MIM # 158 Stamping with Water Color Mediums

The new challenge this week on Make It Monday is about using water color mediums on our stamps.

I used the same stamp set as Heather.

I must admit to trying several different things and nothing looked very good.

I am wondering if it is just the obscure look of the watercolor that I don't like,

or if I just don't do it right.

I settled for this one...I used distress markers directly on the stamp,

spritzed my water color paper then laid the stamp down...

you can see that it bled quite a bit...then I remembered that anyplace there is water,

the distress marker will run to it.

So I inked it up again and stamped it on the now damp paper...

now it gives the softer effect of watercolor, but you can clearly see it is a flower.

I am calling this good!

paper:  Tim Holtz Watercolor Cardstock. PTI white, black

stamp: Wildflower Garden

Inks:  distress markers: crushed olive, worn lipstick, wild honey

dies:  Lil' Inkers stitched rectangle mat

 

 

Thanks for taking a look

have a super week

Heart Hugs,

Colleen

The Challenge # 3 a second card

On my last post I mentioned prayers for JoAnn, she is on the Seize the Birthday design team with me, she is also on Dynamic Duos...she may be on others, she is so very talented.

She is in ICU with severe injuries, if you could please keep her and the family in prayers to help them get through these difficult days it would be so uplifting for them.

I will be sending her a prayer shawl and this card.

 

I used the sketch on Lesley's blog: Always Playing with Paper

I mentioned that I love this sketch and Lesley gives the measurements for cutting the papers!

Love that!

 

 

Okay, back to knitting!

 

Heart Hugs,

Colleen



The Challenge # 3

Have you seen the Fantastic Sketch over at Always Playing With Paper.

I had so much fun with this sketch and can I just say THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES

for the paper dimensions...

So thank You Lesley for giving the measurements, I really loved it and will be saving this sketch for future cards!!

Now I know this said "Hello", but I really needed another Easter card...so I took liberty with that!

Here are the card measurements that I used to create my card:

Card Base 4.25" x 11" scored at 5.5" (A2)

Striped Piece 3.75" x 5"

Skewed Gray Panel 2.5" x 4.50"

White Panel 2.5" x 4"

stamps:  MFT Easter Bunny, PTI Egg Hunt
paper:  melon berry, white, soft stone, kraft, terra cotta tile pattern paper, MME fine & Dandy girl
dies:  Mft Easter Bunny
inks: kraft, melon berry, terra cotta tile

Okay folks that is it for me today, I am going to sit and knit a prayer shawl.
One of our blogging friends has had a tragedy in her family and can use prayers...if you all could lift up JoAnn, it would be tremendously appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your prayers!
Heart Hugs,
Colleen



Freshly Made Sketches # 129

Over at Freshly Made Sketches I decided to make another Easter card...actually as I am skyping with my friend Linda  over at her blog we decided to use this sketch and both use PTI Polka Dot Parade #1 the bunny and see how different or the same they would turn out...truthfully I like hers better *wink...I struggle with pattern paper...I think I laid down and cut out about three different kinds until I finally settled on this...what does that tell you?  We did both use the exact same sentiment though!!

So this is two down and two more to go for Easter cards...I always send my aunts cards every month to let them know that I am thinking of them and praying for them...they are all in their 90's.

 

Okay, maybe my friend and I will do another challenge and I can get another Easter card made!

 

It is a stormy day here...lots of wind and lots of rain!

 

Heart Hugs,

Colleen

CASual Friday ~ A good Egg!

CAS-ual Fridays challenge this week is all about OVALS.

 

Products used:

 

PTI paper:  white, soft stone plain and pattern

MFT Stamps:  Easter Bunny, PTI Egg Hunt (sentiment)

inks:  PTI kraft, aqua mist, sweet blush, berry sorbet, summer sunrise, simply chartreuse, winter wisteria, spring rain, HA Latte chalk ink

dies:  MFT Easter bunny, Lil' Inkers Stitched Ovals

 

I stamped the eggs on the side to make my own pattern strip and attached soft stone paper to the sides.  The oval was die cut with stitched mat and I used dimensional tape to adhere the basket.  The bunny and the eggs were attached using DOTS  from Deanna's blog, she has them on sale, only until the end of Saturday...so jump on it and buy some you will not be disappointed...they add just a bit of dimension, maybe half of the scotch dimensional roll.  Go to her blog and check it out...Kloset Kreations.

