Stay Strong

Totally forgot to post this in time for the Try a Sketch on Tuesday challenge, but that's the sketch I followed for this card:

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #215 - Rainy Days

Wednesday's Creative Inspiration - Easter/Spring

We Love Stamping - Spring

Fab n' Funky - Easter/Spring

Papercraft Challenge #128 - AG/Optional Joy of Spring

Double Trouble #214 - 3,2,1 Recipe (3 patterned papers, 2 colors from color wheel, 1 image)

My papers are from My Mind's Eye, an old 6x6 pad. The stamp is also an old one from CC Designs, colored with Copics and fussy cut before attaching to the card with foam dimensional tape. Peace. 

Twirly Mask Stencil - A Colorful Life Designs

 Good morning!  I can't believe it but I slept for almost TWELVE hours last night!  I must have really needed it! We had a long, busy weekend - fun - and I never sleep well when I have stuff going on, it's hard for me to turn off my brain. This is a quiet week for me thankfully!

I know I talk about the reverse stencil technique often, and I wanted to share 2 cards today where I use the same stencil but I use it traditionally on the first card, and in reverse on the second. Here we go!

This Twirly Mask stencil is from the April release at

You can get 10% off your order by using code JennFan10:

I had a piece of watercolor paper in my background stash that just had some yellow & blue inks on it, so I grabbed that. I applied some Spiced Marmalade Distress Oxide Ink through the stencil quite heavily, then spritzed with water and let dry. I stamped Hello friend several times with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I stamped the shell with flowers from Pink & Main's Floral Shells set with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and attached with foam dimensional tape.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Art Nudge April #426B

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Crafty Gals Corner #276 - Spring

Stamping Sensation April - AG/Optional Inspired by Nature

Triple B - Birds, Butterflies, Blooms

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Now here's where I took the already-inked-up stencil and spritzed it with water, then lay it down on another scrap piece of watercolor paper in my stash that already had the blue ink on it - I love the blue and orange color combo. I let the stencil sit while it dried, then sponged the edges with some more blue ink and mounted it on an orange cardstock base. I die cut the flower from white cardstock and attached with a fine point glue applicator, then added a tiny sticker sentiment:

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

AllSorts #847 - AG/Optional In the Garden

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Paper Funday #86 - AG/Optional Die Cuts/Punches

Thanks for visiting! Peace.

Ready?

 OK I've got one more card to share today for the:

Double D Challenge - Humor

I was going to post this tomorrow but realized the challenge closes while I'll be sleeping tonight!  LOL  I printed out the peeking raccoon and sponged the edges before attaching it to a piece of DP. I used some light brown cardstock, die cuttring the paw print from it and attaching that with some foam tape. The sentiment is another snarky one from Ink Road Stamps (Roadies 33). I have sooooooo many of these stamps and I have soooooo much fun coming up with ways to use them! LOL Thanks for visiting! Peace.

Mixed Media Birthday

 One of my best friends is coming over today to celebrate his birthday with my husband and I. Tim and I grew up together and have been best friends since we were about 16. Luckily, him and my hubby also became friends and enjoy doing things like disc golf together! I made Swedish meatballs, one of my specialties, and I'm looking forward to it! This card below is the one I made him for his birthday - I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:

Double D - Humor

Seize the Birthday #324 - No Topping

Creative Artiste #125 - Anything Mixed Media Goes

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers #273 - H is for Happy Birthday

I love mixed media projects - I love getting messy and dirty! LOL  For this one, I applied some clear Gesso to a piece of watercolor paper and let it dry. I then applied some texture paste through a stencil and let that dry. I then applied Lindy's Magicals all over the page and let that dry before stamping the clock in the upper right corner and the sentiment with Versafine Black and embossing with clear embossing powder. I added some die cut balloons to finish it off. Peace.

