Make a Wish

Hello everyone!! Just popping in with a card I created for some challenges. I actually created most of it last night but die cut the panel today and added it to a card front.

My inspiration for this card was this weeks CASE this Sketch #376 and the Inspired by Challenge photo. I was inspired by the colors in the photo. The orange blanket, the little tufts of color-it just made me happy!!

I used an old stamp from Papertrey Ink, Cupcake Collections, for my image and sentiment. 

I originally was trying to make this a one layer card to enter into AAA Card Challenge BUT when I took the tape off the stencil I used, it ripped the side a tiny bit and I had to alter my design. Hate when that happens!!

I did go overboard on the Stickles frosting but that is fine. I like the sparkle.

 Well that will be it from me today. I thank you for taking the time to stop by! Have a 

FABULOUS night!

Stay Strong

Hello everyone!! Just popping in for a QUICK post.

I created a card for this weeks CASE this Sketch Challenge #369.

I masked off and did some ink blended stripes at the bottom. I kind of changed up where the sentiment was and I added a wreath element.

I think I might have STRETCHED this one a bit but the sketch is what my jumping off point was.

I have been using A LOT of what is on my desk again. It is filled with colored and die cut images. I go on the rampages with stamping, coloring and then die cutting images and then they just sit there. The coloring part of the whole process is a stress release for me so I just continue to do it.

I have also been pulling out dies to use that are new or have been put away in my stash that have been unused. I would like to say that I have not bought anything through this shelter in place but I can't. I just figure that I am supporting small business when I buy!!

My last photo is kind of a joke. I put on jeans today just to make sure they still fit!! They are a little tighter but I can still breathe. I need to do this for all the pairs I own!!

I decided two things at the beginning of this week. I am going to try to be more positive about myself and others. Inside my head has been pretty ugly lately and I have been very judgmental.

It is hard for me because I am an avid reader, educate myself on everything so when people are ignorant and don't listen to experts, it bothers me. My daughter has been working through all this and the general public that shops have sometimes been downright awful. It has made me very, very sad.

That is the end of my post. I thank you for taking the time to stop by. 

Have a FABULOUS night and stay safe!!

Even More Challenges!

Happy Monday everyone! I hope that you are all staying healthy at that those of you that celebrate Easter had a nice holiday yesterday. Warning-there are a lot of photos in this post!!

It is rainy here in CT with winds gusts of more than 60 miles per hour. Just praying that our power does not go out!! I usually try to go for a walk but since the weather was not cooperating, today I actually went down and did the elliptical machine. We have had this since my 41st birthday? Not sure but I hardly ever use it. It is harder to pedal than the ones at the gym so I would rather use those! I also did some weights. Hopefully I will be pleasantly sore tomorrow.

Today I am getting some cards for some challenges that I am getting in under the gun. I have "vacation" from school this week so I have time to blog them at the last minute.

The first card I created for Freshly Made Sketches #430.

I used WPlus9 "Fresh Cut Florals", Simon Says Stamp "Thanks and Encouragement Word Mix," and my new Altenew "Fine Frames Diamonds" die set.

The florals were from a pile on my desk that has been there forever. It has been fun challenging myself to do this. I always stamp "extras" when I am doing a project and have SO MANY to choose from!!

I have also been trying to stamp sentiments to have on hand and I had fun looking through them to pull for this card.

The challenges I am entering this card into are:

Freshly Made Sketches #430

Happy Little Stampers: Anything Goes With Dies (I was inspired by the pink flowers)

Inspired by Challenges #119: Spring is Here (I used Frame Dies)

NBUS Challenge (I used my Altenew Frames for the first time)

 

For  my second card, I started out being inspired by two challenges. The first was the Color Throwdown Challenge #588. I usually have a difficult time doing color challenges but I paired it with this weeks CASE this Sketch Challenge #367 for a simple card design. 

I started off my card by using Distress Ink to paint my four lines on a piece of watercolor paper.

I rarely do this kind of technique because I am LAZY and hate to wait for things to dry!! Yes, I could use a heat gun but don't like the way the paper warps when I do that. When the stripes were dry, I die cut the image with an MFT Blueprints 13 die.

The branch is from Paper Smooches and I die cut that from watercolor paper, using Twisted Citron Distress Ink to give it some color.

The sentiment from Altenew's free "Best Sentiments" set that has been sitting in my NBUS pile of things to use. I think I will be inking this stamp up a few times to have in my stash.

The next card I was inspired by the Flower Challenge #43: Spring/Autumn,  Inkspirational Challenge #210: Spring, and the Time Out Challenges #159-Quote Inspiration.

I made this card to go in a set for my Aunt's birthday this week.

This card was SO FUN to make!! I stenciled the background and then splattered with a couple colors of Distress Mist.

