Birthday Mermaid

 Nice break in the weather today so I'm going to spend some time in the kitchen!  I make cannabis infused products and one of my most popular is the pain salve/ointment that I make. I have elderly patients who swear they've stopped getting cortisone injections because of my magic potion! It's also my favorite thing to make - I mean, who wouldn't love taking people's pain away? So that's the plan for today. My husband and I run a cannabis competition and trade show in Worcester, MA at the DCU Center - this year will be our 9th year! If you are local or interested in checking it out, our site is www.theharvestcup.org   It's always Veteran's Day weekend and we have a ton of fun!

On to the art - I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Cut it Up #335 - Monochromatic

Passion for Markers #799 - Die Cuts and/or Punches

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Summertime Blues

Pink & Main - Ocean

Inkspirational - Word Prompt: Birthday

I created my background by applying texture paste that I had tinted with Lindy's Magicals through a mermaid scale stencil with a light hand. I stamped the cute mermaid from Pink & Main with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder, then colored her with Copics. I used a stitched edge rectangle die cut to cut her out and layered on a postage stamp frame die cut. I added a sand dollar die cut with foam dimensional tape and attached the die cut sentiment (Mama Elephant). Peace.

Cancer Birthday & friend

 Had one leftover birthday card from Cancer season to share - I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

AAA Birthday - Summer Birthday

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Summertime Blues

Crafty Gals Corner: ______________in July (Birthday!)

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Inkspirational - Word Prompt: Birthday

I used the ink smooshing technique on watercolor paper to create the background - this technique is so therapeutic. I love the way this one came out looking like water for my Cancer birthday card! I stamped the sentiment directly on the background with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I printed out the Cancer image (Sweet November - an old retired digi) and colored with Copics and a white gel pen. I fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape. 

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And I'd like to squeeze this one in for the:

Color Dare #661

I'll also enter it into the:

Passion for Markers - Die Cuts and/or Punches

Papers are from Authentique - I used die cuts for the frame, leaves, and "friend". I stamped the cute Stamping Bella pixie (retired rubber) and colored with Copics, then fussy cut (she originally was fluttering over flowers, but I didn't want to use the flowers for this one) and attached with foam dimensional tape. Peace.

Summer Stencils!

 I've got a few more cards to share with the July release stencils from A Colorful Life Designs!  You can use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire order at the shop!

This first one is for the following challenge:

AllSorts #828 - Anything Goes/Optional Pretty Flowers

I used my Gelli plate for this one, the stencils are Fish Scales and Dotted Sun.

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I'd like to enter the next one into the following challenges:

Tic Tac Toe #275 - I used beach, blue, and ink blending

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Summertime Blues

Cut it Up #335 - Monochromatic

Wednesday's Creative Inspiration - Stars and/or Stripes

Inspiration Station - Photo #75

For this one, I used Lindy's Magicals on watercolor paper for the background and the stencil and sentiment/punch. I blended Distress Oxide ink in Chipped Sapphire through the Ocean Stars stencil as well as on the Layered Mermaid Tail for the scales and fins.

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And last, I'd like to enter this one into the following challenges:

Passion for Markers - Die Cuts and/or Punches

Try it on Tuesday - Make it Magical

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts - Sparkle & Shine

Craft Alnica #388 - Listen to the Shell

For this one, I did a reverse stencil technique with the Fish Scales stencil - what I normally do for this is to heavily apply the oxide ink to the stencil and mist it lightly, then lay it down on watercolor paper and apply pressure all around it.  I used the Sea Net stencil on the die cut tag, printed out Pearl's Birthday from Tiddly Inks and colored her with Copics before fussy cutting and attaching with foam dimensional tape. I used some Liquid Pearls on her pearl and glitter on her crown.  Added some text stickers from a Tim Holtz sticker book. Peace.

Crabby but Cute

 It's gonna be a hot one today! I got my cleaning and organizing and catching up done yesterday so I could spend today in my craft room! I don't like to clean - but I find that once I start, I get on a roll! LOL I much prefer to organize stuff rather than dust and wash and all that - so I always say that my house LOOKS clean, but don't run your finger across my bookshelves!  hee hee

I'm trying to squeeze in all the cards I made for the July challenges before they are over!  LOL  I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Passion for Markers Week 799 - Dies and/or Punches

Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes/Optional Summer Flowers

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Inspiration Station - Photo Inspiration

Art Nudge #725B

My papers are from Doodlebug Designs. Stamps are from Colorado Craft Company, set is called Crabby Mini. I used die cuts and punches to create the inlay for the paper and wanted the crab to look like he's caught in a fishing net! LOL  Finished off with some pearl stickers. Peace.

