Jan 21

Ant at work

It’s been many times that I was excusing myself from having descriptive posts, due to a late hour… and tonight is not going to be any different 😛
I already posted earlier today, and at the end of the day I decided that I’d have an evening card making session (seems pretty much like everyday lol). Anyway, I wanted to catch up with quite a few challenges, and so I ended up with some nice cards and a huge yawn on my face I really should use some sleep from time to time…
On the side note, I think I’m outdoing myself lately… again there are eight new cards total that I’ll end up showing you tonight. Mind you, two have been made the day before, but still it’s impressive 😉
Since three of them I showed you earlier, here’s the remaining bit…

Firstly I’d like to share with you my OCC DT submission for the current Thursday sketch (SASSC49). Please come and play along, the sketch is easy-peasy, and fun to play with!! I used the colours from Color Throwdown 76 on the card:

Supplies: cardstock: DCWV; ribbon: Sullivans; Cuttlebug with Swiss Dots embossing folder; stamp: SU! Baroque Motifs; ink: Versa Color Olive, Color Box Orchid Pastel

Next is the card for Mercy’s sketch MTSC57, Quixotic Challenge #10: Ink Up An Old Stamp (I got this lovely set of stamps from Stamp-It, and I ended up forgetting about it for quite some time… It’s actually the first time that I’m inking it up too - don’t ask how I could possibly commit such crime lol) & TSG38 Color Challenge - Red, Pink & Aqua:

Supplies: cardstock: DCWV; stamp: Stamp-It; ink: Versa Color Black; watercolour pencils; rub-on: Wendy Irving; ribbon & lace: craft supply

Then there is my entry for The Pink Elephant Challenge #50 (I simplified it a little):

Supplies: paper: DCWV, digital printable; rub-on: Wendy Irving, ribbon: Sullivans; sun embellishment: Porta Craft

Here’s the card I made for Stampin’ Royalty #3, which is to make a one layer card & ColourQ Challenge #16:

Supplies: stamp: DRS Designs, coloured markers, the sentiment is mine

Finally, I’ve got a submission for Read Heart Challenge at Caardvarks:

Supplies: cardstock: craft supply; paper: DCWV; chipboard heart: Bella; black felt tip pen, button, twine & feathery string from my stash, the sentiment is mine

Soo, how do you like the line up? 😀
I’ll see you all tomorrow, I’m off to have some well deserved sleep…
Thanks so much for stopping by &
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Jan 21

In love with beautiful papers

I am. Find me a card maker who’s not… Well ok, there are some ladies who can do miracles with coloured cardstock only (and some of their work is amazing!), but I’m a DP kind of gal, and I just can’t part with beautifully designed papers on my cards…
Here’s how I incorporated some of them in my last projects:

I made another DT submission for Color Dare (CD52 - Only Brocade Olive Chocolate), and let me tell you - these colours looked like quite an awkward combination to me… I had four sheets of cardstock spread on the table before me, and it took me a while to decide what I’m going to do with them. I finally settled down for a classic “SU look” - clean lines and bold designs. Mind you, it’s not entirely a clean look that I’ve achieved, for the watercoloured ornament turned kind of blurry. I think it was too intricate design to colour in with this medium.

Supplies: papers: Grant, digital printable; stamp: Grant (?); watercolour pencils & blender pen; ink: Versa Color Bark; ribbon: Sullivans; Fiskars border punch; sentiment sticker: Heidi Grace.

I also made two cards for this week’s Tuesday Trigger. Yes, two - and you know why? Just look at this inspiration photo, and tell me you don’t feel inspired! I just couldn’t resist

Supplies: cardstock: DCWV; paper: Grant (including the butterfly cut-outs); alphabet stickers: Cloud9; brown marker, twine

Supplies: cardstock: Lincraft; paper: Grant; blue marker; flower: digital image; ribbon, button, twine, etc: craft supply;

Hope you liked them, and most of all, hope you’ll hop over to Color Dare and play along! I can’t wait to see what you’ll do with this weeks colours!!
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Jan 19

Colour storm

Woohoo, this is my second post for tonight! I managed to whip up eight cards today, can you believe? This was a delightful day indeed, but it’s late again, and I’m having trouble keeping my eyes open… Thus a quick post this time.