The large flower and large leaves were stamped using some Altenew dye ink combinations. The smaller flowers I colored with Copic markers. All are from Aletenew's "Beautiful Day" stamp set. This is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE stamp sets.

The frame is from Pink Fresh Studio. I cut it in half and used it on another card that I will post later this week. 

I know this card would not be everyone's cup of tea with the background but I LOVED how it came out!!!

On another note, since we couldn't spend Easter with our family we did a Zoom call instead.

My father had a few difficulties at first but it was fun to do. I have been doing virtual happy hour with some of my girlfriends on Saturdays and this has kept me SANE!! Also figured I would post a photo of my pup. He is declining even with all his meds he is on.

He has been refraining from snuggling as of late. I think it is because it is hard to get comfortable on the couch.

That is all from me today. I hope I didn't bore you all!! I thank you for taking the time to stop by. Stay safe and healthy. I think of all of you wonderful cardmakers that I call my friends and love you to pieces!!!

Freshly Made Sketches and CASE this Sketch Challenge Cards

Hi everyone!! I hope you are all hanging in there. I am sure you are all like me and just wishing this would all go away.

I have been spending my time this week trying to prepare to help my students that I support at school via online. This is a HUGE learning curve for me. Usually I reenforce material that has already been taught but this means actually teaching it. Not sure I am liking this transition as didn't get my degree as a teacher for a reason. This also means learning new technology, which I am excited about.

Another thing I have been doing is attempting to clean up my craft room. My computer where I will be doing my lessons is in my room and I couldn't have the kids see my MESS. I did a Zoom happy hour with some friends last night and one of my friends actually commented on the chaos. It is slowly and surely getting better but I have so much stuff that I am NOT willingly giving up.

I was able to get some challenges done this week in between all my learning and cleaning. My first card I created for this weeks Freshly Made Sketches #428.

I used Reverse Confetti's Butterfly Wreath stamp set that I colored in with Copic Markers. The sentiment is from Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Sympathy.

The background paper is from 49 Market Irrevocable Collection.

This is the sketch that inspired this card.

For the next two cards, I used the CASE this Sketch Challenge #365.

I LOVED this sketch because I can use PATTERN PAPER SCRAPS!!! Do you know how much paper I have? And my scraps are overflowing!!! I did use some paper from some new 6" by 6" paper pads that I have been hoarding.

The striped and yellow dot paper are from My Mind's Eye "Tutti Fruitti" collection. The flower is from Pink Fresh Studio "Dainty Blossoms" die.

The "happy" die cut is "Big Lingo Type" from Birch Press Design. I have had it in my stash FOREVER and have never used it. The stamped part of the sentiment was from Hero Arts "Happy" stamp set.

For my second card, I used the scraps from the first card except for the middle portion.

I actually like this card better than the first. The middle panel is from Pink Fresh Studio's "Just a Little Lovely" 6" by 6".

I used the same products for the flowers, the "happy" and the sentiment.

These were so fun to make!!! 

Well, that is all for today. I hope you all have a great day!!!

The Coloring Challenge and a Couple of Cards

Hello everyone!! Just popping in with a couple of cards I created today. I am actually surprised I was able to do anything as my daughter came home from college this Friday to spend her spring break with us but I had a little bit of time away from her to make some cards.

My first card I used NBUS stamps from Gina K Designs and the Mariposa Butterflies from Altenew.

The inspiration for my card came from two challenges-Freshly Made Sketches #425 and the Inspired By Challenge #114: Seeing Green.

The eucalyptus leaves are where the arrows on the sketch are and the color scheme was inspired by the greens from the photo. I so wish I had all that fun display in my house!!

Once again I made a sympathy card. I should have been making a belated birthday as I should have sent out a card to one of my friends on Friday and I totally forgot!!!

I used ink from Pink Fresh Studios. I like that the little cubes are in color families like Altenew!!!

The second card I created is a birthday card. I actually used the cut out from the butterfly on my first card as a stencil for the butterflies.

I should have only stenciled four butterflies BUT once again, I made a few mistakes and had to cover them up by stenciling more!!

This card was inspired by this weeks CASE this Sketch #362. Instead of the balloons, I used butterflies.

I am so happy that I got to play with some challenges!! I also have been playing with Kathy's 30 Day Coloring Challenge. It has helped me to destress after some really bad days this week!!  I have been coloring like crazy but have not photographed much.

This stamp set is from Reverse Confetti and I colored in the purples with Copic markers.

This I used Altenew Watercolors which I am TERRIBLE at. I know, I know, I should be gentle of myself but I don't love it. I will be using it though as it took me a TON of time to create!!!

I have been obsessed with watching comedy specials while I have been coloring. After seeing all the news about the Corona Virus I needed some laughter in my life. Netflix has some great comedy specials and were the laugh I needed this weekend.

That is all from me today!! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by. I hope you have a FABULOUS week!!