Let's Celebrate

Yes, another card created from the inspiration of a couple online challenges.  I love using these challenges to give me direction as to the colors or layout.  

 I used a little block stamp from Wplus9 Designs.  I stamped it four times to fill my card front and then added the colors in the ColorThrowdown challenge using Zig Clean Color markers on watercolor paper.  

 In order to follow the sketch with CAS(e) this sketch, I used a stencil and some Distress Stain to create a design that would become the strip down the middle of my card.  

 The banner and the "Let's Celebrate" is a stamp and die set from Avery Elle.  That was added with foam tape for added dimension.  The dots were created on each flower with white Nuvo Cyrstal drops.  I find it interesting that the white took on the underneath watercolor ink.  

 This Color Throwdown is already closed.

Here is the CAS(e) this sketch challenge.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Sweet Birthday Wishes

I don't seem to make enough birthday themed cards so it was great to have the CAS on Friday challenge to help me with that for this card I'm sharing. 

 I started off cutting the scallop circle from a set of dies from My Favorite Things, one of my newest purchases from Simon Says Stamp.  It gave a great piece for grounding my other elements.  I wanted a playful yellow background but I didn't like plain yellow cardstock so I used a piece of watercolor paper, I embossed the circles into it and then added color with Distress Spray.  This ended up giving it a little bit of texture.  

 The little tiger is a stamp from a set by Reverse Confetti, another new purchase from Simon Says Stamp.  I colored this cutie with Zig Clean Color markers on watercolor paper.  I used a stencil to add purple dots to the circle and then accented them with Nuvo Crystal drops.  

 Here is the Paper Players sketch challenge.

 Here is the CAS(e) this sketch challenge which is so similar to the Paper Players.  

Here is the CAS on Friday challenge.

And here is the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

The Colorthrowdown Challenge #528

Recently I was the featured stamper and that means I get to be the guest designer for this weeks color combination.  

 One of my favorite challenges are color related and wow did I love this weeks challenge combo and how much do I love that owl!  I started out creating a messy background with Distress Inks and a leaf stencil on watercolor paper.  Once I had that the way I wanted it, I stamped the leaf spring and colored it with Zig Clean Color markers.  The leaf sprig is a stamp from Simon Says Stamp from the Beautiful Day set with a matching die.  

 The "thank you" word die is from My Favorite Things.  I colored it with Distress Ink too so I could get the exact color I wanted.  The small sentiment is from Reverse Confetti.  

 Here is the adorable Color Throwdown Color challenge combo. Take a few crafting minutes so you can play along.  

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Butterflies

I knew I had to play along as soon as I saw the Sketch Saturday sketch for this week. 

 

 After I die cut the two little tag accents, I pulled out a butterfly set of stamps from Simon Says Stamp.  

 The butterfly was colored with Zig Clean Color markers on watercolor paper.  I accented portions of the butterfly with Nuvo Crystal Drops.  The copper glitter tag is a die cut from My Favorite Things and the other chevron tag is from Reverse Confetti.  

 I added a subtle accent with a light green ink and a Tim Holtz dot stencil.  

Here is the Sketch Saturday challenge.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Best Wishes

I love a simple color combo and that was what the ColorThrowdown challenge was this week. 

 I actually started out with the great, simple sketch from CAS(e) this Sketch and finished my card with the ColorThrowDown colors.  The flower sprig stamp is by Magenta and since it almost fits the front of my card, I thought it helped my use the sketch.   

 After I stamped this stamp with white ink and white embossing powder, I added color with Zig Clean Color Markers.  These markers work so perfectly on watercolor paper and a waterbrush.  The sentiment is from Reverse Confetti. I added a clear glaze to the main flower with Nuvo Crystal Drops.  

 Here is the Color Throwdown challenge.

 Here is the CAS(e) this Sketch.

And the Simon Says Stamp challenge this week of Clear & Simple.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Just Because

I just had to use the Color Throwdown color challenge so here is my resulting card. 

 My go to images are some flowers, what a better way to use these colors.  I used a new-to-me Altenew set, Adore You.  I just repeatedly stamped a few of the flower images and some leaves.  In order to get a layered look for the flowers and leaves I used some masking.  Once I had everything in place, I added color with Zig Clean Color markers on watercolor paper. 

 The colors are nice and intense and do work so nicely with the watercolor paper and a water brush.  I added a more intense color to the middle of each flower with Seedless Preserves Distress Stain, another ink that works so well for a watercolor look.  After I stamped the sentiment I added a light gray marker around the edges of all of the images.  

 All of this was finished off with some flicks of a white Distress Stain and white Nuvo Crystal Drops. 

Here is the Color Throwdown Challenge.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Golden "love"

I found a few online challenges that I simply needed to play along with.

 The color combination came from the photo inspiration with Time Out Challenge.  I wanted black and white stripes so I created my own with a black watercolor pen and a Copic black pen.  Once I drew my lines with a ruler, I used a waterbrush to make the watercolor black ink run.  In the photo this ended up looking like it has a lavender cast but it is actually more black and white in real life making it go along with the photo.  The layout of the card went along with the Freshly Made sketch.

 I made sure my card was really on the simple side by adding black and gold glitter.  

 Here is the Time Out Challenge Photo. 

 Here is the Freshly Made sketch I used. 

This also fits the CASology challenge.

 This CAS on Friday challenge is to use markers or pens. 

And the Simon Says Wednesday challenge is Anything Goes.
Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Succulents and Cactus

My newest passion includes succulents and cactus, plants I tended to ignore before but I have fallen in love with how easy they are to grow.  

 With that said, I knew I needed this new stamp and matching die set from My Favorite Things.  It was fun to make my creation fit in with the Color Throwdown challenge.  

 I used Strathmore watercolor paper for my background and for my plants and pots, pairing that with Zig Clear Color markers and a few Distress Inks.  

Here is the Color Throwdown challenge.

It also fits the Simon Says Wednesday challenge of anything goes and using Ranger Products because I can't hardly create without Ranger products!!!
Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Sweet bouquet

I recently picked up some new stamps from Stamps by Judith and I so wanted to use them.  

 I also had just gotten my Zig Clean Color pens and I thought this was the perfect chance to use them.  That great sentiment is a stamp from Stampers Anonymous.  Isn't that a great way to great a friend?

 The plant and that cute little colander bowl are separate stamps.  They are easy to stamp together though.  I stamped them with black ink on watercolor paper and then used my new pens to add interest.  Just bits here and bits there.  They were so easy to use.  

 My colors fit the Colour Q combo.

Plus the CASology challenge for SIMPLE.
Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Snowflake time

Well, we won't really get any snowflakes where I live but I sure love using snowflakes for winter anyway.

I first of all I used a snowflake plate from Lil' Inker and embossed the entire piece using watercolor paper.  Next I took one of my Zig Clear Color pens and added some color.  I then used a watercolor brush to "paint" each embossed snowflake.  I loved the resulting soft look.  The sentiment from Simon Says Stamp was stamped on vellum.  I like that I could add the sentiment is a subtle way.  

 I also cut out snowflakes from this set of Lil' Inker dies, I love the stitching marks that are in the dies.  I sprayed the cut out snowflakes with Brushed Pewter Distress Spray.  I placed the die cut snowflakes over some of the embossed snowflakes.  

 The card fits the Inkspirational FLAKE challenge.

 The colors fit the Sunday Stamps challenge.

Plus it fits the Simon Says Wednesday Die Cut challenge.
Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)