Silhouette Christmas 2017

I am still experimenting with my new Nativity die.  I used a center step card bas.  The mat is dark blue, and washi tape was just the right width for the next layer.  The die manufaturer is unnamed.  The swirls are from a Spellbinder set.  The sentiment is from QKR Stampede.  I used a star stencil and chalk for the sky. I hope this qualifies for the pop up theme.  The star stencil has been in my stash a long time- first time I used it.
Pop it up:   Simon Says Stamp Wednesday
More than 1 fold:   Tuesday Throwdown
Unused item (stencil):    djkardkreations
Any:    Chalk n Stock

Special congrats to Hal

Our grandson recently attended a special ceremony awarding him his lab coat - marking the beginning of his years as a student of Veterinary medicine.  I have used this Dearie Doll image for him before, but it did seem appropriate for the occasion.  Other supplies:  misc. DP, Washi tape, sentiment from QKR Stampede, twine, Prismas 
Sketch (rotated):   Sketch Saturday     
For someone special:    Crafty Sentiments
School, study related (see above):   Simon Says Stamp Monday
Back to School:    Simon Says Stamp Wednesday 
Any:   Digi Choosday
           Jo's Scrapshack
           Patties Creations
           Word Art Wednesday
           

Christmas 2017 (7-21)

I am using some printed Christmas images left over from last year (QKR Stampede digi) combined with an sentiment from Stampin' Up.  I tried something different for coloring the image.  For me, water color and printer ink don't work well together, so I experimented.  I used a dry aqua brush and SU chalk to give a rustic look to the robe. For a slightly shabby look, I cut the panels with my dull blade - it roughs up the edges a bit.    I used a marker for the shepherd's crook and a shiny burgundy for the "rope" that holds his head dress in place.  (I am sure there must be a name for that rope....)
Embellishments:  plaid washi tape; black ribbon; silver  strip that was the negative from a sheet of stickers.  I used some glitter glue on these two strips.  More - burgundy jewels, acrylic star, Quickutz embossing folder.  These are all supplies I have had for a while - a couple of years at least.
Challenges:   
Sketch:   Stella Says Sketch
O is for Old (Christmas)  ABC Christmas Challenge
Christmas / Bingo (left column):    Catch the Bug
TicTacToe (left column):   Tuesday Throwdown
Christmas in July:  Deep Ocean 
                                  Aud Sentiments
                                  Frilly and Funkie
                                  Dragonfly Journeys
                                  Crafty Gals Corner
Holiday:                  Paper Shelter.

 Seeing Stars:            Simon Says Stamp Wednesday
Any:                          word Art Wednesday   
                                   Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge2
                                   Chalk n Stock.

Vintage golf, HB Walter

 This is for my brother.  He enjoys golf, but also likes history, so I thought this vintage style image - an oldie from Stampin' Up - would be suitable.
Chalk sponging on image; distressed edges; Washi tape; Grass die by Die-namics; DP from my stash.


Sketch:   Mojo Monday
Chalk:    Chalk n Stock
Let's Distress:   Art Impressions 
Any, with dies:   Happy Little Stampers
Summer fun:     Die-cut-divas 
Masculine:     Dies r Us
Boyz Rule:      Love to Scrap
Any:     Penny Black at Allsorts 

For Eugene

I need a masculine thinking of you card - this is great for AZ!  I added chalk sponging to all sections of the card.  SU image, Kolette Hall sentiment, shiny cord tied in a bow.  My favorite stamp is often the one I am using - this sentiment is one I have used a lot. 
Sketch:  Sketch Saturday
Favorite stamp:   Penny Black at Allsorts
Chalk:    Chalk n Stock
Bow:  Dragonfly Journeys

Sing and make music

Some of you may know about the Tuesday Tea Pot Party group at SplitCoastStampers.  I have been a part of this group since the beginning, but I have kind of neglected the parties in recent months.  I am going to try to do better!  Each week we have a theme (not really required) and we may choose to send the card to a worthy recipient.  The most recent party is to encourage Mimi who has stage 4 lung cancer, and more.  Her faith and music are important to her, so this verse is appropriate.  Check it out here
verse- ODB Sing to the Lord,  Dies - Couture / On the Edge and Spellbinders / Labels 5; chalk; sheer ribbon; unknown DP; CraftSmith cs (new - from Michaels).
Challenges: 
Sketch:  Tuesday Morning
Colors:   Our Daily Bread
Any, with chalk:   Chalknstock
Dies:    Crafty Sentiments
New:    Crafty Calendar
Any:     Word Art Wednesday

