Congratulations Challenge

While it is Sunday, I didn't do my normal hill bike ride.  I wasn't in the mood to do some hill climbing, as it will be a busy week with lots of extra tennis practice. However, did a good ride this morning and logged in a pretty good 15.9 mph--though not my personal best for this route.  I did a bit of yard work when I got home---boy this drought is making my normally beautiful garden look tried and dry!!!



It is time for another challenge with CASE this Sketch #129.  Here is the graphic.  There are so many possibilities with this simple yet elegant sketch.

This simple design allows for some quick card making that looks like it took hours to make.

Here's my take on it...

I started by stamping my flower image with Versamark Ink, then heat embossing it with white embossing powder on watercolor card stock.  I used Distressed Ink to watercolor my flower.
I stamped the congratulations sentiment with pigment ink to make it look like part of the flower.

A clean and simple card that I will send to my friend Nanette who just got a new job at Hawaiian Airlines---Congratulations Nanette!





Supplies:

• Watercolor Card Stock
• Bazzill Card Stock:  Banana Split
• Clearly Besotted Stamp:  Persian Motif
• Lawn Fawn Stamps:  Scripty Sayings
• Versamark Ink
• Hero Arts White Embossing Powder
• Distressed Ink:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Mowed Lawn, Spiced Marmalade, Dried Marigold, Scattered Straw
• Avery Elle Pigment Ink:  Celery

Puppy Challenge

What a great day!  My husband was on fire on the tennis court after a long hiatus from the court! He is feeling a bit stronger every day!  Wow---wish I could do that!  After playing we went and had lunch at one of my favorite places. Then, ran a few errands and here we are at home again.  I was able to hang in the studio today and finish up this card.  I think this will be for my nephew who really wants a dog.  His birthday isn't until August, but since I just got these stamps thought I better use them now :)



Based on how the card turned out, I thought I would submit it to a few challenges.  The first one is CAS on Sunday. This week's challenge is a one layer card.  My new favorite :)


And then there is Paper Smooches Anything Goes.

Here is my card.  I stamped the cute little pup on the card and colored it with Copic markers.  I added a little black enamel dot to the eyes so they pop a bit.  Then I stamped the balloon and the sentiment and embossed it with clear embossing powder.

I adhered the card to red card stock and that was it! Quick, clean and simple!







Supplies:

• Bazzill Card Stock:  Marshmallow, Waxed Lips
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Paper Smooches:  Chubby Chums Stamps
• Simon Says Sentiments
• Verscolor Satin Red Ink
• Hero Arts Clear Embossing Powder
• Black Liquid Enamel
• Copic Markers

Thanks - Challenges

No Sunday bike ride today...gotta let the body rest for a few extra days, lots of riding, and tennis matches over the last week that an extra day of rest will help these old bones!  Instead, a bit of gardening and a little relaxing watching the Women's World Cup Soccer---looking forward to the Canada v. Switzerland game in a bit.  Anywho...here's my post for today.





Less is More is focusing on using stencils for the next challenge--and since I love using stencils and molding paste this challenge is right up my alley; and






Freshly Made Sketches posted this sketch, so why not combine the two!

For my card, I started with the flowered stencil and used molding paste on white card stock.  I then die cut the "Thanks" sentiment---I didn't like the flat look of the yellow card stock, so I used a bit of distressed ink to give it some depth. I then adhered the sentiment to fun foam to give it some pop and ensure it doesn't get lost in the flowers.  I was going to add a few sequins, but that was just a bit too much!  I decided to leave it a simple.  A true Clean and Simple Card!




Supplies:

• Bazzill Card Stock:  Marshmallow, Easter Grass, Grapefruit Bliss
• Liquitex Flexible Molding Paste
• Lawn Fawn Die:  Scripty Thanks
• Distressed Ink:  Spiced Maramalade
• Stencil:  Crafters Workshop Mini Daisy Cluster

Tag Your It Challenge #24 - Guest Designer

I'm excited to have been selected as the challenge winner for Tag You're It Challenge #22.  As a result, I'm honored to be a guest designer for Challenge #24.  The inspiration tag was designed by Anja Curvers.  She made this adorable little puppy tag, and as far as I'm concerned, you can't go wrong with puppies!


Below is my take on the challenge.  I hope you choose to participate in this challenge and I'm looking forward to see your designs!

I focused on the colors: teal, brown and white and, of course, took advantage of the animal theme.

I also incorporated both stamping and die cutting the sentiment as in the challenge tag.  I also added the wood veneer stars!



