New recruit

Hello Everyone,

You may have noticed I deleted my last post. Why? I just didn't like it for the challenge and have decided to submit another card. But that is not what this post is about. My nephew has just enlisted in the Army and I couldn't be prouder. I remember when he was just a bustling little boy. Wow how time flies!! I usually send this out to my family but for now it is just between you, me, and the World Wide Web..

Also I have decided to join the CAS(E) this Sketch challenge this week.  Like I have been saying all along I am working on my CAS skills and I think this time I did pretty well.  I do have good incentive...

Entering Challenge:
CTS #120

Well here goes nothing!! Here is my interpretation of the sketch.. I hope you like it as much as I liked making it.

Shapes and colors of the background
give the impression of a flag. Bold colors and
sentiment seem to work cohesively together.

The splatters and grid pattern is what
really gives this card a masculine look.
Card Size: A2

Close up of the image I created. Eagle was lightly colored
I wanted the eye to ask 'Is that bird colored?' Only the beak
and feet really give the answer 'yes'

Okay so this is how I did it:

1. Cut and scored my card to A2 size: 4.25” x 5.5” to make a top folding card.
2. Stamped the eagle on scratch paper then on my card.
3. Created an eagle mask and applied it to the card
4. Masked off an area for the stripes then stamped the image.
5. Stamped the stars using VersaMark Ink and heat embossed in white.
6. Sponged the blue using Distress Ink (Faded Jeans)
7. Stamped the grid (retired SU) and splotches
8. Stamped the sentiment 2x for a bolder look.
9. Took off eagle mask and ever so slightly colored the eagle. 

Well that is it! Clean and Simple.. I think my nephew will like this card. It feels good to know that he is appreciated for what he is doing for our country. Thank you Michael.. You are truly my hero.

Take care all and thank you so much for visiting!! I do really appreciate your comments if you feel so inclined… See you soon.

All the best,

Shawna 

Bleached Daisies

Hello everyone (again),

I just looked and saw that the Color Throwdown closes in less then an hour!! Update: Phew I made it with 17 minutes to spare. Now it is time to touch up!

 I took this challenge quite literally because I just happen to have the perfect stamp for the job! More about that later... Just a great challenge!

Entering Challenge
:Color Throwdown ctd339

 Well here is my submission I really hope you like it!

Bleached the daisies and got these
wonderful shades of yellow.

The silver thread and sequin is just enough to add a bit of shimmer!
The sentiment is perfectly understated.

The white butterfly is surrounded with silver thread
then framed by a delicate open scallop circle.

A closer look at the butterfly which comes from
SU Butterfly Basics set which is part of the their
Occasions Catalog

I spent a lot of time on this card and want you all to see it before it is too late. I wanted to tell you about bleaching CS. This technique is an oldie but a goodie!!

Bleaching is so much fun because a few things happen. One, you never know what color will come up when bleaching. In fact, I wanted to do a lot to this card to make the mustard color but when I bleached it the color was perfect!! Score!! Next, you get amazing variations of color! It looks like you spent a ton of time on it when all you did was brush on some bleach! Plus, it gives it a sketchy quality which I think is fantastic.

Okay so this is how I did it:

1. Cut and scored my CS to 5.5” x 4.25”.  Set aside
2. Stamped daisies on black CS and heat embossed white.
3. Using a nylon brush and bleach I painted all the petals. Adhered to card base
4. Cut a notch on the side of the card  for the silver thread then wrapped the thread around the card. Set aside.
5. Die cut the open scalloped circle.
6. Heat embossed butterfly on vellum and die cut.
7. Used silver thread behind the butterfly. Adhered to black CS.
8. Stamped the sentiment and die cut in a tag. Adhere to butterfly panel.

That was it. Bleach is so much fun to work with. You get lots of varients in color and you will never know what color you will really get.. So fun!

