warm HUGS . . . from this Crafty Gals Corner

It's time for another challenge with us at the

Crafty Gals Corner

This week we are letting our creative juices flow with

Challenge #159 - Add A Heart

Crafty Gals Corner Challenges are bi-weekly.
Each crafter may only submit 3 projects per challenge.

~~~*~~~*~~~

The sponsors for this challenge are:

Scrap N Dipity

Prize: 3 Digital Images

Cute as a Button

Prize: 3 Digital Images

~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have used the Penguin digital stamp from Cute As A Button, one of our generous sponsors this week, to make two cards filled with warm hugs.  I know I should be getting a start on my Christmas cards but this little cutie was ready to bring some good cheer much earlier in the year.

I started by printing the penguins on A5 X-Press It blending card and plain paper.  I heat set the images then started preparing my masks.
To make my "image" masks I adhered X-Press It Mask It over the images on the plain paper then fussy cut them out.  I peeled the mask layer from the paper and carefully aligned it over the image on the blending card.
Next came the "sunburst" masks for the background.  I sized the sunburst cut file (details below) on my cutting Silhouette Cameo cutting mat so that it was slightly larger than my A5 image panel and cut from cardstock.  I used both the inner and outer pieces of the sunburst as masks, which is how I came to have opposite dark/light sun beams on my cards.  The inner piece took a lot more securing in place ... you can see in the photo below, I had to tape each "beam" in place over my masked image.  I used a combination of three distress inks to create the background, blending them with a mini blending tool.

When I coloured the donuts, they didn't really POP, so I added some Distress Stickles to make a tasty glaze.  I added Stardust Stickles to the heart shaped hole edges but they didn't really POP either, so I took white brads, coloured with Stazon ink then secured them in place over the heart shaped holes in the middle of the donuts.

   

   

I adhered the image panels to A5 top folding card bases ... yes, they are single layer cards.

Next came the sentiment and embellishments.

I cut a bundle of snowflakes from both black and white cardstock, so that I could layer them together.  Adding the black underneath gives them more dimension and contrast, which I really like when using them with digital stamps.
I trimmed down some sentiment banners, secured in place and topped with layered snowflakes (two black under each white one).  ... I didn't plan on adding more snowflakes to the card but have to confess that I had a little "oops" moment on one of the cards and "needed" to cover the spot.  A snowflake covered it perfectly but it looked lonely, so I had to add another two ... then it looked a little unbalanced", so I added another two to the other side of the image ... I'm happy that I had an oops, so happy that I added the snowflakes to the second card.

   

I double matted inside each card with black and white cardstock.  Apart from looking nicer for writing a message inside, it adds a nice weight to keep the open card stable.

Here are some more pics ... just click on them to see the detail in full screen.

   

   

~~~*~~~*~~~

NOW it's YOUR turn!

I hope that I have inspired you to get creative
and look forward to seeing your projects fill the gallery for

Challenge #159 - Add A Heart

at the Crafty Gals Corner

Crafty Gals Corner Challenges are bi-weekly.
Each crafter may only submit 3 projects per challenge.

~~~*~~~*~~~

*** INGREDIENTS ***
Cute As A Button - digital stamp - Penguin

X-Press It A5 Blending Card

X-Press It Mask-It
Copic markers - feathers - T3-5-7-9-10
+ Multi Liner - Black - 0.3
Copic markers - eyes - YG03-17-67
Copic markers - beak & mouth - YR23-24-27 + E93
Copic markers - snow - B0000 + C + "0"
Copic markers - scarf - V04 + BG11-13
Copic markers - donut - E30-31-33-35-37
Copic marker - heart edge of donut - R29
Distress Inks - Squeezed Lemonade + Mustard Seed + Spiced Marmalade
Mini Ink Blending Tool + round blending sponges
Stickles - Stardust
Distress Stickles - Tattered Rose
Distress Stickles - Vintage Photo
heart brads - white - coloured with Stazon ink
Stazon - Sunflower Yellow - to colour the white heart brads
American Crafts - 12x12 textured cardstock - white
American Crafts - 12x12 textured cardstock - black
A5 top folding card base

Silhouette Cameo
Silhouette Design Store - Design ID #25149
Sunburst by Hero Arts
Sizzix Big Shot
Kaisercraft - Decorative Dies - Mini Snowflakes
Helmar Acid Free Professional Glue - to adhere the top fold
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers

Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive - to adhere the sentiment

~~~*~~~*~~~

Sending a big Thank You to  Cute As A Button for supplying the digital stamp I used today and for being a sponsor for Challenge #159 - Add A Heart at the Crafty Gals Corner.