Sonny Sage

 My daughter is about to have her 5th child - it's her rainbow baby. :( Her 8-month-old son Sage passed away a little over a year ago and she was not planning this pregnancy but sometimes life makes plans for you. We are all totally excited and understandably scared. Everything looks great and it's a boy. We can't help but feel like Sage sent him to us to help us deal with our grief. Anyway, she's going to name this little bundle of joy Sonny Sage, after his big brother, and I had to make something special for his room. If you are a regular visitor here, you probably know that my daughter started seeing giraffes everywhere after Sage passed away and now I do too! Stamp companies keep coming out with the cutest giraffe images and you know I just have to buy them. LOL So when Simon Says Stamp came out with this set, I had to have it. And it was definitely meant to be because it was not supposed to arrive until Monday - I had a little mini baby shower planned for her today so I didn't expect to be able to use it. It showed up Friday instead. I instantly went to work. :)  Here's my creation:

I'd like to enter it into the:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Not a Card

Creative Inspiration #37 - Anything Goes

A Cut Above - AG with optional twist Pastel Colors

Outlawz April - Anything But a Card

Outlawz April - Main Challenge

 I used some old designer paper from My Mind's Eye called Lost and Found Two Sunshine - I love the combination of the soft yellow & seafoam green with the dark brown. I stamped the giraffe from A Mother's Love (Simon Says Stamp) with Scorched Timber Distress Oxide Ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and used a nested arch die from Unity Stamp Co. to cut it out. I used another of the dies to layer behind it. I used a heart die cut, sponging the edges with Scorched Timber Distress Ink and die cut the letters for his name.  Peace.

Polkadoodles: Time for Some Panda-Monium!

 Time for some more POLKADOODLES inspiration!

Come play along for your chance to win a $20 credit to the shop or one of TWO $10 credits!

The DT was challenged with creating an interactive card this week, and I envisioned a panda sliding down a bamboo shoot! Here's Bamboo Snack Time Noodle Panda Bear at the top of the card:

And here he is sliding down the bamboo on his cloud:

I used the sentiment from the Noodle Panda Themed Messages as a sort of pull tab for the slider piece. My papers are from the Noodle Panda set 3 collection. I used a sentiment strip die cut to create the slider tab, added a foam strip to the back of the panda, then attached a plain piece of sturdy cardstock to the back side of the panda.

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

Classic Design Challenge - AG/Optional Fancy Folds

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Cut it Up #353 - Kids/Babies (must use die cuts)

I Love ProMarkers - AG/Optional Cute & Whimsical

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Thanks for looking!  Peace.

Sympathy & Plants

 Happy Friday!  I'm off to go shopping with a friend today, then I have a busy weekend planned with company both days. I'm looking forward to it! I love cooking and entertaining.

I've got 2 cards to share today - this first one is for the following challenges:

Beautiful Blossoms #39

Colorful Options April - Yellow or Rainbow

Alphabet Challenge - Y is for Yellow Flowers

Creative Knockouts - Embossing Delight

I used the reverse stencil technique on the background (watercolor paper) with some heavy ink on the stencil and lots of water, then dragged the edges in black. I stamped the flowers from Unity Stamp Co. in Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of previously distressed watercolor paper and used an arch nesting die, also from Unity Stamp Co. to cut it out, then attached it with foam dimensional tape. I flicked a bit more black ink on the card and yes, it smeared. Sigh.

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And this next one is for the following challenges:

CAS on Friday - Botanical

Crafty Calendar April - Dies and Punches

Paper Funday #86 - AG/Optional Dies or Punches

Dragonfly Dreams April - Clean and Simple

This one was super simple - the adorable Potted Plants dies are from Jaded Blossom. I stamped the sentiments from Ink Road Stamps directly on the card with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. Peace.

Close your eyes and make a wish

 Good morning!  What is your favorite crafting supply that you find yourself reaching for over and over again?  For me, it's die cuts. I have a slight obsession with them and always "need" more. LOL I love the die cut challenges and I decided to try to make a card that fit all 3 of them right now! I'd like to enter my card below into the following challenges:

A Cut Above - Anything Goes/Optional Pastels (must use die cuts)

Cut it Up #353 - Kids or Babies (must use die cuts)

Die Cut Divas - Anniversary or Birthday (must use die cuts)

Paper Funday - AG/Optional Die Cuts and Punches

Retro Rubber #269 - Tic Tac Toe (I used sequins, ribbon, die cut)

I wish I took pictures of the stages of the background paper because it started out as just a plain Bundled Sage ink smooshed page - I wasn't happy with it, so I added some Lindy's Magicals in a couple different shades of pink and it just gave it the perfect, dreamy look! I die cut 3 crowns from coordinating scraps of cardstock, the word HAPPY, and the filmstrip. I stamped the word Birthday with Bundled Sage Oxide ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. The stamp is an old rubber stamp from The Greeting Farm called Twinkle Tots Princess Ava (this one is from around 2007). I stamped with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder, colored with Copics, and fussy cut. I attached her with foam dimensional tape. I stamped "Close your eyes and make a wish" (from Untiy Stamp Co.) with dark gray oxide ink and embossed that with clear embossing powder. I added a little ribbon tag attached with a rhinestone brad and some sparkly sequins. Peace.

