Gnomey's Got the Blues

Still had my cute little Gnome set out on my desk and decided to make a more 'feminine' card. I can't think of a way to actually turn the gnome into a girl, the beard poses a bit of a problem, so I just went with soft colors. One of the challenges was to decorate every side of the card (from 365 Card Challenges Blog). It was fun to fill up areas I typically leave blank.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness Sketch #30

I WILL catch up on all the great sketches over at the Midnight Madness Challenge blog. Even though I've frequently missed the competitions, the sketches are too good to pass by.

Color Inspiration ~ Aqua Blue

The Pink Elephant Challenge #64 ~ Aqua
Cardvaarks Challenge ~ Monochromatic

Pals Paper Arts Challenge #40 ~ Monochromatic Blues

Inspiration

Scrappy Frogs Challenge ~ Glossy (I added sepia accents to the boots)

Crazy 4 Challenges #34 ~ CASE the Design Team

I used the colors from the amazing Frances Byrne's card.

365 Cards Day 18 ~ Plentiful Patterns: Use 3 patterns (Plaid, Paisley, Gingham, Houndstooth, Toile)

365 Cards Day 53 ~ Front, Back & Everything In Between (decorate every side of card)

My Creation
I know there's a bit of brown in there, so it's not TRUE blue; but, they both start with a 'b' - does that count?

Image Detail

Side Views

I always stamp my face stamp on the back of cards and opted to add a Gnome hat. Unfortunately my coloring on the inside bled through to the back side. It looks like my mushroom spots are floating away.

INS AND OUTS ~ GNOMEY'S GOT THE BLUES
Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms Forest Friendzy
Paper: DCWV Linen Closet
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Copics (E21, 50; R20; BG000, 15, 18)
Accessories: Pop up dots, Sepia Accents, Rhinestones

Clean & Simple Floral

This is a stretch for me; basically a single layer card and very clean. I do like the look, just not very comfortable for me. I tend to hide behind lots of layers and embellishments. It's always good to stretch our crafting brains a 'bit'. :o)

 Sketch Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day 44 ~ White Space
365 Cards did a whole week of White Space Challenges recently. Talk about being uncomfortable! I have several still to do, but I can mark one as DONE.

Color Inspiration ~ Color Throw Down #90

 Inspiration

Flowers: OCC Challenge ~ Blooming Blossoms; Diedrich Dare #33 ~ Spring; Stamp Simply #137 ~ April Showers Bring May Flowers: 3D Flowers
One Stop Craft Challenge #77 ~ Metallic

My Creation

Image Detail
The purple flowers are painted with metallic silver paint mixed with an SU reinker. I used brads and dew drops for the flower centers.

Inside

INS AND OUTS ~ CLEAN & SIMPLE FLORAL
Stamps: Vintage Vogue (Stampin Up)
Paper: Stampin Up (Whisper White, Barely Banana)
Ink: Stampin Up (Old Olive, Soft Suede, Barely Banana)
Accessories: Silver Brads, Dew Drops
Techniques: Faux Suede

Birthday Easel Treasure Box

ETA: Nope, that's not a new SU die, just our good friend the Top Note. Run your CS through once and then turn the cut piece 90 degrees and run it through again centered across the middle of the die. I learned the trick from my SU demonstrator. Plus it makes 2 really cute 'brackets' in the leftovers to be used in another project.

I admit, I’ve drooled over the FAB easel card creations out there and have been too chicken to try it myself. I’m proud to say I finally made one!! Well, it’s actually a ‘treasure box’, but the same idea applies. It wasn’t as difficult as I thought, but I still need practice with the measuring. For now I have it sitting on my desk, and the chocolates are disappearing. I’m so proud of it; I’m not sure who I’ll give it too! The sweet ‘treasure’ will need to be refilled before I hand it off. Maybe I should just tuck in a few bills instead of chocolate.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #51

I love that the Madness crew gives a simple and a more detailed sketch option each week. I've been missing out on their challenges for awhile and was excited to be able to use their sketch as inspiration for this project. I used elements from both versions for my final treasure box.

Inspiration

Fussy & Fancy Friday Challenge #9 ~ Birthday with a Sweet Treat

Pile it On #16 ~ Make it Sweet

JUG’s #30 ~ Template Challenge

What's sweeter than chocolate, and I used a box template for the drawer portion.

Papertake Weekly ~ Do Something Different

A Spoon Full of Sugar #101 ~ 3D

Creative Inspirations #58 ~ Easel Card

Creating any 3D item is out of my norm, and I just realized that this is basically an easel card stuck on a drawer!

Everybody-Art-Challenge #88 ~ Song Title

With all the beautiful spring flowers blooming, I was inspired by “June is Bustin’ Out All Over’ from the musical Carousel. In my mind I keep singing "Spring is Busint Out All Over", but technically it's June.

