Thinking of You

I have been collecting the Little Agenda Stamp & Die sets from Mama Elephant for a while now.  I have always had a soft spot in my heart for miniature things and these adorable little critters are just SO cute!  I actually made this card with various Little Agenda animals I had hanging around and the frame was one I had made a while back.  I hope you enjoy this card!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Grey Card with a subtle dot background {frame}
Darker Grey Card {sentiment}
Uniquely Creative Circle Cover Plate Die, #UCD1801
Mama Elephant Little Agenda Stamps & Dies, Monkey
Mama Elephant Little Agenda Stamps & Dies, Chickie
Mama Elephant Little Agenda Stamps & Dies, Cats
Mama Elephant Little Agenda Stamps & Dies, Dogs
Mama Elephant Little Agenda Stamps & Dies, Bunnies
Simon Says Stamp Thinking of You Die, #SSSD111927
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink
Various Gel Pens
Derwent Inktense Pencils
Dimensional Dots

Like I said above, the critters were already stamped and colored.  I just added some gel pens for the accessories they are holding {they are tiny and I find it very difficult to watercolor in the items they are holding. Maybe someday when I learn how to use my Copic markers, I won't need to use gel pens!  But they do give a nice shine and bling to the images.}  Then I cut them out.  The frame was already attached to the card.  It had ripped while I was taking it out of the die but I still wanted to use it as I felt I could hide the rip somehow.  After I used dimensional dots to attach the critters to the card, I cut out the sentiment using darker gray card stock.  Lastly, I glued the sentiment onto the card, placed a glittery small heart I had {left over from another project} next to it, and I was finished.  I absolutely adore these Little Agenda sets and there are so many more for me to collect including little fairies, elves, reindeer, and more!

I hope you like my card!  I would love it if you'd consider following me on any of the social media sites where I am a part, including FaceBook. Feel free to let me know if you do decide to follow me and I will certainly return the favor. Thank you so much for visiting! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use Dies and/or Punches
Addicted to Stamps & More, #405 - Dies Cuts and/or Stencils
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Four Legged Friends
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers, #185 - A is for Animals
TTCRD - Anything Goes
2 Crafty Critter Crazies, #50 - Anything Goes with a Critter {or 9!}

Love is in the Air with Paper Funday's February Challenge

Hello everyone! I'd like to take this time to announce that I am now on the Design Team of  The Paper Funday Challenge Blog which is a monthly challenge open to any and all papercrafts!  I am very excited to share my first creation for the month of February; our challenge is Anything Goes with the Option of Love is in the Air.  I chose to work with the option this month and here is my card:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Red Cardstock
Light Pink Cardstock
Simon Says Stamp Pawsome Love Stamp Set, #SSS102077
Simon Says Stamp Pawsome Love Die Set, #SSSD112094C
Simon Says Stamp Ornate Love Dies, #SET12180L {retired, I just used the heart die}
Gina Marie Designs Lacey Lattice Rectangle Dies 
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink
Derwent Inktense Pencils
Stickles Glitter Glue in Christmas Red 

I've been finding that using colored pencils, watercolor or not, along with my Zig Clean Brush Markers allows me to color in designs better and I have much more fun when I am mixing mediums.  That is what I did with the images I used on this card; I stamped them, colored them, {I can't remember which I used first but I think it was the pencils} and then cut them out, and set them aside.  For a background, I used the lace lattice dies and red cardstock.  I had first used a clear dimensional gel on the heart balloons but for some reason as it was drying it cracked and while that look may be fine for some projects, it just didn't work for this one so I covered the clear dimensional gel with the Christmas Red Stickles and they came out nice and sparkly.  I stamped the sentiment onto light pink card and used a heart die to cut it out.  Lastly, I adhered all the pieces to the card base and here you have it!

I love how each of the kitties is different; I still have yet to master adding stripes to my cats without them looking silly, but I think these cats are adorable even without the stripes!  Now it is your turn to create a paper craft or two and enter it into our challenge; after all you have the entire month so I am positive you can make something and join in the fun{day}!  I hope you enjoyed my card!  I am hoping to see you soon!  Fondly, Christi

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

Some Bunny Loves You

** Looking for the giveaway post? It's HERE

Are you tired of the adorable Lawn Fawn bunnies?? I hope not, because I cannot stop creating with them.  The bunnies in this card were colored with Derwent Inktense Pencils and they are a bit different than my usual colored things because they are stamped on the "rough" side of the water color paper.  I had used the smooth side and didn't like what I was planning, so I turned it over and made these cute bunnies on the other side.  I think the rough side gives the image a bit more texture.  I hop hope you enjoy the card! 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Lawn Fawn Some Bunny Stamp Set, #LF1587
Lawn Fawn Some Bunny Dies, #LF1588
VersaFine Ink in Onyx Black
Derwent Inktense Pencils
Watercolor Paper
Green Card
Lawn Fawn Grassy Border, #LF613
MISTI 
Zig Clean Color Markers

As I stated above, I colored and cut out the bunnies, then I stamped the sentiment.  I used my MISTI to center the sentiment - I have such trouble getting things to line up the way I want - and I could NOT use the old stamp positioners, just could not wrap my head around using them.  I have about six different ones and none of them worked the way they should for me.  I am so glad these new tools came along!

