Reason to Smile!

 Happy Friday!  I had some time to get crafty today!  I am playing along with this week's MFT Sketch Challenge, MFT Color Challenge, Simon Says Monday "I" Challenge, I chose ink blending. and Simon Wednesday Challenge to sparkle and shine.  

I started with MFT smooth white cardstock base.  I die cut another smooth white panel using Blueprints 20.  For the focal image I die cut smooth white and steel gray with rectangle pierce stax.  I white embossed a sentiment from True Friends and Smile stamp sets. 

I ink blended using MFT ripe raspberry, jellybean green, and limelight inks.  I added the word "smile" die cut from Blueprints 15 using mirror gold card stock.  I die cut the scribbles using the same mirror gold card stock for my corner accenting.  I felt like the card needed a few more gold touches, but sequins were too busy looking.  I chose to die cut a pierced snowflake die namics using the same mirror gold card stock and used the tiny gold chads as my tiny accenting.  I love how it turned out. 

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Many Blessings!

I have a card to share today!  I am playing along with PTI Make It Monday  watercolor Stencil challenge.

Since I did not have repositional paper available, I die cut the larger fern leaf from PTI Meadow Greens using one of the PTI coasters for a thicker stencil.  I thought this would soak up some excess water.  I used watercolor paper and watercolored the leaf using the die cut stencil portion.  I do not think it is crisp by any means, but I love the free flowing look to the edges so I decided to work with it.

 

I gold embossed the smaller fern leaf in the set using versamark.  I love how it looks layered on the watercolor paper and image.  Next,  I die cut  a rectangle from Fabulous Frames dies and white embossed the sentiment from Scripted stamp set.  I finished my card with some loose threading and gold sequins.  I like how it turned out.  It has a bit of a masculine vibe to me.  What do you think?

I am also playing along with a few other blog challenges. 
CASE this Sketch,  CAS-ual Fridays,(embossing) Inkspirational (kraft), and Sweet Stampin'  (no designer papers)challenges.

  

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Happy Birthday!

Happy Saturday!  We had a thunderstorm this afternoon which brought some much needed rain.  It was a great time to get crafty.  I am popping in with a card.  I am playing along with this week's Colour Q and 
Seize the Birthday Challenges.  

For my card I decided to do a watercolor background.  I started with some watercolor paper.  I added the colors and flicked some of the colors around for a spotted affect.  I really love how it turned out.  I sat at my kitchen table and colored several different panels.  It was very calming and relaxing. 

I let the panel dry and die cut it with Blueprints 13 and used some foam mounting tape to adhere to the smooth white card base.  I die cut the feathers from gold foil card stock using MFT Feathers and Arrows die namics.

 This picture shows the sheen with the gold foiled card stock.

 I added some foam tape to the feathers and added some loose threading behind.  For the sentiment, I die cut a piece of black card stock using Blueprints 23 and embossed in white the Birthday sentiment from Whimsical Wishes stamp set.   I finished my card with a few clear sequins.  

As always thanks so much for stopping by! 

Betty

Hello There!

Happy Thursday!  I am popping in with a fun card to share.  I am playing along with Papertrey Ink's Create Along With Us July 2015 Challenge.  There are so many gorgeous cards to choose from all the designer creations, but I had to chose in order to play.  I chose this card by Betsy Veldman.  I was drawn to the bold colors, black background, and touch of sponging on the left side.  I used the stamps and dies that I have to recreate the look.

I started with a smooth white card stock base.  I then cut a PTI white linen card stock panel that I sponged on the left side with grape jelly and razzleberry inks.  I add the true black panel to the top of the linen using foam mounting tape to add dimension.  I tied my twine and bow then glued to the card base.

