Pin-Sights, Colour Throwdown and Freshly Made Sketches

It's the long weekend here and I've had some time to spend in my craft area,

which has been really nice!

I've decided that one way I can make the most of my time would be to

make a few cards using the same stamp set, while I have it out.

So, I decided to use my Ellen Hutson Mondo Hydrangea stamp set

to make two cards.

The first one is for the February Pin-Sights Challenge:

And for Freshly Made Sketches #324:

Here's my card:

I stamped the image in Altenew Turquoise ink and then a second time, using

my MISTI in versamark, so I could heat emboss it in clear.

I coloured it in using my Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolours.

I adhered it over two strips of cardstock using dimensional adhesive and 

stamped my sentiment (from PTI's Songbirds) in Altenew Evening Grey.

And I made my second card using Colour Throwdown #480:

Here's my card:

With some masking, I stamped the leaves in Papertrey Ink New Leaf ink and 

then a second time, using my MISTI in versamark, so I could heat emboss it in clear.

I repeated these steps with the flowers, using Altenew Deep Iris.

I coloured everything in using my Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolours.

I stamped my Concord & 9th Barnboard Background on a strip of watercolour paper

in Altenew Evening Grey and stamped my sentiment (from PTI's KIS: Sympathy)

on a strip of grey cardstock and heat embossed it in white.

Thanks for looking!

Essentials by Ellen Mix It Up Challenge: January

Today, I have two cards to share for this month's Essentials by Ellen Mix It Up Challenge --

one from me and one from Sage.

Yes, Sage made a card!

It's been a while. ;)

Sage and her brothers gave me some Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolours for Christmas,

so, Sage joined me in my craft area the other evening to play with them.

We both stamped the Essentials by Ellen Mondo Peony onto watercolour paper

in versafine onyx black ink and heat embossed it in clear.

Then, we set to colouring them in.

Here's my card:

I added a couple of extra blooms, as well as some splatters.

I stamped my sentiment using two from Concord & 9th's Flourish,

which I stamped in versamark on a strip of grey cardstock and heat embossed in white.

Here's Sage's card:

It's it pretty?

She added the "hello" from Concord & 9th's Flourish and 

the "lovely" from Concord & 9th's Hello Lovely.

Thanks for looking!

Essentials By Ellen December Pin-Sights Challenge -- Guest Artist

Today I am super excited to announce that I was asked to be a 

Guest Artist for one of my favourite challenges: 

 the Essentials by Ellen Pin-Sights Challenge!

The Essentials by Ellen Pin-Sights challenge is a monthly inspirational challenge based 

on a Colour Trend Inspirational Photo that is located on the CLASSroom blog. 

A random challenge participant will receive a $50 gift certificate to the Ellen Hutson store.  

To be eligible, you must use Essentials by Ellen products and 

the following photo badge as inspiration. 

There will be an inlinkz on the challenge post where you can submit your entries.

Here's the photo badge for December by which we are to be inspired:

Isn't it fun?

I was inspired by the photo in the bottom left hand corner, where all of the colours

seem to come from the middle of the design. 

I also wanted to use every colour from the strip on the right.

Here's my card:

I started off by diecutting my sentiment using MFT Stamps' Thanks die from white cardstock.

Then, I stamped images from Essentials By Ellen's Rustic Botanicals stamp set

in Altenew Moss, Mango Smoothie, Turquoise, Bamboo, Ruby Red, Sunkissed, 

Parrot, Starlight & Cotton Candy.

I hope you'll play along with this month's Essentials by Ellen Pin-Sights Challenge

-- I can't wait to see what you create!

Thanks for looking!

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12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2017

It's amazing to me how I am inspired by challenges!

I was wanting to wrap presents for my brothers, their significant others,

my nephew and my mom, which all needed to be mailed away.

So, I was in a hurry.

But, I wanted some cute tags to accompany my gifts (of course!)

I went on the Ellen Hutson Classroom Blog and saw their 12 Tags of Christmas 

with a Feminine Twist Challenge and was immediately inspired to make some quick tags.

The first one I made is for my nephew and is for the Day 3: Naturally Neutral Challenge:

I used a Papertrey Ink tag die, Mama Elephant Calli stamps for my nephew's name

and the little snowman from Neat & Tangled's Beary Merry.

For my next tag, I was inspired by Keeway Tsao's beautiful tags in Day 2: Silver & Gold:

I used a MFT snowflake and Reverse Confetti Flowers for Mom dies.

It's hard to tell in the photo, but the "mom" was diecut from gold cardstock.

And lastly, I used the Day 8: Challenge Sketch to make this tag:

I used a MFT circle die (& Fancy Pants patterned paper), a Reverse Confetti Branch Out

die and cork paper and the Mama Elephant Calli stamps.

I hand-lettered the ampersand.

