Creative Crate Cards

I wanted to post these fun cards I have made in the past two weeks.  The week of July 10th and 11th, I participated in a virtual stamping retreat called Great Outdoors Creative Crate, sponsored by Firefly Farms in Minnesota.  This is the second stamping event that I have taken from Trisha Studer, the owner of this stamp store and both have been awesome!  I know I am ready for the fall one too!

We had three classes and a make 'n take by Trisha.  One class was talked by Jenn Shurkus that featured Lawn Fawn items and we made the three fun camping cards on the top left.  Then, we had a class by Cindy Sartain from Dare 2b Artzy and she taught us how to make the fun flip cards on the right.  Then, Lea Lawson from Pink Fresh Studio, taught a class with the beautiful floral cards on the bottom left. And, the beverage card on the bottom right was the make 'n take by Trisha.  All 9 cards were so fun to make!  And, I have many of the stamp sets along with dies or stencils to make more of them!!!!!!

We all received a great box fill with the kits and many fun items for stamping and pampering us too.  One of the fun parts is that Trisha has 3-4 different items that are wrapped for us and we open each one on a different day.  She does some Facebook lives during the week to ramp up the excitement for the weekend classes.  It is an outstanding event and then there is of course some additional shopping opportunities--enabling at its best!

I hope you like these pictures and you too are able to enjoy some virtual stamping events.  With the way things are going now, these opportunities might be around for a long time..................................

Watercolor Hello!

Today is the day I am posting my card for our Challenge Your Stash group on SCS.  This is our 55th month of de-stash and we are in the middle of our 5th year of our challenges.  

The premise is to create a card or something else that uses only items that are in your own stamp room--nothing new is to be purchased.  The hostess each month posts their challenge to the group. Each person in the group creates their card with their own image, their own papers, their own embellishments with their own supplies--using up items from their own stash!  The card can be for any occasion and each person is encouraged to send the card on its way to someone so it can be admired.  It is a way for us to step out of the box a bit and create something that follows a challenge--isn't that what a challenge is supposed to be.  And--no money is spent as all items are to be already available in each of own stamping spaces.

Vickie posted our July challenge--July is International Watercolor Month; create a card or project using a little or a lot of watercoloring!

I heat embossed with extra-fine white a Hero Arts background stamp called Starry Night Brushstroke Bold Print on water color cardstock.  I then used my Taylored Expressions Liquid Watercolors and a brush to follow some of the lines of the background image.  I then die cut the panel with my MFT Blueprints 20 die.  The word Hello and backer is from Concord & 9th's Everyday Saying.  I used Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay and Gorgeous Grape. A few Picket Fence Studios embellishments are the final touch!  

Here is the inside of my card:

If you check some of the blogs on my sidebar, you may find others who have posted their cards in the next few days. There may be more posted in the thread on SCS, so you might want to check out the link here.  We also have a keyword for the SCS Gallery--it is CYSJUL.  You might see many cards there if you do a search.  They probably will be posted today or in the next few days.

I hope you enjoyed my card and I know I am excited to check out what my other hoarders, I mean stash reducers have made!  Thanks for stopping by today!  For August, Maggie is up for our challenge.  Be sure to check back to see what we create then!

Image/Sentiment: Hero Arts Starry Night Brushstroke Bold Print Background Stamps; Concord & 9th Everyday Sayings Die Set

Cardstock:  Strathmore White Watercolor ; Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay, Gorgeous Grape

Ink:  Versamark; Lawn Fawn Extra-fine White Embossing Powder; Taylored Expressions Liquid Water-colors

Accessories:  My Favorite Things-MFT Blueprints 20; Picket Fence Studios Embellishments

Hello Friend!

How about a fun card using Taylored Expressions Bubble Greetings!  I colored the letters with my Copic Sketch Markers. I layered the image and added some lien thread behind the layers.  The background is an embossing folder from Taylored Expressions called Weathered. I added a few enamel dots as the final touch.  It is a pretty simple card, but I think it is a perfect card to send to a guy!

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of washi tape:

I think this is a fun card and hope you do too!

