soul searching

 One more for today - I made this for the FB Friends of Sweet November Faebruary Challenge, the final week's theme was Moon & Stars, one of my favorites!  I'd also like to enter this into the following challenges:

Try it on Tuesday: Countdown 3-2-1

(I used 3 nature elements: grass, moon, stars - 2 colored images, 1 sentiment)

Fab n Funky #631 - Dies or Punches

Just Add Ink #780- Stencils, Dies, or Both

I applied Distress Oxide inks through the Full Moon layered stencil from Spellbinders and the Star Dots stencil from A Colorful Life Designs for the background (you can use code jennfan10 for 10% off at A Colorful Life Designs), then masked the moon and applied Chipped Sapphire over the embossed stars. I printed out Nettlewisp from Sweet November Stamps and an old tree stump digi from All That Scraps/CC Designs, colored with Copics and fussy cut. I used black cardstock for the die cut grass and finished off with a sentiment from Unity Stamp Co. Peace.

Polkadoodles - Spring Wishes

  Welcome to a new challenge at Polkadoodles!  Our themes are always ANYTHING GOES and you have a chance to win a $20 voucher or one of two $10 vouchers!

I really enjoyed making this adorable little wallet! It was definitely a challenge for me, but a fun one! I printed out Bunny Rabbit Blank Greeting Card from Polkadoodles, colored with Copics and fussy cut. I used digi papers from Polkadoodles, die cutting a deckled edge circle from one of them to attach the bunny to with foam dimensional tape. I added a die cut heart and the "Spring Wishes" sentiment from the Spring Flower Mother's Day Friends sentiment pack. I used this tutorial on YouTube to help me with the dimensions for the wallet. I was super pleased with the finished product and will definitely be making more of these - I envision one for each of my 3 granddaughters!

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Whatever the Weather

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Fab n Funky - Dies or Punches

Passion for Markers #826 - Spring Flowers

Crafty Gals Corner #274 - AG/Optional Heart

Thanks for visiting - I hope you all have a great weekend! Peace.

Hard Times Reveal True Friends

 Nothing could be more true than the sentiment on this card, made for one of my very best friends who has been there for me any time I need her, even when she has her own "stuff" going on in life!  I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Whatever the Weather

Love Those Pretty Patterned Papers - Polka Dots

Fab n Funky - Dies or Punches

I used papers from Doodlebug Design - they just went perfectly with this theme! I stamped Tiny Townies Under an Umbrella from Stamping Bella with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics, fussy cut, and attached with foam dimensional tape. I stamped the sentiment on a separate piece of DP and used an oval punch to cut out. I finished it off with some raindrop shaped rhinestone stickers. Peace.

A Colorful Life Designs February Release

I cannot believe how quickly February went by - I'd like to share a few more projects from the February release at:

Click the photo to be brought to the Master Creator Bundle page for these stencils! You can use code JennFan10 to take an additional 10% off your purchase at the shop!

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

Classic Design Challenge - AG/Optional Blooms or Butterflies

Just Add Ink #780 - Dies or Stencils or Both

I started with a piece of watercolor paper, I used Versafine Clear through the Geometric Butterflies stencil then embossed with white embossing powder. I then created the background by blending Distress Oxide Inks over and around it, spritzed with water and let dry.  I stamped the sentiment with coordinating ink and die cut it.

Next up is a card I made with the Bee Stream and Solar Rays stencils:

I first applied Distress Oxide Ink through the Solar Rays stencil, then used some texture paste mixed with gold mica spray to apply the bees to the scene. I stamped the sentiment with coordinating ink and used a punch to cut it out.

Next is a card I made using the Clover Frame stencil:

I created background by using the ink smooshing technique with some light green inks, then I applied Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide Ink through the Clover Frame stencil and embossed with clear embossing powder. I finished it off with some green rhinestone stickers and a sticker sentiment from a Tim Holtz book. Peace. 

Orchids and Moonlight

 I've had a rough few weeks and found myself unable to focus on much, including being creative. That's hard for me because being creative is like therapy to me. I woke up yesterday feeling like the storm cloud is passing, and I spent the day in my craft room and it felt so good to be productive. I made this card for my daughter Cassidy, who lost her infant son last March and is really struggling as the 1-year anniversary of that horrible day approaches. I am super proud of her as she fights so hard for justice for her little boy Sage, all while raising 3 amazing little girls and going to school. I look forward to the day that I get to share Sage's story in full!

Here is the card that I made for her, I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:

Inspiration Station #82 - Photo

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes

Moving Along with the Times - Floral

Passion for Markers #826 - Spring Flowers

Path of Positivity #138 - AG/Optional By the Numbers

Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Floral Goes/Optional Mood Board

I absolutely love how this came out - I started by ink blending the moon through the Full Moon Stencil from Spellbinders. I then masked it off and ink blended a night sky around it with Dusty Concord, Villainous Potion, and Black Soot Distress Oxide Inks. I spritzed with water, blotted with a paper towel, and flicked some Mica Spray Stain on it for sparkle. I printed out Mom's Orchids from Tiddly Inks, colored with Copics, fussy cut, and attached with foam dimensional tape. I typed out the quote, printed it, and used a stitched edge rectangle die to die cut out, then trimmed it down to fit the card and attached with more foam tape. 

