Australian Inspired birthday card!

So I have been exposed to Covid-19 a lot lately and I finally tested positive for it. So while I rest I hope to get caught up on a few things and one of them being my blog. As you can tell it has been neglected for awhile now with barely any post. I have created but just didn’t have time to create and blog. So I’m hoping in these 10 days off the Lord will allow me to be well enough to do a few things on the to-do list.

So one of my nephews had a birthday in September and I just couldn't create the right card for him. And then weeks turned into months and the poor boy never got a card or his present. Which I was just going to give him money because time was getting away from me. But I really didn't want to do that because even though I was late I wanted to make sure he knew he was special and loved. His mom had told me he is into Australia right now and he loves to learn about new things. Well, I went to Beccy's Place Blog and saw a brand new stamp released this month and it was perfect!! It is called Limited Edition and it is a platypus!! The creative juices flowed and I even got out the Distress Oxide inks my friend Karen taught me how to use last year. I made the background (Salvaged patina and peacock feathers) by starting with lighter and going darker. Then I spritzed it with water. Then I used Blueprint sketch Distress Oxide ink on paper and cut the 10 out of it. I printed the bubbles from the digital stamp directly on my background piece. I love how it turned out!! I went with a 7 1/4 x 3 3/4 card as it was the perfect size for the platypus swimming to the number 10!! (It uses a 7 1/2 x 4 envelope that I had to special order). 

This card also inspired me to find books to go with it. So I find a cool book that comes in a series called Platypus Police Squad and I got him the first book - The Frog who Croaked. Which is double awesome because it is about a platypus and a cop (his dad is a police officer!) I also got him a book on the animals in Australia (A is for Australian Animals) and a book on Australia (A is for Australia)

I hope to turn this design into some Hello Cards instead of the 10 being on there. We will see what happens and I'll post if I get them made!!

CHALLENGES:
1) Beccy's Challenges - January - Create a card or paper-craft project using any Beccy's Place image, upload a photo of it to your blog or other hosted site, and submit a direct link. The challenge runs from now until midnight on the 31st of January 2022 (AEST).

SUPPLIES:
Digital Image: Limited Edition @ Beccy's Place
Distress Oxide Inks: Ranger Tim Holtz (Salvaged patina, Peacock feathers, Blueprint sketch)
Cardstock: Bazzill (Mediterranean, Pinecone)
Water paper for inking: Neenah paper
Accents/Tools: pop dots, Epson inkjet printer

Lake Cabin Card

I have a customer that lives in a lake house so I made this card for her to give her husband for Father’s Day. I used the Cabin SVG from Miss Kate Cuttables.

SUPPLIES:
SVG File: Miss Kate Cuttable SVG File (cabin)
Cardstock: Bazzill (Ivy, parakeet, Java, sea water, Bazzill Blue,smoky)
Accents/Tools: Gina Marie Designs Dies (stitched sky die set), Joy Crafts Die (clouds), xyron x, Xyron 510, EK Success pop dots

I made a lake cabin card scene (see above) and had extra supplies out on the desk from it. I then got an order from a lady that wanted her granddaughter (1 yoa) to give her uncle (17 yoa) a card for “uncle’s day”. He is a big fishermen and I know will teach her how to fish. So I had a bear left over and decided to pair him up with the lake scene. I thought it worked for a kid to give to an uncle. Stamping is not my thing but since I bought the set I thought I would use. The lady and her son “uncle” loved it!

CHALLENGES:
1) June 2017 Inspirational Card Challenge – Bonus – outdoor activity.

