The Colors of Fall

 I have had a set of Spellbinders Shapeabilities Fall Foliage dies for EVER and use them only rarely because I do not like how solidly monochromatic they look when cut from card stock.   I pulled them out while looking for something to use with my Crackling Campfire Distress Oxide and duh! why did I not think of inking them before?????  I had the most fun getting inky and experimenting with a little of this color and a smidge of that with no clear idea what I was going to do with the finished leaves.  

Then I noticed the scrap paper I had been using under the maple leaves and loved, loved, loved how CCDO looked when layered over randomly placed leaves.   So, I did this - intentionally!

You cannot mess this up!   It looks amazing every time. (Well, I think so!)  I cut the background paper up and found a new-to-me card technique (from Splitcoast Stampers) called a spanner card.  (Pinterest tried to insist that I meant 'spinner card' but it really is called a spanner card!)   So easy to do and lots of hidden areas to decorate. 

 And, since it stands up like a regular card, there's no need for the complicated instructions I have to include with easel and bend cards.  So many ideas...   Please stay safe!  : ) Christine

Falling Leaves

 I keep seeing posts about "crisp Autumn days" and my goodness, I am absolutely longing for those days to arrive here in the PNW!   Last week we had unprecedented heat, high winds and now, a thick blanket of smoke.  There's no danger here, but we have family and friends ready to leave if necessary and head north.

I pulled out my Autumn collection of stamps and found the Tim Holtz 'Falling Leaves' set I bought last year.  Aha!  However, by the time I smooshed, and blended and brushed oxide backgrounds and stamped the skeleton leaves, they did not look in the least "crisp" but I liked them anyway!  

My very first slimline card and I love how much room there is to fill!  I stamped and fussy cut 21 leaves and no two are alike. : ) 

                                         

Innies: -

Stitched squares  -  Elizabeth Craft Matting Squares

Sentiment stamps - Sunny Studio

Slimline card mat - Sunny Studio

So much fun and a complete distraction from whatever 2020 keeps throwing at us!  Stay safe  : ) Christine

Summer Card

When it's time to send cards and your mojo is focused on last year's Project Life then it's Dreaming Tree to the rescue!   This is the Summer card from their Seasons All Occasions Cards.

Note to self : minus the yellow layer because if one is using gold mirror board, flaunt it!

Not a bad message for this trying year!      : )  Christine

Front Panel Step Box Card!

So, I pinned this card forever ago with the idea that I would try it for my sister's birthday.  I like the way it stands up straight and has lots of areas to showcase beautiful paper.  It was fun to make and I enjoyed reading the directions which took me right back to my childhood in England.  I had forgotten that the verb 'stick' translates to 'glue' as in, "Stick the designer paper to the card base."  : )


Here's the card:

I used Graphic 45 paper, Cheerful Daisies stamps from Sunny Studio, and a Tim Holtz die for the sentiment.

And the back -

Love that Graphic 45!       This is my practice card -

made from a Hobby Lobby paper pad.  I like this one too even if it was just to figure out how the construction works.

Note to self  -  remember to keep the embellishments within the confines of the 4.25x 5.5 card base.  I'm thinking of a haunted house on the front panel with ghosts popping up behind, and a full moon and bats on the back panel.   Spooky!     Happy, happy birthday Janty!   Miss you, stay safe, hope to see you soon and then we can PARTY!       : )

Still Masking!

The challenge over at BBTB2 is Cute Critters and since we plucked up courage to leave the safety of our home and go camping, I am very late in posting my entry.   We did enjoy being in our little RV, and seeing friends for the first time in forever, but gathering around a campfire in the evening, all wearing masks and socially distanced just wasn't the same!    The dogs, of course, had no problem circulating and accepting treats or cuddles from everyone.  : )  

Beaver and Squirrel -  Create a Critter
Speech bubble - #M46AC7
Face Mask - #M16706579  and I did a little work with the contour button to make a solid mask.
Distress Oxides - Speckled Egg, Faded Jeans, Shabby Shutters and Forest Moss.
Grass stamp - Sunny Studio


Inside:-

Font is Alphabet Soup


One more critter on the back:-

Mouse - Create a Critter
Mask - #M16706579           

Soooo cute!  After my initial foray into mask making, we bought a box of 50 disposables from a local store.  Whoever could imagine that I would go through that box and have to replace it?   I miss your face!       
Hop on over to Bitten By The Bug and check out the other wonderful entries.   Stay safe!   : )   Christine

An Incire Anniversary Card

My DD's 10th wedding anniversary is coming up at the end of this month and I searched in vain through Pinterest, Design Space Projects, and all my favorite SVG stores.   Nah!  Nothing inspired me.  Does that happen to you?   The solution for me, is to stop thinking - DH would say 'overthinking' - and go work on the card that is bubbling away in the back of my mind.  What I wanted to do was make another incire card.  I pulled up the Lori Whitlock file and there was my solution!

First, I used the contour button to eliminate the center cuts and folds.  Then, after the card was cut, I inked the inside with Candied Apple and Worn Lipstick.  I used the same Distress Oxides to ink the insert which I also cut in white card stock.  

How cool is that?   Oh the possibilities!


The inside: - 

Next time I'll be more careful with the inking.  And, I did straighten out the bent corner.    Wonder what it would look like with white patterned paper?   Hmmm.    : )  Christine      Stay safe.

Stars!

My June Hero Arts kit arrived and I promised myself an entire week of 'playing' without a specific project in mind.  Inky, messy, escapist fun!
 
 So, yesterday, I was playing catch-up with my subscribed videos and became intrigued with Jennifer McGuire's Frame Die cutting technique.  Naturally, I do not have a one single set of dies that nests together so snugly amongst all the sets I have collected over the years. : (   However, I DO have a Cricut and a star challenge over at BBTB2 and maybe, a head start on next week's encouragement cards.

Stars - Rock Princess
Telescope - Outer Space Wall Decals
Cuttlebug Stars embossing folder

Inside: -

Banner - CTMH  Artist
Sentiment stamp - Simon Says Stamp

Yes!  A simple card that doesn't say "Hello" or "I Miss You" or "Stay Safe."  Win, win, win!

Here's what I was playing with all week:-

Distress inks, Oxides, alcohol markers, water based markers, pencils...  and this is my favorite -

Take a look at the Stars challenge here and be prepared for some inspiration!   Stay healthy.  : ) Christine