i needed a birthday card but i wanted to step outside of my comfort zone for a bit of a surprise.
i usually paint images for focal points but this time i cut the memory box verona bouquet from watercolour paper and sponged with distress inks. i also used distress ink for the magenta stencil background and stamped a clearly besotted sentiment.
thanks for popping by.
since it’s the first sunday of a new month, we have a new theme for you at the Penny Black And More Challenge – Pretty in Pink – Breast Cancer Awareness month.
having lived through cancer, my feelings are strong; i like pink but i loathe corporations using pink ribbons for a feel good promotional tool without actually contributing to the prevention and eradication of the disease. sure, mammograms can detect the disease but if more than 5% of all the millions of dollars raised went into researching prevention, maybe less women and men would be diagnosed in the first place.
on to my card – i painted this penny black image, especially micey, with twinkling H2Os on hot press watercolour paper; i thought the lawn fawn quilted background die paired nicely with the embroidery. remember the focal point has to be hand stamped to play along for a chance to win one of the fabulous prizes from our generous sponsors: Penny Black, Lost Coast Designs and Visible Image Stay Strong stamp.
thanks for popping by.
i’m cutting it close to the deadline for the new Impression Obsession Challenge – Pumpkin Spice!
i painted the background and pumpkin (CL980 holiday icons) with daniel smith watercolour paints on hot press watercolour paper, stamped the sentiment (CL549 more basic greetings) in versafine clair acorn ink and added some brown gingham ribbon. to finish off i sponged the edges of the kraft base with brushed corduroy distress ink.
our canadian thanksgiving is october 14 so this small card will be used then.
thanks for popping by.
a sketch challenge is a great motivator for when i have difficulty designing a card so i used the Paper Smooches September 2019 SKETCH challenge layout.
i painted the dog from the Comforting Hugs stamp set with twinkling H2Os, fussy cut and attached it to a fun mini wobble. the paw hearts are from the Dinky Doodles 2 stamp set.
i’m also submitting this card to the Wednesday Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes theme.
thanks for popping by.
i’m playing along with the SugarPea Designs Mix It Up Challenge #59 ~ Fresh Inspiration:
i opted to use both the colours and the sketch. i fussy cut and painted the cup from the SugarPea Designs Mugs & Kisses stamp set with twinkling H2Os on hot press watercolour paper and attached it to a silver shimmer cardstock circle. the blue mats were sponged with chipped sapphire distress ink and the merry was cut from the back of this photo play lost mitten paper. both the image panel and sentiment were popped on foam tape.
it’s my DT month off at the Rudolph Days Challenge but i’m playing along for fun to continue my monthly christmas card creations.
i’m also submitting this card to the Simon Says SugarPea Designs STAMPtember® 2019 Exclusive Collaboration!
thanks for popping by.
the leaves are starting to change colour even though we still have hot and humid weather!
i’m playing along with the My Favorite Things 2019 Card Design Superstar: Colouring Virtuoso challenge.
i started this card by stamping the centre pumpkin on Arches hot press watercolour paper and masking it to stamp the other two and the scarecrow. first i painted the sky with twinkling H2Os and then all the images from the My Favorite Things Fall Friends stamp set. i fussy cut the hat to add the plaid ribbon, the crow to pop him on the hat, and the leaves from the MFT Harvest Buddies stamp set. i attached the image panel to some purple cardstock and then to a beige base.
thanks for popping by.
i’m back with a reminder that there is still time to play along with the Penny Black And More Challenge and the September theme of animals.
i painted this cute mouse from the Penny Black stamp set Especially Micey with twinkling H2Os on hot press watercolour paper. remember your focal point must be hand stamped (any company) to be eligible for one of the fabulous prizes from this month’s sponsors: Penny Black and Clever Cut.
i’m playing along with the Crafty Animals challenge #30 – Always Anything Goes.
thanks for popping by.
today’s card is a clean and simple one featuring some cute characters that were fun to paint.
these cuties are from the Clearly Besotted seasonal lineup clear stamp set and i painted everything with twinkling H2Os on hot press watercolour paper. the image panel is popped on foam tape to finish off this smaller card.
i’m playing along with these challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More #357 – Make Your Mark
Crafty Animals #30 – Always Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday #598 Anything Goes
Ellibelle’s Crafty Wednesday: September Challenge begins with B
Happy Little Stampers Watercolour September – Anything Goes + option: Tropical
Simon Says Stamp – Wednesday, Stamp It – No Digis
thanks for popping by.
we have a new theme for september at the Penny Black And More Challenge: this month we’d like to see animals.
