CYCI155 - A Very Simple Happy Birthday!

We are back with a very simple sketch challenge this week! In fact, this one was so simple I really struggled designing my card. Until, I realized... I have the perfect stamp kit for this!

I stamped the sentiment and the flowers using my misti, because honestly, it was the easiest way to line this up straight. With this image being my only focal point on this card - it had to be straight! I used Memento tuxedo black in and colored it with copics. I layered it on True Black card stock and then adhered that to a white card base. I decided it needed just a little something so I pulled out the ebony black nuvo crystal drops.

 I can't wait to see what you create using this sketch as your inspiration!! Be sure to join our Facebook group so that you can enter the challenge... Can You Case It? Challenge Group and go check out all the creations by the CYCI design team on our Facebook page!

Here are the products I used for this card:

Stamps: Special Wishes (Unity)

Card Stock: White, True Black (PTI)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (SSS)

Copics: YR16, YR15, YR0000, Y35, YG97, YG95, B23, B000 (Oozak)

Adhesives: Tombow Mono Multipurpose liquid glue (SSS)

Miscellaneous: Ebony Black Nuvo Crystal Drops (SSS)

 Please leave a comment. I'd love to hear what you thought of my creation.

Thanks for stopping by!

See ya next time.

~ Crystal

Make It Monday #282 ~ Thinking of You

I really love the look of watercolor and the Make It Monday video by Betsy this week made me very happy! I love stencils and I love watercoloring! 

My only problem was I don't have a stencil from Papertrey Ink. Yet! So, I cut out a 'stencil' using the cover plate Sunflower die. Got out some of my Papertrey Ink cubes and got inky! I probably should have used my smaller watercolor brush for the dots in the center of the flower but part of the fun of watercolor is the imperfect look. I cut out a stitched oval in vellum card stock and the sentiment in Dark Chocolate. Adhered those to the card by using glue just behind the sentiment so it's hidden. I adhered the whole panel onto a piece of Dark Chocolate card stock and then adhered the entire piece to a white card base. I added a few sparkling clear droplets from Katscrappiness and BAM!

Here are the products I used for this card:

Card Stock: White, Dark Chocolate (PTI), Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor (SSS) Vellum (SU!)

Inks: Lemon Tart, Bright Buttercup, Saffron Spice, Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado (PTI)

Tools: Cover Plate: Sunflower die, Boho Rounds Sentiments die (PTI)

Adhesive: Tombow Mono Multipurpose liquid glue (SSS)

Miscellaneous: Sparkling Clear Droplets (Katscrappiness)

 Please leave a comment. I'd love to hear what you thought of my creation.

Thanks for stopping by!

See ya next time.

~ Crystal

Papertrey April Blog Hop Challenge

I'm very excited to finally be participating in a Papertrey Ink Blog Hop Challenge.

My card is pretty simple but I really love the way it turned out. I used the new Mix & Mat: Scallops die and cut out a piece of white card stock. I then masked off different sections and sponged the colors on the white piece. I used Smokey Shadow for my grey color and then sponged Fresh Snow over top of that. It softened it a bit, but dried darker than I had hoped. I still love the way it turned out, though. I also used the Banner Style dies that I cut out of white card stock. I inked up the sentiment using Bright Buttercup and Orange Zest giving it a bit of an ombre look. I then layered the banners and then popped it up using dimensionals. My last little touch was some glossy white nuvo drops that I added to each side of the panel.

Here are the products I used for this card:

Stamps: Banner Style (PTI)

Card Stock: White (PTI)

Inks: Fresh Snow, Smokey Shadow, Orange Zest, Sweet Blush, Bright Buttercup (PTI)

Tools: Mix & Mat: Scallops, Banner Style (PTI), 

Miscellaneous: White Gloss Nuvo Crystal Drops (SSS)

 If you have a minute, please leave a comment. I'd love to hear what you thought of my creation.

Thanks for stopping by!

See ya next time.

~ Crystal

~ All Things Grow With Love ~

Just a quick post today to share my entry for the CASology Cue Card ~ Grow challenge.

