*Rainbow Connection Instagram Hop*

 I'm playing along with the Rainbow Connection Instagram Hop...  we are playing with rainbow colours every month and doing our best to do a clean and simple card along with it.

Today, I failed at one of those elements!  One drop of alcohol ink directly from the bottle is too much to create a rainbow clean and simple card LOL!  Believe me, I tried!  I will need to try again with a different method to deliver the ink to the paper!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Yupo

*Stamps:  Waffle Flower Sweet Lattice Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne:  Alcohol Inks in Cobalt, Vineyard, Mojito, Raspberry; Alcohol Pearls in Splendor and Alchemy

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*AAA Colourful #3*

 It's time for a new colour challenge at AAA Colourful...  we show you a colourboard and you take inspiration from it to create something beautiful...

I decided to go super clean and simple for my card... and chose to use some alcohol ink to create my splash of colour.  I only wish that my Yupo paper was more of a true white...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Yupo; Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Images:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne: Alchemy & Tranquil Alcohol Pearls

*Dies:  A Jillian Vance Design Open Daisy; The Ton Easy Expressions; Birch Press Laskett Ornament

*Tools: Perfect Layers

*Embellishments:  Studio Katia Arctic Breeze Pearls

*Challenges:  AAA Colourful #3

*Create It 3 Ways Thinking of You*

It's time for another Create it 3 Ways instagram hop... check out my Instagram HERE so you can see all of the great creations!

What is Create it 3 Ways?  We have a monthly theme (this month it's Thinking of You) and we are challenged to make 3 cards using something the same...  technique, fold, layout, colours, stamp set, dies...  but there has to be something the same between all three cards.

As you can see from my photo below, I made an alcohol ink panel and used it on all three of my cards.  I also used the same sentiment on all three cards.

For this card, I cut a small strip of the alcohol ink panel and layered it on top of some Cherry Cobbler cardstock that I embossed with the Simon Says Stamp Kaleidoscope folder.  I added some black flowers from my bin of extras (Lawn Fawn Magin Iris Floral Wreath Add-On) and a die cut sentiment from The Ton (Easy Expressions).

For this card, I cut a Waffle Flower circle out of the panel and then cut the Simon Says Stamp Circle of Leaves die from that circle.  A quick black matte and the sentiment and this card was done.

And finally, I used the majority of the alcohol ink panel on my card front.  I added some black mats, the sentiment and some black floral elements (Stampin' Up! Pierced Blooms) to finish it off.

*Alcohol Ink Leaves*

I was playing with some alcohol inks for a different project and had a pretty good sized piece left over.  Of course I couldn't throw it out!  Instead I  cut some leaves and made this quick card...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Yupo

*Images:  Picket Fence Studio Fancy Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Ranger Alcohol Pearls in Sublime and Tranquil

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Pierced Blooms

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Addicted to CAS #229*

We're back with another Addicted to CAS challenge...

Just a quick post for me before I head off to work.  I usually do my blogging on Wednesday mornings before work and I lost Wednesday morning to Urgent Care (see yesterdays post) so I am feeling more than a little behind!

Card Info

*Cardstock: Yupo

*Images:  Studio Katia Birthday Greetings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks in Raspberry, Glacier, Alchemy (pearl)

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Additional Circles

*Challenges:  Addicted to CAS #229

*Blue Ink*

I had my first session at physical therapy yesterday and while things are better than they had been, I still feel like there is a very long way to go before this injury is a thing of the past.  I will be working on stretches and trying to use my right hand/arm/wrist as normally as possible.  There is still some swelling and the joint is extremely stiff.  I'm feeling a little discouraged as I write this because I just want this whole thing to be a memory.

It turns out that trying to create is good physical therapy so I will continue to try to make cards... if only my mojo was still hanging out around here LOL

This is another of the cards I created before my fall... it's very similar to yesterday but with alcohol inks and Deco Foil instead (the Deco Foil sticks to the parts of the alcohol ink that haven't completely dried).

*Addicted to CAS #220*

Challenge #220 at Addicted to CAS is all about flowers....  we can't wait to see your beautiful flower creations!

You get a bonus card from me today....  I created my alcohol ink background and fit two flower dies on it ... and since they are so similar I decided to share them both in one post

I really hope you'll play along and share your cards HERE!