"Don't compare her to sunshine and roses when she's clearly orchids and moonlight." - Moon Gypsy

Peace.

Be Colorful!

 Happy Friday! Do you think it will ever stop snowing here in New England?  LOL  We have a long driveway and it's like driving through a tunnel when we come and go lately!  :)  My husband is starting his maple syrup operation this weekend - you wouldn't believe the process. LOL  Once he starts, he basically doesn't walk away from it for more than an hour or two until it's all done. And when it's done - oh baby - it's just heavenly!

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

CAS on Sunday #328 - Cute

613 Avenue Create - Animal Magic

Make My Monday #272 - Card for a Male Any Age

Krafty Chicks #809 - Masculine

I started by flicking some ink on a piece of watercolor paper, then I stamped the bear from the Bear Love set (Whimsy Stamps) with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and die cut with a square potage stamp nesting die. I attached that to the white card base with foam dimensional squares. Peace.

Hello BFF

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

Art Nudge February ARTNUDGE0226D 

Passion for Markers - Spring Flowers

As You Like It - Favorite Main Color (I love teal - it's such a pretty color and it goes well with so many other colors!)

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Whatever the Weather

I used a 5x7 piece of watercolor paper and applied Lindy's Magicals to it, layering the colors several times. I used a stencil with Versamark Clear and gold embossing powder. I printed out Darby & Bumble from Sweet November Stamps, colored with Copics and fussy cut. I attached with foam dimensional tape and added a paper flower and some sticker sentiments. Peace.

Star Stampz Guest DT - Fantasy or Storybook

 I was honored to have another guest designer spot at the Star Stampz Challenge blog this month!  Theme is Fantasy and/or Storybook

I made a card with each theme and I'd like to enter this first Storybook one into the following challenges:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Fab n Funky - Dies or Punches

Passion for Markers - Spring Flowers

Lil Red Wagon #847 - L is for Leftovers (I had the key & fern/plant die cuts in my stash left over from another project)

I really had fun getting all inky making this one!  I applied Lindy's Magicals to watercolor paper and then used a keyhole die cut to cut an aperture in it. I layered it with foam strips on top of my Alice in Wonderland digi image which was printed on a panel of white cardstock and colored with Copics. I embellished with some die cut greenery & a key and finished off with a sticker sentiment from a Tim Holtz book.

And here's my next one - I'd like to enter this Fantasy one into the following challenges:

Make My Monday - Card for a Male (any age)

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Stitching

613 Avenue Create - Animal Magic

I pulled a background from my ridiculous stash of premade backgrounds and drew some stitch lines around the edges with a black pen. I printed out the Dragon and the Knight image and colored it with Copics. I used my Cloud Edger stencil from A Colorful Life Designs (you can use code JennFan10 for 10% off) carefully around the image. I added a button and a sticker sentiment from a Tim Holtz book. Peace.

The Paper Shelter - Hot or Dry Embossing

 Good morning!  We have a new challenge for you today at:

The Paper Shelter - Embossing/Hot or Dry

Of course you can always go with the Anything Goes option as well!

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

I Love ProMarkers #601 - Anything Goes/Optional Magical

AllSorts #843 - Anything Goes/Optional Embossing

4-Season Challenge - Hats or Headwear

Fab n Funky - Dies or Punches

AAA Colourful #25

I used the ink blending technique to create the background - colors were Cracked Pistachio, Pretty in Peacock, and Villainous Potion. I spritzed with water and blotted with a paper towel. I used some permanent black ink through my Star Dots stencil from A Colorful Life Designs (you can use code JennFan10 for 10% off at the shop). I printed out Sorcery from The Paper Shelter, colored her with Copics and Stickles, then used an arch nesting die (Unity Stamp Co.) to cut out and mat on another piece of watercolor paper that I had distressed with Black Soot Distress Oxide Ink. Sentiment is from Polkadoodles Halloween Trick or Treat Greetings. Peace.

wishing you a pot 'o gold

I love making St. Patrick's Day cards - the rainbows, the pots of gold, the leprechauns, the clovers, it's all so fun and festive!  Luckily for me, the February release at A Colorful Life Designs had some cool Celtic stencils to choose from!

Master Creator Bundles are 20% off - AND you can use code JennFan10 for 10% off on top of that!

This stencil is called Clover Frame:

And this one is called Solar Rays:

And here is my creation:

I had used the stencil for another project, and one of my favorite things to do with stencils is "reverse stencil" - so I sprayed the Clover Frame stencil with water and laid it down on a piece of watercolor paper and let it dry. I then layered the stencil on top and traced the shamrocks with a fine liner black pen. I used the Solar Rays stencil with yellow ink at the top of the card. I printed out a sentiment, die cut it, and sponged the edges with more yellow ink before attaching with foam dimensional tape. I added a die cut cauldron filled with gold glitter (Stickles) to finish it off. 

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

Fab n Funky #631 - Dies or Punches

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Whatever the Weather

Peace.

