{BYSHC} Blog- Challenge #29 in a Mini-slimline

 Hi Friends, 

Sketch #29 for the {BYSHC} Blog inspired me to try the sketch as a mini-slimline card and I love the outcome! 

I picked up some paper and an adorable Sizzix set of toy soldier dies at my local scrapbook shop after-Christmas, and decided to use them for my card.  The striped paper is actually the reverse image of a toner ink foil panel!  It's a 2-fer when I use double sided adhesive sheet on white paper and I am in love with both versions!!  

The toy soldier die is so stinkin' cute that I don't mind all of the pieces in the set!! The black sparkly paper in the photo is a scrap of black glitter paper I found in my stash.  Lots of shine on this card!!  The frame around the soldier is Pinkfresh's Mini Slimline Stitched Scallop Rectangle die.  Using Scoretap on the back of the die keeps the frame thick as you see here, otherwise it can be two narrower frames.  I popped on a foiled sentiment and a few embellishments and this sweetie is ready to go next Christmas!!

I hope you will use Sketch #29 as a springboard of inspiration for your own card.  Can't wait to see what you add to the gallery.  You never know - you might win a prize at the end of the month!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Challenges Entered:

Elliebelle's Crafty Wednesday January Challenge/  AG

My Time to Craft Christmas! January 20th/ Patterned paper

12 Months of Christmas #96 - Out with the Old & In with the New

Christmas Craft Creations January Theme - Snippets

ABC Christmas (January) - A for Anything Christmas; B for Bear

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #48 - Anything Christmas Goes

{BYSHC} Sketch #29 for January!

 The {BYSHC} Blog Challenge is continuing with Sketch #29 for January.  Once I got the hang of how easy this was to make in doubles, I created a few different sets of cards!  

For this card, I turned the sketch on its side and decided to keep Pinkfresh's Poinsettia Washi Tape set the "star of the show".  I die cut it using a an off-white cardstock and then went to my scrap drawer for the green striped paper.  I paired it with Taylored Expressions' Holly embossing folder to add texture, but keep it simple with color.  I layered the extra Poinsettia washi tape flowers over the wreath,  To finish the card off, I popped on a Pinkfresh foiled Holiday sentiment with some gold thread behind it. 

I hope you keep playing with us this month.  All you have to do is add your card to Sketch #29's Album in the {BYSHC} FB group to be eligible for this month's prize!! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Challenges entered:

12 months of Christmas Challenge #96 - Out with the Old, In with the New

Christmas Craft Creations January - Snippets

ABC Christmas - A for AG Christmas & B for Bear 1/11 to 2/4  (A for AG Christmas)

Merry Little Christmas January - AG

Thanks, Jennifer McGuire! Using Products & Color Inspiration

Jennifer McGuire shared a wonderful video this week with tips about keeping the joy in crafting.  A couple of things she talked about that resonated for me - using supplies you have and actually sending the cards to people.  I tend to be a collector rather than a user of my purchases.  I have a healthy stash of stamping products and papers, so today, I spent some time in my craft room taking on some of her suggestions.  Today's card uses a variety of Papertrey Ink products I have in my stash, including Vase Collection 14 stamp and die from their December release.  

One of the things Jennifer shared was product called Color Cube to help with color choices.  I love the idea of these color card because I often struggle with color choices. Using her inspiration, I figured I could use my patterned papers as a resource for colors.  I went digging and found the floral My Mind's Eye paper you see in the background of the photo.  Knowing I wanted to splatter my card, I looked at my Distress and Distress Oxide inks for matches.  I brought out A Little Sketchy Stencil Collection and Mix & Mat Snowflake Die to use behind the floral arrangement.  I splattered with a variety of accent colors.

I also found an old (very old) piece of SU! patterned paper for the gray paper/main card base, which I used with Papertrey's Tin Stitched Border Die for visual interest.  I finished the card with a bit of ribbon from my stash, some Pinkfresh pearls and a die cut word "you". 

