*AAA Colourful #26*

Happy Sunday, creative friends... it's time for a new colourboard challenge over at AAA Colourful!  I can't wait to see what colours YOU pull out of this fabulous graphic!

I see sunshine glinting off of what looks like ice bubbles... I used a kraft coloured cardstock as well as a pretty but muted yellow and a deep dark blue.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Soft Saffron

*Stamps:  Studio Katia Birthday Greetings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Paper Rose Studio Alora Layered Butterfly

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up! Soft Waves

*Challenges:  AAA Colourful #26; Just Add Ink #781

*My Favorite Instagram Hop*

 A fun challenge this week for the My Favorite Instagram Hop... we were challenged to CAS another designer that participates in the hop.  We could choose any one of the other players and any of their cards.

I chose this gorgeous card from Kelley.  I was drawn to the butterflies and the pretty stencilled background...

And here is my card, inspired by the one that Kelley made...  I used a similar colour for my stencilling but used a different stencil and only did a portion of my background.  I added some colourful butterflies in almost the same layout as her original card and added a mixed font sentiment like she used.  I also added my most favourite 1/16" black mat around my top layer.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  LDRS My Wish For You
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Salty Ocean, Twisted Citron

*Stencil:  Paper Rose Studio Big Drops
*Washi Tape:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterflies
*Embellishments:  clear drops

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Just Us Girls #812; Inkspirational #362; Just Add Ink #780

*Just One Layer Instagram Hop*

 The theme for this months Just One Layer Instagram Hop is paste...  I only have one paste in my stash but I was able to make it work!  

I started by using a layering stencil and inks on my card front.  I left one of the layers until the end and used some Stencil Butter with that layer instead of ink.  Once it was dry, I stamped my sentiment directly on to the card front.

Card Info

*Stamps:  MFT Something for Everything

*Ink: Versafine Clair Nocturne; Catherine Pooler Samba, All That Jazz, Grape Crush, Mardi Gras

*Stencil:  MFT Flower Fusion

*Embellishments:  TCW Pearl White Stardust Butter

*Challenges:  Just Us Girls #812; Inkspirational #362; Just Add Ink #780

 

*This or That Instagram Hop*

 As soon as I saw the choices for the This or That Instagram Hop for this week, I knew what I wanted to do!  For this week, it's "no words" or "only words".  I chose an only words theme for my card.

I started with a stitched rectangle layer and cut a bunch of the letters to create the word JOY several times over.  In fact, I layered each of the letters in white twice, except the centre word that I layered in gold instead.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Bazill gold mirror

*Dies:  MFT Stiched Rectangles, Filled With Joy

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink #774

*CAS Colours & Sketches #574*

 The current challenge at CAS Colours & Sketches is a sketch... 

I decided to go super clean and simple with my card using this sketch.  I dug out this gorgeous ornament flourish die and cut it out of gold mirror cardstock.  I added a matted layer (because that's just my style) and a simple sentiment.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Bazzil gold mirror; Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Paper Trey Ink Signature Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Birch Press Laskett Ornament

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  CAS Colours & Sketches #574; Just Add Ink #774

*The Most Wonderful Time of the Year*

 This is another of the cards I created this past weekend when I had no design team commitments to work on...  once again following the sketch at Just Add Ink!

Card Info

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

*Paper:  DCWV Dec 25th

*Stamps:  Kraftin' Kimmie Magic of Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Vintage Layered Ornaments

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink #773

*Time to Play*

 I've had a lot of creative time lately, but not a lot of time to just play with other challenges or my own ideas.  I've been busy with all of my design team obligations.  Last weekend, I finished off all of my design team creations for November so I have some time on my hands to just create this weekend.  I needed to get ahead of the curve because we have new windows being installed in our house later this week and at some point (Tuesday or Wednesday) I will have to move everything from near the window in my craft room... and lord knows how long it will take me to get things back together.

So yesterday was a day off for me (I get one Saturday off a month) and after running a few errands (and before heading to the pub to watch my football team win the Western Final), I created a few cards...

Today I am sharing one that I'm entering in to the challenges at Just Add Ink and Inkspirational.

Card Info

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Paper:  Photoplay Tulla & Norbert's Christmas Party

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up!

*Dies;  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Tools:  Brother Scan 'n Cut

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink #773; Inkspirational #354

*Addicted to CAS #278*

 There's a new clean and simple challenge over at Addicted to CAS.  We want to see what you can create with stencils!  Remember to keep it clean and simple!

I had a few ideas in my head and the one I first worked with didn't work out the way I was hoping... so I pivoted and cut out some hexagon shapes from the stencilled panel to create this card.  The middle hexagon is popped up on foam adhesive to create a little more interest.

Card Info

*Stamps:  Gina K Mini Fancy Greetings

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

*Dies:  Scrapbook.com Nested Hexagons

*Stencil:  Paper Rose Studio Big Drops

*Challenges:  Addicted to CAS #278: Inkspirational #336; Just Add Ink #741

*Just Add Ink #738*

 I spent this afternoon crafting with a couple of my friends.  I was successful in that I created 5 cards... but I couldn't finish them because I managed to not pack my black ink pad.  As soon as I got home I added my sentiments to the five cards I made.