Image/Sentiment:  Taylored Expressions Bubble Greetings Stamp Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, 

Ink:  Stampin' Up Early Espresso

Accessories:  Taylored Expressions Weathered Embossing Folder; Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' Up Linen Thread; Enamel Dots

Gnome of the Brave

Today I am showing you a card for my monthly challenge for 2021--At Home With Gnomes. Each month I will create a card using one of my many gnome images. 

For this card, I picked gnome and sentiment from the Unity Stamp Set called Gnome of the Brave!  I colored this cute image with my Copic Sketch Markers. I used some fun patterned star paper from We R Memory Keepers.  I picked a fun sentiment from the many in this set.   I added a few red pearls along with red, white and blue baker's twine for the final touch!  

Here is the inside of my card:

I am sure I have more than enough gnome images to use a different one each month.  I will be back in August and will show you another gnome, so stay tuned!

Image/Sentiment:  Unity Stamps Gnome of the Brave Stamp Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White; Stampin' Up Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler; We R Memory Keepers Stars Patterned Paper

Ink:  Simon Says Stamp Intense Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Red Pearls; Red, White and Blue Baker's Twine

Christmas in July

Today is the 25th and it is 5 months until Christmas-are you ready?  For this Christmas Card, I went with a fun alphabet set from Reverse Confetti called Letter Cuts.  I recently won this set in an Instagram give-away.  The letters were cut three times from Forest Foliage and layered for dimension. I layered the letters on a Gina Marie Cross Stitched circle cut from patterned paper and layered over a green circle.  The background is from the Simple Stories Cozy Christmas line called Wander.  A tree brad is the added touch!

I hope you like my Christmas Card in July!

Image/Sentiment:   Reverse Confetti Letter Cuts

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler, Forest Foliage; Pebbles Welcome Christmas-Merry Christmas; Simple Stories Cozy Christmas-Wander

Ink:  None

Accessories:   Tree Brad; Gina Marie Cross Stitched Circle Dies

Ready-Set-GO! Delayed!

Today is NOT the third Wednesday of the month--BUT this is my Ready, Set, Go Challenge Card! I messed up this month and went up north for a few days and did not make my blog post.  Cards were done--just not posted.  But--I am here now!  The 3 of us, Kelly, Jeanette and me, are back with another challenge for July, our 51st month!  That means we are into year #5 for us-WOW!

Kelly provided the challenge for us this month: Cut It Out!  

I don't know about y'all but that was a popular saying in my house growing up!  My mom was constantly telling my brother and I to knock it off or cut it out!  So your challenge is to use that phrase, literally! 

Your July RSG challenge:  Create a card or project with 'cutting it out' as the main focus.  You can be as creative as you like!  You can use a simple die like an oval or get fancy schmancy and REALLY cut up your card - it's up to you!  BUT! Because we are 3 and we 3 like being 3, you must use at least 3 cuts on your card! I will leave it up to you how you interpret where those cuts will be :)  Everything else is as you wish - colors, theme, etc!

I hope you have fun with the theme. Ready Set Go! 

I went with a fun Birch Press Designs trio of dies called Fiori Plate Blueprint Craft Dies. Each panel was cut with a different color of cardstock. The bottom was White, the middle is Pink Pirouette and the top is Pink Mirricard. The card base is a silver sparkle cardstock. The die cut is a newer fun die set from Concord & 9th called Everyday Sayings--love the boldness! This was also cut from white cardstock and layered three times for added dimension.  

So--my three's are 3 layers of Birch Press Blueprint Dies along with 3 layers of the word HI.

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of washi tape:

Please be sure to check out the other Ready, Set, Go cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog.  Remember--they probably did post on the scheduled date of the 21st so be sure to look back........   I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card. I am up for the next theme, so be sure to check back to see what we are up to on the 3rd Wednesday in August.

Image/Sentiment:  Concord & 9th Everyday Sayings Die Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 100# White. Pink Mirricard, Silver Sparkle Cardstock;  Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette; 

Ink:  None

Accessories:   Birch Press Fiori Plate Blueprint Craft Dies

Double Duty and Hero Arts

Here we go.  This is month #6 of another challenge for our group of 4 stampers—Barb, Jeanette, Kelly, and Carol!  This was a thought that I had in the middle of the night, similar to what Kelly has had in the past.  Plus, it is a bit of offshoot of our Stamp What Challenge! This one is called Double Duty!  AND--I am a day late in posting, so be sure to check back a day when you click on the links in my post below............  Time got away from me.  Cards were done--I went on a getaway to northern Wisconsin for 4 days and forgot to create my blog post!