Supplies:

• Bazzill Card Stock: Marshmallow
• Simon Says Stamps Card Stock:  Aubrey Blue
• Simon Says Stamps and Dies:  You are Pawesome
• Distressed Ink:  Peacock Feathers
• Versafine:  Vintage Sepia
• Copic Makers
• Wood Veneer Stars

Home Sweet Home - Challenge

Another beautiful day, today I had a few hours of hitting practice with my friend Kay this morning.  I haven't seen her in a long time, so it was great to catch up and play some tennis with her.  I rode home just in time for the delivery of our new dining room set...love it!  Then my husband surprised me with some cupcakes from my favorite bakery...a day doesn't get any better than today ;)



I'm entering a card in the Less is More Challenge.  This challenge calls for a one layer card that reflects home.  I think this is the perfect clean and simple card, that reflects my bright and happy style!  And of course, reflects my love of the critters in our yard, including the birds!!

For this card, I simply stamped all of the elements on to the white card stock and used my Copic Markers to color the images.  Nothing too complicated, but in the end it turned out pretty cute!









Supplies:

• Stamps:  Lawn Fawn Home Sweet Home; Paper Smoothes Hootie
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Copic Markers

Get Well Challenges

A nice relaxing Saturday today, gotta rest up for my Sunday bike ride!  A little housecleaning, a little yard work, and lots of World Cup Soccer on television.  Congrats Columbia, go Mexico--I'm cheering for the underdogs!


I've been slowly working on this card for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #190.  Here is the inspiration card.  So many different ways to go with this sketch.  But since I've been on a shaker card roll, I decided to stick with it---as this sketch just calls for a shaker card :)

Also, since I'm using my new Paper Smooches stamps and will enter into Paper Smooches Anything Goes Challenge as well.

I'm using my brand new Paper Smooches Stamps Space Cadet--just receive it this week!  It's super cute, but also need to purchase the die cuts (they were out of stock)!

I stamped up the space ship, colored it with Copic Markers.  I then used distress ink to add some color to the background. I cut the oval shape, and made the shaker elements with a star punch (which I just purchased) and glitter paper.  I've been having fun making my own shaker elements lately, they shake so nicely. I stamped the sentiment with Versamark and heat embossed it with white embossing powder.



Supplies:

• Paper Smooches Stamps:  Space Cadet
• Bazzill Card stock:  Marshmallow, Waxed Lips
• Glitter Paper (for the stars and the shaker elements)
• Distressed Ink:  Broken China, Chipped Sapphire
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Hero Arts White Embossing Powder
• Martha Stuart Stars Paper Punch
• Copic Markers

Welcome - Tag Your It Challenge #23

The unexpected rain gave me a little time today to get this post up.  The rain washed out my tennis practice this evening, and we had left overs for dinner, so I find myself with a little unexpected time on my hands :)





I'm participating in the Tag Your It Challenge #23.  It is so fun to make the tags, based on the inspiration.  Here's the challenge tag for this competition and this is my take on it...

I was inspired by the simplicity of Tracey's design.  I focused on the shape, color, and the die cut focal point of the inspiration tag.

This is a true "Clean and Simple" tag.  I die cut the images, stamped the sentiment and did a bit of faux stitching around the edges to bring it all together.

This is a perfect tag to add to a little welcome gift for the new neighbors moving in up the street.




Supplies:

• Bazzill Cardstock:  Lime Crush, Waxed Lips
• Simon Says Stamps:  Village Die
• The Alley Way Stamps:  Jibber Jabber

Missing You - Challenge

Wow, it has been a busy few days.  Hopefully things will settle down shortly.  I did make it to the tennis courts today.  Had a nice time with Marilee with some hitting practice early this morning.  But, it is Tueday and I miss hitting with my husband.  Hopefully, he'll make it back to the court shortly! Of course, there is women's world cup soccer playing in the background...go Spain!





I decided to enter into another CASE this sketch Challenge #126.  I figured this gives me the opportunity to use some of my favorite techniques:  heat embossing and watercoloring with distress inks! Here's what I came up with...

I heat embossed the flowers, then painted them with Distressed Ink.  I feel like an artist whenever I use this technique.  I just love the flowers in this color.  I then added some dimension with the purple cardstock.










Supplies:

• Watercolor Paper
• Bazzill Card stock:  Gummy Bear
• Penny Black Stamps:  Dahlia
• Versamark Ink
• Hero Arts White Embossing Powder
• Distressed Ink:  Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Dusty Concord, Seedless Preserves, Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Spun Sugar
• Avery Elle Pigment Ink:  Fog
• Paper Smooches Saluations Stamps