Stencils!

 It is my week to select a theme for the challenge at Allsorts and so I hope you will play along and USE A STENSIL!   Of course, you always have the Anything Goes option if you prefer.

Prizes from Oakwood (2 x A5 stamp sets) and Highlight Crafts (3 x A5 stencils)

My inspiration card for you used Perfect Poppies (a layered stencil) and the Decorative Double stencil from Gina K Designs. I inked the poppies using Red Velvet and Cherry Red Gina K inks, and added some dots of gold to the centers. For the background I used Soft Stone ink. I cut the piece down using a Darice Nesting Book Pages die, then edged it with some gold embossing powder. The sentiment is from Gina K's Ornate Spring set.

Stencils are a fantastic way to create texture, and the layered stencils are wonderful for color. They are usually less expensive as well.  Just a winning combination. I hope you will join in and share your creations at Allsorts this week.

Best Wishes

 

Good Morning!

 My design team card for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #574

I've been going through some of my favorite Close To My Heart retired paper collections - and have found some very pretty pieces still remaining.

This paper comes from the Charlotte collection and I've used the stamps and sentiment from a set that was meant to coordinate with the papers, Springtime Wishes.

Hope to see your creations with the sketch! Link up at AHSC

Balloons

 This week at Allsorts, Mervi has a fun option for the challenge -   Balloons!

You may use the  Anything Goes option if you prefer.  Prizes for this week are from AALL and Create

My DT card for your inspiration uses two new stencils from Gina K Designs: Bold Balloons and Layered Candles. They were inked with Gina K Sweet Corn, Apple Mint, Sea Glass, Wild Dandelion and Sweet Mango inks.  The sentiment and coordinating die are Gina K Birthday Sparkle set.

                                                   Hope you will join the challenge!

I am linking to Freshly Made Sketches which was the design inspiration for my card.

Citrus

 Sketch #645 at Try a Sketch On Tuesday begins today.

My DT card for you uses stamps and papers from Simon Says Stamp June 2022 kit You Shine (still available). I don't have the coordinating dies, so I fussy cut the images and made an arrangement of them. They were colored with alcohol markers.  It seemed like a fun idea to put some Glossy Accents on the lemon segments and that looks great in person - not showing much in my photo. This set has some lovely butterflies and a bee, too, that I used in another card at the end of March.  It's a really fun and versatile set.

This TSOT sketch is fantastic for using all kinds of papers or techniques.  Hope you will give it a try and share your creation on the blog.  We love to see your interpretations!

It's Spring

 

Allsorts optional theme for  week #776 challenge is                                                               It's Got to be Spring

Prizes for this month's challenges are from  AALL and Create

I have used some papers from my CTMH stash (Penelope, retired) and a fun sentiment from a long retired stamp set called My Peeps. I had fun inking it in four colors and cutting the scalloped circle with a Lawn Fawn die. The bunny is a piece of a Simon Says Stamp die.  

Spring is full of such delightful colors!   Hope to see your creations on the Allsorts blog.

Blue & Gold

 

       

              Monday morning brings a new sketch challenge at

            Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

and my design team card uses some gorgeous origama paper my son brought from Japan. The leaves are cut from gold card using Spellbinder's small die of the month Hiking Through the Meadows. The sentiment is from Altenew's Leaf Canopy set. The oval aperture was cut with Gina K Designs ML1.

All the design team cards post at AHSC every Wednesday. We hope to see your project using the sketch!

 

A new challenge at Allsorts has the optional theme  For the Love of Animals

April is National Pet Month: National Pet Month (NPM) celebrates and raises awareness of responsible pet ownership.

Prizes for weeks 773/4/5 from Highlight Crafts (photo) and Stamp Addicts (2 prizes, stamps and a £15 store voucher)

I have used an image from Ruth Hamilton Designs - a sponsor of Allsorts. It is called Pup in a Box. The dots on the box inspired me to pull out the Fizzy stencil from Gina K Designs so I could create a 'matching' background.  I also used dies from Gina K Master Layouts 4 and an embossing folder from Darice.  The sentiment was computer generated.

