January Card Chain Challenge Reveal 2023

Here's my card for The Card Chain Challenge January reveal. Anyone can enter and if you'd like to be part of the February chain you can sign up here until til 6th. I joined the frist time back in October 2021 and it seems the "family" has grown quite a bit since then. Personally I enjoy it so much, so I've only missed signing up for 1 month since the begunning.

THE CARD I SENT 

This is the card I sent to 

I used Distress Oxides Tattered rose and Kitsch flamingo, as well as Distress Ink Aged Mahogany. I also used a pink ink I got from the Art By Marlene advent calendar 2022. I followed the color scheme:

The stamp is from Aall & Create and I heat embossed a friendship sentiment in white. The background is stencilled, I used a layering set from Pinkfresh. 

In return I received a gorgeous card from Viv - go check out her cards on her blog Viv's Visuals here

INK #282 Moodboard

At Inkspirational we have a moodboard for you to take inspiration from. I was inspired by the colors, the heart shaped cakes with sprinkles on and overall the sweet theme:

I used my sweet mice and sentiment from Colorado Craft Company and some really old sweets and cookie stamps from Magnolia. Coloring with Promarkers and decorating with diamond stickles glue. I don't often make square cards as it's easier for me to make light weight A2 and mini slimline cards for postage, but it's nice with a variation.

Please head over to the challenge blog to see the my INK-teamies have made and I hope you will join us.

This card is also for:
Little Red Wagon - #689 Birthday
Stamping Sensations - Add some sparkle (glitter and/or glitetr glue on all sweets)
AAA Birthday - #45 Anything Birthday Goes

Tag shaped card with cut outs and die cuts

This is not a tag, rather a tag shaped card. The techniqie is simple, fold the card base and make sure the die does not cut over the entire fold. like here, where the card base is slightly below where you have the rounded corner before the tag is more narrow. You just glue a full tag on top. Easy-peasy. I used one of the larger dies from the StudioLight set.

There is no stamping on this card. Just cut out paper elements and some die cuts. The old kraft-looking paper is actually made by me, I used the coffee stain technique and normal white copy paper sheets.   

The top part is decoratad with sark blue organza, white seambinding ribbon and string as well as a metal charm.

This tag shaped card is for:
Fab n Funky - #564 Shaped Cards
Craft Rocket Challenges -  #99 Not Square

Things with wings and Color challenge

One of my crafting goals this year is to try and join color challenges more often, as I find them very inspiring, but tricky at the same time.

Here I used some older stamps, the leaf wreath is from Altenew and the bird is from 7gypsies. I stamped on navy blue/white DPs for both, with opposite colors for the script and background. The grey panel was die cut, the sentiment is from a Kaisercraft paperpad.

This card is for:
Color Throwdown - #726
Cardz 4 Galz - #190 Clean and Simple
Make My Monday - #192 Your Favourite Theme of 2022 (#188 Things With Wings)

Baby shaker card with a heart

I've been joining an online scrapping event this weekend, arranged by a Norwegian store, and I made this card for one of their challenges.
I love seeing Valentine's cards, but I don't use any myself (or, maybe I'll make one, that's all I need), nor do any other family member, so decided to go with a baby card instead. 

I used a favorite embossing folder, it reminds me of a baby blanket. I cut out a heart window and added sequins, some of which were hearts, as shaker elements.

I used paper from an old paper pad from Pebbles and a die cut word, using an old die from Memory Box.

This card is also for:
Just Us Girls - #662 Hearts

INK #281 New and/or Welcome

At Inkspirational we have a very fitting theme to start off the new year: Nw and/or Welcome.

My favorite cards to make - and to send - have always been Christmas cards. However, as my father was very ill in 2022 and passed away October 31, I found I had no joy in making Christmas cards.
So for 2023 I'm starting the year by making a Christmas card - new year and new possibilities, right? I have also used some new stash, some completely unused - like the paper pad with the topper and slim panel. I also used new but slightly used stash - like the Field Notes stamps by Tim Holtz - and the sentiment die, which I managed to use only on one card before Christmas.