Thanks for looking!

Essentials by Ellen Mix-It Up Challenge: October

Today, I have a  card to share that I made for 

this month's Mix It Up Challenge with Essentials by Ellen,

where we were challenged to pair Essentials by Ellen with Altenew.

Here's my card:

I stamped my image from Essentials By Ellen's Mondo Peonies onto my watercolour

panel and coordinating diecut in versamark, so I could heat emboss them in gold.

I coloured them in using my Zig Clean Colour Real Brush Markers and a water brush.

I did the same thing with the leaves from Altenew's Adore You.

I stamped my sentiment from Altenew's Build a Flower: Magnolia in versamark

onto black cardstock and heat embossed it in white.

I was also inspired by make my card from 

Altenew's October Inspiration Challenge:

Thanks for looking!

August Pin-Sights Challenge

Today I have a card to share for this month's

Essentials by Ellen Pin-Sights Challenge:

I love the pretty berries on the woodgrain background!

Here's my card:

I started by stamping the images from my Essentials by Ellen Mondo Peony stamp set

in Versamark and Wplus9 Hayride ink onto Strathmore watercolour paper and 

heat embossing it in clear.

I coloured them in using my Zig Clean Colour Brush Markers and a Ranger Tim Holtz Water Brush

and then diecut them using their coordinating dies.

I stamped my sentiment (from Mondo Hydrangea) in Altenew Jet Black Ink 

after stamping my background using Concord & 9th's Barnwood Background

and Wplus9 Hayride ink.

Thanks for looking!

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Essentials by Ellen Mix It Up Challenge: July

Today, I have a  card to share that I made for 

this month's Mix It Up Challenge with Essentials by Ellen,

where we were challenged to pair Essentials by Ellen with Lawn Fawn.

Here's my card:

Using some masking, I stamped my images from Essentials By Ellen's Mondo Hydrangea

and Lawn Fawn's Summertime Charm in ink and then, using my MISTI, again

in versamark, so I could heat emboss them in clear.

I coloured them in using my Zig Clean Colour Real Brush Markers and a water brush.

I diecut my Simon Says Stamp Happy diecut from pink and black cardstock,
stacked them together and added a strip, on white I stamped birthday
using my PTI KIS: Belated Birthday stamp set.

Thanks for looking!

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge -- Frosting

It's time for a new Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!

sugarandcharm.com

The LEAD of the Frosting Challenge will be invited as a 

Guest Designer in a future challenge!
Please visit the Curtain Call Challenge Blog for all the challenge info and deadline.

I know it's cupcakes in the photo, but I saw pretty flowers!Here's my card:

I decided to use both Reverse Confetti and Essentials by Ellen products
to make my card for this month's Mix It Up Challenge.

I stamped my Mondo Hydrangea blossom three times onto my watercolour panel
and, after heat embossing them, I coloured them in with my Zig Clean Colour Real Brush markers
and a water brush.
I created a mask for the hydrangeas and stencilled Altenew Morning Frost ink over them
using my Tim Holtz Woodgrain stencil.

 

I stamped the sentiment (from Reverse Confetti's Simply Sentiments) onto

 a strip of Stone Cardstock which I adhered with dimensional adhesive.

Make sure you visit each of the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge
 designers' blogs for more inspiration!

Amy Kolling

Betty Wright

Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Leigh Penner
Lisa Henke
Lori Tecler
Lynn Mangan
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Melody Rupple
Monika Davis
Sheri Gilson
Silke Ledlow
Stacey Schafer
Tara Godfrey

Follow us!
Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge Facebook Page
Curtain Call Pinterest Boards

Stop by the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Frosting

for the challenge details and to play along with us!

Thanks for looking!

Essentials by Ellen January Pin-Sights Challenge

Today I have a card to share for this month's

Essentials by Ellen Pin-Sights Challenge:

I was inspired by the two top photos in the left hand corner of the collage --

my favourite aqua, paired with black!

Here's my card:

I started by stamping the images from my Essentials by Ellen Mondo Peony stamp set

onto its coordinating diecut in Versamark ink and Altenew Volcano Lake Ink onto 

Strathmore watercolour paper and heat embossing it in clear.

I coloured it in using my Zig Clean Colour Brush Markers and a Ranger Tim Holtz Water Brush.

I stamped my sentiment (from Mondo Hydrangea) in Altenew Jet Black Ink.

I blended Altenew Moon Rock Ink onto my panel and dropped water drops onto it,

which I soaked up with a tissue.

I adhered my diecut flower with dimensional adhesive.

Thanks for looking!

Essentials By Ellen December Pin-Sights Challenge

Today I have a card to share for this month's

Essentials by Ellen Pin-Sights Challenge:

I love all of the beautiful red!

