Sisterhood of Crafters Winter 'Blues' and Retro Rubber Challenge 223 | Winter Blue Ombre!

This is my first time entering a challenge at the Sisterhood of Crafters. Looks like a lot of fun and I hope to be back often. The Sisterhood of Crafters is challenging us to incorporate BLUE into our cards. Retro Rubber is also asking we incorporate blue, specifically a series of the blues (midnight blue, violet blue, sky blue and white).   I used a very old Pure Innocence stamp, Warmest Wishes (pre-2000).  My blues are subtle in this photo, I used lines of Brusho watercolor powders, wet them and let the colors run into each other. After the watercolor panel dried, I stenciled snow on the card with embossing paste.

Enjoy!  

Elizabeth

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	My Favorite Things Pure Innocence Warmest Wishes My Favorite Things Deer Friends The Greetery Drifting die My Favorite Things Snowfall
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest Strathmore watercolor paper
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black Copic markers Versamark Hero Arts white embossing powder
Embellishments
Desk Staples	Dahle Personal Rotary Cutter Scor Pal Mini Score Board Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Ranger Stamp Platform Bearly Art Precision Glue 3M ATG 714 Tape Adhesive 3M foam tape

Retro Rubber Challenge 196 | Tic Tac Toe!

I am thrilled to be guest designing this week at Retro Rubber.  I also love playing Tic Tac Toe!  I focused on the center column: DIE CUT, PUMPKINS and STRIPES.  The tag and pumpkins are die cut, and the tag's patterned paper and washi are striped.  Not only did I dig deep into my stash to find some oldie but goodie stamps, I also dug out the metallic thread! When did you last make a nest of thread!

Enjoy!  I am looking forward to your designs in the gallery.

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Essentials by Ellen Thankful (released 2015) Impression Obsession Don't Lose Your Head (2016) Paper Smooches Scalloped Tag (2016?)
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black Copic markers
Embellishments	Pretty Pink Posh sequins Memory Box rhinestones Washi, black ribbon and metallic thread (stash)
Other	Dahle Personal Rotary Cutter Scor Pal Mini Score Board Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Ranger Stamp Platform Bearly Art Precision Glue 3M ATG 714 Tape Adhesive 3M foam tape Stapler

The Paper Players - PP617 - A Color Challenge from Jaydee & Retro Rubber Challenge 195 | You Had Me At Ombre!

This week at The Paper Players, we are working with the colors BLUE, SILVER and either WHITE or BLACK.  I combined the Paper Player colors with the Retro Rubber OMBRE challenge.  The ombre on my stenciled background is subtle.  I used three shades of blue distress oxide: Salty Ocean, Blueprint Sketch, and Prize Ribbon.

I should note that it is 2.19am Wednesday.  I just watched the Artemis launch from my backyard.  Absolutely amazing.  The northern horizon glowed orange on takeoff, within seconds we were able to see Artemis' glowing orb.  Artemis was visible for almost five mins and actually looked like it was headed to the moon.

Enjoy.

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Simon Says Stamp Snowflake Cluster stencil Simon Says Stamp Merry & Bright
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest Mirracard silver Vellum
Ink	Distress Oxide inks (listed above)
Embellishments
Other	Dahle Personal Rotary Cutter Scor Pal Mini Score Board Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Ranger Stamp Platform Bearly Art Precision Glue 3M ATG 714 Tape Adhesive

TIME OUT Challenge 225 - Thankful and Retro Rubber Challenge 194 - It's The 90's!

This week I am combining the 90s colors from Retro Rubber (gold, red, orange and yellow) with the theme from TIME OUT... Thankful.  I made a watercolor Thanksgiving card given Retro Rubber's colors are very fall-like.  This card was easily reproducible; I made a dozen in an hour to use as this year's Thanksgiving cards for family and friends.

Enjoy!