if you follow me you might have guessed i’d use a bunny; this penny black wood stamp 2305H bees & bunny was painted with daniel smith paints on hot pressed watercolour paper.
remember your focal point must be hand stamped (any company) to be eligible for one of the fabulous prizes from this month’s sponsors: Penny Black and Clever Cut.
thanks for popping by.
it’s my turn to create a project for the August Rudolph Days Challenge, hosted by Maureen.
i was going to post each little card individually, but i think they show up well enough in the group photo.
i love using small images on tags but this time i made a set of six 3 inch cards and a box following this tutorial. these cute little images are from the Clearly Besotted ‘shake it up’ clear stamp set that i painted with twinkling H2Os on hot pressed watercolour paper and fussy cut. the pretty papers are from the Penny Black Christmas 6 x 6 Paper Pad Festive and Frosty and the sentiment was heat embossed with white embossing powder. i used a white gel pen for the snow and added glitter to each snow mound. the dots were made with a mama elephant border die.
remember you have until the end of the month to play along for a generous prize and, as always, it’s an anything goes christmas theme. i know, it’s summer and maybe it’s too early to think about holiday cards, but there are only 3 Rudolph Days Challenges before Christmas – will you be ready?
thanks for popping by.
i’m back with a reminder that you still have plenty of time to join the Penny Black and More Challenge where we’re focusing on cards For Boys and Men this month.
once again i used caran d’ache luminance colour pencils on a light grey card stock; this happy cat is from the penny black birthday critters clear set and the sentiment is a penny black die called sweet wishes. i sponged distress ink around the edges of both the image panel and the card.
our rules are easy – the focal point must be hand stamped and must follow the theme to be eligible for a prize from one of the generous sponsors: Penny Black, Crafts U Love plus A Clarity Art stencil.
thanks for popping by.
it was so much fun to create this little album even if i did make a big mess. the current LAWN FAWNATICS CHALLENGE 58 is INTERACTIVE so i had to be creative with their products since i don’t have many of their interactive dies.
i used lawn fawn’s spring fling papers, the LF Stitched Gift Card Pocket to create the pocket fronts and the front flap shape and a variety of embellishments all listed at the end of this post.
i used the LF Tag You’re It die to cut the pages, trimming off the top portion and turning them upside down. i used random cute images and painted them with twinkling H2Os on hot pressed watercolour paper.
the lemons were fussy cut and the chipmunk masked to allow for splatters.
i used a silver glitter pen on the flute and a clear gloss pen on the horn.
the floral card opens up and this is the inside:
the flap was sponged with distress ink and opens to reveal these little cuties, fussy cut, along with the log and two yellow flowers cut from the paper:
the album closes with a small magnet.
i’m also playing along with Scrapy Land Challenge #119 and its anything goes theme using dies sold at their store.
thanks for popping by.
Lawn Fawn Products Used:
Stamps:
Make Lemonade-pitcher and lemons
Tiny Tags Sayings- to, heart for the mini card, just for you for the pocket
Joy To The Woods-the log
Love Letters-Envelope
Pick of the Patch-Fall
Into the Woods-chipmunk
Say What? Christmas Critters-happy, sending love on the pocket
Critter Concert-bear, raccoon
Smooth Sailing for the little bunny and bear
Lawn Cuts:
Stitched Gift Card Pocket – pockets and the hugs
Tag You’re It – pages
Happy Mail – the envelope
Into the Woods – fall leaves
Hello Border
Tiny Giftbox heart
Peekaboo backdrop flap on the card
Hearts – heart on flap
PAPERS:
Spring Fling
if you follow me you know i have posted about products that are useable by me along with reasons why others are not. in addition to having severe RA i’m still trying to find the right balance between playing creating and working staying organized but my new label printer has been a big help.
i’ve been using the DYMO LabelWriter Wireless Label Printer since i bought it during boxing week specials at staples.ca last year and i love it:
why not other machines?
my first labeller was the Brother p-touch 90, but i wasn’t using it very much. any task that requires fine motor skills is difficult and sometimes painful, not to mention very time consuming – it took me just over 3 minutes to create one label. in that time, the DYMO LW would have printed over 200. the keyboard is so small, there is not enough of a contrast on the view screen, and separating the label from the backing paper was extremely challenging.
i did try label sheets but aligning portions of sheets was difficult, also very time consuming and used ink and/or toner.
i want to spend my time and energy doing what i love so for me this is the ideal label printer.
thanks for popping by.
