Ingenious Inkling

Fusion Challenge - Be True to Your Heart

It's time for another fantastic Fusion Card Challenge.

I loved the colors and flowers ... and I'm always a sucker for a sketch with banners.

I re-purposed some K & Company packaging (sometimes it's just too pretty not to save) together with Authentique Blissful Papers.

I added a Papaya! Arts Glitter Sticker as my focal image together wtih a Tiny Text sticker from Cosmo Cricket.

And if you'd like some further inspiration, click through and see what the Fusion Card Challenge Design Team has created:

• Betty J
• Dannielle Robeson
• Deepti
• Geri Freeman
• Jeanne Jachna
• Julia Aston
• Katie Brooks
• Kelly Griglione
• Kimberly Wiener 
• Lyndal Higgins
• Lynn Mangan
• Michelle Folland
• Michelle Lupton
• Sindu
• Stephanie Severin <---------- Me

Bundled-Up for the Holidays

We're still creating cards with layers for Jingle Belles.  I decided to use this week's Unscripted Sketch for my design.

I layered on three Cosmo Cricket papers from the Sleigh Ride Collection, as well as layering on a sentiment rectangle.

I went searching for a die cut work for the title/greeting and saw my Impression Obsession Santa Sleigh Die cut that had never been used ... it was perfect for the finishing touch (especially since I used *Sleigh Ride* papers).  I finished with an SRM Sticker sentiment border along the bottom.

We hope you'll get *all bundled-up* and join us at a Jingle Belles.

Why try to be normal?

My husband and I are in the exciting (and a bit stressful) process of buying a new home.  That also means we're in the process of selling our home.  Our realtor has *suggested* that I turn my studio back into a dining room ... which means at this point, about half of my art supplies are packed-up in the garage for moving.  

This also means that my creativity is going to have to get a bit more *creative* over the next few months as I find ways to craft with the supplies I still have at hand.

 

I wanted to join in the very first Poppy Sketches Challenge ... my first thought was to use a border punch (all packed away) or maybe some decorative scissors (packed away) ... so instead I just used a single flower, with a cool metallic brad that I've hoarded for way too long.

I love these colors together ... they are all over my studio (now my dining room).  I decided to feature a combination of Cosmo Cricket word stickers that I found inspiring (and that were on my dining room table) ... doesn't everyone have stickers on their dining room table?

Believe in Yourself

This card is made using one of the *rejects* from yesterdays watercoloring experiment.  I started by stamping Hero Arts Vertical Arrows in Versamark and clear embossed before painting with Fireworks Sprays.  

Unfortunately, the stamp had too much embossing to get a true *watercolor* feel, but the end result was still pretty enough to save to use in a different design.  

I cut it into a 5" circle card design adding a 3-D butterfly sticker, Cosmo Cricket Sticker Sentiment & Studio Calico sentiment (stamped in Neon Green).  I just love those colors.

Hip to Be Square

When I saw the Shades of Gray Challenge at CAS-ual Fridays, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to ink-up my new Too Hip stamps from the Sweet Stamp Shop.

I stamped my Hip little Hippo (I'm guessing his name is Huey) on light gray textured card stock and cut him out.  He was then attached to a darker gray cardstock panel before stamping his hip glasses (I needed to attach first, since they go a little off his face).

Then I paper-pieced his classy fedora from darker grey cardstock and attached it with foam tape for a bit of a tilt.  I used this week's CAS(E) this Sketch added some square gray gems & a sticker sentiment from Cosmo Cricket.

Runway Inspired Reindeer

As I looked at the design for this week's Runway Inspired Challenge, I wanted to find some designer paper that captured the whimsical swirls of light pink.

I started with Silly Chilly paper from Cosmo Cricket's Jolly By Golly Collection.  I added hexagons from the reverse side of the paper to pull in the greens in her hair.  Next I added some black to incorporate the black highlights in the dress.

The layout is from Hand Stamped Sentiments.  

The reindeer are having fun prancing down the runway, so I added a playful SRM Sentiment.   I finished with some Neat and Tangled sequins for a bit of sparkle ... and also for the November Paper Crafts Gallery Challenge.

Congratulations BIG Brother

Tonight I needed some cards for two little guys who just got a new sibling.  When I saw this week's CAS(E) this sketch, I thought a banner would be a good idea for one of the sentiments ... since I didn't have a stamp for the occasion, I printed it on my printer.

Well, I didn't find a plane ... but I did find a cool rocket ship from Starving Artistamps ... so instead of a banner, my sentiment is inside hand-cut rocket fuel flames.  Papers are BoBunny's Blast Off! Collection.  I added a monkey astronaut punched from one of the papers inside my rocket ship.

I added a few Neat & Tangled Sequins for a bit of sparkle.

For the next card, I used this week's Freshly Made Sketch and decided to go with a Halloween theme.

Papers are Cosmo Cricket Matilda & I think the stickers are vintage K&Company.

For this printed sentiment I went with a speech bubble die cut from Talk Bubbles.

Hopefully these will make these little guys feel special with all of the big changes in their lives.

Teacher Retirement

Tonight I had a request to make a retirement card for a technology teacher who loves yellow.  

I love being able to make cards for a specific recipient ... but I confess, this one almost stumped me.  I realized after an hour of rummaging through every drawer and basket in my studio that I really have no retirement, teacher or technology themed stamps or embellishments... so I had to think outside the box.

I started by pulling out any yellow papers ... or any I thought worked with the theme like the scan-tron & graph paper from Cosmo Cricket's the Boyfriend collection.  Next I went searching through my vintage dictionaries for words that would work, and settled on just going with retired (which I accented with a yellow highlighter).  

I added a sentiment from Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler embellished with a flower & vintage button to finish the design using this week's Mojo Monday Sketch.

Christmas Wreath Joy

We're still getting Sketchy at Jingle Belles this week.  For my second card I went for a more rustic look using Cosmo Cricket's Amarillo paper from the Halfway Cafe Collection.

I thought the circle element of the sketch just cried out for a holiday wreath, so I stamped Hero Arts Special Wishes in Warm Green Chalk ink on Ivory paper and added some Old Photo Distress Ink sponging.  The poinsettia from the same set was stamped on a scrap of the Cosmo Cricket paper and cut-out with some gold glitter pen added to the center.

I finished with a sentiment from Believe Stamps by Hero Arts adding a button from my stahs on each side.  The green tail was ivory paper stamped with Hero Arts Collage Music Background and sponged with green ink.

UPCycle Smile

My niece has a birthday later this month, and I thought it would be fun to make a card from the happy UPCycle Collection from Cosmo Cricket.  I combined several elements with this weeks Get Sketchy Sketch for my design.

I added a K&Company Girl Scout button to the center of the flower & a wrap of teal ribbon with a jaunty little bow to finish the design.