Week 2 {And The Chickens} of Janis' Birthday Celebration!

You can read all about Janis' birthday celebration here and see my week one All Those Cats ATCs here.  If you missed week 1, no worries as you have ALL month to whip up some ATCs and enter! Yeah, I went a tad crazy with the cats and entered four - you can see my post here.

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' second theme is And The Chickens} EXCEPT they must be 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", the same size as a standard playing card or trading card.

For this week, Janis choose All Those Chickens. Sense a theme here? Anyway, this one had me seriously brainstorming.  I have NO chicken stamps, no chicken paper, no chicken anything. Then the light bulb went off - I do have roosters! Aren't they technically chickens?!?  I'm not sure, but I am sure that Janis will adore my ATC.

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! 

Never Dull Your Sparkle

What I Used to make my Rooster ATC:
DCWV Tie Dye Stack {discontinued but available}
Darice Clouds Embossing Folder, #1217-53
Lawn Fawn Grassy Border Die, #LF613
Dresden Roosters {red foil & white paper}
Computer Generated Saying 
Stash 

Once I found the chicken roosters, the hardest part was deciding what font to use for the sentiment.  I'm sort of a font junkie and I have entirely too many.  I ended up using Fontdinerdotcom Sparkly, but it took me about two days to decide! Oh well - I think I chose the perfect font for this ATC. 

I hope you join the birthday celebration over at Her Peaceful Garden; get out those scraps and make some ATCs! They really are addicting and I think limiting yourself to the tiny canvas stretches your creativeness.  I appreciate your stopping by and stay tuned for more fabulous ATCs. Thanks! Christi

I am entering my And The Chickens ATC in the following challenges:
Her Peaceful Garden - And The Chickens
Pixies Crafty Workshop - #320, Use Snippets
A Bit More Time to Craft - #62, Anything Goes
Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations - #360, Anything Goes

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

Playing with Oxide Inks #2, Happy Birthday!

I know I have been missing a bit from Blogland - I had foot surgery done and have to wear this walking boot. For the first week I was literally on my couch taking advantage of the nice pain killers. I am feeling better and will be back to full steam ahead shortly! 

I had seen some cool stuff made out of the oxide inks on black cardstock so I decided to give it a whirl.  Perfect timing as I had to make the Man a Birthday Card.  This is what I came up with:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Black Card
Mini Ink Blending Tool
Distress Oxide Inks: Wilted Violet, Worn Lipstick, Cracked Pistachio, Broken China, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade & Faded Jeans
Tim Holtz Mini Stencil, #10, Flourish
Tim Holtz Mini Stencil, #4, Blossom
Quietfire Designs - Happy Birthday Plain & Simple, #5899
Sizzix/Tim Holtz, Labels, #660060
Piece of Blue/Gray Card from Stash

I would have liked the colors to be more vibrant, but the muted colors are very pretty as well.  On this card, at first, I didn't use any spritzes of water - nothing

but the inks themselves.  I had been building on the color and building on the color when I remembered a technique where you could use stencils, and I had just gotten those 2 new mini sets, so I stopped my mad inking, went to Pinterest (I am totally, without a doubt, addicted to Pinterest) and found the technique I wanted. This one uses a baby wipe to remove some color through the stencil, which I did, then I used the ink directly through the stencil with the mini ink applicator.  On the left side of the card I used the flourish stencil; on the right, the blossom stencil.  I couldn't tell you which inks went where.  That, I think, is my favorite property (so far) about these Oxide inks - you literally cannot make a mistake and if you don't like your pattern, colors, etc. just keep inking until you do!  I've been inking paper after paper, incorporating Ken Oliver's Liquid Metals at times.  It reminds me of the old way of making Polished Stone with alcohol inks and Krylon leafing pens (way back in the day prior to Tim Holtz). I have lots more to show you, but let me get back to this card.  I put the black card panel under my drying tile and left it there overnight. 

Another Look

The next day, I stamped the sentiment on a piece of scrap card, using the Oxide Ink in Faded Jeans, and die cut it with the Labels die cuts.  I am absolutely thrilled with how the card came out; I'm really happy with all the new tricks you can do with these inks.  I've been making backgrounds like crazy but I had to have some minor surgery on my foot, and that is keeping me out of the craft room as I need to keep it elevated.  But, I promise, the wait is worth it! Thank you so much for your continued loyalty and perhaps I've inspired you to check out some new techniques! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Man's Birthday Card in the following challenges:
Tuesday Throwdown - #347, For the Men
Everybody Art  Challenge - #405, Happy Birthday
Cards in Envy - You're the Man
Just For Fun (M) - For the Guys

Stars for the May Card Chain Challenge

I cannot believe it is already time for the May Card Chain Challenge reveal!   It is absolutely crazy how time just slips away from me.  Anyway, this month I used Stars from the Theme Options and Washi Tape from the Product/Technique Options.  Now, if you decide to play, you can use all four options, or just one; it's up to you!  If you would like to see all of the options, please take a peek at the Card Chain Challenge website.  While you are there, why not sign up for the June challenge; you have until June 7th (plus, you can check out what the upcoming colors, sketch and themes are for the whole year - just click here.) Here is the card I designed for this challenge:

What I Used to Make my Card:
Navy Blue Card Base
Alcohol Ink Panel
Metallic Mixatives in Silver
Verses Birthday Sentiment Stamp, Star Danced, BB0407-D
Silver Star Foil Washi Tape (Available Online)
Silver Paper & Silver Glitter Paper Punched Stars
White Embossing Powder, Detail, Simon Says Stamp

Before I get into how I made my card, I want to share the card I received all the way from Jo in England.  Please do check out her amazing creations by clicking here:

Isn't that card darling??

I sent my card off to Sara in MO, who shows her cards off, as well as her sister's cakes, on her Flicker page.

Now, on to the tutorial. I made the alcohol ink panel first. I always make a few 
8 1/5 x 11" sheets when I have my alcohol inks out; I find that I typically use MUCH more ink than I need to and having the extra sheets out & ready makes it easier to make more sheets and not waste so much ink. .  If you aren't familiar with alcohol inks, I have a sort of

Original on Left; Reworked on Right

"beginners guide" here.  Anyway, my goal here was to make a background that looked like nightfall for this card as well as one that looked like the ocean for another card.  As I show in this comparison photo, I originally made the night sky a bit too busy and too silvery.  So I inked up the applicator with some blue inks and blending solution and lightened the panel up. 

Originally I wanted to emboss the sentiment in silver, but when I tested it out on the alcohol ink background,  the sentiment wasn't readable. I really didn't want to put the sentiment on another piece of cardstock, so, I used detail white embossing powder from

Another Look

Simon Says Stamp. I embossed directly onto the alcohol ink panel.  I edged the long edges of the panel with the washi tape and then placed the stars I had punched out onto various places on the card.  

I can't get a good picture due to the background being so shiny.  I always have a blast when I'm making things using alcohol ink - the only thing I struggle with is actually coloring with it! I've said this before, but making one card a month is such an easy thing to do and I look forward to receiving my card all month long.  It is a very rewarding experience, so, go to the Card Chain Challenge page and sign up to play!  There is even an option to opt out of sending cards overseas if postage is an issue.  I hope you have enjoyed my card ~ Christi

I am entering my Stars card in the following challenges:
Di's Digi Stamps - Birthday
Brown Sugar - #253, Celebrations
4 Crafty Chicks - #353, Birthday
Outlaws Twisted Thursday - Anything Goes, Twist: Stars
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
The Crazy Challenge - #249, Birthday

Where did I find all these fabulous challenges?!? At

Challenges for Days!

Elegant Happy Birthday

Hello everyone! It's Christi and today I am going to show you a fairly simple card that looks elegant (and just maybe expensive!)  I hope you enjoy it!

Before I get started on the details I wanted to tell you that this card is 5" x 7", which is larger than my typical card, which are either A2 (5 1/5" x 4 1/4") or occasionally square, which, for me typically runs 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".  I had considered trimming the die down but I am very glad I didn't.  Sometimes life calls for a big card and this is one of those times.

What I Used to Make My Card:

White Card Base, 5" x 7"

White & Red Cardstock

Tattered Lace Rose Panel, #D307

Memory Box Pennington Rose Border, #99142

Quietfire Stamps, Happy Birthday Plain & Simple

Simon Says Stamp Ultra Fine Embossing Powder, white

Nuvo Crystal Drops in White

This is my very first Tattered Lace die and it is amazing! The details are so pretty and delicate, I took a close up picture so you could see the flowers that are etched on the "long" side of the die (you can click on the photo to make it bigger.)  I wanted to keep this card simple so all the flowers would be the focal point.  And while I made this a birthday card, you could certainly change the color and/or sentiment to read however you want.

First I die cut the main panel out of white card and layered in onto some red

cardstock.  Then I cut the Memory Box die out twice from red.  I centered the main panel and attached the two side panels.  Lastly, I used the same red card and white embossing powder to have the Quietfire Design sentiment become a focal point.  I was going to use two white brads to hold the sentiment, but I made a bunch of my own Nuvo Crystal dots and used them in place. Thank you so much for reading my post, have a wonderful day! Christi

Don't forget to play along at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog for your chance to win a gift voucher to the Dies R Us Store.  A new challenge begins on the first and fifteenth of every month.  
Be sure to Follow Us on Facebook too. 

click below for:

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FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

I am entering my Elegant Happy Birthday card in the following challenges:
The Crafter's Challenges - #173, Birthday
Mod Squad Challenge - Birthday Bash
QKR Stampede - #245, Birthday
The Crazy Challenge - #249, Birthday

Happy Birthday!

Seems birthdays are popping up like the weeds are! I am trying to be better at sending birthday cards this year.  This card was made from a background that I made myself.  I hope you like it! 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Watercolor Paper
Kaleidacolor Pad in Spectrum
Red Lead Paperworks Story Stamps "A Handmade Story" (discontinued)
Embossing Fluid
White Detail Embossing Powder from Simon Says Stamp
Clean Color Markers in Violet, Light Violet, Persian Blue, Orange, Pink, Carmine Red, May Green and Yellow
Paper Smooches Wise Dies, Streamers, #KFBD029
Quietfire Designs Happy Birthday Plain & Simple, #5899
MISTI
Pop Dots

I've seen so many cards using white embossing powder and watercolor that I had to try it.  It took me a while to find a flower that was small enough to work in the design I wanted and, unfortunately, the stamp set is discontinued.  I'm sure you have something you could use; it doesn't have to be a flower. I struggled a bit with placement as it's hard to see where you have already stamped with the embossing ink.  Even with the slight pink tint mine has it wasn't easy.  Luckily, I didn't over stamp and once the white detail embossing powder was on and heated up I was very pleased with the background.  I used the tried and true scribble and watercolor technique but instead of using a detail water brush I used an actual brush.  I don't know the number (most of my brushes are so old all distinguishing marks are long gone) but it was tiny.  I then added more color to the inside of the flower and blended it out a bit.  You can see what I mean in the photo above.

Another Look

After the background was done I didn't do anything with it for a while.  I worked so hard on it, and while I totally enjoyed coloring the flowers, I didn't want to use it as just any old card.  Then I realized that a very good friend had a birthday coming up on St. Patrick's Day (that'd be NanaConnie - Visit her blog and say Happy Birthday - I'll wait.)  Perfect use of the watercolor background I made! I just mounted the panel on a white card and then made the Happy Birthday banner using a Kaleidacolor pad, my MISTI and the Paper Smooches dies.  I just have to say, while Kaleidacolor pads may initially seem expensive compared to other ink pads I have had my Spectrum pad since I started stamping.  That's about 19 years now and I have never had to reink it or had any problem with it.  Pretty good deal if you ask me.  Anyway, I attached the banner die cut on the card using Pop Dots.  

I loved making this background so much I ordered some stamp sets specifically for the little flowers and leaves - they should be so cool using this technique! Another one I've seen around lately is using colored pencils on Kraft cardstock. I haven't tried that one yet but the results I've seen are spectacular.  Thank you so much for stopping by - I appreciate your visits, comments and support.  Did you know I am on Pinterest? And, I am trying to figure out Instagram (yes, I am feeling old right about now.)  Let's connect! Fondly, Christi

PS: Happy St. Patrick's Day :) 

I am entering my Happy Birthday card in the following challenges:
Make My Monday - #41, Colors of the Rainbow
Die Cuttin' Diva's - #308, Rainbow
Inky Chicks - #80, Flowers
The Flower Challenge - #6, Anything Goes w/ Flowers (#2)
STAMPlorations Monthly Challenge - (M) Sketch and/or Spring (I used Spring) 
DL ART Thankful Thursday - #200, Flowers (#2)

Masculine Happy Birthday

My brother's birthday is coming up and I got some new Spellbinder dies.  Those two statements caused the following card to happen (sounds like a public service announcement).

How I Made My Card:
Black, Square (5 1/4 x 5 1/4) Card Base
Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Squares, #S4-318
Newton's Nook Stamp Set, Simply Sentimental
Patterned Paper, KaiserCraft, 6 1/2 pad, Time Machine, #PP978 (disc on site)
Kraft Paper
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

I was searching through some of my smaller paper pads after Bud tried to step on them and caused almost all of them to fall on the floor, searching for something to make my brother a birthday card.  My brother is a grumpy, manly man so it needed to be a man's card.  No fluffy stuff for him (although he does plant and nurture flowering plants in the summer, to the point that he will move them around on the balcony so they get the best sun. I digress. . .).  When I saw the 2 papers in the Time Machine pad a light bulb went off in my head. I wanted to piece the papers together so that they'd match, but be different and I had just gotten some new Spellbinder dies (on sale, cause I hate paying full price!)and I thought I'd use one of the new dies to cut the papers and then I

could match them up.  And, the pattern on the brown/black paper is raised and shiny - so cool! Unfortunately, the small pad is discontinued on the KaiserCraft site, but, you can find them all over on the internet (and the larger pad is still available on the KaiserCraft site).

I will spare you the agonizing details of how I discovered the easy way to do this and cut to the chase; If you ever want to match papers up like this, cut the small one out FIRST, match it up with the other paper, THEN cut out the bigger piece.  Let's just say I have only teeny bits of the patterned paper left that I used.  So, if you were using these papers, you'd cut the black layer out, match it up with the brown/black design, then position your die and cut it out.  OK once you have gotten your two layers matched up, cut and glued, then stamp your sentiment on a matching piece of paper and use the smallest die to cut that out.  It took me entirely too long to make this simple card but I think it was worth it!

You can see a bit of the shiny black raised pattern on this picture

Thank you so much for reading my post - I'd love it if you'd consider becoming a follower of mine (if you do, please leave me a comment and your blog address so I can return the favor).  I hope you are all enjoying this new year so far ~ fondly, Christi

I am entering my Masculine Happy Birthday Card in the following challenges:
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Anything Goes #3
Oh La La Challenge - #220, For a Man or a Boy
Incy Wincy - For the Men in Your Life
Work it Wednesday (Simon Says Stamp) - Use Something New (Spellbinders Die)
Through the Purple Haze - #116, Happy Anything

A Sweet Happy Birthday

Wow - 2017 is right around the corner! I could fill up this entire post talking about the magical way time flies, but, I won't.  I know you all feel the same way I do and are as baffled as I am, so no need to discuss the time thing any more.

Me and the Fabulous Feline Four recently moved into a house in one of those neighborhoods where people live in their homes for years.  The kind of place I grew up in.  We are blessed to have a neighbor, Helen, who has a little dog named Lolly.  Lolly had a fantastic relationship with the gentleman who lived in the house before us and she learned to jump over the short chain link fence that separates our properties.  She, Lolly, actually throws herself over the fence. She is a very good dog and so loving, plus it is nice to get a change of pace from the cats. She is so sweet we had to break down and get some treats for her.  So now I am giving the dog in back of us treats as well (that is a whole 'nother story). Anyway, Helen had a birthday in November and I made her this card - the dog in the middle is a replica of Lolly.  I used a tiny heart I found in my stash because Lolly has a little heart on her collar with her name on it. 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Watercolor Paper
Tim Holtz/Stampers' Anonymous Mini Cats & Dogs Stamps, #CMS272
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Mini Cats & Dogs Dies, #661594
Derwent Intense Colored Pencils
Nuvo Crystal Drops in Ebony Black, 650N
Stampin' Up! Set Sincere Salutations (disc. but available)
Gold Embossing Powder
Embossing Ink
Spellbinders Nestabilities, Labels Seventeen, S5-025
DCWV Linen Closet Stack (disc. but available)
Pop Dots

Before I get into the nitty gritty on how I made my card I need to clarify that I used the OLD DCWV Linen Closet Stack - apparently there is another, newer stack out there with the same name.  My stack looks like this: 

This stack is discontinued but I am sure you could find one.  The pictures do not do it justice - it has some stunning papers in it.  The second thing I wanted to tell you is that even if you let your Crystal Nuvo Drop harden overnight, it will flatten if you run your image through a die cut machine.  Ask me how I know <wink>.  OK, on with the show!  

I wanted to make a card that was cute, but not too cute, and I already knew I was going to somehow incorporate the Mini Dogs into the card. Surprisingly, I lack happy birthday stamps (well, after I was done with the card I found some I had forgotten about, but I digress) and that actually helped me decide how "fancy" I was going to make the card.  I stamped the 3 chosen Mini Dogs on watercolor paper and watercolored them using the Inktense pencils.  I usually

Dimension

try to note what colors I used but I was so focused on making the Lolly dog LOOK like Lolly, I forgot.  And I blended them to death so I doubt even if I used the exact colors it would look anything like what I ended up with.  After I colored the pups, I made Lolly's nose shiny black by using the Nuvo Crystal Drops in Ebony Black.  I had seen these demonstrated at the last Stamp Show I went to and I was really impressed by them.  Most gloss type products leave that little "Dairy Queen Curly Q" thingie at the top of the dot but these automatically rounded themselves out.  And another cool thing is that the colors don't seep into each other.  I am currently practicing how to make eyes using the white and the black (small dot of white, topping with a small dot of black).

Another Look

I dotted the noses and set them aside to dry.  I had used 2 designer papers from the Stack, one as a background paper and the other as a layer for the Happy Birthday.  I had gold embossed the Happy Birthday then die cut it out as well as the larger panel for layering.  Once all that was done, I pop dotted the dogs onto the card and I was finished.  Helen really enjoyed her card, so much so I am making her another one like this one for Christmas.  Thanks so much for reading and I hope your holiday season has been happy, healthy & safe! Christi

I would like to enter my Happy Birthday Card in the following challenges:
Pile it On! #123 - Any Holiday/Celebration
Animal Friends Challenge #45 - December - Anything Goes
Card Mania #87 - December - Anything Goes
Simon Says Work It Wednesday - December - Use Dies

Twofers #17 ~ They Say It's Your Birthday!!

Jane chose Twofers theme for this challenge and it just so happens to be Zoe's 60th birthday.  I know how much Zoe loves cats and I just got the Cat Crazy Stamps and Framelits (because I'm a tad cat crazy, too) and I had a GREAT time coloring these guys in.  Here is my card:

How I made my Card:
White Card Base
Tim Holtz Cat Crazy Stamps, #CMS251
Sizzix/Tim Holtz Cat Crazy Framelits, #661209
Tim Holtz Crazy Things Stamps, #CMS237
Tim Holtz Crazy Things Framelits, #660953
Tim Holtz Crazy Talk, CMS236
Sizzix/Tim Holtz Labels #660060
Derwent Colored Pencils
Blender Pen
Watercolor Paper
Pop Dots

I colored in both cats and the balloons with my Derewent Pencils, then cut them out using the matching die cuts.  I wasn't positive of how I was going to attach the dies but I ended up just gluing the cats and balloons to the card base.

I also put a sentiment on the inside of the card, I searched forever to find a free font that matched the font used on Crazy Talk and I think I hit the jackpot with Arsenale White and I got it free from DaFont - just click the link to get it for yourself!

I don't typically decorate the inside of my cards, but I really I felt that everyone needed to know what happened to that loud mouthed bird.  So I printed out the internal sentiment and cut it our using the Labels set from Tim Holtz.  Pop dotted that to the inside of the card and after I glued a few pieces of feathers onto the hungry cat, I was done.

Now it's your turn to get a birthday card together and enter it in the Twofers Challenge.  You could win a $15 Gift Certificate to Alleystamp!!

Have a great day!! Christi

I am entering my Birthday Card into the following challenges:
Alphabet Challenges - C is for Cat
Aud Sentiments - Happy Birthday
SUYP - #4 Lucky Kitties
Allsorts - #357, Humorous  

Counting on Twofers ~ Challenge #13

I hope some of you stopped by and read my Fifth Saturday Tutorial on Fun with Chalks, but in any case, welcome to Challenge #13 at Twofers.  I got to choose the theme for this round and I chose numbers.  I wish I had a cool story to tell you about why I chose numbers, but I don't.  But, do stop by my wonderful teammates blogs, Zoe and Jane, and perhaps they had an anecdote for you.

Anyhow, this kicks off TWO FULL WEEKS that you'll have to whip up a project having to do with numbers and enter it into our challenge for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate to Alleystamp.

 Please check our few, but strictly enforced, rules here. If  no one from our challenge comments on your creation that means you didn't follow the rules and won't be considered for the prize, so be sure to read the rules! On with the show!

How I Made my Card:
Kraft Card Base
Clock Paper from Authentique,  Accomplished Collection, #ACC500
Sentiment from Quietfire Design, Happy Birthday Plain & Simple, #5899
Embossing Folder from The Paper Studio, A2 Numbers
Sanding Block
White Scrap
Black Scrap
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

I first picked out the Authentique paper for this project. I really like the quality of their paper and the simple patterns appeal to me. I then embossed the clock paper with the numbers embossing folder and sanded it down to reveal the numbers.  After that, I realized I had embossed the numbers upside down, and it looked really funny (to me) to have the numbers facing a different way from the clocks.  So, I did it all again, being sure that all elements were in harmony.  I glued the clock/numbers panel to the card base.

Once that was all done, I stamped the Happy Birthday on white scrap and cut it down  It seemed too plain to me to just mount the Happy Birthday (which, by the way comes from a fabulous set by Quietfire - there are SEVEN Happy Birthdays, all written in a different font and or size - be sure to check it out!) on the card, so I made a flag out of a scrap of black card.  I adhered the Happy Birthday onto the flag and glued that to the card.  I think this makes a perfect birthday card for a guy.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial! Now, you have 2 weeks to create and enter it into Challenge #13, Numbers (ohhhh - what about the number 13??) here at Twofers! Don't forget, the prize. every challenge, is a $20 Gift Certificate to Alleystamp! Enjoy!

I would like to enter my Numbers card in the following challenges:
Creative Fingers - #102, Anything Goes
Frilly & Funky - Enjoy Your Embossing
Ruby's Rainbow - #122, Anything Goes
Cards & More - #151, Anything Goes
Simply Papercraft - #22, Anything Goes

Colorful Cats Happy Birthday

My wonderful cousin has a birthday coming up and she has been so instrumental in my life that she is one person I make sure I send a card to. Last year she was here in Colorado visiting and you can see the card I made for her here.  This year she'll be spending Christmas with us and I am so excited! But, on with the card:

She is also a cat lover so I know she will adore the cute cats I made using the Newton Nook's Newton's Antics stamps and coordinating dies. I just cannot stop playing with these adorable kitties!

How I Made this Card:
Purple Square (5 1/4 x 5 1/4) Card Base
Newton's Nook Designs Newton's Antics Stamps & Die Set
Fabric that isn't really Fabric (see my explanation here)
Purple Glitter Paper
Derwent Inktense Water Color Pencils
Tombow Blender Pen from SU!
Silhouette Cameo 
Cut File
Various Shades of Purple & Pink Cardstock
Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink
Purple Ribbon
Distress Ink in Dusty Concord
Spellbinders Petite Labels One, S3-205

I found the "fabric". already dyed, in my stash.  I have no idea what I used to dye it with and it's very picky about the things it lets dye it.  So I cut it down to work with the purple square card, glued it on and set it under the floor tile I keep on my desk for embossing and holding things together.  While I let that sit, I stamped and die cut the cats from the Newton's Antics set and colored them in with the Derwent pencils & the blender pen.  Set them aside as well.  

I then decided I needed a bit of bling, so I cut out the Happy Birthday using my

Silhouette Cameo and glitter cardstock (ok, confession time - I scraped away the little dot for the i, so I improvised with some loose glitter and glue - shhhhhh) and the shadow out of regular card.  I glued the 2 pieces together.  I used a sentiment also included with the Newton's Antics set, stamped that in Dusty Concord and die cut it out, along with the next largest die, using Spellbinders Petite Labels One set.  

After playing around with the placement of things, I decided I needed a ribbon.

Now I don't typically play with ribbons - I have a hell of a time making my own bows and most of the time the ribbon does exactly what I don't want it to do. But, I threw caution to the wind and went for it.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well it came out! It was a keeper.  So now I had all my elements cut, made, colored and stamped so I put the card together.  You can't really tell that that "fabric" is on the card in the pictures, but, in real life you can.  The card is already in the envelope and ready to mail since I am leaving tomorrow afternoon for about a week.  I am a terrific procrastinator, so the fact that I got this card done AND in the envelope means I get some chocolate ice cream tonight.  Well, maybe after I start packing!

I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial.  Thank you so much for popping by & I hope to see you soon - fondly, Christi Also, if you'd be so find as to consider following me - I am about 15 followers shy from meeting my goal of 100 new followers in 2015 :)

I am SO thrilled that the Cat Blog Hop decided to remain open for the weekend - that way I get to link up my card! In addition, I would like to enter my Colorful Cats Birthday Card in the following challenges:
Her Peaceful Garden - Cat Blog Hop
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Sweet Stampin' - Use Dies and/or Punches
The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - K is for Kitties!
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Throwback (use a previous challenge, I used Stamp & Punch/Die Cut

Challenge #6 ~ TWOFERS ~ Blue, Green & Yellow

Hi all you fabulous people! For Challenge #6, Zoe has chosen a color challenge and you can see the specifics at the Twofers Blog. A fun chance to get away from all the holiday projects and stretch yourself a bit. I needed to make a birthday card anyway, so it was the perfect opportunity to use the colors in the challenge.  Here is my blue, green & yellow birthday card:

How I Made my Card:
White Card Base
White Cardstock
Darice "Clouds Background" Embossing Folder
Paper Smooches Streamers Die Set, #KFBD-13-029
Quietfire Designs, Ten Tiny Tag Sentiments, #6382
Silhouette Cameo
Airplane & Sun Cut files
Core'dinations Cardstock in Pastels; Blue, Green and Yellow
Pebbles Chalks in Basic Brights
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Pop Dots

Let me tell you, buying the Ten Tiny Tag Sentiments from Quietfire Design has been one of the BEST purchases I have made - I use these little sayings so much!  I started the card with the concept of a sky scene, with a plane dragging a banner (I had just gotten the Paper Smooches Die set and was dying to use it - get it? LOL) with Happy Birthday on it, luckily the Ten Tiny Tag Sentiments fit on my banner perfectly! But I am getting ahead of myself. . .

I first dry embossed white cardstock with the Darice Clouds embossing folder. Funny as this was one of those purchases that caught my eye and I bought on impulse and this is the folder I seem to use most. Once my clouds were embossed, I chalked around the clouds and filled in the sky. like I did while making this Summer Fun card.  Once I was done with the chalking, I trimmed the panel down to fit on the card base, glued it and set it aside to dry.

While waiting, I went to my trusty Silhouette Cameo, found some free vectors which I turned into cut files and cut out my sun and my airplane.  It's so easy to use the Cameo machine and I honestly don't think there is anything it can't do, as long as you can find a picture, vector, saying or shape, you can convert it and cut it out!  So I cut out my airplane and my sun to use on the card and set them aside.

I chose a banner that I wanted to use, used my Big Shot to die cut it out of the green paper.  I stamped Happy Birthday, kind of on an angle, using the Jet

Black ink and started to assemble the card.  You can't really see it in the pictures, but I chalked the edges of the plane and the banner before I pop dotted them onto the cloud background. I also pop dotted the inside circle of the sun.  Lastly, I used a black sharpie and drew the rope that attaches the banner to the plane.  I hope my friend likes her birthday card :)

I am thrilled that you stopped by to check out my card - now you have two whole weeks to put together your own Blue, Green & Yellow card (or project) and enter it in our Twofers challenge. You might win a $20 gift certificate to Alleystamps and be able to get yourself some real goodies! So come and join Zoe, Jane and myself, you just might win! Have a fabulous day ~ Christi

Another look 

I'd like to enter my Flying High Birthday Card in the following challenges:

Chalk N Stock (October) Anything Goes

Silhouette Challenges (October) Anything Goes

Not Just Cards - Anything Goes

Creative Ladybird's Creations Challenge (October) - Anything Goes

The Sisterhood of Crafters Die-lirious & Punchy

Scrapy Land - #27, Must Use a Brand of Die Sold in Store (Paper Smooches)

Sweet Stamps (October) - Anything Goes

Southern Girls Challenge - Let's Celebrate

Polkadoodles - #42, Use a Die Cut
Paper Smooches - (week 3) Anything Goes