happy 6th Anniversary...PDCC30 45

Hi Everyone! It's Thursday & you know what that means? It's time again for another Creativity Challenge at The Play Date Cafe & it's my turn to choose the color palette for PDCC30 :)
This happy Anniversary card is for my DH :) - we will be celebrating our 6th Wedding Anniversary in early June. While we were shopping at one of my favorite papercrafting stores, he spotted the "love birds" stamp that you see in the upper right hand corner ;) - so of course, I had to use it, especially on this card.

When I saw this beautiful bedding in the Pottery Barn catalog, I immediately thought what a fabulous inspiration photo it would make! So my hubby made it happen :)

I showcased an elegant Melissa Frances sticker inside a label cut with a Spellbinders™ Labels Eight die template. With a few "homespun" embellishments sprinkled about & a lil' stitching, my card was complete.

That's all I have for today :) I hope you can join along with this week's creativity challenge. After you have made your project, please head on over to The Play Date Cafe & link your post. If you post your creations in an on-line gallery, please label it PDCC30 so we won't miss them! Be sure to see what all The Play Date Cafe DT girls have created, (on my side bar) & our Guest Designer, Maile Belles. I hope you play along with these pretty pastels :) Thanks for looking! Be Sweet :)

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Off Beat Backgrounds, Sweethearts, Inkadinkadoo

Paper: Melissa Frances DP, Papertrey Ink

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Vintage Photo, VersaMark

Other: Spellbinders™ Nestabilities S4-249 Big Scalloped Circles LG, S4-250 Big Scalloped Circles SM, S4-136 Classic Heart, S4-137 Classic Scalloped Heart, S5-019 Labels Eight, Melissa Frances Vintage Findings & sticker, ribbon, button, brad, glitter & twine from stash

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Homespun Vintage Treasures... PDCC29 53

Hi There! Time again for another Creativity Challenge at The Play Date Cafe. Here is the card I made using the colors for the PDCC29: Sarah chose this week's gorgeous color palette:I have been having so much fun lately "experimenting" with a variety of techniques that I learned while at the Spellbinders Retreat from the "Senior" DT Leaders (Cathy, Beth & Kim :)
The heart & button embellishments were created using what I refer to as the "embossing & sanding" technique &the blue background was created using the "airbrushing" technique. I will spare you the details here because if you continue to scroll down, you will find the step-by-step tutorials :)

I hope you can join along with this week's creativity challenge. After you have made your project, please head on over to The Play Date Cafe & link your post. If you post your creations in an on-line gallery, please label it PDCC29 so we won't miss them! Be sure to see what all The Play Date Cafe DT girls have created, (on my side bar) & our Guest Designer, Heidi Van Laar. I hope you are able to join along with this week's challenge.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Sweethearts, Judi Kins Artists Signature
Paper: Gina K. Pure Luxury cs, Papertrey Ink
Ink: Copic B41 Powder Blue, Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Vintage Photo
Other: Spellbinders™ Shapeabilities S4-014 Timeless Heritage, I2-1002 Butterfly Impressabilities™, W-001 The Wizard™, Copic Air brush, Melissa Frances Vintage embellishment, Fiskars border punch, ribbon, lace, button & brad from stash

First up is Tutorial #1: Copic Airbrushing technique (used to create the background paper on this card):

Supplies Used:
Spellbinders™ Butterfly Impressabilities™
Spellbinders™ The Wizard™
Copic Airbrush
Copic Marker (I used B41 Powder Blue)
Gina K. Pure Luxury cs

Step 1:

If using The Wizard™, assemble your sandwhich like so: White Master mat, tan emboss pad, cs, Impressabilities™, White Master mat. **Note: "sandwhich" may vary according to die cutting system used. **Tip: On a corner, I gently tape paper to Impressabilities™ template so when removing to spray, paper will remain attached to template.

Once sandwhich is formed, run cs through machine. Keeping paper & template together once embossed.

Step 2:
Now you are ready to airbrush background any color you like! Simply place marker in Copic airbrush according to manufacturer's directions.

