*Atlantic Hearts #635*

 We have a beautiful new sketch at Atlantic Hearts today... and I chose to keep my creation really quite clean and simple...

First, the sketch.

And here's my card.  You can see that I switched up the shape and used a slightly larger sentiment, but I still think that the essence of the sketch is there.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Pinkfresh Studio Happy Birthday Sentiments

*Washi Tape:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies, Vines & Roses

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Banners; Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies, Vines & Roses

*Challenges:  Atlantic Hearts #635

*Create It 3 Ways Instagram Hop*

 Yes, a lot of posts from me today!  This one is for the Create It 3-Ways Instagram Hop.  Each month we create three cards using at least one common element following a theme.  We want to show others that you can use the same items from your stash to create different cards and looks.  

This month our theme was "thinking of you" and I chose to use the same floral stamp and the same colour combination on all three cards.

For my first card, I chose to do a mini slimline.  I stamped the floral image at the top and the bottom of the front panel and coloured it with Copics.  I added a small "thinking of you" sentiment in the middle of the card.

For my second card, I stamped the same floral image and coloured it the same, but I cut it out using the matching die.  I put it on top of an embossed panel and added a die cut sentiment.

For my final card, I  once again stamped and die cut the floral image.  I placed it on a smaller front panel and let it hang off the edge.  I trimmed off the pieces that hung over the edge.  I attached the smaller front panel to my card front with foam adhesive and then glued the small cut off pieces directly to the card front to create a little something extra.

Items Used
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Stamps:  Altenew Flower Vines; MFT Something for Everything

*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics; Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Altenew Flower Vines; MFT Something for Everything

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up! Brick & Mortar

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Pattern Paper Instagram Hop*

 A brand new hop has hit Instagram today... one where we will be playing with our patterned paper each month!  We all have a stash of it that isn't getting used up... this is a great reason to play!

I was inspired by a card I saw by Bette Manning... a wonderful fun fold (you can see how it opens in the second photo...

I can tell you that this card sat on my desk, completed, waiting to be photographed for a few days... and I had used a different patterned paper for my background.  The more I looked at it, the less I liked it.  So I used a different pattern from the same pad of paper.  The front image is from that same pattern paper package!

Here's how the card looks open...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Berry Burst

*Paper:  Cocoa Vanilla Sunkissed

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink: Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop*

 This month for the Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop, we are playing with wreaths.  I kept my card super clean and simple.  I created my wreath with two two circle dies and some white glitter paper.  I added some Christmas greenery to it as well...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler; unknown glitter

*Stamps:  MFT Christmas Wishes
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Nesting Circles; Spellbinders Chritmas Blooms

*Embellishments:  Picket Fence Studio Candy Cane Mix

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Time Out Challenges #291*

It's time for a photo inspiration challenge at Time Out Challenges.  You can be inspired any way by our photo... just make sure we can see where your inspiration came frome.

I was inspired by the heart and all of the different textures in it.  I cut a heart shape from white cardstock and used an embossing folder to make the textures.  I then lightly brushed some ink over it, making some of the spots stand out a little more.  I had hoped to get a little closer to the coral colour in the photo but I failed LOL

Card Info

*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Early Espresso

*Stamps:  Waffle Flower Sweet Lattice Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Dried Marigold; Gina K Tomato Soup

*Dies:  Hero Arts Nesting Hearts; Waffle Flower Sweet Lattice Sentiments

*Embossing:  Sizzix Organic Petals

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Time Out #291

*My Favourite Instagram Hop*

 This week for the My Favourite Instagram Hop, we are focussing on our favourite Father's Day stamps or dies.  I will admit that I don't really need a Father's Day card, but I played along anyway.

To make my card, I started with the strip of patterned paper. I die cut a circle and then cut out the letters to spell the word DAD from the circle.  I placed the circle on top of the card and trimmed off the edges.  I added back the small pieces from the letter dies and stamped a quick sentiment on it.

I love that this paper looks like ties my Dad used to wear...

Card Info

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Well Suited

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Mom & Dad Icons

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Lawn Fawn Olivers Stitched Alphabet; Waffle Flower Nesting Circles

*AAA Colourful #17*

 There's a new colourboard challenge that starts today at AAA Colourful.  We challenge you to find inspiration in the colours in our colourboard to create something wonderful!

I had fun with these colours and a simple stencil.  I almost feel like I did some graffiti on this card or something!  

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Stamps:  Visible Image Best Birthday Ever

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Picked Raspberry, Candied Apple, Wilted Violet, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade

*Stencil:  Lawn Fawn Brick

*Embellishments:  Michael's Bridal Flowers; Robin's Nest Dew Drops

*CASE It Instagram Hop*

 On the 2nd Saturday of each month, a group of us play together on Instagram to CASE a card that has inspired us...  we find something on Instagram and make a card of our own that is inspired by that first card.

First, here is the card I was inspired by, but the wonderful Beverley Brown...  I just fell in love with her rainbow of butterflies... and the simplicity of the card.  And of course the mini slimline said "pick me"!!

I changed it up a little bit, but not a lot.  I used a rainbow of flowers instead of butterflies and I used a larger sentiment.  Otherwise you can definitely see that I was inspired by Beverley.

Card Info

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Copics

*Dies:  Spellbinders Floral Spray; The Ton Easy Expressions

*Embellishments:  Studio Katia Arctic Breeze Pearls

*Addicted to CAS #285*

 There's a new clean and simple challenge at Addicted to CAS...  WATER

I almost skipped this challenge... but I had an idea and I kinda like how it turned out.  I did some ink blending with a few shades of blue to mimic the water and the sky...  I kinda like how it turned out.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Summer Sun

*Stamps:  MFT Rain or Shine

*Ink:  Tim Holtz Mermaid Lagoon, Hickory Smoke, Salty Ocean; Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  MFT Rain or Shine

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  ATCAS #285

*Sending Sunshine Instagram Hop*

 Each month, a group of us gather on Instagram to share cards that might help to lift someone up who's finding life a little rough.  A little piece of sunshine, if you will.

