Completely Wild About You

I pulled out this adorable stamp set from my stash, the set is from Wplus9 with matching dies. 

 I used two online challenges for my inspiration.  The CAS on Friday challenge is "Baby" and also Clean and Simple so I used quick and easy techniques.  A messy background with Distress Inks is always quick and I like that I can use colors that I want.  The giraffe was quickly colored with Copic markers, the balloon got its cute pattern from a stencil and they both have a matching die meaning I was able to cut them out quickly.  

 I didn't want just a solid color for my balloon so I thought using a stencil added some fun.  

 Is this guy simply cute!!!!

 Here is the Just Us Girls challenge.

Here is the CAS on Friday challenge.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Puppy Love

I'm always a fan of red and hearts so it was easy to play along with a couple online challenges.

 I used a very simple messy background of Distress Inks and then built my card around that.  

 I cut the word "love" out of a piece of kraft colored paper and then cut that piece into a banner shape, lining it with black paper.  That adorable little puppy is a stamp with its matching die from Reverse Confetti.  

 Here is the Card Concept challenge.

And here is the Time Out Challenges.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Using Copics

Yes, a few more online challenges used, did I say I love them!!!!

 I really like the Freshly Made sketch for this week and had to sit for a minute to decide how to use it.  I decided to cut my main piece of watercolor paper and then work with both parts.   

I also used the CAS on Friday challenge to use Sequins and the Addicted to Stamps challenge to Make Your Mark, all using Altenew Stamps.

 I don't usually use Copic markers on Watercolor paper, the watercolor paper does not allow you to really blend the Copics but in this case it did work out just fine.  I stamped the leaves with black ink and embossed them with clear embossing powder and then colored all of them. The background was also colored with a black pen.  

Here is the Freshly Made sketch.

Here is the Addicted to Stamps and More challenge.

Here is the CAS on Friday challenge.
Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

All about Green

The Addicted to CAS challenge is LUCK or LUCKY and I really had to think about that until I remembered a set of sentiment stamps from Stampers Anonymous that fit.  

 To start off I created a background using a stencil and some Distress Inks.  

 The flower is from a stamp set from Tim Holtz and Stampers Anonymous and by coloring it in greens I was able to also make this card fit the Sundays Stamp color challenge. The top part of the flower is coated with Glossy Accents for some added interest.  

 This is a close up of the result of the inks with the stencil.  

 Here is the Addicted to CAS challenge.

Here is the Sunday Stamps challenge.
Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Creating a background

I love so many things about crafting and this beautiful flower stamp from Altenew Stamps and a stencil for creating a background are definitely two of those things. 

 The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge is to create your own background and so I reached for this writing stencil, a foam blending tool and some Distress Ink pads.  I love the antique look some old writing adds and the inks create a soft look.  

 I wanted to do minimal coloring on these flowers using some Copic markers.  

 I sprayed the finished flower and background with a Heidi Swapp spray that gave everything a pearl look. 

Here is the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Golden "love"

I found a few online challenges that I simply needed to play along with.

 The color combination came from the photo inspiration with Time Out Challenge.  I wanted black and white stripes so I created my own with a black watercolor pen and a Copic black pen.  Once I drew my lines with a ruler, I used a waterbrush to make the watercolor black ink run.  In the photo this ended up looking like it has a lavender cast but it is actually more black and white in real life making it go along with the photo.  The layout of the card went along with the Freshly Made sketch.

 I made sure my card was really on the simple side by adding black and gold glitter.  

 Here is the Time Out Challenge Photo. 

 Here is the Freshly Made sketch I used. 

This also fits the CASology challenge.

 This CAS on Friday challenge is to use markers or pens. 

And the Simon Says Wednesday challenge is Anything Goes.
Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Big Hugs cuteness

The new year began with the desire to create more so I found a few online challenges to help get a creative spark.  I have lots of supplies but it's pretty interesting how I find direction when I find a few online challenges I want to try.  

 I started with a few brand new supplies I had on my desk that I hadn't even used yet.  How about that really neat background die from Lil' Inker.  It has enough interest and texture to be able to just leave the watercolor paper white.  The circle die and the banner are from another set of dies from Lil' Inker.  

