Caribbean Hexagons

Hello Readers,

For today I will be playing along with Colour Q and Creative with Stamps. Wow, was this card fun to make. So here it is, enjoy!

I used the grounding technique for this design.
I felt it needed it for such a busy background.

I used two lines to ground the sentiment. I felt like it created a more modern look and in keeping with the feel of the card. 

The sentiment is also modern and bold with a bit
of shadow to enhance the letters just a bit.

Challenges Entered:

Colour Q: cQc #354

Creative with Stamps: Challenge #5- Geometric

Can you absolutely believe how this background stamp from Hero Arts matches the inspiration photo!! I saw this and my eyes were saucers! I immediately decided what I wanted to do. So I stamped the hexagon background stamp on black CS then heat embossed in white. Then I colored in certain hexes with my aqua pen and white pigment ink. By doing this step it will make the Caribbean color more true. Lastly, I added the Caribbean color using PrismaColor pencils. I really enjoy how this turned out. 

Thank you so much for joining me at TheGrandStampede. I really do appreciate every single visit; comment or not! I hope this finds everyone well and healthy. So until next time take care and we will see you soon!

All the best,
Shawna

Believe in Miracles

Hello Readers,

For today I am playing along with Colour Q. Their color palette is just amazing this week.. I had so many ideas but then settled down with this one. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

The color combination is just beautiful for this type of card.

Added small white dots for stars.

The gold sentiment was actually glitter that was overheated and
turned into this beautiful shade of gold.

Detail showing the gold in the light.
Not too sparkly but has a lustery sheen. 

Challenges Entered:
Colour Q: cQc #351

Well that is it for me today! I am tired tonight and I feel like I making a bunch of typos so I am going to spare myself from much scrutiny and turn in early. Thank you for joining me and until next time, take care and happy stamping!

All the best, 

Shawna 

Catching up

Hello Readers!!

For today I am going to be playing along with ColourQ. Blue is my favorite color and thought this challenge would be perfect. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

Flip cards are so much fun!
The red fish compliments the blues of the ocean scene.

Inside the card you will find a surprise fish that
was hidden behind the circle.

 I decided to darken the edges of the card by applying gray ink with an aqua brush.
This brings a bit of depth and contrast.

The marine plants background was an embossed resist technique.
I used Memento Ink in various colors, an acrylic block, and an aqua brush.

Challenges Entered:
ColourQ: cQc #349



I made this card for my aunt who is now back in Michigan for the summer. She arrived home at the end of May and here we are in the middle of July, and I still haven't seen her! So I thought this card would be perfect to let her know I am thinking about her and we should really 'catch up'.

Thank you so much for joining me once again at TheGrandStampede. I do appreciate every visit comment or not. So, until next time take care and happy stamping.

All the best,
Shawna

Happy Fathers Day

Hello Readers,

For today I am playing along with ColourQ, CASology, Addicted to Stamps and CAS(E) this Sketch. I gave this card to my husband this year I do hope you enjoy it. 

I sponged only the corner and edges per the sketch challenge. I used Distress Inks; Faded Jeans, Old Paper, and Antique Linen. A little bit of water was used to blend in the hard edges.

The gears are one die cut that I cut at a 45 degree angle along the
largest gear to make it around the corner.  

Detail showing the die cut gears, sponging and sentiment.

Challenges Entered:
CASology: Week #202- Masculine
CAS(E) this Sketch: CTS#177
ColourQ: cQc#346
Addicted to Stamps: Challenge #198- Holiday

       


Happy Father's Day to all the men out there privileged to have children call them 'Dad'! The men in my life are so paramount for my happiness and who I am today. Some are here with me and some are enjoying the universe but all of them have/has played a significant roll in my life. I honor them today with a prayer of love, kindness, and gratitude that is unmeasurable. Thank you for being mine. 

And speaking of men, I have a crafty announcement! You may have seen the announcement on The Male Room that I am one of their newest Design Team members! I couldn't be happier and more excited to start my position. 

Well now that I am as stuffed as a turkey I am going to waddle off to the couch with my husband and cuddle. Then walk the dog with our children in tow. Thank you so much for joining me once again at TheGrandStampede. I do appreciate every visit comment or not. So, until next time take care and happy stamping.

All the best,
Shawna 

Nautical Wood Tones

Hello Readers,

For today I am going to be playing along with Colour Q, Creative with Stamps and Curtain Call. When I saw both of these I just had to play along.. Here is my card for today, enjoy! 

