Clean & Simple Birthday Card

I needed to make a more masculine birthday card than usual and I had just gotten this stamp from Unity Stamps so I thought I'd use it and see what I could come up with.  I hope you like it!

What I Used to make My Card:
White Card Base
Unity Stamps . . . say it big May 2019 Sentiment Kit
Picket Fence Studios Gem Mixers, Reflections, #GM-104
Imagine Crafts Kaleidacolor Pad - Spectrum
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink

Before I get into the making of this card, I need to toot some product horns. First, it's a shame that the Kaleidacolor pads have fallen out of favor as the one I used to make this card I've had for the last 20 years {!} and I've never had to reink it and it has never let me down. If ombre or rainbows find themselves in your art on a regular basis I can't recommend these pads enough. Second, I typically don't write about gems or sequins; there are so many out there and they all serve to brighten our cards. But, on a whim, I ordered the Reflections Gems from Picket Fence Studios and they are stunning!! I can't even describe the colors you get in this mix, but it is literally breathtaking. Honestly, I had balked at the price as it is a bit more than I typically spend for bling, but I am SO glad I took a chance. I am finding myself looking for ideas to make cards so I can use these gems! Fantastic quality! Now, on to the card, it was super easy! I inked up the stamp with the spectrum pad and stamped it directly on the card, then stamped the sentiment, trimmed it and adhered it.  After placing the gems, the card was done.  Whilst maybe not your typical masculine card, I like it.  Most of the men in my life don't do "men" things like hunt and fish so I can tell you I will be using this design to celebrate their birthdays! And who doesn't like rainbows? I was inspired by the challenge at Inspiration Station to use my Kaleidacolor pad to make this easy card!

I hope you don't mind my little sales pitch at the beginning of the post. I know I appreciate it when a fellow crafter recommends something, and I hope you do too. Thanks so much for popping in and I hope you have a wonderful day! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Birthday {Happy 11th Birthday!!}
Inspiration Station, #11 - Color my World
NBUS Challenge, #29 - The stamps & gems are new :)
Sisterhood of Snarky Stamps, #190 - C is for Colorful
Try it on Tuesday - Keep it Simple

Hero Arts Love is Love

Hi everyone,

Hero Arts periodically offers items that when they are purchased, a portion, or all of the profits go to different causes.  Both of the sets I used to make this card are an example of such products.  In addition to their own charitable giving, Hero Arts also collaborated with many other stamp companies to put out products such as the We Stand with You stamp set; it is worth a look, especially with so many different styles in one set!  The sets I used for this card are part of the Kindness Campaign {you can read about the various ways Hero Arts gives and supports various charities by clicking that link}.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Tutti Designs Nested Stitched Hearts die, #TUTTI-216
Hero Arts Support Prayers Love stamp set, #CM219 {retired}
Hero Arts You Are Loved stamp set, #CM171
Kaleidacolor Ink Pad in Spectrum,  #KA-000-001
Dimensional Dots

I just have to start with the fact that I have had this Kaleidacolor ink pad for over 20 years and I have never had to re-ink it or ever had any issues with the pad or any other Kaleidacolor pads I have.  I even had one on which the top got cracked during a move and I put the pad in a zipper bag and it STILL works!  When I find a product that I feel is a great value, I just have to share it!  So I stamped the image of the hands holding the heart globe on a scrap piece of white card, cut that out with the stitched heart die, and set it aside.  Then I took the card base and stamped the sentiment on it with the same Kaleidacolor pad as I used to stamp the focal image. I attached the heart with dimensional dots and I was finished. I think the message of this card is so timely and the CAS design catches your eye. What do you think?

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to look at my card.  I appreciate it SO much! Also, in the near future 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!  Hoping you and yours are healthy & happy!   

