Krafty Chicks Challenge #579: AnyThing Goes (ATG)

Where did September go?? Time just flies when you're having fun, or life is busy. With my hubby away in Greece for the last six weeks, I've had to run the household (it's just me but I can be quite messy), work in and harvest the garden, and take care of our busy pizzeria by myself. Okay at work, I have good team that helps out during these busy times (reinstated restrictions and farmers harvest season). Even our usual slow days are busy. There's just no rest for weary...just yet. Hubby doesn't come back to pick up the slack until first week of November.

But enough about me, you came to see my card for the AnyThing Goes challenge over on the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog. These are usually the easiest kind of cards to make since I can play with any theme I want, almost like there's rules. Here's my card:

Sadly though, I needed a sympathy card for a friend that lost her husband in a motorcycle accident. He was so young, my age actually, and he leaves behind a loving wife and two young girls. Looking through my stamp sets, I noticed the Hugs, Prayers, Love and that's exactly what I'm sending this family.

Supplies I used:

• Positive Thought stamp set: 151490
  
• Cherry Cobbler ink pad: 147083
• Granny Apple Green ink pad: 147095
• Memento ink Pad: 132708
  
• Thick Basic White card stock: 159229
• Basic Black card stock: 121045
• Basic White card stock: 159276
• Gold Foil Sheets: 132622
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine: 149653
  
• Nature's Thoughts Dies: 153586
• Gold Elastic Cord: retired
• Black Matte Dots: 154284
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue: 110755
  
• Stampin' Dimensionals: 104430
  

I like to keep the inside of the card and the envelope just as CAS. Added a sentiment and some green foliage to complete the card set.

Head on over to the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog for more details about the challenge and for more inspiration for AnyThing Goes week from the Design Team. There's even a place to upload your project at the end. I hope you play along with us and show us what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Bonnie (Guest Designer) 

 

Krafty Chicks Challenge #578: All Occasions

 Happy Krafty Chicks Thursday to you!

Welcome to another great challenge week from the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog. All Occasions is the theme, so pretty much anything thing goes. Here's my card:

 

I created this Thank You card for my Crafty Inkettes United Card Club Members. Once a month (except December) we gather together and they make three cards that I've prepped. They place their order and take turns earning the Hostess Rewards. When the products come in and I sort it, I always (almost always, I've forgotten a time or two) include a blank Thank You card for them to use, either as a give away or as an inspiration.

 

Supplies I used:

• Daisy Garden stamp set: 155079
• Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set: 152517
  
• VersaMark ink pad: 102283
• Magenta Madness ink pad: 153117 (see tip below)
  
• Thick Basic White card stock: 159229
• Magenta Madness card stock: 153080
• Basic White card stock: 159276
• Basic Black card stock: 121045
  
• White Embossing Powder:155554
• Heat Tool: 129053
• Blending Brush: 153611
  
• Stampin' Dimensionals: 104430

TIP: I do not own any of the In Color Ink Pads. Instead what I do is buy the Uninked Stampin' Spots (141822), they come in a pack of 5 and buy the Classic Stampin' Ink Refills (153123). All you need to do is add a few drops till the felt is saturated, I'm going to guess at least 30 drops, and you have a cheaper alternative.

I like to keep the inside of the card and the envelope just as CAS. Just a few daisies stamped in Magenta Madness and called it good.

Head on over to the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog for more details about the challenge and for more inspiration for All Occasions week from the Design Team. There's even a place to upload your project at the end. I hope you play along with us and show us what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Bonnie (Guest Designer) 

 

Krafty Chicks Challenge #577 - CAS

 Happy Krafty Chicks Thursday to you!

Are you ready for this week's challenge? I'm the hostess and we are looking for CAS, as in Clean And Simple. Here's my card:

While browsing Pinterest for inspiration for cards using the Daisy Garden stamp, I stumbled onto this one by Brian King and I just HAD to case it. Originally I thought we can do this for my card club but then I remembered that I promised them original designs and that I wouldn't post it anywhere but on our private Facebook group. And besides, I just found out, most of them don't enjoy colouring! Shocked!! While they agree the cards we coloured in the past were beautiful and worth it cards, they still didn't enjoy it. 

