No Stampin' here!

 How the heck does one create a card with no stamping??? I pondered this for sometime thinking, it's just darn impossible and who thought of this theme anyways??

Well, like it or not, that is our theme this month at Christmas Craft Creations - No Stamping!

Talk about tunnel vision.  Once I got over my confusion I realized I have made many cards over the years without stamping, duh, what was I thinking?!

A couple of years ago I was involved in a weekend yoga retreat and my portion of the retreat was to teach card making.  Since it was close to Christmas I put together pre-packaged bags that included the supplies needed to make 2-3 cards each.  

I purchased a variety of Christmas papers from the local craft store, one side was patterned and the other side had journaling cards. The patterned papers are from the Merry & Bright Collection by Echo Park Paper and I used oval die cuts on one of the journaling cards and framed it with scallop ovals and the glitter star and tree were from my stash.

This is a great way to make fast & simple cards, especially if you want to make cards in bulk. I hope you join us for this fun and fast challenge and remember to add our challenge badge for your chance to win!

Challenges

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - ATG #92

Friends

Happy April Fool's Day however, our new challenge at Creative Knockouts is no joke! 

Our theme for this challenge is Sparkle & Shine and our fabulous sponsor is Star Stampz and they are generously donating 3 images to the lucky winner!

As it typically goes for me, I get creating and forget about the theme and it wasn't until I started typing this post that I realized I didn't have any sparkle or shine.  Back up to my craft room I go.

This too cute image is Red String and I colored her with Copic markers.  I added Glossy Accents to the heart on her sweater and skirt for some shine then stuck some teal gems in the corner and Wink of Stella on the kitty and string for the sparkle. I cased the layout from a card I came across by Jessie Banks, I just love the simple design.

I hope your April Fool's Day is prank free and if not, at least makes you laugh!

Challenges

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - ATG w/Critter #49

Cute Card Thursday - ATG #680

Peace on Earth

 Happy April Fool's Day although it's no joke that Winter Wonderland has a new challenge!

I was the lucky one who picked the theme this month and considering all the craziness going on in the world today, I chose "Peace on Earth".  

Our sponsor for this challenge is SheepSki Designs and they have a special prize for the winner of this challenge, thank you to the talented Andrea!

This image is Winter Deer, the image only has 2 trees however for my cards I added a few extras.  After I printed the image on white cardstock I went to work on the background using Distress Inks.  Once I had the combos right it was still missing something.

After many failed attempts using stickles, heat & stick powder with glitter, sparkle embossing powder and a variety of attempts using the inks it just didn't look right until I pulled out Texture Paste by Ranger that I've had for over a year but have never tried. So I went to work on my failed attempts to see what I could do with the paste.

I pulled out my Snow Flurry stencil by Taylored Expressions and placed it over the image and thought it was just the snow that needed texture and dimension so I covered up those small little holes that covered the trees and deer. Spread the paste over the open holes and pulled the stencil off to discover it looked crappy so that was the end of Day 1. 

 Day 2 - I tried again spreading the paste over the entire card - finally, success!  On the green card I sprinkled some glitter over the paste while it was still wet and wish I would have done that on both cards but enough was enough, this had to end!

Sorry for all the rambling and I appreciate you stopping by to take a peek and I hope you have a chance to join us at Winter Wonderland!

Distress Inks Used:

• Twisted Citron, Bundled Sage, Shabby Shutters, Mowed Lawn, Black Soot
• Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean, Faded Jeans, Peacock Feathers

Challenges

Addicted to Stamps and More - Christmas #402 .

Crafty Gals Corner - Make it Green #217 .

SheepSki Designs - Animal Magic #49 (April)

Aud Sentiments - Animals + Sentiment #271 .

Spots and Snowflakes

Welcome back for our new challenge at Christmas with the Cuties! Our theme for this challenge is Spots and/or Snowflakes.

Our fab sponsor for this challenge is Fred She Said and they have generously donated a $10 gift certificate to their online store.

This sweet little image is Catchin' Fakes. This image brings back so many memories, my boys and I still do that when it snows, sigh....

I think I put too much emphasis on the contrast when I took this pic :)  I used Copic markers to color the image then I laid a snowfall stencil over the image and used distress inks to add the falling snow.  I also added stickles and some sequins over the image snowflakes then distressed the edges of the inner circle.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see your creations soon!

Challenges

The Holly & Ivy Christmas Challenge - ATG #90

The Crafter's Cafe - Seasons #262

CCAYR - "F" for Flakes (March)

March Sketch Challenge

Are you ready for a new Sketch Challenge?! Creative Sketchy Girls are ready with a new sketch for you to play with and I am excited to see your interpretation!

Our sponsor for this "sketchy" challenge is Bugaboo Stamps and Jodie has graciously given us some fun and playful images to create with, thanks Jodie!

This cute little bunny is Garden Spring Bunny and if this image doesn't scream Spring then I don't know what does! I colored the image with Copic markers and used a variety of papers from my stash to create the layers and decided to add a sentiment on the top of the banner and a couple of enamel dots at the bottom to finish it off.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope our sketch as inspired you to join our challenge!

Challenges

Animal Friends Challenge - Bunnies (March)

Do-Al(l) creative - Easter Greetings #51 (March)

What's the Buzz?

 Spring has sprung here in beautiful British Columbia, the cherry blossoms are ... blossoming, the birds are singing, bees are buzzing and the rain is pouring, ugh.

Well, there is no rain in the forecast for our "Spring is in the Air" Challenge at  Creative Knockouts!  Our fab sponsor for our Spring challenge is Jan's Digi Stamps!

This image is from the Honey Bees collection, I really, really love this image.  I colored the image with Copic markers however I didn't color the bees as I didn't want to take away from the yellow in the beehive but I did add Wink of Stella which is difficult to see in the picture.  The sentiment is computer generated.  Kept the embellies simple with two flowers and a button.

As always, thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you join us for our challenge!

Challenges

Craft Rocket Challenges - Die Cuts and/or Spring #79

Moving Along with the Times - Spring #128 (March)

ModSquad Challenges - Springtime

Daisy Chain Challenges - Flowers #50

St. Patrick's Day

 I cannot believe the middle of March is already here!  As March appears, so does St. Patrick's Day/Green which is our Optional theme to our ATG Challenge at Creatalicious Challenges.

Our Sponsor for this challenge is Colour of Love and they will provide the winner of this challenge 3 digis of their choice!

For my card, Bowbo is showing off this wonderful Pot of Gold that we all know is at the end of the rainbow!  I'm not sure what this technique is called or if it even has a name, whatever it is I decided to try it.  I wasn't sure about what I was trying to accomplish but when I look at the final project, I'm happy with it.  

After coloring the inner image with Copic markers, I added foam tape to the back of the image for some extra dimension and matched it up as best I could with the black & white printed background. The green glitter background paper found in my stash is the perfect backdrop.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see your creations linked here!  

Prize:  3 Digis

Challenges

Shopping Our Stash - The Rainbow Connection #441 (March)

CAS Colours & Sketches - Colour #411

Creative Craft Cottage - CAS #138 (March)

The Poinsettia

 Christmas Craft Creations starts a new challenge today! Our theme for this month is Christmas Flowers.  and our own Shona has graciously donated a special prize of a Recollections Poinsettia Stamp and Die Set.

For our "flower" challenge, I thought this adorable image "The Poinsettia" by Hetty Clare would be perfect.

I used Copic markers to color the image and to keep it simple I added one layer of dark green cardstock to back.  I used a glitter pen to add some sparkle on the flowers and berries.  Looking at it now I'm wondering if I should add a small embellie (or 3) near the top, maybe sequins, tiny diamond gems, pennant - any thoughts?

Well I'm so glad you stopped by and I hope you join us for our Christmas Flower challenge and if you do, remember to add our Challenge Badge (below) to your post for your chance to win!

Challenges

Crafting Happiness Challenges - Flowers #87

CD Sunday Plus Challenge - AGC w/CD, USB or Digital #55

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - ATG #153

Christmas Trees

 Beginning of March means a new challenge over at Winter Wonderland!

Our theme for March is "Trees" and our sponsor is the funny and creative Jodie from Bugaboo Stamps. The image chose to play with is Christmas Tree Row and it works perfectly for our theme.

I colored the trees with Copic markers and the colors were used to match the papers.  I wanted to keep the card quite simple and clean (but not simple and clean enough to qualify for true CAS).  As I'm looking at the picture I realized I wanted to add some stickles to the snow on the ground.  I will just have to add it later!

I usually use three of the same embellies but this time decided on two pink enamel dots, one on each side and finish it off with a silver bow.

I'm so glad you stopped by and I hope you join us for our challenge!

Challenges

Die Cut Divas - Slimline (March)

ABC Christmas Challenge - F for Fir Tree (March)

CCAYR - E for Enamel Dots (March)

Stitch it Up at Creative Knockouts

 Challenge time at Creative Knockouts and our theme is "All Stitched Up", real or faux!  I love pulling out my machine and sewing on paper although I don't do it often because it's packed away and a pain to pull out.

Our fabulous sponsor is Jodie from Bugaboo Stamps and I was graciously provided Ladybug Daisy to play with - thanks Jodie!

This was my first time using my new no-name slimline die cuts and I really love the set.  I colored the image with Copic markers and used my sewing machine just on the yellow polka dot layer.  The sentiments I chose are somewhat generic so they could be used for birthdays, Mother's Day or "just because". I have to admit I really like how the cards turned out and I adore the image.

Thank you so much for stopping by and I really hope you join our challenge, I'd love to see what you create!

Challenges
Die Cut Divas - Slimline (March)

Try it on Tuesday - Say it with Flowers

Challenge up your Life - Flowers #133 (March)

Addicted to Stamps and More - Die Cuts and/or Stencils #400