One note about the daisy stamp. It is by Peddlers Pack and I just adore these images, especially the background images! They are so detailed and consistantly stamp crisp, clear images. Also, they are so easy to color because stippling is doing all the shading for you. It is just a wonderful product and really would hope you check them out! (BTW I don't work for them at all. However, I should!).

Well, that is all for now! Have a great night and please don’t forget to leave your comments good, great, or otherwise..

All the best,

Shawna

Age is just a number

Hello All!
For today I have a card for The Male Room challenge #08; Their theme: Letters and/or Numbers and the Happy Little Stampers April CAS challenge: stenciling.

    

By the way I am loving the new look of The Male Room's website and badges!! Who says men don't like color. Anyway, here is my interpretation on the challenges. I hope you like it..

The stenciled number seem to blend into each other
when in fact it is nothing more then white space.

Showing the detail of the card.

Blue Hexagon sequins surround the number to
keep your eye moving around.

 Okay, this is how I did it.

1. Cut and scored a CS base to 4.25" x 5.5".
2. Placed the stencil directly on the card base then sponged using Rich Cocoa by Memento on the lower right and the upper left of the card.
3. Sponged edges.
4. Stamped Gorgeorus Grunge banner and French Foliage (retired) splotches.
5. Stamped the sentiment and die cut then adhered it to the card.
6. Die cut the numbers '6' and '5' then placed it on the card.
7. Added 3 blue hexagon sequins.

Not very hard but wonderfully effective... Well that is all for me today!! You might see me again tonight! Take care and thank you so much for stopping by.

All the best,

Shawna

Shabby Garden

Hello Everyone,
This card was prompted by MoJo Monday challenge 394. When I first looked at this sketch I thought, 'How on earth are you supposed to get a decent card from this sketch?'.. Challenge right? Right! So off I was to... well... stare at the sketch and ponder how this is going to become a artful card.

Entering Challenge: MoJo394

Not to blow my own horn, but I just love the way this card turned out.. Balance, color, and glorious texture!! I hope you like it as much as I do.. Here it is..

The wood texture is what started this off. All I could think of
was a gardening shed. So off I was to create the rest of the card!

This is a side folding card measuring: 6" x 4.5".
Scoring the front panel to leaving a small
flap to adhere to the back panel.

These colors are remind me of a warm spring day.
The texture of the wood is what frames the flower so nicely.

Each petal flower was glued on the flower base of this die.
Bringing over a touch of petals to the panel and the addition of the sequins
bring balance to the card.

Well, what do you think? There are lots of steps but well worth it. So, this is how I did it:

1. Cut a sheet of CS to 4.5" x 6.5"; scoring at 6" 
2. Cut another sheet of CS to 4.5" x 6" and adhered it to the scored panel.
3. Created the worn wood background using kraft paper, acrylic paint, the Hardwood Stamp, and colored pencils. Cut to fit the card base panel and adhered.
4. Trimmed patterned paper and adhered it to the rest of the card.
5. Cut a white rectangle per the sketch sponged it using blues and yellows to give it a sense of place.
6. Dry embossed purple paper then sanded it down so the white would show through. 
7. Adhered the both sponged and embossed paper to the card. 
8. Added light pink ribbon.
9. Die Cut the flower petals in various shades of purple. 
10. Glued down each petal then sprayed it with Perfect Pearls and water for some shimmer. 
11. Die cut the flower stem and leaves then added that and the petal base to the card. 
12. Added a few sequins and a touch of purple flowers on the embossed panel.
13. Stamped sentiment.

The flower die used from
Impression Obsession Hydrangea Set

Well I am tired and I wanna' go to bed... Night, night everyone and don't forget to leave a comment nice, wonderful, or otherwise! Take care and see you soon!

All the best,

Shawna 

It's Monika's Birthday!!

Hello Monika and Readers!

Today I am going to share with you a card I made for Monika's birthday! I have found we have some things in common! We love the Beatles and we share an obsession with creating cards. This song is for you Monika! One of my favorites and hope you enjoy it!

And now for the important part, the card!! The screen shot is like my card, bright, cheery, and very graphic. Well Monika here you go!! I really hope you had a great day!!

Using highlighters and water applied to
watercolor paper then cut into strips.

Lots of dimension and layers went into this card.

The edge got a bit wonky but in the end it worked!

The silver birthday sentiment adds just enough shine to this already
bright and cheery birthday card.

The card of yours I am CASE'ing has the cute and funny theme. The bright highlighter strips and white dots remind me of a party full of balloons, confetti, and fun!

Okay, so this is how I did it!:

1. Cut my white card base: A2: 4.25" x 5.5". Set aside.
2. Colored on watercolor paper with highlighters and added water to diffuse the marker.
3. Cut highlighter paper into strips and adhered it to white CS.
4. Die cut 'happy' leaving the negative space for the design.
5. Backed the highlighter panel with black CS at an angle.
6. Cut another piece of black CS to match the angle of the highlighter panel. Adhered to base.
7. Adhered the highlighter panel.
8. Die cut 'birthday' using silver CS. This time keeping the positive space and placing it on the highlighter panel
9. Lastly, I punched out different sized little white circles adding a final touch to this birthday card.

That is all for now folks.  I want to thank you for stopping by and stop by Monika's blog and wish her a happy birthday as I know she loves getting comments!! Again, Happy Birthday Monika!! I would like to send this to you so if you could email me your address it will be in the mail in a couple of days!! Take care everyone!

All the best,
Shawna

Flutterby Butterfly

Hello Friends,

Today I am  using one card to do triple duty! First, I am entering the Simon Monday Challenge: In the Middle. I am also entering the House of Cards with a color and photo inspiration that focuses on butterflies. And lastly, Simon Wednesday Challenge: Make Your Own Background.. Wow.. that is a lot of resources to pull from but wow what fun it was!!

Entering Challenges:
Simon Monday Challenge: In the Middle
House of Cards: Add a butterfly and/or color inspiration
Simon Wednesday Challenge: Make Your Own Background

         

My other idea for this card came from my doctors office. While waiting with my paper sheet over my exposed body I noticed this chair and thought 'This would make a great background for a card.' Weird I know, but really it was so interesting I just had to copy it on a card... well.... sometime..

Well here is that 'sometime' and here is my card I hope you enjoy it!!

This is a great way to use all those little stamps
that come in sets.

Stamping on CS adds dimension to the focal image.
Coloring on the back side of the butterfly gives the butterfly
a sense of translucency  

Embossing the butterfly gives it some shine!

Butterfly with light behind its wings. The vellum is colored on the back
which creates just beautiful color.

Okay so this is how I did it:
Background:

1. Created my card base to A2: 4.25" x 5.5"
2. Die cut using this Papertrey cover plate with scrap paper
3. Lightly spray mounted the cover plate mask and adhered it to my card base.
4. Masked off each circle with post-it notes and stamped a butterfly/butterflies in that circle.
5. Sponged the inside of the circles a very light gray for some contrast.
6. Took of circle plate mask.

The Butterfly focal image:

1. Stamped the butterfly on white CS and on vellum.
2. The vellum butterfly was heat embossed using silver powder.
3. Fussy cut the vellum butterfly and die cut a circle around the CS butterfly.
4. Colored the back of the vellum using Prismacolor pencils and adhered only the body to the CS butterfly.
5. Lightly sponged a blue border around the circle. 
6. Added a black circle border for the focal image.

Sentiments:

1. Chose clear acrylic sentiment and added to the acrylic block while shaping it fit the curve of the circle. Stamped. 
2. Chose 'hello' sentiment and stamped. 

Lots of little steps to form one big beautiful design.. I hope you enjoyed your stay and I thank you for stopping by. Please don't forget to leave a comment! I enjoy what you have to say good, great, or otherwise. Take care and I will see you soon! 

All the best,

Shawna 

A Mothers Bouquet

Hello Again,

I have been very busy stamping with 'Indescribable Gift' set by Stampin' Up! that is also the same set from my last post. My last post was monochromatic and very minimal, which in own right is absolutely beautiful. In contrast, the card in this post is full of colors, layers, and texture! The inspiration came from the Hand Stamped Sentiment Challenge (HSSCC209).

Entering Challenge:
Hand Stamped Sentiments:
HSSCC209

Here is my card! I enjoyed making it and I must say it is not how I originally thought it would turn out. I happen to like the final result and I hope you do too.

Color, texture, and layers create a wonderful
Mothers Day card.
Size: A2- 4.25" x 5.5"

The flowers, leaves, and vase are consistant with
the challenge color palette.

So this is how I did it.

1. Cut card base and kraft sheet to A2 size. Adhered kraft sheet to card base.
2. Inked up my embossing folder then dry embossed to create the mosaic texture with ink inlay. Rounded two of the corners and adhered to the card.
3. Die cut the vase then dry embossed it with this embossing folder.
4. Stamped sentiment (retired SU) then cut it into a banner shape.
5. Stamped the flowers using clear embossing powder and VersaMark Ink then heat set it allowing the brown of the kraft paper to show through.
6. Washed the flowers by picking up Memento LUXE ink with my aqua pen then applying it directly to the kraft paper.
7. The color was applied using Prismacolor pencils matching the challenge colors exactly.
8. Fussy cut around the flowers and loosely adhered to card.
9. Adhered the vase using dimensional tape and then sentiment banner underneath.

It seems like it was involved but really it didn't take too long. I think the color combo is suitable for a perfect Mothers Day card. I hope you enjoyed it and don't forget to leave a comment. Thank you so much for stopping by and we will see you soon!!

All the Best,

Shawna

CAS-ual Bouquets

Hello Readers,

For today I have a CAS card which means Clean And Simple design. This type of art form is quite challenging for me and promised myself to stretch my creative thinking and create more of these eye catching, yet simple designs.

Entering Challenge:
CFC138: Krafty Bouquets

I figured this challenge would be a perfect jumping off point to practice my CAS skills. Well here is my card I really hope you like it..

Monochromatic simple design
card size: 4.25" x 5.5"

The bottom of the die cut vase was left open
to let the white border spill into the vase creating
a very inpactful space. 

The white ink on kraft paper
proves to be simple and very elegant

 So this is how I did it:

1. Cut my card base to an A2 size card
2. Cut my kraft paper to be a quarter inch smaller on all sides.
3. Stamped the flowers using clear embossing powder and VersaMark Ink then heat set it allowing the brown of the kraft paper to show through.
4. Die cut my vase leaving the bottom part open.
5. Colored my flowers picking up Memento LUXE ink with my aqua pen then applying it directly to the kraft paper. 
6. Stamped and embossed the sentiment in the same manner as the flowers.
7. Adhered the kraft paper to the card base.
8. Added a twine bow.

I think this card is absolutely striking in its simplicity. And the best part, it didn't take long at all. Sometimes K.I.S.S.-ing is all you need to create an effective card design. Thank you so much for stopping by! I really hope to see you again and don't forget to leave your comments good, great, or otherwise.

All the best, 

Shawna

Well, color me Moroccan...

Hello Readers,

I first want to give a huge thank you to the DT from House of Cards choosing my design as the Top Winner for their March Challenge!! Click here to see the my design. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

So now to today's card. This card is my take on Runway Inspired Challenge (RIC #81). I love the color, color, color everywhere... The hint of silver on the clasps of her dress and those wonderful shoes just shined.  Here is the image:

Entering Challenge:
Runway Inspired Challenge 
RIC #81

And here is my card! I hope you like it!! If you like a lot of white space you better stop here... ha!

This Moroccan style Die from Papertrey Ink is
remarkably easy and looks like you spend hours on it.

