Christmas candle

 

 The Jingle Belles have a sketch challenge going on.  This is a digi from The Stamping Boutique, colored with pencils and sparkled up with Wink of Stella on the snow on the window mullions and a silver glittery gel  pen on the candle holder. The sentiment is red embossed ( I have two different glittery red EPs, but decided plain red would be better... two sources of sparkle are all this card called for.)

This card is entered in these challenges:

Jingle Belles -- sketch

The Paper Funday -- stripes option

Creative Inspiration -- Christmas in June

Word Art Wednesday#758 -- anything goes 

CRAFT #782  -- anything goes 

Polkadoodles -- anything goes 

Digi Chooseday -- anything goes 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday -- anything goes

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