*Addicted to CAS #307*

 This week totally got away from me thanks to buying a new car and trying to sell an old (20 year old) junker... plus training a new person at work and a banquet last night.  I am SO late posting my design team card for Addicted to CAS!!!  

But I am here now... and I hope that it was worth the wait!

I always think I make a lot of birthday cards... but when I look at my bin of created cards, there aren't that many there.  Maybe it's because it's the type of card I send most often?

I was inspired by my friend Jane for the card I'm sharing today....  I used this left over piece of patterned paper to create a super clean and simple card for a good friend...

Card Info

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthay
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi Tape:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies
*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies; The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Challenges:  ATCAS #307

*Build Your Stash Instagram Hop*

 This month for the Build Your Stash Instagram Hop, we are building our stash of cards we'd send to someone who was sick. I like to try to make at least two cards for this hop each month and thankfully I was able to do that this time.

For my first card, I chose some deep colours to highlight a pretty white flower...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black Bumblebee

*Stamps:  Honey Bee Best of Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Dies:  Waffle Flower Nesting Squares; Prism Studio Stitched Nesting Squares; Spellbinders Floral Spray
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

For card number two, I reached in to my bin of extras and grabbed some of these beautiful die cut washi tape pieces.

Card Info

*Stamps:  MFT Something for Everying

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses

*Dies:  MFT Stitched Rectangles; Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses

*CAS on Friday #333*

 The current challenge at CAS on Friday is "animals"... I have a few animal stamps and dies in my stash but was excited to play with this new die set I purchased a few weeks ago.

To create my card, I created myself a stencil by cutting the die out of a panel of cardstock.  I used a small blending brush and brushed black ink lightly from the edges of the stencil.  I did a few passes this way until I achieved the look I was going for.

Card Info

*Stamps:  MFT New Best Friend

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Paw Print; MFT Stitched Rectangles

*Challenges:  CAS on Friday #333

*TIme Out Challenges #312*

Happy Thursday, creative friends.  It's the end of April and I am looking forward to warmer weather and sunny days.  We spent April with warm days that melted all of the snow and then a big dump of snow... lather, rinse and repeat for about 6 weeks.  

Time Out Challenges has a photo inspiration challenge for you to play along with this week...

I was inspired by the silhouette idea and I couldn't wait' to play with this gorgeous new die I bought from Love From Lizi a few weeks ago.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Time Holtz Distress Oxide Spiced Marmalade, Black Soot, Prize Ribbon

*Dies:  Love From LIzi Wild Bloom Dragonflies; The Ton Easy Expressions
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Time Out Challenges #312

*Card Clubhouse Instagram Hop*

The current Card Clubhouse Instagram Hop has us playing with "moments that matter".  I was inspired by a Christmas Card I saw a few days ago but I created a birthday card instead.  My card didn't turn out quite as I had hoped... I think my papers are just a little too busy for the design.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  MFT Birthday Brights
*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthdays

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Birthday Bash Instagram Hop*

 Hello friends... it's time for the Birthday Bash Instagram Hop.  Our theme for this month is playful/interactive.  I wasn't going to play along as I don't really make interactive cards.  But then, one day last week, I knew I wanted to put a little extra effort in to a card for a good friend.  This isn't completely interactive, but it is a fun fold, which I think is "playful".

I will admit I got frustrated with the directions as there was a step missing... but after wasting some time and some cardstock, I managed to make this fun card for my friend.  Thanks to Patty Bennett for the card directions!

This is how it will look when she pulls it out of the envelope...

And this is how it opens...

Card Info

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi: Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies
*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies; The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*CAS Colours & Sketches #584*

There's a fun and spring like colour challenge at CAS Colours and Sketches...  I can't wait to see what you do with these colours!

I will admit that when I first saw these colours, I was very intimidated.  I had no idea what to do with them!  But then I pulled the cardstock from my stash and saw just how wonderfully the colours went together (I didn't think so from the graphic).  I will use this colour combo again, I'm sure!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin Up! Lemon Lime Twist, Flirty Flamingo, Pumpkin Pie
*Stamps:  Waffle Flower Sweet Birthday Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Love From Lizi Stitched Rectangle Nesting Dies; Spellbinders Floral Spray

*Challenges:  CAS Colours & Sketches #584

*Embossing Folder Instagram Hop*

 This month, the participants in the Embossing Folder Instagram Hop are playing with the theme of Bloom Where You Are Planted.  I thought it was the perfect reason to pull out this lovely product suite from Altenew.  I have the stamp set, layering stencils, die and embossing folder and this is the first time I've used all of them at once!