 

Each month, we get to pick a stamp set from a predetermined company. Then, we will use that one stamp set and make two cards from the set.  Different images and sentiments from the same set can be used, or use the same image two different ways—Double Duty either way!  But, as an added challenge, one item must be used on both cards—same color cardstock, same ribbon, same stencil, same something.  Double Duty Again!  We will post both cards on our blog on the the 22nd of each month.  See-Double Duty again!  We will be sure to have fun getting doubly inky each month with a different stamp company.  Let’s have fun!

For July, the company that I picked was Hero Arts. They have been such a great company for so many years and really have awesome stamp set  There are so many different varieties and so beautiful.  For our challenge this month, I picked a a set called Hot Air Balloons that was a gift from a stamping friend from Texas!    

First, I decided to make the hot air balloons with different mediums and papers.  I also wanted to use an embossing folder on both cards, as the second part of the Double Duty!  Also, both of the sentiments are from the same stamp set. 

For my first card, I stamped the image on white cardstock. I then used some Taylored Expressions ink cubes in red and pinks along with my new bitty blending brush--love the tiny size! I then fussy cut the image.   I embossed the background Flirty Flamingo cardstock with a Stampin' Up embossing folder called gently falling.  I then added some Cherry Cobbler ribbon and the Dream Big sentiment from the same stamp set.

For my second card, I stamped the hot air balloon image on a piece of Yupo that I had made with Tim Holtz Black Alcohol Inks. I also fussy cut the image and added it to my Cloudy Sky embossing folder from Darice.  The sentiment was embossed with silver powder on black cardstock.   This time I added purple rhinestones embellishments for the bling!

I had a number of Double Duty elements on these cards.  I used the same hot air balloon image and sentiments from the same set and an embossing folder. 

Here are the insides of both cards with a strip of washi tape:

 

I hope you enjoyed my card for our group.  Please be sure to check out the other Double Duty cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's,  Kelly's  and Carol's blog-they may have posted yesterday--our true date of the 22nd or like me, today, so be sure to check around!   I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of sets of great cards! I hope Kelly, Jeanette and Carol like my card. Altenew is the company we will use in August so be sure to check back to see how we double up and make two cards on the 22nd!

Image/Sentiment:  Hero Arts Hot Air Balloons Stamp Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up Basic Black, Gorgeous Grape, Bermuda Bay, Flirty Flamingo, Cherry Cobbler; Yupo Alcohol Ink Paper; The Paper Cut Cougar Opaque 110# White

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black; Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks; Versamark-Silver Embossing Powder; Taylored Expressions Ink Cubes-Bitty Blending Brush

Accessories:  Darice Cloudy Sky Embossing Folder; Stampin' Up Gently Falling Embossing Folder, 1/2" Cherry Cobbler Satin Ribbon; Purple Rhinestones

You Are The Best

Today is the 18th and the due date for a Mystery Swap on SCS. This is my card for that swap.  It is a group of us who do a bi-monthly swap where we all use the same mystery image, sent to us by the hostess. This swap was created by Forest Ranger—Jeanette--back in 2010 and we are now in our 65th round!  Laura Jean is our hostess this month and sent everyone this cute image from Tim Holtz called Crazy Dogs.  She will also send everyone the next image, which Carol stamped.  We then get to do it all again, for round #66, in September!   

I think this image is so cute.  I colored it with my Copic Sketch Markers. I die cut the coordinating die as I made this card at our June Camp Stamp-in-Oga and Terry had the die set along.  Score!!!!!    The sentiment is from the Stampin' Up  Tasteful Touches stamp set. The patterned paper is from Scrapbook Customs called Puppy Love/Plaid.  I then added a few red gems and a French Roast Ribbon from A*Muse as the final touch.

Here is the inside of my card:

I hope you and all of the mystery swappers like my card.  If you check my sidebar on the left, you might see some other swappers who have posted their cards today or in the next few days.

