One-layer roses

 I find one-layer cards intimidating, but I challenged myself with this one.  I masked off the central area and ussed blending brushes to apply yellow and coral inks. (The colors look so much smoother in person, I don't know if the eye just smoothes the colors out or what). After removing the masking, I stamped the beautiful roses (Studio Katia) in Memento Black.  I die-cut the sentiment from another piece of cardstock where coral ink was blended.  Added a few gems for a little sparkle.

This card is for these challenges:

Beautiful Blossoms #42 -- florals

Crafter's Cafe -- blooms optional

Pick 3 Challenge #6 -- ink blending, sparkle, sentiment, yellow

CRAFT #782 -- anything goes

Pattie's Creations #243 -- use an image

Word Art Wednesday #756 -- anything goes

 

Snowflake wreath

 A friend shared the idea of using die-cuts to create a wreath. I don't have a snowflake-shaped die, but looking through my stash of embellishments, I discovered a baggie full of snowflake-shapes in a white/slightly iridescent plastic. They have a tiny hole in the middle, so I guess they are sequin-esque? Anyway, I figured they'd work as well as die cuts to create a wreath. The center of each is embellished with a red gem. The sentiment is green embossed. (I don't normally buy EP in colors, but I bought a big box of stamping goodies at the thrift store a few years ago, and it included green EP. I don't think I've used it before today.)

This card is entered in these challenges: 

ABC Christmas -- L is for Let it Snow

Christmas Kickstart #111 -- Snow day 

Creative Inspiration -- Christmas in June

Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2624 -- anything goes

Word Art Wednesday #756 --  anything goes

CRAFT #782 -- anything goes

Camping fun

My family, especially my husband, loves camping (although, tbh, we gave up tent camping a while ago and enjoy a little travel trailer.) When the Double Trouble challengers asked for a card representing what "my guy" likes to do, camping was the  obvious choice. I created a starry night sky by blending inks and splattering a shimmery white water color, then die-cut the tent and a few trees to finish the scene of camping under the stars. I used the Try a Sketch on Tuesday layout and incorporated some plaid scraps (plaid = outdoors, right?)

This card is for these challenges:

Double Trouble #218 -- 3 strips, 2 die-cut items, masculine project; TSOT,; my guy twist

TSOT #697 -- sketch

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday -- add a sentiment

Die-Cut Divas -- anything goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2624 -- anything goes

The Paper Funday #88-- anything goes

A Cut Above -- use die-cuts

Word Art Wednesday #756 -- anything goes 

 

Masculine texture

 I purchased this plaid EF a while ago, but life intervened and I hadn't used it yet. Plaid is good for a masculine card, as is kraft. To add some color, I did a little color blocking with a mustardy strip and a drak green strip, then added a striped ribbon. I've had these burlap leaves forever, and they added a contrasting texture that worked well. 

This card is entered in these challenges:

Make My Monday -- embossing

Double Trouble #217 -- masculine with kraft

Word Art Wednesday #754 -- anything goes 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday  -- anything goes 

Polkadoodles challenge  -- anything goes 

Digi Choosday  -- anything goes 

Pammie's Inky Pinkie's #2622  -- anything goes 

Crafts Galore Encore #148  -- anything goes  

The Scenic Route

 

 I really enjoy hiking. I thought this Sheepski Designs image was perfect for a masculine card. The image is colored with pencils. The sentiment is heat-embossed in copper-EP on card stock with stripes of masculine colors including kraft and khaki. A few copper-colored sequins add a little sparkle.

This card is for these challenges:

Double Trouble #217 -- masculine with kraft-like element

The Paper Funday #87 -- optional mountain

Inkspirational # 368 -- word prompt: for the guys

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday -- anything goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2621 -- anything goes

Word Art Wednesday #754 -- anything goes

Crafts Galore Encore #147 -- anything goes

Pattie's Creations #242 -- must use an image

Digi Choosday -- anything goes 

Cute lion

 I have a drawer full of handmade backgrounds that I've decided I need to use. This particular one was was made with distress inks and a gold sparkly spray. I can't remember the exact technique, but it involves cling wrap. I think you put the medium on the wrap, spritz with water, put water color paper on top and sort of squish it around? 

Anyway, I used the background to create a little scene of a lion on the savanna, I guess. This is a really old set,  called Mindy's Zoo from Autumn Leaves. (I just checked, and it's available on Ebay.) I love the adorable animals it includes.

This card is entered in these challenges.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday -- cute critters

Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2621 -- anything goes

Word Art Wednesday #752  -- anything goes

Polkadoodles Challenge -- anything goes

Gem of a Challenge -- anything goes

Digi Choosday -- anything goes 

Flurry of butterflies

 I know there are a lot of names for this technique, where you cut a die-cut shape from a panel and elevate it on foam tape. This is the first time I've tried it, and I'm pleased with the results. The butterfly is popped up on two additional layers of cardstock cut with the die, plus foam tape. (The video I saw called it two-tier technique or something similar.) 

The butterfly die is from SSS, the butterfly stamp is Hero Arts (I think), and the ink is a fluid chalk ink.

This card is entered in these challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday -- things with wings

Stamplorations spring fling blog hop -- spring 

Word Art Wednesday #750 -- anything goes

Pattie's Creations #242 -- use a stamped or digi image 

 

Gem of a Challenge  -- anything goes

 

Digi Chooseday -- anything goes

 

Crafts Galore Encore #147 -- anything goes

 

Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2619 -- anything goes

 

Stamplorations Monthly Challenge -- anything goes