29 Again?!?

Hehehe you know how that one goes, right?

Somehow the expression on this woman's face needed a sentiment like that to go with it! She is from The Queen (4591)  set and the sentiment is from 29 Again (4372)

The current challenge on the  Art Impressions blog is for gingham, which inspired my choice of papers to go with the more vintage style illustration. It all fitted together for me, retro in every way.

On the inside I added a sentiment from yet another Art Impressions set - Spring Chicken (AiCS40) which I stamped on white paper allowing for easy writing of a message. Using the Notebook Edge Die from Your Next Stamp to trim the top of the paper created an informal look.

The card idea came from a video by Maymay on YouTube HERE

Come and join us for gingham fun over at the AiChallenges!

Tweet Wishes!

I cannot believe it's been 2 months since I last posted. Not that I have been idle...just have not gotten round to posting! Yikes!

But here goes...Tweet Wishes for a friend.
I'm entering my card for the Art Impressions Challenge 259 'Shaker Cards'

Edited to add: So happy to have won Top Spot with this card! Thank you AI!

Laying flat with the shaker bits all over... The shaker contains sequence as well as music note and bird punchies.

And standing up to show the view through the cut out window shaker to the inside of the card. 

I used an embossing folder to create the woodgrain texture which I then stained with Tea Dye Distress Ink to accentuate the raised areas. The stamped images are from the Art Impressions Floral Birdhouse Popcard .4946 set,which also contains the sentiment and butterfly stamps. It is adorable!

I added a few white die cut sprigs to complete the picture and sprinkled more colourful sequence all around.

And inside : I used a blue card base which I blended with Distress Inks (Broken China and Salty Ocean) and spritzed with water for a more interesting look.

I'm entering this card for the Art Impressions 'Shaker Cards' Challenge 259

I used Art Impressions Floral Birdhouse Popcard 4946 for my card

Come and join us...there's a few days left still!

Sweet Happy Birthday

I have been so busy making stuff and doing all kinds of interesting things that I have not gotten round to posting at all. That is not good....

But today, finally an update from me, and that because I wanted to enter my card into the Cutting Edge Challenge over at Art Impressions. It is no secret that I really like AI stamps and that I enjoy taking part in their challenges!

For my easel card I used the 'Tea Party Popcard' set  and I used the coordinating dies to do a partial cut over the fold of the easel. It was super easy to do.

I love all the dimension on the card! I cut out all the elements with the dies, while carefully avoiding the parts that cut the slits for the pop up mechanism. Again, that was super easy to do. I added thin foam tape and double foam tape layers to get the elements to stand away from each other nicely.

As a final touch I added the little butterfly with a piece of clear plastic so it can hover near the tulips.

I'm submitting this card for the 'Cutting Edge Challenge' over at the Art Impressions blog.

Edited to add : I'm delighted to have won an 'Honourable Mention' with this card! <doing a happy dance> LOL

Here is the stamp and die set I used -Tea Party Popcard #4942 - I'm looking forward to using the pop-up die with this set....the order is on it's way!

The 'Happy Birthday' sentiment is from the 'Reel Great Guys' set  and the 'Special Treat' sentiment is from the Cupcake BFFs set

Chickens Chickens Everywhere!

This was one of those : 'I have to have this!' sets - Art Impressions' 'Spring Chicken' set. I mean really...

And since I needed a birthday card....

These 2 images were perfect for a friend who always found chickens so hilariously quirky...

I opted for some really quick water colouring since I used regular cardstock I had to be careful, but it worked out. I did add some glossy product - an older one made by Plaid- to the balloon to give it shine a little bit of dimension.

For another friend I sent this card as I was looking forward to catching up with her over a cuppa. We don't see so much of each other since they moved out of town and I knew this would bring a smile to her face.

I gave this very cool chick some of the same clear gloss finish on her glasses...just because she's so cool

I Love You

Adorable skunks...what better way to say : 'I Love You' They are so cute and I think the black and white colours allow for really striking graphic images. And of course it pairs beautifully with bright red!

I started with a rather plain front cover...giving no indication of what may be inside...

and upon opening it - a panoramic center! It was a dull day so I turned on the flash for this picture. The other pictures suffered from poor lighting.
So adorable with the little one behind the word 'love' floating away hanging on to a balloon. I did consider adding clouds to the background, but in the end opted for a simple, uncomplicated surface seeing as there was already so much happening.
The large 'love' word was cut using a Silhouette cutter and the rest of the letters I hand cut after using an alpha stencil to trace the letters. Old school scrapbooking style!
The colouring is all coloured pencil.

I mean...just look at this face?!?! Cute just doesn't say it.

And just like that...I'm ready for Valentines...now I can concentrate on getting Christmas stuff done...

I'm submitting my loving skunks to the 'Everything Goes' Challenge over at the Art Impression blog. Come on over and join in! Edited to add : I'm delighted to have won 'Honorable Mention' with this card. Time for a happy dance!

The stamp set I used is called 'Love is in the Air' by Art Impressions

Happy Anniversary

It's that time of year again - and it's been a good many years...

Since I needed an anniversary card and I wanted to take part in the Art Impressions 'Circle Element Challenge...I put the old thinking cap on...and decided to make a 'Seven Single' (vinyl record) the size of a CD.

I cut 2 CD sized circles from black card stock and one slightly smaller one from white card. After stamping everything and colouring the image (all from Perfect Duet - see below) with water soluble crayons, I joined the black circles at the top using a hinge cut from black card and then adhered the white circle over top of the hinge to cover it.

On the front of the card I drew light circles with graphite, using a compass, to create the impression of the grooves in vinyl records. I attached a heart shaped label with the 'song title' stamped on. A bit of ink blending around the edges finished the label off nicely.

And the open card.

Finally I used a CD sleeve as an envelope for my card!

Come play along with the Art Impressions Element Challenge

The Stamp Set I used is Perfect Duet (4999)

Relax and Chill - It's your birthday!

Aaaah this little dog image is just the 'coolest' I cannot help but chuckle when I look at it.

It is simply brilliant!

I found it in Art Impressions' 'Reel Great Guys' Set (4900)

I needed a summery birthday card for a male relative and decided this dog is perfect for it. I coloured him with watercolour pencils (by Derwent) and added Liquid Embossing (by Plaid) over the entire tube to make it shiny and slightly dimensional.

The dog really needed to have a relaxing time, so I decided he might like to be floating down a little river or canal...just enjoying the ride while chilling on the tube. To get enough water for him to float on I made my card 8.5" x 4"

I cut a slit using the Silhouette Cameo and proceeded to colour the water, muddy bank and grassy edge using Distress Oxide Inks. These inks allowed me to lift colour for waves and spots for bubbles and splashes. I enhanced those with a white gel pen. I also added a bit of coloured pencil details to the bank.

The sentiment is from the 'Lake House Tryfolds' set. I stamped it onto tan cardstock, embossed it and then added a little brown ink to bring out the woodgrain from the embossing. Cutting a slit into the card front allowed me to slip the stick through to the back and 'plant' the sign in the stream.

I trust the recipient will have no doubt as to how I expect him to spend his summer birthday!

I think I should make one of these as a decoration on the wall...I know I will get a chuckle from it every time I walk past...

I'm entering my card for the Art Impressions 'Summer Vibes' Challenge

Edited to add : the card won an Honorable Mention. How fun is that?!? Thank you!

Real Great Guys

Friends Who Laugh....Last!

Too true... and sometimes all you need is a simple little card to celebrate such a friendship. I used water colours to add colour to the card base and added splatters for good measure. Playing with water colour is so much fun! I also have these little bits of patterned paper left that are too small for a card front, but it was perfect for a pop of colour on the card front. A die cut piece of lace adds a little bit of texture and the sentiment strip gives my laughing friends something solid to stand on. A few sequins added the final touch of fun.

The stamps are from the ArtImpressions 'Girlfriends' collection. The image (that never fails to bring a smile to my face) is from the set  'Laughing'  and the sentiment is from 'Comfy on the Couch'

I'm entering this card for the ArtImpressions - One Layer Ladies challenge. There's just a couple days left to enter, so come on over and join us!

'Laughing' 

'Comfy on the Couch'

What is a Home Without a Cat?

This was a fun one to make. I don't know many people who can stick to getting just one cat. But I guess it is worth a try, right? After all they do add that special touch to make a house a home. And I am not referring to the fur!

This card is for folks who finally got a cat after moving into a new home. Question is - how long will there be just one cat. That is what I want to know...

I tried to imitate the lettering used on the stamp, so it looks somewhat similar, and for the front of the card I trimmed a single cat image from one of the larger stamps.

And inside...a more realistic expectation. The 'current' cat is a ginger and has top spot on the head. For now anyway. I think the recipients will get the idea.

I stamped the cat prints on the edge of the envelope for a fun touch.

This is the set I used. I got mine at my local Michaels store, but also found it on Amazon.

I'm submitting this one to the Art Impressions 'House & Home' challenge. Do take a look at the challenge and play along. Ai has some great new images in the store!

Santa Trouble

I think Santa has a problem...that sack is way too heavy, the chimney rather tight...and now it is snowing like crazy too. I hope Rudolph will come his rescue quickly...

This tag turned out to be a lot of fun to make! Now I just need to decide who will get it on their package this year.

I used the Gordon Golfer image from Art Impressions

My tag is for the AI Challenge # 173 - Rudolph Red and Evergreen
Edited to add : I'm doing the very happy dance! Santa Gordon won Top Spot in the challenge! Thank you AI folks!