A quick Tuesday night card

Couldn't let this colour scheme go untested.  So what I tried to incorporate is the delicate pink of the apricot/peach flesh with the more striking colour of the skin.  

This is based on a previous CAS(E) this sketch challenge which I didn't get around to.  Again, my favourite stars but no bling - how rare is that for me!  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI black, white, melon berry;  BB apricot

Stamps - MFT On the Line, Pretty Poppies (sentiment)

Ink - Versafine Onyx Black

Die - MFT Star Stax

Would like to be back before the end of the week, but, well, work calls and that is what pays for this addiction.

Play Date Cafe # 178

I was going to save this colour combination for the PTI Blog Hop, but got a bit carried away and did it anyway.  It is amazing what you uncover in your collection when you go looking.  Now, quiet to those Nay sayers, you know who you are.  Yes, I have a lot of stamps that I haven't used but they get used eventually.  SEE!!!

It looks quite a bit more vibrant in real life and the silver gems really add something.

What you need

Cardstock - SU white, Basic Grey

Stamps - PTI Background Basics Spots and Dots;  WMS Compact Sentiments

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, London Fog, Dandelion, Rose Bud

Die - MFT Fishtail Flag Stax

Gems - Kaisercraft

Not raining .... but VERY hot

Interesting .....  how all my post titles are weather related.  Possibly because things in this part of the world have been so out of the ordinary.

What colour is "coral"?  There is the lovely hue in the challenge photo but I had nothing remotely resembling it.  SU used to have a coral colour but I always hated it (sorry Michelle!).  So, where to next.  I have opted for Tsukineko's official coral colour, a lovely pink tone.  So did the old smoosh on paper and love the result.  

There have been so many wonderful versions of  negative diecuts which I thought would be perfect for both these challenges.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white, black

Stamps - PTI Stitched Sentiments;  Simon Says Stamp Beautiful Words

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black;  Brilliance Pearlescent Coral

Dies - Memory Box Prim Poppy;  PTI Stitched Sentiments

*****

Now, this green - Glorious Green, is a difficult colour for me.  Not because I don't like it, I love its freshness, but my tastes really lie in the yellow-green spectrum.  

Which is probably why I went with minimal green of any kind (oh, and some new background stamps).  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white, black

Stamps - HA Number Pattern, Thank you, Lotus Leaves

Ink - Memento London Fog,  Versacolor Fresh Green;  Versafine Onyx Black

Gems - Kaisercraft.

*****

 I was going to stop there with the whole challenge thing this weekend, as I usually find after 2 or 3 I am no longer enjoying the "process".  But this one just wouldn't go away and after I saw a  post by Laura Bassen, it gave me an idea.

I tried this with the hexagon pattern in black, which I thought would work, but the white seemed more harmonious.  I wanted to work with my new extended collection of Inktense pencils but the effect wasn't as smooth as Copics.

Pretty happy with the effect actually.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white, Express it blender card

Stamps - HA Luscious Frames

Ink - Versafine Onyx Black

Die - PTI Happy Hexagons

Copics

Corner Rounder - We R Memory Keepers

Studies in rainy day colours

The colours in both these cards are fairly indicative of the weather we have had for the past few days.  Again, torrential rain, towns not far north of us are being flooded tonight for the fifth time in 12 months.    For the driest continent on Earth, this deluge is truly ridiculous.  

Initially, I was trying for the graphic of the tie, but the colours didn't quite work.  I have gone with a pretty but not too fancy female card - I hope.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white, vellum

Patterned paper - Teresa Collins Carolina Breeze

Stamps - HA Year Round Sentiments

Ink - Memories Unicorn

Die - MFT Fishtail Flags

Butterfly - Jenny Bowlin

This next one, I had real trouble deciding which way to go with it.  I wasn't sure whether there was a hint of Houndstooth around the hem of the dress.  So, went with minimalist again, stamped the flowers then coloured in the leaves.

What you need
Cardstock - BB Dark Blue
Stamps - HA Pattern Hearts and Flowers
Ink - Memories Unicorn
Prismacolor white pencil
Uniball white gel pen
Gems - Kaisercraft

Play Date Cafe #159

I am pretty sure my daughter had a tricycle like this.  She would zoom around the garage on it, and when she outgrew sitting on it she would stand on the plate between the back wheels and use it as a scooter.

So I just had to have a go at this one - for old times sake.

I know this is a sympathy stamp set but it is just so versatile.  I have used it on Christmas cards, and now,  a Just Because card.  

What you need

Cardstock - SU black, real red, white

Stamps - PTI With Sympathy, Mega Mixed Messages

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black;  SU real red

Black ribbon

Frame - SU Hodgepodge Hardware

Gems - Kaisercraft

Springtime ... but it feels like winter

After the very warm days we had over the weekend, yesterday it poured with rain (nobody is complaining after having none for 2 months), and today it is very windy and cold.  Just can't pick it at the moment.

I have been wanting to get into the Hero Arts challenge a little more regularly, given the number of their stamps I have, which have hardly been touched.  So with a bit of help from a couple of other challenges, as the inspiration around here is a bit low, here is what I have come up with.

