Celebrate!

This month at Die Cut Divas we are using the color "Yellow" as well as some adorable digis from Kinda Cute Digis.  

You still have a little time to join in the challenge if you wish!

What I Used to Make my Card:
Square {5 1/4" x 5 1/4"} White Card
Black, Yellow and Light Blue Cardstock
Graphic 45 Artisan Style Paper, Patterns & Solids, 8" x 8" {available online}
Border Die - Dotted Line {unknown manufacturer}
MFT/Die-Namics Wonky Stitched Circle STAX
Lawn Fawn Celebrate die, #LF1429
Big Rose Image by Kinda Cute Digi's
Alcohol Ink Marker in Yellow

The lovely Arlene sent me this image {as she did for the image I used here} and I used the wonky stitched circle die to cut it out.  I colored the image with alcohol ink markers.  That was my mistake.  I typically try to get all the supplies I need together before I put a project together {or I at least know in my head what I am going to use} and this time I colored the rose before I had anything else to go with it.  The hunt begins for the perfect background paper with me first going through all my 6" x 6" pads, 8" x 8" pads, as well as any odd sized pads.  Then I move on to my 12" x 12" papers.  Well, I overlooked the Artisan pad that I finally used and it took me DAYS to figure out what else I could find to match this rose.  I am so new at working with alcohol markers that I was afraid to try and blend any other shades of yellow in the flower {watercolor I can handle,

Another Peek

alcohol ink, not so much} because I was certain I'd ruin it and I only had this flower left.  Yes, I had other images I could have used, but give a girl a break!  Honestly, I was so invested in the rose at this point that using another image didn't even cross my mind.

Finally, I found the paper I decided to use.  I think the yellow matches nicely.  I cut the paper using a dotted line border die I have; it's literally a metal line of dots. Unfortunately I don't recall where I acquired it but it's pretty handy when you don't have a die large enough to cut what you want, as long as what you want is straight edged.  I mounted the rose onto the background paper.  Then it was time for the sentiment.  I typically stamp in black ink, but I wanted to pick up some of the other colors in the background paper so I decided to use the celebrate die.  The word was cut three times, once out of light blue card, then once each out of yellow and black card.  I layered the cuts and there have been quite a few times where my eyes played tricks on me and I thought the word was 3D.  I didn't plan on that effect but hey, I like it! 

There you have it!  My square Celebrate card.  I hope you liked my little tutorial and if you can't make the challenge at Die Cut Divas this month, be sure to check back tomorrow!  Thanks for visiting ~ Christi


I'd like to enter my Celebrate card in the following challenges:
Art Impressions - #242, Vibrant Colors
Addicted to Stamps & More - #311, Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes {entry #2}
Tuesday Throwdown Color Challenge - Use Complimentary Colors
Pause, Dream, Enjoy - M, Anything Goes
Daring Cardmakers - With a Flourish {flourishes on the word}
Creative Knockouts - #265, Anything Goes
Retarte - #128, Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown

Hello Summer. . .

I realize that this really isn't the beginning of summer but when I crafted this card it was HOT and summer was in full swing!  I may not be able to use it this year but I will just put it away and use it next year!

This card was made using Kinda Cute by Patricia digital stamps, who happens to be sponsoring the Die Cut Divas' September Challenge with a theme of "Use Yellow."  

What I Used to Make my Card:
Cream Card Base
Digi Stamp by Kinda Cute by Patricia, Sunflower
Authentique Meadow, 6 x 6 pad
Impression Obsession Hello Summer die, #DIE688-B
Tutti Designs Cross Stitched Nesting Rectangles, #TUTTI-410
MFT/Die-Namics Stitched Fishtail Sentiment Strips, #MFT-1123
Embossed Decorative Yellow Paper {stash}
White Card
Alcohol Ink Markers 

I am just learning how to color with alcohol ink markers - it's not something that makes me feel very confident.  Using the color yellow, digi stamps, and alcohol ink markers and I am actually surprised at how well this card came out.  Since I don't have a laser printer, my good friend Arlene {the Die Cut Divas coordinator} sent me the digi stamps for this challenge.  I wasn't sure how I was going to color the digis but since I was already out of my comfort zone, I figured I might as well use Copic markers.

I colored the five flowers using various shades of yellow and green.  Then I cut the rectangle with all the flowers out first and used the patterned paper, which I cut out using the Cross Stitched Rectangle dies, to add some interest.  I found

Another Peek

this cool yellow decorative paper in my stash and cut out another rectangle to mount the flowers.  The finishing touch on the card is the banner with Hello Summer on it, cut out in yellow card.

As I said, I am actually proud of this card! I've been collecting digi stamps for a while now, but I just can't get myself to truly use them.  That's one reason I really enjoy being on a Design Team - you are sometimes forced out of your comfy box.  I hope this inspires you to break out some yellow, be it markers, card stock, or anything your crafty mind can dream up {just please, use some die cuts!} and join us at Die Cut Divas' September Challenge.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simply Create, Too - M, #142, Use Stitching, Real or Faux
The Paper Challenge - M, #352, Make it Bloom
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Bloomin' Flowers
Shopping Our Stash - #370, Crazy for Coloring
The Flower Challenge - M, #24, Anything Goes
Take It, Make It - M, Anything Goes