Watercolor on Black Cardstock

I tried something new and it was a challenge for the Technique Lovers over at Splitcoaststampers.  That challenge- water coloring on black cardstock.

  I really love the way this turned out  : )   I thought it would be a great backdrop for this great turtle image from the Technique Junkies. Stamped in Versamark and embossed in Turquoise Lagoon Enamel EP from Sweet Stamps.  I used a Versamark marker on the bubbles and used a white EP on them.  The sentiment by Sweet n Sassy stamps is stamped and embossed using black EP.
  The panel is backed with a shimmery silver and then layered on Pool Party cardstock.
  I added sequins for a final touch.

Challenges:
2 Crafty Critter Crazies- Critter- turtle
Love to Craft- AG
World Wide Open DT Challenge Blog-AG

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Punch Art Believe

Falliday is in progress at Splitcoast- challenges and encourages you to create!  I made a card for the challenge to add a FACE to your card.

 This idea is from THIS post. I did not have all of the punches, so freehand cut shapes. I have to admit that when my card was done I spilled tea on it.....!  You can see the effect of that, but will use it anyway- it will put a smile on someone's face! 
  The Olive Green layer is embossed using a Tim Holtz embossing folder that I had added Old Olive ink to- then spritzed with water.
  The Christmas Mouse is a variety of punches and a few are free form cut with scissors. The Believe sentiment is from Sweet n Sassy Stamps.

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Tuesday Throwdown-AG

The Tuesday Throwdown challenge this week is Anything Goes! We are Sponsored by Lily Patch Boutique.

 I do love pink.... This would be fun in red or purple too, don't you think?  The image is colored with Copics.  The heart die used is a Nellie Snellen set that is ages old but so pretty. The Love die is from Memory Box.  The X O embossing folder is by Cricut.

The Cupcake digi is by Sweet'NSassy Stamps and can be found HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Bugaboo- Color Challenge

Bugaboo has a beautiful color challenge today- you have a week to join in! The challenge is at the Catch the Bug blog HERE.

  Not too hard to get out of the Winter Blues with these colors- they made me think of flowers : ) Unfortunately, I needed to make a Sympathy card this week....  I used this lovely Digi stamp from Bugaboo called Flower-Butterfly-Vase.  I colored it with Copics in assorted purples. The Sentiment is from a (retired )set from SweetnSassy Stamps. The die I used is from Gina Marie.

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Tuesday Throwdown-Anything Goes

It's Tuesday , time for team B of the Tuesday Throwdown team to create for a Anything Goes challenge!  We are sponsored by Sweet N Sassy Stamps. Korin has generously offered images for us to use- and I chose to use the Sweet Cocoa, digital image  : )

 This sweet digi is so fun- I am going to give this card to my sweet mother, who loves Hot Chocolate!!!
  I colored the image using Copic markers. I added some Wink of Stella to the white parts of the candy cane. The sentiment is from Artistic Impressions. The DP is MME Glittered Christmas papers (it's old,,,,!).  The cardstock is from Gina K.
  I punched out a snowflake using a MS snowflake punch and added a rhinestone to its center. The ribbon is a white organdy with silver stripes through it,

Challenges:
Dream Valley Challenges- Christmas

C.R.A.F.T -Sketch challenge
If you Give a Crafter a Cookie- Photo Insipiration
Dies are Us snowflakes.  Die- Memory Box Stitched Circle die

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Tuesday Throwdown-Splatter it

Happy Tuesday!  It is time for Tuesday Throwdown for Team B, and we are using supplies to add splatter to our cards.

 I started off with Fired Brick Distress Oxide inks- applied to non-stick mat and spritzed with water.  Next, I dragged the white cardstock through the wet ink.  I dried the cardstock/ink.  I repeated this again to get a tiny bit darker color in the background.  I added drips of water for splatter on the background.
  I added more splatter- I took Black Soot Distress Ink and spritzed it with water, then added splatter onto the card with a paintbrush. I also added white 'faux' splatter with a white Signo paint pen.

  The image used is Kiwi Koala from Sweet N Sassy Stamps- our Sponsor for this challenge. You can get the image pre-colored, but I love to color, so used Copics to color the image. I used older Spellbinder dies to cut out the image and the backing DP by Jillibean Soup.
  The sentiment is stamped in black, and I used SU punches to punch it out.  Cardstock is SU.

We'd love to have you join us for the challenge!  And, you may like to check out the other DT samples of splatter on cards as well. You can find the challenge and DT cards Here!

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Tuesday Throwdown-Shaped Cards

We are making Shaped Cards for the Tuesday Throwdown challenge today. Our Sponsor is Sweet n Sassy Stamps.