On the edge die

I have been waiting to get mail including some new items - so far, nothing.  So I hope these dies will do.  I have used each of them only a couple of times, so they are pretty new to me.  The gem in the center of the flower is from a never used package.  This card is 4.75x6.25 - large enough for members of our church women's group to sign and send to a member who moved away not long ago.
Dies:  On the edge- Pansy Flourishes by Couture (used twice);    Blooms Two by Spellbinders (cut from metallic gold cs); sheer ribbon, Sincere Salutations greeting by Stampin' Up - edged in chalk.
CHALLENGES:
Colors (2 blue, gold):  Your Next Stamp 
Blue Monday:   City Crafter
Chalk:    Chalk n stock
Celebrate:    Incy Wincy
                      Creative Knockouts (8 challenge max)
Mood board - top left:   Double D
 Any:    Glitter n Sparkle
              Pammies

QKR DT card - Challenge #221 ~ Christmas - non-traditional colors

This candle image by QKR Stampede works well for non traditional colors - the colors I selected remind me of the glow of candle light.  We invite you to enter the challenge at QKR Stampede this week, using non-traditional colors for your Christmas card.  Check out what my fellow design team members have created to get some great ideas!  You may enter up to 3 times by 6 p.m. EST Friday Dec. 16 - and you have a chance to win digis from QKR Stampede!
Image and sentiment - QKR; DP - Faith, by Paper Studio; Spellbinder oval dies; scrap of metallic gold paper, gold ribbon, piece of a gold floral stem. The image is colored with Prisma pencils, and I shaded both the image and sentiment with gold chalk.  White enamel accents add dimension for the candle drips.
CHALLENGES ENTERED:  
Sketch (rotated):    Sketch Saturday    
Vintage Christmas:    Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge
Non-traditional colors:   Crafty Catz
Winter holiday:    DLArt
Christmas:     Kitty Bee 
                        Dies r Us
                        Christmas at Sweet Stampin 
Die cuts:    Creative Craft Cottage
Sparkle:    Digistamps4joy
Shine:     Cuttlebug Mania
Chalk:     Chalk n Stock. 
2 patterns:   Pile it on
Layers:    Die-cut-Divas
Any:      Lemon Shortbread
               Classic Design Team 
               Inspiration Destination 
               CCC Digi Creations
               
                     
                 



 

SCS Dare to get dirty bookmark - Stamper Robin

This book mark uses spray starch, powdered chalk and plastic wrap - here on black shiny cs. I need to play around with this idea some more.   I added a Cheery Lynn dragonfly and some cord, then cut in a tag shape.  From my SCS gallery 8-8.
Basically, the technique is to spray cs with starch, add some color medium in colors and "design" desired; spray again with starch. In this example, I used 3-4 coordinating colors of powdered chalk, sprinkled on the starch.    You may choose to top with crumpled plastic wrap, perhaps smooshing it around a bit and allow to dry -this takes a while. I am sure using white glossy cs
Nature:  Cheery Lynn
Make your own background:  Pile it on Challenge
Not a card - mixed media:  Stamplorations
Anything but a card:   Creative Corner
                                        Reasonable Ribbon  
Any, with chalk:    Chalk n Stock
Any:   Incy Wincy

Remembering Gary's father

Unfortunately, I needed a quick sympathy card to get in the mail today.

This is one of my favorite ODB images!  I colored with chalk pencils to achieve a soft look.  The embossing folder is by Darice.  A bit of chalk sponged on the sentiment adds highlights to the texture. The cs I used is Recollections shimmery silver - I really like the result when it is embossed, and it is great for stamping images such as this one.

CHALLENGES ENTERED: 

Sketch/theme:         Stamplorations

Any; ODB image:   Our Daily Bread Designs

Chalk:                      Chalknstock

Color/Insp:              MHK Designs by Mynn

                                  Give a Crafter a Cookie

Touch/feely:             Simon Says Stamp Wednesday

Any:                         Word Art

Ready for 2016 Resolutions - NOT!