Just because I couldn't have this card for the card club, didn't mean I wasn't going to create it. I love it that much! I'm sure you agree with me.

Supplies I used:

• Daisy Garden stamp set: 155079
• Lovely You stamp set: 152525
• Stamparatus: 146276
  
• Early Espresso ink pad: 147114
• Watercolor Pencils (Assortment 1): 141709
  
• VersaMark ink pad: 102283
• White Embossing Powder: 155554
• Heat Tool: 129053
  
• Crumb Cake card stock: 120953
• Early Espresso card stock: 119686
• Stamp Cut & Emboss machine: 149653
• Old World Paper 3D embossing folder: retired
• Stitched Rectangles Dies: 151820
  
• Stampin' Dimensionals: 104430

I like to keep the inside of the card and the envelope just as CAS. I just stamped and coloured a few daisies. Easy-Peasie!

Want some more inspiration?? Go check out the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog to see what the Design Team have created. Hope you play along and upload your project so that we can see what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog Off this week

Bonnie(Guest Designer) 

 

Krafty Chicks Challenge #576 Christmas Week

Yeah, it's Thursday! Time for another great challenge from the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog. Let's put the spotlight on Christmas this week! My little penguin friend is back and having lots of fun!

I found this wonderful sketch challenge over on 52 Christmas Card Throwdown that is perfect to showcase the penguin. I just didn't make my card square.

 That cute little penguin is actually an image on one of the sheets of DSP that you can get for FREE from Sale-A-Bration (SAB) until September 30, 2021. I fussy cut him and popped him up as the focal point.

Supplies I used:

• Penguin Place stamp set: 153410
  
• Memento ink pad: 132708
• Pool Party ink pad: 147107
• Pumpkin Pie ink pad: 147086
• Fresh Freesia ink pad: 155611
  
• Thick Basic White card stock: 159229
• Misty Moonlight card stock: 153081
• Penguin Playmates DSP: 158420 (FREE with SAB until September 30,2021)
• Blending Brushes: 153611
• Paper Snips Scissors: 103579
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine: 149653
• Stitched Rectangles Dies: 151280
  
• Stampin' Dimensionals: 104430

I like to keep the inside of the card and the envelope just as CAS. Stamped a penguin topped with a tuque and some snowflakes to have them coordinate with the card. Added a little card stock and scrap DSP to add colour for the inside of the card. And that completes the card set.

Head on over to the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog for more details about the challenge and for more inspiration for Christmas week from the Design Team. There's even a place to upload your project at the end. I hope you play along with us and show us what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Bonnie (Guest Designer) 

 

Fall Forever Fern Card Challenge

I recently decided that there wasn't enough on my plate and took on the role of hosting a Project Challenge in one of my Facebook groups: All Canadian Stamperz - Buy, Sell, Inspire and Share. Honestly though, all that it requires me to do is find a graphic, add text, create an album, make a card, post to album, and comment on other entries. September is when we start seeing signs of FALL, hence why I chose that theme. I also extended the challenge onto my own Facebook Group called: Diane's Craft Space.

 Where do you get your inspirations from?? Sometimes I use a sketch or a colour combo, sometimes it's a picture or a scene, and sometimes it's a box of Kleenex. Yup!

 

While brushing my teeth one morning, I look around and my eyes catch the box of Kleenex. Now it's been sitting there for a couple of weeks, I grab a tissue everyday, I sit on the toilet more than once a day (keeping it real) and it's never once drawn me to really take a look at it. Instantly, I think I can make a card, Forever Fern stamp set, fall colours, I'm doing it! Grabbed my phone and took a pic. Run downstairs to my craft space.

