Card Bowl 2014 - Card #1

In honor of the Super Bowl, Operation Write Home is hosting Card Bowl 2014 for this fun weekend.  For my first masculine card, I chose the Seahawk primary colors of blue and green and went with a boating theme.  The Seahawks training facility is located on Lake Washington and on any given day, sunny or not, you can always catch some boating going on.  We love our Seahawks and we love our beautiful lakes!

I created a cloudy background and added canvas clouds.  Square and circle dies were used to build the sailboat, and balsam wood and jute twine for the pole to hold the sails.  Thanks for stopping by and GO HAWKS!

 

Supplies:  Memory Box Pool Cardstock, DSP from stash, Spellbinders Circle and Square Dies, Lifestyle Crafts Embossing Folder, Hero Arts OWH Stamp Set, VersaFine Onyx Black Ink, Ranger Distress Inks, Super Thin Balsam Wood, May Arts Jute Twine, Canvas, and Ki Memories Metal Accents.

Inspired by...Utility Bill!

Yep, utility bill!  This was part of a newsletter included in my utility bill.  I really liked this graphic and thought it would make an interesting layout.

I tried to duplicate the look with this Valentine's Day card, using a rotary cutter.  I like how it turned out!

 

Supplies:  Recollections "Valentine" 6x6 Paper Pad, Spellbinders Hearts and Scalloped Hearts Dies, Memory Box Button dies, Twine and Heidi Grace Rhinestones.

OWH Midweek Throwdown: Cards for Kids

Perfect!  I've been trying to make more OWH cards for kids!  This card used a sentiment from Doodle Pantry and polka dot fishes.  I CASE'd the idea for the fish from my LSS, Impress, which always has "fin-tastic" ideas!  Here are a few pics to give you an idea of how they are put together.

Die cut heart shapes - 3 of the same size

Position for tail, body & head

 Layer the 3 hearts together

 

 



I inked the edges of my hearts with Ranger Wild Honey Distress Ink, added wiggly eyes and smiles.  The bubbles are Droplets from Kaiser.  The background is Bazzill Neptune Swiss Dots.  Thanks for stopping by and even though these are Bronco colors, I have to say GO HAWKS!   

 



OWH Sketch Challenge #209*

There are so many talented cardmakers on the OWH blog, I was humbled and flattered that Marlene asked to use one of my cards for this week's sketch challenge.  She worked her magic and I'm thrilled with the result.  Thank you, Marlene!

My card for this challenge used a Doodle Pantry digi called "Big Hug Bunny."  I substituted the embellies on the bottom for a short die-cut sentiment.  Added some Glossy Accents to the bunny's nose and it's ready for hugging a hero's child :-).  Thanks so much for stopping by and have a SUPER pre-Super Bowl week!  Go Seahawks!

Supplies:  Pop Tones' Wild Cherry Cardstock, Bo Bunny "Surprise!" DSP Collection, My Favorite Things' Dies (Blueprints #1 & Negative Dot Alphabet), Doodle Pantry Digital Image, May Arts Jute Twine, and Glossy Accents.

OWH Midweek Throwdown: Pastels

What an eye-opening Throwdown...I learned that I do not tend to buy a lot of pastel anything.  I did find two 6x6 paper pads that hopefully fit the bill and made a couple of kids cards.  Thanks for taking a look!

Supplies:  Best Occasions Scrap Pack, Neenah Solar White Cardstock, Great Impressions Stamps, VersaFine Onyx Black Ink, Copics, Spellbinders Circle Dies, Recollections Mini Flower Brads, White Gelly Pen.

 

 

Supplies:  Brenda Walton Designer Paper Pad, Memory Box Elephant Die and Stamp, Lawn Fawn Sentiment Stamp, Recollections Mini Polka Dot Buttons and Heart Sticker.

 



CFC126: Color Blocks

This challenge from CAS-ual Fridays was to use blocks of color on a CAS card.  My card is just stamps and ink and 3 little blings!  Pretty simple using the double stamping technique with a great stamp set from The Stamps of Life called "tiles2stamp."  I used PowderPuff Chalking Inks in Green Tea, Baja Blue, and Tahiti to fill in the tiles.  The flower and sentiment are from The Stamps of Life "Make a Wish" set.  To finish it off, I added three small black rhinestones from Ki Memories.  Thanks for the challenge and have a great week!

  

OWH Sketch Challenge #208

Well, first of all...Go Seahawks!  We're going to the Super Bowl!  This week's Sketch Challenge had to wait until after the game but it was worth the wait.  Another fun sketch!  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great week!

 

 

My Card:

 



Supplies:  Memory Box "Peony" Cardstock, Echo Park "Friends Telephone" DSP, Coredinations scrap Cardstock,  EK Success Border Punch, Spellbinders Circle Dies, My Favorite Things' Fishtail Banners, My Favorite Things "Ring Me" Stamp Set, VersaFine Onyx Black and PowderPuff Tahiti Inks, The Twinery Twine (white/aqua), and aqua button from stash. 

