Category Archives: Challenges

- Stamps – Lawn Fawn “Year Five”
- Dies – Lawn Fawn “Stitched Circle Frames”
- Patterned papers – Lawn Fawn “Perfectly Plaid” 6 X 6″ paper pad
- Bling – EK Success – Sticko dimensional stickers
- Cardstock – Bazzill
- Zig Clean Color markers
- KaiserCraft metallic gel pens
I’ve been meaning to make an otter card with this set for a while now. I brought it with us to the coast–how appropriate–and finally got it colored and put together! I colored the otter with Zig watercolor markers and the ribbon on the present with a metallic marker. It was fun to layer the different papers using the varying sizes of die-cut circles–almost like paper piecing. Thanks for stopping by today.
Challenge – LawnFawnatics Challenge #1 “Happy Birthday.”
3 Comments | tags: clean and simple stamping, die cuts, fauna, lawn fawn, stamping, watercolor | posted in Birthday, Challenges, Coloring

- Stamp – Impression Obsession “Sweetpea Corner”
- Die – Spellbinders Nestabilities “Classic Ovals”
- Patterned paper – Belle Vie 6X6″ pad – Julie Nutting
- Zig Clean Color markers / waterbrush
- Cardstock – Bazzill
This is a simple Springtime card featuring the sweetpea stamp from Impression Obsession. I colored it with Zig Clean Color markers and used a waterbrush for the watercolor effect.
Challenge: 613 Avenue Create Challenge #195 – Anything Goes / Stamped Image
Thanks for visiting today.
2 Comments | tags: cardmaking, clean and simple stamping, die cuts, flora, Impression Obsession, spellbinders, stamping, watercolor | posted in Challenges, General Cards, Spring

- Sentiment stamp – Altenew “Vintage Roses” set
- Die – Spellbinders Nestabilities – “Labels Seventeen”
- Die cuts – Tim Holtz Ideaology “Snippets” and “Paper Dolls”
- Magicals – Lindy’s Stamp Gang – Cattail Copper Brown, Ponderosa Pines Olive, and Red Hot Poker Orange
- Distress Oxide inks – Spiced Marmalade, Walnut Stain, Worn Lipstick
- Distress Ink – Mowed Lawn
- Cardstock – Bazzill
I used two different backgrounds to create layers on this year’s anniversary card I made for my husband. One background was the Distress Oxide layer that provides some subtle color. The brightly colored, sparkly background which I created using Lindy’s Magicals powder was then die cut for the backdrop for the married couple. I combined the Tim Holtz die cuts and stamped a sentiment for a focal point, making this a perfect card for the Happy Little Stampers monthly challenge to create with dies. Thanks for visiting.
1 Comment | tags: cardmaking, die cuts, distress techniques, stamping, tim holtz | posted in Anniversary, Backgrounds, Challenges, Distress Techniques, mixed media, Uncategorized

Supplies:
- Altoid tins
- Gesso
- Decorative paper napkins
- Gel medium
- Black Staz-On ink pad
- Pearl trim
- Small wooden hearts
- Treasure Pewter Wax Gilt
- DecoArt Metallic Lustre (metallic wax) – Copper Kettle
I was inspired by a wonderful spread in the February Craft Stamper Magazine showcasing altered Altoid candy tins. I’m part of a monthly group at our local art and craft store: Runaway Art and Craft Studio. We take turns selecting a project from the magazine and leading the group in creating it. It was my turn to lead the group and I chose altering Altoid tins with paper napkins. We each took a tin and applied a thin layer of gesso. We cut out small portions of napkins to fit the front and back of the tins and then attached them with gel medium. Once dry, I edged the tin with Staz-On ink on a foam applicator and stamped one of the tins (on the right) with a text stamp in spots. I covered the portion of the tins (without the napkin) with the metallic wax, as well as the wooden hearts. Finally, I applied black Staz-On ink gently on the pearls (right hand tin) for an antiqued look and attached the wooden hearts to the top. Thanks for visiting.
3 Comments | tags: flora, mixed media | posted in Challenges, Craft Stamper, mixed media

- Stamps – Poppy Stamps “Penguin Be Mine”
- Dies –
- Poppy Stamps “Penguin Be Mine”
- WPlus9 -“Stackers: Hearts”
- Patterned paper – Authentique “Beloved” Collection – “Beloved Three” (both sides)
- Cardstock – Bazzill
- Baker’s twine
- Red metallic paper – Paper Accents
I know! Valentine’s Day is long past! I made this Valentine for my Mom, but just didn’t get it posted right away. This is a fabulous stamp and die set from Poppy (and I have a discerning eye when it comes to penguins!). I colored the penguin and accessories with Copic markers and used the coordinating die set to easily cut them out. The greeting was also from the Poppy set. The patterned papers are actually both side of the same sheet by Authentique. I have a bit of the red metallic paper I used for the heart peaking out from behind the patterned layer to tie things together. This card perfectly fits the theme for the current challenge at Poppy: Hearts Aflutter. Thanks for stopping by.
4 Comments | tags: authentique, cardmaking, die cuts, penguins, poppy stamps, stamping, wplus9 | posted in Challenges, Uncategorized, Valentine

- Stamps –
- Avery Elle: “Hang In There” and “Petals and Stems”
- Stampers Anonymous “Vintage Text”
- Dies – Avery Elle: “Hang In There” and “Trees”
- Patterned paper – Bella Blvd “Time to Rake”
- Metallic copper paper
- Embossing powder – Personal Stamp Exchange – Copper
- Ranger Perfect Pearls Mist – Perfect Copper
- Ranger Distress Inks – Forest Moss, Crushed Olive, Walnut Stain, and Rusty Hinge
- Recycled Java Jacket (from Starbuck’s Coffee)
- Cardstock – Bazzill Bling
It was fun to create this card with some new supplies I got recently (and some really old supplies!). I customized the tree with a versatile die set. I can make the trunk as skinny or as fat as I want! I die-cut the bear and stamped his face with the matching stamp set. I inked him up, which in reality just made him look grubby! I created my own patterned paper with Distress Inks overstamped with the Vintage Vintage Text stamp and then sprayed with copper Perfect Pearls Mist. From that, I die-cut the leaves for the tree branch. I embossed the leaves on the tree trunk and the sentiment to tie together all of the copper elements. The backdrop within the tree trunk is a recycled Java Jacket from a cup of coffee–a nice, small little piece of lightweight corrugated cardboard. I will post this on Paper Players for the Theme Challenge #326: Going Green. The copper paper and embossing powder have been in my stash for years and years! I’ve had the Petals and Stems stamp set for quite a while also. It is fun to use new and old supplies and see how well everything will fit together. Thanks for visiting.
2 Comments | tags: Avery Elle, cardmaking, die cuts, distress techniques, embossing, fauna, Stamper's Anonymous, stamping | posted in Challenges, General Cards, Paper Players

- Image – from World Wildlife Fund Penguins calendar 2016
- Stamp – The Cat’s Pajamas “Big Cups” (sentiment)
- Die – Spellbinders Nestabilities “Romantic Rectangles”
- Stamp – Patterned paper – Ella & Viv “Rainbow Splash #2”
- Sequins and beads – 28 Lilac Lane
I made this card in response to a challenge in my card group–we were to use an image from a calendar (recycling, you know). Not surprisingly, I have penguin calendars every year thanks to a friend of mine! So it wasn’t difficult to find a penguin or two to fit on a card. After constructing the card with paper panels and a die-cut frame, I added a few sequins with a seed bead in the center for a bit of sparkle. Thanks for visiting.
1 Comment | tags: cardmaking, Cat's Pajamas, penguins, stamping | posted in Challenges, General Cards

- Dies –
- Spellbinders Nestabilities – Resplendent Rectangles
- Elizabeth Craft Designs – Season’s Greetings
- Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations – Holiday Greens
- Patterned paper – KaiserCraft – Christmas Carol 6-1/2″ paper pad
- Metallic paper (red) – Paper Accents
- Gelli Plate print
It was kind of difficult to capture this ornament accurately with all of the reflection on the red metallic die-cut. This die-cut really shines and sparkles! The background is a gelli plate print I made previously, mainly with red paint and stencils. I accented the frame with holly from the Sizzix die set. The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is Make it Sparkle, but I hope a little shine will also fit the bill! Thanks for visiting and Happy Holidays!
3 Comments | tags: die cuts, Gelli Plate, Simon Says Stamp, tim holtz | posted in Challenges, Christmas, Monoprints, Simon Says Stamp

- Dies
- Tonic – Acorn Swirl
- Little B – Labels
- Vintage Photos
- Ranger Distress Collage Medium – Crazing
- Tim Holtz idea-ology
- Alpha cards
- Mirrored stars
- Tinsel Twine – Autumn
- Tissue Tape
- Sierra Pacific Crafts tinsel trim (green)
- Cork Tape
- Metal adhesive dots – Mark Richards and Colorbox
- Metallic cardstock – Paper Accents (silver and red)
- Cardstock – Bazzill
- Ranger Distress Ink – Walnut Stain
I created three ornaments for three magician friends who have been mentors for Trenton since January 2009 (nearly 8 years), since he was 10 years old. He was the charter member of Salem’s Society of Young Magicians and performing magic effects has been a large part of young life. Now that he is 18, as the bylaws of the Society of Young Magicians state, he must move up to the Society of American Magicians (the adult group). So this weekend, Trenton attended his last meeting and performed in his last show with the group. As a thank you, our family gave Glen, Tom and John (the mentors) each a gift basket and each included a personalized ornament shown above.
I took a vintage image of a magician and collaged it with some die-cuts and other ephemera. I applied collage medium that gave the image an antiqued quality, including a crazing (crackle) effect. Then I added some walnut stain Distress Ink to the edges of the image and to the crazed texture to show it off a bit more. I created a different composition for each ornament that included an Alpha card (playing off the tricks they all do with cards) that is an initial of either their first or last name, and other embellishments for visual interest. It was a fun project to do and hopefully provided them with a small memento that will make them think of Trenton when they decorate their trees.
I am including this in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge “Christmas Gifts.”
Thanks for stopping by.
3 Comments | tags: die cuts, distress techniques, mixed media, Ranger, tim holtz | posted in Challenges, Christmas, Distress Techniques, Oranaments, Simon Says Stamp

- Stamps and Dies – Lawn Fawn “Jump for Joy” sets
- Embossing powder – Stampendous “Lettuce”
- Sequins – 28 Lilac Lane “Neutrals”
- Cardstock – Paper Accents
- Copic markers
I couldn’t resist these creatures playing in the Fall leaves! I stamped and die-cut the various elements to create a clean and simple birthday card for my son. The images are colored with Copic markers. I’m thinking this card is perfect for the Paper Players Challenge #313 “Taste of Fall.” Thanks for stopping by.
3 Comments | tags: cardmaking, clean and simple stamping, copics, die cuts, embossing, fauna, lawn fawn, leaves, stamping | posted in Autumn, Birthday, Challenges, Clean & Simple, The Paper Players