Another fall birthday

This will be for another family birthday coming up soon!  Joan's Touch has a challenge to use something already cut, alter it, and create a card.  I had this circle cut in purple.   I thought I had a good solution - use gold Brilliance ink to give it a gilded look.  The final result is not very sparkly and does not look gilded, but does have a look of fall.   I also used a "bubble" embossed piece that was in my drawer ( I have a lot of pre-embossed pieces).  I used Ranger disress ink to sponge.  That folder is available at Joan's Garden shop.  The Blessings die came from that shop.  I used the Thanksgiving look image at ODB for inspiration.  Oh, yes, several of the pieces of CS and DP were sort of pre cut - from my scrap collection.
Sketch: http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:  http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/
Fall; alter item already cut; embossing; item from Joan's Garden:  http://www.joanstouch.com/
 Inspiration (lower left):   http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Blessings:   http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Thinking of you - Vintage fall colors

We have a friend whose liver cancer seems to be diminishing, and she is feeling better - thanks to answered prayer and good medical prayer.  I want to send a note of encouragement.  I have a pad of DCWV papers called Heirloom - I liked the look of this for a bg.  And I am no good at stitching with a pen or needle, so I used some from a sheet of stickers for this one.
Sketch #2:   http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/ 
Vintage, with distressed edges and layers:  http://www.joanstouch.com/
Technique - distress:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
encouragement:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Stitches:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge

Distressed birthday!

There are several family birthdays coming in the next few weeks, and I need to build up my stash.  I really like this cs - it has texture and sparkle - as well as giving me a sense of  old fashioned (vintage) wallpaper.  This is one of many sheets of cs that was in a box sent to me by my sister - given to her by an acquaintance. I added some gems to the strip, and used ribbon that has a bit of shine to it as well.  I distressed the edges.
Sketch:  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
Technique (distressing):  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Distress, vintage, layers:  http://www.joanstouch.com/
Distress:   http://www.joanstouch.com/
Distress:  http://paulaholifieldcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/

Distressed Vintage

Our friends are celebrating a milestone anniversary, and I thought the challenge to use hearts would be appropriate - as well as the distressing!  In addition to the die cut hearts, there are hearts in the embossed portion - one one each side has been left uncovered but nearly impossible to see here.  All of the edges are distressed, and I added tiny flowers with pearls, some gems, and a bit of lace.  The CS is all from a huge packet from Costco.
Sketch:  http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
Distress, vintage, layers: http://www.joanstouch.com/
From the heart:  http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.com/
Pearls and lace: http://paulaholifieldcrafts.blogspot.com/
Technique - distressing:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/

Enjoy every moment

I am enjoying going to my stash of items - mostly from members of WIsh RAK at Splitcoaststampers.  My friend not only stamped the flowers and sentiments - she colored them and added centers and brads, as needed.  I used the bird from a Cheery Lynn Little things set I got at Joan's Garden some time ago.  Unfortunately, the blob gremlin is back - this image is perfect in my own file, but move it here, and the blobs show up!
Sketch:  http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Use pink and green, circles, flowers,  and an item from the store:  http://www.joanstouch.com/

Far outside of my comfort zone

I pretty much avoid CAS cards- but I saw the challenge to case VIcki Dutchr, and I wanted to try.  This is a very old cuttlebug embossing folder - which I colored with Twinkling H20's/  I think that they are my favorite coloring medium - though I do not use them very often - probably because my color selection is not that great.  (I use an aqua brush.)  I have at least 4 different shades of blues and aquas as well as Forest green for the stems and leaves.  (The blotches are not present IRL - LOL!)  I added tiny black crystals for the flower centers, and the stencil is Tim Holz.  The Blessings die (Cheery Lynn, available at Joan's Garden) is my new favoarite die.  I like it because it is a simple way to express this sentiment - and useful for such a variety of occasions;  I also like that it is available in two sizes - and positionable in a way that a stamped sentiment may not work.
Inspired by Vicki:  http://www.aaacards.blogspot.co.uk/
Several colors, with stencil and texture, with die from Joan's Garden):  http://www.joanstouch.com/
Old (embossing folder) and new(die):  http://hobbycutzchallenges.blogspot.com/
Favorite die (see above):  http://asyoulikeitchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
Something new (die):  http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/

