INK #280 - Gold

At Inkspirational we have the theme of GOLD and I actually got so inspired I made 3 cards! For all 3 cards I used a cocktail die set from Tim Holtz together with different gold colored papers and cardstock.

Please head over to the challenge blog to see the my INK-teamies have made. 

Card #1: Merry Christmas and cheers to the new year
It's hard to photograph cards with lots of shine, this card looks a bit darker in the photo than what it actually is. I used a Tim Holtz DP and decoupage paper in gold with red berriers on top. I heat embossed the Christmas sentiment and added glitter bubbles to the champagne glass.
This card is for:
Christmas Kickstart Challenge - #69

 

Card #2: 'Tis the season to be jolly - landscape layout
For this card I used a stencilled background with snow paste on kraft, it has a nice glittery effect. I used a torn strip of the red berry decoupage paper and added a sticker sentiment. Here I  clustered the glasses closes together, overlapping with the martini glass.
This card is for:
Fab n Funky - #562 Die Cuts or Embossing/No stamped image

 

Card #3: 'Tis the season to be jolly - portrait layout
Same theme but a different layout. And I changed the martini for a beer. The background is a green and gold decoupage paper.
This card is for:
Winter Wonderland - ANYTHING GOES CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

 

November Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Here's my card for The Card Chain Challenge November reveal. Anyone can enter and if you'd like to be part of the December chain you can sign up here until til 6th. 

 

THE CARD I SENT

The card was sent to Gundi in Germany. I was inspired by the sketch, the colors and the theme of friendship. I used a stamp set from Concord & 9th  and papers from Echo Park. These are actually Halloween themed papers, but I think they represented the colors so well.

 

THE CARD I RECEIVED

I received a card from Gail in Norway. The shine of that golden angel looks amazing in real life, thank you so much, Gail!

 

INK #279 - Paper Piecing

At Inkspirational we have a technique challenge for you, and it's paper piecing (not piercing). 

I used a plaid paper for the gift and cut out the bow and bells and glued on top. I used Promarkers for coloring. The image is from Stamping Bella

The backgtround is stencilled, I used a Pinkfresh stencil. Or rather 4, it's a set and it makes it super easy and quick to add different colored inks.

The sentiment is cut with silver glitter paper.

Please head over to the challenge blog to see the my INK-teamies have made. 

This card is also for:
Cardz 4 Galz - #186 Use a Stencil
Sweet Stampers - #74 Christmas

INK #278 - Photo Challenge - Snow globe

At Inkspirational we have a photo challenge. I chose to make a snow globe with a scene, but you could just be in(k)spired by what's inside the snow globe if you wanted to.

I used my Tim Holtz dies set for this card. I spent many hours making it, it's so fiddly with all the small details of the windows and such, but I also spent time on choosing the papers. Most papers are Tim Holtz as well, as is the sentiment chipboard. The snowglobe background is stamped and stencilled.

Please head over to the challenge blog to see the my INK-teamies have made. 

This card is also for:
Craft Rocket Challenges - #98 Christmas/Winter
Krafty Chicks - #637 Christmas
Little Red Wagon - #679 Winter

Guest Designer at We Love Stamping

Today I'm guest designing over at We Love Stamping.

I've had this Penny Black stamp for quite some time and have used it before, but this was the first time I tried the technique of coloring directly on the stamp. I used aqua markers and it was really easy, and it's the only way I an think of that lets you get the colors in all the right places. I added frosted glitter and frantage, ripped paper at the top and bottom, ribbon and lace and did messy machine stitching.

This card is also for:
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes/Embellish It
Craft Rocket Challenges - #98 Christmas/Winter
Krafty Chicks - #636 Use a Stamp or a Digi

October Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Here's my card for The Card Chain Challenge October reveal. Anyone can enter and if you'd like to be part of the November chain you can sign up here until til 6th. 

 

THE CARD I SENT 

The card was sent to Gail in Norway. I was inspired by the sketch and the theme of friendship.I just a stamp set from Time for Tea Designs and colored with Promarkers. The cobweb is cut out from a larger die cut piece, papers from Echo Park.

THE CARD I RECEIVED

In return I received this elegant card from Julia in Massachusetts, those snowflakes look amazing.

INK #277 - Fireworks

At Inkspirational we have the challenge of FIREWORKS. I much prefer fireworks on cards than in real life, I'm afraid of the stuff. I know it can be used for several occasions, but for me the most obvious choice was to go with a New Year's card.
I used a fireworks die set from Lawn Fawn, and I added gold ink and frantage on top. The clock is a Marianne die set, the glasses are Tim Holtz and the sentiment is made with dies from Concord&9th.

Please head over to the challenge blog to see the my INK-teamies have made. 