Fondly, Christi

PS: My editor and dear friend, Nana Connie is in the hospital with pneumonia - maybe you could pop over to her blog and let her know you are thinking of her?? She can read her FB posts in the hospital and I know many of you know her.  I'm sure she'd appreciate so love! She also said, if you have her address, send cards there.  Praying for you Connie!!

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Love to Scrap, #142 - Love is. . .
Love to Craft Challenge Blog (LCCB), #55 - Anything Goes
Krafty Chicks, #548 - Occasions {I think love is an occasion!}
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Double D Challenges - Anything With a Heart {2nd card}
Happy Little Stampers CAS - Love is in The Air
Day of the Month Card Club, #24 - Valentine's Day/Love
Sweet Stampers, #53 - CAS
Dare to be Artzy - Love

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

Sympathy Calligraphy Bird & Giveaway Information!

My dear neighbor has a daughter and son-in-law who are bird crazy.  I know they have a cockatiel and a few smaller ones, but they absolutely LOVE their birds; I imagine as much as I adore my fabulous feline four.  Unfortunately, one of their little flying angels flew off to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for the others to join them.  Helen asked me to make a card for her to send them and I knew exactly what stamp I was going to use.  Finding that stamp was another matter entirely, but I digress.  I made two cards for her so she could choose the one she preferred.

Before I get into how I made these cards, I want to share this little giveaway I'm having:

Art~Without~Anxiety

presents

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I’m having a small drawing on my blog.  All you need to do is click onto this post, chose the costume you like best & when I get 75 costume comments, I’ll draw a random winner.  Open Internationally! Please feel free to share!

EXPIRES Nov, 1. 2017

What I Used to Make my Cards:

2 White Card Bases

White, Navy Blue and Black Card

Calligraphy Bird Stamp (I have no idea where I got this stamp)

Peace, Courage & Memories Set from Unity Stamp Co., #GKD-004A

Kaleidacolor Pad in Spectrum #KA-000-001

Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

Wink of Stella in Clear

Black Enamel Dot 

Pop Dot

Both of these cards were very easy; I just stamped one image using the

Kaleidacolor ink pad and another with the Jet Black ink, both on white card.  I then trimmed both images.  I placed the color card onto the navy card and then attached the card onto the white card base. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment using the color pad, onto the bird image.  I then swiped the Wink of Stella, in clear, all over the colors, line by line.  I tried to get a picture of the sparkle, but I couldn't.

Then I assembled the black and white card.  I adhered the black and white image onto the black card with Pop Dots.  I also adhered the sentiment with Pop Dots.  I then placed the enamel dot on the card.  You can see the dimension and the texture on the black card.  

Here is the black and white card.  I am not sure which card Helen chose to send to her daughter, but the beauty of these cards is you can send them for any reason.  I hope you enjoyed my short tutorial and I do hope to see you join my Happy Halloween giveaway - I can't wait to see which costume wins the vote!  Thank you so much for visiting! Christi 




I am entering my Sympathy cards in the following challenges:
CASology - #270, Odd (It's odd I made 2 cards)

Through the Craft-Room Door - Anything Goes

2 Crafty Critters - Anything Goes w/ a Critter

A Bit More Time to Craft - #53, Anything Goes

My Time to Craft - #356, Sympathy

Crazy for Challenges - #406, Make a Card

Happy Birthday!

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

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

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

Another Look

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

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

PS: Happy St. Patrick's Day :) 

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

Thinking of you

~*~ Before I get into this next post, why not take some time and enter a creation for the current Twofers challenge, Things with Wings? You could win a $20 gift certificate to Alleystamps!~*~

I was playing with some older Tim Holtz stamps when this card came to life.  Nothing makes me happier than using the stuff I already have, well, except buying more stuff.  Anyway, I've had this set for quite a while now and this is the card I made with it:

What I Used to Make my Card:
Vanilla Card Base
Vanilla Cardstock
Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous "Flights of Fancy" set, #CSS25856*
Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous "Crazy Talk" set, #CMS236
Kaleidacolor Pad in Cappuccino Delight, #KA-000-019 
Die-Namics Pierced Oval Stax, #MFT-521
Memories Ink in Artprint Brown
Pop Dots

The first step to making this card was stamping the floral sprays in the corners of a vanilla cardstock panel. I inked the stamp using the Cappuccino ink, using a different portion of the ink pad each time to get different colors for each image.  After I stamped the panel I trimmed it down to fit on the card base.

Then, using the Artprint Brown (which is a very cool color and was popular back in the heyday of stamping) I stamped Thinking of You from the Crazy Talk set.  I centered the Oval Stax over the sentiment and cut it out.  I pop dotted the stamped panel onto the card base and then pop dotted the sentiment in the center of the card.

I like the simplicity of this card and how easily it came together.  I love working with the colors of fall! I hope my little tutorial inspired you to dig out some older stamps and inks - some things never go out of style ~ Fondly, Christi

* You can still get the original Flight of Fancy set from many places online,  I also found that the flowers flourish I used is available in a set called Nature's Discovery (Stampers Anonymous #CMS049)

Another look at the card.

 I also want to enter my Thinking of You card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Thinking of You
Fab 'n Funky Challenges - Clean & Simple
Everybody Art Challenge - Shades of Brown
Retro Rubber - #27, Fall Colors
Eureka Stamps - #166, The Colors of Fall
The Paper Girls Challenge (M) - #91, Stamps (2nd Entry)
Stampinback Challenge (M) - Autumn

Clean and Simple Fall Card

Fall is my favorite season - it's finally cool enough to sleep at night but warm enough you can leave the windows open, it was a beautiful 75 degree day here in my part of Colorado. And I love the colors of this time of year.  I was inspired to make this card while rummaging through my inks and I came across this Kaleidacolor ink pad that I have had since I was a Stampin' Up! demonstrator (at least 15 years ago!) - it's amazing to me that the pad is still juicy! Anyway, here is my most recent card creation:

How I Made my Card:

Brown Card Base 
Glossy Cardstock

Kaleidacolor SU! Ink Pad - Pumpkin Spice (discontinued)

Wendy Vecchi "Art Comforts", # SCS110

Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

Brayer

I found the Kaleidacolor ink pad when I was looking for the ink pad to make this Thank You card for my hair stylist - I had forgotten I even owned this pad! Anyway, when I saw it I knew I wanted to make a fall themed card - the colors are so rich!

I love how the color pops off the glossy cardstock when using the Kaleidacolor ink pads. I thought these particular colors would look fabulous used as a background, so I loaded up my brayer and inked the glossy panel by going over and over with the brayer until I achieved the coverage I wanted.  It really only takes about 4 or 5 "brayerings" for the color to be saturated.  

I then stamped my glossy panel with the stamp from Wendy Vecchi's Art Comforts set using Jet Black Archival ink.  Trimmed the panel and adhered to my card base.  I wish I could master photographing glossy cardstock because you really can't see how beautiful these inks are; you'll just have to try the technique yourself!

I hope my little card will inspire you to create some fall projects! Today is football day and I have got to go and get ready to watch my Broncos play - GO PAYTON! Have a wonderful day! Christi

Another look at the card

I would like to enter my CAS Fall card in the following challenges: 

Less is More - #245, One Layer Autumn Cards
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Autumn is in the Air

Fashionable Stamping Challenges - #104, Changing Seasons
Penny Black & More (October) - Warm Autumn Colors
Stamping Sensations (October) - Colors of Autumn

Thanks. . .

I hadn't been to a salon since I moved here to Colorado and my hair was getting so long and heavy it was making me insane.  I needed to get it styled very badly so I went to Google and looked up some hair salons.  Luckily, I found a GREAT one and I had such a great time, I decided to make my stylist a thank you card.

What I Used to Make My Card:
Glossy Cardstock
Kaleidacolor Ink Pad in Spectrum
IndigoBlu Stamp - Juliet, #J1
Core'dinations Dark Cardstock in Purple Grandeur
Mrs. Grossman Alphabet Stickers
Brayer

I've rediscovered my Kaleidacolor Ink Pads and I've been having a blast using them.  For this card, I inked up my brayer and brayered the ink directly on the rubber stamp and stamped it on glossy paper.  In my opinion, using these inks on glossy paper really makes the colors pop. But, you MUST be sure you use actual glossy cardstock, photo paper just doesn't work the same way or look as vibrant.  You can use them on regular cardstock, but, again, the vibrancy just isn't going to be there.  Once I stamped the image and trimmed it down I found a cardstock color that I felt complimented the colors in the image and made that my card base.

I didn't want to put my sentiment anywhere that would obscure the image and I fretted about that issue for a while.  I could make the whole card out of glossy cardstock, but I really wanted to use a colored card base, to frame the image, so that wouldn't work.  I didn't want to use another piece of cardstock for a stamped sentiment, so that was out.  I even debated using vellum but it is such a pain to adhere. . .then I remembered that I have a HUGE 12" x 12" plastic tote filled with alphabets, stickers and words. I must have every type of alphabet sticker ever made! So I dived into my stash and found this cute little alphabet. I liked that the letters were black but the sticker itself was clear. Again, I didn't want to detract from the image.  So I lined up the letters - which took me the absolute LONGEST time (and I wasted a few letters in the process) and stuck them down.  I adhered the white glossy panel to my purple card base and I was done!  And, since the alphabet stickers are a stash item (honestly, I have no idea how long I have had them) I gave myself extra points.

I tried like MAD to get this picture straight but I just could not get it to cooperate. I apologize for it being wonky!

I hope she likes the card. I'll be going back in about 6 or 8 weeks for lowlights (apparently, these lowlights help blend the grey but don't commit you to having to dye your hair when the roots begin to show - they are more subtle - we will see) and hopefully she will let me know if she likes the card. I only need 20 or so more followers to meet my goal of 100 new followers in 2015 so please consider giving me a hand and becoming a follower.  I would appreciate it SO much! Thanks for popping by! Christi

I am entering my Thanks card in the following challenges:
The Craft Barn - People
Alphabet Challenge Blog - Q for Quick & Simple
Craft Stamper - October Challenge - Take a Technique (I used Ink)
Creative Knockouts - #110, Thankful Thoughts
Through the Craft Room Door - October 6 - 12, 2015 - Anything Goes
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - #248, Anything Goes
Glitter 'n Sparkle - #157, Anything Goes
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge - Thankful for You

Rainbow Birthday Card

Welcome to my very first post for the JittoBear Design team! When I became a member of the JittoBear design team I made a list of all the die cuts I wanted and while I didn't expect it, I got everything I asked for (and I already have a wish list going for the next order!).  I love the fact that you can get sentiments in a set, each saying the same thing, but in different fonts.  I believe you can never have too many Happy Birthday cards and here is my latest. Hop on over to the JittoBear blog to see how I made my card (when you get to the page you will see BLOG as one of the headers on the page - click that tab).

 

 
With so many designs, I had to start simple; just looking at all of them my inspirations went haywire. I have so many other ideas and a few of them are already in progress. Thank you for stopping by to see my first JittoBear Design Team Post! You really should go to the store and start making a list of what you want, because you will want everything! be sure to check out the JittoBear blog (the link to the blog is at the top of the page) as well to see what my teamies have posted. If you like what you saw, please consider subscribing to my blog and help me reach my goal of 100 new subscribers ~ Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my Rainbow Happy Birthday card in the following challenges:
Sister Act Challenge - (w) #97, Anything Goes
Creative Fingers - (w) #71, Anything Goes
Seize the Birthday - Focus on the Sentiment
Inspiration Destination - (w) #24, Anything Goes
The Crazy Challenge - #192, Birthday