Watercolor card class

I love this new Etched Flower background from My Favorite Things.  When I first saw it I thought it would be beautiful embossed and watercolored to create a background. First I embossed the background with Gold (I also LOVE gold- but what girl doesn't ;) and then I took 2 blue and 2 green Zig Clean Brush pens and scribbled over the top, I then sprayed the entire piece down with water to blend the colors, and let it dry. I just loved the outcome so I tried to not to cover it up too much with a sentiment.  I used the Blueprints 13 die to cut the background, Fishtail Flag Stax to cut the vellum, and Blueprints 24 to cut the circle for the sentiment. I know the photo doesn't look like it but I used a strip of gold CS down the side of the Flag. Finally, the sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp is embossed in gold. 

#2 Superstar Card Contest.

 

My Favorite Things is having a Superstar Card Contest.  I love playing along for this contest because there are no restrictions, no layouts, no color combos- Just create! It is a great reason to use all these stamps and dies that I just 'have to have.' 

I did a color blend in the background first to give the shaker card some color. I made this card several months back for a young lady turning 13 and my twins LOVED it! My girls turn 12 in December so this will be for one of them. 

Supplies all MFT: Birthday Centerpieces, LLD Little Numbers, Birthday Sentiments. 

Superstar Card Contest

 

I loved this challenge because I could sit down and play around with card design and tools with no limits. I LOVE ink blending and stencils so I did both! I used the MFT abstract stencil and the Stitched Horizontal stripe die to make the background. As my family will tell you, I am love daisies so I cut MFT Plentiful Petals as a focal point on my card. I really enjoyed the process of making this card and I hope you like it! 

SAF 2015 Red Carpet

So sad it is all over! 

SAF 2015: Threads Challenge

This has all been so much fun! I adore this little "nest" technique! I used distress ink to make the background! I really love all the bright colors!

SAF 2015: Runway Inspired Challenge

This is my FAVORITE challenge! I really made me step out of my 'box' and I really love the results. I love the colors! All the dresses and color combos are STUNNING and I printed them so I can try out the other combos! So fun! Thanks for stopping by!

SAF: Make it Work Challenge

This card started out as a one layer card that I saw on line a while back (can't even begin to remember where) and I just wanted something more-- so I added a die cut layer for the sentiment. I thought it needed some sparkly stars and pink CS strip accents. I really like the extras and they took my card up a notch but it is still my clean and simple style! Thanks!

SAF 2015 Bridal Challenge

I love making simple elegant cards, its just my style. I used the PTI Sheet Basics Vellum PP over a soft stone card base. I used the Scribbles dies and some silver thread behind the sentiment (from Bigger Blooms). And finally I added some silver hearts and adhesive pearls.  With no wedding our future plans I thought I could use this for an anniversary card too. Thanks for stopping by!

SAF 2015 Pattern Challenge

I Love that PTI gave us 12 card layout ideas! I printed them and will refer to them A LOT! I used pattern #5 with my Gold Luxe Foil PP and my Year of Flower: Carnation stamp. I embossed the Carnation with gold and used my new Zig watercolor brushes to color the petals a little and them sprayed it with  water so the color would move around. After it dried I cut it out! I feel like the photo doesn't do it justice but I hope you like it anyway. Thanks for stopping by!

SAF 2015 Mixing Colors

Summer Sunrise it just one of those colors I hardly ever use and it took me a long time to buy the ink pad. But, Hawaiian Shores is my favorite color so I put them together and added a little Simply Chartreuse. I love the combo!  I used the Go-to-card-pattern #2 for my layout (I adore that guide). Have a great day!

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop June 2015

I love this inspiration photo! Baby shoes are always so stickin' cute!

I used Bitty Bouquets stamp set and die from Papertrey Ink. 

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Online Card Class Mask-erade Day 4

I have never tried this freezer paper technique, in fact I had to go to the store just to get freezer paper! It is so cool, it is such an easy way to mask. I didn't have any trouble getting my freezer paper mask off. The Happy die is from MFT.  I used Distress ink along with Laura's 'smooshing' technique. Between you and me,  I am in love with the new Distress color - Twisted Citron. 

Hope you like it and have a great day!

Online card class Mask-erade- Day 2

Masking and area for a greeting - Kristina showed us this technique in class. I masked off a row in the middle of my card, then I used embossing paste colored with my Distress Ink pads. 

Thanks for stopping by-Have a great day!!

Mask-erade Day 1 technique 2

I had to try Debbie's technique too. I have a new Wplus9 peonies set and I was itching to ink it up. The sentiment is from PTI and it is one of my favorite. I love to 'send' hugs - I think every card in the mail is a little hug! Hope you like it! Have fun masking!

Day 1 Mask-erade card

I loved Day 1 of Mask-erade on line card class but this is my 4th attempt at this card. UGHH!!! So maybe Laura is right. It takes a lot of trial and error. 1st card I didn't like the die cut word I used- not bold enough. On the 2nd card, my black ink smeared - Oh what I wouldn't give for a black ink pad that is bold but dries quickly! 3rd card- messed up on blending. So, here is my best card 4th card. I used a ballon die from simon says to cut my mask out of acetate. Then I used an ink blending tool and distress ink to create the balloons. The Happy die is from MFT and it is layered up just like Laura showed. (birthday sentiment PTI) Finally, I added some Misty in shine drops all over the background and a little wink of stella over the Happy die. (the main panel is popped up with foam adhesive). Hope you like it, I am off to watch Day 2!

Edit: I went back to 2nd attempt and used sequence to 'hide' my mistakes! YA! I put all the work into it and it made me sad to toss it. I am so glad I did because I really like it!

Teacher Appreciation

This week was teacher appreciation week. I love how easy and cute this little gift turned out! I can't believe how very many times I have used this old PTI Teacher's Apple stamp set. One of my go to teacher sets. (TX Kriss). 

Supplies- Dies from PTI Tag Sale #8 and Pencil Blossoms PTI Teacher's Apple Stamp Set

On line card class: Day 5 inking

Okay I admit, no fancy inking involved. I used paper but I loved all the angles in Jennifer's card. I hope you can forgive me for skipping the ink part but her card still inspired me. 

On Line Card Class- Day 6 Fab with 5

I used the idea of taking in ink from the edge of the post a tape but I used a SU stencil in stead. It looks really cool in person. I hope you like it! Have a great night!

Clean & Simple Die-cutting

I really enjoyed watching Kristina's video today. I love any reason to pull out my Tim Holtz distress tool (Festive Berries, Worn Lipstick, & Spun Sugar ink). I used a die from MFT called duo bracket die and a stamp set from SU (I think it is a hostess set).  I used a paint brush and my TH ink pads to watercolor the flower.   I like the soft look of this card. I plan to make few more while I have all the supplies out. Sorry for the dark photo, I finished after the sunset here in Iowa.

Clean & Simple Embossing Card 2

Okay so I had to try again, like I said with my first card, I LOVE embossing! 

I discovered a couple things this time.  I used an embossing buddy and I had to get rid of the powdery reside to get my post a note tape to stay put. And I decided it is a better idea to use just a little bit of embossing powder and throw it out because I see little specks of the other colors in my left over powder. I don't like even a few little pieces contaminating my EP bottle. 

I hope you like my card. I need more bottles of colored EP -ASAP!

Supplies: Hero Arts Birthday Blackboard Woodblock, Hero Arts Tiny Flags Woodblock, SU embossing powders.

Clean & Simple Heat Embossing

I am alway in for some embossing! It is my favorite technique! I loved making the grateful (die MFT) embellishment, I did 3 layers of embossing. Hope you are having an amazing Monday.