Welcome Little One

 

Happy Tuesday!

Challenge #644 at Try a Sketch On Tuesday begins today.

My design team card uses some papers from my stash and a computer generated sentiment. I fussy cut a piece with the little bird and one of the elephants.  I rarely have need for a new baby card these days- a sign of advanced age :-) - but need one for a young P.E.O. sister.  I am regretting giving away all my baby stamps!

There are some wonderful projects on the blog for your inspiration. Check them out and hope you will get crafty and share your creations.

You are the best!

 

New  #570 at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

My DT card for you this morning features Lovely Flowers, a stamp/layering stencil/die set from Gina K Designs. It was part of the January kit, and they are now available as separate items. I stamped and then stenciled using Gina K Designs inks: Innocent Pink, Lovely Lavender, Dusty Rose, Sea Glass, Blue Lagoon, Lucky Clover, Grass Green, Jelly Bean Green, and Fresh Asparagus.

The sentiment is from Altenew's Leaf Canopy set.

The intent was to make an open front card...but that didn't stand properly. I think I should not have cut the bottom leaves. So I adhered it to the front of the card base. 

This card measures 4.5" x 6.25"

Keep It Simple

 

This new challenge from Allsorts has an optional theme    -    Keep It Simple  

It will be a two week challenge for the holiday - #773/774.       Prizes for weeks 773/4/5 are from Highlight Crafts (photo) and Stamp Addicts (2 prizes, stamps and a £15 store voucher).

My card uses an embossing folder that I cut off to show some patterned paper.  I wanted a space for a message, so created a mini card to adhere on the inside.  I stamped and fussy cut the two bees and stamped a sentiment from Simon Says Stamp You Shine set. I really like the simple look of the front and the surprise inside.

Hope you will find some time to enjoy the sweetness of spring and creating something to share on the blog.

Missing You

 

My DT card for this wonderful new sketch at                                         Try a Sketch On Tuesday.

I have random stamped images from Brushed Flowers, Simon Says Stamp using SSS inks Lucky, Citrine, Rose and Ocean, and cut a portion with a circle die.  I found some card scraps that were close in color for the other circles and placed them behind the front panel as apertures.

I tried several kinds of embellishments, but in the end decided to keep it very plain.

There are so many ways to interpret this sketch - I can't wait to see what talented crafters share!   Take a look, be inspired, and get crafty!

Allsorts Feather or Fur

 This week at Allsorts the challenge option for #772 is  FEATHER  and/or FUR                                                   or Anything Goes if you prefer. 

Prizes from Craftstash and AALL and Create

I have so few animal stamps- some cute cartoonish ones, or whimsical die cuts...so I have pulled out a very old stamp set that features some Beatrix Potter bunnies. I have always loved them and enjoyed water coloring them, which is what I did for this card.  So my card is 'fur.'  The back panel was embossed with the Diamond Plate folder on some very pale blue card. The tiny sentiment is from Gina K Designs, and all the panels were cut with Spellbinders nesting labels.

Atlantic Hearts 568

 

This week's sketch #568 for Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.

My design team inspiration for you uses Swirling Blooms embossing folder from Spellbinders and Wonderfully Made butterfly from Gina K Designs.  The sentiment is an older one from my stash. 

I heat embossed with gold and colored the butterfly with Copic markers. I used the same blue marker to create the circle mat and the small banner so they would match.  I splattered the card base with Brutus Monroe Gilded Shimmer splash - tiny splashes but they do add subtle shine in real life.

Check out the rest of the design team cards on Wednesday at AHSC.

Yellow

 The new challenge #771 at Allsorts theme is to USE YELLOW, or Anything Goes is always an option if you prefer.  The Design Team loves seeing how you create with the theme, and the host will select her Top 5 at the end of the week.   There are prizes from our generous sponsors  Craftstash and AALL and Create that are selected by Random Generator at the end of the month.

