So Much Fun Challenges

It's been a long time [again] since I joined in any challenges [besides DT work anyway].  I found some time, I thought let's see what out here in blogland.  I came up with 2.

I don't think I have ever joined in the Altenew Inspiration Challenge before [maybe last year?] - When I saw the photo, I also saw my Altenew stamp set, Beautiful Heart, in my cupboard! (Of course, it is retired), but it worked perfectly for this challenge.

Yep, it is a layered stamp set, that I must say, only took me 1 time to get it lined up! [Oh yay for me 😀] I'm not sure how close you have to be in colors from the inspiration photo, but I wanted more of a contrast with the flower depth so I used some red.  I'm going with this anyway.

I used a lovely embossing folder to replicate the leaves in the photo, and white embossed the sentiment.  Overall, I am happy with this card.

Great inspiration Altenew - Thanks.

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I went on to play along with my favorite, ATC Around the World Challenge #117; Everything Wears a Hat.  Going to my Tim Holtz stash of stamp sets, I found the perfect image from the  Cling Stamp Set Curious Possibility.

I sponged on ink, stamped images, used some stenciling, and lastly, used an embossing strip for some texture to create this fun ATC.

I will either punch a tag hole and add twine, or attach this to a card base for future use.  I love making ATC's - I just never know what the heck to do with them.

Fun challenge - thanks ATC Around the World.  I missed you.

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ATC into a Card

This month [like them all] is flying by.  That said, I took some time to play in a couple of my favorite challenges;  ATC Around the World #103- Anything Goes, and new on my fav list, Creative Artiste Mixed Media #104 - Anything Goes.

I started with the ATC.

When I was in Vegas, I saw a photo that inspired me to make the background of this ATC; many layers using different papers from my stash; self made tissue paper, water colored paper, some page scrap.  I wanted a sentiment, so I went digging and found my STAMPlorations Anywhere There's Coffee stamp set. 

Since the cup is also in this set, I stamped and cut it out on vellum so the sentiment would show through.

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I also wanted to join in over at the Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge so, I am using the same ATC, only I put it on a card base.  For added fun, I used an embossing folder for some texture, another panel with some self made tissue paper and [my favorite part] I added 2 staples.  I don't know why, but staples on a card - yes please! 😀

 Thanks Challenges!  I had a great time 😁

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ATC and Tag

Playing with the Gecko Galz images yesterday, reminded me that they also have a monthly ATC Challenge.  You need to use their [free] images - that worked for me!

They had a few "background" bases, I used 2, and a few "person" images, I used 1.  I'm telling you, I am seriously having fun with the "faux" snow!  It gives such a great holiday feel to whatever you create!

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I went on to join in [for a first time ever] the Altenew December Ultimate Inspiration Challenge.  They offered a free digital, so I used that with a fun spotlighting effect.

I really complicated this tag.  Rather then just making it a shaker, I cut out a hexagon shape [for the spotlighting], colored it [with Copics], and was going to use dimension tape to lift it up. I didn't like that look, so I ended up making it a shaker.  It would of been much easier to just color the actual spotlighted portion on the tag... oh well.  I ended up putting it on a card base as my friend reads, so now she will have a bookmark.

Because this is a really CAS card, I am entering it into the CAS on Friday Challenge #272, Black, White, + One Color.

  Thanks Challenges - I had a good day.

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Red Cardinals

I do love the beautiful Red Birds that come out around this time of year [on cards].  Cardinals are my favorite bird ever!  I was thrilled to be able to use a couple of the lovely images from Gecko Galz. [Scroll through to find the Free Daily Images], and I am also entering this card into their December Challenge; Winter Elegance.

 

This card is pretty far out of my wagon wheel, but WOW, I'm loving this! The foliage, and faux snow, the layers, and of course that beautiful Cardinal -- yep I'm very happy with this card.

The sentiment is printed from my laser printer, and red foiled..  All the punched images are from Martha Stewart punches- seriously, 20+ year old tools!  They worked out perfectly.  Gotta love that.

 

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I went on to join in [another favorite] ATC Around the World Challenge #108; Winter Wonderland. I was so thrilled with my card, that I made a matching ATC.  This will make a great gift set for my neighbor!

 

I totally love how the faux snow makes this a Winter Wonderland!

 

Challenges - awesome!  Thanks so much.  I had a great time creating!

 

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ATC & Deer Card

Let's just start off that ONCE AGAIN, freakin Blogger pulled my post from yesterday!  They are saying I am spamming -- WTH Blogger!  Naturally, there is no way to contact them.  So, I copy and paste into a new post, and re-title it!  Now of course, then I have to go to the challenge sites, re-enter my card, and leave an em to delete my first card.  I am not a happy stamper right now!  Ok, rant done.

Today I am playing in [my favorite] ATC Around the World Challenge; Blue.  I am happy to report, that I did find my fun bird die set [Honey Bee Lovely Layers Winter Birds Dies] so I had to use one of them for my ATC.

I saw a YT video using ink swiping over an embossing folder.  While I used a texture coverplate, it gave kind of the same effect.  I swiped white ink, dried, swiped navy ink, dried, and then lightly swiped gold ink for highlighting.  Oh yes please.  I am loving the end result.

I cut the different parts of the bird, and glued them all together, then sponged on a little dark ink for depth on his lower belly.  I added a pre-printed sentiment, and this fun ATC was complete.

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I went on to play in over at the Double D Challenge; deer.  I try and use this deer head every year.  I think he is very cool.

While going through my Christmas dies, I came across this snow globe die.  Yep, it worked with my deer head!

 I had so much fun today!  Thanks Challenges~

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ps - I have used affiliated links in this post at no additional cost to you. (All you need to do is click on the highlighted links in my post). Thanks so much for the support!

ATC Day

So, I started my day making some fun geli pulls.  [Yeah, I forgot to take a photo]  Once the panels were dry, I picked the one I thought would work for [my favorite] ATC Around the World Challenge; Autumn.

I absolutely adore making these fun tiny ATC's!  I did some stamping on the background, some real sewing, and sponged the outside edge for some depth.

I got a package in the mail that had some cardboard and thought oh yeah, if I peel off the top layer, I can use the crimped portion! So, that's what I did!  My leaf is from Sizzix/ Tim Holtz Leaves Die. I used a stashed inked panel to cut the leaf out from.  I really wanted the contrasting color.  I love it.

To finish off, I splattered on some white paint, and lastly, added a sentiment.  Once again, I am really happy with the end results, and I had a blast creating!

Thanks ATC Around the World~

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Two Challenges

I found another couple of challenges that sparked my interest.  The first one was Less is More #489 - One Layer [with a inspiration photo], and the other one...an ATC challenge over at Sisters of the Snarky Stampers #240

Let's get to it~ I'm starting with the one layer card.  I went back a few years [7] and found this interesting layout for a OL.  [JM comes through again].  I really like it!

I used a couple of retired Hero Arts sets.  That bfly is one I will never sell!  I love that set and have had it probably 28 years!

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Okay, on to the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers with my ATCs.  I so love making these fun mini cards.  What do I do with them? Ha!  Not much, but they do work really awesome for a hanging tag off my suitcase when I travel.

I started with some resist stamping, water colored over the top of it, added some stamping and splatters. For some added pop, I use some Nuvo Gilding Gold Flakes.  While this stuff does make a mess, I do love the end result!

Once all that was dry, I ripped some stashed paper, adhered it and then stamped and fussy cut a flower from Gina K Watercolor Flowers Stamp Set.  [This set has a matching die set, I just don't have it. 😔]

The sentiments are from my hand held label maker.  I love this type of label for an ATC - it just works.

Okay, that's it for today.  Thanks Challenges - I had a fun time!

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ps - I have used affiliated links in this post at no additional cost to you. (All you need to do is click on the highlighted links in my post). Thanks so much for the support!