This card is also for:
Happy Little Stampers - October Anything Goes with Dies
Use Your Stuff - #469 Diecuts

Using leftover pieces of ribbon and lace

With this card I was attempting to change up my usual Christmas card style of flat and light weight, and I went mixed media with lots of textures. There's seambinding ribbon here, sheer dotted ribbon, white lace, red lace and a beige one with a knot onto which I attached 2 metal bells.
The starting point for my inspiration came from the Christmas image over at The Card Concept. The sheer curtains are picked up by some of my ribbons, the red and white pillow reminded me to use a quote chipboard from Tim Holtz. I also used a DP with white text on white for the background panel. I used a stencil to add some greeneries, using Snowflake paste.
I took out my sewing machine and stitched not so straight and a bit wonky at places, keeping the threads loose, not cutting them and tucking them behind the panel.
I'm not sure of the what stamp this is, I received it from a blogging friend quite some time ago, but if anyone know where I can get this one, new or used, let me know. The image was colored with Promarkers and I added diamond stickles to their wings.

This card is for:
The Card Concept - Inspiration Photo
Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - Anything Goes
Fab n Funky - #559 Seasons Greetings
Little Red Wagon - #677 Make It With Ribbons

14

Numbers can be used for birthday cards, for every year up to a certain age, then it becomes more natural only for anniversaries and special celebrations. But using numbers as the main feature leaves so many options.

For this card I used Tim Holtz Numeric stamps, heat embossed with white EP and put blue distress ink on top. The sentiment is in Norwegian and die cut with gold glitter paper. I used small star stamps from different sets with gold ink.

This card is for:
The Male Room - CAS
Krafty Chicks - #634 Clean and Simple

INK #276 - Word Prompt - Imagine

At Inkspirational we have the challenge of IMAGINE. I do look forward to see what you come up with for this. 

I chose to make a sky scene with a flying pig from Vera Lane. I used lots and lots of inks and brushos and frantage, as well as die cut clouds and stars. The die cut sentiment is in Norwegian and it's waht we say for "happy birthday", but also "congratulations".

Please head over to the challenge blog to see the my INK-teamies have made. 

This card is also for:
Make My Monday - #185 Birthday Wishes
Critter Crazy Challenges - #67 Anything Goes with a Featured Critter

 

3+2 gift tags

I've participated in 2 crafting online events this weekend and I'll share some of what I've made. Each year I struggle and give up on making my own gift tags, but this year I will make sure I do at least 50% of them. I think I'm going to make more tags, similar to those below.

1) 3 tages in kraft and white
First up a set of 3, super simple, just made with kraft and white paper, some dies and frantage for snow and decoration. Frantage is my favorite snow, both the pure white one and the one mixed with gold. I love how it melts with dimension and the sort of enamel look of it.
The tag die is from StudioLight, the tree is Tim Holtz, the snowflake I believe is Marianne, but not sure of the mitten.

These tags are for:
As You Like It Challenge - Favourite Way To Add Snow On A Winter Project

 

2) 2 gnome tags
These were so simple and quick to make. The die is a Norwegisn brand, Papirdesign. I just cut with white paper and scraps of patterned paper, colored the nose and beard. So easy!

These tags are for:
Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog - #47 Anything Christmas goes

Autumn wreath with garden tools

I usually make Christmas cards this time of year and rarely have made autumn cards. But this year I'm in mood for using autumn colors and leaves.

For this card I've used stamps from 2 differnt Altenew sets for the wreath and the garden tools and birds. Coloring is done with Promarkersa and Posca pencils.
The stencil, one of my favorites, is also Altenew. I used 3 Distress Mica stains, love the shimmer these sprays have.The sentiment is Poppy stamps.

This card is for:
Try It On Tuesday - Autumn
Stamping Sensations - October: All Things Autumn
Allsorts - #696 Gardeners Delight
The Paper Players - #611 Changing Seasons 

September Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Here's my card for The Card Chain Challenge September reveal. Anyone can enter and if you'd like to be part of the October chain you can sign up here until til 6th. 

 

THE CARD I SENT 

This is the card I sent to Carol in the UK. I've been following Carol's blog, Crafty-stamper, for many years, so it was fun to send a card to someone "I know" for a long time as well.

I was inspired by the sketch and the theme of friendship. And I used cheesecloth as gauze, which was one of the product options this month. It was still very warm and more summer than autumn when I made this card. I used kraft paper with white gesso and a wooden embossing folder to make the background, and I scored lines to make the panel strips.I added a picture from a Studiolight die cut sheet and found matching flowers in my stash, which I decorated with pearls.I also used a white paper lace border.

 

THE CARD I RECEIVED

In return I received a fun colorful card from Linda W of Scrappin', Stampin' & Singin' in Minnesota, USA. Linda was the first person I sent a card when joining this chain, back in September last year, and a year later it was my return to receive one from her. Thanks, Linda, I loved it and it's up on my wallboard in my craftroom.