I stamped the tree from Unity's Angie's Tree kit in Archival Jet black ink and heat set it so I could get right to watercoloring. I then stamped the sentiment in VersaMark ink and heat embossed some fine black embossing powder. I used a few different Distress inks to watercolor by just smooshing them on my acrylic block and pulling the color with my water brush. I wanted the sentiment to stand out a bit so I watercolored with some Worn Lipstick ink and then used Hibiscus Burst card stock for my card base. Before adhering it to my card base I decided it needed something so I pulled out a couple of dies. I love the swirls that the Lawn Fawn stitched hillside borders give the edge and the way the card base pops out from behind giving some dimension even though it's just a simple one layer card. The top white piece needed just a little something so a few pink sequins finished it off perfectly!

Here are the products I used for this card:

Stamps: Angie's Tree (Unity)

Card Stock: White, Hibiscus Burst (PTI)

Inks: VersaMark, Archival Jet Black (SSS)

Distress Oxide Inks: Peeled Paint, Mowed Lawn, Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso, Broken China, Worn Lipstick, Seedless Preserves (SSS)

Tools: Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy (SU!), LF Stitched Hillside Borders, MFT Blueprints 22 (SSS)

Miscellaneous: Fine Black Embossing Powder, Little Princess Sequins (SSS)

Go check out the challenge over at CASology... there's still some time to play along!!

Thanks for stopping by!

See ya next time.

~ Crystal

Make It Monday #281 ~ Happy Mother's Day!

It has been a very long time since I have played along with Papertrey Ink's Make it Monday challenge. I used to play along but didn't have a blog to share and actually enter my creation. I'm excited to actually be able to enter my card.

My die cut window was made with just a regular stitched rectangle die cut. I used it on both the Soft Stone patterned paper and the kraft card stock. I also cut out the Floribunda Frame die in kraft card stock. I sponged Fresh Snow, Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst, and Harvest Gold on the flowers. I used Always Artichoke and Wild Wasabi markers to color the leaves. I added some white gel pen to the centers of the flowers to help make them pop and then added some sparkle with a clear Wink of Stella pen. I stamped the sentiment using Raspberry Fizz ink directly on the patterned paper. I adhered the Soft Stone die cut piece on a white card base. I popped up the kraft layer with dimensionals. I then cut tiny pieces of the dimensionals to pop up the center pieces of the Floribunda Frame die cut piece and glued down the outer portion using liquid glue. For a last little touch, I added some white gloss Nuvo Crystal drops.

Here's a close up of some of the sparkle. It was difficult to get a picture since it's cloudy here today, but you can see a bit of it.

Here are the products I used for this card:

Stamps: Cutaway Tags: Spring (PTI)

Card Stock: White, Kraft, Soft Stone patterned paper (PTI)

Inks: Fresh Snow, Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst, Harvest Gold (PTI), Always Artichoke, Wild Wasabi markers (SU!)

Tools: Stitched Rectangle Stacklet (TE), Floribunda Frame die (PTI), 

Miscellaneous: Clear Wink of Stella, White Gloss Nuvo Crystal Drops (SSS)

 Please leave a comment. I'd love to hear what you thought of my creation.

Thanks for stopping by!

See ya next time.

~ Crystal

You Are Strong Enough!

Hello! My card for this Easter Sunday was inspired by the cue card over at CASology - STRONG!

I immediately thought of this inspiring sentiment stamp I have from Unity. Isn't it fantastic?! I knew that Drew Girl would look just as fantastic with this sentiment.

I stamped Drew Girl with Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored her in using Copics (I'll list them below). The Can You Case It? color challenge made my choice of colors super easy! I love the way she turned out! I stamped the sentiment from Unity's You Are Strong Enough kit using VersaMark ink and then heat embossed some fine black embossing powder.

 I can't wait to see what you create using this color combo as your inspiration!! Be sure to join our Facebook group so that you can enter the challenge... Can You Case It? Challenge Group and go check out all the creations by the CYCI design team on our Facebook page!