My design team card for this challenge uses a sweet daffodil stamp from Close To My Heart. It's an older stamp, but a spring favorite that I colored with Copics. The window die cuts are from Gina K Designs Master Layout 5. I backed the cut out with a white panel stenciled with some clouds.  The yellow paper, Buttercup, is an older color of CTMH. Daffodil from my garden :-)

 Some sad news this week that CTMH will be going out of business at the end of the year.  When I first began stamping in the 1990's, I was exclusively purchasing CTMH product and attending home demonstration classes. For five years, I was a Consultant as well.  I've since moved on to using products from lots of companies, but my basic inks, paper and many stamps are still foundations in my craft room.   It was a quality company with fabulous people.

A Friend Like You

 

A new sketch for you to try!

Visit Try a Sketch On Tuesday to see the rest of the design team inspiration for this Sketch #642. TSOT sketch challenges run for two weeks.

My card used the Mod Layering Leaves stencil from Simon Says Stamp and Altenew Green Valley inks. I chose the ink colors to go with some card scraps I had in my stash. I stenciled on the darker piece with white pigment ink and embossed and fussy cut. The sentiment is from My Creative Time Friendship set. The center die cut is Daisies & Leaves from Simon Says Stamp.

Hope to see your creations at TSOT!

Also linking to the sister blog Double Trouble #161 - Pinch Proof.  My card is only green, no gold so I haven't all the options.  Check out this fun challenge and the awesome inspiration there.

Spring! (almost)

 The theme this week at Allsorts challenge # 770 is SPRING or the Anything Goes option if you prefer.

                                     Prizes from AALL and Create and Aldridge Crafts

My card uses a new to me die - Crocus Floral Window - from Simon Says Stamp.  I ink blended a sunrise on the panel behind and stamped a greeting from Gina K Designs. The weather in my neck of the woods has been wildly swinging between winter and spring.  But patience...we know it will arrive soon. :-)  Meanwhile, keep crafting!  

Best Birthday

                      Good Morning!

          Sketch #566 at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge provided me with an opportunity to use a Gel plate background made earlier this week with stencils, stamps and acrylic paints.  I backed it with heavier card stock and cut it in strips.  The leaf piece was in my folder from an earlier paint session. I stamped the Gina K Designs sentiment with Distress Oxide inks to try to replicate the paint colors.

It really does make me happy when a sketch inspires me to cut into those backgrounds.  They are too much fun to stay in a box.

Hope you will be inspired and will share your creation at AHSC this week.

Northern Cardinal

 

This week at Allsorts the challenge theme is THINGS THAT FLY or you may use the Anything Goes option if you prefer.

There are prizes for this month's challenges from AALL and Create and Aldridge Crafts

My stash of 'flying' stamps is very limited - I have lots of different beautiful butterflies, but only a few birds and I have used both the butterflies and hummingbird in my most recent posts. So I attempted to water color the Tim Holtz Cardinal die.  As I have painted it, this is a female Northern Cardinal. (I used Google images to find some color inspiration.)  The branches are heavily trimmed pieces from Altenew's Leaf Canopy set.  I need a lot of practice with my water coloring. haha!  But it was good exercise.  

Hope to see your creations on the Allsorts blog!

Slim Deco

               Try A Sketch On Tuesday has a new challenge!

This challenge will run from February 20-March 5th at TSOT

My card used Altenew stamps and dies.  The floral is Glowing Gardenia stamp, layering stencil, and die bundle. The Deco Frame die and and Essential Sentiments die were cut from purple card stock that somehow photographs much darker. This is a mini-slim line card.

The team loves seeing your creations!

Use Pink!

 It is my week to select the theme at Allsorts - so for challenge #768 I would like to see PINK projects. Though you may always choose the Anything Goes option.

There are marvelous prizes to be drawn at the end of the month from AALL and Create and Lavinia

My inspiration for you used many different products:                                                               

My Favorite Things  Best Friend  background stamp for aperture background                       Altenew Budding Wallpaper stamp and die Mini Delight set                                                     Gina K Designs Friendly Silhouettes sentiment stamp; ML 7 & ML9 for dies                        Provo Craft Swiss Dots embossing folder

Looking forward to seeing your creations on the Allsorts blog!