This card will be mailed tomorrow to a former colleague who is experiencing a loss in her life.  I am going to take Jennifer's idea and while my supplies are out, make another one of this same card to have on hand.  I love it and think it could be used for lots of occasions!  Thanks for stopping by my blog. 

In kindness, Cathy

Challenges Entered:

 NBUS #46 (January)

Use Your Stuff #474 /Stitching Faux/Real

Crafty Catz #619 / AG with twist of hobby (I love putting together flower arrangements)

Elliebelle's Corner: Crafty Wednesday /January AG

Let's Craft & Create - January 2023 Challenge/Black & White

 

When I read the "Black & White" optional theme for the Let's Craft & Create Blog challenge this month, I immediately thought of a stack of black and white patterned papers I've had in my stash for years! Additionally, I am trying to beef up my stash of "everyday" cards just so I can drop folks a line when the occasion arises. 

I started with a bold "hello" sentiment from Joy Clair Designs' Such A Blessing Digital Stamp set.  The thing I love about digital stamps is my ability to adjust the size of the image.  I sized the word and angled it to fit with the MFT Stitched Scallop Basic Edges Die-namics die.

CAS cards are not my usual style, so my eye looks to add some visual interest, which I did using an embossing folder for the white portion of the card.  A little buffer over the sentiment before I ran it through my machine helped soften the embossing detail. 

My next step was to put the card together and add two clusters of embellishments to finish it off.  This design is simple and quick to put together.  Different patterned papers would give it a wide variety of looks!  Hope you are inspired to give it a try.  

I used the same "hello" sentiment in this fall card and sunflower card.  I love the font and the versatility of using a digital image.  Plus, the rest of the images in the set are gorgeous as well!

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Challenges Entered:

Colorful Options Challenge January 2023 / black (and white)

{BYSH} Cardmakers Sketch #29 - Card #2

Back for a second time with the BYSH Cardmakers December sketch.  Using Pinkfresh Studio's Poinsettia Washi tape, die, and foiled sentiments makes this a quick card to put together.  

And, because I kept the papers the same, I could also create two cards in the same session.  I love how these look so different!  

Hope you make time to create a pair of cards with this fun sketch!  Remember to add them to the {BYSHC} Sketch Challenge #29 Album for a chance to win this month's prize!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

{BYSH} Cardmakers Sketch #29

 Back with my first {BYSH} Cardmakers post for Sketch #29 today.  

I chose to use four different papers from my stash and turned the sketch horizontally to fit the focal image.  I love this ornament shape!  It's called Winter Scene Ornament framelits with stamps from Sizzix/Lisa Jones collection. (I got it on sale at Hobby Lobby and can't find an online link, so I wonder if it's just sold there.) It's a great set!  I used all of the dies and stamps on my card.  I love the size of the ornament and know I can get lots of use from it!

There is still plenty of time to play along with this month's sketch.  Post your card in the album for Sketch #29 in the BYSH Cardmakers FB group for your chance to win this month's prize!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.

In kindness, Cathy

Challenges Entered:

Die Cut Divas/  December Winter or Christmas themed

Sparkles Christmas Challenge/  #143- Non Traditional Christmas Colors

12 Months of Christmas/  December AG

ABC Christmas Challenge:  Z for Zoom

Jingle Belles December:/Wrapping up the Year

{BYSHC} November - Sketch Challenge #28

 Crystal always creates fabulous sketches for the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers challenges.  I appreciate the way they spark creativity and allow for individual interpretation.  I rarely make a card without multiple layers, so Sketch #28 called to me!

I went to my stash of Christmas paper for the main panel of this card and used the ornament stencil from Taylored Expressions' Fancy Filigree Stamp and Stencil combination.  This was a free with purchase set available to folks who attended their October Stamp Joy Event.  I spread Decofoil Transfer Gel Duo using the stencil and let it dry. Then I put Rose Gold Decofoil over the ornament and Enchanted Rose over the bow and ran it through my Mini-Minc machine on heat setting #2.  Making the strip was simple - I just used a piece of 1/4" two-sided tape on both sides of the ornament and placed Enchanted Rose foil over the top.  The Enchanted Rose foiled sentiment is Creative Expressions Wordies Sentiment Sheets- Christmas Blessings.  They come in a package of four sheets - two have black print on a white background and the other two are white print on a black background.  The brilliance of this set for those of us who are Decofoil users is they are printed with Toner ink - so the sentiments are completely foilable! I pulled out the green and rose in my cardstock layers and added clusters of embellishments around the image to finish the card.

