Felt Floral Thank You (CTD279, CTS64, WPlus9, & Card Concept #3)

***ETA: Yay...a new picture!  Still a tad dark in the early morning light but better!

Hi!  I've had a busy week...lots of people needing help = not a lot of time no time to craft...until tonight that is.  I had a few spare moments, so I combined a few challenges.  I used the color scheme from Color Throwdown, the sketch from (CAS)E This Sketch, and the "Step it Up" Challenge from WPlus9.  My apologies for the dark photos.  They aren't so easy to take at 11:30 at night.

  

The Late Night Pictures...

WPlus9's "Step it Up" Challenge was to focus on adding dimension (and texture). I die-cut felt for the flowers, adhering the berries directly to the panel and popping the large flower up with dimensionals.  Then I took an edge distressor to the white panel and finished it off with a few sequins.  I hope you are well and have a wonderful weekend!  I've missed popping by blogs lately.  Fingers crossed that I have a bit of time this weekend to catch up. :)

P.S. I debated whether or not to enter this into The Card Concept's Monochromatic Pink Challenge as well.  I truthfully made it with that challenge in mind (inspired by the floral bouquet), but wasn't sure if the red was okay (it seems some of the DT used it, but I'm always so worried about not following the rules).  Then when I added the smokey shadow panel it changed the whole feel of the card, straying a bit more from The Card Concept's Challenge photo because of the darkness.  But alas I've decided I'm going to join the link-up for CAS style, especially because crafting will be sparse at best for the next several days, and I don't think I'm going to get another go at it.

Supplies

Stamps: Bigger Blooms (PTI), Fresh Cut Florals (WPlus9)

Ink: basic gray (SU!)

Cardstock: smoky shadow (PTI), white 

Other: Fresh Cut Floral Dies (WPlus9), Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), edge distressor (CTMH), dimensionals (SU!), felt

A Quickie for PTI's Color & Sketch Challenge

Hi!  I'm here to share a quick card I made last night.  My sweet little nieces have been super sick the last month.  They barely get better and a new sickness hits them.  They've had terrible viruses, pneumonia, and strep throat to name a few. I realized it was about time I made them some get well cards.  Shame on me for waiting this long! Don't look too close...I was so tired when I made this and my eyes aren't the best even when I am awake and alert.  I kind of chuckled when I saw it this morning in the light of day...some things are a bit off, but that dog stamp is cute that I don't think they'll mind.  I used the following color scheme and sketch from PTI Anniversary Challenge, though I flipped the sketch.

Supplies (all PTI unless otherwise noted)

Stamps: Bigger Blooms, Tremendous Treats: Valentine

Ink: true black

Cardstock: autumn rose, canyon clay, simply chartreuse, stamper's select white

Other: Tiny Tags Die, twine (The Twinery), colored pencils

PTI Color & Sketch Challenge Tag Style

I have the blessing of working with the little ones (18 months - 3 years) at church and a few have birthdays this month, so I was in need of some tags.  I created these tags for Papertrey's Timer Challenge, but I also used PTI's sketch and color schemes to create the tags, so I'm entering them into the Color & Sketch Challenge as well.

It took me the full 7 minutes to gather supplies; however, I gathered for myself and my toddler...twice...because he didn't like the first set of things I got out for him to color with.  It took me 9 minutes 49 seconds to create my first tag, using this sketch and color scheme.  My 7 supplies were: cardstock, dies, stamps, ink, twine, colored pencils, and glitter.

Tag #2

You would think the next two tags would have taken less time, but each one I made took me a bit longer.  I think the adrenaline had worn off from the first challenge, and since I knew I would finish with plenty of time to spare, I just created at a leisurely pace.  Tag #2 took to finish 10 minutes 35 seconds to finish.

 

Tag #3

The last tag took 10 minutes 17 seconds).  I could have easily finished in under 10 minutes, but a glossy accents clog took me a couple minutes to fix.  I love the glossy balloon, though, so it was well worth the time spent.