I started by stamping the floral image and stencilling my colours on to it.  I then cut it out and embossed it.  I also embossed the entire image on to a front panel so that I'd have the frame as well.  I layered my coloured and embossed image on top of the simple embossed image and added a simple sentiment.

Card Info

*Stamps:  LDRS My Wish For You; Altenew The Perfect Gift

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne:  Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Peeled Paint, Picked Raspberry

*Stencils:  Altenew The Perfect Gift
*Dies:  Altenew The Perfect Gift

*Embossing:  Altenew The Perfect Gift

*Atlantic Hearts Sketch #679*

 I really enjoy the sketches at Atlantic Hearts!  Sometimes I make them busy and layered like crazy and sometimes I enjoy making them more in my usual style.  I am in LOVE with how my card turned out for this challenge.

First, here is the sketch...

And here's how I interpreted the sketch...  I kept it pretty simple with an embossed layer instead of a patterned paper layer.  And I couldn't resist pulling out this wonderful Pinkfresh Washi to create my focal point.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  LDRS My Wish For You

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies

*Embossing:  Altenew Ribbon Waves
*Tools:  Perfect Layers
*Challenges:  Atlantic Hearts Sketch #679

*My Favorite Instagram Hop*

 This week, my crafty friends and I are playing with our favourite baby card for the My Favorite Instagram Hop.  I don't have a lot of baby themed stuff, but I do have this wonderful die of a cute little onesie...  I paired it with some pretty pattern paper and a big star to create a sweet card for a new baby.  

Card Info

*Paper:  MFT Bundles of Blossoms Pastel

*Stamps:  MFT Something for Everything
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Dies:  Art Impressions Baby Mini; Revolution Nesting Stars

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Rediscover Your Supplies*

 Each month, a group of us make the promise to use items from our stash to create a card following a common theme for the Rediscover Your Supplies Instagram Hop.  We are trying to use the things we've already bought rather than purchasing something new and shiney!

This month, our theme is "sympathy".  I enjoy making sympathy cards... not the reason for needing them, but the style of them.  To me, a sympathy card should be understated with calming colours.  Sympathy cards are perfect for my clean and simple style!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Sage Shadow

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions
*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions; Prism Studio Essential Greenery
*Embossing:  Spellbinders Leafy

*This or That Instagram Hop*

 I forgot I had signed up for this hop... so I had to put something together kind of last minute (well, last minute for me).  I usually work at least 10-14 days ahead on my design team requirements and with a week of no-mojo last week, I ended up behind (for me).  And then I saw my name on the hop list on Tuesday and I panicked!

So... here is my card for the This or That Instagram Hop... we had to choose between Lambs or Bunnies.  I have *nothing* in my stash that is lamb related (other than white cardstock LOL) so I went with bunny.  I have some bunny stuff but honestly, I'm kind of over it all at the moment.  So instead, I cut two sizes of of a daisy die (one in pink and one in white) and cut out two "ears" from the petals.  Lots of stitched layers to add some interest to this super simple card...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Bubble Bath

*Stamps:  Moonstone Elegant Sentiments Special Thoughts
*Dies:  Love From Lizi Stitched Nesting Circles and Rectangles; A Jillian Vance Design Daisies

*Rainbow Connection Instagram Hop*

 I'm here today sharing my card for the Rainbow Connection Instagram Hop.  We are a group of rainbow colour lovers that post a happy rainbow coloured card each month.

Have you ever made a card and just not liked it?  And then you have another idea and it works out perfectly?  This is my card today.  I had thought about sharing the one I didn't like as well as the one I liked a lot, but instead of glued my piece on top of the old card and made the decision that no one would ever see the other one.

