Tie Dye Thank You Card

This week over at the MFP Challenge blog, the challenge was to make a project using the tie dye technique. I had never done this before, but I really had fun with it and plan to use it again. My favorite challenges are the ones that inspire me to try something new! 

To make the tie dye background, I watched the video on the MFP page and used my sponges to add a light shade of pink ink in circles and then a darker shade of pink ink in the centers of the larger circles. There was no particular pattern here. I just sponged here and there until I thought I had enough circles on the watercolor paper. Then I used a paintbrush to add some water and blend the colors. 

For the card base, I used pink cardstock to make an A2 card. Then I trimmed my watercolor paper a little smaller than the card base and adhered it to the card front using glue tape. I added the die cut "thank you" with my Zig glue pen. The die cut was made with a Spellbinders die and die cut with PTI paper.

I thought about adding some embellishments but decided to keep it CAS in the end to really show off the tie dye background. I think my parents will like it. They hosted us last weekend at their house (there are six of us, mind you, plus my oldest son's girlfriend who came along with us!) and completely spoiled us like they always do when we come to visit, so I wanted to make a thank you card to let them know how much we appreciate their hospitality. 

Here's the watercolor paper with the sponged on ink before I added water with a paintbrush:

Now here it is after I added the water and blended with a paintbrush:

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
WordArt Wednesdays - W,5E , scriptural word art freebie offered each week- #238/239(Week 1 of 2) - Family Friendly/Anything Goes 
Sisterhood of Crafters  - 2nd and 4th Wed, 3E - Create Your Own Background (Week 2 of 2) 
Inspiration Destination - W, F- #91 Always Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge 2W,E5  #159 For A Girl + A Sentiment (W1 of 2) 

MFP Stamps Challenge W Tie Die Technique

DL ART Thursday Challenge 2W,2nd & 4th Thurs,3E #183 Summertime (or Thank You (Extended W3 of 2) Monthly Challenge: Always Anything Goes
Creatalicious Challenges (2W, P15/last day of the M) #94 - Anything Goes + Option: CAS
Crafting-With-Friends - 2W, 3E - (W2 of 2) Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart - W, E3, F - Always Anything Goes
Creative Corner - W, 3E  - Anything Goes
Creative Fingers -  2W , 3E, No totally digital projects - No.113 - (W1 of 2) Anything Goes 
Cut it Up- 2W, 1E, Must have Die Cuts - No. 100 - (W1 of 2) - Anything Goes
Country View Crafts' Challenge (M, P1) July - Have fun with circles

In The Pink 2W,3E #98 Fussy & Fancy Or CAS (in pink of course) (W1 of 2)
Sasayaki Glitter Challenge Blog M, 1st Thursday, F, E3  - July - CAS
Crafty Creations - 2W - #319 Clean and Simple (Week 1 of 2)

Male Graduation Card

to me

I'm still catching up on graduation cards! This one is for the son of a good friend. He's a very bright young man who is also a talented trumpet player. I have no doubt he'll do well when he begins college at Grand Valley University next month. He also has a strong Christian faith and will no doubt be a wonderful witness to those around him.

I used a 5X6.5 inch white card base and trimmed some red cardstock for the front of the card. Then I die cut a piece of blue and white patterned cardstock with a Papertrey Ink die and then die cut the Bugaboo pre-colored digi with a Gina Marie Designs die. I added some stars using Poppystamps "Stacked Stars" die and pieces from Memory Box's "Star Flourish." 

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Love to Scrap - 2W, 3E, F, digi or real stamping - (Week 2) Star(s)


WordArt Wednesdays - W,5E , scriptural word art freebie offered each week- #238/239(Week 1 of 2) - Family Friendly/Anything Goes 
Inspiration Destination - W, F- #91 Always Anything Goes
Creative Moments - 2W, 3E - #94 Always Anything Goes/ optional twist of Ribbons and/or Bows (Week 1 of 2) 
Creative Corner - W, 3E  - Anything Goes

• Creative Fingers -  2W , 3E, No totally digital projects - No.113 - (W1 of 2) Anything Goes 

Cut it Up- 2W, 1E, Must have Die Cuts - No. 100 - (W1 of 2) - Anything Goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - W, 3E  - No.146 - Anything Goes
STAMPlorations Challenge Blog - M, 3E  - (1st Friday of the month) July - Sketch* and theme: Stamps and Stars*
Craft Rocket Challenges 2W,3E #19 ANything Goes (W1 of 2)  
Artistic Inspirations - 2W, E3 - (Week 2) Anything Goes  
Love to Scrap - 2W, 3E, F, digi or real stamping - (Week 2) Star(s)
Crafting from the Heart - W, E3, F - Always Anything Goes
A Bit More Time to Craft  (2W,  P1/15, E3) #23 -  Always Anything Goes
Get Creative Challenges - 2W, 3E - (Week 1) Celebrations
Crafts Galore Encore (M, P1, E3) July - Anything Goes + DT Call
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper (M, P1) July - Anything Goes
Digistamps 4 Joy (M, P1, E3, SIO) #126 - Anything Goes optional twist: Dies and/or Punches
Doodle Pantry (M, P1, Winner P26, E3, SIO, digital product) #19 - Anything Goes
Not Just Cards (M, P11, F) #34 - Always Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers AG with Dies (M, P9, dies) July - Use Dies

Paper Creator's Crafts (M,P1,3E) #49 - Just for Men

Paradise of Stamps (2W, P1/15, E3, F) #45 - Anything Goes
Sweet Stamps Anything Goes Challenge (M, P1, E3, SIO) Anything Goes
The Sisters of Craft (M, P1, E3, no Besties) July - Always Anything Goes

Your Scrapbook Place (M, P1, E3) Anything Goes (extra entry if you use sponsor image)

Crafting-With-Friends - 2W, 3E - (W2 of 2) Anything Goes
Craft Rocket Challenges 2W,3E #19 ANything Goes (W1 of 2)  

Crafting With An Attitude M,1st Thurs,3E Always Anything Goes 

Crafty Girls Creations 2W,3E Always Anything Goes

Star Stampz Challenge 2W,3E,SIO Celebrations + A DT Call (W1 of 2)

Baby Shower Card

This weekend I had the fun of attending a baby shower for the wife of one of my husband's cousins. This particular cousin was the ring bearer in our wedding nearly 24 years ago, so it was very special to see him get married a few years ago and now be looking forward to the birth of his daughter in September. 

For the baby shower card, I made a white, hinged base using the largest die from Sue Wilson's San Francisco set. Then I die cut another die cut with that die using sparkly pink felt for the front of the card. I then die cut a die from Sue Wilson's coordinating Hollywood die set in white card and finally added a pink felt stork using a die by Die-Namites called "Friendly Stork." 

For the inside, I simply stamped my sentiment directly onto the card.

 I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Crafter's Cafe (2W, P1/15, E3, F)  #152 - Things with Wings
Crafty Awesomeness (M P1, E3 C unlimited, must have coloured image) - Anything Goes?
Aud Sentiments Challenge 2W,E5  #159 For A Girl + A Sentiment (W1 of 2)
Moving along with the Times 2W,3E #24 NO Designer Papers (W1 of 2)


Craft Rocket Challenges 2W,3E #19 ANything Goes (W1 of 2)  

Crafting With An Attitude M,1st Thurs,3E Always Anything Goes 

Crafty Girls Creations 2W,3E Always Anything Goes

Psalm 94:18 Cards

I love to make cards with encouraging scriptures to send to someone who just needs a little lift. For these A2 cards, I used card bases from the Paper Studio that I thought were so pretty and feminine. I used a clear Verve stamp for the verse and die cut it with a Marianne die. The foliage die is from Poppy Stamps. These were quick, easy cards to make but will hopefully provide some encouragement to the recipients.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
WordArt Wednesdays - W,5E , scriptural word art freebie offered each week- #238/239(Week 1 of 2) - Family Friendly/Anything Goes 
Crafty Awesomeness (M P1, E3 C unlimited, must have coloured image) - Anything Goes?
Paradise of Stamps (2W, P1/15, E3, F) #45 - Anything Goes
Petal Lu (M, P15, E3) #17 - Anything Goes
Inspiration Destination - W, F- #91 Always Anything Goes

Heart Bandit Card

This week at the Outlawz Twisted Thursday Challenge, our "twist" is to make a card for boys/men. 

This month's wonderful sponsor is From The Heart Stamps. They offer a variety of fun digi stamp sets for every occasion. You can visit their online store at http://fromtheheartstamps.com/shop/

For my card, I made a top-hinge base using a Spellbinders Grand Labels 1 die. Then I used the same die to die cut a piece of vellum with a heart pattern to cover the front of the card. I die cut some black cardstock using a Spellbinders Decortive Labels 1 die. Then I printed the digi ("Heart Bandit" by From the Heart Stamps) and colored it with Copic and MEXPY markers. I die cut it with a Spellbinders Labels 1 die and sponged some blue ink onto it for the sky. I added a couple of hearts die cut with Gina Marie Design dies. 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

The Sisters of Craft (M, P1, E3, no Besties) July - Always Anything Goes

Sweet Stamps Anything Goes Challenge (M, P1, E3, SIO) Anything Goes

Stempelsonnen Challenge - (2W, P1/15, E3, Hand-colored Stamp as main focus) #169 - Always Anything Goes

Petal Lu (M, P15, E3) #17 - Anything Goes

Let's Craft & Create Challenge (M, P5, F, E3) #115 - Four legged friends

Doodle Pantry (M, P1, Winner P26, E3, SIO, digital product) #19 - Anything Goes

Digistamps 4 Joy (M, P1, E3, SIO) #126 - Anything Goes optional twist: Dies and/or Punches

Cute as a Button (M, P1, F, E3/unlimited with Cute as a Button image) #24 Anything Goes

Crafty Awesomeness (M P1, E3 C unlimited, must have coloured image) - Anything Goes?

Crafts Galore Encore (M, P1, E3) July - Anything Goes + DT Call

Animal Friends Challenge (M, P1, E3, must have an animal) #40 - Punches and/or Dies

The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge - M, E2, SIO - (July) Always Anything Goes

Critters and Creatures - M, must include critter - (TBA) Always Anything Goes with a Critter/Creature

Crafting With An Attitude M,1st Thurs,3E Always Anything Goes

 Digital Delights By Louby Lou M,4th Thurs,1E,SIO must used stamped/digi image Always Anything Goes

Crafty Girls Creations 2W,3E Always Anything Goes

Card and Scrap (2W, P1/15, Winners P13/28)  #121 - Anything Goes

FTHS Pumpkin Patch Girl

This week on the FTHS blog, the optional twist is paper piecing. I recently bought Poppy Stamps "Pumpkins and Gourds" die set and was itching to use it, so I decided on a fall-themed card. Rather strange for the start of July, I know! But I have this sweet digi "Pumpkin Patch Girl" by FTHS and figured she'd be perfect with some of the little pumpkins from the set!

For my 5X7 inch card base, I embossed the front with a chicken wire embossing folder by Cuttlebug. Then I die cut a scalloped rectangle using a WaffleFlower die. I added the mini pumpkin die cuts popped up with foam squares to match the sketch and adhered my digi also using foam squares. I used digital paper piecing to color in the pumpkins, her dress and her shoes. 

 I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
The Sisters of Craft (M, P1, E3, no Besties) July - Always Anything Goes
Sweet Stamps Anything Goes Challenge (M, P1, E3, SIO) Anything Goes
Doodle Pantry (M, P1, Winner P26, E3, SIO, digital product) #19 - Anything Goes
Cute as a Button (M, P1, F, E3/unlimited with Cute as a Button image) #24 Anything Goes
Digistamps 4 Joy (M, P1, E3, SIO) #126 - Anything Goes optional twist: Dies and/or Punches

I {heart} Sketches Challenge - W (2W in summer), SIR - (Deadline July 17)  Sketch* and/or Twist: Paper Piecing

Papertrey Ink Texture Paste Cupcake Card

This week over at the Papertrey Ink Make it Monday challenge, the challenge is to use texture paste with stencils and ink. I love the look of texture paste with stencils but had never tried painting it with ink before, so this was a fun new technique to try. 

I started with a white 5X7 inch card base. I used a Tim Holtz stencil taped in place with washi tape and added Faber Castell cement color texture paste with a palette knife. Then, using a paint brush with the stencil still in place, I painted on Mister Huey's "Pretty Pink" ink (it's more red than pink, but that suited my color scheme here). I let that dry while making my cupcake using Papertrey Ink's "Enclosed Cupcake" die set. You can't really see it in the picture, but the cherry on top is cut out of sparkly red felt. I adhered it to the card with foam squares to pop it up a bit.

I also added the "Hooray" die cut using a die from Papertrey Ink's "Shaker Shapes Balloon" die set.

Here's a close-up of the painted texture paste. 

 I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Papertrey Ink Make it Monday Challenge http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/
Curtain Call: Cherry Bomb http://curtaincallchallenge.blogspot.com/