With a gently sweeping motion from left to right, spray right over the template until you have the shade desired.

***Try mixing it up a bit & use several different colors on the same embossed piece of cs! The possibilities are endless! :) Hope this helps & maybe you will give it a try!

Tutorial #2: Embossing & Sanding Metal like products:

Supplies Used:

Spellbinders™ The Wizard™
Shapeabilities™ Timeless Heritage die templates
Royal & Langnickel Brush Blank Boards

ultra fine sanding block
Steps 1 & 2:

If using The Wizard™, assemble your sandwhich like so: white master mat, magnetic spacer pad, Spellbinders™ die template **blade side up**, blank board/ metal **correct side facing down**, white master mat. **Note: "sandwhich" may vary according to die cutting system used.

Run through die cutting machine then emboss newly cut shapes.
If using The Wizard™, assemble your sandwhich like so: White Master mat, die template with product left in place, tan emboss pad, white master mat. **Note: "sandwhich" may vary according to die cutting system used.

Step 3:


Remove cut & embossed product from die template. Using an ultra fine sanding tool, gently rub over the shape, revealing the metal underneath until desired look is achieved.
& Embossing & Sanding Metal

Supplies Used:
Spellbinders™ The Wizard™
Spellbinders™ Premium Craft Foil
Spellbinders™ Butterfly Impressabilities™
ultra fine sanding block
Step 1:

If using The Wizard™, assemble your sandwhich like so: White Master mat, tan emboss pad, Spellbinders™ Premium Craft F oil, Impressabilities™, White Master mat. **Note: "sandwhich" may vary according to die cutting system used.

Once sandwhich is formed, run through machine then carefully remove separate foil & template.

Step 2:

Using an ultra fine sanding block, gently sand over the shape, revealing the metal underneath until desired look is achieved.
I hope these tutorials provide inspiration for your creating adventures & perhaps you too will give them a try! I would love to see what you make using any of these techniques! Please feel free to email me the link to your project or email a photo :) Feedback is always appreciated :0

Thanks for looking! Be Sweet!

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Thinking about Mom...PDCC28 53

Hi Everyone! Here with The Play Date Cafe Challenge #28 - Julie Ranae chose this Oh So Pretty in Pink color palette to play with as it is one of her all time favorites since her early childhood days :) This week, I would like to welcome my dear friend & Spellbinders™ Design Team-mate, Ashley Cannon Newell as our Guest Designer :)
Here's my Thinking about Mom card:
This beautiful color palette that Julie chose is so fitting for such a wonderful day approaching: Mother's Day. My Dear Mom & Bestest Friend (before my hubby of course :) rests in Peace in Heaven I am sure :) so I am giving this card to my Dearest Sister Tina - whom is like my Mom in SO MANY ways :)
I love the way the ornate Melissa Frances Vintage keyhole looks on the multi-layered glittered heart that I made using my Spellbinders™ Nestabilities S4-136 Classic Heart & S4-137 Classic Scalloped Heart die templates.

I am hooked on the Spellbinders ™ Borderabilities! They consume barely any space & cut gorgeous, detailed borders. I would love to know if you have played with these or do you prefer hand held punches? Thanks for looking!

I hope you can join along with this week's creativity challenge. After you have made your project, please head on over to The Play Date Cafe & link your post. If you post your creations in an on-line gallery, please label it PDCC28. Be sure to see what all The Play Date Cafe DT girls have created, (on my side bar) & our Guest Designer, Ashley Cannon Newell to share with you for inspiration! I hope you are able to join along with this week's challenge. Be Sweet!

