January Classic Design Challenge : Patties Creations

 Happy New Year, Crafting Friends!! Can you believe it's another year down?? I feel like every year just blitzes by even faster than the year before!!

This month we're featuring digi's from Patties Creations. I had so many great images to choose from!! In fact, I bought a few other images along with the one I am featuring today! The image I chose to feature is Flamingo Happy Hour. It's just so happy, vibrant, and quirky that I HAD to play with the image! LOL!

I printed off the image and colored it in with Copic markers, then cut out a border at the bottom of my image with a long since retired Spellbinders borders combinations dies. After cutting out the border and trimmed my image sides, I sponged some Distress Oxide ink lightly around the image in various areas, in Carved Pumpkin. I didn't want it dark, just a highlight around the image. I put popdots under my main image and placed that over Bazzil's "Mint" cardstock. Then I placed the image & polka dot Bazzil cardstock over some A2 card-backs from Mintay Papers. Then, I placed a "Celebrate" rub-on from 49 & Market and some clear enamel candy dots from Bo Bunny.

I had SO Much FUN coloring this image in!! So easy and effortlessly fun! I hope it inspires you to color in a fun and quirky image for a card, even if it's just for the fun of it! :)

Have a great day, and I'll see you next month for another Classic Design Challenge!

Classic Design Challenge : Santa

 Welcome back again to this month's Classic Design Team Challenge! It's that time of year again where we start thinking about Christmas and making or sending out our Christmas cards. 

I have a great image from Dr. Digi featuring Santa himself, checking the naughty and nice list. Have you checked to see if your name is on his "nice" list? I'm sure it is! Here is a link to his digi store Dr. Digi and here is a link to my Santa image : Naughty or Nice. Dr. Digi has some great quality digi stamps in his store, and I hope you go check them out!

I colored my image in with Copic markers, then used MFT's Double Stitched Rectangles to cut it out with a decorative border around it. I then sponged some Distress Inks around the image to "age" it and tone down the white cardstock, as my design papers and lace panel is off white/cream. After sponging, I matted my image with a red cardstock from Bazzil. I layered a cream lace panel cut from a die by Stampin Up, then matted that under my image, over some design papers from The Paper Studio's "Old World Winter" collection. I completed the matting by adding one more cardstock layer of a reflective gold from Tim Holtz's Metallic Cardstock collection, then I added a few holly diecuts from Tim Holtz's Ideology "Christmas Botanicals" collection. My sentiment is from Fresh Pink's "Foiled Holiday Sentiments".

And there you have it. My take on Dr. Digi's Santa inspired digi stamp. I really love how it turned out. I'm not the greatest at coloring in people, but how can you mess up Santa?! LOL!

Thank you for joining us this month in our Classic Design Challenge! I'll see you here for next month's inspiration! And don't forget! Santa Claus is coming to town .... !

November Beautiful Blossoms Challenge : Fuchsia Postcard

Happy November, Challenge Friends!! Can you believe the year is almost over! We've had so many challenges and inspirations together. I love it!

This month's November inspiration photo is my absolute favorite of the year!! Look at those deep blues, magentas, golds, and purples! So beautiful and what I'd consider quintessentially traditional fall colors. I love, love them!

As you can tell, I was completely inspired by the colors in the photo. But this time, I wanted to try to capture the color intensity in watercolors. So, I found an old postcard with watercolor paper, and decided I was going to go as intense with my shading as I possibly could.

To start my watercoloring, I taped off the edges of the postcard to create a "frame" for interest. I used Distress Inks and Aqua Markers to color my image in. My image is from Heartfelt Creations, called "Fuchsias". After coloring in my image, I sponged in some Antique Linen and Old Paper Distress Inks along the bottom half and around the image, I painted a blue 'haze' with the Distress Ink, then sponged just a little of the Old Paper Distress Ink around the top half of the card.

I love how it turned out! I just have to seal it so that when I want to send it out to someone, if it rains or gets wet, it won't smear. 

I can't wait to see all the creations submitted this month and see how you all used the colors! Until then, happy Crafting!

Love to You

 Welcome back to my little blog!

Today I have a card that is combining a couple of the following blog challenges :

Polkadoodles - Anything Goes ..w/ Love (theme)

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes .. w/ Sentiment (feature a sentiment)

Inspired By...  - Puffy Hearts ... (theme : Valentine's Day)

Addicted to CAS - Friends

I stamped out Colorado Craft Company's Hedgehog Day stamp set and cut it out using the coordinating dies, then colored it in with Copics. I did fussy cut out a few areas so that there was very little white edge showing, to clean it up. 