 I used the Sweet n Sassy Tulips Digital Stamp. The image is colored with Copics, I used the stich framed circle dies for white inside and out and the pink.  The back scalloped edge die is Spellbinders. The ribbon is SU.

We'd love to have you join us for the challenge!  And, you may like to check out the other DT samples of shaped cards as well. You can find the challenge and DT cards Here!

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Feb. COF- Deer

For the Feb Crafters of Faith (COF) post, Liz is our Hostess. Our challenge:

scripture: Psalm 42:1 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.

challenge: Make a masculine card with deer or a scene from a lake or forest.

  This gorgeous stamp is by Sweet n Sassy (retired) that I have never inked up. I thought of it immediately when the challenge was posted. 
  I added colors including SU Soft Sky and Marina Mist, and Distress Oxides. I used a mask for the deer, and sponged away!  The deer was colored with Copics. I added in a tiny bit of white paint pen, no shimmer added as this is a masculine card! 

The Crafters of Faith is a group on SCS. We have a challenge hostess from the group give us a challenge each month based on a scripture. It is an OPEN group, so if you would like to join us, drop Kelly a line!  Check out the other COF cards on Splitcoast HERE!  

Challenges:
Word Art Wednesday


Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

CYS Dec- New Years-no alcohol

For our December Challenge Your Stash (CYS), Maggie challenged us to make a New Year card using no alcohol, as not everyone partakes.

  I made a card and gift jar set for the ESSE adult day care my mom attends for their New Years party. The sweet Country Snowman is from Sweet n Sassy Stamps (digi), and the sentiment is from Verve. I used a TH embossing folder, some silver sparkly wrapping paper and Cherry Cobbler cardstock. The sentiment is from Verve.

 Here is the jar that holds the hot chocolate mixture:

 The project goals for the clients is to make assemble as easy as possible, so I made a kit and have everything ready to roll.  The jar will be filled with hot chocolate and little marshmallows. Mom helped me out by coloring this sweet Country snowman.  I used the Scan n Cut to quickly cut out 20 large and 20 small snowmen.

And there you have it!  Thanks for a great challenge Maggie!

The CYS group can be located here.  List mom Barb had the brilliant idea- lets use our stash items- with a monthly theme, I am sure finding no shortage of items to use in my creative space for this challenge...!!! Even those in the 'get rid of' pile....... HERE is a link to all of the December 'New Years-no alcohol' the group members posted for this challenge.

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

CYS- Gift Holder

For our monthly Challenge Your Stash aka CYS post, Vicki challenged us to make a gift holder.

 I bought a few fun templates from the Silhouette store, then came across THIS fun idea from Jennifer McGuire's Blog. It is different from anything I have seen or tried, so had to give it a go!
I used a digi stamp from Sweet n Sassy-Cocoa : ) 

 How fun is that.....!   It is easy and quick to put together.  Find OLD as dirt DP...yep!  Use it on the bottom of the card. 
 Next, die cut an opening in the top of the card- I do not have the dies used in the above tutorial, so used one I did have.....

 Before you cut, make sure your die is where you want it. Place the edge of the cutting plate where you want the cut to end.....  there you go!

 Here is the fun peek a boo window after the die cut.  I scored the line at the base of the die cut.

Add some double sided tape to the back of the cardstock- make sure gift card has tape fairly close to keep it from flopping all over : ) 

 Although these pictures are mine, the idea came from the tutorial posted above : )

The CYS group can be located here.  List mom Barb had the brilliant idea- lets use our stash items- with a monthly theme, I am sure finding no shortage of items to use in my creative space for this challenge...!!! Even those in the 'get rid of' pile....... HERE is a link to all of the November gift Holders the group members posted for this challenge.

Challenges:
TBA

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Shake it Shake it : )

Tuesday Throwdown is having a challenge for Shaker Cards. ( I have joined the team again!)  The Sponsor is Sweet n Sassy Stamps.

  I love the Country Snowman- doesn't he scream let's enjoy the day?!!!  I printed out the image and fussy cut it out.  I colored with Copics.  The die is colored over the cut lines with a white Signo pen and a Stardust Sakura gelly roll pen. The snow (MS) and snow glitter (Sparkle and Sprinkle) and a few sequins are added for the snow.

I hope you will join in the fun at the Tuesday Throwdown Blog!!!


Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Wednesday stampin

Another successful stamping day.  I even did grocery shopping and fed the crew a yummy dinner : )  I will get to blogs as I can, I really am trying hard to complete the Falliday challenges- another week.....we'll see!

I worked on a couple of the Falliday Tutorials today and a couple of cards too.

 The turkey tutorial is really so fun, I ended up making a couple of extras. I just love these : )

And, I also made the Witches hat

 This is a fun easy and cute little hat.

