cut with a stitched circle. Adhered a strip of text paper to the card along with two thin black strips. Added the sentiment circle with foam tape, then put a Christmas puffy sticker below the Merry. Very quick and easy!

I'll also link my card to Merry Little Christmas #63 where Anything Goes Christmas & to NBUS #76 since my embossing folder is getting first play here.

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!!

 

More round baubles

Hey there - I'm back with more baubles for Christmas Kickstart #100 where Jo and elf Gail are celebrating round things. I used leftover circular baubles from the Spellbinders stitching set I used for my previous CKC #100 card along with a magazine freebie.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card; scraps;

TH Kraft Metallic Colors; Spellbinders Christmas 6x6"

 Stitching Dies - Spellbinders I'll Be Home for Christmas 

(DOMST-Oct23);

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Magazine freebie - can't find the name

Other - foam tape

First I die cut the Merry Christmas sentiment tree from metallic cardstock and the outline from a scrap of green. Next I die cut a striped paper with a stitched rectangle. Added the striped rectangle to an A2 card. Layered the sentiment tree to the outline & added to the card with foam tape. Next I added the leftover round baubles so they'd be peeking from behind the tree. Quick and easy - so much so, I die cut two extra trees for future cards.

I'll also link my card to Merry Little Christmas #63 where Anything Goes Christmas. I'm playing with Darnell's IDEAS where this week she's doing D for Dies & at NBUS #76 since my sentiment tree is getting first play here.

Still with me? I haven't shared many photos of my yard but here is the view of the right front of the house and a close up of the bigger hydrangea bush:

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!!