Altenew Class Butterfly

I'm happy for classes that don't fail you if  you're late with your homework!

This is truly a mixed media card!

I clear embossed the butterfly on vellum and colored the backside with Copic Markers adding shading and lines with Prismacolor pencils.

The butterfly is fussy cut as I don't have the matching die.

I tried to color the flower using the same technique on Mixed Media paper,
but it was too dark for the look I wanted.
So I stamped the flower with Antique Linen Distress ink and colored it
with Distress Markers. Using a waterbrush, I softened the color and then
 added shading and lines with the fine tip of the same markers.

It's fun to try new techniques and Marika is right in that to get the look you want, 
you have to practice, practice, practice!

I want to enter this in the Altenew Challenge for June.
I'm squeaking in at the last minute, I think.



Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Painted Butterfly, Peony Bouquet, Persian Motifs sentiment (Altenew)

Ink:  VersaMark, Antique Linen (Distress), Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Solar White (Neena 110 lb.), Mixed Media (Strathmore), Woodgrain Cardstock (Tim Holtz), Double Stitched Rectangle Frames (MFT), Copic Markers (Y11, Y13, Y15), Prismacolor Pencils (Lemon Yellow, Canary Yellow, Jasmine, Yellow Ochre, 90% Cool Grey)  Distress Markers (Evergreen Bough, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint)

Color Challenge at Merry Monday

It's Merry Monday time!
And it's the last one until September.

It's  Colleen's choice this week.

Since I was recently enabled to buy this ornament die,

I was delighted to have a good excuse to use it.

I just happened to have some blue and platinum Inka Gold pieces.

I die cut the ornament from silver and gold foil as well as the Inka Gold.

I even found a sparkly, silver snowflake in my stash to make the ornament more ornate.

Since I used some snippets on this card (the foil and smoosh), I'm going to 

visit Pixie's Snippet Playground.

I'm also going to visit 

Rudolph Days

where we bring a Christmas card every month.

The challenge runs from the 25th through the end of the month.

I hope you'll join us at
Merry Monday
for our final challenge before summer break!

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Mixed Christmas Sentiments (HLS)

Ink:  Encore Silver

Paper:  Solar White (Neena 110 lb.), Whisper White, Mixed Media (Strathmore), Silver and Gold Foil (SU), Silver Glimmer (SU)

Other: Silver EP (SU), Calibri Ornament Die (MB), Inka Gold (Steel Blue, Platinum), Snowflake Die (IO)

Happy Birthday Loll

OOPS!  I GOT AHEAD OF MYSELF.  LOLL'S BIRTHDAY ISN'T UNTIL MONDAY.

SORRY TO ADD CONFUSION.

WANTED  YOU ALL TO JOIN THE CONFUSED CLUB!

Today  Monday is a special day for a special lady.

Happy Birthday Loll!

This is a total CASE of a card by Lin (Sending Hugs)
Her beauty sent me searching for the dies.
They've been sitting in my NBUS box for way too long.

To make this card, I die cut the Memory Box Gorgeous Gardenia Die 
from Mixed Media paper.

I laid the cut out on another piece of Mixed Media paper and watercolored
over, around and through the die cut.

It acted as a stencil and left a pretty image.

I cut that out with the Gorgeous Gardenia background die.

When everything was dry, I glued it all together and put it on a card, 
framing it with my new Stitched Frame Die cut.

A few splatters and sequins and it was dressed to go.

Loll will probably see this before she sees the real thing.

And it's a CAS Mix Up card.

If you hurry you can get a card in there before the challenge closes.

And while you're at it, why not go over and wish our friend Loll,
Happy Birthday!

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Awesomely Artistic (SU)

Ink:  Whisper White (SU)

Paper:  Solar White (Neena 110 lb.), Mixed Media (Strathmore)

Other:  Gorgeous Gardenia Die and Gorgeous Gardenia Background Die (MB), Stitched Rectangle Frames (MFT), Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors, Aqua Painter, White EP (SU), Sequins (SSS)

Altenew Class Lesson 2

I have a super busy week and this will probably be the last card I get done for the Altenew Beautiful Detail classes.

This is my attempt at the class from Day 2.

I don't think I've really embraced Marika's awesome techniques but 
I'm having fun using my NBUS Altenew stamps and trying some new techniques!

A reminder too that there's a few more days to enter at
CAS Mix Up

I've used Layered Stamping, Watercolor, Die Cuts and Splatter

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Peony Bouquet (Altenew), Things We Love (Hero Arts)

Ink:  Sweet Sugar Plum (SU), Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Solar White (Neena 110 lb.), Mixed Media (Strathmore), Sweet Sugar Plum (SU)

Other:  Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers (043 Olive Green, 046 Mid Green), Aqua Painter (SU), Sequins (SSS)

Peace, Joy and Love for Merry Monday

It's Merry Monday time.

This week it's my turn to pick the challenge.

I like to wish my family and friends Peace, Joy and Love at Christmas.