 This card is to showcase our favorite Holiday food.  I LOVE pumpkin pie.  This is a Clear Dollar Stamp image, sentiment is unknown, but I think it is Eureka Stamps.

 And, I made a card for the wallflower challenge- stamp your image off the corner.  I used an old set called Cottage Rose- still mounted on wood too!  LOL  This set is Stampin Up and I used Pale Plum and Plum for the flowers.  Sentiment is Sweet and Sassy.

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Love and marriage

We were fortunate to share in a beautiful wedding ceremony recently.  This is the card I made for the young couple:

 I stamped and embossed the sentiment from Sweet N Sassy, cut it out with a die from Art-C. (I have a clear stamp, I see the set is now available as a digital image). The background paper is from a DP wedding stack from years ago.....  it was on sale.....full of elegant gold and silver cardstocks.  I added flowers from Prima and smaller roses from my stash to accent them. The swirls are from a shimmery cardstock , the die is Cheery Lynn.  A swirl of pearls finishes off the front of the card.

Here is a close up of the sentiment:

The inside:

And, the happy couple:

Challenges:
Stamping Sensations- AG
Word Art Wednesday

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

CYS-Favorite Beverage

Our 'CYS' aka Craft Your Stash group from SCS has a challenge this month with the theme 'Your Favorite Beverage'.

 Well, I drink alot of black tea....all day, every day!  So, I went with a tea theme : )

 I bought a journal for Bible Journaling a while back, and was able to complete one page in 2/2016.....  I had laid out the idea for the cover and primed it, but put it away and never finished it.  What a perfect time to get it out!
  I painted the cover while in 2016....  so, I tried adding distress inks, but they would not stick.  So, painted the background with acrylic paints in a variety of colors.  I added a stencil by Ranger DYS 34032 and painted using a shimmery gold paint.
  I stamped Sweet and Sassy (SNS His Book) in Black Tuxedo Memento Black ink. (Image on top lt and bottom Rt). They are colored with Copics and/or sponged with ink. I added some shimmer using a Spectrum Noir Sparkle pen.
  On the top sentiment panel, I used a hole punch and added multiple fibers and a cross charm. I also added a butterfly charm. I bought the charm when a stamping shop closed about 3-4 years ago and I am in love with this pretty butterfly.

Challenge:
Summer 2017 Coffee Lovers Blog Hop- Coffee/tea/cocoa
Cards and More- Anything but a Card
Simon Says Stamp Monday- Stencil It
Word Art Wednesday- AG

I decided to also make a card, as I found a package of napkins that I thought would make fun backgrounds....

 I used a dollar stamp that is years old for the martini, and the sentiment is Sweet Stamps.

The CYS group can be located here.  List mom Barb had the brilliant idea- lets use our stash items- with a monthly theme, I am sure finding no shortage of items to use in my creative space...!!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

ATC-Flowers plus positive sentiment

I joined in an ATC swap using any floral image plus a positive sentiment.

 I stamped and embossed this sentiment from Sweet and Sassy Stamps on vellum and laid it over the floral layer.

 I received some wonderful ATC's back- I have to say- I love all of them!

 This ATC is by Buffy Burnside.

 This ATC is by Ginny Maxam

 This is by Maxine Diffey

And, finally, this is by Tara Duvall.


Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Dare to Get Dirty

Enjoying my new retirement by Stamping, and more Stamping!!!  I am not sure I will be able to keep up though- this is alot of stamping!!!

  A one layer card- masker off the edges with Post-it notes. Images by Sweet Stamps

 This background ws made by dribbling reinkers onto watercolor paper, then sprinkling on water droplets. I let the green dry before I did the red so it would not get muddy. The Hummingbird die is Gina Marie, the sentiment North Coast Creations

Oh, back in the day SU made this fun stamp. I made this emboss resist card with Turquoise and Not Quite Navy SU inks.  The sentiment- Create with TLC.

 I sprayed Dylusions over a cross chipboard from Sweet Stamps. I then removed the center piece and sprayed on a little bit different yellow. Overstamped the back with a sentiment, added the main sentiment, a little ribbon and some sequins. This set is from Sweet and Sassy Stamps.

 I just bought this older PSX stamp, how I love tulips!  I had some watercolor fun!  The text stamp is an older SU stamp.

 
Whew- you can see after a day of stamping, I need a drink...LOL  I love this funny lemon by Avery Elle. The background was made on a Gelly Plate. The drink and lemon are Lawn Fawn.

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Tuesday Throwdown- Swirls and Pearls

We are creating using Swirls and Pearls at Tuesday Throwdown this week.

 Our Sponsor for the Challenge is Sweet n Sassy Stamps. We were given digi's to create with, and I chose the Christmas Puppy and I added a sentiment from the Christmas Greetings Digi set.