I couldn't find a light enough striped DSP (Designer Series Paper) but I did find some already textured looking ones in my retired stash. But there was still some brightness to it and I wanted to fade it out more. As I've played with mixed media before, the gesso look is what I was going for and the Stampin' Up! version is White Craft ink and a sponge. Then I used my heat gun to dry it but it was still taking a while and decided to leave it overnight, I had to go to work soon anyway.

Next was to pick my colour palette. I'm picturing a maple leaf in my mind, so decide on Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, and Old Olive. Not sure if you've ever tried the Baby Wipe Technique but it's a simple way of getting a variegated palette. Simply squirt a few drops of each colour on the wipe, pounce your stamp onto palette moving it a little up, down, left and right. Not drastically moving it as you don't want to muddy the colours on your stamp but be sure it's all covered and a bit blended. Last step is to stamp it onto card stock.

I just repeated the process a few times on both DSP layers until I was happy with the look. Mounted it onto Cherry Cobbler and Pumpkin Pie card stock and that layer onto a Thick Basic White base. I stamped the sentiment directly onto the DSP. I goofed on the Pumpkin Pie card so I needed to mount a label to hide my little mishap. Simply white embossed the sentiment on the label, popped it up on dimensionals and you'd never know there was a boo-boo under there.

Supplies I used:

• Forever Fern stamp set: 152559
• VersaMark ink pad: 102283
• Cherry Cobbler ink pad: 147083
• Pumpkin Pie ink pad: 147086
• Cherry Cobbler ink refill: 119788
• Cajun Craze ink refill: 119790
• Pumpkin Pie ink refill: 105229
• Crushed Curry ink refill: 131158
• Old Olive ink refill: 100531
• White Craft ink refill: 101780
• Thick Basic White card stock: 159229
• Cherry Cobbler card stoc119685k: 
• Pumpkin Pie card stock: 105117
• Fine Art Floral DSP: retired
• Heat Tool: 129053
• White Embossing powder: 155554
• Sponge: retired, you can use sponge dauber (133773) but it might take longer
• Tasteful labels Dies: 152886
• Stampin' Dimensionals: 104430

As you all know, no card is complete without a simply decorated inside and envelope. I wasn't able to finish off this last part at the same time as the card so I put my "stamp pad" into a Ziploc bag with another clean wet baby wipe (to help keep it moist). And it was still usable after a 7 hour work shift. The colours had drifted closer together but hadn't muddied yet. I left it overnight just to see what it would look like, it didn't muddy but the colour was wider spread, thicker bands of colour and not the look I was going for but still moist enough to keep using if I wanted to.

And so that was fun! I hope you try the technique. You could also find many videos on YouTube that can teach the Baby Wipe Technique if I didn't explain it clearly. Also if you would like to join the September Fall Challenge in Diane's Craft Space, add your project to the Album.

Can't wait to see the amazing creations come pouring in!

Paper Pumpkin August 2021: HOPE BOX

 This is the first time in the history of me buying Paper Pumpkin that I have actually finished a card kit, made alternates and used up almost all of the elements. That is besides the Treat Packaging for Halloween and Valentines. Maybe I shouldn't admit that to you, being a Demonstrator and all but I like to keep it real and be honest. Want to know another truth?? I have a stock pile of past Paper Pumpkin waiting for my attention, possibly 1.5 - 2 years worth. No joke!

 A little background on the August kit:

• it was created by the cofounder of Stampin' Up!, Shelli to remind us of why life is so precious
• the Hope Box was designed to be a keepsake box- keep mementos of cherished memories, reminders of what is yet to come, treats, and trinkets that represent what hope means to you
• you could keep it for yourself or gift it to someone who could use some uplifting
   
  I decorated mine as per instructions in the kit. I'm loving that they are now in colour  instead of boring old grayscale. Makes it that much easier to assemble the kit; it even tells you where to attach the glue dots and dimensionals.
  