Texture is what makes this card so unique. The twine, brads, and wooden strips
creates a delightful marine scene.

Sentiment inside the card.
The shell scene is very light as not to distract from the sentiment.
The strip of wood makes a fantastic banner drawing your eye right in.

Challenges Entered:

ColourQ: cQc #345

Curtain Call: Inspiration Challenge- Sail On

Creative with Stamps: Challenge #3- Manly Cards (Masculine)

    

Fathers Day is right around the corner, so I thought it would be a good idea to create a card with a marine theme and throw my hat in the ring. I love this card for its rustic, worn, and distressed look. I tried to convey a sense of being on the dock by using a monochromatic palette with touches of color. I feel the textural elements of twine, brads, and distressing the focal image is what brings this card alive. The strip of blue brings you right into the card and to the boat scene. They all combine to make a fantastic composition. I do hope you agree?

Well that should do it for me.. Thank you for stopping by little corner of the internet. Until next time take care and happy crafting.

All the best,
Shawna

Cinco de Mayo

Hello All,

For today I am playing along with City Crafters Challenge and ColourQ. Here is my card for tonight, enjoy.

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Challenges Entering:
City Crafter Challenge: Week 310- Feeling Prickly
ColourQ: cQc #340

 

I got done with card late last night with only hours left to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. So I figured one day isn't going to hurt to share. These colors are so vivid and true and I think it turned out pretty well.. This card will be given to my children's Spanish teacher as a thank you for all she does. Whenever I write a review of all the teachers, hers is one that always makes me chuckle a bit while writing it. It says something like 'I know she is doing a fantastic job only for the fact that cannot understand my own children.'. Maybe that is saying something?

Well once again I want to say thank you so much for stopping by today. Seriously, I am so appreciative for every single visit. And comments let me know if I am on the right track! I will probably have one more post tonight so until then take care and happy crafting!

All the best,
Shawna

Clear Challenge

Hello All!

I will be using one card to play many challenges tonight and act as an inspiration card for The House of Cards. I will also be playing along with ColourQ and Paper Craft Crew Challenge. 

Like the last post, my gracious team members at House of Cards allowed me some grace to submit my inspiration card a bit late. This month we are concentrating on clear papers. Here is my card for tonight, enjoy.

For the inspiration card I used vellum and acetate. The vellum is used right inside the acetate
so when a message is written you will not directly see through it thus distracting from the design.

'Watercolored' flower was colored using water-based
markers and an aqua pen to spread out the color.

 Left: shows a close up of the flower and the amazing color combination. 

 Right: Here I am illustrating how the layers of acetate, vellum, and card base work together. The base of the card is a 12x12 piece of cardstock cut to 4 1/2" wide. I then folded CS in half to form a slot for the acetate and vellum to slip into creating the card.

Showing focal area detail.

Challenges Entered:
Colour Q: cQc #339
Paper Craft Crew Challenge Blog: PCCC192- Sketch

  

I do hope you will be able to join us at House of Cards. I am looking forward to see what you come with! Also, I want to thank you so much for all your support and kind words. I really do appreciate every visit. Think about becoming a stalker.... I mean... follower, and never miss a post from TheGrandStampede.. Thank you again for stopping by and we will see you soon. Have a great day!!

All the best,
Shawna

Black Floral

Hello All,

For today I am playing along with The Challenge and Colour Q. Here is my card for today, enjoy!!

_______________________________

Dry embossed the black panel for a bit of texture.

Background was created by repeatedly stamping the flower image.

Detail showing the color of the flowers.

Challenges Entered:

The Challenge: Challenge #67- A Sketch

Colour Q: cQc #336

Thank you so much for stopping by. I will be back later tonight with another challenge from Make My Monday. Take care and see you then.

All the best,

Shawna 

Some things...

Hello Readers,

For today I am playing along with Colour Q challenge. Their colors this week were captivating and thought I would throw my hat in the ring.. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

Simple watercolor with white die cut. Elegant and so lively!

Close up of the watercolor panel.
The white border was masked off while painting.

Challenges Entered:

Colour Q: cQc #335

Yes, some things are better left unsaid. This watercolor panel could work for any occasion. I am happy to say this card is a part of a set of ten I made for a gift.  All the recipient needs to do write a personal note, put it in an envelope, and send it on its way. I really like the way these turned out! I might just have to make a set for myself someday. I'll have to put in my 'best intentions' pile..

Well that should do it for me! I want to thank you so much for once again joining me. Your visits and comments always make me smile. Until next time take care.

All the best,
Shawna