Double D Challenge: Fall Colors

Hi everyone!  Fall Colors is our theme for the Double D challenge today.  Have a look at our inspiration board below.  Don't you just love all that scenic gorgeousness? 

A maple leaves mini-stencil is our prize for a random winner.  Creative winners are by team vote.

I hope it's not too late in the fall for a sunflower card.  I had a Cottage Cutz die I wanted to be sure and use this year, but mostly it's the Brutus Monroe Autumn Tapestries patterned paper I'm in love with, sigh.  So rich against the black.  Too bad its season is so short, but fortunately there are a few floral pieces in the collection that will work for any season.

It wasn't a good picture day and I'm having some trouble with my camera... or my eyes... something.  Behind the die cut image I used vanilla CS which I embossed with SU's retired Subtle embossing folder.  The sprinkles were punched from the patterned paper and coated with glossy glaze.  Just a little autumn fun for a November birthday.

There are all kinds of fall colors to see on the Double D blog, so come check out the team's cards and then help fill the gallery with your beautiful fall color choices.  I'll be looking forward to seeing you there!

Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Oldie Stampin' Up sentiment  Paper:  Cougar Vanilla and SU Really Rust for mat, Neenah 110 lb white for die cut image, Brutus Monroe Autumn Tapestries designer paper  Ink:  Various Stampin Up for coloring, Memento Tuxedo Black for sentiment  Coloring:  Ink blending with brushes  Other:  Cottage Cutz Fall Barrel, Poppystamps Stitched Main Street Tags, SU Subtle 3D embossing folder, linen thread, Cinnamon Stickles, JudiKins Diamond Glaze, 1/4" & 1/8" hole punches

Pure Sunshine

Hello there!  I'm glad you could drop in.  As I write this I'm about to put my feet up for a while before dinner, but first wanted to get this post scheduled -- two cards for four challenges.  Honestly, I really wanted to color something and you know how I love my Penny Black stamps.  This Pure Sunshine stamp is large and in charge, but it has a somewhat playful nature and that's what I love about it.

I put it in my MISTI along with two A2 watercolor cardstock panels side by side, then stamped right over top of the joint, half on one panel, half on the other.  I watercolored each with my oldie Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Earth Elements.

I also lightly stenciled the background of each, brushed on just a little bit of ink for barely there shading, and stamped with a retired SU splatter stamp -- Itty Bitty Backgrounds.  I'm sending the first card to The Flower Challenge where they're asking to see the word "thanks".  I wasn't sure how literal I needed to be, but I played it safe and chose a sentiment with the actual word.

The next card is going to the other three challenges which I've listed below.  I had each of them specifically in mind as I made my design choices.

 

The Flower Challenge #108 -- Thanks

Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Anything Goes or Optional Music
Triple B -- Birds, Blooms, and/or Butterflies

Stencil Fun Challenge -- Anything Goes or Use Gold

 

  

Can we agree that Triple B always has the most gorgeous inspiration boards?

Well, this was fun!  Supplies are listed below.  I generally list everything, even if it's no longer on the market because I'm sure we all have a mish mash of supplies in our collections.

Off to the couch for a bit!  I'm sure I'll be joined by something soft and lovable, either white or red... you know what I'm talking about.  Take care and have a beautiful day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Pure Sunshine, retired Power Poppy and Impression Obsession sentiments, retired Stampin' Up Itty Bitty Backgrounds splatter stamp  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Cougar Natural card base  Ink:  Ranger Archival Watering Can for outline, SU Chocolate Chip for sentiment, Close to Cocoa for splatter stamp, Ranger Adirondack Sandal (old stash) for stenciling  Coloring:  SU Earth Elements Watercolor Wonder Crayons (retired)  Other:  5" Stencil from a large set found on Amazon

Taking a Moment

Pausing mid-play in the back yard to appreciate my favorite fall colors... of the furry variety.

💗

Outside my kitchen patio door is the promise of a beautiful day.

Sometimes I just have to take a moment.

Wishing you a beautiful and joy-filled day.

Double D Challenge: Fall Wreath

Hi friends!  Do you love a fall wreath?  I sure do, and that's our challenge beginning today at Double D!

Have a look at the beautiful inspiration board and a prize for a random winner:

The team has the difficult job of choosing creative winners.  You'll find more information on the Double D Challenge blog.

For today's card I cut a Tim Holtz Sizzix Funky Wreaths and decorated it with parts from the Cottage Cutz Fall Centerpiece.  I pulled a made-ahead embossed card base from my drawer o' card bases, added a strip of designer paper from The Vast Hoard, and an ancient Whipper Snapper sentiment.  Good to go!

All the coloring is ink blending with brushes, and I added Cinnamon Stickles to the flower centers.