SUPPLIES:
Stamp: Jack Cardmaking Stamp & Thin Cuts from Close to my Heart
Cardstock: Bazzill (Ivy, parakeet, Java, sea water, Bazzill Blue)
Inks: Tombow Markers #947
Accents/Tools: Gina Marie Designs Dies (Stitched Sky Die Set), Joy Crafts Die (clouds), Miss Kate Cuttable SVG File (cabin)

---

Favorite Fish in the Sea

One of the ladies at work wanted a card for her almost 1 yoa granddaughter to give her 16 yoa uncle (ladies son) for Valentine’s Day. She asked for that saying to be on the card. I decided to put it on the outside of the card and put Happy Valentine’s Day on the inside. I used the fish and rock scene from Diver Daniel Digital Stamp from Deedee’s Digis (no longer in business but she does have a blog she offers some of her images).

I was looking through my sketches trying to find something that would work with several fishes and one of them going the opposite direction. I decided to use Feeling Sketchy #162 as my inspiration. I flipped the elements so the cluster was on the right and the single fish was on the left. Instead of banners I used the rock image. I also flipped the elements upside down. She loved it when I gave it to her yesterday!

CHALLENGES:
1) Feeling Sketchy #162 – use the sketch provided
2) Feb Inspirational Card Challenge – theme – Love

SUPPLIES:
Digital Image: Diver Daniel Digital Stamp from Deedee’s Digis (she has a blog where she does offer some of her digis https://papercraftromance.com/
Cardstock: Amercian Crafts (Cabbage), Bazzill (Evening Surf)
Inks: Large fish pre-colored in the digital stamp. I colored the smaller ones in photoshop. All were printed on a Canon Ink Jet Printer.
Accents/Tools: EK Success 1/16 pop dots, cutter bee scissors, xyron x, heart punch, circle punch, American Craft enamel dots (Dear Lizzy)
Technique: Paper tearing

Save

Happy Valentine’s Day from momma and baby fish

nside: Our baby boy and I love you so much! Happy Valentine’s Day.

So a coworker is pregnant with their first baby. She asked for a card to give to her husband for Valentine’s that would be from her and their baby boy on the way. So went looking for pregnant woman images and then looked for mommy and baby animal images. This is an image from Coloring Pages For Kids. It was perfect as he is a fishermen. My husband colored it in Photoshop and then I cut them out so I could position them how I needed them on the card. I used Tuesday Morning Sketches #388 for my inspiration.

CHALLENGES:
1. Feb Inspirational Card Challenge – theme – Love.

SUPPLIES:
Digital Image: Mother and Child Fish Color Page @ Coloring Pages for Kids.
Cardstock: Bazzill
Ink: pre-colored in Photoshop and printed on Canon Inkjet Printer
Accents/Tools: twine, small heart punch, Cricut dots embossing folder, EK Success 1/16 pop dots, Xyron X

Mermaid cards

Well I have been wanting to jump back in the Progressive Challenge at Gerda Steiner Designs but just haven’t had the time. I’m hosting the August Card Sketch Challenge at Scrapbook.com so while looking for sketches I came across this one Sketch Saturday #420. So this sketch is #5 in the August Card Sketch Challenge @ Scrapbook.com.

I thought it was perfect for the monthly image at Gerda Steiner Designs this month and couldn’t wait to put it together. I thought this image would be cute to send to my friend and then I found the saying “So glad you’re part of my world” and knew it was perfect to send to my Best Friend. I have also been wanting to make a shaker card since it was the technique challenge July Inspirational Card Challenge @ Scrapbook.com. Well the first card I made I put some of the punched circles too close to the edge so it is not a shaker card. So the next card I kept the edges clear so I could put the double sided foam tape around the edges. I have learned after making my first ever shaker card that there must be secrets to this! I ran my images through my Xyron figuring they needed to be flat. Well the beads are sticking to the edges of the images. I’m so proud that I finally used these beads….I got them when the local store closed in 2006!! But I think my best friend will still like it. Last year I sent her a card every month but this year I have slacked but I’m going to send this one just so she knows I haven’t forgot her!!