Another Look

Then I stamped the flowers on some scrap water color paper and colored them with the Clean Color Markers.  Instead of water coloring them, I just used the marker at full strength.  Makes them pop a bit, don't you think?  I cut the Grassy Border and attached it to the bottom of my card, taking care to only glue the bottom so I could stick my flowers in the grass.

I attached the bunnies to make them appear to be jumping; frolicking through the grass, and so happy that some bunny loves you.  I just cannot get enough of these adorable sets!

Thank you so much for stopping by - I do read each and every comment; I may not be able to respond, but I do read them!  I would love to have you follow me and if you do, please leave me a comment so I can follow you back - let's spread some Blogger love.  I'm also on Instagram and I'd LOVE to follow you there as well.  Have a hoppy happy day! Hugs, Christi


I am entering my Some Bunny Loves You card in the following challenges:
Crafty Nomad - It's a Bunny Hop {I almost missed this!! Thanks white rabbit!}
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Animal Magic
2 Sisters on the Blog - M, 3 of a Kind
Fashionable Stamping - #134, Animals {entry #2}

**** Looking for the giveaway post? It's HERE

It's Birthday Season!

Most of the people in my life celebrate their birthdays in the next 4 months and I just found out that April 21st is my favorite boss's birthday; I literally made this card in a few hours since I was seeing her the next day and then she had some time off.  I wanted to be sure she had this in time for her birthday.  Deana, my boss, loves the color pink and the bunnies have a special meaning between us, so you know the card had to include both! Here is the card I made for her:

The colors actually do match in real life!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Avery Elle Balloon Elle-Ments
Lawn Fawn Some Bunny Stamps, #LF1587
Lawn Fawn Some Bunny Dies, #LF1588
Derwent Inktense Pencils
Die-Namics Stitched Oval Stax, #MFT-521
Hero Arts My Monthly Hero, March 2018 {used the word Birthday}
3mm Gems {these are marketed for nail art - MUCH cheaper than craft gems!}
Pink Glitter Card
Light Tan Card
Pink and White Card
Hero Arts Ink in Bubble Gum
Hero Arts Pink Accent Pearls
Momento Ink in Tuxedo Black

I was really pressed for time {I typically take at least a day to design a card} but I had this type of birthday card in my head since I got the Balloon Letter

Dies. I grabbed 2 pre-colored bunnies and set them aside; these were left over from my spring cards and colored with Inktense Watercolor Pencils.  I cut out the word HAPPY using the Balloon Elle-Ments and accented them with tiny gems.  I got 12 colors of these gems in the nail art section - I think I paid about $6 for the bunch and they come in their own little container!  I have enough of these to bling everything and anything for quite some time.  If you want info on where I got them, send me an email using the contact form on the right side.  

Next, I attached the string cuts, styling them as needed so the bunnies could hold the balloons.  

I stamped the sentiment {it is incredibly hard to find a birthday stamp - tons of Happy Birthday, but just birthday? Thank goodness the Hero Arts monthly kit had one!} on some white card, cut it out using the stitched oval stax, and then used a larger oval to cut out the glitter card.  I know in the photos the pinks don't look like they match, but they do compliment each other in real life just fine {I hate it when I can't make the colors look right!}  I attached the sentiment oval onto the glitter card and set it under the tile to dry and adhere really strongly - I've found that glitter card doesn't always take to something attached to it, so the weight of the tile works wonderfully.

Meanwhile, I adhered the bunnies and the balloon letters to the card base.  I used some pink pearls I had and punched out some tiny hearts from the left

Another Look

over pink glitter card.  I arranged the pearls and hearts where I wanted them, then attached the sentiment.  I'm very pleased how well it came out and how well the design transferred from my head to actual paper!  She loved the card and that's another birthday down! You can be sure I added it to my calendar so I won't be caught off guard next year.  

Thank you SO much for stopping by! Since you have read this entire post I will let you in on a secret - my giveaway is coming up by the end of this month! One of the requirements is going to be that you are a follower of this blog, so why not do that right now while you are thinking of it and so you'll get notice of the giveaway.  I'm actually thinking of having two separate prizes, but more info on that will be in the post.  I appreciate all the follows and comments; I read each and every one! I hope you got a bit of inspiration from my card and I'll see you soon ~ Fondly, Christi

PS: She LOVED the card :) xo

I am entering my Happy Birthday card in the following challenges:
Pattie's Creations Challenge - #145, Bunnies and/or Ducks
Cute Card Thursday - #527, Pretty in Pink
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Cards in Envy - It's Birthday Party Time!
Sweet Stampers Challenge - Too Cute

Be Pawsitive!

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

What I Used to Make My Card:

Momento Ink in Tuxedo Black

Light Blue Card {for the box}

Brown Card {for the hills}

Lawn Fawn Meow You Doin' Stamps, #LF1315

Lawn Fawn Meow You Doin' Dies, #LF1316

Lawn Fawn Shadow Box Card Die, #LF1486

Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils

Water Color Paper

Die-Namics Stitched Fishtail Sentiment Strips  

Lawn Fawn Really Rainbow 6 x 6 Paper, #LF1655

Strip of Acetate

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

 

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

Ignore the spikey thing - it still folds!

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

Another peek

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


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

Happy Spring Kitty

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

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

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

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

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

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

Another look

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

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

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

Happy Easter with Lawn Fawn

I was absolutely inspired to make this card by the current Lawn Fanatics challenge, #24, Fun with Dies.  I needed an Easter card anyway, and I remembered that my very first Lawn Fawn set was "Hoppy Easter".  I've got tons of sets now {and more on the way!} and I never get tired of the cute stamps and dies that the Lawn Fawn team dreams up.  

What I Used to Make my Card: {this is a LONG list!!}
White Card Base
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Lawn Fawn Snow Day stamp set, #LF723
Lawn Fawn Snow Day dies set, #LF724
Lawn Fawn Happy, Happy, Happy add on stamp set, #LF1478
Lawn Fawn Happy, Happy, Happy add on dies set, #LF1479
Lawn Fawn Shadow Box Card dies set, #LF1486
Lawn Fawn Costume Party dies set, #LF1459
Lawn Fawn Leafy Tree Backdrop, Landscape dies, #LF1237
Lawn Fawn Blue Skies dies set, #LF511
Lawn Fawn Hoppy Easter stamp set, #LF1319
Lawn Fawn Hoppy Easter dies set, #LF1320
Lawn Fawn Stitched Trees Borders die set,  #LF1236
Pebbles 6" x 6" Paper Pad, Family Ties {discontinued but available}
White Glitter Card
Pink, Blue, Purple, Yellow and Green Shimmer Card
Green, Yellow & Brown Card
Brown Card
Watercolor Paper
Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils
Tim Holtz Detail Water Brush

I apologize for not taking pictures of this process. I got so wrapped up in making the card that it didn't even cross my mind until I went to take pictures of the finished card.  I'm sorry!!

To make this card I literally used every single die cut I could.  I think I did a great job, considering the card is just A2 sized! I used a variety of cardstock - textured, glitter, and shimmer, to give the card a spring feel.

Before I began to assemble the actual scene, I stamped the bunnies on watercolor paper and colored them with watercolor pencils, using the detail water brush to move the color around.  Once they were dry, I cut them out and set them aside to construct the scene.

The first step was to make the Happy Easter sentiment.  I stamped "Happy" {from the Happy, Happy, Happy add on stamp set} on yellow card, cut out four

more of the die cuts and layered them together.  I've recently seen this called "eclipse" style, so I'll go with that! Then I cut out the oval shape {from the Shadow Box Card dies}, stamped "Easter" {from the Hoppy Easter set} on the lower half of the oval and attached the eclipsed Happy on the top half.  I set the sentiment aside and continued to work on the scene portion.

I cut the tree and hill background {from the Stitched Trees Borders} out of brown card, trimmed the hill part down and snipped off the middle tree.  I knew I wanted some type of leaves on the trees, but I didn't want to use actual leaves as the trees are sort of on the tiny side and I wanted the focus to be the bunnies.  I went through my 6" x 6" pads and found this fabulous leaves paper; I cut the two tree backgrounds out of it.  I attached the patterned paper to the trees and set it aside.  Next, I cut the two green hills and set them aside; the front hill {from the Leafy Tree Backdrop set} is a lighter green than the back hill {cut from the Shadow Box Card set.} 

The eggs were next; I used shimmer paper to make them {using the Hoppy Easter dies set} and the Easter basket is cut from brown card {I used the Halloween Candy Bucket from the Costume Party dies}.  The Hoppy Easter set includes an Easter basket, but it was too tiny to hold any of the eggs!  Lastly, I die cut the clouds {from the Blue Skies die set} out of white glitter card.  Now I had all my cuts and just had to assemble the card.  

Another Look

I glued the brown trees and hill down first, then the longer green hill, followed by the lighter, taller hill.  Now the bunnies had something to romp on!  The bunnies were placed on the scene, then the eggs.  Finally, the clouds were adhered and the sentiment oval.  I am very pleased with the outcome and it was worth all the cutting and fitting of everything.  My neighbor will be getting this card; I hope she'll love it!  Thanks for reading this tutorial.  I know it was a long one!  Perhaps this will inspire you to grab some of your dies and use them.   You might find some unconventional ways to use them that will surprise you! Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my Happy Easter card into the Following Challenges:
Lawn Fawnatics - #24, Fun with Dies
CCEE - #1810, Die Cut Words
Paperminutes - #528, Rabbits and/or Eggs
Stamp, Ink & Paper - #140, Four Legged Friends 
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #12, Must Include a Critter
Animal Friends - #60, Easter
ARTastic Challenge - Include an Animal
Do-Al(l) Creatives - #15, Easter/Spring
Brown Sugar - #276, Spring or Easter