Stencil with many colors

This is my version of a stencil using several colors of ink - combined with the Vintage Journey style.  I have several stencils, but not many that would seem to work with the challenge instructions to use several colors of ink.  I am not terribly satisfied with the white - I may try this again on kraft cs.  As stated in previous posts, I am the recipient of a huge box of goodies sent by my sister.  I sponged several inks - red,orange, yellow, and one called mudslide - but I decided to make the circle smaller and the yellow edges are cut off!  I also sponged the edge of the bottom mat.  This is from a sheet of cs by Bo Bunny (I used to see her on TV YEARS ago!!!). I did color in the flower of the image (Garden Collage by SU).  The bg is debossed, showing a bit of white through the dark layer.  ).  More texture comes from the ribbon and the Blessings die cut (Cheery Lynn - available at Joan's Garden store).
Wings (butterfly):  http://www.vintagejourney.com/
Multi ink stenciling, texture, product from Joan's Garden:  file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/A%20sketches/z%206-30%20Joan%27s.htm

Sympathy, black and white

This is a digital image from TLC.  The butterfly is Cheery Lynn, and the scallopy frame is sold at Joan's Gardens (Cuttlebug).  I like the simple elegance of black and white for sympathy cards.
Black and white, texture, scallops, frame available at Joan's Gardens:  http://www.joanstouch.com/
Dies:  http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/
Any:  http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Birds:  http://citycrafter.blogspot.com/

The church ladies

This image has been in my stash for a long time - I have lost track of the origin.  It SO reminds me of my grandmother - complete with the print dresses and the hat! 
I feel I am working under a handicap this summer - I inadvertently left a box of my "tools" behind when I packed the motor home - including my punches!  (I got a tiny star one along....). So I have little in the way of scallops, but I hope this rectangle die works!  The corner treatment uses tiny flowers from a Cuttlebug border die, and the Blessings is a great new Cheery Lynn die from Joan's Gardens store.  I used the textile embossing folder (cuttlebug), which I chalked using black chalk.  The splotches are courtesy of my computer.
Sketch:  http://adieforasketch.blogspot.ca/
Uplifting - the verse inside is for Birthday blessings with God's love:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Corner treatment, with Cheery Lynn die:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
Black and white, texture and scallops. with die from Joan's Gardens:  http://www.joanstouch.com/

Graduation #?

I thought I had completed all the graduation cards we needed for the season - but another invitation arrived.  I have my "stuff " half packed - some to take along this summer, and some to leave at home - and I don't know where anything is!  (The older I get, the harder it is to remember...)  But I just got this Blessngs die from Joan's Gardens - what a nice item!  I am sure I will use it a lot - this is the small version.  I did not embellish a lot, to keep this a masculine card - added a ribbon, and a Spellbinder swirl and border.  Black, silver and turquoise were the invitation fcolors.  I used the computer for the central verse, and Our Daily Bread scripture.
Sketch:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Die, black, embellishment, Joan's product (Blessings):  http://www.joanstouch.com/
Die cuts:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
2 or more die cuts:  http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.co.uk/
Any uplifting:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Manly, with Cheery Lynn die:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge

stencil and chalk

I used a stencil and dp that was part of my recent prize at Frilly and Funky.  The DP is from a pad calledSomething Blue (Prima), and the sunburst stencil is Stampers Anonymous.  The leafy branch is a Sizzix die available at Joan's Gardens - Terri has so many great products.  The verse is Verve, and sentiment from Recollections.  I added a bit of Washi tape between the segments.  Oh, yes, I used 3 shades of coral chalk for the sunburst - the scan is not very good.
Sketch:  http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com
Use a stencil and 2 pattern papers:   http://www.joanstouch.com/
DP to cover base:  http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.co.uk/
Flowers and die:  http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/
Die Crazy:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Chalk:  http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Natural glory (the roses are glorious):  http://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Pink and orange

I mistakenly sponged the wrong side of the embossing folder - so this is debossed (those of you who "know" me are aware that I seldom discard any mistake LOL!)
The image is Verve, I believe, and the sentiment - Recollections.  The ef, available at Joan's Gardens, is snowflake - but I like it for the look of celebratory starbursts.  The delicate Cheery Lynn butterfly was purchased from Joan some time ago.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Embossing, butterfly, sentiment, item from the store:  http://www.joanstouch.com/
Soft pink, soft orange, lavender (flowers) white/w CB embossing:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Encouraging words:   http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Pink and orange BG (Sponged on EF):   http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/
Any ( butterfly die):   http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.com/  
Anything feminine:  http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2014/05/dlart-thankful-thursday-challenge-132.html

