Christmas Prep in July!

Hey Journey friends!

Today I'm sharing a little itty-bitty Christmas card created using some itty-bitty images.  I'm playing along this week with the Splitcoaststampers Holiday Card Challenge #SCSCCJUL16 and pulled out some oldie-but-goodie stamps for this project.

It's an opportunity for me to fill my Christmas cards basket too.  Love prepping early!

I created this card using just a few stamp sets and supplies:  Holly Jolly set was selected because it's such a tiny set.  The images are small, sweet and perfectly suited for simple and quick cards.  I stamped them onto Whip Cream cardstock using my stamp positioner and Candy Apple ink.  Then I added the sentiment using Black Licorice ink.   I wanted to add a bit of green color to the card without overpowering it, so I used the Houndstooth background (retired) and inked it up with some Clear Pigment Ink.  I used my finger to rub some PanPastels over that...It picks up the color so well!  

After that I added a diecut Border Basics using Limeade Splash cardstock to help accentuate the contrasting images.  Wrapping some Natural thread around the border die and popping it up onto the stamped layer helps give the dimension I always love when creating cards.  A little wooden star helps too.  

I applied the stamped panel to some Cranberry Bliss cardstock (wonky style) and adhered it to a small Oatmeal Cookie card base to finish the card off.

PREPARE FOR BATTLE! #HYCCT1503

Hello there stamping friends!

Today I'm joining fellow stampers from Splitcoast in creating another card especially for the Hope You Can Cling To card drive that supports those facing a cancer diagnosis, treatment plan, recovery. Today's challenge comes from Kathy aka CAKath.  

Her challenge (and the challenge thread):  I'm a Warrior!  For those fighting and those supporting them.  Design a CAMO or Native American themed card that is inspirational.  

It was a toss up between a few stamp sets for me... Was I going to use the parachute guy in the set called Soldier Boy (stamp and die set bundle HERE) or the tank in the ATS stamp called Tank You? Tough decision but I decided to bring in the BIG GUNS for this card...The troops are ready!  

 In creating this card, I stamped the tank onto white cardstock then colored (painted) the image with re-inkers and a fine tipped brush.  I used Green Olive, Banana Cream and Bubble Gum.

I also printed a sentiment on the inside and stamped some "fightin' boots" (retired ATS stamp) front and center...Yes, You've got this!  

I hope this card inspires you to create something inspirational for those who are fighting so hard and for those who are right beside them.  Use one of your "colorable" images in a "camo" theme and join the fight!

Aquatic Dreams...CAS159

Phew...Finished in the nick of time!  Oh drats, no I didn't.  Missed out on the deadline by an hour or so but oh well, I had fun anyway!  

I've been away at the VABeach Yummy and Delicious Rubber Stamping event and had not had a chance to work on my card for this CAS159 challenge, so when I got home yesterday,  I started thinking...  It'll be a fun time to create something watery and dreamy with our yummy reinkers.  A little Yummy...and Delicious.  hee hee...

I don't often create CAS cards because I'm not a planner and tend to just jump in and add layers upon layers upon layers until I think my card is "just right"...But when working in the CAS style, I tend to work in a miniature layered element or create a simple background.  It works for me and satisfies my desire for layering.

I decided to play around with my reinkers and made some fun "ocean-like" backgrounds.  The technique went VERY quickly and I was able to create several beautiful backgrounds to use on future cards.  I think my technique worked very well with the blue/teal tones of reinker and I can't wait to share this fun technique with some friends at my next Make-It event...and possibly on my next Periscope adventure.

For the first card, I splattered some Silver Silk onto the background to give it some added dimension. After that, I applied a collage of graph paper and natural twine then added some pearls and the little shell from ...colored with Banana Cream and Hazelnut Blend reinkers. The tiny "faith" sentiment comes from one of my new favorite sentiment sets called Text Happy.  This is a set that includes 36 perfectly understated sentiments.  This stamped panel was mounted on foam squares and placed onto an A2 Whip Cream card base with a top fold.  

This close-up shows the collage in detail but does not quite capture the gloss finish (Journey Glaze) on the shell from the Wish in a Bottle set.  It's a perfect element, I think! You might also see a few glimmers of sparkle dust...Not too much sparkle but just enough to help mimic some shimmer on the water.  

Soooo Yummy...I used the Cool Pool, Pool Play, Beach Breeze and Denim Days re-inkers to create this fun ocean-like background.