it’s the first sunday of a new month, august already, so we have a new theme at the Penny Black and More Challenge: For Boys and Men.
i coloured this cute dog from the penny black birthday party set with caran d’ache luminance colour pencils on a light grey card stock this time; i’m testing them out on different papers. i used the avery elle wonky stitch die and added the sentiment.
our rules are easy – the focal point must be hand stamped and must follow the theme to be eligible for a prize from one of the generous sponsors: Penny Black, Crafts U Love plus A Clarity Art stencil.
thanks for popping by.
this was a quick and easy card and fun to colour.
i stamped the penny black wood stamp ‘strawberry jam’ on kraft and coloured with caran d’ache luminance coloured pencils.
i was inspired by these challenges:
Colour Throwdown – Colours
Kleuren Met Potloden (Coloured Pencils) July – Anything Goes
Simon Says Wednesday – Anything Goes
Crafty Animals – #29 Always Anything Goes
thanks for popping by.
you never know where that little bunny might pop up.
i painted the chick and bunny with twinkling H2Os and sponged the background with distress inks; everything is popped on foam tape. the mail box was cut from grey card stock and the envelopes from lawn fawn hearts paper and doodlebug designer paper. a fun note card to make and it came together quickly.
lawn fawn supplies used:
stamps: love letters, smooth sailing
dies: happy mail
i’m playing along with the LAWN FAWNATICS CHALLENGE 57 – LITTLE THINGS
Simon Says Wednesday – Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday #593 Anything Goes
thanks for popping by.
it’s my month off so i’m playing along with Maureen’s Rudolph Days Challenge just for fun.
i painted the sky with twinkling H2Os on cold press watercolour paper and painted the yvonne creations trees with twinks too. i added glitter to the branches and stamped the sentiment from a tri-colour ink pad.
i’m also playing along with these challenges:
Simon Says Wednesday – Anything Goes
Scrapy Land Challenges #117- Always Anything Goes with Die Brand SL sells: tree die
thanks for popping by.
the previous post featured the tiny images on a bookmark but i used the larger images from the same set to create this card.
these cute hippos from the Clearly Besotted being schooled clear stamp set were painted with daniel smith watercolours on hot press watercolour paper that i custom mixed and then fussy cut. i used the sunny studio staggered circles die and layered the piece over another white card stock piece that i sponged with mustard seed distress ink. i also sponged the left border of the white base. the sentiment is from the Clearly Besotted mini calligraphy stamp set.
i’m playing along with these challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge BRIGHT AND CHEERFUL
Simon Says Wednesday Back to School
Stamps & Fun = Creativity #351 SCHOOL
As You Like It Challenge Favourite Bird Or Beast: i love birds but i have more beast images, mostly the adorable kind that make me smile.
thanks for popping by.
i practiced random stamping on this bookmark and colouring with caran d’ache luminance coloured pencils.
these cute little images are from the Clearly Besotted being schooled clear stamp set.
i’m playing along with these challenges:
Krafty Chicks #465 Tags/Bookmarks
Simon Says Wednesday – Back to School
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge NOT A CARD
Stamps & Fun = Creativity #351 SCHOOL
thanks for popping by.
since i had my Impression Obsession ‘signs of summer’ stamp set out, i used the smiling kites to create another card for the Impression Obsession challenge theme of Things That Fly (not just birds and butterflies!)
i painted again with tombow markers on hot press watercolour paper and added nuvo shimmer pen to the kites on this small notecard. the shimmer pen seems to have lifted some colour so i added more colour after this photo was taken. the sentiment is from the IO ‘more basic greetings’ (CL549) clear stamp set.
thanks for popping by.
it is way too hot to be outdoors so i’m keeping cool while i create summer cards.
the current Impression Obsession challenge theme is Things That Fly (not just birds and butterflies!) i painted the frisbees and sentiment, both from the Pink Ink for Impression Obsession ‘signs of summer’ stamp set (CL873) with tombow markers on hot press watercolour paper.
thanks for popping by.
we’re about half way though july so there’s still time to join this month’s Penny Black and More Challenge: Summer colours theme.
i painted this cute penny black mouse (30-020 hugs!) with twinkling H2Os on hot press watercolour paper and used summery pink and yellow papers from lawn fawn.
remember your creation must have a hand stamped focal point, although it can be any company’s image to be eligible for a prize from the generous sponsors: Penny Black, Stamp Addicts, Craft Stash.
thanks for popping by.
the current impression obsession challenge is Sending Sunshine! and it’s so nice to have such sunny skies lately!
