Celebrate You!

Nothing drives a point across like a clean and simple card.  A bold sentiment and rainbow ink really help to get that feeling across!  I made this card to send to my sister at her work.  I'm hoping she will keep it on her desk so when things get crazy, she'll remember how awesome she is!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Kaleidacolor Ink Pad in Spectrum, #KA-000-001
Neat & Tangled Celebrate You stamps
Neat & Tangled Celebrate You dies

Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

Dimensional Dots

The first step in making this card was stamping the focal sentiment onto some white card.  I used the rainbow ink pad.  Let me just tell you a bit about the Kaleidacolor pads; they are priced higher than your standard ink pad but you are getting so much more than you do from a regular ink pad.  They have been around for a long time and I think they have gotten lost in the plethora of new products that come out every other day.  I've had my pads for over 18 years and I am still using the ink that they came with.  Granted, I don't use them every day, but that's amazing to me that I have never had to re-ink them!  I've had so many ink pads dry out on me {I just had it happen to me with a mini ink pad that had shimmer ink in it.  The pad was about six months old {if even that old} and when I went to use it, it was dry as a bone.  Disappointing when the perfect ink can't be used but none of my K-pads have done that.  Now, if by chance they do need re-inking, the website has each color re-inker next to the pad so you don't have to search all over to get the color you need.  I just think that's fabulous and had to give them a shout out as well as encourage you to get one of these pads if you don't have one.  The color combinations they have are perfect and I guarantee you will use it more than you think you will.  

Back to the card; I stamped the two sentiments in black right onto the card base then attached the focal sentiment onto the card with dimensional dots.  There you have it - a clean and simple card with punch!  I hope my card made YOU realize how awesome YOU are {especially for visiting me} and I hope you have a great day!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Crafty Gals - #184, Clean & Simple
DL Art - M, Anything Goes
Cardz TV - #82, Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps - #327, Make Your Mark
Happy Little Stampers - CAS - Friends {my sister is my friend}
CAS Mix it Up Card Challenge - Dimensional Die Cut, Stamping and Stamping

Deer Love

This card was so easy to make; the perfect clean and simple card for Valentine's Day, or any occasion really.  A sweet card just to let the recipient know you are thinking of them.  I am planning on making a bunch more to have on hand for those times when someone needs a little pick me up or you just want to say hello.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base

Die-Namics Deer Love die set

Kraft, red and dark brown cardstock

The pieces were cut from coordinating cardstock and adhered to the card base.  You can't get much simpler than that!  I think variations of this card would be so cute for a wedding, any holiday, even a masculine birthday, if you only use one {or none} of the hearts.  I think these deer are just so charming and they make a marvelous clean and simple card.  I've actually had this set for a while but just now found time to use it; so for all the "new" challenges, this set is new to me and it is the first time I've used it.

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you are having a great day! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Deer Love card in the following challenges:
The Cutie Pie Challenge - M, #131, Cute, Clean and Simple 
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #22, Anything Goes w/ a Critter
Kraft Plus - M, Inspired by Indigenous Art {these look like cavemen drawings to me!}
CARDZ TV - #81, Anything Goes
Cuttlebug Mania - New! {new die set}
Dies R Us - #113, Anything New {new die set}
Moving Along with the Times - Have a Heart
City Crafter - #445, CAS 
Crazy for CAS - #13, Animal
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - CAS
The Cat's Pajamas - M, #353, Love

Create a Smile - M, Use Kraft

You put a Spell on Me

I've had the items to make this card for quite a while - over a year to be exact, and it's been percolating in my head for just as long.  It was time to clean out the cobwebs and make some of those "I wonder how this would  look" cards.  Plus, it was a very quick card to make and could actually be used any time of year; however, I never pass up a chance to make something spooky!

What I Used to Make My Card:
White Card Base
Hero Arts Luna the Halloween Cat Stamp Set, #CM202
Hero Arts My Monthly Hero August 2017 Frame Die
Black Card
Silver Glitter Card
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Removable Tape

The first step I took in making this card was to cut the frame out of black card, trim it down, then place it onto the white card, marking {well, actually just kind of eyeing} where I wanted the saying to go.  I use a little trick when I have to be absolutely positive a sentiment is placed perfectly {like, to peek out of a window or it fits just perfectly in one spot} when using a frame die.  Once the die is cut, I use removable tape and make a hinge; that way the frame will stay put and I don't have to commit to the placement of the frame until after the stamping has been done.  