Love Daubers

Card #1

 

Supplies:  Neenah Solar White Cardstock, Coredinations Red & Aqua Cardstock, Authentique "Lovely" 6x6 Paper Pad, Hero Arts "Tide Pool" Ink Dauber, Hero Arts "Four Hearts" Stamp Set, ColorBox Strawberry Ink, Recollections Clear Embossing Powder, MME Enamel Dots, and The Twinery White/Aqua Twine.

 

 

Card #2

 

 

Supplies:  Strathmore Watercolor Paper, Bo Bunny "Heads Over Heels" 6x6 Paper Pad, Hero Arts "Red Neon" Ink Dauber, Hero Arts "Four Hearts" Stamp Set, Rubber Soul Tiny Love Script Stamp, VersaFine Onyx Black Ink, Recollections Clear Embossing Powder, and MME Enamel Dots.



OWH Midweek Throwdown - Easter



This week's Throwdown for OWH was to create Easter cards.  The first card was created by stamping the bunny image from a super cute stamp set from The Stamps of Life, coloring with Copics, fussy cutting, adding glossy accents, and a little Petal Soft for the bunny tail.



 

Supplies: Bazzill Basics Cardstock, DSP from scraps, Spellbinders' Label Dies, The Stamps of Life "bunny4Easter" Stamp Set, Stephanie Barnard ColorBox Licorice Ink,  Copic Markers, Prima Flower, Recollections Mini Black Brad, and Celebrate It Black/White Plaid Ribbon. 

 

The second card is one layer, all stamping and coloring, with the exception of the cracked egg.  I die cut the egg and cut it in half with pinking shears so the chickadee could be popping out to wish someone a Happy Easter!  I scanned this card rather than photograph it, hoping that the white would look whiter.  I think it does but it loses some dimension.  The top half of the egg is actually popped up.  Anyway, thanks for stopping by, have a great rest of the week, and can't wait for the big football games this weekend :-) 

Supplies:  Neenah Solar White Cardstock, The Stamps of Life "eggs4Easter" Stamp Set, Stephanie

Barnard Colorbox Inks (Licorice, Guava, Banana, Tangerine, Blueberry & Artichoke), Copic Markers, Memory Box Easter Egg Die, and Pinking Shears.

 

Many Miles Apart...

Supplies:  Memory Box Kraft Cardstock, Bazzill Red Swiss Dot Cardstock, Map from stash, MFT's "First Class Friend" Stamp Set, VersaFine Vintage Sepia Ink, and Red Embroidery Floss (looks orange in the pic but it really is red :-)

 

 

OWH Sketch Challenge #207

Another great, flexible sketch from OWH...especially when you try to trim your paper and watch a football game at the same time.  I cut the background paper short so flipped the sketch around a bit - oops - but I think it turned out ok.  I used some leftover Mickey paper from my grandson's birthday card, created my own Mickey embellishment with circle punches, popped it up, and used a sentiment from a Hero Arts' OWH stamp set.  Added 3 enamel dots and I'm ready for Disneyland!  Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great week!

Sketch #207

My Card

Supplies:  Memory Box Sweet Corn Cardstock, Sandy Lion Mickey Mouse DSP, Bazzill Black, Red, and White Cardstock from stash, Hero Arts' OWH "Lil Hoot" Sentiment, VersaFine Onyx Black Ink, Recollections Clear Embossing Powder, Fiskars' 1-1/2" & 1" circle punches, and MME Yellow Enamel Dots.

 

Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge 42

I created the following card for DPDC42 featured on the Doodle Pantry blog.  The theme is "Any Digi Goes."  I used the digi image and sentiment from their "Spring Trimmings #1 set which includes a darling basket of hearts and a basket of eggs for Easter.  So cute!  This is my Valentine's card:

 

Supplies:  Neenah Solar White Cardstock, DCWV Jewel Colored Cardstock, Doodle Pantry Spring Trimmings #1, Recollections Heart Brad, and May Arts Twine.

 



 

   

Inspired By...Plastic Canvas!

After doing some cleaning up in my craft room, I discovered some plastic canvas pieces that were stashed away. 

I thought this would be a great "stencil" on a budget.  I used Ranger Distress Paint Daubers in Fired Brick, Barn Door, and Spun Sugar.  Added a sentiment from Stamps of Life and popped up a heart in the center.  CAS! 

 

For a second card, I used a piece of square plastic canvas, inked it up, and used as a background stamp.  I like the grid look!  I stamped a heart using Hero Arts' "Four Hearts" stamp set, cut it out, distressed the edges with Ranger Fired Brick, and popped it up on the card.  The sentiment is from MFT's "First Class Friend" stamp set.  Added five rhinestones colored with a Copic marker (R59) for some bling. 

 

 

OWH Midweek Throwdown - Chalkboard

Thanks to Allison for this Midweek Throwdown.  I love the Chalkboard look but also know I need practice :-)  Thank goodness a little imperfection works with this technique!  I watched the tutorial video link she provided in the post and this is what I came up with.  I used a variety of thank you sentiments and pencils to do some coloring.  I roughed up the brads with sandpaper, added some twine, and lightly sprayed the chalkboard with hairspray for a fixative (this prevents smearing).  Thanks for stopping by!