For the flowers, I used PTI The Sweet Life.  I stamped the roses in shades of grape jelly with royal velvet and razzleberry with electric red.  Betsy did add some summer sunrise to hers and I actually love that added color pop.  I chose to leave that color off.  For the leaves I used limeade and sour apple inks.  I arranged flowers with some foam tape and glued on the leaves.  I sponged another piece of linen card stock with grape jelly and razzleberry inks.  I die cut this panel with the scripted sentiments die.  I layered this colorful on over two other plain die cut pieces for added stability and dimension.  I finished with a few clear sequins.

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Muse: Christmas Visions Challenge MCV11!

Happy Wednesday!  It is the 3rd Wednesday of the month and time for my  MUSE:  Christmas Vision Card Club
Challenge!     

I hope my card inspires you to create a Christmas creation of your own.  I can't wait to see what you create.  Make sure you link up your creations HERE!

 

For my card I am also playing along with this week's Retro Sketch and Just Us Girls Trend Week - to use Gold!  I started with a smooth white card base.  I topped it off with a natural card stock layer that I stamped with Verve's Deco Borders in versamark and gold embossed.   Next, I layered the circle element that I stamped with sentiment from Verve's Holiday Treats.   For the next element in the sketch, I wanted a pop of color.  I used cranberry cocktail card stock.  I stamped the sentiment on a fishtail banner using Verve's Bright Spirits stamp set in versamark and gold embossed. I sponged the panel with versamark to create more depth and richness.  I added two trees die cut with Verve's Winter Fun die set.  I die cut one with green glitter card stock and layered a gold foil tree behind it.  For some added Christmas charm, I added two tiny gold jingle bells that I tied together with thread.  I punched a hole in the cranberry cocktail card stock and pulled the thread through to the back and taped the thread down so the bells would not droop.   I finished my card with a few of Verve's Holiday Sequins Mix. 

As always thanks so much for stopping by!  

Betty

You Deserve the Very Best!

Happy Tuesday!  I have a TAG to share today!  I am playing along with this week's Tag You're It Challenge #25, and  Simon Monday "Anything Goes" Challenge.  

For the Tag Challenge, the inspiration comes from Erin's tag.  I love the script detailing, the flower, and the sponging.  I started with two large pierced rectangle die cut tags.  The bottom one is done with smooth white card stock.  The top tag with PTI Linen White.  I must say I am very impressed with the thickness of the linen card stock.   I embossed the sentiments from PTI Scripted Sentiments in white.  I sponged the bottom with greens and the top with a soft blue.  I added the flower, stems, and leaves from PTI Mum's the Word stamp set.   I die cut the Scripted Sentiments die three times and glued together for some added dimension.  I like that it hangs off the edge on both sides a bit.  I finished the top tag with a few sequins.   Since Erin's tag was layered, I  chose to offset two tags.  I stamped the bottom one with Super Stripes in red and black and used some score tape to adhere the tags together.  I looped some black/white twine threw the tag and added a mini clothespin for an added detail.  

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Verve's Diva Inspirations Challenge and Blog Hop!

It's time for the Verve Divas to bring you our monthly Diva Inspirations Challenge and Blog Hop! There are two ways to win Verve prizes: comment on the design team's blog hop posts (linked below) to see their take on the inspiration, then go get inky and link up your take on the challenge to be eligible in our prize drawings! You have the rest of the month to link up, so feel free to play as often as you like.

 

Our July challenge is Sensational Stripes

Stripes go with everything! Make them nautical, or pair with florals for a graphic look. Use stripes however you're inspired! Use the inspiration graphic or head off in your own direction, just show us your stripes! 

Click here to link up your challenge entries
Challenge deadline: Saturday, July 31.
Prize: $30 gift voucher to the Verve online store!

For my card I started with Fancy Pants By the Shore patterned papers.  I layered pattern sections to follow this week's Mojo Monday Sketch.  I used Verve's newly released Flourished Tag die set  and stamped the circular sentiment from Verve's Faith Medley stamp set.  I  added a loose thread bow and attached with a mini clothespin. I die cut Verve's newly released butterfly die from Verve's Butterfly Dream die set.  I layered pattern paper and vellum.  I topped the butterfly with a few of Verve's Shine Bright Sequin Mix.  I also added a few other of the sequins to the card.

