Flowers...or polka dots?

Hey friends - welome to a new fresh and shiny week! How ya doing?

Oh you know, sometimes you color something and like nothing about it...although I did use the colorless blending technique taught by Yana Smakula, which I adore...but that's about it. 😁 I did stamp the image directly on to TE Cupcake card stock, so that added a unique color to the flowers.

Once I colored the images, I covered it with a stencil, blended on lots of polka dots and then I liked it a bit better. 😉 I splattered on some white and black paint, added a strip of pink striped paper and a tiny hint of black glitter paper to finish it off.

Thanks for stopping by today; here's hoping you have a great week ahead!!

Take care, stay safe!

WHAT'S IT TAKE:

Stamps:  Mama Elephant Organic Blooms

Inks: Gina K Obsidian, TE Cupcake

Papers: TE Cupcake, MFT striped designer paper (appears no longer in stock), black glitter 

Accessories: polka dots stencil, white gouache, copics, black enamel accents

CHALLENGES

Happy Birthday - Another Mix It Up!

Hi there! I've been working on a top secret project so I haven't had much time to create extra things but my boss had a birthday - just turned 88 and comes to the office most days. Talk about inspiration!!!

And think how delighted I was when I realized my card fit the Mix It Up challenge this month (sentiment as main focus) - totally unintentional!

Ultimately, I'm not sure I'm thrilled with how the card turned out but I'm all about rolling with it and not being quite so self critical - we can all use more self love, #amiright?

I used distress oxide inks which aren't quite as vibrant as regular distress inks and I think that's my issue but I still think he'll like it! The outside and inside sentiment come from Mama Elephant Birthday Wishes (inside says: to a person that is charming, talented and witty, and reminds me a lot of myself. HILARIOUS!). I added a balloon from PTI's Birthday Balloons; everything on the cover was embossed in white before the colors were added. I also dropped on white ink, peacock feathers and twisted citron.

And of course, I decorated the envelope to match too; that might be my favorite part - HA!

The base panel was also created with watercolor paper and a couple different size paintbrushes just dipped in water, peacock feathers and twisted citron. I thought it would be fun to add some black accents to the thicker lines and then lines to the sentiment. I didn't worry too much about which lines were going which way on the sentiment, just thought it tied it all together nicely. Might need to click on the image to really see those details.

Thanks for stopping by; hope you're having a great week...AND January is half over, *GASP*, seriously, how does that happen!?!

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE:
Stamps: Mama Elephant Birthday Wishes, PTI Birthday Balloons

Inks: Oxide Inks: Twisted Citron, Salty Ocean, and Abandoned Coral; Distress Inks: Peacock Feathers and Twisted Citron, VersaMark

Papers: Ranger Watercolor paper, PTI True Black, Neenah 80 lb. white

Accessories: Hero Arts white embossing powder, sharpie, MFT Blueprints, Lawn Fawn 4 Bar Die

Challenges:
  MIUCB#21

JOY

Hi friends - I have a few more holiday cards to share...

This is the JOY die from SSS, it comes with the large JOY as well as a small cursive 'joy' which you will see a little later this week!

I didn't plan this card too well as when I finished, it was too large for a standard A2 envelope - HA; I'm forever doing things like that.

I sponged on the background then went scrounging for some designer paper that would match - kinda backwards, but it worked just fine! I spritzed the background with water and splattered on some white paint.

Once I die cut the letters from designer paper, I cut them several more times from black card stock and adhered all the layers together. I thought it would be fun to add some embossing - kinda like snow on the edges...see it or am I lost? :D

A white frame was added; the leaves and berries are from Hero Arts Holly Days set and leftover from Christmas 2016 - TRUTH!! I added a strip of black/white paper and silver glitter paper. The additional sentiment comes from Mama Elephant with the initial joy masked off.

Thanks for stopping by; hope your holiday season is full of JOY!

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE?

Stamps: Mama Elephant Merry Christmas Wishes, Hero Arts Holly Days

Papers: Neenah 110 lb. white and 80 lb. white, misc. designer paper

Ink: Ranger Oxide Inks, Versamark

Accessories: SSS Joy die, silver embossing powder, MFT pierced square dies, Hero Arts Holly Days die, white embossing powder, Zig Clean Color Brushes

Challenges:

Go ahead...blow out those candles!

Another birthday celebration at work this week; I made this super fun and simple card using Distress Oxide inks. I heat embossed the candles, spritzed the paper with water, added ink to a small piece of acetate also spritzed with water, then smooshed the ink on the card stock. I dried each layer before adding the next color so nothing would get muddied, only 3 colors were used (Wild Honey, Twisted Citron, Salty Ocean). I cut down the main panel, as well as the top layer of the base card so you could see the yellow designer paper peeking out.

I stamped the inside with Oxide ink too; amazing how AWESOME the ink stamps - LOVE IT! When all done, I felt the front panel was just too plain, so I used the mini ink splatter stamp from Your Next Stamp using the same Oxide inks but adding Peacock feathers for a darker blue. Since they were stamped full strength, they are a bit stronger in color which I love.

That's it - quick and simple; thanks for popping in; hope you have a GREAT day!

Hugs!


WHAT'S IT TAKE?

Stamps: MFT Make a Wish, Mama Elephant Birthday Wishes, Your Next Stamp Mini Splatter

Papers: Ranger water color paper, Neenah 110 lb. white, misc. dp, MFT dp, VersaMark

Ink: Antique Linen, Broken China Distress Inks, Lawn Fawn Storm Cloud

Accessories: white embossing powder

Challenges:

Mama Elephant Organic Blooms

Goodness, I really love flowers - REALLY!

I recently purchased this Mama Elephant set and just had to use it to create a birthday card for a dear friend and co-worker. She loves purple, she also happens to be a KState Alum and their colors are purple and gray, so that was my palette. I colored the image with two Tombow markers, then added some additional shading with a couple Prismacolor pencils. I added a gray wash to the background - I wasn't using true watercolor paper, so I had a bit of pilling and the color didn't distribute as pretty as I would have liked, but hey, it's handmade and it can't be perfect! :D

I did more flinging action with some watered down black enamel accents, a simple birthday sentiment from Gina K and the gorgeous A2 scalloped die from PTI layered onto a purple piece of card stock finish it off. Sure took longer to create than to write this up - HA!

Thanks for stopping by; hope you have a great day!

Hugs,

WHAT'S IT TAKE?

Stamps: Mama Elephant Organic Blooms, Gina K Scripty Sayings
Papers: Bristol Smooth card stock, Plum Pudding
Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black (save 15% by using code: MicheleG15)

Accessories: black enamel accents, Prismacolor pencils, Tombow Markers, PTI A2 vertical die

Challenges:

Verve Visual Beautiful Things + Cupcake Inspirations

I had a chance to 'play' this weekend and it was such fun! I was inspired by a photo of a card from a recent Simon Says Stamp (SSS) card kit; I decided to use the inspiration for this card, completely changing the colors. The smaller flowers are from the SSS Birthday Flower set and do not have outlines, but since the gorgeous flower from Verve does - I just drew my own outlines on the flowers and leaves! :D The leaves are from Hero Arts You're So Lovely set.

The gorgeous purple patterned paper was also in a recent SSS card kit, but you can find it sold separately here. I added a tiny black border and layered up all my flowers and leaves using Press N Seal to hold them as I applied glue, flipped them back over and applied.

I cut the 'thanks' from black card stock, added some versamark to the bottom and dipped it in chunky gold embossing powder and heat set.

Thanks for popping in; hope you are having a great week!

Hugs,

WHAT'S IT TAKE?

Stamps: Verve Visual Beautiful Things, SSS Birthday Flower, Hero Arts You're So Lovely
Papers: PTI True Black, Winter Wisteria, and polka dot vellum, PinkFresh DP, Ranger water color paper, Neenah 80 lb. white
Ink: Hero Arts Intense Black, VersaMark

Accessories: copics, chunk gold embossing powder, Verve Visual Beautiful Things dies, sharpie, MFT Blueprints, Mama Elephant Femme Frames

Challenges:
  CIC372

You're So Lovely

Hi friends-I'm up over at a2z Scrapbooking with TWO cards; yes - TWO! Won't you hop over and check them out?

Hugs, 

CELEBRATE!