 Can you see the swirls in the die? The die, Mini Medallion, is a Sweetcuts die, and I cut it out using old wrapping paper- recycling : )  The image is colored with Copic markers, and I added Stardust Gelly Roll pen for sparkle. The big die by Spellbinders is cut and then the die is placed back over the image and the edges are sponged with Ranger Barn Door ink.
 The background DP has clear embossed snowflakes- and is by MME. The stripes are Imaginsce and is called Peppermint Stick. The brown cardstock is by Bazzill. The trim is from Tim Holtz.

My dog is named Peanut- he was  a winner this weekend- OSU vs MSU- he had it covered......My hubby did this to him.  Our oldest daughter went to OSU, our youngest is a senior at MSU.   He would look so cute in a Christmas stocking : )

 Challenges:
I used the Sketch from Sketch Saturday for my card. 
My Perfect Life- Christmas Card AG
52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown- Color Challenge
Outlawz- Cute Christmas
Sugar Creek Hollow- Recycling
Alphabet Challenge- T is for Traditional Christmas
As You Like It- Wrapping Paper- used for the die cut

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Crafters of Faith- Farewell post

The Crafters of Faith is a Faith driven group at Splitcoaststampers- and sadly- this will be our final post together.
 I am the hostess this month, and here is my theme:

 We had a priest come to a prayer group one evening, and he said in confessions the number one comment people make is how they struggle with Forgiveness. I am one who struggles with that as well, so I choose that as my topic for October and our final month together.

"Therefore I tell you, all you ask for in prayer , believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive your transgressions." Mark 11:24-25

So make a card- tell someone you have trouble forgiving that you love them and send it off in the  mail to them! 

Whether we are having trouble forgiving ourselves, forgiving another person, or forgiving God for something that has happened in our lives, we all have a little issue with forgiveness, don't we?

 Let Go and Let God- lighten the burden by finding a way to forgive- and that does not mean forget and go back to a pre-hurt state, it just means.....time to put it in Gods hands and move on to a place  where there is more Joy your life! Life is too short....

Kelly- thank you so much for starting this group and nurturing us along all of these months- with sadness- our last post!

I used a sentiment from Sweet & Sassy. The background is created using the Embossed Stains tutorial from the Oct. Technique Junkies newsletter using Barn Door, Peeled Paint and Wild Honey stains. The shimmery gold cardstock is from Paper Temptress. The red cardstock is Coordinations. 

Please stop by the blogs of the other gals in the Crafters of Faith on my sidebar. 

A challenge or two:
ABC Challenges- U is for Unique- AG
Mema's Crafts- Tic Tac Toe- Ribbon, Bling, Embossing
Shopping our Stash- Fall colors-  Ancient SU ribbon and rhinestone swirls
Craft-Dee-Bowz- AG with a hand made bow 
Word Art Wednesday- AG
 
Have a blessed day
Shelly 

Here come the Cottontails....

 Those who know me well know the joy in creating for me is trying new techniques : )  This is a new fun technique by Technique Junkies called Stencil Spray with a Twist.

  I had a blast- started with cutting a stencil for my background with an SVG from Bird's Cards- which she generously offers for free- love her beautiful files- on my new Silhouette Cameo! Then, I sprayed on Dylusions in some bright colors.
  The  bunny images are from Impression Obsession- I inked them up with two different colors of brown inks and texturized with the ink pads before stamping them. I cut them out leaving a tiny border of white. The sentiment is a digi from Sweet n Sassy stamps. The background stamp is from Starving Artistamps (stamped in black- not sure if it is retired?).

Challenges:
Crafty Ribbons- AG with Ribbons
Creative Knockouts- Furry or Feathery Friends
Addicted to Stamping- Anything Goes
Repeat Impressions- Easter
Simon Says Stamp- Animals
ABC Challenge- J is for Just as you Like It (AG)
Mark's Finest Papers- Easter Card

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Across the Miles

I am in Asia visiting my daughter Katie- I made this card with the trip in planning mode- and used Red, White and Blue...plus a neutral brown with my Patriotism shining thru........

 Inked over is in the Dec 2013 Technique Junkies newsletter. The stamps are from Sweet N Sassy Stamps- and the text you see in the background is from Hero Arts and a gift from a dear blogging friend.

 My daughter has been teaching in China 1 1/2 years. We are so proud of her to be so well adjusted and comfortable over 8000 miles away from home.......  She has met so many friends from all over the world- I thought this sentiment was so fitting for her experience!

I'll be back to the snow and cold of the Chicago suburbs in less than a week.....for the time being, I am enjoying the warmth and sun : )  I met Katie in Hong Kong, and we visited Siem Reap in Cambodia, Koh Samet, Thailand (the beach) and will head to Bangkok before heading back to Hong Kong and then home.

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly