Majestic Peacock

Hello Crafty Friends,

For today I am playing along with The Paper Players. What a great sketch challenge and I certainly hope I gave it justice.. Here is my card for today, enjoy.

Didn't want to realistically color the peacock because of the
whimsical image. I thought purples, teals, and magentas would be a good fit.

Cut the peacock panel unevenly to match the outline of the stamped image.
I then added a magenta mat to square it off.

Details showing the watercolored peacock.

It was color by a waterbase  markers and then blended out using an aqua pen.

Entering Challenges:

The Paper Players: Sketch challenge- PP292

I adore peacocks!! Their gate and manner in which they hold themselves is just beautiful. When they are splayed ready for attention their feathers just pop with color and texture; so majestic and pretty.  

This stamp is colored using water based markers and then blending out the color using an aqua pen. It was stamped on regular 110lb card stock. Peacocks always seem so self assured; so that is why I picked this sentiment. I have a tween in the house now and think this card would be perfect in her lunch (I promise I will keep it on the dry side of her lunchbox.). 

Well that should do it for me! Thank you so much for stopping by my little byte of the internet. We will see you soon for another post at TheGrandStampede.

All the best,

Shawna

CAS Scene

Hello Crafty Friends,

Hi everyone! Today I'm sharing a very simple, easy-to-make card using a two digi stamp sets from the MHKDesigns store, Lift Me Higher and the newly released, Fruit Borders set! Here is my card for today, enjoy.

Beautifully rendered scene didn't need anything to distract from its beauty.
It is very serene, calming, and beautiful.

I created a virtual banner by masking the area where the sentiment
lives. Your eye moves to the broken circle and into the saying. 

The only color I added was on the sentiment and
an accent border.

The MHKDesigns stamp sets are so amazingly interchangeable. Each set can work independently or with other sets without any conflict. I have used this card modeling how interchangeable sets working together to create a clean and simple card. 

The images was imported using computer software. All I did was mask a 'banner' over part of the scene, making sure to break the circle frame; I slipped the sentiment right into the voided space. After the layout was done I simply printed it out and added some matting. I also used foam to pop up a panel for a bit of dimension. Easy-peasy!

There is a lot more to discover at MHKDesigns Etsy Shop! Stop on over and see what we have to offer. I promise you will be inspired as our Design Team was inspired to create such beautiful cards. Keep stopping by to see more inspiration. Until then take care.

All the best,

Supplies Used:

Fruit Borders Stamp Set

Lift Me Higher Stamp Set

   

Buggy Flower

Hello Everybody!

It is that time again to welcome in a new challenge at PINspirational! I am adding not one but two cards for inspiration. Here they are, enjoy!

The sentiment was done by blocking out the double L in Hello and inserting
the cutest little ladybug using its two legs for the letters.

Image is sponsored by
The Cutting Cafe
Cute Critters Stamp Set used

You can see by the stamp set I used I created this cute little bug
scene using digital editing software. 

After I was done layout the scene I simply printed it out
and colored it with PrismaColor pencils.

___________________________________________

And...

The digital stamp was printed on the back of this watercolor.
I used my old fashioned stylus and foam to emboss the image on the other side of the paper.
I wet the paper using my aqua-brush and added color using a conventional brush.

Image sponsored by:
Limited Runs Digi's
Art Deco Flower digital stamp used

This was done as an experiment. I had this technique rattling in my head
for awhile and thought this would be the perfect image to try it out.

 _____________________________________________________

Photo inspiration

Challenge #164

That should do it for me! I do hope you can play along at PINspirational. I am sure to see some awesome creations. Take care everyone and have a great day!

All the best,
Shawna

Flowers and Umbrella

Hello Again,

For the first time I am playing along with Waffle Flower Challenge blog. Their color scheme and picture inspiration was a delight. So I had to join in! Here is my card, enjoy!

I was intrigued by the photo inspiration. The flowers and umbrella 
seemed so fitting for a Mother's Day card.

I used my 11 year old stylus and a sheet of foam
to emboss the umbrella lines. 

A dry embossed background adds continuous texture.
The flowers filling the umbrella were die cut and placed with
Waffle Flower's color scheme in mind.

Details showing the card in the light with shimmer 

and out of the light without shimmer.

Entering Challenges:
Waffle Flower Challenge: April 2016- Photo Inspiration

As I write this we are getting bombarded with thunderstorms and deluge of rain. Spring is here in all its thunderous glory. Lawns are greening up and trees are getting harder to see through. And the smell of the breeze after a good soaking is so refreshing. Too bad it is 10:15pm or I would go out and take a whiff.. However, tomorrow is another day due to be cloudy and humid.. Perfect for the smell of Spring.

That is it for me.. I want to thank you so much for visiting here today. I do appreciate it and if you aren't already a stalker...... I mean..... follower I would appreciate that too.. Take care all and hope you have a great day..