CHALLENGES:

1. Gerda Steiner Designs Monthly Challenge – use the digital image provided and get next months image free.
2.  August Card Sketch Challenge @ Scrapbook.com – sketch #5.
3. C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #374 – Summer

SUPPLIES:

Digital Stamp: Mermaid @ Gerda Steiner Designs

Cardstock: Bazzill (shaker card – Sea Water, Bahama) (Swimming by – Blue Oasis, Tropical)

Inks: colored in photoshop and printed on a Canon Inkjet printer

Accents/Tools: EK Success punches (3/4″, 1/2″, 5/16″), foam tape, acetate, Art Accentz Treasure Beadz Turquoise

Save

Save

Balloons at the Beach

So I saw a photo that had balloons in the forefront of the photo and the beach in the background. The nurse liked the photo and wanted something similar for one of her employees birthdays and this is how my version was born. I used the beach background and the wood post digital stamps from Diane’s Daydreams Designs (no longer in business) and made this scene. I punched balloons from my Martha Stewart Balloon punch and tied them on with black string. I printed the background scene a couple times so I could pop up the sand and clouds to give it dimension.

CHALLENGES:
1) June Inspirational Card Challenge – Bonus Category – Aquarium Month (something with water, beach, etc)

SUPPLIES:
Digital Images: Diane’s Daydream Designs – beachscapes
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Recollections polka dot papers
Inks: pre-colored digital images printed on Canon Inkjet Printer
Accents/Tools: string, Martha Stewart balloon punch, 1/16th EK Success Pop Dots

Float to your Happy Place

Oh I would love to be somewhere tropical or anywhere with water really (I’d even take a lazy river or pool!)….then I would be in my happy place! I realized that today is my really only day off till the end of the month since I’m getting my niece on Monday-Tuesday. So I decided I better get my Progressive challenges done. Which will shock them because I’m usually posting with only hours to spare! I decided to paper piece this image since my husband has been busy with work I didn’t want to ask him to color it. Took longer but I love it. I might ask him to color it in these colors when he has time so I can make more with my left over paper. Too hard to make more than one when you paper piece! I love how this turned out. It came together pretty easy since I found the perfect sketch at Mojo Monday and then found the color scheme at Colour Q.

CHALLENGES:

1) From the Heart Stamps – Digital of the Month Stamp Challenge – use the digital stamp provided and get next months image FREE!

2) Colour Q #300 – use the colors provided to make your project

3) Mojo Monday #407 – use the sketch provided to make your project

4) July Card Challenge @ Scrapbook.com – Product – Stickers – made my own with the xyron (circles and the paper pieced image)

5) 4 Crafty Chicks #256 – Sun, Sea and Sand – I hope this fits as the blue is there to represent water.

6) Aloha Friday Challenge #52 – Summer Fun

SUPPLIES:

Digital Image: Inner Tube Birdbrain @ From the Heart Stamps

Cardstock: Bazzill ( Flamingo, Glow, Red Devil, Cheddar, Blue Oasis, White)

Patterned Paper: My Mind’s Eye (Follow Your Heart), The Paper Studio (Tiny Polka – Turquoise)

Accents/Tools: pop dots, Xyron X sticker maker, EK Success Circle Punches

Water you up to?

When I saw this image and saying last month I knew it would be perfect to send to my friend this summer. I have kept up pretty good sending her a card a month…been late a few months…but still going strong. So I figured this would be perfect for July or August and it’s just so cute with that saying! It fit in perfectly for the “Beach” challenge at Outlawz CAS Challenge. Now CAS is not my choice of style for card making but I do like how this one came out.

I bought this embossing folder a couple months ago knowing it would come in handy…just looks like water or space ship to me! So I was so excited when I looked in my embossing folders and saw it! It’s perfect…at least I think so. I also used an EK Success border punch that also reminding me of bubbles in water. Paired that with a Clean & Simple Stamping Sketch from 01/14/2011 and this was the result.