I know the month is quickly coming to a close, but hope you have time to play along with the {BYSHC} sketch this month.  Once you make your card, share it in the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers FB group. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

In kindness,  Cathy

Glittering Poinsettias - Joy Clair Designs

 I have been having fun with Joy Clair's Merriest Moments digital stamp release lately.  Today's card features two of the six images from the "This Christmas" digital stamp set.  Fellow DT members have used all of these images on the Joy Clair Designs website and blog, but it's the first time for me.

I love the wreath and the tree, but as I looked more carefully at the images, I thought the candle would challenge my coloring when it came to adding color, shading, and dimension to the candle.  Plus, I loved the look of the poinsettias - and knew right away I wanted to use the "out of the box" die cutting technique with it.  It's an oldie-but-goodie technique.  If you are unfamiliar with it, take a peek at this tutorial from 2013!!

I started with the die cut circle and then colored the image with my Copic markers.  I underpainted the green leaves with blue in the shaded areas, so when I decided to keep my poinsettias white, I used blue for their shading.

I knew I needed a colored backdrop to help the white poinsettias pop and instead of coloring with Copics, I used Distress Oxide inks.  I masked the candle/poinsettia and blended some Speckled Egg with Hickory Smoke distress oxides for most of the background.  I used Scattered Straw with Mustard Seed for the behind the candle's flame.  Next, while the image was masked, I splattered white and brown inks.  Finally, I painted the poinsettia's white leaves with craft glue and sprinkled Distress Clear Rock Candy Glitter over them to add some sparkle! 

With all of that done, it was time to finish the card.  As I went through my paper collection, I knew I wanted the image to be the focal point and loved how the green ties in with the ink blending and green leaves.  The black tied in with the poinsettia outlines!  I just found a scrap of gold foil and the card base was done!  I added the sentiment, a few clear gems, and popped the candle out on foam.  I love how this one turned out!

 As I was designing this card, I have a feeling Sketch #28 from the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers came into play! I always love a good sketch!! Thanks for stopping by my blog.  In kindness, Cathy 

Challenges Entered:

The Flower Challenge #74 /Add Embellishments

Peace On Earth Christmas Challenge #27 / Anything Christmas

Little Red Wagon #679 / Winter

12 Months of Christmas #93/ AG

Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog Nov. #47 /AG Christmas

Let's Craft and Create - November Challenge

 This month's Let's Craft and Create Challenge is to be inspired by a sketch.  I LOVE sketch challenges because they often spark the creative process for me.  One of my favorite sketch challenge blogs from a few years ago was Sweet Sunday Sketches.  I loved the designers and fun sketches.  My card captured some of the simplicity of one of their last sketches before the blog closed in 2015 with sketch #300.  

I moved things around and changed the focal point from a rectangle to a fussy cut image.

 

This card was a Tim Holtz extravaganza!! I tried to capture a multimedia look using some of his stencils, ink blending, and stamps for the background. It's finished off with lots of white splatter using diluted acrylic paint.  The image is Tim's Stamper's Anonymous Snarky Cats with extras from his Things/Talk clear stamp set.  Lots of fussy cutting went into this card, but I love how it turned out.

I hope you will join us this month.  Take a peek at the inspiration from the rest of the DT on the blog and then link your card in the gallery. Thanks for stopping by my blog. 

In kindness, Cathy

{BYSHC} - Sketch Challenge #28

 

The main circle of November's Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers sketch #28 is a great for featuring an image.

For my mini-slimline take on the sketch, I started with a Gina Marie Designs Candy Cane Stripe 6x6 stencil and some Stickles Glitter Gel- Mars instead of ink blending. 

