Mix It Up - April 2019

Hi friends - hope you'll join this month at the Mix It Up Challenge blog where we are encouraging you to make a black and white card + 1 other color. I really enjoyed this challenge and could probably make cards like this all the time. :D I did make two; I'll have the other one a little later this month!

This one is super simple using paper piecing for the flower and leaves; I cut them out by hand and added a bit of shading with colored pencils. I embossed the sentiment and added lots of Nuvo drops and voila - quick and simple!

Hope you'll play along this month; we love seeing your creations!

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE:
Stamps: IO Open Rose, WPlus9 That is All
Ink: Gina K Amalgam Ink, Versamark

Papers: PTI True Black, MFT Black and White Basics, misc. dp

Accessories: MFT Blueprints, Nuvo drops here and here, Ranger white embossing powder

Challenges:

So. Many. Splatters.

Hi friends - how are you?

Sometimes you just handle things wrong; thankfully, I have the BEST co-workers that overlook my failings (and there are many).

I wanted to make an 'I'm Sorry' card but allow them to reuse the card - you know I love doing that! I included a Starbucks gift card inside with a sentiment that says 'you make me smile' and kept my apology note to a sticky note I placed inside the card.

I have always envied those that watercolor flowers with no harsh lines and I'm determined to get better at water coloring! I colored these flowers and REALLY, really loved them...then I cut them up into a smaller piece - LOL - added some water color lines and then got a bit too carried away with splattering! :(

Actually, what made the difference was the water color paper was wet when I was splattering, therefore, the splatters really spread - but alas, it was fun and I made it work! I'm working really hard to use scrap papers when I can - behind the focal images is some valentine paper, vellum and another random piece that I thought looked nice with the focal image.

Thanks for stopping by; hope you have a GREAT rest of the week; we have sunshine so that brightens everyone's spirits!

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE:
Stamps: SSS Sketched Flowers
Ink: Gina K Amalgam Ink (inside card), VersaMark

Papers: PTI Smokey Shadow, Water Color paper, misc. DP

Accessories: MFT Blueprints, Water color paints, Hero Arts white embossing powder, water coloring brush

Challenges:

Your Were Born. I Like That.

Another image I colored quite some time ago and it finally found its way on to a card! The image was watercolored and I never really liked it all that much...but it's grown on me - that's some really loose watercoloring! :D Does that happen to you too?

I made this for my dearest friend's birthday; I layered it with some fun Valentine paper and then at the last minute, I used PTI's doily to cut a dainty doily from a white/gold paper sack - I just love how it looks peeking out the side of the image.

I used MFTs Blueprints to cut all the layers (except for the bottom floral layer) so they all have the stitched edging.

TFL; hope you have a GREAT week!

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE:
Stamps: Wild Rose Studio Bella Elephant with Daisy (I'm not finding the image online - anyone know??), MFT Anything but Basics Birthday

Inks: Gina K Black
Papers: PTI Sweet Blush, Misc. DP, Etsy Cherry Sprinkles polka dot paper sack, hot press water color paper

Accessories: MFT Blueprints, Doodlebug enamel sprinkles in silver and pink, PTI Doily

Challenges:
  Flower Challenge #30 - Anything Goes

Umbrella Girl

I colored this image in one of the previous Kathy Racoosin 30-day coloring challenges, but I had never found the perfect time to use it on a card...till now. Our youngest daughter, who is in college, had asked for a card quite some time ago (*gasp*) and I FINALLY found a unique opportunity to surprise her with a special card.

Since the image was already colored (love this set from Colorado Craft Company, and even though it's labeled as a 'sympathy' set; the image works great), I just needed to pull the card together; which happened pretty quickly. I love the added sentiments stickers, I keep these in my stash and typically use when doing a mixed media card. I added a super cute umbrella from PTI and sponged the edges with white - although nearly impossible to see in the photo - LOL!

The bottom third of the card is actually diagonal striped vellum although you can't see the stripes; I tied on some gray seam binding, added the stickers and then finished it off with glossy accents for the rain. Such a fun image!

Thanks for stopping by; hope you have a GREAT week ahead.