 

Okay, time to go sit and maybe knit while I watch a show with DH...have a good one friends!

 

Heart Hugs,

Colleen

Merry Monday # 101

I am entering this card in the 101 Merry Monday Challenge which asks us to use Grey, Red and White.

Stamps:  PTI  Winter Hills

ink:  memento black, Hero Arts Soft Granite

copics:  R37, R89, W, W4, T1

paper:  PTI white and pure poppy

 

Today has been a very rainy day here in Oregon...quite heavy at times, so it is a good day to stay inside and make cards!!  I hope you all have a good weekend...no plans for me, maybe I can continue playing in my craft room!

 

Heart Hugs,

Collen

Seize the Birthday ~ Buttons or Gemstones ~ March 27

Welcome to another Seize the Birthday Challenge

We are adding a topping of buttons or gem stones this time!

You are always welcome to just make a birthday card to your liking because as usual, anything goes!

Go HERE  to see the inspiration from the Design Team.

 

Toppings:  buttons or gems!

 

 

   

stamps:  SSS Flower Friend, PTI Bigger Blooms

inks:  summer sunrise, melon berry, orange zest, berry sorbet, terracotta tile

misc. gemstones

paper:  PTI white and berry sorbet pattern paper


We are Spring Vacation week with the kiddos and of course it is raining here in Oregon!
I haven't had much time to play in my craft room, but I am going to remedy that very soon!
Today I am showing a friend how to knit, and she is making lunch for us!
I am sure I will be back in here in the afternoon!
I hope you all have a good end of the week!
Heart Hugs,
Colleen

Card Concept #6

I think this card would be "Clean and Layering", it is almost a one layer card, I just added a bit of black to help it pop and then mounted it onto an aqua mist card.  First I stamped my gifts and bows, then I used two different cuttlebug embossing folders to do the top and bottom of the card; using my scoring board, I made two lines at the top and bottom of the embossed image; tied a twine around it and stamped "Make a wish"...  What a fun challenge this week at Card Concept .  I hope you will take the time to join in and make a birthday card!
                                      

Happy Birthday and big dot embossing folders

stamps:  PTI Make a Wish

ink: simply chartreuse, aqua mist, melon berry

twinery twine

paper: PTI white, aqua mist, black

 

Off to Spokane for a three day Volleyball tournament for my two granddaughters!

And this weekend is the beginning of the Spring Vacation here!

 

I will be missing until Monday...have a great weekend!

 

Heart Hugs,

Colleen

Festive Friday ~ # 27

This is the inspiration picture for Festive Friday, I used not only the snowflake but also the shimmery look of the star and the little bit of greenery in the background.  You can go HERE to be inspired by the design team and all the others who have made cards for this two week challenge that ends in 7 days, you still have time!  Sorry the "Peace" is looking funny, it must be my photography skills.  I rubbed the Inka Metallic rub over the die cut ~ It makes it look real shiny.

                                        

Product used:

PTI shimmer paper and white, simply chartreuse

dies:  Lil' Inkers stitched snowflakes, PTI Peace die

Viva Inka Metallic Rub: silver

 

Thanks for taking a look...

Heart Hugs,

Colleen

 

 

 

 

 



100th Merry Monday!!

Merry Monday is celebrating their 100th challenge! 

They offer both a sketch and a color combo:

I love this color combo!  Wow!  And the sketch is pretty fabulous too!
Good job Lesley!
You can go HERE  to play along and celebrate with everyone!
things I used on this card:
stamps:  Paper Smooches: Merry Motifs (sentiment)
ink:  PTI raspberry fizz
paper:  PTI white, simply chartreuse pattern pack and plain, raspberry fizz plain and pattern pack, bitty box
dies:  memory box pine border die, pine border background die, PTI banner die

I love this card...it is so bright and cheerful!
Hope you all have a great day!
Heart Hugs,
Colleen

Sympathy Cards for the stash

I was in need of some Sympathy cards, and my friends at Bible study are always asking for that type of card.  This first one with the butterfly was actually given to a very close friend whose father just passed away.  I used pearlescent embossing paste and a Crafters Workshop (chicken wire) stencil on lemon tart paper.  The doily is die cut in vellum with the PTI Dainty Doily dies.  The butterfly is from PTI Beautiful Butterflies on water color paper that was colored with some distress inks.  Three pearls were added to the center.

