Sneeky Peek #1

First off, let's get the business out of the way.  I want to remind you you still have plenty of time to join us in this months TCP Tuesday Challenge.  This month we want to see Envie Envy over at The Cat's Pajamas blog.  All you have to do is decorate your envelope to join in on the fun.  Check out all the dets here.  But, that brings up our second item of the day...yes...it's -

Today the Cat Pack will be featuring this oh so sweet set, so aptly named Year of the Pig and the very versatile Rectangular Stamp Duo.

I think I saw this little guy on a surfboard the other day, so I decided to create a pool for him, on both the card and his envelope -

The shaker card was created using Round Bubbles CutUp Duos from our last release.  To make this card, I stamped, colored up and fussy cut the little piggy after coloring him with Copic markers.  The blue "bubbles" were die cut from paper in my stash.  The stitched circle was first cut with the stitched cut up and then with a plain circle die to create a border.  A piece of acetate was glued to the back side of the stitched circle and then popped up on some foam tape.  With the foam tape side up, the new (gorgeous!) Holographic Green Holeless sequins and a few other shaker elements were added inside the circle.  Another white circle was adhered over the top to hold everything in place.  The sentiment from the same stamp set was added using a MISTI and a few of the sequins were added for a bit more interest using what is a go to tool for me now, The Gem Wand.  It works like a wonder to pick up those pesky sequins that always try to dodge or get away from you.   The entire shaker element was then adhered to the card base, the little piggy was glued in place beside his pool.  

The envelope was pretty quick to do.  I started by stamping the piggy directly onto the envelope and on a piece of post-it paper.  The post-it image was fussy cut to create a mask which was placed over the piggy on the envelope.  I used a cosmetic brush to apply Salty Sea Distress ink to the envelope in varying amounts on just the corner.  Water was lightly spritzed over the area to give it a bit more of a watery look.  After drying, the pig was colored with Prismacolor pencils .  His eyes (both pigs) were darkened up with a Jelly Roll Glaze pen.

Want some of these cuties for yourself?  In celebration of this wonderful new release, you have a chance to win some Cat Cash ($10) .  A winner will be chosen each day this week from the comments on the featured blogs and IG accounts.  The winners will be posted on the TCP Blog and on our Facebook page. 

My IG is @brendanh50 for another chance to win.  Other Kitties that are creating today are :

Christine, Cristena, Deborah, Julee, Kerry, Lynn, Melissa, Nancy, Rebekah and Wendy.  Stop by and give them a shout out for more chances to win!

As always, thanks for your visits!

Aloha,

Brenda

Silhouette

This sweet die reminds me of the simpler times of my childhood. I remember my mother having silhouette pictures, similar to those above, hanging in our home. My card today was inspired by these and features 2 new dies from the Frantic Stamper March release, Victorian Courtship (FRA-DIE-10613) and Bow Swag Border (FRA-DIE-10599). I also used Semi-Circle Elements (FRA-DIE-10479) to frame the silhouette.

To make this card, I began by cutting the silhouette die and the swag die from black cardstock. The opening was cut in the top panel using semi-circle elements and then run through my Big Shot with Subtle Dynamic Textured Impressions embossing folder from Stamping' Up.  Tumbled glass distress ink was used to create a sky using a blending brush on the card base.  The silhouette die was centered and adhered on the panel.  Finally the window panel was popped up on foam tape and adhered to the card base.  Last of all the bow swag border was adhered to the top layer.  I often wait to add a sentiment when I decide how the card is to be used. 
The next card features a really sweet die, Lovebird Nest (FRA-DIE-10616) and Giant Layered Hello (FRA-DIE-10615).

This card was started by creating a watercolor background on watercolor paper and by cutting the die from watercolor paper.  Some embossing powder "splatters" were added for a bit more texture and interest.  The image was colored with watercolor brush markers.  On a 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" panel I cut a centered heart using Floral Lace Heart (FRA-DIE-10549).  The heart panel was adhered to the watercolor background using foam tape and the watercolored die was glued to the center of the heart.  The watercolor panel was adhered to the card base.  Hello was cut from cardstock, heat embossed and adhered to the front of the card.  

I really appreciate your visits.  If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  

Aloha,

Brenda

Sasayaki Glitter March Challenge - Flowers

I want to know who sped up the hourglass  whether you believe it our not, it's time to remind you of this months challenge over at Sasayaki Glitter.  We are looking for your projects the feature flowers.  There are bunches of cute flowery images in the Sasayaki Glitter store.  