This is a great way to use up scraps!! 

Silver 'birthday' sentiment adds just the right
touch to finish this card off.

A built up sentiment added to show some dimension

This silver sentiment is a perfect compliment to
all the surrounding color!

Okay this is how easy this is!!

1. Cut my white card base to A2- 4.25" x 5.5"
2. Die cut black CS with a quatrefoil die to cover the card base
3. Picked out scraps in colors that were inspired by the photo.
4. Die cut the scraps with the same die.
5. Adhered the different colors to the base of the card filling in all the empty spaces.
6. Die cut the sentiment 'birthday' out of black CS 4x to build up the phrase.
7. Die cut the sentiment again but in silver
8. sandwiched all the die cut pieces together using the silver sentiment for the top
9. Adhered the word to the card. 

So easy and fun!! What a great prompt to use as a spring board for this card! Thank you so much for joining me here! I hope to see you again and please don't forget to leave a message good, grand, or otherwise.. 

All the best 

Shawna

Zeal for Teal

Hello Readers!
For today I am playing along with Always Playing with Paper #29 (a sketch). At first I looked at this sketch and thought of a million possibilities for it.

At least I had a purpose, my new friend Monika is having a birthday and thought I would make her a card!  So I had inspiration and purpose, good start! Well here is what I came up with!

Blue banner and sentiment fit perfectly with
this DIY background.

Using VersaMark for the
swirl was just enough detail.

This teal background for the flower
focal image sets off the entire card.  

This is how I did it:

1. Cut my card base to 4.25" x 5.5". Set aside.
2. On a sheet of CS I used Distressed Ink and sponged color on various parts of the paper.
3. Using water and rubbing alcohol I diluted the colors so they all ran into each other.
4. Stamped the flower pattern with VersaMark Ink then heat embossed it using clear powder.
5. Sponged a darker blue so the flower would resist the ink. Ironed off the embossing powder.
6. Stamped the same flowers in black to create a background.
7. Cut the BG per the sketch and adhered it to the card base.
8. Adhered coordinating blue paper for the rest of the background.
9. Cut teal CS to match the sketch then stamped the flower. 
10. colored the petals and stem metallic white but not too much.
11. Using VersaMark Ink I stamped the background for the flower and let it dry for the watermark look.
12. Rounded two corners and mounted that onto black CS using the same method as the teal. 
13. Adhered that to card base.
14. Made banner with sentiment and added that to the card too.

And that is all she wrote.  I really hope you enjoy the design and Happy Birthday Monika!! This one is for you!!

Take care all and have a great night!!

All the best,
Shawna

H2O color

Hello!
Today I am playing along with The Paper Players and Make My Monday Challenge. What wonderful inspiration!

Entering Challenges:
The Paper Players- PP239
Make My Monday- Photo Inspiration

       

This is my first attempt at making a scene using just watercolor. I have a ton to learn and this is definitely not my last time using this way of coloring.
I hope you like it...

Die-cut the word 'Happy' along with stamping the word
'birthday' makes for an eye popping sentiment.

The bird and 'hsppy' seem to play off each other.

Sequins add just a bit of sparkle.

 This is how I did it...

1. Cut my watercolor base to 4.5"x 6" and started painting my background.
2. Blotted the extra water to form the white spots for clouds.
3. Stamped the bird and blossoms using StazOn and just to be safe, I heat set the images
4. painted the bird, blossoms and some of the branches
5. Die-cut the word 'Happy' and adhered it diagonally to the card.
6. Stamped 'Birthday' in black ink and then traced it using a bold marker.
7. Added the sequins for a touch of sparkle.
8. Mounted the watercolor to black CS then on the H2O-paper base. 

That is it.. Because this is my first time with this techinque it took awhile and lots of learning curves... But in the end I think it turned out well.. I hope you like it too.

Well we will see again and thank you so much for stopping by.

All the best,
Shawna