I die cut a circle from white glitter paper and glued it to a striped paper I made using MFT's Lined by Hand background stamp that I foiled using heat embossing + Decofoil and running it through my Mini-Minc.

 

The candy canes are from Taylored Expressions Peppermint Kisses dies from the Stencil and Die Combination and Foil It card fronts with red Decofoil.  The holly leaves are die cut from patterned paper and their tips and the berries are dusted with Ranger's Rock Candy Glitter.  I finished off the card with some gold embroidery thread, one of the TE Simple Strips in Reverse- Christmas and embellishments from my stash. Hope you are inspired to join us this month and post your card in the {BYSHC} FB Group Gallery.  Thanks for stopping by my blog!  

In kindness, Cathy

Challenges Entered:

Die Cut Divas/November AG challenge

Dream Valley Challenge #281/ Dies or Punches

Tic Tac Toe Challenge #186/ Center column (red, sparkle, holly)

Crafty Catz #613/ Three or more layers

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #47 / November AG

12 Months of Christmas #94 / November-Optional twist use patterned paper

NBUS November /AG (candy cane dies and Distress glitter with a stencil)

As You Like It Oct. 27th / Favorite Christmas Image or animal and why.  (Candy canes are one of my favorite images because every holiday season I look forward to all of the treats with crushed peppermints (from white chocolate pretzals, to peppermint mochas, to eating soft peppermints - YUM!!)

Joy Clair Digital Stamps and Foiling!

 I am back with my first Joy Clair Designs post for November.  Regular blog followers know I have been on a foiling kick.  I didn't think much about foiling digital stamp images until I saw the Jingle All the Way digital stamp set's bold sentiments in the new Merriest Moments release.

They seemed perfect for foiling!! Problem for me - my home printer is an inkjet printer, which is great for Copic coloring, but not the right ink for foiling with my Mini-Minc and supply of Decofoil; it needs toner ink.  So, I printed my designs on paper at home and took one more step by taking them to a local store for copying, using Toner ink. 30 cents later, I brought them home and started foiling!!  It was super easy!   

My Process:

1.  After creating and copying the design with toner ink, cut Decofoil to cover the image and run it through your Minc, Mini-Minc, or laminator.  I used two colors for my card, silver stars and red. I used heat setting #2 on my machine.  My cardstock was less than 80# to make sure it went through the copy machine.

2.  If you are planning to color the foiled image, laminate first and then color with your choice of media.  I used Copics for my card and just colored the leaves and berries with a little bit of N1 shading on the letters.

3.  Finish your card!!  See?!?! So simple!! 

I printed my design large enough to be the focal point on the card, so my card ended up being a slimline size.  I used one of Lawn Fawn's Small Mini Slimline Stackables to die cut the sentiment.  After choosing some Christmas patterned papers from my collection, I die cut then with two of the Pleated Lace Slimline dies from Gina Marie.  

My foiling machine wasn't done!! I paired Taylored Expressions Foil It Peppermint Kisses card fronts with red Decofoil with dies from TE's Peppermint Kisses Stencil and Die set for the candy cane.  It is mounted with foam squares.  A simple, but cute card!!

Hope I have inspired you to give foiling a try!!  Thanks for stopping by my blog!

In kindness, Cathy

Challenges Entered:

Crafty Catz #613 - Three or more layers

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #47 - November AG

12 Months of Christmas #94 - Optional Twist use patterned paper (November)

Tic Tac Toe Challenge #186 - Left, bottom to right up diagonal (Candy cane, sparkle, large sentiment)

Time Out Challenges #226 - Words (Everything about the holiday season fills me with joy)

As You Like It Oct. 27th - Favorite Christmas Image or Animal and why.  I am crazy about all of the peppermint treats that are featured during the holiday season.  Teas, candy, mochas!!  Everything peppermint!! I just saw an ad for Peppermint Hagen Das ice cream bars from Costco!! They will be in my shopping cart during the next visit!!