Guest Designer at the Four Seasons Challenge

 I am so excited to be the Guest Designer at the Four Seasons Challenge for this month.  

Here is the Mood Board for this challenge.  I can't wait to see what you create with this! This is my card - hope it feels Fall to you!

I had made this background of leftover glitter paper quite a while ago but have been saving it since the colors speak fall to me; the glitter is crisp and the colors are so pretty! I stuck strips of the various glitter card to a piece of plain white card then cut it out with a stitched scalloped slimline die.  That was attached to a white slimline card. The sentiment is cut from 2 different dies; happy is from Elizabeth Dies (the die is discontinued, but if you do a search you can find it - item number is 1161, Happy Birthday 2) and the fall is from this Pinkfresh Studio's Alphabet, both are cut from Curious Metallic's Ice Silver card.  Once I attached the words, I decorated the card with various gems from Picket Fence Studio (they have the BEST gems; they are a bit pricey but SO pretty and sparkly in person!).  

I am so looking forward to the start of fall weather! I've had enough of the heat and am SO ready to snuggle under some quilts and break out my flannel shirts! 

Thank you so much for stopping by and please be sure to check out the Four Seasons Challenges! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Dragonfly Dreams, M - Halloween/Autumn
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Fall Colors
Dream Valley Challenges, #281 - Dies and/or Punches
Try it on Tuesday - Sparkle and Shine
Die Cut Divas - Anything Goes
Inspiration Station, #40 - Harvest (honestly, the word inspired me more than the picture!)

Fall Light Up Shadow Box

This is the 3rd Shadow Box I've made in the last 2 months and I am having SO much fun getting messy and creative! When I first started stamping I was much more involved in mixed media than I am now and it's a blast to get back into some 3D art.  I LOVE this wall hanging and it was really easy to make so let's get started on the details!

I added full sized pictures of both the unlit and lit boxes at the end
of this post if you want to see them full sized.
Plus in this photo they are a bit blurry to me but I can't seem to get them crisper.

The back of the box

I used one of these small {5" x 5"} wooden shadow boxes that I found in a well known large craft store - they also had some other sizes - and the price was so good, I bought a bunch of them {which is why I've made so many in such a short period of time - I am positive there will be many, many more to come}.  This time I broke out the hot glue gun; which I am NOT proficient at, but I rarely use it.  I started by figuring out how the lights would work around the outside of the box and once I had the spacing down, I hot glued them all around the box.  There were two left over but I just snipped them off.  I got the lights at the Dollar Tree store and I think I need to go back and get some more 'cause I think they are just adorable being shaped like little leaves.  I did drop the entire string and cracked the case the batteries go in so that it wouldn't close anymore, but I quickly fixed that with a twist tie.  I like that you can turn the lights on or off with just a switch.

Next I needed something to fill in around the lights so I used Lawn Fawn's Fall Leaves Backdrop;  I just used the leaves that are extras, not the actual frame.  I cut two of each leaf in a bunch of colors I found in my scrap box, and then cut the acorn stems out of dark brown and the acorn bodies out of Kraft.  I also used the hot glue gun to attached the leaves all around and I can now see why everyone loves these guns.  The glue sets SO fast and I had no issues with attaching the leaves to the bumpy wire that I bunched together between the leaves that light up.  Once I was done with the frame, I added berry garland that I also found at the Dollar Tree; I just left it in the circle it came in instead of unwrapping it.  Lastly, I used Kelly Alpha Lower from Pinkfresh for the word fall.  I chose red for the sentiment since I feel it stands out a bit more.  While I try to make most of my 3D art able to either sit on a shelf or hang this one needs to hang on a nail about 1 1/2" away from the wall to accommodate the power box on the back.  I think next time I will try to put it on the frame and hide it.  I probably could of done that here but as usual I didn't know what I was going to use for what.

I hope you like my little shadow box!  Like I said, I had SO much fun making it! As well as the others I've made.  I'm glad I bought a bunch of them!  Now if I can find room to set up my Silhouette machine I just might make some signs next :)  Thanks so much for stopping by & see you soon! Christi

Thanks again!!

I am entering my project in the following challenges:
We Love to Create, #11 - Anything Goes
Mix it Up Challenge Blog, #55 - Anything Goes + 3D project
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Any Holiday Occasion
Challenge up Your Life, #141 - Interactive
Moving Along with the Times, #136 - Anything but a Card
NBUS, #32 - Everything is new except the Alphabet :)
Creative Friday, #293 - Anything But a Card

Hello Fall!

 Hi everyone! Well, fall is here, at least once the sun goes down.  The nights have actually gotten so chilly I have had to shut the window and put the heat on! I was inspired to make this card by the background paper that I got as a freebie from my most recent Lawn Fawn order {and where the leaves came from - a first time use from a new release!}; and then when I spied last week's Lawn Fawnatics challenge {it was #109 - Awesome Autumn} this cute card was born! While this isn't exactly a sky, I am entering my card in the most recent Lawn Fawnatics Challenge, #110 - Spectacular Skies - just pretend these leaves are swirling all about in the sky :)

 

I started with a white card, covered it with Fall Fling paper, then stamped, colored and cut out the leaves and the word fall.  I used the new Scripty Autumn Sentiments stamps and dies for the leaves and sentiment, framing the sentiment with Mini Picture Frame dies.  The frame dies actually cut out in 2 separate pieces, the frame and the middle - I just kept the die cut together {used a bit of tape on the back}, stamped hello and layered on the word fall.    Then I used dimensional dots for some of the leaves and scattered them all around the card without much thought.  Fall colors are one of my favorite themes because I love mixing all the colors; you really can't make a mistake blending with that color palette.  The cute frames are one of my first Lawn Fawn purchases but I don't think I've ever used them before! Well, they are out on my desk now which means I am sure you will be seeing them again soon.  

I am not sure if I like this new format of my blog; it does save me time, but I don't think it flows like my original style did.  I'm sure it will work itself out!  Thanks for taking the time to stop by & I hope you and yours are healthy and safe ~ Christi 

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Lawn Fawnatics, #110 -Spectacular Skies
Try it on Tuesday - Autumn Blessings
NBUS - Challenge #31 {must use never before used stuff}
Die Cut Diva's - Anything Goes
Dies R Us, #178 - Anything Goes
Country View Challenges - Autumnal Colors
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Anything Goes using Patterned Paper
The Four Seasons Challenge - Anything Goes Fall
Sunday Stamps #267- Autumn Boldness {graphic below}
Pammie's Inky Pinky Challenges, #2140 - Anything Goes

 

Fall is on the Way!

 It's difficult to think in anther few weeks fall will be upon us as when I am writing this we are expecting another few days up in the high 90's! I can tell the difference in the evening and it has cooled down significantly so sleeping is not a problem, thank goodness!  I wanted to give this card a fall feel and I think I achieved my goal! You can find this beautiful die, as well as so many more, at Dies R Us and I hope this inspires you to join in our challenge.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Vanilla Card Blank
Poppystamps Adriana Oval Frame Die, #2327
Sue Wilson Mini Sentiments, Just For You Die, #CEDME028
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Wink of Stella, Gold
Nuvo Dream Drops, Indigo Eclipse, #1796N
Dark Brown Card

No stamping on this card so I put my coloring skills to work trying to make the leaves around the oval look like fall leaves as much as possible.  I took some pictures of my process so you can see that I actually colored over some of the leaves quite a few times

The Leaves

.  Once the leaves were finally to my liking, I colored the inner oval with the gold marker and used the Nuvo drops on the berries. These are not your regular drops, they actually have an iridescent shine to them that is beautiful, so beautiful I bought all three colors!  Once the gold and the berries were dry, I attached the oval to a cream colored card base {white just looked too stark} and adhered the sentiment die which was cut from dark brown card in the center.  I am very pleased with how this card came out; I hope you like it as well!

The Nuvo Drops

Don't forget that you have until the end of the month to join in the Dies R Us challenge, all the important links can be found below. All you need to enter is to use a die from a company they carry and you could win!  Please do pop by to see the design teams wonderful inspiration; there is a new post every day.  Thanks so much for stopping by and see you soon! Christi

Don't forget to come join in the fun at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog. There's a new challenge theme offered on the 1st and 15th of each month and one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive a gift voucher prize to the Dies R Us Store.  

 For your convenience, all the important Dies R Us links are provided below.

 click below for:

STORE

CHALLENGE BLOG

FACEBOOK

INSPIRATION BLOG

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Glimmer & Sparkle
Use Your Stuff, #430 - Anything Goes
Path of Positivity, #93 - Anything Positive Goes w/ Option of Enjoying Nature
A Place to Start, #8 - What's your Style {I love using die cuts & water coloring!}

So Thankful Fall is Here at Paper Funday!

I made this card to celebrate the fact I am no longer sweating to death in my craft room! I love the fall - I love the weather, the colors, and getting to wear clothes I had forgotten I had {and that, amazingly, still fit!} It just so happens that this months challenge {aside from Always Anything Goes} at Paper Funday is Autumn/Fall! September is here already {gasp!} so it's time to get cracking on those colorful fall cards!

 

What I Used to Make my Card:

White Card Base

Watercolor Paper {I use this} 

Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

Zig Clean Color Brush Markers

Lawn Fawn Leafy Tree Backdrop: Landscape, #LF1237

Lawn Fawn Stitched Windy Backdrop, #LF1425

Lawn Fawn Jump for Joy Stamps, #LF1212

Lawn Fawn Jump for Joy Dies, #LF1213

Lawn Fawn Mushroom Border, #LF1919
Brown, Green and Blue card

 I started this card like most of my others, stamping, coloring, and cutting out my critters and accessories. I added the backdrop and windy backdrops to really make the fall weather come alive. I glued all the elements together, starting with the scenery and ending with the owl holding the rake. I wanted it to look as if the owl had just spent time raking those leaves when that pesky hedgehog jumped in them but it is impossible to make a Lawn Fawn critter look annoyed or angry! I took a risk and stamped the sentiment right onto the sky {something I rarely do since I have ruined SO many projects by messing up the sentiment.} It is much easier to do now that there are so many things to help us stamp over and over and keep our cards in place, but I can still mess up a perfectly good card very easily.

I hope you like my card. :) I invite you to take a look at my various social media pages and please consider following me ~ if you do, leave me a message so I can return the favor! I hope to see your creations over at the Paper Funday Challenge; it runs the whole month which gives you plenty of time to join in the fun! Also please do check out my teammates creations for some more inspiration. I hope all is well with you & yours! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Stamp it in STAMPtember
2 Crafty Critter Crazies, #54 - Anything Goes with a Critter
Country View Challenges - The Leaves Begin to Fall
Die Cut Divas - Anything Goes
The Four Seasons - Anything Goes FALL

Happy Fall

 I have been struggling to get motivated to write some blog posts; I just cannot get in the mood to write them!  I have been having some physical issues and I think that has something to do with not being able to get in the mood to write.  I have been creating a bunch; if you have known me for a while now you know Halloween is my favorite holiday and I have a bunch of cards and other goodies to show you.  I think what I am going to do to give myself a break on the writing process is write up just a small paragraph about the creation I am posting and if you want information on something I didn't touch on just contact me.  I will include as many links as I can in the post I just won't be making a separate list of items I used.  Again, I may not stick to this format either; it really depends on how I feel :)

Now that I have gotten that of of the way here is my first card of the Fall season - just a clean and simple little Lawn Fawn card using the Tree Before 'n After stamps and dies. Everything was stamped with the Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink on watercolor paper and then colored in with my Zig Clean Color Brush Markers and a water brush.  

I hope this finds you happy & healthy! Until next time, Christi {stay tuned, I have so many more Halloween cards & goodies to share!!}

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Lawn Fawnatics, #86 - Halloween or Fall 

Fab 'n Funky, #498 - Keep it Simple

NBUS, #19 - First time using the Stamps & Dies :)

Krafty Chicks, #529 - CAS

Stinkin' Inkers - Shades of Fall

Sweet Stampers - Fall or Halloween

Hero Arts Leafy Vines Thanks

Hello! I hope this post finds you and yours doing well! Being a card maker, you'd think I would have thank you cards lying all around my house.  Not so.  I am one of those people that can't seem to keep cards in stock {I have PLENTY of cards, they are just never the "right" card!} which causes me to make each one as needed.  The good news is each card is created for a specific event and/or person. The bad news is I am always running around like crazy with 307,513 cards in the works.  Anyway, I created this Thanks card for this month's theme at a2z Scrapbooking which is "Give Thanks" 

What I Used to Make my Card:
Olive Green Card Base
White Card
Copper Glitter Card
Kaleidacolor Ink Pad in Autumn Leaves, #KA-000-008
Hero Arts Stamp & Cut Thanks Set, #DC152 {you can special order on the site}
Hero Arts Leafy Vines Stamp, #CG509 {you can special order on the site}
Clear Embossing Powder, #PW106
Delicata Ink in Gold and Copper


I love this background stamp, Leafy Vines.  One look on Pinterest and you can find hundreds of ways crafters have made cards with this stamp.  I love it because it's so versatile - you can change the feeling of the card using different  colors.  You can basically make this stamp work for any occasion or time of year!  It's also one of the first stamps I bought when I finally got to unpack my crafting stuff from my last move.  I began this card by inking the Kaleidacolor pad onto the stamp and stamping on a panel of white card.  Just a quick little story about this pad - I had originally purchased it about 18 years ago when I was demonstrator; I purchased it from the company I represented and it was branded with their name.  The case has been cracked {I keep it in a zipper bag} but the pad has never been re-inked, never failed me.  Just consider how old this stamp pad is next time you want to buy one but the price seems a tad high.  It could vote, drink in some states, and join the armed forces!  So I

Another Look

stamped the Leafy Vines on the white card, then added a bit of bling with copper and gold inks, just randomly inked on the stamp.  I finally covered the image with clear embossing powder, trimmed the card panel, attached it to the card base, and set it aside.

I wanted the sentiment to be visible, but not be the focus of the card.  I used the die with several different papers and each one just didn't give enough oomph.  I settled on the copper glitter card and I think it achieves the look toward which I was working.  I considered some gems but I think the card is pretty enough without them.  You can't see the little touches of gold and copper ink, but when you have the card in hand and move it just so, it's beautiful.  Fall colors are my favorite for creating; I can almost smell the smoke from the fireplace just seeing the rich rusts, reds, and browns.  

I hope my little post gets your creative juices flowing and you enter the November 2018 "Give Thanks" challenge at a2z Scrapbooking.  You just might win a Gift Certificate to the store!  However, while you are waiting to see if you've won, you can get 15% off your purchase by using my code, CHRISTI15.  I hope you are having a wonderful fall. ~ Christi

I'm entering my Leafy Vines card in the following challenges:
Dragonfly Journey - #129, Thanks & Thanksgiving
DL ART - Thankful Thursday
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday - Give Thanks
Dies R Us - #109, Giving Thanks
Crafty Gals Corner - Thankful

Autumn Shaker Card

It's October and at Die Cut Diva's the challenge this month is Halloween or Autumn; and to top it off, the lovely Dies R Us is sponsoring us and giving away a $10 voucher!

I've made quite a few shakers cards and I have to admit, this is one of my very favorites.  The entire card was easy, there were no mistakes or mess ups, and I am so happy with how the front of the card looks.  To me, this card has all the elements of a fabulous card; it's a long tutorial, so you may want to go to the bathroom and grab a drink, maybe even a snack. :)  Without further ado, here is my card and how I made it:

What I Used to Make my Card
White Card Base
Handmade Alcohol Ink Paper
Tutti Designs Maple Vine Frame, #TUTTI-139
Light Gold Paper
Craft Foam Board {Dollar Tree or local dollar store} Called Readi-Board
Tutti Designs Stitched Nested Rectangles, #TUTTI-217
Embossing Powder - Not So Rusted Penny by the Powder Keg (bought by PK                                    Glitz, then purchased by Stamp On It!)
Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Kit, September, 2018, sentiment
Simon Says Stamp Embossing/Watermark Pad
Sequins
Acetate {you can use packaging, projector sheets, or the stuff they sell especially for shaker cards}
Red Double Stick Tape

I began this card by making the alcohol ink paper first.  I used glossy paper and various alcohol inks, some from Ranger, some from Jacquard  {specifically the Piñata Colors} and some very old Pantone inks, which are the refills for the Letraset Tria markers {which are now known as ProMarker, and has been

purchased by Winsor & Newton.}  I did not keep track of the colors I used; I just chose the ones that looked the most like fall and autumn colors to me.  I did, however, make the marks I made with the inks purposely small.  I didn't want the die to cut out a hunk of one color and none of the other.  Another item I used was the Gold Mixative by Tim Holtz and Ranger.  A little dab of that goes a long way and it gave the paper a golden sheen, if the light catches it correctly.  I made a bunch of backgrounds while playing with my inks, as I typically do, and I'm going to be trying the Alcohol Lift Ink soon to see if it works with glossy paper as well as it does when it's used with YUPO paper.  I do have a small bit of YUPO but I always forget about it when I'm playing with my alcohol inks.  OK, enough about the inks, let's carry on! 

Once the paper I'd made was fully dry, I used the Maple Vine Frame to cut out some of the paper.  I was SO tickled that it came out as beautifully as it did and I really feel the key was using small dabs of the ink.  Once I had the frame cut, I put it aside.  I adhered the light gold paper to my craft foam board, figured out which rectangle die fit it the best and, once the glue was dry, proceeded to cut a gold frame.  I had tried to make the frame by cutting the craft foam, then cutting the paper, and then tried to match it up.  Even though I taped my dies together, I could NOT get the two pieces to play nicely.  That's why I glued the paper onto the craft foam board.  The Maple Vine cut out is attached to this frame so I have the walls for the shaker.  I glued the acetate to the top of the gold frame and attached the Maple Vine to that.  I set that aside, under the tile on my desk, for overnight to ensure there was a good solid connection - I know acetate can be stubborn when you use a wet adhesive.

The Readi Board Label

The next day I took a white card base and added the sentiment, which I embossed with a fabulous powder called Not So Rusted Penny.  It's a perfect fall color; bits of brown, rust, and flecks of gold; the pictures do not do it justice!  Once the sentiment was done and cooled, I got the bright idea to use double stick red tape to put the frame onto the card.  I pinched a bunch of sequins and piled them on top of the sentiment; attached the red tape to my frame, managed to get it as straight as I could, and attached it.  It was all fine and dandy, but I had forgotten that some of the tape would be sticking out, where it didn't quite have the frame cover it all.  So, with my first shake a billion sequins got stuck on the tape.  Fortunately, there were {and are} still some loose sequins so the card can be shaken, but I can tell you I won't be making THAT mistake again.

All in all, I am very proud of the card.  When I look at the alcohol ink paper I

Here is a sparkly pictuer

made, and then at the frame, it's hard to believe that the paper made that frame!  This is one of the first times I've been happy with an alcohol ink background the first try.  I usually mess up the colors and they don't cut as nicely as I see it in my head, but this was successful!  Of course, having all the sequins bobbing about in the card would have been nice, but that's the charm of handmade, right?!?  Yes, I say that a lot.  It makes me feel better.  Well, I hope you enjoyed my tutorial.  You can see more examples of my shaker cards here and here.  I've used both craft foam and craft board and I can't see a difference in the final outcome of the card; the foam board is much cheaper, so I'll be sticking with that for a while.  I'd love to see your Halloween or Autumn makes in the challenge; just link up here at Die Cut Diva's! And don't forget, our sponsor, Dies R Us carries SO much more than just dies! Take good care and thank you for stopping by! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Die Cuttin' Divas - #390, 3D projects
Papercraft Challenges - M, #22, Dies and/or Punches
{PIN}spirational - #226, Photo Inspiration (see below)

Unicorn Challenge - M, #37, Autumn or Halloween
Addicted to Stamps - M, #167, Autumnal Colors
Creative Friday - #215, Shaker Card
Simply Create Too - M, #143, Make a Shaker Card
Moving Along with the Times - M, #81, Autumn/Fall
DL Art - Thankful Thursday - #236, Fall Colors

{PIN}spirational

Shout it Out!

So fall has officially begun.  It's about 70 degrees here, but the other day I was up at Estes Park again {I know, 2 times in five days!} and there were some Aspen trees turning colors - it was amazing!  As soon as my brother puts his pictures up, I'll share them with you.  We also saw a mama elk washing her baby and a few of the moose elks doing their rut stuff - the call they make can be heard through almost the entire park!  Anyway, sorry for all the nature stuff but I am finally able to get out and see what my beautiful adopted state has to offer and it is amazing.  I made this card to reflect the colors of fall as well as be able to give to someone regardless of the occasion.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Card Base
Authentique Harvest 6" x 6" pad, #HVT028 {retired but available}
The Ton Bold Amazing Word Plate Dies
Mama Elephant Little Dog Agenda Stamps
Mama Elephant Little Dog Agenda Dies
Zig Clean Color Markers
Vanilla Card
Watercolor Paper
Orange Card
Leaves {left over from this card}
Ranger Archival ink in Jet Black
Silhouette Cameo
Red Tape Adhesive
Removable Tape 

I already had the cute little dog with the megaphone colored and cut; since I first saw him, I knew I wanted to make a card that made him look as if he was using the megaphone to shout out something happy and the Bold Word Plate dies fit perfectly!  I used my Cameo to cut out some word bubbles; that took me the longest because I kept making them either too small or too big - I am horrible at measuring and if things aren't life sized I can't seen to figure out which way to go - up or down. One of my many dyslexic issues.  Directions and I have a love/hate relationship because I struggle with them so.  My mom says it isn't a car ride with me unless we turn around at least once! 

Once I fit the word bubble to the words I discovered a great way to make sure all the letters are even; once the letters are cut, carefully put them back into the die.  Use removable tape and tape them together the "wrong" way {as they are in the die, looking up at you}.  Pull the letters out of the die and tape them with removable tape on the "right" side, removing the tape you put on the wrong side.  Use a strong adhesive {I found red tape adhesive is worth the

Another Look

trouble of cutting out those itty bitty, teeny tiny, pieces} and attach them where you want them.  Once they are dry, or adhered, carefully remove the tape that is on top of the letters and viola! - you have straight letters!  I'm sure using a ruler would be faster, but it seems that every time I make a pencil mark on my projects I can't get it off completely.  And I have using the tape down pat so it's easy for me.  I used orange card for the word "you're" and patterned card for the "fabulous."

The words were attached to the bubble and I attached the bubble to another piece of patterned card, placed my little shouting dog, and adhered him and the leaves.  Lastly, the panel was put onto the Kraft card base and I was done.  This card came out exactly as I envisioned it! I just can't get enough of the Bold Word Plate dies and have a few other projects in the works using them.  I want to thank you SO much for visiting. I appreciate each and every visit and comment.  Without your encouragement, I'd never have tried blogging.  Thanks so very much! Christi

I am entering my Shout it Out! Card in the following challenges:
City Crafter - #431, Pet Company
Die Cuttin Divas - #388, Fall Colors
Cards in Envy - Feels Like Fall, Entry #2
Make My Monday - #80, Autumn/Fall Colors, Entry #2
Dragonfly Journeys - #127, Fall Colors, Entry #2
Sweet Stampin' - Dies and/or Punches
Crafty Friends Challenge - #93, Fall Colors
Sunny Day Crafting - Anything Goes w/ an Animal, Entry #2
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #18, Anything Goes w/ an Animal
That's Crafty! - Forever Autumn 
Cardz for Galz - #80, Thoughts of Fall

Fall Colors

It's almost officially fall here {just a few more days} but I can feel the nip in the air; at night at least.  Denver has been breaking records for high temperatures during the day for a week or so!  While on a day trip up to the beautiful Estes Park, {where the Stanley Hotel is - Stephen King got the idea for The Shining while staying there during his college days} the trees were already changing.  And we were blessed to see a moose family - bull, cow, and baby {who was hiding in the brush - could only see him when his ears moved} and my brother, who has one of those amazing cameras that I haven't a clue how to work, got the lovely picture above.  We were very close to them and it took my breath away; I could have stayed there all day!

Now that you have read more than you wanted about my trip, let's get to the card.  I recently acquired the "waves" set of Birch Press dies and I've seen a lot of examples from people using them for summer cards.  Thought I'd do a twist and use them making a fall card.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base (I actually used a 5"x 7" card, cut it down to 4" x 6")
Rust, Brown and Green Cardstock
Vanilla Card
Wink of Stella in Clear
Wave Set of Dies from Birch Press Designs, #56067

Using these dies can be challenging; they have lots of little curly ques that aren't easy to glue.  At least, they weren't easy for me to glue!  I attached each layer and let the card dry overnight under the tile on my desk.  I definitely think the results were worth the effort.  

I started with a piece of vanilla card since white looked too stark to me, and glued each layer on that.  Then I attached the panel to a white card base, trimmed it down to fit, and there you have it! I am in love with the ease of using these dies.  I liked the look of the card so much I didn't even add a sentiment!  I added some sparkle around the edge of the card for a little more interest.

Before I close, I want to send my thoughts to those affected by Hurricane Florence.  Having lived on the East Coast most of my life, I've seen the devastation these storms can cause.  Now that I live out in the middle of the country, I get a whole new experience with the tornado sirens; still scares me to pieces, but we've been lucky so far this year!  Waiting to see what Old Man Winter has in store.  Thank you for stopping by and supporting my little blog.  I appreciate it more than you know! Christi

I would like to enter my Fall Colors card in the following challenges:
Always Fun Challenges - #76, Fall Colors
Cards in Envy - Feels Like Fall
Crafty Cardmakers - #218, Autumn Colors
Make my Monday - #80, Autumn/Fall Colors
Dragonfly Journeys - #127, Fall Festival of Colors
Sunsational Stamps - M, Fall
Studio 75 - M, #7, Colors of Fall {see color badge below}
Sparkles Monthly Challenge - M, #108, Dies or Punches {I used dies}
Cute Card Thursday - #547, Dies or Punches {I used Dies}
Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday Challenge - M, Signs of Autumn
That's Crafty! - Forever Autumn
Happy Little Stampers - Anything Goes with Dies Challenge (Sept)
Mix It Up Challenge - M, Anything Goes with 3 or more Layers 

Studio 75

Jump for Joy!

It's almost fall and I can definitely feel the difference in temperature {my favorite part} and the days are getting shorter {my least favorite part}.  Which leads me to this month's challenge at Stinkin' Inkers.   We are celebrating fall.  Our theme is "Falling Leaves" and I hope you can grab a few stamps, dies, alcohol inks, whatever, and join in the fun!

What I Used to Make my Card:
Vanilla Card Base
Brown, White, Yellow, Orange, Red and Green Cardstock
Lawn Fawn Leafy Tree Backdrop - Landscape #LF1237
Lawn Fawn Jump for Joy Stamp Set, #LF1212
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

I have to be honest - I completely forgot about my Design Team duties for this challenge.  Completely.  I've been trying to complete some of my DT duties ahead of schedule and I think I thought I'd already made a project for this challenge.  Nope.  The good news is this card was SO easy to make I threw it together in record time!

I first cut the Backdrop out of white card, then cut the tree out of brown

The Bare Tree

 card.  I attached the tree to the die cut, then attached the panel to a vanilla card just so there would be a slight color difference between the panel and the actual card.

Tons of Leaves

Cutting out the leaves was super easy.  The Backdrop set has a row of leaves that cuts out 6 at a time.  In no time I had a pile of leaves ready to be attached to my tree.  I glued the leaves around the tree, purposely leaving a bit of the branches sticking out.  

The falling leaves are meant to look like they are swirling off the tree; I suppose I could have used a stamp to drive that point home - some sort of movement stamp - but I didn't think of it until I was writing this post.

Lastly, I stamped the sentiment onto the card with the help of my stamp platform.  I absolutely adore this thing and I'm so happy I made the switch from my old stamping tool.  

I hope you've had a relaxing long weekend.  I've been making Halloween cards and decor like crazy; that shouldn't come as a shock because you know Halloween is my favorite holiday and it is never too early to get your Halloween on!  I hope you get your fall stamps and colors out and join us at Stinkin' Inkers; you have NO excuse, the challenge runs the entire month. Thanks for stopping by!  Christi

PS: It's almost that time for the Cat Lovers 2018 Blog Hop - start getting your kitty makes together now so you'll be ready!


I am entering my card in the following challenges: {where did I find all these awesome challenges to enter?? At Challenges for Days!)
The Cat's Pajamas PaperArts - M, #350, Fall
Paper Smooches - M,  CAS
Scrap From Your Heart -M, Autumn Colors {see below}
Dream Valley Challenges - M, Autumn Colors
Lawn Fawnatics - 2W, #36, Mood Board {see below}
Alphabet Challenge Blog - L is for Leaves
a to z Scrapbooking - M, Clean & Simple {see below}

Scrap From Your Heart

Lawn Fawn

a to z Scrapbooking