The last card I made is the one I am sharing with you today...  following the sketch at Just Add Ink.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Washi Tape: Pinkfresh Studio Fluttering Butterlies

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

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink#738; AAACards #284

*Just Add Ink #727*

 I am just LOVING making Christmas cards.  I'm pretty sure I have more than I need, but it's always good to have extras on hand.  For my card today, I followed the sketch at Just Add Ink.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Handsome Hunter, Cherry Cobbler; Spellbinders gold foil

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Tidings of Christmas

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Christmas Blooms; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink# #727

*Just Add Ink #723*

 It's a holiday here in Canada today (Thanksgiving Weekend), so I am in my craft room trying to be creative.  I wanted to play along with the challenge at Just Add Ink where you have to choose two of three things to put on your card...  As you can see from the graphic below, it was trees, ink blending and circle.  I went for trees on a circle... and another Christmas card!

Card Info

*Paper:  unknown gold sparkle

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

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday; Waffle Flower Nesting Circles

*Embossing:  Sizzix Tree Pattern

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink #723

*Two Challenges, One Card*

 I had a completely different idea in my head for a card to follow the current challenge at Freshly Made Sketches as well as using the "add a rainbow" challenge at Just Add Ink.  I had all the elements ready and I could not, for the life of me, make it work the way I saw it in my head.  So I scrapped all but one of the elements and went to work again...  and this is what I came up with.

Card Info

*Stamps:  Hunkydory Elegant Sentiments - Lovely Wishes
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up! Brick & Mortar

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses; Hunkydory Elegant Sentiments - Lovely Wishes

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  Freshly Made Sketches #654; Just Add Ink #720

*Just Add Ink #716*

 I was away from my craft desk all day yesterday but with my car in the shop today, I have some free time today... tomorrow I am back to running around again.  I saw the challenge at Just Add Ink and wanted to play along.  I tried a few different things to create some stripes, but nothing was quite what I had hoped.  I then just did some soft blue and white strips of cardstock on a panel... If you look at the graphic at the bottom of the post, you'll find the challenge graphic... I was inspired by the blue and white stripes (the stairs) and the flowers along the side of the steps.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown blue

*Stamps:  Moonstone by Hunkydory Elegant Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses

*Dies: Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses, Slim Strips; Moonstone by Hunkydory Elegant Sentiments

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink#716

*More Christmas in July*

I was inspired to play a little more with my Christmas supplies this past weekend while avoiding the extreme heat outside.  I am so thankful for air conditioning!  

I truly do LOVE making Christmas cards, and up until a few years ago I left all of my favourite supplies alone for about 10 months of the year.  It has been so much fun making a few each month instead!

Card Information

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Christmas Blessings

*Images:  Simon Says Stamp Christmas Blessings
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Catherine Pooler Jolly Trees; Simon Says Stamp Christmas Blessings

*Embossing:  Gina K Holiday Flora

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink #711; The Color Hues Challenge #91; BYSHC Christmas in July

  

*Just Add Ink #707*

I loved the sketch at Just Add Ink this week and thankfully had a little inspiration to play along with it.  I'm sure you're sick of seeing all of the butterflies and flowers... but I did reach in to my bin of extras to create this card.  The floral piece is the other half of the wreath I used on the card I shared earlier today.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Images:  Honeybee Stamps Best of Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Washi:  Pinkfresh Studio Rainbow Daisies

*Hot Foil Plate:  Pinkfresh Studio Small Butterflies, solid plate

*Foil:  Spellbinders Auro

*Dies:  Spellbinders Small Butterflies, Rainbow Daisies; Honeybee Stamps Best of Everything

*Embossing:  Lisa Horton Crafts Layered Bubbles

*Tools: Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink #707

*Blue & White Stripes*

 I came across the current challenge at Just Add Ink this morning and knew I wanted to play along.  I love the look of blue and white stripes.  I pulled out my stencils and decided on this one to play with with a brilliant blue ink...

Card Info

*Images:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink:  Catherine Pooler Suede Shoes; Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Be Bold Blooms; The Ton Easy Expressions
*Stencils:  A Colourful Life Striped Waves

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink#706

*Just Add Ink #698*

 I am back with a second post today... with a card I am IN LOVE with!  I made this card yesterday when two of my creative friends came over to play in my craft room for a few hours.  I bought this die set on Saturday and decided to play with it yesterday... and it goes perfectly with the current challenge at Just Add Ink!  I feel like the colours I chose lend themselves to something like a sympathy card... soft and muted.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Soft Succulent

*Images:  The Ton Easy Expressions

*Ink:  Catherine Pooler Stone Blue, Skylight

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions; Spellbinders Be Bold Blooms

*Embellishments:  Pink & Main Rainbow Pearls

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink #698

*You Bring a Smile to My Face*

 I am so happy that so many companies are now doing pretty sentiment stamps with matching dies...  I love to be able to cut out a sentiment in something other than a simple banner...  these stamps from Honey Bee are fabulous (even if a few of them aren't to my taste, the majority of them are awesome!)

My card today is using the current sketch over at Just Add Ink... and I managed to use up four pieces that were in my "bin of extras".  The only thing that wasn't in there was my die cut sentiment!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Granny Apple Green

*Images  Honey Bee Stamps Best of Everything

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Nesting Circles; Honey Bee Best of Everything; Pink Fresh Studio Rainbow Daisies

*Etc:  Pink Fresh Studio Rainbow Daisies Washi Tape

*Tools:  ScorBuddy

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink #692