Found another challenge blog and decided to enter it for fun.

I liked the sketch and this is my take on it. The die I used is from a Spellbinders label set to which I added some dry embossing once it was cut. Folder used is from Craft Concepts titled In Bloom. PP is from my stash by GKD and I cut the layer and added it to a dark green layer to match the greens in the pp. The stamped image and sentiments are from my current favourite set by SSS called Be Kind and I heat embossed the leaf image with silver. Used Distress Oxides Blueprint Sketch and Mowed Lawn to colour. I die cut several more to glue together for stability and dimension. It was bigger than the card front so once glued to front I cut off the edges. After I had positioned the label I added the die cut leaves on top and then added the sentiment. I had stamped these 2 words together, but didn’t like the width of the white scrap so I ended up fussy cutting until I liked how it looked. I often do this with a sentiment if I am not happy with size. This is a somewhat busy looking card, but somehow it works and I quite like the result.

I’ve been playing quite a bit with a SSS stamp set that is fairly new and a set of Sissix thinlets. This is the 3rd card and so far the only one I have uploaded. This came about because of the challenge although I already had the leaves done ready on my desk and was thinking about how I might use them. Did several of these leaves from the set and coloured them with Distress Oxides adding some perfect pearl powders over the top for some shimmer. I kept them very soft. Used a couple of die cuts to add to the back for dimension and strength. The coppery layer is actually washi tape on top of a piece of cs which I then ran through the die cut machine after which it was glued to card front. Added the leaves and die cut the word from same CS. I used versamark and clear powder to get the shine before gluing on top. Added some gems for interest. I got this word die in Homesense a long time ago and have no idea of brand. Although I do like this card I prefer the 1st one I did. Will get it uploaded at some point but am waiting to see if it will fit a challenge before I do.

Another new challenge for me and this is the card I came up with. I already had the photo frame negative space and decided that the bunny’s inside a frame would look good. Using a Divinity Designs stamp set, I stamped the bunnies, coloured them and added them into the frame. The bunny tails are glittered. Using a flower border die (don’t know brand or name) and a scrap piece of swiped inked cs I cut the border and glued it behind a pale pink piece of paper, which I then added to card front. I added the bunny frame on an angle and die cut the letters for the words from another Divinity Designs set. Glued the words and decided it needed something else so I die cut the flowers and leaves using a GKD set. Added some pink gem centers to the flowers and a line of bling around 3 sides.

I had this little digi printed and set aside in an envelope ready for colouring. It came from a freebie found on Pinterest sometime ago. Using my Inktense pencils I spent some time colouring it. I added some highlights with Sakura jelly roll pens here and there. Used a corner punch for some additional interest and then adhered to the card front. Hand drew the gold border frame. Found the word dies I bought last year and cut two of them for the sweet hello. Added a few gems at bottom right corner. It is a vibrant looking card and I quite like it which is big bonus for me.

I’ve never entered this challenge before but it appeals to me so I am doing so now.

A while back I had made a card for a different challenge and messed up the first stamping effort. I set that aside and made a 2nd one but I don’t like wasting anything so I wondered if I could salvage the poor effort. This is the result. I fussy cut the image out but avoided the messed up part of it. Stamp is from a GKD set and is one I love and have used quite often. I heat set the image with some sparkly lemon/gold powder. After adding some foam to the back it was glued to card front. Stamped the greeting and added some gems and really like the result. Even better it is nice to rescue a piece that was poorly done. I was waiting for the right challenge in which to enter before I posted it here.

The challenge at Sisterhood of Crafters is to make a card for kids.

In general I don’t make cards for kids because I have none of my own and no nieces or nephews either. That said I do have a few adult friends who would chuckle at this card. The set is from SSS and was a gift that came with my order. This is the first time I’ve inked it even though I’ve had it for some time. Starting with the white card base I added the pizza image randomly along with the hats and words and coloured them a little. I did the pup separately and fussy cut. Also did the same thing with the party hat. Glued the two together and popped up onto card front. Stamped the two word stamps, cut into the shape you see and used a copic marker to ink the edges. Added a few random tiny hearts to finish. I quite like the result.

The theme at Global Challenge is Easter, but I didn’t really want another Easter card. Instead I decided to try a technique seen on Splitcoast Stampers using my Easter rabbit, duck and chick stamps. They came from GKD sets, Spring Fling and Happy Spring.

This is my 2nd attempt as I managed to add the sentiment strips in the wrong order on the 1st one and in taking them off I ruined the card. Basically I followed the video tutorial shown here. I already had the little critters on my desk as I had made them several days ago and then decided not to use them until now. I think my 2nd attempt is better than the first one as I did a better oval on this one. I can use this card for any occasion that requires some sarky comment. The sentiment came from a Dylusions set.

My last card for these two challenges. I remembered that I had this napkin partially done in my paper stash so decided to finally use it. It has been there for a couple of years so about time I did something with it. I glued the whole piece to a square card front and added some bling borders to it. Then I stamped the sentiment from a SSS set and die cut it for the corner. Added a touch of ink to edges and word so it wouldn’t be stark white. I also added some shimmer to the peacock feather tail but it doesn’t show in photo.

Don’t you just love it when something in your head actually pans out exactly as you imagine? Even before the Paper Players challenge showed up I had been thinking about using these dies (never used and owned for years) in some way. I think I got them in a package of other stuff at some craft sale.

The first thing I did was use the Hero Arts leaf stencil in both Old Paper and Twisted Citron inks. Once that was done to my satisfaction I found some scrap cs in dark gray and cut both photo frames. Once they were cut I played with the actual stamps before using them just to see if my idea would work. Decided it would, so stamped both the tiger and the monkey. Stamp set by Hero Arts – a kit I bought last year. Using my Inktense pencils I added colour until I was happy with the look then I die cut the images. Added a touch of Sakura jelly roll green to his eyes and some sparkle to monkey eyes too. I die cut a couple of layers to give them dimension. Then I placed the images into the frames playing until I was happy I could safely glue them. Added them to stenciled card front. Initially I was going to cut the tiger off where he shows at the top, but my hubby said leave him intact. I’m glad I took his advice as I like how it looks and now I realize it looks as if his tail is waving the sentiment about. Added a bit of bling for extra interest and declared it finished. I have to say I am really happy with this card.

I had one last piece of water coloured background to play with. For this piece I dry embossed getting more texture but it is so hard to get it showing in the photo.

As well I used a stencil and added some pattern with both inks and Inka Golds. Then I mounted it onto some gold paper for the thin border. Added to card front and left it for a day or two as I didn’t have an idea for doing anything more. After seeing the word week challenge at JUS I figured feathers would be a nice addition and because the Sweet Stampin challenge is things with wings I added fairy too. I already had the die cut word in my bits and pieces tray so that got pulled out for use. After die cutting the feathers I dipped them with Versamark and heat embossed with some gold. The fairy is sitting on one of the smaller feathers and the word is kind of in her hand. Stamp set is from GKD called Framescapes. Can’t remember who the die is by but it is a 2 part die.