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Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Playing Cards with Friends - December 2023

 If there's anyone who can get me back into 'creative mode', it's my lovely friend, Michele..... who has asked if I would 'play cards' with her. To her pleasure, and mine, I have accepted!! Michele and I have been lucky enough to meet, live and in person, on a few occasions.  And... I've met Michele's darling husband too! We've also enjoyed more than a few telephone conversations and have quite a lot in common (and could easily chat for hours)!!

In honor of National Look for an Evergreen Day, our Playing Cards with Friends 'challenge' is to fashion a card that includes an evergreen die (all are welcome- pine, spruce fir, etc.) as the focal point OR supporting character.  In addition, our creations must use dies only - no stamping!

Initially, this sounded like a walk in the Evergreen park, because I surely have a lot of tree dies and had many, many ideas! However, the greater challenge proved to be HOW to fit in a non-stamped, 'dies-only' sentiment??  Many iterations later (yes, I am VERY, very rusty) I believe, and hope, that I've come up with something worthy of Michele's card challenge/card playing!

My creation is mini-slimline sized (3.5" x 6.5") and includes lots of dies, a plethora of hues and a sprinkling of sparkle! A few of the trees have a bit of added dimension/height, as do the chunky letters in 'MERRY' and the lovely 'christmas' die (which is layered with white and slightly offset). In addition, there's an added touch of diamond glitter to the ink-blended edges of each letter of 'MERRY'.



P.S. - If you've gotten to the bottom of this post - many, many thanks! My absence from Blogger/Instagram was not intended to be quite SO long.... however, the needs of both my parent and my DH's parents were a bit more pressing that my time in the craft cave.


paper: Classic Kraft, Stampers Select White, Hibiscus Burst, Berry Sorbet, Simply Chartreuse, Aqua Mist, Tropical Teal (PTI), Bubblegum, Greenery, Diamond Glitter paper (The Stamp Market)

ink: Simply Chartreuse, Hibiscus Burst, Hawaiian Tropic, Tropical Teal, Berry Sorbet (PTI)

dies: Whittle Trees (Poppy Stamps), Mini Slimline Card & Envelope (Trinity Stamps), Chunky Alphabet (The Stamp Market), Traveler's Journal: December (PTI)

other: Toffee mini slimline envelope (Tailored Expressions), Diamond glitter (A Muse Studio), dimensional tape

 

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Fusion Card Challenge - 'Colour Palette: Blue Butterflies'

 

It's time for the latest Fusion Card Challenge - 'Blue Butterflies'. I'm loving the aqua/blue hues of the gorgeous photograph, but the sketch is pretty lovely too. Which will you choose - the sketch, the photo or both as your inspiration?

I've taken cues from both the photo and the sketch... focusing on the beautiful blues and the ombre cues (and, although it's hard to appreciate, I have used multiple inks to try and match the patterned paper/achieve a subtle ombre effect). There's a bit of texture with the stitched rectangular die and embossed banner. A crisp sentiment and a few jewels/sequins are the finishing touches on this CAS A2-sized card!

The DT has created LOTS of lovelies, so be sure to hop on over and join the party! When playing along you may use the sketch OR the photo as you jumping off point. OR, if you are feeling super duper clever, you can fuse 'em together. 





stamps: Butterfly Folk, Just Sentiments: Happy Hello (PTI)
paper: Stampers Select White, Smokey Shadow, Vintage Linens pp (PTI)
ink: Sea Glass, Ocean Waves, Misty Morning, Cloudy Sky (Altenew), Versafine watermark ink
dies: Butterfly Folk, Noted: Simply Stitched A2 Vertical (PTI), Stitched Party Banners (Lawn Fawn) 
other: Diagonal Stripe EF (Sizzix/SU), Seafoam jewels, 3mm clear sequins (PPP), dimensional tape, Alabaster ep (Brutus Monroe)


We hope that you'll join in/join us at the Fusion Card Challenge and will enjoy all of the loveliness from the DT and the always amazing gallery!

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Fusion Card Challenge - 'Cloth Bunnies'

 

It's the last day of March, and time for the latest Fusion Card Challenge - 'Cloth Bunnies'. I'm loving the soft, stitched bunnies and the Spring-y feel of the photograph, but the sketch is pretty lovely too. Which will you choose - the sketch, the photo or both as your inspiration?

As is my habit, I've taken cues from both the photo and the sketch. I've focused on the indigo, plaid and stripe patterns, and taken the  liberty of rotating the sketch and adding Berry Sorbet as my accent color on the larger bunny die vs. using more organic/neutral hues, as in the photo. A crisp sentiment and cute little bow finish off this clean and simple 5.5" square card.

The DT has created LOTS of lovelies, so be sure to hop on over and join the party! When playing along you may use the sketch OR the photo as you jumping off point. OR, if you are feeling super duper clever, you can fuse 'em together. 





stamps: Buds and Blossoms (Concord & 9th)
paper: Berry Sorbet, Dark Indigo, Bitty Big-Dark Indigo, Stampers Select White (PTI)
ink: Dark Indigo (PTI)
dies: Peek-A-Boo Bunny (Lil' Inker Designs), Bow Trio Mini (Clear and Simple Stamps, circa 2012!!)

We hope that you'll join in/join us at the Fusion Card Challenge and will enjoy all of the loveliness from the DT and the always amazing gallery!

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Fusion Card Challenge - 'Bookshelf'

Happy Thursday, and welcome to the latest Fusion Card Challenge - 'Bookshelf'. Just take a peek at that wonderfully staged vignette - with all of it's beautifully placed books, greenery and art!! So...which will you choose - the sketch, the photo or both as your inspiration?

As is my habit, I've taken cues from both the photo and the sketch. I've focused on just one shelf, with a few books, globe and a pretty plant. Lots of white space, a crisp sentiment, a bit of ink blending and a snippet of twine finish off this clean and simple A2 card.

The DT has created LOTS of lovelies, so be sure to hop on over and join the party! When playing along you may use the sketch OR the photo as you jumping off point. OR, if you are feeling super duper clever, you can fuse 'em together. 




stamps: Glorious Globes: Basics, Essential Sentiments, Cloche Quarters: Spring Fillers (PTI), Furnishing Fun (Schlosser Designs, discontinued)
paper: Stampers Select White, Classic Kraft
ink: Classic Kraft, Scarlet Jewel, Autumn Rose, Cocoa Bean, Spring Moss (PTI), Slate, Latte (A Muse),  Olive, Gray Denim, Cloudy Night (Altenew)
Dies: Glorious Globes: Basics, Essential Sentiments, Cloche Quarters: Spring Fillers (PTI), Postal Frames (The Greetery)
other: misc. twine, dimensional tape

We hope that you'll join in/join us at the Fusion Card Challenge and will enjoy all of the loveliness from the DT and the always amazing gallery!

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Fusion Card Challenge - 'Turquoise Rose Bouquet'

 

Happy Thursday, and welcome to the first Fusion Card Challenge for March - 'Turquoise Rose Bouquet'!! Ahhhh......just take a peek at those gorgeous roses!! Which will you choose - the sketch, the photo or both as your inspiration?

My project, taking cues from both the photo and the sketch, focuses on the lovely rose spray and a few pretty patterned papers. Lots of white space, my favorite polka dots (big and small!), a crisp sentiment and a few sparkle-y gems finish off this 3.5" x 6.5" floral creation.

The DT has created LOTS of lovelies, so be sure to hop on over and join the party! When playing along you may use the sketch OR the photo as you jumping off point. OR, if you are feeling super duper clever, you can fuse 'em together. 




stamps: Fleur Impressions (The Greetery), Essential Sentiments (PTI)
paper: Stampers Select White, Aqua Mist (PTI), 'fun times' pp (Reverse Confetti), Paper Basics Dots (The Stamp Market), misc. Bazzill scrap, Jen Hadfield 'DIY Home' pp (for envelope)
ink: Aqua Mist, Harvest Gold (PTI), Leafy, Mossy (The Stamp Market), Skylight (Catherine Pooler)
dies: Fleur Impressions (The Greetery), Essential Sentiments (PTI), Mini Slimline Scalloped Edge (Kat Scrappiness)
other: misc. jewels/sequins (PPP, TSM), dimensional tape, We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board

We hope that you'll join in/join us at the Fusion Card Challenge and will enjoy all of the loveliness from the DT and the always amazing gallery!

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Fusion Card Challenge - Colour Palette: Birds

Happy Thursday, and welcome to the latest Fusion Card Challenge - 'Colour Palette: Birds'!! The phenomenal photo and sketch are both pretty great! BUT..... just take a peek at those vibrant hues and beautiful birds!! Which will you choose - the sketch, the photo or both as your inspiration?

My project, taking cues from both the photo and the sketch, focuses on the colorful bird pairing. The paper stripes mimic the color sample and the layered stamps, from Papertrey's 'Spring Woods', help to create this CAS card.

The DT has created LOTS of lovelies, so be sure to hop on over and join the party! When playing along you may use the sketch OR the photo as you jumping off point. OR, if you are feeling super duper clever, you can fuse 'em together. 




stamps: Spring Woods (Papertrey Ink), Beanstalks (CAS-ual Friday)
paper: Classic Kraft, Rustic Cream (Papertrey), misc. Bazzill
ink: Ripe Avocado, Summer Sunrise, Terrracotta, Pure Poppy, Scarlet Jewel (Papertrey, Daydream (Catherine Pooler), Cup O' Joe (HA)
dies: Spring Woods (Papertrey)
other: gemstones (The Paper Studio/HL), Nuvo Crystal Drops (Dark Walnut), dimensional tape, We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board

We hope that you'll join in/join us at the Fusion Card Challenge and will enjoy all of the loveliness from the DT and the always amazing gallery!


 

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Fusion Card Challenge - 'Valentine Cupcake'

 

Welcome to the latest Fusion Card Challenge, 'Valentine Cupcake'! The fabulous photo and sketch are both pretty delicious - and I may just have a craving for a bit of something/anything chocolate! Which will you choose - the sketch, the photo or both as your inspiration?

My project, taking cues from both the photo and the sketch, focuses on those gorgeous cupcakes. The pretty patterned PTI papers help to create this mini slimline card.... along with more that a few die cuts,  an older SSS cupcake, a little dimension and a good dose of white space!

The DT has created LOTS of lovelies, so be sure to hop on over and join the party! When playing along you may use the sketch OR the photo as you jumping off point. OR, if you are feeling super duper clever, you can fuse 'em together. 





stamps: Cupcake Party (SSS)
paper: Stampers Select White, Pure Poppy, Pure Poppy Pattern Pack (PTI), Peony (The Stamp Market)
ink: Classic Kraft, Cocoa Bean (PTI), Cup O' Joe (HA)
dies: Hey There Cupcake, Lots of Hearts Outlines, Stitched Circle Scallop Frames (MFT), Mix & Mat: Hearts (PTI), Mini Slimline Envelope Builder Dies (Trinity Stamps)
other: dimensional tape, mini slimline envelope (TE)


We hope that you'll join in at the Fusion Card Challenge and will enjoy all of the loveliness from the DT and the always amazing gallery!