See, even the easel part is BUSTING out!

INS AND OUTS ~ BIRTHDAY EASEL TREASURE BOX

Stamps: Awash with Flowers (Stampin Up)
Paper: Stampin Up (Melon Mambo, Whisper White, DP, Certainly Celery)
Ink: Stampin Up (Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, So Saffron)
Accessories: Rhinestone Brads (Stampin Up), Cotton Candy Stickles, Pop up Dots, Chocolate
Techniques: Easel Card, Two-step Stamping

For Our ‘Gnomey’ Justin

This is another card made at my hubby’s request. He has a few friends who are enchanted with gnomes, so I knew there’d be no argument with picking up this adorable set from Cornish Heritage Farms. I’m just happy to finally be able to ink it up! Justin is a good friend to my man and we always have a good time when we get together. Game nights are few and far between, but when they happen our foursome spends much of the time laughing.

This set just cries out for paper piecing. I was tempted to add white liquid appliqué to the beard, let it dry and puff it up in the morning with the heat gun. But, since I was making the card at the last minute I didn’t want to risk having it fizzle. I’ve seen others use it and had to buy some, but it’s still safely sealed in the original wrapper. Maybe next time.

Lots of great inspiration to check out and join in!

Sketch Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day 21 ~ Super Sketchy Sunday
This is an old sketch as I continue to play catch up.

Inspiration
Distressing: Crafty Creations Challenge #64 ~ Distressing;
The Secret Crafters Saturday Challenge #80 ~ Distressing
I tore the edges of my background paper and the clouds to give it a rougher feel.
Hand Full of Stamps #25 ~ Use Up That Stock of DP
I’ve had this Basic Grey stack for awhile and seldom used it. I need to quit hoarding my supplies and set them free!
365 Cards Day 11 ~ Lovely Landscape
Another catch up at 365 Cards. We were to create a landscape using paper only. The green and blue DPs make PERFECT sky and grass.

My Creation
I took the photos on my front step and apologize if they are a bit over exposed. Still searching for the perfect photo spot.

Image Detail
The tree (including trunk), hat and boots are all paper pieced.

Inside
Very simple, but an added finishing touch.

INS AND OUTS ~ FOR OUR GNOMEY JUSTIN
Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms Forest Friendzy
Paper: Basic Grey Lime Rickey & Boxer
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Copics (E00, 50, R00, R27, B39)
Accessories: Pop up dots
Techniques: Paper piecing

Glittered Blossom

This is a super easy card to make and can be adapted for any theme or shape. I love the big flower die cuts and thought it was perfect for spring. The idea came from a card class and I bumped it up a bit with my go to 'bling' ~ STICKLES!

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness Challenge #39

I moved it around a bit as I liked my ribbone going horizontal instead of vertical.

Inspiration

ABC Challenge ~ S is for Sparkle
365 Cards Day 41 ~ DIY Glittered Flowers
Pile it On Challenge #15 ~ Is Spring Finally Here?
S2G #53 ~ Spring with Flowers
PaperPlay Challenge 2010 Week 16 ~ No Patterned Paper

My Creation

I used Stickles to outline each petal and fill in the center of the flower.

INS AND OUTS ~ GLITTERED BLOSSOM
Stamps: Stampin Up (A to Z, Tiny Tags)
Paper: All Stampin Up
Ink: Stampin Up (Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery)
Accessories: Stickles (Lime Green, Cotton Candy, Yellow, Diamond), Stampin Up Jumbo Grommet, Stampin Up Punches and Big Shot Flower Die

Eli's Birthday Card

Here’s one of the cards I made at my hubby’s request. Our friends had a birthday party for their sweet boy, Eli, on Saturday. He recently turned one and we were so happy to help them celebrate. It was a wonderful party amid a very busy weekend of yard work.

I am not one of those people who enjoy digging in the dirt. I'd much rather be in the house crafting! I discovered my flower bed had a large earthworm population that I nearly doubled unintentionally with my shovel. I vaguely remember from High School science that if an earthworm is cut, the two ends become their own little wormy dudes. If that's correct, we'll have a VERY large earthworm city in the front yard. Other then the worms I discovered a slug and some other wiry worm creature, and LOTS of gnats. Not my idea of a good time. I couldn't get into the shower quickly enough! I've got a busy week ahead with a new software training program at work and preparing the house for guests, so my posts may be a bit sporadic. I'm sure I'll find a reason to tidy the studio long enough to make something!

Sketch Inspiration ~ CPS Sketch #162

Color Inspiration

Copic Colour Challenge #60

I had to substitute a few of the colors from my stash.

Basic Grey Challenge Week 18

Sassy Cheryl #7 ~ Sassy Cheryl image and the color blue.