Image/Sentiment:   Tim Holtz Inky Crazy Dogs Stamp and Die Set/Sentiment Stampin' Up Tasteful Touches Stamp Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  White; Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso; Scrapbook Creations Puppy Love/Plaid Patterned Paper

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Red Gems; A*Muse French Roast Ribbon; Fancy Me Label Punch

O Holy Night

Today I am showing you the 2nd card that I made for Ashley's Christmas in July swap on SCS.  I made two cards and the first card was here on my blog yesterday.  I picked sweet church image from Sum More Fun Stamps called O Holy Night.  I heat embossed the image with silver powder.  I also embossed the sentiment, which is from a Love From Lizi stamp set.  I layered the black cardstock on a piece of Bindakote Metallic Silver Glossy and Real Red.  A few rhinestones are the final touch.

I hope Ashley and you and all of the swappers like my card.  We all need more Christmas Cards and July is the perfect time to make them!   Be sure to check back on yesterday's post to see my first card for the swap!

Image/Sentiment:  Sum More Fun Stamps O Holy Night/Love From Lizi Stamp Set Sentiment

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up Basic Black, Real Red; Bindakote Metallic Silver Glossy

Ink:  Versamark; Silver Embossing Powder

Accessories:  Rhinestones

Spirit of Christmas

Today I am showing you a card that I made for Ashley's Christmas in July swap on SCS.  I made two cards and the second card will be here tomorrow.  I picked a fun wood mounted stamp from Touché Rubber Stamps called Spirit of Christmas.  I love this sentiment!  I stamped it in Poppy Parade ink.  I layered the sentient on Poppy Parade and Shaded Spruce.   I used Crate Paper Merry Days-Frosty Day Patterned Paper for the background.   I then added a banner of Poppy Parade 1/2" Texture Weave Ribbon as the  final touch.

Here is the inside of my card:

I hope Ashley and you and all of the swappers like my card.  We all need more Christmas Cards and July is the perfect time to make them!   Be sure to check back tomorrow to see my second card for the swap!

Image/Sentiment:  Touché Rubber Stamps Spirit of Christmas

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest 100# Solar White; Stampin' Up Poppy Parade, Shaded Spruce; Crate Paper Merry Days-Frosty Days Patterned Paper

Ink:  Stampin' Up Poppy Parade

Accessories:  Stampin' Up Poppy Parade 1/2" Textured Weave Ribbon;

Have a Magical Day!

Today is the 15th and the day we post our card for our group, the Crafty Card Ladies!   The team names are the Pearls and the Diamonds--very Classy names for us!   For our July Challenge, Kelly is the hostess for the Diamonds and Jeanette is the hostess for the Pearls.  They are our fearless leaders!  I am a member of the Diamonds group.  And we are all team Classy Card Ladies!  

The theme for July is Clouds!  This fun kit that Kelly sent included the sweet CC Designs image called Unicorn and Rainbow, along with some of the coordinating sweet sentiments.   She also include some awesome cloud and rainbow patterned paper, some fun ribbons and pretty embellishments. 

I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I die cut the image from CottageCutz Single Stitched Ovals. I picked three of the fun patterned papers for the base layer and made three strips. I then added some of the fun rainbow Ric Rac between each of the patterns.  I picked one of the sweet sentiments and added it to the corner.   I added some of the sweet enamel dots in rainbow colors.  This was fun card to make!

Kelly also asked us to share a cloud story.  I love looking at the clouds and many times we see what shapes are visible.  We have a large deck on our house and many times will sit and look at the clouds all around us.  We can see clouds that are to the east and are over Lake Michigan--they are the coolest clouds!

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of the fun rainbow patterned paper:

I hope all of the Classy Card Ladies enjoy my card this month. Please be sure to stop in to see what all of the Diamonds as well the Pearls have created this month.  There are two members who do not have blogs: Suzy who is on the Diamond team and Debby who is a Pearl. You will be able to check out their creations in their SCS gallery, if you click on the link for their name.  All of the others should be found on my left sidebar.  I am sure you will enjoy all of the wonderful creations this month!  See you next month in August when Suzy and Debby are the hostesses!

Image/Sentiment:  CC Designs Unicorn and Rainbow Stamp Set

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Lawn Fawn 110# White; Stampin' Up Night of Navy; Assorted Cloud and Rainbow Patterned Paper

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Rainbow Enamel Dots; CottageCutz Single Stitched Ovals; Rainbow Ric Rac