 

 

 

These are a box set of cards that I put together using PTI Pretty Peonies and some copics for highlighting.  I just used an assortment of colors and added the PTI black dotted paper to the bottom.  The sentiments on all these cards are from Simon Says Stamps:  Handwritten Borders...I love those!

This is another set, since I was doing one, thought I may as well do four and just change up the color.

Some are sympathy, and some are just praying for you...

The image is from MFT: Peaceful Gardens

 

I think that is enough for now.  I know I have been missing this past week...but as you can see I have been productive, just taking care of things that I needed, like those sympathy cards.

 

I will only have two more days this week to craft as I leave Thursday morning for Spokane Wa for three days of volleyball for my two granddaughters.  I guess I better get busy on a couple of those challenges that I love to do...like Merry Monday!!

 

Heart Hugs friends!

Colleen

 

 



Seize The Birthday ~ stitching faux or real

Welcome again to another Seize the Birthday Challenge.  This time we have the topping of adding some stitching, either real or faux, your choice.  And of course you can always make a card without the toppings.
                                                     Add stitching either Real or Faux 
                                    

Have you noticed I love the stitched mats from Lil' Inkers?

This is the oval one that my BFF gave me for Christmas!

And can you believe I have a SIL whose birthday is actually

March 17!  YEAH, a St. Paddy's day baby!

Of course I had to make a card for him.

 

I hope you will play along and add either real stitching to your card,

or you can go with faux stitching.

Then link it up to Seize the Birthday Challenge

and check out what the other team members have made for your inspiration!

 

 

PTI paper:  new leaf, white

stamps:  VERVE: Shamrocks

dies:  memory box: Lucky Leaves



Paper Players # 186

Paper Players  this week has some colors for the challenge.

A beautiful person from my church moved to Bend, so I don't get to see her very often.

On Friday morning I got a text telling me she was in town and could we do lunch!

I immediately said YES, so excited to see her!

And my friend Linda even knows her because we all took a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in Croatia a few years back.  She bought our lunches and even a dessert to share because it was my birthday on Wednesday.  Of course I have to send her another thank you...like I need a reason to make another card!!  This is for her..

 

Simon Says Stamps and die:  Thanks

colors:  blueberry sky, summer sunrise, HA Soft granite

 

Thank for taking a look and I hope you all have a great week, sadly my friend will be heading home tomorrow morning, but that is okay...we Skype a lot while in our craft rooms...besides, I think my DH will be happy to have me all to himself again!

 

Heart Hugs,

Colleen

DD # 93 and Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge # 210

 

This card is for TWO challenges,

Dynamic Duos  and Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge

 

Stamps:  WPlus9 Fresh Cut Florals, Beautiful Blessings
paper:  MFT gray, PTI white, sweet blush and sweet blush pattern paper
Lil' Inkers Circle stitch mat
ink:  HW soft granite, PTI sweet blush, hibiscus burst
PTI Impression Plate: linen

My friend Linda, found this new challenge for us...she really doesn't like sketches so much, but she made a really great card with it.
I needed another sympathy so I thought the soft pink and gray would make a nice card for that category.
My friend leaves tomorrow to go back to the Seattle are...we had a great 6 days of playing, stamping and having lunch out!  It is so fun to sit side by side and play together!

Have a good Sunday!
Heart Hugs,
Colleen

Simon Says: Tag It Wednesday!

the SSS Wednesday challenge is to TAG IT!

I made a little card with the tag on it,

added a side tag for the sentiment

Stamps:  HA Wavy Leaf Pattern, Flutter by Friend (PTI)  Boutique borders:  Sympathy

Paper:  aqua mist, berry sorbet pattern, rustic cream

ink:  versarmark, black

copics, clear embossing powder, twine from the Twinery

 

Have a good Sunday!

Heart Hugs,

Colleen



Less is More # 162 A flower

Less is More  challenge is a one layer card with a flower.