I have found lately that I need cards without a sentiment. When I write to my family, yes, snail mail style,  they love to get a card

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white

Stamps - HA Lotus Leaves, Pattern Hearts and Flowers, Year round sentiments.

Ink - SU Primrose Petals, Early Espresso;  Memento Cantaloupe.

Seam Binding - SU Pear Pizzazz

Gems - Kaisercraft

Finishing up from the weekend

Waltzingmouse #100 and Dynamic Duos #5

Time does go fast and already we are at the 100th Waltzingmouse challenge.  For this card I have restamped the label afew times to get a layered effect and very happy with the result.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white

DSP - SU First Edition

Stamps - WMS Vintage Labels 18, Pic Nic Patterns, Cameos to Go (sentiment)

Ink - SU Real Red, Island Indigo;  Memento Tuxedo Black

Die - PTI Medium Scallop

Ribbon - Su Real Red grosgrain

Gems - Kaisercraft

******

Retro Sketches #14 and Play Date Cafe #134

I thought I might not get the chance to finish my card for these challenges but a bit of unexpected time at home waiting for tradesmen allowed me to finish them.  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Kraft

Stamps - Paper Smooches Hip to be Square;  WMS Asian Gardens (sentiment)

Ink - SU Poppy Parade;  Memento Rich Cocoa

Flowers and Gems - Kaisercraft

Brad - ?

Diamond Stickles

*******

And finally, not sure if I will enter this one for Just us Girls, it is possibly a bit too simple but in my latest mania to use my quite large collection of  12 x 12 patterned paper, I have used some glittery paper.   This could be for my father or husband, whichever is more in touch with their feminine side.

What you need
Cardstock - SU Early Espresso, Vanilla; vellum
Patterned paper - Chatterbox Fine Tinsel paper  in chocolate
Stamp - PTI Think Big Favourites
Ink - Versamark
Glitter - SU

Play Date Cafe #132

As I suspected might happen I have ended up with my daughter's flu, which has lain me low for a few days, oh to have the ability to bounce back quickly like children.  So card making or in fact anything requiring concentration has been non-existent.  I have almost finished the second Hunger Games book which has been about all that I can manage.

So a quick little card.  I have had this one on my desk for a week or so. I was fiddling around with masking and trying to add a second chair which didn't work, but wasn't prepared to bin it.  Then up come the latest Play Date challenge and a perfect chance to use this card.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white

Stamps - Hero Arts ?

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Daffodil Delight

Eclipse making tape

Sunday Cards

The idea I had for this challenge was a Mother's Day card for my Mum, but it evolved into this pretty number.  Reasonably classic, very CAS but not for my mum next Sunday.

What you need

Cardstock - SU grey, white

Stamps - Verve Great Friend, Because of You

Ink - SU Pretty in Pink, Pool Party

Gems - Kaisercraft

*****

It seems there are birthdays going on everywhere at the moment.  This one is for my brother-in-law, the celebration was today but not sure exactly when the big day is.  It is very hard to see the glittery "50", as my camera is basic and doesn't take the best photos, but it looks very effective in real life.  

As it is Simon Says Stamps 3rd birthday as well I will enter it for that challenge as well

What you need

Cardstock - BB black; cardboard

Patterned paper - SU Mocha Morning;  Doodlebug glitter Lily White

Dies - PTI Wonderful Words, lower case letters, numbers

Other - Kindyglitz (black);  Darice black glitter

A few more cards from the weekend ...

Glorious colours so had to do something with them, and this is it.  

Not sure who I would give this card to  but the senitment fitted perfectly and maybe if I hang on to it long enough ...my daughter.

What you need
Cardstock - SU white, Night of Navy
Stamps - PTI Daydreamer
Ink - Memento Pear Tart (and marker); Versacolor Boysenberry; SU Night of Navy
Gems - Kaisercraft

*****

I have simplified the design of Laurie's very rich card for Case Study #88, down to a few elements that I really loved.  I have been participating in the online class "A Cut Above" and have never done a die shaped card.  Well here was the opportunity.  My favourite SB labels die as well (no idea of the number).  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Kraft; SU vanilla

Stamps - JustRite Ticking Stripe;  PTI Fillable Frames, Pretty Peonies

Ink - SU Regal Rose, Early Espresso;  HA Pool;  PTI Fresh Snow

Die - SB Labels

Punch - MS butterfly

Gems - Kaisercraft

Summer Butterflies

I haven't done water colouring for such a long time and it was so much fun to renew our acquaintance. The cards done by the DT were just amazing and so inspiring (I did tuck a few away in my inspiration photo folder).  I think my technique has changed since Copics have come into my life as I was trying to colour the Copic way which works to a point.   

And just as I realised it was possible I would miss Retro Sketches and with no ideas in my head, I came across the latest Trigger Tuesday challenge and these gorgeous colours from Play Date Cafe.  Unfortunately watercolour paper does not work with white which may count me out of PDCC but I love my butterflies and hope to do more colouring in the near future.

What you need
Cardstock - SU vanilla
Patterned paper - PTI Bitty Dot Basics 2009
Stamps - PTI Butterfly Dreams
Ink - Stazon (black);  Memento Rose Red
Watercolour pencils - Faber Castell
Aqua painter
Twine - Jillibean Soup
Flower - Prima
Gems - Kaisercraft
Black pen