Here are the products I used for this card:

Stamps: Drew Girl, You Are Strong Enough (Unity)

Card Stock: White (PTI)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaMark (SSS)

Copics: B0000, B000, B00, B02, N0, N1, N2, N3, E0000, E000, E00, E23, E25, E47

Tools: Heat tool (SU!)

Miscellaneous: Fine Black Embossing Powder (SSS)

Thanks for stopping by!

See ya next time.

~ Crystal

CYCI153 - Happy Birthday!

Hello! We have another fabulous sketch challenge at CYCI! I love sketches... here is my card inspired by the sketch! I just love white on kraft!

 I've been having some fun with the new Distress Oxide inks. For this card I masked off a block and blended Worn Lipstick and Wilted Violet inks. I also blended them on a scrap piece of kraft card stock. I patted both blended areas with my embossing buddy and then stamped this lovely medallion flower from Unity's February Kit of the Month in VersaMark ink and heat embossed fine white embossing powder. I cut out the center of my scrap for a cute little embellishment on the side. The sentiment (also from the February KOM) was also stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed with fine white ep. I popped up the little center flower and the sentiment using stampin' dimensionals. Then I added a few dots of Nuvo drops and BAM! 

 I can't wait to see what you create using this sketch as your inspiration!! Be sure to join our Facebook group so that you can enter the challenge... Can You Case It? Challenge Group and go check out all the creations by the CYCI design team on our Facebook page!

Here are the products I used for this card:

Stamps: Feb. KOM Unexpected Places (Unity)

Card Stock: Kraft (PTI)

Inks: VersaMark, Worn Lipstick DO, Wilted Violet DO (SSS)

Adhesives: Stampin' Dimensionals (SU!)

Tools: Heat tool (SU!)

Miscellaneous: Micropore Paper Tape, Fine White Embossing Powder, Gloss White Nuvo Crystal Drops (SSS)

Thanks for stopping by!

See ya next time.

~ Crystal

~ Happiest of Birthdays ~

It's been a while since I've played along with the CASology cue cards. This weeks cue card is Icing! I was playing with a design for some birthday cards so I thought this was a perfect chance to make it fit for this challenge.

I finally got inky with the Distress Oxide inks!! Just a simple blending on some kraft, but I think it's really nice along with the white embossed cupcakes. A beautifully simple one layer CAS card!! One tip though if you decide to give this a try... after blending I patted the area with my embossing buddy. Don't rub! The ink will rub off on your embossing buddy. Just pat it on the area. Then I was able to stamp with VersaMark and add the white embossing powder without it sticking everywhere.

Here are the products I used for this card:

Stamps: So Glad You Were Born, My Cupcake (Unity)

Card Stock: Kraft (PTI)

Inks: VersaMark (SSS)

Distress Oxide Inks: Cracked Pistachio, Broken China (SSS)

Tools: Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy (SU!)

Miscellaneous: Fine White Embossing Powder, Gloss White Nuvo Crystal Drops (SSS)

Go check out the challenge over at CASology... there's still some time to play along!!

Thanks for stopping by!

See ya next time.

~ Crystal

Savvy 7 ~ April Blog Hop ~ Birthday

It's time for another Savvy 7 & Friends Blog Hop!! The theme for this month is Birthdays... talk about a theme with possiblities!! Can't wait to see what all the hoppers create this month!

I'm sure you've seen the fun Twist and Pop technique that everyone seemed to be trying and sharing all over blogs and social media networks. I know I've seen it, but I hadn't tried it yet. I had an idea for an awesome twist and pop card and I think I was actually able to create it. I hope you like it!

The card front is pretty simple. I stamped and watercolored Unity's Poppy Girl. The sentiment is heat embossed. I die cut the panel using My Favorite Things Blueprints 22. One pretty layer... I love it!

BAM! The inside of the card... I had so much fun watercoloring each panel for this. I am really getting a hang of those ZIG markers and loving them! The bottom part of the card was stamped using Unity's Wild Poppy Silhouette. I colored the stamp directly with a Real Red and Garden Green marker. I spritzed it with a mini mister and stamped. I ended up using a blender pen to fill in the flower all the way, just a few little touches here and there.