***Please feel free to click HERE - to see what a few of my Spellbinders Design Team-mates have created to celebrate Mother's Day on the Spellbinders Blog!***

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps Faux Fun, Lizzie Anne Designs Winged Mother, Judi Kins Artists Signature

Paper: Melissa Frances DP, Papertrey Ink

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Vintage Photo, Stampin' Up

Other: Spellbinders™ Nestabilities S4-140 Petite Ovals Small, S4-138 Petite Ovals Large, S4-136 Classic Heart, S4-137 Classic Scalloped Heart, Shapeabilities™ S4-109 Flower Creations Three, Borderabilities™ S4-213 Fleur De Lis Border, W-001 The Wizard, Melissa Frances Vintage findings, Husqvarna sewing machine, brad, buttons, twine, glitter & ribbon from stash

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For the butterflies...PDCC27 56

***I have 2 posts today, if you are looking for my MTME post, please continue to scroll down - Thanks :)***
Hi Everyone! This week, I chose the colors for the Play Date Cafe Creativity Challenge #27, PDCC27. I found these darling little bird feeders in the gift shop at the Carlsbad Flower Fields & photographed them for inspiration :)Here is my interpretation of these colors:This is my first time creating with beautiful Melissa Frances DP & I am hooked! Can't you hear my wallet screaming???? :) I used one of my favorite background stamps from Rubber Stampede - Music Background to create the strip of music paper.

After stamping & cutting out the birdcage, I dressed it up with 3 of my favorite things - a bow, button & butterfly :)

I stenciled this lil' Spellbinders™ Flying Beauty using SU Bashful Blue ink then popped a pearl right in the center.

I hope you can join along with this week's creativity challenge. After you have made your project, please head on over to The Play Date Cafe & link your post. If you post your creations in an on-line gallery, please label it PDCC27. Be sure to see what all The Play Date Cafe DT girls have created, (on my side bar) & our Guest Designer, Jen Tapler to share with you for inspiration! I hope you are able to join along with this week's challenge.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: MTME Just For You, Hero Arts Birdcage, Rubber Stampede Music Background

Paper: Melissa Frances, SU, PTI

Ink: SU, Memento, Ranger, Copic

Other: Spellbinders™ Shapeabilities Flying Beauties S4- 123, Fiskars scissors, Creative Impressions ribbon, pearl, lace & button from stash

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Thanks...PDCC26 53

Hi Friends :) Hope you are all having a wonderful week! This week Julie chose these beautiful jewelry findings to refer to for color inspiration. Mod Podge Rocks is sponsoring this week's challenge, please be sure to visit The Play Date Cafe for all the juicy details!
Here is my interpretation of these colors:
I learned so much at the Spellbinder's DT Retreat over the past week, I figured I better practice some of these techniques that are new to me. Embossing Spellbinders ™ Premium Craft Foil & stenciling to name a few! The Gina K. of Gina K. Designs happens to be featuring the Spellbinders ™ Impressabilities on her site HERE showcasing their use in several videos! Be sure to check these out!

I stenciled the butterfly, flowers & tag embellishments using a sponge dauber. Such an easy technique yet produces such stunning results!

In this bird's eye pic you can really see how wonderfully the foil looks when sanded revealing the silver "under coating" & how the decorative embossing really stands out on the butterfly when stenciled. I would love to know if you have ever tried either of these techniques? Would you be interested in learning how? Thanks for looking! Be Sweet!

I hope you can join along with this week's creativity challenge. After you have made your project, please head on over to The Play Date Cafe & link your post. If you post your creations in an on-line gallery, please label it PDCC26. Be sure to see what all The Play Date Cafe DT girls have created, (on my side bar) & our Guest Designer, Jen Tapler to share with you for inspiration! I hope you are able to join along with this week's challenge.

Supplies Used:

Paper: Spellbinders ™ Premium Craft Foil Copper, My Mind's Eye Lush Hip & Luxurious Basics: Blue Floral Paper, Blue Diamonds Paper, Worldwin Paper Treasures Kraft, white cs

Ink: Jo-Ann Craft Essentials rub on, Stampin Up Soft Sky, Creamy Caramel

Other: Spellbinders ™ Impressabilities I2-1002 Butterfly, Shapeabilities S4-234 Ribbon Tag Trio Two, S4-123 Flying Beauties, S4-200 Flower Bouquet Borderabilities S4-243 Ric Rac Diamond Border Petites, Husqvarna sewing machine, pearls, buttons & twine from stash