*Alcohol Inks*

I saw something online and wanted to try it with my alcohol inks... it didn't turn out, but I did get a fabulous background for this card LOL!  

*Addicted to CAS #191*

It's SATURDAY!!  For most, a favourite day of the week...  but for me, just another work day.  Thankfully it's only a half day, but it's not as exciting as when you have it off LOL!  I love my job, but man I love my time off too!  My work week is Wednesday to Saturday... and I like it!

But, Saturday is good for another reason!  Every second Saturday is the day we start a new challenge over at Addicted to CAS!  I am the host for challenge #191 and I chose hearts.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has come up with (they are gorgeous!!) as well as give a little love to our guest designer, Joyce!

You will recognize these hearts from the card I posted a couple of days ago.... more that I cut out of that alcohol ink background I created.

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White 110lb; Yupo

*Images:  My Favorite Things Essential Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; alcohol inks

*Dies:  Hero Arts heart infinity dies

*Tools:  air blower; Big Shot

*Etc:  alcohol blending solution

Now, it's your turn!  Create a clean and simple card with a Heart theme and share it with us on the Addicted to CAS blog for your chance to be chosen to be a guest designer in an upcoming challenge!

*Time Out Challenges Guest Designer*

I am super excited to be playing along with the Design Team at Time Out Challenges as their guest designer!  This is a "new to me" challenge blog and I hope to be able to play along with their challenges some more!

For this challenge, you need to use the photo above as inspiration for your card.  I decided to play with an alcohol ink background sheet I had created several weeks ago and was sitting on my desk waiting for *something*.  I took my inspiration from the hearts.

I cut a variety of hearts out of this paper and then played around to see what I liked best.  Many of the other hearts ended up on another card.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Memory Box glitter; Yupo

*Ink:  Alcohol Inks (sorry, I didn't keep track of what I used!)

*Dies:  Simon Says Stamp big thanks; Hero Arts Infinity Hearts

*Tools:  Big Shot; air blowers; Perfect Layers

*Etc:  foam adhesive;  craft foam (I cut out the thanks in craft foam and black cardstock and raised up part of the word to make it level with the heart that was adhered with foam adhesive)

*Alcohol*

Happy Friday Crafters!  I'm on the Scrap 'n Stamp Canada blog today with one of my words for the Random Acts of Cardness.... and that word is ALCOHOL!  You could play with this any way you'd like (wine? beer?) but I chose alcohol inks!

I started out with a panel of Yupo paper and dropped some Alcohol Blending Solution on it.  I used three different colours of alcohol ink and an air blower to move the ink around, adding more ink and blending solution until I got it to where I was pleased with it.  I set it aside to dry for a little bit.  You know how alcohol inks tend to leave the paper a little sticky in some areas as it's drying?  Well, I took advantage of that and used some foil scraps (the kind that sticks, not the kind you need a heat foiling system for) and rubbed it along my panel... anywhere there was a sticky spot, foil stuck!  

I *really* wish you could emboss on Yupo paper but since it's kind of a plastic surface, it warps really badly... so instead I embossed my greeting on a piece of vellum and adhered it to the back of the Yupo layer and then put it all down on a white card using foam adhesive.

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White 110lb; Yupo; Vellum

*Images:  Picket Fence Studio Good Vibes

*Ink:  Versamark; Alcohol Inks in Cobalt, Sailboat Blue, Glacier

*Tools:  heat tool; Air Blower

*Embellishments:  Gina K Silver Sequins foil

*Etc:  Alcohol Blending Solution; foam adhesive

*CASology #377*

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge with CASology!  The cue for the next two weeks is Sunset.  CASology is a clean and simple challenge so we want to see what you come up with for a clean and simple card with the cue card challenge of Sunset.

Our sponsor for this challenge is Uniko.  Submit your creations on the CASology blog (linked from your blog, Instagram or Flickr) for your chance to be a guest designer in an upcoming challenge and to win a prize from Uniko.  

I decided to play with the colours of sunset (although the hubby says I should have added some pink there too) and the idea of a silhouette against the sunset.

