Seize the Birthday Challenge #296 - Masculine

 

Well I have no problem with this challenge!  80% of my cards are for males 😀 

Yes, I got on the bandwagon with GKD Die Master 14.   It is rather fun to use.  The leaf images are from Pink Fresh Fall Foliage Stencil.

Leaves and dark colors - yep, that makes for a great masculine card!

Your turn.  Come on over to STB #296 Challenge and join in.  While being a masculine card is optional, being a birthday card is not~

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Addicted to CAS Challenge #271 - Snow

 

This is the type of snow I like - cards.

 

I am just addicted to using my moon stencil.  I absolutely love the end results with it.  I used some botanical silhouette stamps, and a beautiful font sentiment.

 

I used white acrylic paint for the "snow".  Yep, I'm happy with this card.

 

Your turn!  You have all month to join in over at Addicted to CAS Challenge #271.

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Color Throwdown

I was inspired by the Color Throwdown #810 challenge for my card today.

 

I recently got on the trend of the postage die.  I used Gina K Designs Master 14 Die, along with the matching stencil for my card today.  It's rather a fun set I must say.

Since the colors screamed Autumn to me, I used some leaf stamps to fill in the squares, and a die cut celebrate for a future birthday card. 

That's it for today.  I actually have other things to actually do! :)

Thanks Color Throwdown - great colors!

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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!

AAA Birthday Challenge #65 - Background Focus

It's been forever since I actually stamped a background!  Yes, there were other avenues I considered, but the stamping won out.

I used the lovely Gina K Designs Watercolor Flowers Stamp Set. [Apparently no longer available since I can't find it.] The solid flowers worked well for using different colors.

The HB is from Memory Box.

Okay, your turn.  Come on over to AAA Birthday Challenge and show us your background.

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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!

A Little Chocolate for Easter

I saw the challenge over at Just Add Ink #695 - Add Chocolate and had to make this fun card!  Plus, I needed a card for my husband for Easter.  Win-win there!

My husband totally loves Hershey Chocolate bars.  While I didn't get him that, I did get him a chocolate bunny.  Therefore, this card covers all 3 - my hubby's favorites, and the challenge!

I used a retired stamp set from Gina K Designs; Chocolate Bunnies.  So perfect for my card.

 

I am pretty happy with how this fun card turned out.  Thanks Just Add Ink, I had fun making it.

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Addicted to CAS Challenge - Only Dies

I do love this type of challenge.  I have so many dies, and using them, makes me very happy. 😀

I used a strip die for the strips [no crooked cutting when using these!], a couple of unbranded foliage dies, the cute Santa stamp and die [retired],and lastly, a GKD sentiment strip using the matching dies.  [Again retired]

My center panel was cut with my have-had-them-forever Spellbinders Matting A&B sets.

I need to get busy making Christmas cards since December 1st [when I mail] will be here in a blink!
 

Your turn.  Come on over to Addicted to CAS Challenge and play along with your dies only 😀

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Color Throwdown and The Flower Challenge

I played today in a couple of challenges that struck my interest.   I totally loved the colors over at Color Throwdown #763, and since I used flowers, I am joining over at The Flower Challenge #85 - [Happy 7th birthday too].

I used a [really old] retired GKD stamp set, Stippled Nature, and used my Scan & Cut or cutting out the images.

I certainly have no problem "using what I have"!  Some images are endless :)

Thanks Challenges - I had fun.  Off to cook dinner~

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A Few More Challenges

Oh boy, did I have fun today!  More challenges to be accomplished...

I started with Gina K Designs September Monthly Mix; Faux Embossing, and AAA Cards #248; Tag on a Card. [This might not be CAS enough for this challenge, but I went ahead and entered anyway]

Believe it or not, there was a lot of creative detail for this card.  I started by brayering on ink on a card panel - Thanks JM. [I will be doing this in the future, totally loved the effect!], did the faux embossing effect using Gina K Wild Blossoms Stamp Set, and then cut the tag inside panel out of that.  I cut strips of paper, and adhered onto another card panel [for stability], and cut that down for the card front, [after I texture plated the card base front]. Whew!  That was a lot of steps 😀

I cut the tag base in one of the same colors as the strips, made a hugs sentiment, adhered all together, and this over-the-top layered, colorful card was complete!  While I kept the faux embossing subtle I am loving the end result!  A gift with a card - works for me every time 😀..

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I went on to join in [my favorite] ATC Around the World Challenge; anything goes.

 I inked up the backgrounds with a brayer [same technique as above], and using miscellaneous stamps, stamped over the inked areas.

A trick I recently learned? Use white pigment refill ink for bright white splatters. [This did work brilliantly!]  I used a mitten die with gold glitter paper, and various sentiment strips [with matching small dies] from GKD.  I love giving Christmas tags as small presents, or sometimes, I even use them on gift bags for friends.

Okay, another totally fun day creating!  Thanks Challenges - great times~

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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!

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!

Happy Little Stampers May Water Color Challenge - Flowers

For my card this month, I went with faux water coloring.  I inked up my stamp image, spritzed with water, and then stamped.

I started with a background stamp from AALL & Create, Squared Digits, using a light gray as to not overpower the flowers.  I used Gina K Watercolor Flowers Stamp Set.  These flowers worked perfectly with my faux water coloring.

Unfortunately, I am not sure who the Hello belongs to.  Just another one of my dies where I threw away the packaging. 😕

Your turn!  You have all month to play long with your water colored flowers over at Happy Little Stampers May Watercolor Challenge.

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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!

Happy Little Stamper Stencil & Addicted to CAS Challenges

     

This doesn't happen often, but I am combining 1 card for 2 DT challenge cards. 

It helps that the Happy Little Stamper August Stencil Challenge is always anything goes [You are getting an early start too since I am posting early].  With the Addicted to CAS #226, being tropical, it worked perfectly.  I used a stencil for the clouds.  I am also entering this into the {PIN}spirational Challenge #292; Photo Inspiration.

I sponged on the clouds, and the beach, and then used a really old stamp set from Gina K, Aloha, and a sentiment from an Inspired By Stamping Seaside Sentiments.  I am happy with this mini slimline card. 
I did use the Kat Scrappiness Mini Slimline Double Stitch Dies for the panel.

Meanwhile, come on over and join in the fun!!

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Fun Challenges

My favorite challenge came to my email, and naturally, I had to join in!  A Tiny Craft (ATC) #11 - Dogs & Cats.  I also started with the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches #544.

While creating this ATC, I also added in 2 elements from Just Add Ink #612; Fur, Clouds,Stitching.  I chose clouds [very subtle on the base background], along with stitching.  I really enjoy sewing on my projects and it works perfectly on ATCs.

Everything I used on this project is unbranded [or in other words, unknown] - but, they came together in a fun way, and I am happy with the end result!

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After I got done with the above, I went on to join in the July CAS Christmas Challenge; Santa.  As fast as this year is going, I don't want to get caught panicking for lack of cards come Christmas.  Plus, Christmas in July has been around for lots of years.  Both are good reasons for playing!

Even though this guy [Simon Says Gnome Die] doesn't have the "normal" Santa look, I use him as a gnome Santa every year - that said, I hope he qualifies.  

My sentiment is from the Gina K Designs Holiday Sentiments and matching dies.

 

That's it for today.... WINNER TOP PICK!

Thanks Challenges I had fun!

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