Soft florals with wings

It is somewhat "outside the box" for me to do a card without dark mats separating the layers - but, here goes!  The embossed frame does have a bit of white ink - which I applied directly to the folder.  The Garden Collage (SU) image is sponged with lavender and pink chalk.  I used an aqua brush and Twinkling H20 for the butterfly, and applied stickles for some sparkle.  The strip is a sheer floral ribbon, and I tied the sentiment (CTMH) with some shiny cord - used glue and glitter to create a jewel to keep the cord tied.  The butterfly is CCDesigns.  It is cut from a scrap of scrolly pink paper from my recycle box - think it came from an ad.  The corners are punched with a Martha Stewart corner punch.  This card will go to the recipient for this week's SCS TeaPot Tuesday challenge.
Included for challenges:  soft colors, butterflies, flowers (on ribbon and part of the image); CB Scrollworks EF available from Joan's Gardens shop, embossing (cuttlebug), ribbon, sentiment, punch, die cut

My apologies:  this blog is not cooperating this morning.  I will return and try to fix it.
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Soft colors w/ Cuttlebug:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Flowers and ribbon:  http://ribbongirls.blogspot.com/
Spring colors:  http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.ca/
Butterflies:  http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/
Wings: http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Embossing, butterflies, sentiment:  http://www.joanstouch.com/
Flowers (on image and ribbon):  http://stamplorations.blogspot.com/2014/05/may-challenge-stamps-flowers.html
               http://crazy4challenges.blogspot.com/
Punch/dies:  http://flatfriendschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
Any: http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com/
         http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.com/   
        http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.com/
         http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.com/

TeaPot Tuesday  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/teapot-tuesdays-f260/mmtpt301~may-6-2014~roses-red-violets-blue-t587342.html

For Mother in pastel

(I keep hoping some techie will visit this site and help me with the uploading problems - my image looks fine in my computer file, and when I upload here it gets all blotchy - especially the edges, and white spaces.)
The verse is from Our Daily Bread Happy Birthday set.  I added some die cut letters, Cheery Lynn branches, flowers from a SandyLion sticker set.  I sponged the Swiss Dot piece -IRL it is lighter toward the center - a result I like with this sponging. 

Sketch, with ODB stamp:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Pastels and polka dots:  http://www.theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/
Purple and white, nature (snowflakes, leaves, flowers), items from Joan's Gardens (EF, vagabond machine, and I bought the leaf die a while ago):  http://www.joanstouch.com/
embossing and texture:  http://www.theartisticstampercreativeteam.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/april-challenge-embossing-and-texture.html 
Mother, with Cheery Lynn die:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
Pretty Pastels:  http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/ 
White plus one color:  http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/ 
                                        http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
No DP:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/

 

All die cuts

 I enjoy using die cuts, so a "die cut only" challenge is right up my alley!  I just need more (yah, sure!!) dies - more of the fancy circles and ovals - then I could do gorgeous cards like so many of you create.
Here I used a couple of kinds of DP, Spellbinders ovals - with glitter added - sizzix dies, and some ribbon.  The leaf die is available at Joan's Gardens.  The owner Terri also sells the Vagabond die cutting machine - I am glad to have that as it does a great job of cutting this birthday die - it seems a bit more temperamental than some of my dies.
Sketch:  http://sweetsketchwednesday2.blogspot.com/
No stamping; at least 2 layers, and product from Joan's Gardens:  http://www.joanstouch.com/
Tic Tac Toe ( middle down - glitter, pastel, and flowers):  http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/
Spring flowers:  http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://ttcrd.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.com/2014/04/april-anything-goes-challenge.html
           http://www.addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.com.au/

Monochrome graduation

I have a fairly long list of graduation cards and not much time, so I will need some quick and easy styles!  I think this works - when I get invitations I will try to create a card to match the colors.  This uses a Cheery Lynn Tiny Things die - which I bought when Joan had her Joan's Garden shop.  The flourish Frame folder is now available at Joan's Gardens - as is the Vagabond die cut machine I use.  The Congrats is a Cuttlebug die I have had for a while.  Two layers of purple are matted on white base.
Monochromatic:  http://artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
wings:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Purple, with Cheery Lynn die:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
Embossing:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
Die cut (no stamp), with layers and items from Joan's Gardens:  http://www.joanstouch.com/
Frame (embossed frame):   http://www.suzypantssmarty.blogspot.ca/
Spring (Graduations!!!)  http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/

Easter Blessings

I do have a couple of Easter stamps, but I have used them often, so looked for something different.  This SU Garden Collage image represents Easter well, I think.  I added a computer sentiment.  The image is colored with chalk, and I used new papers from a DCWV Heirloom stack.  The leaves and backing are cut from the same paper as the mat - it has a kind of mosaic pattern to it - perfect for leaves.  The flowers are by Petaloo.  Available from Terri:  Sizzix Garden Green dies, Memento Tuxedo black ink, and the Vagabond machine (http://www.atjoansgardens.com/).
Sketch:  http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/
Dies:  http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/
Flowers:  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
Use:stamp, corner treatment, pattern paper, item from Joan's Gardens: http://www.joanstouch.com/  
Wings:  http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/
Any:   http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
          http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
          http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/

Die cuts, embossing and masks

:

Edit:  My apologies to those of you sponsoring challenges and to DT members who are commenting - this is probably too late, but something weird has happened to my description - when I checked now (Sunday p.m.), I realized that my original description has vanished.
Products:  SU Designer greetings, JustRite sentiment; chalk pencils, misc. dp and cs.   Items available at Joan's Gardens:  Cuttlebug frame embossing folder, Sizzix Garden Green die (I cut apart the leaves from the branch).  I used a somewhat different masking technique - I used a scroll punch, and sponged oer it with SU chalk - I also masked a circle for the sentiment.  The color is way off, as I used More Mustard chalk - to match the mat.  (The "to you" is from a Just Rite set that was probably the first JR one I bought - not sure of the name but it is a Classic Circle Stamper..  I masked the rest of the stamp to get the "to you" that I wanted here.)

Sketch:  http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Chalk:  http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/
 Light Blue, golden yellow, white:  http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Pastels:   http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/
DP, corners, a stamp, item from Joan's Gardens (see above):  http://joanstouch.com/
Masking, JustRite stamp:  http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/justrite-friday-challenge/
Any:   http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Blue and yellow:  http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/
 For You:  (Vintage stamping challenge):  http://www.flonzcraft.com/vsc/

Swirly pink and white

(The blotchiness is not a part of the original photo.)  For the challenge at Love's Rubber stamps we were to use ugly papers.  I have a bit of the trellis-like dp showing - actually, it probably is not really ugly, but just looks that way after I have had it in my stash for several years.  It was part of a stack (DCWV, I think) that was one of the first I purchased - I am down to one more small scrap of this print!  The scrolls are in the frame, and the floral image is by Verve.  The frame embossing folder is available at Joan's Gardens.  I also used Versafine Tuxedo black ink, and my hard working Vagabond machine - both also available there - http://www.atjoansgardens.com/.  The lattice strip is a Cuttlebug die.
(Oops -the sketch I used has closed.  Oh, well...)
Ribbon and bow:  http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com/
Pink and white, lattice, flower, item from Joan's Gardens (see above):  http://www.joanstouch.com/
Ugly paper:   http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
Pink:  http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/
Spring:  http://stamplorations.blogspot.ca/2014/03/march-challenge-stamps-spring.html
Swirls:  http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/

Shabby pink and white

I have seen so many "shabby chic" cards that I like a lot - and want to practice my version of the style .  I tore the edges of the K&Co paper - actually, I had some scraps that I pieced.  I used my snowflake EF (available at Joan's Gardens) to bind it together.  In retrospect I should have done this before I adhered the lattice strip - I do think it detracts from the trellis shape.  Oh well... next time!  The half circle is from Spellbinders Majestic Elements - sponged with pink chalk, as is the sentiment.  I used a floral sticker mounted on a sponged Labels One layer.  The button like flowers are from a bunch of SandyLion embellishments I got at a store closing.
Sketch #3:  http://vlvsketches.blogspot.com/p/link-list.html
Chalk (sponging):  http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Not square:   http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
Lattice, floral, pink & white:  http://www.joanstouch.com/
Floral, buttons, BG with script:  http://www.theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/
Inspiration -lots of pink and flowers:  http://sugarcreekhollow.blogspot.com/