Sketch Challenge

 Hey Everybody,

Today's card is one made using a sketch. Check it out here.  In doing a sketch challenge, you can change the orientation and even the shape of the images. 

I turned the sketch. Did you notice that there are two different papers used on this sketch? One is a little larger than half, and one is a little smaller than half. You could make this using your card base and adding designer series paper to make it easier, or use two pieces of designer paper.

The card base is 4 1/4" wide so half would be 2 1/8". Your designer paper could be larger or smaller than 2 1/8".

  Next, if there are three rectangles they have to be smaller than 2" wide since the paper is 5 1/2".  I took out my sizing tool to decide what size I wanted for the rectangles.  When I do this I also plan for a layer behind the white image panel for each rectangle.

This is a two-step retired Stampin' Up set.  I stamped each animal with a solid stamp which I stamped off, then a detailed image full strength ink. 

The animals have joined together to celebrate a birthday. Each has brought a present. The panels were added with dimensionals. The heart and balloon were added with dimensionals as well.

This will go to a local nursing home to be used for a grandchild's birthday.

So what stamp set would you use from your stash to make this sketch? Would you turn the sketch like I did or would you leave it as is? 

Sometimes it's fun to have the designing part of your card decided for you. All you have to figure out what stamps, paper and colors of ink to use.  What fun!

Thanks for stopping by today. Enjoy creating something beautiful for someone. Then send it to them to let them know you are thinking of them. There's nothing like receiving a hand made creation from a friend or family member!

Until next time.

Blessings,

Sue

Happy Labor Day and The Letter E

 Hey Everybody,

Happy Labor Day! Did you know?

Labor Day is a U.S. federal holiday on the first Monday of September that honors the social and economic achievements of American workers and the labor movement. It originated in the late 19th century, a time of harsh working conditions, as a way to recognize the contributions of laborers and advocate for improved rights, becoming a federal holiday in 1894. Celebrated with parades and gatherings, it also unofficially marks the end of summer for many Americans.

 

One of the challenges I enjoy doing weekly is the Alphabet Challenge. The gal that gave the initial challenge loves antiques, so many of the items are in that realm. Coming up you'll see hat pin and ink well. The idea is to look through your stash and see what you have to complete the challenge.  Sometimes for me, it means I have to go online to find something that I can add to or change a bit. Our letter for this week is E-embroidery. The challenge can be found here. I traced a flower with pencil on vellum, then used my markers to draw faux stitching to look like embroidery. I fussy cut the vellum and added it to a linen look paper to make it look more realistic. I used my Bow-Easy to make a small bow from black baker's twine to add to my image with a glue dot. I enjoy the brain stimulation these challenges give me. It makes stamping a bit more interesting and fun. Check out some of the other cards ladies made for this challenge. There's such a wonderful assortment of interpretation here. When I saw some of these I realized some people actually did embroidery on their card!  I remember doing embroidery years ago. I don't think I have any of that stuff around. I'll have to go and check my closets. LOL What would you do for embroidery? After seeing some samples do you have ideas of what you could do?   Thanks for stopping by today. Have a happy and safe labor day! See you again soon. Blessings, Sue

Color Challenge and Teapot Challenge

 Hey Everybody,

Diane's color challenge today was to use lemon lolly, granny apple green and flirty flamingo with the option of using flowers. You can find it here. 

I stamped my background by using different combinations of lemon lolly, flirty flamingo, granny apple green and stamping off to make it look like more different colors.

Then I stamped three large flowers and cut them out. I added them to my card with dimensionals so I'd have room to add my green and white stems around the flowers.
I stamped the sentiment in black and added this to a black card base to make it stand out. This will go on a patient dinner tray at a local hospital.

Take a look at these colors of lemon lolly, flirty flamingo and granny apple green. What would you make with these colors? The use of flowers is optional with this challenge.

Jen's challenge to us was to make woodland creatures. Her challenge can be found here.

I stamped, colored and die cut the squirrels and leaves. I dry embossed the white piece that holds the wheel and the designer paper at the top. I used mossy meadow ink directly on the white panel to give it color and texture. I added the squirrel to the circle and added the circle with a glue dot. I attached the pennies to the yellow circle with a glue dot. I used two mini-dimensionals between the pennies. That made the pennies spin easily. I'm going to have to remember this when I do this again.
I added the second squirrel in the center of the card surrounded by leaves and holding his acorn and sign.
This will go to 5 year old Jeffrey who has had major surgery. I hope he has fun playing with this.

Keywords: MMTPT889 spinning card

Stamps: Gerda Steiner-Happy Fall

Paper: white, lemon lolly, SU Iconic Celebrations designer paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black, mossy meadow

Accessories: pennies, dimensionals, Happy Fall dies, SU curved label punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Copic Markers, Su Changing Leaves Hybrid embossing folder, SU Twigs and Sprigs embossing folder.

