Birdy Christmas Tree

Hello All,

UGH!! Monday is here but cheer up because Make My Monday has a new challenge for you! Before we get to the challenge here is my card for today, enjoy!

The birds are congregating on branches that gradually end
up in the shape of a Christmas Tree.
I really enjoy the splatters that were added to the card.

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Challenge for the next two weeks:

Challenge #35

CAS Christmas

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Nothing like a little research to see the true colors of a bird.
I decided to break up our birds with the a sentiment strip.
It seemed like a good way to balance the card.

The bird tree was actually a lot longer then I liked so I cut off the bottom part
of the tree and then added it to the inside of the card.
It seemed like a waste since they were already colored why not use them up.


Below: Detailed photo of the birds. I colored them by layering various colors and then blending them together to achieve the correct balance of color.

Challenges Entered:

Creative with Stamps: Challenge #8- Use a bird stamp

Well that should do it for me. I hope you have a great day and thank you so much for stopping by my little byte of the internet. I do hope you will join us at Make My Monday. It should be fun! Until then take care and happy crafting.

All the best,
Shawna

ThanksDAD

Hello Again!

For today I am playing along with Stampin' Royalty. Their challenge is to create a masculine card that corresponds with an inspiration photo. Here is my take on the challenge, enjoy!

I love these old Thunderbirds.
Cars back then were considered art, and the idealism is reflected in these cars.
These were the days of leaded fuel, chrome bumpers, steel bodies with no crumple zones, and when crusin' down main street was the thing to do.

I wanted to use the popular colors of the time.
The colors are then reflected on the sentiment.

I enjoy seeing all the cars lined up. It looks like they are on the lot ready to be purchased.
I stamped each car, colored them, and then fussy cut.
I really like this design on kraft paper, it seems to allow the colors to pop.

Challenges Entered:

Stampin' Royalty: SR#253- Masculine Project

When I was a girl I remember my dad coming home smelling like... well... bodyshop! I don't know if any of you have smelled a bodyshop before, but it has a very distinctive smell. That is what dad smelled like everyday after work- whether he worked on cars or not. The body shop smell clung onto him like little leeches. Still to this day when I visit a bodyshop and catch a whiff of paint, I am sent right back to those days with my dad. So this card is for you dad. I certainly do miss you.

Funny, I actually have to go to a shop soon. My front bumper has gotten well 'bumped'. 

Well that should do it for me!! Thank you so much for stopping by and do appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to spend time with me. We will see you soon, but until then take care and happy stamping.

All the best,
Shawna

Voices of the Sea

Hello All,

For today I am entering a few challenges Freshly Made Sketches, Hand Stamped Sentiments, and Addicted to CAS. This card was a breeze to make.. More about that later, but for now here is my card for today, enjoy. 

Ombre effect was created using watercolor paper, water, and Brushos.
The more water I added to the color the lighter it became. 

I wrapped the panel with simple jute twine. It adds a lot of
texture and also grows on the sea theme.

A simple sentiment can speak volumes. This could be a card of encouragement, get well, or
just because. Either way that card has turned out beautifully. 

Challenges Entered:

Hand Stamped Sentiments: HSS- Color Challenge #250

Addicted to CAS: Challenge #101- Ombre

Freshly Made Sketches: FMS262

  

Like I mentioned above this card was a cinch to make. First, I die-cut a wave cover plate and then spray mounted it on watercolor paper. I think this is essential because it seems to lock out any water from seeping in between the lines. I chose my colors and through blending and adding water I achieved the ombre effect. Lastly, remove the mask. And there is you panel. 

Thank you so much for stopping by my little byte of the internet. I feel refreshed from vacation and happy to be back in Blogland. If you are so inclined, please feel free to leave a comment. Until next time take care and happy crafting.

All the best,
Shawna

Veterans Day

Hello All,

Today we celebrate our veterans who have serviced for our country, the United States of America. This card I dedicate to all who have served. Thank you for your sacrifice to keep us free.

For today I will be playing along with The Paper Players. Here is my card for today, enjoy.