You're Magical

 I've got one more to squeeze in for the Lindy's FB - I'd like to enter this tag/bookmark into the following challenges:

Lindy's Magicals July Facebook Challenge (books/magic)

Halloween Crafts All Year Long - Halloween/Birthday/Ice Cream/Wildlife

Creative Inspiration - Anything Goes

Try it on Tuesday - Make it Magical

Time Out - Favorite Song (Witchy Woman - Fleetwood Mac)

Festive Friday #189 - I used sparkle, stencils, heat embossing, people

I used a stencil and did an emboss resist with Versafine Dazzle and sparkly clear embossing powder, then painted Lindy's Magicals over it in Pemberley Pride Purple and Spill the Tea Teal (sparkly magicals).  I used a stitched edge bookmark die cut from Newton's Nook and stamped the bubbles directly on the bookmark. All stamps are from Mama Elephant. I stamped the witch on a separate piece of cardstock, colored with Copics and fussy cut, then attached with foam dimensional tape. I used another little banner die cut to cut a scrap of the paper I had decorated and stamped "You're Magical" on it with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder, then sponged the edges in black and attached with foam dimensional tape. I finished it off with a ribbon! Peace.

I love Spooky Stories!

 I totally forgot to share this - I made 2 projects for the Lindy's FB Challenge, and I meant to share this one before vacation! Anyway, I'd like to enter this bookmark/tag into the following challenges:

Lindy's July Facebook Challenge

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts - Sparkle & Shine

Two Old Bats - Anything Halloween Goes

Halloween Crafts All Year Long - Anything Halloween, Birthday, Wildlife, Ice Cream

I used a stencil and did an emboss resist with Versafine Dazzle and sparkly clear embossing powder, then painted Lindy's Magicals over it in Pemberley Pride Purple and Spill the Tea Teal (sparkly magicals).  I used a stitched edge bookmark die cut from Newton's Nook and stamped the spider, Book of Shadows (TGF) and the sentiment (Newton's Nook) directly on the bookmark. I stamped my witch from The Greeting Farm (Hocus Pocus Big Kit) on a separate piece of cardstock, colored with Copics and fussy cut. I attached her with foam dimensional tape, added a ribbon and a ribbon tag on the side. Peace.

Happy Birthday To You!

 I have been out straight for over a week and I am sooooo itching to get back into my craft room today! It's been fun being out in the "real world" but I do find my crafting brings me peace. Peace is something I need this year, so I'm spending as much time as possible in there.  The bonus is that I feel like my skills have improved and I've had many people ask to purchase my cards after I post them! Not only is that a confidence builder in itself, but it also helps financially! LOL

I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Focus on the Sentiment

AllSorts #828 - Anything Goes/Optional Pretty Flowers

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Inkspirational #346 - Word Prompt "Birthday"

Just Us Girls #785 - Stencils

I made a one layer card by reverse stenciling with my Praise Burst stencil from A Colorful Life Designs (use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire order!) with some Broken China and Black Soot Oxide Inks. I stamped HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU (stamp from Papertrey Ink) in the middle with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder, then sponged black ink on the edges of the card. Peace.

Just Because I'm Smiling...

Happy Sunday! Off to my cousin's house with the family today for what was supposed to be a pool day but is slowly turning into a rainy-day-stay-inside-party but whatever, we make our own fun!

I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Sisterhood of Snarky Stamps - H is for Hot, Hot, Hot

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Make Your Own Background

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Morgan's Art World - Anything Goes

Just Us Girls #785 - Stencil Week

I created my background by using my Fire Edger stencil from A Colorful Life Designs (use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire order!) on a piece of watercolor paper with yellow & red oxide inks, blending them together in the middle to create the orangey look. I stamped the sentiment from the Roadies 39 set at Ink Road Stamps (IRS is one of my all-time favorite stamp companies  (I am in LOVE with the snarky stuff!) directly on the background. I stamped Snow White from the Punk Princess set, also from Ink Road Stamps, on a separate piece of paper, colored with Copics, fussy cut and attached with foam dimensional tape. Peace. 

Mermaid Tails and Ocean Stars

 Just got home from my little mini vacation camping trip to Bar Harbor, Maine with my hubby. We had a wonderful, relaxing time - we pretty much did nothing but eat and drink and watch the sunset but it was just what we needed! Here's a couple of pics:

I want to come back in the Fall when there's not 8 gazillion people here, I bet it's amazing.

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I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Just Us Girls #785 - Stencil Week

Paper Funday - Anything Goes/Optional Twist Fun with Stencils

Pink & Main - Ocean

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Make Your Own Background

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

I used Distress Oxide Inks with my Layered Mermaid Tail stencil from the July release at A Colorful Life Designs (use code JennFan10 for 10% off your order at the store!) and created this watery scene with a positive message.  The stamp/die cuts were in my stash and are from a very long time ago, before I started keeping track of what companies my products were from! If you know, please comment and I'll update my post.

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I love these stencils from the July release so much - I have one more to share for the following challenges:

Twisted Thursday Outlawz Challenge - Travel Destinations

Outlawz Main Challenge

Wednesday's Creative Inspiration - Stars and/or Stripes

Creative Artiste Mixed Media - Anything Mixed Media Goes

Stencil Fun - Anything Goes/Optional Flag Colors

Tic Tac Toe #275 (I used nature, beach, and stencil)

I created my background by applying texture paste through my Ocean Stars stencil (use code JennFan10 for 10% off at the store!), then coloring it after it dried with Lindy's Magicals. I then spot-colored the stars with a darker shade of Lindy's using a fine paintbrush. I die cut the sand dollar and the "to the beach" sign and attached them with foam dimensional tape. Peace.