Techniques: dry embossing, coloring, spinning card, direct to paper

You know, it's so great to be able to make cards for others that are in need. I especially love to do this for kids. I don't know this child, but someone here on Splitcoaststampers asked people to make cards for him. He's 5 and non-verbal and autistic. He recently had surgery. I thought a card that moves would be a great thing for this little guy. I feel blessed to be able to do this for others. No, I don't know them, but I don't have to know them. I don't even have to know if they liked the card. I just make and send them knowing God will do what is needed with each and every card I make.

What do you do with the cards you make?

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope to see you again soon.

Blessings,

Sue

Folding Flowers and Chocolate

 Hey Everybody,

Sabrina's challenge to us can be found here. 

The tutorial for this can be found here.

Keywords: TLC1067,Pop-Up Flower Pot Card

Stamps: n/a

Paper: white, pale papaya, crushed curry, garden green, Floral Impressions designer series paper, pecan pie

Paper Size: 3D

Ink: n/a

Accessories: large daisy punch, 1/2" circle punch

Techniques: Pop-Up Flower Pot Card

The cool thing about this challenge is that this flower pot and flowers folds flat when you close the card.

The challenge for this card can be found here.

I knew immediately which stamp I wanted to use. This is one of my favs. I stamped and colored these cutie pies with Copic Markers. I added colored Wink of Stella to the chocolates so they'd stand out. I die cut the image and the designer series paper with the Textured Notes dies. Each rectangle has a different pattern.
This will go to a local hospital to be placed on a dinner tray. I hope it brings a smile.

Keywords: CAS858 chocolate

Stamps: House Mouse-Chocolate Delight, sending hugs

Paper: white, SU A Little Latte designer series paper

Ink: Versafine black, pecan pie

Accessories: SU Textured Notes dies, Copic Markers, yellow, orange and pink Wink of Stella pens

Techniques: coloring, die cutting

 

Thanks for stopping by today. Hope to see you tomorrow.

Blessings,

Sue

My Hero

 Hey Everybody,

Nancy has chosen Carol as the Featured Stamper this week. The link is here. Here is the inspiration for my card.

I loved the super hero idea and knew that this pigeon would be great. I looked for a cape shape and printed and fussy cut it then fitted it around the pigeon. I printed a city scape then stamped, colored and cut out the pigeon. He is colored with Copic markers. I embossed my paper with a brick embossing folder then used direct to paper technique and dragged my ink pad across the brick to color it in an uneven way.
I typed and printed out the sentiment.
This will go on a dinner tray at the local hospital.

When you case(copy and share everything) a card you change some things and leave some things the same. You make it your own.

I kept the horizontal layout, and a super hero and a cityscape behind him.

I changed the stamp, sentiment and hero. I added a brick wall for the pigeon to stand on.  I gave him a different kind of cape without a shirt, shorts or tights.

So you can see similarities and differences. I didn't copy it exactly and take credit for it. I changed things and gave credit to the person who made the original card.  I didn't have the sentiment I wanted, so I typed it up and added it.

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you again real soon.

Blessings,

Sue

Herringbone Inspiration

 Hey Everybody,

Today I have an inspiration challenge for you. It is from Julie and your can find it here. My inspiration piece is the cabinet in the back by the brick wall.

I used paper strips to make the herringbone pattern like the cabinet doors. Then I used my sunflower embossing folder and embossed the pieces together.  I used daffodil delight, crumb cake, early espresso and old olive to color the flowers and leaves with sponge daubers. I added the sentiment then added wink of stella to the flower centers for a bit of sparkle.

Keywords: IC1026

Stamps: SU-hello

Paper: crumb cake, early espresso

Paper Size: A2

Ink: daffodil delight, crumb cake, early espresso, old olive

Accessories: SU Sunflower 3D embossing folder, sponge daubers, paper strips, clear wink of stella

Techniques: herringbone pattern, dry embossing

I don't think I've ever done strips like this on a card before. It took a while, but I liked the finished product. I am finding so many ways to use this beautiful Sunflower 3D embossing folder. 

This is one of those products that even when it retires, it will remain in my stash. The key is to use it when it's no longer front and center and available from Stampin' Up. It's the same with all of the things we keep on our shelves and in our cupboards. Use what you have, don't just collect things.

Thanks for dropping in today. Hope to see you again soon.

Blessings,

Sue

Background is Foreground?

 Hey Everybody,

Have your ever made a card where a typical background is your foreground?  Well that's the challenge for today given by Dini. Check it out here.

I started by blending different green, yellow and brown inks together to make a camouflage background. Then I added stamps from Gorgeous Grunge(retired) to the background.

 Next I stamped the jeep, little guy and giraffe on different parts of the background paper. I colored various parts of the images with Copic markers then used dies to cut them out. I used a reverse mask to make the sun in the background with a blending brush and so saffron and pale papaya inks. I used a cut out cloud to blend balmy blue ink to make clouds. I used sponged daubers to color the ground under the jeep so it looked like grass and dirt. I added dimensionals to the back of the images and added them to my scene. I stamped my sentiments last. This card will go on a dinner tray at a local hospital.  

I've added a video by Connie Stewart on how to mask or do reverse masking. They are both fun techniques and really add to your card.

I hope you try doing these techniques then add them to your tool box of ideas for card making.

See you again soon.

Blessings,

Image or Inspiration Challenge

 Hey Everybody,

This is a new House Mouse Stamp for me. This is for the August Fan Club Challenge found here. This is the inspiration for our card. Hope you are a Fan Club member so you can join us. If not, you may join here: 

I stamped this image and cut around the mice so I could use the background paper from Thoughtful Journey. I stamped snowflakes on it with versamark then heat embossed with white embossing powder. The mice were colored with Copic markers. I loved the quietness of the image and the wonder of it. I've sat and watched snowflakes fall which is such a peaceful time. The sentiment just seemed perfect for the image.

What's fun about this type of challenge is that you can go with the image as a whole like the window. You could go with cats as some people did. You could use Christmas or even snowflakes for your inspiration for your card. You can go in any direction your mind and stash take you.

Have fun and I'll see you next time.

Blessings,

Sue

Pockets

 Hey Everybody,

Angie's challenge was to use pockets. It can be found here. 

I looked for a background stamp I had of jeans. I couldn't find it so I printed one from online. I cut a hole in the pocket for the giraffe to poke his head through. I colored this guy knowing I wanted a cute get well card for someone at the local hospital. The sentiments were perfect for this. Our own Dina Kowal designed this stamp set! I fussy cut the giraffe and added dimensionals to the pocket and giraffe then added them to the designer paper. I had so much fun with this stamp, I may have to make a few more. LOL

Keywords: F4A806

Stamps: Impression Obsession-Baby Giraffe

Paper: white, SU Thoughtful Journey designer paper

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black, night of navy

Accessories: Copic Markers, scissors, dimensionals, jeans image, craft knife

Techniques: coloring, fussy cutting

I wanted to use a designer paper that was neutral and Stampin' Up's Thoughtful Journey was just what I needed. These challenges really do get your brain cells moving. If you were going to make a card with a pocket, what would you use?  

It's interesting how this changed because I couldn't find the background stamp I thought I had. I'm not sure what I would have done with the background stamp. It was jeans with the front pocket easy to use if you wanted to put something in it sticking out.  We'll never know.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

Sue

Technique Challenge Called Wax Paper Resist

 Hey Everybody,

Sandy's challenge was to use a resist technique. The challenge can be found here.  The tutorial I used can be found here.

There are two cards because for this technique you fold glossy cardstock in half. One side is the embossed and one side is the debossed side. They look similar but are actually different.

I dry embossed my wax paper using the sunflower 3D embossing folder. I folded an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of glossy cardstock and ironed the wax paper to the glossy side.
I used peach pie ink and a blending brush to bring out the sunflower images. I added the black images stamped in Versafine black ink. I added sentiments using my foil machine. I added different ribbon treatments to each card.

Keywords: WT1064

Stamps: Prairie Grass

Paper: white, black, peach pie

Ink: Versafine black

Accessories: SU sunflower 3D embossing folder, gold foil, SU classic matte dots, checkered ribbon, SU labeled with love punch, blending brush, iron, wax paper

Techniques: wax paper and embossing folder resist

This technique is easy to do. I remember before we had embossing folders doing this technique by crumpling up the wax paper then ironing it on the glossy cardstock. It made a fun background that could be inked up.

One thing I discovered by using a 3D embossing folder with this technique was, the image was still easily visible on the wax paper. The wax had all been removed to the glossy cardstock, so the wax paper was now just, paper.  I didn't want to throw it away so I played with coloring it. I was able to color it with alcohol markers on the back and add it to a white cardbase to make another card!  Cool huh?

Now it's your turn to take out an embossing folder, glossy cardstock and some wax paper. See what you can create. The sky is the limit!

Thanks for visiting today.

Hope to see you again soon.

Blessings,

Sue

Sketch Challenge

 Hey Everybody,

Today's card is for a sketch challenge. Here's the sketch. When doing a sketch challenge, you can change the orientation from vertical like it is, to horizontal.  You can also flip the sketch if you like.  I changed the orientation to horizontal but kept the sketch the same for my card. 

Keywords: SC1073

Stamps: House Mouse, Lawn Fawn-Simply Sentiments

Paper: white, old olive, SU retired dsp Ornate Garden

Paper Size: A2

Ink: memento tuxedo black, old olive

Accessories: 1 1/4" circle punch, Copic Markers, dimensionals

Techniques: coloring

As soon as I saw this layout I thought of all of the tiny House Mouse stamps I had that could be stamped and arranged in a half-circle. I stamped and punched out the images then colored them with Copic Markers. I added them to the paper with dimensionals. I stamped the sentiment and added it with dimensionals as well.

Sometimes when stamped images are small, it's hard for me to decide what to do with them.  This type of sketch helps a lot.

How do you use small images on your cards or projects?

This sketch gave me the shape I could use for the images. However, I could have also used any other shape. Sometimes it's easier to use squares that are cut around the image. I could have used triangles or even hexagons. Obviously having a punch or die makes all of this much more doable.

Take a look through your stash and see what you have that you might be able to use with smaller images on a layout like this. I might even do this layout again with a different set of dies or punches.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope to see you again soon.

Blessings,

Sue