Real Simple

Today Julie is taking us to the Real Simple blog for our Inspiration Challenge this week.  In the spirit of Real Simple, I created a card that is just that, a simple one layer card. I masked off the edges of the card base and blended Distress Inks in Seedless Preserves, Fired Brick, Carved Pumpkin and Mustard Seed.  Then I went over the Seedless Preserves with just a hint of Blueprint Sketch to achieve a richer color.  To blend the inks with ease I used the fabulous Life Changing Blender Brushes from Picket Fence Studios.   For my inspiration, I found this photo which made me think of this fun image in the If the Broom Fits set by Picket Fence Studios.  With the MISTI it was a snap to stamp the image twice and add a sentiment.

I hope you enjoy the long weekend if you are in the US and maybe even carve out a little art time.  Yeah, I went there!  Ha!

I am also playing along with Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge - Anything Goes.

Life Changing Blender Brushes

If the Broom Fits

To Embellish

Even though my schedule is full today I was intrigued by this week's Teapot Tuesday Challenge at SCS which is to use older supplies that have not been used for projects since we first began stamping.  I have a drawer of supplies that I just don't use.  I never quite got the hang of combining embellishments on my cards.  Today's challenge was the perfect excuse to delve into the past and create something new!

I created a Double Pocket card and used papers and embellishments from the Flea Market kit by Crate Paper.  We get extra imaginary cookies at our tea party for more than one supply so I added the two resin roses, the ceramic rose pin, and the butterfly sticker.  

The sentiment on the tag and on the inside of the card is from the Simply Wonderful set by Picket Fence Studios.  I just love the sweet roses that are included in this beautiful set.  

You are simply wonderful and I am so delighted you stopped by today!!!

 Simply Wonderful 

Sending Pawsitive Vibes

So you have never seen a blue cat?  You would be surprised how many blue cats show up in artwork!  One of the fun aspects of playing in the Inspiration Challenge at SCS is that we are taken to a different site every week and we get to view a great deal of art.   This week we are headed to One Kings Lane; I found my inspiration in the Vintage Art collection. The piece is called Blue Cat and it's a bargain at $769.00!  

I am also playing in My Favorite Things Stamps sketch challenge: MFTWSC399.  I used the adorable Meow Mix set for my images and sentiment and die cut the butterfly with Die-Namics Meow Mix.  I blended color around my Blue Cat with Distress Oxide inks in Spiced Marmalade and Cracked Pistachio with the Life Changing Blending Brushes. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  

Dandelion Wishes

It's always fun to see how much interest can be created with a single layer.  Single layer cards are great because no extra postage is needed.  For today's card, I headed over to this week's Sketch Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.  The sketch calls for a narrow card so I created the card base to fit my A6 envelopes since I don't have a really tall envelope. The finished card is 6 1/4 x 4. To keep my design to a single layer I masked off the edges of the lower portion of the card and blended Distress Inks in Vintage Photo and Salty Ocean with the amazing Life Changing Blender Brushes.  I love how smoothly the ink glides across the paper with these brushes and no more sponges coming apart and leaving harsh lines!

I stamped one of the three dandelion images in the Dandelion Wishes set by Picket Fence Studios multiple times and for my sentiment went with (prayers sent for you) from the Neighborhood stamp set. 

SC711

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!!

 Life Changing Blender Brushes

Neighborhood                                                Dandelion Wishes 

One Cool Ghoul

The Project Bin has a new set out called Cool Ghoul.  The sentiments are a hoot plus there is two fun ghost dies to cut out the ghosts so no fussy cutting needed!   

Before starting this card I looked through my stash of backgrounds.  I believe I created this last year for a zombie card for The Project Bin but didn't use it.  I took one look and cracked myself up!  No plain white for this ghost, he is One. Cool. Ghoul. in groovy colors!   To showcase his colorful style to best advantage I placed him on a white background die cut with the Stitched Scallop Basic Edges Die-Namics.  

For the inside, I used the very last little bit of the background for a border and stamped the cute little ghost in the corner.  The little ghost needed a little help being scary so I added the BOO! sentiment next to him!

Thanks so much for looking!

Cool Ghoul

Polished Butterfly

Several weeks ago I created colorful backgrounds using the Nail Polish Marbling tutorial at Splitcoaststampers.  The results of the technique are quite stunning but it should be done in a well-ventilated area.  One of my friends tried it outside and the wind caught her polish and decorated her outdoor furniture so beware of the side effects of this technique!

For the IC663 challenge, Stacy has chosen the perfect site to inspire creations made with the Nail Polish Marbling technique.

I die cut the butterfly and sequins from one of my backgrounds.  Sadly the sequins die is retired and so is the Thank You sentiment.  The design was inspired by Case This Sketch #285.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Never Give Up

Hope is my special word.  It's a pretty word, don't you think?  Four little letters make one powerful word.  Hope can get us through anything.  I love it that the super fun stamp set A Dose of Vitamin Sea by Picket Fence Studios includes the (never give up) sentiment which I paired with Jordan Girl. Jordan is one of the lovely stamp sets in the Beautiful Girls line in the Picket Fence Studios store.

The sentiment simply looks like it's made to go with Jordan Girl.  I think she is beautiful and the pretty butterfly reminds her to never give up hope!  I went with super simple coloring.  I kept Jordan in black and white to show off her gorgeous lines and added pops of vibrant red tones to accent her bold spirit!

I am super delighted to have the opportunity to create art with the wonderful products in the Picket Fence Studios line as part of the Design Team!!!  I am up on the Picket Fence Studios blog today!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

                                      Jordan Girl                                               A Dose of Vitamin Sea                        

Butterflies, Dots and Beautiful

A few weeks ago I created some backgrounds with the Nail Polish Marbling technique.  It's a very smelly technique but the results are stunning.  For this week's Project Bin card I took one of the backgrounds and die cut a butterfly and circles.  The sentiment I used is one of my favorites from  #bff by The Project Bin.  

I used this week's CTS#284 sketch for my layout.

Here is a look at all the sentiments included in the #bff  stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by and stay Crafty!