I bought this Taylored Expressions stamp and die set and was a little disappointed that the stamps and the dies don't line up.  So what I did today was cut the rainbow out of a white panel.  I took the arcs and did some ink blending on them and then put them back in to my die cut panel (the negative space).  I then stamped some of the elements from the stamp set on top.  I like how it turned out.

Card Info

*Stamps:  Taylored Expressions Over the Rainbow; Honeybee Stamps Best of Everything

*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Gorgeous Grape, Bermuda Bay, Granny Apple Green, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight; Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Taylored Expressions Over the Rainbow; MFT Stitched Rectangles

*CAS on Friday #311*

 Good morning creative friends!  It's time for a SUMMER themed challenge at CAS on Friday.

I went for a beachy look for my card...  some big leaves and some fun summery colours that I blended on to my card panel to kind of look like a beach scene, mimicking the waves with my blending.  Did I succeed?

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Gumball Green

*Stamps:  MFT Something for Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Twisted Citron, Salty Ocean, Kitsch Flamingo

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Tropical

*Challenges:  CAS on Friday #311

*White on White Instagram Hop*

 This month, the theme for the White on White Instagram Hop is floral...  I embossed a panel with a leaf embossing folder and then added it as an inlaid panel .  I aded some pretty flowers and to follow the theme.  

The key to a white on white card is texture, layers and dimension.

Card Info

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Floral Spray; The Ton Easy Expressions; unknown border die
*Embossing:  Spellbinders Leafy

*Atlantic Hearts Sketch #663*

 There's a lovely new sketch at Atlantic Hearts that starts today...  And I decided to make mine rather clean and simple (although with the all-over embossed background it's not really clean and simple).

First, the sketch...

And here's my take on the sketch...

Card Info

*Stamps:  Waffle Flower Sweet Lattice Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Gina K Wild Dandelion Wild Lilac

*Stencils: Gina K Bold Flowers

*Dies:  Gina K Bold Flowers; Waffle Flower Sweet Lattice Sentiments

*Embossing:  Lisa Horton Bold Daisy Background

*Challenges:  Atlantic Hearts #663

*My Favourite Instagram Hop*

 The theme at the My Favourite Instagram Hop this week is our favourite colour.  This was both a tough choice for me and not a tough choice for me.  I always say that my favourite colour is purple, but I'm not honestly sure it is any more. LOL!  It probably is since I have purple in my hair, lot of purple tops... but I also love red and blue (depending on the shades). 

So I went with my first thought and used a product suite from Altenew with a pretty purple ink.  I achieved the different colours of purple by using a lighter hand in some areas and a heavier hand in others.  I kept the leaves neutral by ink blending a little light grey on them.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Stamps, Dies, Stencils:  Altenew Gracious Peonies

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Shaded Lilac, Hickory Smoke

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Build Your Stash Instagram Hop*

 The theme this month for the Build Your Stash Instagram Hop is sympathy cards.  These are the cards we never want to send, but they are always good to have on hand.  I will admit that I sort of enjoy making sympathy cards.  Sympathy cards lean in to my card making style... clean and simple with muted colours.

With this hop, we make at least one card following the monthly theme... I try hard to always make two.  This month is no exception.

For my first card, I tried an idea I saw where you stamp a floral image and leave it without colouring... then add a pop of colour with something else.  I used a Pinkfresh Studio washi tape butterfly for my pop of colour.

Card Info

*Stamps:  Toni Studios Botanical Burst; MFT Something for Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi Tape:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies

*Etc:  foam adhesive

For my second card, I used no colour at all.  I bought this new embossing folder and decided to leave it as the highlight of my card.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Stamps:  MFT Something for Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  MFT Something for Everything

*Embossing:  Lisa Horton Bold Daisy Background

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*{BYSHC} Sketch #58*

 There's a brand new sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers...

This is a super easy sketch, perfect for some larger scraps of patterned paper (especially those that come in a coordinating pack!  Everything on my card (except the gold) is from the same pattern paper pack.

Card Info

*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Spellbinders gold foil

*Paper:  Die Cuts With a View December 25th

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges: {BYSHC}#58

*Time Out Challenges #290*

Happy Thursday friends!  It's time for a new challenge at Time Out Challenges... and we are doing our Pick 2 challenge again!  Please choose any two (or more) of these elements to include on your card (and be sure to tell us which words you used in your post!)

I used the words Ribbon, Repeat and Bold... but instead of real ribbon, I did a ribbon technique with patterned paper.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  MFT Bundles of Blossoms Brights
*Stamps:  Honeybee Best of Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Honeybee Best of Everything; Pinkfresh Studio Slim Strips

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  Time Out #290

*Just For Giggles Instagram Hop*

I struggle with this Instagram Hop...  my sense of humour is usually kinda dark and sweary instead of light and fun.  I hope that this brings and giggle...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Night of Navy

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Well Suited

*Stamps:  Unity Old Enough To Know Better

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Nesting Circles

*My Favourite Instagram Hop*

 For this week, the challenge for the My Favourite Instagram Hop was my favourite dairy product.  I wonder how many of us chose to use ice cream LOL!  

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake

*Paper:  assorted glitter papers

*Stamps:  Honeybee Best of Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Poppy Stamps Whittle Ice Cream Cone; MFT Stitched Rectangles
*Etc:  foam adhesive