I had a blast pulling out some long neglected supplies for this challenge...namely PTI's Tiny Treats: Birthday Stamp Set.  And I just had to share this.  I know it is silly, but by now I'm guessing you know silly little things make me happy.  I made confetti to put in each kiddo's treat bags, and I had so much fun doing it.  I smiled the whole time I punched the circles, and I just know the kids are going to love them because my toddler thought they were awesome. He was way more interested in them than the tags. :)

Two PTI Anniversary Challenge Cards

I pretty much squealed with delight when I saw PTI's Timer Challenge today....7 minutes to gather 7 supplies/17 minutes to make a card...I can do that!  I think I've made it pretty clear that I loved the 10 Minute Craft Dash Challenge, and I miss it a bunch.  Hence my excitement.  I didn't get to play along with PTI's freebies yesterday...I didn't make any cards at all yesterday.  Tis life.  But I have to thank Heather because her awesome freebie made quick work of this card.  It took me about 2 minutes to gather supplies, and I finished the card in 7 minutes 13 seconds.  It took me the first 3 1/2 minutes to make the card and rest of the time to fuss with the sequins.  Ha!  I only used 4/7 supplies I grabbed (paper, impression plate, printable, sequins)....hope that is okay.  My favorite parts on this card are the subtle textures.  I'm also happily entering this into the Simon Says...Have a Heart Challenge.

My second card is for PTI's color/sketch combo challenge. It started as a timer challenge card, but a few phone calls later I'd totally lost track of my time.  I'm not sure why I struggle with masculine cards, but alas I do.  I didn't have much time to fuss with it, though.  I just had to let it go and finish it up because my husband (one of the phone calls) was on his way home with some ice cream that was going to be delivered with this card.  Off to prepare the next post. :)  ETA: Oops..forgot to add the color scheme and sketch I used.

Love You Supplies

PTI's 2014 Free Printable

Paper: textured black (Making Memories), white (PTI)

Other: Linen & Canvas Impression Plate (PTI), sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Good Wishes Supplies (all PTI unless otherwise noted)

Stamps: Inside & Out: Well Wishes

Ink: dark chocolate

Paper: aqua mist, kraft, Hawaiian shores, new leaf, ripe avocado, rustic cream

Other: button (CTMH), twine

Happy Thoughts & Good Wishes (PTI Anniversary Challenge)

I've been spending a lot of the time (aka forfitting a lot of sleep) the last few days, so I could play along with some of Papertrey's anniversary challenges, but I haven't had time to post any of my cards.  Get ready for a posting marathon over the next day or so.  This is the first card I made for PTI's sketch and color challenge.  When I bought PTI's Inside & Out Well Wishes stamp set I knew it would come in handy, but I had no idea that I would need it quite so much.  This last month seems to have been a rough one for lots and lots of people I know.  In fact I made this card a two nights ago and it's already in the mail.  Aren't those flowers cheerful? I just love them.  I hope my sister will, too. :)

Supplies (all PTI unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Bigger Blooms, Inside & Out: Well Wishes
Ink: aqua mist, hibiscus burst, new leaf, pure poppy, true black
Paper: polka dots (MME), white
Dies: Fabulous Frames
Other: twine (from my stash)

It Started in my Comfort Zone...

**This is my second post today**

Okay, I'm back to share my fourth and final card for WPlus9's Comfort Zone Challenge. As my title states, this card started in my comfort zone...started being the key word.  After making this card using the color palette below, I thought, "Why not use the inspiration photo even more literally?  After all, I do love the colors and paint."

Image Source

I pressed some inks onto a transparency sheet and added water to create paints.  I started to paint some messy strokes, and things went down hill from there.  Mistake after mistake after mistake led to more trimming and altering until I was left with a fairly odd size panel and this was the best I could make of it.  I debated whether or not to even share this card.  It has grown on me, but you know how when you struggle with something it sort of takes the joy out of it?  However, after all the time I spent trying to "fix" this card I felt like at least I could find some joy knowing it gave me one more chance in WPlus9's challenge drawing.  Oh, and if you're wondering what the circles are, I punched some confetti pieces because my sequins weren't quite the right colors, and they don't look nearly as out of place in real life as they do in the photo.  Thanks for listening me today!  I really do try to be positive, so hopefully you won't hear any more "woe stories" any time soon. :)  And to leave on a happy note...in just over an hour it will be Friday...woohoo! Oh, wait!  I thought of something that might make you laugh.  So, I don't really consider myself an "in" kind of person.  I'm quite conservative in all areas of life and am okay to be a bit out of the loop.  What does this have to do with the card? The sentiment. When I first saw this phrase I had no idea what it meant.  I mean I had guesses, but finally one day I had to ask my husband.  He teaches high school students, so I knew he would know...and he did. :) Would I ever actually say this phrase? No. But I do have a friend whom I love (we've been friends since 7th grade) that this totally works for and her birthday is in two weeks.  She is very dramatic, is the best story teller ever, cracks me up, and says things like this all the time...so I know she'll get it.

