Pearly Sparkles April Challenge ~ Something Old, Something New

Hi Crafty Friends,
We have a new April challenge at Pearly Sparkles.
This month's challenge is Something Old, Something New.I chose to interpret the challenge by using old and new crafting supplies.

I love how bright, happy, and springy this card is.  It just makes me smile.

My "something old" is the Jaded Blossom scallop rectangle die.  I've had this set for years and it's one of my crafty staples.  The sentiment is a precut image from Crafter's Companion.  It's been in my stash since who-knows when.  I just ink blended it and popped it up on the card.

My "something new" is the Gina K Designs Cheerful Flowers Stencil/die/3D embossing folder set. I just used the 3D embossing folder and stencils ~ so pretty.

I hope you'll play along with us this month.

Cut it Up Challenge #349 ~ This Makes Me Happy

Hi Crafty Friends,
Welcome to our Cut it Up Challenge #349 ~ This Makes Me Happy.
Your project can be a subject that makes you happy OR it can be a favorite technique, crafty tool, or craft supply.  
Here's my project sharing a new (to me) technique inspired by a Gina K Designs project video.This project made for some happy moments in the craft room.

I've made an eclipse card before but never using patterned paper or eclipsing (is that a word?) all of the die cuts. Basically, the entire card it an eclipse.  I did want the letters to have a slight shadow effect so instead of stacking the letters on white, I used the green cardstock for the stacked layers.  I didn't want it entirely lost in the pattern design.

I hope you'll play along. Use the link above to share your project.

Cut it Up Challenge #335 ~ Monochrome

Hi Crafty Friends,
The next theme for Cut it Up Challenge #335 is MONOCHROME.
Here's my card using a color family I ordinarily wouldn't choose, shades of green.I like green but don't usually choose it as the focus color, so this card was out of my comfort zone.Of course, that's the fun of crafting, to challenge yourself do something different.

Products I've used:Pinkfresh Studio inks and Overlapping Leafy wreath stencil and die setWhimsy Stamps HELLO die setAltenew Deck Planks 3D embossing folderAmerican Crafts ribbon
I hope you'll join us for this challenge.  Add your project to the link above.

Cut it Up Challenge #326 ~ Colors of Spring

Hi Crafty Friends,
We have a new challenge up at Cut it Up Challenges.Yesterday was the first day of spring in the USA.  I'm not sure the weather in some places is convinced it's spring but we can keep our fingers crossed.
Here's my card for our Colors of Spring challenge.

I've used all Pinkfresh Studio products for this design.

Stitched Octagons cover plate

Hope You Are Smiling sentiment set

Happy Blooms stamp, die, stencil set

Pinkfresh Inks

Notched Corner Frames dies

I hope you'll play along.  This challenge closes at noon PDT on March 31.

Cut it Up Challenge #323 ~ This Makes Me Smile

Hi Crafty Friends,
Time for another CIU Challenge.  Challenge #323 is THIS MAKES ME SMILE.There are so many interpretations of this challenge.  Maybe it's the theme of the card or the colors, or the technique and/or tools you've used.  You decide.  Just remember to tell us about it.
Here's my card.  The color combination and using stenciling makes me smile.

I've used Pinkfresh Studio's Reason to Smile stamp, stencil, die set, LLLC banner die, Pinkfresh Studio Ornate Rectangle Frames and Dotted Scallops cover plate.

I hope you'll play along with our challenge.  Add your card to the link above.

Cut it Up Challenge #317 ~ Favorite Color(s)

Hi Crafty Friends,

Our theme for Cut it Up Challenge #317 is FAVORITE COLOR(S).

I really gravitate towards a green/purple color combination.  I never got to wear purple/lavender when I was young since my mom really disliked that color.  I remember my first independent act as a young adult was to purchase a completely purple ensemble - suit, scarf, shoes, handbag.  I was such a rebel - LOL!

Here's my card using the "A Friend Like You Bouquet" Betterpress plate and Copic Markers.

 I added a butterfly from Pinkfresh Studio's Fluttering Butterfly die/washi tape collection.  I also used Jaded Blossom's Rectangle dies to give the mat a little more dimension.

I hope you'll play along with us HERE.

Outlawz Challenge ~ Festive Friday April Challenge

Hi Crafty Friends,
I'm so excited to announce that I have joined the Outlawz Challenge - Festive Friday design team.It will be fun being a part of another challenge blog and I hope you'll join me by playing along.
This challenge has FOUR themes for you to choose from each month.  April's themes are:Christmas (always a choice)Happy EasterSpring is in the AirClean and Simple (CAS)
I have some new crafty tools that I've been playing with.  My newest is the Glimmer Foil systemso I decided to follow the CAS theme with this card made using the Glimmer and plates from Spellbinders (sentiment) and Pinkfresh Studio (design.)

Please visit the blog (link above) to read the challenge guidelines and upload your project.

We're also on Facebook HERE where you can read about All of the Outlawz challenges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cut it Up Challenge #290 ~ Layer it Up

Hi Crafty Friends,
Time for a new Cut it Up Challenge and it's one of my favorites ~ Layer it Up.Layering is one crafty technique that I use on almost every one of my projects.
Here's my card using images and a sentiment created using the Spellbinders' Betterpress.It's my newest crafty toy and I'm loving it.  I've never used the letterpress process but this new tool really makes it easy.

I began by inking up a Ranger Water Color panel using Distress Inks.  I added Archival Burgandy ink to my Betterpress plate to get the leaf images.  After using the companion dies to cut out the leaves, I used water and a brush to add splatters and a little color release.  Using the water color paper allows the Betterpress to give a deep stamped impression.  I also used a Betterpress plate for the sentiment stamping and pressing on gold foil paper.  It's been fun experimenting with different papers, inks, and other mediums to create some interesting results.  

I hope you'll join in our challenge and show us your Layered Up project.

Just follow the link above.

Just Saying Hello

Hi Crafty Friends,
Today I have a sweet friendship card using the "Woof You" digital image from All Dressed Up.

I used Copic markers to color.  The sentiment is from Jaded Blossom.  I heat embossed the white ink on the black paper to make it stand out.  I used a Martha Stewart border punch (!) for the side panel.  Wow, I haven't used an actual border punch in ages.  I almost donated all of mine - who knew!  The pierced dies are from STAMPlorations.
Thanks for stopping by today.

Cut it Up Challenge #251 ~ Any Animal or Insect

Hi Crafty Friends,
Yay!  There's a new Cut it Up Challenge posted.For this one we'd like to see any animal or insect, and don't forget to add a die cut!
I used stamps from our sponsor, CAS-ual Fridays to create this card.  

First I used the "Flowery" background stamp and then colored and die cut a matching flower from the Flower Duo set.  The Hello sentiment was stamped directly on the background.  I added the Bee using a die set from Lala Land Crafts.  I also used the Stitched Rectangles from Jaded Blossom.  The flower was colored using Copic Markers.  This would be such an easy design to mass create using different colors on the flower and mat.
I hope you'll play along with us.  The prize will be a gift voucher from CAS-ual Fridays.