    

~~~*~~~*~~~

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):

~~~*~~~*~~~

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Challenge #11 - Anything (featuring a critter) Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft Challenge - Challenge #62 - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft Extra Challenge - February Anything Goes
A Perfect Time To Craft - 1st February Challenge #02 - Anything Goes
Aurora Wings Challenge Blog - Challenge #63 - Anything Goes
CCC Digi Creations - Challenge # 89 - It's All About Love
I think that sending warm hugs is a great way to share the love all year long
Colour It!  Create It!  Show It Off! - February 2018 Challenge – Valentine’s Day / Love
my cards are filled with love, warm hugs and warm yellow hearts
Colouring In Scrapland - February Challenge - Love Without Borders
Crafty Catz - Challenge #403 - Anything Goes option LOVE Is In The Air
Crafty Friends Challenge Blog – Challenge #77 - Love Is In The Air
my cards are filled with love, warm hugs and warm yellow hearts
Creative Fingers Challenge Blog - Challenge 142 - Anything Goes
Creative Moments Challenge Blog – Challenge #136 – Anything Goes
optional twist National Umbrella Day / World Compliment Day
Digi Choosday Craft Challenges - Wk 07 – Anything Goes
Love To Scrap Challenge Blog - LTSCB #106 – I Love You
my cards are filled with love, warm hugs and warm yellow hearts
Pammie's Inky Pinkies - PIP Challenge 1806 – Anything Goes
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Penny’s Challenge 367 – Anything Goes
Polkadoodles Craft Challenge - Week 6 – 9th Feb – Anything Goes
QKR Stampede - Challenge #282 – Anything Goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society - Challenge #134 – Anything Goes option Winter
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says: Add A Die Cut
I have embellished my one layer card with die cut snowflakes
The Paper Girls Challenge - Challenge #145 – 6th Anniversary
- Use 6 items of the same thing - I have used six layered snowflakes
The Paper Shelter - Challenge 326 - Decorate It
I have decorated my one layer card with die cut snowflakes and brads
Through The Craft Room Door - TTCRD Anything Goes Challenge for Feb 13th

even more EXCITING news ... Through The Craft Room Door

I have some even more EXCITING NEWS!

Today I am
Guest Designer

on the

Through The Craft Room Door Challenge Blog

The challenge is
TTCRD Anything Goes Week Sep 5th -12th

~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I had the pleasure of colouring and creating with the super cute Cloudy Rain Cloud With Raindrops digital stamp from Wink Wink Ink to make some cheery rainbow cards.

This cute digital stamp comes with both a B&W image and a pre-coloured image,
so I decided to use both.

I placed the images on my Silhouette Cameo design mat, added my sentiment and sized them to make a front panels for an A5 top folding card.  I printed the precoloured image on blue A5 cardstock and the B&W image on A5 X-Press It Blending card.  I also printed the precoloured and B&W images on white cardstock and heat them too.

I took the B&W image, added some X-Press Mask-It and fussy cut it out, trimming to the inner edges of the cloud (so that when I applied the mask it will not leave a white edge when I ink around the masked cloud).
I took the precoloured image and fussy cut it out, then went around the outer edges with a black marker for a neat finish.

Here is the fussy cut precoloured cloud

 and here is my Copic marker coloured cloud.

Next was my time to get inky, very inky ... I ended up with blue fingers!

I took the blue panel, used a white gel pen to colour the raindrops, inked the background with Distress Inks, heat set then finished it off by adhering the fussy cut cloud in place.

For the B&W image panel, I took the mask and placed it over the cloud, inked the background with Distress Inks, heat set then coloured the cloud with Copic markers and the raindrops with a white gel pen.  I was quite surprised with the result, there really isn't much difference between the white vs blue cardstock after the inking.

The "RAIN" and "rainbows" sentiments for both cards are AC DIY Thickers.  I went around the edges of each letter with a rainbow of Copic markers then smothered them with the matching glitter.  The colour was a bit pale with just a single layer of glitter, so I went over each letter with liquid adhesive and added another layer for a rich, sparkling finish.

If you have visited before, you will know that I always have extra photos to share

   

NOW it's YOUR turn!

