Inky Antics stamp set for Sunshine Mail

I was on the fabulous Design Team at the Sunshine Mail Foundation for almost two years, so I was especially pleased to be the winner of the Inky Antics giveaway benefiting Sunshine Mail. I won one of their adorable Balloon Buddies HoneyPOP Clear Stamp Set by artist Tammy DeYoung, as well as two packs of rainbow honeycomb paper! 

Because this design is all about the pop-up inside, I kept the front simple. I stamped the sentiment (which are separate stamps for each phrase) onto the large balloon stamp. I drew the ropes myself, and added a 3D bow from American Crafts.

For the inside, I stamped the image directly onto the base card and colored it with Copic markers. The honeycomb paper was easy to cut, with help from the template stamp in this fun Inky Antics stamp set. The trick with the honeycomb pop-up is to score the base card with a slight spine; I just followed the directions on the package, not what I usually do! I added some strips of the same DP I used for the front.

Inspiration/Challenges:
Aud Sentiments Challenge #112: Thinking of You type sentiment
Craft for the Craic August Challenge: Craft Item You Have Never Used Before (Honeycomb paper)
Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes
WordArt Wednesdays: Anything Uplifting goes

The current challenge at the Sunshine Mail Foundation is "Anything Goes" & the only real rule is that you send in at least one card (it doesn't have to be the card you enter in the challenge; Donation guidelines here). My mom and I just sent in over 30 cards, and I thank Inky Antics for this lovely gift that I'll use for more Sunshine Mail.
Thank you for visiting,

Anything Goes with the Sunshine Mail Foundation

The new challenge at the Sunshine Mail Foundation is "Anything Goes" & the only real rule is that you send in at least one card (it doesn't have to be the card you enter in the challenge; Donation guidelines here).

This was a bittersweet project for me, as it's my last as a member of the Sunshine Mail Design Team. It seems like just yesterday that I posted my first project, but it was actually June 2012. All of my Card Cupids/Sunshine Mail projects are archived here. Many thanks to the organization for all its good works! Glad I'll still be able to join your challenges.

I used the Lulu set by our sponsor StampArt Design by Kathryne.

I kept it relatively simple. The grass paper is from my stash, and the green mesh is recycled from a bag of avocados!

Shabby Tea Room #205

Inspiration/Challenges:
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards #58: One Button, One Bow, One Flower
Digi Sketch Challenge: Use the Color Green (T)
Shabby Tea Room: Sketch

Thank you for visiting, and hope you'll join us at Sunshine Mail,

Anything with a Heart at Sunshine Mail

click images to enlarge

Our current challenge theme at the Sunshine Mail Foundation is "Anything with a Heart" & the only real rule is that you send in at least one card (it doesn't have to be the card you enter in the challenge; Donation guidelines here). This challenge is sponsored by Stitchy Bear's Digi Outlet, so I used the Baby Bug Set by BB Kakes.

If you want to try your own Card in a Box, there's a great written tutorial at Splitcoaststampers, and a video tutorial by Stampin T! for a smaller version. I trimmed my card down to 5.5 inches tall, to fit in an American/A2 envelope; you can find my measurements here on my blog.

Here's the card all closed up:

And then it pops up into a box:

I colored the sweet fairy with Copics, printing her wings on vellum. The other images were printed on a pink paper and colored with Tekwriter gel pens and Smooch enamel.

The sentiment is by When the Scrap Hits the Fun. The heart-patterned papers are from a K&Company set that I've had for years. Love the vintage touches.


Inspiration/Challenges:
The Crazy Challenge: Fairytale (I've studied the DT samples & I think this applies as a "fairy tale")
Deep Ocean Challenge #70: Fantasy
Hanna & Friends: Hearts + cute/stamped/person/animal
Scrapbooker PhD: Hearts (use red and pink)

Thank you for visiting, and hope you'll join us at Sunshine Mail,

Anything Goes Sunshine Mail + Valentine's Twist

It's time for a new Sunshine Mail Foundation Challenge (January 15 - February 1). Our theme is "Anything Goes with a twist for Valentines Day" and the only real rule is that you send in at least one card (it doesn't have to be the card you enter in the challenge; Donation guidelines here).    

