A Stamp Market Sampling!!

 Well, so much for getting back in the saddle..... creatively speaking, that is!! Although I've been making lots of cards, and a large mess in the craft cave, I have been quite delinquent regarding posting. And, it took waaaay too long to figure out how to A) take a photo or two B) edit said photos and C)  gain access to Blogger!! Perhaps staying away too long is not such a great idea??

However, I recently signed up for The Stamp Market's Cutest Card Kit subscription, with my first month being the August Standard Kit, which provided the desire to create (and post!). SO many posssiblilties with the kit... especially when combined with older Stamp Market stamps/dies AND the kit 'add ons' (LOVE the Celebration Balloon Silhouettes dies....more projects in the works with that set!!).

So.... here is a smattering of creations with stamps and dies, both old and new!!

Card #1 is a total CASE from the TSM website.  However, it seemed a shame to waste all of those beautiful, perfect white circles (and the flowers that had been previously stamped, using the discontinued Bunches of Blooms set), which helped to create card #2.

Cards 3-6 are an amalgamation of various stamps (mostly TSM, with a bit of Concord & 9th, The Greetery, Papertrey Ink, MFT and Lil' Inker thrown in for good measure).

Many thanks for taking a peek.... hopefully, it will not be another nine month lull! 

Playing Cards with Friends - December 2023

 If there's anyone who can get me back into 'creative mode', it's my lovely friend, Michele..... who has asked if I would 'play cards' with her. To her pleasure, and mine, I have accepted!! Michele and I have been lucky enough to meet, live and in person, on a few occasions.  And... I've met Michele's darling husband too! We've also enjoyed more than a few telephone conversations and have quite a lot in common (and could easily chat for hours)!!

In honor of National Look for an Evergreen Day, our Playing Cards with Friends 'challenge' is to fashion a card that includes an evergreen die (all are welcome- pine, spruce fir, etc.) as the focal point OR supporting character.  In addition, our creations must use dies only - no stamping!

Initially, this sounded like a walk in the Evergreen park, because I surely have a lot of tree dies and had many, many ideas! However, the greater challenge proved to be HOW to fit in a non-stamped, 'dies-only' sentiment??  Many iterations later (yes, I am VERY, very rusty) I believe, and hope, that I've come up with something worthy of Michele's card challenge/card playing!

My creation is mini-slimline sized (3.5" x 6.5") and includes lots of dies, a plethora of hues and a sprinkling of sparkle! A few of the trees have a bit of added dimension/height, as do the chunky letters in 'MERRY' and the lovely 'christmas' die (which is layered with white and slightly offset). In addition, there's an added touch of diamond glitter to the ink-blended edges of each letter of 'MERRY'.

P.S. - If you've gotten to the bottom of this post - many, many thanks! My absence from Blogger/Instagram was not intended to be quite SO long.... however, the needs of both my parent and my DH's parents were a bit more pressing that my time in the craft cave.

paper: Classic Kraft, Stampers Select White, Hibiscus Burst, Berry Sorbet, Simply Chartreuse, Aqua Mist, Tropical Teal (PTI), Bubblegum, Greenery, Diamond Glitter paper (The Stamp Market)

ink: Simply Chartreuse, Hibiscus Burst, Hawaiian Tropic, Tropical Teal, Berry Sorbet (PTI)

dies: Whittle Trees (Poppy Stamps), Mini Slimline Card & Envelope (Trinity Stamps), Chunky Alphabet (The Stamp Market), Traveler's Journal: December (PTI)

other: Toffee mini slimline envelope (Tailored Expressions), Diamond glitter (A Muse Studio), dimensional tape

 

Fusion Card Challenge - 'Colour Palette: Blue Butterflies'

 

It's time for the latest Fusion Card Challenge - 'Blue Butterflies'. I'm loving the aqua/blue hues of the gorgeous photograph, but the sketch is pretty lovely too. Which will you choose - the sketch, the photo or both as your inspiration?

I've taken cues from both the photo and the sketch... focusing on the beautiful blues and the ombre cues (and, although it's hard to appreciate, I have used multiple inks to try and match the patterned paper/achieve a subtle ombre effect). There's a bit of texture with the stitched rectangular die and embossed banner. A crisp sentiment and a few jewels/sequins are the finishing touches on this CAS A2-sized card!

The DT has created LOTS of lovelies, so be sure to hop on over and join the party! When playing along you may use the sketch OR the photo as you jumping off point. OR, if you are feeling super duper clever, you can fuse 'em together. 

stamps: Butterfly Folk, Just Sentiments: Happy Hello (PTI)

paper: Stampers Select White, Smokey Shadow, Vintage Linens pp (PTI)

ink: Sea Glass, Ocean Waves, Misty Morning, Cloudy Sky (Altenew), Versafine watermark ink

dies: Butterfly Folk, Noted: Simply Stitched A2 Vertical (PTI), Stitched Party Banners (Lawn Fawn) 

other: Diagonal Stripe EF (Sizzix/SU), Seafoam jewels, 3mm clear sequins (PPP), dimensional tape, Alabaster ep (Brutus Monroe)

We hope that you'll join in/join us at the Fusion Card Challenge and will enjoy all of the loveliness from the DT and the always amazing gallery!

Jeanne Jachna

Jen Mitchell

Karren Johnson
Linda Callahan

Wanda Cullen

Tristan Dawes

Laurie Unger

Claire Grantham

Fusion Card Challenge - 'Cloth Bunnies'

 

It's the last day of March, and time for the latest Fusion Card Challenge - 'Cloth Bunnies'. I'm loving the soft, stitched bunnies and the Spring-y feel of the photograph, but the sketch is pretty lovely too. Which will you choose - the sketch, the photo or both as your inspiration?

As is my habit, I've taken cues from both the photo and the sketch. I've focused on the indigo, plaid and stripe patterns, and taken the  liberty of rotating the sketch and adding Berry Sorbet as my accent color on the larger bunny die vs. using more organic/neutral hues, as in the photo. A crisp sentiment and cute little bow finish off this clean and simple 5.5" square card.

The DT has created LOTS of lovelies, so be sure to hop on over and join the party! When playing along you may use the sketch OR the photo as you jumping off point. OR, if you are feeling super duper clever, you can fuse 'em together. 

stamps: Buds and Blossoms (Concord & 9th)

paper: Berry Sorbet, Dark Indigo, Bitty Big-Dark Indigo, Stampers Select White (PTI)

ink: Dark Indigo (PTI)

dies: Peek-A-Boo Bunny (Lil' Inker Designs), Bow Trio Mini (Clear and Simple Stamps, circa 2012!!)

We hope that you'll join in/join us at the Fusion Card Challenge and will enjoy all of the loveliness from the DT and the always amazing gallery!