I chose this scene for its tranquility and calmness.

The colors I chose were inspired by
The Paper Players photo inspiration

This is a free digi stamp I downloaded a long time ago..
I however changed up the sentiment from
'You Are My Hero' to the one you see above.
I thought it was more appropriate for the thankful theme.

Challenges Entered:
The Paper Players: PP320- Theme Challenge

I again would like to thank those veterans who have served for our country. Thank you just isn't enough for your sacrifice, talent, time, and courage to which I cannot imagine. 

Well thank you so much for dropping in to spend time with me. I really enjoyed this project and I hope you did too. So until next time, take care, and happy stamping everyone!!

All the best,
Shawna

Burlap Blessings

Hello All,

For today I am going to be playing along with Curtain Call! I loved the photo inspiration and thought I would throw my hat in the ring. Here is my card for today, enjoy!

Lots and lots of texture with this design. stenciled the wood grain  using embossing paste and then inking it, to the felt leaves in all shapes and colors. Finally, the burlap 'blessed' sentiment all come together to form a fantastic card.

Autumn colors adorn this card along with enough texture to choke a horse.

I love the juxtaposition of colors, shapes, and material choices.

Challenges Entered:
Curtain Call: #48- Felt

I know the 'day after' is hard on a lot of people in this country and around the world. But I implore you to stop where you are and look around. Most likely family, friends, and wonderful things are surrounding you right now. My husband said it beautifully- Remember to have faith in what is good in this world. I think I have to remind myself every now and then. And what a more perfect time to do it then now.

Well thank you so much for dropping in to spend time with me. I really enjoyed this project and I hope you did too. So until next time, take care, and happy stamping everyone!!

All the best,
Shawna

Mad Scientist

Hello Everyone,

The Male Room is starting a new challenge for the next weeks, but before I get to the challenge here is my card for today, enjoy!

This card's images come from PolkaDoodles 'Chemistry Bundle'. I thought the sentiments and images were so adorable without being too adorable. The boy chemist is what sold me on the set..

I colored the 'mad scientist' with my Mexpy alcohol markers but everything else came precolored. I imported the atomic graphic and lightbulb sentiment using Adobe Elements photo editing software. I then created the card and printed it out along with another copy of the 'mad scientist' to color.

Challenge for the next weeks:

TMR#48

As a precaution our scientist is adorned with safety glasses. I decided to color the glass with a white colored pencil and then added some glossy accents to create the glass look.

Well that should do it for me! I do invite you to join our challenge at The Male Room in these coming weeks. I am looking forward to seeing what you create. Also, thank you so much for stopping by my little corner of the internet. I do appreciate every visit and if you aren't already a follower, I invite to join me in my adventures at TheGrandStampede. So until next time, take care and happy crafting. 

All the best,

Shawna

Happy Mail

Hello All,

Pinspirational has a new challenge for the next two weeks. But before I get to the challenge, I would like to share my card for today, enjoy!

I wanted this card to have a vintage look. So I distressed the white cardstock with
Brushed Corduroy and Vintage Photo.
I made sure to keep the space around the letters highlighted.

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Sponsors for this challenge are:

~Elisabeth Bell Designs~

Prize- 2 digis below

&

~Kitty Bee Designs~

Prize-1 digi

Now for our 

(PIN)spirational challenge

Challenge #178

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The postage stripe and post date was added to continue the postage theme.
Notice the script on the background of the card adding to the letter theme. 
Sadly, I feel handwriten letters are becoming a lost art.

The recipient of these letters is colored with PrismaColor pencils.
Like our inspiration pin, I was trying to keep the color minimal and muted. 

Who doesn't like to get happy mail! What a joy to find a card filed between store catalogs, bills, and junk mail. I think this would fit the bill perfectly for someone who needs happy mail and I know just the person!

Well that should do it for me. I hope you have a great day and thank you so much for stopping by my little byte of the internet. I do hope you will join us at PINspirational. It should be fun! Until then take care and happy crafting.

All the best,
Shawna