Paper Funday with CAS-ual Friday Stamps!

 Hi all! Welcome to my monthly design team post for Paper Funday.  Since I am not skilled at using digi stamps I typically don't use the products that our sponsors give us to play with but this time we are sponsored by CAS-ual Fridays and I got to play with a set I've had for a while.  Remember, our challenge is always anything goes, with an optional twist and this month the option is Thanks/Grateful.  I am thankful and grateful for coffee, so my card fits both using the sponsors products and the optional theme!  

I used a white card base and cut out a brown border using a die from Lawn Fawn.  I stamped the sentiment using the CAS-ual Friday Coffee Talk stamp set using my favorite black ink and the word coffee using Hero Arts Cocoa Ink {I received the ink in a My Monthly Hero kit and it isn't available separately right now} right on the card.  I finished by cutting the coffee cup out of Your Next Stamp's paper pad Crazy for Coffee {if you look close you can see there is a tiny coffee bean with the word coffee circling it that makes the pattern - too cute!} and the coffee out of light brown card.  I popped the cup up with dimensional dots and added some iridescent pearls I had in my stash. 

You still have plenty of time to join in and play with Paper Funday this month - who knows, you just might win some goodies! Thanks so much for stopping by & see you soon! Christi  

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
CAS on Friday, #217 - Coffee
Ellibelle's Corner - Use Die Cuts and/or Punches
Allsorts Challenge, #648 - Add a Sentiment
Creative Fingers Challenge, #218 - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything Goes
DL Art - Anything Goes

CAS on Friday's Inspiration Photo

 

You are Spooktacular!

Hi everyone! This card was made with an older Lawn Fawn set and even though it's older, I think it's an adorable stamp set {the set was released in 2014!!}.  You can still buy this set from Lawn Fawn, or any place that sells their products but I was lucky to find the stamps and the dies on one of my de-stashing FaceBook groups.  

 

I started out stamping the bats on standard white cardstock, then filled in the background using the candies and stars from the Spooktacular set.  I left the bats black and white, coloring the other items with some Copic markers.  I trimmed the background and attached it to a white card with dimensional dots.  I stamped the sentiment with the same black ink I used on the background, Gina K's Amalgam ink in Obsidian on white card, cut it out with Stitched Rectangle Dies from Memory Box and layered it onto dark purple card which I then trimmed as well.  I have to take a moment and talk about this Amalgam ink - it is the only ink I have found that can be used for both water coloring and alcohol marker coloring.  Granted, if I am going to watercolor, I typically stamp on this watercolor paper, so it isn't as if I don't know what medium I will be using as I am making a card, but it takes out that little bit of worry wondering if the ink I have used will smear once I am coloring it.  The color is vibrant and the price point is right in line with most inks.  So I attached the sentiment to the card with dimensional dots as well, finishing the card off with some sequins I had in my stash and Stickles in the color Cosmic.  Stay tuned as I have another card I made using the same stamp set on the way.

While this card is a bit more juvenile than I typically make I am very pleased with how colorful and cheerful it looks.  I tend to lean towards the darker side of Halloween, so this was a nice break from the spookier side of the holiday. However, a friend did say to me that she feels things don't come much scarier than this overload of cuteness - fear not, the dark side is on the way :) Thanks for stopping by! Christi  

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Lawn Fawnatics, #111 - Coffee, Tea & Treats {I used LOTS of Treats!}
Creative Knockouts, #425 - Anything Goes
Funkie Junkie Challenge - Grunge, Ghouls or Giggles {entry 2}
Creative Moments, #225 - Anything Goes
Daring Cardmakers - Halloween Inspired
Retro Rubber, #170 - Fallin' for Autumn

Sending Wishes. . . with Dies R Us

Happy Wednesday! I am thrilled to be back on the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog Design Team; Dies R Us is a fabulous store that has so many other things besides dies, I do hope you will go have a look and don't forget to enter the fortnightly anything goes giveaway!  Spring is FINALLY here in Colorado, sort of.  We have been having 80 degree days, and then 60 degree days - still, it isn't rain or snow, so I'm a happy girl :) If you are a regular reader you know I am in love with Lawn Fawn and I pretty much buy every new thing they come out with {I'm happy, wallet is NOT happy!} because I just have to have it! Here is a new spring card I made with some of their products :) 

What I Used to Make my Card
White Card Base
Lawn Fawn Dandy Day stamps, #LF2217
Lawn Fawn Dandy Day dies, #LF2218
Lawn Fawn Spiffy Speckles Petite Paper Pad, #LF1868
Lawn Fawn Stitched Windy Backdrop, #LF1425
Lawn Fawn Grassy Border die, #LF613
Lawn Fawn Fancy Wavy Banners, #LF1923
Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 17, #S5-025
White Card {for frame}
Clear Wink of Stella 
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers 
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink
Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive Glue

You can see the sparkle a bit in this photo

I stamped, colored and cut all of the components, ran a pretty piece of Spiffy Speckles through the die machine using the windy backdrop {if you look close, the mice seem to be speckled too; before I cut them out I had used a bleach clean up product on my desk and got the speckled mice, not on purpose, but a fun accident. Kind of different!} I framed the background with white card cut out using Labels 17 and before I glued it down, I pieced the scene together.  I went over all the dandelions with clear sparkles to give the card a bit of pizazz, you can't really see it in the pictures but it's there.  I glued all the pieces onto the background, added the banner with the sentiment and I was done.  This was such fun card to make and I love that the flowers are included with the set as coloring grey {hmmmm, rainbow mice? Sounds like a plan to me! Oh! How about some pastel mice to help usher in spring!?!} mice all day can get really boring!

I hope you enjoyed my mini tutorial {truthfully, I run out of ways to word them and honestly, who is going to read this that needs a how to? But it is my way of blogging, so you are stuck with it! I like to blog like you & I are having a conversation so that's what I do!} and you are getting some signs of spring in your neck of the woods.  I appreciate you guys so much and your comments give me the push I sometimes need to continue with my hobby.  Please continue to be careful as the world slowly begins to open back up! Fondly, 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 am entering my card into the following challenges:
Moving Along with the Times, #129 - Animals/Birds
Crafty Animals, #49 - Anything Goes w/ an Animal
Crafty Calendar Challenge - Spring and/or Easter
Make my Monday, #145 - Spring and/or Easter
Try it on Tuesday - Hello Spring
Lawn Fawnatics, #98 - Happy Spring

 

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hello everyone!

This cute card was made for my Design Team project on The Paper Funday Challenge.  The theme is Irish Luck (use green on your project) and my card features a bunch of Lawn Fawn goodies. Since most of my family is Irish, St. Patrick's Day is a holiday close to my heart.  I enjoyed making this card and I hope you like it: 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Green Glitter Card
Light Green Card
Copic Markers
Lawn Fawn Special Delivery Stamps, #LF2466
Lawn Fawn Special Delivery Dies, #LF2467
Lawn Fawn Simply Celebrate Spring Stamps, #LF1896
Lawn Fawn Simply Celebrate Spring Dies, #LF1897
Lawn Fawn Celebration Scripty Sentiments, #LF1898
Lawn Fawn Quilted Backdrop, #LF1625
Die-Namics Fishtail Sentiment Strips, #MFT-1125
Distress Oxide Ink in Lucky Clover
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink

You can see the
glitter a bit better
here

I began, as I do with most of my cards by stamping, coloring and cutting out all the elements I need. The birds were water colored {and their beaks were cut with the included die; isn't that just the cutest?} and the clover was colored with Copic markers. I then set them all aside to concentrate on the backdrop portion of the card, I cut a piece of green glitter card and the quilted backdrop out of a lighter green card and attached them to the white card base.  The sentiment was stamped onto a piece of scrap white card then die cut. After everything was done and dried I assembled the card as you see in the picture. I think it came out so cute!

Whilst there are a lot of different stamps, dies and coloring mediums the project was easy to put together and it looks like the image in my mind {always a plus!}  

Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? My mother used to make corned beef and cabbage and that is one meal I truly miss {not the cabbage}! And the sandwiches the next day were so good! I have fond memories of this holiday and that meal.  I hope you have a fantastic St. Patrick's Day - like the saying says "everyone can be Irish for the day" - and be safe!

Fondly,
Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
The Rainbow Challenge, #27 - Judiciously Jade
TTCRD - Anything Goes
Cuttlebug Mania - Today our Favorite Color is Green
Little Red Wagon, #591 - Fun Feathered Friends
The Card Concept, #150 - Luck of the Irish
2 Crafty Critter Crazies, #48 - Anything Goes with a Critter
The House that Stamps Built, #321 - Going Green

Sending Lots of Love

I have been seeing these adorable Lawn Fawn slimline cards everywhere and I am sure you have, too.  The images are so cute and I finally broke down, bought the stamps and dies, then made my own and here it is:

What I Used to Make my Card:

White Slimline Card Base

Lawn Fawn Special Delivery Stamps, #LF2466

Lawn Fawn Special Delivery Dies, #LF2467

Lawn Fawn Special Delivery Box Add On Stamps, #LF2468

Lawn Fawn Special Delivery Box Add On Dies, #LF2469

Lawn Fawn Cloudy Stencil, #LF2250

Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink in Broken China

Watercolor Paper {I use this}

Zig Clean Color Brush Markers

Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink

As always, my first area of business is to stamp, color, and cut all of the elements I want to use on my card.  Second, I used the cloudy stencil to make the sky and stamped the sentiment directly onto the card base. I dressed up the canary to make him look like a mailman and adhered him and the owl to the card, followed by all those cute little letters and hearts.  I really enjoy making scenes and I am happy I am fortunate enough to have acquired all the cool backdrops that I have as they make it so easy to make a scene card.  Honestly, I am not a huge fan of Valentine's Day but being able to make a cute card like this makes all the engagement commercials worth it! 

I hope this card put a smile on your face!  I appreciate you taking the time to visit me here and I hope you'll consider following me.  If you do, leave me a message so I can follow you back. Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Make a Slimline Card
Mod Squad - Must Have the Word LOVE
Fab 'n Funky, #510 - Love, Heart
Cuttlebug Mania - Put an Animal on it {hope the birds count!}
NBUS Challenge, #23 - Never Before Used Stuff {the stamps, dies and stencil!}
Shopping our Stash, #438 - Love is in the Air
Double D Challenge - Valentine Love
The Paper Players, #527 - Hearts and/or Stars

You are The Best

I made this little card to send out with a giveaway I had a while back but I had forgotten I never posted it!  Better late than never!  Hope you enjoy it!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Hero Arts Ink in Light Teal, Feather, Mint Julip, Tide Pool, Summer Sky, Deep Ocean and Teal Topaz {all were used in the floral portion and the sentiment was stamped using Teal Topaz. All of these inks came from My Monthly Hero kits and may not be available as stand alone inks}
The Stamping Village Thinking of You Set, #TSV_0420 {I used the Gina K Designs sentiment}, and Spellbinders Nested Fancy Edged Circle Dies, #S4-903 {retired but available.}  

This was a fast and easy card to make.  I cut out the smallest circle from the Spellbinders die and used it as a mask for the floral arrangement.  Once I was done, I stamped the sentiment and cut it out using the same circle, added dimensional dots to the center of the flowers and I was done!  The recipient loved the card as well as her prizes so this was a win win.  I rarely use a mask making my cards and I don't know why.  I think it is because back in the beginning of my stamping, it was much more difficult than it is now with all of the products made especially for masking easily.  Also, I might be a touch too lazy.  :)  

Thank you all for stopping by and all of your comments of encouragement!  I appreciate them so much!  I want to remind you that very soon I will be having a giveaway on my Instagram account so if you are a part of that social media, I urge you to begin following me; don't worry, I will happily follow you back!  If you aren't yet on Instagram, well, you don't know what you are missing!  There is more content, crafters, ideas, and things to inspire you than anywhere else I have seen.  And you can use your computer!  Just go to Instagram.com and make an account. Thanks again!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Watercooler Challenges, #306 - All About Occasions
CASology, #382 - Unite
Unicorn Challenge, #61 - Clean and Simple
Make my Monday Challenge, #140 - Hello
Stamps + Fun = Creativity - Anything Goes
Allsorts, #608 - Beautiful Blooms

Lawn Fawn Critters Wish you a Happy New Year

*~*~* HAPPY NEW YEAR *~*~*

I don't know about you but it feels like 2020 lasted forever!! I am SO glad that year is over with & I am hoping we all have a better 2021!  I hope you enjoy my card :)

I got to use another premade Distress Oxide Ink background making this card.  I make a lot of backgrounds for my projects that don’t give me the look I want, or they just don’t fit the theme but instead of throwing them away, I save them.  It’s remarkable how many times a background I would have thrown away actually became the very thing I needed for a specific card.  I think I made this background for a Halloween card, but it didn’t work.  I think it works perfectly for this card!

 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Slimline Card Base {hand made}
Premade Oxide Ink Background
Lawn Fawn Upon a Star Stamps.  #LF1407
Lawn Fawn Upon a Star Dies, #LF1408
Lawn Fawn Winter Skies Stamps, #LF1763
Lawn Fawn Winter Skies Dies, #LF1764
Lawn Fawn Toboggan Together Stamps, #LF976
WOW! Embossing Powder, Fairy Dust, #WS104R
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink

I had an idea of what I wanted this card to look like; I wanted it to look like a celebration, fireworks, and fun.  I’m not completely happy with it; turns out I have NO fireworks stamps! So I thought I’d make the stars sparkle.  I began by stamping, coloring, and cutting out all my critters.  My first idea was to use a black sky so I stamped a bunch of stars on black card, embossed them, and cut them out.  The stars didn't give the look I wanted, but they were so pretty I saved them.  I am sure I will be using them for another card very soon.  Embossing  right onto the cardstock is something I am not confident in doing; I struggle with doing anything directly onto the cardstock as I have totally messed up so many beautiful cards that way, but I am getting better!  But I decided that was what I needed to do to get the look I wanted, and it worked!  Once the stars were embossed, I set up my characters and then stamped the sentiment directly onto the card. This was especially nerve wracking for me as I had to modify the sentiment; it read “and have a happy new year” and all I wanted was "happy new year”.  I devised a little trick using sticky notes that made it much easier to modify the saying to fit what I needed. 

Photo isn't that good, but you
get the idea :)

All I did was position the sentiment where I wanted it, then used a sticky note placed so the portion of the wording that I did not want on my card was on the sticky note.  Then I stamped and you can see on the card how beautifully it worked.  Just another way to stretch your investment! 

I am so looking forward to this new year!!  I am sure I am not alone.  I hope you all had a fabulous New Year - mine was quiet and that is just fine with me :)  I hope you and yours are safe and healthy and we all have a better year!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Lawn Fawnatics, #91 - New Year
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Sparkle & Shine
Cut it Up, #216 - Winter
Dies R Us Challenge, #160 - Anything Goes
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes with a Critter {or 8}
Happy Little Stampers Watercolor Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Animals, #46 - Anything Goes with an Animal

Time for the Cat Lovers Blog Hop!!

I love cats and I love making cards with cats on them! I was sorry to miss this wonderful blog hop put on by Her Peaceful Garden last year, but here I am this year!!  I'm a little late, as this is day 2 of the hop, but you still have plenty of time to get out those cat goodies and get creating!

This card is so simple!  I just made a card base out of white paper, stamped my cat and sentiment on it, then colored the cat and hearts with colored pencils.  The stamp set is from Unity Stamp Company and is called Really. . . Kitty?; but Unity has many, many kitty stamps from which to choose if this one isn't your style.  I used Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink for all the images and Prismacolor Colored Pencils to color everything in and to make the light blue background on the card.

 

Very easy simple card.  I will be posting another cat card tomorrow and I hope to see you here.  I really hope to see you in the hop as well!   PS: I apologize for the change in font in this post - I can't seem to get it to cooperate!  Hugs, Christi

 

I am entering my cat card in the following challenges:

Her Peaceful Garden {Cat Lovers Blog Hop} 

TTCRD - Anything Goes

SUYP Challenge - Anything Goes w/ a Cat

Moving Along with the Times, #123 - Animals and/or Birds

I am Currently Unsupervised. . .card 2

If you read my post from here, this is basically the same thing. Some ingredients have changed but not much else so feel free to scroll on down to the card :)

I am lucky enough to work on a blog called Challenges for Days where we update the current challenges for people like myself who can't remember all the wonderful challenges out there.  I tell you this because there has been many times that I am updating my day {which is Saturday} and I will come across a challenge that I just HAVE to enter.  It happened this past Saturday with Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers current challenge: D is for Dogs; the challenge goes until the end of the week, so drag out those doggie stamps and join in!

What I Used to Make my Cards:
White Card Base
Tim Holtz Mini Crazy Cats & Dogs Stamps, #CMS272
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Mini Crazy Cats & Dogs Dies, #661594

Watercolor Paper {I use this}

Zig Clean Color Brush Markers

Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink

Derwent Inktense Watercolor PencilsNuvo Crystal Drops in Ebony
Sakura Gelly Roll Pens, Stardust
Tim Holtz Mini Stencil Set #10, Flourish, #MST010
I am Currently Unsupervised Sentiment Stamp, Dylusions, Say How it is,  #DYR37774
Distress Oxide Ink in Worn Lipstick
Googly Eyes

Again, the dog was stamped, colored and die cut. I used the stencil to decorate

a strip of white cardstock, trimmed it down and attached it to the card base.  I stamped the sentiment in clear ink and embossed it in black, trimmed that and attached it to the strip that was stenciled.  I chose this dog because I love putting google eyes on the Crazy Cats, Dogs & Birds - they just fit perfectly!!!

Thank you for stopping by! I appreciate you using your time to stop and see my creations! Hugs {social distanced hugs!} Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Funkie Junkie - Stencilmania

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Mix it Up, #40 - Anything Goes, twist: Embossing {I used wet}

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers, #165 - D is for Dogs

Double Trouble, #63 - see challenge {you HAVE to read it - SO funny!}

2 Crafty Critter Crazies, #41 - Anything Goes with a Critter {card 2}

I Will Never Be Over the Hill. . .card 1

I am lucky enough to work on a blog called Challenges for Days where we update the current challenges for people like myself who can't remember all the wonderful challenges out there.  I tell you this because there has been many times that I am updating my day {which is Saturday} and I will come across a challenge that I just HAVE to enter.  It happened this past Saturday with Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers current challenge: D is for Dogs; the challenge goes until the end of the week, so drag out those doggie stamps and join in!  I've made a few cards for this challenge so expect some more :)

What I Used to Make my Cards:
White Card Base
Tim Holtz Mini Crazy Cats & Dogs Stamps, #CMS272
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Mini Crazy Cats & Dogs Dies, #661594

Watercolor Paper {I use this}

Zig Clean Color Brush Markers

Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink

Derwent Inktense Watercolor PencilsNuvo Crystal Drops in Ebony
Sakura Gelly Roll Pens, Stardust
Tim Holtz Gothic Stencil, #THS026
I Will Never be Over The Hill Sentiment Stamp, Dylusions, Shut Up & Color, #DYR55525
Distress Oxide Ink in Broken China and Blueprint Sketch
Stipple Brush

Another Peek

I started this card with stamping, coloring and die cutting the dog.  I then stenciled the corner with the Gothic Stencil using Broken China ink, and stippled just a bit with Blueprint Sketch.  I stamped the sentiment and attached the dog so he {or is it a she?} is sort of standing on the sentiment.  I love the quizzical look the dog is giving, that is exactly how I look at people when they ask me to climb {or even walk!} somewhere.

I hope you & yours are all safe and healthy.  Thank goodness for crafting!! Blessings, Christi
 
I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers, #165 - D is for Dogs
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes as Long as it has a Critter
The Artistic Stamper - Anything Goes
Crafty Animals - Anything Goes with an Animal
As You Like It - Favorite Animal {truthfully, cats are my favorite animal, but I decided to give dogs a chance this time.  Since I am now co-owner of a wonderful dog named Buddy I wanted to give him some time}
DL Art #264 - Animals