CHALLENGES:

1) July Card Challenge @ Scrapbook.com – Favorites – lift a card or sketch that is in your favorites

2) Crafter’s Cafe Challenge #123 – Summertime Fun

SUPPLIES:

Digital Image: Diver Daniel @ Deedee’s Digis

Cardstock: Bazzill (Glow, Jet Stream), darker blue from Hobby Lobby

Inks: pre-colored digital image printed on a Canon Inkjet Printer

Accents/Tools: The Paper Studio Embossing Folder (Lines & Dots), EK Success Border punch, EK Success pop dots, X-sticker maker

Dale the Whale!

Oh my goodness Deedee is the coolest person to be a guest designer for!! She made this stamp just because I requested it!!

A friend of mine, Dale, just had open heart surgery a couple weeks ago. His sister, Beverly, is also a friend of mine. A couple years ago she told me what the “sisters” nickname was for Dale when he was little…Dale the Pink Whale with a Purple Tail!! So I thought that would make a cute Get Well card for him. I asked Deedee if she had a whale in her stash and she said she didn’t but drew this up in no time! It was perfect…she even made a pink with purple tail version!! This is the card I made for the “sisters” to give to Dale.

Inside: …But not everyone has a Dale the Pink Whale with a Purple Tail! Glad you’re back to spouting off and feeling better.

Dale is ornery and that is probably why he was out of the hospital in less than a week! So this quote that my friend, Stephanie, and I came up with is perfect. The sisters loved it and Dale thought it was pretty cool that it was made just for him. And it was funny because after open heart surgery he has a purple tail from all the bruising!

I let the circles in the patterned paper act as the water so I could keep the card simple to keep the focus on the whale.  I used Sketch Saturday Sketch #326 as my inspiration.

Then to show how fun this digital stamp is I made a generic Get Whale …I mean Get Well card!

Both the cards turned out to be CAS cards which is funny because I usually don’t do that style very well. But I like how these turned out! I used Sketch Saturday Sketch #287 as my inspiration.

CHALLENGES:

1) Sept Card Sketch Challenge @ Scrapbook.com – Sketch #3 – original sketch was Sketch Saturday Sketch #287

2) Squirrel and The Fox Challenge #77 – For a Male

3) Digi Sketch Challenge – Get Well – Use the sketch or the theme or both. I used the theme.

4) Sweet Stamps Blog Challenge #187 – Anything Goes

SUPPLIES:

Pink Whale with the Purple Tail

Digital Image: Dale the Whale @ Deedee’s Digis

Cardstock: Bazzill (Blue Oasis, white)

Patterned Paper: unknown from stash

Inks: pre-colored digital image printed on Canon Inkjet Printer (the splash was made by using the outline version and printing on cardstock)

Accents/Tools: Cutter Bee Scissors, pop dots

Get Whale Soon!

Digital Image: Dale the Whale @ Deedee’s Digis

Cardstock: Bazzill (Blue Oasis), Grey is from JoAnn’s

Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Playground)

Inks: pre-colored digital image printed on Canon Inkjet Printer

Accents/Tools: pop dots, Cutter Bee scissors

Time to get wet!

Today’s challenge at Clearly iStamp is GET WET!! Anything to do with water or a technique that looks like water!

I hope you will join us and show us how you will represent the challenge to do with WATER!!

CHALLENGES:

1)  Clearly Inspired Challenge  #56 – GET WET!  We want you to use wet images, use wet look techniques or eve products that would give a wet look like acetate or a dimensional glaze.  Just get creative!

2) July Card Challenge @ scrapbook.com – Theme – sympathy

SUPPLIES:

Stamps/Images: Sheltering Lights and Old Wagon
Cardstock/Papers: Cardstock – Bazzill, Patterned Paper – Sheltering Lights digital paper
Inks/Markers: pre-colored digital stamp printed on Canon Inkjet printer
Accents/Tools: ribbon, button, corner rounder
Inspiration:: My Favorite Things Sketch #77