Here's the image I've colored up.  This is Flower Ant and I just loved coloring him up -

This image was colored with Copic markers and has a background that was chalked.  It was cut and mounted on cardstock from my stash.  The little dots are Rhubarb Crumble Nuvo Drops.  The rest is just as you see it.  

I hope you'll be able to join us.  The challenge runs until April 2, so there's plenty of time to gather your flowers!

Aloha,

Brenda

Serene Poppy

Happy Saturday! I'm sharing a fun card I made with more dies from the March Frantic Stamper release.  This card features Serene Poppy (FRA-DIE-10586) and Cascading Hearts (FRA-DIE-10553), You're Number One (FRA-DIE-10427), Long Speech Bubbles (FRA-DIE-10462) Giant Love (FRA-CL-118) from previous releases.

For this card a white background was embossed with an embossing folder (Weathered by Taylored Expressions) and adhered to the card base.  Dies were cut from different yardstick scraps.  The Speech Bubble was stamped with VersaFine   ink in the color smokey grey.  The hand was partially glued to the background and cut flush with the side of the card.  The poppies were arranged and glued into the hand after turning the finger to hold them.  A little black chalk was added to the poppy to add a bit of depth and a few sequins were added for some shine.  A time heart was glued to the sentiment and the sentiment was glued to the card base.  

This is another card featuring Serene Poppy (FRA-DIE-10586) and Flower Basket (FRA-DIE-10617).  The sentiment is from Giant Thanks stamp set which was available in the January card kit which has sold out!

            

This card was fun to make.  The gorgeous paper is by Mintay and doesn't look to be currently available, but there is a gorgeous selection of other releases here.  It was cut and placed on a cardstock card base.  A doily from my stash was glued in place and trimmed.  The die cuts were cut from cardstock from my stash.  I kept the basket intact and popped it up on top of a bit of linen thread.  The center of the poppies were colored with some chalk to add a bit of depth.  The head of the poppies were glued to the stem and they were arranged and glued to the card front.  The sentiment was stamped with VersaFine ink, framed and mounted on the card.  

As I always say, you owe it to yourself to check out the Frantic Stamper store.  So many new products arriving daily.  Be sure to check on the monthly card kit.  It is full of great products and you get even more for your $$$ if you subscribe for 3 months or more.

Thanks for peeking in!  Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

Aloha,
Brenda

Dies or Stencils?

It's time for another As You Like It Challenge.  This fortnight our challenge theme is to share your favorite.  Use a  on your creation and tell us why it's your favorite.

This week our sponsor is:

Crafty Ribbons

Dies are definitely my favorite. I like using stencils but dies are available in such a wonderful variety and are fast and easy to use. Here's my card using dies from Paper Smooches -

We would love for you to head back to the AYLI blog to link up your creation.  While you are there, check out the prize that's up for grabs and take a look at the gorgeous creations the DT made for you to see!  

Aloha,

Brenda

CRAFT Challenge # 505

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It's time for another CRAFT Challenge!  We would love for you to join us this week in creating a Christmas project.

Our Sponsors this week are -

All Dressed Up 

and 

Bugaboo Stamps

Here's my card for this week featuring an image kindly provided by our sponsor All Dressed Up, Christmas Penguins -

I loved coloring up these little cuties!  I used both Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils.  Looking forward to seeing your Christmas creations over on the CRAFT Challenge blog.  

Aloha,

Brenda

Boyz II Men

I want to let you know about our Little Red Wagon Challenge #488 this week.  Now, this was a literal challenge for me.  Janice is our hostess and she wants us to show her our male type cards.  I don't know about you, but this really tests my creativity each time I have to make a guy card.  

Here's my Boyz II Men card -

I got this image years ago and only used it one other time, but to me it is a good start on a guy card.  He kinda looks upside down, but he isn't, I double checked.  I used the "black ice" technique to create this shiny, interesting, but I think a bit more masculine look.   It was triple matted and the small sentiment finished it off.  

If it's more inspiration you would like, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the Girlfriends have created. Then head back to the Little Red Wagon to link up your project.  I hope you'll consider joining us this week!  We would love to see your projects!

Aloha,

Brenda