  
  I'll show you the cards as they were designed for the kit first. Look familiar?? I posted these for the Krafty Chicks Challenge on Thursday, September 2nd. You can scroll down to find it or click here, so much easier.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  They are wonderful as they were designed but I wanted to try alternatives. FYI: instructions also give you three added alternatives. And you can also find more inspiration on Pinterest by following Paper Pumpkin. So here is my first batch of alternatives:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  By just changing some of the elements around, fraying the ribbon, and adding some Basic Black card stock with white embossing powder, I was able to get something similar yet different and just as pretty. Oh and I remembered to use the sequins this time!
  For the last batch of alternatives, I did get inspiration for one card from Emily, EMK Creations on Facebook, where she used the stencil as a mask. YES!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I'm very pleased by the way they turned out. So please that I will be offering a class for the Alternatives using the Refill Kit. Sadly, since the ribbon isn't included in the refill kit, I will have to substitute it with card stock for banners and twine.
  
  • Anyone who purchased a full kit through me will get the class for free and must bring and use their own kit for In-Person class. I will provide the extra materials.
    
  • For all others, cost is $20 for In-Person class. You get the refill kit and all added material. Be aware, there is NO stamp set and NO ink spot in the refill kit. You will be using mine.
  • Crafty Inkettes United Card Club members: Cost $18, refills can be added in your monthly order, just pay the difference.
    
  • Virtual option will available if needed. Cost would be $20 plus added shipping rate to you. You get the refill kit and all added material. Be aware, there is NO stamp set and NO ink spot in the refill kit. You can substitute with any suitable stamp sets you already own. I cannot stamp images or sentiments as per SU! rules.
    
  • Email me at: su.ink.outside.the.box@gmail.com and let me know if you want more than one kit (add $15 for each additional kit, plus shipping if required).
  • Deadline to order is Tuesday, September 14 by 9pm.
  • Class will be hosted in my home on Monday, September 27th from 11:45-2:45pm.
  • Limited space available for In-Person Class and while stock last from Stampin' Up! store.
    
  

  I can't wait to craft with you soon!
  

Krafty Chicks Challenge #575: Stamp Act

 Happy Krafty Chicks Thursday to you!

Welcome September! It's back to school for many Alberta students and the end of summer vacation. I have the honour of driving my grandsons on their first back today, a tradition we started with Kenley. He is entering Grade 2 this year. Man, he is growing up too fast. My little Atticus is starting Kindergarten and we hope he's as excited as he was in preschool last year.

Onto my card for this week's Krafty Chicks Challenge : Stamp Act. As long as something is stamped, be it an image or a sentiment, it qualifies for the Stamp Act challenge.

This card is from the August 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit called Hope Box. This kit creates 9 cards, three times three designs and decorates the keepsake box. Scroll further down to see the others. I absolutely loved this kit and couldn't stop playing. I've even created 3 more alternative cards but I'll save those for another post this weekend.

Here is the second card:

"Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! is a crafting subscription kit that delivers creativity to your door every month. Each box includes everything you need to make a stunning project. You'll be surprised with projects like cards, gift packaging, home decor and more for just $30 a month (shipping included).

Talk about happy mail!" Quoted right from the Paper Pumpkin page. Now the third card:

 Paper Pumpkin (PP) kits are fabulous for all stampers from beginner, to casual, to avid ones. I often refer my new to stamping customers to start with PP. It's a great way to build up a stash of crafting products monthly and not break the bank. All PP kits come with a unique stamp set with an ink spot (that won't repeat a colour in a 12 month period), and all the supplies needed to create the project within. Your first subscription kit even comes with a block, so you can get started right away.

You are too late to order this kit but you can get the Hope Box Paper Pumpkin Refill (159345) if you are a PP Subscriber or message me and I can get it for you. Be aware though that a Refill kit does NOT have the stamp set or the ink spot, just the materials to create.

Need more inspiration for the Stamp Act challenge, hop on over to the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog to get the details. And upload your project so that we can see what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Bonnie (Guest Designer)