Need a little inspiration? Check out the blogs linked below to see what the other Divas did with the challenge! It's sure to be a treat, and speaking of treats, we've got a prize for one lucky commenter along the hop! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize info and deadlines!

	1. Julee	8. Susan
	2. Amy	9. Maureen
	3. Betty	10. Marisa
	4. Jen	11. Stacey
	5. Karen	12. Laurie
	6. Sankari	13. Amber
	7. Sarah

Hello Friend!

I am popping in with a card to share.   I am playing along with this week's Papertrey Ink Make It Monday Challenge.   This challenge really got me thinking about using dies for custom borders.   Must borders be on the "outside" edge?   Do borders have to be "straight?"  I answered "no" to both of these questions.  This is my take on using dies for borders.  Normally, I would use these leaves with flowers.  I chose to use them this time as "inside" borders that are not in a "straight" line.   

I started with smooth white card stock base.  I layered a watercolored card stock panel that I watercolored with some hawaiian shores ink refill.  I let it dry.  I stamped the sentiment from Wet Paint stamp set.  I used hybrid black licorice ink.  For  my leaves, I used Friendly Flowers stamp set and coordinating dies.  I stamped the leaves using limeade ice.

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Herd You Had a Birthday!

Happy Tuesday!  I have been on vacation for a week!  Went to the beach and a couple of other out of town trips.  I have not had a chance to get into the crafting zone until this morning.   I made a fun card to share!  

For this card I did some more experimenting with watercolor backgrounds.  This time I used watercolor paper.  I tried using reinkers and ink pads.   I think I need to get some actual watercolors.  It seems the color saturation would be more intense with those.  Or, maybe I just need to use different shades of the reinkers together for some contrast.  Like I said, I am still experimenting.

I am playing along with CASE this Sketch  and The Paper Players.  I created my watercolor background scene of sky and grass using summer crush and limeade inks.   I should have used some darker hues of the greens for some contrast.    I die cut and stamped my cute little cows using MFT The Whole Herd stamp set and die namics. 

I colored with copics.  I used Blueprints 2 frame to die cut the watercolor paper.  I used MFT Stitched Basic Edges on the bottom to comply with sketch look.  I stamped my sentiment and added a few sequins and my card was done.   

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Celebrate!

It's time for a new Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!

source: refinery29.com

To celebrate the Curtain Call's third anniversary, the Celebrate challenge will run the entire month of July!  The LEAD of this challenge will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge!

I am so thrilled to say that I am a new member of the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge design team!   I am so honored to join a group of amazingly talented stampers!

For my card I pretty much just recreated the look from the inspiration photo.   I kept the card CAS.  I have been loving this style lately.   I started with some smooth white card stock for my base.  I layered a blueprints 15 stitched frame.   I die cut several of the same size balloon stax die namics in shades of pink lemonade, lemon drop, blu raspberry, and wild cherry.   I used the direct to paper (DTP) technique with versamark on the balloon tips.  I sprinkled on some gold embossing powder and used a watercolor brush to brush away excess.  I heat embossed.  I used versamark to go over the tops of the balloons to add richness to the colors.  Next, I tied on some thread and created my balloon bouquet.   I used MFT Celebrate Big stamp set and stamped the word "CELEBRATE" several times in hybrid black licorice ink with the aid of my MISTI   for a deep rich inking. I finished my card with a few clear sequins. 

Make sure you visit each of the designers' blogs for more inspiration!

Celebrate Designers

Tammy Hershberger, Guest Designer
Amy Kolling
Amy Sheffer
Amy Tsuruta
Betty Wright- You are Here!
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Monika Davis
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tenia Nelson
Tracey McNeely

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Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge Facebook Page

Curtain Call Pinterest Boards

Stop by the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge:  Celebrate 
for the challenge details and to play along with us!

As always thanks so much for stopping by!

Betty