This challenge is sponsored by Meljen's Designs, so I used her Sweet Little Foxy digi stamp:

I paper-pieced the fox onto a shiny bronze paper, using a white cardstock and a Colorbök patterned orange paper. I added details with Copics and bright orange Liquid Pearls.

I used Core'Dinations cardstock and my Silhouette to cut the Fold & Tuck Flowers by Alaa' K, available at the Silhouette store. 

The sentiment is from an Inky Antics set, and is heat-embossed in shiny green on a raffia-type paper. I also used an orange burlap ribbon and a fun ladybug-themed lace from my stash. The backing paper is from Graphic 45.

I made the heart border in Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL), cut it on my Silhouette from an orange cardstock, and added fluorescent orange embossing powder with a Versamark pen. I also made a versoin with smaller hearts, that I used inside:

Mema's Challenge

Inspiration/Challenges:
Card A Day Blog: Valentines
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge: Anything goes using PP as a backing / 2nd entry
Mema's Challenge: January BINGO* (second column: Embossing, Dies, Flowers) / 2nd entry
Rogue Redhead Designs #31: Paper Piecing

Update: This was the prize winner for Rogue Redhead Designs #31. Thank you!

Thank you for visiting, and hope you'll join us at Sunshine Mail,

Anything Goes at Sunshine Mail

Happy December! It's time for a new Sunshine Mail Foundation Challenge. Our theme is "Anything Goes" and the only real rule is that you send in at least one card (it doesn't have to be the card you enter in the challenge; Donation guidelines here).

Our sponsor is Deasy Designs, so I used one of their freebies:

 It's on an Action Wobble:

Inspiration/Challenges:
Action Wobble Challenge: CAS card
Crafty Ribbons #72: Anything Goes with Ribbon
Creative Card Crew: Sweet Treats
Digi Sketch Challenge: Paper Piecing (2nd entry)
Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays): Anything Goes (2nd entry)

Thank you for visiting,and hope you'll join the Sunshine Mail Challenge,

Shine On! -- Anything Goes at Sunshine Mail

It's time for a new Sunshine Mail Foundation Challenge (November 15 - December 1). Our theme is "Anything Goes" and the only real rule is that you send in at least one card (it doesn't have to be the card you enter in the challenge; Donation guidelines here).   

We're also having a big giveaway to collect lots of cards for a bunch of request special requests. We all make so many cards, we can definitely send in one or two to give a child a smile! You can enter the giveaway here.

Our sponsors are Di's Digi Downloads and Big Heads Stamps, two really fun digi stamp companies, and I used Renoir by Big Heads:

The outer frame is modified from the Frame 2 cutting file that came free with my Silhouette software. I used baker's twine to sew the border onto the frame.

I digitally placed the polka dot background (digi paper by Mel Stampz) into the image, but I also fussy-cut the image out, for a bit of dimension. The umbrellas are printed on a shiny white paper, same as the outer frame. I colored the image with Copics, and heat-embossed the sentiment (Verve Stamps) in gold. The cloud is popped up with foam tape.

Inspiration/Challenges:
Crazy 4 Challenges: Let's frame it
Ooh La La Creations: Stitching
The Paper Girls: Cut it out! (Die or Fussy Cutting - This has both)

Thank you for visiting,and hope you'll join the Sunshine Mail Challenge,

Circus Fun with Sunshine Mail

Happy November! It's time for a new Sunshine Mail Foundation Challenge (November 1-15). Our theme is "Anything Goes" and the only real rule is that you send in at least one card (it doesn't have to be the card you enter in the challenge; Donation guidelines here).   

Our sponsor is StitchyBear's Digi Outlet, and I'm on the Stitchy Bear DT (OSAAT) so it was especially fun for me to use one of their creator's images. I used Fun in the Jungle by Lil Diva Stamps:

I cut the Circus Tent shapes on my Cricut using the Paper Dolls Cricut cartridge. It's cut three times at 4.25 inches, on black and white shiny papers and a polka-dotted cardstock.

I paper pieced the image with some DPs from my stash. This is a great use of small scraps. I added some details and color with Copics and a white Sakura glaze pen. The base image is cut-out with deckle scissors and edged in black.

The sentiment is actually a leftover from another project... I stamped the sentiment in Memnto brown on a scrap of DP andcut it down to a banner. I adhered it with this Seal brad. Mom sent me a bag of them, they are just too cute! I traced the lines on the brad with a black PITT artist pen.

For the base card, I just folded a piece of cardstock in half, traced the tent shape, and hand-cut it.

Inspiration/Challenges:
Digi Makeover Challenge: Use your Scraps
House That Stamps Built: Paper Piecing (October 23 Theme challenge)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Stampin' Royalty: Anything Goes

Thank you for visiting, and hope you'll join us at Sunshine Mail,

Let it Rain! - For the Girls challenge at Sunshine Mail

It's time for a new Sunshine Mail Foundation Challenge (October 15 - November 1). Our theme is "For The Girls" and the only real rule is that you send in at least one card (it doesn't have to be the card you enter in the challenge; Donation guidelines here).

We're sponsored by My Heart Pieces, and used her oh-so-sweet digi stamp My Name is Happy:

click to enlarge

I printed the image and cut it out with a Spellbinders die in my BigShot. I also cut a light blue piece. The image is colored with Copic markers, and I added some details with Sakura glitter & gel pens. The clouds were cut with an IO die from blue paper covered with chevron-patterned Washi tape.

The sentiment is by Paper Makeup Stamps; I won it some time ago, and I thought it worked so well with this image. I printed into onto a plain white cardstock, mounted it on a teal cardstock, and embossed it with the Charles Cuttlebug folder.

I used double-sided tape to adhere the pretty printed ribbon onto a piece of shiny white cardstock that I edged with deckle scissors and a fluorescent blue Copic.

I made this on a very rainy day; we didn't have much rain this summer, but so far, it looks like Autumn will be making up for that. I sort of like the rain, but I wish we could have a little sunshine at least once a day!

Inspiration/Challenges:
A Die for a Sketch: Sketch + Dies
Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Ribbon
Craft Your Passion: Embossing
MarkerPOP Challenge: Anything Goes with markers
Songbird: Blue Hawaii - Use Lots Of Blue

Update: This won a "Top Tweet" mention at Songbird Challenges, as well as the prize for A Die for a Sketch #17!

Thank you for visiting, and hope you'll share some smiles with the Sunshine Mail Foundation,

Fall-time at Sunshine Mail

Happy October! It's time for a new Sunshine Mail Foundation Challenge (October 1-15). Our theme is "Fall" and the only real rule is that you send in at least one card (it doesn't have to be the card you enter in the challenge; Donation guidelines here).  

The window, shutter and windowbox dies are from Memory Box's Small Madison Window set, and are cut from a yellow Core'Dinations cardstock. The background is made from a cream-colored cardstock that I embossed with a Tim Holtz folder and inked with his Red Brick distress ink.

The leaves on the left were cut on my Bigshot with TH's Fall Garland die. The gold ones were cut from paper covered with Rolo foil, and the orange ones from a Core'Dinations cardstock. The tiny green leaves are from a plastic garland. The leaf trims are from May Arts.

click to enlarge

The FBD digi stamp was colored with Copics, and pieced in three layers. Those acorns are so stinkin' cute! The sentiment piece on the inside is made from Doodle Pantry's Autumn Star digi set.


2 Sisters: Anything Goes
Craftitude #49: Anything Goes/Harvest
Drunken Stampers: Die Cuts
Simply Create Too #47: Fall / Autumn
Sugar Creek Hollow #70: Fall is in the Air

Thank you for visiting,

Furry Friends at Sunshine

It's time for a new Sunshine Mail Foundation Challenge (September 15 - October 1). Our theme is "Furry Friends" and the only real rule is that you send in at least one card (it doesn't have to be the card you enter in the challenge; Donation guidelines here).

We're sponsored by Whimsy Stamps, so I used their adorable Pet Friends digi stamp:

Each animal has its own, fun expression, and it was a lot of fun to color with my Copics. I fussy-cut it put it on a white die-cute that I embossed/cut with my BigShot. The left-hand corners (inspired by the fun sketch at CLP) are punched/embossed with a Fiskars punch. The dog-bone brads are actually in two tones of red, which is difficult to see in this photo.

The sentiment is by TLC Creations (thank you, Paulette!), and the double-sided paper and dog-print ribbon are from my stash.

Inspiration/Challenges:
Card Makin' Mamas: For The Kids (2nd entry)
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards: Anything Goes (2nd entry)
Crafting Life's Pieces: CLP Sketch #62
Created With Love #57: Tic-Tac-Toe (First Column: Embossing, Ribbon, Brads)
Simon Says Stamp: Embossing
Sisterhood of Crafters: use a digi (2nd entry)

Thank you for visiting, and hope you'll join us at Sunshine Mail,

Tea time! Bugs & Critters at Sunshine Mail

Happy September! It's time for a new Sunshine Mail Foundation Challenge (September 1-15). Our theme is "Bugs & Critters" and the only real rule is that you send in at least one card (it doesn't have to be the card you enter in the challenge; Donation guidelines here).  

We are sponsored by Wings and Willows, so I used their Sleep Tight digi stamp:

I just adore this DP by Jillibean Soup; I wish had more from this collection. I've been slowly using this lovely 12x12 sheet. I used some of the scrap to make the flower.

Keeping with the Tea theme, I decided to try my hand at the Teabag-Folding Technique. I used the Kite Fold Flower Tutorial at Sandy's Space.

The Bowl of Sugar and Spoon on the sentiment banner are Starform outline stickers. I cut the piece with an amuse studio die, stamped a sentiment in brown Memento ink, and added a border with a Gold Leaf pen.

Sketch N Stash

The Shabby Tea Room

Inspiration/Challenges:
A.R.T. Card Challenge #12: Ribbons and Pearls
4 Crafty Chicks: Squares (the card is square-shaped, and the flower is made of 1-inch squares)
Inky Impressions #123: Animals
Paper Crafting Journey: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes (2nd entry)
Sketch N Stash: Sketch #120
The Shabby Tea Room: Color/Photo Inspiration + Flowers + Tea theme


Thank you for visiting,and hope you'll join us this fortnight at Sunshine Mail,

Sunshine Mail Special Request + OSAAT Anything Goes

We're always accepting Happy Mail cards at Sunshine Mail, but we also take special requests. For example, 4-year-old Waylon is celebrating his birthday on September 15, so we're asking folks to send him a card to make it extra-special. You can send him a card at (please send it by Sept. 6):

• Sunshine Mail Foundation / 2465 Centreville Road #J17-767 / Herndon, VA 20171

I made a card featuring Cool Buds by BBKakes, one of the talented designers at StitchyBear's Digi Outlet (SBDO). This week at One Stitch at a Time (OSAAT), the theme is Anything Goes with a SBDO image, and the DT has donated some wonderful prizes, so you'll definitely want to join in!

The current Sunshine Mail Challenge theme is Anything Goes + Card Donation, so why not grab your favorite SBDO digi, make a card for Waylon or any Card Cutie, and enter both challenges‽ Hurry, the deadline is Saturday, August 31!

I just adore coloring this image with my Copics (you might remember my cityscape version), and this time I tried my hand at "ombré coloring" on the hair & doggie.

The DP is from SMIRK, and I added some faux stitching with a Pitt Artist Pen on both background circles. The circles & base card were cut on my Cricut using their Camping Critters cartridge. The white matte die cut is from my stash, and I embossed it in my BigShot with a Cuttlebug folder.  Everything is edged with a blue Copic (B02).

Although you can't see it in the photo, his jacket is covered with Crackle Accents. Also, the lenses of the sunglasses are colored with a glitter pen.

Inspiration/Challenges:
Creative Craft Challenges #17: Not A Square
Fetch-a-Sketch: Sketch #57
Little Red Wagon #200: Polka Dots
Sentimental Sundays #169: Ombré Hair + Sentiment
Shopping Our Stash #116: For The Boys

Update: This was the random prize winner for Sentimental Sundays #169. Thank you!

Thank you for visiting, and hope you'll join us at Sunshine Mail and One Stitch at a Time!