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Neat and Tangled Be Full Essentials by Ellen Autumn Acorns
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest Strathmore watercolor paper
Ink	Versamark Hero Arts gold embossing powder Kurtake watercolors
Embellishments
Other	Dahle Personal Rotary Cutter Scor Pal Mini Score Board Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Ranger Stamp Platform Bearly Art Precision Glue 3M ATG 714 Tape Adhesive

Retro Rubber Challenge 192 | Tic Tac Toe!

This week at Retro Rubber, we are playing Tic Tac Toe.  I focused on the first row: NAUTICAL, ONE WORD, and BLING.  

Enjoy.

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Neat & Tangled Typed Sentiments Mama Elephant Stitched Waves My Favorite Things By the Letter Uppercase All of these stamps and dies are more than a year old
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest Aqua Stardream cardstock
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black Heidi Swapp blue and green metallic sprays
Embellishments	Little Things by Lucy's Cards gems
Other	Dahle Personal Rotary Cutter Scor Pal Mini Score Board Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Ranger Stamp Platform Bearly Art Precision Glue 3M ATG 714 Tape Adhesive

Retro Rubber Challenge 187 | Tic Tac Toe!

This week at Retro Rubber, we are playing Tic Tac Toe.  I focused on the top row: CIRCLES, BIRDS and DIE CUT/PUNCH.  Usually I plan a card then execute.  This card I just made... I started with die cut circles cut from sprayed cardstock popped up on a kraft cardbase. Separately I made the little birds then just merged the two.  I actually like the design... it worked for me!

Enjoy.

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Poppystamps Big Circle Background My Favorite Things Birds of a Feather Simply Graphic English sentiments
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest
Ink	Distress and Heidi Swapp sprays Copic markers Posca white paint pen
Embellishments	Little Things by Lucy's Cards gems Googly eyes
Other	Dahle Personal Rotary Cutter Scor Pal Mini Score Board Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Bearly Art Precision Glue 3M ATG 714 Tape Adhesive 3M foam tape

Retro Rubber Challenge 185 - Mod Circles!

It is theme week over at Retro Rubber and I am thrilled to be guest designing for the team!  Our theme is MOD CIRCLES.  I made two circle cards.  I am partial to the Cupid card but I think both are a great way to use up scraps.

Enjoy!  I am looking forward to your circle creations in the gallery.

Project Details for both cards
Stamps/Dies	Paper Smooches Love Struck Spellbinders Nested Hearts Hero Arts Infinity Nesting Circles My Favorite Things Die-namics Celebratory Greetings Mama Elephant Birthday Messages
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest Bazzill dark pink cardstock Scrap pink cardstocks
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black Copic markers
Embellishments	Little Things by Lucy's Cards gems and pearls May Arts crystal cord
Other	Dahle Personal Rotary Cutter Scor Pal Mini Score Board Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Ranger Stamp Platform Bearly Art Precision Glue 3M ATG 714 Tape Adhesive 3M foam tape

The Paper Players - PP593 - A Tic Tac Toe Challenge from Ann & Retro Rubber Challenge 183 - Anything Goes!

This week at the Paper Players, we are playing TIC TAC TOE... one of my favorite challenges.  I actually managed to do the top row: birthday, embossing, ribbons, as well as the middle column: embossing, floral and pearls!  This is a sweet birthday card for my neighbor.  Pigment ink was brayed onto the embossing folder to achieve the soft pink background. Both the embossing folder and the sentiment are more than a year old... so I will also submit to Retro Rubber, Anything Goes this month!

Enjoy!

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Nellie's Choice Roses embossing folder My Favorite Things Birthday Wishes
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest Pink Stardream cardstock (sentiment)
Ink	Mama Elephant pale pink pigment ink
Embellishments	Little Things by Lucy's Cards pearls Amuse Artstamps ribbon
Other	Dahle Personal Rotary Cutter Scor Pal Mini Score Board Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Bearly Art Precision Glue 3M ATG 714 Tape Adhesive

Retro Rubber Challenge 182 | Flower Power! & Online Card Classes Spring Card Camp

At Retro Rubber, we are making cards featuring FLOWERS.  I picked an oldie but goodie die, Concord & 9th Bouquet (2016).  I combined my simple die cut flower with a background ink lifting technique featured on Day 1 of Online Card Classes Spring Card Camp.

Enjoy.

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Concord & 9th Bouquet (2016) Essentials by Ellen Lovely (sentiment) My Favorite Things Basketweave stencil
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest Bazzill black cardstock
Ink	Versamark Hero Arts white embossing powder Distress inks (Barn Door, Ripe Persimmon, Dried Marigold)
Embellishments	Little Things by Lucy's Cards (pearls, rhinestones, sequins)
Other	Dahle Personal Rotary Cutter Scor Pal Mini Score Board Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Ranger Stamp Platform Bearly Art Precision Glue 3M ATG 714 Tape Adhesive 3M foam tape

Retro Rubber Challenge 181 | Tics Tacs Toes!

This week at Retro Rubber, we are playing Tic Tac Toe. I focused on DIE CUTS, DRY EMBOSSING, PATTERNED PAPER.  This is a card for a close friend who just learned she is going to be a grandmother.

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	My Favorite Things Bundle of Baby Clothes die Darice cloud embossing folder (early 2000s) My Favorite Things Welcome, Baby (sentiment)
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest Scrap patterned paper My Favorite Things aqua cardstock
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black
Embellishments
Other	Dahle Personal Rotary Cutter Scor Pal Mini Score Board Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Ranger Stamp Platform Bearly Art Precision Glue 3M ATG 714 Tape Adhesive 3M foam tape

The Male Room Challenge 160 - Animals & Retro Rubber Challenge 178 | Anything Goes!

This month at The Male Room, the keyword is ANIMALS.  I am pairing this keyword with ANYTHING GOES at Retro Rubber where at least one stamp or die has to be older than a year.  I used Mama Elephant's Three Amigos which was introduced Valentine's Day 2015.  Images were stamped, Copic-colored and masked. An area above and below the critters were taped off and distressed.

Enjoy!

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Mama Elephant Three Amigos (2015) Mama Elephant Hello Friend (sub sentiment) PinkFresh Diagonal Stitched Rectangles
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black Copic markers
Embellishments
Other	Dahle Personal Rotary Cutter Scor Pal Mini Score Board Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Ranger Stamp Platform 3M ATG 714 Tape Adhesive

Retro Rubber Challenge 175 | Love Love Love!

This week at Retro Rubber, we are celebrating LOVE in our cards. I made a one layer card using a late 90s set from Studio Calico which just makes me laugh!  The card took several inking sessions.  First, I distressed the background in three colors. Second, I masked the large heart and distressed the hearts using a stencil. Third, I masked the background with the reverse mask, and distressed the large heart in oxide. Finally, the sentiment was white embossed.

Enjoy.

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Calico Studio Kissing Spellbinders Hearts My Favorite Things Lots of Hearts stencil
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest Simon Says Stamp masking paper
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black Distress ink (Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Festive Berries, Barn Door) Versamark Hero Arts white embossing powder
Embellishments
Other	Dahle Personal Rotary Cutter Scor Pal Mini Score Board Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Ranger Stamp Platform

Perfectly CAS Challenge #23 - Flowers & Retro Rubber Challenge 174 | Dig It!

This week at Perfectly CAS, the key word is FLOWERS.  I am combining flowers with the color challenge at Retro Rubber.  At Retro Rubber, we need to use at least three of five colors from the 1950s: pastel pink, yellow, green, blue or turquoise.  I used pink, yellow, green and blue. The flower border die was cut and Copic colored, and a stamped sentiment added.  The card base was brushed with distress ink prior to adhering the flower border.  Several crystal water drops were added as a final touch.

Enjoy!

Project Details
Stamps/Dies	Simon Says Stamp Tiny Words (2018) Poppystamps Preppy Flowers die (2017)
Cardstock	110lb. Neenah Solar Crest
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black Distress Tumbled Glass (background) Copic markers
Embellishments	Papertrey Ink Water Drops
Other	Dahle Personal Rotary Cutter Scor Pal Mini Score Board Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Bearly Art Precision Glue 3M ATG 714 Tape Adhesive

Retro Rubber Challenge #172

I am thrilled to be invited as a guest designer this week at Retro Rubber!  I love this challenge because I am forced to give some love to older stamps and dies.  Sometimes I am amazed at what is in my stash.  I store my stamps and dies in the plastic storage pockets like many cardmakers.  On the front of every storage pocket, I affix a white 2" circle label.  Every time I use the stamp or die, I add a hash mark to the label.  Once I reach 25, I stop adding hash marks and put a + sign.  I figure I have met my ROI (return on investment) on the set.  When I "clean up" at the end of the year, I usually stamp a big heart on the label so I know it is one of my favorites!  Enough about about my stash... on to this week's card.

We are working with a sketch by Claire.  Three bands running horizontally across the top half of a center panel with two images; one in the the top right, one in the bottom left over the panels.  The sentiment  is centered on the bottom of the card.  As of November 1, I am only making Christmas cards till we get through the holiday.  I created my three bands of music by gold embossing My Favorite Things Sheet Music background (2016) on vellum, and trimming off three bands.  Each band was centered and wrapped around a central panel.  The panel, slightly smaller than the A2 card base, is cut from Amuse Artstamps cardstock (probably 20 years old!). My singing angels are from Stampingbella Angel Squidgies (2017).  Both angels are stamped, Copic-colored, fussy cut, and mounted with foam tape.  The sentiment is from My Favorite Things Cheerful Christmas Greetings (around 2015), stamped in Versamark.

Be sure to stop by and leave some love for the design team whose cards are amazing.

I can't wait to see how you use the sketch in the gallery!

Retro Rubber Challenge 171 | Fall Colors!

This week at Retro Rubber, we are working with colors, specifically BROWN, YELLOW, ORANGE and PURPLE.  I used a several years old Oddball stamp from Stampingbella called Apple Cider Oddball.  The image is stamped, Copic colored, and fussy cut.  She is mounted atop a selection of scrap patterned papers, and embellished with rhinestones and star sequins.

Enjoy.

Retro Rubber Challenge 168 | Tic Tac Toe!

At Retro Rubber this week, we are playing Tic Tac Toe.  I completed the right diagonal: SOMETHING THAT FLIES, FOLIAGE OR TREES, CIRCLES.  I started by stamping characters from Waffle Flower's Boo and Big Bear set (2017) on scrap card stock, Copic-coloring, and masking. This panel was then distressed in Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey and Spiced Marmalade, and a large circle die cut.  The circle was adhered to a Kraft cardbase covered in Graphic45 patterned paper featuring a pumpkin field.  A stamped sentiment was added from Taylored Expressions Big Grumpy Halloween. 

Enjoy.

Shopping Our Stash #454 - Back to the Books & Retro Rubber #167 | Let's Get Sketchy!

I have combined this week's Shopping Our Stash challenge focused on BOOKS with Retro Rubber's SKETCH challenge.  Retro Rubber's sketch features a scalloped left hand edge (die cut on my card with My Favorite Things Scalloped Stitched Borders), a central panel (on my card the panel is a removable bookmark) and a central circular focal point.  My central image is My Favorite Things Pure Innocence Bookworm (year unknown).  She has been stamped, Copic-colored, fussy cut and mounted on a green background circle.  A small stamped sentiment from Mama Elephant Good Reads (2018) is foam mounted on the image.  Foam tape was added to the bottom and sides of the mounted image to create a channel for the bookmark.  The image was adhered to the card base layered with scalloped Memory Box paper.  The bookmark was die cut using the 2" My Favorite Things Vertical Stitched Stripe.  The stamped bookmark sentiment is Taylored Expressions Mark Your Spot (2016).  A small piece of May Arts ribbon was tied to the top of the bookmark.

Enjoy.