I Love You More Than Bamboo

 Entering the card below into the following challenges:

Try a Sketch on Tuesday

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create - AG/Optional Animal Magic

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps - Make Your Mark

Papers are printables from Polkadoodles, you can find them here. Panda is from the Panda Bundle at Connie Fong, colored with Copics. Sentiment is from Useless Trinkets. I added some rhinestone stickers to finish it off. Peace.

Sending Love Spinner Card

 My favorite challenge themes are ones that are truly challenging - I had so much fun making this interactive card below, it was a little frustrating at first but it turned out super cute if I do say so myself! I'll be entering this into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Interactive

A Cut Above - Anything Goes with Die Cuts

Die Cut Divas - Red and/or Pink

Papercraft #127 - Hearts & Hugs

Let's Craft & Create #128 - AG + From the Heart

I created a spinner card! It's about 4 inches square - I used some Stormy Sky Distress Oxide ink on the cover, then attached some die cut clouds. I stamped the pigs and hearts from Paperie Ink Stamps Mr. Cupid set with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder, then colored with Copics. I added a sticker sentiment from Tim Holtz. Peace.

All Dressed Up New Release - Winter Heart

 Good morning friends!  We have a wintery release for you at:

The image I used is called Winter Hearts

And here is my creation:

I created my background by ink blending pink & aqua inks on a piece of watercolor paper, then spritzing with water. I printed out the image, colored with Copics and used a rounded edge rectangle die to cut out. I stamped the sentiment underneath the panel, then added some "heart" sentiment stickers. I finished it off by adding some heart shaped eyelets at the top corners of the card. I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

The Four Seasons - Winter

Paper Funday #84 - AG/Optional Pastel Colors

Try it on Tuesday - 3/2/1 (3 sentiments, 2 eyelets, 1 image)

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Papercraft Challenge #127 - Hearts & Hugs

Peace.

sip. yawn. repeat.

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

Inky Paws #249 - Sketch

Love Those Pretty Patterned Papers - AG/Optional Polka Dots

Stamping Sensations - AG/Favorite Stamps

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

My papers are from Doodlebug Designs. I stamped the kitty from Newton Loves Coffee with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and paper-pieced his coffee cup. I used rounded edge nesting rectangle dies to cut out, then finished off with a little coffee cup wooden accent. Peace.

Let's Adventure

 I spent the day in my craft room, it's totally like much-needed therapy to me. Coloring is just so therapeutic. I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Things with Wheels

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

Digi Choosday - Anything Goes

Passion for Markers - Shop Your Stash (papers)

Papers are from Doodlebug Designs. Images are from Krista Smith/Saturated Canary. I colored with Copics - I fussy cut the girl lighting the campfire and attached it with foam dimensional tape. Peace.

Happiness Depends on Ourselves

Good morning friends. We all seem to go through periods of our life when it feels like it's just a constant barrage of trauma and loss, and my life has been like that for over a year now. I have been to more funerals in the past year than I'd been to in the previous 5 years combined. My brother-in-law passed away recently and it just feels like the tipping point. He was 51 years old. Just when I think I cannot possibly take any more heartache, I realize that our 14-year-old Norwegian Forest cat, Oliver, is now at the end stages of his life and losing control of his bodily functions. I had to make the call yesterday to schedule what I've never had to do in my life - put my precious pet down. My husband Jeremy and I are just so distraught over it - please just keep us in your thoughts and I wouldn't be opposed to some healing energies being sent our way.

So this card below was hard to post today because sometimes happiness eludes us for reasons we cannot control. But for the most part, I try to live my life by the principle that "happiness depends on ourselves". I would like to enter the card below into the following challenges:

Just Add Ink #779 - Sketch

Make My Monday - Use 2 Dies

Passion for Markers - Shop Your Stash (the sentiment sticker & die cuts)

I Love ProMarkers #601 - AG/Optional Magical

Tic Tac Toe #286 (I chose florals, ink blending, and sentiment strip)

I created my background by ink blending Stormy Sky Distress Oxide ink through my Cloud Edger stencil (use code JennFan10 for 10% off your entire order!). I used some die cut grass attached inside the frame, and a die cut sun attached with foam dimensional tape overlapping the frame. I stamped the dragon from My Favorite Things with Versafine Black and embossed with clear embossing powder. I colored with Copics and a white gel pen, fussy cut, and attached with foam dimensional tape. I finished it off with a sentiment strip sticker from a Tim Holtz sticker book. Peace. 

Always Show Your True Colors

 I really loved this new stencil from the February release at A Colorful Life Designs:

You can purchase the Master Bundle at a discount. The stencil I used below is called Geometric Butterflies, and you can use code JennFan10 to get an additional 10% off at the shop!

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

Triple B - Birds, Butterflies, and Blooms

AllSorts #843 - AG/Embossing

Classic Design Challenge - AG/Optional Blooms or Butterflies

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything Goes

I used the ink blending technique on watercolor paper to create my background, spritzing the paper heavily with water and blotting with a paper towel. I used Versafine Black through my stencil as well as on the sentiment stamp, then embossed with clear embossing powder. I finished it off by sponging the edges of the card with black ink. Peace.