Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers - E is for Easter

I REALLY struggled with this one from the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers.  I am not big into Easter, so I didn't have a lot of appropriate supplies.  I found a super-cute Stampendous House Mouse stamp in my Marti stash, and colored it with my Derwent watercolor pencils.  I needed a background for him, so I embossed white paper with a wood grain embossing folder, cut strips, and wove them together to look like a basket. 

I added some twill tape, and love the finished card!!!

Less is More - Theme

The Less is More challenge is to CASE a design team card.  Here is my inspiration and response:

Unity sentiment and stash image, both heat embossed and popped up with dimensional tape.  Image colored with Derwent watercolor pencils.  This is FAR outside my comfort zone, but I am happy with it.  I am also entering this in the Uniko Studio Anything Goes challenge!

I Made This (Background)

This week's challenge at Shopping Our Stash is to make a background doing something more than just stamping.  My enabler friend Diana and I each bought washi tape - 12 rolls for $4.50!!!  Score!!  Of course I need to put it to use!

Peach layer with washi, Unity sentiment, Rusty Hinge ink on sentiment and twill tape.  I didn't have ribbon or tape to match, so I inked a piece of off-white twill.  Spellbinder dies. 

Less is More One Layer

The Less is More challenge this week is to make a one layer card with an animal.  I don't color, so one layer cards are particularly difficult for me.  Lawn Fawn Hippo Birdie stamps, Derwent watercolor pencils, Shabby Shutters ink for the hill, bone card.  I think I will stick to my layers.  I didn't space my balloons correctly, and since they are not die cut, I can't move them!!  ARRGH!!  I keep telling myself, I learn something with every card I make. 

Come play along with us at Words2ScrapBy.blogspot.com for our In like a lion, out like a lamb challenge!

The Male Room Challenge 5

The Male Room has a sketch challenge for us this week. 

I don't make usually square cards, as most of my efforts are donated to Operation Write Home.  I adapted the sketch and made an A2 card.  I think this would make a little boy happy!

Recollections paw print paper embossed with Darice paw prints folder.  Images from a newly purchased Inkadinkadoo set (Diana, you are an enabler!).  Wasn't sure I loved the double matting, so I tried again:

I think I like the wider red border on all three squares, and the double matting on the center image.  Which do you like better?

Cards in Envy: Anything with a Bow

The challenge is Anything Goes BUT it must have a BOW!  I love CAS cards, and this one is a favorite.  Embossed iridescent paper in pearl white, eggplant ink, grosgrain ribbon, and bow.  

Be sure to play along with us at Words2ScrapBy.blogspot.com this month.  Cards in Envy design team member is our guest hostess!

Blessings and Peace

Leslie at The Crooked Stamper has a sketch challenge:

Here is my version:

Unfortunately, I need a sympathy card...  Cheery Lynn cross die, all other die cuts from Spellbinders.  Sentiment from Above Rubies Studio.  Stash ribbon.  Not thrilled with the size of the scallop under the sentiment, but it will have to do. 

Always Playing With Paper Challenge #26

Always Playing with Paper has a multifaceted  challenge - use the sketch, use the colors, or use both. 

 

 Here is my response:

Unity Stamps Ellie's Wish image and sentiment, SU Retro Fresh paper and washi tape.   Come play along with us at Words 2 Scrap By - our March challenge is In like a lion, out like a lamb!

CAS-ual Fridays

The challenge from CAS-ual Fridays is to create a music themed project using spring colors.

I heat embossed the music notes and sentiment in basic black, and colored each of the notes according to the colors of the rainbow.   Subtle, but I like it!!!

Be sure to check out this month's challenge over at Words 2 Scrap By - In like a lion, out like a lamb!!!

Creative Work Arounds

The Fusion Card Challenge this week features some of my favorite colors - gray, teal, and coral.  So, how is it that I don't have ANY nice paper in those colorways?!?!?  Time to get creative.  Here are my cards:

I stamped a dozen inchie images in Versamark on 2 sheets of white paper, and heat embossed in clear.  I took one sheet and smeared alcohol inks in cranberry and orange on one, and stream and blue on the other.  I then die cut each inchie.  Since I didn't have any gray paper in wood grain, I used a Cuttlebug wood grain embossing folder to stamp and heat emboss in clear.  I then smeared a LOT of blending solution with a few drops of Staz On black ink, since I didn't have any gray or black alcohol ink.  I used different sides of the folder for each background.  I didn't love the mint green twine on the first card, so I used a darker green on the second one.  I had so much fun getting inky!!!

Here is their inspiration image/sketch:

 

 Be sure to check out our new challenge over at Words 2 Scrap By - In like a lion, out like a lamb!!

W2SB March Challenge - In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb

This month, Words 2 Scrap By I-Teamer Annie is our Guest Host!!  Her challenge is based on a familiar poem:

"In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb"       

by Lorie Hill

March roars in like a lion
So fierce,
The wind so cold,
It seems to pierce.

The month rolls on
And Spring draws near,
And March goes out
Like a lamb so dear.

Love this concept!  I took this opportunity to create a sunburst card.  In Ohio, these cards are as close to sunshine as we will get for a while....

My first attempt was a little blah:

Washed out, not enough contrast, pick your problem.  So I tried again:

Much better!  The brown and pink papers are better contrast to the cream card base, and the layers make the elements pop much better than in the first card.  I also added a flower brad to the center on the sentiment for a bit of texture.  Papers on both cards are from ancient K & Co mat stacks. 

How will you interpret the "In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb" challenge?!?!?