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Yupo

*Images:  Studio Katia Birthday Greetings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Alcohol Pearls in Splendor and Alchemy

*Dies:  Memory Box Dancing Dragonfly Collage

*Tools:  Gemini Jr; air blower

*Etc:  Alcohol Blending Solution

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team came up with for more inspiration.  We look forward to seeing what you create!

*Alcohol Ink Birthday*

I have one wish with this card... that regular ink dried on Yupo!  But sadly, I don't have a good black ink that will dry on Yupo so I had to emboss the sentiment on the front... but I didn't want to use black embossing powder and chance having little dots of black all over the front of the card (no matter how hard you try!)... so I stamped in black and embossed in clear and it's just not as vibrant of a black as I had envisioned.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 110lb; Yupo
*Images:  Studio Katia
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Alcohol Inks in Raspberry and Sailboat Blue
*Tools:  photography lens air blower
*Embellishments:  white Kaiser Pearls
*Etc:  Alcohol Blending Solution; clear embossing powder; foam tape

*Challenge Accepted*

When I showed my good friend Bonnie the card I posted yesterday, she challenged me to make a feminine version of it... and I love playing with pink and blue so I accepted the challenge.  I switched things up just a big, making it a landscape card and different stamps and dies.

I think I like this one better than yesterday... but I like girly things LOL!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 100lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Highland Heather; Yupo
*Images:  MFT Essential Sentiments
*Ink:  Alcohol Pearl in Tranquil and Intrigue; Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Dies:  Hero Arts Birthday Message
*Embellishments: Nuvo Shimmer Pen
*Tools:  Perfect Layers; Tim Holtz Blowing Tool; Gemini Jr

*Alcohol Ink Happy Birthday*

I was playing around with alcohol inks a few weeks ago... instead of doing full on backgrounds, I played with patches on the paper instead.  I really like how this one turned out.  A little muddying in the middle, but hard to see with the stuff over it.  I need to buy more colours....

The one thing I did learn is that Versafine Clair ink does *not* dry on Yupo Paper  (thankfully I tried it on a scrap) so I used Versamark and black embossing powder once my alcohol ink was super dry!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Lucky Limeade; Yupo
*Images:  AlteNew Sincere Greetings
*Ink: Versamark; Alcohol Ink Sailboat Blue, Citrus
*Dies:  Hello Bluebird Happy Birthday Words
*Etc:  Black embossing powder; Ink Blending Solution; Alcohol Ink Air Blower; Perfect Layers

*Birthdays Look Great On You!*

I've had this scrap piece of alcohol inked background sitting on my desk for weeks... maybe longer.... and decided I needed to do something with it.  And this is what I came up with.

The photo doesn't quite show the circle embossed background quite as well as I had hoped (maybe if you zoom in it will be better).  A lot of pattern going on for it to be a truly clean and simple card, but it's close!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 110lb; glitter Yupo
*Images:  MFT Anything But Basic
*Ink:  Assorted alcohol inks; Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Dies:   MFT Impact Alphabet; Lawn Fawn Every Day Sentiment Banners
*Tools:  Gemini Jr; Spellbinder M-Bossibilities folder
*Etc:  foam tape; Kaiser Kraft Pearls (black)

*Snarky New Year Blog Hop*

Welcome to the first challenge of 2020 with the team at Scrap 'n Stamp Canada!!  We are all having a little fun with the theme for January which is Snarky Cards.  We want to see cards with a little tongue in cheek humour.  We'd love to see what you create so share them over on the Scrap 'n Stamp Challenge Facebook Page.

Also remember to visit each of the blogs listed below and leave a little comment on each site... you'll be entered to win a $50 gift card from Scrap 'n Stamp!  (winner will be announced on the Scrap 'n Stamp blog on or after January 21st).

There is also Snarky New Years coupon code you can use if you want to order any of the items you see on the blog hop!  Simply enter in SNY20 to receive $20 off any purchase of $75 or more (before taxes and shipping).  This coupon code is valid until January 5th at midnight PST.

This card took me a while... I knew I wanted to use the MFT Impact Numbers and I picked out the sentiment and had those sitting on my desk.  It needed *more* so I tried the MFT striped paper.  and it wasn't quite right still.  So I played around creating a black frame and suddenly, it all came together!