I finished off the card by cutting some silver glitter card using the frame die and I attached a few of the stars and dots in the sentiment area.  I love that this card is spooky but could actually be given to someone any time of year.  I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial and thank you so much for the visit.  ~ Fondly, Christi

I'd like to enter my You Put a Spell on Me card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Starry Sky
Just Us Girls - #462, Celestial Elements
Just for Fun - M, Halloween
Scrapy Land - Anything Goes {100th Challenge Celebration}
Try it on Tuesday - Halloween
Dies R Us - #107, Anything Fall
Bastel-Traum - #70, Autumn/Halloween
Cards in Envy - Favorite Holiday
City Crafter - #434, Halloween

Just For Fun

Bastel-Traum

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

 

I Love Your Face!

One of my recently acquired stamp sets is from Neat & Tangled and it's called "Friendly Florals."  I just cannot stop coloring this fantastic set!  My boss is going through a terrible time at work right now and I really think she could use a cheer up; plus, we always say "I miss your face" to each other, so this is a perfect card for her!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Zig Clean Color Markers
Neat & Tangled Friendly Florals Stamps
Neat & Tangled Friendly Florals Dies
Spellbinders Vintage Pierced Banners, #S4-820
Hero Arts Ink in Amethyst
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Dimensional Dots 

I stamped the flower arrangement on watercolor paper using archival ink in Jet Black and then colored with Clean Color Markers using a detail water brush.  I've been doing so much water coloring lately I've noticed it really does matter what paper you use;  the inexpensive paper will pill and even rip if you rework your color a few times, whereas the more expensive paper will put up with a lot more 'abuse.'  The expensive paper also seems to make my colors flow more easily, but I'm not sure if that is the truth or just my mind justifying the cost <smile>.

Another Peek

Anyway, once the flowers were dry, I cut them with the coordinating die.  Setting them aside, I stamped the sentiment on some plain white card and die cut it.  I positioned both where I wanted and used dimensional dots to attach them to the white card base.  As a finishing touch, I stamped some little dots {the stamp is included with the set} in a coordinating purple.

I really love how pretty this card is; it just seems so happy! It's just what the doctor ordered for someone who is struggling.  Thank you so much for stopping by; I really appreciate your views and comments. ~ fondly, Christi

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Just a reminder - my giveaway end on June 30, 2018 - you can get all the details here.
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  I am entering my "I Love Your Face" Card in the following challenges:
Addicted to CAS - #139, Girl Power

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - #112, Q is for Quotes

Crafty Catz - #422, Anything Goes w/ the Option of Beautiful Blooms

Aud Sentiments - #206, Anything Goes w/ a Sentiment

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Bright & Cheerful {entry 2}

Moving Along With the Times - #74, June Blooms

Crafting by Designs - Flowers, flowers, flowers!

Calling all Sistahs -#14, Encouraging Card

The Flower Challenge - #21, Use a Previous Challenge, I used Challenge 1 {anything goes}

 

Copper, Gold and Sparkle!

This card is the twin of my Clean and Simple card - but I used different colors.  Honestly, I like this card better; the sparkle is amazing!  Very simple to make, which is good since time is FLYING by - only four more days! Let's get to it!

You can't really see the sparkle in this picture; the one below shows the sparkle better.  

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Gold Layering Paper
Delicata Ink in Golden Glitz
Delicata Ink in Celestial Copper
So Suzy Stamps, Ornament Star Dangle, #A00509
So Suzy Stamps, Ornament Dangle, #A00508
Tim Holtz Gilded Holidays Remnant Rubs, Gold, #TH93636
Gold Gel Pen
Gold Sequins
MISTI

Click to see the sparkle!

I wanted the ornaments to be spaced evenly so I used my MISTI to stamp them, beginning with the Celestial Copper, then the Golden Glitz, alternating the ornaments and the ink colors. These are my first Delicata ink pads and I am in LOVE!  They truly are the most vibrant and sparkly inks I have ever used; and trust me, I've used a lot of metallic inks!  I definitely have decided I need more colors, specifically the white and the black - I think they'd be very cool!  Now, back to the card, I then trimmed the white panel and attached it to the gold panel (I used a thin gold cardstock), and lastly, attached that to the card base.  I added the sentiment using the Gilded Holiday Remnant Rubs (I've had these for a year and just found them again!) and then I hand drew a square using a gold gel pen around the sentiment. I purposely made the square wonky; it's easier than trying to be perfect!  Finally, I added a few sequins and the card is done!  Quick and easy! You could use all sorts of elements in this style, make your own string and hang some hearts, make your own ornaments with some small circles, let your imagination go wild!

Thanks for stopping by! I'm trying to get my holiday cards done; I typically have a few left after the holiday to blog about.  Makes the festivities last longer, right?  I hope you & yours are enjoying your holiday! Christi

I am entering my Copper & Gold card in the following challenges:
CAS on Friday - #123, Christmas
Addicted to CAS - #126, Sparkle
AAA Cards - #105, Sparkle
CAS-ual Fridays - #189, Dreaming of a White Christmas

Simple Snowflake Cards

Hello everyone, I hope this post finds you and yours doing well.  I have a confession.  I'm am addicted to Oxide Inks.  I find myself designing cards around the inks, saying "how can I use them"?, "will they look good in this application"? - I'm just glad there are so many ways to use them and that the palette has SO many cool colors! These cards are a remake of an oldie but goodie technique.  There are numerous ways we used embossing powder and various inks and techniques on our cards; just do a google search on embossing powder techniques and you will find enough information to keep you busy for a while.  I honestly never put much stock in white embossing powder; it NEVER worked for me, always leaving white spots on my cardstock, but this year I decided to try it again.  I started using a quality embossing powder and it made all the difference!  Anyway, this card was SO easy to make, you get a twofer!  Enjoy!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Paper, half a sheet
Oxide Inks in Salty Ocean, Seedless Preserves, Peacock Feathers & Wilted Violet
Mini Swirly Snowflakes, CMS320
Sentiment from Scribbly Christmas, CMS249
Distress Ink in Blueprint Sketch
Simon Says Stamp White Embossing Powder, Fine
Embossing Ink
MISTI
Mini Blending Tool
Ranger Distress Sprayer

I used almost the whole half a sheet of the watercolor paper.  My first intention was to stamp the snowflakes randomly, but each of them are truly works of art on their own, so I just used the six smallest in the set.  I stamped all six on one end of the paper, with the help of my MISTI {watercolor paper sucks up ink so fast, I always re-stamp my image a few times}.  I turned the paper around and did the same thing on the other end.  There was about 3/4" to an inch of paper in the middle, between the two designs.  I proceeded to emboss all the flakes

Onefer :)

with the white embossing powder {and FYI, I have used clear embossing powder on another project and it just doesn't give me the crispness I like}.  Once my flakes were embossed and cooled, I went to town with the Oxides.

I smooshed, dotted and generally went nutty with the Oxides and my blending tool.  I spritzed water, mopped it up, inked, spritzed a gazillion times until I liked the colors.  Your white embossing may look a bit faded, but once the Oxides dry, your embossing will pop right out.  I trimmed each snowflake panel and adhered them to white card bases.  Lastly, I used Blueprint Sketch Distress Ink and the sentiment, which I stamped in the lower right hand corner.  

The freshness of the pastel colors and the pop of the white snowflakes really appeal to my sense of being festive.  I adore trying to make cards and such without using traditional holiday colors and I think these will brighten someone's day; essential once the weather causes those dreary wintry grey days.  Thank you so much for visiting and I hope your holiday season is fabulous! Christi

I am entering my Simple Snowflake Cards in the following challenges:
Moo-Mania - Christmas
Muse: Christmas Visions - Any Holiday Card
Stampavie - #296, Christmas 
Addicted to Stamps - #159, Christmas
Delicious Doodles - Christmas - Non-Traditional Colors
Just For Fun Rubber Stamps - Happy Everything!