Play Date Cafe

This is for theplaydatecafe  fun bright color challenge this week.

The white background was torn on one side then run through a crimper then sponged on the edge with Color Box sky blue.  The other papers are from my scrap file. I have taken stamp sets apart and put them in CD cases by type so I am really not sure where the stamps are from. I think I will have to start putting better labels on the cases so I can give credit.

Easter chickies

I made these 2 cards for my grandsons using the tuesday throwdown challenge of spring theme.
I found these cute chickie stamps in the dollar bin at Michael's. I colored them with Tombow watercolor markers.The sentiment stamp actually begins with Happy Easter but with the ribbon also saying that, I blocked out the Happy Easter to stamp the sentiment and then used 3 punch out flowers to fill the space. The eggs are also dollar bin at Michael's. The border punch is Martha Stewart. The oval is Nesibilities. I've had that grass paper a long time and can't remember its source.

scraps card

papertrey paperdolls has a challenge this week of using up scraps. Good opportunity for me as I have a HUGE file of scraps. I used the sketch from Stamping 411 and rotated it. Here is my card.

It is hard to see but that scallop border punch (from ek) also embosses dots along the edge. The flowers are from Michaels--I pulled them off a stem of flowers I found in their bargin bin. I seldom buy the flowers petals pre-packaged as they are so expensive. I think this stem of flowers had about 40 blossoms on it.

florals

Tuesday Throwdown challenge this week is using florals. I used a lavender cardstock base. The DP here is Color Me Flowers from Paper Wishes. It already has the embossed flowers, vines, leaves, and tiny butterflies. I sponged baby blue and violet over the flowers, Stampabilities light green over the vines, and violet over the butterflies.The blossom is from a purple geranium that I took apart. I put clear glitter glue on the blue flower brad to give some sparkle. I purchased the butterfly accent at a scrapbook convention but don't know its source. I scrunched up the purple ribbon over craft tape. I printed a sentiment on the computer, stamped on a violet flower (Inkidinkidoo), and tiny blue butterfly (TAC) on the inside. Here is the inside:

Card aisle inspiration

Laurie  who makes amazing cards, over at Soapbox Creations blog has challenged her followers to get inspiration from the card aisle at the store. I didn't even have to go shopping---I have the Hallmark "make your own card" CD installed on my computer. So that is where I shopped. Here is my inspiration card. I did have to print it out and then scan it.

Here is my interpretation.

I used papers from my scrap file so don't know where that aqua paper is from. The dragonfly stamp is Stampabilites. I first stamped some swirls on the scalloped circle in a neon green. Then using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, I stamped the dragonfly with baby blue and then violet. I used the stamp off technique with both colors. It gives it a little softer look. The ribbon and rhinestones are from Michael's. I haven't decided on a sentiment yet. What do you think it looks like?
My DH has commented that what he likes about my cards is that they are so dimensional. (I think he actually gets it!! LOL!!) Can't get that look in the card aisle!!

PDCC74

This is my first time making a card for The Playdate Cafe challenge. This beautiful picture of a cafe is the inspiration. I love the colors but really had a challenge coming up with something. I went to the craft room and laid out a bunch of papers and then just sat and stared at them. Went away. Thought about it. And finally came up with this card.

I found stems of purple hydrangeas on sale. Pull apart the blossoms and you have scads of flower embellishments for little cost. The ribbon and papers and blue rhinestones are all from Michael's. Did you notice that teeny blue rhinestone for the dot of the I?

Stamping 411 #195

This is for stamping 411 sketch challenge 195. I used ivory card base, I used CB circles IP on the kraft cardstock because it reminds me of wheels. The DPs are Rustic Stack and Shimmer Stack. I punched out 2 circles and used a birthday stamp--looks like a wheel, huh? Then the cute little car stamp from Inkadindadoo. Black strips to look like a road and then all tied up with twine. The faux buttons are Martha Stewart punch--again look like wheels! I used this instead of real buttons because they make less weight and bulk on a card. I am making cards for Operation Write Home a group that sends handcrafted cards to troops overseas for them to send to their loved ones. If you have a big stock of cards made up, check out their site. It is a great cause.

gratitude

papertrey paperdolls has a challenge this week to do a card of gratitude. I like this sentiment from TAC "You're so thoughtful" The inside says "I,m so Thankful". The DP is pre-embossed with flowers, vines, and butterflies. I rubbed ink across the surface in yellow, green, and orange. The vine stamp on the circle is Paper Inspirations. The butterfly is Stamp Affair stamped in black on white cardstock then colored with water color pens and cut out. I used jeweler's wire to make the antenna. The ribbon is from Michael's.

embossing

stamping411 has a great tutorial on making designer paper stamping out objects gluing them on cardstock and then embossing. I love it. I know I will use this again and again.  I used different size pastel circles on white cardstock and then embossed with Cuttlebug argyle. I can't remember where this cute little elephant is from but it came in a set of baby animals. I stamped him on a tag and colored him with watercolors and colored pencils then tied it on with baker's twine. I think this will be a cute baby gift thank you. But hey--not from me!! No babies at this house!

this is the challenge from the play date cafe this week. I like the color challenges because they put together combos I may not have tried. Here is my interpretation 

The DP is pre-embossed with swirls. It is from Hot Off The Press. I sponged gold ink lightly over it to highlight the embossing. On the scallop punched circle, I stamped the circle from a set by Fiskar. Sentiment is TAC with Studio G lavender ink that I highlighted with purple star gel pen. Then I attached acrylic butterflies with glue dots and popped the circle with demensionals.