Supplies

Stamps: Strictly Sentiments 1 (WPlus 9)

Ink: Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise (PTI), Spiced Marmalade (Ranger), Pink Pirouette (SU!)

Other: gold acrylic paint, hole punch

Comfort Zone: Watercolor (WPlus9)

Yes, this is another card for WPlus9's Comfort Zone Challenge. :) But who can resist such a challenge?  Permission to simply have fun and make a card full of things you love.  Yes, please.  My only concern is that a proceeding challenge may be "out of your comfort zone."  I kind of feel it is coming...all the more reason to make as many cards as I can in my comfort zone. :) This card is based on this pin.  I'm not sure who to credit because the link is broken, but aren't the colors wonderful?

I created splotchy circles by inking up the backs of some of the images in WPlus9's Fresh Cut Florals and the back of the largest flower in PTI's Bigger Blooms set.  Then I generously swiped over the ink with an aqua painter on some and spritzed a few with water before stamping.  Dawn and I must have been on the same wavelength because I made this card yesterday before I saw her post, and I used a super similar technique, only I don't have distress markers.  And just so you know, the kind of funny brown-gold color in the photos is really a beautiful shiny gold like in the inspiration photo I used, but try as I may I could not capture it's true color.

ANd if you are curious...this is what's in my comfort zone:
1. predetermined color palettes
2. WPlus9's Fresh Cut Florals & Strictly Sentiments 1 (one of my very favorite font combos)
3. watercolors/paints
4. PTI's berry sorbet ink (berries + sorbet + salmon/coral colors = 3 of my favorite things...yes, some of those are food)

Supplies
Stamps: Fresh Cut Florals, Strictly Sentiments 1 (WPlus 9), Bigger Blooms (PTI)
Ink: Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise (PTI), Spiced Marmalade (Ranger), Pink Pirouette (SU!)
Other: sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), gold acrylic paint

Comfort Zone Take 2 (WPlus9)

Today I'm sharing another card I made for WPlus9's Comfort Zone Challenge. It's also in my comfort zone to keep things...like scraps of paper or twine or whatever.  For some silly reason I was having a hard time throwing away the sheet I used to practice stamping the pattern for this card, so I decided to make use of it on a simple, favorite layout of mine to make super quick card.  Too bad the 10 Minute Craft Dash wasn't still going because this one would have easily qualified for the challenge with oodles of time to spare.  Is this my finest work? No, but it sure does feel good to make a really quick, no fuss card now and again. PS This hardly seems adequate, but I want to thank you all so so SO much for your sweet comments and visits to my blog.  I read and sincerely appreciate each and every comment.  And I really do try my best to always make it back to your blogs.  I hope you know I appreciate you. :)

Supplies

Stamps: Fresh Cut Florals (WPlus9) Bigger Blooms (PTI)

Ink: Melon Berry (PTI), Mint Medley (SU!), Juniper, Outdoor Denim (CTMH), Sweet Melon, Wild Hare (Color Box)

Cardstock: white (Michaels), soft stone (PTI)

other: Fabulous Frames die (PTI), embroidery floss 

Comfort Zone Challenge (WPlus9)

Happy Tuesday!  Another quick post to share a card I made to join in on WPlus9's birthday celebrations.  The theme of the challenge is "Comfort Zone".  Easy enough, right?  So this is how I stuck in my comfort zone:
*go-to WPlus9 set: Fresh Cut Florals
*a favorite color combo (though this might be the first time it has made it on a card)
*inspired by something I saw (aka this wonderful card by Michelle Lupton) since I often have a photo, challenge, sketch, card, etc. that sparks the ideas for my cards
Supplies
Stamps: Fresh Cut Florals (WPlus9) Bigger Blooms (PTI)
Ink: Melon Berry (PTI), Mint Medley (SU!), Juniper, Outdoor Denim (CTMH), Sweet Melon, Wild Hare (Color Box)
Cardstock: white (Michaels)
other: twine 