I hope that I have inspired you to get creative and make a project to enter the challenge for

TTCRD Anything Goes Week Sep 5th -12th

at

Through The Craft Room Door Challenge Blog

~~~*~~~*~~~

*** INGREDIENTS ***
Wink Wink Ink - digital stamp - Cloudy Rain Cloud With Raindrops

X-Press It A4 Blending Card
smooth blue cardstock
Copic markers - cloud - C00-0-1
Copic makers - eyes - b02-04-05

Copic markers - cheeks - R0000-000
Copic marker rainbow - R46 + R24 + YR18 + Y17 + YG25 + YG67 + B04 + V12
Glitter rainbow - WOW! glitter
Rouge + Pomegranate + Pumpkin + Sunflower + Mint + Emerald + Ocean + Fairy Dust
Distress Inks - precoloured image card - Broken China + Faded Jeans
Distress Inks - B&W image card - Tumbled Glass + Broken China + Faded Jeans
Mini Ink Blending Tool & round blending sponges
uni-ball Signo white gel pen (raindrops)
A5 top folding card base
Silhouette Cameo - AR Christy font

I changed the font from a cut to be a solid black print
a rainbow of rhinestones
DIY Thickers - Shoebox (rain) and LAX (rainbows)
assorted flower punches
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers

Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Adhesive - to adhere the precoloured cloud

~~~*~~~*~~~-

Sending a big Thank You to Deonna for inviting me to be Guest Designer
I hope that I have inspired you to get creative with your
My Besties (or other branded) images and make a project to enter the

My Besties Spanish Challenge Blog

September Challenge #39 - Anything Goes

~~~*~~~*~~~

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):

~~~*~~~*~~~

Alphabet Challenge Blog - Challenge "M for Make You Mark"
CCC Digi Creations - Challenge #80 - No Patterned Paper
Crafting By Designs - September Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafting From The Heart - Challenge #173 - Anything Goes
Fabrika Fantasy - Challenge #13 - Add Pearls / Gems
Ike's World Challenges - Challenge #96 - Anything Goes + option Mythology
Love To Scrap Challenge Blog - LTSCB #101 - Anything Goes
Making Memories Crafting Challenge Blog - Challenge #9 Anything Goes ...
or The Colour Board ... my rainbow card uses much more than these

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - PIP Challenge 1736 - Anything Goes
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Challenge #345 - Anything Goes
QKR Stampede - Challenge #259 - Wild West or Anything Goes

Scrapbook Stamp Society - Challenge #124 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says: Anything Goes

Time Out Challenges - Challenge #91 - CASE Beverley Brown

Tuesday Throwdown - TT #359 - Punches and/or Dies

Inky Christmas wishes

Yes, it is looking very Christmassy at our house at the moment.
At this rate I will have all our Christmas cards ready to be posted on time this year!

Today I have used the Pine Sprig digital stamp by QKR Stampede,
a recent addition to my digital stamp collection.

I printed the image on A5 X-Press It blending card using a laser printer, heat set, trimmed to size (3 1/2" x 5") then coloured with Copic markers.  I took the image panel, used my MISTI to align the sentiment perfectly before stamping it twice to give a solid dark result.  I confess that I have developed a strong love of my clear and unmounted rubber stamps since getting the MISTI, it makes getting a clean, crisp result so easy, each and every time.

I printed another set of images on plain cardstock, applied some X-Press It Mask It over the image, then fussy cut the image out using micro tip scissors.  I cut the mask slightly smaller by trimming into the outer edge smaller.  Having the mask slightly smaller ensures that you don't get any white zones around the image after it is removed.  I peeled the mask off and carefully aligned it with the image and smoothed it down firmly.  I applied Bundled Sage Distress Ink to the image panel using a small round blending tool, being careful around the edges of the mask.
Once the ink blending was complete, I wiped off the mask and carefully peeled it off.
I added a touch of Wink of Stella sparkle to the golden bells.

I adhered wood panel patterned paper to an A5 top folding card base, trimmed off the paper edges and the excess card from the bottom.  I know it makes for an odd size card but it allowed me to use most of the 6 1/2" wood panelled patterned paper.

I trimmed a length of burlap to be slightly larger than the image panel and applied a dollop of liquid adhesive to the middle at the back before aligning it on the card front.

Lucky last came the image panel.  I applied quite a bit of liquid adhesive to the back and aligned it over the burlap.

*** INGREDIENTS ***

QKR Stampede - digital stamp - Pine Sprig digital stamp
X-Press It A5 Blending Card

Copic markers - bells - Y000-00-11-15 + YR23
Copic markers - pine cones - E55-57-59
Copic markers - ribbons - R22-24-27
Wink Of Stella Clear Glitter Brush
MISTI - THE Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad
Fiskars - Simple Stick Repositionable Rubber Stamps - Holiday Hooplah
X-Press It - Mask It
Distress Ink - Bundled Sage
Mini Round Ink Blending Tool
burlap
Kaisercraft - 6 1/2" paper pad - Basecoat
I LOVE this collection and confess that I was thrilled to find another pad
to add to my stash today!  I highly recommend you try and search it out.
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers & burlap

~~~*~~~*~~~
I hope I have inspired you to get creative.
You still have time to enter Challenge #166 - Add Some Stamping with Team Lou with us at the Southern Girls.  Full details can be found HERE.
I look forward to seeing your work shared in the challenge gallery and remember, we are not just a card blog, we love to see scrapbook layouts, artjournal pages and all types of papercraft.

~~~*~~~*~~~

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):

~~~*~~~*~~~

ABC Christmas Challenge - P, Q and R for People, Quick and/or Red

my card was QUICK to make and includes a touch of RED

Christmas Cards All Year 'Round - August Challenge - Use Yellow
Crafting From The Heart - Challenge #172 - Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra - CHNC Extra For August

Anything Christmas Goes

Digi Choosday Craft Challenge - Wk 32 - Anything Goes

Koala T Crafts - August Challenge - Turquoise or Yellow or Balloons

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - PIP Challenge 1733 -Anything Goes

QKR Stampede - Challenge #256 - Inspired By Music / Anything Goes

Star Stampz - Hand Colored Image

Time Out Challenges - Challenge #89 - Home Sweet Home

Getting Inky to Add Some Stamping with Team Lou

It's time for another challenge with us at the Southern Girls.

This fortnight Team Lou have created projects to inspire you for the new challenge

Challenge #166 - Add Some Stamping with Team Lou

Our generous sponsor for this challenge is

~~~*~~~*~~~

Today I have used the Pine Sprig digital stamp by QKR Stampede,
a recent addition to my digital stamp collection.

I printed the image on A5 X-Press It blending card using a laser printer, heat set, trimmed to size (3 1/2" x 5") then coloured with Copic markers.  I took the image panel, used my MISTI to align the sentiment perfectly before stamping it twice to give a solid dark result.  I confess that I have developed a strong love of my clear and unmounted rubber stamps since getting the MISTI, it makes getting a clean, crisp result so easy, each and every time.

I printed another set of images on plain cardstock, applied some X-Press It Mask It over the image, then fussy cut the image out using micro tip scissors.  I cut the mask slightly smaller by trimming into the outer edge smaller.  Having the mask slightly smaller ensures that you don't get any white zones around the image after it is removed.  I peeled the mask off and carefully aligned it with the image and smoothed it down firmly.  I applied Old Paper Distress Ink to the image panel using a small round blending tool, being careful around the edges of the mask.
Once the ink blending was complete, I wiped off the mask and carefully peeled it off.
I added a touch of Wink of Stella sparkle to the golden bells.

I adhered wood panel patterned paper to an A5 top folding card base, trimmed off the paper edges and the excess card from the bottom.  I know it makes for an odd size card but it allowed me to use most of the 6 1/2" wood panelled patterned paper.

I trimmed a length of burlap to be slightly larger than the image panel and applied a dollop of liquid adhesive to the middle at the back before aligning it on the card front.

Lucky last came the image panel.  I applied quite a bit of liquid adhesive to the back and aligned it over the burlap.

*** INGREDIENTS ***

QKR Stampede - digital stamp - Pine Sprig digital stamp
X-Press It A5 Blending Card

Copic markers - bells - Y000-00-11-15 + YR23
Copic markers - pine cones - E55-57-59
Copic markers - ribbons - R22-24-27
Wink Of Stella Clear Glitter Brush
MISTI - THE Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad
Fiskars - Simple Stick Repositionable Rubber Stamps - Holiday Hooplah
X-Press It - Mask It
Distress Ink - Old Paper
Mini Round Ink Blending Tool
burlap
Kaisercraft - 6 1/2" paper pad - Basecoat
Helmar 450 Quick Dry adhesive - to adhere the layers & burlap

~~~*~~~*~~~

I hope I have inspired you to get creative and look forward to seeing your work shared in the challenge gallery.  Remember we are not just a card blog, we love to see scrapbook layouts, artjournal pages and all types of papercraft.

~~~*~~~*~~~

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):

~~~*~~~*~~~

ABC Christmas Challenge - P, Q and R for People, Quick and/or Red

my card was QUICK to make and includes a touch of RED
Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog - August Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - CHNC Challenge #345

Anything Christmas Goes

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra - CHNC Extra For August

Anything Christmas Goes

Digi Choosday Craft Challenge - Wk 31 - Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers - HLS August Christmas Challenge
Anything Goes - optional twist - Poinsettia

Morgan's ArtWorld - Challenge #15 - Anything Goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenges - PIP Challenge 1732 -Anything Goes
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Challenge #341 - Anything Goes
Polkadoodles Craft Challenge - Week 30/31 - Anything Goes

QKR Stampede - Challenge #255 - Make It Humorous/Anything Goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge Blog - Challenge #122 - Anything Goes
option Summer ... we have a hot, summery Christmas Down Under
Sparkles Christmas Challenges - Challenge #78 - A Festive Sentiment
The 12 Months Of Christmas Link Up - Challenge #32 - Anything Goes
Optional Theme - Traditional Christmas Colours
Through The Craft Room Door - TTCRD week commencing 8th Aug
Time Out Challenges - Challenge #89 - Home Sweet Home

Rustic Christmas wishes with burlap & woodgrain

Hopefully you have already heard my exciting news,
seen my cards in THIS post and
entered for your chance to win on The Stencil Specialist Blog HOP.

This card features the Stampendous Pine Ornaments Cling Rubber Stamp.

I measured the stamp and cut some 3" x 4 1/4" panels to stamp them on.

I aligned the stamp with a panel in my MISTI and started stamping.

I stamped the panel with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (Copic friendly) and zapped it with my heat gun to make sure it was completely dry.  I stamped some extra panels on scrap cardstock, covered with X-Press It Mask-It and fussy cut out the ornaments to make a mask.

I peeled off the mask and carefully layered over the image panel.  I inked the background using Old Paper Distress Ink, peeled off the mask and heat set to ensure the ink was dry.

Next came the Copic marker colouring to give the ornaments a pop of colour and dimension.  I finished the ornaments off with a touch of clear Wink of Stella glitter brush sparkle.

I cut a length of burlap and frayed the edges to make a rustic mat for the image panel.  The burlap tended to move out of shape, so I matted it with some black cardstock (no, you can't see it) before adhering the image panel in place.

I took a panel of Kaisercraft woodgrain cardstock (Base Coat paper pad) and adhered it to an A5 top folding card base, trimming off the bottom of the card.  Yes, my card is an odd size but I wanted to use as much of the 6 1/2" paper panel as possible.

Here is a close-up pic showing the delicate detail and sparkle of the golden ornaments.

I considered adding some sparkling clear sequins to this card.

What do you think?  Add some?

*** INGREDIENTS ***
Stampendous - Pine Ornaments Cling Rubber Stamp
X-Press It - A5 Blending Card
MISTI
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
heat tool
X-Press It Mask It
Old Paper Distress Ink
Small Round Ink Blending Tool
Copic markers - Y000-00-11-15 YR 23-24-27
Wink Of Stella Clear Glitter Brush
Kaisercraft - 6 1/2" Basecoat Paper Pad
burlap
Helmar 450 Quick Dry Liquid Adhesive - to adhere layers

~~~*~~~*~~~

Don't forget to hop on over to my The Stencil Specialist Blog Hop post for your chance to win the awesome prize pack - good luck!

~~~*~~~*~~~

I am going to enter my card in the following challenges (alphabetical order):

~~~*~~~*~~~

Fabrika Fantasy - Challenge #11 - Christmas In July
Get Creative Challenges - Challenge #60 - CAS
Happy Little Stampers - HLS July Mixed Media Challenge - Texture
Happy Little Stampers - HLS Christmas Challenge - A/Goes optional twist Die Cuts

   

Incy Wincy Designs - 17th July - 6th August - 1 paper layer only
Koala T Crafts - July Theme - Red or Blue or Stars
Love To Scrap Challenge Blog - LTSCB #99 - Anything Goes
Morgan's ArtWorld - Challenge #14 - Anything Goes
Pile It On - Challenge #132 - Primary Colors and/or Something Beginning With "S"
the ornaments on my card are filled with SPARKLE
QKR Stampede - Up, Up and Away or Anything Goes
Sparkles Christmas Challenges - Challenge #78 - An Ornament
Star Stampz - Christmas In July Challenge
The Paper Shelter - Challenge #303 - Holiday Time
In the Southern Hemisphere we have a HOT summery Christmas,
so my dream holiday would be a wintery white Christmas