As 2020 is the year I turn 50, I have several friends from my childhood turning 50 this year as well...  I might need to make a few more of these cards LOL!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Yupo
*Paper:  MFT Black & White Stripes
*Images:  MFT Sassy Pants Birthday Greetings 2
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Alcohol Pearls in Tranquil and Raspberry
*Dies:  MFT Impact Numbers; Square Dies
*Tools:  Gemini Jr; Perfect Layers
*Etc:  foam tape

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team came up with for this fun Blog Hop!  And don't forget to leave comments on all of the stops along the way!

Tara

Laurie

Susan

Kia

Deborah

Nancy E

Sandi

*CASology #353*

Welcome to another challenge with the CASology Crew!!!  This time we are playing with feathers!  Our sponsor this week is Uniko.. check out their stuff!

I was looking for a good reason to play with a new die set I had bought....  and this was it!

Once again, I used some scraps that were on my stamp desk to create this card.  I had the leftover Alcohol Pearl ink glitter cardstock from the dragonfly card I created a few weeks ago sitting on my desk and I decided to use it to cut out the feathers.  I cut out as many as I could, not yet sure of what I would do as a card design.  And then I decided to use them all LOL!

I laid all of the feathers out, face up, along a straight line and then picked them up with Peel 'n Stick plastic wrap.  I added glue to the backs of each feather and then flipped it over on to the front of a white card. 

I will admit that when I bought this die set and got it delivered, I was surprised at how small the feathers were.  I wasn't sure I'd ever use the set.  But I really like how this turned out.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  white from the local print shop; Silver Sparkle Alcohol Ink Cardstock
*Ink:  Alcohol Pearl Inks Tranquil & Intrigue; Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Dies:  Poppy Stamps Dies Tiny Feathers
*Images:  Altenew Weekend Doodles

*CASology #352*

Welcome to another challenge with the CASology Team!  For the next two weeks, we are looking for your cards using your favourite dragonfly images and dies!  Please share your creations with us at the CASology Blog for your chance to become a guest designer for an upcoming challenge!

I love dragonflies... I think they are so very beautiful... and it certainly doesn't hurt that they eat mosquitoes!!!

I started with an alcohol ink background on the Silver Sparkle Alcohol Ink Paper.  Once it was dry, I cut out this beautiful dragonfly from Stampin' Up!  I stamped the sentiment on the bottom right side of the piece and then flicked Lawn Fawn Liquid Stardust mixed with water across the front of the white panel.  I let it try and then used my Perfect Layers Tool to create a 1/16 black mat before putting it on to a white card.  I then added the dragonfly die cut, adhering only the main part of the body and curving up the tail and wings to create a little dimension

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Neenah Solar White; Alcohol Ink Silver Sparkle
*Images:  Stampin' Up Lovely Friends
*Dies:  Stampin' Up Detailed Dragonfly Thinlets
*Ink:  Alcohol Pearls in Tranquil and Intrigue; VersaFine Clair Nocturne
*Tools:  Big Shot, Perfect Layers Tool
*Etc:  Lawn Fawn Liquid Stardust

Please go have a look at what the rest of the design team has created using the DRAGONFLY cue.

Deidre Payne

Jacquie Southas

Janet Ribet 

Jen Wills

Joyce Mehrberg

Karen Haman

Melissa Chipperfield

Milka Gubo

Nancy Elrick  -- you are here

Sue Symens

*A Happy Day*

I created a second Alcohol Pearl background the other day and honestly, I didn't really like it.  The colours muddled together a little too much and it just wasn't right.  I kept looking at it, hating that I could be wasting the Yupo Paper because of it.

I wanted to throw it out....  but I didn't.

And one day, right before I was going to throw it out, I decided to try stamping on the background.  I wasn't sure how the Yupo would take the Memento ink... but it did just fine.  It did take a while to dry so I set it aside for a while before I used the die to cut out the AlteNew Weekend Doodles wreath.

And once it was cut out, I really liked what I had created!  Once again I used that stamp from the MFT Distressed Patterned set and some Twilight Catherine Pooler ink to create a background for the wreath.  I was careful to mask off the inside of the wreath as I knew I wanted to place my sentiment there.  I stamped the sentiment in Midnight Catherine Pooler ink, added a bright blue layer and put it all on to a white card.