Red, White and Blue CAS Kitties!

I didn't have a chance to make a 4th of July card - it's been a crazy summer thus far! But, I got this cute die from Simon Says Stamps and I just had to use it; what better way to show some {a wee bit late} patriotism? Plus, seeing SO many Red, White & Blue challenges, I just HAD to whip something up and enter in all the fun!

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Card Base
Red, White & Blue paper
Simon Says Stamp Kitty Cat Die, #S470
Trinity Stamps, Lady Liberty
Versamark Pad
Simon Says Stamp Fine White Detail Embossing Powder
Dimensional Dots

Once I had cut all the cats, I glued them together.  I then inked up my

sentiment with VersaMark ink and embossed it with white embossing powder directly onto my Kraft card base.  I attached the kitties to the card with dimensional dots and that's it! A super easy CAS card in red, white and blue!

Thanks for stopping by for this easy tutorial! I hope you are staying cool and hydrated, this heat is crazy! We are breaking all kinds of records here in Colorado; unfortunately, one of them is for the biggest forest fire the state has ever seen.  Stay alert and be careful out there! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Red, White & Blue Kitties in the following challenges:
Cute 'n Crafty - #4, 4th of July
Crafting with Dragonflies - #108, Animal
DL ART Thankful Thursday - #231, Red, White & Blue
Addicted to Stamps - #299,  CAS
Craftaholics R Us - #27, Any Holiday Cards
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Red, White & Blue

Crafty Gals Corner - #169, Red, White & Blue
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #16, Anything Goes w/ a Critter
Eclectic Ellapu - M, Red, White & Blue
Just For Fun Rubber Stamps - M, July Color Challenge - Red, White and Blue
Happy Little Stampers - M, Anything Goes with Dies
Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge - M, Animals
Sunny Day Crafting - #26, Animals
SUYP - M, #32, Anything Goes with Cats

 

Pets or Animals at Die Cut Diva's

Hello, fellow die lovers!  Have you entered the current challenge at Die Cut Diva's yet?  This month's challenge is Pets or Animals and we are sponsored by the fabulous Frantic Stamper!  They are offering an adorable prize, worth $20!

I decided to use a Frantic Stamper die that I already owned to make this card:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Pink Paper
Frantic Stamper Floral Frame & Hummingbirds, #FRA-DIE-10412
Oxide Inks
Impression Obsession Love Die, #DIE385-B
Wood Heart {you could use this one}
VersaMark Pad 
Hero Arts Pink Prisma Embossing Powder {from My Monthly Hero Kit, Jan. 2018. But any of these pink embossing powders would work}
3 mm Pink Crystals {I got these from online, looking at the Nail Art section!}

The first step to making this card was gathering all my pink, purple, and red Oxide Inks plus a piece of watercolor paper to make the floral frame.  I just worked the colors until I was happy; layering them, spritzing them, adding more color, subtracting color, and I didn't write down the colors I used.  If you have any Oxide inks then you are familiar with the process - if you don't have any Oxide inks, what are you waiting for?!?  Once the paper was fully dry {this is very important - it is disastrous trying to die cut wet, or even slightly damp, paper - trust me!}, I cut out the frame.

Then I cut the hummingbirds out of white card and attached little pink gems for their eyes {as I said above, I got these from the Nail Art Supply section of an online retailer - I got 10 different colors, all divided up in a container similar to a weekly medicine holder, for less than $5!} and set them aside to dry.  

Meanwhile, I chose a wooden heart from my stash and began embossing it with VersaMark ink and pink embossing powder.  I think I embossed it at least 10 times; I didn't want any of the wood to show through.  I actually worked on the

heart for two days, obviously taking many breaks along the way.  I had a scrap piece of paper floating around on my desk from this project and, frankly, I was at the point where it needed to be used or thrown out.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that the shimmer on the scrap matched the shimmer on the heart really well.  So I cut the word love from that paper and attached it {draped it?} over my wooden heart.  The heart was glued onto the card, as were the hummingbirds and there you have it!

Looking at this write up it makes it appear that there was a lot of work involved making this card, but the construction went smoothly and it didn't seem as labor intensive as this tutorial sounds.  I wanted to stretch myself and NOT use cats on the card - trust me, they are my go-to, as many of you may know - and it was fun to think outside the litter box!  I hope you can find some time to enter the Pets or Animals challenge at Die Cut Diva's because you can't win if you don't play!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Floral Hummingbirds Card in the following challenges:
Die Cuttin' Divas - #374, Heat Embossing 
Shopping Our Stash - #359, She's a Crafting Machine {used Big Shot & Heat Gun}
Back to Basics - #5, Heat Embossing
Sunny Day Crafting - #25, Any Animal 
Happy Little Stampers - (M) Anything Goes with Dies

There's a Cat in the Tub?

This is my first post for the Die Cut Divas Design Team and I want to thank the entire team for the wonderfully warm welcome!  If this is your first time here, or your 100th, I invite you sit, take a break, and hopefully have some fun! 

This month's challenge is sponsored by Frantic Stamper and the theme is Animals/Pets.  Should be an easy one; most of us have SOME sort of animal die and I have been thoroughly enjoying your makes thus far in the challenge.  You do want to join in {you have about two more weeks} because this is the fabulous prize you can win:

Worth $20!!

As some of you may know, I have the Fabulous Feline Five; four males and one chubby, short black girl.  Mew is my baby and I knew when I found out the theme I had the purrfect card to make.  See, Mew likes to use our tub as a gym.  Actually, closer to a skateboard ramp.  She throws herself around the tub (sometimes she does it SO hard I am positive she's hurt herself, but she loves it!), talks and purrs and generally has a great time, to the point we were actually discussing having just a shower stall put in but that idea was nixed.  After all, what would Mew do?  Anyway, here is my card:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Watercolor Paper
Zig Clean Color Markers 
Lawn Fawn Meow You Doin' Stamp set, #LF1315
Lawn Fawn Meow You Doin' Die set, #LF1316 
Lawn Fawn Rub-a-Dub-Dub Stamp set, #LF1583
Lawn Fawn Rub-a-Dub-Dub Die set, #LF1584
Lawn Fawn Slide on Over Circles, #LF1382
KasierCraft Paper Pad, Misty Mountains, 6.5" x 6.5", #PP1040
Alcohol Markers, Spectrum Noir, BT1 & BT2
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink in Watering Can
Foam Tape, white
Darice 5mm Crystal Clear Sequins, #10043-8

I have a confession - this is my very first interactive card ever.  I recently purchased the Slide On Over Circles die set, watched the Lawn Fawn Video, and gave it a try.  I definitely would change things a bit the next time I make one of these cards but, all in all, it was a lot of fun!  

I began this card by stamping all the kitties with Jet Black ink on some watercolor paper.  Then I colored them with Zig Clean Color Markers (I just got the 90 color pack - my gift to me for my birthday!), let them completely dry, and cut them out with the matching dies.  Secondly, I stamped all the bubbles, and the bathtub with Watering Can ink (I found black to be too harsh for the outline); colored them with Spectrum Noir #BT1 and highlighted with #BT2.  Please be kind, I am still very, very new working with alcohol inks!  Once the bubbles were dry, I cut them out as well.

Another Look

Then I took the background paper and used the smallest Slide On Over Circle die and used that to make my interactive element.  I am not going to go into how I made the card since Lawn Fawn has a wonderfully easy video on how to construct this type of card and if you'd like to learn how I made it, I highly suggest going to the video.  This is the second time I've made this type of card and this one went together MUCH easier than the first; I guess practice does make perfect!

Lastly, I stamped the sentiment on white card and mounted it on some pink card, to give the illusion of a picture hanging on the bathroom wall (I am waiting for the Lawn Fawn Mini Picture Frames Die set to get here - they would have been purrfect!!) and my card was done.  

Thank you for stopping by my blog today and I'll be back on the 25th of this month with another project for this month's Die Cut Divas challenge.  In the meantime, why don't you whip up a project with an animal or pet in it and join in the fun at Die Cut Divas? I hope to see you there!  Oh, one more reminder, there are about two more weeks to enter my giveaway, check out all the details here - who knows, you might win! Thanks SO much, Christi

I am entering my There's a Cat in the Tub? Card in the following challenges:
Crafty Animals - #15 Anything Goes with an Animal
Happy Little Stampers - Anything Goes with Dies {entry 2}
2 Crafty Crazy Critters - #15, Anything Goes with a Critter 
Creative with Stamps - #27, Cute Animals
Art Impressions - #234, Odd Animals {it is odd for a cat to bathe in the tub!}
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Animal Crackers

Dreaming of You

A while back I posted a card made with a Memory Box die that had these adorable bunnies and I spoke about buying the sheep at the same time.  Now, I KNEW I had made a card with the sheep; they are just too cute to keep filed away.  Today I finally found the card that I knew I'd made! I'm happy I found the card; not so happy that I forgot about it! 

What I Used to Make this Card:
White Card Base
Memory Box Leaping Sheep Die, #99903
VersaFine Ink in Onyx Black
Silver Shimmer Card
Silver Glitter Card
My Monthly Hero, August of 2017, for sentiment and clouds
Die-Namics Stitched Oval STAX, #MFT-521
White Card
Black Card

I knew exactly how I was going to use these sheep, but before I settled on which ones I was going to use I cut out a bazillion, like I typically do.  In addition to this sheep, there is one that is smaller.  I made brown sheep, beige sheep, and even black sheep - in both sizes.  That was wonderful until one of my darling fur babies got into the stash and tipped it over.  All over.  Needless to say, a sheep herder I am not.  I'm STILL finding them and this was over 2 months ago.  Happily, I had set aside these four already, so the damage wasn't too great.

Another Peek

Having my sheep done, I chose a dark grey for the night sky, silver card for the moon, silver glitter card for the large star, some white puffy clouds, and a few sequin silver stars.  I used the Hero Arts My Monthly Hero kit from August, 2017 for the moon, large star, clouds, and the sentiment.  I cut the sentiment using one of the stitched oval stax dies.  Once I had the placement down, the card made itself.  In retrospect, a few of the sheep just might be looking a tad too high, but I still think it's a cute card.

I hope you like this card as much as I do - it's a bit different than what I typically make, but I have SO many other ideas.  Wouldn't these sheep be darling on a baby shower card? I can see them frolicking in the snow for a winter themed card, perhaps meeting up with the bunnies.  I could go on and on but I won't.  Thank you for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon! Christi 

PS: My giveaway will be closing on June 30, 2018 - it is open internationally and you can get all the details here. Good Luck!

I am entering my Dreaming of You card in the following challenges:
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - M, Anything Goes with a Critter
a to z Scrapbooking - M, Monochrome
Creative with Stamps - M, Cute Animals
Happy Little Stampers - M, Anything Goes w/ Die Cuts
Get Creative Challenge - M, Monochrome
Path of Positivity - #60 - M, Anything Goes w/ specified color {neutrals}
Monochrome Magic - #11, Monochrome {entry 2}
Art Impressions - Odd Animals
Inspiration Destination - #152, Anything Goes, and Use a REAL Stamp
Stars Stampz - Monochrome

Prison Orange ~2018 Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop

I am frantically making cards for the 2018 Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop - so far, out of the few I've made, this is one of my favorites.

What I Used to Make my Card
White Card Base
Bird Crazy Stamps & Dies {already colored & cut}
Clean Color Markers
Riley & Co. Coffee. Because Prison. . .#RWD-544
Wendy Vecchi Mini Brick Stencil, #WVSFA053
VersaFine Onyx Black
Googly Eyes
Distress Ink in Hickory Smoke

This was an easy card.  I already had my bird ready to go, complete with her googly eyes.  I colored her with Clean Color Brush Markers.  I ripped a piece of scrap paper {making sure it was big enough for me to add my sentiment} and

stenciled all around it with the Distress Ink using the Bricks stencil.

Another Look

Then I stamped my sentiment and added my bird.  I love that this card was so easy to make and at the same time makes me giggle!  You know how I love my snarky sentiments!

Thanks so much for popping by! While you're here, I'd love for you to join my giveaway, you can get all the details here.  I am finding more and more good stuff to add to my package and I promise you won't be disappointed!  Hugs!  Christi


I am entering my card in the following challenges:
2018 Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop
Crop Stop - M, Anything Goes
CuttleBug Mania - Butterflies and Birds
The Artistic Stamper - M, Backgrounds
Country View Challenges - M, Be Humorous, entry #2
Dies R Us - #97, Birds
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - I is for Inky

I'm One Break-Up Away. . .

*** Looking for the GIVEAWAY post? Click HERE

I was putting away some of my older wood mounted stamps and I came across the sentiment.  I'd forgotten I even had it, but that happens when you have so many stamps!  I finished my cleaning up and sat down at my desk to make this card.  It was a super quick process and I hope you enjoy my little tutorial.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Mama Elephant The Cat's Meow stamps
Mama Elephant The Cat's Meow dies
Prismacolor Pencils
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Hampton Art Sentiment, #PS0781, dated 2006!! {retired but available}
MISTI

Since the sentiment was wood mounted, and I am very experienced at messing up wood mounted stamping {and throwing away TONS of mistakes}, I decided to unmount the stamp.  The process literally took me longer than anything else.  I know there are videos and tutorials on how to properly unmount your stamps, but I just ended up pulling the stamp off the wood and picking off the foam.

Another Peek

  Not recommended and next time I will do it the right way!  The stamp is retired {it was made in 2013! I'm sure I snagged it in a discount bin} but I did a search for it and found a few sellers on various sites. 

Once I was done fighting unmounting the stamp, I set it aside and went to work on the cats.  I used my MISTI and stamped them right on the card; very daring of me but I am trying to become better at one layer cards so risks must be taken.  I then colored them in with my Prismacolor pencils.  Once that was done, I stamped the sentiment directly on the card and I was done!  I guess there is something to be said about these one layer wonders.

I hope my card inspires you to get out some of your older stamps and breathe some new life into them.  Thanks for reading my rant; I appreciate your visit and comments. - Fondly, Christi

I am entering my I'm One Break-Up Away Card in the following challenges:
Crafty Animals - #14, M, Anything Goes w/ an Animal
The House that Stamps Built - #52, Single Layer Cards
SUYP - M, Anything Goes w/ a Cat
Fashionable Stamping - #134, Animals {entry 3}
Crafty Friends Challenge - Animals
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Animal Magic
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - M, Anything Goes w/ an Animal
Country View Challenges - M, Be Humorous
Tuesday Throwdown - #390, Critter Crazy 
As You Like It - Favorite Animal & Why {I love cats - and have five of them! They have such amazing personalities and I love how they can be so calm and then act crazy in the next second - here are my furbabies}

I'm Here Fur You

This card was actually made back in the summer but I completely forgot about it! Lucky for you, my dear reader, I found it.  My set was originally an add-on to the My Monthly Hero Kit of February 2017, but you can now buy both pieces outside of the kit!! 

What I Used to Make my Card:
Purple Card Base
White Card {for base and stamping/cutting the cats)
Hero Arts It's Raining Cats and Dogs Stamp Set, #CM151
Hero Arts Raining Cats and Dogs Die Set, #DI369
Oxide Inks in Broken China, Cracked Pistachio & Wilted Violet
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Spellbinders Nestabilities Curved Rectangles, #S5-006 {discontinued}
Dimensional Dots
MISTI

I started this card by trimming a white panel down 1/4" on all sides, then I stamped the raindrops all over the panel using the Oxide Inks.  While I waited for the ink to fully dry, I stamped the kitties on a white scrap using black ink, then cut them out.  Setting them aside, I stamped my sentiment (using the Wilted Violet Oxide Ink) on another piece of white card and cut it out with the Spellbinders die.

All that is left at this point is assembling the card.  I attached the kitties, three on each side of where the sentiment was going to be, in various tumbling

Another Peek

poses.  Lastly, I used a dimensional dot to adhere the sentiment to the center of the card.  

I love the colors of this card and how well they coordinate, and since we are entering the rainy {snow} season, how appropriate is this card? You could send it to someone under the weather {ha ha}, someone having a tough time, or just to let someone know you have their back.  I am planning a giveaway and in a few weeks I will be posting the rules and such; and I already know one of the rules will be you have to be a follower of my blog, so why not just subscribe now? If you do subscribe, please leave me a message with your info so I may follow you back! Have a wonderful day, Christi

I am adding my Here Fur You card to the following challenges:
Die Cut Divas - M, Anything Goes
Love to Scrap Challenge Blog - #108, April Showers Bring May Flowers
Sparkles Form Challenge - #103, The Weather
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Cardz for Galz - #70, April Showers
Double D Challenges - Friendship
Dragonfly Journeys - #116, April Showers Bring May Flowers

Be Pawsitive!

I wanted to enter the 3D challenge at Lawn Fawnatics {#27} since I saw it, but things have been pretty hectic {I hate it when life gets in the way of my crafting} and I have just now gotten the card done.  Without further ado, I present my Be Pawsitive Shadow Box Card:

What I Used to Make My Card:

Momento Ink in Tuxedo Black

Light Blue Card {for the box}

Brown Card {for the hills}

Lawn Fawn Meow You Doin' Stamps, #LF1315

Lawn Fawn Meow You Doin' Dies, #LF1316

Lawn Fawn Shadow Box Card Die, #LF1486

Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils

Water Color Paper

Die-Namics Stitched Fishtail Sentiment Strips  

Lawn Fawn Really Rainbow 6 x 6 Paper, #LF1655

Strip of Acetate

Now, there is a wonderful video on how to make these adorable little cards, so I am not going to waste your time explaining how it was made; if you really want to see step by step, check out my "It's Written in the Stars" post.  I literally  offer photo step by step instructions on making a shadow box card. 

 

Once I had the box constructed, I realized my die cut machine had incorrectly cut the sides of the box.  At first, I was just going to trash the box and begin again, but I really didn't want to waste the cardstock so I got a bit creative.  Using some pieces of the Really Rainbow paper, I just attached them to the sides to hide the cuts and to give the box some strength.  It worked so well I decided to add some same color panels on the sides as well.  Creativity strikes again! You can see the add-on's I made in the pics above.

Ignore the spikey thing - it still folds!

Now, when it came to assembling the inside of the box, I used some kitties that I had already colored  and cut; all I needed to do was stamp and cut the ball of yarn and the mouse. I thought it would be really cute, as well as add some interest, to have the ball floating above the cat as if the cat was playing with it, so I glued the yarn onto a small strip of acetate and attached that to the cat.  

Another peek

Lastly, I stamped the sentiment and cut it out using the fishtail banner, attached that to the front, and my card was done. I think that it is SO cool that the card folds down to fit into an A2 sized envelope!  I am very pleased with how this card came out and I have one other type of 3D card to enter into this challenge, if I can get it done in time!  I'll be trying it for the first time.  Thanks SO much for your visit & I hope to see you again soon!  Fondly, Christi


I am entering my Be Pawsitive card in the following challenges:
Lawn Fawnatics - #27, 3D cards
Fashionable Stamping - #134, Animals
Crafting with Dragonflies - #102, Cards using Dies and/or Punches
Fussy & Fancy - #210, Add a Die Cut
Die Cuttin' Divas - M, Anything Goes
Creatalicious Challenges - M, Anything Goes w/ Option of Die Cuts

Have a Wonderful Time

One of my best friends is taking a trip for a few days {literally 4 days} and I, along with the Man, will be house/dog/cat sitting while he is gone.  It's going to be a hectic week, {made 100% more hectic because I took a tumble off one of those invisible curbs on Monday & cracked a rib!} but he'll be back sooner than later.  However, this is the first time he is leaving his home and his animals, and he's losing his mind with worry {he's a worrier anyway, one of those people who worries about Christmas in July.  I don't get it.}  I thought a little card for him to open on the plane would ease his mind. UPDATE - he's home, had a blast, Lily {the cat} & Bear {the dog} missed him terribly :)

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Unbranded Frame, Cat & Dog Die
Cat Punch {over 15 years old!}
Hero Arts Stamp & Cut, Wonderful, #DC214
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Gelly Roll White Ink Pen, #10
Scrap Paper

Now, I know there are some of you who detest unbranded dies.  Personally, I've nothing against them until they start to try copying copyrighted material.  I say "try" because I see lots of mistakes in the pirated dies.  I won't buy them, but that's just a personal choice.  I only buy the unbranded dies in designs I've never seen available in branded dies.  If I've posted something created with an unbranded die and you know of an exact branded match, please let me know!  Now that the yucky stuff is out of the way, let's get on with the card.