Hi friends - we are definitely celebrating today! I am so excited to join the team over at a2z Scrapbooking! Seriously, have you visited their store - so many Hero Arts products, insanely good prices AND fast shipping! Not to mention, you can get 15% off ANY order greater than $25 by using the code MicheleG15! You should celebrate too and purchase some goodies! ;)

A couple other great things about a2z Scrapbooking is they can order from tons of manufacturers, so don't see what you are looking for? Shoot them an email and see if they can get it for you. And a portion of their proceeds help send children with Celiac Disease to a summer camp...every. single. summer - who doesn't feel good about helping kiddos!!

And last but far from least? They have exclusive rights to all Hero Arts digital products - yes, oh yes! I couldn't wait to try out one of their digital kits, so I started with Birthday Bash, so many cute images - some you can color, use as is, or incorporate both! I used the balloons and the word celebrate and printed as one image; then I reprinted just the balloons on designer paper, cut and pasted over the original image. I then cut a circle out of those balloons and adhered it back in place with some fun foam. If you peek from the side, you can see the designer paper underneath - so cool. I also used tape to remove some of the verbiage on the balloons for a bit of a distressed look; love how it looks IRL.

I finished the card off with some bright Doodlebug paper cut with the Mama Elephant Femme Frames, glossy accents and Doodlebug Sprinkles; on the inside I used PPP's Stitched Border dies on the same designer paper.

Thanks for stopping by; I really hope you'll stop by a2z Scrapbooking and check out their amazing deals and don't forget to use your coupon code: MicheleG15!

See you again soon!

Hugs,

WHAT'S IT TAKE?

Digital Stamps: Hero Arts Birthday Bash, Verve Visual Doodle Occasions (inside)
Papers: Hero Arts White, Doodlebug DP
Ink: Hero Arts Ombre Pink to Red (inside), Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink (inside)

Accessories: glossy accents, Mama Elephant Femme Frames, PPP Stitched Border Dies, MFT Pierced Circle Dies, fun foam, Doodlebug sprinkles, washi tape

Challenges:

Sunglasses needed - no really! Bright and bold Marching Chick

Greetings friends - how are you? I found some extra time to create this week; I just finished Sandy Allnock's #copicjumpstart class - she's so insanely talented. I tried to branch out and make my shadows/contrasts a bit more dramatic than normal. And then I messed up which direction my 'light' was coming from so I decided it was right in the middle - I shaded both directions! HA!

I didn't get a perfectly stamped image so I traced it - but truly need a finer tip marker. That's okay; I still love this image from Stampingbella! I used MOJO452 sketch for my layout (flipped) and used ALL. THE. BRIGHT. PAPERS. :D A wee bit blinding, yes?

I didn't want a plain white card base so I used a Mama Elephant scalloped die then embossed with large polka dots. The cute little sentiment, washi tape and enamel dots finish it off. As you can see, I made certain to add more fun, bright colors to the inside. Seriously, wouldn't this cheer ANYONE up?

Thanks for stopping by; hope you have a great day!

Hugs,

WHAT'S IT TAKE?

Stamps: Stampingbella Marching Chick
Papers: Doodlebug DP, Neenah 110 lb. and 80 lb.
Ink: SSS Intense Black

Accessories: Copics, white gel pen, washi tape, sharpie, enamel dots, MFT Blueprints, MFT Stitched Circle Die,  Lil Inkers Dual Rectangle Dies, Mama Elephant Femme Frames, cuttlebug large polka dot embossing folder

Challenges:
  MOJO452

Graduations Galore!!

We have tons of friends graduating this year so I've been making lots of cards to give away - I needed one more feminine card and I am IN LOVE with the colors for CTD393 this week - SWOON! My 'light pink' is a bit more peach and it ultimately turned into a crazy combo but I still love it!

Both Laura and Carissa showed partial diecutting this week which I adore but CLEARLY the size of your die at an angle must be able to fit through your diecutting machine...wonder how I would know about that - HA! Laura didn't use a die and that clearly would be easier but I liked the stitched border - live and learn...and try again!

I stamped the 2 medium flowers, masked and stamped the larger one underneath, I colored all the layers with Copics then traced the image with a fine tip sharpie THEN when back and added a bit bolder edge to the right side of all the petals - love how it changes the look just a bit. I probably could have made them even thicker...