i sponged three yellow distress inks onto cold press watercolour paper and spritzed it and used a leftover scrap of watercolour paper created with turquoise nuance powder to cut the impression obsession sandals (DIE190-C) and the IO hello sunshine (DIE691-C). the chair, part of the same die set as the sandals, was just cut from plain watercolour paper.
i added a beach ball that i painted free hand. i used the dot of the i to cover the beach ball valve and i added a drop of glossy accents to it.
i’m also playing along with these challenges:
Allsorts #527 – Summer Fun/Sports
Crafting Happiness Challenges #4 SUMMER
Dies R Us Challenge #124 – Anything Goes
thanks for popping by.
it’s the first sunday of a new month so we have a new theme at the Penny Black and More Challenge: show us your Summer Colours.
my summer colours are green grass and blue skies so i carried the sky in the image circle out to the front of the card. i painted this cute penny black mouse from the ‘critter fun’ set with twinkling H2Os and used the impression obsession die cut sentiment. the wonky stitches rectangle dies are new to me; i really liked them on my teamie’s cards; thanks ellie.
just a reminder that your focal point must be hand stamped, although you can use any company’s image to be eligible for one of the prizes from our generous sponsors: Penny Black, Stamp Addicts, Craft Stash.
thanks for popping by.
i made another card for the current LAWN FAWNATICS CHALLENGE 55 MOOD BOARD & COLOUR INSPIRATION:
look who’s peeking out! i cut around the door with a kraft knife and added a piece of paper from the lawn fawn spring fling paper pad behind the door opening.
i’ve been having fun with the lawn fawn happy trails stamp set so this time i created a 3 inch card, painted with twinkling H2Os and added these cute little critters from the LF smooth sailing stamp set. everything was fussy cut, a challenge in itself with my RA hands so after i finished the card, i ordered the coordinating die set. then i’ll be a happy camper. i know.
i sponged distress inks: peacock feathers for the sky and twisted citron for the grass, cut with LF stitched hills die set. i stamped the sentiment from the LF oh what fun stamp set and stamped two suns from the LF so much to say stamp set so i could layer it.
thanks for popping by.
the current LAWN FAWNATICS CHALLENGE 55 MOOD BOARD & COLOUR INSPIRATION is full of summer items and bright colours.
i painted the car and trailer from the Lawn Fawn happy trails stamp set with tombow markers bright set on hot press watercolour paper, cut with coordinating dies and added glossy accents to the windows. i stamped the line markings on grey cardstock and masked the two sentiments from the happy trails set to create this one. the sky was created with nuance powders and cold press watercolour paper and die cut clouds from the into the woods die set. to finish my card, i popped the vehicles on foam tape.
i’m also playing along with these challenges:
Little Red Wagon #503 – Not About a Specific Event (this is an everyday card for my husband)
Addicted to Stamps and More #347- Make Your Mark (tombow markers)
Simon Says Wednesday – Anything Goes
thanks for popping by.
it’s my turn to post my design team card for the Rudolph Days Challenge hosted by maureen at scrappymo’s blog.
i used this adorable Neat and Tangled snowman stamp set and coordinating die set to create traditional and non traditional cards. all images were painted with daniel smith watercolour paints on hot press watercolour paper but both skies were sponged with distress inks. everything is popped on foam tape and i finished them off with a touch of glitter on the hats.
anything christmas themed is all that you need to play along with a limit of one entry that you can submit up until june 30 for a chance to win a generous prize.
i’m also playing along with these challenges:
Jingle Belles must be Christmas – SNOW
My Time to Craft #399 Watercolor; daniel smith paints
As You Like It Challenge Favourite Summer or Winter Colors (& why): the cool colour palette of winter is my favourite as i find it more calming.
thanks for popping by.
today’s card was created in memory of my son, who passed away ten years ago; it’s hard to believe so much time has passed while at other times it seems to stand still.
every year i focus on one memory and create a card around it. this penny black mo manning wizard resembles my son’s art, especially his comic book art and his colouring. gandalf came to mind; my husband took our son and daughter to see lord of the rings nine times when it first hit theatres in december 2001. yes, big tolkien fans so i had to use gold mirri for one of the mats.
i painted the sky and image on hot press watercolour paper with custom colours i mixed of twinkling H2Os. to this day, i thank my son for sharing his art supplies with me, especially a watercolour paint brush and some of the ‘rules’ along with a lot of encouragement. i got messy and created the background with alcohol inks.
i’m sharing my card with these challenges:
Challenge #280 Anything “Mo” Goes (Optional Theme: “For the Boys/Guys”)
As You Like It Challenge Favourite Stamp Brand (& why): if i could only pick one brand, i’d choose penny black as it was my first clear stamp set. i love the quality of the illustrations and the cute critters make me smile while i’m painting them – sometimes, they’re a bit mischievous which makes them all the more entertaining. also, i like that a lot of the images are generously sized so that my style allows them to be a major part of the card’s focus. i’m fortunate to be a design team member for the penny black and more challenge where we all share our love of penny black stamps.
thanks for popping by.
i couldn’t be more proud of my daughter for earning her second degree; this is a spinning graduation cap tag i created to attach to a gift for her graduation party.
i painted the lawn fawn smart cookie stamp graduation cap with my favourite black watercolour paint from sennelier and purple paint for the tassel then used the coordinating die.
i die cut two lawn fawn stitched circle tags: one from the spring fling paper pad and one white cardstock for the back that i stamped with ‘you’re one smart cookie’ from the smart cookie stamp set.
the slide on over circle die set was used for the interactive element; i stamped the sentiment from the tiny tag saying birthday stamp set, and layered with three pieces of yellow foam to create the channel. some of the foam needs to be trimmed from the edges to allow room for the penny/disc to move and spin the cap as it travels along the channel.
i’m playing along with the current LAWN FAWNATICS CHALLENGE 54 – PERFECT FOR PARTIES.
thanks for popping by.
i needed a masculine thank you card for a number cruncher so i kept it clean and simple.
i die cut the mama elephant thanks from black cardstock using stick it to layer it twice and attach it to the numbered paper.
i’m submitting this card to these challenges:
Simon Says Wednesday – Masculine
Crafty Calendar June – Masculine
thanks for popping by.
the new Impression Obsession Challenge is Feathered Friends!
i chose a couple of owls from the IO Zenspirations What A Hoot set (CL339) and tested out my new Caran D’ache Luminance Coloured Pencils on kraft; they work great. i sponged the edges with vintage photo distress ink.
i’m also playing along with these challenges:
As You Like It Challenge His & Hers (& why): i like making both but i usually create more feminine than masculine cards – it depends on the recipient. today’s card is for my husband.
Addicted to Stamps – #175 For a Boy/Man
Simon Says Wednesday – Anything Goes
thanks for popping by.
wow, we’re into june already! since it’s the first sunday of the month, we have a new theme at the Penny Black and More Challenge: Blooms, Butterflies and Bugs.
i created a set of flat note cards using Penny Black 30-029 ‘wonderful’ and used Laurentian coloured pencils.
playing along is simple: your creation must have a hand stamped focal point, although it can be any company’s image, remember to be eligible for a prize from the generous sponsors: Penny Black, Swedish House Crafts and Stix 2.
i’m also playing along with the anything goes theme at Simon Says Wednesday.
thanks for popping by.
i’m playing along with the LAWN FAWNATICS CHALLENGE 53 – SPECTACULAR SKIES.
campers at dusk; remember those long road trips?
i used 140 lb. cold press watercolour paper for lawn fawn’s stitched hillside border and sky; i swiped wild honey and worn lipstick distress inks on craft mat, spritzed with water and pressed the paper into it to create my background. lawn fawn’s happy trails images were stamped on 140 lb. hot press w/c paper and painted with my new daniel smith watercolour paints that i treated myself to; for years i’ve painted with twinkling H2Os so i need more play time to get used to these.
the hill was popped on foam tape, as were a couple of the trees and the vehicles. to finish it off, i cut a strip of paper that was sponged with black soot distress ink and i added the lines with a white gel pen.
i’m also playing along with the anything goes theme at Simon Says Wednesday.
thanks for popping by.
i’m playing along with the Rudolph Days Challenge just for fun this month, to build up my christmas card stash.
this was a very quick and easy card so i made a set of four. i cut a 12 x 12 paper to A2 size to cover the card bases and attached the holly jolly music border die (Yvonne Creations) cut from shimmery white gold card stock.
i’m also playing along with the anything goes theme at Simon Says Wednesday.
thanks for popping by.
wow, the Allsorts Challenge is celebrating ten years!
naturally, the current theme is birthday so i got to use two more cute images from the penny black ‘it’s your day’ stamp set. this is my first project coloured with my new Caran D’ache Luminance Coloured Pencils. i will need to practice because they’re heavily pigmented compared to other coloured pencils i have so they require less effort, which is good.
i’m also playing along with the anything goes theme at Simon Says Wednesday.
thanks for popping by.