I'm keeping it brief today as I'm running along to the next project.  Busy, busy!

I hope you'll find time to play along with us at Double D.  The team has some beauties to share with you, and I would love to see a gallery filled with fall wreaths!

Take care, and have a happy day!

Autumn Curio Tray

Hello, friends!  I didn't craft as much as I'd hoped this week, but I did make a card for my friend's October birthday.  I love fall cards and so I'm taking this opportunity to combine the two occasions.  Aside from that, I have two not-yet-used Tim Holtz die sets which have been lingering in the basket far too long:  Artsy Leaves and Papercut Cafe.  I figured I could combine the two.

The card base with Memory box Vintage Tray was in my collection of pre-prepped card bases which I  make up ahead and keep on hand.  Once in a while I actually use one of them.  In this case I decided I wanted to add another frame layer so I went to my die collection, frame category, and... it wasn't there.

I searched far and wide with no luck.

I freaked out a little.

After a worry-filled interlude I remembered it's an embossing folder/die combo and it's filed with the embossing folders.  I must be slipping.  I know you've had similar experiences, right?

Once I found it I was able to cut an extra frame and emboss in gold, and then get down to the business of filling my vintage/curio tray.  It started out simple and got curiouser and curiouser.  My friend likes glitter so I slathered on some Diamond Stickles.  It looks messy and grainy in the photo, but is very pretty in real life.

Since I combined apparently neglected stuff with never before used stuff I'll be sharing in the following two challenges: 

Neglected Stuff, October -- My neglected stuff is the Memory Box Vintage Tray.
NBUS Challenge #79 -- My never before used schtuffs are the Tim Holtz Sizzix Artsy Leaves and Papercut Cafe dies

 

I hope to see you again soon.  Thanks so much for stopping in to visit!

Dies:  Tim Holt Sizzix Artsy Leaves, Papercut Cafe, Holiday Greens Mini, Memory Box Vintage Tray 3D Embossing Folder and Die, Creative Expressions For You sentiment, Heartfelt Creations Delicate Asters, misc. stars that popped out of some die (?) saved in my magic jar
Other:  Ranger Princess Gold embossing powder, Stickles Diamond glitter glue

Pumpkins and Sunflowers

Hi and welcome to a new week!  It's been a busy time at my house with new furniture followed by new carpet in the living room and, let me tell you, it's a lot for Rich and me to deal with.  We had a little help moving furniture (why is it all so heavy these days?), but we did a lot of it on our own, too.  Finally, we're a little more settled and I can get back to regular crafting!

I have fall supplies on my table and I've been playing with them as time allows.  Today I brought out a previously enjoyed Cottage Cutz Fall Centerpiece set and a not-yet-used Spellbinders Pumpkin Patch 3D embossing folder from an earlier warehouse sale.

I colored all with inks and brushes and put them together on a sanded card base with textured white backing up the centerpiece.  Older sentiments from my stash.  Cinnamon Stickles on the sunflower centers.

I'll be sharing here:

Darnell's NBUS (never before used schtuff) Challenge #79 with my NBUS Pumpkin Patch embossing folder.
Darlene and Diane's Four Seasons Challenge -- October, with a beautiful inspiration board.

 

I hope to be back here soon and I'll look forward to seeing you.  Take care!

Mushrooms for Autumn

Hello everyone!  I'm happy to share my first fall card of the (almost) season.  We still have a few days of summer left so I'm not letting it go yet, but I do love fall cards.

I've had this Spellbinders Mushrooms From Me To You 3D emboss & cut folder for approximately a year.  I bought the Scallop Labels and Tag dies at the same time and have used them quite a lot, but this is the first time for the mushrooms.  I don't have a good excuse for why I waited so long.  It's so cool how it works!  The dies go right into the folder with the paper so it literally cuts and embosses at the same time.  I guess I was under a rock again because I did not expect that.

So this is my result after simultaneously cutting and embossing, then "painting" with Tombow markers and blender, and embossing again just for good measure.  After all that I decided to smoosh it all over with Versamark ink and emboss with ultra-thick embossing enamel.  Loved it.  Slipped it into the folder and embossed again.

I embossed the entire folded grocer's kraft card base with my Tim Holtz Lumber 3D embossing folder.  Lined the inside with vanilla cardstock and will save the sentiment for later.

With all this embossing going on I naturally want to share in the Can You Handle the Pressure Challenge.  It's plain to see I did not go with the optional "Balloons" twist.

I'm also sharing in the following challenges:

The Four Seasons Challenge -- Fall
NBUS Challenge #78 -- Never before used schtuff -- Mushrooms From Me To You 3D emboss & cut folder

  

Thanks so much for visiting.  It's been busy as ever here, especially now that Ridley has joined the family.  Two Golden Retrievers are definitely better than one!  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  None  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Stampin' Up Old Olive, grocers kraft, Cougar Vanilla  Ink:  Versamark for wet embossing  Coloring:  Tombow markers and blender  Other:  Spellbinders Mushrooms From Me To You 3D emboss and cut folder, Tim Holtz Sizzix Lumber 3D embossing folder, Spellbinders Scallop Labels and Tag dies, Ranger Ultra-Thick Embossing Enamel

Bringing in the Harvest

For my final autumn card this year I used the second dog in my Inky Antics Autumn Dogs stamp set.  Six dies, one embossing folder, two stamp sets, and two patterned papers later I ended up with this scene.

I know, it's a lot.

Honestly, I intended to make a simple card with the dog and Sunrays (Spellbinders) embossing folder.  Then along came the Whittle Field and Trees (Poppystamps), an additional rolling hill, a fence, a butterfly because the dog seemed to be looking up at something.  I puzzled over where to put the sentiment, and finally made a tag and slipped it under his carefully trimmed and lifted paw.  Sheesh.  Autumn papers, Tombow coloring on the stamps, brushed and sponged ink on the die cuts and embossing.  Oh, and I cut a scalloped circle for the sun just for an extra touch of whimsy.

It will be sent as a Thanksgiving card.

Playing along here:

Four Seasons -- Fall season November 2024.  Anything fall themed.
Love those Pretty Papers -- Anything goes, optional yellow and brown.
NBUS Challenge #68 -- Poppystamps Whittle Field and Trees is my never before used schtuff.

The Sisterhood of Crafters -- Landscape

  

Thank you for visiting!  Enjoy your weekend!

Umbrellas are Not Just for Rain

Hello, and welcome to a new week on the blog!

It's still autumn and though I need to double down on the Christmas cards, I took the time to make a card that won't even be sent till next year.  It's good to have extras in the box.  This is one of those simple cards -- stamp and do some quick coloring with Tombows and blender.

I stenciled the background and added a sentiment.  Gave it the narrowest red border.  The stamps are Penny Black and the stencil is a Creative Expressions mini.  Everything is listed in the recipe.  Sometimes I think I talk too much, so I'm keeping this brief.

I had the following challenges in mind for this card:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- It's "anything goes" with the option to "make a scene".  Well, you know how I love to make a scene, but I held back this time.
Stencil Fun Challenge -- Anything goes with the option to "make it sparkle or shine".  No sparkle or shine for me today.
NBUS Challenge #68 -- Never before used schtuff.  The Penny Black Fall Breeze stamp is new to me and being used for the first time.

 

That's all, folks!  See you here again real soon.  May your day be filled with beauty!

Stamps:  Penny Black Fall Breeze and Super Day  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot pressed watercolor, red, Neenah white  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black and Rich Cocoa, Distress Tea Dye (for stenciled bricks)  Coloring:  Tombows and blender  Other:  Creative Expressions Brick Wall mini-stencil

Fall Branch with Bird

Hello, friends!  I don't want to forget about fall card making, especially since I have some not-yet-used fall stamps in my basket.  This Penny Black Autumn Masterpiece stamp is one of my newbies, but I believe it was released last year.

I embossed in copper on watercolor paper.  The background is a light watercolor wash with Stampin' Up inks, while the image itself was colored with Tombow markers and blender solution.  Then I proceeded to ruin a perfectly good painting by adding the splatters.  It went horribly wrong because my paint was too dilute, tsk tsk.  Hence, I have a small square card rather than a full size card with the beautiful fall branch trailing all the way down the front.  We make do, don't we?

There's a bit of embossed brown peeking from behind the image panel.  That's the Tim Holtz Sizzix Leaf Vein 3D embossing folder.  Not a new item.  It's very cool, but I've barely used it and I need to give it more time.  I scuffed it up a bit and then rubbed it with ink.

I'll be joining up with the following challenges:

The Sisterhood of Crafters -- Fall/Leaves
Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Anything goes or optional "cute or spooky"
NBUS Challenge #67 -- Never before used schtuff.  My Penny Black stamp is used for the first time.

Moving along to the next project on the list.  Life is busy these days.  See you again soon!

Stamps:  Penny Black Autumn Masterpiece  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, copper metallic, dark brown  Ink:  Versamark, various SU for watercolor  Coloring:  Tombow markers and homemade blender solution, Twinkling H2Os for splatters  Other:  Creative Expressions Mini Stacked Thinking of You, Tim Holtz Sizzix Leaf Veins 3D embossing folder, copper embossing powder, corner punch