  

Supplies:  Memory Box Lagoon Cardstock, Pop Tone's Licorice Cardstock, Stamps of Life "thanks4twoyears" Stamp Set, VersaMark Ink, Judikins White Detail Embossing Powder, ColorBox Frost White Ink, Derwent Coloursoft Pencils, Recollections brads and washi tape, and May Arts Twine.

ODBD January Challenge

January's Our Daily Bread Designs challenge for Operation Write Home was to create a card with stripes.  It was time to make some AnyHero cards, so here we go...thanks for stopping by!

 

Supplies:  Core'dinations Pearls Cardstock (red & white), Bazzill Basics Cardstock (Blue), My Favorite Things' Sun Ray Die, Sizzix Star Die, Stamps of Life Sentiment, Judikins White Detail Embossing Powder, and Sakura White Gelly Roll Pen for stitching.

OWH Sketch Challenge #206

I loved this layout when Cheryl first posted it for the pink and green color challenge and was excited to see it selected for the next sketch challenge!  Her card can be seen here.  Thanks for visiting! 

Sketch #206

 

My Card:

 

 

Supplies:  Pop Tone's Wild Cherry Cardstock, Bo Bunny "Head over Heels" Cardstock, Wilton Black Cupcake Doily, My Favorite Things stitched circle die from Blueprints 1 set, Recollections Large Heart Brad, and Queen & Co. White Jellies. 

CFC125: In a Word

I've enjoyed the CAS-ual Fridays blog for a while and decided to play for the first time.  I liked the challenge of choosing a word to describe what I hope for in the new year.  For this challenge, I chose the word "colorful."  One of the reasons I chose this word was I hope to spend more time in 2014 playing with different color mediums and using different techniques in my card making.  In other words...crawl out of my box once in a while!

For this card, I colored the flower stamp with Derwent Inktense pencils and misted it with water before stamping on watercolor paper for a watercolor effect.  The sentiment is from Stamps of Life and the focal point was die cut with the deckled rectangles from Spellbinders.  Thanks for visiting and I look forward to the next challenge!

  

 

Mickey Mouse Birthday Card

Happy Birthday to my sweet grandson, turning 4 on Monday.  Made this card and envelope for his birthday party tomorrow.  First envelope I've made since getting the We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board for Christmas.  It was soooo easy and fun to create a matching envelope for this card!!  Can't wait to make more :-).  Thanks for taking a look!

Card size is 5x5; Envelope is 5x6 (due to puffy stickers)

 

Supplies:  Pop Tone's Wild Cherry Cardstock, Sandy Lion Mickey Mouse Patterned Papers, Savvy Photo Frame Die, Impress Rubber Stamps' Sentiment, VersaFine Onyx Black Ink, Disney Dimensional Stickers, and me & my BIG ideas Alpha and Number Stickers.

Words 2 Scrap By Challenge #1 - My Favorite Things

While blog hopping on Operation Write Home, I noticed a new challenge blog called Words 2 Scrap By.  The theme for their first challenge (W2SB#1) is the song My Favorite Things.  Although I'm not really a cat person (allergies), who doesn't love "whiskers on kittens?"  I had this darling cat digi from Doodle Pantry and couldn't resist using it for this challenge.  Best of all...no sneezing involved!! 

 

Supplies:  DCWV Yellow & Green Cardstock, Doodle Pantry Purr-fect Friend Digi, Prima flowers, Recollections Mini Flower Brads, Sizzix Flower Embossing Folder.

 

Just for grins, I made up a second card based on "brown paper packages tied up with string."  For this one, I recycled a piece of a cardboard box, added some stamp embellishments, and tied it up with string.  This was a fun challenge.  I look forward to next month!  Thanks for stopping by :-).

 

 

Supplies:  Bazzill Cardstock, Corrugated Cardboard, Recollections Postage Stamp Embellishments, Tim Holtz Layering Stencil, Ranger Distress Inks (Spun Sugar & Tea Dye), MFT's "First Class Friend" Stamp Set, Ranger Brown Archive Ink, and May Arts Twine.



Inspired By...iPhone!

I do not make New Year's resolutions.  I gave that up a long time ago :-).  But, for 2014, I want to grow creatively and pay closer attention to every day inspirations.  So...during this year I hope to snap pictures of every day things that inspire me to make cards, using different color combos, different layouts, or just different techniques that are out of my comfort zone.  I hope to post the "results" on a weekly or semi-weekly basis and donate the cards to Operation Write Home (if they meet the guidelines).  The first card for 2014 was inspired by my iPhone.  I upgraded the operating system and noticed that the icon for photos had changed.  It looks like a color wheel or a great flower, don't you think?

And here's the card:

Supplies:  Neenah Solar White Cardstock, DCWV Jewel Colored Cardstock Stack, Fiskar's Hexagon Punch, Stamps of Life "background4bees" Stamp, ColorBox Seattle Sky Ink (yes, it's gray :-), VersaFine Onyx Black Ink, and Stamps of Life "crayons2stamp" Stamp Set for sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year!