Here's my card:

I started by stamping the images from my Essentials by Ellen Mondo Peony stamp set

onto their coordinating diecuts in Versafine Onyx Black ink onto 

Strathmore watercolour paper and heat embossing it in clear.

I coloured them in using my Zig Clean Colour Brush Markers and a Ranger Tim Holtz Water Brush.

I stamped my sentiment (from Simon Says Stamps' Big Scripty Sentiments)

in Altenew Jet Black Ink, which is just as fabulous as all of the other Altenew inks.

I didn't order it originally, because I love my Versafine onyx black ink,

but finally decided to try it -- and am kicking myself for not getting it sooner.

I will use this ink all of the time now, and save my Versafine onyx black ink for embossing.

Thanks for looking!

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Five for Friday

1. Last weekend, I chaperoned at Austin's Central Manitoba Youth Choir Camp.

It's Austin's second year in the choir -- they meet for two weekends to rehearse together

and then tour for five days.

It's a wonderful experience and I am blown away by how talented these teens are!

Austin is on the far right in the red t-shirt.

2. It was Sage's birthday on Monday.
We had Party Potato Soup for supper -- Sage's favourite.
She named it Party Potato Soup when she was little, because
she misheard me when I called it Hearty Potato Soup.
Her name for it is definitely more fun!

I made her a cake and friends came by to celebrate before she went to youth.

Do you like her cake?

I was inspired by the Essentials by Ellen September Pin-Sights Challenge

to decorate it:

Since my best girl loves all things Paris:

3. I was also inspired by the Essentials by Ellen September Pin-Sights Challenge

to make this card:

I heat embossed my Essentials by Ellen Mondo Peony stamps 

in white on a piece of aqua mist cardstock,

as well as my sentiment (from PTI's Songbirds).

I stencilled Altenew Morning Frost ink over my panel using my 

Tim Holtz Woodgrain Stencil.

4. So, my new job is going really well!
There's lots to learn, but I'm finding I'm really enjoying all the aspects of my job.
And on Monday, one of my co-workers told me that he thought
I was a really good fit in the office with everyone. :)
I went along on an installation on Tuesday so I could see how everything works together
with the cabinetry.
And yesterday, I attended a seminar in Winnipeg, which was very interesting and fun.

 For the seminar, we were given these super cool badges
that we could personalize and use as ice-breakers for conversations.
Here's mine:

I was disappointed though when no one asked me about any of my topics. ;)


5. Tonight, Sage and I are going to spend the night at the Winkler Bible Camp
for their annual Mother/Daughter retreat.
We attended last year and enjoyed it so much, we decided to make it a yearly tradition.
I'm looking forward to spending some one on one time with my best girl. :)

Thanks for looking!

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Five for Friday

1. Well, here we are at the end of summer.... Sigh...

It's always hard to see my favourite season come to an end.

It was a fun couple of months, that's for sure...

2. Our Corn & Apple Festival was last week...

We took Lucy to the parade (we've been dog watching her for a couple of weeks

and will be sad when her owners arrive later today to pick her up!)

3. Our favourite comedian came to perform at the Corn & Apple Festival: Matt Falk.

We've been driving to different locations to see him perform for a few years now

so it was great to have him come to our town for a show!

After Matt's show, the kids and I went on the Ferris Wheel together

and Austin took this photo.

Such fun times with my favourite people!

4. My friend, Ingrid (Lucy's owner), gave me a devotion book at the end of July

called Jesus Calling.

I wake up early, before anyone else, so I've been getting up and sitting in the rising sunshine

on my couch and reading it, along with my Bible.

I've never been good at having a "quiet time" with God, but this past month, 

I've been very consistent with it and have looked forward to spending this time with Him

-- reading His Word and praying.

I came across this verse last week (Psalm 65:3) and loved it so much,  

I had to highlight it in my Journaling Bible.

I stamped images from my PTI Feather Finery set in Hawaiian Shores

and Tropical Teal.

I've also been doing a devotion from Proverbs 31 along with the Jesus Calling

and found this quote to be quite inspiring, so I added it to my Journaling Bible.

I used my new PTI Stylized Autumn Leaves to embellish my quote.

5. And lastly, I have a card to share for the

Essentials by Ellen September Mix It Up Challenge with Concord & 9th.

I combined two brand new sets that I received in the mail recently:

Essentials by Ellen's Mondo Peony set and Concord & 9th's Barnwood Background.

I stamped my Barnwood Background stamp on white cardstock using Altenew's Evening Grey ink.

I stamped the Mondo Peony stamps on their coordinating diecuts (from watercolour paper)

in versafine onyx black and heat embossed them in clear.

I used my Zig Markers and a water bush to colour them in.

I stamped the sentiment (from PTI's Tropics) in versafine onyx black as well.

Thanks for looking!

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