The first panel I made using Unity's Deserving kit. I'm still working on highlights in hair... I like how this one turned out, though. The sentiment was stamped, heat embossed, and then die cut using My Favorite Things Stitched Sentiment Strips.

For this second panel I used Unity's Soul Within kit. Another wonderful sentiment from Unity! They have so many inspirational sentiments. This sentiment was also die cut using the Stitched Sentiment Strips from MFT.

For this third panel I used Unity's Jar of Hope kit. I just stamped the top of the flowers around the edge a bit. The sentiment is from Unity's So Glad you Were Born sentiment kit.

The fourth panel was stamped using Unity's Missing You Girl kit. I added a few touches of white gel pen over the flowers in her hair... love the softness it added to it. This sentiment was die cut using Lawn Fawn's Everyday Sentiment Banners die.

The top part of the card I stamped using Unity's Donna Poppies with Real Red and Memento Tuxedo black inks. The sentiment is also from the So Glad You Were Born kit. This is the only sentiment I didn't heat emboss... not sure why. :)

Here's one more look at the inside of the card. I truly had so much fun putting this one together and I know just who I will be sending it to. I hope she likes it! ;)

Here are the products I used for this card:

Stamps: Poppy Girl, Wild Poppy Silhouette, Deserving, Soul Within, Jar of Hope, Missing You Girl, Donna Poppies, So Glad You Were Born (Unity)

Card Stock: white (PTI), Real Red (SU!), Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock (SSS)

Inks: Ranger Archival Jet Black (SSS), VersaMark, Real Red, Memento Tuxedo, Real Red and Garden Green markers (SU!)

Adhesives: Tombow Mono Multipurpose (SU!)

Tools: My Favorite Things Blueprint 22, My Favorite Things Stitched Sentiment Strips, Lawn Fawn Everyday Sentiment Banners (SSS)

Miscellaneous: ZIG Clean Color Real Brush markers, Uni-Ball Signo White gel pen (Amazon), Mini Mister (SSS), 

Blender Pen (SU!)

Thanks for stopping by!

See ya next time.

~ Crystal

Be sure to check out the rest of the fabulous creations on the hop!

CYCI152 - Happy Easter!

Hello! It's time for another color challenge with Can You Case It? I am loving this color combo from Amber... gorgeous!! We have Turquoise, Pink, Lime, and Kraft!! Are you kidding?!!? My faves all together! Here is my first official Easter card. 

I had so much fun putting this card together but I have to admit, I cheated a bit. All of the product for this card is in a kit that I had purchased from Simon Says Stamp, the March Card Kit. The kit is no longer available, but I believe some of the pieces of the kit are available so go check it out!

My absolute favorite part of this kit is that it came with a stencil and mini containers of Nuvo Mousse! I love Nuvo Mousse! It is so much fun to play with and it's so versatile. I hope to play around with it more and share my projects here. Anywho, back to the card, I used the stencil and the mousse for my focal point on this card. I tore some of the patterned papers and layered it on the card base. I added some beautiful satin ribbon and attempted a bow... haha! I hope you like it!

 I can't wait to see what you create using this color combo as your inspiration!! Be sure to join our Facebook group so that you can enter the challenge... Can You Case It? Challenge Group and go check out all the creations by the CYCI design team on our Facebook page!

Here are the products I used for this card:

Stamps: Some Bunny (SSS)

Card Stock: White, Kraft (PTI), Green Apple, Echo Park Celebrate Easter (SSS)

Inks: VersaMark (SSS)

Adhesives: Tombow Mono Multipurpose (SSS), Stampin' Dimensionals (SU!)

Tools: Mix & Mat: Flourishes die (PTI)

Miscellaneous: Classic Kraft 1/2" Satin ribbon (PTI), Oval of Flowers stencil, 

Aquamarine Nuvo Mousse, Peony Pink Nuvo Mousse (SSS), White embossing powder (retired SU!)

Thanks for stopping by!

See ya next time.

~ Crystal