Please head over to the challenge blog to see the my INK-teamies have made.  We have a new memeber and a returning one as well, I encourage you to head over and join the fun,

This card is also for:
As You Like It Challenge -  Favorite Reason To Send a Card & Why (Christmas is my favorite season)
Krafty Chicks -c#646 Christma
ABC Christmas - A for anything/B for Bear
 

New masculine stamp

 

New year and new stash to use - lucky me:) I've used a new to me stamp from Dylisions, but I only cut parts of it out with as a tag, using dies from StudioLight.
I used black, grey and white colors and papers only, and I followed a sketch.
Did I follow the theme of celebration too? I think, probably yes, as this is a card for boy for his confirmation. I'm not sure if this is a practised in other countries, but confirmation is a ritual that marks the transition from childhood to adulthood. It is originally a Christian ritual. In Norway, there are many different options for confirmation, both in religious and non-religious communities.

This card is for:
Allsorts  - #710 Something New
The Paper Players - #622 Tag, You're It!
Sunday Stamps - #300 Sketch - Let's Celebrate

 

Bonus card:

I also made another card for the same occasion, using the same stamp and tag dies set, but not entering into challenges. As I have family memebers, and they in turn have friends and neighbours in the right age for confirmation as well, I'm trying to make a batch of cards for this occasion.And I'm trying to be more efficient in my cardmaking, without ruining all the fun, of course:)

 

2 cards using new flower stamp

I don't do New Year's resolutions, however I do set myself some crafting goals every year. The main one for me this year is to make more than one card at a time. I spend so much time deciding on what papers, colors and stash to use, so instead of making choices to make one card why not choose all options and get more cards done at the same time? Another goal is to try and join color challenges more often, as they are a challenge for me. I always check them out and look at what people do and personally I'm just stuck.

So starting off the new year with 2 cards, following 2 color challenges (one for each card). I used a stamp that came with Art by Marlene's advent calendar 2022.

Card 1:

For this card I followed Just us Girls' color scheme. I picked a light blue DP with texture and a dark blue one. I left the image uncolored and used speckled egg ink around it. I wanted to keep the card simple and light weight, so I did not add any panels. In Norway you pay extra for letters weighing more then 20 grams, so really traying to keep some cards light weight. It really is unusual for me not to add any panels, so I need to get used to this card, but I think it works as one of the DPs is not too busy. I like the colors and patterns and that the image is left untouched. Initially I was inspired by "Ellibelle"'s layout for her Crafty Wednesday post, but she referred to a sketch challenge, so I took it from there as well.

This card is for:
Just Us Girls - #661 Color week
Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - Anything Goes

Card 2:

Here I picked papers , enamel dots and Promarker to match the colors found at Color Throwdown. The Promarker color is actually called magenta. I believe the papers are very old ones from Bo Bunny, but the front of the paper pad was gone, so not sure. For this card I went with adding panels, making the card weight 22g. But for this card I feel it was right to include them. I used Pumice stone ink for the image.

This card is for:
Color Throwdown #723
Cheerful Sketches Challenge Blog - January sketch

December Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Happy New Year everyone!
Here's my card for The Card Chain Challenge December reveal. If you want join the fun for January, you can sign up here until til 6th.

THE CARD I SENT 

The card was sent to Mia in Greece. Usually we have different challenge prompts to choose from (colors, sketch, theme,...), but this month there was a bingo board.I chose the top horizontal row. I used several scarp bits of paper, some used as they were, some was ripped, then they were glued together in a random pattern. I used some stamps from Field Notes by Tim Holtz. The die cut deer are from a die cut background from Tim Holtz, the treese are Alexandra Renke.

 

THE CARD I RECEIVED

I got a card from Tina in Slovenia this month (photo to come).  Thank you so much, Tina!

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