I made a card for CPS 150, and the colours from OCC’s current colour challenge were perfect for the theme. (I seem to have a lot of doubled, even tripled and more entries for some challenges lately… this card is my third one for OCC this week!)
I’m over with the winter theme for the time being, but today I finally got the stamps from DRS Designs, that I won at 2S4Y last year, and I wanted to ink up these lovely conifers:

Supplies: cardstock: Lincraft, DCWV; papers: digital printables; pearls: Kaisercraft; stamp: DRS Designs; Perfect Medium (embossing ink); decorative chalks, needle; ribbon: Sullivans, Fiskars border punch

Here’s the CPS sketch that I’m using:

Next I’ve got the card for Get Sketchy (sketch - GS21) , and the colour combo from TSG38 - Red, Pink & Aqua:

Supplies: cardstock: Lincraft, DCWV; papers: digital printables; ribbon: craft supply; black felt tip pen; the sentiment is my design

Finally, there’s the card for the beautiful sketch SC263, and the colours from Curtain Call Color Challenge Act 13:

Supplies: cardstock: Lincraft, DCWV, Grant; papers: DCWV; ribbon: craft supply; white pen; Fiskars border punch, Cuttlebug machine with Swiss Dots embossing folder, rub-on: Porta Craft

That’s it for tonight, I can hear my bed calling me now, but I’ll be back tomorrow!
Have a great evening &
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Jan 19

Artsy fartsy… and why I’m in love with Tim Holtz stamps

This is going to be a humongous post people, so feel free to grab yourself a cuppa and sit back!
I had an extremely pleasant morning, that I spent - where else? - in my stamping room.
I had the freedom to stamp my heart out, and doing so I discovered yet another side of me - I can do artsy stuff after all!
After hours spent admiring the work of some of the finest ATC makers, I found out that firstly - there’s no need to be afraid to reach for new means of expression, and secondly - all I need is a good set of stamps
And these came in the mail yesterday. Long awaited set from Tim Holtz Visual Artistry collection, that I had the pleasure to work with briefly before, and fell in love with instantly. Today’s cards are all pretty much about trying to squeeze the very last drop of goodness out of these gems.
And here they are:

The two consequent cards below are my takes on CAS50 - It’s the Real Deal! Let’s use the rich color of Teal! I squeaked with joy when I saw the title. Teal is probably my most incredible discovery yet. Before I started card making, this was my most avoided colour. I just couldn’t stand it! Now I can’t live without it, especially when it comes with rich browns… *mmmmmm*
It’s all pretty weird, for I’ve been known to be faithful to my favorite colours all my life.

Supplies: cardstock: DCWV, Lincraft, Grant; papers: digital printables; stamp: Tim Holtz; ink: Versa Color Celadon; ribbon: craft supply

This card is the only one that doesn’t use Tim Holtz stamps. I created the “starry” panel by embossing the cardstock, and swiping the embossed parts gently with ink:

Supplies: cardstock: DCWV, Lincraft; stamp: Paper Xtra; ribbon: Wrights; Fiskars border punch; button & twine: craft supply, ink: Versa Color Celadon, Color Box Brick; Cuttlebug machine with Stars embossing folder

Next is the card that’s not my usual style, but I adore how it turned out! The shabby look really helped to emphasize the brick wall technique that I used. Perhaps only the supposed “bricks” resemble more a shattered crockery here, or an old, weathered marble tile floor
I made it for TLC256 ~Brick Wall. I’ve got a feeling this is going to be one of my favourite techniques!

Supplies: cardstock: Lincraft; paper: Grant; stamp: Tim Holtz; ink: Versa Color Black; twine: craft supply

I also used Sarah’s bonus sketch at 2S4Y (rotated and… altered):

Another project, this time for Kazan’s sketch 44 & WT253 - Where’s the Birdie (yeah I know… my third entry… :P) I stamped the birdie twice, and placed the cut-out part slightly off center above the other one, to create an effect of movement.

Supplies: cardstock: Lincraft; paper: digital printables; stamp: Tim Holtz; ink: Versa Color Black; ribbon: craft supply

Finally, I’ve got a card for Embellish Stripes Color Challenge & IC215 ~ Nell Hill’s. HERE you can find my inspiration - a lovely card holder. Can I have one please??

