Artsy, Bright & Cheerful with the UnstampaBelles

Our theme this month at the UnstampaBelles challenge is Bright & Cheerful, with the optional twist of Artsy Creations. And remember, no stamps!

I decided to try something new, so I made a Pull-Up (or Accordion or Lantern) Card. All the tutorials I found create a very large, 6.25-inch square card, but I wanted mine to be a bit smaller, so I strunk it down to 4.675 inches. My strips are 1.5 x 9 inches, scored at every 1.5 inches.

For the artsy twist, I used a stencil & Memento dew-drop inks to embellish the patterned paper. I die-cut leaves (Sheena Douglas) & flowers (Sizzix) to decorate the top. Lots of cutting, but lost of fun!

Inspiration/Challenges:
2 Sisters On The Blog #24: (P1) More than one fold
Little Red Wagon #484: (Wed) Some Type of Movement

Update: This was a Featured Project for Little Red Wagon #484!

Be sure to check out the fabulous projects by my teammates the UnstampaBelles this month!

Thank you for visiting,

Pilin' On the Blues

The themes this month at Pile It On are Pretty in Pink and/or Feelin' Blue. You can choose one or both themes, and you may enter the challenge as many times you like, as long as you are inspired by at least one other Challenge theme. We're sponsored by All Dressed Up, and I went all-blue since earlier this month I went all-pink!

I made a shirt-and-tie card. Instead of a silk tie, I made a bolo tie.

The base is a jean-patterned paper I've had for ages. I created the sentiment for the pocket on my computer using the Home Sweet Home font, added a blue background, and printed it on silver paper. I used a layer of blue cardstock underneath the pocket & front seam. I did the stitching with a Sakura white gel pen. I cut the buttons with a Stampin' Up! die from ivory paper to simulate bone. I capped the black-and-gold rope with aluminum foil. I made the "turquoise" with a mix of three Stampendous powders: Periwinkle, Glacier, and Copper Enamel. I die-cut it with an oval die, and cut another oval and covered it with silver embossing powder. I'm pleased with the result!

Inspiration/Challenges:
Crafter's Cafe #213: (P1/15) Fancy Folds or Embossing

Everybody-Art-Challenge: (Tue 2W) Jeans (fabric or paper)
Happy Little Stampers Dies Challenge: (P9) Always Anything Goes with Dies 
My Time to Craft #390: (2W) Men Only
TIME OUT Challenge #129: (2W) Retro

Thank you for visiting! Hope you'll join us at Pile It On,

Shades of any Color at International Art & Soul

This fortnight at the International Art & Soul Challenge we're challenging you to Use Shades of any Color. A dear friend of mine loves the color pink, so I made her a special gift for Valentine's Day.

I made a gift bag using my Silhouette Cameo & decorated it with pink corrugated cardboard and Washi tape. I filled it with a heart-shaped soap, a candy bar from my favorite craft store in Arizona, and a Starbucks gift card.

I made a gift card holder with more of the corrugated cardboard, a coffee-themed paintable from AdornIt, and coffee-scented Washi tape. I colored the paintable with watercolor pencils and Copic markers.

Inspiration/Challenges:
Dare 2B Artzy Challenges: (1st Sunday) Love
Creations in Pink #6: (P15) Anything Goes in Mainly Pink
Moving along with the Times #91: (2W, Thurs) A Little Bit Shabby Chic

Update: This was the lucky winner for the Dare 2B Artzy "Love" challenge!

Thank you for visiting! Hope you'll join us at International Art & Soul,

Pilin' On the Pink

Our new theme at Pile It On is Pretty in Pink. You may enter the challenge as many times you like, as long as you are inspired by at least one other Challenge theme. We're sponsored by All Dressed Up, and I used their Happiness digi stamp.

I've wanted to make a bra card for quite a while, and I especially wanted to use a stamp like a tattoo. I used a template by Kasia.

This image worked perfectly as a tattoo! I colorized it to dark pink, printed it on a mottled pink French cardstock along with the card shape, and colored it with Copic markers. The cardstock is from my stash; I bought it in India 14 years ago! The clothing was made with red paper doilies that I heat-embossed pink. I also heat-embossed the heart-shaped brads, but in hot pink. The rose lace is from my stash; I forgot I had it, and it worked so perfectly for this project!

Inspiration/Challenges:
All Dressed Up: (M, P15) Anything Goes with All Dressed Up image (Happiness)
Crafter's Castle: (M Sat) Anything Goes with option: Fun Techniques
Creations in Pink: (P15) #6 Anything Goes in Mainly Pink
Dream Valley Challenge #194: (2W Mon) Doily & Brad
Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers #127: (2W Sat) V is for Valentine
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: (W) Anything Goes

Thank you for visiting & inspiring my crafting! Hope you'll join us at Pile It On,

Make Your Own Background at International Art & Soul

This fortnight at International Art & Soul we're challenging you to Make Your Own Background.

I tried a new-to-me technique: using salt to add effects to a watercolor background (inspired by the challenge at Back to Basics—thanks!); I don't have watercolor paints, so I followed the tutorial at Koala T Crafts for using distress inks. It was fun! I actually did the painting and coloring while breast pumping for my 2-month old! I tried table salt at first, but it didn't do much, so I re-wet the piece and used Epson salts. I stamped the Lili of the Valley rubber stamp directly onto watercolor paper before inking it, then die cut the square out of the center. Then I stamped the image onto white card stock and colored it with Copic markers; I fussy-cut it and added it over the top of the original stamped image. I stamped the birds (ArtsyFartsy & Verve Stamps) in the top corners of the background. I used gemstones on the bottom of the corners to represent bubbles. The sentiment (Hero Arts) was stamped on vellum and I added the little sailboat sticker. The cloud ribbon has been in my stash for so very long but I'm glad I kept it for this little touch.

Inspiration/Challenges:
Back To Basics: (2W) Salt Technique
Sweet Sketch Wednesday: (2W) Sketch + Optional Sponsor Image (Lili of the Valley)

Update: This was chosen as a Top 3 for Sweet Sketch Wednesday Challenge #152!


Thank you for visiting! Hope you'll join us at International Art & Soul,