INK #275 - Technique - Use Stencils

For the next 2 weeks we have a technique challenge at Inkspirational. We want to see you use your stencils.
I was inspired by autumn colors and decided to go with my Altenew stencil with leaves. I used red, yellow, green and brown inks. For the die cut sentiment I used gold mirri card. I added a bit of gold splatter, a rhinestone and pearls from my stash.

Please head over to the challenge blog to see the my INK-teamies have made. 

This card is also for:
Crafty Gals Corner - #235 Signs of Fall
Double D Challenges - Things that Fall
Shopping Our Stash - #480 Leaf Me Alone

Card inspired by Halloween and a sketch

I don't celebrate Halloween, but I love Halloween colors and stamps, there are so many cute and fun ones!

So I decided to make one, following the sketch over at Try Stampin' on Tuesday, For coloring I used my new Posca pencils for the first time. I see the ghodst could be a bit whiter, but I think it looks a lot whiter IRL. I used two stamp sets, one from Time for Tea and one from October Afternoon. The cobweb die used is from MFT.

This card is for:
Try Stamping On Tuesdays -  #574
Addicted to Stamps and More - #439 Any Occasion

Autumn colors and Retro Rubber sketch

I have had this Lawn Fawn set - love you a latte - for about 8 years, and it was only yesterday, as I watched a video about this set, that I realized the donut was not an odd looking saucer. Now that I know it's a donut I cannot understand why I didn't see that before! Suddenly I felt I had found a treasure in my stash, and I had fun decorating the donut with brown and red fine glitter, glitter glue and some tinsel looking glitter.
The background was made with a stencil from Altenew, and autumn colored  Distress Oxide inks ((yellow, red, green and brown) and a baby wipe. I added matching colored rhinstones for some extra sparkle.
The card layout was inspired by the Retro Rubber Challenges sketch.

This card is for:
Retro Rubber Challenge - #191 Sketch
Fab n Funky - #557 Autumn Colors
Everybody-Art-Challenge - #520 Coffee or Tea

INK #274 - Photo Challenge (lace and kraft)

For the next 2 weeks we have a photo challenge at Inkspirational. I was inspired by the lace, kraft and string to make my card.
I used Tim Holtz Numeric stamps, heat embossed with white EP. The die cut sentiment is in Norwegian. The lace and rose border and string are all from my stash.

Please head over to the challenge blog to see the my INK-teamies have made. 

This card is also for:
Addicted to Stamps and More - #438 Birthday

Sailing

My favorite cards to make are masculine ones, and I love nautical themed cards. For this card I started off using several different colored inks to make the panel.
I didn't use any masking technique, I just stamped the images after inking and colored with Promarkers and a white gel pen on top.
I used 3 stamps from Heartfelt Creations, a postcard stamp I believe is from TPC and the border with different plants came free with a magazine ages ago.
The sentiment is a die cut one in Norwegian, I love the font and I think you'll see this on several cards in the future.

This card is for:
The Male Room - Song Title (I am Sailing - Rod Stewart)
Cardz 4 Guyz - #304 Sports and/or Hobbies (Sailing)
We Love Stamping - September Anything Goes with Stamping

Motorcycle chick(en)

Spots and stripes is an old favorite combination of mine, and I think one can never have enough of these patterns in one's stash.
The same goes for glitter of any sorts for sparkle. Here I added strips of black glitter paper.

The chick was colored with Promarkers and a a white gel pen. The sentiment is a sticker from Art by Marlene.

This card is for:
Shopping Our Stash - #478 Animal Antics (animals acting like people)
Try It On Tuesday - Animals - real or imaginary

INK #273 - Repetition

At Inkspirational we have the challenge of REPETITION, a super fun theme if you ask me, chosen by Carol.

The wreath is a stamp from an Altenew set, I stamped it three times and fussy cut. The flowers are Altenew and Prima, stamped on a book page and fussy cut. The striped DP is Maja Design and I chose a sentiment in Norwegian - today is your day.

Please head over to the challenge blog to see the my INK-teamies have made. 

This card is also for:
Cardz 4 Galz - #180 3 of Anything
Craft Rocket Challenges - #96 Dots and/or Stripes

August Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Here's my card for The Card Chain Challenge August reveal. Anyone can enter and if you'd like to be part of the September chain you can sign up here until til 6th. 

 

THE CARD I SENT 

This is the card I sent to Hilary in the UK. I was inspired by the sketch and the theme of friendship. I used a stencil and a script stamp to make the background, and I used stamps from different sets to make the sentiment, and the flower die cuts are from Tim Holtz and the butterflies are from Poppy Stamps. I chose to keep it monochromatic, using one of my favorite colors, purple.

 

 

 

THE CARD I RECEIVED
I recieved this pretty card from Greta in Oregon. I love how she chose the color scheme to make this sparkly rainbow, and I think she was treally clever to use oval dies to make rainbow - the thought has never occured to me, but I sure won't forget it:)