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE:
Stamps: Colorado Craft Company Sympathy, Cover Up: Grid Stamp

Inks: Old Paper Distress Ink, Hero Hues Unicorn
Papers: PTI Sweet Blush, misc. DP, vellum from PTI (no longer available - sorry), SSS Fog

Accessories: Corner Chomper, Mix and Mat Heart Die, MFT Blueprints, PTI Scattered Showers die, seam binding, sentiment stickers, glossy accents, prismacolor pencils

Challenges:

Age is merely a number - Mix It Up Challenge

Hi there! A dear friend of mine recently had a birthday and I am forever inspired by Melissa (click to see her blog); I really love following her on Instagram and absolutely ADORE how she adds subtle details to her backgrounds as well as the way she layers. I thought this would be a unique twist on the Mix It Up Challenge for March - inked background; it's subtle, but it's inked all over. ;)

I am also well known for making the birthday card part of the gift; I write on a sticky note inside the card, then they can remove the sticky note and use the card for someone else's birthday.

I stamped the Peony Blossoms from Altenew (small and medium size) in Buttercream and the leaves in Warm Sunshine all over a piece of Lemon Tart card stock for the base layer. Once finished, I added a polka dot stencil and sponged with Buttercream. I stamped and die cut several images from MFT's Peaceful Flowers (no longer available, sorry) using both the Lemon Tart, Warm Sunshine and Mountain Mist for the stems. I die cut a couple ovals, stamped the focal sentiment in Warm Sunshine then added more of the Peony Blossoms in Buttercream; tied on some ribbon and began layering the flowers.

Love how I was able to use some scrap designer paper for a pop of color under the sentiment! Thanks for stopping by; hope you'll join us this month over at Mix It Up - we would love to see your creations!!

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE:
Stamps: Penny Black Birthday Love, Altenew Peony Blossoms, MFT Peaceful Flowers (no longer available)

Inks: Altenew Warm Sunshine, Lemon Tart, Mountain Mist
Papers: PTI Lemon Tart, Neenah 80 lb. white, misc. dp

Accessories: MFT Pierced oval die, misc. ribbon, MFT Peaceful Flowers dies (no longer available), MFT blueprints

Challenges:

Just For You

I LOVE creating for Valentine's Day; but if you saw THIS post, that's where all my time was spent...but I did purchase the Simon Says Stamp February kit (sold out); but it made it so quick and easy to put this card together. I added some glossy accents and sprinkles of glitter for a little fun! Literally ZERO stamping (even the 'love' inside is part of the paper), how's that for quick?

Thanks for stopping by; hope you are having a GREAT week!

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE:
Stamps: None

Inks: None
Papers: Neenah 80 lb. white, MFT Wild Cherry, DP from SSS kit

Accessories: glossy accents, fun foam, Penny Black Antique Frame die

Challenges:

Good Vibes Only

We recently had someone leave our company so I wanted to make a cool (IMO) card for him that everyone could sign. He loves surfing so I thought the "Good Vibes Only" stamp was a good one to use. I started with some designer paper and stamped a couple different images using Antique Linen and Vintage Photo distress inks - look how AWESOME they stamped using these Vibes stamps by Unity (tons of great images in this set); oftentimes, you have to use Oxide inks to get this great of an impression but these are just remarkable! I added some sponging around the edges; stamped the sentiment and added glue to the bottom portion of the letters; once dry, I added foil - it's kind of a bronze color; I think it just looks cool.

I added a scallop, sponged also, some brown card stock I ran through my paper crimper and tore and tied on some chocolate bakers twine. This card was inspired by Bobbi Smith for Ranger Ink.

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

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE:
Stamps: Unity Vibes

Inks: Ranger Vintage Photo and Antique Linen
Papers: PTI Dark Chocolate, misc. designer paper 

Accessories: Ranger foil, PTI large scallop die, paper crimper, PTI chocolate bakers twine

Challenges:

Sharing Love - Valentine's Day Blog Hop

It's a Valentine's Day Blog Hop with TONS of inspiration; hope you'll check out all the amazing creations!