Papercrafter's Library Feature

Just a quick post to share this card...again!  Why?  A couple weeks ago Aliya White of Papercrafter's Library contacted me and asked if I would mind if she featured this card in an article she was writing on shaker cards.  Exciting, right?  And humbling, too.  You can see Aliya's awesome article here.  There are tons of fabulous ideas on shaker cards...I took notes. :) And if you're interested, you can see my previous post on this card here.  I created it for a 10 Minute Craft Dash Challenge, and it really is a super quick card to make, which is good because I remade it when Aliya sent the request (my original picture was pretty grainy).

Burlap Heart (Card Concept 2: Texture & Simon Says..String/Twine)

I ran out of time this weekend to play with the second Card Concept Challenge, which was a bit disappointing; however, I woke up this morning with a very clear idea in my head of what I could do for this challenge, and I just had to make the card.  I normally don't craft while my little one is awake, but I knew he would enjoy painting as well, so we got out the acrylic paints and went to town.  I drew inspiration for both the texture and layout of my card from The Card Concept photo.   

I die cut PTI's Framed Out #11 die for the stencil for my heart and painted directly on the burlap.  I also painted the mini clothespins to match the cardstock.  The sentiment is from Winnie & Walter's The Big, the Bold, and the Happy.  I used PTI's Stitching Lines Dies, so I could stitch the sentiment flag on, so I'm also entering this into the Simon Says Anything Goes with Twine or String Challenge.  ETA:  Oops...I forgot to mention the style of the card: clean and simple.  I think that's a requirement for The Card Concept.  Yikes...I just looked at the time.  I better link this up before it's too late.  Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Have a happy Monday!

Supplies

Stamps: The Big, the Bold, and the Happy (Winnie & Walter)

Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI)

Paper: Rustic White (PTI)

Dies: Framed Out #11, Sketched Shapes, Stitching Lines (PTI)

Other: burlap, string, clothespins, paint

Thanks Bunches & a Bunch of Challenges

Sometimes my mind runs wild with a single challenge.  Other times my mind starts to blend challenge after challenge together.  This is one of those times.  I started out with a single purpose: I wanted to send a dear blog friend a thank you card.  She mentioned she particularly liked a card I made a little while back, so I created this one as the more easily mail-able cousin to my previous card.  I combined ideas from the following four challenges to create this card:

My color scheme came via the current Color Throwdown challenge, which was really similar to WPlus9's Monday Mood Board inspiration photo, but I loved the addition of the soft blue.  And it reminded me of my friend...perfect.  The string was inspired by the Simon Says Challenge to use string, but also the MMB photo.  See those pearls?  I translated that on my card with string and sequins (think of a broken necklace...lots of mine ended up that way with a baby who loved getting into my jewelry :) ).  The scripty sentiment was inspired by the "hello" in the MMB.  It's from a set I won from the fabulous Donna Mikasa a few months ago (thanks again, Donna!), and although I've really enjoyed using this set, I think this might be the first card I've shared here...sad.  And last, but certainly not least, the MMB inspired Fresh Cut Florals images are layered and extend beyond the edge for CAS-ual Fridays Over the Edge Challenge.   And there you have it! :) So happy you stopped by today!

Supplies

Stamps: Fresh Cut Florals (WPlus9), Everyday Expressions (Fresh Squeezed Stamps)

Paper: dots (MME Lost & Found Two), white (Michael's)

Ink: Berry Sorbet, Fresh Linen, Kraft, Ocean Tides (PTI); Baja Breeze, Real Red, Regal Rose, Soft Sky (SU!)

Other: white twine, flat marshmallow sequins (Pretty Pink Posh), Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil' Inkers)

Challenges Entered:

Color Throwdown #277 

CAS-ual Fridays: Over the Edge

WPlus9: Monday Mood Board #26

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes with Twine/String