To make my background, I used MFT's Slimline Cloud Edges, using Mermaid Lagoon and Prized Ribbon Distress Inks to make my clouds. After sponging the clouds in, I taped off a section and sponging in Peeled Paint and some Distress Oxide in Rustic Wilderness. I matted the background on top of MFT's Stitched Mini Scallop Square in Kraft cardstock, then added the diecut image that I popped up on popdots, so it would offer dimension off the card. Then I stamped my sentiment from Memory Bound Scrapbooking from their Care and Concerned stamp set.

I don't usually make Valentine's Day cards, but this one turned out really sweet!

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I can't wait to see you next time you pop by!

Hope Your Day is Sweet

 Good morning, Friends!

I have another card created from a challenge today. 

Color Throwdown : Pink, Brown & White

I chose to use Colorado Craft's Coffee House stamp and the coordinating dies, placed over a Distress Ink sponged background in Old Paper and Antique Linen.
I matted the main piece over some Kraft paper that I stitched together with Simple Stories Textured Cardstock in Mauve. Then I cut a banner using MFT's Skinny Strips die, and added my sentiment from Honey Bee Stamps "Mini Messages : Sweet" set.

I enjoyed the color challenge and I have a couple other ideas I might try with it.

But that is all I have for today. Until the next blog post, I hope you have a marvelous craft day!

Friends

 Hi Friends! I wanted to share with you another card I created for a blog challenge.

Over on Addicted to CAS, they're code word this week is : Center Focus .

I chose to use Colorado Stamp Company's "Bunny & Ducking" stamps with dies, and coloring them in with Copics. I masked off a border and sponged in Mermaid Lagoon & Prize Ribbon Distress Inks, then embossed a single line around the sponging with my Scor-Pal, to frame my images. I matted the scored and sponged paper with Kraft cardstock, to keep everything clean and non-fussy looking, then placed popdots under my bunny, to further give it depth, so it wouldn't feel "flat" and further reenforce the size difference, then added the duckling.

I love how it came out! So simple, gentle and clean!  I almost stamped a sentiment on the card but felt it would detract from the clean lines and the images. 

Thanks for joining me in my little craft corner. Until we meet again, have a great crafting day!

Happy New Year 2025!!!

 Welcome back and Happy New Year to my erratically posted, blog 😆 

You know, I could really try harder to post more often, so I will. My goal is to post 2 cards a month, this 2025 year. So lets begin. 

I decided to participate in Color Throw Down's color challenge : Black, White & Gray. 

Super simple, right? But it's actually tricky to do cards in monotones without getting bored or challenged by the lack of pizzaz or color pops. A master or intermediate card maker would enjoy this challenge and blow it away, but for little more than an amateur card maker like myself, I struggled. I ended up making two cards because I felt the first one was way too simple, so I went back to the drawing board and tried harder.

I stamped Altenew's "Enjoy Your Journey" on Neena Solar cardstock, and cut it out with MFT's Selfie Square & MFT's Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangle in Black cardstock. Then I added Gem Stickers from Honey Bee Stamps from the "Farm Fresh Holiday" collection.

Then, I decided to try another card, and really challenge myself again.

I stamped out Avery Elle's "Look For Rainbows" bunny, out on Lawn Fawn's "Narwal" gray cardstock, and fussy cut it out. Then I masked off the face of the bunny, and sponged a pattern from Gina K's "Leafy" stencil, in Distress Ink "Weathered Wood", to add some texture on the umbrella. I created a background by stamping out MFT's "Scene Builder" on some more Narwal cardstock, in Memento " London Fog" ink.  After that, I used popdots placed for dimension on the back of the bunny, and placed it in the scene on my card.

Then, I diecut a pennant out for my sentiment by using MFT's "Skinny Strips" dies, and stamping out the sentiment from Penny Black's "Rain or Shine" set, in white ink from Pink Fresh, called "Calico White". To add just a touch of sparkle, I added some Gem Stickers, from Honey Bee Stamps, from their "Farm Fresh Holiday" collection.

This was quite the challenge, and one that I want to challenge myself with again, because I enjoy the effort to think outside the creative box! I still wish I could add some pink to the nose and ears, but those are the rules! 😄

Until I post again, Enjoy your crafting day!

Fall Pumpkins

 Fall. The most beautiful time of year and also my favorite. 

Pumpkins are quintessentially the most symbolic representation of fall and cooler weather, so I decided to create a card featuring my favorite fall food item.

 I chose to use my Flourishes Autumn Blessings stamp set and color it in with Copics. I lightly sponged the edges of the image with Antique Linen and Tea Dye Distress Inks, I matted that over a lacy cupcake doily, and some patterned papers that look like the pages of a book. I found a frame that I added some acetate to and stamped out my sentiment on it using Staz-On Timber Brown, placed some Popdots under it and placed it over my image. I added a corner diecut and some pearls to complete my look.