For the Record...

 I would like to share a card from the April release at:

This one is called Dashing Circle - you can use code JennFan10 for 10% off in the shop and you can save more by purchasing the Master Bundles!

Here's my card using the Dashing Circle - I got this idea while laying in bed one night and had to get up and make it. LOL

I started by using an alcohol ink background on Yupo paper that I had in my stash. I die cut a tiny peace sign from part of it to use as an embellishment. I used a permanent black ink through the stencil on heavy cardstock, then blended Black Soot Distress Oxide Ink all over it and embossed with clear embossing powder. I used a punch for the yellow middle piece of the "record" and used die cuts for the sentiments, attached with foam dots. I thought this was a pretty clever use of the stencil if I do say so myself!  hee hee ;)

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Stencil Fun - AG/Optional Rainbow Colors

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Make Someone Smile

A Cut Above - AG/Optional Pastels (must use die cuts)

Addicted to Stamps & More #514 - Any Occasion

Thanks for visiting! Peace.

Paws Here & Complete Psychopaths

 OK so this must be some kind of cruel joke... after me boldly celebrating the fact that the snow was over, I woke up to it freaking SNOWING!!!  It's April 7!  I know I live in New England but COME ON MAN. Give us a break! LOL It's coming down hard too, and it's expected to last most of the day.  Next week, we have weather in the high 70's expected. Gotta love it here.

I have a couple projects to share today - first is this cute bookmark for the following challenges:

Cut it Up #353 - Kids/Babies (must use die cuts)

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Not a Card

Unicorn Challenge - Use Dies

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

The bookmark, books, paw print, and "paws here" sentiment are all die cuts from Newton's Nook, Bookmark Die set and Bookmark II Die set. The image of Stitch was a free coloring page I found online that I shrunk down to color for this bookmark, then fussy cut and attached sitting on top of the stack of books. 

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And then I have a fun, silly card to share for the following challenges:

Double D - Humor

I Love ProMarkers - AG/Optional Cute & Whimsical

Classic Design Challenge - AG/Optional Fun Folds

I just adore Ink Road Stamps. There will be a drop this Friday - if you're interested, go to the site and sign up for notifications! I have SO many of the snarky sets - this card was made with the fox from the Lookin Sharp set and a sentiment from the Roadies 68 set. I colored with Copics and fussy cut the fox - I used a banner nesting die for the sentiment. Papers are from the Fall Tones pack at Unity Stamp Co. Peace.

Brew Your Own Magic

 I was having so much fun playing in my little mini art journal that I decided to buy a bigger one so I'd have more space! I went with the large size Dina Wakley art journal, which has nice heavy pages for watercolors and mixed media. I made these pages for the weekly art journal sketch at A Cherry on Top and it totally fits these 2 challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Not a Card

Festive Friday #206 - I used bright colors, sparkle gems, and a "magic" sentiment

I began by applying a thin coat of clear gesso to the pages and let it dry. I then ink blended some Distress Oxide Inks in Peeled Paint and Seedless Preserves on the pages. I then applied my double honeycomb stencil from A Colorful Life Designs to both pages with a darker green ink. I used some torn book pages in the corner and some kraft paper to create the layout. I stamped the sentiments (Ink Road Stamps) with Versafine Black and embossed them with clear embossing powder. The witch is a printable clipart from Art Outrageous (Etsy) - I used Mod Podge to attach everything to the pages. I flicked some Mica Spray Stain all over and painted the liquid in the cauldron with some as well, the added a touch of Stickles. I used some tiny sparkle gems from Stampin Up to finish it off. Peace.

Cheerful

 Happy Monday!  I'm forcing some sunshine with this card below that I'd like to enter into the following challenges:

Passion for Markers #831- Dies and/or Punches

Beautiful Blossoms #39 - Anything Floral/Optional Mood Board

Triple B - April Anything Butterflies/Blooms/Birds (optional mood board)

Alphabet Challenge - Y is for Yellow Flowers

Colorful Options - April (Yellow or Rainbow)

I created my background by ink blending Wild Honey Distress Oxide Ink on a piece of watercolor paper, then applied Scorched Timber Distress Oxide ink through a script stencil and spritzed it all with water. I let it dry, then applied the Scorched Timber to a separate piece of cardstock and used a deckled edge circle nesting die to cut it out. I printed Sunflower Witch from Krista Smith Stamps out, used a circle to trace around the bottom half and fussy cut the top half. I colored her with Copics and a white gel pen and attached with foam dimensional tape. I finished it off with a piece of rickrack and a little sentiment I fussy cut from a text sheet from Unity Stamp Co. Peace.