Let's add one or all of these words to our Christmas cards this week.

I went with the inspiration photo as well as using the words.

We've decided to take the summer off at Merry Monday.

So this week and next week will be the last challenges until September 5th.

I hope you'll play along with us this week at

Merry Monday.

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps: Snowflakes from In the Meadow (PTI), A Better World (PB)

Ink:  Whisper White, Crumb Cake

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White

Other:  White EP (SU), Long Classic Rectangles Nesties (SB), Snowflake die (IO), Sizzix Sticky Sheet, Dazzling Diamonds (SU), Baker's Twine (SU), 

Bubbly Balloons for Lulu

This sweet kitty is on her way to a very special young girl.

You can read about her by Googling Elizabeth "Lulu" Gilreath.

When I saw her on TV and saw her smile and even giggle, I was so inspired!

May we all be able to feel joy despite our troubles.  

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Bubbly (PB), Friendship Messages (SSS)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Solar White (Neena 110 lb.), Regal Rose (retired SU), Whisper White (SU)

Other:  Copic Markers, Crystal Effects

Altenew Beautiful Details More Day 1

Hi.  It's me again with another homework project from the 
Beautiful Details Class at Altenew.

The lovely and very talented Marika is teaching this class.

Here's another project I did using stamps, markers and doodling.

I was more comfortable with the stamping technique on this one, but not with the doodling.

Overall, it was worthy of putting on a card, I think.

And this wasn't my first try with these colors.

I'm hoping to try out the lesson from day 2 this afternoon.

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Peony Bouquet, Thinking of You (both Altenew)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Markers (Sweet Sugarplum, Rich Razzleberry)

Paper:  Heavy Weight Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry (SU)

Other: Marvy LePen (4300 Dk. Grey), Simply Scored, Moonstone Sequins (SSS)

Altenew Beautiful Details Class Day 1

When I saw that Marika (meandminime) was teaching a class at Altenew, I knew I wanted to sit in on it.

She has a beautiful way of coloring using mixed coloring media.

I actually found some time to do the first lesson yesterday.

Here's what I came up with.

I don't have many Altenew stamps....yet!

I do  have Peony Bouquet

and I used two of the small flower stamps from that set.

This is a layering stamp set so you can get fantastic detail by just stamping the 3 layers.

Marika showed a little different way of using the stamps.

This was my second attempt.  The first attempt was at the bottom right corner.

It didn't make onto a card!

I liked this one though.

I was somewhat happy with the doodling on this card.

It's not something I'm really comfortable with.

I did find that Marika's advice about not thinking too hard about the doodling did help.

I'll be right back with another card from the first lesson.

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Peony Bouquet, Thinking of You (both Altenew)

Ink:  Concord Crush (SU), Distress markers (Dusty Concord, Gathered Twigs)

Paper:  Heavy Weight Whisper White, Concord Crush (both SU)

Other:  Marvy LePen (4300 Dk. Grey), Square Lattice EF (retired SU)

Fabulous Pennington Rose

We're halfway through the month already!

Just a reminder that you still have time to join in at

CAS Mix Up

This is such a sweet little die by Memory Box.

I cut it from some smooshed backgrounds then winked it with Stella!

I also have dry embossing and stamping and it's Clean And Simple.

I hope it will inspire you to join us at

CAS Mix Up

Our challenge is open until the 24th

and you'll find lots of inspiration over there from our

Featured Designer, Hazel Kinvig-Paul, our

Guest Designer, Barb Ghig

as well as my fabulous Design Teammates.

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Signature Dress Form (PTI)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Solar White (Neena 110 lb.), Flirty Flamingo (new SU), Mixed Media (Strathmore)

Other:  Pennington Rose Die (MB), Charles EF (Cuttlebug), Stitche Squares Die (Lil' Inkers), Clear Wink of Stella, Sequins (SSS)

Wilderness Awaits For Pop

I have DH's Father's Day card done early this year!

I haven't done the inside yet though.  That's the hardest part!

I've used a NBUS set that I bought especially for this image.

DH loves ducks and geese and such.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
FATHER'S DAY/FOR A GUY



I watercolored the image using Stampin' Up! markers, then
die cut it and matted that circle on a larger circle of dark green.
Then placed all that atop a dry embossed panel.

A reminder that this month's CAS Mix Up challenge is die cuts.

Using Stamping, Die Cuts, Watercoloring with Markers, Dry Embossing

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamp:  Wilderness Awaits, Crazy about You (both SU)

Ink: Black Archival (SU), SU Markers (Soft Suede, Garden Green, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Always Artichoke

Paper: Watercolor (Strathmore 140 lb cold press for base card), Mixed Media (Strathmore), Handsome Hunter (retired SU)

Other:  Circles Collection Framelits, Woodland EF (both SU)

Inspiration Challenge at Merry Monday

Good Merry Monday morning!

The fabulous creator of Merry Monday, Leslie (Always Playing with Paper) is offering our challenge this week.

I was inspired by the beautiful floral arrangement.

I used a variety of die cuts that had been cut from mixed media paper.

I watercolored them with Zigs and Copics, and then arranged them in the corner.

I only added one little punched flower because more seemed to be too many.

I love making floral arrangements and it's as much fun with paper as with the real thing!

What will inspire you from this photo challenge?

I can't wait to see what you bring to 
Merry Monday!

Edited to add that I can enter
Memory Box Outside the Box Challenge
WATERCOLOR

I've watercolored these dies including the Memory Box  Forest Pine Branch.


My stamped sentiment, watercolored die cuts, and scoring (dry embossing), 
and CAS (Clean And Simple) layout are perfect for our June challenge at
CAS Mix Up.

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Season's Wishes (PB)

Ink:  Pine Needles (Distress)

Paper: Watercolor (Strathmore 140 lb. cold press), Mixed Media (Strathmore)

Other:  Holly Berries Die (PB), Forest Pine Branch (MB), Pine Sprigs (PS), Boho Blossom Punch (SU), Zigs (040, 041, 043, 044, 062), Copic Markers (R29, R39), SU Marker (So Saffron), Aqua Painter (SU), Gingham Ribbon (retired SU), Simply Scored (SU)

Happy Birthday Penny Black

Penny Black Saturday Challenge
is celebrating it's 8th birthday!
Happy Birthday PBSC!



The Penny Black image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink
and colored with Copic Markers.

Addicted to Stamps and More


I have dry embossing, and die cut circles to make the frame.

There's some Crystal Effects to add shine on the balloons too.

Another CAS Mix Up card.

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Bubbly (PB), Friendship Messages (SSS)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Solar White (Neena 110#), Melon Mambo, Whisper White

Other:  Circle Collection Framelits (retired SU), Perfect Polka Dots EF (retired SU), Crystal Effects

Love Art Iris

I love irises and have some friends who love them too. 
I'm always on the lookout for iris stamps.

The Love Art set by Penny Black has 2 irises in it.

You know I couldn't pass that up.

This was so quick and easy to color with markers and
stamp on a snippet of paper.

A narrow mat of dark purple and an embossed frame and it was done.

Less is More week #279
is asking for 
THE COLOR PURPLE

and

Penny Black and More
June Challenge is
******FLOWER POWER******

and

I'll take my snippet to
Pixies Snippet Playground
where Parsnip is in charge while Di's away.
Who knows what fun is brewing over there?

and

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge
wants to see a 
SUMMER GARDEN

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Love Art (PB), Snippets (PB)

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, SU Markers (Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive)

Paper:  Solar White (Neena 110#), Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White (SU)

Other: EF (no name on it), Sequins (Assorted Moonshine SSS)

Furry Christmas Shaker for Merry Monday

Good Merry Monday morning!

This week Sue is our hostess and she chose

I have grandchildren but I don't make Christmas cards for them.

I just give each family a card.

But I do give each of the kids a Christmas tree ornament.

So with this in mind, I pulled out this NBUS, Spellbinders Heirloom Ornament die set

and went to work.

The ornament can be removed from the card to be hung on the tree.

Now I have to do several more.

I have die cuts, stamping, coloring with markers (Copics) and dry embossing

so this is perfect for the CAS Mix Up June Challenge

I'm looking forward to seeing those cute Christmas cards in the gallery at

Merry Monday!

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Furry Christmas (SSS)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Solar White (Neena 110 lb.), Whisper White, Red Glimmer (SU)

Other:  2011 Heirloom Ornament Dies (Spellbinders), Softly Falling EF (SU), Fuse Tool and Photo Sleeves (We R Memory Keepers), Micro Beads, Metallic Twine, Jingle Bells (Michaels)

Joyful Sunflower

This card was inspired by 2 very talented friends.

Barb's  Guest Designer card really wowed me! Still does! 
 I keep going back and looking at it.

And Loll's Brusho technique intrigued me and I was itching to try it.

I had a new stencil and a plan came together.

This stencil is 6" x 6" so I cut the finished design in half.

The first half found it's way on a card for 

CAS Mix Up

Using stamping, die cuts, stenciling, and watercolor with Brushos

and

AAA Cards Challenge

I sprayed the Brushos with water.  I think that's watercolouring.

Here's what I did with the other half.

The frame is tinted glass and something I had on hand.

The sentiment is from a NBUS set that I've had for a long time.

I always thought of sunflowers when I saw that quote.

It was an artsy kind of day.

Fun!

Thanks for the visit and special thanks for your comments.

Enjoy!

Card Recipe

Stamps: Crazy about You (SU) 

Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore), Solar White (Neena 110 lb.), Vellum

Other:  Mini Joyful Sunflower (Carmen Medlin TCW), Brushos, Sending Die (SSS), Candy Dots (retired SU)

Art Recipe

Stamps: Script Sentiments (Inky Antics)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Mixed Media