Beauty of the Heart

 Happy Friday! I'm posting while away on a little mini vacation with hubby - we are in Bar Harbor, Maine until tomorrow. It's so beautiful here. I'll share some pics tomorrow! For now, I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Make Your Own Background

Make My Monday #256 - Embossing Wet or Dry

AllSorts #828 - Anything Goes/Optional Pretty Flowers

Color Hues #114

I created this background on simple copy paper with my Gelli plate! Pulling gel prints is so fun - it's actually addicting. LOL  I have a huge bin full of prints but I still find myself making new ones, especially when I need something for a specific color challenge! I stamped the stamps from the Nocturnal Nature set from Unity Stamp Co directly on the background with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I added some green & yellow gemstone stickers - the color looks "off" in the picture, it matches much better in real life! Peace.

Seize the Birthday Guest DT

 I was thrilled to be the Surprise Party Guest designer this time around for the Seize the Birthday Challenge!

You can always do anything goes or play along with their "topping". The topping this time is:

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Make Your Own Background

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Focus on the Sentiment

Make My Monday - Embossing Wet or Dry

Creative Moments #272 - Use a Die Cut

Morgan's Art World - Anything Goes

I created my background by using the ink smooshing technique on watercolor paper with different shades of purple - my favorite color! I then stamped the cool birthday background stamp from Visible Image called Grunge Birthday Words with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I die cut a tag from a light shade of purple cardstock, then die cut the balloon from a darker shade. Peace.

Leo Birthday - The Paper Shelter

We have a new ANYTHING GOES challenge for you this week at:

The Paper Shelter

We will be taking a Summer break so this challenge will last for 4 weeks!

I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft July - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Passion for Markers - Birthday

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Make Your Own Background

AAA Birthday - Summer Birthday

I created my background by doing an emboss resist with a zodiac wheel stamp using the ink smooshing technique with More Mustard & Carved Pumpkin Distress Oxide Inks, then spritzed some red mica spray stain on it and sponged the edges with Candied Apple Distress Ink. I printed out Leo from The Paper Shelter, colored with Copics and Stickles and fussy cut before attaching with foam dimensional tape. I die cut the "Leo" (Funky Fossil) to finish it off. Peace.

You're My Kind of Cool!

 Off to Water Country today with my daughter and the littles, I am looking forward to a fun-filled day of sunshine!  I'd like to enter my card below into the following challenges:

A Cut Above - Anything Goes (with a die cut)

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Stripes and/or Dots

Alphabet Challenge - G is for Girlfriend

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Retro Rubber #259

My papers are from Simple Stories, I used an inlay die cut and stamped the sentiment on the background piece. I stamped Jill from the Creepin Big Kit from The Greeting Farm (2011) with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored her with Copics and fussy cut, then attached with foam dimensional tape. Added some pearl stickers to finish it off. Peace.

Stamping Bella Christmas in July

 One more Christmas in July card for the following challenges:

Stamping Bella - Christmas in July

CAS on Friday - Christmas in July

Daisy Chain Challenge - Christmas in July

Merry Little Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up - Anything Christmas Goes

Peace on Earth - Anything Christmas Goes

Addicted to Stamps - Christmas

I applied some Rustic Wilderness Distress Oxide ink with my blending tool along the side of my watercolor paper panel, and misted with water. I stamped the sentiment from Mama Elephant and the Oddball Spring Fairy from Stamping Bella directly on the watercolor background paper with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored the Fairy with Copics and a white gel pen, added some Stickles and Dazzling Diamonds. I then lightly sponged the non-colored edges with black ink. Peace.

Fla La La Mingos...

 Happy Sunday! I am hoping to do basically nothing today. LOL  I have a busy week coming up - Water Country trip with my daughter and the 3 girls on Tuesday, doctor appointments on Wednesday, and then a 3-day camping trip for hubby and me to Bar Harbor, Maine. I'm looking forward to it - we always have fun when we camp (we have an RV, I'm no tent camper - hee hee), we play pitch and cook on the grill and go exploring local breweries and disc golf courses. I'm very thankful to have a hubby I enjoy spending time with!

I'd like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Creative Inspiration - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Cute Critters

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Stitch It

Color Dare #660

I had SO much fun making this card - I used the ink smooshing technique and built up several layers of the orange and 2 shades of pink. I often will do this on a large piece of watercolor paper, typically 6x9, then I cut in half so the card measures 4.5x6 - I can then use the second piece for die cutting or stamping on, etc. That's what I did here - so I stamped the flamingos from the Fla La La Mingo set at Paperie Ink and fussy cut them, and added some extra ink with Copics to them before attaching them with foam dimensional tape. I die cut the inner panel with a stitched edge rectangle, stamped the surfboard and sentiment (everything is stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder) directly on that, sponged the edges, and attached to the 2nd background piece. Peace.