I needed more sympathy cards

and I think one layer is perfect for that kind of card.

 

Stamps:  PTI Wildflower Garden, Think Big # 3

inks:  spring moss, spring rain, versafine black

misc:  Lil' Inkers mat stitched mat, signo white uniball

 

One more card...I actually made four of each kind, but with different colors.

Stamps: MFT Peaceful Gardens

ink:  aqua mist, versafine black

 

YEAH!  A big thank you to Darnell for a great job on describing how to link through Flickr..

 

I did it!  And I think Lin can do it too!!  We walked through it together!!

 

Heart Hugs,

Colleen

 

Paper Players ~ A thank you Theme

The Paper Players challenge is to make a Thank you card.

It just so happened that a really sweet mom from my husband's volleyball team

found out it was my birthday yesterday, so when the girls came for practice today,

she had me go down to the gym and she gave me a box of See's Candies!

Isn't that sweet and thoughtful?

That is just the kind of person she is!

So when I am done here posting this card, I am going to write inside and go down and leave it on her windshield!

 

Stamps and dies:  PTI Bold Bouquet

paper:  PTI white, spring rain pattern paper

ink:  spring ran, blueberry sky, simply chartreuse, ripe avocado, versafine black

 

 



Freshly Made Sketches # 126

Freshly Made Sketches  has a fun new sketch up...

My BFF (Linda) and I made a template so we would have it always *wink*

Paper:  PTI scarlet jewel, sweet blush pattern paper, rustic cream

inks:  pure poppy, sweet blush,

stamps and dies:  Lovely Layers, Garden Grace

translucent embossing paste

Crafters Workshop stencil:  Mini flower Piecing

zing embossing powder

 

I used the stencil and some translucent embossing paste to make the face of the card, it is really shiny and pretty in real life!

 

Thanks for taking a look!

Heart Hugs,

Colleen

 

Colour Me # 10 and Card concept # 5

First up Card Concept with a color inspiration and the one liner is really die cut using PTI chocolate brown, NOT black!

stamps:  PTI Autumn Pattern Pieces, Be Happy

inks:  chocolate brown, limeade ice

paper:  PTI white, limeade ice, chocolate brown

This next card is for Colour Me # 10 and they are asking for a monochromatic card using green.

stamps:  Meadow Greens, Botanical silhouettes

ink:  Distress Inks: peeled paint, shabby shutters

twine from the Twinery

 

I hope you will join in these challenges and play along, especially if you like the color green!  this seems to be a popular color with challenges this week...is it because St. Patrick's day is coming up?

Heart Hugs,

Colleen

 

 

 

Less is More # 161 Yellow & Green

Doesn't this remind you of the wishers out in the lawn?

Those dreaded "dandelions" that everyone tries to get rid of, but the kiddos love to pick them, and blow and make a wish!  (Yeah, blow so the seeds go all over the place!)

This is a Memory Box Stencil called Garden Umbel.

I added some reinkers to the embossing paste and spread it on the stencil.

The sentiment is from PTI Stylish Sentiments: Birthday

 

reinkers:  PTI harvest gold, simply chartreuse

 

I am entering this in the Less is More Challenge

where they are asking for green and yellow.

 

thanks for looking!

 

Heart Hugs,

Colleen

One Layer Simplicity ~ just add water

One Layer Simplicity  is the new kid on the block...this is the third challenge for them and they want us to "JUST ADD WATER".

I stamped the image using Distress Ink and then added water with a brush to give it a water color look.  Using versamark, I added the same image onto sweet blush ink and then a little sweet blush polka dot ribbon on the side

.

Stamps:  PTI Garden Grace, Make a Wish (sentiment)

ink: Distress Inks: bundled sage, shabby shutters, spun sugar, fired brick, versamark 

paper:  Hero arts Water color, sweet blush, rustic cream

 

My sweet BFF, Linda is here and I have to say we are both struggling a bit with paper, inks, embossing powder...maybe we need to call it a night, have some cake and try it all again tomorrow!

 

Heart Hugs, friends

Colleen

Okay, I messed up, even though I typed this up:  ONE layer simplicity, for some reason it didn't connect with me, so I apologize for this card NOT being one layer!!