My second card was even more simple.  I wanted to have almost complete focus on the beautiful water...Love how some areas leave the impression of white caps.  Perfect, simple and quick.

Perfectly serene...  This stamped panel was mounted onto Black licorice cardstock then foam squares were added before adhering the whole panel to an Oatmeal Cookie card base with a top fold.

I tried many arrangements and placements of the sentiment but decided to stamp in Black Licorice ink directly on the background so the background focus would speak for itself.  Just a little Black twine and some sparkly pearls and voila...it's done!

Hope you enjoyed these beachy cards.  It took me back to the beach without the dreaded salt in your eyes effect!  I really had fun making this duo and look forward to sharing the technique soon.  Thanks for popping by!

Spread Your Wings..

Hello Journey Friends,

Today I'm sharing a card I created for the Color Throwdown Challenge this week.  I REALLY love the color combo in CTD355, so I decided to head to my craft room and play. I really love how the card turned out as I felt free to just sit and explore, experiment with different techniques and of course, play...SO FUN!

I started out by creating a strip of colored blocks using the color challenge colors...That turned into incorporating part of a leftover diecut negative (in Pool Play paper), then led to the addition of graph paper, and then a bit of ribbon.  The silver ric-rac, image and sentiment came last...I paged through all my stamp sets and found a set that I would be able to color AND incorporate a lovely sentiment.

The butterfly in the Gifted Wings stamp set was the perfect image for this card.  I colored the butterfly using FSJ re-inkers (Pool Play, River Stone and Banana Creme) and a fine tip paint brush.  I also incorporated some non-traditional layout designs in this card.  I LOVE how it turned out.

Other Material used in creating this card include:

Black Licorice Satin Ribbon
Silver Silk (for splatters)
Pearls
Fancy Label Die
Pool Play cardstock
River Stone Cardstock
Huckleberry Fusion cardstock
Journey Craft Glue
Journey Foam Squares (Small)
White Liner Tape (double sided tape)

Non-FSJ :
Strathmore Watercolor Paper
Graph Paper
Watercolors:  Blues, Gray
Memento Black ink
Silver Ric-Rac

Thanks for stopping by!  Please consider participating in this fun color challenge!  It was lots of fun! Have a fabulous day and remember, FLY!

Coffee Break!!!

Wahoo!  My camera battery arrived and I'm back in business!!!

My FSJ order arrived too and I was excited to pull out my newest set:  Enjoy Coffee so I could use it for a Grunge challenge hosted by ROSE.  She hosts a weekly challenge for coaches of FB and I try to participate every week.  It's hard as I only have the weekends to stamp and the challenge turn-around is every Sunday!  Sometimes I'm behind, but at least I do it, right?

Anyway, I decided to grab a cup of coffee AND have some fun with my gelli plate and acrylic paints. I made some background paper using some fun spackling tape and the tattered flowers mini dies and my finger was my applicator!  FUN!

To add some extra finishing touches, I applied some Journey glaze to the center of the mug label and the word coffee.  it gives this card a bit of shine that is needed as acrylic paint has a pretty gritty/flat appearance.

I decided not to let the used spackling tape  (stencil on my gelli plate) go to waste.  I turned it into a fun little "ribbon" embellishment by clipping one edge on point, then tying some black Journey twine around the center to "pucker it up" and give it some dimension.  I popped the coffee mug up on Dimensional Dots and added the word...All it needed was one word, right?  

A closer look at the stitching reveals some ziggy-zags...perfect for this grungy look!  

Check out the whole stamp set!  It's full of pretty, fun, quirky images...and those beans...well, I've got plans for those too!  :)

PS...If you're wondering what I'll be doing with the extra cups of coffee that I stamped and cut, stop by in a few days...You'll see where they end up!

FSJ Supplies Used:  

Enjoy Coffee Stamp Set
Lemon Grass card base (5x5)
Oatmeal Cookie Cardstock
Black Licorice Cardstock and Ink
Whip Cream Cardstock
Black Journey Twine
Tattered Bloom Mini Die (used as a mask/stencil on Gelli plate)
Journey Glaze
Gold Silk
Photo Pin Elements
Dimensional Foam Squares

Non FSJ Supplies Used:

Gelli Plate
Craft Smart Acrylic Paint:  23622 Orange, 23623 Light Orange, 23630 Espresso
Delta Creamcoat Acrylic Paint:  Leaf Green
Drywall Adhesive Tape (Lowes)
Black sewing machine thread
Dry Versafine Ink pad (for distressing)