All the best,
Shawna 

Sunset

Hello All,

For today I am playing along with Color Throwdown and Freshly Made Sketches. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

The sketch reminded immediately reminded of a sunset
and thought the colors would be a perfect for these challenges.

Sentiment needed to be anchored. I did that by adding a white rectangle
with a flourish and stamped sentiment. The 'sending' is die cut in black.

Entering Challenge:
Freshly Made Sketches: FMS233
Color Throwdown: ctd389



Thank goodness I do not need to send this out! But when it does come time I am ready and set to go! Thank you for the inspiration and color combination. 

Well it is a late night and we are getting hammered by thunderstorms right now.. So I should probably get off the computer. Is that a wives tale? Not sure but just to be 'safe' I will sign off.. 

Take care everyone and thank you so much for joining me yet again at TheGrandStampede. I really do appreciate your visits and if you want to say hello that would be great too. If not no worries just thank you for stopping by. Until next time take care!

All the best,
Shawna

April Showers

Hello All!

Make My Monday has another challenge this week! Our theme this week is 'April Showers Bring May Flowers'. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

Blues of the background contrast nicely with the
warm colors of the umbrella.

__________________________

Theme this week:
April Showers
Bring
May Flowers.

____________________________

Glitter paper was added underneath the die cut drops..
Can't help it, I had to add a bit of sparkle.

Detail of the umbrella. I coated it using Glossy Accents
then die cut the handle a bright silver.

I do hope you can join us this week at Make My Monday challenge. You could interpret this popular saying in a couple of different ways. In my case I literally chose rain but I couldn't forget flowers. That is were the floral umbrella comes into play. 

However the choice is up to you! You could just have flowers or you could go with the whole theme and have showers as well.

Well that should do it for me I do hope you enjoyed your visit and I want to thank you so much for joining me today. Have a great day and we will see you soon.

All the best,

Shawna

CAS Butterflies

Hello Everyone,

For today I am playing along with AAA Cards, Creative with Stamps, and The Paper Players. The theme this week are butterflies.. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

White on white branches give the card movement without being busy.

I wanted a bit more interest so I stamped the sentiment vertically.

Challenges Entered:

The Paper Players: PP291- CAS Butterflies

Creative with Stamps: Challenge #1- Butterflies

AAA Cards: Game #62- Anything goes

    

All the white around the colorful butterflies, I think, allows it to be CAS. Right? Even though the branches are in the backdrop they blend into the same color background making those butterflies pop off the card. Literally.. I had a hard time with the sentiment. Nothing seemed to have worked then I thought of stamping the sentiment vertically.. Well here is the result and I don't think it is that bad. In fact, I kind of like it. :)

Again, thank you for joining me today. My dog is looking at me as if to say 'If you don't walk me soon I am going to float away!'. So I should walk his royal-ness, Crown. Have a great day and until next time take care!

All the best,
Shawna 

Mother's Day Watercolor

Hello Everyone,

For today I am playing along with Cupcake Inspirations, Creative with Stamps, and The Paper Players. How can anyone resist butterflies. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

Watercolor using an eraser as a stamp to create a bokeh effect.

Colored stamps with Distress Ink misted it with water.
Some images, like the leaves, had to be diluted even further.

 Close up and side pictures of the card.

Challenges Entered:

The Paper Players: PP291- Clean-and-Simple Butterflies

Creative with Stamps: #1- Butterfly

Cupcake Inspiration: CIC#356

   

Oh my! Mother's Day is right around the corner! So it is time to start making up my cards for the special women in my life. I have always celebrated Mother's Day as a day to celebrate women who have impacted my life greatly. These women would be my Aunt, Cousins, Sister, and yes, my Mother. If it weren't for them I wouldn't be who I am today and for that I am so grateful! Thank you...

That should do it for me! Thank you so so so much for stopping by. Have a great day and until next time take care!

All the best,

Shawna

Rainbow Mosaic

Hello again!

For today I am playing along with The Challenge and Retro Sketches. You are being forewarned that this card is VERY colorful! Sunglasses may be advised. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

Colored the mosaic using water based markers. The stamp is a
retired SU stamp. It made a perfect mask for the rainbow to peak through the
sentiment.

Different shades of each color make for a beautiful stained glass look.

Detail showing the sentiment.

Challenges Entered:
The Challenge: #69- Heart Rainbow Inspiration
Retro Sketches: rs#211
   

The photo inspiration from The Challenge reminded me a mosaic; even though I know full well it is a quilt pattern. I think it is the contrast of color that make the heart.. Not sure but rainbow mosaic got stuck in my head! I had just the stamp to do the job. It is from DRS Designs here is a link to the stamp. Color everywhere!! Perfect for Spring.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I really to appreciate each visit! If you feel like leaving me a comment that would be great. If not, no worries! I am just glad you stopped by for a bit of eye candy. Take care everyone and we will see you soon.

All the best,
Shawna