Inspiration

Cupcake Craft Challenges #86 ~ Childhood Memories

Sketches by Tamera Challenge #115 ~ Recipe: Button, Brad & Blue

Hand Full of Stamps #24 ~ You’re Special to Me

My Creation

Image Detail

Inside of Card

INS AND OUTS ~ Eli's Birthday Card
Stamps: Healing Hands Boy (Sassy Cheryl Digi)
Paper: Basic Grey Lime Rickey, SU Whisper White
Ink: Copics (W3, E00, 21, 31, 49, 57, Y26, 32, B93, R00), White Gel Pen
Accessories: Buttons, Black Brads

Elegant Rose

I've been DROOLING over a similar card from my SU demonstrator and was SO excited to give my hand at a try with this set. Of course, after playing with hers I had to order it (can't miss out on a sale and it's 20% off this month). The card itself is actually super simple, but looks so elegant.

Sketch Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day 28 ~ Super Sketchy Sunday
I flipped the sketch around.

Inspiration

Simon Says Challenge ~ Let’s Go to the Movies (plus dry embossing)

Play along and then pop by Lorraine's and Chris's to win a prize!

I LOVE Bette Midler and the theme song from the movie, "The Rose".
Little Red Wagon Challenge ~ Dry Embossing

Textures Challenges: Corrosive Challenge #59 ~ Textures; Cute Card Thursday #108 ~ Touchy, Feely

I used dry embossing and heat embossing to invite fingers to roam freely.

 My Creation

Inside of Card

I ran this through the embossing folder at an angle, still leaving plenty of room for a message.

Extreme Rose Close Up

I stamped the rose in versamark and used clear embossing powder. It was 'colored' with a sponge daubed across the ink pad. The leaves were stamped seperately and cut out.

INS AND OUTS ~ ELEGANT ROSE
Stamps: Stampin Up (Fifth Avenue Floral, Flower Fancy, Warm Words)
Paper: Stampin Up (Basic Black, Whisper White)
Ink: Stampin Up (Melon Mambo, Old Olive), Black Staz On
Accessories: Stampin Up Ribbon & Punches, Pop Up Dots, Clear Embossing Powder, Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder
Techniques: Dry Embossing, Heat Embossing, Two-step Stamping

Trendy Thinking of You

Wahoo! I got to play at a card class last night with some fun friends. It was a blast and I actually got a few things done. My hubby’s been keeping me busy with card requests lately, and there are 2 on my ‘to do’ list for tonight. I’ll try to get them posted over the weekend.

Here’s a pretty simple card using all Stampin Up supplies.

Sketch Inspiration ~ The Sweet Stop Sketch #51

Inspiration

Jacksonbelle Embellishments Challenge #101 ~ Taxing Challenge

We were to create a card inspired by filing income taxes. It might be a stretch, but all I could think of is how money doesn’t grow on trees – but it would be so nice if it did!

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #54 ~ Spots & Dots

It might not scream spots and dots, but if you look closely you’ll see the ribbon is dotted, one of the trees is all dots, there are paper pierced dots on the blue mat and the brown patterned paper creates a wall of spots!

365 Cards Day 30 ~ In Pieces

We were to use an image on the outside of your card, then use it again on the inside but don't use it in the exact same way. This is a total cop out, but I’m working really hard to catch up on the 365 Cards Daily Challenges; so I have to sneak them in wherever I can. On the outside of my card the spiral circle is a tree and on the inside of the card it’s, well, just a spiral circle hanging in the corner.

My Creation

Inside of Card

INS AND OUTS ~ TRENDY THINKING OF YOU
Stamps: Trendy Trees (Stampin Up)
Paper: Stampin Up (Confetti White, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue)
Ink: Stampin Up (Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip)
Accessories: Stampin Up Ribbon, Punch, Pop Ups
Techniques: Two-step Stamping, Paper Piercing

Shimmering Spring Butterfly

I’ve been on a butterfly kick lately. Spring always makes me think of new beginnings and butterflies embody that process. As they say, what the caterpillar thought was the end, the butterfly thought was the beginning.

The main piece of my card was created in the card candy class I attended. I’m not sure what I’ll use the card for, so I left off a verse. I do that most of the time so I can stamp an appropriate verse later.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #63

Color Inspiration ~ Your Next Stamp Challenge #13 ~ Purple

Inspiration

The Pink Elephant Challenge #61 ~ Nature

I love the flowers and vines in the DP.

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge #61 ~ Bought It/ Use It

We are challenged to use some of those craft supplies we just had to have. I've been intriqued by the various color mists and bought a bottle of Smooch. I went on a dew drop binge as well and while the bottles are super pretty lined up, they do add to my creations.

Quixotic Challenge #20 ~ The Joys of Spring

As I mentioned, spring is all about new beginnings and butterfly season will be coming!

Creative Belli Challenge #88 ~ Color Spray

I used Vanilla Smooch spray over the front and inside of my card. I really love the shimmer it gives.

Flutter By Wednesday #104 ~ Use Sparkle

This is SO shimmery and sparkly in real life. In fact, my fingers are also shimmery!

My Creation

Smooch Detail

Inside

INS AND OUTS ~ Shimmering Spring Butterfly
Stamps: None
Paper: DCWV (Embossed base, Indian Summer), SU DP
Ink: Smooch Vanilla
Accessories: SU Ribbon, Dew Drops, SU Butterfly Die Cut, SU Gem Brad

Best Friends for Life

I ran across Sassy Cheryl images and fell in love. I feel a ‘tish’ guilty with my traditional stamps ‘staring’ at me while I act all giddy over the fab digis I keep finding. I’m not ready to make a full switch but need to find a balance between the two. My studio is crammed with supplies and now my hard drive is getting a bit cluttered as well. I think a serious spring cleaning is in order.

I don’t watercolor very often (a bit evident by the ‘oops I’m out of the line’ moments). I’ve become a bit too dependent on my colorless blender and Copics. But, I do love the look of watercoloring. Just need a bit more practice.

 Sketch Inspiration ~ Amy’s Friday Sketch Challenge

Color Inspiration ~ 365 Cards ~ Day 1 Color Scheme

Inspiration
 Sassy Cheryl Challenge #6 ~ Girl Image + Ribbon
 Cheryl has this cute image as a boy or a girl holding their bear.
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #53 ~ Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice
Simon Says Challenge ~ Card for a Child
365 Cards Day 37 ~ Terrific Taggies: Use ribbon tags

 My Creation

Image Detail

Inside of Card

This Stampin Up rub on sentiment pairs perfectly with the image.

INS AND OUTS ~ BEST FRIENDS FOR LIFE
Stamps: Loves Healing Hand (Sassy Cheryl Digi)
Paper: DCWV (Glitter, Indian Summer, Linen Closet)
Ink: SU Watercolor Wonder, Aqua Painter, Gold Gel Pen
Accessories: SU Grosgrain Ribbon

Butterfly Sweets

I made the butterfly candy favor at a card class and decided it would be perfect as a card. Not one I’ll send through the mail, but I’m sure the recipient will break out in a smile when they see it (providing I don’t have a sugar attack and nosh on the candy first). The butterfly is so easy to make using the Big Shot and makes a great favor on its own. They’d be perfect for kid’s to share with their class, birthday treats, or name plates at a holiday dinner party. Just switch out the paper to match a theme and use whatever ‘tube’ candy you like (Smarties, Tootsie Rolls, Pixie Sticks, etc.). Or use a fun sketch to create a card for someone. You could also roll up a dollar bill (or any denomination) and tie on for the body. Use the idea for a graduation or wedding gift and just choose more formal colors and paper. I might have to give that a whirl come May and June!

Sketch Inspiration ~ Get Sketchy #32

Color Inspiration

Color Throwdown #87

Stamp Something Challenge ~ Pink Somethings

Inspiration

KL Stampin N Scrappin Challenge ~ 123 Recipe 

1 image or sentiment (or both if you would like) Does my butterfly count as an image? If you look close, there is a sentiment on the small tag tied to the ribbon.

2 different patterned papers/designer papers I’ve gone dotty with pink and green DP

3 embellishments (different or the same but at least three) I spy ribbon, brads, and stickles

Cupcake Craft Challenge #85 ~ Make Your Own Flowers

I hope this counts. I took several die cut flowers to create ‘pumped up pink’ beauties. I curled the petals, added a center brad, and used Stickles on the petals for some sparkle.

365 Cards Day 25 ~ DIY: Glittered Brads and/or Pearls

My green flower brads weren’t quite the right hue, so I sparkled them up with Stickles.

365 Cards Day 27 ~ I’m Touched (least 8 elements (not counting CS or any background paper) all those elements must overlap with at least 2 other elements)

I’m probably pushing it here if you consider each layer of my flowers to be just cardstock. I see them as intregral pieces of a master creation. LOL

Flutter By Wednesday #104 ~ Use Sparkle
It doesn't show up that well, but I used Cotton Candy Stickles on the flowers and also randomly on the dots in the background paper.

My Creation

Flower Detail

Inside of Card

INS AND OUTS ~ BUTTERFLY SWEETS
Stamps: SU Tiny Tags
Paper: SU DP, DCWV Shimmer, Pink is from a Stamping Bella card kit
Ink: SU Certainly Celery
Accessories: SU Ribbon, Big Beautiful Butterflies (Sizzix), SU Ribbon, Stickles, Flower Brad, Corner Rounder, Candy