Also, I don’t see why this couldn’t be my next card for WT253 - Where’s the Birdie. LOL

Supplies: cardstock: Grant, DCWV; sentiment stamp: Tim Holtz (little hearts & flourish are mine - you can tell from how crooked it all is lol); brown& white gel pen; ribbon: craft supply

I hope you enjoyed cards today! Have a wonderful evening

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Jan 18

Botanical & whimsy

Woohoo, I had an exceptionally early craft time today!! I’m glad I did, for this means that I’ll have the pleasure to stamp twice today - I ain’t going to resign from my evening session!
To my amazement, the cards that I made took me half the time that I’d usually spend on them. It must be a good day for my mojo
Here they are:

The first card is my take on Karen’s fresh sketch. Again, she came out with a fantastic design - both for the sketch and her sample.
I used the colours of Color Throwdown #75:

Supplies: cardstock: Lincraft, DCWV; papers: digital printables; ribbon: Sullivans; Fiskars border punch; Cuttlebug machine with Victoria embossing folder, deep red & green markers

The leafy branch and the sentiment are my designs - another project that I intend to improve & digitize in the future.

Another project is my first entry for the challenge blog that I discovered recently - Stampin’ Royalty. Their Challenge #2 has some really… challenging colours, i must admit. I decided that I try and battle them anyway lol.
The layout is based on this great card by jdmommy, that I decided to case for FS154: Just Delightful (in RED)!!!!

Supplies: Cardstock:DCWV; Paper: digital printable; Fiskars border punch; needle (for piercing); stamps: Tim Holtz (flower), Hero Arts (sentiment); ink: ColorBox Dark Peony, Wisteria, Peach Pastel

Lastly, I made a card that doubles as a submission for some of the yummiest challenges that I already entered my projects into: CC252: Bermuda Celery Hunters!, OCC Color Challenge (blue & green) & our brand new sketch at Card Patterns:

Supplies: cardstock, papers: DCWV (including cut out flowers); needle; sentinment: Hero Arts

Thanks for stopping by, my dear crafty friends! I’m off to make dinner, and I shall be back shortly!
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Jan 17

Playing with styles

Well, I’ve got three new cards for you tonight, and each is quite different. I find that I can’t really name my style, if I have any… I like all sorts of them - I can ooh and aah over both heavy embellished and detailed vintage projects, as well as the simplest CAS designs. I also like to try out everything - mind you, sometimes with miserable effects 😉
Perhaps with time I’ll settle for a particular style, but for now I enjoy the process of learning different techniques.
Let me show you what were my choices for tonight’s craft time

First there’s this week’s DT sample for a wonderful Card Patterns’ Sketch 47:

Supplies: cardstock: craft supply; paper: digital printable; ink: Versa Color Umber, Bark; black & red felt tip pen; black watercolour pencil & blender pen, ribbon: Li’l Davis Designs, craft supply; Fiskars border punch

I’m also entering this one for Moxie Fab World’s Start to Finish Challenge. Here’s how I decorated the inside:

The kettle & mugs images, as well as the sentiments, are my design. I admit that they look a bit… shabby *cough* - I drew them quickly on a piece of patterned paper to suit the challenge, but soon I’ll re-design, digitize them & add a few bits & pieces, to make my first set of digital stamps. I’m planning to use them, along with some other sets, as the prizes for the challenges that I’ll be holding here… hopefully soon

I hope you’ll have time to hop over to Card Patterns and be inspired by outstanding creations of my fellow DT girls to play along! You wouldn’t want to miss the fun!!

Next I’ve got a clean & simple card for OCC’s Colour Challenge - green & blue (LOVE this combo!!) & FTL74:

Supplies: cardstock: DCWV, craft supply; stamps: Paper Xtra; ink: ColorBox Ice Blue, Prussian Blue, Versa Color Olive; ribbon: craft supply; pearls: Kaisercraft

This is as simple as it gets, so I don’t think it needs any description…

Finally, here’s my submission for JUGS16 - color challenge & Quixotic Challenge #9 (sketch):

Supplies: cardstock & paper: Grant; floral cutouts: digital printables; sentiment: Paper Xtra; ink: Versa Color Sky Gray, Umber, Sand Beige; watercolour pencils & blender pen; pearls: Rasberry; Ice Stickles; ribbon: Sullivans; doily lace: craft supply

Hope you like them? Thank you for visiting!
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Random Acts of Creativity

by Iwona Palamountain

Monthly Archives: January 2010