Time Out Challenge #323 - Guest Designer Spot

One of the cards I made back in July was chosen as a winner for Challenge #317 at the Time Out Challenge Blog! Not only did I win a prize from the sponsor, but I was also invited to be a guest designer for Challenge #323.

This week’s challenge is a Pick Two challenge, which means we’re asked to choose at least two of the six prompts and interpret them however we like. For my card, I chose circle and gingham.

I went digging through my stash and even pulled out some products from this week’s challenge sponsor, Lawn Fawn, to create my card. My circle element is the Lawn Fawn Reverse Stitched Scalloped Circle Windows, which I paired with their Giant Happy Birthday die and some gingham papers to create a fun shaker card on a square card base.

I brought out my Copic Markers to color a bunch of the Tiny Birthday Friends stamps, then die cut them and arranged them around the card. I love how all those little birthday buddies add so much personality to the design!

The result is a sweet and cheerful birthday card—and although it’s square, it still fits perfectly in an A2 envelope.

I’ve really loved the opportunity to be a guest designer for the Time Out Challenge Blog. It’s been such a fun experience, and I hope you’ll find some inspiration from my card and join us for this week’s challenge! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge #526 - Make Your Mark

Challenge #526 on the Addicted to Stamps & More Blog is a “Make Your Mark” Challenge, which means featuring inks, markers, colored pencils, or other coloring mediums in your design.

For my card, I used Altenew’s Blue Mountain Fresh dye inks along with a variety of green inks to create the focal image with their Build A Garden Harvest Bouquet stamp, layering stencil, and coordinating die. I absolutely love the beautiful blues in this collection of inks!

One thing I might try differently next time is keeping the flower stamens a little lighter. I may have to dig through my stash and see if I can find my tube of masking liquid—hopefully it’s still in there somewhere!

For the background panel, I used the Spellbinders Better Press Petite Criss-Cross Plate with a warm, deep yellow ink. (It happens to be on sale right now on the Spellbinders site.) I layered a small arch die behind the floral image, then added a variety of bling and a birthday sentiment to finish off the card.

I hope you’ll join us for this week’s Make Your Mark Challenge. We’d love to see what you create.  Thanks for stopping by my blog!

In kindness, Cathy

Color Dare Challenge #720

 The newest Color Dare Challenge is posted, and I hope you’ll join us!

For my card, I used all four of the challenge colors and featured Altenew’s Magnolia Ballerina Stamp and Stencil. 

I started by stamping the image in a light ink so I could easily line up the layering stencils. The result is a soft, no-line look that I just love!

Once I had all of the colors in place, I embossed the image using the BetterPress Petite Criss-Cross Plate. The added texture is such a fun detail.

I finished the card with a simple sentiment from the stamp set and three gold sequins for a little sparkle. I hope you’ll join us for the newest Color Dare Challenge. I can’t wait to see what you create! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Dragonfly Dreams September Challenge - Monochromatic Colors

I’m back with the September Dragonfly Dreams Challenge, and this month we’re creating with monochromatic colors!

I recently added some new “toys” from The Greetery to my craft room and have been having lots of fun using them on my cards. For this card, I featured the Shortbread Shapes Rectangle Tiles embossing folder and BotaniCuts Pussy Willow die cuts.

I started by inking the flat side of the embossing folder with a soft yellow ink and then ran it through my die-cutting machine. This technique allowed the raised images to remain white while adding a wash of yellow to the background. I then inked around the edges for a little contrast and added splatters using gold, yellow, and just a touch of brown.

After trimming the embossed piece into a square, I mounted it onto two layers of white cardstock and added it to a soft yellow card base. I tied the pussy willow branches together with a ribbon and placed them next to the die-cut sentiment. A few yellow-gold sequins finished everything off with a little extra sparkle.

I hope you’ll join us for this month’s challenge! I’m looking forward to seeing your monochromatic inspiration. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog!  

In kindness, Cathy

Addicted to Stamps & More #525 - Die Cuts or Stencils

 Die Cuts or Stencils is the theme of the newest Addicted to Stamps & More Challenge, and I had a lot of fun with the die-cutting for this one!

I started with an embossing folder from my stash for my card base—because sometimes those old favorites are just too good to retire! Then the die cutting began. 😊

I layered a Slatted Oval Die from Craft Addiction with yellow paper behind it to create a bright focal point. Then I brought out my Bottled Up Stamps and coordinating die from The Greetery to create the vase. I filled it with a cheerful mix of die-cut flowers from my collection.

I just love how this card turned out! The layering stamps add so much dimension to the bottle and really give it the look of a glass vase.

Now it’s your turn! I hope you have some time to play along with us at Addicted to Stamps & More. I’d love to see what you create with die cuts or stencils! Thanks for stopping by my blog. 

In kindness, Cathy