Ingenious Inkling

Santa, I Can Explain ...

I discovered a new-to-me Challenge .. the CAS Stencil Challenge ... and the August theme is Sprays.

 

It's been a while since I broke out my Technique Junkies Shimmering Bliss Sprays, so I attached my Square Fade Stencil by A Colorful Life to some watercolor paper using Pixie Spray (makes stencils work so much better, especially with sprays) and used two different shades of blue.

 

When I reached into my stamp basket, these were the two stamps I grabbed (Christmas Kitty & Dear Santa) ... so I thought why can't a Christmas cat be teal.  Remember 10% off your entire Technique Junkies order using discount code TJ10Stephanie (and the August release is another 15% on top of that through the 8th).

Endorphins are a Girl's Best Friend

I did get to do a little art supply shopping on my trip last week.  I picked-up this Brandi Kincaid Surviving a Funk Stamp set for PinkFresh Studio at Scrapbook Generation in Springfield, Missouri.  I decided to combine it with this week's CAS(E) this Sketch!

 

My sister & I talked quite a bit about the importance of exercise in the overall health equation and the power of endorphins (she's kicking butt training for her first marathon).

I paired it with a piece of Gel Press Print from my stash and a white-on-white patterned card base.

 

Harmony Glitter Birthday

I've had Gina K. Designs Monthly Mix Challenge on my list of cards to make this month ... the theme is Flag You're It!, so I went with the USA Red, White & Blue.  When I saw this lovely Harmony Necklace from Ten Thousand Villages at this morning's SplitcoastStampers Inspiration Challenge, I decided to try my had at some of Gina's delicious Glitz Glitter Gel. 

When I returned from Junkiefest, I ordered several colors, and they just happened to be shades of Red, White & Blue (okay, Turquoise Seal isn't exactly true blue, but it's in that family).  I looked through my Gina K. Designs Stencils and decided that the Water Droplets Stencil was the closest to the design of the necklace.  I applied the Glitter Glitz Gel at an angle starting with white and then using the teal & red on each side.  Clearly my blending needs work (as does my patience because I had trouble not sticking my fingers in it while I waited for it to dry) ... but I'm calling it a more "rustic* look to go with the rustic feel of the jewelry (hey, whatever works).

 

I added some Love from Lizi Peel-Off Stickers down each side to frame it and then wanted a medallion-like sentiment like the pendant on the necklace.  I went with a vintage Gina K. Designs Birthday Go-Round Sentiment (they don't make this one anymore, but the Unity/Gina K. Designs Birthday Go Round would be a great substitute) die cut with the Small Stitched Circles Die.

My layout was inspired by the CAS Colours & Sketches layout.  I'm also joining CAS on Friday where the theme is Use a Stencil.

And I'm joining the MISTI Monday Challenge at SplitcoastStampers, which is to make a red, white and blue card that isn't patriotic.  

 

Coloring with Kathy

One of the 4 hour sessions I took at Junkiefest was a Coloring Class with Kathy Racoosin.  She provided us a variety of images where we could color along with her.  I attempted this sweet little Paper Smooches So Fairy Cute images (you can see Kathy's version here) using a set of new AlteNew Markers that she had for each table to try.

 

Kathy said her fun little dots were due to her marker blooping some ink ... my marker didn't bloop, but I liked it so much I created the dots on purpose.  She also taught us how to use blending solution and a piece of wash cloth to create fun texture, so I used that on my fairy as well. I finished with a sentiment from Paper Smooches Christmas Sampler.

I'm also linking my sweet fairy up at the Paper Smooches Anything Goes Challenge.

 

For this card, we were supposed to learn to draw a shadow around our image.  I was unhappy with the results, but like the coloring on my tulips, so I used some detail cutting to rescue my design.

When I got home I attached it to some texty designer paper to finish the card.  I'm linking-up at the Anything Goes Challenge at The Corrosive Challenge Blog.

I hope I have the courage (and mostly the patience) to keep coloring.  I spent most of Saturday coloring some upcoming cards ... it takes longer than I'm used to spending on a design, so it's a bit of a mental and scheduling shift for me ... but I was happy with the results, so I think it's one I need to make.  Hopefully I'll get to take more coloring classes in the future.

I Miss Your Face

The theme at the DCWV July Stack-a-holic Challenge is Summertime.  I built my card around this fun pocket card from the DCWV Modern Meadow Stack ... because summer is all about adventures.

 

The polka dot paper is also from the Stack ... I kept it CAS using this week's CAS(E) this Sketch! and added a typed stamped sentiment from Hello Bluebird Typed Everyday.  For the finishing touch, I added some Love from Lizi brown peel-off stickers around the edge of the frame to give it a bit more contrast.

 

Striped Butterfly Swell

I loved having an extra day in my studio Today.  While I love traveling with my crafty friends, I'm most comfortable creating in my own space.  The extra time gave me the opportunity to create for a few challenges, including the current challenge at Memory Box, which is to make a striped card. 

I looked through my stash, and decided i wanted to use a striped pattern behind my lovely Memory Box Butterfly Swell Die.  I found this pink & ivory striped paper in a Valentine's Day collection and built my card around it.

I finished with a sentiment from Memory Box Springtime Typewriter Sentiments (love typed sentiments) and a few epoxy dots in the center of my butterflies ... love how this one turned out.

 

Bursting with Joy

I've been on a Clean & Simple kick lately ... this one only uses one color of ink (Versafine Clair Monarch).

 

The Bouquet is Essentials by Ellen Mondo Wildflowers and sentiment is from Essentials by Ellen Lovely by Julie.  I should have used a smaller sentiment cover a bit less of the bouquet, but I still love the finished design using this week's CAS(E) this Sketch!

 

Margaritaville

The challenge at The Paper Players is a Clean & Simple Summer Beverage ... and to me, nothing says Summer quite like an iced cold margarita with salt on the rim.  Our favorite Mexican restaurant makes them with fresh squeezed orange and lime juice ... so so good with chips & salsa.

 

I broke out Cathy Zielske's Happy Hour Set with Verdant Green Ink ... because I have so many friends I would love to have a Happy Hour with (my *white* space for my CAS design is Gina K. Designs luscious Jelly Bean Green cardstock).

 

I pulled in yellow inspired by the beautiful photo at the Inspired by Challenge (Swapping the Lemons for Limes).

 

and the clean & simple layout is from the TGIF Challenge.

 

 

Eat, Drink & Be Scary

The new Impression Obsession Challenge is all about Drinks ... you would think I would have some drinks in my stash ... a coffee mug, champagne glass, beer mug ... something??  But no.  Clearly I need to win, so I can go shopping.

 

So I had to get creative and make a Halloween Card with the only Impression Obsession Drink Sentiment I have from the Monster Mash Stamp set.

 

I paired it with this fun little set of Die Cut Monsters using this week's CAS(E) this Sketch!

 

Santa Baby

This week at Jingle Belles we're celebrating Santa Claus ... St. Nick ... the Jolly old Guy himself ... or you might choose to feature Mrs. Claus, the Elves, Reindeer or even our favorite, a Yeti ... anyone who might be living at the North Pole.

 

I wanted to use some never before used Santa from my stash.  I had never paper pieced this cute little Santa Die from the Sizzix Side Order Collection ... it included the tiny embossing folder & the noel word die cut, so I combined them all with some wood grain cardstock.

Cute ... fun ... masculine ... and mailable.