I really don't think these gals are taking the discussion of resolutions seriously - any more than I usually do!  (The inside verse is the AI:  happy 29th birthday from your 110 lb. friend!
The main image is from Art Impressions pop ups- I enhanced some of the color (umbrella, sun, chairs) with chalk pencils.  The saying is also AI.  Papers are from my never ending stash.
Sketch:         http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Resolution:  http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com/2015/12/challenge-174-ready-for-resolutions_10.html
Any - twist of 3 - 3 friends:     
  http://digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.co.za/2015/12/challenge-119-anything-goes-twist-add-3.html 
Any, with chalk pencils:    http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
 Any:              http://craftytimechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
                        http://digichoosday.blogspot.co.uk/

                       

Chalked butterflies

For this entry, I used the image from the Faith set by ODB, and the sentiment from their birthday set.  The Faith set and Spellbinder oval dies are available from the Classy Cards shop.  I used chalk on the embossing to incorporate the colors from the challenge.  I added ribbon and pearls on a wire.  I tried a different approach for coloring - sponged chalk on the image for an undefined look.
Sketch:      http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Bingo - top line:  http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/
Chalk:       http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Ribbon and Pearls:    http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/
Karen's inspiration:  http://stamplorations.blogspot.com/search/label/August%20CASEplorations
Colors:     http://classycardsnsuch.blogspot.com/

HB, Marilyn

Happy Birthday, Marilyn.  Her husband asked me to make a card for her.  They are fellow RVers, and she does enjoy sitting on their patio watching the birds - especially hummingbirds.  I   thought I had a better image to use, but made this work.  I fussy cut the chair (Peace Within, Stampin' Up).  The actual image has a cat relaxing on the chair, and Marilyn is not necessarily a cat person.  So I used one of the pieces from an Art Impressions pop-up set - a purse.  Not sure if you can see this - the tail and ears were showing under the purse, so I tucked in a couple of tiny leaves - hope you think they fell from the tree!  Lots of improvisation here...  the embossing folder (Sizzix) is actually a fall one with pumpkins by the fence, but I trimmed it a little and I think they are pretty well disguised for this summer scene LOL!!!  I used chalk to highlight the embossing, and to color the chair and flowers.  The birds are Cheery Lynn dies and the strips are Washi tape.  Sentiment by the Rubber Cafe.  Butterfly embossed bg by Darice.  The card is 8.5 x 5.5.
Sketch:    http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Colors (the closest I could figure out) - sunset, leaf, slate, white):               http://colormyheartcolordare.blogspot.com/
Chalk:   http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/ 
Bird (animal) and sentiment:   http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Birthday:   http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/
Any:    http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/AG-no-41.html

Sage with pinks

This card features the closest I have available for the color challenge at ODPB.
Supplies:  Cuttlebug Swiss dot folder; ODB image (Faith set); chalk, sentiment by SU (Fundamental Phrases); Spellbinder circle dies; gold cord.
Sketch:       http://joannamunster.com/2015/06/15/ibsic-95/
Chalk:         http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Colors (sage and pinks):   http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Any:           http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
                   http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/ 
                   http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

Beaver Bob

This should be good for a child - when it is not a birthday.
Supplies:  Misc. papers, Beaver Bob by Your Next Stamp; chalk for coloring (Gel pens on hat); Cuttlebug embossing and die cut.
Sketch:    http://yournextstamp.com/blog/category/challenge/
Red, white and blue: http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Animal & sentiment: http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ 
Furry friend:              http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Red:        http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.co.uk/
Chalk:     http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Emboss:  http://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/
Any:        http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/

Ashley's Graduation

This is for a niece who will graduate next week - I go online to find HS and/or college logos to use, and I think these worked pretty well together.  (The HS is in Fort Collins CO).  I like the lovely background that results from dry embossing (Cuttlebug Congratulations) shimmery cardstock.  I have a small piece of DP with diplomas and mortar boards - I added some chalk to blend in.  The ribbon is two kinds - dark green and metallic edged gold.  I needed some bits at the top right - I used some sparkly gems - I do have trouble getting them to work with this embossing!
Sketch:   http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Chalk:    http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Sentiment:     http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Graduation:   http://www.craftindesertdivas.com/search/label/Linky%20Party
Background (See note above):   http://drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/%E2%97%8B%20Challenges
Any:        http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/

Spring green

This is a YNS stamp I have had for some time and do not tire of using.  I colored with shiny Twinkling H2O inks and a water brush.  I like the way I can use chalk to soften the main panel, and tie it in with the bg panel.  The sentiment is from DanDeLion designs.  I cut tiny flowers with a Cheery Lynn die set, and enhanced with tiny jewels.  The strip is Washi tape - I often back it with plain cs, but this time I decided to let the pattern show through the tape.  The top panel is a soft sage color though it looks more grey on my screen.  It is embossed with Swirls (Cuttlebug).  A tiny metallic gold strip separates the top and bottom panels.
Sketch:   http://yournextstamp.com/blog/category/challenge/Sketch:  '
Wings:   http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/
Chalk:    http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Spring:  http://liveandlovecrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/challenge-34-signs-of-spring.html
               http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/
Flowers:   http://papercreatorscrafts.blogspot.co.uk/
Spring green:    http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/
In the garden, with dies:  http://die-cut-divas.blogspot.com/2015/04/in-garden.html

For a friend

I have several friends in need of a lift -this verse (Our Daily Bread birthday set) is a good encouragement for all of us.  I tend to forget how much I like the effect of sponging with chalk. This DP has been in my collection for a while, and the cover is separated so I am not sure of the origin.  I die cut buttons from one of the matching papers that has dots.  I backed them with Kraft cut from the next larger button - that is about as much sewing as I do!!!  All the mats are Kraft, and I added a bit of lace trim.  The buttons are popped up.  I used some shiny twine - I like it but it does not want to tie as it is quite stiff.  So I distressed it with scissors - just like I would use scissors to curl paper ribbon.  Worked like a charm!
Sketch:   http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Dots:       http://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Scripture:   http://www.faithhopelove1cor13-13.blogspot.com/2015/04/monday-scripture-challenge-fhl18.html

Sewing (buttons):  http://www.fashionablestampingchallenges.com/
Choose at least 3 (blue, lace, bow, twine):   http://thekraftjournal.blogspot.com/
Any (with chalk):  http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Any:     http://thepapernestdollschallenge.blogspot.com/
             http://thesistersofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/
             http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Chalked floral

My Card

Cornelia's inspiration card

My card (top) is inspired by a couple of Cornelia's cards for this month - at Stamplorations.  If you look through my blog you will see several versions of this embossed floral card.  This time, I printed the sentiment on my computer - positioning it so that I could cut a panel the right size to emboss.  The font I used is called Jokerman.  It is probably the first time I used it - but I liked the unusual look.
I used powdered chalk to sponge the embossing as well as the edges of the panel. TIP:   I used another favorite technique - I cut the embossed panel with a very dull blade I keep for this purpose - it gives just a bit of distress to the edges and is easy-peasy!  Oops - the smudge above the sentiment is NOT on the card!
CASE:    http://stamplorations.blogspot.com/2015/03/inspiration-post-march-9.html
Chalk:     http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Pastel:     http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Spring:    http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
Any:        http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/
                http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/
Sentiment:   http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Yellow & tip:   http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/
Floral inspiration:  http://www.theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/

Any one ready for spring?

We in AZ have not suffered with the winter weather like some parts of the US - and the rest of the world, too.  However, the forecasters are predicting rain for the  Phoenix Open and many of the Super Bowl festivities - probably a nightmare for organizers and fans. 
The Polkadoodles challenge is to case a card - I am not sure if this is close enough - I used the card by DT member Alex at Sketch Saturday for a great deal of inspiration (especially colors), though my papers and stamps were not the same.  I used the Sunburst stencil from Stamper's Anonymous for the sentiment bg, and then dry embossed the entire bg layer.  The double sided DP is by Craft n' Craftin, and the bottom strip is Washi tape.  All but the card base and bg layer were cut from scraps.  I used chalk for the stencil, and ink for the sponging on the Especially for You.  I added a few Cheery Lynn branches to back up the flowers.  THe vine at the left is shiny cs, and I added bling to the flowers.
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Bling:   http://jellyparkchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
CASE:  http://polkadoodle.blogspot.ca/2015/01/week-3-case-it-polkadoodles-challenge.html
Chalk:   http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Scraps:   http://alohafridaychallenges.blogspot.ca/
Any, with a Cheery Lynn die:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.ca/
Stencil and embossing:  http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/
Any:       http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
               http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.ca/
              http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/