BUT before we get to the creation; I WILL have a prize (or maybe two), just didn't have time to photograph before leaving on V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!! Whoop, whoop - leave a comment and tell me the best gift you have given or received for Valentine's Day for your chance to win!

I decided to get adventurous and create gifts for all our employees so this is just a tiny sampling of what I created, what is inside each bag and then an appreciation page for each employee.

The first thing I did was create an 8 1/2 x 11 page for each employee with a cute Valentine border and then lines on the page for writing; each week, we took 5-6 employees and everyone else wrote notes of appreciation about that employee; seriously WHO does not love to hear good things about themselves, particularly when it comes to their co-workers, #amiright?

Then I worked on creating these gift sacks filled with candy, hot chocolate and a cute little straw; the envelope you see will also be tucked in to the bag for each employee. I hope they love these as much as I did in creating them!

The bags and straws came from Etsy (Shop Cherry Sprinkles); the tags on the bag are Reverse Confetti and the hearts are Lawn Fawn and Papertreyink; a few of the bags have doilies, just a hodge podge of fun!! I stamped some of the hearts with various stamps (I will link below); thinking employees can take their treats out and use the sacks for another gift or even re-gift what they received; I wouldn't mind.

Thanks for joining our Valentine's Day Blog Hop; hope you enjoy all the inspiration! And don't forget to leave me a note (as mentioned above) for your chance to win...pretty confident there will be MORE than one gift. ;)

PolymerCreations4U: A Journey into Craftiness

It's Oddly Appealing

Matter of Crafts

Kelly Parker Designs

Psychotic Ramblings of a Serial Scrapper

The Joyful Soul Creates Paper Mache Patch Scrappy Squirrel’s Nest

A Fine How Do You Do

Whimsy Chic Paper Crafts Etc

Inky Pinky Boo

ekgorman designs

Life in a Snapshot

Juli Loves Paper

The Crafty Moussekateer

Savvy Handmade Cards

The Crafty Robin

Whimsical Creations - YOU ARE HERE!

CMP Designs

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE:
Stamps: RAH Grid Background, Cover Up Grid Stamp, MFT Watercolor Stripes

Inks: I don't even remember - YIKES, too many to recap

Papers: PTI Sweet Blush, Hibiscus Burst, MFT Wild Cherry, Neenah 110 lb. white

Accessories: Etsy bags and straws, doilies, Reverse Confetti Grid Stitched Tag, PTI From the Heart die, Lawn Fawn heart die, You Have My Heart die

Challenges:

Rubber Band Stamping

What a fun Mix It Up Challenge this month - stamping with rubber bands! I have always used a brayer when using rubber bands but I knew I didn't want to do that this time; I wanted to try something different...AND I needed a birthday card for our son, a boy that LOVES orange!! Just look at this photo; talk about orange, that is NOT red hair, it was ORANGE; he's grown up and I just love everything about him!!

OK; back to my creation! I masked off a heart in the middle of the orange die cut; wrapped some rubber bands around an acrylic block and inked with VersaMark; once I had the entire panel stamped, I removed the mask and sprinkled on Hero Arts white embossing powder melting with my heat gun. I then stamped Happy Birthday on a white die cut heart and embossed with Liquid Platinum embossing powder. I sponged on Wild Honey and Spiced Marmalade distress oxide inks; spritzed with water and lifted with a dry paper towel. I then adhered the heart with fun foam and layered on to a white die cut also sponged with Spiced Marmalade and finally an orange card base. 

I have to admit, I really love the design of the rubber band stamping! Once I had the card put together, I decided some twine would be a nice touch for a masculine card. 

Thanks for stopping by; hope you'll join us this month - we love seeing your creations!

Hugs,


WHAT'S IT TAKE:
Stamps: MFT BB Adorable Elephants

Inks: Oxide Inks: Spiced Marmalade and Wild Honey, VersaMark

Papers: PTI Orange Zest, Neenah 80 lb. and 110 lb. white

Accessories: PTI You Have My Heart die, MFT blueprints, rubber bands, acrylic block, twine, Hero Arts white embossing powder, Ranger liquid platinum embossing powder, fun foam

Challenges:
 MIUCB #22 - Anything Goes + Rubber Band Stamping

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