Combining Challenges with Dragonflies

One of the reasons I started up my blog again was because I really enjoy participating in various challenges. This card uses a hodgepodge of CTMH and Stampin' Up! products for the following challenges: Color My Heart, Freshly Made Sketches, and CAS on Friday

My colors are Sweet Leaf, Flamingo, and Lemonade (CTMH). I cut them into 1.25" x 4.25" strips, layered them onto a thin piece of cardstock (which is how I'm rescuing a bad purchase of cardstock that turned out to be waaaay too flimsy), then ran it through the Garden embossing folder from Stampin' Up! I then sanded it to expose the white core. I ended up trimming of about 1/8th of an inch from the top and bottom because I wanted it to be noticeably smaller than my center section. I adhered this layer directly to my card base. 

The lattice work die cut is called Linked Together and is also from Stampin' Up! I wanted a more substantial frame, so I cut a stitched rectangular frame from a CTMH die set and layered the two together. I added foam tape to the back, including super skinny lines in a few places in the center to keep it from sagging.

The dragonflies are from CTMH. Adhering them together and then to the Linked Together frame was a bit fiddly but worth it.

The final touch was some clear gems from Stampin' Up! Of all their products I used, this is the only one that's no longer available. 

I haven't added a sentiment because I'm restocking my card stash and blank ones are always good to have on hand.

Until next time,

Becca

Since joining Stampin' Up! after CTMH closed, I've been following the Artisan designers and have totally fallen in love with Maheswari Rajaguru. This is my first attempt at copying her unique, gorgeous style.

The stamped images come from a new set called Gallery Blooms. The frame is from Storybook Friends, and the lock and key are from Tags to Go. The background is the Distress Tile embossing folder. Colors are Petal Pink (Stampin' Up!) and Acorn (CTMH, but Pecan Pie from Stampin' Up! would work just as well). The frame, lock, and key were cut from gold metallic paper. I cut the frame piece three times, twice in plain white paper, and layered them together for added depth. Accents are the 25-27 In Color Flat Pearls.

I think I'm going to use this as an engagement/wedding card since I just found out the daughter of friends in New York is getting married. Or maybe I'll recreate it in her wedding colors just for the fun of doing this again!

Until next time,

Becca

I Appreciate You

 As soon as I saw the new May Online Exclusives release from Stampin' Up!, I knew I wanted to try combining it with my favorite die cuts released jointly between CTMH and Stampin' Up! last year, Secret Garden. I am thrilled with how they combined. 

Everything except the yellow buds on the edges of my floral cluster are Impressions Abloom. The embossing folder is also new. It's called Pressed Flowers. 

I predict that you'll be seeing more of this combination of products in the future because...it's so pretty!!

Until next time,

Becca

Mother's Day with Color My Heart Challenge

 The current Color My Heart (#648) challenge is Yellow+1. I chose to use the still available "Secret Garden" collection for this card.

My yellow is Honey Butter and my green is Artichoke. Both of these are retired CTMH colors. Also CTMH Retired is the frame die and the small sentiment. I don't know the actual names...sorry. I adore these Secret Garden floral dies!! I tend to cut everything in white and then sponge color, like I did here. It's such a soft, pretty look.

Until next time,

Becca

Cherry Blossom Wishes Meets Color My Heart #640

Over on my FB page, I did a video about using ink pads to watercolor. I created several cards, but I chose my color scheme based on Color My Heart's #640th challenge featuring brown and one other color. I chose pink.

This card features irresistible paper. I squeezed ink into the lid of my ink pads then used a fan brush to paint over the paper. I also used to paint the embossed image.

On these two, I created my own irresistible paper by embossing the musical notes pattern on the card base then water coloring pink ink over the top. Then, using a hot iron and a piece of printer paper, I removed the embossing. 

I then cut a large arch from the card front base. I cut a second arch from the first one so I could make two cards. To comply with the color challenge, I sponged brown around the edges. If you look closely, you can see how there's no color under the pink but there's some brown over the musical scores.

Each card features a set called Cherry Blossom Wishes. It was one of the last sets released by Close to my Heart before they closed.

Until next time,

Becca

Sweet Magnolia

 In September, I took on the role of Titus II for the Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) group here in Wiesbaden, Germany. For those of you unfamiliar with either, Titus II refers to the Bible verse that says older women are to teach younger women, and PWOC is a Bible study for military affiliated women. It's a precious privilege to mentor woman who are about the same as my daughter and daughter-in-law for the remaining time we have on active duty.

All that to say, one of my PWOC "girls" had a baby girl a little while ago. The baby's middle name is "Magnolia." The closest flower I have to that in my crafty stash is Peony Dream by Altenew. I combined it with other fun products in my crafty stash for this sweet baby card.

I chose my colors based on the current Color My Heart challenge and the design from the current Freshly Made Sketches challenge. My colors are CTMH Mulberry and Glacier. The lace die and alphabet set are also from CTMH. I'm not exactly sure where the "Sweet" die cut is from. 

I hope "my" sweet girl likes it!

Until next time,

Becca

Lolli & Pop

Well, friends, it's been about a year since CTMH announced they would be closing. It took time for me to get my footing under me after that, but the fog is beginning to clear. I did transfer over to Stampin' Up! along with many other CTMH Makers, but I have no intention of selling. At least not while we're still in Germany. 

I didn't expect to be back on my blog. However, there are some challenges that I'd still like to participate in, and I need a blog for that. Today's card is a prime example. Color My Heart's current challenge is pink and red with optional neutrals. When a dear friend announced that her first grandbaby (a darling little girl) had arrived and that she and her husband would be Lolli and Pop, this card idea came to me in a flash.

I used my Cricut to create most of this card. Only the background die cuts are Stampin' Up! (Everyday Arches and Brilliant Backgrounds). Don't even ask how long it took to make the Print Then Cut feature on my Cricut work for that banner. My printer was giving me fits!!

To create the lollipops, I used the shapes feature. I inserted three circles and a baby rattle that had a similar band across the center. Using the rattle as my guide, I elongated one circle into an oval then used it to slice one circle into the band shape. I duplicated it, then grouped the two lollipops together to size them. I also inserted the equal sign and elongated it until they became my sticks. I also added an ampersand and sized it to fit between my printed sentiment. 

I sponged edges and then added Glossy Accents over both the lollipops and the ampersand, then dotted some pearls around as the final accent. Now for the hard part. I have to let the Glossy Accents dry before I open the card back up to stamp and write my inside sentiment and greeting. Fortunately, it's Sunday and the hubs is preaching. If I can just exercise enough patience to get to church, this will be dry by the time I get home.

Gotta say...it's good to be back!

Until next time,

Becca