You're My Silver Lining

 Happy Easter! Do you celebrate it?  We don't necessarily celebrate the holiday of Easter, but we do celebrate Ostara and the arrival of Spring and we always look forward to an excuse to get together for a meal with the family!  So we'll be going to my daughter's house and having a smorgasbord of food including a roast chicken, ham, candied carrots, cheesy scalloped potatoes, cheesy brussel sprouts, pie and strawberry shortcake!  I'm looking forward to it!

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

The Paper Players #780 - Spring Showers

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #777 - Seasons/Weather/AG

Papercraft Challenge #128 - The Joy of Spring

Passion for Markers - Dies and/or Punches

If  You Give a Crafter a Cookie #215 - Rainy Days

OK so this entire card is a throwback!  LOL  Papers are really old from My Mind's Eye, the pad was called Playdate. Image is a digi from ByLoriDesigns called Puddle Jumper Ella's Umbrella, colored with Copics and cut out with a nesting postage frame die set. Sentiment is from an old retired set from The Greeting Farm called Sweet & Toxic. Peace.

Hard Times Will Reveal True Friends & Cultivate Kindness

 I've got two more cards to share today - this one is for the following challenges:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2613- Spring/Rain

Fab n' Funky #634 - Easter/Spring

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #777 - Seasons/Weather/AG

AllSorts #846 - Springtime/AG

I wanted the focus to be on the image for this, so I stamped the Tiny Townies Under an Umbrella from Stamping Bella with Versafine Black and embosssed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and used a rectangle nesting die set to cut out. I sponged the edges with some blue ink and attached with foam dimensional tape to the card. I layered a small scrap of raindrop paper from Unity Stamp Co. behind it and added some raindrop shaped rhinestone stickers to finish it off. 

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And this next one was the sketch of the week at A Cherry on Top, and I made it to fit these challenges as well:

Beautiful Blossoms #39 - AG Floral or Optional Mood Board

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Embossing

Alphabet Challenge - Y is for Yellow Flowers

Colorful Options April - Yellow or Rainbow

I used my honeycomb/hexagon stencil from Tim Holtz to apply the Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide ink, then embossed it with clear embossing powder. I added a torn piece of DP from Authentique, and a little sticker text from Tim Holtz. The digi is an old one from Just Some Lines called Emo Daffodils (no longer in business), I colored with Copics and fussy cut her, then attached her with foam dimensional tape. Peace.

Exquisite Beauty

 There are some really beautiful stencils in the April release at:

Don't forget to use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire order! You can also combine that with the discounts on the Master Bundles:

The stencils I used are called Diamond Circle and Twirly Mask:

Here's my card:

I used the reverse stencil technique for this one - I never waste anything so after I use a stencil traditionally using Distress Oxide Inks, I always grab a piece of watercolor paper and spritz it with water before laying the stencil on it to dry. I stamped the images from Whimsy Stamps Exquisite Beauty set with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I spot colored the moth and dragged the edges through a Pretty in Peacock ink pad.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Emboss It!

Creative Knockouts #568 - Embossing Delight

Girlz and the Art of Letters - X is for eXquisite!

Thanks for visiting! Peace.

LOVE tag - Shopping Our Stash

 I'm just back to squeeze one in for the:

Shopping Our Stash #570 - White Out

The challenge was to create something without using any white. I created my background by ink smooshing Candied Apple Distress Oxide ink on a piece of watercolor paper, then applying the same color heavily through my Side Heart stencil from A Colorful Life Designs (use code JennFan10 for 10% off at the shop). I die cut the tag, and die cut the LOVE (from my stash - this die cut is about 15 years old!), and added some rhinestone stickers. The sentiment is a stamp from the Nocturnal Nature set at Unity Stamp Co. The ribbon tied on the tag is also from my stash - I've been collecting ribbon for a good 25 years... ugh, showing my age! LOL  Peace.