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Just a Splash...PDCC25 43

Hi Everyone! Time for another Creativity Challenge at The Play Date Cafe. This week Sarah chose the splash of colors & this photo to hopefully get you inspired to play along with the PDCC25 challenge:

Here is my take:

I tried to stay true to the challenge & just use a splash of orange - what better way than to plant a Prima rose? :)

I stamped the background image using the Music Background stamp from Rubber Stampede. The lil' sheet of music was stamped using a Prima stamp that my DH surprised me with :) I simply stamped that image, then using a Fiskars scissors trimmed around the edges to give it a decorative border.

Thanks so much for looking! Be Sweet!

I hope you can join along with this week's creativity challenge. After you have made your project, please head on over to The Play Date Cafe & link your post. If you post your creations in an on-line gallery, please label it PDCC25. Be sure to see what all The Play Date Cafe DT girls have created, (on my side bar) to share with you for inspiration! I hope you are able to join along with this week's challenge.

Ingredients Used:

Stamps: SU', Prima, Rubber Stampede

Paper: Gina K. Luxury cs, SU'

Ink: Memento, Ranger

Other: Spellbinders: # S4-112 Classic Ovals Small, Fiskars scissors & punch, Prima flower, Offray ribbon

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The Play Date Cafe #16 41

Hi Everyone! Hope you are all having a great week! I have some exciting news to share, Julie Ranae at The Play Date Cafe has invited me to join her & The Play Date Cafe's DT as a "Private Blend" Designer. The Play Date Cafe is a weekly color challenge site. Please visit the Cafe for complete details. Julie Ranae chose this inspirational gorgeous piece of artwork courtesy of Maria Madeiros. Julie said, "Over the past few weeks, we have been inspired to create Valentine's using less traditional colors, so I thought for this week, we go 'old school' with a little silver twist. Yummy heart-shaped Red-Hots were always a staple at my grade-school parties...how about you?" My DH LOVES Hot Tomales candy!

Romantic BINGO Valentine:

I think this color combo looks scrumptious together :)

While at CHA, I met Cheryl Darrow & all her very helpful girls at the Ten Seconds Studio booth. I saw many gorgeous altered metal art pieces & stopped by to investigate! ALL the ladies were more than willing to demo the various products :) They surely did their job well!

I made the BINGO card from a piece of special light weight sheet metal that has a black coating on it. After embossing the metal, I lightly sanded over the image, exposing the "bare" metal. It is such an amazing product that is super easy to use & comes in various colors. I cut a light weight piece of chipboard, wrapped the metal edges around then fastened the piece, to the card with a few brads. What do you think?

To make the tag, I first stamped the Lizzie Anne tag image with Versamark, embossed with silver embossing powder, then stamped the cupid & Be mine sentiment. I recycled a piece of ribbon that originated from a Christmas gift :) All the flowers were made using various sized Spellbinders Blossom dies.

I hope you can join along with this week's creativity challenge - I can't wait to see what you create using this color palette. After you have made your project, please head on over to The Play Date Cafe & link your post to Mr. Linky. Be sure to see what all The Play Date Cafe DT girls have created to share with you for inspiration!

Sarah Anderson
Julie Campbell
Julie Ranae

That is all for today! I would love to know if you prefer "traditional" colors for Valentine's Day? I will be back Saturday, to share BOTH my creations for Just Us Girls challenge & Sketch For You To Try challenge :) Thanks for looking! Be Sweet!

Ingredients Used: Stamps: Lizzie Anne Vintage Valentine, PTI Fancy Flourishes Ink: Ranger Tim Holtz Vintage Photo, Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Real Red Paper: PTI Pure Poppy, SU Lavender Lace Sprinkles: Spellbinders Blossom dies, Ten Seconds Studio EF & sheet metal, Making Memories hardware, American Crafts Pearl brads, SU silver cord, (button, key, ribbon & silver embossing powder from stash)

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