I really love how it turned out and wish all my cards would turn out as nice as this one!!

Happy Fall, Friends!

JUST BECAUSE

 Have you ever done something or blessed someone "Just Because"? I have and it's such a joy and blessing when I am able to! So I translated that message and sentiment into a card.

I chose Power Poppy's "Everything's Even Rosier" set that I stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and colored in with Copics. I lightly sponged "Antique Linen" Distress Ink around the edges of the image and patterned paper, and added half a white, paper lace doily, white and gold polka dot washi tape, and some light gold pearls.

I wanted the image to pop, and everything else to have a calming influence in the background, keeping it super simple so the message and the image would shine. Sometimes less is absolutely more, as it is in this case.

Have A Sweet Day

 I've been sick for the past week, but I finally felt well enough to sit down and create a card last night. Fascinatingly, it came together in about an hour. I don't know about you, but cards usually take a day or two for me to create from start to finish. But this one was just so easy breasy.

I stamped out the image in Versafine and heat set it, then colored it in with Copics. I very, very lightly sponged the background behind the girl with Broken Glass and Speckled Egg Distress Inks and matted the image over some Bazzil polka dotted blue paper. After that I cut the back of the card using MFT's Stitched Rectangle Scallop Edge Frames Die-namics, then added the sentiment stamped on an old Spellbinders pennant die.

I'd decided to break out the stamp set and practice coloring skin and hair while I recovered and suddenly a card was spontaneously created. Sometimes you just never know when things will gel and just come together with little to no effort!

Happy Independence Day

Hello crafting friends happy early Independence Day! Today I am showing you a card I made for the 4th of July.

I used Patriotism on Parade, I stamped onto Flourishes
Classic White Cardstock I matted with Flourishes Color Made Easy Christmas Red Cardstock & Iced Aqua cardstocks. Then I stamped out the sentiment onto a Flourishes Tailor-Made Classic Tags die and tied a 1/4 May Arts Red Silk Ribbon to the top loop of the tag die.

I sponged the background in a yellow to represent the fireworks glow and I added a few heavier sponge circles to show the fireworks "die off" effect, like the afterglow after a firecracker dying out.

I hope this card gets you in the crafty mood for the weekend, because Flourishes is having a 4th Sale!! They are offering 10% off the entire store!  Plus, if you all three of the 3 June Releases, you will save 20% off on them!!
Also, starting JULY 5th, ALL DIES are on sale 40% off - once they are gone, they are gone. First come first served. Find all the details here at FLOURISHES.

I'll be back next week with a nice Shabby Chic card I know you'll all love!

~ Amanda Havon

Flourishes: Happy Father's Day!

Good morning friends, today I am showing you a card I made for Father's Day coming up.

 

I used In Nature and Mountain View, stamped out on Flourishes Classic White cardstock. I colored them in with my Copics, and fussy cut out the majestic buck. For my back ground image I created a twilight scene using Distress Inks and a blending sponge, and stars by flicking paint on my sponged background. After that, I placed popdots under my fussy cut buck image, and placed it in front of my stamped background.

I wanted to create a card that was both masculine and bold. Masculine cards can be hard to create, because sometimes I like ribbon and lace on my cards. But when making a masculine card,  you can go bolder on the coloring and really make it pop or stand out. This way, you don't feel as though you have to add extra embellishments to make it look nice, because it already does!

 I'll be back soon with another Flourishes card. Don't forget to subscribe to my blog, that way you won't miss out on another card!

Moonlight Merry Christmas

Hello, I'm back! I know I've been on a looong hiatus! Life has gotten the better of me and is in the way of my card creating! I'm trying to "right the ship" as they say and get back on board! So speaking of getting right back into it, I've made a card!! I know, you're thinking big deal :) It is, since I haven't even touched my card materials for a few months so I'm really enjoying it all over again!

I had a request from someone I know to make a masculine Christmas card for their husband. I have made many Christmas card but never a manly one and not for a couple, so that was a complete challenge for me.
I used Flourishes "Country Time Christmas" stamp set because it really spoke to me about Christmas time and yet it was still manly, too.

I stamped out the image on Classic White cardstock, then colored it in with Copics. After coloring it in, I masked off my moon and my horizon line and sponged the sky in with blue Distress Inks. After removing my masks, I cut my cardstock down to size and fitted it over my background cardstock, I stamped my sentiment from Flourishes "Start of Bethlehem" set and heat embossed that in. I popped my image up on foam popdots for depth and interest (off my background) and added some pearls near my sentiment to complete my card. 

I also have my card on Splitcoast Stampers if you'd like to follow my link and see it there : Moonlight Merry Christmas

I really love how it turned out and I really enjoyed getting my hands inky! I think I'm going to set aside some time after the kids are in bed every night and get back to doing what I love - Cards :)
Thank you for stopping by and Merry Christmas to you!!
~ Amanda

Flourishes Friday Focus: Beach Sets!

Happy Friday Flourishes Friends!  How is the weather in your neck of the woods?  Is that summer heat getting you down?  Well today the Flourishes Senior Design Team has a treat for you focussing on three beautiful summery sets:  Beach Life, A Guiding Light  and Seaside Life  because we know that this time of year makes you long for those cool ocean breezes. 
I chose to work with Beach Life for my simple 10 minute card. 

I stamped out a shell from the Beach Life in Versafine Onyx Black ink, onto Classic Ivory cardstock and fussy cut it out. I used the Sweet Pea and the Dahlia Classic Copic Collections. Then I diecut out my cardstock with some Spellbinder dies. After that I stamped out more shell images from Beach Life, as a background, in Memento Desert Sand ink then I sponged Tattered Rose Distress Ink around the background. 

Just a quick note, we seem to be currently out of Beach Life  stamp sets at the moment, but we should be back in stock soon, though! :)

Head on over and visit...  

Amanda Havon

Christine Okken 

Cindy Lawrence

Heather Jensen

Julie Koerber

Maki Jones

Silke Ledlow

Stacy Morgan

Tosha Leyendekker

       Thank you for stopping by and enjoy your summer in the sun, hopefully at the beach!!

Timeless Tuesday: Mini Cards!

Good morning and welcome back to another Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge! :) This week Broni is our challenge hostess and she is challenging us to create: A Mini Card! All you need to do is create a card that is 3x4 or less! These are always a fun and easy challenge to create!

I used Flourishes "Paperwhites" stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa onto Flourishes Classic Ivory Cardstock, sponged all around with Tea Dye Distress Ink. I used the paper from Flourishes new September's 123 Kit. I added the red ribbon, silver cording and the snowflake charm, also from the September 123 Kit. 
The completed size of my card measures out to be 4 x 3 1/18.

All this month I will be using Flourishes September 123 Create Kit. This kit is a Christmas themed kit and perfect for any cards you will make this year. I love it and it includes a Bo Bunny paper pad, two kinds of ribbon (red and green), silver cording and a green trim, green rhinestones, snowflake charms, and Maya Road Vintage Kraft Flag Pins!! All that in a kit?? You bet!! I'll be showcasing it all month :) Please visit the rest of the team to gather more Flourishes Timeless Tuesday inspirations!

Cindy

Heather
Broni 
Denise
Ally 

Maki

Linda Lucas - Septembers's Guest Designer

Thank you for visiting and please have a great day!

Release Week Sneak Peak Hello Baby!

Welcome back to day three of Flourishes Release Week Sneak Peaks!! Today is Flourishes "Hello Baby" sneak Peak, and I loved this set from the moment I set eyes on it!

This set is so versatile! You have so many options with this stamp set! There are some sentiments with a cute onesie and baby booties, and my favorite - the clothesline :) I can just hear the little bird nestled in the tree, happily tweeting away :)

I used the "Oh Baby" set that I die cut out placing in on an embossed background over Kraft paper. Iwatercolored it all colored in with Distress Inks using Vintage Photo, Tea Dye,  Forrest Moss, Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass and Dusty Concord. I sponged around the edges with Scattered Straw and Antique Linen Distress Inks. I added a button and tied it all up with a Solid White Wrinkled ribbon.

One of the ladies on our link list below will be picking a name from the comments on her blog post today. We don’t know which one it is… so the more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win!

With that bit of eye candy, you’ll surely want to see the design team’s cards and creations in full color when you take a trip over to their blogs!

SENIOR DESIGN TEAM

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Jan Marie Caruso
• Julie Koerber 
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

FRIENDS OF FLOURISHES TEAM

• Beate Johns
• Heather Jensen
• Amanda Havon
• Mona Pendleton
  
  DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN FLOURISHES' ENTIRE APRIL RELEASE? 
  Have you checked out our Motherly Love Challenge? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in our Noon Time Challenges! Wednesday, we brought you the Lovely in Lace Challenge HERE. And, yesterday we ushered in the Bookworm Challenge! All challenges will close TODAY at 5 PM EST!  
  
  And, don’t forget the  New Release Bundle! If you buy all four sets in a bundle, you save 10% off the price. But, this offer only lasts through next Friday, April 30. So… you have to act fast! Just click HERE to see!
  
  ~ Amanda