 In order to use the colors in the Color Throwdown Challenge, I added the color pink to the circle die with a spray from Heidi Swapp.  The "big hugs" word die is from Simon Says Stamp and I colored them purple with Distress Stain.  I wanted to still keep my design on the simple and clean side so I just added the cutest little girl doggie stamp and matching die from Reverse Confetti.  

 I used inspiration from two different sketch challenges, the first one CAS(E) this Sketch.

 The second sketch challenge, CAS Colours & Sketches.

 My color choices came with the Color Throwdown Challenge. 

Plus my sentiment choice came from the CASology HUG challenge.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

CardMaker Magazine and Greeting Farm Stamps Blog Hop

The CardMaker Magazine blog team had the fun opportunity to play with some Greeting Farm stamps for a blog hop.  

 I picked the Cuddly Thanks set for my card.  What can I say, I love this adorable little fox.  I started out by creating my background for this cutie.  I added Distress Stain in Mowed Lawn to a square acrylic block and "stamped" that onto a piece of watercolor paper.  You see the strong lines because this was a square acrylic block.  Next I gave it a few spritzes of water so the ink would run a bit.  

I already said this guy is adorable.  I added color to the tree stump and to the fox with Copic Markers.  That really cute sentiment is also part of the set I used.  
There is a prize to be given away for those participating in the hop. 

Next hop on over to the Greeting Farm blog to continue the hop.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

With a blue flower

I used the CAS(e) this sketch for my card mostly because I just plain loved it.  

 I stamped the word "congratulations" four times on my watercolor paper.  I used white ink and embossed that with white embossing powder because I knew that the embossed words would then resist the Distress Stains that I used.  I spritzed the paper first with a small amount of water and then added the Distress Stains directly to the paper.  When that ink is then spritzed again, it runs.  You then need to just set it aside for the ink to dry.  I love how irregular it dries.  The word is from a set by Avery Elle.  I simply love that font.  

 That wonderful flower and the leaf sprig are stamps from Altenew.  The leaf was colored with Copic markers and the flower was simply colored by adding Distress Stains to it.  Again the white embossed lines resisted the ink. 

Here is the CAS(e) this sketch.
Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Autumn Colors

I know it's fall, but we aren't seeing that here where I live but it will come.

 I used the retro sketch for my design.  That piece in the middle is a page torn from my tablet of watercolor paper.  I love using this strip.  

This leaf is a stamp by Tim Holtz.  I did stamp it on watercolor paper and then I did add color with Copic markers.  The finish is a spray of Antique Bronze Distress Spray.  I cut the word out of copper glitter paper and the die is from My Favorite Things.

Here is the retro sketch.

I also used the Fusion challenge for the fall inspiration.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Play along with Addicted to CAS

I have one last challenge with Addicted to CAS as their guest designer.  I've loved playing along with them.  

 I love how easy it is, just create with blue.  

 Once again, I turned to my Distress Stains to create my background.  I applied the ink directly to an acrylic block, spritzed it with water and then pressed it to the watercolor paper.  Working with the Distress Stains this was is always unpredictable but I always love what happens.   

I used my Lil' Inkers dotted label die and used it to emboss a design into my paper.  LOVE those dots.  The stamps with matching dies I used are from a set by Wplus9 Designs. I wanted my look to be very simple so I didn't color my giraffe except for the bottoms of his little feet.  The big balloon and the sentiment are also from the same set.  I only added some accent to the balloon with a light gray Copic marker.  I hand wrote the string for the balloon. 

Check out what the rest of the Addicted to CAS team created and be sure to play along too.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

Welcome Baby

When I purchased this adorable set of stamps by Wplus9 Designs with this super cute giraffe, I knew it should be used for a baby card.  

 Because I wanted to color my giraffe with yellows and soft browns, I created my background in those colors with some Distress Stain with a watercolor look.  I added in a few spots with a dark brown ink.

 This completely adorable giraffe stamp has a matching die making it so easy to cut out.  I added my color with Copic markers and a little accent of some watercolor inks.  Plus some Glossy Accents here and there.  A few little epoxy stars finish off the fun. 

This fits the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge of Anything Goes.  Since I purchased my stamps from Simon Says Stamp, I think that really makes my card fit their challenge.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)