How it started was me using the stencils for the stamp I used and using rainbow colours, one per stencil layer.  And it looked terrible!  So instead I did some ink blending on a piece of cardstock and stamped on top of it instead.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday; Altenew Gracious Peonies

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, Salty Ocean
*Dies:  Altenew Gracious Peonies; The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Pattern Paper Instagram Hop*

Another month is another Pattern Paper Party Instagram Hop...  we are meant to make a card using our stash of pattern papers.  I cheated.  I used a piece of brand new paper that I bought just a week ago.  Simply Stated is a Canadian company with some of the most fun things I've seen in a while!  Much of it isn't my style (in that I wouldn't know what to do with it) but when I saw this package of paper there was no doubt I was going to buy it!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  Simply Stated Dreamy Florals

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Embellishments:  Studio Katia
*Etc:  foam adhesive
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop*

 For the month of April, the theme for the Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop is Non-Traditional Colours.  I had some extra of these stamped and die cut trees in my bin of extras.  I popped the middle one up on foam adhesive to add a little more dimension to the card.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! So Saffron, Highland Heather, Pool Party

*Stamps:  SSS Warmest Wishes, Christmas Blessings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Warmest Wishes

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Addicted to CAS #306*

Good morning friends... it's time for a new clean and simple challenge at Addicted to CAS...

I don't have much for postage related items in my crafty stash, but I did recently purchase some Waffle Flower postage themed items.  I played with some soft colours with the stencil and used one of the "stamp" die cuts to create my card.  To add a little extra interest, I used an embossing folder on a white strip.  I used a lot of newer stuff (to me) on this card... always good to use the new stuff you buy instead of ignoring it!

Card Info

*Stamps:  Concord & 9th Big Day Birthday
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Shaded Lilac, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocent
*Stencils:  Waffle Flower Collage Peony Stencil

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Postage Collage

*Embossing:  Altenew Ribbon Waves

*Challenges:  Addicted to CAS #306; Addicted to Stamps & More #515

*BYSHCardmakers Spring Into Christmas Linky Party*

 OK, I promise... this is my last card for the Build Your Stash Holiday Linky Party.  I had so much fun playing with my Christmas stash this past week!  Although, I just purchased this embossing folder and I couldn't wait to use it!

Card Info
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Wild Wasabi; unknown brushed gold

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

*Embossing:  Lisa Horton Winter Blooms
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*CAS on Friday #332*

 Hello creative friends... I am here as the host for the current challenge at CAS on Friday.  We are sharing sympathy cards with this challenge.  Always a difficult reason to make a card so I like to have a few on hand in case I don't feel like creating one when it's needed.

I have two things I like to do with sympathy cards... My only rule (for myself... not you!) is that most sympathy cards should be subdued in colour.  It just feels "right" to me.  I get it.  Others feel differently.  I also love butterflies in sympathy cards... something beautiful, something that comes from a change in life.  I honestly believe my Mom visits me in the form of a butterfly.

I stamped these grungy stripes using the same coloured ink... but for two of them, I did a second generation stamping (meaning I inked up the stamp, stamped it off on scrap paper and then stamped it on my card front).  I stamped the butterfly on top of it.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Stamps:  Paper Rose Studio Cleo Floral Butterfly; MFT Something for Everything; unknown stripes
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Catherine Pooler Stone Blue
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  CAS on Friday #332

*BYSHCardmakers Spring Into Christmas Linky Party*

Another Christmas card for you today...  playing along with the BYSHCardmakers Spring Into Christmas Linky Party. I saw an idea for using an embossing folder on kraft coloured cardstock and decided to do it for this card.  I highlighted the raised areas with a white pigment ink. In person it almost looks like chalk.  I love the look of deep red, black and kraft together, so the rest of the card came together pretty easily.  I used a rectangle die to cut out the centre piece and framed it in black before putting on my card front with foam adhesive.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black

*Stamps:  Alex Syberia Christmas Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Hero Arts Unicorn

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Nesting Rectangles; Stampin' Up! Playful Alphabet; Alex Syberia Christmas Sentiments

*Embossing:  Spellbinders Notched Corner Pointsettia

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*This or That Instagram Hop*

This week for the This or That Instagram Hop, we had to choose between stripes and dots.  What a DIFFICULT decision for me!!!  I went through my patterned papers and pulled out a few different options and settled on this basic black and white striped paper.  I added a black strip at the top and put this colourful die cut on top (which was in my bin of extras)

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Fresh Freesia, Basic Black

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Pattern Party

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Dies:  Prism Studios Essential Greenery; The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Time Out Challenges #311*

 It's time for another Pick 2 Challenge with the team at Time Out Challenges, this time with our sponsor Stamplorations!

I was gifted some gorgeous ATC printed pieces from Stamplorations that I've used in my card today.  They are SO gorgeous!  I chose the words Bloom and Pastel from the Pick 2.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps;  The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Scrapbook.com Nesting Hexagons; The Ton Easy Expressions Birthday

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up! Dotted Circles

*Etc:  Stamplorations Blushing Blooms ATC

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Time Out #311