See the shimmer - swoon!!

That banner on the right hand side? Yeah, remember when I said I NEVER stamp or adhere anything straight...#truth...had to cover it up with an embossed flag and a couple pieces of washi tape just for fun. The main panel was layered onto a Mama Elephant scalloped die cut from MFT designer paper and PTI Raspberry Fizz. And I have so much designer paper, I pulled a full sheet from a completely different pad and used the full sheet on the inside cutting another scalloped piece, a small border for the bottom and added a thin strip of washi tape.

Some gorgeous PPP sequins and clear wink of stella finish off the card. Thanks for stopping by; hope you have a great weekend!

Hugs,

WHAT'S IT TAKE?

Stamps: Verve Visual Great Friend and Great Expectations
Papers: PTI True Black, Raspberry Fizz, MFT & MME designer paper, Neenah 110 lb. white, Strathmore watercolor
Ink: VersaMark, SSS Black

Accessories: Mama Elephant Femme Frames, PPP sequins, Copics, washi tape, Hero Arts white embossing powder, clear Wink of Stella

Challenges:
  ctd393

Sketch w/inspiration from Jodi

Hi friends - welcome back for another sketch challenge at Splitcoaststampers - hope you'll check it out and join us this week, it's an easy and super fun one! (you can see the sketch below also)

I saw THIS card inspired by Jodi and did a CASE (copy and share everything); I used a different stamp set, one of my all-time faves, Doodle Buds by WPlus9. I also saw a video by Sandy Allnock using this same stamp set and decided to try REALLY REALLY hard to be a bit artistic and not such a perfectionist - my cards are far from perfect, but I definitely stress too much over coloring! :(

I cut the whip cream frame using Mama Elephant's Femme Frames and mounted with dimensional foam; so the black piece is recessed lower than the frame (impossible to tell from the photos though). I splattered on some Hero Arts Unicorn ink spray; the images were stamped in Memento Black on Copic paper but colored with Zig Clean Color brushes using no water.

I finished it off with SSS's Birthday Flowers stamp set, some white polka dots with everything layered onto a Royal Velvet card base.

Thanks for stopping by; hope you join the fun this week! Take care!

Hugs,

WHAT'S IT TAKE?

Stamps: WPlus9 Doodle Buds, SSS Birthday Flowers
Papers: PTI Royal Velvet and True Black, MFT Whip Cream
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Hero Arts Black (sentiment)

Accessories: Mama Elephant Femme Frames dies, Zig Clean Color Brushes, white gel pen, Hero Arts Unicorn Ink Spray, dimensional foam, washi tape, Copics

Challenges:

  SC589

More Watercolor Stamping + Hand Doodling

Remember THIS card and THIS video? Yes, Dawn really has me inspired - just wish I could be as 'loose' and free as she is with her watercoloring.

I decided to use the flowers from SSS's Birthday Flowers stamping all 3 solid images in distress ink and then hand doodling with distress markers and a sharpie. The zigzag lines are from WPlus9 Doodle Buds, stamped 2nd generation in Hero Arts Black and Worn Lipstick Distress Ink. I added more of the zigzags in the same distress inks as the flowers, full-strength, then stamped the large HAPPY BIRTHDAY from Mama Elephant Birthday Wishes and sprayed the entire panel with Shimmer Mist sparkle spray, mounted on Smokey Shadow cardstock and added a few stickers from the SSS April card kit.

Once I stitched the designer paper to another layer of Smokey Shadow, I did some distressing with my fingernails - yep, #truth! It worked! HA HA Everything was mounted on a white card base.

Thanks for stopping by; hope you have a GREAT weekend!

Hugs,

WHAT'S IT TAKE?

Stamps: SSS Birthday Flowers, Mama Elephant Birthday Wishes, WPlus9 Doodle Buds
Papers: Neenah 110 lb. white, DP by SSS, Strathmore Waercolor Paper, PTI Smokey Shadow
Ink: Distress Inks: Worn Lipstick, Spiced Marmalade, Cracked Pistachio, Hero Arts Black

Accessories: sparkle shimmer mist, stickers from SSS April card kit, Janome Sew Mini, MFT Blueprints

Challenges: