Swinging Under the Trees

When I received the May My Monthly Hero kit from Hero Arts it brought back SO many fond memories of my best friend.  She and I lived next door to each other and it is because of her that my childhood was as amazing as it was.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Black Card
My Monthly Hero Kit, May 2018 {Hero Arts}
Watercolor Paper
Distress Oxide Inks
Versafine Ink in Onyx Black
MISTI

As I created the background for this card I forgot to write down which Oxide Inks I used; I apologize!  But I do recall thinking I wanted the background to look like a summer sky as the sun was setting and I think I achieved that look, don't you?

Another Look

Once the background was dry, I cut the overlay out of black card using a die that was included with the kit.  I'm so glad I got this kit because this stamp, along with the die, reminds me of swinging at my best friend's house, using a swing attached to her old oak tree.  I can still feel the sense of being free as the wind flowed all around me and I can still hear us laughing as we took turns pushing each other as high as we could.  We let our imaginations run wild with that oak tree; we played acorn hospital under the tree, the tree was "home base" in many games, many times.  Unfortunately, her house {not the one where the oak tree is, that is where her parents still live} was one of the many which were damaged when a tornado hit a few towns in Connecticut.  My plan is to send her this card {along with some other goodies} and I hope it brightens her day a bit.

Having the die cut in place, I stamped the image directly onto the background paper, using my MISTI to help with placement.  Isn't that a fabulous stamp? There are ALL kinds of beautiful silhouettes in this kit; I got so many ideas from it I had to write them down so I could get them out of my head and make room for other creative ideas to take form!

I hope you like this card as much as I do and I truly hope you have some fond childhood memories of swinging on a swing with your loved ones.  Have a wonderful day.  Christi

I am entering my Swinging Under the Trees Card in the following challenges {all found using Challenges for Days}:
Lost Coast Portal to Creativity - #58, Anything Goes
a2z Scrapbooking - M, August, Anything Goes
The Artistic Stamper - M, August, Anything Goes
Carlin's Cards Challenge - #1, M, July/August, Anything Goes
Papercraft Business Challenge #9, August, Anything Goes
Eclectic Ellapu - M, August, Friends from Afar {in fact her package was mailed today!}
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Make Your Own Background
Watercooler Wednesday Challenge - #182, Feminine Anything Goes
Scrapy Land - #95, Anything Goes
The Sisterhood of Craft - Summer Vacation {make a card relating to summer activities}
Die Cuttin' Diva's - #380, Anything Goes
Pammies Inky Pinkies - #1830, Sunny Days
A Vintage Journey -M, July, Get Sentimental
A Gem of a Challenge - M, July, Summertime/Holidays

Dreaming of You

A while back I posted a card made with a Memory Box die that had these adorable bunnies and I spoke about buying the sheep at the same time.  Now, I KNEW I had made a card with the sheep; they are just too cute to keep filed away.  Today I finally found the card that I knew I'd made! I'm happy I found the card; not so happy that I forgot about it! 

What I Used to Make this Card:
White Card Base
Memory Box Leaping Sheep Die, #99903
VersaFine Ink in Onyx Black
Silver Shimmer Card
Silver Glitter Card
My Monthly Hero, August of 2017, for sentiment and clouds
Die-Namics Stitched Oval STAX, #MFT-521
White Card
Black Card

I knew exactly how I was going to use these sheep, but before I settled on which ones I was going to use I cut out a bazillion, like I typically do.  In addition to this sheep, there is one that is smaller.  I made brown sheep, beige sheep, and even black sheep - in both sizes.  That was wonderful until one of my darling fur babies got into the stash and tipped it over.  All over.  Needless to say, a sheep herder I am not.  I'm STILL finding them and this was over 2 months ago.  Happily, I had set aside these four already, so the damage wasn't too great.

Another Peek

Having my sheep done, I chose a dark grey for the night sky, silver card for the moon, silver glitter card for the large star, some white puffy clouds, and a few sequin silver stars.  I used the Hero Arts My Monthly Hero kit from August, 2017 for the moon, large star, clouds, and the sentiment.  I cut the sentiment using one of the stitched oval stax dies.  Once I had the placement down, the card made itself.  In retrospect, a few of the sheep just might be looking a tad too high, but I still think it's a cute card.

I hope you like this card as much as I do - it's a bit different than what I typically make, but I have SO many other ideas.  Wouldn't these sheep be darling on a baby shower card? I can see them frolicking in the snow for a winter themed card, perhaps meeting up with the bunnies.  I could go on and on but I won't.  Thank you for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon! Christi 

PS: My giveaway will be closing on June 30, 2018 - it is open internationally and you can get all the details here. Good Luck!

I am entering my Dreaming of You card in the following challenges:
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - M, Anything Goes with a Critter
a to z Scrapbooking - M, Monochrome
Creative with Stamps - M, Cute Animals
Happy Little Stampers - M, Anything Goes w/ Die Cuts
Get Creative Challenge - M, Monochrome
Path of Positivity - #60 - M, Anything Goes w/ specified color {neutrals}
Monochrome Magic - #11, Monochrome {entry 2}
Art Impressions - Odd Animals
Inspiration Destination - #152, Anything Goes, and Use a REAL Stamp
Stars Stampz - Monochrome

Coffee Helps me Maintain ~ 2018 Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop

Another card for the Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop! I went to a local craft store that I've been meaning to visit a few days ago and I was SO happy to find this adorable Spellbinders' die set!  Most of the items in the store are consignments, so I snagged the set at more than half off!  The coffee gods were smiling down at me.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Card Base
White Card
Spellbinders Die Set, Hipster 1, #S2-212
CAS-ual Fridays Sentiment, Coffee Talk 
CAS-ual Fri Dies,  Coffee Cup
MFT/Die-Namics Stitched Oval STAX, #MFT-0521
Scraps of Patterned Paper
Dark Brown Card
VersaFine Ink in Onyx Black

The card was inspired by a card on the Spellbinders' site that illustrates the dies in use.  I loved the three cups, so I decided to make three cups for my card, too.  I started by cutting out the cups from white card, then I cut the cup out of patterned paper {which I dug out of my scraps stash} and the little cup

Another Peek

holder from brown card.  I carefully cut the tops off the patterned paper and glued that onto the white card bodies, followed by the cup holder.

While the cups were drying, I stamped my sentiment onto some white card and cut the word 'coffee' from some dark brown card.  I used a stitched oval die to cut out the sentiment, making sure it was at the bottom of the oval.  I attached the oval to the kraft card base, then glued the word 'coffee' to the top of the oval. 

Once I had the cups positioned, I attached those to the base as well.  Lastly, I used some of my homemade dots to finish off the card.  I love the floral coffee cups; I was getting bored with everything being shades of brown.  Thanks for stopping in and I hope you like this card as much as I do! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
2018 Spring/Summer Coffee Lover's Blog Hop
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Moo-Mania - Die Cuts
Scrapy Land - #90, Anything Goes w/ Dies {entry #3}
Through the Craft Room Door - Always Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Use Patterned Paper

Hoppy Spring

I have fallen in love with the Lawn Fawn bunnies; every single one of them.  I thought having the bunnies from the Easter Party set holding a sign would be a cute card; I hope you agree!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Lawn Fawn Hoppy Easter Stamps, #LF1319
Lawn Fawn Easter Party Stamps, #LF1589
Lawn Fawn Easter Party Dies, #LF1590
Tutti Designs, Cross Stitched Nesting Rectangles, #TUTTI-410
Derwent Colored Pencils
Distress Oxides Background using Mermaid Lagoon, Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade, Squeezed Lemon, Shaded Lilac and Cracked Pistachio
Ranger Watercolor paper 
Distress Spritzer
Versafine Ink in Black Onyx
Dimensional Dots

As usual, when I want to use Distress Oxides for my background, that's the first step I do, considering the drying time {I like to have them dry overnight} and that they sometimes look different to me the next day, needing a bit of touch up.  So I made the background using the most spring-like colors I could find and spritzing with the Distress Sprayer in between layers.  I have also found that using a paper towel to dry some of the spots where ink has pooled lightens the color, so I have a few paper towels folded up on my desk for just this occasion.   

Another Look

The next day, I took some of the bunnies I had already colored and found a pair {did you notice that one is female and one is male in the Easter Party set?  Check the eyelashes!} that went well together and they became the sign holders.  I stamped the sentiment and made the sign using one of the rectangle dies in the Tutti set.  Then I fooled with the bunnies, finding the way I wanted them to hold the sign, and attached them to the Oxide Ink background using dimensional dots.  Then I trimmed that down a bit and adhered the background to my white card base.  And I was done!

I think it took me longer to choose which die I wanted to use to cut out the sign!  I adore these cute little critters and I know I will be using them all year long.  Thanks so much for the visit and I want you to know I read every single comment left on any of my posts; I appreciate your kind and encouraging words ~ fondly, Christi

I am entering my Hoppy Spring card in the following challenges:
Sunny Day Crafting - #15, Bunnies
Inspiration Destination - #148, Anything Goes TWIST: Use a Real Stamp
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Bunny Rabbits
{PIN}spirational - Anything Goes, 6th Anniversary Celebration
Die Cut Diva's - Anything Goes
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes w/ a Critter
Simply Create Too - #137, Use Die Cuts
Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies - April Challenge
Fab 'n Funky - #388, Anything Goes w/ Critters
Creative with Stamps -#25, CAS w/ a Sentiment {2nd Anniversary!!}

Where did I find all these marvelous challenges?? At Challenges for Days :)

Hello Shaker Card

I wanted to make something my sister could have on her desk.  We don't get to see each other that often since she works all week and I work mostly weekends.  And every time we make plans, something seems to come up - this last time it was the snow.  So I made this sweet little shaker so she'd know I was always thinking of her <3

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card
Lawn Fawn Ready, Set, Snow Stamps , #LF973
Lawn Fawn Ready, Set, Shake Dies, #LF975
Acetate {I used an overhead projector sheet}
Hello stamp was a Lawn Fawn Gift {and the first time I've used it}
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Copic Marker
6mm White Craft Foam {Michael's}
Shaker Fill {explained below}
Washi Tape

This is the actual foam I used.

I filled the shaker with sequin hearts, some glitter, and a few black cats {I have a black cat and she adores my sister} and all of it came from my extensive stash of sequins.  I have quite a collection; aside from your average stars and cups, I have cats, chili peppers, flowers, dots, and much more.  These are all left over from when we used to actually use sequins as an integral part of our cards.  Not just one or two tastefully placed sequins, oh no - we'd plaster happy birthday sequins all over a card!

I digress.  I made this sweet shaker the same way I made the Happy Purrthday shaker.  The only difference is I made the shaker {which is the snow globe} the actual card instead of using it on the card.  I colored the bottom with a red Copic, stamped the "sending you hugs," cut the sentiment out, and attached it to the bottom.  I actually took a chance and stamped the Hello directly on the back of the card.

The inside

The Hinge

I used a piece of washi tape as a hinge - here is the inside of the card {I had already written in the card before I took these pics, so I blurred it out.  I didn't think you all needed to read the gushy sisterly stuff I wrote}. I attached the hinge to the back of the shaker, the back wall that actually holds in all the shake, and then just made another panel and hinged to that. You can sort of see what I mean by looking at the photo. Oh and I added a little red glitter heart that I had lying on my desk.

Here's another look

This set is SO versatile - you can make ornaments out of it for any season or use it like I did.  My sister just sent a text that she loves the card and people in her office want my blog address; I guess I did well! Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day! Christi

I am entering my "Hello Shaker Card" in the following challenges:
Die Cuttin' Divas - #354, Anything Goes
Unicorn Challenge Blog - M, #28, Anything Goes
Crafting with Dragonflies - #96, Anything Goes
Crafter's Castle - #1, Anything Goes
Scrapy Land - Anything Goes
As You Like It - Favorite Die & Why - this is my FAVORITE die set because I love making shaker cards and this makes it SO easy & fun! And Lawn Fawn products are just so stinkin' cute!