I started with cutting the paws and bone frame out of dark brown card, and one of three dogs that came with the frame.  I colored the front leg/paw of the dog

Another Look

white because Bear, his dog, has a white leg.  His cat, Lily, is a beautiful little gray kitty and I used an ancient punch for her.  I attached the frame and the animals to the white card base and when it was dry, I stamped the sentiment on the very top of the card.  Then I stamped the "wonderful" on white card, cut it out, and attached it to the card.  I didn't have very much time, but I think I did a nice job.

Thank you for visiting, I appreciate every one who does.  I also read every comment.  Hope you are having a wonderful day! ~Christi

I am entering my Have a Wonderful Time card in the following challenges:
Cardz 4 Guyz - #192, Travel or Transport {hope this counts!!}
Back to Basics and Beyond - #1, Matting and Layering {also, DT tryout}
Double D Challenges - M, Friendship
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - M, Anything Goes w/ a Critter {or 2}
A Perfect Time to Craft - M, Always Anything Goes
Creatalicious Challenge - #137, Anything Goes, Option: Use Dies and/or Punches
Cut it Up - #146, Bugs and/or Critters
TGIF Challenges - #156, Because Kindness Matters {this is actually a RAK, since it's from his cat & dog, not from me}
Creative Friday - #203, For a Boy/Man

Challenge Graphics

TGIF Challenges

Double D Challenges

Happy Spring Kitty

While the weather here in Colorado keeps changing, I know by the calendar that any minute spring will be upon us! And it is with that thought in mind that I created this cute little kitty card to wish you a Happy Spring.  

I came across this cat image, already colored, in my stash and decided it was time to let her out to play!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Violet Crush Paper Pack by KaiserCraft {discontinued but available}
Penny Black stamps, Purrfect Day, #30-027 {discontinued?}
Lawn Fawn stamps, Easter Party, #LF1589
Hero Arts Ink in Amethyst
Various shades of purple card, stash
Die-Versions Whispers Stitched Nesting Squares, #DV-572 {discontinued?}
Tutti Cross Stitched Nesting Rectangles, #TUTTI-410
Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils
Homemade Dots (Perler Beads)
MISTI

As I said, this little kitty was already colored; thankfully I actually recall doing it with my Inktense Pencils {but it was over a year ago - in fact, the image is so old I think it's discontinued!}.  I just cut the image out with the Die-Versions die and set it aside.

After deciding I was going to focus on the color purple, I rummaged through the Violet Crush paper pack and chose a few lightly patterned papers to add to the card.  I also went through my papers stash and picked out some matching purple solid cardstock and ran all the papers through my Big Shot using the Tutti Die to add some interest.

I stamped the sentiment (from the Lawn Fawn Easter Party set) using Amethyst ink onto one of the solid purple cardstock pieces and attached all the background pieces to the white card base.  The kitty image became the center of the card and I

Another look

added some homemade plastic dots to give the card a little touch of extra color.  That's it - I'm tickled with how the card came out and I can't wait to share it with my friend.

The card came together as I wanted it and I'm glad I finally used the image.  I'm slowly working on getting my backlog of colored images used; you'll see at least a few more cards coming up where I've finally found good matches for the images.  It's funny, I can pre-color a bunch of images, keep them for the longest time, and suddenly the perfect card comes along and one of those images is just the thing that I need.  I love it when stuff comes together like that!  I hope your weather is turning season appropriate for wherever you are ~ thanks SO much for stopping by! Christi

I am entering my Happy Spring Kitty card in the following challenges:
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes 
Dies R Us Challenge - #94, Anything Goes
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #13, Anything with a Critter Goes
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - #133, Springtime
Sweet Stampers Challenge - #18, Spring
Craftaholics R Us - #13, Enamel Dots {hopefully my homemade dots count!}
Retro Rubber Challenge - #83, Anything Goes {my PB Kitty image is OLD!}
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Everybody Art Challenge - #422, Spring

Celebrating Janis' 60th Birthday! {week 1 - All Those Cats}

Janis, from Her Peaceful Garden, and I met back when she had her first Cat Lovers Blog Hop {here is the link for the 2017 hop} - she is a cat lover, as I am, and she is owned by about 13 cats; both feral and house cats.  We've become friends over the years and I adore her.  When she began talking about her birthday and how she wanted to do ATC's for her online celebration, I was so happy! I LOVE ATC's and used to participate in many swaps online.  I hope this little party of Janis' encourages ATC's to make a comeback.  

What are ATC's? ATC stands for Artist Trading Cards.  There are no requirements to make them {unless you are participating in a swap, or, in this case, Janis' first theme: All Those Cats} EXCEPT they must be 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", the same size as a standard playing card or trading card.


I'm not going to go into detail about how I made each one; it's fairly self explanatory but, if you have any questions, just ask! 

I try to use scrap papers to make my ATCs - here is a picture of my scrap bin {I only put small snippets in it} just to give you an idea of how small the pieces for your ATC can be. There is a picture of the side of my little bin, and then the bottom.  I save more than I can ever use, but it comes in VERY handy!





Here are my four ATCs for week one of Janis' birthday party:

Paw Prints

What I Used to Make my Paw Prints ATC:
Heavy White Card, cut into ATC size
Snips & scraps of various pink & purple papers 
Penny Black, Nine Lives Set, #30-050
Stampendous, Cat Sayings, #SSC1222
Small Heart Punch
Hero Arts Ink in Pink Tourmaline, Ruby & Amethyst                       

 Balloon Kitty

What I Used to Make my Balloon Cat ATC:
Heavy White Card, cut into ATC size
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Penny Black, Purrfect Day, #30-027 {discontinued but available}
Unknown Coloring {colored this image AGES ago}
DCWV, Tie Dye Stack {discontinued but available}
Distress Marker in Broken China

Sneaky Kitties

The Mama Elephant "The Cat's Meow" stamp and die are MUCH longer than an
ATC.  In fact, it's called "Crowd of Cats" and according to the ME website, it measures 5 3/4" x 2".  In order to make this ATC and the Meow ATC, I cut the image down into two separate groups of cats, then added single cats in places. Also, I colored the kitties with whimsical colors - I figured why not and I need a break from trying to color them realistically.  This goes for both of the Mama Elephant ATCs.  

What I Used to Make my Sneaky Cats ATC:
Heavy White Card, cut into ATC size
Mama Elephant, The Cat's Meow, stamps
Mama Elephant, The Cat's Meow, Creative Cuts Dies
Detail Water Brush
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Clean Color Markers
Watercolor Paper
Palm Frond Punch
Various Green Paper

Meow

I needed a break from using realistic cat colors, so these kitties are colored fancifully.  I cut down some dimensional dots and dotted the birthday hat, the blue balloon, and the meow sign but you can't really tell in this picture. I also added some single cats to round out the group.

What I Used to Make my Meow ATC:
Heavy White Card, cut into ATC size
Mama Elephant, The Cat's Meow, stamps
Mama Elephant, The Cat's Meow, Creative Cuts Dies
Detail Water Brush
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Clean Color Markers
Watercolor Paper
Dimensional Dots
Washi Tape in Glitter Purple

Finally, here is a picture of all four together.

I hope you enjoyed my ATCs.  I really have a great time making them and going through my snippet box to see what inspires me.  My favorite is the meow ATC - which one is yours? Thanks SO much for your visit and I hope you come back soon! ~Christi

I would like to enter all four of my creations in the following challenges -
Her Peaceful Garden Birthday Celebration - Wk 1, All Those Cats
Addicted to CAS - #130, Cat {At least 2 of my ATCs are CAS}
Crafting with Friends - M, #61, Anything Goes
The Outlaws - Twisted Thursday - Twist: Fur {lots of virtual fur here!}
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - M, Anything Goes w/ a Critter
Fairy-Tale Challenge - Use Mini Stamps {The 2 ATCs using ME are Mini Stamps}
SUYP - M, Anything Goes and/or LOVE